The Heart of a Lion
Wednesdays, Nov. 5-19
Evening Family Story Time
6:30-7 p.m.
Grandview Heights Public Library 1685 W. 1st Ave. www.ghpl.org
Wed., Nov. 5
Upper Arlington High School
Marching Band Indoor Concert
7:30-9:30 p.m.
Upper Arlington High School Performing Arts Center 1625 Zollinger Rd. www.uaschools.org
Thurs., Nov. 6
Suburban Gardening with Native Plants (registration required)
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Upper Arlington Public Library-Tremont Road Branch
2800 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org
Fri., Nov. 7 and Sat., Nov. 8
Grandview Heights High School presents Radium Girls
7 p.m.
Grandview Heights High School Auditorium 1587 W. 3rd Ave. www.ghschools.org
Sat., Nov. 8
Friends of UA Parks Volunteer Day
9 a.m.-noon
Smith Nature Park 1270 Fishinger Rd. www.friendsofuaparks.com
Sat., Nov. 9
Annual Holiday Bazaar
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
St. Andrew Parish 1899 McCoy Rd. www.standrewparish.cc
columbus/osu
Thurs., Nov. 13
Grandview Heights High School
Orchestra Concert
6 p.m.
Grandview Heights High School Auditorium
1587 W. 3rd Ave. www.ghschools.org
Sat., Nov. 15
LEGO© BAM™
Family Build 10-11 a.m.
Teen/Tween challenge 11:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.
Grandview Public Library 1685 W. 1st Ave. www.ghpl.org
Sat., Nov. 15
Progressive Dinner
4:30-9 p.m.
Varying locations www.grandviewheights.gov
Nov. 17-Dec. 14
Food Drive
Grandview Public Library 1685 W. 1st Ave. www.ghpl.org
Tues., Nov. 18
City Hall, Police & Fire Facility
Dedication & Ribbon Cutting 4-7 p.m. 1525 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov
Santa at Holiday in the Heights
Photo
Family Story Time
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Dec. 1-11
Santa’s Mailbox
Bob Crane Community Center 3200 Tremont Rd. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov
Mon., Dec. 1
Marble Cliff Resident Holiday Party
6-8 p.m.
Our Lady of Victory Parish Center 1559 Roxbury Rd. www.marblecliff.org
Tues., Dec. 2
Holiday in the Heights
5-8 p.m.
Pierce Field 1080 W. 1st Ave. www.grandviewheights.gov
Tues., Dec. 2
Christmas Story: The Story of Christmas in Art
4:30-6 p.m.
Upper Arlington Public Library, Tremont Road Branch 2800 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org
Wed., Dec. 3
Larson Middle School Holiday Choral Concert
7 p.m.
Grandview Heights High School 1587 W. 3rd Ave. www.ghschools.org
Fri., Dec. 5
Winter Festival
6-8:30 p.m.
Mallway Park 2096 Arlington Ave. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov
Sat., Dec. 6
Brunch with Santa (registration required)
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Amelita Mirolo Barn 4395 Carriage Hill Ln. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov
Dec. 7-11
Always check websites for updated information.
UACA’s Christmas in the Park (registration required)
Sun., noon-4 p.m., 5-9 p.m.
Mon.-Thurs., 6-9 p.m.
Thompson Park 4250 Woodbridge Rd. www.uaca.org
Wed., Dec. 10
Upper Arlington High School Choir Concert
7-9 p.m.
Upper Arlington High School Performing Arts Center 1625 Zollinger Rd. www.uaschools.org
Thurs., Dec. 11
Grandview Heights High School
Holiday Choral Concert 7-8 p.m.
Grandview Heights High School Auditorium 1587 W. 3rd Ave. www.ghschools.org
Sat., Dec. 13
Friends of UA Parks
9 a.m.-noon
Northwest Kiwanis Park 4840 Stonehaven Dr. www.friendsofuaparks.com
Tues., Dec. 16
Grandview Heights High School
Holiday Band Concert
7 p.m.
Grandview Heights High School
Auditorium 1587 W. 3rd Ave. www.ghschools.org
Wed., Dec. 17
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Noon-6 p.m.
Grandview Public Library 1685 W. 1st Ave. www.ghpl.org
Photo courtesy of the City of Grandview Heights
Santa’s Sleigh at Holiday in the Heights
Compassion in Action
The lasting impact of Jane Jarrow’s vision
As a former Tri-Village Lions Club president, co-founder of the Tri-Village Packers and founder and president of Disability Access Information and Support, serving others is in Jane Jarrow’s blood.
Big city beginnings
Growing up in the heart of Chicago, within a mile of the city, Jarrow was not a Tri-Village native – but she was always a Lion. Her grandfather was a charter member and five-time president of his local Lions Club, where he maintained his membership for more than 50 years.
“I went to a Lions Club camp when I was 10 years old,” Jarrow says. “So Lions Club was kind of in my DNA.”
Both of Jarrow’s parents graduated from Purdue University, and after her father became the director of the university’s speech and hearing program, Jarrow spent much of her youth in the speech clinic. She followed in her father’s footsteps, pursuing both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech and hearing at Purdue. She obtained both degrees within four years.
Following graduation, she moved back to Chicago, where she worked in the public schools as a speech pathologist. After a few years, she felt a different calling.
“I wanted to teach,” Jarrow says. “It’s what I’m best at.”
A new path
Jarrow obtained her Ph.D. at Wichita State University and came to Columbus to be on the faculty at The Ohio State University in the fall of 1976. Unfortunately, it was not exactly a warm welcome to the Buckeye State.
“It was unbelievably cold and snowy and terrible,” Jarrow says. “Everybody kept saying, ‘Columbus, Ohio, can only have a winter this bad once every 10,000 years.’ And the following year was worse.”
Jarrow spent six years at OSU, and during this time, she became involved with a grassroots organization, the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD). For 14 years, she served as the executive director, and during this time, she took a trip abroad that changed her life.
In 1993, Jarrow was the leader of a technical assistance mission that went to Vietnam to assist kids with disabilities. On the last day, they visited an orphanage that was specifically for kids with disabilities.
“There was a little girl sitting in a high chair by herself because she had fallen and broken her leg,” Jarrow says. “I kind of
coaxed her and held my finger out. She grabbed my finger and smiled at me, and nine months later, I went back and brought her home.”
Jarrow’s daughter, Cottie, was 3-and-a-half years old when she was brought home to Columbus. Cottie has cerebral palsy, and while she doesn’t speak often, Jarrow says that her daughter is the sharper one.
Jarrow continued her work with AHEAD for a few years, but in 1996, she shifted her career path, stepping away from her association role to devote more time to raising her daughter, who required consistent care. Wanting to be present for her daughter’s milestones, she transitioned into private consulting and founded Disability Access Information and Support (DAIS), through which she partners with colleges and universities nationwide to enhance services for students with disabilities in higher education.
Photo courtesy of Jane Jarrow
Photo courtesy of Jane Jarrow
Jarrow meets her daughter in Vietnam.
Jarrow (far right) at the Volunteer UA Fair with Al Sulser, Shirley Brooks-Jones and Paul McCalla
by
Photo
Ray LaVoie
In 2007, as Cottie entered her junior year of high school, she received her first cell phone – a milestone that marked an important step toward independence. With this new communication method, she could spend time on her own, giving Jarrow more time to pursue additional passions.
Looking for the Lions
In November of 2007, Jarrow joined the Tri-Village Lions Club.
“Most people join the Lions Club because someone who is a Lion invites them in,” Jarrow says. “I went looking for the Lions Club.”
As a private consultant, much of Jarrow’s time is spent alone in front of a computer, and often, she does not directly see the impact of her work. The Lions Club is a way for Jarrow to both connect with and give back to her community in a way she can tangibly see.
In 2007, the club was primarily men, and its efforts mainly centered on fundraising. Jarrow initially struggled with the focus on fundraising, but as she learned more about the organiza - Jarrow
(middle) and Craig Smith accept a donation from Wright-Patt Credit Union
tion, she found fulfillment in the community service projects the club supported.
“About a year and a half after I joined the Lions Club, I was introducing myself to somebody, and I said, ‘Hi, I’m Lion Jarrow,’” Jarrow says. “That was the day that I became a Lion. (There comes) a point where it becomes a part of your thinking, in terms of who you are.”
Jarrow has devoted nearly 20 years to the Tri-Village Lions Club, taking on lead ership roles including president, board member and service chair. During these years, the Tri-Village Lions Club has shift ed from traditional fundraisers, such as its long-running light bulb sale, to projects that combine fundraising with service. The club has also expanded to roughly 50 percent men and 50 percent women.
Initiatives such as the Leap into Literacy book drive, the Give a Book, Get a Book program for children and the Give Your Write Arm to a Soldier letter-writing campaign engaged both students and the community in meaningful ways. The club’s annual pancake breakfast and Eat Well and Do Good pie sales now also provide meals and baked goods to families in need, turning community gatherings into opportunities for service and support.
The Tri-Village Packers
In recent years, the Lions have committed to focusing on food insufficiency, one of its five pillars of philanthropy. In May of 2023, Jarrow attended a Lions Club workshop centered around tackling hunger, and she took her ideas to a Network UA meeting that August. Her initial idea was a backpack program where kids in need would be sent home with food for three-day weekends, but she knew that, realistically, this would be too big of an ask.
Jarrow’s mind whirled as community members shared ideas around the table, but by the time it was her turn, she had crafted a pitch. Jarrow proposed sending food home for those in need during the five-day Thanksgiving break.
Immediately, community members and organizations expressed their interest, and the Tri-Village Packers was born. The
program was established with a $5,000 grant from the Upper Arlington Community Foundation (UACF) and additional support from community entities such as the Tri-Village Rotary Club, the City of Grandview, the City of Upper Arlington, the Tri-Village Lions and the Northwest Kiwanis Club.
UACF also serves as the club’s fiscal agent, allowing community members to donate to the Packers through its website.
“We have no overhead expenses,” Jarrow says. “One hundred percent of the money that is donated goes to food, goes to feeding hungry children.”
The packing process involves individual bags for each dietary need, with careful research and labeling. The school districts act as a firewall, protecting the anonymity of the families receiving the food. There are between 400-500 kids in the TriVillage area who are a part of the free school lunch program, but before the Tri-Village Packers Club, this need went largely unnoticed.
“These are our neighbors, and nothing was happening for them because nobody knew they were there,” Jarrow says.
The Packers have also introduced grab-and-go tubs at several of the schools where kids can choose from free snacks such as granola bars, yogurt and chips. Looking into the future, Jarrow hopes to implement more of these bins, along with reaching more hungry children in Tri-Village.
A legacy of service
From her early days shaped by family service to her leadership with the Tri-Village Lions and the creation of the Tri-Village Packers, Jarrow has devoted her life to lifting others up. Whether through advancing disability services, mentoring within her community or ensuring local children don’t go hungry, her legacy is one of compassion in action.
“It’s my connection with people,” Jarrow says. “It’s very rewarding for me. It keeps me going to be able to actually see, hands-on, that I’m making a difference.”
Megan Brokamp is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mbrokamp@cityscenemediagroup.com.
25 CAREFULLY CURATED ANTIQUE & VINTAGE SELLERS IN ONE BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL BOUTIQUE
LOCATED AT KENNY CENTRE MALL (JUST SOUTH OF HENDERSON) @magpiemarketantiques
1125 Kenny Centre Mall (614) 929-5264
Open Monday-Saturday 10-6:00, Sunday 12-5:00
Treats for All
$9.95
www.theoriginalgoodieshop.com
Pack of buckeyes
An Ohio staple and delicious treat, these buckeyes make for a great gift. Whether you’re shopping for the ultimate OSU fan or someone with a sweet tooth, The Original Goodie Shop’s rich buckeyes can be a satisfying option.
Warm and Cozy
$115
Cocoa Cravings
Starting at $10.95
www.pureimaginationchocolatiers.com
Custom Box of 4 Truffles
Satisfy your sweet tooth with decadent, handmade chocolates from Pure Imagination Chocolatier . Mix and match fun seasonal truffle flavors, such as eggnog and gingerbread, to create a nice stocking stuffer.
www.stateofdevotion.com
Midwest t-shirt
Find the perfect gift that hits close to home at State of Devotion. Its collection of t-shirts features simplistic designs paying homage to Columbus and Ohio.
www.fabtique.clothing
Nordic beach wrap
Snuggle up with this comfy cardigan, available at Fabtique. Its fuzzy interior is one way to keep you warm all winter.
For the Young Reader
$18.99
www.covertocoverchildrensbooks.com
When Cloud Became a Cloud by Rob Hodgson
Discover the fascinating ways of nature with this entertaining and educational story of Cloud found at Cover to Cover Children’s Books
Besties Forever
$98-498
www.bohindi.com
Permanent jewelry
Take the leap with a loved one this winter with Bohindi’s permanent jewelry service. Each bracelet chain is customizable, with options to add charms for a more personalized gift.
What a Hoot
From $16-18
www.magpiemarketantiques.com
Owl figurines
Make your house a home with unique, vintage decor from Magpie Market
These small owl statues are a charming statement piece, blending nostalgia with modern style.
Too Cute to Eat
Starting at $49
www.cheryls.com
Tin of 24 cookies
Give the gift of flavor with this wintery tin of 24 cookies from Cheryl’s Cookie Company Select each cookie flavor to curate a delightful blend of tasty treats.
Story Sleuth
$19.95
www.storylinebookshop.com
Murder Most Puzzling Poisoned Patisserie 500-Piece Puzzle
Calling all murder mystery lovers – it’s time to put your sleuthing skills to the test. Check out this entertaining twist on a whodunit novel, found at Storyline Bookshop, where you can solve both a puzzle and a murder mystery.
Nostalgia in a Candle
$19
www.pennandbeech.com
Dad’s Den scented candle (8 oz.)
Give the gift of memory this winter with cozy aromas from Penn & Beech. The Dad’s Den scented candle is perfect for wintertime with its warm and inviting aroma.
Pamper your pet
$310 ($370 Value)
www.k9resorts.com
10-pack of pet daycare passes
Give your pup a vacation of their own with a stay at K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotels, where dogs enjoy play, care and comfort in a resort-style setting. A 10-pack of boarding passes makes a thoughtful gift for pet parents and guarantees peace of mind during busy holiday schedules or future getaways.
Delightful Dinner
$30
www.javenue.japanmarketplace.com
Iwa Shimizu Bowl Set
Winter is the time for cozy meals such as ramen or rice bowls, great to enjoy with this chopstick and bowl set from J Avenue
The Gift of Golf
$150 ($315 Value)
www.thebackninegolf.com
Golf gift box
Got a golf enthusiast in the family? Help them up their golf game this year with a Back Nine Golf Gift Box. This includes a 1-month Birdie Level Membership, branded beanie, towel and golf balls.
Light it Up $150
www.grandviewmercantile.com
Mercury glass lamp
Browse a collection of antique lamps at the Grandview Mercantile to brighten those dark winter days. This glass lamp makes for a stylish addition to any room.
Blanket of Snow
$58
www.shopvernacular.com
Jordan Piano Hem Sweater
Don’t let chilly weather cramp your style. Vernacular’s Jordan Piano Hem Sweater, a white sweater with black trim, is a wintertime staple.
Holiday Hair
Starting at $90
www.politesocietyhairsalon.com
“Taking Tea” 90-minute session
The holiday season can be taxing – take a trip to the salon for some relaxation and hair revitalization. The Polite Society Hair Salon’s “Taking Tea” is a 90-minute session that includes a personalized consultation, a wash enhanced with a hot towel and a tailored cut and style.
www.redgiraffedesigns.com
Green stone dangles
Red Giraffe Designs provides jewelry that mixes fun and class. Earrings, such as these hypoallergenic, gold-plated dangles, make for a polished finish to a holiday look.
Live in luxury with Leál Boutique’s selection of designer fashion items. These delicate silk scarves are sure to elevate any winter-time outfit into a runwayready look. Simply Stylish $38
www.lealboutique.com
Silk Scarves
www.shophappygolucky.com Joyce Knitted Blazer
Try new styles with the colorful options at Happy Go Lucky Home & Her. This satin blazer will catch attention with its vibrant patterns.
By Lauren Serge
In recent years, communities have been saying goodbye to streets cluttered with fast food, instead adding restaurants that emphasize healthy options and accommodations for dietary restrictions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 32 million Americans have food allergies. Over the past decade, the food landscape has shifted to meet the needs of those struggling with allergies and intolerances. Diners are no longer satisfied with quick, one-size-fits-all meals. Instead, they are seeking options that align with their health goals, values and dietary needs.
From gluten-free and dairy-free menus to plant-based innovations, restaurants across the country are expanding their offerings to meet the growing demand for inclusive dining, including those in Tri-Village.
New to Tri-Village
Accessible Eats
More
choices
ahead for diners with dietary restrictions
the folks who are coming in and out of the community center, either heading to work or heading home and coming in and out of the OSU offices.”
One of these dining options opened in April in the Bob Crane Community Center. Core Café is a spot that provides easily accessible, fulfilling meals and snacks.
“The goal was to have a place with easy grab-and-go options that were more on the healthier side,” Letha Pugh, the owner of Core Café, says. “The customers we’re catering to are
Core Café offers a variety of healthy food and drink options to grab throughout the day for breakfast, lunch or a quick snack. Offerings include smoothies, salads with homemade dressings, sourdough loaves, paninis and bakery treats.
The importance of accommodations
The cafe recently announced that it will begin offering a gluten-free pizza, collaborating with Bake Me Happy, a glutenfree bakery run by Pugh’s wife, Wendy, who is a baker and gluten-free. The freshly-made gluten-free cauliflower crusts will be available in cheese and pepperoni.
Pugh says it was important to her to prioritize accommodations for folks with dietary restrictions to create designated safe spaces for them to enjoy foods that met their needs and are both healthy and flavorful.
“I think it’s important for people to feel like they have a place at our cafe,” Pugh says. “In the near future, we want to carry more gluten-free items. This may be the primary location for folks to pick up their gluten-free items as opposed to Dublin, or other companies that offer gluten-free options, and we want to have these offerings for them.”
Photos courtesy of Letha Pugh
Investment in the community
With her strong involvement in Columbus, Pugh emphasizes that the support of the communities within the city is what makes the businesses flourish.
“This community is amazing,” Pugh says. “I think this city does a good job of supporting small businesses and wanting to see small businesses thrive. And I think having access to diversity and food and environment and music is what connects you to your city. I love Columbus. I want to see people’s pride and be successful, and I’m doing all I can to help make that happen.”
While Pugh has been a prosperous investor, she is also no stranger to advocacy work. Pugh has dedicated herself to engagement efforts that benefit the community in which she runs her businesses.
Pugh has helped to create two nonprofits: Service! Relief for Hospitality Workers, an organization created during COVID-19 to support hospitality workers, and Black, Out & Proud, Inc., an organization that works to advocate for the Black LGBTQ+ community in Columbus. Pugh was also the keynote speaker for Upper Arlington’s Pride Month Flag Raising Ceremony.
Additionally, Pugh has recently begun work to assist in the affordable housing crisis through North Star Partners, a real estate development company that aims to build stronger and more inclusive communities for individuals to reside.
Beyond Bob Crane
In addition to Core Café, there are several other restaurants throughout the Tri-Village area that offer healthy options and cater to dietary needs.
Alchemy Kitchen provides healthy breakfast and lunch options, including burritos, sandwiches, wraps, salads and smoothies, all with nutrientdense ingredients. A majority of their offerings accommodate vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets.
The woman-owned business Chocolate Café offers a variety of vegetarian options, including wraps, bowls, burgers and flatbreads, and has glutenfree desserts and breads available.
Oshio has a dedicated glutenfree menu, which features sushi and a gluten-free soy sauce, to accommodate dietary restrictions.
With a carb-intensive menu, Trattoria Roma offers gluten-free alternatives to their pastas, breads and appetizers to enjoy.
Future developments
While Core Café is a new addition to the city, Pugh has aspirations for future developments.
“Recently, I went over and talked with the senior housing development across the street. I really would like to see a program where we are able to provide grab-and-go meals for some of the seniors, which would be a great community connection,” say Pugh. “I envision more community engagement in general with Core Café, and getting more customers coming through the door.”
With Pugh’s significant contributions to both the business landscape of Columbus and the communities that inhabit it, she hopes Core Café will be another welcoming and enjoyable space for people to visit.
“We’re just excited to be here and excited for this opportunity,” Pugh says. “I hope we have more people coming to support and patronize Core Café.
Lauren Serge is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
By Maggie Fipps
Young racer wins world competition Soapbox Success
At age 9, Delaney Nichols got behind the wheel for the first time. Situated at the top of the driveway, she adjusted her seat and released the break, letting the car roll bit by bit.
A few months later, she was crammed into a 3-foot-long wooden car, high on a soapbox hill, ready to begin her racing career.
Most parents wouldn’t allow their elementary-aged children to get in the driver’s seat, but Nichols’ mom, Tamara, started racing at Nichols’ age. Her aunt and cousins have raced as well.
“My mom, she was known for her driving, and she’s the one who taught me how to drive super well,” Nichols says. She may have been genetically disposed to racing, but her competitive drive was all her own. Nichols says she gets intense during family game nights, even when up against her older cousins.
Nichols began soapbox racing during the COVID-19 pandemic, when all her options were outdoor activities. Racing is the perfect sport for social distancing: it is just you, the wooden car and a big hill.
“I didn’t even really care if I won or anything,” Nichols says. “I just did it for fun, and I lost all of them terribly.”
Slowly, she learned how to be attuned to her car: squeezing her body lower into the chassis so only her eyes peeked out of the wooden box, evaluating each racing hill to determine her weight distribution and keeping her car straight as a pin to drive as fast as possible.
Just like in weight lifting, all of Nichols’ reps grew her into a winning racer.
Delaney and her parents, Troy Woodall and Tamara Nichols, after Delaney won All American for the Rally Stock Division
She raced almost every weekend for a year, driving around the country from one racing hill to the next, and it paid off. Nichols qualified for the International Soap Box Derby World Championships in the Rally Stock division in Akron, Ohio. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing from there.
“A lot of people seemed to ice me out and just not talk to me for a lot of that time (that) I won and that really did get my spirits down,” Nichols says. “I was actually going to quit right before Worlds because of how bad it got because I just was like, ‘I can’t do this.’”
For a time, it felt like her racing friends were her closest friends. With races every weekend, Nichols missed out on the typical middle school experiences such as football games and weekend hangouts. So, when the competition between the racers got too heated, Nichols felt alone. She had to own up to her wins but not make them part of her personality.
“I really had to learn to just be humble because you can’t be cocky in this sport,” Nichols says. “If you’re overconfident, then it could all crumble.”
This mindset paid off once Nichols arrived at Worlds. In the preliminary races, Nichols failed again and again, which was uncharacteristic of her.
She pushed out the noise, and found herself in the final round. Beside her on the track were her two best friends, and when many other racers had ignored her, they stayed close, both on and off the track. As their cars crossed the finish line, Nichols says she couldn’t tell who won.
“I heard my name being called as first, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is crazy,’” Nichols says. “It’s like a dream come true.
“I wanted to quit racing, and I wanted to just go to the football games and hang out with my friends,” Nichols says. “My dad kept encouraging me to go to these races, and all of that paid off because I won.”
What do you do after you reach the pinnacle of your sport? Well, Nichols is focusing on academics. Weekend after weekend on the road has taken its toll, and she wants to do well in school so she can study psychology in college.
“I’ve dealt with a lot of mental health struggles the past few years, and I really just want to help other people and maybe even understand myself a little bit more,” Nichols says.
But racing will always be in her blood.
Maggie Fipps is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Delaney on the race track in Akron, Ohio
Delaney won both rally races at one of the largest races of the year in Akron, Ohio.
courtesy of Delaney Nichols
By Ella Jay
Healthy Harvest
A
dietician’s guide to nourishing your body this fall
As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, fall brings with it a harvest of hearty produce and cozy flavors – the perfect time to nourish your body with wholesome, autumnal foods. Marisa Barsotti, a local registered dietitian of 20-plus years and owner of FIT4MOM Upper Arlington/Hilliard, has just the seasonal recipes and healthy eating tips you need to keep your fall meals both nourishing and delicious.
“Healthy eating is more than just digestion,” says Barsotti. “It’s about building a strong, resilient container for life. When your body is nourished, you can bend without breaking, no matter the stressors.”
Barsotti’s healthy fall eating tips:
• Warm it up: Swap cold salads for roasted veggies, soups, stews and chili. Your digestion loves cozy foods when temperatures drop.
• Spice it right: The sky’s the limit on spices in the colder months. They bring flavor and help with digestion.
• Power pair: Fiber and protein are good buddies. Think apples and nut butter, rice cakes and mashed avocado with chia seeds, pears and pistachios, hummus and veggies, olives and hummus on whole grain bread, chia pudding or edamame.
• Think quick, not drive-thru: For those who live on the road, reserve one day a week to prepare things such as grains, veggies and
Apple Beet Salad
(8 servings)
Ingredients:
• 2 packages of prepared beets
• 1-5 oz. package arugula or spinach
• 5 thyme sprigs
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup apple-cider vinegar
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• 1 green apple, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Optional: chopped pistachios and horseradish
At FIT4MOM, Barsotti leads programs that empower moms through connection, fitness and nutrition – including nutrition counseling, fitness coaching, workshops and cooking classes. During her cooking classes, she focuses on recipes and tips to support a person beyond macro and micronutrients.
“I encourage folks who come to class to think about how what they eat not only affects their gut health, but their mental health, skin, current mood and long-term health. I also teach based on seasonal eating… and encourage people to consider the qualities of foods,” says Barsotti.
Her upcoming winter cooking class at the Bob Crane Community Center will focus on gut-healthy soups to support winter digestion.
proteins to save yourself from scrambling for meals. These meals can be ready in the same time it takes to go through a drive-thru.
Ella Jay is an assistant editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at ejay@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Instructions:
Slice or roughly chop the ready-made beets. Slice apples.
Dressing prep (if not premade): in a large bowl, whisk vinegar with mustard. Whisk in remaining 1/2 cup of oil until emulsified.
Toss lettuce, apples, feta and beets together in a bowl with the dressing.
Add freshly ground pepper to taste.
Optional: add horseradish to dressing when whisking for a kick, and top salad with pistachios.
Golden Harvest Autumn Bowl
Ingredients:
• 1 medium butternut squash
• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup cooked wild rice
• 1 can (13.5 oz.) full-fat coconut milk
• 1 small onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 Tbsp. curry powder
• 1 tsp. ground turmeric
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro or parsley
Instructions:
Peel, cube and roast butternut squash at 400 F for 25-30 minutes, then drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Season chicken breasts with curry powder, salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil; roast until fully cooked (internal temperature 165 F). Once done, dice or shred.
In a large pot, heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat.
Sauté the onion until it is soft and golden.
Add garlic, curry powder and turmeric; stir until fragrant.
Build the Soup:
Mix in the roasted butternut squash, cooked wild rice and shredded chicken.
Pour in broth and coconut milk; stir until evenly combined. Bring to a gentle simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste; add additional curry powder to taste for warmth and spice.
Serve:
Ladle into bowls and top with fresh cilantro or parsley. Add an optional squeeze of lime for brightness.
Tree-Village Options
Local places to buy your Christmas tree and care tips
The Christmas tree is a coveted holiday staple, but each year, it sparks familiar questions about what type and size will work best in your space and how to care for it. Here are some tips about picking and maintaining your tree, along with local spots to shop to make your choice – and haul – easier.
Light it Up!
Check out which tree your community selected at local tree lightings. Upper Arlington’s Winter Festival takes place Friday, Dec. 5, at Mallway Park on Arlington Avenue, where the park comes to life with carriage rides, Santa visits, live reindeer, ice sculpting, a cozy bonfire with s’mores and more before the community holiday tree is officially lit.
Exploring options
As you are considering the different types and sizes of trees, Columbus offers a variety of farms and places to source the tree of your dreams.
Located off Kinnear Road, Oakland Nurseries offers a range of spruces, from Jean’s Dilly to Norway spruce. HTH
Just a few days earlier, on Tuesday, Dec. 2, Grandview Heights hosts its annual Holiday in the Heights along Grandview Avenue between 1st and 3rd Avenue. Arrive early to try out the free iceless ice rink, then stay for reindeer, Trackless Train rides, a life-sized snow globe, sweet treats and performances from the Grandview Heights High School Jazz Band and Choir. The highlight of the evening comes at approximately 7 p.m., when the community gathers for the tree lighting.
Christmas Tree Lot on Dublin-Granville Road is another option, offering blue spruces among other choices.
White pines, with their multi-green color and sparse needles, are not as aromatic, making it a popular, more allergenfriendly option. Scotch pines are also very popular, known for their conical shape and retention of their blue-green needles. Taylor Christmas Tree Farm on Kenny Road is an option for choosing from a variety of species and sizes. TNTrees Farm in Hilliard is a family-owned farm offering plenty of pine trees, as well as fragrant, long-lasting Canaan fir.
Several area churches also sell a variety of trees, wreaths and roping as communal fundraisers.
Types of trees
Different species of trees can offer various benefits to enhance your decor.
According to Matt Moser, the general manager of Oakland Nurseries in Columbus, fir trees are a popular option because
they have a good fragrance and a medium amount of needles that are softer to touch and have good durability for ornaments.
“The Scotch pine are kind of prickly and have a really stiff branch structure, so it carries heavier ornaments… A white pine, which is really droopy, doesn’t carry as heavy ornaments,” says Moser. “The Balsam, Frasers and Canaan firs are kind of like the in-between.”
Spruce trees are another popular choice, enjoyed for their evergreen color, expansive conical shape and upturned branches – all components for blending with your existing decor.
Dimensions
From tabletop trees to 13-foot trees, the perfect holiday centerpiece is not onesize-fits-all.
Whether you are looking for a tree to fill your entryway or a small corner of your bedroom, measuring your space is an easy first step. Moser advises adding about a foot or more of clearance from the top of your tree to make space for the tree stand and topper. You should also account for some slight changes in the fullness of the tree as bottom branches are limbed off and others start drooping once it’s in the space.
Liveliness
When narrowing down trees, the National Christmas Tree Association suggests assessing the tree’s quality and needles.
One way to test a tree’s needles is by stroking the branches, looking for
browning or falling needles. While trees naturally shed their needles, clumps of needles falling off can be a sign that a tree is not in its best shape. Large cracks in the bark also show that a tree might not last as long.
However, finding sap on the tree can be an indication that the tree will stay livelier during the holiday season.
“They cut Christmas trees early enough so that there’s still sap up in the branch structure of the tree, and sap has sugars in it, and that’s what helps keep the needles alive longer,” Moser says.
Maintenance
It is typical to display a tree for two to three weeks before it dries out, so make sure you make the most of that time.
Access to water is a crucial factor. Make sure your tree has consistent water levels from the moment you bring it home to keep it lively as long as possible.
For those who purchase their trees a little earlier, during the week of Thanksgiving, it is helpful to prolong bringing your tree inside. Moser advises leaving your tree outside in a bucket of water and making sure its water levels stay full until you can bring it inside closer to the holiday.
The National Christmas Tree Association also shares that cutting off a half-to-full inch disk straight across the base of the tree can help increase the tree’s water intake.
Clean Up
If you are looking for a tree that sheds less than others, the Fraser fir is a great option. Its more aromatic counterpart, the Balsam fir, is conversely known for its shedding.
“Never let that bottom dry out, because once it dries out, the fat will seal off the bottom of the tree, thus it can’t take up any more water and it will prematurely die,” says Moser.
It is also helpful to keep your tree in a cooler temperature and away from heat sources such as fireplaces, heaters, heat vents and direct sunlight to avoid drying out as well.
Jane Dimel is an assistant editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at jdimel@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Top homes sold in the Tri-Village area
Upper Arlington home prices increased by 4.2 percent in August 2025 compared to the previous year. They sold for a median price of $610,000 and spent an average of 34 days on the market, compared to 35 days the previous year. There were 46 homes were sold in August 2025 compared to 53 the previous year.
Grandview Heights home prices increased by 26.7 percent in August 2025, compared to the previous year. Homes sold for a median price of $544,000. They sold after 50 days on the market compared to 34 days the previous year. There were 15 homes sold in August 2025 compared to 10 last year. (Data from Redfin).
2091 Riverhill Rd.
6 beds, 5.5 baths
$2,010,000
Sold 8/15/25
2131 Sheringham Rd.
5 beds, 4.5 baths
$2,000,000
Sold 8/22/25
3130 S. Dorchester Rd.
4 beds, 4.5 baths
$1,950,000
Sold 9/11/25
2402 Southway Dr.
4 beds, 2.5 baths
$1,505,000
Sold 8/8/25
3519 Redding Rd.
5 beds, 4.5 baths
$1,450,000
Sold 8/11/25
3885 Woodbridge Rd.
7 beds, 5 baths
$1,410,000
Sold 8/29/25
2069 Upper Chelsea Rd.
4 beds, 3 baths
$1,405,000
Sold 9/16/25
3839 Woodbridge Rd. 5 beds, 6 baths
$1,275,000
Sold 9/8/25
1097 Wyandotte Rd. 4 beds, 3.5 baths
$1,210,000
Sold 8/19/25
1345 Haines Ave. 4 beds, 3 baths
$900,000
Sold 8/8/25
1734 W. 1st Ave. 4 beds, 2 baths
$821,500
Sold 8/15/25
1281 Oakland Ave. 3 beds, 2.5 baths
$625,000
Sold 8/6/25
Martha Corbett Martha@sorrellandco.com 614-395-6551
David Meyer david@sorrellandco.com 614-218-6791
vacation rental or private retreat, it’s ideally located near Hocking Hills’ top trails and attractions.
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Cheryl Godard cherylgodard@kw.com 614-353-8711
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Recommended Youth Reads
How We Share
by Leah Osakwe (ages birth-2 years)
A delightful board book about sharing not only things such as “tasty treats” and “treasured toys,” but also experiences we share as human beings, such as “magical moments” and “warm words.” The illustrations include diverse children and send the message that sharing helps to make everyone feel loved.
What to Do When You’re Not Sure What to Do
by Davina Bell (ages 3-5)
A great one to share one-on-one or before bedtime, this book gently encourages how to navigate different kinds of situations and emotions. It covers everything from following the rules, to observing and being aware of one’s surroundings, to feeling anxious and enjoying the things that don’t happen every day.
New Shoes for Leo by Lauren Agra Deedy (grades K-3)
Beautifully illustrated with lots of details, the reader learns about William and his family, who live in America. They are sending a box of supplies to their extended family who still lives in Cuba, and William is given the task of finding a pair of shoes for his cousin Leo, who he has never met. William discovers they have a lot in common and sends him a pair of his own shoes.
A Time of Legends: The Story of Two Fearless Wolves — and One Rebel
by Rick McIntyre and David A. Poulsen (grades 4-6)
A fascinating nonfiction option is this second installment of the “Chronicles of the Yellowstone Wolves.”
The authors dive deep into three specific wolves in Yellowstone National Park. Two wolves are a bonded pair for many years, and the third is a wolf who matures a lot as he gets older to become a better leader. This is a great option for kids who enjoy wolves, nature and national parks.
The Ballerina of Auschwitz by Dr. Edith Eva Eger (grades 7-12)
This is the true story of 16-year-old Edith and her Jewish-Hungarian family during and after World War II. After being rounded up by soldiers and then separated from their parents, Edith and her older sister Magda help each other to survive while in Auschwitz. Oftentimes heartbreaking, there are moving moments and it’s comforting to learn the author not only survived but used her experiences to help others.
Recommended Adult Reads Infectious Generosity: The Ultimate Idea Worth Spreading
by Chris Anderson
Chris Anderson, a driving force behind the success of TED Talks, shares his views on transforming a divisive Internet and social media into beacons of hope and infectious generosity. In Infectious Generosity, he shares numerous examples of individuals demonstrating acts of generosity that ripple across the internet, inspiring others to do the same. He writes, “Generosity is a key ingredient for a contented life.”
The
Big We: How Giving Circles Unlock Generosity, Strengthen Community,
and Make Change
by Hali Lee
What if philanthropy were grassroots? Hali Lee in The Big We makes the case for small, community-focused groups, who combine resources for the well-being of their local areas. Highlighting several giving circles throughout the country, she demonstrates how these groups foster connection through shared purpose and vision, make the world’s problems less overwhelming and create lasting change.
The
Price of Humanity: How Philanthropy Went Wrong—And How to Fix It
by Amy Schiller
According to Amy Schiller in The Price of Humanity, modern philanthropy is more “big money” and less a true “love of humanity.” She explores the evolution of philanthropy – from the ancient world’s emphasis on civic engagement, to St. Augustine’s spiritual benefit, to today’s landscape shaped by inequality – advocating for a philanthropic society that prioritizes social welfare over self-importance.
The Essential Fundraiser’s Handbook: A Guide to Maximizing Donations, Retaining Donors and Saving the Giving Sector for Good
by Lisa Greer
As a major donor, Lisa Greer was tired of silted interactions and scripted messaging from charitable organizations, so she set out to revamp nonprofit fundraising. In The Essential Fundraiser’s Handbook, she outlines the importance of including Millennials and Gen Z on the nonprofit boards, how to identify, engage and retain donors, and what it takes to achieve sustainability.
Grandview Heights Public Library
www.ghpl.org
Upper Arlington Public Libraries
Tremont Road Branch, Lane Road Branch and Miller Park Branch
www.ualibrary.org
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