[ back ]
Community calendar
JCC events
The Leo Yassenoff Jewish Community Center, at 1125 College Ave., has provided the following announcements:
Basketball camp to offer private attention
The JCC of Greater Columbus is offering a basketball camp designed for the coach who wants his or her team to receive the individual attention of a private camp, as well as one tailored to the team's specific needs. Camps are offered on a flexible schedule designed to meet during a time that works for the team.
Pat Noles, former player at Otterbein College and currently the JCC basketball instructor, will be conducting the camp. He will work with the coach to make sure the instruction he is planning is exactly what the coach wants his or her players to be working on.
Camps are offered in a choice of two or three hours over three, four, or five-day sessions. The camp also is offered in an eight-week option by meeting once a week for 1.5 hours each day. Fees vary according to JCC members or non-members.
For information, or to register, please contact Jeanna Brownlee at 559-6274 or e-mail her at jbrownlee@columbusjcc.org.
JCC Summer Art Tours, lectures for seniors
The JCC's New Horizons 60+ and Russian Acculturation programs are sponsoring a Summer Art Tour Series. On Wednesday, Aug. 15, the group will tour the home of Alfred Tibor and hear him talk about his famous artwork.
The JCC, in conjunction with LifeCare Alliance, also hosts a visiting nurse every second Monday of the month. In addition to assisting seniors with their health needs, the nurse also gives presentations. The next presentation, "Food Fighters: Antioxidants and Flavonoids," will be held on Monday, July 9, at 11 a.m.
LifeCare Alliance provides kosher lunches to seniors at the JCC, which also offers Arthritis Foundation swim programs, health and fitness programs, and lectures and events.
The public is welcome to attend these events. For information about senior programs at the JCC, contact Debbie Vinocur at 559-6214, or e-mail her at dvinocur@columbusjcc.org.
Homeland Security expert to talk about terrorism threat
Lt. Fred Bowditch, of the Homeland Security Section of the Columbus Division of Police, will give a presentation on the terrorism threat to Columbus on July 10 at 7 p.m., at the JCC.
Lt. Bowditch, a 32-year veteran of the Columbus Division of Police, is a graduate of both the FBI National Academy and the National Intelligence Academy. Prior to his position with Homeland Security, he worked in the Columbus Police divisions for identification, patrol, strategic response and organized crime.
During his presentation, Lt. Bowditch will talk about his recent trip to Israel (sponsored by the Social Justice Committee of the Columbus Jewish Foundation), where he worked with Israeli terrorism experts.
The presentation is free and open to the public. For information, contact Debbie Vinocur at (614) 559-6214.
Barkan Outdoor Sports Court
The JCC of Greater Columbus has opened the William A. Barkan Sports Court, a three-season outdoor court available to basketball, volleyball, and floor and in-line hockey aficionados.
Whether it is spring, summer or fall, players will enjoy the versatile outdoor surface, which includes:
•Adjustable collegiate basketball goals
•Adjustable volleyball netting
•An outdoor lighting system, and
•A security fence.
The 4,000-square-foot Sports Court, built on the back grounds of the JCC, will have a bright blue playing surface, marked with white lines for basketball, black lines for volleyball, and floor and in-line hockey goal areas in gray.
The Sports Court is made possible through the support of the Barkan Family and the William A. Barkan Memorial Fund.
Columbus BBYO fundraisers
The Columbus BBYO Adult Committee is conducting two on-going fundraising projects in support of Columbus BBYO teens and programming - Donor Tribute Cards and Kroger gift cards. Both are available through the JCC/BBYO Office or the BBYO Adult Board.
BBYO, which serves teens on local, regional, national and international levels, builds Jewish identity and leadership skills, fosters education, and promotes tikkun olam (repairing the world) as well as social, civic, athletic and academic achievement. The Adult Board provides hands-on, monetary, and programming support and raises money for scholarships and subsidies that assist youth in attending conventions, camps, trips abroad and local events.
Donor greeting cards, representing contributions to the Columbus BBYO, are either 'in memory of,' or 'in honor of' individuals. After purchasing, one may send them to people as desired on the appropriate occasions. They are wrapped in packets of ten, five of each kind and sell for $54 (triple chai) or may be purchased individually for $6 each.
BBYO has also partnered with Kroger and the Kroger Cares program. After a designated amount has been spent at Kroger collectively by all those using assigned Kroger gift Cards, Kroger sends a percentage to the organization. These cards initially worth $5 are available for purchase at $5 and may then be reloaded.
To obtain either of these cards, contact Amy Dicker, at the JCC, 231-2731, or Linda Schottenstein, 235-2522. Tribute cards are also available at the JCC front desk.
Gallery Players' season to open with "Fiddler" sing-along
Gallery Players has announced its 59th season, beginning this fall, and will kick off the season with a "Fiddler on the Roof" Sing-a-Long on Sunday, Aug. 5, where the audience will be encouraged to sing along with the movie as its being shown in the Roth-Resler Theater at the JCC.
Cantor Jack Chomsky of Congregation Tifereth Israel, who played the role of Tevye in the Players' winter 2006 production of Fiddler, will be serving as host for the event."
The live productions being staged at the JCC of Greater Columbus for the 2007-2008 Gallery Players season are:
•"Jerry's Girls," Oct. 13-28, with auditions Aug. 19-21.
•"Mazel and Schlamazel," Dec. 7-16, with auditions Oct. 21-23
•"South Pacific," Feb. 23-March 9, with auditions Dec. 16-19
•"Brooklyn Boy," May 17-June 1, with auditions March 16-18.
"Jerry's Girls" is a musical revue based on the songs of composer Jerry Herman in productions including "Hello, Dolly!," "Mame," "Mack and Mabel" and "La Cage Aux Folles."
"Mazel and Shlamazel" is a classic musical tale of good versus evil as Mazel, the spirit of good luck, and his entourage of Lucky Charms face off against Shlamazel, the spirit of bad luck, and his henchmen, the Jinxes.
"South Pacific" is a musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II based on two short stories by James A. Michener from his book "Tales of the South Pacific." It is generally considered to be one of the greatest musicals of all time, and a number of its songs, such as "Bali Ha'i," "Younger than Springtime," and "Some Enchanted Evening," have become worldwide standards.
"Brooklyn Boy," a drama written by Donald Margulies, is a story about what happens when the marginally successful writing career of middle-aged author Eric Weiss begins to take off with the publication of his novel.
Season subscriptions present a savings of 30 percent off of the single ticket price for all four shows. Season tickets are $30 per JCC member, $45 per non-member, $25 per JCC Senior member, and $40 per senior non-member. (Tickets for individual shows are $12 for JCC members, $18 for nonmembers, $10 for senior members, $16 for senior non-members, $8 for students, and $10 per ticket for groups of 10 or more.)
Admission for the "Fiddler Sing-a-Long" is a couvert of $10 for adults and $5 for children. Season tickets also will be available for sale at the Sing-a-Long at an additional 20 percent discount.
Those interested in making contributions to support the theater may become a JCC Patron of the Arts. Patron levels are $100 (with the patron receiving two tickets to one show), $250 (four tickets to one show), $500 (two subscriptions) and $1,000 (four subscriptions).
For information on season subscriptions or becoming a JCC Patron of the Arts, visit the Gallery Players website at jccgalleryplayers.org, or call 559-6248.
"Babies and Bubbles" water play
The JCC is offering a "Babies and Bubbles" class each Friday, from June 22 through July 27, to help parents introduce their babies to the water through playful exploration. Classes will be held from 11:30 a.m. to noon, for parents and their babies between the ages of three months and a year.
Instructor Connie Walker will introduce basic water skills, along with fun and play with bubbles, bobs, kicks, and floats.
The cost is $60 for JCC members and $70 for non-members.
For information, contact Jody Decker at the JCC at (614) 559-6207.
Kinderclub offers afternoon day care option
The JCC is offering a stimulating afternoon care option for children attending morning kindergarten at local elementary schools.
The program, called "Kinderclub," attracts young students from the Maryland, Montrose and Cassingham elementary schools in Bexley; Columbus Jewish Day School, Columbus Torah Academy, and St. Catharine School in Columbus, for afternoons of fun and enrichment.
A family style kosher lunch starts the Kinderclub afternoon, followed by swimming twice a week in the JCC's pool, arts and crafts, stories, drama, games, holiday celebrations and field trips.
Flexible Kinderclub options are available from noon to 3 p.m., noon to 6 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m., as well as bus transportation from the Bexley elementary schools, CJDS and St. Catherine's, to the JCC.
For information and to register, contact Barbara Topolosky at (614) 559-6290.
Gallery Players has Web site
The Gallery Players of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus are launching an all new Web site at www.jccgalleryplayers.org. This new site will allow theatregoers to purchase tickets online, learn about upcoming productions, sign up for the Gallery Players mailing list, learn about Gallery Players history, get audition information, and learn about volunteer opportunities.
Future plans for the site include enhanced theatre rental information, interactive volunteer sign-up, and an expanded archive of past shows.
Gallery Players, the longest running community theatre in the Midwest, presents a season lineup highlighting the Jewish experience and work by Jewish playwrights. Gallery Players does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or gender when casting, and aims to present productions that are of interest to the Jewish and general communities.
Sign up for game day
The JCC will be offering "Games people Play," a chance to enjoy lunch and play favorites games such as mah-jongg, bridge and canasta, held on the second Monday of the month.
Cost is $7.50 per week and lunch and snacks will be served. Reservations are required by calling Debbie Vinocur at 559-6214.
Columbus Environmentalists for over 60
On the third Tuesday of each month at 12:30 p.m., Jewish Family Services and the JCC hosts Columbus Environmentalists, a social action group for people 60 and above. The group meets at the JCC, participates in projects and listens to speakers.
For information on activities, call 559-6214.
Church events
Area churches have planned the following events:
•Reformation Lutheran Church, 1355 S. Hamilton Rd, will host is annual Community FunFest on Sat. July 14 from noon - 4 pm. Cake walk, door prizes, games, and come see what's new! Each person gets 10 free game tickets. Food is also available for purchase.
•Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 211 N. Merkle Road, Bexley, is having Vacation Bible School, August 6-10 from 9:30 - 11-45 for children Kindergarten-3rd. grade. Pre registration will be held on Saturday, July 7 in the morning from 10 a.m.- noon at the church. Come and enjoy games and free food while you register.
•Christ United Methodist Church, 1480 Zettler Road, will have Vacation Bible School June 24 through June 28 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. - Dinner Provided. Come and experience a ride in a real Hot Air Balloon. Call 231-4568 to register.
•Brookwood Presbyterian Church, 2685 E. Livingston Ave., holds a men's fellowship and Bible study every Tuesday at 7 a.m. in the fellowship hall.
For information contact Ron Pinkowski at 235-3451.
•Vineyard Community Church, 15187 Palmer Road, Reynoldsburg, offers services Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Call 1-740-927-7729 for information or visit the web site www.vineyard05.com.
•Vineyard Church of Reynoldsburg, 1416 Jackson Street, has services on Saturday at 6 p. m. and on Sunday at 8:45 a. m. For information visit the Web site at www.vineyardreynoldsburg.org or call 1-740-927-6740.
•Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church, 1636 Graham Road, is offering the following support groups:
•Community Prayer Meeting every Wednesday from 7 -8:30 p.m. Call Pastor Maxine Smith-Pierce at 866-5864 for more information.
•Horizons Unlimited Divorce Support meets the first and third Sunday of each month from 7 - 8 p.m. There are no fees, registration is not required and childcare will be provided.
•Alzheimer's Support- Does someone in your family have Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder? Perhaps you could use some helpful hints on caregiving and/or learn coping skills for issues that arise in caring for a loved one. Group meets on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. For information, contact Sandra Reece (491-8236) or Joyce Thomas (882-3966).
•Healing Service at 6 p.m. every last Sunday of each month. Come, if you are tired and weak. Come if your body or spirit is broken.
•Food & Fellowship serves a dinner to the community beginning at 5 p.m. every Wednesday evening. The cost of the meal is $4 per adult and $3 per child.
•Grief Support Group for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. meets every Tuesday at 7 pm at the church. There are no fees, registration is not required and childcare will be provided.
Magician Jim Kleefeld to perform at Bexley Library
All children and their caregivers are invited to a performance by magician Jim Kleefeld in the auditorium of Bexley Public Library July 18 at 3 p.m. Jim Kleefeld has performed at the library annually for the last several years and his programs always are a "hit" with area children. There will be no admission charge.
Eastmoor High Class of '67 reunion planned
The Eastmoor High School Class of 1987 is seeking classmates for the 20-year reunion to be held August 11, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Concourse Hotel & Conference Center 4300 International Gateway. Those wanting to attend can register at www.eastmoor1987.classquest.com. Contact Kim Elder-Lewis at 946-5008 for information.
Meeting on children with language based disabilities
An information meeting for parents of children with language based learning disabilities will be hosted by Brookwood Presbyterian Church, 2685 E. Livingston Ave. on July 24 at 7 p.m.
Some students who are identified as learning disabled in school seem to have problems not really addressed by the standard learning disabled services of tutoring or resource room class.
These students often have additional social difficulties and/or behavioral problems. As a result, these students are frequently removed from class and assigned to alternative disciplinary educational sites or home instruction. Nothing really seems to change. In fact, the behavior may indeed become worse.
Dr. Richard Weber, who has served many years as special education director in several local districts, and Ellen Wristen, a lawyer who specializes in special education issues as they relate to schools, will speak. The goal of this program is to help parents become aware of and/or understand better expanded services such as social skill training that may be available to help their children in the coming school year.
The program is free. Reservations are requested in order that adequate materials will be available. Call the church office 235-3451 to make a reservation. Child care will not be available.
Whitehall Music & Movies in the Park series
The Whitehall Recreation Department has planned the following events for its Music & Movies in the Park series:
•July 14 - Michael Rose - pop music and Elvis 6:30 p.m. Family movie following the show "Happy Feet."
•July 21 - Trombones Plus - Big Band - 6 p.m.
•July 28 - Just Us Band - Country - 6:00 p.m. Family movie following the show "Because of Winn Dixie."
•August 11 - Olde Cellar Band - Rock and Roll - 7 p.m. Final concert in the park featuring band with native Whitehall residents.
Artist to install mural at Faith Lutheran Church
Artist Michael Sherman will install a large, impermanent mural on the outside wall of the Faith Lutheran Church, 730 Collingwood Ave, Whitehall, July 8 at 11:30 a.m., the culmination of a two-year project he undertook with students from Whitehall-Yearling High School. A reception will follow.
In 2005, Sherman, a lifetime member of Faith Lutheran Church who grew up in Whitehall, received a Franklin County Neighborhood Arts Grant to design a mural with the 10 art students at Whitehall Yearling High School in collaboration with Faith Lutheran Church.
The mural is part of a larger program Sherman is developing, Accessible Arts in Alternative Venues, to make visual arts available to communities lacking traditional art viewing venues such as museums or galleries.
In the spring of 2005, Sherman led a workshop with the art students and art instructor Jan Plank in which they researched classical painting, modern mural painting, and contemporary public art history. The students then received disposable cameras to use to photograph their impressions of the Whitehall environment and document the symbols that are present in their day to day lives.
Sherman used the student photos as reference imagery to design the actual mural, an oil on canvas painting mounted on a wood panel roughly 7 feet tall by 11 feet wide. Incorporating natural, suburban, and urban environments into the piece, the mural is an amalgamation of trees, industry, homes, and roads intended to represent the American landscape.
Bexley High grad to exhibit illustrations at Gallery Hop
Ian Moss, a 2001 graduate of Bexley High School, will be featured at an upcoming art exhibition at the Catacombs, a Short North Gallery located at 17 Buttles Avenue in Columbus. The exhibition opens during Gallery Hop on July 7, from 6-10 pm.
Moss was receiving freelance assignments while still in high school, and completed his degree in illustration from the Columbus College of Art and Design this past spring. He has already developed an extensive portfolio of illustrations, portraits, and landscapes. He has completed freelance portrait work, album covers, and business cards, while also working as a scenic artist and costumer designer. His work can be seen at the web site www.mossillustrations.com.
Bexley football camp, fall league forming
The Bexley Lions Youth/Middle School Football Camp runs July 16-19 from 6- 8 p.m. at Carleton Smith Stadium. Registration is underway and open through July 16.
For students entering third through eighth grades, the camp costs $65 for the first family member and $50 for each additional member. Visit www.bexleylions.com, the Athletic Department website, for registration forms or contact Coach John Smith at 558-0841 for information.
Bexley's Youth Football Organization is now forming teams of first through sixth graders for fall 2007. For more information, registration forms, or questions, contact Coach Mike Carter at 252-3639 or Brian Lee at 744-5445; 237-3806 or B_M_Investments@hotmail.com or blee23@columbus.rr.com). Registration closes on July 31 when practice begins.
Bexley Farmers' Market
Bexley Farmers' Market will begin July 14 from 10 am. to 1 p.m. in front of City Hall, 2242 E. Main St., and will continue Saturdays through October. A variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers and other items directly from farmers will be available.
A farmers' festival will be held August 18.
Columbus-Whitehall Toastmasters
The Columbus-Whitehall Toastmasters will meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at the Whitehall Municipal Building, 360 S. Yearling Rd, 7:30 to 9 p.m. All visitors are welcome.
Toastmasters is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping men and women learn leadership and the arts of speaking. For information, visit the web site www.whitehall-toastmasters.org.
Reynoldsburg Recreation offers football officiating class
The Reynoldsburg Parks and Recreation Department will offer a course in football officiating starting July 8 and continuing Tuesday and/or Sunday nights at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 7232 E. Main St. Registration is $80.
Those who successfully complete at least 80 percent of classes will be certified to umpire high school football games for the season.
For information call 322-6806.
Bexley immunization clinic changes date
The Bexley child and adult immunization clinic, sponsored by the Franklin County Board of Health, will be held on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 1-3 p.m. Clinics had been held on the first Thursday.
Required immunizations are available for a $10 administration fee to children up to 18. There is a $15 assessment fee for each visit. no one will be turned away for inability to pay.
Parents should bring a child's shot record.
The Franklin County Board of Health also has a walk-in clinic at 280 E. Broad St. on the fourth Friday of the month from 9-11 a.m.
Reynoldsburg Democratic Club
The Greater Reynoldsburg Democratic Club will hold their monthly meetings on the third Thursday of each month at the Reynoldsburg Police Station, 7240 E. Main Street. The meeting time is 7 p.m.
All are welcome to attend and participate. Refreshments will be provided.
Whitehall Education Foundation golf fundraiser
The Whitehall Education Foundation will be hosting a Scholarship Scramble July 9 at Jefferson Golf Course. The fundraiser will benefit the foundation, which provides scholarships for Whitehall students. For information, contact Patty Bridges at 417-5002.
Christ Lutheran kindergarten program has openings
Christ Lutheran Children's Center, at 2314 E. Main St., Bexley, has openings in its afternoon kindergarten programs for 2007-08.
The Clubhouse is an after-kindergarten program that provides 5 and 6-year-olds with enrichment activities and follows the Bexley school district's calendar. Children may attend some holidays at no extra charge. Bus transportation is available from Cassingham, Montrose and Maryland Avenue elementary schools. The program runs until 6 p.m.
For information, call 235-1263.
Whitehall Fire Department offers "knox boxes"
The Fire Prevention Bureau of the Whitehall Division of Fire has "knox boxes" for temporary residential use. A "knox box" will allow firefighters or paramedics access to a residence without a forced entry.
Any Whitehall resident is eligible. For information contact Captain David McBride at 231-3627.
Reynoldsburg Am Spirit chapter meets every Wednesday
The Reynoldsburg chapter of Am Spirit meets every Wednesday at 7:45 a .m. at the law offices of Hallowes, Allen & Haynes, located at 6445 East Livingston Avenue and identifies one member in each professional category involved with the group.
Am Spirit organizes professionals, business owners and sales professionals who use a structured format for developing relationships improve sales.
Prospective members are invited to attend a meeting, and will be provided an opportunity to present a description of their business and distribute business cards to current members.
Contact Tony Allen at 868-0009 or tony@centralohiolaw.com.
Parkinson's support group
There is a support group for Parkinson's patients that meets the third Thursday of each month at Christ Lutheran Church in Bexley, 2314 E. Main St. at 1:30 p.m. All patients and caregivers or family or friends are invited to attend.
For information you may call Pat or Jack Warner at 231-3128.
[ back ]
