ThisWeek German Village 4/14 by The Columbus Dispatch/Dispatch Magazines

April 14, 2011

Air-conditioners and parts

Scrap dealers issue moratorium on items By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers In cooperation with the Columbus Division of Police, several of the city’s largest scrap dealers have declared a 30day moratorium on the purchase of retail air-conditioners and parts. Also during the moratorium period and beyond, the scrap dealers have agreed to check air-conditioning units and related merchandise to see if they are marked by ultraviolet-ink pens.

Meanwhile, the city will launch a massive public-outreach campaign on how residents can prevent thefts. Community liaison officers will send information to local business, civic associations, block-watch groups and other community organizations. George Speaks, the city’s deputy director of public safety, said 400 reports of air-conditioning thefts have been made since November. “It’s bad,” said Cmdr. Bob Meader of the property-crimes bureau for Colum-

bus police. “We’re likely to see an increase in the number of thefts over the next few weeks. Not because actual thefts are occurring but because many of the thieves have stolen the air-conditioner units during the winter.” Thieves can net $30 to $50 per unit, while it costs the owner thousands of dollars to replace. “Likewise, it’s adversely affecting insurance companies, which will pay the claims to the owners,” Speaks said. Commercial air-conditioning busi-

nesses will not be affected by the moratorium, Speaks said. Scrap-metal thefts have been plaguing the city for some time. Columbus City Council in 1997 passed a law regulating sales of scrap metal. The following year, the state passed a similar measure. Columbus police also follow an electronic-reporting system that tracks thousands of transactions a day. That system has led to numerous arrests, Speaks said.

Law enforcement has stepped up efforts in recent months to combat thefts and have been spot-checking the 15 or so scrap-metal yards in Columbus. Local churches also have been hit hard by the copper thieves. The Rev. Robert Patterson, deacon of the Emmanuel Tabernacle Baptist Church on the Near East Side, said four units have been stolen since October, costing the church $20,000 in damages, See SCRAP DEALERS, page A2

Residents MAKING HEADWAY have pick of Earth Day events

GVS seeks nominees for annual awards

By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Volunteers will roll up their sleeves and break out the trash bags during the second annual Earth Day cleanup in German Village. About 50 people are expected to hit the streets April 16. The event will take place between 9 and 11:30 a.m. Participants will gather at the Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St., before dispersing into the neighborhood. Brian Santin, president of the German Village Society’s board of trustees, encourages residents to get involved. “It’s a good way to contribute to the betterment of the community while also having a personal health benefit — getting out and about, walking around the community,” he said. “It also lends itself to a sense of pride for the German Village neighborhood. Anyone can do it.” Gloves and bags will be provided for free. Santin said alleys seem to be the biggest problem areas, as they are unattended by city street cleaners. Fortunately, the village is not a target for graffiti vandals, so paint removal will not be part of the day’s activities, he said. Meanwhile, a separate cleanup is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m. April 16 in Frank Fetch Park. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, rakes, cutting shears and brooms. Some refreshments will be provided. Jerry Glick, who is in charge of the Frank Fetch Park cleanup, said 25 to 30 volunteers routinely show up for the spring cleaning and prepare the park for planting in May.

The German Village Society is looking for residents who have gone the extra mile for their community. Nominations for the three annual neighborhood awards — the Frank Fetch, Fred and Howard and Village Valuables awards — are due by 4 p.m. Friday, April 22. They can be submitted electronically at www.germanvillage.com or dropped off at the Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St. “Villagers are incredible when it comes to giving service to their community, evidenced by the fact that two of the awards — Frank Fetch and Fred and Howard — are named for people who gave such service,” said Jody Graichen, director of historic preservation programs for the society. “Villagers lead the pack when it comes to serving their community, and our neighborhood is all the better for it.” For the second year, the society has opened the process to include nominations from anyone in the community. “We’re optimistic that many members of our community will nominate people for these awards, which recognize the true spirit of volunteerism in German Village,” said Jeanne Likins, secretary of the society’s board of directors. “And we have lots of worthy candidates.” The Frank Fetch Award was established in 1984 by the late Fred Holdridge and Howard Burns to recognize individuals for outstanding service to the German Village community. Frank Fetch was the first recipient of the award and the list of recipients is “a register of leadership, inspiration and beloved friends,” according

See EVENTS, page A2

‘Deadheaders’ would be grateful for Former Village Singers member Vocalist takes her cue from soulful ’60s singers volunteers By Paul Vernon/ThisWeek

Jordan Dupler, 6, of Columbus, carefully crawls out of a piece of playground equipment at Schiller Park on April 10.

See ANNUAL AWARDS, page A2

By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Bert Stevens is putting a call out for additional “Deadheaders.” If weather cooperates, the Deadheaders gardening group will converge on Huntington Garden in Schiller Park from 7 to 9 p.m. April 19 and then again at 8 a.m. April 23. The latter session should last about 90 minutes, said Stevens, who is in charge of the club. Gardening tools will be supplied, she said. It will mark the 18th year enthusiasts have helped plant and preserve the garden, which was dedicated in 1993. Volunteers will work through the end of October. Stevens said she also needs people to help plant, which will be done in May, and mulch in June.

Local singer Lisa Imondi describes her debut CD as a personal journey, one that not only flaunts her vocal style but also reveals her inner self. That was something the lifelong performer was reticent to do. “I’ve been writing songs forever,” said Imondi, who lives in Olde Towne East. “And I think I just sort of felt like it was so personal. It was hard for me to do that because I felt like it was opening my diary. You’re putting yourself out there.” The former vocalist for Village Singers, the German Village choir, is releasing her CD, “Being Me,” on April 20. The CD will be available for purchase on her website, www.lisaimondi.com. To

launch her album, she also has planned a concert and reception at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave. Eight songs appear on the CD, five of which Imondi wrote. The recording was done Lisa Imondi live at Sonic Lounge in Grove City with “no studio tricks,” meaning the band was recorded live, she said. Imondi, 46, said she was inspired by the soulful sounds of artists of the 1960s: Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Etta James and Sam Cooke, as well as female vocal acts including Martha and the Vandellas and the Shirelles. “I just love that whole era,” she said. “The sound is so rich and warm to me. It’s real.”

She said she started singing as a child and sang all the way through Westerville North High School, from which she graduated in 1982. A management consultant by day, Imondi has performed at a variety of venues over the years. “Actually, I’m more comfortable performing live than in the studio,” she said. “I think because it’s like I’m connecting with the listener. I’m feeding off the audience, their energy. It’s cool to see people really listening intently.” Wayne Owens, founder and general manager of the Village Singers, said he enjoys Imondi’s sultry and smoky style, which was a good complement to his group. “I think she’s great,” Owens said. “She’s a unique talent, no question.” gseman@thisweeknews.com www.ThisWeekNews.com

See DEADHEADERS, page A2