Benefit Concert for Colbert at Underdog Cafe

Benefit Concert for Shelley Colbert (pictured) was held Saturday, January 16 at The Emporium's Underdog Cafe and featured The Carl Schumacher Band, Dawn Cooksey & 68 South, and The Undercovered. Donations went towards Colbert's living expenses while she battles breast cancer.

photo by Susan Gartner -- January 16, 2010
posted to A Yellow Springs Blog -- January 18, 2010

BearFoot Boogie at Bryan Center hosted by Brother Bear

The band Spanish Tony Sanchez performed at BearFoot Boogie--A Yellow Springs Community Dance Party on Saturday, January 16, at the Bryan Center. The event was sponsored by Brother Bear's Cafe and also featured music by Full Circle and DJ Dr. Falafel.

photos by Susan Gartner -- January 16, 2010
posted to A Yellow Springs Blog -- January 17, 2010

First snowfall of the new year

photos by Susan Gartner -- January 2010

Here we come a-carol-ing

The 53rd annual Yellow Springs Community Carol Sing-a-long was held Sunday, Dec. 20, at the Senior Center. The carol sing was initiated over 50 years ago by Joan Brucker who passed away on October 2.

photos by Susan Gartner -- December 20, 2009

Community Thanksgiving at Presby Church

The Yellow Springs Interspiritual Council presented its annual free community potluck dinner on Thanksgiving day, Thursday, Nov. 26 in the First Presbyterian Church in the heart of downtown. The meal featured traditional, vegetarian and vegan food. Turkeys were supplied by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Pictured are villagers Denise Cupps and Joel Goldberg.

photo by Susan Gartner -- November 26, 2009

Zombies get down at Bryan Center gym

On October 24, over 100 participants gathered at the Bryan Center gym to take part in the third annual worldwide simultaneous dance of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in an attempt to break a world record. "Thrill The World 2009" local organizer and DJ Judith "JuJu" Wolert-Maldonado invited zombies, dancers, and Michael Jackson fans of all ages to participate. Rehearsals were held at the Yellow Springs Senior Center on October 22 and prior to the final and official group dance performance which took place at 8:30 p.m. at the Bryan gym. Wolert-Maldonado and Amelia Tarpey led the group through a break-down of each dance sequence which was originally conceived by the event creator, Ines Markeljevic, from Toronto, specifically to attract participants of all dance abilities. The 42 video dance instructions can be viewed on YouTube. Visit www.ThrillTheWorld.com for more information about the event.

photos by Susan Gartner -- October 24, 2009

Cleveland sculptor's "handiwork" unveiled at Art Stroll

Project Coordinator for YS Center for the Arts, Laura Carlson introduces Cleveland sculptor Olga Ziemska at the unveiling of Ziemska's piece, "Flock of Hands," one of three art pieces to win a public art competition sponsored by the Yellow Springs Arts Council, the Yellow Springs Center for the Arts Steering Committee and the Community Information Project. The sculpture was unveiled Friday evening, October 16, 2009, as part of a combined Third Friday Fling and YS Art Stroll.


Jenny Cowperthwaite Ruka and Tony Dallas admire the "handiwork" of Cleveland sculptor Olga Ziemska.


Gordon Chapman looks on as Tony Dallas, Jenny Cowperthwaite Ruka, and Migiwa Orimo trade hand modeling tips underneath the sculpture.

photos by Susan Gartner -- October 16, 2009

"Eclectic Art Quilts" get a cozy reception

Third Friday Fling, October 16, featured an opening reception of Eclectic Art Quilts by ten Yellow Springs artists at the Yellow Springs Arts Council Art Space, 108 Dayton Street. Participating artist Karen Russell pours more wine for the guests.

photo by Susan Gartner -- October 16, 2009

NY singer at 4 Paws For Ability benefit concert

Maya Caballero, a singer/songwriter from New York, is among the performers who entertained patrons at the Corner Cone in Yellow Springs on Sunday, October 11, as part of the 4 Paws For Ability fundraiser. For every large cone sold that day, Corner Cone donated $1 to the Xenia agency that specializes in training and placement of service dogs for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Caballero also performed at the Bryan Center Beer Garden & Music Festival during Yellow Springs' Fall Street Fair, October 10. She hopes to return to Yellow Springs in Spring 2010 for a repeat performance.

For more information, go to http://myspace.com/MayaCaballero

photos by Susan Gartner -- October 11, 2009
posted to A Yellow Springs Blog -- October 12, 2009

Julia Child 'Fake-Off' attracts fans of food and film

On Friday, September 4, Winds Cafe and Little Art Theatre teamed up to present a Julia Child "Fake-Off" Contest followed by the Yellow Springs premiere screening of the movie "Julie & Julia." Contestants Jon Prater (left) and Rick Rutan (right) are pictured above with master of ceremonies and local actress, Rani Crowe. Contestants were encouraged to dress as Julia Child and offer a favorite Julia quote, cooking tip, or short skit with the screening audience serving as judge. The $20 event included "Cocktails with Julia" at the Winds Cafe with Julia Child-inspired hors d'oeuvres, contest, and screening. Contest winners received food-related gift prizes.

photos by Susan Gartner -- September 4, 2009
posted to A Yellow Springs Blog -- September 13, 2009

Glen Helen serves pancakes with panache

Cellist Shirley Mullins entertains alfresco diners at the annual Glen Helen Pancake Breakfast, held at the Outdoor Education Center Lodge, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009.

photo by Susan Gartner -- September 6, 2009

Ch 5 packs a lot of programming into a small space

On any given Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, volunteer staffers of Yellow Springs Community Access Television (Channel 5 - Time Warner) can be found crammed into the station's tight quarters located on the second floor of the John Bryan Community Center. Villagers are encouraged to drop in and learn the basics of camera production, check out a "starter" camera, and collect footage of village events which will then be aired on the station. For more information, call YSCA at 767-7803.

photo by Susan Gartner -- August 7, 2009

Art classes at Trailside Museum

Resident artist and Glen Helen Trailside Museum staffer Sarah Strong led a free afternoon of nature arts and crafts in the Glen on Saturday, Aug. 15.

photo by Susan Gartner -- August 15, 2009

Artists swap mini masterpieces at workshop

On Saturday, May 9, in anticipation of their July "Size Does Matter" show, Village Artisans hosted the first of two Artist Trading Card workshops. Each artist creates an original work of art on tiny "canvases" -- watercolor paper, cardstock, or illustration board that is 2.5" x 3.5" in size. Any medium is allowed. The emphasis is on trading -- cards cannot be sold. Face-to-face trading takes place at the end of each workshop. Submitted works will be on display the month of July. Call 767-1209 for more information and to preregister for the next workshop which will be held Saturday, July 18, 1-4 p.m.

photo by Susan Gartner -- May 9, 2009

Pastries and poetry served at YSHS French Cafe

Yellow Springs High School French teacher and counselor Dave Smith accompanied French III students Belle-Pilar Fleming, Rachel Biggs, Olivia Byrnes and Megan Miller as part of the 2nd annual French Cafe on Saturday, April 18, at the Yellow Springs High School gymnasium. Students from all four French levels entertained over 100 guests with French songs and poetry while guests dined on French pastries and desserts. The $830 raised will go to support scholarships at the Ecole des Sciences in Byimana, Rwanda, with the hope of continuing to foster and develop YSHS's relationship with the school.

photo and story by Susan Gartner -- published April 23, 2009 in YS News

Brother Bear brews cup of kindness

Patrick (aka "Brother Bear") and Mindy Harney stand with their children on the steps outside Brother Bear's Cafe, 118 Dayton Street. The cafe will be celebrating its Grand Opening Friday-Monday, April 17-20. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information call 767-1514.

photo and story by Susan Gartner -- published April 16, 2009 in YS News

New art exhibition overlooks downtown

Banner Fest 2009 coordinator Teri Schoch (holding banner) and Obama banner creator Lisa Wolters entertain participants at the annual Banner Fest Show-and-Tell on March 29, 2009 at the Senior Center. Each year in February, local artists are encouraged to create and submit a banner that will be displayed downtown Yellow Springs for six weeks starting in early April. The Show-and-Tell event is an opportunity to share stories, trade tips, and gather inspiration for next year's fest.

photos by Susan Gartner -- March 2009

Local celebrities walk the red carpet at Little Art

A new children's movie series, "Saturday's Picture Show," premiered Saturday, February 28, 2009, with a red carpet event hosted by the Little Art Theatre. Local celebrities attending the event were greeted by local paparazzi Matt Minde and Jenny Cowperthwaite and interviewed by teen host Erin Grote.

story and photos by Susan Gartner -- published February 26, 2009 in YS News

Ice storm inspires new art installation

Armed with food coloring and several sheets of ice gathered from the recent storm, villager Moya Shea created an ice "installation" in her front yard on High Street. The art piece, entitled "Icescapes," changes hourly due to the effects of light and temperature and will be on exhibit while temperatures remain below freezing. Admission is free.

photo by Susan Gartner -- published February 1, 2009 in A Yellow Springs Blog

"Sacred Fire" radio drama in rehearsal at WYSO

Living History Theatre actors transform local playwright Kay Reimers' "Sacred Fire: The Story of John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry" into a radio drama at WYSO's recording studio.

photos by Susan Gartner -- January 2009