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Airmen Against Drunk Driving to get $7,000 donation at WPAFB
11/30/2011

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE - A woman whose son, a former Air Force firefighter, died in the crash of a car driven by an allegedly drunk motorist is donating $7,000 to the Airmen Against Drunk Driving program.

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Dayton-area public housing agency hires law firm to conduct internal investigation
11/30/2011

Greater Dayton Premier Management could spend thousands of dollars answering allegations of unfair treatment of employees by agency CEO Gregory Johnson.

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$450,000 bond set in Springboro burglary case
11/30/2011

LEBANON - A Warren County judge today set a $450,750 bond for a Springboro man charged with three counts of burglary.

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Delta adding CVG flights
11/30/2011

In response to requests from local businesses, Delta Air Lines is adding additional flights from CVG to Atlanta and Detroit in early 2012, according to a statement issued Tuesday by the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

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County tables plan to end Occupy Dayton camp
11/30/2011

DAYTON - A rule change that would prohibit Occupy Dayton activists from camping at Courthouse Square was tabled one week during a spirited meeting Tuesday.

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Fatal crash victim was driving with suspended license
11/30/2011

DAYTON - A 22-year-old man who died after the vehicle he was driving landed on its side on Interstate 75 on Monday was driving on a suspended license, police said.

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Slaying suspect found in St. Louis
11/30/2011

LEBANON – The man wanted in the murder of a 29-year-old Columbus woman found at Caesar Creek State Park was arrested by Monday in Missouri.

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Dayton, Trotwood post offices to stay open
11/30/2011

After months of study, the Postal Service has decided not to close the Paul Laurence Dunbar station in Dayton’s Westown Shopping Center and Trotwood’s lone post office, at 34 Beardsley Road.

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Local woman charged with desertion now in Army custody
11/30/2011

A 25-year-old Gratis woman who ended up in the Montgomery County Jail after she was arrested on a federal warrant for military desertion is now in the custody of the United States Army.

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Herman Cain plans to visit area Wednesday
11/30/2011

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain will make a three-city visit to southwest Ohio Wednesday, two days after denying new accusations by a Georgia woman that she and Cain had a 13-year extramarital affair.

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Dayton firefighter struck by truck
11/30/2011

A Dayton firefighter was hit by a truck around 6 p.m. Tuesday on Shroyer at Littell Ave. The officer, who has not been identified, was transported to Miami Valley Hospital and is undergoing tests, said District Chief Tim Rose.

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Chiquita gets $22 million to move headquarters to Charlotte
11/30/2011

CINCINNATI - The region is losing a global food producer as Chiquita Brands International has taken an offer of more than $22 million to move its headquarters to Charlotte, N.C.

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Proposed 4,000-seat center part of new entertainment district plan
11/30/2011

WEST CARROLLTON - City officials envision a 4,000-seat event center - with possible tenants to include the Dayton Gems hockey team - could anchor their new entertainment district along Interstate 75 and the Great Miami River.

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Man indicted in fatal crash
11/30/2011

DAYTON - A Florida man accused of killing two people in a violent car crash was indicted Tuesday on four felony counts and a misdemeanor.

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Snow follows drenching rains; roads expected to be slushy
11/30/2011

Slushy roads in some parts of the Miami Valley very likely will greet motorists today as the first accumulating snow of the season fell Tuesday afternoon.

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Xenia wins $2M clean-up grant
11/30/2011

XENIA - The city of Xenia has been awarded a $1.98 million grant from the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund for demolition and remediation activities at the former Hooven and Allison Cordage Co.

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Up to 3 inches of snow predicted tonight
11/30/2011

Up to three inches of snow could fall before midnight tonight in the areas to the north and west Dayton, according to a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service Tuesday afternoon.

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Blogging Ohio ceases publication today
11/29/2011

Sometimes good things and fun projects come to a close. For a variety of reasons AOL/Weblogs Inc. is consolidating some of its more niche blogs, and stopping publication of others. This includes Blogging Ohio. This will be our last post and our last day.

In anticipation of our last day, I asked the Blogging Ohio team what some of their favorite memories of blogging here were. Katherine Galo, who started posting here at Blogging Ohio back in April with me when the blog first started, wrote that "when you are at an event and you tell people that you're writing about it on a website, they are willing to believe you. No business card, no flyers -- they will take you on faith alone!" Katherine's reports of various goings on in Cleveland always made me wish I were a little closer than a three hour drive.

Tom Barlow noted that he was tickled to find out Ohio has a Frank Gehry building, the Peter B. Lewis building at Case Western Reserve. Chris Barzak wrote that it was a fun experience, and Jamie Rhein said "each day had something interesting and unexpected to write about."

Something else Jamie told me about being involved at Blogging Ohio was something I strongly agreed with. "The best part has been getting connected to other Ohioans who've read Blogging Ohio and made comments." I've been amazed and happy to find out about the north-east Ohio blogging community and Toledo blogging community. There will still be a lot of Ohio blogs remaining in my RSS feed reader just because I enjoy following them.

This has been a great time, and we are really indebted to those of you who commented on our stories, sent us tips, and who read Blogging Ohio. Thank you for your support. It's been a great ride.



Top row, left to right: Katherine Galo, Tom Barlow, Tobias Buckell.
Bottom row: Jamie Rhein, Chris Barzak.
Not pictured: Jeffrey Smith

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An Ohioan pays it forward and ends up on Oprah
11/29/2011

Filed under: Business, News, Culture, Public figures, Columbus, Arts

Here's a local connection to Oprah Winfrey that's worth a blog. Not because it's Oprah, but because of the story. Sufiy Davis has been using the movie The Pursuit of Happyness to promote happiness. Actually, the real intention, I think, is to promote hope, possibility and drive in people who are homeless. Sufiy's been taking homeless men and women from Faith Mission operated by Lutheran Social Services in Columbus to the Drexel Theatre. And not just a couple of people, as many as she can afford to take. The Drexel has also helped offset the cost.

Sufiy let The Oprah Winfrey Show folks know what she was up to as a "Pay it Forward Challenge." Being that Oprah's show knows a photo op when they see one, Sufiy was hooked up as a guest. Her TV time on Oprah was on Friday, January 26. From what I heard, the crew went to the movies with Sufiy and the gang . Plus, interviews with residents and Sheila Gaston, the shelter manager were included in the broadcast. Here is the link to The Oprah Winfrey Show broadcast that highlights Sufiy's story with text and pictures.

I like this story for a couple of reasons. It's such a simple concept to take folks to the movies. One person had this idea, followed through with it, and it actually was recognized as being marvelous. There are folks all over Ohio who are making a difference. I can think of a couple of school classrooms for one. It's neat, though, that at least one Ohioan got a trip to see Oprah. To the rest of you out there, keep doing good. You know who you are.

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Art for a Child's Safe America Foundation (ArtSafe)
11/29/2011

Filed under: City life, Culture, Public figures, Columbus, Arts

Every day there is something new to write about. The list is long. Here is one item that's been on my list for awhile.

Art for a Child's Safe American Foundation (ArtSafe) located in Columbus is one of those organizations every state needs, particularly if one listens to the nightly local news. The organization's founder, artist Stephen Canneto, was moved more than ten years ago to do something to stem the violence he saw affecting our nation's youth. In his mind, the way to make the world safer is by helping those young people who could make it even more dangerous if they don't get intervention.

ArtSafe uses art, writing and drama to help young people find an alternative voice. Instead of being left to beat the same drum of violence, despair and disenfranchisement, the participants of ArtSafe are given the opportunity to experience life through a different lens-one where anger is put on hold.

Although ArtSafe programs taught by professional artists, writers and theatre folk also happen in other venues besides prisons, it's the prison art programs I've seen at work. I've observed the workshop sessions, celebrated the end of projects and have interviewed some of the youth offenders myself. What I can say is true is it is wonderful to see hope at work and to listen to young men and women say that they feel heard and valued. It's also true that ArtSafe is one of those organizations that ought to make Ohioans feel proud. For more information about ArtSafe, head to the website. What I've given is just a snippet. There are examples of participants' writing and art as well. The link Memorial to Our Lost Children provides insight into the heart of the organization.

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Lake Erie Sunsets
11/29/2011

Filed under: Tourism, Nature & Parks

I'm a nature watcher, from way back. I like to get outside as much as I can and see what's happening. There are always birds and animals and plants to watch. There's always something different to see. Clouds, snowflakes, nothing is ever not unique in this ever-changing world. In short, there's never a moment to be bored. Life's just too fascinating and too beautiful.

I've been in Ohio for close to two years now. After a life spent in the foothills of the Pennsylvania mountains, living in flat-as-a-pancake,at least by my standards, Ohio is like stepping into a whole new world.

Of all the things I've come to know and love about Ohio, there's one that will always top the list. You can travel all over the world. You can see everything it has to offer. But for sheer, everyday beauty you'll never find anything to surpass Lake Erie sunsets. You may find a lot of things that are equally beautiful, but I'll bet you don't find anything more beautiful repeated in endless variety almost every day. Lake Erie sunsets. There's nothing like them.

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Ohio on the High Seas: The four USS Cincinnatis
11/29/2011

Filed under: History, Cincinnati

Cincinnati has the distinction of having had four ships of the US Navy named in its honor. That's more than any other Ohio city. But then, Cincinnati got an early start. The story of the four ships to bear the name of Cincinnati starts with the Civil War.

The first Cincinnati, shown in the picture, was an ironclad river gunboat. It was built in 1861 and served on western rivers throughout the course of the Civil War. The vessel was one of the few ships that sank and was raised, not once, but twice. The Cincinnati took part in the Battle of Vicksburg, in 1863. After four years of being under heavy fire in combat, the first USS Cincinnati was sold for scrap in New Orleans.

The second USS Cincinnati didn't come along until 1892. It was much larger, a cruiser, in fact, and was a sea-going vessel. The Cincinnati saw action in the Caribbean during the Spanish-American War, in 1898. After that it was used for goodwill missions around the world. The ship was decommissioned in 1919.

In 1921, the third USS Cincinnati was launched. It was another heavy cruiser. She spent most of her career in the Atlantic and Caribbean, before being decommissioned in 1945.

Finally, there was the fourth USS Cincinnati. This one was a nuclear powered submarine, built in 1974. The fourth Cincinnati once played host to former President Richard Nixon for an overnight cruise. That was in 1980.

I'd have to say that four US Navy ships is a very good record for a city so far inland.

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Thymbles, a quilter's paradise and a day trip destination
11/29/2011

Filed under: Business, Food, Shopping, Culture, Arts, Rural

My mother-in-law is wild about quilting and, luckily for us, she shares what she makes. When she emails me about a neat quilt store she's found, I know it's great. Here is her tip for anyone looking for a place that will give you some inspiration and goods if you're in the mood to buy. She also really likes the owner. Since Thymbles is located in Smithville at the edge of Amish country, this would be a fun jaunt for a day trip.

Thymble's website is still being added to but there are class offerings and special events. Last weekend, for example, there was a quilting retreat. If you're looking for what else there is to do in Smithville and the surrounding area, it's in Wayne County with plenty of places to poke around. Be sure to eat at The Barn Restaurant in Smithville. This was one of the restaurants that a lot of Ohio Magazine readers wrote in about as one of the best destination restaurants. It's no wonder. There's an electric train that goes around the lobby (you can hear it on the website). You can also feed ducks, smash a penny, play checkers and more. On the restaurant's website you can also hear bees and the tractor that kids can pretend to ride.

The quilt in the photo was made by Jane Hardy Miller and was used as the design for the quilt retreat. The pattern in called French Braid.

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Dutch Kitchen, Ravenswood Castle and more--Rachel Shaw picks
11/29/2011

Filed under: Food, History, Tourism, Culture, Out and about, Columbus, Rural

It's always interesting to find out what captures Ohioans' interests, particularly when they are Ohio transplants and originally hailed from elsewhere. When I gave Rachel Shaw, a writer's group friend of mine, the Ohio 5 questions, she described the scenery from the window of the 100 year-old farmhouse between Dublin and Plain City that she shares with her husband. "Every sunrise, every sunset was a new masterpiece that my suburban eyes were unused to. I have lots of pictures of the same scene - right between the barns - of a different more beautiful sky dotted with purple and blue and pink clouds."

The scene became her muse for her poetry . When it comes to fantasy fiction aimed for teens, she writes like a fiend. One book, The Necromancer's Scroll has been published under her pen name Sierra Torrin. Besides writing, (check out her blog) , Rachel gets around. If you're ever wondering what to do in Ohio here are her suggestions:

If it's August: "The Miami Valley Steam and Thresher Show at Pasttime Park, admission $10 (I think). The sounds of steam tractors clicking and grinding away like tiny old locomotives. . . You can find anything here. Antiques are as plentiful as old tools and crafts and Happy Meal toys. Popcorn, fried bologna, homemade ice cream in fresh waffle cones, and sausage fried up by the VFW boys are some of the smells that tempt you."

Place to Eat: "I drive my visitors to the Dutch Kitchen. Owned by the same proprieters as the Der Dutchman, it is a smaller establishment, and there is more to enjoy in a less hectic atmosphere. Here, one can enjoy the hospitality of the Amish, a large portion of the Plain City population, and enjoy the food and crafts.

Favorite Event and Place: Ohio Renaissance Fesitval and Ravenwood Castle, "a bed and breakfast just south of Hocking Hills on the edge of Vinton County. This wonderful place has been designed to look like a castle with small keeps surrounding it. Our honeymoon was spent in the King Arthur Suite, a splendid three-room apartment with a Jacuzzi bath, a sitting room upstairs, and a balcony.

And where she sees Ohio's wonder the most: "I've found pockets of beauty by the Scioto River and in its tributaries. I've discovered southeastern Ohio, the foothills of the Appalachians and the limestone caves."

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Guinea pig, anyone?
11/29/2011

Filed under: City life, Family, News, Town Life, Cincinnati

I do not like guinea pigs. Or hamsters, or mice, or rats - really, anything with little grabby, claw-like hands. Yeah. They're quite gross. So the thought alone of a guinea pig rescue house is weird, but now I'm also visualizing it and it's creeping me out...

My distaste for their job makes me believe that Karen and Steve Oehlerts of This Little Piggy and Me are quite brave. TLP&M is a rescue and adoption house for guinea pigs, located in Forest Park, Ohio, near Cincinnati. It's a not-for-profit, run out of their actual home (bless their hearts, the place probably is starting to smell a bit ripe), and is dedicated to the rescue and adoption of the little animals into good homes. Such good homes, in fact, that adopting parents have to sign a contract starting they won't feed the guinea pigs to another animal or eat it themselves. And now I am thoroughly grossed out.

The Oehlerts bought a pregnant guinea pig back in 2003, and had to start giving away babies. Karen became known as Guinea Pig Lady, people began calling to have the guinea pigs taken in or to ask where they could find some, and the whole process was born. In 2006 alone, they had 193 adoptions. I am amazed that so many people want guinea pigs, but thank goodness the Oehlerts are there to help!

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