By Alex Culpepper

Illustration: Sam Rhoden

With the exception of a few states, towns and cities in this country prohibit people from roaming the streets with open containers of alcohol, whether it’s a glass of beer or a partially consumed bottle of wine or liquor, and you certainly cannot have an open container in a motor vehicle. These open container laws are in place because municipalities want to discourage public intoxication and the potential problems that can come with it. In a few areas, though, people are free to possess open containers of alcohol – most famously in the French Quarter in New Orleans and the Las Vegas strip – as long as the drink is in a plastic container. Interestingly enough, Butte, Mont. has no law at all prohibiting open containers, and anyone 21 or older is free to walk the streets with the drink of his or her choice. Soon, Ohio may allow exceptions to open container laws, much like they do in New Orleans and Las Vegas.

The proposed legislation made it to the Ohio Senate on April 28, and its aim is to relax open container laws in what are considered “entertainment districts” in cities with 50,000 or more residents. An entertainment district is a city area like Over-the-Rhine in Cincinnati and the Oregon District here in Dayton. What this means is that people within the entertainment district may possess open containers, but may not bring them in from outside the district. All alcohol must be purchased by a licensed vendor, such as a bar or restaurant, within the district.

The main sponsor of this legislation, Sen. Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati), and supporters claim relaxing the open container law promotes tourism and a festival atmosphere, which would be similar to what is found in other U.S. cities where open container laws are relaxed. Additionally, supporters claim this move is a plus for attracting business to the entertainment areas. Supporters also say relaxing the law allows people to move more freely through the district without having to finish a drink in order to go outside and to the next venue.

Critics are not so sure about the benefits of this legislative move. They say it is an invitation to trouble, mostly from an increase in alcohol-related crime, but they also predict problems from extra trash in the form of cast-off drinking cups and from incidents of underage drinking. Critics further say preventing people from bringing in their own alcohol and drinking it on the streets will be hard to do as well. They point to these problems and say that increased police presence will be necessary, which could burden already strained city budgets.

If the bill passes at all, it will not be until the end of the year before changes happen in entertainment districts like the Oregon District. Supporters are optimistic it will pass, and with it they say will come increased tourism, business, festival excitement and a boost in the “cool factor” for Ohio’s cities with entertainment districts. Supporters will have to convince critics, though, because opponents fear the plan may backfire with increased crime, underage drinking and other nuisances brought on by irresponsible behavior.

Debate Forum Question of the Week:

 By Stacey Ritz

 Photo: Dancing in the Street was one of the highlights of last fall’s Urban Nights. This spring, the event will feature dance entertainment on a stage at the International Street hotspot, on Second between Main and Jefferson.

Urban Nights began in 2002 as a downtown art hop and has grown since that time. “The main goal of Urban Nights is to highlight the many things to see and experience downtown year-round. The only complaint we receive is that there is too much to do. We think this is a good problem to have,” explained Kristen Wicker, public relations and promotions manager for the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “We love seeing that more than 30,000 people come downtown and have so much fun experiencing all that downtown has to offer.”

Urban Nights will be held from 5-10 p.m. Friday, May 10 in downtown Dayton, the Oregon District and Wright-Dunbar Business Village. Wicker explained, “This year, Urban Nights is getting an updated flavor and feel. Entertainment now will focus on three ‘hotspots’ located throughout downtown. A variety of activities will be held at each hotspot, which will be in a different downtown location during each Urban Nights.” The first hotspot is International Street,  which includes Second Street between Main and Jefferson Streets. Here you will enjoy dance performances from a variety of groups, games, good food and craft brew. Arts Corner is the second hotspot, located at St. Clair and Fourth Streets. Arts Corner will feature the motto “Walk on the Creative Side,” and will host live entertainment, exhibits and special sales. Entertainment at this location will be provided by Sweet Betsy, By Means of Words at CADC and Miss Lissa & Co. at Serendipity Bistro. “The Dayton Art Institute will host a photo booth where you can transform your image into an Andy Warhol-style work of art,” said Wicker. The third hotspot is Live on Five, at the corner of Fifth and Pine Streets in the Oregon District. Here you can listen to a variety of live bands and grab a draft brew straight from the beer truck. Music will be provided by The Broken Lights Band, Meghna & the Majority, Cherry Lee and Daddy Katz and Magic Jackson.

In total, more than 100 establishments will showcase downtown’s “dining, nightlife, art, music, retail and housing options. The best way to see as much as possible during Urban Nights is to walk, and many of the destinations are just a short distance from each other. Greater Dayton RTA also will provide free event busses to help visitors get around,” explained Courtney Deutsch and Wicker.

“We celebrated the 10th anniversary of Urban Nights last year and felt it was a good time to re-evaluate the event. It’s clear Urban Nights has been extremely successful. Many business owners report record sales and we continue to receive a great deal of positive feedback from the community about Urban Nights,” said Sandy Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “Still, we wanted to make sure Urban Nights more effectively meets its overall goal: to showcase all downtown has to offer and the places that only can be experienced in downtown Dayton. We believe this new plan will encourage people to visit more places downtown during Urban Nights while giving us the opportunity to better highlight different areas in our center city.”

Some of the many events that will take place during Urban Nights include but are not limited to: tours and exhibits commemorating the Great Dayton Flood of 1913, a self-guided architectural tour organized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Dayton Chapter – for those interested in the architecture of Dayton and the history behind it. If you enjoy cycling, enjoy Urban Nights on your bike: join hundreds of cyclists on this police-escorted ride through downtown. Maybe you’re interested in the Great Dayton Adventure Race – an urban scavenger hunt right at the center of the Urban Nights activities. Those interested in jumping in the adventure race can learn more at topoadventuresports.org. There will also be many creative art opportunities available including steamroller printmaking, the Light My Fire exhibit of more than 100 hand-crafted mosaic lanterns, abstract paintings by Rebecca Sargent and Erika Hess and don’t forget the Mosaic City Photo Show – an exhibit that will include work by artists Glenna Jennings, whose photographs “depict residents and visitors to downtown Dayton observing historic images from the National Cash Register archive.”

“We recommend planning your visit ahead of time because there are so many things to see and do! A program with a map and details about everything taking place at the more than 100 participating locations will be available at downtowndayton.org in early May. Visitors can get information about parking, directions downtown and much more on our website,” added Wicker.

“I have gone to Urban Nights in the past and it has been a blast. I’m looking forward to going again this year and it sounds like it’s going to be even better! There is so much to do in downtown Dayton and the event does a great job at highlighting so many great things in the area,” commented Dayton resident Sherry Dunaway. “From art works, to good food and drinks – oh, and live entertainment – we have a great time and I know we’ll have a great time again this year! If you’re considering going to Urban Nights, do it, you’ll be glad you did!”

Urban Nights takes place Friday, May 10 from 5-10 p.m. For a complete listing of activities, visit downtowndayton.org. 

 

 

 By Alex Culpepper

Doctors and pharmaceutical companies in the United States have worked together for a long time. After all, both are in the business of helping patients prevent, manage and even cure health problems. For the past several years, both have teamed up in another way to spread the word to other doctors about new treatments available. Pharmaceutical companies have been paying doctors to speak at conferences at which they describe medical breakthroughs developed by those companies, from new drugs to current research to the latest procedures. This practice, however, has raised an issue about ethics.

Until recently, there has been little disclosure about which doctors gave presentations at these conferences or for which companies. One tracking system is in place and another is coming soon. A website created by ProPublica, a nonprofit outfit specializing in investigative journalism, features a database called “Dollars for Docs.” This database tracks which doctors have received money from which companies and for what services. Soon, the federal government will be tracking this as well because beginning in 2014, every pharmaceutical company must report money given to doctors per the Affordable Care Act.

Opponents of doctors as paid speakers for pharmaceutical companies say doctors are basically marketing pharmaceutical company products rather than educating the doctors in the audience. Opponents’ concerns are mainly whether a doctor might be basing his or her treatment decision on where the money is coming from, rather than on what the patient needs. Opponents also argue part of the problem is that some doctors use company-produced materials in their presentations when they should be using their own information and research. Another problem for opponents is their concern whether speaking engagements reveal a potential lack of commitment on the doctor’s part because they believe he or she should be practicing medicine rather than speaking.

Proponents of the paid speaking engagements by doctors see no problems. Pharmaceutical companies contend doctors are experts in medicine and are a natural choice to present medical information. Proponents further say doctors are using their expertise to educate their colleagues by explaining the benefits of a drug or treatment that may be safer and more effective than drugs or treatments currently in use. According to reports, doctors who frequent the speaking circuit reject the idea of public speaking compromising their medical judgment. One doctor said he favors no product over another and works with companies he believes to be ethically motivated. Another says he’s in it for the teaching and presents the same information to everyone, no matter who pays him.

Debate about this issue has been ongoing for several years and each side raises valid points. One side says the promise of money from speaking engagements might be too much distraction for someone whose job is to provide medical treatment. The other side says it is business as usual and speaking engagements are simply a way to educate doctors and ensure the best treatments are available to patients, regardless of who writes the check.

By Jacqui Theobald

Photo:  Edward Furs as Vince Lombardi in the Human Race Theatre’s production of “Lombardi”; photo credit: Scott J. Kimmins

After the National Anthem, a man in an overcoat and hat walks slowly down stage and stops, regarding those in front of him. He carries, almost caresses something. He holds it aloft. “Gentlemen, this is a football.” Take a deep breath, ladies and gentlemen, this is a helluva play.  This is “Lombardi.”

Vincent Lombardi was – and is – a legend and remains a sports icon right down to the Super Bowl trophy named for him. “Lombardi,” the play now at the Human Race Theatre, sheds more light on Lombardi the man, always on the edge of his demons, driven by perfectionism in everything – family man, devoutly religious, teacher – COACH!

“Lombardi, A Winning Drama” was written by Eric Simonson, based on David Maraniss’ book “When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi.” Edward Furs gives us Lombardi in all his angst, all his bombast, in a high-energy drive that just doesn’t stop. He is his own obsessed football metaphor: “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” We see real Green Bay Packers’ footage on a flexible backdrop. It is also a locker room blackboard with play diagrams. Furs is an amazing look-alike; features, figure and force. The intensity he maintains is amazing.

Tim Lile, Resident Artist with the Human Race, directs the play. He talked to me about the development of the characters, “We found Ed in our New York audition and he was just head and shoulders above anyone else,” Lile said. “He traveled theatrically a great distance to become Vince. Normally, he’s very gentle and soft-spoken and really had to push to reach this level.”

Lile, so capable of his own energetic performances, brings his various skills together as director. He keeps the no-intermission 100-minute-plus from being one unrelieved rant. The performances of the other five characters – three based on real Packers players, Lombardi’s wife Marie and the young sports reporter Michael McCormick who drives the plot – are quite varied and a welcome relief. Lile is attuned to accents, making sure the Lombardis and McCormick have a bit of the thick New Jersey sound, while Packers player Paul Hornung reflects his Kentucky heritage.

As Marie, Marcy McGuigan brings the alcoholic, resigned, bitter and depressed wife to a quiet, thin reality. With a look, a flick of the wrist, even a flirty little glance she is part of the truth of the actual Lombardi. A line from the play: “I wasn’t married to him more than a week when I said to myself, ‘Marie Planitz, you’ve made the greatest mistake of your life.’” She seethes and endures and finally brings a fury equal to his in a powerful scene.

Jarred Baugh plays Michael McCormick, the young reporter who has been assigned by Look Magazine to write about Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers. He is the unsung hero of this story. On stage almost the whole time, he sometimes silently observes and sometimes interacts with the players, and with Marie. At first worshipping, then sparring with Lombardi, he grows more mature. He conveys empathy or amusement or amazement, quietly, unobtrusively. His opening and closing monologues bring continuity and reality to this very powerful view of people of singular purpose.

The three Packers’ players establish Lombardi’s relationship with his team, as well as providing a bit of background. They charge in, clad in helmets and convincingly dirty sweats, or later they’re cool dudes playing pool. It is a welcome respite from the intensity.

Gabriel Lawrence plays Dave Robinson, who makes it clear that Lombardi was very aware of discrimination and made sure all his players, including African-Americans, slept and ate in the same accommodations. He brings physicality to his role and the uniform while establishing the effectiveness of having a players’ organization to negotiate on their behalf.

Ryan Imhoff plays Jim Taylor, who has almost as much difficulty in compromising as Lombardi.  Such is his devotion to the team and his best future prospects that he wilts convincingly under Lombardi’s tirades. Imhoff lets us see the anger remaining just under the surface.

Brandon Dahlquist plays Paul Hornung, fabled number 5, bad boy no matter what, barely compliant. Lombardi makes changes, settling him into the fullback slot instead of the five different positions of previous seasons. The cocky swagger never disappears even when he’s facing the coach’s full ire.

Opening night presented a challenge for Dahlquist and the entire cast with the real life Paul Hornung at the Loft, sitting in the front row. From my own vantage point, I could see the 77-year-old’s face, listening intently, smiling, eyes glued to the stage. He went backstage after the show and visited more than 20 minutes. I heard it was a celebration of mutual admiration and delight. He loved the play and reportedly said, “Furs was Lombardi, exactly as I remembered him.”

Producing Artistic Director Kevin Moore said, “I’ve never seen anything like it,” referring to the enthusiasm this show has generated. Men are buying tickets; men are making reservations. Director/Coach Lile, praised his theatrical team, their accomplishments and skill, can-do attitudes. Scenic Designer Tamara L. Honest made the quick location and era changes work with furniture on platforms sliding out from the back screen. Resident Lighting Designer John Rensel always creates sophisticated, subtle solutions. Sound Designer Matthew P. Benjamin and Video Designer Shaunn Baker bring Lambeau Field and its sweaty locker room to the Loft stage.   Not all the audience was football fans, as expressed at the opening night post show party, but there was genuine admiration for a stunning victory at the Loft stadium. Go team, go!

“Lombardi” plays at the Loft through Feb. 24. Call Ticket Central at 937-228-3630 to reserve or go to www.humanracetheatre.org for specific kick off times.

Reach DCP theatre critic Jacqui Theobald at JacquiTheobald@DaytonCityPaper.com. 

 By Alex Culpepper

Melissa Nelson of Iowa is a physically attractive woman. In fact, she’s so attractive that it led to her losing her job. Her former employer Dr. James Knight believed that her beauty and sexy clothes were powerful distractions that would one day tempt him to have an affair with her. Dr. Knight’s wife, Jeanne, felt that these distractions were also detrimental to their relationship, so she told her husband to get rid of his distractingly attractive assistant. He did just that. In response, Nelson filed a lawsuit against Dr. Knight for dismissing her because of her gender. Dr. Knight, however, claimed that gender had nothing to do with it. He fired her because he believed that she was a threat to his marriage. The Iowa Supreme Court agreed with him.

For more than 10 years, Nelson was a dental assistant in Dr. Knight’s dental office. During that time both people worked well together and had nice things to say about each other. To Dr. Knight, Nelson was a good assistant; to Nelson, Dr. Knight was respectful and maintained honor and integrity. But it was during the last 18 months prior to Nelson’s firing that Dr. Knight became concerned about Nelson’s alleged overly sensual appearance. Then, in the last six months of Nelson’s employment, she and Dr. Knight also shared text messages about personal matters. Court documents revealed interactions between the dentist and his assistant that some would not only deem inappropriate, but would have possibly yielded legal sexual harassment consequences. Nelson, however, did not file a sexual harassment lawsuit. Despite the fact there were no performance-related grounds for termination, Nelson contested Dr. Knight’s decision to fire her based on her appearance. The all-male 7-0 Iowa Supreme Court decision upheld a lower court decision that Dr. Knight’s termination decision was legal. In their decision, the court said: “We are asked to decide only if a genuine fact issue exists as to whether Dr. Knight engaged in unlawful gender discrimination when he fired Nelson at the request of his wife. For the reasons previously discussed, we believe this conduct did not amount to unlawful discrimination, and therefore we affirm the judgment of the district court.”

Some people might see this as an outrage and a clear example of gender discrimination. That is exactly what Nelson claims because she said that if she were a man this would never have happened. But the court and Dr. Knight have past legal decisions on their side that show that “an employer does not engage in unlawful gender discrimination by discharging a female employee who is involved in a consensual relationship that has triggered personal jealousy.” Or simply put, the boss has a legal right to favor his (or her) marriage or personal relationship over the welfare of an employee who is perceived as a threat to that relationship.

So if a person can be fired for being dangerously attractive, can someone also be fired for being distractingly unattractive? People can be fired for most any reason really, or even not hired in the first place. Employers make decisions about appearance all the time: no facial hair, no piercings, no tattoos, no shabby clothing and so on. Some people would surely love to see employers reined in for these decisions as well, while others will continue to support an employer’s legal right to make these appearance-related decisions about who works for them.

Debate Forum Question of the Week: 

“As employment discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age, etc. is illegal in every state, should states consider passing legislation making discrimination based on appearance illegal?”

“I’m sorry you are too hot – you’re fired.”  I thought this was America, where unfairness in the workplace surrounding attractiveness has meant that the blonde bombshell gets promoted from fryer to counter before the timid brunette in the corner. But this is exactly what happened in an Iowa dental office two years ago to assistant Melissa Nelson. After 10 years of loyal service, Nelson was discharged with just one month’s severance pay because her boss believed her presence in his office was a threat to his marriage.

Nelson had spent her entire career in Dr. Knight’s office, having been hired by the doctor when she was 21 years old and fresh out of school. Both parties agreed that for the first nine years of their working relationship they worked side-by-side in a very professional and familiar environment. However, in the last year of her employment, the nature of their relationship began to evolve. Dr. Knight began to comment on Nelson’s physical appearance, often protesting that her clothing was “distracting,” “revealing” or “too tight.” Nelson would later say that she mostly ignored these comments.

In that final year of her employment, Dr. Knight went out of town and left his cell phone at home. This is when the good doctor’s wife discovered some of the texts from her husband to his assistant. While many of the texts have been characterized as benign – such as comments on one another’s children’s sports activities or family events – some of the communiqués were much more lewd and sexual in nature. Needless to say, Mrs. Knight was not encouraged by what she had seen on her husband’s phone. After being counseled by the clergy at their church, Dr. and Mrs. Knight met with Nelson at the office one evening and terminated her employment.

Shortly after her firing, Nelson filed a discrimination complaint, stating that she would not have been fired, but for her gender. Iowa, like many states, is an “at-will” employment state. This means that an employer or employee can terminate their relationship at any time, with no advance warning. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule – importantly, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.  This is the statute that Nelson had claimed Dr. Knight had violated, because the threat of a sexual relationship would not have occurred if she was male.

Dr. Knight argued that her gender had no bearing on her eventual termination – after all, Dr. Knight had a track record of hiring only women. He even hired another female employee to fill Nelson’s position. His contention was that this particular employee posed a direct threat to his marriage – and the Iowa Supreme Court agreed.

Although the Court did find that the firing may have been unfair, they ruled that Nelson’s firing did not constitute sex discrimination under the law. The Court found that there was a distinction between (1) firing an employee in an isolated incident, even if the perceived relations would not have existed if she were a male employee, and (2) an employment decision based on gender itself. The court did allow that it may be possible to conclude that gender was the deciding factor in Nelson’s termination, if Dr. Knight had repeatedly fired female employees due to their perceived threat to his marriage in the past.  However, in this case, this isolated employee was fired and ultimately replaced by another female assistant. Her gender was not the deciding factor in her termination, as Nelson could not illustrate Dr. Knight was biased against female employees as a generality.

The decision has created a lot of interest both domestically and internationally. Many people have pointed to the all-male Iowa justices, saying the court’s decision was unfairly biased. However their criticism of the court is unfair. Our justice system is built on a foundation of precedents and case law, and the court did an extensive and thorough job of justifying and explaining their decision. Simply put, the laws in this country can protect you from being fired for being a woman, but not from being fired for your perceived beauty, or lack thereof – the degree of your attraction is not determined by your gender.

There are many examples of workplaces where your physical appearance determines your employment.  Without being too specific, there are several “wing and beer” restaurants that hire employees based on a particular look. These employment decisions have been challenged in the courts before and have not been found to constitute discrimination under the civil rights laws. Can you imagine the insanity that would ensue if attractiveness were deemed a protected status under the law? Who would make those determinations? How would a court decide if someone were too pretty, or worse, too ugly for a particular job? The answer is, they couldn’t. The solution to “perceived” problems in the justice system is rarely more legislation. Rather, we should continue to allow the courts to take cases and make decisions on a case-by-case basis. This is how the foundation of our laws have been determined since before we were a United States, and it has proven itself to be one of the most comprehensive and progressive civil rights legislation in the world.

By Jennifer Hanauer Lumpkin

Reach DCP freelance writer Jennifer Hanauer Lumpkin at jenniferhanauerlumpkin@daytoncitypaper.com

Sweaty palms, dizziness, heart beating out of my chest, nausea, but yet I’m shivering. I need to run, get away, get away from wherever I am. I need to walk, feel the cool air on my face, tell myself everything is going to be OK and hope this passes soon.

For me, these symptoms often come out of nowhere. I will be out with my friends, at home watching Mary Tyler Moore, or studying for an exam in the library, and BAM all at once, a rush of energy and tingling pulses through my body. Instant panic fills my mind and I feel like I can’t control it.

What I described is an anxiety attack, and it’s something that I am not alone in experiencing. Everyone has anxiety and worry. That is something no one can escape. It’s life. But when it comes out of nowhere and you feel like you may pass out or stop breathing, it becomes more of an issue than your normal anxiety. It can even become bigger than you.

My anxiety attacks are always the strongest around early November, when the weather gets cold and the time changes. Many people feel a bit low in the winter, when there is lack of sunshine and it isn’t so easy to take a walk or ride a bike. But for some, winter causes much more than just feeling down and having low energy.

For years, I have been battling anxiety and anxiety attacks. They come and go in the spring and summer, but when the cold hits, they hit. I have realized this throughout my life and try every year to prepare myself, still some winters are worse than others. In my opinion, the best thing I can do through these times is to recognize this and learn from it with each and every attack I have.

You would think that by now I would be an expert at how to get rid of them, but getting rid of them is not the solution; dealing with them is, and there have been many things about winter that I have grown to love. These are the things I hold onto when the weather is not so forgiving.

For instance, enjoying a hot cup of tea at night isn’t as appreciated in the summer as it is in the winter. Neither are cozy blankets and slippers. Every year, I make sure I am stocked with tomato soup, fleece blankets and plenty of herbal tea. Most people tend to stay inside during the colder weather, but I find that fresh air does a body good, no matter what the temperature. Take a short walk during the day, especially if the sun is out. Walks have always helped me clear my mind and breath deeply. Do your body another favor and break a good sweat. Go to the gym and get energized with some cardio. You may be surprised how energized you feel after. And always, always keep busy. Don’t concentrate on the weather and how you may feel down.

Now, I am far from a doctor, but I am someone who has a lot of experience. I don’t know if I will ever live my life fully without anxiety, but I do know that I can and will be able to handle it. Besides, for every bad day, there are two good days.

Reach DCP freelance writer Emily Kaiser at EmilyKaiser@daytoncitypaper.com

 

Working for a park district, I get to spend a lot of time outdoors, which can be a little depressing when it turns gray and cold. I beat my winter blues by checking out some of the warmer indoor park spaces, such as the Nature Center at Germantown MetroPark and the PNC 2nd Street Market. But I still take time for a winter hike or a visit to MetroParks Ice Rink at RiverScape MetroPark!

- Reach Val Beerbower at ValBeerbower@daytoncitypaper.com

 

S.A.D., as in Seasonal Affective Disorder, aka Seasonal Depression, is something most of us can suffer from regardless the season. Winter, however, seems to get the most votes as the season of choice. Why’s that?  Duh! Finnish composer Jean Sibelius suffered from S.A.D. and seriously considered suicide. Didn’t happen, although he stopped composing for the last 25 years of his life, which – by the way – ended at age 91! So, how bad can S.A.D. be? The cure seems to be time: wait long enough, and it will go away. My advice? Get over it. How? Florida’s always worked for me …

- Reach Joe Aiello at JoeAiello@daytoncitypaper.com

 

One of my extra rooms has a big window that lets all the sunshine in during the day. The room, which my husband and I have named “California,” gets nice and toasty by noon, so we lay in the spare bed and pretend we are in California for at least a few minutes every winter weekend. Even pretending I’m in California, where I grew up, really helps me get through the long Ohio winter!

–Reach Rana Odeh at RanaOdeh@daytoncitypaper.com

 

Never been a victim of S.A.D., and I think I know why. The elementsthat negatively affect people in winter months all work to my advantage. Cold and dark suit me. The frizz component to my hair goes into hibernation. Mulled wine, spiced cider and hot toddies start to show up on every menu that I care about. The wolf spider population is down and the number of day-drinkers in the bar I work at is up. I get to break out my cute coat and my cute gloves and my cute scarf and my cute boots. And there’s cuddling. Cuddling is much more fun in January than in June.

- Reach Jennifer Hanauer Lumpkin at JenniferHanauerLumpkin@daytoncitypaper.com

 

Few things piss me off more than being in a foul mood and the weather not matching it, so winter is my favorite season. I enjoy dressing in layers and wearing coats, scarves, mittens and boots. Sunny days are boring and too many in a row depress me, but I still get excited like a child when I peek out the window in the morning and see fresh snow. So curl up in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate – or whiskey, or wine – and enjoy this respite from thighs sticking to chairs and awkward cleavage sweat.

- Reach Natasha Habib at NatashaHabib@daytoncitypaper.com

 

All one needs to beat the “winter blues” is a bottle of claret, a cheerful hooker and a tuba. Instant springtime in Paris.

-Reach Benjamin Smith at BenjaminSmith@daytoncitypaper.com

 

I have discovered that it is absolutely impossible to suffer from S.A.D. when my head cannot see those unendingly dreary grey days that underlie this condition from deep inside an Esther Price two-pound box of dark chocolate pecan caramels and peanut butter creams! Unless, and until, they install a mirror on the lid of those candies, I am firmly committed to this pragmatic practice as a deliriously delightful way to banish the blues during our long Dayton winters. What could be better than the immunity-boosting power of dark chocolate combined with unfettered gluttony? Welcome, winter!

- Reach Marianne Stanley at MarianneStanley@daytoncitypaper.com

 

It might be cold, and the days might be short, but my favorite cure for seasonal affective disorder is embracing the season. I still try to get out for a hike – the trees are bare, but there is still a lot to see in the woods. And the best part of being outside is coming back inside for a big bowl of chili or hearty soup. It’s great to finish the evening by putting on my favorite album, settling into a comfortable chair under a warm blanket and sipping away at a favorite barleywine, porter or stout.

-Reach Kevin J. Gray at KevinGray@daytoncitypaper.com

 

During winter, there are really only two things that can comfort me: music and food. As far as music, I don’t really know why but I always catch myself listening to more Sonic Youth in those cold, dark days than I do any other time of the year. Check out EVOL, Sister or Daydream Nation to cure those winter blues, or at least feel a little bit better about them. When it comes to food, nothing is more soothing than a warm cup of soup. Obvious choice, but there’s something about them bowls of chicken noodle and broccoli cheddar that just hit the spot. Vegetable beef sometimes, but not always. And chili. Chili for sure. Yummm.

-Reach Zach Rogers at ZachRogers@daytoncitypaper.com

 

Let me tell you how I wash away those cold, dark, blustery blues … it’s easy my friends, it’s quite simply the booze. For the summer a Pale Ale may brighten your day, but dark beers and big wines chase my chills away. Porters and Stouts, Cabernet and Syrah, the bigger the better, high ABVs, huzzah! So perhaps I come off as a bit of a boozer, but I assure you that this cure doesn’t make you a loser. Instead find some friends and remember these rhymes, and proceed to responsibly raise your glass to good times.

-Reach Tom Baker at TomBaker@daytoncitypaper.com

 

Daylight savings time has wreaked havoc upon us once again. Sunshine is limited and the cold winds and rain are upon the horizon. So how do I cope with this yearly phenomenon? Hot herbal tea and listening to lots of metal. Nothing warms my cold, grim, frostbitten heart like new tuneage by the likes of Behexen, Krallice, The Secret, Dragged Into Sunlight, Mutilation Rites and so many others. I also get a lot of help from Italian Wedding soup and generous helpings of red wine and Maker’s Mark. Cuddles are also welcomed, though I know spooning with just anyone isn’t always comfortable. But hey, it’s the thought that counts, right???

- Reach Gary Spencer at GarySpencer@daytoncitypaper.com

 

While unqualified to give medical advice, I will say that substantial doses (high individual units) of Vitamin D and light therapy are simple, effective methods for treating Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) As always, exercise, a balanced diet and good community lend themselves to wellness. Personally, as a Daytonian, I like to draw inspiration from my surroundings – the landscape, weather patterns, particular buildings, etc. The thought that phenomenal historical figures (The Wright Brothers, Erma Bombeck, Paul Laurence Dunbar, etc.) drew inspiration from this same locale consistently fills me with enthusiasm.

 -Reach Leo DeLuca at LeoDeLuca @daytoncitypaper.com

 

As a film critic, I should be used to spending time in the dark – and after logging in multiple five-movie days at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, I know I’ve got what it takes – but that’s nothing compared to the silent call of the winter months to stay indoors under tons of blankets with my special someone. My wife and I fight the urge to hibernate by making sure that we plan as many activities outside the house as possible. And we don’t schedule home pit stops in-between because once we’re home, we end up staying home for good. Stay away from the home front, my children!

-Reach T.T. Stern-Enzi at Film@daytoncitypaper.com