Community calendar for Eastside Messenger
Bexley High School to stage comedy "Scapino!"
Rachel Marschner, Jesse Vogel, Hallie Dolin, Isaac Wurmbrand, Elianna Apothaker and Dane Weisman keep things spinning as juggling, dancing chorus members in Bexley High School's production of the comedy "Scapino!"
Bexley High School Thespians expand their horizons this season with a fall production of "Scapino! A Long Way Off from Moliere," written by Frank Dunlop and Jim Dale.
The show opens Nov. 15 and runs through Nov. 18, in the Schottenstein Theatre at Bexley High School, 326 South Cassingham Road. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., while the Sunday matinee is set for 2 p.m.
According to Bexley's Theatre Program Director Rebecca Rhinehart, "Scapino!" incorporates dance, music, singing, mime, juggling, and slapstick comedy.
The play, with love-struck young folk, mistaken identities, arranged marriages, wily servants and plenty of wordplay, is a fun evening of comedy for the whole family.
The plot concerns a scheme to keep a young man from marrying against his will, so he can have the girl he really loves. There is audience participation in the tongue-in-cheek goings-on, as the themes from everything from "Gone With the Wind" to "Rocky" to "Star Wars" introduce characters.
Tickets cost $4 for students and $6 for adults. As with all Bexley productions, those holding Golden Buckeye cards are admitted free of charge. For ticket information, call the Theatre Hotline at 231-7611, extension 6709.
5 Bexley alumni to play at OU band concert
The Ohio University marching band will feature five Bexley High School graduates in an upcoming performance at downtown Columbus' Palace Theatre Nov. 13, 2007 at 8 p.m.
The self-proclaimed "most exciting band in the land," OU's Marching Band 110 features Bexley alumni Alana Mulhberger, who graduated in 2005 and plays clarinet; Jesse Carithers, 2003, on timbales; John Harriman, 2007, on tuba; Ben Prater, 2007, trombone; and Eric Muhlberger, 2007, snare drum.
Tickets for the Palace Theatre Concert may be purchased by contacting the OU Band Office at 740-597-1808.
Bexley parents series about online safety
The Bexley Parent Education Series presents "Keeping Kids Safe Online" Nov. 12 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m in the Bexley High Sschool library.
Officer Don Stanko of Upper Arlington's Community Outreach Program will talk about instant messaging terminology, how to monitor children's online activity and other topics.
To register call Sam McMillan, Bexley Schools Parent Mentor, at 237-4309, extension 3238 or your school counselor.
Food drive for Reynoldsburg Helping Hands
The Rotary Club of Reynoldsburg/Pickerington plans to hold a Thanksgiving "Food Raiser" to benefit the local Helping Hands food pantry, on Nov. 17, from 9-11 a.m.
Those wanting to make a donation to the Helping Hands Thanksgiving Food Raiser are encouraged to drive through the Pagoda Center parking lot, 1363 Brice Road, with food, personal care and monetary donations to benefit those in need during this holiday season. Helping Hands provides emergency food services to those who live in the Reynoldsburg school district.
All money collected, in lieu of food, goes directly to Helping Hands to purchase needed items not collected. Monetary donations to Reynoldburg Helping Hands are tax deductible since they are classified as a non-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service.
Bexley Community Book Club Bookfair Dec. 8
The first of two Bexley Community Book Club Bookfairs will take place Dec. 8 at Barnes and Noble Easton, from 9 a.m. until store closing at 11 p.m., as part of The Bexley Education Foundation's year-long community read initiative, Bexley Community Book Club.
The club is focusing on the works of Pete Hamill, and the effort will culminate with an appearance by the author April 30.
The Bexley Education Foundation will receive up to 20 percent of profits of all Barnes and Noble sales (books, videos, music and at the coffee shop) purchased through vouchers specifically earmarked for the Bookfair that day.
Visual arts displays by Bexley High School seniors and students at Montrose Elementary will be featured throughout the day. Gift wrapping services will be provided by Bexley-area Girl Scout troops.
The schedule of special performances is as follows:
•11 a.m. - Bexley High School Jazz Combo
•1 p.m. - Bexley High School String Ensemble
•5 and 7 p.m. - Bexley High School Men's Ensemble
WBNS 10TV Anchor Andrea Cambern will make a special appearance at Barnes and Noble at 2 p.m. where she will read excerpts from several Pete Hamill books for area shoppers and book discussion groups.
Barnes and Noble Easton will host a second Bookfair on March 15. Additional Bexley Schools arts activities and students will be featured, as well as further readings by Andrea Cambern.
Proceeds from Bexley Community Book Club, through sponsorships, ticket sales and book sales, will help support literary, performing and visual arts facilities and/or programs for the Bexley City Schools through the Arts Endowment Fund of The Bexley Education Foundation.
Further information, including individual ticket sales information (advance general admission tickets are $25 each), can be obtained by calling the BEF office at 338-2093, or visiting www.bexleyeducationfoundation.org and clicking on the Bexley Community Book Club link.
Vouchers can be downloaded from The Bexley Education Foundation website, and will be available at the following locations: all five Bexley school buildings, the front entrance of the Cassingham complex, and along East Main Street in Bexley at The Bexley Public Library, Drexel Theatre, Starbucks Bexley, and Cup of Joe's.
Retired teachers to sing at Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 211 North Merkle Road, will host The CEA-R Notes, a choir made up of Columbus retired teachers, Nov. 18 at 4p.m.
Much of this program will help get you in the mood for the upcoming Christmas season. Following the program refreshments will be served.
Capital Big Band Concert, Christmas Festival
The Capital University Big Band will perform its annual American Hit Parade Show at Nov. 16 at 8 p.m., in Mees Hall.
This year's show, produced and directed by Lou Fischer, will feature Capital University vocalists Amber Fisher, Emily Fischer, Catherine Collins and Matt Opachick. The Rock Ensemble directed by Mark Lochstampfor, will make a guest appearance, and Ray Eubanks also will perform.
The event is free but tickets are required. They are available now at the Mees Hall Box Office. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 236-7178 for information.
Tickets for Capital University's Christmas Festival 2007, "All Things Bright and Beautiful," are on sale to the general public.
Tickets are $17 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens (age 62 and older). A $2 handling fee will be processed per order for purchased tickets. Phone orders will not be accepted until Nov. 12.
There is a limit of 10 tickets total per purchase. Christmas Festival ticket sales will be handled by through Capital's box office, located in Mees Hall, 1 College and Main. Box office hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Due to the length of the Christmas Festival concert, the event is not appropriate for infants and small children. For information or to order tickets by phone beginning Nov. 12, call 236-7178.
Carpe Diem String quartet to perform at Bexley Library
The Carpe Diem String Quartet will perform in the auditorium of Bexley Public Library, 2411 E. Main St., Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. Members of the quartet are Columbus Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Charles Wetherbee, CSO violist Korine Fujiwara, CSO violinist Robert Firdman, and CSO cellist Wendy Morton.
Whitehall Recreation programs
"Young Rembrandts" drawing classes will be offered through Whitehall Parks and Recreation at Community Park, 402 N. Hamilton Road Nov. 7 through Dec. 5. The class is for ages 6-13 and held on Wednesdays 6-7 p.m. Cost for the five-week class is $30. Register at Community Park. For information, contact Abby Bryan at 626-0026.
There is still time to sign up for Whitehall Youth Basketball League at Community Park. The league is for grades 1-6. Registration will be Nov. 10 between 10 a.m. and noon. Cost to play is $50. For information, contact Terry Gee at 475-5719 or Brian Boxill 491-4094.
Kids interested in hockey can sign up for NHL Blue Jacket Street Hockey League. League plays on Thursday nights at Etna Road School This league is a great lead-up activity to ice hockey. However, this is not roller hockey. Kids between 7 and 13 are eligible, and cost is $20. All equipment is provided. Sign up at Whitehall Community Park.
A new style of exercise class is now available at Community Park. Move Your Body will combine Zumba (Latin-based dance moves), ab and glute workout and traditional aerobics. The classes will be on Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 at a cost of $3 per class. The instructor will be Janet Jenkins, an employee at DSCC.
Meeting on future of Jeffrey Mansion Nov. 14
The City of Bexley's Jeffrey Mansion Commission will hold a public meeting, "Jeffrey Mansion: The Next 100 Years," Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at 165 N. Parkview Ave., to discuss the future of the landmark that is home to the parks and recreation department.
Topics to be discussed include recreation and cultural programming and implications for the property, parking, alcohol use at the mansion for private events and preservation of the park-like setting. The planning group MSI will share concepts of what programming changes might look like.
The Jeffrey Mansion Commission was formed to develop a long-range plan for the restoration of the mansion as a community center. The plan will include programming, physical changes, if necessary, estimated costs, proposed financing and a plan to maintain the property.
Bexley Schools All-District Art Show
The work of Bexley student artists will be exhibited in the annual All-District Art Show, running through Nov. 21. Artists from all five Bexley schools will be represented in the show, which hangs in the Diamond Arts and Technology Wing, the Donald Wynkoop Student Gallery and the Bexley High School Main Lobby at the Cassingham Complex, 326 South Cassingham Road.
A wide range of media, both two and three-dimensional, is included in the All-District Art Show, including photography, sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, mixed-media, basketry, mask-making, relief sculpture, and fiber arts.
Bexley Festival of the Arts seeking young artisans
The Kids' Gift Gallery, part of the Bexley Festival of the Arts, showcases Bexley children's creativity, artistic talent, and entrepreneurial spirit, giving them opportunities to create and sell their own hand-made work.
The Gallery will be open Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Montrose Elementary and each booth must be staffed by at least one adult and child. A booth costs $15, with proceeds benefit the district's Artists in the School Programs.
Visit the Montrose website for info at www.montrosePTO.org .
Jeffrey Shop Hop supports Bexley recreation scholarships
The Jeffrey Mansion, a Bexley landmark and home to the city's Parks and Recreation Department at 165 N. Parkview Ave., will host the Jeffrey Shop Hop IV, Nov. 10-11.
The Shop Hop raises funds for scholarships for programs offered through Bexley Recreation to children from Bexley and surrounding neighborhoods.
Due to corporate support on behalf of American Electric Power and Pistacio Vera, 100 percent of all proceeds raised directly benefit the Parks and Recreation Department Scholarships and Programs.
The Shop Hop features exclusive retailers such as Karen Spector's Designs from Dublin, The Collection from Powell, Tickled Pick from London, Ohio, and more. The Hop runs November 10-11 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. On Saturday, children's crafts will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for children at the mansion. Admission to the shopping event is $5, and is good for admission each day for the event.
JCC events
The Leo Yassenoff Jewish Community Center, at 1125 College Ave., has provided the following announcements:
Pre-Thanksgiving Shabbat dinner
The JCC of Greater Columbus, in conjunction with New Horizons 60+ group, invites the entire community to a Pre-Thanksgiving Shabbat Dinner on Friday, Nov. 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Come and enjoy Chef Tony's delicious dinner, celebrate Shabbos with your family and friends in the Senior Adult Program, and listen to the musical entertainment provided by
The Mazel Tones. The event is being sponsored by the Uncle Davey Fund of the Columbus Jewish Foundation in memory of David Meyers.
Cost is $5 for JCC Members age 60+ ($6.50 for non-members); $7.50 for guests under 60, and $5 for children under age 10.
For more information, contact Debbie Vinocur at the JCC at 559-6214.
Maccabi Games meeting
The JCC will hold an organizational meeting for the 2008 Maccabi Games team on Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. The team is open to teens between the ages of 13 and 16 who are interested in participating in the 2008 Maccabi Games.
Information on the location of the Games, the sports competing at that location, the cost for participation on the team, and answers to other questions will be provided.
Those wanting to participate on the team but unable to attend the meeting may call 559-6212, or Jeanna Brownlee at 559-6274 for more information.
JCC, Sub-Aquatics offering scuba diving lessons
The JCC of Greater Columbus, in partnership with Sub-Aquatics of Reynoldsburg, is sponsoring a scuba diving class beginning Nov. 12, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the JCC pool, 1125 College Ave.
For information or to sign up for the class, contact Sub-Aquatics at 864-1235.
High school, junior high basketball leagues
The JCC will sponsor both a high school basketball league and a junior high boys basketball travel team this season, and will hold an open gym and informational meeting.
The open gym for the high school league will be held on Nov. 14 at 4:15 p.m. for students in the 9th through 12th grades, with league sign-ups, team picks, and a scrimmage game. Captains will pick the teams and each team will consist of six to seven players.
The season will consist of eight regular season games with a single elimination tournament to determine the championship team. All players will receive a team t-shirt and the championship team will win a trophy.
The cost for the high school basketball league is $57 for full-year JCC members, and $163.75 for non-members, which also includes a JCC membership good until Feb. 13.
The open gym for the junior high boys basketball travel team will be Nov. 15, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for students in the 7th and 8th grades. Keith Jorgenson will be returning for his third year as coach.
The travel team will have eight to 10 players and will play a 10 to 12 game schedule, with two or three practices each week. The schedule also will include the Salesian Boys and Girls Club League on Thursday evenings. The players also will receive reversible team jerseys.
The cost for the travel team is $155 for JCC members, and $240.40 for non-members, which includes a JCC Teen Membership through February.
For information, visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org, or contact Jeanna Brownlee at 559-6274 or jbrownlee@columbusjcc.org.
New Mothers Circle starting
A new Mothers Circle will be starting in late November, with a "sneak peek" session about Chanukah set for Nov. 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the JCC North, 1985n Swansford Drive, Dublin.
The Mothers Circle is a nine-month class for women of differing backgrounds who are raising Jewish children. It provides hands-on education in Jewish rituals, practices, and ethics, with an emphasis on childrearing. Class topics include: Making Jewish Choices, The Jewish Home, Mitzvot, Passover, When Children Ask, and more.
Ongoing session dates and times will be determined by participant availability during that meeting. For information about the Mothers Circle, contact Lindsay Folkerth, Mothers Circle coordinator, at 559-6228 or lfolkerth@columbusjcc.org.
Holiday Bazaar vendors sought
The JCC Early Childhood Parent committee is seeking vendors for its annual Holiday Bazaar Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Holiday Bazaar showcases the work of artisans from across central Ohio. Each vendor has the opportunity to display and sell their goods during the bazaar, which is free and open to the community.
For information on becoming a Holiday Bazaar vendor, call 237-5223, ext. 102.
Gallery Players season continues with "Mazel and Schlamazel"
Gallery Players has announced its 59th season. The productions being staged at the JCC of Greater Columbus for the 2007-2008 Gallery Players season are:
•"Mazel and Schlamazel," Dec. 7-16. "Mazel and Schlamazel" 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 Schlamazel, the spirit of bad luck, and his henchmen, the Jinxes.
•"South Pacific," Feb. 23-March 9, with auditions Dec. 16-19. "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," May 17-June 1, with auditions March 16-18. "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.)
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.