Heard through the grapevine...

As many of you know The Oakland Center for the Arts in downtown Youngstown has staged a production entitled, "Reefer Madness". The show is receiving rave reviews and I recommend that if you haven't seen it yet, you must! It is not to be missed. You can read the Tribune's review here, and the Vindicator's review here.
Today, it was brought to my attention that an organization in Y-town, calling themselves the Upstanding Citizens Against Marihuana, is planning a demonstration to protest the performance and the blatant promotion of marihuana in Youngstown. The founder of this organization is one Ramona Martin. My guess is that Ramona would take issue with the Govenor of California as well.

However, Brooke Slanina, President of Oakland Center for the Arts, has decided that she will not run from controversy. Today she announced that in response to Ramona's declarations against the Oakland, she and supporters of the Oakland Center for the Arts will stage a counter protest against Ramona and her ilk.

Any parties interested in defending the Oakland against misinformed citizens are welcome to attend a pre-protest poster making party on Thursday, May 7, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Supplies will be provided. Then on Friday, May 8, all will meet in front of the Oakland at 11:00am in preparation for Ramona and her upstanding citizens.

Brooke has stated that interested parties may reach her via email: at oaklandopenmic@gmail.com. More information is also available here.