Local

Fri, April 26-Sun, April 28
Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.
A variety of topics including: Medical Issues and Developments, Healthcare and Safety, Partners, Spouses, and Family, Legal Issues and Employment, Youth and Aging Needs, Homelessness, Mental Health, Legislative Updates and more. Tickets: transohio.ticketleap.com/symposium2019. transohio.org.

Thursday, April 25, 2019, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Open to all, this meeting is to coordinate our activities, discuss chapter business, and hear committee updates. Location:  Northwood High Building, Room 100, 2231 N High St Columbus, OH.  For more information, contact columbusdsa@gmail.com. 

The resurrected Columbus Destroyers open the season this Saturday night on the road against the Albany Empire (7 pm broadcast on CD102.5), but Destroyers’ head coach Matt Sauk isn’t letting on who will be under center and their starting quarterback could be a game-day decision.

“We’ll name a starter when we line up for the first play of the game,” said Sauk, who himself played quarterback for Utah State and in the Arena Football League (AFL).

The Destroyers have two quarterbacks in camp at the Bo Jackson Dome in Hilliard. Rookie Grant Russell from Newark, Ohio, and 36-year-old AFL veteran Danny Southwick. In the AFL it’s all about the quarterback all the time, where 98 percent of the plays are passing attempts.

On a recent weekday at camp the 6'4″Russell took the majority of snaps with the first-team offense. Barely recruited out of Newark High School, Russell found a home at Division II Ohio Dominican University where he started three seasons and excelled, completing 72.5 percent of his passes in 2017, and was named Great Midwest Athletic Conference player of the year.

Spring is finally here, the time of year when most people go outside and treat their lawn for noxious weeds. This is so commonplace, that many overlook potent medicine right in their own backyard. There is a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that summarizes this well, “A weed is a plant, whose virtues have not yet been discovered.”

Hearings in the Ohio Legislature this week (Tuesday and Wednesday) will underscore opposition to the proposed mega-bailout meant to keep the decrepit Davis-Besse and Perry nukes operating to ultimate failure.

PLEASE go there to testify.

Here are some key talking points (in progress).  Please insert your own:

Physical status of the plants:

1) These two Nukes are literally crumbling (see work by Kevin Kamps/Beyond Nuclear, Mike Keegan, and more)

2) The shield building at Davis-Besse is swiss cheese…pock-marked with holes caused by moisture getting into the cracks, then expanding in cold weather, then melting in thaws.  It could easily drop heavy chunks onto vital components.

3) At more than 40 years old, there has been no recent comprehensive inspection of DB by an independent agency to check for cracking, embrittlement, incomplete maintenance, etc.  Such an inspection must be a pre-requisite for any major investment by the public, and must be subjected to public hearings.  Does one buy a used car without seeing if the block is cracked or if the brakes work?

Earth Day Birthday Celebration for Green Renaissance Radio
Earth Day, Monday, April 22, 6-11pm
Dick’s Den, 2417 N High St., Columbus
April 22 is WGRN 94.1’s Third annual Earth Day Birthday bash! WGRN 94.1FM is Columbus’ eco-socialist feminist Green Renaissance low power community radio station. A Pacifica affiliate, 94.1 plays Amy Goodman, Thom Hartmann, and many other national and local news and music programs.

At our third birthday bash, you’ll hear live Music from Happy Chichester, Bob Sauls, Elizabeth Bolen & Friends, Brian Clash, Dan D and the War Pigs, and Victoria Parks. Enjoy home cooking and environmental speakers.

$10 Suggested donation, cash bar. On street and off-street parking available, call Dick’s Den at (614) 268-9573 for those details  Stay tuned to 94.1 for further event details, or visit the website at wgrn.org.

RSVP on our Facebook page – WGRN 94.1.

WGRN is always open to interns and volunteers to help produce and schedule programs, promote us at events or online, and raise money.

Sunday, April 21, 4:19-11pm
William Oxley Thompson Memorial Statue, 161 Oval Dr, OSU campus
HostedPlease join us for central Ohio's 2ND ANNUAL BICYCLE DAY CELEBRATION! On this day, we will consider how Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) has altered the perspective of millions, unfolding possibilities of human consciousness. OH, AND WE'RE RIDING OUR BIKES (so please bring one).

Saturday April 20, 2019, Noon-8pm
Genoa Park near the river by COSI) downtown
A day-long celebration at Genoa Park featuring great local bands, family-friendly activities, eco-friendly artisans, an electric vehicle ride & drive, and Columbus' best food trucks. Register to have a booth for your organization ($80). Free and open to all, rain or shine. Organized by Green Columbus. Go to www.earthdaycolumbus.org for more information on both events. Come visit our WGRN 94.1 radio booth!

Cleveland, OH – Ohio Immigrant Alliance welcomes the introduction of the NO BAN Act in Congress. The legislation, authored by Senator Christopher Coons and Representative Judy Chu, would put an end to President Trump’s discriminatory Muslim Ban, and make it impossible for future leaders to enact similar, prejudiced policies. The NO BAN Act also ends restrictions on asylum and refugees that the Trump administration put in place despite the generosity of Americans, who believe we should be an open nation that welcomes people fleeing violence and persecution. Read a summary of the legislation here.

What’s Right

Compost Exchange: This is an important and convenient way to keep food out of the landfill to get it used in urban gardens and farms. For a small fee you take home a yellow tub, put in your leftover or spoiled food waste, and bring it back for an empty one. Details and drop-off locations: thecompostexchange.com.

Bring your own bag, bulk foods and refill stations: Kudos to the grocery stores and co-ops that provide refill stations for olive oil, peanut butter, honey and water; bulk food areas allowing customers to bring their own containers; and “bring your own bag” incentives. Now, if the City of Columbus could just officially ban plastic bags!

Zero waste events: This is an effort to encourage local festivals and even OSU football games to stay clean and green. Guidelines include: supplying recycling containers with clear labeling; composting food waste; attendees bringing re-usable water bottles or dishes; and educating vendors about no-waste procedures.