from Veterans Service Commission

May 28, 2013
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
American Legion Southway Post #144
3253 South High Street

Veterans, Active Duty Military, Members Of Guard And Reserve Components, Military Spouses Register for FREE at http://HOH.Greatjob.net to guarantee admission.

Walk-ins welcome but space not guaranteed

from Commissioners

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners have released a free Mobile App for iPhone and Android devices that gives residents enhanced access to county government agencies from their smart phones.

The app features an adoptable dog search, county agency directory, commissioners' news and job postings, and business service information, including open bid opportunities and surplus auction items.

The app is now available free to iPhone users via the Apple iTunes Store, and to Android users via the Google Play Store.

• News Release

from Commissioners

Thanks to a partnership among the Commissioners, the City of Columbus and the Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (COWIC), nearly 1,700 Franklin County youth and young adults age 14-24 will have the opportunity to get real-world job experience to develop the skills, attitudes and commitment necessary to succeed in today's workforce. Whether in or out of school, you can register for this summer jobs program. Applications will open May 1, 2013.

• Click here to register
• News Release

from Commissioners

Recognizing the direct link between dental health and overall health, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners is offering a countywide Dental Discount Program to provide residents and families who are not covered by dental insurance with discounts on certain dental services and procedures.

The discount - ranging from 5% to 50% on most dental procedures including routine oral exams, unlimited cleanings, dentures, root canals and crowns - is available to all Franklin County residents regardless of age, income or existing health coverage.

• Click here for details, including a list of participating dentists
• Download and print the brochure
• Print a poster for your office

from Auditor

Senior citizens and the disabled can file electronically for the first time ever this year for a property tax exemption of $25,000 on their home. Full details are available on the Auditor's web site.

from Commissioners

From June 19-21, Franklin County will host the 2013 National Association of Counties (NACo) Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Annual Meeting. LUCC consists of elected officials and executives from the nation's 100 largest counties, representing nearly half of the nation's population. The meeting provides county representatives the opportunity to network with peers, explore noteworthy practices, and discuss innovations and solutions.

Registration info, and a welcome from Jack Hanna

Save the Date postcard (PDF)

from Metro Parks

Metro Parks' Nature Adventure Camps are designed to provide Columbus and Central Ohio youth with the opportunity to discover and experience nature in an engaging, hands-on group setting. Educational concepts are introduced through active participation, fun outdoor activities, crafts and games.

More Information

from OSU Extension - Franklin County

Franklin County 4-H Cloverbud Day Camp has been scheduled for June 7th at Blacklick Woods Metro Park from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This year's theme is Art in the Garden. Children who have completed Kindergarten through second grade are eligible to attend. The cost of the camp is $6 per child which covers materials, program supplies and facility fees. Participants need to bring their own food and beverage. Activities include games, arts and crafts, music and more. Call 614-866-6900, ext. 214 to register, or email hogan.239@osu.edu for additional information.

from Metro Parks

Metro Parks is holding teacher workshops in June and July (Nature, not just for Science Anymore, Option 1 and Option 2 AND Highlighting PE Standards in the Outdoors) for K-12 and Phys Ed teachers.

Registration Form and Details (PDF)

from ADAMH

Each year at our annual meeting, the ADAMH Board of Franklin County recognizes members of the community who have been exceptional in helping others find their path to recovery. ADAMH is currently accepting nominations for three award categories. The award categories are the: Randall M. Dana Award of Excellence, the Barry Mastrine Award, and the Art Lynn Consumer & Family Advocate Award

• More Information about the Award and Application(PDF)

from Animal Care & Control

The shelter should be your first stop when your dog goes missing.

Visit immediately to search our lost wards for your dog and file a lost dog report.

More Tips on Finding your Lost Dog

from Soil and Water Conservation District

The GreenSpot Rain Barrel program has launched for its third season, running from April 1st through October 31st, with the ambition of encouraging residents to "go beyond rain barrels."

Developed by the City of Columbus and Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District in 2011, the GreenSpot Rain Barrel Program has grown to include multiple communities and has reached over 2,000 participants in Franklin County.

Schedule and Registration (PDF)

Official Website for the GreenSpot Rain Barrel Program

from Commissioners

The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new hotline - 1-855-VA-WOMEN - to receive and respond to questions from Veterans, their families and caregivers about the many VA services and resources available to women Veterans. The service began accepting calls on April 23, 2013.

• Women Veterans Call Center website
• Read the News Release

from Child Support Enforcement Agency

The Buckeye Ranch Visitation/Access Program is organizing free classes for never married parents. Classes meet once per week for six weeks. See the flyer for the class topics. You are welcome to attend even if your co-parent doesn't participate.

For more information contact Jessi McGahan at (614 384-7756) or email.

Common Ground Flyer (PDF)

from Emergency Management and Homeland Security

This executive summary provides highlights of accomplishments in 2012 by Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEM&HS), and notes about the Agency's goals for 2013

2012 Annual Report (PDF)

from Commissioners

Festival season is starting. Kids are ready for the Zoo, Zoombezi Bay, COSI, Clippers and Crew games, and all sorts of fun. Here is your guide to all the excitement, right here in Franklin County. Check it out as you make plans, and please share with your friends and family who might want to come visit this summer. You can get the latest info at http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/, including a new "tour planner" that helps you map out every stop of your trip.

• Go wild in Columbus!
• Experience Columbus website

from ADAMH

The ADAMH Board of Franklin County is now accepting applications for community mini-grants. We will consider proposals for events and special projects that align with our funding priorities.

For a full list of our funding priorities and grant requirements please review the 2013 ADAMH Community Mini-Grant Overview and Application for more information.

from Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Franklin County Emergency Management Agency officials said on Thursday that they are in the process of installing 14 new sirens across the county.

Officials have already started installing the new sirens. It could take up to three weeks for the project to be completed.

According to EMA officials, there are already 181 sirens that blare across Franklin County when a tornado warning is issued.

Complete Article on 10tv.com

from Metro Parks

Scioto Audubon Metro Park will stay open till midnight on the second and final Fridays of every month through October. Climbers must bring their own equipment to use the climbing wall. On these same Fridays, the dog park will also remain open till midnight, and you'll be able to enjoy late-night fishing from the dock on the Scioto River.

from Treasurer

Please keep in touch with our office through our new Facebook account. You can access our page by searching 'Franklin County Treasurer Ed Leonard'. Be sure to "Like" the page and stay connected!

The Treasurer's Office Facebook

from Public Health

The Childhood Immunization Schedule is available from Public Health. Appointments are required, be sure to make yours today!

Services Offered:

• Provide childhood immunizations to Franklin County residents
• Provide vaccine records for current/past clients
• Provide vaccine information to the public (education)
• Provide resources/ referrals (Tb clinic, foreign travel info, community links)

More Information about Immunizations at Public Health

from Children Services

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both children who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems as a result. See more.

from Soil & Water

Before deciding to use any pesticide on your property, do a quick accounting of what you want from your yard and the possible environmental impacts. Do you want golf-course quality turf grass and a garden suitable for a glossy magazine? Or are you willing to put up with some imperfections to minimize the effects of some pesticides on pollinators, including native bees and butterfly caterpillars? Also, think about cultural practices that can minimize the need for pesticide use. For instance, according to OSU Extension Ohioline, "The most important practices to reduce insect pests in lawns are proper turfgrass species and cultivar selection, thatch management, proper mowing and irrigation."

For more information, call the Franklin County Master Gardener's Garden Information Line at 688-GROW or go online to these OSU Extension articles: IPM for the Home Vegetable Garden and Managing Lawn Pests.