Tuesday, March 26, 2013

NBC News - First-time buyers struggle as home prices rise


Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

First-time buyers struggle as home prices rise

Home prices are rising at the fastest pace since 2006, making it difficult for the first-time buyer to close a deal. NBC’s Diana Olick reports.

HRC Turns the Internet Red for Marriage Equality




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2013
Charles Joughin


Human Rights Campaign Turns the Internet Red for Marriage Equality

As Supreme Court hears arguments on marriage, HRC equality logo goes viral

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, yesterday released a modified red version of its logo in anticipation of arguments at the Supreme Court on two marriage equality cases.  The logo, which ordinarily features a yellow equal sign in front of a blue background, has gone viral on social media pages across the world.

Just today, U.S. Senator Jon Tester, D-Mont., announced his support of marriage equality for the first time by changing his Facebook profile image to HRC’s red equal sign and many other public officials have followed suit.  

Additionally, dozens of other iterations have spring up, with many individuals superimposing the equal sign over personal pictures or integrating it with other internet memes.  For example, the popular TV show True Blood shared a version of the photo with vampire fangs as part of the equal signAs part of HRC’s robust social media efforts around the two cases before the Supreme Court, the red logo launched on the HRC Facebook page at 1:00pm ET Monday and the original image has been shared more than 100,000 times and created upwards of 10 million impressions in all 50 states – not including countless user-created versions.  Additionally HRC.org has seen a 600% increase in normal traffic.

In addition to the logo being a constant presence on social media, HRC conducted highly targeted online marketing to provide supporters on the ground with digital support. This included promoted tweets on search terms and trends related to the Supreme Court cases. Geo-targeted mobile banner advertising was also targeted to users within a quarter mile of the U.S. Supreme Court building to inform them of the bipartisan support for marriage equality and how they could get updates on the cases.

Originally designed in 1995, the blue and yellow HRC equality logo is one of the most visible and recognized symbols of the LGBT equality movement.  A number of prominent Americans have shared the modified HRC logo, including U.S. Senators Chris Coons, Al Franken, Mazie Hirono, Frank Lautenberg, Bob Menendez, Chris Murphy, Patty Murray, Bernie Sanders, Brian Schatz, Jean Shaheen, Jon Tester, Mark Warner and Elizabeth Warren, as well as celebrities like Sophia Bush, George Takei, Tegan & Sara and Lance Bass.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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Monday, March 18, 2013

HRC - Americans Support Marriage Equality by Historic Margin in New Poll


Americans Support Marriage Equality by Historic Margin in New Poll

ABC News/WP shows 58 percent support for marriage for gay and lesbian couples

WASHINGTON – The latest ABC News/Washington Post poll shows a record high of 58 percent of registered voters nationwide supporting marriage equality.  Additionally, voters overwhelmingly say that the U.S. 

Constitution should be the basis for deciding if gay couples can marry rather than leaving the decision to individual states (64 to 33 percent).

“There can be no doubt that this country is on a one-way road to marriage for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples,” said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin.  “This new poll reflects the continued evolution of people’s attitudes through thoughtful conversations over dinner tables and water coolers.”

Today, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced her support for marriage equality in a video released by the Human Rights Campaign.  Just last week Republican Senator Rob Portman described his evolution on the issue once his some came out to him as gay.





The poll found increasing support of marriage for gay and lesbian couples among a variety of demographic groups.  Adults 18 to 29 support marriage equality at 81 percent.  Support among seniors has jumped 26 percentage points in the last nine years, Republican support has jumped 18 points since 2004, and Independent support is at 62 percent compared to 38 percent nine years ago.

Next week the Supreme Court will hear arguments in two marriage-related cases – one challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act and another challenging California’s ban on marriage for gay and lesbian couples known as Proposition 8.  The poll shows both supporters and opponents of marriage equality say the Constitution should be the basis for determining who can marry – including majorities of self-identified conservatives and Republicans.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
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Sunday, March 17, 2013

VIDEO: Hills Market Downtown set to open doors on March 19




The Columbus Dispatch Friday March 8, 2013 2:48 PM

Drum roll, please: Hills Market Downtown is set to open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19.

The Downtown version of the longtime local and organic food market in the Worthington Hills neighborhood of Columbus has been in the works since October 2011.

At 95 N. Grant Ave., the 12,000-square-foot former auto repair shop is a few blocks north of Downtown and several blocks south of Columbus State Community College, hoping to draw customers from both areas, said Jill Moorhead, its marketing director.

It's also on the edge of the area being renewed with the help of the Neighborhood Launch housing development, which stretches from from 4th Street to Grant Avenue along Gay and Long streets. The closest grocery store to the neighborhood is the Kroger in the Brewery District on Sycamore Street.

More here



Friday, March 15, 2013

HRC Statement in Response to Sen. Portman’s Marriage Equality Support




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2013
Charles Joughin 


HRC Statement in Response to Sen. Portman’s Marriage Equality Support

WASHINGTON – In response to Senator Rob Portman’s (R-OH) announcement he supports marriage equality, Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin released the following statement:

“Like countless dads across the country, Senator Portman has made the basic and courageous choice to put parenting before politics. When it comes to marriage equality, all Americans are on the same journey toward recognizing our common humanity. But while 8 in 10 Americans know a gay or lesbian person, it still takes unique courage to speak out publicly for equality. We are very grateful to Senator Portman for his virtuous stand in support of this civil rights cause.”

Sen. Portman announced yesterday his views had changed on the issue of marriage for same-sex couples after his son had come out as gay.  

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

HRC Statement on Announcement of New Pope




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2013

Paul Guequierre

HRC Statement on Announcement of New Pope

WASHINGTON – Today the Cardinals of the Catholic Church hierarchy exited their conclave announcing Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is the new Pope.  Now Pope Francis, he is the new leader of the 1.2 billion member Church.  Dr. Sharon Groves, director of the HRC Religion and Faith Program made the following statement.
  
“We congratulate Pope Francis in his new position as leader for the Roman Catholic Church.  As Pope, he has enormous power to be a source of spiritual healing for millions around the world.  But for him to be the best kind of spiritual leader, he must acknowledge the signs of the times and embrace LGBT people as worthy of dignity and respect.  American lay Catholics are fully supportive of equality, even more so than the broader population.

The new Pope should follow the virtuous lead of his flock.

“We hope the new Pope understands the time for religious-based bigotry is not only over, but must be denounced.  Demonizing LGBT people and their families from this powerful platform not only fails to keep faith with the most charitable principles of Catholic teachings and the Jesuit tradition of caring for the marginalized, but it does real psychological damage to millions of LGBT people around the world.” 

A recent poll from New York Times/CBS News found that more than six in ten American Catholics support equal marriage, compared to 53 percent of the country as a whole.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

As an Eagle Scout, I just received an email from the Boy Scouts asking for my feedback



I received the email below on Tue, Mar 12, 2013 4:27 pm

"This is an opt-in email that you are receiving as a Scouting alumni.  If you wish to unsubscribe, please go to the bottom of this email.

The Boy Scouts of America is in the process of a careful and deliberate review of our membership policy, as it relates to national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation.
 
We are dedicated to the integrity of this process.  In an effort to listen to our alumni's perspectives and concerns, we ask you to answer some questions about this topic.

Please take 5 minutes to complete our survey by clicking on the link below. Responses are confidential and will be summarized and reported as a group.

To ensure that your voice is heard, please respond by April 4, 2013."

Friday, March 1, 2013

Gallery Hop March 2nd - Exhibits & Highlights







Short North Arts District
Gallery Hop 
Saturday March 2, 2013 


In the galleries...


Brandt-Roberts Galleries - 642 N High St    

GAINING SPEED - An Emerging Artists  Initiative  
 
In an effort to highlight and promote emerging student artists and recent graduates of Central Ohio academic institutions, Brandt-Roberts Galleries will strive to provide a platform for this promising group.
At least one judiciously chosen new work will be shown in conjunction with the monthly Gallery Hop exhibitions. Only those works particularly compelling and have the potential to shape future artistic directions will be selected.  
Join Brandt-Roberts this Gallery Hop weekend featuring a piece by Winnie Sidharta, a recent MFA graduate of The Ohio State University. Her work has been exhibited in Columbus, New York, Indonesia and China. In addition to creating art studio works, she currently teaches as an adjunct lecturer with The Ohio State University.  


Rivet  - 1200 N High St
 
Ohio, You RAWK!
continues through March 10th. Rivet prepares for the 16th Annual Columbus College of Art and Design's Art of Illustration show; a juried exhibition featuring 40 works by current students.   

There will be an awards ceremony and opening reception on Saturday, March 16th from 7-10PM.  Artists and alumni will be in attendance and complimentary snacks and drinks will be available.


Lindsay Gallery - 986 N High St 

Four Ways of Looking
Bidwa, Fairchild, Gall, Sanders 

Curated by Linda Gall,
Four Ways of Looking
is designed to consider the threads that bind the paintings of seemingly disparate artists. Working independently, all four artists share environmental concerns while expressing their relationship with the natural world in highly individual ways.



Sherrie Gallerie - 694 N High St

Artist Ruth Markus' three sons Helge, Stanley, and John invite you to Sherrie Gallerie for a special exhibition of her artwork to celebrate what would have been her 89th birthday.

Please join us in this March in celebrating Markus: a talented, generous, spirited woman who was a gift to us all.


Paul Palnik Cartoon Studios  - 14 E Lincoln St   


Paul Palnik exhibits "36 Years of Nude Yodeling in Latvia; a retrospective." Meet Palnik and his whimsical, thought provoking works during the March Gallery Hop.


Roy G Biv -  997 N High St 

 
March's exhibition at ROY features three painters: Agnes Burris paints cargo ships as they sink at sea, Andy Plank dissects the idea of "post," and Kaveri Raina speaks to the compression of time and the received dualities of East and West.


pm gallery - 1190 N High St

Columbus based, self-taught artist Charles Wince will exhibit at pm gallery for the month of March. His unique approach has been described at various times as Outsider/Visionary, Neo-Expressionist, Gonzo, and just plain Weird. He has received a lot of favorable press throughout the years, and has exhibited in over one hundred venues.


Sharon Weiss Gallery - 20 E Lincoln St    

 
Artist Sophie J. Knee exhibits Pattern at Sharon Weiss Gallery for the month of March.
   


Studios on High Gallery - 686 N High St  
     
Studios on High Gallery presents an art exhibit of  "Bolts, Bags, and Bling" by Jacquline Bledsoe, artisan handbag designer, revealing her spring line.  Natural fiber mixes of silk, cotton and leather build the foundation of her handcrafted bags.   Bright embellishments create a fresh look for the season.  Then discover how found objects, rusty hardware and vintage treasures become new again in Barb Swysgood's sculptural assemblages. Her unexpected combinations of up-cycled materials are a visual delight.



Hop Happenings...


Yuengling specials Surly Girl Saloon - 1126 N High St


Stop in to Surly Girl Saloon for $3.50 Yuengling Lager drafts and some of the best food the Short North has to offer.

We recommend the Wicked Western White pizza and of course a delicious signature red velvet cupcake to round out your night.


Dames Bond Marketplace - 1188 N High St
Dames Bond features Mother Artists at Work as the guest artists for the month. Shop Dames Bond this Gallery Hop for fine leather accessories by Of an Era Leathercraft, including hand bags, IPad cases, lipstick carriers, phone carriers, business card holders, journals and wine holders.  Additionally, new artist Barbara Radebaugh will feature her beach glass from Lake Erie.


Short North Stage - 1187 N High St
 

The Green Room at Short North Stage presents 

Ordinary Days

8:00PM Tickets $23
  
Four New Yorkers struggle to find connections in a city of contradictions.


Short North Hop Hub - 663 N High St

Stop by the Gallery Hop headquarters for information on all the hot spots of the evening and your chance and great giveaways from:
Betty's Fine Food + Spirits