Community

Thursday, January 2, 4pm; Tuesday, January 7, 10am; Thursday, January 9, 4pm; Tuesday, January 14, 10am; Thursday, January 16, 4pm; Tuesday, January 21, 10am; Thursday, January 23, 4pm; Tuesday, January 28, 10am; Thursday, January 30, 4pm; Tuesday, February 4, 10am; Thursday, February 6, 4pm; Franklin County Board of Elections Voting Lab, 1700 Morse Rd.

The new Franklin County voting machines use paper ballots that may be marked with a “touch-screen” machine that prints a paper ballot [that the voter may examine before casting]; voters may also use a pen to mark a paper ballot.

Thursday, January 2, 7-8:30pm, Compassionate Communication Center of Ohio [inside of Maynard Ave. United Methodist Church], 2350 Indianola Ave.

Join us for an engaging and fun introduction to Compassionate-Nonviolent Communication (NVC), the Language of the Heart, led by Susanna Warren.

People of all experience levels, ranging from beginners to experienced practitioners, are welcome to this gathering. We will have a short explanation, a demonstration, and then we will give everyone a chance to practice giving and/or receiving empathy.

Tuesday, December 31, 7-8:30pm, Clinton Heights Lutheran Church, 15 Clinton Heights Ave.

The Dances of Universal Peace are simple, meditative, and joyous circle dances that celebrate the variety of spiritual paths on Earth. If you like folk dancing, you’ll be right at home here. No previous experience is needed — just an open and willing attitude. Participation, not presentation, is the focus.

We will join with groups around the globe today to bring a special Global Peace Meditation along with our Dances of Universal Peace.

Sunday, December 29, 2-7pm, Summit on 16th United Methodist Church, 82 E. 16th Ave.; and then outside of the YMCA shelter, 40 W. Long St.

We’ll be cooking to share a meal outside of the downtown YMCA shelter again. Bring whatever vegan(ish) food you can find, or just bring yourself to help prepare the meal, or just come over for conversation and company. New people are always welcome! The “Facebook address” for this event is where the cooking itself will occur. We’re test-running a new cooking location that is a bit bigger and is wheelchair-accessible.

Saturday, December 28, 5-7pm, MCL Kingsdale, 3154 Kingsdale Center, Upper Arlington, Ohio

Don’t believe in God? You are not alone! Join the Humanist Community of Central Ohio [HCCO], a community that values people, emphasizes reason, and focuses on this world.

Come out and join us for dinner and conversation! We’ll be in the back room unless there’s a special event going on in that room.

Thursday, December 19, 6-7pm, Trinity Episcopal Church on Capitol Square, 125 E. Broad St.

This annual Memorial Service will honor and remember people who have experienced homelessness who have passed away during the course of the year. Please join us to honor their lives with words and music of inspiration.

Sponsored by Columbus Coalition for the Homeless.

Monday, December 16, 6-7:30pm, Columbus Metropolitan Library [Shepard Branch], 850 N. Nelson Rd.

The Columbus Community Bill of Rights is a citizen-initiated charter amendment for the city of Columbus. It will give us the right to protect our Water from toxic, radioactive Frack Waste dumping in our Water supply.

Come Sign the Petition at the following Columbus Metropolitan Library branches on the upcoming Monday.

• December 16, 6-7:30pm, Columbus Metropolitan Library [Franklinton Branch] [Meeting Room], 1061 W. Town St.

Sunday, December 15, 6:30-8:30pm, First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd.

Saturday, December 14, 6:30-11pm, 1021 E. Broad St. [east side door]

Join progressive friends for food, drink, and great music.

Contact: colsfreepress@gmail.com or 614-253-2571

Saturday, December 14, 6-8:30pm, Hilton Garden Inn Columbus University Area, 3232 Olentangy River Rd.

The Winter Solstice — also known as The Longest Night, Midwinter, Yule, and Jol — is a day that human beings across the globe have been celebrating since the Stone Age over 15,000 years ago. It represents the shortest period of sunlight in a single day for the whole year, and in turn, the longest period of darkness.