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Over a decade into his tenure with Marvel Studios, James Gunn has wrapped up his latest project as he prepares for a new role as co-chief at DC. On Twitter, he perfectly summed up the Guardians franchise by saying, "I didn't want to make a movie LIKE Star Wars, but a movie that made people FEEL like Star Wars made me feel as a kid. Outlandish characters, extraordinary locations, a space opera with a touch of magic filled with heart." Gunn's words are spot on.
"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," once again written and directed by Gunn, ventures into darker territory than its predecessors. It delves deeper into the characters' emotional landscapes while maintaining the humor and action-packed spirit the series is known for.
Rocket Raccoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper, takes center stage in this installment. His heartbreaking backstory is explored as he's one of several animals experimented on by the villain, The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), who wants to create the perfect utopian society and is obsessed with creating superior animals for his "perfect" new planet.
Saturday, May 13, 7-8pm, this event will be occurring via Zoom
Theme: Worker’s rights organizing.
Damon Schnur on Starbucks organizing
Michael Smalz on the Central Ohio Worker Center
Pranav Jani on Senate Bill 83
Teacher's union report
Fighting HJR1
A question-and-answer period will be included.
If you have any announcements for the progressive community, contact us at <colsfreepress@gmail.com>.
Please use this Zoom link to join this event.
Hosted by The Columbus Free Press.
On the farthest western edge of Columbus, in a patch of forest which days are probably numbered, several coyotes howl in the night. These same coyotes, believed to be three brothers, were recently witnessed dashing across 70 West near 270.
The coyote’s patch of woods is connected to a subdivision where the houses look alike. Of late there’s more “Missing Cat” signs taped to lamp posts (sushi for coyotes, believe some).
Also being squeezed out are the houseless, but their tents remain. “Brett,” who bought a 100-year-old farm house near here, said he’s called 311 nine times over the past year to have an abandoned tent (pictured above) removed from Clover Park, but no City employee has ever shown.
Is it an accidental that the stack of tourist literature I found recently at rest stops on the Pennsylvania Turnpike included Youngstown and the Hocking Hills but nothing from Columbus, Ohio? Or should that be expected?
Columbus’ more than two century long crisis of identity and inferiority complex again makes its periodic eruption. Inseparable from its lack of documented history, unrepresentative and undemocratic city government, absence of signature physical or human-made structures, and lack of constructively critical responsible media, these stand out among its claims for uniqueness and exceptionality.
At its core, however, lies the city’s refusal to learn from its own experiences and from any others’. In the 21st century, this is a paralyzing urban condition untreatable in the Les Wexner Medical Center of The Ohio State University. Those two city anchors are known for corporate bankruptcy and close friendship with sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein, on one hand, and semi-pro football and alienation from its home city, on the other.
Thursday, May 11, 5:30pm, Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.
You’re invited to an evening of celebration as we pay tribute to outstanding leaders for healthcare in Ohio.
• Dr. Matthew Noordsij-Jones, Primary Care Physician, Corwin Nixon Health Center, Dayton
• Yvonne Oliver, Health Care Advocate, Cleveland Ohio
• Bob Lynn, Health Care Advocate, Toledo Jobs with Justice (retired)
• Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage, a Statewide Coalition
Join us for good music, food, and fun activities.
Ticket price: $25.00.
RSVP for this event by using this link.
Hosted by UHCAN Ohio.
“No on HJR 1 and SJR 2: Protect the Voice of Ohio Voters,” hosted by Ohio Education Association
Wednesday, May 10, 12:30pm, Trinity Episcopal Church on Capitol Square, 125 E. Broad St.
Two proposed constitutional amendments seek to weaken the voice of voters. It’s time to stand up and fight back. House Joint Resolution 1 and Senate Joint Resolution 2 (HJR 1 and SJR 2) would make it much harder to pass citizen-initiated constitutional amendments in our state by requiring a supermajority of 60% of the vote.
Legislators are considering rushing these issues to the ballot with an August special election. We must come together to protect the fundamental right of Ohio voters to decide critical issues at the ballot box.
It's time to show up in droves to say "Stop Executions forever in Ohio!"
The first hearing is Tuesday (5/9) at 2pm in the Finance Hearing Room in the Ohio Statehouse. Our goal is to pack the room with supporters of this legislation. If you can go to the statehouse in Columbus for this important hearing, please RSVP here: bit.ly/PacktheRoom23.
Go early. Wear your button or t-shirt, or pick one up at the hearing if any remain.
ALSO....
... there are several Ohioans touched by this issue who can use support at this time. Click their names to learn more.
Monday, May 8, 7pm, this event will be occurring via “|Facebook Live”
Join Childcare Changemakers, partners of Community Change Action, and national allies for our second annual “Day Without Childcare Virtual Celebration.” On May 8, from 7pm to 8:30pm, we will hear from childcare providers and parents across the country who took action on “Day Without Childcare” and the work to build a just and equitable childcare system. Register now, to get updates from participants of in-person actions and to participate in a dialogue about the future of our childcare movement.
This event will be occurring via “Facebook Live.”
RSVP for this event by clicking “Going” on this “Facebook event” page [that has a “Watch live video” link that is not currently active].
Hosted by Ohio Organizing Collaborative and Childcare Changemakers.
Sunday, May 7, 2-5pm, Westgate Park Shelterhouse, 3271 Wicklow Rd.
The Central Ohio Worker Center will celebrate May Day (International Workers’ Day) on Sunday, May 7, 2-5 pm, at the Westgate Park Shelterhouse on the west side of Columbus. We will honor the contributions of labor movements around the world! Please save the date and join us to celebrate as we work together to build a better future for all working people! We will have free food and drinks from several food trucks, including tacos, kebabs, and ice cream. Bring the whole family and enjoy face painting, music, dancing, and performances.
Hosted by Central Ohio Worker Center [Centro de Trabajadores de Central Ohio] and Avanza Together.
Saturday, May 6, 4-8pm, The Vanderelli Room, 218 McDowell St.
Paul Volker is a native of Columbus, where he studied fine art at The Ohio State University. Volker began working as a freelance cartoonist and illustrator at age 20, but shifted to painting a few years later, using mainly recycled house paints on various materials, including rubber, plywood, and even bread.
“I enjoy experimenting with different materials. For me, a painting shouldn’t just be a picture of something, but should be a unique object in itself, on which the picture is placed.”
Volker is known as a prolific artist, having painted and sold more than 3,000 works. His paintings rely heavily on contrast and humor, with cartoon animals having been the main subject in over a thousand small paintings created in a series he calls “Wild Beasts” (a reference to Fauvism).
Where most paintings are done on canvas, Volker uses plywood. He prefers house paints to tube paints. His paintings are designed to hang without frames and many without wires. Whatever is expected, he seems to do the opposite.