UPPER ARLINGTON | GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS | MARBLE CLIFF November/December 2026
MAGAZINE
Brewing a Legacy
Colin Gawel’s journey of sounds and sips
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UPPER ARLINGTON | GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS | MARBLE CLIFF
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November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
MAGAZINE
VO L UME 2 7 N U MB E R 6 | N O V EM BER/DECEM BER 2026
6 Community Calendar 8 Faces
Colin Gawel
11 In Focus
Holiday Events and Gift Guide
16 Feature
Fighting food insecurity
11
20 Student Spotlight Kickin’ It Live
24 On the Table
Eating around the world
26 Living
Fireplace makeovers
16
28 Top Homes 29 Luxury Living 30 Bookmarks
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On the Cover: Colin Gawel Photo by Ray LaVoie
@TriVillageMagazine November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
@CitySceneColumbus 5
PRO UDLY PRE SEN T S YO U R NOV/ DEC
columbus/osu
Thurs., Nov. 12 Photos courtesy of City of Upper Arlington
Music in the Atrium – All Those Who Wander 6:30-7:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library 1685 W. First Ave. www.ghpl.org
Fri., Nov. 13
Winter Fest
Mondays, Nov. 2-Dec. 28
Upper Arlington Handicrafters 12:30-2:30 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library - Main Library 2800 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org
Tuesdays, Nov. 3 and Dec. 8
Cookbook Club (registration required) 6:30-7:30 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library - Main Library 2800 Tremont Rd. www.ualibrary.org
Thurs., Nov. 5
Fall Puzzle Party (registration required) 6-8 p.m. Wyman Woods Shelter House 1520 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov
Nov. 6, 24, and Dec. 2, 23
American Red Cross Blood Drive 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Municipal Services Center 3600 Tremont Rd. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov
Fri.-Sat., Nov. 6-7
A Midsummer Night’s Dream presented by Grandview Heights High School 7 p.m. GHHS Auditorium 1587 W. Third Ave. www.ghschools.org 6
Sat., Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28
OSU Watch Party Noon-4 p.m. Nov. 28 (Michigan game): 11 a.m.4:30 p.m. The Little Grand Market 710 Grandview Crossing Way www.thelittlegrandmarket.com
Mondays, Nov. 9, 23
Grown Up & Me Yoga (registration required) 10:15-11 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library - Lane Rd. 1945 Lane Rd. www.ualibrary.com
Tues., Nov. 10
Ohio Eccentrics 6:30-7:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library 1685 W. First Ave. www.ghpl.org
Wed., Nov. 11 and Dec. 9 Board of Education Meeting 7 p.m. Larson Middle School 1600 W. First Ave. www.ghschools.org
Coffee & Conversation with Supt. Andy Culp 8:30-9:30 a.m. Larson Middle School 1600 W. First Ave. www.ghschools.org
Nov. 13-Dec. 11
Santa’s Mailbox All day Bob Crane Community Center 3200 Tremont Rd. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov
Sat., Nov. 14
Navratri & Diwali Celebration 6-10 p.m. Bob Crane Community Center 3200 Tremont Rd. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov
Nov. 16-Dec. 13
Food Drive All day Grandview Heights Public Library 1685 W. First Ave. ghpl.libnet.info
Thurs., Nov. 19
Spoken Verse: A Poetry and Art Experience 6-8 p.m. Bob Crane Community Center 3200 Tremont Rd. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov
Thurs., Nov. 12
Orchestra Concert 6 p.m. GHHS Auditorium 1587 W. Third Ave. www.ghschools.org
Always check websites for updated information. November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
COMMUNIT Y CA LENDA R
Thurs., Dec. 3
Murder Mystery Show & Dinner (registration required) 6:30-9 p.m. Mckinley Field 1661 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov
Fri., Dec. 4
Winter Festival 6-8:30 p.m. Mallway Park 2096 Arlington Ave. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov All Those Who Wander
Thurs., Nov. 26
Columbus Turkey Trot (registration required) 9 a.m. The Shops on Lane Avenue 1675 W. Lane Ave. www.columbusturkeytrot.org
Mon., Nov. 30
Music in the Atrium – Grandview Singers 7-7:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library 1685 W. First Ave. www.ghpl.org
Tues., Dec. 1
Holiday in the Heights All day Pierce Field 1175 Hilo Ln. www.grandviewheights.gov
Wed., Dec. 2
Middle School Holiday Choral Concert 7 p.m. GHHS Auditorium 1587 W. Third Ave. www.ghschools.org
Sat., Dec. 5
Friends of UA Parks Volunteer Day 9 a.m.-noon Thompson Shelter House - South 2020 McCoy Rd. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov
Sat., Dec. 5
Breakfast & Brunch with Santa (registration required) 9 a.m.-noon Amelita Mirolo Barn 4395 Carriage Hill Ln. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov
Mon.-Thurs., Dec. 14-17
Lights around the Heights Contest (registration required) All day www.grandviewheights.gov
Wed., Dec. 16
American Red Cross Blood Drive Noon-6 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library 1685 W. First Ave. www.ghpl.org
Wed., Dec. 16
High School Holiday Band Concert 7 p.m. GHHS Auditorium 1587 W. Third Ave. www.ghschools.org
Fri., Dec. 18
Holiday Breakfast (residents only) 9:30-11 a.m. Mckinley Field 1661 Goodale Blvd. www.grandviewheights.gov
Thurs., Dec. 10
High School Holiday Choral Concert 7-8 p.m. GHHS Auditorium 1587 W. Third Ave. www.ghschools.org
Sat., Dec. 12
Cram-A-Cruiser Food Drive 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fire Station 72 3861 Reed Rd. www.upperarlingtonoh.gov Breakfast and Brunch with Santa event
To submit your event for next issue’s calendar, contact mbrokamp@cityscenemediagroup.com. November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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Faces
By Megan Brokamp Photos by Ray LaVoie
Rock and Brews
Colin Gawel’s journey from music stages to coffee counters
C
olin Gawel never planned on becoming a coffee shop owner. A self-proclaimed proponent of living in the moment, Gawel has followed his curiosity from playing guitar with his childhood friends to performing across the country, and from working behind a coffee counter to owning his own shop. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: a desire to keep creating.
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Worthington to Watershed Gawel grew up in Worthington alongside his future Watershed bandmates, Joe Oestreich, Rick Kinsinger and Herb Schupp. He was immediately drawn to music, and many of his early memories involve afternoons spent catching buses to record stores and learning to play guitar. In middle school, Gawel and his friends decided to start a band. “We started with the same guys,” Gawel says. “We just love music so much, so we just said, ‘Let’s start a band.’” The band wrote its own music, gaining inspiration from bands such as Cheap Trick – a band they first saw at the Ohio State Fair – and Willie Phoenix, who went on to be one of the band’s first producers. During the band’s early days spent sleeping in vans and living on tight paychecks, Gawel learned the value of teamwork. “We have a really good team, and that’s made me a really good team player,” Gawel says. “Looking back, living on a budget and working to accomplish a goal together, we’d all lose arguments once in a while, but it was never personal. I think those are really good lessons.” By the mid-’90s, Watershed had gone from a group of Columbus teenagers playing local shows to a band with a devoted Midwest following and a six-figure record deal with Epic Records. Their 1994 album, Twister, put them on a national stage and sent them touring around the country. Though the major-label breakthrough ultimately never came, Watershed never quit. Decades later, the band is still
taking the stage together. Although the group has less time for studios and stages – Gawel owns Colin’s Coffee, Schupp is a sales director, Oestreich is a college professor and Kinsinger is an engineer – they still find time for their shared passion. Watershed still performs selectively, including its “Hitless Wonder 2026” tour – an eight-day concert series tied to the 15th-anniversary re-release of Joe Oestreich’s Hitless Wonder memoir and a new retrospective album. Gawel explains that, as the years have progressed, the band’s idea of success has evolved.
November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
“It has probably extended my life by a lot of years, because you have to be up every morning so early,” Gawel says. “You can’t really be messing around too much.” Gawel never planned to open a coffee shop of his own, but as he served customers daily at Brewster’s, he grew accustomed to the regulars and the routine. In 2006, when the owner no longer wanted to run the shop, he saw an opportunity. His son, Owen, was just starting preschool, and the coffee shop gave him a schedule that worked for his family while allowing him to keep playing music. So, he bought the shop, and Colin’s Coffee was born.
Pencil Storm When he’s not making music or coffee, Gawel has another creative outlet: Pencil Storm. Gawel launched the website more than a decade ago as a place to share stories and ideas, and although it’s primarily focused on music – such as Gawel’s sprawling 12,000word ranking of every Cheap Trick song – Pencil Storm has covered everything from local politics to movies to NFL rankings. “It’s just a stress relief, to write for fun,” Gawel says.
“Early on, the big question is, ‘Is it worth doing something you love even if it’s not success by traditional measures?’ Is it admirable or is it sad? Do you quit? You keep going,” Gawel says. “It’s just being able to still do the thing you love. We consider that a success.” Beyond Watershed, Gawel has been involved in several side projects, including a Cheap Trick tribute band, Why Isn’t Cheap Trick in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? – which promptly disbanded when Cheap Trick was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 – and a tribute project for Willie Phoenix. Today,
he continues to perform with Watershed, the League Bowlers and CG2.
Colin’s Coffee Although Gawel’s first love was music, he needed a second job to continue his craft. He was first brought to Upper Arlington through a job he took at McCree’s Deli while in college at The Ohio State University. During this time, he met Darren Webb, who owned a Subway on Lane Avenue. He began working there, and when Webb mentioned he was opening a coffee shop, Brewster’s Coffee, Gawel transitioned to the brewing business.
November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
As Gawel experienced the trials and tribulations of running a business, he found an intersection with his experience in the music industry. Watershed taught him how to work as part of a team and listen to the people around him. The band was never built around one person being the star, he says, and those lessons translated naturally to the coffee shop, where success depended just as much on the people around him as it did on him. “I learned on the fly a lot, and, trust me, it’s been a lot of learning years,” Gawel says. “You never feel out of the woods… It sounds counterintuitive, but it was an advantage that I was so tight on money right out of the gate. There really wasn’t an opportunity to do anything foolish.”
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The second act As the business grew, so did the community around it. However, loyal customers were not enough to offset the financial uncertainty that surrounded the business since its inception. In 2023, Colin’s Coffee announced that it would be closing its doors on Riverside Drive due to redevelopment. The closure came as no surprise to Gawel, but the public reaction cast a light on just how much it had come to mean to the people who walked through its doors. In the weeks before the original location closed, lines stretched out the door. Customers would ask where everyone would go. Gawel says that this was part of what ultimately made reopening worth considering. Gawel received numerous offers to reopen the business, but nothing felt quite right until The Daily Growler proposed the coffee shop reopen inside its Upper Arlington location. “If you have a chance to do it again, you can’t just fold, right? Where’s everyone going to hang out?” Gawel says. “We weren’t ready to give up this little community, and our regulars were a huge part of that.” In the fall of 2023, Colin’s Coffee opened inside The Daily Growler, where it now serves coffee until noon daily, and Gawel has valued the streamlined operation and shared space. And as he reflects on his trajectory, Gawel finds a common thread between music and coffee – both are about connection. Watershed is still playing, Colin’s Coffee is still serving regulars and Gawel is still creating. Megan Brokamp is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mbrokamp@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Buckeye Beans One of Colin’s Coffee’s most notable regulars has been former The Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel, who would often stop in during visits to his barber next door. When OSU was preparing to play Florida for the national championship in 2007, Tressel showed up at the shop carrying three large bags of coffee that had been sent to the football program. He didn’t want the beans to go to waste, so he asked Gawel if he could sell them. Gawel agreed, turning the coffee into a limited-time “good luck” promotion with proceeds going to charity. 10
November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
In Focus
By Antonia Campbell Photos courtesy of City of Grandview Heights and Upper Arlington
Tri-Village community spreads holiday cheer W
ith the holidays around the corner, Tri-Village has plenty of ways to celebrate the season, from festivals and light displays to catered meals and Santa meet-and-greets.
Grandview Heights Holiday in the Heights Grandview Heights’ annual Holiday in the Heights festival takes place Dec. 1 at Pierce Field, beginning at 5 p.m. There, attendees can watch the tree lighting at 7 p.m., ride the train, explore different food trucks and skate on the iceless skate rink. The festival is free to attend. “Whether you’re single, empty nesters or a family, it’s important to have events for everybody to get everybody out and just share in the holiday spirit,” City Strategy and Engagement Manager Christy Clark says. Murder Mystery Show & Dinner (Holiday Edition) Grandview’s Murder Mystery Show & Dinner will take place Dec. 3 from 6:30-9 p.m. at McKinley Field. The dinner is 21+ and is $25 to register for residents, $30 for nonresidents and $40 for couples. Registration is open at www.grandviewheights.recdesk.com. Lights around the Heights The second annual Lights around the Heights competition will occur Dec. 14-17. Grandview residents can register for free by emailing to parksandrecreation@grandviewheights.gov with their home address by Dec. 13. Judges then go to each registered address to judge who has the best lights. Winners will be announced Dec. 18. “What I like about it is that it’s free, but also it makes our area look so much prettier,” Clark says. “People can dress warm, grab a cup of hot cocoa and walk around and see all the lights.”
November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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Upper Arlington Winter Fest In Upper Arlington, the holiday celebrations begin Dec. 4 with its annual Winter Fest at the Mallway. The festival is from 6-8:30 p.m., with the tree lighting kicking off the event. The festival will feature Santa, an ice carver, a student choir performance, an iceless skate rink and various vendors. “It’s really all about the kids and having them experience that fun environment,” City Recreation Supervisor Geoff Dew says. “The lights are beautiful. The tree looks great. Santa is there spreading joy. This community is really special, and to see them come out and connect with one another is amazing.” Breakfast & Brunch with Santa Following Winter Fest, Upper Arlington will host its annual Breakfast & Brunch with Santa Dec. 5 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Amelita Mirolo Barn. There, attendees can enjoy a catered meal and interact with Santa in a more casual setting.
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There are four one-hour-long time slots for the event between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Registration opens Nov. 5 at 6 a.m., with fees varying by age group. Residents can register at www.upperarlingtonoh.gov.
Antonia Campbell is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Fabtique
Fall outfit essentials www.fabtique.com $119 This handmade silver necklace with its crystal blue stone is $64, and its matching adjustable ring is $27. These fun pieces are displayed on a soft pashmina in two of the season’s hottest colors, brown and dark turquoise, priced at $28.
November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Massage Envy
Marini Skin Solutions Skin Care Management System www.massagenvy.com $360 Your all-in-one holiday skin care solution! Use in five easy steps, plus a retinol treatment in time for that holiday glow.
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Storyline Bookshop
Most Likely Dinner Party Game www.storylinebookshop.com $24 Bring everyone together this holiday with the Most Likely card game, full of conversation prompts for family laughs. Find it in Storyline Bookshop’s gift section alongside more fun games and puzzles.
Back Nine Golf
Golf Gift Box www.thebackninegolf.com $250 Shopping for someone who loves golf? Help them take their game to the next level with the Back Nine Holiday Gift Box, featuring a ball marker, hat, golf club head cover and one-month Par Membership.
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November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Winans Grandview Yard Coffee & Chocolate Holiday Gift Boxes www.winanschocolates.com
$40-$160 Visit Winans Grandview Yard for something for everyone on your list. From coffee lovers to chocolate fans, our gift boxes bring together Winans favorites in combinations that make giving easy – and receiving one even sweeter.
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November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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Combating Hunger in Upper Arlington The Tri-Village Lions Club brings awareness to a stigmatized issue By Chloe McGowan
F
The Lions’ efforts and beyond The Tri-Village Lions Club operates on five pillars: vision, childhood cancer, diabetes, environment and hunger – which Howard says the organization has “bitten into pretty heavily.” The Lions frequently volunteer to make sandwiches for Huckleberry House, in addition to providing funding for the Tri-Village Packers and Boulevard Presbyterian Church holiday food drive. But the need for food assistance is only growing, especially after more than 100,000 Ohioans lost SNAP Benefits between July 2025 and May 2026, according to research from the Food Research and Action Center. At least 500 kids across the Upper Arlington and Grandview school systems are food insecure and on the free lunch program,
Photos courtesy of the Tri-Village Lions Club
ood insecurity is a growing issue across the country, with families and older adults struggling to put food on the table, even in areas such as Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights, says Leslie Howard, president of the Tri-Village Lions Club. To combat this, the Tri-Village Lions Club has introduced a new initiative. The Little Free Pantry – or Blessing Box – aims to help tackle this issue by providing the community with the resources needed to combat hunger. “One would suspect that in those zip codes there’s no need, and that is so not true,” Howard says. “So we (the Lions Club) have taken that on.”
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November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Other ways to give back during the holidays Bins of Kindness During the holidays, the Upper Arlington Public Library hosts a collection drive for three different causes, including new and unwrapped toys for Franklin County Children’s Services, pet supplies for the CHA Animal Shelter and non-perishable snacks for the Tri-Village Packers. Dates and drop-off locations for 2026 Bins of Kindness have not yet been announced. For more information, visit www.ualibrary.org. City of UA “UALL” Food Drive Each year, City of UA employees collect food items, snacks, diapers, feminine care products and pet food for Heart to Heart Food Pantry. Dates and drop-off locations for the 2026 drive have yet to be announced. For more information, visit www.upperarlingtonoh.gov. says Jane Jarrow, a member of the Tri-Village Lions Club and organizer of the Tri-Village Packers. In comparison, Columbus Public Schools has about 32,000 kids on the free school lunch program. Organizations looking to make a difference in childhood hunger tend to focus and fund districts where there is “an obvious need,” Jarrow says. “That doesn’t make our kids any less hungry,” Jarrow adds. “The numbers are so small that we are largely invisible to the agencies that are out there looking at supporting people who are food insecure during the summer months in Columbus or statewide.”
Cram-A-Cruiser Food Drive Hosted by the Upper Arlington Police Division, the annual food drive collects non-perishable food items for the Heart to Heart Food Pantry from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 12, 2026, at Fire Station 72, 3861 Reed Rd. For more information, visit www.upperarlingtonoh.gov Firefighters 4 Kids Toy Drive Celebrating its 49th year, the Firefighters 4 Kids Toy Drive invites community members to donate toys for Columbus children ages 0-12. The Upper Arlington dropoff location is at Fire Station 72, 3861 Reed Rd. For more information, visit www.firefighters4kids.com/events. Holiday Wish Columbus residents are welcome to donate toys or make a financial donation to help make holiday wishes come true for children and teens in the care of Franklin County Children’s Services. For more information, visit www.fccs.us/holiday-wish. Tri-Village Packers The Tri-Village Packers provide meals for children outside of regular school hours, including during the summer, Thanksgiving, winter break and spring break. Volunteers can email trivillagepackers@gmail.com to inquire about packing events. Donations are also accepted at www.trivillagepackers.com/donate. STAY UA STAY UA connects community members with older adults in need of assistance with basic tasks, including phone check-ins, friendly visits, leaf raking, snow removal, flower planting, hanging or removing holiday decorations, as well as simple home maintenance, technology support, light paperwork, pet care, transportation services and simple errands. For more information, visit uaoh.helpfulvillage.com.
November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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The First Community Church in Grandview operates the Heart to Heart Food Pantry, and Boulevard Presbyterian has a small pantry box it restocks once a month; otherwise, Howard says families in their community rely heavily on service organizations such as the Tri-Village Lions Club, Tri-Village Packers and the Northwest Kiwanis Club. The Tri-Village Packers are entirely volunteer-run and donation-funded, having provided free meals to children during school breaks since 2022, including those who are on Halal, Kosher and gluten-and/or dairy-free diets. Their services are in increasing demand, as Jarrow says requests increased by 50 percent between March 2025 and November later that year. Many residents might not even be aware that their own neighbors are in need of food assistance, let alone want to admit to any personal financial struggles, Howard says. Additionally, the number of kids receiving meals from the Packers dropped about 20 percent between December 2025 and March 2026, when parents requested they be removed from the list after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement showed up at the Grandview Elementary schools for four days, Jarrow adds. “Elderly people are not healthy if they’re not eating,” Howard says. “Young people can’t learn if they’re hungry.” “What it comes down to is… if we don’t do this, no one will,” Jarrow adds.
to Rob Mottice, director of community experience at The Coventry. Residents also take part in food drives, coat collections and back-to-school drives in partnership with local schools year-round, but having the Little Free Pantry on campus will give residents another opportunity to give back to their community. “We just want to be present; we want to be active outside of the building and not just have people that are kind of holed up here,” Mottice says. “Many people that grew up in Arlington have made this their home, and they want to continue to feel part of that community they’ve been a part of their whole life, and we feel that should never end just because they’re living in a senior living community.” The Little Free Pantry will be bigger than the one currently on The Coventry property and located in a more accessible space so people can get to it by foot, bike or car, while maintaining anonymity when picking up or donating items, Mottice says. “I think we need to acknowledge that people are struggling in every community (and) that nobody is immune, and it’s important that we do so in a way that people can maintain their dignity (and) not feel ashamed,” Mottice adds. The Pantry also hopes to partner with Upper Arlington High School and have student clubs or teams take on partial responsibility for the pantry as part of a service project, including monitoring, restocking and organizing the box. This not only involves youth in the initiative, but alerts them to a greater need within their own neighborhoods, Jarrow says. “We know that there are folks in need in this community,” Jarrow adds. “We also hope that the existence of that Little Free Pantry will be a reminder to the community that they have neighbors who are in need as well, that this is not somebody else’s problem.” Chloe McGowan is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Food for all Designed and constructed by Lions Club members Allen Sulser and Anna Reed, the Little Free Pantry is a small, outdoor cabinet filled with non-perishable food items, toiletries, baby supplies and pet food. The box is scheduled to be installed at The Coventry Senior Living, stocked and open to the public by late fall of this year. It will operate under the “take what you need, leave what you can” motto, allowing residents to either take or donate items anonymously, according to the Franklin County Food Assistance website. The Coventry Senior Living, an upscale community for older adults that opened in 2023, has its own small pantry box that residents have maintained for the last two years, according 18
November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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Student Spotlight By Ellie Keehn Photos courtesy of Upper Arlington High School
Behind the Broadcast Upper Arlington High School students produce weekly news broadcast Kickin’ It Live
A
s freshmen, Upper Arlington High School students Mia Fraser and Ryan Potts watched their school’s live broadcast every week and knew that they wanted to be part of the cast one day. They took all of the prerequisites – mass media, broadcast theory and broadcast production – to take advanced honors broadcasting as seniors and help produce Kickin’ It Live. Now, they’ve earned their place as main anchors and producers, making sure everything runs smoothly when they go live on Fridays. Leading up to Live Amanda Fountain has taught communications courses at UAHS for 22 years, including advanced honors broadcasting. As a UAHS alum who was a part of Kickin’ It Live and went on to pursue journalism professionally, she is thrilled to teach the course and continue its impact.
Fountain teaches all of the prerequisites leading up to Kickin’ It Live, which she says gives her the privilege of watching her students develop from freshmen to seniors. Because the group of students works together for so long, she has the unique opportunity to create an environment where students feel comfortable growing together. “It allows them to build safely. It allows them to fail along the way, too, but in a safe environment so they can learn through their experiences,” Fountain says. Not only is the class a safe space to learn, but it’s also a place where students can build lasting friendships with their classmates. “Our class definitely (provides) a sense of community for everyone. I feel like we all get along when we work together,” Fraser says. “It makes my day so much more fun when I come to this period and get to do something that I like doing.” Skills in action For each broadcast, students work on either side of the camera, swapping roles to build a well-rounded knowledge base of broadcast. Both sides provide their own set of challenges and learning experiences, as students learn social and professional skills in front of the camera, and behind the camera, students learn the technical organizational side of the show. “It takes a lot of courage for these students every week to get up in front of their peers and go live, whether they’re in front of the camera or behind the camera, because they hear (about) it either way,” Fountain says.
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November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
A week’s work for the cast of Kickin’ It Live
Fraser and Potts agree, saying that speaking in front of their whole school has helped them build confidence. Even when it’s scary, they say it’s important to hear viewers’ feedback each week. Along with courage, students learn to give and receive feedback during weekly broadcast reviews. Fountain says they also learn journalism ethics, technological troubleshooting, interviewing skills, how to think critically about the media and more.
November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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Monday: Watch the previous week’s show and critique. What went well? What could improve?
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Tuesday: Search for content in the school and community and plan the episode.
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Wednesday: Start writing the scripts for the episode’s different segments.
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Thursday: Finish writing and complete the first full run-through of the episode.
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Friday: Do a final run-through, make any last edits and go live.
The students also say they are learning time management skills, as Fraser and Potts are both student-athletes with jobs along with being members of the Kickin’ It Live staff. While much of their work is accomplished during class, they often edit and conduct interviews outside of class, as well as covering events outside of school hours. “There’s a lot of pressure on Fridays to get everything done, but it’s definitely a great schedule,” Potts says. “It’s a fun grind.”
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Tuning into the community Kickin’ It Live isn’t just about learning how to produce a broadcast – it’s also about connecting the whole Upper Arlington community. In segments such as sports or live on location, Potts says they get to interact with and interview fellow students. For example, they’ve broadcasted live homecoming proposals. In their community segment, they get to interact with representatives from the community and learn how to communicate with leaders, with some such reports including updates on construction. Fountain says the students’ experiences during their time at Kickin’ It Live all come down to how they work together. “I think it’s that team mentality,” Fountain says. “You want to see everybody succeed. They want to pull everybody up together as they’re putting the production forward.” Tune into Kickin’ It Live every Friday on its YouTube channel. Ellie Keehn is contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
The Official Magazine of Grandview Heights, Upper Arlington and Marble Cliff UPPER A RLING
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July/August 2026
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Marble Cliff resid leads statewide ent cinema celebrat ion
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November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Celebrate with Us!
Make your holiday celebrations bright with City Creek Events City Creek Events features three district areas under one roof to host a variety of events. From engagement parties to elegant baby showers and grand weddings we provide the perfect setting to celebrate life’s special moments. Why City Creek Events is Perfect for Parties & Events: • Beautiful, remodeled event space • Convenient Columbus location • Stress-free planning • Giant screen to share your photos or to allow for live streaming
Call (614-202-3607) today to book your celebration November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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On the Table
By Taylor Stumbaugh
Global Eats Six international restaurants to light up your taste buds in Tri-Village
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Aab India
Indian/Punjab Avtar Singh, founder of Aab India, created a staple in the Grandview community with his traditional northern Indian flavors from his home village Dhilwan, Punjab. Singh delivers signature tastes of India to Columbus through popular dishes such as the lamb Tikka Masala, lamb rogan josh and lamb choley, all paired with rice, a staple in Indian cuisine. Aab India’s menu is laden with dozens of delicious options – many of them vegetarian – that locals have enjoyed for more than a decade.
Photo by Taylor Stumbaugh
Photo by Brian M. Kaiser
rom Latin-based food trucks to German breweries, the Tri-Village area has many international culinary experiences to offer, and even more to try at these local spots.
Bonifacio
Filipino Bonifacio has made its mark in the Columbus cuisine scene. This modern take on Filipino cuisine in Upper Arlington uses generations of Filipino culture to redefine Filipino food. Bonifacio uses this movement to recognize traditional meals such as chicken tinola, a spiced chicken soup; inihaw na tilapia, grilled and seasoned tilapia; and the like. Guests can also enjoy Filipino traditions such as Manila Night Karaoke and Boodle Nights, featuring communal meals served on banana leaves and eaten by hand, as well as Wine Wednesdays and weekend brunch.
Photo by Taylor Stumbaugh
Cantonese New to Grandview’s dining scene, Dim Sum Asian Bistro opened in November of 2025. The Hong Kong-style dim sum restaurant serves handmade small plates alongside classic Chinese dishes. Dishes are rooted in the traditional teahouses of Canton, and although the chefs are dedicated to delivering traditional dumplings from scratch daily, the menu is extensive – offering char siu bao, which are steamed pork buns, along with sweet and sour chicken, honey walnut shrimp and more. Beyond the lengthy food menu, the eatery offers bubble tea, bubble slushies and a full bar. Order from their lunch menu for extra specials. Bonifacio 24
November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Cilantro Latin Bistro
Venezuelan Enjoy authentic Venezuelan flavors hot from the grill at Cilantro Latin Bistro, a food truck located at 993 King Ave., just North of Grandview. This mobile cuisine brings South American flavors straight to your taste buds through its signature arepas, sweet plantains and tres leches cakes. Menu highlights include the patacones – green plantains with salad, pulled pork, pico de gallo, grilled cheese and cilantro sauce – and cachapa, a Venezuelan-style corn pancake with handmade cheese, panela cheese and nata. Take food on the go or sit at the provided shaded seating for a more conventional experience during the warmer months.
German A new Bavarian beer is tapped from a keg every month at Hofbräuhaus Columbus Brewery and Restaurant in Grandview. Known for its three flagship beers – Lager, Hefe Weizen and Dunkel – Hofbräuhaus combines specialty beer brewed on site every day with an award-winning Bavarian menu including favorites schnitzel and bratwurst. This Bavarian beer hall-inspired restaurant is reminiscent of stepping into a mini Germany with traditional music playing, long communal tables lining the space and festive energy from employees.
Photos courtesy of Hofbräuhaus Columbus Brewery and Restaurant
Photo by Taylor Stumbaugh
Hofbräuhaus Columbus Brewery and Restaurant
Photo by Taylor Stumbaugh
Hofbräuhaus Columbus Brewery and Restaurant
Italian La Tavola owner Rick Lopez began his culinary journey at 15 as a busser and server, eventually opening his own restaurant with his wife Krista in 1996. That experience prompted them to pursue their dreams of opening a neighborhood restaurant, La Tavola, in 1999. In 2014, the restaurant found a new home in Grandview Heights, bringing locally sourced ingredients and authentic Italian cooking to the community. La Tavola serves up authentic, fresh dishes from classic pizzas to house-made gnocchi and pasta bolognese. La Tavola November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Taylor Stumbaugh is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com. 25
Living
By Amanda Stevens
A Fresh Flame Modern gas fireplace options offer warmth and convenience while preserving historic hearths
T
ri-Village features many historic homes. Upper Arlington, for instance, boasts more than 490 homes built at least 100 years ago, providing numerous examples of historic architecture. Among the many styles to be found, such as Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, French Revival and many others, the fireplace is often a central design element. Many fireplaces in these older homes are wood burning. While nostalgic and cozy, they can raise concerns about efficiency, health and safety. Additionally, some homeowners may seek to convert their wood-burning hearth to something more modern with less maintenance. Electric fireplaces are increasingly popular and can be relatively easy to install, though gas fireplace options may appeal more to homeowners braving Ohio winters. Swapping a wood-burning fireplace does not always mean the chimney will have continued use. For gas systems, a vent or liner is added to the chimney. However, direct-vent and vent-free systems may not use the chimney at all. While professional fireplace installers are ultimately the best consultants for ensuring proper safety, venting and sizing, here’s a quick guide to options you may encounter.
Direct vent insert A heat-efficient option for existing fireplaces is a direct vent insert, a sealed metal box with a gas burner system and a glass front that can fit in an existing fireplace. The direct vent insert uses a dual pipe system that allows it to consume oxygen from the outside and expel exhaust simultaneously. Because of its venting system, a direct vent insert needs a path to the outdoors, typically through an exterior wall or through the roof. Unlike a traditional wood-burning system, it doesn’t necessarily require an existing chimney. Direct vent inserts achieve relatively higher heat efficiency than traditional open fireplaces. Some come with a blower and can distribute the heat around a large room. The glass front of the insert can heat to more than 400 degrees Fahrenheit, potentially posing a risk for pets and small children. Modern gas fireplace inserts typically have barriers designed to reduce the risk of contact, but homeowners who’ve bought older insert models or want a more customized look should ensure their screen is the correct size and prevents accidental contact while maintaining airflow.
Vented gas log For those primarily interested in the aesthetic, vented gas logs can provide a realistic look without the hassle of stirring the flames or replacing wood logs. Vented gas logs, which include faux logs, a burner system and metal frame, can be lit by hand, though some systems may have a button. Homeowners also may opt for a safety pilot valve for an extra layer of protection and to more easily control the height of the flame. Vented gas logs can fit into existing fireplaces with chimneys, and there are different sizes available, which can accommodate homes with a larger firebox, though larger gas logs require more gas. Crucially, previously used fireplaces and chimneys need to be cleaned before installing a gas log. Because vented gas logs rely on the chimney to carry combustion byproducts outdoors, chimney dampers must remain fully open while operating. As a result, vented gas logs are not particularly heat efficient as most of the heat exits out of the chimney. However, the open chimney ensures harmful emissions and combustion byproducts do not build up, making vented gas logs a safe and low-maintenance option for those seeking the visual ambiance of a fireplace.
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November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Vent-free gas insert Not all homes, or rooms, have a fireplace. For homeowners who want to warm up their space, a vent-free gas insert can be an option. A vent-free gas fireplace or insert does not require a chimney or exterior vent. Depending on the product and local code, it can be installed in an existing fireplace or in another approved location if the room meets size and ventilation needs. National standards require at least 50 cubic feet of room space for every 1,000 British thermal units released per hour, so homeowners should ensure their desired location for a vent-free fireplace can safely accommodate one. Using the room’s air for combustion and advanced burner technology, ventfree gas inserts can achieve 99 percent heat efficiency and provide localized heat, which may offer some energy savings. However, since the insert vents into the room, it may not be a good option if someone in the home has respiratory issues. Additionally, homeowners should ensure their product is code-compliant as all vent-free fireplaces are required to have an Oxygen Depletion Sensor to avoid asphyxiation or carbon monoxide poisoning. Amanda Stevens is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Your annual giving can keep more families safely housed this winter. November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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Top homes sold in the Tri-Village area Homes in Upper Arlington sold for a median price of $699,537 in August 2026, up 13.2 percent from this time last year. Homes stayed on the market for an average of 33 days before selling, up from 32 in 2025. A total of 156 Upper Arlington homes sold in August 2026, compared to 143 in August 2025. Grandview Heights average home price increased 0.8 percent from last year, selling for a median price of $584,613 in August 2026. Homes sold after an average of 38 days on the market, up from 36 last year, and 46 homes were sold in 2026, compared to 45 in August 2025. (Data from Redfin).
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1980 Hillside Dr. 5 beds, 4 baths $2,600,000 Sold 9/2/2026
3493 Redding Rd. 5 beds, 3.5 baths $1,400,000 Sold 8/12/2026
2292 Dorset Rd. 4 beds, 4.5 baths $2,300,000 Sold 8/3/2026
3808 Beecham Ct. 5 beds, 4.5 baths $1,240,000 Sold 8/7/2026
2643 Coventry Rd. 4 beds, 3.5 baths $1,700,000 Sold 9/10/2026
1331 Elmwood Ave. 4 beds, 2.5 baths $1,100,000 Sold 8/14/2026
1508 Barrington Rd. 5 beds, 4 baths $1,500,000 Sold 8/3/2026
4171 Daventry Rd. 5 beds, 3.5 baths $1,057,000 Sold 8/13/2026
2656 Tremont Rd. 3 beds, 3 baths $1,475,000 Sold 8/19/2026
3411 Sunset Dr. 4 beds, 2.5 baths $1,039,000 Sold 8/18/2026
4499 Summit Ridge Dr. 5 beds, 3 baths $1,465,000 Sold 8/20/2026
1164 Parkway Dr. 3 beds, 3 baths $995,000 Sold 8/28/2026
November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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Bookmarks Submitted by Grandview Heights Public Library Are You Wiggly? By Tim Button (birth-2 years)
This delightful board book has beautiful illustrations and text asking all kinds of animals if they are wiggly. A rabbit is not wiggly but hoppy, a snake is slithery and a spider is spinny. A worm is indeed wiggly, but the surprise at the end is a builtin mirror that shows who is even wigglier: the reader!
The Thank You Letter By Jane Cabrera (ages 3-6)
A charming story about a little girl named Grace who writes thank-you letters to her friends and family for birthday presents she received is sure to bring a smile to your face. She doesn’t stop there, though. She writes more letters to her pets, her teacher, the thrift store lady, even the sky. In return, she receives many love notes from everyone, and she treasures each one.
Honor Flight: Celebrating America’s Veterans By Jeff Gottesfeld and Matt Tavares (grades 1-3)
Beautifully illustrated and informative, Honor Flight tells the story of an anonymous United States Air Force veteran who has been chosen to travel to Washington, D.C. as part of The Honor Flight Network. Over 300,000 veterans have participated in this nonprofit program that began in 2007. There are helpful notes at the end to help the reader better understand battles and memorials that are referenced throughout.
The Faraway Inn By Sarah Beth Durst (grades 7-12)
Hoping to recover from a breakup, 16-year-old Calisa is going to spend the summer at her Auntie Zee’s bed and breakfast in Vermont. When she arrives, her aunt makes it clear she does not want her there. Determined to prove her usefulness, Calisa gradually discovers the inn and its occupants have some magical characteristics. Fun characters, interesting conflicts and lots of whimsy make this an enjoyable read. Grandview Heights Public Library www.ghpl.org Upper Arlington Public Libraries Tremont Road Branch, Lane Road Branch and Miller Park Branch www.ualibrary.org 30
A New Era of Philanthropy: Ten Practices to Transform Wealth into a More Just and Sustainable Future By Dimple Abichandani
Dimple Abichandani calls on philanthropists to share power with the communities they seek to serve and to reconsider how wealth and decision-making are distributed. She provides a road map through her ten practices. The driving force behind each practice is to shift the current model, in which wealthy donors determine what problems receive funding, toward a model that uses money, relationships and institutional power to change the systems that create injustice. Simply stated, Abichandani argues that problems should be transformed, not covered up.
Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector By Vu Le
Vu Le examines how nonprofit organizations operate and the relationships among funders, boards, employees, donors, government and communities. He argues that nonprofits should rethink the “do more with less” mindset, traditional (and perhaps dysfunctional) board structures, hierarchical leadership, inequitable hiring and compensation, toxic work cultures, donorcentered fundraising, restrictive and inequitable funding practices, and reluctance to engage in advocacy and systems change. A nonprofit’s efforts to help create a more just society can be hindered by the organization’s own internal unjust systems.
Control: Why Big Giving Falls Short By Glen Galaich
Using the Stupski Foundation as an example, Glen Galaich presents his case for shifting American philanthropy from donor-controlled to community-led and shared power. The current system may fail to address problems effectively because donors and foundation leaders are often removed from the communities they seek to serve and may not experience those problems firsthand. This does not mean that money should not be donated; rather, Galaich argues that legal structures, investment practices, foundation culture and traditional ideas about good stewardship should be reconsidered so that communities have greater influence and philanthropic resources provide the maximum possible benefit.
November/December 2026 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
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