Lunatic spendthrifts loose in fantasyland

By Mike Canaday

What are the real problems in America today? National depression, Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Tiger Woods, or the heath care issue on the Senate floor. If you at least watch TV this week, you see all these in the cross hairs of the national media.

If we break down the effects of these issues on the American people, Tiger Woods' problems are not relevant. His personal problems are not putting anyone in danger or cost the taxpayers any money. This morning's news seems to reflect that his personal problems are paramount. The story is reported hourly, in many cases before the latest on the health care bill or Afghanistan.

News organizations are reporting that our cost for just the Afghanistan engagement for a year would be the same amount needed to fix the health care system. Do you feel that our gains from our Afghanistan occupation are worth more than fixing our nations heath care system? The government seems to think so. Maybe both issues should be scrapped in the spirit of not spending money. I have not seen what Tiger Woods' position is on any of this.

The President has announced a troop surge of at least 30,000 destined for Afghanistan. This will bring our military presence in the neighborhood of more than 100,000. On the surface, a person might discount this move as having no effect on their day to day life. Think again. CNN reports that three democrats are proposing an additional national income tax hike to foot the bill for this troop increase. This type of war tax has not been imposed since Vietnam and the largest was in WWII. The American people seem to show more interest in issues if they have to pay for it. Certainly, in the current economic state this is understandable. Despite the controversy of whether we should even still occupy Middle Eastern countries, what about the financial ramifications? The White House is citing a $30 billion plus cost for just the 30,000 new troops in Afghanistan alone. Or, about $750,000 per soldier. Is it my imagination, or does this seem like an exorbitant amount of money for one person? We have all heard stories of the $500 hammers and the $1000 toilet seats. The proposal for the income tax hike for just the new troops deployed might cost a taxpayer anywhere from $50-250 annually. This seems small to some, but is only a fraction of the overall revenue needed.

John McCain said the government does not need a tax increase for the troops. On CNN, McCain said, " I can find a thousand places in the pork barrel spending for the war." I agree, the American people do not need more taxes, especially if there are "a thousand" other places to get the money. What are these thousand places, and why does the government have so many extra dollars in this recession? The word rebate seems to come to mind. Besides, the opening of the tax door to the American people has a way of staying open.

If the democrats eventually get this tax enacted, what is next? They might start taxing you to pay for the Tiger Woods investigation! The doublespeak broadcast will sound like this: "Everyone must know the truth at any cost. This is crucial." Oh, the California State Patrol has already closed his case. If you dont believe celebrities get easier treatment, get in your car tonight and run over a fire hydrant and see happens.

Unemployment, home foreclosures, and deficit spending are all at a record highs. Rising unemployment, now at 16 percent, and over 9 million Americans without bank accounts. This certainly seems like a red flag. It certainly looks us in the face daily, and the news organizations like to report tragedies. I would think they should talk about solutions more. Like a teenager with his mom's credit card, Obama and his pet, Congress, frolick and spend delusionally, instead of facing payment reality. If the government has so much extra money, why don't I see any of it? Doubtless GM's suit-and-tie-types probably have recently.

The new heath care proposal gives the insurance companies $500 billion for subsidies. Are these subsidies going to the American people or just lining the pockets of insurance moguls? We all know how hard it is to get money back from an insurance company once it is in their control - much like our government. It is now coming out that the very politicians voting on this health care bill are exempt from it. If it's so great, why write in an escape from the melee? Simple: it is not beneficial to the average American. Most recent estimates claim that this bill will cost most Americans at least 10 percent more in taxes annually with no clear increase in benefits, unless you're one of the 16 percent with no coverage.

The American people have endured without this legislation for over 200 years. Why does a 2000-something-page bill need passed by Christmas? It doesn't. It is just another instance of Congress sneaking legislation through, using diversionary issues like war and economy as a smokescreen of fear; both situations were created by this same Congress. The media's celebrity obsession helps the diversion wonderfully.

Sure, on the outside, a universal health care fantasy has allure, but under a microscope, health quality and costs are definitely at stake. The bill gives the government access to your bank account via direct withdrawal and probably your personal medical records, too. It is the first federal bill that forces Americans to buy something and you will not have the right to decline it without penalty! The ominous health care gods will probably just grapple for your money from your bank account automatically, if you still have one, or readjust your tax statement. These problems just scratch the surface.

The government has proven their inability to be fiscally responsible and has had little success. Look at the postal service, social security, bank bailouts, and the handling of Katrina in New Orleans. Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan are probably good examples of these government money/ body pits with little or no benefits of any kind. Does the whole health care system really need reworked for just 16 percent of the nations uninsured population? It is interesting that the unemployed and the uninsured are both 16 percent. Do you think maybe if there were more jobs in America that might hit two birds with the same stone? Maybe the government should use some of this extra money laying around in thousands of places and some of the money we are using in the wars to give the unemployed jobs building public works, much like they did during the depression in the 1930's. These projects could improve the infrastructure while at least capping the amount of people taking government handouts. The point is that citizens don't trust their own government to spend their hard earned money. Why should they? That is what contempt for the health care issue is in a nut shell -- personal choice and freedom.

The American people are smart enough to see the heath care, economy and Middle Eastern wars are today's real issues. Unfortunately, we're bound by the Constitution from direct vote on them. Our elected officials are in the drivers' seat. A comfortable reality in our democracy? One way or the other our voices must be heard. Write your senators, representatives, and Tiger Woods.

(Photo courtesy of The Washington Post)

Roadside impressions from life

By Melody Gustafson

NEGLEY -- Driving from the Peace Valley Orchard on the skinny and windy Millrock Road, around a tight bend Eastern Flash passed a woman standing over her board and oil, her sight overlooking the grade that rolls toward the creek.

The driver asked, "Do you want to go back?" The photographer said yes.

Although the only car on the road drove by her a second time, her face didn't turn from her task.

Nancy Hawkins becomes so absorbed in her peace of mind that she seemed not to notice the reporters until they were at her side.

Her inspiration comes from a love for God's creations and she finds that she applies her Quaker approach to worship, seeking "God's word within," to her process. Focused introspection operates as a technique that serves both her spirituality and her art.

She drives around the countryside with friends and family searching for "paintable scenes" and while enamored with the ominous beauty of the natural landscape, the full majesty of these moments eludes her brush.

"The experience of translating what I see into my painting gives a felt sense of connection to life in that moment of time," Hawkins wrote on her website.

A member of The Ohio Plein Air Society (OPAS), a non-profit organization that celebrates love for art and nature, her impressionist style thrives on natural light and open air. Impressionism incorporated "plein air" as an integral aspect in the nineteenth century.

She won first place in the OPAS Plein Air Competition 2009 for her oil, "Catawba Island Peninsula." Her paintings are for sale, and she displays some of them with price on her website, artistimpressionsfromlife.blogspot.com . Hawkins has a Bachelor Degree of Fine Art in painting and drawing from KSU, and has shown her work in the East Liverpool gallery before.

To explore OPAS further, go to http://ohiopleinairsociety.com/ .

(Photo by Mike Canaday, Nikon D90)

Counting Corpses

Canaday's poem "Iraq by Numbers" has drawn criticism from an anonymous reader who disputes the corpse tally. His response was lengthy enough to merit a new post. Go to "Iraq by Numbers" and click on "comments" to read what the disputer has to say.

Dear Anonymous,
Iraqi death toll counts are abundant and there are over 20 different surveys. Tolls differ depending who you ask. Bush and other invaders like to site under 100,000 deaths and some sources, the ORB site for instance, claim 733,158 to 1,446,063. Of course, Bush stated prewar Iraqi attributes including Al-Queda ties, Nukes, long range missiles, and vast chemical programs. Many survey are in the 600,000 range.

One thing for sure is that Iraq is much more dangerous now while we are occupying the country then when Hussein was in power (although I am sure the Kurds would dissagree). The fact is no one knows how many Iraqis are dead, and sadly many people don't care. Wether the toll is 100,000 or 1 million, the Iraqis citizens paid a huge price. The war was not against the overall common people of Iraq, it was against the Hussein regime.

Don't get the wrong idea, I am not a Hussein lover, I have no problem with his death. I personally supported the initial invasion and respect know one more than our precious men and women in the armed forces . My point is simply "it is time to get out." For the sake of correctness I will edit the poem. Do you have a problem with any other numbers, or just the dead Iraqis? A good article on this subject is http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/19/iraq . At the end of the day, death count issues are sketchy and just one aspect of whole picture.

There is another statistic that has changed in the last day. President Obama is not sending 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan, he is now sending 34,000 instead. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mike Canaday

Iraq by Numbers

By Mike Canaday

This poem is a tediously long, eye-crossing mess to follow, deliberately in immitation of its subject. This is Canaday’s poetry debut, but he assures us at Eastern Flash that he hasn’t quit his day job. He allows the naked facts to speak for themselves, and doesn’t want his message obscured by artistic devices that may interfere with readers’ conclusions.

March 19, 2003 OPERATION IRAQ FREEDOM:

Long Range missiles, Nuclear and chemical weapons, Al-Qaeda ties?
President Hussein executed.
U.N. and Iraq Survey Program find that chemical and Nuke program ceased in 1991.
No Al-Qaeda ties then.
No evidence of pre-emptive invasion found.

2004: birth of coalition counter-insurgency groups; 26,496 violent incidents.
2005: increase to 34,131 incidents.
2007: single largest attack by suicide bombers in Ramadi…….800 civilians dead.
In 2008: supposedly, “violence curtails to 40-80 percent” reports U.S. Pentagon.
Which is it-- 40 or 80?

Failed States Index: Iraq 5th worldwide in 2008, 6th in 2009.
IRAQ HUMAN DEATH TOLL:
Iraq Body Count Project (IBC)
Lancet Survey
Opinion Research Business (ORB).
Just 3 entities out of many counting the once living.
All have disparate death costs ranging between 100,000 to over 1 million Iraqis.

World Food Program Survey states 31% or 930,000 Iraqis “food insecure” in 2009.
2005: only 15.4 percent.
2007: Iraqis Household Survey states only 25% of its citizens own cars and 7.4%
personal computers.
NOW: Iraq homes have power for half the day. U.N. reports 32% have clean water
19% have good sewage, a gift of bombing.

Iraq original site of Babylon.
Iraq has the world’s 4th largest known oil reserves,
A prewar potential of 3.5 million barrels a day.
(EIM) Energy Information Administration sites post war oil production way down.
Meanwhile…U.S. gas prices at all time high, with NO Iraq oil benefits for U.S.citizens

THE U.S.DEATH BELL TOLLS:
U.S. Department of Defense claims 142,000 troops still in Iraq.
6 years go by.
From 2003-2009: suffered 4,363 U.S. deaths, with over 30,000 wounded.
4,363 U.S. deaths verses 322 coalition deaths during same time?
Lights out on perhaps 1 million Iraqis versus 4,681 coalition troops.

OVERKILL!

133 U.S. deaths this year, seven wounded. (In Iraq, they end up dead, not just wounded.)
New England Journal of Medicine claims one out of 100 solders diagnosed with (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Ohio among top 5 “death states,” with 100 dead soldiers (friends and neighbors).

MONEY
2008: over 550 billion spent in JUST Iraq according to Congressional Research
Service (CRS) (HA HA). Or 2 billion a week, 12 billion monthly.
Mr. Stigliz, former chief of the world bank and winner of Nobel Prize for economics,
says in Iraq and Afghanistan, war will reach 3 trillion dollars, 1.9 just on Iraq.
Equals 6,300 dollars per every U.S. citizen or $34,000 for family of 4.
Equivalent of our government buying 8 million houses, paying 15 million teachers, spending 530 million on child care and providing 43 million students with college
scholarships.

U.S. Depression.
$17 million on military equipment lost- Washington Post reports 20 Abrams tanks, 55
Bradley fighting vehicles, 250 Humvees, 500 mine sweeping vehicles, 109
helicopters, 18 planes and a partridge in a pear tree just to name a few.
40% of all our military assets are in Middle East.
President Obama promised during his campaign complete withdrawal in 16 months.
2011: Obama announces 50,000 of 142,000 U.S. troops will remain in Iraq.
To “advise and secure” is reason given.

Meanwhile… Obama just sent 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan.
Is it worth the price to stay…do the numbers add up?

Questions

By James Yarwood

When did we start
thinking that the
world worked by want?

When was need
no longer enough?

Shelter and food
streamlined to
internet connection and
Flat Screen T.V.

Why must I
live to work,
and not work
so I might live?

When did the job
start defining
the person?

Why not personality?
Knowledge maybe?
A glowing sense of irony--
an affinity for animals?

When did people
become obsolete?
Why do we sacrifice
socializing for
social-network sites?

Who has time to
sniff the flowers--
when we have
the internet instant?

Google-Earth has
digitized the planet!
The internet took
the hunt online!
Shoot and stalk via
remote and webcam
Death by mouse-click.

When was
the last time
you saw a sunset
without pixels?

When did we
grow so big and bold?
When did we forget
the meaning of hubris?

Raffle game helps the poor

SALEM -- The Salem Student Government Organization (SGO) is sponsoring a raffle that will funnel goods to poor families and the incentive to donate is a chance to win a turkey for the Thanksgiving drawing and a ham for the Christmas one.

Anytime until Monday Nov. 23, bring a non-perishable food item to the reception desk for donation in exchange for a ticket. The turkey-winner will be announced at noon on the 23rd.

To try for the ham, donate hats, coats, gloves or scarves to the reception desk between Nov. 30 and Dec. 14 to trade for the ticket. That drawing is set for noon on the 14th.

More details will follow soon.

Playing smiles into memories

By Kim Schneider
EAST LIVERPOOL -- Inside Coffee Fusion and Tea early Friday evening Doug and Dave Smith enjoyed the company of more than just family and friends and brought a community together. These moonlighting musicians played smiles into memories.

The couple not only shared the company of patrons but of local KSU professors as well. Later in the evening, our very own Dr. Bob Walker, KSU-EL psychology instructor, showed off his picking and singing skills.

Early in the evening, Dr. Burns came to listen to the harmonic sounds of the duo with her son, and Professor Stewart and Dr. Swartz showed. This clearly shows the professors you know do have a life outside of school and do have an interest in our community. Stewart commented on his blog, Ohio River Life, that he "just has to laugh every time he hears people complain there's nothing to do in East Liverpool."

Doug and Dave Smith are a local band within the East Liverpool area and have dedicated themselves to more than their name. They are a group who has been involved in local activities since the 1980s, probably even longer--but let’s not speak of age. Age has no barrier when it comes to the music they perform. It is a dedication to their appreciation of the art itself. They are a couple of guys who enjoy music and what it can bring to society. Their voices carry like no other in the sleepy town of East Liverpool.

This group holds a special part in history for me. Their magic warmth shed a light on me when I was looking for a band to play for my mother’s benefit when she was battling cancer. They had no clue who I was but were willing to share their spirit of life. Later, they played in an old creaky barn with hay straggling between floorboards in Rogers, Ohio, harmoniously with another East Liverpool singer, Dave Morgan. We had another band that night, but Doug and Dave Smith and Dave Morgan were the highlight of the evening.

I passed a hat around for donations, and later when I gave it to them it to them, they met a woman with her "hair" on crooked and handed it to her, telling her to have a great trip. They made my mother smile. It was the first time in forever that I could recall her smiling in true happiness. If I couldn’t have ever given her happiness I know she was happy at that point; music was in her heart and they spoke all the words I never could.

If we'd known Dr. Walker at the time, I know she really would have loved him just as much. His voice carried more emotion than the words itself.

I guess the point I am getting at is that you don’t have to pay a fortune to hear your favorite old tunes; all you have to do is look for it in your own backyard. Support your local bands, you never know who you will find there, and you might find that you share the same interest as your professors, friends, and neighbors.
___________________________
Photo is Bob Walker (left) and Doug Smith. (Kim Schneider)

Paulenich: "Here's one for my dad"

Dr. Craig Paulenich draws on the "steel mill as a mystic, shamanistic landscape and fuses it with Catholic background" to create the verses he read for the first time at the East Liverpool campus to a rapt audience. (Film by Mike Canaday)

Blood Will Tell is "Black as truth"

By Melody Gustafson and Mike Canaday

EAST LIVERPOOL -- At the Brown Room of the Mary Patterson building thursday night, Craig Paulenich delivered the first-ever reading of the "bones" from his latest book, Blood Will Tell.

He writes verses about his blue-collar upringing in Western Pennsylvania by a hard-working slovakian family and steel mill life. He has taken the grim reality that a lot of men can't wait to punch out of and made a room full of people rapt to listen to the stories in the heavy, rough-throated cadence.

As he told the audience about his father's 52 years of steel mill, he said, "Here's one for my dad" and described the theme of the works as "a blurring of my father [The Old Man] and myth."

"Scabs weren't well recieved at my house," Paulenich said, as he introduced his next poem, swigging from his beer. Later, he said, "Most of this is far too true."

Someone in the audience asked him about his writing process and discipline, and he replied simply, "My discipline sucks," but added that sometimes he tries to set goals to make himself get a poem done. "I just throw words on the page, beat 'em up some and kick 'em around."

Copies of Blood Will Tell were sold for slightly less than the $18 Amazon.com retail price, and the author was signing. Fans who missed the event also missed the special.

(Photos from top: Craig Paulenich performing; Paulenich and his wife, Carla; Professor Karen Boyle and Paulenich talk shop; Paulenich and Kelly "Kam" Hayes whose art was displayed)

Paulenich reading Thursday

EAST LIVERPOOL -- The Ohio Valley Regional Arts Council presents its first literary event of the season Thursday evening with a poetry reading by Northeastern Ohio poet Craig Paulenich.

The reading begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Brown Room of Kent State East Liverpool's Mary Patterson Building, 213 East Fourth Street downtown. Snacks and refreshments will be served, and the adjacent Mary Patterson Gallery will be open to visitors who have yet to see the current OVRAC exhibit by East Liverpool painter Kam Hayes.

Dr. Paulenich is an associate professor of English at the Kent State Salem Campus and also serves as faculty in the Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. He is the author of two books of poetry and co-editor of Beneath a Single Moon: Buddhism and Contemporary American Poetry. Paulenich will read and discuss poems from his latest collection, Blood Will Tell, published by BlazeVOX books.

Everyone is welcome to this free event. The atmosphere at OVRAC events is never stuffy and formal, so come as you are and enjoy some local culture. Many of you know Craig Paulenich, and you know his presentation will be lively and interesting.

Copies of Blood Will Tell will be available for purchase.

Be a smart voter, make informed decisions

By Melody Gustafson

Aside from various open council, school board and trustee seats in the townships, villages and municipalities, citizens will consider five local fiscal questions and three state issues. The links here go to The Vindicator web site at http://www.vindy.com/politics/races/2009/ and Columbiana County Board of Elections (BOE) web site at http://www.columbianacounty.org/BOE/index.htm where its easy to explore all the issues and candidates before voting.

The Ohio Board of Elections web site describes in detail identification required to vote. A state-issued photo ID must be current with proper address, and a military ID is acceptable. While the notification card mailed to a voter isn't a valid form, utility bills, including cell-phone bills, bank statements, paychecks and government checks listing the voter's name and current address are.

The passing of Issue 1 will allow the State of Ohio to issue up to $200,000,000 of bonds to veterans of Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts who were Ohio residents before deployment. The benefits extend to kin of the eligible fallen or missing. The bill will expire after 2013. Assuming the state has the funds to provide to the Ohio veterans, this can be thought of as an economic stimulus package for Ohio in the form of a reward for military service and an incentive to enlist. But, since Ohio is BORROWING the money to fund this bill, Issue 1 is a bad joke, the most irresponsible legislation shoved in the face of victim taxpayers for a while.

Issue 2 will create an Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board comprised of 13 experts in various relevant disciplines who will "prescribe standards for animal care, well-being, and disease prevention" according to the Board of Elections web site. Interestingly, agricultural and animal groups oppose the amendment, claiming that passage of this measure will create and perpetuate heinous treatment practices for animals that benefit the business interests of "Big Ag," or corporate farms that "cut corners" for a bigger bottom line at the expense of food quality and animal rights. Check out The Humane Society web site for arguments opposing Issue 2 --
http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/ballot_initiatives/ohio_issue_2.html .

Here is a link to an article that claims that the opponents of Issue 2 are employing "trickery" that is effective to "end consumption of animal protein" in the U.S.- http://ourohio.org/index.php?page=yes-on-issue-2. The main contention is that by supporting the measure, citizens can preserve the freedom to eat the meat, milk and eggs they love.

Issue 3 will add an amendment to the Ohio constitution that will allow four casinos to do business only in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. Of each casino's gross revenue, 33 percent will go to the state coffers as a tax.

The amendment earmarks 51 percent of the casino revenue tax money for distribution among all the 88 counties based on population size. Cities with the highest population in any given county with more than 80,000 people will get half that county's share. Columbiana has no cities with 80, 000 people so all the casino money will go to the general fund.

For those who fear a state population given to hopeless gambling addiction, rethink individual responsibility and common sense. The mere availability of a vice does not create problems. If the presence of a casino makes gambling addicts, then the citizenry of Ohio would all be a group of lascivious, obese alcoholics, and this isn't true as much as the presence of a church makes everyone on its street devout in worship.

It's always a good idea to open the land up to new businesses that will bring jobs and money into the state. Oh, and the licensed operators have to pay a one-time $50,000,000 tax just to set up shop. If all four casinos spring up within the next 4 years, that revenue is exactly what Ohio needs to award to the veterans according to proposed Issue 1. Be sure to check out the earmarked percentages for doling out the money generated from the legalization of gambling at the BOE site. This amendment looks like a win-win for anybody who gets to party on the slush fund created by the 6 percent of the casino money that goes to the ambiguous-sounding "Ohio casino control commission and the State racing commission." That is how politicians legally siphon tax dollars into private pockets- paychecks and bonuses to commission members....

UNLESS a voter supports casino gambling in Ohio, yet doesn't like the details of the proposition, don't cast a vote in favor. The argument against Issue 3 provided at this link addresses not the gambling itself, but dissatisfation with the language and the monetary return to Ohioans. Perhaps voters should reject this draft for a better one. Click here: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/upload/ballotboard/2009/3-official_argument_against.pdf

Call early to find out the hours of operation for the polling station near you.

Power tool study hall almost over

SALEM -- Rodney and Keith of Jim Santini Builder Inc. replace the "storefronts" at the main entrance to the main building on Route 45.



Although the power tools are loud, the job will be done soon, and the university will save on energy costs. These energy saving measures are part of an unfunded mandate called HB-251 that was set by the Ohio Congress. State operated institutions must curb energy spending by a substantial percent said Henry Trenkelbach, business manager.

(Photo by Melody Gustafson)

First year poetry professor hopes to "stretch boundaries"

By Kim Schneider
EAST LIVERPOOL – This is Prof. Jason Venner's first year as an adjunct faculty member and he's teaching the students of KSU Poetry and Writing this semester.

Raised in the thriving town of Wadsworth,Ohio, he graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea for his bachelor’s degree. Venner then graduated from the University of Akron with a Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts (NEOMFA).

Venner first became interested in poetry when he wrote a poem for an English assignment in high school and the teacher read his poem in front of the class. His teacher told him he was a poet, “so, being impressionable, I guess I must have agreed,” he said.

Although this is his first year at KSU, Venner has been teaching at a university level for four years; he is also a professor at KSU Stark and the University of Akron, where he teaches Composition.

Venner was inspired to teach by the people on his thesis committee: Craig Paulenich, who teaches at KSU Salem, Robert Miller, of Stark campus and Mary Biddinger of the University of Akron, who helped him take his writing to the next level. Speaking of his family influence, Venner said, “I was a hyper kid with a big mouth, so they were always telling me to go into teaching,” Venner said.

When asked what made him decide to teach poetry Venner replied, “I like seeing people stretch their boundaries in order to create something they otherwise might not have thought possible.”

He hopes he can arouse the students to nurture an appreciation for poetry because of the different ways language can get a message across. Venner believes there is a benefit to studying poetry because it helps you “to understand the precision of your own heart and mind.”

Speaking of the depth of westerners' poetic interest, he said, “Creative writing programs at universities are springing up across the country, and this shows how much interest there really is. However, the internet makes poetry a force to be reckoned with. Not only do people have access to the old stuff, they have more avenues and mediums at their disposal to produce their own.”

Venner plans to earn a doctorate in Literature but isn’t sure when that will happen. He wants to enjoy living life before he commits to another five years. He presently is in the process of learning what he calls the “finer points” of bathroom remodeling, and uses his spare time to travel with his wife, hike and play guitar in a band called 21 Gun Solution. He says his future may not be mapped out yet but he intends to get some books of poetry published and “enjoy life as it unfolds.”

Decade Dog

By James Yarwood

For George

Today I killed
my ten-year Friend.


I found him in a cage
yowling for freedom.

He ruined my carpet--
he's why my bedroom
doesn't have a door.

He ate cancer
and opened a
crank window
without thumbs.

Conversationally
he'd been a Portuguese
Government Spy
and on tour with
Barry Manilow.

We joked
he was immortal.

Garden Club Photo Contest Gallery awaits People's Choice

By Lita Hutchinson

CALCUTTA -- The East Liverpool Calcutta Area Garden Club (ELCAGC) sponsored a photo contest last month that attracted participants from the tri-state area and now offers an exhibit of the entries.

The general public is invited to view the exhibit and cast a vote for their favorite photo overall. The winning photo will receive the "People's Choice" award, along with a check for $75.00

This is a community and family event that features 257 photos of flowers, some with people, animals and insects. The art was judged professionally, and the club awarded nearly $1000 of prize money to the best selections.

Nine-year-old Lizzie Orenzuk of Chester, West Virginia, submitted "Beautiful Butterfly," shown here. Her mother said she literally ran around for nearly an hour chasing the butterfly to capture the perfect shot.

The special Photo Gallery Exhibit is free and open to the public in Oct. during normal business hours. The Calcutta YMCA is located at the rear of Ogilvie's Plaza on State Route 170. The hours are: Monday - Thursday 5 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Friday 5 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

______________________________________

(Photos, from top: "Beautiful Butterfly" by Lizzie Orenzuk; "Lazy Days of Summer" by Theresa Palmer; and "Winged Beauty" by Randall Railing, New Cumberland. Photos courtesy of ELCAGC)