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cityscene • January/February 2012
1
inside departments 6 insight
Spin Cycle scene
16
Blüe Mötley Bald-pated, taciturn icons take their show on the road 10 health
How Sweet it is ... Not
Cast a careful eye on sweetened beverages
12 cuisine
Souperstars
Local kitchens ladle up labor of love
20 Battle Royal
44 travel
43 Capital Commemoration 48 One Bourbon, One Scotch,
250 Beers
if by River Two River cruise offers impressive picture of European grandeur 50 visuals
Back to Nature
56 Two Visions of Spirituality
Organic dyes and handmade paper make painter’s artwork all-natural
57 on view
6
Gallery Exhibits
The latest gallery shows around the city
60 calendar
Picks & Previews
CityScene spotlights what to watch, what to watch for
12
and what not to miss!
64 critique 50 2
cityscene • January/February 2012
The Painter’s Eye Featuring Let Us Give Thanks by Clarence H. Carter
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e
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Log on to www.cityscenecolumbus.com and enter for a chance to win these and other great prizes. “Like” us on Facebook for up-to-the minute news on our great giveaways and what’s hot in Columbus.
• Tickets to see the national
touring Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof Jan. 26 at the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts.
• Tickets to see Michael Gates Gill,
author of How Starbucks Saved My Life, speak Feb. 24 at the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts.
• Tickets to see the
Blue Man Group, courtesy of Broadway Across America, Feb. 7-12 at the Palace Theatre.
luxury living 23 profile
Love at First Sight
Bob Webb Group helps bring couple’s lengthy condo search to an end
30 Don’t Worry, Be Savvy
Study your options when considering home refinancing 32 man cave
• Free passes to the Arnold Sports Festival March 1-4 throughout downtown Columbus.
• Tickets to the Columbus Sym-
phony Orchestra’s Masterworks 5 through Masterworks 7 at the Ohio Theatre.
• A bicentennial prize package from 200Columbus.
Pumped Up
Win a copy of Real Steel
38 in the spirit
Available January 24 on Blu-ray™ and DVD combo pack
Home gym offers everything an exerciser might need Rings of Fire
Add a light to transform your drink and dazzle your guests 40 community spotlight 41 available homes www.cityscenecolumbus.com
Rated PG-13 from DreamWorks Pictures and Touchstone Home Entertainment
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"Like" us on Facebook and enter to win fun prizes every Friday! cityscene • January/February 2012
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cityscene • January/February 2012
5
{insight}
Mötley Blü Bald-pated, taciturn icons take their show on the road By Garth Bishop
I
t’s not easy being blue. It takes a lot of hard work on the part of directors, musicians, performers and all of the other crew members to put together a show for the Blue Man Group – but the effort pays off in a memorable performance like no other.
Blue Man Group will be in Columbus media – whether it’s performing wacky Feb. 7-12 at the Palace Theatre, cour- stunts in commercials for Intel or being tesy of Broadway Across America. The impersonated by David Cross’ character on the FOX sitcom Arrested bald-headed, black-clad, blueDevelopment. skinned Men and their brightBhurin Sead was workly-colored musical accoming in a lab with a biolpanists have a reputation for ogy degree when he showmanship, quality music saw the Blue Man and great comedic timing, and Group perform an arched LED curtain with and was inspired a high-resolution screen will to come to one only add to the touring show’s of the group’s visual flair. Bhurin Sead open audiThe group is based in New York City and, in addition to its touring tions. Though he didn’t show, runs nightly shows in New York, make it on the first Chicago, Boston, Orlando and Las Vegas. try, the Dallas-Fort It also has international shows in Germa- Worth native moved ny, Japan, Sweden and Austria, as well as a to New York, took some acting classes Norwegian Cruise Line show. Though renowned for its live show, the and was accepted Blue Man Group has also gained some after his second recognition for its appearances in various audition. 6
cityscene • January/February 2012
端e
“is really rowdy If the audience one night, it might be our cue to really turn up the gas. • bhurin
8
sead
”
cityscene • January/February 2012
That meant an eight-week training process, halfway through which Sead began appearing in shows in New York. Learning to play the instruments and get the Blue Mannerisms down is only part of the process – the key part, Sead says, was learning to gauge audience reactions and adapt accordingly. “The show relies a lot on audience participation … so there’s only so much you can do in the studios,” he says. Now he travels the country with three other Blue Men – each show features three of the four Blue Men in action, with the fourth getting a night off – bringing the group’s unique repertoire to audiences across the country. Sead has been a Blue Man for four years now and thrives on the ever-changing nature of the show. The three original Blue Men – Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton, who founded the group in the 1980s – are still very involved in the creative process, which helps the show maintain its foundation even as it forever incorporates new pieces.
“We have a group of creative directors and writers in New York City who are constantly coming up with new ideas and new instruments to play,” Sead says. As important as the Blue Men themselves are, they must keep their actions in time with the music, and keeping that timing going is the responsibility of the show’s four musicians – a drummer, a percussionist, a zither player and a Chapman stick player. A Chapman stick is essentially a long guitar neck with no body. While the Blue Men appear in their signature skin color and black clothing, the musicians are garbed in blacklight-friendly glow-inthe-dark costumes. Julian Cassanetti is the show’s music director and also plays the stringed instruments, rotating his instrument of choice with the show’s other strings player. The Boston native has been with Blue Man Group since the early 2000s, getting his start as an usher and hitting a stroke of luck when a musician job opened up a few weeks after he had expressed an interest in performing. www.cityscenecolumbus.com
“Everybody seemed to be part of a family, if you would,” Cassanetti says. “The dynamic there was not so much casual as it was a family – everybody was listening to everybody.” Though the theatrical show and the music are tightly scripted, the transition from one bit to the next is where the Blue Men get a chance to flex their creative muscles – the
performers take their cues from the audience and decide how to proceed. “If the audience is really rowdy one night, it might be a cue for us to really turn up the gas,” says Sead. Reacting to the audience is an important job for the musicians as well – they need to be in sync with the Blue Men and able to communicate transitions and ad-
aptations back and forth without speaking onstage. The Blue Men set the pace, but because they are mute, the music is crucial to telling the story. “What makes you react to things is not necessarily what they’re doing, but what they’re thinking,” Cassanetti says. Cassanetti and his fellow musicians keep their eyes and ears well trained so they can pay attention to the Blue Men, their instruments, their monitors and the audience without losing their focus. One of the things for which the Blue Man Group is best known is playing ridiculous instruments you won’t see anywhere else, and though Sead is hard pressed to pick a favorite, among the best for him is the drumbone, a colossal contraption made from moveable PVC piping and played with oversized drumsticks. “It really takes three guys to play it – two people to hold it and one person to drum it,” says Sead. The instrument is a microcosm for the show as a whole, Sead says – three guys just trying to figure it all out. cs Garth Bishop is editor of CityScene Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pub groupltd.com.
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
cityscene • January/February 2012
9
{health} With Dr. Phil Heit
How Sweet it is... Cast a careful eye on sweetened beverages
A
s I was enjoying a home-cooked dinner recently, I found myself shifting attention from a conversation my wife and I were having to a few words that suddenly resonated from a nearby television set broadcasting the day’s world news. I could hear the voice of Brian Williams in the background telling viewers, “And now some research findings that will make you think about consuming that next sweetened beverage.” Of course, anything health-related that appears on the news always sparks my interest. This story had
“sweet, but Honey is the bee stings.
10 cityscene • January/February 2012
”
me as focused as a dog eyeing a meat-encrusted bone, oblivious to anything in my surroundings that might try to compete for my attention. And so the segment began to segue to the latest research about sugary drinks. Sugar-Sweetened Drinks and Heart Disease in Women If you have not heard the latest major research about sugary drinks and health, here it is. Over a five-year span, researchers measured weight gain, abdominal circumference and glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Women who drank more than two sugary drinks a day had an increased risk for heart disease and diabetes when compared to women who drank less than one soda or sweetened beverage per day. These results occurred even in the absence of weight gain. It was also significant to note that the same findings were not seen in men. Exactly why sugary drinks did not have the same effect on men is not fully understood. Certainly, this does not give men the green light to consume sugary drinks, as the health consequences are widely known. Avoiding Sugary Drinks You probably already know that plain water is the best calorie-free beverage one can drink. Tap
water costs less than a fraction of a penny per glass. But the fact remains that for many people, plain old water is boring. Although boring can be cool, at least in this case, there are alternatives for people who want to maintain their hydration. Drink infused water. You can search the aisles in your local grocery to find waters that are flavored sans the sugar. However, you can make your own naturally-infused water by adding citrus fruits such as lime, lemon or grapefruit to a pitcher of cold water. Think tea. Whether black or green, caffeinated or decaf, herbal or leaf, or hot or cold, tea is a healthful alternative to sugary drinks. Fruit-flavored teas such as mango and teas that contain cinnamon or vanilla can produce that sought-after sweet-tasting effect. Try coffee. No calories in coffee. Of course, once it is loaded with cream and sugar, there goes the calorie-free drink. As for those coffeehouse concoctions, they are fine – provided you desire 300 or 400 additional calories. Flavor your sparkling water. Sparkling juices often contain as many calories as sugary sodas. You can make your own healthful sparkling juice by adding an ounce or two of juice to a 12-ounce glass of sparking soda to minimize caloric intake. Watch out for those store-produced smoothies. Some of these drinks have exorbitant calorie counts. You can make your own smoothies by mixing ice, sparkling water, berries, bananas and/or other fruits and vegetables in a blender, and thus avoid consuming large numbers of calories. A Healthful Beverage Plan for You If you were to consume nothing but water (and, of course, food), your body would www.cityscenecolumbus.com
.Not thank you many times over. You would accumulate all the nutrients you need to maintain your health. But with many options in your repertoire, you can drink any number of different kinds of beverages. With this in mind, a panel of nutritionists at Harvard devised a plan that suggests ways to get less than the recommended 10 percent of daily calories from beverages. This assumes a typical person is consuming 2,200 calories daily. At minimum, half of your daily fluid intake should come from water. If you consume 12 cups of fluid per day, six of those cups should be of water, at minimum. More is fine. About one-third, or three to four cups, can be derived from unsweetened coffee or tea – but remember to avoid the cream and whole milk. Two eight-ounce glasses of fat-free or low-fat milk are fine, but you will need additional calcium from other foods. Limit the intake of 100 percent fruit juice to four ounces daily. While it is ideal to avoid diet drinks made with artificial sweeteners, one or two glasses per day may be acceptable. And finally, completely avoid drinks sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. There is a famous proverb that says, “Honey is sweet, but the bee stings.” Don’t get stung by consuming those sweetened beverages. Your heart will forever be grateful. cs Dr. Phil Heit is Professor Emeritus of Physical Activity and Educational Services at The Ohio State University.
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
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{cuisine}
Soup erstars Local kitchens ladle up labor of love By Jackie Dee
12 cityscene • January/February 2012
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
Lac Viet’s Pho Ga
D
ays of gray are in full swing around here, with bitterly biting cold weather to boot. Belly up to these bowls, brimming with good stuff to warm the body, mind and soul.
Mezzo Ristorante and Bar www.mezzoitalian.com Scott Truelove of Mezzo declares his restaurant’s Five-Tomato Soup stands above other tomato bisques. For his reasoning, look no further than the name – the soup is filled out with grape, vine-ripened, Roma, San Marzano-style and sun-dried tomatoes, which gives this soup an award-winning taste. So good is this creamy bowl, served with garlic croutons and Parmesan, it’s served at both the Gahanna and Dublin locations, in addition to Hubbard Grille in the Short North. Matt the Miller’s Tavern www.mtmtavern.com Glorious, gooey cheese. That’s the key component of the mainstay Beer Cheese Soup at Matt the Miller’s, with locations in Dublin and Grandview Heights. And the recipe always changes, depending on which of the restaurant’s many rotating brews is on tap. There’s a fine balance when pairing a certain beer and a certain cheese, says Shea Goss, executive sous chef. “But it’s real fun because you can play with different flavors,” he says. A lot of the time, the chefs just wing it. www.cityscenecolumbus.com
The process takes some work. The beer is cooked with celery, garlic and potatoes for the starchiness. Cream is added, and then the blend is cooled a bit before the cheese is added so that it melts evenly. And it is best if it can all rest a day or two before serving to give the flavors a chance to marry. Some of the mouth-watering masterpieces to come from this process: Miller Lite with American cheese; Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale with Tasso ham and pepperjack cheese; and Blue Moon with honey ham and Brie. Lac Viet This Vietnamese eatery located in Upper Arlington stands as one of a few local
spots to find Pho Ga, a traditional chicken noodle soup. More commonly found is Pho, a beef broth-based version. “It’s hard to find a good chicken noodle soup,” says owner Thang Nguyen, who, after several years serving at his own stand in the North Market and more years catering, devised his own delectable recipe. The best thing about it, he says: It’s bursting with healthful ingredients. Nguyen touts his blend of chicken and broth, rice noodles, ginger and star anise. His bowl gets topped off with cilantro, scallions and white onions. Even more, this soup gets a hefty offering of condiments to liven to one’s liking: bean sprouts, basil, mint, lime and sliced jalapenos. People line up for this soup, especially when they need a fix for colds or hangovers, Nguyen says. It’s the best kosher, gluten-free, get-to-feel-better comfort food.
Mezzo Ristorante and Bar’s Five-Tomato Soup cityscene • January/February 2012 13
{cuisine} The Old Mohawk www.theoldmohawk.com The Old Mohawk opened in 1933 in German Village, right after Prohibition ended. There’s an enduring history here, and one of the most popular tidbits is the rumor that the original owner raised turtles in the basement. The truth may have been lost to the ages, but still going strong is the reason for that rumor: the restaurant’s Turtle Soup. To this day, it is the restaurant’s flagship pot. Tammy Hickey, a cook at the Old Mohawk for close to 30 years, won’t reveal the spices in the soup. But she will divulge that the turtle, brought in by Michael’s Meats, is cooked for three hours, shredded and then combined with veggies, almost like a vegetable-style soup, with thin broth. It’s the flavor of the turtle itself that gives the soup its distinction, she says. “It tastes like chicken, to be honest with you,” says Hickey. (We never would have guessed!)
The Old Mohawk’s Turtle Soup
Patrons obviously love slurping it down. The restaurant sells it by the quart and, some weeks, can go through 10 gallons of it.
Loops’ Lemon Chicken Soup
Loops www.loopsgoodfood.com Some of the recipes at this Grandview area Greek establishment are passed down from owner Andrew Constantinide’s grandmother. They are recipes he has been eating his entire life. Constantinide scoops out a stellar Lemon Chicken Soup that is simply served – no accoutrements required. This recipe is a white rice-based bowl, made thick and creamy with a hearty roux. The trick to make a perfect consistency, he says, is to cook the ingredients separately, otherwise it gets “messy.” The rice is cooked on its own, the chicken is boiled on its own, and then these sections are 14 cityscene • January/February 2012
brought together with the addition of the roux, bay leaves and, most importantly, the lemon, very characteristic of Greek cooking. “It’s the lemon that gives it a twist,” Constantinide says. Claddagh Irish Pub www.claddaghirishpubs.com Soup has been a traditional part of Irish cuisine for generations due to the abundance of vegetables, meats and harvests from the seas surrounding the landscape. Claddagh Irish Pub – a national chain with locations in the Brewery District and Polaris – brings those flavors for central Ohioans to enjoy. The Guinness Onion Soup stands as a take on French Onion Soup, but the addition of Guinness Stout adds some robustness. “It’s a firm favorite,” says general manager Deirdre Byrne. The restaurant also spoons out its own version of Clam Chowder, creamy and New Englandstyle with sea clams, potato, celery and onion. Not to be overlooked is the brown soda bread that’s served with it, another Irish staple, often used for dunking here. www.cityscenecolumbus.com
T H E
“chicken, to be
O H I O
H I S T O R I C A L
It tastes like
hickey, old mohawk
P R E S E N T S
a photographic tribute From the Civil War to Iraq
”
honest with you. • tammy
S O C I E T Y
Extended through March 4th at the Ohio History Center Active duty and veteran service members receive discount admission.
“If you walk into any Irish pub, you’ll find a chowder such as this,” Byrne said. Mitchell’s Ocean Club www.mitchellsoceanclub.com Fancy-schmancy arrives the Lobster Bisque at Easton-based Mitchell’s. Inspired by the restaurant’s former crab bisque, this bowl is silky smooth with flavors of fresh lobster, thyme, rosemary, white wine and cream. This soup comes in a pitcher to the table, from which it is poured around a bowl containing a fritter, fresh corn and chives. It has to be done this way, says Aaron Wilson, sous chef. “When you go to a fine-dining restaurant, you want to keep up with presentation. You need that extra touch,” Wilson says. cs
Will Dickey
CURATOR AND PRODUCER: CYMA RUBIN
Ohio History Center 800 E. 17th Avenue (I-71, exit 111) / 614.297.2300 / www.ohiohistory.org
Jackie Dee is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com. Matt the Miller’s Beer Cheese Soup
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
cityscene • January/February 2012 15
Spin Cycle Cancer center director must keep own health in mind, too By Garth Bishop Photography by Wes Kroninger
A
s CEO of the James Cancer Hospital, Dr. Michael Caligiuri spends much of his time focused on the health of others. But Caligiuri is careful not to neglect his own health, giving his fitness regimen an important place in the schedule he prints out and carries with him throughout the day.
Caligiuri has been with The Ohio State University since 1997, and has been CEO of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute – since 2008. He and his wife, Ani, live in Upper Arlington; they have three grown children. The Caligiuri Laboratory was founded by its namesake in 1990, when the doctor was at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute
16 cityscene • January/February 2012
in Buffalo, N.Y., and moved to OSU in 1997. In the last two decades, the laboratory has trained more than 100 students, and Caligiuri himself has published more than 400 original works on leukemia and immunology. When not taking a direct role working to fight cancer in the lab, Caligiuri finds other ways to combat the deadly disease. One of his prominent efforts to that effect was his role as one of the driving forces behind the development of Pelotonia, the annual Columbus-to-Athensand-back bike ride that raises money for cancer research at the James. The goal was to put together a fundraiser that was grassroots in nature but that could generate large sums of money, and the idea for Pelotonia – which sees 100 percent of its proceeds go to research – was born. That money goes to grants, pro-
viding funding that keeps young researchers in the industry and working toward ever more advanced solutions. “That’s keeping young, very bright people in science,” Caligiuri says. Though he was one of the key players in formulating the idea for Pelotonia, Caligiuri gives full credit to Tom Lennox, the event’s executive director, for building the event. Caligiuri is not just a founder – he’s also a participant, having taken an interest in cycling as his primary form of exercise around the time he became CEO of the James. It replaced racquetball in Caligiuri’s life – an elbow injury had ended his amateur career in that field – and took him some time to get used to. “I hadn’t been on a bike in at least 22 years,” he says. “The first time I got on that bike, I rode around the block, and I was completely out of breath.” He started out slow – two blocks, three blocks, one mile. Eventually, Caligiuri graduated to the 15-mile Prospect Ride north of the central Ohio area, then a series of longer evening rides, then a few 100-mile summer rides, then a 160-miler, before finally feeling prepared to tackle the 180-mile full Pelotonia ride. Fitting exercise into a hectic schedule isn’t easy, especially for someone like the CEO of a world-class cancer research facility. But Caligiuri makes sure exercise is a priority and a part of his regular schedule. He is more motivated to exercise when part of a group, so he makes all of his bike workouts group efforts – spin classes in cold weather, lengthy bike rides in warm. Sometimes he’ll even take a meeting during a spin. “That’s what we call ‘working in parallel,’” he says. www.cityscenecolumbus.com
Caligiuri takes his spin classes at the OSU Recreation and Physical Activity Center on Saturday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Each of the onehour rides is preceded by stretches and a few minutes of slow warm-up. That’s followed by about 40 minutes of upper body work – at the center on Saturdays, and at home on Tuesdays and Thursdays. His workout begins with shoulder work, followed by vertical sit-ups with weights. After that, it’s more shoulder work, then bench presses, then curls, ending with shoulder and neck work.
“on a bike in at I hadn’t been
least 22 years. The first time I got on that bike, I rode around the block, and I was completely
”
out of breath.
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
cityscene • January/February 2012 17
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Friday & Saturday January 6 & 7, 8 pm Ohio Theatre
Saturday, January 28, 8 pm Ohio Theatre
The Gershwins’ Here To Stay Peter Stafford-Wilson, conductor
PROGRAM MOZART Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, K. 173dB [183] MOZART Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, K. 219, Turkish BRAHMS-SCHOENBERG Piano Quartet in G Minor, Op. 25
Celebrate the lives of George and Ira Gershwin through family photos, artwork, and privately held manuscripts woven into a narrative, multimedia evening of music performed by the Columbus Symphony.
Series sponsor:
Yossif Ivanov
Visit our website for a complete listing of concerts and events.
Photo: Courtesy of Premiere Media LLC
Photo: Éric Larrayadieu
with pianist Kevin Cole Matthias Bamert, conductor Yossif Ivanov, violin
Series sponsor:
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Support provided by:
columbussymphony.com • 614-228-8600 Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 East State Street)
18 cityscene • January/February 2012
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
“One of the most important underlying causes of cancer is obesity,” says Caligiuri. “We’re not evolved to be 5’10” and 250 pounds.” While it might take 100,000 years for people’s genes to change, our habits have changed much more swiftly during the last few centuries – factors from stress and pollution to fast food and ready transportation have made our lifestyles sedentary. Our slow-to-evolve genes
For those home workouts, he keeps the weights right outside his bedroom to ensure he always does his exercises 20 minutes before bed. Physical fitness isn’t the only benefit of Caligiuri’s cycling regimen – the camaraderie of the rides deepens friendships and builds connections with employees. “I’ve heard there are more CEOs biking than there are golfing,” he says. The No. 1 excuse for not biking is the classic “but I don’t have a bike,” Caligiuri says – an easy argument to overcome. “You can buy a bike for $25,” he says. “The police auction them off because they’re left on buses.” Outside of his workouts and rides, Caligiuri tries to fit in good habits when he can – like eschewing elevators entirely, an impressive feat considering his schedule and the position of his office at the James. “I go up the stairs eight or nine times a day, and that’s five flights,” he says. Of course, good nutrition is also a major factor when it comes to fitness, and there, Caligiuri has something of an unfair advantage – his wife, Ani, is a registered dietician. Not only does she make sure he gets plenty of fruits, vegetables, anti-oxidants and other important nutrients, she’s also, her husband says, a fantastic cook. “She changed my whole life in terms of what I eat,” says Caligiuri. His wife makes the granola Caligiuri eats every day with soy milk, as well as healthful dinners drawing on either her Puerto Rican heritage or his Italian roots. After that, it’s half a glass of wine and no dessert. All of these efforts and exercises are aimed at improved physical fitness. After all, Caligiuri knows very well that keeping fit is an important step in staving off cancer. www.cityscenecolumbus.com
haven’t caught up, leaving us more susceptible to serious health issues like cancer, Caligiuri says. And though Caligiuri and his colleagues at the James are working every day to find a cure, no cure in the world can be as effective as prevention. cs Garth Bishop is editor of CityScene Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pub groupltd.com.
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Battle
20 cityscene • January/February 2012
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Royal A
Russia native lives a life dedicated to her sport of choice: fencing By Tessa Dufresne
fter almost 30 years in the sport, no life change or physical malady has been able to separate Julia Richey from her foil, epee or sabre. Richey was introduced to fencing during a government-funded summer work camp in 1984 in Pyatigorsk, Russia, when it was still part of the Soviet Union. As Richey focused on volleyball, she observed the fencers, disgusted by the violence. She determined it was only for men until a fencing coach approached her, explaining it was more an art than a fight. Her initial attempt triggered an obsession. She especially enjoyed the individuality of the activity. Richey was invited to move to Moscow in 1987, becoming a 13-year member of the Russian National Fencing Team. After earning her Master of Sport in 1989, she trained youth at the Sport School of Olympic Reserve. The 39-year-old northeast Columbus resident attributes her quick advancement to her stubbornness. “When you love something, it is easy to put everything into it,” Richey says. Richey and her daughter, Katya, moved to Virginia in 1999, then to Columbus in 2000. Working as a receptionist at the New Albany Country Club, Richey came to realize, through her conversations with members about her past, that Americans were interested in fencing, too
She began teaching fencing at the club, then, as the small class grew, opened a fencing academy, Royal Arts, in 2001 in east Columbus. She acts as head coach, teaching students that fencing can be “a sport, lifelong love and provider of life lessons.” In March 2004, Richey further increased the visibility of fencing in central Ohio when she helped bring it to the Arnold Sports Festival. Richey has done a tremendous job as chairwoman of Arnold Fencing Classic and as a leader, says festival Director Jim Lorimer. “She is well respected nationally and internationally … we couldn’t ask for more,” Lorimer says. Unfortunately, Richey’s years of athletic competition have taken their toll. After a hard week in 2005, Richey collapsed and underwent surgery that left her in a wheelchair. Then, in January 2008, Richey’s car was rear-ended by a drunk driver, leaving her in a coma with severe brain injuries. Friends and family were told to prepare for the worst. But she defied the odds and survived – because, she believes, of her “intense and consistent training.” She describes the car
The Arnold Sports Festival, the largest multisport festival in the United States, will be held March 1-4 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Veterans Memorial and various other sites throughout central Ohio. With 18,000 athletes competing in 45 sports and events over four days, it is very hard to catch it all. Here are a few “can’t miss” things to put on your list:
er sister of former OSU football star and current New York Jets center Nick Mangold.
U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Weightlifting Sunday, March 4, Convention Center The Arnold Sports Festival will host an Olympic Team Trials for the first time when Team USA representatives in weightlifting are chosen on Sunday, March 4. Among the strong contenders to make the Summer Olympics in London is Holley Mangold of Kettering, Ohio, the youngwww.cityscenecolumbus.com
accident as a “huge but great experience.” “She fights for everything,” says Tim Mills, Richey’s partner. “There aren’t any barriers for her.” Richey set about restoring Royal Arts, and a major victory by one of her students at the Summer National Championships in Dallas encouraged her to persevere. She was even inspired to get back in the game herself, and she entered the Summer National Championships in Atlanta in 2010. Richey finished with a bronze medal and proved she “can still move.” “Fencing is beautiful and unique. It teaches life skills,” Richey says. “I wanted to devote my life to share that with others.” cs Tessa Dufresne is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.
Arnold Gymnastics Challenge Saturday, March 3, Convention Center Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will visit the gymnastics challenge at noon Saturday, March 3 for a special gymnastics showcase featuring world level athletes, including power tumblers and hand balancing acts.
Arnold Morning Weekend Review Sunday, March 4, Veterans Memorial The Arnold Morning Weekend Review offers a unique opportunity to hear Arnold and athletes talk about how to “train like Champions.” This events features talks by many of the athletes who won championships over the weekend, along with special guests and giveaways.
Arnold Party With the Pros Saturday, March 3, Lifestyle Communities Pavilion The LC Pavilion comes to life with music, an electrifying experience that features professional athletes and celebrities in a variety of sports, including the professional bodybuilders who are a main attraction to the weekend.
Daily tickets to the Arnold Sports Festival are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Some events – such as the Arnold Classic, Party With the Pros and Arnold Morning Weekend Review – require a separate ticket. Visit www.arnold sportsfestival.com and www.ticketmaster.com/ arnold for more information. cityscene • January/February 2012 21
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profile
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here’s an old saying: “I’ll know it when I see it.” Those words were never truer than they were for Don and Brenda Schmoeger over the course of a two-and-a-half year search for a condominium unit. continued on page 26
Love at First Sight
Bob Webb Group helps bring couple’s lengthy condo search to an end ALSO: Refinancing Options p30 • Pumped-Up Home Gym p32 • Flaming Cocktails p38
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mpty nesters with five Don says. And not only that – grown children between the couple was able to have a them and nine grandscreened-in porch roughly the children, the couple same size as that in their previwanted to move from ous home. their longtime Dublin All they needed to do was home, but finding the ask Webb to convert the deck condominium that suited them was that was in place to the screened a tiring search. porch, Don says, and it They looked long and hard By Duane St. Clair was readily done. Not that throughout northern Franklin the Schmoegers wanted photography by and southern Delaware counto change much, but, Don christa smothers ties, but were never quite satnotes, “There was a willingisfied. It appeared the search continued from page 23 ness – if it was possible, it was might be abandoned. done,” most notably the deck But one day in early conversion and finishfall 2010, they looked ing the lower-level to at a nearly finished Bob the owners’ liking. Webb Group condoThe home was far minium unit in Park enough along that Place Village in southmost of the major deern Delaware County. cisions about design Its great room winand decorating had dow wall faced south been made, all to their with sunlight beaming liking, Brenda says. in. “It was just beautiDone were such things ful,” Brenda says – in as kitchen cabinets, sharp contrast with the wood floors with wide older, darker, tree-shadboards in the main first ed home from which floor living areas, carthey wanted to move. pet in what is now an As they gazed at the office, soft-hued wall bright, wide-open area, paint and the iconic they agreed, “We could white woodwork and Don and Brenda Schmoeger live here,” and in short trim of Bob Webb order, the deal was closed homes. and the home finished to their liking. The wider boards in the floors were like Through the windows, the rear of the those in their previous home, a feature property is defined by a tree line, remi- the couple appreciated. The Schmoegers niscent of the Schmoegers’ Dublin home selected such things as stainless appliances, and its treed lot. “We got our woods back,” cabinet hardware and light fixtures. The office, with generous windows on two sides, is through a wide opening off the foyer. And because it could have been used as a dining room, it connects to the kitchen work area through a door-free opening. In the kitchen, a two-level island with stool seating and working heights is a separation between working and dining areas. Both are, essentially, part of the great room, an 26 L u
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openness the couple welcomes after living in a home with traditional rooms and wall arrangements. A feature they particularly liked was a bump in the rear exterior wall that allows informal seating next to the dining space. Among the Schmoegers’ must-have features were a first-floor master suite and laundry room. Those amenities are important as the couple ages in the home where they plan to stay as long as they are able, Brenda notes. The master is off one side of the great room. An outer wall had been bumped four feet to expand the already generous sleeping area to handily accept a king-size www.luxurylivingmagazine.com
Above: The bright, wide-open great room was one of the first things about the house that appealed to the Schmoegers. Below: The tree-lined yard is visible through the sizable window walls in the great room.
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An outer wall in the master bedroom was bumped out four feet to comfortably accommodate a king-size bed.
A wing off the L-shaped guest suite will serve as an office when Brenda retires.
The Schmoegers were able to finish the lower level entirely as they wanted. A pool table, a bar and a 1975 jukebox are some of the accessories that round out the lower level. 28 L u
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bed and leave ample room elsewhere. It is served by a sizeable bath, with a large shower and bench seat, a twin-sink counter, and a walk-in closet. On the second floor, a large, L-shaped guest suite has a short “wing� that has a desk and comfortable seating. Brenda, an accountant, says it will be her office when she retires. It and the second bedroom are served by a Jack and Jill bath. An arched opening along the hallway from the stairs affords an eye-catching view of the great room below. With all else pretty much done, they had the entire lower level to finish as they wanted. www.luxurylivingmagazine.com
They chose to have all the walls and ceilings finished in drywall, including a storage room that could be used as a bedroom in a pinch. That’s unlikely, though, as it is filled with neatly stored and marked boxes containing any number of things, including gear the couple use for their various outdoor activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, hiking, camping and skiing. They have installed some recreational items, including a pool table, a television screen and seating area, and a 1975 jukebox that takes quarters to play the 50 45-rpm records it holds. Don keeps a stash of quarters handy for the benefit of the couple’s grandchildren. There’s a www.luxurylivingmagazine.com
service bar with a sink and under-counter refrigerator, plus a full bath nearby. A patio outside is accessible from the porch. Still to come: a large model train display Don plans to start building this winter to continue the hobby he started 40 years ago. It will sit atop cabinets and be surrounded by a custom wood wall he will ask Webb to build. Don has “many dozens” of vintage train sets, dating from 1920 to 1960 (“I’ll have to count them sometime,” he says). He will rotate them between their neatly packed boxes and the display that may take a year to complete, including a custom wood skirt between the table and floor.
A two-level island separates the cooking and dining areas in the kitchen.
In their home for just a year, the Schmoegers have found they live in an area with friendly, helpful, social neighbors. And though they’re outdoor enthusiasts, Don, a consultant who travels some and works from home, says he doesn’t miss year-round yard work one bit. v Duane St. Clair is a contributing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com. L
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Don’t Worry, Be Savvy Study your options when considering home refinancing By Gail Martineau
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hirty-year. Fixed-rate. Amortize. ARM. Short-term break even. If these words sound familiar, you’ve likely been down the home refinancing path. But with each change in the economy comes a new world of interest rates and options. Is it the right time for you to look into this option again?
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There are a number of reasons to consider refinancing your home, says Jarvis Woodson, a vice president of residential lending sales at Farmers Citizens Bank. But there’s no such thing as blanket advice, he says. “I think the most important thing for anyone to consider when refinancing is that
you can’t use a rule of thumb, like saving 1 percent,” says Woodson, who works out of the bank’s Worthington branch. “It depends on loan size, the different in interest-rate saving and the cost associated with the loan.” At the moment, Woodson is noticing two key trends in the refinancing market. Both relate to saving money over the course of the loan term. Some homeowners are choosing to refinance their mortgages to lower their monthly mortgage payments. Because current interest rates are low – in the 4.25 percent range for 30-year fixed terms – homeowners can find savings in refinancing and keeping the loan terms. “What’s interesting about interest rates is they are counter to the economy,” Woodson says. “When the economy is struggling along, it generally keeps the interest rates on mortgage loans down.” To illustrate this point, Woodson gives the example of a homeowner who refinanced his loan after only three years of a 30-year term. To keep the same length of term, Woodson calculates the homeowner’s new cost based on 27 years rather than 30 years. Though the homeowner paid the normal refinancing fee, which generally ranges from $2,500 to $2,700, the decrease in interest spread over 27 www.luxurylivingmagazine.com
years had the homeowner paying significantly less in interest over the course of the 27-year term. This isn’t the case for every homeowner, though, Woodson cautions. Similarly, what other homeowners are doing is decreasing their loan terms from, say, 30 years to 15 years. Interest rates on 15-year terms are much lower now – about 3.5 percent – because the banks are committing money for half the amount of time, Woodson says. “From a lending standpoint, there is less risk,” he says. In many cases, the homeowner will end up paying a higher monthly rate, but less in the long run. “I’m seeing folks go from a longer term to a shorter term, sometimes with the same payment, sometimes with slightly higher payments,” Woodson says. “It’s a more conservative approach.” Because of concern for the long run, many homeowners also are looking at refinancing and adding second mortgages, or home equity lines of credit, for large remodeling projects.
“A lot of people right now are concerned about the economy and about moving and buying more expensive homes,” Woodson says. “A lot of them, right now, are remodeling the homes they’re in.” When thinking about taking out a home equity line of credit out, homeowners should make sure their projects will increase the value of their home or at least pay for themselves, Woodson says. Projects that tend to pay 100 to 125 percent back are kitchen remodels, master suite remodels and basement finishing, he says. Home equity lines of credit are usually good for 10 years and function much like credit cards, though there is no actual plastic card. Home refinancing isn’t rocket science, but many consumers become confused with bank jargon, Woodson says. “It’s really about comparing like terms to like terms,” he says. “That is really how you determine the value of the loan.” v Gail Martineau is a contributing writer. Comments and feedback welcome at gbishop@ pubgroupltd.com.
Trade Terms: Amortization The process of decreasing the loan amount over the course of a loan term Good-Faith Estimate This is required by law and provides customers the ability to compare loans costs and terms. ARM Otherwise known as adjustable rate mortgage. Comes in fixed-term and adjustable-term. The loans usually begin with either three-, five- or seven-year fixed rate terms and then are adjusted yearly based on a set index. Short-Term Break Even The cost of refinancing vs. the value in payment or interest savings for a refinanced loan. After refinancing, how many years does it take to break even?
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Call us today at 614-356-8001 for a FREE mortgage consultation. Worthington Branch 5858 North High Street Upper Arlington Branch 2821 Fishinger Road www.farmerscitizensbank.com www.luxurylivingmagazine.com
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Luxury Living man cave
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Up Home gym offers everything an exerciser might need
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By Garth Bishop
t’s not endorsed by Chuck Norris, but you’d be hard pressed to call the basement of this New Albany home anything else but a total gym.
Rolando and Bety de Aguiar have spent years putting together the best possible home gym setup, and today, their designated workout room is packed with an impressive collection of weights, machines and other exercise equipment. The de Aguiars have been in central Ohio for about three and a half years, but have been accumulating their collection of equipment for eight years, dating back to their time in Connecticut. The collection didn’t start as any sort of effort to have the best gym around; its beginnings were as humble as those of any other modest home gym. “I just wanted to get fit, that’s all,” Rolando says.
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Luxury Living The appeal of going to the gym and being able to get a full workout whenever it’s convenient was powerful, Rolando says. Now, he, Bety and their two teenagers have ready access to whatever they might need to stay in shape. In addition to using the gym by himself, Rolando also has a personal trainer who drops by three times a week, and having a personal trainer in the home is much more convenient than having to meet one at an outside gym, he says. Pieces of equipment in the de Aguiar house include a frame housing both a heavy bag and a speed bag, a standard weight bench, a cross weight station, a treadmill, an elliptical, a racing bike on stationary frames, an inversion table, a floor bar setup for push-ups, a BOSU Ball (“my most hated piece of equipment,” Rolando says) and a comprehensive, 27-position weight station. The room is filled out by stability balls, shelves holding a variety of hand weights and posters on the walls depicting exercise options. A weight-shaped clock ensures no one loses track of time. And to keep gym users entertained, a very important aspect of the gym is affixed on the wall opposite the door: a flat-screen TV on which family members can watch DVDs or anything DVRed on one of the house’s other TVs. “Basically, I have everything here that I could find at any gym,” Rolando says. Though much of the equipment is packed closely together, nothing gets in the way – it’s all been arranged very carefully to avoid that problem. It helps that the four members of the household tend to use the gym at different times – Bety in the mornings, Rolando in the evenings and the kids primarily on weekends, when their workouts won’t interfere with their extracurricular activities at school. The only thing missing is a mirror, which Rolando says he does not want – though Bety suggests it may be the next thing on her list, as it’s unlikely any more exercise equipment will be added. “I don’t think that we can fit anything else in here, unfortunately,” she says. Rolando isn’t intimidated by the numbers game – he uses every piece of equipment in the basement, he says, with the exception of the inversion table, which makes him sick to his stomach. And he has some exercises, like his twice-weekly yoga, that don’t even require equipment. 34 L u
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“ Basically, I have everything here that I could find at any gym.” Rolando de Aguiar “ I don’t think that we can fit anything else in here, unfortunately.” Bety de Aguiar Rolando de Aguiar
Above: An inversion table, used primarily by Bety. Below: A rack with an impressive collection of weights lines one of the walls in the de Aguiar basement. Left: Rather than an exercise bike, the de Aguiars have a racing bike set on stationary frames.
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Luxury Living He has a set routine every day when he heads downstairs. On a Tuesday, for instance, his regimen begins with pushups on the floor bars, then continues with bench presses, lateral raises with barbells and lateral pulldowns. After that, it’s a shift on the BOSU Ball and lunges with 25-pound weights, for a total pectoral and shoulder muscle workout time of 45 to 50 minutes. The only exercise Rolando doesn’t do in his basement gym is running, and even that’s only in warm weather – if it’s cold or rainy, the treadmill is right there. The dreaded inversion table is a key part of Bety’s workouts, as are the treadmill, elliptical, punching bags and 27-position station. Though the 27-position weight station gets the best reactions from guests seeing it for the first time, those who use the gym generally stick to the treadmill and
elliptical. Some daring souls do gravitate toward other equipment, though. “A few people have come down and tried to use the (heavy) bag, and they get frustrated,” Rolando says, pointing out that boxing is decidedly tougher than some people expect. But even if they don’t use any of the exercise equipment, guests have plenty to appreciate about the rest of the de Aguiar basement, with its bar and poker, pool, foosball and ping-pong tables – not to mention the huge leather couch situated in front of a large flat-screen TV. v Garth Bishop is editor of CityScene Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pub groupltd.com.
This page: Clockwise from left, a cross weight station, a bench press station and a combination speed bag and heavy bag. Opposite page, top: In addition to a bar, the rest of the de Aguiar basement includes poker, pool, foosball and ping-pong tables. Opposite page, bottom: A huge leather couch and flat-screen TV fill out the basement.
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Wesley Glen ~ WELL on our WAY Wesley Glen will open a new WELLness Center early in 2012. The center will include a lap pool with classes offered by the YMCA, state of the art physical therapy and rehabilitation areas, fitness center, wellness clinic and a juice bar!
All you need for living the WELLlife in 2012!
Wesley Glen
Retirement Community 5155 North High St, Columbus
(614) 888-7492
Whatever your tempo . . . you can choose the lifestyle that is right for you. On the east side, Wesley Ridge has new plans on the way . . . schedule a visit to learn more.
Wesley Ridge
Retirement Community 2225 Taylor Park Dr., Reynoldsburg
(614) 759-0023
Check out our website at www.methodisteldercare.com www.luxurylivingmagazine.com
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Rings of Fire in the spirit
Add a light to transform your drink and dazzle your gu By Gail Martineau
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little spark can do a lot for a drink. It can add a hint of carmelization and bring out drinks’ citrus flavors – and it can add a lot of fun. Christina Meehan, beverage manager for CLB Restaurants, which manages Matt the Miller’s Tavern in Dublin and Grandview Heights and Tucci’s California Bistro in Dublin, says she loves making flaming drinks for friends because it provides entertainment as well as indulgence for guests. Though CLB restaurants do not offer flaming shots due to fire codes, the drinks are great to make at home, with the right precautions. “Safety first,” she says, noting that first-time flaming shot makers should “start small” with just a little bit of 151-proof alcohol, which is what makes the drinks light up. Those practicing this at home should also make sure to have a damp towel nearby. “It’s all about appearance; it’s for showmanship,” Meehan says. “It just looks so pretty. v Gail Martineau is a contributing writer. Comments and feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.
Sapphire Cosmopolitan Combine 1 shot of gin with a half shot of triple sec and a shot of cranberry juice. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and garnish with a flaming orange peel dropped into the drink.
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Flaming Lemon Drop Top a shot of citron vodka with a round lemon slice sprinkled with sugar. Add a drop of 151-proof alcohol on top and light. Take the shot and bite down on the lemon slice after the flame goes out.
Cookie Monster Start with half a shot glass of Bailey’s Irish Cream and gently float an equal part Kahlua on top. Use a bar spoon to drizzle a bit of 151-proof alcohol on top and light. Serve and blow out shot.
Christina Meehan
Grown Up Shirley Temple One shot of cherry vodka mixed with a splash of grenadine for color. Using a bar spoon, float a bit of 151-proof alcohol on top and light. Burn, blow out and take the shot.
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ests
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Luxury Living spotlight
Build it Your Way
Build on your lot. All architecture fees included. Build your own custom home on your lot with the best craftsmanship and value. Contact Truberry Group at (614) 270-5333 or visit www.truberry.com. Villas at Cortona
Lakes Edge at Golf Village Municipality/Township: Powell Builders in the community: Bob Webb Location: Powell Road to Sawmill Road, north on Sawmill, left on Rutherford Road, Lakes Edge will be on your left. School district: Olentangy Schools Number of homes when complete: 88 Price range: Low $400s and up Style of homes: Southern-style Patio Homes Year opened: 2003 Special features: Live in a maintenance-free, gated community with views of a prestigious golf course. Beautiful Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club features an Arthur Hills-designed golf course, dining, a full-service fitness center and a spa. Along with golf course views, Lakes Edge boasts treed lots and ponds. New phase is now open.
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Builders in the community: Truberry Group Location: I-270 to Route 161/33 West (towards Marysville). Exit at Post Road and take a right. Take a left almost immediately onto Hyland Croy Road. After Brand Road, turn right onto Corazon Drive. School district: Dublin Schools Number of homes when complete: 48 Price range: Mid $300s Style of homes: English cottage Special features: Custom Villas located in Dublin’s most desirable neighborhood featuring 48 sites surrounded by mature trees, and many of the sites allow for walk-out lower levels or daylight windows. Many of these distinctive English-Cottage style homes also feature courtyards and rear-load garages.
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available homes
Tartan Fields – Five level split. Four bedrooms, 3 ½ baths. Lots of hardwood flooring. Mid level has wet bar. $649,900. Call Neil Rogers: 614-619-8777.
VILLAGE AT THE BLUFFS – 999 Bluff Crest Drive. Exquisite condo in gated community. First floor master with Sitting room. Lots of hardwood flooring. Sunroom off the breakfast area. $443,400. Call Neil Rogers: 614-619-8777.
740-548-5577 740-548-6863 www.bobwebb.com
STONEBRIDGE CROSSING, Visit our new model. High ceilings, open floor plan. Lots of hardwood flooring. Kitchen has cherry cabinets with granite tops. Finished lower level. Homes starting at $399,900. Call Rick Tossey: 614-876-5577.
PARK PLACE VILLAGE AT NORTH ORANGE, Visit our model. Condos starting in the $280,000s. Call Adam Langley: 740-548-1900.
LUXURY CONDOS IN TARTAN WEST – New phase coming soon. Make sure you check out our last 4 units in phase one with great new year pricing. 614-270-5333.
2012 PARADE OF HOMES – Olentangy Schools. Numerous upgrades at no charge. This truly is a one-of-a-kind opportunity. 614-270-5333.
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When a renovation isn’t quite complete, think Truberry Group. With more than 20 years designing and building luxury homes, we offer the quality and attention to detail that only a top custom builder can bring to your remodeling project. Call today to schedule a planning meeting with our in-house architects: 614-207-1574 or 614-890-5588.
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COLUMBUS
Stonebridge Crossing (Patio Homes) Low $400s 614-876-5577 DELAWARE
Nelson Farms High $400s 614-619-8777 Olentangy Falls $400s 614-881-9320 Reserve at Glenross Low $400s 740-548-6863 DUBLIN
Ballantrae Mid $400s 614-619-8777 Tartan Fields Mid $400s 614-619-8777 Tartan Ridge $400s 614-619-8777 LEWIS CENTER
Little Bear Village Low $400s 740-548-6333 Park Place at North Orange High $300s 740-881-9320 Park Place Village at North Orange (Condos) High $200s 740-548-1900 POWELL
Lakes Edge at Golf Village (Patio Homes) Low $400s 740-881-9320 Woodland Hall $500s 614-619-8777 WESTERVILLE
Harvest Wind Mid $300s 740-548-6333 WORTHINGTON
Village at the Bluffs (Condos) High $300s 614-876-5577
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Capital Commemoration Columbus takes a deep breath and prepares to blow out 200 candles By Lindsay Friedman
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here’s more to celebrate in the middle of February than St. Valentine and his modern-day connection to love, roses and chocolate. This year, a day in mid-February will mark the city of Columbus’ 200th birthday, and the group coordinating the city’s bicentennial is hoping the party lasts all year long. The planning process for the city’s 200th began in the summer of 2007, and more than 1,700 participants gave their views on how Columbus should celebrate. The result: a yearlong commemoration that highlights the city’s past, present and future. “This is really more than just a party or a parade – it is a chance for anyone who cares for the community to contribute and participate,” says Jamie Greene, the 200Columbus Bicentennial program manager. “This event is an opportunity that is meant to demonstrate how great Columbus is and who we are.” The cake will be cut Feb. 10 at the official birthday celebration, to be held in the Battelle Grand Ballroom at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Local food, music and artwork will be celebrated throughout the evening as examples of the things Columbus does so well, and interactive displays will showcase even more of what makes Columbus great. The weekend will be filled out with other activities, including a COSI Family Day with the Columbus Historical Society. But the city will be cheering well before Feb. 10 rolls around. First Night Columbus and a ProMusica concert got www.cityscenecolumbus.com
things going on New Year’s Eve. And from Feb. 2-12, Jazz Moves Columbus – a collaboration between BalletMet and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra – will celebrate the heritage and history of Columbus through music and dance. “The main goal was not to create a bunch of new events, but to take events we already know and love and elevate them,” says Scott Peacock, bicentennial media relations manager. “The mayor told us from the get-go that this is not just a celebration of the past, but a way to move ahead to the future.”
The biggest 366-day birthday party Columbus has ever seen is planned to be three-tiered. The first four months are for celebrating the past; May through August are designated for celebrating the present; and the last four months of the year will cast an eye to Columbus’ future and the opportunities there. New events will join with old traditions throughout all 12 months to paint a comprehensive picture of where Columbus has been, where Columbus is now and where Columbus is going. “The bicentennial is a way to motivate us to be getting some of the things done that we should be doing anyway,” says Dan Williamson, spokesman for Mayor Michael Coleman. “We should be doing this not because it’s the bicentennial, but because it is the right thing to do. We want to increase civic pride not because of the bicentennial, but because Columbus is a great city.” cs Lindsay Friedman is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com. cityscene • January/February 2012 43
{travel}
Two if by River River cruise offers impressive picture of European grandeur By Duane St. Clair 44 cityscene • January/February 2012
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
Left: One of the many picturesque villages that dot the Moselle and Rhine rivers. Opposite page: The Heidelberg Castle in Germany, built in the 12th Century, is a relic of the Renaissance era.
Y
ou don’t need planes, trains or automobiles for an awe-inspiring tour of Europe – just get on the boat. River cruises in the history-rich continent make for a convenient mode of travel through out-of-theway historic cities, villages and buildings – or at least their remains or rebuilt replicas. The backdrop from the small, comfortable, well-appointed ships – offering top-notch service and amenities – is an ever-changing shoreline and landscape showcasing a historic evolution that, for the most part, remains much the same through the centuries.
Your stateroom is always with you, so there’s no frequent packing and unpacking. You get to meet and casually associate with fellow travelers. Our trip included tourists from Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and across the United States. The cruise was the focal point of a 12-day air, land and river tour that crossed four countries – France, Luxembourg, Germany and the Czech Republic. It visited amazing cathedrals and castles. It passed multitudes of hillside vineyards stretching above the Moselle and Middle Rhine rivers, as well as the riverside communities the vineyards and wineries fostered. It www.cityscenecolumbus.com
the tests of time and war and remain an everyday part of life. The eight-day, seven-night cruise is spent aboard the 112-passenger, two-deck Viking Theodor Fontane, one in the fleet of Viking River Cruises vessels that ply rivers in Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. This excursion starts with two-night stay at the Crowne Plaza Paris and includes a bus tour of the more famous places in the romantic city – Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the massive Louvre Museum and the Arc de Triomphe, in addition to many other landmarks in the metropolis that draws millions of tourists. The next day is a bus ride to Luxembourg, en route to Trier, Germany. The first daily walking tour, only a 90-minute trek, is Luxembourg, the capital of the country of 500,000 smack in the middle of France, Belgium and Germany. Below: The ship’s lounge affords panoramic views of the European countryside. Bottom left: Passengers are served various German dishes during an Oktoberfest lunch on the ship’s partially covered sun deck. Bottom right: The 112-passenger, two-deck Viking Theodor Fontane docked near Reichsburg Castle.
stopped for enchanting tours of winding cobblestone streets passed ancient shop and apartment buildings in small business centers, many of which have withstood
cityscene • January/February 2012 45
>
{travel} Stephanie Peters, a German native and a Viking program director, has things well in hand. Visitors are assigned to groups as local guides take them through the quaint city. At each tour stop, residents steeped with local knowledge and history tell of their communities, with light-hearted anecdotes included. The center of Luxembourg is a compact shopping area with reasonable prices that draw shoppers from the countryside, as well as from France and Germany. Housing is expensive, so thousands commute there to work. Residents drive to a bordering country for gasoline because it’s cheaper, a guide notes. It’s the nation’s capital, but is so informal that the prime minister drives himself to his office, accessible through a simple doorway into a street-level building in the small government complex. Memories of World War II remain and are discussed throughout the trip. The U.S. liberated Luxembourg from Nazi occupation, largely because of the aggressive Third Army, commanded by renowned Gen. George S. Patton. He and his wife are buried in the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, in a section separate from that of the 5,075 others who died in the Battle of the Bulge. Patton’s original burial site among all the others drew so many tourists it had to be moved. After a short ride to the ship docked in Trier, Germany’s oldest city, there’s the captain’s reception in the upper deck lounge, followed by the first of eight gour-
Above: This amphitheater entrance in Trier, Germany is one of many pieces of architecture built by the Romans when they founded the city. Below: Streetside dining, alongside cobblestone streets and well-preserved buildings, abounds in German cities.
met dinners served nightly in the lower deck dining room. Each day, breakfast is from a lavishly stocked buffet in the dining room, or sweets and coffee in the lounge. Because daily shore trips are generally limited to a half-day, lunch is usually available on board and includes varied This sizable edifice in Nuremberg was one of hot morsels, sandwich, soup Adolf Hitler’s favorite sites for addressing crowds at and dessert offerings on a the height of the Third Reich. buffet in the lounge or a sitdown in the dining room with different selections. Menus change daily. The ship remains docked for on-shore trip to Trier, which dates to the Roman Empire. There are the remains of an ancient public bath and a 2,000-seat amphitheater modeled after the Colosseum in Rome and used for one of the same purposes – battles to the death. Many Romanera landmarks remain.
46 cityscene • January/February 2012
As the ship begins cruising the Moselle in the afternoon, the fascinating German countryside changes endlessly, with Stephanie pointing out highlights over a speaker system. In these remote reaches, trains are predominant and trucks are few. Land that can be developed is at a premium. Stephanie, who offers commentary aboard buses, mentions that Germany, the size of Montana, has more than 80 million residents. By mid-week, the cruise stops in Heidelberg to tour the city and its partly restored historic castle before it passes the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers en route to Braubach, home of the Marksburg Castle. It is the only one along the Rhine dating to the Middle Ages that has not been ravaged by wars or feudal turmoil. Displayed are suits of armor, from early examples with little or no protection to custom-crafted full-body suits of steel. Also displayed are hand weapons, cookware in a kitchen with a fireplace tall enough to walk in, some furniture, a toilet that seemed to simply hang over the side yard, a bed and rocking crib that would be unusable by today’s standards, and an awesome view of the Rhine River. Back on board, the chef and her small staff offer a lunch of German food including brats, sauerkraut, potato salad (unlike most found in Columbus), beer (of course) and pastries, all served on the sun deck with tables under an aluminum awning. The gourmet German dinner the night before had started with lambs lettuce salad with chopped eggs and a black bread crouwww.cityscenecolumbus.com
ton, crispy bacon and potato dressing, and cream of white asparagus soup. Entrees were filet of flounder with onions and bacon, rice pilaf and just-cooked leaf spinach; or panroasted duck breast, leeks and Duchess potatoes. Desserts were Bavarian crème with fruit jelly or black forest ice cream with liqueur-soaked cherries, whipped cream and chocolate shavings. All dinners included unlimited red or white wine from the company’s own winery. The cruise through the Rhine basin passes an endless string of castles, each with a different story and some still in use. Stephanie tells about each. When the ship enters the Main River, the landscape becomes less enthralling as hills and forests diminish. As the cruise ends – after navigating 29 locks, 19 on the Main and 10 on the Moselle – the tour heads overland with stops at Wurzburg and then Nuremberg, for a sobering view of what had been the stomping grounds of Hitler and the Third Reich. The buses visit Imperial Palace, a huge coliseum-like structure Hitler never finished. It is across a man-made lake from Zeppelin Field, where the huge airships once operated, and which Hitler used for
his massive rallies as the Third Reich was developed in his favorite city. Allied bombers destroyed much of the city. The 10th Century boundary walls and some buildings within them remain, but most of the city has been rebuilt with architecture not in keeping with ancient history. The tour ends after an afternoon bus ride to the Hilton Prague for another twonight stay. The next day, a bus and walking tour includes the pleasant city’s historic
old town and marketplace. Then, another long day-long flight home. The trip, a fascinating, enjoyable experience, cost barely five figures, even with trip insurance, minimal souvenir and happy hour expenses, and a handful of meals in Paris and Prague that were not included. cs Duane St. Clair is a contributing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.
This well-maintained building, containing a store and a home, is hundreds of years old and one of many carefully preserved buildings in Cochem, Germany.
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
cityscene • January/February 2012 47
One Bourbon, One Scotch, 250
Beers
Columbus Winter Beerfest offers more space and more brews than ever before By Tyler Davis
I
Getting everything orgat’s the biggest Beerfest Greater nized is no simple yet. Columbus task, Hulsizer says The second anConvention – there are pronual Columbus Winter Center spective beers to Beerfest, presented by January 14 taste, bands and radio CD102.5, is slated for Jan. personalities to book, and sam14 at the Greater Columbus pling cups to order. But this year’s Convention Center. Past CoColumbus Winter Beerfest has achieved lumbus Beerfests – thus far, one in the winter and two in the spring – have an impressive feat: Every brewery in Ohio been two-night affairs. But with triple the is represented, including central Ohio faspace this time around – enough for 7,500 vorites including Barley’s, Gordon Biersch, beer enthusiasts – this one will pack all Columbus Brewing Company, Elevator and Neil House. the excitement into a single evening. The beer list had not been finalized as More than 250 American craft beers will be on tap, as will at least one general of early December, but it is expected to premium international beer “to cleanse be similar to the list from the most recent the palate between tastings,” says event Columbus Beerfest in May, which went organizer Bill Hulsizer of the Big Joe Dusk- all the way from Avery Collaboration Not Litigation, a Belgian strong ale, to Wyder’s in Music Education Foundation.
Pear Cider. One confirmed newcomer, though, is Yuengling, the popular Pennsylvania ale that became available in Ohio in October. Even better news: The intimidating presence of Yuengling will likely spur other breweries to up their game, Hulsizer says, making the opportunities even better for Beerfest patrons. Another new addition: QR codes have been added to every brewery table. Patrons armed with smartphones can use them to track and receive special offers from the breweries whose brews they enjoy. Surprising as it may seem, there’s more to Beerfest than just beer. The event benefits the Big Joe Duskin Music Education Foundation, based in Cincinnati, which hooks local musicians up with schools and pays them to go and help educate students on the art of making music.. “It’s a way of doing great things for the community – the proceeds help to send musicians to school, a great cause,” Hulsizer says. Beyond the Beerfest events in Columbus and Cincinnati, the foundation also sets up small concerts and other fundraisers. Its organizers are on the hunt for additional cities to which it can expand Beerfest. “The great part about our fundraisers is that the funds stay in the cities that they’re (generated) in,” says Hulsizer. Information and tickets can be found online at www.columbusbeerweek.org. cs Tyler Davis is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.
48 cityscene • January/February 2012
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Dublin 614-339-1343 Graceland 614-310-0770 Grandview 614-643-0070
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Some restrictions and additional fees may apply. See club for details. Expires: December 31, 2012
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{visuals}
Back to Nature Organic dyes and handmade paper make painter’s artwork all-natural By Lisa Aurand
E
lena Osterwalder has dedicated her life to color. Color was with her in the landscape of Mexico, where she was born, and followed her to central Ohio as she studied at the Columbus College of Art and Design. For 30 years, she put brush to canvas, learning the transparency of oil paints and how layering them affects color. Finally, a bout with breast cancer gave Osterwalder a change in medium. “I decided it was better not to be working anymore with (carcinogenic) paints,” Osterwalder says. “I was using all the cadmiums … so I thought about it and I decided to go with totally organic colors.” 50 cityscene • January/February 2012
Left: Elena Osterwalder Above: Tierra Colorada Bottom Right: City Scene
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
cityscene • January/February 2012 51
{visuals}
Left: Red Pouch; Above: Vasijas Below: Dried cochineal beetles
52 cityscene • January/February 2012
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Above: La Maceta; Right: Luminaria
In pursuit of more natural alternative to the dangerous cadmium, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers a probable human carcinogen, Osterwalder turned back to nature and her Mexican roots. Dried cochineal, parasitic beetles that live on cacti, have been used for centuries to create a vibrant red color. The Spanish made more money from cochineal than they did from Mexico’s gold and silver, Osterwalder says. She learned of cochineal on a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, where she visited an art paper workshop and saw handmade paper dyed with natural colors. www.cityscenecolumbus.com
In the garage of her Upper Arlington home, the 70-year-old artist crushes the tiny cochineal insects with a coffee grinder, mixes them with a little lime juice and distilled water, and lets the pigment marinate for a few days in a glass jar. The dye darkens as it ages, deepening to almost black after five days. When she’s ready to use it, Osterwalder will boil the dye for 15 minutes, finishing the process. Once cooled, the dye is poured into a shallow plastic bin, where pieces of handmade Amate paper soak in the rich color. The mulberry bark paper is made by Mexican artisans, using the same processes that have been used for hundreds of years. No cityscene • January/February 2012 53
{visuals}
“historical part
It’s not only the of the paper and the spiritual meaning that make it, but it’s also the fact that I went through 40 years of painting in order to come to say ‘This is a
”
statement.‘
Back Pack
54 cityscene • January/February 2012
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two batches of dye are ever the same, and no two pieces of paper ever soak up color the same way, Osterwalder says. It’s an exercise in letting go. “Because it’s natural and what is being dyed is also natural, you will never get two colors the same,” she says. “There is no way on earth because everything absorbs in a different way. The colors are just stunning.” She also uses turmeric to create yellows and oranges, indigo for deep blues, and Campeche wood to create blacks and navy blues. After the paper is dyed, it dries between two sheets of waxed paper. Then Osterwalder might stack it with other sheets, pull it apart or crumple it. Some pieces end up mounted in frames behind glass. Others – like the 475-piece installation displayed at the Rhodes Tower in 2007 – are laid out on the floor, side by side. That project was funded by a grant from the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture. One finished installation in Osterwalder’s garage consists of bundles of crumpled, woven paper hung from thick, dyed hemp rope. These pieces are about the destruction of handmade goods and the modern preference f o r. m a c h i n e - m a d e items. “I feel bad that these natural things are.disappearing,” Osterwalder says. Some.people have looked at her work, Osterwalder says, and asked, “What’s so special about a dyed piece of paper?”
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
Above: El Saco; Below left: Bramante; Below right: La Torre
The answer is in her 40 years of artwork, which can be seen online at www. elenaosterwalder.com or in a retrospective at Art Access Gallery in Bexley from March 2-April 19. “I get very mad when people come in and they tell me ‘Oh, this is just a dyed piece of paper,’ ” Osterwalder says. “No, it is not just a dyed piece of paper, I am sorry to tell you. It has a lot of history, a lot of work and a lot of experience that went in behind it before I could.produce this dyed piece of paper. It’s not only the historical part of the paper and the spiritual meaning that make it, but it’s also the fact that I went through 40 years of painting in order to come to say, ‘This is a statement.’ ” Her work is currently on display in galleries in Switzerland, Israel and Korea, but is rarely displayed in the U.S. other than at Art Access, which has represented Osterwalder for the last decade. “It’s been very well accepted in
Europe because they tend to be more ecologically minded than the United States,” Osterwalder says. Whether or not her work receives critical acclaim in America, Osterwalder continues to come to her garage studio and “talk” to her art, moving the scraps of paper until they are arranged just the right way, and encouraging her six grandchildren to notice the colors in nature. cs Lisa Aurand is a contributing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com. cityscene • January/February 2012 55
Two Visions of Spirituality Elijah Pierce’s Woodcarvings and Historic Amish Quilts By Timothy Keny
T
hroughout his life, Elijah Pierce was active in his community as a Baptist church member, preacher, barber, storyteller, Freemason and mentor. In the 1960s, he regularly carved religious bas-relief woodcarvings for friends and members of his church whose deeds he admired, which he often awarded to them at church. The recipients of these gifts treasured them as symbols of a life well-lived. Aesthetically, Pierce’s early carvings from the 1920s through the 1940s were spare, concise, relatively flat and often mellow in coloration. The carvings he created later, in the 1950s through early 1970s, were usually more richly colored, complexly patterned and overtly narrative. The artist’s uncanny ability to convey stories and beliefs in a clear, visually and spiritually compelling manner is extraordinary. Elijah could distill his visual message into a resonant, yet direct, statement. The clarity and animation of his forms amplify the authority of his spiritual teachings, which were his priority. The visual transcendence that I experience when viewing the artist’s finest carvings is akin to the aesthetic and spiritual aura that I feel when viewing finely and creatively sewn, pieced and designed historic Amish quilts. Often these quilts were made as special gifts and intended as heirlooms for family members. Many of the quilted motifs in historic 56 cityscene • January/February 2012
Amish quilts originate perhaps from the decoration of early Amish and Mennonite Ausbunds or special hymnals with such forms as diamonds and corner squares, which appear regularly in Lancaster County (Pennsylvania) Amish quilts and, sporadically, in Ohio and other Midwestern Amish quilts (usually in smaller pieced and quilted diamonds). Some of the scroll designs from these hymnals are similar to princess feather and wreath stitching motifs in Amish quilts. Such stitched images as the star, heart, rose, tulip and diamond are symbolic of Christ’s presence and regeneration. I believe that some of the most powerful and unique elements in historic Amish quilts are the wide borders and black backgrounds (often in Ohio quilts) juxtaposed to the pieced areas and the borders. Many times, contemplative colors such as olive, rust, brown, black, mulberry and indigo are set against vibrant colors such as lavender, magenta, red, peach and
Above: Ocean Waves Left: Angel with Mother and Child
lighter blues in Amish quilts, particularly in the 20th century. Great African-American folk art, like Elijah Pierce’s carvings, is often linked to diverse African spiritual beliefs and/or Christianity. It is informed with a visual power as a function of simplified forms, rich patterns occasionally punctuated by asymmetrical quirks and the poetry of creative color and tactile texture. Many of these characteristics are just as evident in the devoutly Christian aesthetic creations of Amish quilt makers with Swiss and Germanic roots. cs Timothy Keny is a contributing writer and co-owner of Keny Galleries in German Village. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pub groupltd.com. www.cityscenecolumbus.com
{onview}
Gallery Exhibits Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery: Artful Teaching: Work by College and University Painting Faculty through Jan. 8. 100 Years of Art: Celebrating Columbus’ Legacy from Jan. 26-April 15. www.riffegallery.org Columbus Metropolitan Library: Sixth Annual Ohio Online Visual Artist Registry Juried Art Show, featuring works by 43 Ohio artists, through Jan. 8. www.columbuslibrary.org Frank Museum of Art, Otterbein University: Poetic Visions: Ink Paintings by C.Y. Woo through Jan. 20. Etchings: Old and New by Vijay Kumar from Feb. 1-May 11. www.otterbein.edu Above: Riffe Gallery Left: Dublin Arts Council
Studios on High: Passing Time, glass mosaic by Beth Himsworth, from Jan. 1-31. www.studiosonhigh.com Fisher Gallery, Otterbein University Roush Hall: Des de Mi Ventana (From My Window), black-and-white woodcuts by Eliana Calle Saari, from Jan. 4-May 20. www.otterbein.edu Dublin Arts Council: Frozen, photography by Prudence Y. Gill and Terry Lindquist, from Jan. 10-Feb. 24. www. dublinarts.org www.cityscenecolumbus.com
cityscene • January/February 2012 57
{onview} Ursus Art Space: Acrylic architecture scenes by Carlie Juresic from Jan. 1-Feb. 28. www.ursusartspace.com Columbus Museum of Art: Currents by Latifa Echakhch from Jan. 13-April 1. Caravaggio: Behold the Man! The Impact of a Revolutionary Realist, featuring the work of Michelangelo Merisi de Caravaggio, through Feb. 5. Carved and Whittled Sculpture: American Folk Art Walking Sticks from the Hill Collection through April 1. Monet High Road Gallery Schumacher Gallery
to Matisse: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Sirak Collection through May 13. Columbus Views – including works by George Bellows, Emerson Burkhart, Edmund Kuehn and Robert Chadeayne – through May 27. www.columbusmuseum.org. Miller Gallery, Otterbein University
Art and Communication Building: Core Studies, screenprints by Jonathan Juravich, from Jan. 4-Feb. 15. Fifteenth Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition from Feb. 20-March 8. www.otterbein.edu Keny Galleries: Two Visions of Spirituality: Elijah Pierce and Amish Quilts from Jan. 20Feb. 13. www.kenygalleries.com Sherrie Gallerie: New Work, large canvas paintings by Leah Wong, from Jan. 22Feb. 28. www.sherriegallerie.com Wexner Center for the Arts: Cubes and Anarchy, sculpture by David Smith, from Jan. 28-April 15. www.wexarts.org
1OO Ohio Arts Council’s RIFFE GALLERY
January 26 - April 15, 2O12
YEARS OF ART
Decorative Arts Center of Ohio: Various works by student artists from the ColumBrandt-Roberts Galleries
Celebrating Columbus’ Legacy
Curated by Melissa Wolfe, Columbus Museum of Art
Visit the Riffe Gallery in downtown Columbus. Admission is FREE. RIFFE GALLERY LOCATION
GALLERY HOURS
Downtown Columbus Vern Riffe Center for Government & the Arts 77 South High Street, First Floor
Tu......................... 10-4 W, F..................... 10-5:30 Th......................... 10-8 Sat, Sun.............. 12-4 Closed Mondays and state holidays.
Use the State St. entrance on Thursday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information visit www.riffegallery.org or call 614/644-9624.
Supported by OHIO BUILDING AUTHORITY and these media sponsors:
Image: Robert Chadeayne, Down Town, 1966, courtesy of The Butler Institute of American Art
58 cityscene • January/February 2012
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
Rare: Joel Sartore’s Portraits of America’s Endangered Species January 17 to March 24, 2012 Opening Reception Friday, February 3 5 to 7:30 p.m. (Please note that the gallery is closed February 25 to March 4 for the university’s spring break.)
National Geographic contributing photographer Joel Sartore has spent two decades on a mission to document North American plants and animals facing extinction. Intimate color portraits capture the essence of each species with subjects ranging from condors to crocodiles, wolverines to woodpeckers, snails to sea turtles. The exhibition, curated by Smith Kramer Fine Arts, Kansas City, also celebrates the comeback of endangered species such as the American alligator, the gray wolf and the iconic bald eagle. The Schumacher Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Saturday, 1 - 5 p.m. Located on the fourth floor of Blackmore Library on Capital University’s Bexley campus.
Wexner Center for the Arts
Visit us on Facebook
bus College of Art and Design from Jan. 28-May 20. www.decartsohio.org
Two Visions of Spirituality: Elijah Pierce and Amish Quilts
Art Access Gallery: Abstract pieces by Alan Crockett, Sharon Dougherty and David Cooke, and sculptures by Megan Burkholder, through Feb. 17. artaccess gallery.com. Brandt-Roberts Galleries: New & Notable Artists, featuring new gallery artists, through Feb. 29. www.brandtroberts galleries.com High Road Gallery: Multiple Visions in Photographic Excellence – photography by Joe Waganals, Vincent Nobel, Charles Zelms and Cheryl and Doug Kneisley – from Feb. 1-25. www.highroadgallery.org Capital University Schumacher Gallery: Rare: Joel Sartore’s Portraits of America’s Endangered Species from Jan. 17-March 24. www.capital.edu
More.... For additional gallery events, go to www.cityscenecolumbus.com. www.cityscenecolumbus.com
614-236-6319
January 20 - February 13, 2012
Christ with Zacchaeus, 1967
Keny Galleries
Historic . Folk . Contemporary . Advisory Well-informed service since 1980
300 E. Beck St . Columbus, OH 43206 (614) 464-1228 www.kenygalleries.com/featuredexh.html
Log Cabin/Courthouse Steps Quilt, c. 1895, Holmes Co.
cityscene • January/February 2012 59
events Picks&Previews
CityScene spotlights what to watch, what to watch for and what not to miss! Shrek the Musical Jan. 10-15 Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. Broadway Across America brings to Columbus the family musical based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks flick starring a grouchy green ogre. w w w. b r o a d w a y acrossamerica.com/ columbus Aladdin
Columbus Children’s Theatre presents Aladdin Jan. 8, 2 and 3:30 p.m. Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany The classic Middle Eastern tale that became a smash hit film for Disney is presented in all of its magical, adventurous glory. www.mccoycenter.org
Creative Vacations Travel Show Jan. 15, noon-4 p.m. Dublin Embassy Suites, 5100 Upper Metro Pl. Dublin-based travel company Creative Vacations puts on its annual travel show, offering attendees the opportunity to talk one-on-one with representatives of 16 cruise companies,
13 land-based companies, two national tourism boards and one travel insurance company. The popular On Stage Alaska travel presentation by Holland America is also on the agenda. www.creative vacations.com Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Masterworks 5: Folk Roots Jan. 20-21 Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. This concert is based on the musical inspiration of folk Rascal Flatts
The Arnold Sports Festival March 1-4 Downtown Columbus The Arnold is back for another year, chock full of athletic competition and opportunities to learn more about your own wellness. The lineup features longtime favorites like the Arnold Classic and the Arnold Fitness Expo; popular recent additions like Art at the Arnold and the Amateur MMA Festival; and new events like the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Weightlifting and the Arnold Morning Weekend Review. www.arnold sportsfestival.com 60 cityscene • January/February 2012
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
s traditions in Hungary, France and Russia. www.columbussymphony.com Rascal Flatts Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m. Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd. Country music sensations – and Columbus natives – Rascal Flatts bring their
Trusted news.
Soothing music.
All day.
Every day.
Shrek the Musical
Listen online at wosu.org and join the conversation on www.cityscenecolumbus.com
cityscene • January/February 2012 61
Otterbein
Department of theatre & Dance
Dance 2012:
Spotlight March 1-4, 2012
Artistic Direction by Stella Hiatt Kane Cowan Hall 30 S. Grove St. Westerville box Office: 614-823-1109
www.otterbein.edu
library of hits, from I Melt to Bless the Broken Road – back home. Hunter Hayes and Sara Evans are also on the bill. www. nationwidearena.com ProMusica presents Year of the Dragon Jan. 21-22 Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St. Chinese pianist Di Wu performs Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 as the centerpiece to a night of works by risingstar Chinese composers. www.promusica columbus.org Fiddler on the Roof Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m. Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany This Tony award-winning musical deals with the topic of family roots, community, tradition, tolerance and faith. The McCoy Center presents the national touring Broadway version of the classic tale. www. mccoycenter.org Harlem Gospel Choir Jan. 26, 8 p.m. Capitol Theatre, Riffe Center, 77 S. High St. The world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir will delight audiences with footstomping, hand-clapping, jazz and gospel. www.capa.com Hit the Road, Jack: The Music of Ray Charles Jan. 27-28 Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra pays tribute to “The Genius of Soul.” www.jazzarts group.org Harlem Gospel Choir
Year of the Dragon
Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents The Gershwins’ Here to Stay Jan. 28, 8 p.m. Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. This symphony concert offers not only music, but visuals from the Gershwin archives. Pianist Kevin Cole will be featured. www.columbussymphony.com CATCO-Phoenix presents The Rubenstein Kiss Feb. 1-19 Studio Two Theatre, Riffe Center, 77 S. High St. This powerful play, set in the Cold War and the McCarthy hearings, is inspired by the true story of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. www.catco.org Jazz Moves Columbus Feb. 2-12 Capitol Theatre, Riffe Center, 77 S. High St. This collaboration between BalletMet and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra will explore the history and heritage of Columbus as the city celebrates its 200th birthday. www. balletmet.org Wendy’s Chili Open Feb. 4, noon-5 p.m. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd. The annual Westerville Sunrise Rotary
62 cityscene • January/February 2012
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
Club fundraiser benefits a variety of local children’s charities. Offerings include children’s activities, live music, raffles, a silent auction and plenty of food from local restaurants, as well as an appearance by honorary event chairman Jack Hanna. www.wendyschili open.com Blue Man Group Feb. 7-12 Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. The energetic Blue Man Group’s act encompasses comedy, high-tech stage effects and a bit of circus style. www.broadway acrossamerica.com/columbus Getting Near to Baby Feb. 9-26 Columbus Children’s Theatre, 512 Park St. This production is adapted from a Newbery Medal book and follows a family’s tough path to acceptance and understanding after a loss. www.colschildrenstheatre.org Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Masterworks 6: Magnificent Mahler Feb. 10-11 Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.
Symphony.maestro Jean-Marie Zeitouni directs the orchestra in two of his favorite pieces – Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 in A Minor and Wagner’s Prelude to Act 1 of Tristan and Isolde. www.columbus symphony.com
Wendy’s Chili Open
Alasdair Frasier and Natalie Haas Feb. 12, 2 p.m. Via Vecchia Winery, 485 S. Front St. CityMusic Columbus presents Scottish fiddle virtuoso Frasier and premier California cellist Haas. www.citymusic columbus.com Michael Gates Gill Feb. 24, 8 p.m. Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany The bestselling author of How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else discusses his path from highly-paid executive to coffee shop barista. www.mccoycenter.org
Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus presents Home and Country Feb. 24-26 Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St. The chorus partners with the OSU Men’s Glee Club to present a musical celebration of Columbus in recognition of its 200th birthday. www.cgmc.com
More....
For a comprehensive list of other happenings around Columbus, check out www.cityscenecolumbus.com.
HAPPY! A SERVICE OF THE GREATER COLUMBUS ARTS COUNCIL
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
Photo: Will Shively
YOUR GUIDE TO CULTURAL EVENTS, ORGANIZATIONS AND ARTISTS IN CENTRAL OHIO
Supporting arts. Advancing culture.
cityscene • January/February 2012 63
{critique} With Michael McEwan
The Painter’s Eye
Featuring Let Us Give Thanks by Clarence H. Carter
C
larence Carter grew up in Portsmouth with a love of the mighty Ohio River, the.Appalachian hills, the bustling steel mill and railroads of his hometown. He always wanted to be an artist and, in addition to enjoying a long and successful career, Carter was the first Ohio artist to have a work purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Regardless of his travels, Portsmouth was important in Carter’s life, and he frequently returned to his home throughout his career. Carter is perhaps best remembered for his contribution to American Regionalist painting, a realist style of the 1930s and ’40s that championed the traditional values of the rural heritage that most Americans shared at that time. Regionalism is characterized by strong draftsmanship, restrained paint handling and a lower-toned palette. Let Us Give Thanks, oil on canvas from 1943, shows a family at the start of a meal, likely a sum-
64 cityscene • January/February 2012
mer Sunday afternoon. The empty place at the table invites us to join the group and celebrate this moment of peace. There is a sense that this meal is a respite from the worries of war and uncertainty. The Southern Ohio Museum in Portsmouth has an extensive collection of Carter’s work and an amazing collection of artifacts from the ancient indigenous people of the Hopewell and Adena. It’s well worth a visit! cs
Artist Michael McEwan serves as Artist-in-Residence at Capital University, where he also teaches painting and drawing classes.
www.cityscenecolumbus.com
ON SALE NOW TICKETS AS LOW AS $28! FEBRUARY 7-12 PALACE THEATRE
800.745.3000 CAPA Ticket Office • CAPA.com Groups (10+) 614.719.6900
45 Sports ■ 18,000 Athletes ■ Fitness EXPO Nation’s Largest Multi-Sport Festival SPECTATOR ADMISSION: Adults - $10 (plus service charge) per day in advance; $15 per day at the door; 10 yrs. & under FREE if accompanied by an adult. Includes access to the Arnold Fitness EXPO. No Strollers Allowed. For tickets call Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com/arnold.
arnoldsportsfestival.com Veterans Memorial ■ Greater Columbus Convention Center ■ Dispatch Ice Haus ■ Arena Grand Movie Theatre LC Pavilion ■ Chiller Ice Rinks ■ O.S.U. French Field House ■ Columbus, Ohio USA
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