Olde Towne TIMES
fall 2012
Cooler days Hotter times
Letter From the The Olde Towne Times is the quarterly newsletter of the Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association (OTENA). OTENA was established in 1975.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS The Second Wedensday of each month 7 - 8:30 p.m. Firehouse #12, 734 Oak St. ALL ARE WELCOME!
OTENA EVENTS CALENDAR
Fall has always been one of our favorite seasons. Although spring is supposed to be the time to clean out and start fresh, we always felt more like fall was the time to get energized. The hot lazy days are passed, the holidays are ahead and it’s time to get to work. We can all find a multitude of things to do around our home, but in this issue we’ve focused on work in the broader community. We report past work by hundreds of volunteers on a very successful Tour of Homes and preview the other big neighborhood volunteer opportunity, the annual Hot Times Festival.
Visit the OTENA Events Calendar at www.oldetowneeast.org to learn about other meetings and activities.
To work as an OTENA Trustee or a NEAC Commissioner requires some knowledge of the community and so we continue to educate with the second of our series on the history of OTENA and part two of our zoning explanation.
CONTACT OTENA
There’s an exciting new grassroots program requiring work by all of us to deal with some of our community’s problems. And we note an easy way to work for children thousands of miles away through a simple local act.
P.O. Bo 7016 Columbus, OH 43205 Toll-Free: 1866-234-0414 info@oldetowneeast.org
ADVERTISE IN THE OTT Business Card = $25 1/4 page = $50 1/2 page = $75 Full page = $100
So, roll up your sleeves, read on and get to work!
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Thank-You OTE Volunteers
20% discount for annual (4 issues) ad plus one time free design consultant services.
It seems like in every OTT newsletter I read like a broken record encouraging readers to volunteer. This time it’s different, instead I would like to thank the many community volunteers.
For more advertising information and to submit articles, ideas and letters to the editior; e-mail to: info@oldetowneeast.org
OTENA successfully completed the 30th Tour of homes last July thanks to the help from over 200 volunteers. There are too many to name specifically but I would like to single out three - co-chairpersons Christy Williams and Jeff Hamilton who lead this for the first time and their mentor, Ann Twiggs. Being a chairperson is a very demanding responsibility. Thank you for your leadership.
OTT EDITORS Ann Twiggs and Bill Shaffer
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Candy Wagoner Hopkins
DISTRIBUTOR
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Editors
I would also like to thank the 15+ volunteers who did the monthly garden clean ups last summer and this fall. Thanks to the block watch volunteer groups who daily make our community more secure. Thanks to the Olde Towne East businesses for continuing to volunteer their services. Thanks to volunteer editors for this news letter. Thanks to …well the list is endless but I think my point is made.
Michele Santini Email her at micawal@aol.com for extra copies
In summary, thanks to all of the different types of volunteers for making Olde Towne East such a great place to live! Your effort makes the difference.
www.oldetowneeast.org
Matt Fennen
OLDE TOWNE “ I’m very pleased, Alyssa really
listens to what you want ”
says Olde Towne
resident Karen Groh.
Meghan, Alyssa and Ta’Shobe
Years later, Alyssa still styles her sister’s hair
Style
by Ann Twiggs
Karen is referring to the new owner of Voda Hair Design (formerly Voda Emporium), Alyssa Bell. Alyssa took over the business from Gary Wahlers after he and partner Ted Dyrdek moved to Florida. Alyssa says she always wanted to be a stylist. She remembers as a child cutting all her Barbie dolls’ hair as well as experimenting on her younger sister. However, no matter how passionate, one cannot just put up a shingle and start cutting hair. Alyssa attended the Ohio State School of Cosmetology’s 1,800 hour course that lasts between fifteen and eighteen months, receiving her license to practice in 2009. The cosmetology license includes training in performing manicures, pedicures and facial waxing. Alyssa came to Voda Emporium (81 Parsons Ave.) from “Saturdays” in Clintonville – she and Gary just “hit it off” she says. When Gary moved it was a natural for her to remain. She expanded the business by first adding stylist Ta’Shobe Williams whom she met at school and then Meghan Santucci, found through Craig’s List. She has made a few changes, notably painting surfaces bright lavender and renaming the business Voda Hair Design. The space is decorated with original, local art from the Opal Stack House across the street.
sampled their skills recently when Meghan gave me a pedicure and facial waxing; I highly recommend both. Basic styling is affordable with a woman’s cut and dry priced at $30.00 and a man’s cut at $20.00. An additional service is “special event” styling for weddings, proms or any other celebration. She also sells hair care products, her favorite being “J Beverly Hills” because of their quality. For those interested in buying local or who want natural products she carries “Tastefully Dirty” plant based shampoos, conditioners and skin care products that are made in Gahanna as well as Moroccanoil products. Voda’s business is not just from Olde Towners, Alyssa has regular clients from all over including Powell, Westerville, Reynoldsburg and even London (Ohio not England). Alyssa says business keeps on improving due to all the new events bringing folks to Olde Towne and she is currently looking for a fourth partner. Having fallen in love with Olde Towne, Alyssa moved here in March. Alyssa is reading “No Happy Cows” as she explores becoming a vegetarian. Welcome to Olde Towne, Alyssa.
Voda Hair Design offers the full range of hair styling including, cuts, colors, perms, and relaxers. She currently offers pedicures and facial waxing and plans to offer manicures in the near future when her new equipment arrives. Yours truly 3
Don’t Shoot By Bill Shaffer
ne of the problems in the ongoing revitalization of the near east side is drug trafficking and the associated gun violence. A new program seeking to combat these problems has been spreading through the country and now a group of local residents are seeking to implement the program in our neighborhood. The Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS), sometimes referred to as “Operation Ceasefire,” now implemented in over 60 jurisdictions in the country is an evidence-based violence reduction strategy nationally recognized for incredible results; Homicides consistently drop by 60%, drug markets dry up, the relations between the police and communities improve. The program is based on common sense and years of practical experience. Violence in troubled neighborhoods is caused predominantly by a remarkably small and active number of people locked into the group dynamics of the street: gangs, drug crews, and the like. The internal dynamics of these groups and the “honor” code of the street drive violence between these groups and individuals. The individuals that comprise these groups typically constitute less than 0.5 percent of a city’s population. GVRS has shown that violence can be dramatically reduced when community members and law enforcement join together to directly engage with these groups and clearly communicate: (1) a credible moral community message against violence; (2) a credible law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence; and (3) a genuine offer of help for those who want it. To do this, a partnership of law enforcement, social service providers, and community members—parents, ministers, gang outreach workers, neighborhood associations, exoffenders, and others—is assembled and then engages in a
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sustained relationship with violent groups. The key moment in implementing the strategy is a “call-in,” or “notification”: a face-to-face meeting between gang members and the strategy partners. The partners deliver key messages to gang members: that the violence is wrong and has to stop; that the community needs them alive and out of prison and with their loved ones; that help is available to all who will accept it; and that any future violence will be met with clear, predictable, and certain consequences. Courtney Rowland, Pastor Norman Brown and Pastor Bob Ward recently visited Indianapolis to see firsthand that city’s implementation of the GVRS strategy. After witnessing the energy, excitement and commitment in Indianapolis, these community leaders have begun the process of developing a similar strategy in Columbus. They have received the commitment of a number of city officials and are in the process of organizing our community. This public safety strategy will not solve all the crime in our neighborhood. But, if we can significantly reduce gun violence and open-air drug markets it will allow us to begin working on other issues. We first need to stop the shooting so all of us can feel safe to come out of our houses and come together to work as a community. The community activists have brought their strategy to OTENA, NEAC and the local block watches. As the organizing process continues, the leaders are seeking to personally engage all of the neighborhood residents. When contacted, please support them. If you’d like to know more about the strategy, go to www.indycan. org and then follow “organizing tools.” Or contact the three below: Courtney - crowland@cchouse.org; Norman – norman.brown@ juno.com; Bob – rward@wowway.com
CUP Of OTENA Really Is That Old (1981-1986)
Just like today, early Olde Towne East homeowners were busy renovating their houses and were curious about what everyone else was doing. In 1982 members decided to formalize this curiosity about each other’s renovation projects and started the first Rehabilitation Tour of Homes. Although the initial audience was to be just OTENA membrs, it soon became apparent that the rest of the city was also interested. This became our annual tour of homes, the primary event through which we showcase our neighborhood to others. Early on OTENA saw the potential that physical changes in a neighborhood could result in displacement of local residents. The organization sought ways to foster the former without resulting in the latter. One of the earliest formal activities of OTENA was to adopt a resolution that gave a higher priority to neighborhood improvements that didn’t displace existing residents. The details of how this was to be accomplished were incorporated in 1982 in the publication of the Olde Towne East Redevelopment Guidelines.
A good cup of coffee usually makes us feel better physically – it perks us up, cheers a dreary day, or (if iced) cools down a hot summer afternoon. Now your cup of java can make you feel good in another way through a program at Upper Cup. Michael and Samson have partnered with a non-profit to sell A Cup of Grace coffee from Ethiopia. A portion of the sales of A Cup of Grace goes to 4gottennomore (FNM Inc.). A local Columbus couple, Tim and Cheryl Giese were drawn by their adoption of an Ethiopian child, to begin working at the Grace Center, a children’s charity in Ethiopia. While there, they saw a particular need that matched Cheryl’s earlier work with special needs children at Franklin County Children’s Services. To fill that need, the two have started 4gottennomore to provide programs for special needs children in Ethiopia. In communities of extreme poverty, these children are the forgotten ones. For more information go to 4gottennomore.org or myuppercupcoffee.com. Meanwhile, combine good coffee with doing good by purchasing A Cup of Grace Ethiopian Sidamo coffee from Upper Cup.
And just to remind ourselves that all early activities weren’t formal, high minded or long lasting, in 1984
OTENA sponsored a neighborhood Easter egg hunt in Blackburn Park and in 1985, ‘86 and ‘87 staged a live nativity in the community garden at Oak and Garfield featuring costumed residents as well as appropriate animals. (If you’re interested in reestablishing this tradition, please let the trustees know.)
Tim and Cheryl with their family.
The second 5 years of OTENA Presidents:
1981-1982 – Pat Swinehart
1982-1984 – Jolene Finnell
1984-1986 – Tom Lyons
Cheryl teaching a sign lanquage class.
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a Success! Almost 1,000 individuals came out on Sunday, July15th to tour twelve excellent examples of the beauty and diversity of Olde Towne’s housing stock. From a Broad Street mansion to a modern frame infill, Olde Towne showed how anyone could thrive in our urban Columbus neighborhood. Tour goers were heard complimenting the wonderful homes, the welcoming volunteers and the smooth tour operation. Indeed, OTENA knows tours! Enjoy this selection of photographs from the tour.
in Olde Towne
By Bill Shaffer
It started as a block party; changed locations several times; expanded and enlarged, but Hot Times remains the friendliest festival in Columbus. Think of a laid-back neighborhood gathering combined with Comfest before it was discovered by the world. A Saturday Children’s Parade down Main Street, a collection of art cars, a massive street fair, poetry slams, upcoming musicians as well as some of the city’s most well known bands, hot Saturday night reggae and rock and mellow Sunday afternoon heritage jazz.
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And the food - some of Columbus’s best barbequed ribs, jerk chicken, stir fry, local pizza and locally sourced burritos as well as mouth watering pastries and shaved ice. All of this run by neighborhood volunteers and presented at no charge for your enjoyment. Past residents of Olde Towne plan return trips on Hot Times weekend to reconnect with old friends. New residents discover our neighborhood’s true diversity while they relax or jam with their neighbors.
Always the weekend after Labor Day this year September 7,8,9, on the grounds of the Columbus Health Department at the corner of Main and Parsons. Look for the big tents. For more information go to www.HotTimesFestival.com 36 years old and still going strong, Hot Times is the jewel in the crown of Olde Towne.
PUTTING UP SUMMER BOUNTY
OTE Humor
by “Columbus’ Male Martha”
Too much corn or tomatoes? Freezing corn on the cob and/or tomatoes for the winter is simple: With tomatoes- Blanch them in boiling water for one minute. Then remove and place them into an ice bath. This will allow the skins to easily be removed. Once skinned, cut the tomatoes in half, remove all seeds and drain in a colander. Place tomato meat into freezer bags and freeze. With corn - Same thing but blanch for 4-5 minutes. No need to cut or remove seeds here. Leave them on the cob (optional). A very good website is: PickYourOwn.org
nd s a e c i l ry g s ep f t rin e e s p i e D sho em re c lour. h th int o ie s in f c r t s m F a e to to t he tw r to po t a o ta , bu d ge a pe n p e P t e s r e v t d t, ne w ee swe he o c rus l or in t Sw e he d e e s w c i k o a w ra n r ba er t our ext . (O pa p n e y ol t l e n a w c a i o l to c hip S br or n F o n d . s e n e dr y g ol d f rie g a pl a c o n o i t d t pat s n s a rk po t dr e ve a l da ch e mo ee t se. n un t i a w a R s e r . ix our s gr e ly) ces e, m give s y c lo s x c u e a ce k up g s sa u s oa ippin g. s i d h T orin at v . e a e l r t f a g ta s ic y -s p For , to y g m n i a s on c re se a e te w ts t ha
Comics From the Book Sure You Can “Do It Yourself” BY Brickman
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Meet YourOTENA TRUSTEE
OLD TIMER
NEW COMER
MIKE SEAMON Franklin Ave.
BARBARA “WAHRU” CLEVELAND Madison Ave.
MANDY SMITH Franklin Ave.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN OLDE TOWNE? Since April of ’97, OTENA Treasurer since 2005.
I moved to Olde Towne in 1994
I moved in with Michael in October of 2011, so it has been around 9 months.
WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story. Kemba Smith went from college student to drug dealer’s girlfriend to federal prison. Now she is determined to use her experiences to teach others.
Duncton Wood by William Horwood. It was our July book club selection. It is out of print so I had to read it in hard back form, which made me love my Kindle even more.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DRINK? Yoo-Hoo
What’s your favorite drink? Nothing beats a hamburger or hot dog and a beer. However, I am drinking NA beer for the most part. I am dropping a pound or two.
Water (boring I know) but if you are asking alcoholic drink, then it would be Wine-Silver Oak Cabernet, Liquor-Vodka anything, Beer-Miller Lite
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Trattoria Roma on the strip in Grandview
I don’t eat out much due to cost and the inability to control salt content. When I do I like Lemon Grass, The Union Café, The Indian Oven, or, the Super Seafood Buffet, or Red Lobster.
Basi Italia in Victorian Village. They have a great patio, the best zucchini appetizer, and if they ever bring back the chocolate truffles I will be in heaven!
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES? Fixing things around the house.
I love going to plays and movie documentaries, drumming and drum making. I also like to think I am a handy woman in that I can fix certain things. I like the outdoors, but mostly in the fall. I love to dance, when I can. I love cooking in my ethnic style.
Michael and I can be found at Mad River Mountain every weekend that we have snow. I enjoy skiing, he is a snowboarder. I am also an avid reader and enjoy going to book club. Michael says shopping is not a hobby, but I disagree.
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? Spending time with Todd (and Cooper), my family and friends!
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Friends make me happy. I love to hang out, share stories and a great home cooked meal. I love the rush one gets after a great day of drumming.
My family and friends, my dog Stella, my fiancé Michael, my work, my home, my yard, my life…
IN THE ZONE By Chuck Moore
This is the second in a series of articles about zoning. Within the Olde Towne area there are several land use districts defined by the zoning code. R3 – SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL. Much of the area bounded by Broad, Miller, Main, and Parsons was rezoned R3 in 1993.This rezoning promoted an overall reduction in density, encouraging construction and restoration of single family residences. This rezoning signaled a commitment to encouraging families to buy and restore our architectural treasures. It also encouraged buyers to reduce the number of units in single-family residences that had been subdivided into multiple dwelling units. The minimum lot size requirement for R3 is 5,000 square feet. R2F – ONE OR TWO FAMILY RESIDENTIAL. Much of the area bounded by Long, Taylor, Broad, and I-71, and the area bounded by Main, S. Ohio, I-70 and Parsons was rezoned R2F in 1973.
Lot size requirements for R2F are: Configuration
Minimum Lot Size
single-family
6,000
one-story, two-family
3,600 sq. ft. per dwelling unit
two-story, two-family
3,000 sq. ft. per dwelling unit
ARLD - APARTMENT/RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY. The area-wide Model Cities rezoning in 1973 resulted in the majority of the west portion of the neighborhood being zoned ARLD. This was an appropriate transitional zoning because of the number of apartment buildings and because of the large number of subdivided single-family homes in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the predominantly commercial strips on Main Street and on Parsons Avenue were included in the ARLD rezoning. This questionable zoning of the commercial strips may be limiting their revitalization because potential developers often need to rezone. On the other hand, the need to rezone (or at least get a variance) allows public input that gives the neighborhood more control over development. The minimum lot size for ARLD is 2,500 square feet per dwelling unit. ARO - APARTMENT/RESIDENTIAL/OFFICE. The strip of properties along Broad Street was zoned ARO in 1973 as part of the Model Cities program. With few exceptions, this zoning has successfully preserved the historic character of Broad Street. There is no lot size requirement in ARO districts; thus a disadvantage of ARO can be the extremely high densities. SOURCES FOR ZONING INFORMATION: Columbus maintains a GIS-based zoning map showing property zoning at: http://gis.columbus.gov/oss/ Find your property by zooming and panning, or use their search tools. If the detailed zoning doesn’t show up, a) make sure that you are zoomed in close enough, and b) make sure that Base Zoning is checked in the Content drop-down box in the upper right corner of the screen.
OTE Block
Watch FAIR AVENUE
The Word Church, southwest corner of Fair Avenue and Wilson 6:30 p.m. Second Monday of January, April, July and October. Contact: fairavenuebw@oteblockwatches.org
OHIO - PARSONS The 12th Precinct Police Sub-station 950 Main Street 7p.m. Second Tuesday of each month. Contact ohioparsonsbw@oteblockwatches.org
SOUTH OF MAIN The 12th Precinct Police Sub-station 950 Main Street 10 a.m. First Saturday of each month. Contact: southofmainbw@oteblockwatches.org
For More Information: http://oteblockwatches.org Community Liaison Officer: Terry Kalous 614-645-1412 or tkalous@columbuspolice.org
FIND THE COLUMBUS ZONING CODE AT: http://library.municode.com/index.aspx? clientId=16219&stateId=35&stateName=Ohio
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2012 OTENA EVENT CALANDER
Don’t S We D ay idn’t Tell Y ou
Although more activities will certainly be forthcoming, the Trustees wanted to make sure that we all get these annual events on our calendars. Some benefit us, some benefit others, some are for volunteering, and some are for fun. Plan to come to them all.
BIKE THE C-BUS OTENA REST STOP Saturday September 1
10 - 11 AM
HOT TIMES IN OLDE TOWNE FESTIVAL Fri/ Sat/ Sun September 7, 8, 9
NOON ON
OTENA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Wednesday September 12
7 PM
NEAR EAST ROVING Saturday September 15
7 PM
OTENA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Wednesday October 10
7 PM
NEAR EAST ROVING Saturday November 10
7 PM
OTENA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Wednesday November 14
7 PM
Wednesday December 12
7 PM
Printing provided in-kind by Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association is proud to be a Neighborhood Partner with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. View the progress of Nationwide Children’s Hospital campus expansion live by visiting www.earthcam.com/clients/nch.
OTENA HOLIDAY POTLUCK
PLEASE SHOP YOUR OTE BUSINESSES American Midwest Mortgage Corporation
Divine Chiropractic
Smothered Gravy Restaurant
AWOL
ET Paul
Black Arts Plus
F&W Properties
Sweet Raine’s on Main Carry Out Restaurant
Black Creek Bistro
L’Appat Patisserie and Cafe
Cap City Tattoo
Oak Street Meats & Seafood
Carabar
Opal Stack House
Care Pet Center
Q-Kardz Branding Center
Cobenick Studios
Replenish Spa Co-Op
Core Fitness
Rosco Room Gallery
CS Gallery
Surety Cam
The Angry Baker The Olde Familiar Barbershop The Olde Towne Tavern Upper Cup Voda Hair Designs Yellow Brick Pizza
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Congratulations
Olde Towne on your 30th tour. You looked fabulous!
1617 Hawthorne Park - Grand & Gracious with nearly 6K SF! 6 BR; 3.2 baths, c.1900 - $299,900
164 S. Seventeenth St. Craftsman style, 4 BR, 1.5 bath, Jenn-Air kitchen - $174,900
1616 Hawthorne Park - 7 BR, 5 baths, over 6500 SF - Would make a GREAT B & B! $384,900
510 Evergreen Cir. The Round House in historic Rush Creek Village - MCM $564,900
1376 Eastwood Ave - American 4SQ, 5 BR, 2.5 bath, 2 car gar, stunning woodwork - $199,900
175 King Avenue - Stately brick Victorian in The Circles - JUST SOLD - $525,000
RE/MAX Metro Plus Al Waddell Luxury & Historic Homes 614.832.4079 (Direct) PROUD OTE resident 20+ years al.waddell@remax.net www.ColumbusHistoricHomes.com Š2011 - 2012 Imprev, Inc.
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RE/MAX Metro Plus 502 S 3rd St in historic German Village Columbus, OH 43215
Happy Hour Monday-Friday 4-7 pm Appetizers $5 each • Select mixed drinks $3 Specialty Martinis $5 • House Infused Martinis $5 Featured specialty beers of the week: 12 oz for $3, Large for $6
53 Parsons Avenue • 246-9662 www.blackcreekbistro.com
Monday through Thursday, our chef creates an entree special available for only $10. Selections vary widely. Bistro Features are prepared fresh daily and posted to our Facebook page and Twitter feed.
Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association P.O Box 7016 Columbus, OH 43205
Rated top 10 restaurant in columbus by the Columbus Dispatch!
Featured wine of the week at state minimum