December 2019 by 614mediagroup

BIG PICTURE Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the most wonderful time of the year! Flip to page 110 to learn more about the Lucy Depp Park Light Show. PHOTO BY BRIAN KAISER

CONTENTS COV E R STO RY

73 31

THE DECADE IN REVIEW 73

GALLERY SPACE: DANIELLE DELEY 31 THE TALL TALE OF THE AMAZING GIANTS 42 GEMUT BIERGARTEN GROWS ROOTS 56 MERRY RUTH CHRIS-MAS 56 WHAT’S ON TAP AT TAFT’S 64

MAKEUP GETS A NONTOXIC MAKEOVER 100 CO-WORKING SPACES AND YOU 104 LIGHTING THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT 111

104

ON THE COVER:

Illustration by Sarah Moore.

O P E N I N G VO L L E Y

ello Columbus. I am absolutely thrilled to be writing to you as the new Editor in Chief of (614). I’m not exactly new to these pages—my byline has popped up pretty regularly here since April 2018—but the leap from full-time mom and freelancer to full-time writer and editor has been a huge and amazing one. I’m so happy to be here. And what a time to arrive! My first issue as Editor in Chief has focused on looking back at Columbus over the past decade. That doesn’t mean that our final issue of the 2010s is backwardlooking, though, it’s in fact quite the opposite. The last ten years in Columbus have been, for the most part, a story of progress and growth; a tale of a city turning assumptions that it was another dot in “flyover country” on their heads (including by organizing the cheekily-named Flyover Fest). The decade we’re wrapping up put Columbus on an exciting trajectory, and as we assembled some of the highlights for this issue of (614), there was a feeling in the air that the city is just getting started. I spent the better part of the last decade living in New York City, but I’ll be honest with you, Columbus, I had my eye on you the whole time. Reading about my hometown in national newspapers, watching us get recognized for everything from our craft beers and irresistible ice-creams, to our artists and designers, to our picturesque revitalized downtown powered by emerging technology (hello Smart Columbus!), I couldn’t help but feel that I was missing something. When, this past January, the New York Times put Columbus on its 52 Places to visit in 2019 list, I shared the article with my friends across the country with a bit of an I told you so attitude in my post. Of course, with so much change happening so quickly, there’s bound to be some conflict. As a writer for (614), I’ve heard tough questions being raised about issues like gentrification, inclusion, and inequality, sparking thoughtful conversations about how this city can continue to grow intentionally in a way that benefits all of its residents. These conversations have led to concrete actions— transportation improvements, including the launch of the CMAX bus line—come to mind. And groups

(614) MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER Wayne T. Lewis EDITOR IN CHIEF Linda Lee Baird ASSISTANT EDITOR Mitch Hooper CREATIVE DIRECTOR Alex Avery

PHOTO EDITOR Brian Kaiser CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Rebecca Tien, Zane Osler, Olivia James, Diamoni Davis-Ferguson Kyle Asperger 614NOW EDITOR Regina Fox

P H OTO BY B R I A N KA I S E R

like the Columbus-based nonpartisan Matriots, a political action committee that seeks to elect more women to office, formed during the past decade to bring underrepresented voices into these important conversations. Building on these foundations will be important for our city as we move into the 2020s. This issue of (614) focuses on some of the people, places, and moments that made news in Columbus since 2010. While we could never hope to capture all of them (though there’s a large archive of (614) magazines that could help you do that), we did our very best to pull out the moments that sparks went off in the city, noting the events that marked a distinct shift in our lives here. There’s also, of course, the stories that are taking place right now. In this issue, you’ll get an inside look at fashion in Columbus, learn where you can book stilt walkers for your next party, and find out how Dublinbased Wendy’s is changing the fast food game with an actual game called Feast of Legends. We’ve got recommendations on where to shop for holiday gifts and suggestions for places to grab a meal or get a drink during this frantic season. Whether you’re looking for steak or vegan Ethiopian food, the latest brewpourium or a fizzy tea, we’ve got you covered. And if you’re seeking a new place to see holiday lights, some

DECEMBER 2019 614NOW.COM

neighbors in Powell’s Lucy Depp Park neighborhood have a show planned that’s guaranteed to entertain viewers of all ages, giving you a few minutes to sit back during this busy time and soak it all in. Writing these words a few days before Thanksgiving, I’m well aware of the rush that comes with this season every year. There’s the literal rush we find ourselves in with shopping and events and hosting. There’s the internal rush of joy that comes from seeing friends and family we rarely connect with. And then there’s a rush of a different kind that comes from those rare, quiet moments, when we allow ourselves to take a deep breath and experience awe and wonder at the season: the lights, the food, the snow (fingers crossed). I’m thankful for my new colleagues, who have been more welcoming than I could have ever hoped for, my family for supporting me during this transition and taking the ensuing changes to their own lives in stride, and for all of you, readers. I’m looking forward to experiencing Columbus with you during the next decade. I hope you’ll tell me everything you’re up to. Cheers,

Linda Baird

STAFF WRITER Mike Thomas

SENIOR CONTRIBUTORS J.R. McMillan, Jeni Ruisch , Jaelani Turner-Williams

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John McLaughlin, David Lewis, Melinda Green, Kerry Francis

COPY EDITOR Dan Sponseller

LEAD DESIGNER Sarah Moore CREATIVE DESIGNERS Justin Remotap, Imana Onipe, Hugo “Huggs” Albornoz ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Meggin Weimerskirch SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Derek Landers ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Nikki Harris, Adam Swing, Mindy Wilhite DIGITAL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Lori Brittanham EVENTS & SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Taylor Staus VIDEO PRODUCER John Thorne OPERATIONS MANAGER Megan Sheedy VP OF SALES AND MARKETING Lindsay Press (614) Magazine 458 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43215 Office: (614) 488-4400 | Fax: (614) 488-4402 Email submissions to: editor@614columbus.com www.614now.com

( INSIDE the PARENTHESES ) BY MI TC H H O O P E R

Cutest Little Monster In Columbus Presented ByEMBAAA EMBAAA

Thanks to a little help from our friends at Kemba Financial and an outpouring of adorable monsters, we’ve finally crowned the cutest champion in Columbus. Or should we say, the cutest champions? Congrats to Amie Marburger and her two kids, Theodore and Opal, for rocking her well-crafted costumes and bringing home the victory. Now get off their lawn, you dang meddling kids!

What was your costume? My son, Theodore, was a little old man and my daughter, Opal, was a little old lady. How did you come up with this idea? My son has always looked like a little old man so I’ve always wanted him to be one for Halloween but wanted to wait until both kids were old enough to walk around and trick or treat. Lots of little old people on Pinterest! How did you make the costumes? My husband made my son’s walker by cutting PVC pipe, putting it together and spray painting it. I made my daughter’s wig by gluing white puff balls onto a white beanie hat. Everything else we already had/borrowed/bought. My daughter carried a little purse I used in middle school. What reactions did you get while trick-or-treating? Everyone loved their costumes trick-or-treating! My son was very in character slowly making his way down the sidewalk with his walker and my daughter would turn around with her little purse and yell at him to hurry up. It was so funny to see! Have you decided what you’ll be for Halloween next year? My son has gotten really into Harry Potter recently so we might do family Harry Potter costumes.

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ICYMI Are you following 614now? It’s our online publication dedicated to being the users’ guide to Columbus. Here are the top stories from last month, and you can find these and more at 614now.com.

(1): Kroger makes exciting holiday announcement. The holidays can get expensive, but

Kroger is looking out for yoaur wallet this season. Kroger is offering customers free grocery pickup (generally a $4.95 fee) now through January 1.

(2): Polaris announces 2 new fashion concepts.

Polaris Fashion Place is pleased to welcome two new tenants to its diverse mix of fashion options: abercrombie kids and Rose & Remington.

614Now’s Quality Control Street Team

Every month, we post tons of content on 614now.com. And with the high volume of posts we do, our audience of dedicated readers are never ones to shy away from voicing up in our comment section. We see you, comment section warriors, and we applaud your efforts. Here’s our favorite exchange from last month.

Update: Bexley single-use plastics ban far from in the bag Our Favorite Comment

Joy Muncy King: Only Ohio would ban something that is so sensible. Shane Coy: Sensible?? Our world and oceans are single-handedly being destroyed by single-use plastic. Even the fish you eat has a high chance of containing microplastics from all the pollution. If you think this isn’t a sensible move for the future of this planet and our survival.. then enjoy eating your microplastics I guess. Sad to see that a lot of people can’t see the bigger picture that their everyday actions are impacting. Joy Muncy King: Shane...you are confused...I’m all about banning the stupid plastic bags(?). The article states that the state of Ohio is blocking the ban at the state level. The problem here is y’all so quick to argue & we are on the same side christ...READ. While the state seems to be split on whether or not to ban single-use plastic bags, Joy King and Shane Coy are in agreement that they should be banned. But in true internet fashion, what could’ve been a conversation between likeminded individuals wound up two people shouting in agreement. Alas, Joy King said it best: read the damn article before you go off in the comment section.

WELCOME TO THE INSIDER! Have an event you want to shout-out? Send an email to events@614columbus.com.

01.

12.1.19 - 1.5.20

WILDLIGHTS // The Columbus Zoo And Aquarium It’s back, Columbus! Whether you’re looking for a night out with your little one, or date night with your significant other, Wildlights is one of the most scenic ways to enjoy the Columbus Zoo. Browse your way through the holiday light set ups, say hello to all the animals, and keep your hot cocoa close by.

06.

TOM SEGURA: TAKE IT DOWN TOUR // The Palace Theater Tom Segura, comedian, actor, writer, and podcaster, is hitting the road on a 100 city tour and he’s bringing his talents to Columbus in early December. The Cincinnati native rose to fame through his hilarious Netflix specials, appearances on popular podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience, and roasting fellow comedian and friend Bert Kreischer any chance he can get.

WINTER WONDER JAM // Ohio Expo Center and State Fair Columbus will be just a little bit country to kick off December as Brantley Gilbert and Dylan Scott perform at the Ohio Expo Center for Winter Wonder Jam. This Friday concert starts at 4:30 p.m., making it the perfect excuse to get out of work early and start your weekend.

11.

DAVE KOZ AND FRIENDS CHRISTMAS TOUR // The Palace Theater Switch up your regularly scheduled holiday music routine for some smooth jazz courtesy of Dave Koz and his sax. This Grammy-nominated musician is on his 22nd round of Christmas tours, further proving his status as one of the greats in his genre.

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07.

THE LAST PODCAST ON THE LEFT

WINTERFEST

// Davidson Theater

The fest season never stops in the city. WinterFest is ready to take on the new season full steam with a lineup of local and national music acts as well as seasonal brews from local brewers. If Christmas ales aren’t your speed, Middle West Spirits will be setting up shop with a hot bourbon chai cider. Additionally, a lineup of food trucks such as Paddy Wagon and Tortilla Street Food will be serving meals to anyone braving the weather.

Don’t judge a podcast by its title. While The Last Podcast On The Left may allude to a political podcast, it’s actually a group of guys with an affinity for all things horrifying. From werewolves to serial killers and war crimes, this podcast finds lighthearted humor in the darker side of life. Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, and Henry Zebrowski will be taking the stage for a live recording at the Davidson Theater.

// Bicentennial Park Scioto Mile

08.

VILLAGE LIGHTS 2019 // German Village Society Clark Griswald has nothing on the German Village Lights! Stop out on Sunday to take in the sights and sounds of the historic neighborhood and shop your way through the vendors open for business.

13. 12.13.19 - 12.15.19

FESTIVUS

IT’S A MAD WORLD AFTER ALL

// 400 West Rich

// The Vanderelli Room

With so many grievances to air, they had to expand it for three days! However, while Seinfeld has popularized Festivus, 400 West Rich is using this time to celebrate crafts, music, and local art. So, while we’d love to hear you complain about your loved ones, save it for the dinner table. In the meantime, support local!

While Mad is no longer publishing its magazine, that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate and remember its 50+ years of impact on our culture. The magazine poked fun at politics, pushed the envelope, and sometimes kept us sane simply by making us laugh. This event will be doing just what the magazine was loved for, and Robert Raymond Holmes Jr. will be providing musical entertainment. 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

14. 8TH ANNUAL SANTA SPEEDO DASH FOR DIABETES // Genoa Park If you see a group of half-naked men running around near Genoa Park, there’s no need to call the police. It’s just the 8th annual Santa Speedo Dash for Diabetes. And we just want to applaud those who are bold enough to dress so lightly in the middle of December, especially for a good cause. On the other hand, if you see a half-naked man running around elsewhere, get him some help.

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14.

LAND-GRANT HOLIDAY ENCHANTMENT 2019 // Land-Grant Brewing Co. And just following the Speedo Dash, Land-Grant will be hosting the after party. Both Whirlybirds and Starlit Ways will be performing; Santa Claus and Captain Beard Crumbs will be in attendance; and Ray Ray’s Hog Pit as well as Fetty’s Street Food will be serving food. Toss on your best ugly sweater and perhaps you’ll be crowned one of the victors of the ugly sweater contest.

15.

WARRIOR RUSH: WINTER SOLDIER // Black Diamond Obstacle Course With more than 20 obstacles, a course longer than three miles, and time working against you, the Warrior Rush at Black Diamond is a test for the physically fit. There are three different divisions of competition depending on your strength: an open recreational lap for fun, a warrior extreme division with unlimited laps for three hours, and the elite level where completion is mandatory with only two laps to try.

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DAMON WILLIAMS // The Funny Bone Comedy Club Damon Williams is no newcomer to the comedy game. Since 1994, he’s been featured on shows with Cedric the Entertainer and hosted episodes of Showtime at the Apollo numerous times. Catch the comedian on stage at the Funny Bone as he’ll be here for three nights.

19.

THE WINTER BLOCK PARTY STARRING MEGAN THEE STALLION // EXPRESS LIVE! Riding off the heels of the success of her single “Hot Girl Summer,” Megan Thee Stallion will be headlining the Winter Block Party at Newport Music Hall. Her rise to fame has brought her on songs with big name artists such as Gucci Mane and she’s even had up-and-coming artists such as DaBaby feature on her tracks.

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16.

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS VS. WASHINGTON CAPITALS // Nationwide Arena Stop out at Nationwide Arena as the Jackets take on Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals in the middle of December. With the Capitals battling near the top of the Metropolitan Division and the Jackets right in the middle of the pack, this should be a heated showdown on the ice.

MEGAN THEE STALLION

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26.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA // Nationwide Arena Is it really the holiday season without some TSO? The group returns to the city for another year of epic Christmas music and incredible visuals. Get your tickets quick because they are sure to sell out fast just like last year!

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HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS // The Schottenstein Center Are the Harlem Globetrotters basketball players, or basketball magicians? The answer is yes. These superstars will be taking the court at the Schottenstein just a few days before the new year and putting on a show.

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CHAOS NYE 2020: A GREAT GATSBY-THEMED CELEBRATION // Flannagan’s Dublin It’s the end of the decade! Head over to Flannagan’s Dublin for a Great Gatsbythemed New Years Eve party. Toss on your best ‘20s costume (1920s, not 2020) and ring in the new decade with some sophistication and class. Oh, and loads of booze. Cheers!

jan 01.

OHIOHEALTH FIRST ON FIRST 5K // Clements Recreation Center Good morning and welcome to the new year! We hope you didn’t consume too much alcohol last night because the OhioHealth 5K is looking for eager runners. Lace up your shoes extra tight, drink a Gatorade or two, and run that hangover right off.

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Gallery Space

Danielle Deley BY JA ELANI T UR N ER -W I L L I A M S P HOTOS BY BR I A N KA I SER

In the ‘60s, the clash of mass culture and fine art exploded. Led by New York-based artist Andy Warhol, whose silkscreen paintings of Campbell’s Soup Cans and Marilyn Monroe were instantly iconicized, the vibrant basis of his works became known as pop art. While Warhol was one of the founding pop art leaders, the lesser-recognized Roy Lichtenstein was a Fine Arts graduate from The Ohio State University in 1949 and was notable for his comic-like expressionism. Subtly following Lichtenstein’s influential trajectory is visual artist Danielle Deley, who’s currently prepping for her Skylab show Jubilee. Her use of color is rich in tone, and her subjects are easily recognizable, with cultural nods to Frank Ocean, Barbara Streisand and the late David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust. “I want Jubilee to feel like you’re walking back into the height of the pop art era. I might have a more muted color palette than Lichtenstein, but I want it to make a comment about traditional fine art,” Deley said. “Each of the 2D pieces are based off of very popular

sculptures in Greek and Renaissance art. Each 3D piece is taken from paintings from that same time period.” Originally from Youngstown, Deley graduated from CCAD in 2011 with a BFA in graphic design and advertising. Spending a semester in England while she attended CCAD, Deley regularly kept in contact with her grade school art teachers, who provided encouragement and foundational skills. Their guidance led her into becoming co-president of the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts, and even illustrating Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on a cover of Chicago Reader in April. Through Deley’s intricate, pastel design, Lightfoot is recreated into a queen of spades form. “Sue Kwong, the creative lead for the Chicago Reader, reached out, had this awesome cover idea and wanted me to bring her vision to life,” Deley said about the collaboration. “She found me on this forum called Women Who Draw, something I submitted to six years ago. They make a space for female •

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artists and illustrators to find other female artists and illustrators. [Illustrating the cover] probably took eight hours. It was my first cover illustration for a big publication so I wanted to get it right.” Often visiting Gateway Film Center to see how films are composed, Deley actively studies the meticulous craft of cinematography, along with going to intimate gallery spaces to align with the art community. After graduating from CCAD, Deley would only create on her computer, but decided to transition her work into watercoloring. “[Watercoloring] then moved into gouache, wood carving, and finally painting with acrylics. My style started to take shape just from doing these small projects that popped into my head,” she said. “My first one was The Young and the Restless illustration that I have on my website and I just couldn’t stop. The style stayed the same but I would push myself with composition, size, and color.” Currently contracting as a designer at independent digital design Studio Freight, Deley also co-created the “mind reading” board game Medium, which Two Dollar Radio attendees had the chance to celebrate and play after its release. In August, Delay also illustrated children’s (and dog lovers) book Good Night, Buckeye with author Dan Wurth, with all proceeds from the book benefitting Canine Companions for Independence. With Deley’s hectic creative schedule, Jubilee could have become an afterthought, but she assures (614) that the show’s creation was intentional, with retrospective, familial ties. •

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“ Jubilee came from the idea of celebrating. “

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“I came up [with] the name [of Jubilee] for two reasons. One, Jubilee came from the idea of celebrating. I thought it was time to celebrate this style I’ve been creating,” she said. “And two, it’s an homage to my grandparents. My Baba would always make this rich and delicious cookies called ‘jubilees’. They were always doing a craft with me or when I would come visit they were creating something.” With appreciation for local art venues such as 934 Gallery, No Place Gallery and Roy G Biv, Deley avidly wanted for Jubilee to be placed in Skylab, ready to share her “post-pop art” genre with Columbus. “Skylab was the perfect space to propose this show. Its view of art has always been contemporary and experimental, and that’s how I view everything I make,” she said. “Contemporary art for me is about making things weird and beautiful at the same time and that’s how I hope people perceive Jubilee. •

Jubilee opens Jan. 1, 2020 at Skylab Gallery, located at 57 E Gay St., 5th floor. Visit danielledeley.com or @danielle_deley on Instagram for more information. 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

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HUNGER GAMES Wendyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tabletop RPG is a fast-food fantasy feat BY M I K E TH O M AS P HOTOS BY B R I A N KA I S E R

614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

istracted by the raucous sounds of the festival beyond the garden walls, you almost don’t notice the shrouded figure emerging from behind the old statue. You and your companions turn to leave, but hesitate when the mysterious man calls out to each of you by name. When pressed, the stranger warns of a malevolent force known as “Hunger,” which is gathering its power somewhere deep in the nearby forest. He knows you and your stalwart party of adventurers will do what must be done... If you’ve spent any time with Dungeons & Dragons or its various progeny, you can probably guess where this is going. A journey into the enchanted forest, traps, treasures, attribute checks and plenty of scribbled notes on pieces of scratch paper. But even if you’re an old hand at the tabletop stuff, odds are your campaign never included golden chicken nuggets and sentient cheeseburgers. Dublin-based fast food chain Wendy’s has never shied away from the improbable. When nearly all of burgerdom had settled on circular patties, Wendy’s went square. Competitors hocking frozen meat? Wendy’s tackled logistical challenges to serve “fresh, never frozen” burgers. Even in the new frontier of social media, the brand was an early standout in the trend of corporate-tied accounts adopting sassy, comical voices. The trick with innovation is that it’s hard to stay ahead of the curve. With a Twitter war raging between two Southern-style chicken sandwiches, or Colonel Sanders launching a finger lickin’ good dating app, a witty online presence can only take you so far. In the increasingly polarizing and absurd meta-conversation surrounding fast food online, how’s a brand to stay above the fray? If you’re Wendy’s, you swing for a critical hit by launching a comically overwrought, burger-themed D&D-style table-top game. At first blush, the rulebook for “Feast of Legends: Rise From the Deep Freeze” seems like nothing more than a marketing campaign disguised as an absurd extended joke. Upon cracking into the 91-page tome, (made available by Wendy’s as a free downloadable PDF) would-be adventurers will discover that this game actually packs some beef. If that last pun caused you to cringe, this is probably not the game for you. The adventure depicted here takes place in “the realm of Beef’s Keep,” located in the kingdom of Freshtovia. Ruled over by the good queen Wendy, Freshtovia is locked in an eternal struggle against the wickedness of the United Clown Nations and its Jester king (a thinly-veiled allusion to Ronald McDonald). In spite of never letting the user forget the Wendy’s angle, the Feast of Legends rulebook is every bit as thoughtful and detailed as many traditional, non-burger-based RPGs. Before tackling the main adventure, the reader can peruse around 25 pages explaining everything from gameplay mechanics to character creation and the various “orders”— think classes in D&D—that a player can elect to join. OK, so maybe the weapons sheet includes sporks and spatulas for your warrior from the esteemed “Order of the Chicken Sandwich” to wield—the fact remains that this RPG seems like it might have some real potential for fun (in addition to the fun of mocking its very existence, that is). Eager to put this theory to the test, an enterprising group of (614) staff set out on a quest to explore the realm of Freshtovia. Our goal? To put the playability of this 38

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How’s a brand to stay above the fray? If you’re Wendy’s, you swing for a critical hit by launching a comically overwrought, burger-themed D&D-style table-top game. bizarre game to the test, and to perhaps uncover why, if for any reason, Wendy’s made the damn thing in the first place. From the beginning, some members of the party were less than enthused at the prospect of playing a tabletop RPG, let alone one with references to Frostys and spicy nugs jammed in at every turn. By the time the group was confronted with its first puzzle—a riddle scrawled on a statue of the late Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas—all trepidation had subsided. Marketing ploy or not, the players were consumed by the game world. Playing through an early level of mazes, the absurdity of the French Fry Forest or stumbling upon a golden baked potato was all but moot. By the time the party encountered the game’s first boss—a dreaded monster called “Hunger,” the supplied character sheets had all been personalized with care, complete with detailed portraiture of each player’s given character. The buy-in was complete. We were actually invested in an imaginary land populated by Wendy’s foodstuffs. Without question, the minds at Wendy’s marketing department had crafted a game that could hook players and keep them hungry for more. The only nagging question that remained was, why? The intricate rulebook and campaign, complete with countless maps and professional illustrations, was surely the work of hundreds of hours of effort. Would anyone really go to such lengths for a joke with no punchline? Is Wendy’s really that desperate to target the tabletop gaming crowd? One possible answer comes via the rulebook’s explanation of “buffs” and “debuffs,” or powerups and hindrances that will affect characters during gameplay. According to the rules, eating Wendy’s products in real life will yield various advantages to your in-game character (+1 strength for any cheeseburger item) while consuming competitor’s food produces an undesirable effect. Whether produced to sell burgers-as-powerups to a select group of fast food and RPG-obsessed basement dwellers, or simply existing as one of the biggest viral marketing flexes of all time, Feast of Legends provides a surprisingly immersive and enjoyable play experience. Will it bring gamers to Wendy’s in droves? Probably not. But if our office’s experience with the game is any indication, it might be enough to hook unlikely RPG players on the tabletop experience—one enchanted burger at a time. •

To embark on your own adventure, download the Feast of Legends rulebook at FeastOfLegends.com. 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

2019

H O L I DAY G i f tG U I D E

2019

COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART

THE TOP STEAKHOUSE

480 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 614-221-6801 www.columbusmuseum.org

2891 E. Main St., Columbus, OH 614-231-8238 www.thetopsteakhouse.com

Make someone's holiday merry with design classics from Marimekko at the Museum Store. All of our products are carefully chosen to capture the essence of creativity and excellent design -- handmade locally or well-made from around the world.

Give the gift of more. From Nov. 18 - Dec. 31, 2019, earn a $20 bonus card when you buy $100 in gift certificates to The Top Steakhouse! And during our Cyber Monday sale on Dec. 2, buy $100 in gift certificates and earn $25!

Household and personal items pictured here are priced from $19.95 to $115.00.

est. 1876

D&W ELEMENTS

NORTH MARKET

www.dandwelements.com D&W Elements is a Columbus-based company dedicated to the celebration of local pride. Our products combine modern design with vintage inspiration. Looking for a gift for the Ohio lover in your life? Make it easy with the Ohio gift box: 8"x10" poster, coasters, 3 stickers, & a t-shirt. Check out our website to find more local love for your city, in Ohio, or where you call home. Get an additional 10% off with code: 614GIFTS

59 Spruce St., Columbus, OH 614-463-9664 www.northmarket.com Visit your North Market this holiday season. Shop for unique gifts and pick up the freshest selection of best-in-class ingredients for your holiday meal - all under one roof. Purchase $50 in Gift Certificates and receive a free North Market Cookbook while supplies last. This season support local, fresh, and authentic independent businesses at your North Market.

H spi On th

2019

THE BOAT HOUSE AT CONFLUENCE PARK

HEN QUARTER 6628 Riverside Dr., Dublin, OH 614-905-1666 www.henquarterdublin.com This holiday season if you are planning to host an intimate dinner or full buyout, Hen Quarter can accommodate groups from 12 to 200 in distinct spaces throughout the restaurant. Events can be customized to perfectly meet your group’s needs from a decadent four-course meal - to a reception-style event with tray-passed hors d'oeuvres & hot & cold food stations - to mixologist-led bourbon tastings and pairings. Wines can also be paired by our sommelier to your tasting menu for a more upscale and unique experience. Our events team will ensure you and your guests leave with an unforgettable Sophisticated Southern Culinary experience.

For inquiries, email us at privateevents@ henquarterdublin.com or call 614-905-1666.

Holiday goodies & spirts while you shop! On the spot gift wrapping December 22nd, 23rd & 24th

2019

H O L I DAY G i f tG U I D E

679 W. Spring St., Columbus, OH 614-469-0000 www.boathouserestaurantoh.com Columbus’ premier venue for your most special events. With panoramic views of the downtown Columbus skyline and the confluence of the Olentangy and Scioto rivers there’s simply no other location like it. Social Events, Corporate Functions, Weddings and More!

THE OPTICAL. CO

KILWIN'S

870 N. High St., Columbus, OH 614-477-9229 www.theoptical.co

Short North, 662 N. High St., Columbus, OH, 614-456-7696 Dublin, 4549 Bridge Park Ave., 614-389-0575 www.kilwins.com

Give the Gift of Style this holiday season with new eyewear and accessories from The Optical. Co. Located in the Short North, The Optical. Co offers a curated selection of handcrafted glasses & sunglasses from some of the best designers in the world. Vintage eyeglass cases & pouches make excellent stocking stuffers! Shop in-store and online! Voted ‘America’s Finest Optical’

Izipizi Sunglasses: $65

Grab and go sweets and treats. Get your holiday gift baskets at Kilwins. Located in Dublin and Short North. Hand-crafted Chocolates Made-In-Store Fudge "The Perfect" Caramel Apple Popcorns & Brittles Chocolate-Dipped Treats Original Recipe Ice Cream Shakes, Sundaes & Sorbettos

The Optical. Co Sunglasses: $199

Gift Cards Available.

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THINKING BIG

The Amazing Giants bring circus arts to events across town.

BY ME L I SSA B R A I TH WA I TE P H OTOS BY B R I A N KA I S E R

f you have been to a local festival, parade, or corporate event where you’ve seen stilt walkers, fire-eaters, hulahoopers or lyra artists, there’s a good chance you’ve been in the presence of an Amazing Giant. Founded in 2011 by Jessica Minshall, The Amazing Giants was born out of one woman’s love of stilt walking and her friends’ desire to learn the skill. Now a new challenge is looming for the group—a business expansion to Hawaii. Working in the service industry, Minshall saw a need in Columbus for a different type of entertainment. She taught herself how to walk on stilts for a festival gig out of state. This new hobby intrigued a group of her friends, and they decided to learn, too. From there, The Amazing Giants were born. “My partner and I bought a lot of stilts and just taught people how to do it,” she said. “We all found each other.” What began as a few friends learning a new skill and having fun together practicing it evolved into a booming business with 40 employees and contract workers, including magicians, face painters and more. They are hired for events to do everything from wearing full bodysuits covered in tiny mirrors and dancing to wearing and serving champagne from large metal skirts to dazzle a crowd. “We have evolved with different equipment, too,” Minshall said. The Amazing Giants owns the only sway pole in the Midwest. It allows performers to create a largescale spectacle with an extreme cirque-style pole acrobatic act without the need for a permanent installation. With hundreds of costumes, 20 pairs of stilts, and entertainment offerings of just about every circus art imaginable, The Amazing Giants truly seek to astound. •

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Having had great success in the Columbus market, Minshall decided to grow her business, and recently brought The Amazing Giants to Honolulu. “I had family out here that I would visit and realized they don’t have anyone doing what we do. There’s not really a group or team of stilt walkers working together,” she said. So Minshall bought six pairs of stilts, and hosts open gyms where interested performers can show off their skills and possibly train on stilts. “They don’t need to send me a resume, necessarily,” she said. “It’s about personality and talent.” Importantly, Amazing Giants must have an abundance of confidence without an overabundance of ego. “I tell people we have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. As an entertainer you have to get over your shyness and put yourself out there.” The ability to work as a collaborative team player is also key, she said. “Our team often works in tight quarters, and whether or not it is well-received, you have to put on the show as best you can.” Although Minshall is keeping the headquarters in Columbus, now headed by Chief of Operations Olivia Ranier, she says she is excited about the expansion and her recent move to Honolulu. “It reminds me a lot of Columbus because it has that small-town, big-city feel with a similar (metropolitan area) population of around one million people,” Minshall said. And the environment is ripe for her type of business. “In Honolulu, we have events year-round; in Columbus our business slows down after New Year’s Eve,” she said. “There is also a lot more tourism and a convention center that brings in a ton of people.” Although her business has expanded, don’t for a second go thinking that Minshall is going to forget where she comes from. “A lot of times people ask me where I am from and they say, ‘Wow, I’ve been hearing a lot about Ohio lately.’ I have nothing but good things to say about Columbus and what kind of platform it’s given me. It’s a massive city with a thriving arts and entertainment culture—and it’s extremely underrated. I will be Columbus-promoting forever.” • 44

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For mor information visit theamazinggiants.com. 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

BY MITCH HOOP ER P HOTOS BY OL I V I A K . JA M ES MODELS: TAYLOR D ELOSSA N TOS A N D LEE RAVER WA RDROBE BY M AT T EY SP I C ER HAIR AND M A K EUP BY J ' HA N N A AP P LEBY, L ELUX E BEAUT Y CON C I ER G E

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Metals local vintage with new flair

By combining what they could find at local vintage stores with threads from trendy clothing shops, Olivia K. James and her team of talented models, makeup artists, and stylists showcase modern fashion designs featuring silver, gold, and rose gold.

• LEE Top: Madison USA White Bottoms: Smartypants Vintage White Jacket: Smartypants Vintage

Taylor

God is Coming T-shirt: Hippie Sex Rose Leather Jacket: Smartypants Vintage White Leather Pants: Ladybird Shoes: Ladybird

• LEE Vintage Dress Shirt: Tact Luxe Green Dickies Construct Bottoms: Madison USA Taylor Sweater: Ariel Rapier [designer], Columbus College of Art and Design Black Jeans: Ladybird Shoes: Ladybird

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â&#x20AC;¢ LEE Yellow Fringe Jacket: Smartypants Vintage Yellow Madison T-shirt: Madison USA Black Denim: Artisan de Luxe Taylor Yellow Jacket: Smartypants Vintage Tupac T-shirt: Chain Studios Black Denim: Ladybird

â&#x20AC;¢ LEE Top: Madison USA

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The

of Fashion

A CONVERSATION ON 2020 TRENDS W/ DESIGNER JOAN MADISON BY R E GINA FOX

ver since she was a little girl, Joan Madison has had an affinity for fashion. From making custom-fitting Barbie doll outfits when she was in elementary school, to developing her natural talent at the acclaimed Fashion Institute of Technology, to landing designer positions at The Limited and Express, to eventually opening her own bridal boutique in Reynoldsburg, Madison has amassed over 20 years experience in the fashion industry. Madison shared some of her insights with (614) to help those holiday shoppers looking to cross gifts for the fashionista in their life off their list.

(614): If you're having trouble identifying your friend's unique style or items that would fit into that style, what are some staple pieces that everyone can love and use? JM: Some staple pieces that everyone loves and uses are items that match the season! I love to accessorize! If it is fall [or] winter, I love to go for soft cashmere scarves, gloves or even winter sunglasses—they make the perfect accent as a thoughtful gift or for a stylish friend, and you can never go wrong with items that make you warmer in the cooler months. If it is spring [or] summer, I love to match accessories that add a touch of color or metallic to anyone’s wardrobe. Items like handheld purses, fanciful flats and color-pop earrings are always my go to faves for everyone, no matter the taste. For those working on a tight budget, what pieces make the best gifts? I like that even on a budget, these gift ideas work! What I like most about these staple pieces are that these items come in a variety of colors and prices. I like that I can buy all of my favorites, no matter the budget! For bigger ticket items—let's say a handbag or coat, for example—how can the average shopper distinguish a quality item from one that is simply overpriced? As a couturier, I find it necessary to first examine the stitching on any garment. Make sure it’s lined, and that all plaids, stripes, or patterns match. Most people think it is about the textiles, but what sets a unique piece apart is the time and expertise it takes to engineer and craft a high quality garment, to really pour into the work, while also embodying the design and detail. Good quality is also evident in the fit of the garment, the hanger loops, and the overall hanger appeal. Often, overpriced items skip these components and this part of the process. 50

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What are some of your favorite shops and boutiques around Central Ohio that offer thoughtful, accessible fashion? One of my favorite boutiques around Central Ohio that offers thoughtful and accessible fashion is Minka’s Furs in the Shops at Worthington Place, and I also love to draw inspiration and support many of our local festival artisans. And we also offer holiday party dresses and evening gowns here at Joan’s Bridal Couture. What are some of your favorite trends you've seen this winter season? There are several trends I like this winter season, including anything in sequin with bling. Metallic is also still popular, [as is] wearing shades of green and earthier tones with a pop of color. For extra warmth, try layering your sweaters, dusters, and shawls. Additionally, anything with fur, and the reemergence of leopard prints [are current trends]. What are some "fast fashion" items common during the winter that shoppers should avoid and why? Remember "fast fashion" doesn’t last—we are in an area where you want to wear that cute sport coat year-round, and have it for next season as well. Fast fashion is based off of trends as feelers, and I like a more traditional approach. Some "fast fashion" items to avoid this winter would be garments made in cheap polyester knit fabric, like scarves, crewnecks, and leggings. After [being] worn once, the garment starts to pill. The quality will be evident in the weight of the knit. Alternatively, go with a natural fiber like wool, which is a bit pricier but will last longer.

This conversation has been lightly edited. Visit Joan’s Bridal Couture at 7382 E Main St., Reynoldsburg or online at joansbridalcouture.com.

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clothing and

BY JA E L A N I TU R N E R -W I L L I AM S P H OTOS BY B R I A N KA I S E R

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EXPECT NOTHING BUT INSTEAD APPRECIATE

he statement is a mantra that Black Fashion Expo founder Bobby Couch lives by, describing the event for designers of color to set up shop and showcase their products on a grand scale. While he juggles multiple hats as a creative director at Art of Republic and as an assistant with traveling dinner party, The High End Affair, his intention with creative umbrella Fashion is Columbus and brainchild Black Fashion Expo was to be inclusive and celebrate fashion brands that deserve a larger following. After the inaugural BFE in February, Couch hosted the expo’s ‘Intent’ theme in October at Gravity, as a marketplace featuring panel discussions and live attractions and demonstrations that showcased fashion that goes beyond the runway.

“When you’re curating an experience that’s new, there’s a level of anticipation, but people know that every component of what’s happening will likely be unexpected,” Couch said. “It’s important to confirm that Black fashion is also Columbus fashion. Until we can say it’s time to celebrate the success of Black artists with an inclusive and diverse audience, it’s important to continue celebrating one another to drive their goals and business.” An avid Beyoncé fan, Couch has taken cues from the singer to drive his own business, noting Beyoncé publicized her decision to leave a Reebok board meeting after there were no people of color present. The singer ventured into a joint athleisure partnership with Adidas instead, and Bobby supports her decision, noting that Black voices on design teams are the first step into the process of inclusion. “Some of the larger luxury brands definitely started the shift from the Gucci blackface sweaters to blackness and wokeness being a trend. Sometimes it just takes conversations like those to ruffle the feathers of the white supremacy and implement change, even • 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

“DURING THESE TIMES OF GENTRIFICATION AND THE RESTORATION OF URBAN AREAS, [ ] WANTS TO ENSURE THERE ARE SAFE SPACES CURATED SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE COMING FROM INNER CITY SCHOOLS TO CREATE THEIR OWN FOOTPRINT.”

if just temporary,” he said. “During these times of gentrification and the restoration of urban areas, [Black Fashion Expo] wants to ensure there are safe spaces curated specifically for those coming from inner city schools to create their own footprint.” In agreement with Couch’s sentiments is founder of clothing line Ohio Girls Do It Better and BFE contributor, Chanel Jack. “There are major dangers of Black designers leading majority white teams because it keeps the cycle going and lessens our opportunities as a culture,” she said. “When a Black designer does have the power to change the narrative, it is important to bring other Black creatives to the top with them.” While Columbus fashion is still on an incline—the city is also a leading hub for fashion with LBrands, CCAD, and Fashion Week Columbus—Couch is forward-thinking with offering services to further benefit the city. With a full team of curators behind Black Fashion Expo, Couch credits Art of Republic, StarstrukT Apparel, 54

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Cloud City 614 and more for fulfilling his vision of propelling local Black fashion to greater heights. He also wants the favor to be returned to other brands, as StarstrukT Apparel is a hub for listening parties and shopping alike, and Sole Classics continually hosts a seasonal Streetwear Flea event. “It costs nothing to repost your friend who’s an entrepreneur, [their] business or pop-up flyers on social media; that’s a great start,” Couch said. There are still gripes with apects of Columbus fashion, as noted by hosts of BFE segment “Thread Talk”, Genevieve Effa and Xiao Mei. “I’ve noticed there are so many more designers and brands that aren’t getting attention. The fashion scene can be improved best if more of those with a fashion platform in the city collaborate more often,” Effa said. “Whether that’s creating an event where designers or brands can apply to be a part of it, or just throwing a mixer for designers and fashion brands to network, the best way to really show why Columbus is ranked third in the fashion industry would be through collaborating.”

“Those in the fashion industry are standing their ground more than ever. From their morals to their values and principles, many Blacks are comprehending the importance of unity within the Black culture and Black fashion industry,” Mei adds. “Columbus offers diverse people of different backgrounds, but lacks flavor in apparel. It is a comfortable city and not many are willing to step beyond their comfort zones—even in their clothing.” In the process of opening his first storefront in next year with an artistic coworking space, Couch envisions that fashion in 2020 will be a transition into theory, uniform and minimalistic silhouettes being intertwined with substantial fabrics. “Eco-friendly and more vegan leathers will be used in the projects I’m endorsing [as well as] the freedom of the late 90’s when it comes to styling and editorial execution,” he said. “Less is so much more.” Couch plans to resume Black Fashion Expo next February, and much like his idol, Beyoncé, 2020 will be the year to officially get Columbus fashion in formation. • Donations and request for sponsorship information can be found online at fashioniscolumbus.com. Follow on Instagram at @blackfashionexpo. 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

Raising the Steaks Ruthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chris Steak House returns to Columbus, customized for its new Short North digs. B Y M E L I S S A B R A I T H WA I T E | P H O T O S B Y R E B E C C A T I E N

ith no shortage of local competitors welcoming carnivores, Ruth’s Chris Steak House has opened its doors in the Short North. After shuttering its Crosswoods location in 2016 due to “market changes,” the Florida-based steakhouse is back in the Bus. The new restaurant promises a fine-dining experience tailored especially to the Columbus market and its location. “Knowing that we are across from the convention center, this is one of our bigger locations to allow room for a larger bar, private dining rooms and main dining room,” says Maria Policastro, general manager of Ruth’s Chris Columbus. “We kept the Short North Arts District culture in mind during every step of the design process as well, making sure we included elements that incorporated the downtown skyline and ever-present Ohio buckeye trees.” Indeed, the entrance feels homey and features local art on display to bring some “Columbus” to the space. The building was once home to a hotel, and while undeniably formal, the dinner-only restaurant nevertheless offers a warm and welcoming feel. The waitstaff has its service down to an absolute science. Hand-polished wine glasses top each table and every element of the dining experience is expertly attended to. Regardless of whether diners care to indulge in one of its more than 250 wines or a vintage-inspired craft cocktail, the main event here is the food. Its extra-thick-cut, wet-aged USDA prime steaks are broiled in a trademark 1800-degree oven and • 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

“Ruth believed in treating her guests and employees as family, so that’s how we treat them too—by being warm and welcoming and paying attention to every little detail.”

served sizzling on a 500-degree plate so every last bite stays warm. “From our food to our service, Ruth’s Chris really stands out on its own,” said Policastro. “Ruth believed in treating her guests and employees as family, so that’s how we treat them too—by being warm and welcoming and paying attention to every little detail.” Ruth Fertel mortgaged her home in 1965 and purchased Chris’s Steak House, a 60-seat restaurant located in New Orleans. After a fire forced her to move locations and rename the restaurant, she settled on Ruth’s Chris Steak House, hence the somewhat strange moniker. Fertel, who died in 2002 at 75, would likely be shocked to see the size of the private dining rooms in the Columbus restaurant that bears her name. “Our private dining rooms are some of the largest

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at any Ruth’s Chris,” says Policastro. “When designing our private dining rooms, it was important to us that we made enough space to accommodate our customers in this busy area, along with larger parties who choose to dine with us after visiting the Convention Center or coming from the Ohio State University nearby.” The private dining rooms each have their own unique Columbus vibe, with names like the Goodale, Victorian and Buckeye Rooms. Which is fitting because, “we’re around the corner from Columbus’ historic Goodale Park, we’re part of the Victorian Village, and we are in the heart of Buckeye nation,” Policastro said. Ruth’s Chris Steak House Columbus is already seeing its private rooms booking up for upcoming events and holidays. “We cannot wait to host these special moments for those who live in and visit the Short North Arts District.”• Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse is located at 511 N High Street. Learn more at ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/columbus. 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

EATING

Nile Vegan offers plant-based Ethiopian food near Ohio Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campus 60

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BY M I TC H HOOP ER P HOTOS BY BR I A N KA I SER

ucked away on Worthington St. near Ohio State’s campus is a hidden gem awaiting your arrival. There are no bright neon signs attracting visitors from the streets, and the interior only holds three booths. In an age where Instagram aesthetics and social media presence dominates, Nile Vegan chose to focus on what’s really important: the food. Nile Vegan is a new restaurant offering plant-based Ethiopian cuisine created by chef and owner Siyum Tefera. The inspiration behind the menu here is thanks to Tefera’s roots growing up in Ethiopia where he lived until 2010 when he and his family made the move to Columbus. Whether it’s the injera or the Shiro be Gomen—chickpea sauce with stewed kale—these recipes come directly from Tefera’s time watching his mother in the kitchen throughout his childhood. It’s this feeling of home cooking combined with community that Tefera is hoping to build with his eatery. As mentioned previously, the interior of the restaurant is simple. It feels somewhat like sitting in a dining room in your home with a kitchen attached to it—this was intentional, too. Tefera said when he was younger, he would sit in his dining room while his mother cooked meals and the two would converse about life. He continued this ideal with the design of the restaurant by keeping the kitchen area open and visible to customers. When I ordered my meal and took a seat, I watched Tefera slice onions and tomatoes that would eventually find their way into stews and sauces on my plate. Not only does this provide the chance for customers to interact with Tefera and his team, it’s also a bit of a flex. These folks aren’t using frozen goods from giant grocery stores or mass creating food—they are using fresh ingredients made to order. The eating experience here is also twofold: it’s delicious, and fun to eat. Instead of forks, spoons, and knives on the table, your eating utensils are your hands. The injera—a sourdough risen flatbread—serves as a bed and sponge for scooping and soaking up the various sauces and stews. • 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

And the options for sauces and stews can range from mushroom stew to curried vegetable medley featuring freshly chopped cabbage, carrots and potato chunks stewed in vegan butter, onion, garlic, and turmeric. While most dishes are made on the mild side, Tefera said he can make dishes more spicy, or you can control your spicy adventure by adding as much—or as little—berbere, a fiery bright red seasoning, which is available on your table. With winter on the horizon, trying Ethiopian food should be on everyone’s to-do list. The dishes are akin to comfort food, but on the non-traditional side. Instead of mashed potatoes and chicken noodle soup, it’s hearty portions of slow-cooked stews chock full of spices and seasonings. While you’re free to attack the menu as you see fit, I recommend bringing a friend and each ordering something different so you can share entrees. This gives you the chance to experiment with new flavors and options while also finding your menu favorite. If you ask Tefera, he recommends the Shiro, which is a slow-cooked chickpea sauce. And if you ask me, I’ll take three extra helpings of the Misir be Bamia—a stew featuring red lentils with okra.

These folks aren’t using frozen goods from giant grocery stores or mass creating food— they are using fresh ingredients made to order.

But why plant-based? A cursory Google search shows a multitude of Ethiopian dishes where the main star is meat like Tibs – sauteed meat chunks, or Kitfo – Ethiopian beef tartar. For Tefera, it wasn’t so much adding a new vegan eatery to a growing list in the city, rather it was just a part of his lifestyle. He said he grew up eating mainly vegan, as Ethiopian traditions maintain ideals such as fasting on-and-off for nearly half the year. On those days, observants only eat one meal in the afternoon or evening and cut out all animal products. Choosing to stay vegan wasn’t so much of a concept as it was just what Tefera naturally knew. Though Nile Vegan has only been open since mid-October, Tefera already has his eyes set on the future. First he said he wants to better understand his customers and their

desires so he can serve them better. This includes tweaking the menu options as well as adding a few new ones such as an eggplant stew. Additionally, he wants to change up the interior of the restaurant. As of now, the three booths that are available can be quickly filled up, leaving patrons nowhere to sit. In the future, expect more options for single eaters, as well as a patio area once the weather warms. For now, though, Tefera said he has been humbled by the amount of reception the restaurant has received. Beyond Tefera’s work, it’s been a family effort, as his mother can be found in the kitchen, cooking orders, conversing with her son, and serving as quality control. Hey, she did create these recipes, after all. •

Nile Vegan is located on 1479 Worthington St. near Ohio Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campus. For hours, operations, and more information, follow Nile Vegan at @nilevegan on Instagram. 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

New Taps A at Taft’s

fter hearing all the hype about Cincinnati’s up-and-coming Over the Rhine neighborhood a few years back, I went to see it for myself.

The first stop was Taft’s Ale House, a gigantic brewery inside of a church originally built in 1850, fully renovated for guests’ reveling pleasure. After spending the next few hours sampling beverages and

Cincinnati’s famed brewpourium opens its first Columbus location in Franklinton. BY L I N DA L E E B A I R D PHOTOS BY OLIVIA JAMES

snacking on beer cheese pretzels, I was inclined to believe the neighborhood hype. Did I fully explore OTR that night? I don’t actually remember. But I’m certain that I had a great time at Taft’s. So when I found out that Taft’s was coming to Columbus, the news sounded even sweeter than their Maverick Chocolate Porter.

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Taft’s Brewpourium Columbus spans nearly 6,000 square feet in the Gravity development, including over 2,000 square feet of patio space. Like the development itself, Taft’s is building an artistic theme into its new offering. “Our actual design is going to be kind of focused on ‘80s/‘90s pop art,” said David Kassling, Managing Partner for Taft’s Brewing Company. “Being that Franklinton definitely has its art roots, we think that’s a great way to ingrain ourself in the community.” Kassling said that the word brewpourium literally means the place where the brew is poured. That they’ve chosen to make “brewpourium” part of their name tells you everything you need to know about what Taft’s wants to be known for: its carefully crafted suds. The brewpourium will have at least 10 taps serving Taft’s original varieties, including its signature Gavel Banger IPA, which was voted best beer in Cincinnati last March by the city’s residents. Taft’s will offer a full food menu as well. Kassling is particularly proud to introduce New Haven-style pizza to Columbus. “We’re recreating a style that doesn’t exist anywhere else in Ohio,” he said. (The style is also known as apizza, which is pronounced a piece, as in, I’d like a piece of that crisp coal-fired cheesy goodness right now, please.) Kassling describes it as a cross between New York and Neapolitan style. Taft’s version features flour and tomatoes imported from Italy. •

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Rounding out the menu is another ‘90s-inspired treat, this time in dessert form. Remember Dunkaroos, those cookies that came in a package with icing designed for dipping, perhaps consumed while you watched episodes of Saved By the Bell? Taft’s will serve up Taftaroos, its unique take on the snack. Kassling plans to use the brewpourium’s large space to offer patrons activities beyond food and drink. The stage will be open for games of darts when not in use for performances. On the floor, guests will find shufflepuck and Killer Queen, an arcade game utilizing 8-bit graphics in line with the old-school theme. Video game fans will also find gaming stations inlaid in the bar, with several retro options to choose from. With three Cincinnati locations in operation, Kassling is not new to the business. Even so, expanding to Columbus marks a milestone, and one he wasn’t always seeking to meet. “We didn’t necessarily look at this as we needed to expand to a new city or we needed to expand to Columbus,” he said. But when the opportunity to join the Gravity Project presented itself, Kassling said it proved too good to pass up. “We’re really excited, not only because of the nature of the building being so modern and unique, not just to Columbus, but to anywhere. But also the shape of our space is funky, and that led to different ideas in what we wanted to do with our build out.” Kassling acknowledged that in coming to Columbus, Taft’s is joining a few of our communities: the community of Franklinton, to be sure, but also the well-established community of independent breweries operating across the city. An installation built into Taft’s countertop will pay homage to this fact, incorporating crushed cans and packaging from breweries like Seventh Son, Land-Grant, and North High. “It’s gonna be totally an art piece,” he said. Rather than focusing on the potentially competitive aspect of the brewing scene, Kassling emphasized the camaraderie and common goals within the industry. “At the end of the day, craft beer is a great way to bring people together,” he said. “And at the end of the day, we’re all preaching community and good times.” While Taft’s new location may not be in a church, Kassling’s words are the type of preaching that I can get behind.• Taft’s Brewpourium Columbus is located at 440 W Broad St. in the Gravity project. For more details about Taft’s, visit taftsalehouse.com.

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BY M I TC H H O O P E R | PHOTOS PROVI D ED

Spritz teas put a new twist on the bubbly beverage craze. It’s Friday night and you and your friends are at the bar. While everyone else is sipping back glasses of wine, cocktails, and beer, it’s your turn to be the designated driver of the night. We all take our rounds, and these rounds are usually a reminder that being out at the bars sober while everyone else is working on getting intoxicated just feels off. As your friends reach for their glasses to toast in celebration, you might take a sip of your ice water, or just wait to get the nod to round up the crew and go home. However, Kathyrn Doughtery is hoping to change this all-too-common situation with her line of nonalcoholic sparkling teas called Spritz. Spritz is a new beverage hitting the markets based out of Dublin, Ohio. In a world where grocery stores offer seemingly endless options of sparkling waters and flavors, it was really only a matter of time until the trend took to tea. But, unlike the famous La Croix and Bubly on the market, Spritz is much less carbonated, giving it a lighter mouthfeel. They’ve even coined a phrase for it: softly sparkling. Combine that with flavors such as green tea with pomegranate, lemon, and peach, and Spritz might quickly become both your mid-day pick-me-up as well as that refreshing drink you enjoy in between a night of cocktails. • 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

I want something I can grab and say, ‘Hey, I get a treat now,’ “But, it’s not going to be something I feel bad about. The idea for Spritz comes from Doughtery’s background in health and fitness. A few years ago, she and her friends were training for an Ironman competition. These competitions are not for the light of heart, as they feature 2.4-mile swim, a 112mile bicycle ride, and a 26.22-mile marathon in this exact order. It goes without saying that training for and competing in this leaves little room for hangovers. As Doughtery and her friends would hang out more after workouts, they noticed they were craving a more sophisticated drink that wouldn’t cause a splitting headache the next day. Thus, an idea was born. It started simple for Doughtery. At the time, she was (and still is) a big fan of sparkling waters. She also had grown a heavy affinity towards Teavana, a tea provider now owned by Starbucks. After scrubbing used Gatorade bottles with disinfectants and cleaners in her very own kitchen, Doughtery and her step-daughter began the process of brewing what would eventually become the basis for Spritz. While she no longer uses Teavana for her tea blends, she still holds a special spot for them in her heart. Fast forward to present day and Doughtery is ready to release Spritz to the public in December. The first iteration of the teas will be hibiscus with dragonfruit, guava, and mango with no caffeine. Doughtery said this tea is great for unwinding after a long day, or simply treating yourself after a good stretch at a yoga class. The zero calorie, zero carbs, and gluten-free drink is both vegan and keto friendly so it fits essentially any diet. And while the idea for Spritz began during a time of looking for an alternative to alcohol, the drink maintains its fitness roots as Doughtery works to get the drinks in places such as PAI Yoga and Friendship Fitness in Dublin. “I want something I can grab and say, ‘Hey, I get a treat now,” Doughtery explained. “But, it’s not going to be something I feel bad about.”

Spritz also serves a second purpose, and it’s something Doughtery feels is very important to the brand of the business. It’s women’s empowerment, and through channels such as hiring more women at proper pay rates to close the pay gap, or promoting other women business leaders through their hashtag #FemaleFounderFridays on Facebook, she hopes to change a few practices within the industry. In her mind, the best way to do so is to lead by example. From her team being comprised of women, to working out of the space at Haven Collective—a woman-owned and -operated co-working office—Doughtery is very much walking her talk. Add in the fact that 1% of all sales this year will be donated to charities and nonprofits that empower women, and it’s clear that she is just as much invested in uplifting women as she is with concocting delicious beverages. “For some people, [women’s empowerment] means being a stay-at-home mom and having 10 kids—that’s wonderful. I will celebrate that that’s your path in life and that’s amazing,” Doughtery said. “If you’re a woman who doesn’t want to be married and doesn’t want to have children, that’s amazing. Go do that. My number one thing here is that women can feel like they can choose the path that’s right for them and not apologize for being too ambitious, or ‘not ambitious enough.’ ” •

Keep up with Spritz on their Facebook page at facebook. com/SpritzBev or visit the website at spritzbev.com. 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

2010

2019

I LLU STR ATI O N S BY SA R A H M O O R E

he Columbus we know today is night-and-day different than the one from the beginning of the decade. Many moons ago, people in the city were celebrating the arrival of Pennsylvaniabased brewery Yuengling as an upgrade to the traditional Bud Light; now we have more than 50 local brewers setting trends and gaining national attention. A Starbucks once resided in the Short North, but it was quickly drowned out by community members supporting local roasters. While the city is still finding its identity, it seems we grow closer to finding it as a place that celebrates local entrepreneurs. And with that in mind, (614) felt it was the appropriate time to take a look back on the events that transpired during the 2010s to better understand where we were, where we are now, and where we are going. This month marks the end of a decade, and perhaps more optimistically, begins a new one. From the food and drink scene, to the complexity of a growing city and those impacts on the community, here is our official decade in review.

2010 - 2014

Ohio State introduces Framework 1.0, which includes the 15th and High streets revamp as well as the beginnings of the South Campus Gateway.

The Columbus Commons opens, turning the site of the former City Center Mall into a six-acre grassy gathering space. Read more on page 78. Urban Meyer is hired as head coach of the OSU football team after an interim year of Luke Fickell running the head coach position.

2011

2010

Fashion Week Columbus debuts, helping to put Columbus on the map as a fashion city. Read more on page 86.

Watershed and Middle West Spirits open, kicking off the city’s craft liquor boom.

The Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art opens. Read more on page 86.

Radio station CD101 becomes CD102.5, giving a signal boost to independent music.

The Columbus Clippers defeat the Tacoma Rainiers in the Triple-A National Championship.

Jeni Britton Bauer releases Jeni’s Splendid at Home, bringing her ice cream to home kitchens across the world, and earning her a James Beard Award. Hollywood Casino opens, bringing casino gambling to the city for the first time.

2012

Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel resigns from his position amid the Tattoogate controversy. Read more on page 91.

The Scioto Mile opens, adding 145 acres of public parkland to the downtown riverfront.

Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza opens in Worthington, offering crispy crusts and live music. Columbus Metropolitan becomes the only large public library to receive five stars in every ratings issue of Library Journal.

The Buckeyes finish the season undefeated at 12-0, but miss a bowl bid due to a one-year ban. The Clippers win second Triple-A National Championship over the Omaha Storm Chasers.

PHOTO BY BRIAN KAISER

Saraga International Market opens Columbus location, expanding access to ingredients from all over the world.

Columbus man Zack “Danger” Brown requests $10 on Kickstarter to make a potato salad, and unexpectedly finds himself $55,000 richer after the campaign goes viral and attracts supporters worldwide. A potato salad cookbook, an event dubbed “Potatostock,” and a generous donation to charity eventually came out of the humble request. Kelsey Mitchell commits to OSU’s women's basketball squad.

The opening of the Scioto Audubon MetroPark obstacle course adds to the city’s growing list of “things to do along the waterfront.” Read more on page 78.

The Columbus Collaboratory opens, signaling a dedication to bringing more tech jobs to town. Read more on page 94.

The Columbus Idea Foundry opens.

2013

2014

Bibibop opens its first location in Grandview Heights.

Franklinton Fridays launch, bringing another monthly night of open studios to the city’s art scene. Read more on page 86.

Hot Chicken Takeover opens as a popup in Old Towne East. Anthony Precourt becomes second investor-operator for the Columbus Crew Soccer Club. CoGo bikes debut Downtown. Uber comes to Columbus, forever changing the way we get around town. Short North Pint House opens, and quickly becomes a nightlife destination on High Street.

Land Grant Brewing Company opens in Franklinton. The Blue Jackets get its first ever playoff win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Fox in the Snow Cafe opens in Italian Village, adding to the city’s growing list of independent coffee shops.

2015 - 2019 OSU wins Big Ten Championship and becomes first team in college football history to be the undisputed National Champions in the first iteration of the fourteam college football playoffs. The Columbus Museum of Art completes expansion, adding 50,000 square feet.

Groundbreaking for the Bridge Park development in Dublin, which puts Downtown Dublin on the city’s cultural map for shopping and dining.

Renovations of the Downtown Columbus’ Main Library are completed. Read more on page 78.

OSU wins another Big Ten Championship and defeats USC in the Cotton Bowl.

Amazon announces the construction of three data centers in Central Ohio, a $1.1 billion investment.

High Street institutions Bernie’s Bagels and Distillery and Surly Girl close, leaving little holes in the hearts of rock and roll revelers.

The relocation of Cannon Dr. begins altering traffic flow on campus.

2017

2015

2016

John Tortorella is hired as the head coach of the Blue Jackets.

Columbus is awarded the “Smart City Challenge” grant from the US Department of Transportation to improve the city’s transit options and infrastructure. Read more on page 94.

OSU approves Framework 2.0, a continuation of what was started in Framework 1.0. OSU wrestler Kyle Snyder finishes his career with back-toback-to-back NCAA heavyweight titles over three years. He also becomes the first and youngest wrestler to win both an Olympic Gold Medal as well as an NCAA national championship.

Maggie Smith’s poem Good Bones is published in Waxwing journal, captures the zeitgeist of the year, and goes viral. Read more on page 86. Mayor Michael Coleman ends his recordbreaking 16 year tenure in the role, as Andrew Ginther is sworn in as the city’s 53rd mayor.

Wripley Bennet, Kendall Denton, Ashley Braxton, and DeAndre Miles, known as the “Black Pride Four,” are arrested during the Columbus Pride Parade. They were demonstrating in order to raise awareness about police brutality and other acts of violence against transgender women of color, and to ask for meaningful inclusion of trans and queer people of color in leadership roles in local LGBTQ+ organizations. The arrests and their aftermath led to a reckoning about diversity in the city’s LGBTQ+ community, a conversation that continues today.

Kelsey Mitchell finishes her career at OSU and lands third in NCAA history for most points scored in a career.

Twenty One Pilots wins Grammy for Best Pop Duo. A report finds Ohio State doctor Richard Strauss sexually abused 177 students over his decades of practice spanning 1964-98.

Westerville police officers Anthony Morelli and Eric Joering are killed in the line of duty. Shocked and grieving members of the community come together in the aftermath of the tragedy, united in their support for one another and showcasing what it means to be “Westerville Strong.”

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and team physician Dr. Pete Edwards become owners of the Columbus Crew Johanna Burton is named director at the Wexner Center for the Arts, the museum’s first new director in 25 years. Ryan Day officially takes over the head coach position.

2018

2019

Smart Circuit, the first self-driving shuttle in Ohio, begins making rounds on the Scioto Mile.

Domestic violence charges surface from Courtney Smith, wife of former wide receivers coach Zach Smith, resulting in Urban Meyer taking a three game suspension to start the season, while Zach Smith was fired from his position. Cooffensive coordinator Ryan Day is called up to serve as interim head coach in Meyer’s absence.

Facebook announces a $750 million investment for data centers in New Albany.

The Blue Jackets secure their first ever playoff series win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in a sweep. The Crew announces plans to build new stadium west of the Arena District.

Urban Meyer announces he will retire after the 2019 Rose Bowl, where the Buckeyes would defeat Washington. Columbus loses several beloved restaurants with the closing of Four String Brewing, the Angry Baker, Mama’s Pasta and Brew, and The Blue Danube.

Adult film star Stormy Daniels is arrested at a Columbus nightclub, making national headlines and contributing to the eventual shutdown of the Columbus Division of Police’s vice unit.

Google announces new $600 million data center investment in New Albany, joining Facebook and Amazon in Central Ohio. Read more on page 94.

Nina West appears on RuPaul’s Drag Race, bringing her style—and sensational smile—to viewers across America.

The New York Times includes Columbus on its 52 Places list, marking the city as a travel destination.

COMMUNITY 2010

2019

Decade of Change: Downtown’s Development BY JEN I RUISCH PH OTOS BY BRIA N KA I SER

Scrolling through social media rarely turns up much intellectual fuel. But clickbait articles can be so tempting. Especially when you see yourself in them. That’s why, if you’re anything like me, you nearly always click on the titles naming or alluding to our dear capital city. “Why Columbus, Ohio is one of the top places to live in 2020.” “This hidden Midwestern gem might be a place you’d like to call home.” Digital junk food presented coyly to play (prey) on your sense of self and place. Gets me every time. As someone who has lived here nearly my entire life, I have a sense of obstinate pride about Columbus. I’m quick to point out that we have huge hubs of industry and business, teaching and research juggernauts, beautiful parks, a rich history, and an insistence that we DO have a fashion scene, if you’d only look for it. But the truth is, Columbus is an established city that is still groping for something that would make us memorable to the rest of the country. This city is nothing if not in flux. Constant construction, new restaurants by the day, new events planned and held with the hope of becoming an annual tradition. And some changes are more physical than temporal, with no place seeing more renaissance than the heart of the downtown area. The Scioto Mile, photo by Brian Kaiser 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

When I was a kid, downtown equaled ghost town. Before the cap was built over 670, that space separated the Short North from the barren wasteland of What Came South. There was only a bridge with a tiny strip of concrete on either side for foot traffic. Now there is a seamless continuity to High Street, and you can window shop and eat your way from Worthington to German Village. The downtown core used to be devoid of life after the 9 to 5 workers went home. Cramped and crowded during the bookends of rush hour, with only a quick bustle of lunch between, and then the sidewalks seemingly rolled up, and out went the lights. Restaurants in this part of town were unheard of in the dinner hour, save for a few ancient stalwarts. There was no music or other entertainment. And certainly no one lived there. In the open void of space between the time City Center closed, and the drums of revitalization began to beat, there were only little pockets of life and commerce. But now. Oh, now every inch is established. Buildings are shooting up into the sky like the old part of the city once called “Flytown”—so named because the buildings seemed to fly up over night. Anything not already built up seems to be in planning stages. But this isn’t a brand new circumstance. The last decade has seen a wave of change wash over Columbus. In 2011, while the water in the rivers still ran swift and muddy, the city opened the Scioto Mile in anticipation of huge changes to the river itself that would take years to engineer and complete. After a restructuring of the physical bed, the flow of the river is now widened and slowed, with habitat for wildlife, and space for recreation under the skyline. Now kayakers dot the glassy summer surface of the water, and once-disappeared animals like otters and rainbow darters have returned to the renewed ecosystem. That same year saw the completion of the Columbus Commons, 80

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a now-staple performance and gathering place in walking distance for not only the commuters to the big corporations downtown, but those that have chosen to dwell there. The Metro Parks continued their upgrade with the 2013 expansion of Scioto Audubon. The former police impound lot now boasts a boat dock, climbing wall, paved greenways, maintained ponds, event spaces, dog parks, sand volleyball, and more. There is no shortage of outdoor adventure available here, even if you live in a luxury highrise. In 2015 and 2016, Columbus saw advancement on the intellectual front with the new wing of the Columbus Museum of Art, and renovations to the historic downtown library. Last year, the new Vets Memorial rose from the ashes where its predecessor once stood. Our historic and beloved LeVeque Tower now houses apartments, a luxury hotel, and one of the best bar/restaurants in the whole city. “Progress” is a fickle word when rising housing prices push out established low income communities. But the area west of 315 is seeing hopeful change coming down the line after the dissolution of the city’s flawed vice unit, and plans for a safe house for sex workers along the Sullivant corridor. Progress giveth, and progress taketh away. The area around COSI is slated for a huge upheaval in the next several years, as the long-empty lots and lawns there will soon house (even more) luxury housing, and walkable shops. Long time residents have seen head-spinning changes happen in the last decade that simply are not possible in longer-established metro areas. Columbus continues to evolve at a rapid pace, simply put, because it has the room to grow. Like a middle schooler trying on ridiculous hairdos, searching for their signature style, Columbus has a chip on its shoulder about establishing a widely recognized identity. But the truth is, we’re a work in progress. And progress is something we have in spades. • 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

FOOD & DRINK 2010

2019

A Look Back at Food and Drink: the Evolution of Eating in Columbus BY MIKE THOMAS

The second decade of the new millennium marked some big changes for Central Ohio—especially when it came to the dining scene. Bigtime booms, heartbreaking busts, and some much-deserved national acclaim—the 2010s will always be remembered as a defining era for food and drink in the capital city. When discussing the Columbus restaurant scene, it should come as no surprise that Cameron Mitchell is still the logical starting point. Expanding to include hit concepts like The Pearl, Del Mar, and Lincoln Social, Mitchell’s stable of offerings remained at the forefront of local food and drink in the 2010s. But this was also the decade that Cam had to make room at the table, as newcomers like Corso Ventures (Short North Pint House, Forno) and A&R Creative (Market Italian Village, The Crest) looked to carve out their own gastronomic kingdoms. Separate from the upscale dining set, a bounty of homegrown fastcasual chains hit the ground running throughout the decade. From Koreaninspired Bibibop to a taste of Nashville from Hot Chicken Takeover, these brands now dot the landscape of our neighborhoods while proving that eating local can be fast, fun, and affordable. Spread of food from Service Bar, photo by Brian Kaiser 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

Wolf ’s Ridge Taproom, photo by Megan Leigh Barnard

Along with the emergence of many new and noteworthy food and drink brands over the past ten years, several beloved Central Ohio institutions also met their tragic ends. Whether it was banging your head at a punk show in Bernie’s basement, kicking back with a cold one at the Dube, or warming your belly with a nice big plate of pasta at Mamas, you’ll always have the memories from these dearly departed joints. Through all the ups and downs, the 2010s were the decade in which the outside world began to take notice of our city’s growing dining scene. Watershed Distillery and Middle West Spirits both burst onto the scene in 2010, immediately putting Central Ohio on the map as a destination for craft spirits. The kitchens of each distillery also earned kudos from the national food and beverage press, thanks to first-rate culinary chops that matched their quality bottled goods. Of course, Columbus isn’t just famous for the hard stuff. 84

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Throughout the decade, brands like Seventh Son, Wolf’s Ridge, and Land-Grant helped fuel the city’s craft beer boom, with creative brews and taprooms that serve as indispensable neighborhood hangs. While Four String Brewing came and went, flagship brew Hilltop Heritage Lager was quickly revived, and it seems as though it’s here to stay. A true melting pot of cultures from across the globe, Columbus’ diverse international dining scene has continued to thrive. Opening in 2013, Saraga International Grocery shared new and exciting flavors while giving members of diverse immigrant populations a taste of home. Momo Ghar, a Nepali dumpling stall that got its start inside, was even featured on the Food Network. From fine dining to top brews and food with an international flair, the 2010s put Columbus on the map as a destination for food and drink. •

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 2010

2019

A Look Back at Arts and Entertainment: Columbus on the National Stage BY LIN DA LEE BA I R D

We’ve always known we live in an arts city. The Short North has been holding its monthly Gallery Hop for 35 years now, and the neighborhood has been synonymous with art for as long as its younger residents can remember. But in the 2010s, we’ve witnessed the creativity associated with that neighborhood boil over, spilling across the city and sprouting a new arts district in Franklinton. The opening of the Gravity project this year represented something new for Columbus: a mixed-use development that put art created by local artists at the center of its design. It didn’t happen in isolation, either. Gravity is walking distance from the Columbus Idea Foundry, another city institution that came up during the 2010s, providing space for makers to make, well, just about anything. Turning an old shoe factory into a creative workspace was not only an impressive act of preservation in a city that generally likes its buildings shiny and new, but also an engaging way to inspire and train the next generation of artists. The explosion of art happened outside of these neighborhoods as well. In addition to the opening of a new wing in the Columbus Art Museum, the museum also opened the Pizzuti Collection in the Short North, extending its reach beyond Broad Street. Highball Halloween, 2016, photo provided by Highball Halloween.

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The Pizzuti Collection, 2018, Photo by Megan Leigh Barnard

This was the decade that the talents of Columbusites—those born and raised here, and those who have chosen to call this place home—have been recognized well beyond the boundaries of our city and state. Here are a few of the people and moments in arts and entertainment that put Columbus on the national map during the 2010s, helping us rightly claim our space as a creative and cultural hub.

Fashion Week Columbus The rest of the country may have been surprised when Columbus started making waves as the third-largest fashion city outside of New York and Los Angeles in 2012. But the designers and industry professionals working here probably weren’t. As the longtime home of Victoria’s Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Express, the city’s reputation as a leader of retail fashion is well-established. What came into focus during this decade, however, is Columbus’ burgeoning reputation as a home to higher end designers. Fashion Week Columbus, organized by Thomas McClure, Founder and Executive Director of the Columbus Fashion Council, helped to put us on the map. McClure said he founded Fashion Week Columbus as a non-profit organization “to provide a platform for local fashion designers and to provide scholarships for fashion design students.” This support helped solidify Columbus as a designers’ town. “Because of Fashion Week Columbus and the Columbus Fashion Council, many of our designers have been able to kickstart their fashion design careers, making a living by doing what they love without moving to NYC or LA,” McClure said. Over the past decade, other fashion events have sprung up across town. Going into 2020, it’s clear that the Columbus fashion scene shows no sign of slowing down—see the longevity of events like Highball if you have any doubt. 88

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Maggie Smith’s Good Bones You don’t often hear the term “viral poem,” but then again, you don’t often get to read poems like local writer Maggie Smith’s Good Bones. The poem’s message, ending with a challenge to readers—This place could be beautiful, right? You could make this place beautiful.—resonated during a turbulent year, so much so that the BBC and Public Radio International called it the “Official Poem of 2016.” Since its publication, it’s popped up across cultural genres, including a reading on the CBS show Madam Secretary, as well as inspiring a song by The Mountain Goats.

Nina West You might as well call 2019 The Year of Nina West. Not only did she serve as the Grand Marshall of the Columbus Pride Parade, West also represented Columbus on RuPaul’s Drag Race, winning the title of Miss Congeniality and placing sixth overall. If that wasn’t enough, she became the first person ever to walk the red carpet at the Emmys in full drag, and released a music video in support of HIV testing. Rumor has it she’ll be back on Celebrity Drag Race and starring in a show for Opera Columbus in 2020, giving us plenty to look forward to in the new year.

Festival Farewell While the city’s art scene exploded during the 2010s, a few of our favorite festivals wrapped up for the final time during the decade. These include Independents’ Day, the Fashion Meets Music Festival, Alternative Fashion Week, and the PromoWest Fest. Luckily, the creativity and talent these festivals cultivated continues to grow. • 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

SPORTS

2010

2019

Have the 2010s been the best in Ohio State football history? BY MI TC H H O O P E R | P H OTOS BY DAVI D HEASLEY

When you’re in the midst of an athletic dynasty, sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses. The Ohio State football team has been on a tirade over the last 10 years, winning multiple Big Ten Championships, sending top-tier talent to the NFL, and of course bringing home a National Championship. Each season somehow exceeds last season’s expectations and now it seems every year is championship or bust. As we enter into another decade of Buckeye football it’s worth asking: has this been the best decade to date? In this case, hindsight is 2020, literally. The first year of the new decade certainly didn’t predict the future. Following then-head coach Jim Tressel’s resignation amid the Tattoogate controversy, Luke Fickell was brought in as head coach in 2011 where the Buckeyes would finish the season 6-7, dropping a game to Michigan at the end of the season as well as losing to Florida in the Gator Bowl. Shortly after one down year, Urban Meyer was hired as head coach in 2012 where he quickly got the team back on track. Twelve wins, no losses, and a handful of “what if’s” due to the lingering controversy causing a one-year bowl ban. The years preceding 2012 have been something akin to a collective chip on the shoulder to all of Buckeye nation. The 2013 campaign started hot, but fizzled out with losses coming from Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship, followed by dropping the Orange Bowl against Clemson. And just when it seemed like the Buckeyes were in the prime position to run the college football tables in 2014, senior quarterback Braxton Miller went down with an injury that would cost him a season. How did the Buckeyes respond? Resoundingly. Though the 2014 season holds a blemish with a home loss to Virginia Tech in week two, this squad went on to do the unthinkable. They dominated the Big Ten and found themselves in November just one game against Michigan away from a second year in the Big Ten Championship, and maybe even a shot in the first ever College Football Playoff system. Just like the beginning of the season, the team faced a test of overcoming an injury. JT Barrett, who would go on to become one of the most 92

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decorated quarterbacks in Ohio State history, was injured, and the Buckeyes were down to their third-string quarterback as they prepared for the biggest games of the season. The Bucks would go on to win the battle against the Wolverines, but the season-long war was back up in the air. And again, the team responded. Cardale Jones, a redshirt sophomore quarterback, stepped into his role tremendously as the Buckeyes would go on to rout Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship, upset Alabama in the first round of the playoffs, and defeat Oregon to secure the first ever title of Undisputed National Champions. Since then, the times have been good to Buckeye nation, aside from a few dropped games here and there. Sure, fans would like to forget those anomaly games like Purdue’s major upset against then-ranked No. 2 Ohio State. But the numbers don’t lie when you look back. Though Meyer’s stint as head coach was only seven seasons, he was able to secure three Big Ten Championships. And he never lost to Michigan, a badge no other Buckeye coach can wear. He also holds one of the highest win percentages of any Ohio State coach; second to current coach Ryan Day, whose sample size is still growing with only one year under his belt. In the past 25 years of Buckeye football, they have been able to achieve 16 seasons with 11 wins or more—seven of those seasons occurred during the 2010 decade. Additionally, the Buckeyes have been in the playoffs twice; a feat that no other Big Ten team can claim. This doesn’t even begin to include the talent being drafted into the NFL each season. Let’s compare the 1970s to now. The ‘70s are widely accepted as one of the best decades in Buckeye football, with the ship being guided by legendary head coach Woody Hayes. Through that decade, the Buckeyes put 16 first-round draft picks in the league. In this last decade, the Buckeyes have put 15 firstround draft picks in the league and the 2020 NFL Draft hasn’t even happened yet. With names like Chase Young at the top of many expert’s boards, barring any unfortunate injuries, it’s safe to assume they’ll exceed that number. Through all of these good times comes the cost of winning, and Ohio State seems to find itself at the center of many controversies over the last decade. The aforementioned Tattoogate in 2010 led to the third-winningest coach in OSU history’s resignation and a two-year probation. It also led to all the wins from the 2010 season being vacated. Former university president E. Gordon Gee stepped down in 2013 after insensitive comments relating to the University of Notre Dame and Catholicism. JT Barrett found himself the center of attention after being arrested for trying to avoid a DUI checkpoint in 2015. And while Meyer’s feats as head coach were impressive, the controversy that came with the Zach Smith domestic violence debacle created a cycle of events that eventually led to Meyer stepping down as head coach following the 2018 season. Toss in Chase Young’s recent run in with a loan and the NCAA handing out a suspension and it seems each season has two storylines: what happened on the field, and what happened off the field. Truly, the cost of winning for the Buckeyes has been high. It seems each controversy could have led to the end of the dynasty, but instead, it seems the Buckeyes are able to reload much like the football team does on the field each year. Tressel was the thirdmost winningest coach in history; how do you replace him? Well, you do so with the second-highest win percentage coach in history. And if Day’s instant success as coach is any sign of the future, the next 10 years have all the potential to be even better. • 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

TECHNOLOGY 2010

2019

Ten Years in Tech: Columbus at the Intersection of Innovation BY J.R . M C M I L L A N

Columbus is a city of contradictions, often to the surprise of visitors and newcomers alike. Still sadly maligned by some as a cowtown, we’re actually equal parts cosmopolitan and metropolitan, and as soon as the world thinks it has us figured out, we reveal another side—sometimes surprising even ourselves. Parallel to our rugged, workingclass reputation is a burgeoning credibility as a world-class technology town. Startups and bootstrapping were our proverbial bread and butter a decade ago, but the roots run deeper. As a call center capital, thanks in part to our unassuming Midwest accent, earlier industry innovators from CompuServe to Sterling Commerce called us home. The world’s first firewall and wireless router were both created by an OSU grad back in the early days of the internet. Even today, from ridesharing rivals like Uber and Lyft to more spontaneous transportation like CoGo bikes and electric scooters of all stripes, if it takes off here, it will probably fly anywhere. But those achievements are past and present. Columbus is a city of the future, and the changes over the past decade only hint at what the next decade may hold. Sure, we didn’t land Amazon HQ2, but Google’s $600 million data center in New Albany is more than a parting gift. Cova CoWork, photo provided by Cova CoWork

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As the fastest-growing city in the Midwest, Smart Columbus is already investing nearly as much money between an initial $50 million grant and more than $500 million in private funding into creating and testing nextgeneration transportation solutions, then sharing these lessons through an “online playbook” with cities around the globe. Local blockchain pioneers Safechain and Ethex are already applying durable, redundant database design across industries, and the venture capital interest in what’s going on in Central Ohio hasn’t stopped there. Even the ongoing grumbling about Short North parking comes amid an award-winning effort to modernize meters by effectively eliminating them. We really are the test market for any new idea, not just what’s new on the menu. As surrounding states shrink in population, Columbus is attracting talent at an enviable rate. STEM schools used to be the exception, and now such science, technology, engineering, and math programs are the standard. Efforts like those of the PAST Foundation and Invention League are cultivating future innovators who already call Columbus home through hands-on application of design thinking principles to address realworld problems. Key to all of these endeavors is collaboration, something Columbus tends to do naturally and better than most. Where industries in similar cities compete, ours exchange insights conspicuously. From beer to barbecue, coffee to cuisine, mutual admiration and collaboration are just part of who we are. It’s our prototype for progress. “The roots of the Collaboratory, in terms of underlying philosophy, are an extension of what we know as the ‘Columbus Way’. It’s welldocumented; there’s even a Harvard case study on it. It’s how corporations work together to raise the collective tide,” explained Ben Blanquera, Vice President of Delivery and Experience at Columbus Collaboratory. “Historically, this has manifest itself through the Columbus Partnership, a collection of city leaders across lots of industries who ban together to leverage resources to do the most good, from the arts to economic development.” With its origins in the Columbus 2020 initiative, recently rebranded as One Columbus, the Columbus Collaboratory’s membership is a who’s who of industry partners filling a crucial void in shared services—cybersecurity and advanced analytics. Hanging a shingle and hoping customers walk through the door just isn’t good enough anymore. They have to trust you first, if not foremost. 96

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“The character of this region is its defining competitive advantage. Couple that with being a great place to live with 70 percent of the country’s GDP within a day’s drive and it creates a flywheel that’s speeding up,” Blanquera noted. “It’s why the number of college graduates in Columbus who plan to stay in Columbus is rising. The Collaboratory is still a startup, and startups require talent as much as capital. Columbus attracts and retains both.” The nexus of next steps isn’t an isolated investment. Startups require shared insights as much as shared services. So-called coworking wasn’t even in the local vernacular a decade ago. Now it’s the most likely launch point, and not just to split rent and utilities. The critical mass of complementary skills often generates the necessary escape velocity to turn an idea into an enterprise. “The reason growing companies are crucial to any region is that earlystage companies tend to create the majority of net new jobs. It’s important to have the right mix of new companies, companies that are growing, and successful companies that stick around,” noted Kristy Campbell, Chief Operating Officer at Rev1 Ventures, an investor startup studio that helps entrepreneurs build the foundations for sustainable expansion. “We’re here to focus on those early companies, innovators who are doing something new and novel in their industry.” Innovation and investment are mutually dependent, but are far too often mutually exclusive. Closing the gap between a great idea and the financial resources to get it out of someone’s garage is where Rev1 Ventures steps in, pulling folks together individually to the same table and collectively under one roof. “Rev1 Labs is just part of what we do. About a third of our clients have operated in the space, and the rest are operating throughout the region. But they are all headquartered locally and are what investors consider high-growth firms in one of the industries that are commonly backed by venture capital—like enterprise IT, healthcare and bioscience, food and ag tech, advanced materials and manufacturing, alternative energy,” she explained. “Access to advisors is why many are here. But they also value having fellow entrepreneurs around the corner. What’s unique about this innovation center versus some that you see in other cities is that we’re not dedicated to one industry. That cross-pollination of ideas reflects the culture of Columbus.” •

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2010

WE REMEMBER

2019

I L LU STR ATI O N S BY SA R A H MO O R E

n our look back on the past decade of Columbus history, we came across the names of many people who helped to make our city the place it is today that are no longer with us. While space limits us from recognizing every notable Columbus resident who passed away since 2010, we wanted to dedicate a page in this issue to a few of the people that we lost who made an impact on our lives and our city. We thank you, we miss you, and we remember you.

John Andrew “Andyman” Davis, CD101 program director (2010)

Kirk Urso, Columbus Crew midfielder (2012)

Denny Griffith, artist and former Columbus College of Art & Design president (2014)

Aminah Robinson, artist (2015)

Terry Glenn, NFL wide receiver and former Buckeye (2017)

Chris Bradley, 10TV chief meteorologist (2018)

Earle Bruce, former Ohio State head coach (2018)

Anne “Sue” Goetz Doody, Lindy’s restaurant founder (2018)

Stev Guyer, Shadowbox Live co-founder (2018)

Officer Eric Joering, Westerville Police Department (2018)

Officer Anthony Morelli, Westerville Police Department (2018)

Dorothy Cage, Greater Columbus Community Helping Hands co-founder (2019)

Amber Evans, community activist (2019)

Rubén Castilla Herrera, community activist (2019)

Thomas Spurgeon, Cartoon Crossroads Columbus festival executive director (2019)

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painlessly beautiful Non-toxic beauty products take flight at Fine Feather.

BY O L I V I A B A LC E R Z A K P H OTOS BY B R I A N KA I S E R

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he old saying ‘beauty is pain’ has been around for ages—but that will not hold true for much longer, according to Diana Wang, owner of Fine Feather. The Grandview shop is challenging the old phrase, proving that beauty should not be painful. “I care so much about people having access to healthy products and being an empowered consumer,” Wang said. “Everything we carry is clean and I have set the standards for everything that we carry, and the standards I’ve set are very strict.” Fine Feather is a new store that carries exclusively nontoxic health and beauty products including skin, hair and body care, makeup, nail color, personal fragrances, aromatherapy, and wellness supplies. Wang said each of the products in the store is hand picked by her after extensive research to confirm that there are no harmful toxins in the products. “I was a customer of a lot of the brands before I carried them here, so I can speak on just how well they worked,” Wang said. She created Fine Feather after realizing that, despite the growing size and population in Columbus, there was a lack of clean beauty stores. “I was really frustrated with the fact that I looked around Columbus for a clean foundation and I could find nothing here,” Wang said. “You can find almost everything here, but why can’t we find clean beauty brands here?” • 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

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This led her to do more research. “I had come across a few independent stores across the U.S. that carried only clean beauty and I looked at them and I was thinking to myself, ‘I really really wish someone would bring this here,’” Wang said. “I just finally realized maybe I can’t stop thinking about this, because I should be the person to do it.” Wang began working on what is now Fine Feather full-time in January 2018, and the store opened officially in August of this year. While the store is still very new, the movement towards clean beauty is one Wang said has been around for a while and will only continue to grow in the near future. “I really believe that clean beauty is going to become the norm someday,” Wang said. “I think the goal of anyone in beauty, whether they’re a retailer or a brand, is for clean beauty to just be beauty.” With that said, Wang recognizes that there is still a long way to go before “beauty” means without toxins—at least in America. According to Wang, the FDA is very limited in the amount of toxins that they can ban from the U.S. “As a consumer […] I wasn’t very well-informed; most people are not very well-informed and that’s not our fault—

we kind of default to trusting those in power,” Wang said. “We assume our government is looking out for us; our government is not allowing for toxic ingredients that could harm us to be put into these products, but they actually are.” In fact, Wang said, the U.S. only bans 30 toxic ingredients from their beauty products, whereas Canada bans over 600 and Europe bans 1,400. Because of the lack of regulation, she said that the addition of the word “natural” to beauty products has no meaning. “For a brand to call itself or its products natural, they can do that here because no one’s regulating, no one’s saying ‘what do you mean by natural?’ it is whatever they define as natural,” Wang said. “Because that word is not regulated, and that’s a word that people who don’t use clean products throw around a lot, so it’s lost its meaning.” For that reason, Wang said she does not use the word natural to describe Fine Feather, either. Rather, she informs potential clients that all of the products are free of toxins and clean. Informing consumers about the products in the store, their uses, and the ingredients in them is a part of the experience customers can expect upon entering Fine Feather.

“I care so much about people having access to healthy products and being an empowered consumer.”

“I want it to be a place of high engagement and I really wanted to educate people who want to be educated,” Wang said. That is why Wang said she added another component to the Fine Feather experience. A couple of times a month, Fine Feather hosts educational events that are $10 or less (and oftentimes free) to attend, and are open to the public. “I really wanted the store to be more than just a place where you can buy products,” Wang said. “I wanted it to be a place where you can cultivate community, education and empowerment.”

Fine Feather is located at 1201 Grandview Avenue. All events can be found on Fine Feather’s Instagram page at finefeathershop.

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Open For (Your) Business: Co-working spaces in Columbus provide companies offices for rent. BY MI TC H H O O P E R | P H OTOS PROVI D ED

There are two sides to working from home. On one hand, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your house to knock out tasks or grind away on your side projects. And on the other hand, never leaving the comfort of your home can become isolating and it becomes difficult to disconnect with reminders of work all around you. If you feel this way about your home office, you’re not alone. That’s why people like Melissa Blackburn and Danielle Allison Lim, co-founders of Haven Collective, are creating spaces to alleviate problems and promote community amongst like-minded and driven individuals. Haven Collective is a co-working space with a location in Upper Arlington as well as the recently opened mansion operating on Broad Street. Whether you’re a freelancer looking to get started or a veteran of your industry, using a co-working space offers benefits such as low overhead, a variety of payment options, further education through specialty events, and networking opportunities. And once you dig a little deeper, you’ll see what space works best for you and your needs. Some places are better suited for smaller companies; others offer space for up to 100 employees. If the home office is a means of convenience due to parenting, Haven Collective offers a playroom for little ones so mom or dad can stay productive while the kids stay entertained. But with so many options available, it can get overwhelming just picking one. That’s where we come in. We did some legwork for you to point you in the direction of six additional co-working spaces in the city that are worth checking out. •

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COVA COWORK 1069 W Broad St. or 470 W Broad St. The founders of Cova CoWork know a thing or two about co-working spaces; between all of them, they have collectively worked out of 40 different offices. And it’s these experiences that have helped them shape Cova CoWork into what it is today. Of course, members will have access to high speed internet and all the coffee they can handle, but they’ll also have more lifestyle options such as day care for children at the Gravity location or wellness support. Memberships at Cova CoWork at Gravity begin at $250 while memberships to the location in Franklinton begin at $200.

CO-HATCH Various (Easton, Polaris, Upper Arlington, two in Worthington, soon-to-be in Dublin) Whether this is your first crack at starting a business or you’ve been in the industry for years, Co-Hatch has options and locations that will suit your needs. The price points here range from the starter package at $59, granting members 10 hours of usage per month, up to the dedicated desk option at $299 a month where members have access to meeting rooms and event space as well as unlimited usage hours. Co-Hatch is also a communal place to host gatherings as it features a patio for parties, entertainment for children, and even a full gym at the Worthington spot. 106 (614) MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2019 614NOW.COM

THE PERCH | 45 E Lincoln St. Industrial design, high ceilings, and tons of lights— it’s like a millennial’s workplace dream. The Perch is a locally owned co-working space one block away from High Street, making it right in the heart of all the action near the Short North, Italian Village, and Downtown. A membership here offers a variety of office necessities such as an AppleTV with a 65’ display, private conference rooms, and perhaps best of all, on-site parking. Additionally, members have options when it comes to dedicated desks and office space, with spaces available for a single person, or a team of four to five. For prices and rates, visit theperchshortnorth.com. QWIRK COWORKING | 341 S Third St., Suite 100 Are you looking to dip your toes into the co-working space waters, but aren’t sure where to begin? With the recent announcement of free Fridays where there’s no cost to use the space, QWirk might be a great place to start. Here, members have flexibility when it comes to packages. If you are hoping to set up shop for the foreseeable future, a dedicated room or desk starting at $375 a month might be your best bet. But, if you are just looking to ‘wow’ a client or host a conference, day passes are available for just $10. While in the space, you’ll have access to common areas where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack plus amenities such as high speed internet, lockers to store your personal items, and a mail collection service. THE IDEA FOUNDRY | 421 W State St. The Idea Foundry is a hub of creativity. It’s one part a place for classes and workshops, another part an area for events and exhibits, and a final part of co-working spaces and dedicated offices. The options for space here are seemingly endless. If you are just looking for a little extra space for your side hustle, the five-visits-a-month package starts at $100 and provides ultimate flexibility for your schedule. And if you are looking for a more permanent spot, co-working spaces start at $200 per month while dedicated desks begin at $350 per month. VERSA | 1201 Dublin Rd. or 205 W Nationwide Blvd. While co-working spaces are popular amongst start-ups and newer businesses, they are also great for a company that is quickly expanding. At Versa, they can offer private office space for a group ranging from two employees to more than 100 workers, meaning they can play host to a variety of businesses in need of space. And if the typical desk setting isn’t your speed, the open work areas provide sofas, couches, and even a patio, all with access to the amenities and perks inside. The best perk of all, though? Versa is dog-friendly and who amongst us couldn’t use more dogs inside the workplace?

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Columbus L Does Good: Health Kick Students at C.K. Lee Taekwondo Academy get a kick out of raising funds for Nationwide Children’s Hospital. BY J OHN MCLAUGH L I N PH OTOS BY REBECC A T I EN

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et’s be honest with ourselves for a second: who wouldn’t want to break a wooden board with a furious Taekwondo kick or punch in front of several hundred cheering onlookers? Now, imagine the aforementioned spectacle will help a philanthropically-minded local business raise over $10,000 this year to benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital? You’d deserve a roundhouse kick to the sternum if you turned that chance away. But worry not, all of you closet martial artists: there’s still time. Now for the fourth straight year, the Upper Arlington-based C.K. Lee Taekwondo Academy will host the aptly named Health Kick, an action packed fundraiser benefiting Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The event will offer the academy’s students, along with any willing audience donor, the chance to break a board in front of hundreds of their closest friends. “We go through around 1,000 boards every year,” said Christine Lee, daughter of the academy’s namesake C.K. Lee, so there’s plenty to go around. The pair, along with two other family members, immigrated to the United States

from South Korea in 2011. They wasted no time in opening their now-thriving academy in 2013, which today serves nearly 300 students from the age of four to adult. Christine is a dedicated student of Taekwondo herself. Having studied it since the age of seven, she is currently a regular sparring competitor and a bonafide instructor at the academy, all while maintaining a full time courseload as a student at Ohio State. Likewise, C.K., now 53, has been a student of the martial art since he was a child. “Taekwondo has a focus on self control, courtesy, and respect for others,” he said, speaking to the benefits of the practice. Lee adopts this same holistic, progressive approach to teaching as well. “Teaching Taekwondo is similar to being a father, where I’m caring and nice when I can be, but firm and strict when necessary. Many students consider us to be like a second family.” Testament to Lee’s style of instruction is nine year old black belt Taran Tein, who attends the academy with his mother (and our very own photographer) Rebecca and

sister Calliope. Tien recalls extracting more than simply martial arts training, but important personal lessons from sessions with C.K. While Tien gushes about the kindness and enthusiasm of Lee, he recalls an important early lesson in his training career. “On one of my first days, I kept trying to show off things without listening. Later when I would try to high five master Lee, he didn’t high five me. He would put his hands behind his back.” Lee eventually took Tien aside and gently explained to him that listening to his instructions was critical to success. He remembers the event vividly, and it appears it has generated an amount of productive self awareness one wouldn’t expect from a 9 year old. “I feel like I’m more mature now,” he said. “There’s a reason he didn’t high five me, and I know that.” And when Lee isn’t providing paternal advice to his nearly 300 students, the Taekwondo Grandmaster is bestowing critical Columbus charities with funding. In the last three years of its operation, Health Kick has raised $28,000 for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and a fundraising event that has always been solicited by the students. The event is the Columbus-area iteration of a national fundraiser that began in Buffalo, New York, with Taekwondo Grandmaster Sun Ki Chong, called the ATU National Health Kick, or Kicking for Miracles. Since its inception, it has raised millions of dollars for charities across the county. The 2019 C.K. Lee Academy Health Kick will be held in the Centennial High School gym, since the fundraiser is now too large for Hastings Middle School, its former venue, and the Lees expect well over 300 people to be in attendance. Students from the academy will start the event by holding their final belt ceremony of the year, which will include students performing their forms—a coordinated series of kicks, punches and other maneuvers that martial artists must run through correctly to advance. After another short demonstration of forms by the academy’s demo team, Lee’s students will begin breaking broads, and eventually audience members will be able to try their hand (or more likely their foot) at the task, after making a $10 donation. According to Tien, donors need not worry about failing. “Everyone should be able to do it,” he said. “We’re trained to hold it the right way, and that makes it a lot easier to break.” And while the many youth receiving care from Nationwide Children’s will no doubt benefit from the 2019 Health Kick, Lee’s unique approach to philanthropy aims to help his students just as much. “I think that even though many kids won’t be able to raise $100, by raising even $1 or $2 they will be able to feel like they’re a part of the fundraiser,” Lee says. “They’ll see at the end how that small amount of money becomes over $10,000, and hopefully that act of kindness becomes a habit for them.” • The 2019 Health Kick fundraiser will take place at Centennial High School, located at 1441 Bethel Rd., on Saturday, December 7 from 10:30 AM until 1:30 PM. 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE 109

LIT!

IT’S LIT!

LIT!

IT’S BY L I N DA L EE BA I R D P HOTOS BY BR I A N KA I SER

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DIY holiday light experts provide tips on creating that’s the envy of the neighborhood.

“

JUST DO IT!

It’s very easy to start with a small display and grow it each year.

“

Byron Gunter has always been a holiday light enthusiast. While most kids save their allowance money for candy, toys, or new clothes, Gunter saved his for Christmas lights. “As a pre-teen, my display got so large it was featured in the local paper, and the rest was history,” he said. It was an interest Gunter maintained into adulthood and brought with him when he moved to the Lucy Depp Park community in Powell in 2014. “One of the largest factors in buying my house was the ability to have a large Christmas light show,” he said. When Kevin Rhodus moved into the neighborhood a few months later, one of their first conversations was about the possibility of organizing a large-scale holiday light show. “Kevin brought the technical background needed to make it happen, and here we stand today, with one of the largest neighborhood light shows in Central Ohio,” Gunter said. The show now includes five neighboring houses over 7.5 acres in the Lucy Depp Park community. Gunter and Rhodus, along with their neighbor Dave Johnson, answered some questions for (614) about how to set up your own fabulous holiday light display, and how they are giving back to the community through their show. •

How does the show change from year to year?

BG: Each year the show gets larger and larger. We have kept a tradition of adding another house (or more) every year. We also are constantly evolving our displays. For example, pixels allow us to control each individual bulb in a string of lights. We grew from just one pixel tree last year to wrapping over 100 trees in pixels this year.

Last year, you collected donations at the show to raise money for a local charity. Are you planning to do so again this year?

(614): Tell us about your setup process. What does it look like to organize this show?

BG: We start hanging lights in early September. It takes over two months to get everything up. There are over 200 trees, bushes, and props that are each individually controlled. We lost count of the exact number of strands a long time ago. In addition to hanging lights, we have to set up controllers, run data cabling, mount antennas and get all the infrastructure in place to make the show happen. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes involved to get 7.5-acres to all turn on and off at the same time.

How do you organize the display across houses? Is the design collaborative, or does each house create its own display?

KR: Each year we have a dinner in early fall with all the families involved with the show to finalize our plans. Each house involved creates and hangs their own displays. Then we work collaboratively together to program it into one large continuous show.

What is the process for programming your light show? Does the programming take the same amount of time every year?

KR: We start off programming the show by making our own soundtrack each year. We spend most of the spring and summer deciding what songs we want to use next year. From there, we use software to synchronize each tree to the soundtrack and create what is called a sequence. As we add more houses and more complex displays, the amount of time required grows exponentially. Last year it took approximately 80-100 hours to sequence the six-minute show. This year that number will increase a lot with all we added. Once the show is sequenced, we load it to multiple minicomputers (Raspberry Pi’s and Beaglebone’s) that control sections of the show and are tied together via a large network. We monitor everything connected to the network 24/7 and instantly get email alerts if any problems occur.

DJ: For the second year in a row, we are raising money for Peace for Paws Ohio. This organization is very close to us, as my wife is the Medical Director and on the Board of Directors. Peace for Paws rescues pets from high kill shelters across the state of Ohio. Many of the pets in the neighborhood are rescues from Peace for Paws.

How much was raised last year?

DJ: Last year we raised over $5,000 dollars for Peace for Paws. The money went directly to help with the vet bills for many dogs and cats in their care.

Do you have a sense of how many people visited?

DJ: We don’t have a final number but most nights we averaged somewhere between 200400 cars.

What’s the cost of putting on this annual light show? Do you accept donations?

DJ: The cost of doing this is way more than our wives know. Almost all the lights are LED so there is very little increase to our electric bill. Almost all the cost is tied up in lights, extension cords, and controllers. Any donations we receive go to Peace for Paws.

What’s an unexpected challenge you’ve experienced, and how did you overcome it?

BG: By far, traffic has been our largest unexpected challenge. We had no idea what the turnout would be the first year when we simply put out on Nextdoor that we were doing a light show. Within a day we had cars trying to go the opposite directions on one-lane roads and driving through yards to get around stopped cars. We quickly realized we needed to control the traffic and make the show one direction.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to elevate their holiday lights this year? KR: Do it! There are tons of great online and local communities, [such as] Light Up Ohio, of Christmas light enthusiasts. It’s very easy to start with a small display and grow it each year. A lot of our fun we get out of doing the show is experimenting and trying new ideas each year.

Anything you’d like to add?

DJ: We all got really lucky with the light show to be able to have a group of neighbors turn into a close group of friends. It has really brought our neighborhood together and gives us an amazing opportunity to give back to the surrounding communities. •

This exchange has been lightly edited. For times and directions to Lucy Depp Park,, visit lucydepppark.wordpress.com. 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

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ENTER THE EMERALD CITY WINTER IN DUBLIN O F F E R I TS OW N S U R P R I S E S VASOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Winter cocktails, served in igloos on top of the AC Hotel in Bridge Park. 114 (614) MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2019 614NOW.COM

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–DUBLIN CALENDAR– 05.

07.

@ Coffman Park

@ Abbey Theater

Dublin is ready to unleash its light set up, and it should give everyone a run for their money. The event is complete with movie screenings such as Frosty The Snowman and A Charlie Brown Christmas, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in attendance, and there will be plenty of hot chocolate to keep you warm.

The sugarplum fairies will be on stage dancing in full force as The Nutcracker returns to Dublin for its sixth year. Presented by the Dublin Dance Center and Gymnastics, this show is a nostalgic classic that is fit for the entire family.

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

THE NUTCRACKER

07, 14, & 21. SANTA IN THE PARK @ Crawford Hoying Have your little ones been nice? There’s only one way to find out! Head over to Crawford Hoying on select Saturdays in December, where Santa will be set up hearing all the good boys’ and girls’ wish lists for presents. Kids can write letters that will be sent to the North Pole, and of course, snag an adorable holiday photo with Mr. Claus himself.

08.

AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS @ Coffman Park Coffman Park is loaded with events for December and An Old Fashioned Christmas is a chance to go back in time. Here, visitors can tour an 1860s-era home decked with period-specific decorations courtesy of The Muirfield Village Club. Tickets are $5 and children under 10 get in for free.

17.

FAMILY HOLIDAY DRIVE-IN: THE POLAR EXPRESS @ Dublin Community Recreation Center Is it really the holiday season without watching The Polar Express at least once? We think not, and the Dublin Community Recreation Center agrees. This event takes the drive-in feature to the next level, as cardboard cars will be parked for the little ones to customize with their own designs. Most important: holiday pajamas are strongly encouraged! 614NOW.COM DECEMBER 2019 (614) MAGAZINE

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S P ON S ORE D CON T E N T

Curry Up and Try One of Central Ohio’s Most Unique Indian Concepts BY MIKE THOMAS PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CURRY UP

elebrating its third year serving authentic Indian cuisine with a twist, Curry Up Indian Grill remains a go-to for fans of fast, delicious fare in Dublin and beyond.

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As a student at the Culinary Institute of America, Curry Up founder Vishal Patel learned his craft while working under some of the nation’s premiere chefs. It was during his time at CIA that Patel first dreamt of the concept for his restaurant, realizing the potential for a gourmet fast-casual concept serving, clean, scratch-made Indian cuisine. With a chef-inspired menu, Curry Up ups the ante on the typical fast-casual model. As with similar restaurants, the Curry Up experience begins with picking a protein. Diners can choose from tofu, paneer, chicken and lamb, then line up to find their favorites—like a rotating selection of curries including spinach, korma, tikka, rohgan and more—all pre-made and ready to go. More elaborate offerings like biyrani or Indian street wraps are made-to-order in the kitchen and served in a few minutes time. No matter what you order, everything at Curry Up is prepared with health in mind. The whole menu is created using organic ingredients free from preservatives, MSG, food coloring, and added sugar. The results are dishes with all of your familiar Indian flavors—only cleaner, healthier, and fresher. “In my personal opinion, the true essence of Indian cuisine

S P ON S ORE D CON T E N T

is that it’s simple, it’s clean, and it’s good for you,” Patel said of the philosophy which drives the approach at Curry Up. This lighter, cleaner approach to Indian cooking also means limiting the amount of cream, butter and ghee utilized in the cooking process, making the resulting dishes lighter than what is served in many restaurants. It’s a method that has won Curry Up a number of fans in the Crossfit community, and among those who simply believe in clean eating. Throughout the menu, Patel sees the importance of preserving the cultural ties that have made Indian cuisine popular around the globe. Curry Up avoids the pitfall of forgetting the cultural identities behind each dish by working diligently to prepare things the traditional way. “There are over 70 different varieties or styles of cuisine in India, and just to put it into just two categories—north or south—it doesn’t really do it justice,” explains Patel. “So any of the sauces we make, we make in the particular style of where it was first founded.” This is not to suggest that Patel and his team lack creativity. While all of the underlying flavors found in the food at Curry Up are authentic, the chefs at Curry Up put their own unique twist on things. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the restaurant’s Indian-twist burgers. First created for the 614 Burger and Beer Week menu, these burgers have become a weekend staple thanks to popular demand. Among the offerings are an aloo tikki burger (a vegetarian potato patty burger), the fried paneer burger (paneer seasoned, breaded and deep-fried—like a mozzarella stick in a burger format), and the fan-favorite, 6.5oz lamb kebab burger. From pumpkin curry at Halloween to Singapore-style sweet potato curry for the Thanksgiving holiday, you never know what you might find at Curry Up. With 48 different curries rotated throughout the year, there’s always some new, unique offering to discover.• To view menus, learn about Curry Up’s exclusive ticketed events, and more, visit CurryUpColumbus.com. Curry Up is located at 6181 Sawmill Roadw.

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CARRIAGES CRITTERS & C O C K TA I L S Dublin is a winter wonderland for the whole family

HOLIDAY HORSE–DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES

JACK HANNAH’S HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS FEATURING SANTA PAWS

Throughout December @ 4261 West Dublin-Granville Rd.

December 07 @ 4850 Powell Rd.

Celebrate the season in style with a holiday tradition for the whole family. From noon to 3:00 p.m. each weekend in December through Saturday the 21st, visit Oakland Nursery to enjoy the festivities with a traditional horsedrawn carriage ride! Kids can sip hot chocolate and snack on cookies, and be sure to bring your dog to visit with Santa and capture a family photo. For more information, call (614) 874-2400.

Ring in the holidays with Jungle Jack himself at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! The Santa paws event is an enrichment activity that keeps the animals in the holiday spirit by giving them specially wrapped treats using materials that are safe for each animal. Bring any of the approved enrichment gifts for the animals and in return, you will receive one FREE admission to Wildlights! Be there when Jack and his animal friends take stage for special performances at the zoo’s outdoor stage at 6:00, 7:15 and 8:30 p.m.

DUBLIN CELTIC 1COCKTAIL TRAIL

DUBLIN TREE TRAIL

@ Multiple Locations

Round up your best mates and hit the Celtic Cocktail Trail this winter. There are 11 stops (which you are strongly advised not to make all in one day) featuring such luscious libations as 101 Beer Kitchen’s “Irish Isle,” Fado Pub & Kitchen’s “Irish Sazerac,” and Tucci’s “Drunken Leprechaun.” It’s like St. Patrick’s Day whenever you please! And yes, there’s a t-shirt prize involved. Slánte, lads.

Whether you want to capture a selfie, get a family picture, or just admire the twinkle of the lights, there are plenty of Christmas trees to take in this season. You’ll find two towering trees in Bridge Park, one in the decorated square at the corner of Bridge and High Streets, and another standing tall in Coffman Park. Bundle up and enjoy the view!

HAYDEN RUN FALLS @ 4326 Hayden Run Rd Lastly, we bring you a literal trail! Meander down a path in Hayden Run park to discover a spectacle of winter beauty: a frozen waterfall. When the temperatures dip low enough, the water rushing over the ledge of Hayden Run Falls halts to a frozen, frothy stop to create a scene you’ll have to see to believe. Happy exploring! 128 (614) MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019 614NOW.COM

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#AsSeenInDUBLIN It’s difficult for us here at (614) to catch it all. That’s where you come in: while you’re out there capturing the city, you might as well slide some of your best shots our way. We’ll throw a few of ours in the mix, too. There’s plenty to see in Dublin, so there’s no reason not to share.

#AsSeenInDublin

@aidan187

@toesbyteagan

@brigette_rizzo_photography

@billy8thekid

@dpoh

@_.smoore @germanvillagemakersmark

@wagsthisway

@themominstyle

@mrs.sumanartclass @colhouseofmedia @honey_dipped_llc

@bo55man_ @vesselfloralevents

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@jac.clark

@emereezahn

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@gadaboutgals @noahjwilliamson

@columbusdatenightguide @foodiebae_mariakay

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