Local

"Dave Yost was a ghost when Ohio needed him most."

If I were creating slogans for Democrat Steve Dettelbach's campaign for Ohio attorney general, I would have put the one above on television starting on Oct. 31.

Launching the ads on Halloween would have been perfect because Republican Dave Yost as attorney general would be downright scary for Ohio taxpayers.

I would include ghastly sound effects while showing an Avenger-like Dettelbach character removing the cowering Yost ghost from the Statehouse/ECOT castle and tossing him into a dungeon with some dubious characters who resemble the Cuyahoga County crooks that Dettelbach convicted as U.S. attorney.

The ad would end with "that's scary" to depict the prospect of Yost as AG.

Great songs, fine singing and dancing, nifty special effects, beautiful scenery: What else could you ask from a Broadway musical?

Well, other than a story you actually care about. Aladdin falls short in that respect, especially compared to other Disney musicals like The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast. But for most folks who caught the touring show Thursday at the Ohio Theatre, the production’s other attributes were more than enough.

Based on the 1992 animated film and boasting catchy Alan Menken tunes such as “Friend Like Me” and “Whole New World,” Aladdin arrived on Broadway in 2014. There it was nominated for five Tony Awards but won only for James Monroe Iglehart’s performance in the showiest role, the Genie.

In the touring production, much of the attention also is grabbed by the Genie portrayer, Michael James Scott, who leaves no stone unturned in his quest for laughter and applause. Equally committed, if less showy, performances are turned in by other cast members.

Monday, October 29, 2018, 6:00 PM
Expressing our condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, the congregation of Tree of Life Synagogue and the Jewish community.   This will be a candlelight vigil where participants of our community can offer their sentiments and prayers for peace and unity.   Sponsors:  Jewish Voice for Peace, Central Ohio Chapter and Progressive Peace Coalition.  Location:  Outside at the southeast corner of E. Main St. and Cassady Avenue, Bexley, Ohio (near the Bexley Library). Facebook.  

Simply Living, The Columbus Community Bill of Rights, and the Columbus Free Press are co-sponsoring a screening of We The People 2.0 Tuesday, October 30, 7 PM at the Drexel Theatre, 2254 E Main St in Bexley 43209. 

The film offers a framework to understand why a successful ballot initiative to let voters decide whether to ban oil and gas operations in Columbus was approved by the Columbus City Council, but later rejected and removed from the November 6 election by the Franklin County Board of Elections.

Monday, October 29, 5:30-8:30pm
Wild Goose Creative, 2491 Summit St.
We are hosting a fundraiser to raise money for DACA Time. We will have photos from our photography exhibition, Dreamers to share their stories, and light food and drink.

The Washington Gladden Social Justice Park, on the northeast corner of East Broad Street and Cleveland Avenue, is touted as the first park in the nation dedicated to the theme of social justice. The park is small but includes as "interpretive path, relaxing water feature, and large-scale art project serving as the backdrop of the park." The park's website reads "Over time as the park grows, programs tied to social justice will be launched that will be held at the park and in the community." Dozens of people turned out on a wet gray afternoon to witness the dedication of the park today, Sunday, October 18. https://www.socialjusticepark.org/

Thurs, Oct 25, 11am-1pm
Central Community House, 1150 E. Main St.
Are you concerned about gentrification and the displacement of local seniors? Are you a senior with a story to tell about your housing? You are invited to a Public Forum to meet with representatives from City Council, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, Columbus Public Health, City Code Enforcement and others.

On October 6, as the Senate prepared to vote, about 100 demonstrators in downtown Columbus knew that Brett Kavanaugh would likely be confirmed as the next justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. But this did not dampen their determination to fight the right-wing agenda that Kavanaugh would bring to the nation’s highest court.

The protesters gathered outside the Ohio Supreme Court building were not satisfied with the FBI’s rushed, superficial investigation of sexual assault allegations made by Christine Blasey Ford and others against Kavanaugh. “We believe Dr. Ford!” they shouted. “We believe Anita Hill!”

The FBI interviewed only nine people in their investigation of Kavanaugh. They did not interview 15 people who could have spoken about the sexual misconduct allegations, or ten others who could have spoken to whether Kavanaugh lied under oath about his drinking.

“No justice, no seat!” the crowd chanted.