Community calendar for Eastside Messenger

Church events
•Brookwood Presbyterian Church, 2685 E. Livingston Ave., will hold a Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship service starting at 6:30 p.m.  The  choral and orchestral concert will be followed by a 7 p.m. communion service in the sanctuary.  A communion service with special music will be held at 11 p.m. in the chapel.

•Reformation Lutheran Church, 1355 S. Hamilton Road, will hold Christmas Eve service at 7:30 p.m.

Seminar to discuss how to request special education evaluation
How to effectively request that your child be evaluated for special education services by the public school is the topic of a seminar offered on Jan. 17 from 7- 8:30 p.m. at Brookwood Presbyterian Church, 2685 E. Livingston Ave.  

Ellen Wristen will present the seminar for the benefit of parents, guardians and professionals who regularly help parents with this issue.
In order for the seminar to be most helpful, the parent should bring with them documents describing the student's academic success (grade cards or school discipline notices), prior psychological evaluations and/or letters from physicians describing the students medical/mental health problems (ADD/ADHD, Oppositional Defiant, Diabetic, etc.)

Ohio Historical Society Echoes in Time Theatre
The Ohio Historical Center's Echoes in Time Theatre will be presenting "Salmon P. Chase, A Man of Complexity," and Conflict in January, "The Woman Behind the Man: The President's First Lady" in February and "Saints Preserve Us! The Irish in America" in March.

All shows take place twice each Thursday evening at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., and are free with admission to the Ohio Historical Center.

In "Salmon P. Chase, A Man of Complexity and Conflict," Richard Schuricht, of Buckeye Lake, portrays the Ohio politician who in the Civil War era served as Ohio's governor and senator, Lincoln's treasury secretary, and finally as chief justice of the Supreme Court. The presentation will be Jan. 10, Jan. 17, Jan. 24 and Jan. 31.

In "The Woman Behind the Man: The President's First Lady," Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 20, Feb. 27, Betty Meneer of Columbus plays Mrs. Oscar E. Bland, wife of Judge Bland. As a dear friend of First Lady Florence Harding, Mrs. Bland will share her joys and concerns about President and Mrs. Harding.   

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Sean O'Shaugnessy tells his story of leaving Ireland with his young bride in "Saints Preserve Us! The Irish In America," on March 5, 12, 19 and 26. Learn about their journey across the Atlantic and the reality of coming to America, the land of golden opportunity. Sean will be performed by Mike Follin of Chesterville, Ohio.

Admission to the Ohio Historical Center is $7/adults, $3/students and free for OHS members and children 5 years of age and under. For more information, visit www.ohiohistory.org or call 297-2300 or 800-686-6124. The Ohio Historical Center is located at I-71 and 17th Avenue.

"To Flippo With Love" debuts at Ohio Historical Center
The Ohio Historical Center will host "To Flippo with Love: A Night to Remember the King" Jan. 6 from 6-9 p.m. The audiencew will be the first to see Frank Cromer's documentary "TV Clown: The True Story of Flippo, King of Clowns,' featuring funny and poignant moments in the 30-year career of Bob Marvin, better known as Flippo the Clown.

The presentation will include some loving tributes delivered by friends and co-workers of the loveable clown who brought laughter to several generations of young people in central Ohio.

Admission is $5 each and $3 for Ohio Historical Society members. Reservations are recommended by calling 297-2266 or 800-686-1541. Guests are encouraged to arrive early, explore the exhibits at the Center, including the fun and family-friendly "Once Upon A Dime: The World of Money."
 
Pete Hamill to be subject of Bexley Book Club discussion
The life and career of journalist and novelist Pete Hamill, the Bexley Community Book Club's 2008 selected author, will be the subject of "An Author's Journey," on Jan. 13 at 3 p.m. at the Bexley Public Library, 2411 E. Main St.

Web-based talk show host Kacey Kowars will discuss Hamill's life and work, includiong fiction and non-fiction. The event is the second of two book talks sponsored by the Bexley Community Book Club in partnership with the Bexley Public Library.
Information about Pete Hamill's career is available on the Bexley Community Book Club website,  http://www.bexleyeducationfoundation.org/BookClub.htm. In his talk, Kowars will pay special attention to the books "A Drinking Life," "Snow in August," "North River," "Why Sinatra Matters," "News is a Verb," and "Manhattan."

The year-long Bexley Community Book Club initiative aims to promote reading and showcase Bexley's belief in the importance of education and lifelong learning.  
Additional in-school programs are being planned to expose students to several Hamill books.  All events will culminate in the special community-wide appearance by Mr. Hamill at Bexley High School on April 30.      

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.

The Bexley Education Foundation funds programs and projects to ensure educational excellence in the Bexley City Schools, one of the top public school districts in the state and nation.

Information meeting on education for autistic students
An information meeting will be held for parents of children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (Pervasive Development Disorder - PDD, Asperger's Disorder or other autistic disorders) regarding Special Education Identificaion Issues, Individual Educational Programs, Charter School placement options, local District Options and Autism Scholarship eligibility, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. at Brookwood Presbyterian Church, 2685 E. Livingston Ave.  

The purpose of this information meeting is to assist parents with information regarding special education and placement options.  This program a part Brookwood's mission outreach program designed to help parents address family issues.

For information, call Ellen Wristen or Pastor John Birkner at the church office at 235-3451.

Bexley Library book sale
Bexley Public Library's January 2008 book sale is set to begin with a pre-sale for members of the Friends of the Library only Jan. 3 from 6- 9 pm. Memberships will be available at the door of the pre-sale and are $5 for seniors, $10 for individuals, and $15 for families.

The sale will continue Jan. 4 and 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. All remaining items are free Jan. 6, from  1-5 p.m.

Donations of books or other items in saleable condition are encouraged and may be dropped off at the library right up to the first day of the sale. Receipts are available at the Circulation Desk. Large groups of items should be left on the loading dock at the southeast corner of the building.
 
The Early Interval presents a Colonial Twelfth Night Celebration
Early Music in Columbus and I Fiori Musicali present The Early Interval in "A Colonial Twelfth Night Celebration," on Jan. 4 and 5, at 8 p.m. and Jan. 6 at 2:30 pm. Each of the performances will be preceded by a pre-concert lecture 30 minutes prior to concert time.

The Early Interval's annual celebration of Twelfth Night will transport the audience to colonial America.  Twelfth Night was an important holiday in colonial America, and The Early Interval will again utilize the superb acoustics of the Pontifical College Josephinum to celebrate this close of the holiday season.

A Colonial Twelfth Night Celebration will feature vocal selections and the sounds of recorders, harp, violas da gamba, violins, viola, rackett, organ, harpsichord, pipe and tabor and hurdy-gurdy. The program will include the music of Henry Purcell and Georg Frideric Handel, including selections from Judas Maccabeus, Samson, the Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks; minuets and English country dances; music associated with George Washington (who was married on Twelfth Night and often honored in public concerts both before and after his death); readings; and Christmas anthems by William Billings.

Tickets ($25, $20 for seniors and $10 for students) are available at the door or at The Loft Violin Shop, 4604 N. High St. (267-7221). To order by phone, call the CAPA Ticket Office at 469-0939, Ticketmaster at at 431-3600 or Early Music in Columbus at 861-4569.

Bexley City Council meetings at Cassingham school complex
The Jan. 8 Bexley City Council and committee meetings will be held in the community room at the Cassingham Complex, to the left of the main entrance. Meetings are being relocated to provide access to handicapped residents who cannot reach the second-floor city hall chambers.

Bexley Library children's programs taking registrations
Registration is now being taken for Bexley Public Library's winter 2008 children's programs, set to begin the week of January 7.

Babytime is a program for children ages 9 to 24 months and their caregivers. The 20-minute programs feature songs, bounces, and stories, and meets on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. Themes will include food and colors.

Toddler Storyhour is a half-hour program for 2-year-olds and an adult, and meets Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. The 30-minute programs will include stories, fingerplays, and simple craft projects. Books about bears, the zoo and getting dressed will be part of the 8-week session.

Three to five-year-old children may participate in Preschool Storyhour held on Mondays at 2:00 p.m., Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Programs last about 45 minutes and include stories, crafts, games and songs.

"Explorers Club," a program for kindergarteners through third graders, will begin January 16 and meets on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. Topics to be explored during the 6-week session include the night sky and monkeys.

All programs, except for Explorer's Club, require pre-registration. Please call the Children's Department at 231-2878 for more information and to register.

There is no fee for participating in any of the programs.

Knights of Columbus free-throw contest, spaghetti dinner
The Knights of Columbus Council 5253 of St Pius X Catholic Church, 1061 Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg, will sponsor a youth basketball free throw competition Jan. 26 at the school gym, for boys and girls ages 10 to 14. Registration begins at 7 p.m.

Participants are required to furnish proof of age and parental consent. For entry forms and information, contact Scott Harris at 740-927-1672.

An all you can eat spaghetti dinner will be served Jan. 26 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children. Carry-out meals are $5. Proceeds benefit religious vocations.

JCC events
The Leo Yassenoff Jewish Community Center, at 1125 College Ave., has provided the following announcements. Infomration is available at www.columbusjcc.org.

Kids can audition for "Willie Wonka"
The Children, Youth and Camping department of the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Columbus will hold auditions for this spring's presentation of "Willy Wonka" Auditions Feb. 4 and 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

"Every child who auditions will be given a part," said Rachel Fox, director of the Children, Youth and Camping department. "This will be a great opportunity for kids who are interested in theater to learn more about acting."

Students in the 2nd through 12th grades are invited to audition for placement in the show.
Rehearsals will begin Feb. 13, and be held every Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., and Monday and Wednesday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., through April 9.

Performances are scheduled for Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m.; Friday, April 11 at 10:30 a.m.; and Sunday, April 13, at 1 and 5 p.m.

For information, visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org, or contact Rachel Fox at (614) 559-6253 or rfox@columbusjcc.org.
 
JCC Gala "Diamonds, Denim and Disco"
Denise Glimcher and Carrie Madison have been named co-chairs of Gala 2008, the largest annual fundraiser for the JCC. This year's event, Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m., will have the theme of "Diamonds, Denim and Disco."

The event has been scheduled earlier in the season to accommodate those who observe Shabbat.

Dress is dressy casual, and jeans are welcome - although it would not be surprising to see some "Saturday Night Fever" disco gear on the dance floor, since the theme reflects a Studio 54 atmosphere with music provided by the Cleveland-based band, Disco Inferno.
Guests will enjoy an array of Kosher hors d'oeuvres, such as mini burgers, barbeque brisket, chips and dips, desserts, and other Boogie Wonderland treats - including a signature cocktail at the bar.

The JCC's Crystal Ballroom Casino will play by Las Vegas rules, and prizes are $2,000 in cash, a $500 Polaris Mall Gift Card, and a 32" Flat Screen HDTV. A silent auction also will be held, and items for the auction now are being accepted.

For information, contact Sheila Cline at 559-6225 or visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org.   

Lifeguard training classes during winter break
Lifeguard training classes are being offered at the JCC and are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26; Thursday, December 27; Friday, December 28; and Sunday, December 30. This course prepares candidates to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, and prevent drowning and other incidents, as well as teach candidates about the role of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Successful completion of the course will provide certification in Lifeguard Training (3 years), First Aid (3 years), CPR for the Professional Rescuer (1 year), and Automated External Defibrillator - AED (1 year).

The cost of the course is $145. For more information, including prerequisites and registration, contact JCC Aquatics at 559-6241.

Now also is the time to register for swim lessons starting in January at the JCC. Visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org for more info.

Sign up for winter break camp
School may be out for Winter Break, but the JCC is open - especially for kids during the JCC's Winter Break Camp, from Wednesday, Dec. 19  through Monday, Dec. 31. From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day, school-age children can spend an exciting day at the JCC, swimming in the indoor pool, playing in the gym, and taking field trips. Wrap-around care is available from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Winter Break Camp is open to students in Kindergarten through the Sixth Grade, and sign-up is available for single days or the entire eight days. Fee is $50 per day for members, and $70 per day for non-members. Early registration discount of $10 per day applies before Dec. 14. A sibling discount of $5 for the second child registered and an additional $3 for the third (or more) child also applies. Full-time Kinderclub is $20 per day.

Field trips being planned include:  Monday, Dec. 24 - Magic Mountain; Wednesday, Dec. 26 - Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park; Thursday, Dec. 27 - Bowling and Graeter's Ice Cream; Friday, Dec. 28 - Gym Extreme; Monday, Dec. 31 - New Year's Carnival
Winter Break Days also are available for students in Fifth through Eighth Grades. Designed especially for this age group, the camp takes two field trips - one to Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park on Friday, Dec. 21, and the other to Mad River Mountain for snow tubing on Thursday, Dec. 27. Day campers will depart the JCC at 9 a.m. and return before 3:30 p.m.

Participants for both camps will need to bring a dairy lunch, drink, swimsuit and towel. Refunds only will be issued for cancellations made 24 hours in advance of the program start time.

For information visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org, or contact John Weaver at 559-6266 or jweaver@columbusjcc.org.

Gallery Players season continues with "South Pacific"
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:
•"South Pacific," Feb. 23-March 9. "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.

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