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Happy 420!!! There is much to celebrate this year. Full legal adult use in Ohio! Home grow! Possible rescheduling, better still descheduling! Reproductive rights! Ohio accomplished much in 2023 that we can crow about in 2024.

But we didn’t do it alone. They say many hands make light work. It takes a village. In truth, to arrive where we are today required thousands of our fellow citizens coming together over a span of 50+ years. What we did last year, began in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and so forth.

And, we climbed proverbial mountains to get there. The tears. The fears. The heartbreaks. The impediments. The injustices. Yet, here we are, still standing, better than we ever were before.

Despite countless obstacles, we should still show gratitude for what we have and what we gained. To paraphrase Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to us, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to our advancement, we should include all things in our gratitude.”

Tuesday, April 16, 3:30pm, Oscar Ritchie Hall [Theater], 225 Terrace Dr., Kent, Ohio

Kyle Rittenhouse, deadly shooter during Wisconsin protests in 2020, is scheduled to speak at a campus event on April 16 at Kent State University. Gaige Grosskreutz, surviving victim of the deadly massacre, alongside Kent State students, will be hosting a press conference, followed by a teach-in, on campus to condemn Rittenhouse’s status as a guest speaker and to highlight the harm that his hateful and violent white supremacy inflicts on our campuses and communities. As the anniversary of the May 4th shooting approaches, Kyle Rittenhouse has no place being welcomed on our campuses.

What: Press conference to condemn the actions of Kyle Rittenhouse and highlight the dangers of welcoming him on our campus.

Where: Kent State University, Oscar Ritchie Hall [Theater], 225 Terrace Dr, Kent, Ohio

Who:

• Ohio Student Association (OSA)

• Spanish and Latine Student Association (SALSA)

• Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)

• Black United Students (BUS)

• Ignite

Let’s Close This Case 

Detective Richardson looked over the recent information that he received regarding Booker T’s case. This case had been difficult to solve, however the pieces of the puzzle were fitting into place. His interviews with both Shelia and Jimmy had been productive. He believed Shelia didn’t know about her daughters and their connection to Smooth until he told her today. That removed the only motive he felt Shelia had to murder Smooth. So, he checked her off of his suspect list. He was surprised that she didn’t know about Jimmy’s daughter, considering Annie was Sara’s best friend, but that was a minor detail.

Jimmy on the other hand, had been surprised. Jimmy started the interview cocky, smirking when questioned about Smooth and their last encounter. He stopped smirking when Richardson asked about his daughter, Annie. “When was the last time you saw your daughter?”

Jimmy jumped up from the chair, looking at Richardson in shock. “What does Annie have to do with this?”

Let’s Close This Case 

Detective Richardson looked over the recent information that he received regarding Booker T’s case. This case had been difficult to solve, however the pieces of the puzzle were fitting into place. His interviews with both Shelia and Jimmy had been productive. He believed Shelia didn’t know about her daughters and their connection to Smooth until he told her today. That removed the only motive he felt Shelia had to murder Smooth. So, he checked her off of his suspect list. He was surprised that she didn’t know about Jimmy’s daughter, considering Annie was Sara’s best friend, but that was a minor detail.

Jimmy on the other hand, had been surprised. Jimmy started the interview cocky, smirking when questioned about Smooth and their last encounter. He stopped smirking when Richardson asked about his daughter, Annie. “When was the last time you saw your daughter?”

Jimmy jumped up from the chair, looking at Richardson in shock. “What does Annie have to do with this?”

The Biden administration’s recently published “Conventional Arms Transfer Policy” (Section 2, Paragraph 7), also known as National Security Memo 18/NSM-18, holds that the United States government has a duty to “prevent arms transfers that risk facilitating or otherwise contributing to violations of human rights or international humanitarian law.”  

In this moment of sharp partisan divisions in our country, which endanger America domestically and abroad, I recognize the urgency of uniting America, of placing country above party, of pledging allegiance to America and to no other nation, and to upholding our Constitution to protect our freedoms. 

Saturday, April 13, 2024, 5:30 – 9:00 PM
First Unitarian Universalist of Columbus, 93 W Weisheimer Rd, Columbus 43214. 

The Free Press is celebrating the 8th Earth Day Birthday of WGRN 91.9FM community radio!  (formerly WGRN94.1FM).  

We will welcome folksinger Tom Neilson as our featured guest, singing songs of satire and social commentary with his wife, Lynn Waldron.  

We will honor our Producer of the Year: Felice Thomas, producer of the program "The Cell" that covers health issues sponsored by the Faith Thomas Foundation, an organization founded after the death of Felice's daughter of sickle cell anemia

and

True Love Ministries Shoe Drive
Saturday, April 13, 11am-2pm
1634 Minnesota Ave., Columbus 43211

Please drop off your new or gently used shoes. No need to get out of your car. We can unload your car for you.

I received an invite: the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) organized a protest at the Supreme Court in defense of reproductive freedom. People could ride a bus from Ohio into DC for ACLU’s Supreme Court rally, 3-26-2024. The Supreme Court was taking arguments which would ban abortion pills….the case against abortion pills was weak. The case wouldn’t prove there was enough evidence to overrule the Food and Drug Administration’s approval. Sometimes the Supreme Court rejects underdeveloped arguments regardless of the Justices’ political bias.

While I believe Trump should be removed from the ballot because of his violating the insurrection clause…the Colorado case removing Trump from the ballot failed because the REPUBLICANS who presented removing Trump from the ballot didn’t have a conviction of Trump for insurrection.

We know Trump’s Supreme Court nominees overturned Roe V. Wade….I’m pro-choice.

What: Meijer has officially opened its garden centers across the Columbus area, offering a bounty of blooms, greenery, landscaping supplies, various tools and more to welcome customers into the spring season.

When purchasing garden items, plastic trays are often used to hold them and unfortunately, not disposed properly. That’s why Meijer offers customers a free service to return them safely and conveniently at any of its garden centers.

Meijer began collecting the plastic gardening containers – which primarily come from its three suppliers of annuals, like geraniums or petunias – in 2014 and has since contributed to the recycling of approximately 2,100 tons of plastic.

When: Meijer garden centers are open all season long. Check your local store for hours.

Where: At all Meijer garden center locations, customers can easily spot the recycling carts where they can place their trays and pots.