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One of the many big questions facing this country is how we are going to improve our educational system. Charter schools may not be the solution, but they seem to be here to stay. There is need for more transparency, accountability and simplicity from our charter schools in order to eliminate not just the underperforming, but the systematically corrupt.
   The charter school debate was one of the primary issues addressed at the “We Rise” rally held Wednesday, March 11 in front of the Ohio Statehouse, sponsored by ProgressOhio and Common Good Ohio.
   The key issue at the rally was the need for greater transparency, accountability and simplicity in every facet of government, especially education, to ensure that “We Rise” in ensuring student success.

Gena Smith is a 30-something Army combat veteran of Iraq. She suffers from both PTSD and MST, a roller-coaster of pain and emotions you never want to ride. She’s currently a veteran advocate who pens the blog “Regular Fury.” She is sometimes asked, especially by the media, Why didn’t you turn in your rapist?

“First Person Singular” an occasional column by JP Marat that provides Columbus artists the opportunity to speak . . . in their own voice. Thank you Free Press.

JP Marat writes:

  I’m fortunate. My radio show on WCRS 98.3 / 102.1 on Thursday Nights at 11pm (Big Barking Dog Alternative Radio Hour) gives me the opportunity to interview local musicians, artists and poets. In preparation for a radio show that aired on Feb 26, (“Columbus Musicians & Poets v2”) I spoke to an extraordinary young woman named Calla. If you attend any of the poetry slams around town, you’ve definitely seen her. Five feet nothing. Piercing brown eyes. Quick to smile. Strong & agile. Mischievous. Most likely a ninja in a previous life. We met at Kafe Kerouac on High Street. I let my audio recorder roll. We talked about gender, love, Skyline Chili and Tupac Shakur. The conversation that evening intrigued me. As the night ended, I needed to know more about her concept of “Body Politics.” Calla obliged. About a week later I got an email from her . . . Girl can write . . . Just Say’in.

Calla writes:

It’s now been a little more than a year since I came on as a music writer for the Freep, and on a rather rare basis, I get asked how I managed to pick this gig up. Obviously, it wasn’t any sort of merit-based thing, as my previous writing experience consisted of Sixth Circuit Briefs, diatribes ripped off from Hunter S. Thompson, and a penchant for hate mail (although not hate e-mail -- I like the idea of people at the Dispatch or Fox News actually having to open up an envelope to read the opening salutation “Dear Fuck-face...”).

Kevin Failure does much for Columbus Punk and DIY. He fronts Pink Reason and also has a new band called Brass Orchids. Kevin runs a label called Savage Quality which has released albums by American Jobs, Teenage Anal Terrorist and more.

  He books shows at Bourbon Street/Summit. Kevin has played a huge role in developing our cities’ current underground electronic subculture with his Future Maudit event.

  Kevin is now faced with helping his father David De Broux through chemo.

  Kevin described the trip to the hospital where the cancer was discovered.

  “A few months ago he had a fall. He suspected he had broken ribs because he was having trouble breathing.”

  A couple of the benefits will be held in Wisconsin where his father lives and there is one here.

  The Columbus benefit is Thursday, March 5th at Cafe Bourbon Street/The Summit. Pink Reason, Mosses, and Ipps are performing.

  Kevin’s dad is a veteran who was stationed in Germany during the 70’s.

I think George Clinton ought to be called in to do a P-Funk concept album of how Campus Partners and Ohio State want to de-funkify High Street.

  Remember the good old days when South Campus was one huge block of rough'n'tumble bars, carry-outs and hip clothing stores? A virtual Wild West red light district practically, so popular Thursday through Saturday nights cops had to put up the super-strength industrial wire stretching from phone pole to phone pole, keeping the drunk kids from falling into High Street there were that many thousands of revelers. Papa Joe's alone pumped a Niagara Falls of beer every night while every drinking establishment hosted a squad of football players getting in extra-curricular blocking and tackling practice as bouncers and doormen.

  Ah, the hourly debauchery. The teenage drinking age. The good times and the bruises to show for 'em. How are kids gonna learn if they aren't allowed to get hurt once in awhile? Long live the plastic scaldings from the old toy Vacuu-Form.

Amy Wickes has committed her life to helping people in prison and is dedicated to prison reform. When someone in prison is in need, is sick or is preparing to leave -- Amy is there to support them. She assists families in the care of children whose parents are incarcerated. She meets with prosecutors, police and jail personnel to advocate for better law enforcement and prison conditions. She encourages more humane treatment for mentally ill prisoners. She advocates for more prison rehabilitation programs. She is currently very concerned about the number of veterans in prison and the growing heroin epidemic in jails.
  Amy's motivation comes from her own unfortunate personal experience. She was born and raised in a wealthy family who, at one point, had a multimillion-dollar home, an airplane and a beach house. She attended an all-girls elite boarding school. She was married with two children and occasionally modeled. But, after struggling with addiction and alcohol issues, at age 37 Amy was convicted of aggravated burglary and escape. Amy spent four years in prison.

Vegan BaBa is one of the few places in Columbus that I am aware of where one really does not have to worry about animal product cross contamination in their vegan sushi or fried foods. Vegan BaBa is a vegan food truck that has various times and locations that are updated on their Facebook page. They offer a very affordable and hearty variety of fresh, hot, and tasty options of chigimi and ramen soups, soba and udon noodles, fried rice, fried noodles, spring rolls and burritos that range in price from $2 to $5. They even serve an unusual ingredient on the menu called “monkey mushroom” which was a delicious new discovery for me. Their genuine friendliness makes it so apparent how much they appreciate your business, though the current cold weather has sharply reduced their availability.   

G. Micheal’s Bistro and Bar in German Village may not seem like the most vegan friendly of places at first glance of the violated innocents laden menu, however one can still discover a delicious vegan dining adventure there, as their chef understands vegan needs. A good friend of mine treated me to dinner for my birthday and I wanted to try a new place I’d not yet been to, so we tried G. Michael’s. They delighted us with a custom fantastic creation of grilled and flavorful mouth watering local, fresh, organic vegetables expertly seasoned and prepared. There is nothing more deeply and deliciously satisfying than devouring such nutritionally dense, abundant variety and compassionate fare. It was certainly a classy, clean and very enjoyable experience as the host, atmosphere and service were equal to the meal.