Will the Administration Look at These NIH Agencies?

As industry conflicts of interest at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) come into the spotlight, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) merit special concern.

National Institute on Drug Abuse

While alcoholics or addicts now have “use disorders,” (and people aren’t disabled they have disabilities) NIDA retains the archaic and judgmental “abuse” in its name as in National Institute on Drug Abuse. What? Is this 1960?

Its current landing page says, “There is little scientific evidence to support the stereotype that people who return to use after a period of abstinence inevitably do so at the same intensity” and proposes using less drugs or alcohol as an addiction solution!

Worsening alcoholism or addiction after a relapse is a stereotype? Abstinence can be replaced by “cutting down”?

Bus Stile Adventures: Devo’s 50th Anniversary Concert Review

Devo Booji Boy

Devo’s 50th Anniversary Show at Promowest Pavilion opened with a 70’s looking stag movie called the Rod Rooter Video. The Rod Rooter Video depicts a cornball record industry’s climate which existed while Devo were burgeoning Northeast Ohio visionaries. Rod Rooter is a corny music executive who is lecturing Akron’s iconic art performers about marketing. Rod Rooter resembled an unlikable, uncouth predator in a porno movie.

Rod Rooter tells DEVO the Akron legends should aspire into being Kid Rock. While I doubt Kid Rock made music in 1977. Rod Rooter Video’s satire is mocking an embarrassing element from the 70’s and the music industry that still exists.

After this out of touch, and artless cornball lectures Devo, Devo took the stage with the relevant Don’t Shoot. Don’t Shoot reminded everyone Devo’s subversiveness was an Ohio cultural response after the National Guard killed people in Kent, Ohio during the Nixon 70s. We’re thinking about Trump’s disingenuous Ice Raids which compelled Trump into invading California with the National Guard.

Celebrate Casey Goodson's Life

Details about event

Fifth Annual TANK Day
Saturday, June 28, 12-5pm
Fedderson Community Center, 3911 Dresden St., Columbus OH 43224
Bring the family bring the kids and come celebrate the life and legacy of the awesome Mr. Casey Christopher Goodson Jr aka Tank Man. Food, petting zoo, bouncy house, face painting, a 360 photo booth.

Totally Obliterated

“Lit Bash” at Runaway Bay beach exposes Columbus shortcomings

People gathered by a quarry

Columbus’s best kept 95-degree day secret was overrun this week by scores of young people at Runaway Bay apartment complex in Grandview. The pop-up party fueled by social media once again exposed a historical reality: There’s too few public spaces and not enough culture for non-privileged young people in Columbus. There are also too few public pools in Columbus, due to lack of funding or greedy developers, such as those who bought out Olympic Pool in Clintonville.

The Free Press is not condoning the illegality of young people taking over a private beach, that by the way is rarely used by tenants, but we are not condemning them as the police-state apologists from Channel 6 WSYX did. Few people are ever seen on this beach probably because Runaway Bay management charges $100-per year to have access.

Cruising along in your automobile with Everybody Knows

Details about show

Dr. Bob Fitrakis and Dan-o Dougan find the best songs about automobiles and tell stories about their car follies.

Listen here

Listen live at 11pm Friday, June 27 and July 4 streaming at wgrn.org or on the radio at 91.9FM
and
Monday at 2pm streaming June 30 and July 7 at wcrsfm.org or on the radio at 92.7 or 98.3FM

Rain Or Shine, It’s ComFest Time!

Tie dye clothes booth

Community Festival (ComFest) is back in Goodale Park Friday, June 27 through Sunday, June 29, 2025.

Come visit the Free Press booth at Comfest!

ComFest will feature over 200 musical performances, workshops and community-oriented programming over three days. In addition to the line-up of the city’s best live music spread over seven stages, workshops, KiDSART, live comedy, poetry readings and other programming will be featured throughout the park. The much-loved Street Fair also returns with one-of-a-kind vendors, arts and crafts, local food and community organizations. 

Now in its 53rd year, ComFest’s history is celebrated in the ComFest Museum located in the frosty, air-conditioned Goodale Park Shelterhouse. Stop in to learn about Community Festival’s roots in social activism, protest movements, community engagement and civil rights.

Cruelty is the Point

TACO Daddy

Reel Time with Richard Ades: Judo contender risks ayatollah’s wrath

Person sitting in judo outfit

This article first appeared on Reel Time with Richard Ades

One of my favorite movies of 2024 was The Seed of the Sacred Fig, about a family torn apart by Iran’s theocratic dictatorship. In the same year, one of my favorite guilty pleasures was Cobra Kai, the Karate Kid-inspired TV series that was wrapping up its six-season run.

So maybe it’s no surprise that one of my favorite films of 2025 is Tatami, which combines a jab at Iranian authoritarianism with youthful martial arts.

Before you let your imagination run wild, no, this is not the tale of two dojos that trade chops and kicks while arguing over Islamic principles. Instead, it centers on Leila Hosseini, an Iranian athlete who travels to Tbilisi, Georgia to take part in an international judo competition.

Portrayed with fierce determination by Adrienne Mandi, Leila psyches herself up for what she knows will be a grueling test of her skill and stamina. In one long day, a series of bouts will pit her against some of the world’s toughest competitors.

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