News from the Eastside

Farmers' Market
The Reynoldsburg Farmers' Market will be open for business from 3:30-6:30 p.m. every Thursday until Sept. 25 in Huber Park on Davidson Drive, just south of  Main Street. For information about becoming a vendor or other questions about the Reynoldsburg Farmers' Market contact Nadine Morse, market manager at (614) 322-6832.  

JCC winter cruise
The JCC Travel Group is planning a Caribbean cruise on board the Emerald Princess for 10 days beginning Feb. 8, 2009.
The cruise will depart from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and include ports of call at Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Thomas, and Princess Cay, Bahamas. Pricing starts at $970 for an inside cabin, $1,250 for an ocean view cabin, and $1,599 for a balcony cabin. Prices are per person, double occupancy, and include 10 nights on board the Emerald Princess, all cruise features on board the ship, and all meals and entertainment. For information, contact Tour Leader Peggy Kaplan at (614) 235-8813 or (614) 560-5652.

Rosary reunion
The Holy Rosary class of 1953 will hold its 55-year class reunion at the Jessing Center at the Josephinum on Sept. 7. For information call Mary Jane (Pumphrey) Ritter at (740) 929-2942.

Bexley Farmers' Market
The Bexley Farmers' Market will be open for business in front of Bexley City Hall on Saturdays through October. Hours are from 10 a.m. till 1 p.m.  Central Ohio farmers will be featuring a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers and much more.

Short term radon kits
The city of Bexley, in conjunction with the Franklin County Board of Health, has free, short term radon testing kits available for residents to check radon levels in their homes.
Radon is odorless, tasteless, and invisible, but it could be a problem in a home. Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. According to to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, indoor radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and leading cause among non-smokers.
To pick up a free radon testing kit, visit the Bexley Muncipal Building, 2242 E. Main St., Monday through Friday during normal business hours. For information call the Franklin County Board of Health at (614) 462-3859 or visit www.franklincountyohio.gov/health

At the Bexley Library
•The Bexley Public Library will host the Bexley Historical Society's tribute to the city's "Centennial Celebration" exhibit with its display of photographs and artifacts recording Bexley's early history and founding families. Items are from the Historical Society's collection and the public is invited to submit additional photographs.
•Young people can "Catch the Reading Bug" during the summer with the library's reading program. Prize incentives include stickers, temporary tattoos, free Johnston's ice cream and roller-skating at United Skates of America. A colorful "buggy" picnic display encourages reading. Teens can select pool side reads from a wide collection of recently added young adult paperbacks. Also, area students can obtain copies of books on summer reading lists in the children's and adult circulating areas. The library maintains lists from many local schools.
•For information call 231-9709.

Princess pageant candidates
The Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival Little Princess Pageant is open to all girls enrolled in the second grade for the 2008-09 school year living in the Reynoldsburg School District.  
The pageant is Sept 3 at 7 p.m. on the stage. Nominations for Little Princess can be made by mailing the girls name, age, address, phone number, school of enrollment and parent(s) or guardian's name(s) or downloading an application from the website and sending the information to Tiffany Adams, Little Princess Chair, 6850 Laird Avenue,  Reynoldsburg, OH  43068.  Entries must be mailed and postmarked by Aug. 22 to be eligible.  For information contact the Tomato Festival at 614-866-2861, email TomatoFestival@aol.com or go to the Festival's Web site at www.ReynoldsburgTomatoFestival.com.LITTLE

Briggs class of 1993
Briggs High School Class of 1993 is looking for former classmates for the 15-year reunion. The reunion is in the planning phase and those involved would welcome anyone interested in helping out.  The plan is to have the event sometime in the latter part of October, 2008.  Interested alumni can contact Mark Clanin at mclanin@wowway.com or call Michael Crist at 274-9692. Leave contact information and note if you can help.

Picktown Smack Down
On Sept. 14, a "Picktown Smack Down" challenge will be held at Pickerington's Victory Park at 1 p.m. The event will include fan car bash, dunk tank, trivia contest, best dressed fan and more. The challenge will answer the age old question.. "Who has the best fans - the Cleveland Browns or the Pittsburgh Steelers?" Proceeds from the event will fund Pickerington Kiwanis support of Pickerington Central, Pickerington North, and Bloom-Carroll Key Clubs, and other community based programs including local non-profit organizations that benefit children.

Education news
•The following Eastside area students were named to the dean's list at Ohio University-Lancaster and Ohio University - Pickerington for spring quarter:
Blacklick - Luke Patterson;
Pickerington - Deborah Allen, Raquel Alvarez, Cynthia Beneze, Gabrielle Brobst, Ainsley Brougher, Carrie Brown, Stacey Contakis, Karen-Alva Cotton, Christopher Dodd, Blake Elliott, Kaitlin Fuller,  Andrea Jackson, Lisa Johnson, Ashley Kessler,
Brittany Lash, Chris Layton, Joyce Lee, Kevin Leers, Kenneth Lepore, Stephanie Lepore, Troy Martin, Rachel Mathews, Kara Miller, Samantha Payne, Thomas Peterson, Emily Rittgers, Katherine Shaver, Lauren Shiman,  Abbie Thomas, Candice Turnbull, Carolyn Turpening,                                                                             Ashley Uhrig, Britni VanBuskirk, Nicole Wilber;
Reynoldsburg - Lauren Albrecht, Stephanie Beougher, Jacklyn Case, Abby Dandurand, Christopher DeBoer, Jonathan Mandabach, Brenda Myers, Joseph Osborn,  Robin  Ribbans, Walter Sias, Ashley Webb.

Marschner accepted
Rachel Marschner, 15, of Bexley has been accepted and will attend Interlochen Arts Camp, the world's premier summer arts program for aspiring artists grades 3-12. Marschner is one of the 25 selected to study musical theatre production at the intermediate level (grades 6-9) at the camp. They will be performing the musical adaptation of Kipling's, "Just So Stories." She is cast as "Pau Amma." Interlochen Arts Camp attracts students, faculty and staff from all 50 U.S. states and more than 40 countries.

Food pantry reorganizes
The PCMA Food Pantry of Pickerington is the new name of the reorganized food pantry for the Pickerington area.
The Pickerington Christian Ministerial Association (PCMA) and other concerned citizens organized the food pantry in the early 1990s.  After several months of study the Food Pantry and the PCMA are strengthening their ties to one another in an effort to expand and better serve the community.  
Kathy Vogt became the new director in July and the new phone number is (614) 284-1205. The Web address is now PCMAfoodpantry.com.   Hours of operation remain Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. and Thursday and Saturday 10 a.m. to noon.  
The PCMA Food Pantry serves families located within the boundary of the Pickerington Local School District, providing canned and dried foods, meat and personal items for those in need. The food pantry is located on the lower level of the Pickerington Historical Society (former Carnegie Library) on Columbus Street.  Anyone interested in volunteering or contributing to this ministry, can contact the director Kathy Vogt.

Pickerington Garden Club
Eight members of the Pickerington Garden Club received awards at the annual Four Seasons, Marabar Heights, and Pickerington garden clubs flower show held June 28-29 at the Reynoldsburg Senior Center.
First and second place horticulture awards went to Kay Tibbs, Mary Carter, and Kathe Lilley. Third place horticulture ribbons were won by Kay Tibbs, Betty Geoghegan, and Kathe Lilley. Kathe Lilley also won several fourth place awards.
First and second place artistic awards were awarded to Kay Tibbs, Marilyn Elliott, and Beverly Zurhorst. June Mohler and Anna Weber won second place artistic awards. Marilyn Elliott, Kay Tibbs, and Kathe Lilley won third place artisitic awards and Marilyn Elliott, Kathe Lilley, Betty Geohegan, Kay Tibbs, Anna Weber, and June Mohler won fourth place ribbons.

Local seaman basic training
Navy Seaman Recruit William D. McKinley, son of Barb G. and Bill D. McKinley of Canal Winchester, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. McKinley is a 2005 graduate of Pickerington Central High School.

McFarland earns
Girl Scout's highest award
Senior Girl Scout Abigail McFarland  recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award for her work in the community. She is among only five percent of Girl Scouts nationally who earned the award this year.  For her project, entitled "The ACPA Student Pride Program," McFarland created an orientation program for freshman and new students at the Arts and College Preparatory Academy.

Bexley Schools 'excellent'
For the eighth year in a row, Bexley Schools has achieved an "Excellent" rating on the annual Ohio Department of Education Report Card.  Bexley is one of a handful of Ohio districts to have consistently earned the "Excellent" designation.  In addition, the district again met all AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) standards.

Alternative Learning Center meetings scheduled for parents
A parent information meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at Highlands Presbyterian Church, 6906 Smoky Row Road. The meetings are intended to provide information for parents about the Alternative Learning Center offered by Brookwood for students in grades 4 through 12. The Learning Center provides education and social skill training for special education eligible youth with significant social skill deficits. The students typically suffer from Pervasive Development Disorder, Asperger Syndrome or other Autistic Spectrum Disorders. For additional information, call the church office at 235-3451.

Chamber hosting golf event
The Reynoldsburg Area Chamber of Commerce will host its 2008 "Get Into the Swing" golf classic Sept. 10 at Willow Run Golf Course, State Route 161 and State Route 310. The event, a four-person scramble, begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and registration. A shotgun start begins at 12:30 p.m. Cost is $85 per person, $300 per team, and includes green's fees, riding cart, special treats, lunch and a steak dinner at conclusion of play. Registration deadline is Sept. 2. For more information, contact the Chamber office at (614) 866-4753.

Club hosts garden program
A program featuring miniature arrangements and a plant exchange will be held at the monthly meeting of the Pickerington Garden Club at 1 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way. The library is located directly across from Pickerington Central High School. Visitors and new members are welcomed. For more information and reservations, call Barbara Kochick at 837-3951 or Anna Weber at 833-2358.

Learning center recognized
Child's Play Learning Center Inc. has been awarded the Step Up to Quality Star Award by the Department of Jobs and Family Services of Fairfield County. The program is the only full-time program in Fairfield County serving children 6 weeks to 12 years old with this award. The program has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Early Childhood since 1999. The center is located at 11795 Pickerington Road, Pickerington. For more information, call 833-1836.

Lions plan annual parade
The Pickerington Lions Club is taking registrations for the 60th Labor Day Parade and other activities on Sept. 1. Several years ago, a cruise-by was added to the parade. The collection of antique cars, street rods and motorcycles will drive through the city streets at about 9:45 a.m., 15 minutes prior to the start of the parade. Following the parade, the cruise-by vehicles may pull into Victory Park for a Cruise-In where visitors to the Fish Fry can enjoy their cars and cycles. There is no registration fee for the parade, but there is a $5 fee for the cruise-in. To register for the parade, cruise-by or cruise-in, or for more information about the fish fry, call 837-8810 or e-mail skochmachine3244@cs.com.

Students attend Ohio Summer Honors Institute
Two local students were selected to participate in the Ohio Summer Honors Institute at Ashland University this summer. The event, funded by an Ohio Department of Education grant, was for gifted students entering grades 10 and 11 and was held on the Ashland campus July 6-12 and July 20-26. Megan Jaskinski of Blacklick and Stacy Bartlett of Reynoldsburg participated in the event. During the course of the week, participants got an early taste of college life as they received instruction from AU professors and stayed in campus residence halls. Students attended intensive seminars on a variety of subjects. To participate in the program, students had to be identified as gifted by their teachers and school administrators, and submit essays and letters of recommendation.

Bowling Green graduate
Abbi Larissa Sanford of Bexley was one of 1,280 students who graduated from Bowling Green State University Aug. 9, with Sanford earning her Specialist in Education degree.

GCAC sets grant deadline
The Greater Columbus Arts Council is currently accepting Project Support grant applications from central Ohio arts organizations. Applications are due in the GCAC office, located at 100 E. Broad Street, Suite 2250 by 5 p.m. Sept. 2.
Project Support grants provide funding for specific activities that are distinguishable from an organization's ongoing operations and programming. Project Support is defined as special, one-time activities such as performances or exhibitions with specific dates, budgets, objectives and evaluation plans. Organizations may request funding for items such as personnel, outside fees and services, space rental, travel associated with the project, production expenses, development and fundraising costs and remaining operating expenses.
New applicants are required to make either a personal or phone appointment to discuss an application prior to the deadline.
For more information or to request a Project Support application and guidelines, contact Ruby Classen at (614) 224-2606 or email your request to grants@gcac.org. The application and guidelines can also be downloaded from www.gcac.org. The next deadline for Project Support grants will be in April.

Church hosting VBS
Revival Baptist Church will host VBS from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. Aug. 24-28 for ages 4-12. Parent appreciation night will be held on Thursday. The theme will be "Walking with Jesus." There will be games, Bible teaching and crafts. Call 315-2532 if you need transportation. Revival Baptist Church is located on 14010 National Road State Route 40, Reynoldsburg. For more information, visit www.revivalbaptistchurch.com.

Violet Township Women's League begins with picnic
All women in Violet Township and the currounding area are invited to join the Violet Township Women's League, a charitable and social organization. The 2008-2009 year will begin with a potluck salad supper at 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at the american Legion Hall, 7725 Refugee Road, NW. Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. followed by a short business meeting.
Involvement in community service include awarding scholarships to graduating seniors in the Pickerington School District, providing Christmas for a family in need and each month focusing on a project such as the food pantry, rescue dogs, etc. The women also have fun activities throughout the month.
Both day and evening card games and book clubs, ladies-out-to-lunch, chick-flicks, day trips and a spring luncheon and style show are just a few of the social activities one can avail themselves of by joining this active club.
For more information, call Linda Fersch at 937-9749 or visit http://vtwl.trpod.com.

Governor appoints trustee
Linda Kass of Bexley has been appointed to The Ohio State University Board of Trustees by Governor Ted Strickland. Kass is a former journalist and corporate communications and public affairs executive. She currently serves as the chair of the Champion of Children initiative in Franklin County and the board chair of the Bexley Education Foundation. A past member of the Bexley Board of Education from 1994 to 2001, Kass also served on the board of trustees and executive committee for Capital University from 2003 to 2007. Kass received a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1975 and a master's degree from the Ohio State University in 1978.

Military wives hosting lunch
The Columbus Area Military Wives Club will meet for a luncheon Sept. 10 at Kensington Place, Lutheran Village, 1001 Parkview Blvd., Bexley. A social time will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at 12:15 p.m. The Velvet Ice Cream Company will provide the program and treats for all attendees. For reservations, call 837-6283 or 231-0915 before Sept. 5.

Violet Township planning annual 'biggest' picnic
The Violet Township Bicentennial Committee is planning one final picnic before fall sets in. On Sept. 7 at Pickerington High School Central, the Violet Township Bicentennial Community Picnic will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Planners are hoping that it will break the record for the World's Biggest picnic with more than 8,000 people attending.
The deadline to register is Aug. 18. To rent a table and eight chairs, it is $20. Individual seats at a table will be available to rent for $3. After Aug. 18, the price will increase to $5 for individual seats and $30 for complete tables. No seats or tables will be rented after Aug. 29.
In case of inclement weather, the picnic will be moved inside to Pickerington High School Central. Registration forms were mailed with the City of Pickerington Water Bill, or they may be picked up at the Pickerington Chamber of Commerce, 13 W. Columbus St., at the Violet Township Offices at 12979 Rustic Drive in Pickerington, by going to www.violetbicentennial.com or by calling 382-5989.
This is more than just a picnic, though. There will be contests and music during the event. The pickerington High School Central and Pickerington High School North Marching Bands will perform. There will be a kid's area, including a Bounce-A-Way and Doozy the Clown. There also will be a recipe contest for adults and for children that will judge cookies, pies and breads.
A table decoration contest will be held, with four categories for the public and a special category for businesses. An old fashioned sing-a-long will be held as well.
To cap the afternoon off, the Winchester Steel Company stell drum band from Canal Winchester High School will play at 4 p.m., follow by a live concert by Blessid Union of Souls, an internationally-recognized pop rock band that has had eight Top 40 hits.

Fitness Challenge
The Mount Carmel Fitness Challenge, held in and around the city of Reynoldsburg, is now in its 15th year and continues to grow popular as participants of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to partake.
This year, the fitness challenge features a 10K run, a 5K run and an in-line skating roll.
This Labor Day event will be filled with recreation excitement for all.
New this year, the Crossroads 10K run will challenge contestants through the streets of Reynoldsburg. This 6-2 mile course is a revised version from the orginal 13.1-mile half marathon to allow a more manageable distance with a big race atompshere.
Complementing the Crossroads 10K run will be the returning Tomato Town 5K run. This 3.1-mile race allows for a broader range of participants to sign up and give it their all.
Join the Raider Roll In-Line 10K, an inline skating roll for speed, skills and a wonderful tour of Reynoldsburg's city streets. The course will test your knack for small hjills, downhill streets, sharp corners and long straightways. The path has been thoroughly checked to assure a smooth roll.
For details on registration, contact Mary Hudson at 866-4888. To volunteer, call Benjamin Johnson at 920-7093.

Hotline volunteers needed
Caring volunteers are urgently needed to answer the Suicide Prevention Hotline. Because the hotline is answered 24 hours a day, it is vital to recruit and train enough volunteers to cover all shifts.
Volunteers at Suicide Prevention Services will receive 50 hours of training before they begin to answer the hotline. Volunteers make a commitment to answer the hotline for six hours a week for six months and many volunteers choose to continue working once they have completed their original commitment.
Volunteering for Suicide Prevention brings special rewards: training that will prove useful in many life situations, the chance to meet and work with an incredible group of caring people and the opportunity to save lives.
Training for the fall class of volunteers will begin in late September and end in November. Volunteers then work their weekly shifts from December through May.
To learn more about the program or to volunteer, call Mary Brennen-Hofmann or Susan Jennings at 299-6600.

Literacy volunteers needed
The Columbus Literacy Council is holding an information session about tutoring and other volunteer opportunities from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Sept. 20 at the Columbus Literacy Council office, 195 N. Grant Ave. Register at www.columbusliteracy.org or call Norma Wetzel at 221-5013.

Local dentist awarded
The Academy of General Dentistry is pleased to announce that Brian Best, DDS, of Reynoldsburg received the prestigious Mastership Award during the AGD's Convocation ceremony, a commencement celebration that recognizes AGD member's commitment to excellence in dental education. Held at the AGD's Annual Meeting & Exhibits on July 19 in Orlando, Fla., Best accepted this award along with more than 80 other recipients.
The Mastership Award is the highest honor available in the AGD and one of the most respected designations in the profession. This accomplishment meets the highest criteria for professional excellence. To accomplish this, Best completed 1,100 hours of continuing dental education in the 16 disciplines of dentistry, including 400 hours dedicated to hands-on skills and techniques.

Open auditions at JCC
Open auditions for women to be cast in the play Women's Minyan, by Naomi Ragen will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 17 and from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 18 in the JCC's Roth-Resler Theater.
"We are hoping to have members of the Jewish community come and audition for this play," said Jared Saltman, the show's producer and JCC Cultural Arts director. "It doesn't really matter if they've had a lot of acting experience or only had a walk-on during the high school play. Since this play deals directly with Jewish issues, it would be great to have more community members become involved in Gallery Players."
Based on a true story, Women's Minyan tells how a mother of 12 from the Orthodox Jewish community in Israel flees her abusive husband and, for the transgression of leaving her family, is banned by a court of men from ever seeing her children again. In the play, the woman meets with an all female "minyan" to confront the issue.
The all-female cast consists of 12 roles for women ages 20 through 60. Copies of the script are available for review at the JCC's front desk. Audition monologues are encouraged, but not required. The production will be presented three consecutive weekends from Nov. 1-16.
For more information, contact Saltman at (614) 559-6248 or jsaltman@columbusjcc.org. For more information on the Gallery Players' 2008-2009 season, visit the Web site at jccgalleryplayers.org.

JCC to host self-defense class for seniors
Grandmaster Jon Stephens, founder of American Free Spirit Karate Association in Columbus, will present an hour-long self-defense demonstration from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at the JCC for those older than 50.
Stephens, a 7th degree blackbelt, has developed a program entitled "World in Self-Defense" that is based upon the techniques of TaeKwon Do which can be used to thwart a would-be attacker.
No prior martial arts knowledge is necessary. If attending the class, be sure to wear comfortable clothing. To RSVP, contact Debbie Vinocur, JCC New Horizons program director, at 559-6214 or dvinocur@columbusjcc.org.
You don't have to be a JCC member, nor do you have to be Jewish, to attend the class.

Wilkinson named director
Jennifer Wilkinson has been named the new director of JCC North Preschool, replacing Nikki Henry, who now is serving as the director of JCC College Avenue Preschool in Bexley.
Licensed in Early Childhood Education, Jennifer holds a master's degree in education from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, as well as a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Michigan.

Library holding book sale
The Whitehall Branch of Columbus Metropolitan Library will hold a book sale for the public to benefit Friends of the Library from noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 21. If you are a member of Friends of the Library, you are invited to attend the pre-sale from 10 a.m. to noon. The branch is located at 4371 E. Broad St., Whitehall. For more information, call 645-2ASK.

Holy Spirit Parish to hold festival, homecoming
The Holy Spirit Parish Festival and Homecoming will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. Aug. 21, and 6 to midnight Aug. 22 and 23 at 4383 E. Broad St. (East Broad and Yearling Road). The event will include rides, food, games, a silent auction and continuous live entertainment.
The entertainment schedule includes:
• Thursday - Tailgate Party with Buckeye Brass (Buckeye Favorites) 6 to 7 p.m., Swings the Thing (Big Band) 7 to 9 p.m., and Tim O'Conner (Oldies/Pop/Rock) 9 to 11 p.m.
• Friday - Irish Step Dancing 6 to 7 p.m., Bill Canonico (Folk Rock, Jazz) 7 to 9 p.m., and A. J. Angelo (Oldies/Pop/Rock) 9 to midnight.
• Saturday - The Rock (Christian Rock) 6 to 7 p.m., Free Spirit Karate Club 7 to 8 p.m., and The Stadler Family Band (Rock, Oldies) 8 to midnight.
For more information, visit www.holyspiritcolumbus.org or call 861-1521.

Memorial service to honor fallen police officer
This year the neighborhood Memorial Service for Terry McDowell, the Whitehall police officer who was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 24, 2001, will be held on at noon Aug. 22. The service will take place on the circle at St. Francis Lane where it joins with Littleflower Lane in Whitehall (Norton Field Subdivision). This memorial service is open to everyone.

JCC early bird season subscription sale
An early bird season subscription sale is going on now through Nov. 1, offering 20 percent discounts on Gallery Players' 60th season subscriptions orders. The prices for a season subscription for all four shows are: JCC Member, $35; JCC Senior Member (60+), $30; Non-member, $45; and Non-member senior (60+), $40. For more information on the upcoming Gallery Players season, visit the Gallery Players Web site at www.jccgalleryplayers.org or call 559-6248.

Pickerington theater announces summer play
The Pickerington Community Theatre Inc. has announced its summer young actors production of "The Velveteen Rabbit." This production opens Aug. 22 and runs Aug. 22, 23, 24. 29, 30 and 31. All PCT productions are held at the Violet Grange Hall, 36 Lockville Road in Old Downtown Pickerington. Tickets are $10 and $8 for students and seniors. Tickets can be obtained at the door or reserved by calling Mel at 863-1861. Curtain times are 8 p.m. for all shows except Sundays, which have a 2 p.m. matinee. Doors open at 7:30 with tickets at the door going on sale at 6 p.m. and 12 p.m. on Sundays This show is for all ages. For more information please contact Mel Spring at 863-1861.

Games, food to fill church
Come enjoy yard games, food, balloons and fellowship from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 23 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 211 N. Merkle  Road, Whitehall. Enjoy playing outdoors with other children. Rain or shine.

Free event highlights artists
Are you an educator, school administrator or arts enthusiast? Join the Greater Columbus Arts Council at the 2008 Artist Preview Night and learn more about arts education opportunities for central Ohio classrooms. This year's Artist Preview Night will take place from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Veterans Memorial, 300 W. Broad St. Nearly 100 artists, all of whom are participants in GCAC's Artists-in-Schools program, will showcase their talent at this annual, free event. GCAC's Artists-in-Schools links professional artists and arts groups with K-12 schools and community groups, as well as private sector businesses, organizations and individuals. Reservations are not required for the 2008 Artist Preview Night. Contact Oulanje Regan at 221-8625 with questions regarding Artist Preview Night or GCAC's Artists-in-Schools program.

Community carnival Sept. 7
The Cassingham Elementary  PTO will host a Community Carnival from 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 7 on the grounds of the Cassingham complex. Pre-sale tickets  will be  made available during the week of Sept. 2-5 and will cost $10 per child. Admission will cost $12 on the day of the event. The Carnival will feature food from Bexley Pizza Plus, a raffle, arts & crafts, Luke the Juggler, a dunk tank, inflatables and many games like a Hula Hoop contest and sack relay races.  The event is set to kick off with a Fun Run for children. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Michele Welker at welkerhome@gmail.com.

Meeting to discuss capital improvement program
The city of Bexley will hold a Special Service Committee meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at Bexley City Hall, 2242 E. Main St. The meeting is being held to discuss an upcoming State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP)/Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP) to be submitted to the Ohio Public Works Commission by Sept. 8. The public is invited to attend. The following locations will be discussed: Sheridan Avenue (East Livingston Avenue to East Main Street) and Francis Avenue (East Livingston Avenue to East Mount Street.)

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