Campaign and Community Events
Join us for upcoming campaign events and community events to get to know Laura and why she's running for Upper Arlington City Council.
Flower Pounding with Circular Thrift
Thursday, August 28 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Oldham for UA HQ,
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Learn about the art of flower pounding with me and my Circular Thrift business partner, Lisa Goldsand. We’ll provide pre-treated tote bags, mallets and flowers, you bring your curiosity and creativity. If you have any pent-up frustrations, using a mallet to smash out natural pigments from flowers to create art can be, as my 10-year-old would say, very satisfying. All ages are welcome!
Lisa and I will also be chatting about the textile waste pilot program that Circular Thrift helped organize with SWACO, the City of Upper Arlington and other Central Ohio organizations where we’re turning end-of-life clothing into insulation and more. We’re pioneering solutions to the textile waste crisis right here in Upper Arlington.
Labor Neighbor Day
Monday, September 1 from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
1850 Hastings Lane,
Upper Arlington, OH 43220
Bike races and a wiffle ball tournament? Sign me up! Join me and your neighbors for this fun annual UACA event.
Labor Day Arts Festival
Monday, September 1 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
2850 Tremont Road,
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
The Labor Day Arts Festival is an annual favorite of mine. Not only can you visit booths of more than a hundred unique artists from throughout Ohio and beyond, talented musicians perform throughout the day and local artists offer hands-on activities for creatives of all ages.
Fireside Chat + S'mores
Friday, September 5 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Oldham for UA HQ,
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Stop by for a laidback opportunity to chat about your hopes for the future of Upper Arlington. We’ll have s’mores supplies and games, you bring your appetite and questions.
Oldham for UA Coffee Talk
Tuesday, September 23 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Bitty & Beau’s,
3110 Kingsdale Center, Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Got questions about why I’m running for Upper Arlington City Council? Stop by! I’m happy to chat with friends new and old, especially over a delicious iced chai latte.
Oldham for UA Happy Hour
Thursday, September 25 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Upper Arlington, OH
Wind down with a cocktail or mocktail of your choice, share your vision for our community’s future.
Past Campaign and Community Events
August Events
Kids K-8 Clothing Swap
Monday, August 18 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Thompson Park North Shelter House,
4250 Woodbrige Road,
Upper Arlington, OH 43220
Bring the clothes your K-8 kids don’t need anymore, leave with new-to-you outfits for the new school year. Join us at 5:30 to organize your clothes on tables, the clothing swap starts at 6:00 pm sharp.
Let’s keep clothes circulating in our community while getting to know our neighbors. People from all communities are welcome to join.
Neighbors' Night Out
Saturday, August 23 from 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm
2800 Tremont Road,
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Join neighbors for this new annual event from the Upper Arlington Civic Association. Enjoy drinks, a pop-up food hall and music from Yachtopia.
July Events
Fancy Kites + Forest Bathing
Wednesday, July 2 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Fancyburg Park,
3375 Kioka Ave, Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Join us to learn about the history of Fancyburg Park! We encourage residents to join us to share stories about Fancyburg’s early days. To honor the legacy of the park and Benn Blinn, we’ll be making and flying kites, or you can BYOK. Katy Oberle will also teach us about the restorative practice of forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku. Feel free to make yourself a fancy little picnic to enjoy, too!
UACA Fourth of July Celebrations
Friday, July 4 from 9:00 am – 11:00 pm
Northwest Boulevard and Northam Park,
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Laura’s thrilled to be diving into the neighborhood float game this year as part of the annual Upper Arlington Fourth of July celebration. Watch for the new ABCDW float in the parade, say hello to Laura and her family at the Party in the Park.
Ham It Up with Hambley + Oldham
Saturday, July 26 from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Oldham for UA HQ,
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Join candidate for Ohio Secretary of State Bryan Hambley and candidate for Upper Arlington City Council Laura Oldham for an afternoon of yard games, summer snacks and casual chats. Mix and mingle with other Upper Arlington progressives, including Council President, Upper Arlington, City Council
Ukeme Awakessien Jeter, and Nidhi Satiani, who is running for re-election for the Upper Arlington Board of Education.
We’ll be featuring a giant board game that wraps around on the sidewalk, cornhole, giant Jenga, giant Bananagrams, water games for kids of all ages and more. Candidate remarks will be made at 2:00 pm, come ready to have fun and ask questions.
June Events
UA Pride Month Flag Raising Ceremony
Monday, June 2 at 6:00 pm
Municipal Services Center,
3600 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Join members of Upper Arlington City Council, the Community Relations Committee and members of UA’s City Administration for the fourth annual Pride Month Flag Raising Ceremony on the front plaza. Laura will be in attendance to show her support for members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Upper Arlington and beyond.
Leadership UA Graduation
Thursday, June 5 from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
The Bob Crane Community Center,
3200 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Join fellow Leadership UA alums as well as friends of the LUA program for a celebration to honor the Leadership UA 2025 cohort, of which Laura is a proud member.
Sustainable UA First Fridays Coffee
Friday, June 6 from 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Colin’s Coffee,
2812 Fishinger Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Sustainable UA’s board members and Upper Arlington community members passionate about sustainability gather the first Friday of every month for a casual conversation about climate-friendly initiatives in our community.
Rainbow UA: Together in Pride Fest
Sunday, June 8 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Amelita Mirolo Barn,
4395 Carriage Hill Lane, Upper Arlington, OH, 43220
Join Rainbow UA for Together in Pride Fest to celebrate with community members.
Arts on Arlington
Thursday, June 12 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Mallway Park,
2096 Arlington Avenue, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
UA Parks & Recreation is hosting its fourth annual Arts on Arlington community event. This is one of Laura’s favorite events every year, so she’ll be hanging out enjoying music and happy to chat.
UA Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony
Monday, June 16 at 6:00 pm
Municipal Services Center,
3600 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Join members of Upper Arlington City Council, the Community Relations Committee and members of UA’s City Administration for the annual Juneteenth raising of the flag on the front plaza. Laura will be in attendance to show her support for the continued recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Bears + Brews Happy Hour
Wednesday, June 18 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm
The Daily Growler,
2812 Fishinger Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Join Rainbow UA for a casual happy hour featuring Ajumama. Laura will be hanging out before heading to COTA 101 at The Be Sanctuary.
COTA 101 with Oldham for UA
Wednesday, June 18 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Be Sanctuary,
3360 Tremont Road Suite 230, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Join us for a presentation from COTA to learn the ins and outs of taking the bus to get around Upper Arlington and beyond. We’ll gather inside The Be Sanctuary for about an hour, and then around 7:00 pm we’ll head outside together and explore the inside of a parked COTA bus. Learn how to pay fares with an app, how to track schedules, explore the bus and more. The goal is to make public transportation less overwhelming in an environment that encourages questions. All ages welcome!
Garden Hours + BioBlitz
Friday, June 20 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Oldham for UA HQ,
Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Laura will be hanging out and working in her garden regularly throughout campaign season and is happy to share plants and lead a mini BioBlitz for anyone interested. Swing by for a casual chance to share your hopes for the future of Upper Arlington and learn how to use iNaturalist and other apps to identify plants, insects, birds and more.
May Events
You Belong UA Family Book Read
Thursday, May 1 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
The Amelita Mirolo Barn,
4395 Carriage Hill Lane, Upper Arlington, OH, 43220
Laura started the You Belong UA Family Book Read in 2024 as a PTO DEI Chair and is thrilled that the event is now an official district event. Read Clean Getaway by Nic Stone, join a “family book talk” led by Upper Arlington High School students in the Teaching Professions Pathway.
Sustainable UA First Fridays Coffee
Friday, May 2 from 8:30 am – 9:30 am
Colin’s Coffee,
2812 Fishinger Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Join Sustainable UA’s board members and Upper Arlington community members passionate about sustainability the first Friday of every month for a casual conversation about climate-friendly initiatives in our community.
UA Culture & Artisans Fair
Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church,
2161 Dorset Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
The Third Annual UA Culture & Artisans Fair will feature about 20 artisans from around the world. Many of the artists are refugees or asylum seekers building their lives in the United States. Laura will be stopping by to enjoy food, music, art and more.
Golden Beers with Laura Guest Bartending
Sunday, May 18 from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The Ohio Taproom,
1291 W. Third Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43212
Laura will be slinging beers behind the bar and happy to answer questions while keeping pint glasses full. Hang out and enjoy a Black and Golden Beer, mocktail, coffee and more. All tips will go to CRIS Ohio to support refugees and immigrants in our community.
April Events
Upper Arlington Sustainability Fair 2025
Saturday, April 5 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Upper Arlington Public Library, Tremont Road Branch
2800 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Laura will be representing Sustainable UA and Circular Thrift at this year’s Sustainability Fair. Learn about the sustainabile initiatives happening in our community, bring hard-to-recycle materials, and more.
Bob Crane Community Center Grand Opening
Saturday, April 6 at 4:00 pm
Bob Crane Community Center
3200 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Laura will be attending the ribbon cutting as a member of the UA City Tree Commission. The BCCC will be open until 8:00 pm to explore the stunning new space.
The CRC Presents: UA Cherry Blossom Celebration
Monday, April 7 at 5:00 pm
Upper Arlington Mallway Park
2096 Arlington Ave., Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Enjoy activities to learn more about the history and culture surrounding cherry blossom celebrations. Laura will be available to chat and answer questions.
Friends of Upper Arlington Parks Tree Planting
Saturday, April 12 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Northwest Kiwanis Park Near Playground
4840 Stonehaven Drive, Upper Arlington, OH, 43220
Join the Friends of Upper Arlington Parks and members of Laura’s campaign to plant hundreds of trees in Northwest Kiwanis Park before heading to the Oldham for UA Campaign Kickoff Litter Cleanup.
Oldham for UA Campaign Kickoff Litter Cleanup
Saturday, April 12 from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Thompson Park South Shelter House
2020 McCoy Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Join us to help clean up litter throughout the park, chat about Laura’s goals and enjoy some light refreshments.
Upper Arlington Public Library Clothing Swap
Saturday, April 19 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Upper Arlington Public Library, Tremont Road Branch
2800 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Refresh your wardrobe, keep clothing circulating within our community to cut down on waste with this swap coordinated by UAPL and Circular Thrift. Laura will be organizing the swap and will be happy to answer questions about textile waste.
Arbor Day Afternoon Stroll at Fancyburg Park
Friday, April 25 from 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm
Fancyburg Park Shelter,
3375 Kioka Avenue, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Join members of the Upper Arlington City Tree Commission, including Laura, along with City Forester Sam Simmons. The class will walk about a mile and learn all about tree species in Fancyburg Park, share trivia and poe-TREE.
Heart of UA Fundraiser
Sunday, April 27 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Bob Crane Community Center,
3200 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Laura will be volunteering at this year’s Heart of UA Fundraiser with Leadership UA. Stop by and say “hello” while celebrating our fantastic new community space.
