Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Laura Franks Bexley CPI Report Second Quarter, 2009.

Listen to the podcast of Laura Frank's Report



Laura Franks reported that most Bexley retail prices in her standard market basket are unchanged for the second quarter, 2009. Nonetheless, because of the recorded prices of two items, her consumer price index showed an overall price decline for the quarter.

The Bexley CPI reports on the aggregate prices paid for a uniform basket of merchandise purchased at retail in Bexley and nearby retail stores.

The Bexley CPI measures the change of prices for typical retail purchases made by Bexley residents.

The Bexley CPI can be compared to the price changes reported by the Bureau of Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. The comparison can provide useful information for Bexley consumers about local price changes compared to price changes in other parts of the United States.

As of the second quarter, 2009 compared to the first quarter, 2009, Bexley prices showed a marked decrease of 10.70%. This decline is attributable to two factors. One is a significant 29% markdown on one(1) personal hygiene item. The second factor is the result of a stationery item being out of stock and having to replace it with the same product, but in a smaller size, and therefore priced at $1.00 less than the regular market basket item.

Even if the regular stationery item had been available at its first quarter price, we still would have had a little over 5% decrease in Bexley retail prices.

Except for these two(2) items, the prices on the remainder of the market basket purchases stayed the same as the first quarter 2009.

HELP BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO UPGRADE ITS ANTENNA. SEND YOUR MONEY PROMPTLY. BE GENEROUS.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Laura Franks. Photo is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Editorial Collective.

John Matuszak schedule of interviews Napoleon Bell and Robin Innes.

John Matuszak's will interview Napoleon Bell, executive director of the City of Columbus Community Relations Commission on the Wednesday June 24 Eastside News Roundup at 11 a.m.

The following week on Wednesday July 1, John Matuszak will interview, Robin Innes, public relations director for Cedar Point.

Whitehall's Hometown Heroes Coming To Town! by Dianne Garrett.

The Next Level Football Camp hosted by New York Giant Domenik Hixon and Former Toledo Rocket Anthony Jordan will be July 11 at Whitehall Yearling High School 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Jordan is currently an assistant football coach at Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania.

Both young men have gone on from their hometown to pursue their dreams, and they want to see other Whitehall youth have every opportunity to do the same. On July 10 they will host an event at Buffalo Wild Wings 5-8 p.m. Autographed football memorabilia will be auctioned, with all proceeds benefitting the WYHS athletic department.

Hixon and Jordan feel it is important to give back to their home community, so the annual event is two-fold. Children have an opportunity to learn from pros, while their alma mater receives a financial boost, as well.

The staff roster is impressive, and follows:

NaShan Goddard - Seattle Seahawks
Brian Clark - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Steve Cargiale - New York Giants
Chase Blackburn - New York Giants
Mathias Kiwanuka - New York Giants
Michael Matthews - New York Giants
Sinorice Moss - New York Giants
Barry Cofield - New York Giants
Mario Manningham - New York Giants
Charlie Frye - Seattle Seahawks
Lance Moore - New Orleans Saints
John Greco - St. Louis Rams
Tim Crouch - Akron Zips
Tyree Pollard - Toledo Rockets
Andrews Hawkins - Toledo Rockets (TV: "4th and Long" with Michael Irvin and Spike Network
J R Ford - Michigan/Capitol University
Murad Holliday - Kent State Golden Flashes/Gahanna Lincoln High School

Camp Information

Clothing for camp is T-shirt, shorts/sweats with football cleats or athletic shoes. Shorts/sweats should be worn firm around the waist. A water bottle is encouraged, but water will be available at all times for the campers. Drinks will be sold at the concession stand.

Registration is $25 if registered before July 7, and $30 at the gate. Register three children, and the fourth is free. All forms have to be turned in together to qualify. The first 100 to register will receive a special prize at the end of camp. For those who would like for their child to attend, and are not financially able, email Anthony Jordan at Nextlevelfootballcamp@yahoo.com, and leave your name and number. You will be contacted. Also if anyone wants to sponsor some children or donate money or anything to help with the camp, it will be welcomed. Use the same email contact as above.

Cash, checks and money orders will be accepted. Please make payable to Whitehall Yearling High School, and mail to:

The Next Level Football Camp
P.O. Box 13686
Whitehall, OH 43213

Also, there will be Q & A sessions with NFL players. Games will be availble to play for a small fee during the camp for friends and family members. Parents are encouraged to attend. Everyone is welcome!

The pair said, "We want this to be about community and family coming together. If you do not have children attending the camp, still come out and have a great time. The WHYS band will have the concession stand open, so you can buy food, water or drinks. All money raised will be donated to Whitehall Schools."

Every registered participant will receive a T-shirt, lunch or dinner, along with a drink.

T-shirts will also be available for sale. Come out for a great time!

HELP BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO UPGRADE ITS ANTENNA. SEND YOUR MONEY PROMPTLY. BE GENEROUS.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Dianne Garrett.

Whitehall's Independence Day Celebration. Dianne Garrett.

The following is a schedule of Whitehall's Independence Day Celebration, sponsored by Whitehall Community Celebration Association. Fireworks are sponsored by City of Whitehall. All activities will be John Bishop Park.

Saturday, June 27

Beautiful Baby 10:30 a.m. at the John LaCorte band shell

Little Miss Whitehall 1:00 p.m. (band shell)

Car show 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. in the yard across from the band shell
Admission: $5
Registration starts at 4 p.m.
Free dash plates to the first 50 registrants


Monday, June 29

Jr. Miss Whitehall 6:30 p.m. (band shell)


Wednesday, July 1

Young Miss Whitehall 6:30 p.m. (band shell)


Thursday, July 2

Amusement & Rides open at 5 p.m. - midway on Etna Road side

Miss Whitehall 6:30 p.m. (band shell)

Taste of Whitehall Pizza Tasting Contest 7:30 p.m. at the WCCA information center


Friday, July 3

Amusement & Rides open at 5 p.m.

Kids games 6:30 p.m. at the WCCA information center


Saturday, July 4

Parade 10 a.m. from Community Bank on Yearling to Langley, ending at the band shell

Recognition ceremony 12 p.m. (band shell)

Amusement and Rides open at 12 p.m.

City vs. Police and Fire Softball game 3 p.m. - across from WCCA information center

Musical Entertainment 7 - 9:55 p.m. with "Next Exit" band

FIREWORKS 10 p.m.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY!!!

HELP BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO UPGRADE ITS ANTENNA. SEND YOUR MONEY PROMPTLY. BE GENEROUS.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Dianne Garrett.

The Herons. By the most sensitive man in Bexley, Simon Doer.

The Herons. They reside in the Preston Road area of Columbus just to the west of Bexley. They are herons (yellow crowned night herons to be exact). Their nests, like tax havens, are located in that patch of real estate just outside Bexley in an awkward gerrymandered slice of Columbus. Like a peninsula, the Columbus area bounded by water at Alum Creek and Broad and Parkview Streets similar to an isthmus, juts out in historic tax defiance to its Bexley neighbors.

It is hard to deny that it is a perfect location, close to the water of Alum Creek and the trees of Wolfe Park. The herons wisely take advantage of that location to wing east to consume fish as their staple food from the ponds of Bexley residents as if those services are an entitlement offered to them due to their close Columbus residency. Similar to the herons consumption of fish in the ponds of adjoining residents, Columbus aggressively annexed land to grow while the slice of land to the east of Alum Creek remained as a dimple on the face of Columbus.

Like human carpetbaggers, during the past several years the herons have become outliers to Bexley, of sorts. The herons usual habitat has been the southern coastal region of the United States, a migration pattern many of their human neighbors also follow throughout the year. The residents appear to live parallel lives.

As they nest in the trees above the Columbus streets and the houses occupied by their human counterparts, the herons derive the protection of law enforcement as an endangered species. Bexley police even patrol those remote Columbus streets and Wolf Park in similar deference to what could be considered special citizens as they protect the human occupants of houses in close proximity to Bexley.

Taunt nets above the Bexley ponds may distract herons from their feasts of koi and goldfish, however, there currently appears no way to net the lost revenue from the closely knit Columbus community based near her Bexley neighbors. That slice of Columbus originally carved out of the near Bexley landscape to enable the election of Columbus City Council members from the area, became a permanent nest and haven, not only for the endangered herons, but for Columbus residents as well. Are there ways to share the cost of the current environment with Bexley’s near neighbors? Perhaps we need to be content that the herons’ human nightly counterparts occasionally pay to enjoy the food and merchant services of Bexley.

That is one sensitive man’s opinion. What is yours?

HELP BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO UPGRADE ITS ANTENNA. SEND YOUR MONEY PROMPTLY. BE GENEROUS.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. MSMIB, Simon Doer and Bexley Public Radio Editorial Collective.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Hank Belew reports to Bexley on North Georgia Bluegrass and BBQ

Listen to the podcast of Hank Belew's dispatch from Rabun County.


Hank Belew reports from Rabun County, North Georgia. Hank is the Bexley Public Radio culture correspondent covering North Georgia and contiguous states.

Chilly mornings, lot of rain, and Chattooga River is up. This months rain is like the rain of yesteryears. Almost every day. Humidity. At night to get in bed, you’d lift the cover sheet up and let it fall and settle on you because the sheets were just too sticky from the humidity in the air.

Those were the days before air conditioning.

Now you have to have air conditioning, microwave stoves and two and three phone lines.

Hank said he used to grumble because Southern Bell kept changing the telephone area code in Rabun County. Hank grumbled until he realized that he has six telephone numbers himself. A fax, two cell phones, two land lines to the business and one to the house.

Hank began his culture dispatch with a comment that North Georgia Bluegrass jam sessions are firing up.

There are now five or six jam sessions a week in Rabun County.

Jam session are not concerts where people go to listen to specific bands and performers. Jam sessions are distinct from concerts. A jam session is where anyone who brings an instrument can play along or sing along. People go to jam sessions to listen, learn, play and sing.

The Bexley Public Radio culture correspondent said that people used to go across the Chattooga River to a little community called Mountain Rest to play in a Bluegrass jam session. The location was Cousin’s Store. Robert Lowery was the proprietor for years. The store closed for a while and now Bert’s kinfolks have reopened the store in the same location. When Hank was just learning Bluegrass, there was a jam session every Saturday night and people would drive hundreds of miles just to attend and participate.

At Cousin’s, there was always a core group of really good musicians. Students and beginners sat on the outside edges of the circle. Experienced musicians would sit in the “inner circle.” Next around would be the pretty good musicians, Then, the younger and inexperienced musicians would sit on the outside and at the edges of the circle where they could watch, listen and learn. As these beginners honed their skills, they could progress closer to the inner circle of experienced Bluegrass players.

[WCRX-LP editorial collective note: Most Google connections for “inner circle” make the following points and discuss “Esoterica. 1655, from Gk. esoterikos "belonging to an inner circle," from esotero, comp. adv. of eso "within." In Eng., originally of Pythagorean doctrines. According to Lucian, the division of teachings into exoteric and esoteric originated with Aristotle.”]

There are five or six jam sessions a week in Rabun County. Most are on weekend evenings or evenings near the weekend.

Besides jam sessions, there is also formal Bluegrass education in Rabun County. The Blue Ridge Music Academy offers courses of study. Founders of the academy are two musicians who perform with The Foxfire Boys Bluegrass band. Courses are conducted five days a week. Students range in age from five or six years old to at least one student in his seventies.

Tom Nixon and Dean English are associated with Blue Ridge Music Academy and are members of the Foxfire Boys. They have a jam session each Thursday night at their store in Clayton. The session is on a porch during most of the year and inside around a wood stove during cool summer nights and cold winter evenings.

The Blue Ridge Music Academy is located in Clayton and looks west over U.S. Route 23 as this highway passes through Rabun County.

The original Foxfire School music program was taught by George Reynolds, now a resident of Tennessee. The hallmark of Reynolds’ teaching was a chaotic school room. But his lessons kept Bluegrass alive for his students, and almost any musician between 24 and 44 was taught or at least heavily influenced by George.

Hank then continued his reflections on the types of Bluegrass songs. For this dispatch, Hank considered “Survivial Songs”

Living in the mountains isolated from commerce, people just had to rely on their own efforts and skills to survive. Even when playing music, their minds and feelings were on simple survival. The lyrics tended to be about what you did, day to day, morning to night. The subjects of Bluegrass songs were simple, direct and straight forward: Where you built your cabin, where you got your food.

Examples of this category of songs are “Cabin in the Lane”, “Little Log Cabin,” “Blue Ridge Cabin Home,” and “How You Gonna Eat.”

Another example is the Bill Monroe song lyric “ There’s a rabbit in log and I ain’t got my dog, how am I gonna get him out. I’ll get me a briar and I’ll twist it in his hair, that’s how I’ll get him out.” This is a survival song, pure and simple.

Hank then commented that “There’s ways to get your food if you need to” and then discussed wild meats, game and fowl. Rabbit, venison, possum, raccoon, bear, squirrel.

Hank said “These are foods that follow the old saying that ‘you can eat anything that can’t out run you.’”

As gourmand commentary, Hank said “Squirrel. All its good for is to pull it off the bone and make dumplings. There’s just not enough meat on squirrel. Possum is stringy. You have to boil it up to soften it and then bake it so it gets a little crust on it. It tastes better with a crust.” He also said that coon meat is an “elegant meat.” “Raccoon is a totally elegant meat with a slight gamey taste to it. Raccoon meat the ‘other, other white meat.’”


The culture correspondent continued with some observations on coon-hunting which he said has become an important sport. Coon-hunting used to be a survival skill but has become a major sporting activity. A visit to a sporting goods shops will display a surprising amount of coon hunting equipment. There are no special coon-hunting rifles. Most hunters use 22 caliber rifles because they are small and light, easy to carry through the woods.

The dogs that people hunt with are as specialized as thoroughbred racing horses. Hank said that years ago, a friend named Cliff went over to Alabama and bought a Walker coon hound. Cliff paid upwards of $25 thousand for the dog.

The friend was eager to show off his new and pricey hound to his buddies. Cliff telephoned his buddies and they got a troop together and went out coon-hunting just south of Rabun County. Rabun County is on the edge of the mountains so the next county south is much flatter. There are more rivers and a lot more coon down there. The next county is just better terrain for coon-hunting.

The hunters and the new coon dog tracked their prey to an old tree growing in the bottom land. The tree leaned out toward the river and had low branches that were not too steep. The coon was hiding in one of the lower branches. The $25 thousand Walker spotted the coon. The eager hound climbed onto the lower branch to confront the coon.

Suddenly, the dog became silent, lost his balance and dropped off the branch. The $25 thousand dog hit the ground dead.

Cliff took the dog to a veterinary doctor for a autopsy.

The cause of death was identified as a heart attack.

Cliff ended up paying for a fancy grave for his $25 thousand coon dog.

[WCRX-LP editorial collective comment: Now there’s a story that needs a Bluegrass lyric and song!]

Hank said that there are long breeding lines of hounds in the South. There are top show hounds and top hunting dogs. There is a lot of money in the breeding and training of hounds. But the hounds are not as expensive as fox hounds and the hunting thoroughbreds. Fox hounds are the “high dollar” dogs. Hank said that fox hunting is the sport of gentlemen. Coon hunting is the sport of “good ole boys.”

Hank continued his discussion of game meats and fowl. He said that there are coon and possum recipes in kitchens of Rabun County. He also said that the locals have stories about the medicinal and health-giving quality of wild meats, game and fowl.

As an example, Hank offered a story from John Hammonds, a resident of North Carolina. The story was about an old fellow named Parsons.

Parson’s home was the shelter under a rock, Parsons had the “sided-in” the shelter and raised his family there.

At the time of the story Parsons lived alone. Hammonds heard that Parsons was down and doing poorly with an undiagnosed illness.

The next time Hammonds was out hunting, he checked on Parsons to learn how the sick man was doing.

Hammond asked Parsons “What ails you?” Parsons responded “I don’t know what the problem is but I think if I ate me an owl, it would cure me.”

John Hammonds went off and took it on himself to catch an owl or two for Parsons. Hammonds said that year, the owls were pretty thick and plentiful.

Hammonds took his catch to Parsons and then went on his way back home.

Two or three weeks passed and Hammonds was back hunting and took it on himself to visit Parsons to see how the owl cure worked. When he got to Parsons house under the rock, the old man was sitting on the porch, getting up and around. Hammonds asked “How are you and the owl getting along?” Parsons replied “We are doing just fine. Mr. Parsons is up and around.”

Hank offered the commentary “That wild food is good for you. Maybe.”

Hank said that the “Survival songs” of Bluegrass can also be categorized as “Wild meat songs”, “hunting songs” and “dog songs.”


Hank then reminded listeners that the Georgia state BBQ championship and 13th annual Bluegrass festival are fast approaching. The championship and festival are held in Dillard, Georgia just down U.S. Route 23 from Columbus, Ohio. The championship and festival are scheduled for July 31st and August 1st. See DillardBBQ.com for details.

Bluegrass music that is booked includes New Horizons, Foxfire Boys, Crowe Brothers, Mississippi Sawyers, Volume Five, Heaven’s Echo, Curtis Blackwell and the Dixie Bluegrass Boys, The Bluegrass Revue and others too. The festival encourages “parking lot picking” too.

The festival is a short eight hour drive from Bexley down Highway U.S. 23. High Street in Columbus, Ohio. After you cross the North Carolina state line into Georgia, take a deep breath of the fresh mountain air, hold that breath, count to ten and you’ll be in Dillard, Georgia for the events.

Hank also reported on the organic market 8:00 to noon on Saturdays on Main Street in Clayton.

This market sells the produce of the seven or eight Rabun County organic farmers. This market is on Main Street in downtown Clayton. One of the businesses on Main Street has given over its front sidewalk area to the market. The market has been in full swing with early crops for three or four weeks.

Main Street in Clayton was the old US Route 23 until that federal highway was moved east about half a mile and widened to four lanes.

Only pricing information that Hank offered for the Clayton organic farmers market was the note that corn is going for $75.00 per gallon.

Hank also noted that liquid corm is another subject of much Bluegrass music. Making liquor and corn whiskey. You couldn’t haul corn down to the city and make any money but you could haul corn liquor to the city and make some money.

Hank also discussed the roots of Bluegrass music. He said that the International Blue Grass Music Association monthly newsletter mentions European Bluegrass band competition. Bluegrass is huge in Europe. Two of the top three bands in the European contest were from the Czech Republic. One of these Czech bands is named “G-runs and Roses” a reference to a rock n roll band named “Guns and Roses.”

As further explanation of the unusual name of the band, Hank said that the phrase “G-run” is a very popular Bluegrass lick.

The roots of Bluegrass music include Scots Irish songs, English folk songs and American influences from jazz to Gospel, folk music and rock n roll all have connections to Bluegrass.

Hank also said that when you focus on the Bluegrass instruments like the fiddle, the bass viol and guitar, you begin to understand the music’s connection to Eastern Europe.

But in all these music specialties, the culture correspondent said there are noticeable differences. In Dixieland music, all the instruments play the lead break at the same time. They don’t take turns so much. Same with the Scots Irish music. The penny whistler and the fiddle play the lead together all of the time. The musicians don’t take turns with the lead. But when you get to Bluegrass, one instrument takes a lead break and then another instrument follows and takes the lead break. Similarly, in eastern European music, the lead progresses from the violin to the accordion or concertina, then to the guitar and so on through all the instruments..

The European music is folk music and is about day-to-day living and it’s about survival, loves and liquor, eating and fighting.

Hank also noted a Banjo camp in Munich. France has a country music festival including American Bluegrass, Americana, Western Swing, Cajun, Tex-Mex, and Rock-a-billy

Europe’s discovery of Bluegrass and other American genres is just “going up the music family tree.”

Hank completed his dispatch for Bexley Public Radio with a brief review of a new banjo CD by Steve Martin. This is the same Steve Martin who is actor and comedian From Saturday Night Live. Martin is a serious banjo player. He has performed with Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Breakdown. The CD is titled "The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo."

Martin co-wrote the fifteen tracks on the CD issued by Rounder Records.
Other musicians on the CD include Mary Black, Pete Wernick, Tony Trischka, Tim O Brien, Dolly Parton and Vince Gill.

As a departing salutation, the culture correspondent said “See you in the near future, and if I don’t, I’ll meet you in the pasture.”

HELP BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO UPGRADE ITS ANTENNA. SEND YOUR MONEY PROMPTLY. BE GENEROUS.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Hank Belew.

Dianne Garrett: Music and Movies this Summer in Gahanna

.
ROTARY FAMILY SERIES
Tuesdays at Creekside Plaza
6:30 - 8:30 p.m., June - September

The Shaw Brothers 1st Tuesday of each month

Rendition 2nd Tuesday of each month

The Zen Blues Band 3rd Tuesday of each month

Rockbridge Crossing 4th Tuesday of each month

Soul Satyr 5th Tuesday of each month



MUSIC IN THE PARK
Fridays at Friendship Park
7:00-9:00 p.m., June-September

June 12 -General Guinness Band (Irish)
June 19-21 - Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival
June 26 -Hat Trick (Acoustic Hits)

July 3 -The Words (2008 TeenFest Winner)
July 10 -Soul Kitch'n (Funk and Soul)
July 17 -Mousetrap (Radio Disney Covers)
July 24 -Gas Pump Jockeys (Oldies)
July 31 -Paradise Island (Dance Hits)

August 7 -The Lords of Literature (Classic Rock)
August 14 -John Schwab Band (Party Variety)
August 21 -Controversy (Party Variety)



CONCERTS ON THE CREEK
Saturdays at Creekside Plaza
8:00-10:00 p.m. June-July
7:00-9:00 p.m. August 15-October

June 13 -The Reaganomics ('80's Band)
June 19-21 -Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival)
June 27 -Homeland (Irish)

July 4 -Gahanna Freedom Festival-Gahanna Municipal Golf Course
.
July 11 -Mojo Theory (Blues)
July 18 -Chris Logsdon (Acoustic Rock)
July 25 -British Invasion (British '60's and '70's)

August 1 -Tim Omark & Southern Justice (Country)
August 8 -Zen Blues Band (Blues)
August 15 -JuJu Bees Blues Band (Blues)
August 22 -Conspiracy (Party Band)
August 29 -DEJAVU (Latin)

September 5 -Agent 99 (Rock)
September 12 -Blues at Last (Blues)
September 19 -Michael Rose (Solid Gold Oldies/Elvis)
September 26 -Andy Shaw (Rock/Blues)

October 3 -On The Beach (Alternative)
October 10 -Bill Foley (Best of '50's, '60's, & '70's)
October 17 -Northwest Territory (Bluegrass)
October 24 -The Floorwalkers (Blues/Soul/Rock & Roll)
October 31 -Jive Pilots (Rock/Funk/Reggae)


MOVIE CLASSICS ON THE CREEK
Creekside Plaza 9:00 p.m.

June 26 The Wizard of Oz
July 24 Breakfast at Tiffany's
August 28 E. T. The Extra Terrestrial



HELP BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO UPGRADE ITS ANTENNA. SEND YOUR MONEY PROMPTLY. BE GENEROUS.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation.

Dianne Garrett: Series schedule for Whitehall Music in the Park.

.
Whitehall Music In the Park Events

All shows begin at 6 p.m. at the John LaCorte Amphitheater in John Bishop Park.


June 13 These Guys Live (Rock and Roll)

June 27 Trombones Plus (Pop and Jazz Standards)

July 11 Michael Rose Entertainment (Elvis, Sinatra, Wayne Newton)

July 25 Buckeye Brass (OSU Favorites)

August 8 Abraxas (Blues/Rock)

August 22 Minor League (Classic Rock)



August 4 National Night Out/Family Fun Day

John Bishop Park at John LaCorte Amphitheater
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

City Council meeting at the park at 6:30 p.m.

Entertainment will be These Guys Live at 7 p.m.


HELP BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO UPGRADE ITS ANTENNA. SEND YOUR MONEY PROMPTLY. BE GENEROUS.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation.

Friday, June 5, 2009

John Matuszak reports: Door hasn't closed on Gateway abatement


Bexley Gateway developer Larry Ruben has scaled back his tax abatement request for 36 Main Street condos, in a compromise presented to City Council's finance committee June 2.

Some council members are unsure how such a move would affect future development in the city, and residents are concerned about the school district and city losing tax revenue.

Council members have tabled the ordinance that would amend the current 50 percent property tax abatement on the residential units to 100 percent for 14 years. The change would not alter the abatement on the commercial and office spaces.

Ruben requested the amendment in the face of a free-falling real estate market that has allowed him to sell only three of the 36 condos.

After hearing opposition from some residents, and hestitation on the part of council, Ruben suggested an abatement that would decrease over time, averaging 70 percent over the life of the agreement.

Under this plan, buyers would get a 50 percent abatement this year. The 100 percent abatement would be in effect the following five years, decreasing to 75 percent for four years, 50 percent for three years and to 25 percent for the final two years.

In an impassioned address to council, Ruben refuted claims that the abatement is about rescuing him from a bad business climate.

"Focus on the project and not Larry Ruben," he told council, pointing out that he is reconciled to taking a personal loss on the $24 million development. "This is not about lining my pockets. You're not going to bail me out."

Ruben said that he wants to get people into the condos - including his own mother, a Berwick resident - as quickly as possible, bringing in income and estate tax revenue to Bexley.

Councilman Ben Kessler pointed out that the proposed ordinance would apply to all Main Street residential developments valued over $300,000, and that representatives should draft a policy that is flexible for future developers.

"This is a policy that extends beyond Gateway," Kessler said. "We don't want to tailor-make a policy around Gateway."

Resident Ted Schmidt called the Gateway "a poster child for development" and warned that failing to support the effort would tell future entrepreneurs to "stay away."

Other residents have questioned the fairness of revisiting the abatement when other property owners are struggling.

"How do we address the next property owner on Main Street who has fallen on hard times?" Councilman Jeff McClelland asked.

Bexley resident Emily Turner, who has worked with the Ohio Department of Development, commented that the compromise could create legal and accounting problems. In earlier meetings, Turner had suggested some type of step-down approach to the abatement.

She thinks the compromise would still take too much money away from the school district.

School officials, who have no say on the issue, have been silent on the abatement. City offcials stated that they have discussed the issue with adminstrators and have invited them to attend council debates.

City Attorney Lou Chodosh said he would prepare a fact sheet for council outlining the various scenarios before drafting an ordinance that includes the compromise proposal. The finance committee meets again June 9 at 6 p.m., followed by the regular council meeting at 7 p.m.

HELP BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO UPGRADE ITS ANTENNA. SEND YOUR MONEY PROMPTLY. BE GENEROUS.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Bexley Public Radio continues green operations.

Green. The public radio green choice is still WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM. Celebrate the lower energy requirements for LPFM.

Big power blasters like WOSU and WCBE consume lots of energy. These big stations have gluttonous appetites for anthracite.

WOSU alone engorges itself on almost a shovel full of coal every eighteen minutes of broadcast.

Think WOSU. Think coal. Think pollution.

Reflect on WCRX-LP. Visualize low energy use. Know that Bexley Public Radio means responsible stewardship of energy resources.

Bexley Public Radio replaced its office printer yesterday. Our printer choice: HP Officejet Pro.

Up to 50% less energy than laser printers. This statistic is based on comparison to majority of color laser printers priced under $300 as of June 2008.

HP performed the testing based on the EnergyStar program TEC test method criteria. Details available, see www.hp.com/go/officejet.

To know green, think Bexley Public Radio.

HELP BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO UPGRADE ITS ANTENNA. SEND YOUR MONEY PROMPTLY. BE GENEROUS.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Editorial Collective.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Broadcast Restored for Wednesday.

Lightening struck the Bexley broadcast equipment Monday night.

The audio interface at the transmitter shack was damaged and has been replaced.

Chief Engineer Eugene Beer restored broadcast service for 102.1 FM.

Tuesday programming was cancelled. Subject to testing, Wednesday programming will be restored.

Listeners are invited to contribute to the costs of repairs. Send checks and cash to Bexley Public Radio, 2700 E. Main St., Suite 208, Columbus, OH 43209.

For today, Programming will be the usual Eastside News Round Up with John Matuszak and Dianne Garrett.

Voice (614) 235 2929
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Lightening strikes 102.1 FM

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Lightening struck the Bexley broadcast equipment last night.

The audio interface at the transmitter shack has been affected and possibly damaged.

Chief Engineer Eugene Beer is working to restore broadcast service for 102.1 FM.



TENTATIVE Tuesday program schedule.

Voice (614) 235 2929
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com

11:00 a.m.
Sign on. Amy Maurer noontime gardener and Old Farmer's Almanac.

11:15 a.m.
Lunch specials from Bexley Monk, Giuseppe's, Johnson's Real Ice Cream, Rusty Bucket, and Scotty's on East Main. Senior Kosher lunch menu from the Jewish Community Center and Lifecare Alliance.
11:20 a.m.

Amy Maurer, noontime gardener continues.



11:40 a.m.

Wall Street update with Frank Ingwersen of Sweney Cartwright and Company.


12:00 noon.
Mel Greenball introduces recordings of speakers at the 2009 International Conference on Climate Change.

1:00 p.m.
Sign off.

WCRX-LP Editorial collective asks: Casino passenger trains in Ohio?

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Casino passenger trains in Ohio? Sounds like a sensible idea to us.






Another casino initiative petition is being circulated for signatures in Ohio. If successful, casino gambling will be permitted in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Toledo.

State and federal budgets are providing money for passenger rail service in Ohio. The state funding will establish new passenger rail service connecting Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland. There is existing Amtrak passenger service to Toledo.

Almost the same list of cities will be effected by both of these issues.

Yet, the casino proposal and the passenger rail budgets are independent public issues.

Neither proposal mentions the other. Casino gambling ignores passenger rail and passenger rail ignores the casinos.

Duuuhhh.

It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to recognize that the casino proposal and passenger rail service funding should be coordinated.

For example:

Rail passenger terminals could be located near casinos.


Casinos could be located in passenger terminals.


Casino rail cars could be added to passenger trains.

Earlier this year, the Ohio General Assembly enacted an $8.4 billion transportation budget. Included in that budget is rail passenger funding contingent on the results of a ridership study scheduled for this summer.

What are the odds that the ridership survey asks questions about whether consumers might use passenger rail service to visit Ohio casinos?






Cincinnati is also seeking federal stimulus funding for a new passenger terminal or improvements at the existing Union Terminal.

Is there any chance that upgrading Union Terminal or finding a new location for a passenger terminal includes consideration of the casino gambling proposal?











There is also an $8 billion federal commitment to funding for high speed passenger rail service. Existing Ohio Amtrak service and the proposed Three-C corridor passenger service is in the competition for this federal funding.

Do you want to bet that the casino gambling proponents aren’t considering how this federal money will effect casino gambling in Ohio?

It makes sense for the proponents of these two issues to start talking to each other.

HELP BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO UPGRADE ITS ANTENNA. SEND YOUR MONEY PROMPTLY. BE GENEROUS.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Editorial Collective.

Community Programming Advisory Committee: News Shows

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PUBLIC NOTICE

A meeting of the Bexley Public Radio community programming advisory committee is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., Monday July 6, 2009.

The meeting will be conducted at the Bexley Public Radio office, 2700 E. Main St., Suite 208, Columbus, OH 43209.

The sole agenda item for the meeting is to accept hand-delivered proposals for news programming.

The deadline for proposal is 5:00 p.m. Monday July 6, 2009.

As an alternative to hand delivery, proposals may be mailed to the Bexley Public Radio office.

Proposals that are mailed must be delivered to the office prior to the 5:00 p.m. July 6, 2009 deadline.

There is no admission fee charged for the April 6, 2009 meeting as there will be no discussion of news programming matters.

Proposals will be forwarded by the committee to officers of Bexley Public Radio for review.

A proposal shall include a statement of how the proposal will further the educational purpose of Bexley Public Radio, names and resumes of the individuals who will produce the new program and a statement of the financial resources that are available to pay the expenses of the news program. A budget for the news program shall be included and shall include market-based wages for news readers, producers and technicians. The budget shall also include the costs of equipment.

A nomination shall include a $20.00 fee. Payment of the fee shall be by check or money order payable to Bexley Public Radio.