Afternoon Update

NEWARK FANFEST ACCEPTING ENTRIES OF 2D ART – Newark FAMFEST, is pleased to announce that the Sparta Restaurant and Coffee Shop will continue to host community art shows year-round. Newark FAMFEST is now accepting entries of two-dimensional art pieces for the new community art show. The art show premiers Aug. 28 at the Sparta in downtown Newark, and will remain on display until January 2016. The community art show is open to adults 18 and over; amateur and professional artists are encouraged to participate!

The call for entries form is at www.newarkfamfest.com/. Each submission must include an artist’s bio and a 5 x7 digital photograph of the work. Artwork may be no larger than 36” x 48”, and must be framed and ready to hang with the hanging wire providing 3 inches of space from the top of the frame. Please indicate the sales price of each submission, or indicate if item is not for sale. All sales of art will be arranged directly between the artist and the buyer.

Artists will be notified of acceptance the week of Aug. 16. Art accepted for the show must be dropped off at the Sparta on Aug. 23 from 1 to 2 pm.

HIGHBALL EVENT BACK TO COLUMBUS – In what has rapidly become one of the Halloween season’s most highly-anticipated events, HighBall returns to Columbus for its seventh year, bringing guests more wild, fashion-forward costume designs than ever before. Repeatedly called the most elaborate and best Halloween costume party in the U.S., the two-day celebration of fashion and costume is slated for Friday, Oct. 23-Saturday, Oct. 24 in downtown Columbus. Nearby hotels will launch HighBall Getaway Packages in July, which include event tickets. Complete details are available at www.highballcolumbus.org.

HighBall’s crown jewel is Saturday night’s annual Highball Costume Couture Fashion Show, which features eight teams of designers who dazzle the crowd of some 40,000 visitors. The runway show boasts more than a dozen high-couture costumes that are nothing short of fantastical. HighBall: On the Rocks happens Friday and includes an exciting music theme, local performers and a headliner, to be announced in coming weeks. Both Friday and Saturday include public costume contests and cash prizes for the best HighBaller costumes.

“HighBall has grown to become an icon of the Short North Arts District and one of Columbus’ most elaborate and inspiring artistic celebrations,” said Short North Alliance Executive Director Betsy Pandora.

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL LITERACY GRANT AWARD RECIPIENTS – The Financial Literacy Grant from the Ohio Department of Commerce will aid three organizations in helping Ohioans better understand their finances. The grant, totaling $75,000, will be shared by The Ohio State University Extension, Trinity Debt Management and The Providence Center for Social and Economic Empowerment.

The Ohio State University Extension will be using the grant money in Franklin County to begin Bridging Fathers and Families through Financial Literacy. The goal of this program is to strengthen the bond between non-custodial fathers and their children by working to eliminate some of the financial barriers that may exist in their lives.

Trinity Debt Management, in conjunction with Cincinnati State Community College – Middletown, will be utilizing grant funds to begin a financial literacy education program. Individuals who take part in the courses offered by Trinity Debt Management also have the opportunity to participate in one-on-one counseling to continue working toward their goals of financial stability and understanding.

The Providence Center for Social and Economic Empowerment will work with the Latino community in Lucas County to provide financial literacy education courses over a 22 week period. Admission for this program will be on a rolling basis, so participants can join at any point of the program in order to maximize the program’s reach.

“We want to provide resources to Ohioans to strengthen their financial understanding,” said Ohio Division of Financial Institutions Superintendent Charles J. Dolezal. “These organizations showed us they will help us do that by creating these innovative programs.”

The Financial Literacy Education Fund is financed through a quarterly transfer of 5% of all charges, penalties, and forfeitures levied by the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions Consumer Finance Section. Grant awards are given annually at the discretion of the Director of Commerce. Those interested in future funding cycles can contact the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions, Office of Consumer Affairs by calling (614) 728-8400.