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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Exercise for seniors
Seniors are invited to exercise on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 55 Pasadena Ave. Men and women aged 50 to 90 and up have exercised at the facility since 2001. The instructor leads each session with warm-ups, play balls, resistance bands, hand weights, some low-impact aerobics and balance activities. Each participant can adapt the routine to his/her comfort level. The cost is $35 for each eight-week session. Call the instructor, Lori Vazquez, at 989-4595 with questions.
GriefShare seminar
GriefShare seminar and support group (for those grieving the loss of a loved one) will meet at Cypress Wesleyan Church, 377 Alton-Darby Creek Road, each Sunday at 6 p.m. through April 6. For more information or to register, call Debbie Brisentine at the church office, 878-8192, ext. 238. There is also children’s programming available each Sunday for infants through high school age – some require pre-registration so ask about that when you call. Log on to www.griefshare.org or www.cypressonline.net for more information.
DivorceCare seminar
DivorceCare recovery seminar and support group will meet at Cypress Wesleyan Church, 377 Alton-Darby Creek Road, each Sunday at 6 p.m. through April 6. There will also be one session held the morning of Saturday, Feb. 2. For more information or to register, call Debbie Brisentine at the church office, 878-8192, ext. 238. There is also children’s programming available each Sunday for infants through high school age – some require pre-registration so ask about that when you call. You can also check out the DivorceCare Web site, www.divorcecare.org or the church Web site, www.cypressonline.net, for more information.
Free AARP help
Dodge Senior Center, 667 Sullivant Ave., is offering free AARP help on Thursday, Jan 31. through April 10 by appointment. Call Dodge at 645-3176 to schedule. Appointment times are 9, 10 and 11 a.m., as well as 12 noon. Bring your copy of last year’s tax forms and any other necessary information.
VFW Post 6065
VFW Post 6065 will hold their meetings on the third Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. Meetings last about one hour and are held at the Prairie Township Senior Center, 4656 West Broad St. Those interested in getting involved or volunteering time should attend a meeting. The Ladies Auxilary meets at 6:30 p.m. The motivations of the VFW are patriotic, historical, and educational. They strive to perpetuate the memory and history of thier dead, and to assist their widows and orphans. Call Will Davis at 309-0171 for further information.
St. Paul Benefit Bank
The Benefit Bank at St. Paul Lutheran Church will have trained people available on Thursdays from 2-4 p.m. and every other Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon to assist individuals through the initial paperwork to receive the following services:
•Food Stamps
•Healthy Start/Healthy Families
•Title 20 Child Care Subsidies
•Ohio Works First
•Medicare Savings program
•HELP (Home Energy Assistance Program)
•Voter Registration
The church is located at 55 Pasadena Ave., just west of Doctor’s Hospital. Call 878-4715 for more information.
Help available at NDCC
Are you in the midst of a life transition? New Directions Career Center (NDCC), a non-profit, United Way agency, offers individuals support to enter or re-enter the work force – regardless of their ability to pay. Their licensed counselors take a holistic, individualized approach to seminars and workshops focusing on career building techniques with the ultimate goal of achieving financial independence though fulfilling employment. Additionally, the four week, New Directions class is designed exclusively for women re-entering the workforce after a death, divorce, addiction, depression, etc. Placement services are available to program graduates.
For more information on programs, services, or scholarships contact Meredith Kitts at 849-0028.
Valleyview open council seat
The Village of Valleyview Council is currently accepting resumes for an open council seat that was not filled in the last election. The term of the seat is from Jan. 1, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2012. Send or drop off all resumes to Village Hall by Jan. 28.
In your resume, list all qualifications and reason for seeking the position.
Note: All applicants must be a resident of the Village to be considered.
Fund-raising vendor fair
The South-Western City Schools District Council of PTA’s is hosting the 6th annual fund-raising vendor fair.
The event will take place in the commons at Westland High School, located at 146 Galloway Road, in Galloway, on Feb. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon. Fund raising vendors will be showcasing products available for fund raisers for spring and fall. The event is open to the public. The council is inviting all PTA/PTSA’s, booster groups, trip advisors, and school staff.
For more information, contact Diane Walker at 276-8828.
CCHS music competition
The Central Crossing High School Instrumental Music Department has announced their 6th annual “Indoor Winterguard and Drumline MEPA Competition” to be held at CCHS on February 2-3. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. -10 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. -5 p.m. This competition will host over 130 different performing units from across Ohio and adjacent states. Each day will have its own awards ceremony as there are actually two separate competitions. The contest will be open to the public with admission at the door. Adults aged 19-61 will be charged $8 all day, youths 7-18 are $7 and under 6 are free. Questions may be directed to Justin Hibbitt, assistant director of bands at CCHS, by calling 801-6543 or e-mailing Justin.hibbitt@swcs.us. or by visitng the Web site, www.centralcrossingband.org.
Busy Bee Playtime
Busy Bee Playtime is held every Thursday morning from 10 a.m. to noon at Sharon Mennonite Church in Plain City. Busy Bee Playtime is held in the church’s fellowship hall, where there is room for children ages 0-5 to play and fellowship together. It is a chance for the children to play while the adults watch over them and also visit with each other. Near the end of the playtime, we have a short circle time to sing songs together.
All children need to be accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or caregiver. There is no cost. You are welcome to come late or leave early since this is an “open gym” format. The program runs through the end of May. The church is located at 7675 Amity Pike in Plain City. For more information, e-mail busybees@sharonmennonite.org or call the church at 614-873-8290.
NDCC financial seminar
New Directions Career Center, a non-profit, United Way agency, is offering a free workshop to support job seekers with financial concerns. The two-hour program addresses how to handle the financial challenges often prompted by unemployment.
Presenter Reggie Thomas of Huntington Bank will share how to prioritize financial goals and obligations, talk with creditors when you cannot pay bills, maintain housing and insurance, effectively employ strategies for spending less, and much more.
The workshop, open to women and men, will be held Jan. 29 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at New Directions Career Center, 370 S. Fifth St., Suite G-1. There is no charge to attend the event but participants must register by calling 849-0028, extension 100.
Gantz scholarship
Gardens at Gantz volunteers are offering a scholarship of up to $1,000 to a student interested in studying landscaping, horticulture, sustainable living or conservation at an accredited college or university. They are also offering a $500 grant to an organization with a gardening related project.
Applicants must be residents of the South-Western City School District. The application deadline is March 31. Contact gantzedu@wideopenwest.com for additional details and applications.
WCCWC luncheon
The West Columbus Christian Women’s Club luncheon is to be held Tuesday, Feb. 26, from noon to 1:45 p.m. at the Heritage Golf Club House, 3525 Heritage Club Dr., Hilliard. The cost is $14, inclusive. Babysitting is free, and reservations and cancellations are required for the nursery.
Guest speaker will be Terri Sevinsky of Strongsville; vocalist will be Karen Wheeler; special feature for the day is Cathy Sherman of Carriage House of Flowers.
For reservations, call Betty at 861-0611, or Audra at 777-5578.
Chili and Soup Cook Off
Parkview United Methodist Church, 344 S. Algonquin Ave., will hold its annual Chili/Soup cook off oSaturday, Feb. 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. The cost for adults is $5 and $2 for children. Vote for your favorite chili, soup, and dessert. For more information, contact Bette Fisher at 274-7293 or Marianna Scott at 274-9231.
CLC Information Sessions
The Columbus Literacy Council is holding Information Sessions about tutoringand other volunteer opportunities on Jan. 26 and Feb. 23, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. The sessions will be held at the CLC office, 195. North Grant Ave. Register at www.columbusliteracycouncil.org or call Norma Wetzel at 221-5013 ext. 215.
Anti-gang seminar
The Great Western Blockwatch, in association with the Columbus Division of Police, is proud to present an anti-gang seminar. Everyone within the Westside Messenger’s distribution area is invited and encouraged to attend.
This meeting will be held Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. at Hoge Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2930 W. Broad St. and is free of charge. The special speaker is Detective Thad Alexander of the Columbus Division of Police Anti-gang Unit.
Detective Alexander will present information on how to recognize and protect ourselves from gangs as well as inside information to the inner-workings of specific gangs across the country and gangs right here on the Westside of Columbus.
“Aglow” meeting
“Aglow,” a network of caring women, will meet Feb. 12, at The Potter’s House, 3220 Lowell Dr., at 9:45 a.m.
Continental Breakfast will be served at a cost of $5.
Our speaker will be Rev. Scott Kelso, Steering Committee Chairman of C-CAM. Through the lessons and experiences he will share, each one can learn how God wants to ignite you to fulfill your life’s destiny and use you to pass that flame on to others. Men are invited.
For reservations and more information, call 263-0607 or 889-1708 by noon Friday, Feb. 8.
OHC openings
The Ohio Hispanic Coalition has immediate openings available for individuals who speak fluent English and any other foreign language within the Interpreter Services department.
Languages in high demand include: Spanish, Somali, Portuguese, Russian, East Asian (more specifically Mandarin and Cantonese) and American Sign Language (ASL). All languages accepted!
Interested individuals are encouraged to apply in person Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at: Ohio Hispanic Coalition, 6161 Busch Blvd., Suite 311, Columbus, Ohio 43229.
First Saturday at Greenlawn
The Tyler family, one of the oldest African American families in Franklin County, is the topic for the Feb. 2 First Saturday at Green Lawn program which celebrates Black History Month.
Kelly McCoy Williams will be talking about the matriarch of that family, Ann Fowler McCoy, one of the many family members at Green Lawn. Ann Fowler McCoy was the first member of the family to arrive in Ohio, settling in the Buckeye State in 1817.
Among her descendants were a Columbus newspaper reporter, a well-known pharmacist on the east side of Columbus, and television reporter Dana Tyler, formerly with a local station, but now in New York.
The program will be held at 11 a.m. at the Huntington Chapel at Green Lawn, 1000 Greenlawn Ave. The program is free and open to the public.
First Saturday programs, offered every month, celebrate the life of people interred at Green Lawn who had an impact on life in Central Ohio. The programs are free and open to the public.
The program is one of the many activities offered by the Green Lawn Volunteers.
Green Lawn Cemetery, established in 1848 as a nonprofit association, covers 360 acres, 80 of which are undeveloped. It is also known as an arboretum with its many trees which provide a habitat for birds and other wildlife.
WHSAB reverse raffle
The Westland High School Athletic Boosters will hold thier sixth annual reverse raffle on Feb. 16 from 6-9 p.m. at 5300 Crosswinds Blvd. Tickets are $10 and include finger food. They are available at door or by contacting any sport liaison or Beverly Lykins at 851-0982. Tax deductible tem donations will be accepted. WHSAB supports all 16 teams at Westland and this fund raiser helps buy equipment, uniforms and whatever else is needed to keep the teams going.
St. Paul Pancake Dinner
St. Paul Lutheran Church will host a Pancake Dinner on Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 5-7 p.m. Food will be prepared by the Men’s group and will come with pancakes, sausages, applesauce and a drink. Cost is $4 for ages 13-adult, $2.25 for ages 4-12, and 3 and under are free. The church is located at 55 Pasadena Ave., a half-mile west of Doctor’s Hospital off of West Broad. For more information, call 878-4715 or visit www.stpaulcommunity.com.
St. Paul announces services
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 55 Pasadena Ave., would like to announce the following services:
•Ash Wednesday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m.
•Lenten dinners and services, Feb. 13, 20, 27, March 5, 12. Dinner will be at 6 p.m. and services at 7 p.m. There will be a guest speaker at each service.
Handbell choir concert
Five area handbell choirs will join together to present a concert on Feb. 3, at 4 p.m. The concert will be held in the St. Cecilia School gymnasium located at 440 Norton Road.
The participating bell choirs are from St. Cecilia Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in German Village, and three Grove City churches: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. John’s Lutheran, and Trinity United Methodist.
Highlights of the concert include several pieces performed by the individual bell choirs, and 5 mass choir pieces, with brass instruments and keyboard on one of the pieces.
The concert is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will be collected with the proceeds going to the Westside Food Pantry.
WABA luncheon
The Westland Area Business Association will hold their next luncheon meeting at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 55 Pasadena Ave. Michael Wilkos, Senior Impact director of United Way of Central Ohio will address the group. The cost of lunch is $6. Anyone interested should register by contacting Ardis Offensend at 878-4466 or ajodanhurst@aol.com no later than Friday, Feb. 1.
South Ogden Avenue Block Watch neighborhood forum
The South Ogden Avenue Block Watch will host a neighborhood forum on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m., to address the recent spike in violence, vacant homes, and blight that has plagued the area, especially on and around South Ogden Avenue. It will be held at the Hilltop Library, 511 South Hague Avenue.
Several city and county officials have confirmed they will attend, including 19th Precinct Liaison Officer Ken Ramos and Assistant Safety Director Seth Walker.
South Ogden Avenue Block Watch and Hilltop community members, the Columbus Division of Police, and anyone who has an interest in the Hilltop are encouraged to attend. The purpose of the forum is to look for ideas, help, and input to attempt to solve these issues will not disappear on their own. We cannot sit by idly and let our neighborhood be taken from us. The time to act is now.
If you have questions, contact Lisa or Justin Boggs at 276-7542 or email lisaboggs693@sbcglobal.net.
Hilltop resident discussion
Parkview United Methodist Church, 344 S. Algonquin Ave., will host a neighborhood discussion for residents of the Hilltop on Saturday, Feb. 2 from 10-11:30 a.m. The meeting will use strengths within the community to address “Quality of Life” issues. The meeting will end with a draft of what will become the Action Plan. Many local residents and community leaders will be participating. The meeting will be held on the lower level of the church. Breakfast will be provided.
Stephens honored
Andrea Stephens of Northwest Counseling Services was honored with the 2007 William B. George Memorial Award at the 2007 ADAMH Annual Meeting at the Center for Workforce Development at Columbus State Community College.
Stephens graduated in the spring of 2007 from Ohio Dominican University with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She interned at Northwest Counseling Services Older Adult Program for two semesters and obtained full-time employment with Franklin County Jobs and Family Services as an Opportunity Center Case Worker in September. In November, she obtained her LSW from the State of Ohio.
Stephens is a resident of the Westside.
Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner
St. John Lutheran Church will have their annual Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner on Feb. 1 from 5-7 p.m. They will serve pork, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes and homemade desserts. The cost is $5, children 12 and under are $3.
St. John is located on the southeast corner of West Broad Street and Hague Ave. There is parking in the back of the church. The meal will be served downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. Open to the public.
DivorceCare meets
DivorceCare, a divorce recovery seminar and support group, will meet at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church, 3005 Holt Road in Grove City, on Tuesdays Feb. 12 through May 6 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
There is a registration fee of $15 due the first night of class. DivorceCare features nationally recognized experts on divorce and recovery topics. For more information about topic, log onto www.divorcecare.org. For more information on the meeting, contact the church at 277-2700.
Child’s first haircut photos
Have you misplaced a roll of film with a child’s first haircut? A roll of undeveloped film was found in October of 2007 at Home Depot on West Broad Street. The film has been developed and most of the pictures show a child getting his first hair cut. If this filmmay belong to you, please call the Messenger, at 272-5422.
If you live in Westgate and love it here.
If you want to see our little stretch of Broad Street spruced up.
If you wish Westgate had a neighborhood coffee shop or book store.
If you believe the residents of Westgate can work together for positive change.
Then let‚s talk about it!
Bring your good ideas and your good neighbors to discuss the possibility of forming Westgate Neighborhood Council (civic organization).
The meeting will take place Sunday, Feb. 10, from 2-4 p.m. Hilltop branch of the Coplumbus Metropolitam Library, in the community room.
More that 500 students and their families are expected to attend the Annual Step Into Summer Opportunities Fair on Monday, March 3, from 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St.
This event will feature over 50 exhibitors from Central Ohio and around the state to share information on summer activities, ranging from traditional outdoor camps to academic interests. Students can enroll in programs featuring art, music, pre-college courses and sports. Organized by Parents for Academic Challenge and Enrichment (P.A.C.E.) and the Step Into College Program of Columbus Public Schools, the fair is also sponsored by Huntington Banks, with support from the Franklin Park Conservatory. The fair is free of charge and open to all families. Parents and students are encouraged to come and speak with the program representatives about the many summer opportunities.
Each family will receive a Step Into Summer Opportunities Fair booklet, listing the exhibitors and their programs. Parking at the Conservatory is free. All ages from preschool through high school will find a summer program that will spark their talents and interest.
For more information, contact the Opportunities Fair coordinator at 343-3704.
CCS community meetings
Columbus City Schools (CCS) will host a series of meetings to provide important information and gather input from residents and business interests throughout the school district. Meetings will concentrate on several topics, including district financial outlook, a status report on the school construction program, an academis achievement progress report, and information on the potential academic plan.
The meeting for Westside residents will be held Monday, Feb. 11, at Wedgewood Middle School, 3800 Briggs Road, at 6 p.m.
For more information, visit the district’s Web site, www.columbus.k12.oh.us, or call 221-FACT (3228).
