Westerville Magazine March/April 2016

Funny Faculty Otterbein professor, documentary director and stand-up comedian Keith Pepperell

Leadership Today April is for Arts Central’s Vegetarian Club www.westervillemagazine.com

WE WANT

YOU...

2016

Make your voice heard!

Vote for Columbus’ best arts, entertainment, food and events for CityScene Magazine’s fifth annual Best of the ‘Bus! Voting is open through April 15!

Winners will be featured in the July issue of CityScene.

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HORTICULTURE IS MY ART.

Learn more about Amanda’s story and other Columbus artists and events at ColumbusMakesArt.com and #artmakescbus.

Experience Blooms & Butteries at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens opening March 12.

Design: Formation Studio

At the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Amanda Bettin cultivates the world’s ora.

Because Columbus is blossoming as a cultural center of the Midwest, there’s no place she’d rather pursue her craft.

Kathleen K. Gill President/CEO

Garth Bishop Managing Editor Hannah Bealer Editors Sarah Sole Amanda DePerro Contributing Editor

Leah Kunnath Contributing Writers Jessica Williams Chris Woodley

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Masterworks II

Christa Dickey Community Affairs

Administrator

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Sun / Mar 13th / 5:00 PM

Masterworks III Featuring

Otterbein Combined Choirs + Capriccio Columbus

Gayle Walker Conductor

Sun / Apr 24 / 5:00 PM 4 March/April 2016

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Inside 09

06 community calendar 09 city reporter

City Reporter News and Information from the City of Westerville

MARCH/APRIL 2016 VOL. 15 NO. 4

News and Information from the City of Westerville

15 faces

Old Shoes and Blue Collars Professor’s career has taken him through stand-up comedy, documentaries and more

18 in focus

Making Connections

Minority and underrepresented Westerville

students reap the benefits of new programming

20 The Need to Lead

18

Ambitious Westerville students develop valuable skills through Leadership Today

22 A Massive Month

Westerville’s annual celebration of the arts is too big for April to contain

24 Around Westerville 26 living

What’s Your Function?

New basement bar offers homeowners and their guests more accommodations

28 on the table

28

Meatless Meetings Central’s Vegetarian Club helps students explore vegan and vegetarian lifestyles

30 bookmarks

Find Westerville Magazine on Facebook and Twitter Read more online at WestervilleMagazine.com www.westervillemagazine.com

Recommendations from the Westerville Public Library

On the Cover: Keith Pepperell Photo by Wes Kroninger Story on page 15 March/April 2016 5

2016

SAT FRI THU 4 3 2 11 10 9 18 7 17 6 16 5 15 25 14 24 13 23 12 22 21 31 20 30 19 29 28 27 26

WED TUE MON 1 SUN

8

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

March

March 3

Meet the Author: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 7 p.m., Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mount Royal Ave., www.westervillelibrary.org

March 3-6

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Located in office complex, last building on the left by the bike path.

westervilledentalhealth.com 6 March/April 2016

March 3-6

Arnold Sports Festival Throughout Columbus, www.arnoldsportsfestival.com

March 5

March 18

Celebrating 100 Years of the City-Manager Form of Government in Westerville 7:30 p.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillehistory.org

Lions Club Pancake Breakfast 7:30-11 a.m., American March 18-April 3 Legion Post 171, Curtain Players Theatre 393 E. College Ave., presents You Can’t Take www.westervillelions.org it With You Curtain Players Theatre, March 10-16 5691 Harlem Rd., Galena, Guitar Festival www.curtainplayers.org Multiple venues around Otterbein University, March 23 www.otterbein.edu Spring Pianorama 8 p.m., Battelle Fine Arts March 12-31 Center, 170 W. Park St., A Day of Arts for All www.otterbein.edu Noon-1:30 p.m., Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., www.vsao.org

March 26

Bunny Hop 5K 8 a.m., Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St., www.premierraces.com

March 26

Spring Eggstravaganza 10 a.m., Highlands Park Baseball Fields, 245 S. Spring St., www.westerville.org

March 26

Westerville Civitan Club Easter Egg Hunt 10 a.m.-noon, Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., www. westervillecivitan.webs.com

March 13

Westerville Symphony presents Masterworks 2 5 p.m., Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., www. westervillesymphony.org

March 13

Underwater Egg Hunt 6-8 p.m., Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., www.westerville.org

Underwater Egg Hunt

Sponsored by the Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau For more events, visit www.visitwesterville.org

www.westervillemagazine.com

Photos: Spring Eggstravaganza courtesy of City of Westerville; Underwater Egg Hunt courtesy of Westerville Parks and Recreation Department; Mount Carmel St. Ann’s 4th Friday: Uptown Alive! courtesy of Arts Council of Westerville; Taste of Westerville courtesy of Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce

Westerville North High School presents Thoroughly Modern Millie Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd., Spring Eggstravaganza www.westervillenorth.com

April

at Otterbein

April 1-3

Otterbein University Opera Theatre presents First Encounters: Edouard Manet Meets Berthe Morisot Battelle Fine Arts Center, 170 W. Park St., www.otterbein.edu

Music Festival: The Guitar and its Fretted Friends March 10 - 16, various locations Highlighted perfomers include Jason Vieaux and Chris Buzzelli.

April 2

* Opera Theatre: First Encounters: Edouard Manet Meets Berthe Morisot (An Opera?

A Musical?)

April 1 and 2, 8 p.m.; April 3, 2 p.m.

Battelle Fine Arts Ctr., Riley Auditorium 170 W. Park St., Westerville

Serving Our Seniors Day 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Westerville South High School, 303 S. Otterbein Ave., www.westerville.org

April 7-16

Otterbein University presents Fiddler on the Roof Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., www.otterbein.edu

April 10

A Joyful Noise: Otterbein String Orchestra 7 p.m., Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 E. Schrock Rd., www.otterbein.edu

Taste of Westerville

April 14-16

Early Spring Arts

Mount Carmel St. Ann’s 4th Friday: Uptown Alive!

April 16

Katie Dunning Spring Dance 6-8 p.m., Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., www. westervillecivitan.webs.com

April 16

April 24

OutRun Autism 5K 9 a.m., Alum Creek Park North, 221 W. Main St., www.columbusrunning.com

* Westerville Symphony with Combined Choirs: Misa Cubana by José María Vitier April 24, 5 p.m.

Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall 30 S. Grove St., Westerville

April 24

* admission charged

Cuban Music Recital 8 p.m., Battelle Fine Arts Center, 170 W. Park St., www.otterbein.edu

Westerville Symphony presents Masterworks 3 5 p.m., Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., www. westervillesymphony.org

April 22

April 28-May 1

Mount Carmel St. Ann’s 4th Friday: Uptown Alive!

6-9 p.m., Uptown Westerville, www.visitwesterville.org

Westerville North High School April 23 presents As You Like it Hoover Invitational Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd., Rowing Regatta Time TBA, Hoover Reservoir, www.westervillenorth.com 7701 Sunbury Rd., www. westervillecrew.org April 15 Taste of Westerville April 23-24 7-10 p.m., Crowne Plaza Westerville South Columbus North, High School 6500 Doubletree Ave., presents Big Fish Columbus, www.westerville Westerville South chamber.com High School, 303 S. Otterbein Ave., www.wshstheatre. wikispaces.com

Celebration of Cuban Music (Recital) Featuring mezzo-soprano Olga Perez-Flora April 16, 8 p.m., Riley Auditorium 170 W. Park St., Westerville

Westerville Central High School presents Shrek the Musical Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mount Royal Ave., www.centraltheatre. wikispaces.com

April 30-May 1

NARI of Central Ohio Spring Home Improvement Showcase Throughout central Ohio, www.trustnari.org

For information: www.otterbein.edu/music or call 614.823.1504

Art

An Island Apart: Cuban Artists in Exile An exhibition featuring works by 12 internationally recognized exiled Cuban artists.

Departure Gate A Now through May 1 Fisher Gallery 27 S. Grove St., Westerville Gallery hours: M-F 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Departure Gate C Now through May 1 Frank Gallery 39 S. Vine St., Westerville Gallery hours: W-S 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

For information, call 614.823.1792.

www.otterbein.edu www.westervillemagazine.com

March/April 2016 7

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weekendscene Looking for something to do?

See what’s on the menu this weekend and beyond!

Sign up for CityScene Magazine’s weekly event newsletter

Check out the NEW cityscenecolumbus.com 8 March/April 2016

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CityReporter News & Information from the City of Wester ville

A Century of Council-Manager Government

www.westervillemagazine.com

BY THE NUMBERS

Number of years the CouncilManager form of government has been active in Westerville.

Learn more about this significant anniversary online at www.westerville.org/100.

Westerville, Ohio City Manager Dates of Service Ray S. Blinn (1916-1917) Ralph W. Orebaugh (1917-1921) Richard Biehl (1922-1924) L.G. Whitney (1925-1930) Ross E. Windom (1930-1940) Ross W. Shoemaker (1940-1950) Ralph W. Snyder (1950-1955) Jack Willison (1955-1957) Lee R. Orendorff (1957-1960) Thomas M. Bay (1960-1968) John P. Deppen (1968-1972) O.H. Koeplin (1972-1977) Maynard W. Dils (1977-1985) G. David Lindimore (1985-2007) David A. Collinsworth (2007-present)

March/April 2016 9

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The year was 1915 when, on July 31, 393 Westerville voters went to the polls to decide the future structure of Westerville’s local government.

With a vote of 258 in favor and 135 against, Westerville would become the third municipality and the first village in the state of Ohio to adopt the Council-Manager form of government.

The decision that led to the issue being placed on the ballot was born from frustration after decades of dysfunction and political discord. Poor city utilities, conflicts over infrastructure improvements and ineffective management were among the chronic issues that plagued our then-burgeoning community.

Three years previously, in 1912, James M. Cox was elected governor of Ohio and introduced an era of progressive reform for local governance. Among the most meaningful reforms was the newfound ability for municipalities to adopt the Council-Manager form of government. The Council-Manager system is one in which City Council serves as the legislative body and provides for professional management through an appointed, trained municipal administrator. Oversight and management of day-to-day operations are the responsibilities of the City Manager, a professional position authorized to serve at the pleasure of City Council as the City’s chief executive.

During and leading up to the time a century ago, proponents of reform argued it was a critical step to eradicate years of entrenched political machines, patronage and abuses of power. There was more than a year of public debate as the merits of Council-Manager governance were considered in both the community and local media. From eliminating party politics via nonpartisan elections to promoting a more business-oriented approach to governance and saving public dollars by eliminating waste and enhancing accountability, advocates of this new system won over Westerville voters by touting advantages of reform.

So it was, on Jan. 1, 1916, Westerville became the first community in the region to adopt the form of government used today by roughly seven of 10 local governments that are over 2,500 in population.

“The Council-Manager form of government is like a business,” said long-serving Westerville City Council member Mike Heyeck. “Like a CEO ensures continuDavid Limardi, representing the International City/County ity in the private sector, Management Association, traveled to Westerville to present the City Manager helps Westerville City Council with a commendation on Tuesday, assure long-term contiJan. 19. From left: City Manager David Collinsworth, nuity in the business of Assistant City Manager Julie Colley, David Limardi, Mayor running a city.”

Kathy Cocuzzi and Council Chairman Craig Treneff.

News & Information from the City of Wester ville

Fire Levy Facts On Tuesday, March 15, Westerville residents will be asked to consider a 2.8-mill property tax issue for the City of Westerville Division of Fire, serving 20 square miles and 50,000 residents of Westerville and Blendon Township.

For residents’ consideration, the answers to most commonly-asked questions follow.

A complete Frequently Asked Questions section is available on the City website, with additional details on the levy request.

What is the 2.8-mill property tax issue the City of Westerville and Blendon Township are proposing?

The Westerville Division of Fire, which provides fire and emergency medical services to the residents and businesses of Westerville and Blendon Township, is funded by a series of dedicated, voter-approved property tax levies in the City and Township. Due to state law, the rate of these levies is reduced over time so that the revenues generated by the levy do not increase as the values of properties increase. Therefore, as the cost of delivering these services – personnel, supplies, materials, equipment, etc. – increases, the City and Township must periodically seek increases in the approved tax levy rates to cover the cost of inflation.

Why is this funding request necessary?

In addition to the impact of inflation in the operations of the Fire Division, the overall response activity of the Division is steadily growing. This is due to a steady increase in calls for rescue and emergency medical services. For example, in 2014, the Fire Division responded to 562 more EMS calls than it did in 2008 – an increase of 12 percent. Also, the Division now operates with three fewer fulltime firefighter/paramedics than authorized at the beginning of the current levy cycle due to the elimination of tangible personal property taxes and a reduction in anticipated property tax revenues due to delinquencies and a slight drop in assessed value.

How much am I currently paying for this service and what will this increase cost me?

Currently, property owners of Westerville and Blendon are paying roughly $306 per year for fire and EMS services for every $100,000 of home market value. If voters approve this levy request, they will pay an additional $98 per year, or $8.17 per month, for every $100,000 of home value.

10 March/April 2016

Key Factors for our Future Increased Demand For Emergency Medical Services. EMS calls have grown 12 percent between 2008 and 2014 alone, and continue to steadily increase. Westerville firefighters also perform as fire inspectors and emergency medical technicians to answer the call, whether for fire protection or life-saving action and transport.

Changing Face of Fire Protection. Construction of new homes and commercial buildings has improved fire prevention, but there is still a need for personnel and equipment to respond quickly when called. The average WFD response time remains under four minutes.

Increased Demand For Fire Inspections. Population and commercial growth has increased demand for fire inspection services. In 2014, WFD conducted nearly 2,500 commercial inspections, a number we expect to sharply rise as new business enters the community.

Disaster Preparedness. Preparation and training for a variety of disasters, natural or otherwise, is the responsibility of WFD as your public safety agency. The 2014 citizen survey showed most residents are concerned about this topic and want to know the department is well-prepared.

EMS Prevention and Community Paramedicine. Programs are developing in response to Westerville and Blendon Township’s increased emergency medical service needs.

Older adults and other populations in the community will have access to education and technical assistance in health maintenance, including programs for issues such as fall prevention.

Aged Equipment. WFD has a tradition of refurbishing equipment to extend its life cycle as often as possible. However, within the next six years, it will be critical to replace one engine/rescue and potentially two engines. EMS vehicles that cannot be refurbished may require replacement within that cycle’s time period.

Residents and Businesses Benefit from Upgraded ISO Rating The Westerville Division of Fire has received an upgrade in its rating from the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO)

to class 2 following an evaluation and assessment of the department this fall.

ISO rates fire departments/districts on a 10-point scale, with class 1 being the best possible rating and class 10 being the worst. The announcement upgrades WFD’s rating from a class 3, which it has held for about two decades.

ISO is a standardized, national rating system that evaluates and assigns a number on its scale regarding the condition of www.westervillemagazine.com

Staff Profile

Jake Preston Named 2015 Employee of the Year

Jake Preston has strong Ohio roots. He grew up on a farm, studied at The Ohio State University and started a career in central Ohio.

After only two and half years with the City in the role of Civil Engineer, Jake earned his place as “Employee of the Year” for 2015 at December’s staff holiday luncheon. The recognition was based, in part, on the care, attention and quality Jake brings to the job.

“It’s as if every project in Westerville starts first in Jake’s own driveway,” read a line from his nomination form. Congratulations, Jake!

What is a typical day for you as the City’s Civil Engineer?

My primary responsibility is to manage construction projects throughout the City. I also work with in-house traffic staff and the City utility coordinator. My duties allow me to interact with all the City departments, and I am fortunate to work with hundreds of residents each year as well. The City is constantly improving its infrastructure; most of my days are spent managing these construction projects.

Where are you from originally?

I grew up on a dairy farm in Licking County just north of Newark.

What is the most rewarding experience you have had in your years with the City?

The reconstruction of roadways within existing neighborhoods is always the most rewarding, in my opinion. The aging underground utilities and limited space can make these projects challenging to construct and difficult for the impacted residents, but seeing the completed improvements being used and having confidence in the quality is very rewarding.

the community’s fire protection systems.

Only 1,060 of more than 48,000 fire departments across the nation have earned a class 2 designation. Violet Township is the only other fire district in central Ohio to receive the class 2 rating.

ISO ratings provide guidance to insurance underwriters related to property risks associated with fire protection services. In addition to validating the quality of the department, this rating goes

directly to the property insurance premiums insurers charge residential and commercial customers. ISO’s analysis considers suppression capabilities (staffing, equipment and station locations), fire prevention and code enforcement, training, emergency communications, building codes, and the quality of the water distribution system.

“Ultimately, a better ISO rating translates into money saved for the residents

Congratulations on this achievement.

What does this award mean to you?

I am privileged to be recipient of this award. I really enjoy what I do, and to be recognized by the people I work with daily is an honor.

www.westervillemagazine.com

What stands out as one of the most challenging experiences, and how did you overcome it?

Construction projects are inherently challenging, and it’s not unusual for unforeseen conditions to arise. All of these projects are scoped, reviewed and discussed in great detail with staff from several City departments. When challenges arise during a project, we work closely together to find a quality and timely solution. I can’t say enough about the support and dedication from my co-workers.

What is something about the programs and projects you manage that people may not know?

The timeline for planning and designing a construction project takes several months and involves input from dozens of City workers, planners, engineers and contractors, as well as the public. Many of the improvements made are to underground utilities. As you drive through an active construction zone, it can be frustrating to see orange barrels and what appears to be little progress on the surface. However, the underground improvement phase of most roadway jobs accounts for the majority of the project timeline. Fortunately, the City is very proactive in planning for the future, and the improvements are designed for growth and to have a long service life.

What do you do in your leisure time?

My wife and I have two daughters, ages 1 and 3. We live on a small farm, raise corn and beans, and have two dogs. We spend a lot of time outdoors, bicycling and visiting with family and friends. and businesses in Westerville and Blendon Township,” said Fire Chief Brian Miller.

“We’re incredibly proud to have achieved this rating level and will continue to work to ensure the safety of the community through the services of the Westerville Fire Division.”

The rating becomes effective April 1.

For more information, or to reach Chief Miller, call 614-901-6606.

March/April 2016 11

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How did you come to be in this profession?

I got my bachelor’s degree in food, agricultural and biological engineering from The Ohio State University. I spent two years working for Delaware County, primarily focused on ditch petition projects. From that point, I worked for seven years with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, managing a wide variety of civil engineering projects statewide. In 2009, I diverted my engineering focus to civil engineering and became a licensed professional engineer.

News & Information from the City of Wester ville

Westerville’s Water Story Residents of Westerville received postcards in the mail after the third and fourth quarters of 2015 prompted by non-emergency drinking water violations at one of four sites in the system.

Due to factors explained below, it is likely residents will receive additional mailers or notifications for the first quarter and, potentially, the second quarter of 2016. In our endeavor to fully explain the factors involved and the timeline to remedy the issue, which

has been in the works with the construction of the new Westerville Water Treatment Plant, please read on.

Total Trihalomethanes The City of Westerville water system is tested quarterly at four sites for a group of disinfection byproducts known as total trihalomethanes (TTHM). During the third and fourth quarters of 2015, levels of TTHM were above the maximum contaminate level (MCL) set by the Environmental Protection Agency at one site Water is drawn from Alum Creek only. The MCL standard for TTHM, based on (the City's primary source) and enters #1 the water treatment process at the an annual average, is 0.080 mg/L. The third Westerville Water Treatment Plant. quarter regulatory level at this one site was 0.083 mg/L; the fourth quarter level at the one site was 0.090 mg/L. In October 2013, the Ohio EPA changed City begins the treatment process; the criteria from an annual average at all adding chemicals to reduce the natural, sites to a quarterly average at individual #2 organic carbon in the water (natural decay products from plants, leaves, sites (the City’s water system has four algae, agriculture and other sources). sites). Because of this change to new, stricter MCL for TTHM, we started planning the addition of a new step in the treatment City adds chlorine to disinfect the process utilizing activated granular carwater. This step is a federal regulation bon, which is scheduled to go goes online #3 to remove micro-organisms including bacteria and viruses which cause later this month with the opening of the water-borne disease. new Water Treatment Plant. Many water systems across the country are making the same or similar adjustments.

TTHM are a group of chemicals – chloroThe chlorination process reacts with the form, bromoform, bromodichloromethane natural carbon in the water and begins to and chlorodibromomethane – formed when #4 form total trihalomethane (TTHM), a disinfection by-product. naturally occurring organic compounds found in our water come in contact with the chlorine. Chlorine is currently used as a disinfectant in the treatment of the City’s water supply. Though the presence Over time, as water moves through the of TTHM is not an emergency with acute distribution system to the customer, #5 TTHM continues to increase. The warmer (short-term) exposure, long-term exposure the weather, the more rapidly it forms. (up to seven decades or longer) has been linked to health problems. #6

#7

Regular monitoring measures TTHM levels on a quarterly basis. In 2013, the Ohio EPA establishes a new, stricter guideline for TTHM based on site averages (switching from system averages).

In the third and fourth quarter of 2015, regular testing showed a slightly elevated TTHM level at one site.

Westerville residents receive a notification if TTHM levels exceed the regulatory limit. (These quarterly elevated levels are not emergencies and the municipal water supply remains safe for use.)

Westerville’s new Water Treatment Plant, opening this month, features an additional filtration step that will further remove carbon prior to chlorination and reduce TTHM formation.

12 March/April 2016

The Background One sample site in the far southeastern corner of the City violated the stricter MCL for TTHM in the third and fourth quarters of 2015. Unfortunately, the same result is expected in the first quarter and, possibly, second quarter in 2016 due to persistent high levels from the third and fourth quarters of 2015 affecting the regulated average that is based on the past four quarters. Other monitored sites within the system ranged from 0.053 to 0.069 mg/L, which are within acceptable levels.

As emphasized in our mailer, the presence of TTHM is not an emergency, and City water is safe to drink. You do not need to use an www.westervillemagazine.com

Mark Your Calendars

A Different Issue than Lead Please note the issue is entirely different from the emergency with the public water supply in Flint, Mich. Flint’s water emergency made national news in January when it was determined it had been poisoned with lead, resulting from poor water quality in the Flint River breaking down material in the water piping infrastructure and contaminating the water. Westerville’s water is treated to protect against lead corrosion and is well within drinking water standards.

Our Response Four years ago, in response to proposed new TTHM regulation, Westerville began the planning and design process for the current Water Treatment Plant upgrade that is nearly complete.

Central to this $12 million construction project is the addition of a second filtration step, which utilizes activated carbon to reduce the formation of TTHM. This treatment process is expected to be in place in March. Fire hydrants are also being routinely flushed in the area with higherthan-average TTHM to help move sitting water (when TTHM tends to accumulate) and potentially reduce levels.

What You Can Do Contact Us: The City of Westerville recognizes the importance of high quality drinking water and is investing in our water system to protect its quality. Please visit www.westerville.org for more information. You may also contact the Westerville Water Division to speak with staff if you have questions.

Richard Lorenz Water Utility Manager Westerville Division of Water 21 S. State St., Westerville, Ohio 43081 614-901-6772 Richard.Lorenz@westerville.org Contact the Ohio EPA: The City of Westerville is regulated by the Ohio EPA. Contact the state agency for more information about TTHM at www.epa.state.oh.us.

Tour the Water Plant The new Westerville Water Treatment Plant will be open to the public at its official ribbon cutting and dedication on Thursday, May 26 at 5:30 p.m. – just before Party at the Creek, with tours on the hour. Learn more about how added steps in the water treatment process are expected to alleviate any recurrence of TTHM in the future.

www.westervillemagazine.com

Bunny Hop 5K Saturday, March 26, 8 a.m., 5K; 9 a.m., Kids Dash Alum Creek Park North The Bunny Hop 5K goes in and around Alum Creek Park North (221 W. Main St.), including portions of the leisure/ bike paths. The route is family-friendly, so participants may bring jogging/walking strollers. Registration fees for 5K are $30 before March 25 and $35 the day of the race, $10 for Kids Dash. Registration is online at www.premierraces.com.

Spring Eggstravaganza Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m., ages 2 and under with parent; 10:30 a.m., ages 3-8 Highlands Park Baseball Fields, FREE The annual Spring Eggstravaganza egg hunt is sponsored by the Westerville Lions Club. Colored eggs and special prizes are spread throughout the fields for an 11 a.m.-sharp dash. Arrive early to find the right field – kids line up according to age – and bring a basket. The event is held rain or shine, so dress for the weather.

Serving Our Seniors (SOS) Day Saturday, April 2, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Westerville South High School, FREE Older adults, their caregivers and crime prevention professionals come together to talk about strategies and resources for older adults to enjoy a safe, healthy environment. The Westerville Division of Police will overview topics including insurance fraud and scams, identity theft protection, personal safety and security solutions, caregiving aid, and estate planning.

Heroin in Our Community Presented by the Westerville Division of Police Wednesday, April 6, 5 p.m.

Westerville North High School, FREE Visit www.westerville.org for more information.

Income Tax Filing Due Monday, April 18 Income tax forms are available on the City of Westerville website for 2015 income tax, due Monday, April 18. Visit www.westerville.org/incometax or look for links from the front page of the site to access forms and helpful links. The Income Tax Department offers assistance to all filers, including form preparation, expanded office hours and e-filing services. Extended office hours will be offered Saturday, April 9, 8 a.m.-noon; Tuesday, April 12, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Friday, April 15, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, contact the department or stop by the office to speak with a representative at 64 E. Walnut St. or call 614-901-6420.

We’d like your feedback!

Please email us if you have a question or comment about the content in the City Reporter pages. email: communityaffairs@westerville.org March/April 2016 13

w ww. we s t er vil l e. or g

alternative water supply (e.g., bottled water), and there is no immediate risk to your health. Any City or water system that violates the standard is required to notify affected residents. The City of Westerville chose to notify all residents by mail to fully inform our water customer base.

News & Information from the City of Wester ville

A Year of Shutterbugs Every year, the “Shutterbugs” submitted photo feature that runs in the July/August edition of Westerville Magazine has been overwhelmingly popular. For that reason, we’ve decided to give our readers more opportunities to send in their photos and feature one per issue in this space.

This issue’s photo was submitted by Kari Veraas.

Please send photo submissions to westervillemag@gmail.com by March 31 to be considered for the May/June issue. Photos must be high-resolution and horizontal.

Westerville Community Contacts FIRE/MEDICAL/POLICE EMERGENCY . . . . 9-1-1 Gas/Carbon Monoxide Leaks. . . . . . . . . 9-1-1 Mental Health Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1-1 Fire, non-life threatening emergency. . 882-2213 Police, non-life threatening emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-7444 City Website. . . . . . . . . . . www.westerville.org Community Affairs ... . . . . . . . . . . ... 901-6411 Animal Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6863 Animal Removal (dead at roadside). . . 901-6740 Cemeteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 City Manager’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6400 TDD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6413 Clerk of Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6410 Digging (Ohio Utilities Protection Service) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-362-2764 Economic Development. . . . . . . . . . . 901-6403 Electric Division. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Electrical Outages. . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Street Lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Tree Trimming Near Electric Lines. . . 901-6700 Finance Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6440 Fire Division Headquarters. . . . . . . . 901-6600 CPR/First Aid Training. . . . . . . . . . 901-6600 Human Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6406 Income Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6420 Leaf Collection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Mayor’s Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6419 TDD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6418 Parks & Recreation Department. . . . . 901-6500 Inclement Weather Hotline. . . . . . . 901-6888 Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6530 Community Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6500 Everal Barn & Homestead . . . . . . . 901-6570

Parks Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . .

Highlands Park Aquatic Center. . . .

Recreation Program Center. . . . . . .

Senior Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shelter Information . . . . . . . . . . . .

Urban Forestry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Permits Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Burning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Parade/Block Party. . . . . . . . . . . .

Security Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Zoning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Planning & Development Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Planning, Engineering & Zoning . . .

Traffic Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . .

Code Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . .

Police Division Headquarters. . . . . . .

Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Detectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Patrol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Recorded Information Line. . . . . . . .

Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Service Department. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sewer Emergencies. . . . . . . . . . . .

Sewer Line Maintenance . . . . . . . .

Stormwater Hotline. . . . . . . . . . . .

Street Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . .

Street Maintenance Repairs . . . . . .

Trash/Recycling Collection. . . . . . .

901-6591 901-7665 901-6531 901-6560 901-6515 901-6598 901-6650 901-6600 901-6410 901-6482 901-6650.

901-6650 901-6650 901-6670 901-6816 901-6450 901-6470 901-6475 901-6482 901-6879 901-6450 901-6740 901-6740 901-6740 901-6740 901-6740 901-6740 901-6740

All area codes are 614 unless otherwise noted.

Water Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Water Line Maintenance . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Traffic Violations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6419 Tree/Storm Damage (in right of way) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6591 After hours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6790 Tree Trimming (in right of way). . . . . . . 901-6598 Utility Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6430 askutilitybilling@westerville.org Water Plant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6770 Other Community Service Contacts Airport—Port Columbus. . . . . . . . . . . 239-4083 Concord Counseling Services. . . . . . . 882-9338 COTA Bus Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228-1776 Delaware County General Information . . . . . . . 740-548-7313 Franklin County Board of Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3160 Property Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3696 Voter Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3100 Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital. . . . . 898-4000 Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-8917 Westerville Area Resource Ministry . . . 899-0196 Westerville City Schools . . . . . . . . . . 797-5700 Westerville Historical Society . . . . . . . 891-0821 Westerville Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-7277 Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 794-0401

Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/cityofwesterville Follow us on Twitter: All-City news and information: @tellwesterville Westerville Electric Division: @WvilleElectric Westerville Parks & Recreation: @WestervillePark Westerville Division of Police: @WestervillePD

www.wester ville.org 14 March/April 2016 2016

Ci t y M a n a g e r Dave Collinsworth

We st e r v i l l e Ci t y Co u n c i l

(Front left-right) Chair Craig Treneff, Mayor Kathy Cocuzzi, Vice Chair Larry Jenkins (Back left-right) Mike Heyeck, Vice Mayor John Bokros, Tim Davey, Diane Fosselman www.westervillemagazine.com www.westervillemagazine.com

faces

By Amanda DePerro Photography by Wes Kroninger

O Old Shoes and Blue Collars Professor’s career has taken him through stand-up comedy, documentaries and more www.westervillemagazine.com

tterbein University’s faculty roster is stacked with exceptional individuals, but only one has produced awardwinning documentaries, penned 40-plus books and opened for Ron White as a stand-up comedian.

That’s just a short list of what history and philosophy professor Keith Pepperell has accomplished. The Westerville resident has five degrees from universities in three different countries – the U.S., England and Canada – is a former restaurant owner and currently owns West End Antiques in Uptown Westerville.

Pepperell hails from Chelmsford, England – a city Charles Dickens called the “dullest and most stupid spot on the face of the earth,” Pepperell notes. At 17 years old, he first hit the big stage by opening for Shirley Bassey, a Welsh musician best known for singing the title songs to James Bond films Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker.

He received a law degree at the University of Leeds, where he discovered his talent for comedy. After quickly realizing that law wasn’t right for him, he came to Columbus to complete his Ph.D. at The Ohio State University and pursued teaching.

He continued his stand-up career in the States. Inspired by a fellow bar-goer ordering a Tom Collins, Pepperell adopted the stage name Keith Collins. As Collins, he

March/April 2016 15

“I always thought life was terribly short, and one needs to cram as much in it as possible.”

16 March/April 2016

opened for Ron White on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour in 15 cities.

“It was odd, really, having been reasonably successful as a headliner in smaller venues, to suddenly find myself in a 5,000-seater,” Pepperell says. “It was fun to be there.”

Although he has since “hung up the microphone stand,” he says, Pepperell’s comedy still shines through in his writing.

His books range from a history of the aglet – that’s the plastic tube on the end your shoelaces, in case you were wondering – to eel and oyster recipes to reading comprehension guides for college students.

“I always thought life was terribly short, and one needs to cram as much in it as possible,” Pepperell says.

He wakes up at 4 a.m. every day to write, and always has at least two books in the works. His interest in writing for publication started at OSU, where he was encouraged to write as much as possible.

“I found the demands of having to produce something fairly often, that was going to be scrutinized by some pretty smart people, was a great challenge,” Pepperell says. “I don’t know if I rose to the challenge, but at least I enjoyed it.”

His books and documentaries find the extraordinary in the ordinary. He has written a book on the history of the hardness of lead in pencils, and in 2014, he wrote and directed a documentary titled Playing it Forward, about a college American football team in England that had never won a game in its four years. Though the team never won, the documentary did: Audience Award at the 2014 Marina Del Rey Film Festival and Honorable Mention at the 2014 Santa Monica Independent Film Festival are just two of its accolades.

Pepperell’s most recent project, however, is his favorite. Pepperell wrote, directed and co-produced Dr. Shoe and Dangerous Doug. His co-producer, Derek Kavanagh, has won awards for his work on Dances with Wolves, Ronin, Straw Dogs and the original The Italian Job. After they worked together on Playing it Forward, Pepperell knew he wanted to work with Kavanagh again.

“I approached him and he said, ‘I was hoping you were going to ask me.’ He’s a nice man,” Pepperell says. “Out of all the things I’ve done, this is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Dr. Shoe and Dangerous Doug follows Randy Birge and Doug Price of Doctor Shoe, an Uptown Westerville cobbler, in www.westervillemagazine.com

ELEMENTARY MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL

their effort to keep the old trade of shoe repair alive.

Pepperell’s experience with documentaries began in front of the camera. He was involved with Surviving History on the History Channel as well as American Titans on the American Heroes channel. Seeing that side of the documentary industry made him want to be part of the other side, he says.

After finishing Dr. Shoe and Dangerous Doug, Pepperell pitched a show to the Discovery Channel that follows the “Dr. Shoe” mystique – what goes on behind the doors of small businesses. Pepperell wants to feature the work that goes into these small businesses and the people who run them, “like the doughnut shop guy and the lady that does clothing repair, and maybe a dry cleaners or maybe a florist,” he says “I’m interested in that,” Pepperell says. “I think there’s just a great story to be found, and I’ve got some great people who are oddly happy to work with me again.”

Pepperell has three grown children: Jack, Lydia and Alex, all of whom attended Westerville City Schools. He is not married.

When Jack was 8, he won a comedy competition at the Funny Bone and worked for a week as its MC. He opened for Dave Chappelle in Cincinnati, but decided to retire from comedy after that.

In the near future, Pepperell expects Dr. Shoe and Dangerous Doug to garner attention. He will continue to write and produce, and has high hopes for what’s yet to come.

“I’ve just been really fortunate that every day has been a lot of fun,” Pepperell says.

“You know, I’m trying to slow down the drooling years.”

Amanda DePerro is a contributing editor.

Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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• Otterbein nursing professor Kay Ball • Otterbein professor and Ultimate Frisbee coach Patti Wilson • Stand-up comedian Rye Silverman, formerly of Pickerington • Comedian and pretzel purveyor Nay Dismore • Documentary photographer Claudia Retter www.westervillemagazine.com

Pictured (left to right): Charles O. Moore, Central Ohio Regional President; Steve Lebold, Assistant VP/Branch Manager; Laura Neale, VP/Commercial Lender March/April 2016 17

in focus

By Hannah Bealer

Making Connections Minority and underrepresented Westerville students reap the benefits of new programming Foundation saw (the applications), they said they’d always wanted to work on a diversity initiative,” DeVese says. “We came up with Student Connections, and they funded it with a separate pool of money they’d previously set aside for a diversity initiative.”

Out of that nearly $10,000, three separate Student Connections Initiative programs were born: the Spirit Book Club, Mentors Opening Doors and Enriching Lives (MODEL) and Minority Scholars.

“We’ve had great feedback,” DeVese says.

“Parents want to know how to get their kids involved, and students who haven’t been participating want to start participating.”

Spirit Book Club The Spirit Book Club is active in all four of the district’s middle schools, and is facilitated by teachers and counselors.

There are about seven titles that circulate among the students in each club, DeVese

says, each one a Coretta Scott King Book Award winner.

“We wanted to put those books in students’ hands and encourage them to read books they wouldn’t normally read,” DeVese says.

The students engage in activities related to the books – they meet in small groups once or twice a month and have discussions on the novel’s themes and other related topics.

While evaluating the books, students named Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson and The Crossover by Kwame Alexander as two of their favorites. Participants don’t have to be students of color, DeVese says. The door is open to anyone who wants to join and participate.

“It’s really interesting,” DeVese says.

“Through these evaluations, we find out how many books students are reading on their own each year. A lot say they don’t read very often – maybe one to two books.

And now, we’re doubling the amount of books they’re reading by putting them in their hands.”

David Mahan from Common Sense Culture speaks to MODEL students about making good choices.

18 March/April 2016

MODEL Right now, MODEL exists solely at Heritage Middle School and serves more than 60 eighth-grade girls. The girls meet with about nine other community mentors, guidance counselors and program coaches once a month during lunch to engage in programming that’s centered around empowering young women.

“We’ve had motivational speakers come in and discuss bullying, leadership building, self-esteem, how to be an entrepreneur,” DeVese says.

Just like Spirit Book Club, DeVese says, MODEL is open to all students. www.westervillemagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Westerville City Schools

G

oing through school as an underrepresented or minority student can be challenging, especially when it comes to relating to peers.

That’s why Westerville City Schools has launched the Student Connections Initiative – a program that connects students to mentors and tutors, diverse literature they might not otherwise be exposed to, and resources that address their growing pains.

In 2015, Coordinator of Minority Student Achievement Cynthia DeVese, along with additional facilitators, applied for three grants through the district with the goal of targeting minority and underrepresented students. Minority students, DeVese says, are students of color – black, Latino, Asian, etc. Underrepresented students can be students with special needs, or students who face socioeconomic challenges.

“We helped write all three of those grants, so when the Westerville Education

Left: Genoa Middle School students Elham Mohamed and Evelyn Clark share their thoughts on Brown Girl Dreaming.

Right: Minority scholars participate in a cup stacking challenge.

“When you come into the room, it’s very diverse and balanced out,” she says. “We want to make sure everyone’s connected to someone they don’t know. That way, they can hear different perspectives on life.”

Eventually, DeVese says, the plan is to expand MODEL to the other middle schools.

“We invited counselors from the other three middle schools to observe our first year, in hopes they’ll implement it in the 2016-17 school year,” DeVese says.

Minority Scholars The Minority Scholars program serves as an after-school mentoring and tutoring program for students of color in eighth, ninth and tenth grades. The program operates in all three of Westerville’s high schools.

“It came about when we realized that, in our advanced-level courses, minority students were significantly underrepresented,” DeVese says. “We did a big push to find those students who tested well in math, reading and science, but didn’t enroll in advanced classes.”

After locating the students, teachers and counselors worked to encourage them to enroll in advanced classes. And if they chose to enroll, they were paired with peers in 10th, 11th and 12th grades who had already completed the course. Those mentors are students of color, too.

“We wanted to make sure the students who were taking on the challenge saw students just like themselves who were www.westervillemagazine.com

successful in that particular course,” DeVese says. “We need students like them so they can say, ‘We can do it, too.’”

Through the program, students have the opportunity to meet with students and professionals in various fields. In 2015, they toured The Ohio State University campus and spoke with engineering students.

“We want to make them aware of what’s out there,” DeVese says. “We hope the students can connect with individuals who will give them the opportunity to job shadow. We want to help students make the best choices.”

Hannah Bealer is an editor.

Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • Innovation Generation in Westerville schools • New Albany’s Friendship Circle program • Civitan’s commitment to children with special needs • Westerville author’s book about MLK shooting

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The Need to Lead

Ambitious Westerville students develop valuable skills through Leadership Today

By Leah Kunnath

I

20 March/April 2016

Leadership Today participants engage in team-building and community projects to learn the importance of leadership at the local level.

Accepted students are notified after applications are reviewed.

The program itself features a variety of leadership building activities and community service projects. The team-building exercises allow students to cultivate not only important leadership skills, but also an understanding of the importance of teamwork.

“In order to function as a community, they have to function as a team,” says Leadership Westerville Executive Director Phyllis Self.

These exercises also feature “strength finder” activities, which help members understand the areas in which they excel and develop communication skills.

“The kids love learning more about their abilities,” Self says.

In addition to leadership exercise, the program also allows students to participate in various volunteer opportunities. Leadership Today places a strong emphasis on the motto “service above self.” The students get the chance to work with such organizations as the Westerville Area Resource Ministry, the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce and Otterbein University. Organizations hold sessions for students emphasizing the importance of

community service and also provide opportunities for direct involvement, such as conducting food drives for WARM and later learning exactly how the food is distributed.

Leadership Westerville is looking at an August launch for a new youth-focused program called Future Leaders. Its format is similar to that of Leadership Today, but it targets high school sophomores and is more hands-on, allowing participants to develop workplace preparation skills. Leadership Westerville also reserves a two-year voting position on its board for a student who has completed Leadership Today Leah Kunnath is a contributing writer.

Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • Westerville youth fishing instructor • Dublin Eagle Scout helps children with Down syndrome • Pickerington’s youth-focused Butterfly Project • Arnold Kid Fitness Expo • Westerville teen banjo player www.westervillemagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Leadership Westerville

t isn’t just adults who can learn to be community leaders in Westerville.

Leadership Westerville is known in the city for its nine-month leadership development program that seeks to turn participants into informed, involved, community-minded citizens, as well as its organization of community events such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast in January. But it also offers a similar program for young people: Leadership Today.

The program – which, like its adult counterpart, runs September through May – aims to teach its participants about the important role leadership has in effecting change throughout their community. Students must be high school freshmen, and must be recommended to the program by a guidance counselor, teacher or principal.

Each selected student then fills out an application detailing his or her background, emphasizing any previous leadership experience that he or she might have. The application also has each student answer the question, “If I could change one thing in my community, I would …”

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A Massive Month Westerville’s annual celebration of the arts is too big for April to contain

F

or the past decade, April has been Arts Month in Westerville. And in fact, over the course of those 10 years, Arts Month has gotten so big that it’s outgrown April.

April was first designated as a month to recognize the creative talents of Westerville residents in 2006. Young writers and artists in grades 3-8 submitted their work to display at the library throughout the month. There was also a performance by the Westerville Poetry

Group and live music in the atrium of the Westerville Public Library each Sunday.

These days, Arts Month starts in March and features an array of events and exhibitions, up to and including an annual proclamation from the mayor’s office.

It’s coordinated by the Arts Council of Westerville, an organization formed to 22 March/April 2016

increase community involvement in the arts, establish partnerships with local individuals and organizations, provide venues to connect the arts and the community, and provide experiences and education in the arts. April – and March – may be Arts Month, but the council works to promote local art year-round.

“Arts do not begin and end in April,” says John Cameron, Arts Council president and immediate past president of the Westerville Art League. “Rather, it is an annual reminder of the arts in Westerville.

We want people to know about us because we contribute significantly to the arts environment in the community.”

April helps to put a spotlight on all of Westerville’s art activities, says Jan Fedorenko, Arts Council education coordinator and former arts coordinator for Westerville schools.

“You could look at April in Westerville as arts awareness month,” Fedorenko says. “The (council) has activities all year, but we want to make a big push in April to advocate and make residents aware of the arts opportunities.”

Student Art Show Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”

Each Arts Month – and continuing through the rest of the year – the Arts Council brings together young artists and their families.

Each school in the Westerville City School District submits 10 works of art for one of two art shows. From April 8-24, art from elementary (K-5) and secondary (612) school students will be on display in

two Westerville locations. A reception for students and their families will be hosted at each location April 24.

Elementary student art will be displayed throughout the Westerville Community Center. The reception there will be from 1-2:30 p.m.

The Westerville Public Library’s firstfloor community meeting rooms will host secondary student art. That reception will be 3-4 p.m.

“Arts Month really impacts families,” says Linda Wilkins, secretary for the Arts Council and marketing coordinator for the library. “Working at the library, I’ll see families come in with the artist standing proudly and posing next to their creation.

It’s something a child never outgrows, and it plants the seed for a lifelong experience in the arts.”

Fedorenko has been encouraged by the level of parental support.

“I always enjoy seeing how proud parents are of their children, which makes the kids feel great as well,” she says.

4th Friday The monthly Mount Carmel St. Ann’s 4th Friday events in Uptown Westerville always incorporate the arts, and it so happens the season always kicks off in April.

This year’s initial 4th Friday, with the theme “Uptown Alive!” is slated for April 22.

The Arts Council financially sponsors the

www.westervillemagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Arts Council of Westerville

By Chris Woodley

Art League’s participation in Arts Alley, and provides support for children’s arts activities and live music at each 4th Friday.

The council bought enough display panels last year to allow for the display of 70 pieces of art by local artists at each event. Arts Alley also includes tables for artists to exhibit other forms of original art, including jewelry, ceramics, wood carvings and original art cards.

In addition to the substantial visual arts component, the performing arts are also incorporated at 4th Fridays via live music at Java Central. Owner and original Arts Council member Ralph Denick and his late wife, Jane, were vital in introducing live music to 4th Friday and throughout the year with the coffee shop’s free concert series.

“Fourth Fridays help us support the lifelong interest and learning of the arts,” says Fedorenko. “We may even have adults participating in the arts for the first time in their life.” … And More Along with visual arts and music, there is also a literary arts component to Arts Month.

The 2016 Celebrate the Arts 10th Annual Writing Contest features original work by children and adults in all genres: fiction and nonfiction, poetry and prose.

Submissions for the contest are due early in March – March 2, this year – but winners are notified in early April.

An awards reception takes place April 10 at the library, complete with readings by student and adult winners. Winners have their work published in the newspaper, as well as in a professionally bound book that will be made available for purchase on www. lulu.com.

Also opening in March is the Accessible Expressions exhibit at the Community Center. The show – organized by VSA Ohio, an organization that encourages and promotes artistic work by individuals with disabilities – runs March 12-31.

Awards are presented by popular vote, and even though www.westervillemagazine.com

the exhibit is in March, the display is a part of Arts Month.

“This is kind of our pre-Arts Month,” says Cameron. “We have so much, we just cannot contain it in one month.”

For more information on Arts Month, visit www.westervillearts.net or www. visitwesterville.org.

Westerville resident Chris Woodley is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • Westerville artist Dennis Rano • Westerville artist Don Reither • Westerville artist Soutchay Soungpradith • Youth art exhibition at Music & Arts Festival • Local businesses exhibiting local artwork

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Around Westerville

Arts Westerville! Reception

Photos courtesy of Arts Council of Westerville

Phil Brown Basketball Classic Photos courtesy of John Powell

Want your snapshots to appear in print?

Send your high-resolution shots to our photo account, westervillemag@gmail.com.

Include your name and caption information.

24 March/April 2016

www.westervillemagazine.com

THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE

presents DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE PRESENTS

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Book by Joseph Stein Music by Jerry Bock Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

April 7-10, 14-16 Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall Featuring John Stefano, Chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance, as Tevye!

Book, Music & Lyrics by Jonathan Larson

SEPTEMBER 24-27, OCTOBER 1-3 “No other road, no other way, no day but today.”

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684

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Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall 30 South Grove Street, Westerville, OH 43081 Box Office: 614.823.1109 www.otterbein.edu/drama

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March/April 2016 25

living

By Garth Bishop

What’s Your Function?

New basement bar offers homeowners and their guests more accommodations “Just having the neighbors over for the night is the type of thing that we do on a weekly or monthly basis,” says Bryan.

Some elements of the remodel are tough to see, and that’s just how the Jensens like it. Part of the basement was walled off and is now used as a walk-in storage closet.

On top of that, various utilities – air ducts, return vents, gas lines, etc. – were moved so they could be more effectively concealed behind walls. Previously, those things were largely just drywalled over, making for some ugly protrusions.

“The thing I was really impressed with was how (Buckeye Basements) opened up the space,” says Bryan.

Garth Bishop is managing editor.

Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Whereas a typical basement bar might focus more on décor or traditional bar accessories – think beer taps and wine storage – the Jensens’ aims to include eating in the equation.

“I always had a vision of a bar that was more useful – more like a kitchenette, with a refrigerator and a microwave,” says Bryan.

Photos courtesy of Bradshaw Photography LLC

W

hen Westerville residents Bryan and Trisha Jensen decided to remodel their basement, they knew they wanted a space that could accommodate guests.

But the traditional basement bar route didn’t reflect their interests. They wanted something more functional.

The end result, built by Buckeye Basements, is a bar that functions as something of a second kitchen.

The couple – who have two children, Lucas, 2, and Ashleigh, 8 months – had considered moving, but eventually decided updating was the more cost-effective way to go. They use the basement a lot, particularly for entertaining – sporting events, family gatherings, holiday parties, etc. – and decided to make it one of the focal points of the update effort.

Gray is a key color in the basement. The cabinets are stained with a gray, weathered finish, while the floor is covered with gray-toned tile designed to resemble wood and detailed with metallic nail heads that shine when light hits them. The countertops are quartz, and the bar stools, obtained from Scioto Valley almost on a whim, match the finish nicely.

“Everything came together, from that rustic finish on the flooring to the weathered cabinets … to the countertops, (and) it all blends really well together,” Bryan says.

26 March/April 2016

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DESIGN BUILD REMODELERS Another important part of the room design: the TV built into the cabinets behind the bar, engineered to keep guests from having to turn around and crane their necks to see the game.

“It actually feels like you’re sitting in a neighborhood bar,” says Bryan.

Westerville family transforms three bedroom home into their five bedroom dream home...

Another element added by Buckeye Basements is the white wainscoting that wraps the bottom of the whole room, brightening up the space and giving it a more elevated feel.

RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • Westerville basement music studio

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on the table By Jessica Williams

Meatless Meetings Central’s Vegetarian Club helps students explore vegan and vegetarian lifestyles

F

or the last six years, a group of students at Westerville Central High School have worked to teach their peers about the ins and outs of a diet sans meat.

The Vegetarian Club consists of about 14 regular members. It’s also open to students who consider themselves meat-eaters, but are interested in learning what their vegetarian and vegan peers eat on a daily basis. Adviser Amy Farris, a library media specialist at Central, leads the club’s meetings on the first Thursday of each month, usually bringing a fresh batch of black bean hummus, a unanimous club favorite. “(The club) was founded because students who were trying to go vegan or vegetarian needed support and solid nutritional information in order to stay healthy,” says Farris.

Farris and the students do a lot of research to determine how to get enough proteins, iron and vitamin B-12, among other nutrients.

“A lot of parents might be worried their child won’t get enough protein, and they won’t – unless they know how to build complete proteins through combining, for example, legumes and grains, or by knowing which foods are good sources of whole proteins,” says Farris.

Farris also incorporates issues of ethics and animal welfare into the club’s discussions. In February, the club focused on skin care products that are not tested on animals and do not contain any animal products.

For some students, the monthly meetings serve as both an educational opportunity and a support system.

The Vegetarian Club’s vegan chocolate cake Photo by James Grannis

28 March/April 2016

The Vegetarian Club’s black bean hummus Photo by Ellie Hamrick

“We talk a lot about family support,” says Farris. “Many of the students get tons of support from their families. For others, the story is much different, sadly.”

Members keep composition notebooks as journals. Here, they may tape an index card with a recipe that someone has brought in for the meeting, or record their experiences with friends and family members.

“For a lot of kids, going vegetarian is kind of a journey,” says Farris.

In the last few years, the club has received a great deal of support from the community.

Jennie Scheinbach, the owner of Pattycake Bakery, a vegan bakery in Clintonville, visited the club to give baking tips and discuss her experience building a successful, humane business. Fusian has also visited the club, giving a sushimaking lesson. One of the owners of Northstar Café addressed the club about why eating local matters, and also provided dinner for the club members at the Easton location for its end-of-year night out.

Jessica Williams is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.westervillemagazine.com

Black Bean Hummus • 15 oz. black beans (drained, reserving 2 Tbsp. liquid) • 1-2 cloves garlic, pressed • 2 Tbsp. lemon juice • 1 ½ Tbsp. tahini • ¾ tsp. cumin • ½ tsp. salt • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper • ¼ tsp. paprika Put all ingredients in a food processor and blend well, adding up to 2 Tbsp. of the reserved black bean liquid as preferred.

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RELATED READS www.westervillemagazine.com • Forthcoming local restaurants, including Northstar Café • Vegan bakery the Angry Baker • Vegan waffles from Portia’s Café in Clintonville • Salad recipes to maximize health benefits • White bean and artichoke hummus www.westervillemagazine.com

March/April 2016 29

bookmarks

From the Westerville Public Library

Recommended Reads from Susan Carr, Youth Services Librarian

The Book of Languages: Talk Your Way Around the World (juvenile nonfiction)

By Mick Webb Introductions to 21 of the almost 7,000 languages spoken in our world include each language’s history, where it’s spoken, what it looks like and how to speak a few phrases and count to 10.

Schooled (teen)

By Gordon Korman

How to Teach a Slug to Read (picture book)

By Susan Pearson

Because of Mr. Terupt (juvenile fiction)

By Rob Buyea

A little boy offers advice to a Momma Slug interested in teaching her little slug to read. These tips will come in handy for anyone with a beginning reader.

Seven students in Mr. Terupt’s fifth-grade class take turns telling the story of his first eventful year as a teacher and how their lives have been changed forever.

Home-schooled all his life by his hippie grandmother, Cap Anderson’s attendance at the local middle school is a source of entertainment, embarrassment and enlightenment for him and the students.

Recommended Reads from Megan Chrusciel, Adult Services Librarian INSIDE

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Nothing But N e t ok strives Shaun Stonero easier to make life and athletes for children

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How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character

By Paul Tough

Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace – One School at a Time

By Greg Mortenson

The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run into in College

By Harlan Cohen

Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That’s Transforming Education

By Ken Robinson

The fields of neuroscience, psychology and economics have produced research showing that conscientiousness, optimism, curiosity and grit may be greater indicators of success than intelligence.

After a chance encounter with a remote village in Pakistan, the author has devoted his life to helping build schools in some of the most dangerous regions in the world.

Outrageous stories from students on 100 campuses offer real-life advice on the pitfalls and hurdles of college life, including obnoxious roommates, managing money and juggling courses.

Wit and an engaging writing style, plus research and observation, will inspire you to rethink our old-fashioned educational system in favor of a more organic, engaging approach to teaching and learning.

The Westerville Public Library 126 S. State St. • Phone: 614-882-7277 • www.westervillelibrary.org Mon.-Thurs.: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Fri. & Sat.: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sun.: 1-6 p.m. www.westervillemagazine.com

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