Category Archives: Xenia

Become a Xenia Busker … First Fridays

Posted on July 2, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Xenia will be having something called “First Fridays” on (believe it or not!) the first Friday of each month throughout the summer. We want to have live performances on the streets from 5 to 8+ PM starting on July 3 and YOU are invited to participate.

No pay. Probably not too many people at first. It might be hot.

But if you want to do your thing
     Play your guitar
     Or conga drum
     Or bucket
     mandolin, harmonica, banjo
     If you play a bagpipe
     Juggle
     Swallow a sword
     Breath fire
     If you want to paint yourself silver and play statue
     If you want to twirl your baton
     Show off your dance routine
     If you always wanted to be a mime
     If you want to sing out, sing out
     Whatever

We’re going to give you the chance. Buskers are welcome in Xenia on First Friday. All over town, but especially downtown. At the theater or The Cavern or somewhere else.

And I told the person in charge of arranging the whole thing that I knew some people.

So help me out
Don’t make me a liar
Think of it as a talent show for the whole town.

And we’re having an open stage/open mic starting at 8:30 at The Cavern along with a new exhibit of local art.

So hit me up with a message if you might be interested and I’ll sign you up!

Thanks
Peace
Alan

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Xenia AIA Sports

Posted on June 24, 2009 by | Leave a comment

In 2007, Athletes In Action constructed a state-of-the-art sports complex consisting of baseball, football and soccer fields. The complex hosts many high-profile sports tournaments, ranging from Collegiate Baseball games, Mid-American Conference Tournaments, American Mideast Conference Tournaments, OHSAA and many others. AIA Sports Complex is a highly sought after facility.

Last month, the Planning and Zoning Department approved the construction of a bleacher stand for the baseball fields. It will have 750 seats, media seating and other amenities. Considering the average team that competes at AIA brings 25 players and 4 coaches, the number of spectators including parents, friends, scouts, media and Xenia community members could be utilizing these much needed bleachers.

It would be a crime if I failed to mention the Xenia AIA team’s next at-home game is June 25. Game starts at 7pm.

For more information about AIA, its league and/or games, go to the AIA website at http://www.aiabaseball.org/greatlakes.

Source: Xenia Development Corner, May 2009.

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Call to Artists

Posted on June 2, 2009 by | Leave a comment

The Xenia Mural Society, a component of Greene Giving, is issuing a Call to Artists for original and creative designs for a mural with the general theme of “Trails” to be placed on a building in Xenia. For this mural, “Trails” can be interpreted loosely to include anything historical or currently relative to the Xenia area from buffalo trails to Native American trails, Pioneer trails, early roadways, railroads, hiking, or bicycling or any combination of these.

The Xenia Mural Society will be facilitating the creation of a number of pieces of public mural art in Xenia. The Society is made up of interested citizens who have volunteered their time and expertise to provide direction and focus for the mural project; to help building owners locate funding for the mural art from the private and public sectors; and to promote expansion and preservation of other Xenia murals in the future.

The honorarium for the winning artist’s design for the “Trails” mural will be $500 and the design will become the property of the Xenia Mural Society. The final mural will be completed by a muralist working in conjunction with the winning artist and the Society. If the selected artist has the ability and desire to complete the actual mural he or she will be encouraged to submit a proposal for the entire project. Given current economic conditions, the Society is working to have a “brush ready” project prepared in order to facilitate creation of a mural or murals as soon as funding permits.

The deadline for submission of up to three detailed sketches per artist is July 1, 2009. Several possible sites may be viewed online at www.XeniaMurals.org. There are currently two buildings whose owners have agreed to discuss hosting a mural: Building 1, Montgomery Insurance and Investments is located at 114 S. Detroit St. and has a side wall space of approximately 75X25′ and building 2, Express Yourself Coffeehouse and Art Gallery is located at 78 E. Main St., and has a side wall space of approximately 75X14′. All or part of the wall surfaces may be incorporated into the rendering. An Application Form should be submitted with each set of sketches. A printable form is available at www.XeniaMurals.org.

Finalists will be selected by the Selection Committee of the Xenia Mural Society and will be asked to submit a full color rendering on canvas or other suitable material, no smaller than 24″ in width, which must be received by August 15, 2009. Final competing designs will be displayed for public comment at Xenia’s Rail & Arts Fest on August 22. The winning submission will be announced at Xenia’s Old Fashioned Days, September 19, 2009.

For more information visit www.XeniaMurals.org or email info@xeniamurals.org or phone the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce (937) 372-3591.

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Beautify Your Property Win An Award

Posted on May 30, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Now there are two win-win programs for beautifying your home. In a previous post, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) said they will award the best implementer of their Air Quality Advisory action program. And, now, Xenia will pass out awards to property owners who enhance and beautify their properties the best.

A worthy comparison might be the Christmas Decoration Awards program in which residents are given public kudos for Christmas displays receiving the most votes.

During the month of June, July and August, you could win a pack of environmentally-friendly lawn beautification equipment and your picture in the Xenia hall of fame, or at least in the Xenia Daily Gazette.

You’ll have to ask the Recreation Department officials whether any capital improvement prizes will be included in the awards. That is, I mean money, fertilizer, trash bags, or other substantial award.

Seriously, the Board for Recreation, Arts & Cultural Activities (BRACA) established the Beautification Awards to encourage Xenia residents and other owners to develop and maintain their properties in an attractive manner, thereby improving their own neighborhood and ultimately the community as a whole. The Awards are a way to publicly recognize those individuals whose efforts qualify as personal property enhancement within the City.

What is required to qualify for a Beautification Award? Here are the things the Board will be looking for:

Structural Condition: Is the exterior of the site and any other buildings on the property in good repair?

Horticultural Aesthetics: Are there any flowers, shrubs, trees, garden, or other vegetation?

General Appearance: Neatness of the front and sides of the property. Are they litter-free? Are the surrounding areas such as an adjacent alley, abutting street curb and gutter also neat?

Lawn Condition: Is it mowed? Are weeds under control? Is it patchy with bare spots? Does it look like a golf course?

Edgings: Are the edges along driveways, sidewalks, and patios clean and trimmed? Are there weeds, grass, etc. in the sidewalk cracks and curbs? [This should be a sub-heading to the previous category]

Bonus: Extra points may be earned for work or displays that might be considered extra special, patriotic, or timely. Some examples are fountains, pools, gazebos, flagpoles, ponds, etc.

Unlike MVRPC’s Air Quality Awareness Awards program, the Beautification Awards program last five months not three. Awards will be given during the months of June, July, August, September, and October. You may nominate your own home, if you wish. Nominations may be turned in or mailed to the Recreation Department located at City Hall, 101 N. Detroit Street, Xenia, OH 45385. Nominations should be received by the 25th of the month preceding the award month.

To obtain a copy of the nomination form, go here or pick up a copy from the Receptionist at City Hall. If you have questions get answers by calling the Parks & Recreation Department at 376-7275.

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State Representative Jarrod B. Martin On Foreclosure Moratorium

Posted on May 21, 2009 by | Leave a comment

State Representative Jarrod B. Martin (R- Beavercreek), today responded to the passage of House Bill 3 from the Ohio House of Representatives.

House Bill 3 passed along a vote of 54-43. The measure establishes a six-month foreclosure moratorium in Ohio and requires lenders to pay a $750 filing fee to the Department of Commerce, on top of existing court filing fees.

“Today was a frightening day for the citizens of the State of Ohio. The House Democrats took action through the passage of House Bill 3 to insert big brother government into private contracts and the intimate relationship of attorney-client privilege”, Martin said.

Republican concerns include the constitutionality of several provisions, including the establishment of an additional filing fee, which creates a barrier to the courts. The moratorium also remains a concern as Republicans have argued it sets a dangerous precedent for the expansion of such practices in the future, and will create a backlog in the courts once the mandate is lifted.

Martin said, “I’m not a lawyer and I’m not a judge, but I’m pretty sure that Article II Section 28 of the Ohio Constitution says ‘the General Assembly shall have no power to pass retroactive laws, or laws impairing the obligations of contracts…'”

On several occasions during the more than three hour debate the House Republicans offered alternative legislation that would address the intention of helping those facing foreclosure, however, with the exception of one amendment requiring contact information for the Department of Job and Family Services be provided on foreclosure notices to borrowers, their offers to work in a bi-partisan manner along with the remainder of their amendments were tabled by House Democrats.

Martin stated, “I found it very offensive when my Democrat colleagues stated that they would prefer to work any further changes to the bill through the Senate rather than working with House Republicans in a bi-partisan manner.”

Most House Republicans believe the market response to the legislation will lead to increased cost and risk to borrowers and lenders; causing higher fees, higher down payments, and a rise in interest rates.

“I believe this bill will inevitably pass the burden onto other Ohioans and will result in further market declines”, Martin said.

The bill will now head to the Senate. It is likely that the Senate will not immediately address the bill with any further deliberation as they continue to work through Ohio’s budget shortfalls.

Representative Jarrod Martin serves the 70 House District in western Greene County including the cities of Fairborn, Beavercreek, and Xenia.

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Posted in Beavercreek, economy, Fairborn, House of Representatives, news, politics, Xenia

Change you can actually believe in…

Posted on May 19, 2009 by | Leave a comment

I overheard a preacher talking about how the Roman Emperor Caligula used the slogan “change you can believe in.” He used it during his campaign to convince people of the Empire and their elite patrons in Rome to elect him as the new Caesar. The grand sales pitch was a promise to return imperial rule to the glory days of Caesar Augustus, and it worked.*

As we witnessed not many month ago, it also worked for the smooth talking junior senator from Illinois. And, many fundamentalists still believe Obama will yet make good on his sale pitch.

Did I say fundamentalists? Sorry, I meant to say secular fundamentalists.

Anyway, for those left behind in the dust of reality the “change you can believe in” is a slogan whose reality is fading away like a lot of other hot air.

In Xenia, however, genuine positive change is actually occurring. The following are some examples:

In February of this year, Roger’s Jewelry which operated for over twenty years at 76 Xenia Towne Square closed shop due to the economy. The former manager of Roger’s Jewelry has re-opened another jewelry store called Beyer Jewelers.

Downtown Cafe has re-opened at 104 North Detroit Street in the former space occupied by “What’s Brewing Café.”

Walgreen Pharmacy is open for business. It will initially employ 15-20 employees.

W & W Dry Cleaners is now operating at 75 West Main Street.

B.S. Systems Inc. is now operating at 141 Little Vine Street. This is a start up business that assembles and package machinery parts. (I’m not sure what the B.S. represents.)

Not only are new businesses opening or reopening, but other businesses are expanding their facilities to increase the enjoyment of patrons. For example,

Dairy Kings Delite located at 698 Cincinnati Avenue has expanded their outdoor patio sitting for their customers. Old-fashion ice cream cones and sundaes … yummm … my sweet tooth has fits just thinking about it.

Kennedy’s Korners, Inc. on West Second Street has added an outside patio sitting area for the customers of Cheng’s Restaurant and Carry-out.

In case you were capable of missing the sign at the corner of Main and Orange, the news is that Tim Horton Restaurant has added another feature to their restaurant and it now includes Coldstone Creamery. Coldstone Creamery services unique ice cream creations, smoothies, cakes and shakes. The unique feature of the ice cream is its final preparation on a frozen granite stone.

All of this real change may not convince the emperor to put his clothes back on, but it will sure counter his obscene economic tactics a little.

* I suspect what Caligula really meant by “change they all could believe in” was that everyone   would eventually believe in his deity. They would not only believe, but they would be unified   by worshiping him. I wonder how Obama is doing? He was being hailed as the messiah.

Sources: Grace Baptist Radio Broadcast, May 17, 2009 and
                  Development Corner Newsletter, April 2009

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Xenia – Clue in the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

Posted on April 25, 2009 by | Leave a comment

The New York Times March 11, 2009 crossword puzzle for the 1 across clue was the following: “Ohio town called the Bicycle Capital of the Midwest.” We all know the answer! It is Xenia! Finally, all the investments that have been poured into bikepath development is paying off and Xenia is being recognized for its excellent bicycling facilities.

Source: Xenia Development Corner Newsletter, March 2009

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Xenia 3.5 Mill Operating Levy Renewal Coming Soon

Posted on April 23, 2009 by | Leave a comment

It appears that Xenia management and our Council representatives got the message during the February 2009 election. By a large majority, Xenia voters defeated an effort to pass a very large 5.0 mill operating levy replacement levy increase. The annual revenue it would have generated ($1.86 million) was way beyond any perceivable need.

Instead of seeking the next highest amount possible (3.5 mill replacement), the Council has decided to take the “What Works” approach. During the March 26, 2009 meeting, management seem to have decided that Council should initiate the process that will put the 3.5 Mill Operating Levy Renewal on the August 4, 2009 ballot. That they did.

Council could have saved taxpayer $18,000 had they sought for a renewal in the first place. Because the cost of placing a levy up for a vote is the above amount, the renewal will now cost taxpayers $36,000.

By the way, Councilman Dale Louderback was the only member who has refused to accept anything other than a renewal. Why was he the only dissenting voice against the February levy? Apparently, his conscience would not permit him to ask voters for such a huge increase during our nation’s near depression-like economic crisis. He is fully behind the no-new-taxes operating levy renewal.

One last observation; I can only imagine the distaste that observant Jews by that ancient priestly name, Levy or Levi, must have towards our politically and sometimes greed motivated government levies.

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Economic Stimulus Funding Xenia Capital Improvements (but Not Jobs)

Posted on April 22, 2009 by | Leave a comment

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Economic Stimulus) was approved by the House and Senate on February 13, 2009. According to the Recovery.gov web site, the goal of the Economic Stimulus is to jumpstart the economy, create or save jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century.

How does the economic stimulus flow to communities like Xenia?

The money flows similar to the way federal money is disbursed, which is through the State of Ohio, then to local communities. The Governor’s Office has set up a website whereby communities and other entities can submit projects. Xenia, like many other cities submitted a wide range of projects that included street reconstruction, street extension, water line construction, park development and redevelopment, downtown streetscape, pedestrian and bicycle improvement and extension, retention of police manpower and high speed internet connection. The projects that were submitted to the Governor’s Office are then reviewed by the different State Departments. Projects that are considered “shovel ready” get priority funding.

Projects that have received funding in Xenia.

The Ohio Department of Transportation was the first Department to review and take action on project proposal. These projects were reviewed through the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC). This agency made recommendations on which projects to submit. The transportation and street enhancement related projects that were approved in Xenia include:

1. Innovation Way Road Extension – $2,267,551.00. This is located in a new industrial complex between Union Road and S.R. 380. The first phase of Innovation Way is currently being constructed. Economic Stimulus dollars will fund $2,267,551.00 of the $3,209,681 project cost.

2. East Main Street Streetscape Improvement between Whiteman Street and Collier Street – $209,348.00. This project involves replacement of trees, installation of ornamental lighting, replacement of sidewalks, curbs, installation of crosswalks and accessible ramps and provision of streetscape hardware like benches, trash receptacles, planters and banners.

3. Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossing Improvement from Xenia Station Hub to the Ohio-Erie Trail – $51,123.00. This involves improving the crosswalk with proper pavement marking, re-orienting of existing accessible ramps, widening of existing sidewalks on the east side of South Detroit Street between Hill Street and Washington Street and replacement of the catch basin with a storm manhole.

I could think of better ways to pay for those improvements to our city than to give Capitol Hill more reason to think in terms of ownership.

Source: Xenia Development Corner Newsletter, March 2009.

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Wondering what is being built next to Applebee’s Restuarant?

Posted on April 21, 2009 by | Leave a comment

If you guessed it was another restaurant, you get a big fat A for Accurate-guessing.

According to the latest Xenia Development Corner Newsletter, Bob Evans Restaurant has started constructing their second restaurant at 1981 Harner Drive. This particular building design is being unveiled in Xenia and will be the first of many they hope to build throughout this region. The new restaurant is going to be over 5,000 square feet, roughly the same size as the existing Bob Evans Restaurant on 400 West Main Street.

According to Bob Evans Restaurant Officials, the two restaurants will initially be maintained and operated for a while. Eventually, the one on West Main Street will be closed.

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Posted in business, economy, news, Xenia