Fairfield Elementary holding toy drive
Fairfield Elementary in Pickerington will hold a gift card and toy drive now through Dec. 17. Interested families are asked to donate gift cards or a new toy for a child between 5 and 10 years old. Toys and gift cards may be dropped off in Mrs. Trexler’s office, located next to the gym.
If Fairfield receives more gifts than are needed to help the families at Fairfield, the additional toys will be donated to the local fire department’s toy drive.
Financial assistance
Catholic Social Services’ Senior Program has applications for the Home Energy Assistance program, Percentage of Income payment plan and AT&T Life Line. These programs one-time financial assisstance or ongoing financial assistance to low-income seniors and low-income disabled individuals. If you or someone you know could benefit from receiving this assistance, call Kim Conley at (614) 274-0095, ext. 15.
Pickerington Chamber sponsoring New Year event
Come join in the festivities and count down to the New Year from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31 at Beef O’Brady’s, located at 797 Hill Road North, Pickerington.
Festivities will include a New Year’s Eve "spirit", feast on an open buffet, cheer on the NCAA watching the Chick-fil-A bowl game from 8 to 10 p.m., followed by live disc jockey entertainment from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., and bring in the New Year with a midnight champagne toast. A full cash bar will be available.
Tickets are available for $35 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, stop by the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce, 13 W. Columbus St., or call (614) 837-1958.
Violet Township Women’s League to meet Dec. 16
The Violet Township Women’s League will meet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at the American Legion Hall, 7725 Refugee Road North. This will be the annual Christmas party, with a $20 gift exchange for those who wish to participate.
This fun and active club is open to all women in Violet Township, Pickerington and the surrounding area. Join the group to see what it’s all about. Contact Linda Fersch at (614) 837-9749 or go to http://vtwl.tripod.com.
Greater Columbus Swim Team results released
Greater Columbus Swim Team of Ohio (GCSTO) participated in the Rotelli’s Restaurant Kick Off B Meet, sponsored by GCSTO at The Columbus Academy Natatorium, Nov. 2. Individual results are as follows:
Bexley
Girls 9-10
Tyler Mansfield – (3rd) 50 yd. Free (33.87); (1st) 50 yd. Fly (38.04)
Boys 9-10
Andy Carper – (2nd) 100 yd. IM (1:28.70); (1st) 50 yd. Breast (43.86)
Girls 11-12
Rachel Politi – (3rd) 100 yd. IM (1:14.56); (2nd) 50 yd. Free (29.64); (2nd) 50 yd. Breast (39.90); (1st) 50 yd. Fly (31.20)
Pickerington
Girls 9-10
Kelsey Morgan – (3rd) 50 yd. Back (40.87); (2nd) 100 yd. IM (1:27.18); (1st) 50 yd. Breast (44.03)
Reynoldsburg
Girls 9-10
Stephy Aeling – (2nd) 100 yd. Free (1:24.98)
Girls 11-12
Lauren Bailey – (3rd) 200 yd. Free (2:50.50)
Marisa Glusich – (2nd) 200 yd. Free (2:47.32)
Boys 11-12
Michael Bungard – (1st) 100 yd IM (1:13.69); (1st) 50 yd. Free (28.50); (3rd) 50 yd. Breast; (1st) 100 yd. Free (1:02.87); (1st) 50 yd. Fly (37.18)
Devin Wooddell – (2nd) 50 yd. Fly (44.30); (2nd) 100 yd. Breast (1:44.13)
Boys 13-14
Edward Hueckel – (2nd) 100 yd. IM (1:18.40); (2nd) 50 yd. Free (30.60); (3rd) 100 yd. Free (1:11.46); (1st) 100 yd Fly (1:25.22)
Greater Columbus Swim Team of Ohio (GCSTO) participated in the 2008 Golden Bear Invitational Meet, sponsored by Upper Arlington Swim Club at Upper Arlington High School, Nov. 7-9. Individual results are as follows:
Bexley
Boys 13-14
Ronnie Bolden – (3rd) 100 yd. Fly (58.67); (1st) 50 yd. Free (23.48); (2nd) 100 yd. Free (53.29)
Pickerington
Girls 13-14
Andee Cottrell – (2nd) 200 yd. Breast (2:32.64); (2nd) 100 yd. Breast (1:08.83)
Boys 13-14
Patrick Kelly – (2nd) 400 yd. IM (open) (4:20.12); (3rd) 500 yd. Free (open) (4:58.90); (1st) 200 yd. Fly (2:04.52); (3rd) 200 yd. Breast (2:27.64); (1st) 200 yd. IM (2:06.33); (1st) 100 yd. Fly (57.03); (1st) 200 yd. Back (2:01.45); (1st) 100 yd. Free (51.62)
Reynoldsburg
Girls 13-14
Maddie Martin – (1st) 200 yd. Fly (2:11.98); (1st) 100 yd. Fly (1:00.12)
Boys 13-14
Nick McKinley – (2nd) 200 yd. Fly (2:13.20); (3rd) 200 yd. IM (2:13.61); (1st) 100 yd. Breast (1:09.19)
Greater Columbus Swim Team of Ohio (GCSTO) participated in the Raising Cane’s 2008 November B Meet, sponsored by GCSTO at The Columbus Academy Natatorium, Nov. 16. Individual results are as follows:
Bexley
Girls 9-10
Tyler Mansfield – (2nd) 50 yd Free (33.27); (3rd) 50 yd. Fly (38.74)
Boys 9-10
Andy Carper – (1st) 50 yd. Breast (42.60)
Girls 11-12
Rachel Politi – (2nd) 200 yd. IM (1:12.26); (2nd) 100 yd. Back (1:13.74); (3rd) 100 yd. Free (1:06.27); (1st) 200 yd. Free (2:26.98)
Pickerington
Girls 11-12
Ashley Stewart – (1st) 50 yd. Breast (35.24)
Reynoldsburg
Boys 9-10
Patrick McCafferty – (3rd) 200 yd. IM (3:25.23)
Girls 11-12
Sidney Martin – (3rd) 100 yd. IM (1:16.85); (3rd) 50 yd. Free (30.83); (3rd) 50 yd. Breast (38.95); (3rd) 100 yd. Breast (1:24.60); (2nd) 200 yd. Free (2:31.08)
Morgan McCafferty – (3rd) 200 yd. IM (2:38.58); (2nd) 50 yd. Free (30.54); (1st) 50 yd. Fly (33.09); (1st) 50 yd. Back (33.33); (3rd) 100 yd. Fly (1:15.82)
Boys 11-12
Michael Bungard – (3rd) 200 yd. IM (2:47.75); (2nd) 100 yd. Back (1:17.34); (2nd) 100 yd. Free (1:03.63); (1st) 200 yd. Free (2:24.82)
Patrick Lawrence – (2nd) 50 yd. Fly (36.88)
Devin Wooddell – (3rd) 50 yd. Fly (41.42); (3rd) 50 yd. Back (40.33)
Boys 13-14
Edward Hueckel – (3rd) 200 yd. IM (2:50.16); (1st) 50 yd. Fly (35.42); (3rd) 200 yd. Free (2:43.74)
‘Come East’ for Chamber dinner Feb. 7
"Come East" has been announced as the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce 2008 Annual Dinner theme and the planning is well under way.
Come join the chamber Feb. 7 at Hickory Lakes Party House in Pickerington. A silent auction and social hour will begin the night at 5:30, accompanied by a Sushi Bar sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and Simplicitea’s Tea Bar sponsored by Laura’s Loft.
This will be followed by the annual awards program and dinner catered by Blue Moon at 7 p.m. Invitations created and donated by Aubrennen’s Invitations & Fine Stationery, will soon be sent out.
This is a night you won’t want to miss thanks to our event sponsors Janna Coe Designs and South Central Power, and silver sponsors Jobs and Family Services, HFM Publications, Wal-Mart, Fifth Third Bank, Laura’s Loft and Aubrennen’s Invitations & Fine Stationary.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and silent auction donations are still being accepted as well. To inquire about sponsorships or the silent auction contact Melissa Neely at the Chamber office (614) 837-1958 or by e-mail at eventscoordinator@pickeringtonchamber.com.
Linden McKinley Class of 1959 to reunite
Linden McKinley High School Class of 59 will hold its 50-year class reunion Sept. 18-20, 2009 at North Pointe Conference Center, 9243 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center. Contact Jean Taylor Gruenbaum (614) 475-1131, jgruenbaum@att.net or Kelley Arthur (614) 890-3491, kellin777@aol.com.
Columbus business chapter looking for nominees
The Columbus Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators is now accepting nominations for its 2009 Distinguished Communicator Award.
The award is given annually by the IABC/Columbus Chapter to recognize outstanding leadership, professional accomplishment, service to the communications field, and involvement in the community.
Nominees are selected based on the following criteria:
• Contributions to and leadership in the organizational communication profession in the greater Columbus area
• Career achievement
• Professional recognition for other activities, including business-related achievements and community involvement
• Nominees DO NOT have to be a member of IABC International or IABC/Columbus
Nominations may be made by members of IABC/Columbus and by the general public. Nomination forms are due Jan 15, 2009.
To download the nomination form and for more details, visit http://columbus.iabc.com or contact Awards and Recognition Vice President Rebecca Hudson at rebecca.hudson@pacer.com.
Pickerington Garden Club to hold holiday celebration
A Christmas holiday celebration, dinner and gift exchange (not to exceed $10) will take place at 6 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Pickerington Garden Club’s monthly meeting.
New members and guests are welcome to attend. For more information and reservations, call Libby Stearns at (614) 837-4455 or Barbara Kochick at (614) 837-3951.
Red Cross offers classes
The American Red Cross of Greater Columbus is offering several courses in December, including the two listed below. Visit columbus.redcross.org for the full calendar of courses available.
Standard First Aid with CPR/AED – Adult teaches American Red Cross Adult CPR, Basic First Aid and AED essentials. Students will learn how to recognize and respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies and other emergencies caused by injury or sudden illness, as well as when and how to use an AED. Cost is $72 and is payable prior to the course date.
The class is offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 15 at the American Red Cross in Columbus, or from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 18 at the American Red Cross in Columbus.
The Standard First Aid with CPR – Adult Plus CPR – Child and Infant class helps students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent and provide basic care for injuries and sudden illnesses until advanced medical personnel can arrive and take over. Learn to recognize a breathing or cardiac emergency in adults, infants and children. Learn about the role of the Automated External Defibrillator. Cost is $82 and is payable prior to the course date.
The class is offered from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Dec. 16, 17 and 18 at the American Red Cross in Columbus.
For more information, call (614) 251-1444.
Winter Break Camp at JCC
Looking for something fun to do for your children over winter break? Come to the JCC of Greater Columbus, where the Children, Youth and Camping Department offers Winter Break Camp.
"We will be going on trips to Supergames, United Skates, Gym Extreme, Galaxy Golf and Games, Chiller, Bowling, and Graters, and we will also be swimming everyday," said Cori Bloch, JCC Children and Youth Program director. "We are going to have a lot of fun."
Week one runs from Dec. 22-26 (No camp on Dec. 25; however, a Family Day is being planned). Week two of Winter Break Camp runs from Dec. 29 through Jan. 2 (No camp on Jan. 1).
Members may register for one week at a discounted rate of $42.50 per day (must register for week one or week two to receive discount). Register for two weeks at a discounted rate of $40 per day (must register for both weeks to receive discount). Individual days of camp are $45 each.
Non-members may register for one week at a discounted rate of $52.50 per day (must register for week one or week two to receive discount). Register for two weeks at a discounted rate of $50 per day (must register for both weeks to receive discount). Individual days of camp for non-members are $55 each.
For more information or to register, contact Cori Bloch at (614) 559-6266 or Sue Vail at (614) 559-6251, or visit the JCC Web site at www.columbusjcc.org.
Career center offers help
Need help getting a job? New Directions Career Center (NDCC), a non-profit, United Way agency, offers men and women assistance with professional transitions. Services include but are not limited to professional assessment, career development, networking, job search techniques, interviewing skills, financial literacy, individual counseling and placement services.
November classes are filling up fast. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to get the expertise necessary in today’s competitive job market. NDCC assists individuals regardless of their ability to pay. Bring in this newspaper announcement and attend a class for $5. Scholarship programs are also available.
For more information, or to register for one of three November classes – New Directions, Advanced Career Techniques, and Creating Career Options – call (219) 849-0028, ext. 100.
Bexley leaf collection dates
The Bexley Service Department has begun its annual leaf collection program, which will end Dec. 19.
Leaves should be placed on the back side of the curb and not raked into the street or placed on the park beds under any circumstances. Leaves left in the streets slow collections, can cause street flooding, create traffic hazards and can clog the city’s storm water collection system. It is unlawful to place leaves in the street and violators can be cited. No leaves will be picked up from the alleys.
One leaf collection crew will begin on the west side of each section of the city. How quickly the leaves are collected will depend on the weather and the volume of leaves placed out for collection.
Residents can visit the city’s Web site at www.bexley.org or call the hotline at (614) 559-4202 for a daily schedule of collection activities.
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.
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.
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.
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
