​You don’t have to be a horror fan to enjoy Thomas Hamilton’s documentary Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster (I’m not and I did). The 90-minute nonfiction biopic has all of the conventional hallmarks of a well-made movie history doc. Of course, there are copious clips ranging from Karloff’s classics, including in the role the British actor was best known for, as Frankenstein’s monster in various versions of the film franchise adapting the character from Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s chilling 1818 novel, starting in 1931. There are scenes from Karloff’s other famous films, including 1932’s The Mummy, The Old Dark House and The Mask of Fu Manchu, plus glimpses from more obscure flicks, including from his silent screen days. His subsequent many TV outings – wherein he often good-naturedly mocked his monstrous persona – are also covered.

Nick Vasquez and me, shortly before his arrest.

Nick Vasquez and his comrade, Donald, both leaders in the Extinction Rebellion movement, a worldwide environmental group that seeks to prevent the extinction of the human race by environmental catastrophe through non-violent acts of civil disobedience, were both arrested Friday, 17th of September, in Tallahassee, FL, at the steps of the capitol building. I plan to interview them both on my podcast Vanguard Youth Radio. Nick & Donald have been traveling throughout Florida in their quest to pressure Governor DeSantis to fulfill his obligations on the environment. They have been arrested multiple times, some charges were dropped, others are still pending, and they need our support, especially from the students and youth who can join the rebellion.

Days after local Columbus faith leaders announced their petition for the US Department of Justice to review police practices in the city, dozens of people gathered at the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas at 345 S. High Street to demand accountability for the Franklin County Sheriff's department murder of 23-year-old Casey Goodson, Jr. in December 2020. Jason Meade, the shooter, retired and has not yet been brought to justice. 

Back in August, I had the honor of emceeing the Libertarian Party of Ohio’s annual State Conference, held in a hotel banquet hall just north of 270. Unlike previous years, it wasn’t quite a “convention” anymore, because the Libertarians are no longer a recognized minor political party in the state. This is due to the restrictive ballot access laws created by SB 193 that were passed by former Governor John Kasich and his Republican cronies in 2013. Of course, I’m not bitter about that at all and I won’t bring it up again! But it’s important to understand that the ballot access struggles the Libertarians (and Ohio Green Party) were faced with eight years ago were indicative, especially considering the most recent Ohio Redistricting Commission process, where the Republicans disregarded fairness once more.

Friday, September 17 to Sunday, September 19, this on-line event requires advance registration

Please join us for the 13th Annual TransOhio Trans and Ally Symposium, which will take place, virtually, Friday, September 17 to Sunday, September 19. The theme this year is “Into the Unknown.”

Providers Day: Friday, September 17, 2021

Providers Day is specifically directed towards providers of the greater trans and nonbinary communities. Continuing education credits are offered for qualifying medical and legal professionals at no additional cost. Keynote speaker Dr. Kyl Myers will join us after lunch to share their perspective on gender creative parenting, as well as to give insight and spark meaningful dialog about how we can better care for our transgender youth here in Ohio and beyond.

General Symposium: Saturday, September 18, 2021