DO YOU KNOW JOE ?
Young Dem takes on Ohio’s open 27 House district seat. PAGE: 6 In this Issue: - “The renaissance is real!” Chris Seelbach - Becky is getting “Pretty in Punk” - Court Update with Brooklyn Steele Tate
CNKYSCENE.COM Sept / Oct 2014
Vote on November 4th !!
Sept / Oct 2014
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
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General Election: November 4, 2014 How do I register ?
OHIO
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/voters/register.aspx Where do I vote ? http://voterlookup.sos.state.oh.us/voterlookup.aspx
KENTUCKY How do I register ? http://elect.ky.gov/registertovote/Pages/default.aspx Where do I vote ? http://elect.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Meet the Candidate – Joe Otis Born in Cincinnati and raised with his two siblings by their mother, Joe Otis learned early on the value of hard work, teamwork, and perseverance. He graduated From Anderson High School, where he was a student aide and part of student government, all while working a part-time job serving tables.
Candidate for State Represnitive, District 27
Joe then attended Miami of Ohio to study psychology and international studies. Joe's family fell on hard times and Joe Left Miami of Ohio. After working part time jobs to help his family, Joe received the opportunity of a life time. He was offered a chance to work for Hillary Clinton on her presidential run. Joe traveled the United States learning first hand that hard work pays off. After Hillary dropped out of the race Joe moved to Colorado to work for the Coordinated Campaign through the Colorado Democratic Party. Running Outreach and Field Programs Joe knows that long hours and sleepless nights are all a part of the job. After the campaigns had stopped Joe moved to D.C., where he started volunteering for a variety of charitable and environmental causes. Joe then moved back home to Cincinnati where he got involved with the different campaigns and organizations. While back in Cincinnati, Joe became the Volunteer Event chair for Teen Response helping cognitively challenged children while also volunteering with homeless and runaway youth. Joe realizes politics does not need experienced politicians; it needs people who have suffered the hardships to live the American dream. To be elected and serve is a privilege, not a career opportunity. Today, Joe wants to serve as your voice in Columbus, a voice that expresses your concerns, a voice that matters, a voice that cares. So Joe asks for the privilege to serve you. Why do you want to fill this office? Lately Columbus has been playing to small group of people, even though all Ohioans are affected by their decisions. I do not think the Ohio House is acting in the best interest of the People. Further, they are being financially irresponsible and out of touch with the needs and concerns of the people in the 27th District.
Fun Facts Birthday: May 2, 1984 First job: Table Busser at El Coyote on Five Mile Rd. Favorite movie: The Shawshank Redemption Favorite TV show: Game of Thrones Favorite app: Instagram Favorite sports team: Cincinnati Reds Role model growing up: John F. Kennedy and Madeleine Albright Any pets: A recently rescued Dog Issues Best way to create jobs: By investing in our infrastructure and Job Training programs so Ohioans can compete in the current job market. Gay marriage: The US Supreme Court will inevitably make the final decision as it works its way through the Court System. I believe in Equal rights and Protection under the law for all citizens and that includes marriage. Government role in health care: Government should have a limited role in the Health Care business. However, I fully support Medicare and Medicaid for the Elderly and Children. Role of religion and faith in your life, and role it should play in public policy: I am a very spiritual person and have deep faith in a higher power. I believe that religion should play no role in policy. I believe in absolute separation of church and state. Gun control: I am a firm believer in protecting the Second amendment rights of the people. Campaign finance reform: No one person or organization should have so much power as to overly influence any policy or an election with money. Limits, regulations and disclosures are good and offer a closer more transparent view of who supports the candidate. Abortion: I would never force my own beliefs or views on others as it pertains to their own body. I believe that being pro-choice is giving the woman the choice to make the best decision for her own health.
Cost of college education: No one should enter their future out of college with an exorbitant amount of debt. College is becoming more unattainable for the average Ohioan. The price of college has risen more than for times faster than inflation since 1978. Making a Tuition reimbursement program for public services is an Idea that I will further explore to help alleviate the burden of rising tuition and expenses. K-12 education: We have to start holding charter schools accountable for tax dollars they receive and stop selling our children’s future and education to the highest bidders and donors. I will make education the top priority. I will fight to make sure that our state's K-12 education is one that is constitutionally thorough and efficient. Voting districts drawn by political parties: It should be done by a bipartisan panel so the outcomes of elections are representative of the will of the people and not one single political party. Legalizing marijuana: I believe in the decriminalization for medicinal purposes, paper and rope production, biofuels and for other scientific and research purposes.
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From the desk of Councilman, Chris Seelbach For the first time in 60 years, Cincinnati’s population is stabilizing, perhaps even growing. The renaissance is real! In 1960, Cincinnati’s population was over 500,000 people. Today it stands at just under 300,000. With such a drastic drop in population, we’ve faced dramatic budget deficits as a result of loss in revenue (less people paying income, property and sales taxes). This “problem” is exactly why I ran for City Council in 2011; in order to make smart investments and pass inclusive laws to attract more people, families and jobs to our region. And from the census estimates from 2010-2012, our efforts are working. People are coming back, jobs are being created and revenues have started to increase. Many of us can to point to specific things that seem to be making Cincinnati exciting again: Washington Park, development in Over the Rhine, Bond Hill, Uptown and the Banks and a focus on creating a city where all people feel welcome, regarding of the color of their skin, how much money they make or who they love. Part of our resurgence bas been fighting our conservative, anti-gay image that was established after Article XII passed in 1993. After the law passed, we lost over $50 million in convention business, people moved away, our image suffered. After living under the law for over a decade, voters repealed it in 2004. Since then, we’ve taken every step necessary to be an LGBT inclusive city, likely scoring 100 on this year’s Human Rights Campaign index for cities across the country, making us one of the most friendly LGBT cities in the United States! The resurgence we’re seeing, both in repopulation, smart economic development and inclusivity was only possible because voters elected thoughtful, forwardthinking leaders. That’s why this fall’s mid-term elections are so important. While LGBT equality is becoming less and less of a partisan issue, the Ohio Republican Party is still nominating candidates who do not support the freedom for our families to be treated equally under the law. This couldn’t be more true
than with Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. When my friend John Arthur passed from ALS disease last year, DeWine refused to allow John’s husband, and partner of over 20 years, Jim Obergefell, to be listed on his death certificate. In the last month’s of his life, John had to fight DeWine in court for the freedom to be recognized equally under the law. Luckily, Federal Judge Timothy Black ruled in Jim and John’s favor, but DeWine is now appealing with the support of Governor John Kasich who recently reiterated his intent to “fight” against the freedom for gay couples to marry. Luckily, both candidates opposing DeWine and Kasich (David Pepper and Ed Fitzgerald, respectively) and every Democratic candidate for statewide office this year support the Freedom to Marry. It’s up to us to elect them. Please considering joining your neighbors, co-workers, friends and family by voting this fall. It may seem simple, but if more of us fairminded people did it…we could really change the world. For details on voting in Hamilton County, visit http://boe.hamilton-co.org
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Pretty in Punk - Becky Haltermon I am a dorky style blogger who enjoys tackling topics of no more import than thrift shopping and the details of proper nail polish application. But underneath the heaping pile of meaningless baloney that signifies popular sartorial choices, there are vital links between expression, political movement and fashion. The tug-of-war between fashion’s indication of cultural realities and its inherent insignificance is fascinating. I was pondering that dynamic one Tuesday night in a bar in New Orleans, listening to people I adore angrily argue over the impact of fashion and politics. I hadn’t sipped enough Abita beer to be completely prepared for a debate in vitriolic rhetoric on the punk movement. Was it a powerful incubator that shaped political change? Or merely a fashion trend that allowed adolescents to feel “rebellious” while doing nothing to address actual issues? And while one acquaintance, spit flying as he struggled to be heard over the country cover band in the corner claimed that, “adorning your earlobes with safety pins does not induce a more democratic state,” I found myself laughing. Because, of course it doesn’t. It’s just a fashion statement. But at one point in my life, the discovery of a subculture that inverted my ingrained ideals of beauty was, in fact, revolutionary. I’m a baby of the ‘80s and missed the bus on what most folks perceive as the punk movement: I’ve never donned a mohawk or spent an afternoon applying spikes to a leather jacket. And no, I can’t recall ever attaching a safety pin to my person. But punk music blew into my youth at a time when I was hungry for something other than Q102 and Seventeen Magazine. It was the combination of putrid tunes and the people who used them as the unifying force in their small community. By the time I heard NoFX’s Punk in Drublic album at a basement party in ninth grade, I had derailed a dispirited descent into eating disorders and, armed with a closet full of secondhand t-shirts, began to reassess my sartorial lifestyle.
What does it mean to be fourteen and discover that your self-loathing stems from social messaging? For me, it meant a realization that I could craft a personal style that perverted and played with the norms I had once tried to conform to. It spurred me to read feminist literature, rethink the stores I chose to support and write self-righteous letters to the editor of the Boone County Recorder. So, yes, friends who find themselves fighting over the lasting impact of a once rebellious subculture, the punk movement was a style trend. And at least for me, that alone created a powerful change. Punk rock may not have changed the world, but it did, at the very least, change my clothes. And that has changed my life. Becky Haltermon is a nonprofit communication professional and a blogger at TheFrump.com.
Why US Foods? As one of America’s top 10 largest private companies, we offer talented professionals outstanding opportunities for personal and professional development. We maintain a strong focus on growth in a highperformance environment. That means your work will be challenging and rewarding. We create an environment where passion for food and service can flourish. And our passion for food is equaled only by our commitment to our employees – the people who devote their careers to serving our customers. The feeling is mutual. In a recent employee engagement study, the vast majority of employees reported a long-term commitment to their jobs at US Foods. As one of the world’s leading foodservice distributors, we offer outstanding opportunities for personal and professional development. We are currently looking for Night Order Selectors, Delivery Drivers and Logistics Drivers. Positions at US Foods are posted on our website and we are an EEO employer looking for great talent!
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Healthy Living Rob and I recently presented our 2nd annual Healthy Living Retreat in Key West, FL. It was a 3.5 day retreat that focused on easy and attainable tools that everyone can use each day to get them closer to a healthy lifestyle. We offered yoga, meditation, juicing, reflexology, massage and of course a class on FOOD. You are what you eat is so true! Practicing mindfulness while you shop the market, prepare your meals and especially while you order at a restaurant is the first and most necessary step to healthy eating. Balance each meal with fruits and vegetables, protein and carbohydrates – oh yeah and don’t forget WATER! There are many approaches to healthy eating - Rob and I like to begin each morning with a full glass of water. It flushes your kidneys. Then we have a banana and a cup of hot water with lemon. The banana jump starts our digestive system that has been sluggish all night and the hot water with lemon helps to bring our body’s PH into balance; lemons have a low sugar content and the high alkaline (base) mineral content; mixed with water, it will have an alkalizing effect on your body. Our body’s PH should be within a range of 6.5 – 7.5 for Good Health. Breakfast is the biggest meal of our day - eating Breakfast is associated with weight loss and improved nutrient intake, while skipping breakfast is associated with excess body weight (esp. in children & adolescents). Other advantages to eating breakfast include: • • • • •
There is a lot of research suggesting it’s actually good for your brain and bodily health. Breakfast-eaters are less likely to be obese, they’re also more likely to have good blood sugar levels and less likely to be hungry later on in the day. Eating a breakfast that’s high in fiber and carbohydrates could help you feel less tired throughout the day A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that breakfast-skippers are more likely to have higher cholesterol levels and insulin sensitivity than breakfast-eaters. Boost Short term Memory.
More suggestions: Portion size is just as important as what you eat and is directly related to weight status – smaller portions more often during the day contribute to weight loss and an increased metabolism. • Have lots of good food on hand - in the HOUSE! • Make one day your “Cooking Day”. When fixing dinner – make enough for left-overs and take that to work the next day for lunch. • Strong evidence supports that people who eat at fast-food or quickservice restaurants one or more times per week are at a high risk of weight gain, to be overweight or obese. • Avoid carbonated drinks! • Chew your food! Remember, your stomach does not have teeth! We all have to eat and to eat with little or no concern for its repercussions on our bodies is a horrible waste of opportunity for optimal health. Be mindful of what you put in your mouth and you will reap the benefits for decades to come. •
Peace, Steve & Rob www.robandsteve.net
Court Update - Brooklyn Steele Tate
The Imperial Soverign Queen City Court of the Buckeye Empire is a 501c3 charity organization that raises money for other local charities in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area. The ISQCCBE supports charities that support the LGBT community as well as education and advocacy. This year the ISQCCBE has supported GLSEN, PFLAG, Caracole House, AVNK, HIV Prevention Project, The Center, Children’s Hospital Transgender Unit, My Nose Turns Red and CAWS( an animal helps project). They have raised over $60,000.00 for these charities by doing drag shows, raffles and dinners. The ISQCCBE is out every weekend raising the money so the charities can keep doing what they are doing.
Freeda Bangkok and Keith Roberto are the faces of the ISQCCBE – the Empress and Emperor – they make sure the shows are running, the posters are up and the people know who we are. They are supported by a board of directors and former Emperors and Empresses. October 4 brings about the end of their reign. They will be stepping down as the Reigning Emperor and Empress and allowing two other people to take the fold.
October 1-5 is what the ISQCCBE calls Coronation Week. Wednesday October 1 they will be kicking it off at Rosie’s Tavern at 7pm with drinks and food. Thursday October 2 they will be at The Cabaret for the In-Town Show where anyone who has performed during the year gets to perform and keep their tips. Friday many of our out of town guests will be showing up. They will mingle with us at The Westin Hotel during our Hospitality and then Friday night we get to give them an opportunity to perform during our Out of Town Show. Saturday October 4 we will be celebrating the reign of Freeda and Keith with a celebration at The Westin Hotel. There will be performances, speeches, and lots of food, laughter and drink. Sunday we will welcome the new reign during our Victory Brunch. If you are interested in seeing what all this is about check out their website at www.iscqccbe.org for all the information. In Service to the Community, Brooklyn
It is important to note that with the advent of HIV awareness campaigns across the world the rate of new HIV infections has been lowered greatly. However, there are still 5 minority groups are still being disproportionately affected by this disease- Men who have sex with Men (MSM), sex workers, injection drug users, transgender individuals, and people in prisons. With this being the case, the World Health Organization recently released some new guidelines regarding standard HIV practices. These guidelines aim to help control the worldwide spread of AIDS by the year 2030. Perhaps the biggest recommendation is that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PreP) now be part of an all-around HIV prevention package for men who have sex with men. PreP is a term that can be confusing to many people who have never heard of it before. It is a drug called Truvada that has been used to treat HIV positive patients for many years now. After an intense study, it was also found that Truvada is successful in helping to prevent HIV transmission in people that are not HIV positive. When taken every day, it can help persons build immunity to the HIV virus if they are not already infected. While the use of PreP can be very beneficial to some, it does not come without its own set of problems. First, Truvada costs around $1600 per month without health insurance, and many (if not all) insurance carriers are not paying for it when used as PreP. Also, the adherence to this drug is extremely important. In order for it to maintain its effect of building an immunity in a person’s system, it must be taken every single day and often around the same time of day. Missing a single dose can greatly affect its ability to protect the body’s system. Finally, Truvada also can have a wide range of side effects that include night sweats, diarrhea, a build-up of lactic acid in the blood and
serious liver problems.
I think that the discovery of PreP is an important one. It certainly has great benefits for those couples who are in a relationship where one person is HIV+ and the other is not. However, we must remember that PreP is not 100% effective and must be used as a part of an overall HIV prevention pack-
age. First and foremost, all sexually active people must remember that condom usage it perhaps the most effective tool in the prevention of HIV. Also, don’t forget that regular HIV testing is part of a healthy routine. With all of these tools combined, we are given some powerful weapons in the fight against HIV. Remember- Protect Yourself. Know your Status. Get Tested.
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