Quick takes – September 3

Looking to help?

If you are the type of person who likes to help others, either directly or indirectly, here are two good opportunities.

Developmental Services Inc., which helps residents with physical, mental and emotional disabilities, uses its Client Emergency Fund to help clients when they encounter unexpected expenses. However, that fund became nearly depleted, and now DSI needs the community’s help to replenish it. DSI is hoping to raise at least $5,000. The generosity of DSI employees and other donors has raised about $3,000 — which included a $1,000 gift from an anonymous couple. However, more donations are needed to bolster a fund that provides an important lift to DSI clients. For more information on how to help, go online at dsiservices.org or call 812-376-9404.

Also, Asbury United Methodist Church is the location for meal packing for the Christian nonprofit Feed My Starving Children. Volunteers pack dehydrated nonperishable meals for malnourished children worldwide. About 250 more volunteers are needed for an effort that will pack more than 200,000 meals. This year’s meal-packing effort runs Friday through Sept. 11. For more information, call 812-372-4555 or go online at asburycolumbus.org.

Cheers to new event

The inaugural Columbus Craft Beerfest on Aug. 27 at Mill Race Park drew about 2,000 people in a three-hour period to sample brews from among 55 vendors. That was a great turnout for a first-time event.

Kudos to local organizers, such as Columbus Young Professionals, for taking feedback from one of the past Welcoming Community surveys — that young professionals wanted more ways and places to relax with friends socially — and using it in a positive way to add another enjoyable offering in the community.

The event seemed to go over well, making it likely to return next year. Based on the turnout this year, Columbus Craft Beerfest seems like an event people would be eager to circle on their calendars.

Contested races important

It’s been 10 years since Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. has had a contested election for school board, but in this year’s Nov. 8 election all three positions that are up will have challengers.

James Persinger and incumbent Polly Verbanic are competing for the District 3 seat; incumbent Pat Bryant and Tim Woods are candidates for District 5; and incumbent Jeff Caldwell and Dennis White are the District 7 candidates. The last time there were contested races for the school board was the 2006 primary, when Districts 1 and 6 had two candidates each.

Having multiple candidates indicates increased interest in serving, which is healthy, and it gives informed voters a choice on the ballot. And for something as important as the school board, that’s important.