Communitty calendar for Eastside Messenger
Church events
•Reformation Lutheran Church, 1355 S. Hamilton Road, will host 6:30 potlucks followed by 7:30 Lenten worship services Feb. 6, 13, 20, and 27. Holy Communion is celebrated at 11 every Sunday. The church is wheelchair accessible. Call 235-4995 for information.
Whitehall T-Ball League sign-ups
The Whitehall T-Ball League will hold its annual sign ups for the 2007 season on the following dates:
Saturday, February 2, 9, 16 and 23 10am - 2pm; Wednesday, February 20, 27 from 6pm - 8pm, at Whitehall Community Park, 402 North Hamilton Road.
Children must be 5 years old and no older than 8 years old by July 31, 2008, to be eligible to play, and proof of age is required at time of sign up.
First consideration will be given to Whitehall residents, returning players and siblings of returning players, and all others will be considered on a first come basis. For information or anyone interested in coaching, call 231-7744.
Hadassah "High Tea"
On Sunday, February 3, at 2 p.m., Hadassah will be holding a Chai Tea serving "High Tea" kosher snacks at a home in Berwick.
The program will honor new life members and offer a talk about the tradition of hats and what part they play in Jewish women's practices. There will also be opportunities to try on and purchase hats, including a $25 gift certificate for hats as a door prize. Ten percent of profit on hats sold during the event will be donated to Hadassah. Acceptable payments for the hats are check or cash (no credit cards).
To RSVP, mail a check for $18 to the Hadassah office before Jan. 28. Make checks payable to Hadassah and mail to Hadassah, 2700 East Main Street, Suite 106, Columbus, Ohio 43209.
Hadassah is the Women's Zionist Organization of America. For information about the Chai Tea or Hadassah membership, please contact Arlene at the Hadassah office at 235-8111 or visit www.columbus.hadassah.org.
Bexley Library to celebrate Mozart's birthday
Everyone is invited to Bexley Public Library's Sunday, Jan. 27 musical celebration of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 252nd birthday. The main program will take place at 3 p.m. in the library auditorium when soprano Megan Bell and pianist Jiung Yoon will perform Mozart's Exsultate Jubilate, the aria Vorrei Spiegarvi, O Dio!, and the Piano Sonata no. 8 (K.310).
Prior to the program, at 2 p.m. in the library lobby, Merry Pruitt will perform Mozart's piano music. Cake and punch will be served at both events.
Reynoldsburg Parent to Parent workshop on adolescence
The Reynoldsburg school district will offer a free Parent to Parent workshop on facing the issues of adolescence, Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26, from 7-9 p.m., at Reynoldsburg High School, 6699 E. Livingston Ave., room 401.
The workshop covers such issues as trust, consequences, alcohol and other drug use, safety, personal values and the Internet.
To register call 501-4000.
"Gypsy Music" by Ensemble Caprice at Capital University
Early Music in Columbus will present Ensemble Caprice in "Gypsy Music," with music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. at Capital University's Mees Hall. There will be a pre-concert lecture at 7:30.
The concert will feature pieces from the country now known as Slovakia, by composers influenced by the gypsy music they heard while traveling through Europe.
Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 for seniors and $10 for students and can be purchased at the door or ordered through Ticketmaster, CAPA box offices or by calling 861-4569.
K of C fish fry dinners at St. Pius X
The Knights of Columbus, Father Andrew Hohman Council 5253, will be sponsoring the St. Pius X's annual fish fry dinners Fridays, Feb. 8 and 22, and March 7 from 5-7 p.m. in the school cafeteria, 1061 Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg.
Dinner will include adult portions of fried or baked Icelandic white cod, cole slaw, applesauce, fries, hush puppies, macaroni and cheese, dessert and hot or cold beverages.
The price is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for children. All proceeds will benefit St. Pius X Parish. Reservations are not required.
Oasis faith community meets Sundays in Reynoldsburg
The Oasis, a faith community of the United Church of Christ, meets Sunday evenings at Panera Bread at Taylor Square (I-70 & State Route 256) in Reynoldsburg. 6 - 6:45 p.m. is a time for study and discussion on a variety of topics related to faith & spirituality.
From 7 -7:45 participants experience a variety of spiritual tools and traditions to find what nurtures your own spirit.
For information visit www.TheOasisUCC.com or call 581-8914.
BRAVO celebrates Bexley Education Foundation's 25th
The Bexley Education Foundation's BRAVO! committee, co-chaired by Karen Shore Meyer, front right, and Dian Dawley, front center, are planning the Feb. 23 event that will celebrate the foundation's 25th anniversary.
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the Bexley Education Foundation will hold BRAVO!, a casual evening of fun, food and camaraderie featuring a silent auction, raffle and artwork created by Bexley students on Feb. 23, from 7:30-11 p.m., at Germain Cadillac and Germain Mercedes-Benz at Easton, 4200 Morse Crossing.
Now in its eighteenth year, BRAVO! supports the Bexley Education Foundation's mission of providing support for classroom and district-wide programs that encourage Bexley students to "reach for the stars," according to BRAVO! Co-chair Karen Shore Meyer.
BRAVO! offers an evening of casual conversation and tasty treats from some of Columbus's finest restaurants. A cash bar will also be available. There will also be a wide array of interesting offerings at a silent auction.
Tickets for BRAVO! can be purchased in advance for $50 per person or at the door, subject to availability, for $60. Patron donations, which includes mentions in BRAVO! publicity, are $75 a person. A portion of the admission fee is tax deductible.
For information, contact the BEF office at 338-2093.
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. in the Discovery Theatre, 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. 31.
For "The Woman Behind the Man: The President's First Lady," on Feb. 7, Feb. 14, Feb. 21, Feb. 28, 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.
The Ohio Historical Center is located at I-71 and 17th Avenue. It is one of 59 historic museums and sites operated by the Ohio Historical Society, a nonprofit organization that serves as the state's partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio's history, archaeology and natural history.
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 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.
JCC events
The Leo Yassenoff Jewish Community Center, at 1125 College Ave., has provided the following announcements. Information is available at www.columbusjcc.org.
Parent-child basketball tournament & instructional clinc
On March 2, the JCC will hold a Parent-Child Basketball Tournament, a two-on-two tournament for children in grades 3 through 12. Each parent-child team will be matched up against other teams in their division and will end in a single elimination tournament.
All the games will be officiated and every team will be guaranteed three games.
Children in 7th through 12th grades will participate in the tournament with their parents beginning at 1 p.m.; children in 3rd through 6th grade will begin at 3 p.m. The cost is $30 for JCC members before the registration deadline of Friday, Feb. 22. ($40 after the deadline.)
Beginning March 5 and running each Wednesday through April 16, JCC Basketball Trainer Pat Noles will be conducting an Instructional Basketball Camp for children in the 1st through 4th grades. The camp will focus on the skills that are appropriate for each age division; the baskets will be lowered for the 1st and 2nd grade division.
Children in 1st and 2nd grades will play from 5 to 6 p.m., and 3rd and 4th grades from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Cost is $60 for JCC members and $90 for non-members before the registration deadline of Wednesday, Feb. 27. (Cost will raise $10 after the deadline.)
To register or for information, contact Jeanna Brownlee at 559-6274 or jbrownlee@columbusjcc.org, or visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org.
New Horizons 60+ activities
The New Horizons 60+ group for active senior adults is planning a variety of activities in the upcoming weeks:
•Celebrating January Birthdays. On Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 11:15 a.m., the Clintonville Jazz Company will help the group celebrate everyone with a birthday in January.
•Having Lively Discussions. Every Monday at 11 a.m., the New Horizons group gathers to discuss current events, local issues, stories - and even share a joke or two. In addition, at least once a month the Yiddish speakers in the group gather for a meeting - conducted entirely in Yiddish. The next meeting will be held on Feb. 20 at Creekside. (Contact Ann Rubin at 614-231-5838 for more info.)
•Exercising and Dancing. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, there are a variety of exercise and gentle movement classes to help fight the wintertime blahs. Chair Fit is held both days at 11 a.m., to help seniors improve their flexibility, strength, and circulation - all while sitting in a chair. Or, if a little more energy fits your style, Forever Fit classes are held both days at 8 a.m., and incorporate stretching, strength training, and low-impact aerobics designed especially for seniors. (Both classes are taught by Gail Rosenblum.)
If your back aches and you just want to learn how to stretch it properly with the gentle movements of Yoga, each Tuesday, from 12 to 12:45 p.m., Beth McCullough teaches a Lunchtime Yoga for the Back class. But if you've "gotta dance," then the Line Dancing class, taught by Mary Bova-Ervin each Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m., is definitely something you should try. The fee per dancer is $4, and remember to wear comfortable dancing shoes or sneakers.
•Attending the theater. On Wednesday, Feb. 6, the New Horizons group will be attending Catco's The Drawer Boy. The outing, which departs the JCC at 10:15 a.m. for Capitol Theater at the Riffe Center downtown, is $17 for JCC members and $19 for nonmembers, and includes breakfast at the JCC at 9:15 a.m., the show, and transportation.
In addition, the group will be attending BalletMet's LoveStruck: Ravel to Sinatra on Friday, Feb. 8. The outing, which departs the JCC at 9:45 a.m. for Capitol Theater at the Riffe Center downtown, is $17 for JCC members and $19 for nonmembers, and includes breakfast at the JCC at 9 a.m., the show, and transportation. RSVPs are a must for both performances.
•Eating Kosher lunches. Every Monday through Friday at noon, the JCC, through LifeCare Alliance, offers the only Kosher lunch in town for adults 60 and over for a nominal donation of $1.25 per meal. Register one day in advance, please.
And remember, you don't have to be a JCC member, nor do you have to be Jewish, to enjoy the camaraderie and the fun. For more information and to make reservations, contact Debbie Vinocur, JCC New Horizons program director, at (614) 559-6214 or dvinocur@columbusjcc.org, or visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org.
Tennis lessons for ages 3-5
The Jewish Community Center is offering a Mighty Mite Tennis program for children ages three to five years in a seven-week program beginning Jan. 28 and running through March 17. The classes, which will be held from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m., will be taught by JCC Tennis Pro Pam Lippy in the JCC gymnasium at 1125 College Ave.
Children will learn basic tennis and motor skills that lead to playing on "short" courses with foam balls, small racquets and other junior-sized equipment. Children of all skill levels are welcome.
The fee is $80. Wilson Pee-Wee racquets are available for $20.
Another six-week session will begin April 7. Sign-up for both programs is $125.
For information, contact Jeanna Brownlee, JCC Director of Sports and Wellness, at 559-6274 or jbrownlee@columbusjcc.org.
Gallery Players to perform Sondheim's "Forum"
Gallery Players, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus' theatre group, will present Stephen Sondheim's "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum."
The musical is a comedy in which a crafty slave (Pseudolus) struggles to win the hand of a beautiful, but slow-witted courtesan (Philia) for his young master (Hero), in exchange for freedom.
Sondheim is receiving renewed attention due to a Broadway revival and a film version of "Sweeney Todd." "Forum" has a script by Larry Gelbart, known for creating the television show "M*A*S*H" and the screenplay for "Tootsie."
The show schedule will follow the previous one, set for Saturday, Feb. 23, March 1 and 8, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 24, March 2 and 9, at 2:30 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 28 and March 6, at 7:30 p.m.
All season ticket holders' ticket purchases will be honored at the newly scheduled show.
The other show remaining in the schedule is "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.
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.
Summer camp brochure to go online for early registration
On Feb. 1, the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Columbus' Summer Camp brochure will be made available online, with registrations beginning Feb. 8.
Rachel Fox, JCC camping services director, stressed that fees are remaining the same as they were for the 2007 season.
JCC Summer Camps, accredited by the American Camping Association, offer camping options for ages 3 to 25. The variety of programs include an early childhood camp, traditional day camps and intensive specialty camps, such as Circus Camp, Theatre Camp, Art Camp and Sports Camp.
A special needs camp also is offered for children, youth and adults. Daily swimming lessons also are included for all campers (excluding Specialty Camps). In addition, a registered nurse or an American Red Cross certified first aid provider is at each of the three camp sites during all hours of camp operation.
The JCC offers flexible enrollment options to meet the needs of busy families, and transportation and extended childcare also are offered. A sibling discount also is available.
For information, contact Fox at 559-6253 or rfox@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.