Community calendar for Eastside

Bexley back to school information
Bexley High School has set schedule pick-up nights for Aug. 15 and 16.
Parents of freshman and new students will attend an orientation and pick up their schedules from 5 until 6:30pm on either night in the Schottenstein Theatre.  

Sophomore, juniors and seniors whose last names begin with the letters A through K (and their parents) will pick up schedules and drop off forms on Wednesday evening anytime between 4 and 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.  Students with last names L-Z (and their parents) will do the same on Thursday evening, also between 4 and 7 .  Families should bring completed forms to the schedule pick-up.  

A mandatory meeting for parents of all middle school fall athletes will be held on Aug. 13 in the middle school gym at 6:30 p.m.  Individual team meetings will follow the general group meeting.

Cassingham Elementary plans a New Family Night on August 16, at 6:30 p.m., for families new to the school or kindergarten families who missed the May orientation.
Maryland Elementary has a Kindergarten Ice Cream Social for all families on August 20 at 6 p.m., followed by a New Family Orientation at 7.

Montrose Elementary holds an orientation for parents of new students (kindergartners or those new to the district) August 16 from 6 8 p.m. in the school's gym.

Bexley Middle School's orientation is set for August 17.  Seventh graders are due in the Cassingham Complex cafeteria from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. for orientation, photos, schedule pick-up, and a cookout.  

Eighth graders join them at noon for lunch and stay for schedule pick-up, school photos and orientation until 3:15 p.m.  On  August 16, from 6:30 until 7 p.m., Principal Harley Williams hosts an informational meeting regarding the 8th grade Washington D.C. trip.  Orientation for parents of seventh graders and new students is from 7:15 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Church of the Redeemer has drive-in movie night
Church of the Redeemer, United Methodist, 235 McNaughten Road, Columbus, will have a free Drive-in Movie August 18.   There will be fun pre-movie activities beginning at 7 p.m.   The movie, about a talking bat and ball, begins at 8:30 p.m., and can be watched from your own car or a lawn chair.   Water and popcorn will be given to all attending.   For information, call the church at 861-7160.

Reynoldsburg alumni soccer games
The 8th annual Reynoldsburg Alumni Soccer Games will be played Aug. 11 at the junior high soccer field.

An alumni-friendly game will begin at 5:30, with a match between the varsity boys and the alumni at 7:15. Admission is free and food and drinks will be sold. Those attending are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Helping Hands pantry.

Capital's Schumacher Gallery announces 2007-08 season
Capital University's Schumacher Gallery has announced its schedule of exhibits for the 2007-08 season.

"East of Eden: Contemporary Ohio Landscape Painters" will be presented Sept. 4-Oct. 12. An opening reception will be held Sept. 7 from 5-7 p.m.

"Some Assembly Required," with artists using non-traditional materials to explore the potential of collage and assemblage, will run from Oct. 29-Dec. 7. An opening reception will be held Nov. 2 from 5-7 p.m.

"Beyond Boundaries," featuring self-taught artists who use unconventional subjects, techniques and materials, will be presented Jan. 11-Feb. 15. The exhibit, co-sponsored by Art Access, will have an opening reception Jan. 11 from 5-7 p.m.

"Art on a String," with Asian kites in a variety of imaginative shapes associated with festivals, holidays and special events, will take flight March 3-April 11. An opening reception will take place March 7 from 5-7 p.m.

Capital University's Student Art Exhibition will be held April 18-26, with a meet-the-artists reception April 18 from 5-7 p.m.

The Schumacher Gallery, which includes an extensive permanent collection of European, American, Asian, African and Inuit art, is located on the fourth floor of the Blackmore Library. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m., during the school year. Admission is free.

Whitehall Chamber of Commerce golf outing returns
The Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce announces the return of its annual golf outing.  The outing will take place Sept. 14 at Cumberland Trail Golf Course in Pataskala.  
The tournament will be a four-person scramble format with a cost of $70 per person.  

This fee includes golf and cart, beverages (beer and soda), lunch, snacks and goodie bags.  

Registration will begin at noon and the tournament will have a shot gun start at 1 p.m.  Prizes will be given for the top three teams, longest drive, closest to the pin, longest putt and hole in one.  

Sign up is taking place now and the deadline to register and pay is August 30.  Call the chamber at 237-7792 to register.  

The chamber is also looking for volunteers, door prizes and sponsors for this event.  There will be some great advertising opportunities.  Call the office for details.  

The chamber's annual meeting will be held Sept. 20 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Whitehall Community Park, 402 N. Hamilton Road.  The meeting will feature Andrea Cambern as keynote speaker speaking on "Commit to Be Fit."  

The meeting will also include presentation of the annual Beautification Awards and voting for open Board of Trustees positions.  You may RSVP or get more information by calling the chamber.  There will be board positions available, so be sure to call if you are interested.  You must be in your second year of membership to qualify.

Children's health fair, school supply give-away
The New Fellowship Health Ministry will host its 6th annual Children's Health Fair and Free School Supplies Give-Away on Aug. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Fellowship Baptist Church, 3420 Petzinger Road (near Courtright Road), Columbus.

Activities include free school supplies (while supplies last; child must be present); free vision and hearing screenings by Children's Hospital Mobile Care Unit; and petting & grooming of live horses by Dreams on Horseback.

This event also includes free food, door prizes and other giveaways and entertainment. Call 374-8629 for information or to donate school supplies.

Maryland Avenue School supply sale fundraiser
Maryland Elementary School, in Bexley will be having its annual school supply sale Aug. 14 and 15.  This is a fund raising event for the school and will run from noon to 7 p.m. both days in the cafeteria.

Marc Levison Run/Walk seeks sponsors, participants
The 5th Annual Marc Levison 5K Run/Walk for Lou Gehrig's Disease will take place Sept. 2, at 8:30 a.m., and is looking for sponsors to help raise money for research at Children's Hospital into the debilitating disease.

Lou Gehrig's Disease, or ALS, affects the neurological system. Marc Levison, a Bexley resident, has had the disease for about 18 years. Traveling the streets in a motorized wheelchair, Marc is one of the most recognizable figures in Bexley.

The race has raised close to $90,000 for research on motor neuron diseases like ALS at Children's Research Institute at Children's Hospital. All proceeds above the cost of the race are donated for research.

ALS has no cure and it is not clear what causes it.

Donations can be sent to: the Helping Link Foundation c/o Marc Levison Run for ALS, 2740 Fair Avenue, Columbus 43209.

To sign up for the race, register at www.premierraces.com/races/marclevison.html.
To become a sponsor for the race, contact Brent Levison at 296-4625 or brentlevison@gmail.com

Visit marcsrun.org for more information.

Bexley Library book discussion on "The Welsh Girl"
The evening book discussion group will meet in the Bexley Public Library Auditorium, 2411 E. Main St., on Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. Helene Goldmeier will lead a discussion of "The Welsh Girl" by Peter Ho Davies. Future topics will include "The Places In Between" by Rory Stewart. Anyone interested is invited to attend. For information call 231-2793.
 
East High Class of 1977 reunion
The Columbus East High Tigers Class of 1977 is announcing its 30-year reunion, taking place Labor Day weekend at Briarwood Banquet Facility, 1421 Davidson Drive, Reynoldsburg.

The three-day event includes Aug. 31, Meet and Greet 7 p.m - midnight;  Sept.   1 semi-formal dinner, 7 p.m.-midnight;  and family picnic Sept. 2.

The price is $90 per alumni and an additional $45 for guests. The price includes all three days plus a 1977 Alumni East High Tigers t-shirt.

For information, contact Kim Williams at 209-1078 or Robin Crews  at 740-407-8697.

Unity in the Community Festival at Livingston Court
The first Unity in the Community Festival is scheduled Aug. 18 at the Livingston Court parking lot at the corner of East Livingston Avenue and Courtright Road from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The purpose of the festival is to promote community unity and collaboration through information sharing and the promotion of services and events.  Bringing the event together is a partnership with United Way of Central Ohio, The Columbus Foundation and seven churches and organizations from Columbus' east side.  
 
The festival will feature musical groups and choirs, arts and crafts, mimes, Red Cross Bloodmobile, health screenings by Mt. Carmel East, a three-on-three basketball tournament, free food, games and grocery giveaway.  

Event sponsors include Barnett Road Baptist Church, Christ Community Church, Christ Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, Christ United Methodist Church, Barnett Recreation Center, Neighborhood Pride Center East and the Berwyn East Civic Association.

For information, contact Geraldine Rickman at 863-4257 or 570-430, or email ron1ger1@aol.com.

Reynoldsburg High Class of '82 25-year reunion
The Reynoldsburg High School Class of 1982 25-year reunion will be held Oct. 12-14.
Class members will meet at the Reynoldsburg High football game Oct. 12, and following the game will gather at Donerick's Pub House, 6935 E. Broad St.

On Oct. 13, a dinner dance will be held at Grand Host East, 8660 E. Broad St., from 7-11 p.m. Cost is $50 per person. Make checks payable to Amy Kendall, 497 Cumberland Drive, Columbus 43213, by Aug. 15.

A Sunday brunch will be held  Oct. 14 at Tee Jaye's restaurant, 2435 Brice Road, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Magazine seeks  submissions on multi-racial experiences
"Through Our Eyes," a new literary magazine, is seeking poetry, short stories, and essays about multiracial/multiethnic people and their experiences. Submissions will be accepted until August 3.

Visit the web site at www.geocities.com/throughoureyes or call 340-8964 for more information. Submissions may be sent to: 2734 E. Main Street No. 212, Bexley, OH 43209-2534, or submitted via e-mail to throughoureyes@yahoo.com.
 
Greater Columbus Swim Team try-outs
The Greater Columbus Swim team of Ohio will hold try-outs August 13 and  14, from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at the Gahanna Swim Club, 148 Parkland Drive, for those interested in any one of the team's locations in the fall. The team's three main training locations are the Columbus Academy in Gahanna, the St. Charles Preparatory School in Bexley and the Jewish Community Center in Bexley.   

The coaching staff will be present to provide participating athletes with stroke instruction during these talent screening dates and athletes may come to any or all of these dates for this free instructional opportunity.

Contact head coach Steve Nye at 478-5445 or stevenye@sbcglobal.net for information. You can also visit the team web site at www.gcsto.com.
 
Bexley Farmers' Market
Bexley Farmers' Market will be held Saturdays from 10 am. to 1 p.m. in front of City Hall, 2242 E. Main St., 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. JCC events

JCC events
The Leo Yassenoff Jewish Community Center, at 1125 College Ave., has provided the following announcements:

Kinderclub, Kaleidoscope for kindergarten through sixth-grade
When elementary school is out, Kinderclub and Kaleidoscope at the JCC are in and offering a structured, fun and creative curriculum that engages and encourages continued learning experiences and completing daily homework.
Kinderclub is designed for kindergarten-age children (ages 5 to 7) and is led by experienced, degreed teachers. Flexible options are available: from noon to 3 p.m., noon to 6 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m. Kaleidoscope is offered Monday through Friday, from 3 to 6 p.m., for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Both programs are open to non-Jewish families. Kinderclub offers a family style hot kosher lunch, special Shabbat and holiday celebrations, swimming twice each week, a weekly library trip, arts and crafts activities, stories, drama, puzzles, games, and an occasional field trip.

Kaleidoscope does more than just provide students with homework assistance. They have special events, swimming, a low ropes course, a ball pit, a climbing wall, and scavenger hunts in the new, Mercaz Zusman all-purpose building, with new programs.

Kinderclub is offered at both the main JCC campus at 1125 College Ave., in Bexley, and at the JCC New Albany at 79 N. High St., in the Columbus Jewish Day School (CJDS). Transportation to the main campus is provided by the JCC van from Bexley schools and St. Catherine's Elementary.  Other students at local private or public schools should plan on parent-provided transportation.

Kaleidoscope is offered at all three JCC locations, including the JCC North at 1985 Swansford Dr., Dublin.

For information, visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org, or call 231-2731.

JCC hosts antique appraisal show
The JCC is hosting a local antique appraisal show Aug. 28, from 1 to 3 p.m., featuring appraisals by the Estate Group of Ohio and Janine Aquino.

Items to be appraised include: art glass; jewelry; ceramics and pottery; photographs; manuscripts; autographs; furniture; fine paintings; folk art; vintage clothing; decorative arts, such as fine porcelain; crystal and silver; oriental rugs; rare books or coins; comic books; original comic art; sports cards and memorabilia; political memorabilia and Americana; vintage toys and charter collectibles; and fine sculptures.

Due to the popularity of this program, only one item per person will be appraised. The entry fee is $5 and reservations are required. Light refreshments will be provided.

For information or to register, call Debbie Vinocur at 559-6214, or e-mail her at dvinocur@columbusjcc.org.

"Sprayground" unveiling, circus performance and camp get-together
The JCC will unveil its new "Spray Ground" Aug. 12, during a day of celebration that also includes the Circus of the Kids performance and an All Camp Extravaganza.

The new, 1,600-square foot water park, features a variety of apparatus designed for wet kid-friendly play.

The Spray Ground is made possible by Sam Baker, a long-time JCC member, through the Bessie and Herschel Baker Fund of the Columbus Jewish Foundation.

The day's events also will include the Circus of the Kids performance, which is the culmination of the JCC's weeklong Circus Camp, with everything from juggling and clowning to acrobatics and trapeze.

Circus of the Kids performance times are 1 and 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 for children and $8 for adults, and may be purchased at the front desk of the JCC, located at 1125 College Ave., Columbus. Kids who wear their JCC Summer Camp t-shirt from this year will be admitted into the performances free of charge.

From 2 to 4:30 p.m., the All Camp Extravaganza will be held for all participants in this summer's JCC Camps. The event will include jumpies, a circus play port, sport court activities, cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn, face painting, colored hair spray, and much more.

For information on the day's activities, visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org, or contact Fox at (614) 559-6253.

Florence Melton Adult Mini-School accepting registrations
The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, a project of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and sponsored by the JCC of Greater Columbus, is now accepting registration for the 2007-2008 school year.

The Melton Adult Mini-School is an international network of community-based schools offering adults the opportunity to acquire Jewish literacy in an open, trans-denominational, and intellectually stimulating learning environment. Over the course of two years, students and instructors discuss topics based on four themes:

•Rhythms of Jewish Living - Central ideas and texts which infuse rituals daily, weekly, and annually, as well as life cycle observances.

•Purposes of Jewish Living - Essential Jewish theological concepts and ideas as they unfold in the Bible, the Talmud and other sacred texts.

•Ethics of Jewish Living - Ethical issues such as justice, life and death, sexuality and community, with case studies from Talmudic, rabbinic and contemporary literature.

•Dramas of Jewish Living Throughout the Ages - Dramatic developments, experiences and issues from different periods in Jewish history, as reflected in historical texts.

Classes for the 2007-2008 school year are offered once weekly at either the JCC of Greater Columbus on Sundays, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., or Tuesdays, from 7 to 9 p.m., or at the Columbus Jewish Day School in New Albany, on Mondays from 9 to 11 a.m. Classes start the week of Sept. 16. Classes also are available for graduates of the Melton Mini-School.

"Prior to signing up for the classes, we will be having two programs we call 'A Taste of Melton,' which is geared toward any prospective student who would like to investigate what the Melton Mini-School is all about," said Melanie Butter, Melton Mini-School program director at the JCC. "It's a way for people to 'test drive' the Melton classes."

The first such "sample" will be held, free of charge, on Thursday, Aug. 16 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the JCC. Dr. Matt Goldish, director of the Melton Center for Jewish Studies at The Ohio State University, will be teaching the class.

The second program - Melton Movie Mania - will be held Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Ross/Resler Theater at the JCC. "This is a one-time session, which includes the screening of 'A Stranger Among Us,' and Dr. Goldish will be leading the discussion," said Butter. "The movie class began last fall and had a very positive response. We will be offering an eight-week course beginning in September."

The cost for the Melton Movie Mania event on Aug. 14 is $15 per person, and there are no pre-requisites or obligations associated with participation in the summer movie session.

Reservations are required for both programs, as well as the regular Melton Mini-School courses, and may be made by contacting Butter at mbutter@columbusjcc.org, or calling 559-6233.

Sports Spectacular kicks off Aug. 27 with golf, tennis
The 20th annual Sports Spectacular will kick off with a day of golf and tennis on Aug. 27, at the New Albany Country Club, with the second half of the split-format event taking place on Oct. 22 for an evening of recognition and celebration honoring Dr. Fred Davidorf, Allan Byer and David Kass.

The Sports Spectacular, co-chaired this year by Jon Meyer and Eric Wasserstrom, is one of the city's premiere fundraisers for JCC programs.

"Sports Spectacular 2007 provides a fantastic opportunity for people or organizations to give back to the community," said Meyer. "Monies raised during Sports Spectacular directly benefit all programs the JCC offers. In fact, the JCC serves more than 120,000 people each year, including populations at risk, for their health, cultural enrichment and education."

The day will begin with an 11 a.m. lunch, followed by a "shotgun start" golf tournament at 11:45 a.m. Tennis competitors will take to the court at 12:30 p.m., and a cocktail reception will follow both competitions.

On Oct. 22, the JCC will welcome Jeremy Schaap, host of ESPN's "Outside the Lines" and author of "Cinderella Man: James J. Braddock, Max Baer, and the Greatest Upset in Boxing History." He is a regular contributor to Nightline and ABC World News Tonight and has been published in Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine, Time, Parade, and the New York Times. Schaap also is the author of "Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics."

Schaap will be the keynote speaker of a night that will be highlighted by the presentation of the Charles Solomon Award to Dr. Fred Davidorf and the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony of Allan Byer and David Kass.

The Charles Solomon Award has been given at each Sports Spectacular event to recognize an individual who personifies a lifetime commitment to JCC sports and fitness programs, for which Charles Solomon stood. Dr. Davidorf, professor emeritus of The Ohio State University's Department of Ophthalmology and a leading expert in the field of eye cancer, has been a long-time supporter of the JCC and continues to participate in JCC sports leagues.

The Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1979 to recognize Jewish individuals from Columbus who have excelled in the world of athletics.

As a principal partner/owner of the San Francisco Giants baseball team, Allan Byer was a stand-out high school athlete in both baseball and basketball during his teenage years in Columbus. He also was centerfielder on All-Star teams that competed successfully in top Columbus amateur leagues, as well as being instrumental in organizing teams for Midwest tournaments. Byer also owns Byer California, one of the leading garment manufacturers in the U.S.

David Kass, who grew up in Bexley, is a three-time All American Men's Tennis champion and is in the Big Ten Records Book as the Athlete of the Year for 1992.  While at the University of Michigan, his record was 99-35, which tied him for fourth place in All Time Career Singles Wins at the school. He also was ranked fourth nationally during the 1992-93 season. He also competed on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tour.

For information on sponsorships or to purchase tickets, contact Sheila Cline at the JCC at (614) 559-6225 or e-mail her at scline@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.

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.

^ back to top