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News from the Eastside
State auditor honors Blacklick Elementary student
Auditor of State Mary Taylor's office has presented Antonio Debitetto, a second-grade student at Blacklick Elementary School in Franklin County, with the third place award in the second/third grade division of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial poster contest.
The contest, sponsored by Taylor's office, attracted nearly 1,300 posters submitted by Ohio elementary school students.
The Ohio Auditor of State's office sponsored the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Poster contest to commemorate the 200th birthday of President Lincoln. The contest was open to students in grades kindergarten through five. Entries were split into three divisions - kindergarten/first grade, second/ third grade and fourth/fifth grade. Posters were judged on quality of design, appropriate theme, creativity and orginality.
Second and third place winners receive a plaque recognizing their achievement. First place winners in each division receive a plaque and an American flag that was flown over the Ohio Statehouse. The plaque and flag will be delivered to the first place student's school by Ohio Auditor of State Mary Taylor.
Reynoldsburg PD to hold blood drive April 21
The Reynoldsburg Division of Police (7240 East Main Street) will host a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. April 21. Contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or Cheryl Kristy at (614) 322.6932 to schedule an appointment.
Club to present 'Come to Cabaret' annual card party
The Knights of Columbus Women's Club, Reynoldsburg will host its annual card party April 14 at St. Pius X School Gym, 1061 Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg.
The event will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include door prizes, dessert buffet, appetizers, coffee, tea and punch. A silent auction and raffle will be held.
This year the event will have live entertainment performed by Eastland Performing Arts Cabaret. Bring your own cards or games and have fun.
Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling Kathy Baker at (614) 861-1580. This is the largest fundraiser of the year for K of C Women's Club. K of C Women's Club is a non-profit organization that raises money for local charities, the community and the parish.
Humane Society to host Doggie 'Egg'stravaganza
CHA Animal Shelter is hosting a Doggie Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. April 4. A $5 donation will go to help care for CHA's homeless animals. CHA is at 3765 Corporate Drive, in northeast Columbus. While you're there, visit the Easter Bunny and Fleshman Photography for pictures - $15 for two 5-by-7's. The rain date is 10 a.m. April 5.
At noon April 18, The Pooch Playground will host a second Doggie Easter Egg Hunt. A $5 donation supports the Pooch Playground Dog Park, Pizzurro Park, located at I-270 and Hamilton Road in Gahanna. The rain date is noon April 19.
"A good time is had by all," says Terri Montigny, development director for CHA Animal Shelter and a dog park volunteer. "We put hundreds of dog treats and prizes in plastic eggs. Some dogs actually pick them up and open the eggs for the treats, while others wait patiently for their owners to gather the eggs for them. These are really fun events - all well behaved dogs should attend."
For additional information visit www.CHAAnimalShelter.org or www.PoochPlayground.com. All dogs must be on a leash to participate and should be vaccinated.
Svetlana Portnyanskaya to sing at March 28 concert
Russian singer Svetlana Portnyaskaya will perform at the "Joy of Jewish Music" concert with violinist Arkadiy Gips at 6 p.m. March 28 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave., Bexley.
The singer will perform a solo program, which includes Jewish songs, Russian romances and songs popular all over the world.
Having emigrated from Moscow in 1991, Portnyaskaya's unique singing style has fans around the globe. A graduate of the vocal faculty of the Moscow Musical Academy, she was a soloist at Mosconcert, and was an actress with the Moscow Jewish Theater, "Shalom."
Portnyaskaya is a cantor at Bet Tora synagogue in Los Angeles, and is a laureate of three International Festivals: "Steps to Parnassus" in Moscow and the International Jewish Festival in New York and Montreal.
Tickets for "The Joy of Jewish Music" concert are $25 (seniors, $22). For more information and to purchase tickets, contact JCC Russian Acculturation Director Raisa Patlashenko at (614) 559-6215 or rpatlashenko@columbusjcc.org.
Square Dance Club to serve spaghetti dinner
The Friendly Ties Western Square Dance Club will serve its semi-annual spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. April 9 at the Pickerington Senior Center, 150 Hereford Drive. Dinner includes all-you-can-eat spaghetti with meat sauce, one meatball, salad, bread, applesauce, dessert and beverage. Cost is $7 for adults and $3.50 for children. Proceeds benefit the Senior Center.
Pickerington Lions Club named club of the year
The Pickerington Lions Club was named Club of the Year at the annual Lions District 13K Convention held in Zanesville March 6-8. The club won the distinction in the 36-50 member category. District 13K includes 58 Lions Clubs in 10 counties, including Fairfield.
"Our club members have worked very hard this year to serve our community and raise money for those in need," said Lilane Fox, president of the Pickerington Lions. "I'm so happy that our hard work has been recognized with this award."
To win the award, a variety of criteria was reviewed including the club's local service activities, fund-raisers, eyeglass and eye exam purchases, charitable donations, used eyeglass collecting, as well as participation in District Lions meetings, seminars and functions.
The Pickerington Lions also received the District Humanitarian Award, which is based upon the club's donations over the past six months totaling over $6,000 to many individuals and organizations, including: local citizens for eyeglasses and exams, both Pickerington High School Marching Bands, Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank, Ohio Lions Pilot Dogs, Diabetes Association, Ohio Lions Foundation, Eye Research Foundation, the GOOD Program for the Pickerington Schools, local needy families at Thanksgiving & Christmas and others.
Fox and club secretary Bob Mauger were honored at the convention with the Excellent President Award and Excellent Secretary Award, respectively. In order to be so honored, they had to fulfill a variety of requirements set out by the Lions District Governor.
The Pickerington Lions Club is a member of Lions International, the largest service organization in the world. Lions focus on raising money for the prevention, treatment and cure of the many causes of blindness. The Pickerington Lions Club also sponsors and organizes Pickerington's annual Labor Day Parade and Fish Fry. For more information on the Lions Club, call (614) 833-4728.
Reynoldsburg Civic Club to meet April 7
The Reynoldsburg Civic Club will meet April 7 at Parkside at Wesley Ridge, 2225 S.R. 256.
Dick Barrett will present a program on postcards at the noon luncheon. Hostesses for the meeting will be Marge Colbert, Mabel Edwards, Bev Healy and Gloria McCall. Zelma Barth will provide Devotions.
Annual Diamond Club dinner March 26
The Raider Diamond Club will hold its annual dinner March 26 at the Reynoldsburg High School Cafeteria.
Tickets are $12. City Barbecue is providing the dinner and Pepsi is providing the beverages.
Tickets may be purchased from any Reynoldsburg baseball player or by contacting Scott Barrett at sbarrett@towlift.com or at (614) 863-2430 or (614) 778-7380.
Advance ticket sales are preferred, with a limited number of tickets available at the door.
The Raider Diamond Club is a non-profit organization established to promote the Reynoldsburg baseball program through community involvement. The RDC funds the majority of the Reynoldsburg school system baseball program.
Reformation Lutheran Church hosting Easter egg hunt
Reformation Lutheran Church, 1355 S. Hamilton Road, will host a free Easter Egg Hunt April 11 at 1 p.m. sharp, for children ages 0-10, grouped by age, rain or shine. Come early to register for big prize drawing. For more information, call (614) 235-4995.
Eastmoor Class of '59 to hold 50th HS reunion
Eastmoor High School Class of 1959 will hold 50th reunion events Sept. 11-13. Call Denise Snider Kohn at (614) 939-4383 or e-mail dkohn@fastpc.com for more information.
Military Wives Club to meet for luncheon
The Columbus Area Military Wives Club will meet for a luncheon April 8 at Kensington Place, Lutheran Village, 1001 Parkview Blvd., in Bexley.
A social time will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at noon. The Gahanna Kitchen Band will entertain.
For reservations, call (614) 231-0915 or (614) 527-9529 before April 1.
Kindergarten registration in Bexley to begin
Parents of children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 30 and who live within the City of Bexley may enroll their children in the Bexley City School District's half-day kindertarten program.
Parents are advised that Ohio requires students successfully complete a kindergarten program prior to being admitted to first grade. Children may attend public or private kindergarten programs to meet this requirement.
Kindergarten registration for the 2009-2010 school year will be held April 7 for students with last name beginning with A through M and on April 8 for students with last name beginning with N through Z. Registration on both days will be from 9 to 11 a.m. or from 1 to 3 p.m.
Parents should bring the child's original birth certificate (to be copied) and proof of residency to their elementary school. It is helpful to bring the child's immunization records at this time. Bring custodial papers as well if this applies.
Locations for registration are:
Montrose Elementary School
(614) 237-4226
2555 E. Main St.
For residents living south of Main Street
Cassingham Elementary School
(614) 237-4266
250 S. Cassingham Road
For residents living between Main Street and Broad Street
Maryland Elementary School
(614) 237-3280
2754 Maryland Ave.
For residents living north of Broad Street
For more information about kindergarten registration, call Dr. Anne Hyland at (614) 231-7611.
Board of Health to hold immunization clinics
The Franklin County Board of Health will offer child and adult immunizations at clinic sites throughout the area.
Required immunizations are available for a $10 administration fee to children ages one month to 18 years of age. In addition, there is a $15 assessment fee that will be charged each visit. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay for childhood immunizations.
Adult immunizations are also available at the clinic and vary in price according to the vaccine, however international travel immunizations are not available.
Be sure to bring your child's shot record with you to the clinic. A completed consent form is required if a parent or legal guardian is not present at the clinic.
The clinics will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. by appointment only for Zoster (Shingles) vaccinations and 1 to 3 p.m. for walk-ins for all immunizations March 25 at Jeffrey Mansion, 165 N. Parkview Ave., Bexley.
For questions about the immunization clinics, contact the Franklin County Board of Health at (614) 462-3160 or visit www.franklincountyohio.gov/health.
Nominations sought for youth leadership award
Any middle and high school student involved in outstanding volunteer work is eligible to apply for the 2009 Inspirational Youth Award. Download an application at youthconnectionsinc.org. All nominations must be postmarked by May 22.
Arkady Gips and Friends to give concert March 28
Arkady Gips and Friends will present "The Joy of Jewish Music," featuring Svetlana Portnyaskaya, at 6 p.m. March 28 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave.
According to Gips, what is thought of as "Jewish" music actually is known as "Klezmer," easily identifiable by its characteristic expressive melodies, reminiscent of the human voice, complete with laughing and weeping. The non-liturgical musical tradition closely parallels Hasidic and Ashkenazic Judaism, with a repertoire that is largely dance songs for weddings and other celebrations.
As a result, Klezmorim (Klezmer musicians) often traveled and played with Roma - or Gypsy - musicians, since they occupied similar social positions.
Tickets for "The Joy of Jewish Music" concert are $25 (seniors, $22). For more information and to purchase tickets, contact JCC Russian Acculturation Director Raisa Patlashenko at (614) 559-6215 or rpatlashenko@columbusjcc.org.
Campers to get a 'taste' of summer at the JCC
Campers already registered for the JCC Summer Camps - and those who are interested in registering - are invited to a "Taste of Camp" event from 2 to 4 p.m. April 19, at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave., Bexley.
"Children will have the opportunity to try many of the awesome activities we will be provided at camp this summer, including yoga, basketball, cooking, music, arts and crafts, and swimming," said Naomi Friedman, JCC Children, Youth and Camping director. "They also will have the opportunity to meet many of the great camp staff who will be working this summer, as well as enjoy carnival treats such as Sno Cones and popcorn."
Those wearing their camp T-shirts from last year will receive a special prize, and four free weeks of camp will be raffled off.
Admission is free for campers who already are registered for this year's summer camp, as well as for those who are registering for camp during the event (a special camp discount will apply for those registering). Admission for all other attendees is $5.
For more information, visit the JCC Summer Camp Web site at www.summercamps.columbusjcc.org or contact Friedman at (614) 559-6253 or Camp Registrar Sue Vail at (614) 559-6251.
Chamber to host candidate forum April 2
The Reynoldsburg Chamber of Commerce will hold a candidate's forum at 6:30 p.m. April 2 at Waggoner Road Junior High School, 360 S. Waggoner Road.
The event will be an opportunity for the public to meet and greet those who are running for office in the city of Reynoldsburg.
Invited guests include Nathan Burd, Barth Cotner, Chris Long, Cornelius McGrady III, Donna Shirey and Ron Stake, all candidates for the at-large city council seats, and Richard Harris, candidate for city auditor.
Archie Griffin to headline MRDD awards program
Two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin will headline the inaugural Celebration of Possibilities Fairfield MRDD Awards program March 31.
A Blue Shoe Arts silent auction will take place at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and awards at 6:30 p.m. Griffin will speak at 8 p.m.
The event will take place at Liberty Center, 951 Liberty Drive, in Lancaster.
Cost is $25 per person. Seating is limited, so reservations are required.
To order tickets or for more information, call Gaynor at (740) 687-7244 or go to www.fairfieldmrdd.com.
Helicopter to drop eggs at Easter egg hunt
Grace Fellowship Church in Pickerington, located at 7140 Reynoldsburg-Baltimore Road, is having an Easter Eggsplosion Easter Egg Hunt at 3 p.m. April 5.
A helicopter will drop the eggs. Games, prizes, candy and other activities also will take place.
The event is free and for children in fourth grade and younger.
Open auditions for 'Seussical' April 3-4
Pickerington Community Theatre and Pickerington Christian Church will hold open auditions for "Seussical the Musical" from 7 to 9 p.m. April 3, 2 to 4 p.m. April 4 and at 2 p.m. April 5 for callbacks and casting at Pickerington Christian Church, 575 Diley Road, Pickerington.
For more information, call (614) 863-1861.
Patrol to discontinue weather/road hotline
The Ohio State Highway Patrol has discontinued its 1-888-2-OH-ROAD weather/road condition hotline March 1 due to the lengthy update process for dispatchers and the lack of use by the public. The discontinuance of this service will also result in cost savings.
Motorist are urged to instead use the Ohio Department of Transportation's, www.BuckeyeTraffic.org Web site, call 1-877-7PATROL or contact their local post directly to get updates on traffic/road conditions. A listing of contact information for each post is available at www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/counties.html.
Kindergarten registration
Kindergarten registration for children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 30 and reside in Reynoldsburg will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 1 through June 30.
Registration will be hendled by the Central Registration Department at the Reynoldsburg City School District Central Office, 7244 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg.
Only the custodial parent or guardian awarded residential custody for school enrollment purposes may enroll the child. The child does not need to be present at the time of registration.
The following documentation is required:
• A completed enrollment packet (available at the Central Office or home school)
• Student's original birth certificate
• Immunization records
• Parent's driver's license or picture ID
• Custody order or decree from divorce or separation papers, and shared parenting plan, if applicable (regardless of when custody was granted)
• Proof of residency - For renting or leasing, a signed rental agreement listing all occupants including children and a piece of official mail such as a utility bill; for home ownership, a settlement statement or purchase contract or a property tax statement showing Reynoldsburg taxes being piad, and a piece of official mail such as a utility bill.
For more information, go to www.reyn.org, access the "enrollment" link and click on the "street guide" link.
Geldis named to Dean's List
Kaliope Christina Geldis of Bexley is among 700 DePauw University students who have been recognized for outstanding academic performance and named to the Dean's List for the 2008 fall semester. Geldis is a senior at DePauw University. To be eligible for the Dean's List at DePauw, a student must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average.
Ohio Wesleyan University announces Dean's List
Ohio Wesleyan University has announced that 574 students were named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2008 semester.
To qualify students must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale in at least three unit courses.
Local students included Brendan Peder Ross of Pickerington, Tara A. Sestito of Reynoldsburg and Lauren Elizabeth Spavelko of Pickerington.
Baldwin-Wallace College announces Dean's List
The following students have been named to the Dean's List for Fall Semester at Baldwin-Wallace College: Joseph Luchsinger of Bexley and Sarah Agnor, Daniel Paterline and Julia Young, all of Reynoldsburg.
Students who receive at least a 3.5 GPA for seven or more graded hours in a single semester are named to the Dean's List.
Boy Scouts celebrating 100
The Boy Scouts of America is celebrating its 100-year anniversary.
The local Boy Scout Council, Simon Kenton Council, is looking to re-connect with Boy Scouts. From now through December 2010 Simon Kenton Council is holding a major alumni search across central and southern Ohio and northern Kentucky.
The Simon Kenton Council plans to present Scouting alumni with a special lapel pin to commemorate this historic time in Scouting's history.
For more information, go to www.BSAalumni.org.
Literacy Council seeking tutors, volunteers
The Columbus Literacy Council is holding information sessions about tutoring and other volunteer opportunities from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 2. The sessions will be held at the CLC office, 195 N. Grant Ave. Register at www.columbusliteracy.org or call Norma Wetzel at (614) 221-5013.
Bridge has come to Bexley
The Bexley-Eastmoor area now has its own ongoing Bridge game. Players gather at the JCC at 12:30 p.m. each Tuesday afternoon.
The game is open to all bridge players. If a partner is not available, players will be matched up with other players.
Duplicate Bridge rules apply and each game is scored separately, unlike scoring in Rubber Bridge.
Cost of the game is $1. Walk-ins are welcome, but advance notice is appreciated. Call Fran Kehr at (614) 251-0538. Lunch is available at the JCC for $1.50.
Reynoldsburg native swims for Ashland Univ.
Emily Hilgert of Reynoldsburg is a member of the women's swim team at Ashland University. Hilgert swims the backstroke for the team. She is the daughter of Robert and Pamela Hilgert and is majoring in physical education.
Civic club accepting applications for scholarship
The Reynoldsburg Civic Club is accepting applications for the Jessie Weiburg Scholarship. This scholarship, in the amount of $500, is presented each June to a Reynoldsburg School District resident to help further that person's education.
The scholarship may be used toward a GED program or any other accredited program that leads to state licensure or a degree.
The 2008 Reynoldsburg Civic Club Scholarship winner was Grace Park, the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Sangheon Park. The Rev. Park is the pastor of a mission church in Reynoldsburg.
Grace, a 2008 graduate of Reynoldsburg High School, is planning to become a pharmacist and began her studies Fall Quarter 2008 at The Ohio State University.
For application forms or more information, contact The Reynoldsburg Civic Club at (614) 866-4990 or e-mail babauer@insight.rr.com or any member of the club.
The deadline for completed applications is April 1.
Vineyard Community Church holding free clinics
Vineyard Community Church, 15187 Palmer Road, Reynoldsburg, is opening five new free clinics from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month.
The clinics will be first come, first serve, and include computer consulting, chiropractor, vision care, legal clinic and tax preparation.
For more information, call (740) 927-7729 or go to www.vineyard05.com.
Knights of Columbus holding Fish Fry dinner
The Knights of Columbus Council 5253 and St. Pius X's Annual Lenten Fish Fry Dinners will be held March 27. The dinners will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. in the School Cafeteria, 1061 Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg.
Dinner will include adult portions of fried or baked Icelandic white cod, coleslaw, applesauce, fries, hush puppies, macaroni and cheese and hot or cold beverages. Price is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for children. Desserts will be available at the K of C Women's Club/Youth Group Bake Sale. All proceeds benefit St. Pius X Parish.
RHS '84 class to reunite
Reynoldsburg High School 1984 graduates will have a class reunion July 25, 2009. Contact Christine Reel-Wilson at (614) 886-9747 or fortyniner@netwalk.com for more information.
Linden McKinley Class of 1959 to reunite
Linden McKinley High School Class of 59 will hold its 50-year class reunion Sept. 18-20 at North Pointe Conference Center, 9243 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center. Contact Jean Taylor Gruenbaum (614) 475-1131, jgruenbaum@att.net or Kelley Arthur (614) 890-3491, kellin777@aol.com.
Career center offers help
Need help getting a job? New Directions Career Center (NDCC), a non-profit, United Way agency, offers men and women assistance with professional transitions. Services include but are not limited to professional assessment, career development, networking, job search techniques, interviewing skills, financial literacy, individual counseling and placement services.
November classes are filling up fast. Don't miss out on an opportunity to get the expertise necessary in today's competitive job market. NDCC assists individuals regardless of their ability to pay. Bring in this newspaper announcement and attend a class for $5. Scholarship programs are also available.
For more information, or to register for one of three November classes - New Directions, Advanced Career Techniques, and Creating Career Options - call (219) 849-0028, ext. 100.
Short term radon kits
The city of Bexley, in conjunction with the Franklin County Board of Health, has free, short term radon testing kits available for residents to check radon levels in their homes.
Radon is odorless, tasteless, and invisible, but it could be a problem in a home. Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. According to to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, indoor radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and leading cause among non-smokers.
To pick up a free radon testing kit, visit the Bexley Muncipal Building, 2242 E. Main St., Monday through Friday during normal business hours. For information call the Franklin County Board of Health at (614) 462-3859 or visit www.franklincountyohio.gov/health.
Financial assistance
Catholic Social Services' Senior Program has applications for the Home Energy Assistance program, Percentage of Income payment plan and AT&T Life Line. These programs one-time financial assisstance or ongoing financial assistance to low-income seniors and low-income disabled individuals. If you or someone you know could benefit from receiving this assistance, call Kim Conley at (614) 274-0095, ext. 15.
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