August 11, 2011
Founder: Cyber Block Watch expanding By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers Four months after its launch, the Cyber Block Watch website is gaining momentum. The web-based crime-fighting tool, founded by Jeffery Smith, now has more than 300 subscribers and recently received a $1,000 grant from the Coalition for a Nonviolent Columbus.
Smith used the grant money to buy static-cling window decals. The decals, which bear the Cyber Block Watch insignia, are available for free at the German Village Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St. “Over 300 people so far have chosen to participate and help make a difference in our neighborhood,” Smith said. “That says a lot, especially with a new idea like this. I built the site, but they are helping
make it what it is and will be.” Smith said he is not done improving www.cyberblockwatch.com, which provides contacts at the Columbus Division of Police, offers safety tips and sends out electronic alerts when a crime is reported to police or suspicions activity is observed. “As far as expansion, I have many ideas,” he said. “Next, we are looking to build out five more sites in nearby neigh-
borhoods through partnerships and sponsors. But these will be more comprehensive sites in nature that will include more community-oriented information, with more features and tools to help share and communicate, as well as a complete administrative-training program.” The website, which went live April 1, already is earning respect in the neighborhood. Jerry Glick, who organizes the month-
ly police luncheons at the German Village Meeting Haus, said he welcomes the online crime-fighting tool. “Anything that makes people aware is good,” he said. In addition, Smith said, it appears police officers have stepped up their patrols in the German Village neighborhood because of the website. See CYBER BLOCK WATCH page A2
GVS joins nonprofit to provide disposal of electronics
PLANT PRIDE ON PARSONS
By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Adam Cairns/ThisWeek
Over the past year, Bruce Fussnecker (left) and Bill Doughton have installed plaques to honor those who have contributed nearly 100 flower planters along Parsons Avenue. The two are part of the Plant Pride on Parsons neighborhood beautification program, which recently won a Keep America Beautiful Award. Other communities along Parsons, from Livingston Avenue to Marion Road, also are involved.
Plans for Maennerchor taking shape By GARY SEMAN JR. which are in the Brewery District, ThisWeek Community Newspapers while board meetings will be held at Plank’s Cafe on Parsons Avenue. Although the Columbus MaenA larger goal is to build a 2,500nerchor will close at the end of the square-foot addition to the German month, a new day is dawning on Heritage Haus, making the entire America’s oldest German singing building 6,000 square feet. Consociety. struction could take several years. Werner Niehaus, president of the The estimated cost for renovation Maennerchor’s board of directors, and the addition, which would house laid out plans Aug. 5 for the new fa- a banquet facility, is $1 million. cility, which will be located next door. Maennerchor officials will aucOfficials are renovating the Ger- tion off a bevy of items — stained man Heritage Haus, commonly re- glass, the fireplace mantle, decoraferred to as the Dutch House. The tive doors, beer steins and pictures hope is to have the building ready — on Monday, Aug. 29. However, for activities by the end of the year. the new facility will be decorated In the meantime, Maennerchor ac- with some existing memorabilia. tivities will be moved to the GerSee MAENNERCHOR, page A2 mania or the Swiss Club, both of
See ELECTRONICS DISPOSAL, page A2
This artist’s rendering shows the renovated German Heritage Haus, also known as the Dutch House, which will become the new home of the Columbus Maennerchor. The planned renovations include a 2,500square-foot addition, which would bring the entire facility to 6,000 square feet.
Well-traveled tenor to sing at farewell concert By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers Internationally renowned tenor Otoniel Gonzaga will pay tribute to the Columbus Maennerchor with a performance Aug. 14. The final salute will be held at 4 p.m. at the afcility, 966 S. High St. The concert also will feature performances by the Columbus Maennerchor and Damenchor, with music director Ronald Markle and accompanist Karen Chitu, and the Kinderchor and Jugendchor, directed by Catherine O’Keefe. Tickets are $10 and will be a vailable at the door. Admission will be free for children 12 and younger.
German Village is the latest neighborhood to join the Community Computer Alliance. The German Village Society board of trustees voted Aug. 8 to partner with the nonprof it organization, which safely disposes of computers and other electronics. The relationship will not cost the GVS an y money and the affiliation can be terminated at any time. The plan is to allow residents to take their old FAX machines, cellphones and laptops to the Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St. The alliance will then retrieve the material within 24 business hours. The organization wipes computers of all existing files. Those who want confirmation can pay the alliance $5 for a certificate. Board member Brian Santin said the discussion grew from a recent Earth Day celebration at Schiller Park, where the alliance was accepting electronic devices. “I really think this is a great service we can offer to the community,” Santin said at the meeting via a conference call from Cincinnati,where he is completing a two-year surgical fellowship. Some of the logistics have not been worked out, such as hours and days of acceptance of the devices, which would be securely stored at the Meeting Haus. Officials also were concerned about putting the burden on volunteers at the Meeting Haus. In other news from the meeting,the board announced it was sending out ballots Aug. 10 for the upcoming GVS election. Seven people are seeking five open seats. They include incum-
The concert will serve as a fundraiser for the Maennerchor, which will move into the adjacent German Heritage Haus, commonly referred to as the Dutch House. If Columbus City Schools’current plans proceed, the Maennerchor Otoniel building at 966 S. High St. Gonzaga will be razed to make way for expansion of the Stewart Alternative Elementary School. Gonzaga, 69, lives on the Northwest Side of Columbus and in Austria, where he teaches privately. He said the show would feature varied pieces
of music sung in many languages, including German, English, Swedish and Italian. “I think it will be very interesting,” he said. He has appeared as a guest artist at more than 35 opera houses in Germany, as well as in European cities Brussels, Barcelona, Glasgow, Salzburg and Zurich. In the United States,he has performed in Boston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Memphis, Miami and New York. “That’s my thing,” Gonzaga said. “When you tour around the world, you realize that music is all around the world in every culture.” A native of the Philippines, Gonzaga was a music-lover from a young age. See FAREWELL CONCERT, page A2
Aug. 13 movie night will feature ‘Cabaret’ A second movie night in Frank Fetch P ark is planned Saturday, Aug. 13. “Cabaret,” starring Joel Grey, Michael York and Liza Minnelli, will be shown at 9 p.m. at the park on East Beck Street,between Fifth and Sixth streets. The event is free. “Bring a chair or blanket and your theater treats and enjoy a great film with neighbors and friends in a beautiful park,” said Jerry Glick, who is organizing the event. Organizers first planned a movie night in Frank Fetch Park last year. The movie nights were made possible by a donation of equipment to the German Village Society. The first movie screened in 2010 was “The Sound of Music.” Earlier this summer, “Some Like it Hot” was shown. In the event of rain, the movie will be screened at the German Village Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St. — Gary Seman Jr.