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 Advent services 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19. Christmas Eve service will be held at 7:30 pm Dec. 24. Questions, call 235-4995.
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.
Reynoldsburg toy drive taking donations
Mary Burcham and Lt. Mike Shirey have for many years sponsored a toy drive for the needy children of the Reynoldsburg City School District. This toy drive is separate from the annual "Toys for Tots" drive which is for the Columbus area Fire Departments. This drive is specifically aimed for children of all ages that reside in / and or go to school in Reynoldsburg City District.
They are seeking donations from the community to assist in ensuring that the children will have presents to open on Christmas morning.
This group is seeking toy or monetary donations. Cash donations should be made at Reynoldsburg City Hall at 7232 E. Main St. Contact Mary Burcham at 322-6840.
Toys can be dropped off at the Truro Twp. Fire Department, City Hall or Enchanting Images Salon at Livingston Avenue and State Route 256. The deadline for donations is Dec. 20.
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| 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. |
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.
Whitehall forming Bicycle Trail Advisory Council
Whitehall Parks and Recreation Department is in the process of forming a Bicycle Trail Advisory Council. The intention is to promote the importance of bike and walking trails to the community. This council would help with the planning and promotion of a bike trail system in Whitehall, and how it could connect to existing trails that border the city.
Participation is not limited to Whitehall residents. Anyone interested in joining the advisory council, can contact Parks Director Terry Gee at 205-7261 or email at tgee@cityofwhitehall.com.
Bexley City Council meetings at Cassingham school complex
The Dec. 18 and 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.
The Dec. 18 meetings (a week early due to the Christmas holiday) are scheduled as follows: Zoning & Development Committee – 5:30 p.m.; Finance Committee – 6 p.m.; City Council – 7 p.m.
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.
Pride Center East has sign-up for toy drive
The Neighborhood Pride Center East, 3585 E. Livingston Avenue will be accepting applications from Columbus residents to sign up their children to receive toys from this year’s toy drive.
To sign up on Dec. 20 between 1 and 6 p.m., you will need a picture identification of parent/guardian; Social Security Card for each child, proof of income (pay stub, award letter, child support letter, unemployment stub, utility check; proof of Columbus address; proof of each child (birth certificate, Care Source Card, Medicaid Card). This is for Columbus zip codes 43227, 43232, 43068, 43209 and 43213. For questions, call 724-0100.
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 Information 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 559-6253 or rfox@columbusjcc.org.
Light bulb give-away a shining success
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| Filling the giveaway bags with energy-efficient Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs are, from left, Rabbi Naphtali Weisz, and Beth Jacob members Eran Flicker and Harvey Wasserman. They distributed 1,000 of the packages Dec. 6. |
By noon on Dec. 9, Rabbi Naphtali Weisz of Beth Jacob Congregation had given away 1,000 packages of Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) at the JCC of Greater Columbus. The giveaway was underwritten by a grant from the Melvyn Palius Environmental Protection Fund of the Columbus Jewish Foundation in the name of the late congregation member and environmental advocate.
"Chanukah is the Festival of Lights because a small flask of oil intended to last only one day lasted for eight. We put a modern ‘twist’ on the ancient miracle and helped the environment at the same time," he said.
Rabbi Weisz said CFLs use about 75 percent less electricity and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, thereby reducing pollution caused by electric generating stations.
Filling the giveaway bags with energy-efficient Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs are, from left, Rabbi Naphtali Weisz, and Beth Jacob members Eran Flicker and Harvey Wasserman. They distributed 1,000 of the packages Dec. 6.
Brownlee promoted to director of sports and wellness
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| Jeanna Brownlee |
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus announces the promotion of Jeanna Brownlee to the newly created position of Director of Sports and Wellness.
Brownlee previously served as the director of recreation at the JCC, and now will oversee both the Recreation and Fitness areas, specifically overseeing staffing and programs for recreation, fitness, group exercise, personal training, and aquatics.
"Jeanna’s nearly nine years of experience at the JCC, her knowledge of both the recreation and fitness fields, and her commitment to the mission of the JCC makes her the perfect person to provide professional leadership to one of the JCC’s largest core program areas," said Carol Folkerth, JCC executive director.
A native of Adair, Iowa, Brownlee holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration and Business Administration from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. She started working at the JCC in 1999 as the recreation supervisor.
"I am very excited about this new position. I want to make the Diamond Family Fitness Center the place where our members feel like they truly belong," said Brownlee. "I am fortunate to have a good staff and work with some very talented coworkers."
Her promotion leaves open the position of Director of Recreation, as well as the position of Director of Fitness. For more information on these job opportunities, visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org, or call (614) 231-2731.
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.
Auditions for Gallery Players’ "South Pacific"
Gallery Players, the JCC’s community theater group, will hold auditions for "South Pacific" on Sunday, Dec. 16, from 4 to 6 p.m., and Monday, Dec. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m.
There are roles for 20 men, ranging in age from 20 to 60; nine women ranging in age from 20 to 35; one 35 to 50-year-old character woman; one 17-year-old girl, and two children, a girl (8 to 11 years old) and a boy (6 to 8 years old).
"A handful of roles are of Polynesian decent, so actors of ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to audition," said Jared Saltman, JCC Cultural Arts director. "Singing and acting is required of all roles, and most roles must be able to dance."
Those intending on auditioning should wear comfortable clothes for dancing, as well as bring their resume, photo, and at least 16 bars of music for their audition song. A pianist will be provided for the auditions. Eight performances will be staged from Feb. 23 through March 9. The production will be directed by Pam Hill.
For information, visit the website at www.jccgalleryplayers.org, or call 559-6248.
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: Wednesday, Dec. 19 – Nationwide Arena Tour, Blue Jackets Practice, and Ice Skating; Thursday, Dec. 20 – Jungle Gym; Friday, Dec. 21 – Movie Day; 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 "Mazel and Shlimazel"
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 Shlimazel," Dec. 8-16. "Mazel and Shlimazel" 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 Shlimazel, the spirit of bad luck, and his henchmen, the Jinxes.
•"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.
