Thursday, November 20, 2008

Weekly 11/20/08 - 5

Salon Weekly

~ In 4  Color-Coded Sections:

          • Table Notes
          • Events & Opportunities
          • Articles, Letters (“opinions expressed are not necessarily mine”...ellen)
          • Books, Reviews, Films, Magazines
          • Tri-State Treasures: compiled by Jim Kesner  


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Section One: Table Notes ............................................................................ (Note: these notes were taken at the table and have NOT been approved or corrected by the speakers.  Reader beware of inevitable misunderstandings and misrepresentations.  E.B.)
At the table Wednesday 11/19/08
Vlasta Molak, Rob Nendahwaab, Dennis Kinsley, Jan Kinsley, Mr. G., Judy Cirillo, Ellen Bierhorst , Gerry Kraus, Marvin Kraus, Janet Kalven. Mira Rodwan. Bob Witanowski, Carolyn Aufderhaar


Vlasta, Ellen Marvin, Rob, Gerry, Judy, Mr G (behind Judy), Jan.  Photo by Dennis.  

Judy read the Preamble, and Vlasta read a quote from Dreams from my Father by Barack Obama.  

Mira brought the program from the Memorial for salonista Bob Dallas Fish who died last month of colon cancer.

Bob: anyone who wants to help me spread his ashes, let me know.  bobwit@earthlink.net.  
Table Announcements
Gerry the annual Lichter lectures at UC.  Tomorrow eve. 7:30 The first at Recreation Center 3240: “the peace process in the middle east: the impact of the new Obama administration on Israel” by a Israeli journalist now based in D.C.   I have been attending these lectures for several years and they are wonderful.  
For the Obama rally we parked at the library garage and it wasn’t far.  

Rob: will be in the weekly,  a proposal for the dept of Ag in Ohio is to have oversight of factory farms rather than the EPA.  Sierra Club says Send your comments.  It is like having the fox guard the hen house.  (see below)
Judy on Thanksgiving if you don’t have plans there will be a pot luck at 3 pm at St. John’s UU church on Resor Ave in Clifton.  Please email Judy at :  jcirillo.1@juno.com
Also Muse concert this weekend, Sat and Sun.  See http://www.musechoir.org

Topics nominated
Obama victory
Correlation between population growth and conflict in areas around the world.
Obama... And if time, whether the US should bail out the auto industry


AUTO INDUSTRY BAIL OUT?  (See related Nation article reprinted below on this, in Blue Articles section.  E.)
Gerry:
Ford, GM and Chrysler are I DC this week begging for billions of $; clai that they are on the brink of going out of business.  
6 mos ago the govt already gave them 36 billion $ for “retooling” etc.  Marvin says one of the reasons for their big problem is that they make all these cars nobody is buying now that gas is so high.  Have too great an inventory.  ... It will impact the whole economy, 3 million jobs directly in the auto industry, and 15 million people all together in suppliers, etc. etc.  
Jan:  also they claim that if the suppliers are out of business, then the remaining car businesses in US like Toyota, will be hurt as well because the parts supplies won’t be available.  
Mr. G.:  if you removed the US auto companies the price of cars will raise
Rob:  Chrysler is no longer viable as a stand alone company.  What is happening is, they were given a lot of money a about a year ago for retooling.  But what they are running into is that people can’t get auto loans.  So sales are off.  
Bob  and businesses can’t get loans to do their businesses
There are people who cannot get credit to buy a car... Maybe not everybody.  I know a man who applied for a home equity loan on a 3 family  which he owns outright , is fully rented and he can’t get any amount of loan.  They say he doesn’t earn enough.  

You can still apply for a credit card, and the interest is a lot more than for a home equity loan.
Toyota has a program to give auto loans for people to buy their cars, but you have to qualify.
Gerry  if they bail out the auto industry will it stabilize the economy?  They already gave 700 billion to the financial institutions and it hasn’t helped ...
Rob today I heard that 350 billion of Tarp won’t be released until Obama is in office.  Back to the auto industry, the experts said that Ford is now as good and as energy efficient as Toyota but they can’t market them; they don’t have the money to build them and distribute them.  There are a few already built, but they need to have money...
Bob  the auto industry has been criticized for not building good products.  But Ford built a good truck that is energy efficient.  But I drive a Toyota truck that gets more than 32 mpg, and I wish that I could buy an American product that gets as good an mpg.
Rob new union contracts, cut to the bone.  New people are not getting anywhere near what the old workers got and still get.  
Jan My bro made over $30/hour at Honda plant in Ohio, as an assembly worker.
Rob  Robert Reisch said Let them file Chapter 11 bankruptcy instead.  
Jan but people wouldn’t buy from a bankrupt co. for fear that warranties would not be honored.  But people suggest the gov’t would underwrite the  warranties.

Marvin:  if they are not and cannot sell the cars they have, then they should lower the price.  ... If we did that and sold all those cars and weren’t making new cars there would be a lot of jobs eliminated.  How deal with that?  Find other work.
Rob  that’s the Green Revolution.
Marvin:  that’s what’s driving the movement to bail them out; so we would have a fictitious economy.  
Mr. G.  the question is how to get over the shock of all the car companies going out at once.
Bob: another aspect needs to be discussed.  Has to do with what executives get paid to run the companies.  A lot of companies have been ruined by getting rid of jobs, running up the stock values, selling high and making a killing.  It is time now to change this system.  GM should have been thinking of consumers like me all along.
Mr. G. I blame the American consuming public.  

Dennis:  do the Japanese mfrs. Make money?  Yes.  Did they ask the Japanese for assistance?  I saw Barney Frank on TV today and he asked the GM rep to tell why he needed the amount he was asking for and the GM rep couldn’t answer.  If he doesn’t know exactly when they would run out of money... Why not go to the successful auto makers for help?  I t hink congress should not bail them out.  No statistics on exactly when they would run out of money.
Gerry Sunday on 60 minutes Obama was interviewed and asked about this.  He said if it is necessary to give the auto industry money there should be requirements, not a bridge to nowhere.  I don’t hear any conversation in congress What are we going to get for this.  Like the blank check given to the financial industry.  

Bob One thing they talked about in loaning was getting preferred stock in exchange that the treas. Would hold.  IN Sweden there was a similar collapse and the gov’t bought stock, and when it went up they gov’t sold it.
It is not a simple problem.  Is very emotional.  Today we don’t have all the facts.  But getting preferred stock (guaranteed return) is a good idea.
The drop in the stock market had to do with the tightening of credit.  Many companies big and small depend on the transfer of loans.  GM has been selling off assets for a long time.
... Also in general manufacturing in the US has been going out.
GM has partnered with Toyota to make the Vibe.  A GM stamped body, but Toyota engine etc.  
I look at Consumer Reports reliability figures... The Japanese cars have a good reliability reputation.  Many of the US cars get bad marks from Consumer Reports.  Part of the problem is the product itself in the US Auto industry.  
Rob:
There are strin
gs attached to the money as I understand.  They have to cover warranties; have to make parts.  Also, US made money on the Chrysler bail out.  

Vlasta Should not move in a rash manner.  We need time to evaluate what is needed.  The whole thing is a huge trick of the Bush admin. And the CEOs who have had obscene salaries like John Paulson CEO of Goldman Sachs.  In 8 years he accumulated 800 million $.  Nobody deserves that much!  
It is a big scam to get something rammed down our throats without time to examine it.  The car is a very inefficient way of transportation.  Need to rethink our whole infrastructure.  
GM had a good electric car with 60 mile range that was great, and they killed it.  
Tesla in San Diego developed a battery much better, range 244 miles.  
So let those genius people with new ideas provide our cars.  But give nothing until everything is laid out and understood.

Mr. G.  question for Bob:  is there any evidence that plug in cars doesn’t cancel out the advantages.
Bob  it is known how much pollution is produced by the coal generated electricity.  ... T Bone Pickens’ wind power ideas are very good.  Will take time to develop the wind farms and the efficient electrical grid to distribute.
This week, Al Roker of the Today Show was in Iceland to look at their geo thermal generation.  10% of our power could come from geothermal in the West, like in Nevada.  Also even here, geo thermal from our deep ground at 55% to  help with this.
The efficiency of the grid has to do with where the wires are strung.  
Mr. G. so we need new wires, shorter routes, like the traveling salesman problem.  

Vlasta the electric cars are twice as good in terms of emissions.
Bob the electric car is good even coal generated, but it could be fueled by solar, wind, etc.

Rob:  I keep up on alt. energy ...  All their projects are on hold because they can’t get money.  T Bone Pickens has withdrawn his proposal, because he can’t get the money.  Geothermal could not work in Cinti because...
Bob yes it is possible.  Gerald Checco on Middleton Ave.

Mira: the Civilian Conservation Corps has to be brought back, give people jobs repairing infrastructure; alt. transportation; some train tracks are left; retooling ... ; high speed rail like in Europe and Japan.  
We know Obama has been reading about FDR and Ab. Lincoln...
Gerry:  two years ago Gerald Checco put in a geothermal thing.  I’d like to have him come and tell the rest of us.  
Marvin just have one question.  They keep saying you can’t get loans.  I want to know Who is it that has the money and isn’t lending it?  Are we dealing with another fiction?  Perhaps there isn’t money to be loaned.  
Mira:  Paulson looks a lot like Daddy Warbucks.  I have identified him as the latest incarnation of Daddy Warbucks.  
He could just print the money.
Jan:  Paulson has all the money.  (laugh).  

Dennis I concluded a long time ago: a million $ were pooled and sold off in  1% units.  And the houses selling them sold over 100% of those.  They are “derivatives”.  And nobody knows who is to blame, who owns the assets.  

Bob:  the book “Bad Money” by Kevin Phillips.   Explains what has been going on the last 8 years in our financial sector.
Jan: the banks are very anxious to loan money and they take applications.  However when the appraiser goes out, the house does not approach the value the people need to pay off their mortgages.  How to make a 100 loan on a house now worth only 75.  
The current criteria is that you can only lend 75% on the value of a property.

    personal REACTIONS TO OBAMA VICTORY

Rob:  I think the international view  of US will be changed radically.  Black.  Middle name Hussein.  Not Bush.  
I worked my ass off  on his election.  I feel he will do as good a job as anyone could but he has inherited a gigantic mess.  Guarded optimism.
Dennis two or so weeks ago I said I had not voted for president and told you why and I haven’t changed my position yet.  I do not know what Obama stands for other than change. Hasn’t been much specificity.
Jan I am happy, looking forward.  Enjoying hearing an articulate speaker for a change.  Hope he’ll be able to bring some stability to the economy.  Bring people together to work on it.  People have a more cooperative attitude now.

Gerry:  gratified that the 30+ years spent promoting integration in N Avondale has now become popular.  The way America should be.
As a community organizer Obama looks at how things get done in a much different way from the “top down” viewpoint.  I am looking forward to his  becoming pres.  We shall see.
Marvin:  I filled out a survey put out by the Obama campaign.  They were trying to raise money to pay for the transition effort.  That didn’t strike me right.  But I took the survey. It was interesting.  Asking what were the issues important to me.  “Do you want to see this organization working at the local level?”  My response is that each day I am more and more happy that I worked for the election of Obama.  This person is brilliant!  Much more than what showed in the campaign.  Now we are finding out about his organization created 2 years ago and  it is fabulous. Gives me so much more hope about what can be accomplished.

Mr. G.  I feel on the opposite side.  I am relieved about Obama.  I have hated Bush for 8 years.  Surprised more damage wasn’t done.  But I have concerns:  the Republicans are pretty bright, they held to 48%, a miracle after Bush.  Scary to me.  I f I were a Republican I would have wanted to loose this election, because in 4 years they can attack big time!  
I’d rather have a stupid man in the White House f-ing up than a brilliant man there f-ing up.  
I also get these emails, “Now we need money for this... Now for this.”  Private citizens shouldn’t be funding government.  Private donations.  I am waiting to see if Obama is going to hold these expensive dinners that Clinton did.  A lot of these are you are paying for “access” to power.  His structure could make him enormously powerful.  

Bob: I feel hopeful because he was elected.  I f he does anything he kept talking about during the campaign I’ll be happy.  Green energy.  He has quite a mess to solve, and he doesn’t want to become involved solving it until he becomes pres.  And that is an indication that he might do something that will work.  A wise thing to say.  
Mira I have been telling people that I have never been so uplifted by a election in my life.  The most exciting thing was going among people in line to see him, waiting hours, the incredibly friendly and joyful anticipation in that line at the UC rally Sunday before the election.  Thrilling; goosebumps.  It is what he inspired among the people.  
We will all have to sacrifice.  He needs to have “fire side chat” once a month and report to the people.  

Ellen:  at first incredulous... The wonderful photo of Frederick Douglas’ tomb with flowers and Obama buttons, taken by Richard Blumberg on November 6.  Made me cry.  

Reminds me of the eve of the Civil War, or as they say in the south, “The War between the States”, that darkest, bloodiest time  in our nation’s story, and we elected the Rail Splitter, a dark horse from Illinois who turned out to be our great, perhaps our greatest leader.    A man with poetry in his soul; who took in his cabinet all his rivals for the presidency because they were the best talent available, and he was not threatened.  He steered us through that awful storm with a steady hand, so that the fragile and new idea of government of the people, by the people, for the people should not perrish from the earth.  Now, with economic collapse threatening, we just may have elected ourselves another Lincoln.  (Thursday: last night I dreamed Barack Obama came to the salon... I can see just where he sat.  And a smiling young man in a blousy raincoat sat down next to him, and I got up and threw myself upon the suicide bomber.  My prayers go with you, Barack Obama.  I am reading your Dreams from my Father and my heart swells with love for  you,-- vision and honesty.  I signed up to be kept in touch with the organization that ran that amazing campaign via email, and I responded to the volunteer survey.  May we take our mobilized zeal and turn energy and light on our local governmental issues!  ellen)

Janet
: I felt good about this campaign.  Active and powerful candidates from women and Blacks.  Obama comes from where I come from , Hyde Park in Chicago, and taught at U of Chicago where I went.  Hyde Park is very special, very intellectual, interracial, stands on principle.  I am very happy.  I think he’ll do a good job.  Nice to have a president who speaks good English.  
Vlasta: a year and a half ago I got an Obama message ... I thought “This guy is sharp.”  Asking me to communicate and join the campaign and I thought, “This is a very special person.”  Then, his anti war messages, pro worker messages... Then more to the middle.  But he’s a genius.  Such a refreshment.  I have been embarrassed to have a president like Bush.  Obama is just a cool guy; personality; doesn't get flustered; good family man; community contact; and I think he still has a heart.  
I have doubts about Rubin of CitiBank, and Larry Summers and how he will deal with them.  
I am glad that we are finally beyond race; I don’t consider him from any race.  He is a link.  Has lived Asia, Hawaii, ... White culture and black culture.  Kin in Africa.  Connects Africa, America and Asia.  God help him!  We have to  constantly be on his tail for health insurance for everybody, for instance, and make sure that all the manufacturing doesn’t evaporate.   ... We need jobs in this country.  It is a national tragedy that we have so many in jail.  We must push.  
At the end Nader pointed out that Obama was drifting Right.

Mr. G: my impression was ... Have respected Rubin.  No matter what Clinton did, he did end with a budget surplus.  So to assume that he started the problems with de reg. at his time, is not quite right.  ... Why didn’t these guys spot what was about to happen?  I think Rubin should have said, “Now we need some regulation.”  
Vlasta Rubin bought Milton Friedman’s philosophy, de regulation.  

~ End of Table Notes~

    Hugs to everyone,
    Ellen




    Section Two: Events & Opportunities

BETSY LIPPITT PERFORMING

Betsy at the College Hill Coffee Company
Friday, November 21, 2008  

It's going to be a great night

Hope you and your friends can make it

Betsy


(Jackie is our Lloyd House Tai Chi leader, and quite a fine potter.  Ellen)

Dear Friends,
You are invited to a 'mostly small'
pottery sale.
Where: my place ~~ 5743 Nahant Ave.
When:   Sunday 23 Nov. , 2-4 PM

Hope you can make it...then you'll find out what 'mostly small' means.  Such an enticement, huh?

Jackie
H 541-4900
Jackie Millay <socaja@yahoo.com>

CCAC (Clifton Cultural Arts Center) presents

NEOPORKOPOLIS:
Interactive Nostalgia with an Organic Flair

The Binford Experience
(Keith Skogstrom & Andrew Coppersmith)
Gavin Price-Fuller
Lauren Winnen


November 15 - December 6


 <http://e2ma.net/go/1443177887/1317757/48336772/goto:http://www.cliftonculturalarts.org/neoporkopolis.htm>
Emerging Artists Enliven the Spirit of CCAC's Developing Community

Making use of CCAC's grand architectural spaces, NeoPorkopolis features four talented artists constructing large, interactive sculptural installations.  The unique space on the first floor of the historic Clifton School sets the stage for the artists' use of diverse materials, design and expression. The artists utilize a sense of history in play with organic forms, architectural design, woodcraft and social commentary to create constructed works and transformative spaces. NeoPorkopolis features The Binford Experience (Keith Skogstrom & Andrew Coppersmith), Gavin Price-Fuller, and Lauren Winnen, exhibiting together for the first time in this, their Cincinnati debut. Please join us for - and spread the word <http://e2ma.net/map/view=Forward/ID=11326.1443177887/rid=57fa9deee65b22a4938324e807b11092/send_to_friend>  about - this very exciting exhibition. For hours, directions and more information, please visit cliftonculturalarts.org <http://e2ma.net/go/1443177887/1317757/48336773/goto:http://www.cliftonculturalarts.org/neoporkopolis.htm>  
      
  
 
P.O Box 20041 | Cincinnati, Ohio 45220
  info@cliftonculturalarts.org




Stay in touch with the Obama movement:

Hey,

President-Elect Obama is hard at work getting this country back on track, but he's counting on all of us to get involved.

I just signed up to learn more about the presidential transition, and I thought you might want to do the same.

Just visit http://www.change.gov, <http://www.change.gov/page/ic/atgy8lbxs0nj00/Sg>  and enter your e-mail address in the top right corner.
 
Thanks,
Paul Ravenscraft (erstwhile Salonista)

        
Proud to announce that...

Neil Schapera, premier
Alexander Technique teacher is now available at the Lloyd House on Thursday afternoons.  Call him: 513 608 3695
We are fortunate indeed to have a senior teacher of the Alexander Technique in our area, and now especially fortunate to have him available for lessons at the Lloyd House.  Neil is a “full spectrum” teacher, addresses all sorts of issues, but is especially experienced in the area of geriatric wellbeing.  
    Neil and Vivien came here from South Africa in 1993 with their two sons, now university students at U.C.  They are recognized internationally as leaders in the technique.  ... And they are my mentors in the teacher training course that I expect to complete, after 3 years, this coming June, 2009.  

For more information about Neil and the Alexander Technique:
http://www.schapera.com/


IDEAS FOR MENTAL HEALTH:
(A weekly thought from Ellen)
   
    Erstwhile salonista Barrie K., known in the notes as “Santa” has repaired to his berm house in rural KY with his many bushels of oatmeal and crates of macaroni and cheese, predicting wholesale devastation and famine as everything breaks apart.  He seems quite pleased with the financial crisis he (and the Zetas) predicted.  Finally, my thoughts have coalesced and I can respond to him:  in wholesale breakdown of our society it won’t be oatmeal hoards that save us, but rather it will be community.  Cleve to your group of trust... Be that church or extended family group or neighborhood or other kind of fellowship.  Lay out contingency plans in the event of extreme times.  Stoke the fires of your fellowship.  We are all in this together, and together we will survive.    

        P.S.  Would it be good to have an inexpensive group meeting to share about mental health in hard times?  Maybe an open sharing group, $10, once a week?  Please let me know your thoughts.  E.

Everyone needs a psychologist sometime in their life.
Ellen Bierhorst Ph.D. is a good one.  In practice over 30 years.  513 221 1289
  • Get a fresh perspective.  Sort out tangles in interpersonal relationships.  Clear away the messes of the past.  Become empowered to launch your new life.  Heal trauma, change, loss.  Escape from the bondage of addictive behavior(alcohol, drugs, food, tobacco, gambling, etc.)
  • Central location (Clifton Ave. at Lafayette)
  • Beautiful setting (The historic Lloyd House)
  • Many health insurance plans will pay a percentage. (Standard fee $125/hour.  Some pro bono work available.)
  • Compassion and good humor.
  • Rapid results.
Areas of particular interest: 12 Step Program support; Family and Relationship issues; Young Adult Issues; Chronic Illness and Senior Adult Issues; Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered Issues, Holistic Wellness (body/mind/spirit approach), Clinical Hypnosis, EMDR.




Join Freedom singers
Rehearsals 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:30, at Freedom Center (free parking bottom of Walnut St.)
Cathy Roma and Todd O’Neal directing.  
Wonderful Spirituals music.
This is the mega chorus that sings every MLK day at Music Hall.  Wonderful intercommunity brotherhood service.  




Major Environmental Issue: Act Now, follow link below

on 11/19/08 4:23 PM, Rob Milton Nenbahwaab at
earth4u@zoomtown.com wrote:

   
 

Don't let the fox guard the hen house!



 
The Environmental Protection Agency is  ready to transfer authority for factory farm water pollution permits  from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) to the Ohio  Department of Agriculture (ODA). This proposal effectively transfers  control of factory farms to an administrative body that is biased in  favor of the agricultural industry. Furthermore, it is an abdication  of responsibility from OEPA, which is legally mandated to protect  public health and the environment.

Send a message to the EPA by  adding your name and comment to our (Ohio Sierra Club) petition.  Contact:

 

 
https://secure2.convio.net/sierra/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1185&autologin=true&JServSessionIdr004=evki6wtkm1.app25a

In  Ohio, factory farms generate over 10.5 million tons of animal waste  per year.1 Rich in phosphorus and nitrogen, animal waste is a major  source of water pollution in Ohio. These chemicals enter waterways,  killing fish and other aquatic life and contaminating our drinking  water.

Act today! Submit  your comments to the EPA by December 16.
 

 
I received this message from Ohio  Chapter of Sierra Club. If link to petition does not work, contact  them at:
 

 
http://ohio.sierraclub.org/index.html
 

 
Rob Nendahwaab


 





YOGA at Lloyd House.  Wednesdays 9:15 – 10:30 am.  Open, free practice group led by Nina Tolley.
Tai Chi  practice group Sundays 10:15 a.m. Led by Jackie Millay.




Articles


From Louise Spiegel:
Good piece on the bailout
Mr. G. on Roxanne Qualls’ election analysis meeting
Cartoon: pasting the constitution back together
Dr. Tom on us and our Health Care System


Salon Weekly lurker Louise Spiegel writes encouragement:

Ellen: i certainly liked your message in table notes *
--full of optimism
and self-search.    i have damaged left hand and can't do caps at all. i
am having hard time thinking of you grown-up. Louise Spiegel (a grande dame of Clifton... I think it was Dorothy Sayers who said that time and troubles can daunt an ‘advanced’ young woman, but an ADVANCED old woman is unstoppable by any natural force.  I think of you, Louise.  ellen)

*(she means last week, Salon Weekly,  see
http://lloydhouse.blogspot.com )   

David Rosenberg sends “good article about the bailout”.  

In Praise of a Rocky Transition
Lookout
By Naomi Klein
<http://www.thenation.com/directory/bios/naomi_klein>
This article appeared in the December 1, 2008 edition of The Nation.
 <http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081201>
November 13, 2008
The more details emerge, the clearer it becomes that Washington's handling of the Wall Street bailout is not merely incompetent. It is borderline criminal.

In a moment of high panic in late September, the US Treasury unilaterally pushed through a radical change in how bank mergers are taxed--a change long sought by the industry. Despite the fact that this move will deprive the government of as much as $140 billion in tax revenue, lawmakers found out only after the fact. According to the Washington Post, more than a dozen tax attorneys agree that "Treasury had no authority to issue the [tax change] notice."
Of equally dubious legality are the equity deals Treasury has negotiated with many of the country's banks. According to Congressman Barney Frank, one of the architects of the legislation that enables the deals, "Any use of these funds for any purpose other than lending--for bonuses, for severance pay, for dividends, for acquisitions of other institutions, etc.--is a violation of the act." Yet this is exactly how the funds are being used.

Then there is the nearly $2 trillion the Federal Reserve has handed out in emergency loans. Incredibly, the Fed will not reveal which corporations have received these loans or what it has accepted as collateral. Bloomberg News believes that this secrecy violates the law and has filed a federal suit demanding full disclosure.

Despite all of this potential lawlessness, the Democrats are either openly defending the administration or refusing to intervene. "There is only one president at a time," we hear from Barack Obama. That's true. But every sweetheart deal the lame-duck Bush administration makes threatens to hobble Obama's ability to make good on his promise of change. To cite just one example, that $140 billion in missing tax revenue is almost the same sum as Obama's renewable energy program. Obama owes it to the people who elected him to call this what it is: an attempt to undermine the electoral process by stealth.

Yes, there is only one president at a time, but that president needed the support of powerful Democrats, including Obama, to get the bailout passed. Now that it is clear that the Bush administration is violating the terms to which both parties agreed, the Democrats have not just the right but a grave responsibility to intervene forcefully.

I suspect that the real reason the Democrats are so far failing to act has less to do with presidential protocol than with fear: fear that the stock market, which has the temperament of an overindulged 2-year-old, will throw one of its world-shaking tantrums. Disclosing the truth about who is receiving federal loans, we are told, could cause the cranky market to bet against those banks. Question the legality of equity deals and the same thing will happen. Challenge the $140 billion tax giveaway and mergers could fall through. "None of us wants to be blamed for ruining these mergers and creating a new Great Depression," explained one unnamed Congressional aide.

More than that, the Democrats, including Obama, appear to believe that the need to soothe the market should govern all key economic decisions in the transition period. Which is why, just days after a euphoric victory for "change," the mantra abruptly shifted to "smooth transition" and "continuity."

Take Obama's pick for chief of staff. Despite the Republican braying about his partisanship, Rahm Emanuel, the House Democrat who received the most donations from the financial sector, sends an unmistakably reassuring message to Wall Street. When asked on This Week With George Stephanopoulos whether Obama would be moving quickly to increase taxes on the wealthy, as promised, Emanuel pointedly did not answer the question.

This same market-coddling logic should, we are told, guide Obama's selection of treasury secretary. Fox News's Stuart Varney explained that Larry Summers, who held the post under Clinton, and former Fed chair Paul Volcker would both "give great confidence to the market." We learned from MSNBC's Joe Scarborough that Summers is the man "the Street would like the most."

Let's be clear about why. "The Street" would cheer a Summers appointment for exactly the same reason the rest of us should fear it: because traders will assume that Summers, champion of financial deregulation under Clinton, will offer a transition from Henry Paulson so smooth we will barely know it happened. Someone like FDIC chair Sheila Bair, on the other hand, would spark fear on the Street--for all the right reasons.

One thing we know for certain is that the market will react violently to any signal that there is a new sheriff in town who will impose serious regulation, invest in people and cut off the free money for corporations. In short, the markets can be relied on to vote in precisely the opposite way that Americans have just voted. (A recent USA Today/Gallup poll found that 60 percent of Americans strongly favor "stricter regulations on financial institutions," while just 21 percent support aid to financial companies.)

There is no way to reconcile the public's vote for change with the market's foot-stomping for more of the same. Any and all moves to change course will be met with short-term market shocks. The good news is that once it is clear that the new rules will be applied across the board and with fairness, the market will stabilize and adjust. Furthermore, the timing for this turbulence has never been better. Over the past three months, we've been shocked so frequently that market stability would come as more of a surprise. That gives Obama a window to disregard the calls for a seamless transition and do the hard stuff first. Few will be able to blame him for a crisis that clearly predates him, or fault him for honoring the clearly expressed wishes of the electorate. The longer he waits, however, the more memories fade.

When transferring power from a functional, trustworthy regime, everyone favors a smooth transition. When exiting an era marked by criminality and bankrupt ideology, a little rockiness at the start would be a very good sign.
About Naomi Klein
Naomi Klein is an award-winning journalist and syndicated columnist and the author of the international and New York Times bestseller The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism (September 2007); an earlier international best-seller, No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies; and the collection Fences and Windows: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Globalization Debate (2002). more... <http://www.thenation.com/directory/bios/naomi_klein>  



Roxanne Qualls speaking on the election results :

on 11/13/08 1:27 PM, Mr G wrote:

Frankly Ellen, I am quite disappointed that no one came from the Salon.
(Perhaps not enough chanting?)

In any case, we packed the restaurant with lots of great questions, graphs
and discussions. Roxanne gave us a website with Obama's top policy
concerns and plans. She showed us that all areas of the US got bluer,
except an arc of states thru the south that got redder.
I asked if she thought Hillary could have won.
She said she had come from the Hillary camp herself, but that she felt
probably not. That Hillary and McCain both ran extremely disorganized
campaigns. There was much more about campaign analysis and comparative
history, some discussion based on NYTimes demographic graphs. Age,
education, location, etc analysis-who won each group, by how much, and
conjectures why.

It was a lot like the old days at the salon.
I wish our current group felt such things were worth their time.

See you all next Weds.
Mr G

(Yes, I remember when an announcement in the Weekly would bring out at least a half dozen Salonistas to any such event.  Perhaps it is in part because I myself have not been attending stuff in the community due to my Alexander Technique training course (16 hours/week) and preparing the real estate for sale.  As soon as I find the next custodian of this historic house I can relax and start doing more.  <grins>  ellen)




Tom Firor, local Holistic M.D. Onour Dysfunctional Health Care system and our Dysfunctional Society
From Dr. Tom:
Hi All
....
 
America has become the country of swaggering appearances in many ways. We almost worship short term profits without adequate long term planning for sustainability and for the common good. This swagger pervades our large business and governmental alliances, from the federal level down to the local community. The “trickle down” economic practices inculcated into this system, especially since the inauguration of Ronald Regan, have led us to a wealthy-influence run society and to the financial woes we see now, much due to a policy created base of substance-less money movements unaccountable to environment, health, true statesmanship, and social/environmental justice.
 
As citizen’s we have supported this dark age through misguided optimism, rah rah for America as “the best”, for example, as opposed to rah rah for, say, staying ahead of the curve on responsible energy policy and alternative fuel innovation, both of which could have truly solidified our position of leadership in the world at large. Due to the swagger, however, and the 100s of thousands of lives that swagger has needlessly cost the world during the last 8 years, the community at large now questions our leadership, and worse, blames us for global problems that negatively affect peace and harmony.
 
Many American’s have almost willfully remained intellectually lazy when it comes to the situation we have created, still hypnotically believing we have the demonstrably best system of living and governance in all walks of life. More and more, however, this is sadly just not the case. In health care for example, not only do we have 50 million uninsured citizens, but over many studies and many measures, we don’t rate higher than the median on most, almost all, positive health outcomes. We are currently tied for 47th in stopping neonatal mortality, for example, along with Latvia.
 
To move a little deeper into this analogy, our health care reimbursement system is essentially a five tiered system.  If you are rich, you can get the best technology solutions; for example, a new heart valve grown off of your own tissue rather than a mechanical or pork implant, both problematic. This rich sector of health care delivery is what people—including rich oil Sheiks who come to America for procedures—are pointing to. Next, if you have very good insurance and extra money for co-payment and non-covered items you are in the fourth tear and can get decent care, subject to the afore-mentioned diffuse deficiencies in the system, but you have a better chance of being among the well cared for, by those who are still working within relatively competent systems. If you have average insurance and can’t afford the bells and whistles you are in the third tier and more subject to mediocre care that you can not supplement. If you are on a fixed income and rely on Medicare [maybe Medicare is at times in the 3rd tier] or Medicaid, or one of their many routine oriented subsidiaries, you are scraping the bottom and are at 4th level. Then, if you are one of the 50 million with no insurance, you might be at the bottom, unless you happen to be one of the rich, then collect 200 dollars and go back to the Brahmin level.
 
Healthcare just happens to be one area I am familiar with up close. More importantly, it is one microcosm of the picture at large: We keep chanting about our achievements as a country, which are often past achievements, while we neglect our social capital at the same time that we erroneously invite everyone to join the top tier, if they only work that extra third job and fight hard enough. Foolishly, this attitude has ignored the fact that if the bottom tiers {ALL FOUR} are not receiving an equitable distribution of the wealth, thus we wind up not innovating [remember there are four lower tiers] in terms of social equity and productivity and simultaneously we create a paper pushing, “profit” generating society that has a dwindling material foundation of durability. Thus we are falling behind as global innovators and partners as well as in our ability to maintain our social well being.
 
The problems in our societal system are not due to any single person, influence or ideology. The problem is that people, influences and ideologies are continuously forming within a dysfunctional system and thus are continually growing more dysfunctional. The only solution to this dysfunction is for an increased awareness [less self hypnosis] to lead to a fundamental structural revision of our working methodologies, including our fundamental working documents, rules and procedures. This will take major change with a long term view, something we have forgotten how to do within our current organizational configurations. Catch-22.
 
As Americans, many of us have realized how important our vote should be in the upcoming election. I say should be instead of is, since our habit of misplaced optimism allows us to chant, “our vote counts, our vote counts,” even given the voting problems [egregious and potentially election-outcome-altering problems] at the last two elections. As we go to the polls, however, we should all simultaneously struggle with the fact that our vote is important, more important than ever, at the same time that it might not be counted correctly, might be thrown out, or might be manipulated into the opposite of the vote cast. Hard to deal with isn’t it? Our typical optimism would tend to supplant such awareness with disbelief. But, I’m afraid that our intellectual laziness, even our intellectual dishonesty, has brought us to this dilemma, and to the various dysfunctions that the dilemma reflects.
 

Dr. Tom (Firor)   "Tom Firor M.D." <tfiror@cinci.rr.com>



 



        Books,Movies, Reviews
        It’s up to you folks to send me blurbs.  I know you are reading.  What?  Is it good?  Ellen





       
       

Tri-State Treasures

Tri-State Treasures is a compilation of unique local people, places, and events that may enrich your lives.  These treasures have been submitted by you and others who value supporting quality community offerings.  Please consider supporting these treasures, and distributing the information for others to enjoy.  And please continue to forward your Tri-State Treasures ideas to jkesner@nuvox.net <mailto:jkesner@nuvox.net> . <mailto:jkesner@nuvox.net>
 
Tri-State Treasures is accumulating your ideas for unique Holiday Season gifts and events.  As with all Tri-State Treasures, the goal is for this to mutually benefit the vendor and the customer.  Events will be posted 2 weeks leading up to the event. Gift ideas will be posted once towards the top, then accumulated below under a new heading Holiday Gift Ideas.

Information about Tri-State Treasures and how to submit Tri-State Treasures is at the bottom of this email.  Please help me by providing all basic information, and formatting your submissions as described below.  Thank you.

Sincerely,  Jim

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Give Homes to Cats & Dogs: President-Elect Obama described his wish to give his daughters pets from the local shelter. Cincinnati has outstanding shelters & pounds overflowing with kittens & puppies, mature cats & dogs that would love nothing better than to give you unconditional love in exchange for a home. Save The Animals Shelter is one good shelter (513.561.STAF & www.staf.org <http://www.staf.org/> ). The O’Bryonville Animal Rescue has cats & kittens for adoption plus low cost spay/neuter clinic (see next item below). Find others at Yahoo Yellow Pages under "Animal Shelters."

OAR Spay/Neuter Clinic: The O'Bryonville Animal Rescue Spay/Neuter Clinic is now open to the public. Operations will take place 2 weekend days per month until the start of the new year, when they will reevaluate the schedule. Surgeries are scheduled for Saturdays 6 & 20 December. Spay or neuter is $45. Vaccines, microchipping, parasite treatment, ear tipping & nail trims also offered at the time of surgery. Volunteers are needed to keep the clinic in operation (pardon the pun). If you are interested in registering cats as they are brought in, cleaning instruments, making surgical packs, helping to wake the cats from anesthesia, cleaning cages, or caring for ferals in traps, please contact Barb @ tuchfabj@yahoo.com. You’ll be helping to reduce the population of homeless cats & working toward a time when every kitten is wanted & loved. At 5619 Orlando Place, Cincinnati, OH 45227. More info @ 513-871-PAWS & www.TheAnimalRescue.com <http://www.TheAnimalRescue.com> .

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Bowl & Bunns - The Dynamic Duo [Thursday 20 November @ 7:30 PM]:
King "Fruitbowl" Reeves & Charlie "Bunns" Wilson are known for their exciting, energetic sound & hard swinging. Reeves won the Billboard Magazine Songwriting Award For Jazz Composition in 2004, & has played with the Jazz legends. Wilson is dean of Cincinnati pianists, with a wealth of experience locally & nationally, he is compared favorably to McCoy Tyner & Cecil Taylor. Admission is $5; free if jazz club member or if you come to happy hour (5-7 PM). At Jasper's, 3187 Linwood Avenue, Mt Lookout Square, Cincinnati, OH 45208; free parking. More info @ 513.871.6789, waltb31@gmail.com <mailto:waltb31@gmail.com>  & www.jaspersmtlookout.com <http://www.jaspersmtlookout.com> .

Beaujolais Premiere 2008 [Thursday 20 November @ 6:30-10 PM]: The French-American Chamber of Commerce of the EACC will bring this world-class celebration to Cincinnati. Toast the new wine harvest on the same night as Paris, Milan, Moscow, Tokyo, Sao Paolo, San Francisco & 100s of other cities worldwide at the Beaujolais Premiere 2008. Unveil the excitement of this holiday season as you mix 'n mingle with colleagues & friends. Invite your associates or customers to express gratitude while sipping a glass of wine, enjoying great food, & dancing the evening away. $60 for members, $75 for non-members, $90 at the door, special rates for groups. At the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, 35 West Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. More info & RSVP @ 513.651.6845, chris.nagle@europe-cincinnati.com <mailto:chris.nagle@europe-cincinnati.com> & www.europe-cincinnati.com/index.php?id=751 <http://www.europe-cincinnati.com/index.php?id=751.> . <http://www.europe-cincinnati.com/index.php?id=751.>

Carnegie in Concert [Thursday 20 November @ 7:30 PM]: Guitarist Richard Goering joins WGUC radio personalities Naomi Lewin (mezzo-soprano) & Suzanne Bona (flute) for a program of Spanish & Ladino songs, songs by John Dowland, sonatas for flute & guitar by Johann Sebastian Bach & Niccolo Paganini, & music for narrator & guitar by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco.  Tickets are $18. Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center, 1028 Scott Boulevard, Covington, KY 41011. More info & tix @ 859.491.2030 & www.thecarnegie.com <http://www.thecarnegie.com/> .

Being & Living in the Now [Thursday 20 November @ 6:30 PM - 9 PM]: How to tune in to the Now & your inner body to be fully present to increase health & emotional wellbeing, slow aging, improve immune system, listening & communication, & much more. You will do exercises to increase your awareness level & ability to be in your body in the present rather than in your mind in the past or future. No experience needed. $35. Registration required. Facilitated by JoAnn Utley. At Synergy Holistic Health Center, 7413 Hwy 42, # 3, Florence, KY 41042. More info & register @ 502.777.3865, jutley5122@bellsouth.net & www.joannutley.byregion.net <http://www.joannutley.byregion.net> .

Sonic Explorations with visiting composer Annea Lockwood [Thursday 20 November @ 8 PM]: Featuring “Amazonia Dreaming” for snare drum, & the new electronic work “Thirst” by Lockwood, a composer whose works encompasses audio art, installations & concert music, & is known for her explorations of natural acoustic sounds & environments. The concert also includes electronic, multimedia & interactive works by CCM students. At Cohen Family Studio Theater, CCM, UC, Cincinnati, OH 45221. More info @ helmutmm@ucmail.uc.edu <mailto:helmutmm@ucmail.uc.edu> .

Gypsy Jazz Concert [Friday 21 November @ 8 PM]: An internationally renowned finger-style guitarist joins an Academy of Country Music Fiddler of the Year, plus 2 of Nashville's best studio musicians for a remarkable concert. The amazing Hot Club of Nashville features Richard Smith, Stuart Duncan, Pat Bergeson & Charlie Chadwick, performing a mix of folk, bluegrass & hot "Gypsy" style jazz. The show opens at 8 PM with Cincinnati's Gypsy jazz band, Faux Frenchmen. Doors & bar open at 6:45 PM. Sponsored by Moerlein Lagers & Ales & Tavern Restaurant Group. Tix are $20. At the 20th Century Theatre, 3021 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209. More info & tix @ 513.919.9240 & www.hotclubofnashville.com <http://www.hotclubofnashville.com.> . <http://www.hotclubofnashville.com.>

Java, Jazz & Poetry Benefit for Dunbar House [Friday 21 November @ 5:30-9 PM]: Local jazz musicians & poets will showcase their talents at the monthly Java, Jazz & Poetry Series to benefit the Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial. The series is free & open to the public; donations accepted for the Dunbar House State Memorial. Author Lena Arnold is hosting the fundraiser. “I’m always reminded of the significant role the Dunbar House plays not only in Dayton’s history, but in the context of history as a whole, particularly as it pertains to African-American authors." Jazz musician Bill Burns is the featured jazz artist for this evening’s event. “the biggest, baddest, baritone saxist to play here in a long time” ~ Dayton Daily News. The evening will also feature live readings by local poets Ralph Farley (aka, iwitnessLIFE), Iris Blanchard & Lena Arnold. There is still room for other artists to register to perform. Arnold Signature Events is looking for jazz musicians, jazz bands & ensembles, poets & sponsors for the rest of the season & for 2009. At the RTA Cultural Center, 40 S. Edwin C Moses Blvd, Dayton, OH 45402. More info @ 937.546.6298 & hlarnold5@mics.net <mailto:hlarnold5@mics.net> .

Cincinnati Unchained [Saturday 22 November @ all day]: Shop only at locally-owned businesses on this 1 day & help the local economy, your community & neighbors. Every dollar you spend at a locally-owned business generates about 3-times more local economic activity than a dollar spent at a typical “big-box” store. By choosing to shop locally-owned for just 1 day, we can help improve Cincinnati’s economy. On Sat 22 Nov, participating stores are offering discounts or donating a portion of the day’s profits to charity. Cincinnati Unchained is produced by BuyCincy.com in partnership with Cincinnati CityBeat, & is part of the national America Unchained movement to highlight locally owned businesses & their value to the cities in which they are located. More info including stores & specials constantly updated @ sean@buycincy.com & www.buycincy.com/unchained <http://www.buycincy.com/unchained> .

Opera Ball [Saturday 22 November @ 6 PM - 1 AM]: A Seductive Night in Spain features soprano Angela Brown, with the majestic Music Hall Ballroom transformed into a romantic Spanish plaza. This elegant event is Cincinnati Opera’s largest annual fundraiser, generating essential support for the company’s 2009 Summer Festival, which features 4 marvelous Spanish-themed operas: The Marriage of Figaro, Don Carlo, Ainadamar, and Carmen. The ball includes cocktails & hors d’oeuvres, dinner, entertainment by Ms Brown, dancing, & Late Night in Spain with midnight buffet. Tickets begin at $250 (portion is tax-deductible); tickets for Late Night in Spain are $30; table sponsorships available. In Music Hall Grand Ballroom, 1243 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. More info & tix @ 513.768.5520, creed@cincinnatiopera.org <mailto:creed@cincinnatiopera.org> & <http://www.cincinnatiopera.org/> www.cincinnatiopera.org <http://www.cincinnatiopera.org> .

Art Auction for "Friends of War Orphans" [Saturday 22 November @ 6-9 PM]: This art auction of work by local artists is a benefit for "Friends of War Orphans" to raise money to build an orphanage for children orphaned by the war in Afghanistan. The works are already on display. At Starbucks, 9412 Montgomery Road, Old Montgomery, Cincinnati, OH 45242. More info @ 513.891.7666 & http://zabru.com/CURATOR_WORK/Pages/Art_for_a_Cause_2008.html <http://zabru.com/CURATOR_WORK/Pages/Art_for_a_Cause_2008.html> .

Annual Food Drive [thru Saturday 22 November]: Help fellow Cincinnatian's this holiday season with this annual food drive. Bring in a full bag of non-perishable groceries & receive your choice of a free chiropractic exam, nutritional exam, or a gift certificate for a friend or family member. All donations accepted. Food will be donated to the Freestore Foodbank of Cincinnati. At Gateways to Healing, Network Chiropractic, 3239 Jefferson Avenue, Clifton, Cincinnati, OH 45220. More info @  513.321.3317 & www.GatewaysToHealing.com <http://www.gatewaystohealing.com/> .

Peace & Merriment [Saturday 22 November @ 7:30 PM]: The Riley School of Irish Music presents a holiday concert of traditional Irish music. Students, faculty & well-known local ensembles come together to play music on harps, flutes, fiddles, tin whistles, banjos, mandolins, concertinas & guitars. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. At Columbia Baptist Church, 3718 Eastern Avenue, Columbia-Tusculum, Cincinnati, OH 45226. More info @ 513.871.4527, Matyi@fuse.net <mailto:Matyi@fuse.net> & www.rileyirishmusic.com <http://www.rileyirishmusic.com/> .

Studio Collection's 14th Annual Holiday Sale [Saturday 22 November @ 10 AM - 4 PM]: Studio Collection celebrates their 14th year with a show featuring their creative group of 10 women artists. Art will include an eclectic mix of drawings, prints, handmade paper, jewelry, functional & decorative pottery, textile wall pieces, dolls, quilts, homemade jams, mustards & soaps. Exhibiting artists are Margaret Rhein, Pam Korte, Jennifer Gleason, Terri Kern, Leslie St. Clair, Pat Statzer, Mary Mark, Dianne Dennis, Renee Harris & Olivia Hinds. Admission is free. At Harmony Lodge, 646 East Epworth Avenue, Spring Grove Village, Cincinnati, OH 45232. More info @ 513.451.0052 & 513.251.9071.

Fresh High Quality North Carolina Fraser Fir Christmas Trees [Saturday 22 November - Sunday 14 December @ noon-7PM (Mon-Fri) & 11AM-4PM (Sat-Sun)]: Trees are 5-9 feet tall & cost $40-90. Delivery available within a limited area. Also wreaths, pine roping, poinsettias, cut greens, fire wood & handmade holiday arrangements. Proceeds support community programs of the Civic Garden Center. At the Civic Garden Center, Oak Street & Reading Road, Avondale, Cincinnati, OH. More info @ 513.221.0981 & www.civicgardencenter.org <http://www.civicgardencenter.org/> .

Our Daily Bread - Photography Exhibition [Saturday 22 November @ 6-9 PM]: In June, local photographer Michael Wilson took 4 students from Studio E in Norwood to Our Daily Bread, an org in Over the Rhine, founded to “offer a warm, safe place for those who live on the street or are one step from it.” After a day serving in the kitchen & lunch line, the week was spent making photos of the visitors. Come meet the photographers, & see work from Michael & students Amanda, Sara, Sylvia & Tori. At 1801 Mills Avenue, Norwood, OH 45212. More info @ 513.259.1630, douglas@stelizabetharts.com <mailto:douglas@stelizabetharts.com> & www.stelizabetharts.com <http://www.stelizabetharts.com/> .

No Friend Like a Sister [Saturday-Sunday 22-23 November @ 8 PM (Sat) & 3 PM]: MUSE begins their 26th year with the world premiere of settings of Christina Rossetti poems by British composer Nicola LeFanu, composed in honor of MUSE’s 25th anniversary. The composer will attend the world premiere. MUSE will also perform repertoire by contemporary classical women composers & mainstream women singer song-writers: a rich array of women’s voices. A concert of hope & humor; a new world imagined thru the messages of women’s voices. Sliding scale $8-50; suggest $15; admits 1 adult & 1 child. Free childcare with RSVP by November 14. At St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church; 320 Resor Avenue, Clifton, Cincinnati, OH 45220. More info, RSVP & tix @ 513.221.1118 & www.musechoir.org <http://www.musechoir.org> .

Kris Kringel Mart @ Krohn Conservatory [Saturday-Sunday 22-23 November @ 10 AM - 5 PM]: Visit the opening weekend of the Holiday Floral Show: An Old-Fashioned Holiday for an early holiday shopping experience. Vendors of handmade crafts will be located throughout the Conservatory with unique items you may buy. Refreshments & entertainment throughout the Holiday season. The show runs thru 4 January. Volunteers needed. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202. More info @ 513.421.5707x21, Christyl.johnson@cincinnati-oh.gov <mailto:Christyl.johnson@cincinnati-oh.gov> & http://dynamic.cinci-parks.org/krohnb2008holiday.html <http://dynamic.cinci-parks.org/krohnb2008holiday.html.> . <http://dynamic.cinci-parks.org/krohnb2008holiday.html.>
 
Victory of Light Psychic Festival [Saturday-Sunday 22-23 November @ 10 AM - 7 PM]: The region's largest body/mind/spirit event features over 200 booths of mystical wares (jewelry, crystals, candles, books, art, statuary & apparel), a full schedule of free workshops & seminars, live music & dance performances, tarot readers, holistic healers, Tibetan monks, visionary artists, massage therapists, pet psychics & more. $10 admission, $15 for both days, kids under 13 are free. Free parking. Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Cincinnati, OH. More info @ www.victoryoflight.com <http://www.victoryoflight.com/> .

Arthur Miller's "The Price" [thru Sunday 23 November]: Blue Chip Players present this engrossing drama about 2 brothers, a police sergeant & an eminent surgeon who meet in the attic of their childhood home after 16 years to face & reconcile their pasts. Miller's family drama holds a mirror up to our lives: caring for an aging parent; sibling rivalry, jealousy, envy, guilt, greed, blame, & delusion. Sound familiar? The brothers eventually come to see their lives in new light, but what is the price of forgiveness? $16 for adults, $12 for seniors & students. At the Madisonville Art Center (The MAC), 5021 Whetsel Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45227. More info & tix @ 513.271.8600 & www.bluechipplayers.net <http://www.bluechipplayers.net> .

Private Tour to Historic Emery Theatre [Sunday 23 November @ 4-6 PM]: The Emery Theatre will be open for a very special event 1 night only this year; and you're invited. The board of the Emery Center Corp is working to reopen the Theatre after a decade of lying dormant. And they want to share their ideas with you. Join the party to meet & mingle with their board of trustees at the Coffee Emporium. 4-5PM: Reception, wine, coffee, snacks, displays. 5-5:30PM: Remarks & private tour of the theatre. 5:30-6PM: Toast to the reopening of the Emery at Coffee Emporium. 6PM: Theatre doors open to the public. 7PM: Cincinnati Entertainment Awards begin (see below). Donations of $25 or more are appreciated; make checks payable to Emery Center Corp. At Coffee Emporium, 110 East Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45202. More info & RSVP @ 513.421.9453 & jkaup@cinci.rr.com.

12th Annual Cincinnati Entertainment Awards [Sunday 23 November @ 7 PM]: The CEAs are part of a day-long celebration of the 65th anniversary of Cincinnati's King Records. Two special live performances honor the label's unique blend of Appalachian & R&B artists. Cincinnati native Bootsy Collins has assembled a top-notch band for a rare live performance to honor James Brown, the best-known star on King Records' long, distinguished roster of artists. Bluegrass legend & Grammy Award winner Ralph Stanley will perform with his Clinch Mountain Boys; Ralph & his brother Carter became bluegrass icons on King Records in the late '50s when Brown was establishing himself as "The Godfather of Soul." Also performing are CEA nominees Eclipse (a mix of jazz & hip hop), The Seedy Seeds (indie rock) & The Sundresses  (nominated for Album of the Year & Artist of the Year). Awards will be presented to local musicians in 19 categories. Ticket proceeds go to the Michael W. Bany Scholarship Fund for scholarships to worthy Cincinnati area music students. $20 tickets include admission to the infamous CEA Afterparty at Know Theatre 1 block away (1120 Jackson Street), where the Comet Bluegrass All-Stars will perform & the annual Fashion Trashie Awards will be presented. At the Historic Emery Theater, 100 East Central Pkwy, Cincinnati OH 45202. More info @ http://cea.citybeat.com/ <http://cea.citybeat.com/> .

Regional Transportation: Now & In the Future [Monday 24 November]: Have dinner & listen to speaker Marilyn Shazor, CEO of Cincinnati Metro. Ms. Shazor is the 1st female & 1st African American leader of Metro, which is in a state of change as the community restructures its transportation goals & governing bodies. Socialize @ 5:30; dinner @ 6:00; speaker @ 6:45. Sponsored by League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area. RSVP by 20 Nov. At The Vernon Manor Hotel, 400 Oak Street, Cincinnati, OH. More info @ 513.281.8683, info@lwvcincinnati.org & www.lwvcincinnati.org/news/events.shtml <http://www.lwvcincinnati.org/news/events.shtml.> . <http://www.lwvcincinnati.org/news/events.shtml.>

Fountain Square Skating Rink Opens Thanksgiving Day [Thursday 27 November @ 2-10 PM]: Make ice skating on Fountain Square part of your Cincinnati Thanksgiving Day tradition. For the 1st time, the U.S. Bank Ice Rink on Fountain Square will be open Thanksgiving Day. At 7,000 square feet, the ice rink is the same size as the one at Rockefeller Center in NY City, comfortably holding about 225 skaters. In addition to daily skating & the center for the holidays in Cincinnati, the ice rink hosts a Broomball League & several other events thru January & February. Parking in the Fountain Square Garage for $4. $2.50 admission; $2.50 skate rental or bring your own skates. Heated tent with vending machines for snacks & drinks. At Fountain Square, amidst 5th & 6th & Walnut & Vine Streets, Downtown Cincinnati, OH 45202. More info @ 513.979.4738 & www.myfountainsquare.com <http://www.myfountainsquare.com> .

A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant [Saturday 29 November - Sunday 28 December]: A cast of children tell the story of L Ron Hubbard & the Church of Scientology in this indie rock musical by Kyle Jarrow. Songs cover everything from engrams to Dianetics, set in the style of a traditional Christmas pageant. Opening night party is Saturday 29 November @ 8 PM. Tickets are only $12, thanks to the generosity of the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile Jr./US Bank Foundation. At Know Theatre of Cincinnati, 1120 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. More info & tix @ 513.300.5669 & www.knowtheatre.com <http://www.knowtheatre.com./> . <http://www.knowtheatre.com./>

Tai Chi Class Special [expire Sunday 30 November]: Elemental Om is now open in Lebanon with many class offerings including New to Yoga, Senior Yoga, Yoga for Weight Loss, Vinyasa Flow, Tai Chi & Friday Happy Hour. Come relax & enjoy their beautiful new space. Bring a friend for free. The Tai Chi classes are taught by Ralph Dehner, Tai Chi for Health Master/Trainer. At Elemental Om, 46 East Mulberry Street, Lebanon, OH 45036. More info @ 513.836.3822, mightyvine@juno.com & www.elementalom.com <http://www.elementalom.com> .

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Holiday Gift Ideas

Stocking Stuffer for the Mature Woman: A miniature hand fan for those times when menopausal women’s “inner child is playing with matches.” The inventor is from Northern Kentucky. The fans are made of recyclable materials & lead-free paint. Two sizes for $9 & $10. More info @ www.thebittybreeze.com <http://www.thebittybreeze.com./> . <http://www.thebittybreeze.com./>
 
Women Artists Datebook, 2009: This is the 16th edition of this beautiful datebook. It is spiral-bound, 5"x7" & available from Syracuse Cultural Workers, an org promoting peace & social change. "Art & poetry [that] inspires us to overcome fear & self-doubt, to use our minds & hearts to direct our creative energies in the year ahead." The datebook includes a black & white image showing the strength of women thru the generations by Cincinnati photographer Connie Springer. $14.95 for one; price decreases with larger orders. More info or order @ 800.949.5139 & www.SyracuseCulturalWorkers.com <http://www.syracuseculturalworkers.com./> . <http://www.syracuseculturalworkers.com./>
 
The Natural Mandala Fine Art Print: A museum quality, archival print of the 6-foot square mandala rendered totally in organic material. This unique image speaks deeply to the essence of our divine spirit nature. As a gift, this image means someone cares deeply for your emotional & spiritual well-being by encouraging a meditative practice. Created by Rex Oxley. 6 sizes, beginning at $150. More info, ordering & 20% discounts until 1 Jan @ 513.367.1456, rexoxley@msn.com <mailto:rexoxley@msn.com> & www.naturalmandala.com <http://www.naturalmandala.com/> . Contact Rex for 20% discount thru 1 Jan.

Lightboxes by Matthew Shelton [thru 1 February]: Painstakingly handcrafted lightboxes, illuminating intricate pin-hole patterns & colored light gels, to place the viewer in a meditative state where they might find a moment of peace & renewed sense of connection with themselves & their surroundings. Free. At NVISION, 4577 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45223. More info @ 513.542.4577, contact@nvisionshop.com <mailto:contact@nvisionshop.com> & www.nvisionshop.com <http://www.nvisionshop.com> .

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Ongoing Tri-State Treasures

Terra Firma: A Survey of Approaches to Landscape [thru Friday 5 December @ 6-9 PM]: Landscape can be so very widely interpreted & expressed. Manifest presents a wide variety of contemporary works that explore the notion of landscape, including works of drawing, sculpture, painting & photography by 19 artists. Refreshments provided by Café MoCA & the Echo Restaurant. At Manifest Creative Research Gallery & Drawing Center, 2727 Woodburn Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45206. More info @ 513.861.3638, jason@manifestgallery.org & www.manifestgallery.org <http://www.manifestgallery.org/> .
 
Miami University Italian Cinema Series [Tuesdays 2 September - 9 December @ 7:30 PM]: Curated & presented by Professor Sante Matteo. Movies are in Italian with English subtitles, unless otherwise noted. Free & open to the public. In newly refurbished 102 Benton Hall with very comfortable seats, HighStreet @ Tallawanda Road, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056. More info @ matteos@muohio.edu; map @ www.miami.muohio.edu/about_miami/campusmap/ <http://www.miami.muohio.edu/about_miami/campusmap/> :
    Dec. 2: La vita è bella (Life Is Beautiful, Roberto Benigni, 1997)
    Dec. 9: Le fate ignoranti (His Secret Life, Ferzan Ozpetek, 2001)
 
Going Greene: The Delta Queen & Greene Line Steamer Exhibit [thru January 4, 2009]: The collection of the Inland Rivers Library will be featured in this exhibit. Photographs & memorabilia from the Delta Queen & other steamboats from the Greene Line will be on display. At Cincinnati Room, 3rd Floor Bridge, Main Library, 800 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. More info @ 513.369.6959, Emily.Mueller@CincinnatiLibrary.org <mailto:Emily.Mueller@CincinnatiLibrary.org>  & www.cincinnatilibrary.org <http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org.> . <http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org.>
 
St Mary's Cathedral Basilica Concert Series [Sundays from 28 September thru 15 March @ 3 PM]: Enjoy beautiful music in an amazing space.  St Mary's Cathedral Basilica presents the 33rd Series of concert music.  Most concerts are free. At St Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Madison Avenue @ 12th Street, Covington, KY 41011. More info @ 859.431.2060, cathedralconcertseries@fuse.net & www.covcathedral.com/frame1.htm <http://www.covcathedral.com/frame1.htm> .

Tai Chi Classes with Ralph Dehner: Cincinnati's premier Tai Chi Health Master/Trainer provides a variety of ongoing classes in Clifton & Fairfield. Standardized Yang 24 Forms; the most popular Tai Chi forms in the world; great for students of all levels. Sun Short Style 31 Forms Tai Chi; gentle “moving meditation,” aka “Tai Chi for Arthritis,” easy to learn, reduces arthritis pain & reduces falls, reduces stress & quickly generates chi (energy). Yang 32 Sword Forms; this sword counterpart to 24 Forms adds a new dimension to Tai Chi practice. More info, locations, times & special rates @ 513.519.0559 & ralph.dehner@juno.com.
 
Pure Movement Classes of Growth In Motion [Mondays @ 6:30 PM & Wednesdays @ 9:30 AM]: Refresh, renew & reenergize your body & mind. Master teacher Fanchon Shur guides students to a sense of freedom, strength, flexibility & expression. Classes offer personal attention to individual alignment for authentic creativity. At Growth In Motion Studios, 4019 Red Bud Ave, Cincy 45229. More Info & rates @ 513.221.3222, fanchon@growthinmotion.org <mailto:fanchon@growthinmotion.org>  & www.growthinmotion.org <http://www.growthinmotion.org> .

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Tri-State Treasures is compiled by James Kesner.

  • Submit Tri-State  Treasures, or request your  email address to be added or removed from the list by sending an email  to jkesner@nuvox.net <mailto:jkesner@nuvox.net> ; please specify "Tri-State Treasures."
  • Email addresses are posted in  BlindCopy to protect their identity. Email addresses are not shared, given, or  sold without explicit permission from the owner.
  • Tri-State  Treasures are typically  transmitted on Wednesdays; submissions should be received as soon as possible  for best probability of being included.  
  • Please help me by submitting  your Tri-State  Treasure in  the following format; because my time is limited, formatted submissions  typically have a better chance of being included in the email transmission.  Thank you for your help:
  • Brief Title of the Treasure [date @ time]: Brief  description of the treasure; what is it; why is it wonderful & unique.  Cost. Sponsor. Location including address & zip code. More info @  telephone, email, & website.
  • A Fictitious Example:
  • Fabulous Film Festival [Friday 3 May @ 8  PM]: The first & best fabulous film festival in the city of  Cincinnati will present live-action, documentary, & short films. Blah,  blah, blah. Presented by Flicks R Us. Tickets are $8. At The Theatre, 111 Main  Street, Cincinnati, OH 45200. More info @ 513.111.2222, info@filmfestival.com <mailto:info@filmfestival.com> , & www.filmfestival.com <http://www.filmfestival.com> .


The Lloyd House Salon (usually about 12 people) Meets on WEDNESDAYS at 5:45, EVERY Wednesday, 52 WEEKS/YEAR come hell or high water, as my mother used to say. We of the Lloyd House Salon gather in a spirit of respect, sympathy and compassion for one another in order to exchange ideas for our mutual pleasure and enlightenment.  
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Our Salon blog is a promising interactive site:   
http:lloydhouse.blogspot.com
 Also, we have an Interactive Yahoo Salon group,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LloydHouseSalon
For Pot Luck  procedures including
 food suggestions, mission and history visit
http://home.fuse.net/ellenbierhorst/Potluck.html   . You are invited also to visit the Lloyd House website:  http://www.lloydhouse.com
> To unsubscribe from the Lloyd House Potluck Salon list, send a REPLY message
 to me and in the SUBJECT line type in "unsub potluck #".  In the place of  #
> type in the numeral that follows the subject line of my Weekly email.  It
> will be 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7or 8.  This tells me which sub-list your name is on so I can  
> delete it.  Thanks!   ellen bierhorst     






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