Local

Food Deserts.  The definition by Merriam-Webster is “an area where little fresh produce is available for sale.” In rural areas and urban areas alike, food deserts are a concerning problem in communities everywhere. Columbus is not immune to food deserts. Communities like the South Side and Franklinton are stepping up to bring fresh produce to their inner-city neighborhoods.

On April 17, residents and stakeholders of the Near East Side packed together in the Community Room of Poindexter Place for a meeting on the “State of Retail” for that neighborhood.

The idea of a grocery store in the Near East Side has been a long soap opera unfolding, since the launch of Partners for Achieving Community Transformation (PACT) in 2012. In 2013, the original blueprint proposal from PACT called for a grocery store on Broad Street, between Ohio and Champion. However, after vocal opposition from Near East Area residents, and guidelines that were cited in the City’s 2005 Near East Area Plan on commercial zoning, that idea was scrapped.

Thanks to State Sen. Joe Schiavoni, the Columbus Dispatch stepped up its coverage of the ECOT scandal on April 24.

"Schiavoni wants criminal probe of ECOT attendance claims" the online headline screamed atop dispatch.com. It did not make the front page of the early print edition, but was relegated to the first page of the second section.

It turns out that a whistleblower contacted both the state auditor and the Ohio Department of

Education nearly a year ago with evidence that ECOT apparently was falsifying attendance figures in order to collect millions of dollars of state subsidies.

Schiavoni, the longest-running Democratic candidate for governor, is locked in a three-way race for the nomination with Richard Cordray and Dennis Kucinich. He is making the case the he is best qualified to clean up the Republican corruption being revealed on an almost daily basis.

By the way, the state auditor who was informed in May 2017 about the whistleblower's complaint is none other than Dave Yost, the erstwhile Republican candidate for attorney general and poster child for Dispatch favoritism. Keep reading.

As we plow towards Ohio’s primaries this month, the two big parties are predictably gearing up to reward their establishment candidates.

On the Republican side, Ohio’s attorney general Mike Dewine is trying to put the final nail in the coffin of lieutenant governor Mary Taylor’s campaign with million dollar ad buys, calling her “two faced” and challenging her “conservative” credentials. This comes after DeWine is already well on his way to the nomination after receiving the party’s endorsement in February, a process that Taylor criticized as the “good ol’ boys” tipping the race. With all of this support and plenty of money in the bank, DeWine’s ad buys are questionable because the nomination is seemingly in the bag, but his campaign must be worried about Taylor’s attacks having an impact past the primary. Either way, he’s certainly got the cash to blow.

Thursday, May 3, 5pm
WSYX-TV, 1261 Dublin Rd.
World Press Freedom Day is the perfect day to protest Sinclair Broadcasting’s mandated political propaganda. What do we do when the freedom of the press is under attack? Stand up! Fight back!

When the mother of an Israeli soldier finds dour-faced people in uniforms at her door, she doesn’t have to be told why they’re there. Her grief is immediate—and immediately quashed. The visitors plunge a hypo into the woman’s leg and send her into a coma-like slumber.

Thus begins Samuel Maoz’s Foxtrot, a three-part tale set in a country that has spent most of its seven decades in something resembling a state of war.

The first part focuses on Michael Feldmann (Lior Ashkenazi), father of a young soldier who reportedly was killed in the line of duty. Though Michael reacts to the news with more control than wife Daphna (Sarah Adler), his outer calm only masks a growing sense of panic and outrage.  

Due to a plot twist and a shift in time, the second (and most effective) part of the film takes us to the outpost where the Feldmanns’ son, Jonathan (Yonatan Shiray), guards a remote road along with three comrades. The young soldiers’ days consist of long stretches of boredom relieved by tense exchanges with Palestinian motorists waiting to be approved for passage.

They love to do the dog all night long!

And from everything in the good and the bad books and magazines I have read--anytime of day. How 'bout that?

This may come as no surprise to you. In fact, it is biblically and scientifically important that the entirety of humanity desires to do and indeed does go at it all night long--or there would be no more humanity. What is hidden in this is how often sex is and isn't the driving force in human behavior. Predators beware, we're getting hip to your trip.

Advance copies of ComFest Program Guidewill be available in many local businesses in early June. It can also be accessed online in June and in print at the festival, June 22-24.

The ComFest Annual Meeting is on May 10, 7pmat Goodale Park Shelter House and is open to the public. Come meet the new Grants recipients and enjoy a meal with fellow ComFesters.

ComFest Logo Contest Winner for 2018 islocal artist Laura Bova for her entry "UNITY." The image will grace the Program Guide cover, ComFest beer mugs and volunteer tee shirts. The contest is a local tradition. All designs are original by local artists and chosen by public voting and the general planning committee. Thanks to all who entered this year, and congratulations to Laura! 

Two years after a 14-year-old boy brought a gun and shot two of his classmates in their district, the Ohio Madison Local School District board has voted “unanimously” that their school employees are now able to “defend and protect students” with the use of a weapon. Any staff member who wants to carry a firearm to work can do so if they have a concealed carry permit, take active shooter training, get re-certified each year and get written permission from the school superintendent. Parents are divided regarding this decision. 

This is the same school district that punished students for participating in the nationwide school walkouts protesting gun violence in schools, including, punishing a student, Cooper Caffrey, who is a victim of a school shooting. The board hasn’t said when they will start training and arming their teachers, but, they do plan to carry out this mission of defending and protecting their students from gun violence. Apparently, they feel that arming their teachers to be ready to “shoot to kill” is more effective than having students peacefully protest gun violence in their schools.

As you read this, the Columbus Dispatch is engaged in one of the most despicable character assassination series of articles against populist Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dennis Kucinich that I’ve ever seen. In the Dispatch’s latest smear piece, they claim “Kucinich ‘has a track record of helping to spread … disinformation.’” Ironically the Dispatch, while accusing Kucinich of doing it, has been busy spreading disinformation about him.

Berry Vegan Delights is a local vegan chocolatier startup that launched in January 2018. Founder, Jonna Owens, offers gourmet, artisan, chocolate covered strawberries to those seeking a chocolate decadent treat in white, semi-sweet and dark chocolates. What a creative and exciting addition to the Columbus market for vegan dessert options! These are great gifts for all types of occasions and would be a great addition to any restaurant or hospitality group to offer their guests interested in vegan options. You can find her at various vegan pop-ups events or order online.