From left, “Columbus” director Kogonada and stars Haley Lu Richardson and John Cho pose for photos at the premiere of the movie at YES Cinema in Columbus on Sept. 1, 2017.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
You can get the updated COVID booster shot locally, and officials urge people eligible for the shots to take them at the same time as getting a flu shot.
As The Republic’s Andy East reported, Columbus Regional Health has received doses of Pfizer’s booster targeting the most common omicron strain and is distributing them to local doctor’s offices. Local CVS and Target pharmacies also have the shot, which is available to anyone 12 or older who received an initial two-dose vaccination or booster shot at least two months ago.
If you’re eligible, the best advice is to get the shot to protect against the most common forms of COVID. And local health officials say you can and should get a flu shot at the same time.
“That is perfectly safe,” Columbus Regional Health spokeswoman Kelsey DeClue told East. “… In fact, it’s kind of what we recommend.”
Protect yourself before cold and flu season ramps up with the onset of cold weather. To find available COVID vaccination appointments, go to ourshot.in.gov or call 211 (866-211-9966).
Welcome back ‘Columbus’ crew
Few cities can boast a film that functions as a cinematic love letter to a place and a poignant, meaningful story like we can. “Columbus” wasn’t a blockbuster and never intended to be. But there is something about that little film that stars our little city that remains transcendent. Much like the architecture of Columbus that plays an outsized role in our city and in the film.
So what a pleasant surprise it was to learn this week that “Columbus” director Kogonada and stars John Cho and Haley Lu Richardson will return to Columbus on Monday for a public conversation celebrating the fifth anniversary of the movie’s premiere.
The cast members speak with an abiding, heartfelt fondness for Columbus the city as well as “Columbus” the film. They’ll be sharing more at an event Monday evening at the former North Christian Church. We hope they know they’re welcome anytime.
Remember our local POWs, MIAs
At a solemn ceremony last week, Taps sounded at the annual ceremony for prisoners of war and service members missing in action.
Just as we honor the hundreds of Bartholomew County service members who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our nation and our freedoms, we must never forget the 55 service members from the Columbus area who are declared POW, MIA or both.
Their names were read aloud during last week’s ceremony at the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans. Each one of them has family, loved ones and friends here for whom closure has never come. It is fitting that we honor and remember them, if only in that small way, it helps bring them back home.
Going above and beyond for a cause
You could say Centra Credit Union CEO Rick Silvers has helped elevate fundraising in Columbus. On Sept. 16, Silvers decamped to the roof of his downtown Columbus office as part of an effort that surpassed a goal of raising $40,000 for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services’ Emergency Residential Shelter services and programs.
“Raise the Roof with Rick: Securing Safety for Survivors” continued a series of efforts by higher-ups in the community to get folks to lift up worthy causes. Hutch Schumaker a few years back also ascended to new philanthropic heights, also doing a rooftop sit-in that helped raise $33,000 for Turning Point.
This year, Coca-Cola Bottling, QMIX Radio, Donut Central, Starbucks Coffee, and ZwanzigZ Pizza were part of the spectacle that called attention to Silvers’ makeshift office. All of which had things looking up for a fun fundraiser. “We’ve seen a lot of our downt0wn friends and partners pop by to donate,” Turning Point President Whittney Loyd said.
If you missed out on “Raise the Roof,” you can still help out the good cause it supports by donating at turningpointdv.org/raisetheroof.
