Westside Messenger - November 19th, 2023
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<strong>Messenger</strong><br />
Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
<strong>Westside</strong><br />
<strong>November</strong> 19 - December 9, <strong>2023</strong> www.columbusmessenger.com Vol. L, No. 9<br />
4220 W. Broad St.<br />
(Across from Westland Mall)<br />
614 272-6485 open 7 days a week<br />
Featuring<br />
our<br />
famous<br />
STEAK<br />
COMBO!!<br />
Serving up a slice<br />
of pie in Prairie<br />
<strong>Messenger</strong> photos Pat Donahue<br />
The first Prairie Township Community Center Thanksgiving Pie<br />
Bake-Off was held on Nov. 11. Contestants submitted pies in<br />
two categories - fruit pies and non-fruit pies. Here, 7-year-old<br />
Charlie Patrick (top right) poses in front of her old-fashioned<br />
southern pecan pie that won her top honors in the non-fruit<br />
category. The winner of the fruit category was Maria Wolfe.<br />
Sandy Green (below) serves up a piece of her buckeye pie to<br />
4-year-old Beatrice Wolfe during the Prairie Township<br />
Community Center Thanksgiving Pie Bake-Off. Green’s pie<br />
entry would take second place in the non-fruit category.<br />
The contestants, (bottom right) as well as staff and visitors to<br />
the event, were given the task of tasting and judging the pies<br />
entered in the event.<br />
Hilltop Commission<br />
OKs election results<br />
By Dedra Cordle<br />
Staff Writer<br />
The Greater Hilltop Area Commission<br />
will welcome three new community advocates<br />
to the local advisory board next year.<br />
At its meeting on Nov. 14, the commission<br />
announced the results of the election<br />
that took place last month. It saw a record<br />
number of candidates submit petitions to<br />
vie for one of the four open seats on the<br />
board, and it also saw a record number of<br />
citizens participate in the election process.<br />
According to Leah Brudno, chair of the<br />
government and legislation committee,<br />
these are the results of the Oct. 7 election.<br />
•Candidate Nick Bates received 133<br />
votes.<br />
•Candidate Dean Smith received 120<br />
votes.<br />
•Candidate Jennie Keplar received 111<br />
votes.<br />
•Candidate Keith Neal received 91<br />
votes.<br />
•Candidate Jason Cornell received 61<br />
votes.<br />
•Candidate Ricky Kitchen received 56<br />
votes.<br />
•Candidate Terry Roofe received 41<br />
votes.<br />
With the exception of the incumbent<br />
Keplar, all of the candidates who ran for a<br />
seat in the <strong>2023</strong> election were vying to<br />
become first time area commissioners.<br />
Commissioner-elect Nick Bates has<br />
been a resident of the westside since 2007.<br />
He said in that time, he has seen “so many<br />
great assets here in the Hilltop - most<br />
notably the people.” He added that he will<br />
combine his love of volunteerism and his<br />
professional expertise on policy to try to<br />
make positive changes on the lives of the<br />
people who live in the community.<br />
“I have spent my career advocating for<br />
more affordable housing, more food security,<br />
and more equity and adequacy in our<br />
public schools,” he wrote in an email. “I<br />
believe we can achieve long-term, mean-<br />
See HILLTOP COMMISSION page 2<br />
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PAGE 4<br />
FOR<br />
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PAGE 2 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - <strong>November</strong> 19, <strong>2023</strong><br />
HILLTOP COMMISSION<br />
Continued from page 1<br />
ingful progress on these issues by lifting up the stories that<br />
often go unheard in our communities. As a commissioner,<br />
I hope to connect the stories to meaningful policy solutions.”<br />
Commissioner-elect Dean Smith said he wanted to run<br />
for a seat on the commission to make a difference in the<br />
community.<br />
“My campaign slogan was “Every Street. Every<br />
Resident.,” meaning that I want to ensure that I empower<br />
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Antiques, Collectibles,<br />
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every street and every resident to reach their full potential,”<br />
he wrote in an email. “Now that the campaign season<br />
is over, I want to imbed this slogan as a guiding principle<br />
in how I operate as a commissioner.”<br />
He said in his first term, he will “aim to work with his<br />
fellow commissioners to build upon the work they’ve done<br />
to increase voter turnout in our elections, improve our system<br />
for advocating for capital improvements, and improve<br />
the Hilltop’s overall image.”<br />
“I am extremely optimistic about our community’s<br />
future and am excited to help others be a part<br />
of it.”<br />
Incumbent commissioner Jennie Keplar has<br />
served on the commission a total of four years —<br />
including a previous time in the early 2000s — and<br />
said she wanted to continue being a part of the<br />
advisory board because she sees a new level of<br />
engagement that was not present two decades ago.<br />
“I feel so much more invigorated, not only by the<br />
current and soon-to-be members of the commission,<br />
but by how much more engaged Hilltoppers seem to<br />
be this time around,” she wrote. “The GHAC is 42<br />
years old, and in that time, we’ve had peaks and<br />
valleys in terms of community participation. I’m<br />
seeing more people attending the meetings voluntarily<br />
and asking really good questions. The more<br />
residents we can get to join us, participate in our<br />
committees, and really take part in our civil discourse,<br />
the more I want to be a part of that.”<br />
Keplar said she wants to help younger generations<br />
of Hilltoppers find the courage to speak up for<br />
their community during her second term on the<br />
commission, “even when the forces they’re speaking<br />
to seem daunting.”<br />
In the biography he submitted to the public for<br />
consideration as a candidate, Commissioner-elect<br />
Keith Neal said he wanted to use his passion for<br />
community activism and youth advocacy to enrich<br />
the neighborhoods in Columbus.<br />
Neal had spent more than three decades at the<br />
J. Ashburn Jr. Youth Center, beginning as a janitor<br />
and retiring as its executive director. While<br />
employed at the center, Neal instituted the Great<br />
Expectation Program as a “model of excellence in<br />
character, building, emotional growth, sports activities,<br />
healthy nutrition, and creative outlets.”<br />
The Columbus <strong>Messenger</strong> reached out to Neal to ask<br />
about his decision to run for a seat on the commission and<br />
what he hoped to accomplish during his three-year term<br />
but did not receive a response as of press time.<br />
Commissioner Brudno — who did not run for re-election<br />
this year — said she was “excited” for the future of the commission.<br />
“We have some really great people who will be seated<br />
next year and we had some really great candidates for the<br />
voters to consider,” she said. “I am excited to see what<br />
comes next.”<br />
More than 200 voters participated in the <strong>2023</strong> election.<br />
The process, however, was not without issue.<br />
As the chair of the committee that oversees the election,<br />
Brudno said her auto-correct program incorrectly removed<br />
the ‘e’ on the last name of candidate Terry Roofe when she<br />
was writing the ballots. Typically, a co-chair of the committee<br />
would look over the names on the ballot to check for<br />
mistakes but there was no co-chair this year.<br />
“It was a total oversight and that error should have<br />
been caught before it went out before voters,” she said.<br />
To correct the error at some polling locations, either a<br />
commissioner or a voter tried to add the missing ‘e’ on<br />
some of the ballots. Candidate Roofe filed a complaint to<br />
the city’s department of neighborhoods as he believed the<br />
integrity of the area commission’s election process was in<br />
question.<br />
During the Nov. 14 meeting, he said the commission<br />
should have reprinted the ballot prior to the election<br />
rather than “deface” the official ballot that was before voters.<br />
“You have to have election integrity,” he said.<br />
After he contested the election, the commission sent an<br />
inquiry to the department of neighborhoods and had the<br />
city attorney that oversees area commissions review the<br />
matter. According to neighborhoods program coordinator<br />
David Hooie, the city attorney did not feel it was necessary<br />
for the commission to hold another election despite the<br />
“irregularities” that occurred.<br />
The city officials ultimately left the decision to the commission,<br />
which decided to certify the results as is due to<br />
the fact that voters at the polls were given candidate bios<br />
with the correctly spelled last names prior to casting their<br />
votes.<br />
Vice-chair Victoria Bates-Frye said the<br />
commission will use this incident as an<br />
opportunity to improve upon future elections<br />
and ensure there are no questions<br />
related to the integrity of the process.<br />
“There’s an opportunity here and I think<br />
we should grab a hold of it,” she said.<br />
Roofe said that is ultimately all he wanted<br />
— for the election to be fair to all candidates.<br />
In related news, the commission has an<br />
appointed seat available next year. In order<br />
to be considered, one must be over the age<br />
of 18, and live, work, or own property within<br />
the GHAC boundaries.<br />
Those interested in the three-year<br />
appointed seat can reach out to the commissioners<br />
via Facebook or via their website,<br />
cbusareacommissions.org/greater-hilltop<br />
to request consideration. The commission<br />
will discuss the nominees at their<br />
December meeting and likely vote for the<br />
individuals at their first meeting of 2024.<br />
The next full commission meeting will<br />
be held on Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the<br />
Columbus Metropolitan Library: Hilltop<br />
Branch, 511 S. Hague Ave.
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
By Dedra Cordle<br />
Staff Writer<br />
Interior and exterior upgrades are slated<br />
for multiple buildings in the South-<br />
Western City Schools District.<br />
At its meeting on Oct. 23, the board of<br />
education unanimously approved two<br />
items for action that will allow the district<br />
to start planning for infrastructure<br />
improvements and renovations at its district<br />
service center and its transportation<br />
service center next year.<br />
The first item for action that was<br />
approved was an agreement with Schorr<br />
Architects to provide professional design<br />
services for the project. Under the terms of<br />
the contract, the district will pay $255,000<br />
to the architectural firm for the design, bidding<br />
and construction administration phases,<br />
with an additional allocation of $33,000<br />
for permitting and plan reproduction costs.<br />
The second item for action that was<br />
approved was a resolution authorizing the<br />
district to advertise for bids for the infrastructure<br />
improvement and renovation<br />
project at the two service centers.<br />
According to Monte Detterman, the district’s<br />
director of business services, the<br />
scope of the project at the district service<br />
center on Marlane Drive includes upgrades<br />
throughout the facility.<br />
“Among the items set for bid within this<br />
project are windows, HVAC, roofing<br />
improvements, and structural issues with<br />
the exterior,” he said in an email. “Many of<br />
these improvements will enhance the<br />
DSC’s heating and cooling capabilities and<br />
reduce utility costs long term.”<br />
The scope of the project at the transportation<br />
service center on Southwest<br />
Boulevard are “mostly cosmetic,” said<br />
Detterman.<br />
“There are some doors that need to be<br />
replaced and the exterior of the building<br />
will be painted,” he said. “A new heating<br />
system will be installed in the mechanics<br />
bay as well as replacing some ventilation<br />
units.<br />
He added that lighting will be upgraded<br />
throughout the facility with energy efficient<br />
LED fixtures and restrooms and<br />
break areas will be renovated to provide<br />
better facilities for staff. The office will also<br />
be renovated to provide a “more functional<br />
work space for scheduling and routing students<br />
each day.”<br />
The current estimate for the district<br />
service center project is budgeted at $1.5<br />
million. The current estimate for the transportation<br />
service center project is budgeted<br />
at $500,000.<br />
Detterman said that ideally the district<br />
service center project would start this winter,<br />
but most of the work would be in the<br />
spring and summer. The transportation<br />
service center project could begin this fall.<br />
He said that it is the district’s hope that<br />
both projects will be completed in August<br />
and/or September of 2024.<br />
Unlike a majority of the infrastructure<br />
improvement and renovation projects that<br />
have been approved by the board within<br />
the past several years, this project will be<br />
funded by permanent improvement dollars<br />
and not federal dollars that have been allocated<br />
through the American Rescue Plan<br />
and The Elementary and Secondary School<br />
Emergency Relief Fund (APR-ESSER).<br />
Some of the district infrastructure projects<br />
that have been approved utilizing<br />
those funds include the construction of a<br />
new Stiles Family Resource Center, HVAC<br />
throughout the school buildings, a new<br />
addition to Hayes Intermediate School, roof<br />
repair and renovation at the recreation<br />
centers, and an event center expansion at<br />
the South-Western Career Academy.<br />
The ARP-ESSER dollars have also been<br />
utilized for learning loss initiatives caused<br />
by the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the<br />
district has spent more than $15 million to<br />
<strong>November</strong> 19, <strong>2023</strong> - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 3<br />
In Education<br />
Renovations planned in South-Western City Schools District<br />
combat learning loss by hiring additional<br />
counselors, intervention specialists, social<br />
workers, and student support liaisons;<br />
offering online tutoring services; building a<br />
more robust summer school program; providing<br />
Chromebooks to all students; and<br />
partnering with organizations such as the<br />
YMCA of Central Ohio to provide social<br />
and emotional support for the students.<br />
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PAGE 4 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - <strong>November</strong> 19, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Central Crossing<br />
graduate writes<br />
book on bullying<br />
By Sarah Slayman<br />
Staff Writer<br />
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
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Heather Hammel, a 2007 graduate of<br />
Central Crossing High School, experiences<br />
a handful of disabilities. Some would call<br />
her different. Those differences isolated<br />
Hammel as a child, but she has turned<br />
that pain into an opportunity to author a<br />
book that she hopes will help kids like her<br />
not feel so alone.<br />
Hammel’s differences were not always<br />
understood by classmates growing up,<br />
specifically her experience with Tourette<br />
Syndrome. This condition of the nervous<br />
system triggers sporadic sounds and<br />
motions that could be particularly difficult<br />
for children to make sense of. Hammel said<br />
because of her condition, she was bullied<br />
for several years unbeknownst to her family,<br />
leaving her feeling isolated.<br />
Her mother, Janice Hammel, remembers<br />
feeling shocked upon learning that<br />
her daughter’s experience was so painful.<br />
She recalled all the times they were in<br />
public and friends came running to say<br />
hello to her daughter. It wasn’t until years<br />
after graduation that Janice learned not<br />
everyone treated Hammel this way. She<br />
encourages unsuspecting parents to check<br />
in with their child and how they’re being<br />
treated at school. This book is a hopeful<br />
conversation starter in that regard.<br />
In recounting the bullying with her<br />
mother, Hammel had the idea to author a<br />
story of a little girl with similar struggles,<br />
but with an ending that she herself longed<br />
for as a child. Janice encouraged her to<br />
write out a storyline, and thus began the<br />
creative process.<br />
“Angel’s Special Day” addresses the<br />
challenges of experiencing a struggle that<br />
is not well understood by following the<br />
experience of a little girl with Tourette<br />
Syndrome through her days at school.<br />
Angel, the title character, gets teased<br />
for her disability on her walk to school,<br />
inside the classroom, and everywhere in<br />
between. She tells her parents how sad she<br />
is, something Hammel wishes she would<br />
have done sooner.<br />
“I wrote this for other kids and adults<br />
who are like me and need help,” said<br />
Hammel.<br />
Once the story was complete, a copy was<br />
sent to Covenant Books Publishing for<br />
review. After minor edits and added illus-<br />
anksgiving meal<br />
at Hilltop United Methodist<br />
The Hilltop United Methodist Church<br />
will host a free Thanksgiving day dinner<br />
from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 23 at 99 S.<br />
Highland Ave.<br />
community events<br />
<strong>Messenger</strong> photo by Sarah Slayman<br />
Heather Hammel is the author of “Angel’s<br />
Special Day,” a book that teaches children<br />
how to cope with their own differences<br />
and bullying by their peers.<br />
trations selected by Hammel, the book was<br />
officially published last year.<br />
Janice regards the book as an educational<br />
tool for teachers as one way to prevent<br />
bullying. She said teachers could tailor<br />
this storyline to help explain what is<br />
going on with a certain child in their classroom<br />
that mirrors Angel’s experience.<br />
“She is so much farther along than they<br />
ever thought she would be when she was<br />
born, and I give God all the glory for it,”<br />
Janice said of her daughter. “I am so proud<br />
of her for all that she’s done.”<br />
Hammel encourages all who are experiencing<br />
bullying and having a hard time<br />
standing up for themselves to go to an<br />
adult they trust and ask for help.<br />
“Everything is truly going to be okay,”<br />
said Hammel. “You can get through it like<br />
I did.”<br />
Elementary schools within the South-<br />
Western City Schools District have agreed<br />
to carry the book in their libraries. “Angel’s<br />
Special Day” is also available on Amazon,<br />
Barnes & Noble, & iTunes.<br />
anksgiving dinner<br />
at St. Aloysius<br />
St. Aloysius Catholic Church will host a<br />
free Thanksgiving Day dinner from 11 a.m.<br />
to 2 p.m. Nov. 23 at 2165 West Broad St.<br />
All are welcome.
www.columbusmessenger.com <strong>November</strong> 19, <strong>2023</strong> - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 5<br />
Columbus officials shut down<br />
suspected drug house on the Hilltop<br />
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein<br />
announced on Nov. 8 that the city of<br />
Columbus obtained a preliminary injunction<br />
to shut down a drug house in the<br />
Hilltop, located at 673 S. Richardson Ave.<br />
The Columbus Police Department<br />
(CPD) has received more than 40 calls for<br />
service to the premises since February<br />
2021, including multiple reports of shots<br />
fired and drug activity at the premises.<br />
CPD executed an order to board up the<br />
property.<br />
“Hilltop residents deserve a neighborhood<br />
free from drugs and violence, a safe<br />
place they can call home, start a business<br />
or raise a family,” said Klein. “By shutting<br />
this drug house down, we’re disrupting the<br />
flow of narcotics into our streets and making<br />
the Hilltop safer for residents. I continue<br />
to encourage neighbors who see something<br />
to say something and contact 311 or<br />
law enforcement to get these problem properties<br />
shut down.”<br />
According to court documents, the property<br />
came to the attention of CPD in 2021,<br />
and since then, the property has been the<br />
scene of more than 40 calls for service.<br />
In February <strong>2023</strong>, CPD received a complaint<br />
of 10 gunshots at the premises, and<br />
later in March <strong>2023</strong>, CPD received a complaint<br />
of five shots heard at the premises.<br />
In April <strong>2023</strong>, officers responded to a<br />
death at the premises from a potential<br />
drug overdose.<br />
Multiple reports of shots fired at the<br />
home were reported in May <strong>2023</strong>, and in<br />
August, police received a report of narcotics<br />
activity inside the premises. A concerned<br />
neighbor indicated that they<br />
observed multiple people coming and leaving<br />
from the premises, as well as drug<br />
paraphernalia and possible prostitution<br />
occurring around the property.<br />
Later in August, Columbus detectives<br />
made several controlled purchases of crack<br />
cocaine from the premises. Police also<br />
received a theft report, with the caller stating<br />
that $12,000 in property was missing.<br />
In October, CPD received noise complaints<br />
and reports of a domestic dispute at<br />
the premises.<br />
“Residents alerted us to this dangerous<br />
property and we were able to take action,<br />
shut this drug house down and improve the<br />
quality of life in the neighborhood,” said<br />
Assistant City Attorney Zach Gwin. “We<br />
continue to send the message that if you<br />
own or operate a violent or dangerous property,<br />
the City is going to step in and hold<br />
you accountable. It’s what residents and<br />
families in neighborhoods like the Hilltop<br />
and all across Columbus deserve.”<br />
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Breakfast with Santa Dec. 16th, 9am-12pm<br />
email admin@columbiaheightsumc.com<br />
or call 614-208-8399<br />
by Dec. 2nd to make reservations<br />
GLENWOOD UM CHURCH<br />
2833 Valleyview Dr.<br />
(Corner of Valleyview & Hague Ave.)<br />
Rev. Dr. Kevin Orr<br />
Join us for In-Person or Online<br />
Glenwood UMC YouTube<br />
http://tinyurl.com/GlenwoodUMC<br />
Come Join in the Celebration!<br />
130th Church Anniversary on<br />
Sunday, <strong>November</strong> <strong>19th</strong>, <strong>2023</strong><br />
at 10:45 A.M.<br />
Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML)<br />
is hosting a free holiday open house on<br />
Wednesday, Nov. 29 at its Main Library.<br />
From 6 to 8 p.m., families can enjoy<br />
activities, sing-along carols and refreshments,<br />
plus a visit from live reindeer and a<br />
special guest. But perhaps the biggest<br />
draw of the evening will be the return of<br />
the Huntington Holiday Train. A ceremonial<br />
switch will be flipped on for the train,<br />
which will delight library customers<br />
through Jan. 7, 2024. Parking for the event<br />
in the Main Library’s attached garage will<br />
be free.<br />
The 600-square-foot Huntington<br />
Holiday Train includes multiple miniature<br />
trains running on more than 280 feet of<br />
track surrounded by more than 50 pounds<br />
of snowflakes. The miniature buildings —<br />
which are all made from leaves, bark,<br />
seeds, pinecones, fungus and moss — are<br />
modeled after actual structures in<br />
Germany.<br />
This marks the 31st year of the holiday<br />
Pet Corner<br />
Pets of the week<br />
Wookie is a 1-yearold<br />
boy who was<br />
found trying to survive<br />
on the streets.<br />
He is as sweet as he<br />
is handsome. Wookie<br />
is neutered, microchipped,<br />
FL/FIV negative<br />
and up to date<br />
on vaccines. Come<br />
visit him in the<br />
Colony Cats’ cage-free adoption center.<br />
FYI: colonycats.org<br />
Nesta is a uniquely<br />
spotted tuxedo lady<br />
who looks like a lovely<br />
little cow. A good<br />
samaritan rescued<br />
her from an apartment<br />
complex and<br />
now she’s ready to<br />
find her forever home<br />
after almost a year<br />
with Colony Cats. She is more reserved, and<br />
often not comfortable being touched. This just<br />
means she is a very independent lady that<br />
appreciates her alone time. Nesta is perfect if<br />
you are looking for a cat that won’t try to lay<br />
across your keyboard as you try to work from<br />
home. Adopt her from Colony Cats.<br />
FYI: colonycats.org<br />
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
Huntington Holiday Train back<br />
on track at CML’s Main Library<br />
Blood drive at Glenwood UMC<br />
The American Red Cross has partnered<br />
with the Glenwood United Methodist<br />
Church, 2833 Valleyview Drive, to host a<br />
community events<br />
attraction, which was built in 1992 by<br />
Applied Imagination founder Paul Busse.<br />
The train was originally displayed in the<br />
lobby of the historic Huntington building at<br />
Broad and High streets. In 2009,<br />
Huntington loaned the train to CML. This<br />
year will be its 13th on display in Main<br />
Library’s atrium.<br />
Highlights include a six-foot-tall cathedral,<br />
an eight-foot-tall castle and a waterfall<br />
that pumps 600 gallons of water an<br />
hour. Each building in the display took<br />
between one and three weeks to create.<br />
The castle and waterfall took more than<br />
three months to complete; it took more<br />
than 10 months to build the cathedral. The<br />
entire display takes two days to set up.<br />
The Huntington Holiday Train will be<br />
on display Nov. 22 through Jan. 7 during<br />
regular library hours — Monday through<br />
Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and<br />
Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday<br />
from 1 to 5 p.m. The first hour of parking in<br />
the library garage is free.<br />
blood drive. The drive is set for Wednesday,<br />
Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule<br />
an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or<br />
call 1-800-red-cross.<br />
These furry friends are available<br />
for adoption at local<br />
rescues and shelters<br />
Earl is a senior<br />
sweetie with eight<br />
years of experience<br />
in cuddles and taking<br />
hearty naps. He loves<br />
going for walks and<br />
like to take his time<br />
while sidewalk perusing,<br />
watching people<br />
walk by and smelling<br />
the pleasant air. After<br />
a good walk, he will look to take a snooze. Earl<br />
is the gentlest couch potato you’ll ever meet.<br />
Adopt this gentle boy from the Franklin<br />
County shelter.<br />
FYI: franklincountydogs.com<br />
Rose is a 10-year-old<br />
who could be your<br />
perfect match if you<br />
like the easy life. She<br />
is a relaxed, laid back<br />
kind of dog who<br />
enjoys long naps,<br />
watching movies,<br />
curling up on laps,<br />
and walking very<br />
short distances from<br />
the couch to the food bowl and back. Stop by<br />
the county shelter to meet sweet Rose.<br />
FYI: franklincountydogs.com
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
<strong>November</strong> 19, <strong>2023</strong> - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 7<br />
Email story ideas to<br />
westside@columbusmessenger.com<br />
<strong>Messenger</strong> photo by Dedra Cordle<br />
Honoring alumni who have served<br />
The Franklin Heights High School NJROTC unit hosted a special presentation for alumni who served in the<br />
Vietnam War as a part of the Veteran Day festivities that took place throughout the district on Nov. 10. At<br />
the ceremony, a plaque inscribed with the names of the Golden Falcons who are known to have served in<br />
the war was unveiled, including the three alumni who were confirmed killed in action: Joseph Rees (Army),<br />
Larry Herbert (Army), and Andrew Hinderman (Marines). Army veteran John Georgiton, Class of 1964,<br />
kick-started the plaque dedication project as a way to honor all of those who walked the hallways of the<br />
school and served in one of the deadliest wars in modern history. “We all want them to be recognized for<br />
their service and sacrifice,” he said. Pictured here at the location where the plaque will be prominently displayed<br />
are (from left to right) Christian Olinger, Ashton Phaunef, John Georgiton, Dick Grambo (Class of<br />
1967), Lexie Pack, and Joleyne Hernandez.<br />
MEDICARE ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD (AEP) IS<br />
OCT 15 th to DEC 7 th<br />
-up. It is important<br />
that you know your available options for 2024.<br />
Call me Ralph Curcio at 614-603-0852 to schedule an<br />
appointment to review various carriers plans available to<br />
you.<br />
- independent licensed agent that can assist<br />
you with this review and available year-round for questions or<br />
concerns.<br />
-I can help simplify your Medicare plan choices and assist you to<br />
decide on the right plan for YOU.<br />
<br />
- What are the various Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans<br />
or Medicare Supplement plans available to me in my area for 2024?<br />
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Be confident in your plan selection,<br />
keep your doctors and find the lowest<br />
copays for your medications.<br />
- Looking to try and save your out-of-pocket money on your<br />
medications or other services?<br />
- <br />
and now ready for Medicare and want to talk and meet with a local<br />
representative, and review more than 2 or 3 plan options?<br />
<br />
organizations which offer 42 plans in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-<br />
800-MEDICARE to get information on all of
PAGE 8 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - <strong>November</strong> 19, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Ohio House<br />
Nonvoting<br />
Session<br />
A little-known anecdote about the Ohio<br />
House of Representatives is that, during each<br />
General Assembly (the two-year term of the<br />
Legislature), the House must convene at least<br />
once a week—even during a recess or a holiday<br />
period. As a result, if the House is not<br />
scheduled to meet as an entire body, a small<br />
subset of members must convene in a nonvoting<br />
or “shadow” session.<br />
The agenda for the nonvoting session consists<br />
of noncontroversial business such as first readings<br />
of proposed bills (by title only and so they<br />
become eligible for assignment to and consideration<br />
by one of the House standing committees),<br />
nonpolicy resolutions (congratulatory<br />
kudos for noteworthy achievements in respective<br />
House members’ districts), communications<br />
from the Ohio Senate, and<br />
announcements of appointments of members<br />
and the public to standing House committees<br />
and state-mandated councils. All votes taken<br />
are procedural ones with no objections. The<br />
entire meeting lasts only about five to ten<br />
minutes and is scripted for participating<br />
House members by the House Clerk’s office<br />
staff.<br />
Two members from the majority party (Republican,<br />
currently) are required to complete<br />
the agenda. One acts as temporary Speaker<br />
of the House; the other makes the procedural<br />
motions. The motioning member makes the<br />
scripted motions; the temporary Speaker declares<br />
acceptance without objection. Living<br />
relatively close to the State House, I get called<br />
on frequently for this activity—and have<br />
played each role at various times.<br />
The business accomplished in the shadow sessions<br />
serves to speed the work of the House<br />
and minimizes the time spent on process-related<br />
items when we meet as an entire body,<br />
saving time then for essential votes and deliberation<br />
on the true business of the day. If the<br />
nonvoting sessions are missed, the House<br />
technically would have to adjourn for the biennium.<br />
At that point, only Governor DeWine<br />
then could call us back into session, which<br />
would prove to be an unnecessary use of his<br />
time and attention.<br />
(Dave Dobos represents the 10th District in the<br />
Ohio House of Representatives, which consists of<br />
parts of West, Southwest, and South Columbus,<br />
Grove City, Urbancrest, and portions of Franklin<br />
and Jackson Townships. He reports regularly on<br />
his activities in this position and his campaign<br />
has paid for this communication with you.)<br />
Paid Advertisement<br />
If you have been in search of a good laugh — and honestly, who<br />
hasn’t been on that quest these days? — you might be surprised to<br />
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Hard Feelings” in which Jennifer Lawrence’s down-on-her-luck<br />
character is hired by helicopter parents to date their sheltered 19-<br />
year-old son before he goes off to college. We have the mostly<br />
raunchy and somewhat heartfelt buddy adventure “Joy Ride” in<br />
which four friends played by notable funny ladies Sherry Cola,<br />
Stephanie Hsu, Ashley Park and Stephanie Wu travel to Asia<br />
where plenty of hijinks ensue. There is the independent and offbeat<br />
faux-documentary “Theater Camp” in which tightly wound<br />
adult camp counselors and overly earnest teenagers try to save<br />
their beloved camp and jockey for the plum roles in the potentially<br />
last summer production ever. And then we have the deranged animal<br />
features “Cocaine Bear” and “Strays” in which the former sees<br />
a bear accidentally consume the illegal substance and go on a<br />
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killing rampage to get more<br />
and the latter has a group of<br />
stray dogs go on a journey to<br />
get revenge on the human<br />
who dumped one of their<br />
canine pals.<br />
If none of those are appealing to your comedic senses, may I<br />
present “Quiz Lady”, the latest comedy that could potentially<br />
make you laugh and smile with its silly premise. With a plot that<br />
revolves around two estranged sisters who team up after a beloved<br />
canine companion is held for ransom because of their flighty mother,<br />
this film takes a softer approach in the naughty department<br />
and goes a bit harder on the heartfelt. Although it may not elicit<br />
as many laugh-out-loud moments because it is more subdued than<br />
other <strong>2023</strong> comedic offerings, its overall sweetness could bring<br />
forth those elusive feelings of joy throughout its 95 minute running<br />
time.<br />
In the Jessica Yu directed film that is now streaming on Hulu,<br />
Awkwafina and Sandra Oh work against type by playing Anne<br />
and Jenny, respectively, two sisters who could not be more opposite.<br />
As the youngest, Anne is an extreme introvert, preferring to<br />
spend all of her time outside of work alone on the couch, indulging<br />
in bags of Smartfood popcorn and watching her favorite game<br />
show, “Can’t Stop the Quiz” with her adorable and aging pug, Mr.<br />
Linguine (played by Crosby Cookie), by her side. As the oldest,<br />
Jenny is an extreme extrovert, preferring to spend all of her time<br />
amongst new groups of people as she tries to find the perfect job,<br />
the perfect passion, and the perfect life that has always eluded<br />
her.<br />
Since the sisters are roughly 10 years apart in age, they have<br />
never been particularly close, going long stretches of time without<br />
speaking to one another unless Jenny needs to borrow money from<br />
her steady sister or has to find a place to crash for the night — or<br />
the week or the month. While annoyed at having to be a bank or a<br />
hotel for her sister, Anne always gives her what she needs because<br />
it is the fastest way to get Jenny out of her life.<br />
While at work one day, Anne receives a call from the nursing<br />
facility where their mother resides, informing her that her mother<br />
is “gone.” To be clear, gone does not mean dead. It just means that<br />
she flew off to Macau with her new boyfriend and that one of her<br />
daughters has to come to the facility to clean out her room because<br />
she is permanently banned from the premises.<br />
It is this news that brings Jenny back into her orbit. At first,<br />
Anne thinks they will only have to interact for a few days as they<br />
figure out what to do with their wayward mother. But then the sisters<br />
learn that the matriarch owes a local gangster $80,000 and it<br />
is now up to them to pay him back. Having no way to repay the<br />
debt, the gangster takes Mr. Linguine for ransom and allows the<br />
sisters a “two-week grace period” to cough up the dough or else<br />
something bad might happen to the aging pug.<br />
This action prompts Jenny to suggest that Anne try out for<br />
“Can’t Stop the Quiz” because she is quite skilled at trivia — a real<br />
genius at it, even. Despite Anne’s initial reluctance, the introvert<br />
who doesn’t like to be looked at finds herself faced with no other<br />
choice. As the two go on a road trip to the audition, they begin to<br />
bond amongst their sisterly squabbling, finding common ground<br />
and discovering a new way to look at each other — and themselves.<br />
The script, written by Jen D’Angelo, could use a bit more consistency<br />
when it comes to the laughs, but the physical comedy of<br />
and the chemistry between Awkwafina and Oh more than make<br />
up for the lack. The actresses make Anne and Jenny feel like real<br />
sisters who have drifted apart: You can feel the pain and hurt in<br />
the arguments they have, and you can also feel the hope and the<br />
love they have for each other. On paper, they seem like an oddball<br />
duo who wouldn’t quite work together, but on the screen they are<br />
fun and dynamic, playing so well off of each other that it makes<br />
this movie a delight to watch.<br />
Grade: B+<br />
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
“Quiz Lady” will have viewers laughing<br />
The Reel Deal<br />
Dedra Cordle<br />
Dedra Cordle is a <strong>Messenger</strong> staff writer and columnist.
Annual Holiday<br />
Craft Bazaar<br />
Sponsored by by the the Franklin Hts. Music Band Boosters, Inc.<br />
Saturday, December 2, 1, <strong>2023</strong><br />
2018<br />
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at<br />
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at<br />
FRANKLIN HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL<br />
1001 DEMOREST ROAD, COLUMBUS, OH 43204<br />
Admission: $2 $1 per person (children 12 & under free)<br />
free)<br />
Door Concession prizes, 50/50 Stand, drawing, Holiday concession Gift Auction<br />
stand<br />
and and entertainment provided by the<br />
Franklin Heights Musical musical groups.<br />
programs.<br />
Come shop for your family, friends<br />
or yourself and enjoy the sounds<br />
of the holiday season.
PAGE 12 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - <strong>November</strong> 19, <strong>2023</strong><br />
community events<br />
White Christmas<br />
Food Distribution<br />
The White Christmas food distribution<br />
program has been providing boxes of food<br />
to those in need for more than 45 years.<br />
Each box contains enough food to help<br />
families make their Christmas season a<br />
little brighter. Online registration for this<br />
program begins Nov. 24 and runs through<br />
Dec. 1. Those interested can register at<br />
cognitoforms.com/JacksonTownship2/Whit<br />
eChristmasRegistration<strong>2023</strong>. Those who<br />
do not have access to a computer can go to<br />
Jackson Township Fire station 202, 3650<br />
Hoover Road from Nov. 27 through Dec. 1,<br />
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., for in-person<br />
registration.<br />
The White Christmas food program is<br />
open to any resident of 43119, 43123,<br />
43126 and 43146 zip codes with a financial<br />
need. Only one box per address.<br />
Participating families must provide a valid<br />
photo ID, proof of current residency, and<br />
the reason for the request.<br />
Distribution of food will take place on<br />
Dec. 23 behind Our Lady of Perpetual<br />
Help School, 3752 Broadway in Grove<br />
City, from noon to 4 p.m.<br />
For more information, call 614-875-<br />
3322 ext: 309.<br />
Free lunch at Hilltop Methodist<br />
The United Hilltop Methodist Church<br />
will host a free community lunch every<br />
Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church<br />
is located at 99 S. Highland Ave.<br />
Hilltop Legal Clinic<br />
The Legal Aid Society of Columbus will<br />
host a Hilltop Legal Clinic every Monday<br />
from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Columbus<br />
Metropolitan Library Hilltop Branch, 511<br />
S. Hague Ave. in Columbus. A legal aid<br />
attorney will be available to answer questions<br />
regarding landlord and tenant<br />
issues, public benefits, consumer debt, and<br />
family law. To receive free advice, you<br />
must have a gross household income below<br />
200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.<br />
For more information, call Legal Aid at<br />
614-241-2001.<br />
Free legal advice at Westland<br />
The Legal Aid Society of Columbus will<br />
offer free legal advice the third Tuesday of<br />
each month at the Westland Area Library,<br />
4740 West Broad St. Representatives will<br />
be on hand from 4 to 6 p.m. to discuss noncriminal<br />
legal matters like health benefits,<br />
medicare, and landlord issues. For more<br />
information, call the library at 614-878-<br />
1301.<br />
Produce giveaway at YMCA<br />
The Hilltop YMCA hosts a fresh produce<br />
giveaway the third Wednesday of<br />
each month from 4 to 6 p.m. at 2879<br />
Valleyview Drive in Columbus. For more<br />
information, call the YMCA at 614-276-<br />
8224.<br />
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M & S Carry-Out - Georgesville & Atlanta<br />
United Dairy Farmers - Georgesville & Parwick by Freeway<br />
Thorton’s Gas Station - Georgesville & Norton Rd.<br />
Shell Gas Station - Georgesville & Norton Rd.<br />
Kroger - Georgesville Square<br />
Turkey Hill - Georgesville & Clime Rd.<br />
United Dairy Farmers - Clime & Demorest Rd.<br />
Walgreens - Clime & Demorest Rd.<br />
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Walgreens - Harrusburg & Hopkins<br />
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Marathon Gas Station - Georgesville & Industrial Rd.<br />
La Plaza Tapatta - Georgesville & Hollywood Rd.<br />
BP Gas Station - Georgesville Rd. & Broad St.<br />
Westland Library - Lincoln Village Plaza<br />
Giant Eagle - Lincoln Village Plaza<br />
Thorton’s Gas Station - 4990 W. Broad St.<br />
Walgreens - Broad St. & Galloway Rd.<br />
Kroger - Broad St. & Galloway Rd.<br />
CVS Pharmacy - Norton & Hall Rd.<br />
Circle K Gas Station - Norton & Hall Rd.<br />
Dollar General - Norton & Hall Rd.<br />
Marathon Gas Station - Broad St. & Murray Hill Rd.<br />
Speedway Gas Station - Broad St. & Murray Hill Rd.<br />
Dollar Tree - Broad St. & Murray Hill Rd.<br />
Speedway Gas Station - Broad St. 7 Freeway<br />
Sheetz Gas Station - Westland Mall<br />
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