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Columbus finally gets it...Sofritas, that is.

Central Ohio vegans and omnivores alike now have another dining option. Chipotle, the national alt-Mex chain with an edgy image and a reputation for high standards, now offers Sofritas at all its Columbus-area locations. The spicy concoction of shredded organic tofu braised with chipotle chilies, roasted poblano peppers and a blend of aromatic spices first appeared in the company's California stores in Spring of 2013. Although Columbus has long been a popular test market for the fast-food industry, it is behind the curve this time as part of the last nationwide launch of the new product.

Recording for the Holidays, in which Santa Claus is Disrespected

In November of last year, my friends and I in Miller-Kelton were asked by Mingo Town Music to contribute a song for their annual holiday EP. Wrangling all six members of MK into doing anything these days is an impossibility, but four of us (which we view as a quorum) accepted. This was both in accord with the Second Commandment of Amateur Musicianship, “thou shalt not turn down free studio time,” and a perverse desire to abuse an Amy Grant standard. Post-acceptance, we realized that a standard would be tedious, and decided to instead do this weird stream of consciousness rant about labor strife at the North Pole. Some of us got together and worked up a chorus, with the idea that it would allow what was really just a puddle of overly-caffeinated gibberish to pass itself off as a song.

An evening with Columbus' next best punk band: Yuze Boys

I went over to Columbus punk outfit Yuze Boys’ north campus house early last week. They were in the middle of recording their demo which will be released on Athens’ punk label, “Gnarly As I Wannabe.” We sat down, and somehow landed on the subject of sex in automobiles. I just thought we were just building rapport. Yuze Boys’ drummer Winston Hightower divulged that he “had sex in a soccer mom’s van.” It wasn’t with a soccer mom. I did not find out if Winston’s sexual partner played soccer or perhaps had a sibling who did. Perhaps that makes me a bad reporter. Bassist Kyle Bergamo likes to have sex up against the wall. Anyway. This conversation led to pertinent info: Yuze Boys formed because Nervosas’ Jeffrey Kleinman was living behind Cafe Bourbon Street in his van. He was having sex in the aforementioned van, stealing wi-fi to watch King of the Hill, and “getting work done.” Kleinman quipped that “he has a big van.” Bourbon Street is near their East Oakland home where the other three Yuze Boys live. Front man Alex Mussawir (Goners) said “Jeff get over here.”

2014: Drunken nights and mind-blowing performances

It was a five-way tie for best concert of the year 2014 for this hombre for the longest time. I savored for months after attending each of the following: Santana at the LC Pavilion; the Blasters at the Rumba Cafe; Big Sandy at Natalie's; the Pixies at the LC Pavilion; and Dr. John at the Park Street Tavern. So who kicked it the best, who took my soul, my sacred booty, my mind (or what's left of it) and changed me, rearranged me and made me a better methane-breathing earthling? Ginger Baker drum roll, puh-lease, maestro...

Agent Carter Serves Up Plenty of Testicular Trauma

‘Tis Midwinter, and that means network television is either showing reruns or airing new miniseries to fill time until the regular shows return from their mid-season breaks. In the case of Agents of SHIELD, the television arm of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the angst of waiting to find out just what the heck is going on with Skye and Raina is lessened by a new spin-off prequel series all about one of the founding members of the organization, Agent Peggy Carter.


The MCU excels at giving characters the kinds of stories they need to be in, and so far Marvel’s Agent Carter is much more of a postwar spy story than a superhero one, a period piece set in the aftermath of World War II. Unlike Agents of SHIELD, this is a firmly pre-Avengers world, and the only superhero it has known is the now-MIA Captain America. There are no Asgardians or Inhumans here. But there is a Stark: Howard, Iron Man Tony Stark’s father, who is every bit as brilliant and badly behaved as his son. The “super” element here isn’t aliens or magic but good old super-science.

Low Libido

A common question I receive is about having a low libido. All genders experience it. Some worry they have forgotten how to have sex. Some wonder about a drop-off and how to satisfy their partner when they just aren't feeling it.


A married woman in her 50s describes, “I want sex, I want to be touched, but it takes me a long time to really get into it. Sometimes before I can get ramped up, he's lost interest and doesn't want to try any more. And, sometimes that's okay. I'm happy to have a good partner and he's not that sexual. Sometimes I really want to try and have sex.”


A partnered woman in her early 40s said, “I once had a weekend fling (totally okay with my boyfriend). I wasn't having sex with my boyfriend and even with this fling, it took him all afternoon of being playful, teasing, seductive to finally flip the switch from OFF to ON. But, once it was on - WOW! I came back to my boyfriend in a heightened state. Then, it didn't last. There just wasn't the time for an afternoon of play to get me to respond.”

Free Press Heros January

Columbus citizens may believe that city decisions and reforms are made by elected officials or government agencies. Those who watch NBC’s “Spectrum” and other local media may believe there’s a handful of movers and shakers in the community working to affect public policy. These shows span the spectrum from “A” to “B” and back. If you want “C-Z” alternative points of view you need to read The Free Press. People in the loosely affiliated activist community know that there are actually dozens of selfless, dedicated individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes without notoriety, reward, and in most cases, a paycheck. They work for social justice and positive social change in central Ohio – and all over the planet. These are citizens like you and me, who make a “cause” part of their daily existence, and they often succeed in enacting some of the greatest changes in society for our common good. This column will be devoted to acknowledging those unsung heroes who are almost never invited to appear on the for-profit mainstream talking head shows.

Khari Enaharo

Black Lives Matter

“Black lives matter!” became the rallying cry among activists calling attention to the recent police shootings of black citizens in Ohio and across the country.


Demonstrators against police brutality took advantage of the busiest holiday shopping day of the year by staging a “die-in” at Easton mall on December 20, the Saturday before Christmas. Sixty or so activists gathered in the Easton mall food court, unfurled a banner proclaiming “Black Lives Matter,” and struck death poses on the floor.


That same day, the usual holiday hustle at the Beavercreek Walmart was disrupted as nearly 200 protesters and activists took to the aisles to demand justice for the late John Crawford III, a 22-year old black man shot and killed by the local police department earlier this year, as reported by Reilly C. Dixon on columbusfreepress.com. A dozen protestors were arrested and charged with obstructing official business and criminal trespass.

Black child victims of rape matter

In response to the movement insisting “black lives matter,” three black child victims of rape held a press conference at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Columbus on January 8, 2015. Their faces were covered with masks and it is the policy of The Free Press not to reveal the identity of underage rape victims. They remained silent throughout the press conference.


But, their advocates raised this theme: “Black child victims of rape matter.”


The three underage black girls have accused their uncle of raping them. The press conference was held to call attention to the fact that the rapes have been all but ignored by the Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien, and the alleged perpetrator is still a free man. Participant Bernardine Kennedy Kent of Parents Advocates of Students in Schools (PASS) insisted that the child rapes were not being properly investigated or prosecuted because of the victims’ race.

 

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