Briefs: 'Finding Nemo Jr.' auditions, unclaimed funds, Columbia Gas budget plan

Audition date announced for 'Finding Nemo Jr.'

The Palace Theatre is gearing up to bring the Disney and Pixar animated motion picture "Finding Nemo" to life on stage this October. Open auditions for "Finding Nemo Jr." will be held Aug. 27 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Director Kristi Wink is looking to cast boys and girls ages 8 to 15 years to fill the roles for this Junior Palace Production. Character breakdowns can be found on the Palace Theatre website.

Auditioners should come dressed in casual clothing and shoes appropriate for performing choreography. Those interested in chorus only will be asked to dance and sing with a group. Individuals wishing to audition for principal roles are asked to come prepared to sing a one-minute solo audition tune and read from the script. A pianist will be provided; no CDs and no songs from the show. A “family-friendly” rehearsal schedule is set to meet from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Performance dates for “Finding Nemo Jr.” are Oct. 6, 7, and 8 on the Palace Theatre’s main stage.

For more information, call 740-383-2101 or visit marionpalace.org.

More than $322,000 in missing money found at Ohio State Fair

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Unclaimed Funds is celebrating another successful year of finding Ohioan’s missing money at the Ohio State Fair.

This year, the division helped return $322,729.94 in unclaimed funds to more than 1,000 claimants who visited its fair booth. The average claim at this year’s state fair was nearly $308. One Ohioan this year found more than $50,000.

Unclaimed funds are lost or forgotten money that businesses and banks report to the division after accounts become inactive, typically 3-5 years. The money comes from inactive checking and savings accounts, refund/credit balances, uncashed cashier’s checks, stocks and bonds forgotten utility deposits or last paychecks.

The division is currently safeguarding more than $3.9 billion in unclaimed funds. Ohioans can check at any time to see if they have unclaimed funds online or by calling 614-466-4433.

Enroll now in the 2023-2024 Columbia Gas Budget Plan

Columbia Gas says customers can get a head start on their winter heating bills by signing up for the 2023-2024 Budget Plan. The Budget Plan spreads the total cost of heating more evenly throughout the year. It allows for a year-round rolling enrollment, which prevents a high budget amount during the winter months, as the amount to enroll is recalculated monthly based on an entire 12-month history.

Columbia Gas customers may sign up for the free Budget Plan anytime by paying the “budget payment” amount on their August bill, going online to ColumbiaGasOhio.com/Budget, or calling 1-800-344-4077 to speak with a customer service representative.

Once enrolled, customers will pay the “budget payment” amount listed on their monthly bill from August 2023 to July 2024. Accounts are reviewed and adjusted, if needed, in March.

Each customer’s budget plan amount is individually calculated by looking at previous usage rates, 30-year average weather, and the current and estimated cost of natural gas.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Finding Nemo Jr. auditions, unclaimed funds, Columbia Gas bills