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.
FHHS jazz band dinner
The annual Franklin Heights High School jazz band’s jazz dinner and dance will be held April 18 from 6-11 p.m., at the Berwick Manor Restaurant.
Following the dinner, the jazz band will perform. Tickets are $25 per person for adults and $15 for children 11 and under. Contact Brenda Lenihan at 871-0645 or Cyd Ball at 278-7847 for more information or to by tickets. Tickets should be purchased in advance. All profits from this event will benefit the Franklin Heights High School band.
Free Spanish/English classes
Free Spanish/English classes will be offered to anyone interested at the Free Store, 3030 Sullivant Ave., on Wednesdays, beginning March 26 through May 28 from 7-8 p.m. Child care will be provided.
Paper recycling at Parkview
Parkview United Methodist Church, 344 S. Algonquin Ave., is providing the community with recycling bins for paper products. Bring newspapers, magazines, junk mail, etc., to the green and yellow bins in the church parking lot. No cardboard or phone books will be accepted.
Spaghetti Dinner
New Horizons United Methodist Church, at 1669 Harrisburg Pike, will hold a spaghetti dinner on April 19, from 4-7 p.m. Cost is $7 per person.
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.
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.
PTSC exercise programs
The Prairie Township Senior Center hosts exercise 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.
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.
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.
Free AARP help
Dodge Senior Center, 667 Sullivant Ave., is offering free AARP help 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 Auxiliary 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 their 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.
Paper tax preparation at PTSC
The Prairie Township Senior Center, 4656 West Broad St., will be offering paper income tax preparation for senior citizens. This service is courtesy of AARP and Mr. Ed Haney, volunteer coordinator. There is no charge for this service, but you must call the center, at 878-5110, for an appointment. Bring the following: your 2006 tax return, your social security card, and all tax papers for 2007.
Free jewelry repair for seniors
Bill Higgins of the Prairie Township Senior Center, 4656 West Broad St., will offer free jewelry repair to senior citizens on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, at the center, starting at 1 p.m. This service will continue as long as the service is needed. For more info, call the center at (614) 878-5110.
Golden Age Center
The Salvation Army Golden Age Center, 2300 W. Mound St., invites anyone aged 60 or over to attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for lunch, crafts, movies, BINGO, games, health and fitness, and fun. Call Ellen Marvin, senior director, at 274-7600, ext. 108, one day in advance to reserve lunch for $1.25 per day. Trips are available for $9 per month.
CLC Information Sessions
The Columbus Literacy Council is holding Information Sessions about tutoring and other volunteer opportunities on April 2, from 6-7:30 p.m. The sessions will be held at the CLC office, 195 N. Grant Ave. Register at www.columbusliteracy.org or call Norma Wetzel at 221-5013.
Gang hotline
The Columbus Division of Police is conducting a six month pilot project using the phone number 645-GANG (4264).
Citizens in Columbus are encouraged to leave a detailed message about gang activity in their neighborhood. The Division is using this number specifically for information associated with gang activity. Other information not pertaining to gangs should be referred to 645-4545.
Chicken noodle dinner
The United Methodist Women of the Grove City United Methodist Church, 2684 Columbus St., will serve an annual cicken noodle dinner on April 12 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the family life center. Adult tickets are $7; children 4-10 are $3; children under 3 eat for free. Call 875-4570 for reservations.
Aglow to meet
“Aglow” a network of caring women will meet April 8 at The Potter’s House, 3220 Lowell Dr., in Columbus at 9:45 a.m. A continental breakfast will be served for $5. For reservations and more information, call 263-0607 by noon on April 4.
Greater Hilltop Community Theater auditions
The Greater Hilltop Community Theater will present “Hello Dolly!” June 27, 28 and 29. Auditions will be March 30 from 3-7 p.m. and March 31 from 6-9 p.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church, 225 Schoolhouse Lane, Columbus. Auditions will also be held April 1 and 2 from 6-9 p.m. at St John Lutheran Church, 6135 Rings Road, Dublin. This year’s production will be performed at and in conjunction with The Wellington School. Auditions are open to all! Requirements for individuals auditioning are to sing a 1.5 to 3.5 minute piece of their choosing or from one of the songs from the show and to perform a two-minute dialog (standardized for every male and female role). Print out audition form from www.hilltopcommunitytheater.com and bring to audition, along with a photograph. Auditions will be video taped.
Briggs class of 1978 reunion
The Briggs High School class of 1978 is in the process of contacting all alumni for the 30 year ruenion. If you are an alumni, or know someone who is, contact the reunion committee at briggs1978@sbcglobal.net or call Ray France at 878-7554, Penny (wilson) Nott at 875-4681, or Joe Bechemer at 425-4439. Call to pre-order to a commemorative t-shirt.
FHHS band award
The Franklin Heights High School symphonic band received a Superior rating at the recent OMEA District Concert Band Competition held on March 15, at Groveport High School. This rating allows the band to move on to the OMEA State Concert Band Competition, which will take place the last week of April.
Free clothing and lunch
New Hope Church, 3060 W. Broad St., will provide free women’s, men’s and some children’s clothing April 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free lunch will be provided. All are welcome. This is a monthly event. Read the Westside Messenger for future dates.
Kiwanis sponsors Easter events
The Hilltop Kiwanis sponsored Holton Recreation Center for their Easter egg hunt. They donated $300 to help defray some of the cost of the hunt, as well as nine volunteers. A member of the Kiwanis also portrayed the Easter bunny. The organization also provided a bunny, six volunteers and another $300 to an egg hunt at Glenwood Recreation Center.
French toast breakfast
Valleyview Church of Christ in Christian Union, 2450 Valleyview Dr., will be hosting a french toast breakfast from 8-11 a.m. on April 12. Cost is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children.
GHAC to host informational meeting
The Greater Hilltop Area Commission is hosting an informational meeting for Hilltop residents interested in learning more about the role the GHAC plays in the community and citizens interested in applying for membership. The event will take place on Saturday, April 5, from 1-3 p.m. in the meeting room of the Hilltop Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Light refreshments will be served. Members of the GHAC will be on hand to answer questions about the commission, and opportunities will be available to express interest in serving on GHAC committees.
MRDD information fair
March is Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Awareness month and the West Central Parent Group has organized an information fair with over 20 knowledgeable presenters offering very valuable information that will benefit you, your child, or someone you know with disabilities.
This event was originally scheduled for March 10, but do to inclement weather, has been rescheduled for April 7. It will be held at West Central School, located at 1481 West Town St., from 6-8 p.m. A light chili dinner will be offered free of charge. For more information, contact Ronda Gilliam at 276-8231, or Kimberly Cope at 279-8442.
“David and Lisa”
Briggs High School will present the play “David and Lisa” April 3 and 4. This play was originally produced in 1962 and is set in that time-frame. The characters of David and Lisa suffer from mental illnesses andfall in love after meeting in a mental institution. David has been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder while Lisa suffers from schizophrenia. Dr. Swinford and the staff put forth great effort to help the students with their illnesses. Unfortunately, David’s parents almost ruin everything.
David begins to build a bond with Lisa and depends on her to establish a sense of love and direction.
Zac Lape, who plays the part of David, summarizes the play as “a bizarre and tragic love story about mentally ill students and how they overcome this through their bond with each other. David and Lisa become more comfortable with each other and show improvement throughout the play.”
Through the direction of Deborah Hanna and the stage direction of Desiree Nadalin, the cast has developed their characters well. The cast includes Leilani Abrams, Preschias Banks, Caleb Brickey, Anita Crosby, Miguel Deleon, Brittany Echman, Totyanna Johnson, Jessica Jones, Zac Lape, Jacob Malone, Brittany Melton, Kaylum Monfort, Chenoa Mumford, Mackenzie Pearse, Tre Reese, Jamie Strack, Heather Whitt, Katie Whitney, and Angelina Woodruff.
The show will be presented at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Briggs High School is located at 2555 Briggs Road.
