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Posts Tagged ‘Ohio’

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Bullwhip Lessons Offer Unique Valentine’s Day Gift

In Business, Entertainment, Local News, Media, National News, State News, Uncategorized on January 4, 2012 at 11:05 am

“Writer, entertainer Gery L. Deer of Jamestown is offering a unique Valentine’s Day gift idea – Bullwhip Lessons!”

Jamestown, Ohio – Since its inception, men and women have struggled to find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, often settling for the tired triad of dinner, flowers and candy. Shared activities, however, are enjoyed by both and remembered far longer than some clichéd gift.

One Ohio-based performing arts studio urges couples to forget ballroom dancing and horse-drawn carriage rides this Valentine’s Day and try something new – bullwhip lessons. For the fifth year, The Whip Artistry Studio based in Jamestown, Ohio, is offering special bullwhip handling lessons designed just for couples.

“Whip artistry” is a relatively new concept applied to an ancient skill. The term refers to the use of a bullwhip or stock whip, not just to crack it and make a loud noise, but for precision sport and performance art.

The Whip Artistry Studio opened in 1998 as the only full-time, permanent facility in the United States dedicated to the study of whip arts. The studio is the home base of the Society of American Whip Artistry and operates like a creative arts center, providing certified individual or group lessons and stage performances.

Each year, individuals, couples and even entire families come to The Whip Artistry Studio to learn the whip for fun and sport. Most are hobbyists who are just interested in learning a unique skill. Others are professional performers and stage entertainers who want to add the whip to their repertoire.

Couple’s bullwhip lessons starts with a quick safety overview and covers the basics of whip artistry. Contrary to what one might think, the couple does not crack the whip at each other nor is it used in any dangerous manner. Instead the couple shares a unique experience and learns a new skill together.

Gery L. Deer, an independent writer and nationally-known whip artistry performer and instructor, is the studio’s managing director. “Whips have been around in some form for thousands of years,” says Deer. “They are a fun, precision tool for sport and entertainment and a great activity for couples and families to share; akin to archery, fencing and target shooting.”

An award-winning whip artist of 20 plus years, Deer has coached and performed around the country including Dayton’s Victoria Theatre as well as national television programs like The Bonnie Hunt Show and NBC’s America’s Got Talent. He also develops whip-holstering equipment and specialty training for movie studios and theatrical companies.

Deer says, “Similar to ballroom dancing, whip artistry is learned in steps with basic techniques branching into precision movement. It really is a unique and entertaining activity, and much safer than people might expect.” In addition to training, The Whip Artistry Studio also supplies custom-designed whip accessories for stage, film and television productions.

Couple’s whip lessons start at $85.00 for 90-minutes, including equipment rental. Individual lessons are also available at a reduced cost during this promotion. To get the special rates, a deposit is required and reservations must be made by Tuesday, February 13th,but the actual lesson can be scheduled for any date. Studio hours vary and all activities are by appointment only. For more information go online to The Whip Artistry Studio website http://www.thewhipstudio.com or call (937) 902-4857.

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Beware Sunny Government Statistics

In Business, Economy, Jobs, Local News, National News, Opinion on December 20, 2011 at 10:10 am

DEER IN HEADLINES

By Gery L. Deer

According to government reports, unemployment and foreclosure figures are showing all the signs of an improving economy. In November, USA Today reported the national unemployment average fell to 8.6 percent, down from 9 percent in October. Similarly, according to government accounts, foreclosure filings appear to have decreased over the last year as well. Those numbers seem to vary, depending on the source.

The problem with these statistics is that they often ignore important information showing that, what looks like economic recovery is actually a lie of omission. Take the unemployment reports, for example.

As the economy worsened and more people lost jobs those already unemployed became less hopeful of finding work. Many simply stopped reporting their unemployment status for whatever reason and at that point were no longer included in the statistics.

Over time, more and more people who have been out of work for a long period of time stop going back to the unemployment office. As benefits come to an end and with no job potential on the horizon, people either just stop filing or take part time work to put food on the table.

The underemployed are also omitted from the statistics. Underemployed people are those who have taken whatever work they can find but who may have once earned a higher salary in a more suitable position. An underemployed person could be an architect, for example, who takes a seasonal, general labor job on a construction crew.

Housing statistics can be manipulated in a similar fashion, to show improvement where none yet exists. Listen carefully to how this data is reported. Generally the wording is something like, “The White House reported today that foreclosure filings were down last month …” and so on. The number of filings may have decreased but there are many reasons for that.

According to the real estate website, RealtyTrac.Com, an average of one in every 500Ohiohousing units is in foreclosure. In most states, foreclosure filings are expected to increase, not drop, as the government stats seem to report. Some homes, purchased as foreclosed properties over the last couple of years are in foreclosure again, adding to the problem.

Additionally, within a given region, usually there is a finite number of pre-existing homes, and a particular segment of those whose mortgages have fallen into default. At some point, the market hits a peak where there are no more homes to foreclose on and the number of filings actually drops, but the problem still exists.

Then, while the White House reports “fudged” housing figures, one of the government’s pinnacle villains in the housing crisis is talking out of the other side of its mouth. Freddie Mac reported a noted increase in foreclosure filings in November. The agency estimates that it will take more than 15 years to relieve the burden of foreclosed property inventory.

The point here is that, especially in an election year, government officials will “spin” facts and figures to paint as positive a picture as possible to help keep everyone in their offices. “Spin,” is when the communications officers and public relations directors word the facts in a way that benefits the originator in some way.

Everyone wants credit for making things better and getting people back to work. Unfortunately, short of drafting people and creating more beaurocratic offices, the government doesn’t create jobs – only private industry can do that.

For the public, the only way to be certain of the facts is to go look them up at the source. Looking at the data in its raw form can help shed light on the facts, without the media hype and government spin.

Gery L. Deer is an independent business writer and columnist based in Jamestown, Ohio. Read more at http://www.deerinheadlines.com.

 

 

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The Well-Fed Writer, Peter Bowerman to Speak In Fairborn

In Business, Economy, Entertainment, Local News, Media, National News, Uncategorized on December 20, 2011 at 12:03 am

Award-winning author Peter Bowerman will speak at 7 p.m., Thursday December 29th at the Fairborn Community Center.

FAIRBORN, OH– In today’s downsized business world, companies of all sizes outsource many writing tasks to well-paid freelancers. In his award-winning book, The Well-Fed Writer, veteran commercial writer Peter Bowerman offers insights to potential freelancers on how to develop a thriving and profitable career writing for the business community.

On Thursday, December 29th, aspiring freelancers in the Miami Valley will have the opportunity to meet the author and learn from Bowerman’s experience, in his own words, when he comes to Fairborn as a special guest speaker of the Western Ohio Writers Association. The Georgia-based author will speak and sign books from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Fairborn Community Center,1076 Kauffman Ave. Fairborn, Ohio45324.

Titled, Goodbye Starving Writer! Breaking into the Lucrative Field of Commercial Freelancing, in the presentation Bowerman asks, “What if you could write and make $50 to $100 per hour, or more, and give yourself the time to pursue your ‘passion writing’?” Participants will learn from the author’s experience what commercial writing is, why it makes sense to embark on a career in this industry now, how to build a portfolio, how to find work, what to charge, and much more.

The event is open to the public. Attendance is $2 per person and RSVP is required online at http://www.westernohiowriters.org or by calling 937-902-4857. In the spirit of the holiday season, books and CD-Roms will be available on-site at a 25-percent discount.

Gery L. Deer is the director of the WOWA and a professional commercial writer. “Our organization is about education and enhancing the skills and opportunities available to writers in our region,” he says. “I have used Mr. Bowerman’s book, The Well-Fed Writer, for nearly a year and it has provided me with a great reference for my commercial writing business so when he contacted me and expressed an interest in speaking, we did everything possible to make it happen.”

The Western Ohio Writers Association is based in Greene County and provides networking and educational opportunities to writers of all genres, living and working in southwest-central Ohio.  Writers attend monthly critique sessions to hone their writing skills through peer feedback, networking opportunities and educational presentations. Regular meetings are held from 7PM until 10PM on the first Thursday of each month at the Fairborn Community Center.

The WOWA is a creative division of GLD Enterprises Commercial Writing with facilities support provided by theFairbornCommunity Center. For more information or to RSVP for this event, visit http://www.westernohiowriters.org or call (937) 902-4857.

 

 

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Local Company Laser-Engraves 1,400 Apples for U.C.

In Business, Economy, Local News, State News, Uncategorized on October 12, 2011 at 10:37 pm

Laser Wolf Engraving cut 1,400 apples for the University of Cincinnati College of Education.

West Carrollton, OH – With Halloween approaching, people are preparing to decorate Jack O’ Lanterns and bob for apples. For Will Stansfield, owner of Laser Wolf Engraving in West Carrollton, pumpkin carving is something done at the speed of light.

Since opening his doors in March of 2008, Stansfield has engraved hundreds of different types of products from champagne flutes and memorial stones to photo frames and etched glass. “Everything’s engravable,” Stansfield jokes. “We’ve done wood, plastic, ceramic even blue jeans and a toilet seat.” In September, the University of Cincinnati consigned Laser Wolf to engrave 1,400 laser-engraved apples boasting the college of education logo.

As part of a promotion for the college, the apples were included in gift baskets that were delivered to about 70 different local schools. Nothing touches the apples but light so they are clean and still edible after the cutting process.

Stansfield creates the graphics for each engraving on the computer and a carbon dioxide laser precision-cuts the design into whatever object he chooses. “Each apple takes about 30 seconds to engrave, and you can put just about anything you want on it.” he says.

In addition to apples, pumpkin engraving is another popular choice for the fall season. Laser Wolf can create pumpkins with logos, text or even photo portraits carved right into the skin. The engraved pumpkins can last for several months and the graphics become clearer and brighter after a couple of days.

Stansfield says engraved pumpkins are the ideal way to raise money for non-profit organizations and schools. On October 11th, the City of West Carrollton unveiled a laser-engraved Wright Brothers mural created by Laser Wolf.

Pumpkin engravings can cost as little as $12 for a graphic with an additional charge for a photo carving. Laser Wolf Engraving is located at 424 E. Dixie Drive in West Carrollton. For more information call (937) 609-3812 or visit http://www.laserwolfengraving.com.

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Martin Arrest Typifies Bad Judgment of Politicians

In Local News, National News, Opinion, Politics, State News on August 2, 2011 at 8:57 am

By Gery L. Deer

Deer In Headlines

Representative Jarrod Martin (R-Beavercreek)

Republican State Representative Jarrod Martin of Beavercreek is facing drunken driving and child endangerment charges following a July 22nd traffic stop inJacksonCounty. Martin was pulled over after swerving over the center line while pulling a trailer without a tail light.

He then allegedly refused a sobriety test claiming that he was embarrassed to be seen on the cruiser’s dashcam. Two other adults and two children were in the vehicle as well.

According to police records, just over a year ago, Martin was found in the early hours of the morning drunk and slumped over a Chevy Suburban that belonged to State Representative William Batchelder, R-Medina, who had left his car in the garage.

State patrol logs indicate that officers tried, unsuccessfully, for more than 20 minutes to wake Martin until medics arrived. He was released to House Republican campaign director Mike Dittoe.

In May of last year Martin and several others were evicted from aBeavercreekhotel after police were called by employees for what they reported to be drunken fighting. Reports indicate that officers found Martin and six others highly intoxicated at a bachelor party. Martin’s parents were called and the men were removed from the hotel. The representative was not charged in either incident.

Martin’s latest problem comes only a few days after another Republican state representative, Robert Mecklenborg ofCincinnati, resigned after he reportedly failed to disclose a drunk-driving arrest.

Let’s face it, politicians are human but at the same time, they should be held to a higher standard. It seems like those who most forcefully argue for stiffer penalties and regulations of alcohol or drugs tend to be the ones who are so publicly misusing them.

Through written statements, Jarrod Martin maintains that alcohol played no part in the most recent incident and intends to vindicate himself in court. However, whether or not he was intoxicated this time, the facts are clear on the previous two incidents and any regular citizen would have been hauled off to jail in either case.

Perhaps some of the officers responding to these incidents simply did not want the headache and paperwork that would come with arresting a sitting legislator. It is possible that they are afraid of being fired or denied promotion and other benefits were they to arrest an important political figure.

Government officials proven to have used their political credentials to avoid prosecution for serious offenses like DUI or child endangerment should be forced to resign. By the same token, law enforcement officers should be fired who ignore their duty because the subject is a politician.

Martin’s guilt or innocence in this most recent occurrence will be determined by the courts, but his records indicate that he clearly has an issue with alcohol. The use of alcohol, or any other drug, is a choice. If he is going to continue to do it, he is going to continue to have problems.

The official reports show that Martin’s republican associates have covered for him time and time again. Is theOhiorepublican party guilty of willingly participating in a campaign of misinformation relating to the sobriety of their members? And what does it say about a state representative whose mommy and daddy have to come rescue him from a drunken party?

The whole situation is disappointing and Ohioans should think twice about returning government representatives to Columbus who they already know to have bad judgment.

Constituents should keep in mind, when it’s time to vote on important issues like alcohol and child welfare, that same poor judgment could be employed on the floor of the state legislature.

Gery L. Deer is a local business writer and columnist. Read more at http://www.deerinheadlines.com.

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Annie Oakley Days Hosts Wild West Arts Showcase Performances

In Entertainment, Local News, National News on July 11, 2011 at 11:12 am

Whip handling, knife throwing and trick roping headline seven shows at the fairground coliseum during Annie Oakley Days.

Whip Artist / Showcase Producer Gery L. Deer - http://www.thewhipstudio.com

GREENVILLE, OH – Wild West performers headlining the 9th Annual Annie Oakley Western Arts Showcase are gearing up for five live performances during Annie Oakley Days in the upper level of the Darke County Fairground Coliseum. Entertainers will be appearing from shows like America’s Got Talent and The Bonnie Hunt Show. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday July 29, 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday the 30th and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on July 31st. Each show is free with regular admission.

Writer, entertainer Gery L. Deer is an award-winning whip artist and serves as the producer and director of the performances. “We’re happy to be back at Annie Oakley Days for our ninth year of precision whip artistry, knife throwing and fancy trick roping,” said Deer, who is also the managing director of The Whip Artistry Studio training center in Jamestown, Ohio. “I’m grateful that we have the opportunity to show the public that Wild West arts are real and require talent and skill, not to mention years of practice.”

Each showcase will also feature champion knife thrower Kirk Bass, of Xenia, who teams up with wife Melodee in the suspenseful “Bass Blades” impalement show. Bass is a certified thrown weapons instructor with the International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame and the assistant director for the Western Arts Showcase events.

According to Deer, the best shows to see will be on Saturday. “We pull out all the stops on Saturday, with Wild West arts exhibitions during the afternoon performance and a longer, variety show in the evening.” Saturday night’s extended program will be hosted by The Brothers & Co. Entertainers music and variety group from Jamestown, Ohio. Often compared to The Statler Brothers or Oak Ridge Boys, “The Boys In Black” do a combination of four-part vocals and Vaudeville-style comedy and variety routines.

All performances are family friendly. For more information go online to http://www.thewhipstudio.com/annieoakley.html or call (937) 902-4857.

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There Is Life After Bullying

In Children and Family, Education, Health, National News, Opinion, psychology, sociology, Uncategorized on October 19, 2010 at 10:12 am

dih-logo-SEA recent survey indicated that 77 percent of elementary and middle school students reported that they had been the victims of a bully at some time. The information also revealed that more than half of bullying incidents go unreported.

The recent suicides of several teens that had been tortured by bullies because of their sexuality have prompted a flood of media attention to the problem. I am concerned, however, that the public and the media are forgetting about other groups who have always been the targets of bullying including those with physical and mental disabilities, the impoverished and various ethnicities. I can relate to these issues – I know how they feel.

I was born with a serious congenital birth defect that had me in and out of the hospital for the first 20 years of my life. A multitude of medical issues combined with just being physically smaller than other kids my age made me the perfect target for bullies.

Rustin-Kluge-Anti-Bullying

Rustin-Kluge-Anti-Bullying

Oddly, none of my health problems were openly visible to anyone around me. Virtually everything people knew about me was total conjecture and inaccurate rumors with no factual basis. Unfortunately, facts and reason rarely work with people who are terrified of anyone who is different – whether the differences are obvious or not.

As if I didn’t have enough to contend with at the hospital, at school I was pushed, called names, kicked, hit, had my book bags ransacked, my lockers vandalized and my musical instruments thrown around on the school bus – all to the complete oblivion of school officials. In fact, some stood right there while it all happened, literally choosing to ignore it.

While the majority of the adults around me were supportive and helpful, there were a few who were downright cruel. Teachers, coaches and bus drivers are in a unique position to bully under the guise of maintaining order and discipline. *Despite what the party line might be, each teacher or administrator has his or her favorites – athletes, star students, and so on – who will always get preferential treatment. After all, these adults want (and desperately need due to a horribly low level of self esteem) to be liked by the students as much as the other kids.

A perfect example of this kind of ignorance came in my sixth grade year. I was out of school with a simple case of chicken pox. Noting my absence during roll call, the teacher told the rest of the class they shouldn’t get too attached to me because I had a serious disease and wouldn’t live to see my 15th birthday. With that thoroughly incorrect announcement, the rumors went viral.

So why don’t parents get more involved? Most of the time, parents have no idea what is going on. I never talked about it much. I doubt my parents ever knew how bad it really was.

In the end, I won. Eventually, I realized that it wasn’t my fault that people couldn’t deal with me. At the ripe old age of 43, my health is good, I’m a successful writer and entrepreneur and, despite my sixth grade teacher’s prediction, I am still here.

I carry no anger or malice towards the kids who spent so much of their time trying to better themselves by humiliating me. Oddly enough, a couple of them have already preceded me in death. As for those who are still with us, I actually feel sorry for them and genuinely hope they grew up to succeed in life. The adults, on the other hand, were the true villains.

It was nearly impossible to keep my personal issues private in a tiny farm town where everyone gossiped about things they didn’t even understand. I can’t imagine what kids today are going through as every detail of their lives are posted online for all to see – especially those struggling with personal identity issues.

Sadly, bullies are not just in school and, as I pointed out, adults can be just as bad as kids. A bully can be someone who abuses or oversteps her authority as a supervisor at work, a civic official or a teacher who ignores the academic struggles of a student in class because he or she is not one of the star athletes. Bullies are everywhere but you don’t have to take their abuse.

If you have been the victim of a bully, try to forgive them. They are small, sad and hopeless people who have nothing but pain inside. Forget trying to reason with them, it never works.

Whatever you do, don’t lower yourself to their level. Walk away. Turn off the computer. Seek out help and surround yourself with people who care and who will support you. None of these pathetically insecure people is worth your dignity … or your life.

 

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Welcome to The NEW Jamestown Comet

In Local News on March 1, 2010 at 8:19 pm

By Gery L. Deer

Editor / Publisher

Prototype web-based publication is a spinoff of its own history.

In 1876, just past the time of the town crier and way before MTV, Jamestown, Ohio residents were introduced to The Jamestown Journal, a four-page weekly newspaper printed by William S. Galvin, editor and publisher. The newspaper offered readers everything from local news to train schedules.

Galvin later changed the name of the paper to The Jamestown Comet, with the first verifiable issue featuring the updated masthead printed in July of 1890. The circulation of each of the paper was about 1,025 with an annual subscription cost of $1.50, in advance.

 Printed with the news were advertisements for everything from miracle tonics to glassware and from livery service (not limousines but horse boarding) to a performance of the Century Theater at the opera house. Though traveling entertainment graced the stage of opera houses in most towns, the Century Theater was the resident theater company in Jamestown and often posted advertisements for each show and parades that were held just before a performance.

 Keep in mind that one of the jobs of the Fourth Estate has always separate what seems important from what is and deliver that information to the public as quickly and clearly as possible. But what seems important in one era could seem somewhat silly later in time. Here is one of the actual news items exactly as it appeared in the Friday August 1, 1890 edition of The Jamestown Comet.

 NEW JASPER – Mr. William Lewis Levalley was thrown from a load of oats Monday and received severe injuries in the arm and limb and was also badly cut and bruised about the head. Dr. Cunningham reports him in bad condition.”

  Whatever the information, it was valuable to the people of the time, just as it is important to people today to have the latest update of the next rehab-stricken reality show star. Then again, I might like to see a good story about a guy thrown from a load of oats – it would be more interesting and less predictable.

 It is important to note also that there were no photos in The Jamestown Comet, nor most other papers of the time. Plates required to reproduce tin type photos or hand sketches were expensive and time-consuming. Local newspapers could simply not afford the equipment nor did they have the expertise to provide this kind of luxury. Editors and writers had to depend on their words to create the picture for the reader.

As larger newspapers such as the Xenia Daily Gazette and the Dayton Journal-Herald took a larger portion of the market, the days of the Comet were numbered. In 1899, Galvin sold the newspaper to the Press Publishing Company which changed the overall look of the publication and renamed it Greene County Press. The paper continued to be published until 1955 when it finally closed.

 Over all, a 79-year run for a newspaper is nothing to sneeze at, but all media has a shelf life. Today, as newspapers around the country plan more layoffs and cut back on circulation in an effort to stay afloat, it should be noted that newspapers are not dying, they are just changing. The big issue is whether or not publishers are willing to change with the times.

When the  Dayton Journal-Herald, a conservative morning paper, merged with its liberal afternoon competitor, the Dayton Daily News, in 1987 many readers were outraged. The merger came from necessity since there was simply not enough of a market in the Miami Valley for two mammoth newspapers. The choice in the changing economy was to merge, or both could go under. The decision seems to have been correct.

Twenty years later, publishers who find themselves in yet another economic transformation but are unwilling to change with the times might find themselves selling off their publications or closing them permanently. However, the solution is not as simple as making a move to an all-digital newspaper. There must be a way to make any news publication profitable amidst the flurry of instant news provided by behemoths like CNN.

Quality content is paramount and smaller publications are focusing on more locally-based content and providers and free access to the online version. Whatever the solution, the changes in the newspaper business are going to continue for some time.

 As an independent publication the staff of The NEW Jamestown Comet would like to thank you, the readers and advertisers, for having a look at this revitalized publication. From a 19th Century weekly newspaper to an online news resource for the Jamestown, Ohio region, The Jamestown Comet will grow and expand thanks to you – the reader. For information, contact editor@jamestowncomet.com.

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Business Feature Advertorial Available

In Uncategorized on March 1, 2010 at 4:55 pm

Don’t waste money and time on ads that get ignored. Get a business feature story on The Jamestown Comet Online for less and link to it again and again! Credibility is the key to advertising and display ads cannot give you that “personal” feel of a feature story in a publication seen by thousands!