Friday, April 18, 2014

National Bike to Work Day, May 16.




Columbus Celebrates "National Bike to Work Day" at Columbus Commons.  The event begins Friday May 16, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. 

Bike to Work Day will take place rain or shine May 16. 

Participants can choose to ride downtown with a group along one of seven pre-determined routes. 

Each group ride is being led by partner organizations: Yay Bikes!, CoGo Bike Share,  Friends of Camp Chase Trail, Consider Biking, Transit Columbus, the Create Columbus Commission, MORPC and car2go.  

Registration is now open at www.Columbus.gov/B2W2014.  

Mayor Michael B. Coleman will ride with the group that has the most committed riders. 

Each group ride will end at Columbus Commons for free breakfast, booths, awards and brief remarks at 8:00AM.  

The event is being supported by Columbus Commons, Whole Foods Market. 

Additional event partners include Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District and Ohio Department of Transportation.

Additional information is available at:

Mayor’s Office
90 W. Broad Street, 2nd Floor
614 645 5300

    

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Capital University Conservatory of Music presents Gian Carlo Menotti's The Consul.


April 12, 2014.  Bexley, Ohio.  This review is published at agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

A magic Saturday evening at the Jewish Community Center.  The Capital University Conservatory of Music presented Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Consul in the JCC Roth/Ressler Theater.

On every page of the score, this difficult opera offers countless challenges for performers.  The music is complex and the libretto can be difficult to understand.

Entering the JCC’s  Roth/Ressler Theater Saturday evening, the thought must have crossed the minds of other members of the audience why such a difficult opera was selected for student performance.
Within five minutes of the opera beginning, I was sold.  This company could handle the difficult score and present a performance to be taken seriously.   And it did.

Saturday evening, the student performers, director and piano accompanists showed their talents and presented a memorable musical event. 

The Capital Conservatory of Music gave its audience a biting satire, perfectly directed and skillfully performed.

The story is an unadorned account of a mother led by a government into frustration, then despair and finally suicide.  In the course of the mother’s dangerous journey through a government bureaucracy, her mother-in-law and infant child die; the child from lack of food and medical attention.  Her husband, an ideological partisan trying to cross a border to a safe haven, is captured and led off by the government’s secret police.

Watching the scenes set in the waiting room of the consul, this satire first recalled to me Joseph Heller’s Catch 22, or Franz Kafka’s The Trial.  Then, more contemporary politics were called to mind:  
immigration and border control issues are still with us.  Considering the plight of the infant who dies in this opera, even the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, and National Security Agency (NSA) intrusions on citizen privacy are foretold in this libretto.

The female lead, Magda Sorel,  was performed flawlessly by  Emily Totedo.  Totedo is a junior vocal performance major and this is her first performance at Capital.

Equally memorable performances were offered by Rachel Marschner as the mother-in-law and Andrew Rene as the partisan husband.

Two sub-casts, the consul’s waiting room sitters and the secret police, added so much to the tone and the tempo of the production.  In the consul’s waiting room Elisabeth Zimmerman, Dylan Woodring, Ali Molnar, Courtney Cunningham and Lauren Stocker accurately presented themselves as characters suffering the indifference of government complexity.   In the secret police squad, Zach Conaway, Jason Crouse, Devon Handler and Craig Juricka  offered accurate performances as the men in shadows who do the things we don’t know about.

One additional performer in the consul’s waiting room needs mention.  Ryan Adams performed as Nika Magadoff, the magician.  His performance had just enough restraint that he avoided  offering farce in the midst of pain and bereavement.  An amazing performance by Adams.  His choreographing of the mesmerized people in the consul’s waiting room is a very memorable scene in the production. 

The sets and costumes were notable.  Two basic sets were created.  One set was a very gray interior of a residential apartment with worn out refrigerator and stove.  Think of the TV sets for The Honeymooners.  When the opera opens with the run-down gray kitchen and tired kitchen appliances, little do you realize that the gas stove is the killing instrument that will end the mother’s life.  The second set is the lobby of the consul’s office.  The sets were the work product of  Christopher Clapp and Edith Watkins.  Set design was by Clapp and Campbell, Inc.  Dramatic red lighting and black shadows provides a third visual effect.  The black shadows and red lighting were designed by Brent Suver and recalled these color combinations  that were so common in the graphic designs of 20th century totalitarian governments that scarred Western history during that century.

The vocal skills of the students were accompanied by Narmina Aliyeva and Ellen Wang; direction was by Mark Baker and conducting the performance was William Boggs.

The Consul was performed Saturday evening April 12, 2014 and as a matinee performance Sunday April 13, 2014.



Contact:   Bexley Public Radio Foundation, WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, (614) 235-2929.  wcrxlp@yahoo.com

Published at www.agentofcurrency.blogspot.com/    

Copyright.  2014.  Bexley Public Radio Foundation.                        

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Rio Tinto pulls out of Pebble mine project. Salmon waters safer now.


WASHINGTON, DC – April 7, 2014. Alaska Daily News reported today that mining giant Rio Tinto is pulling out of the Pebble mine project in Alaska.  
The Pebble mine project is a controversial plan to build an open pit mine. 
The plan is controversial because the mine is sited in the best wild salmon waters in the world.
Ginger Tornes, occasional Alaska correspondent for WCRX-LP, Bexley Public Radio Foundation, expressed satisfaction with the development. Tornes is an Alaska resident, spending the winter in Bexley with her family.  She also commented that the US EPA was very slow in taking regulatory action regarding the mining project.
The ADN also reports that Rio Tinto will donate its ownership share in the project to a pair of Alaskan non-profits, the Alaska Community Foundation and the Bristol Bay Native Corp. Education Foundation.
ADN also reported that the mining company explained its action: "the Pebble Project does not fit with Rio Tinto's strategy."
Rio Tinto's decision might be a response to growing belief that the
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving closer to blocking the mine. ADN also reported EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy saying that the Pebble mine project would "likely have significant and irreversible negative impacts on the salmon of Bristol Bay." McCarthy said her agency would decide on action to protect the salmon under the Clean Water Act, which could lead to a veto of the project.
The British Anglo American mining enterprise pulled out of the Pebble project last year.
Rio Tinto offered further explanation for its action:  "By giving our shares to two respected Alaskan charities, we are ensuring that Alaskans will have a say in Pebble's future development," said Rio Tinto Copper Chief Executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques.
The charitable foundations that received the ownership interests will each receive half of Rio Tinto's 19 percent share in Northern Dynasty Minerals, the Canadian company whose principal asset is Pebble.
The Bristol Bay Native Corp. Education Foundation said "Rio Tinto's gift will benefit organizations that serve the people and communities of Alaska."
Executive Director Greta Goto said the shares would help the foundation to support educational opportunities for shareholders in the Bristol Bay Native Corp, which represents the interests of Alaska Natives from the area around the proposed mine.
The Bristol Bay Native Corp., though, has been among the fiercest opponents of the Pebble mine. It now suddenly has a stake in the project's success.
Corporation officials said in an interview that the education foundation is managed separately from the corporation as a whole and has its own distinct mission.
"This gift provides an example of what open discussion and relationship building between stakeholders with differing views can accomplish," said Bristol Bay Native Corp. President Jason Metrokin. "However, BBNC's opposition to the proposed Pebble mine has not changed."
The Alaska Community Foundation said its shares would go to create a new fund for supporting vocational education programs, with a focus on building worker skills for resource development industries.
Foundation CEO Candace Winkler said the foundation first heard from Rio Tinto about a week ago. She said she is excited about the possibilities, regardless of the controversy over the mine.
"We understand this is a complex issue and that people have strong feelings on both sides," she said. "We looked it as an opportunity to be involved in workforce development."
It's not clear how much the shares will be worth. Northern Dynasty's stock value has faltered with the continual problems experienced by the Pebble project. The stock fell another 5 percent on Monday at the news that Rio Tinto was pulling out of the project.
Rio Tinto's decision came under pressure from major investors, including the pension funds of California and New York City. Rio Tinto was risking its reputation with involvement in the Pebble mine, the chief financial officers who oversee those pension funds told the company in a December letter.
The Natural Resources Defense Council hailed Rio Tinto's move as a big step toward the end of the project.
"Rio Tinto's decision is the latest demonstration that the Pebble Mine is economically and environmentally infeasible, even for the largest mining companies in the world," said Joel Reynolds, the western director for the environmental group.
Gov. Sean Parnell, in a written statement, criticized the EPA.
"It's disheartening to see a company like Rio Tinto take its business elsewhere as a result of the current federal regulatory environment," Parnell said.
Pebble ranks among the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world and Northern Dynasty Minerals is vowing to push on despite all the problems.
Last year's pullout of Anglo American was an especially big blow, leaving Northern Dynasty without the necessary financial backing to construct the mine.
Northern Dynasty is searching for a new partner, and said it will work with the two Alaska foundations that are now major shareholders in one of the most controversial development projects in the history of the state.
Northern Dynasty President Ron Thiessen said his company had previously worked with the Alaska Community Foundation on the Pebble Fund, a grant program for organizations in the Bristol Bay region.
"We look forward to meeting with the leadership of the Alaska Community Foundation and Bristol Bay Native Corp. Education Foundation in the days ahead to better understand their long-term goals and aspirations, and how their ownership interest in Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project can make the greatest possible contribution to the people and communities they serve," Thiessen said in a written statement.
Email: scockerham@mcclatchydc.com; Twitter: @seancockerham.

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2014/04/07/3413818/mining-giant-rio-tinto-pulling.html#emlnl=Breaking_News#storylink=cpy

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Laura Franks Bexley consumer price index for first quarter 2014.




Laura Franks reports the Bexley Consumer Price Index as of First Quarter, 2014.

Bexley retail prices were steady during the first quarter, 2014.  Prices for the entire market-basket showed a five cent change compared to prices for the first quarter 2013.  Looking back five years the market-basket total prices have generally increased.  The market-basket in 2010 cost a total of $18.86.  Compared to the total price in the first quarter of this year, which was $20.44.  For the total five year period, the rate of price increases is was 8 %.  The most active price changes during the five year period are paper products and packaged candy.

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 ordinary retail purchases made by Bexley residents.

The Bexley Consumer Price Index can be compared to the price changes reported by the US 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.


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) 302-3846

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 tax returns for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text and photo are copyright 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010. All rights reserved. Laura Franks.

Community Programming Advisory Committee meeting set for June 2, 2014.


WCRX-LP Community Programming Advisory Committee meeting at Bexley Public Radio set for 4:30 p.m. Monday June 2, 2014.

The meeting location will be announced on the prior Friday morning to individuals who RSVP by the prior Thursday.

Community residents are welcome. 

Admission is $10.00 per person.

Cash, check, money order and ID.

Please RSVP to wcrxlp@yahoo.com or voice mail to (614) 235-2929 no later than the Thursday prior to the meeting.

WCRX-LP Community Programming Advisory Committee is a public  committee of
Bexley Public Radio Foundation
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209

Ohio Public Media Cooperative meeting set for June 2, 2014.


Ohio Public Media Cooperative meeting at Bexley Public Radio set for 4:00 p.m. Monday June 2,  2014.

The meeting location will be announced on the prior Friday morning to individuals who RSVP by the prior Thursday.

Community residents are welcome. 

Admission is $15.00 per person.

Cash, check, money order and ID.

Please RSVP to wcrxlp@yahoo.com or voice mail to (614) 235-2929 no later than the Thursday prior to the meeting.

Ohio Public Media Cooperative is a public  committee of
Bexley Public Radio Foundation
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209

Bexley Comedy Writers Guild meeting at Bexley Public Radio set for June 2, 2014.


Bexley Comedy Writers Guild meeting at Bexley Public Radio set for 3:30 p.m., Monday, June 2, 2014.

The meeting location will be announced on the prior Friday morning to individuals who RSVP by the prior Thursday.

Community residents are welcome. 

Admission is $28.00 per person.

Cash, check, money order and ID.

Please RSVP to wcrxlp@yahoo.com or voice mail to (614) 235-2929 no later than the Thursday prior to the meeting.

Bexley Comedy Writers Guild is a public  committee of
Bexley Public Radio Foundation
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209

Bexley Comedy Writers Guild committee meeting set for April 7, 2014.


Bexley Comedy Writers Guild meeting at Bexley Public Radio set for 3:30 p.m. Monday 7, 2014.

The meeting location will be announced on the prior Friday morning to individuals who RSVP by the prior Thursday.

Community residents are welcome. 

Admission is $28.00 per person.

Cash, check, money order and ID.

Please RSVP to wcrxlp@yahoo.com or voice mail to (614) 235-2929 no later than the Thursday prior to the meeting.

Bexley Comedy Writers Guild is a public  committee of
Bexley Public Radio Foundation
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209