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Community calendar for Eastside Messenger
Church events
•Reformation Lutheran Church, 1355 S. Hamilton Rd., will hold Advent services 7:30 pm Dec. 5, 12, and 19. Christmas Eve service will be held at 7:30 pm Dec. 24. For questions, call 235-4995.
•Church of the Redeemer, United Methodist, 235 McNaughten Road, Columbus, will have a Cookie Walk on Saturday, December 8, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. A small box of homemade cookies is $6.
The church will hold a 'Community Spaghetti Dinner' on Friday, December 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to spaghetti with home made sauce, garden salad, breadstick, home made dessert, and beverage for $ 6 per adult and $ 3.50 per child. For more information, call the church office at 861-7160.
For information, contact church office at861-7160.
Bookfair to raise funds for Waggoner Road MS library
Waggoner Road Middle School, in Reynoldsburg, wiull be holding a bookfair at Barnes & Noble at 1738 Hill Road North in Pickerington on Dec. 7, to raise money for the school library.
From 9 a.m.- 9 p.m., Barnes & Noble will donate a percentage of every sale made with a special Bookfair voucher to Waggoner Road Middle School. Vouchers will be available at Waggoner Road Middle School or at Barnes and Noble on Dec. 7.
The Barnes & Noble Bookfair will help Waggoner Road Middle School in several ways. First, a percentage of Bookfair sales will underwrite their purchase of library books.
Second, teachers will be able to create a wish list for titles to enhance their classroom collection. Bookfair supporters may choose books from an in-store wish list display to purchase for the classrooms.
Waggoner Road Middle School's events and programs will be held at Barnes & Noble from 6-9 p.m., including performances by members of the school band, readings by many of the teachers and staff, caroling by the sixth grade students, and a violin solo performance.
Shoppers are also invited to get a free holiday tattoo and create a cartoon drawing with Young Rembrandts while they browse the store.
Shepherd's Corners hosts gift-making workshop
Shepherd's Corner at Dominican Acres, 987 N. Waggoner Road, Blacklick, will host a gift-making workshop Dec. 8, from 1:30-4 p.m., where participants can create a unique plaster wall hanging using textured clay as a mold and create gift tags, or bookmarks with plastic canvas and yarn. Register by Dec. 4. by calling 866-4302 or visiting www.shepherdscorner.org.
Bexley Library children's programs taking registrations
Registration is now being taken for Bexley Public Library's winter 2008 children's programs, set to begin the week of January 7.
Babytime is a program for children ages 9 to 24 months and their caregivers. The 20-minute programs feature songs, bounces, and stories, and meets on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. Themes will include food and colors.
Toddler Storyhour is a half-hour program for 2-year-olds and an adult, and meets Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. The 30-minute programs will include stories, fingerplays, and simple craft projects. Books about bears, the zoo and getting dressed will be part of the 8-week session.
Three to five-year-old children may participate in Preschool Storyhour held on Mondays at 2:00 p.m., Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Programs last about 45 minutes and include stories, crafts, games and songs.
"Explorers Club", a program for kindergarteners through third graders, will begin January 16 and meets on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. Topics to be explored during the 6-week session include the night sky and monkeys.
All programs, except for Explorer's Club, require pre-registration. Please call the Children's Department at 231-2878 for more information and to register. There is no fee for participating in any of the programs.
Reynoldsburg Civic Club collects donations for Helping Hands
The Reynoldsburg Civic Club will meet Dec. 4 at noon at the Columbus Country Club on East Broad Street. The club will collect donations for Reynoldsburg Helping Hands to support their Christmas outreach.
The program will be "Music, Music, Music," followed by a business meeting. For information, call 866-8607.
Bexley Festival of the Arts Dec. 1
The fifth annual Bexley Festival of the Arts will be held Saturday, December 1st from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Montrose Elementary School, 2555 East Main Street.
The festival is a family event showcasing more than 30 artists and crafters working in a range of media, who will show and sell their work.
In addition, the festival will feature live performances in dance, music, martial arts, juggling and other arts as well as demonstrations and fun hands-on activities for children.
This year's performers will be the Richens & Timm Irish Step Dancers, Montrose Jugglers, Christine Avers and her piano students, Bexley High School Cheerleaders, Kelly Muir's Excel Karate students, Capital University Suzuki violin students, and Festival favorite Weinstock & Friends Blues Rockers.
Shoppers will enjoy returning and new vendors offering a variety of items for sale such as jewelry, ceramics, stained glass, photography, handmade books, baby items, and popular sized doll clothes. Gifts, goodies, stationary, and accessories will all be in abundance. Children will want to visit the Kids Gift Gallery, a secret shopping room exclusively for kids to sell their handmade items to other kids. All items in the Kids Gift Gallery will be $5 or less.
New this year will be the Capital University Suzuki violin petting zoo where children age three and above can try their hand at playing a violin themselves.
Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Artists in the Schools programs and will be shared between Montrose, Maryland Avenue and Cassingham elementary schools in Bexley.
Admission to the festival is free. Food will be available for purchase.
Bishop Hartley Choir, Band to perform
The Bishop Hartley Vocal Choir will perform in the school's cafeteria, 1285 Zettler Road in Columbus, on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. Refreshments will follow the performance.
The Bishop Hartley Band will hold its annual Christmas Concert in the school's gymnasium on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. Both events are free.
Hadassah holds Hanukkah parties, collects gift donations
The community is invited to join the Columbus Chapter of Hadassah for three Hanukkah parties. On Dec. 10, at 6 p.m., Hadassah will hold its annual Hanukkah Party and Gift Auction. The event will take place at China Dynasty Chinese Restaurant, 1677 West Lane Avenue. Those who would like to attend are asked to bring wrapped gifts (minimum value $15) and RSVP to the Hadassah office.
Hadassah is sponsoring two Hanukkah parties featuring the Koleinu Choir: Sunday, December 9, at 2 p.m. at Wexner Heritage House, 1151 College Avenue; and Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m. at Kensington, 1001 Parkview Boulevard.
The choir, led by Jack Chomsky, will perform Hanukkah songs. The Koleinu Choir, which has sung with Marvin Hamlisch and Opera Columbus, has also participated in the National Jewish Choral Festival in Kfar Saba, Israel. Refreshments will be provided.
There is no charge for these event, which are co-sponsored by Columbus Hadassah.
Now through Dec. 10, Columbus Hadassah is accepting donations of holiday gifts for families being helped by the Jewish Family Service. It is the chapter's Hanukkah Mitzvah Project.
The gifts do not need to be wrapped. If wrapped, identify the package as to who the gift might be for (e.g., unborn to age 3 or adult female). Gift cards from stores like Wal-Mart and Target make a nice gift, as do cash or check donations. Make checks payable to Jewish Family Services, with Holiday Gift written on the memo line. Bring gifts to the Hadassah office or to the December 10 Hanukkah party and gift auction. The Hanukkah Mitzvah Project is chaired by Susie Blair.
Pride Center East has sign-up for toy drive
The Neighborhood Pride Center East, 3585 E. Livingston Avenue will be accepting applications from Columbus residents to sign up their children to receive toys from this year's toy drive.
To sign up on Dec. 20 between 1 and 6 p.m., you will need a picture identification of parent/guardian; Social Security Card for each child, proof of income (pay stub, award letter, child support letter, unemployment stub, utility check; proof of Columbus address; proof of each child (birth certificate, Care Source Card, Medicaid Card). This is for Columbus zip codes 43227, 43232, 43068, 43209 and 43213. For questions, call 724-0100.
Knights of Columbus Breakfast with Santa, free-throw contest
The Knights of Columbus Council 5253 of St Pius X Catholic Church, 1061 Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg, is sponsoring an all you can eat pancake breakfast with Santa on Dec. 8 from 9 a.m to noon in the school cafeteria.
The breakfast will include pancakes, sausage and beverages. Price is $3 for adults and $1.50 for children. All proceeds are to benefit area children with disabilities.
The chapter will sponsor a youth basketball free throw competition Jan. 26 at the school gym, for boys and girls ages 10 to 14. Registration begins at 7 p.m. Participants are required to furnish proof of age and parental consent. For entry forms and information, contact Scott Harris at 740-927-1672.
An all you can eat spaghetti dinner will be served Jan. 26 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children. Carry-out meals are $5. Proceeds benefit religious vocations.
Bexley Community Book Club Bookfair Dec. 8
The first of two Bexley Community Book Club Bookfairs will take place Dec. 8 at Barnes and Noble Easton, from 9 a.m. until store closing at 11 p.m., as part of The Bexley Education Foundation's year-long community read initiative, Bexley Community Book Club.
The club is focusing on the works of Pete Hamill, and the effort will culminate with an appearance by the author April 30.
The Bexley Education Foundation will receive up to 20 percent of profits of all Barnes and Noble sales (books, videos, music and at the coffee shop) purchased through vouchers specifically earmarked for the Bookfair that day.
Visual arts displays by Bexley High School seniors and students at Montrose Elementary will be featured throughout the day. Gift wrapping services will be provided by Bexley-area Girl Scout troops.
The schedule of special performances is as follows:
•11 a.m. - Bexley High School Jazz Combo
•1 p.m. - Bexley High School String Ensemble
•5 and 7 p.m. - Bexley High School Men's Ensemble
WBNS 10TV Anchor Andrea Cambern will make a special appearance at Barnes and Noble at 2 p.m. where she will read excerpts from several Pete Hamill books for area shoppers and book discussion groups.
Barnes and Noble Easton will host a second Bookfair on March 15. Additional Bexley Schools arts activities and students will be featured, as well as further readings by Andrea Cambern.
Proceeds from Bexley Community Book Club, through sponsorships, ticket sales and book sales, will help support literary, performing and visual arts facilities and/or programs for the Bexley City Schools through the Arts Endowment Fund of The Bexley Education Foundation.
Further information, including individual ticket sales information (advance general admission tickets are $25 each), can be obtained by calling the BEF office at 338-2093, or visiting www.bexleyeducationfoundation.org and clicking on the Bexley Community Book Club link.
Vouchers can be downloaded from The Bexley Education Foundation website, and will be available at the following locations: all five Bexley school buildings, the front entrance of the Cassingham complex, and along East Main Street in Bexley at The Bexley Public Library, Drexel Theatre, Starbucks Bexley, and Cup of Joe's.
Tickets on sale for Capital's Christmas Festival concert
Tickets for Capital University's Christmas Festival 2007, "All Things Bright and Beautiful," Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 2 at 3:30 p.m., are on sale to the general public.
Tickets are $17 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens (age 62 and older). A $2 handling fee will be processed per order for purchased tickets. Phone orders will not be accepted until Nov. 12.
There is a limit of 10 tickets total per purchase. Christmas Festival ticket sales will be handled by through Capital's box office, located in Mees Hall, 1 College and Main. Box office hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Due to the length of the Christmas Festival concert, the event is not appropriate for infants and small children. For information or to order tickets by phone, call 236-7178.
Bexley leaf collection continues through Dec. 21
The Bexley Service Department has begun its leaf collection and will continue through Dec. 21.
Leaves should be placed on the back side of the curb and not raked into the street or placed on park beds. It is unlawful to put leaves in the street, where they can cause flooding and create a traffic hazard. Violators can be cited.
No leaves will be picked up from the alleys.
One crew will begin on the west side of each section of the city. Residents can visit the web site www.bexley.org or call 559-4202 for a daily schedule.
Capital University Conservatory of Music programs
Capital University's Conservatory of Music will hold the following events during the 2007-2008 academic year:
•Capital University Christmas Festival in Mees Hall, Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 2 at 3:30 p.m.
•Brass Choir concert, Dec. 4, 8 p.m. in Mees Hall.
•Chamber Winds concert, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. in Huntington Recital Hall.
•University Bands "Concerto Concert," Dec. 7, 8 p.m. in Mees Hall.
•Community Music School Youth Choir Concert, Dec. 9, 3 p.m. in Mees Hall.
•Trombone Choir concert, Jan. 9, 8 p.m. in Mees Hall.
•Early Music In Columbus, Feb. 1, 8 p.m. in Mees Hall.
•Capital University/Bexley Community Orchestra concert, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m. in Mees Hall.
All events are free except the Early Music programs, Christmas Festival and Women in Music performances. For information call 236-6411.
JCC events
The Leo Yassenoff Jewish Community Center, at 1125 College Ave., has provided the following announcements. Information is available at the web site www.columbusjcc.org.
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The JCC and Beth Jacob synagogue will give away environmentally-friendly light bulbs Dec. 9 in the name of late congregation member Melvyn Palius, an avid skiier and nature lover.
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JCC, Beth Jacob to give away nature-friendly light bulbs
The JCC of Greater Columbus, in conjunction with Beth Jacob Congregation, will be giving away compact fluorescent lightbulbs at the JCC on Sunday, Dec. 9, starting at 9 a.m. and continuing while supplies last.
The giveaway is being underwritten by a grant from the Melvyn Palius Environmental Protection Fund of the Columbus Jewish Foundation.
"The goal of this giveaway is to promote environmentally friendly living and educate the community about what each of us can do to help save our world," said Carol Folkerth, JCC Executive Director.
"Because Chanukah is the Festival of Lights, we thought that giving away CFLs was a wonderful connection between the lights of Chanukah and the mitzvah of Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world," said Rabbi Naphtali Weisz of Beth Jacob.
CFL requires less electricity than a 60 watt lightbulb, and therefore promotes clean water and air and reduces the need for oil and nuclear power.
Palius, a member of the Beth Jacob synagogue, passed away in 2004 at 83. He was a decorated World War II veteran and was the Chief of New York City's Office of Code Enforcement and was known for being tough and incorruptible.
Palius also was an avid skier and proud member of the National Ski Patrol and the Central Ohio Hiking Club. A nature enthusiast since his youth, he loved hiking, traveling, photography, reading and was deeply committed to ecological preservation, conservation, wildlife protection, amateur archeology, historical societies, and protecting the rights and civil liberties of the underdog.
For more information, visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org, or call 231-2731.
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Cantor Jeff Siegel is the spirit of good luck and Noah Portman is the bringer of misfortune in Gallery p;layers' musical production "Mazel and Shlimazel," being staged Dec. 8-16.
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Gallery Players season continues with "Mazel and Shlimazel"
Gallery Players has announced its 59th season. The productions being staged at the JCC of Greater Columbus for the 2007-2008 Gallery Players season are:
•"Mazel and Shlimazel," Dec. 8-16. "Mazel and Shlimazel" is a classic musical tale of good versus evil as Mazel, the spirit of good luck, and his entourage of Lucky Charms face off against Shlimazel, the spirit of bad luck, and his henchmen, the Jinxes.
•"South Pacific," Feb. 23-March 9. "South Pacific" is a musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II based on two short stories by James A. Michener from his book "Tales of the South Pacific." It is generally considered to be one of the greatest musicals of all time, and a number of its songs, such as "Bali Ha'i," "Younger than Springtime," and "Some Enchanted Evening," have become worldwide standards.
•"Brooklyn Boy," May 17-June 1, with auditions March 16-18. "Brooklyn Boy," a drama written by Donald Margulies, is a story about what happens when the marginally successful writing career of middle-aged author Eric Weiss begins to take off with the publication of his novel.
Season subscriptions present a savings of 30 percent off of the single ticket price for all four shows. Season tickets are $30 per JCC member, $45 per non-member, $25 per JCC Senior member, and $40 per senior non-member. (Tickets for individual shows are $12 for JCC members, $18 for nonmembers, $10 for senior members, $16 for senior non-members, $8 for students, and $10 per ticket for groups of 10 or more.)
Those interested in making contributions to support the theater may become a JCC Patron of the Arts. Patron levels are $100 (with the patron receiving two tickets to one show), $250 (four tickets to one show), $500 (two subscriptions) and $1,000 (four subscriptions).
For information on season subscriptions or becoming a JCC Patron of the Arts, visit the Gallery Players website at jccgalleryplayers.org, or call 559-6248.
Auditions for Gallery Players' "South Pacific"
Gallery Players, the JCC's community theater group, will hold auditions for "South Pacific" on Sunday, Dec. 16, from 4 to 6 p.m., and Monday, Dec. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m.
There are roles for 20 men, ranging in age from 20 to 60; nine women ranging in age from 20 to 35; one 35 to 50-year-old character woman; one 17-year-old girl, and two children, a girl (8 to 11 years old) and a boy (6 to 8 years old).
"A handful of roles are of Polynesian decent, so actors of ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to audition," said Jared Saltman, JCC Cultural Arts director. "Singing and acting is required of all roles, and most roles must be able to dance."
Those intending on auditioning should wear comfortable clothes for dancing, as well as bring their resume, photo, and at least 16 bars of music for their audition song. A pianist will be provided for the auditions. Eight performances will be staged from Feb. 23 through March 9. The production will be directed by Pam Hill.
For information, visit the website at www.jccgalleryplayers.org, or call 559-6248.
Lifeguard training classes during winter break
Lifeguard training classes are being offered at the JCC and are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26; Thursday, December 27; Friday, December 28; and Sunday, December 30. This course prepares candidates to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, and prevent drowning and other incidents, as well as teach candidates about the role of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Successful completion of the course will provide certification in Lifeguard Training (3 years), First Aid (3 years), CPR for the Professional Rescuer (1 year), and Automated External Defibrillator - AED (1 year).
The cost of the course is $145. For more information, including prerequisites and registration, contact JCC Aquatics at (614) 559-6241.
Now also is the time to register for swim lessons starting in January at the JCC. Visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org for more information.
Sign up for winter break camp
School may be out for Winter Break, but the JCC is open - especially for kids during the JCC's Winter Break Camp, from Wednesday, Dec. 19 through Monday, Dec. 31. From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day, school-age children can spend an exciting day at the JCC, swimming in the indoor pool, playing in the gym, and taking field trips. Wrap-around care is available from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Winter Break Camp is open to students in Kindergarten through the Sixth Grade, and sign-up is available for single days or the entire eight days. Fee is $50 per day for members, and $70 per day for non-members. Early registration discount of $10 per day applies before Dec. 14. A sibling discount of $5 for the second child registered and an additional $3 for the third (or more) child also applies. Full-time Kinderclub is $20 per day.
Field trips being planned include: Wednesday, Dec. 19 - Nationwide Arena Tour, Blue Jackets Practice, and Ice Skating; Thursday, Dec. 20 - Jungle Gym; Friday, Dec. 21 - Movie Day; Monday, Dec. 24 - Magic Mountain; Wednesday, Dec. 26 - Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park; Thursday, Dec. 27 - Bowling and Graeter's Ice Cream; Friday, Dec. 28 - Gym Extreme; Monday, Dec. 31 - New Year's Carnival
Winter Break Days also are available for students in Fifth through Eighth Grades. Designed especially for this age group, the camp takes two field trips - one to Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park on Friday, Dec. 21, and the other to Mad River Mountain for snow tubing on Thursday, Dec. 27. Day campers will depart the JCC at 9 a.m. and return before 3:30 p.m.
Participants for both camps will need to bring a dairy lunch, drink, swimsuit and towel. Refunds only will be issued for cancellations made 24 hours in advance of the program start time.
For information visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org, or contact John Weaver at 559-6266 or jweaver@columbusjcc.org.
Jewish teens collecting, wrapping gifts for families
The JCC's Jewish Experiences for Teens (JET), in cooperation with Jewish Family Services, is collecting presents for families participating in the Help Me Grow program. On Dec. 6, the teens will gather at the JCC at 5 p.m. for a light dinner and to wrap the presents.
Items on the wish list include: toys for children (ages newborn through 3) who are enrolled in the Help Me Grow program, toys for siblings (usually ages 4 through 10), as well as gift certificates for parents. For information, contact Samara Chodosh at 559-6255 or schodosh@columbusjcc.org.
Middle school sleep-over, Blue Jackets game
Middle school students are invited to the JCC on Dec. 8, for a night out to catch a Blue Jackets' game and then back to the center for a sleep-over. Students in the fifth through eighth grades will meet at the JCC at 6 p.m. and then head out to see the Blue Jackets versus the Minnesota Wild.
Afterward, they will return to the JCC for a late-night snack and a sleepover. Breakfast will be provided the next morning, with pick-up scheduled at 10 a.m.
Cost is $50, which includes food and transportation. Register with John Weaver at 559-6266 or e-mail at jweaver@columbusjcc.org.
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