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STUFF TO READ
Letter from the Publisher
PAWS Humane Society
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MORGAN TAYLOR
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We Help Each Other Here
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UNCHARTED Waters
wide eyed, amplified, and radio ready The Coronavirus Response Fund
LIGHTS - CAMERA - ACTION
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Finding Calm Amid Coronavirus
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FITNESS With Coach Lily-G
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Jason Gamache
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Keep RiverCenter In Your Hearts
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FUN, FOOD & YOU
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Corona Tax & Finance
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Jef & Sara Holbrook & Springer Film Studios
Learning Plein Air Painting with Julianna Wells AT HOME much?
How One Local Businessman Keeps A Healthy Eye On Community
A Message from RiverCenter Vital Vittles V,I CURING BOREDOM WITH FOOD
Morgan Taylor
going to do that thing where I sit here and tell Ithat’myouwenotmore about the Coronavirus and this pandemic are in. You have already been watching the news
like I have. What I will say is that you are not alone. We are all in this together. At every level this has affected people, from the very top to the very bottom. Bet you never thought you’d be saving the world sitting at home in your pj’s watching Netflix? That is exactly what you are doing and I commend each and everyone of you for staying put at home. This isn’t easy. If you are on the fence about what you should do, please take our hospitals to heart. We simply will not have enough supplies to help everyone that could be affected by this virus. Staying indoors wasn’t something they knew to do when we got hit with the Spanish flu. The experts have given us a fighting chance to slow this thing down. But slow is just that. Be patient. Be supportive and most of all, stay kind. Of course we are an entity that solely relies on our local economy and the health of our local businesses. We want you to know that we are here with you, for you and will keep doing this work until we are forced to stop for the safety and health of our loved ones and community. The next few weeks will ultimately determine what the future holds. As I am writing this, we are trying to hold out for as much up to date information as we can. We have not included a calendar of events in this issue. However we do have a few tips for the ride ahead. And please be on the lookout for events that have been rescheduled and are to come back again soon. We will be updating getlocatix.com for postponed & rescheduled events and donation hubs. For now, we still have art, local friends and artists to support, great food from local eateries, local podcasts to check out, outdoor time with family (and a few friends), projects to tackle and many many people looking for ways of helping others. A few of these people are Jason Gamache, Jef & Sara Holbrook, Julianna Wells, & Morgan Taylor. Read about them on the pages to follow. We are all looking forward to when the flood gates open and are all able to get back to it again. I hope you enjoy this issue and may it bring a smile to your face. Stay safe friends, and I look forward to hugging and shaking hands with all of you again soon. There is an end to this. Keep your chin up.
t hel o cal co l u mbu s . co m f acebook .com/t helocalcolumbusga issuu.com/t helocalcolumbus
What We Are All About. The mission of the LocaL magazine is to bring you the best in art, music, food and fun from Columbus and the surrounding area. Locally owned and operated, we work to improve and expand community relationships through promoting positive events and stories. When good things are happening, we will be here to help you get involved. Our monthly print issues will feature stories and events that comprise and drive the ongoing surge toward a more beautiful community. This magazine exists because we who work on it believe in actively engaging with community improvement, and we invite you to join us, not only by reading these pages, but also by taking part in any of the many wonderful events we feature.
PUBLISHER
Monica Jones publisher@thelocalcolumbus.com ads@thelocalcolumbus.com editor@thelocalcolumbus.com
LAYOUT & DESIGN
Mat Cornett
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Scott Berson
ADVERTISING | PUBLIC RELATIONS Anastasia Tikka
Monica Jones
CONTRIBUTORS & CREDITS
S. Adam Icard Anastasia Tikka Natalie Downey Lily G Scott Berson Tony Pettis Tricia Montgomery COVER PHOTO by Tony Pettis
Photo By Sterling Pierce LocaL
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CURBSIDE S E RV I C E I N O U R AR E A
Here Are A Few LocaL Eateries Offering Take Out, Curb-Side Service & Unique Ways For Dining During Social Distancing. Do Make Sure To Call Ahead As This List May Change & To Find Out If They Might Be Serving Alcohol* To-Go In Sealed Containers:
Bored? 11t h & Ba y B a r e R o o t s (both Locations) B ode g a 1 2 0 5 C af f e ’ A m i c i C am ile a ux - ( Br a d l e y Park) C h e s t e r ’s BBQ C h ic - f i l - A C h ic ke n L a d y ’s C o o p C l ear vi e w BBQ C o u n t r y W i ng s (Macon Rd) & (Dbl Churches Rd) C o u n t r y ’s B B Q (all locations) D i n g l e w o o d Pha r m a cy E d’s S o ut he r n C o o k ing - Mi l ge n R d. E l C arr i z o E p i c (prepared &/or vacuum packed items) E zel l ’s C a t f i s h Fountain City Coffee F u ji H u d s o n ’s (Main Street) Iron Ba nk C o f f e e Jarf ly JD Wi ng s - M a c o n Rd. Ki l wi ns Lem o ng r a s s T h a i & S u s h i (Wynnton Rd.) Lu ke ’s Pub M ark’s C i t y G r i l l M et ro D i ne r
We’ve got some great locals with plenty of music, beauty, friendship, laughs and fun to share.
Mi dt ow n Coffee House Mi nni e ’s Uptown Morten’s at Old Town Mr. Pi zza My B oul ange N oni c Pl ucke d Up Pure Taqueria R i de O n Smoothie & Juice Bar S amurai (Uptown) S hane ’s Rib Shack S i mpl e G reek S moke Bourbon & BBQ S t ock Market Dueling Kitchens The B l ack Cow The C annon The C antina The H angout Tre v i ol i Italian Kitchen (portioned for easy take & cook at home) Ve rt i go Fusion Kitchen W i cke d Hen W i ng S t op
*As Stated from the COLUMBUS CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT; COVID-19 Press Release, March 20, 2020, B.H. “Skip” Henderson, III, Mayor; Section 3, paragraph 2. (1) Restaurants open to the public shall close except to provide take-out or curbside service to include alcoholic beverages in sealed containers which they are otherwise licensed to dispense.
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Just Tune Into Any O f T h e se P o d ca s ts : A l l Ava i l a b l e O n S OUN DC L OUD 4
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Humane Society U NCHA R T E D Water s
This includes one of our largest annual event fundraisers, the Barks and Blues Festival, which raises more than $30,000 to provide highquality care to our animals. As a private nonprofit organization, we rely heavily on the generosity of the public during
he coronavirus T pandemic has passed its early days, but the scale
and force of the economic and medical crisis that is about to hit the United States will take months, if not years, to fully recover from. February seems like an eternity ago, when we here at Paws began tracking the virus: the spread, the markets, the economic downturns
these events. The community support we receive enables us to touch the lives of over 2,000 pets and people every year. That’s over 2,000 miracles you help make possible, by giving during this most critical time. As we all weather the worst, we are hoping for the best and are committed to continuing to provide critical care to those most vulnerable, regardless of the environment around us. We need you now more than ever and are depending on your support As Fred Rodgers said, “Always look for the and ultimately, wondering, how will it impact us? No one could have predicted; the greed, the helpers. There will always be helpers. Because lines, the fear and sheer panic, but although it has if you look for the helpers you’ll know that taken some time, the severity and the reality have there’s hope.” begun to sink in; how must we react? So far, we learned that negative begets negative, however if you stay positive and try to steer the ship as best you can, even through these uncharted waters, eventually you will get to the other side. Many people during these uncertain times are overwhelmed in caring for themselves, as well as their animals. We want you to know that Paws is open and here to help. If you feel that you have no other options, we have programs, such as Pets for Life, that can assist during these trying times. Our staff is here and ready to serve. All we ask from you, is to please be patient. We promise that With your support, we know there is hope and we can continue to be the helper. We are accepting donations of food, supplies and monetary support. Donate today at pawshumane.org. You can also visit getlocaltix.com to stay up-to-date about events (currently postponed) and donate there as well.u Thank you. Tricia Montgomery, CEO Paws Humane Society together, we will meet the needs of our community Adoption Hours: and our animal kind. Mon-Fri•10am-6pm, Sat•10am-5pm, As Paws Humane Society continues to be 4900 Milgen Road Columbus there for people and their pets, we need you, now pawshumane.org more than ever, to be there for us. Due to this office@pawshumane.org global pandemic and recommendations from the (706) 565-0035 U.S. Centers for Disease Control, all upcoming Vet Clinic (706) 987-8380 events have been postponed until further notice. LocaL
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MORGAN TAYLOR w i d e ey ed ,
like all the trauma that comes with it. I mean we don’t like the trauma but, we love the beauty that comes with it. I’ve fallen in love with people, radio and Columbus’ mission,” Morgan responded. am p lifie d, an d r a d io r ea d y I learned it was in her passion for serving people that By Tony Pettis she found her outlet and combined her love for radio here are very few times in this life to form her career. What started out as pure passion where you discover people who and a highschool internship through the Explorers defy the laws of human abilities. People program quickly began to turn into a profession. Soon who embody the very streets we walk, she would meet Dave Arwood of PMB broadcasting, personas that press upon the wallpaper now referred to as her on air radio dad, that would of our favorite restaurants, and voices jump start her career. Radio gave her the ability to that bring about cultural change. Wide reach people on a whole new level. She could live in eyed, amplified and radio ready. That’s my a world of pop music and celebrity tabloids, while also using her voice as an instrument to connect people. After four tedious years of studying, she earned her bachelor’s degree in integrated media from Columbus State University (go cougars!) and speedily began fusing her love for people and radio into a purpose that would serve our community. Now, as most of us know, the journey after graduation is no picnic. I asked what that process may have looked like for her. “Be prepared to put in major hours, to hustle, and to start from the bottom,” she said. With nine years and counting in the industry, Morgan knows a thing or two forsure. “It was in the hustle of trying to make it where I began to understand the importance of stepping back and resting. I learned that at 25.” The now 26-year-old Morgan credits a lot Morgan Taylor of her knowledge about radio and community to her family. friend, Morgan, (aka MT & “the Ging”). You wouldn’t know it from her soft and gentle spirit, After being tasked to write about Morgan, I began to think back on when we first but Morgan has had her fair share of troubled times. met. I had the honor of meeting her at one Her parents Roger and Lisa Nicholson were a big part of our many gatherings of greatness about of her journey. “As odd as it may sound, I believe he stayed alive for a year ago. To be honest, I can’t remember me,” Morgan said of her father. Roger was diagnosed exactly where it was, but while chatting it with heart disease when she was just 6 months old. He up, for some odd reason I couldn’t help but wanted nothing more than to see her succeed. notice her voice seemed so recognizable. “He wanted me to go to college, graduate, and be You can imagine my surprise and how thrilled I was to learn that I was standing successful,” Morgan said. Sadly enough, he did pass away. Exactly 3 years and a day apart from his passing, in the presence of a local celebrity.
T
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Photo by Trey Walker
As we laughed, I had the opportunity to tell her how I’d just heard her coming out of my stereo encouraging me to make a visit to The Landings here in Columbus. Influencer, advocate, and city socialite, she’s done it all. If you’ve been in the area for any length of time, odds are that you’ve probably heard the voice of Morgan Taylor. The Columbus native has been one of many of my favorite voices of our town. With her quirky sense of humor, unmatchable sense of style, and adorable persona, she’s definitely at the top of my list when it comes to my most influential friends. I’ve always admired Morgan and her ability to connect with others in our community via radio. I’ve also been curious as to the process of not only becoming a radio personality but the lifestyle in general. So I asked her. “I love love, and I love emotions, I love connecting with people in their emotions, I love life and all these weird aspects to life
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her mother who was a two time breast cancer survivor was stricken with pancreatic cancer along with other health complications. “My dad was my best friend, but my mom was my person, she was always the strong one,” Morgan Photo by Sterling Pierce said as she fought back tears. When graduation came around, she knew she’d done exactly what they wanted. Morgan knows exactly where her characteristic traits come from. She says the go-getter energy in her is definitely from her dad, but the compassion and love for people and community she draws from her mom. It didn’t take her long to figure out that radio was a passion of hers and that community was a necessity. “Columbus has taught me how important community is and even more so how important learning about our community is. Columbus will always be home,” she said. I think I speak for many when I say Morgan has done a fantastic job of serving us and keeping us uplifted in times of despair. From mental breakdowns, falling in and out of love, and even her first kiss, Morgan has done it all right here on the soil of this city. On-air partner and personality Jaylan King started out with Morgan Taylor in the summer of 2012 when they were just two highly impressionable, wide eyed and bushy-tailed seniors in highschool. During the process of this article, Jaylan and I got a chance to sit down together. You’ve watched her evolve. I said, as I sat and watched Jaylan smile at the thought. “My experience with Morgan has been like witnessing a sister grow in front of your eyes. So much genuine compassion for those in the community. I’ve seen her harness that passion for radio, take it and impact so many people. Uplifting so many businesses and groups. I’ve seen the world throw obstacles her way that most would break down from. Not her. It’s as if loss and pain only birthed more drive inside for her to share the love she has. She’s consistently determined to surpass her last accomplishment,” Jaylan said. “The light of
Photo by Trey Walker LocaL
joy that’s able to shine at any table, that’s Morgan. So many laughs and heart to hearts we’ve shared in this field. She’s always been that voice that stays in my head never allowing me to give anything less than my best.” She’s definitely played that role in my life as well as many others. Whether it’s leading Young Professionals as one of the marketing and communications board members or building and becoming a platform for others to be voiced through her podcast “Have a Seat with Morgan Taylor,” she’s continued to stay true to both her plans and her purpose. As some may have come to know, our beloved MT will be moving to El Paso, Texas and is looking to continue in both expanding her reach and advancing her connectivity. Here’s what she had to say in regards to her and her fiance’s new adventure. “I’ve wanted this for a long time, we both have, distance gets annoying after almost three years. So here we are, and here I am. Taking the next step.” Although I’ve known this news for quite some time, it doesn’t make it hurt any less. That’s definitely the selfish side of me talking. Nevertheless I’ll cherish our craziest moments and our incredible friendship. I like to think I speak for the city, when I say we’re taking a hit on this one. We still can’t wait to watch her soar. In parting Morgan said, “To Columbus and to my friends who tune in to the radio and do life with me every weekday, you have changed my life, you have challenged me, you have given me some of the most incredible and touching experiences. For now I just wanted to let you know, a new journey is ahead, and my heart is ready for it. P.S, I promise you a piece of me will always be with my hometown, I love you Columbus, I can’t wait to watch you grow.” We love you too Morgan, don’t worry - we’ll still be tuning in. Find Morgan @radiomorgantaylor on IG and by tuning into both kissin 99.3, 103.7 Lite FM, and her podcast Have a Seat with Morgan Taylor on Sound Cloudu
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The Coronavirus Response Fund By Scott Berson
community on lockdown. It’s not something we’re A used to in Columbus. We’re a city that does things together, that gets out and makes things happen. This is
transparent a process as possible amidst the rapidlychanging situation on the ground. “These are times we make the best decisions we have new ground for us, and while the virus is scary, what may available with the information we have at the time. This be more unsettling is the wave of complete uncertainty is something I think all of us who work in philanthropy that has crashed over modern life. We’ve never had to do in our community are interested in, trying to find positive things like this before, and nobody is sure what the next ways that people can respond to the needs of the most few weeks or months are going to look like. vulnerable. That definition is changing day to day as we We’re still strong, though. We care about each other, see people whose jobs are being affected by this crisis,” and we’re going to carry the burden together – and that’s she said. where the new Coronavirus Response Fund comes in. Covington said she expected three phases to the The program is a partnership between the Community pandemic: the current phase, a recovery phase and a Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley and United rebuilding phase. Nobody knows what those phases Way, and it aims to rapidly raise funds and distribute are going to look like, but it’s nearly certain that many them to local philanthropies to help those vulnerable, people will need support for the duration. “People may find themselves asking for help in ways they may never have had to ask for before,” she said. The fund is not able to distribute funds to individuals, but dialing 211 will connect people with resources that may be of help to them. Individual philanthropies can also fill out a form on the Community Foundation website to describe how their organization is working to address the pandemic crisis. Covington says that we should all remember to keep giving to the philanthropies we know and trust as well as valuable members of our community who are hurting to the fund, however. “Our goal is to help people respond from the virus and all the measures we are putting in in the fastest, most appropriate way possible,” she said. place to contain it. “Every nonprofit in this community is stressed right now. “We are really proud to be partnered with United If there are organizations that people love, by all means Way on this, we partner well in this community,” said continue this support. Now is a time when we need to be Betsy Covington, CEO of the Community Foundation. generous in ways we never knew before.” “We came together last week realizing that this is As this thing continues to unfold, Columbus will be something that was needed. We there for each other, for as long are transparent in telling people “...dialing 211 will connect as it lasts. It’s the only way to do we don’t know what we know yet, it. and the beauty of contributing to people with resources that may “We believe that our a fund like this is we’re going to community will get through be of help to them.” deploy these assets as flexibly as this,” Covington said. “We may possible within our community.” have tough times ahead of us, we don’t know. But we The plan is for the fund managers to work closely with tend to do things together well and that’s going to be the government leaders, businesses and philanthropies to secret to the recovery piece of this. Hang together, trust distribute resources to those affected by the pandemic. each other, and be extra patient and we’ll be okay.” “Charitable grants will fund organizations and Donors can find out more information at cfcv.com/ programs that have deep roots in our community and coronavirus or donate directly at cfcv.givingfuel.com/ strong experience working to provide residents with coronavirus.u access to food, prescriptions/healthcare, childcare and basic needs. The Fund is designed to complement the work of local public health, nonprofit, and government entities, and to expand local capacity to support individuals and families experiencing hardship because of the outbreak and related closures and disruptions,” the fund’s description says. Covington said the grants will work to address the needs of people who have suffered damage due to the loss of work and school and any issues related to increased healthcare demands. Decisions will be made internally about which organizations will receive grants, with as
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immersed themselves in projects while juggling day jobs in the corporate world and retail. This was a challenging but rewarding time in their lives. They married in 2017, and at their wedding reception, Paul Pierce approached them with an idea that would become a wedding gift of sorts: a new career back home in Columbus. Sara responded, “I’m a little busy getting married right now, but I’ll get back to you right after our honeymoon!”
By Anastasia Tikka
JEF A N D S A RA H O LB RO O K
& SP RI NGER F I L M ST UDI O S
hen he thinks about the state of film in Columbus, W Jef Holbrook has a hunch. He spent years working in Atlanta just as the movie industry began its metamorphosis
from a curiosity to a multi-billion dollar powerhouse. “Columbus today feels like Atlanta felt ten years ago,” said Holbrook. Back then, they were in the early stages of what is now a booming industry in Georgia. Now, Jef Sara & Jef Holbrook
movies at age twelve and grew up creating plays for her family, doing all the roles herself because she was an only child. The budding thespians met at the Springer Academy when they were young and were immediately enamored – with acting as well as each other, though it would be awhile before they became romantically linked. They continued their artistic pursuits in college, each majoring in theater while dabbling in film. Jef would end up at the Orlando Repertory Theater in Florida, while Sara did commercials, Jef Holbrook - Stevia
and Sara Holbrook are working hard to emulate Atlanta’s success in Columbus – and getting everyone involved. The Holbrooks run Springer Film Studios, a film production company that was the brainchild of Paul Pierce, Artistic Director of the Springer Opera House. They offer full production and post-production services, including equipment rental, special effects, sound, and editing assistance. Their casting agency, Columbus Casting, has already cast a lead, three principal roles, and more than 400 extras in Electric Jesus and a lead in Survive the Night, a Bruce Willis Film. They are also launching Columbus Post Production, a finishing house. For Jef and Sara, this opportunity is a dream come true. Jef began making movies as a kid when his dad bought him a camcorder at a pawn shop and he began editing video frame by frame off a video cassette. Sara fell in love with LocaL
industrial films, and movie work in Portland, Oregon. As fate would have it, they moved back to Columbus about the same time, reconnected, and realized their goals were the same: to act, produce, direct, and make movies. They moved to Atlanta together, signed with agents and gave it a go, professionally and as a couple. They built a home studio with a filming wall, a voice-over closet, and an editing bay, and got busy doing all the film and acting work they could find. “Atlanta was like the wild west,” said Sara. “Everyone was learning and experimenting, it was the good, the bad, and the ugly.” They built relationships with casting directors and
Jef & Hank Azaria - Brockmire
A few months later, the Holbrooks moved to Columbus to begin married life and dive into the project that would become Springer Film Studios. The Springer Opera House is central to the artistic community here, and Springer Film has quickly become the go-to place for filmmakers to get advice, hone their skills, and expand their horizons. “We want to help other creative artists grow and encourage people to see their potential,” said Sara. Their experience in Atlanta has prepared them beautifully for this. “We still work in Atlanta all the time,” Jef adds. “It is essential to keep those contacts alive, work on our own projects, and evolve as artists ourselves.” However, the Holbrooks are happiest in their studios at the Springer Opera House, where they have offices, an editing suite, a screening theater, a special effects studio, and a voice-over booth. Along with production services, Springer Film offers weekend workshop intensives in acting, voice-over, screenwriting, and editing. Their most popular class is called Acting, Agents, and Auditions. This course is a springboard for actors looking to turn their craft into a job. In the Biz brings professionals from Atlanta to Columbus to speak about the industry. In addition to running the studio, doing their workshops, editing promos for the Springer Opera House, and publishing a vlog, the Holbrooks also continue to make their own films. They’re currently busy producing a documentary-style feature, six short films, and an animated one-hour project that will combine live action and animation. As if that isn’t enough, they produce a Podcast series called The Talkies, which highlights the odyssey that is filmmaking in Georgia. They strive to release a new episode every two weeks. “It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to make your dream happen,” Jef points out. “If you have a phone in your pocket, you have an awesome camera. Anyone can make a
Sara on set Bruce WIllis Film - Survive the Night 10
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film.” Springer Film Studios is here to help you do it. Jef and Sara love to give guidance and connect people in the industry. They have a cast and crew database, writers, cinematographers, grips, production assistants, costumers, and even set teachers at their disposal. As their lives have blossomed in the Columbus creative community, so can others. “We encourage artists to make films they love, and then make an income from
Sara & Natalia Grounds Film Festival
Sara and Christina Hendricks - Good Girls
them so they can make more films. This not only helps the filmmaker, it brings money back to our city,” Jef said. The Holbrooks saw what worked and didn’t work in Atlanta, so they are uniquely qualified to be at the helm of this movement in Columbus. This is a passion for Jef and Sara, and failing is not an option “It’s unusual that your life partner is also your business partner and your creative partner,” Sara said. Their extraordinary partnership is precisely why their bold endeavors are sure to succeed. However, these two will always be kids at heart. “I Sara & Jef Holbrook
still feel like that excited 11-year old dragging a video camera around,” said Jef. And, Sara chimed in, “Nothing is better than rounding up a bunch of people and creating something with your friends.” To get involved with Springer Film Studios, reach out to Jef and Sara on their website: springerfilm.org/contact, their facebook page - or you can email Jef at producer@ springerfilm.org and Sara at director@springerfilm.orgu Sara - Arcana TV show
Sara & Matt Eskandari Director Bruce Willis film - Survive the Night LocaL
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Finding Calm Amid Coronavirus L E A R N I N G P L E I N A I R PA I N T I N G W I T H
Julianna Wells
still and quiet outside, a beautiful golden IBig,t’safternoon. The sunlight filters lazily across the grass. humming carpenter bees wobble across the edge
of the tree line, hunting for the clover flowers that have blossomed in the spring. It’s a calm day, a fine day. It’s also the middle of a pandemic. The guidance from the CDC, from our health experts, from our leaders, from our friends and colleagues, is to keep distant, to protect each other. We’ve canceled shows and festivals and plans, and work and school, and have put up safeguards to protect the vulnerable. It’s the right thing for us to do, and it’s hard. Still, when the world seems bleak, there is no better time to look for color. Art is not canceled, and our capacity for creation isn’t either. There’s no reason to stay stuck in our homes or apartments. We can make art, we can go outside. We can even do both. Julianna Wells, a Columbus-based professional artist, knows this well. She practices a type of painting called “plein air” painting, where the artist picks a spot outside, lingers, considers, sketches, and paints what they see. It’s a practice that even a true beginner can try right outside their own home, no matter where they live. “There’s a lot of beauty in everyday life, especially when we’re being forced to slow down and appreciate
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our surroundings and take a breath. You become open to seeing things in that way, when you set up to paint something for a few hours, you understand something more than when you glance at it,” she said. Wells grew up in Pine Mountain before attending art school at CSU. She trained under Bo Bartlett, the legendary
local painter, before moving to New York for advanced studies. Now she’s back in town, painting gorgeous scenes of our city. She was happy to share a few tips for folks in Columbus who want to find peace through painting during this unstable time. “We’re a city full of art and culture, people are used to being able to go out and see things. This time for people in Columbus is really odd. I think it’s a great idea to encourage people to take some time and encourage art on their own,” she said. “For people starting out, I would say use something like a shoe box or cigar box so you can rest your painting on something. Find a bench to sit on if you can, that puts you in a little more control.” For paint, all you need is acrylic or even watercolor. You also need a brush or brushes and something to paint on – paper, canvas or another surface. “I would say as far as subject matter, you can paint anywhere, it doesn’t have to be a grand location. But I would look for the way the light is falling on a surface. That’s really the heart of a really good plein air, capturing that transient light that you know is going to be totally different in a few hours. It’s really exciting to try to chase 12
By Scott Berson
that light. You realize how much in motion everything is,” Wells said. To get started, Wells said she sometimes does a light sketch in charcoal pencil of the scene before putting paint to canvas. Other times, she just goes for it. “The artist Nelson Shanks said, ‘Painting is easy. You just have to put the right color in the right place.’ That’s kind of how the painting progresses. I try to look as hard as I can, try to pick the color I see in front of me and put it on the canvas. Then I try to readjust,” she said. Some other tips? Bring some paper towels to clean up, some sunscreen, some bug spray, and a water bottle to keep hydrated. Make sure you’re comfortable to work for a while. “I find it very meditative,” Wells said. “If my mind’s going a million miles an hour, if I have everything, then it’s just me, looking at the environment and being the medium between what’s going on in front of me and the canvas. I think it could be very good for a lot of people right now.” Above all, Wells says she hopes she can inspire people to get out of their homes a little and focus on wringing some positivity out of a dreary situation. “Have fun, happy painting, and just enjoy it,” she said. You can find Julianna’s work, including her paintings and sketches, and information on how to contact her, at www.juliannawells.com.u
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FITNESS WITH COACH LILY-G
AT HOME much?
2020, am I right? Whew, it’s gotten crazy, Iwemean, everybody. I hear you. Now more than ever, need to come together. We need to rally as a community and stay strong. I know when we’re stuck at home (especially with the kids) we’re tempted to take a break, relax, and fall out of routine. You know, we could all use a couple days to reset, so I don’t see anything wrong with taking a couple days to kick back, do some face masks, or binge that Netflix show you’ve had your eye on. What we don’t want to do is make that our habit for any more than a couple days. I’m going to share some tips on staying active, staying healthy, and staying sane during these next couple weeks of uncertainty. 1. Routine. Keep one. Don’t start falling behind on daily tasks, habits, or home and self
maintenance. If you normally wake up at 5 a.m., keep doing that. If you’ve always wanted to create a healthier morning routine, now is your chance. Starting your day on a positive note has been proven to promote and improve productivity. Wake up, make your coffee, wash your face, get your body moving, and start your day. I promise you, sleeping in and slowing down is only going to make this time go by slower and make it even worse. 2. Health. Everyone have toilet paper? Great. Now let’s talk about what we *actually* need.
This isn’t a hurricane or natural disaster. We still have power. Let’s use our kitchens and take care
By Lily Hall Lily G the SweatQueen
of ourselves. We are in this station because of a virus. Now more than ever, we need to be working on our health, wellness, nutrition, and immunity. Did you know that 80% of our immune system is controlled by our gut? Take care of it, people. Get your veggies in, your pre and probiotics are important. A healthy digestive system, hydration, and keeping toxin levels low are key to keeping us healthy and feeling better. 3. Movement. Gyms are closed. Trust me, I’m out of work, I know it’s not a good time. Keeping our bodies happy, blood pumping, hearts healthy, and joints moving is imperative right now. It’s time to get creative, everyone. Get outside for a walk or run, do some exercises in your house, and get to stretching. Personally, I’ve been following at home workouts that Orange Theory released to keep everyone active during this time. They’re available on their website and I will be leading classes live on our Orangetheory Fitness Columbus GA Facebook page. There are so many resources available right now. Hop onto Instagram and search the hashtag #athomeworkout, search at home workout on YouTube, or make one up
that feels good for you. Sharing your journey on social media is a huge help when it comes to accountability, so share away. If you’re looking for a community to share it to, I have an accountability group on Facebook: “Sweat For It by LilyG Fit.” Join the family. I know everything is overwhelming and unclear right now. These tips are my advice for you to keep some form of clarity and sanity. If anyone needs anything, needs advice, needs accountability, or needs resources for health, wellness, or self-care. I’m here. Please reach out. I’m here for you and this community has welcomed me with open arms so it’s my turn to take care of you. Stay healthy, wash your hands, stay at home, be a good human, and keep moving. Cheers to the end of this, Columbus.u Xoxo LilyG
www.lilygfit.com • instagram. com/lilygfit • facebook.com/LilyGFit LocaL
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G a m a c h e
HOW ONE LOCAL BUSINESSMAN KEEPS A HEALTHY EYE ON COMMUNITY By Natalie Downey
business with any profit he made, and he continued to grow his business without needing to rely on loans and debt. Committed to quality and a genuine connection with the customer, Jason expanded his business and continued to dream bigger dreams. Today his local automotive company, called PTAP, sees business from all over the nation. His company services cars belonging to celebrities, well known
Local businesses are the heart and soul of our community. They each contribute their own flavor, color, and texture, combining as a whole to make the tapestry of our community uniquely our own. Local entrepreneurs are the hands and feet that build the local businesses that contribute to the story of our community and are a welcome and much needed aspect of local life. One such local entrepreneur, Jason Gamache, dreams big, and instead of keeping these ideas to
athletes, and the citizens of our city. Specializing in a variety of services from custom tires and paint to everyday maintenance, PTAP is driven on integrity and quality work. “We’re not looking to be just another mechanic shop or custom shop”, Jason says, “We want to offer the best customer service we can provide and always take our customer experience to the next level.” From big name celebrities to elderly women just needing an oil change, all get the same personal and attentive treatment at PTAP. Jason cares about his employees and strives to make his business a place where not just customers are treated right, but employees are taken care of and
Jason & Alayne Gamache
himself, he expands them until they become a reality he can share. With a passion for helping fellow entrepreneurs, Jason carries with him a dynamic energy and a world of possibility. At just 17 years old, Jason began his automotive business in his parents’ backyard after facing the disappointment of not being accepted into the corporate position he had hoped for. Within the same year he signed his first lease and his business was officially up and running. “I saved $200 and bought automotive accessories because I was really into cars,” Jason recalls fondly. He began reinvesting into his automotive detailing
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PTAP Family
treated like family. “We have a small staff here, but they’re all rock stars, as so the quality we put out is on another level,” Jason says. Along with its quality service, something PTAP is known for is producing an ad for the Super Bowl each year, and this year did not disappoint. Filmed by, starring, and produced by Columbus locals, the commercial focuses on a group of people Gamache
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feels has been forgotten in the midst of the economic uncertainties our nation has recently faced: our soldiers and their families. Our community takes great pride in this commercial, its quality production, and its message. For PTAP, the commercial is about much more than advertisement, it’s a way to honor our military personnel.
During Production Of Local Commercial
Gamache eventually also became passionate about the real estate industry. He began purchasing real estate in Uptown with a vision for helping people start their businesses like he had done himself so many years ago. “I love it because I get to work with entrepreneurs and people that have a passion and dream like I did, and help them have the potential to launch their future,” Gamache says. “I just want to see people be successful,” he says, appreciating the fact that real estate has given him the opportunity to build personal relationships with local entrepreneurs. Along with real estate for small businesses just starting out in Uptown, Gamache co-created Pop Uptown with Jacy Jenkins, a space located at 1234 Broadway where local entrepreneurs can present their business concepts. A unique aspect of Pop Uptown is the opportunity to lease the space for a short timeframe, giving entrepreneurs a venue to get their feet in the water and test their ideas without having to invest in a long term lease. This trial and error element of entrepreneurism is an element Gamache finds to be especially important and an inevitable part of the process of creating something new. Pop Uptown provides opportunity for the evolution necessary as new business owners find their niche and perfect their product.
by artists from the surrounding areas, the festival will include a special showing of Moments of Joy, a film close to the heart of Gamache and his wife Alayne. As a cancer survivor, Alayne tells her story in this film which portrays the many emotions and challenges people face in their battles against cancer. While Jason Gamache continues to inspire our community as an entrepreneur, the true depth of his contributions to our community rests in his commitment to the people behind local businesses. With the uncertainty facing many small business owners at this time, Gamache hopes to encourage the community to support one another by shopping and eating local. He sees the challenges we’re facing from COVID as an opportunity to “grow in our faith and understand what really matters.” As a business owner, he is approaching the current situation by stocking up on inventory to ensure that PTAP is able to continue offering reliable services to their customers. As a fellow citizen and personal
Jason & Alayne Having Fun At Pop Uptown
friend of many local entrepreneurs, Gamache plans on making sure our small businesses are not forgotten. He points out that we can continue to take advantage of local restaurants by ordering takeout, or buying gift certificates to use in the future. By intentionally supporting our local businesses during this time, we’re not just keeping the unique qualities of our community alive, we’re helping ensure a successful future with a return to normalcy and continued growth. “Whatever we’ve got to do to help each other out, this is the time to do it,” Gamache says. u PTAP - Perfect Touch Automotive Playground - is located at 839 Veterans Pkwy | ptaponline.com | follow them on facebook & IG | Gamache Properties | Pop Uptown
Jason & Alayne With @Chispahouse In Front Of Pop Uptown Location Of The Pop Up Video Film Fest
In addition to providing entrepreneurs a space to launch new ideas, Pop Uptown offers a uniquely customizable venue in the heart of Uptown Columbus for hosting events like wedding receptions, parties, and business gatherings. The Pop UP Video Film Festival will take place in this venue on May 30 (for now). Featuring independent films created LocaL
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K E E P
R I V E R C E N T E R
I N
Y O U R
H E A R T S
A Message fr om Riv er Center
By Scott Berson
he escalating COVID-19 health crisis continues to T impact everyone and every organization in Columbus and across the country. In these uncertain times, we want
you to know that we continue to work to positively affect our community, bringing the highest quality national Broadway tours and world-class artists to the RiverCenter stage and educating countless school children and teachers with programs and experiences that improve children’s academic progress, minds and lives. But now we are faced with a growing challenge that renders all of that extremely difficult to do. This crisis introduces tremendous stress in an industry that already has a great deal of risk in its business model. In the best of times, it is difficult to ensure financial stability and cash reserves, and the art, culture and
entertainment markets are very fickle and fragile. It takes very little – even the slightest rumor – for ticket sales to begin to slump. Non-profit organizations also rely upon individual contributions, corporate support and grants that quickly fade away when the economy is stressed or when, understandably, human suffering and overarching threats to public health come into play. During this time, RiverCenter is actively engaging with city and local authorities to see how we can bring LocaL
our resources to the table to assist our community. Whether utilizing our loading docks for needed health supplies, our grounds for testing sites, our internet presence to share health information or cultural posts to soothe our souls and remind us of all that is beautiful, RiverCenter is here to help. Since the days of the Columbus Challenge, which built RiverCenter and sparked the growth of downtown and all that exists there today, RiverCenter has created a hub of artists, providing a home for the Columbus Symphony, the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus, Columbus Ballet and CSU’s Schwob School of Music, providing performance experiences and opportunities that have become central to the cultural life of our city. We could not have done it without the support of our patrons, our donors, our sponsors and our city. We thank
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you for all you have done for RiverCenter in the past and urge you to continue your support so that RiverCenter can continue this tradition for many years to come. For now, RiverCenter’s lobby is closed to the public. Employees are working remotely to provide continuation of services. The box office remains open for phone and email transactions, but out of concern for the health of patrons and staff, has discontinued in-person transactions until the threat of COVID-19 has passed. In addition to the extended period of event suspension, the previously scheduled dates for Complexions Contemporary Ballet’s two-day educational residency with schools and other civic organizations on April 14 and 15, and public performance on April 16 will be rescheduled at a date yet to be determined. All tickets issued for the April 16 Complexions performance will be honored for the rescheduled performance. The box office will be in touch with all ticket holders as soon new dates are confirmed and will discuss options with patrons at that time. “We hope all of our ticket holders will be able to join us for the rescheduled performance, but if not, their ticket purchase will be refunded at that time, or they may choose to donate their ticket and a tax letter will be issued to them to reflect their donation,” said Easterbrook. You can support the RiverCenter by making a contribution at https:// rivercenter.org/give/, volunteering as an usher, or even donating your ticket for events that are postponed or cancelled during the Coronavirus outbreak. Please keep the Theatre in your hearts. We ALL need you now more than ever.u
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Vital Vittles VI
CURING BOREDOM WITH FOOD
uarantine. A word that invokes many Q feelings. Happiness that you don’t have to go to work. Sadness that you won’t be
able to go out to your favorite bars or dining establishments. Fear of sickness. Anxiety about that job that may not be there after the quarantine is over. Concern for the safety of your family and friends. But, of all these emotions, there will be one that will trump them all (at least for me anyway) – boredom. I hate being bored, as most people do. I always have to be doing something, anything to keep the boredom at bay. Gaming, watching movies, reading, working in the yard, cleaning the house, even playing tiddlywinks are all excellent ways to break up the monotony. What about cooking? How many times have we said, “I really want to try to make that pasta dish from scratch one day” or “I’ve always wanted to bake that loaf
of bread” or how about “I think I want to try to make mustard ice cream” (ok, maybe that last one is just me). Quarantine is the perfect time to try out a new recipe or learn a new cooking technique. Dust off your apron, everyone, because I would like to share two simple recipes you’ll be able to perfect and retry over and over again. The first is pasta! A simple pasta dough can have many different uses. From spaghetti to lasagna, good pasta dough is something that cooks spend a lifetime to master. It only requires three ingredients: two cups of flour, a half teaspoon of salt, and three eggs will make a considerable amount of pasta dough. The first step is to mix flour and salt and LocaL
make a well in the center. Next, add the eggs to the well and start incorporating the flour with the egg. Once all the flour is mixed with
the egg we will have a stiff dough. You will need to knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes to develop a smooth dough. If it is a little tacky, just add a small amount of flour to the dough. If it is too dry, add a half teaspoon of water to the dough until desired consistency is found. After we have kneaded the flour into a smooth dough, the dough should be rested for 45 minutes to 1 hour. This is very important for the dough to be easily worked with in shaping your pasta. Once the resting is complete, cut the dough into four portions and begin shaping your dough. You could use a rolling pin to flatten a portion of dough and then cut into fettuccine noodles. You could use the dough for making lasagna sheets. You could fill
type of cake or pie that normally has a fruit filling. I call them fruit pizzas. They are incredibly easy to make and require a relatively small number of ingredients. All you will need is one and a quarter cup of flour, a stick of cold butter, two teaspoons of sugar (or your favorite sweetener), a pinch of salt, and a quarter cup of ice water. You will mix the dry ingredients with the butter. I prefer to use my hands to “pinch” the dry ingredients into the butter but you could also use a pastry cutter or food processor to do this. After the butter is thoroughly mixed into the dry mixture, slowly add the ice water while bringing the mix into a dough form. Once you do this a few times, you will get a feel for the dough and be able to judge whether or not to add more water or flour to get the right consistency. Not dry and not tacky. Just right. After the dough is formed, wrap the dough and let it rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes. After the rest, you roll out the dough to about 12 inches and put your favorite fruit filling on top. If the fruit is particularly juicy, add a little cornstarch to keep the juice from running all over the place while baking. Apple and peach slices work very well with this type of cake. Once the filling is placed on the dough, there should be approximately an inch gap between the filling and edge of the dough. With this gap, you will fold over the edges of the dough to form a barrier so the fruit filling doesn’t escape the dough. Bake in a preset 350-degree oven until the desired doneness level is reached. That’s it! Super simple, and like the pasta dough, the combinations of fruit fillings are endless. So don’t let quarantine get you down. Combat the boredom with multiple lunches and dinners with different sauce combinations for the pasta and different fillings for the galettes. Next month we’ll continue with our regularly scheduled programming as we take an inside look of the different urban farms and local farmers that are incorporating innovative techniques and practices to bulk produce yields in small areas and how you can use these techniques for your own home garden. Stay tuned and remember to keep moving forward.u
@adam.icard
Adam Icard
the dough with your favorite meat based or vegetable based filling to make a ravioli. You could also come up with your own pasta shapes, the possibilities are limitless. When you have finished the shaping process, the pasta must be boiled for a few minutes in salted water until it reaches the desired texture. Industry standard is “al dente,” which means it has a bite to it and is not mushy. Toss in your favorite sauce or just some melted butter and enjoy. Next up, galettes! A galette is a free form 18
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CORONA
TAX & FINANCE By Scott Berson
the program provides capital loans of as much as $2 million to impacted businesses, according to the federal government. “As far as the next few weeks go, definitely go the SBA route. I would also get in touch with your banker to ask what each individual bank is doing, because banks are going to be offering different levels of assistance, whether that’s short term loan funds, or deferment of
t’s an anxious time and still very important for us to be Iblazes looking at our finances. As the COVID-19 pandemic through our economy, businesses are being forced
to lay off employees and shutter their doors indefinitely. We may not know all the answers for quite some time, but we can do what we can with the resources we have right now. With the help of local Certified Public Accountant Brad Clements (owner at Cedar Hill CPA & Advisors), we tracked down as much information as we could about what small business owners and individuals can do to navigate the tax and financial situation in this confusing time. WHEN ARE TAXES DUE? “Anybody that was supposed to file taxes by April 15, that has been pushed to July 15,” Clements said. Internal
due
July 15 Revenue Service offices are currently closed for in-person visits but are available by phone and online. I’ve heard about the government sending people checks. What’s going on with that? As of this writing, it’s unclear. “Until they actually pass the final bill, we don’t know,” Clements said. “The initial proposal was $1000 for individuals, plus $500 for each qualified child. There’s a lot of speculation as to what that income level will be. But until the final version passes, it really is speculation.” WHAT SHOULD SMALL BUSINESSES DO? Clements said to take advantage of programs from the
Small Business Administration, such as the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. With little to nothing interest rates LocaL
loan payments,” Clements said. Recent legislation also offers tax credits for employers who keep employees on payroll, at least for the first 10 days. Other legislation may expand unemployment benefits and provide extra tax credits to employers for sick leave, though the details were still being worked out at writing. Self-employed individuals may be eligible for many of those same benefits, depending on their individual tax situation, according to a Marketwatch report. “”What I would recommend doing is, as quickly as you can, go ahead and at least get a general idea of what your tax picture looks like, even if it’s a balance due. If nothing else it will help you with cash flow planning,” Clements said. WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW? Public student loan interest accrual has been temporarily paused, and some states like New York are ordering banks to halt collection mortgage payments temporarily, which is something to keep an eye on. The HUD has also suspended evictions and foreclosures for those in public assistance. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have also suspended foreclosures for at least 60 days. Above all, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends contacting all your creditors and explaining how your situation has been impacted by the pandemic.
It is likely they will work with you in some way to provide assistance through lower payments, deferments, or other help. Clements said to stay safe above all, and to support small businesses as much as you can as an individual and that it is okay to keep your money in the bank. He also stressed keeping updated, as things are moving quickly. “Follow the Small Business Administration and IRS on social media,” Clements said. Whether it’s Twitter, Instagram, follow them because there’s a lot of information getting put out on social media. It can get out there quicker than a regular press release.”u 19
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