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When Available Light Theatre premiered its stage adaptation of Jane Eyre earlier this year, it gave me a new appreciation for Charlotte Bronte’s original novel. When Shadowbox Live premiered its dance adaptation of Wuthering Heights last week, it gave me a new appreciation for Katy Psenicka’s choreography. It also reminded me that, when she’s not being one of the funniest people who ever graced the Shadowbox stage, Amy Lay is a fine dancer. As for Emily Bronte’s novel, it’s almost a no-show. Titled Madness & Lust, the new work focuses on the Victorian tale’s torrid emotions without explaining the characters who experience them. We surmise that young Catherine (Lay) and Heathcliff (JT Walker III) are devoted to each other, but Wuthering Heights virgins will have no idea why. Since Heathcliff spends most of his time wallowing in self-pity and generally acting like a jerk, it’s particularly hard to figure out what Catherine sees in him. For the many viewers who haven’t read the novel—or who read it too long ago to remember the details—Catherine and Heathcliff’s tortured relationship would make more sense if Shadowbox offered a prologue.

The Ohio UFO flap of 1973 made history for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the so-called Coyne Incident, which stands as one of the best documented UFO encounters. While 1973 stands out in the annals of ufology, it is far from being an isolated incident. UFOs were sighted frequently before 1973 and continue to be reported in the Buckeye State to this day. Ohio is, in fact, one of the more active states for UFO sightings, according to the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC). With California the number one state in reports (with 8,248 reports between 1994 and 2011), Ohio ranked number nine with 1,813 reports in the same period. The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) ranks Ohio number 12 on its list of most reported sightings by state. MUFON also ranks California its number one state for sightings. One of the more well known events in recent history happened in the Cleveland area in March of 2010, when witnesses reported seeing odd lights over Lake Erie for nine consecutive nights. A MUFON investigator went to the scene in Euclid and was able to observe the phenomenon.

This past Saturday, over 50 Ohioans braved the cold and rain on game day to rally outside the Wendy’s just south of the Ohio State campus. Ohio Fair Food, a group consisting of students, farmworkers, people of faith and organized labor, showed up demanding one thing: that Ohio-based Wendy’s join the Fair Food Program, a program which ensures a humane work environment and increased pay for Florida tomato pickers. Of the five largest fast food corporations in the country — McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King, Taco Bell and Wendy’s — Wendy’s is the only one not participating in the Fair Food Program. The reasons for Wendy’s to sign on are clear; the program provides a modest increase of 1 penny more per pound of tomatoes picked, a code of conduct which ensures basic rights such as water and shade for farmworkers, and gives farmworkers a voice on the job, including the right to file grievances without fear of retaliation. Wendy’s CEO Emil Brolick was the President of Taco Bell in 2005 when the chain became the first corporation to join the Fair Food Program. At the time Brolick stated, “We are willing to play a leadership role within our industry to be part of the solution.

Last week the Free Press suggested that our city should not be named after a genocidal conquistador. So far we have three nominations to re-name Columbus. Keep your suggestions coming to: bob@columbusfreepress.com. Nominations: Home of the Whopper Arawak City: Native people Columbus encountered in 1492 when he landed, lost, in the Americas. "Perunaville" or "Perunatown": Dr. Hartman's Peruna, the turn of the century elixir that was vastly popular (and was 27% alcohol, which no doubt accounts for the popularity) was largely responsible for creating Columbus as an urban center for more than state government. See more at: http://614columbus.com/article/columbus-200-white-lightning-in-a-bottle…

Over the millennia, the often deified and sometimes demonized Cannabis plant has taken a circuitous route from friend to foe and back. Scholars differ on when mankind first discovered the medicinal mysteries contained within Cannabis. Some trace usage back to 4000 BC in Central Asia. Charred seeds found in an ancient Romanian burial site suggest inhalation of the herb's potent and pungent smoke in third millennia BC. In 1500 BC, it was mentioned the Altharva Veda, one of four ancient holy books. A basket of seeds and leaf fragments dating back 2,800 years was discovered in China where Cannabis graced the pharmacopeia of emperor Chen-Nong.

On October 15 in partnership with USA Today The Ohio State University (OSU) sponsored the third in a series of panels by the Bipartisan Policy Center's Commission on Political Reform. The Center intends to hold a series of town hall style meetings to build the appearance of national consensus around policy recommendations they intend to offer Congress and the President in 2014. The event took place on the same day that the Center and USA Today released a joint poll claiming that most Americans support the Center's conclusions. The event featured two panels, each with a moderator who asked questions, and took written and vetted questions from the audience and the internet. Questioners were required to list their affiliation along with their name on the tiny question sheets. Unscripted questions from the press and audience were not permitted during the panels. Broadcast teams from C-SPAN and a Los Angles based media outlet that declined to identify itself covered the event. The Lantern, the OSU student paper with advertising and business departments operated by USA TODAY, also ran a story on the event.

Dear Lady Monster, I'm not sure if I'm able to have orgasms with my partner. I can come when I'm by myself, but it's really hard for me to get to that same point with someone else. I'd really like to, and feel like I should be able to. When I'm high I get really close to it, but then it disappears. The sex feels good, but I'm frustrated about why I'm not coming. “To Come. Did you come? Did you come? Good. Did you come good?” - Lenny Bruce Think of the importance we place on those two words when it comes to sex. Our society is very goal-oriented when it comes to sex. We want to be sure we come, that we come simultaneously, and with earth-shattering kabooms. That's usually not how it works. For some an orgasm may not be achieved with another person. Some people have a difficult time because of past sexual trauma, or other PTSD, being vulnerable enough to let go in front of a partner, or are tightly wound with stress and cannot get to the point of climax.

Christian Howes was nominated recently for jazz “Violinist of the Year” by the Jazz Journalists Association, Christian was voted first place in the 2011 Downbeat Critics Poll (rising stars/jazz violin). The Minneapolis Tribune calls Christian “arguably the most intriguing young violinist in jazz." He performs worldwide with his own ensembles and as a guest soloist with orchestras and bands, and is widely regarded as one of the leaders in jazz violin. A local musician answers five Free Press questions. Christian Howes FP: Put together your fantasy band, dead or alive. CH: Luckily my fantasy band is the same as my actual band, although we don't get to play together consistently on a regular basis. When we can, it's a real blast. The group consists of Hamilton Hardin on keyboards, Cedric Easton on drums, Dean Hulett on bass and Josh Hill on guitar. After living in New York City for eight years, and having a chance to play with a lot of world-class players, I can't overstate what a joy it's been to be able to put together a true working band with world-class players based in or near Columbus.

Egads, my least favorite American holiday approaches, Halloween. Actually I have no real beef with Halloween, it's the holiday's grimy companion, Beggars Night, that gets my guff. I shudder to think of what ghastly outcomes will befall us this year. The neighborhood ruffians take particular aim at the Peaves household and it has grown steadily worse with each passing season. Years ago, wishing to fit in at our new home, we showered the local brats with all manner of sweets. I objected to the cost but Mrs. Peaves insisted on (what she called) “doing the right thing.” So for years Beggars Night cost me a pretty penny and the local riff raff filled their bellies with sweets from the likes of Mars, Nestles, Hershey and their bedevilled brethren in the candy business. No thought was ever given to how the Peaves family was contributing the the obesity of our neighbors' children, or what bills they may have incurred from their family dentist. That is until Mrs.

The Free Press Fourth Tuesdays Screenings return to the Drexel Tuesday with an Early Bird Screening of the Columbus International Film & Video Festival Early Bird Screening of: Love Hate & Propaganda: The War On Terror 90 minutes Tuesday, October 22 @ 7.30pm Admission is free, donations encouraged. Propaganda is a powerful force which has helped shape events of the 20th century. This documentary examines how propaganda influenced significant moments in history, and the lives of the people who lived through them. Hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos, Love Hate & Propaganda is a primer on the art of mass persuasion aimed directly at a media-savvy generation. Nine days after the 9-11 attacks on the US, President George W. Bush declared War on Terror.