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The MVA wants to hear from you as we plan for 2023 and beyond! We invite those who live and/or work within Merion Village to complete the following survey. We believe the neighborhood and community will benefit from the feedback shared here. Please use this opportunity to have your voice heard. Your survey responses will be submitted to the current MVA board members and a summary of responses will also be shared at our monthly meeting in January 2023. We plan to use your feedback to develop the Association’s future short and long-term goals. This survey may be submitted anonymously if you choose and will be open for responses until November 30, 2022. Thank you in advance for your time! https://form.jotform.com/MerionVillageAssociation/NeighborhoodSurvey2022
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The renewal period for MVA memberships is officially open! Existing members can now renew for the 2023 year while non-members can sign up for a new membership that will be in effect for the remainder of 2022 and all of 2023! Good news! If you completed a membership application at this year's festival, your membership is already renewed for 2023! Use our new membership verification tool to quickly verify your renewal status: MVA Memberships Are Annual...
You can review a current copy of the MVA Constitution and Bylaws for additional information on membership and voting HERE. Why Renew? Your annual membership fees support the Merion Village Association and our efforts in the community. (annual scholarship, the MVA Info Center, neighborhood events like the garden tour, festival, yard sales, social meetups, winter potluck, and fitness in the park.) Members are also entitled to the following benefits:
Thank you for being a part of the Merion Village Association!
 The 2022 Merion Village shirts are here! This year, we’re thrilled to offer crew and v-neck t-shirts and two styles of tank tops with a rainbow imprint! Head over to our online shop to place your order. Hurry! The deadline to place an order for this limited run is Thursday, August 25th! Special thanks to this year's winning designer, Kyle Green!
We are thrilled to announce that after a 2-year hiatus, the Merion Village Festival is back for 2022! SUNDAY, September 11th 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Moeller Park (281 Hanford Street, Columbus, OH 43206) This annual, outdoor, rain or shine festival will continue to feature artists, crafters, businesses, and organizations as we celebrate the community and atmosphere of the Historic Merion Village neighborhood. All proceeds benefit the Merion Village Association, a 501(c)(3) civic organization. This event is exclusively outdoor and does not require admission. The festival will include a mix of makers, retail, services, and non-profit vendors, meal and dessert food trucks, beer garden, live music, and performances, interactive art, activities for children, and a silent auction. Follow this event on Facebook to receive the latest updates! Applications are now open for vendors, food trucks and musicians/bands who would like to participate this year. The Merion Village Festival has a primary goal of celebrating our neighborhood and community. As such, priority will be given to local applicants. Vendor applications close Sunday, August 14th while Food Truck and Musician applications close Tuesday, May 31st. All applications may close early if all spaces have been filled. Due to a limited number of spaces at this event, early applications are strongly encouraged.  Hey Neighbors! One of the things we love most about Merion Village is how artful and eclectic this community is! We’d like to show off this colorful spirit even more and showcase more art throughout our neighborhood.
Here’s the big picture: Support from MV Neighbors + A Talented Local Artist + A Prime Neighborhood Spot = NEW 2022 MURAL! We need your help to make it happen! If you like art (and who’s kidding, EVERYONE loves art), we could really use your support! In order to bring this project to life, we need to raise money. If you participated in last year’s fundraiser, THANK YOU! We raised $1,025! That’s pretty awesome, but we didn’t quite reach our goal. So, we’re picking things back up where we left off. Our new goal is $3,500. We know it’s lofty, but we’re counting on you to help us make it happen! Please take a moment to make a contribution and help us bring more art to Merion Village! Big or small, we really appreciate it. Donating is fast, easy and every penny goes to support a local artist and this installation. ANDDDDD we’ll all get to see more art as you stroll through the neighborhood! DONATE HERE *If you don’t use Facebook, please contact Tom O’Gara and he’ll help find another way for you to make a donation. We hope you’ll follow along with us on social media as we bring this project to life. Thanks! The Merion Village Mural Group The renewal period for MVA memberships is officially open! Existing members can now renew for the 2022 year. If you’re considering a new membership, or you'd like to reactivate a previous lapse, this is the best time of year to join!
MVA Memberships Are Annual:
Why Join or Renew? Annual membership fees support the Merion Village Association and our efforts in the community. Members also receive the following benefits:
You can review a current copy of the MVA Constitution and Bylaws for additional information on membership and voting HERE. Thank you for being a part of the Merion Village Association!  Do you love the South Side? Are you passionate about your community? Does public art make you happy? The MVA will be working with an artist to install a community-inspired mural on a local business building in Merion Village! Several artists applied to help with this project and the Summer Fundays committee is working toward selecting a partner. The selected artist will work with the committee to design a mural and plan/execute installation. We will share updates as this exciting project develops! While we are still in the planning stages, we would like to ask our community to help raise the funds necessary to install this mural. Funds raised will be used toward completing the project (purchasing supplies, paying the artist for their time, etc.) We are so excited to see this project come to life, and we thank you for helping to make the mural a reality!
Donations can be made through our Facebook fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/donate/907163659872690/  We are collecting feedback from local businesses and organizations that operate within or are based on the South Side of Columbus, OH. We're eager to hear from our community as we look to improve and relaunch our Business Membership program later this year. Please help us collect feedback from the community by sharing this survey with your favorite local businesses!
 Join us for the annual Spring Yard Sale on Saturday, May 1st from 9 AM to 3 PM! The MVA will publish a digital community map alerting buyers to all registered sale locations. Residents and businesses within the Merion Village boundaries are invited to register for the Community Map. Locations outside of the Merion Village boundaries will NOT be included in the Community Map. You can visit our website to verify the neighborhood boundaries. The MVA is excited to host this event and wants to ensure that all sale hosts and shoppers have a safe experience. As such, all sales should follow these guidelines outlined by the Ohio Department of Health. Shoppers should follow all current facemask and social distancing guidelines. This is a RAIN or SHINE event! REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Thursday, April 22nd ...BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! The MVA will partner with Goodwill Columbus to host a donation drive immediately following the Spring Yard Sale. Bring your donations to the MVA Info Center at 1330 S. Fourth Street between 3 and 5 PM on Saturday, May 1st. MVA Volunteers will collect your items for Goodwill. Please note, representatives from Goodwill will not be present during the drive and the MVA will be unable to issue receipts for any items donated. The following items will be accepted at this drive:
*Note: due to space limitations, furniture items cannot be accepted at this drive.
 Q: What Do you Do for a Living?
A: I am an Administrator for a home care agency and Co-Founder of Bake Me Happy. I am also a partner in a newly formed restaurant group, Muse Hospitality. Q: Tell Us About Your Family and Pets! A: My family! Well, I am married to an amazing woman, Wendy... she’s also the genius behind Bake Me Happy! We have a daughter, Avery, who's 9 years old. We also have a "man of the house," Myles, a chow/corgi mix... he's 13 and we have Katycat...a 16-year-old...cat. Q: Which Neighborhood Do You Currently Call Home? A: Bake Me Happy is based in Merion Village. Q: Why Did You Move to Your Neighborhood? A: We loved the building and the neighborhood. We actually came across an ad in Craigslist for the space and once we saw the area...we couldn’t stop thinking about it. Q: Where Else Have You Lived? A: Bake Me Happy hasn't lived anywhere else...well, I take that back. We actually started out in a commercial kitchen near campus. Q: South Side Organization(s) Where You Work/Volunteer A: Interesting question...I do a little bit all over the place. I have presented at the Parsons Library...I tend to do more donation type supporting due to a serious lack of free time. I’ve done some good stuff for South High too! Q: How Are You Active in The South Side? A: I try to contribute in ways that are meaningful, not only for my customers, but for our neighbors as well. I am a firm believer of being a good neighbor. I pick up trash, I try to manage the weeds on the public side of the building, etc. Bake Me Happy does a fair share of donating to southside initiatives as well. I try to attend MVA and south side commission meetings when I can. Our business exposure has also been good for the southside as we make it a point to always "shout out" Merion Village. Although we don't live in Merion Village...it has been like a "home" to us...we raised our first baby here (Bake Me Happy)! Q: What Are Some Causes or Organizations That Are Important to You and Why? A: I am very involved in the LGBTQI community, specifically, the black LGBTQI community. I co-founded an organization 3 years ago called Black, Out & Proud (BOP). It's been a struggle, but we are finally starting to see it get some legs. We provide a safe space for and by Black LGBTQ+ individuals that advocates, educates, and inspires. blackoutandproud.com I am also a co-founder of Service! Relief for Hospitality Workers...a chef driven, food distribution project for hospitality workers who were laid off during the COVID-19 shut down. We will shift our mission in the coming weeks, still supporting the hospitality industry. servicerelief.org Q: What's Your Favorite Thing About the South Side? A: The people are amazing and have been so supportive. I know people don't see Wendy and I as much as they used to...I’m always so happy to see the neighborhood folks and stop for a chat. Merion Village is an amazing place that can hold its own...I look forward to more amazing businesses moving here in the near future. Q: If You Could Make One Improvement to the South Side, What Would It Be? A: Hmmm...a marketing campaign through the commission that promoted all the good things "Southside." I say this with the intent of including "ALL" of the southside...not just German Village and Merion Village (although I still get a lot of "where's Merion Village?). I think there are all these amazing pockets of the southside that the rest of the city isn’t aware of. Q: What Would You Tell Someone Who May Move to the South Side? A: You are in the right place! Thank you, Letha for allowing the MVA to shine the South Side Spotlight on you! Each week, we will feature at least one individual who lives, works and/or volunteers on the South Side and who helps to build and strengthen our community every day. If you’d like to nominate someone for the spotlight, email us at spotlight@merionvillage.org.  Q: What Do you Do for a Living?
A: I'm a public policy and government relations professional. Q: Tell Us About Your Family and Pets! A: My partner, Dan and I don't have any pets, but several very happy house plants. Q: Which Neighborhood Do You Currently Call Home? A: Merion Village Q: Why Did You Move to Your Neighborhood? A: I was looking for a walk-able, diverse, urban neighborhood with lots of charm and full of great people. Q: Where Else Have You Lived? A: Berwick and Campus area in Columbus, Muncie, IN, Metro Detroit, Limerick, Ireland Q: South Side Organization(s) Where You Work/Volunteer A: I am the Vice-chair, Chair of the Public Services Committee for the Columbus South Side Area Commission Q: How Are You Active in The South Side? A: I'm very engaged in transportation, parks and other public services on the South Side through the Area Commission. I'm an active member of the Merion Village Association and try to keep up with other civic associations, as well. I've helped organize and plan several service days on the South Side. Q: What Are Some Causes or Organizations That Are Important to You and Why? A: Anyone who knows me can tell you, I love bikes. I'm on the board of Yay Bikes! where I work to improve our streets and neighborhoods so everyone, from 8 to 80, can feel comfortable riding a bike to get where they need to go or just for fun. I mean, when was the last time your rode a bike and didn't smile? The work is important to me because our built environment has a big impact on equity and our quality of life. With progressive urban planning, we can build neighborhoods that are more equitable and opportunity rich for everyone who lives there. Q: What's Your Favorite Thing About the South Side? A: Hands down, it's the people that live here. The South Side is full of kind and caring neighbors who take care of each other. Wherever I turn, I see neighbors lending a hand, sharing what they have, and just plan helping out. It makes the South Side a real community. Q: If You Could Make One Improvement to the South Side, What Would It Be? A: Parsons Avenue has acted like a barrier for too long. I'd break down the barriers and build bridges between richer and poorer areas in the South Side. Q: What Would You Tell Someone Who May Move to the South Side? A: The South Side is the best side. It has a lot of heart and a can-do attitude. The neighbors, that quickly become friends, are the best part of living here. Welcome to the neighborhood! Thank you, Erin for allowing the MVA to shine the South Side Spotlight on you! Each week, we will feature at least one individual who lives, works and/or volunteers on the South Side and who helps to build and strengthen our community every day. If you’d like to nominate someone for the spotlight, email us at spotlight@merionvillage.org.  Q: What Do you Do for a Living?
A: By day: Librarian. By night: All the things! I keep pretty busy with community-based projects. Can't say they provide me with much of a 'living,' but they definitely help me live! Q: Tell Us About Your Family and Pets! A: I am married and we share a house and lots of fur with a delightful puggle named Xena. Q: Which Neighborhood Do You Currently Call Home? A: Merion Village Q: Why Did You Move to Your Neighborhood? A: Originally, work and happenstance. But we've stayed because of the people. Q: Where Else Have You Lived? A: I've traveled the world but only ever called Central Ohio home. Q: South Side Organization(s) Where You Work/Volunteer A: Youth Services at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Parsons Branch; Board Chair with Southside STAY; At-Large Education Commissioner with the Columbus South Side Area Commission; Founder of South Side Story Q: How Are You Active in The South Side? A: I think the most comprehensive way to answer this is that, as much as possible, I try to show up for kids. At the library, I'm involved with everything from programming to outreach to branch operations, with a focus on supporting youth and young minds. I've worked at five different CML locations, including four on the South/Southeast Side. More at columbuslibrary.org With STAY, I lead all aspects of our mission, which comprises supporting and empowering the neighborhood public schools in the Columbus City Schools South High School pathway. More at southsidestay.com With the area commission, I chair a committee and advise commissioners, community organizations, and the public about all aspects of Pre-K, K-12, and Adult education within our area. (We're also set to add an At-Large Youth seat, which my committee will help support!) More at columbussouthside.org With South Side Story, I interview folks with a tangible connection to South Columbus and share their stories in different spaces. Right now, my focus is on kids. Got a story? Let's connect! Q: What Are Some Causes or Organizations That Are Important to You and Why? A: Amplifying the voices dreams of youth and disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline (where kids are essentially funneled from the public education system straight into the criminal justice system.) There's a group locally, Voices of the Unheard, that's doing work around both of these things. Supporting local art and artists. One that I really enjoy - and have become a monthly patron of, in fact - is Streetlight Guild. They are a performing arts organization that curates events across disciplines with an emphasis on Columbus-based, original, and underrepresented voices. Advocating and fighting for more power, access, and legitimate civic representation at the ground/neighborhood level. There isn't any one group that I would point to for this locally that's hitting it out of the ballpark. I think that's by design in some respects, and it just shows how much work we have to do as a city. That all said, I thoroughly appreciated my experience with the Neighborhood Leadership Academy, which focuses on galvanizing residents across a wide range of demographics - age, race, socioeconomics, professional experience, etc - and equips them with the knowledge and tools to become change agents within their neighborhoods. Q: What's Your Favorite Thing About the South Side? A: The people. Q: If You Could Make One Improvement to the South Side, What Would It Be? A: More spaces for kids that validate and value them *as kids.* Q: What Would You Tell Someone Who May Move to the South Side? A: It's a great place to live, learn, work, and play. But come correct. This is already a thriving community here. Make the time to get to know it and appreciate who and what's here. Being a good neighbor is about way more than mowing your lawn. Growth does not equal development. If you're trying to 'fix' something/one, that doesn't mean you're supporting it/them. Sustainable development happens when opportunities are abundant and work for everyone. So, if you're thinking of moving here? Commit to being a part of that. Thank you, Mike for allowing the MVA to shine the South Side Spotlight on you! Each week, we will feature at least one individual who lives, works and/or volunteers on the South Side and who helps to build and strengthen our community every day. If you’d like to nominate someone for the spotlight, email us at spotlight@merionvillage.org.  Q: What Do you Do for a Living?
A: I’m a small business consultant and web designer. Q: Tell Us About Your Family and Pets! A: I have a wonderful husband, a dog named Prince, and a new granddaughter that I get to babysit almost daily. They are my world. Q: Which Neighborhood Do You Currently Call Home? A: Marion-Franklin Q: Why Did You Move to Your Neighborhood? A: I originally moved to the area to be close to work. I have settled here and love it. Q: Where Else Have You Lived? A: I grew up and lived on the Far East side of Columbus. Q: South Side Organization(s) Where You Work/Volunteer A: Marion-Franklin Civic Association, Avenue for All and I am the current Director of the Southside Hope CDC, leading the newly launched neighborhood cleanup, “Operation Southfield”. Q: How Are You Active in The South Side? A: I’m very active in launching and implementing programs that positively impact our neighborhoods on the Far Southside of Columbus. Q: What Are Some Causes or Organizations That Are Important to You and Why? A: I’m passionate about preserving our neighborhood as a family-friendly, safe and affordable place to call home. As a Southside resident for more than 25 years, I want to help bring back a sense of strong community by working with others to make a difference in our surroundings. Q: What's Your Favorite Thing About the South Side? A: The diversity of the people and the rich heritage and sense of community I have experienced living here. Q: If You Could Make One Improvement to the South Side, What Would It Be? A: More people take pride in their residence, whether renting or buying. Q: What Would You Tell Someone Who May Move to the South Side? A: It’s a wonderful place to put down roots. Thank you, Lori for allowing the MVA to shine the South Side Spotlight on you! Each week, we will feature at least one individual who lives, works and/or volunteers on the South Side and who helps to build and strengthen our community every day. If you’d like to nominate someone for the spotlight, email us at spotlight@merionvillage.org.  Q: What Do you Do for a Living?
A: I’m an attorney. Q: Tell Us About Your Family and Pets! A: My husband and I have a full house with two cats and two dogs. Q: Which Neighborhood Do You Currently Call Home? A: Merion Village Q: Why Did You Move to Your Neighborhood? A: I wanted to be in an area with character that was close to downtown. Q: Where Else Have You Lived? A: I am from the Dayton area originally (Beavercreek). Since moving to Columbus, I have lived on OSU's campus and in Worthington, German Village, and Downtown. Q: South Side Organization(s) Where You Work/Volunteer A: I am the Current Member at Large of the Merion Village Association. Q: How Are You Active in The South Side? A: I have lived on the South Side since December 2016, and in that time, I have loved patronizing the various shops, restaurants and bars we have. I love taking my dogs on walks around the neighborhoods, so I can admire the diverse architecture. Q: What Are Some Causes or Organizations That Are Important to You and Why? A: I am passionate about preventing sexual trafficking in Columbus and supporting local animal shelters. Q: What's Your Favorite Thing About the South Side? A: I love the people. In just a few years, we have made some great friends! Q: If You Could Make One Improvement to the South Side, What Would It Be? A: Less drug addiction and crime. Q: What Would You Tell Someone Who May Move to the South Side? A: I've never been happier than living in our 100+ year old house in Merion Village. Each week, we will feature at least one individual who lives, works and/or volunteers on the South Side and who helps to build and strengthen our community every day. If you’d like to nominate someone for the spotlight, email us at spotlight@merionvillage.org.  Q: What Do you Do for a Living?
A: I am a senior manager at a Healthcare IT firm, Nuance Communications. I get to build products and solutions for nurses & revenue cycle managers as well as lead nationally broadcast webinars for health leaders. Q: Tell Us About Your Family and Pets! A: I have 5 cats!!! Totally by accident- my neighbors and I noticed a stray cat problem here in Merion Village and have spent the last two years working with Trap Neuter Release projects. A few of the animals chose not to be “released” though and now live with me. I added a cat door so they can come and go as they please and my neighbors and I even built a little tunnel in our fence so our collect 9 cats can visit each other! I also have a 2 nieces and a nephew that I love to pieces and continually surprise me with their creativity and humor. Q: Which Neighborhood Do You Currently Call Home? A: Merion Village Q: Why Did You Move to Your Neighborhood? A: I relocated to Columbus from Chicago for a job opportunity but chose Merion Village because I loved the walkability of the neighborhood, the aesthetic quality of the parks, brick streets, and bungalow houses, and the vibe of the neighbors & families all out walking and talking in the evenings. Q: Where Else Have You Lived? A: Chicago, San Francisco, Washington DC, and my hometown of Valparaiso IN. Q: South Side Organization(s) Where You Work/Volunteer A: Pet Promise City Kitty Program (urban TNR) and Current Vice President of the Merion Village Association. Q: How Are You Active in The South Side? A: I volunteer at the South High football game concession stand, work with neighborhood orgs to host the MVA chili cook off (benefiting the MVA South High Scholarship fund), participate in the MVA Garden Tour and semi-annual yard sale, and grow seedlings for our informal Frebis Ave plant exchange each spring. During the recent quarantine, I’ve been working with a few neighbors to make sure everyone on our street has enough groceries and assistance with errands, prescription pickups, and light chores. Q: What Are Some Causes or Organizations That Are Important to You and Why? A: Locally, I support the Red Cross through blood drives (donate!). My alumni associations at the University of Chicago and the Indiana Academy are also really important to me. I help out by donating to general scholarship funds and assisting with college application review. Internationally, I support Heifer International- a group that assists families in developing countries start small business and raise farm animals. I also got to volunteer in India recently, at an elephant rehabilitation center with Wildlife SOS. Q: What's Your Favorite Thing About the South Side? A: The people!! I sit out on my porch in the evenings and have conversations with my neighbors as they walk their dogs or work in their yards. Everyone truly cares about the neighborhood and each other. Q: If You Could Make One Improvement to the South Side, What Would It Be? A: A connecting bike path from The Alum Creek Trail to the Scioto Trail. I live to bike! Q: What Would You Tell Someone Who May Move to the South Side? A: Do it! This is a vibrant neighborhood with shops, restaurants, breweries, parks, interesting people and affordable housing. You’ll always have something fun to do. Each week, we will feature at least one individual who lives, works and/or volunteers on the South Side and who helps to build and strengthen our community every day. If you’d like to nominate someone for the spotlight, email us at spotlight@merionvillage.org.  Q: What Do you Do for a Living?
A: Systems Analyst at Encova Insurance Q: Tell Us About Your Family and Pets! A: I have a full house with Marley the dog, Bart the red-eared slider, and two kittens from a Merion Village litter, Chloe and Tasha. Q: Which Neighborhood Do You Currently Call Home? A: Merion Village Q: Why Did You Move to Your Neighborhood? A: I wanted to buy a small house in a walkable neighborhood that was close to where I work. Q: Where Else Have You Lived? A: I'm originally from a small town just north of Pittsburgh. Since coming to Columbus, I've lived in Westerville, New Albany, Grandview, and Hilliard. Q: South Side Organization(s) Where You Work/Volunteer A: Current Secretary of the Merion Village Association Q: How Are You Active in The South Side? A: I volunteer with local organizations, check out the local businesses, spend a lot of time walking around the parks, and serve on the MVA board. Q: What Are Some Causes or Organizations That Are Important to You and Why? A: My top 3 causes are helping animals, ending hunger, and promoting cultural equity. Q: What's Your Favorite Thing About the South Side? A: I love how active everyone is - I meet so many new people at the park or while sitting on my porch swing. Q: If You Could Make One Improvement to the South Side, What Would It Be? A: Less crime Q: What Would You Tell Someone Who May Move to the South Side? A: It's a wonderful place to live! The houses are cute, the people are lovely, and the businesses are amazing! Each week, we will feature at least one individual who lives, works and/or volunteers on the South Side and who helps to build and strengthen our community every day. If you’d like to nominate someone for the spotlight, email us at spotlight@merionvillage.org. |
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