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Marcia Fudge opens campaign headquarters in Shaker Heights
01/24/2012

"Hey Gingrich, nobody here likes you."

Although she no longer has even a remotely challenging primary now that state senator Nina Turner wisely decided to drop her candidacy and certainly has no challenging general election race, incumbent congresswoman Marcia Fudge (11th district) is running an aggressive reelection race. Yesterday she opened her campaign headquarters at Van Akin Center (at Van Akin and Warrensville) in Shaker Heights with a celebration that attracted a jam-packed house of Democratic activists, elected officials, and candidates.

That included mayors such as Warrensville Heights mayor Brad Sellers, Beachwood mayor Merle Gordon, and Shaker Heights Mayor Earl Leiken, county council member Julian Rogers, Cleveland city council member Jeff Johnson (as well as council members from numerous suburbs), state representative Sandra Williams, and a representative from Senator Sherrod Brown's office. Four of the five candidates for county prosecutor were in the house (Subodh Chandra had his triplets in tow!), and of course, the place was crawling with judicial candidates.

There was also a guest from Texas, state representative Dawnna Dukes of the Austin area, who was in town visiting with Johnson. She told the assembled Ohioans whose districts have been scrambled by Republicans about the dirty tricks Texas Republicans are trying to pull. Texas has gained four congressional districts. Dukes said that 90 % of that population gain has been minorities, but Republicans are trying to claim 3 of the 4 districts for themselves (i.e. white people).

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Marcy Kaptur lands city of Lorain endorsements
01/24/2012

One of the most watched races on March 6 will be the Democratic congressional primary in the new 9th district, where incumbents Marcy Kaptur of Toledo and Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland have been pitted against each other.

As I wrote a couple of posts ago, Kucinich yesterday landed the endorsement of his home county, Cuyahoga, although it was not unanimous by any means. I can't find any evidence that Lucas County, Kaptur's home county, has done its endorsements yet, but it seems wildly unlikely they won't endorse her.

Meanwhile, there's those between counties, all those lakefront communities. Kaptur has been out there pitching all the money and projects she's brought back for them. And it seems to be paying off as several top Lorain officials have endorsed her:

http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2012/01/22/Kaptur-collects-endorseme...

The city of Lorain's mayor, treasurer, auditor, law director, and city county all endorsed Kaptur.

Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer told the Toledo Blade,

I look at Congresswoman Kaptur as someone who puts pragmatism over politics, someone who puts policy over politics. She understands a lot of the issues that are plaguing cities like Lorain. Her position on the appropriations committee is certainly beneficial. We can be sure that what our views and concerns are they’re certainly going to be passed along to Washington D.C. This woman is going to be a true advocate for the city of Lorain.

It probably didn't hurt that Kaptur took Ritenauer as her guest to the White House Christmas party last month. But then, that's just smart politics.

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The Enemy of Democracy: Antonin Scalia
01/24/2012

A protestor at the Occupy the Courts demonstration in Cleveland Friday objects to the money-is-speech and corporation-are-persons Supreme Court decisions that have corrupted U.S. elections.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/21/justice-scalia-on-unlimit_n_122...

Can we impeach some Supreme Court justices please?

U.S. Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia has a simple solution for people who don't like all the political advertisements unleashed by the court's decision two years ago that ended limits on corporate contributions in political campaigns – change the channel or turn off the TV.

Here's what Scalia had to say about people justifiably angry about the hcorporate-groveling, democracy-destroying Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision, which permitted unlimited amounts of secretive corporate and billionaire money to flood our elections and distort the whole process.

I don't care who is doing the speech – the more the merrier. People are not stupid. If they don't like it, they'll shut it off

Yeah, we're just so merry now, after being deluged by an almost inescapable barrage of smear- and lie-filled ads. And maybe people aren't stupid but they are — thanks to that ad barrage. And that distorts the results of elections. People vote against their interests often because they are underinformed or misinformed. Money can do that.

More rational justice Stephen Breyer was also at the South Carolina Bar event where Scalia spoke. He said,

There are real problems when people want to spend lots of money on a candidate ... they'll drown out the people who don't have a lot of money."

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Cuyahoga Democratic executive committee issues congressional endorsements
01/24/2012

Lots of Democrats!

The Cuyahoga County Democratic Party executive committee met this morning at the Masonic Temple in Lakewood to vote on congressional candidate endorsements, as well as ratify the county party’s pick of Sandy McNair for reappointment to the Board of Elections and the state party’s top-of-ticket endorsements of President Obama and Vice President Biden and Senator Sherrod Brown. The latter were no-brainers, obviously. As for McNair, he was appointed in 2007 by Jennifer Brunner when, as one of her first acts of Ohio secretary of state, she fired the entire existing dysfunctional board — the one that oversaw the screwed-up 2004 elections. He’s been a good advocate for fair elections and deserved reappointment.

Cuyahoga is now hacked up into four congressional districts. Actually it already contains four districts — two of which (Dennis Kucinich’s and Marcia Fudge’s) are entirely in the county, plus slivers of two others in the southeast and southwest. The slivers are only because in 2000, Cuyahoga’s population too large to be contained in two districts. That’s no longer the case — yet now those two “sliver” districts have invaded a much larger chunk of the county, while the formerly contained districts spill over into … well, let’s not go there. They’re a mess.

The biggest piece of Cuyahoga is district 11, represented by Marcia Fudge. Currently covering almost all of eastern Cuyahoga and a small piece west of the river, it now sprawls to the west, taking over most of the city of Cleveland. It’s still district 11, so a majority of east-side Cleveland and inner-ring residents won’t face too much culture shock — the 11th district community caucus won't have to change its name!

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CLEVELAND PRIDE 2012 – CALLING ALL SPONSORS, VENDORS, MARCHERS AND VOLUNTEERS!
01/19/2012

Cleveland Pride is gearing up for its 24th Annual Cleveland Pride parade, rally and festival held on Saturday, June 23rd, 2012; at Voinovich Park, Cleveland, OH… Cleveland Pride’s annual parade, rally and festival is the single largest and fastest growing LGBT and straight-allied event each year!!!  No other one-time or annual LGBT gathering, benefit, festival, [...]

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Last Call! Volunteer for the HRC Cleveland Gala Dinner & Auction!
01/19/2012

Dear HRC Cleveland Volunteers: It’s still not too late to volunteer for the 18th Annual HRC Cleveland Gala Dinner & Auction on Saturday, August 27 but this is your last chance! If you’re interested, read on and email us today!  The deadline is Saturday, August 20.  If you’ve already expressed an interest AND received a [...]

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Jan Cline leaves LGBT Center helm: He returns to Virginia food bank
01/19/2012

by Anthony Glassman source: http://www.gaypeopleschronicle.com/stories11/august/0812111.htm Cleveland–After 16 months, Cleveland LGBT Center executive director Jan Cline is stepping down to return to the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia. His last day is August 12. The center’s board of directors was unable to reach consensus on an interim replacement for Cline at their meeting on August 9. They [...]

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Worlds AIDS Day will be celebrated on Thursday, December 1st, 2011
01/19/2012

SOURCE: WWW.WORLDAIDSDAY.ORG What’s it about Every year World AIDS Day events take place across the country to raise awareness and show support for people living with HIV. Why not pop along to a local event, or better still, why not host your own? You can search for events or add your own event at: WWW.WORLDAIDSDAY.ORG [...]

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The CKG’s 7th Annual HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR… IN BOUNCE NIGHTCLUB on Wednesday, October 26th at 10:30pm – 2:00am
01/19/2012

Time: Wednesday at 10:30pm – October 27 at 2:00am Location: Bounce Night Club Created By: Donnie Waste Our biggest show of the year is NEXT WEDNESDAY @ BOUNCE NIGHTCLUB! Check out our 7th Annual HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR to benefit The AIDS TASKFORCE OF GREATER CLEVELAND! Yes…. IT’S INSIDE BOUNCE and sponsored by BACARDI! Join Show Hosts [...]

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The Biggest Load 2011 Food Challenge for the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland
01/19/2012

TO BENEFIT AIDS TASK FORCE FOOD BANK * Application and information: 2011foodchallenge@gmail.com or another recognized food bank • Thank you again to the teams that produced poundage last year. We generated approx 6000 lbs in food, and paid cash 1 week in advance for 4500. Lbs of frozen turkeys. This goal we would expect to [...]

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COLORS OF CLEVELAND PRIDE OFFERS: Entrepreneur Training Series – Non-Profit Start-Up Workshop
01/19/2012

Entrepreneur Training Series NON-PROFIT START-UP WORKSHOP Have you always wanted to start your own nonprofit organization, or you’ve started a nonprofit organization and need some direction?  Whatever your reasons, plan on attending our workshop and learning Nonprofit Business 101.  Our workshops will provide you a world of education in the startup phase of your nonprofit organization and [...]

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Plexus 2011 Supplier Diversity Summit held on Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
01/19/2012

source: http://www.thinkplexus.org/events.cfm?eventKey=154 I N V I T A T I O N Tuesday, September 27, 2011 The Plexus Supplier Diversity Summit brings together business owners and procurement officers from across the region and nation. G O A L S Advance your business goals and expand your network at this all-day summit. > Learn what procurement [...]

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Plexus Wins National Award from NGLCC
01/19/2012

SOURCE:EMAIL DISTRIBUTION From: Plexus Message Center [mailto:messagecenter@thinkplexus.org]; Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 10:15 AM Each year, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) hosts a business and leadership conference, which is highlighted by an awards ceremony to recognize the local affiliate chambers for excellence in programming, economic impact, and community service. Plexus was [...]

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NGLCC Honors Local Affiliate Chambers at National Conference
01/19/2012

SOURCE: http://www.nglcc.org/2011+Chamber+Awards 8/11/2011 Washington, D.C. (08/11/2011) – The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) recently honored excellence in local affiliate chambers at the 2011 Out For Business Conference in Las Vegas, NV. In addition to naming the best NGLCC affiliated LGBT business organizations in the nation, the NGLCC recognized chambers for innovative leadership [...]

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SIR ELTON JOHN AND BILLIE JEAN KING BRINGING WTT SMASH HITS CHARITY TENNIS EVENT TO CLEVELAND ON OCTOBER 27
01/19/2012

SIR ELTON JOHN AND BILLIE JEAN KING BRINGING WTT SMASH HITS CHARITY TENNIS EVENT TO CLEVELAND ON OCTOBER 27 Andy Roddick, Martina Navratilova, Amelie Mauresmo first to sign on New York, N.Y. (August 16, 2011) — Longtime friends Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King are bringing their annual World TeamTennis Smash Hits charity night [...]

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Water main breaks ‘typical’ in winter, officials say
01/18/2012

BUTLER TWP., Montgomery County - Officials have concluded a water main break Monday morning on Brantford Road in Butler Twp.

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9 hurt in head-on crash on Ohio 177
01/18/2012

FAIRHAVEN - Nine people were injured in a two-vehicle, head-on crash on Ohio 177 in Preble County on Monday.

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Middletown man dies in ATV crash in Indiana
01/18/2012

LAUREL, Ind. - Conservation officers say an Ohio man died when the all-terrain vehicle he was riding apparently flipped over backward as he was climbing a southeastern Indiana hill.

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Air Force concerns stall launch of 4G network
01/18/2012

WASHINGTON - It’s the proverbial neighbor versus neighbor battle, only this one has national security interests.

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Gas prices up throughout region
01/18/2012

Average retail gasoline prices have remained relatively steady over the past week, rising by less than a cent per gallon to $3.44 per gallon Monday.

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Civil Rights icon to speak at DAI
01/18/2012

DAYTON - She was a pig-tailed first grader whose last name turned out to be prophetic. Little Ruby Bridges walked into history on Nov.

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Proposal would ease green card process
01/18/2012

By Mary McCarty Staff Writer Many local families are applauding a proposed change in immigration law that could save hundreds of thousands of American citizens from lengthy separations from their spouses or children.

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Widow of football Hall of Famer Ewbank dies
01/18/2012

OXFORD - Lucy K. Ewbank, widow of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Wilbur “Weeb” Ewbank, died Monday at the Knolls of Oxford.

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High winds, rain change to snow late today
01/18/2012

MIAMI VALLEY - More counties have been added and the time has been extended for flood advisories affecting much of the Miami Valley.

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Region’s residents unite for Martin Luther King march
01/18/2012

DAYTON - Thousands packed the Stewart Street Bridge for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial March on Monday.

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