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 [email protected].
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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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. Q: What Do you Do for a Living?
A: Risk Management at JP Morgan Chase Q: Tell Us About Your Family and Pets! A: I'm from a big German family in Texas. Oldest sibling, 1 brother and 1 sister, and LOTS of cousins! I live with my partner Mark and we have 2 Australian Shepherds, Jack, and Jillian. You’ll find us sitting on our porch or walking around the neighborhood with our pups! Q: Which Neighborhood Do You Currently Call Home? A: Merion Village Q: Why Did You Move to Your Neighborhood? A: When I moved from Dallas, I didn't know anyone in Columbus, so I was really looking for a neighborhood that had a close community family feel. After looking around Columbus-area neighborhoods (Downtown, Short North, Italian Village, Victorian Village, and Brewery District), Merion Village was where I felt most at "home". Q: Where Else Have You Lived? A: TEXAS! I grew up in Waco, Texas, went to school at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX (Go Red Raiders!) and lived in Dallas for 12 years before moving to Columbus in 2015. Q: South Side Organization(s) Where You Work/Volunteer A: Current Treasurer of the Merion Village Association. Q: How Are You Active in The South Side? A: I've started to get more involved in my neighborhood, volunteering the last couple of years and became the treasurer of MVA in January 2018. Q: What Are Some Causes or Organizations That Are Important to You and Why? A: Love the outdoors and pets! Also actively support Columbus Area Performing Arts (CAPA) and Columbus Museum of Art (CMA). I'm not very artistic or creative, so I really enjoy supporting the incredible talents in our local community. Q: What's Your Favorite Thing About the South Side? A: I love how friendly neighbors are and the sense of community pride - how everyone looks out for each other. Q: If You Could Make One Improvement to the South Side, What Would It Be? A: We have some great places, but really excited about all the new small businesses that are deciding to make Merion Village their home. Q: What Would You Tell Someone Who May Move to the South Side? A: You will love it - join the MVA to get connected, meet your neighbors, and make friends! 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 [email protected]. Q: What Do you Do for a Living?
A: I'm the Office Manager for an Architectural Firm in Grandview Heights. Q: Tell Us About Your Family and Pets! A: I live with my Husband and 3 cats (Pepper, Bebe and Boo!). Many of my family members also call the South Side home, including my Mom who lives just a few minutes away in South Central Commons! Q: Which Neighborhood Do You Currently Call Home? A: Merion Village Q: Why Did You Move to Your Neighborhood? A: I was born and raised on the South Side and have been here all my life (minus a few years during my childhood). I have many family members here who are also “lifers”. I've been here so long that I've had to learn to say "South Side" instead of "South End" which is how we referred to home when I was growing up. In fact, all my family members and friends who grew up here give me the stink-eye if they hear be say "South Side"! Q: Where Else Have You Lived? A: I lived in Kirkersville, OH for a few years when I was a young child. Q: South Side Organization(s) Where You Work/Volunteer A: I am the current President of the Merion Village Association. Q: How Are You Active in The South Side? A: I have been a member of the Merion Village Association since 2013 and began serving on the board in February of 2014. I also completed the United Way's South Side Neighborhood Leadership Academy program in 2019 and am a member of the SKILLED FOR LIFE team that seeks to bring free life skills workshops to South Side residents. Q: What Are Some Causes or Organizations That Are Important to You and Why? A: On the local level, I am passionate about helping to build and maintain a strong South Side community though my work with the MVA and partnership organizations throughout the area. As a life-long resident of the South Side, the growth and positive change in our community I have seen over the last 30+ years has been incredible to witness. My goal is to contribute to those efforts in any way I can. Outside of my own neighborhood, I’m a fan and supporter of the Barn Sanctuary in Chelsea, MI. Q: What's Your Favorite Thing About the South Side? A: There any many things I love about the South Side, but one of my favorites are the deep, generational roots in this area. I attended St. Leo school as a child until it was permanently closed after my 5th grade year and I had friends from school whose parents went to school with my parents and whose grandparents also knew one another. I always felt like no matter where I went in the area, I would see someone I knew and so would my parents. I suspect that the South Side is the only place in the world that would feel like "home" to me. Q: If You Could Make One Improvement to the South Side, What Would It Be? A: There have been countless improvements in the area for the last several decades. Most of all, I hope to see the connections and bonds between neighbors grow and strengthen throughout the entire South Side. I believe that good neighbors are the secret sauce to building a wonderful community. Q: What Would You Tell Someone Who May Move to the South Side? A: We cannot wait to welcome you home! 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 [email protected]. We're very excited to announce the "South Side Spotlight"! The MVA will be collecting interviews from local leaders, volunteers and business within our community to share through our blog and social media accounts. The spotlight will feature those who live, work and/or volunteer in the neighborhoods on the South Side. We hope the spotlight will help to highlight the incredible folks who help to build and strengthen our community every day.
As our friends at the United Way say: "Shine a Light on the South Side!" If you would like to nominate one of these individuals to be captured by the spotlight, email us at [email protected] and we'll request an interview! We will kick things off next week by introducing you to our MVA board members and will then share 1-2 new spotlights each week. Be sure to subscribe to our blog updates and a weekly summary of our posts will be delivered to your inbox! |
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