Uptown Westerville is a Place to Race Bikes and Honor Friends

It's life in the fast lane this Saturday in Uptown Westerville!

The 5th Annual Garrett Wonders Memorial Bike Race is Saturday, May 31st from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sponsored by WUMA member, Westerville Bike Shop, the race honors Garrett Wonders, an Olympic cycling hopeful struck by a car on a training ride and killed in 2004. Garrett's interest in racing started with Westerville Bike Shop and he went on to the Buckeye cycling team at The Ohio State University.

All proceeds from the non-profit race are donated to the Garrett Wonders Memorial Fund established by his family to promote cycling safety and fund an Ohio State University cycling scholarship.

To learn more about Garrett Wonders, click here.

Participate in the race or visit Uptown Westerville to watch (it's pretty cool) and make a morning of it. While part of State Street is closed for the races, Uptown businesses are open, so this is a fun opportunity to shop Uptown Westerville!

There are races for all skill levels and ages!

Registration begins at 7 a.m. in front of city hall (21 S. State) or you can pre-register via TrueSport.com or call Westerville Bike Shop at 614.361.9047

By the way, safety first -- helmets required for all races!

Reminder: the Red Cross will be at the 5th Annual Garrett Wonders Memorial Bike Race for blood donations.

For Directions to Uptown Westerville, click here.

Note: The streets used for the race route will be closed in Uptown Westerville for the duration of the race: S. State St. (at the DQ), north to E. College, east to Summit, south to E. Park, west to S. State. Free on-street and lot parking in Uptown Westerville.

Photo images courtesy Brickstreet Communications. © 2007 Brickstreet Communications. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Honor and Remember

This weekend is the observed Memorial Day weekend.

The Westerville Uptown Merchants Association encourages you to enjoy your weekend with family & friends and... shop Uptown Westerville this weekend.

And, on Monday, May 26th, take a moment to remember and to honor:

True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.
-- Arthur Ashe

From ThisWeek Community Newspapers:

American Legion Plans Memorial Day Activities

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 7:37 AM

By LIN RICE
ThisWeek Staff Writer

The Young-Budd Post 171 of the American Legion has planned Memorial Day activities May 26 that will include a parade and services at several cemeteries.

The festivities will begin with a parade along State Street, according to Memorial Day committee chairman Thomas Poulton. The procession, which will include the Westerville South High School band and other civic organizations and community groups, will start at 9:45 a.m. at the intersection of South State Street and College Avenue. Those taking part in the parade will meet in the parking lot behind City Hall at 9 a.m.

The procession will briefly stop at the veterans' memorial plaque at Heritage Green Park in front of City Hall, and will proceed to the veterans' memorial in front of the National Guard Armory on State Street for the placement of a memorial wreath, according to Poulton.

The parade will continue along Bishop Drive and Knox Street to Otterbein Cemetery for a memorial service that will include the reading of the names of Post 171 members who have died during the last year, a speech by Westerville South High School principal Dr. Keith Rose, a 21-gun salute and the playing of "Taps."

According to Poulton, American Legion members and veterans from Westerville and surrounding communities are invited to join the ranks and march during the Memorial Day parade. Members and other veterans who are unable to march are encouraged to join the proceedings at the cemetery.

After services at Otterbein Cemetery are completed, the American Legion's color guard and firing squad will participate in a ceremony at the Blendon Township Central Cemetery, at the corner of Hempstead and Dempsey roads, at 11 a.m.

Brief ceremonies at Pioneer Cemetery, 865 S. State St., and at Northlawn Cemetery, 7060 State Route 3, will conclude the day's events.

Link: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/westerville/stories/2008/05/14/0515wvamlegion_ln.html?sid=104

Arthur Ashe quotation from bellaonline.com

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Grand Openings

At tonight's Fourth Friday, stop by A Gal Named Cinda Lou, 20 N. State St.

'Cinda Lou recently moved to bigger digs and now has even more room for their fabulous jewelry, accessories, gifts, new and vintage clothing, pop culture touches, decor, and home accents & furnishings.

Every visit to A Gal Named Cinda Lou is an adventure!

Be sure to pop in and join the grand opening celebration -- look for the vintage VW van in front of the store!

And, each trip Uptown, check out Cinda Lou -- hmmmm -- wonder what daily touch of wisdom will show up on the store's chalkboard today....

Congratulations, owners Debbie and Juli Bennati on Cinda Lou's continuing success.

Peace. Out.


A Gal Names Cinda Lou formerly at 24 E. College, now takes over the old spot of Sour Records Uptown. Phone number, e-mail, and web address is still the same!

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Outdoor Shopping

Yum.

Home-made. Home-grown.

It's a beautiful May Wednesday. Perfect for visiting today's Uptown Westerville Farmer's Market, open 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the corner of N. State and E. Home in the Church of the Messiah parking lot.

Click here for more information.

The Uptown Westerville Farmer's Market is presented by the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association and runs through October 29th. On-street and lot parking is always free in Uptown Westerville.

While you're at the market, take a few minutes to Shop Uptown Westerville and visit our merchants and restaurants.

Oh, and those fabulous cinnamon rolls are from Sue's Kitchen at the market!

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Fourth Friday Celebrations

Get "Back to Nature" at this month's Fourth Friday!

This month's event features all sorts of Eco-Interesting exhibits and features, including exhibits from the Columbus Zoo and Sharon Woods Metro Park. A super event for the whole family. And... Uptown Westerville is dog-friendly!

Click here to visit the Fourth Friday's webpage for more information.

Uptown Westerville is a great place to shop, live, work, eat, meet and play! Shop Uptown Westerville.

"Back to Nature" Fourth Friday is May 23rd from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Fourth Fridays are presented by WUMA member, Westerville Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Help Others

An important message from Kurt Lehmkuhl of Westerville Bike Shop:

Dear Friends,

This year's tragic accident on the TOSRV (Tour of the Scioto River Valley), where another cyclist was struck and killed by a car, serves as a reminder that at any time one of us may be involved in an accident where we may need to go to the hospital and may even need a blood transfusion.

I have received several after being involved in an accident and it is something that is easy to take for granted... you just assume that hospitals have blood available.

Now however, is a tough time for the Red Cross with demand for blood increasing during the summer months.

Please help out and sign up to give blood at the Garrett Wonders Memorial race coming up on May 31st in Uptown Westerville.

We need a few more names and phone numbers to make it happen so if you or anyone else you know can do it, please call me with any questions at 614.361.9047.

Thanks for your help.

Take Care,

Kurt Lehmkuhl
Westerville Bike Shop

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Open Air Shopping... Under an Umbrella

This week's Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is tomorrow (May 14th) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the corner of N. State and E. Home Streets.

The weather forecast calls for rain, but it's also Central Ohio, so you never know! But just in case, bring an umbrella in-tow.

We've heard from Sue Renner of Sue's Kitchen and Jane Varely of Varley Valley Products -- both women are amazingly talented bakers. Sue's baked goods are delightful and she'll be bringing cinnamon rolls again this week... sweet! (Always get there early for pie!) Jane's breads (she sold out last week) and spreads are total comfort -- delicious fresh, moist breads full of flavor and elegant spreads (the wild blackberry jam is supreme) and the challah loaf is... fantastish!

The market currently features 16 market vendors so you can shop for flowers, seed plants, fresh eggs (get there early for the eggs!), spicy mustard and wing sauce, coffee, chutneys and spreads, honey products, maple products, spring produce, organic dorset wool yarn, and order fresh meats and chicken. The market features both conventional and organic foods.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is presented by the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association and opens for business each Wednesday through October 29th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m at the corner of N. State and E. Home in the Church of the Messiah parking lot.

Buy Local! Home-made. Home-grown. Add the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market to your Wednesday Shopping list.

While your Uptown... Shop Uptown Westerville!

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Home-made and Home-grown

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market celebrated a great Week 1!

A record 16 market vendors opened the 2008 season.

Special thanks to Rev. Stan Ling of Church of the Messiah, U.M. for the market blessing.

Check out the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market blog for market news, to meet the market vendors, and for photos of last week's market.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers Market is sponsored by the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association. Home-made and home-grown, the market is open each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. through October 29th at N. State and E. Home in the Church of the Messiah parking lot.

On-street and lot parking is free in Uptown Westerville.

Check out the market webpage and directory.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Think Pink!

Are you ready on Sunday, May 18th for Think Pink?

That's right, it's Gallery 202's second annual Pink Flamingo Festival!

Click here to learn more about this very fun, very pink event!

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Internet Safety

The Westerville Police Department invites you to a Parent Internet Program on Wednesday, May 21st from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. in Westerville City Council Chambers at 21 S. State.

This one-night seminar is designed for adults only and will focus on presenting parents' and care-givers with tools to help prevent our children from becoming victims of online predators. A live, unedited, on-line interaction with predators will be established and discussed.

For more information regarding this program please contact: Lt. Jeff Gaylor @ 901-6495 or Officer Randy Bailey@901-6472

Important Disclaimer: If graphic language or photos offend you, you should not attend this presentation. Because of the content, this is an adult-only seminar. No one under 18 years of age will be permitted.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Honor Community Service

Congratulations to WUMA member, Renee Kropat, of Gallery 202 (38 N. State St., Upstairs).

Renee is the recipient of the Rotary Club of Westerville's 2008 A. Monroe Courtright Award. The Courtright award honors one Westerville resident each year who emulates the principles of community involvement and service that Monroe Courtright lived by daily.

Monroe Courtright, 1977 president of the Rotary Club of Westerville, was the owner/editor of the Public Opinion (now the Westerville News and Public Opinion) -- or as everyone in Westerville referred to it, "the P.O." Courtright put a tremendous effort into supporting the community and Uptown Westerville.

Gallery 202 features local artists (Westerville is home to some tremendously creative people) and focuses on community art and art education for children. The gallery also features an eclectic collection of merchandise in the gift shop. Like the gallery, the gift shop is ever changing, so well-worth a regular visit.

Renee's accomplishments include fueling the energy and creativity of the Uptown murals, the Uptown holiday season window decorating contest, involvement in the Chamber of Commerce Music and Arts Festival and the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association, along with her continuous efforts to support community and art in its spirit and essence.

Speaking of community events, Gallery 202's Think Pink is coming up on May 18th! Click here for more!

To read more about Renee's award, check out Bret Liebendorfer's story in the May 7, 2008 issue of Westerville News and "P.O."

To read more about the A. Monroe Courtright Award, check out the Rotary Club of Westerville's website.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for A New Farmers' Market Season

It's time for the 2008 Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market!

The market is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each Wednesday through October 29th in the Church of the Messiah, UM parking lot at N. State and E. Home.

This year, we are opening with a record 16 market vendors, with more to come throughout the season.

This week look for feature produce: aparagus, lettuces, and swiss chard.

Check the Farmers' Market website: http://www.uptownwestervillefarmersmarket.com and the blog: http://uptownwestervillefarmersmarket.blogspot.com regularly!

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is presented by the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association. Remember to shop Uptown Westerville when you visit the market each week.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Serving Our Seniors

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 17, 2008 as the Westerville Division of Police and WCPAAA* present: Serving Our Seniors (S.O.S.) Senior Safety Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mt. Royal Ave.

Focusing on health awareness, safety, and crime prevention for seniors and caregivers, guests can visit exhibitor booths (they are adding new exhibitors daily!), participate in break-out training sessions, listen to keynote speaker WCMH's Mike Bowersock, enjoy a free lunch, and win door prizes!

The list of Exhibitors is updating daily, so check back for updates - so far:

- AARP
- ABCO Fire Protection
- American Red Cross of Delaware Co.
- American Red Cross of Greater Columbus
- Arthritis Foundation
- Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio
- Castle Security Inc
- Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
- Choices, Eliminating Domestic Violence
- CME Credit Union
- Columbus Law Firm of Kincaid, Randall and Craine
- Columbus Police Strategic Response Bureau
- Concord Counseling Services
- Council for Older Adults of Delaware Co.
- Delaware Co. Sheriff’s Office
- Edgewood Manor of Westerville
- Edward Jones Investments
- FirstLink - Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
- Franklin Co. Office on Aging
- Franklin County Probate, Judge Larry Belskis
- Genoa Twp. Fire
- Genoa Twp. Police
- Guardian Medical Monitoring
- Guernsey Bank
- Heartland Bank
- Helpline of Delaware and Morrow Counties, Inc.
- Home Depot
- Interim Health Care
- Juice Plus +
- Mt. Carmel Cardiac & Pulm.
- Mount Carmel Hospice
- Mount Carmel Senior Services
- Office of the Ohio Treasurer
- Ohio Consumers' Counsel
- Ohio Dept. of Aging
- Ohio Health
- Ohio Seniors Health Insurance Info. Program
- Ohio State Attorney General, Consumer Protection
- Ohio State Patrol (Delaware)
- Ohio State Treasurer’s Office
- Professional Hearing Care
- Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
- State Farm, John Nicholson
- Suicide Prevention Services/NCMHS
- U.S. Postal Service
- Vision and Vocation Services
- WCPAAA*
- Westerville Animal Control
- Westerville Central High School
- Westerville Police and 9-1-1
- Westerville Public Library
- Westerville Senior Center
- Westerville Sertoma Club
- Westerville Visitor's Bureau
- Your Support Nurse

Break-Out Training Sessions:
Identity Theft
Maintaining Your Drivers License in Your Senior Years
Personal Safety
Mail Scams
Fire Prevention and Fire Extinguisher Demos

No Pre-registration required.

Free parking. For more information click here or call 614.901.6472

Thanks to Sponsors:

ABCO Fire Protection, Alternatives for Seniors, American Medical-ID, Amish Originals, BMI Credit Union, Cashland, Charlotte F. Myles, Choices, Eliminating Domestic Violence, CME Credit Union, Columbus Law Firm of Kincaid, Randall and Craine, Concord Counseling Services, Dairy Queen, Edgewood Manor of Westerville, Edward Jones Investments, Federal Trade Commission, Franklin Co. Office on Aging, Great Harvest Bread, Guardian Medical Monitoring, Guernsey Bank, Heartland Bank, Helpline of Delaware and Morrow Counties, Inc., Home Depot, John Nicholson - State Farm Ins., Juice Plus +, Kenneth A. Pikor, Inc., Larry & Barb Reoch, Meijer, Mount Carmel Hospice, Mount Carmel Senior Services, National City Bank Ohio Department of Aging, Ohio Health, Ohio Health/Mt Carmel, rofessional Hearing Care, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Salon Schools Group, Talbotts Flowers, Tim Hortons (North), U.S. Postal Service, Union Savings Bank, WCPAAA*, Westerville Central High School, Westerville Police, Westerville Public Library, Westerville Senior Center, Westerville Visitor's Bureau, Wild Birds Unlimited, Your Support Nurse

*Westerville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Smart Parking

Uptown Westerville has free on-street and lot parking. And, when you visit Uptown Westerville or park your vehicle anywhere, the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association encourages you to Park Smart.

Carrie Ryan of the Westerville Police Department offers this sage advice to avoid the theft of valuables from your vehicle:

"Just a reminder to keep valuables out of plain site in vehicles and keep vehicles locked. With the nicer weather, we often get more of these types of crimes. We've had several thefts out of vehicles during the day at public places such as the: library, community center, soccer complex, Everal Barn, Giant Eagle, and other high traffic areas.

Places such as these, with large parking lots, become targets for criminals because they know they often can go undetected and they have a lot of opportunity of to steal valuables.

Hot items seem to be: GPS units, any electronic equipment, CD cases, cell phones, purses, laptops, sporting equipment, etc."

When you Shop Uptown Westerville -- enjoy every moment of your visit and park smart!