Here's to a better 2012

Click on image to enlarge.

Bench to Nowhere: What's in a name..?

A Cool Town Toon

Senior Center Van Raffle Drawing Tonight

The drawing for the van that the YS Senior Center has been selling raffle tickets for, for what seems like forever, will take place tonight, Friday, December 30, at the Emporium at about 8:00 p.m. Tickets can still be purchased on the evening of the drawing at the Senior Center.

You do not need to be present to win. Ticket proceeds benefit the programs of the Yellow Springs Senior Center.

The van is a white 2004 Toyota Siena minivan in like-new condition with 43,000 miles. Tickets are $50.00 each.

First prize is the van, second prize is $500.00, and third prize is $100.00.

Only about 230 tickets have been sold, so there is a 3 in 230 chance of winning.

Please help support Senior Center programs by buying a raffle ticket.

Austria bows out of congressional race

Republican congressman Steve Austria of Beavercreek, who represented residents of Yellow Springs in the 7th Congressional District until the congressional map got chopped up recently, announced on Friday that he will not seek re-election, the Dayton Daily News is reporting. Rather than face popular incumbent Mike Turner or move to another district to run, he decided to save his party a primary.

Dayton Daily News: Congressman Austria won’t seek re-election

Live chickens for sale this Saturday

New Liberty will be selling 150 to 250 live meat birds, various sizes from four weeks to finished and ready for processing at the farm on Mosier. One day only: Saturday, Dec 31 at 9 am. Bring your own crates. Call to reserve: 668-2857.

New Liberty WILL be selling their frozen chickens throughout the winter market this year.

Destination Yellow Springs

Peach's Grill
104 Xenia Ave.
Food, Drink & Fun
Open Daily, 11:30-2:30a
Music Starts at 10
Friday, Soul Rebels ($5)
Sat, Freekbass & Tobotius ($10)
___________________

Emporium Wines
233 Xenia Ave.
Wine Tasting & Live Music
Every Friday at 6:30
December 30 - Larry Halpern w/ Alive & Kicking playing Gershwin's Porgy & Bess
___________________

Little Art Theatre
247 Xenia Ave.
Anonymous
Who was William Shakepeare?
Weekend
An unconventional love story.
Fri, Sat, Sun only

From the Chamber Facebook Page: At least 5 options for live music this evening. Brandeberry, Spirited Goat Coffee, Emporium, Senior Center (Music Camp fund raiser) & Peach's. Follow the link for more details. http://www.yellowspringsohio.org/calendar/

Move on to have Hamilton named state author

It started at Kent State University and is gaining momentum. Two Kent State profs are urging lawmakers to name Yellow Springs' own Virginia Hamilton as the state's official children's and youth literature author, the blog Twinsburgbulletin.com is reporting.

Twinsburg Bulletin: KSU profs want native Ohioan to be the state children's author

Final poll results

The water poll is now closed and the final results are in.

79 readers participated and, of the two options, upgrading our present facility or purchasing water from Springfield, upgrading our own water treatment plant won by the narrow margin of five votes (42-37). I think we learned that there is significant interest in the future of the village's water supply and that there is no consensus at this point on how to proceed. The comments to the original post kept coming in during the polling and are probably more interesting than the vote.

You can check out the original post and comments by clicking here.

Writers' Workshop gearing up

The 2012 Antioch Writers' Workshop will take place on July 7 - 13 of 2012. Registration is now open and the faculty is almost fully in place.

This year's Keynote Speaker is John Grogan - Grogan was a columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer when he wrote a column saying goodbye to his incorrigible 13-year-old Labrador retriever, Marley. The story became Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog, the book grew into a runaway #1 New York Times bestseller with more than 3 million copies in print in 30 languages and was made into a feature film. Grogan's latest New York Times bestseller is The Longest Trip Home.

One of my favorites, returning to teach morning poetry after a hiatus of a few years, is Jeff Gundy. Jeff is Professor of English at Bluffton University in Ohio, teaching creative writing, poetry and literature. His books include Spoken among the Trees, Walker in the Fog: On Mennonite Writing, Deerflies, Scattering Point: The World in a Mennonite Eye, Rhapsody with Dark Matter, and Flatlands. Jeff has also published poetry in numerous journals, including Exquisite Corpse, Georgia Review, North American Review, Shenandoah, and The Sun. Even if you are not attending the workshop, don't miss Jeff when he participates in the faculty readings, free and open to the public. His poetry is a delight.

For more information on faculty and a menu of programs, feel free to contact Director Sharon Short:

Email: info@antiochwritersworkshop.com
Web: www.antiochwritersworkshop.com
Blog: www.antiochwritersworkshop.blogspot.com

Local woman at Capitol prayer vigil

Shonda Sneed of Yellow Springs spoke at a prayer vigil in Washington DC, calling on lawmakers to extend benefits for millions of jobless workers, the National Catholic Reporter reported in an article on Dec. 27.

National Catholic Reporter: Vigil calls for extended jobless benefits

Open for Business

The Drive Thru Buffet

The Drive Thru Buffet opened today in the old KFC building. Owner Don Bowling owned and operated the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) on US 68 at the south end of town for twenty years before he decided to shut it down due to problems with the KFC parent corporation.

"This place was a goldmine," Bowling told the Blog in a Sept., 2009 interview. "People think I shut it down because it was losing money. That couldn't be farther from the truth."

According to Bowling, who owned six other KFCs around the region at the time, the corporation wanted him to make $250,000 in improvements to continue operating the restaurant. He just didn't want to do it, he said. So he shut down and, for more than a year, had been trying to rent the building as something other than a restaurant with no success.

For that one year, Bowling was legally bound by his contract with KFC not to operate on the premises as a restaurant. When the year was up he leased the building to local men Jim Zehner and Carl Moore who tried their hand running CJ's Southern Cooking there. CJ's opened in July, 2010 and closed recently, so Bowling is now back in business at the location as the Drive Thru Buffet.

"It's a shame to have it sitting here vacant," he told the Blog back in 2009.

Fried chicken is on the menu.

-vh

Photo by Virgil Hervey (click on it to enlarge)

Addendum from Mary M Morgan:

Good news for those of us who don't cook (and even some who do): The new restaurant in Yellow Springs, the drive-thru Buffet, opened today, Tuesday, Dec. 27th! The transformed KFC is bright and sparkling with a surprising number of food offerings. The hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. except on January 1 when it will open at 12 noon with a greeting to the New year of a one-day-special of pork and saurkraut. The daily lower lunch price is good until 4 p.m. and in addition there is a further discount to Seniors between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The vegetable beef soup is exceptionally good and the stewed tomatoes need a name as interesting as the dish really is. The original famous KFC seasoning returns the fried chicken to its well earned prestige.

The understaffed Health Department okay has resulted in a wintry opening date. So it is up to villagers to jump in and give the Buffet a boost.

Polling right along...

With one day left, the water poll continues to draw strong participation.

The poll gadget is located at the top of the sidebar. If you haven't already voted, I hope you will. When I checked this morning, five days into the six-day time limit, 62 readers had participated and of the two options, upgrading our present facility or purchasing water from Springfield, upgrading our own water treatment plant was starting to pull away.

You can check out the original post and comments by clicking here.

The Morning After Christmas

(An ode to Rumpke)

T'was the morning after Christmas
And in Yellow Springs south
I was the only person
Awake in his house.

When much to my wonder
I heard such roar
I thought the F-16s
Must be flying o'er.

I went to the curb,
Looked down the street
And saw my neighbors' cans
Out in rows so neat.

Skip the recycling,
I thought in a huff.
Quick, get out the cans
With the stinky stuff!

I grabbed all the garbage
From the night before,
The wrapping paper,
Turkey bones and more.

In my pajamas,
I ran to the street,
Put out two cans
And the job was complete.

Back in the house
I pulled up the sash
And looked out the window
On my newly placed trash.

Just then I heard a rumble
And what did I see
But a dirty white truck
With the big red "Rumpke."

The driver got out,
A quite jolly ole elf
Who picked my rubbish
In spite of himself.

Then I heard him exclaim
As he drove down the street,
"I've got work to do
While the rest of you sleep."

-vh

Water Poll indicates strong interest

From time-to-time the Blog has conducts polls on topics of interest to villagers. At best this is a very unscientific way to sample public opinion. However, taken together with other opportunities for residents to voice their opinions, it does provide an indication of what they are thinking. And, as Village Council Member Karen Wintrow wrote in her comment on the post announcing the poll, it gets the discussion going.

The poll gadget is located at the top of the sidebar. If you haven't already voted, I hope you will participate. When I checked this morning, three days into the six-day time limit, 46 readers had participated and the two options, upgrading our present facility or purchasing water from Springfield, were running neck-and-neck. As I recall, even though the holiday season is one of light traffic on the blog, this is outpacing polls we conducted in the past on uses for the Barr Property and whether the village should have a dog park.

You can check out the original post and comments by clicking here.

Hey, the goose is fat! Merry Christmas!

New Liberty News

New Liberty will be selling 150 to 250 live meat birds, various sizes from four weeks to finished and ready for processing at the farm on Mosier. One day only: Saturday, Dec 31 at 9 am. Bring your own crates. Call to reserve: 668-2857.

New Liberty WILL be selling their frozen chickens throughout the winter market this year.


GOAT WORKSHOP: COME ONE COME ALL

Thinking about raising goats? Want to sample some delicious recipes?

New Liberty will be presenting the first of six winter workshops on January 7, from 1-3 in the Methodist Church basement. The first workshop is on raising goats.

Three local goat farmers, Caroline Mullin, Jill Dant and Owen Betts will teach the basics of what is involved in raising goats. Learn about care and feeding, meat and dairy breeds, and more. Sample goat chili,curry, cheese and jerky. Leave with a list of area goat producers. Workshop is free but you must register by calling Beth at 768-7240.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays from the Blog. Thanks for your support throughout the year. We will continue to publish your news and announcements in 2012. And don't forget to take the water poll in the sidebar. Because that's what we do...

Take the Water Poll

The village is asking residents to weigh in on options for upgrading our water supply. The two main options being discussed are upgrading our current water treatment plant or purchasing water from Springfield. Upgrading is the least expensive option. Purchasing water from Springfield, which would involve the expense of hooking up to their supply, is more expensive, but would provide us with the best water quality in the area. Springfield softens its water.

One way to make your voice heard on this is to take the simple poll in the sidebar. Another way is to post comments to this post concerning these and other options.

The Blog takes no position on this at this time, but notes that our water treatment plant is downstream from our sewage treatment plant.

The gift of library

Click on image to enlarge.

Found Kitty

Found today around 12:15 p.m. wandering the streets near the Speedway in downtown YS. Looks clean and cared for, but no collar - is tame and friendly - white with gray spots and a gray tail. If this is your kitten, give Nick Ormes a call at 937.231.1046.

The Backyard Flock: Random notes

This week we had news that New Liberty Farms was selling off their chickens and getting out of the chicken business to move on to other things. (See here.) This is an excellent opportunity to add a few layers to your backyard flock, or maybe even start one. But, be prepared for dealing with chickens in winter. It ain't easy.

On Facebook, Linda Rudawski wondered what carols she should sing to the chickens on the Antioch Farm when she goes to feed and water them on Christmas Day. This, no doubt, in response to the college's call for folks to care for their flock during the winter break.

This in my email from Laura Van Lehn who recently bolstered her flock with some of those New Liberty Layers:

The chickens are enjoying running amuck. I gave up trying to restrict them for the time being. The white Plymouth Rock hen I call "Wild Hair" made a nest in the horse barn and even tho I picked her up off of it and took her to the hen house and set her down in the nest box, she beat me back out to the barn and hopped on HER nest. I collected her egg at evening feed time. I only collected 11 eggs yesterday.

Had another thing happen yesterday. I collect the eggs generally in a "feed" bucket and leave it outside the hen house on the ground covered with a 5 gal. bucket. I didn't have but a 5 gal bucket yesterday. Shouldn't have been a big deal. I set the bottom of a chicken feeder on top of the bucket, thinking it might rain any minute. I went out later in the afternoon and saw an egg in the lawn about 4' from the hen house. I then noticed the egg bucket on it's side and so I set it up right. I figured a chicken tried to roost on it and knocked it over but I noticed there were several eggs missing. Including the coveted blue egg. Crap! No sign of them anywhere. So one of two things must have happened. A chicken tried to roost, knocking the bucket over, maybe a couple eggs rolled out of the bucket and broke and the chickens rushed over and cleaned up the mess as they quickly do! Leaving no evidence at all! Or, after the bucket fell over, the dog saw the eggs rolling and picked them up and carried them off somewhere. Possibly buried them to become stink bombs this summer when we unsuspectingly find them! lol! I have no idea!

Merging new chickens into your flock in winter is definitely a problem, but it looks like we are going to have a warm and wet one this year.

Speaking about wet, Chickenland is the muckiest I have ever seen it, a great sucking mud hole as I like to call it. Those poor girls...

This being Dec. 21, last night was our longest of the year. Nobody around here wanted to get up, least of all the Blogger. The backyard is so bad, I had to take the dog out front to do her business, after which, she promptly went back to bed. The house birds were still sleeping when I uncovered them, Nicky in his tent and Baby on the swing with her head under her wing. And the chickens... Well, they didn't want to come out when I opened the coops for the day. So, I fed them indoors on the first day of winter. Looks like they will be dining in from now on...

Call for Artists: Mysteries of the Heart

Click on image to enlarge.

Peace Museum Appeal

This from Thomas Girvin:

As a member of the Board of Trustees of the Dayton International Peace Museum, I am personally committed to raising $500 toward our Peace 240 Campaign to secure the funds necessary to make Dayton’s Peace Museum (the only such museum in the entire country) eligible for state and national grants.

Since most individuals already have plenty of “stuff,” might I humbly suggest that a great and meaningful holiday gift for a peace-loving person would be a membership to the Dayton International Peace Museum. Tax-deductible memberships start at only $25.00 and right now all contributions to the Peace 240 Campaign will be matched by a $10,000 matching grant, so your generosity is effectively doubled!

Click here for details.

Tell them Thomas sent you…. and may peace be with you this holiday season.

Thomas Girvin is the organizer of the annual Screen Peace Film Festival held at the Little Art Theatre.

Scene Around Town: This bird has flown

What's wrong with this picture?

Each hand in the "Flock of Hands" sculpture by the Train Station is supposed to be paired off with another hand. Recently, your blogger noticed that one of them is missing.

According to Chamber of Commerce Director Karen Wintrow, one of the poles was found laying on the ground one day, apparently snapped off cleanly at its base. Foul play is not suspected. The hand has been recovered and the pole removed by the village crew.

Pictured left is Chamber Director Karen Wintrow holding the severed hand.

Photos by Virgil Hervey

Glen license plates now available

Support the Glen Helen Nature Preserve with a special license plate

A special license plate benefiting Glen Helen Nature Preserve at Antioch College is now available for those renewing or changing Ohio license plates.

The specialty plate—which costs $25 and includes a $15 donation to the Glen Helen Ecology Institute—features an image of a yellow-bellied sapsucker on a sycamore tree by the late Ohio artist Charley Harper. Purchases can be made online at www.oplates.com/PlateSpecial.aspx.

This offering marks the culmination of an effort that began in 2006 with a petition drive and backing from State Senator Chris Widener (R-Springfield). Harper's artwork was selected through a design contest completed in 2010. In March, the Ohio Legislature approved the design, allowing for production of the plates to begin.

“Every time an Ohio driver purchases a Glen Helen license plate, they will directly support our land conservation and environmental education efforts," according to Nick Boutis, executive director of the Glen Helen Ecology Institute. “Perhaps for the first time, Ohioans can feel good about having a sapsucker on their bumper.”

Glen Helen Nature Preserve in Yellow Springs, Ohio is owned by Antioch College. It is one of the largest and most widely visited private nature preserves in the state. The Glen features over 20 miles of trails, spread across 1,000-acres of woods, waterways, and prairies. The grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk. The Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center offers residential environmental learning for elementary and middle school children. The Glen Helen Raptor Center rehabilitates hawks, eagles, owls, and falcons, and provides public education programs about these birds of prey.

YSKP Winter/Spring Terms

photo by Dennie Eagleson

Yellow Springs Kids Playhouse winter/spring term runs from January 9th to May 19th: a new course, West African Drumming will be added to the roster, along with the New Actors Club, Ballet, Modern Dance, Creative Movement, Hip Hop, Kindermusik, Club Glee, Ballroom Dancing and the Fluid Core (gentle dance warm-up exercises). Early bird discount applies before December 26th.

Open House/class registration (with 10% class discount) on January 7 from 2-4:00 at The Playhouse on the Antioch College campus. Information: www.yskp.org or call 767-7800.

YS Anti-fracking group on the radio

An anti-fracking group based in Yellow Springs has taken its message to eastern Ohio to join protests, and to Texas to speak at conferences, WHIO Radio is reporting.

“There are costs here that aren’t taken into account, that are higher than the money that will be made,” group member and AUM Prof Joe Cronin is quoted as saying.

WHIO Radio: Anti-fracking group centered in Yellow Springs has taken its message on the road

Local Jazz Group gets press

Larry Halpern's group of area jazz musicians will present selections from "Porgy and Bess" at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 30 at the Emporium's Friday night wine-tasting. While developing new arrangements for this performance, Halpern trimmed the opera to a suitable size and translated vocal lines into instrumental melodies, the Springfield News-Sun reports. The band includes Halpern (organ), Mike Teckenbrock (flugelhorn), Mark Smarelli (vibraphone), Erik Greiffenhagen (saxophone), Gail Keen (flute) and Lee McKinney (percussion).

Springfield News-Sun: New arrangements highlight ensemble’s ‘Porgy and Bess’

Back Story: Hang up and drive! (updated)

Ohio is quite the libertarian state when it comes to its traffic laws: motorcyclists are not required to wear helmets; until recently rear seat passengers over the age of 5 years did not have to wear seat-belts*; drivers can use cell phones with impunity, even to text. Not all libertarian ideas are bad. In general, I don't like the government messing with my life, either. So, night after night when I hear on the evening news about some guy involved in a motorcycle accident who got his brains smeared all over the road, because he wasn't wearing a helmet, I am liable to think one of two things: it was his choice; or at least no one else was hurt. My reaction might have been a bit different if it had been a child whose parents hadn't buckled him up in the back seat that got injured.

Much has been made of the impending Ohio legislation regarding texting-while-driving. The talking heads make it sound like cutting edge lawmaking. Meanwhile, many states have long forbidden the use of cell phones not only for texting, but even for talking while operating a vehicle, something I agree with wholeheartedly because I don't want to be killed by a distracted driver.

I was driving west on Hyde Road a couple weeks ago when a large pickup coming towards me pulled over into my lane for no apparent reason. We were the only cars on the road. There was no shoulder; no place to go to get out of harm's way. I slowed and started beeping my horn. He kept coming. Finally, about 50 - 100 yards ahead of me, the driver looked up from whatever he was doing, saw me, and pulled back into his own lane. As he passed me, he leaned on his horn as if to indicate that I was at fault in some way. Had he fallen asleep at the wheel? Had he been texting? I'll never know, but I'm sure he has no appreciation for how close the both of us came to dying that day.

Now the federal government is making noise about stepping in and prohibiting cell phone use in any fashion while driving, even hands free. Hallelujah! I'll bet the cell phone lobbyists are gearing up right now.

Something to confide here... I too have been guilty of talking on my cell phone while driving. As much as I hate the sight of someone making a left turn in traffic with a cigarette in one hand and a cell phone held to their ear with the other, I have succumbed to the temptation to answer my phone while driving. It is hard to resist. I have never initiated a call from the driver's seat. But, the thought that there might be an emergency, has almost always caused me to answer my phone when I have been driving alone. It never has been an emergency. It has always been more like, "Honey, can you pick up a quart of milk on your way home?" If someone else is in the car with me, I ask them to answer it for me. If I call someone and they mention that they are driving, I tell them I will call back later.

One great piece of advice I have heard is to turn your cell phone off before you get in the car. The problem is to remember to do it. I never do. You might try linking the action to hooking up your seat-belt. You do wear seat-belts don't you..?

Meanwhile, our lives will continue to be at risk while the lawmakers haggle. And even after laws are passed, there will be enforcement problems. There will always be that nitwit who thinks he or she just has to be in constant contact. I guarantee that nothing they are talking about is worth risking my life or the lives of my loved ones.

-vh

Update:



Bruce Cornett sent me the link to this video. It's a promotion for a school program, but contains lots of interesting statistics. Beware of the gory scenes...

* A reader corrected on the original version of this:

As of Oct. 7, 2009, Ohio’s children are required to use belt-positioning booster seats once they outgrow their child safety seats (usually at 4 years old and 40 pounds) until they are 8 years old, unless they are at least 4 feet, 9 inches (57 inches) tall.

Ohio’s revised child restraint law requires the following:

• Children less than 4 years old or 40 pounds must use a child safety seat.
• Children less than 8 years old, unless they are at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall must use a booster seat.
• Children ages 8-15 must use a child safety seat or safety belt.

Fines will range from a minimum of $25 to a maximum of $75 per occurrence.

Apparently it only took until 2009 for Ohio to catch up with the rest of the country.

Local Foods for School Lunch

Dilbone to Speak on Getting Local Foods into School Lunch Programs

On Wednesday January 11, Chuck Dilbone, Director of Operations at Granville Schools, will speak on how Granville successfully incorporated local foods into their schools and offer suggestions for Yellow Springs to incorporate local foods.

This program takes place at 7 pm in the High School Library.

Said Dilbone, “We realized our cafeteria didn't match our wellness policy. We wanted to provide our students with fresh cooked meals with local products. Before this initiative, only 22 percent of our students purchased school meals. We now serve 65 percent of our kids. I firmly believe every school district can do this to some extent."

Please come to this important event to hear Granville’s success story. For more information, contact Beth Bridgeman at 768-7240.

Gruviera Armonico at Clifton Winterfest

December 21, 7:30 p.m.

The fifth concert in our Winterfest series is going to be a special treat. On Wednesday, December 21st the Gruviera Armonico duo will perform classical guitar and mandolin at 7:30pm. The group members are Karl Wohlwend, noted classical guitarist and Eugene Braig on mandolin. Please visit their website to learn more about "Gruviera Armonico". http://www.columbusclassicalguitar.com/Gruviera/Gruviera_Armonico.html

Vivaldi, Scarlatti, Mozart,Beethoven, and Paganini all wrote music for the mandolin, and it was a wildly popular instrument in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. When you hear the wonderful sounds of Gruviera Armonico, you’ll understand why. The classical guitar is the perfect compliment, adding depth and richness to the mandolin’s unique voice.

Founded in 2004, Gruviera Armonico has performed throughout Ohio, including appearances for the Dayton Mandolin Orchestra, Otterbein College’s Annual String Showcase and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Programs embrace the vast scope of music written for classical mandolin and guitar and often include performance on rare historical instruments. As a leading scholar of the mandolin, Mr. Braig brings insightful and interesting commentary to the stage as well.

Both Mr. Braig and Mr. Wohlwend perform on mandolins and guitars, including replica and restored historical instruments spanning 5 centuries. Programs can include solo music for mandolin or guitar, duo mandolin, and of course, mandolin and guitar duets. Some featured instruments include a 16th-century vihuela, 18th century mandolino and 5-course guitar, and 19th century mandolins and guitar, a one-of-a-kind rare Martin bowlback mandolin, in addition to modern instruments.

The Clifton Winterfest is an indoor event featuring 40 artisans, crafters and vendors; located at the Clifton United Presbyterian Church on SR 343. The shop is open from 11am to 9pm daily. www.facebook.com/cliftonwinterfest

Bench to Nowhere: Ho! Ho! Ho!

A Cool Town Toon

Munirih Sparrow Concert at Baha’i Center

Saturday, Dec. 17, 6-8:30 p.m.

The Yellow Springs Baha’i Community invites you to:
Community Potluck and Munirih Sparrow Concert

Where: Yellow Springs Baha’i Center
502 Dayton Street
Saturday, December 17, 6-8:30 p.m.

There is no admission fee but please bring a dish to share.

Munirih Sparrow is a singer-songwriter from the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada. Using both Baha’i prayers and her own material in her music, she explores the connection between art and spirituality. Her concerts celebrate music’s potential to nourish our souls and deepen our connection to ourselves and each other.

Please join us for an evening of food, fellowship and the uplifting music of Munirih Sparrow.

Click here to hear her music. For questions about her concert in Yellow Springs, call Anisa Kline at 937.219.3588.

New Liberty News

Click on image to enlarge.

New Liberty Farms will be leaving the chicken business at the end of the year, and continuing on in offering sustainability workshops (see schedule above).

Layers are available for sale on December 31. Half are laying now, the other half will begin soon. A variety of breeds. $8 each. Come 9-noon on Saturday the 31st to the farm on Mosier with your own carriers.

Destination Yellow Springs

Peach's Grill
104 Xenia Ave.
Food, Drink & Fun

Open Daily, 11:30-2:30a
Live Music @ 10p ($5 cover)
Friday, Dr. Meat

Saturday, Rumpke Mountain Boys

___________________

Emporium Wines
233 Xenia Ave.
Wine Tasting & Live Music

Every Friday at 6:30

December 16 - Wildwater
___________________

Spirited Goat Coffee House
118 Dayton St.
December 17, 6p
Soul Rebels
___________________

Little Art Theatre
247 Xenia Ave.
Melancholia
A ravishing, emotional film.

Saturday, Dec. 17
Sideways - Free Screening
- to celebrate beer & wine
sales at the Little Art
Doors open 5:30, film at 6:30

Medieval Christmas Plays - Dec. 16 & 17

First Presbyterian Church

Medieval Christmas Plays, Friday, Dec. 16 and Saturday, Dec. 17, 8:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.

In December, every other year since 1962, two Medieval Christmas plays are presented to the village.

The two plays trace their origins to 13th century Germany and are similar to folk plays presented in villages all over Europe at a time when very few people could read. As popular entertainment as well as a way of telling bible stories, the plays were handed down virtually unchanged for centuries. The Yellow Springs version was brought here by a family who arrived from Germany in 1962 and recruited local people to produce the plays.

The two short plays are The Paradise Play and The Nativity and Shepherds Play. The first tells the story of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from Eden, and the second is about the birth of Jesus, as seen through the eyes of local shepherds. The two plays together illustrate the fall and the redemption of human kind.

Chorus and Orchestra this Sunday

Composed in 1948, Britten's cantata is a charming musical biography of this 4th-century Saint, a benefactor of children, sailors, and those generally in need. The model for our Santa Claus, Nicolas led a pious life in service to the needs of others. Running time is 50 minutes.

Community Band Holiday Concert - Saturday

December 17, 4:00 p.m.

The Yellow Springs Community Band will hold its annual Holiday Concert in the gymnasium at the Mills Lawn School on Saturday, December 17, at 4:00 p.m. In addition to seasonal favorites, under the direction of James Johnston the band will play an eclectic selection of classical concert pieces.

The program:

Bring a Torch Jeannette, Isabella

Bach Fugue in G Minor

The Nutcracker Suite

A Canadian Brass Christmas

Shalom! Suite of Israeli Folk Songs

In a Clock Store

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Sleigh Ride

YSHS/McKinney Sports Fundraiser

Monday, December 19

The Yellow Springs Athletic Department will host a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on Monday, December 19 from 5-8 pm in the high school cafeteria.

Prices will be $6 for adults and $4 for students. Proceeds will benefit the YSHS/McKinney Athletic Department. We will give away spirit wear, letterman jackets, a season pass for home athletic events. All community members and friends are encouraged to come. For more information, please call Steve Rossi at 767-7224.

Wine comes to the Little Art

Beginning December 17th, the Little Art Theatre in Yellow Springs will offer wine and beer for moviegoers. To celebrate this new addition to its menu, the Little Art will offer a free showing of Sideways, at 6:30 PM on Saturday-doors open at 5:30. Alexander Payne’s 2004 comedy/drama romance starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Hayden Church is set in the lush valleys of California‘s wine country and serves as a perfect film to kick-off the new additions to their concession stand offerings.

Winds Café owner Mary Kay Smith helped with the selection for the debut which include: McManis’ California Cabernet Sauvignon, a Spanish white blend from Condesa Eylo, several Great Lakes Brewing Company’s signature beers, Stella Artois and Yuengling.

During regular show times, the Little Art will offer red and white wine as well as several signature beers. In addition, the “Little Artini,” a signature cocktail, will be served during special events.

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Carol Sing - Sunday

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Arts Council selling t-shirts

It is the end of the YSAC Arts Exhibition season and there are a few t-shirts left from fundraising sales this year. The "Keep Yellow Springs Weird" t-shirts were very popular. There is only 1 adult sized shirt left. There are a few child's sizes still available though. They would make for great gifts! Get 'em while they're hot! Feel free to send me any t-shirt requests from friends and family.

See below for availability and pricing:

1- Grey Adult Large "Keep Yellow Springs Weird"
5-Bulldog Blue Youth Small "Keep Yellow Springs Weird"
1-Bulldog Blue Youth Medium "Keep Yellow Springs Weird"
7-Bulldog Blue Youth Large "Keep Yellow Springs Weird"

1-White Adult Medium "Yellow Springs Experience"
2-White Adult Large "Yellow Springs Experience"
1-White Adult Xtra Large "Yellow Springs Experience"

Adult "Weird" shirts are $16 each or two for $30. And the Youth shirts are $11 each or two for $20. The "Experience" shirts are $6 each or two for $10. If you are interested, email ysarts@ysartscouncil.org.

Free concert at Clifton Winterfest

North River Band - Friday

Another free Winterfest concert is slated for Friday evening, Dec 16th with the North River Band. The band will play in the sanctuary of the Clifton United Presbyterian Church, this year's host to the Clifton Winterfest. The church is accepting food and donations for the local Food Pantry so please bring a canned or boxed item.

The North River Band plays old country style music, and will mix in some traditional Christmas songs. Local Michael Smith and his band will welcome and entertain you with their down home country style.

Santa will be visiting on Saturday, December 17th from 2 - 4pm. Bring your cameras and tell Santa your wish list for Christmas, he promises to listen to kids of all ages! Cookies and candy canes for all of Santa's visitors.

Join us for our third annual Clifton Winterfest. All Clifton Gorge coffee sales benefits the Village of Clifton Historic building fund. Clifton Winterfest hours are Wed - Sunday 11am - 9pm. Located at 183 N Jackson Street, Clifton. (www.facebook.com/cliftonwinterfest) Call 937.681.9491 for information.

Destination Yellow Springs

Enjoy the last 3rd Weekend Fling in the Springs of the year this weekend, December 16 to 18, featuring shopping, music, theatre and delicious food and drink.

Shops and galleries will be open late Friday night, most until 8 or 9 pm. They will also have expanded hours during the final week of holiday shopping. You won’t find a better place for truly special, one-of-a-kind gifts than the eclectic, walk-able downtown Yellow Springs shopping district. Artisan crafts, fine arts, toys for kids of all ages, jewelry, clothing, wine, gourmet food and much more, you can find something special for everyone on your gift list and to fit every budget.

Get a limited edition Basho t-shirt at Urban Handmade on Friday from 4-8 pm and enjoy refreshments, giveaways as you shop for great holiday gifts. And don’t miss the Grand Opening of Twisted Tines, the newest jewelry boutique in Yellow Springs located at 255 Xenia Ave. from 10 am to 6 pm Saturday.

Emporium Wines hosts their regular Friday night wine tasting from 6:30 to 10, featuring the music of Wildwater. Music lovers can end the evening at Peach’s Grill where Dr. Meat will be playing Friday and the Rumpke Mountain Boys Saturday starting at 10. Spirited Goat Coffee House hosts Soul Rebels at 6 pm on Saturday.

The Little Art Theatre is adding wine and beer to their wonderful concession area. Don’t miss the kick off celebration this Saturday at 6:30 as they host a free screening of Sideways, a classic that celebrates great food, fine wine and good friends.

Enjoy holiday music and theatre all weekend with the Medieval Christmas Plays, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church; the Community Band Concert, Saturday at 4:00 p.m. in the Mills Lawn gym; the Annual Carol Sing at the Senior Center on Sunday from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. and the Yellow Springs Chamber Orchestra and Community Chorus at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Children will enjoy The New Bremen Town Musicians from YS Kid’s Playhouse on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 pm at the Glen Helen Building .

Remember to Shop Small, Buy Big, Give Unique when you do your holiday shopping in Yellow Springs. For more information, please contact the Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce at 937.767.2686 or visit www.yellowspringsohio.org.

Loosely Strung Bluegrass at Clifton Winterfest

On Wednesday evening December 14th, toes will be tapping to the Loosely Strung Bluegrass Band. If you like easy going Americana music, bluegrass style.. this is the place to be! The show starts at 7:30pm in the sanctuary of the Clifton United Presbyterian Church. This is the third in the free Clifton Winterfest concert series. Loosely Strung, a Columbus based band, features crisp, close vocals and harmonies with a 5-string banjo, rhythm guitar, lap steel, manodlin, harmonica, steel-top resonator guitar and an upright bass. Lots of familiar traditional country and bluegrass tunes will be played. You're encouraged to sing along! Clifton UPC is accepting food donations for the Food Pantry, let's help by giving so please bring a food item.

Shopping and dining are also on the menu on Wednesday evening. Come early and join the dinner crowd for some tasty Rue Farms fare. 40 vendors and craftsman have their beautiful items on display, perfect for gift giving. Luscious fudges and buckeyes are on sale and the ideal gift for that person that has everything! The Clifton Winterfest is located at 183 N Jackson Street & SR343. Call 937-681-9491 for more information. www.facebook.com/cliftonwinterfest

Rocky & Pee Wee: Seasonal considerations

Now available in town

Locally published comic book, just out and available at Dark Star and SuperFly. The Blog's Chief Cartoonist has something in this one...

Holiday music and more

Medieval Christmas Plays, Friday, Dec. 16 and Saturday, Dec. 17, 8:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.

The New Bremen Town Musicians by YSKP, Dec. 16 – 18. 7:30 p.m. at the Glen Helen Building.

Community Band Concert, Saturday, Dec. 17, 4:00 p.m. in the Mills Lawn gym.

Yellow Springs Chamber Orchestra and Community Chorus perform Benjamin Britten's Cantata Saint Nicolas, with guest tenor Vincent Davis. Sunday, Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.

Annual Carol Sing at Senior Center, Sunday, Dec. 18, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

If you have a holiday event you would like to promote, send the information to gunchpress@yahoo.com.

Wine comes to the Little Art

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Democratic redistricting petition

Ohio’s delegation to the U.S. House will shrink from 18 to 16 in 2012, because the state’s population growth has lagged that of other states. Ohio’s new congressional map, passed mainly by Republicans and signed by Republican Gov. John Kasich, creates 12 districts favoring Republicans and four favoring Democrats. To counter this, the State Democratic Party has drawn a map of its own that it hopes to get on the ballot in November, 2012 to repeal the Republican version. To do that, they will have to get 231,150 signatures from registered voters on a petition by December 25, 2011. If Democrats don’t get enough valid signatures for the referendum, the Republican version of the map will go into effect on Christmas Day.

The petition is being circulated in the village by Anita Kohler. She can be reached at 767-4961.

Back Story: What's that I hear?

We lost a drone aircraft this week and it ended up in the hands of that evil empire, Iran. Let's face it, it was destined to happen. Send out enough drones and one of them is bound to crash and burn. Only this one didn't crash and it didn't burn. It somehow ended up in Iranian custody fully intact and will, no doubt, be shared with China and Russia for their perusal.

Eisenhower warned us more than fifty years ago about the growing military-industrial complex. But, we didn't want to listen. Especially not here in Dayton. Our economies, both national and local, rely on the development of increasingly sophisticated weaponry. The problem with that, besides the obvious, is that shortly after we develop a new weapon, the other side gets it, either by coming into possession of one and reverse engineering it, by spying, or by being forced to develop one for themselves. That's what we call escalation.

The drone that was captured happened to be used for surveillance. I can't tell you what the mechanical differences are between surveillance drones and killer drones. But, I'm willing to bet it won't be long before our own invention is turned against us and we have to come up with something bigger and better to counter it. Ironically, what the drone was spying on was another aspect of arms escalation, Iran's attempt to develop nuclear weapons.

The obvious problem with killer drones is that they kill. We have given the CIA license to hunt down and kill individuals they deem to be a threat to our national security and we have given them an unimaginable weapon to do it with. The thinking was that killer drones would be able to kill with surgical precision, without risking the lives of American pilots. But, as it turns out, that is not the case. Many more innocent civilians have been murdered than the likes of Osama Bin Laden and other terrorists. And then there is the unseemly bragging every time we do manage to assassinate a suspected terrorist in another sovereign country without due process of law.

I'm not sure if it's even possible for this country to alter its current course and base its economy on something other than war-mongering. It would take a lot more than just rooting out the Black Waters and the Halliburtons. It would take the people that live in our region to start questioning the morality of developing and piloting drones right here in our backyard, instead of blindly heralding the new jobs that such an enterprise brings.

We question CEMEX when they say their polluting factories and quarries bring jobs to the area. We question the oil companies when they talk about job creation and lower energy costs in connection with fracking. Why isn't there more of an outcry about this? Could it be because the death and destruction will not occur in our own backyard?

Wait a minute... What's that I hear? Is there something over head?

-vh

CEMEX quarry request denied

Xenia Township has denied the request of CEMEX to rezone three parcels of land along West Enon Road so they could use what is currently farmland for a quarry operation, the Xenia Daily Gazette is reporting today.

Residents were concerned about pollution of the water table, noise, air pollution and traffic issues.

Xenia Daily Gazette: Trustees vote down CEMEX request