Know Founder to Leave Company

Know Theatre Founder Jay Kalagayan will leave the company by Fall. This is sad news for the theatre community and those of us who have been fans and supporters of the Know Theatre for many years.

Jay is the Know the Theatre. His commitment to it over 12 years is an amazing testament to him as a person. He took a small troop and built it up into an institution. I can't look past the many times I spent drinking a beer with Jay and his conversation went to the theatre, either promoting the next show, seeking volunteers, or looking for something he could procure for the actors/staff. A joke often shared amongst his friends was that Jay was able to feed some of his staff, particularity a skinny technical director, who was keep alive with the endless Chipotle free burrito coupons Jay was able to collect.

Jay has wonderful family who will really enjoy more time with him. I expect Jay will move on to new exciting things, but he'll still end up at the theater for a show or just to check on his creation. I personally want to wish Jay the best of luck.

For more check out this from the Dayton Daily News.

Widmer Decision Due

The decision on Ryan Widmer's motion for a new trial is due out any minute.

My prediction: the motion will be denied. I'll explain my reasoning a little later, once the decision is out.

That Explains It....

For some time, the Enquirer has been holding up as its "poster child" of deferred sentences due to jail overcrowding a woman convicted of leaving the scene of an accident and driving under a suspended license.  Several months ago, she was sentenced to serve 180 days in jail.  Because of the lack of jail space, she was released and told to come back later.  

During her release, she's apparently been charged with driving under a suspended license.  That was a dumb thing to do--especially because under the rules about the way cases are assigned, she ends up back in front of the same judge that wanted her to do six months in jail.  (He made sure she stayed locked up today.)

I haven't understood why this is the case the Enquirer decided needed so much attention.  Yes, the woman drove without a license, hit and injured a bicyclist (unintentionally), and left the scene of the accident.  But there have been people convicted of arguably more serious offenses (at least to the extent they involve assault, an intentionally violent offense) who have been released despite being ordered to serve time.  Why not pick out one of those cases?

The answer, perhaps, comes in today's story.  For the first time (or at least the first time I've noticed), the Enquirer offers a little bit of a description of the bicyclist who was injured in the car accident:

He or she is a photographer for the Enquirer.

I guess maybe it's not so hard to figure out why that case is garnering so much ink, after all.

Cincinnati Acclaim Awards: May 21st

Come out and support Cincinnati Theatre by attending the Cincinnati Acclaim Awards:

2009 Acclaim Awards
Celebrating the Best of Cincinnati's 2008-2009 Theatre Season

Presented By
The Enquirer with the League of Cincinnati Theatres

Hosted by Cincinnati Arts Association

JARSON-KAPLAN THEATER
Aronoff Center for the Arts
650 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

6:30 PM
Pre-Show reception for Host Level and Higher
By-the-bite appetizers by Bootsy's, JeanRo Bistro, McCormick & Schmick's,
Morton's, Nicholson's, Oceanaire, Washington Platform and Via Vite.

7:30 PM
Acclaim Awards Program
See a list of category winners to date

9:00 PM
After-Party for Acclaim winners and supporters

Tickets
General Admission: $25
Theatre Artists: $10
Host/Hostess: $100 includes pre-show reception

Reservations
(513) 621-2787
www.cincinnatiarts.org

David Pepper's Hat Is In the Ring

Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper is running for State Auditor. He is not is not running for reelection to the County Comission. Who will run for that seat? Do I really need to say anyone else's name other than John Cranley?

Dogs and Cats Living Together

First we had the civil union between Chris and Chris, Smitherman of the NAACP and Finney of COAST. Now we have Simon Leis coming to the defense of David Pepper.

Larry Flynt and Phil Burress better stay away from each other or the world will end.

And furthermore:
Dr. Egon Spengler: There's something very important I forgot to tell you.
Dr. Peter Venkman: What?
Dr. Egon Spengler: Don't cross the streams.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Why?
Dr. Egon Spengler: It would be bad.
Dr. Peter Venkman: I'm fuzzy on the whole good/bad thing. What do you mean, "bad"?
Dr. Egon Spengler: Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.
Dr Ray Stantz: Total protonic reversal.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Right. That's bad. Okay. All right. Important safety tip. Thanks, Egon.

Paying Your Dues

Here is how council candidates do it. You start off by running an independent campaign for council. You don't win, but you show what you have to run a campaign. If you do well enough, in two years you get an endorsement for a party, which gives you a real chance for getting on council. You most likely lose again, unless you organize/fundraise extremely well, but then you get appointed or elected the third time.