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It turns out that it’s not easy, according to some claims, even in this time of great inequity, to manufacture elites – even in super selective universities and the vaunted Ivy League colleges based in the United States.

There’s no question that the glide path to the elite, if you’re rich or lucky, gifted, and do the work, you might have a shot at getting into an elite college. Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan University, a little Ivy school, is clear that these elite schools are just shining the gold, rather than finding and mining it in the mountains, like they should be doing.

Ohio’s electricity demand may be surging, as a growing number of massive data centers operated by tech giants like Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft commit to Ohio. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) will hold a public hearing 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3 to gather input on how AEP will collect the costs of serving these data centers.

Here is a statement from Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Maureen Willis, Agency Director of the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel:

“While business growth in Ohio is welcome, these data centers, along with cryptocurrency mining operations, consume vast amounts of energy while contributing relatively few local jobs. Residential utility customers, who already pay steep transmission and distribution costs, shouldn’t have to subsidize these investments to benefit corporate giants.”

The five PUCO Commissioners will have to decide on the course to take: to protect Ohio consumers from shouldering these additional costs or to prioritize the interests of global tech giants.

OCC is encouraging AEP consumers to attend the hearing or submit comments online. See details below.

In person:

Dr. Bob and Dan-o picked songs that include their names like Dr. Robert by the Stones, Bobby is his Name, Daniel by Elton John, Danny Boy and some unexpected picks such as "Bob" by Weird Al -- a Bob Dylan-esque song entirely made up of palindromes.  

Listen live at 11pm January 3 and 10 streaming at wgrn.org or on the radio at 91.9FM
and
Mondays at 2pm streaming January 6 and 13 at wcrsfm.org or on the radio at 92.7 or 98.3FM

Archived on Mixcloud here

“First Day at Old First,” hosted by Old First Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, January 1, 12noon-3pm, Old First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Bryden Rd.

Come hear what’s happening with Old First as a community and arts gathering space, a Third Place. Share hopes and ideas with neighbors, artists and community. New Year’s Day brunch from 12noon to 3pm. Donations appreciated. Live music and art!

Hosted by Old First Presbyterian Church

The Central Ohio Reuse Coalition (CORC) will launch a first-of-its-kind circular economy coffee shop reuse program in Ohio as an initial step towards reducing the approximately half-million single use coffee cups thrown away in Central Ohio daily. CORC is comprised of nonprofits, local sustainability groups, green businesses, faith-based organizations and committed individuals who live and work in Central Ohio. CORC is also a chapter of the Austin-based Plastic Reduction Project.

With grant funding from the City of Columbus and Upstream Solutions, and in partnership with S’wonderful Times Café in Bexley and Community Grounds Coffee Shop in Columbus, CORC is launching a reuse solution that keeps cups circulating in an open-loop system.

Tuesday, December 31, 12:30-2:30pm
Can’t Believe It’s Vegan, 584 W. Schrock Rd., Westerville, Ohio

Finish off 2024 with lunch at Can’t Believe it’s Vegan in Westerville.

The Westerville Chamber recognized Can’t Believe It’s Vegan as Small Business of the Year!

Voted best vegan restaurant in town!

Indulge your taste buds and visit with friends, on the last day of the year.

Here is Can’t Believe it’s Vegan website: CBIV.

Those first-timers attending this event will receive a free copy of The 30-Day Vegan Challenge by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau!

We look forward to spending some time with you before we enter into 2025.

Hosted by Columbus Vegan Meetup.

Facebook Event

Last week, Amazon workers made history by launching the largest strike at Amazon in American history. And this movement is just getting started.

Meanwhile, the documentary film UNION, which depicts the organizing efforts that led to the formation of Amazon Labor Union in Staten Island, New York, has been short-listed for an Academy Award! This means that out of more than 14,000 films made last year, UNION is now one of just 15 finalists in contention for a nomination for Best Documentary Feature.

We’re not surprised. The film is incredible, giving a rarely-seen window into what on-the-ground organizing at Amazon is really like.

Biblioteque De L’Annee: Hip Hop is History - By Questlove.

Questlove’s book was a bridge between Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary and Kamala’s 90 day campaign. The Tonight Show’s music director drums for legendary Roots and knows our Woman VP of the United States of America.

Women don’t forget Kamala as VP hadn’t occurred until 2020. In 2022, Black Thought and Dangermouse released my favorite record.

Roots are for humanity and for the upliftment of Africa. Progress exists.

Hip Hop Album of the Year: Kurious - Magician 

Kurious exuded 1993 cool in 2024. Kurious was friends with MF Doom. Magician resembles a calmer version of Operation Doomsday. During Magician, Kurious sounds like drinking with yr neighbor and sharing conversation while lining up skins.

People in Palestine have to endure a new hell every day and have faced life-threatening conditions in Gaza and even in the Israeli-occupied West Bank since October 7. That includes journalists, medics, and first responders, who are civilian heroes on the front lines and who face such danger every day.

Here are some examples:

Two days ago, on December 26, five journalists were murdered, and their bodies were burned after the Israeli Death Forces (IDF) targeted their broadcast vehicle near Al-Awda Hospital in Al-Nuseirat Camp, Central Gaza.

The martyred journalists were:

These 5 murdered journalists were not only names, but they were also voices seeking the truth!! Photo credit: Nour Naim Twitter account

* Journalist: Ayman al Gedi

* Reporter: Faisal Abu Al-Qumsan

* Editor: Fadi Hassouna

* Coordinator: Ibrahim Al-Sheikh Ali

* Editor: Mohammed Al-Ladaa

Before Biden leaves office, he may want to consider drafting hundreds of pardons for his supporters and allies.  These pardons do not have to be announced publicly, but Biden can have them in a back file just in case they are needed or requested later.

Trump has made it clear that people will be investigated and prosecuted on the basis of revenge rather than in the name of justice.  Supporters of Biden and the Democrats may be targeted not because they did anything wrong, but because they opposed Trump and the Republican agenda in some way.

Now many of Biden 's wealthy supporters can afford to defend themselves in court for years because they have the resources. The Clintons, the Pelosis, George Soros, and others can let their legal teams defend them and have frivolous charges dismissed.