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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Columbus hydrant flushing
Beginning April 29, The Columbus Division of Fire will begin their annual three-month program to flush the city’s 24,000 fire hydrants, said Fire Chief Ned Pettus, Jr.
This year, hydrant flushing will be conducted in two phases. The Westside will be included in phase two, which will take place June 11 through July 22.
Hydrant flushings will be performed seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Water could become cloudy or rusty during the flushing process, particularly in older neighborhoods. This condition is not a health hazard, and should clear up within 24-hours. However, residents in flushing areas should check their water before doing laundry because discolored water could stain laundered clothing.
Residents can call the Columbus Division of Fire’s Hydrant Hot Line at 645-4055 to obtain daily updates listing specific Columbus neighborhoods to be flushed. The hot line will be updated at 9 a.m. each day throughout the three-month hydrant maintenance program.
The city’s hydrants are flushed annually to test their performance and correct any problems that might interfere with their operation.
Westland Seniors meeting change
The Westland Senior Citizens will not meet as planned on April 10 at the Columbia Heights United Methodist Church, but will meet at the Hometown Buffet at Consumers Square West at 1 p.m. for lunch. For more information, call 870-6476.
WCCWC luncheon
The West Columbus Christian Women’s Club luncheon is to be held Tuesday, April 22, at the Heritage Golf Club House, 3525 Heritage Club Dr., Hilliard, from 12-1:45 p.m. The cost is $14, inclusive. Call Betty, 851-0611, or Audra, 777-5578, to cancel reservations.
The guest speaker will be Elain Kitchen, vocalist is Leon Myers, and special feature is Karla Furrer of Bloomsbury Loft.
For more information, contact Mary Green at 614-876-6155.
PTSC “Lunch and Learns”
Prairie Township Senior Center, 4656 W. Broad St., is sponsoring “Lunch and Learn” sessions in April and May. The sessions, which begin at 11 a.m. and include lunch, are free and open to the public and are scheduled as follows:
April 9 – Amy Shaffer of the Convalarium, will speak on “Downsizing, Part I.”
April 16 – “retirement Living Choices” will be discussed.
April 23 – Claudia Penka, of Senior care Options, will discuss “Medicare Plans, Prescription Plans and Final Expenses.”
May 7, Amy Shaffer, of The Convalarium, will return to present “Downsizing, Part II.”
“Soup-er Saturday”
The Prairie Township Senior Center, 4656 W. Broad St., will be holding their monthly “Soup-er Saturday,” open to the public, on Saturday, April 19, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Featured will be chicken noodle soup, salad and a beverage for a $3 donation. For further information, call 878-5110.
PTSC to host seminars
The Prairie Township Senior Center, 4656 W. Broad St., will host the following seminars:
April 7 at 1 p.m., “A Fun, Fitness, Forever Exercise Program.”
April 11 from 1-3 p.m., Jim Hogan from Edward Jones Investments will answer questions about investments, no appointment is needed.
April 14 at 1 p.m., Joyce Johnson of the Breathing Exercise program will be presented.
April 18 at 1 p.m., Maria McCoy of AARP will discuss “Returning to Work” (rescheduled from March).
For more information, call the center at 878-5110.
Westgate UMC senior luncheon
There will be a senior luncheon Tuesday, April 8, at 12 noon at Westgate United Methodist Church, 61 S. Powell Avenue. The menu will be creamed turkey over biscuits. This event is open to the public, donations will be accepted.
MOPS meeting
The Life In Christ Fellowship MOPS Group will meet at the New Life Nazarene Church, 2020 State Route 142 (just south of the I-70 exit) on April 16. All mothers of preschoolers, ages 0 to 5 are welcome. The program for mothers includes a light breakfast, exploring and discussing the theme “The Home Factor,” and a craft while their children have stories, music, crafts, and a snack. Babies are lovingly cared for in the nursery. There is no charge.
Girls’ Night Out
Cypress Wesleyan Church’s Women’s Ministry Team will host the monthly Girls’ Night Out on Wednesday, April 9, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at The Mustard Seed Café, 18 W. Main St., West Jefferson.
Stop in any time during those hours. These evenings are designed for women to bring friends or meet other Cypress ladies to enjoy a relaxing evening. The Cafe serves cappuccino and other coffees, panini sandwiches, and desserts. At 7:30 p.m., a mini-devotional is presented by one of the Cypress women. There is no charge for this event unless you want to purchase food or drinks.
For more information, contact Susan Knight at 614-878-8192 ext. 227.
PUMC downsizing sale
Parkview United Methodist Church, 344 S. Algonquin Avenue, will have a spring downsizing sale on Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be household items, furniture, bedding, linens, knick knacks, etc. for sale.
Friends of Westgate
Love your park? Want to spend some fun time with like-minded community members?
Friends of Westgate Park, a Recreation and Parks sanctioned group, will be holding a meeting on Thursday, April 10, at 8 p.m. at the Hilltop Library. If you want to learn more about how to help out with our park, this is the meeting for! There are plenty of volunteer positions open for the taking. Contact Lisa Grazier at lmgrazier@yahoo.com or 274-4382 for more information.
FOP fundraising dinner
The Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary Capital City No. 5 is planning its annual fundraising dinner, silent auction and presentation of the Sgt. Marc Muncy Scholarship.
Dinner will be served from 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 7 at the Columbus Police Academy, 1000 North Hague Ave. Dinner is provided by JP’s Barbecue and includes barbecued chicken, green beans, pasta salad, rolls with butter, drinks and dessert.
Proceeds from the event benefit the FOP Auxiliary, which supports law enforcement officers throughout Franklin County through their fundraising efforts, political involvement and support of officers and their families during a time of crisis. The auxiliary’s motto is “Never Let Them Walk Alone.”
Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children, or $35 for a family of four or more. To purchase tickets, contact Becky Muncy at 614-580-4574 or e-mail SgtMuncyScholarship@yahoo.com.
Support the FOP
You could drive off in a brand-new car simply by supporting law enforcement officers and their families.
The Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary Capital City No. 5 is raffling off a 2008 Honda Civic LX, provided by Roush Honda, in conjunction with the Sgt. Marc Muncy Memorial Scholarship Program.
The cost is $20 for one raffle ticket or $50 for three raffle tickets. A minimum of 1,500 tickets must be sold or it will become a 50/50 drawing, and a maximum of 2,000 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be conducted May 7, and you need not be present to win.
All proceeds benefit the Sgt. Marc Muncy Memorial Scholarship Fund. Muncy was a Columbus Police officer who died in the line of duty in 1995. The family, in conjunction with the FOP Auxiliary, established this scholarship in 2005 to recognize the 10th anniversary of his death and as a way to give back to the local law enforcement community. The fund awards a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 a year for up to four years) to the child or grandchild of a law enforcement officer from any agency within Franklin County.
Tickets will be sold at the Wednesday “bike nights” at Quaker Steak and Lube, 8500 Lyra Drive in Columbus, on April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.
The FOP Auxiliary supports law enforcement officers throughout Franklin County through their fundraising efforts, political involvement and support of officers and their families during a time of crisis. The auxiliary’s motto is “Never Let Them Walk Alone.”
To purchase raffle tickets, contact Becky Muncy at 614-580-4574 or e-mail SgtMuncyScholarship@yahoo.com.
Free financial education
The Salvation Army West Mount Corp and STE Credit Union are sponsoring a free six-week financial education class. The class will be held weekly on Thursdays from April 17 through May 22between the hours of 3:00-4:30 p.m at the Salvation Army West Mount Corp, 2300 W. Mound St. The class is open to all adults and teenagers who want to succeed by learning about money management skills and positive financial behaviors. Planning, budgeting, investing, good debt vs. bad debt, checking accounts, insurance, and career planning are all topics that will be addressed.
To register for this workshop, call Keri Moser at 614-728-5931.
