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Like many black people, I grew up knowing families in which the color of everyone’s skin was different, sometimes dramatically so. I also have people in my own family on both sides who at first glance, appear to be white, but who identify and were reared as black. There are six interracial marriages in my generation–I’m a Baby Boomer–and five of the couples have children and grandchildren, so clearly this will be our reality for some time to come.

As I was growing up I also learned the color descriptors—high yellow, cinnamon, red bone, coffee colored, blue black—the jump rope ditties, and was aware of the advantages light skin and “good” hair can present for black people. I didn’t dwell on it, though, and except for the occasional jokes about “must have been the milk man,” no one I knew did either.

Tues, June 13, 6pm business meeting, 7pm general meeting
Northwood-High Building, 2231 N. High St., Rm. 100
Presentation at 7pm by Greg Pace bringing us up-to-date on the efforts for a Columbus Community Bill of Rights and other news. Help elect candidates social justice values and join in Green Party participation in the Pride parade. Free parking is available in the “R” spaces — “R” for “Rardin Clinic” — behind the building. fcgreenparty@gmail.com. facebook.com/FCgreenparty.

Monday, June 10, 9:30am-11pm
LeVeque Towen, West Broad and Front St., downtown Columbus
RAPID RESPONSE FOR BIJOU - We need your support on MONDAY, at 9:30 a.m. at the Columbus ICE office! 
Bijou Sene is originally from Senegal and has lived in Cincinnati for over 12 years. She is here with her three kids, all of whom were born in Cincinnati. She has a daughter (age 12) and two songs ages 9 and 3). She is an active member of the Clifton Mosque and she loves Cincinnati. Over the years it has become her home and it is the only home her children have ever known.
Bijou's attorney and supporters have asked that those that stand for justice for all, accompany her because there is a chance she could be detained and possibly deported. 
Your presence is critical for Bijou and her family.
Sponsored by the Central Ohio Worker Center.

Saturday, June 10, 2017 - 6:30-11pm
1021 E.Broad St., Columbus, outside, weather permitting
Parking in side driveway, front or rear parking lot
Come to network and socialize with progressive friends with refreshments, music by Steve Dodge, presentation on innocent people in prison in Ohio and an open mic for performance or announcements.
Free, no RSVP required.
614-253-2571, colsfreepress@gmail.com

Friday, June 9, 10am
Ohio Statehouse
Details for the event:
Organizers will meet early at the Statehouse to prep.
10:00: Meet at the Statehouse steps, west plaza
10-10:15: sign making, distributing
10:15-?: briefing protesters of plan for event actions 
Speakers
-Kelly Janice: reading a statement from a former 3%er
-Bilal El-Yousseph: speaking on the discrimination Muslims face in the past and the political climate of today
-Other speakers TBD
?- Militia arrives and plan takes effect


On the 9th, the 3%ers are planning a rally to protect American rights. They hide under the guise of men and women that want to protect everyone and their freedoms. If you dig a little deeper into the members, you will see they are nothing but another racist group trying to protect ONLY the rights of themselves and those like them. We must join together and show them that we will not stand for hate in Columbus. Join us to counter the event planned by the alt-right gun-toting 3%ers and their friends. We must disrupt their message by spreading one of our own, standing in solidarity.

Thursday, June 8, 12noon-1:30pm
250 E. Wilson Bridge Rd.
Week 19 of our Thursday noon visits to Congressman Tiberi's office! He won't hold a townhall and talk to us, so we go to him. We stand outside his offfice for about 30 minutes then go inside to deliver our postcards or other documents to Tiberi's staff. We talk to them about how Pat is not repressenting his constituents: he voted for the AHCA, he isn't standing up against Trump, and he fails to represent us on numerous other issues. Join us. We are super friendly! Bring your signs and the issues you want to discuss with Tiberi or his staff.

Wednesday, June 7, 7-8pm
King Avenue United Methodist Church, 299 King Ave.
Stonewall Columbus Presents “LOVE WILL WIN: From Uganda to Columbus” in collaboration with Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS). “LOVE WILL WIN” is created and shared by two Ugandan refugees who escaped religious and governmental persecution of their sexual orientation. Our presenters will share their powerful stories about their journey to the United States in hopes of finding safety, compassion and acceptance. 

This year, in lieu of a Pride Grand Marshal, we will recognize a group of brave individuals as our Community Honorees; the LGBTQ refugees who have fled their homelands for fear of persecution of death and now call Columbus home. Through our own refugee program and in partnership with the Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) and other local non-profits, Stonewall has worked diligently to support LGBTQ new Americans. After landing in Columbus with few or no resources, Stonewall assists through the creation of an Emergency Relief Fund and with connections to our great Central Ohio LGBTQ community.

Columbus Arts Festival– June 9-11, Friday, June 9 from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Please note: on Friday and Saturday artist booths close at 9 p.m.)
Between Broad Street and Rich Street along the river

Riverfest – June 10-11
Downtown riverfront, in conjunction with Columbus Arts Festival.

Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival– June 16-18, Friday 5-11pm, Saturday 12:30-11pm, Sunday 12:30-6pm.
Creekside Park & Plaza, 117 Mill Street, Gahanna, OH 43230

Columbus Pride Parade and Festival– June 16-17
Parade June 17 – step-off at 10:30am, Goodale
Festival at Bicentennial and Genoa Parks

Tuesday, June 6, 5-9pm
The Kitchen, 231 E Livingston Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Join us for a fun night of Keep Wayne Wild themed tacos and live music from Freedom and Folk Revival at The Kitchen in German Village! This fundraiser will benefit our all volunteer organization's efforts to combat oil and gas development in Ohio's only national forest.
More details to come!
Learn more about Keep Wayne Wild at www.keepwaynewild.com

I have to confess I feel a bit like a middle-aged groupie, but I just can’t stop telling people about William Davis’ new book, “Undoctored.” Dr. Davis is a Milwaukee cardiologist known for his New York Times bestselling “Wheat Belly” books.

And in case I’ve already lost you or am at risk of doing so, let me just quickly share this:

“Excess fat melts away effortlessly, joint pain and skin rashes recede, acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms reverse within days, fibromyalgia and ulcerative colitis begin a powerful retreat.”

This is what he witnessed, as more or less unexpected side effects, after he’d convinced his patients to give up wheat for 30 days for their heart health. Imagine if these were the side effects you or someone close to you experienced from something the doctor or, more likely the physician’s assistant, had prescribed.

The health benefits were so dramatic, and his book so successful, it launched a new career for him: from cog-in-the (broken)-system cardiologist to personal health empowerment crusader.