What's happening on the Westside (updated Feb. 21)
Be sure to read the Westside Messenger to find out what�s going on in your neighborhood! To submit your news or event, e-mail westside@columbusmessenger.com.
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. Questions, call 875-7231.
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 7 p.m. Meetings last about one hour and are held at the Prairie Township Senior Center, 4616 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.
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. Fee for expenses is $9 per month.
MOPS at Cypress Wesleyan
Cypress Wesleyan Church, 377 Alton Darby Creek Road in Galloway, will host Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) on Monday evenings 6:30 - 8 p.m. and Tuesday mornings 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. For more info or to register for MOPS, go to the Web site: www.cypressonline.net/what we do/women/mops or call the church 614-878-8192.
Awana Clubs
Awana Clubs for boys and girls, from three-years-old to sixth grade, will be held Wednesdays, from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. at Briggs Road Baptist Church, 3231 Briggs Road. Call 272-7430 for more information.
American Legion Post 799
American Legion Post 799 holds their monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Prairie Township Fire Station, 123 Inah Ave. The Post is actively focusing on fund raising activities, family activities for the younger generation, setting up a Sons of the Legion auxiliary and increasing the ladies auxiliary.
The American legion is dedicated to supporting veterans and our country and is a non-profit organization. For more information, call Commander Ben Aycock at 614-878-0069.
Free meals offered
The Church of the Lamb of God, 2216 Sullivant Ave., offers free meals on the fourth Saturday of each month.
PTSC exercise programs
The Prairie Township Senior Center hosts the following exercise programs that are free and open to the public:
•Mondays - 10:30 a.m., aerobics; 2 p.m., line dance
•Tuesdays - 9:30 a.m., gentle stretchers
•Wednesdays - 10:30 a.m., body conditioning
•Fridays - 10 a.m., gentle stretchers
FHHS class of 1989
Franklin Heights High School class of 1989 is searching for members for the 20th reunion, to be held May 2, at 6 p.m. at Frog Bear & Wild Boar. The cost is $35 per person. Contact Nancy Rawlins Juarez at nancyrawlins@hotmail.com or 614-805-0004.
Friends Worship Center hosts senior group
Senior citizens are invited to a seniors group at Friends Worship Center, 3030 Clime Road, on the second Tuesday of each month from 12-2:30 p.m. The event will feature a light lunch, games and fellowship. There is no cost, but registration is required. Contact Martha at 875-8297, Juanita at 279-2382 or Debbie at 274-6505.
Gantz volunteers offer scholarship
The Gardens at Gantz volunteers will offer 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. Applicants must be residents of the South-Western City School District. The application deadline is March 31. Contact 871-6323 for additional details and applications.
Free tax services
The Glenwood Free Taxes Ministry is offering free tax services to anyone making $42,000 or less during 2008. Volunteers are trained and IRS certified. Hours are Mondays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through April 13. Allow an hour for tax preparation. Appointments can be made by calling 274-8469 or by visiting the church at 2833 Valleyview Dr.
Salvation Army God & Country Concert
The Salvation Army will host their 24th annual God & Country Concert, honoring God and national patriotism, on Saturday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. The free concert will feature special guests, including the Salvation Army London Citadel Band and the Brass Band of Columbus. The concert will take place at Weigel Hall at The Ohio State University, 1866 College Road, just west of the Wexner Center for the Arts.
HUD home workshop
Homes on the Hill CDC has partnered with Lenco Realty and Appraisals to offer a free workshop about how to buy a HUD home. HUD homes are a great source of affordable housing, especially with the $100 down payment and $2,500 closing cost incentive program. Topics covered will include buyer eligibility, how to obtain financing, making an offer and the closing process. This class is free and open to the public. Homes on The Hill staff will also be available for questions and to schedule one-on-one appointments with a home ownership counselor.
Classes will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Homes on the Hill offices in the Hilltop Lutheran Church, 12 S. Terrace Ave., unless otherwise noted. Class dates are Feb. 26, March 26, April 30 (location to be announced), May 21 and June 25. Registration is required. Call 275-4663 ext. 106 to register.
Fund-Raising Vendor Fair
South-Western City School District Council of PTAs is hosting its 7th annual Fund-Raising Vendor Fair. The event will take place in the commons area at Westland High School, 146 Galloway Road, on Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fundraising vendors will be showcasing products and ideas available for fundraisers for spring and fall. The event is open to the public. For more information, contact Diane Walker, chairperson, at 276-8828.
Free tax help
Free tax help is available to taxpayers of any age with low and middle incomes with special attention to those aged 60 and older.
This assistance is made available the National IRS AARP Tax Aide program. Volunteers are trained to assist in filing 1040 tax forms and basic schedules, state and local returns. Tax payers with complex tax returns are advised to seek paid assistance.
This special Tax-Aide assistance will be made available at the Prairie Township Senior Center, 4616 W. Broad St., on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.To schedule an appointment, call 878-5110.
Electronic filing is provided. Bring your current year tax forms, last year’s returns, W-2 and 1099 forms for all incomes, and official identification for yourself and all dependents and which displays your photo, such as a current driver’s license.
Westland Senior Citizens
The Westland Senior Citizens will meet Feb. 26 at Columbia Heights United Methodist Church, 775 Galloway Road. The meeting will take place at 11 a.m. The special guest will be Ray Hawkins, who plays the violin. A potluck lunch will be served at noon. For more information, call 830-0134.
Spaghetti dinner/auction
Westgate UMC, 61 S*. Powell Ave., will host a spaghetti dinner and silent auction on Feb. 28 from 4-7 p.m. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children aged 10 and under.
WABA sponsors workshop for job seekers
The Westland Area Business Association, in conjunction with New Directions Career Center, is sponsoring a free workshop for job seekers. The workshop, “Effective Interviewing and Salary Negotiation Strategies,” equips participants with the skills necessary to achieve successful outcomes in interviewing and negotiating situations. Participants will learn how to present information as well as how to overcome objections and answer sensitive questions.
The workshop will be held on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Westland Area Library, 4740 West Broad St. The event is free to the public but registration is required. To register, contact NDCC at 849-0028, extension 100.
Briggs class of 1979
Briggs High School class of 1979 will hold its 30th reunion on Oct. 3. For more information, contact Kim Burke Collins at collink09@sbcglobal.net or Cindy Hale Seeley at 875-5167.
Weekly Lenten fish fry
A weekly Lenten fish fry will be held at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, 4131 Clime Road, each Friday through April 3. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and will include all you can eat fish (fried and baked), choice of side dishes, beverage and dessert. For further information call 272-5206.
West High class of 1969
The West High School class of 1969 will hold its 40th class reunion on Aug. 29 at JP’s Barbeque at Bolton Field. For more information, contact Robin (McMillen) Gray at 870-8905 or Bea (Dodson) Bailey at 871-0335.
Spaghetti dinner at Westgate UMC
Westgate United Methodist Church, 61 S. Powell Ave., is having a spaghetti dinner on Feb. 28 from 4-7 p.m. The cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 4-10 and children under 3 are free. Everyone is welcome.
BR fashion show
The Mother’s Club at Bishop Ready High School is sponsoring “An Irish Spring” luncheon/fashion show on Sunday, March 8, at 1 p.m. at the Confluence Park Restaurant. Students will model formal and casual wear. Cost is $20 per person. Proceeds benefit the Bishop Ready scholarship fund. For more information, call Michelle Kelly at Bishop Ready at 276-7827.
FHHS jazz band dinner
The Franklin Heights High School jazz band will host its annual jazz dinner and dance on April 17 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Berwick Manor Restaurant. All proceeds from the event will benefit the band program. For tickets or additional information, contact Brenda Lenihan at 871-0645. Tickets should be purchased in advance.
Soup, sandwich and a movie
First United Brethren in Christ Church, 496 S. Wheatland Ave., will hold a soup and sandwich dinner on Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m. A movie will be shown after dinner. Come join us for an evening of fellowship. Call 274-9484. All are welcome.
Free financial workshop
A free financial workshop will be held on March 7 at the Westland Area Library, 4740 W. Broad St., from 10 a.m. to noon.
The workshop is “To Your Credit/Setting Your Financial Sights.” Those in attendance will learn the purpose of a credit report and how to use it, order a copy of their report and identify ways to build and repair credit history, understand financial goals, prioritize goals and modify a spending plan.
This workshop is sponsored by the Lincoln Village Residence Association through a Homeowners grant received through the United Way of Central Ohio and the Columbus Foundation.
Call 878-5705 to register for the workshop.
Westgate UMC senior luncheon
There will be a senior luncheon on Tuesday, March 12 at noon at Westgate United Methodist Church, 61 S. Powell Ave. Open to the public. Donations accepted.
Annual POPS Fair March 5
South-Western City Schools will hold its annual POPS (Parents of Preschoolers) Fair on March 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m at the South-Western Career Academy, 4750 Big Run South Road in Grove City.
The purpose of the POPS Fair is to provide parents of preschoolers with a central location in which to get information on the services and programs available to themselves and their children. Parents can also get information on enrolling their kindergarten in one of the district’s 17 elementary schools or Head Start programs.
In addition to agencies providing information to preschool parents, children will be entertained with games and activities, as well as a ride on a real school bus. Attendees can also stop by the district’s food services booth to purchase hot dogs, chips, and soda for dinner.
VFW supports FHHS cadets
Forty Franklin Heights NJROTC cadets, instructors and chaperons visited Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, N.C. as part of a base orientation visit Feb. 15-18.
The group left from Rickenbacker International Air Field and flew to and from Cherry Point on a Navy C-9B jet transport. They stayed in military housing; ate at the Mess Hall; visited the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial; and saw demonstrations from the base Crash and Rescue, military police and a military working dog. They received an overview of the base and assigned squadron’s missions and saw many aircraft used by today’s Marine Corp. Additionally, they got to talk with two Marines who had graduated from Franklin Heights High School.
The jet transport used for the return flight was used in the movie “Top Gun.”
VFW Post 4044 made a donation of $500, which sponsored seven cadets who otherwise would have been unable to make the trip. The visit met the purpose of exposing NJROTC cadets to active duty facilities.
First Saturday explores Columbus’ name
How the name Columbus was chosen for the new state capital nearly 200 years ago is the topic that will be explored at the First Saturday at Green Lawn program March 7.
Leading the discussion will be Robert Foos of northeast Columbus, a descendant of Joseph Foos, who suggested the name of Columbus for the newly designated site for the capital on the east bank of the Scioto River. Foos also plans to display some family items as part of his presentation.
The monthly program, free and open to the public, is at 11 a.m., in the Huntington Chapel, in the middle of Green Lawn Cemetery, 1000 Greenlawn Ave. Reservations are not necessary.
The program, created by the Green Lawn Volunteers, is educational and historical in nature and recognizes the achievements of someone buried at the cemetery.
Aglow to meet March 10
Aglow, A network of caring women, will meet March 10 at The Potter’s House, 3220 Lowell Dr., 9:45 a.m. Meeting cost is $5 and includes a continental breakfast.
The speaker will be Kathy Millhouse speaking on her desire that we walk in complete freedom and in the fullness of the destiny God has chosen and ordained for each of us.
For reservations and more information, call 263-0607 or 879-9730 by the deadline Monday, March 9.
Free clothing and lunch
New Hope Church, 3060 W. Broad St., will provide free women’s, men’s and children’s clothing on March 28 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 updates.
MP Scrapbooking Expo
A Scrapbooking Expo to benefit the Madison Plains High School Band will be held on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at Madison Plains High School, 800 Linson Road, London. Event highlights include a vendor marketplace, all-day crop party, silent auction, door prize and 50/50 raffles, scrappers swap-n-sell and food concessions. The event is open to the public. General admission is $5, crop space is $20 (fee includes general admission, one beverage ticket and one raffle ticket). To register for crop space or for vendor booth rental info contact Tamra Hall at tamrahall@netzero.com or (614)271-2316. Vendor and crop space registration deadline is March 16.
Chili and stew dinner
Crossroads UMC Brotherhood of United Methodist Men (BUMM) is holding its all-you-can-eat chili and stew dinner on March 27, at 1100 Hague Ave., from 4:30-7 p.m. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children. For more information, call the church at 274-4920.
Mindful Mothers spring bazaar
Mindful Mothers Club of London will hold their spring bazaar on Saturday, March 7, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., at Choctaw Lake Lodge, 2875 Oneida Dr., London. Area artisans and vendors will display and sell their creations and merchandise.
Over 30 vendors will be on hand. Items available include handmade jewelry, wreaths, and floral arrangements; pet accessories, Buckeye items, handbags, backpacks, handcrafted cards and invitations, and much more.
The Easter Bunny will be visiting and available for pictures from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for only $5!
Everyone attending will also have a chance to win the Golden Ticket! Everyone will receive a free raffle ticket for a $50 Wal-Mart gift card.
A lunch/snack bar will be open.
For more information, contact Caryl Laney at 740-852-2550.
Immunizations offered
The Franklin County Board of Health will offer child and adult immunizations at the Prairie Township Fire Department, 123 Inah Ave., from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Required immunizations are available for a $10 administration fee to children ages one month to 18 years of age. in addition, there is a $15 assessment fee that will be charged each visit. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay for childhood immunizations.
Adult immunizations are available at the clinic and vary in price according to the vaccine; however, international travel immunizations are not available.
Be sure to bring your child’s shot record to the clinic. A completed consent form is required if a parent or legal guardian is not present at the clinic.
For questions about the immunization clinics, contact the Franklin County Board of Health at 614-462-3160 or visit www.franklincountyohio.gov/health.
Falcon teacher honored
Andy Amstutz, a math teacher and track coach at FHHS, was recently chosen as the school’s Outstanding Educator of the Year.
This award is given by the school’s PTSA to honor a teacher who has dedicated themselves to helping the students in the school. Amstutz has been both a math teacher and track coach at Franklin Heights for the past seven years. Amstutz will be officially honored at the South-Western City School’s District PTA meeting to be held April 23 at Buckeye Woods Elementary School.
The PTSA is the high school’s branch of the Parent Teacher Student Association.
WAC to meet March 18
The Westland Area Commission meets the third Wednesday of very month. The next meeting will be on March 18 at 7 p.m. at Doctor’s Hospital West, 5100 West Broad St. Call 870-6522 for more information.
Free financial management workshop
Homes on the Hill CDC will hold a free workshop focusing on financial management for homeowners on Thursdays, March 5 through April 2, from 6-8 p.m. at the main branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 96 S. Grant Ave. The class will include advice on how to use home equity responsibly and when it is advantageous to refinance, as well as tips on saving money, developing and using a household budget and paying off debt.
Presenters will be provided by increase, CDC. Homes on the Hill counselors will also be present to consult individually with homeowners or potential homebuyers.
This class is free and open to the public; all are welcome to attend. The workshop may qualify participants for Increase CDC’s IDA programs. To register or for more information, call Homes on the Hill at 275-4663 extension 100.
