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.
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 reunion. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.The community liaison officer for the Columbus Division of Police and area supervisor for Columbus Code Enforcement will also be there. Everyone will have the opportunity to speak directly to them in an open forum about problems near you.
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 in the parking lot at Hoge Memorial Church on West Broad Street. Doughnuts and juice will be served starting at 9:30 a.m. This is a pre-approved way for students of the Columbus City School district to add to their required community service hours.
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?”
“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 and soft drinks will be served with donations accepted to defray the cost.
FHHS debuts piece
On May 19 at 7:30 p.m., the Franklin Heights High School symphonic band will debut a piece of music written by James Swearingen. “Nightflight,” was commissioned by the Franklin Heights band boosters in honor of Tiffany Loukinas, a former band member who died tragically in an automobile accident in 2006.
“Nightflight” will be played during the FHHS graduation concert in the high school auditorium. In addition to the symphonic band, the concert band, string orchestra, and jazz ensembles will be performing. The public is welcome to attend this event. Admission is $3 at the door.
DAR public meeting
The next meeting of the Ann Simpson Davis Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will be held May 10. It will be held at Westminster Thurber Towers, 645 Neil Ave. Lunch will be served at 12 noon , with the meeting following. The program is “Chief Leatherlips,” presented by Jim Thompson and Bill Russell. Reservations can be made by calling Terri Sippel at 614-777-8934.
CCS kindergarten roundup
If you have a child who will be five years-old on or before September 30 and you live inside the Columbus City Schools district, now is the time to enroll for full-day kindergarten for the upcoming 2008-09 school year.
By registering early your child will have the opportunity to visit their new school and meet the principal before school starts. Parents will also receive valuable information about how to further prepare their child for kindergarten and what to expect. For additional questions, or to determine your child’s assigned school, contact the FACTline at 221-FACT from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
West Broad kindergarten roundup
West Broad Elementary will host parents of incoming kindergartners for the 2008-2009 school year on May 21 from 12:45-1:45 p.m. Register for kindergarten and see a typical kindergarten experience, and meet the staff. Those unable to attend should register between April 23 and May 30. Each parent will receive helpful information for kindergarten success and each student will receive a gift. To register, parents will need to provide the child’s birth certificate, immunization record, social security number and address verification.
Kiwanis and Goodman give jerseys to Glenwood Center
Hilltop Kiwanis and Michael Goodman of Goodman Uniforms & Costumes recently joined together in a project to supply the Hilltop youth with some much needed basketball jerseys for Glenwood Recreation Center.
Weed graduates from AIP
Daniel J. Weed, a 2004 graduate of the South-Western Career Academy, graduated from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh in September, 2007. He was on the dean’s list and a member of the National College Technical Honor Society. His bachelor of science degree is in graphic design. He is now employed in his field in the Boston, Massachusetts area.
Westland Seniors to meet
The Westland Senior Citizens will meet on May 8 at Columbia Heights Methodist Church, 775 Galloway Road. The meeting will begin at 11 a.m. and Nancy Lockard, “The Turtle Lady,” will entertain at 11:30 a.m. A potluck lunch will be held at noon with euchre to follow. For more information, call 870-6476.
Free clothing and lunch
New Hope Church, 3060 W. Broad St., will provide free women’s, men’s and children’s clothing clothing May 24, 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..
