Thursday, April 30, 2009

Greenville native nominated by President Obama for Assistant Secretary of State

4 comments:
On April 8th, President Barack Obama nominated Jeffrey Feltman for Assistant Secretary of Neareastern Affairs, Department of State. Feltman has been the acting Assistant Secretary since February, after a lengthy and distinguished diplomatic career in the Middle East. The following is Feltman's biography that appears on the official White House website:

Jeffrey Feltman, a career member of the U.S. Foreign Service since January 1986, assumed his current position as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Near Eastern Affairs on February 11, 2008. Since December 18, 2008 he is also the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for the Near East Bureau. Until January 25, 2008 he had served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Lebanon having been sworn in on July 22, 2004. From January to April 2004, Feltman headed the Coalition Provisional Authority's office in the Irbil province of Iraq and simultaneously served as Deputy Regional Coordinator for CPA's northern area. From August 2001 until December 2003, Feltman served at the U.S. Consulate-General in Jerusalem, first as Deputy Principal Officer and then, from July 2001 until September 2002, as Acting Principal Officer. He also served in Embassy Tel Aviv as Ambassador Indyk's Special Assistant on Peace Process issues from the summer of 2000 to July 2001. From 1998 to 2000, Feltman served as Chief of the Political and Economic Section at the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia. He served in the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv from 1995 to 1998, covering economic issues in the Gaza Strip. Mr. Feltman studied Arabic at the University of Jordan in Amman from 1994 to 1995 after joining the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in 1993. From 1991 to 1993, Feltman served in the office of Deputy Secretary Lawrence Eagleburger as a Special Assistant concentrating on the coordination of U.S. assistance to the formerly Communist countries of Eastern and Central Europe. Feltman served as an economic officer at the U.S. Embassy in Hungary from 1988 to 1991. Feltman's first tour in the U.S. Foreign Service was as a consular officer in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Feltman speaks French, Arabic and Hungarian. He received his undergraduate degree in history and fine arts from Ball State University in 1981 and his Master's degree in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in 1983.
Feltman is the son of David and Roberta Feltman of Greenville. Mr. Feltman (who didn't necessarily know he was contributing to an internet story) said his son is now working on a regular basis with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. If confirmed, Feltman will oversee 19 Middle Eastern embassies, including: Algeria, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Feltman's Senate confirmation hearing will occur within the next several weeks.

Feltman with Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Carl Jensen in Beirut, Lebanon (2006)

19th Annual Youth for Christ Golf Classic scheduled for June 17

For more information, call 937-548-2477 - or email: office@dcyfc.org.

Advocate names new editor

The new editor of the Daily Advocate is Christina Chalmers, as can be verified on the Advocate's website. The Thursday print edition also lists another lady as the new managing editor. Check out page 3 for yourselves!

Best wishes ladies.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Ohio House Democrats pass $54 billion budget

No comments:
State Sen. Keith Faber and State Rep. Jim Zehringer commented this evening on the budget bill passed today by Ohio House Democrats.

The House voted strictly along party lines (with one Republican representative being absent for the vote). The bill and amendments were provided to Republicans just yesterday, who then had about a day to review the details before voting.

The bill represents a 9.6% increase over the previous year's spending. The spending proposals are reportedly even more aggressive than the outline previously set forth by Governor Strickland.

While House Democrats are touting their education reforms, budget expenditures for education were actually reduced by $1.4 billion. The specific education reforms were said to be detrimental to charter schools and rural districts while benefiting the districts in Cleveland, Columbus, and other metropolitan areas.

The chief criticism of this budget bill is that it relies heavily on one-time (federal) money - and the state budget will become a "train wreck" in two years when the money is no longer avaialble.

The budget also relies on significant increases of "fees," such as a per-bed charge on hospitals. Republicans argue that the "fees" are really just taxes with a different name.

Zehringer said that all Republican amendments, but one, were tabled before today's vote. Zehringer's own amendment was the one that passed. That amendment allows the Greenville School District to be on two funding lists simultaneously ... an exceptional needs list (the need being the crumbling roof at the junior high) and the new school facility list. Being on both lists is normally prohibited. Zehringer's amendment had strong support from the Ohio School Facilities Commission. Zehringer still voted against the bill, notwithstanding the amendment.

The budget will now go to the Republican-controlled Senate, where Faber was already relishing the opportunity to eat into the Democrats' spending proposals.

Ohio's Constitution requires the budget to be completed by July 1. Stay tuned.

Links: Dayton Daily News; Columbus Dispatch.

Darke County Home Hog Roast - June 13th

Flashback: DarkeJournal.com reported the Robinson run weeks ago

The local newspaper is reporting tonight that its former editor Bob Robinson is mulling a run for commissioner in 2010. Robinson took the first formal step yesterday by designating a treasurer for his campaign. Here is part of the article that first appeared on this site on April 3rd:
This website had a story a few weeks ago that Daily Advocate "editor emeritus" Bob Robinson was thinking about running for commissioner. The basis of that story was information received from multiple credible sources. And now today there is even more independent information on this topic.
[The earlier story was posted March 14th but subsequently deleted.]

Historic Preservation Month Activities (Main Street Greenville)

Educate yourself and enjoy a self-guided hunt for downtown architectural details. Do you recognize these downtown Greenville features?


For more information, go to: www.downtowngreenville.com.

Tommy Renfro to perform at First Presbyterian Church in Bradford

You are invited - Please join us for Friendship Sunday on May 17, 2009.


A special program of music - Tommy Renfro's Rockin Pew Tour Live - will begin after services at 9:40 a.m. There will be social time, light lunch, and beverages after the event. The First Presbyterian Church is located at 127 School Street in Bradford.

Information about Tommy Renfro: It must have been strange for Ann Renfro as she heard her three year-old son,Tommy, express to her that she was off pitch. Much to her and her husband Matt’s surprise, Tommy grew into music. Tommy wasn’t in trouble much inschool but there was the occasional time when teachers would call Matt and Ann and beg them to get Tommy to stop singing in class. This love for music was only magnified when Tommy gave his heart to Christ at age 13. Shortly thereafter, at 14 years of age, Tommy began singing with a Christian rock group called Tidal-Wave. All through high school Tommy was the front man for Tidal Wave.The group grew from a praise and worship band to an evangelistic ministry that swept through the Midwest.

In 2004 Tommy’s stint with Tidal Wave reached its pinnacle when they sang at the E.J. Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio for Dale Earnhart Jr. Night. “It was a new experience," said Tommy. “There were 11,000 people screaming and going nuts”. However, it wasn’t the people, but the yearning for lost souls that hit Tommy in the face that night. “They put us right by the beer garden. I was singing a Newsboys song and a girl lost it right by the stage. It was then that I realized the massive size of the mission field in the world. I also discovered that music is God’s easiest vehicle to reach the lost," stated Tommy.

It was shortly after that night that the Lord opened new doors for the group and Tommy. Members of the group moved away and left Tommy on his own. Well of course he wasn’t on his own, because God paved the way. In the Spring of 2004 Tommy jumped into a solo career. He left his Rockin’ experience and went back to his roots in Southern Gospel Music. Since 2004 Tommy has recorded four albums including a full-length production with Gospel Music legend, Dr. Charles Novell. “Tommy’s abilities are of the highest caliber and his spirit is extremely humble," expressed Dr. Novell.

There is no real way to describe the gift that the Lord has blessed Tommy with. However there is a food word ANOINTED. “There are thousands of great singers," Tommy explained, but there are only a handful in the world who obey the Lord and follow His Spirit. If I couldn’t sing at all, I could still obey the Lord”.

That is what Tommy does, he obeys the Lord and the blessings continue to flow. Whether it’s a huge arena or a church with 50 people, it’s always the same. Because as Tommy often states, “It’s not about me, it’s about His Glory."


[submitted]

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Ohio Department of Health statement on swine flu

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) today confirmed a case of swine flu involving a 9-year-old boy from Lorain County [near Cleveland]. The patient is considered to have a mild case of the disease and is recovering at home.

Because this combination of strains of the influenza virus is new, ODH and local health departments remind Ohioans of the precautions they should take to avoid exposure. As with all newly emerging flu strains, no vaccine has yet been developed.

“I urge Ohioans to be alert to information about this new flu,” said ODH Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D. “In addition, the tried-and-true saying about washing hands and covering one’s cough remains sound medical advice.”

Symptoms of this swine flu virus closely resemble seasonal flu, and include fever, weakness, coughing and lack of appetite.

ODH and local health departments are working with health care providers and hospitals around the state to determine if there are other cases. According to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all health care providers who see patients with flu-like symptoms and learn that the patient traveled to Mexico, affected counties in Southern California or Texas during the 7 days preceding their illness onset, should have nasal swab samples from the patient tested. Recommendations from ODH and CDC include:
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you get sick with influenza, see your doctor and CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Additional information is available on the ODH and CDC Web sites at http://www.odh.ohio.gov and http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ . The Ohio Department of Health will be providing additional updates as information becomes available.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Pavlo rocks the house for DCCA at Memorial Hall

The Darke County Center for the Arts ended its season Saturday with a concert by the "Greek God of the Guitar" Pavlo. Unfortunately, the DarkeJournal could not attend this event. But we did watch this YouTube video ...





How many music video cliches can you name?

If anybody saw the concert, write in with your review. One attendee already said that it was a great show - and Pavlo and the band met with fans at the Bistro afterward.

You can listen to - and buy - Pavlo's music here.

Ohio Street house burns in controlled fire

2 comments:
The Greenville Fire Department stood watch today during the controlled burn of an old farmhouse on Ohio Street in Greenville. The first flames could be seen at about 1:30pm and by 3:00pm there were just a few small flames left. At different points, the GFD stepped in to contain the fire, and there were gusts of wind the whole time, but all in all the flames were kept mostly within the framework of the residence.

Quite a few people were present to watch the show - and many more rubberneckers took their time driving past the scene on Ohio Street. At the end, the metal roof was caved in, and the bricks were charred, but the shell remained standing (or at least was still standing at 3:00pm).

As many Greenville residents will remember, this house was part of a cattle farm for years. Recently, the school district bought the land - and having no use for the rundown house, allowed it to be part of today's exercise for the GFD.







Musical link: here.

Obituary Listings

After some trial-and-error, it has been decided that obituaries will be included on the left sidebar and updated continuously. There are links to individual obituaries - as well as a completely separate page dedicated to storing all obituaries (from this point forward, hopefully).

Wayne Theater Movie Review: Hannah Montana

No adults will be rushing out to Wayne Cinemas to see Hannah Montana, but maybe your young daughter is dying to go. The movie review below is provided by Jeff Marker, a Darke County native and media studies professor at Gainesville State College in Georgia:

I did not hate “Hannah Montana: The Movie.”

That isn’t the sort of critical praise Disney will quote on a poster or DVD cover, but it is praise nonetheless. Because all sorts of things had me ready to hate this movie.

First, there is the absurd premise that no one in the world ever discovers Hannah’s true identity.

Second, the tabloid media is on Miley Cyrus overload. We hear about this girl constantly, so who would volunteer to watch her for 100 minutes? (A note on that: the girl is 16. I was an idiot at 16, and so were you. Give the kid a break.)

Third, the movie is completely unsophisticated and mindless. We know going in that it’s Disney marketing to a demographic.

Fourth, the story is as weak as it gets.

Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) finds it may be impossible to have “the best of both worlds.” The fame found with her Hannah Montana persona threatens to completely overtake Miley’s identity and values. She misses a sweet sixteen birthday bash for her best friend Lilly (Emily Osment) because she’s busy shopping with her manager Vita (Vanessa Williams). When she is about to choose an award show appearance over her grandma’s birthday party, Daddy (Billy Ray Cyrus) takes her back to their hometown in Tennessee for a sort of come-to-Jesus two week vacation.

Turns out that quaint hometown is on the verge of being ruined by an evil developer’s plan to build a mall. Hannah puts on a show, hoping to raise enough money to stop the developer. She also falls for handsome farmhand Travis (Lucas Till, who grew up in Atlanta). Meanwhile, a devious paparazzo (Peter Gunn) chases Hannah/Miley around, hoping to uncover her real identity. (But mostly, he just falls down a lot.)

It’s a hodgepodge of music movie clichés: putting on a big show to save (fill in the blank), famous musician being chased by a reporter, a simple misunderstanding threatening to ruin the romantic subplot.

But no one enters “Hannah Montana: The Movie” expecting stellar writing and filmmaking. It is harmless fun and an excuse to see Miley and guest musical stars Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts performing.


I came in having seen none of the show and knowing none of Miley Cyrus’ music. I was mostly curious about how Achy Breaky Billy Ray’s daughter had somehow become a phenomenon. Thirty minutes in, I understood completely. For all the girl’s faults, she exudes an undeniable charm. Even her dad is downright likeable.

Am I calling “Hannah Montana: The Movie” a “good” movie? You shouldn’t ask such ridiculous questions.

The movie attempts to please only one group: pre-teen fans of the show. And that is as it should be.

Those fans will devour it because it gives them exactly what they want: dippy comedy, infectious pop tunes, and a character living out every young girl’s dream.

Parents won’t mind it because there is absolutely nothing harmful about this genuinely G-rated movie. Even when the big kiss happens (don’t spoil that for your kids), the camera moves behind the characters so we don’t actually see lips meeting lips.

And even snobby critics, if they’re being honest, will have to admit that this movie is shockingly tolerable.

Bottomline: Clean family fun that will satisfy fans.

Watch the official trailer here.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Mercer County Sheriff - press release

April 23, 2009

CELINA, OH – Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey reported that his office is investigating a double traffic fatality that occurred at the intersection of SR 29 and SR 118 N in West Jefferson Township. The sheriff’s office received a 9-1-1 call of the crash at 1106 AM.

The investigation revealed that a 2000 Mack Dump truck was eastbound on SR 29, stopped for traffic waiting to make a northbound turn. The truck was driven by 54 year old Michael Evers, 1267 Wendel Road, Fort Recovery. While the truck was waiting on westbound traffic to clear the intersection so it could turn, it was struck in the rear by an eastbound 1995 Buick Park Avenue. The Buick was driven by Jacqueline Yoss, age 57, Ossian, IN. A passenger in the vehicle, 93 year old Delbert Yoss, Geneva, IN was in the front seat.

Jacqueline and Delbert were trapped in the vehicle and had to be extracted by Celina Firefighters with the jaws equipment. Both Jacqueline and Delbert were transported to Mercer Health by Celina EMS. Jacqueline was pronounced dead upon arrival at Mercer Health. Delbert was transported by a medical helicopter to a Dayton Hospital where he expired a short time later.

The crash marks the fourth fatal traffic crash in Mercer County this year and the fourth and fifth fatalities. The incident remains under investigation.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Women's Club Meeting - 5/11

Darke County Auditor Carol Ginn and Darke County Commissioner Diane Delaplane will be the speakers for the Republican Women's Club meeting on May 11. The meeting will be held at the Chestnut Village Community Center at 6:30 p.m. This is a dinner meeting, so reservations are required, please call Wavelene Denniston at 547-6477 or e-mail: wdenniston@woh.rr.com. The public is invited, and new members welcomed. Those who wish to hear the speakers but will not be attending the dinner may come at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Great sunset in southern Darke County - 4/22

1 comment:

Greenville Girls Softball Association upgrades its concession stand and facilities

No comments:
The word "upgrade" is probably not strong enough to describe the off-season facility improvements for the Greenville Girls Softball Association. Any parent who has worked the concession stand in the past has had an elbow-to-elbow experience with the other workers. And as you can see below, the old concession stand was so small it was literally forklifted and driven away prior to the new construction (first photo from the GGSA website). Equally significant was the addition of plumbing and bathrooms - which has eliminated the need for the ugly and disgusting port-a-pots.

The new building is much larger. Beyond having more room for the concession workers, there is plenty of storage area for future expansion. And the attached bathrooms are miles ahead of the former situation. The new building also has heat and air conditioning.

And the entire building is accented in Greenwave green.
















ODJFS releases unemployment map of Ohio

These are the civilian labor force estimates for March 2009. The unadjusted unemployment rate for Ohio is 10.1%; the United States is 9.0%. The original map is here.

Miller Flowers is coming to the Arcanum Public Library - TOMORROW

Thursday, April 23rd, at 6:30 PM. Call for more details 692-8484.


[Arcanum Public Library]

Ohio budget negotiations - democrats' most recent proposal attached

No comments:
As our legislators in Columbus continue to hammer out the current budget, the House Democrats have released a summary of the most recent proposal. The Democrats' proposed budget includes appropriations of $25.8 billion in 2010 - and $28.1 billion in 2011.

A summary of the budget proposal can be seen here (24 pages), which is hot off the presses from just yesterday.

Thank you to State Rep. Jim Zehringer (77th District) for providing a copy.

Link: more info is available at the Dayton Daily News.

******************************************

UPDATE: A spreadsheet version of HB1 is available here. If you want to see the nitty-gritty of state government, including the raw figures of appropriations to all the state government agencies, then check out the link and 92 pages of stats.

Temporary power outage hits Darke County

1 comment:
The power was out here in Greenville for about a half an hour this morning (approx. 8:45am to 9:15am).

The area of the outrage outage is still unknown - but confirmed reports had the power out in downtown Greenville, north Greenville (Woodland Heights), and as far south as Neave Township. Unconfirmed reports from the county administration building indicated the power outage extended out as far as Arcanum to the south - and North Star to the north.

UPDATE: Another shorter outage occurred after 9:15am - and then ended at approximately 9:30am. The Darke County Courthouse is currently locked down.

Additional reports indicate the outage affected Preble County as well.

Link: Dayton Daily News.

[Outrage vs. outage - please give us a pass, we were typing in the dark after all.]

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Vint's tea party was a smashing success

Vint's Restaurant declared a tea party on April 15th - with free iced tea for customers. The operator of Vint's now says that 200 customers showed up for the tea party - and he claims they came for "the idea," and not the free tea.

Scheduled power outages planned for Arcanum

The following notice was provided to Arcanum residents with recent electric bills:

Scheduled power outages

Electric Maintenance work will be done on our substation forcing us to have scheduled electric outages for the following days and times:

Wed. April 22 beginning at 10pm to 6am
Thurs. April 23
Wed. April 29
Thurs. April 30 (same times as 22nd)

We hope to accomplish work in one night, but will have the other dates scheduled in case of inclement weather or other problems that may occur.

If weather would not permit for the work to be done, hydrant flushing may occur on those days. Discoloration of water may occur, please check your water and allow to run for a few minutes before doing laundry.

We apologize for the inconvenience but maintenance repair work must be done
to reduce non-scheduled outages.

Looks like you'll have to break out your old wind-up alarm clocks on the 22nd. And no Leno either.

Attention veterans & surviving spouses

Did you know you may be eligible for a VA pension or other VA benefit?

If you are a veteran who served at least 90 days in the military, one of which was during a time of war:

- You do not have to have a service-connected disability.
- You do not have to have retired from the milltary.
- You do not have to have been overseas or seen combat.

You simply have to meet the income, net worth and service time criteria, and either be disabled ~ 65 or older. And surviving spouses may be eligible based on their husband's (or wife's) prior service.

Brethren Retirement Community of Greenville, OH is sponsoring a free seminar by the American Veterans Institute, which will focus on a variety of Veteran's issues including the VA Improved Pension program.

If you or a loved one is a veteran who served in one of these time frames:

- World War II: December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946
- Korean War: June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955
- Vietnam War: August 5, 1964 (February 28, 1961, for veterans who served “in country" before August 5, 1964), through May 7, 1975
- Gulf War: August 2, 1990, through a date to be determined.

...then you may be eligible for this little-known benefit that can pay a married veteran up to $22, 113 per year, a single veteran up to$18,654 per year. or a surviving spouse up to $1 1,985 per year.

The Community is Encouraged to Attend!

This FREE Seminar will be held on April 27, 2009 6-8 p.m. at the
Brethren Retirement Community, 750 Chestnut Street, Greenville, Oh
in the Brick Room. Resources and information will be provided.
Presenters include VA Improved Pension specialists, a 30-year
Veterans Services Officer and an Attorney.

For more information, call the Brethren Retirement Community
937.547.7628

Monday, April 20, 2009

Greenville's Jesse Green returns from duty in Iraq (w/update)

1 comment:
After a year in Iraq, Greenville's Jesse Green is back in Ohio. Green is the judge advocate for the Ohio National Guard's 371st Sustainment Brigade. The brigade's return home was featured in the Dayton media this evening, with Jesse Green being shown (ever-so-briefly) in video on WHIO and WKEF.

Green's brigade was assigned to the Al Asad Airbase in the Anbar Province of Iraq. Back in February, Green met Congressman John Boehner during a visit to Al Asad.

Jesse Green is an assistant Darke County prosecutor and is expected to return to his position very soon.

Thank you for your service - and welcome home.


UPDATE
: Jesse Green was awarded a bronze star for his time in Iraq. Congratulations Jesse!

More information on the Arcanum sewer project

Upon a request, Arcanum Village Administrator Curt Garrison has provided information on the Arcanum sewer project discussed below. The current sewer work is being done to accomodate an Ohio EPA requirement to separate storm sewers and sanitary sewers. A public meeting was held earlier last month, and a February 23rd letter to Arcanum residents sets forth the details of the project:

Dear Village Resident,

I hope you have survived the winter and this letter finds you well. As we look forward to the change in weather we also look forward to many projects within the Village that will improve the infrastructure of our Village.

One project in particular, Phase 3 sewer separation will begin work soon. The purpose of this letter is to invite you to a public meeting on March 5, 2009. The public meeting will take place at the Village Fire Department at 7 p.m. This public meeting will allow you to meet the contractor who will be completing the project and ask questions of your Village Officials as it relates to the project.

The Phase 3 sewer separation project affects those sewer customers who reside north of Painter creek and along Alt. 49 East (east of the bridge). Our contractor’s current workload allows him to start the project as soon as March 9, 2009. Citizens may see as many as 3 different construction crews working in various parts of the town. The first crew will begin construction at our waste water treatment plant and work their way west into town as the second crew starts on Greenmoor Drive and works their way south, completing one street at a time. A third crew will begin installing sanitary sewer laterals approximately 2-3 weeks after the installation of the main line.

Phase 3 sewer separation involves two different construction phases. The first phase of construction will be the installation of a new sanitary sewer main line in streets north of Painter Creek as well as Alt 49 east (east of the bridge). The second phase of the project involves installing a new 4” PVC sanitary sewer lateral to homes that are adjacent to the new main lines being installed. Work on the customer’s property will include trenching of sanitary sewer lateral, installing PVC sanitary sewer lateral, and yard repair. NO work will need to be performed inside the customer’s home.

This project is being complete at NO additional cost to the customer. The sanitary sewer project as well as the alternate bid for street re-paving will cost the Village approximately $3,332,318.00. The Village has secured financing in the amount of 4.3 million through various grants and loans.

The Village and Contractor will notify customers on an individual basis as the construction process nears their property. Customers will be notified of the schedule as it relates to detours, limited drive access and lateral installation. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting and working with you during this project.

Respectfully
Curt Garrison
Village Administrator
Village of Arcanum
You can also view a copy of the Village's powerpoint here (you will need a powerpoint reader to view this / for those who are unfamiliar with powerpoint, click the spacebar to continue - "esc" to exit).

Thanks to the Village for providing this information.

St. Mary's Chicken BBQ fundraiser - 5/19

St. Mary's School will be having a chicken dinner fundraiser on May 19 - as indicated below. Order your tickets by emailing back here: at contact@darkejournal.com.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Two Arcanum streets ravaged by sewer work

No comments:
Northmoor and Greenmoor Streets in Arcanum look more like a construction zone than a residential neighborhood. Both streets have huge portions of the asphalt torn out and filled with gravel. Heavy equipment lines the streets. A few houses have huge rockpiles right outside their front doors. And some sort of pump is gushing a constant stream of water into the storm sewer.

If the trashed roads weren't bad enough for the residents, most of their yards have been trenched and backfilled. As you can see below, one Arcanum resident has a carefully landscaped yard with a massive dirtpile running right down the middle. And the neighbor has the same thing. Good luck getting those yards to look normal in the next three years.

We don't yet know the story behind these pictures - but will follow up soon. Are the any Arcanum residents with information on this project?













Ansonia American Legion Pot Pie Dinner - 4/24

Beef or chicken pot pie - mashed potatoes - green beans - and a roll - all for $6 ($3 for kids up to 12). The dinner will take place at the American Legion, 118 Mackinaw Street in Ansonia, from 4pm to 7pm on Friday, April 24. The dinner is open to the public.

Link: national American Legion website.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

New car lot in south Greenville? Update: No - building is for rent.

3 comments:
Saturday morning several workers were cleaning up the building most recently occupied by Powell's Auto Sales (on Dayton Road, immediately south of Speedway; north of the DP&L building).

The workers said they were preparing the property for a new car lot. We'll try to find out what's going and and let you know.

On a side note, there's a rumor going around that this place used to be some sort of restaurant where people stayed in their cars. And there was also something about intercoms, root beer, and roller skates. Can anybody shed some light on this?

** A reader emailed these comments: "Yes, it used to be Ferd's A & W Root Beer Stand, owned by Ferd Schwinn - I was a "car hop" there in............1970 - and it was fun place to work... the roller skates were before my time, however, we did have one gal who would skate around."

** Update: The building is presently owned by Bish Properties, LLC and is actively seeking a renter.

The Flower Patch has a special for professional secretaries day

Every business day of the year they make sure we're all happy workers and keep our homes away from home - the office humming smoothly. Every wise worker knows that Administrative Professionals are the glue holding their business together, and every year we ask them to do more with less. To help recognize their superhuman efforts, we present a Happy Worker salute to our friendly neighborhood administrative professionals!

The Flower Patch is offering Free Delivery on Wednesday April 22, 2009 (if ordered by noon) for Professional Administrative Secretaries Day.

Call The Flower Patch at 548-5687 and ask for Katie or Marcia.

http://www.theflowerpatchgreenville.com/

Friday, April 17, 2009

More signs of spring

1 comment:

A plum tree in bloom. (Chris N., can you place this one? haha)

The levy discussion continues

5 comments:
Comments continue to added on the Greenville levy discussion. The following (non-anonymous) statement was posted just today. May the discussion continue ...

Let me establish some level of legitimacy- though I know it will likely get pounded on.

I lived in the Greenville community for 33 years before moving to where I currently have lived for the past two. I was a home owner with a child, and though not "in" the community, still own property- so I am a Greenville/Darke County Property Tax Payer. I don't like paying taxes anymore than the next person; so in that sense I am right in the bucket with everyone else.

For a few years my semi-annual tax bill for our home was between $950-1000. In the community I now reside in we have a home of approximate similar value- our taxes are $1700- the majority of which goes to fund the schools (i heard at one point that Greenville's school taxes were in the BOTTOM 5% in the entire state). I have no problem paying our taxes because I know that our schools are amongst the best in the state-- and the community is vaguely similar to Greenville in some respects.

I know no one wants to hear this- but the community must pull together and do what is going to be best for the community 5-10-15 years from now. No company will ever make a large investment to bring good paying jobs to the community to have their management move in from other communities to deposit their students into those school buildings in their current state. NONE of the buildings were ever meant to power a computer, much less near hundreds in addition to servers, etc... It's a good chance that some of them are fire hazards as we speak.

No one likes to hear taxes- but unless an investment is made for the betterment of the community today companies will continue to leave town with no replacements to follow. If foreclosures are bad now it will be a fraction of the problems to come if something isn't done thinking long term.

Dump on me if you feel the need- but then answer- [if] the levy is defeated today.... what is that going to mean 5 years from now. There are a lot of complaints of the present- but what are the long-term ramifications?

Rough start to the weekend

The workday ended Friday with what looked like a 2-vehicle accident in downtown Greenville. This would qualify as a little more severe than a fender bender.

Darke County Trash to Treasure ........ ***Reduced vendor pricing***

GARAGE SALE, FLEA MARKET & CONSIGNMENT-SILENT AUCTION

GREENVILLE, OH — Find bargains and deals all in one location when you visit Darke County Trash to Treasures. Shop the equivalent of over 100 home garage sales all in one location, inside the Coliseum, out of the elements!

Darke County Trash to Treasures Community Garage Sale is Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Darke County Fairgrounds in the Coliseum from 8 a.m.-2:00 p.m. so rain or shine, the bargains go on! Admission is $1 to the general public, children 12 and under FREE. Proceeds benefit Brethren Retirement Community’s Eden Alternative Fund.

Don’t have a spot to have a Garage Sale or don’t want to take time off work or go through the trouble of hosting a garage sale at your home? Spaces and tables will be rented for the general public on a first come first served basis.
Have a piece of furniture that you’d like to bring a better price than a garage sale typically brings? Consider putting it in our consignment silent auction arena.

Brethren Retirement Community will have their own booth at this event and will accept donated items that are clean and in good repair, a receipt will be issued for your taxes. Donated items must be received by May 1. Receipts will be issued for tax purposes if needed.

Brethren Retirement Community is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community, a national eldercare expert, and the only Eden Alternative Registered Community in Darke County. The Eden Alternative is a nationally known and widely acclaimed philosophy to create better environments for older adults, improve peoples’ quality of life and increase opportunities for meaningful activity.

For more information, please visit our web site – http://www.bhrc.org/ Call (937) 547-7628 or (937) 547 – 7655 or email jan.teaford@bhrc.org

Download the vendor application - with reduced pricing - here.

Ivy League brightens up Broadway

The Ivy League is located at 517 South Broadway - and today showed off some spring colors with tulips in the flower box in front of its shop.

The Ivy League is open M-F from 10am to 5pm, and Saturday 10am to 2pm. Phone 548-8759.

Check out their website at: ivyleagueflorist.com.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Where was this photo taken?

2 comments:

Any guesses?

Chris N. guessed correctly - it is the bridge on North Broadway, as seen from the old walking bridge, down the creek a little bit to the east (and shown below).

Common Grounds Cafe - 3rd & Walnut in Greenville

2 comments:
Greenville's newest coffee destination (although not for long) is Common Grounds Cafe, located on the corner of 3rd & Walnut. If you have not visited the building, it has been renovated - and can easily accomodate small-to-medium-sized receptions.

Main Street Greenville dates to remember

More information will follow later on the downtown architectural scavenger hunt.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Wildflower Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

The Wildflower Garden Club annual plant sale will take place Saturday, May 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at 5094 State Route 49 - Greenville. For sale: perennials, annuals, mums, scented geraniums, vegetables, herbs, and worm casting fertilizer.

Tax day

4 comments:

For discussion: Are the stimulus spending and repeated bailouts:
  • Sound policies for dealing with tough economic times?
  • Harmful big-government spending?
  • Or something else?

Leave a comment if you have an opinion.


[Anonymous comments are allowed, but be respectful]

Work progresses at the Darke County Courthouse

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The first floor renovation is progressing at the Darke County Courthouse.

There is one correction from the prior article - in that it now appears that the original door casings will remain partially concealed through the new renovation. The problem is that several large metal utility pipes (one in the foreground of the photo) were installed just above the since-removed drop ceiling. As you can see, a wood bulkhead is now concealing the large pipes along the sides of the hallway. However, these same pipes cross the hallway at each end - and in the background of the photo, you can see where the pipe actually covers the original archway at the entrance of the courthouse. Hopefully, there is a solution which will leave the archway open and unobstructed.

Even so, the work so far represents a huge improvement. More updates to come ...

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Press release on fatal crash

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Ohio State Highway Patrol Media Release
For Immediate Release: April 14, 2009
Contact: Lt. D.L. Eck (937) 832-4794

Greenville – Troopers from the Dayton Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred this morning at approximately 9AM on US 127, approximately one mile north of the City of Greenville in Darke County.

Troopers say that Ruth N. Bowman, age 72, of Elida, Ohio, was driving south on US127 in a 2000 Buick Park Avenue. Mrs. Bowman drove her vehicle left of center and collided with a 1979 International truck loaded with corn, driven by Michael K. Blauser, age 63 of Bradford, Ohio.

Mrs. Bowman was pronounced dead at the scene. Michael Blauser was taken by Greenville Twp. Fire and EMS to Wayne Hospital in Greenville for treatment of serious visible injuries.

Troopers say that Mrs. Bowman was wearing her safety belt at the time of the crash. Mr. Blauser was not wearing his safety belt.

US127 will be closed until approximately 4 PM while crews work on clearing the scene.

[received from the Ohio State Highway Patrol via email]

Greenville National Bank statement on recent fraud calls

No comments:
DON’T BE A VICTIM

Phone scams, text message scams, email scams, debit and credit card scams, and regular mail scams have one thing in common. They are all scams. If you are contacted and asked to give personal or account information through any of these means — DO NOT RESPOND. Scammers want you to believe they are legitimate businesses needing this information — DO NOT FALL FOR IT. Scammers may use the reasoning that your cards have been compromised, deactivated, locked out, frozen, suspended, etc. and you need to provide the card number to re-activate the card. This is purely false. Your financial institution would already have your account information and would not ask you to provide it. If you have given your Visa debit or credit card information to an unauthorized party, call Visa debit card (1-866-604-0381) or Visa credit card (1-800-523-4175) to report this occurrence immediately, or contact your bank. Protect your funds. Don’t fall victim to these scams.

Greenville National Bank
[customer notice]

Professional Women in Healthcare event, April 16th: What is clutterless connectivity?

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Join Professional Women in Healthcare for a Networking and Education Reception

The Versailles InnAlign Center
21 West Main St., Versailles, OH 45380
PH: 937-526-3020, http://www.innatversailles.com/

What is Clutterless Connectivity?
• How to overcome the keyboard wall to really hear and be heard
• Why pure objectivity creates contaminated outcomes
• H.O.P.E. or Healing Ones Personal Energy

An appropriate focused connection between a thought and an emotion, without external distractions. Connecting the correct emotions to our thought processes increases positive energy and improves all life experiences.

Schedule:
4:00 - Doors open; 4:30 - Welcome & introductions; 5:15 - Dinner – featuring a small 5 plate and wine pairing

About Our Facilitator Dr. Julia Bowlin:
From Dr. Julia Bowlin’s deeply rooted medical family and her profound professional and personal connection with the emotionally challenged, a healing giant has emerged. She works to clear the emotional, spiritual and physical clutter in our lives impacting our healing and recovery process through her speaking and her medical practice. Dr. Bowlin was born and raised in a small Ohio town where she now has a full time medical practice. She has been married for 17 years and has 2 children, a son and a daughter. Dr. Bowlin’s dream is to impact the lives of millions of people by teaching them how to connect entirely with their innermost self impacting how they see themselves and others in a more connected and productive way.

DATE: April 16, 2009, 4:00-7:00pm EST; COST: PWH Members: $45 in advance, $55 at the door*; Non-PWH members: $55 in advance, $65 at the door*; *Advanced registration is closed. Onsite payments must be made by cash or check. This event is open to all. Special: Members can register a non-member guest at the member rate!

Register Now: Space is Limited:
It’s easy to register online – copy the link below into your browser and you will be directed to the teleconference registration page. All major credit cards and checks accepted.

Registration: http://www.123signup.com/register?id=zdnyk
Information: http://www.123signup.com/event?id=zdnyk

See above information link for PWH hotel room block at the Inn at Versailles and information about touring the Midmark manufacturing facility.

Additional information: Lauree Swihart, 937-526-8414, lswihart@midmark.com

Monday, April 13, 2009

Seminar To Educate Public on Veterans' and Elderly Issues

1 comment:
GREENVILLE – The Brethren Retirement Community of Greenville is partnering with the American Veterans Institute to present an important seminar that can help local veterans and their families find out more about a little-known VA pension and other VA and eldercare issues. This free seminar will be held on April 27, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. in the brick room at the facility.

The American Veterans Institute (AVI), a 501(c)(3) Ohio-based non-profit dedicated to honoring and supporting veterans at the grass roots level, offers a free on-line service called VetAssist that helps veterans, their survivors or caregivers unravel the mysteries of the Improved Pensions known as Basic Pension, Housebound Benefit, and Aid & Attendance.

“This is a little known benefit that could benefit thousands of veterans,” said AVI co-founder and President Mike Jackson, retired Air Force Lt. Col and command pilot. “A veteran does not have to be retired from the military, nor does he need to have been injured in the line of duty. These pensions are based on need and physical condition. Even when people are aware of the program, they are often scared away by the paperwork and the sheer daunting mass of the VA system.”

Himself a disabled Vietnam veteran, Jackson has navigated the VA system for many years.

“It is a government agency tasked with serving the needs of millions. It’s like everything else in this world: it has good, caring people and it has uncooperative, uninformed people. I know from my own experiences that paperwork and documentation must be very clear and organized. If our website and reference material can help veterans at the beginning of the process, then the folks at the VA will have fewer headaches trying to clarify responses and request documentation,” the AVI President explained.

The seminar on April 27 will feature Jackson and his AVI co-founder Tara Dixon Engel, who will talk about the Improved Pension and the application process. Also featured is veterans advocate and VA expert Denver Combs, who will discuss various other VA benefits. Troy Attorney John Califf is also donating his time to discuss additional elder law topics. Handouts and resource information will be available to attendees. Individuals who would like to submit questions in advance of the seminar (to be answered at the event) can send them to: vethelp@americanveteransinstitute.org – PLEASE put “Brethren Retirement Question” in the subject line.

VetAssist can be accessed through the AVI website at http://www.americanveteransinstitute.org/ or directly through http://www.vetassist.org/. The web site offers on-line pre-qualification information, form downloads, a precise step-by-step guide to filling out VA forms, and e-mail support for questions not covered on the site. The site is made possible by a generous donation from the Paul G. Duke Foundation.

The American Veterans Institute was co-founded by Col. Jackson and Tara Dixon-Engel. The duo are popular public speakers, National Co-Chairmen for Operation Welcome Home, authors of Naked In Da Nang (Zenith Press 2004), The Wright Brothers: First In Flight (Sterling Publishing 2007) and Neil Armstrong: One Giant Leap for Mankind (2008). They are currently writing The Embracing Freedom book series for young people and are working with the National Military History Center (NMHC) and Ohio University to develop a comprehensive national education program that will be jointly administered by AVI and the NMHC.

To find out more about the seminar, please contact Jan Teaford, Director of Development at the Brethren Retirement Community at 937-547-7628. To find out more about the American Veterans Institute or the Improved Pension, please call 937.669.2040.

[submitted]

A taste of wine and jazz - April 17th (Montage Cafe)

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A Taste of Wine and Jazz returns to the Montage Cafe this Friday, April 17th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

DCCA is continuing its popular fundraiser with three fantastic events scheduled this season. The format will remain the same; Keith will line up a great jazz band, Aaron and Michelle Cox will prepare exceptional hors d'oeuvres and offer four wines for tasting, and unique door prizes will round out the evening.
For more information, call Darke County Center for the Arts at 547-0908. Or email to dcca@centerforarts.net.

Monte Carlo Night set for April 18

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The Cancer Association of Darke County will host a Monte Carlo evening of "denim, dinner, and deals" on April 18th at the Grenville V.F.W. Tickets are available the the Cancer Association office or call 548-9960.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Buy local/sell local: Farmers' market begins June 3rd

The Greenville Farmers' Market will return June 4th 3rd and continue through October 29th. Local producers can sell their goods each Wednesday and Saturday next to the Darke County Courthouse. The program is presented by the Darke County Farm Bureau. Information and a vendor's application are available here.


Channel 22 anchor Candice Hunter will speak at Edison Event

On Wednesday, April 22, 2009, in recognition of Administrative Professionals
Day, Edison Community College will present a program that both recognizes and salutes the contributions of support staff. WKEF anchor Candice Hunter will be the featured speaker.

All office support professionals, including administrative assistants, executive assistants, office managers, administrative aides, information processing coordinators, office assistants, secretaries, executive secretaries, members of International Association of Administrative Professionals, and other employees who provide secretarial or administrative support. Managers are encouraged to attend with their support staff.

Registrations are due April 20. Details and registration information are available here.

New Madison American Legion Fish Fry - April 18

The New Madison Farst American Legion Post will have an all-you-can-eat fish fry on April 18th at 5pm. The event is open to the public. Dinner is $6. The American Legion is located on Fayette Street in New Madison. Carry-out is available at 996-0095.

YMCA sponsors Easter egg hunt

1 comment:
The Darke County YMCA set up a massive field of Easter eggs in front of the Greenville High School Saturday morning. Each age group was divided into sections - and after a short prayer, the kids were turned loose at 10:00 a.m. By 10:05 a.m., the ground was bare. There were lots of happy children and smiling parents everywhere. Thanks to the YMCA for having this event.

Happy Easter.












Another Wayne Theater Movie Review: Duplicity

2 comments:
It has been nothing but kids movies at Wayne Theater for the last week or so. That was until Friday, when Duplicity debuted in Greenville (about three weeks after its national release).

Duplicity stars Julia Roberts and Clive Owen as spies who team up to commit a massive corporate heist. The two stars need each other to execute their plan - but neither trusts the other completely. There are quite a few twists and turns as the stars navigate the way through their plan. Can't really say much more than that without giving away the plot.

Some of the critics are calling this movie "smart," but I'd say it's too clever by half - and too long (2 hours, 5 minutes). There is still a lot of fun here, but don't expect to walk away saying this is the best movie you've ever seen ... or best spy movie ... or best Julia Roberts movie. This movie is similar to - and reminds me a lot of the remake of the Thomas Crown Affair (if that gives you a better idea).

The Yahoo! movie critics gave this one a B. Yahoo! users gave it a C+. And I'll split the difference with a B-. If you're interested, the official movie trailer is here.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Edison presents one-day community leadership conference: The Power Behind us

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The Power Behind Us conference will be held May 20, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Edison Community College in Greenville. For more information on registration, please contact: The Edison Graduate Academy for Community Leadership, Julie Slattery, 1973 Edison Drive, Piqua, Ohio 45356 - (937)778-7805 - jslattery@edisonohio.edu.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

An opposing view on the Greenville School levy

7 comments:
This comment was submitted anonymously under a story below. It is being re-printed more conspicuously here:

My question to all of you who have posted here is this...Do you own property? If not you have no right to judge those whom this will be affecting. Also, on the original posting from the one who said we must not have understood why we needed this big new expensive school...Do you think we are ignorant? We are older, wiser, grandparents, great-grandparents who can teach all of you a thing or two on economics, budgets (and living within them), taxes, waste in government run schools, all whom benefit paying for that benefit. Do not talk to us in that condescending manner, all you are doing is making yourself look foolish. Have any of you checked the unemployment rate recently, have you seen the foreclosures in Greenville? Have you even payed attention to the declining number of students in Greenville? Have you seen the over half empty high school busses going down Harmon Dr.? Do your research, dry behind your ears and then open your mouth. This has nothing to do with the kids. It has to do with simple math...You want (as usual) the few to pay for the many. Take resposibility and make ALL pay....sales tax....not property or income tax. I am tired of being penalized because I both work and own property (actually the bank owns it), We choose to do the right thing and they will not stop taking from us until we can give no more. Vote loud and clear.....NO!!!!!!

UPDATE: Here's a counter-response from the comments:
Yes, we do own property!! We also have children in the Greenville City School System...Do you??? Did you happen to think about any of the following before you decided to make your vote known: maybe you see the buses half empty because the buses going to the High School have already dropped off kids at South, Jr High, and St Mary's Schools....maybe the declining number of students is because Greenville cannot afford to do what other neighboring ones can because the community won't pass anything to help! We pay the least around in property tax and in school income tax!!! Way less!!! I do payroll, I know!!! Come on, we need to think about our kids..KIDS COME FIRST!!!!

Notice anything different?

No comments:
Scroll down a bunch of stories and you'll see a story on this site about the closing of Carter Lumber in Greenville. Well now Carter Lumber is nothing more than a memory to the people of Darke County - as "Carter Lumber" has literally been whitewashed from the building and signs.

You can't really blame the Carter corporation here - as it's not a very good visual representation for the company to have big empty buildings labeled "Carter" for all the travelers on U.S. 127 to see. Farewell for good!















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