February 3, 2011
Monthly luncheon
Police: Burglaries, thefts from autos have increased By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Photos by Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeek
(Above) Wes Bourne, a Johnstown resident, practices his juggling with the Jest Jugglers on Jan. 27 at the Schiller Park Recreation Center in German Village. (Below) Evan Smith, of Powell, adds another degree of difficulty to his juggling routine by balancing on a ball. To view a video from the Jan. 27 meeting of the group, log on to www.ThisWeekNews.com.
Jugglers say hobby is worth the effort By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers They stand across from each other, pitching clubs back and forth at an almost hypnotic speed. Others toss bird seed-filled balls in the air, trying to keep them suspended before gravity and fatigue take their toll. Yet another one hops on a unicycle, attempting to incorporate basketballs into his routine — without falling. This is just another day in the lives of the Jest Jugglers, a group that meets each Thursday night at the Schiller Park Recreation Center in German Village. Founded in the early 1980s, the outfit is the longest-running juggling group in central Ohio, according to Owen Smith, codirector of the organization. It accepts jugglers of all coordination levels and there is no cost to join. “We do have people from all walks of life,” said Smith, a mechanical engineer who lives in Powell. His son, Evan, an exercise enthusiast,
Comparing statistics in a three-month span in 2009 and 2010, Columbus police say burglaries and thefts from vehicles significantly increased in German Village. From September through November 2009, police reported 13 burglaries in the neighborhood. During that same period a year later, that number shot up to 33. Likewise, there were 21 thefts reported from vehicles in 2009. In 2010, 73 were reported. That issue, along with a number of safety-related concerns, was discussed at the Jan. 27 police luncheon at the German Village Meeting Haus. Meanwhile, the number of actual arrests dropped from seven to three and incidents of malicious destruction rose from 16 to 21. Many other types of crimes didn’t significantly rise or decrease during that time period, officers said. Resident Jerry Glick, who organizes the luncheon on behalf of the German Village Society, said the numbers confirm what many people have perceived to be a trend over the past two years. “They tell us we are obviously attractive to the criminal because what we leave in our cars is easily accessible,” he said. “These are all crimes of opportunity and we’re providing the opportunity.” Police and local civic leaders have urged residents to take extra precautions in securing their property, whether in their vehicles or in their homes. “A lot of this we can help,” Glick said. The statistics are helpful in tracking crime where it occurs, he said. “The more we know, the better we are in controlling any crime in the area,” he said. Glick said the community is at somewhat of a disadvantage because many houses and apartments do not have garages. He said crime statistics were available for the whole year but he felt that three busy months during the holiday season would be representative of greater trends. German Village is still very safe by comparison to other areas of the city, he said, and the incidents of violent crime are pretty low. In other news from the monthly luncheon, officers told See POLICE, page A2
See JUGGLERS, page A2
Friends plan Mars Creations memorial for Local business will close later this month Holdridge at White Castle By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers
After five years in business, Mars Creations is closing. Owner Marsha Robinson said her German Village business, which specializes in custom art and jewelry, will shut its doors for good Feb. 26. “It’s really kind of a sad thing. I’m in one of the most historic places in German Village,” she said of her 1,000-square-foot space at 223 E. Kossuth St., commonly referred to as “The Red Stable.” Jody Graichen, historic preservation officer for the German Village Society, said the property on East Kossuth, believed to be built in 1891, has a rich history, serving as an ice house, stable, candy store, art gallery and arts-and-crafts shop over the years. The property owners want to sell the site but Robinson said she is not interested in buying it. She said she would move to Palm Springs, Calif. See CLOSING, page A2
By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Tim Norman/ThisWeek
Sharing a few sliders with some friends for dinner? Fred Holdridge wouldn’t have had it any other way. Friends and well-wishers of the late Holdridge will celebrate his memory on Valentine’s Day with a sojourn to the White Castle on Greenlawn Avenue. “He was just a White Castle fan,” said Wayne Owens, a friend who will join in the festivities Feb. 14. Unfortunately, Owens said, the event is sold out, as 32 people will be telling stories, listening to music and supping on burgers, curly fries, onion chips and fish sandwiches.
Marsha Robinson repairs a clasp on a customer’s necklace on Jan. 27 at Mars Creations, her custom art and jewelry store at 223 E. Kossuth St. Robinson said the store will close for good Feb. 26.
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See MEMORIAL, page A2
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