Whats happening on the Westside

Be sure to read the Westside Messenger to find out what’s going on in your neighborhood! To submit events and announcements to this section, e-mail information to westside@columbusmessenger.com.

 

Paper recycling program

Parkview United Methodist Church’s paper recycling program is beginning its fifth year. Newspapers, junk mail, catalogs, and more can be dropped in the green and yellow recycling bins in the church’s parking lot, at 344 S. Algonquin Ave. No cardboard or telephone books.

 

PTSC exercise programs

The Prairie Township Senior Center hosts excercise programs free of costs throughout the week. The schedule is as follows:

Mondays – 10 a.m., Low Impact Aerobics

Tuesdays – 9:30 a.m., Gentle Stretchers

Wednesdays – 10 a.m., Conditioning Exercise

Fridays – 10 a.m., Gentle Stretchers

These programs are provided through a grant from Mt. Carmel hospital. For additional information, call 878-5110.

 

Committee members needed

The Greater Hilltop Area Commission seeks community members to serve on various committees for the 2007-2008 commission term. Committee members do not have to be members of the full commission. Interested persons can learn about the commission and get more information online at www.TheGHAC.com.

 

Awana Clubs

Awana Clubs for boys and girls, from three-years-old to sixth grade. These clubs meet on Wednesdays, from 6:45-8:30 p.m., at Briggs Road Baptist Church, 3231 Briggs Road. Call 272-7430 for more information.

 

GriefShare at local church

GriefShare recovery support group will be hosted by Cypress Wesleyan Church in Galloway each Sunday at 6 p.m. through Dec. 9.  The class will meet in the District Center, 457 Alton-Darby Creek Road (the brick building north of the church, close to the railroad tracks).  Children’s programs are being offered at the same time for infants through 12th grade at no cost.  To register or to receive more information, call Debbie Brisentine at the church office, 878-8192 ext. 238, or visit the GriefShare Web site, www.griefshare.org.

 

Free healthy living courses

The Franklin County Commissioners will host a series of free lunch hour courses geared towards helping residents and county workers enjoy healthier lives.  The courses will be held each Wednesday through the end of the year and are open to the public. Those who attend the courses will receive lessons on healthy activities such as golf, ballroom dancing, cooking, exercise and more. Each session begins at 11:30 a.m. in the first floor lobby of the Franklin County Courthouse, 373 S. High Street. For the schedule of classes, visit www.FranklinCountyOhio.gov/Commissioners.

 

12 Step Recovery program

Friends Worship Center, 3030 Clime Rd., will host “12 Step Recovery: Celebrate Recovery” for all addictions including co-dependency every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. Come early, stay late for fellowship. For more information, call 279-1892 or 395-6309.

 

Briggs band alumni

Looking for past members of the Briggs High School marching band, flag corp. andmajorettes for a homecoming reunion. Contact Teresa Wamsley-Baker at briggsbandalumni@aol.com or 419-3358.

 

Ladies Auxiliary

Plans are underway to form a Ladies Auxiliary Group at AM VETS Post 300.  All post members are asked to participate in this open enrollment.  All women that are related to a Post 300 member (grandmother, mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt) are encouraged to join and support our military families.  Please contact the Post Commander, Barbara Megoloff, at 614-276-8083 for more information.  Remember, all good deeds start with the family.         

 

FHHS Band Bazaar

The Franklin Heights High School band boosters will hold its annual Holiday Crafts Bazaar on Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Franklin Heights High School, 1001 Demorest Road in Columbus. There will be a variety of vendors, a concession stand, live entertainment, a 50/50 raffle, as well as a raffle for other prizes. Admission is $1 per person. If you are a vendor and would like to reserve a table, the cost is $25 per table, plus $2 if electricity is needed. Reserve space by calling Deb Kakos at 275-4480.  The craft bazaar is an annual fund raiser for the Franklin Heights marching band and is sponsored by the band boosters. All profits from the event will benefit the band.

 

Walkers’ bake sale

The Dodge Senior Center, 667 Sullivant Ave., will hold the Walkers’ Annual Homemade Cookie/Candy Bake Sale, Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

 

Christmas luncheon

The Dodge Senior Center, 667 Sullivant Ave., will host a Christmas Luncheon Party, Thursday, Dec. 13, at 11:30 a.m.  Cost is $6 per person. Reservation deadline is Dec. 7. The luncheon will be followed by a holiday game, baskets of goodies for auctioning, plus more goodies to take home.  “The Man” will be here, too. As we did last year, please bring an unwrapped gift  up to age 11, for the  neighborhood childrens’ Christmas Party, marked for a boy or girl.

 

Bingo Thursday

Bingo Thursday will be held at the Dodge Senior Center, 667 Sullivant Ave., Dec. 13, at 12:30 p.m.  Bring $l worth of non-perishables goods and receive 3 cards; $2 worth gets 6 cards.

 

Greater Columbus F.W.B.

The Greater Columbus F.W.B. Church , 2546 Briggs Road, will be presenting “The Gates of Hell” Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. Admission is free but seating is limited – arrive early. Contact Tim Young at 853-1142 with questions.

 

Valleyview leaf pick up

The Village of Valleyview will provide leaf pick up to residents Dec. 3. All leaf piles should be placed loosely in the flat portion of the road right-of-ways, not in ditches or alleys. No bags or boxes will be picked up, and no other yard waste except grass clippings may be added to the piles.

 

Hoge Memorial winter sale

There will be a winter version of the fall sale at Hoge Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2930 W. Broad St., on Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale will feature flea market treasures, toys, Christmas items, crafts, inexpensive gift baskets, baked goods and clothing. The public is welcome.

 

Columbus Literacy Council

The Columbus Literacy Council is holding an informational session about tutoring and other volunteer opportunties on Saturday, Dec. 1, 9:30 to 11 a.m. The session will be held at the CLC office, 195 N. Grant Ave. To register, call Norma Wetzel at 221-5013.

 

Zone Initiative meeting

Assistant City Attorney, Jody Spurlock, will be speaking at a meeting regarding “The Zone Initiative,” a program started by Columbus City Attorney, Richard C Pfeiffer, to improve communication between the City Attorney’s Office, the Columbus Division of Police, Code Enforcement, the City Dept. of Health and Sanitation, neighborhood associations and other community organizations in order to aid in enhancing Columbus neighborhoods. The meeting will be held Tues, Dec. 4, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Westland High School’s ERC.

 

Home maintenance workshop

Homes on the Hill CDC will hold a free workshop focusing on do-it-yourself home maintenance and repair Nov. 28, from 6-8 p.m. This hands-on workshop will be held in one of Homes on the Hill’s residential rehabbed properties, 2716 Regina Ave., so that participants may learn firsthand the many ways to maintain and improve a home.  This class is free and open to the public. While it is geared toward homeowners, anyone interested in learning about the topic is encouraged to attend. This workshop may also meet the educational and counseling requirements for some refinancing programs.

To register or for more information, call Homes on the Hill at 275-4663.

 

Financial Planning 101

“Financial Planning 101” is the final free workshop in a series of personal finance topics, and will be held Tuesday, Nov. 27, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Hilltop Branch of the Columbus Library, 511 S. Hague Ave. This workshop will focus on basic money management principles to help area residents reach their financial goals for 2008 and beyond. Goal-setting, effective spending plans and savings strategies for retirement, education and debt reduction will be discussed.  This workshop is free and open to the public. Call the Consumer Credit Counseling Service office, 552-2222, to register.

 

Service of Thanksgiving

St. Paul Lutheran Church, 55 Pasadena Ave., will offer a Service of Thanksgiving on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. The service is open to the community and all are welcome. There will be non-traditional hymns and the choir will have special music. Canned goods and non-perishable items will be recieved for distribution to the food pantry.

 

Thomas Play Day

Sir Topham Hatt cordially invites all Thomas the Tank Engine fans for a Thomas Play Day, Nov. 24 from 1-4 p.m. at United Art and Education, 3622 Fishinger Blvd., Hilliard. There will be fun coloring and play activities, BINGO and face painting. There will also be story time with Sit Topham Hatt at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Prizes, savings and fun, bring your camera! This event is free of charge and open to the public.

 

Café Christmas

The Cypress Wesleyan Church Women’s Ministry Team will host their annual Café Christmas Dec. 11, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the church, 377 Alton-Darby Creek Road, Galloway.  The evening includes Christmas carols, desserts and a hilarious speaker.  All women are welcome to attend. Humor columnist, author and speaker Rhonda Rhea will bring a smile to your face. Rhonda’s work can be seen in publications in the U.S., Canada and South Africa.  She has written hundreds of articles and has published several novels.

Tickets for Café Christmas are $5 and will be sold through Dec. 9. For more information, contact Susan Knight at 878-8192 ext 227.

 

Westland Band Boosters Christmas tree sale

Westland Band Boosters will hold their annual Christmas tree sale in the Kroger parking lot on the corner of Galloway Road and West Broad Street. The sale will start Nov. 23 and will run until all trees are sold. Hours are Monday through Friday, from 5-8 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and Sundays from 12-6 p.m. Prices for trees will start at $30.

 

Internet Safety Seminars

Hoge Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2930 W. Broad St., will be holding Internet safety seminars Dec. 5 and 12 from 6-9 p.m. Both seminars will feature presentations by the Columbus Police Department. A representative from the online group Preverted Justice will also be speaking about the dangers of internet chat rooms and staying safe online.

There is no charge to attend but donations will be accepted for the purpose of continuing these seminars. Drinks and snacks will be provided both nights. Seating will be limited, so call the church office in advance at 276-5433, Monday thorugh Thursday, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. to reserve seats.

 

PTSC special event

The Prairie Township Senior Center, located at 4656 W. Broad St., will be hosting a special event Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. Those in attenfance will get their questions answered about Medicare Part D presription drug plans, enjoy free food and live music, and enter a raffle for prizes. To RSVP, call 1-800-445-2449, or for more information call 878-5110.

 

Westgate Secret Santa

Westgate Elementary PTA will hold their annual Secret Santa Dec. 7, from 6-8 p.m. at the school, 3080 Wicklow Road.  A children’s market will sell items for $1-$5, as well as holiday crafts, a silent auction and photos with Santa. Vendors are needed to set up tables and sell their goods. You must provide your own table, and there is a vendors fee of $5. 

Reserve your space today by calling Andrea Burnham at 343-3704. Secret Santa is an annual PTA fundraiser and all profits will ben