Local

Addendum: Welcome to the Machine

In last week’s cover story, Bob Fitrakis described the “command and control” nature of Columbus’s all At-Large City Council structure that came from the great industrialists of America in the 1890s – 1920’s. (“We want to make car, you screw bolt.”)

The article stated that Columbus and Seattle are the only two remaining At Large councils of the 50 largest American cities: three years ago, Detroit voters went to Districts, last year Austin voters went to Districts, and this year, even Seattle voters have initiated a reform effort to move toward Districts and which – if passed – will leave us all in our lonely backwater selves among major cities in America.

Columbus Police attack permitted Daymon Day memorial parade for local artist. Gas used, arrests made.

On Saturday, September 14, the Columbus Community held the Eighth annual Daymon Day Parade, an event that commemorates the life and work of Columbus Hip-Hop artist, bridge builder and icon Daymon Dodson. Dodson died unexpectedly at age 29 in 2006 of complications from an epileptic seizure. He was a beloved personality renowned for bringing young people together across musical genres and inspiring other local artists to pursue their dreams.

Charter schools inclusion could be a levy deal breaker

If you’re the type of gambler who enjoys a long shot, the 2013 Columbus City Schools levy might just be the bet for you. On Nov. 4 voters will be presented with a 9.01 mill levy, effectively adding just over 300 bucks of taxes per year for every $100,000 worth of home a resident owns. It will generate half a billion dollars over five years, most of which will go to general operations, teacher training, the renovation of ten schools, adding access to tech and proving Pre-K for more of the city. All of which sounds fine and dandy. The issue is that one mill of the levy will go towards (cue the gasps) charters schools. That means that for the first time ever a $42 million chunk of the taxpayer pot will be accessible through a partnership between CCS and qualifying charters. Making matters worse for the district is the levy is all or nothing. House Bill 167 required going to the ballot with recommendations from Mayor Coleman’s Columbus Education Commission.

The Fukushima Nightmare Gets Even Worse

Just when it seemed things might be under control at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, we find they are worse than ever. Immeasurably worse. Massive quantities of radioactive liquids are now flowing through the shattered reactor site into the Pacific Ocean. And their make-up is far more lethal than the "mere" tritium that has dominated the headlines to date. Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco), the owner/operator, and one of the world's biggest and most technologically advanced electric utilities, has all but admitted it cannot control the situation. Their shoddy performance has prompted former US Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner Dale Klein to charge: "You don't know what you are doing." The Japanese government is stepping in. But there is no guarantee, or even likelihood, it will do any better. In fact, there is no certainty as to what's causing this out-of-control flow of death and destruction.

The Lair of Lady Monster

I have three rules for having good sex. 1. Communicate. Tell your partner what you want or don't want. Communicate what your boundaries and desires are. Being honest with your partner means not telling them what you think they want to hear, but what you need them to hear. Being a good sex partner means not laughing or judging. Be willing to learn what it takes to please your partner. 2. You are your own limit. Be accountable, do not blame anyone or anything for why you are not having the sex life you want. What is keeping you from this? Is it your partner, have they stopped desiring you? Is it because you are a new parent or have younger children. Are you working constantly to pay the bills and don't have time? Perhaps you're single and are holding out for a loving relationship, or have a disability where it's difficult to have sex without pain or injury. Think honestly about what it is that is limiting you, and why you want more from your sex life. How attached are you to these limits, to your reasons? What solutions are possible to tackle these limits? What would it take for you to go further? 3. Lose your fear of mess.

Ohio Linux Fest

The 11th annual Ohio Linux fest (OLF) goes down this weekend. It's a free conference happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Greater Columbus Convention center downtown. The theme of the conference is FOSS Links the World, (FOSS stands for Free and Open Source Software). You may be asking, what is Linux? Kevin O'Brien, the publicity director for OLF, explains. “Linux is the software that can run your computer. It is similar in that respect to Microsoft Windows or the Macintosh OS/X operating system. But, unlike those other operating systems, you have complete freedom as to where and when you install it. Linux is software that respects your freedoms, not the desires of some corporation somewhere. Also, the software is completely transparent because all of the source code is freely published and anyone can download it.” So even if you haven't heard of Linux before, you have probably used a computer running it at some point, if you have used the search engine Google (a sponsor of OLF) or an Android smart phone.

Free Press Launch ain't nothin' but a party

On September 4, Little Rock Bar in Italian Village played host to the official Launch Party for the new Columbus Free Press, one day in advance of our first issue hitting the news stands. Columbus's newest free weekly alternative newspaper could not have wished for nicer weather or a more enthusiastic turn out. Free Press supporters and other revellers enjoyed music by Zancudo, a Latin-pop trio, and kept two food trucks busy all evening. Mikey's Late Nite Slice kept churning out true New York style pizza that our guests raved about, while the Grub Gallery served up some excellent pulled pork and vegetarian items. The real gem from the Grub Gallery, though, was their outstanding home-made salsa. Inside Little Rock, the staff pulled taps on some locally produced brews provided by Four String Brewing Co. that had the beer-loving crowd talking. Most of the evening's conversations, however, centered around the paper itself. By all accounts, The Free Press is a welcome addition to the market. Many of our guests expressed a real need for an alternative voice in central Ohio.

Welcome to the machine

In modern times, more accepting of hyphenated names, Columbus should simply be called the Mike and Andy machine after our “Mayor for life” and current City Council President (heir apparent should Coleman abdicate). This machine functions essentially the same way as the older political machines, except for one key point – the new Columbus machine does not do favors for a majority coalition of various racial and ethnic groups. Instead ours rewards a handful of “titans” who do not live in the city.

Say you have made a bad investment in the Blue Jackets and need a quarter of a billion in cool cash to bail you out. Mike and Andy, like Domino’s, can deliver. Say you want to take over the city schools instead of leaving it up to elected Columbus School Board officials. The Mayor will appoint many of his major donors and political supporters to an educational commission and finance the “reform” campaign.

Pass the Peas! Fred Wesley laid down the funk

Like an old-fashioned Saturday night tent revival, the world's greatest funk trombonist came to town and made the lame dance and the doubters believe. Fred Wesley, 70 years old and a man who helped give funk the feel in its infancy (when he wasn't reading charts under Count Basie), blew smooth, then warm and then finally rip-roaring hot funk at the Hot Times Festival downtown on the grounds of the old Highway Patrol building. Those old walls of trouble, strength and justice still stood at the end of the night but only just. Jericho wasn't achieved but the tent roof was figuratively raised and the spirits therein literally.      Opening with Sultry Zambia, it was pleasant. Fred up there--have stool, will travel--flanked by a crack band of locals handpicked by "Superfly" guitarist and the night's musical director, Craig Mac, the sound was of jazz ripples on a placid rhythm.

The Columbus Music “Scene”

What is a “scene” anyway? What does it look like, sound like or even feel like? What does it mean for a city to have a “music scene?” And if you were asked, “what is Columbus's music scene like?” How would you answer that question? I remember all too well the words of a very old musician who once said to me, “you will never have a strong 'music scene' in a town that is so consumed with sports.” I believe he was right. We all know most major cities across the country have some kind of big sports team. But here in Columbus, the Buckeyes rule, sports are everything and music is just a side note or not played at all. In short, one can take it or leave it. When you think of cities where music rules, which ones come to mind? Nashville, home of country music? Chicago, home of the blues? New York City, home of the eccentric, where “under ground” is cool? L.A., home for anybody looking to be somebody and anybody could be somebody so people are nice to you because YOU could be that “somebody?” Get my drift here? Even Detroit was once known as the R&B music Mecca.

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