Bench to Nowhere: Smoke gets in your eyes

Click on image to enlarge.

Midwest Native Plant Conference visits YS

Midwest Native Plant Conference attendees visited the Women's Park Sunday for a discussion about using native plants in landscape design. They also stopped at the Antioch Farm to hear about sustainable agriculture and how the farm is being used as part of the Antioch College curriculum.

YSCF 2012-2012 Miller Fellow RFP

YELLOW SPRINGS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Request for Proposals

The Miller Fellowship Program is a program of the Yellow Springs Community Foundation, funded by the Nolan J. and Richard D. Miller Endowment Fund. Nolan Miller (d. 2006) was Associate Editor of The Antioch Review, a noted writing teacher and a beloved Antioch College professor. His brother, Richard (d. 2007), was a highly regarded artist working in many different media. The purpose of this fund is to support fellowships for Antioch College students who engage in service for the benefit of the Yellow Springs community. While a measure of priority will be given to serving the needs of the elderly in Yellow Springs, other public service institutions will be supported as well, in keeping with the basic premise of the endowment that it is meant to foster mutual respect between Antioch College and the whole of the Yellow Springs community.

The Yellow Springs Community Foundation will be accepting proposals from Yellow Springs nonprofits that wish to place Miller Fellows in their organization. In accordance with the Antioch College curriculum, for the 2012-2013 academic year, Miller Fellows will be available part-time for up to 10 hours per week during the three study quarters, and 30 – 40 hours per week during the work quarter. The work quarter for first year students will be Spring 2013. The work quarter for second year students will be Winter quarter 2013.

Applications may be made for Fellows for the full study-work program (3 study quarters and one work quarter) or the study-only program (4 study quarters). The maximum grant for the full work and study program will be $8100; the maximum grant for the study program will be $4400. Applicants should understand that Antioch students are required to spend one quarter each year in a full-time work setting. This means that those organizations choosing the study-only program will have a substitution of their Miller Fellow at some time during the school year. The timing of the substitution will depend on whether the Fellow is a first- or second-year student.

The Foundation will pay, through grants to the successful non-profits, the direct labor costs of the fellowships. The hourly rate for Miller Fellows is $10/hour. Overhead costs will be the responsibility of the non-profit organization. The Foundation anticipates funding between 10 and 18 fellowships during the 2012-2013 academic year, depending on the mix of full study-work programs and study-only programs.

The deadline for applications is August 17, 2012.


The complete RFP and coversheet for proposals may be found on the YSCF Website.

Friday Night at Clifton Opera House

Mac-O-chee Valley Folk

It's that time again, a Bluegrass night in Clifton! The Clifton Opera House hosts a favorite Ohio bluegrass band on Friday, Aug 3rd. The shows starts at 7:30pm, box office opens at 6:30pm. This historic building has hosted a lot of Americana music over the years. Visiting musicians are always pleasantly surprised when they step on stage in Clifton. The acoustics of this 119 year old building are still bright and beautiful; there are no bad seats in the house with sound like this! The Clifton Opera House is a perfect venue for bluegrass music, great acoustics in an intimate setting; it seats 242 of your friends and neighbors.

Don't miss Jim Greer and the Mac-O-chee Valley Folk's return to Clifton. The talented Jim Greer and the Mac-O-Chee Valley Folks will perform numerous favorite bluegrass and gospel songs. Pick up their latest CD before they are sold out! Jim and the Valley Folks are featured on Sound Traditions: "Best of Mountain Bluegrass" album. What do you call a band that has played together for so many years? Perfection!

The Clifton Opera House is located at 5 So. Clay Street, Clifton. Please call 937-342-2175 or 937-767-2343 for ticket information or visit the website at www.cliftonoperahouse.com.

Streescape discussion at Emporium, Saturday

All are invited to

An Informal Discussion

On the Proposed Streetscape Plan

Saturday, August 4, 2012

3:00-5:00 pm @ the Emporium

What is this?  This is intended to be a continuation of community dialogue on this issue.  It is an informal way to talk with your neighbors, hear their ideas, and have a conversation about sidewalks, trees, safety, streetlights, bikes, and our shared “downtown” space.  The discussion will be moderated by villager Ellis Jacobs.

The Goal?  To listen to a variety of perspectives, voice your own, and help to deepen our understanding of these issues.    

Sponsored by the Emporium

The Emporium is organizing a public discussion of the proposed streetscape plan this coming Saturday, August 4, 3-5 pm.


It's open to all, and we will have asked villager Ellis Jacobs to be the moderator. I'm hoping that we'll get all perspectives, and engage in a constructive dialogue. I view this as an extension of the conversations I've been hearing and reading about around town.


I've invited the council and the village manager via email, but our official invitation is simply open to all. I'm hopeful that some can attend, a few conveyed that they have prior commitments. - Kurt

Blogger and local play festival get some press

Thanks to Sharon Short, Dayton Daily News columnist and Director of the Antioch Writers' Workshop for the good press in the Arts Section of this past Sunday's paper.

Dayton Daily News: Going deep with 10-minute plays in Yellow Springs

Les Groby at the Spirited Goat, Saturday

I'll be playing at the Spirited Goat Coffee House, 118 Dayton Street, Yellow Springs, on Saturday, Aug. 4, 7:00 pm until 9:30. It's the first time I've played in groovy downtown Yellow Springs for several years. Hope to see you there!

—Les Groby

http://www.youtube.com/gibsonandvega

http://www.facebook.com/LesGroby

http://www.facebook.com/DancingGoatsCafe

Keyes: Senate candidate shorting US Bonds

Scott Keyes, son of Ralph and Muriel and a former Yellow Springer who writes for the blog "Think Progress," reported, yesterday, that Ohio State Treasurer, Josh Mandel, who is running for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Sherrod Brown, has been betting against the U.S. Debt by shorting Treasury Bonds.

"Though Mandel’s Treasury-shorting holdings may not be gigantic at the moment, their value would soar in the event of a debt default," Keyes writes. Mandel has been campaigning on a debt reduction platform.

EXCLUSIVE: GOP Senate Nominee Shorting U.S. Treasury Bonds, Would Profit From Government Default

Band Concert, 12:30 today

July 28, Kings Yard


The Yellow Springs Community Band will give a concert in Kings Yard on Saturday, July 28 at 12:30 p.m. In the event of rain, it will be moved indoors at the First Presbyterian Church.

Saturday Night at Clifton Opera House

The Shakertown Stompers began in 1999 as a band put together to provide music for a picnic at Kirkmont Presbyterian Church in Beavercreek (on Shakertown Road). Since that time they have played at various retirement centers and senior centers in the community, for weddings, and private parties.

For the past several years they have appeared regularly at the Clifton Opera House, and recently at Lofino Park in Beavercreek. They play predominantly Dixieland- style music with a few surprises thrown in!

The Shakterown Stompers band members are: Ron Mead – trumpet and vocals; Larry Roberts – trombone and vocals; Bob Schwenke – clarinet and vocals; Amy Vaubel – keyboard and vocals; Dave Vaubel – drums; and Gail Vaubel – bass guitar and vocals.

Shakertown will be playing on Saturday, August 4th at 7:30pm. The box office opens at 6:30pm. The Clifton Opera House is located at 5 South Clay Street, Clifton; it is air conditioned. Admission is $7.00 Call 937-342-2175 for ticket information.

Friday Night at Clifton Opera House

New Mountain Heritage

It's bluegrass night on Friday, July 27th when the New Mountain Heritage takes the stage at 7:30pm. New Mountain Heritage was formed recently with a group of veteran musicians. Each member has an extensive personal musical background in bluegrass music. This variety of talent has formed a strong foundation for the music that they play today. With close tight-nit harmonies and a vast diversity of material from Flatt and Scruggs to the Country Gentlemen, and old time dance fiddle tunes, New Mountain Heritage is bound to excite and please audiences where ever they perform and keep them wanting more. Band members are: Damon Hixson…….Banjo and vocals, Greg Beasley……...Guitar/ fiddle/ vocals, Emily Beasley……...Mandolin and vocals, Mike Elliott…………Dobro/ guitar/vocals and J.J. Arnold………….Bass.

Box office opens at 6:30pm. The Clifton Opera House is owned and operated by the Village of Clifton as fund raiser. Requested door donation $7.00

Destination YS

Arts & Culture    

YS Community Band Concert Kings Yard

Celebrate the Olympics; 7/28, 12:30p.  Donations appreciated.

Friends Music Camp Concert Mills Lawn Elementary

7/28, 7:30 p; $10 adults, $5 children to benefit Glen Helen.

Antioch College Herndon Gallery One Morgan Place

SOURCE; 6/1 -8/17. Gallery hours Tu-Sa 1-4p.   

Emporium Wines 233 Xenia Ave., 937.767.7077

Entrophy & Reclamation: The Art of Tom Watson III; 6/16-8/12

Glen Helen Atrium Gallery 405 Corry St., 937.769.1902

Memory of Seasons: Watercolors by Misuk Goltz & Yuki Hall; 7/1-8/29

   

Village Artisans 100 Corry St., 937.767.1209

Award-winning Fiber artist Pam Geisel.  

"would you, could you" In A Frame 113 Corry St. 937.767.2962

Vivid Line Drawings:  Jean Rudegeair

Yellow Springs Arts Council Gallery 111 Corry St., 679.9722

Emerging Artists; 7/20-8/12

Gallery Open Wednesday-Sunday, 1-4p

Nature & Recreation

Glen Helen Nature Preserve 405 Corry St.; 937.769.1902

South Glen Restoration Project - 7/28, 7-11a; rsvp 769.1902 x103
Farm Volunteer Session - 7/28, 10a-12p, Antioch College Farm

Wilderness Survival & Adventure First Aid- 7/21, 8a-6p

Glen Helen Auditorium.  $150 members, $175 non-members.

 

Simply Women 5k Run/Walk for Women & Girls

Event starts at Yellow Springs High School; 7/28, 9a (check in 7:45-8:30a)Packet Pickup & Expo - 7/27, 7-9p; Corry St. Art Park

YSHS Track Closure

Please take notice:

The Yellow Springs High School track will be closed for approximately 2-3 weeks due to the resurfacing of the all-weather track. We apologize to the walkers, joggers and recreational runners that use this facility; however a new and improved surface will be ready for usage by mid-August.

Check here for progress updates.

Simply Women 5k run/walk for women & girls

Saturday, July 28, 2012
9-11:30 a.m.


Race starts at 9 am at Yellow Springs High School (on-site registration and packet pick-up 7:45 am to 8:30 am)

Join us for the 4th Annual Simply Women 5k! Bring your Mother, Sisters, Daughters, and Friends to enjoy a 3.1 mile run or walk from the high school through the tree-lined streets of Yellow Springs and back to the high school.

Register ($20) by July 13th and receive a Simply Women t-shirt.

Enjoy pre-race music and warm-up activities with certified athletic trainer, post-race awards, refreshments, and enter a drawing for prizes! This is a fun and empowering event for women and girls of all ages. Proceeds from this event benefit programming for Simply Women Ohio which seeks to promote fitness, health and wellness, and a supportive network for women and girls. Register online (or download mail-in form) at http://www.simplywomenohio.org/2012-5k-info/registration.

Registration forms are also available at the YS Chamber office (train station at the north end of town), Wind’s Cafe, Bentino’s, Unfinished Creations, and Dino’s Cappuccinos.

Yellow Springs High School

Wilderness Survival Course, July 28

Wilderness Survival & Adventure First Aid
July 28, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Join Leave No Trace wilderness coach Mike Stahlman of Eco-Expedition Educators to learn the basics of wilderness first aid and build confidence as an outdoors enthusiast on the trails on Glen Helen. Course covers survival basics, including how to prepare ignition sources, creating simple shelters, fabricating stretchers and splits from scratch, finding and purifying water—and basic stabilization including taking baseline vitals and shock treatment.

Participants leave with certifications as Emergency First Responders in CPR/Primary & Secondary Care, valid for areas within 30 minutes of a hospital.

Where :
This all day course meets in the Glen Helen Building Auditorium, located at 405 Corry Street, Yellow Springs Ohio. The round limestone and cedar building will function as home base for the day, with a good amount of experiential learning happening on (and off) the trails of Glen Helen.

The Details :
The course runs from 8am to 6pm on Saturday, July 28. Please bring a brown bag lunch, and dress for strenuous outdoor activity. There is no rain date; course proceeds rain or shine.

Contact bbryan@glenhelen.org to register by July 13. $175 includes kit and certification, $150 for Glen members. There is a minimum class size of 6, and a maximum of 16.

About the Instructor :
Stahlman began his career planning and executing Leave No Trace Expeditions in West Virginia, Georgia, Ohio, and North Carolina. He spent the past five years receiving rope rescue training in Vertical Rope Rescue, Rescue Rigging, Rappelling and Rope Technique, and High Ropes Course facilitation, working as a lead guide for a canopy tours and zip line in southeastern Ohio. Over the past three years he has instructed college students and civilians how to scuba dive on Andros Island Bahamas through Columbus Scuba Inc. and in Ohio as a Master Scuba Diver Trainer through PADI.

Stahlman received a degree in Eco-Tourism and Adventure Travel from Hocking College and another degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Resources from WVU. In West Viriginia, he volunteered as a full time EMT-B for Star City Fire Department taking fire calls, 911’s and transports. Through Remote Medical International, Stahlman is trained as a Wilderness EMT and a U.S. Coast Guard Medical Person in Charge, and has operated as a remote medic for an education field station called Forfar on the most remote island in the Bahamas. Currently, he teaches EFR and American Heart Association classes as well as certification specifically for scuba diving through Diver’s Alert Network.

Stahlman’s “Intro to Leave No Trave Backpacking and Adventure 1st Aid” course has recently been accredited by Hocking College for 2 semester credits.

Free Shakespeare!

"The Merchant of Venice" All shows at 7pm July 27, 28, 29 — Antioch College Amphitheater, 795 Corry Street, Yellow Springs This drama is one of the great plays, classified as a comedy, by William Shakespeare.

Village Manager weighs in

YS Village Manager Laura Curliss commented on the recent "In the News" Blog post "Word of local tree flap reaches Dayton":

The title of the article in the Dayton Daily News could well have been "Yellow Springs Plans Downtown Improvements Including More Trees, Improved Sidewalks and Streetlighting." The streetscape plan, developed with the assistance of a local landscape architect, will increase the number of trees in the downtown area from 15 to 20, will include burying of an overhead electric line and sewer improvements, will improve the sidewalks and street lighting, and will add much-needed bicycle parking to the downtown area. The Yellows Springs Tree Committee and other tree professionals in Yellow Springs concur that it is time to plant new trees, trees which will serve citizens and visitors for many years to come. The plan presented to Council includes design features that are more "tree friendly" than what we have now -- larger tree cut-outs, permeable pavers, better placement relative to parking space stripping, burying the electric line to allow uninhibited upward growth. Council is very "pro-tree" and this plan shows their commitment to more trees, healthier trees in the downtown.

Laura Curliss, Village Manager, Village of Yellow Springs, Ohio

Community Band Summer Concert

July 28, Kings Yard


The Yellow Springs Community Band will give a concert in Kings Yard on Saturday, July 28 at 12:30 p.m. In the event of rain, it will be moved indoors at the First Presbyterian Church.

Attention knitters and yarnbombers!

The Dayton Art Institute is encouraging knitters and yarnbombers to come and be part of their Superhero Summer Program. To learn more visit their site, get a permission form for the yarnbombing or print out the one below, and get crackin’ and clackin’ with those needles and hooks and share in a fun project on the grounds of the Museum.

Superhero summer at the Dayton art institute!

Please join us for activities related to the special exhibition You Are My Superhero, which features the work of contemporary artist/knitter Mark Newport. The exhibition is on view from July 22 through September 23, 2012.

The knitting nook

Bring your group to the DAI “Knitting Nook” (Gallery 222) and contribute to a costume for Chief Massosoit and the three figurative outdoor sculptures by Seth Velsey. These creations will be unveiled for the Superhero Ball on August 17. Contact Visitor Services at 937-223-5277, ext. 111 to reserve the Knitting Nook, or drop in and knit.

Yarnbomb on the museum grounds from July 20 through September 18.

Please observe the following guidelines and turn in the form below before you begin!

1. Yarnbomb the following outdoor areas ONLY: trees, poles, parking signs, railing, benches or bike racks

2. Do not use ladders or climb walls or railings; observe the “no entry” sign on the front staircase.

3. Use friendly materials: Colorfast, non-metallic fibers; repurposed fibers/materials WITHOUT sharp edges

4. Use plastic or wooden needles to attach your work and keep it family friendly!

5. Yarnbomb during regular museum hours: W/F/Sa 10-5; Th 10-8; Su noon-5; M/Tu closed

6. All work must be removed from the museum grounds by September 30.

7. Send photos of your yarnbombing for the DAI Web site to ebrockman@daytonart.org.

8. Questions? Ask at the Visitor Services Desk or call Mary Beth at 937-223-5277, ext. 335.



PLEASE PRINT clearly. Turn in this form to the visitor services desk before you start.

Name: ____________________________________

Street Address: __________________________________

City: __________________________ State: _________

Age: ____ Sex: _____

Phone number: (____ )______________

Email Address: ________________________________

I understand and have read the rules and regulations. I agree to follow these and understand that if I do not my artwork will be removed. I understand that I am responsible for cleaning up my work space and am not dependent on the Dayton Art Institute for supplies. I give my permission for my work to be photographed for non-commercial use for the DAI website or printed materials.

Signature: ____________________________________________

Date: __ __ ____

The Dayton Art Institute is not responsible for any injuries incurred during yarnbombing activities on museum property and reserves the right to remove anything inappropriate , that does not follow the guidelines, or that is in space allocated for other activities at any time without notice to the artist

Word of local tree flap reaches Dayton

The Dayton Daily News carried a report on the Yellow Springs tree removal controversy in its Sunday edition this week.

A quote from the article:

"[Village Council member Karen] Wintrow said recently appointed Village Manager Laura Curliss proposed the downtown upgrades as an extension of a sidewalk work Lamont Excavating started on another section of Xenia Avenue in May.

She said there clearly should have been better communication and dialogue with villagers.

'That’s not the way things are done here,” Wintrow said. “We are a very deliberate community.'”

Dayton Daily News: Proposed removal of trees causes outrage in Yellow Springs

Una Festa Italiana

CMYS Fundraiser

at Glen House Inn, August 26

Enjoy a magical afternoon in Italy with food, wine, and music in an elegant Italianate villa. Italian Baroque music presented by James Johnston and Mary White, violin, Franklin Cox, cello and Barbara Leeds, harpsichord.

The $60 ticket includes a $50 tax-deductible donation to Chamber Music in Yellow Springs.

Tickets may be ordered online at Brown Paper Tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/261294, or from CMYS by sending a check to CMYS, PO Box 448 , Yellow Springs , Ohio 45387.

Seating is limited; reservations need to be made by 8/22/12. For more information, call 376-8800.


http://www.cmys.org/pages/events.html

Back Story: Misplaced emotions

In spite of all the emotional pleas to Village Council, this past Monday, and the flurry of letters to the Kumbaya Times, this week, I still feel the same way I did when I last addressed this issue in this column: the Bradford pears along downtown Xenia Avenue aren't worth fretting about. These are not beautiful old elms or sycamores; not giant sequoias or lovable old walnuts. These are a man-made concoction, a hybrid that, some experts are telling us, has the potential to do harm - think Monsanto. In any event, they have reached the end of their useful lives and need to be euthanized. The village doesn't plan to leave Xenia Avenue barren of vegetation. They will be replaced with other trees for us to hug, better, more lovable trees.

I'm all for fixing the infrastructure and getting it over with. But, let's do it without altering the basic nature of this burg, i.e. funky. Let's not install cutesy street lights. Let's install environmentally sound lights with solar collectors and help save the planet, while we are saving our downtown. Meanwhile, you might want to peruse this article in Rolling Stone. Maybe we are already doomed and should forget about this project, anyway.

No matter... Let's get on with it.

I hear that a certain person in village government is starting to grate on people's nerves with her head-butting style. Reports of confrontations with individual residents are flowing into the Blog like hard water from the Yellow Spring. Leno and Letterman would just love to have somebody like this on the national level. Suffice it to say, your blogger is enjoying this. Politics makes for strange bedfellows, indeed.

And remember: Keep Yellow Springs funky!

-vh

Call for scripts by local playwrights

The Yellow Springs 10-Minute Play Festival:
Deadline for script submissions is September 7, 2012 - performances on Oct. 26 & 27.


Springers, dust off your old scripts; start writing something new and exciting; get ready for production!

Last year's 10-Minute Play Festival was a success beyond anything we could have contemplated. So, let's do it again!

The deadline for script submissions is September 7, 2012.

Scripts may be sent as email attachments to gunchpress@yahoo.com or mailed to Gunch Press, P.O. Box 544, Yellow Springs.

Open to those who live or work in Yellow Springs or Miami Township (Greene). This festival is not a competition (beyond the initial screening process). Therefore, we will not be strict about the 10-minute limit, but we are looking for very short plays. If it is too long, it will not make the cut. Those who submit a script should be prepared to produce their own play. A limited amount of help will be available, but we really like it when the playwrights either direct their own plays or find someone to do it. Same goes for casting. We might be able to help you find actors, but we prefer you to cast your own play. Keeping that in mind, short plays are always best with small casts. Rehearsing a 10-minute version of "Ben Hur" is going to grate on the actors' nerves. And keep the sets simple - they change every 10 minutes.

Peletonia 2012 Bike Tour - Village Participation

From Sylvia Ellison:

This summer, team ‘Village Cyclists’ will hold several fund-raising events at Yellow Springs Village Cyclery to raise funds for their part in the Pelotonia 2012 bike tour.  This grassroots bike tour has one goal: to end cancer.  During Farmers Market and July 20 Friday Fling, local members of the Village Cyclists team will sell raffle tickets for the August 5 drawing at Village Cyclery.  Prizes include a TREK road bike donated by Village Cyclery, a NOOK donated by the Village Cyclists, Brunch for 6 provided by the Meadowlark Restaurant in Dayton, and $100 cash.  Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25.  Scrumptious locally baked treats and beverages will be available.

During these events, tax-deductible donations will be accepted to support individual cyclists.  Donations may also be made online at the Village

Cyclists donation page.  See www.pelotonia.org and search Peloton Name:  Village Cyclists.  More than 10,000 supporters are expected to be part of Pelotonia on August 10-12, 2012. The ride spans two days and covers as many as 180 miles. In its first three years, Pelotonia attracted over 8,300 riders from 38 states, over 2,800 volunteers, hundreds of thousands of donors, and raised $25.4 million for cancer research.  Because operational expenses are covered by Pelotonia funding partners, 100% of every dollar raised is donated directly to life-saving cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

We all know someone who has been affected by cancer. One out of two American men and one out of three American women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. We would love to have your support, as this is truly a unique opportunity to be a part of something special. 

From Melissa Heston:

In less than a month away, I've decided to participate in an incredible experience for the fourth year in a row that raises funds for a great cause, and I need your help.

Pelotonia is a grassroots bike tour with one goal: to end cancer. More than 10,000 supporters are expected to be a part of Pelotonia 12 on August 10-12, 2012. The ride I will do spans two days and will cover 180 miles. In its first three years, Pelotonia has attracted over 8,300 riders from 38 states, over 2,800 volunteers, hundreds of thousands of donors and raised $25.4 million for cancer research. In 2011 alone, a record $13.1 million was raised. Because operational expenses are covered by Pelotonia funding partners, 100% of every dollar raised is donated directly to life-saving cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. This year I am doubling my efforts with this new route from Columbus to Gambier and back – 180 miles. I am writing to ask you double your efforts as well and help me raise over $2,200.00 in funds for this incredible event. Large or small, every donation makes a difference.

We all know someone who been affected by cancer, some who have unfortunately passed away just this year or last, and some who have undergone successful treatments, preventative biopsies or other measures.  We also know several in our own community who have benefited in significant ways by treatment at The James. By supporting Pelotonia, me, and my team-Village Cyclists, you will help continue to improve lives through innovations in research with the ultimate goal of winning against cancer. I would love to have your support this year.

When you follow the link below, you will find my personal rider and team profile and a simple and secure way to make any size donation you wish - small or large, they all count. Go to the Donate Tab above. Many have taken advantage of the sponsor listing where you can make a donation in honor or memory of someone you love or admire.

Think of this as a donation not to me, or Pelotonia, but directly to The OSUCCC-James to fund cancer research. Please consider supporting my effort and this great cause. My rider profile can be found at the following link:

http://www.mypelotonia.org/riders_profile.jsp?MemberID=4484     Melissa Heston

http://www.mypelotonia.org/team_profile.jsp?MemberID=4537       Village Cyclists

If you’d prefer to write a check, make it out to Pelotonia and mail it to me, Melissa Heston 155 E Fairfield Pike, Yellow Springs, OH  45387. I’ll make sure it counts!

Thanks for the support!

YS Experience Weekend, July 20-22

You know that the Cirque Carnival is happening this Friday, but did you know about all the other cool events -- fun workshops, cultural tours and art experiences that are going on this weekend?  Here is an overview:

Friday, July 20

12-1pm, The Fluid Core led by Jill Becker.  Call 937-767-2646 for details & reservations.

3-9pm, Hippie Heritage Stage at the Corner Cone

5-10pm, Ring of Amazement at Dayton & Corry

5-midnight, Cirque Stage at 100 Corry

6-9pm, Experience Art all around Yellow Springs at the YSAC Gallery (with Sarah Strong & Clarice Moore), Springs Gallery, John Bryan Community Pottery, Glen Helen Atrium Gallery, Village Artisans, Little Art Theatre, Spirited Goat Coffee House, Sunrise Cafe, The Winds, "would you, could you" In a Frame and Emporium Wines & Underdog Cafe.

6-7pm, Yoga Happy Hour at Yoga Springs

7:30-9pm, Beer Brewing Demo at Main Squeeze

Saturday, July 21

9-11:30am, Cirque in Print led by Sarah Strong.  Call 317-525-1785 for details & reservations.

10-10:45am, Kindermusik facilitated by Jill Becker.  Call 937-767-2646 for details & reservations.

11am-12:30pm, Intro to Belly Dancing led by Janna (a.k.a. Janet Mueller).  Call 937-767-4791 for details & reservations.

1-3pm, An Afternoon of Pantomime, Blanche facilitated by John Fleming.  Call 937-545-1478 for details & reservations.

1-4pm, SOURCE at the Herndon Gallery, Antioch College

2-5pm, Mask Making Workshop led by Louise Smith.  Call 937-767-2718 for details & reservations.

6-9pm, Opening Reception for Emerging Artists with Speaking Suns at the YS Arts Council Gallery

7:30-9:30pm, YSKP's "Mo's Night at the Opera" at the Antioch Amphitheater

8:30-midnight, DJ JuJu's Dance Piazza with Salsa Underground Dance Team at the YS Arts Council Gallery

Sunday, July 22

9-10:15am, Three-Ring Workshop led by Rhonda Newsome.  Call 937-767-2028 for details & reservations.

10am-noon, Dance through Glen Helen with Rebecca Ingebo starting at the Trailside Museum (505 Corry St.)

10am-5pm, Level 1 Reiki facilitated by Jannirose JOY at Eden World.  Call 830-719-2848 for details & reservations.

11am-1pm, Somatics Workshop led by Jill Becker.  Call 937-767-2646 for details & reservations.

11am-noon, YS Walking Tour with Robin Heise starting at the historical marker on Livermore Street (Antioch College campus)

1:30-4pm, A Moving Picture Show - Healing Relationships in Action led by Linda Richmond.  Call 937-319-1116 for details & reservations.

7:30-9:30pm, YSKP's "Mo's Night at the Opera" at the Antioch Amphitheater

Go to www.Yellow-Springs-Experience.org for more details or call 937-319-1116.

Have Fun,

The YSAC Team

Artist's reception, tonight

Christine Klinger at Springs Gallery
 6-9 p.m.

Springs Gallery in Yellow Springs is pleased to present new, abstract paintings by Christine Klinger of Yellow Springs, Ohio. The show includes pieces from her current, abstract Undersea Circus series. The exhibit runs July through September, with an artist reception on Friday, July 20, 2012, from 6 to 9 PM; this coincides with the Village’s Third Friday “Fling in the Springs.” Both the exhibit and the reception are free and open to the public.

In her artist statement, Klinger says: “I have always been attracted to the circus. I love the fantasy of running off to join a troupe of artists whose whole life is travel and performing. When I was younger I studied dance for many years and I had a child’s trapeze on my swing set. I used to pretend I was a circus performer: the skilled and graceful bareback rider, the comedic, trickster clown and, especially, the daring, free-flying trapeze artist. I see the circus as containing countless metaphors for life, love and art, and I enjoy thinking about these as I paint. I like to paint intuitively, where anything can happen. For example, as I began to work on the first piece in my circus series, it spontaneously ‘told me’ it wanted to be underwater; so I went with the flow, so to speak.”

Christine Klinger is a Yellow Springs, Ohio, artist, art educator, and owner of Springs Gallery in Yellow Springs. She began her career in photojournalism and fine art photography, working in the field and teaching. Klinger also practiced and taught sculpture for many years before diving into painting. She has a masters in Photojournalism from Ohio University and a bachelors in Psychology from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. She received a Visual Artist Fellowship from the Montgomery County (OH) Arts & Cultural District for 2009/2010.

Klinger has been studying and painting since 2006, and was granted an Artist in Residency in painting and photography from the State of South Carolina’s A.I.R. Program in Spring, 2011. She has won awards for her photography, sculpture and painting, and has exhibited in galleries throughout Ohio, South Carolina and California, and is in many private collections.

Springs Gallery, located in Kings Yard at 220 Xenia Avenue in Yellow Springs, exhibits and sells a wide variety of original fine arts and fine crafts by local and regional artists. The gallery also hosts small art classes and workshops. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, Noon to 7 PM and, on the 3rd Friday (Fling in the Springs), Noon to 9 PM. For more information call 937-937-409-5047, email springsgallery@earthlink.net, or visit www.springsgallery.blogspot.com or Facebook.

Photo: “Trapeze Artists,” acrylic on canvas, 12” x 16”, photo and painting by Christine Klinger

Cirque de Rue Dayton

Sizzlin' at the Library

Saturday Night at Clifton Opera House

Ralph Kettering and the Impossibles will play the Clifton Opera House on Saturday, July 21st. The show starts at 7:30pm, box office opens at 6:30pm. The historic Opera House is looking forward to the return of this band. This group of talented musicians have become one of the Opera House staples playing every spring and fall. Ralph and the band will have your toes tapping with old time favorites featuring big band, 40's, polkas, and country. They truly give a big band event. The Clifton Opera House is owned and operated by the Village of Clifton and is a fund raiser. Call 937)767-2343 for more information or www.cliftonoperahouse.com.

RFP to YS Nonprfits for 2012-2013 Miller Fellows

YELLOW SPRINGS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Request for Proposals

The Miller Fellowship Program is a program of the Yellow Springs Community Foundation, funded by the Nolan J. and Richard D. Miller Endowment Fund.  Nolan Miller (d. 2006) was Associate Editor of The Antioch Review, a noted writing teacher and a beloved Antioch College professor.  His brother, Richard (d. 2007), was a highly regarded artist working in many different media.  The purpose of this fund is to support fellowships for Antioch College students who engage in service for the benefit of the Yellow Springs community. While a measure of priority will be given to serving the needs of the elderly in Yellow Springs, other public service institutions will be supported as well, in keeping with the basic premise of the endowment that it is meant to foster mutual respect between Antioch College and the whole of the Yellow Springs community.

The Yellow Springs Community Foundation will be accepting proposals from Yellow Springs non-profits that wish to place Miller Fellows in their organization.  In accordance with the Antioch College curriculum, for the 2012-2013 academic year, Miller Fellows will be available part-time for up to 10 hours per week during the three study quarters, and 30 – 40 hours per week during the work quarter.  The work quarter for first year students will be Spring 2013.  The work quarter for second year students will be Winter quarter 2013. 

Applications may be made for Fellows for the full study-work program (3 study quarters and one work quarter) or the study-only program (4 study quarters).  The maximum grant for the full work and study program will be $8100;  the maximum grant for the study program will be $4400.  Applicants should understand that Antioch students are required to spend one quarter each year in a full-time work setting.  This means that those organizations choosing the study-only program will have a substitution of their Miller Fellow at some time during the school year.  The timing of the substitution will depend on whether the Fellow is a first- or second-year student.

The Foundation will pay, through grants to the successful non-profits, the direct labor costs of the fellowships.  The hourly rate for Miller Fellows is $10/hour.  Overhead costs will be the responsibility of the non-profit organization.  The Foundation anticipates funding between 10 and 18 fellowships during the 2012-2013 academic year, depending on the mix of full study-work programs and study-only programs.

Proposal Process:

• Due Date: August 17, 2012
• Contents:                  

o                               Cover page

o                               Proposed tasks or duties to be undertaken by the fellows

o                               Educational goals of the tasks or duties

o                               Benefit to Yellow Springs community

o                               Number of fellows requested

o                               Indicate whether study-only program or study-work program is desired

o                               Statement of mission or charter of the organization

• Length:         

o  The proposal should be no more than five (5) pages of text (not including the cover page). The proposal should state, succinctly, the job descriptions of the fellows, how the jobs benefit the student, and how the jobs benefit the community.

• Evaluation criteria (of equal importance):          

o  Non-profits should have the fiscal structure to responsibly carryout payroll functions

o  Non-profits should have the ability to supervise and evaluate the fellows during their placement

o  Proposed tasks and duties of the fellows have educational content

o  Proposed tasks and duties of the fellows have benefit to the Yellow Springs community

·         Submit electronic proposals only to:        yscf@yscf.org

• Evaluation period: August 18 – August 31, 2012
• Anticipated announcement of awards: September 15, 2012
• Distribution of funds:

o  Quarterly, beginning Fall, 2012

o  Unused funds will be deducted from the next quarter’s distribution

Copies of this RFP and the Cover Page can be found by clicking here.

Back Story: Fifty Shades of Green..?

If you tell me not to read something, you can probably guess what I'm going to do, post haste. Lately, the novel Fifty Shades of Grey, has caught my attention, not just because it and its progeny have been on the New York Times bestseller list for-almost-ever, but because it is getting panned all over the Internet, especially on Facebook. Most recently, I believe it was the Yellow Springs Library Association that cautioned readers to stay away. My response was along the lines of, "Now I definitely have to read it." So, I got in line on the library's digital downloads section and a few weeks later, I got my book - Saturday, to be exact. There were more people waiting for a copy of this book than any other I have seen - and more copies available, too. Last night, I started reading it and just a few pages into some of the worst, most amateurish writing ever published in any format, I sent it back.

Immediately thereafter, I downloaded The Sea Is My Brother, the long lost novel by Jack Kerouac, his first, written in 1943, and until recently unpublished. You could expect that it would be pretty bad, and the cautions from reviewers were out there with the proviso that it could be read for its insight into what would later become Kerouac's familiar writing voice. It shines in comparison to Fifty Shades.

I have a novel in my desk drawer that is so bad I won't show it to anyone. It's better than this, but I wouldn't want thousands of people reading crap published under my name, no matter how much it paid.

Just jealous? Not so. I have no problem with writers getting famous and making lots of money. I just read John Grogan's Marley and Me. Was it great literature? No. Was it worth reading? Yes, especially if you are a dog lover. It has found its rightful place. Who then reads crap like the Fifty Shades Trilogy? They are first, second and third on the NY Times fiction lists and the entire trilogy, purchased as such, is number six on the ebook list. Somebody is buying this drool and we can assume that they can read...

So what's my problem? My problem is this: In this dumbed-down society of 21st Century America, there are more and more terrific writers, writing wonderful, literate, imaginative books of all sorts, who can't find a publisher. If they do, they are going to have to market the book themselves, with virtually no assistance. Some of my favorite novels were self-published, like Michael DeCapite's Through the Windshield (Sparkle Press), others, like Steve Vivian's Flunky (Boson Books) were published by unknown presses or vanity presses, where you pay to get your book in print. Many are familiar with the unrelenting efforts of John Kennedy Toole's mother to get his A Confederacy of Dunces published posthumously. It is a cult classic that has been in and out of print many times since the 60's. I have purchase three copies, one of them an e-book.

With the advent of e-books, all this is going to change. Good books will be written and go straight to e-ink - often self-published. Writers will become masters of marketing and/or a cottage industry of e-book marketing will pop up. Publishers will adapt or become extinct. This new world that book-lovers so fear, might actually be the answer, rather than the problem. And then, how is the NY Times bestseller list going to keep track of it all?

-vh