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Our sloganeering Mayor Andy Ginther had been spouting off about how Columbus is “America’s Opportunity City” as far back as 2015 when he stated, his "Columbus will be America’s Opportunity City.” In 2018 Ginther told the inaugural cohort of the New American Leadership Academy, “We are a top city with immigrants. We are proud of that.” In his 2019 State of the City Address he claimed, “In my previous State of the City addresses, I committed to make Columbus America’s opportunity city, to tackling our most pressing challenges and making tangible, long-lasting changes to lift up Columbus neighborhoods and move our city forward together. We have. And we are.”

During Ginther’s 2023 mayoral campaign he wrote he would, “Ensure anyone who works in America's Opportunity City can afford to live in the neighborhood of their choice” and “Every family in every neighborhood should be able to share in the success story that is Columbus. But what makes Columbus truly special is how we respond to opportunity.” Ginther has been full of more empty campaign promises.

Our sloganeering Mayor Andy Ginther had been spouting off about how Columbus is “America’s Opportunity City” as far back as 2015 when he stated, his "Columbus will be America’s Opportunity City.” In 2018 Ginther told the inaugural cohort of the New American Leadership Academy, “We are a top city with immigrants. We are proud of that.” In his 2019 State of the City Address he claimed, “In my previous State of the City addresses, I committed to make Columbus America’s opportunity city, to tackling our most pressing challenges and making tangible, long-lasting changes to lift up Columbus neighborhoods and move our city forward together. We have. And we are.”

During Ginther’s 2023 mayoral campaign he wrote he would, “Ensure anyone who works in America's Opportunity City can afford to live in the neighborhood of their choice” and “Every family in every neighborhood should be able to share in the success story that is Columbus. But what makes Columbus truly special is how we respond to opportunity.” Ginther has been full of more empty campaign promises.

Ohio environmental groups and allies are alerting the public about the need to stop fracking methane gas and keep fossil fuels in the ground so to mitigate the worst effects of global warming and climate change.

These groups are promoting book signings throughout Ohio, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania this spring for Rolling Stone and DeSmog writer Justin Nobel’s new book investigating worker health harms and the environmental dangers of working in the gas and oil industry.

Nobel’s nonfiction book, Petroleum-238: Big Oil’s Dangerous Secret and the Grassroots Fight to Stop it (Karret Press, 2024) will be released April 24th in U.S. bookstores.

Nobel spent seven years traveling eastern and southeastern Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and other states across the country interviewing workers in the gas and oil industry about their work conditions, the radioactive toxic waste they were exposed to daily, and the health issues they eventually faced.

Protest at Chase "McCoy Center" Headquarters in Columbus
Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Chase is THE LARGEST fossil fuel funder on the planet. They've pumped over $434 BILLION into deadly fossil fuels worldwide since 2016.  

JOIN US for a protest at Chase "McCoy Center" headquarters in Columbus. If this is the 'Real McCoy' they need a REALITY CHECK!  

This will be peaceful protests and we do not anticipate any arrest risk. Rain or shine (unless lightning).

This protest, organized by Third Act Ohio, is part of a larger "Spring Spark" group of actions happening in NYC and across the country on this day.  

All are welcome.  Please Be There!!  

Meet up: 3:30pm, Krispy Kreme, 1021 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus (inside if raining, parking lot, otherwise).  We will convene and move to 2 close-by protest sites.  

If you have questions, or need a ride to the protest site, please email us at thirdactoh@gmail.com. 

Vote is expected this Tuesday.  Sample script:  "Hello, I am a constituent from zip code _______. I am calling Senator ________ to vote against (H.R. 8034) Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act. This bill has passed the house. It would provide $26 billion in military aid to Israel. Please tell the Senator to vote NO. We must forge a new path forward. A path that creates lasting peace.  We can it continue unconditional funds to Israel while they continue to risk an escalation to a regional war and make plans to invade Rafah where 1.1million Palestinians have sought refuge. Senator Brown - phone 202-224-2315 and Senator JD Vance - phone 202-224-3353.

(This article first appeared in the Buckeye Flame)

What happens when Ohio’s feminist chorus, a prestigious university and a philosopher all get angry about racial injustice?

Audiences in northeast Ohio are about to find out as Windsong, Cleveland’s feminist chorus, has teamed up with Case Western Reserve University’s chorale and author and philosopher Dr. Myisha Cherry in “A Concert for Rage,” which will be performed on Saturday, April 27th at 6 pm at the Maltz Performing Arts Center in University Circle.

The Buckeye Flame spoke with Jessica Steuver, Windsong’s artistic director, about this unique upcoming event. To listen, click play directly below or read our (edited) conversation beneath the audio link.

For folks who don’t know about Windsong, tell us about the chorus?

Bloodstains 

We finally made it to my house. Jean and I had to convince Annie to keep walking with us because she kept trying to turn back towards her house. I saw Mr. Jimmy’s cab as we approached the front of the house. The first thought that came to my mind was that this was gonna be a problem. The goal was to get Annie to our bedroom to hide until he came home. Now I had to figure out how to sneak her into the house without her father seeing her. We wanted Annie to see him first and then decide if she wanted to speak with him. Difficult but not impossible.

“Hold on a minute.” I stopped and turned to face Annie. “That’s your father’s cab in front of our house. He may be in the living room or kitchen.”

Jean scoffed “What’s he doing here? He’s supposed to be at work.”

“Well, he’s not, as you can plainly see, good grief! Focus!” I shook my head at Jean and turned back to Annie who was looking at the cab.

“That’s his cab? I see that cab and the other ones all the time. I didn’t know my father drove one.” Annie said in wonder.

Earth Day Tree Planting
Monday, April 22, 5pm

Quarry Trails Metro Park, 2600 Dublin Rd., Columbus, OH, United States, Ohio 43228 

Come and plant trees for Earth Day!! All supplies provided.

Meet at the Dog Park Parking lot. Use address 2600 and follow roadway to the Dog Park.

A shout-out to young people who are aspirational change-makers is wanted in a new youth-led initiative to help address high rates of illiteracy within the community.

The Youth Ambassador role in Columbus (Ohio), provides a young person with a platform to advocate and talk about the falling rates of reading skills and create increased community education and awareness about the vital importance of foundational literacy skills for lifelong benefits.

Saturday, April 20, 7-11pm

Protecting, Honoring, and Celebrating Animals.
Old First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Bryden Rd. (at corner of Ohio Avenue)
Doors open at 7. Speakers from 7:30-8:

Britt from Colony Cats on their ambitious trap and release program, Lisa Chapman, OSU master gardener on how to create a pollinator garden using native plants.

Live music from 8-10: guitarlst L.A. Jenkins.

Paintings and pastels by artist Dale Johnson will be shown.

Light snacks and beverages to be served, games and an animal coloring contest with no age limit!

There is no admission for Third Space events but we encourage donations to our partner non-profits and to cover some of the outlay for the event. Art, food, community,

CONVERSATION!