Family 2017 by 614mediagroup

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WINTER 2017 I THE ULTIMATE CIT Y GUIDE FOR BIG AND SMALL 614columbus.com (614) FAMILY 2017

introduction our life revolves around your kids. From clothes and classes, to leisure time and dining out. You’d do anything for them, and you want to do everything with them. Living in the heart of it all means that there are countless opportunities to expose your kids to sports, the arts, food, entertainment, and cultures different from your own. At every turn, there are chances to show your shorties the world

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around them while showing them a good time. But that can be a quite a bit to keep track of when it’s all you can do to keep clean socks on little feet, and make sure your car cup holders don’t fill up with ice cream soup. That’s why the team at (614) Magazine has put together a city guide with your kiddos in mind. In this mailer, you’ll find the best places in the capital city to take kids out for a meal, where to shop local for stylish

threads, places to let them bounce off the walls (literally), and even options for alternative schooling. Along with our city guide, we’ve included myriad perspectives from parents around town. We want to show you your endless resources, and how to best put them to work. Consider this a toolbox for constructing your best life with and for your capital city kids. After all, you do have the most important job in the world.

f a m i ly Publisher Wayne T. Lewis Editor-in-Chief Travis Hoewischer Associate Editor Jeni Ruisch Contributing Editor Amanda Mahaffey Contributing Writers J.R. McMillan Johanna Vissman Contributing Photographers Brian Kaiser Megan Leigh Barnard Rachel Joy Barehl Tommy Feisel

co n t e n t s

Aaron Sheldon KC Myers Caroline Rose Alisha Skeel Cassandra Logan Christina Leiter Crystal Jo Emma Parker Hilary Ferguson Kelsey Egelhoff Cassie Lewis Natasha Tankovich Mikaila Burns

F ITNESS

PA RT Y

FASHION

BABY BOOT C A M P ................................. . . . . . . 2 0

H E L P FO R T H E H O ME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

LO CAL LIT T LE T H RE ADS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Manager of Audience Development Stephanie McFarland Advertising Director Meggin Weimerskirch SENIOR Account Executives Derek Landers Liza Worthington Account Executive Becky Hart Lead Designer Dustin Goebel

B I Z K IDS

EDUCATION

LITERATURE

TIGER MUSHROOM FARM ........... ..................... . . . . . . . 30

T I ME TO " U N S CH O O L? " . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

CB U S STO RYT E LLE RS .......................................50

graphic Designers Hugo Albornoz Jess Wallace Phoebe Davis VP of sales/marketing Lindsay Press

(614) Magazine 458 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43215 Office: (614) 488-4400 Fax: (614) 488-4402

S PORTS

A DVENTURE

ARTS

LITTL E BI G G A M E( S ) ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0

STEP OUTSIDE! .......................................58

COLOR YOUR COLUMBUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

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Email submissions to: editor@614columbus.com www.614columbus.com

Father-son photo project circles ’round Columbus

L CAL

ORBIT 6

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By T ravis H o e w ischer

aron Sheldon calls himself a stay-at-home dad. But he and his son Harrison rarely ever stay at home. They spend most of their time evolving their insanely charming father-son project Small Steps Are Giant Leaps. The photo exploration of Columbus, wherein Harry, dressed in his favorite replica spacesuit, becomes the central character plopped and spliced into daily slices of city life. And the project has brought the duo more than just VIP status around town—since the Instagram account launched a little over 18 months ago, they’ve crowdfunded a coffee table book, and have touched down at Cape Kennedy and the Washington D.C. Mall. While they gear up for the next phase of their project, (614) Family tethered to them for a review of their favorite places to explore around the capital city—one for each planet of the solar system. (Shut up, we’re still counting Pluto).

1. Studio 35 Cinema

2. Gramercy Books

Dad: In addition to movie screenings paired with beer tastings and their bimonthly BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) to the Bar, I love their Summer Kids series. All summer long they show a great mix of old and new movies that are kidfriendly.

Dad: The first time I visited Gramercy Books, I was fairly impressed with their selection. While you could find the most recent book featured on NPR, you would also find five other books that you had no idea existed—but could soon not live without. When I checked out the children’s section, I was completely blown away.

3055 Indianola Ave.

2424 E Main St.

3. Mikey’s Late Night Slice

Multiple locations

Dad: What not to like about Mikey’s? Bar service and pizza by the slice makes this our go to for pizza night. Harrison: I like the pepperoni chips, pepperoni and meatball pizza, and all the pictures of baby Cheezus.

Harrison: I like that they put M&M’s on the popcorn.

Harrison: I like getting cupcakes at Kitty’s while we are there.

4. Columbus Museum of Art

5. Musicologie

6. Balanced Yoga

Dad: Whoever came up with the saying “Those who can’t, teach,” obviously never met the musicians who own and run Musicologie. Kay and Joseph Barker, in addition to having toured nationally with their band Bella Ruse, have created a great music studio in Grandview Heights that offers one-on-one lessons in voice, piano, guitar, strings, percussion, and many other instruments. They also offer group classes for toddlers and preschoolers as a way to introduce kids to music through activities and movement.

Dad: Balanced Yoga has been a friend to Small Steps Are Giant Leaps from day one. I love that they have a kids yoga night that includes yoga, games, and other fun activities and that all proceeds from Kids Yoga Night go towards the Youth Yoga Project.

480 E Broad St.

Dad: Free Sundays! (thanks to PNC Bank) That by itself makes the museum fantastic. The resources that the museum has for families to take advantage of (the Big Idea Gallery and the Wonder Room) make this one of my favorite places to visit with Astronaut Harrison any day of the week. Harrison: I like the big tree playhouse and to explore the different galleries.

1400 W Third Ave.

3520 N High St.

Harrison: I like to explore there and do stretches.

Harrison: I liked jamming on the guitar and drums there.

7. Chef-o-Nette

8. Columbus Zoo

2090 Tremont Ctr., Upper Arlington

4850 Powell Rd., Powell

9. HOMAGE

Dad: An Upper Arlington Institution known for their french fries and milkshakes (best when ordered together) and their “Hangover” burger. With decor from the ’50s and pretty much the friendliest waitstaff in town, we go there way more than we probably should.

Dad: Affordable Summer camps that introduce kids to animals and conservation in a hands-on way. There’s a million different ways to entertain the whole family, anytime of the year, and the polar bears puts the Zoo high on my list of places to visit when we have family visit from out of town. Really, any day that we want to get out and explore but can’t think of a specific destination, The Zoo often gets the nod.

Dad: It all started with 10-cent beer night. That was my first ever shirt purchased at Homage, shortly after burning my polo shirts and khakis when I “retired” from my office job to be a stay-at-home Dad. I go for the shirts that remind me of my youth (and are super comfortable). Harrison goes for games of NBA Jam and the packs of trading cards that come in our online orders.

Harrison: The polar bears are my friends. The manatees? Not so much.

Harrison: I’m way better at NBA Jam than my Dad, and I like my Ohio hoodie. It’s toasty.

Harrison: You have to dip the fries in your shake—or you are missing out.

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Multiple locations

Would you like to be a Columbus explorer, too? Aaron and Harry are now launching into new territory with Small Steps 2.0, a new phase of the project where they capture how others in Columbusâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;of all agesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;explore their everyday world. Want to put on the helmet and blast off ? Send an email to smallsteps@pastfoundation.org.

9. 614columbus.com (614) FAMILY 2017

Looking to find a creative way to capture you and your family’s memories forever? (614) Family built our own scrapbook of top shots in Columbus, complete with behind-the-lens inspiration from 10 photographers:

The Brunotte Family by Emma Parker

emmaparkersphotography.com

The Read Family by Hillary Ferguson

Emily and Nick and their little daughter Cora just melt my heart. For this photo shoot, we decided to stop by Jeni’s ice cream and let Cora enjoy some yummy ice cream. I love capturing the emotions of a mother and child.

hillaryferguson.com

This little one-year-old is named Piper, shot at Innis Woods Metro Gardens in Westerville. I’m a hug fan of shooting shallow depth of field when it comes to families. Putting children in the front and parents off into the background creates a special timepiece of their age. I have a lot of repeat families, so doing this pose is something I love to do to show how children have grown over the years. Piper literally smiled the entire shoot, which is rare, so she made my job easy! 10

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The Campbell/ Baucum Family

by Alisha Skeel

alishaskeelphoto.com Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always loved doing more relaxed shoots with them, but for this one I asked them to pick a place close to their heart. They took me to a secret little spot off of Alum Creek near Sunbury where they spend quite a bit of time together as a family. My goal was to capture them in their element and in their natural state as a family. They are such a unique and fun family, and blend together so beautifully. I wanted that to shine through in their images as much as possible, and found this was the best way to capture those moments between them.

The Coffee Family

by Christy Leiter Photography

christyleiterphotography.com Along with photographing families, my specialty is births. After two boys, Laurel was absolutely smitten to be having a girl. Amelia was barely 15 seconds old when I took this shot.

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The Gillis Family

by LewisLens Photography lewislens.com

Each session and setting coupled with the dynamic nature of natural light presents a myriad of creative opportunities, oftentimes frame by frame. Working with young children who are constantly on the move, I often joke with my clients that our sessions are more like sports or wildlife photography. I have been working with the Gillis family since their son was one-year-old, and each year they choose either a park or urban setting. My inspiration is the beauty and variety of Columbus, Abelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy, and a family that has fun together.

The Lam Family

by Natasha Tankovich

natashafayephotography.smugmug.com Jeff immigrated from China and met Heather, and the two have spent almost two decades married raising four children, the oldest of which was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The inspiration for this picture was the fall colors. I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t chasing a shot since I have been photographing this family for a number of years. They wanted simple and colorful. We represent what a lot of others are part of and that is a blended family.

The Rickard Family

by Cassandra Logan

cassandraloganphotography.com These two little cuties brought part of their Where the Wild Things Are costumes to their family session. Their personalities and the hats brought the book to life and was super fun!

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The Kemelgor Family by Crystal Jo Photo

The Stanton Family

crystaljofoto.com

by Kelsey Egelhoff

“Laundry isn’t Always a Chore.” This is a laundromat session that the Momma and I kept dreaming about having. It was so untraditional and a blast! We put the kids in the dryer, played in the clothes cart, and shared lots of laughter!

Loved capturing this momma getting kissed by the men in her life. After not knowing the gender they welcomed a sweet baby girl a few weeks later.

momentsbykelsey.com

The Ziedner Family by Lovegood Ltd lovegood.com

I love candid, “lifestyle,” documentarystyle photography. I have a background in graphic design and a couple of degrees from OSU, but I’ve always loved photography since I was a child, because my grandfather was a photographer. I met Steve when I started running ultra marathons, and quickly became friends with his creative and talented wife, Leigh. They wanted photos in the Short North with a cool urban vibe. I loved the hard light and the casualness of them preparing for the “real” photo.

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Building the

Village By Jen i R u isc h

R e pl e n i s h Spa P H OTOS BY Rachel Joy B arehl

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aving kids produces a wave of changes that ripples out into every facet of a person’s life. Typically taking on the lion(ess)’s share of home and child care, women play an inestimable role in their children’s early lives. But when you’ve got a laundry list of ish to do (literally and figuratively,) it helps to have a working environment conducive to kiddos. Deja Redman runs Replenish Spa. Replenish is a yoga studio/ spa situated in the heart of the city. Her and her coworkers bring their own children to work with them each day in a collective working environment that integrates home and the office. They are defining their own workplace culture, and family is the priority. Val Geisler is the head of Work It Mama! A co-working collective with provided childcare, where women can go to a physical location with their little and their laptop, and get some work done, with baby only steps away. . These two women are helping to evolve the workspace landscape for parents in Columbus. (614) had lots of questions for these movin’ and shakin’ mamas when it comes to the new generation of work and childcare models. We took each of their respective philosophies on subjects across the spectrum, and put them alongside each other to give you a well-rounded view from the work-to-family bridge-builders here in the capital city.

Core Philosophy

Self

Redman (top left): We believe that beauty is a birthright, and when we begin to discover this gift, we awaken to what really matters: the power of self-care and personal growth. We say “show up as you are, because you are enough” instead of “You need to fix who you are, based on the current trends.” We believe being your authentic self is always the trend. We are beauty for everyday life. The birthmarks, freckles, moles, thwe scars—all of the so called “imperfections” are beautiful.

Geisler: The biggest differentiator [between us and other co-working spaces] is that our space is designed for women only, something very little in this world is designed around. We think through what matters most to working moms; things like prepared meals available for purchase to take home for an easy dinner, childcare onsite for those days when you just have to bring the kiddo(s) along with you, and a relaxing but productive vibe that helps you be your best self, inside our walls and out.

Geisler (top right): There are lots of incredible groups for moms around town that host events and provide discounts and resources for mamas. Work It Mama! brings that working/business component to it all. We don’t want to just provide you with inspiration, we want to give you information, too.

Redman: Self-love is just an empty word without an action. Self-care is the action; this is what we provide, supporting people in creating healthy rituals for their everyday life. Building a healthy, supportive life foundation is essential. Creating a safe space for all women to be unapologetic in prioritizing the value of choosing self-care is our main responsibility as a yoga spa.

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Building the Village Geisler: One thing our mamas comment on right away is how freeing it is to have onsite childcare. They know their kids are well taken care of and that they’re just a heartbeat away if mama is needed. This is a great benefit for working moms with newborns, by the way. We’ve also heard “I got more done in four hours here than I would have all week at home!” So that feels like we’re on the right track. Redman: Our client friends feel the power of our four root system: loved, supported, cared for and educated. Our intuitively-based system is infused from the time you open our doors, to the interaction with our tribe of therapists, to when you check out. We engage the senses and pay attention to the things that might not be seen, but that are felt. For women this is “our soft power.”

WOR K IT M A M A P H OTOS BY Derks Werks

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Challenges Geisler: Our society isn’t set up to truly support working mothers. Our maternity leave policies are too short—or nonexistent—and mothers typically return to work well before they (or their babies) are ready. In a traditional work and childcare environment, you drop your kids off in one place and then drive somewhere else to work. And if you’re a breastfeeding mom, you’re often relegated to a bathroom or utility closet to pump while you’re away from your baby. Moms who decide to leave the workforce often find themselves bored by full time parenting. They’re bright and talented women who eventually build a creative outlet for themselves, typically in the form of a business. But building a business during naptime alone often means it never really takes off. When childcare is provided in the same place as a supportive, encouraging, and safe environment filled with women just like you, your motherhood, life, and business can thrive. Redman: To create a realistic view of everyday life is very much who we are. How can we replenish and not involve our children? This is the new wave of the future and we are standing. Often times, women toggle between choosing self-care, work or kids. That thought, for most women, is deflating. We want a space that stands for being whole. How can we create beauty and peace in the middle of city life, real life. That’s the point.

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Balance Redman: There is no perfect road in this life we must simply accept all of life’s gifts and learn to cooperate with life as a whole. Balance does not have to look like a straight line, but instead it feels like integration. We are living in an age of information overload, where self awareness is more valuable than ever before. We must open our eyes to see the value in taking time for yourself—for the very person who is doing it all, YOU. Geisler: Most mamas who come to our coworking days want productivity and peace! They want to get work done without their kids pulling at them and they want to connect with other mamas. Mamas who come to our events want that same connection. They want to be seen and heard as someone else other than “mom” and they want to leave not just inspired, but informed.

R epl en i sh Spa P HOTOS BY Rac h e l Joy B a r e hl

(614) FAMILY 2017 614columbus.com

Rewards Redman: Children are highly intuitive and building of their character comes from what they see on an everyday basis. They are like sponges to their environment. Even when we think they are not paying attention, they are. What better way to infuse self love into our children, by allowing them to be a part of an environment that creates actions of self love? Geisler: Nursing your baby instead of pumping, for one! (Any nursing mom will tell you that pumping sucks!) Work It Mama also offers working women the unique opportunity to connect with one another and relax into the realities of life. Every time I see a group of working mamas gathered together, it’s a win. When I see them connecting with each other, realizing they’re neighbors and planning to meet up, and collaborating on projects and playdates, that’s a win. I love connecting people together and supporting women. Work It Mama is the perfect vehicle to be of service to the working mamas in Columbus. It’s messy and beautiful all at the same time and we want you to bring it all with you.

For more, see replenishwith.us (@ bepreplenish) and facebook.com/ workitmama614.

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photo co u rte sy o f: flux + flow (614) FAMILY 2017 614columbus.com

By J en i R u i s c h a n d Jo han n a V i ss ma n

e all know healthy habits build healthy kids. Mamas and Papas can set their tots up for lifelong success by introducing them to fun physical activities early on. From acrobatics to zumba, there are a plethora of classes your kid can take to channel all that energy into a positive place. Admittedly, many parents could also use a little workout time for themselves. But it can be hard to find places where you can get your stretch on, while your little is a heartbeat away, or even right there on the mat with you. (614) Family heard your cry, and set to work compiling a list of kid-friendly exercise spots around the capital city. Whether they have a designated spot for them to hang out under supervision while you sweat it out, or the class is catered to kiddies, this list is your go-to to solve your exercise/ childcare conundrum. And who knows? You may have a little yogi or power lifter on your hands. Only one way to find out!

The Little Gym

The Little Gym, located in the Polaris area, specializes in nurturing every aspect of your little one’s growth. From helping to develop coordination and strength to promoting listening skills and teamwork, The Little Gym’s Three Dimensional Learning template is designed with your child’s overall well-being and evolution in mind. With an array of programs to choose from, The Little Gym offers something for everyone; whether you’re looking for parent and child classes, gymnastics, sports, or dance, this place will have your kiddo mastering some serious skills in no time! Web: thelittlegym.com/polarisoh

Baby Boot Camp

This is a health and wellness workout class for those bad(a**) muthas that mean business. Mom-and-me fitness classes where baby can come along for the ride ensure that new moms don’t have to worry about finding a sitter to get themselves to a gym. The leaders are nationally certified professionals, who focus not just on physical fitness, but nutrition, as well. A community built around support is a great place to whoop those glutes into shape. Located in NW Columbus, your first class is free. Web: babybootcamp.com

Hike It Baby Columbus

Who doesn’t love the Great Outdoors? The warm sun on your face, the fresh air, and a chance to connect with nature, all with your mini by your side. Hike It Baby, a non-profit organization, was established to encourage the relationship between family and the outside world. This all-inclusive and volunteer-based community welcomes all ages into their supportive and “judgement-free zone." You can register online or join the local facebook group in order to join in on a hike or neighborhood stroll with other nature-loving families. Web: facebook.com/groups/hikeitbabycolumbusoh

Ohio Health HooFit

What’s better than burning calories and boosting brain power in a way that’s actually fun? Not a whole lot ... That’s why The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has partnered with Ohio Health to establish HOOFit, a walking program created to educate kids on the importance of exercise and nutrition all the while strolling with the animals. As your family wanders the zoo, learning all kinds of cool facts from an accompanying animal expert, they’ll also have the opportunity to chat with an Ohio Health physician, who can answer any and all wellness questions. Be sure to check the website for upcoming walk dates and RSVP to give your little tyke the chance to step their way into a smarter and healthier way of life. Web: ohu.ohiohealth.com/hoofit

Yoga On High

As one of Columbus’ premier yoga studios, Yoga On High is known for offering some of the best classes available to local yogis, and they’re not stopping until every member of the family has fully mastered the perfect Warrior pose. Along with their regularly scheduled programming, Yoga On High also provides specialty classes for momma and little yogi alike. With classes focusing on mommy and baby, kids, as well as kid and parent, they really do have something for everyone. Mommies-to-be: scope out Yoga On High’s 10-week prenatal course to help get you ready for the big day! Web: yogaonhigh.com

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Mark The Spot Fitness

Niche fitness seems out of reach, until you find there’s a special need you have that you can’t quite find a fit for. Mark the Spot Fitness consists of specially educated trainers that can assist you through some of the most critical points in your life. Corrective exercise (injury/ movement impairment), pre- and post-natal corrective exercise, and C.A.T.C.H (Coordinated Approach To Child Health.) Dad Mark and Mom Murray, along with their three little ones, make up the family-run business. The parents of a little trio are personal trainers located in Gahanna, with over 10 years of experience. They have a few locations around central Ohio, or they can bring their skills to you! Web: markthespotohio.weebly.com

Flux + Flow

A dance and movement center, Flux + Flow focuses on health and self expression. The dance style at F+F is contemporary, and they have classes for adults, but they didn’t leave out the tiny dancers in your family. Kids as young as five can take lessons on movement, timing, and other important aspects of dance that can branch out to other parts of their lives and physicality. Even if art is your aim, you’ll definitely work up a sweat on your way there. Web: flux-flow.com

LA Fitness

With nine locations within and around the outerbelt, and several more just a hop, skip, and a jump away, LA Fitness is a chain fitness operation that makes a whole lotta sense for a whole lotta people. They are kid friendly with their Safe Splash Swim School. You can start your kids on an aquatic adventure, no matter the weather, as the pools are indoors. Hello, winter activities! Web: lafitness.com

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photo co u rte sy o f : f i t4mo m

Squats and Tots

The doctor is in! Shape, that is. Lindsay Goodman is a doctor of physical therapy and a mom of two who has a fascination with fitness. These unique (and uniquely named) classes encourage kids and moms to get down and get their heart rates up while they play and exercise together. There are parachute play activities, tandem exercises, and all kinds of group play. This is active time for the whole family! Web: facebook.com/fittogetherwithlindsay

Fit4Mom

Fit 4 Mom is a group that is about so much more than fitness, but hey, that’s a great places to start. This is a group open to moms who have been away from the gym, and may be hesitant to head back in. The idea is that you enter into a supportive and challenging environment with other new mamas. The biggest draw is that exercisers can attend the class with their babes in tow. Baby cries? That’s ok, theirs do, too. Sleep deprived? That’s ok, they are, too. Come as you are and build community while you build your endurance. Web: columbuseast.fit4mom.com

Barre3

Barre3 focuses on “functional strength,” allowing you to remedy the many long days of sitting in a car or on your computer. With regular practice, Barre3 purports it can take you from rounded shoulders and a curled spine, to the posture of a prima ballerina… Or maybe something close. Ballet-inspired movements, large and small, warm the body and energize you for the rest of your day. The Barre3 location in Upper Arlington has multiple classes, along with a supervised “Play Lounge” that parents can schedule by the hour to host their kids while they squeeze in a workout Web: barre3.com/studio-locations/columbus ph oto by: kc my er s

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Party Animals Local event service is for moms, by moms

sto ry by jeni rui sch

risten Blanks has been designing fun since she was a teenager. She loves a get-together, and the Akron native has found a way to turn her pastime passion into her nine-to-five, and beyond. Party Ease is a unique business model built around taking the load off of party hosts, so they can enjoy the bash theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked so hard to put together. Party Ease will show up whenever you want before the party and lend extra hands wherever you need them for pre-party prep. And they will hang out afterward for the post-shindig cleanup. You can design your get-together, and then actually enjoy some of those canapes you shopped for, and the signature cocktail you dreamed up. One special service Party Ease offers is child care. They will watch the kids at your shindig so they are occupied. Whether they are at the same location as the party, or if you have a spot in mind for the kids and sitters to set up shop while the grownups get down, you can have your time free to actually enjoy your party! Blanks took some time out of her busy party planning schedule to give us the lowdown on the party line in Columbus.

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It’s striking how much stress surrounds hosting anything as a parent, even though planned events double as a main social activity for parents and kids. What are the first things you tell a new client about what you guys do? There are two things that new clients need to know when they hire Party Ease for the first time: One, is that they are going to be able to actually enjoy themselves at their upcoming party, and Two, is that we are a one-stop-shop to make their lives easier! We arrive early to help set up so that mom can get out of sweats, brush her hair and throw a little makeup on before her guests arrive. We are there during the party, getting drinks for guests, monitoring the buffet and clearing dishes so that parents can chat with their friends and family. When you hire our PartySitters, all of the kids will be entertained by a trained and competent staff while the parents let loose. Best of all, when you close the door behind that last guest, you turn around and see a clean home, instead of a huge mess to tackle when you’re already exhausted from entertaining! Can you give us some specific examples of times you looked around at a party and thought “THIS. This is exactly why we do this...?" When I followed up with one host, she told me that she had never been in as many pictures with her children as

she was during the party I worked for her. She directly attributed that to the fact that she was able to be truly present at her son’s birthday party because everything was being taken care of behind the scenes. Years ago, my husband (then boyfriend) and I bartended poolside at a celebration for a woman whose cancer had just gone into remission. Suddenly, “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong came over the speakers, and she and her husband started dancing on the pool deck. Just as the song was coming to an end, she threw off her wig and they jumped, handin-hand into the pool, fully clothed! There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, including ours! They didn’t have a care in the world that day, and we were honored to be a part of that. What are your favorite events you’ve helped throw/host? Recently, I was able to work alongside chef Richard Blondin from The Refectory at a private birthday dinner that he and I donated to NOSH, the annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Central Ohio gala, a charity that is close to my heart. Not only was I in the company of a talented and accomplished chef, I was giving back to the community, which is a very important part of my company. Have you collaborated with other companies and business owners as you

have worked on building your brand? Just like raising children, it truly takes a village to nurture and grow this company. I would not be where I am without support from my incredible husband, my parents, countless friends, family members, and community partners. Autumn Theodore Photography took beautiful photos for marketing purposes and The Wonder Jam has created our beautiful website. I also have a truly special staff. I can’t be at every party and they have become extensions of me as they embody the values of the company. When you’re throwing a party at your house, what are three things that make it a success in your mind? 1) PartyEase. Yes, I use my own company. I want to enjoy the party too! 2) A killer playlist. 3) Hearing laughter of friends and family as they unwind and relax. Is it hard sometimes to just relax at someone else’s party, or do you find yourself always jumping in and helping the host? It’s pretty much impossible for me to just relax at someone else’s party. Just ask my husband how many times he’s found me clearing plates and glasses, or taking drink orders for friends! For more, visit visit partyease.com.

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s d a e r h L ittle T

Parents and kids in Columbus like to wear their shared style on their sleeve(s), and these local brands help you keep your funds and your fashion local

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CubShrub After Short North boutique owners Niki and Josh Quinn had a child, they decided to expand their focus and open Cub Shrub, a shop that mirrors the same charm, quality, and nostalgia as its predecessor, Tigertree. Their trendy and modern threads span in sizes from newborns to six-year-olds to mommy! Cub Shrub offers an eclectic and unique collection of books, as well as novelty accessories and gifts such as retro inspired toys and games, a wide array of plush stuffed animals, and even knitted unicorn hats! Check them out at 749 N High St. or their newest location in Grandview Heights at 1157 Grandview Ave. cubshrub.com

Lilylimes Lilylimes was established in 2010 and currently resides in The Shops at Worthington Mall. Offering clothing for both mother and baby and ranging in sizes from newborn to a children’s size 6. They also feature toys, gifts, and accessories such as the award winning “Babiators.” For all your “fresh fun finds,” Lilylimes has got you covered! lilylimes.com

Alison Rose If your newest addition is already bursting with local pride, Alison Rose has the cutest unisex infant onsies to bundle them up in. Established in 2003, Alison Rose is a selfproclaimed “mom and pop” screen-print shop that specializes in apparel and other goods for kids and parents alike. These local artists also offer printing services for all of your family’s custom needs or you can take it one step further by attending one of their workshops and bring the family! alisonrose.com

Nicole’s for Children Located in historic Powell (50 W Olentangy St.), Nicole’s For Children is the ultimate kid’s boutique. Featuring over 70 brands and designers for both boys and girls and ranging in sizes from newborn to size 12, Nicole’s For Children has it all. From clothing, shoes, gifts, and a large selection of toys in a kiddofriendly atmosphere, ensuring that your shopping experience is not only easy but fun! Nicolesforchildren.com

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Lottie Da Baby Looking to dress kiddo and crib? Definitely check out this local gem. Inspired by her daughter, designer and owner Amy Routh opted to create beautifully handcrafted pieces in bold prints and colors, thus actualizing her dream of Lottie Da Baby. She offers custom luxury bedding, decor, and other nursery must-haves, in addition to vintage influenced handmade apparel for boys and girls. Be sure to also scope out Lottie Da’s unique assortment of time-honored toys, dolls, and accessories at her online-only shop. lottiedababy.com

Butch & Ward Family owned and inspired, Butch & Ward is a baby and toddler apparel company with a sense of humor. With a nod to pop culture, Butch & Ward’s clothing showcases relevant phrases such as “Diaper Game On Fleek” and “The Snuggle Is Real," guaranteeing that your child will be the dopest kid at the park. Focusing on gender-neutral threads, each piece offers simplistic designs and colors, allowing your little angel’s personality to take centerstage. These trendsetters have been hand printing all of their apparel in the U.S. of A. since 2014. butchandward.com

MRLY MRLY (pronounced mahr-lee), was dreamt up in late 2016 by owners Kyoko Seki and Trevor Potulski, after a combined 19 years in fashion retail. Once they realized their shared aspirations and passion for their children, an acronym was discovered, utilizing the initials of each of their kids, and MRLY was born! MRLY’s casual and timeless styles are manufactured in the United States from the finest Japanese textiles. From the perfect baseball tee to comfy dresses, all of MRLY’s clothing feature clean lines as well as mix-andmatch capabilities in order to curate new outfits for every day of the week. In addition to prioritizing quality of their product, they also care deeply about quality of life and have demonstrated this by partnering with a local chapter of the Ronald McDonald House to provide laundry service to the charity for every item purchased. mrlybrand.com

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Once the seed was planted, a little mushroom farmer starting killing the kid boss game By J en i R ui sch â&#x20AC;˘ P H otos by Me g a n l e i g h b a r n a r d

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n a time of universal uncertainty and cynicism, there is one thing that can always fire up a light at the end of the long dark tunnel. That thing is a precocious kid with a dream. Te’Lario Watkins II is that kid. At the tender age of seven years old, Watkins planted cat grass and basil at a Boy Scouts meeting, and watching the seeds germinate fascinated the young man. He wanted to keep planting— to propagate. Parents LaVanya and Te’Lario, ever supportive of his endeavors, wondered what he could grow in our gray midwestern winters. Watkins suggested mushrooms, since they can grow in the dark. With a single mushroom kit, he would start a business at age seven that he would cultivate into a tiny, homegrown empire by the age of 10. Tiger Mushroom Farms operates out of the Watkins family home in Blacklick, where their basement and spare bedroom houses rows of shelves, upon which grow the minute organisms that end up at local farmers’ markets and in dishes from places like Flatiron Bar and Diner and Sassafras Bakery. Now, in addition to being a farmer/business manager, Te’Lario is a public speaker (appearing on The Steve Harvey Show) and an author, recently making the Amazon Bestseller List for his book Te’Lario’s Amazing Mushroom Farm. Honestly, we here at (614) Family can’t get enough of Te’Lario, the gregarious entrenepeuer with a passion for farming and an enthusiasm for fencing, the infectious 10-year-old who his mother calls “a natural teacher.” We had to get to the root of his business, and he and his family’s plan for the future. Does a green thumb run in the family? Sort of … my grandparents live in Florida and they have lots of flowers in their yard and an orange tree. My great-great grandfather

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grew sugar cane, pecans, peanuts, and bananas. I also grows fruits and vegetables with my big sister in our garden with help from a grant from Katie's Krops. We donate the produce to a local food bank.

What have you learned about mushrooms since you started farming them? They have lots of vitamin D and when they grow, they release spores into the air. They are also very delicious.

Give us an idea of how the business has grown. Do you grow out of the house currently? Are you planning on moving to a commercial operation at any point? I still grow in my basement and my spare bedroom. We are looking for a restaurant or a building to expand into.

Do you have different goals now then when you first started your business? I want to expand my business to a factory and sell my mushrooms all over the world and then I want to be President of the United States. I don't like wars and I just want them to have a reasonable conversation.

What would you do if you became a zillionaire? I would buy a giant house. I would also help homeless people and feed kids and their families who don't have enough food. Do you enjoy public speaking and sharing your experience and ideas? Yes, I love being a speaker. I just spoke on a panel about the future of farming, in California. It was fun, and I met CEO's and founders of other companies like Back to the Roots (I’m their Junior Brand Ambassador), Stonyfield, ClifBar, Califia, and lots of others. What have you learned as you have talked with many people from around the country and been on TV? I've learned that being on TV is fun. It is also fun to inspire people with my story. What would you like to see change about your business in the next year? The next five years? I want to expand to a factory and sell my mushrooms all around the world. What are your favorite things to do around Columbus? I love to sample food at the farmers market, go to the Columbus Zoo, Franklin Park Conservatory, the library, eating out, and just hanging with my family. What else are you into? My favorite food is shiitake and oyster mushrooms. My favorite show is a YouTube show called Chase N Yur Face. Chase is a 15-year-old boy with autism that cooks on his own show. I was one of his recent guests. He even cooked with my mushrooms! My favorite animal is a killer whale. My favorite subject in school is science. I like a lot of superheroes, but my favorite is Spider-Man.

What do you enjoy the most about running a business? What do you enjoy the least? I enjoy getting to meet a bunch of friends at the farmers market. Sometimes it takes a long time to sell at the farmers markets. What made you decide to write a book? I meet so many people at the farmers market that say I inspired them. With my book I can inspire even more people and they can inspire people, too. Are you the hero of the book? [There's] not really a hero in the book, but if it was ...it would be me! How is being an author different from being a business owner? An author is writing down your experiences and being a business owner is making experiences. Was it hard to balance writing a book with your school work and running your business? My parents help me balance everything. I have a tight schedule. If you could give advice to young Te'Lario who was just starting out, what would you say? I would say follow your dreams and never give up. Describe a time when you had to make an important decision. I had to decide if I wanted to try homeschool this year. I didn't want to miss my friends, but I get to see them, so it's fine. Describe a time when your hard work paid off. I worked so hard on getting my book done and published, and I'm now an Amazon Best Seller!

Family Business

Extra insight and advice from the parents of a CEO: On involvement: We explain the pros and cons of each situation, and he makes the final decision. On advice: Never underestimate the dreams of a child. They have an amazing view of life and believe anything is possible. Parents should be ready for the ride of their life. Everyday is different and enjoy the journey. Many parents are busy, but running a household and running a business with your child seems doubly so. On balancing family and work: We relax with a family game, movie, go out to eat, or do nothing at all. On balancing work and school: When we decided to homeschool Te'Lario, it was a huge decision. In the end, it was ultimately his decision. So we are trying it for a year. On hard work paying off: Developing our new product, Shiitake & Onion Soup Mix. We use it to season meat and vegetables. It also makes a tasty sour cream dip. We won the Ohio Signature Food Contest in August. Hopefully, it will be in stores soon! For more about the Tiger Mushroom empire or to order a book, visit tigermushroomfarms.com.

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Biz Kid s

Books, brownies, and backpacks are just a few of the products and services peddled by the next generation of central Ohio

Laine Avenue Looking for a customizable and stylish backpack? Emily, co-founder of Laine Avenue has a solution for all your kids’ book-toting needs as well as a way to stash some extra cash along the way. After struggling to find a bag that worked for her needs, 16-year-old Emily, along with her mother decided to create the ultimate book bag made for students, by a student, and sold through a collaborative network of students. Laine Avenue backpacks stand out from the pack (pun intended) by being the only customizable carryall on the market. These convertible packs are made with an interchangeable zipper flap, durable brushed cotton, and an ergonomic design. They also feature a detachable cross-body purse for carrying all the money they can make by becoming a “Backer.” Backers earn a commission through Laine Avenue by selling products in addition to more opportunities with the exclusive Laine Avenue Life Academy program, where they’ll learn about financial literacy, time management, and more. laineavenue.com

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Random Acts of Brownies Jeanie, a nine-year-old fourth grader, started baking brownies when she was just two years old. It wasn’t long before her dad was proudly sharing them off at work with Jeanie in tow, in what would later become known as “Random Acts of Brownies.” Her delicious creations have grown far beyond your run-of-the-mill brownies and have been available for purchase for two years and counting—from gluten free goodies to peanut butter Buckeyes to all sorts of sweet treats in between. Being a big fan of the arts, Jeanie and Random Acts of Brownies have been known to partner with Carriage Place Players through Columbus Parks and Recreation where her treats have been available for sample during select performances like My Fair Lady or The Jungle Book. With her sights set on someday opening her own brick and mortar location, she continues to imagine up delectable desserts in her home bakery.

Sweet E’s Cookies After suffering from a life-changing anaphylactic reaction from pistachios when she was only two-years-old, Emerson later discovered her passion and love for baking. Together, Emerson and her mother created delicious, allergy-friendly chocolate chip cookies that kept friends coming back for more! Despite her very young age, Emerson knew they were onto something, and with that, Sweet E’s Cookies was ready to mix, bake, and cool. After creating a logo and a Facebook page, Sweet E’s appeared at the Gluten-Free Festival at the Ohio State Fairgrounds and to date, has sold over 2,000 cookies and several hundred of those local favorites, Buckeyes. facebook.com/sweetescookie

Ears On Eden didn’t let a hearing disability hold her back—in fact, she used it as an opportunity to make life easier for hundreds of children in Columbus and beyond. Not unlike a retainer, she only had to wear her hearing aid for a few years as a child—while she was learning to read and write—and when she found it in a closet one day, she told her mom Susan she didn’t want it to go to waste. The mother-daughter team realized that only adult hearing aid donation resources were available locally, so they started building a fix. Ears On officially launched, and after winning the annual GiveBackHack, they now have a non-profit, partnered with local audiology centers to help find a way for kids to get their ears on in a much less expensive way. ears-on.org

Books for Bedtime With over 58,000 books donated, Books for Bedtime has become a philanthropic force to be reckoned with. Founded in August 2014 by 11-year-old Meagan, the goal of the non-profit organization is to supply books to kids who don’t have the financial means to acquire them, distributing books to Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Youngstown, as well as across state lines to Pennsylvania and Texas. A gifted reader and communicator, Meagan began reading at age two and is an active member of Mensa. Through her travels, she speaks about her mission at schools, especially focusing on those with high free lunch program counts. Megan is eager to expand as her nonprofit grows, in the hopes that every child has a book to read at bedtime. booksforbedtimenonprofit.org 614columbus.com (614) FAMILY 2017

ut to eat with the kids normally means twice the price of the normal bill for food that, half the time, hasn’t even been finished. Below is the calendar of 100 percent free kids’ eatin.' Disclaimer: most of these places need an adult purchased meal as well, so unfortunately, the whole family can’t pretend to be 12 and under.

Las Margaritas (Canal Winchester, Dublin, Westerville): 12 and under MCL Restaurant and Bakery (Upper Arlington) Carsonie’s Stromboli and Pizza KitchEn (Upper Arlington) 2 kids meals per adult entree LAS Margaritas (canal winchester, dublin, O’Charley’s 10 and under

westerville)

Paulie Gee’s Short North

Liberty Tavern (Powell)

Old Bag of Nails with $6.99 meal or more

Buffalo Wings & Rings

and online coupon

(Lewis Center and Broad Street locations)

Submarine House Bar & Grill 4-8 pm—with sub purchase Rusty Bucket (Free meal for every five books a child reads: bookmark in store)

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Moe’s Southwest Grill (lane ave.) Giant Eagle Market District (Dublin and Upper Arlington) 4-8pm dine-in only, 2 kids under 12 eat free for a purchase of an adult meal of $10 or more

Culver’s (Hilliard on Rentra Dr.) 5-8pm

Bob Evan’s after 4 pm

Carfagna’s Restarant (Westerville)

Peacock West (W Broad St.) 4-9pm

Star Lanes Polaris 5pm-CL

Chili’s (W Dublin Granville Rd.)

Fiesta Jalisco 4-10pm

Qdoba (Polaris)

OPA Grill and Tavern

El Vaquero

Yabo’s Sports Grill and Bar (Upper Arlington)

MCL Restaurant and Bakery (UA)

MCL Restaurant and Bakery

Carfagna’s Restaurant (Westerville)

(Upper Arlington)

PIZZAFIRE (Dublin)

Bogey Inn (Dublin) Smokehouse Brewing Company (Grandview) after 4pm Hoggy’s (Bethel Rd.) after 4pm

Steak n’ Shake (ALL LOCATIONS!) QDOBA (POLARIS)

Iron Grill Barbecue and Brew (Clintonville) Quaker Steak and Lube

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit (Hilliard)

Hoggys (BETHEL RD.) after 4 p.m.

Steak ‘n Shake (ALL LOCATIONS) Old Bag of NailsLas LAS Margaritas (Stelzer rd., Reynoldsburg) Opa Grill and Tavern

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Appetite for Adventure Real kids cuisine in Columbus

By J.R . Mc Milla n

ids are already hardwired to try new things. From the day they are born, until apprehension and self-doubt browbeat them into social submission, they are really open to anything. They’re growing up in a world that is always on and always connected. Their friends and interests are far more diverse than ours were because they aren’t limited to a few square blocks and whatever adventure they can find before the sun goes down. As parents, we often fail to feed that willingness to try new things, especially when it comes to new foods. And most restaurants don’t make it any easier on us. Sadly, there is nothing savvy or sophisticated about the average kids menu. Next time, just skip it entirely and try these tips to satisfy your child’s appetite for adventure. Photo by tommy fei sel

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SMALL PLATES and DAILY SPECIALS

DINE FAMILY STYLE

Da Levee

Erawan Thai

Small plates are the right size and right price to blow off uninspiring kids menus elsewhere. This perennial favorite creole hole in the wall is famous for them. Their rotating lineup and lunch hours at both locations offer endless possibilities. The black bean and corn Maque Choux, Cheesy Craw Etouffee, or hearty Gumbo, each served with a slab of slightly spicy “Magic Bread,” are just $5. Add a side of Andouille sausage, “Kickin’ Chikin” or extra rice for just a little more, or go with a “half-and-half” plate at only $8 for your eager eater.

Skip the PB&J and try the Chicken Satay, skewered and served with both peanut and cucumber sauces for kids who like to dip their dinner. Erawan excels as an authentic family style dining destination. The menu is impressive, exhaustive, and the portions are huge. Just order a mix of appetizers and entrees and enough plates to go around. The Pad Thai is a sweet and spicy serving of fried egg, sprouts, and scallions with wide rice noodles. Pick your meat and enjoy the heat, or cool it down with the Num Tok, or grilled beef salad served over rice.

Tora

SuperChef’s

Suburban sushi joints may not be an obvious option for kid-friendly fare, but they should be. Tora’s deep and descriptive menu (with helpful English translations) make their Tuesday specials a great half-price pick for your half-pints. Start simple with a Tora California roll of snow crab, cucumber and avocado, then work up to a more daring Black Spider roll, featuring fried soft shell crab, spicy mayo, and black sesame seeds. Even their eel sauce goes down easy.

Every kid loves breakfast anytime, and SuperChef’s ups the hero factor with giant-sized, comic book inspired décor to match their oversized menu. Try “The Hulk,” two green waffle sandwiches with eggs, American cheese, sausage, candied bacon, and maple syrup. Or try his evil alternative “The Juggernaut,” two red waffle sandwiches with fried chicken, eggs over medium, and Pepper Jack instead. Both are big enough to share.

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Kid Favorites with Adult Attitude

Eat with your Hands

Addis Restaurant Channel your own inner child and eat with your hands. Injera is about as kid-friendly as food gets. The spongy buckwheat crepes serve as both a staple and a utensil. “Addis” actually means “new” in Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia—so let the owners know if you’re new too, and they’ll prepare you a platter with a bit of everything. The Mahbarawi, stewed lean beef with onions, peppers, tomatoes, and garlic, or the Doro Tibs, simmered cuts of chicken, might require less lobbying than the legumes, beets, and unique vegetable dishes.

Banana Leaf Dare to go dumpling at Banana Leaf. Sneak in some green things with Pakoda, dumplings made from a South Indian mix of chickpea flour and fresh veggies, or some Kachori, spicy green pea hush puppies. Samosas sell themselves. What kid doesn’t love little fried triangles stuffed with mashed potatoes? Keep it simple and order something from the Chaats menu, street foods that are sweet, spicy, tangy, and crispy. Once your little one graduates to a fork, consider the Grand Buffet.

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Skipping Class At local “learning co-op,” doors aren’t just open for students—they’re non-existent By Jen i Ruisch

or parents, the term “homeschooling” conjures up images of: At best, trying to cobble together their own curriculum inside their house and around their schedule. At worst, falling short on their child’s education, despite having nothing but good intentions. What if we told you there was a dedicated group of people who are committed to helping kids of a wide range of ages grow up as citizens of the world, and help them delve into studying subjects they love—all outside the walls of a traditional classroom? For moms and dads who want to “unschool” their little learners, Columbus Learning Cooperative is a resource for designing a curriculum around every student. (614) Family caught up with Kate Weigel, CLC’s multimedia director, volunteer coordinator, and teaching artist to get the lowdown on this brave new world of learning:

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We are a democratically-run teen liberation center based on empathy, community, and self-directed learning, where members have the freedom to explore their interests. In our resourcerich environment, members engage in mentorship and the choice to learn from community members teaching their passions, without the limitations of school. We work with youth ages 10-18. All of our members register as homeschoolers and then attend the CLC on a part-time or full-time basis. The CLC is not a school and that is probably the thing that sets us apart the most. Our students register as homeschoolers and because we are not a school and take no money from the state, we have true freedom and flexibility with how our kids and teens spend their time. Self-Directed Learning (Autodidactism) is the most important aspect of the CLC. We make sure that our students have time to work on their own projects and interests throughout the day and are free to come and go as they wish.

Our philosophy of education is that our communities and families are stronger not because we all know exactly the same standard set of subjects, but because of our unique strengths and gifts in different areas. As a society, the more diverse our knowledge base, the more resilient and understanding we can be. Each one of our members is a teacher and a learner. The younger members find role models in the older members and they remind us all not to take things so seriously. The older members learn leadership skills and cement their own knowledge by helping the younger members learn. This semester we are actually running our first class taught by one of our teen members. This member is vegan and is very passionate about cooking. He’s going to be teaching an eight-week class in healthy vegan/vegetarian cooking. Each learner is also matched up with an adult mentor based on their passions, interests, goals and personalities. The mentors also help learners work on their portfolios which are used for homeschool assessment. Their

If you love learning and can teach yourself,, you can learn anything. The trick is to keep our kids curious instead of teaching them to hate education. interests vary widely and might be anything from theoretical physics to parkour to jewelry design. CLC’s home is the Historic W.H. Jones Mansion in Olde Towne East. It’s a warm, homey environment for playing, reading, socializing, studying, collaborating— anything you can imagine. The halls are filled with intricate woodwork, and it feels like Hogwarts when you step inside! We fill the space with tools, books, games, toys, technology, and anything that might spark the curiosity of our members. We encourage our members to get jobs or do service work outside of our location, during the day. We also support their endeavors into entrepreneurship. For instance, at one point a member had a sticker business where she would buy stickers online wholesale and sell them to her friends. We helped her through that process. We started with only four members and

have been able to maintain our level of diversity as we’ve grown, which is a product of our intention to make the CLC accessible, if it is the right fit for the student— regardless of a family’s ability to pay. We encourage democracy. During “Town Hall” meetings on Friday mornings, our members have created the rules of the coop and can introduce legislation for things they’d like us to change. For instance, they decided that they would like to purchase some sweet tea as a group and have it available to those who want to drink it. They needed a way of keeping track of the money that would be going to the sweet tea fund, so they decided to create a position and elect a treasurer. They use Robert’s Rules of Order to introduce motions, debate ideas, and vote. We rotate the chair of the meeting amongst the members as well. Each person, staff and student alike gets one vote and in the case of a tie, staff votes are discounted. We ask our members what they are interested in learning, and then we find community members to pitch classes to them based

on their requests. Our members then rank the classes according to their interest, and we only run the classes that our members actually care about. Homeschool parents are generally very busy with all the different activities, sports, and their kids’ social lives. Typically a homeschool kid in Columbus might take 3-5 different classes in different locations around the city during the week, whether it be fitness, art, or others. We want to be a resource where families can come to get all of their needs served instead of going to five different places during the week. Often different age groups will have different class times and parents can be driving all over town to different co-ops or classes. Unschooling doesn’t involve a set curriculum and is based more on the learner’s interests, as well as lots of free time for play and just living life. Some parents work from home to homeschool their kids, but it can definitely be busy especially for families with more than one or two kids. 614columbus.com (614) FAMILY 2017

People ask questions like, “what about the hard subjects that kids don’t want to do, like math?” For us, we recognize that actually not every person is going to need calculus to have a meaningful and successful life. Our founder/ director, Devin Fraze actually ran a math tutoring company for several years before the CLC because math was his main area of interest. He says, mathematicians say that math is all around us, and that if that’s the case then you don’t need to be sitting down and learning it once a day for 45 minute periods. You learn it by living. It means that our members don’t learn the same math at the same time as a traditional school, but that they learn it when it’s necessary for their lives. If they love Pokémon cards, and want to start a business selling them, then they’ll need math for that. Or if they’re passionate about cooking and want to make a large group meal for everyone, they’ll need to understand how to scale up a recipe. It all comes down to personal significance and the purpose of the knowledge. One of our members really loves math and given the time to explore it at his own pace is actually on track to finish all of algebra in only about about a month. I personally had a great experience in traditional high school, with straight A’s and 10 extra curricular activities. But as an artist, when I graduated I realized that I had never had to set my own deadlines for a project. I was very good at meeting other people’s deadlines but

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when it came to working for myself, I was lost. I am sometimes jealous of these kids because they’ve got a huge head start on setting their own goals and meeting them! Sometimes, however, the most important lesson can be failure. When we don’t force our students to complete tasks or finish projects, it means sometimes they fail to complete them. If it was a project that wasn’t that important to them then it didn’t really matter to begin with, but if it was something they cared about, then there can be a lot to learn from that failure, more than they would learn from getting an F or a bad grade. They get to learn to bounce back and be resilient. They get to learn not to fear failure. More than anything, we are helping our members learn “how to learn.” Information is everywhere and it’s free—online, in the library, in the world. If you love learning and can teach yourself, you can learn anything. The trick is to keep our kids curious instead of teaching them to hate education. From the base membership fee of $2,850 members can build their own experience and earn scholarships and discounts, depending on their learning plan. To learn more about CLC, visit learning.coop.

Re-Classified

Weigel gives us a sampling of classes that have been run at CLC:

Basics of Carpentry, where learners used hand and power tools to build their own project.

Friends Around the World, in which we skyped with people in different countries such as Hong Kong and Denmark to talk with them about their culture and what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like to live there, and their impressions of the United States.

Disaster Class, where members prepared for fires, tornados, lightning storms, etc. learned basic CPR and self defense, and even prepared for a zombie apocalypse. We built a raft and floated it in the CLC bathtub and did other activities to build emergency preparedness skills.

Art Appreciation, where each week we go to a different gallery exhibition around Columbus and talk about the artwork we see. So far this year weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been to 6 shows.

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Here Be Monsters

Vet, dad creates colorful world for kids By Je n i R u i s c h

S Isbell has produced four books, including Blame it on the Monsters, which is available on Amazon.

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ometimes straddling two different worlds means you can create a bridge. Rick Isbell is an Air Force veteran who uses his skills as a writer and a designer to help injured vets, as well as teach lessons to kids in colorful ways. He has authored and illustrated multiple childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s books, namely Blame It On the Monsters. He also volunteers his time and design skills to i4ni Studio, which aims to foster connection within the community of Columbus veterans. Through his creations, this Columbus native makes connections that can draw the worlds of kids and service men and women together. (614) Family sat down with Isbell and talked design, healing, and service.

What was your inspiration for Blame it on the Monsters? I doodle all the time. Once I looked down at one of the monsters and said, “You know, it’s all your fault.” And it made me think of my little daughter, who would never admit to doing wrong. One time, she actually blamed it on a monster. So I thought ‘Ok, here’s these little nuggets I can pick and make the monsters work for me.’ And I sat down at night and drew a whole sketchbook of monsters and things that I’d think a kid would lie about. And the whole emphasis of the book is to teach kids about lying and that it’s wrong. And how everything starts off with a little white lie and it grows. So that’s how it all came about. Tell us about your other children’s books. My Mom, My Hero! came from a veteran friend, we work together on i4ni studios. His wife, she works her butt off. She delivers babies. My idea was that a teacher has her second grade class come in and talk about their moms. And even though they’re monsters, they have jobs just like you and I. There’s a police officer, there’s a soldier, there’s even a lunch lady. There’s even a monster modeled after local news anchor Angela An! Yeah, I tried to fit everybody into this. I have a grandmother that raises her grandchild, and a stay-at-home mom who raises her disabled child. So I’m trying to be allencompassing and reach out to all walks of life. You have a passion for working with fellow veterans. Tell us about some of your efforts in that sphere. There’s a readalong program that USO does for soldiers that are about to ship out, and what they do is they will read a book and they’ll tape it on DVD and give the DVD and the book to the child so they can read along with Mommy and Daddy when they’re gone. We gave 180 [Blame it on the Monsters] books to that program. You connect your design work to your work on i4ni Studio, as well. Not only is it a place for me to have all of my graphics, illustrations and everything, I have painting parties for vets. It’s sort of a healing thing. Vets don’t have to pay for it.

Did the books help you heal? The books helped me immensely. Number one, it was one of my goals—I wanted this to happen. I brought something to fruition. To be able to come back from being 100 percent disabled, to work, was one of the big steps. Being in front of those kids, their energy, to listen to their questions. The fun part of being in front of kids is I get to go in, and I teach them how to draw. We draw monsters every time I go to a different school, and they come in waves. They’ll bring in a different class every 40 minutes, and I’ll take those kids on and by the end of it they’re all drawing. What’s next on your itinerary? It’s called Cluck Amuck in a Pickup Truck. This one actually features a chicken. He gets angry because someone called him a duck, and he steals a truck and he drives around town spreading feathers around. It’s all about losing your temper, turning the other cheek ... some road rage is thrown in there. It’s that much fun; there’s still a message to be conveyed there, but I really think kids have a lot of fun with the rhymes. I don’t get too crazy with it, but I think they’ll really like this one because it really came to me quite easy. Is writing usually the hardest part? Or the illustrations? I think the writing is harder, especially because it’s rhyming. People think that writing a rhyming book should be a walk in the park and everybody can be Dr. Seuss, but that’s just not the case. You really have to think about the timing, you really have to think about how many lines you have, how many syllables. And I agonize over it—trying not to sound trite, rhyming the wrong things together, and do they make sense? When you can just tell the story straight out, it’d be a heck of a lot easier because I tell my kids stories all the time. When they still believed in the Tooth Fairy I had some German coins from when I was stationed there, and I put those under their pillow instead and so when my daughter got up in the morning, she said, ‘Daddy, what is this?’ I said, ‘Oh the Tooth Fairy operator must’ve gotten it mixed up and sent you the wrong Tooth Fairy. You know that happens sometimes. I thought I heard someone swearing in German last night.’ So I had them believing it. It’s just a lot of fun that we have together. I like telling stories.

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Further Reading Want to find ways to expand your child’s world, all while supporting authors and artists from your hometown? Try these eight titles from Columbus scribes:

The F eat her Y La Lu na The body modification expert at Evolved is also a kid’s book author! Written by Nick Wolak in English and Spanish, The Feather Y La Luna is a multicultural journey for young Columbus readers. In his story, a little boy contemplates the moon. The story is complemented with illustrations from the mind and hand of local artist Andy Ringo. Filled with rhyming prose and intimately detailed, naturecentered art work, the work is paired with a quick-reference to the Spanish phrases used throughout. Whether you’re teaching a youngster using a bilingual framework, or an adult looking for a simple introduction to Spanish phrasing, picking up this work could prove an insightful journey.

The Worl d of M aggie- M a E From the mind of Iris M. Warner, springs Maggie-Mae. In her whimsical world, Warner takes you on a prosaic tour through stories like Jenny Lynn’s Nightmare and Skunked by a Skunk. Using rhythmic, rhyming prose and dainty artwork, Warner spins her tales. The reader learns about various characters surrounding Maggie-Mae, and their adventures together.

B u m p t he Monst e r

C ri me Cats The four books in the Crime Cats series are starting to rack up awards like Michael Phelps eventually racked up medals. Written and illustrated by Clintonville dweller Wolfgang Parker, this young adult series is great for older kids, or advanced younger readers. The award-winning storylines involve real Clintonville history, as well as legends from around the north end neighborhood. The book is more than a smash hit with kids, it’s a vehicle for community and helping. When kids join the Crime Cats mystery Club, they volunteer to hang out in Cat Welfare Association’s shy cat room. This is the place where they have the cats who are less accustomed to humans, and need a little TLC. CCMC readers read Crime Cats aloud, and as they do, they serve two important purposes: They get extra practice on their reading skills, using a great local book. And the cats learn to relax around humans. The books also serve with helping Crime Cats Relief Fund, which assists with costs involved with medical care for community’s cats.

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Author T.D. Ashcraft has created a series of adventures for his monster character, Bump, and his human friend, including the original, Bump the Monster, and two subsequent follow-ups. The sophomore effort, Bump and the New Pet features a fantastic little rainbow batlike creature, and the third installment Bump & the Family Tree, shows off Bump’s monster fam. All the colorful, furry characters in Bump’s world are created by Illustrator Daniel Roper, who has experience in illustration, video games, cartoons, and more. This is a fun monster romp for readers of many ages.

A Lesson Lea rne d Jason K. Burke is a local author who is reaching for the title of “prolific.” With seven individual books in print, as well as a collection of four titles into one volume, Burke has been productive in his storylines, as well as his character creations. His “A Lesson Learned” series is focused on rhyming schemes, and playful verbiage, plus moral lessons wrapped up in humorous adventures. Reading any one of Burke’s books, young readers will find themselves a trove of characters to get to know, including a boy who lives in a house full of weather; a near-sighted cow; a heroic, diaperwearing; baby blue bird; and a worm named Keith.

THE BOY WHO TRIED TO TOU C H THE SUN Photos by Bri a n Ka i ser

Th e Boy Who Tr ied to Tou ch the Sun Vada Azeem has created a children’s book that comes from a heavy place, but is filled with hope and wonder. Inspired and moved by the death of his mentee, 13 year old Ty’re King in the streets of Columbus last year at the hands of a police officer, Azeem felt an urgent need to produce a book that could provide a vehicle to tell what he saw as a larger tale. The book addresses important issues facing the black community in metaphor. Influenced by writers such as Maurice Sendak, who created worlds with their words as well as art, Azeem illustrated his book in stark but beautiful colors.

Th e re’s a Crazy Dog Under the Palac e!

B eco’s B ig Y ea r : A Ba by El epha nt Tu rns O n e

Inspired by an old legend the people tell in Palermo, Italy, author David Cuccia has spun a tale with roots in the mediterranean that stretch all the way to the capital city. Visiting a close cousin, Cuccia learned of a nursery rhyme about a crazy dog that lived under the palace in the city. The tidbit stuck with him, and upon returning home to the heart of it all, he wrote this story using his own dog, Jasmine, as a stand-in for the legendary canine. The late Rien Poortvliet illustrated this tale with beautiful artwork that brings the story to life.

This is a Columbus-focused book that takes the planet into consideration. Beco the Asian elephant was a big surprise to guests at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, as well as her keepers, and even her mom, Pheobe, when she was born right in front of their eyes, a little ahead of schedule. Author Linda Stanek documented the cutest first year at the zoo, and compiled the real-life anecdotes into a story, along with elephant facts, and information for both kids and adults on conservation in the wild.

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Big Game Little

W e asked a ha n d fu l o f pa r ents fo r th ei r pro-level ti ps o n h ow a fa m i ly g ets a w i n at lo ca l spo rti n g events:

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T h e F r e e H Fa m i ly â&#x20AC;˘ P h oto by M egan Lei gh B arnard 614columbus.com (614) FAMILY 2017

How Cary Whitt's family does Blue Jackets games: We are season ticket holders, and as parents we try and choose more weekend (non-school nights) to take my kids (Carter 10, Lyla 8 and Ruby 4) to CBJ games. Carter goes to most, as he is the oldest and shows the most interest in actually watching the games. We try and go early, park in one of the closer garages, arriving at the arena before the doors open (this is 6 p.m. on most game nights) Once the doors open he likes to go over to where the players come out and either watch warm-ups up on the glass or give the players high fives as they come out to the ice (you have to get there early to get a spot to do this). My kids seem to be puck magnets and always seem to gleem a puck from a player during this time. Blue Jacket players (and hockey players in general) are great in this regard. After that, the kids (again mostly Carter) like to play the floor hockey they have set-up in the concourse up to game time. We sometimes do this in between periods, but on crowded nights, that involves leaving a minute or two before the period ends in order to get a spot in line at the floor hockey rink.

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Carter and Lyla like donuts and a good treat in the arena is Tim Hortons—you can get a TimBits box for $2.50 or $3— and that usually takes care of their sweet teeth. As a parent without a purse, I usually shove fruit leather snacks in my pocket on my way out the door in case they want something else. We also get soft pretzels from time to time. We love watching the entire game. If the CBJ win (and it’s not a school night), we cruise over to the Fox Sports Ohio booth (near the cannon) and watch Bill and Brian do the postgame show. It’s a fun event and a chance to ham it up on TV for a few moments. Also they usually bring a player up to be interviewed and that player usual signs autographs and takes pictures for a few minutes. This is a great pro tip, because during this time, we’d be stuck in the garage traffic anyway, so this is an awesome alternative. On non-school nights, and the night when the team is not traveling to an away game, we sometimes wait at the player entrance for autographs. This happens about 30 minutes after game time (or 5/10 minutes after the post-game show’s player interview) Most of the players stop their cars and are glad to sign things and pose for pictures. You simply wait at the McConnell garage’s Northwest stairwell, across the street from the player gate. After that—it’s a quick hop home.

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How John Esterly's family does Ohio State games: As lifelong Ohioans, one of our favorite family outings each year is attending a football game at Ohio State. However, as parents of children on the autism spectrum (Natalie, 9) and with a peanut allergy (Alex, 7), we must take a bit more time planning to make sure everyone enjoys themselves. Game and seat choice are key. With younger children, we prefer earlier, non-conference games since they are less rowdy, and tickets are cheaper. We try to find seats that offer shade and a good view of the field. We are also aware of things like the number of stairs and proximity to

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bathrooms and food. Early games are great because people tend to leave early, opening better seats later in the gameâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; last year, Alex and I got to watch the fourth quarter from the third row. We plan out the day in advance. Park south of campus and walk, which helps relieve anxiety for the kids. We eat at home before the game, but have snacks and drinks throughoutâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;going to get a snack is a great distraction for a kid who might be getting antsy in their seat. We try to be aware of potential triggers for Natalie, and make sure to pack ear muffs to help with the noise level. As parents, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important for us to remember that games can last an eternity for kids. Leaving before the game is done is likely, but ensures that everyone has a memorable time.

How Sarah Maggied's family does Clippers games: My 8-year-old kiddo Jack and I have been attending Clippers games at Huntington Park since he could fit into a onesie. Over the years, we’ve figured out a pretty good routine for enjoying the game, Dime-A-Dog Night and all of the things Huntington Park has to offer for families. As every parent with young kids knows, expecting your kids to stay put in a folding plastic seat (sometimes in the direct sun) is a nearly impossible request. I can’t say enough about buying lawn “seats.” At just $5 a pop for kids and $7 for adults—it’s truly the best seat in the house. Bring a blanket, some favorite toys, grab a snack (and a beer

for yourself!) and watch your kids meet new friends, roll down the hill and maybe watch some baseball. If your kids are older, grab standing-room only tickets, stroll around the park and through the breezeway, and go check out the bouncy house or the pitching machine. Better yet, on a hot day, bring a change of clothes and let them run around in the fountain inside the field. We love taking the CBUS downtown, hopping off at Nationwide and walking down to the game. If you drive, the lot across the street is only $5 and is a short walk across the street from Huntington Park. One of the best parts of going to a Clippers game is how affordable the whole experience is. Don’t forget to pack your own favorite snacks too. Huntington is totally cool with that, which only makes the whole experience even better in my book. You seriously can’t beat the charming ushers, hilarious mascots and nostalgia for such a small price. We head home whenever we feel like it to beat the crowds but sometimes stick it out for the fireworks when the Clippers win.

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How Brandy Dougherty's family does Crew games: Since my husband Pat and I met seven years ago, the Crew has been a huge part of our lives together. So naturally when we found out we were having a baby, who else than Frankie Hejduk to announce it for us on Facebook? Our daughter (Scarlett, 2) attended her first game at two weeks old. Some people think we’re crazy, but the Heineken deck level makes it super easy for parents. There is a full bar (priorities*), warm or cool (depending on the season) bathrooms with changing tables, and plenty of space with an outside

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covered deck to keep little ones out of the elements. It’s great. You can take your stroller and chill without having to maneuver through the bleachers/seats and tons of people. And there’s a fantastic view of the pitch and the Nordecke. As a parent, you couldn’t really ask for it to be any easier (okay a nursing room might be nice, but c’mon, it’s awesome...). As she’s gotten older, we shoot for the early games to avoid bedtime meltdowns, but she’s so enthralled with the action, it’s usually not an issue. We tend to dip out early since she’s bushed from all the chanting and running amok. Traffic is not the best leaving the stadium, so this helps in the aforementioned meltdown scenario. We’re only hoping there will be more to this story. #savethecrew

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LITTLE ADVENTURE There’s a whole big world out there to explore, and it starts right here in Columbus. You don’t need to go out of town to have an adventure the whole family can enjoy.

Tier 1

Frankl i n Park Co nservato ry

Location: 1777 E Broad St. Does your little one love playing outside? Do you frequently question why your child comes in from playing caked in mud? If you answered yes to these questions, you need to take your nature lover to the Franklin Park Conservatory’s Little Adventures. In these 30-45 minute sessions, staff at the Conservatory read three- to five-year-olds a nature-related story coupled with a related activity to help them learn more about nature. This is a way to really let them get their hands dirty.

Web: fpconservatory.org

S kyZone

Location: 459 Orange Point Dr., Suite E After a trip to SkyZone Trampoline Park, you’ll realize quickly that your body isn’t as durable as it once was, but after recovering on the couch for a few hours (and hearing the rave reviews from your minis,) you’ll definitely want to go back. Whether you and your kids want to team up to dominate in dodgeball on trampolines, test out crazy flips and tricks by diving into the foam pit, or just want to bounce around; you will most certainly be featured on your kids’ Snapchat story that day as “the best parents in the world.”

Web: skyzone.com/columbus

L i b erty Horse Farm

Location: 2620 Fisher Rd. With all the hustle and bustle surrounding everyday life, accompanied with forever being attached to some form of technology, getting off the grid with your kid via horseback is a peaceful escape. While you and your kids learn the basics and safety precautions of horseback riding, you can leave the stress of your work life behind and enter in a rural Ohio oasis located within the city limits.

Web: libertyhorsefarm.com

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Tier 2

Grand Prix Karting

Location: 1300 Alum Creek Dr. If you’re trying to entertain your too-cool-for-you 16 year old son, or planning a day with your four year old, you will be the parent of the week after you take them to Grand Prix Karting. While you can show off your immense knowledge of driving and whip around your kart that goes upwards to 40 miles per hour with your older kids, you can rest easy knowing your youngest child is safe on their own track, in the Kiddie Kart that only goes up to 4 miles per hour.

Web: gpkcolumbus.com

Ace Archers

Location: 11785 Johnstown-Utica Rd. Bowhunting in Ohio is huge, but teaching your young ones how to let some arrows fly properly is a frustrating learning curve. Instead of eventually losing your patience, you should let the professionals at Ace Archers teach your kids a thing or two about shooting a bow and you can stand right by their side. Who knows, you might even learn something too! Are you and your kid already Olympic caliber archers? Join one of their tournaments and show the state who the best archer duo is!

Web: acearchery.org

Zi pZone

Location: 7925 North High St. Started by a Columbus couple, ZipZone Outdoor Aventures is a zipliners’ dream come true. Older kids can fly among the treetops for a canopy tour, and return to the base camp for a high-rise obstacle course. Kids as young as four can climb through, over, and under the obstacles near the ground, where Mom and Dad can walk alongside them. The handmade wooden course is set at intervals in the trees, ascending as the skill levels rise. The most adventurous kids and adults can eventually move up to the double black diamond. Don’t be salty if your kids make it there before you do.

Web: zipzonetours.com

Tier 3

V ert i cal Advent u res Trai n i ng C enter

Location: 6295 Busch Blvd. Remember those days when all you wanted to do was climb the tree in your front yard, but your parents would come and scold you about ruining your church shoes? Vertical Adventures Training Center is the chance for you to break the chain in the cycle! Your kids will start in the safety of the Monkey Room with professional climbing instructors to teach them the basics and you can enjoy watching them learn as they attempt to one day reach the top of the rock wall.

Web: verticaladventuresohio.com/vatc

The C h i ller

Location: Multiple locations58 You don’t have to be Apolo Ohno to have a good time ice skating! Whether you are prepping your kid to be the next big NHL winger, or helping your son before his first big date, being able to ice skate is a must during the winter months. Even if you both leave the rink with bruises all over your knees, you’ll have some funny stories and memories to reminisce over at the next family gathering.

Web: thechiller.com

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Explore Indoors There are plenty of ways for Columbus kids to have a blast, regardless of the weather. Help ‘em flex their creative muscles and work on those fine motor skills with these local classes cut from creative cloth.

CCA D’s Youth A rt Classes

Co lum b u s C hildren ’s T heatrE

Location: 60 Cleveland Ave.

Location: 512 Park St. Not only is it a joyous feeling seeing your child flourish on the stage, or in a theater, it’s a proud moment in the mom and dad history books knowing your child is being encouraged to adventure into their imagination and bring it to life. Whether your kid just entered into pre-school or is about to graduate high school in a few months, CCT can help sharpen their acting skills, their confidence, and their communication— all while being in a fun environment.

Web: ccad.edu/take-class

Web: columbuschildrenstheatre.org/cct-academy/

The Columbus College of Art and Design is not just a place for college students who have a passion for art, it’s a place for anyone who wants to create; including your young ones. Whether your kid has an eye for photography, a taste for fashion, or a hand at drawing, CCAD is here to help sharpen these skills for all ages.

BalletMet

Location: 322 Mount Vernon Ave. These courses are designed to help your child learn the fundamental basics of music and ballet, while also encouraging things like selfexpression. Courses range by age such as the Mini Movers class for three-year-olds on up through every age and skill level. And boys, while you might be a little reluctant to join a course, ballet is open to you, and proven to help improve balance and stability as well as core strength!

Web:balletmet.org/academy/17-18-classschedule/childrens-division

Sew To Speak

SEW TO SP EAK Ph otos by Rachel J oy B a r ehl

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Location: 752 N High St. Sewing is becoming more and more of a lost art in today’s age. Instead of taking the time to tend to rips or tears in pants, we typically just toss them in the garbage and buy a new pair. Not anymore! After a few of the kids sewing lessons with Sew To Speak, your kid can not only fix their dads’ ripped work jeans, but also put together a beautiful quilt to keep you warm during the winter months. Web: sewtospeakshoppe.com

Yo u ng Chefs Aca demy

Location: 425 Beecher Rd. If you notice your child spends much of their free time in the kitchen trying to help make dinner or raptly watching the Food Network, you should seriously consider this weekly class. Kids are taught recipes and techniques, such as how to properly use a knife. After each class, your kid is sent home with new recipes so guess who gets to try out new entrees, snacks, and desserts at home? You!

Web: gahannaoh.youngchefsacademy.com

Bareclay

Location: 734 E Lincoln St. Working on a pottery wheel is just good old fashioned fun no matter how old or young you are. You get to see your work of art literally come together as you shape it and guide it with your hands throughout the process, plus you go home with a new decoration for the house with more sentimental value than that rug you just spent $300 on. These classes are offered for ages 10 and up or 7 and under with adult supervision.

Web: bareclay.com

C lay Cafe

Location: Multiple locations There’s something so satisfying about getting your hands dirty by sinking them into a huge block of clay while you attempt to shape it into a decorative design; just as long as you don’t have to clean up afterwards. Instead of finding clumps of Play Doh hiding in the carpet weeks later, take a trip to the Clay Cafe with your kid for all the fun without any of the headaches! But just like Play Doh, don’t let them eat their creations.

Web: claycafecolumbus.com/kids

YOUN G C HEF s ac a d e m y P h otos by M e g a n L e i g h B a r n a r d

W h o lly C raft

Location: 3515 N High St. If you are struggling to plan a birthday party for your artfully gifted child, look no further. Wholly Craft offers specialized sessions for kids where they can either do one of the crafts offered in store or completely customize your experience to fit the theme of your party! The room fits eight to 10 people so you are sure to be a favorite amongst your kid and their friends.

Web: whollycraft.com/collections/workshops 614columbus.com (614) FAMILY 2017

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FROM THE PENS OF BABES Kids can now color their own Columbus thanks to charity book By J o han na Vi ss ma n

ttention Parents: Here is your opportunity to open your child’s imagination and raise money for hundreds of others around Columbus. These are selections from the second annual coloring book from Creative Babes, a communitycentric group of women fostering authenticity and artistic growth in Columbus, founded by Hilary Buchanan and Megan Leigh Barnard. This year, they’re tapping into our wild side with 30 different women, nifty facts, and imaginative activities from Columbus’ leading creative ladies. The esteemed Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, in conjunction with Sam’s Fans, a nonprofit organization that raises money for art and music therapy, have joined forces with Creative Babes in composing The Coloring Book Project where for every book sold, a bundle including a coloring book, tote, crayons, and tape is gifted to a kiddo in need. (614) Family wanted to give you a little taste here, but in order to unlock the rest of that wild world and put money in the hands of Sam’s Fans, you can purchase the WILDLIFE Coloring Book, and its 56 fun-filled pages for only $10. Donations are received by Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Community Refugee and Immigration Services.

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