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...”).

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.

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.

It was one heck of a David and Goliath moment.