May 5, 2011
Aging-in-place program
GVS OKs $1,500 to conduct survey By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers A German Village group soon will send out a communitywide survey seeking input on a proposed aging-in-place program. The German Village Society’s board of trustees on May 2 approved spending $1,500 for mailing the questionnaires to each of the neighborhood’s 2,100 households.
The surveys will be distributed in midMay. Carolyn McCall, who chairs the society’s long-range planning committee, said the survey is designed to gauge interest in German Village Connections, an organization that would provide a number of services for seniors who couldn’t otherwise perform the tasks themselves. For nine months, the committee has been building the structure for the program. McCall said the responses could
help the committee decide whether to pursue German Village Connections or give it up entirely. “I think it’s going to be a key decisionmaker,” she said. “If it’s going to be an overwhelming response, it’s full-steam ahead.” The survey asks, among other questions, whether residents would be interested in the services, whether they’d be willing to pay dues and if they’d volunteer.
GVS board president Brian Santin said some of the questions were vague and he would like to see them be clearer. “I just want to make sure we’re providing the most effective means of sampling the community,” he said. McCall said the committee would evaluate the responses to determine the next course of action. The committee is on course with its planning and will make its decision on German Village Connections by the end of the year.
In other news from the meeting, Wayne Owens, founder and general manager of the Village Singers, reminded the board that the group’s next concert is slated for 7 p.m. May 14 and 2 p.m. May 15 at the Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St. The vocal group will perform “An American Songbook,” featuring numbers from American songwriters and musicians. Admission is $10 at the door. gseman@thisweeknews.com www.ThisWeekNews.com
Police luncheon
Residents: decorative plants are targets for thieves By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Sue Meigs, owner of theDogWorks/cats2, holds Beaver the cat at her pet-supply store in German VIllage April 28. Meigs and her shop will participate in the annual “Mother May I” event Saturday, May 7, when local merchants will offer free samples and discounted items in honor of Mother’s Day. Meigs said she’s giving away pet treats and will donate half of the proceeds from her “momma cat” clearance items to Save the Wild Side, a local spaying and neutering organization.
‘Mother May I’ honors moms of all kinds By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers Mother’s Day celebrates moms of all styles. During the “Mother May I” event in German Village, theDogWorks/cats2 also will help celebrate mothers of the four-legged variety. The German Village pet-supply shop is among many local merchants participating in the fifth annual event, to be held throughout the day May 7, the Saturday before Mother’s Day. “We definitely have a strong pet population down here,” said Sue Meigs, owner of the store, 195 Thurman Ave. Meigs said she’s giving away pet treats and will donate half of the proceeds from her “momma cat” clearance items to Save the Wild Side, a local spaying and neutering organization. She said adoptable kittens also would be available at the store. A fee will pay for spaying or neutering and associated costs.
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It’s a great way for us to show we really do support women and all the mothers and say ‘thank you.’ It’s a great event. It’s a kitschy, fun event.
HALI ROBINSON director of Muse Gallery
Patrons also will have the chance to win two gift baskets valued at more than $200 each. They must register their names at each participating business. The more businesses they visit, the better their chances of winning, said Jeff Lowe, co-owner of Village Pet Supply, 740 S. High St. Lowe and
partner Greg Gamier are co-chairs of this year’s Mother May I event, sponsored by the German Village Business Community. The baskets will contain such items as a family pack to the Columbus Clippers and gift certificates to the Book Loft and a number of area restaurants. Gamier called Mother May I “a great summertime kickoff.” “See the best the village has to offer in unique shops and eateries featuring various specials and treats geared to please mothers, sisters and friends alike,” he said. “Make it a bonding experience with mom or simply enjoy a delightful afternoon with friends.” Muse Gallery, which is new to the area, donated to the gift basket and will offer tea and cookies and 10 percent off anything in the gallery that day, providing patrons mention Mother May I. See MOTHER MAY I, page A2
When the weather turns warmer, it seems almost anything can be a target for thieves in German Village. Even plants. At the monthly police luncheon April 28 at the Meeting Haus, residents shared anecdotes of decorative potted plants being stolen from houses and businesses and resold at other venues. Jerry Glick, who organizes the luncheons on behalf of the German Village Society, said Frank Fetch Park has experienced its share of bandits in the past. Many years ago, crooks nabbed several plants from the park. But devotees of the greenspace had stuck identifying markers deep into the soil, he said. The flowers were recovered when the thieves were detected trying to sell the merchandise at a South Side flea market, Glick said. “There have been over the years a number of pots and plants stolen from residents and many of them occurred just before Mother’s Day and in the spring when some independent landscapers were in need of plants for an installation project,” Glick said after the meeting. “It may also include outside furniture, as well. “Everyone should be on the lookout. Reputable landscapers would not resort to this. Be careful who you hire.” Police also encouraged residents to keep their front doors locked while they’re landscaping in the backyard. Lt. Ron Kemmerling said it’s not uncommon for bandits to enter properties and make off with credit cards, cash and other valuables while homeowners are doing yard work in the back. In related news, safety officials said a recent moratorium declared by local scrap dealers on purchasing retail air-conditioners and parts seems to be working. See POLICE LUNCHEON, page A2
GartenMarkt to showcase bright colors, wide variety of plants By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers Phil Keller is all about fitting a large array of colors into a small amount of space. Keller, owner of Moss Baskets by Keller in Powell, is one of 10 vendors participating in this year’s GartenMarkt, sponsored by the German Village Garten Club. He fills his baskets, made of moss or fiber, with such plants as petunias, geraniums, million bells, lobelia, torenia
and verbena to maximize flair. “I like to think they almost look like carnival colors, very vibrant and bright,” Keller said. “I kind of think of these as being like an art form. The color screams at you. That’s what I go for.” The 45th annual GartenMarkt will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the German Village Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St. Admission is free. “The GartenMarkt team has looked far and wide for new plants, healthy plants, multiple colors and textures to
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give everyone an opportunity to fill their garden spaces and window boxes with only the best material,” said Carol Porter, a member of the Garten Club. Porter said popular plants — including phantom and Picasso petunias, orchids of multiple colors and Rocky Mountain red geraniums — would make returns. Gardening specialists will lend their expertise to market customers, Porter said. “Some of our professional experts are going to tell you how to make your
pots or landscaping beautiful by mixing different textures, not just colors but textures,” she said. Also, the event will feature a tent filled with baked goods, plus grilled portobello mushrooms and bratwursts. Coffee and water will be available, as well. The GartenMarkt will be preceded by Jazz and Juleps, scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 6, at the Meeting Haus. Admission is $25.
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A closer look The 45th annual GartenMarkt will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the German Village Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St. Admission is free. It will will be preceded by Jazz and Juleps, scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 6, at the Meeting Haus. Admission is $25.
See GARTENMARKT, page A3
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