Archive for the ‘Local Organizations’ Category
A record crowd jammed downtown London for the third annual Rib & Jazz Fest
IT’S ANOTHER RECORD DAY FOR LONDON RIB & JAZZ FEST
10-year-old Ben Fisher of London was one of thousands who gobbled up more than 5,000 lbs. of ribs and barbecue during the third annual Rib & Jazz Fest.
A record crowd of more than 10,000 gobbled up more than 5,000 lbs. of ribs and barbecue while jamming to great jazz music during the third annual Rib & Jazz Fest last weekend in historic downtown London, reaffirming the First Friday classic as the largest one-day event in Madison County. The expanded format that sprawled over a four-block area in the heart of the downtown business district attracted a regional audience for great food, great music, kids activities and the festival’s first-ever classic car show on a picture-perfect day.
It keeps getting bigger and better for the three-year-old London Rib & Jazz Fest, the single largest one-day celebration in Madison County.
The 2010 version of the Downtown London Association’s First Friday crown jewel drew its biggest crowd ever, surpassing the 8,000 from a year ago with an unofficial estimate of 10,000 people jamming the historic downtown business district. London Safety-Services Director Steve Hume, who provided official estimates of 5,000 for the inaugural year as well as last year’s burgeoning crowd, declined to venture an estimate for this year, but conceded that the total exceeded last year’s record. Some unofficial estimates even put this year’s crowd at 12,000, almost 50 percent more than London’s population.
The 2010 version of the popular event cashed in on an expanded landscape, sprawling over a four-block downtown area. In addition to the main reasons people turned out for the third annual event — great food and great music — there were also lots of activities for the kids as well as the fest’s first-ever classic car show, which drew an impressive 62 cars under the direction of Tim Wilson.
Five jazz bands from across central Ohio wowed the crowd that grew throughout the day, building to a frenzied crescendo with the showcase finale by three-time fest headliner Mojo Theory.
Despite a constant offering of the best music found anywhere, it was the food that took center stage for the 12-hour party, with revelers pigging out on more than 5,000 lbs. of ribs and barbecue, as well as plenty of roasted corn, French fries, baked beans, juicy watermelon, and an assortment of the usual festival food ranging from burgers and hot dogs to ice cream and mini doughnuts.
A reported 4,300 lbs. of ribs were served up by Ann & Tony’s, Gumm’s, London Grill, London Kiwanis, Red Brick Tavern, S&R BBQ and Tommy Wilson, while an additional 600 lbs. of pulled pork and brisket sandwiches were served by some of the above vendors along with House of Smoke and Pork on a Roll. Add 150 lbs. of barbecue chicken and grilled shrimp by the vendors, and you’ve got 5,050 lbs. of great food.
London Rib & Jazz Fest is presented by London Downtown Association, and sponsored by Bobby Fisher Distributing, Huntington Bank, Our Community and a host of other local sponsors.
Visit “PHOTO GALLERY” for more photos from the big event
Thousands of people from throughout central Ohio turned out for the eighth annual Plain City Classic Car Cruise-In
Thousands of people turned out on a picture-perfect day last weekend in uptown Plain City to appreciate more than 300 vehicles at the 8th annual Plain City Classic Car Cruise-In. The 300-plus cars and trucks — which stretched along Main Street and onto Chillicothe — was the largest collection of classics for the popular event.
Visit “PHOTO GALLERY” for more photos from the big event!
By Lynn Adams
When Columbus-based rhythm & blues super group Mojo Theory takes its final bow at 11 p.m. Friday (August 6) as the climax to 12 hours of music, food and fun at the third annual Rib & Jazz Fest, the thousands of Madison Countians expected to jam downtown London will likely find themselves reflecting upon what had just transpired and attempting to determine the day’s biggest star.
And while five bands will have filled the downtown London business district with some of the best music this side of Columbus’ mega spectacular from two weeks before, deciding upon the people’s choice will be a relatively easy choice.
Will it be Mojo Theory as the only two-time returning band from the first two super-successful years? Maybe it will be Crescent River Jazz Group or Soul Satyr. It could be Jimmy Duff or the Linda Dachtyl Trio.
But the biggest star of the day will likely not have played a note of music, will not have sung a word or even have appeared on the stage located in the heart of downtown London.
The crowd favorite will most likely be the topic of conversation for days, maybe weeks — dare we claim years? — to come. And each of the jazz bands who will have poured themselves out onto an adoring crowd will quite probably agree with the people’s choice for the day.
It’ll probably be the ribs. Thousands upon thousands of pounds of the distinctive meat on a bone will have been devoured by a culinary-grateful crowd that put away an incredible 3,500 lbs. of ribs a year ago when burners ran out of the finger-lickin’-good entree for the second consecutive year.
But realizing Madison County’s voracious appetite for the pigsicle, rib burners will again stock up with even more of the savory reason 8,000 hungry patrons flooded downtown London a year ago for ribs, a wide variety of festival-type food and an adults-only beer garden.
Crescent River Jazz Group (featuring Dick Mackey) kicks off the day of jazz at 11 a.m. The heart of the day’s 12 hours of non-stop music will feature the Linda Dachtyl Trio (featuring Larry Smith), Jimmy Duff and Soul Satyr before super-popular Mojo Theory closes out the day as the finale band for the third year in a row.
By Julie Weaver
Two hundred fifty-five bright gleaming cars, 1,900 people, 15 vendors, 1950s and classic rock music, and lots of activity. That’s what you saw if you attended the 2009 Plain City Classic Car Cruise-In presented by Bob Chapman Ford. And you’ll get more of the same, and then some, when you show up for the 2010 Cruise-In Saturday, August 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kathy and Jim Loftus' 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air earned the Best in Show trophy a year ago when a record 255 vehicles jammed the streets of uptown Plain City.
That many cars strained the carefully planned parking layout of the 2009 organizers. “We’d planned for 200 cars, more or less, so we were scrambling with 255,” says UPCO Promotion Committee chair Julie Weaver. “Some people didn’t want to park at the elementary school because they were afraid no one would see their cars, especially the judges.” But the judges saw each and every car, and they will again this year.
Organizers are preparing for an even bigger turnout this year, which would make for an even better cruise-in.
On Saturday, August 7, the Cruise-In will add space to its location on West Main Street with the addition of parking on East Main, North Chillicothe and around Bicentennial Park (Flatiron) on South Chillicothe. Organizers worked with Pete Brokus and Steve Hilbert from the Village and Police Chief Jim Hill to determine the viability of closing that entire area. Because there are a number of options for motorists to bypass the area, they moved ahead with the plan. This year, the plan includes a relatively realistic goal for car count as well as a through-the-roof estimate to make sure there would be no repeat of the last-minute scramble.
By Julie Weaver
Woodworkers, quilters, kettle korn, garden info from master gardeners and clubs, BBQ contest, spinners, pony rides, furniture building, weaving, music, flower arranging, barn building, pie contest, face painting, book sales, corn hole games, samples from the Der Dutchman bakery, wagon rides, handmade ice cream, kid zones and NBC4’s Tom McNutt —- these are all the things you’ll miss if you don’t make it to the inaugural Plain City Heritage Days Saturday (May 22) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Plain City will open its doors and show off its talents by displaying and demonstrating the skills of its local trade persons. It’s so big, it takes two locations to put it all on.
The Downtown London Association kicked off its 2010 First Friday season with an Art Walk/Music Festival and Madison County’s first-ever Pizza Taste-Off. Musicians who performed included Rod Cave and some of his students, We Be Sharp, Keyfas and Amy Lacey. Pizza Hut (top center) was selected as the county’s best pizza by a panel of celebrity judges, and Rick Wiggins was presented a certificate by Larry Shriver, Brenda Adams and Tom Cox from the Downtown London Association. Big K’s Little Caesars Pizza (above left) was chosen as the People’s Choice for pizza, and Shelly Padilla and Rudolph Chayadi were presented a certificate by Brenda Adams and Tom Cox. The pizza taste-off was a charity event, with donations accepted to benefit the March of Dimes. The pizza taste-off raised $447, which was presented to Shelly Padilla and Rudolph Chayadi (above middle) by Tom Cox. Among the artists displaying their work were David Johnson (bottom left) of Westerville, and John Pyles (bottom center) of London at The Gallery on High.
The first-ever Madison County Charity Pizza Taste-Off will be one of the highlights Friday (May 7) when the Downtown London Association kicks off its First Friday celebration schedule.
Pizza shops from across the county will compete Friday (May 7) at the first-ever Madison County Charity Pizza Taste-Off during 2010’s inaugural First Friday celebration in downtown London. Also on tap for the family-oriented community event is the second annual Art Walk & Music Festival, which will feature original artwork by area artists and live entertainment performed by local and regional vocalists and instrumental bands. Activities get underway at 4 p.m. Friday.
In addition to the tasty competition, the second annual Art Walk & Music Festival will be held at the corner of Main and High streets.
The Art Walk & Music Festival begins at 4 p.m., and is sponsored by the Downtown London Associ-ation, London Visual Arts Guild, Big K’s Little Caesars and Our Community.
The unique art walk is dedicated to local and regional artists representing various media such as painting, jewelry and photography. Booths will be set up on downtown sidewalks for artists to display and sell their work. Some artists will be demonstrating their talents during the event with plein air painting.
Throughout the First Friday celebration, live entertainment will serenade festivalgoers at the corner of Main and High, creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Local musical artists expected to perform include Ernie Johnson, Keyfas from Crossroads Community, Amy Lacey, We B Sharp and students of Rod Cave.
Most responsible newspapers feature an editorial page containing columns that express the personal opinions of writers. Included on the editorial page are editorial opinions, criticism, persuasion and op-eds. Newspapers play an important role in the exercise of freedom of expression. Whistle-blowers, and those who “leak” stories of corruption in business or political circles, often look to newspapers to expose the secrets and lies of those who would rather cover them.
The Supreme Court has held that “…the Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the governors. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets … and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception…”
Lynn Adams
Community newspapers serve as watchdogs to hold accountable elected leaders and candidates for public office, as well as business, in general, and business organizations charged with serving local business and/or our community, in particular. Newspapers shine a light on business and governmental practices, making available valuable decision-making information to the citizens.
In short, actions related to publishing Our Community are consistent with the role of a newspaper in a free society.
The following questions have been posed.
Q. Why have you decided to make a private matter between you and the executive board of the chamber public through your writings?
A. What may have begun as a private matter became public when the chamber communicated board action via an email blast to the entire chamber membership as well as non-members — an email time stamped prior to a vote of the board of directors. Public or private notwithstanding, the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good people do nothing. Practices contrary to the public good and which betray the principles upon which the chamber was founded — core values where politics had no place and service to the business membership was the highest priority — should be judged in the light of day. Remaining silent under such circumstances is the same as advocating the wrongdoing, and encourages continued abuse by those given free reign to promote personal agendas.
Brenda Adams
Q. Why do you have such a keen interest in the May 4 Republican primary given the fact that you are running for the Democratic Party Central Committee, representing Ward 4B?
A. All Americans should take a keen interest in our electoral process. Political advocacy should not be determined by party lines. It is the responsibility of every conscientious citizen to exercise their Constitutional rights to participate in the electoral process as we choose the person we believe is best suited to represent us. It is a hallmark of an open-minded, unbiased and responsible voter to consider the qualifications of candidates for public office, and make their choice without regard to political affiliation.
Q. Do you feel that your recent editorials are in conflict with your publication’s good-news-only mission statement?
A. A vibrant, healthy and open climate where business thrives and in which our superior quality of life is celebrated are the very underpinnings which are good news for all concerned. Truth and the exercise of Constitutional rights related to freedom of speech and a free press should not be viewed as negative qualities in a free society, but should be an environment in which we all rejoice. It is the responsibility of a free press, as well as a society’s citizenry, to reject repressive business practices and view those seeking public office with a discerning and critical eye. Asking the hard questions should be the rule rather than the exception if we are to celebrate what is the good news of living in Madison County.
I was talking to a downtown London businessman the other day when, as occurs in many of my conversations these days, he brought up the “Going Rogue” series of editorials that has been running for the past six weeks. He asked me how many more of these editorials I was going to write, hoping I would tell him I’ve had my say and that I’m ready to move on. Not so. I’ve still got plenty of barrels of ink left.
Brenda Adams
Since then, I’ve decided his query was more on behalf of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce than anything else. There are those who’d prefer to let sleeping dogs lie. Who cares if the business public should know how its monies are being used and the character of those who are supposed to be working on their behalf?
I also had a chat with another businessman, who also turned the conversation to the editorials. He was glad to know there’s a newspaper which takes seriously its role as a watchdog for the community. He shook his head and asked rhetorically, “When are they (chamber) going to figure out what they need to do?”
I knew the answer, but pressed him for what he saw as “what they need to do.” He had served on several boards of directors and told me that if an organization — especially a non-profit one which relies on the public’s goodwill and a reputation above reproach — was being hammered the way the chamber’s integrity has been, he would encourage his fellow board members to take a long, hard look in the mirror to determine why the organization is in the position it finds itself. He said a board member should put the welfare of the organization above that of any individual, and should take immediate steps to eliminate the reason for the organization’s image being tarnished — action even more imperative if it’s the president’s actions that perpetuate a tsunami of criticism. In the case of the chamber and charges of conflicts of interest, backroom politics and blatant disregard for serving its membership, he suggested that the president stepping down or the executive director resigning or both would demonstrate the board’s sincere commitment to the organization and would go a long way toward repairing the chamber’s reputation.
See, there are those who are level headed and who know the right course of action.
One of Lynn’s favorites in his T-shirt collection is the one that poses the question: “If a man speaks in the woods and there’s no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?”
By the same logic, if we blindly accept political assertions, does it make them true?
Brenda Adams
Maybe it’s our busy lifestyle that prompts us to believe what we see or hear without question. Too often we don’t take the time to cultivate a healthy skepticism for even the most far-fetched claim. Instead, like lambs led to slaughter, we merely accept what hucksters spoon-feed us, choosing to adopt a concocted “truth” instead of challenging what is presented us with a “wait just a minute” suspicion.
Until Christopher Columbus opened our collective eyes in 1492, everyone believed the world was flat.
