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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Free jewelry repair
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.
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.
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.
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 614-580-4754 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 614-580-4754 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 through May 22 between the hours of 3-4:30 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.
St. Cecilia turning 20
St. Cecilia Preschool is turning 20 and to celebrate will be holding an open house on Sunday, May 4, from 1 – 3 p.m. The parents and the preschool staff would like to invite the public to visit the preschool rooms to celebrate. Did you attend the preschool? Do your children? Are you considering sending your children? Take a trip down memory lane and look at pictures of classmates; maybe even see a few. Did you ever wonder how the preschool got started or why they chose color names for the classes? Learn the answer to these and other pressing questions. As the preschool prepares, they welcome contributions of artwork and memories. Contact Mrs. Aeh at 878-0134 for more information. St. Cecilia Preschool is located at 440 Norton Road, Columbus.
FHHS class of 1966
Franklin Heights High School, Class of 1966, will be holding a 60th birthday party reunion on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 12-6 p.m. at Heimat Haus, 4555 Jackson Pike (Route 104). Contact Becky (Sweazy) Malone for details and to RSVP by calling (614)801-9059 or e-mail bmalone@columbus.rr.com.
Youth Philharmonic auditions
The Youth Philharmonic of Central Ohio is accepting applications for advanced musicians, grades 8-12 for violins, violas, cellos, bass, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, trumpets, French horns, English horns, trombones, tubas and percussion. Auditions will be held 6-9 p.m. May 12 at Capital University, 6-9 p.m. May 19 at Worthington Kilbourne Middle School, and 6-9 p.m. May 20 at Otterbein College. Call 614-470-0739 or email ypco@hotmail.com for application and appointment. Visit the Web site, www.ypco.net for application and further information.
CHUM garage sale
Columbia Heights United Methodist Church will be holding a garage sale as part of Lincoln Village’s “Flea Fantasia” at its new building (775 Galloway Road) on Friday, May 16 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.), Saturday, May 17 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), and Sunday, May 19, after church (approximately 11:30 a.m.).
CCS dinner and auction
Cypress Christian School’s eighth grade class will hold its second annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction on May 10, from 4-9 p.m. at the school, 377 Alton-Darby Creek Road, in the west auditorium. A complete dinner will be provided, along with a silent auction of items donated by area businesses. Entertainment will be provided by Matt Chittenden, of Lancaster.
Purchased in advance, tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children (ages 4-10, 3 and under are free). Tickets purchased at the door will be $8 for adults and $5 for children. A drive through carryout service will be available.
Tickets may be purchased at the school office weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. For more information, contact Pam Garner, 878-7776, or the school office at 870-1181.
Westgate Blockwatch meeting
Westgate Blockwatch is alive and well! The spring meeting will be April 30 at Parkview United Methodist Church. on the corner of Algonquin and Wicklow, at 7 p.m.
Guest speakers will be officers Joe Smith and Tom Page, training instructors at the Columbus Police Academy. They will demonstrate personal safety procedures so that blockwatch members will become more knowledgable in dangerous situations. Members of other local blockwatches are invited to attend.
CHS class of 1948
The Central High School class of 1948 will hold its 60th class reunion on July 13 at COSI from noon to 4 p.m. For more information contact John Allen at 875-4359, Bill Rector at 889-5608, Ardie Schirtzinger at 272-0295, Florance (Voss) McCarty at 876-2181 or Susan (Jones) Metzger at 901-2678.
Senior luncheon
There will be a senior luncheon on May 13 at noon at Westgate United Methodist Church, 61 South Powell Ave. This event is open to the public, donations will be accepted.
Spring Flea Fantasia
The Lincoln Village Residence Association will be hosting their annual Spring Flea Fantasia, a community wide flea market, on May 16-18 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The Prairie Township Senior center will have lunch available at the corner of Murray Hill and Darbyhurst at reasonable prices.
BR Baseball Golf Outing
The 7th Annual Bishop Ready Baseball Golf Outing will be held at the Phoenix Golf Links on Sunday, May 4. The cost will be $65 per person (4 Man Scramble). Contact Herb Sharfenaker at 276-5263 (ext. 436) or HJS13@yahoo.com or Ben Hilsheimer at 276-5263 (ext. 419) or bhilshei@cdeducation.org.
Great Western Blockwatch
The Great Western Blockwatch will hold its spring meeting on May 8 at 7 p.m. at the Hoge Memorial Church on West Broad Street. The Columbus Division of Fire Arson Unit will give a fire safety presentation on
Westgate cleanup and planting
Westgate Park clean-up and spring planting, hosted by the Camp Chase and Westgate blockwatches, will be held on May 17 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and every second Sunday from 4-6 p.m..
GWB spring cleanup
Spring cleanup Day for the Great Western Blockwatch area will be May 17 at 10 a.m. Meet at Hoge Memorial Church on West Broad Street.
Westland Area Commission
The next meeting of the Westland Area Commission will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at Doctors’ Hospital, 5100 W. Broad St. Area residents are encouraged to attend the meeting and speak with commission members about concerns they have in the community.
Free seminars at Doctors
Doctors Hospital, part of OhioHealth, is offering a series of free educational seminars open to the public on Saturdays throughout May. Each seminar will offer a free gift for participants. All classes will be held at Doctors Hospital, 5100 W. Broad St., in Classroom C on the first floor from 10-11 a.m. Free parking is available in the nearby hospital visitor lot. Call (614) 4-HEALTH (443-2584) to register. Seating is limited and registration is required.
•May 10: “Treating and Living with Acid Reflux Disease.”
•May 17: “What’s New in Birth Control?”
•May 31: “Minimally Invasive Hip or Knee Replacement – Is It Right for Me?”
Falcon dreams of broadcasting career
Franklin Heights High School news broadcasting staff member and junior Schneitta Howard was selected to attend the biannual Columbus Association for Black Journalists high school workshop at The Ohio State University.
Howard committed three Saturdays, March 22, March 29 and April 5 to developing her skills as a reporter by working directly with several broadcast professionals.
“Full House” star to visit Cypress Wesleyan Church
Former television star Candace Cameron Bure will be speaking at a brunch on Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m.-12 noon at Cypress Wesleyan Church, 377 Alton Darby Creek Road, Galloway.
Many remember Candace Cameron Bure from the television series “Full House,” where she played D.J. Tanner. She married NHL star Valeri Bure and put her career on hold. Cameron Bure’s testimony is one of growing up in Hollywood, while growing in faith with God.
The event will start with a country breakfast buffet catered by Der Dutchman Restaurant. Cameron Bure will then share her faith journey from Hollywood child actress to her current life as a devoted wife, mother, and Christ-follower.
Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased through May 4 in the church lobby, or by mailing payment (payable to Cypress Wesleyan Church) to Cypress Wesleyan Church, P.O Box 360, Galloway OH 43119, Attn: Women’s Brunch.
Pre-paid tickets will be available for pick-up at the door the day of event. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
For more information, contact Susan Knight at 614-878-8192 ext. 227.
Stewart to host town hall meeting
State Representative Dan Stewart will host a town hall meeting on Thursday, May 1, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Southside Settlement House, at 310 Innis Ave. Stewart is holding this meeting in an effort to better understand local issues facing the 25th House District, as well as answer any questions from residents. Stewart has invited other local officials to offer insight and answer questions as well.
West HS Alumni to meet
The West High School Alumni Association will meet on Tuesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in the West High School cafeteria. Arnold Holmes, principal of West, will be the speaker. Pizza, salad an
