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Holiday songs on Everybody Knows

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Dr. Bob Fitrakis and Dan-o Dougan discuss a variety of holiday songs: gratitude songs from Thanksgiving by ZZTop, William DeVaughn, and Sly Stone; Christmas-oriented songs like Father Christmas, Christmas in Prison, River, and Run, Rudolph, Run; and more!

Listen live at 11pm December 20 and 27 streaming at wgrn.org or on the radio at 91.9FM
and
Mondays at 2pm streaming December 23 and 30 at wcrsfm.org or on the radio at 92.7 or 98.3FM

Archived on Mixcloud here

Once upon a time at Serpent Mound during the Winter Solstice…

Lights lining the serpent mound

Once upon a time during the winter solstice, the Friends of Serpent Mound, a group of supporters who donated time and labor to the site’s upkeep, were allowed to light up and honor Serpent Mound with sand bagged votives (pictured above). The winter solstice, of course, is the shortest day of the year and thus the longest night of the year.

This event – that some called the “Lighting of the Serpent” – drew more people to this marvel of ancient times than all the other days of the year and all combined at its peak. Fascinating is how the Serpent’s spiraled tail aligns with the winter solstice sunrise while its head aligns with the summer solstice sunset.

Critical Action needed! Demand that Congress pass Helene relief funding NOW!

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Congress appears ready to include much-needed disaster recovery aid for Hurricane Helene survivors in a government funding bill on the floor this week. But according to reports we heard this afternoon, House Speaker Mike Johnson is considering delaying the disaster aid until next year, due to pressure from billionaire Elon Musk and some Republican lawmakers. 

Survivors of Helene don't have time for political games in DC! Some people affected by the hurricane still don’t have adequate housing or heat, and devastating economic impacts continue to ripple through the area. Federal action now could help save many devastated Appalachian communities from total collapse.

We need your help IN TWO WAYS tonight to remind Congress that Appalachian communities need disaster aid NOW.

#1 - Contact your legislators

Please contact your legislators, either by email or making a call and leaving a message on their switchboard.

We Are One-Quarter Through War’s Last Century

In thousands of movies and tv shows, a future is imagined in which full-grown adult humans with less self-control than toddlers both get into fist fights at the drop of a hat and possess the technology to obliterate entire cities or planets at the touch of a button. The fantasy of living in outerspace certainly does not help us preserve the one place we know how to live. But the most damaging fantasy here is that of maintaining widespread acceptance of violence and continuing to exist into an age of easy annihilation by the decision of a random person or of a machine. Our current luck — the number of times we have nearly had a nuclear war and avoided it — is almost unbelievable. The luck that would be required for much of science fiction to exist is not believable at all.

Nuclear Danger
Countless observers believe that we are right now closer to nuclear war than ever before. There are a number of reasons to take this seriously:

A Peachy Decision

Trump should talk to Hamas, not to Bibi or Abbas, to free the hostages

This week, President-elect Donald Trump addressed a sizeable Republican gathering, stating, "I had a good conversation with Bibi. We talked about what's coming and where things stand regarding the hostages." Trump then issued a direct warning to Hamas: "We want our hostages back. And they had better be back before I assume office, or you would pay a big price." In response, media analyst @AdemeMedia tweeted, "I see the $100 million bribe Miriam Adelson (a US-Israeli citizen) paid him during the election campaign is already paying off for the Israelis." Trump acts as "Israel's lapdog," a label many have associated with him since his initial run for office in 2016. Meanwhile, grim images of Palestinian civilians rounded up by the Israeli military in Gaza have circulated online, showcasing the ongoing human suffering in the region. The big question remains: What exactly will Trump do on January 20th if the hostages remain unreleased? Would he resort to extreme military action, risking further loss of life, including the hostages themselves?

Central Ohio Worker Center Celebrates Ten Years

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In 2014, the Central Ohio Worker Center (COWC) was formed to help build a stronger Central Ohio for low wage and immigrant workers. As we wrap up 2024, the list of accomplishments and contributions are numerous. Ten years of May Day Celebrations have taken place, each year the event has grown and transformed into what it is today: a celebration and resource fair featuring dancing, local unions, legal support, delicious food, government agencies, kids activities including a huge book give-away from our friends at the Ohio Federation of Teachers, other non profits, and community. In 2024, 300 people came through the doors to help celebrate workers. Supporting the passage of the Wage Theft Ordinance has been one of the biggest accomplishments the center has seen. With years of advocacy, the ordinance passed in September 2020. It is one of the strongest municipal wage theft ordinances in the country.

Grassroots Advocacy in Action: A Sit-In for Democracy at the Ohio Statehouse

Students sitting in at the Statehouse rotunda

In a bold yet peaceful demonstration of civic engagement, a group of determined Ohioans gathered Tuesday in the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse to take action against the proposed amendment to H.B. 315. This amendment, which incorporates the controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism, has sparked widespread concern over its potential impact on free speech and the First Amendment.

The sit-in was carefully planned as a way to both garner media attention and directly address legislators. Sitting in a circle beneath the grand dome of the Statehouse, participants passed out call scripts and worked together to make phone calls and write emails to their representatives. This unique form of advocacy transformed the Rotunda into a hub of collective action, with citizens uniting their voices in the very space where decisions are made.

As representatives walked by, participants continued to make calls and send emails, ensuring their presence and concerns were impossible to ignore. This wasn’t just a call for attention—it was a clear message to lawmakers: “We’re here, we’re engaged, and we demand to be heard.”

RISE Together Slams Governor DeWine's Proposal to take Healthcare away from Residents

People who look homeless

Today, the RISE Together Innovation Institute expressed deep concern over Governor Mike DeWine’s proposal to reintroduce work requirements for Medicaid recipients in Ohio. This policy threatens to undermine the health and economic stability of thousands of Franklin County residents who are already struggling to make ends meet. 

“All of us should have the healthcare we need when we get sick,” said Danielle Sydnor, CEO of RISE Together Innovation Institute. “Governor DeWine’s proposal will take away healthcare from thousands of people who are already struggling to make ends meet. Instead of expanding opportunity and making sure people are healthy, this policy will make it harder for people to get the healthcare they need.” 

Potential Harms to Franklin County Residents 

Residents will lose healthcare coverage: In 2019, the Commonwealth Fund estimated between 121,000 and 163,000 adults in Ohio could lose Medicaid coverage in Ohio due to Medicaid work requirements.1 That number is likely higher today since more adults without dependents are participating in Medicaid.  

Save the Date: Celebrate Community and Hope at a Special Solstice Concert

Bill Cohen with candle and guitar
What: From the Darkness to the Light – A Solstice Concert
When: Saturday, December 21, 7:00 PM
Where: First Unitarian Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Road, Columbus, OH
Cost: Free (donations welcomed; proceeds support Food Rescue of Columbus)

On Saturday, December 21st, as the winter solstice brings us the darkest day of the year, a special event will light up hearts and minds with music, reflection, and community spirit. Hosted at the First Unitarian Church (93 W. Weisheimer Rd., Columbus) at 7:00 PM, From the Darkness to the Light is an uplifting concert in the spirit of Simply Living’s values of connection, peace, and sustainability.

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