May 26, 2011
German Village Connections
GVS seeks feedback through survey By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers Surveys seeking residential input on a local aging-in-place program were sent out May 24. Local officials say the responses will help them decide whether to proceed with establishing German Village Connections, said Carolyn McCall, chair of the German Village Society’s long-range planning committee, which has been pursuing the matter. “I think it’s going to give us an indication of the level of interest that exists in the community and it’s kind of a first-level inquiry into that,” she said. “It’s so important we get people’s feedback, no matter what the feedback is.”
The surveys were distributed to all of the community’s 2,100 households. The society’s board of trustees voted May 2 to spend $1,500 to distribute them. Completed questionnaires are due by June 15 at the German Village Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St. Residents who return the surveys on time will be eligible to win a $50 gift certificate to G. Michael’s Bistro. “The long-range planning committee is pursuing this venture in exactly the way the community should — seeking input from the entire neighborhood,” said Brian Santin, president of the German Village Society’s board of trustees. “This affords us with the best gauge of the potential interest in this exciting project and can pro-
vide valuable insight into the variables that need to be accounted for as the German Village Connections idea takes shape.” The survey is designed to measure residents’ interest in the services and their willingness to pay dues to belong to the organization. The survey doesn’t just apply to the senior population, McCall said. Young people can take the opportunity to show their interest in volunteering for the various duties that need to be done, she said. The intent of the program is to offer a network of high-quality resources, services, programs and activities suited to meet the needs of daily living
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I think it’s going to give us an indication of the level of interest that exists in the community and it’s kind of a first-level inquiry into that. It’s so important we get people’s feedback, no matter what the feedback is.
CAROLYN MCCALL chair of German Village Society long-range planning committee
See SURVEY, page A3
Shadowbox Live
Opening of coffee shop sets stage for relocation
Residents honored for efforts in historic preservation
By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Something’s brewing in the Brewery District. Coffee, to be precise. Shadowbox Live has opened the Backstage Bistro in the historic Worly Building, a prelude to the theater troupe’s scheduled move to the area in August. “We wanted to open the coffee shop early for a few reasons,” said Nikki Fagin, spokeswoman for Shadowbox Live. “One, we felt it was a terrific way of introducing ourselves to the neighborhood. Two, the Backstage Bistro is a brand-new venture for Shadowbox Live and taking it in phases will allow us to provide the topnotch service and quality our patrons have come to expect from us.” The coffee shop, 503 S. Front St., offers a full slate of Crimson Cup coffee drinks, plus fruit smoothies, pastries, muffins, bagels and scones, some of which are being provided by such local institutions as the Angry Baker, Rogue Bakery and Block’s Bagels. “It was extremely important to us to find not only high-quality products, but products we felt represented the Shadowbox Live philosophy,” Fagin said. “We wanted local artisans who are masters at their food.” Fagin called the atmosphere “sophisticated and sexy,” as many of the origi-
The people and organizations committed to architectural work and community involvement were honored May 19 at the annual Caretakers of a Legacy awards ceremony, held at the German Village Meeting Haus. Three couples and a group of volunteers received praise and a plaque from the German Village Society, which hosted the ceremony. The German Village Commission, the local architectural review board, made the award selections except for the President’s Award, which was chosen by the GVS. “Projects need not be large or even dramatic,” said Jay Panzer, chairman of the commission. “As is often the case with historic preservation, some of the best projects are hardly visible at all — and they never detract from the integrity of the historic structure. “As I’ve often said, the Caretakers of a Legacy awards serve as a testament to how dedicated the residents of German Village are to staying true to our architectural heritage, whether by restoring original elements or building new to complement the old.” Brian and Lisa House won the Preservation Award; Daniel Kline and Marie Logothetis won the Commissioners’Award; Harvey and Michele Handler won the Chairman’s Award; and the German Village Society’s parks, public spaces and community events committee won the President’s Award.
By Tim Norman/ThisWeek
German Village Commission chairman Jay Panzer speaks about Harvey and Michele Handler’s home at 703 S. Fifth St. during the Caretakers of a Legacy awards ceremony at the German Village Society Meeting Haus on May 19. The Handlers won the Chairman’s Award for their work on the home.
See PRESERVATION, page A2
See COFFEE SHOP, page A2
Final show at Maennerchor to feature New York City comedian By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers Nate Bargatze is headlining the last comedy show at the Columbus Maennerchor, which will close at the end of August. The New York City-based comic said he will give the audience something to look forward to. “Just come out,” he said during a phone interview last week from his home in Queens. “You'll have fun, whether it's for the comedy or to watch me go down in a fiery blaze. Either way, it will be fun.” The show, “Dylan Shelton Presents: Nate Bargatze Live in Columbus,” will begin at 9:30 p.m. May 26 and May 27,at the Brewery District location, 966 S. High St. Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door.
If you go The comedy show, “Dylan Shelton Presents: Nate Bargatze Live in Columbus,” will begin at 9:30 p.m. May 26 and May 27 at the Columbus Maennerchor, 966 S. High St. Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door. Bargatze said his routine is clean, with no vulgarity or cursing.
Bargatze's story isn't unlike that of other comics. It wasn't his chosen profession. Bargatze was raised in a suburb of Memphis, Tenn. A friend, who wanted to make a career in improvisational comedy, talked him into moving to Chicago. After a few years on the local cir-
cuit, he moved to New York City, where he performs several times a week. He recently returned from his fourth visit to Iraq, where he entertained troops. His act also takes him across the country. He has performed twice on “Late Night with Conan O'Brien,” before O'Brien's move to TBS, and did a special on Comedy Central. “It's working out,” he said of his career. Then he paused. “I guess we'll see if it works out,” he said. “It's working out right now.” Bargatze said his routine is clean, in the style of Jerry Seinfeld and Sinbad, meaning no vulgarity or cursing. “It's natural, the way I grew up,” he said. Shelton, a comedian based in Columbus, has organized five shows featuring national acts at the Maennerchor and
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another three with local talent. It's a farewell show of sorts for Shelton, who is moving to New York City to develop his comedic style. He plans to stay in the Big Apple for five years and return to Columbus. He still plans to organize about two shows a year in Columbus. Meanwhile, the Maennerchor eventually will be razed, as Columbus City Schools has plans to expand Stewart Alternative Elementary School, located across the alley. Sue Gall, general manager of the Maennerchor, said she's sorry to see comedy nights, along with other events at the facility, drawing to a close. “(Shelton) always gets top-notch people,” she said. “The comedy's always a good time.” gseman@thisweeknews.com www.ThisWeekNews.com
Nate Bargatze