Guest Contributor

Solution for Paycheck-To-Paycheck Peeps vs The Virus

March 20, 2020 By Guest Contributor

Do you live paycheck-to-paycheck? Has this virus cut your hours partly or completely? Is your cash flow running low? Are you concerned about making rent? Here are a few suggestions as to how to weather this financial storm:

Make sure you file for unemployment in your state. Your employers have paid into the system through payroll taxes. The states issue the checks. Don’t think of it as charity. Think of it as compensation from your employers for rainy days like this. If it still doesn’t sit well, you can always use it now and donate back to the state’s treasury when we get back to normal.
Ask if your employer or union has a disaster relief fund to which you can apply. For example, my union has the SAGAFTRA Foundation COVID-19 Disaster Fund. The Fund covers “members who are in an emergency financial crisis related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to cover basic expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, medical bills and other essential needs.”
You know if there is a way to work a credit card to my benefit, I will! Get yourself a credit card that charges 0% interest on new purchases for up to 21 months. We’ll be out of the woods way before then! All you have to do is pay the minimum amount due to keep the 0% rate.

Get ahead of this financial problem – NOW. I know a lot of people do not have a cushion. Use the 0% card as a safety net – in case. Use the card to pay for everything you buy. When the credit card bill comes in a month, all you have to pay to keep the 0% interest is the minimum payment. This will give you the flexibility to use what cash you have to pay your rent / mortgage and taxes. I use a credit card to pay for everything possible in my daily life. Mortgage and taxes are the only things that would charge me a fee if I used a credit card.

How much is the minimum payment on a 0% card?

You will see the minimum payment in the terms and conditions of the card during the application process. The industry standard is now to calculate the minimum as all fees and interest due that month plus one percent of the principal amount owed. Since you would not owe any interest because you paid the minimum every month, and you would not use the card for a cash advance, you should not have any interest or fees. Therefore, for example, 1% of $1,000 is $10. YOU must confirm the minimum payment in the Terms and Conditions when you apply.

I heard I can’t get evicted because of COVID-19

That’s true in many cities. Remember, that does not mean you get to live rent-free. It also means you may get hit with late fees. In Los Angeles, where I live, you have to get caught up on the rent you owe in six months.

Is it possible to pay your rent with a credit card?

Yes, but there is a fee. Use Plastiq to pay your rent/mortgage. Here’s my referral code: 1501567

Plastiq.com says they “enable payments to the 90% of businesses that don’t accept credit cards.”. Plastiq charges you 2.5%. That’s a $25 fee per $1,000, but that is probably cheaper than late fees. Signup and use my referral code 1501567 and you will get 500 FFDs off fees.

Find yourself one of the cards I mentioned here:

0% APR Credit Cards – By CreditCards.com

Reduce the amount of interest you pay with a 0% introductory rate interest card.
0% introductory rates are available for up to 21 months on purchases and balance transfers.
Make your card work twice as hard — 0% introductory rates are available on reward earning products.
Save even more by looking for a card with no annual fee!
Terms vary by partner offer. Please see each bank’s application for terms and conditions.
Clicking Apply Now will take you to CreditCards.com to compare 0% APR cards from participating partners.

» Apply Now

This guest post from:

Chip Chinery is a skin-flint from way back. He started ChipsMoneyTips.com to give “Money tips in a candy-coated shell” through humorous, entertaining and informative videos and posts. Most people are clueless about money. Not you – them. Other people.

Randy Phillips, Greater Dayton LGBT Center Executive Director Reflects on 2019

December 23, 2019 By Guest Contributor

As this year quickly comes to a close we are ever mindful of what this year has wrought. We began 2019 with hopeful hearts ushering in all the hopes and dreams for a better time as we do with each New Year. We did see and experience some wonderful things in 2019. We saw the most diverse class of lawmakers ever elected and sworn in to the 116^th congress. This includes the most women ever, such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who came out swinging right out of the gate. We saw great strides in movies and music in 2019 with director Spike Lee finally winning his first Oscar after years of nominations. Remember when a 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thurnberg and the rest of the youths around the world who walked out of school in May in protest of climate change? Whitney Houston was right on the money when she sang “I believe the children are our future.” Or when billionaire Robert F. Smith announced he would pay off every Morehouse student’s debt in his touching commencement speech? So 2019 has had it positive notes!

2019 also had it challenges. Early on we learned of an affiliated KKK group that wanted to come to Dayton. As true believers in free speech, Dayton allowed them to come. Yet, we saw a whole town rally together in meeting after meeting to show just how much our city exemplifies our acceptance of diversity and our non-tolerance of hate filled speech. Thirteen KKK members came to Dayton, and thousands showed up to protest their hate filled speech.

Just days later on Memorial Day, fifteen tornados came through our area leaving behind a huge path of destruction. Thousands of people would be impacted by this storm. Many without electric and utilities for days and weeks, other homes were wiped out completely and lives forever changed.

In this dark time, Dayton’s humanity and compassion shown bright as the whole community rallied together to aid those affected by the storm. With this massive destruction the re-building will be slow, but the re-building has begun as we continue to rally together, Dayton Strong.

The following week we celebrated Gay PRIDE in the city, with “50 years since Stonewall.” And a true celebration it was with a record number of people participating in the parade and over 70 information booth at Courthouse Square. Almost 5,000 people crowded onto the square as we celebrated PRIDE in how far our LGBTQ community has come since Stonewall, and pride in who we are. Our Washington elected officials may continue to attack our LGBTQ community, especially our transgender brothers and sisters, but we are resilient and strong and we will not be erased nor will we go quietly into the night. Dayton PRIDE was certainly a high point of the year for our LGBTQ+ community. We are out, we are proud, we are Dayton Strong and we are Dayton PROUD!

Of course just after “PRIDE” in the morning hours of August 4^th a gunman killed 9 victims and injured many others in the Historic Oregon District. Not only was our community in shock and grief for the loss, but the ever presents of menace held on in the minds of many for such an extended period of time. But again Dayton is strong, Dayton is proud and the whole city rallied around our own to hold our community together. Many celebrities offered their support and even the orange baby man came to Toledo, and mean came to Dayton to extend his support. Springfield’s John Legend and Dayton’s Dave Chappelle led in the healing by doing free concerts for the city headlined by the great Stevie Wonder.

It has taken some time for the healing. Many of our bars and establishments are still feeling the effect as people are not going out as they once did, choosing to stay in the safety of their own homes. Our confidence has been shaken, but it is time to step out and enjoy the city again.

This year is coming to a close and while we have indeed been challenged this year, we will forever step out and embrace the joys this wonderful city has to offer. Happy Holidays! Let’s ring in the New Year with Style!!!

Randy Phillips is the Executive Director of the Greater Dayton LGBT Center

24 N. Jefferson ST, STE 200 Dayton, OH 45402

937-274-1776

“Our mission is to enhance lives and empower members of the diverse sexual and gender communities throughout the Miami Valley”

It Was a Busy 2019 For Dayton’s Smug Brothers!

December 23, 2019 By Guest Contributor

As we near the close of 2019 there are certain to be a plethora of “best of” and “hottest new” lists to commemorate the past year. From a rock and roll perspective 2019 was a fine year, especially here in our own little Miami Valley. Over the last few years there has been a uptick in the number of local artists publishing and producing excellent music, as well as a few reunions.

Left to right: Kyle Melton, Kyle Sowash, Don Thrasher and Scott Tribble

The sheer quantity of releases this year has been staggering for a city this size, and the bands and artists represented in this year’s class is impressive in both number and diversity. Within this veritable cornucopia of music, our own little embarrassment of riches, are a number of standouts. Several new Miami Valley artists and bands released debut albums this year, with even more offering up sophomore efforts, which universally have been excellent. A few veteran groups released full albums as well as a few releasing projects for local music day. The tally is still climbing, but it is safe to say nobody is going to release more records in 2019 here in Dayton than the fellows in Smug Brothers. Last month Smug Brothers released their third album of 2019. You read that correctly, their THIRD album of 2019. These are not singles or 3 song EPs. Smug Brothers released three full-length albums this year, and they are ready to talk about it.

Kyle and Don with the vinyl version of “Attic Harvest”

Artistic process is part of the reason why Smug Brothers has been able to produce so much music this year. Drummer Don Thrasher explains, “We have the choice of recording songs that are fun, and they sound like us, and they capture this idea. We can spend a month on them or we can get that moment before it’s gone, and that’s what we did. We are going to go that way every time.” Don goes on to describe a bit of their methods for song writing. “Kyle is so prolific, he will have dozens of ideas he will send us, and then we see what sticks. He sent us 110 song ideas in one big drop.” He expands on their process further stating that they absolutely love to record. Kyle Melton, who is the principal songwriter and vocalist, did a lot of the recording himself this year which was a deviation from their previous work.. The pressures of recording three albums this quickly can add up and so can the financial impact of that much recording. Recording technique wasn’t the only change for Smug Brothers in 2019 though.

Since their last release in 2017 the lineup has also changed with Scott Tribble and Kyle Sowash joining on lead guitar and bass respectively. The new members had no obvious difficulty finding their places, as the albums this year are cohesive and well voiced. Perhaps the most impressive thing was that the Smug Brothers releases were only a part of the total output for the band members as they are very involved and active in their other projects as well. Smug Brothers as of November actually has upwards of 30 more songs tracked and show no signs of slowing down. Thrasher admits that it can get hard to mentally catalogue all that material, but they will keep producing records as long as the ideas are coming and fast is good. Pedal to the floor, Gas-Daddy-Go as they say. Or so I have been told.

“Attic Harvest“ was the first of their records this year and released in the late winter. The record was a beautiful vinyl LP with abstract light-emanating Mickey Mouse head meets virus particles under a scanning electron microscope cover art (you’ll get it once you see it) and punchy 2-minute hook and run songs typical of their craft. Their second album of 2019 was a surprise release in July, “All Blur and Spark.” It was a short collection of odds and ends that the band decided to release and for most bands would have been a great addition to a big studio release. Not to be outdone however, they marched onward.

Their latest release “Serve a Thirst Moon” is a bit more evolved than the others, and that is no small feat when the average song is under 2 minutes. The song order flows naturally, and the tones are less stark and more reminiscent of psychedelic and seventies rock while still frenetically introducing, expanding and then resolving the brief compositions. For anyone new to the band’s work, this is a great album to whet your appetite. For any music fans, it would make a great holiday gift. For Smug Brothers it is a fine feather in their cap for a prolific and transformative 2019. With over 30 songs ready who knows what 2020 looks like.

Paul Levy submitted this guest post on the Smug Brothers

Louis CK Plays Dayton Funny Bone

December 22, 2019 By Guest Contributor

It’s been two years since comedian Louis CK admitted in the New York Times that the allegations of lewd behavior made about him by several women were true. He said in the statement that he planned to “step back and take a long time to listen,” but the Times reported on November 2 that the comedian is embarking on a world tour.

The tour started in Richmond, Va. and will see the comedian perform in such far-flung locations as Israel, Slovakia, and Hungary, as well as all over the United States. He’ll be at the Dayton Funny Bone for five shows December 27-29. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online.

These are not his first performances since running afoul of the #MeToo movement. He took the stage in August 2018 at Manhattan’s Comedy Cellar and has made other appearances since then. However, the current world tour is his most ambitious attempt yet to put his career back on track.

When he admitted to the allegations against him, Louis CK became one of the most visible symbols of “cancel culture,” in which celebrities are boycotted and lose professional opportunities in response to allegations against them. In his case, his film “I Love You, Daddy” was dropped from distribution and he lost his lead role in “The Secret Life of Pets 2.”

Now that he’s returning to the stage, it raises questions about the effectiveness of “cancel culture.” After all, is it accurate to say that he’s been “canceled” when he can wait a few months for the uproar to blow over and then go right back to performing?

https://youtu.be/tWhuUI9MdDM

According to culture critic and writer SJ Palm, host of the Popculty Podcast, the answer is yes, although it has more to do with information overload than anything else.

“In this day of the 24-hour news cycle, stories that would have dominated a year’s worth of media coverage a decade ago are breezed past within a day,” Palm said. “People lose track of time, and they forget how bad the crimes were, so they figure it’s probably been long enough… we should just be honest and call it ‘time-out culture.’”

Comedian, writer, and actor Kevin Allison said that if Louis CK wanted to return to the spotlight, there’s a historical precedent for the way he should have handled it.

“When the story about Louis broke in the Times a couple of years ago, I figured he’d lay low for two or three years, then come back with an hour-long show that was more soul-searching than dismissive, a show that dared to get serious,” he said. “There’s plenty of great moments in stand-up where someone like Richard Pryor came out and basically said something like, ‘Look, I regret something. There’s a solid reason for me to get real up here now and attempt to repair some damage.’”

He added that while Louis CK acknowledged that the stories his accusers told were true, the comedian could have done more to recognize the damage he did.

“Louis’s case is not on the level of, say, Bill Cosby’s,” Allison said. “But several women have said that this whole thing with Louis has had a negative effect on their lives. I don’t know what he’ll ultimately do on stage, but I’d respect him more if he didn’t act like those women were making much ado about nothing.”

https://youtu.be/08ITsgiL6v8

Louis Carter, author and CEO of the Best Practice Institute think tank, said that if Louis CK’s “cancellation” seemed to end quickly, there’s a reason for that. He said that it’s in human nature to forgive, primarily because it feels good, and also because it’s easy to forgive when you’re not the victim.

“There are numerous studies on how forgiveness positively affects mood,” Carter said. “When the transgression is hypothetical to others, or others are far removed from the effects of the transgression, it is far easier to forgive.”

The real barometer of how welcome Louis CK’s return is will be the success or failure of his tour. If it sells out, then one can likely assume that he’s back in the public’s good graces. If he tells his jokes to the empty rooms of the world, then it probably means the opposite.

Whatever it means, author Collette McLafferty said that apart from choosing not to see the comedian perform, people who are still upset by his actions can take positive steps to offset that feeling.

“For anyone who is against Louis CK going on the road, I recommend taking that energy to actively seek out and support the projects of the women who told their stories instead – Dana Min Goodman, Julia Wolov, Rebecca Corey, and Abby Schachner,” she said. “They paved the way for women and men to come forward sooner than later.”

Written by Daniel Bukszpan and originally published on , NOV 10 2019 on CNBC

10 Things to Know about The DLM Umbrella Brigade

September 1, 2019 By Guest Contributor

Dorothy Lane Market will be joining the community this Labor Day as we participate in the 60^th annual Holiday at Home celebration! Join us as we twirl our classic black and white umbrellas down Far Hills Ave. during the Holiday at Home parade, starting at 9:55 a.m. Monday, Sept. 2.

We’ve been working hard on our routine and we can’t wait to share it with the community! Here are some fun facts about the DLM Umbrella Brigade to know:

1. There’s a lot of hard work that goes into our routine! Participating associates attend a series of practices, which are always a lot of fun.

2. We take such pride in joining the fun that we even bring in a choreographer to help us craft a new routine each year. We’ve worked with Barbara Rethlake, a local choreographer, for many years.

3. It’s probably hard to tell how many DLM associates make up the DLM Umbrella Brigade as we dance by, but this year there will be about 85 members!

4. You may also notice a very furry participant. Oliver, our furry mascot, always leads the parade.

5. What happens after the parade? Associates enjoy a boxed lunch provided by DLM Oakwood’s Deli.

6. Rain or shine the show goes on, but let’s hope for shine. We usually have ponchos on hand just in case.

7. Speaking of the show going on, one year we forgot to do a sound check before starting. How did it turn out? Let’s just say we kept marching, even without our music.

8. Each year we feature a new song, which we choose to echo the theme of the parade. “Hit it Out of the Park” is the theme of the parade this year. Past years, we’ve marched to the Boot Scootin’ Boogie and the Ghost Busters theme song to name a few.

9. The DLM Umbrella Brigade has been at it for more than 20 years! Interestingly, the first year we started out with shopping carts and there were only seven of us. It’s been so cool to see how our presence has grown over the years!

10. You’ll also want to keep your eye out for Norman Mayne. He participates every year, sometimes in a golf cart and sometimes marching. We’ll have to wait to see what he does this year.

This event is definitely a source of pride for all of DLM. We hope to see you there!

This post originally appeared on by JO ANN POTTS on the Dorothy Lane Market website.

Guest Post from Anthony Fisher: A Tale of Two Tragedies

August 8, 2019 By Guest Contributor

Everyone has a story about the night of August 3rd. You had friends or family who, that night, unwittingly ventured into the site of America’s 251st mass shooting this year. If you were fortunate, you probably woke up to a barrage of frantic texts or calls from loved ones desperate to assuage their worst fears. Some of you weren’t so fortunate. Some of you, at one moment, were on East 5th breathing in the late-night summer air that always smelled of BBQ and tacos but, at another, were witness death and carnage. Some of you were asleep, awoken by gunshots echoing into the night, forcing you out of your bed and down into your apartment’s lobby, where you’d pull in wounded victims from the now worn-torn sidewalk. And then there are those of you who will never even have a chance to read this.

In the coming days you’ll hear more stories, and new information, from your friends and on news channels. You’ll keep scrolling through Facebook and Twitter trying to make sense of it all, but you’re not sure you ever will. Because this just couldn’t happen, not where you live. Before August 3rd, these shootings all started to blend together and you’d always think how something needed to be done. But on August 4th you woke up feeling different. You’ve been there. You’ve walked the streets. You’ve dined at the restaurants. America, as it is, conditioned you to be numb to such tragedies, but not this morning. You’ll continue to follow up for weeks about the shooter’s motive, begging for an explanation you can wrap your hands around. Las Vegas has been searching for something like this since 2017.

This may be your story, but it’s not unique. It’s an all too familiar cycle in America. Your feelings are the same as those in El Paso or Gilroy or Chicago, and probably won’t be different from the next. I know, it doesn’t sit well with you. It’s hard for you to think about how common this feeling has become across the country. You fear the list will just go on.

So before you reach back into the depths of your memory to Memorial Day, you take a look at current list of mass shootings this year. This is what you see:

Chicago, Illinois; Dayton, Ohio; El Paso, Texas; Pomfret, Maryland; Suffolk, Virginia; Elkhart, Indiana; Southaven, Mississippi; Haskell, Oklahoma; Rosenberg, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; Gilroy, California; Uniontown, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, D.C.; Wichita, Kansas; Brooklyn, New York; Albemarle, North Carolina; Los Angeles, California; Pembroke Park, Florida; Chicago, Illinois;

Washington, D.C.; Jersey City, New Jersey; Clairton, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; Chicago, Illinois; Lubbock, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; Atlanta, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; Houston, Texas; Manson, North Carolina; Washington, D.C.; Flint, Michigan; Wichita, Kansas; Chicago, Illinois; Albuquerque, New Mexico; San Jose, California; St. Clair Shores, Michigan; Charlotte, North Carolina; Brooklyn, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Reno, Nevada; Gravette, Arkansas; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; Rockford, Illinois; Fresno, California; Katy, Texas; Washington Park, Illinois; Wellston, Missouri; Baltimore, Maryland; Oakland, California; Yucaipa, California; Dallas, Texas; Bay Shore, New York; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Hartford, Connecticut; Chicago, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; Paterson, New Jersey; Hamden, Connecticut; Atlanta, Georgia; Akron, Ohio; San Jose, California; Abbeville, South Carolina;

Columbus, Ohio; La Jolla, California; South Bend, Indiana; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Hampton, Virginia; Baltimore, Maryland; Saginaw, Michigan; Richmond, California; Chicago, Illinois; Allentown, Pennsylvania; Newark, New Jersey; San Antonio, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Louisville, Kentucky; Des Moines, Iowa; Shreveport, Louisiana; West Des Moines, Iowa; Charlotte, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Aurora, Colorado; Henning, Tennessee; Buffalo, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; White Swan, Washington;

Chicago, Illinois; Austin, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Santa Rosa, California; Portsmouth, Virginia;

Chicago, Illinois; Chicago, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; Macon, Georgia; Allendale, South Carolina;

Virginia Beach, Virginia; Robbins, Illinois; Cleveland, Texas; Trenton, New Jersey; Washington D.C.; Stockton, California; La Crosse, Virginia; Washington D.C.; Chicago, Illinois; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Baltimore, Maryland; Chesapeake, Virginia; Trenton, New Jersey; Alexandria, Louisiana; Columbus, Ohio; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Portland, Oregon; Cascilla, Mississippi; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Atmore, Alabama; Long Beach, California; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Muncie, Indiana; Sacramento, California; Cleveland, Ohio; St. Rose, Louisiana; St. Louis, Missouri; New Orleans, Louisiana; Paulsboro, New Jersey; Chestnuthill Township, Pennsylvania; St. Louis, Missouri; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Indianapolis, Indiana; Highlands Ranch, Colorado; North Bergen, New Jersey; Oceano, California; St. Louis, Missouri; Indianapolis, Indiana; Wilmington, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; Baltimore, Maryland; Dallas, Texas; Boston, Massachusetts; Charlotte, North Carolina; West Chester Township, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; Baltimore, Maryland; Jackson, Mississippi; Jackson, Michigan; Poway, California; Hugo, Oklahoma; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Los Angeles, California; Memphis, Tennessee; Corpus Christi, Texas; Wichita, Kansas; Louisville, Kentucky; Germantown, Maryland; Stockton, California; Vallejo, California; Miami, Florida; Carbondale, Illinois; Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Kansas City, Missouri; Shreveport, Louisiana; Indianapolis, Indiana; Winston-Salem, North Carolina;

Wilmington, Delaware; Chicago, Illinois; Tallahassee, Florida; Panama City, Florida; Stockbridge, Georgia; Hermanville, Mississippi; Covington, Kentucky; Chicago, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; North Charleston, South Carolina; Baltimore, Maryland; North Las Vegas, Nevada; San Francisco, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Phoenix, Arizona; Augusta, Georgia; Las Vegas, Nevada; Rochelle, Georgia; Camden, New Jersey; Mobile, Alabama; Missoula, Montana; Harvey, Illinois; Paterson, New Jersey; Denver, Colorado; Shreveport, Louisiana; Oakland, California; Chicago, Illinois; Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Oakland, California; Birmingham, Alabama;

Elizabethtown, Kentucky; Baltimore, Maryland; Houston, Texas; Covington, Tennessee; Solon Township, Michigan; Evansville, Indiana; Henderson, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; Clinton, Mississippi; Aurora, Illinois; Jacksonville, Florida; Livingston, Texas; Petersburg, Virginia; Brooklyn, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; San Antonio, Texas; Washington, D.C.; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Chicago, Illinois; San Diego, California; Houston, Texas; Birmingham, Alabama; Newark, New Jersey; Indianapolis, Indiana; Albany, Georgia; Ascension Parish and Livingston Parish, Louisiana; State College, Pennsylvania; Rockmart, Georgia; Sebring, Florida; Miami, Florida; Gaffney, South Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; Lebanon, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; Houston, Texas; Owensboro, Kentucky; Jacksonville, Florida; Palmdale, California; Little Rock, Arkansas; Phoenix, Arizona; Roswell, New Mexico; Hurt, Virginia; Houston, Texas; Torrance, California; Texas City, Texas; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Columbia, South Carolina; and Tallahassee, Florida

You arrive back to your recent memory, Memorial Day. It wasn’t long ago you felt like this. Your heart ached as you watched more than a dozen tornadoes ravage the Miami Valley, killing one and completely destroying homes and neighborhoods. That was then, but astonishingly, it all feels the same now when you think about it. Both events rocked Dayton to its core, and both were followed by an outpouring of community support. But deep down, you know these are two separate tragedies. One born of earth and wind, and one born of hatred and violence. One targeted victims, the other indiscriminate in its path. One on a single city street, the other throughout the entire Miami Valley. And then you really come to terms with it. In 2019 America, a mass shooting can feel as unstoppable as a natural disaster.

You know mass shootings can happen almost anywhere, as long as you’re in the United States, and any time (even in 24 seconds). At least tornadoes only form in the areas where atmospheric conditions are right. You remember the drills for each when you were growing up. For tornadoes, you’d go into the hallway and stick your head between your knees until you were just uncomfortable enough. For lockdowns, you’d lock the door, turn off the lights, and remain in complete silence with the other twenty-some kids at a time of sheer hysteria. Back then, the drills were mostly just a chance for you and your friends to take a break from class and goof around. But what would happen if a tornado actually did rip through an elementary school, resulting in many student deaths? There’d be new precautions and maybe even new storm shelters built under every school. It’s a reactive response, but you’re content with the fact that these new safeguards might prevent such a loss from happening again. What if a shooter rampaged through an elementary school, killing young children in droves? Of course, you don’t have to imagine it. It happened more than six years ago at Sandy Hook Elementary when 20 children and six adults were killed. You think about the aftermath, or lack thereof. Nothing happened, nothing changed.

The debate will rage on whether it’s focused on mental health or the fact that someone in Dayton can order military-style weapons online from Texas, your prescribed medication can’t be transferred to a pharmacy across town because it’s a controlled substance. Here are a couple ways to arm yourself with knowledge in the hope of at least slowing the revolving door of shootings, thoughts & prayers, and silence:

Understand America’s gun death epidemic. FiveThirtyEight’s feature is a great place to start. Most gun deaths in America are suicides, a clear indicator that mental health needs to be more prominent in our gun ownership laws. While the incidence of mass shootings is much lower, it is the lowest hanging fruit. It’s timing. Ban assault rifles and high capacity magazines so save precious seconds and precious lives. Mental health and an assault weapon ban are not mutually exclusive, and they can’t be, for our children’s sake.
Don’t allow the debate to sway. You will find pundits and talking heads framing any attempt at reform as a method to pull all guns from the hands of every American. Everytown has in-depth analysis of the correlation between assault rifles and mass shootings. The 1994 Assault Weapons Ban made sense then, and should be considered now. Let the debate start there.
Think Globally. This issue is uniquely American, so why not look across the globe to see what works? You will find gun laws that range from a lifetime ammunition maximums to restricting each firearm for a specific purpose.
Don’t be afraid to speak out. Gun control has become one of the most controversial and explosive topics for public debate, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a productive discussion.
Contact your Representatives and Senators. But don’t yell at their unpaid interns. Having manned these phones before, there’s actually a system where elected officials log constituent concerns. State your concern and be sure it’s been logged. Contact Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader, and urge him to allow lawmakers to vote on gun control legislation.
Don’t let anyone tell you nothing can be done, period.
Remain proud of the community we all call home. When racism came to town, Dayton responded by drowning out their bigotry with its love. When natural disaster struck, Dayton responded by showing up to complete strangers’ homes to help them rebuild their lives. This hatred and violence should be no different, let’s respond.

About the author: Tony’s a current, but not yet disgruntled, government worker, aspiring fiction writer, and in-apartment resident DJ. He’s a Loyola Rambler alum, but currently lives in Dayton where he was born and raised. He enjoys reading and writing science fiction that tries to explain the world when it won’t explain itself.

Buch Rant- “Im Pissed”

August 4, 2019 By Guest Contributor

After hearing the horrible news this morning about another mass shooting this time in my hometown, I reached out to my good friend Lisa Grigsby with Dayton Most Metro asking if she was writing about the tragedy. She said ‘yes, but don’t know where to begin.’

Well let me … I’m pissed!

You knew this cancerous, hateful violence was coming here. Just didn’t know where and when.

Now, we have more thoughts and prayers from one side of the political aisle, and the other, get rid of guns.

I’m not here to take a position or make enemies, but rather ask some questions.

Do we really need average citizens armed with military grade weapons, designed to cause as much damage to the opposite side in conflict or war?

Wait, you’re saying, but the 2nd Amendment says … ENOUGH!

That was written a long, long time ago when people used muskets to kill game for food.

I really did think our representatives would do something, anything after young kids were slaughtered at Sandy Hook.

But once again the powerful gun lobbies with massive amounts of cash won the day.

Now Orlando, Parkland, Vegas, El Paso, dozens of others and now Dayton, nothing, zero, absolute zilch has been done.

Oh, except for thoughts and prayers.

What’s wrong with background checks? Prohibiting the sale of assault rifles, more funding for mental illness, hate sights targeted and removed from the web.

Come on already! We can’t just continue business as usual.

Congressman Turner, Senators Portman & Brown, Governor DeWine, elected leaders, this is ALL on you. We elected you to represent us. Now do your jobs. I’m tired of saying ‘enough is enough.’

Mike Turner posted his daughter was down in the Oregon District well, mine was on her way and to Ned Pepper’s, but her friend couldn’t get a baby-sitter and the other friend was too tired. So, she hung at the house.

Thank God.

After closing at her restaurant job, she would have been there by 1am and who knows, maybe in the line of fire.

Unfortunately one of her friend’s cousins was a victim. Gunned down at the age of 25.

25 people.

Just think out on the town to have some fun with friends. That’s the only thing he did wrong.

I would have never forgiven you and don’t know how the families effected ever will.

It’s time, well overdue, for all of us to rise-up and if our reps in D.C. don’t wake-up. then vote them out. Simple as that.

And one final note, the crap our police officers receive on a daily basis must stop. Yes, just like anywhere there are rogue cops, but day in and out they handle a myriad of calls from being a referee in domestic disputes, helping stranded motorists, directing traffic, et al. We see the awful things on-line and not the 100’s of wonderful things they do.

Also, not sure who the officers were who bravely took this ‘threat’ down, but they should receive the highest honors. :30 they neutralized the situation. God speed my friends.

Remember them the next time you bitch about a cop.

In closing, I’m not saying take away your guns. I’m a believer in the 2nd Amendment.

Hand guns for protection is one thing folks. Rapid fire weapons are not.

Is this really enough?

Your thoughts? Please no prayers!

Buch

Greene County Tornado Response Resources

May 30, 2019 By Guest Contributor

*Updated Thursday, May 30, 8:30am*

If you have inforation to add to this please e-mail [email protected]

EMERGENCY INFORMATION
If you feel that you or someone you know may be in immediate danger, please call 911.
BOIL ADVISORY AND POWER OUTAGES
Check to see if your address is under a boil advisory – https://www.co.greene.oh.us/AlertCenter.aspx?CID=Sanitary-Engineering-6

Check to see if you are affected by a power outage – https://www.dpandl.com/landing/outage
If you see downed power lines, assume that they are live and dangerous. Do not touch under any circumstances. Call DP&L at 877-468-8243.

Yard Debris Pick-Up/Drop Off
Residents who are cleaning up can take yard debris, free of charge, to the Greene County Environmental Services Recycling Complex at 2145 Greene Way Blvd., Xenia. The city will be collecting yard debris from the affected area in and around Kemp and Grange Hall Roads within the next few weeks, place debris just inside the curb, not in the street. Additional Information – http://www.beavercreekohio.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=136

WATER DISTRIBUTION SITES
Be Hope Church: 1850 N Fairfield Rd. Beavercreek
ICE DISTRIBUTION SITES
Beavercreek Senior Center/Lofino Plaza: 3868 Dayton Xenia Rd, Beavercreek 45432 (organized by DP&L)

SHELTERS
First Baptist Church of Kettering: 3939 Swigart Road, Beavercreek 45440

SHOWERS
Fairborn YMCA: 300 S. Central Ave, Fairborn 45324

South YMCA: 4545 Marshall Road, Kettering 45429

Xenia YMCA: 336 Progress Dr, Xenia 45385

RESTROOMS & CHARGING STATIONS
Hilton Garden Inn Dayton/Beavercreek: 3250 Pentagon Park Blvd, Beavercreek 45431

Clark State on Pentagon Rd – Offering charging stations, water and snacks from 8am to 8pm through Friday, 5/31.

5/3rd Bank on Dayton-Xenia Rd – Charging Station through Friday,5/31, hours 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-6pm.

Beavercreek Community Library – 3618 Dayton Xenia Rd. Beavercreek

PETS
SICSA Pet Adoption Center: email [email protected] or call 937-294-6505, ext 23

DONATE
Donate to Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS, www.redcross.org or text the word RedCROSS to 90999.

Donate to Be Hope Church’s relief fund for food, chainsaws and supplies – http://behope.church/relief/

VOLUNTEER
Visit Be Hope Church’s website to find out how you can volunteer in our community – http://behope.church/relief/

Experience the Art of Burning Man at the Cincinnati Art Museum

April 25, 2019 By Guest Contributor

NO SPECTATORS – Experience the Art of Burning Man at the Cincinnati Art Museum

Monday, April 22, 2019 2:00 PM by Dot Crane, Content Marketing Manager

Four people walking across the dusty playa of Burning Man toward Black Rock City Burning Man attendees, also called “Burners,” heading toward Black Rock City. PHOTO: Bry Ulrick

Maybe you’re one of the “dreamers and doers,” also known as “Burners,” who’s experienced the art of Burning Man in its original context—out in Black Rock City. That’s the temporary city created every year by those who attend Burning Man in Nevada.

Large paper sculptures from Burning Man illuminated with pink and purple light Deep Thought by HYBYCOZO. PHOTO: Ron Blunt

Or maybe you’ve seen photos of the jaw-dropping art, mutant art vehicles, jewelry, and costumes that Burners produce and wish you could encounter them in person.

The Cincinnati Art Museum is bringing you that chance this summer!

A Burning Man art car shaped like a dragon Tin Pan Dragon by Duane Flatmo. PHOTO: Libby Weiler

No Spectators – The Art of Burning Man, April 26/June 7 – September 2, 2019

This exhibit will open in two stages—Friday, April 26 with additional art added on June 7. In the spirit of the community of Burning Man, the entire exhibit will be free to attend.

No Spectators is a traveling exhibit that debuted at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. and will arrive at its final stop this October in Oakland, CA, near the place where Burning Man originated, closing in February, 2020.

A freestanding arch that looks like the Arch de Triomphe from Burning Man made of Paper The Paper Arch, by Michael Garlington and Natalia Bertotti. PHOTO: Ron Blunt

According to Burning Man Project’s Director of Art & Civic Engagement, Kim Cook, “We know that not everyone will be able to participate in the community of Black Rock City, and it is our hope that the museum experience opens doors to new questions about how we all have the ability to express ourselves creatively in the places we call home.”

Elaborately folded paper mushrooms that are more than 12 feet high, illuminated with rainbow light, from Burning Man

Shrumen Lumen by Foldhaus. PHOTO: Ron Blunt

The Cincinnati Art Museum’s Cameron Kitchin—the Louis and Louise Dieterle Nippert Director of the Cincinnati Art Museum—called Burning Man “one of the most influential movements in contemporary American Art and culture.”

Don’t miss your chance to experience this amazing, inspiring, and interactive event! Yes, we said interactive–much of the artwork is based on your participation. One of the pads of Shrumen Lumen causes the mushroom to move when you step on it. There are shows to watch and peepholes to find. Plus, the art will be scattered throughout the museum. You’ll have to go on something of an art scavenger hunt to find it all!

A giant figure of a woman bending slightly backward from Burning Man Truth is Beauty by Marco Cochrane. PHOTO: Ron Blunt

This piece originally appeared on meetnky
and was written by Dot Crane, Content Marketing Manager

Where To Get Your Laugh On This Week

April 7, 2019 By Guest Contributor

Dayton IS the comedy scene! Comedy fan Cal Westray has pulled together this list of laughs for the upcoming week:

Monday 8th:

The Barrel- 857 W. Central in Springboro.Open Mic with Nate Jenkins (Every Monday) 7pm

Tuesday 9th:

Peach’s 104 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs. Every Tuesday at 8pm! Kyleen Downes is Open Mic Host

Paradise Key Lounge 3243 Needmore Rd, Laughing in Paradise with Don Smith, Johnny Woods, Evan Michael Kackley, and Scott Mallory.

Wednesday 10th:

South Park Tavern. 1301 Wayne Avenue. Open Mic at the9pm every Wednesday.

Buckeye Sports Lodge 126 W High St, Springfield, Open Mic every other Wednesday 8pm -show up go up

Mila’s Suburban Cafe, 606 Taywood Rd, Englewood. Call 937-832-2200. Open Mic Night every Wednesday 7p-8:30p. Come and share your music, poetry, comedy, or other form of performance art.

Hannah’s on Ludlow. Open Mic Showtime will be 7pm every Wednesday night. See Raymond Jackson to signup.

Steve Hoffstetter

Wiley’s Comedy Club in the Oregon District Steve Hofstetter for One show only! 7:15pm

Hofstetter’s national TV debut came on ESPN’s Quite Frankly, where Stephen A. Smith yelled at him for three minutes. Hofstetter has also appeared on CBS’ “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson,” Showtime’s “White Boyz in the Hood,” VH1’s “Countdown,” Sundance’s “On the Road in America,” and ABC’s “Barbara Walter’s Special,” where he thankfully did not cry.

Thursday 11th:

W.O. Wrights, 3979 Colonel Glenn Hwy in Beavercreek. 8pm show with Neil Griffin and Friends! With Don Smith.

Spirited Goat in Yellow Springs. Open Mic Nights are every Thursday at 7pm! If you wish to sign up, give them a call or come in the shop any time after 3pm on that day!

Barrel House at 417 E 3rd St. Dayton Open Mic every Thursday evening from 8:30-11pm Musicians! Comedians! Poets!
Jayson Aldridge hosts their Open Mic Night!

Jay Mewes

Dayton Funny Bone at The Greene – Jay Mewes (From Jay and Silent Bob) 7:30pm

Indie film icon, Jason Mewes, is perhaps best known as the vocal half of the on-screen comedic duo, Jay and Silent Bob. Mewes’ has reprised his role as celebrated character, “Jay,” in a number of hit films. With cult-fans following his controversial antics, Mewes has captured audiences with rebellious banter against his unspoken other half and longtime friend, Kevin Smith (Silent Bob). Since the beginning of the duo’s offbeat work together, Mewes and Smith have continued to build on their beloved character driven roles from the Jay and Silent Bob series.

Friday 12th:

Michelle Wolf

Dayton Funny Bone at The Greene: Michelle Wolf 7:30 & 10pm

MICHELLE WOLF has quickly become one of the most influential voices in the comedy landscape as she continues on the path of a breakout year, with the Village Voice calling her “the voice comedy needs right now” and The Daily Beast declaring, “Michelle Wolf is the future of stand-up comedy.” She recently served as the executive producer, writer, and host of the critically-acclaimed variety sketch series “The Break with Michelle Wolf” on Netflix. Previously, she made international headlines as the much buzzed-about headliner of the 2018 White House Correspondents Dinner.

Wiley’s Comedy Club in the Oregon District: Rich Ragains

Rich Ragains was a contributing writer for National Lampoon’s Sports Minute Or So. Rich has opened for the likes of Dave Chappelle, Carrot Top, and Larry the Cable guy. He’s appeared on Country Music Television, NBC, and The Bob and Tom Show.

Saturday 13th

Wiley’s Comedy Club in the Oregon District: Rich Ragains

Dayton Funny Bone at The Greene: Jackie Fabulous

Sunday 14th:

Jackie Fabulous

Dayton Funny Bone at The Greene: Jackie Fabulous

JACKIE FABULOUS, is a gut-busting, writer, producer, speaker, and headlining comedian who uses comedy to simultaneously entertain, encourage and empower audiences. Having survived her fair share of loves, tragedies, lessons and embarrassing moments, Jackie channels all of that energy into hilarious sets and inspiring keynotes. More than just a funny lady, she is on a mission to inspire and empower women all over the world to Find The Funny In Their Flaws.

Wiley’s Sunday Comics at Wiley’s Comedy Club!

Performing on the same stage that held, Drew Carey, Chris Rock, Chapelle, Ellen, Emo Phillips, Bill Hicks, and more, Wiley’s Sunday Comics is a mixture of local amateur comedians and nationally touring professionals working on their craft by performing in short sets. Some are showcasing for future work at the club and others are working out new material to get it perfect for weekend shows on the road. For 35 years, Wiley’s has supported live stand-up comedy and encouraged and instructed young performers in their dreams, often giving them their first paid jobs as an MC right here at Wiley’s. Come see the Stars of Tomorrow Today…..ONLY AT WILEY’S. To sign up for stage time, email [email protected] .