How Well is the Mainstream Media Covering the Israel-Gaza Conflict?
The events of October 7 shocked the world, and what has happened since is even more shocking. The conflict between Israel and Hamas is gradually expanding, and every day the risks of an even wider conflict increase.
The United States is deeply divided over the conflict, with a faction supporting Israel’s action, another supporting Hamas, and another supporting Israel’s self-defense as long as innocent Palestinians aren’t injured. The Biden administration is sending mixed messages, contributing to the escalation.
Joel Pollak has been covering the Israel-Hamas conflict for Breitbart from the beginning, and he has visited Israel several times since October 7. He’ll join EmpowerU to share his insights about the conflict, including its underlying causes, its expansion, the mainstream news coverage of the conflict, the trajectory the conflict seems to be taking, the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict, and what an effective solution will look like.
Hear the facts straight from the source as EmpowerU Podcast Host Jerry Thomas talks with Joel Pollak- one who has been to Israel multiple times since the conflict started.
Speaker Bio:
Joel Pollak- Senior Editor-at-Large for Breitbart News.
Joel Pollak is one of the most prolific writers at Breitbart News with his regular column, Blue State Blues, his on-the-ground reporting from Israel after the October 7 Hamas massacre of innocent civilians, and his fearless political reporting where he challenges the status quo.
Born April 25, 1977, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Joel Pollak immigrated as a young boy to the United States with his family. He grew up in Chicago, Illinois, becoming a US citizen in 1987. After graduating from Harvard University, Pollak returned to South Africa to earn a master’s degree in Jewish Studies at the University of Cape Town, and he later worked as a speechwriter for South African politician Tony Leon.
Before joining Breitbart News, Pollak ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a Tea Party Republican representing Illinois’ 9th district. He ran against incumbent Democrat Jan Schakowsky, who promoted the corrupt ShoreBank bailout while ignoring community banks in her own district.
Joel Pollak actually used to be what he described in an interview with Chicago Mag as a “raving Democrat,” but started moving to the right while at Harvard Law School, feeling that Democrats in Congress had no agenda other than bashing President Bush. He earned his law degree in 2008.
One of Pollak’s many books is, How Trump Won: The Inside Story of a Revolution, in which he discusses the reasons for Trump’s 2016 win, especially pointing to the fact that Trump defied the media. In 2020 he published Red November, in which he argued – presciently – that Joe Biden, despite posing as a moderate, was the most extreme leftwing presidential candidate in history. Later that same year Pollak published, Neither Free nor Fair: The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election, in which detailed the distortions that made a Trump re-election difficult if not impossible – vote-by-mail, political violence, tech censorship, media bias, claims of voter fraud and more. His most recent book, Rhoda: ‘Comrade Kadalie, You Are Out of Order!’: A Biography is about his late mother-in-law, a South African antiapartheid activist who became a noted political columnist and Trump supporter.
In addition to serving as senior editor-at-large for Breitbart News, Pollak hosts the Breitbart News Sunday radio show on SiriusXM Patriot Channel 125, 7 – 10 p.m. Eastern.
Joel’s wife, Julia, was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Joel and Julia met while she was working as an intern in the South African Parliament and Joel was working as a speechwriter for South African politician Tony Leon. Julia eventually graduated from Harvard with a degree in economics. She is also a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserve. Joel and Julia live with their children in the Los Angeles area.
Learn about America’s greatest architect, and his greatest design.
Frank Lloyd Wright is considered to be one of the premier American architects of the 20th century. Fallingwater — located in southwestern Pennsylvania, built over a waterfall, and constructed using sandstone that was quarried near the building site — is considered to be Wright’s masterwork.
(Exterior of Fallingwater)
Edgar Kaufmann, Sr., owner of the Kaufmann Department Store in Pittsburgh, commissioned Wright to design Fallingwater, and construction was completed in 1938. At that time Wright’s career was considered to be over, and many viewed him as irrelevant.
Yet the completed structure was so celebrated that Wright, in his late 60s at the time, saw his career reignited, and he received hundreds of commissions until his death in 1959 at the age of 91. Fallingwater was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976, and a World Heritage Site in 2019.
We’ll learn from Michael Desmond, Professor of Architecture at Louisiana State University, the evolution of Wright’s overall approach to design, the thinking behind the design of Fallingwater, and the structure’s impact and legacy. Step outside your comfort zone and learn something new!
Join us as EmpowerU’s Podcast Host Michael Mercier interviews Michael Desmond on one of the greatest American Architects of the 20th century.
Speaker Bio:
Michael Desmond, professor of architecture at LSU, received a Bachelor of Architecture from Louisiana State University, a Master of Architecture and Urban Design from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and a PhD in history, theory, and criticism in architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research interests focus on the role of architecture in society and include American architecture and urban history and cultural mythology and belief systems as frames for evaluation of architectural forms. His doctoral research explored the community-scale work of Frank Lloyd Wright in the context of Emersonian themes in American history and the modernist interest in subject/object perception. In line with that work, he published several chapters in Frank Lloyd Wright: The Living City, the catalog for the first significant traveling exhibition of Wright’s work in Europe. Desmond received a Campus Heritage Grant from the Getty Foundation in Los Angeles to conduct an inventory and analysis of the historic LSU campus. This effort produced an architectural history highlighting the roles of the Olmsted brothers and Theodore Link; a technical report documenting external building conditions; a large public exhibition that traveled the state throughout the university’s 150th anniversary in 2010; and the book, The Architecture of LSU, published by LSU Press in 2013. Desmond’s chapter, “The Architecture of Louisiana,” is included in The Pelican State, Wayne parent (ed.), published by LSU Press in the fall of 2014. As a practicing architect he was awarded a Gulf States Region Merit Honor Citation for Excellence in Design from the American Institute of Architects for the Bluebonnet Swamp Interpretive Center Education Building. He has an extensive record of taking LSU students on architectural tours of Europe.
Are we living Animal Farm & 1984 in 2024? Learn the similarities in this class.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
How Close are George Orwell’s Futuristic Books Compared to Modern Life?
George Orwell – the pen name of Eric Blair – was a committed democratic socialist and a critic of the British Empire’s colonialism and capitalism. He also was a fierce opponent of fascism. He was so committed, in fact, that he risked his life in the Spanish Civil War on the socialist side. But he soon became appalled at the totalitarian aspects of both the socialist side of that war and the USSR under Stalin.
His novels Animal Farm and 1984 were both written as harsh criticisms of Communist totalitarianism. Many aspects of government and corporate policies and practices in America today seem chillingly like those of Animal Farm and 1984.
Animal Farm is a fable that deals mostly with how socialists use propaganda that promises a better life to people in lower economic classes to overthrow their economic masters. Its small core of leaders then uses that power to better their own lives, leaving the fate of the masses unchanged. 1984 describes the bleak life in a totalitarian nation called Oceania. It describes technology that was just science fiction in 1949, when it was written, but that is common technology today.
In 1984, there is no privacy, there is no truth, there are no relationships – personal, business, etc. – that are not decided by the government. Resistance is futile and even potentially deadly. Terms like “Orwellian,” “Thought Crime,” and “Big Brother” all evolved from this book. This talk will discuss the many parallels between these two novels and life in America in 2024. For starters, think of all the places – both inside the home and outside – where your words can be heard, and your motions can be seen. Electronic devices of all types can do both. And think of all the places where your spoken and written words can be captured and sent to places unknown for further analysis. You may have “approved” this invasion of privacy in some 50-page agreement that you never read, but it is happening. It could be used for marketing OR something more sinister. Come and learn about Orwell’s writing tonight.
Speaker Bio:
Tom Hagedorn is a life-long learner who has been researching and talking about the many facets of western socialism and progressivism over the last five years. He has previously given talks at EmpowerU on Socialism in the U.S.: A Brief History, ESG: Introducing Our New World Government, American Education and Its Takeover by International Socialism, and Climate Calamity: Climate Change Exposed. Tom is a member of the EmpowerU Board.
Tom has been providing investment advice to individuals since 1983. He has been involved in various political, charitable, and community activities. He has a B.S. (cum laude) and an MBA from the University of Cincinnati and is a CPA and a CFP.
Learn about the techniques the military and media use in the battle over minds.
EmpowerU Podcast EmopwerUAmerica.org ,
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
How to Navigate the Psychological Warfare
In this episode of the EmpowerU Podcast we will explore the nature of modern propaganda and psychological operations (PSYOP) with SSG Andrew Matre, and special guest SFC Mike Currier. Andrew and Mike served in an Army field PSYOPS unit in the Middle East. They will share their experiences conducting PSYOPS and explain how our military uses these operations abroad and possibly at home.
Topics we’ll cover include the science and tools military PSYOP, and just how common or wild these operations really are. We’ll then delve into the world of PSYOP from the civilian perspective. They’ll share with us some tricks of the trade, and how to recognize propaganda and other malicious influence.
We hope you will tune in to quip yourself with the knowledge to recognize and navigate the war over minds.
EmpowerU Podcast Host Jerry Thomas talks with Andrew Matre and Mike Currier as they share their experiences from the military and what the public can learn from it.
Speaker Bios:
Andrew Matre graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Intelligence & National Security. Serving in the US Army, he achieved a rank of Staff Sergeant and served on the ground in the Middle East, with a unit performing field PSYOPs.
After his tour in the military, he continued to work in the field as a government contractor. Today, Andrew is a successful marketer, and applies his skills in the business world.
Sergeant First Class Mike Currier served alongside Andrew in the US Army, also performing PSYOP missions in the Middle East. After completing his tour, he went on to become a government contractor as well.
The Jungle is roaring once again. Learn the history and the players that bring excitement to the game.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Learn A Piece of Cincinnati’s History with the Significance of the Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals shocked the NFL with their run to Super Bowl LVI in 2022, reigniting the team’s fan base. Sparked by the exciting play of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Bengaldom roared the loudest since Boomer Esiason and the Ickey Shuffle rocked the Jungle. Return to the earliest days when football legend Paul Brown founded the Bengals after being fired from the Cleveland Browns and the grudge matches when the teams met.
Learn about quarterback phenom Greg Cook, whose career was tragically cut short.
Experience the thrill of three Super Bowl appearances and shiver through one of the coldest games in NFL history. Through the photos and stories of the timeline you will meet the most celebrated players to wear the stripes and the young stars of the dynamic 2021 team that took the league by storm. In The Cincinnati Bengals: An Illustrated Timeline, author Rick Pender guides fans young and old to the biggest games and greatest players that shaped the history of the Bengals franchise.
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Adam Koehler- Candidate for Hamilton County Board of Commissioners
In his upcoming talk, Adam will delve into critical topics that have shaped his career and his vision for Hamilton County. He will discuss the importance of responsible governance, economic development, and innovation. Specifically, he will discuss the significance of fostering diverse revenue streams, encouraging entrepreneurial growth, and engaging in civic participation. Drawing from his experiences in technology, real estate, and digital design, Adam will highlight how these principles can drive positive change in our communities.
Speaker Bios:
Rick Pender is a veteran freelance writer and former public relations, marketing, and fundraising professional. He writes theater reviews for CityBeat (and formerly was its arts and entertainment editor); he has written several books about Cincinnati, including 100 Things To Do in Cincinnati Before You Die (now in its 3rd edition) and Oldest Cincinnati, as well as an extensive reference book, The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia, about the legendary musical theater composer.
He is also a tour guide who shows off Cincinnati’s arts, culture and history to out-of-town visitors. In the past he worked for public radio stations WGUC and WNKU; he also served provided weekly interviews for WVXU’s Around Cincinnati. A veteran communications and public relations professional, Rick spent nearly a decade as the executive vice president of Dan Pinger Public Relations. He also oversaw fundraising for Cincinnati Opera and Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio. Since 2016 he has served on the executive committee of the Friends of Music Hall. He is originally from Chardon, Ohio, in Geauga County, east of Cleveland. He earned his B.A. in English from Oberlin College and his M.A. and Ph.D. in English literature from Case Western Reserve University. He lives in downtown Cincinnati.
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Adam Koehler, a current candidate for Hamilton County Commissioner, is a multifaceted professional with over two decades of diverse entrepreneurial experience spanning various industries. As a licensed REALTOR® and a serial entrepreneur, he has left an indelible mark in sectors such as technology, real estate, and digital design.
Adam’s entrepreneurial journey includes ownership of Reversed Out, an innovative digital agency known for its collaborations with Fortune 500 clients and pioneering the integration of AI-driven solutions like ChatGPT to enhance efficiency and productivity.
Furthermore, Adam is renowned as the co-founder of dotloop, a groundbreaking platform that revolutionized real estate transactions, ultimately achieving a remarkable $108 million exit to Zillow Group in 2015. Building on his success, he ventured into the world of real estate by acquiring an underperforming 20,000-square-foot building in Covington, Kentucky, and transforming it into a thriving coworking space known as CovWorx.
As a sought-after speaker, Adam shares his expertise in entrepreneurship, economic development, and innovation. He is dedicated to advocating for responsible governance and entrepreneurial growth in the Greater Cincinnati region. Adam’s engaging presentations often touch on diverse revenue streams, economic development, and the significance of civic engagement. His passion for design, marketing, and leadership shines through in his speaking engagements and his commitment to creating value and facilitating transformation.
African-Americans in cities throughout the United States are being asked to stand aside while the officials they elected to protect their interest ignore them and bring large numbers of illegal migrants into their communities, and then provide these foreign nationals with free food, housing, education, healthcare, phones, and, sometimes, pre-paid debit cards. These elected officials in some cases are taking crucial resources from these underserved communities and using them to support the migrants.
Why are so many billions of dollars suddenly available to supply basic necessities for non-citizens, but not for Americans? Who is making the decisions that are allowing this outrage to continue? And what can be done to address the problem?
In this episode of the EmpowerU America Podcast we will hear firsthand from black residents in Chicago and New York City about how this crisis is impacting them, and how they feel about it. We will also hear from community leaders Pastor David L. Lowery, Jr., in Chicago, and Conservative Party candidate and BLEXIT leader Dion Powell in the Bronx. We’ll close the episode with former immigration judge Matt O’Brien — currently at the Immigration Reform Law Institute — who will explain immigration law, the asylum process, and which aspects of this migrant crisis are in compliance, or in violation, of the law.
Speaker Bio:
David L. Lowery, Jr., is co-pastor at Fernwood Community Outreach Church in Chicago, and an outreach pastor at Universal Baptist Church in Harvey, IL. He is the founder and president of the Living & Driving While Black Foundation, Inc., a national civil rights organization advocating against racial profiling. He is a past president of the Rock Island, Illinois chapter of the NAACP, and is a U.S. Navy veteran. He hosts “Let the Truth Be Told” on The Exceptional Conservative Network (TECNTV.com).
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Dion Powell is Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Public Relations with Special Forces, LLC, a Political Campaign Training Company. He also serves as Bronx Conservative Party District Leader and Assistant State Director of BLEXIT’s New York Chapter. He previously worked as a Substitute Teacher and Teacher’s Assistant for NYC Public and Charter Schools, Assistant to the Community Liaison at the Latino Pastoral Action Center (LPAC) Sanctuary Church, and as the Assistant Director of the civic education non-profit Servicing Our Youth. He has contributed to the Bronx Branch NAACP, the New York State Young Democrats, and the Bronx Young Democrats. He holds a B.A. in Media/Communications: Film & Video from CUNY, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Metropolitan College of New York. He is currently working on his PhD in Human Services at Capella University.
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Mr. Matthew J. O’Brien is Director of Investigations at the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI), and he has nearly 30 years of experience in immigration law and policy. Prior to joining IRLI, he was an Immigration Judge on the U.S. Immigration Court at Arlington, VA. From 2016-2020, he served as the director of research at the Federation for American Immigration Reform. From 2008-2016, he held a number of positions at the U.S. DHS, including Assistant Chief Counsel with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. From 1997-2003, he was an immigration attorney in private practice. From 1996-1997, he served as a District Adjudications Officer with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service. He holds a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law, a M.A. in National Security Affairs from the Institute of World Politics (IWP), and a B.A. in French from the Johns Hopkins University. He is currently a doctoral candidate in IWP’s Statecraft and National Security Program.
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Adrian Wright is the current President of the Great Lakes Illinois Republican Women Club. She served as Committeewoman for Chicago’s 3rd Ward from 2015-2020, and as the Illinois Director of Black American Engagement and Outreach for the 2016 Trump/Pence Campaign. She volunteered for the 2017 Presidential Inauguration Committee, and was a delegate for Trump in 2020. She is a 2024 delegate for Trump representing the 7th Congressional District of Illinois.
What role besides housewife did the women of the Civil War era play?
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Come See History Come to Life with The Ladies Living History!
Now is the time for the feminine side of history! The Ladies Living History Society is a group of women dedicated to authentically presenting the history of women through living history portrayals. Tonight’s presentation will be a Fashion Show representing clothing styles from the 1800’s through the 1860’s, from the inside out, layer to layer! They will be relating snippets from the history of those times as they show off their homemade costumes.
We’ve heard about the lives of Civil War area soldiers and the founding of villages and towns in the Ohio River valley by early property owners, who were mostly men. Of course, the vast majority of these men had women behind them who were running the households, raising the children, growing the food, and of course supporting their husbands so that the men could make those accomplishments. The women have stories of their own that they would like to relate. Join us tonight and learn about the Civil War through the eyes of the women.
Speaker’s Bio:
Ladies Living History Society of Greater Cincinnati was founded in 1993. There were no civilian historical reenactment groups in Cincinnati. Living history groups were confined to men who wanted to reenact battles from the Civil War. When the wives of the 6th Ohio regiment attended historical reenactments of battles and other Civil War events, they started to wonder what an 1860s female group would look like. That’s when ‘The Society’ was born. The women research the food, clothes, and pastimes of the 1860s, as well as historical figures from the era. They meet monthly to learn and talk about their research together. One of the goals of the society is to educate the public that women served Cincinnati in many ways during the Civil War.
The Verdin Company--Carillons, bells, and clocks, ring, ring, and tick tock! Beautiful sounds and time pieces.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Come Learn the History of Beautiful Clocks and Bells!
Since 1842, The Verdin Company has been an innovator and leader in making the finest bells, clocks, and carillons in the world. Founded by two immigrant brothers from France, the company continues today under the ownership of the sixth generation of the Verdin family.
In a field that requires highly specialized skills, the family uses its knowledge and expertise to teach the craft of clocks and bells to its employees, thus creating the top craftsmen in the industry. The Verdin Company’s pledge to customers, friends and employees is to produce the finest bells and clocks that are seen, heard, and enjoyed throughout the world.
Follow along as we take an in depth look at the history of the family as they traveled from France to the Cincinnati region and set down roots creating a small business that they never knew would grow to these proportions.
We will also look into the different products that are currently available (just what exactly is a carillon and how do you pronounce that word??), notable installations across the globe, and see inside the factory walls where all of our products are produced right here in Cincinnati.
Speaker Bio:
Erika Broenner is the Sales Administrative Assistant for The Verdin Company, as well as the Assistant to the CEO, Bob Verdin III. In addition, she is the resident historian on staff as she has the unique perspective of being married to a direct descendant of the original founder but not down the line that took over the business. Now in her second decade of working there, she enjoys new projects as they come along and learning not only about all of the ways things were done in the past but also how the business continues to grow into the future. An avid amateur genealogist and book lover, she enjoys local history tours, traveling and spending time with family as they cheer on their favorite local sports teams.
What are the Ramfications of Our Current Border Situation?
Former Border Patrol Chief Gives an Update on the Southern Border Situation
It wasn’t until sanctuary cities began buckling under the weight of the thousands of illegal immigrants flooding their streets that Democrats began to acknowledge the crisis at our southern border. NYC Mayor Eric Adams was one of the first Democrat critics of Biden’s border policy — he visited the border, met with Mexican officials, and called on the Biden Administration to address the problem.
Now the border is shaping up to be a major 2024 campaign issue. Democrats put forth a so-called border security bill that did nothing to secure the border; instead, it codified into law a daily quota of 5,000 asylum seekers, or, 1.8 million per year. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has put together a detailed implementation plan to deport the millions of asylum seekers who have entered the U.S. in the past 3 years.
Chris T. Clem, a 27-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol, will join EmpowerU to discuss the current state of the southern U.S. border. Topics we’ll address include the Biden Administration’s policies that are facilitating the border problem, DHS Director Mayorkas’ contribution to the problem, how the flood of migrants is impacting communities around the country, the risk we may experience acts of terror resulting from lax vetting procedures, the politicization of the crisis, and Trump’s deportation plan.
Join us for this podcast as EmpowerU Host Jerry Thomas interviews Former Border Patrol Chief Chris Clem. Hear first-hand how our nation is handling our southern border.
Speaker Bio:
Chris T. Clem is the former Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol in Yuma, AZ. Chief Clem retired on December 31, 2022, after serving more than 27 1/2 years with the U.S Border Patrol. Chief Clem served in multiple locations throughout his career and in key leadership positions across the southern border and in Washington, D.C. Known for his matter of fact and honest approach, Chief Clem has been on the frontline in the border crisis in both El Paso, Texas and most recently Yuma, Arizona. Chief Clem has not only been a leader and innovator on border security issues, but he has also led several mental health and resiliency efforts for his employees. Chief Clem has been a member of the Senior Executive Service since 2018 until his retirement.
Chief Clem has a B.S and M.S. from Sam Houston State University and is certified from the Harvard Kennedy School for Senior Managers in Government.
AI mimics man and man deceives! Is AI learning to be like man?
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Required Reading: Check out our New 4/23 Class–Migrant Crisis in New York and Chicago–This is an Important Class
Dave Hatter asks the question, “Is AI our ‘friend’ or is it our ‘enemy’?
Join one of EmpowerU’s favorite instructors, Dave Hatter, on this important, popular and timely topic. Dave keeps us educated on how to protect our security and privacy. Now he will help us to understand AI: Explore what AI is and how we got here. Dave will discuss the following:
AI Types and Applications: Gain insights into different types of AI, including ChatGPT, DALLE-E and voice cloning.
AI Security and Privacy: Address the crucial aspects of AI security and privacy concerns.
Using AI: Discover best practices for leveraging AI.
Live AI Demonstration: See how you can use AI.
If you keep constantly hearing the term AI, but are having trouble figuring it all out, tonight’s class is for you. Dave will leave time for your many questions.
Speaker Bio:
Accomplished, enthusiastic, award-winning technology leader with over 30 years of software development, cybersecurity, and project management experience. He is a lifelong learner earning industry certifications including CISSP, CISA, CISM, CCSP, CSSLP, Security+, Network+, MS Azure Fundamentals, PMP, PMI-ACP, PMI-PBA, PSM 1, PSD 1, and ITIL Foundation V3. He earned a BS in Information Systems from NKU and has written or contributed to 12 technology books, written more than 100 technology related articles and has been quoted in publications including The Wall Street
Journal, Money, MSNBC, Salon, Reader’s Digest, MSN, Business Insider, The Street, Yahoo!Money, The Ladders, Dice.com, InfoWorld, ComputerWorld, CIO, CSO, CIO Update, Search CIO, Digital Trends, Tech Beacon, CyberNews, Lifewire and GearBrain.
Dave is a regular on-air subject matter expert on WXIX (FOX19) and Local 12 (WKRC-TV). He can be heard every Friday morning at 6:30 AM on 55KRC’s “Tech Friday”, twice monthly on Simply Money on 55KRC, and seen every Monday on “Cyber Monday” on WTVG (13ABC) at 5:45 AM and “Tech Support” at 9 AM. He is a regular guest on several radio shows on 700WLW and City Talk on TBNK. He has appeared as an expert in more than 2,000 interviews in media outlets across the county including Bloomberg Financial, Fox News, CNN, NPR, LocalNewsLive, WKRC, WCPO, WLWT, WVXU, 840 WHAS, WSMN and Spectrum News 1. He has also served as a technology expert for the Kentucky Legislature and has testified about cybersecurity before the Kentucky House of Representatives.
Dave has delivered dozens of presentations for organizations including (ISC)2, ISACA, itSMF, ConnectWise, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greater Cincinnati Better Business Bureau, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati AMA, PMI Southwest Ohio, PMI Dayton/Miami Valley, PMI Central Ohio, The Circuit, and The Goering Center.
As an adjunct instructor at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College for nearly 20 years, Dave has educated over 1,000 students in a variety of software engineering and IT courses. He has also taught at the University of Cincinnati and Gateway Community and Technical College, and he is the author of the Infosec Institute NIST 800-171 and the Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional Learning Paths.
Dave is committed to community service and has served as Mayor of Fort Wright, Kentucky since 2015 after serving eight terms on City Council. He has also served on boards including the NKY Chamber of Commerce, the Cincinnati BBB, The Council of BBBs, PMI Southwest Ohio Chapter, NKU Alumni Council and Parish Kitchen. He is a member of Infragard, MS-ISAC, The NKU Business Informatics Advisory Council, The Cincinnati State Center for Innovative Technologies Advisory Committee, and the Gateway College of Information Technology Advisory Committee.
Dave is a graduate of Leadership Cincinnati, Leadership Kentucky, Leadership Northern Kentucky, and a member of the Cincinnati Business Courier’s “Forty Under 40”, Class of 2003. He was named the Kentucky League of Cities 2020 Elected Official of the Year, 2006 NKU College of Informatics Outstanding Alumnus, 1997 NKU Young Alumnus, a comSpark 2018 Rising Tech Star and he earned The Circuit’s 2021 Community Award.
Libertas Technologies, the custom software development company Dave founded in 2001, was honored with many awards, but he is especially proud of winning the Cincinnati Better Business Bureau’s Torch
Award for Marketplace Ethics in 2007. Libertas Technologies was acquired by Definity Partners in
October 2012. Dave is currently an employee owner and Director of Business Growth at Intrust IT.
A True Story of Survival, Courage, and a Daring Escape in the Face of Unthinkable Evil
Hear this Remarkable Story of a Holocaust Survivor
Kathe Mueller Slonim was 11-years-old when her father Adolf was sent to the Dachau concentration camp. When Adolf’s cousin, Max, learned of Adolf’s internment, he set out to rescue him. A former German government official, Max’s risky plan was to use his expired Third Reich papers to get through checkpoints he encountered en route to Dachau.
However, Max’s mission was doubly dangerous — he had previously changed his name and religion to hide his Jewish identity, and if this were discovered the consequences would be grave. Later in life, Kathe recounted this remarkable story in her memoir, Escape from Dachau. We’ll discuss Kathe’s memoir with her daughter, Susan Servais.
EmpowerU’s Podcast Host Michael Mercier will talk with Susan and guide us through this incredible story.
Speaker Bio:
In 2022, after the passing of her mom, Kathe Mueller Slonim, a Holocaust survivor, Susan Servais and her siblings decided to publish her mom’s memoir which was written by Kathe many years before. It was Kathe’s request that nothing be published until after her passing. Susan continues to do interviews with media outlets, universities, and scholars, and has enjoyed a successful career in the healthcare sector.
Meet Congressman Warren Davidson and Learn About This Important Topic
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Learning About Digital Currency–Join Us As We Take a Deep Dive…
Many people have said that Digital & Cryptocurrency means the end of piggy banks for children. What are the facts? Congressman Warren Davidson–Ohio District 8– is a member of the important House Financial Services Committee. He will explain the threat to liberty posed by programmable money including:
-Review of China’s social credit score system.
-Explanation of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and the Federal Reserve’s efforts to develop it.
-Examples of how CBDC could be used to control Americans.
-Efforts to prevent the development and implementation of programmable money in the U.S. House Financial Services Committee and in state legislatures.
-Explanation of permissionless, peer-to-peer cryptocurrencies, and the need for regulatory clarity.
-What can the average citizen do?
This is a GREAT opportunity to meet one of the leaders in Congress. Will the Government be mandating Digital Currency? What steps has the Biden administration already taken on Digital Currency? Congressman Davidson looks forward to answering your questions on these, and other, important issues.
Speaker Bio:
Warren Davidson was born and raised in Sidney, Ohio. He enlisted in the Army after high school and later earned an appointment to West Point. He served in the Old Guard, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and the 101st Airborne Division. After returning to civilian life, he helped grow his father’s small company with 20 employees to multiple companies with over 200 employees. Warren has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 27 years, and they have 2 adult children.
In 2016, Warren won a special election to fill the remainder of the term of outgoing US Representative John Boehner. He was re-elected in 2020 to his 3rd full term in Congress and serves on the House Financial Services Committee. He also serves on the United States Military Academy Board of Visitors, the House Warrior Caucus and House Army Caucus.
An Epidemic: 13.2% of Americans are using antidepressants monthly.
Decades ago Psychiatry moved from a therapy-focused approach to the treatment of depression to a pharmaceutical approach. With this new approach, antidepressants are used as the primary mode of treatment. Today, antidepressant use is widespread — a 2020 research study found that 13.2% of Americans were using antidepressants monthly.
Despite their widespread use, antidepressants are somewhat controversial. They produce some well-known side-effects, including weight gain, insomnia, and diminished sexual function.
A lesser-known side-effect is the withdrawal people experience when they taper off antidepressants under the guidance of their psychiatrist — what the psychiatric community calls “discontinuation syndrome”. There are also questions about the effectiveness of antidepressants, with some studies showing them to be no more effective than a placebo.
In this episode of EmpowerU, Psychologist Bruce E. Levine will discuss the problem of depression in America. He will discuss the characteristics of American society that are contributing to widespread depression, the shift from therapy to pharmaceutical treatment methods, the pharmaceutical industry’s involvement in this shift, the research on the effectiveness and side-effects of antidepressants, alternative approaches that Psychiatry could take to treat depression, and what cultural changes might also have a positive impact.
Listen in as EmpowerU Podcast’s Host Michael Mercier interviews Dr. Bruce E. Levine on what’s not really talked about where someone experiences clinical depression.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Bruce E. Levine writes and speaks widely on how society, culture, politics and psychology intersect. His most recent book is A Profession Without Reason: The Crisis of Contemporary Psychiatry―Untangled and Solved by Spinoza, Freethinking, and Radical Enlightenment (2022).
Dr. Levine’s previous books include Resisting Illegitimate Authority: A Thinking Person’s Guide to Being an Anti-Authoritarian―Strategies, Tools, and Models (2018); Get Up, Stand Up: Uniting Populists, Energizing the Defeated, and Battling the Corporate Elite (2011); Surviving America’s Depression Epidemic: How to Find Morale, Energy, and Community in a World Gone Crazy (2007); and Commonsense Rebellion: Taking Back Your Life from Drugs, Shrinks, Corporations, and a World Gone Crazy (2003).
A practicing clinical psychologist often at odds with the mainstream of his profession, he is a regular contributor to CounterPunch, Truthout, Salon, AlterNet, Mad in America, Z Magazine, OpEdNews, and the Huffington Post. His articles and interviews have been published in the New York Times, Skeptic, Adbusters, The Ecologist, High Times, and numerous other magazines, and he has contributed chapters to The Military Industrial Complex at 50 (2011), Writing without Formula (2009), Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders: Depression (2009), and Alternatives Beyond Psychiatry (2007).
Dr. Levine is on the editorial advisory board of the journal Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, and he is on the medical and scientific advisory board of the National Center for Youth Law. He is also an editorial advisor for the Icarus Project/Freedom Center Harm Reduction Guide to Coming off Psychiatric Drugs. A longtime activist in the mental health treatment reform movement, he is a member of the International Society for Ethical Psychology & Psychiatry and MindFreedom. Dr. Levine has presented talks and workshops to diverse organizations throughout North America.
Bruce E. Levine was born in 1956, grew up in Rockaway in New York City, graduated from Queens College of the City University of New York, and received his PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Cincinnati. He currently lives in Cincinnati.
Hear from Zac Haines, a Miami University Board of Trustee, About DEI and Higher Education.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Enjoy insights from a University Board of Trustee member and partake in a robust discussion concerning higher education in Ohio. Areas of interest will include Enrollment trends, Affordability, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and an in-depth look at Senate Bill 83 — Ohio’s Historic Higher Education Reform Bill.
Learn about the wild world of College Athletics including the Transfer Portal, NIL (name, image, likeness), and the Alston decision. Zac Haines will share his personal thoughts and experiences and field your questions. Zac will be with us from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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Dr. Jed Hartings will provide an update on the successes and challenges of Cincinnati Classical Academy, the region’s first public (charter) classical school, now in its second year of operation. The school has achieved exceptional results in academic testing, enrollment growth, and student retention.
In doing so, however, it has also become the target of national attacks from anti-charter activists who object to teaching virtue and character in public schools. Despite resistance, classical charter education is building momentum throughout Ohio. Jed will join us from 7:05-7:25 pm.
Speaker Bios:
Zachary Haines is an entrepreneur who currently serves as the Owner and CEO of the DPA Buying Group. Under his leadership, the organization grew from approximately 67 distributors to more than 1,700 companies in the industrial, safety, and facility maintenance industries.
In 2018, at the age of 34, Mr. Haines was appointed by the Governor of Ohio to serve a nine-year term on Miami University’s Board of Trustees. Zac was recognized by the Cincinnati Business Courier as a Forty Under 40 recipient in 2016, and in 2020, he was recognized by Maverick Pac as a Future 40 Republican across the United States. On August 20, 2020, Zac was nominated by President Donald J. Trump to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.
Among his other activities, Zac Haines is actively involved in the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), having at least ten ancestors who served or furnished material aid to the cause of liberty in the Revolutionary War. In this capacity, he chairs an annual patriotic essay contest for high school students, honors local R.O.T.C. cadets and midshipmen, and makes special appearances dressed as George Washington for elementary schools and civic organizations. Zac also serves as the national Historian and Archivist for the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and sits on its Foundation’s Board of Directors. Mr. Haines earned his B.S. from Miami University, located in Oxford, Ohio, where he met his wife Brittany. They have two young sons.
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Jed Hartings grew up on the West Side of Cincinnati and attended St. Xavier High School. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and earned a doctorate in neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh. He then served 8 years as a medical research officer in the U.S. Army at Walter Reed, separating from service at the rank of Major.
Jed returned home in 2008 to join the faculty at the University of Cincinnati, where he researches stroke and brain trauma as a tenured professor in the Department of Neurosurgery. He lives with his wife and daughters in Evendale. He enjoys running, motorcycles, classical music, politics, and reading, and hopes one day to sail the Great Lakes with his family.
Tired of Hearing About All the Problems With Our Military?
What is going on within our Military? Retired Colonel Rob Maness shares what our military is dealing with and what they are being taught.
Rob has led numerous combat flying operations and was also on duty in the Pentagon during the September 11, 2001 attack. Rob served on the Pentagon Joint Staff in nuclear operations, commanded a bomber squadron and a Wing before retiring from active duty in December 2011. Rob ran for US Senate in Louisiana as an America First candidate in 2014.
Be prepared to learn tonight as Rob explains what is really happening on the ground with our military now. EmpowerU podcast host Jerry Thomas brings us up-to-date on this important topic.
Speaker Bio:
Retired Colonel Rob Maness enlisted in the US Air Force in November 1978. Graduating from the US Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal School in 1980, he served in three assignments countering terrorist bomb makers before being selected for Officer and Flight training in 1985. Rob was involved in many combat flying operations and was also on duty in the Pentagon during the September 11, 2001 attack.
Rob currently owns and operates Iron Liberty Group LLC, the digital publishing company behind his website robmaness.com and his streaming tv show, The Rob Maness Show. Maness is also the chairman of GatorPAC, that supports constitutional conservative and veteran candidates. Colonel Maness is President of the Mississippi Chapter of Veterans For America First, a grassroots organization supporting America First Policies and communities around the state. Colonel Maness is a graduate of the University of Tampa, Cum Laude, and holds three Masters degrees from: Harvard University’s Kennedy School, the Air Command and Staff College, and the US College of Naval Warfare.
Hamilton County Communications Center 2377 Civic Center Drive Cincinnati, Ohio 45231
Saturday, March 16, 2024
This class has been cancelled due to the site being under construction, we apologize for any inconvenience and hope to reschedule.
Learn from this opportunity to hear about the workings of the Hamilton County 911 Emergency Communications Center from leaders, ask questions and get answers. You have been reading about the operations of the center in the past several months. Now, we will get a (quiet) tour of the actual communications center itself.
The Hamilton County Communications Center is located in Seven Hills behind the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Patrol Headquarters, the Hamilton County Communications Center provides emergency dispatch service for 105 Police, Fire, and EMS departments covering 42 political jurisdictions. To see the entire list of communities served by the Hamilton County Communications Center–Click Here. Our Communications Center staff consists of 60 Communications Officers, 9 Supervisors, and 8 administrative staff members. The staff at the communications centers attends numerous hours of training each year to maintain the highest level of industry accreditation, certification, and professional education.
Flowers - annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, oh dear what do I need?
White Oak Gardens 3579 Blue Rock Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
Thursday, March 14, 2024
This Class is Sold Out!!! — Sorry!
Get Ready For Spring With an EmpowerU Field Trip!
Spring will be creeping up on us soon. Time to start thinking and planning your garden for this year. Want to redesign, want the color choices that annuals bring, perennials that will come back year after year. Need some shrubs but don’t know what kind?
Tom Borgman will educate us on the native plants we can add to our landscapes that will add beauty and interest, attract birds and butterflies to our yards.
Tom will discuss how to create an attractive design along with some tips on easy ways to plant and maintain your landscape. Join us at White Oak Garden for a fun informational evening. Come a little early and browse the incredible store.
Speaker Bio:
Tom Borgman has more than 35 years of conservation related experience. Recently retired from Great Parks of Hamilton County, Tom served in several positions including Natural Resource Manager and Conservation & Parks Trainer.
As a gardener, landscaper, naturalist, and plant enthusiast, Tom has had a lifelong interest in connections between plants, wildlife, and people.
We’re Sorry, This Class is Sold Out!
Important: The Deadline to File Property Tax Appeals This Year is March 31, 2024
EmpowerU Virtual Zoom Class Login at: www.EmpowerUAmerica.org ,
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Chris Finney Email Address: chris@finneylawfirm.com
Chris Finney from Finney Law Firm LLC Explains What We Can Do About Our Property Taxes
Attorney Chris Finney reprises a popular EmpowerU seminar on reducing your property taxes. This could be like money in the bank! Property taxes finance our schools and fund numerous levies for public services and civic desires. As property owners, many people find property taxes a significant burden on the family budget.
This year many property owners have been hit with big increases on their property taxes and are looking for options to get their property taxes reduced. Specifically, we will be discussing reducing OHIO PROPERTY TAXES.
Chris Finney will take you step-by-step through the process of determining how to pay the lowest possible tax on your home or business. His tips will be worth your effort to attend this great session. The deadline for filing an appeal on your property tax is March 31—so get the facts at tonight’s virtual seminar.
Speaker Bio:
Mr. Finney is the owner of Finney Law Firm, LLC, where he concentrates on commercial transactional and litigation projects. In addition, Mr. Finney is a renowned public interest litigator, enjoying three 9-0 victories at the United States Supreme Court.
As a transactional attorney, Mr. Finney handles routine and complex real estate matters, and is a licensed Ohio title insurance agent. He has more than 30 years of experience in acquisition, disposition, leasing, and financing as well as issues relating to covenants and easements for real property. Mr. Finney is the sole owner of Ivy Pointe Title founded in 2013, which handles residential and commercial title insurance and closings. Its underwriters are First American Title Insurance and Fidelity Title Insurance. In all, Mr. Finney and his companies have handled more than 15,000 real estate closings in his career.
As a litigator, Mr. Finney has handled commercial disputes of many types, with a focus on real estate related matters and public interest law. These include construction disputes; contract disputes and matters of real estate title. In today’s increasingly complex world, the intersection of public regulation and private actions has become more intertwined. As such, there is a tremendous value to confronting governmental actions with public interest litigation. As a result, Mr. Finney has extensive experience in the public interest arena, from taxation to lobbying to public interest litigation. His notable public interest accomplishments are the same cases attached to the Finney Law Firm profile. He was counsel of record in each of those cases.
Adam Masters will discuss Americans for Prosperity’s prescriptions for addressing the economic ills of the Biden Administration.
What are the Repercussions of The Biden Administration’s Policies?
Adam Masters of Americans for Prosperity (AFP) will discuss the Biden Administration’s Economic policies, what AFP views as the flaws of those policies, and AFP’s prescription for correcting course. Topics covered include government spending, inflation, energy policy, and policies that empower workers.
What we will be talking about tonight is Bidenomics, which is Joe Biden’s idea to grow the economy from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down. The question about Bidenomics is whether it is really working and if so, what are the ramifications of this policy? What has been the impact of injecting trillions of dollars into our economy with the resulting inflation that has transpired?
EmpowerU host Jerry Thomas will lead us through tonight’s discussion of Joe Biden and the results from Bidenomics.
Speaker’s Bio:
Adam Masters is a Grassroots Trainer at Americans for Prosperity. A fifth generation Oklahoman, Adam has seen all types of grassroots efforts before joining the team. He began his political career traveling and on different campaigns and knocking on doors throughout college. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in Political Science, Adam went to work for former Mayor of Oklahoma City Mick Cornett’s gubernatorial campaign, doing everything from driving the candidate to events, knocking on doors, and making voter phone calls.
After the campaign, Adam helped with grassroots initiatives on various efforts in Texas & Virginia before returning to Oklahoma to work as a Legislative Assistant in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and ultimately mounting his own candidacy for State House.
Following the primary, Adam worked to help flip Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional district, working on behalf of Congresswoman Bice under the Congressional Leadership Fund. Adam comes to the team from a political research firm where he worked as Senior Research Manager, in charge of overseeing polling, market research, and advocacy efforts nationwide.
Also: Take 20: Replacement Property Tax Levies - HB344
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Hear from Retired FOP Officer Dan Hils on the Status and Concerns of the Cincinnati Police Department.
Dan Hils is concerned about the current status of keeping control of law and order. He will discuss what he sees to be the present trends in the ability of the police to achieve their ultimate duty: to keep citizens safe while protecting the Constitutional rights of those who threaten that safety. He will enlighten us about his experiences, both as president of the FOP and as a police officer.
Dan spent his career enforcing law and order. He recently retired from nearly 35 years of service with the Cincinnati Police Department and 8 years as president of the Fraternal Order of Police. During his FOP tenure, he proved himself to be an outspoken advocate for the approximately 1000 officers and 1,700 retired officers he represented. He proved himself to be a fighter on behalf of his ‘cops,’ advocating for them when they were treated unfairly, as well as in matters regarding their working conditions and the safeguards provided for them for their own safety.
In 2017, when he believed one of his officers was being unfairly treated by civil rights leaders and prosecutors, he, with approval of his FOP members, pulled the union out of negotiations to update the Collaborative Agreement. His adversary in the negotiations, civil rights attorney Al Gerhardstein, praised Dan, saying that Hils’ “own personal path has been all about demonstrating tremendous respect for the community.” Further, Gerhardstein said that Dan “knows how to talk to people when they aren’t being reasonable. He prevents violence. When he’s out on the street, he’s engaged as a police officer in a lot of exemplary ways.” Dan will be with us from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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Many bills written can be confusing to the public. Greg Lawon from Ohio Buckeye Institute will clarify HB344 which eliminates the authority of political subdivisions to levy replacement property tax levies, beginning with elections held on or after October 1, 2024.
Under current law, a subdivision may propose a replacement levy to extend the term of an existing levy. A replacement levy is imposed at the same original millage rate of the levy it is replacing. By contrast, subdivisions may also propose renewal levies, which extend the term of an existing levy at its current effective millage rate. Greg will be with us from 7:05-7:25 PM.
Speaker Bios:
Dan Hils was born and raised on the west side of Hamilton County, graduated from Elder High School in 1984 and entered the Army that year. His duty station was West Germany, where he served as a Military Police Officer. Shortly after his discharge from the Army, he entered the Cincinnati Police Academy, graduating in 1987. He was first stationed in District Four, and then moved to Districts Five and Three before being transferred to the Personal Crimes Unit as a detective. From there he was promoted to Specialist and then to Sergeant.
A year later, he was transferred to the K9 squad, which he loved. He spent nearly 15 years there. After banging heads with police administration, he found himself back on patrol in the very busy District Three dealing with the heroin epidemic. While working in District Three, he won election as the president of the Cincinnati FOP.
Since his retirement, he has continued police work as an auxiliary officer for Amberley Village, as well as running security for a couple of private schools. He also works with some great attorneys at Front Line Advisors, which provides legal advice and representation to law enforcement personnel. Front Line Advisors currently represents two FOPs: Middletown and Fairfield, as well as the Hamilton County corrections deputies.
In his personal life, Dan’s wife, Stephanie, is a retired police detective. He has a son, Alex, from his first marriage. He lost his daughter, Meghan, to congenital heart and lung issues when she was 18. Stephanie has two adult children, Hannah and Jacob.
Dan has described his philosophy about his life’s work as endeavoring not to be judgmental, to listen to every side of an issue, and then to see what he can do to solve the problem. In 2020, amid ongoing protests against police violence and calls for police reform, Dan Hils submitted a question to Cincinnati City Council: whether they were going to join the anti-police protestors or whether they would give the police benefit of the doubt. In describing his cops,’ Dan said that they “prove day in and day out that they believe lives matter because they risk themselves, they risk their lives. And I don’t like it when they are treated unfairly.”
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Greg R. Lawson is a Research Fellow at The Buckeye Institute.
In this role, Lawson works with all members of the Buckeye research team with a particular focus on local government and education issues. He is also Buckeye’s main liaison to the statehouse where he educates policymakers in both the legislative and executive branches on free-market solutions to Ohio’s challenges.
Prior to his position at Buckeye, Lawson served in the Ohio General Assembly as a Legislative Service Commission Fellow. He then went on to several government affairs roles focusing on numerous public policy topics, including Medicaid, school choice, transportation funding, and Ohio’s Building Code. He also has a background in PAC fundraising, grassroots organizing, and communications and served for five years on the boards of two Columbus-based charter schools.
Learn the 10 skills that are essential to your success in life.
EmpowerU Podcast www.EmpowerUAmerica.org ,
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Strive For Success in Your Life by Honing these 10 Skills!
Bill Gladwell has identified 10 skills that are essential to achieving success in life. In this discussion Bill will walk through each of these skills, explaining why each is critical to your success and how you can improve in each skill area.
We will delve into these topics:
1. Emotional Intelligence
2. Effective Communication
3. Resilience
4. Critical Thinking
5. Time Management
6. Empathy
7. Financial Literacy
8. Conflict Resolution
9. Self-care and Well-being
10. Mindfulness and Self-awareness
EmpowerU’ host Jerry Thomas will talk with Bill about this great motivational class and subject-matter to start out the New Year!
Speaker Bio:
With over three decades of experience, Bill Gladwell has established himself as a leading consultant, speaker, and author in the fields of hypnosis, influence, and persuasion. Empowering countless individuals to communicate effectively, ethically influence others, and achieve their goals.
Bill’s journey began as a high school student exploring hypnosis. After attending a Tony Robbins seminar and receiving certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming™ (NLP™) and hypnotherapy, Bill embarked on a mission to help others harness the power of hypnosis.
Bill has created over 2,000 hypnosis audio programs, developed ethical sales and persuasion techniques for the pharmaceutical industry, and now consults for individuals and corporations worldwide.
More history of Cincinnati revealed in Peter Bronson’s new book.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Peter Bronson Has Published a New Book on Cincinnati History
The author of regional bestsellers about organized crime in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati has published a new book: The Man Who Saved Cincinnati, which includes:
The secret plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln in Cincinnati.
The Confederate attack to seize the city, loot and burn it or hold it for ransom.
The amazing youngest Union general who turned a defenseless, riot-torn city on the brink of surrender into a fortress in three days.
The first Black Brigade in the Union Army, formed in Cincinnati.
How the sixth largest city in the nation, the Queen City of the West, saved the Union.
Terror and panic from Morgan’s Raiders.
The wild Moon sisters, who smuggled morphine to the Confederates.
How the scapegoat of Shiloh became the “Savior of Cincinnati,” captured Billy the Kid, put down a bloody range war and wrote one of the greatest books in American literature, Ben-Hur.
Peter will be signing books before or after the event for $20. Come and get the chance to meet one of the area’s great journalists and authors at EmpowerU.Books.
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How would you like to send money to your favorite Catholic, Protestant, or private school instead of to the State of Ohio? Well, you may be able to do just that…even this year…if you have not yet filed your Ohio Individual Income Tax Return. The State of Ohio offers a Scholarship Donation Credit of as much as $750 on an individual return and $1,500 on a joint return for donations made directly to Scholarship Granting Organizations that have registered with the Attorney General’s Office.
Many local schools can benefit from your donation and effectively you can take this from the money that you would have paid to the State of Ohio for income taxes. You will learn all the relevant details in this short talk. The speaker will simply provide tax information but will not provide tax advice. You should discuss this with your own tax advisor.
Speaker Bios:
Peter Bronson, author of ‘Not In Our Town’, Forbidden Fruit, and several other books, was editorial page editor and columnist for The Cincinnati Enquirer for nearly 20 years. Under his leadership the Enquirer was judged Best Editorial Page in Ohio four years in a row.
Before coming to Cincinnati in 1992, he was editorial page editor and columnist at The Tucson Citizen in Tucson, Arizona. He started his news career in Michigan after graduating from Michigan State University in his hometown of East Lansing, Michigan. He has served on several non-profits, including Casa de los Niños home for abused children in Tucson; Northern Kentucky Children’s Home; Leadership Cincinnati; and Cincinnati Right to Life. He was a regular panelist / producer on the Channel 9 WCPO TV show Hotseat, and also on the weekly Tucson news show Arizona Illustrated.
He’s been a contributing editor and columnist at Cincy Magazine, and now is owner and publisher of Chilidog Press LLC, which offers publishing, writing, edition, and consulting. His 2005 book, Behind the Lines: The Untold Stories of the Cincinnati Riots, was a regional best-seller. He is co-author of Legacy of Courage: True Stories of Honor Flight Veterans, and Legacy of Courage II. Chilidog Press has published dozens of books, including Judge A: Irretrievably Broken, Dance When You Can and the national award-winning Submerged.
He is active as a group leader at Horizon Community Church. He enjoys working on old sports cars, playing golf and travel. He is the father of two, and lives with his wife, Kathy, in Milford.
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Tom Hagedorn has been providing investment advice to individuals for over four decades. He has been involved in various political, charitable, and community activities in southwest Ohio since 1976. Recently, he has been especially active in the fight to return our schools to their traditional role in American society, in service to parents and to their community values.
Love Alfred Hitchcock thrillers? Learn how Hitchcock crafted his suspenseful films from Hitchcock expert Joel Gunz.
We’ll discuss with Joel Gunz, award-winning filmmaker, the early life experiences that helped shape Hitchcock’s approach to filmmaking, including the World Wars. We’ll then discuss the various creative phases Hitchcock went through as his filmmaking evolved, and we’ll close by discussing how Hitchcock applied his approach to two of his most iconic films — North By Northwest (1959) and The Birds (1963).
Alfred Hitchcock was an English film director, screenwriter, producer and editor. His career spanned over six decades and he directed over 50 feature films which gathered over 46 Academy Award nominations. So many of Hitchcock’s movies are memorable including: Rope (1948), Dial M for Murder (1954), To Catch a Thief (1955), The Trouble with Harry (1955), and Vertigo (1958). Many of Hitchcock’s best movies included the biggest star in Hollywood–Jimmie Stewart, Ingrid Bergman and Grace Kelly.
EmpowerU’s Michael Mercier will guide you through this discussion about film and about one of the art’s most memorable directors.
Speaker Bio:
Joel Gunz is an award-winning filmmaker and president of MacGuffin Media and HitchCon, bringing together movie lovers of all ages together for online movie nights, streaming educational films and to read The Hitchcockian Quarterly. Entering its fourth year, HitchCon has grown to become the world’s largest annual conference dedicated to the artistry of Alfred Hitchcock. Joel’s fascination with the Master of Cinema commenced at age 12 and never stopped, eventuating in hundreds of scholarly articles, chapters, and essays, earning him the online nickname Alfred Hitchcock Geek.
As a film essayist, Joel adds his personal history to his scholarship, blending the two with special effects that re-examine the duality of subject and object, the imaginal and the real. His latest such film, Spellbound by L’Amour Fou, won Best Short Documentary at the Medusa Film Festival. He is also producer and director of three essay film series: How to Watch Hitchcock (2018-19), Freak the Geek (2018-current) and Alfred Hitchcock, Master of the Surreal (2019-current). Joel and his partner, Christy La Guardia, live with their beagle, Charlie, in Olympia, Washington.
Epoch Times Trump Campaign Reporter Janice Hisle Discusses the 2024 Election
An Update on the Presidential Campaign from a Journalist’s Perspective
President Trump once again has dominated the 2024 presidential race, despite his being the target of multiple indictments and lawsuits, relentless mainstream media attacks, and the many millions in PAC money spent by his rivals.
Meanwhile, President Biden faces numerous challenges in his bid for a second term: escalating debt, inflation, and interest rates; concern that the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars are broadening into larger conflicts; an open border policy that finally has begun to impact the lives of voters in Democrat cities around the country; and, more recently, a long-supportive mainstream media that has begun to question his mental fitness for office.
Epoch Times reporter Janice Hisle returns to EmpowerU to give us a fascinating glimpse into her job covering the Trump presidential campaign during what is shaping up to be an historic election. We’ll learn what it’s like in this unprecedented, dynamic environment to travel from state to state to report on primaries, caucuses and Trump campaign events, how these momentous factors have been impacting the primaries, and what she’s hearing from voters regarding their views of the candidates.
Listen in tonight as EmpowerU Podcast Host Michael Mercier interviews Janice Hisle from The Epoch Times.
Speaker Bio:
Janice Hisle reports on former President Donald Trump’s campaign for the 2024 general election ballot and related issues. Before joining The Epoch Times, she worked for more than two decades as a reporter for newspapers in Ohio and authored several books. She is a graduate of Kent State University’s journalism program.
Dan Talks About the Invasion of Pearl Harbor and the December 7 Class
Join us for the 82nd Anniversary of the Japanese Attack at Pearl Harbor. The sudden surprise military attack of our U.S. naval base by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service comprised of warplanes, aircraft carriers, destroyers and midget submarines took place on a Sunday morning at 8 am on December 7, 1941.
Managing Board Member Dan Regenold will walk you through the moments of that day for the sailors, the soldiers, the pilots, the diplomats, and the politicians. Learn about the shock that the bombing produced in civilians and the confusion of US commanders. What happened between the Governments of the United States and Japan that could have caused this devastation that ended in the killing of 2,403 men.
Was the attack a repercussion of America’s military buildup in the Philippines, or the ceasing of oil exports to Japan in July 1941. Did President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s foreign policy team miss key signs which might have caused the largest foreign policy misstep in America’s history? Was Roosevelt’s refusal to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Konoe a factor? Learn about the role of General Douglas MacArthur who was named commander of U.S. Army Forces in the Far East! What was America’s response to the attack?
17 times we were warned about a possible invasion in the weeks leading up to Pearl Harbor. Did We Listen? Learn about the key players involved, Yamamoto, Hirohito, Tojo, FDR, Jimmy Doolittle, Harry Truman and countless other heroes.
We will watch the military strike unfold blow-by-blow and take place as a complete surprise. And we will also learn about the Japanese and American perspectives of this historical drama. Who in the Government was held accountable after-the-fact for what happened at Pearl Harbor? Tonight, hear the story of Pearl Harbor and the details and what really happened in a way you have never heard it before.
Veterans will be recognized at this event.
Speaker Bio:
Dan Regenold: Dan first became active in Government in 2003 when he became involved fighting Eminent Domain and helping stop it in Evendale and in Norwood, Ohio. In 2006, he was one of the founders of WeDemandAVote.com which successfully fought and stopped, by ballot initiative, a sales tax increase in Hamilton County, Ohio. Later WeDemand stopped Red Light Cameras in Hamilton County.
Regenold spoke at the CPAC Convention in 2008 to discuss major Grassroots initiative actions across the United States. In 2009, Dan was unsuccessful in his efforts to bring accountability to the Federal Government’s finances with a citizen lead initiative WeDemandABalancedBudget.com (the bill was introduced to the United States Congress). In 2010 Regenold was one of three leaders of the initiative to End Ohio’s Estate Tax which happened in 2011. The Tax Foundation called the repeal of Ohio Estate Tax one of the most important Tax accomplishments of 2011. In 2011 Regenold founded EmpowerUAmerica.org (starting it’s 25th semester in Fall 2022), a Free University offered in the Greater Cincinnati area with the goal of “empowering” citizens.
In 2014, Regenold was one of the leaders of the effort to separate Music Hall from a County Wide Sales Tax which helped the Museum Center renovation get passed by the voters of Hamilton County. Dan has recently concentrated his efforts on the mess of Public Education in Ohio and specifically on topics like School Choice and Critical Race Theory. Similarly, Dan helped led an EmpowerU initiative InGodWeTrustProject.com to teach students about the history of our National Motto.
Dan is a lover of Liberty and enjoys speaking to EmpowerU classes about subjects he is passionate about. Recently he has discussed: Milton Friedman, Saul Alinsky, D-Day, The Debt and Deficit,Public Education, Winston Churchill, President Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Sowell and Sam Adams at EmpowerU Classes. Regenold is founder and Chairman of FrameUSA.com, a Made-In-America picture frame manufacturing company in Springdale, Ohio.
Trains and train displays, something all ages male and female enjoy. You will learn things in this class about trains that you never knew.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
All Aboard the EmpowerU Train! – Come and Learn Something New About Trains!
Mark Fenbers has been fascinated by trains since he was 4!!…model trains, “backyard trains” (similar to the train at the Cincinnati Zoo), and the Cincinnati Dinner Train. His talk will weave the personal story of his life-long love affair with trains into a fascinating talk about trains, which have been both a life-long hobby and a business for him. He will talk about the intriguing worlds of model trains, backyard trains (mini railroads), and even the Cincinnati Dinner Train.
Mark built his first model train layout at 12. By 25 he had his own apartment, which included a layout in the living room. By 35 he had a layout in the basement of the home where he and his wife raised 5 boys. Over the next two decades he started selling model train sets online and joined three different model train clubs. He has been working part-time for the Cincinnati Dinner Train as a conductor, which he will also describe. And this passion all began for him as a 4-year-old watching trains operate at a small railyard at Glenway and Boudinot on the west side. Do you have an interest in trains for yourself, a child, a grandchild. Join us tonight and find out how to get “on-board!” Mark will be speaking 7:30-8:30pm.
Melvyn DeWitt will talk 7:10-7:30pm about his experience taking the Honor Flight to D.C., September 2023.Mel DeWitt is a veteran of the Cold War Era and the Vietnam war. Mel was a jet engine mechanic in the Air Force and an Air Fram Mechanic in the Ohio Air National Guard.
Mel Dewitt and his “Honor Flight Guardian” Keri Wittekind will speak on their adventure they recently shared on “Honor Flight Tristate”. Keri is an Army Veteran who served 7 years.
Speaker Bio:
Mark Fenbers never pursued his boyhood dream of becoming a train engineer. He was “derailed” by the sight of the devasting tornados that hit his beloved west side in 1974 and instead decided upon a career in Meteorology. He spent several years at WLW-TV and then moved on to the National Weather Service (NWS). A few years ago, after a 40-year career, he retired as a Senior Meteorologist with the NWS at Wilmington only to start a new career.
Mark now operates “Love on Rails”, where he custom designs and builds 1/8 scale mini railroads for backyards in the tri-state. Believe it or not, they can easily fit into the back yard of a ½ acre lot and can cost as little as $7,500 (or up to $35,000 or so with all the “bells and whistles” – pun intended). He has spoken about trains to a couple groups, including the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA). He also develops and sells circuit boards for model trains. It’s impossible to predict what project this former Meteorologist will take on next!
Bernie Moreno is conservative, an outsider, and not a politician.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, November 16, 2023
This Class Has Been Cancelled. Bernie Moreno has informed us that he is unable to be at this class on November 16. We have cancelled the class–we apologize!
Bernie Moreno built one of the largest dealership groups in America from scratch, right here in Ohio. Now, he’s ready to go to Washington and fight. Bernie’s plan to create a growing middle class, and ensure the American Drean is accessible to anyone, regardless of their background. Bernie has lived the American Dream with his wife of 32 years, Bridget, by his side. Together they have four children and one grandchild. He believes in hard work, risk taking and helping the community. That’s the American Dream and that’s been Bernie Moreno’s life that he hopes to take to Washington D.C. as a Senator.
Bernie’s plan is to empower parents to make education choices, secure America’s borders and destroy the Mexican Drug Cartels, restore the integrity of our elections, massively and reduce anti-growth regulations. Bernie has also pledged to cut government spending, end inflation, counter the threat of Communist China, hold Big Tech accountable, break up big media, protect moms, protect families, protect life, ensure safe communities, restore American energy independence, allow free markets to work, term limits for members of Congress, restore American manufacturing, and defend our Constitutional rights, especially the Second Amendment.
The Moreno campaign offers a plan that promises much to the Citizens of Ohio. Tonight, you will get to meet Bernie Moreno and ask him important questions.
Speaker Bio:
Bernie Moreno is proof that the American Dream exists. He’s lived it. He came to America, legally, from South America. He began his career as an intern at General Motors in 1987. Less than 20 years later, Bernie was offered the opportunity to purchase the most underperforming Mercedes-Benz dealership in the country. Bernie sold everything he owned, borrowed the college tuition for his nieces & nephews from his sister, and his mother mortgaged her house.
Bernie purchased that dealership and in the first year, turned it around. Over 10 years, the Bernie Moreno Companies expanded to 15 buildings, 30 brands, four states, and hired nearly one thousand Ohioans. Then, Bernie Moreno sold most of his car dealerships in 2019. That year, he launched a technology start-up called Ownum, with the mission to digitize paper processes like car titles, in turn improving government efficiency.
Take 20: Brendan Murray on "Beneath the Maze"- Society often feels like a maze, why is that?
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wait, who was Silence Dogood anyway?? With natural curiosity and the rare ability to creatively think through a problem and work on experiments to invent solutions to improve it, the life of Ben Franklin is worth study. We’ll explore the many facets of Benjamin Franklin – some familiar and some surprising!
From teenage runaway to printer and self-taught writer to loyalist of England finally to reluctant revolutionary and diplomat – expect to learn something new and to be inspired. Many of his inventions we are currently using today – ever notice lightning rods at the top of church towers, not to mention at the top of larger buildings? That is one example. Franklin was integral in the writing of our Constitution. You’ll learn all about it – come join in! Karen will discuss Ben Franklin from 7:30-8:30 PM.
(Above Image is a Glass Armonica, will be discussed)
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7:10-7:30 PM–Brendan Murray’s Podcast “Beneath The Maze” takes a deep dive that explores the truth behind our social and political environment. Meet Brendan and learn about his project. Brendan will discuss the forces that are creating the chaos and confusion in society, and more importantly how, and why? Who built this maze? In order to answer that question, we need to dig deep, and in doing so, we will answer some of the more difficult questions that even the biggest names have not brought to light.
In a world where everything is free, who works? What does a politician say in a perfect society? Who is more afraid of death, those who are religious or those who are not? These questions, and so many more, are critical to understanding how society works, and how the corrupt regime controls people in society, like pawns on the political chess board.
Speaker Bios:
Karen Cartier:Karen is an avid reader, writer, learner, wife, and mother of two. She has worked in IT as a technical writer for over 30 years and is currently working full-time in IT. Outside of her paying job, she serves as an officer in Toastmasters International as well as a volunteer Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Brendan Murray- 34-year-old father of 4 young children – Studied engineering and worked in construction management for over 10 years. Started a political podcast called ‘Beneath The Maze’ in 2022. Writer and social media influencer. I commonly say that I am addicted to problem solving. In order to solve a problem, one must know the cause of it. Question everything!
Take 20: Ohio Election Integrity Network (OEIN)-Working to Ensure Free, Fair, Transparent and Honest Elections in Ohio.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Civil War Soldier Brought to Life by Jeff McIntire
Jeff McIntire will be portraying the 79th Ohio Volunteer Infantry which was raised in Warren, Clinton, Clemont, and Hamilton counties. Focus will be on the Battle of Bentonville, the largest Civil War battle fought in North Carolina, March 19–21, 1865.
The Confederate defeat marked a serious weakening of one of its last surviving major armies but was a significant enough engagement that it convinced Union General Ulysses S. Grant to leave General William T. Sherman in North Carolina. Jeff will touch base on the rest of the war concentrating on the details of clothing, equipment, arms, and personal effects of the Ohio soldier in the American Civil War.
Jeff’s impersonations cover all sides of a controversy (white settlers vs. indigenous people, Union vs. Confederate soldiers), giving the common person’s perspective and way of life. He incorporates either authentic or reproduced artifacts into his talks. While giving an impersonation, he finds it best to speak from a third person viewpoint. He finds that in this way, he can convey more information as he isn’t constrained as to what he can or can’t say and has found it makes for a better conversation. Jeff’s presentation will take place from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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Ohio Election Integrity Network “OEIN” is a collaborative team of Election Integrity “EI” groups and volunteers throughout the State of Ohio. The mission of “OEIN” is to establish a trusted statewide infrastructure, comprising of a network of Ohio “EI” groups and County “EI” task forces, to ensure secure and legitimate election processes.
“OEIN” is currently working with over 30 Ohio counties, while constantly establishing new “EI” groups in counties throughout the state. In building statewide working groups and task forces, their goal is to improve the election process in the following areas.
* Legislation – Working closely with Ohio Legislators on Election Bills such as, HB458 passed in December 2022, plus current proposed legislation SB51 and SB71. “OEIN” is affiliated with the national Election Integrity Network “EIN’ which includes a 20 state coalition. Partnering with “Virginia Institute” (virginiainstitute.org), “The Heritage Foundation” (heritage.org), “America First Legal”(aflegal.org), “Whos Counting” (whoscounting.us), “EIN” has built an effective network covering all aspects of election matters.
“OEIN’ works closely with Ohio Freedom Action Network “OhioFAN” (ohiofan.com), which has been instrumental in promoting “OEIN”. Sandie Zimmerman and Eileen Watts will discuss the successful establishment of the Ohio Election Integrity Network and the progress that has been made building statewide working groups to make improvements to Ohio’s election integrity. Our election integrity program will take place from 7:10-7:30 PM.
Speaker Bios:
Jeff McIntire has studied wilderness survival and early Ohio white and native historic impressions from the early days of this country through the Civil War. He is a 1988 graduate of Clinton Massie High School and attended Mount Vernon Nazarene College. He became hooked on history when his parents took him to see the outdoor drama of Tecumseh when he was five years old. Throughout his life, he has studied wilderness survival and incorporates that knowledge into the early Ohio white and/or native historic impressions he presents at historic venues and in presentations to groups.
Jeff recently returned from a several days reenactment at Gettysburg and also recently participated as a Union soldier in the Sharon Woods military timeline event.
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Eileen Watts of Delaware County Republicans Central Committee and Women’s Club past President, Founder of Ohio United 4 America, part of the original Ohio Women for Trump and Alternate Delegate for Trump 2020. I was in the Salon Industry 1978-2004 and from 2004 on have been passionately engaged in Ohio’s politics on a local, statewide and National Campaign level as well as on issues concerning Education, Healthcare, Elections & Freedom!.
Sandie Zimmerman “OEIN” cabinet member – Citizen Journalist for “The Ohio Roundtable” – “OhioFAN” SW Regional Coordinator – “Westchester Tea Party” member – “John Birtch Society” member.Marketing degree & Artist in many mediums. An official watcher of the “24-7” 9 live feed cameras for the Arizona 2020 election 4-month Forensic Audit. Been involved in “Election Integrity” early 2021.
Learn the Challenges a Conservative Journalist Encounters in Today’s Media
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Breitbart’s Emma Jo Morris joins EmpowerU this evening. Learn how an unholy alliance among our nation’s Intelligence Community, Social Media, and the Establishment Press silenced Emma’s reporting and kept the American people from learning the truth about the Biden Crime Family.
In Emma’s talk, you’ll learn:
How Emma-Jo secured the contents of Hunter Biden’s laptop
The hurdles she faced in getting her stories published.
What it was like for her when her work was published…how it felt to be smeared and ridiculed by the “mainstream media,” and censored by all of social media
How she endured, and what the move to Breitbart News did to turbo-charge her resolve.
What the victories large and small really mean:
Some of Emma’s ongoing investigations include New York Times Curated Distorted Hit Piece Targeting Hasidic Jews, Leading to Yeshiva Regulation, spending a day with a Biden migrant who arrived in New York City on a bus sent by Governor Abbot, comprised of mostly adult men, and private school teachers nationwide being trained by Black Panthers to implement race-essentialist and cultural Marxist curriculum.
Speaker Bio:
Emma Jo Morris- Morris earned acclaim for her “laptop from hell” scoops while working as deputy politics editor at the New York Post, reporting some of the most explosive stories about Biden family corruption prior to the 2020 election. The fallout from her work exposed the machine-like collaboration among Big Tech, the corporate media, the intelligence community, and the Democratic Party to blunt the impact of her stories, thus helping to ensure a Biden win.
She joined Breitbart News in 2021 as politics editor and testified before Congress in July 2023 about the censorship of her work, preventing the American people from learning the truth about the Biden crime family. She continues to chase stories of the Bidens’ misdeeds and coverups, discussing them recently on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News.
Her conservative voice, developed early on at the family dinner table in her native Quebec where her parents insisted on conversation — no TV, no phones – is augmented not only by lessons from her time at the Post, but also from Hannity on the Fox News Channel where she had previously worked as an associate producer. “They taught me that for conservatives in media, there is a different standard, because we’re surrounded by people waiting for us to slip up.”
Take 20 with Paul Daughterty, retired sports columnist for the Cincinnati Enquirer
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Learn How Editorial Decisions are Made at Large Newspapers Like the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Meet Kevin Aldridge, a long-time journalist, who is the Opinion Editor at the Cincinnati Enquirer. The Enquirer is part of the Gannett Newspaper chain which includes hundreds of brands.
Tonight, we’ll discuss with Kevin how opinion decisions are made at a major-city newspaper and how stories are covered. Is the Enquirer free to make its own editorial decisions or is it tied to the views of Gannett?
The goal of tonight’s session is to discuss an entire range of issues like; bias in the news, how we should look at the crime in the city amid other topics like education, race and equity and there will be plenty of time for your questions. Join us for a view at where journalism is at today. Kevin will be speaking from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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What an opportunity to meet Paul Daugherty, recently retired Enquirer sports columnist. Paul will be speaking from 7:10-7:30 PM. Early on, Paul Daugherty’s wife Kerry and him adopted three mantras intended to guide us along the uncertain path of raising a child with a disability. Little did they know that the three reminders would serve us well in all aspects of their lives. (Paul and his family are shown below).
Their three mantras are:
Seeing is active, empathetic and engaged. Looking is passive, superficial and judgmental. Take the time to See our daughter for who she is. Don’t look at her and judge who you think she must be.
Expect, Don’t Accept. Do not shy from demanding the basic human rights assigned every American. We expected Jilllian to get an appropriate education and fought the public schools for a decade to ensure she would. We didn’t accept that Jillian, because she was born with Down syndrome, would not attend college, get married, work full time and live as typical a life as possible. We expected all that for her and operated within those expectations. Jillian went four years to NKU, has been married eight years, works full time and lives completely independently in an apartment she shares with her husband.
Be The Moment. Having a child with a disability forced Kerry and me to slow down. We had no choice. What we discovered was, slow was better. Slow allowed us to see more fully, experience more deeply and act with greater contemplation. Be The Moment is a combination of Live in the Moment and Seize the Day.
Speaker Bios:
Kevin S. Aldridge, 46, is a Middletown, Ohio native and a veteran, award-winning journalist with nearly 25 years of experience in the news media. He currently works as the opinion and engagement editor for The Cincinnati Enquirer and Cincinnati.com.
He is a 1992 graduate of Middletown High School and a 1996 graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio where he earned a B.A. in English.
In addition to working full-time as a journalist, Aldridge also is an adjunct professor of Journalism at Miami University’s regional campuses in Middletown and Hamilton, Ohio. He is also a board member of Beyond Civility an organization that addresses the challenge we face in trying to bridge the informational and ideological chasms that separate our leaders from each other and from their own diverse constituencies. Aldridge is also the senior pastor of Grace African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bellfontaine, OH. Aldridge is the co-owner of The Ohio Kings, a semi-professional basketball team located in Cincinnati, and the vice president of community partnerships for Kingdom Vision Outreach, a nonprofit that focuses on character development and mentorship through sports, education and motivational speaking.
In 2018, Aldridge was named one of the best three opinion writers in the state by the Associated Press and the Cincinnati Society of Professional Journalists named Aldridge as top opinion writer and best commentary. He was also part of the Pulitzer Prize winning team at The Enquirer In 2018 for the newspaper’s coverage of the heroin epidemic.
Aldridge formerly worked as an editor at the Dayton Daily News and the Journal-News of Butler County, two Ohio news publications formerly owned by Cox Media Group.
Aldridge is married to his beautiful wife of 13 years Marquetta Nichole. They live in West Chester, Ohio.
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Paul Daugherty- Recently retired Enquirer sports columnist, There since 1994, after six years at the deceased Cincinnati Post. Covered every major sporting event in America, as well as five Summer Olympics. Written five books, most notably An Uncomplicated Life, a memoir of raising a daughter born with Down syndrome. Currently writes The Morning Line blog, which can be found at substack.com.
Two kids, daughter Jillian, son Kelly. One dog (Crazy Chester) and one cat (Otis.)
His wonderful wife of 41 years, Kerry, somehow puts up with him.
This Class is being offered as a Virtual Class Only.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Academic Leftists Eliminating Faculty Members with Unacceptable Beliefs
On April 14, 2023, Dean Charles Rose of Ohio Northern University sent campus security officers and armed town police to a classroom in which tenured law professor Scott Douglas Gerber was teaching to escort him to the dean’s office, where Gerber was told he had to resign or be fired. The only reason provided for this action, despite multiple requests for specifics from Dr. Gerber, was Dr. Gerber’s alleged insufficient “collegiality,” which isn’t even listed in the ONU Faculty Handbook as adequate cause for terminating a tenured professor.
Dr. Gerber suspects the real reason is illegal retaliation for his whistleblowing about how Ohio Northern University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives have led to illegal hiring and admissions practices. Dr. Gerber’s story has received national attention and is ongoing. Please consider a donations to his legal fund may be made at this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/professor-scott-d-gerber-legal-fund
Dr. Gerber also will talk about his new book to be released this fall by Cambridge University Press, ‘Law and Religion in Colonial America: The Dissenting Colonies’. In the book, Dr. Gerber argues that law – charters, statutes, judicial decisions, and traditions – mattered in colonial America, and laws about religion mattered a lot. The legal history of colonial America reveals that America has been devoted to the free exercise of religion since well before the First Amendment was ratified. Indeed, the two colonies originally most opposed to religious liberty for anyone who did not share their views, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, eventually became bastions of it. By focusing on law, Dr. Gerber offers new insights about each of the five English American colonies founded for religious reasons – Maryland, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts – and challenges the conventional view that colonial America had a unified religious history. Dr. Gerber will be speaking from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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Former Ohio Senate Candidate Mark Pukita will join us on his goal to discuss “The 420K Project–Wake the People Up!” There has been much research done on what percent of a population needed for a civic movement to reach a tipping point. That number is 3.5%. In Ohio, with a population of about 12M people, 3.5% equates to 420,000 people.
The 2016 and 2020 elections started a movement in Ohio and America. They woke people up. Our goal is to build on this by using every tool available to reach the tipping point, to connect 3.5% of Ohioans, to unite 420,000 of us. We’ll talk about these tools, and how you can be involved, in the 420K/3.5% discussion! mark Pukita will join us from 7:10-7:30 PM.
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Speaker Bios:
Scott Douglas Gerber joined the ONU Law faculty in 2001. He is also a longtime member of the Ohio Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. He has published ten books and more than 200 articles, book reviews, op-eds, and sundry pieces. He has made approximately 100 presentations, including at Harvard Law School, Princeton University, Stanford Law School, Columbia Law School, and the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society. He is a four-time winner of the Fowler V. Harper Award for excellence in legal scholarship and a three-time recipient of the Daniel S. Guy Award for excellence in legal journalism. In 2022, he was awarded the inaugural Christopher Collier Prize from the Connecticut Supreme Court Historical Society. He also recently won the Teaching Excellence Award and has been named one of the top law professors in Ohio.
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Mark Pukita (pronounced like the banana, Chiquita, with a “p”) was an “America First”, Constitutional-Constructionist, Small-Government, Conservative, Republican, Citizen-Candidate for the US Senate in 2022 from Ohio. He is a successful businessperson and tech entrepreneur.Mark was always an enthusiastic supporter of Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda, and still is.
Frustrated with the direction of the country and the horrific way President Trump was being treated, Mark decided he had to act and registered with the Federal Election Commission to primary Rob Portman, Ohio’s junior Senator, in October 2019. He is the only candidate who was willing to primary the incumbent, monied, establishment, Portman.Mark was focused on taking America back from career politicians, tech oligarchs, and the academic elite through his BIG-7 / DISRUPT Agenda.
Since getting shellacked in the primary election in May of 2022, Mark has vowed to help other Citizen-Candidates prevail across the US. He founded the Grassroots Freedom Initiative the morning after his primary loss to do just that. To join Mark is his journey to Take America Back, visit GFIOhio.com.
Join us for this special Saturday class!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Learn More About Our Nation’s History of Liberty and the Important Bill of Rights!
Before the passage of the Lee Resolution, on July 2, 1776, the basis for the “Declaration of Independence”, the people of the American colonies considered themselves British subjects. They were aware of the progression of liberty throughout English history. This discussion will trade the history back to kings of the 8th century and progress through the five major documents from the 12th through the 17th century. It is a summary, of among other references “Not a Living Breathing Document: Reclaiming Our Constitution” by Krisanne Hall.
Covered will be documents addressing the following liberties contained in the Declaration and the Constituion:
–True meaning of the separation of church and state
–Limitations to the king’s ability to tax
–Establishment of taxation only through a “representative council.”
–Rights to “due process” and “speedy trial”
–Martial law cannot be imposed in times of peace
–Troops cannot be quartered without consent of residents.
–Prevention of infiltration of foreign laws.
–Right of citizens to possess “arms. …
Liberty is what our nation was founded on. It’s what people died for. What makes the United States different than other countries? John Hindery will discuss 5 major English documents and principles that impacted our Founders and found their way into the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Where have we gone since our country was established?
Speaker Bio:
John Hindery- After being discharged from active duty in the US Marine Corps John worked his way through college as a machinist and toolmaker graduating Suma cum Laude from Xavier university.
John taught the history of the Western Hemisphere and, especially the founding of these United States including foundations and ratification of the US Constitution to over 4,000 individuals since 2010.
Hear about Elder scams, let the Prosecutor know what is important to you.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers announced the creation of the Elder Justice Unit. As access to and reliance on technology grows, millions of seniors are abused and targeted by scammers looking to take advantage and exploit our most vulnerable. The Elder Justice Unit will help prevent the financial exploitation and abuse of seniors in Hamilton County by providing resources to law enforcement, banks, and community members.
The Elder Justice Unit will not only prosecute crimes against the elderly, but will also represent Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services as they aim to protect seniors and aid their families in navigating the probate court process through their Adult Protective Services division. The Prosecutor’s Office has also designated a helpline (946-SCAM) for individuals to contact if they have been scammed, are receiving calls or other electronic communications and think they might be scammed or think a member of their family has been a victim. If you believe you have information or would like to report a recent scam CALL 946-SCAM.
Melissa Powers will also be with us tonight to take questions and discuss the important issue of crime in Hamilton County. What about Bail requirements? How is Hamilton County doing compared with some of the other urban cities? Are the judges holding criminals accountable? Melissa will take your questions and bring you up-to-date information including her thoughts on the importance of providing justice and closure to victims of violent crimes and their families. Melissa Powers will be speaking from 7:05-8:00 PM.
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Managing Board Member of EmpowerU Dan Regenold will provide his yearly update about the Debt and Deficit of the United States Government tonight from 8:10-8:30 PM. The information provided is important and it is something we want you to be up-to-date on. Dan will discuss the Debt, Deficit, Inflation, and where are we at as a Country with key facts about economic factors like Debt to GDP. Dan’s first class on the Debt was in November 2015 when he compared the United States to what was going on in Greece. Uh Ohhh, we are a lot closer now. Join us–Dan will be speaking from 8:00-8:30 PM!
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Speaker Bio:
Melissa Powers began her legal career in 1991 working as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Hamilton County’s Juvenile, Municipal, and Common Pleas Courts. She also practiced in the Appellate Division, arguing cases to the 1st District Court of Appeals. Most notably, in 1997, she obtained the confession from Joseph Paul Franklin, a white-supremacist serial killer. This confession finally solved the 17-year-old double murder of two boys in Cincinnati.
In 1998, Melissa left the Prosecutor’s Office to begin her private litigation practice, where she specialized in criminal defense and civil litigation. In 2006, Governor Bob Taft appointed Melissa to serve on the Hamilton County Municipal Court. During her 10 years in the Municipal Court bench, she established the first Hamilton County Veterans Treatment Court that incorporated an innovative team approach and community collaboration to address the unique needs of justice-involved combat veterans. This highly successful treatment court was a model used throughout the State of Ohio as it concentrated on reducing recidivism by focusing on alcohol/drug addiction and Post Traumatic Stress therapy.
In 2016, Melissa was elected to serve on the Hamilton County Juvenile Court. There, she presided over custody, dependency, and delinquency cases; including hundreds of violent felonies committed by juvenile offenders. Melissa was the Juvenile Court Administrative Judge from 2020-2022. As Administrative Judge, Melissa was responsible for managing 300 employees and a $35 million budget. On January 24, 2023, Melissa was sworn in as Hamilton County Prosecutor to serve the unexpired term of former Prosecutor Joe Deters.
Melissa is a lifelong Cincinnatian, graduating from McAuley High School in 1979, the University of Cincinnati in 1984, and the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1991. She has served on numerous boards, including Cincinnati Works, Operations Legal Help Ohio, Cincinnati Fire Foundation, and the Tri-State Veterans Community Alliance. Melissa is married and is the proud mother of four children and grandmother of four grandchildren.
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Dan is a lover of Liberty and enjoys speaking to EmpowerU classes about subjects he is passionate about. Recently he has discussed: Milton Friedman, Saul Alinsky, D-Day, The Deficit, Public Education, Winston Churchill, President Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Sowell and Sam Adams at EmpowerU Classes. This semester Dan will be discussing Pearl Harbor on December 7, 2023 at EmpowerUAmerica.org. Regenold is founder and Chairman of FrameUSA.com, a Made-In-America picture frame manufacturing company in Springdale, Ohio. For Dan’s full biography–Click Here.
Learn more about Homesteading!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Leah and Michelle Svensson, also known as the Resistance Chicks, are two sisters who share a passion for self-sufficiency and spreading the truth about current events. They operate a suburban farm and homestead in southern Ohio. They raise pigs and chickens and teach others how to live sustainably. The sisters have been active online since 2009. They started a DIY Youtube channel focusing on home remodeling, gardening, and canning. However, in January 2017, they pivoted to creating a news commentary program called Resistance Chicks.
They strive to provide relevant news with a healthy dose of humor to make the truth palatable. Above all, the Resistance Chicks stand for a righteous America, an America that reflects the values and sacrifices of our Founding Fathers. They have studied history extensively through home education, and public schools and seek to challenge the revisionist narratives taught in schools.
Leah and Michelle will also discuss homesteading. Inflation is on the rise, the stock market is shaky, and financial institutions have been imploding. If you are not prepared for what is coming down the line, you could be left out in the cold…literally. The “chicks” will also help you prepare yourself and your family so you don’t just survive but thrive whatever the gloabalists might throw our way. We will cover basic & advanced homesteading skills, what kinds of seeds you have on hand, how do you get started in gold and silver, water and food storage and much more.
The Resistence Chicks show concludes with the memorable phrase, “It’s not just a Conspiracy Theory if it’s the Truth,” a reminder that reality is often stranger than fiction.
Speakers Bio:
Leah and Michelle Svensson, also known as the Resistance Chicks, are two sisters who share a passion for self-sufficiency and spreading the truth about current events. They operate a suburban farm and homestead in southern Ohio. They raise pigs and chickens and teach others how to live sustainably.
The sisters have been active online since 2009. They started a DIY Youtube channel focusing on home remodeling, gardening, and canning. However, in January 2017, they pivoted to creating a news commentary program called Resistance Chicks.
Leah, who attended Bible college in Tulsa, OK, and has been involved in ministry since her teenage years, brings a unique perspective to the program. The sisters are committed to empowering people with the tools to stand up against tyranny from all directions, and their show has a global audience. They strive to provide relevant news with a healthy dose of humor to make the truth palatable. Above all, the Resistance Chicks stand for a righteous America, an America that reflects the values and sacrifices of our Founding Fathers.
The sisters believe spiritual weapons and tools are crucial to dismantling the Deep State and preserving America’s, Godly heritage. Leah and Michelle Svensson have become passionate advocates for truth and self-sufficiency, through their farm, online presence, and news commentary program. Their message resonates with people globally who seek a better future for themselves and their families.
Learn about Climate and CO2, learn what your government has in store for you.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
What Global Warming Is, What it is Not, and Why it May Ruin Our Economy
You may not know what ESG stands for, and you may have never heard of the UNEP or the IPCC, but they have big plans for you. Their schemes have been in the works since the late 1980s. Virtually a religion now, they and their partners have commitments from most major governments, huge corporations, and many nonprofits to eliminate the use of fossil fuels by the year 2050 and to make substantial progress towards that utopian goal by 2030, less than seven years from now. But the scientific and technical realities are that this goal is almost certainly unattainable. Yet the zealots march on. Some of them have headquarters right in the Queen City.
This class will take you on a whirlwind tour of the science (and the propaganda) behind the powerful drive to fight global warming. You will learn how climate and CO2 – which results from the burning of fossil fuels – have varied over the years – from prehistoric times up to today. You will arm yourselves with provable facts, learn about the many unknowns, and protect yourself from the propaganda masquerading as science that is seemingly everywhere today.
The dangers of this religion are quite real. Imagine a world without gasoline to operate your car, natural gas to heat your home in the winter or electricity to cool it in the summer, fossil fuel refining products that fertilize the crops that you eat, make the clothing that you wear and the ubiquitous plastic products that permeate every aspect of our lives. Do you want to wear wool, flannel, linen, and cotton all the time? And what would breakfast be like without bacon frying on the stove, or a cookout without a juicy steak or hamburger sizzling on a propane-fired grill?
Speaker Bio:
Tom Hagedorn- Tom earned a B.S. in Physical Geography (cum laude) in 1970 from UC. At UC and in graduate school he had 3 years’ experience helping conduct funded, cutting-edge research in air pollution, including co-authoring two papers in peer-reviewed journals and a paper presented at the Air Pollution Control Association’s annual meeting (1970). His primary professor for advanced coursework and his employer in the research projects was one of the world leaders in his field. He earned most of his credits in science and math, with a lot of classes devoted to climatology. He left the world of science for business, but in the past year he has read 14 books on climate change, totaling many thousands of pages, and has also studied reports of the UN and the World Economic Forum urging radical actions to address warming.
Tom has been providing investment advice to individuals for four decades and he still maintains a small practice. In the past, he has presented talks to EmpowerU on western socialism, the socialist influence on American Education, and ESG. When Tom is not involved in this research and teaching, he is involved in various political, charitable, and community activities.
This Class is being offered as a Virtual Class Only.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Hone Your Situational Awareness with Personal Safety Expert, Terry Vaughn!
Learn body language and how to filter your surroundings from an expert. Have you ever wished for a superpower? D.I.R.T. Dangerous Individual Recognition Training® is the brainchild of Terry Vaughan, a former British Royal Marines Commando. This training is like a safety radar, helping you filter your surroundings and identify potential threats before they even target you. Tonight, you will learn body language and how to filter your surroundings from an expert.
What’s even better is that you can learn these techniques without being scared! Terry believes that if you know how to maximize your scanning abilities and understand what to look for and when, there’s no need to be stressed. Stress clouds our cognitive abilities, just like a foggy windshield makes it hard to see the road ahead. So, relax, know yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, and your enemy, and crack on!
Vaughan’s method not only teaches situational awareness and crucial body language signs that can be used to deter a threat. It also helps identify nonverbal cues displayed by an assailant before an attack. By mastering D.I.R.T., we equip ourselves with the true power of vigilance and deterrence and make situational awareness our superpower!
Speaker Bio:
Terry Vaughn- Meet Terry, a distinguished TEDx speaker, body language and personal safety expert, author, and a former British Royal Marines Commando. Terry’s expertise in decoding body language traces back to his childhood, growing up under the heel of a violent father prone to spontaneous bouts of violence. It wasn’t until his time in the military, where he attended training on Body Language and Human Behavior, that Terry discovered his natural talent for deciphering nonverbal cues.
After leaving the Commandos, Terry taught a variety of combatives, and at the same time, pursuing his passion for studying body language acquiring various certifications such as The Reid Technique of Interviewing and Interrogation, The Reid Technique of Interviewing and Interrogation Advanced, Statement Analysis, Facial Profiling, and Paul Ekman’s METT Micro Facial Expressions Training Tool, where he scored expert level during testing.
Today, Terry is highly regarded for his exceptional body language workshops, including D.I.R.T. Dangerous Individual Recognition Training®, Nonverbal Communication Across Generations, and Mastering Body Language for Leaders.
The knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm Terry brings to his keynotes and workshops are invaluable and are a must-attend for anyone seeking to improve their understanding of nonverbal communication. In addition, Vaughan is also a past competitor on season 4 of the History Channel’s TOP SHOT, a former television host for the BBC and GUNTV, and the author of the popular book, NOT WITH MY DAUGHTER! A Dad’s Guide to Screening Dates and Boyfriends.
This Class is being offered as an In Person Class Only.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Come See the Great Mentalist Bill Gladwell!
***** “Bill’s show is very unique. I spent the whole time either laughing or trying to figure out how Bill does what he does. It was quick paced and entertaining.”— Lacey
Bill Gladwell is a Critically Acclaimed Mentalist. See the unforgettable, interactive, and mesmerizing performance that consistently amazes and entertains audiences around the globe. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience.
Join EmpowerU tonight and see firsthand the unforgettable experiences that Bill consistently delivers, showcasing his exceptional talent and the lasting impact he has on those fortunate to attend and witness his performance. His show is sub-titled Hypnosis for Humans and has consistently been the #1 Mentalistm Show in Wisconsin Dells and the #1 rated show in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and the #1 nightlife attraction on Hilton Head Island, SC.
***** “I encourage anyone and everyone to see Bill perform… you will be amazed and awed!!! Thank you, Bill, for such a wonderful and unforgettable evening.” — Susan
Bill has been an EmpowerU speaker before and he is known for his captivating keynotes where he combines entertainment with education. Bill has helped tens of thousands of humans communicate effectively, ethically influence others, and get what they want. Bill will be in on our area speaking at another event and has graciously agreed to join us for his GREAT show. We ask for a $10 donation for this event to help defer Bill’s travel expenses (thanks!). Tonight’s show will be FUN!
***** “I have seen countless shows, and never have I been so entertained. He had my attention from beginning to end. Bill Gladwell is a MUST-SEE!!!” — Mag
Speaker’s Bio:
Bill Gladwell- Hypnosis, Influence, and Persuasion Authority. With over three decades of experience, Bill Gladwell has established himself as a leading consultant, speaker, and author in the fields of hypnosis, influence, and persuasion. Empowering countless individuals to communicate effectively, ethically influence others, and achieve their goals. Bill’s expertise can transform your life and career.
“Think ‘How to Win Friends & Influence People’ but updated, hipper, and more effective.” (That’s a quote from a seminar attendee, so take it up with her, Dale Carnegie fans!) As a human interaction specialist, Bill provides valuable insights into group dynamics, making them more predictable and suggestible. Utilize these principles to influence others and hear “yes” more frequently, in less time.
Whether you aim to build strong relationships, boost confidence, improve sales, or enhance negotiation skills, Bill’s expertise can provide you with real-world strategies for success.
This Class is being offered as a Virtual Class Only.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Learn the Challenges a Conservative Journalist Encounters in Today’s Media
Emma Jo Morris was planned to speak for this class but had unexpectedly unable to make it. Emma Jo has been rescheduled to November 8,2023. Alex Marlow, Breitbart’s Editor-in-Chief shared his experience at Breitbart and his newest book, “Breaking Biden”. He shares what other media outlets might not. Michael Mercier also joins to identify bias in the media and talks on the Media Accountability Project. Visit the mediaaccountabilityproject.org to learn about M.A.P.
Cleveland Abbe, a world leader in Meteorology and how the first weather forecasts were developed, and much more.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
The talk describes Cleveland Abbe’s legacy and how he became a world leader in the transition to modern Meteorology. The story will start with Abbe’s early years, and the challenges of his academic development, and how he became the second Director of the Cincinnati Observatory. (Cleveland Abbe shown in picture below).
Starting in Cincinnati with the first daily weather forecast published in the US in 1869, he soon left for Washington, where he acted as Chief Scientist at what would become the National Weather Service. In a remarkable career that spanned 46 years, he mentored generations of scientists responsible for modern meteorology.
The presentation will also focus on his work in Cincinnati, including how the first weather forecasts were developed, the agreement with the city to provide accurate time, charting the Observatory’s move to Mount Lookout and his contributions towards the development and implementation of international time zones. Brian Crosby, your instructor will speak about Cleveland Abbe from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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In November, Ohioans will decide whether to enshrine extreme anti-parent abortion measures into the Ohio Constitution. Rachel Citak, attorney and President of Cincinnati Right to Life, will join us to discuss the constitutional issues related to how this amendment will exclude parents, shield abusers, exploit victims of human trafficking, destroy health safety protections for women, and allow abortion through all 9 months. Rachel will speak to EmpowerU from 7:10-7:30 PM.
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Speaker Bios:
Brian Crosby has had a 40-year business career directing sales, customer service and organizational effectiveness in 3 separate industries – Chemical, Telecommunications and Grocery.
He developed his talents for observing, relating, and progressing while growing up; the family moved multiple times across the country. New physical and social environments required sharp assessment of how to relate and succeed. Combined with a very strong sense of curiosity, he became very comfortable with change and adaptation while guided by strong grounding principles.
That ongoing curiosity for how things worked and making headway translated into a career. Driving to root cause and solution development led him first to success leading business sales, sales training, and Customer Service operations in the Chemical Industry and then to corporate business process analytics & organizational design at Cincinnati Bell. Later work featured Executive liaison in retail methodology and facilities optimization at the Kroger Company, retiring in 2017.
He holds a BS in Biology/Chemistry and Master Black Belt Certification in Lean/Six Sigma, a quality philosophy and management tool for delivering products and services that perform at high standards. The methodology focuses on reduction of variability and the elimination of waste, leading to increased efficiency and returns on investment.
Brian is a past member of Xavier University’s Williams School of Business Executive Advisory Board. Currently a volunteer at the Cincinnati Observatory, his projects combine his lifelong interests in the history of science and astronomy.
Brian’s very active retirement hobbies include travel, reading, photography and sailing with grandchildren. He and Sue reside in Montgomery, Ohio and are very proud of their 4 children that have all flown away to build nests of their own!
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Rachel Citak- is an attorney and experienced black pro-life advocate. She has appeared as a guest on local and national news, including One America News Network (OANN) Live TV. In addition to serving as a frequent guest on 700WLW and 55KRC, she has authored multiple pro-life Op-Eds published and featured in the Daily Wire, Western Journal, and USA Today network publications— the Columbus Dispatch and the Cincinnati Enquirer. She serves as President of Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati in addition to serving on the Editorial Board for the Cincinnati Enquirer. She now owns and operates her own law firm RACHEL R. CITAK, ATTORNEY AT LAW LLC.
This Class is being offered as a Virtual Class Only.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Voices haunt the pages of every book. ‘War Against the Weak’ speaks for the never-born, for those whose questions have never been heard—for those who never existed. Only after the truth about Nazi extermination became known did the American eugenics movement fade. We are pleased to have Author, Historian and Human Rights Journalist Edwin Black return to EmpowerU.
Throughout the first six decades of the twentieth century, hundreds of thousands of Americans and untold numbers of others were not permitted to continue their families by reproducing. Selected because of their ancestry, national origin, race, or religion, they were forcibly sterilized, wrongly committed to mental institutions where they died in great numbers, prohibited from marrying, and sometimes even unmarried by state bureaucrats. In America, this battle to wipe out whole ethnic groups was fought not by armies with guns nor by hate sects at the margins. Rather, this pernicious, white-gloved war was prosecuted by esteemed professors, elite universities, wealthy industrialists, and government officials colluding in a racist, pseudoscientific movement called eugenics. The purpose: create a superior Nordic race. War Against the Weak is the gripping chronicle documenting how American corporate philanthropies launched a national campaign of ethnic cleansing in the United States, helped found and fund the Nazi eugenics of Hitler and Mengele — and then created the modern movement of “human genetics.” Some 60,000 Americans were sterilized under laws in 27 states.
Speaker Bio:
Edwin Black is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling international investigative author of 200 award-winning editions in 20 languages in 190 countries, as well as scores of newspaper and magazine articles in the leading publications of the United States, Europe and Israel. With more than 2.2 million books in print, his work focuses on human rights, genocide and hate, corporate criminality and corruption, governmental misconduct, academic fraud, philanthropy abuse, oil addiction, alternative energy and historical investigation. Editors have submitted Black’s work thirteen times for Pulitzer Prize nomination, and in recent years he has been the recipient of a series of top editorial awards. He has also contributed to a number of anthologies worldwide. He hosts the weekly Edwin Black Show. Black’s eleven award-winning bestselling books are IBM and the Holocaust (2001 and 2012), Financing the Flames (2013), British Petroleum and the Redline Agreement (2011), The Farhud (2010), Nazi Nexus (2009), The Plan (2008), Internal Combustion (2006), Banking on Baghdad (2004), War Against the Weak (2003 and 2012), The Transfer Agreement (1984 and 2009), and a 1999 novel, Format C:.
At this time, we are at maximum capacity. Thank you for your interest!
We have scheduled a tour of the historic Christian Waldschmidt Homestead Museum for Saturday, September 30th starting at 1:00. This past semester, we had Darlene West speak to us about the property and the house – now’s your chance to see it in person!
It’s in Camp Dennison. The address on Glendale Milford Rd., which incidentally is not the same street that I take constantly to get to I-75 and points east of Wyoming! It’s just outside Montgomery and Indian Hill, and not hard to find. The address for the Homestead Muesum is 7567 Glendale Milford Rd, Camp Dennison, OH 45111.
Christian Waldschmidt was a German immigrant and veteran of the Revolutionary War. As a result of his service, he got a land grant for a site near the Little Miami River, built a home, and started a community.
During the Civil War, the Waldschmidt Homestead and surrounding grounds were part of Camp Dennison, which was a mustering center used for recruiting and training troops. It also served as a hospital after the Battle of Shiloh.
Later on, it fell into disrepair. Eventually it was donated to the Ohio Daughters of the American Revolution, who have restored it and brought in a vast number of household items of the period, as well as locating some items that were originally in the house. Their collection is equal to any historic home you might visit on the east coast or in Europe. The DAR ladies lead the tours, and their wealth of knowledge is totally amazing!
The cost for the tour is $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors, and $4.00 for students and is paid the day of the tour. This would be great to take your children or grandchildren to see!
We need to provide Darlene with a headcount 10 days before the 30th so she can make sure she had enough docents to keep the tours relatively small in number.
We thought it would be great if we could combine the tour with a dinner at the neighboring Schoolhouse Restaurant! This is an original schoolhouse built in 1864 that operated as party of the Hamilton County School District from 1870-1952. There are many school-related artifacts decorating this building as well dating from the years it operated. The Schoolhouse has a history of its own! It’s been a restaurant since the 1960’s, and serves a homestyle menu with fried chicken, fish, roast beef, fried steak, etc. served family style. If you’ve never been there, it’s a real treat!
We have reached the limit for sign-ups for those going to the restaurant. Thank you for your interest! Attendees will be responsible to pay for their own meal.
The Address for the Schoolhouse restaurant is 8031 Glendale Milford Rd, Camp Dennison, OH 45111.
This Class is being offered as a Virtual Class Only.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Hear the founder of Gays Against Groomers, Jaimee Michell, speak on the importance of finding your courage to fight to end the war on children being waged under the guise of LGBTQ+ acceptance.
In recent years there has been a push to sexualize, indoctrinate and medicalize our youth at the hands of the radical LGBTQ+ mob, as well as every major industry and institution in this nation. Not able to sit around anymore and let this continue in her name, Jaimee started the organization Gays Against Groomers to fight back against it from inside the community. She knew that the majority of gays and lesbians did not agree with what was happening, and that they needed a unified front to combat what was happening.
In this class, learn about the origin of Gays Against Groomers, the motivations behind this assault on children, and how to stop it. Jaimee will be speaking from 7:40-8:30 PM.
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Tom Brinkman will speak from 7:10-7:40 PM. He will discuss three issues that will be on the November ballot. These issues are the 1) Zoo Levy for Hamilton County voters, 2) The Library levy for Hamilton County voters and 3) the sale of the Cincinnati Railroad for Cincinnati voters.
Should these issues pass how will it impact the pocketbook of the voters and what benefits if any are promised with this request for an increase in tax dollars. Is Hamilton County spending their current revenues judiciously and what can be done to control costs.
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Speaker Bios:
Jaimee Michell is a name that has been making waves in the world of activism lately. As the founder and president of the nonprofit Gays Against Groomers, she and her organization have been fighting to end the sexualization, indoctrination and medicalization of children that is being done in the name of “LGBTQIA+”.
Prior to Gays Against Groomers, she was best known as her online persona, The Gay Who Strayed, where she accumulated over 250,000 followers. She has also worked in the conservative media and consulting space as a digital media designer for over 4 years.
Thomas E. Brinkman Jr. is 65 years old and lives in the Cincinnati neighborhood with his wife of 40 years, Cathy. Together they have raised six children and are enjoying their seven grandchildren, so far. Tom served 16 years in the Ohio General Assembly: (2001 to 2008) and (2015 to 2022) and is a veteran of 18 contested Republican primary and General elections. Tom is a co-founder of the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes and continues to fight unnecessary infringements upon our personal and financial freedom.
The Southern Border Mess is Coming to Ohio and a State Near You...
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Hear From Othal Brand, our Speaker from McAllen, Texas Trip
Othal Brand, businessman and lifelong resident of McAllen, Texas will be speaking at EmpowerU on what it is like to live on the border today and what it was like in the past. He will tell you how businesses and homeowners have been impacted by this migration of illegals coming into the United States. He has encountered the Cartel and carries a gun wherever he goes. There is drug trafficking, human smuggling, and crime. Many of it comes across the incomplete Border Wall shown below.
He will tell you what the government is doing to help with resources and safety, and what they are not doing. And, what about the American children in these border towns? Are they losing their education because teachers are trying to educate children of many different languages. How does Othal’s life as a child growing up in McAllen differ from his children and grandchildren’s today? Find out what life is like for the businesses and people that live their lives close to the Rio Grande.
It is said that every state is now a border state, but living in the Midwest we don’t routinely pull dead bodies out of the river, we don’t carry a gun when we go to work, and we don’t encounter the Cartel, etc. In Ohio it doesn’t feel like a border state, yet! We watch on television the illegals crossing into the United States, but when the television goes off and we are not impacted by this migration it makes it easy to dismiss as if this is happening somewhere other than the United States. This class is a follow up to EmpowerU’s visit to the Southern Border on June 26, 2023. (See Leigh Ann, George, Betty and Dan).
Othal will tell you that what is going on in Texas is coming to your town. This is your opportunity to hear directly from someone who is living this nightmare and be able to ask questions as to what exactly is coming. Othal will tell you “This is not America”. Joining us for tonight’s class will be our friends from American’s for Prosperity that helped make the trip to the border and Othal’s visit here possible.
Speaker Bio:
Businessman and elected official, Othal E Brand, Jr. has lived in McAllen, in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas for over 68 years. He graduated from Texas Christian University in 1976, and worked for the family business, Griffin & Brand and Trophy International for over 30 years. The companies were the largest grower and shipper of fruits and vegetables in the state of Texas and the largest grower of onions in the world during that time. His family had farming operations on property directly on the Rio Grande River, as well as in nine states in the United States, and in the countries of Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
Mr. Brand presently runs O.E. Investments, a communications company located in the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio, Texas since 1982. He has also served in public office for 20 years, as an elected official for Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3. He has served as President and General Manager for 18 years and still serves today. The District’s Headquarters is in McAllen, Texas, and its main facilities, including pump station, are located on the embankment of the Rio Grande River in Hidalgo, Texas.
Mr. Brand also serves as a board member of Valley Baptist Mission/Education Center in Harlingen, Texas. He has served on the board of trustees for 22 years of which 18 of those years as chairman. He has been a charter family member of Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen, Texas for 67 years.
This Class is Being Offered as an In Person Class Only.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, September 21, 2023
This Class is Sponsored by Douglas and Terry Robinson
EmpowerU’s Opening Night with Music, Friends and Potluck!
This Class is Live in the Studio Only!
From the soles of their iconic white socks to the tops of their famous Fedoras, The Sensational Soul Brothers give you and your audience a show they will remember for a long time to come. Performing the great R&B and Soul classics from the 1980 original Blues Brothers film, along with several songs from the Blues brothers 2000 movie, their 1978 concert tour and their appearances on Saturday Night Live. The Sensational Soul Brothers add their own original comedy bits while staying true to the great music of that era and we throw in a couple of surprises every show with lots of audience participation.
This class will be offered in-person only, please register below below–as seating is limited– and don’t miss this class! We encourage for you to attend the potluck before the show that starts at 6:00 PM. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Also, feel free to bring adult beverages to the event and potluck if you choose to. EmpowerU will provide Sloppy Joes and Sides! Otherwise, the show starts at 7:00 PM and runs until 8:30 PM.
Speaker Bios:
For the last 10 years, Lonnie Freeman (Jake) and Malcolm Spence (Elwood) have been entertaining audiences throughout Ohio as The Sensational Soul Brothers.
Lonnie, in addition to recapturing the look and vocal stylings of John Belushi from The Blues Brothers, is an Elvis Tribute Artist both with a complete backing band or using pro backing tracks. Lonnie has been entertaining audiences as an ETA for the last 30 years throughout the USA.
Whether it is the 1960s or 1970’s Las Vegas days that he is performing, Lonnie has the looks, moves and voice to maintain a performance of remarkable authenticity. Lonnie is the whole “Elvis Package.” You can always count on him to be respectful of the legacy of Elvis!
A dedicated performer, Lonnie provides a very high-energy, interactive show that you and your audience will not soon forget. Lonnie will keep your audiences rockin’ and rollin’ all night long!
Malcolm has been recreating the performance of Dan Ackroyd as Elwood Blues right down to his harmonica solos and dance moves. Malcolm does a solo singer/songwriter act (The Eclectic Campfire). Malcolm’s Eclectic Campfire show makes him known as the man of 1000 songs. Whether you want soft background music for your event, or a full-out party sing-along evening Eclectic Campfire can deliver a grand-slam of entertainment.
Specializing providing music for Birthday/Anniversary Parties, Class Reunions, Banquets or just your backyard gathering, An Eclectic Campfire show material consists of Pop Rock and Country music from the 1950s-1980s (song list available on request), all done in a unique guaranteed-to-entertain style.
Hear from Naomi Wolf speaking at Hillsdale College discussing what was in the Pfizer Documents that were recently unclassified.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Naomi Wolf Shares What is Stated in the Pfizer Documents at Hillsdale College – There’s More Going on Than You Think
Join EmpowerU to watch this shocking video of Naomi Wolf as she delves into and discloses what was written in the Pfizer documents. The modern pharmaceutical industry has in many ways proved itself a great benefit to mankind, making health- and life-saving drugs and vaccines widely available. But its reputation has come under attack in the wake of America’s opioid epidemic and the COVID pandemic. This fourth and final CCA of the 2022-23 academic year will consider the rise of Big Pharma, its role in the declining state of American health, and ideas for reform. (Credit to https://freedomlibrary.hillsdale.edu)
The Pfizer documents were published in 2022 after a federal judge in Texas ordered the Food and Drug Administration to make public the data it relied on to license Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, accelerating the schedule to get the data published. This makes it around 75 years faster than the FDA said it could take to complete a Freedom of Information Act request. There’s an estimate of 450,000 pages about the vaccine. The FDA proposed on publishing 500 pages a month and U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman Pittman ordered to have 55,000 pages published a month so the data would be completely public within around 8 months instead of 75 years. Read more about the FDA accelerate publishing the documents HERE.
This speech was given on March 6, 2023, during a Hillsdale College CCA seminar on “Big Pharma.” There seems to be more going on than vaccinating a virus that we are not made aware of.
“If you have to be persuaded, reminded, pressured, lied to, incentivized, forced, bullied, socially shamed, guilt-tripped, threatened, punished and criminalized … If all of this is considered necessary to gain your compliance – you can be absolutely certain that what is being promoted is not in your best interest” – Ian Watson
The video is around an hour long so we will have about 20-25 minutes for discussion afterwards. As always, popcorn is provided!
Orlando Sonza will talk about Issue 1. Special interest groups from the coasts are trying to buy an amendment to Ohio’s constitution. Before voting this November, you should know the truth about what this amendment would do to the founding documents of our state, as well as what it would do to your family and your relationship to your children.
Naomi Wolf has written multiple books, has also worked as a journalist and political consultant. Wolf attended Yale University, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in English literature in 1984. Wolf completed her Doctor of Philosophy degree in English literature in 2015 at Oxford.
Naomi is also the CEO of DailyClout, a media company with the mission to empower people by providing information and opinion from all viewpoints and perspectives to help people be well informed and not just get one side of an issue.
Orlando Sonza- Orlando is proud to be an Ohioan. A second generation Filipino American, Orlando was raised in New Jersey and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. While there he met his wife, Jessica, a Mexican/Filipino American, fellow Academy classmate, and Cincinnati native.
Orlando graduated top ten in his class at West Point where he majored in political science and minored in systems engineering. Upon graduation, he and Jessica both commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Orlando served on active duty as an Infantry Officer and Finance Officer with the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. After leaving active duty, Orlando and Jessica moved to Cincinnati to raise a family. While helping to raise their kids, Orlando obtained his master’s degree in taxation from the University of Cincinnati and his law degree from Georgetown Law. Orlando is an Ohio CPA with experience working in Big 4 Accounting as a senior tax accountant. While in law school, he was a legal intern at the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal & Tax Divisions. Orlando currently works at the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office.
Orlando and Jessica currently live in Springfield Township with their four children.
This Class is Perfect for Homeschoolers!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Let’s get the kids educated on the Constitution! Free Best Buy Gift Cards to the first 25 students to sign up!
This is your child’s, grandchild, or relative to attend a special Constitution Boot Camp just for them. Homeschoolers this class is perfect for you!
Join us for this one-day, seminar style, class that will give you a working knowledge of the US Constitution including its purpose, and true meaning. You will leave with an understanding of the founder’s intentions for our nation and the ways in which we are dangerously off-course. This course will help students to learn to recognize when political power is legitimate and when it is being usurped- and what can be done about it!
The first step to restoring our Constitutional Republic is teach the public to understand the Constitution and the limits it places on our federal government. Kids–up to college age–we want you to learn about your constitution. By attending each student will receive The Handbook for We the People, The Federalist Papers, Bastiat’s The Law and The Precinct Guide.
Free $25 Best Buy Gift Cards to the first 25 students (College age and Under) who sign up and complete the class. Let’s Educate the Kids! Space in this class is limited to 45. We will start out until July 8, just accepting reservations from kids. If the spaces in this class do not fill up we will open this class to the public.
Lunch will be provided.
Join us for this one-day, seminar style, class that will give you a working knowledge of the US Constitution including its purpose, and true meaning. You will leave with an understanding of the founder’s intentions for our nation and the ways in which we are dangerously off-course.
Learn to recognize when political power is legitimate and when it is being usurped- and what you can do about it! The first step to restoring our Constitutional Republic is for you to understand the Constitution and the limits it places on our federal government.
Students are free on scholarship and Building Blocks For Liberty asks for a $25 donation which includes lunch and books for the first family member if you are not a student. Additional family members sharing books can attend for a donation of only $5 each. Alumni welcome for $5 donation. Cash, Check or Credit Card payment accepted morning of the class.
Speaker Bios:
Jim Lewis: Marine, retired Sales Representative, co-founder of Building Blocks for Liberty, currently teaching American History, World History and the US Constitution for homeschoolers in the PEP program at the Mason location. Jim has been interested in history since childhood. During his down time, he continues to read books on history, types of governments and law.
John Hindery: Marine, retired Accountant, co-founder of Building Blocks for Liberty, currently teaching American History and the US Constitution for homeschoolers in the northern Kentucky area. John has been interested in history since 5th grade, worked on the Nixon and Goldwater Campaigns and continues to read books on the founders and presidents.
Rick Herron: Navy, IT Specialist, currently teaching the importance of Central Committee throughout the Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana region for over four decades. He co-founded the Platform Republicans educating conservatives in becoming precinct executives. Rick wrote and self-published a book entitled, “Actually Making a Difference” which explains how important the local level participation can determine local, county, state and national candidates.
Each man specializes in specific areas that compliments the BBFL mission. As part of the military, Jim, John and Rick took an oath to support and defend the US Constitution which led them to teaching. Our class focuses on the Founding Fathers wisdom, Natural Law, types of governments and much, much more. Each instructor recognized the need to teach what the Founding Fathers gave us so out of frustration US Constitution Boot Camp was born. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and all volunteers. The donations received help us further focus on educating the younger generations through scholarships.
Dennis Quaid's Documentary-An alarming look into the potential of life without power.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Join EmpowerU at the Movies! The Popcorn is on us!
A dynamic legion of energy, economic, national security, and infrastructure experts fearlessly expose our most critical global threat: the vulnerability of our nation’s power grids. Together they inform the public of imminent threats and the infinite horrors in store from prolonged power loss. Grid failure is a real and imminent threat, a devastatingly deadly occurrence leading to life-threatening shortages of heat, food, and water. If protective measures are not taken, we will experience catastrophic failures leaving citizens in states of starvation, death, destruction, and darkness for months.
The U.S. power grid is aging and already struggling to meet current demand. It faces a future with more people — people who drive more electric cars and heat homes with more electric furnaces. Our electric utility companies have not implemented sufficient precautions to protect our grid and are well aware of the dangers. Numerous readily available grid safety solutions exist. These viable innovations must be rapidly instituted to protect our grid against known threats and hazards. As the demand for grid protection expands, brilliant minds will undoubtedly develop even more innovative ideas to secure our grid and protect our power. Promising fortification concepts have been developed by wise executives and utility engineers who understand that strict guidelines and protection measures may (hopefully) become required by law. Consistent citizen pressure must continue to pass legislation requiring utility companies to implement existing protective protocols while encouraging them to forge further state-of-the-art safeguards. Our goal at ‘GDPU’ is to ensure the grid never goes down!
Producer/Director David Tice- CEO of Paul Revere Films LLC., Executive Producer and Financier of the major motion picture, Soul Surfer, released in 2011. In the last two years, Tice has completed production of the ‘electrifying’ award winning feature documentary about the vulnerability of our nation’s power grid, entitled Grid Down, Power Up. The documentary will serve as a springboard to initiate an organized social action movement to secure our nation’s power grid.
(Credit to GridDownPowerUp.com for Text and Images)
This Trip is Sponsored by Americans for Prosperity
**This Class is Virtual Class Only** Register for this Virtual Class Below ,
EmpowerU will be joining Americans for Prosperity Ohio to visit the border town in McAllen, Texas (near Brownsville) and report back on the conditions that we find. Every town in the United States is now a border town, and as we must accept the reality, for now, that many migrants will be coming to Ohio and staying in Ohio. It is important that we look at the border problem and try to understand it.
Tonight, in this live class, EmpowerU will report on the conditions that we have found at the Southern Border. We will explain our visit to the physical border, show you pictures and video we have taken, and introduce you to key leaders in the area. We will also discuss our visit with Catholic Charities we have met with to examine the humanitarian implications of not securing the border. We hope to present an individual family that has recently come across the border and discuss their story with you.
We will also be introducing you to other Ohioans that are on the trip and have them explain to you what they have seen, and their thoughts about the border situation. Our overriding mission with this trip is to make information more available to you to allow you to discuss the border with Ohio’s leaders, your family and friends.
Join us as EmpowerU visits the Southern Border with our friends from Americans for Prosperity Ohio.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Hear From Igor Rud, a Ukraine Native, On the Russian Invasion in Ukraine
Hear what’s really going on in Ukraine and what our news is not telling us. Hear from Igor’s experience from hearing Ukrainian news and seeing the preliminary events firsthand.
Starting in 1991 with the Independence Declaration to the Revolution of Dignity to present day, Igor will describe the facts that led up to the invasion. Could the full-scale invasion have been prevented? Why did the Russian forces advance so quickly? How was the missile cruiser Moscow destroyed? How did Russia attempt to destroy Ukrainian infrastructure? These topics will be covered in this class.
Speaker Bio:
Igor Rud was born and raised in Ukraine and moved to the United States in 2016. He has a degree in Mathematics from Kharkiv State University and an advanced degree from Kharkiv State Academy of Municipal Economy. Igor has worked as a software engineer for over 20 years.
EmpowerU is pleased to partner with the Springdale Police Department to bring this class to the public.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Officer Keenan Riordan will be giving an Active Shooter Presentation based on the Run, Hide, Fight model. The presentation will discuss ways to prevent, what to do, and an empowering mindset if such an event should occur in your presence.
Active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearm(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Most of these cases have occurred in locations where the shooter has been undeterred and unobstructed from carrying out their attack. The incident locations have often been described as soft targets with limited active security measures or armed personnel to provide protection for members of the public. In most instances, shooters have either taken their own lives, been shot by police, or surrendered when forced with a confrontation by law enforcement.
Everyone can help prevent and prepare for potential active shooter situations. This course provides guidance to individuals, so that they can prepare to respond to an active shooter situation.
This Class will NOT be recorded for playback, so please register!
Speaker Bio:
Officer Keenan Riordan is a 25-year veteran of the Springdale Police Department. He is a firearms instructor and spent 14 years as a member of a multi-jurisdictional SWAT team in Hamilton County. After working for years as a patrol officer and detective, Keenan now serves as the Community Service Officer in Springdale.
Daniel Regenold to Perform Neil Young Songs Starting at 6:15 PM
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
We Encourage You To Attend This Class in Person–For Maximum Enjoyment! It will be LOUD, and Fun!
“Back then people closed their eyes and listened to music” – Neil Young
Neil Young is one of the most influential songwriters and guitarists of his generation, known for recording such favorites as ‘Old Man,’ ‘Harvest Moon’ and ‘Heart of Gold.’ Born in Canada in 1945, Neil Young arrived in the U.S. in the mid-1960s and co-founded the band Buffalo Springfield. He earned fame both as a member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSN&Y) and as a solo artist, writing and recording such timeless songs as “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black),” “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Heart of Gold”—a No. 1 hit.
Nicknamed the “Godfather of Grunge” for his undeniable influence on that genre. In the 1960’s Neil began making the rounds on the Canadian folk circuit, rubbing elbows with other up-and-coming Canadian musicians, including fellow folk singer Joni Mitchell and the rock band the Guess Who. In Los Angeles in 1966, Young ran into Stephen Stills and soon thereafter, Young, Stills, Palmer Ritchie Furay and Dewey Martin formed Buffalo Springfield. They debut self-titled album including the hit “For What It’s Worth” became a Top 10 hit. In 1968 a strain inside Buffalo Springfield led him to strike out on his own. Buffalo Springfield was shown in this picture in 1965:
In 1969 Young signed with Reprise Records 1969 and released his self-titled debut album to mixed reviews. But Young followed up just a few months later with Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, a signature album, on which drummer Ralph Molina, bass player Billy Talbot and guitarist Dan Whitten, collectively known as Crazy Horse, backed him up. With their raw sound serving as the counterpoint to Young’s distinctively melancholy and untrained voice on such tracks as “Cinnamon Girl” and “Down by the River,” the album climbed up the charts to No. 34, and eventually went gold.
Young joined the trio, which was renamed Crosby, Still, Nash & Young and they began to perform and record, playing the legendary Woodstock Festival in August 1969 (This was CSNY’s second performance ever—Young would not allow himself to be filmed for the movie). The band’s subsequent tour and album release, 1970’s Déjà Vu, catapulted them to fame—so much so that they were at times referred to as the “American Beatles.” However, Young’s relationship with his bandmates quickly became contentious, and he left the group to focus more exclusively on his solo work.
“With Crazy Horse, it’s all one big, growing, smoldering sound, and I’m part of it It’s like gliding, or some sort of natural surfing.”
Neil Young is one of the most prolific recorders of music in the History of Rock and Roll with over 40 albums recorded since 1969. Young was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. In our session at EmpowerU you will learn about Young’s different groups that he’s played with. His complicated love-hate relationship with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The impact on Young of the death of Crazy Horse guitarist Dan Whitten. The inspiration behind such hits as “Old Man” and “A Man Needs a Maid”. His contributions to the Benefit for Farm Aid, his countless charitable efforts, and his ownership of Lionel Trains. And the straw that finally broke the back of CSNY, David Crosby’s comments about Neil’s marriage to actress Daryl Hannah in 2018.
Learn about Young’s incredible impact on Rock and Roll as we look as his music and listen to music—through video and discussion– in a way that you will enjoy. It’s going to be a loud night at EmpowerU –tell your music friends and don’t miss this one!
Come early around 6:15 pm and Daniel Regenold, the lead guitarist for the Vims will open up the night with a 45 minute set dedicated to Neil Young. We will be serving draft beer, soft drinks and water at the event and feel free to bring beverages of your choice.
Speaker Bio:
Dana W. Gore: Dana was born January 28, 1953 in Shreveport, LA. His father was in the military and we moved many times in the early years. They lived in Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, North Carolina, and then finally in 1962 they settled in Falls Church, VA. This is where music started to change his life forever.
Next door to him lived a boy who was much older than him, but despite the age difference they still became very good friends, initially through their love of sports. This is where it happened. He vividly remembers the boy’s record player in his living room and the day he pulled out this album with a huge wave on the front, with a surfer on his board. It was the Beach Boys “Surfin’ U.S.A”. The title cut opens the record, and that was it, he was hooked. Then he showed him a record by someone named Chuck Berry titled “Chuck Berry is on Top”, and played the song “Johnny B. Goode”. He couldn’t believe my ears. It was truly a magical moment.
The final piece of the puzzle fell in to place on February, 9, 1964 when the Beatles made their 1st appearance on Ed Sullivan. Like so many others, this was a defining moment for him. From that day on, until today 50+ years later, music was the one constant in his life. From elementary school through high school, college, marriage, children, grandchildren, and lifelong friends, music has been with him for the entire ride.
Starting with his 1st concert in the spring of 1969, with Led Zeppelin opening for The Who, and up until his last concert on May 6, 2017 in Tampa, FL when Joe Walsh opened for Tom Petty, he has been blessed. But of the hundreds of bands and concerts he has seen, none brought him back again and again more than Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Close behind, Neil Young who will be the focus of tonight’s class. Dana had a long career in the record business with Penguin Feather Records in Virginia and served for 29 years as the President of Posterservice, Inc, a sister company of Frame USA.
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Entertainment
Daniel Regenold, lead guitarist for the well-known Cincinnati Band The Vims, and local performer, will entertain and perform Neil Young songs from 6:15-7:00 PM. Come early and listen to Daniel’s 45 minute set and have a beer!
The Details Behind the Largest Seaborne Invasion in History!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
*Special 2 Hour Class- This class starts at 6:30pm* *Veterans, Children and Homeschoolers are Welcome*
79 Years ago, on this Day, June 6, 1944, the Normandy Landings began on the beaches of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, Sword. Operation code-name “Overlord” began on Tuesday, June 6, 1944 and it was the largest seaborne invasion in history. It became known as D-Day-the goal to liberate German-occupied France from Nazi control and lay the foundation for an Allied Victory on the Western Front throughout Europe.
The biggest names in history were all involved in this planning– Prime Minister Winston Churchill, General Dwight David Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin of Russia, General Bernard Montgomery commander of British Forces, and Charles de Gaulle. Leading the German forces was Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, The Desert Fox and Gerd Von Rundstedt.. Commanding Rommel was Adolf Hitler leader of the Nazi Party. Hitler rose to power to become dictator of Germany, serving as Chancellor from 1933 and Führer from 1934. During his dictatorship from 1933 to 1945, he initiated World War II in Europe by invading Poland in September 1939.
The amphibious landings on Normandy were preceded by extensive aerial and naval bombardment and an airborne assault-the landing of 24,000 US, British, and Canadian airborne troops shortly after midnight. Allied infantry and armoured divisions began landing on the coast of France at 06:30 am. Planning for the operation had begun in 1943.
This class at EmpowerU will be an explanation of the strategy of D-Day. How did this invasion happen? What was the plan? Who were the personalities? What equipment was used? Did everything go according to plan? How did the Allies deceive the Nazi’s to allow this great invasion to happen? How many men were lost? Be ready for how D-Day really happened, and the back-stories involved as we look at one of the most significant days in the History of the United States–D-Day!
Dan Regenold: Dan is a lover of Liberty and enjoys speaking to EmpowerU classes about subjects he is passionate about. Recently he has discussed: Milton Friedman, Saul Alinsky, Net Neutrality, D-Day, The Deficit, How to Destroy America in Three Easy Steps, Public Education, Winston Churchill, President Theodore Roosevelt, and Thomas Sowell at EmpowerU Classes. Regenold is founder and Chairman of FrameUSA.com, a Made-In-America picture frame manufacturing company in Springdale, Ohio. To read Dan’s bio click here.
The human costs of the long conflict were harsh for all involved. 57,939 members of U.S. armed forces who died or are missing as a result of the war.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Vietnam. Even in the present day, a half century after the end of American involvement, the word itself conjures up images in the public mind of horrific jungle warfare in a faraway land that cost tens of thousands of lives and shattered domestic tranquility. It is a word that rightfully revives heartbreak in mothers and fathers across the country.
So many sons were lost in a war that many Americans feel should never have been. But the conflict that dragged on for years was based on flawed theories, like monolithic communism, containment, and the domino theory, all while the government lied to the American people about what was really going on. It was, for good reason, the most unpopular war in US history.
Hear from Ryan Girdursky on 1776 Project-Pac
The 1776ProjectPAC.com is pushing back against this growing crisis in our public education system by campaigning on behalf of school board candidates that vow to overturn any teaching of the 1619 Project or critical race theory in their school districts. We will also support any type of education reform that promotes a patriotic vision of America and its history.
A new and troubling trend has emerged in our nation’s public school system. School districts in all 50 states have adopted critical race theory and parts of “The 1619 Project” as part of their curriculum. Critical race theory is a radical belief that pushes the idea that America is an inherently racist country and white Americans are stained with the original sin of racism for which they can never be cleansed. Their solution is to remake the U.S., abandoning our founding documents and capitalist system.
Supporters of critical race theory hold political power as being more important than facts. Oftentimes they will not engage with anyone who does not support critical race theory, because they believe that is “platforming” them, which gives their opponents’ arguments credibility. It is up to us to fight their agenda in every school board election where this theory is tolerated, promoted, and forced upon America’s children.
Speaker Bio:
Ryan Walters- Originally from Ellisville, Mississippi, the “capital” of the famous “Free State of Jones,” Ryan S. Walters is an independent historian who currently teaches American history at Collin College in North Texas.
He is the author of The Last Jeffersonian: Grover Cleveland and the Path to Restoring the Republic, Remember Mississippi: How Chris McDaniel Exposed the GOP Establishment and Started a Revolution, Grover Cleveland: The Last Jeffersonian President,Apollo 1: The Tragedy That Put Us on the Moon, and The Jazz Age President: Defending Warren G. Harding.
He has appeared on CSPAN, Breitbart Radio, the Dennis Prager Show, the Tom Woods Show, the Mark Davis Show, the History Unplugged Podcast, and many others. He has written for Townhall.com, LewRockwell.com, AntiWar.com, Mises.org, Confederate Veteran magazine, Chronicles magazine, FEE.org, and the Abbeville Institute, and has spoken at a number of venues, including the Abbeville Institute Summer School and the Ludwig von Mises Institute.
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Ryan James Girdusky is a New York native. Since 2007, Ryan has worked in politics, starting out with New York City Councilwoman Helen Sears. He has worked on dozens of political campaigns including Michael Bloomberg for Mayor, Bob Turner for Congress, Liberty for All Super PAC, Bob Holden for City Council, and for the Logan Circle Group.
As a writer, Ryan’s work has been featured in nearly a dozen publications, and he has been a guest on many television and radio shows. He is the author of the upcoming book “They’re Not Listening: How the Elites Created the National Populist Revolution” Tonight Ryan will talk to us about his important work on 1776ProjectPac.com.
Nearly one in five Americans lives with a mental health condition.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Mental Health is an incredibility important part of our overall health. Only until more recently, mental illnesses and mental health disorders were taboo topics. People were uncomfortable talking about these subjects or their mental health struggles. As a result, rumors and misunderstandings about mental illnesses ran wild.
The media has played no helping hand with exaggerated stories and extreme cases being showcased regularly. Although there has been progress, there are still several misconceptions about mental disorders that many people still believe.
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When it comes to gambling, everyone knows about Las Vegas and most know about Northern Kentucky. But did you know about an extremely popular supper club located in Branch Hill/Loveland Ohio that preceded both? This is the story of the Arrowhead Inn. While it was only in operation for a few years, it had a major impact on the characters who eventually built Las Vegas into the mecca of gambling in America. The Arrowhead Inn is now mostly forgotten, even by the people of Loveland. However, you can still find remnants of the old Inn where the Arrowhead Apartments now reside.
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Speaker Bio:
Richard Rutz is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who has worked in mental health for 25+ years. His career has taken him around the country working in a variety of rural and urban settings. His experiences have included working as a nurse, hospital administrator and nurse practitioner in hospital, residential, and outpatient care settings for all ages and a variety of diagnoses. He currently works as a nurse practitioner at NeuroPsych Center of Greater Cincinnati helping coordinate care for individuals and families with a holistic and collaborative approach with other providers.
Rich’s current focus is, but not limited to anxiety, depression, mood disorders, eating disorders and trauma. For the last 10 years, Rich has been precepting medical, nurse practitioner and physician assistant students for their psychiatric rotations.
Rich obtained his undergraduate nursing degree from Purdue University and his Master’s in Nursing from University of Kentucky. He also holds a Bachelor of Science from Ball State University. He is an active member of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), having been previous North Carolina APNA Chapter President.
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Dan Peterson began his career at Procter & Gamble in sales retiring after 34 years in various executive capacities in both domestic and global roles. After retirement, he began his 2nd career, leading sales development and training for a handful of large, major companies. Dan finds passion in helping people improve their business skills. Additionally, he teaches sales classes as an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati as well as help coach the varsity sales team.
Dan is heavily involved in Loveland. He serves on the Historic Preservation and Planning Committee, is on the board of the Loveland Legacy Foundation, manages social media and performs historic story telling for the Loveland Historic Museum. He is married to Suzanne and recently celebrated their 40th anniversary. They have two children (Lauren and Steven) and one grandchild (Audrey). Dan loves to play tennis as a member of Harpers Tennis Club. Both Dan and Sue enjoy traveling and have visited all 50 states and 55 countries. He has an undergraduate degree in Marketing and an MBA from Christian Brothers University in Memphis Tennessee.
"It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." --Samuel Adams
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, April 20, 2023
This Class Has Been Sponsored by John and Becky Costello
Learn about the extraordinary time when our Country was founded. Thomas Jefferson asserted that “Samuel Adams was that Man” who was the leader of the Revolution. John Adams thought his cousin Sam was the most “sagacious” or shrewdest politician of all. Adams put together what could be said to be the greatest campaign of civil resistance in Civil History.
Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Stacy Schiff, and her new book “The Revolutionary Samuel Adams”, helps us walk through the life of Samuel Adams who supplied the moral backbone of the American Revolution. Adams helped package and amplify—almost like using social media– the Boston Massacre which was the beginning event that first shook the colonists. He helped mastermind the Boston Tea Party. You will learn how Adams, hid behind his many masks and stratagems and build consensus for a new Nation.
Also, get to know Adams and his incredible band of brothers. John Hancock, the President of the Second Continental Congress and first signer of the Declaration of Independence. Paul Revere, an American silversmith, engraver and Sons of Liberty Member.
What happened on famous ride of Paul Revere who rode to Lexington in 1975 to warn Samuel Adams that he was about to be arrested for treason? Much of the prelude to the revolution took place in the City of Boston and Massachusetts. Learn why Boston played such an important role. What about General George Washington, how did he figure into the growing discontent with the monarchy and Great Britain? What caused Washington to lead the fight?
Tonight, Dan will take you back to the founding of the Country, where you will learn about the true spirit of the Men who fought to liberate America. The tactics, their strength, and spirit and the one man that led the way, Samuel Adams.
Have a Sam Adams Beer with us tonight at the EmpowerU Studio–Join us as we celebrate the founding of our Nation! 
Speaker Bio:
Dan Regenold: Dan first became active in Government in 2003 when he became involved fighting Eminent Domain and helping stop it in Evendale and in Norwood, Ohio. In 2006, he was one of the founders of WeDemandAVote.com which successfully fought and stopped, by ballot initiative, a sales tax increase in Hamilton County, Ohio. Later WeDemand stopped Red Light Cameras in Hamilton County.
Regenold spoke at the CPAC Convention in 2008 to discuss major Grassroots initiative actions across the United States. In 2009, Dan was unsuccessful in his efforts to bring accountability to the Federal Government’s finances with a citizen lead initiative WeDemandABalancedBudget.com (the bill was introduced to the United States Congress). In 2010 Regenold was one of three leaders of the initiative to End Ohio’s Estate Tax which happened in 2011. The Tax Foundation called the repeal of Ohio Estate Tax one of the most important Tax accomplishments of 2011. In 2011 Regenold founded EmpowerUAmerica.org (starting it’s 25th semester in Fall 2022), a Free University offered in the Greater Cincinnati area with the goal of “empowering” citizens.
In 2014, Regenold was one of the leaders of the effort to separate Music Hall from a County Wide Sales Tax which helped the Museum Center renovation get passed by the voters of Hamilton County. Dan has recently concentrated his efforts on the mess of Public Education in Ohio and specifically on topics like School Choice and Critical Race Theory. Similarly, Dan helped led an EmpowerU initiative InGodWeTrustProject.com to teach students about the history of our National Motto.
Dan is a lover of Liberty and enjoys speaking to EmpowerU classes about subjects he is passionate about. Recently he has discussed: Milton Friedman, Saul Alinsky, Net Neutrality, D-Day, The Deficit, How to Destroy America in Three Easy Steps, Public Education, Winston Churchill, President Theodore Roosevelt, and Thomas Sowell at EmpowerU Classes. Regenold is founder and Chairman of FrameUSA.com, a Made-In-America picture frame manufacturing company in Springdale, Ohio.
How the public presentation of the COVID-19 data was used to amplify fear and compliance..
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
From the official start of the pandemic in Ohio, data has been cited heavily by the DeWine administration, local authorities and other institutions to justify a plethora of restrictions and mandates. The authorities used a series of metrics, particularly the colorful Ohio Public Health Advisory System (aka “The Map of Fear”), in order to influence the public’s perception of the severity of COVID in Ohio.
But what was the reality? How did the presentation of the data distort the public’s perceptions of risk and influence their willingness to submit to unheard of interventions in their daily lives? Most importantly, how can we look at the data presented to us with a critical eye in order to make the best decisions for ourselves and our families in the future.
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In 2020, after leaving state government working on the Ohio checkbook initiative, Lauren has led a project to hold government unions and teachers’ unions accountable as Ohio director of the Freedom Foundation. This work has involved illuminating the corruption in Ohio politics connected to government union money. As Larry Householder stands trial for the largest political bribery scheme in the Ohio House and conservative leaders were hoodwinked out of the speakers gavel in January of 2023, the nefarious manipulation and scheming by government unions has never been more obvious. While these discrete ties are unfortunate, Lauren feels it is imperative that Ohio stakeholders and parents know the truth about how and why their voice is being silenced at the Ohio house. Because of how loud government union money talks. After this presentation, she hopes you will have clarity and understanding about the reason that policy and legislative priorities that are important to the people of Ohio, get sidestepped in state government. Despite being promised differently during campaign season.
Kathryn Huwig attended Case Western Reserve University and Stanford University, double majoring in Planetary Geology and Evolutionary Biology. Her evolutionary biology degree focused mainly on different aspects of human evolution, including a graduate course focused solely on the epidemiology and evolution of human diseases. The degree was also heavily focused on the history and philosophy of science, or how we know what we know, how science succeeds and where it fails.
During the pandemic, she watched all of Gov. DeWine’s and ODH’s press conferences while dissecting the Ohio COVID data, showing how the data was being manipulated to create a false narrative of fear while teaching others how to analyze and understand their own local data, empowering them to approach their local institutions with confidence. She shared her common sense analyses in her Facebook groups, including Understanding Ohio COVID-19 Data (now censored) and Beyond the Data.
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Lauren Bowen: Ohio Director- Lauren is a lifelong Ohio resident and calls Cincinnati home. After earning a master’s degree in international politics from Wright State University in 2014, she led an innovative, first of its kind, digital government accountability and transparency project, called the Ohio Checkbook. Through that leadership experience, Lauren developed a fierce determination to undermine government corruption. She has since joined the Freedom Foundation as State Director to fight union tyranny and oppression. In her spare time Lauren enjoys collecting early American antiques and trying new restaurants with her husband.
The amazing story of one family’s escape from Germany in 1939.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
The ‘amazing story’ of Lisa Mac Vittie and her family’s plight to flee Europe in 1939. Lisa will recount her own personal journey taking you to Germany where it began, life for the family before Hitler’s reign against the Jewish people, life for the extended family that left and those who didn’t, and the barriers they faced escaping to China only to arrive just after the Sino-Japanese War. When the family embarked from the ship in China Lisa’s mother said to her father “what have we gotten ourselves in to”.
Living in China for ten years before immigrating to the United States was much like life in Europe when they fled except for the threat of being sent to a concentration camp. Her younger sister and brother were born in China, her sister Marion died at the age of 2 of diphtheria. See Lisa’s family below:
Lisa’s father was always optimistic about their future only to be murdered just before the family was close to making their final journey to the United States. How fortunate for America that Hitler missed Lisa and her family resulting in many descendants that can call the United States home. Lisa is now 90 years young and still going strong.
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Many of you have driven past an old stone building in Camp Dennison on the way to Milford. Ever wonder what it is and the history behind it? Come listen to the three-part history of the Christian Waldschmidt Homestead and be prepared to be enthralled. In 1794, Christian Waldschmidt, a veteran of the American Revolution, moved his family to a site on the Little Miami River and built a new community called New Germany.
In 1804, he built his home, which included a store. Waldschmidt was a businessman and encouraged new settlement, staffing a church and helping to find a school, and beginning industries vital to the survival of his new home, such as Ohio’s first paper mill, a cooperative distillery, woolen mill, sawmill, and a blacksmith shop.
During the Civil War, the house and surrounding grounds were part of Camp Dennison, used primarily as a general training center, recruiting depot, and hospital post, and named in honor of Governor William Dennison. The main house, now known as Waldschmidt House, served as the headquarters for General Joshua Bates.
Speaker’s Bio
Lisa Mac Vittie- Lisa was born Liselotte to Kurt and Elizabeth Isaack in Berlin, Germany, in 1932. In 1938, when Lisa was 6 years old Kristallnacht occurred sealing her parents’ decision to flee Germany. In the summer of 1939, Lisa, her parents, 7-year-old sister and 12-year-old brother readied to make their escape fleeing to China as it was the only open port in the world where they could go without questions being asked. In 1949, Lisa, her mother, sister and brother immigrated to the United States settling in New Jersey. In 1954, a 23-year-old Lisa became an American citizen, and shortly thereafter joined the United States Air Force as an academic instructor.
She met Herbert Mac Vittie, who was a technical instructor in the Air Force, and in November 1955 they were married. In March 1957 Lisa left the military due to being pregnant with their first child. They spent three years in Germany where there first two children were born, and then sent to Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan, where their 3rd and 4th children were born. While raising her children and working full time with the Civil Service she received her degree in accounting. Herbert retired from the military in 1974, and Lisa’s Civil Service job transferred her to Cincinnati in 1993 where she worked for the Corps of Engineers, retiring in 1998.
Lisa has always supported the Air Force as a civilian, been an active member of her eastern Cincinnati community, and has devoted her free time to serving the American Legion and speaking at elementary schools to children about the Holocaust. She is a member of the color guard with the American Legion and insists on carrying the POW/MIA flag when it is used.
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Darlene West has been involved with the Christian Waldschmidt Homestead for over 10 years serving as a trustee, docent, and special event coordinator. Having been a middle school teacher for longer than she cares to admit, transitioning to a docent/event coordinator was an easy process. She made a living talking to English students. Now she has the chance to talk about history to a much more eager audience. She is a 50+ year resident of the Cincinnati area, received her BS at the College of Mount Saint Joseph on the River and did her graduate work at Wright State university. She and Jim, her husband of 53 years, have three sons, and 10 grandchildren.
Ron Rothhass, Specialist in Plant Health Care and Tree Preservation Joins EmpowerU
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
What provides many benefits to people and the communities they live in? How does weather and climate affect our trees and their care.Weather and climate are very complex, and it affects our trees and how we care for them, especially in hostile urban environments with the urban heat island effect and alien soil environments.
Ron Rothhaas, an ISA Board Certified Arborist who will join us tonight. He does not necessarily buy into a climate doomsday scenario, but changes are occurring in our climate whether or not it is cyclical. Ron Rothhaas is a frequent quest on In The Garden With Ron Wilson on 55 WKRC and IHeart Radio.
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Have you been considering homeschooling; wondering what it would take to be successful? You can do it! Hear from Thea Shoemake, EmpowerU’s Homeschooling Expert who has started a new initiative- Homeschool Ready or Not! The mission is to mitigate real and perceived barriers to entry for families considering the homeschool lifestyle and support them throughout the journey. Thea will speak from 7:10-7:30PM.
Ronald Rothhaas is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® and principal owner of Arbor Doctor LLC, specializing in plant health care, tree preservation, consulting, and landscaping. Ron is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Horticulture and Natural Resources Interpretation and Cincinnati State College with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture. He is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture and the Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky ISA Chapters.
Ron is a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists and the Ohio Green Industry Association. He is the author of the OGIA Plant Health Care Newsletter. He has achieved the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification and the ASCA Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification.
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Thea Shoemake chose to settle and raise their family in Cincinnati over 20 years ago. In addition to her political involvement supporting unbridled liberty in education, Thea kept quite busy in her two favorite roles as homeschool mom and tutor in both home and traditional school environments. A recent empty-nester, Thea continues to tutor and frequently helps other families considering the challenging but extremely rewarding lifestyle of home-centered education. Thea is also the founder of the Podcast Everything is Political. This can be listened to on Apple, Spotify or Spreaker: https://www.everythingspolitical.org/podcasts. You can also get more up-do-date information at www.everythingspolitical.org. Her Homeschooling website is www.HomeschoolReadyorNot.com
The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) visits EmpowerU
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
This presentation focuses on MUFON cases and tools that were utilized in their review of UFO’s. (MUFON – Mutual UFO Network). A high percentage of programs presented on television, streaming podcasts, or in person presentations focus on the unknown. Whether the field of interest be UFOs, ghost hunting, or the search for cryptids, production centers on creating a product that attracts viewers. Media, meaning the production crew focuses more on entertainment than thorough investigations.
What becomes lost is all the work investigators and researchers do to identify 80-90% of identifiable cases. This presentation focuses on MUFON cases and tools that were utilized in their review. Tools represented include accessing metadata, importing data into Google Earth, accessing flight data, importing flight data into Google earth, and use of astronomy software to identify celestial and manmade objects. The point of the program is not to debunk all witness sightings, instead add more credibility to those that are classified as unknown.
Speaker Bio:
Tom Wertman: It is said we are all products of our environment. Growing up in the 60’s my environment included television shows such as The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and The Time Tunnel. Television led to books, then any movie no matter how bad. Most of this media was only fictional. Providing a grounding effect was the early NASA space programs culminating with the lunar landings. This environment produced an interest in space exploration, the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence, and additional dimensions.
Unfortunately, this interest had to be put aside to build a career, raise a family, and earn a bachelor’s degree in business and master’s in education. Now with the children grown up and pursuing their own careers it was time to return to the lifelong interest in the unknown. The first step was in 2008 by joining the Ohio based group the Cleveland Ufology Project (CUP). CUP is primarily a discussion group that provided an avenue to explore various fields associated with ufology. In 2018 as co-director a departure was necessitated to dedicate more time for private UFO research. CUP provided valuable networking contacts and through these a greater understanding of UFO case studies. The second step, also beginning in 2008, was becoming a certified field investigator for the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON). It’s one thing to read a book or watch a television show about UFO sightings. Quite another to conduct the actual investigation and try to determine what the witness observed and why. Who would have known that 15 years they would amass a total of 527 cases investigations in Ohio with one of the most interesting involving two fisherman who experienced over three and one-half hours of missing time. In addition to investigating Ohio cases an additional 239 investigations were conducted in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Puerto Rico as part of the Case Assistant Group.
If that was not enough, now as State Director new duties included conducting over 300 community outreach programs, being a featured guest on radio and television shows, participating in five documentaries, playing an alien in a short film, and hosting two streaming talk shows.
When art fought the law and the art won.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Just Added to the Program: Dennis Barrie – The Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center from 1983-1992
Join us in-studio or virtually Tuesday, April 4th, at 7:00 pm to hear Dennis Barrie, former director of the Cincinnati Arts Center, and his defense attorney, H. Louis Sirkin, revisit Robert Mapplethorpe’s The Perfect Moment, the community’s reaction to the controversial photos, and the obscenity trial that engaged national figures and everyday Americans in conversations and spirited debate about obscenity versus art and the impact on community standards.
Why the Jury Verdict of Not Guilty was Correct. When the Mapplethorpe photos arrived by truck on March 28, 1990, Cincinnati had a widely held and mostly earned reputation as one of the most conservative cities in America. Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis Jr. was waiting for the photographs. In his mind, the photographs were smut, not art. A collection of challenging photographs and difficult questions about sex and sacrilege, art and obscenity, politics and polemics. (Simon Leis, Jr. shown below).
The art show, titled The Perfect Moment, opened on a chilly April morning in 1990, and among the first people through the door of the Contemporary Arts Center were nine members of a grand jury who viewed the 175 photographs and deemed seven of them to be not just offensive, but criminal. Eventually, the question of what free speech is and what is too much would be heard in a Municipal Court room After a week of explicit and evocative photographs and expert testimony, a jury went into its room for what was expected to be a long haul and a certain outcome. (Robert Maplethorpe shown below).
H. Louis Sirkin, the attorney representing the CAC and Barrie, said at the time of the decisions: “It’s so intellectually wrong, it’s incredible.” Sirkin continued: “All I can tell you is, if we get an acquittal, we’re absolutely brilliant.”
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Barbara Holwadel is a newly elected member of the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee. She ran for election as a reform candidate. Barbara will give us an update of the state of the Ohio Republican Party which is a follow-up to the class EmpowerU featured on February 09, 2022 on possible Corruption in the Ohio Republican Party. Barbara will speak from 7:10-7:30 PM.
Speaker Bio:
H. Louis Sirkin is one of the nation’s preeminent First Amendment and criminal defense attorneys. Over more than 50 years of practice, Sirkin has consistently defended the free speech and constitutional rights of countless individuals and businesses, including adult entertainment establishments, museums, artists, activists, and ordinary citizens in all types of cases. Lou is both a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Criminal Lawyers.
Born in Cincinnati, Sirkin obtained both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Cincinnati. He entered private practice and quickly earned a reputation as an effective civil rights lawyer. He achieved national prominence in 1990 when he successfully defended the director of the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati against obscenity charges for displaying the nude artwork of Robert Mapplethorpe. The controversy was later depicted in the Golden Globe-winning movie Dirty Pictures (2000). He has served as President of the First Amendment Lawyers Association and the Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
Sirkin is a true believer and has distinguished himself as a compassionate mentor, a sought-after lecturer, and a tireless advocate. He has represented persons whose message was completely contrary to his own beliefs and has risked both his career and his physical safety to do so. He was once escorted out the rear door of the courthouse to avoid being assaulted by individuals who opposed his clients. But perhaps Sirkin’s most notable accomplishment was his 2002 victory before the United States Supreme Court in Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition.
In addition, he has defended on appeal numerous individuals on death row. In total, he has handled more than 125 appeals in civil and criminal cases.
Sirkin frequently lectures to students at the country’s top universities, participating in panels at Harvard University, New York University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Michigan, and Northern Kentucky University, to name a few. He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Cincinnati, where he taught habeas corpus law and a First Amendment seminar.
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Born and raised in Anderson Township. She is a graduate of Anderson High School then Wilmington College with a B.S. in Business. Believing the American dream is under siege from politicians of both parties, she got involved in the struggle to fight the ever-expanding size and scope of government.
Barbara was elected Precinct Executive and subsequently Ward Chair of the party (2010-2018) in Madeira and always made sure there were people working the polls on Election Day. She has been active in local groups such as the Ohio Battleground Alliance, and the Hamilton County Victory Centers.
She has run for State Central Committee and Madeira City Council and finally won a seat on the ORP State Central Committee August of 2022. Since taking her oath of office she has been devoting every day to doing something to strengthen the party. She serves as Secretary on the Platform Committee and is spearheading an effort accelerate its passage. Barbara is working to keep people informed through running her new website, BarbaraforOhio.com and social media.
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Dennis Barrie – Mr. Barrie was the museum Director for the Cincinnati Contempory Arts Museum from 1983-1992, during the Mapplethorpe trial. Dennis Barrie has an extensive career in planning, developing and managing both major and less traditional cultural destinations—museums, exhibits, visitor centers, and public spaces. He is an internationally distinguished museum director, cultural historian and an expert in popular culture. His expertise is in developing innovative projects that come from and respond to the unique circumstances of various cities and locations across the US.
His career includes eleven years with the Smithsonian Institution as Midwest Director of the Archives of American Art, where he interviewed and documented many of the great artists of the 20th Century.
For eight years he served as Director of Cincinnati’s Contemporary Arts Center (1983-1991), the second oldest museum of contemporary art in the United States. During his tenure at the Contemporary Arts Center, Dennis and the Center were involved in a landmark First Amendment case centering on the right of the museum to show the controversial work of Robert Mapplethope . Indicted for obscenity, Barrie was acquitted in a jury trial that captured the attention of the art world and the country at large.
As the opening Executive Director of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland (1993-1996), Dennis led all aspects of the project from concept—construction, staff development, marketing, fundraising and most importantly, the conceptualization and development of the Rock Hall’s films and exhibits—through opening and dedication.
After leaving the Rock Hall, Barrie did museum and cultural consulting work for clients such as the International Museum of Cartoon Art, Walt Disney Company, Elvis Presley Estate and Site Santa Fe.
In 1998, Dr. Barrie became the president of the The Malrite Company, where he worked with CEO Milton Maltz to develop new and creative concepts for museum projects. The company’s major project was the development of the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC, a major critical and popular success.
Leaving Malrite in 2005, Barrie founded Barrie Projects, a museum consultancy. Under the Barrie Projects banner, Dennis worked on the conceptualization of the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY, located on the site of Max Yasgur’s farm, home to the 1969 “Woodstock Festival.” Barrie Projects also provided developmental services for the Grammy Museum and the Museum of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, both in Los Angeles. Working with Arts and Exhibits International/AEG (Los Angeles), Barrie Projects was instrumental in putting together the Michael JacksonOfficial Exhibition which opened its world tour in London in October 2009.
In 2006, Dennis was hired as the Creative Director for The Mob Museum: National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, a $43 million project in downtown Las Vegas, designed to attract new audiences to the city core, housed in the historic federal courthouse where the Kefauver Hearings into organized crime were held. The Museum’s 2012 opening garnered rave reviews in The New York Times, USA Today and on the Today Show, among others.
In 2012, Dennis led a team of professionals hired to re-think the exhibits and marketing programs of the Pro-Football Hall of Fame. The result was a $23 million redesign of exhibits and facilities. In addition, Dennis co-developed the Hall of Fame’s 50th anniversary traveling exhibit entitled Gridiron Glory that has traveled to 17 NFL cities over the course of seven years.
Other recent projects include the development of a state- of- the- art exhibit for the NASA Glenn Visitors Center, the development of a feasibility study for the American Writers Museums and project management for the development of the National Psychology Museum.
In 2013, Dennis and his Barrie Projects team led the development of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum. The $91M museum is America’s first official museum designed to explore the history of our country’s participation in the modern games.
Dennis is currently serving as the Director of Experience Design for the Cleveland History Center of the Western Reserve Historical Society.
Is it possible Ohio could find itself in a situation similar to Arizona and the other battleground states in the news?
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Are Ohio elections really as ‘Secure and Accurate’ as Secretary of State Frank LaRose claims? Is it possible Ohio could find itself in a situation similar to Arizona and the other battleground states in the news with serious allegations of fraud that could affect the outcome of an election?
Do our elected government officials really have the best interests of Ohio citizens when they pass Election laws? Glen and Gail have researched Ohio election information at length, along with many other volunteer patriots across Ohio and are pleased to share our findings.
The reality is Ohio elections are neither Secure or Accurate, and YES, Ohio absolutely could find itself in a situation similar to Arizona. It appears many of our elected government officials DO NOT have the best interests of Ohio citizens in mind when passing Election laws. The ‘machines’ used in Ohio’s elections DO connect to the internet. There ARE phantom votes and dead people voting in Ohio.
It IS possible for illegal aliens to register AND vote in Ohio elections even with the passage of HR458 an ‘Election Integrity’ bill signed into law by Gov. Dewine in January 2023. More information regarding Election Integrity in Ohio can be found on the website ohio4truth.com.
Join us as we share the uncomfortable TRUTHS of Ohio Elections and learn how ordinary citizens can make a difference in the future of elections in Ohio.
Speaker Bios:
Gail Niederlehner- Gail has lived in the greater Cincinnati area her entire life, began her career in IT, then transitioned into many roles as she and her husband started and operated a small business for over 30 years. Following the 2020 election, Gail knew something was wrong with elections in our country and began researching. She discovered Ohio elections have not been secure and accurate for a long time and it is very possible recent events in Arizona elections could also happen in Ohio. She is volunteering alongside many other patriots across Ohio to inform and educate We The People of our corrupt elections and to bring much needed common sense reforms to Ohio’s election processes. She is instrumental in developing the website ohio4truth.com which provides a wealth of information regarding Election Integrity to the people that they might not otherwise see or hear on mainstream media.
Glenn Mehltretter is a Butler county resident since 1994 after graduating from ORU with a Film and TV production degree. His family owns a consulting company where he helps companies place the correct people into management roles based on the requisite organization structure. Glenn was a professional flatland freestyle bike rider in his youth and uses that balance learned to achieve skills in many industries. He flips houses (on house #7 now) sells commercial printing, owns a hand bindery business, and a production company for video and photography. He writes for magazines and corporations as well as does photography in extreme sports like paintball and BMX freestyle. He also runs multiple YouTube channels with multiple millions of views for his content. He started the “Trails of Doom” brand and has studied algorithms for years. When covid hit he had free time which was rare as he is typically so busy. So, he dug into the election integrity situation and what he discovered shocked him. After reading the forensic reports for the Tina Peter’s hard drives in Colorado as well as reading hundreds of affidavits from election officials all over the country. He also read the Maras affidavit which showed there were only 2 companies certified to approve the voting machines, but they lost their accreditation… He has put on the record all of this proof of election issues to the Butler County Board of Elections. As well as given, it all to the Butler County Sheriff. Education of the public is key so he has been vocal publicly as well as online and has proof of government officials shadow banning his comments about the election issues on Facebook.
**This Class has been Cancelled**
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
**This Class Has Been Cancelled**
Hear Roger Grein’s Story on Making a Difference
An inspiring story of a mother who didn’t accept her sons’ limitations due to his disability. Join us for a viewing of the inspiring documentary about the life and legacy of Roger Grein, a successful local businessman and philanthropist. “Roger Grein: An Empowering Philanthropy” details Roger’s extraordinary life of humility, service, and perseverance. We all have something to learn from Roger’s determination to thrive in the midst of adversity, disability, and loss, with the support of his community, sheer grit, and his faith.
The many twists and turns in Roger’s life led to a special calling: in 2008, Roger started Magnified Giving, an educational nonprofit that empowers over 5,000 young people to be philanthropists each year. Come to this class to watch an inspiring documentary, and then hear directly from Roger about why he’s devoted his “third act” of life to educating, inspiring, and engaging youth in philanthropy.
Speaker Bio:
Roger is a successful businessman, long-time philanthropist, internationally recognized softball coach, and founder of Magnified Giving. An entrepreneur since age seven, Roger made his first, significant philanthropic contribution as a young teenager and has been freely giving of his time, talent, and treasure for the past sixty years.
He founded Magnified Giving to engage young people in philanthropy, and since 2008, Magnified Giving has granted $1.2 million dollars to local nonprofits through the hands of over 35,000 youth. In 2022, Roger was honored with the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service by the Rotary Club of Cincinnati. He also received Redwood’s 2022 Shining Bright Award, recognizing how he has overcome the barriers of Cerebral Palsy to be a role model to those in the community with distinct abilities.
Learn how highly intelligent elephants are with their complex emotions, feelings, compassion and self-awareness.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Elephants represent strength and good fortune. They also symbolize health and happiness and are thought to promote spiritual wellbeing in our daily lives. Elephants are strong and nurturing, they are loyal to their family and are determined and protective.
In this class we will learn the basics on the different species; body structure, physiology, eating habits, environment, family structure, social behaviors, mating, reproduction, and rearing their young.
Elephants impact the environment; planting trees, digging wells, changing the world around them which is why they are called a “keystone species”. We will learn how they interact with humans, their current status, threats against them, and what we can do. The Cincinnati Zoo elephants project is to be completed in 2024.
Speaker Bio:
Mike Biere is a 1964 graduate of Aiken H.S., USMC 1966- 1968, Vietnam 1967 – 68 B.S. and M.S. in biological sciences. He worked as a conservation consultant and field biologist before switching to work as an IT technical consultant.
Retired in 2016; currently doing volunteer education and research projects at the Cincinnati Zoo. In 2023 he was offered a part-time position as an assistant elephant keeper at the zoo.
He teaches free guitar classes at Springdale Nazarene Church on Tuesday evenings. He has been a guitarist/vocalist since 1962 in various bands plus lots of solo work. 60’s music.
Take 20: Education Reform in Ohio with Troy McIntosh
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Learn About What the Ohio Freedom Action Network Can Do For Ohio!
Wondering what’s happening in America, and what you can do about it? Here’s what Tom Hach, Free Ohio Now says: · Axiom: If people don’t want to be free, they won’t be, because every generation includes those who want to rule over all the rest! · Corollary: If people DO want to be free, they have to earn it! But today there’s no place for us to invest our time, effort and money to earn our freedom.
The goals of the Barnstorming Tour are to help people understand what we are confronting as a nation by using three videos he developed as teaching tools, and to then encourage them to up their game as sovereign citizens by taking action by supporting one of three Ohio Freedom Action Working Groups below or other worthy causes.
Ohio Election Integrity Network: For free and fair elections
The Ohio Roundtable (roundtableohio.com): Media powered by citizen journalists.
Ohio School Board Constitutional Coalition: Support constitutionally minded school board members
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Hear from Troy McIntosh with Center for Christian Virtue, Ohio Christian Education Network. Troy is back to visit with us again with the latest Ohio News in education to include; Educational Choice, Status of the Backpack Bill, School Choice progress across the country, 3rd grade reading guarantee, and SB1 and school board reform. Also to be discussed is the Governor’s proposed takeover of the Ohio Board of Education.
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Speaker’s Bios:
Tom wears many hats including being the Executive Director of Free Ohio Now and the State Director of Ohio Freedom Action Network (OhioFAN). Through these positions, he has worked hard alongside many dedicated people to bring together like-minded leaders and individuals from across Ohio to facilitate communication and coordinated actions in the cause of perpetuating our God-given inalienable rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
After many years, Tom retired as an IT program manager, and he also retired from the Navy Reserve after a 21 year career, during which he served in Iraq from 2006 to 2007. Additionally, Tom is in his third term as a school board member.
He has a BS in Chemistry from Miami (Ohio) University, and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. He lives in the Cleveland-area, and enjoys a good cigar once or twice a week!
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Troy McIntosh is Director of CCV’s Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN). Troy comes to OCEN after serving 27 years in Christian education as a teacher, principal and, for the last eight years, as head of school at Worthington Christian School in Worthington, Ohio. Prior to his time in education, he worked in the Ohio House of Representatives in the Legislative Services Commission Fellowship program.
Troy’s time at Worthington Christian, he served the broader Christian school community as an Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Regional Council Member and Accreditation Commission Member, accreditation team chairperson, and conference presenter. For the last 15 years, he has held various roles with the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), including President of the Central District Athletic Board and Vice President of the OHSAA Board of Directors.
Troy is a graduate of Wheaton College (B.A. Economics) and The Ohio State University (M.Ed. Education) and is a Colson Fellow with the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He and his wife Julie live in Westerville, Ohio and have three grown daughters.
Learn about the stealth government working behind the scenes focusing on issues that only matter to them.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Why all the craziness in today’s society? Have you been wondering why so many companies, organizations, and politicians do not seem to be operating in the interest of their most loyal customers or supporters these days? Why does Disney produce movies and shows that are so family-unfriendly to the average family? Why do utilities that burn coal and companies that produce fossil fuels promote how green they are?
Why does it seem like every car ad is for an electric vehicle? Why does the NFL plaster political slogans all over their fields and their players’ uniforms? And why does the Republican Party in Ohio seem so oblivious or resistant to the desires of its most reliable supporters on issues like Critical Race Theory and the Backpack Bill?
The uncomfortable truth is that a “stealth” government is at work behind the scenes, and it has been working on and implementing its plans for over 50 years. Now, this strange new “government” does not need to remove existing elected officials or boards of directors. It simply uses its vast amounts of money and its thousands of key influencers in the corporate, academic, media, and not-for-profit spheres to coordinate those of like mind and to intimidate the rest into acquiescence with their plans. Those who resist are removed from their positions. This strange “government” only focuses on issues that matter to them and they leave local government leaders alone to make normal, daily decisions.
The World Economic Forum (WEF), which meets in Davos, Switzerland and the UN coordinate this “government’s” operations, which are massive and span the industrialized world. This class will look at what these organizations reveal about their goals and their progress. It will also show that many of the major corporations and non-profits in the world have literally signed onto the programs of the WEF and the UN. And that explains why they act as they do.
The class will not deal in speculation. It will deal only in facts that have been obtained from the websites of the WEF, the UN, and about 10 other partners.
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Flock Cameras & Your Privacy
Did you ever wonder why there are cameras literally everywhere? What happens to your privacy? There are cameras being installed in various Cincinnati townships recording people entering and exiting the area. How does this impact our rights to privacy? Dan Unger will give a short presentation on Flock Surveillance cameras and why he thinks they are not in the best public interest. Dan will be speaking from 7:10-7:30 PM.
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Speaker’s Bios:
Tom Hagedorn has been studying American history for over 30 years. Some of his study has focused on education. Eight years ago, he published “Founding Zealots: How Evangelicals Created America’s First Public Schools, 1783-1865.” It tells how those first schools came about and what they were like. But it also describes in detail how this story has been ignored and distorted by the progressive historians who have a very different vision for American schools, society and government than did our Founders. Since he published his book, he has been focusing on the increasing role of socialism and socialists in American institutions, what some have called “the long march” of western Marxism through our institutions.
Tom has been providing investment advice to individuals for four decades. When he was not researching and writing Founding Zealots and studying history, he was involved in various political, charitable, and community activities. He remains active in all those things and in the fight to return the schools to a traditional role in American society, in service to their parents and to their parents’ values.
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Dan Unger was reelected in 2021 to a second term as a Colerain Township Trustee. He also served two elected terms on the Northwest local school district Board of Education and was a volunteer member serving 11 years on the Hamilton County tax levy review commission. He values liberty and freedom above all else and believes that if additional government spending would solve society’s problems, our problems would have been gone long ago.
Vivek Ramaswamy to Join EmpowerU Program and Speak at 6:40 PM! Special Start Time!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
*Update- Class Starts at 6:30* Vivek Ramaswamy joins Empower U to talk about the Presidential run 6:40- 7:00.
Maurice Thompson is the Executive Director of the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, a non-profit, non-partisan law firm dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights of Ohioans. Tonight, Maurice will join us to discuss a range of important topics starting off with a proposed Ohio Amendment for Property Tax Relief. How would this work? Who would it impact?
Also to be discussed is, requiring supermajorities to increase taxes of any kind, and a few other ideas that aren’t in the amendment. Our class will be almost a “Focus Group” class as Maurice is seeking input from EmpowerU on the changes being considered. Maurice will be speaking from 7:30-8:15 PM
Matt Mayer has a Florida/Texas vision for Ohio. Mike DeWine and John Husted were just re-elected and most likely their second term will mirror their first term which is why Matt is beginning now to explore if Ohioans will support his agenda. Matt will talk about his agenda in this class, how he will fight the big fights and paint with Ronald Reagan’s bold colors. His agenda can be found at www.ohiomatt.com as he’s putting it out there now so that we the people can hold our elected officials accountable for what they do and don’t do in the coming years.
Matt is a political outsider with an impressive bio and accomplishments however as an outsider he needs a lot of time to build grassroots support and funding to run and win a Republican primary. He has been in the trenches fighting the big policy battles his whole career at the highest levels, he’s raised billions of dollars and been part of top national races in the past, so he has experience and knows what he is doing. Do you want our children’s education to be the best in the country? Do you want to grow our economy, shrink spending and taxes? Register for this class to learn more about future possibilities for a better Ohio. Matt will be speaking from 7:00 -7:30 PM.
Speaker Bio:
Maurice Thompson is a constitutional rights lawyer, author, commentator, speaker, and founder and director of the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law. Maurice fights for liberty across Ohio in high-stakes constitutional rights cases and provides legal support for freedom-oriented ballot issues. He has defeated state and local governments and agencies to protect property rights, taxpayer rights, free speech, parental rights, entrepreneurs’ rights, privacy rights, freedom to contract, and healthcare freedom. Maurice specializes in the Ohio Constitution.
Maurice comes from a long line of Wood County, Ohio farmers. Since growing up in Northwest Ohio, he has lived in Oxford, Cleveland, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Columbus, running his own businesses and working in a diverse array of organizations including the National Taxpayers Union, the Sam Adams Foundation, and the Buckeye Institute. He moved back to Ohio to start the 1851 Center in 2008.
To read more about the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law–Click Here
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Matt A. Mayer is the President of Opportunity Ohio and weekly contributor on Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati radio. In his role, he develops strategic policy positions, advises policymakers on a wide range of issues, designs and evaluates public opinion surveys, creates educational videos and collateral material aimed at key constituencies, engages with all elements of the media, conducts fact-finding missions, and speaks to groups in America and Europe on a variety of topics. Mayer led a nine-state campaign to stop the expansion of Medicaid and has conducted strategic policy summits for top state and national groups. Opportunity Ohio’s targeted educational videos have received more than 18.4 million views on social media in the last seven years. Mayer accurately predicted BREXIT, the election of Donald Trump, the budget deficit in Ohio in 2017-2018, the enormous enrollment in Medicaid that surpassed government estimates, Ohio’s continued mediocre private sector job market, and the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris 2020 Democratic ticket.
Mayer has written and spoken extensively on the importance of competitive federalism in renewing the American promise. Previously, Mayer served as a monthly columnist for The Spectator USA and U.S. News & World Report, a Visiting Fellow for the American Enterprise Institute, and a Visiting Scholar for the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. where he wrote extensively on national security issues. You can follow him on Twitter (@ohiomatt) and all of his op-eds can be found on his Substack page, The Patriot Mind.
Mayer has worked in public policy and politics at both the state and federal levels. He was a senior official at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security where he provided DHS leaders with policy and operational advice as the Counselor to the Deputy Secretary, including participating in crisis management activities following Hurricane Katrina. He also headed the $3.5 billion terrorism preparedness office charged with developing initiatives to transform America to meet the demands of a post-9/11 environment. Mayer engaged in bilateral counterterrorism exchanges with the United Kingdom and Israel, did briefings in The White House Situation Room and at NATO, and headed America’s largest full-scale national exercise focused on a pandemic virus attack (fifteen years before the COVID pandemic). For a complete bio and accomplishments please go to https://ohiomatt.com/about/
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Vivek Ramaswamy founded Roivant Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company, in 2014, after a career as a successful biotech investor. A 36-year-old first-generation American, he is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School. Vivek became a hedge fun partner in his 20’s, and grew up the child of immigrants in the small town of Evendale, Ohio. He now lives with his wife Apoorva and their son Karthik. Vivek took on the nation last year and published his book Woke, Inc. which takes you behind the scenes of corporate boardrooms. Vivek will share with us what has happened since the publication of Work, Inc and also share information about his new book which comes out in September 2022 called Nation of Victims.
Mr. Ramaswamy serves on the board of directors of the Philanthropy Roundtable and the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity. In his new book Woke, Inc. Vivek takes you behind the scenes into corporate boardrooms and five-star conferences, into Ivy League classrooms and secret nonprofits, to reveal the defining scam of our century. The book begins as a critique of stakeholder capitalism and ends with an exploration of what it means to be an American in 2021. Vivek is a graduate of St. X High School and has recently been turning heads on Tucker Carlson’s show and on the Opinion pages of the Wall St. Journal.
Cold War 2.0: The Renewed Rise of the "Middle Kingdom" and a Grand Strategic Failure of U.S. Policy. Is the U.S. and China in a new “Cold War”?
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Greg Lawson’s presentation tonight will describe the history of contemporary U.S.-China tensions as well as outline considerations for future strategy to deal with the challenges posed by these tensions. After over a century of falling behind the Western world after centuries of being the dominant power in Asia, China is now poised to reclaim its global position as the “Middle Kingdom,” a central power in the world unto which other nations are expected to pay appropriate respect.
This rise to a near peer status with the United States was greatly facilitated by the United States as unwise economic considerations took over from what were initially cold, strategic calculations that drove the Nixon opening to China over half a century ago. Now, in the wake of a “reserve Opium War” where illegal fentanyl largely originating in China floods the United States, the massive loss of billions in intellectual property rights, the lies about the initial spread of COVID-19, as well other major geopolitical issues, the U.S. and China seemed locked into a new Cold War that risks going hot over things like the status of Taiwan. Further, a technological competition is underway the likes of which have not been seen in a generation.
Together all of these factors make the issue of China one of the most significant global security challenges the U.S. has ever confronted since its own rise to global power status.”
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Remember early television? Karen Cartier will present points from the life and ministry of Fred Rogers. He taught children using “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood” how to cope with their own feelings in an honest, straightforward way, always truthful. He spoke to a child’s level of understanding how to distinguish fact from fiction and to know that feelings are mentionable and manageable. We all can take a page from his life’s ministry. Karen will join us from 7:10-7:30 PM.
Speaker’s Bios:
Greg R. Lawson is a Research Fellow at The Buckeye Institute. In this role, Lawson works with all members of the Buckeye research team with a particular focus on local government and education issues. He is also Buckeye’s main liaison to the statehouse where he educates policymakers in both the legislative and executive branches on free-market solutions to Ohio’s challenges.
Prior to his position at Buckeye, Lawson served in the Ohio General Assembly as a Legislative Service Commission Fellow. He then went on to several government affairs roles focusing on numerous public policy topics, including Medicaid, school choice, transportation funding, and Ohio’s Building Code. He also has a background in PAC fundraising, grassroots organizing, and communications and served for five years on the boards of two Columbus-based charter schools.
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Karen Cartier: Karen is an avid reader, writer, learner, wife, and mother of two. She has worked in IT as a technical writer for over 30 years and is currently working full-time in IT. Outside of her paying job, she serves as an officer in Toastmasters International as well as a volunteer Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Less government in business and more business in government”. A campaign promise by President Harding in the 1920’s.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
The Harding Story: The story of President Harding, our 29th president, is not widely known. Harding has been relegated to a footnote of history, but he has a multi-faceted story which needs to be aired.
Warren G. Harding Presidential Sites Manager Sherry Hall will tell the fascinating story of his rise from humble beginnings to U.S. Senator and President. She will outline what he accomplished in his brief, 29-month presidency and what went wrong when his legacy took shape. An historian who specializes in the lives and times of Warren and Florence Harding, Hall is the author of the 2014 book, “Warren G. Harding and the Marion Daily Star: How Newspapering Shaped a President.”
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Current News on Ohio Politics
Tom Zawistowski will join EmpowerU to discuss the problem with the Republican Party for people who consider themselves Republicans and vote Republican. We will discuss recent issues affecting the Ohio Republican Party and the National Republican Party and how together they affect our ability to have a Representative Government that will help restore our Constitution, the Rule of Law and protect our Individual Freedom, Liberty and Prosperity. Tom will be joining us from 7:10-7:30 PM.
Speaker’s Bio:
Sherry Hall has been site manager of the Warren G. Harding Presidential Sites in Marion, Ohio since 2009. Prior to that, she managed the education programs for the site for nine years. She also authored a video script about the Hardings, designed education programs about the Harding era for schoolchildren and adults, and has written numerous newspapers and magazine articles. Hall is a former journalist, working as a reporter and editor at The (Canton) Repository, Canton, Ohio; The Marion Star in Marion, Ohio; and the Alliance Review in Alliance, Ohio. She is a graduate of Heidelberg University and a native of Marion. She and her husband, Kevin, have two grown children, Brett a history teacher in Marion, and Tricia, a geologist in Bangor, Maine.
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Tom Zawistowski- Tom, is the CEO and Founder, with his wife Nanette, of TRZ Communications, a 38 year old technology company based in Akron, Ohio. In 2009 he was one of the founders of the Portage County TEA Party, for which he became the Executive Director in 2010, a position he still holds.
In 2011, Tom was nominated by liberty leaders around the state to head a group of volunteers that was challenged with the task of putting on the first ever state convention for liberty minded citizens. His “We the People” Convention which was held at the Columbus Convention Center during the 4th of July weekend of 2011 was attended by over 1,000 Patriots.
He has been recognized as one of the top liberty group leaders in the nation for his efforts to defend the legal right of Liberty groups across the nation and he produces the popular We The People Convention Podcast which is Posted Every Friday at wethepeopleconvention.org.
Free speech, is it about to become history? Who’s censoring our speech? If you value free speech be sure and attend this class.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
We recently learned the U. S. Government has been censoring our speech; for example, the Twitter files revealed the FBI has been directing the news media and social media platforms to censor particular facts, narratives, and people. The government also has been intimidating us into self-censorship; for example, the DOJ has threatened to unjustly prosecute parents over their speech during school board meetings.
And the government has been trying to distort our concept of free speech; since the DHS’s Disinformation Governance Board was shuttered, we’ve received a torrent of propaganda designed to normalize the idea of restricting hate speech, hurtful speech, and disinformation. Taken together, these actions seem designed to prepare the public to accept laws that restrict our speech. Could this be why European Commission VP Vera Jourova claimed during a January 2023, Davos panel that America soon will pass laws criminalizing hate speech?
In this talk Mr. Mercier will cover the following: he’ll walk through the evidence that our free speech rights are under severe assault by our government; he’ll illustrate how a surprising number of Americans are passively accepting this notion of restricted speech; he’ll explain how this acceptance increases the risk of speech-restricting laws being passed; and he’ll make the case for why we must take individual responsibility for combating this assault, including educating others about the history, rationale, and need for absolute free speech.
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The Four Pillars of Ohio’s Business First Caucus
George Lang will be joining us from 7:10-7:30 PM.
In 2018, Senator Lang and several of his Senate and House colleagues created the Business First Caucus to help small businesses in Ohio thrive and become more successful. Since then, the Business First Caucus has grown to be the largest bi-partisan, bicameral legislative Caucus with a vast network of supporters including entrepreneurs and also public and private organizations throughout the state. Senator Lang will introduce the four pillars of Ohio’s Business First Caucus.
Tax Reform– We believe the key to a strong and prosperous economy is continuing to fight for lower tax rates and returning tax dollars to the Ohioans who earned them.
Regulatory Reform– One of our primary goals is to remove unnecessary restrictions on hardworking Ohioans, free small businesses from unneeded regulations, and make Ohio more attractive for both workers and businesses.
Smaller Government– Our focus is on reducing the interface government has in the daily life of workers and businesses and believe that government should only step in when it is necessary to ensure fair play.
Workforce Development– We believe that incentivizing workplace development, providing pathways for advancement and educating our future workers is necessary for facing the challenges of tomorrows economy.
“We believe supporting businesses should be at the forefront of policymaking. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, which is why we put businesses first”- Senator George Lang
Speaker’s Bios:
Michael Mercier is President of Screen Education, which provides research, training and consulting on the impact of information technology on human well-being. His research has examined the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical consequences of digital addiction, as well as its impact on academic performance and workplace productivity and safety. He has spoken to schools, corporate audiences, colleges and summer camps, as well as at numerous conferences. Mr. Mercier has presented his research to members of Congress, and to the legislative aids to numerous Senators. He holds a BA in Psychology from Vassar College, an MBA in Marketing from the University of Michigan, and an MS in MIS from the University of Cincinnati.
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Senator George Lang is currently serving his first term in the Ohio Senate representing the people of the 4th Senate District, which covers the majority of Butler County. He previously served two terms in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Senator Lang graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1985 with a major in Communications and a double minor in Marketing and Speech. Since moving to West Chester in 1990, he has been an active member of the community, including more than two decades in public service. After serving seven years on the West Chester Board of Zoning Appeals, he ran for and won the election for township trustee in 2003, where he served until being appointed to the House.
Following eight years spent in various sales and managerial positions at Procter & Gamble, Senator Lang left to start his own business in the financial services industry and has started numerous businesses since. Today, more than 100 people are employed by businesses he helped to create.
Lang and his high school sweetheart, Debbie, have been married for 36 years. They have two daughters, Amy and Alicia, and live in West Chester.
135th General Assembly Committee Assignments: – Small Business and Economic Opportunity Committee (Chair) – Finance Committee – Government Oversight and Reform Committee – Insurance Committee
This class has been postponed**
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
This class has been postponed due to a health problem with the Speaker. The speaker is committed to teaching this class and we will try to reschedule it in early May or June. If you want to be put on a list to contact you when the class is rescheduled please sign up with the link at the bottom of this class.
Love is overwhelming. After a loved one’s death, a divorce, an injury or disease, or another major life change, recovery often seems daunting, if not impossible.
Life After Loss is the go-to resource book for anyone who has suffered a major loss. With great compassion and insight, Bob Deits provides essential wisdom and practical exercises for navigating the uncertain terrain of grief and recovery. (Bob is shown below with his wife Nancy Meise).
Now in its 6th edition this guide is fully updated with advice on catastrophic losses, and guidance on using technology to maintain support networks. After a destabilizing change, Life after Loss helps you to find positive ways to put together a life that is necessarily different, but meaningful.
Tonight is your night to hear from the expert about this very important topic and ask your individual questions about a loss you might be dealing with and get direction on how to move forward.
“A roadmap for those in grief.”—Lawrence J. Lincoln, M.D.
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Attorney Rachel Citak joined us in 2021 to discuss Cancel Culture and joins EmpowerU tonight to catch us up-to-date and let us know about her new podcast: Attorney at Law, Advocate at Heart! Hear from Rachel Citak from 7:10-7:20 PM.
Speaker Bio:
Robert Diets – For more than 40 years Bob has specialized in helping people cope with major loss experiences including death, divorce, relocation, traumatic injury, sexual abuse as children and job loss.
Bob’s book, Life After Loss, has become a classic in the field of loss and grief. It is highly respected by professionals and deeply appreciated by those who have experienced a major loss. Bob is also the co-author of the children’s book, When Your Grandma Forgets, with, Maryann Makekau. The book helps children and adults understand more and cope better when a loved one has Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Earl Grollman describes the book as, “One of the classics in the field of crisis intervention.”
He has been a frequent speaker and Conference Leader on a wide variety of subjects related to the many aspects of loss and grief recovery. He has done training sessions for hospice workers, nurses, Stephen Ministry programs, grief support group leaders, military chaplains and others. He has appeared on nationally syndicated radio and television programs and was the keynote speaker at the World Burn Congress. Bob has been a pastor in the United Methodist Church for 54 years.
Bob was married to June Deits for 64 years before her death in 2016 after a 12 year battle with Alzheimer’s. In 2018 he was married to Nancy Anne Meise, a retired RN and Senior Advocate. Nancy is also a widowed person. She helps Bob lead Grief Support groups and works with him at Gold Canyon United Methodist Church in Arizona.
Bob is a graduate of California State College, Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology. He holds a Master of Theology degree from the Claremont California School of Theology in pastoral counseling and psychology. He has three children, ten grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren!
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EmpowerU guest Rachel R. Citak Ohio-licensed attorney and owner of her own legal practice, RACHEL R. CITAK, ATTORNEY AT LAW LLC. Her firm services clients across Ohio in multiple practice areas. Additionally, her conservative advocacy and public relations work has included appearing on Ohio news stations and testifying at the Ohio Statehouse. In addition to publishing op-ed articles as a member of the Cincinnati Enquirer Board of Contributors, she has also authored op-eds in the Western Journal and Columbus Dispatch—with a feature by Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire. Prior to opening her firm, she specialized in Criminal Law with a focus on prosecution in law school while clerking for the Ohio Attorney General and Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office.
Rachel has extensive experience working in Columbus as both a registered lobbyist and in-house counsel. She currently serves as a board member for Cincinnati Right to Life and Stand With Cops. As passionate firearms enthusiasts, Rachel and her husband Rob are active members of the second amendment community in addition to serving as advisory attorneys for the USCCA network. When she’s not servicing her clients, you can find her participating in equestrian sport, hanging out with her German Shepherd and Cavalier Spaniel, or shooting her Glock 42 on their outdoor range at home.
Special EmpowerU Holiday Zoom Class!
EmpowerU Virtual Zoom Class www.EmpowerUAmerica.org ,
Kirsten Hill, an outgoing member of the State Board of Education will join us at the beginning of our class from 7:10-7:45. Kirsten, will discuss Senate Bill 178 which is currently being considered that would put the Ohio Department of Education under a cabinet-level official in the governor’s office and rename the agency the Department of Education and Workforce–DEW. A cabinet official, chosen by the Governor, would oversee the department, a task currently held by the state school board. The department would have two divisions: one for primary and secondary education and one for workforce training.
Currently, the 19-member state school board, made up of 11 elected members and eight members appointed by the governor, would continue to exist, but it would be stripped of most of its duties. It would oversee educator licensing, and possibly discipline and select the superintendent of public instruction. who would be an advisor to the DEW leader in the governor’s office.
According to Governor DeWine, “I think what the public expects is accountability. And it’s hard to have accountability under our current system with joint control.” The Education Committee’s committee chair, Sen. Andrew Brenner, a Delaware County Republican, said the new department would likely begin in 2025. Brenner said he’s frustrated with the Ohio State Board of Education because it is not holding the Education Department accountable. The state board has been beset with infighting and Ohio hasn’t had a permanent superintendent of public instruction for nearly 15 months*.
What do you think of the Governor and Ohio Senate’s Direction for Ohio Education? What will happen if the Governor’s office transitions to a Democrat–will any progress be totally flipped or changed? Kirsten will give us her analysis and also give a few suggested bullet points for more effective change. Kirsten Hill will be with us from 7:10-7:45.
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From 7:45-8:30 PM Brendan Shea will join us. Brendan is also a State Board of Education member. He will give us his thoughts about the Governor’s proposed change but mostly he will be with us to discuss Title IX and the Federal Impact of our Government on Ohio Schools. Brendan Shea recently introduced a four-page resolution State Board of Education that opposes the Biden Administration’s expansion to Title IX. Title IX is a federal law that has banned discrimination based on sex in school since 1972. On June 23, the U.S. Board of Education proposed an expansion to Title IX to include protection for students who face discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Shea’s resolution would stop transgender students from using the bathroom and locker room of the gender they identify with. It would also stop them from being allowed to try out the sports teams that reflect their gender identity. Shea said the U.S. Department of Education’s changes would “require sports teams to be based on gender identity rather than biological sex, forcing biological women and girls to compete on an unfair basis against biological males for athletic opportunities and scholarships.”
Critics of Shea’s resolution say that the state could lose federal education funds if they are found in violation of Title IX. The Board of Education has heard testimony from a large number of people about this subject and sent the resolution to an Executive Committee for consideration. The resolution is due for a vote at this month’s meeting.
Hear from Brendan about Title IX in Ohio from 7:45-8:30 PM. Learn from him about the coercion taking place by the Federal Government on our local schools and what might happen to Ohio students if we don’t take a stand now. There will be time for your questions.
*Some information taken from Cleveland.com
Speaker’s Bios:
Kirsten Hill- Kirsten is an elected member of the Ohio Board of Education since January 2019. She is chairman of Totally Engaged Americans, a community group of conservatives, in Lorain County. It was founded in 2009 and meets monthly. She also helps lead Free Ohio Now, which was founded in 2020 in reaction to government tyranny and Ohio Freedom Action Network founded in late 2021 to support local group leaders.
Kirsten and her husband, Andy, operated her family’s year-round farm market in Lorain County for 25 years. She also ran a seasonal farm-tour business, hosting families and preschool through elementary classes for many years. She has two children, a software developer and a physician. Prior to being a small business owner, she worked as a certified public accountant in Cleveland and in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Kirsten was on the Amherst Schools Education Foundation board for 20 years and on the Amherst Township Board of Zoning Appeals for 15 years, most of them as chairman. Kirsten has a degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration.
Brendan Shea- Brendan was elected to the State Board of Education by the people of the 10th District in November 2020. The 10th District includes Adams, Brown, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Gallia, Greene, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Madison, Pike, Ross, Scioto and the western portions of Pickaway and Vinton counties.
Hailing from a large family of educators, Brendan believes deeply in the life-changing power of education. He believes education should focus on the good, the true and the beautiful and that children must learn to think critically and develop wisdom and virtue, allowing them to achieve their God-given potential and to become engaged citizens and productive members of society.
As the father of five young children, Brendan knows firsthand the unique challenges families face in raising and educating their children today. He believes parents are the first and primary educators of their children, and he will be a strong voice for both parents and children on the Board.
We Regret that This Class Has Been Cancelled due to family Illness.
Madi's House 2360 Kipling Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45239
Thursday, November 17, 2022
We regret that This Class Has Been Cancelled due to family illness. We hope to reschedule in Spring 2023
We will start the evening touring Madi’s House which was founded in 2020 by Steve and Julie Raleigh in honor of their daughter Madison who died by suicide on January 17,2019, after battling mental illness. For nearly a half million people in our area, when struggling with addiction and mental illness, the current system is broken.
Money is spent on short-term crisis recovery but very little is spent to prevent relapse, or in transitioning back into everyday life. There is a vicious cycle of illness, treatment, and relapse with no long-term solution, especially when transitioning back into everyday life. Madi’s House fills an unmet need by providing a welcoming, non-judgmental, upbeat, and enjoyable place to simply hang out! Madi’s House breaks that cycle, and is the only one of its kind in the region. Julie Raleigh will give us a tour of Madi’s House and talk about the challenges and successes.
At 7:45, we will meet and hear from Steve Raleigh on meteorology. Meteorology is the science dealing with the atmosphere and its phenomena, including both weather and climate. Beyond weather forecasting, meteorology is concerned with long-term trends in climate and weather, and their potential impact on human populations. An important area of meteorological research these days is climate change and the effects it may cause.
Steve Raleigh will share his 38 years of being a meteorologist, and his experience covering tornados, tropical systems, broadcasting live from a cruise ship steaming into San Francisco Bay, broadcasting live from inside a plane with the nation’s leading stunt pilot, and broadcasting weather from the top of the Golden Gate Bridge. Let’s hope Mother Nature doesn’t come calling on November 17.
Speaker’s Bio:
Before coming to WCPO 9 in 2005, Steve spent nearly 20 years at KRON-TV in San Francisco as their Chief Meteorologist. He pioneered the country’s first instant weather information access, the California Weather Network. While there, he represented the United States at the World Weather Conference in Barcelona, Spain. He also broadcasted live from the White House lawn during a Presidential Conference on Climate Change. He’s become somewhat of a hurricane hound broadcasting live from the scene of over a dozen tropical systems. Steve is in his 38th year in meteorology covering everything from tornado outbreaks to major snow events, and still brings his my “comfortable” air mattress frequently using it during severe weather seasons.
In 2020, Steve and wife Julie founded Madi’s House in honor of their daughter Madison, who died by suicide on January 17, 2019, after battling mental illness and addiction for many years. The Raleigh Family including Madi’s three siblings assists any and all who are struggling with addiction and mental health issues to find true happiness and recovery through Madi’s House. With Madi’s House, they hope anyone struggling will find relief in order to avoid the same fate Madi faced. Madi’s House is a free, non-residential community center for young adults who struggle with addiction or mental illness. It is a safe place to hang out providing fun, recreational activities and emotional support to foster ongoing wellness.
"Not in Our Town" -- New book to be discussed.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, November 17, 2022
(Note: Madi’s House event originally planned for tonight has been cancelled due to family illness. It has been replaced with the following season ending event)
Join EmpowerU tonight for our SEASON ENDING EVENT–the end of our 24th Semester!
Happy Hour * Appetizers * Sandwiches * Peter Bronson * Guitarist Daniel Regenold * Fun!
From 6:00-7:00 PM we will host a happy hour event with the following DETAILS:
–Beer, Wine and Sandwiches to be provided,
–Please bring an Appetizer or Dessert
–We’ll have some GREAT entertainment–Guitarist Daniel Regenold to Entertain
–Let’s have fun–maybe bring a friend or neighbor
Peter Bronson’s Class will start at 7:15 PM-8:15 PM–Get your signed copy of the book! We are very glad to have Peter back to talk with us and entertain!
How did Cincinnati stay “Ivory clean” while the Mob ran an empire of gambling, prostitution, drugs, corruption and murder right across the river in Newport? The answer is in Peter Bronson’s new book, Not in Our Town, a sequel to his regional best-seller, Forbidden Fruit: Sin City’s Underworld and the Supper Club Inferno.
Not in Our Town is an amazing, untold story of the gritty and dangerous battle against organized crime. As the Mafia moved in, the Queen City fought police corruption, sex scandals and epic battles against underworld smut king Larry Flynt, making national headlines with its crusade for decency.
Career newsman Peter Bronson did extensive research into FBI files, national archives, court testimony and interviews to find out about…
The underworld network in Ohio cities
Mafia bosses who lived in Cincinnati
The silent partners in Larry Flynt’s empire of porn
Police corruption and stag parties with hookers
How the media was played by the porn Mob
A plot to blow up the U.S. Supreme Court
A CIA spy linked to the JFK assassination who worked for Larry Flynt
The “Wizard of Odds,” Charlie Keating, Si Leis, Jerry Springer, the Mapplethorpe meltdown and more…
“Most people today would not understand what it was like in the 1970s. You had to be there, to live through it, to describe it. This book is an entertaining history, informative and well written.” – Former Cincinnati Police Vice Detective Jimmy Simon
Get your RSVP in for this event!
Speaker Bio
Peter Bronson, author of ‘Not In Our Town’, Forbidden Fruit, and several other books, was editorial page editor and columnist for The Cincinnati Enquirer for nearly 20 years. Under his leadership the Enquirer was judged Best Editorial Page in Ohio four years in a row.
Before coming to Cincinnati in 1992, he was editorial page editor and columnist at The Tucson Citizen in Tucson, Arizona. He started his news career in Michigan after graduating from Michigan State University in his hometown of East Lansing, Michigan. He has served on several non-profits, including Casa de los Niños home for abused children in Tucson; Northern Kentucky Children’s Home; Leadership Cincinnati; and Cincinnati Right to Life. He was a regular panelist / producer on the Channel 9 WCPO TV show Hotseat, and also on the weekly Tucson news show Arizona Illustrated.
He’s been a contributing editor and columnist at Cincy Magazine, and now is owner and publisher of Chilidog Press LLC, which offers publishing, writing, edition and consulting. His 2005 book, Behind the Lines: The Untold Stories of the Cincinnati Riots, was a regional best-seller. He is co-author of Legacy of Courage: True Stories of Honor Flight Veterans, and Legacy of Courage II. Chilidog Press has published dozens of books, including Judge A: Irretrievably Broken, Dance When You Can and the national award-winning Submerged.
He is active as a group leader at Horizon Community Church. He enjoys working on old sports cars, playing golf and travel. He is the father of two, and lives with his wife, Kathy, in Milford.
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Entertainment
Daniel Regenold, lead guitarist for the well-known Cincinnati Band The Vims, and local performer, will entertain us tonight with Acoustic Guitar Music to help us close out our 24th semester at EmpowerU. Daniel will play a one hour set starting at 6:00 PM.
This season-ending event is always a fun place to meet new friends and enjoy. See you then!
This is your opportunity to learn everything you have ever wanted to know about the US Secret Service past and present.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Jim Meyers, a previous US Marine Corps Officer and Vietnam combat veteran, will reflect on his time served as a Special Agent with the US Secret Service during the Nixon and Ford Presidencies. He will educate us on the beginning of the US Secret Service, the post-civil war monetary challenge posed to President Lincoln’s surviving union, the Cincinnati connection (“Greenbacks” and Chase), and the consequent need and spawning of key Federal Law Enforcement Agencies from its own ranks.
In addition, he will cite how the agency’s little-known crime-fighting capabilities have expanded- as technologies have advanced over time and economic risks have been brought to bear on US citizenry by new cybercriminals. These new criminal activities, impact the US economy well beyond the statutes dealing with counterfeiting, forgery of government securities, and personal protection- for which the USSS has been known. And, these new global criminal activities have led to the creation of sophisticated cyber-forensics and interagency task forces to reach the perpetrators.
In addition, the protective intelligence mandate for which the US Secret Service is known globally, has been expanded to include the coordination of local, state and federal law enforcement and intelligence services to oversee the security of selected special events, such as our Cincinnati’s “Flying Pig Race,” “The World Series” of major league baseball, and National Football League’s “The Super Bowl.”
Jim will give his personal reflection on his own time served in Special Agent training, the field office, foreign dignitary protection assignments, and presidential protection serving at The White House, Key Biscayne, and San Clemente. Come prepared to ask Jim questions about things you have always wanted to know about the Secret Service. Jim Meyers presentation will go from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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From 7:05-7:30 PM –Jeff Capell will join us to talk about phone scammers. Telephone scams have grown rapidly and it seems like they’re only getting worse. These scams cost Americans billions of dollars per year, but government efforts to combat them are mostly ineffective. At this class we will learn about the scam industry, the most common types of scams, and how to protect yourself and others. We will conclude by learning how you can fight back against the scammers.
This will take us into the world of scambaiting – where ordinary folks waste valuable time of scammers to prevent them from victimizing others, while learning more about their operations and using that knowledge to inform others. Scambaiters have been quite effective at costing scammers money, and you can find numerous viral videos of the hilarious moments their interactions have created. Join us for a fun and informative presentation where we’ll learn about the scamming world and the tactics used by scambaiters to fight back
Speaker’s Bio:
Jim Meyers:Jim Meyers graduated from Gettysburg College in 1964 and began his military service in the US Marine Corps shortly thereafter. Upon graduation frothe Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in 1966, Jim received small leadership training at The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia, followed by additional training at Camp LeJeune, NC. He was deployed to the Republic of South Vietnam in 1967 and assignd to the 2d Batallion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
Jim is a combat Vietnam Veteran participating in numerous tactical patrols and operations, including Operations Tuscaloosa, Independence, Union I and II, Dixie, Essex, and the battle for Hue (“Hway”) City. In addition to his expert marksmansp badges, service and campaign ribbons, he is also the recipient of several combat personal and unit awards, such as the Navy Achivement Medal with Combat “V,” Two Presidential Unit Citations, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. His unit’s action, as well as his 13 month combat tour of duty has been memorialized in author Lucia Viti’s book: Dr. Tom’s War: A Daughter’s Journey, published in 2010.
In 1968, after his combat tour of duty, Captain Meyers was selected as the Aide-de-Camp for Major General Mike Ryan, Deputy for Education, US Marine Corps, Marine Corps Base Quantico. Following his release from active duty, Mr. Meyers entered federal law enforcement and was commissioned as a Special Agent with the US Secret Service in Washington, DC, serving with the Nixon and Ford Presidencies.
Entering civilian life, Jim served a 25 year industrial career and credits his rapid rise to leadership positions to the training he received in the Marine Corps. He has actively led, at the executive level, several companies known for developing bioactive implantable products to reconstruct damaged human bodies. He holds 4 patents in the field of implantable medical devices and retired from that industry in 2004. He has served as a member on Boards of Directors in industry, venture capital, church and charities. Jim is a Christian and served four years as a Supply Pastor in the United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Florida.
Jim Meyers now resides in Blue Ash, Ohio, with his wife of 45 years, Susan Rose- with whom he is raising the “last in the ranks” of their six children. He has served on the Board of Fellows of Gettysburg College, and stays active in the Association of Former Agents of the US Secret Service, the Marine Corps League Detachment 968 in Deerfield, and is Past Commander of Northeast Post 630 of the American Legion in Blue Ash, Ohio. Jim was recognized as the 2018 Veteran-of-the-Year by the City of Blue Ash.
Jeff Capell is an experienced local activist who has taken both leading and supporting roles in efforts that have saved Hamilton County taxpayers over $1 billion. He is the Chairman and co-founder of No More Stadium Taxes, which works to prevent further stadium taxes and subsidies. Jeff was elected to Blue Ash City Council in 2017, defeating a 17-year incumbent, and was re-elected without opposition in 2021. He worked for 20 years as a professional economist until retiring at age 44 in 2020, shortly after which he became an active scambaiter.
“Ours may become the first civilization destroyed...by the ignorance of our teachers and the dangerous nonsense they are teaching our children”—Thomas Sowell
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thomas Sowell is one of the great social theorists of our age. In a career spanning more than a half century, few scholars have matched his range and accessibility. He has written more than forty-five books, covering topics from economic history and social inequality to political philosophy and race. In all his work, Sowell would strive to prove that “facts and evidence matter.”
(Thomas Sowell pictured with his friend Milton Friedman)
Sowell’s bold and unsentimental assaults on liberal orthodoxy have endeared him to so many but enraged most of his fellow intellectuals and civil-rights establishment and many in the media. As a result, critics with political correctness and wokeness have demeaned or ignored his important contributions.
“Racism is not dead, but it is on life support—kept alive by politicians, race hustlers, and people who get a sense of superiority by denouncing others as racists.”
—Thomas Sowell
Tonight, you will learn about the life of the great economist Thomas Sowell, originally a Marxist, who became a student of Milton Friedman’s at the University of Chicago. Was Sowell’s teaching similar to Friedman’s or different? Sowell talked frequently about higher education that often meant the lowering of expectations for blacks and minorities. He challenged his students and rejected the idea that you help minority progress by holding them to lower standards.
Although 2/3 of his writing was on subjects other than race, he started weighing in on racial controversies out of frustration at the direction of public discussion. Sowell, when discussing universities passing over White and Asian students for students that fit a specific skin color, Sowell said:,
“What sort of grotesque situations have we talked ourselves into when a promised pre-med student is passed over in favor of a ‘high risk’ student?” — Thomas Sowell
Dan looks forward to discussing Thomas Sowell’s work through his own words and video and tonight his life will be presented in a way you may not know. Be prepared to examine your own thoughts and feelings on the important issues of our day. Dan will speak from 7:15-8:30 PM.
“If you believe in equal rights, then what do “women’s rights”, “gay rights”, etc. mean? Either they are redundant or they are violations of the principle of equal rights for all”–Thomas Sowell.
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At the start of the night meet Cherise Wilson a leader from the Black Republican Renaissance (BRR) Group for a few minutes. Their organization seeks to consult with politicians/candidates on how to successfully do outreach to urban, black communities. They also host content that challenges main stream media views on conservative/republican leaning people of different backgrounds.
After Cherise, Hear from Dawson Smith on the Forest Hills Board of Education Election.
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Dawson Smith will be presenting his personal observations and opinions on factors that contributed to the successful election of four (4) conservative and Republican Party endorsed candidates to the Forest Hills School District (FHSD) Board of Education (BOE). The FHSD includes Anderson Township, and Newtown Village.
Dawson attributes this achievement to good and hard working BOE candidates; a dedicated policy team; and superior ground game teams. All of whom worked synergistically to help educate a significant number of FHSD citizens, parents, and property tax paying voters to issues involving the outgoing and past BOE’s, and the top level FHSD administration. Dawson will speak from 6:55-7:15 PM.
Speaker Bio:
Dan Regenold: Dan first became active in Government in 2003 when he became involved fighting Eminent Domain and helping stop it in Evendale and in Norwood, Ohio. In 2006, he was one of the founders of WeDemandAVote.com which successfully fought and stopped, by ballot initiative, a sales tax increase in Hamilton County, Ohio. Later WeDemand stopped Red Light Cameras in Hamilton County.
Regenold spoke at the CPAC Convention in 2008 to discuss major Grassroots initiative actions across the United States. In 2009, Dan was unsuccessful in his efforts to bring accountability to the Federal Government’s finances with a citizen lead initiative WeDemandABalancedBudget.com. In 2010 Regenold was one of three leaders of the initiative to End Ohio’s Estate Tax which happened in 2011. The Tax Foundation called the repeal of Ohio Estate Tax one of the most important Tax accomplishments of 2011. In 2011 Regenold founded EmpowerUAmerica.org (starting it’s 24th semester in Fall 2022), a Free University offered in the Greater Cincinnati area with the goal of “empowering” citizens.
In 2014, Regenold was one of the leaders of the effort to separate Music Hall from a County Wide Sales Tax which helped the Museum Center renovation get passed by the voters of Hamilton County. Dan has recently concentrated his efforts on the mess of Public Education in Ohio and specifically on topics like School Choice and Critical Race Theory. Dan is a lover of Liberty and enjoys speaking to EmpowerU classes about subjects he is passionate about. Recently he has discussed: Milton Friedman, Saul Alinsky, Net Neutrality, D-Day, The Deficit, How to Destroy America in America, Public Education, Winston Churchill and President Theodore Roosevelt at EmpowerU Classes. Regenold is founder and Chairman of FrameUSA.com, a Made-In-America picture frame manufacturing company in Springdale, Ohio.
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Dawson Smith is a 32-year resident of Anderson Township. Each of his two sons went through FHSD elementary (Wilson), middle (Nagel), and high schools (Turpin). They continued their academic education and graduated from the University of Utah (’12), and the US Air Force Academy (’13) respectively. And presently have ongoing and successful business and military careers.
Dawson Smith is an Anderson Township Republican Party Precinct Executive and Ward Chairman. He is also a member of the Hamilton County Republican Party Executive Committee, and was a recent reform minded candidate for the Ohio Senate District 7 Republican Party State Central Committee (SCC).
Dawson’s main political work and focus is on “political operations”. Meaning the recruiting, training, assisting, and holding Precinct Executives accountable for executing the “ground game” tasks of helping Republican and conservative candidates get elected.
Dawson has attended Candidate and Campaign Management programs, conducted by the Ohio State Republican Party, and several Political Action Committee groups. He has also attended the regional US Constitution Boot Camp, and the on-line Hillsdale College courses on the US Constitution, and other subjects.
Prior to his retirement in 2016, Dawson earned and executed Senior Manager roles in a world-class high tech medical device company (presently Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies- Lakewood, CO). During his 40 years with the Company, he was a recognized individual contributor, and leader of talented engineering, operations, and marketing/sales colleagues and teams. Which helped the Company grow from zero sales in 1982, to approximately one billion dollars in annual worldwide sales, and industry leading market share, and profitability, by 2016.
Dawson also worked as an Industrial Engineer in the semiconductor industry (Motorola Semiconductor- Phoenix, AZ). and, during the Vietnam and Cold War eras (LTV Aerospace- Dallas, TX), and for the Top Secret US government contractor (Mason and Hanger- Amarillo, TX). Which managed the final assembly, and maintenance of the US arsenal of thermonuclear weapons.
Dawson is an active member of Horizon Community Church in Newtown; continues his 53 years of dedicated and continuous multi-sport triathlon fitness training; and self manages a portfolio of family investments.
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Cherise Wilson: A lover of freedom, a wife, mom, veteran homeschool parent (son graduated in 2022), community garden /food share organizer, VP of Black Republican Renaissance, Precinct Executive in Forest Park, volunteer/member of for Secular Pro Life movement, Conservative Agnostics/Atheists, Deaf Conservatives, active member of Ohio Battleground Alliance and Northeast Republican Women. Univ. of Cincinnati 1998 graduate.
Explosive, stunning, and shocking: The story of an American company and the Third Reich.
IBM and the Holocaust was first published in 2001 and again in 2012, yet there are many people who have not heard of the events, in this book. The discoveries came about from a visit to The Holocaust Museum in Washington DC. While Edwin and his parents (who survived Hitler’s reign) stood looking through a glass at an IBM machine, and not understanding the significance, he promised them he would find out why it was there.
It is the stunning story of IBM’s strategic alliance with Nazi Germany—beginning in 1933, in the first weeks that Hitler came to power, and continuing throughout World War II. As the Third Reich embarked upon its plan of conquest and genocide, IBM and its subsidiaries helped create enabling technologies, step-by-step, from the identification and cataloging programs of the 1930s to the selections of the 1940s. Only after Jews were identified—a massive and complex task that Hitler wanted done immediately—could they be targeted for efficient asset confiscation, ghettoization, deportation, enslaved labor, and, ultimately, annihilation. It was a cross-tabulation and organizational challenge so monumental, it called for a computer. Of course, in the 1930s no computer existed.
Black’s book is so enlightening because it paints a richly textured picture of how a man (Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM), and an entire company, can ignore all sense of morality while not once transgressing the lines of business ethics. The case is simple and stunning: that IBM facilitated the identification and roundup of millions of Jews during the 12 years of the Third Reich.
Speaker’s Bio:
Edwin Black is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling international investigative author of 200 award-winning editions in 20 languages in 190 countries, as well as scores of newspaper and magazine articles in the leading publications of the United States, Europe and Israel. With more than 2.2 million books in print, his work focuses on human rights, genocide and hate, corporate criminality and corruption, governmental misconduct, academic fraud, philanthropy abuse, oil addiction, alternative energy and historical investigation. Editors have submitted Black’s work thirteen times for Pulitzer Prize nomination, and in recent years he has been the recipient of a series of top editorial awards. He has also contributed to a number of anthologies worldwide. He hosts the weekly Edwin Black Show. Black’s eleven award-winning bestselling books are IBM and the Holocaust (2001 and 2012), Financing the Flames (2013), British Petroleum and the Redline Agreement (2011), The Farhud (2010), Nazi Nexus (2009), The Plan (2008), Internal Combustion (2006), Banking on Baghdad (2004), War Against the Weak (2003 and 2012), The Transfer Agreement (1984 and 2009), and a 1999 novel, Format C:.
Take 20: Orlando Sonza for State Senate (9th District)
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Leonard Franklin Slye, famously known as Roy Rogers and the man who would become known to the world as the “King of the Cowboys” was born to Andrew & Mattie (Womack) Slye in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1911.His family lived in a tenement building on 2nd Street in downtown Cincinnati. When he was just a year old, his family moved to Portsmouth, Ohio on a houseboat and Leonard spent his formative years in Portsmouth, Ohio. Leonard attended McDermott High School until his sophomore year when his family moved back to Cincinnati, where his father worked in a shoe factory.
He was an American cowboy actor and singer who glorified the cowboy era in Hollywood with his charming singing and action-packed acting. For many Americans and people throughout the world, he was the embodiment of the all-American hero. Rogers’ humble background and the financial adversities that he faced when he was young did not stop him from becoming a matinee sensation and an American legend; From 1939-1954, he made it to the Motion Picture Heralds’ Top Ten Money-Making Western Stars Poll and was listed in it for 15 years at a stretch. In the early 1970s, he sold the rights to his name to the Marriott corporation and they used his name, which represented his stature, popularity and fan following, to convert their Hot Shoppes locations to ‘Roy Rogers Restaurants’.
For his brilliant contribution to the Hollywood cinema and glorifying the cowboy era, Rogers received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, second star for his singing and contribution to the radio and third star for his contribution to the television. But Roy Rogers was more than just a cowboy movie star, he was a father, a philanthropist and an overall good guy.
Tonight we will take a walk through the life of Roy Rogers. John will discuss Roy Rogers from 7:30-8:30 PM.
Don’t forget to wear your cowboy or cowgirl hat!
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Candidate for Ohio State Senate, 9th District, Orlando B. Sonza Jr., will speak at EmpowerU on why he’s running for state office, how he plans to win this race, and give you an update on his campaign. If you live or know someone who lives in the 9th district and hasn’t met Orlando, this is your chance. Orlando will speak from 7:10-7:30 PM.
Speaker’s Bios:
John O’Neill–In John’s 35 year professional career he has participated in and managed people and projects in the corporate as well as the consulting services industry. His professional background includes significant career experience in a broad spectrum of business disciplines including sales of technology resources, corporate and consulting services management, software development and personnel training.
Orlando Sonza is proud to be an Ohioan. A second generation Filipino American, Orlando was raised in New Jersey and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. While there he met his wife, Jessica, a Mexican/Filipino American, fellow Academy classmate, and Cincinnati native.
Orlando graduated top ten in his class at West Point where he majored in political science and minored in systems engineering. Upon graduation, he and Jessica both commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Orlando served on active duty as an Infantry Officer and Finance Officer with the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
After leaving active duty, Orlando and Jessica moved to Cincinnati to raise a family. While helping to raise their kids, Orlando obtained his master’s degree in taxation from the University of Cincinnati and his law degree from Georgetown Law. Orlando is an Ohio CPA with experience working in Big 4 Accounting as a senior tax accountant. While in law school, he was a legal intern at the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal & Tax Divisions. Orlando currently works at the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office.
Orlando and Jessica currently live in Springfield Township with their four children.
The "Pandemic" has exposed the brokenness of our “Health Care System”.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Have you noticed how the (legal) Drug Culture permeates everything, everywhere in our society? We’re bombarded with pharmaceutical ads (did you know that ONLY the U.S. & New Zealand, among industrialized nations, even allow direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medication?); we pay more for drugs than any country in the world; as of Dec. 2021, “U.S. medical bills & indebtedness were responsible for 66.5% of all American personal insolvencies.” HOW DID WE GET HERE??
Dr. Debbi will present a discussion of our broken Sick Care System, over-regulated by the corrupt FDA (Fraud & Death Administration), misguided by the CDC (Center for Disease & Corruption) & dominated by Big Pharma. She’ll share some history of how this mess started: the Oiligarchy, spawning the Flexner report, commissioned by the Carnegie Foundation…& the insidious eradication of any & all alternative, complementary, eclectic medical schools—any training program that did not support the burgeoning science of pharmacology.
We’ll discuss the healthcare politics of legislation that allowed this transformation of American medicine, & horror stories of pioneers in natural healing who have been systematically squelched, suppressed, imprisoned—or worse, depriving untold numbers of Americans from receiving safe, effective, non-toxic healing remedies & even cures. All of which will demonstrate why it is so critical for us to stand up & speak out, to demand action by our legislators—to preserve our very bodily autonomy. A bibliography will be provided. Dr. Debbi will speak from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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Darbi Boddy, is an elected “conservative” member of the Lakota Board of Education. Darbi will discuss the baseless but unrelenting ridicule from the institutional establishments that continue to control education in our county and their attempts to discredit her. Darbi will speak from 7:10-7:30 PM.
Speaker’s Bio:
Dr. Debbi Silverman: Debbi Silverman, M.D., C.W.C., the “Recovering Allopath,” practiced conventional Adolescent Medicine & Family Practice (& later, Addiction Medicine) for over 30 years—but got over it! Passionate about wellness & disenchanted with Sick Care, this former New Yorker has embraced Functional/Complementary/Alternative Medicine & holistic/energy healing modalities, from hypnosis & cymatics to herbal & homeopathic. She has taught U.C. graduate & medical students, retirement communities, public & professional groups. Her signature MeduTainmentTM programs combining performing arts & wellness education have delighted audiences from Ohio to Florida for 25+ years. “Dr. Debbi’s Musical Medicine Show,” a parody of healthcare in Cincinnati & America, has been presented regionally & in the 2005 Cincinnati Fringe Festival of the Arts.
After getting embezzled in 2000, Dr. Debbi spent several years doing professional acting & singing, & became a Certified Wellness Coach. Back in Medicine, she worked at the Health Dept’s Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic, then treated chronic pain patients & addiction clients in Suboxone clinics—always searching for better, non-drug, holistic approaches. Most recently, she’s done some professional Medical Illustration, creates 3D found-art dioramas, & is rehearsing with her wonderful keyboard player, Mitch Liberman. She’s still convinced that music & laughter are the best medicines!
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Darbi Boddy- On November 3rd, 2021, Darbi Boddy was elected to the Lakota Board of Education. She is the wife of a Marine. They have been married for 17 years. Darbi has four children, three dogs, two cats, two guinea pigs and a snake. She grew up north of Dayton in a small farming town, where she was a multisport athlete, played the Oboe for 7 years, and was in her high school flag corp. Darbi went to a local college on a cross country scholarship.
Darbi had a unique childhood growing up in the Dayton area. Her parents became foster parents at her request which resulted in many foster children moving in and out of her home. When Darbi was 14, she met her adopted brother when he was just three days old. Darbi has always had a heart for special needs children, volunteered to assist with the special education gym class in high school, and had a job in college working for a paraplegic and with students with cerebral palsy.
Darbi is a wife, a mom, volunteer in the community and church, an accomplished bodybuilder, and has run three half marathons. Darbi has over 20 years of experience in business, with 17 years in retail management. Her volunteer work has taken her to Jamaica, Italy, Switzerland, and a Hopi reservation in Arizona. She has been involved in many non-profit organizations including Roots Family Collaborative, Family Outreach Inc., Reach Inc., the Salvation Army, Family Promise, National Parks Conservation, Red Cross and Kaboom.
As a member of the Lakota Board of Education, Darbi has distinguished herself as a bold and hardworking advocate for the conservative values that she based her campaign on. She serves on the Board’s Policy, Diversity, Facility and Safety Committees. Darbi’s community involvement includes Habitat for Humanity and Lakota Cares. The growing and unwavering support she garners from her unwillingness to cower in the face of the baseless but unrelenting ridicule from the institutional establishments that continue to control education in our county, is not just an inspiration to all in this battle, but is a clear indicator that a change is upon us.
Take 20: Betsy Sundermann Discusses the Importance of the Domestic Relations Judge
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Described by Alexander Hamilton as the “least dangerous branch”, the United States Supreme Court continues to play an important role in the American experiment. We hear about the important cases all the time, but often it is hard to understand them and determine their importance.
Join Joseph Ashbrook, President of the Cincinnati Lawyer’s Chapter of the Federalist Society as he discusses the five most important Supreme Court cases of all time from Marbury v. Madison to present. Joseph will speak from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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Betsy Sundermann will join us tonight to discuss Domestic relations cases which include divorce, separation, unmarried parent, and modification cases about child custody, parenting time, and child support. The judiciary enforces the law, under the Constitution, citizens must be confident of obtaining protection for their rights and freedoms. A judge always should act with dignity and perform his duties to the highest standards to uphold and maintain the integrity of his/her office. Judges play a significant role in the fabric of our society and are elected to their position by the people. It is important before an election to know the judges you will be voting for. Betsy will be speaking from 7:10-7:30 PM.
Speaker’s Bio:
Joseph Ashbrook: Joseph is President of the Cincinnati Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society. Founded in 1982, the Federalist Society promotes the principles that the state exists to preserve freedom, separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution, and it is the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be. Mr. Ashbrook was the editor-in-chief of the Virginia Law Review and currently practices at the law firm Ashbrook Byrne Kresge LLC, providing outside general counsel and litigation services for businesses and individuals.
Betsy Sundermann: Betsy has the resume and the experience to serve as Hamilton County’s next Domestic Relations Judge. She has served as a Hamilton County Prosecutor, Magistrate, and as a member of Cincinnati City Council. She has also practiced law privately, helping clients with mental health issues. She understands the importance of having strong families, and will utilize her experience as an attorney, prosecutor, magistrate, community leader, and mother to ensure that the Domestic Relations Court is the first step in strengthening our Hamilton County families. Strong families result in more opportunities and safer communities. Betsy is currently serving as a Magistrate in Hamilton County Probate Court. She resides in Cincinnati with her husband and two daughters.
Has the United States Military Gone Woke?
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Congressman Davidson will address developments in the military that are jeopardizing readiness, including: Covid-19 vaccine mandate for service members, use of taxpayer dollars to pay for gender reassignment surgery, lack of inspector general for tens of billions in taxpaper-funded assistance to Ukraine, lack of accountability for disastrous 2021 Afghanistan departure, and lack of oversight into DOD’s purchasing of Americans’ domestically, browsing history, and other data.
The Congressman looks forward to answering your questions on these, and other, important issues. Due to redistricting, Congressman Davidson is now the Congressman for several northern Hamilton County areas. This is your chance to meet your new representative. Congressman Davidson will speak from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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From 7:10 to 7:30, hear from Karen Cartier on Being The Best You Can Be! Socrates once said: “We cannot live better than in seeking to become better.” During this engaging presentation, we’ll begin by gauging our physical health, emotional health and spiritual health from a practical point of view. The main point of the exercise is to recognize that we can be our best in order to help and care for each other, not only focus on ourselves.
Speaker’s Bio:
Congressman Warren Davidson: Warren Davidson was born and raised in Sidney, Ohio. He enlisted in the Army after high school and later earned an appointment to West Point. He served in the Old Guard, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and the 101st Airborne Division. After returning to civilian life, he helped grow his father’s small company with 20 employees to multiple companies with over 200 employees. Warren has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 27 years, and they have 2 adult children.
In 2016, Warren won a special election to fill the remainder of the term of outgoing US Representative John Boehner. He was re-elected in 2020 to his 3rd full term in Congress, and serves on the House Financial Services Committee. He also serves on the United States Military Academy Board of Visitors, the House Warrior Caucus and House Army Caucus.
Karen Cartier: Karen is an avid reader, writer, learner, wife, and mother of two. She has worked in IT as a technical writer for over 30 years and is currently working full-time in IT. Outside of her paying job, she serves as an officer in Toastmasters International as well as a volunteer Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Find out about the latest cyber-threats and what to do about them.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Cyberattacks are rising in frequency and severity and it seems that no organization or individual is safe from cybercrime. In this seminar, we’ll bring you up to speed on the latest cybersecurity threats and what you can do to protect yourself, your family and your organization. Topics covered will include:
How we got here
Threats – Email / Phishing, Social Engineering, Malware, Misconfiguration, Internet of Things, and Deepfakes
Come prepared to hear from a real expert in the cybersecurity field. Dave is always ready to answer all of your questions too!
Speaker’s Bio:
Dave Hatter: “Doomsday” Dave Hatter is a technology leader with nearly 30 years of software development, cybersecurity and project management experience. He has earned numerous industry certifications and, holds a BS in Information Systems from NKU. Dave is especially good at bridging the gap between business and technology and has delivered more than 200 successful software solutions earning nearly 60 testimonial letters from his clients. Additionally, he has written or contributed to 12 technology books, written more than 100 technology related articles for publications and, been quoted in many publications.
Libertas Technologies, the software development company Dave founded in 2001, was honored with many awards, but he is especially proud of winning the Cincinnati Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in 2007. Dave is now a Cyber Security Consultant at Intrust IT, where he works with clients to educate them about cyber security risks and to help them defend their assets.
Dave is a regular on-air contributor on WXIX (FOX19) and Local 12 (WKRC-TV) and he can be heard every Friday morning at 6:30 AM on 55KRC’s “Tech Friday” segment with host Brian Thomas. He was elected Mayor of Fort Wright, Kentucky in 2014 after serving eight terms on the Fort Wright City Council. Dave currently serves as the VP of Training and Certification for the PMI Southwest Ohio Chapter, and has also served on numerous other boards.
Take 20 with Jack Atherton who explains
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
EmpowerU is excited to have Jay Ratliff join us to talk about any and everything pertaining to aviation. If you live in radio distance of WKRC and WLW in Cincinnati than no doubt you at some time have heard Jay. The ‘Pandemic” significantly changed the airline industry making flying less enjoyable, and less dependable. Jay will talk about how an airport in any region impacts the economics of that area, he will give travel tips that will save you money like when to buy your tickets, what to do if your flight is cancelled, etc.
Making sense of the summer of misery is no easy task, but Jay will tackle that issue as well. He has some crazy stories of happenings in the airport and on the plane that will have you laughing or scratching you’re head. For those online participants that may not know Jay be sure to mark your calendar to sign up, as Jay’s knowledge and advice is pertinent for everyone wherever you live. Jay Ratliff will speak from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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Jack Atherton joins us tonight to talk about Elite Capture. Elite capture is a term now being used by the Chinese to describe their infiltration of Washington, high-tech, universities and perhaps the most spectacular capture in history, that of the president of the United States for at least $31 million. However, the threat goes far beyond China to the one world mindset of elites in business, academia, media and the rest of America’s ruling class aiming to overturn the foundational idea of America: that of anti-authoritarianism, limited, decentralized government and, most important, individual rights.
In tonight’s segment we will begin by noting that liberal filmmakers have been warning of this future for at least forty years, from Blade Runner to more recent dystopian flicks like Spielberg’s Ready Player One. We will also cover a lot of ground, geographically and historically. and end by urging the audience to move forward and unite. Jack will speak from 7:10-7:30 PM.
Speakers’ Bios:
Jay Ratliff has served as the Aviation Analyst for iHeart Radio for 31 years and FOX News for the last 17 years following his management career with Northwest Airlines. After his position with Northwest Airlines was eliminated, he decided to take his part-time love of stock trading to full time and moved into a motel room to create his approach, living in the Travelodge motel at the Dayton Airport for ten years as he did so. During that time, he delivered newspapers from 4:00am until 7:30am, watched the stock market from 9:30am until 4:00pm and ended his day building GM car seats from 5:30pm until 2:30am. (Existing thru the week on 2-3 hours a sleep per night)
Several years later he launched the Day Trade Fun company as he started teaching people from around the world his approach to flipping stocks for quick profits and has been doing so for the last 12 years.
Jay is a Travel Weekly Magellan Award winner for his contributions to the Travel industry and in 2006 teamed up with Marlo Thomas on her best-selling book “Right Words at the Right Time.” His contribution was featured in Reader’s Digest in May of 2006, and he won their Editor’s Choice Award as more than 80 million people were reached.
Jay has also spent considerable time in prison…(pause for effect) as he worked with the Ohio Department of Corrections helping to create the EXODUS Program. The program was designed to help inmates transition from prison to the workforce and was implemented 30 days prior to the release date.
Jay has been married to his wife Sherry for 16 years and is a dual resident south of Dayton and in Savannah, GA. He has two daughters who serve as ICU nurses.
Jack Atherton- , former anchor at FOX19 and WLWT, and friend of EmpowerU will join us. After anchoring and reporting in San Antonio and Miami, Jack helped start The Ten O’Clock News on Cincinnati’s FOX19. During his 15 years there, it was among the highest-rated primetime newscasts in the country. Jack also contributed columns to Cincinnati Gentlemen magazine and taught a course on the history of electronic media at the University of Cincinnati. Jack has discussed the Media at EmpowerU sessions in the past.
The Education of a Free Man
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
This talk is devoted to one of the greatest works in the History of American Politics, Frederick Douglass’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself. This book is at once a damning indictment of American Slavery and an inspiring tribute to the power of the human soul.
No book seems to capture better the natural human longing for freedom, equality, and dignity. While our primary task will be to understand the character and purpose of this great work, we will also reflect on Douglass’s career through his other great works and speeches. Gregory McBrayer returns to EmpowerU for a second very important class and will start his presentation about 7:30 PM.
Speaker’s Bio:
Gregory A. McBrayer – An Assistant professor of political science and director of the core curriculum, joined Ashland University in 2017. He teaches courses in political philosophy and international relations. Prior to coming to Ashland, he was an assistant professor at Morehead State University, a postdoctoral fellow at Emory University, and a visiting assistant professor at Gettysburg College. He has published articles in Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy and Kentron: Revue Pluridisciplinaire du Monde Antique, as well as reviews in Interpretation, The Journal for Hellenic Studies, The American Journal of Islamic Social Science, and Political Science Quarterly. He is the author (with Mary Nichols and Denise Schaeffer) of Plato’s Euthydemus (Focus, 2011) and is the editor of Xenophon: The Shorter Writings (Cornell, forthcoming).
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Hamilton County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board has cancelled on attending EmpowerU’s Information Session Tonight. Erik Stewart, Executive Vice President cancelled his appearance and gave EmpowerU 24 hours notice. EmpowerU contacted Hamilton County two months ago (August 17) and has had constant email correspondence with their representative Jens Sutmoller since about this meeting. To read more about Hamilton County Ohio and where your money is being spent–Click Here. We appologize for an inconvenience this causes you. We had invited Hamilton County Jobs and Family Service to discuss their upcoming Mental Health Levy which is an approximate increase in the levy costs of 32%.
Join us for the virtual only class from Influence, and Persuasion Expert Bill Gladwell
Remember how easy it was for most of us to make friends in grade school? Not only were we less worried about being rejected, but we weren’t as particular about who we were hanging out with. And it was a huge advantage that we had opportunities to interact with other humans daily.
As adults, things have changed. Aside from the fear of rejection, making new friends takes time — making time can be difficult. So instead, we lament the fact that our circle of friends is shrinking. You’re not alone.
In addition to discussing How to Make Friends as an Adult, Bill will be discussing How to Communicate with Difficult Family Members.
Speaker’s Bio:
Bill Gladwell: For over 30 years, Bill has been a consultant, speaker, and writer focusing on hypnosis, influence, and persuasion. He has helped hundreds of thousands of humans communicate effectively, ethically influence others, and get what they want.
“Think ‘How to Win Friends & Influence People’ but updated, hipper, and more effective.”
(That’s a quote from a seminar attendee, so take it up with her, Dale Carnegie fans!)
Bill is an expert on how humans interact. For example, individuals in a group are influenced by one another’s behavior making them more predictable and suggestible. Bill teaches how to use this phenomenon to influence others. (Note: A group can be as small as just two humans, so what Bill teaches applies to any human interaction you have.)
To you, this may mean meeting new humans, developing solid relationships, increasing your confidence, and having more fun. Others may want to make more sales, improve their negotiation skills, and increase their income.
The heart warming story of Samuel, and the mother who fought for his life to have meaning.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Do not miss this opportunity to hear a most amazing and heart rendering story from a mother who was determined to give her disabled son life, education, and opportunity. Never under estimate the power of a ‘Mama Bear’. Tera shares her journey that began when early testing showed her son, Samuel, had Downs Syndrome and her doctor advised her to terminate her pregnancy saying “if you do not you will be burdening your life, family and community.” Those were fighting words to Tera and she has proved to be a Champion in the Ring!
She believed “Her baby was a human being created by God and that made him worthy of life.” She not only had to fight the medical establishment but also the Teachers Union who thought it was a waste of time to give her son a good education. When she went to register Samuel for kindergarten she was told to just ‘put him where he would be comfortable, don’t stress him out by trying to teach him.’ When she pushed for him to attend his neighborhood school with his sisters, she was told to ‘just go home and let us do what we do.’ When she inquired about functional learning she was told ‘this is all you get, like it or not,’” Well, suffice to say, she did not like it! So instead of giving up she responded by working to pass legislation in Ohio for a special needs scholarship giving access to the programs that meet their children’s needs.
Tara also worked to start a new functional learning program at her local private school. All of this did not go unnoticed and the Proud Mama Bear relates what happened due to her efforts. President Trump invited her son to speak at the White House. Tera said “President Trump did not dismiss my son; he showed Samuel he valued him and was proud of what he accomplished. He gave Samuel an equal seat at the table”. This is an exceptional and inspirational personal pilgrimage which clearly shows you should never underestimate ‘The Power of One’. Tara will speak from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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Barb will explain the separation of powers between the three branches of government as set out in the Constitution, and how the recent actions of Congress and the President appear aimed at destroying the power of the Supreme Court. She will explain what codification is and how it works, and look into the legitimacy of executive orders.
Also to be discussed are recent actions of the Legislative and Executive branches to browbeat and dishonor the Supreme Court Justices in an attempt to override their independence in ruling on future governmental actions. She is concerned that the true purpose here is to ultimately delegitimize the Constitution itself. Barb will speak from 7:10-7:30 PM.
Speaker’s Bio:
Tera Myers: Tera has over 27 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. She has advocated for choice in education at the state and federal levels for the past 18 years. Her son Samuel is one of the first recipients of Ohio’s Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship, which she helped get passed in 2011. Upon passage of the bill, she partnered with a local private school to start and direct a special needs program. In December 2019, she and Samuel spoke at the White House for a Roundtable discussion on Education Freedom with the President of the United States.
Tera was a 2020 Republican National Convention speaker highlighting her family’s story and her work for Education Freedom. She is currently an Advisor for Families of Individuals with Special Needs with the American Federation for Children, based out of Washington, D.C. Tera’s passion is to help ensure that all students have access to an education that best meets their individual learning needs. Tera is the wife of Lewis, and the mother of Samuel, Lynsey, and Maggie.
Barb Horwitz: Barb was a member of the Butler County, Ohio, legal community for many years, serving first as a paralegal in two general practice firms, then as the bailiff for retired Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Sage, and finally as an attorney in a firm where she specialized in insurance litigation and consumer bankruptcy. She has continued her practice of insurance law and consumer bankruptcy in a partnership with her son Jonathan Horwitz at offices presently in Centerville, Ohio.
She resided for many years in Springfield Township, where she served as a president of the View Place Civic Association. In addition, she has volunteered in several political campaigns. She and her husband Gary have now resided and raised their family in Wyoming for several years.
Confused about the legality of carrying a firearm? Get Your Questions Answered.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
It is one thing to relax in the relative safety of your home, with a shotgun in the corner, or a handgun on your nightstand. It is an altogether different proposition to carry a firearm openly or concealed, on your person or in your motor vehicle outside of your home.
Guns on the Go, what you should know, must know, and can’t afford to miss about carrying a firearm outside of your home in Ohio. After this seminar, you will have a clear understanding related to carrying a firearm outside of the home in the State of Ohio.
Speaker Bio:
Sean Maloney: Sean is a licensed Ohio attorney with a firearms legal practice emphasizing Gun Rights, who practices in all areas of firearm-related law in both State and Federal Courts, including 2nd Amendment rights, Criminal Defense related to Federal and State firearms charges, Federal and State restoration of gun rights, National Firearm Act issues, Federal Firearms License representation, State lawsuits to enforce violations of Ohio’s preemption laws, and federal background Form 4473 NICS appeals. Sean is a criminal and civil firearms consultant and has appeared as an expert witness in a variety of civil lawsuits related to firearms. Sean is also a national speaker on topics related to the 2nd Amendment, self-defense, lethal force, and concealed carry.
Sean is a National Continuing Legal Education Speaker, educating Attorneys on topics related to State Firearms Law, Lethal Force and the Law, Legal Ethics related to Firearms Practice, Federal Title I & II Firearms, Firearms Dealers Licensing Requirements, Concealed Carry, Open Carry, Constitutional Carry of Firearms, the requirement of Federal Form 4473, and The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
In addition, he is a former member of the NRA Board of Directors, a member of the NRA ILA Speakers Bureau, NRA-ILA Frontlines Coordinator, NRA Golden Eagle Benefactor Life Member, Founder and Chairman of the Butler County Friends of Youth Shooting Sports Committee, a multi-discipline Certified NRA Firearms Instructor, Glock Armorer, Leader and Legal Counsel for Buckeye Firearms Association, Legislative Director of Buckeye Firearms Association, Director of Faculty Administrator Safety Training Emergency Response, F.A.S.T.E.R., (arming school personnel) in Ohio. Sean is a recipient of the NRA Jay M. Littlefield Memorial, for exceptional activism, Sean is a member of the NRA-Institute for Legislative Action, Hall of Fame.
Sean is also co-founder and Defense Attorney for Second Call Defense (www.SecondCallDefense.org), a national organization that provides complete legal protection for armed self-defense, with thousands of members in all fifty states. Second Call Defense provides immediate criminal defense and civil suit protection for members forced to use lethal force in self-defense. Second Call Defense provides access to all of the legal and financial protection members need to deal with police properly and defend members rights.
Ohio’s Most Sensational--68 Year Old-- Murder Mystery
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, September 29, 2022
We apologize, there is no recording due to technical difficulties for this night’s class
(One Armed Man)
It was a crime that stunned the nation, shivered the suburbs, and spawned “The Fugitive” television series. The 1954 Cleveland slaying of beautiful Marilyn Sheppard endures as the most infamous cold case in American criminal history. Because this 60 year saga featured an enthralling cocktail of sex, sin, and murder, while spinning more plot twists and legal turns than any mystery novel could render.
Found guilty of killing his wife, Doctor Samuel Sheppard was released from prison ten years later when his conviction was overturned. “Dr. Sam” was acquitted at his second trial in 1966, only to die four years later a haunted, broken man. But fascination with the case did not die with him.
(Sam Sheppard)
Join Crime Historian JT Townsend, as the author of the newly released “Summer’s Almost Gone” puts the pieces of this complex psychological and forensic puzzle together and names Marilyn Sheppard’s killer…
Speaker’s Bio:
J.T. Townsend- Townsend is a freelance writer, armchair detective, and lifelong resident of Cincinnati. He is the author of the 2009 regional true crime best seller Queen City Gothic, and 2014’s Queen City Notorious. His work has appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Magazine, Word Magazine, Crime Traveler and Clews. He has presented over 300 programs in the Cincinnati area as part of his True Crime Lecture Series, including Jack the Ripper, Lizzie Borden, the Lindbergh Kidnapping and the Lincoln Assassination.
Take 20: Americans For Prosperity on Healthcare
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
There isn’t a day that you turn on the news that you don’t hear about crime whether it is in your own community or someone else’s. Hamilton County has been fortunate to have a Prosecuting Attorney with the experience of Joe Deters, who has always been tough on crime. At a time where it seems like all of the focus is on helping criminals, Prosecutor Deters has remained focused on protecting the rights of victims.
Prosecutor Deters will talk about Ohio Issue #1 that will be on the November ballot, explaining the importance of this issue for the safety of everyone in Ohio. He will cover the challenges law enforcement is facing today, and what needs to be done to change the direction of rising crime. Even if you don’t live in Hamilton County, this is an issue that affects people across the country – and Ohio has the opportunity to do something to stop it. Prosecutor Deters will be joining us from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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Personal or Public Option? Every year Americans list Health Care as an issue they are most concerned about. While many are satisfied with their own care, they believe the system needs repair. Learn about the alternative from Ezra Escudero of Americans for Prosperity, see what is different between the two, and become empowered to make an informed decision on this most critical and costly issue. Become familiar with the areas this option will address, and why they were chosen.
Areas to address – This is not an all-inclusive list but highlights a few areas of concern and visions on how to improve. Insurance at an affordable price; access to the latest lifesaving drugs and treatments; ability to choose your doctor; knowledge of cost of service before bill is rendered; right to try experimental drugs and treatments; and safety nets for the most vulnerable.
Visions of how to improve: Expand health-savings accounts; strengthen Health Reimbursement Accounts; promote telehealth, repeal certificate-of-needs law, allow nurses to deliver the care they are trained for and allow both doctors and nurses to practice across state lines, speed up FDA drug approvals, and remove barriers to diagnostic health.
Ezra will expand on the benefits of the “Personal Option” and discuss whom to contact to share your concerns and how to become involved in this most critical and timely issue. American’s for Prosperity will be joining us from 7:10-7:30 PM.
Speaker’s Bios:
Prosecutor Joe Deters began his legal career in 1982 working as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Hamilton County’s Juvenile, Municipal, and Common Pleas Courts. In 1988, after six years as an Assistant Prosecutor, Joe was elected as Clerk of Courts for Hamilton County. While in this position Joe honed his skills as the manager of a large office and gained the respect of other officeholders and the community.
In 1992, Joe returned to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office after being appointed, and later that year, elected Prosecuting Attorney. Through his tireless efforts prosecuting tough cases, Joe garnered a reputation as a no-nonsense prosecutor of violent crime and became a key figure in making Hamilton County safer. Joe never lost sight of the victims in cases he prosecuted and he knew more needed to be done to help victims navigate the legal system. He created Hamilton County’s first ever Victim/Witness Advocate Program, giving victims of violent crime and their families the assistance they needed and deserved as they navigated the criminal justice system. Joe was subsequently re-elected in 1996 and continued to vigorously pursue his goal of making Hamilton County a safer place to live and work.
In 1999, Joe was sworn in as Ohio’s 44th Treasurer of State where he was responsible for collecting, managing and investing more than $11 billion in assets for the State of Ohio. In the fall of 2004, Joe returned to Hamilton County to once again run for Prosecuting Attorney. He was elected with nearly 60% of the vote. He was subsequently reelected in 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020.
As Hamilton County’s longest serving Prosecuting Attorney (1992-1999 and 2005-present), Joe currently oversees and manages an office of more than 170 employees which includes assistant prosecuting attorneys and support staff in both our Criminal and Civil Divisions. The office prosecutes felony and misdemeanor crimes committed by adults and all offenses committed by juveniles. The office also serves as the legal counsel for all county officials, county agencies, and various county boards.
Joe is a lifelong Cincinnatian, graduating from St. Xavier High School in 1975, the University of Cincinnati in 1979, and the University Of Cincinnati College Of Law in 1982. In May 1997, Joe was awarded the University of Cincinnati Distinguished Alumnus. He is a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association, National District Attorney’s Association, the Ohio Prosecuting Attorney’s Association, and serves on the St. Joseph’s New Cemetery Board of Trustees. Previously, Joe served on the University Of Cincinnati Board Of Trustees, Ohio Organized Crime Commission, and the Southern Ohio Leukemia Foundation. Joe is married and the proud father of four children and two grandchildren.
Mr. Ezra C. Escudero is an Ohio native of Mexican heritage who has earned a reputation for successful leadership in technology, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and public policy. While at The Ohio State University in the 1990’s, Ezra was an active International Studies student and a member of Alpha Psi Lambda, Romophos & Sphinx honor societies, and the OSU Speech & Debate team. Since graduating in 1996, he has worked in the tech industry, published a bilingual Spanish-English newspaper, and served in state government during the Taft, Strickland, and Kasich administrations. Today, Ezra serves as Coalitions Director with Americans for Prosperity in Ohio, and resides with wife Beth in Gahanna, close to family and friends.
Take 20: Manfred Schnetzer's life in Germany During and After World War II
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Meet Christopher Smitherman who is a candidate for County Commissioner of Hamilton County. This very important position is responsible for the 816,684 people in Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati. Christopher is well known as a three term past member of the City of Cincinnati Council where he was a fiscal conservative and fought for proper funding of police and fire. (Picture below Christopher with his family).
A former President of the NAACP, learn about what needs to happen in Hamilton County for us to make it great. You will also learn about important grassroots initiatives that Christoper has lead to improve our County. Christopher will be running as an independent in the election in November. He will be running against incumbent Democrat Commissioner Stephanie Dumas and Republican candidate Matt O’Neill.
This is your chance to meet Christopher and find out if he is your best choice for Hamilton County Commissioner. Christopher will be speaking from 7:30 PM to 7:45 PM.
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Hear from Manfred Schnetzer- the story of a boy who grows up in Germany during World War II and his eventual immigration to the United States. Manfred will speak from 7:15-7:40.
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Take 20, Part II–Bonus Speaker–Paul Jacob will join us from 8:15-8:30 PM. Americans for Citizen Voting works to constitutionally set voting as the exclusive right of U.S. citizens. In recent years, efforts to allow non-citizens to vote have succeeded in California, Maryland, Vermont and most notably last December in New York City.
This November, Ohio voters will see Issue 2, a constitutional amendment clarifying that only U.S. citizens are entitled to vote in all state and local elections in Ohio. In the last four years, Alabama, Colorado, Florida and North Dakota have passed such amendments with overwhelming margins. The ACV website is here: https://onlycitizens.vote/
Speaker’s Bio:
Christopher Smitherman was born on July 16, 1967, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father, Dr. Herbert Smitherman, was a chemist and the first African-American with a PhD hired at Procter & Gamble. His mother, Mrs. Barbara Smitherman, was a teacher and administrator at Cincinnati Public Schools. Christopher has five siblings – one sister and four brothers. Christopher and his five siblings grew up in North Avondale.
After attending St. Mark Elementary and completing high school at School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) he moved to Bowling Green, Ohio, to attend Bowling Green State University. Christopher studied at BGSU to obtain a master’s degree in counseling. Throughout his time in college, Christopher worked as a resident advisor (RA) and, in 1990, he accepted full-time employment as a hall manager at BGSU.
It was at BGSU that Christopher met Pamela Thorton. The two began dating and soon married.Pamela and Christopher married in 1990 and, in 1997, returned to Cincinnati and settled in North Avondale. Together, they raised five children – four boys and one girl – all products of Cincinnati Public Schools. Christopher is a Financial Planner and small business owner. He has owned and operated his financial planning practice since returning to Cincinnati in 1997.
In 2009, Christopher purchased the old Bond Hill Library and relocated his financial planning office to the building located in Bond Hill, Cincinnati. As a financial planner, On January 15, 2019 Christopher’s wife Pamela died after a two-year battle with breast cancer and an autoimmune disease. Pamela Smitherman was an educator at Cincinnati Public Schools and left behind her husband and five children.
Christopher was elected to Cincinnati City Council on November 4, 2003, as a member of the Charter Committee. During his term, Christopher focused on neighborhood improvements. He introduced legislation to pioneer regional economic cooperation via Joint Economic Development Districts (JEDD) and Cooperative Economic Development Agreements (CEDA). Christopher also worked to firm up the city’s working capital fund and played a leading role in ending Fire Department brownouts.
On March 27, 2007, Smitherman was elected president of the Cincinnati Chapter of the NAACP. During his term the chapter’s membership increased 600% from 500 to 3,000 members and the chapter’s debt was eliminated.
During Smitherman’s time as president, the Cincinnati NAACP co-authored and co-sponsored five ballot initiatives, three of which were successful. Those initiatives that passed included defeating a county jail tax, stopping red-light cameras, and allowing voters to ratify the sale of Greater Cincinnati Water Works. In order to place these initiatives on the ballot, Smitherman helped collect more than 100,000 signatures.
Christopher ran as an Independent on a platform of balancing the budget, properly funding police and fire, and fixing the city’s pension. He went on to win reelection in both 2013 and 2017. On December 13, 2017, Mayor John Cranley appointed Christopher to serve as the Vice Mayor. Cranley also appointed Smitherman to serve on the Cincinnati Planning Commission. Christopher serves as Chair of the Law and Public Safety Committee.
In the Spring of 2020, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine appointed Christopher to serve on the State’s Minority Health Strike Force. As a member of this board, he helped craft directives to address the covid impacts on minority communities across the state.
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Manfred Schnetzer: Born July 21, 1935 in FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, GERMANY.
Grade School in Stuttgart and Kempten/Allgaeu.
Started as Drafting Apprentice in 1949 in Kempten.
Immigrated to the United States in 1952 and lived in New York, Portland Maine and currently in Cincinnati, Ohio
Inducted into the US Army from 1958 to 1960
Married Regina Hueffer of Germany in 1961
Started work as Co-Op Student at General Electric Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati
B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1968
Retired in 2000 from GE after 38 years.
Currently V.P. of the German-American Citizens League and the German Heritage Museum.
He has six children; three boys and three girls and thirteen grandchildren.
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Paul Jacob is president of the Liberty Initiative Fund, a national organization helping citizens place issues on the ballot to hold politicians accountable, fight crony capitalism and protect our liberties. “If there’s anyone who’s been involved in more citizen initiative campaigns in the history of this country [than Paul Jacob],” said Los Angeles Times reporter Joe Mathews, “I’m not aware of them.” For more than a decade, Paul was the voice of the term limits movement, leading U.S. Term Limits, the nation’s largest such group.
April Few , from USPIE, Star of the Movie to Join Us for Discussion
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Join April Few who will be travelling, from Columbia, S.C. to visit with EmpowerU tonight to discuss and show the excellent film that USPIE has created called Truth and Lies in Education. The popcorn will be provided by EmpowerU as we watch and learn about public education from this great movie.
April Few is, a young mother of two, who embarks on an eye-opening exploration of the current state of American government schools and makes some alarming discoveries regarding agendas kept hidden from the eyes of both students and parents like her. Through a series of interviews with educational experts, she explores the following questions:
– Are public schools forming a wedge between parents and children?
– Are children being trained to become political activists for the political left?
– What is the true aim of so-called comprehensive sexuality education?
– How much transgender influence is there in government schools?
– How is Critical Race Theory indoctrinating American children?
– Is there a federal education scheme to control the nation’s workforce?
April meets the authors of several books that guided her journey of discovery and gave her a newfound mission—to educate parents of school-aged children about the indoctrination taking place in government schools.
Partial cast members of the movie include: Dr. Carol Swain, Sam Sorbo, Alex Newman, President of USPIE Sheri Few, Dr. Mary Grabar, Donna Hearne, E. Ray Moore, Dr. Duke Pesta, Jarrett Stepman, Dr. Gary Thompson, and Lily Tang Williams. The movie is about 1 hour and 9 minutes long. After the movie April will join us to discuss education in America and what she learned on the journey to make Truth and Lies in Education. Special time tonight for the movie and discussion is 6:30-8:30 PM at EmpowerU Studio.
The Mission for U.S.P.I.E. is – United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE) is a nonprofit, nationwide coalition that seeks to return education to its proper local roots and restore parental authority over their children’s education by helping parents and local communities to escape federal and other national influences. Grassroots leaders from around the country will work to 1) expose the lies being taught in government schools that harm children and threaten freedom, 2) encourage parents to take back responsibility to educate their children, 3) initiate and support efforts to return complete local control of government schools, and 4) encourage states to wean themselves off the federal education dole.
To read complete information about the Vision, Values, Honesty, Excellence, Fiscal Accountability and 2022-2023 Goals of USPIE—Click Here.
Shiver Me Timbers! Join Dan, out on the boat, for an important announcement tonight as EmpowerU embarks on an initiative to put God back into Ohio’s Public Schools. Reflecting on the wisdom of President Dwight David Eisenhower, we hope as Citizens you will join us in this important effort.
On February 7, 1954 President Eisenhower said, “Out of faith in God, and through faith in themselves as His children, our forefathers designed and built the Republic. We will recall the struggles of the Pilgrims, the testing of George Washington at Valley Forge, and the determined battle of Abraham Lincoln to save the Union: All of these men shared a steadfast belief in God.”
Let’s share that belief with the kids in our 614 Ohio Public Schools. Join Dan tonight for the announcement.
After the announcement, Dan will bring us up-to-date on EmpowerU’s November, 2019 class “About the Debt”. We’ll take a look at the Federal Debt and the Budget of the United States of American in 2022. Where are we are at in the Country right now and how does compare to where we were just 3 years ago?
There were several benchmarks we discussed in the previous budget class–how will they compare today? We will try not to bog you down too much in actual numbers but think you will find the trends interesting.
Finally, we will take your calls using call-in technology…as we start our 24th semester. This is your chance to sound off about anything you want–maybe a few things are on your mind… Student Loan Debt– The Border–The Inflation Reduction Act–Climate Change–Extremism, Crime, God, The Ohio Secretary of State and more.
You can call into the show at: 513-572-1266.
Speaker Bio:
Dan Regenold is the Managing Board Member of EmpowerUAmerica.org. Dan looks forward to our 24th semester of FREE classes to help you Educate * Enjoy * Engage. He is proud of the team and the GREAT schedule they have put together for you this semester. See you at the events and join us. To read Dan’s Bio Click Here.
Even if it's your second time watching, join us and discuss!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, August 4, 2022
Join EmpowerU At The Movies!
Registration is Full, Thank You For Your Interest!
At a recent EmpowerU session we took a poll of over 100 people to find out how many of them had seen the movie 2000 Mules and how many of them wanted to see it again. Over 60% of the people attending told us they wanted a showing to see the movie for a 2nd time! Join us for this important movie on August 4. Sign up for your free tickets now.
2,000 Mules is a documentary by political commenter Dinesh D’Souza. The data from the film was provided by the non-profit, True The Vote, an organization run by Catherine Engelbrecht. The documentary refers to “mules” as those who were paid to illegally collect and deposit ballots into drop boxes in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin during the 2020 presidential election.
According to former President Donald Trump: “This movie exposes the lies of the Democrats, RINO’s and Fake news who say it was the “most secure election in history.” It was perhaps, the least secure in history.”
We encourage people from all political parties to attend: Republicans, Democrats, Independents. And, EmpowerU will be supplying the popcorn. Class Starts at 6:30, we’ll talk about the movie for 30 minutes after we are done. Please join us for summer learning.
Dinesh D’Souza has had a prominent career as a writer, scholar, and public intellectual, and has also become an award-winning filmmaker. Born in India, D’Souza came to the U.S. as an exchange student at the age of 18 and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College. Called one of the “top young public-policy makers in the country,” D’Souza quickly became known as a major force in public policy through his books, speeches, and films. (D’Souza Media (dineshdsouza.com)
Catherine Engelbrecht is prominent in the news recently because of the documentary 2000 Mules, which made its international debut on May 2, 2022. It was her organization True the Vote (founded Nov. 30, 2009) – partnering with election investigation analyst Gregg Phillips – that provided the source material for this important exposé on election fraud in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Working together since 2013, in 2021 Engelbrecht and Phillips purchased over $2 million worth of geospatial cell phone data and surveillance video footage. Prior to that they had large numbers of witness testimonies of vote fraud arriving on the TTV Hot lines. They also heard directly from whistleblowers acting as ballot mules (i.e. traffickers) in the 2020 election.
Take 20: Information on Smart Meters...
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
There are few Americans who have much or any knowledge of most of the countries of the world or even where in the world they are. One of those countries is India. Not that long ago India was a far away, mysterious and violent place. Most Americans had never met an Indian or traveled there and probably never would.
India is a country in South Asia with over 1.25 billion people. Recorded history dates back to around 5000 BC. According to consensus in modern genetics, anatomically modern humans first arrived on the Indian subcontinent from Africa between 73,000 and 55,000 years ago.
The history of independent India began when the country became an independent nation within the British Commonwealth on 15 August 1947. Direct administration by the British, which began in 1858, affected a political and economic unification of the subcontinent.
The nation has faced religious violence, casteism, naxalism, terrorism and regional separatist insurgencies. India has unresolved territorial disputes with China which in 1962 escalated into the Sino-Indian War, and with Pakistan which resulted in 4 separate wars over a 30 year period. The number of languages spoken make conversing and compromise difficult. The languages of India are divided into various language families, of which the Indo-Aryan and the Dravidian languages are the most widely spoken. For example the Dravidian family of languages includes approximately 73 languages that are mainly spoken in southern India and northeastern Sri Lanka, as well as certain areas of surrounding countries.
So…. In spite of these and other obstacles India has managed to evolve into a global economic and military power. Tonight we will cover a small segment of the history of India and share some of the surprising facts about a little known country to most Americans. Time for your to learn about one of the Countries you will be hearing about most in the next decade! This class on The Rise of India will take place from 7:20-8:30 PM.
Take 20 Presents Important Information on Smart Meters–from 7:05-7:20
Do you know why your Duke Energy bills are so high?
In recent years, Ohio utility companies have significantly raised its “customer fees” and that action has resulted in consumers losing control over a big portion of their monthly utility bills – even if energy use decreases. Ongoing rate increases and delivery riders have been approved by state regulators (PUCO) for AMI Smart Meter installation/replacement including the $30/month Smart Meter opt-out fee instituted by state regulators (PUCO) in 2016. Many complaints from Southwest Ohio Duke Energy consumers about overcharges prompted a recently completed study using comparative data from local residents’ utility bills.
The study itself concentrated on the hidden cost items on the bills which are the delivery riders for both gas and electric usage. It is very difficult for consumers to track unlisted riders that are lumped into their utility bills. These costs are well known subsidies to Ohio lawmakers and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Learn about the billing study findings that show costly overcharges on monthly consumer bills. Duke Energy has a well documented history of enforcing the highest number of utility shutoffs and collections among Ohio energy utilities.
Speaker Bios:
Vince Welage: Vince is a retired Medical IT Analyst. He worked for many years in database software development especially in areas related to accounting, energy, inventory control, and Occupational Health. In the most recent past, he was employed as the Occupational Health Administrator for a large consumer products company in Cincinnati for 10+ years. He managed data access privileges to employee medical records for 32 health units in North America. He provided End User support for the day to day operations of all medical database applications including vendor interface devices. He developed data entry modules for the in house Occupational Health application as well as any related summary and/or trend reporting.
John O’Neill- In John’s 35 year professional career he has participated in and managed people and projects in the corporate as well as the consulting services industry. His professional background includes significant career experience in a broad spectrum of business disciplines including sales of technology resources, corporate and consulting services management, software development and personnel training.
Leigh Ann Cartier- Leigh Ann grew up in Cincinnati and graduated from Wilmington College and she is always looking to learn new things. Leigh Ann has taught a prior EmpowerU class on getting started with gardening in the spring semester of 2021. Leigh Ann is the Producer for EmpowerU and runs our website www.EmpowerUAmerica.org.
This Class is Perfect for Homeschoolers!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Saturday, July 16, 2022
Thank you for Your Interest, At This Time Registration is Closed
Let’s get the kids educated on the Constitution. This is your child’s, grandchild, or relative to attend a special Constitution Boot Camp just for them. Homeschoolers this class is perfect for you!
Join us for this one-day, seminar style, class that will give you a working knowledge of the US Constitution including its purpose, and true meaning. You will leave with an understanding of the founder’s intentions for our nation and the ways in which we are dangerously off-course. This course will help students to learn to recognize when political power is legitimate and when it is being usurped- and what can be done about it!
The first step to restoring our Constitutional Republic is teach the public to understand the Constitution and the limits it places on our federal government. Kids–up to college age–we want you to learn about your constitution. By attending each student will receive The Handbook for We the People, The Federalist Papers, Bastiat’s The Law and The Precinct Guide.
Free $25 Best Buy Gift Cards to the first 25 students (College age and Under) who sign up and complete the class. Let’s Educate the Kids! Space in this class is limited to 45. We will start out until July 8, just accepting reservations from kids. If the spaces in this class do not fill up we will open this class to the public.
We will be on a tight schedule today so please bring a bagged lunch.
Speaker Bios:
Jim Lewis: Marine, retired Sales Representative, co-founder of Building Blocks for Liberty, currently teaching American History, World History and the US Constitution for homeschoolers in the PEP program at the Mason location. Jim has been interested in history since childhood. During his down time, he continues to read books on history, types of governments and law.
John Hindery: Marine, retired Accountant, co-founder of Building Blocks for Liberty, currently teaching American History and the US Constitution for homeschoolers in the northern Kentucky area. John has been interested in history since 5th grade, worked on the Nixon and Goldwater Campaigns and continues to read books on the founders and presidents.
Rick Herron: Navy, IT Specialist, currently teaching the importance of Central Committee throughout the Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana region for over four decades. He co-founded the Platform Republicans educating conservatives in becoming precinct executives. Rick wrote and self-published a book entitled, “Actually Making a Difference” which explains how important the local level participation can determine local, county, state and national candidates.
Each man specializes in specific areas that compliments the BBFL mission. As part of the military, Jim, John and Rick took an oath to support and defend the US Constitution which lead them to teaching. Our class focuses on the Founding Fathers wisdom, Natural Law, types of governments and much, much more. Each instructor recognized the need to teach what the Founding Fathers gave us so out of frustration US Constitution Boot Camp was born. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and all volunteer. The donations received help us further focus on educating the younger generations through scholarships.
We Will Be Collecting Items for Valley Interfaith's Back to School Night Tonight!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tonight’s Thesis: Was Teddy Roosevelt one of the Greatest American Presidents?
When we look at the pictures on Mount Rushmore of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln there is little doubt these are great American Presidents and heroes. But what about the fourth President on the monument—third from left—Theodore Roosevelt. We will learn about “Teddy” in tonight’s class.
Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt became president in 1901, after the assassination of President William McKinley, who was six months into his second term. While the 26th president was no founding father, he as a key figure in American expansionism. Roosevelt’s work in creating the Panama Canal, busting monopolies in the American economy and conserving valuable public lands set a successful tone for the United States at the turn of the 20th century. During his speeches he exercised plain, ordinary virtues, which called on all good citizens to possess common sense, honesty, courage and energy.
From his childhood years, where he suffered from asthma, Roosevelt took up boxing and hunting lions and his “Rough Rider” days became almost mythical in stature. Often, crossing party lines to get things done, Roosevelt injected himself directly into foreign policy and domestic issues. His foreign policy became known as, “Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick.” Roosevelt’s relationship with the Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany was similar to many of the foreign leaders who were in awe of Teddy.
Learn about Roosevelt, the “Great Regulator” and Teddy’s domestic program named “The Square Deal”. Roosevelt’s helped seal his image of a cowboy soldier when he formed a group called “The Rough Riders” who would see battle in the Spanish American War. And what about that Teddy Bear?
Join us tonight for focus on our early American History and learn about the life of President Theodore Roosevelt, a true President for the people.
Please Bring a few School Items to Donate to Valley Interfaith’s Back-to-School Program!
John Keuffer is the Executive Director of Valley Interfaith, an incredible resource in Lockland which by provides emergency resources–through it’s Food Pantry and Clothing and Housewares outreach–and social support in partnership with our community and its agencies. John will share with us a great story about the day he met motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, which will be sure to brighten your day. John will also tell us about Valley Interfaith’s great Back-to-School program and the people that it serves. Please help Valley by bringing a few school items to donate to this important cause for the community. John will be with us until about 7:15 pm.
Zig Ziglar
Speaker Bio:
Dan Regenold: Dan first became active in Government in 2003 when he became involved fighting Eminent Domain and helping stop it in Evendale and in Norwood, Ohio. In 2006, he was one of the founders of WeDemandAVote.com which successfully fought and stopped, by ballot initiative, a sales tax increase in Hamilton County, Ohio. Later WeDemand stopped Red Light Cameras in Hamilton County.
Regenold spoke at the CPAC Convention in 2008 to discuss major Grassroots initiative actions across the United States. In 2009, Dan was unsuccessful in his efforts to bring accountability to the Federal Government’s finances with a citizen lead initiative WeDemandABalancedBudget.com. In 2010 Regenold was one of three leaders of the initiative to End Ohio’s Estate Tax which happened in 2011. The Tax Foundation called the repeal of Ohio Estate Tax one of the most important Tax accomplishments of 2011. In 2011 Regenold founded EmpowerUAmerica.org (starting it’s 24th semester in Fall 2022), a Free University offered in the Greater Cincinnati area with the goal of “empowering” citizens.
In 2014, Regenold was one of the leaders of the effort to separate Music Hall from a County Wide Sales Tax which helped the Museum Center renovation get passed by the voters of Hamilton County. Dan has recently concentrated his efforts on the mess of Public Education in Ohio and specifically on topics like School Choice and Critical Race Theory. Dan is a lover of Liberty and enjoys speaking to EmpowerU classes about subjects he is passionate about. Recently he has discussed: Milton Friedman, Saul Alinsky, Net Neutrality, D-Day, The Deficit, The Dangers in America, Public Education and Winston Churchill at EmpowerU Classes. Regenold is founder and Chairman of FrameUSA.com, a Made-In-America picture frame manufacturing company in Springdale, Ohio.
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John R. Keuffer, III is a Cincinnati native currently residing in Clermont County Ohio with his wife Kendra (a Police Officer) and his 9 year old daughter Gracie. John has over 31 years as a Nonprofit professional. He started his adult career as a Police Officer and held positions as a talk radio show host on WIZF-FM, WAIF-FM, and WCIN-AM for over 12 years discussing community issues. Mr. Keuffer was a partner (since retired) in a Celebrity Marketing firm; handling the marketing and charity relations for Pro Athletes and Musicians. This position led him to represent several New England Patriots players for 13 years and some Rock n Roll Hall of Fame musicians. Mr. Keuffer has produced seven Sports Specials for FOX and ESPN. Mr. Keuffer enjoys time with his family and helping NPO’s that are struggling.
*Date Changed to Thursday, July 7th*
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Tonight’s Event is Sold Out! We are at Maximum Capacity Tonight, Thank You For Your Interest!
Tonight we will be watching Matt Walsh’s powerful new Documentary, What is a Woman?
What is a Woman is the question you are not allowed to ask. The documentary they don’t want you to see. Join Matt Walsh on his often comical, yet deeply disturbing journey, as he fearlessly questions the logic behind a gender ideology movement that has taken aim at women and children. Watch “What is a Woman” with your friends at EmpowerU.
Tonight, while watching the movie, you will learn more about the Gender Ideology that is taking over the United States of America. Currently about 5 percent of young adults in the U.S. identify as transgender or nonbinary. 42% of adults now say they know someone that is transgender and a little over a quarter of adults say they have a friend who is trans. Many people believe that the transgender adult population of .6 percent has doubled from the most widely accepted projection of .3% of the population used just 5 years ago.
Matt Walsh
What is the reason for this huge increase in transgender population? The movie will discuss, in depth, Gender Transition Surgery and how this is being introduced in schools and governments across America. Learn more about how our kids are being indoctrinated and how schools have begun to talk to students about Gender Dysphoria without their parents approval or knowledge. In some cases parents have found themselves against the law as they try to stop their children from undergoing damaging surgery which cannot be reversed. A recent study found that after surgical reassignment, the suicide rate of those who had undergone sex-reassignment surgery rose to 20 times that of comparable peers.
After the movie we will “speak freely” and discuss Gender Ideology and the movie. We will look forward to hearing your input and thoughts about “What is a Woman?” And as always, the popcorn will be supplied by EmpowerU!
About Matt Walsh and the Daily Wire
Matt Walsh is a popular writer, blogger, and speaker. His columns on The Daily Wire are read by millions each month. Matt is well known for his controversial and provocative insights into culture, politics, and religion. He lives outside of Baltimore, Maryland with his wife and two children.
The Daily Wire (www.DailyWire.com) The Daily Wire is an American conservative news website and media company founded in 2015 by political commentator Ben Shapiro and film director Jeremy Boreing. It is the second most popular publisher on Facebook, and produces podcasts such as The Ben Shapiro Show.
The World Isn't Getting Any Safer!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Are you a new or prospective gun owner who feels the need to exercise their 2nd amendment right to self-defense during these troubling times, but are apprehensive about running afoul of the law? Maybe you have read the books by the “experts” and gone to the gun store only to come away more confused and intimidated than ever.
The world isn’t getting any safer and someday soon you could be confronted with that moment when the world goes FYBYOYO: “Forget You Baby, You’re On Your Own”. Come listen to someone just like you who has made the dangerous and often confusing journey from first time gun owner to experienced every-day-carry (EDC). A skilled corporate trainer and IT consultant,
Dave Moorman has applied his 36 years of strategic problem solving expertise into educating himself on what it means to be a responsible and effective handgun owner. He has documented his growth and insights including some nearly catastrophic mistakes, and wants to share them with you. He will discuss the psychology of violent encounters, how to conquer surprise and fear, and how to deal with a taunting adversary without allowing yourself to be tricked into placing yourself at physical or legal disadvantage.
Finally, he will walk you through a real life defense encounter where discharging his firearm successfully prevented harm to himself, his wife, and even the adolescent perpetrator. This class is an excerpt of Dave’s full 5 hours of private interactive instruction on all aspects of owning, carrying and yielding a handgun. The full course covers everything you need to design and implement a responsible, comprehensive and effective firearm based defense plan by detailed walk throughs of numerous scenarios including:
Walking into crimes in progress (armed robbery, assault & battery, sexual assault)
Getting caught up in third party domestic violence
Attempted car-jacking with a toddler in the car seat
Countering different types of home invasions
Dealing with the crazy-ex who doesn’t know when to quit
Taunting & Brandishing
Defeating a Mob
How easily your eyes can fool you, how it gets you in trouble, and what to do about it
Are “warning shots” ever justified
The proper way to call 9-1-1 and deal with responders
Firearm safety when there are children in the home
Hiring a private investigator
Selecting the right firearm & ammo
Basic gun cleaning & maintenance
Common misconceptions and mistakes about the process of Draw, Point and Shoot
Why even a 300 lb. defensive tackle should carry a rape whistle
Most of us spend weeks selecting a new car and even longer buying a home. But in a self-defense encounter you may be forced to make a life-changing decision in under a second. Are you mentally, emotionally and physically prepared for that? This class can’t get you there in 90 minutes, but it will provide you with a roadmap for getting started and the confidence that you have everything you need to take control of your own safety.
Speaker’s Bio:
Dave Moorman: With 36 years of business, technology and consulting experience, Dave Moorman is a born problem solver. Whether it is writing programs for mobile phones, starting a business, negotiating multi-million dollar IT deals or building a self-defense strategy, he knows how to break tough problems down into pieces and parts, develop a solution, and train people how to implement it. So when he was unexpectedly faced with a potentially life-changing threat a decade ago, he turned his skills to building a plan to ensure his family would never again be left defenseless and at the mercy of an aggressive adversary.
His journey was one of discovery, personal growth and even near fatal mistakes. An experienced corporate educator who has built two complex software training curricula, he now wants to dedicate his time and talent to helping others make the same journey quickly and safely. He firmly believes in not only your natural right to self-defense, but that anyone who can drive a car has the proven physical and mental capacity to yield a firearm responsibly and effectively once they get decades of Hollywood propagated rubbish out of their head.
Meet and work with the incredible artist's at Visionaries and Voices
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
This Class has been CancelledIn this class, students will be using Jackie Fisher’s bold line drawings as inspiration for their own versions of similar drawings. Using black permanent marker, gel pens, and washable marker, Jackie will lead students through her process of line making on pieces of cardstock paper. Once students have covered the entire 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper in their marker design, facilitators will help them to cut their paper into strips, approximately 2-3 inches thick. Once the strips have been cut, students will choose the strip with their favorite composition to laminate into a bookmark. Once laminated, students will punch a hole in the top of the bookmark and add a tassel using colorful lanyard string. This class is limited to 20 people.
This is your student or child’s opportunity to meet and work with an incredible artist from Visionaries and Voices. The Tri-County V&V Studio has been located at the Frame USA Building for the last 15 years. See their great work in retail store area. Don’t miss this creative opportunity.
Jackie Fisher- Jackie is known for her maze-like vibrant marker drawings. She begins her compositions with a large “S” shape. From that initial mark she creates pencil curves and shapes that reflect the twisting and turning of feathers, scales, roots, and rivers. These works recall bold graphics of tribal tattoos, inked onto magenta and sky blue, lavender and citrus orange backgrounds. ( This photo of Jackie is from a project done by artist Michael Wilson called Cherished).
Permaculture Gardening for City Spaces and Small Yards
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Replicate natural ecosystems in your backyard to step towards sustainably and let nature do the work, even in small spaces!
Permaculture is “an agricultural system or method that seeks to integrate human surroundings so as to create highly efficient self-sustaining ecosystems.”
In this introduction to permaculture, learn how to create nature-friendly, sustainable food gardens, with an emphasis on low-maintenance techniques. We will also review some of the urban permaculture projects in the Cincinnati area.
Speaker Bio:
Amy Stross : Amy is a permaculture designer and author of the award-winning book, The Suburban Micro-Farm: Modern Solutions for Busy People. She writes about permaculture gardening on her popular website, TenthAcreFarm.com.
Join this special Virtual only class on Wednesday, May 4th
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
This course will be built around THE book of the same name — 67 SHOTS: KENT STATE AND THE END OF AMERICAN INNOCENCE — which dives deeply into a singular moment in American history. On May 4, 1970, Ohio National Guardsmen fired upon and killed four students at Kent State University and wounded nine, one paralyzed for life. EmpowerU will be exploring Kent State on the 52nd Anniversary of the tragic shooting.
The shootings shocked the nation, but in two different directions. One side saw it as a brutal putdown of a legitimate student protest against the war in Vietnam. The other cheered the shootings as not only deserved but long overdue. Then as now, America was a deeply divided nation, coming off a decade defined by assassinations, the Civil Rights struggle, burgeoning feminism, and so much more. All those roiling waters of the 1960s flowed together that weekend a little more than half a century ago on the Kent State campus in northeast Ohio.
Howard Mean’s great book “67 Shots”--makes extensive use of more than one hundred twenty-five oral histories stored at Kent State. It finds and defines faults, it traces patterns, but it doesn’t take sides, and this course won’t either. America itself went off the rails on May 4, 1970. Author Howard Means will show you why and how, and with what lasting consequences. Those 67 shots fired at Kent State live with us still.
Speaker Bio:
Howard Means is the author or co-author of eleven books, including the first biography of Colin Powell; Johnny Appleseed: The Man, the Myth, and the American Story; 67 Shots; and most recently Splash! 10,000 Years of Swimming. A former syndicated columnist (King Features) and senior editor at Washingtonian magazine, he lives in rural Virginia.
EmpowerUAmerica.org partners with The West Chester Tea Party to Sponsor this Event
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
We are at FULL CAPACITY for In-Person Registration, If you would still like to join, please register virtually. Thank you for your interest.
EmpowerUAmerica is partnering with the West Chester Tea Party to Sponsor This GREAT Event:
Timeline for tonight: 6:00–7:00 PM Potluck-Social Hour, Class Goes from 7:00-8:30 PM, Come Meet New Friends!
Registration is limited to the first 110 people who sign up to attend at EmpowerU Studio. There is no limit for virtual sign-ups.
Covid Pandemic – The Great Reset, we’ve been hearing a lot about both. What’s the connection between the two? Tom DeWeese will make the connection and more!
For several decades the forces of the Left have been preparing for global control. The United Nations has been in a relentless drive to destroy national sovereignty, kill free enterprise, and eliminate private property. They have openly promoted these goals through Agenda 21, Agenda 2030, and the Green New Deal. Many thought these were just too radical to be taken seriously. Finally, as a trial run, the global forces succeeded in shutting down the world economy under the man-made Covid Pandemic.
To achieve it, the UN used all of its resources, including the World Health Organization, International Monetary Fund, and the World Economic Forum to take the final steps to lock it all in. They call it the Great Reset, and they plan to use the Covid Lockdown as the guideline for finally imposing their ultimate goal. Control of energy, food supplies, manufacturing, Wall Street investing, development, and individual choice are all the targets to bring it about and change human society forever, under their thumb.
Tom DeWeese will give you the details on who and how it’s being done, and most importantly, what can we as individuals do to stop it. Don’t miss hearing and learning about this topic that everyone is talking about.
Speaker Bio:
Tom DeWeese- Tom is one of the nation’s leading advocates of individual liberty, free enterprise, private property rights, and American sovereignty and independence. Tom DeWeese was one of the first to voice concern over the radical agenda of the environmental movement and to question its motives.
Tom is a native of Ohio. He’s been a candidate for the Ohio Legislature, served as editor of two newspapers, and has owned several businesses. In 1989 Tom led the only privately-funded election-observation team to the Panamanian elections. In 2006 Tom was invited to Cambridge University to debate the issue of the United Nations before the Cambridge Union, a 200 year old debating society.
Today he serves as Founder and President of the American Policy Center and editor of The DeWeese Report and author of three books: “Now Tell Me I Was Wrong,” “ERASE,” a fictional political thriller, and his most recent policy book entitled “Sustainable, the War on Free Enterprise, Private Property and Individuals.”
Take 20—An update on the Convention of States--from 6:45-7:30 PM
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Michael Patton will talk about the Cincinnati Frontier from 7:30-8:30 PM. Our mental images of the American frontier are formed by stories, television shows, and movies more than by actual history. But there was much more to it than what innumerable Hollywood productions show. We do not have to go farther west to look at the history of the frontier; when Cincinnati was founded it was the frontier.
We have more than enough history for a television mini-series – plenty of wilderness; lots of Indians; one-sided treaties; an army with a couple very bad commanders and resounding military defeats; an army then reformed into the Legion of the United States with a competent commander and a major victory; a traitor; intrigues by the British, French, and Spanish; a judge who sold thousands of acres of land with fraudulent titles, settlers; and the very first congressional inquiry of the executive branch
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When the United States and Great Britain ended the Revolutionary War in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris, Britain agreed that the western boundary of the United States shall be the Mississippi River. A huge area west and north of the Ohio River, soon to be called the Northwest Territory, would allow incredible room for expansion. But most of the land west of the Appalachian Mountains had been reserved to the Indians by the Royal Proclamation of 1763, and even though subsequent treaties quickly reduced the extent, the northwest area was still theirs. And no Indian tribe had signed the Treaty of Paris.
The chiefs of a few tribes signed treaties in the next several years in which they agreed to move and yield the lands in southern Ohio area to the United States. Join Engineer and local Cincinnatian Michael Patton who will walk us through Cincinnati Frontier Treason, Fraud, and the Indian Wars in the Early Settlement
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From 6:45-7:30 PM– The Convention of States will present an overview of the process for a minimum of 34 State Legislatures to make applications for a Convention of States. The purpose of holding a convention is for the purpose of suggesting proposed amendments to the US Constitution in 3 limited areas: term limits for Federal officials, imposing fiscal restraints on Federal spending & taxation, and limiting power, scope, and jurisdiction of the Federal government. Just like any amendments proposed by Congress, it still takes 3/4ths or 38 states to ratify any proposed amendments before they would become effective. He will share where the project stands currently in Ohio and in the other states active in this movement.
Speaker’s Bios:
Michael Patton- is a professional engineer who has been working locally 25 years in the aerospace industry. He is interested in alternative energy, film, and history, especially the history of the American Indians in this area and of Cincinnati when it was the frontier. He is a frequent contributor to Streetvibes, the biweekly paper of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and which is sold downtown. Seminars at EmpowerU are one of the sources used for the articles.
He has learned that much news and even many histories are often so incomplete to be quite misleading. A good question to keep in mind is, “what am I not being told?” Among his favorite authors are Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged), C.S. Lewis (The Screwtape Letters and That Hideous Strength), Agatha Christie (mystery writer and observer of human nature extraordinaire), and G.K. Chesterton (religious writer and author of the Father Brown mysteries). One of his favorite quotes is by Chesterton and is appropriate whenever your view and actions are outside the norm: “A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.”
Bill Scott- A graduate of Penn State University, Mr. Bill Scott, the State Director of Convention of States in Ohio, studied business administration and accounting. He was a corporate auditor, CPA, and financial consultant for the former international accounting firm of Arthur Andersen, becoming a Partner with that firm in Philadelphia. With a specialization in the insurance industry, he later served as Chief Financial Officer for several insurance-related organizations before retiring. After moving to Dayton 4 years ago from out-of-state, he held several leadership positions within Convention of States, becoming the State Director for Ohio last year.
Join Us For This Special Saturday Class!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Saturday, April 23, 2022
This Class Has Just Been Added to Our Schedule
This movie is limited to the first 100 people to reserve tickets.
Audiences are raving about Whose children are They? Calling It:
“A brilliant jaw-dropping film!”
“A real wake up call!”
Whose Children Are They? — This new movie exposes the Hidden Agenda in America’s Schools. A groundbreaking and powerfully persuasive documentary featuring brave teachers, empowered parents, and front-line experts who pull back the curtain about what is truly happening in our public schools today. This film will be the starting point for a full cultural conversation about the need to return to the original intent of education, not indoctrination.
Join EmpowerUAmerica.org for a special Saturday Class where we will watch this movie early starting at 9:00 AM. Stay with us afterwards and we will discuss the movie from 11:00 am-12:00 pm and take your comments and questions.
EmpowerUAmerica.org will be helping you wake up this morning with Coffee and Danish. Don’t miss this incredible event. Bring all parents of children that are attending our schools.
This isn’t Forensic Files, but will be just as fascinating. Take a glimpse into the world of forensics as we listen to some amazing stories and outcomes from Dr. Ken Manges.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
As a Forensic Psychologist, Dr. Kenneth J. Manges testifies in civil, criminal and military cases. When asked what he do, he is fond of saying, “I never talk to the dead, but I always listen.” This is his way of saying he investigates the circumstances of what happened just before a person’s death, whether by murder or accidental circumstances, and in the instance of evaluating a survivor, how the assault, explosion, fire, or motor vehicle collision has ruined their lives.
Dr. Manges will talk for EmpowerUAmerica and provide a glimpse at some of the amazing stories about how the twists and turns of the evidence, research, and interviews he has had, which have led to some surprising outcomes over the hundreds of times he has testified in court.
Speaker’s Bio:
Kenneth J. Manges, Ph.D., ABVE, CVE, CFP
Forensic Vocational & Psychological Expert
Areas of Focus & Competency: Forensic (psychological & vocational), Trauma (emotional physical pain & suffering), Consultation and treatment for referrals from state and federal agencies including, but not limited to Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program (OLAP), Legal Aide, Workers Compensation and the Industrial Commission.
Teaching & Supervision: Has instructed graduate psychology courses in forensic psychology, and counseling. Has participated in the training and supervision of students and practitioners in both the academic and professional areas of competence, forensics, pain management, disability and vocational matters.
Education: Certification in Forensic Psychology, University of Virginia; Ph. D., University of Maryland; M.S., Brooklyn College, New York; B.A., Adelphi University, New York
Licenses & Diplomates: Licensed Psychologist, Ohio and West Virginia
Diplomate, American Board of Vocational Experts, American Academy of Pain Management, American Board of Professional Disability Consultants, American Board of Forensic Examiners, and American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
Professional Affiliations: Academy of Medicine Hamilton County, Ohio, American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, American Board of Professional Disability Consultants, American Board of Vocational Experts, American Psychological Association, and Ohio Psychological Association
Publications/Professional Contributions: “Manges-Garmize Behavioral Assessment Scale.”; “Preliminary Diagnostic Questionnaire” contributing editor, project supervisor; “Burros Mental Measurement Year Book,” contributing editor. (2000); “National Computer Systems,” Beta test site; Working in the Community, Co-author, Eighth Annual Institute of Rehabilitation Issues; and Editor: Journal of Forensic Vocational Assessment
This Class is Sponsored by Diane Landi
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Cartel–How Your Own Money Is Being Used Against You!
The Author of Woke, Inc., Vivek Ramaswamy visits EmpowerU tonight. In tonight’s topic Vivek will focus on how there is a cartel of the top 3 largest asset managers in the world (Blackrock, State Street, and Vanguard) that pushes a one-sided political agenda. This cartel uses not their own money, but the money of retirees, pensioners, the American people at large to advance their goals in a way that betrays their fiduciary duty to their clients and that would make their clients’ blood boil if they knew what was going on.
Vivek will also touch on his book, Woke, Inc. that makes the case that politics has no place in business, and sets out a new vision for the future of American capitalism. In the book Vivek talks about an invisible force at work in our economic and cultural lives. It affects every advertisement we see and every product we buy, from our morning coffee to a new pair of shoes. “Stakeholder capitalism” makes rosy promises of a better, more diverse, environmentally-friendly world, but in reality, this ideology championed by America’s business and political leaders robs us of our money, our voice, and our identity.
Vivek Ramaswamy is a traitor to his class. He’s founded multibillion-dollar enterprises, led a biotech company as CEO, he became a hedge fund partner in his 20s, trained as a scientist at Harvard and a lawyer at Yale, and grew up the child of immigrants in a small town in Ohio. Now he takes us behind the scenes into corporate boardrooms and five-star conferences, into Ivy League classrooms and secretive nonprofits, to reveal the defining scam of our century. The modern woke-industrial complex divides us as a people.
Also, we expect that Vivek will talk about the new book he is writing that is due to be released September 13, 2022—Nation of Victims. The book talks about America’s inner spirit and how that spirit has been domesticated by a new culture that rejects excellence and embraces victimhood. Hardship is now equated with victimhood. Outward displays of vulnerability in defeat are rewarded more than winning unabashedly. The pursuit of excellence and exceptionalism are at the heart of American identity, and the disappearance of these ideals in our country leaves a deep moral and cultural vacuum in its wake.
Meet Cincinnati native Vivek Ramaswamy tonight at EmpowerUAmerica.org tonight and ask your questions.
Speaker Bio:
Vivek Ramaswamy founded Roivant Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company, in 2014, after a career as a successful biotech investor. A 36-year-old first-generation American, he is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School. Vivek became a hedge fun partner in his 20’s, and grew up the child of immigrants in the small town of Evendale, Ohio. He now lives with his wife Apoorva and their son Karthik. Vivek took on the nation last year and published his book Woke, Inc. which takes you behind the scenes of corporate boardrooms. Vivek will share with us what has happened since the publication of Work, Inc and also share information about his new book which comes out in September 2022 called Nation of Victims.
Mr. Ramaswamy serves on the board of directors of the Philanthropy Roundtable and the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity. In his new book Woke, Inc. Vivek takes you behind the scenes into corporate boardrooms and five-star conferences, into Ivy League classrooms and secret nonprofits, to reveal the defining scam of our century. The book begins as a critique of stakeholder capitalism and ends with an exploration of what it means to be an American in 2021. Vivek is a graduate of St. X High School and has recently been turning heads on Tucker Carlson’s show and on the Opinion pages of the Wall St. Journal.
How many of us would be willing to give up everything we had worked for when you felt your leaders had made a bad decision putting military personnel in a precarious position, and making the country you serve look weak?
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller is a 17 year infantry officer who resigned at the rank of Lt. Col. after witnessing a poorly planned and executed Afghanistan withdraw. He was thrust into the media when he posted a video on Facebook and LinkedIn from his office as a Battalion Commander. Wearing his uniform, he identified himself in the video with rank and title and then proceeded to criticize the decisions of his senior military and political leaders.
A series of escalating events occurred following the initial video between himself and the Marine Corps which resulted in his imprisonment and court martial. This is his story. Why he joined the Marine Corps. Why he loves America. Why he joined during a time of war, and why he wanted to experience combat. How he progressed through his career. How his experiences in places like Afghanistan and Iraq shaped his thinking. How his military education created deeper questions about America’s foreign policy approach. And how the events of Afghanistan compelled him to sacrifice everything in his life up to that point.
Speaker Bio:
Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller’s Degrees:
2004: Bachelors of Science from the University of Cincinnati – Focus in Accounting
2019: Masters in Military Science from Marine Corps University – Focus in Foreign Diplomacy
Military Experience:
January – December 2005 Officer Candidate School, Basic School, and Infantry Officer Course, as a Student.
January 2005 – July 2008 First Battalion, 8th Marines
First deployment with this unit was June to December 2008 with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. You get on ships and float around. Thought we were going to Iraq, but got caught up in the 2006 Israeli/Lebanese conflict and had to secure the embassy and conduct an evacuation of American citizens to Cyprus.
Second deployment with this unit was to Ramadi, Iraq from Sep 2007 to April 2008. He was a company Executive Officer Alpha Company. His friend Dave Borden got hit with an SVEST on this deployment. This was the same unit as the unit hit with an SVEST in Afghanistan. It came full circle for him.
July 2008 – June 2010 Infantry Training Battalion East – Echo Company Commander
June 2010 – July 2011 Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO). Afghanistan CIED Team Leader.
Served in Paktika East, Ghazni Province, and Andar District. Served as a CIED expert for the Army infantry units, and did all the patrols with EOD and route clearance platoon. It was a very kinetic deployment.
July 2011 – June 2012 Expeditionary Warfare School – Student
June 2012 – August 2012 Officer Candidate School – Platoon Commander
August 2012 – October 2015 Third Battalion, Second Marines
26th MEU deployment March 2012 – December 2013. Headquarters and Service Company Commander. No combat operations on this deployment. Bilateral in Egypt, Jordan, Djibouti, Oman, Qatar. Unit Deployment East, deployment January 2015 – July 2015, to Okinawa, Japan, and Korea. Weapons Company Commander. No combat operation on this deployment.
October 2015 – July 2018 The Basic School Instructor
Taught officers the basics, and was the Operations Officer, Company Commander, and Warfighting Director on this tour.
July 2018 – July 2019 Command and Staff College – Student
Received a Master’s Degree in military science.
July 2019 – July 2020 MARSOC. 2d Support Battalion.
Battalion XO. Prepared small teams to deploy around the globe.
July 2020 – June 2021 6th Marines.
Operations Officer. Was the regimental operations officer who prepared V1/8, the unit that conducted the Kabul evacuation, for their deployment.
June 2021 – Present.SOI East. – AITB Battalion Commander
Senior Awards:
Bronze Star
Army Commendation with Valor.
3 X Meritorious Service Medals
3 X Navy Commendations
Combat Action Ribbon
Iraq Campaign Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
2 X Humanitarian Service Medal
What would life be like without Freedom? As Americans, we can’t imagine it. Those who don’t have it, dream of it. Don’t miss Annie’s Story.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Anni grew up in the Islamic Republic of Iran where as a woman, she faced many abuses and injustices, all of which were permitted by law. At the age of 13 she was sold by her father. Two years later, with help from her grandmother, she was smuggled out of Iran to Turkey where she lived in a refugee camp until eventually being granted asylum in the United States.
Anni will tell her story, educate the audience on life under Islamic law and the value of the freedoms we have here today.
Speaker Bio:
Anni Cyrus is a former Child Bride from Iran who has devoted her life to defending, rescuing and shining a light on the plight of women and girls suffering oppression around the world, particularly where fundamentalist Islam has taken hold. A Middle East expert, Anni speaks 3 languages, English, Farsi and Dari* and monitors international broadcasts in their local languages. She is an expert contributor on Afghan and Middle East policy on Lindell TV and has her own channel on Frankspeech, named after the organization she founded, Live Up To Freedom. She is a human rights activist and social media influencer with nearly three million views of her previous Illinois appearances. Anni brings her unique experience of having been sold as a slave, married as a child, imprisoned as a teen and smuggled over borders. She was an asylum seeker and became a legal U.S. Citizen, a freedom-loving patriot and follower of Jesus Christ. In spite of the dangers, she has risen to become a model of extreme courage, determination, compassion and strength. WWW.LIVEUPTOFREEDOM.COM.
If you are concerned about a free and fair election touring the Board of Elections may be just what you need to reinforce confidence.
Hamilton County Board of Elections 4700 Smith Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45212
Thursday, April 7, 2022
This Class is Full at Maximum Capacity, Thank You For Your Interest
On a tour of the Board of Elections facility in Norwood, you will get a first-hand look at how election officials administer elections in Hamilton County. You will see how the ballot is created, from petition-filing, to board certification, programming, proofing, and printing. You will learn how The BOE organizes, stores, and tests thousands of pieces of equipment that must be delivered to and from hundreds of polling locations throughout Hamilton County.
Whether it is the recruiting and training of over 2,000 poll workers, running the early vote center, conducting audits, or maintaining an accurate voter registration database with almost 600,000 voters, the work of running elections continues beyond election day, and this tour will show you how election officials work year-round to deliver free and fair elections in Hamilton County. There will be time for Q&A, plus a mock election.
This is an On-Site Class only at the Hamilton County Board of Elections, meet in the front lobby, main entrance is off of Wall St, look for the 3 large flag poles.
Speaker’s Bios:
Alex Linser is the Deputy Director of the Hamilton County Board of Elections. He is responsible for administering free and fair elections for Hamilton County’s 580,000+ registered voters. He is a licensed attorney with experience in business, litigation, government & administrative law. Prior to joining the Board of Elections, Linser’s public service included leadership on issues ranging from child poverty to equitable development to the addiction epidemic. Linser has served on the board of several civic nonprofit organizations and is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati. In 2010, he received his law degree from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Law. He currently lives in Mt. Washington with his wife Joanna and their seven children.
Sherry Poland was appointed Director of the Hamilton County Board of Elections in June of 2014. She began her career with the board in March of 2004. She is responsible for administering all local, state, and federal elections that occur in Hamilton County, along with the day-to-day operations of the board. Ms. Poland is a member of the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission Local Leadership Council, serves as the Vice President of the Ohio Association of Elections Officials, and as a member of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Task Force on Elections. She is a graduate of Mount St. Joseph University. She and her husband live in Cincinnati and have two daughters.
Take 20: Leigh Ann Cartier--Want to Start Gardening But Don't Know Where to Start?
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Visit Rick Gibbs’s future classes on May 19th and the 26th ( changed to not on the 12th) at Solid Rock Church, 903 N. Union Rd Lebanon, Ohio, its right there close to the Ohio Gaming place. Its starts at 6:00 pm sharp and will end at 7:45. Please bring writing material and any Questions you may have.
Rick Gibbs will be focusing on a program he teaches “Practical Preparedness” that shares a common sense approach for survival during many types of life situations including natural disasters and current events.
Specifics to be covered are simple and practical ideas for being prepared, in case of utility disruptions, or food shortages. Rick will stress the need to think about needed household items and being ready in case of an emergency situation. Always be planning ahead and have a back-up plan. Many of his suggested items are available locally, and may be necessary should a natural disaster or unexpected event disrupt our normal lives. He will be giving us a presentation with a handout on preparedness. Be sure to come to this one!
Gardening: Leigh Ann Cartier will discuss–Do you ever see the gardening section at the store full of seeds and plant starts and wonder “What’s the difference between all the different tomatoes or beans, etc.?” Confused on what to start growing? Do you want to start growing but have a small space? You can grow more than you think if you choose the right kind of variety for your situation. You can grow in containers if you are tight on space. There are more options than you think.
Speaker Bios:
Rick Gibbs is from Middletown, has been fascinated with American History since childhood. He enjoys teaching the young and old alike. Rick taught American History at Germantown Christian School and also teaches homeschoolers the importance of our American Heritage. His presentations on American History bring historical events to life – oftentimes through the attire and period items he includes in his talks. Rick is often asked to speak on the Constitution and The Declaration of Independence and their signers. He’s also known as an accomplished singer.
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Leigh Ann Cartier- Leigh Ann grew up in Cincinnati and graduated from Wilmington College. She has a passion for gardening and has had her hands in the dirt ever since she was young. She is always trying new things in the garden and exploring new techniques for gardening. Leigh Ann has taught a prior EmpowerU class on getting started with gardening in the spring semester of 2021. Leigh Ann also helps produce classes for EmpowerU.
Building Blocks for Liberty joins us for this special Saturday Class!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Today, the federal government is constantly violating the US Constitution and usurping powers that belong to the States and the People. State’s Attorney Generals sue the federal government in federal courts asking the feds to define what their powers are instead of using the Constitution. Others want to hold an Article V convention to propose amendments to restrict the federal government. We had an amendments convention in 1787 to “Remedy the defects in the Articles of Confederation only”, find out how that turned out!
A completely new Constitution with it’s own method of ratification. What is the right way to oppose federal overreach? Did the Founder’s leave us any directions? YES, they did! Come and see this presentation and find out how the Founder’s said we should combat the federal government when they make laws, create agencies, issue executive orders or have supreme court opinions that violate the Enumerated/Delegated powers found in the Constitution.
Speakers’ Bios: Jim Lewis (Left) and John Hindery (Right)
Building Blocks for Liberty is a 501c3 non-profit educational organization dedicated to the preservation of the U.S. Constitution by teaching others the importance of this historical document that governs our nation. Building Blocks for Liberty is the brainchild of Marines Jim Lewis and John Hindery. In the United States Marine Corps, Jim Leiws and John Hindery spent four years defending the United States and the Constitution they took an oath to uphold and protect.
As American citizens, they became increasingly alarmed as they watched in astonishment the endless attacks on the liberties of Americans by an overreaching government. Determined to stop the daily barrage of misinformation, the two men decided to combine their love of history with a desire to educate the public the truth about the Constitution, and developed the unique teaching partnership now known as Building Blocks for Liberty (BBFL).
Take 20: Learn about Cincinnati Classical Academy a New Charter School in Partnership with Hillsdale College
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
America is experiencing huge federal deficits, massive federal debt, and so much free, “helicopter” money from the government that many Americans choose not to work. And all this was done in response to the COVID crisis. When you combine our current situation with the plans that have been proposed – like Build Back Better and the Green New Deal – the USA seems to be pivoting from a quasi-Capitalist system over to a social democracy like those in Europe, or maybe even something to the left of that.
So, how did we get here? We will take a look at that through the painstaking research of author Amity Shlaes, who explains how progressives, socialists, and communists used two earlier crises to implement socialist programs while attacking our capitalist system. In The Forgotten Man she describes how FDR and many leftists in his New Deal administrations first moved the dial away from capitalism towards socialism in the 1930s. Their efforts were greatly aided by Americans’ desire to end the crisis of the Great Depression. She convincingly shows how the New Deal failed in that mission, yet its programs remained in place.
Then, in The Great Society she tells how LBJ and his Great Society and – surprisingly – even Richard Nixon and his administration took us even closer to socialism in the 1960s and early 1970s. LBJ’s efforts were driven by Americans’ laudable desire to eliminate poverty. And, like FDR’S New Deal, LBJ’S Great Society failed to defeat poverty, but its programs remained in place. Tom Hagedorn will discuss the important events and characters from these watershed periods of American history.
Jed Hartings will discuss the emerging growth of public classical charter schools as an education alternative in Ohio, with focus on our experience founding the Cincinnati Classical Academy.
He will describe the core tenets of the classical approach to education and how they differ from today’s public schools, with illustrations from school curricula. He will discuss what’s required to found a school, our experiences and challenges, the partnership with Hillsdale College, and related founding efforts across the state.
Speakers’ Bios:
Tom Hagedorn has been studying American history for over 30 years. Some of his study has focused on education. Eight years ago, he published “Founding Zealots: How Evangelicals Created America’s First Public Schools, 1783-1865.” It tells how those first schools came about and what they were like. But it also describes in detail how this story has been ignored and distorted by the progressive historians who have a very different vision for American schools, society and government than did our Founders. Since he published his book, he has been focusing on the increasing role of socialism and socialists in American institutions, what some have called “the long march” of western Marxism through our institutions.
Tom has been providing investment advice to individuals for four decades. When he was not researching and writing Founding Zealots and studying history, he was involved in various political, charitable, and community activities. He remains active in all those things and in the fight to return the schools to a traditional role in American society, in service to their parents and to their parents’ values.
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Jed Hartings: Jed grew up on the West Side of Cincinnati and attended St. Xavier High School. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and earned a doctorate in neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh. He then served 8 years as a medical research officer in the U.S. Army at Walter Reed, separating from service at the rank of Major. Jed returned home in 2008 to join the faculty at the University of Cincinnati, where he researches stroke and brain trauma as a tenured professor in the Department of Neurosurgery. He lives with his wife and daughters in Evendale. He enjoys running, motorcycles, classical music, politics, and reading, and hopes one day to sail the Great Lakes with his family.
Take 20: Meet Chris Monzel, a republican candidate in the primary for Ohio House District #28.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is just one cog in the Whole Child Framework(1) wheel–which is part of the Ohio Department of Education. There has been a highly coordinated effort to turn schools into places that conduct behavior therapy on children rather than instruct them in academics. Academics have been purposely diluted by the injection of SEL programs. Values, attitudes and beliefs inculcated by the ‘experts’ displace the family and community values, attitudes and beliefs.
Come learn the myriad players and routes to control Ohio children and the children’s social connections from Kirsten Hill, current member of the State Board of Education. Kirsten was a member of the Integrated Students Support Committee and the State Board at the time Ohio’s Social and Emotional Learning ‘Standards’ were approved in mid-2019.
Chris Monzel is a Republican candidate in the primary for Ohio House District #28. Chris has a long history of serving the public including his 8 year stay as a Hamilton County Commissioner ending in 2018, including when he served as President of the Commission. Also, Chris also served as a Council Member of the Cincinnati City Council. Come Early at 6:30 to say hello to Chris!
Speakers’ Bios:
Kirsten Hill is an elected member of the Ohio Board of Education since January 2019. She is chairman of Totally Engaged Americans, a community group of conservatives, in Lorain County. It was founded in 2009 and meets monthly. She also helps lead Free Ohio Now, which was founded in 2020 in reaction to government tyranny and Ohio Freedom Action Network founded in late 2021 to support local group leaders. Kirsten and her husband, Andy, operated her family’s year-round farm market in Lorain County for 25 years. She also ran a seasonal farm-tour business, hosting families and preschool through elementary classes for many years. She has two children, a software developer and a physician. Prior to being a small business owner, she worked as a certified public accountant in Cleveland and in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Kirsten was on the Amherst Schools Education Foundation board for 20 years and on the Amherst Township Board of Zoning Appeals for 15 years, most of them as chairman. Kirsten has a degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration. She is on the Republican County Central Committee, ran for State Central Committee and is currently running for the Ohio Senate.
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Chris was born in Hamilton, Ohio, and was raised in Loveland, Ohio. There he attended Loveland Public Schools and St. Columban Elementary School and later graduated Valedictorian from Moeller High School in 1986. His passion for public service was first sparked while at Moeller when he took part in student government, the American Legion’s Buckeye Boys State, and the Cincinnati City Council’s Youth in City Government Program.
Chris graduated from Purdue University in 1990. In 1993, he and his wife, Jana, decided to pursue public service by accepting a position with the Marianist Volunteer Service Community in Queens, New York where they worked for a year at the Angel Guardian Home Foster Care Agency in Brooklyn, New York. While there, Chris worked with teens, helping them to develop independent living skills in order to prepare them for life outside the foster care system. They then became the acting Director of a homeless shelter in Oakland, California, where he learned firsthand, the many housing and health care issues facing inner-city communities.
Chris’ growth as a public servant is the product of years volunteering in the communities in which he lived. He has served as trustee for the Mt. Adams Civic Association, and Vice-President of the Winton Place Community Council, now known as Spring Grove Village. Chris was an active member of Spring Grove Village’s Citizens on Patrol group. as well as in prior elected office as a member of Cincinnati City Council. Chris also served as a Hamilton County Commissioner from 2011-2019.
A Six Sigma Master Black Belt recipient, Chris is presently employed by General Electric Aviation, as the CSA Productivity focal for CFM56 Services Engineering. This designation denotes acquired enhanced skills and results in achieving increased productivity. Chris, his wife Jana and their children currently reside in Glendale. Chris and Jana are both deeply involved in their children’s activities. They believe that providing a stable family environment steeped in faith and tradition is their primary responsibility.
Take 20: Mechanics of Government with Kerry Smyth
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
“The Old Lefthander & Me”: Long-time TV columnist John Kiesewetter tells his favorite Joe Nuxhall stories with a powerpoint presentation about his new book, “Joe Nuxhall: The Old Lefthander & Me – My Conversations with Joe Nuxhall about the Reds, Baseball and Broadcasting.” Over a 21-year span, Kiesewetter spoke to the beloved Reds radio announcer about his baseball and broadcasting careers; his 31-year partnership with Marty Brennaman; the pranks they played on each other off the air; his all-time favorite Reds players; and even his Kroger TV commercials.
Stories from Marty Brennaman (who wrote the foreword), Johnny Bench, Tom Browning, Pete Rose, George Foster, Jeff Brantley, Chris Welsh, Ron Oester, Lou Piniella, Marge Schott, George Clooney, David Letterman, Jonathan Winters, Al Michaels and many others are in the lineup for Kiesewetter’s entertaining 300-page book. He will sign copies of the book available for $20 cash or check. Part of the proceeds benefit the Nuxhall Foundation.
–Please wear your Reds Hat, Shirt and Gear! Even if they are on strike, we’ll have fun.
–Cracker Jacks are on the House and We’ll sing “Take Me Out to the Ball game!” under the professional singing of Barb Horwitz!
We are sorry to report that Kerry Smyth will be unable to join us tonight as he has cancelled with little notice. We apologize for this inconvenience.
7:05-7:25 PM–Kerry Smyth is President of the Cheviot City Council. He will join us tonight to discuss
Mechanics of Government, focusing on the origins of self-government and how it’s applied today. Kerry Smyth will give a presentation that will be focusing on the origins of our form of self-government and how it’s applied today.
Speaker’s Bios:
John Kiesewetter- For more than three decades, John Kiesewetter has been the Cincinnati authority on TV, broadcasting and media. His stories, columns and blogs have covered national and local broadcasting breaking news and trends, and chronicled local TV/radio personalities and the TV stars who grew up here, for the Cincinnati Enquirer (1985-2014), and now for Cincinnati Public Radio’s WVXU-FM and wvxu.org.
After the Middletown native graduated from Ohio University in 1975, he was hired by the Enquirer, where he worked 40 years as a reporter, suburban news editor, Tempo section editor and columnist. He traveled more than three dozen times to Los Angeles for the Enquirer to preview TV series and visit Hollywood studios – although his favorite trips were to Riverfront Stadium to watch Marty Brennaman and Joe Nuxhall broadcast Reds games.
John lives in Fairfield, Ohio, with his wife, Sue, a freelance reporter for the Enquirer. They have three adult sons.
Kerry Smyth-is the President of Cheviot City Council since 2021, Press Director of the annual American Priority Conference held at Trump Doral, FL since 2018, Product Lead for PureSocialNetwork.com Kerry is the former Co-Host of YourVoice America with Bill Mitchell 2016-2017, political podcaster from 2014-2019.
Take 20: Senator Louis Blessing III to Discuss SB 242: A Bill that Requires Acceptance of Cash
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
School Choice Ohio was launched shortly after the creation of Ohio’s EdChoice Scholarship Program. Since that time, School Choice Ohio and its allies have continued to expand opportunities that empower families to choose their child’s school. At this moment, over 60% of Ohio families have access to a state funded scholarship.
While there has been much success, and Ohio is among the nation’s leaders in empowering families, there is much more to go. Impediments to expanding parental power over education are political, sociological, and practical.
In this course, we hope to cover the history of school choice in Ohio. The present state of play. The most substantial impediments to expanding school choice and parental power. And, most importantly, what can grassroots activists do today to help expand the cause of educational freedom. The school choice part of our topic tonight will take place from 7:30-8:30 PM.
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SB 242 is Legislation that requires cash to be accepted as a form of payment at retail merchants. We are slowly moving to a cashless society, and the ramifications of that are profound. As was seen in Canada, governments can and will work with the financial and tech sectors to shut citizens out of the economy if they deem it necessary. The good news is that SB 242 has the support of groups on the left who also have privacy concerns and issues moving to a completely cashless society. The bill represents an innovative, bipartisan approach to pushing back against increasingly technocratic governance. Senator Louis Blessing III joins EmpowerU to discuss the topic that is currently under review by the Ohio General Assembly. We will hear from Senator Blessing from 7:10-7:30 PM.
Speaker’s Bio:
Rabbi Eric “Yitz” Frank – Serves as President of School Choice Ohio and as the executive director of Agudath Israel of Ohio since 2013. In that capacity he is engaged in multiple projects to educate community organizations about various governmental programming, funding opportunities, and serves as a liaison to the Ohio Department of Education on behalf of Jewish day schools. Rabbi Frank was previously appointed by the Ohio Senate to serve on the NonPublic School Graduation Requirements Advisory Committee and is a member of Governor DeWine’s School Safety Working Group.
An expert in education policy and nonpublic schools, Rabbi Frank also serves as the President of the Ohio Council for American Private Education and on the community relations committee of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. He is also President of Congregation Zichron Chaim, located in Beachwood. Rabbi Frank also does government relations and policy work at the federal level related to the National School Lunch Program, ESEA, IDEA, and other related issues. As President of School Choice Ohio and its related entities, Rabbi Frank is proud to serve as the tip of the spear along with the dedicated team and grassroot activists to expand school options and empower families throughout Ohio. He firmly believes that School Choice is not only the civil rights issue of our time, but crucial to the success of our economy and Ohio.
Senator Louis W. Blessing III, represents the 8th Senate District (western and northern Hamilton county) since 2019, and currently the Chairman of the Senate Ways and Means committee. Former state representative from 2013-2019. Licensed professional engineer (electrical) since 2011. Resides in Colerain Township with his wife Heather and two boys: Louis IV and James.
Take 20: Tyson Butler and Jessica Franz Discuss Protecting Our Children and the Bethel School Situation
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
From 7:45-8:30 PM we will be discussing the difficult subject of Childhold Trauma. Childhood Trauma is a major, largely unaddressed issue in the State of Ohio and nationally, with one of every five children 3-17 years old experiencing two or more adverse trauma events annually.
Steps are underway to develop a broad base of support in the Ohio State Legislature and Cincinnati City Council, leading to adopting a formal resolution and passing legislation, declaring a State of Emergency to be signed by Governor DeWine and Mayor Aftab Pureval.
Ron Hummons, himself a victim of severe traumatic incidences, beginning at age 5, will be joined by Cinny Roy and Burr Robinson, representing therapeutic and social service interests to discuss how citizens can come together to have Ohio become the first state and Cincinnati the first city to declare a Child Trauma State of Emergency, and to greatly expand effective solutions and become a national model.
Childhood Trauma is an important subject, especially how poverty impacts Childhood Trauma. Our goal tonight is to learn about this topic from our informed guests. EmpowerU was concerned about some of the wording in the original legislation backing the Childhood Trauma Emergency Request as it was racially targeted. Just today we received a copy of the new Resolution, with much of the worry-some language removed, which is going to the General Assembly —Click Here to Read the Resolution.
From 7:10-7:40 we will be joined by Tyson Butler and Jessica Franz. Tyson Butler is passionate about our kids and their education. He is the new Southwest Ohio Director of Protect Ohio Children a coalition to stop Critical Race Theory (CRT), Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Tyson is a great resource to meet as your kids, grandkids and friends have problems with these issues in their schools.
Tyson will introduce Jessica Franz who is a new School Board Member for the Bethel Board of Education. She will detail the disastrous handling of a situation that involves a trans-identified student accessing the restrooms at Bethel Schools. It is important for you to learn about what is going on in Bethel and how it can easily become a part of your school district. If anything, Jessica’s story will only reaffirm the importance of watching carefully everything that is going on in your school district. You don’t want to meet missing Tyson Butler and Jessica Franz tonight.
Speaker Bios:
Ron Hummons – “Over the past 25 years …Loving Father, Childhood Trauma Activist, Award Winning Author, Film Producer, and Entrepreneur having survived severe Childhood Trauma experiences in first 22 years of life.”
Burr Robinson is happily married to Terry, father of three and grandfather of 7. Grew up in Minnesota until heading east to attend Yale University, where he graduated. He and his wife Terry are now in their 57th year of marriage, the first two of which were in Germany, where Burr was a U. S. Army officer. Upon their return, he began a 31 year career with Procter & Gamble, focusing on sales and marketing. When not working for Proctor & Gamble his heart was increasingly involved in community service activities dealing with people in need. This eventually led to an early retirement and the founding of Jobs Plus Employment Network, with the mission of helping men and women turn around wayward lives that had landed them in jail, or on the streets. The goal of Jobs Plus was to help people first deal with the trauma in their lives, then develop a plan to deal with the trauma, and then help them secure productive jobs while focusing on goals to address their personal issues.
Tyson Butler is a lifelong activist, who has experienced a profound passion for organizing and empowering his community to be active participants in protecting our freedoms in this country. HIs calling is in educating/coaching young people to achieve their highest potential. Whether it was coaching collegiate sports, mentoring students in the classroom or developing life skills; Tyson has always found that my heart is full for children and their journeys towards success. He am honored to be a part of Protecting Ohio Children, where he believes, he has the opportunity to combine two of my strongest passions in an effort to better serve my community and our country’s most precious resource… our children.”
Jessica Franz is a Christian, a Constitutionalist, a Fiscal Conservative and a Lifelong Learner. She is a new member of the Bethel School Board (she was sworn in January 2022) and supports parents and teachers in their respective roles. Jessica strongly believes in keeping racial and sexual politics out of our students’ curriculum. Jessica believes in the following quote from Mark Levin: “Education is not supposed to be about administrators and educational bureaucrats, labor unions, tenured educators, improvident construction projects and statist indoctrination. It is supposed to be about the enrichment and improvement of young people and society.”
Take 20: Ohio’s Death Penalty, and why a growing number of conservatives are opposing it
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Do to a Production Error, this Class was not video taped. We appologize.
Tonight’s Schedule of Events:
6:30-7:00 PM — Meet and Greet with Jim Renacci
7:00-7:30 PM — Hear from Rebecca Heimlich on the Death Penalty
7:30-8:30 PM — Hear from Jim About His Plans for Ohio
While in Congress, Jim earned a reputation for being a principled conservative and effective legislator. He quickly rose through the ranks to serve on the Committee on Financial Services, as vice-chair of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, and as a member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. After just two years, Jim was named to the powerful Ways and Means Committees and Budget Committees. Jim’s track record as a blue-collar entrepreneur demonstrates his only allegiance has ever been to the very people who D.C. bureaucrats forcibly unemployed that fateful day in an Ohio car dealership — the everyday Americans forgotten by the Swamp. He represents the people’s hopes and fears, bringing actionable results back to the working people who gave him a voice.
Running Mate Joe Knopp has informed us that he will not be able to attend our 3/15 class (Sorry).
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From 7:00-7:30 PM–Twenty-three states have banned the death penalty, and governors have placed moratoriums on the death penalty in three more states. In Ohio, two bi-partisan bills (one in the House and one in the Senate) have been introduced to end Ohio’s death penalty. Why are more and more conservatives reconsidering their stance on this issue and joining the effort to ban Ohio’s death penalty?
Ohioans To Stop Executions Executive Director Hannah Kubbins and Conservative Outreach Coordinator Rebecca Simpson will talk about the reasons conservative opposition to the death penalty is growing. For example, some of the reasons include the exorbitant cost to taxpayers, the significant number of those sentenced to death being later exonerated, its ineffectiveness in deterring violent crime, and the proper role of a limited government. Hannah and Rebecca will also talk about the status of the two pending Ohio bills, how to learn more and keep up to date on the progress of the bills, and ways to engage on this important issue.
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Speakers’ Bio:
Jim Renacci- In 2009, the Obama Administration took over General Motors, shuttering dealerships across the country— including Jim’s in Northeast Ohio. Shutting down Jim’s dealership killed 50 good-paying jobs in his community — and Jim wasn’t going to stand by while neighbors were going hungry. How could Washington blatantly interfere in the everyday lives of hard-working Americans who wanted nothing more but their own chance at the American Dream?
In 2010, Jim filed to run for U.S. Congress in Ohio’s 16th Congressional District, taking on a well funded Democratic incumbent. Jim won the election by 9 percent.
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Hannah Kubbins– Hannah started at OTSE as a research intern during her senior year at Denison University (2017). She joined the full time staff after graduating and now serves as the organization’s Executive Director. Hannah has played a significant role in coordinating the NoDeathPenaltyOH campaign, which represents a diverse number of organizations all with the same goal in mind of repealing Ohio’s death penalty. Hannah oversees, manages, and implements the campaign and statewide strategy to repeal Ohio’s death penalty. She also serves on the board of the Columbus chapter of America’s Future.
Rebecca Heimlich: : Rebecca is an attorney with Finney Law Firm and has recently joined Ohioans to Stop Executions’ team as its Conservative Outreach Coordinator. Rebecca has more than 25 years of diverse advocacy and litigation experience, and has served as an assistant prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and State Director for Americans for Prosperity Ohio. Rebecca has been staunchly opposed to the death penalty since her experience working in the criminal justice system early in her career. Rebecca’s focus areas at Finney Law firm include litigation and labor and employment matters as well as government and public affairs and small business assistance and advocacy.
‘Politicians don’t’ start parades, they join them’. Learn from our speaker who has been working diligently reviewing the 2020 election. What happened, and what is the Fix.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
The United States is headed for a constitutional crisis. Sixty percent of the public now believes that the outcome of the 2020 General Election was fraudulent, and this number is growing daily. Dr. Douglas Frank, one of EmpowerU’s favorite speakers, has been intimately engaged in the election integrity effort since December of 2020, and has been catapulted into the national dialogue because of his alliances with several prominent patriots including Mike Lindell, General Flynn, Col. Phil Waldron, and Captian Keshel. He was invited to be the keynote speaker at President Trump’s coming-out rally in Wellington Ohio in 2021, and legislators from several states have requested his assistance and testimony as they examine the fraud in their own states and craft legislation in order to address it.
But the most important aspect of all his work has been cultivation and support of grassroots efforts in about forty states. We are winning the public discussion because the grassroots are demanding that the situation be addressed. “Politicians don’t start parades, they join them”, has been the theme that is carrying the day. As individual citizens are remembering that “We the People” are supposed to be the government in our constitutional republic, they are stepping up and engaging their civic duty. This speaks loud and clear to our government leaders, and it is empowering the true patriots among them.
During this class, he will first review how our elections are being stolen, and then provide an update regarding the national Fix 2020 effort. The momentum is growing, and a lot is happening.
Speaker Bio:
Douglas G. Frank:
Dr. Frank grew up on a small Black Angus Ranch in Northern California. His parents were successful entrepreneurs in the areas of insurance, investments, and real estate. Dr Frank earned a B.A. in Chemistry from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California in 1983. He attended graduate school at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he completed his doctoral requirements before transferring to the University of Cincinnati in 1986 as part of the Ohio Eminent Scholar program. In 1990 he completed a Ph.D. in Surface Analytical Chemistry. During his graduate work, he discovered a new phenomenon which was featured in several science books and international journals, including cover articles in Science and Naturwissenschaften.
Dr Frank left academics in 1996. His scientific reputation gained him introductions to several U.S. companies, where he continues to apply his scientific, electronics, engineering, and computer expertise to real-life research and manufacturing challenges. He specializes in the development of custom control and analytical solutions, and has invented several instruments for surface optical characterization, precision force application, and soil analysis by means of portable electron microscopy and spectroscopy. A common thread in his work is the combination of precision motion with delicate measurement and analysis of large amounts of data.
Dr Frank lives in Morrow, Ohio and is married to his high school sweetheart, Donna. He has three adult children: Dynnelle, Daniel, and Deryk. Dr Frank believes in giving back to the community. He is Past-President of the Blue Ash/Montgomery Rotary Club (2002). He is a popular speaker in the areas of Creativity & Innovation, Ethics & Character, Science & Religion, Rotary Polio Eradication, Climate Change, Covid-19, and now Election Integrity.
He was honored by the Executive Board of the Presbyterian Association on Science, Technology and the Christian Faith as “one who exemplifies the practice of science as a Christian vocation.” Dr Frank is chair (now on sabbatical) of the Math and Science department and Director of Music at The Schilling School for Gifted Children, a school for extraordinarily bright students he helped to establish in the mid 1990’s.
Dr Frank’s work can be followed on Telegram, MeWe (Follow the Data with Dr Frank) and Rumble (Dr Frank), and he can be contacted at DrDouglasGFrank@Outlook.com
This Class is SOLD-OUT due to location capacity
White Oak Gardens 3579 Blue Rock Rd Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Class is on-site at White Oak Gardens Sign up early at Attendance will be limited by space.
Introducing newer, stand out, easy to grow plants for your landscape. Join Jeff Webeler, Horticulturist and President of White Oak Gardens, for a discussion of cool plants to add to your landscape gardens and demystify Hydrangeas. Form larger flowers to better shrub form, from new colors to longer bloom periods, and of course, vigorous, disease-resistant growth. The secret to a great landscape isn’t working longer and harder, it’s planting the right plants that work better in your gardens.
Speaker’s Bio:
Jeffrey L Webeler, was born and raised in Cincinnati, Oh. Jeff purchased White Oak Nursery in 1979. He and his wife, Patty, have two sons, Evan and Andrew, both are involved with the business. He is a Horticultural Specialist and Graduate of Utah State University. When Jeff is not golfing, hiking, snow skiing or spending time with his family, he is probably in the yard playing in his landscape. He is active with trade associations. American Horticultural Association…Past President of Midwest Landscape Network, Served on Board of Directors & Chairman of Retail Committee of Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association and the Cincinnati Flower Growers Association. Currently serving on the Board of Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati, a non-profit, founded in 1942, whose mission is building community through gardening, education and environmental stewardship.
He is Owner/President of White Oak Garden Center – a full service, year-round retail lawn & garden center selling annual & perennial flowers, trees, shrubs, houseplants, landscape supplies, fertilizers, control products, seasonal holiday plants & décor. Their Horticultural expertise enhances their customers quality of life.
Jeff is also Owner/President of White Oak Environmentals, Inc. – a landscape design-built contracting business, focusing on the residential market. Specializing in renovations, new installations, landscape (other than mowing and snow removal), hardscape- paver patios, walks and walls.
In 1975, Jeff graduated from Western Hills High School, Cincinnati, and in 1979 earned his B.S. Degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Utah State University, Logan UT.
Take 20: Meet Kim Georgeton, Candidate House District 28
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
This Class is Sponsored by Americans for Prosperity
We will discuss some of the elements of a good story and how to use a story to impact your legislators. While stories are not the only way to move our elected officials, they are most assuredly the easiest and most effective way to do so. We will also discuss several other ways to get the attention of those whom we have chosen to represent us at the different levels of government.
Speaker Ray Hoskins, is a senior trainer for Americans for Prosperity’s Education and Training department, he brings his unique background of teaching high school history, coaching wrestling, football, and track, and entrepreneurship along with an MBA and experience as a small business owner to his job. He has coached and mentored field staff, other trainers, and activists to perform at a high level. He has a great passion for helping people succeed even where they do not think they can.
If you need to step-up your communication to governmental officials, start with this class! This part of the class on The Power of Storytelling will start about 7:30.
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Meet Kim Georgeton–from 7:05-7:30 PM
Kim is a candidate for the Republican Primary for District 28 for the Ohio House of Representatives. Here is what Kim stands for: “Follow the Constitution. No Mandates. Less Government. Less Taxes. More Small Business. More School Choice. Protect Parental Rights. Protect Free Speech. Protect Gun Ownership. Protect Life. Defend Our First Responders. Advocate Fair Elections. Fight Corruption. Serve With Integrity.“
Feel free to come to EmpowerU Studio early tonight (after 6:30) to meet and speak with Kim Georgeton.
Speakers’ Bios:
Ray Hoskins- Ray is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served as a Special Operations Pararescueman. He is passionate about issues that affect not only veterans, but also those who are currently serving our country. As the director of veteran’s education, he works closely with Concerned Veterans for America producing and delivering content around a myriad of subjects, including foreign policy, VA health care, and ending endless wars.
He has been married to his wife and best friend, Jenny, for twenty-four years. They have five boys ranging in age from fourteen to twenty-eight. His oldest son, Vince, is proudly serving in the United States Army. His next son, Mason, is an engineer. His third son, Hayden is studying to become an engineer. His fourth son, Peyton, is currently in high school, and his youngest son, Damon is also in in high school. He also has two daughters-in-law and four grandchildren.
Kim Georgeton was born and raised in Cincinnati, the daughter of a WWII Marine Veteran. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati and has a 25-year career in Consulting. She lives with her Husband John, owner of the Red Squirrel Restaurant, her daughter, and her two Whippets.
Kim is a strong constitutional republican candidate and stands for traditional family, legal and political values. She believes the government has overreached their position in recent years and will stand firmly to correct that imbalance. With a focus on the Constitution, Kim underscores that “governments were instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” – The Declaration of Independence, 1776. Kim’s overall goal as your representative is to uphold and protect the unalienable rights of We, the People.
Take 20: Dynamics of Ohio State & Federal Races
This Class is a Virtual Only Class Please Register for This FREE Class Below ,
Learn to forgive and go from hurting to healing and hope. Drawing on the presenter’s extensive professional experience, doctoral research of interpersonal forgiveness, and recent books, The Path to Forgiveness (May, 2018) The Path to Forgiveness Study Guide (March, 2019), participants will deepen their understanding of and gain new insights into the forgiveness process.
They will learn about what forgiveness is and is not, myths and misconceptions of interpersonal forgiveness, reasons to forgive, the benefits of forgiveness, strategies for practicing forgiveness, while also considering the effects of forgiveness on one’s cognition, affect, and behavior. The above mentioned books may be purchased from the speaker at a discount, purchase information will be given after his presentation.
Dr. VanLoon’s presentation will run from 7:30-8:30 PM. Tonight’s class is a Virtual Only Class.
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Tom Zawatowski will be joining us from 7:05-7:25 pm. Tom is Ohio’s leading activist. He will be bringing us information about the dynamics of the Ohio US Senate and Governor’s races as well as the Ohio State House and State Senate races. Tom has been recognized as one of the top liberty group leaders in the nation for his efforts to defend the legal right of Liberty groups across the nation and he produces the popular We The People Convention Podcast which is Posted Every Friday at www.wethepeopleconvention.org.
Speakers’ Bios:
Preston VanLoon- With a passion for making a difference in the lives of people and organizations, Dr. Preston VanLoon has served as a College Professor, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counselor, Pastor, Board Certified Chaplain, and Director of Spiritual Care. He also has experience as a Bioethics Consultant and Mental Health First Aid Instructor. His education includes a doctorate in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Human Development and additional graduate studies in Special Education, Christian Education, and Biblical Studies. Dr. VanLoon is the author of The Path to Forgiveness: Moving Forward with Hope and Healing One Day at a Time and The Path to Forgiveness Study Guide. He has spoken domestically and internationally on a variety of topics including interpersonal forgiveness, the topic of his doctoral dissertation. Dr. VanLoon has two sons and lives in Mandan, ND with his wife, Mary, and Rocky, their golden retriever, a Certified Therapy Dog.
Tom Zawistowski- Tom, is the CEO and Founder, with his wife Nanette, of TRZ Communications, a 38 year old technology company based in Akron, Ohio. In 2009 he was one of the founders of the Portage County TEA Party, for which he became the Executive Director in 2010, a position he still holds.
In 2011, Tom was nominated by liberty leaders around the state to head a group of volunteers that was challenged with the task of putting on the first ever state convention for liberty minded citizens. His “We the People” Convention which was held at the Columbus Convention Center during the 4th of July weekend of 2011 was attended by over 1,000 Patriots.
He has been recognized as one of the top liberty group leaders in the nation for his efforts to defend the legal right of Liberty groups across the nation and he produces the popular We The People Convention Podcast which is Posted Every Friday at wethepeopleconvention.org.
Take 20: Meet State Representative Jennifer Gross Joins EmpowerU
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
The narratives presented by liberal and conservative news organizations on any given story typically are polarized — that is, each side literally says the opposite of the other. For example, liberal news outlets claim President Trump has made baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen, while conservative outlets have reported on countless claims of election fraud uncovered by American citizens and state legislatures.
When liberal and conservative news organizations provide their audiences with different facts it divides us politically, leaving us incapable of productive dialogue. It also divides us socially, as so many of us over the last 6 years have had close friends and relatives sever ties with us over our political views.
In this talk Mr. Mercier will provide an empowering prescription for bridging this divide. He will present techniques for bypassing the media to get to the truth, for challenging journalists who stoke this divide, and for awakening others to these manipulations.
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Rep. Jennifer Gross is running for re-election in the 45th District. Whether you are in her district or not she represents all Ohioans, so if you haven’t had the chance to meet her she will be available between 6:30 – 7, to meet and chat with you. Rep. Gross authored HB248, and will give a recap and update, including the discharge petition and ballot initiative. She will also give some insight on what it really takes to run for a political office, and what the role of a Legislator is.
Speaker’s Bios:
Michael Mercier:
Michael is the Founder and President of Screen Education, which conducts research, and provides training and consulting services, on the impact of information technology on human wellness. Mr. Mercier has conducted 25 research studies on digital addiction with teens, college students, summer campers, parents, Millennials, and full-time employees. His research has examined the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical consequences of digital addiction, as well as its impact on academic performance and workplace productivity and safety. He also has studied the benefits people derive from digital detoxes.
He has spoken on smartphone addiction to schools, corporate audiences, colleges and summer camps, as well as at numerous conferences, including educational technology, summer camp, mindfulness, workplace safety, and marketing conferences. His research partners have included EMI Research Solutions, Stark Statistical Consulting, Camp Kern, Camp Ernst, Camp Livingston, The Jewish Community Center Association of North America, Hiram College, BOLDFISH, and Calvert Catholic High School.
Mr. Mercier has presented his research to US Congressmen Jim Jordan and Brad Wenstrup, and to the legislative staffs of US Senators Brown, Hawley, Markey, Portman, and Sasse. Congressman Wenstrup made a House floor speech about his findings on cyberbullying, and he co-organized with the Congressman roundtable discussion with educators on the role that social media plays in bullying and school violence. He has been interviewed on a variety of radio and television shows.
He holds a BA in Psychology from Vassar College, an MBA in Marketing from the University of Michigan, and an MS in MIS from the University of Cincinnati.
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Jennifer Gross: State Representative Jennifer Gross is currently serving her first term in the Ohio House of Representatives. She represents the 52nd District, which includes West Chester Township, Liberty Township, Fairfield Township and part of Sharonville in Butler County. She is a 21-year Air Force veteran and retired Lt. Colonel, who served our great nation in Saudi Arabia during Operation Provide Comfort and in Sarajevo during Operation Provide Promise. Gross retired from the military in 2008. She is currently a member of American Legion Post 681 and VFW Post 7696, where she became the first active female inductee in February, 2019.
Representative Gross has been a Family Nurse Practitioner for over 16 years and a registered nurse for over 30 years. Prior to becoming an NP, she managed a three million dollar territory for Eli Lilly. She most recently participated as a sub-investigator for Operation WARP Speed developing treatments to help battle COVID-19. She also currently manages a small business as a health coach. Representative Gross believes in strong public policy that supports Ohio business success, legislation which supports and protects the unborn and will uphold Ohioans Constitutional Freedoms. She resides in West Chester with her husband, Chris, and their two sons.
Do Financial Missteps, Broken Bylaws, and Poor Management Hinder Ohio Republican State Party?
This Class is a Virtual Only Class Please Register for This FREE Class Below ,
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
This Class is Sponsored by the Everything’s Political Podcast with Thea Shoemake
EmpowerU is providing a forum for discussion and debate of public issues, and in light of the lawsuit that has been filed, by Bainbridge, Rosenberger and others as listed below, we seek to obtain more information. EmpowerUAmerica.org is not supporting or ratifying the statements provided by the presenter but simply seeking more information and clarification.
Mark Bainbridge is a retired partner from the Big Four Accounting firm of Ernst & Young. He is also a member of the Ohio Rebublican State Central Committee. Bainbridge and four other members—JoAnn Campbell, Joe Miller, Laura Rosenberger and Denise Verdi have filed a lawsuit against Ohio Republican Party Chairman Robert Paduchik, accusing him of misreporting over $3 million in missing funds, without adequate explanation, among other violations. Bainbridge and the other plaintiffs demand accountability from Paduchik and other party leaders.
Among other findings, the plaintiffs detail significant funds that have gone missing from ORP financial statements without adequate explanation, including but not limited to $1.7 million that disappeared in 2017, $437,000 in 2019, $638,000 in “Accounts Receivable” that were established in 2017 and 2018 and then written off in 2021, and $271,000 this year—a total of more than $3 million. Furthermore, the plaintiffs claim Paduchik wrongly supported candidates who were unendorsed by the ORP and improperly removed the plaintiffs from their committee assignments including the Audit Committee and Fiscal Review Committee after they raised financial questions and complaints about his chairmanship. Also named in the lawsuit is ORP Treasurer Dave Johnson, who was responsible for overseeing the unexplained missing funds. Read Treasurer Johnson’s letter on the subject here.
Mark Weaver, an Attorney for Robert Paduchik and the Ohio Republican Party just sent a letter to EmpowerUAmerica.org denying any allegations of financial mismanagement at ORP–Read His Letter Here. Weaver also sent a document from Compass Point CPA’s about the work that they performed for the Ohio Republican Party. Read Compass Point’s letter Here.
Laura Rosenberger, one of the plaintiffs said: “As proud Republicans who believe in fiscal conservatism, we won’t rest until Robert Paduchik and his enablers answer for their utter ineptitude and abandon the positions of power they never should have had. The millions of Republicans across our state deserve accountability and we are demanding it on their behalf. The Ohio Republican Party needs to be saved from within.”
Concerning to EmpowerU is the attached video which is 24 minutes longof a Ohio Republican State Central Committee meeting which occurred on December 3, 2021. At this meeting three resolutions were presented to the 66 members. Resolution #1 the Bainbridge Resolution called for the financial statements of the party to be audited (claim is that the financial statements have not been audited for at least 16 years). Resolution #2: The Rosenberger Resolution required the recent reorganization of the chairman of Standing ORP Committees to follow Section 3 of the Permanent Rules and Revisions and “The Audit Committee”. Watch Alex Triantafilou, as Chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party, stop Laura Rosenberg’s Resolution for the Ohio Republican State Central Committee to adhere to their bylaws, practice good governance and to initiate an audit of the State Central Committee financial statements by referring her motion to committee–(Time 9:31 of video). Resolution #3 The Leneghan Resolutiondirects handling of cash contributions and what is defined as Candidate Services, and that statewide candidates who have not been properly endorsed return all in-kind and cash contributions.
All three of these “good governance” resolutions were pushed down to other committees by State Central Committee–almost like it was a “cabal”–take a look at the video and decide for yourself. All State Central Committee members who have disagreed with Chairman Bob Paduchik have been removed from their permanent committees.
This possible issues at the Republican State Central Committee were discussed in an article in The Ohio Star written recently–Click Here.Dirty Tricks, yes, learn about them too. In an effort to defeat whistleblower Mark Bainbridge a man named Brian Bainbridge, WITH THE SAME LAST NAME has been recruited to run against him. Also Chairman Robert Paduchik possibly violate party rules by keeping the public from attending the February 4th Candidate Endorsement Meeting–Click Here.
Tonight, EmpowerU will be taking a look at your Ohio Republican State Central Committee and Party. Is the Ohio Republican Party Corrupt, guilty of bad governance and weak management or are these claims untrue? Join us and we will learn and take your questions. To read a copy of the Ohio Republican Party Bylaws Click Here. To watch Duane Pohlman’s from Local 12 investigative report on this subject Click Here .
If you are from the Republican State Central Committee and you want to disagree with any materials in this class we want to hear from you email: info@EmpowerUAmerica.org
Speaker Bios
Mark Bainbridge is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant with 30 years of experience driving the financial growth and strategic development of organizations across several industries. He possesses an in-depth understanding of board governance, corporate compliance, and ethics required to achieve board governance. Mark is a retired Ernst & Young Partner, one of the Big Four Accounting Firms where he worked from 1973-2009. He is a Board member with several companies across Ohio and the United States. Mark has a been recognized throughout his career for advising on fiduciary responsibilities. He is also an elected Ohio Republican State Central Committee member representing Senate District #16 in western Franklin and Union County. Mark Bainbridge is shown below.
Laura Rosenberger was elected to represent Clark, Greene and Madison Counties (District 10), a hotbed of conservative political activity. She has been politically active in her district for over a decade, launching her first major statewide crusade against Obamacare with Ohio’s Healthcare Freedom Amendment. She is a homeschool veteran of 25 years who not only teaches her own children, but also classes of students in American government and literature. Her latest efforts include spearheading Ohio House Bill 387, the Election Integrity Bill, which calls for stronger citizenship ID and ballot harvesting controls. In 2022, Laura was elected as a Board Director of the Clark County Board of Elections. When not dressed up to attend a board meeting, she runs a small organic farm with her husband, her children, and her favorite AR-15. Laura is shown below.
Mark Bainbridge and Laura Rosenberger shown below
Become a part of the movement for Educational Freedom in Ohio. Host a Backpack Bill Party.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Ohio State Representatives Marilyn John (R-Richland County) and Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) have officially introduced House Bill 290, better known as the Backpack Bill. The Backpack Bill will extend school choice to all students throughout Ohio, expanding their educational opportunities. The General Assembly recently passed a robust school funding overhaul, which takes strides toward identifying the costs associated with the individual education of each child. In addition to identifying the costs of a quality education, we should ensure tax dollars are being used to improve outcomes for Ohio’s children. The “Backpack Bill” is one initiative that will give parents freedom in educating their children. Learn about this important possibility for Ohio parents and students.
Be prepared to give your child their best Future. Make sure that Ohio funds students, not bureaucracy. Find out about Parental Rights and Alternative Childhood Education. Learn the facts about Ohio’s childhood Education system. Discover taxpayer-funded scholarships that follow your student wherever they go. Protect your child or grandchild from Public School indoctrination.
Will you help? It is time to provide choice for all parents and students about what is best for them individually. We are asking you to join us at EmpowerU tonight to become a part of the movement for Educational Freedom in Ohio by hosting a Backpack Bill Party. Troy McIntosh, Executive Director of Center for Christian Virtue’s Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN), who helped write and craft the Backpack Bill will join us tonight and teach us how we can each sponsor a party with 10 of our friends to help move the initiative forward. It’s easy and you will walk away from the class with all the tools necessary to be successful. Not sure if you want to sponsor a party? Come anyway and learn. We need your help to get make this opportunity available to all students in Ohio. Gather Your Friends, Let Your Legislators Know: Pass the Backpack Bill!
Speaker Bio:
Troy McIntosh is Director of CCV’s Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN). Troy comes to OCEN after serving 27 years in Christian education as a teacher, principal and, for the last eight years, as head of school at Worthington Christian School in Worthington, Ohio. Prior to his time in education, he worked in the Ohio House of Representatives in the Legislative Services Commission Fellowship program.
Troy’s time at Worthington Christian, he served the broader Christian school community as an Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Regional Council Member and Accreditation Commission Member, accreditation team chairperson, and conference presenter. For the last 15 y
ears, he has held various roles with the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), including President of the Central District Athletic Board and Vice President of the OHSAA Board of Directors.
Troy is a graduate of Wheaton College (B.A. Economics) and The Ohio State University (M.Ed. Education) and is a Colson Fellow with the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He and his wife Julie live in Westerville, Ohio and have three grown daughters.
Third Eye believes in helping everyone open their “minds eye” to a world of new possibilities…..one pint at a time. Join us for a fun evening at the brewery for our ending event!
Third Eye Brewery 11276 Chester Rd. Sharonville, Ohio 45246
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Third Eye features a large open taproom and lots of outdoor space including a covered patio with an upper deck. A wide range of beers and other hand crafted beverages to meet a variety of tastes – even for non-beer drinkers! Also offered is a limited selection of wine and spirits, non-alcoholic beverages, and a full kitchen.
For a cost of $12 we will tour the brewery and see firsthand how craft beer is made. We will sample four different craft beers, while one of Third Eye’s brewers describes how each flavor is made. EmpowerU will provide appetizers. Sign up early, class is limited to 50, payment can be made on the registration page.
Company’s Bio:
Third Eye Brewing Company. How it got to this point is just as mind-bending as some of their experimental beer creations. The idea had been conceptualized for over 20 years, but once the official paperwork was submitted in 2017, the ingredients needed for a successful venture seemed to slowly blend like a fresh batch in one of Third Eye’s fermenters. Third Eye first welcomed guests on June 17, 2020, in the middle of a global pandemic. While many businesses were forced to close their doors due to Covid-19,
Third Eye opened theirs and people haven’t stopped walking through since. The first 13 months couldn’t have gone much better for Third Eye, a good omen for the first piece of the puzzle in the revitalization of Sharonville’s once buzzing Northern Lights district. The Third Eye Family are having a heck of a time living out the mantra that can be found all over the brewery: live life, do good, and drink beer.
Karen Cartier Talks About Made In the U.S.A. Take 20: Governor Candidate Joe Blystone Visits EmpowerU!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Join this class as Karen Cartier talks about products intentionally made not to last. Be aware of products that are made ‘not to last’ including automotive, newer construction materials, electronics and what is ending up in our landfills. Instead of throwing them away, learn the value of keeping some of your appliances longer and getting them repaired (or fixing them yourself – you may be surprised). Stay aware of the long-term impact of our global “throw away society” and do your part to fight back as you’re able. Think before you buy! This class supports Made in America.
Joe Blystone will be with us from 7:05-7:30 PM. He cares passionately about Ohio’s future. Joe built the path to his American Dream – and is dedicated to make sure every Ohioan can too. He is going above and beyond to take the next step in protecting the American Dream in Ohio. Joe believes our freedoms are at stake and now is the time we take them back. He wants to restore the freedoms our overreaching government has taken away. Joe promises to make Ohio a more affordable state to live in and friendly to large and small businesses! Joe knows he is the right leader for Ohio and will put Ohioans first every day. He knows what Ohioans truly want and need. Ohio will be revitalized, and Joe Blystone will get it done. The future of Ohio depends on the strength of Ohioans!! It is time to strengthen Ohio. It is time to put conservative values back in the people’s house!
Speaker Bios :
Karen Cartier: Karen is an avid reader, writer, learner, wife, and mother of two. She has worked in IT as a technical writer for over 30 years and is currently working full-time in IT. Outside of her paying job, she serves as an officer in Toastmasters International as well as a volunteer Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Joe Blystone is a true Ohio native, born in East Liverpool, Ohio. He is happily married to Jane Blystone. They’ve been blessed with 3 children; Joe has one son, and Jane has two sons. They brought their families together in 2010. Family, faith, and freedom have always been foundational to the Blystone family.
Joe founded the Blystone Farm in 2004 and his nonprofit, Blystone Agricultural Community, Inc. in 2019. For more than a decade he has dedicated his time to serving the community and helping young adults and children learn the importance of hard work and living a happy and healthy lifestyle. The Blystones care deeply about their community and provide many agricultural classes to kids and their parents. Joe and Jane are freedom loving patriots, who have encouraged many to value and practice their God-given freedoms.
David Mowery is an engaging speaker, now he is back to bring us our regions history during the Civil War. Don’t miss it!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
During the American Civil War, Cincinnati played a crucial role in preserving the United States. Not only was the city the North’s most populous in the West, but also it was the nation’s third most productive manufacturing center. The Queen City of the West served as a key provider of the Union’s soldiers, weapons, supplies, medical aid, and political influencers.
In this presentation, Cincinnati historian David L. Mowery will reveal some of the Queen City’s key structures, such as military installations, hospitals, churches, businesses, and private homes, in the way they appeared at the time of the Civil War. Simultaneously, he will show how those same buildings look today. Come join David as he gives the highlights of Cincinnati’s impact on the outcome of the Civil War through a visual comparison of the past with the present.
Speaker Bio:
David L. Mowery is a native resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati. American military history piqued his interest at an early age. Since childhood, he has researched and visited over seven hundred battlefields across fifty states and nine countries. In 2001, David joined the all-volunteer Ohio Civil War Trail Commission as its Hamilton County representative, but over the years his role expanded to include the final design and historical validation of the entire length of the John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail of Ohio. He is the coauthor of Morgan’s Raid Across Ohio: The Civil War Guidebook of the John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail (Ohio Historical Society, 2014) and the author of Morgan’s Great Raid: The Remarkable Expedition from Kentucky to Ohio (History Press, 2013). Since 1995, David has been a member of the Cincinnati Civil War Round Table, for which he has written various papers on Civil War subjects and has led many Civil War tours of the Cincinnati region. He has also served with the Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation, the grass-roots organization working to preserve Ohio’s largest Civil War battlefield.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Sorry This Class Has Been Cancelled as Professor Tuchfarber has Decided Not to Participate. We Apologize for the Inconvenience!
This Class is Sponsored by Betty Overstreet
The purpose of tonight’s class is to give attendees……1) An opportunity to better understand the major changes and conflicts occurring in the US, and 2) An understanding of the diverse roles the US plays around the globe, how they are changing, and how our enemies are changing.
A few of the Questions to be answered are: 1) Will the US remain #1 across the globe? 2) Will American prosperity continue? 3) Whither goes inflation? 4) Where should investors look for investment opportunities?
Predictions to be made include: 1) When will we achieve a post-pandemic “New Normal?” 2) Which party will control the House and Senate after the 2022 elections? 3) Will radical progressives take control of US politics and policies? On politics you won’t hear from a more interesting speaker than Professor Al Tuchfarber, PHD.
Jim Renacci to Join EmpowerU!
From 7:05-7:30, Jim Renacci, Candidate for Governor will join EmpowerU. As Jim’s campaign heats up Economics in the State of Ohio will surely become on of the largest issues. Join Jim tonight as he will discuss the 2022 campaign and part of his plan for major tax reform.
Speaker Bios:
Alfred J Tuchfarber PhD, Professor Emeritus of Political Science – University of Cincinnati Owner – Tuchfarber Political-Economics, LLC, Blogger – TuchfarberReport.com
Al Tuchfarber is an academic and entrepreneur who has had a successful career as a teacher, researcher, senior administrator, campaign manager, political analyst, organizational strategist, and writer.
He holds a PhD in political science and has well over 100 publications.
Al’s intellectual and practical interests are very wide-ranging. He has spent his career both in the arena of ideas but also in the “real-world” where the rubber hits the road…where things must work.
Areas of special interest to him are American politics and political-economics, global politics and global political-economics, political polling, campaign and organizational strategies, demographics, and societal change.
Tuchfarber founded the Ohio Poll and directed it for a quarter century. The Poll established a remarkable record for accuracy in predicting elections and has been rated one of the nations best.
Al brings that experience and skill-set to his weekly blog — the Tuchfarber Report, as well as to his consulting, speaking, and writing.
His predictions are 80 to 95% accurate because they are based on facts, data, history and common sense…NOT on ideology, partisanship, or hopes.
As a political-economic analyst and author of the Tuchfarber Report, Al brings you insights and forecasts that you will not find elsewhere.
In 2009, the Obama Administration took over General Motors, shuttering dealerships across the country- including Jim’s in Northeast Ohio. Shutting down Jim’s dealership killed 50 good-paying jobs in his community – and Jim wasn’t going to stand by while neighbors were going hungry. How could Washington blatantly interfere in the everyday lives of hard-working Americans who wanted nothing more but their own chance at the American Dream? In 2010, Jim filed to run for U.S. Congress in Ohio’s 16th Congressional District, taking on a well funded Democratic incumbent. Jim won the election by 9 percent.
While in Congress, Jim earned a reputation for being a principled conservative and effective legislator. He quickly rose through the ranks to serve on the Committee on Financial Services, as vice-chair of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, and as a member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. After just two years, Jim was named to the powerful Ways and Means Committees and Budget Committees.
Jim’s track record as a blue-collar entrepreneur demonstrates his only allegiance has ever been to the very people who D.C. bureaucrats forcibly unemployed that fateful day in an Ohio car dealership – the everyday Americans forgotten by the Swamp. He represents the people’s hopes and fears, bringing actionable results back to the working people who gave him a voice.
The Incredible Life of Booker T. Washington Examined Tonight!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Join EmpowerU and Professor of Political Science at Ashland University, Gregory McBrayer, as he relates the life story of the often overlooked American Historical figure Booker T. Washington.
Booker T. Washington was born on April 5,1865 and became an educator, author, speaker and confidant of U.S. Presidents. Born into slavery, he was a leading voice for civil rights for African Americans. His voice and message continues to play a fundamental role in the ongoing civil rights debate today. Gregory McBrayer will paint the picture of the life of Booker T. Washington from being born into slavery, struggling against disenfranchisement and “Jim Crow” laws to mobilizing coalitions of blacks and whites focusing on self-reliance, self- help and the concept of “racial uplift”. Enjoy learning about this important American historical figure, his personal challenges living in the South immediately after the Civil War and his important contribution to healing the wounds of a nation torn by the war which pit brother against brother.
Do not miss this opportunity to hear from this amazing speaker who is passionate and knowledgeable about this subject and genuinely cares about true American History!
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From 7:05-7:25–an important session featuring Corrinne Vidales– about the Backpack Bill. Literacy, Lawyers, and Lobbying: How a young lawyer has been led to transform education legislation after years of service in children’s nonprofits and legal research on the state of education rights. The daughter of educator learned that parents truly are the first and primary educators of their children and we need a system that support them in that role. The “Backpack Bill” is one initiative that will give parents freedom in educating their children. Learn about this important possibility for Ohio parents and students. Will you help?
Speaker Bios:
Gregory A. McBrayer, assistant professor of political science and director of the core curriculum, joined Ashland University in 2017. He teaches courses in political philosophy and international relations. Prior to coming to Ashland, he was an assistant professor at Morehead State University, a postdoctoral fellow at Emory University, and a visiting assistant professor at Gettysburg College. He has published articles in Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy and Kentron: Revue Pluridisciplinaire du Monde Antique, as well as reviews in Interpretation, The Journal for Hellenic Studies, The American Journal of Islamic Social Science, and Political Science Quarterly. He is the author (with Mary Nichols and Denise Schaeffer) of Plato’s Euthydemus (Focus, 2011) and is the editor of Xenophon: The Shorter Writings (Cornell, forthcoming).
Corrinne Vidales is an attorney and lobbyist at Center for Christian Virtue where she serves as Assistant Director for the Ohio Christian Education Network. Corrinne is a graduate of Bowling Green Statue University and Ave Maria School of Law. During Law school she interned with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations and well as Heartbeat International. Prior to her legal career, Corrinne worked with Catholic Charities in Syracuse, New York and Toledo, OH. it was these charity programs as well as her educator parents that influenced her interest in Education Law and Policy. Today, she is blessed to work on amazing initiatives with OCEN and CCV like the Backpack Bill.
Finally, a class about Mellennials! Take 20: Educator Kelly Kohl's Empowers Parents and Citizens
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Jonathan Jakubowski explains why Millennials are leaving the Left, why that matters, and how conservatives can embrace them. Faith, family, freedom. These three pillars are interdependent in the American experiment. These timeless principles represent the reason for this book. With so many wonderful sources of literature discussing these ideals, one must ask, why is this book worthy of my time? Naturally, before spending countless hours writing, Jon had to ask himself the same question. It was upon the recognition of my unique location, living in Wood County, Ohio, a “Swing County”, that I knew that I had struck gold. Through a compilation of seven stories of Millennials in Swing County America, who swung from Obama to Trump, this work revives the importance of these timeless ideals of faith, family, and freedom in the electoral context.
Join Dr. Kelly Kohls as she teaches School Board Member Training. Why has public education been so widely criticized in the last 10 years? Learn why and how we know public education is failing us both academically and financially and how it can be fixed. Is the teachers union in full control of public education and if so what this means for your students, parents, community and country.
Speakers Bio:
Jonathan Jakubowski is the Author of an award-winning book that has gained national attention. Jonathan and Bellwether Blues – A Conservative Awakening of the Millennial Soul have been featured on the Rush Limbaugh Show, Newsmax, the Washington Times, Newsweek, The New York Times, BBC World News, The Federalist and dozens of other leading media outlets. He is also Director of SmartSolve, an award-winning startup business focused on sustainable packaging. Jonathan played football and received his undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University and Masters Degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University. Jonathan is the Founder of Champions in Action, Chairman of the Forge Leadership Network Board of Directors, and Fellow at Club For Growth. You can check out his new monthly blog on Newsmax titled The Red Pill. Jonathan, his wife Missy, and their four children reside in Northwest Ohio.
Dr. Kelly Kohls is an involved freedom activist, an educator and a businesswoman. With her extensive background in the fields of health care and education, Dr. Kohls has seen politics and public education change in ways that many citizens do not fully understand. She alerts citizens to those changes and empowers citizens and parents to maintain an active involvement in public and school matters by taking personal responsibility for their own lives and children’s education needs. As a leader of several Statewide and county organizations, Kohls travels the state of Ohio at her own expense, educating the public on “Why Education Is Failing Our Students and Why Common Core Is Not the Answer.” “Why we need to get more involved in public office candidate selection and mentoring”. She presents not only the problems, but solutions and recommendations, as well.
Dr. Kohls is the current President of the Ohio Republican PAC whose mission is to recruit, select and assist candidates for office that will strictly adhere to the US Constitution. She can be reached at the Ohio Republican PAC . com or the Ohio Republican PAC facebook page.
On the fence about whether homeschooling is for your family? This two hour class is for YOU!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thea Shoemake’s Powerpoint Will Be Loaded Here on This Website on Monday, November 1, 2021
This Class is Sponsored by Dr. Jay Rissover
Have you been considering homeschooling; wondering what it would take to be successful? Starting to think you have no choice? Sign up for this two hour class, and hear from someone who has done it. The overriding goal of homeschooling is to seed and encourage a curiosity that inspires life-long learning; an appreciation of the good, the beautiful and true, that through logic and reason, enables a free-thinking society that values logical and rational discourse. This class is for parents, grandparents, or anyone with a degree, who you may wish to homeschool your child(ren).
You can homeschool your child, so everyone considering the lifestyle can benefit from this class. The statistics on homeschooling have crushed most of the myths about the community, and we will certainly cover those, but at the end of the day, the most successful children have involved and engaged parents that have those important discussions at the dinner table…it’s just a matter of how many of those you need to “undo” before you have them. Like the profession of teaching, today’s homeschooling community is comprised of two groups: those who homeschool as a calling, and those who homeschool as a refuge or alternative schedule. Neither is right/wrong, good/bad, but why you homeschool may dictate the initial part of the journey. Toward that end, this class will cover “Myth-busting,” how to be “Legal” in Ohio, “Curricula,” and other areas about which people usually ask such as “Sports/Extra Curriculars.”
So, this is a 2 hour class on Saturday morning! We’ll make sure to have some coffee ready for you as you learn about this important information.
Speaker Bio :
Thea Shoemake chose to settle and raise their family in Cincinnati over 20 years ago. In addition to her political involvement supporting unbridled liberty in education, Thea kept quite busy in her two favorite roles as homeschool mom and tutor in both home and traditional school environments. A recent empty-nester, Thea continues to tutor and frequently helps other families considering the challenging but extremely rewarding lifestyle of home-centered education. Thea is also the founder of the Podcast Everythin is Political. This can be listened to on Apple, Spotify or Spreaker: https://www.everythingspolitical.org/podcasts. You can also get more up-do-date information atwww.everythingspolitical.org.
Entrepreneur Luke Perry Discusses Mark Levin's New Book and Take 20 : Nancy Brunemann gives tax updates for 2021
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Join Empower U to discuss “American Marxism” Mark Levin’s most recent best seller. The most important thing this book does is to name the malevolent political force that has been tearing this country apart as of late – Marxism. Levin reveals how the core elements of Marxism are now pervasive in American society and culture. He astutely notes that the original Communist Manifesto divided the people into two classes the “oppressors” and the “oppressed.”
The “Great One” Mark Levin’s Book is #1 on the NY Times Best Sellers List
Today’s version of this tactic in use by the American Left goes “Either you agree that all the systems of American life and government are systemically racist and evil and ought to be torn down, or you support racism and evil.” It is exactly this type of false binary choice that is a tool of the Marxist movement to enforce conformity across their political objectives. In his book, Levin exposes tactics like this as well as the institutions, intellectuals, and activists who are leading this Marxist revolution, and he provides some answers and ideas on how to confront them.
Levin ends the book addressing the reader directly saying “In the end, it is up to you to decide how best to help actively save our republic and what role you will choose…. While this is the end of the book, it is the beginning of a new day.” The backlash to the American Marxist revolution is here, and this book is a guide for patriotic Americans, informing us as to how we can be most effective in defeating the Marxist movement. This is a very important book, and it comes at exactly the right time.
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50 Years ago in August 1971, President Richard Nixon imposed Wage and Price Controls on the United States. Not since the 1970’s, has inflation increased as fast as it is in the United States now. Inflation and shortages persisted during much of the 1970’s when inflation reached a high level 14.8% in March 1980 . With the Producer Price Index today up 8.28% from one year ago, 9 out of 10 Americans say they are concerned. Managing Board Member Dan Regenold will discuss Wage and Price Controls. How much of a problem is inflation? Is it likely that wage and price controls could be imposed by the Biden administration? What has the history of controls been? What do the experts say? Tonight’s Take 20 is a warning of where our Country could be going and the fact that you should be prepared.
Speaker Bio :
Luke Perry is and entrepreneur and a Cincinnati native. He will speak tonight about Mark Levin’s Book. Luke became involved in community politics in 2020 as he witnessed the rise of CRT and abuse of the government’s emergency powers surrounding COVID. Now, Luke writes the weekly email for Empower U’s sister group StopCriticalRaceTheory.com, and he engages with his local, state, and federal government representatives on a regular basis to discuss important issues.
Luke is also the board chairman of Ohio Valley Associated Builders and Contractors, an organization of nearly 300 businesses in the region that support the merit shop philosophy. He is active in his family’s general contracting business and the Goering center at UC. In his spare time, Luke enjoys exercising, competitive shooting, hunting, and bothering his wife.
Dan Regenold
Dan Regenold is the Managing Board Member of EmpowerUAmerica.org a FREE university that was founded in 2011. He is also the founder and chairman of Frame USA, Inc. a online manufacturer of picture frames in Springdale, Ohio. To read Dan’s full bio —Click Here.
This Class Has Been Been Cancelled Due to a Complication in Travel Plans for Vivek. We hope to reschedule!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
This Class Has Been Been Cancelled Due to a Complication in Travel Plans for Vivek. We hope to reschedule!
“Vivek Ramaswamy provides the single most informative and insightful analysis yet of woke ideology … WOKE, INC. is indispensable for understanding how America’s newest and most consequential cultural dogma is fundamentally transforming virtually every sector of our lives.”
— Glenn Greenwald, journalist, constitutional lawyer, and author of four New York Times bestselling books
The Author of Woke, Inc., Vivek Ramaswamy visits EmpowerU tonight. A young entrepreneur makes the case that politics has no place in business, and sets out a new vision for the future of American capitalism.
There’s a new invisible force at work in our economic and cultural lives. It affects every advertisement we see and every product we buy, from our morning coffee to a new pair of shoes. “Stakeholder capitalism” makes rosy promises of a better, more diverse, environmentally-friendly world, but in reality, this ideology championed by America’s business and political leaders robs us of our money, our voice, and our identity.
Vivek Ramaswamy is a traitor to his class. He’s founded multibillion-dollar enterprises, led a biotech company as CEO, he became a hedge fund partner in his 20s, trained as a scientist at Harvard and a lawyer at Yale, and grew up the child of immigrants in a small town in Ohio. Now he takes us behind the scenes into corporate boardrooms and five-star conferences, into Ivy League classrooms and secretive nonprofits, to reveal the defining scam of our century. The modern woke-industrial complex divides us as a people. By mixing morality with consumerism, America’s elites prey on our innermost insecurities about who we really are. They sell us cheap social causes and skin-deep identities to satisfy our hunger for a cause and our search for meaning, at a moment when we as Americans lack both.
This book not only rips back the curtain on the new corporatist agenda, but it also offers a better way forward. America’s elites may want to sort us into demographic boxes, but we don’t have to stay there. WOKE, INC. begins as a critique of stakeholder capitalism and ends with an exploration of what it means to be an American in 2021—a journey that begins with cynicism and ends with hope.
Vivek will be signing his book, Woke, Inc., at 6:30 PM before the class and after the class. Make sure to grab one at this event.
“In this engaging, brilliant book, Vivek Ramaswamy hits the nail on the head: companies go woke because they get richer from division rather than unity. This book is an essential weapon in the battle to reclaim America’s soul.”
— JD Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy and venture capitalist
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From 7:05-7:30 Todd Palmeter, Chief Executive Officer for Great Parks of Hamilton County will join us to discuss Issue 29. The new levy would raise an extra $20 million annually for Great Parks. Great Parks of Hamilton County will ask voters in November to double the amount of property taxes they pay for county parks.
The five-member board Thursday approved a tax hike that would pay for more trails and maintenance at the 21 county parks and conservation areas and six golf courses. For the homeowner of a $100,000 house, the tax hike would cost an additional $33 per year. That’s on top of the current park levy that costs that same homeowner $30 per year.
The tax hike is lower than the original proposals of 1 mil to 1.25 mills. That would have cost homeowners $35 to $43 per $100,000 each year. And it’s just over half the tax increase the park district tried to ask in 2020 when they voted to put a 1.8 mil, $63 per $100,000 tax hike on the ballot.
Speaker Bio:
Vivek Ramaswamy founded Roivant Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company, in 2014, after a career as a successful biotech investor. A 35-year-old first-generation American, he is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School. Vivek became a hedge fun partner in his 20’s, and grew up the child of immigrants in the small town of Evendale, Ohio. He now lives with his wife Apoorva and their son Karthik.
Mr. Ramaswamy serves on the board of directors of the Philanthropy Roundtable and the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity. In his new book Woke, Inc. Vivek takes you behind the scenes into corporate boardrooms and five-star conferences, into Ivy League classrooms and secret nonprofits, to reveal the defining scam of our century. The book begins as a critique of stakeholder capitalism and ends with an exploration of what it means to be an American in 2021. Vivek is a graduate of St. X High School and has recently been turning heads on Tucker Carlson’s show and on the Opinion pages of the Wall St. Journal.
Todd Palmeter, Chief Executive Officer The Chief Executive Officer serves as the chief administrator and executive officer overseeing all operations of Great Parks of Hamilton County, reporting directly to the Board of Park Commissioners. The Chief Executive Officer works and collaborates with Great Parks Forever.
Sponsored by Senior Care Partners. Take 20: Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted Joins EmpowerU to discuss Higher Education Alternatives
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Uncertainty seems to be lurking all around us these days. This can derail us if we are not careful. Let’s add Dementia to the brain of someone you love and your whole world can feel upside down, falling apart. We can’t fix this one but with the right instructions the holidays can still be meaningful. I can add some much needed tools to your tool belt, help you realize there is life even with dementia and find hope while dealing with progressive memory loss.
I hope you will join me to learn better ways to enjoy family time even with someone living with Dementia. Mark your calendar for Oct. 21st at 7pm and have your notepad ready as I take you on a journey into our holiday traditions.
Thank goodness EmpowerU provides a platform where adults can gather in person or online to learn about issues that many of us are dealing with. This event is being sponsored by Senior Care Partners.
7:05-7:25 PM–Jon Husted, Lieutenant Governor for the State of Ohio joins EmpowerU. Navigating Pathways to Credentials and Careers. Description: Americans owe an estimated $1.57 trillion in student loan debt. Some want the debt “forgiven,” and some want college to be “free.” There are affordable solutions out there for students and families if you know how to navigate the system. It’s my goal as Lieutenant Governor to help Ohioans figure out how to reach their destination. If you take advantage of the opportunities available right now in Ohio, you can receive a college degree, an industry-recognized credential and a pathway to a rewarding career, all debt-free, no matter your age or background.
Speaker Bio:
Teresa Youngstrom is a Seasoned Registered Nurse and Dementia Specialist. She has more than 35 years of Clinical and Leadership experience in Healthcare. She became intensely focused on Memory Care when it touched her own family. Teresa is a PAC Certified Independent Trainer under Teepa Snow. Her passion for improving the lives of people living with Dementia led her to start her own business, “A Better Approach to Memory Care”, where she provides staff training, family consulting and professional education.
Lt. Governor Jon Husted oversees the Ohio Common Sense Initiative (CSI) and serves as the Director of both the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and InnovateOhio. Jon Husted started his life in a foster home before being adopted by his loving parents, Jim and Judy. He is the oldest of three children and was raised in Northwest Ohio’s Williams County. The small community instilled in him the importance of faith, family, and hard work that serve as the foundation of his public service. He graduated from Montpelier High School and earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the University of Dayton (UD).
Jon was an All-American defensive back for the Dayton Flyers and a member of UD’s 1989 Division III National Championship Football Team. After receiving his Master’s Degree, Jon remained in the Miami Valley and served as the Vice-President for Economic Development at the Dayton-Area Chamber of Commerce.
Wild Birds Unlimited : Everyone loves hummingbirds, but what about all the other wild birds. Take 20: Tom Hagedorn talks about American Education.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
WHO ARE OUR BACKYARD BIRDS? HOW CAN I ATTRACT THEM TO MY BACKYARD? Tim Coates who has owned and operated Wild Birds Unlimited in Forest Park for over 20 years will share his vast knowledge and first hand observations of Backyard Wild Birds and help us make them our Backyard Buddies. Moreover, His presentation style and sense of humor will keep you entertained throughout his class!
Wild Birds is a nation-wide franchise with over 300 stores in 45 states and four provinces in Canada and is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN. They have been serving the Backyard Birding community for nearly 40 years. Tim will share his insight on topics including, “Who are our Backyard Birds”, “How Can I Attract Them to My Backyard”, “Selecting Food and Feeders to my Backyard” and “The Wonderful World of Bird Behavior”. Tim will also be glad to answer any questions you have so bring them with you!
If you are a bird lover you will not want to miss this class, and if you are not you may just turn into one!
Join Tom Hagedorn as he talks about American Education and its Takeover by International Socialism. International socialism began its nearly complete “long march” through every major American institution over one hundred years ago. Education was a prime early target. They knew that Abraham Lincoln was right when he said, “the philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” The leader of this sinister mission was John Dewey, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, who is widely recognized as the Father of American Education. This class will take you on a quick tour of the persistent war waged by American Marxist educators since the 1920s, when Dewey came back from a tour sponsored by Stalin’s Russia to write glowing reports of conditions in the Soviet Union. Dewey and other socialists hatched their plans in the 1930s at Columbia University and started to recruit followers at the highest levels of American education. You will learn how their plans were methodically implemented and fine-tuned over every generation since then, into what is known today as progressive education. This system, intended only for a socialist America, has dominated education in public, private, and even religious schools for some time. In many ways, it explains both WHY and HOW traditional Christian norms in law, morality, and society have been replaced by the radical secular absence of standards that now dominates American thought, culture and society. Progressive education has set the stage for a peaceful revolution.
Speaker Bio:
Tim Coates: Tim opened Wild Birds Unlimited in Forest Park, in October, 1995. He has grown it into the largest store to include not only fresh, no-filler seeds and seed blends, but also state of the art feeders, houses, birdbaths and an exclusive Advanced Pole System. There is a huge assortment of nature and backyard books, field guides, garden art, and wind chimes. Additionally, the store includes an entire squirrel department with feeders and toys, just for squirrels.
He was raised in Illinois farm country, attended the University of Indianapolis, and arrived in Cincinnati via Federated Department Stores in the late 70’s. Tim has appeared on Live in the Morning, WXIX Channel 19, and gives about 3 to 4 talks every month. He has lived in the Cincinnati area for over 40 years, has two sons, Robert (39) and Garrett (37), and two grandchildren.
Tim has created a welcoming atmosphere in which to browse and relax, while enjoying a complimentary cup of hot tea, coffee, apple cider or hot chocolate along with a bag of snacks.
Tom Hagedorn: Tom has been studying American Education for 30 years. While pursuing an independent study of the history of the Buckeye State, he stumbled upon a sentence in the Ohio Constitution that would change his life forever: “Religion, morality, and knowledge, however, being essential to good government…it shall be the duty of the general assembly…to encourage schools and the means of education.” His shock that the public schools were created to support religion and morality led him on a long, tedious journey. Eight years ago, he published “Founding Zealots: How Evangelicals Created America’s First Public Schools, 1783-1865.” It tells how those first schools came about and what they were like. But it also describes in detail how this story has been ignored and distorted by the progressive historians who have a very different vision for American schools, society and government than did our Founders.
Tom has been providing investment advice to individuals for four decades. When he was not researching and writing Founding Zealots, he was involved in various political, charitable, and community activities. He remains active in all those things and in the fight to return the schools to a traditional role in American society, in service to their parents and to their parents’ values.
For all entrepreneurs. How about grave-robbing or body snatching as a business, are you thinking “out of the box”? Take 20: Lauren Bowen talks about the Freedom Foundation and her important work informing unionized employees.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Mary Cunningham who, in the 1870s, with her husband William were in the business of aiding many young Cincinnati medical students in their studies by providing them with cadavers upon which to examine. They were grave-robbing body snatchers! Irish born Mary was a fun-loving woman that liked her whiskey and was rough around the edges. At the time you “see” Mary her beloved husband William, known as the “Ghoul of Cincinnati,” had passed away. Mary, dubbed as “Alligator Jaws” will enlighten you of the fine arts of bodysnatching, which was a very lucrative market in Cincinnati during that time. What else we know of Mary are from the many Cincinnati newspaper articles about bodysnatching.
The Freedom Foundation has One Mission, One Goal : We are an action-focused, non-profit policy organization- a “Think tank”- based in Olympia, Washington and active across the nation, with additional offices in Oregon, California , Ohio and Pennsylvania. Founded in 1991 by Bob Williams and Lynn Harsh to advance the ideals of ” free markets and limited accountable government,” today we are a national leader in winning the fight for freedom at the state and local level. Since 2012, our singular focus has been battling public-sector unions, and no one fights government unions more aggressively or successfully than the Freedom Foundation. We battle the union political machine by defending workers’ constitutional rights, enforcing campaign finance laws, introducing reforms that protect workers’ rights, working to increase union transparency, and exposing the illegal actions of big government unions. Hear this interesting story from Ohio Director, Lauren Bowen.
Speaker Bios:
Joyce Lovins Browning- is a native of Ohio growing up in Harrison and Okeana. She has been performing Living History for over 18 years. She retired after 20 years as the Naturalist Coordinator from Great Parks of Hamilton County in 2018, and now enjoys working as a part-time Tour Coordinator for Ohio Travel Treasures, sending groups on wonderful bus tour adventures.
Lauren Bowen: Ohio Director- Lauren is a lifelong Ohio resident and calls Cincinnati home. After earning a master’s degree in international politics from Wright State University in 2014, she led an innovative, first of its kind, digital government accountability and transparency project, called the Ohio Checkbook. Through that leadership experience, Lauren developed a fierce determination to undermine government corruption. She has since joined the Freedom Foundation as State Director to fight union tyranny and oppression. In her spare time Lauren enjoys collecting early American antiques and trying new restaurants with her husband.
What would you do if you were caught in an Active Shooter situation? This class will prepare you should it ever happen.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Note: We are Sorry, but the Virtual Part of Tonight’s Class has been cancelled due to the complexity of the Powerpoint Presentation. We do not believe the slide and video presentation would translate well to a virtual showing. Please join us live for the class at EmpowerU Studio at 6:30 PM.
An intense 2 hour, awareness-level class will help you better understand:
Lessons learned from current research on active shooter (killer) incidents and, how to prepare as an individual to avoid, deter or delay an active shooter (killer) incident. If you and your family are caught in one of these incidents, what should you do? Do you know why these incidents happen, or if there are any patterns to such crimes? You’ll learn response considerations for the concealed carry individual, and what kind of training is available. Should you consider always having some kind of equipment on you to minimize loss of life and maximize your chances for survival?
Businesses will want to consider legal considerations of workplace violence (WPV) and active shooter (killer) incidents. As an employer do you have a workable active shooter (killer) response plan? “Hardening” your facilities, improving your procedures, & training your greatest assets: your co-workers and you! Equipment considerations (safety, medical, etc.) to minimize loss of life and maximize your chances for survival. Communication considerations, both internal and external, to include 9-1-1, your loved ones, and your employees.
Speaker Bio:
COL Bob Cutajar, USA (ret.) (coo – TIE – yer”)
Has managed the Center for Haz Mat, Rescue & Safety at Cincinnati State College’s Workforce Development Center for 6 years. Retired after forty years in the Army as infantry officer; sniper instructor; warrant officer & helicopter pilot. Combat service in: Grenada, Central America, Desert Storm, Balkans, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabian peninsula (wounded twice). Retired from P&G after twenty-six years as CBD/PS. Spent 10 years in Florida as Reserve Deputy Sheriff. Firearms Instructor (NRA / USCCA; OH and KY concealed carry licenses) Curriculum developer of both the “Active Killer Awareness & Safety” and “Basic Emergency Casualty Care” Workshops at Cincinnati State College.
Digital Dollar? Bitcoin? Are you prepared for future changes to the dollar? Take 20--Barb Horwitz discusses Civil Disobedience.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Move over Bitcoin The Federal Reserve is taking what may be the first significant step toward launching its own virtual currency, a move that could shake up banks, give millions of low-income Americans access to the financial system and fortify the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency. The idea of creating a fully digital version of the U.S. dollar, which was unthinkable just a few years ago, has gained bipartisan interest from lawmakers as diverse as Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and John Kennedy (R-La.)
The explosive rise of private crypto currencies in recent years motivated the Fed to start considering a digital dollar to be used alongside the traditional paper currency. Although crypto currencies like bitcoin are digital, a Central Bank Digital Currency would be fundamentally different from current cryptos because it would still be controlled by a central bank rather than a decentralized computer network.
Coinbase, maybe you’ve never heard of it. Or, maybe you’re confused about what it even is. A quick explanation: Coinbase is an app that lets you buy and sell all sorts of cryptocurrencies. You can also use Coinbase to convert one cryptocurrency to another, or to send and receive cryptocurrency to and from other people. Coinbase also shows you the current price and trends for cryptocurrencies, a look at your portfolio of holdings, and news stories about the industry.
China’s central bank is rolling out its own digital yuan as it cracks down on the mining and usage of crytocurrencies within its border.
In May, Goldman Sachs launched their Digital Assets dashboard which provides daily and intraday cryptocurrency market data and news to their clients.
Barb Horwitz speaks on Civil Disobedience. Remember the sit-ins at segregated lunch counters in the South in the early 60s? Remember the flag burnings to protest the Vietnam War? And more recently, think about Edward Snowden’s release of highly classified NSA documents to bring public awareness of the government’s unconstitutional surveillance practices and infringement of civil liberties. These are examples of civil disobedience, which is the active, non-violent refusal to accept the dictates of governments. It’s a grass roots form of action when traditional methods of protest such as petitioning, lobbying, marching, and voting have failed to get a response from the government. It came to public attention in the mid-1800s through the work of the famous American philosopher, Henry David Thoreau, and achieved its greatest recognition when Martin Luther King used practical methods to implement it during the fight for civil rights in the 1960s. We’ll take a look at Thoreau’s and King’s thoughts about it tonight, and see what insights they can give us today to meaningfully react to and protest current governmental policies.
Speaker Bio:
Michael Hiles: Michael is a business executive focused on early-stage technology research and development. As a software engineer, he is a technology solutions architect with marketing, business operations, and financial experience. Michael began developing software on mainframe systems at an early age in the late 1970’s. He began his career in the early 1990s as a software engineer for Sabre Systems and Services, which later became Manatron – a provider of local county government enterprise solutions. In 1995, Michael founded SoftLynx Interactive, one of the first web development companies in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area.
After exiting his web development firm in 2000, Michael sought to bring web technology to other industries. He became the lead internet architect for Proware, a Cincinnati-based govtech software provider. Proware builds judicial management solutions, and Michael’s team won a Smithsonian Laureate Award for being the first to ever connect a judicial system to the world wide web (courtclerk.org).
Michael served as President of the Board of Directors for the Franklin County Economic Development Commission in Franklin County, Indiana in 2012. While acting as board president, Michael’s efforts led to the creation of a local business development TIF district and relocation of a large manufacturing plant (Uni-Ref) into a vacant facility, creating many career-wage jobs.
He launched the Cincinnati chapter of Founder Institute, the local operation for the Silicon Valley-based global accelerator founded by Adeo Ressi. In three years, the local accelerator launched almost 30 companies with pre-money valuations of $1 million each. Early in 2017, Michael formalized the founding team and launched 10XTS, a provider of blockchain information governance, risk, and compliance information and data solutions.
Barb Horwitz: Barb was a member of the Butler County, Ohio, legal community for many years, serving first as a paralegal in two general practice firms, then as the bailiff for retired Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Sage, and finally as an attorney in a firm where she specialized in insurance litigation and consumer bankruptcy. She has continued her practice of insurance law and consumer bankruptcy in a partnership with her son Jonathan Horwitz at offices presently in Centerville, Ohio.
She resided for many years in Springfield Township, where she served as a president of the View Place Civic Association. In addition, she has volunteered in several political campaigns. She and her husband Gary have now resided and raised their family in Wyoming for several years.
Heritage Foundation on History of Critical Race Theory and What We Can Do To Fight Back
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Critical race theory (CRT) is a descendent of critical theory (CT), a school of philosophy that began in Frankfurt, Germany, in the 1920s and 1930s at the University of Frankfurt’s Institute for Social Research. It became known as “the Frankfurt School” and was one of the first, if not the first, Western Marxist schools patterned after the Marx–Engels Institute in Moscow.
The Frankfurt School’s scholars fled to Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York in 1934 to escape persecution by the Nazis, and were careful to erase the word Marxism from their research papers so as not to attract attention in America. Critical theory was, from the start, an unremitting attack on Western institutions and norms in order to tear them down.
It next became a short step to critical legal theory in the late 1970s and 1980s. CLT built on critical theory’s idea that the world is based on systems of power and claims that American law is systemically oppressive. From there it was another short step to Critical Race Theory which further claimed that America is systemically racist, and that this racism produced an alliance between working-class whites and the oppressor capitalist class, which prevented working-class solidarity.
When followed to its logical conclusion, CRT is destructive and rejects the fundamental ideas on which our constitutional republic is based. Applying the philosophy would violate a multitude of American civil rights laws by treating people differently according to race. This presentation will dive into the history and origins of critical theory, critical legal theory and critical race theory, how Americans can identify it, and how we can fight back against this destructive ideology.
Stephanie Kreuz, who many of us know from her important work at Heritage Action will be joining Mike Gonzalez in his presentation.
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From 7:05-7:25 Meet Isaac Adi, born in Nigeria. Isaac is running for School Board in the Lakota District. He will discuss The America he came to which was one that gave everyone an equal chance to succeed. How all people should have a chance to take advantage of the opportunities that America offers to achieve the American Dream–and how it is different than the Country he came from.
Speaker Bio:
Mike Gonzalez is a Senior Fellow at The Heritage Foundation. He writes on Critical Race Theory, identity politics, diversity, multiculturalism, assimilation and nationalism, as well as foreign policy in general. He spent close to 20 years as a journalist, 15 of them reporting from Europe, Asia and Latin America. He left journalism to join the administration of President George W. Bush, where he was speechwriter for Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox before moving on to the State Department’s European Bureau. He joined Heritage in March 2009.
Stephanie Kreuz–Stephanie Kreuz has been involved in public policy and political campaigns since 2005. Prior to joining the Heritage Action team she worked in the legal field, and wrote for WatchdogWire, a project of the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. She also previously interned for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland, Michigan in education policy. Stephanie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Hillsdale College in 2012, with a major in Politics and a minor in Latin. She grew up near Toledo, OH and currently resides in Cincinnati.
Isaac Adi– is running for the Lakota School Board. He is a very proud US citizen. He came to America from Nigeria over 18 years ago to provide my family with the opportunities in America that did not exist in his country.
The America Isaac came to was one that gave everyone an equal chance to succeed. Isaac believes if you take advantage of the opportunities and work hard you will fulfill your dream.
His family has taken advantage of the opportunities America offers by getting a strong education and working hard. America is a country that rewards those who are prepared, and are willing to work every day to achieve their own American dream. In America, we are all given the chance to achieve our dream. While Isaac loves his country of birth, he also love the country he chose so many years ago, America. His family and he are examples of what can happen if you get a good education and work hard every day to achieve your American dream. Isaac has a Business Administration graduate of Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria and has received a Master’s in Science from Colorado Technical University in Colorado Springs, CO. He is a managing partner of Ohio based KGN Petroleum and a member of the Ohio Oil & Gas Association. https://www.isaacadi.com/on-the-issues
Systemic Woke Suburban Thuggery… and Take 20: Brendan Shea Talks About Today's Ohio Education System.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Both Rachel R. Citak and Max Black discuss cancel culture and silencing issues in the suburban community. In case you didn’t know—white, suburban, middle-class liberals are the face of today’s political intimidation tactics. And political intimidation is the new tool for shutting down public discourse—especially when it comes to threatening parents and candidates who are willing to speak out against Critical Theory. But the real question is, how many are being silenced and victimized by these covert tactics? How can you identify and respond? How can you keep from getting #canceled? What are the civil and criminal legal options available to you? Join us for an eye-opening and informative class discussing the ins and outs of Systemic Woke Suburban Thuggery. From mail fraud to identity theft, doxxing to glitter bombs, join CRT expert Attorney Rachel Citak and Canceled Out podcast host Max Black as they discuss the widespread silencing firsthand accounts of victims and pending litigation, coming straight from an Ohio neighborhood near you. And yes—we have the receipts. With local school board elections just around the corner, our voices and k-12 curriculums are at stake. Call it the modern mafia, call it the worst of woke-ism— but what you cannot call it is apolitical. Whether you are a candidate, parent, or concerned-citizen, you won’t want to miss this.
Brendan Shea discusses Critical Race Theory (CRT), Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). In this talk, State Board of Education member Brendan Shea, a parent of 5 children, will equip you with knowledge and tools to combat these three harmful programs plaguing education today.
Speaker Bios:
EmpowerU guest Rachel R. Citak Ohio-licensed attorney and owner of her own legal practice, RACHEL R. CITAK, ATTORNEY AT LAW LLC. Her firm services clients across Ohio in multiple practice areas. Additionally, her conservative advocacy and public relations work has included appearing on Ohio news stations and testifying at the Ohio Statehouse. In addition to publishing op-ed articles as a member of the Cincinnati Enquirer Board of Contributors, she has also authored op-eds in the Western Journal and Columbus Dispatch—with a feature by Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire. Prior to opening her firm, she specialized in Criminal Law with a focus on prosecution in law school while clerking for the Ohio Attorney General and Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office.
Rachel has extensive experience working in Columbus as both a registered lobbyist and in-house counsel. She currently serves as a board member for Cincinnati Right to Life and Stand With Cops. As passionate firearms enthusiasts, Rachel and her husband Rob are active members of the second amendment community in addition to serving as advisory attorneys for the USCCA network. When she’s not servicing her clients, you can find her participating in equestrian sport, hanging out with her German Shepherd and Cavalier Spaniel, or shooting her Glock 42 on their outdoor range at home.
Moderator Max Black is host of the Canceled Out podcast covering local politics with the goal of inspiring and encouraging individuals on how to make a difference in their communities. He is a Project Manager, US Navy submarine veteran and graduate from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor’s in Music Business. Upon returning to his hometown of Cincinnati, he familiarized himself with the importance of local elections and politicians’ responsibilities to their constituents. His mission is to build a framework for effecting change by leveraging modern technologies, including the podcast and building platforms like Chronikles.org, to provide a reliable resource for information on local stories. When he’s not working, Max spends his time reading, hiking with his dog and enjoying IPAs at the local breweries.
Brendan Shea was elected to the State Board of Education by the people of the 10th District in November 2020. The 10th District includes Adams, Brown, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Gallia, Greene, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Madison, Pike, Ross, Scioto and the western portions of Pickaway and Vinton counties.
Hailing from a large family of educators, Brendan believes deeply in the life-changing power of education. He believes education should focus on the good, the true and the beautiful and that children must learn to think critically and develop wisdom and virtue, allowing them to achieve their God-given potential and to become engaged citizens and productive members of society.
As the father of five young children, Brendan knows firsthand the unique challenges families face in raising and educating their children today. He believes parents are the first and primary educators of their children, and he will be a strong voice for both parents and children on the Board.
This Class is Virtual Only : House Representative Jennifer Gross joins EmpowerU and Take 20-- Meet one of Ohio's Future Leaders--Ruth Edmonds
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Freshman State Representative Jennifer Gross (Dist. 52 West Chester) joins EmpowerU to discuss various issues including the contentious House Bill 248. House Bill 248, the Vaccine Choice and Anti-Discrimination Act, authored by Representative Gross who is joined by fifteen co-sponsors in the Ohio House from across the state. This bill would prohibit the imposition of a “vaccine mandate” and carrying a “vaccine passport” in order for Ohioans to work, exercise or enter public buildings. Proposed legislation in Ohio has rarely caused such a dramatic separation of viewpoints among legislators, businesses, and Ohioans. After Ohioans have lived under lockdowns, mask restrictions and a mandatory vaccination scheme for more than a year, House Bill 248 attempts to bridge the divide between safety precautions taken on behalf of the public “Common Good” and the very basis of individual liberty and personal responsibility. Get your popcorn!
From ghetto girl to God’s Ambassador, Ruth Edmonds a self-professed modern day government mountain prophet with the loyalty of Ruth, the anointing of Deborah and the call like Esther for such a time shares how her faith journey shaped her approach to being a candidate for the U.S. Congress. Oh and if you haven’t had a chance make sure to watch that incredible interview Ruth had with Tucker Carlson–to watch click-here.
Speaker Bios:
State Rep. Jennifer Gross is currently serving her first term in the Ohio House of Representatives. She represents the 52nd District, which includes West Chester Township, Liberty Township, Fairfield Township and part of Sharonville in Butler County. She is a 21-year Air Force veteran and retired Lt. Colonel, who served our great nation in Saudi Arabia during Operation Provide Comfort and in Sarajevo during Operation Provide Promise. Gross retired from the military in 2008. She is currently a member of American Legion Post 681 and VFW Post 7696, where she became the first active female inductee in February, 2019.
Representative Gross has been a Family Nurse Practitioner for over 16 years and a registered nurse for over 30 years. Prior to becoming an NP, she managed a three million dollar territory for Eli Lilly. She most recently participated as a sub-investigator for Operation WARP Speed developing treatments to help battle COVID-19. She also currently manages a small business as a health coach. Representative Gross believes in strong public policy that supports Ohio business success, legislation which supports and protects the unborn and will uphold Ohioans Constitutional Freedoms. She resides in West Chester with her husband, Chris, and their two sons.
Minister Ruth Edmonds, Director Christian Engagement, Center for Christian Virtue (CCV)
Ruth Edmonds is a Christian conservative leader, public policy activist and a sought after voice by clergy, lay ministers, the faith community and national media on issues impacting culture such as Critical Race Theory (CRT), School Choice, NewsMax, Sebastian Gorka and Tucker Carlson programs.
Ruth has a distinguished public service career having been a key aide to the administration of conservative elected office holders including Franklin County Auditor Clarence Mingo, Ohio Governor Bob Taft, and former Congresswoman Deborah Pryce. She’s a former president of the Columbus Branch NAACP, the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights organization. Recently she ran and finished strong in a special primary election for the open OH-15 Congressional District seat, placing in the top 5 of an 11 way race and second in the largest county of the district beating out two state senators, a state rep and a self-funded businessman.
Ruth is a licensed and ordained minister serving on the ministry leadership team at her home church, Columbus Christian Center. A proud U.S. citizen, defender of the U.S. Constitution, committed to ensuring the strongest American government of the people, by the people and for the people, Ruth’s principles, character, ethics, and integrity are grounded in a biblical worldview. A mother of two adult daughters, Ruth lives in Upper Arlington, Ohio with her husband George.
Take 20: Meet 13 Year old Hawke Busby, a kid Who Believes He Can Make a Difference
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
6:15-7:00 PM–Come Early–Live Music From Mike Biere –Join US!
Mike Biere to Play Live Acoustic Music from 6:15-7:00 PM–Come Early!
So what does it mean to EmpowerU? Let’s get into tonight… Dan will bring us up-to-date on Critical Race Theory in Ohio. He will talk about activism and his Lawsuit against the “Woke” Ohio Board of Education. Can we win? He will mix in a few interesting stories that have happened along the way (There have been many!) and relate this battle to our history and why it is so important to understand exactly what is happening.
Dan Regenold is one of the founders of the initiative StopCriticalRaceTheory.com a Coalition of 41 Ohio groups. The mission: Stop Critical Race Theory in Ohio’s schools, universities and governments. One of the goals of the class is to help people at EmpowerU catch-up with what has happened in the State of Ohio and Critical Race Theory over the last 3 months. Also a discussion about Education in Ohio…you won’t like what you hear…
During this presentation you will also learn about “Equity”, and how schools all around Ohio have hired consultants to create racist “School Equity Plans.”–paid for with Covid money. Learn how to talk back to teachers and educators trying to indoctrinate your kids. Also, we will look at Governor Mike DeWine’s role in moving Ohio towards Critical Race Theory and the legislation that is currently pending in Ohio (House Bill 327) to end CRT and the teaching, advocation or promoting divisive concepts. Dan’s goal tonight is simple. To help get you more Empowered in your life and take on tough topics whether it be in business, your personal life or involvement with your kids! Dan dares you to EmpowerU!
Also on this night you will get to meet an incredible 13 year old Hawke Busby. He was homeschooled last year and will be attending the Ohio Christian Academy this year. He loves Hip Hop Dance, Breakdancing and Basketball. He believes kids can make a difference in the world and he is simply using his voice to do his part. Hear Hawke’s incredible story and voice tonight at EmpowerU. (See picture of Hawke Busby below)
Speaker Bio:
Dan Regenold first became active in Government in 2003 when he became involved fighting Eminent Domain and helping stop it in Evendale and in Norwood, Ohio. In 2006, he was one of the founders of WeDemandAVote.com which successfully fought and stopped, by ballot initiative, a sales tax increase in Hamilton County, Ohio. Later WeDemand stopped Red Light Cameras in Hamilton County.
Regenold spoke at the CPAC Convention in 2008 to discuss major Grassroots initiative actions across the United States. In 2009, Dan was unsuccessful in his efforts to bring accountability to the Federal Government’s finances with a citizen lead initiative WeDemandABalancedBudget.com. In 2010 Regenold was one of three leaders of the initiative to End Ohio’s Estate Tax which happened in 2011. The Tax Foundation called the repeal of Ohio Estate Tax one of the most important Tax accomplishments of 2011. In 2011 Regenold founded EmpowerUAmerica.org (now in its 22nd semester), a Free University offered in the Greater Cincinnati area with the goal of “empowering” citizens.
In 2014, Regenold was one of the leaders of the effort to separate Music Hall from a County Wide Sales Tax which helped the Museum Center renovation get passed by the voters of Hamilton County. Dan is a lover of Liberty and enjoys speaking to EmpowerU classes about subjects he is passionate about. Recently he has discussed: Milton Friedman, Saul Alinsky, Net Neutrality, D-Day, The Deficit Mess, America and Winston Churchill at EmpowerU Classes. Regenold is founder and Chairman of Frame USA, Inc., a Made-In-America picture frame manufacturing company in Springdale, Ohio.
Parents Rise up and Protest at the Board of Education!
Ohio Board of Education 25 S. Front Street Columbus, Ohio 43215
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Important: If you are concerned about Critical Race Theory and the direction of education in Ohio we need you at this rally to show support. Please consider taking a day off work for this important event–it’s critical! The speaker lineup for this invent is incredible including, Josh Mandel, Ruth Edmonds, Andy Brenner, Rev. C.L. Bryant, Jennifer Gross, 14 Yr. Old Haddon Lockyer, Kirsten Hill, Jenny Kilgore, Isaac Adi, Sarah Fowler Arthur, and Senate Candidate Mark Pukita! To see a complete list of speakers and their bios–Click Here
Protest the Board’s Resolution #20–The Onset of Critical Race Theory in Ohio!
Protest Governor Mike DeWine’s Support of Racist Equity Plans taking over School Districts Across Ohio (have you checked your School System?)
Protest the State School Board’s refusal to hear public comment on the subject of “Race” at their Board Meetings at a time when the Legislature is discussing Racism in Public Schools.
Protest bad education outcomes in schools across Ohio!
Agenda:
8:00 AM –Arrive at the Board of Education, 25 South Front St. , Columbus, OH 43215–Protest Picket
8:30 AM –9:45 AM–Hear Inspirational speakers from around Ohio on the important subjects of education and Critical Race Theory. We will be protesting and Picketing while we hear from speakers.
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM — Join us as we visit local legislators at the Statehouse and the Riffe Center. Let them know what we think about Critical Race Theory. We will continue to Protest and Picket.
11:45-12:30 — Capitol Square South Plaza – Hear from More Speakers for this event.
12:45 PM — Protest Ends and please return home safely! Please Register for this FREE Event!
For questions about this event email: info@StopCriticalRaceTheory.com .We may offer more buses from around the State as we accept registrations.
StopCriticalRaceTheory.com is a Coalition of the following41 groups and is an initiative EmpowerUOhio.org, Inc., the Sponsor of this Protest. If your group or Business wants to be included in our Coalition email: info@stopcriticalracetheory.com.
Please sign on to www.StopCriticalRaceTheory.com and tell your friends to take the pledge today! By taking the pledge you allow us to keep you informed of our initiative and let you know of hotspots and problem schools as they show up. Thank You!
To Contact Daniel Payne at Politico to tell him your story–if you are a parent–and considering running for an office–email Daniel at: dpayne@politico.com
Mandatory Summer School! You have 34 Days to Sign Up to Run for School Board in Ohio!
Tom Hach from Free Ohio Now to Join EmpowerU!
This overview training for running for School Board in Ohio is designed to help prospective school board candidates, who want Ohio schools to educate the fundamentals, including reading, writing, math, history, science and critical thinking, run effective campaigns and win! At this time, there is an effort by some elements in society, including the education establishment, the media, as well as federal, state and local government officials, to impose comprehensive sex education, Critical Race Theory, The 1619 Project and other race-based theories and ideologies into Ohio classrooms starting as early as kindergarten and running through 12 grade and beyond.
Countering the drive to sexualize and ideologically indoctrinate our children is an American Resurgency movement consisting of everyday Ohioans, like you and me, who are engaging with our schools to ensure a balanced and factually substantiated curriculum regarding sex education and American history are being taught. A movement which ultimately believes our schools should graduate students who are well educated, independent thinkers, seekers of wisdom and who are on their way to being productive fellow citizens.
If we are going to restore our constitutional republic, leaders must rise up to run for school board in order to make a real and lasting difference in what is being taught in Ohio schools. Let us work together to demystify the ‘ins and outs’ of running for school board, and start down the road to relearn our responsibilities for sustaining a self-governing society.
Is this class a calling for you? Is this your opportunity to Empower your local School Board. Give a good listen at this class and make your decision.
Chris Hicks from Clermont County, and Brendan Shea, State School Board Member will discuss and go over with us his creative Contract With The District for School Board Members. This is a document, introduced at the last State Board of Education meeting, created to help citizens hold their School Board’s Accountable–for everything. This Contract can also be used as a tool for individuals running for School Board — like you! Chris will be joining our session between 8:00-8:10. Pictured below Chris Hicks (L), Brendan Shea (R).
Tom Hach
Speaker Bio:
Tom Hach is the Executive Director of Free Ohio Now, which is a state-wide liberty group Fighting the New Normal. Free Ohio Now has brought Ohioans together throughout the state to push back against growing government and big business tyranny through peaceful protests, rallies and legislative action. Prior to co-founding Free Ohio Now, Tom worked as an IT program manager for many years, and he is also retired from the Navy Reserve after a 21 year career, during which he served in Iraq from 2006 to 2007.
In addition to several volunteer positions, Tom is in his third term as a member of the Board of Education for the Riverside Local School District in Lake County, Ohio. He has a BS in Chemistry from Miami University, and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. He lives in the Cleveland-area, and enjoys a good cigar once or twice a week!
Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks is an outspoken government ethics and integrity activist in Clermont County. Mr. Hicks is an independent business consultant who has worked companies such as Samsung, Dell, IBM and SAP (Sybase) on sales and channel growth in over 50 countries. He is a fervent MAGA supporter who is committed to “draining the SWAMP.” Mr. Hicks worked with others to catalyze the “Contract with the District,” a tool to better understand local school board candidates’ positions on key issues facing school boards and to recruit better candidates for the 2021 election.
He lives in Union Township, Clermont County with his wife of 30 years and son who will be a senior at Miami University. Mr. Hicks is active in Clermont County politics: as the Chairman of the Union Township Republican Central Committee and as a member of the Clermont County Republican Executive Committee. He has prevailed in legal cases involving protection of 1st Amendment rights and the Ohio Open Meetings Act. He has been involved with convictions of several elected officials and the termination of several government employees for improper activities. His focus on exposing corruption and unethical behavior has earned him four impeachment votes and one trial within the Republican Party. His HicksWatchdog Facebook page is a well-known source of information on politics in Clermont County.
Brendan Shea
Brendan Shea was elected to the State Board of Education by the people of the 10th District in November 2020. The 10th District includes Adams, Brown, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Gallia, Greene, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Madison, Pike, Ross, Scioto and the western portions of Pickaway and Vinton counties.
Hailing from a large family of educators, Brendan believes deeply in the life-changing power of education. He believes education should focus on the good, the true and the beautiful and that children must learn to think critically and develop wisdom and virtue, allowing them to achieve their God-given potential and to become engaged citizens and productive members of society.
As the father of five young children,
Brendan knows firsthand the unique challenges families face in raising and educating their children today. He believes parents are the first and primary educators of their children, and he will be a strong voice for both parents and children on the Board.
Meet Parents, Teachers and Educators Who Tell You the Facts
This is a Virtual Class Only
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Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Price Winners: Michelle L, Constant Y, Rich F, Finn L … Congrats!
“We are corrupting kids’ souls” — Bob Frantz, The Authority 1420 AM
Critical Race Theory (CRT) holds that the law and legal institutions in the United States are inherently racist insofar as they function to create and maintain social, economic, and political inequalities between whites and nonwhites, especially African Americans. –Brittanica
Since the Ohio State School Board passed the Resolution to Condemn Racism and Advance Equityin July 2020 under the cover of Covid-19, Critical Race Theory has started to spring up in schools all around the State. Tonight we will hear from Parents of Students that have seen CRT first hand and the wedge it creates by pitting students of different colors against each other. You will hear from Kara Molfetta, a Lakota Parent and what she found out about the school’s lesson plan one day when her son came home from school. You’ll learn about Dan’s lawsuit against the State Board of Education and what happened when the Board told Dan that he was not allowed to make any public comments about Race to the State of Ohio School Board.
Meet Kirsten Hill, an elected member of the State Board of Education. Kirsten will fill you in on the background of the School Board and how the decision made by the Board has allowed Critical Race Theory to become more prevalent. Hear from researcher Tom Hagedorn who will take us through a short description of Marxism and the clear line between Marxism and Critical Race Theory. It’s a definition you need to be clear on. Meet Mark Raczynski an 8th grade American History teacher for the past 24 years on the importance of teaching History to our kids and his views on the Board of Education’s Resolution.
Kirsten Hill
Tom Hagedorn
Mark Raczynski
Learn about the large–6th largest in the State–Olentangy School District, with it’s 22,000 students and 4 Diversity Officers. Maureen Botos will talk to you about the length the School District has gone to indoctrinate children and their teachers. Including their choice of speakers hired by the district for “training”.
Maureen Botos
On this night we will also be joined by Karen Burton and Colleen Schitter who have lived in the King’s Local School District for 8 and 20 years. They will talk to us about the kids required reading list (does the name Ibram X. Kendi sound familiar?) and issues involved with concerns over curriculum.
Karen Burton and Colleen Schitter
More than anything tonight, EmpowerU wants to send you the clear message that Critical Race Theory is in Ohio now and you need to watch what is happening in your kids and grandkid’s schools.
Just added to the program, Kim Georgeton will discuss CRT and its evolution to Private Schools and the potential of this “Marxianity” moving into your churches. Hey we want to make sure you understand D.E.I. if it comes up in your school.
Kim Georgeton
The Governor of Ohio, ultimately has the ability to stop the Marxist Class Warfare of Critical Race Theory. We have reached out to Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Jon Husted and asked one of them to make a comment at tonight’s session. To read the many, many resource articles on Critical Race Theory go to www.empoweruohio.org and choose the first tab at the top “Critical Race Theory” or click here.
Jack Windsor – is an Investigative Reporter for WMFD in Mansfield and the Managing Editor at The Ohio Star. During the first several months of Covid-19 Jack was the reporter who consistently asked Governor DeWine difficult questions. Jack joins EmpowerU from 7:05-7:15 PM to fill us in on his perspective of his work on Covid-19 and how he thinks Ohio has done with the pandemic. He’ll also give us an update on projects that he is currently working on.
Speakers Bio
Kirsten Hill was elected to the State Board of Education in November 2018, representing District 2. Her term began in January 2019 and expires in December 2022. Kirsten and her husband, Andy, operated her family’s year-round farm market in Lorain County for 25 years. She also ran a seasonal farm-tour business, hosting families and preschool through elementary classes for many years.
Kara Molfetta, is a Lakota Parent. Learn what she found out about her school’s lesson plan one day when her son came home from school. Kara has been instrumental in talking about CRT and sex education in schools and has helped mobilize people to help parents understand the real threat that is taking place.
Tom Hagedorn is a “professional student.” He loves reading, researching, and writing about many topics. In his college days, he co-published two papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals. More recently, he published Founding Zealots: How Evangelicals Created America’s First Public Schools, 1783-1865.” He has taught classes at Xavier University and for the Osher Lifelong Living Institute (OLLI). He has enjoyed a career in financial services that spans five decades. He is married with two adult children and three grandchildren.
Mark Raczynski has been an 8th grade American History teacher for the past 24 years. He is also a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he served as a tow missile operator in Desert Shield/Storm. He lives in rural Ashland County with his wife, Christi (also a teacher), and his three high school children, Joshua, Rebekah and Nathan. He is currently a member of the VFW and Medina Bible Church both located in Medina, Ohio.
Colleen Schitter has lived in the Kings Local School District in Warren County, Ohio for 20 years. She and her husband raised two children who attended public school, vocational school and a home-schooling cooperative. Colleen became a watch dog for the public schools when, while working on a bond issue, she discovered issues spanning campaign violations to concerns over curriculum. Her passion is advocating for the students and the community to obtain and maintain excellency in Kings Local.
Maureen Botos is a native Ohioan that moved to the Olentangy district from Missouri in March 2020. Her husband and three kids, 13, 11, and 6, moved to the district because they were told it was one of the best in the state near Columbus. After being in the district for just a few months, Maureen, a stay at home mother, noticed that the district was promoting many controversial views. While working with many like minded parents to open the schools full-time this Fall, she was shocked at what was actually being taught in the classrooms already. This prompted her, and many other parents to create a Facebook group to gather information, expose CRT to other parents, and organize a way to keep it out of the classroom. From this group, they are starting a non-profit called Olentangy For Students. This will allow the group to get messaging out to parents and also show parents how they can help to combat this racist ideology.
Karen Burton has lived in the Kings Local School District for 8 years. She raised two sons who are both husbands, fathers and productive members of society. One is an IT Manager at a Fortune 500 company, and the other is a research scientist at a National Laboratory. She recently became a voice for parents who are afraid to speak against Critical Race Theory when a friend shared her child’s struggle with a required reading assignment that vilified Christians, white people and the foundations of our country.
Kim Georgeton is a concerned parent of a ninth grade student at a local private Christian school in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has been following the cultural and societal developments over the last several months and has grave concerns about the future education of our youth. She has noticed changes in the “worldview” being force-fed into our society by the mainstream media, through governmental education policies with our very own tax dollars and even through a shift in the church that seeks to manipulate the minds of our next generation. She was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, but has traveled the world.
Vivek Ramaswamy Joins EmpowerU to Discuss His book "Woke, Inc."
The November 2020 Elections….The pieces are finally coming together, and they reveal a masterpiece of electoral larceny involving Big Tech oligarchs, activists, and government officials, who weakened ballot chain of custody and voter verification policies, and violated the constitutional authority of state legislatures.
Hear a front liner’s recounting of what actually transpired in Georgia, Pennsylvania and Michigan, from Ken Blackwell, former Secretary of State of Ohio. He worked with teams at these sites and examined the consequential irregularities, illegalities and unconstitutional actions that impacted vote counts. Ken will share his observations and concerns.
Where do we go from here, and how can citizens become involved in bringing about the reforms at the state level?
Vivek Ramaswamy will join us from 7:05 – 7:30 PM. Vivek is a traitor to his class. He’s founded multibillion-dollar enterprises, led a biotech company as CEO, he became a hedge fun partner in his 20’s, trained as a scientist at Harvard and a lawyer at Yale, and grew up the child of immigrants in the small town of Evendale, Ohio. Now he takes you behind the scenes into corporate boardrooms and five-star conferences, into Ivy League classrooms and secret nonprofits, to reveal the defining scam of our century. Vivek’s new book, Woke, Inc. begins as a critique of stakeholder capitalism and ends with an exploration of what it means to be an American in 2021. A graduate of St. X High School, meet a local star that is turning heads on Tucker Carlson’s show and on the Opinion pages of the Wall St. Journal.
Vivek Ramaswamy
Speaker Bio
Ken Blackwell is the Senior Fellow for Human Rights and Constitutional Governance at the Family Research Council. He is a national bestselling author of three books: Rebuilding America: A Prescription For Creating Strong Families, Building The Wealth Of Working People, And Ending Welfare; The Blueprint: Obama’s Plan to Subvert the Constitution and Build an Imperial Presidency; and Resurgent: How Constitutional Conservatism Can Save America.
He serves on the Board of Directors of various high-profile organizations including the Timothy Plan, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, the United States Air Force Academy Foundation, etc. Mr. Blackwell has had a vast political career. He was Mayor of Cincinnati, Treasurer and Secretary of State for Ohio, Undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
He has received many awards and honors for his work in the public sector. These accolades include the U.S. Department of State’s Superior Honor Award for his work in the field of human rights which he received from both the administrations of Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. In 2004, the American Conservative Union honored Mr. Blackwell with the John M. Ashbrook Award for his steadfast conservative leadership. Ken’s commentaries have been published in major newspapers and websites. In addition, he has been interviewed by many media outlets.
His continuing education has included executive programs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard. Mr. Blackwell has also received honorary doctoral degrees from ten institutions of higher education. He holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from Xavier University in Ohio, where he later served as a vice president and member of its faculty. In 1992, he received Xavier’s Distinguished Alumnus Award and was inducted into Xavier’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.
This Class is SOLD OUT!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, April 29, 2021
This Class is Sold Out — Sorry!
Doors to EmpowerU Studio Open at 6:30 PM
“Political correctness is the elevation of moral posturing about sensitivity over truth” –Jordan Peterson
Join EmpowerU at the movies as we watch the incredible documentary of “The Rise of Jordan Peterson.” Had enough of the new PC culture and social justice that is dominating us? This movie is for you as it presents a rare, intimate glimpse into the life and mind of Jordan Peterson, the academic and best-selling author who captured the world’s attention with his criticisms of political correctness and his life-changing philosophy on discovering personal meaning.
Christened as the most influential public intellectual in the western world, University of Toronto psychology professor Jordan Peterson skyrocketed to fame after he published a controversial viral video series entitled “Professor Against Political Correctness” in 2016. Peterson had enough of what he saw as a campus culture where “social justice warrior, left-wing radical political activists” ran rampant. He zeroed in on Canadian human rights legislation that prohibits discrimination based on gender identify or expression. Peterson was especially frustrated with being asked to use alternative pronouns as requested by trans students or staff, like the singular “they” or “ze” and “zir” used by some as alternatives to “she” or “he”. Peterson’s employer warned that he could run afoul of the Ontario Human Rights code and his faculty responsibilities should he refuse to use alternative pronouns when requested.
“Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.” –Jordan Peterson
Peterson’s main concern was that by outlawing the use of language and certain words that our liberties are being run over by Government. Within 2 years, he had sold over 3 million copies of his self-help book “12 Rules for Life,” and became simultaneously branded by some as the academic rock star selling out theatres around the world, and by others as a dangerous threat to progressive society.
“The Rise of Jordan Peterson” intimately traces the transformative period of Peterson’s life while visiting rare moments with his family, friends and foes who share their own versions of the Jordan Peterson Story.
“The purpose of life is finding the largest burden that you can bear and bearing it.” –Jordan Peterson
Since this class is a movie presentation it will not be presented virtually–please join us.
This Class is Only an In-Person Class
Join Ray Hughes and Follow This Incredible Adventure
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
The Great Escape, as it came to be known, was a mass escape attempt from the prisoner of war camp Stalag Luft III located near the Polish town of Zagan. The purpose-built camp was opened in April 1942, and the Germans considered it to be practically escape-proof.
The camp housed mainly British and American airmen whose planes had crashed on Axis territory. The Germans generally captured prisoners with the words ‘For you the war is over.’ However, it was the sworn duty of all captured military personnel to continue to fight the enemy by surviving, communicating information and escaping. The Germans believed that security at the new camp was so tight that it would be impossible for anyone to escape.
Picture from the Famous Movie
It was realized early on that for any escape attempt to succeed it had to be well planned and organized. The Prisoners at Sagan therefore established an escape committee. The committee decided to build three tunnels and the plan was to effect the escape of at least 200 prisoners. The tunnels were given the code names ‘Tom’, ‘Dick’ and ‘Harry’. Lots were drawn for 200 places, and on March 24, 1944, The Great Escape was attempted. Of the 76 men who escaped, 3 made it home to the UK, 23 were recaptured and sent back to Sagan. Hitler personally ordered the execution of the other 50 men.
Although only 3 men managed to reach safety and 50 men were murdered, the escape caused havoc among the Germans.
Speaker Bio
Intelligence Operations Airman 2nd Class Raymond G. Hughes, Petersburg, KY, entered the Air Force in 1956, serving for four years in the USAF intelligence school Target Planning & Survival unit until 1960. Hughes served during the Cold War with the 8th Air Force 100 Bomb Wing Intelligence Division, primarily with Strategic Air Command.
Airman Hughes continued to serve his community as an instructor at the Yudan School of Self Defense Karate and Judo, where he trained men, women, and children in the art of self-defense. He became a voice for veterans and one of the most respected members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, where he dedicated his time and energy in making life more comfortable for other members.
Raymond serves as historian and even manager for the USS Hornet Breakfast Group conducts events for veterans at the Cincinnati Hamilton County Public Library, and interviews veterans of all wars in collaboration with the National Archives in Washington, D.C. where he has interviewed 75 veterans to date. Twice each month, he can be found transporting veterans from Twin Towers Retirement Center to shop for personal items. Raymond is involved in the Sons of the American Revolution and takes pride in helping others trace their ancestral lineage.
How To Fight Back to Save Your Community!-- In Person and Zoom
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
There is a determined force in the world dedicated to an agenda designed to “reorganize human society.” To achieve that agenda they are on a drive to change our American economic system, abolish private property, and change our system of representative government. Most importantly, they have focused on making those changes primarily through control of government on the local level. This presentation will reveal the players and their tactics, and how to fight back. You will learn how to take the offensive to restore your community as a Freedom Pod where free enterprise, private property and individual choice are protected.
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Tom DeWeese is one of the nation’s leading advocates of individual liberty, free enterprise, private property rights, and American sovereignty and independence. Tom DeWeese was one of the first to voice concern over the radical agenda of the environmental movement and to question its motives.
Tom is a native of Ohio. He’s been a candidate for the Ohio Legislature, served as editor of two newspapers, and has owned several businesses. In 1989 Tom led the only privately-funded election-observation team to the Panamanian elections. In 2006 Tom was invited to Cambridge University to debate the issue of the United Nations before the Cambridge Union, a 200 year old debating society.
Today he serves as Founder and President of the American Policy Center and editor of The DeWeese Report and author of three books: “Now Tell Me I Was Wrong,” “ERASE,” a fictional political thriller, and his most recent policy book entitled “Sustainable, the War on Free Enterprise, Private Property and Individuals.”
Rodney Musterspaw on What It's Really Like to be a Police Chief
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Doors to EmpowerU Studio Open at 6:30 PM. In Person or Virtual Class.
For 30 years, former Middletown Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw handled brutal crimes that invaded his hometown. During his tenure, he saw the dark, ugly and cruel side of human nature. One of his survival mechanisms was to journal the daily events. It relieved his tension. It was therapy. He wrote in notebooks, on his laptop and on his phone. One day, while unpacking boxes, he discovered his journal entries. As he sifted through them, he was overpowered by the myriad of emotions stemming from each memory. “There were funny stories, notes of the day, things he had heard, his experiences, serious thoughts and observations that he had had. Little did he know that a simple daily journaling habit would turn him into an author.
The ex-chief does not condone bad behavior by cops. In his book he addresses the complex issues of racial profiling, evidence planting and untruthful statements. While he sometimes paints a transparent, unflattering portrait of police officers, he also acknowledges that the opioid crisis, structural poverty, lack of education and racial profiling have contributed to more crimes than a single police department could handle.
Rodney will take you to the inside of a police officer’s life, the life you don’t see. It will change the way you think about law enforcement. He says “The truth is that you cannot be trained enough to do this job.”
The Blue View is a brand new release and is already a 5 star read on Amazon, and the audio book was just released in January. Plus it has already been read in four other countries. Autographed copies of The Blue View will be available for $15, cash only, immediately following Rodney’s presentation.
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EmpowerU Board Member Barb Horwitz will be joining us from 7:05-7:25 tonight to talk to us about McCarthyism. With cancel- culture at its height this discussion, which takes us back to the 1950’s may prove to be beneficial for many of us to learn about and reflect on.
Barb Horwitz
Speaker Bio
Rodney Muterspaw was born and raised in Middletown, Ohio. He rose through the ranks of the police force, becoming Chief in 2015. He won numerous rewards throughout his career before retiring in 2019. Remains active in his community through his new career in real estate, community work, and speaking engagements. Muterspaw still resides in Middletown, Ohio, is married with three children and two grandchildren.
Learn About One of the Most Important Political Decisions Ever Made
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Charles Krauthammer called Winston Churchill “the most important person of the 20th Century”. Learn about his incredible life.
Churchill was a British statesman, army officer, and writer. He was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940-1945 during the Second World War he formed the key triangle of Allied Leaders which included Franklin D. Roosevelt, Churchill, and Joseph Stalin. Churchill again became Prime Minister from 1951 to 1955. Aside from his two years between 1922 and 1924 Churchill served in Parliament from 1900-1964. During this time he represented several different constituencies. In the early years from 1904-1924 Churchill was a member of the Liberal Party and was ideologically an economic liberal and imperialist for most of his career. Later, he served as a member of the Conservative Party, where he was leader from 1940-1955.
Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill
Fearless on the battlefield, he hated war. He was a famous journalist and and the greatest orator of our time despite a lisp and chronic depression. His speeches were inspirational. His open-mindedness made him a trailblazer in social welfare, though he remained almost totally politically incorrect. Learn about the key decision Churchill made that may be the most important decision ever made by a political leader. EmpowerU Managing Board Member Dan Regenold helps us learn and focus on the accomplishments of Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
As Boris Johnson, current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom says, “Most of all, Churchill was proof that one person–intrepid, ingenious, determined–can make all the difference.”
Speaker Bio
Dan Regenold first became active in Government in 2003 when he became involved fighting Eminent Domain and helping stop it in Evendale and in Norwood, Ohio. In 2006, he was one of the founders of WeDemandAVote.com which successfully fought and stopped, by ballot initiative, a sales tax increase in Hamilton County, Ohio. Later WeDemand stopped Red Light Cameras in Hamilton County.
Regenold spoke at the CPAC Convention in 2008 to discuss major Grassroots initiative actions across the United States. In 2009, Dan was unsuccessful in his efforts to bring accountability to the Federal Government’s finances with a citizen lead initiative WeDemandABalancedBudget.com. In 2010 Regenold was of three leaders of the initiative to End Ohio’s Estate Tax which happened in 2011. The Tax Foundation called the repeal of Ohio Estate Tax one of the most important Tax accomplishments of 2011. In 2011 Regenold founded EmpowerUOhio.org (now in its 21st semester), a Free University offered in the Greater Cincinnati area with the goal of “empowering” citizens.
In 2014, Regenold was one of the leaders of the effort to separate Music Hall from a County Wide Sale Tax which helped the Museum Center renovation get passed by the voters of Hamilton County. Dan is a lover of Liberty and enjoys speaking to EmpowerU classes about subjects he is passionate about. Recently he has discussed: Milton Friedman, Saul Alinsky, Net Neutrality, D-Day, The Deficit Mess and America at EmpowerU Classes. Regenold is CEO of Frame USA, Inc. in Springdale.
Bob McEwen Returns to Speak At EmpowerU --as We Travel on The Road to 20th Century Theater
20th Century Theater 3021 Madison Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45209
An economics major and six-term Member of the United States Congress, Bob explains the part that Liberty plays in understanding why some nations are rich and some nations are poor. America has been a very successful nation. What has set America apart? What has allowed it to become the most prosperous in the world? Our economic system and trade policy have significant implications on both our freedom and prosperity.
Currently, America is at a crossroads and must make a choice about how it will chart its course over the next decade. It can either embrace what has allowed our country to become successful or it can adopt the ways of less prosperous and less free nations around the world.
Speaker Bio
Bob McEwen served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Ohio. During his congressional tenure, McEwen was selected by his colleagues to the senior position as one of four Republicans on the powerful House Committee Rules that manages floor time for members and has jurisdiction over all legislation. He was also a member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence and a U.S. delegate to the European Parliament for over a decade. Prior to Congress, he served three terms in the Ohio House of Representatives. In 2020, he was appointed by President Trump to the 1776 Commission to better enable a rising generation to understand the history and principles of the founding of the United States. He is also the Executive Director of the Council for National Policy.
Nancy Brunemann, Accountant to Join Us for Last Minute Tax Tips!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Anyone who remembers hearing about the Ryan Widmer “bathtub drowning” case—and people who just wonder about what happens behind-the-scenes in any major court case—will find this talk fascinating!
Award-winning author Janice Hisle, who covered all three of Widmer’s trials for The Cincinnati Enquirer, will reveal unique insights about one of the region’s most-debated murder cases—and will discuss powerful lessons that can be learned from it.
Janice lives near the Warren County, Ohio, neighborhood where 24-year-old Sarah Widmer drowned in her own bathtub back in 2008; Sarah’s husband of four months, Ryan, then 27, was accused of murder. Even after Widmer was convicted in 2011, Janice couldn’t stop thinking about the case. So she combed through more than 10,000 pages of records…and found compelling new information that was never made public during any of Widmer’s trials. This information was released for the first time in Janice’s book, SUBMERGED: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system.
Some people believe that Widmer’s story “just didn’t add up,” and they think he is right where he belongs–behind bars, serving 15-to-life. But many other readers of SUBMERGED wonder whether Sarah Widmer’s death was really a murder at all.
She did suffer from strange bouts of sleepiness and other possible signs of medical disorders that have been linked to unexplained drownings—yet no tests were ever done to rule out those problems, not even during her autopsy. Since then, prosecutors have refused to release Sarah’s DNA for testing; a battle over the DNA and other issues has been pending for more than six years in federal court.
Janice will outline controversies and questions that continue to swirl around this baffling case now, more than a dozen years after a beautiful young woman’s relaxing bath turned tragic—either by murder or by medical misfortune.
Autographed copies of SUBMERGED will be available for $20, cash only, immediately following Janice’s presentation.
Nancy Brunemann, an accountant with Platinum Accounting Services will join us between 7:05-7:20 pm to discuss any last minute tax filing tips. We hear that the Federal Government is going to require us to turn in our tax return for 2020 sometime…. Join Nancy for good and important information you can use.
Nancy Brunemann
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Janice Hisle worked more than two decades as an award-winning journalist before becoming an acclaimed author and freelance writer.
In 2020, her debut book, SUBMERGED: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system, took top honors in the True Crime category of two national contests: the Indie Reader Discovery Awards and the National Indie Excellence Award. The book has earned more than 100 five-star ratings on Amazon.com, and, at times, has ranked among the top 30 in its category. Janice has done more than 50 public presentations about the book, sometimes speaking to standing-room-only crowds of people who, like her, continued to wonder about the 2008 drowning of 24-year-old Sarah Widmer and the prosecution of her husband of four months, Ryan.
SUBMERGED exposes hidden angles of a nationally publicized bathtub-drowning mystery, which Janice covered for The Cincinnati Enquirer through three spellbinding trials.
Janice recently completed her second book, a biography of a Cincinnati-area philanthropist; she will share information about it during her EmpowerU presentation.
A summa cum laude graduate of Kent State University, Janice worked 15 years for the Enquirer, and previously worked for newspapers in Dayton, Youngstown and Kent-Ravenna.
In recent years, she also has covered high-profile court cases for The Associated Press, including the 2019 trial of a Warren County teen who was acquitted of killing her newborn infant. But the teen, Brooke Skylar Richardson, was convicted of corpse abuse for burying the baby in her home’s back yard. Janice also covered the trials of Ray Tensing. He was the University of Cincinnati police officer who stood trial for murder twice in 2017-18, but both trials ended with deadlocked juries.
On the side, Janice teaches group fitness classes—so her feet stay as busy as her keyboard does.
Sin City’s Underworld and The Supper Club Inferno
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
The Beverly Hills Supper Club was Vegas before Vegas was cool. It was known as the “Showplace of the Nation” before it burned to the ground in 1977, killing at least 165 people—one of the worst fires in U.S. history. But few knew that the Beverly Hills had a violent past of deadly arson beginning in 1936, when it was taken over by the Cleveland mob that ran “Sin City” in Newport, Kentucky—an open city of prostitution, extortion, gambling and violence for decades, until new U.S. Attorney General Bobby Kennedy went to war on the mob in 1961. His first target was Newport.
This is the story of a crime empire on the banks of the Ohio River, in the backyard of Ivory clean Cincinnati, and the war to clean it up that led to the assassination of Bobby’s brother, President John F. Kennedy. It’s a story of mobsters, hookers, murder and dice; dirty cops, crooked politicians and the underworld bosses whose power reached into the FBI, Congress and the White House.
Given the context of history, what happened in 1977 and the cover-up that followed were no surprise. Survivors have spent four decades digging to unearth disturbing evidence that the fire was arson—just like the first fire in 1936.
Their case is presented here, with the aid of FBI files obtained through an FOIA request, first-hand witness accounts and extensive research that uncovers new evidence and tragic stories of the victims and survivors. Autographed copies of FORBIDDEN FRUIT will be available for $20, cash only, immediately following Peter’s presentation.
Speaker Bio
Peter Bronson, author of Forbidden Fruit and several other books, was editorial page editor and columnist for The Cincinnati Enquirer for nearly 20 years. Under his leadership the Enquirer was judged Best Editorial Page in Ohio four years in a row.
Before coming to Cincinnati in 1992, he was editorial page editor and columnist at The Tucson Citizen in Tucson, Arizona. He started his news career in Michigan after graduating from Michigan State University in his hometown of East Lansing, Michigan. He has served on several non-profits, including Casa de los Niños home for abused children in Tucson; Northern Kentucky Children’s Home; Leadership Cincinnati; and Cincinnati Right to Life. He was a regular panelist / producer on the Channel 9 WCPO TV show Hotseat, and also on the weekly Tucson news show Arizona Illustrated.
He’s been a contributing editor and columnist at Cincy Magazine, and now is owner and publisher of Chilidog Press LLC, which offers publishing, writing, edition and consulting. His 2005 book, Behind the Lines: The Untold Stories of the Cincinnati Riots, was a regional best-seller. He is co-author of Legacy of Courage: True Stories of Honor Flight Veterans, and Legacy of Courage II. Chilidog Press has published dozens of books, including Judge A: Irretrievably Broken, Dance When You Can and the national award-winning Submerged.
He is active as a group leader at Horizon Community Church. He enjoys working on old sports cars, playing golf and travel. He is the father of two, and lives with his wife, Kathy, in Milford.
The Tyranny of Experts Turned a Pandemic into a Catastrophe!
What was the price of the Covid 19-Panic? For the first time in history, the world shut itself down—by choice—all for fear of a virus that was not well understood. The government, with the support of most Americans, ordered the closure of tens of thousands of small businesses—many never to return. Almost every school and college in the country sent its students home to finish the school year in front of a computer. Churches canceled worship services. “Social distancing” went from a non-word to a moral obligation overnight. Moral preening on social media achieved ever-new heights.
The world will reopen, and life will go on, but what kind of world will it be when it does? It cannot be what it was, because of what just happened.
Relentlessly focused on what we know and don’t know about the coronavirus, Professors Jay Richards, William Briggs, and Douglas Axe take a deep dive into the crucial questions on the minds of millions of Americans during one of the most jarring and unprecedented global events in a generation. They relentlessly focused on what they knew and didn’t know about the coronavirus demonstrating in this eye-opening study what real experts can contribute when a pandemic strikes. We need to know what and how it happened, to keep it from ever happening again.
Speaker Bios
Jay W. Richards, Ph.D., O.P. is a Research Assistant Professor in the Busch School of Business at The Catholic University of America, a Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute, and the Executive Editor of The Stream.
Richards is author or editor of more than a dozen books including the New York Times bestsellers Infiltrated (2013) and Indivisible (2012), The Human Advantage, and Money, Greed, and God, winner of a 2010 Templeton Enterprise Award. His newest book is The Price of Panic: How the Tyranny of Expert Turned a Pandemic Into a Catastrophe.
He is also creator and executive producer of several documentaries, including three that have appeared widely on PBS. Richards’ articles and essays have been published in The Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Washington Post, the New York Post, Newsweek, Forbes, Fox News, National Review Online, The Hill, Investor’s Business Daily, Washington Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Huffington Post, The Federalist, and many other publications. He has written and lectured on a wide range of topics, including culture, economics, public policy, natural science, technology, and the environment.
Sean Maloney Returns to Empower!
EmpowerU Zoom Class Register to Attend Online ,
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
To Contact Sean Maloney here is your contact information: smaloneyesq@gmail.com Phone: 513-463-0073 Office
5 Universal Concepts Every Gun Owner MUST Understand
Do you know that just touching a gun might be considered lethal force … that “stand your ground” means something different in every state … that you may be judged by a “reasonable man” standard?
Do you know the only reason you can justifiably use lethal force? Are you prepared to prove the “3” elements that justify your use of lethal force? Attorney and gun law expert Sean Maloney from Second Call Defense will review the basic concepts of lethal force, how they are interpreted by the legal system, and what it all means for you as a gun owner.
Speaker Bio
Sean Maloney
Sean Maloney is a passionate defender of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. He is a defense attorney and member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers who practices in all areas of firearm-related law, including 2nd Amendment rights, criminal defense, federal and state restoration of gun rights, and federal NICS appeals. He has appeared as an expert witness in a variety of civil lawsuits related to firearms.
As an attorney, Sean’s law practice focuses on defending the rights of law-abiding gun owners who are forced to use their firearms in self-defense through Second Call Defense, which he co-founded.
Anyone with an Internet connection can read the latest news, listen to their favorite music, chat with friends, search for anything online, shop, pay bills, play games, and watch videos, all for “free”. But it’s not really free. If you’re not paying with money, you’re paying with data. You’re not the customer, you’re the product.
Companies like Google and Facebook harvest every little bit of data that they can get their hands on, and monetize it in a variety of ways including selling it to other companies, who may or may not secure it correctly. And the now with the nature of the Internet coupled with the ever increasing number of “smart” devices that we interact with are collecting volumes of very detailed information about how and where we live, work and play 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s relentless and pervasive and in many cases, not obvious. Americans are sleepwalking into a future nearly as frightening as the one the Chinese are constructing”.
At this session, Dave Hatter will explore privacy and security for your devices. He will also discuss the type of data that is being collected, how it’s being collected, how it’s being used, how it’s being misused, why you should care about improving your privacy, and tools and techniques to limit your digital footprint. When Dave is done with his presentation we will allow you to call in live to ask Dave questions from your home zoom connection. The number to call is:
513-672-1266
Our new call-in technology puts Dave as close as you fingertips for you IT questions.
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Speaker Bio
“Doomsday” Dave Hatter is a technology leader with nearly 30 years of software development, cybersecurity and project management experience. He has earned numerous industry certifications and, holds a BS in Information Systems from NKU. Dave is especially good at bridging the gap between business and technology and has delivered more than 200 successful software solutions earning nearly 60 testimonial letters from his clients. Additionally, he has written or contributed to 12 technology books, written more than 100 technology related articles for publications and, been quoted in many publications.
Libertas Technologies, the software development company Dave founded in 2001, was honored with many awards, but he is especially proud of winning the Cincinnati Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in 2007. Dave is now a Cyber Security Consultant at Intrust IT, where he works with clients to educate them about cyber security risks and to help them defend their assets.
Dave is a regular on-air contributor on WXIX (FOX19) and Local 12 (WKRC-TV) and he can be heard every Friday morning at 6:30 AM on 55KRC’s “Tech Friday” segment with host Brian Thomas. He was elected Mayor of Fort Wright, Kentucky in 2014 after serving eight terms on the Fort Wright City Council. Dave currently serves as the VP of Training and Certification for the PMI Southwest Ohio Chapter, and has also served on numerous other boards.
Convention of the States Update to Be Discussed from 6:45-7:30 PM
With all the issues with censorship and personal data misuse by services providers and Big Tech, there has been interest in finding providers who respect personal data and refuse to censor content. Specifically tonight, we will discuss MeWe and Telegraph. Many have you have asked for a “deeper” dive on MeWe and this is your change. Rich Inman will present a few solutions describing how to sign up, how to find friends, expand your network, how to share content, and why you would use each solution.
Just to give you an idea of how much Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook values your input? Here is an package he refused from EmpowerU in December after our class on Social Media where you forwarded your messages to him.
Refused Package Sent by EmpowerU
to Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg
At the first Pirate Radio Session on February 2, several people asked about the status of the Convention of State Project. Mike Mowry is the volunteer leader and State Director for Convention of States in Ohio. Mike will join us from 6:50-7:30 (note special time) to give us an update on the project. In Mike’s words, “I became concerned that the normal electoral process will never address the problem of our Country’s ever-increasing national debt and prospects of passing that debt onto our children and grandchildren. Join Mike Mowry at this session. Convention of States is a controversial subject but offers Citizens one of the few ways that they might win…
Speaker Bios
Richard Inman’s career has focused on leveraging practical technology innovation for strategic advantage. After attending Tri State University, he began his career focusing on Manufacturing Process Control and R&D. He was an early pioneer in Computer Telephone Integration developing multivendor / multiplatform telephony solutions. He also built and managed early Wireless last mile internet access solutions. Rich has spent the last 15 years innovating with Kroger Technology. He has worked with various non-profits to drive digital marketing and social media engagement. He is a vocal privacy and security advocate.
Is Climate Change Real? Dr. Frank Returns to EmpowerU!
Is Climate Change Real? Of course! The climate always changes.
The questions that matter are: do we have much to do with it, and are there things we could possibly do that might actually make a difference.
Dr Frank will walk you through the actual data so that you can make up your own mind, and so you will be able to see through the propaganda from all sides. He’s been aggressively studying the subject, tracking the scientific literature, and Following the Data since the early 1980’s, when the threat of an impending ice age was all the rage.
Dr Frank has tens of thousands of followers on several social media sites (“Follow the Data with Dr Frank”), and his previous appearances and classes have been well received here at Empower U Ohio. You don’t want to miss Dr Frank’s educational, entertaining, and provocative presentation!
Speaker Bios
Douglas G. Frank, Ph.D., grew up on a small Black Angus Ranch in Northern California. His parents were successful entrepreneurs in the areas of insurance, investments, and real estate.
Dr Frank earned a B.A. in Chemistry from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California in 1983. He then attended graduate school at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he completed his doctoral requirements before transferring to the University of Cincinnati in 1986 as part of the Ohio Eminent Scholar program. In 1990 he completed a Ph.D. in Surface Analytical Chemistry.
During his graduate work, he discovered a new phenomenon which was featured in several science books and international journals, including cover articles in Science and Naturwissenschaften.
Dr Frank left academics in 1996. His scientific success as a graduate student and post-doctoral fellow gained him introductions to several U.S. companies, where he continues to apply his scientific, electronics, engineering, and computer expertise to real-life research and manufacturing challenges.
He specializes in the development of custom control and analytical solutions, and has invented several instruments for surface optical characterization, precision force application, and soil analysis by means of portable electron microscopy and spectroscopy. A common thread in his work is the combination of precision motion with delicate measurement and analysis of large amounts of data.
Dr Frank lives in Morrow, Ohio and is married to his high school sweetheart, Donna. He has three adult children: Dynnelle, Daniel, and Deryk. Dr Frank believes in giving back to the community. He is Past-President of the Blue Ash/Montgomery Rotary Club (2002). He is a popular speaker in the areas of Creativity & Innovation, Ethics & Character, Science & Religion, Rotary Polio Eradication, Climate Change, and now Covid-19.
He was honored by the Executive Board of the Presbyterian Association on Science, Technology and the Christian Faith as “one who exemplifies the practice of science as a Christian vocation.” Dr Frank is chair of the Math and Science department and Director of Music at The Schilling School for Gifted Children, a school he helped to establish in the mid 1990’s.
Recently, Dr Frank has gained notoriety for his modeling work on the Covid-19 pandemic. He has been making his work available to the public since January of 2020, and his Facebook page “Dr. Frank Models” (now “Follow the Data with Dr Frank”) has over 50,000 members and followers. Dr. Douglas G. Frank Doug@ToolsForAnalysis.com DrDouglasGFrank@Outlook.com
Steve Goodin, New City of Cincinnati Council-Member to Join EmpowerU
If you’re interested in supplementing your table with fresh organic produce that you can grow with your own skill, try this class. Talk about ‘farm to table’ you can’t get any fresher herbs and vegetables than from backyard to table.
Nothing tastes better than fresh tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and more! The flavor is better than in the grocery store! Try different types and varieties of herbs and spices for example; basil, drying hot peppers, marjoram, sage, lavender, fennel, dill. Watch them grow! There are many benefits to growing your own food. You can even grow in an apartment or patio. There are so many more varieties and colors out there than in the grocery store.
Cincinnati Lawyer Steve Goodin is one of the newest member’s of Cincinnati’s City Council replacing Council-Person Jeff Pastor. Join Steve tonight from 7:05-7:25 PM to learn about his vision of Cincinnati and what he hopes to accomplish.
Steve Goodin
Steve Goodin was appointed Interim Council member to Cincinnati City Council on November 30, 2020. Goodin is a proud product of public schools. He received his undergraduate degrees from Miami University and his juris doctorate from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He also did coursework at the University of Virginia College of Law JAG school.
He was raised in a union household and understands the value of hard work. He is a partner at Graydon Law where he serves on the Executive Committee and has lived in three neighborhoods—Northside, Downtown and Clifton. He is the father of three children.
His primary goal is to address systemic corruption at City Hall. He hopes to return council’s focus to creating jobs, providing safe neighborhoods and fostering a more just and inclusive city for all.
Public service has been a constant throughout Goodin’s life. He served in Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer and later as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. In 2007-08, he was mobilized as a Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) prosecutor with the XVII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Speaker Bios
Karen Cartier:
Karen is an avid reader, writer, learner, wife, and mother of two. She has worked in IT as a technical writer for over 30 years and is currently working full-time in IT. Outside of her paying job, she serves as an officer in Toastmasters International as well as a volunteer Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Leigh Ann Cartier:
Leigh Ann is a senior at Wilmington College majoring in Criminal Justice and Spanish. She has been successfully growing organic vegetables both in-ground and in containers as a hobby for some time.
Thea Shoemake joins EmpowerU to update us on "Everything's Political"
We have all encountered loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, loss of loved ones, loss of connections and loss of the freedoms we enjoyed before. As a result, many of us experience anger, frustration, and fear that at times can become overwhelming. Please join Erica Birkley in learning and practicing science-based strategies for effectively managing and regulating these emotions.
Thea Shoemake joins EmpowerU from 7:05-7:25 pm to update us on Education and her new Podcast called “Everything’s Political”.Twenty-five years ago, after answering his umpteenth question about sports by using a political analogy, my husband asked: “Is everything political to you? “No,” I responded. “Everything’s political, period. Meet Thea and access a new, resource for Ohio and more.
Everything’s Political Podcast–Produced by Joe Strecker
Speaker Bio
Dr. Erica Birkley is an Anderson Township resident, spouse, and mother to a 4-year old curious explorer. She is a psychologist and Assistant Professor within the UC College of Medicine. Dr. Birkley specializes in the treatment of stress, insomnia, anger, and depression among adults and couples. She loves bonfires with her neighbors, shopping Plants by Wolfangel, Zumba at the Mercy Anderson Healthplex, Beech Acres, A Fair of the Arts, Salem Garden’s burgers, and Coney Island’s tube slide.
This class will examine the impact of Alexander Hamilton on the founding of the United States. Both Alexander Hamilton and George Washington were shaped by their experiences during the American Revolution. Serving at Washington’s side during that war, Hamilton was appalled by the inefficiency of the government under the Articles of Confederation and by the reluctance of the states to contribute to the war effort. On September 11, 1789, the nomination of Alexander Hamilton as the nation’s first Treasury Secretary was submitted by President Washington.
Later that day, Hamilton became the first cabinet nominee confirmed by the United States Senate. President Washington and Secretary Hamilton were determined not only to strengthen the new American government but to create a sense of American identity. They were devoted to persuading their fellow citizens to think of themselves as Americans, not as Virginians or New Yorkers. It was truly remarkable that they succeeded in this endeavor, creating a Republic that has survived for over 230 years.
George Brunemann, is a local activist and will join us from 7:05-7:25 pm to talk about the next steps that Citizens need to take to preserve our Great Country. George was the leader of one of the largest groups, The Southwest Ohio Tea Party, for several years in Hamilton County.
Speaker Bio
Stephen F. Knott is the Thomas & Mabel Guy Professor of American History and Government at Ashland University and Professor of National Security Affairs at the United States Naval War College.
He served as co-chair of the University of Virginia’s Presidential Oral History Program and directed the Ronald Reagan Oral History Project. He is the author of Alexander Hamilton and the Persistence of Myth; Secret and Sanctioned: Covert Operations and the American Presidency;The Reagan Years;At Reagan’s Side: Insiders’ Recollections from Sacramento to the White House, and Rush to Judgment: George W. Bush, the War on Terror, and His Critics. His most recent book, Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance that Forged America, was co-authored with Tony Williams, and was published in September, 2015.
Professor Knott received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Boston College, and has taught at the United States Air Force Academy and the University of Virginia.
Matt Wahlert and Jay Carson to Join Us from 7:05-7:30 PM
If you missed the first installment of Talks held earlier this month, you missed a lot of fun. “Talks” is a new series of
fered by the team at EmpowerU. This is an opportunity for those who have attended EmpowerU classes to talk and listen to
members of the community. With so many things going on in the world right now it seems like the perfect time to hear what you have to say.
Our new technology allows you to call in on the telephone while we are on a “Zoom” call and discuss topics you find most important. EmpowerU “Talks” is a sort of a “Pirate Radio” station in a time when Big Media is shutting down conservative free thought. Shiver Me Timbers!
Join us for on Tuesday, February 25 for a second installment of this edgy new talk format designed to give us an uncensored forum.
There are many things we can discuss:
The Great Rush Limbaugh–Tell us a Story that You Remember–Or Share something you learned!
Does Either Political Party Represent you?
Who should replace Rob Portman?
Big Tech Censorship
Education in Ohio
Biden and Trump
Covid 19 and Governor DeWine
Equity vs. Equality
If you have been talking about all these subjects…maybe to yourself…now if your time to sound-off! When you sign on to Zoom if you want to talk you will be given a telephone number to dial into.
(513)572-1266
(Call in number if you want to talk)
EmpowerU wants to hear what you have to say…now!
Matt Wahlert is an Vice-President of the Colerain Township Government and will join us from 7:05-7:15 PM. He is a PHD in Political Science. Matt learned about the great fraud problem in the Ohio Government when he received a W2 from the Ohio Unemployment Commission for earnings that he never received that were fraudulently generated by hackers and thieves. Learn about this massive fraud of your monies in the State of Ohio. What do you do if this problem happens to you–it is happening to many, many people. Matt will join us from 7:07-7:15 PM)
Attorney Jay Carson from Buckeye Institute also to Join Session… Jay Carson is a Senior Litigator for the Buckeye Institute. Find out about the important two lawsuits Buckeye has filed on behalf of two Ohioans-Eric Denison of Westerville and Josh Schaad of Blue Ash-which call for the courts to declare unconstitutional an Ohio law that allows the cities of Columbus and Cincinnati to tax the income of workers who do not live in, and have not been working within, the respective municipalities. These lawsuits could have important implications for you if you work from home. Jay will join us from 7:15-7:30 PM.
Jay Carson
Speaker Bio
Dan Regenold is the Managing Board Member of EmpowerU, which is about to begin it’s 21st semester offering FREE Classes in Ohio. In his ,free time Dan loves to dream about what is… and how GREAT things could be. Join Dan on this maiden voyage of EmpowerU “Talks”. See if he falls flat on his posterior! Dan loves his work as CEO of Frame USA, Inc. a GREAT American Made Manufacturer of Picture frames located in Springdale, Ohio. To find out more about Dan Click Here.
“Talks” is a new series offered by the team at EmpowerU. This is an opportunity for those who have attended EmpowerU classes to talk and listen to members of the community. With so many things going on in the world right now it seems like the perfect time to hear what you have to say.
Our new technology allows you to call in on the telephone while we are on a “Zoom” call and discuss topics you find most important. EmpowerU “Talks” is a sort of a “pirate radio” station in a time when Big Media is shutting down conservative free thought.
Join us for on Tuesday, February 2 for an edgy new talk format designed to give us an uncensored forum. Soapbox radio… Dan’s “burning” of the 3×5 card of conventional wisdom.
There are many things we can discuss:
Does Either Political Party Represent you?
Who should replace Rob Portman?
Big Tech Censorship
Biden and Trump
Covid 19
Equity vs. Equality
If you have been talking about all these subjects…maybe to yourself…now if your time to sound-off! When you sign on to Zoom if you want to talk you will be given a telephone number to dial into.
(513)572-1266
(Call in number if you want to talk)
EmpowerU wants to hear what you have to say…now!
Speaker Bio
Dan Regenold is the Managing Board Member of EmpowerU. which is about to begin it’s 21st semester offering FREE Classes in Ohio. In his free time Dan loves to dream about what is… and how GREAT things could be. Join Dan on this maiden voyage of EmpowerU “Talks”. See if he falls flat on his posterior! Dan loves his work as CEO of Frame USA, Inc. a GREAT American Made Manufacturer of Picture frames located in Springdale, Ohio. To find out more about Dan Click Here.
This New Class Will Be Presented Virtually EmpowerU Studio is Closed Due To Covid-19
The Webinar will address the second major COVID stimulus bill passed after months of wrangling between Republicans and Democrats in Congress that provides (i) tax deductibility for expenditure of prior PPP payments, (ii) new PPP program for qualifying companies (much more limited eligibility than previously), (iii) more direct payments for many taxpayers, (iv) an extension of the eviction moratorium and direct subsidy to some landlords, and (v) improved tax treatment for restaurants and bars.
This seminar follows up on a blockbuster presentation this Spring by Rebecca Heimlich bringing details of the original stimulus program to the most well-attended EmpowerU seminar or webinar ever. A link to that presentation is here. Rebecca and Seth will provide a comprehensive update on the new 5,593-page legislation.
Speakers Bio
Rebecca Heimlich Seth Morgan
Rebecca has over 25 years of litigation and advocacy experience. After graduating from Vanderbilt University School of Law, Rebecca began her career at Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, continued it at Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, and also served as an Assistant Prosecutor in Clermont County.
Rebecca’s varied career also includes over 10 years of advocacy work for commercial and non-profit interests, including extensive experience in government and public affairs across the Midwest. Rebecca Heimlich is an attorney at the Finney Law Firm.
Seth Morgan is the CEO of MLA Companies, a financial service and advisory group. Under his guidance, MLA has become one of the largest business advisory firms in southwest Ohio. Morgan entered politics as a young man, seeking to make a difference by putting to use his passion for public policy, philosophy of a responsible government, and love for America.
Trash Twitter * Fire Facebook * Gone Google — Get Rid of Them!
In our November 19 class at EmpowerU we asked you to Trash Twitter, Fire Facebook and Get Rid of Google. To help you we must also teach you what other options are available for you to stay on Social Media. Join one of the best instructor’s of Social Media in the United State Dr. Douglas G. Frank, P.H.D..
Dr. Frank has been more successful with his utilization of Social Media than almost any guest that EmpowerU has ever had. Learn from a pro, the expert. Stay Social–make a move now! Find out which programs are best for you and how to use them. Don’t miss this class.
Douglas G. Frank, Ph.D. grew up on a small Black Angus Ranch in Northern California. His parents were successful entrepreneurs in the areas of insurance, investments, and real estate. Dr Frank earned a B.A. in Chemistry from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California in 1983. He then attended graduate school at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he completed his doctoral requirements before transferring to the University of Cincinnati in 1986 as part of the Ohio Eminent Scholar program. In 1990 he completed a Ph.D. in Surface Analytical Chemistry. During his graduate work, he discovered a new phenomenon which was featured in several science books and international journals, including cover articles in Science and Naturwissenschaften.
Dr Frank left academics in 1996. His scientific success as a graduate student and post-doctoral fellow gained him introductions to several U.S. companies, where he continues to apply his scientific, electronics, engineering, and computer expertise to real-life research and manufacturing challenges. He specializes in the development of custom control and analytical solutions, and has invented several instruments for surface optical characterization, precision force application, and soil analysis by means of portable electron microscopy and spectroscopy. A common thread in his work is the combination of precision motion with delicate measurement and analysis of large amounts of data. Dr Frank lives in Morrow, Ohio and is married to his high school sweetheart, Donna. He has three adult children: Dynnelle, Daniel, and Deryk. Dr Frank believes in giving back to the community.
He is Past-President of the Blue Ash/Montgomery Rotary Club (2002). He is a popular speaker in the areas of Creativity & Innovation, Ethics & Character, Science & Religion, Rotary Polio Eradication, Climate Change, and now Covid-19. He was honored by the Executive Board of the Presbyterian Association on Science, Technology and the Christian Faith as “one who exemplifies the practice of science as a Christian vocation.” Dr Frank is chair of the Math and Science department and Director of Music at The Schilling School for Gifted Children, a school he helped to establish in the mid 1990’s. Recently, Dr Frank has gained notoriety for his modeling work on the Covid-19 pandemic. He has been making his work available to the public since January of 2020, and his Facebook page “Dr. Frank Models” (now “Follow the Data with Dr Frank”) has over 50,000 members and followers. Dr. Douglas G. Frank Doug@ToolsForAnalysis.com DrDouglasGFrank@Outlook.com
“If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter”.
–George Washington, 1783
Trash Twitter * Fire Facebook * Get Off Google!
At no time in our recent past have we entered an area of danger, like now, as Big Tech Companies infringe on the values that we hold so clear–specifically The First Amendment and our Right to Free Speech.
Join us tonight, for this important session of EmpowerU as we close out 20th Semester. You will hear from several presenters who have spoken at previous classes of EmpowerU over the years. These friends will be talking to you about the importance of Free Speech and why they hold The First Amendment so dear–in 5 minute live (Zoom) video talks.
Speakers Announced :
While the speeches are going on, during our Zoom Webinar, you will also have the opportunity, to publicly Deactivate or Delete your Twitter and Facebook Accounts and Stop your Google Activity–either permanently or for 120 days. During this process you can watch as friends and colleagues take this Deactivation and Deletion step online. You will also have the chance to send, in writing, a written message, via EmpowerU, to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Goggle CEO Sundar Pichai. Tell them how you feel. Tell them you don’t like their influence in our Elections and in what we say. Use some choice words about Big Tech Censorship!
EmpowerU will not keep you hanging. At this class we will also be offering you suggestions on other social media options that are available to you to keep you in the news and on top of your game and to help you meet new friends. You might even have more fun!
Our ability to hold Big Tech accountable from their Orwellian decision to censor us is within your very hands–the hands of the people… Prepare to take action, prepare to let the world know that our First Amendment and Free Speech rights matter. Join us on November 19, 2020 at 7:00 PM.
A modern view of Ulysses S. Grant – He was a remarkable General, father, and President, and more than that, he saw good in almost everyone and took them at their word. He was well known for his innovative strategy to finally force the confederacy to capitulate. But Grant’s character, along with his treatment of African-Americans, American-Indians and Jews, matured from first-hand experience during the Civil War, as well as his Presidency. Grant’s support and leadership in civil rights, was decades ahead of his time. He stood up for their rights, despite widespread opposition from the south and the American public. Their determination, coupled with his support, unleashed opportunities they never experienced before. He lived the last 24 years of his adult life believing all people should be treated with respect and dignity.
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Chris Burns is a Civil War historian and lifelong Ohio resident. Since 2000, Mr. Burns has been conducting research for an upcoming book about Ulysses S. Grant with noted historian Dr. James A. Ramage. He currently speaks on various aspects of Grant’s life, as well as the Siege of Cincinnati. He was interviewed by WKET TV in Kentucky for a three-part series on Grant that ran in 2019. Burns is a former adjunct history faculty-member at Northern Kentucky University. His passion is linking the past to the present and bringing history to life.
Digital Addiction is a massive societal problem. It compromises childrens’ academic performance, social connectedness, mental health, their development of skills and personal interests, and the time they spend engaged in non-screen recreational activities. It kills adults’ productivity at work, fosters conflict among colleagues, and causes accidents that damage property and result in injury and death. It also degrades family life, diminishing the amount and quality of the time families spend together.
Mr. Mercier’s research reveals that a strong majority of people are very frustrated by their digital addiction, are fully aware of the problems it causes them, wish they could control it, but ultimately find themselves unable to do so. This is utterly unacceptable; we can’t continue to allow digital addiction to squander our human potential in this way. We must find a way to help people bring their recreational screen use under control.
In this talk Mr. Mercier will provide a framework for addressing digital addiction at a societal, institutional, and individual level. Topics covered include the causes of tech addiction, its many consequences, the fundamental challenge in addressing tech addiction, a framework for developing a strategy to address it, legislation addressing tech addiction, a review of the various solutions being employed around the world, tech monitoring and blocking applications, and digital detoxes.
Betsy Sundermann was sworn into office on March 5, 2020 as a City of Cincinnati Council Person. She replaced retiring Councilwoman Amy Murray after receiving an endorsement from the Hamilton County GOP. Sundermann is a former Hamilton County probate court magistrate.
We look forward to meeting Betsy Sundermann and talking to her about what it is like to be one of the only two Republican Conservatives on the City of Cincinnati Council. What are her goals in the position? Is it possible to get anything done? What are her priorities? How is it to work with the different Council Members including The Gang of Five? Who will be the next Mayor?. How about defunding the police? Betsy Sundermann will join EmpowerU from 7:05-7:25 PM.
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Michael Mercier is Founder and President of Screen Education, which conducts research, and provides training and consulting services, on the impact of information technology on human wellness.
Mr. Mercier has conducted 18 research studies on digital addiction with teens, college students, summer campers, parents, Millennials, and full-time employees. His research has examined the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical consequences of digital addiction, as well as its impact on academic performance and workplace productivity and safety. He also has studied the benefits people derive from digital detoxes.
He has spoken on smartphone addiction to schools, corporate audiences, colleges and summer camps, as well as at numerous conferences, including educational technology, summer camp, mindfulness, workplace safety, and marketing conferences. His research partners have included EMI Research Solutions, Stark Statistical Consulting, Camp Kern, Camp Ernst, Camp Livingston, The Jewish Community Center Association of North America, Hiram College, BOLDFISH, and Calvert Catholic High School.
Mr. Mercier has presented his research to US Congressmen Jim Jordan and Brad Wenstrup, and to the legislative staffs of US Senators Brown, Hawley, Markey, Portman, and Sasse. Congressman Wenstrup made a House floor speech about his findings on cyberbullying, and he co-organized with the Congressman a local roundtable discussion with educators on the role that social media plays in bullying and school violence. During the 2020/2021 academic year he will be teaching several courses on tech addiction at Cincinnati State’s Workforce Development Center. He has been interviewed on a variety of radio and television shows.
He holds a BA in Psychology from Vassar College, an MBA in Marketing from the University of Michigan, and an MS in MIS from the University of Cincinnati.
EmpowerU Managing Board Member Dan Regenold discusses America and Ben Shapiro’s new, best-selling book How to Destroy America in Three Easy Steps. A growing number of Americans want to tear down what has taken us 250 years to build. We are starting to see this destruction of America in the canceling of our shared history, our ideas and our culture. Violence is in our streets is erupting in the bigger cities.
In front of our very eyes, traditional areas of civic agreement are vanishing. We cannot agree what makes America special, or if it is special. The 1619 project, which looks at America through the lens of being racist and corrupt is starting to be taught to our kids as history instead of the history of America’s founding that you learned growing up.
Could America be radically transformed over the next decade? Could our incredible Country become something we don’t even recognize? Learn about the Disintegrationists and their attack on values that have built our nation. Ben Shapiro is an American conservative political commentator, media host and attorney. At 17, he became the youngest national syndicated columnist in the United States. He founded The Daily Wire and he is now the host of The Ben Shapiro Show. Dan encourages you to read the Ben’s newest book before class and be ready to join the conversation.
The thesis and question of tonight’s class is: Can America be Transformer over the Next 10 Years?
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Dan Regenold first became active in Government in 2003 when he became involved fighting Eminent Domain and helping stop it in Evendale and in Norwood, Ohio. In 2006, he was one of the founders of W
eDemandAVote.com which successfully fought and stopped, by ballot initiative, a sales tax increase in Hamilton County, Ohio. Later WeDemand stopped Red Light Cameras in Hamilton County.
Regenold spoke at the CPAC Convention in 2008 to discuss major Grassroots initiative actions across the United States. In 2009, Dan was unsuccessful in his efforts to bring accountability to the Federal Government’s finances with a citizen lead initiative WeDemandABalancedBudget.com. In 2010 Regenold was of three leaders of the initiative to End Ohio’s Estate Tax which happened in 2011. The Tax Foundation called the repeal of Ohio Estate Tax one of the most important Tax accomplishments of 2011. In 2011 Regenold founded EmpowerUOhio.org (now in its 18th semester), a Free University offered in the Greater Cincinnati area with the goal of “empowering” citizens.
In 2014, Regenold was one of the leaders of the effort to separate Music Hall from a County Wide Sale Tax which helped the Museum Center renovation get passed by the voters of Hamilton County. Dan enjoys speaking to EmpowerU classes about subjects he is passionate about. Recently he has discussed: Milton Friedman, Saul Alinsky, Net Neutrality, D-Day, and The Deficit Mess at EmpowerU Classes. Regenold is CEO of Frame USA, Inc. in Springdale.
Retired UC Political Science Professor, Al Tuchfarber, returns to Empower U to handicap the 2020 elections for President, the Senate, and the House. He will:
Review the latest polls and explain if they are going to be right or wrong this year.
Review the strengths and weakness of Biden and Trump.
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the campaigns that have been waged.
Highlight the key states that will determine who wins the Electoral College majority.
Review the craziness that has made 2020 a unique political year.
And he will probably make some predictions.
Come prepared to ask questions!
Bruce Hoffbauer is a candidate for Hamilton County Sheriff in November 2020. After hearing from both of the Democratic candidates for Sheriff in our Spring Semester it is time to hear from the Republican candidate. Bruce Hoffbauer began his 34 year career as a law enforcement professional in 1985 as a Hamilton County Deputy Sheriff. He was initially assigned to the Corrections Division. Since then Bruce has served the City of Cincinnati in over a dozen different roles in several districts.
Bruce’s assignments have included the uniform patrol force, traffic unit investigator, relief supervisor, relief commander, Special Events Unit, Vortex Unit (in partnership with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office), and Police Academy Commander. Hoffbauer will join EmpowerU from 7:05-7:25 PM to discuss the importance of the Hamilton County Sheriff and how he compares to the person he is running against Charmaine McGuffey.
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Alfred J Tuchfarber, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Political Science – University of Cincinnati Owner – Tuchfarber Political-Economics, LLC, Blogger – TuchfarberReport.com
Al Tuchfarber is an academic and entrepreneur who has had a successful career as a teacher, researcher, senior administrator, campaign manager, political analyst, organizational strategist, and writer.
He holds a PhD in political science and has well over 100 publications.
Al’s intellectual and practical interests are very wide-ranging. He has spent his career both in the arena of ideas but also in the “real-world” where the rubber hits the road…where things must work.
Areas of special interest to him are American politics and political-economics, global politics and global political-economics, political polling, campaign and organizational strategies, demographics, and societal change.
Tuchfarber founded the Ohio Poll and directed it for a quarter century. The Poll established a remarkable record for accuracy in predicting elections and has been rated one of the nations best.
Al brings that experience and skill-set to his weekly blog — the Tuchfarber Report, as well as to his consulting, speaking, and writing.
His predictions are 80 to 95% accurate because they are based on facts, data, history and common sense…NOT on ideology, partisanship, or hopes.
As a political-economic analyst and author of the Tuchfarber Report, Al brings you insights and forecasts that you will not find elsewhere.
Dusty Rhodes is one of the most interesting political personalities in the Greater Cincinnati area. He became Hamilton County Auditor in 1990 becoming the first Democratic endorsed candidate to win a Hamilton County Administrative office in two decades. He won in his most recent race for Auditor in 2018 by a margin of over 65% against his opponent.
Along the way Dusty has served as a Hamilton County Trustee. From 1955 to 1969 he could be heard playing oldies on WMKV 89.3 and also appeared on WLW, WKRC and the original WSAI on 1360 FM. He has been named “Cincinnati’s Most Popular Disc Jockey by Billboard Magazine.
So many things we plan to talk to Dusty about. His work as an entertainer. What was it like to help bring the Beatles to Cincinnati in 1964? Hamilton County-the ups and downs—what are his observations about the County? The Stadium Mess? Working with the City of Cincinnati–can the relationship ever be repaired? Tax Abatements—what is their role in the County?. When should tax abatements be used, when should they not be used? And finally, Dusty and current Sheriff Jim Neil being part of the “cancel culture” when their own party, the Democratic Party turned against them. What caused this to happen? What does Dusty plan to do in the future? And, what about Twitter?
Don’t miss an interesting discussion when Dusty Rhodes visits EmpowerU.
Mr. Tom Burton is Superintendent of Princeton City Schools, located just outside Cincinnati, Ohio. There are many choices that are made every day of our life. Some are personal, others are professional, regards, decisions abound. Tom Burton will discuss decision making and the concept of going slow, to move fast. Further, detailing the importance of neuroplasticity in decision making, Burton will interactively engage the audience for deep learning. Lastly, he will leave the audience with a greater sense of motivating others through collaborative discussion points.
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Dusty Rhodes was re-elected to an eighth term as Hamilton County Auditor in 2018 almost two-to-one (65%) over his opponent, a margin of over 100,000 votes, the most of any candidate running county-wide. In 1990 he became the first Democratic endorsed candidate to win a Hamilton County administrative office in two decades. He was re-elected every four years since and ran unopposed in 2002 and 2006.
Previously he was a Delhi Township Trustee for twenty-one (21) years. He was also President of the Hamilton County Township Association for seven (7) years. He served sixteen (16) years on the Board of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), chairing the Board for three (3) years. PERS is one of the nation’s largest private pension plans with over $60 billion in assets.
Tom Burton is the Superintendent of Princeton City Schools, located just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Tom has been in administration since 1995 and has been in the Princeton district since 2015. He is the author of “Mark of Leadership: Strategies for Leading with Purpose, Plans, and Passion.” Additionally, Tom has written articles for publications both in Ohio and nationally and a columnist for Middle Ground Magazine.
As superintendent, Tom lives out the Princeton mission to empower each student for college, career, and life success. He celebrates the achievements of all students. His Business and Community Partnership Quarterly Breakfasts connect students with business leaders and foster conversations about the students’ courses and interests generating conversation about post-high school education and occupations. Tom has been actively pursuing business/community partnerships and most recently hosted over 120 business community leaders at the quarterly breakfast.
He was named the 2018 Business Person of the Year through the Sharonville Chamber of Commerce. Further, Tom was the winner of NASSP/MetLife Ohio Middle School Principal of the Year, Distinguished Young Alumni Award from Slippery Rock University. Additionally, he was selected as the recipient of the Gordan Vars Lifetime Achievement Award, Ohio Educator of the Year by the Ohio Middle Level Association.
Tom is married to wife Franca, and they share the joy of raising three children, Cailey (2017 Princeton Graduate), Bryce (2019 Princeton Graduate), and Tommy (Class of 2022) as residents in Sharonville.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, October 15, 2020
This Class Has Been Cancelled.
We Are Sorry. Commissioner Denise Driehaus has refused to debate saying “She is too busy.” Candidate Alicia Reece has told us “She Will Not Debate”. We regret the cancelling of this debate for the 817,000 people in Hamilton County.
In November 2020, two commissioners will be elected to the Hamilton County Commission. Andy Black (R), Dr. Herman Najoli (I) and Alicia Reece (D) will run for one Commissioner Position. Matt O’Neill (R) will run against incumbent Denise Driehaus (D) in the other election. As of this time Andy Black, Dr. Najoli and Matt O’Neill have confirmed their participation in the Debate. We hope to host this debate at a physical location you can attend.
If we are unable to because of the pandemic this class will be hosted on Zoom.
Commissioner Candidate Andy Black was born and raised in Cincinnati. He grew up in a household where East Side met West Side, with his mother originating from Colerain and his father from Madeira. Andy was born in Delhi Township and raised in Mariemont where he attended their public schools through high school.
Andy he attended Miami University where he played college football and earned his Bachelor’s in History. While working full time, he then continued his education by attending Bellarmine University where he completed and earned his MBA.
Andy then launched himself into the private sector, serving for 15 years in the financial technology sector, primarily with Diebold-Nixdorf & NCR Corp. In this role he was responsible for managing a global account team with revenues in excess of $75,000,000.
Currently, Andy serves as Vice President of a design-build firm specializing in commercial real estate opportunities for community based banks and credit unions. This role has prepared Andy to take on the complicated task of economic development and job creation in Hamilton County, as well as given him the necessary experience in working hand-in-hand with local businesses to accomplish their goals.
Beyond Andy’s professional career, he has dedicated himself to service to the public. In 2009 he became the youngest individual ever elected to Mariemont council and was subsequently appointed as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He then served as Vice Mayor of Mariemont from 2011-2012. In addition to his service as an elected official, Andy has been active as a board member for the Northeast Hamilton County Republican Club and the Hamilton County Republican Party Leadership Council, and has served in leadership roles on the reelection campaigns for Congressman Steve Chabot and Senator Rob Portman.
Andy has been married to his wife Courtney for 14 years and they live with their two sons in Indian Hill.
Commissioner Candidate Dr. Herman Najoli–As an academic, Dr. Najoli supports learners of all ages. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Economics and a minor in Commerce from the University of Nairobi (2000). He graduated from the Honor Academy Leadership Internship in Garden Valley, TX (2002). He has two Masters degrees, one in Organizational Leadership from Regent University (2004), and the other in Advanced Leadership Studies from Indiana Wesleyan University (2009).
Najoli holds a Doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University having completed a 245-page dissertation on Wisdom and Organizational Citizenship Behavior in Leaders (2012). He is firmly at grips with how cognitive, affective, and reflective dimensions of wisdom correlate to the altrusim, conscientiousness, sportsmanship, courtesy, and civic virtue of citizenship behavior.
In Hamilton County, 37% of residents have a Bachelors degree or higher. Out of these 22 % have a masters degree. Of those with advanced education, 4% have a doctoral degree. I have the educational acumen to serve as commissioner and will support learning in all sectors and levels throughout Hamilton County.
Commissioner Candidate Matt O’Neill was born in Cincinnati and has lived in all parts of the Cincinnati area. He graduated from Our Lady of Visitation grade school and St. Xavier High School. Matt received his undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance from Miami University in 1984 and his MBA degree from Xavier University in 2002.
Matt has lived 24 years in Green Township, 5 in Loveland, 5 in Deerfield Township, 4 in Fort Thomas and for the last 20 in Oakley. His familiarity with all areas of the county will help Matt be a commissioner who considers the needs of residents. Matt has worked most of his career in School Finance with 11 years at Xavier dealing with treasury accounting. Matt has worked in similar accounting positions at Chaminade- Julienne High School, and The Health Alliance at University of Cincinnati. For the last 3 years Matt has worked at Protech Medical Company, a publicly traded durable medical equipment company in Wilder, KY.
Matt has completed the Flying Pig Full or Half Marathon 15 times and is most proud of Cincinnati on this day when the city host runners from 50 states. Most of them leave with a great impression of our city. Matt is an active parishioner at St. Cecilia in Oakley and enjoys interacting with the needy at the parish holiday dinners. Matt has volunteered at the Pregnancy Center East as a greeter, and he regularly visits with disadvantaged people who attend the Crossroads Coffee Ministry.
We spend over $26 billion in Ohio on the state’s K-12 public education system. The state has 5 school choice programs as well, giving some Ohio families an option on how, when, and where their students are educated. Averel Meden, Executive Director of a network of Ohio schools and parents will share some history on Ohio’s education system, the statewide scholarships available to students, and how her organization is fundamentally changing the conversation on parent empowerment in today’s primary education system. This dialogue will help you navigate many of the questions you have about programs, such as the Ed Choice Scholarship.
Attorney Robert Newman will join EmpowerU from 7:05-7:25 to discuss his recent lawsuit filed against the City of Cincinnati. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Copurt, seeks to overturn Cincinnati’s residential tax abatement program and to award millions of dollars in tax breaks to Black homeowners. The suit accuses city officials of knowingly operating a system that rewards wealthy white homeowners in predominantly white neighborhoods while punishing minorities and poor people who don’t qualify for the tax breaks.
Newman claims “The result for neighborhoods in Cincinnati is that Caucasian neighborhoods have become more affluent, more exclusive and more White.” Tax abatements are a reduction of property taxes usually given for 10-15 years. Newman is a civil rights lawyer and has practiced since his graduation from Emory Law School in Atlanta Georgia in 1967.
Averel Meden is the Executive Director of the Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN), a network of Protestant and Christian schools who advocate for a parent’s right to choose the best education for their children.
Prior to her work with OCEN, she founded and currently operates a small consulting firm, focusing on education, children and family issues, and non-profit issues, which provides coalition building, lobbying, and advocacy training for non-profits.
Averel worked at the Ohio House of Representatives and later at the Ohio Department of Education during the adoption of Common Core, the Ohio Report Card, Teacher Evaluations, and Ohio’s Graduation Requirements. Additionally, she has nearly 20 years of experience in political campaigns at both the state and national level.
She played a critical role in the creation of Ohio’s Education Expansion program for low income families and has a passion for student-centered learning and parental involvement in education and public policy. She works with parents, students, and education professionals to prepare them to engage in public dialogue.
Over the past 20-25 years physicians have found refuge from the complexities of private practice through employment with large health care corporations. This seemed like the logical business move to make, no overhead costs, the staff is provided for you, and a 9-5 schedule. The idea of focusing solely on patient-health and not the bureaucratic side of medicine was ideal. Often times, smaller, private clinics would be bought-out by health care companies which, at the time, seemed like the most appropriate step to improve patient care.
With all the difficulties surrounding the implementation of medicine (predominantly insurance reimbursement), this was an easy way to improve patient and self-care, or so it seemed. There is a new trend emerging in health care (not surprisingly) that shadows physician employment from a long time ago. More physicians are making the decision to go back into private practice, leaving their large corporate “safety net”, but why?
7:05-7:25 PM–Jed Hartings is a founding board member of Cincinnati Classic, applying to be a Hillsdale College Charter School that plans to launch in Cincinnati a conservative Education for K-12 students.
Dr. Cory Gaiser is a physician of Internal Medicine who currently practices in the Cincinnati area, and has been in practice since 2016. He has completed a 3 year residency at The Jewish Hospital in their Internal Medicine Residency Program, followed by a year as Chief Resident. Most recently, he worked in an Internal Medicine Group owned by Mercy Health, and is currently setting up his own practice called New Body Aesthetics, on Harrison Ave. in Cincinnati, OH. He is a member of the American Medical Association and American College of Physicians.
Dr Gaiser, his wife and two children live on an 8.5-acre Honey Bee farm on the west side of Cincinnati where they also raise goats, chickens, peacocks, and geese. He is a second generation physician who, with his wife, owns and operates several small businesses including Gaiser Bee Company, West Side Market, Gaiser Management Group and Gaiser Realty.
On a volunteer basis he was Director of the Code Blue Advancement Committee for Surgical and Medical Residents at Jewish Hospital and served on the Critical Care Committee.
He is an outdoors enthusiast and in his spare time he enjoys beekeeping, managing his mini-farm, kayaking, and competing in outdoor events. He also enjoys scuba diving and restoring cars and boats.
With over 42,000 followers on Facebook, it is not hard to understand why Dr. Frank has become a phenomenon with his discussions about Covid-19. In this talk, Dr. Frank will describe the interface between science and society, and how best to sort out the science from the politics.
He will emphasize his later modeling work on Covid-19, although he has been modeling epidemics, elections, and natural phenomena for his entire professional life.
EmpowerU followers have shown an unending interest in the data behind Covid-19. Don’t miss this interesting presentation. Dr. Frank looks forward to your questions.
Mary G. will be joining us tonight from 7:05-7:25 PM. Mary G. is a Cincinnati native and a child of The Bicentennial years! Love of America and an understanding of our system of government was a given. (She holds a BA from Purdue University and a Master of Education in Administration from Xavier University). After years of working with children in the Midwest, she came to the realization that the system of governance under our constitution, really could disappear in a single generation of uninformed citizens. A few years ago she attended EmpowerU, and during downtime this summer, she dug into The Federalist Papers. The rest is history! Mary G’s ApplePie podcast was born to share that history surrounding The Federalist Papers and the Patriots who built the USA. Tonight she will share with us some thinking about Alexander Hamilton’s use of pseudonyms in sharing his message for our new country and some Cincinnati connections that you will find interesting.
Douglas G. Frank, Ph.D. Douglas G. Frank grew up on a small Black Angus Ranch in Northern California. His parents were successful entrepreneurs in the areas of insurance, investments, and real estate. Dr Frank earned a B.A. in Chemistry from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California in 1983. He then attended graduate school at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he completed his doctoral requirements before transferring to the University of Cincinnati in 1986 as part of the Ohio Eminent Scholar program. In 1990 he completed a Ph.D. in Surface Analytical Chemistry. During his graduate work, he discovered a new phenomenon which was featured in several science books and international journals, including cover articles in Science and Naturwissenschaften.
Dr Frank left academics in 1996. His scientific success as a graduate student and post-doctoral fellow gained him introductions to several U.S. companies, where he continues to apply his scientific, electronics, engineering, and computer expertise to real-life research and manufacturing challenges. He specializes in the development of custom control and analytical solutions, and has invented several instruments for surface optical characterization, precision force application, and soil analysis by means of portable electron microscopy and spectroscopy. A common thread in his work is the combination of precision motion with delicate measurement and analysis of large amounts of data. Dr Frank lives in Morrow, Ohio and is married to his high school sweetheart, Donna. He has three adult children: Dynnelle, Daniel, and Deryk. Dr Frank believes in giving back to the community.
He is Past-President of the Blue Ash/Montgomery Rotary Club (2002). He is a popular speaker in the areas of Creativity & Innovation, Ethics & Character, Science & Religion, Rotary Polio Eradication, Climate Change, and now Covid-19. He was honored by the Executive Board of the Presbyterian Association on Science, Technology and the Christian Faith as “one who exemplifies the practice of science as a Christian vocation.” Dr Frank is chair of the Math and Science department and Director of Music at The Schilling School for Gifted Children, a school he helped to establish in the mid 1990’s. Recently, Dr Frank has gained notoriety for his modeling work on the Covid-19 pandemic. He has been making his work available to the public since January of 2020, and his Facebook page “Dr. Frank Models” (now “Follow the Data with Dr Frank”) has over 50,000 members and followers. Dr. Douglas G. Frank Doug@ToolsForAnalysis.com DrDouglasGFrank@Outlook.com
In this session, material expert Tim Burgess, will be sharing invaluable ideas and concepts that we can use to live a happier and more fulfilled life. Right now, more than any time in the past several decades, the world is mired in fear. From COVID-19, to the many related pandemic issues, to the many current social injustice issues, people are stuck in this vortex of negativity and many just do not know what to do. It is dominating their thoughts, their feelings, and their lives!
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
In this session Tim Burgess will cover the impact fear typically has on us and why it can be paralyzing if we’re not careful. He will accurately illustrate this effect fear has on our thoughts, feelings and actions. From there Tim will also explain how fear is really nothing more than “False Evidence Appearing Real.” With this awareness Tim will also show how we can use fear to help us be more alert so that we can make better, more accurate decisions. This puts us in control of our lives instead of being paralyzed by it.
We certainly hope that you will be able to join us for this riveting discussion on FEAR. It could be the session that helps change your life for the better.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose will join EmpowerU from 7:05-7:30 PM. LaRose will bring us up to date on the issues involved with the Election for the State of Ohio. Will the election be safe? What will happen if Covid-19 reappears? Will there be a decision about who wins on election night. LaRose currently serves as Ohio’s Secretary of State after serving two terms as a Republican member of the Ohio State Senate from Ohio’s 27th Senate district of Wayne County. Learn from LaRose how things look and hopefully we will have time for a few questions.
Tim Burgess has been studying success principles for over twenty years. His primary focus has been in the areas of Dynamic Thinking, Effective Communication/Personality Traits, and the Entrepreneurial Mindset. Tim has studied extensively Napoleon Hill, Earl Nightingale, Bob Proctor, and many more renowned experts in the field of personal development. After several years of studying this material he decided to apply it to the real estate profession.
The proof that what he had been studying works proves out in the 17 listings he achieved in his first full-time month in real estate (December, 1999) and the 92 closings that he secured in his first full-time year. And his real estate success only improved from there. After several years of success in selling real estate he turned his attention to helping other real estate agents achieve greater success through the knowledge, experience, and skills that he developed. One footnote that you may find interesting about Tim is that he is an eighth grade drop-out.
Thomas Jefferson used to be loved by all Americans and claimed by people of both political parties. In the 20th Century, he was put on our money and called America’s Founding Father. But now many people see Jefferson as a hypocrite and some even want to tear down his statues.
This isn’t the first time that Jefferson has been controversial. In his own lifetime, Jefferson had strong admirers and enemies. So which was he: a political saint or sinner?
We will try to answer this question by talking about the life and times of Thomas Jefferson and looking at three of the writings for which Jefferson himself wanted to be remembered: the Declaration of Independence, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and the founding of the University of Virginia. We’ll try to understand Jefferson’s views on government, religion, freedom, and slavery – all the topics that made him controversial in his day and ours.
Jeffrey Sikkenga is Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center and professor of political science at Ashland University. Jeff received his BA from the University of Virginia and his MA and PhD from the University of Toronto. Jeff has been at Ashland and connected to the Ashbrook Center since 1997, serving as an adjunct fellow of the Center, a faculty member in Ashbrook’s Teaching American History program, co-director of the Ashbrook Scholar Program, and Interim Executive Director.
At Ashland University, Jeff served as President and Vice-President of the Faculty Senate and was chair of the search committee for the Provost of the University. He was also assistant chair of the Department of History and Political Science.
Jeff has been a senior fellow in the Program on Constitutionalism and Democracy at the University of Virginia, a visiting scholar at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, and the William E. Simon Distinguished Visiting Professor at the School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University. He has lectured across the country on religious liberty, American politics, and the Supreme Court. He is the author of a number of reviews, articles, and book chapters on political thought, the US Constitution, and politics and religion. They have appeared in journals such as the American Journal of Political Science, Political Theory, History of Political Thought, Journal of Politics, and Political Science Quarterly. He has published several books, including History of American Political Thought (2nd edition).
(Due to a technical issue about 2-3 minutes of Maurice’s opening comments were not filmed)
1851 Center for Constitution Law is a non-profit, non-partisan law firm dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights of Ohioans from government. The 1851 Center litigates constitutional issues related to property rights, taxpayer and entrepreneur rights, regulation, parental rights, and search and seizure.
Maurice Thompson runs the 1851 Center. During the pandemic Businesses found themselves closed and individuals around Ohio found their constitutional rights being violated by Governor Mike DeWine and the State of Ohio. In a series of court actions the 1851 Center sued Ohio to protect Ohio Daycare Owners and then sued Ohio to protect Ohio Diners, Court action was also taken against Ohio when Ohio refused to allow gyms to re-open, and 1851 also sued to protect Business Owners that were deemed “Non-Essential.”. The 1851 Center had great success in validating the Constitutional Rights of Ohioans during the Quarantine.
At a time when many of us felt our rights were secure we learned that many of our economic rights had been taken away from us. Tonight, Maurice Thompson will talk to us about what our rights are in the State of Ohio. He will talk to us about how to protect ourselves against further Ohio laws and sanctions should we be forced to close down again due to the pandemic. Maurice will talk to us about the important subject of life and liberty in the State of Ohio.
Greg Lawson will join EmpowerU from 7:05-7:30 PM to discuss the financial impact of the pandemic on the State of Ohio. Many people have discussed the “looming title wave” that is coming with the economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. Greg will put Ohio’s financial situation into prospective and guide us through what we can expect. Higher taxes? Reduced services? Is the financial impact larger our state budget or our local city and county budgets. Join us for an overview of the financial condition of the State of Ohio.
Maurice Thompson is a constitutional rights lawyer, author, commentator, speaker, and founder and director of the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law. Maurice fights for liberty across Ohio in high-stakes constitutional rights cases and provides legal support for freedom-oriented ballot issues. He has defeated state and local governments and agencies to protect property rights, taxpayer rights, free speech, parental rights, entrepreneurs’ rights, privacy rights, freedom to contract, and healthcare freedom. Maurice specializes in the Ohio Constitution.
Maurice comes from a long line of Wood County, Ohio farmers. Since growing up in Northwest Ohio, he has lived in Oxford, Cleveland, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Columbus, running his own businesses and working in a diverse array of organizations including the National Taxpayers Union, the Sam Adams Foundation, and the Buckeye Institute. He moved back to Ohio to start the 1851 Center in 2008.
EmpowerU Studio to Reopen! A Follow-Up to Our Class on April 14
Mike Wilson and Dr. Rob Bulas will join our session at EmpowerU on June 11 in an important follow-up to our class on April 14. The public is demanding accurate data and information about Covid-19 that the media is not providing. What you will learn from this important class is a data driven presentation on COVID 19–What we know, what we don’t know and the policy Implications. Mike Wilson will provide you data on tracking the spread of the pandemic, some of what would be more medically focused. Dr. Rob Bulas will provide information about the disease itself, current treatments, scientific origin of our distancing protocols and impact on schools. Dr. Bulas will also give a unique overview critique of how we got here and where we go from her medically.
Since our first class on COVID-19, EmpowerU has received many requests for an update of where we stand on COVID-19. Don’t miss our update class on June 11. This class will be hosted live as EmpowerU Studio re-opens. The studio will accept 40 reservations for people who want to attend. Other guests are welcome to watch this class live on the internet by joining this class at the following link at 6:50 PM on June 11. Click Here to join the webinar on June 11. Register below if you plan to attend live–you must have a ticket to attend this class live at EmpowerU Studio.
Mike Wilson is a Cincinnati native and proud graduate of St. Xavier High School and the University of Cincinnati. His degree is in Applied Mathematics which has served him well as CTO of Interlink Cloud Advisors, a local Microsoft focused consulting firm, and in analyzing data trends in other spheres.
Mike has stepped back from recent political activism, but founded the Cincinnati Tea Party in 2009 and quickly built an organization that become one of the largest and most respected truly grassroots organizations in the country. Mike also was instrumental in leading the successful grassroots effort to amend the Ohio Constitution with the Health Care Freedom Amendment in 2011.
Dr. Robert Bulas received his B.S. (’85) and M.D. (’89) degrees from The Ohio State University. He completed his Internship and Residency at The Medical College of Virginia in Richmond (1989-1993), before returning to Ohio. He completed a fellowship in Neuroradiology at the University of Cincinnati in 1994. He has practiced medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio since 1993, and he served as the Director of Interventional Neuroradiology and the Director of Magnetic Resonance Imaging at The Christ Hospital for 24 years. The primary focus of his career was stroke prevention, and he has lectured extensively on the subject, from lifestyle modification to surgical and endovascular intervention. Dr. Bulas also served as a Principle Investigator on multiple national and international clinical research trials.
In addition, Dr. Bulas has lectured extensively on free market and socialized health care solutions over the last 15 years. Recently, he retired from his clinical practice and has transitioned into primary care medical mission work, with a focus on infectious disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has written extensively on the subject and has served as a consultant to private Ohio businesses as they transition to re-opening. Dr. Bulas is a student of American pandemic history, and he hopes to help Ohio recover smartly from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several weeks ago, Finney Law Firm (FLF) did a webinar for EmpowerU on the relief offered to small business and self-employed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). One of the main focuses of that webinar was the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which offers forgivable loans to small businesses. Since that time, over 4.5 million companies have received PPP loans totaling over $510 Billion. And, approximately $100 Billion in funding for PPP loans remains unused.
If you are one of the small businesses or self-employed that received a PPP loan (or if you are considering applying for one), you’ve likely been wrestling with questions on how to make sure your loan is forgiven. The SBA has now provided significant additional guidance on PPP loan forgiveness, including, for example:
New rules on what payroll counts toward forgiveness
New rules on what you can spend PPP funds on other than payroll
New rules on when you must spend PPP funds
How you calculate your reduction in loan forgiveness if you decrease employees and/or compensation (including safe harbors that help preserve PPP forgiveness)
And, Congress is considering changing the rules to allow more time and flexibility in spending the funds. In this webinar, FLF will outline these new rules and the potential changes, and how to maximize your PPP loan forgiveness.
Even for small businesses that received a PPP loan, that loan is likely not the only assistance needed to survive and thrive in this changing economy. One of the lessons learned over the last several weeks is that the economic impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic are likely longer lasting and more far reaching than we originally imagined. Recognizing this reality, FLF has launched a Small Business Solutions Group, https://finneylawfirm.com/practice-areas/small-business-solutions-group/
Tuesday, June 9, the presenters will explain the the importance of how to get your PPP Loan forgiven by your financial institution and the SBA. If you have a PPP Loan don’t miss this class.
Brad Wenstrup was elected in 2012 to represent the people of Ohio’s Second Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. He has been deeply involved in the PPP loan program to help businesses. He brings experience as a doctor, Army Reserve officer, Iraq War veteran, and small business owner to help Congress tackle the economic and security challenges facing the nation.
In the 116th Congress, Brad serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He previously spent six years on the Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. As a member on the Ways and Means and Intelligence Committees, Brad is working to address the national health care situation and systemic poverty issues, while strengthening our national security. He has long been a voice of support for southern Ohio’s veteran community.
A Cincinnati native, Brad graduated from Saint Xavier High School and the University of Cincinnati. He went on to earn a medical degree in Chicago as a podiatric physician and after completing his surgical residency he established private practice in Cincinnati, treating patients for 26 years.
During his time in Congress, Brad is fulfilling his Reserve duties by serving as the Medical Policy Advisor for the Chief of the Army Reserve as well as seeing patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda. Brad and his wife, Monica, reside in Cincinnati with their children Brad Jr. and Sophia. Brad will be joining us on the Webinar on Tuesday night, June 9.
Chris Finney is a licensed attorney in Ohio, Kentucky and the District of Colombia, as well as a licensed Ohio real estate title insurance agent. Mr. Finney was named Ohio Lawyer of the Year in 1998 at the age of 37.
Bringing more than 30 years of experience as a real estate attorney, Mr. Finney has knitted together the attorneys of the Finney Law Firm with the title professionals and attorneys at Ivy Pointe Title to create a sophisticated and robust commercial and residential title insurance company. The Finney Law Firm gives depth to the title company in the areas of corporate and transactional law, real estate law, probate and estate administration, trust law, bankruptcy law, and commercial dispute resolution.
Mr. Finney is the owner of Finney Law Firm, where he concentrates in commercial and public interest law as well as matters of real estate law and title to real estate.
The height of Mr. Finney’s legal career to date was reached with two wins before the United States Supreme Court in June of 2014, for clients suing the Ohio Elections Commission over their administration of the Ohio “False Claims” statute, empowering a panel of bureaucrats to judge the truth or falsity of statements made during election campaigns. Mr. Finney challenged the statute, and the criminal penalties attendant thereto, in a series of cases spanning five years. After losing the issue before three separate District Court judges, and all fifteen Judges on the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals (an 0-18 losing record on this issue), Mr. Finney won back-to-back 9-0 decisions on the cases from the US Supreme Court. Contact Information: chris@finneylawfirm.com 513-943-6650
Mr. Finney is an experienced transactional attorney and commercial litigator, allowing him and his firms to seamlessly document and close your transaction, as well as address disputes that can arise during the course of a transaction.
Rebecca Heimlich is an attorney at the Finney Law Firm.
EmpowerU welcomes Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors as a Co-Sponsor of this class.
Glendale Lyceum Outdoor Pavillion 865 Congress Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Rain or Shine Event–We Will Move Inside to the Glendale Lyceum if it Rains!
Bring your lawn chair and experience the meaning of our motto, “Educate, Enjoy, Engage.” 55KRC radio personality Brian Thomas will serve as the master of ceremonies. On this special evening we will celebrate the end of EmpowerU’s 19th Semester and Empowered Citizen Awards will be handed out. Will you receive one? Chris Monzel, a friend of EmpowerU, and other special guests will also be with us.
EmpowerU will be grilling burgers and hot dogs as well as providing water and soft drinks. Attendees are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share at the potluck table. Adult attendees are welcome to BYOB. There is no charge for this event, but your donation is gratefully accepted. We look forward to seeing all our friends at this GREAT annual event. Master Chef Mike Burnham will be on the grill.
Schedule for the Evening: Dinner is from 5:45-6:45, Featured Guest Speakers from 6:45-7:45
Our special guest and headline speaker for this evening will be Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones. One of our core subjects of concentration this semester at EmpowerU has the Government’s role in protecting the citizens. This role seems to be faltering nationwide, but Sheriff Jones, by his actions and words, gets it. Nationally, the sheriff, known as “Jonesy” to his friends he is most often compared to President Trump. He has been a controversial, but important voice on topics such as immigration and the overdose reversal drug, naloxone and how to protect our children in schools. You might also enjoy the letter Sheriff Jones has written to President Trump about the role of the FBI–click here. Join us for a great night of friendship, camaraderie and good food, and a great message. Make sure to register for a spot for tonight’s class.
Richard K. Jones is currently serving his fourth term of office as Sheriff of Butler County, Ohio. He is a candidate in the March, 2020primary, seeking to serve the residents of Butler County, Ohio for a fifth term.
After high school graduation, Richard served two years in the United States Army from 1973 to 1975. Richard obtained his Masters’ Degree in Corrections from Xavier University. He began his 18 year corrections career at the Lebanon Correctional Institution, Lebanon, Ohio. In December, 1992, he ended his career with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections as Major to become Chief Deputy of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office in January, 1993, where he served for 12 years. In November, 2004 he was elected to his first term as Sheriff.
Sheriff Jones co-authored a book in 1991 entitled “Behind Prison Bars” through the American Correctional Association. He graduated from the Executive Development Program through the National Sheriff’s Institute, FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia. He taught classes at Wilmington College and Southern States College. He was a Certified Basic Peace Officer Academy Instructor, Certified Corrections Academy Instructor and Certified Law Enforcement Manager through the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association.
He is a member of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, and serves on their Legislative Committee; a member of the National Sheriff’s Association, and serves on the NSA’s Drug Enforcement, Congressional Affairs and Immigration and Border Security Committees.
Sheriff Jones visited the Mexican Border in October of 2007 and May of 2010. He, a state representative and local reporter were given an in-depth, guided tour of the Tucson Sector by Sheriff Larry Dever, Cochise County, Arizona.
He has appeared on many popular national television and radio shows, and has been quoted in many nationwide paper and magazine articles; for his insights and expertise of high profile cases, the recent heroin epidemic, and immigration issues.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Cincinnati Memories is a virtual tour of Cincinnati past and up to modern times. Jeanne Rolfes is very knowledgeable and will take us a step back in time to learn and visit downtown Cincinnati landmarks and buildings such as Fountain Square, Carew Tower Complex, Dixie Terminal Building, City Hall, Findlay Market, Union Terminal and, an early look at the John Shillito Company, to name a few. Her history in pictures of how great Cincinnati has always been, will surely be enjoyable for all history lovers of the Queen City.
Jeanne Rolfes, is a resident of Kenwood and native of Cincinnati, she attended Summit Country Day, Edgecliff College, and graduate school at Xavier University. She enjoys reading and traveling having been to Iceland, Cuba, and Alaska. Jeanne was an original walking tour guide for the Cincinnati Preservation Association program entitled Architrek, a two mile tour, which started in 2000. Jeanne received funding from the Ohio Valley Foundation, and helped to develop a virtual walking tour aimed at senior centers, retirement communities, and church groups. She has given more than 450 presentations to more than 3,000 people. Due to the popularity of her presentation, Memories 1, she developed additional presentations called Memories 2, 3 & 4.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Bill Seitz is one of the most important leaders in the Ohio State Government in his current role as House Majority Floor Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives. Long a friend of EmpowerU, Bill has spoken to us on subjects as diverse as Obscure Ohio Laws, Ohio Energy Policy, Education, Fiscal Policy and Ohio Government Mandates.
Tonight, Bill will host a “Crossfire” session on the Ohio Statehouse by talking to us about four important Ohio issues that are being discussed at the time of our session. Each of these four issues will be discussed for 15 minutes which will leave us time for extensive questions and answers. One of these issues sure to be discussed will be EdChoice and the Ohio voucher program for struggling schools.
Take advantage of the chance to ask Representative Seitz questions about other pressing issues in Ohio. This evening promises great fellowship and an opportunity to hear from our own “homegrown great orator” Representative Bill Seitz. In 2016, Columbus Monthly Magazine ranked Bill #1 out of 132 legislators as Ohio’s best speechmaker, most knowledgeable, and savviest lawmaker. Join the incredibly entertaining Bill Seitz as he discusses Ohio at EmpowerU.
A lifelong resident of Western Hamilton County, State Representative Bill Seitz has worked to represent the best interests of the Greater Cincinnati area at the Statehouse. Known for his colorful floor speeches and legal acumen, Seitz began his public service career as a member of the Cincinnati Board of Education and the St. Antoninus Parish Education Commission. He was twice elected Green Township Trustee, where he also served as President of the Hamilton County Township Association. He has never forgotten his local government roots.
Beginning in 2000, Seitz served in the Ohio House of Representatives for almost seven years. There, he rose through the ranks, serving as Majority Whip and Assistant Majority Whip and chair of the Civil and Commercial Law Committee. Seitz then went on to serve in the Ohio Senate from 2007 to 2016 before returning to the Ohio House where he is now serving the 30th House District in his second consecutive term. In the Senate, Seitz served as Chairman of the Public Utilities Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Government Oversight & Reform Committee. A fiscal conservative, Seitz is a champion of government efficiency. While others in Columbus talk about reducing the size of state government, Representative Seitz has put tangible ideas on the table, including now-enacted proposals that would reduce prison overcrowding and save the state hundreds of millions of dollars. A lawyer since 1978, he is currently of Counsel with Dinsmore and Shohl and for over ten years he has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America book.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
We spend over $26 billion in Ohio on the state’s K-12 public education system. The state has 5 school choice programs as well, giving some Ohio families an option on how, when, and where their students are educated. Averel Meden, Executive Director of a network of Ohio schools and parents will share some history on Ohio’s education system, the statewide scholarships available to students, and how her organization is fundamentally changing the conversation on parent empowerment in today’s primary education system. This dialogue will help you navigate many of the questions you have about programs, such as the Ed Choice Scholarship.
Averel Meden is the Executive Director of the Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN), a network of Protestant and Christian schools who advocate for a parent’s right to choose the best education for their children.
Prior to her work with OCEN, she founded and currently operates a small consulting firm, focusing on education, children and family issues, and non-profit issues, which provides coalition building, lobbying, and advocacy training for non-profits.
Averel worked at the Ohio House of Representatives and later at the Ohio Department of Education during the adoption of Common Core, the Ohio Report Card, Teacher Evaluations, and Ohio’s Graduation Requirements. Additionally, she has nearly 20 years of experience in political campaigns at both the state and national level.
She played a critical role in the creation of Ohio’s Education Expansion program for low income families and has a passion for student-centered learning and parental involvement in education and public policy. She works with parents, students, and education professionals to prepare them to engage in public dialogue.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA This is an Online Class ,
Thursday, April 23, 2020
To reach Jonathan Dever regarding his offer of 1/2 hour of free consultation help for financial problems-debt resolutuion email him at: jonathan@deverlawfirm.com * www.deverlaw.com * 513-823-2112 * twitter @jonathandever
Policy Solutions for the Pandemic: How to Fight the Impact of Coronavirus
The Buckeye Institute is an independent research and education think tank whose mission is to advance free-market public policy in the states. Buckeye has been totally out front on the Pandemic and written several policy positions on Solutions for the Pandemic. These include:
Transitioning Ohioans Back to Work
Using the Rainy Day Fund to Fight COVID-19
Redirecting State Resources to Fight COVID-19
Lifting Restrictions on Nurses to Fight COVID-19
Moves by the State that can get us through the Pandemic
Greg, a frequent contributor to EmpowerU will guide us through the highlights of Buckeye’s conclusions on how The State of Ohio should deal with the Pandemic. Don’t Miss this Discussion. Greg will be with us from 7:05-7:40 PM.
Greg Lawson
Greg R. Lawson is a Research Fellow at The Buckeye Institute.
In this role, Lawson works with all members of the Buckeye research team with a particular focus on local government and education issues. He is also Buckeye’s main liaison to the statehouse where he educates policymakers in both the legislative and executive branches on free-market solutions to Ohio’s challenges.
Prior to his position at Buckeye, Lawson served in the Ohio General Assembly as a Legislative Service Commission Fellow. He then went on to several government affairs roles focusing on numerous public policy topics, including Medicaid, school choice, transportation funding, and Ohio’s Building Code. He also has a background in PAC fundraising, grassroots organizing, and communications and served for five years on the boards of two Columbus-based charter schools.
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Preparing Your Finances in the Midst of Economic Uncertainty. Non-Bankruptcy Alternatives and Negotiating Workouts.
In this uncertain time, being prepared for the unknown is vital to your family’s long term financial well being. Jonathan Dever founded his law firm in 2002 as our nation was recovering from the September 11 attacks. He quickly realized that he was able to use hsi legal know-how to help families and small business owners facing difficult financial and emotional circumstances.
Once the Great Recession began five years later, he took what he had learned from these experiences to help out consumers and businesses at the height of that crisis. This meant defending homeowners, fighting foreclosures, and helping business owners maintain their livelihood without filing for bankruptcy.
Today, we find ourselves in uncertain economic times. Businesses are being shuttered by the government without any real assurance of when this will end. Many workers have been sent home without paychecks. Funds that were saved for rainy days must now outlast a 100-year flood. And we don’t know for certain how long this process will last. More disconcerting, money promised for small businesses hasn’t arrived.
Jonathan knows that we can weather this or any challenge, because while the causes of financial turmoil change, the ways to address it do not. Jon will be with us from 7:40-8:15 PM.
Jonathan will take his knowledge of helping thousands of small businesses and individuals and give you some tips on how to best prepare your family for the economic conditions that we are facing as a State and Nation.
Jonathan Dever, Esq is one of Cincinnati’s most talented attorneys. With over 20 years of experience, Jonathan is known as a litigator, entrepreneur, and an accomplished legislator. Jonathan rose to prominence in the State of Ohio as a respected Representative from Southwest Ohio.
Dever brings a breadth of knowledge as a respected attorney handling a vast array of matters, from complex debt restructuring cases, real estate issues, Uniform Commercial Code, foreclosure and housing and business issues, to representing various interests in negotiation and advocacy before various bodies. Jonathan has never lost a jury trial.
While serving in the Ohio House of Representatives, he was appointed to serve as the Chairman of the prestigious Financial Institutions Housing and Urban Development Committee. Mr. Dever, He has been an outspoken advocate for reforms in lending and housing issues. Mr. Dever has been a strong voice of the disabled, authoring and shepherding the Ohio ABLE Act, establishing the first active program in the country to effectively give individuals with disabilities the power to save and invest for their future.
Tom Zawistowski Added to Program to Discuss Liberty
Tom Zawistowski will join us at the beginning of Tuesday Night’s class from 7:05-7:25. He will talk about his view of where we are at with Liberty in the State of Ohio. Join us for his important, informed view. When most people think about Liberty in the State of Ohio they think about this guy.
Tom, is the CEO and Founder, with his wife Nanette, of TRZ Communications, a 38 year old technology company based in Akron, Ohio. In 2009 he was one of the founders of the Portage County TEA Party, for which he became the Executive Director in 2010, a position he still holds.
In 2011, Tom was nominated by liberty leaders around the state to head a group of volunteers that was challenged with the task of putting on the first ever state convention for liberty minded citizens. His “We the People” Convention which was held at the Columbus Convention Center during the 4th of July weekend of 2011 and was attended by over 1,000 Patriots.
He has been recognized as one of the top liberty group leaders in the nation for his efforts to defend the legal right of Liberty groups across the nation and he produces the popular We The People Convention Podcast which is Posted Every Friday at ethepeopleconvention.org.
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Matt Miller-Novak to Discuss The First Amendment
Lorain, Ohio residents recently came to City Council meeting with their mouths taped shut, as dozens of people sent a strong message at the meeting that they demanded to be able to speak in a public comment portion of the meeting. Cleveland, Ohio does not allow public comment at it’s Monday night meetings. What is happening in your community?
Matt Miller-Novak, from Godbey Law, LLC will teach an important First Amendment course at Empower U on April 21, 2020. The course will focus on the constitutional rights of citizens speaking during public participation portions of local government meetings. The course will cover the case law precedent regarding the First Amendment’s application to protected speech, the government’s ability to manage participation, and potential rights of action and consequences for unlawful viewpoint animus.
Matt Miller-Novak will provide a lecture and some examples. He will also answer audience questions, and he greatly enjoys audience participation, so do not be surprised if he asked those in attendance to join in. Matt’s part of the class will run from 7:25-8:15 PM.
Matt Miller-Novak is an attorney at Godbey Law, LLC. Matt received his Juris Doctorate from Chase School of Law, his Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from the University of Cincinnati, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Youngstown State University. Matt first moved to Cincinnati in 2001 to study painting at the University of Cincinnati after marrying his wife Jamie. Jamie began teaching high school English in the Three Rivers School District, and Matt began teaching painting and drawing at Northern Kentucky University while exhibiting his art regionally and nationally.
Matt soon developed an interest in local government and began getting involved in campaigns and other community service. Moreover, his faith had always driven his desire to empower those with less bargaining power in our society. In the year 2010, Matt decided to stop teaching and attend law school. Upon his admission at Chase Law, Matt focused his studies on Constitution jurisprudence and employment discrimination. He graduated Cum Laude, and he received honors for his trial advocacy skills and legal writing. In addition, Matt published two law review articles, and he spoke at Whittier Law School regarding employment matters in 2014.
Matt is now a civil litigator at Godbey Law, and he is actively empowering citizens in government accountability cases, employment discrimination cases, and other civil matters. He has received his share of coverage in various local news reports on his cases, and his practice at Godbey Law continues to grow. In his private life, Matt continues to paint, as well play guitar and piano at his church in Walnut Hills. He also serves on his own local government, he remains happily married to Jamie, and he is the proud father of a 12-year old son.
This Class is a Virtual Class Only –EmpowerU Studio Closed Due to Coronavirus
Barbara Holwadel to Discuss Mass Transit and Issue 7
Barbara Holwadel has been researching mass transit and Issue 7 since she first started to learn about the levy around first of the year. Issue 7 is the largest levy tax increase in the history of Hamilton County. She will catch you up on her thoughts about what happens if we burden our government and citizens with such a large tax like this when our economy which is on the verge of crashing.
Don’t miss Barbara’s insight into this important topic which will include outside research on where mass transit is headed in the United States. Barbara will be with us from 7:05-7:25 PM
Born and raised in Anderson Township. She is a graduate of Anderson High School then Wilmington College with a B.S. in Business. Believing the American dream is under siege from politicians of both parties, she got involved in the struggle to fight the ever-expanding size and scope of government.
Barbara was elected Precinct Executive and subsequently Ward Chair of the party (2010-2018) in Madeira and always made sure there were people working the polls on Election Day. She has been active in local groups such as the Ohio Battleground Alliance, the Hamilton County Victory Centers and general candidate support (especially President Donald J. Trump) since that time. She has run for State Central Committee and Madeira City Council. From those efforts Barbara has learned a lot about campaigning and the power of incumbency.
Barbara’s research into the economic drain of mass transit and the deceptive nature of Issue 7 inspired her to fight to defeat it by educating voters. She’s grateful to the hard-working team of volunteers that have stood outside in the cold at the Board of Elections during early voting.
This presentation will begin to explore the important changes that the Chinese Coronavirus Pandemic is causing in the US, China, and around the globe. The changes will be economic, political, and social. Many aspects of life will be affected, and, in a number of areas, the changes will be dramatic and enduring.
Dr. Al Tuchfarber and The China Part of Our Class Will Start at 7:25 PM
How and Why the US & China Will Change Because of the Coronavirus Pandemic
This investigation is, of course, just the beginning. But many important changes and outcomes are already visible or near certain to occur. Among the changes that Dr. Tuchfarber will address are:
Why is a US economic recovery likely by summer?
Why are effective treatments of the coronavirus illness more important now than a vaccine?
Why will China get most of the blame for the worldwide devastation caused by the virus?
How will the globalization of the world economy slow and change?
Why will China’s economy never fully recover from the pandemic?
Why is the US now more in control of the international economy and financial system than ever before?
How will the US job market and workplace change because of the crisis?
Why will President Trump and future presidents have more emergency powers and resources?
Why will the US and world be better prepared for the next pandemic?
Why has “America First” become a worldwide, “Every Nation State First?”
How might the coronavirus pandemic in the US affect the November elections?
Will US life get back to normal? ANSWER: Yes, substantially but slowly.
Alfred J Tuchfarber PhD, Professor Emeritus of Political Science – University of Cincinnati. He is owner – Tuchfarber Political-Economics, LLC, Blogger – TuchfarberReport.com. As a political-economic analyst and author of the Tuchfarber Report, Al brings you insights and forecasts that you will not find elsewhere. Al Tuchfarber publishes the weekly Tuchfarber Report — a summary and analysis of the important things occurring is US and world politics, economics, and society. It can be found at TuchfarberReport.com
Al Tuchfarber is an academic and entrepreneur who has had a successful career as a teacher, researcher, senior administrator, campaign manager, political analyst, organizational strategist, and writer.
He holds a PhD in political science and has well over 100 publications.
Al’s intellectual and practical interests are very wide-ranging. He has spent his career both in the arena of ideas but also in the “real-world” where the rubber hits the road…where things must work.
Areas of special interest to him are American politics and political-economics, global politics and global political-economics, political polling, campaign and organizational strategies, demographics, and societal change.
Tuchfarber founded the Ohio Poll and directed it for a quarter century. The Poll established a remarkable record for accuracy in predicting elections and has been rated one of the nation’s best.
Al brings that experience and skill-set to his weekly blog — the Tuchfarber Report, as well as to his consulting, speaking, and writing.
His predictions are 80 to 95% accurate because they are based on facts, data, history and common sense…NOT on ideology, partisanship, or hopes.
As a political-economic analyst and author of the Tuchfarber Report, Al brings you insights and forecasts that you will not find elsewhere. Al Tuchfarber publishes the weekly Tuchfarber Report — a summary and analysis of the important things occurring is US and world politics, economics, and society. It can be found at TuchfarberReport.com
If you would like to see a free issue, email Professor Tuchfarber at al.tuchfarber@gmail.com
Mike Wilson will join our session at EmpowerU tonight by starting off our class with a discussion about the analytics of Covid-19. For those of you who have read his lengthy posts on Facebook about Coronavirus you can tell that Mike is someone who bases his decisions on data. With so many of the Cornuavirus pandemic decisions based on ill-formed models and bad data, Mike has the information to help set us straight and get us thinking differently on this difficult subject. Oh yes, and what about the economy?
Be prepared to open your minds and look differently at one of the most difficult problems that has ever transpired in the United States of America.
Mike will be with us from 7:05-7:30 PM.
Mike Wilson is a Cincinnati native and proud graduate of St. Xavier High School and the University of Cincinnati. His degree is in Applied Mathematics which has served him well as CTO of Interlink Cloud Advisors, a local Microsoft focused consulting firm, and in analyzing data trends in other spheres.
Mike has stepped back from recent political activism, but founded the Cincinnati Tea Party in 2009 and quickly built an organization that become one of the largest and most respected truly grassroots organizations in the country. Mike also was instrumental in leading the successful grassroots effort to amend the Ohio Constitution with the Health Care Freedom Amendment in 2011.
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The Status of Healthcare in the United States of America
Nationally known Health Care expert Grace-Marie Turner joins EmpowerU for an exclusive Webinar on the status of our Health Care System. Grace-Marie will be addressing the following topics plus your questions.
– What is the current status of efforts to move our current system away from unnecessary regulation and toward a thriving free market system for the vast majority of Americans while still providing alternatives for the needs of those with pre-existing health problems and special needs.
– How can we address the current status and the challenges we face since Obamacare has been partially amended leaving us with a bureaucratic mess, along with very limited options for some parts of the country and for those who buy their own insurance (small business/individual markets).
– Learn about what we’ve learned from the COVID-19 situation and how most of the true solutions and innovation are coming from the free market
– Finally–Why Medicare for All would be a nightmare and nationalized systems are struggling. An election primer is coming…
Be prepared to ask questions about whatever concerns you have with the direction of America’s health care. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to have questions answered by a real expert!
Grace will be with us from 7:30-8:15 PM.
Grace-Marie Turner is president of the Galen Institute, a public policy research organization she founded in 1995 to promote an informed debate over ideas to transfer power over health care decisions to doctors and patients. She has served on the Long Term Care Commission, the National Advisory Board for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Medicaid Commission. She testifies regularly before Congress and has been published in hundreds of newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and USA Today. She edited Empowering Health Care Consumers through Tax Reform and has contributed to numerous other books.
She speaks extensively in the U.S. and abroad, including Harvard University, the London School of Economics, Oxford University, and the Gregorian University at the Vatican. She received the 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award for Promotion of Consumer Driven Health Care from Consumer Health World.
Curt Hartman–Everything About This Contentious Race…. 7:05-7:20 PM
Curt Hartman is running for judge in the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court against Karen Falter who is a Magistrate in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. The election has gone negative and there are all sorts of complaints involving “courthouse and party-insider gossip”. The latest dispute involves Falter’s campaign accusing Hartman of moving to Hamilton County 3 years ago to take a position. Curt Hartman Joins EmpowerU to discuss the contentious race and fill you in on finding by The Board of Professional Conduct regarding the case. Meet Curt Hartman from 7:05-7:20 and learn about the facts of this race at EmpowerU Chats.
Speaker Bio
In March 2017, Hartman was appointed judge on the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court where he served. He had a reputation of being an excellent jurist, seeking to ensure and advance justice for all involved with the legal system. Curt, a graduate with distinction, from the Naval Academy had a robust private practice caseload where he was involved in cases at all levels of the state and federal judiciary, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
Pete Witte–One of the Areas Most Interesting Citizens 7:20-8:00 PM
Pete Witte is a lifelong Price Hill Resident who has been involved with the Core of the City of Cincinnati. He has never lived more than a block off West 8th Street in West Price Hill his entire life. He has served on many local boards and commissions. We will have an opportunity to speak with Pete about many important things that are going on currently in Cincinnati and Hamilton County that he is involved with.
The Millenium Hotel
“This is a huge risk we are taking,”– Adam Gelter, CFA Board Member
“It is going to a black hole… This is not a good decision for the residents, or the county.” Stephanie Dumas–Hamilton CountyCommissioner
We will discuss the subject of Quasi Government. Is Quasi Government, good government. Can the taxpayers understand what is happening. Should the County have invested $59 million via the Cincinnati Port to buy the Millenium Hotel ($36 million purchase price + $12 million+ to demolish it)? Who made the decision to purchase? What is the role of the Convention Facilities Authority (CFA) with the Millenium? What role does CFA play in the Area? The Cincinnati Port, what role does it play in County and City affairs? Is the Port starting to take on risky areas outside of normal Government that should concern taxpayers–like its ownership of the FC Cincinnati Stadium? How can taxpayers find out and hold accountable their elected officials that operate “Quasi” Boards like the CFA and the Cincinnati Port that operate outside the bounds of normal Government?
What is the future plan for the Millenium? What has happened with the $5 million lawsuit involving the Millenium that was recently filed by the agent that brokered the deal for the Millenium to be purchased by the Port. What happens with the Tax rates for hotels that visitor’s will pay to stay at local hotels? Is the Tax Rate Going Up? How is the Millenium financed? Other things to be discussed tonight will be Tax Abatements, Issue #7, a possible run for City of Cincinnati Council and Pete’s Podcast.
Speaker Bio
Pete is married to wife Ann. He has two kids, Alex 20 and Lilly 19, both currently in college. He recently adopted a puppy named Igby. He is a graduate of Elder High School. Alex is a 3rd generation Elder grad and Lilly a 3rd generation Seton Grad. Pete’s mom was a founder of the Elder Food and Toy Drive back in the early 1980s. She coordinated up till her death in 2005. Pete and his wife have carried on this role that his mom started and have coordinated the Toy side of the Elder Food and Toy Drive since 2005.
Pete’s and his Dad founded what is now known as Baron Engraving in 1987. They started in the basement of his parent’s home and now operate on Glenway Avenue in West Price Hill. His company specializes in custom engraving, name badges, interior signs, and recognition products. We offer a variety of signs for almost any application.
Pete’s involvement in the neighborhood first started in 1996. I served for many years as an active member and elected officer of the Price Hill Civic Club, which is now known as West Price Hill Community Council. I also held the title of President for 10 consecutive years.
I have served on a variety of boards and political committees over the last 25 years:
City of Cincinnati Planning Commission (2001-2004)
Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (2006 – 2014): I served as a Chairman from 2012—14 and oversaw the hiring process of the current CMHA CEO Greg Johnson.
Board Member of the Cincinnati Police Safe City Corridor Project (2005-2010)
Board member of the City of Cincinnati Community Development Advisory Board (2016-2019)
Board member of the Convention Facilities Authority, the entity that owns both the Duke Energy Convention Center and the Sharonville Convention Center (2018 – current)
Pete was a founding member of POWR PAC (Partnership Of Westside Residents Political Action Committee). He has taken part in multiple political campaigns both for candidates and issues. I was also one of three signed petitioners, along with Christopher Smitherman and Amy Murray, in the effort that ended Mayor Mark Mallory and City Council’s plan to privatize parking meters in 2013.
Pete was unsuccessfully in his run for Cincinnati City Council in 2003. In 2018 he started a podcast in 2018 called Live From Table 1. I interview people of interest from my favorite table at Price Hill Chili.
Attorneys Chris Finney and Rebecca Heimlich of the Finney Law Firm will present “Significant Relief for Business Owners and Self-Employed in the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis.” So many businessmen and women who have built the businesses for years and decades have watched their investments become imperiled as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic crisis, and in many cases the government mandates relating to it.
As a result, an unprecedented millions of Americans have been furloughed or laid off because the businesses no longer have the money to keep them employed. On Friday Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which includes the Paycheck Protection Program to provide funds to businesses and the self-employed to keep the wheels of commerce turning and allow those businesses to bring back the loyal employees that allow it to exist and grow.
This Thursday, the presenters will explain the act and how businesses owners can quickly access the funds to avoid insolvency.
Chris Finney is a licensed attorney in Ohio, Kentucky and the District of Colombia, as well as a licensed Ohio real estate title insurance agent. Mr. Finney was named Ohio Lawyer of the Year in 1998 at the age of 37.
Bringing more than 30 years of experience as a real estate attorney, Mr. Finney has knitted together the attorneys of the Finney Law Firm with the title professionals and attorneys at Ivy Pointe Title to create a sophisticated and robust commercial and residential title insurance company. The Finney Law Firm gives depth to the title company in the areas of corporate and transactional law, real estate law, probate and estate administration, trust law, bankruptcy law, and commercial dispute resolution.
Mr. Finney is the owner of Finney Law Firm, where he concentrates in commercial and public interest law as well as matters of real estate law and title to real estate.
The height of Mr. Finney’s legal career to date was reached with two wins before the United States Supreme Court in June of 2014, for clients suing the Ohio Elections Commission over their administration of the Ohio “False Claims” statute, empowering a panel of bureaucrats to judge the truth or falsity of statements made during election campaigns. Mr. Finney challenged the statute, and the criminal penalties attendant thereto, in a series of cases spanning five years. After losing the issue before three separate District Court judges, and all fifteen Judges on the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals (an 0-18 losing record on this issue), Mr. Finney won back-to-back 9-0 decisions on the cases from the US Supreme Court.
Mr. Finney is an experienced transactional attorney and commercial litigator, allowing him and his firms to seamlessly document and close your transaction, as well as address disputes that can arise during the course of a transaction.
Rebecca Heimlich is an attorney at the Finney Law Firm.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
“Back then people closed their eyes and listened to music” – Neil Young
Neil Young is one of the most influential songwriters and guitarists of his generation, known for recording such favorites as ‘Old Man,’ ‘Harvest Moon’ and ‘Heart of Gold.’ Born in Canada in 1945, Neil Young arrived in the U.S. in the mid-1960s and co-founded the band Buffalo Springfield. He earned fame both as a member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSN&Y) and as a solo artist, writing and recording such timeless songs as “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black),” “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Heart of Gold”—a No. 1 hit.
Nicknamed the “Godfather of Grunge” for his undeniable influence on that genre, Young is also a strong advocate for environmental and disability issues. Young in his youth suffered from epilepsy, Type 1 diabetes and polio. By 1951 his health had deteriorated so far that he was unable to walk.
As his health recovered in the 1960’s Neil began making the rounds on the Canadian folk circuit, rubbing elbows with other up-and-coming Canadian musicians, including fellow folk singer Joni Mitchell and the rock band the Guess Who. In Los Angeles in 1966, Young ran into Stephen Stills and soon thereafter, Young, Stills, Palmer Ritchie Furay and Dewey Martin formed Buffalo Springfield. They debut self-titled album including the hit “For What It’s Worth” became a Top 10 hit. In 1968 a strain inside Buffalo Springfield led him to strike out on his own.
In 1969 Young signed with Reprise Records1969 and released his self-titled debut album to mixed reviews. But Young followed up just a few months later with Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, a signature album, on which drummer Ralph Molina, bass player Billy Talbot and guitarist Dan Whitten, collectively known as Crazy Horse, backed him up. With their raw sound serving as the counterpoint to Young’s distinctively melancholy and untrained voice on such tracks as “Cinnamon Girl” and “Down by the River,” the album climbed up the charts to No. 34, and eventually went gold.
Meanwhile, Young had reconnected with Stephen Stills, who had formed a new group with David Crosby of the Byrds and Graham Nash of the Hollies. Young joined the trio, which was renamed Crosby, Still, Nash & Young and they began to perform and record, playing the legendary Woodstock Festival in August 1969 (This was CSNY’s second performance ever—Young would not allow himself to be filmed for the movie). The band’s subsequent tour and album release, 1970’s Déjà Vu, catapulted them to fame—so much so that they were at times referred to as the “American Beatles.” However, Young’s relationship with his bandmates quickly became contentious, and he left the group to focus more exclusively on his solo work.
“There is an edge to real rock ‘n’ roll. It’s all that matters.”
In 1970 his album After the Gold Rush broke into the Top 10 and featuring such Neil Young classics as “Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” “Tell Me Why” and “Southern Man.” (The latter, a condemnation of racism that angered many Southerners, would inspire Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” in which Neil Young is called out specifically.) Young outdid himself the next year with Harvest, a hallmark work that contains the songs “The Needle and the Damage Done,” and “Old Man”. At the end of 1972, Young and his girlfriend, Academy Award–winning actress Carrie Snodgress, had a son, Zeke, who was born with cerebral palsy, and Snodgress had to set aside her acting career to care for him. A few months later, shortly after being fired by Young before their upcoming tour, Crazy Horse guitarist Dan Whitten died of a drug overdose. These events were compounded by a string of relatively unsuccessful projects, including the 1972 film Journey Through the Past, the live album Time Fades Away and 1974’s On the Beach. Young and Snodgress split up in 1975, the same year that Young released his album Tonight’s the Night, which had been recorded shortly after Whitten’s death and reflected Young’s frame of mind with its dark character and themes, as well as Zuma, a hard-edged album featuring Crazy Horse’s new lineup
Things got even better the next year, when Comes a Time broke into the Top 10, and Young married Pegi Morton (who was waitress at a restaurant near his ranch and would inspire many of Young’s songs in the future, most notably, “Unknown Legend”) and embarked on a tour with Crazy Horse called “Rust Never Sleeps,” during which they showcased songs from an upcoming album. Released in 1979, Rust Never Sleeps echoed the structure of the concerts, alternating between quiet, acoustic tracks and aggressive electric numbers. Among its highlights is one of Neil Young’s best-known tracks, the anthem “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black).”
“With Crazy Horse, it’s all one big, growing, smoldering sound, and I’m part of it It’s like gliding, or some sort of natural surfing.”
Neil Young is one of the most prolific recorders of music in the History of Rock and Roll with over 40 albums recorded since 1969. Young was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. In our session at EmpowerU you will learn about Young’s different groups that he’s played with. His complicated love-hate relationship with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The impact on Young of the death of Crazy Horse guitarist Dan Whitten. The inspiration behind such hits as “Old Man” and “A Man Needs a Maid”. His contributions to the Benefit for Farm Aid, his countless charitable efforts, and his ownership of Lionel Trains. And the straw the finally broke the back of CSNY, David Crosby’s comments about Neil’s marriage to actress Daryl Hannah in 2018.
You will learn about Young’s incredible impact on Rock and Roll as we look as his music—through video and discussion– in a way that you will enjoy. It’s going to be a loud night at EmpowerU –tell your music friends and don’t miss this one! Come early around 6:15 pm and Daniel Regenold, the lead guitarist for the Vims will open up the night with a 45 minute set dedicated to Neil Young. We will be serving draft beer, soft drinks and water at the event and feel free to bring beverages of your choice.
Dana W. Gore
Speaker Bio
Dana was born January 28, 1953 in Shreveport, LA. His father was in the military and we moved many times in the early years. They lived in Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, North Carolina, and then finally in 1962 they settled in Falls Church, VA. This is where music started to change his life forever.
Next door to him lived a boy who was much older than him, but despite the age difference they still became very good friends, initially through their love of sports. This is where it happened. He vividly remembers the boy’s record player in his living room and the day he pulled out this album with a huge wave on the front, with a surfer on his board. It was the Beach Boys “Surfin’ U.S.A”. The title cut opens the record, and that was it, he was hooked. Then he showed him a record by someone named Chuck Berry titled “Chuck Berry is on Top”, and played the song “Johnny B. Goode”. He couldn’t believe my ears. It was truly a magical moment.
The final piece of the puzzle fell in to place on February, 9, 1964 when the Beatles made their 1st appearance on Ed Sullivan. Like so many others, this was a defining moment for him. From that day on, until today 50+ years later, music was the one constant in his life. From elementary school through high school, college, marriage, children, grandchildren, and lifelong friends, music has been with him for the entire ride.
Starting with his 1st concert in the spring of 1969, with Led Zeppelin opening for The Who, and up until his last concert on May 6, 2017 in Tampa, FL when Joe Walsh opened for Tom Petty, he has been blessed. But of the hundreds of bands and concerts he has seen, none brought him back again and again more than Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Close behind, Neil Young who will be the focus of tonight’s class. Dana had a long career in the record business with Penguin Feather Records in Virginia and served for 29 years as the President of Posterservice, Inc, a sister company of Frame USA.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
“Political correctness is the elevation of moral posturing about sensitivity over truth” –Jordan Peterson
Join EmpowerU at the movies as we watch the incredible documentary of “The Rise of Jordan Peterson.” Had enough of the new PC culture and social justice that is dominating us? This movie is for you as it presents a rare, intimate glimpse into the life and mind of Jordan Peterson, the academic and best-selling author who captured the world’s attention with his criticisms of political correctness and his life-changing philosophy on discovering personal meaning.
Christened as the most influential public intellectual in the western world, University of Toronto psychology professor Jordan Peterson skyrocketed to fame after he published a controversial viral video series entitled “Professor Against Political Correctness” in 2016. Peterson had enough of what he saw as a campus culture where “social justice warrior, left-wing radical political activists” ran rampant. He zeroed in on Canadian human rights legislation that prohibits discrimination based on gender identify or expression. Peterson was especially frustrated with being asked to use alternative pronouns as requested by trans students or staff, like the singular “they” or “ze” and “zir” used by some as alternatives to “she” or “he”. Peterson’s employer warned that he could run afoul of the Ontario Human Rights code and his faculty responsibilities should he refuse to use alternative pronouns when requested.
“Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.” –Jordan Peterson
Peterson’s main concern was that by outlawing the use of language and certain words that our liberties are being run over by Government. Within 2 years, he had sold over 3 million copies of his self-help book “12 Rules for Life,” and became simultaneously branded by some as the academic rock star selling out theatres around the world, and by others as a dangerous threat to progressive society.
“The Rise of Jordan Peterson” intimately traces the transformative period of Peterson’s life while visiting rare moments with his family, friends and foes who share their own versions of the Jordan Peterson Story.
After the movie, which runs about and hour and one-half, we’ll talk about political correctness and discuss how we can neutralize it in our own lives. Please note early 6:30 pm start time.
“The purpose of life is finding the largest burden that you can bear and bearing it.” –Jordan Peterson
Since this class is a movie presentation it will not be presented virtually–please join us.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Mary Cunningham who, in the 1870s, with her husband William were in the business of aiding many young Cincinnati medical students in their studies by providing them with cadavers upon which to examine. They were grave-robbing body snatchers! Irish born Mary was a fun-loving woman that liked her whiskey and was rough around the edges.
At the time you “see” Mary her beloved husband William, known as the “Ghoul of Cincinnati,” had passed away. Mary, dubbed as “Alligator Jaws” will enlighten you of the fine arts of body snatching, which was a very lucrative market in Cincinnati during that time. What else we know of Mary are from the many Cincinnati newspaper articles about body snatching. Joyce Lovins Browning will tell us about this fascinating story.
Also joining us tonight at from 7:05-7:30 is Dusty Rhodes who is the Auditor of Hamilton County. Recently he has spoken up vocally about the dramatic increase in tax-exempt properties–tax abatements–which is shifting the tax burden for such critical services as transportation and education to property owners who don’t get tax breaks.
The value of property owned by governments, nonprofits, and other tax-exempt organizations in Hamilton county climbed to $19.1 billion last year, making up more than a quarter (26.7%) of the total market value of all property in the county.
The tax-exempt share is up from about 16% in 2005 and just 10% in 1991. The growing number of tax-exempt properties will lead to rate hikes for many non-exempt property owners. Dusty will join us tonight from 7:05-7:30 to discuss this alarming tax abatement trend
Joyce Lovins Browning- is a native of Ohio growing up in Harrison and Okeana. She has been performing Living History for over 18 years. She retired after 20 years as the Naturalist Coordinator from Great Parks of Hamilton County in 2018, and now enjoys working as a part-time Tour Coordinator for Ohio Travel Treasures, sending groups on wonderful bus tour adventures.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
An intense 1+ hour, awareness-level class will help you better understand the issues involved.
Lessons will be learned from current research on active shooter (killer) incidents and, how to prepare as an individual to avoid, deter or delay an active shooter (killer) incident. If you and your family are caught in one of these incidents, what should you do? Do you know why these incidents happen, or if there are any patterns to such crimes? You’ll learn response considerations for the concealed carry individual, and what kind of training is available. Should you consider always having some kind of equipment on you to minimize loss of life and maximize your chances for survival?
Businesses will want to consider legal considerations of workplace violence (WPV) and active shooter (killer) incidents. As an employer do you have a workable active shooter (killer) response plan? “Hardening” your facilities, improving your procedures, & training are your greatest assets: your co-workers and you! What are you equipment considerations (safety, medical, etc.) needed to minimize loss of life and maximize your chances for survival. Also, we will discuss communication considerations, both internal and external, that are needed and how best to reach out 9-1-1, your loved ones, and your employees.
COL Bob Cutajar, USA (ret.) (coo – TIE – yer”)
Has managed the Center for Haz Mat, Rescue & Safety at Cincinnati State College’s Workforce Development Center for 6 years. He retired after forty years in the Army as infantry officer; sniper instructor; warrant officer & helicopter pilot. Bob’s combat service was in: Grenada, Central America, Desert Storm, Balkans, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabian peninsula (wounded twice). He retired from P&G after twenty-six years as CBD/PS and he spent 10 years in Florida as Reserve Deputy Sheriff.
Bob is a Firearms Instructor (NRA / USCCA; OH and KY concealed carry licenses
Bob Cutajar is a curriculum developer of both the “Active Killer Awareness & Safety” and “Basic Emergency Casualty Care” Workshops at Cincinnati State College
EmpowerU brings you the long requested class on Google to be presented by Dr. Robert Epstein live Webinar for EmpowerU only. Dr. Epstein’s 2015 report in PNAS entitled “The Search Engine Manipulation Effect (SEME) and Its Possible Impact on the Outcomes of Elections” (https://bit.ly/1REqzEY) has been accessed or downloaded more than 200,000 times from PNAS’s website. The report describes one of the largest effects ever discovered in the behavioral sciences, and because SEME is nearly invisible as a source of influence and leaves no paper trail for authorities to follow, it is an especially dangerous form of influence. Dr. Epstein’s research suggests that SEME is currently determining the outcomes of upwards of 25 percent of the world’s national elections and that it is affecting a wide range of opinions, not just voting preferences. In 2016, Dr. Epstein discovered that the search suggestions we see in Google’s “autocomplete” can also be used to shift votes and opinions without people’s knowledge – a manipulation he calls the “Search Suggestion Effect” (SSE).
Dr. Epstein has also built the only systems ever deployed to capture the ephemeral content that search engines show people. In the days leading up to the 2016 presidential election in the U.S., he preserved 13,207 election-related searches on Google, Bing, and Yahoo, along with the 98,044 web pages to which the search results linked. He found a significant pro-Clinton bias in Google search results (but not in Bing or Yahoo results), sufficient to have convinced between 2.6 and 10.4 million undecided voters to vote for Mrs. Clinton without knowing they had been influenced. Dr. Epstein reported these findings even though he was a Clinton supporter and is not a conservative politically.
In 2018, he preserved 47,294 searches and 392,274 web pages, again finding a significant pro-liberal bias only on the Google search engine. This time the bias was sufficient to have shifted upwards of 78.2 million votes to Democrats (spread across hundreds of elections). He is currently raising funds to build a much larger and more comprehensive monitoring system in 2020, one that will monitor many potentially biased sources of online influence, not just search results. You can donate money to aid in this effort at http://MyGoogleResearch.com.
ROBERT EPSTEIN is Senior Research Psychologist at the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology (AIBRT) and the former editor-in-chief of Psychology Today magazine. A Ph.D. of Harvard University, he has published 15 books on artificial intelligence, adolescence, and other topics, as well as more than 300 scientific and popular articles, including scientific reports in Science, Nature, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Dr. Epstein was seen most recently on The Tucker Carlson show.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Do you love baseball? Do you know everything there is to know about the game, and about the Reds in particular? An enjoyable evening of baseball, facts, figures, and fun. An in-depth talk given by Doug Brownlee about the players he has known, all the stats and even the farm teams they came from. He knows their families, he knows it all. He also can talk baseball history, players, coaches, good and bad. Baseball is his field and he knows it well. When Marty Brenneman was introduced to Doug he was quite impressed and suggested he should work at the Reds Hall of Fame and, he is. He gives great tours and no one at the Hall of Fame can stump him, though many try. What about you, can you stump Doug on any baseball trivia? Join Empower U for peanuts, cracker jacks, and beer to kick off the 2020 baseball season that begins on March 26. See you at the studio!
Doug Brownlee was indoctrinated into the world of baseball on the night of August 28, 1956 when his Dad took him to Crosley Field for the Reds-Giants (then based in NYC) game. He has been a fan ever since, cutting his teeth on the statistical aspect of the game, so much so that, even at 8 years old, he was getting perfect grades in arithmetic at school. All other classes netted no more than a C.
He has been with the Reds in the good and bad times. He was thirteen when the song. “They are all batty about Cincinnati” hit the airwaves. He has had the pleasure of volunteering at the Hall of Fame and museum for the past three years, and enjoys speaking with the fans of other teams.
It was a thrill for Doug to win the 1998 Cincinnati Enquirer contest concerning how he would like to see the GABP configured. The Enquirer took his picture, with a used Yogi Berra 1961 World Series bat in front of the Crosley Field scoreboard. Doug always had a dream to circulate to every MLB Park, and even though there were only 16 parks in existence at the time of his High School graduation in 1966, he didn’t get the chance to fulfill his dream.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
This Class has Been Cancelled–This Class Will Not Be Reschedule–Sorry!
Millie Henley of Historical Connections will wear 1860’s attire as she tells stories of some of the most ingenious ways enslaved people devised to get to freedom.
Desperate enslaved people of the pre-Civil War South did not let their terrible experiences crush them, but acted on their yearning to breathe free, by devising all kinds of ways to escape from bondage. Some of their methods were creative and surprising. From hiding in plain sight to disguises, to piloting a ship under Confederate cannons, brave people on the run used all their daring abilities to make a better life.
They faced horrific consequences if caught, but the attempt was worth it to them. They ran for themselves and to protect their families. Their escapes showed that they were able to hold on to their sense of self-worth and personhood despite the dehumanizing experience of being owned. They stayed strong in their minds and souls and did not allow their victimized condition to define their lives. They went on to make new lives of their choosing. The people who ran were claiming the American promise laid out in the principles of the Declaration of Independence. Their stories are very much a part of the American story.
This class will not be presented virtually.
Millie Henley has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and a Master’s Degree from Kent State University. She was a professional librarian for 25 years and is an avid lifelong student of history, spending months researching each presentation. She travels to historic reenactments of the 18th and 19th Centuries and delights in historic dancing. Her great joy is to share her passion for history with audiences who may not have known how intriguing it is. Millie wears historical style clothing to match the period of each program. She specializes in people and events of the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Millie agrees with Ken Burns when he says that the most engaging way to learn history is through stories. They create a connection to the past that no other method can. We still need data and trends, but engaging with people of the past deepens the experience and gives it meaning.
In her Historical Connections presentations, she tries to humanize events and allow the audience to feel connected with people who came before. If we don’t know our past, we can’t know who we are. As Michael Crichton said, “If you don’t know history you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.”
Millie has presented at historical societies, Civil War Round Tables, historical reenactments, an adult education organization, historical sites, libraries, and special events, including U.S. Grant Days in Georgetown, OH, and Heritage Village Civil War Days in Cincinnati, OH.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, March 19, 2020
This Class Has Been Cancelled–We Hope to Reschedule
A fascinating presentation by Don Brown will take you inside the life and reality of becoming part of the 89th Airlift Wing that is based at Andrews, AFB. The outfit had been around for many years, starting as the 1254th Troop Carrier Squadron (1948 – 1966). The VC-137’s were controlled from the Vice-Chief of Staff of the Air Force Office, and were directly controlled by White House request.
Being a pilot for the White House staff seems like it would be exciting and the highlight of a pilot’s career, and it is, but there is much more involved than flying. Learn what it takes to be selected to serve with the organization. You’re on call unless on leave. Immediate response of one hour if assigned alert duty (usually once or twice a week). Short notice like sudden decision of Rosalynn Carter to go to Cambodia. Extensive briefings for any planned trip from security and crew coordination for hotels, food, guard vehicles, diplomatic clearances and visas, etc.
At Squadron level the pilots carried the Vice-President, Cabinet, Congress, First Family, and visiting foreign dignitaries. Endless baggage checks, hotel sweeps, being observant were a part of life. A lot changed after “Squeaky” Fromm attempted assassination of Ford, and we learned to watch how people in a country treated their fellow countrymen. Don was honored with the responsibility of flying many prominent notables such as Walter Mondale, Bush 41, Secretary of State, Cyrus Vance, Secretary of Defense, Harold Brown, and First Lady Rosalynn Carter.
Don Brown has forty-six years of aviation experience, both military and civilian aircraft. He is a former Pilot for Astar Air Cargo, served as Captain on three different aircrafts operating internationally. He was an air transport instructor as Second Officer on a large aircraft in international operations. He is a former pilot for Tempelhof Air, and a FAA Designated Company Instructor responsible for training, monitoring, and evaluating Captains and First Officers. He also flew for Air Ambulance Service and support for heart transplant teams of the Berlin Free State Hospital throughout Eastern and Western Europe. He is a former pilot for the United States Air Force. He has also served as a Safety Program Manager and platform Instructor for International Operations and Flight Examiner in Boeing 707 operations for the White House at Andrews AFB, Maryland. Don also served as Military Aide for Reagan White House Transition Team for the incoming Domestic Affairs Advisor. Don has also been fortunate enough to have landed an airplane on every continent.
Currently, Don volunteers at the National Museum of the United States Air Force which serves over 1 million guests each year. He also serves as one of the “Keepers of their Stories” for the individuals in aviation history that have served to make the United States a leader in the world
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
This Class Has Been Cancelled (we hope to reschedule!)
EmpowerU partners with the Ohio Auditor’s Office to present Sunshine Laws Certification Training. If you are interested in obtaining this certification EmpowerU is providing an opportunity for you to do so locally.
With many municipalities struggling with Open Records and Meeting Violations we encourage all citizen activists to take this training. Accountability in Government starts with Sunshine–but training is a must.
The Sunshine Laws Certification Training, provided by the Ohio Auditor’s Office, is a three-hour certification training session provided to all elected officials, and/or their appropriate designees, as well as members of the general public.
Ohio Revised Code Section 109.43(B) states:
The Auditor shall develop, provide, and certify training programs and seminars for all elected officials or their appropriate designees in order to enhance the officials’ knowledge of the duty to provide access to public records as required by section 149.43 of the Revised Code. The training shall be three hours for every term of office for which the elected official was appointed or elected to the public office involved.
Each session includes an in-depth analysis of Ohio’s Public Records Act, with a brief discussion of Ohio’s Open Meetings Act.
You absolutely must register for this FREE class to be included and to receive your certification. Because this class includes certification it is not presented virtually.
Registration opens at 9:30 am.
This Class is Sponsored by Jay Janus, Jr.
Our presenter from the Ohio Auditor’s Office will be Patrick LeClair.
This Class Will Be Presented Virtually Only. Please Attend Online. EmpowerU Studio will not be open for people to attend this class in person. Please do not come to EmpowerU Studio–(very sorry!).
The “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act” of 2019, better known as the SECURE Act, which originally passed the House in July, was signed into law on December 20 by President Donald Trump.
The SECURE Act will make it easier for small business owners to set up “safe harbor” retirement plans that are less expensive and easier to administer.Many part-time workers will be eligible to participate in an employer retirement plan.The Act pushes back the age at which retirement plan participants need to take required minimum distributions (RMDs), from 70½ to 72, and allows traditional IRA owners to keep making contributions indefinitely. The Act mandates that most non-spouses inheriting IRAs take distributions that end up emptying the account in 10 years, and The Act allows 401(k) plans to offer annuities.
The landscape for building wealth in retirement plans and IRAs has changed dramatically after the SECURE Act passed. Individuals need to balance their personal needs with what they desire to pass on to children and future generations in an asset protected manner.
An important change to many is the removal of a provision known as the Stretch IRA, which has allowed non-spouses (your children) inheriting retirement accounts to stretch out disbursements over their lifetimes. The new rules will require a full payout from the inherited IRA within 10 years of the death of the original account holder, raising an estimated $15.7 billion in additional tax revenue. (This will apply only to heirs of account holders who die starting in 2020.)
It doesn’t matter how much money you have, what matters is how you can pass it on to your beneficiaries. Suggestions will be made as to amendments to Revocable Trusts and the efficient, asset protected building of ROTH IRA assets.
Robert W. Buechner is President of the law firm of Buechner Haffer Meyers & Koenig Co., L.P.A. in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Michigan Law School and has earned the prestigious CLU and ChFC designations from the American College.
He has been designated as a Super Lawyer since 2009 and is certified as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the Ohio State Bar Association. Nationally recognized as an authority on tax and financial matters, Mr. Buechner has authored six books, published 18 articles and has spoken at over 1,000 tax, financial, and motivational forums.
In addition, he has been an entrepreneur starting “Team Coaching for Winning at Life” and has developed a seminar program with Tara L. Robinson titled “Connecting Passion and Purpose.” Also, he has been a co-chair of “Champions for Urban Youth” which connects caring adults with inner-city children.
He has served as Chair or Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the following organizations: Southwestern Ohio Tax Institute, Tax Section of the Cincinnati Bar Association, church council of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church, the City Club, Greater Cincinnati Estate Planning Council, the Cincinnatus Association, the Princeton Club of Southwestern, Ohio and Cincinnati Country Day School. (“CCDS”). He hosted his own T.V. show, “Greater Cincinnati Business Review” for 11 years. He has also served on the Board of Directors of two publicly traded corporations and is a former trustee of SORTA.
This Class is Sponsored by Georgia Crowell–Thanks!
Gardening that supports birds, bees, bats, butterflies and beetles in your back yard. Create a landscape that looks beautiful and is alive with welcomed wildlife! Design basics, successful plant selection, and some information about local wildlife will be covered in this session.
White Oak Gardens is a member of the American Nursery & Landscape Association, the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association and the Association of Floriculture Professionals. They live and breathe this stuff. They also love to share what they’ve learned over the years and see people achieve their goals, big and small. www.whiteoakgardens.com
Due to this class being presented off-site, this class will not be available virtually–please join us at White Oak Gardens.
Tom Borgman has more than 35 years of conservation-related experience. Recently retired from Great Parks of Hamilton County, Tom served in several positions including Natural Resource Manager and, Conservation & Parks Trainer. As a gardener, landscaper, naturalist, and plant enthusiast, Tom has had a lifelong interest in connections between plants, wildlife, and people.
When the federal government orchestrated the bankruptcy of General Motors causing Jim Renacci to lose his Chevrolet dealership, he made the decision to run for office. In 2011 he became Congressman Renacci. His presentation will give an overview and background of a dysfunctional government, a system that isn’t working, congressmen unable or unwilling to understand the budgeting process, and the long-term financial consequences of their actions.
This class is an opportunity to learn firsthand from Congressman Renacci as he enlightens us on the reality of being in congress as well as the fiscal state of the nation, failure of leadership, the role of money, disrupting the Political Elite, committees, and the numbers, politics, as usual, bipartisanship is not a dirty word and, most importantly the solutions and moving forward. Congressman Renacci’s recently released book “The GOP’s Lost Decade” covers these topics and more, which he will be signing and selling after the class.
Congressman Jim Renacci earned a degree in business administration and became a Certified Public Accountant and financial advisor. A successful businessman for more than 30 years he has been involved with real estate, automobile dealerships, nursing homes, and other businesses. Renacci is a former city council president and two-term Mayor of Wadsworth, Ohio.
He served as the U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 16th congressional district from 2011 to 2019. In 2011 he joined a wave of 107 newly elected congressmen, mostly Republications, who vowed to change the way Washington works. Almost from the day he arrived at the Capitol, Renacci encountered pervasive and entrenched dysfunction, perpetuated by both parties, and over the next eight years in office, he became increasingly frustrated by the inability of Congress to get anything done. Ten years after Renacci and his fellow lawmakers started down a path to change our government, many have left in frustration, and the situation in Washington has only gotten worse.
Renacci was ranked the 46th most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 114th United States Congress (and the third most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio).
7:05-7:25 PM Sheriff Jim Neil will be joining us to introduce himself to EmpowerU. Sheriff Neil has was elected Sheriff of Hamilton County in 2012 and will again be a candidate in the Democratic Primary for Sheriff on March 17. Neil is a lifelong resident of Hamilton County. After graduating from Western Hills High School, Jim continued his studies at the University of Cincinnati, where he earned a Master’s degree in Graduate Studies and Research. In 1981 he was hired into the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and has been an employee there for 38 years.
Also: Meet Sheriff Candidate Charmaine McGuffey Tonight’s important session of EmpowerU covers Sorta Issue 7, and the proposed sales tax increase that will appear on Hamilton County ballots during Ohio’s March 17 primary election. This proposal, put directly on the ballot by Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, will ask voters to raise the sales tax by 0.8 percent in order to increase funding for Cincinnati Metro bus service as well as for road and bridge improvements.
Sorta is currently funded at a rate of about $50 Million by the City of Cincinnati’s earnings tax. Issue 7, would make the City Earnings Tax be reduced from 2.1% to 1.8% and fund Sorta completely with a countywide sales tax levy. This levy would raise about $100 million a year for the busy system, plus another $30 million a year for roads and bridges, with the infrastructure portion of the sales tax. The levy would go for 25 years which would make this levy the largest levy ever, at a total of $3.20 billion (about 5 times the total cost of Paul Brown Stadium and The Great American Ballpark).
25% of the proceeds of the levy will be used for public infrastructure projects, like building or maintaining roads or bridges, 75% of the levy will provide general revenues for operating the Metro transportation system. Sorta hopes to add new bus routes to better align them with job centers in suburban Hamilton County. On major routes, there will be a bus every 15 minutes. Some buses will run 24 hours a day. More crosstown service and more weekend service will be added. Hamilton County’s Integrating Committee will oversee the spending of the infrastructure portion of the levy.
Sorta is governed by a 13-member volunteer citizens’ board of trustees. Currently, seven trustees are appointed by the City of Cincinnati and six are appointed by Hamilton County. The Hamilton County Integrating Committee is made up of nine representatives from the city and county.
Issues Involving the Sorta Sales Tax Increase:
Should a “Quasi” unelected, volunteer board be allowed to be responsible for this much taxpayer money?
Should Hamilton County be structurally in charge of the Sorta Board since this is a Hamilton County Levy?
What happens if there is yet another disagreement between Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati (MSD, Union Terminal, The Banks, The Stadiums) regarding Sorta operation and service?
What happens if there is a problem with the levy? Are we stuck for 25 years? Do we have the ability to change directions? Can the levy be dropped?
Why do we need an infrastructure levy when we currently pay tax to the state, and we just passed a Gasoline Tax increase?
At 7.8% Hamilton County Sales Tax will be one of the highest in the state. Is this dangerous?
What Governmental Agency will be responsible for overseeing Sorta’s finances?
What is the role of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce is lobbying for this large County Tax Levy?
Why has the Hamilton County Republican Party not taken a position with respect to this Tax Levy?
Tonight, Brendon Cull who is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber and a Board Member of Sorta and Cam Hardy will present the information for the SORTA–Issue 7 Tax Levy. Cam Hardy will also be present. It is really through Cam Hardy’s hard work, representing the issues of bus riders county-wide that this Tax Levy and possible increase in service is presented. William Monnier (Bill) from the Cheviot Gazette will also join us tonight to discuss his opposition to the levy and a recent article he wrote about the levy. There will be plenty of time for your questions and comments about the levy.
Charmaine McGuffey will be joining us at about 8:05 PM after the Sorta Forum to give us a vision of her candidacy for Sheriff of Hamilton County. She is the endorsed Democratic candidate for Sheriff of Hamilton County. Charmaineis a retired Major, former Commander of Jail and Court Services, and a 33-year veteran of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Brendon J. Cull
Brendon Cull is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Prior to joining the Chamber, Cull was the Senior Director of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs at The Kroger Co. From 2000-2005, Cull was the Legislative Director and Press Secretary for Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken.
Cull is member of the board of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority and the Mercantile Library.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Cull graduated in 1999 from Xavier University with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication. Cull lives in Clifton with his wife and daughters.
Cam Hardy
Born and raised in Cincinnati Ohio. Works at Frost, Brown and Todd law firm in Intellectual Property. President and Co-founder of the Better Bus Coalition. The Better Bus Coalition is a grassroots organization supporting investment in Hamilton County’s bus system. We mobilize riders, engage public and private entities, and activate the community to push for a revamped bus system that provides true mobility and economic viability for our region. Some of our projects include building benches to put at bus stops that had high ridership but no where for bus riders to sit. Another major project we did was create a bus plan based off what the community wanted to see out of a bus system. We took our message across the county and gathered feedback based off what people wanted. This is a true grassroots movement and we are proud of the work we have done and will continue to do to improve the quality of life for bus riders.
William Monnier
Bill has lived on the Westside of Cincinnati his entire life. He grew up in Delhi Township and graduated from Oak Hills High School in 2004. He furthered his education with Cincinnati State Community College majoring in Sales and Marketing in 2005. William founded a local publication station in Cheviot, Ohio called the Cheviot Gazette, which covers local news in the Westside of Cincinnati through a monthly printed edition as well as online.
Through the Cheviot Gazette William has promoted a wide assortment of local businesses and events. He believes captivating people’s attention will prompt the resident’s involvement within their communities. The Cheviot Gazette aims to provide honest local news where residents can engage in a number of issues through conversation and action, not divisiveness.
William is currently working on two books that are on track to be published by the end of 2020. Although he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge, enjoying his time with this son Lincoln is his top priority. “I’m always working, but I’m a father first, and Lincoln is the best boss I’ve ever worked for.”
Surveillance capitalism is the business model that fuels tech titans such as Google and Facebook. Anyone with an Internet connection can read the latest news, listen to their favorite music, chat with friends, search for anything online, shop, pay bills, play games, and watch videos, all for “free”. But it’s not really free. If you’re not paying with money, you’re paying with data. You’re not the customer, you’re the product. Companies like Google and Facebook harvest every little bit of data that they can get their hands on, and monetize it in a variety of ways including selling it to other companies, who may or may not secure it correctly. And the now ubiquitous nature of the Internet coupled with the ever increasing number of “smart” devices that we interact with are collecting volumes of very detailed information about how and where we live, work and play 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s relentless and pervasive and in many cases, not obvious. Americans are sleepwalking into a future nearly as frightening as the one the Chinese are constructing”.
At this session, Dave Hatter will explore: The type of data that is being collected, how it’s being collected, how it’s being used, how it’s being misused, why you should care about improving ur privacy, and tools and techniques to limit your digital footprint.
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Note Regarding Sheriff Jim Neil: Sorry to report that a scheduling error will force Sheriff Jim Neil to postpone his visit to EmpowerU tonight. We are trying to reschedule his visit to one of next week’s class, before the primary election.
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“Doomsday” Dave Hatter is a technology leader with nearly 30 years of software development, cybersecurity and project management experience. He has earned numerous industry certifications and, holds a BS in Information Systems from NKU. Dave is especially good at bridging the gap between business and technology and has delivered more than 200 successful software solutions earning nearly 60 testimonial letters from his clients. Additionally, he has written or contributed to 12 technology books, written more than 100 technology related articles for publications and, been quoted in many publications.
Libertas Technologies, the software development company Dave founded in 2001, was honored with many awards, but he is especially proud of winning the Cincinnati Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in 2007. Dave is now a Cyber Security Consultant at Intrust IT, where he works with clients to educate them about cyber security risks and to help them defend their assets.
Dave is a regular on-air contributor on WXIX (FOX19) and Local 12 (WKRC-TV) and he can be heard every Friday morning at 6:30 AM on 55KRC’s “Tech Friday” segment with host Brian Thomas. He was elected Mayor of Fort Wright, Kentucky in 2014 after serving eight terms on the Fort Wright City Council. Dave currently serves as the VP of Training and Certification for the PMI Southwest Ohio Chapter, and has also served on numerous other boards.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Doris Day and Rosemary Clooney began their spectacular big band singing careers in Cincinnati. With holiday scenes, past memories of Cincinnati’s Christmas traditions and the vocal stylings of a local professional singer, take a Christmas stroll with these two great ladies of American entertainment. Twelve Christmas songs made memorable by Doris and Rosemary will be performed live by “Dolores Raye” (Dee Mason) during this presentation.
This class is not being presented virtually.
“Dolores Raye” (Dee Mason) – Before relocating back home to downtown Cincinnati in December, 2011, with her and sound/music engineer Michael Schultz, Dolores lived in Estero, Florida, maintaining two homes in both locations. While living in Estero she was in management at Page Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Fort Myers, Florida. She is a local graduate of Princeton High School, class of 1964. She joined TWA as an overseas flight attendant in 1968 retiring in 2001.
During her years of working, and living in Europe while with the airline, she sang in several different hotels and clubs throughout Europe, the British Isles, and later while living in Florida. She continues to perform her own shows locally. She enjoys her work with Cincinnati Heritage Programs at the Cincinnati Museum Center, where she performs the music in our shows and is involved in other volunteer work with Heritage Programs.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Was JFK the victim of a conspiratorial coup? The assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy is the most important and pivotal murder case in American history. 56 years later, 75% of Americans reject the Warren Commission finding that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone and believe that JFK was killed as part of a massive conspiracy to cripple our government. More than a thousand books have been written about the events of that day, this is a topic that has been “well exploited” yet has never been resolved to anyone’s satisfaction. JT Townsend, local true crime writer, will cut through the quagmire of information and isolate the pertinent evidence in all three killings that weekend in Dallas, President Kennedy, Officer J.D. Tippit, and alleged assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. Most Americans are completely unfamiliar with the key evidence in this case and, JT will turn these historic events into a homicide inquiry and close this sensational murder case once and for all. Townsend is a freelance writer, armchair detective, and lifelong resident of Cincinnati. He is the author of the 2009 regional true crime best seller Queen City Gothic, and 2014’s Queen City Notorious. His work has appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Magazine, Word Magazine, Crime Traveler and Clews. He has presented over 300 programs in the Cincinnati area as part of his True Crime Lecture Series, including Jack the Ripper, Lizzie Borden, the Lindbergh Kidnapping and the Lincoln Assassination.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Class Sponsored by Bill Roll (Thanks!)
Please Note Venue Change to EmpowerU Studio
German immigrants to Cincinnati created a German district known as Over-the-Rhine. This presentation describes the churches and institutions they created, and the contributions they made since the 19thcentury, covering the district’s rise, fall, and recent renaissance.
We would like to add a German Food Tasting and German Beer Tasting Element to this event. Would you consider bringing a German Food or Beer (6 pack) to add to this event? If you would bring food or drink please email jill@empoweruohio.org. Thank You!
This class is not being presented Virtually.
Dr. Don Heinrich Tolzmann is Historian for the Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee, and also President of the German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati and Curator of its German Heritage Museum. He is the author of books on local and regional history, including several about John A. Roebling and the Suspension Bridge. He has assisted in the production of several PBS programs, including: “The German-Americans” and “Zinzinnati Reflections,” and is Book Review Editor for German Life Magazine. He has received many awards, including the Ohioana Book Award, and served on the board of many national and international organizations and institutions.
Four years ago EmpowerU discussed the finances of the U.S. Government and looked at the question—Is the U.S. the Next Greece? Join Dan this semester as we take new look at what has happened to our Government spending since a Republican administration took over in the White House in 2016.
The Tea Party was started in 2009 with its stated goal of Fiscal Responsibility being one of its most important goals. How did the Tea Party and its followers do? We will take a look at the budget of the U.S. Government and make it simple for you to understand. Where does the United States get its revenue? What are it’s expenses? What is the Debt? What is our Deficit? What happens if the Government takes on some of the wish lists that the Democratic Candidates are talking about: The Green New Deal, Reparations, Forgiveness of Student Debt and Free Health Care? What happens when interest rates start to rise like they must do at some point in time? What other landmines are just around the corner?
Recently, several important Economists and President Trump have stated that deficits and debt do not matter and are not important. Is this the truth? Should we all just jump on board—maybe spend more. Join Dan as he breaks down this subject in a way that you can understand it and maybe bring us back to the reality zone! Are you ready to get engaged on this important topic?
7:05-7:20 PM –Jack Atherton, former anchor at FOX19 and WLWT, and friend of EmpowerU will join us. Jack will fill us in on his latest projects which include a fiction book entitled Falling for Miami. Jack has discussed the Media at EmpowerU sessions in the past.
Dan Regenold first became active in Government n 2003 when he became involved fighting Eminent Domain and helping stop it in Evendale and in Norwood, Ohio. In 2006, he was one of the founders of WeDemandAVote.com which successfully fought and stopped, by ballot initiative, a sales tax increase in Hamilton County, Ohio. Later WeDemand stopped Red Light Cameras in Hamilton County.
Regenold spoke at the CPAC Convention in 2008 to discuss major Grassroots initiative actions across the United States. In 2009, Dan was unsuccessful in his efforts to bring accountability to the Federal Government’s finances with a citizen lead initiative WeDemandABalancedBudget.com. In 2010 Regenold was of three leaders of the initiative to End Ohio’s Estate Tax which happened in 2011. The Tax Foundation called the repeal of Ohio Estate Tax one of the most important Tax accomplishments of 2011. In 2011 Regenold founded EmpowerUOhio.org (now in its 18th semester), a Free University offered in the Greater Cincinnati area with the goal of “empowering” citizens.
In 2014, Regenold was one of the leaders of the effort to separate Music Hall from a County Wide Sale Tax which helped the Museum Center renovation get passed by the voters of Hamilton County. Dan enjoys speaking to EmpowerU classes about subjects he is passionate about. Recently he has discussed: Milton Friedman, Saul Alinsky, Net Neutrality and D-Day at EmpowerU Classes. Regenold is CEO of Frame USA, Inc. in Springdale.
Learn about the incredibly tragic story of Reagan Tokes as told by her mother Lisa McCrary-Tokes who is traveling from Florida to join us. Her horrific story, which happened in Columbus Ohio, was recently featured on an Episode on Dateline. Lisa is a mother who never thought she would be thrust into the political arena to fight for the rights of innocent victims and to push for legislative overhaul in the State of Ohio but that indeed is her reality.
Lisa will speak on November 12th about the tragic death of her oldest daughter Reagan Delaney Tokes who was a student at Ohio State. Reagan was abducted just after leaving work in the Short North area of Columbus on the night of February 8th, 2017 by a previous violent offender who was recently released from incarceration and wearing a GPS ankle monitor. She was robbed, raped and shot in the head twice at Scioto Grove Metro Park. Her lifeless, naked body was found the morning of February 9th, 2017. Her abductor is now serving a life sentence for her murder but as the Tokes family dug deep into this situation, they found the laws and systems in place at the time of this heinous crime in the State of Ohio were severally flawed and this perpetrator should never have crossed paths with their daughter or the nine other people he would be convicted of assaulting along with his charge of murder.
Lisa will take us thru the journey that is driven from a strong bond of faith and love to take immediate action to try to make a difference and prevent a tragedy like the one that happened to her family from occurring again. She will speak to the current flaws in the State of Ohio judicial system/post control release program and what has been done currently to combat them along with the perceived perception of how the ankle monitor program is providing a “false sense of security” to the citizens of this state. Mrs. Tokes will also share with us the positive endeavors the foundation created in her daughter’s honor and memory is having on the lives of others.
Lisa McCrary-Tokes will be accompanied by Rob Fletcher with whom she has partnered with at the Rally for Reagan events to help empower people of all ages by educating them on the topic of the dangers in society today and how to protect themselves from them. Rob is the founder of the program SDI7HIIT-a workout program that teaches self-awareness/self-defense techniques to help prevent becoming a victim and what to do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation. He will take us thru facts, statistics, and advice for safety and prevention awareness along with an explanation of the mindset zones, teaching when, where and how to strike-self defense techniques against common attacks and how to put it all together into a SDI7HIIT workout in 7 minute intervals.
Lisa McCrary-Tokes is the President of the Reagan Delaney Tokes Memorial Foundation. This foundation was created from a place of love to honor the memory of her and her husband Toby’s oldest daughter who lost her life in a tragic chain of events in February 2017 due to failures and flaws in the current system in the state of Ohio. This foundation has raised and awarded nearly $200,000 in scholarships to well deserving students from the Rally for Reagan events it hosts. These events also have a self-awareness/self-defense component added to them to teach attendees how to keep themselves safe and feel empowered. It is a hope that a program like this can be implemented into schools and on college campuses as part of a regular curriculum to help combat the danger lurking amongst us. She is also a political activist and along with her husband, they successfully changed a portion of the laws in the State of Ohio that allowed this tragedy to occur. Phase one of the Reagan Tokes Act (Senate Bill 201) was signed into law on December 21, 2018-it allows for additional time to be added to sentences for incarcerated offenders who have demonstrated inappropriate conduct and inability to reform under current sentencing. They remain vigilant to get phase two (Senate Bill 133/House Bill 215) passed which address’s GPS ankle monitors being monitored in real time and parole officer case load reduction.
In addition to her philanthropic/political work, she is also currently the Chief Marketing Officer of Armorvue Window and Door, a company founded by her husband in the state of Florida in 2013. They have recently expanded and now own four locations in the state of Florida and one in the state of Ohio. She was recently awarded the Excalibur Award in the small business leader of the year category for Palm Beach County by the Sun Sentinel Media group-an award that recognizes executives for their commitment to innovation, company growth and civic activities. She was also recently featured for her efforts in Door and Window Market Magazine.
Rob Fletcher is a speaker, author, and instructor. Founder of the sdi7 Safety and Self Defense Program, and sdi7 HIIT Workouts (Self Defense in 7 Minutes High-Intensity Interval Training. Author of America’s Next Great Trainer Transform Your Life. He is a Black Belt, Self Defense, and Combative Tactics Expert, Civilian Response to Actives Shooter Events Instructor. Listed in the Who’s of Martial Arts. Inducted into the Masters Black Belt Hall of Fame and Recipient of the Joe Lewis PKA (Professional Kickboxing Association) Eternal Warrior Award. He has been featured on Good Morning America and in the NY Post. His lifelong passion, teaching and empowering others to live “positive, healthy, fit, confident, strong and safe”. Crime, violence, active shooters, rape and sexual assault will never go away. Rob says, safety and having the knowledge of how to protect yourself is not an option, its a necessity. It is our mission to empower, educate and raise awareness. Providing the information, knowledge, skills, and tools to prevent a potentially life-threatening encounter and how to survive one”
Fifty years ago, in 1969, Ken Williamson went to Vietnam as a U.S. Army photographer. Armed with a BFA degree in photography and an old Leica camera, Ken began his journey to document the activities of the Army Engineers as he traveled throughout South Vietnam as an Army Photojournalist. Hoping one day to publish a book about his experience, he used the opportunity to also capture the beauty of the country and the struggle of the Vietnamese people to survive the horrors of war. Following two return trips to Vietnam in 1998 and 2005, Ken published “Saying Goodbye to Vietnam”.
Ken will present an engaging story of how he documented Army Engineer activities for three publications, struggled with thoughts of why our country had a military presence in Vietnam, and dealt with thoughts of his pregnant wife living halfway around the world without him. Hear and see what life was like as a photographer in a combat zone and learn what Ken discovered about Vietnam during his two return trips. From developing film in lake water, to capturing daily events under the most challenging tropical conditions, you’ll experience Vietnam at war and at peace through Ken’s words and photographs. He will read excerpts from his book, including letters between Nixon and Ho Chi Minh, poetry he wrote during his 1998 trip to help with his healing process, and share the experience of meeting a former Viet Cong soldier who was left in a field to die.
“Saying Goodbye to Vietnam” is a limited edition, hardbound book with over 450 of Ken’s photographs and, will be available for purchase after the presentation. Ken will be signing and numbering copies of his book for a discounted price of $40. Credit cards accepted.
Ken Williamson is a native of Cincinnati, a graduate of Norwood High School and Ohio University, where he studied photography. He was a U.S. Army Photographer and Journalist in Vietnam in 1969 and owned his own film and video production company for 28 years in Cincinnati.
His service in Vietnam, as a photographer, included the 815th Engineers in Pleiku and the 26th Public Information Detachment, USAECAV. While with the 26th, Ken traveled throughout South Vietnam documenting engineer operations. His photography appeared in engineer publications, The Castle Courier, Kysu magazine and Stars and Stripes. Ken has returned to Vietnam twice (1998 and 2005) to gather information for Saying Goodbye to Vietnam. During those trips he shot photos from many of the same locations as in 1969. Ken is Past President of VVA Chapter 649 in Clermont County Ohio serves on The Vietnam Veterans of America Buckeye State Board as District 3 Director.
Six Empowered Citizens are Ready to Talk November 6
15 Minutes Each–$100 Prize to the Winner
Karen Cartier
“Reduce the Risk of Dementia”
Karen is a avid reader, writer, learner, wife, and mother of two. She has worked in IT as a technical writer for over 30 years and is a member of Toastmasters International as well as an Empowered Citizen.
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Georgia Crowell
“Good Tax, Bad Tax”
Georgia Wurzelbacher Crowell graudated from the University of Cincinnati in Architecture in 1957. She has worked in the pre-fab home industry, campus contruction and eventually in the publishing industry. As the mother of 3 children she also has become interested in nutrition and the environment.
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Tony Krueger
“Progressive Socialists vs. Constitutionalists”
J. Anthony (Tony)Krueger is an advocate for the “Article V” movement, and is currently serving as a volunteer for the Convention of States Action group. He has testified on several occasions before the Ohio legislature and is a firm believer in “Natural Law” as a basis for government, and in the necessity of restoring Federalism to our government. Tony retired from Johnson and Johnson where he held positions in Quality Assurance, Engineering, Auditing and Management. He resides in West Chester, with his wife Nancy.
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Nick Noel
“The War Against Black Americans and Freedom”
Nick’s 2016 book was “Last Call for Freedom”. He was a member of the early leadership group of the Cincinnati Tea Party and the Ohio Liberty Council, and wrote many of their press releases, among other duties. He is a Frederick Douglass Republican, who has maintained contact with, and worked with many other liberty groups. Nick is a UC graduate who served in the US Army Reserve. Nick’s main focus now is as author and activist.
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Jack Sinkking
“Debunking the Myth About Gun Violence”
Jack was born in Mt. Carmel, Ohio and spent his entire working career with the Cincinnati Milling Machine Company (now Cincinnati Milacron). Jack is a six year army veteran and has been an active target shooter since the age of 12. In his 60th year of marriage to his wife Andrea they have a son, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, living in California.
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Will Sawyer
“Chronic Care of Addictive Disease”
Dr. Will Sawyer is passionate about his patients and has a solo practice of Family Medicine from 5/1/1986 to present, at Sharonville Family Medicine. Will founded the Henry the Hand Foundation, in 1999. This is a Hand Awareness program based upon the 4 principles of Hand washing Awareness, endorsed by the AMA and AAFP. Dr. Sawyer has the medical license for “Certification To Recommend”(CTR) medical marijuana for designated medical conditions as set up by the state of Ohio.
Can state and local governments just say “no” to federal law? The concept of dual governments is central to the American constitutional order, with state and federal governments sharing authority to govern. But the United States Constitution also says that the Constitution, and the laws of the United States made pursuant to it, shall be the supreme law of the land.
Join Attorney Joseph Ashbrook of the Federalist Society as he discusses supremacy and the interplay between local, state, and federal governments, including some salient issues of today. At a time when our governments disagree on a number of highly publicized issues such as immigration, sanctuary cities, marijuana and competing drug laws. Mr. Ashbrook takes on the ultimate question: “Who decides?”
7:05-7:20 Friend of EmpowerU Chris Monzel will join EmpowerU and tell us what he is up to and what his plans are for the future.
Chris Monzel
Joseph Ashbrook is president of the Cincinnati Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society. Founded in 1982, the Federalist Society promotes the principles that the state exists to preserve freedom, separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution, and it is the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be. Mr. Ashbrook grew up in a small manufacturing business and also worked in corporate America before studying law. He was the editor-in-chief of the Virginia Law Review and currently practices at his own firm, serving as outside general counsel and providing litigation services for businesses and individuals.
Join us as we give tribute to the life of Neil Armstrong 50 years after his walk on the moon.
We will view Armstrong, the Documentary.Armstrong is a dramatic and emotional documentary that features never-before-seen family home-movie footage, along with still and moving images that chronicle Neil Armstrong’s incredible life. With the support of the Armstrong family, including his two sons Rick and Mark, the film details his near-death experiences as a fighter pilot in Korea, his test pilot days, the drama and excitement of the Gemini 8 and Apollo 11 missions, and the challenges that followed his extraordinary fame.
Note: EmpowerU will not show the Documentary virtually, please feel free to rent on Amazon or any other movie site. We will be showing Sharon Coolidge’s interview virtually for you to watch starting at 7:00 PM.
Prior to the Movie Sharon Coolidge from the Cincinnati Enquirer will join us. She will tell us about the kind of reporting day you never forget when she speaks of her interview with Neil Armstrong at his Indian Hill home. After that we will sit back, relax and enjoy Armstrong, The Documentary, as EmpowerU takes you to the movies.
Sharon Coolidge is a reporter for The Cincinnati Enquirer, where she has covered City Hall since 2014. She is also the co-host of That’s So Cincinnati, an Enquirer podcast focused on all things Cincinnati and a behind-the-scenes glimpse at local politics.
Coolidge, from Youngstown, moved to Cincinnati in 2002, covering courts, police, Hamilton County and now the city since that time. She has been named Best News Writer in Ohio three times by the Associated Press.
She is married to Alexander Coolidge, also a reporter at The Enquirer. They live in Delhi Township with their son Jack, 11, and dog Charlie
Note: EmpowerU will not show the Documentary virtually, please feel free to rent on Amazon or any other movie site. We will be showing Sharon Coolidge’s interview virtually for you to watch starting at 7:00 PM.
Chess is perhaps the most widely recognized and played game in the world. What accounts for its popularity? Does it really make people smart? Why don’t more women play? Does the advent of super-powerful chess-playing computer programs spell doom for the game? This class will explore these and other questions, for which the answers often seem paradoxical.
Along the way we will look at the history of chess (Who really invented chess? How did its evolution reflect changes in world politics and society?), its role in history (How did chess influence the discovery of the New World? How did it almost prevent the American Revolution? Learn about some of Chess’ more interesting players. How was Chess a proxy for the Cold War?), and its status today in the world and the US. This class is for players and non-players and we are sure you will find this interesting.
7:05-7:20 PM State School Board member Dr. Jenny Kilgore will join us to talk about the School Board, what it does and what its mission is.
Alan Hodge holds two BA degrees from Indiana University (History ’73, Classical Studies ’74) and a Master of Liberal Art from Johns Hopkins University (’92). Although he played chess sporadically in his childhood, it wasn’t until 1994 that he began competing in tournaments, where he met with limited success as a player.
Since 1998 he has focused primarily on organizing and directing chess tournaments and is currently certified as an Associate National Tournament Director and as a National Arbiter for the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (International Chess Federation). Along with his colleague, Dr. Keith Brackenridge, he runs the local organization Cincinnati Scholastic Chess (www.chesscincinnati.com). He spent his last several years in the corporate world looking forward to retirement, when he could spend all his time doing chess. Now retired, he spends all his time doing chess — and doesn’t feel retired.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Tonight’s Class on Google is Cancelled. We hope to reschedule. Our Speaker let us know he is sick and in the hospital and will not be able to speak tonight (get better!)
EmpowerU brings you the long requested class on Google to be presented by Dr. Robert Epstein live Webinar for EmpowerU only. Dr. Epstein’s 2015 report in PNAS entitled “The Search Engine Manipulation Effect (SEME) and Its Possible Impact on the Outcomes of Elections” (https://bit.ly/1REqzEY) has been accessed or downloaded more than 200,000 times from PNAS’s website. The report describes one of the largest effects ever discovered in the behavioral sciences, and because SEME is nearly invisible as a source of influence and leaves no paper trail for authorities to follow, it is an especially dangerous form of influence. Dr. Epstein’s research suggests that SEME is currently determining the outcomes of upwards of 25 percent of the world’s national elections and that it is affecting a wide range of opinions, not just voting preferences. In 2016, Dr. Epstein discovered that the search suggestions we see in Google’s “autocomplete” can also be used to shift votes and opinions without people’s knowledge – a manipulation he calls the “Search Suggestion Effect” (SSE).
Dr. Epstein has also built the only systems ever deployed to capture the ephemeral content that search engines show people. In the days leading up to the 2016 presidential election in the U.S., he preserved 13,207 election-related searches on Google, Bing, and Yahoo, along with the 98,044 web pages to which the search results linked. He found a significant pro-Clinton bias in Google search results (but not in Bing or Yahoo results), sufficient to have convinced between 2.6 and 10.4 million undecided voters to vote for Mrs. Clinton without knowing they had been influenced. Dr. Epstein reported these findings even though he was a Clinton supporter and is not a conservative politically.
In 2018, he preserved 47,294 searches and 392,274 web pages, again finding a significant pro-liberal bias only on the Google search engine. This time the bias was sufficient to have shifted upwards of 78.2 million votes to Democrats (spread across hundreds of elections). He is currently raising funds to build a much larger and more comprehensive monitoring system in 2020, one that will monitor many potentially biased sources of online influence, not just search results. You can donate money to aid in this effort at http://MyGoogleResearch.com.
7:05-7:20 PM Matt Miller-Novak from the Godbey Law Firm joins us to tell us about one of his most interested cases involving–Government!
ROBERT EPSTEIN is Senior Research Psychologist at the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology (AIBRT) and the former editor-in-chief of Psychology Today magazine. A Ph.D. of Harvard University, he has published 15 books on artificial intelligence, adolescence, and other topics, as well as more than 300 scientific and popular articles, including scientific reports in Science, Nature, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Dr. Epstein was seen most recently on The Tucker Carlson show.
Sean will review and discuss Governor DeWine’s 17-point plan point by point from the eyes of a pro firearms Second Amendment Attorney. Proposed “Universal Background or Enhanced Background Checks” will also be discussed, including the Bloomberg Universal Background ballot initiative expected to be on the 2020 Ballot. Current Ohio Law related to mental health and provisions already in place designed to prevent a person in “crisis” from harming themselves or others as a constitutional alternative to “Red Flag” will also be a topic for discussion.
Sean is a passionate defender of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. Sean Maloney is a defense attorney and member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers who practices in all areas of firearm-related law, including 2nd Amendment rights, criminal defense, federal and state restoration of gun rights, and federal NICS appeals. He has appeared as an expert witness in a variety of civil lawsuits related to firearms. As an attorney, Sean’s law practice focuses on defending the rights of law-abiding gun owners who are forced to use their firearms in self-defense through Second Call Defense, which he co-founded.
Virtually every worker with a union-run pension plan stands to lose some or most of his promised pension. That is because the multiemployer pension system as a whole is only 43 percent funded. Over the past decades, about 1,400 multiemployer (union-run) pension plans covering 10.6 million workers promised an estimated $638 billion more in pension benefits than they set aside to pay workers. Now, the unions and employers that failed to deliver on their promises want Congress to solve their problems through taxpayer-funded bailouts of, and subsidized loans to, insolvent pension plans.
Government action is needed to protect pensioners and minimize pension losses. But is a bailout of these pension funds really the answer? And what would a bailout precedent mean for the estimated $4 trillion to $6 trillion in unfunded pension promises made by state and local governments? Rachel will talk about how government can bring needed reform to protect pensions without simply shifting the cost to taxpayers.
Rachel Greszler is a research fellow in the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at The Heritage Foundation where she focuses on retirement and labor policies such as Social Security, disability insurance, pensions, and worker compensation. Before joining Heritage in 2013, Greszler was a senior economist on the staff of the Joint Economic Committee of the Congress for seven years. She completed her graduate studies at Georgetown University, where she earned master’s degrees in both economics and public policy. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Mary Washington. She is a former Heritage intern. Greszler, who grew up in a small town in Western New York, currently resides in Bethesda, Md. with her husband and six children.
You’ve seen it on the news and in fiction but, what is a Cold Case? Retired Homicide Detective John Newsom will guide us through the process that differentiates Cold Cases from other crimes. As you might imagine, it is much different than what is presented on television or in movies. You will learn the challenges facing detectives and CSI’s in trying to solve the most difficult cases. Probably the most common misconception-DNA analysis solves crimes-will be discussed. You’ll hear some of the things “learned” from psychics who seem to come out of the woodwork in high profile cold cases. Chief Newsom will talk about some of his cases that have been featured on CBS News 48 Hours Mystery, Forensic Files (A&E Network) and the cable show The Stranger Next Door. There will be plenty of time for questions during and after the presentation.
John Newsom is a retired law enforcement officer. Retiring after 26 years with the Cincinnati Police Department, he went to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years, retiring as Chief Deputy. In his career, he held a number of assignments most notably 12 years as a team leader with the CPD SWAT Unit and a Homicide Unit Supervisor. He was also assigned to Internal Investigations, Training, Planning and Research, and Tactical Planning. At the Sheriff’s Office, he headed up a Cold Case Team that closed 3 major cold case murders. He is a graduate of both University of Cincinnati (B.S.) and Xavier University (M.B.A.). He was an executive board member of the FBI Regional Terrorism Task Force. He has taught Homicide and Cold Case Investigations all over the country. In his retirement, he privately consults with public safety and private sector organizations on personnel matters.
China’s growth over the last four decades has been amazing. Since it adopted the Japanese economic development model of top-down, government-directed, corporatist, export-oriented capitalism it has grown from a poor, backward, weak nation to become the world’s #2 power. Many experts expect it to pass the US before mid-century. That is China’s official, stated goal.
We have seen this act before, and it had an unexpected outcome. Japan grew very rapidly from the early 1950s until the early 1990s. It too was supposed to pass the US and become #1.
But … since 1990, Japan’s growth has been about 1% per year. It has fallen way behind the US and is falling further and further behind.
The causes … huge debt, stock, and real estate bubbles that burst in the early 1990s. Its model works great for decades and then fails.
China has faithfully copied the Japanese economic model. It now has huge debt and real estate bubbles as well as many other problems like those of Japan before Japan’s crash. China is also a totalitarian dictatorship that lacks the free market forces and entrepreneurship it takes to become truly rich.
For these reasons and others China will not pass the US as #1.
Dr Tuchfarber will explain these facts and analysis in his engaging, interactive style.
Some additional issues Professor Tuchfarber will address are:
How will the US – China trade war affect China’s future?
Will China get old before it gets rich?
Why has China’s use of the Japanese economic development model both helped and hurt the Middle Kingdom?
Why will the US’s long-term growth trends outpace China’s?
Has China nearly reached its peak?
What unsustainable practice, that has fueled China’s recent growth, is doomed to backfire?
How will its increasing totalitarianism cripple China?
How is US uniqueness likely to keep it #1?
Alfred J Tuchfarber PhD, Professor Emeritus of Political Science – University of Cincinnati Owner – Tuchfarber Political-Economics, LLC, Blogger – TuchfarberReport.com
Al Tuchfarber is an academic and entrepreneur who has had a successful career as a teacher, researcher, senior administrator, campaign manager, political analyst, organizational strategist, and writer.
He holds a PhD in political science and has well over 100 publications.
Al’s intellectual and practical interests are very wide-ranging. He has spent his career both in the arena of ideas but also in the “real-world” where the rubber hits the road…where things must work.
Areas of special interest to him are American politics and political-economics, global politics and global political-economics, political polling, campaign and organizational strategies, demographics, and societal change.
Tuchfarber founded the Ohio Poll and directed it for a quarter century. The Poll established a remarkable record for accuracy in predicting elections and has been rated one of the nation’s best.
Al brings that experience and skill-set to his weekly blog — the Tuchfarber Report, as well as to his consulting, speaking, and writing.
His predictions are 80 to 95% accurate because they are based on facts, data, history and common sense…NOT on ideology, partisanship, or hopes.
As a political-economic analyst and author of the Tuchfarber Report, Al brings you insights and forecasts that you will not find elsewhere.
Stop the Bleed is a nationwide campaign to empower individuals to act quickly and save lives. Uncontrolled bleeding injuries can result from natural and manmade disasters and from everyday accidents. If this bleeding is severe, it can kill within minutes, potentially before trained responders can arrive. Providing bystanders with basic tools and information on the simple steps they can take in an emergency situation to stop life threatening bleeding can save lives. Research has shown that bystanders, with little or no medical training, can become heroic lifesavers. Similar to the use of CPR or automatic defibrillators, improving public awareness about how to stop severe bleeding and expanding personal and public access to Bleeding Control Kits can be the difference between life and death for an injured person. Stop the Bleed is an initiative endorsed by the American College of Surgeons, The Committee on Trauma, Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, and many other national organizations.
From this class, you will be able to determine if an area is safe for you to proceed toward a victim to provide assistance, identify any nearby tools to assist you such as a publicly placed bleeding control kit or everyday items that can be used to control bleeding, look for and identify life threatening injuries and uncontrolled bleeding, use your hands to apply direct pressure at the site of the wound to stop bleeding, pack deep wounds with cloth or gauze to control bleeding, correctly apply a tourniquet to an injured limb to stop bleeding and keep the victim calm until help arrives.
Gina Menninger, Trauma Prevention and Outreach Coordinator for UC Health and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Gina has been a nurse for 13 years, with the majority of those years with the Trauma Department at UC Medical Center. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati, College of Nursing with my Bachelors in Science and Nursing in 2006 and am an avid Bearcats fan. Gina is the mother of three boys and enjoy coaching them in sports and helping out at their school. She serves as a representative with the Ohio Injury Prevention Partnership for the state of Ohio and am part of the American Trauma Society, Trauma Center Association of America, Midwest Injury Prevention Coalition and both Butler and Hamilton County Safe Communities Coalitions. The #1 cause of preventable death after injury is bleeding and education early on will prevent the statistics from continuing to trend up as trauma continues to the be leading cause of death for those age one to forty and third leading cause of death for all ages. While mass shootings currently receive a lot of attention, serious bleeding is more likely to result from everyday injuries such as those that may occur at home, at work or while on the road.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
EmpowerU will watch one of the most famous speeches of all time 32 years after date that Ronald Reagan delivered the Brandenburg Gate speech. The Brandenburg Gate, was built between 1788 and 1791 by Prussian King Frederick William II as a key entry point to the city of Berlin. In 1987 it stood as a symbol of communism in the West when the wall went up in 1961 access to the gate now located in East Berlin was cut off.
The “Tear Down This Wall” speech was not the first time Ronald Reagan had addressed the issue of the Berlin Wall: in a visit to West Berlin in June 1982, he’d stated “I’d like to ask the Soviet leaders one question “Why is the wall there?”, and in 1986, 25 years after the construction of the wall, in response to West German newspaper Bild-Zeitung asking when he thought the wall could be “torn down”, Reagan said, “I call upon those responsible to dismantle it today.” The speech was also a source of considerable controversy within the Reagan administration itself, with several senior staffers and aides advising against the phrase, saying anything that might cause further East-West tensions or potential embarrassment to Gorbachev, with whom President Reagan had built a good relationship, should be omitted.
American officials in West Germany and presidential speechwriters, including Peter Robinson, thought otherwise. Robinson traveled to West Germany to inspect potential speech venues, and gained an overall sense that the majority of West Berliners opposed the wall. On Monday, May 18, 1987, President Reagan met with his speechwriters and responded to the speech by saying, “I thought it was a good, solid draft.” White House Chief of Staff Howard Baker objected, saying it sounded “extreme” and “unpresidential”, and Deputy U.S. National Security Advisor Colin Powell agreed. Nevertheless, Reagan liked the passage, saying, “I think we’ll leave it in.”
Join EmpowerU as we watch the entire speech on film 31 years later. We will set up our conversation with what was going on in the Country before, and after to give you historical perspective. This speech is as meaningful today as it was back on June 12, 1987.
Speaker Bio:
Matt Byrne will moderate this class by taking us through the events leading up to Reagan’s important speech. He will walk through the historical context of the speech-what was happening politically, where were we at with Russia and the Cold War. Matt Byrne primarily represents clients in state and federal trial court and appellate litigation, in arbitration, and before administrative agencies. His litigation experience includes the full spectrum of employment matters, ranging from individual claims to complex class and collective actions. He has represented clients in appeals before the Ohio Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, among other appellate courts.
After the Speech we will hear from Harald Ziegler to talk about what it was like to live behind the wall and the Iron curtain. Harald was raised behind the Iron Curtain, fully indoctrinated with the communistic ideology, he was a card-carrying member of the communist party of East Germany, when his belief system was scattered by the confrontation with GOD’s word; as a graduated electronic engineer, he served at a Navy base until he was expelled for publicly declaring his faith. After a ten year fight with the almighty State Security Police (STASI), he could leave, what he calls one of the largest prisons on earth. Twenty years later he realized his lifetime dream and immigrated to the United States. Harald was one of the co-founders of the Cincinnati Tea Party and her Senior Strategist for many years.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Monday, June 10, 2019
Empower U partners with the Ohio Auditor’s Office to present Sunshine Laws Certification Training
If you are interested in obtaining this certification Empower U is providing an opportunity for you to do so locally.
The Sunshine Laws Certification Training, provided by the Ohio Auditor’s Office, is a three-hour certification training session provided to all elected officials, and/or their appropriate designees, as well as members of the general public.
Ohio Revised Code Section 109.43(B) states:
The Auditor shall develop, provide, and certify training programs and seminars for all elected officials or their appropriate designees in order to enhance the officials’ knowledge of the duty to provide access to public records as required by section 149.43 of the Revised Code. The training shall be three hours for every term of office for which the elected official was appointed or elected to the public office involved.
Each session includes an in-depth analysis of Ohio’s Public Records Act, with a brief discussion of Ohio’s Open Meetings Act.
You absolutely must register for this FREE class to be included and to receive your certification. Because this class includes certification it is not presented virtually.
Registration opens at 9:30 am.
Speaker from the Ohio Auditor’s Office will be Jesse Davis. Mr. Davis joined the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office in the fall of 2018 as Assistant Legal Counsel. A native of Grove City, Ohio, Mr. Davis received his undergraduate degree from the Ohio State University before graduating from Capital University Law School in May 2017. While a law student at Capital, Mr. Davis served as Executive Publishing Editor of the Capital University Law Review, Volume 45, and wrote an article on the need for copyright protection reform in the age of the DMCA and the art-sharing world
of the internet. Prior to joining the Auditor of State’s Office, he worked in private practice. He currently resides in Grove City, Ohio, with his wife, Dany, an artist, and their
Shepherd-Husky dog, Fenrir, an escape artist of the highest order who regularly makes attempts to leave his back yard confines in search of small animals to chase
Special Two Hour Class** —75 Years ago, on this Day, June 6, 1944, the Normandy Landings began on the beaches of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, Sword. Operation code-name “Overlord” began on Tuesday, June 6, 1944 and it was the largest seaborne invasion in history. It became known as D-Day-the goal to liberate German-occupied France from Nazi control and lay the foundation for an Allied Victory on the Western Front throughout Europe.
The biggest names in history were all involved in this planning– Prime Minister Winston Churchill, General Dwight David Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin of Russia, General Bernard Montgomery commander of British Forces. Leading the German forces was Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, The Desert Fox. Commanding Rommel was Adolf Hitler leader of the Nazi Party. Hitler rose to power to become dictator of Germany, serving as Chancellor from 1933 and Führer from 1934. During his dictatorship from 1933 to 1945, he initiated World War II in Europe by invading Poland in September 1939.
The amphibious landings on Normandy were preceded by extensive aerial and naval bombardment and an airborne assault-the landing of 24,000 US, British, and Canadian airborne troops shortly after midnight. Allied infantry and armoured divisions began landing on the coast of France at 06:30 am. Planning for the operation had begun in 1943.
This class at EmpowerU will be an explanation of the strategy of D-Day. How did this invasion happen? What was the plan? Who were the personalities? What equipment was used? Did everything go according to plan? How did the Allies deceive the Nazi’s to allow this great invasion to happen? How many men were lost? Be ready for how D-Day really happened and the back-stories involved as we look at one of the most significant days in the History of the United States–D-Day!
Dan Regenold first became active in Government in 2003 when he became involved fighting Eminent Domain and helping stop it in Evendale and in Norwood, Ohio. In 2006, he was one of the founders of WeDemandAVote.com which successfully fought and stopped, by ballot initiative, a sales tax increase in Hamilton County, Ohio. Later WeDemand stopped Red Light Cameras in Hamilton County.
Regenold spoke at the CPAC Convention in 2008 to discuss major Grassroots initiative actions across the United States. In 2010 Regenold was of three leaders of the initiative to End Ohio’s Estate Tax which happened in 2011. The Tax Foundation called the repeal of Ohio Estate Tax one of the most important Tax accomplishments of 2011.
In 2011 Regenold founded EmpowerUOhio.org (now in it’s 17th semester), a Free University offered in the Greater Cincinnati area with the goal of “empowering” citizens. EmpowerU has taught FREE classes to over 7,500 people in the Greater Cincinnati area. In 2014, Regenold was one of the leaders of the effort to separate Music Hall from a County Wide Sale Tax which helped the Museum Center renovation get passed by the voters of Hamilton County. Regenold is CEO of Frame USA, Inc. in Springdale.
Dan tries to teach one class each semester on a subject that he is passionate about. He has taken a serious “dive” into the D-Day History over the last six months and can’t wait to share with you the details of one of history’s most important and interesting days. Please join EmpowerU’s Managing Board Member for this very important two hour class. Note: Special 6:30 PM start time.
After their loss of the Presidency in 2008, the Republicans engaged in a vicious civil war over the direction of the Party … Tea Party Republicans v. Establishment Republicans. That battle raged until shortly before Donald Trump was nominated in 2016. Ironically, the end of that war and the election of Donald Trump signaled the beginning of a civil war in the Democratic Party. At the core of the new war is the battle for control of the Party between the left-wing progressives and the Democratic establishment.
This battle within the Party will play out in multiple ways during the 2020 nomination contest. Not only will it be progressives v. establishment, but also women v. men, minorities v. whites, coastal candidates v. heartland, and old faces v. new. Dr. Al Tuchfarber will describe and explain these battles and the candidates that are waging them. He will also elucidate how the Party’s debate rules, primary rules, and convention rules add extra complexity to the struggle that will rage from early 2019 through the convention in July 2020.
Alfred J Tuchfarber PhD, Professor Emeritus of Political Science – University of Cincinnati Owner – Tuchfarber Political-Economics, LLC, Blogger – TuchfarberReport.com
In 2014 and 2016 Tuchfarber predicted the American election results with great accuracy, unlike a large majority of the pundits. He did so because he has a deep understanding of the voters’ priorities and thinking, as well as of the rapidly changing coalitions that make up the American political parties. As a political-economic analyst and author of the Tuchfarber Report, Al brings you insights and forecasts that you will not find elsewhere.
West Side Brewery 3044 Harrison Ave Cincinnati, Ohio 45211
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Thanks to Bill Roll for Sponsoring This Class!
Take a sentimental journey through the life of Doris Day. This great lady of American entertainment was born in Cincinnati and began her spectacular singing career with the Barney Rapp Orchestra.
Upon arriving in Hollywood, she began a film career, starring in 39 movies. With pictures, stories and the vocal stylings of a local professional singer, ten songs made famous by Doris will be performed live during the presentation.
Enjoy the great Beers on tap at Westside Brewery as part of this EmpowerU event on the West Side!
“Dolores Raye” (Dee Mason) – Before relocating back home to downtown Cincinnati in December, 2011, with her and sound/music engineer Michael Schultz, Dolores lived in Estero, Florida, maintaining two homes in both locations. While living in Estero she was in management at Page Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Fort Myers, Florida. She is a local graduate of Princeton High School, class of 1964. She joined TWA as an overseas flight attendant in 1968 retiring in 2001.
During her years of working, and living in Europe while with the airline, she sang in several different hotels and clubs throughout Europe, the British Isles, and later while living in Florida. She continues to perform her own shows locally. She enjoys her work with Cincinnati Heritage Programs at the Cincinnati Museum Center, where she performs the music in our shows and is involved in other volunteer work with Heritage Programs.
Important: Parking. There is s small lot behind the brewery. You can park in the parking lot behind the funeral home (enter off Ruehlman), or you can park on the streets(s) or in the public lot next door to Henke Winery.
Escaping the Horochów ghetto was just the beginning for twelve-year-old Musia Perlmutter. Alone, starving, freezing at times, and running and hiding for her life, Musia sought refuge in the forest for two years while Holocaust death camps loomed nearby. Child of the Forest is based on the true story and tribulations of Shulamit “Musia” Perlmutter, born in 1929 to Simcha and Fruma Perlmutter, and stands as a memorial to her extraordinary courage.
When Jack Grossman committed to this project in 2006, he didn’t realize it would take twelve years to bring it to fruition. The journey was dotted with events such as the economic meltdown, a near-death stroke, and several other traumatic life experiences. Jack is a believer in the saying that there is a reason for everything, and he believes that in the end, this book is the culmination of aligning the perfect people at the perfect time. Child of the Forest is based on the life story of a courageous young girl who bore witness to humanity’s darkest time. When Jack faces challenges now, he simply thinks of Charlene, and it puts life back into perspective.
This photo was taken just before Charlene left for America.Charlene Schiff, born, Shulamit Perlmutter, right, poses for a photograph before she leaves for America.
Jack will present EmpowerU with an engaging reading with interactive, thought-provoking discussion about the Holocaust. A lot of narrative will presented along with an powerpoint presentation that follows the readings. Jack will be signing paperback copies of the book before the event at 6:30 pm for a discounted price of $12, and hardback books for the discounted price of $18.00.
Speaker Bio:
Jack has written and designed award-winning advertising, having won numerous awards including 5 Addy Awards for regional and national clients. Jack has also won a 1st Place Award in the Tampa Bay Region Billboard Magazine Songwriting Contest, along with dozens of other advertising/design and songwriting awards. His housewares invention in the late 1980s was featured in Spiegel Catalog, Neiman-Marcus, Brookstone Company, and scores of other department stores and catalogs nationwide.
Jack has also been highly recognized for his community service work, having been presented numerous Humanitarian Awards, including The Award of Excellence; one of only three presented by a billion-dollar NYSE company in 1998. As a result, he was featured with his family in a :60 second TV commercial that aired during the final episode of Spin City, The Academy of Country Music Awards and the Dallas 500 NASCAR Race. He was recognized with a Power Board Award by Boys & Girls Club National for turning an almost defunct Florida Boys & Girls Club into a thriving organization that built and moved into a new 5,500 sq. ft. facility under his leadership, all within 15 months of Jack joining the Board. Jack is also a Founding Member and a Legacy Board Member of Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center, where he has raised over $4.5-million and once again led a campaign that built a new $2.2-million state-of-the-art facility during the economic downturn of 2008. The facility serves sexually abused children and is affectionately referred to as “The House that Jack Built”.
Jack suffered a brainstem stroke in 2010, which initially left him totally paralyzed on his left side. After intense physical therapy and a drive to continue to help others and produce the Child of the Forest book/film project, Jack is now 85% – 90% recovered and is back to work 100%. He has a beautiful wife, 4 daughters, and one grandson, and resides in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Kevin Gordon, 55 KRC Guest Host and Commentator will introduce Jack Grossman to the EmpowerU Audience. Kevin has gotten to know Jack through interviews with him about the book. If you have never met Kevin but hear him on the Brian Thomas show now is a great opportunity to come to EmpowerU and say hello.
Forest Park Senior Center 11555 Winton Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45240
Friday, April 19, 2019
Relive the memorable 1919 and 1940 Reds World Championships brought to you by Roush and Lombardi. Experience the excitement of the 1960s again with the arrival of Reds greats Rose, Bench, Perez and Nolan. Grab your lunch for the Brown Bag Lecture Series and head over to the Forest Park Senior Center. Lectures are free and open to the public.
We request a reservation on the EmpowerU website as spaces are limited. This session is sponsored by the Cincinnati Museum Center and part of the partnership between EmpowerU and the Museum Center. Play Ball! Note: Special Time!
Richard Cole, the last of the Doolittle Raiders died on April 10. Rest in Peace sir–your Country surely appreciates your heroic service! Join us Tuesday night for a celebration of Richard Cole’s life and the GREAT Doolittle Raiders! Signed Richard E. Cole Print to be given away. Careful: this class is filling up quickly–you must be registered for this FREE event! Cole is pictured 2nd from Right on this picture.
The Doolittle Raid, also known as the Tokyo Raid, commenced on April 18, 1942. Sixteen U.S. Army Air Forces B-25B Mitchell medium bombers were launched without fighter escort from the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Hornet, led by (then Col.) Jimmy Doolittle.
The Raid was a total secret to all involved and the members of the raid were chosen by volunteering for a “dangerous secret mission”. The members did not know the target destination until the planes were loaded on the ship and the raid was underway. This was to prevent any “leakage” of information about the raid.
The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders were a group of eighty men from all walks of life who flew into history. They were to fly over Japan, drop their bombs and fly on to land in a part of China that was still free.
Fifteen of the aircraft reached China, and the other one landed in the Soviet Union. All but three of the crew survived, but all the aircraft were lost. Eight crewmen were captured by the Japanese Army in China; three of these were executed. At 103 Richard Cole is the last living veteran.
Intelligence Operations Airman 2nd Class Raymond G. Hughes, Petersburg, KY, entered the Air Force in 1956, serving for four years in the USAF intelligence school Target Planning & Survival unit until 1960. Hughes served during the Cold War with the 8th Air Force 100 Bomb Wing Intelligence Division, primarily with Strategic Air Command.
Airman Hughes continued to serve his community as an instructor at the Yudan School of Self Defense Karate and Judo, where he trained men, women, and children in the art of self-defense. He became a voice for veterans and one of the most respected members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, where he dedicated his time and energy in making life more comfortable for other members.
Raymond serves as historian and even manager for the USS Hornet Breakfast Group conducts events for veterans at the Cincinnati Hamilton County Public Library, and interviews veterans of all wars in collaboration with the National Archives in Washington, D.C. where he has interviewed 75 veterans to date. Twice each month, he can be found transporting veterans from Twin Towers Retirement Center to shop for personal items. Raymond is involved in the Sons of the American Revolution and takes pride in helping others trace their ancestral lineage.
Brian Thomas To Attend Event and Reflect On Tea Party
Voice of EmpowerU Don Hurd to Sing National Anthem
Join Us for the After-Party at B.J.’s Brew-house in Tri-County Mall
Brian Thomas from 55KRC will join us on Monday night for the 10th Anniversary of the Tea Party Movement in Cincinnati. Expect Brian to discuss many of the great accomplishments of the movement and also where the Tea Party has come up short. This is the perfect time to visit with a good friend and a voice of great clarity in the Cincinnati area. Don’t Miss This Event!
In 2009, Mike Wilson was frustrated with the direction of the country under the Obama Administration. His concern prompted him to spend a Sunday afternoon 10-years ago booking Fountain Square for 3 weeks out, creating a website, and starting conversations with family and friends about building an event. He had low expectations for attendance for what would become the Tea Party’s first march on Fountain Square March 15, 2009.
Mike had read that morning about a few rallies that occurred the day before against the recently passed stimulus bill in cities out west. With that inspiration, the Cincinnati Tea Party was born and with the help of those family and friends (and several people that heard about the plans and got involved early)three weeks later, more than 6,000 people showed up with signs to Fountain Square to ceremonially dump tea bags and listen to speakers from all walks of life.
During the three weeks leading up to the event in Cincinnati, other tea party events had been held across the nation, but this was the first to draw national media coverage and it unleashed a wave of momentum leading up to Tax Day 2009 where thousands of events were held and nearly a million people attended to advocate for three core values – free markets, fiscal responsibility, and limited government – first championed by the group in Cincinnati and adopted by national groups created to help coordinate efforts and provide resources moving forward.
In Cincinnati, the tax day event was held on a cold and wet Wednesday afternoon and still drew more than 4500 people to Fountain Square for a few speakers followed by a march to City Hall to deliver a petition. For the first time, many regular people felt like they had a voice in politics and found out that participating in politics could actually be a little bit fun as they fought against Cap and Trade (and won), Card Check (and won), and Obamacare (which ultimately passed but with massive consequences to the Democratic Party)
Mike Wilson wasn’t a politician either. He was a Cincinnati native and graduate of St. Xavier High School/University of Cincinnati with 3 young kids who was now at the forefront of the Tea Party movement locally and across the State of Ohio. In between working as an IT Consultant/Manager and coaching basketball games, Mike built a team that helped other groups grow across our region and drive a level of citizen engagement that we haven’t seen before or since. People were encouraged to run for office – from getting engaged as a precinct executive in their party to local government to reaching even higher. Mike put his money where his mouth is and announced his candidacy for Ohio House District 28 at a September event that drew 18,000 people to Voice of America Park. He won the Republican primary easily in a 4-way race and faced off against the Democratic incumbent. In a good Republican year, but terrible district, Mike finished election night down 5 votes out of more than 43,000 cast and ultimately lost the race once provisional votes were counted. After the race, Mike continued the fight against Obamacare and helped lead the effort to collect 450,000 petitions to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in Ohio to protect healthcare freedom. This effort was successful and Mike was chairman of the 2011 campaign that won 2/3 of the vote and enshrined this in the Ohio Constitution. Mike ran again in 2012 and unfortunately lost again in a difficult year for Republicans all across the ballot. He then took the opportunity to step back from politics and reengage in his IT career as head of technical operations and a partner in Interlink Cloud Advisors which has grown into the top Microsoft partner in the region.
Joining Mike this night will be three of the leaders involved in the Tea Party movement.
George Bruenemann was the leader of the successful Southwest Ohio Tea Party. An Engineer and Patriot, George is President and CTO of NgEK, a small engineering firm specializing in the development of artificial intelligence for building sensors and control systems. Until 2009, George had no involvement in politics, but borrowing a trillion dollars, taking over two car companies, a bank withing 100 days of taking office forced him and his wife Nancy into action. It started as a meeting with friends and neighbors in their home and eventually became known as the SouthWest Cincinnati Tea Party. The SWCTP grew over 500 members and was instrumental in removing Steve Driehaus from the 1st district in the 2010 elections. In 2012, George was President of the Cincinnati Tea Party.
Justin Binik-Thomas is a senior manager at a drug development research organization. In this capacity, he is responsible for mitigating risk, maximizing revenue, and growing relationships with internal and external customers. He holds undergraduate degrees in pharmacy and biology and a graduate degree in business. In his personal time, Justin enjoys being a father and husband. Learn Justin’s interesting story of how he was targeted by a coordinated attempt of our government to silence conservative speech and thought and the chilling effect this had on tea party groups across the nation (…which included EmpowerU). Two of Justin’s most enjoyable side project-OH Congress! And Read the Bill.
Voice of EmpowerU Don Hurd to Sing the National Anthem!
You’ve got a front row seat to learn what really happened 10 Years Ago to start the Tea Party. What did the Tea Party Accomplish? What is Left to Accomplish?
Please Bring A Box of Tea or Coffee to Donate to Charity for this Even
Come join us at Shumrick & Leys Distillery in Norwood for a fun evening. For a cost of $12/person (pay at the door) we will tour the distillery, sample 4 flavors, and Empower U will provide FREE food.
The brainchild of Terry Shumrick, a career winemaker, and two partners, Shumrick and Leys entered the burgeoning craft spirit movement in April 2017. Enter Shumrick and Ley’s Tasting Room through the building’s back parking lot to discover its true inner musings. Like any good Speakeasy, it’s like walking from black and white into technicolor, as you find a rustic, barrel-filled bar area, and the pleasant smell of fermenting spirits. The Tasting Room is open exclusively on Friday and Saturdays evenings. Live music typically fills the building on Friday nights, and patrons can find an eclectic, creative line of craft cocktails including a Norwood Mule, with blackberry vodka and ginger beer, to pair with their in-house barbeque.
Located in an industrial section of Norwood, Ohio at 2810 Highland Avenue, the former Banasch’s Sewing Company building’s exterior, belies an inviting interior. Shumrick and Leys is open to the public every Friday 4-10 PM and Saturdays 1-10 PM. Tours are available upon request. Plenty of room for private parties, schedule online or call.
Terry Shumrick made wine at his family’s winery, Chateau Pomije Winery in Guilford, Indiana, where he was also the chef. He has been the winemaker for Stone Brook Winery in Camp Springs for the past 11 years. Making wine for more than 30 years, Terry said it wasn’t a stretch to go from making wine to making spirits. He pretty much does everything himself in his Norwood distillery, including lots of experimenting. Right now, he’s got a tequila fermenting. “I’m making a 100 percent organic agave tequila in Norwood, Ohio,” he said. “That’s gotta be a first.” Shumrick uses two all-copper stills that he likes for their ability to mellow and deepen flavor. He aims for a smooth, mellow style. In addition, the distillery’s tasting room will carry sweet wines from Stone Brook (as well as dry ones from Tobin James).
When the distillery isn’t open Terry spends the rest of the week in the distillery and bottling area, in what he refers to as heaven. He cultivates Bourbon, Bourvin (bourbon aged in wine barrels), Aged Dark Rum, Vodka Distilled with Blackberry, and Tequila among other small batch spirits. All liquors are created in a 100% copper still, vital in assisting with flavor profiles. Many of Shumrick’s creations are aged in winery-used barrels from his brother’s winery Tobin James Cellars, based in California.
“Being a winemaker, the one thing I know how to do is ferment things,” he said. “I’m like a fermentation scientist.”
An exploration of coffee, a brief history and the latest research into the multiple health benefits of…Coffee!”
Join Dr. Jay Rissover and sample some excellent FREE coffee samples from La Terza, the Artisan Coffee Roasterie. You will explore a bit about coffee, from its discovery to its American adoption to the latest research on this amazing beverage. It once was feared as a cause of heart attacks and strokes but the latest research has proven some surprising reversals in this now trendy, tasty and surprisingly healthy beverage.
Also speaking will be Dave Gains, who is the Chief Visionary at La Terza. He will tell you a bit about the creation of the wonderful coffee you have sampled made from right here in Lockland.
Dr. Jay Rissover has been in practice in Cincinnati since 1989 in general Internal Medicine. He is the Senior Physician at Blue Ash Internal Medicine on Glendale-Milford Rd. He is also Director of Inpatient Medicine at the TriHealth Hospital Evendale and is a teaching attending for the Bethesda Family Practice Residency at Bethesda North Hospital. He is a second generation physician, married with two adult children and one dog. Dr Rissover is active in the Jewish Community and his favorite charity is the Cincinnati Chicken Soup Cook-Off. He likes Science Fiction, archery, fencing, juggling, good food, movies, music and keeping physically fit. He enjoys public speaking and has spoken at Empower U, Health Fairs and on multiple radio and TV programs.
We know Elon Musk as an inventor, innovator, engineer, and one of the smartest and most visionary entrepreneurs of modern times. He has founded or been in leadership positions in several companies, starting with the internet companies Zip2, X.com and PayPal, followed by Solar City, Tesla, SpaceX, OpenAI, Neuralink and The Boring Company.
Jerry Black will briefly cover Elon Musk’s life and his many companies. However, the focus of the talk will be on SpaceX and the most audacious of Musk’s goals, to establish a human settlement on the Red Planet.
Jerry Black is a retired engineer who worked in the aerospace industry for over 40 years. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Sciences from Princeton University and a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan. He worked as a Rocket Test Engineer at Bell Aerosystems Company from 1967 to 1968. One of the rocket engines that Jerry helped test was the engine for the ascent stage of the Apollo Lunar Module. Following this he worked for 39 years as a Staff Engineer at GE Aviation, where he worked on jet engine development.
Jerry’s interests include nuclear fusion power, aircraft and rocket propulsion, space travel and Mars exploration. Jerry was the chair of the Ohio chapter of the Mars Society from 2009 through 2017. He is a member of the Space Development Steering Committee, an advocacy group that works on space policy issues. Other activities include tutoring, contra dancing, bridge and chess.
Springdale Business Owners will meet today at 11:30 to hear from Mayor Doyle Webster, Lawrence Hawkins, Chairman of Council’s Finance Committee and Ms. Kathy McNear who is the Elected Finance Director. These three people will explain why Springdale needs to raise the Springdale Earnings tax from 1.5 to 2.0%. Will the increase hurt Economic Development in Springdale, will it cause business owners problems with hiring? If you are a Springdale Business Owner or Manager and you and are able please join us on this date. If you plan to come please send an email to: jgugel@frameusa.com . See attached at http://www.empoweruohio.org/springdaletax.pdf for additional information on the proposed tax increase. Please note that this class will be recorded and at you will be able to watch the class to watch by the end of the day on 3/27/19. To watch the recroding go to 3/26 class at www.empoweruohio.org scroll to the bottom of the page and click the link to watch .
Thanks to Crossroads Hospice and Pallative Care for Sponsoring This Class!
Dementia has touched many of our lives and even left some families with damage they will never recover from. Teresa Youngstrom understands Dementia and will provide an interactive workshop to help you gain knowledge and confidence with your care.
You will identify key signs and symptoms of cognitive decline related to Dementia then discuss the impact of changing sensory awareness. You might be surprised by the answer to this question, “Do they even know they are sick?” There will be hands-on training to further incorporate new coping skills to reduce agitation and promote cooperation with your loved one.
The use of sedating medications will be addressed including some solutions to help us avoid these medications when possible. Ultimately you will see that we need to understand the value of consistent positive reinforcement in order to promote well-being and reduce the incidence of challenging behaviors. You just need to be here to appreciate the experience.
Teresa Youngstrom is a Registered Nurse with more than 30 years of Clinical and Leadership experience in the Cincinnati area. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner with the NCCDP and a PAC Certified Independent Trainer. She has extensive experience in the hospital and health care industry and is the local expert on Dementia and Alzheimer Care. Teresa is also the owner of A Better Approach to Memory Care. Her knowledge, hands-on demonstrations, and personal experience stories will provide you with many new tools to use in with your clients and family members.
Before our Gun Law Class EmpowerU is thrilled to debut Homecoming: A short Film Tuesday Night in Cincinnati:
“What Happens when a College sophomore returns Home to share some important news with his parents, and things don’t go quite as he expected…until they do.”
Homecoming: A Short Film of about 7 minutes will debut in Cincinnati before our class on Gun Laws in Ohio. Created in 2019, Homecoming: A Short Film has won several awards and will surely add some fun to Tuesday’s class:
Best Ensemble at the LA Comedy Fesitval.
Screenings at Beaufort, Scottsdale, Wake Forest, Spokane, San Jose Festivals and more.
Winner of six Festival Awards for short films
Winner of Best Short Award at Sedona Film Festival.
Sean Maloney’s class on Gun Laws will begin about 7:15 pm. Note: Tonight’s virtual Class will not start until 7:15 PM as the film cannot be shown on the Internet.
Returning from our 15th semester Attorney and gun law expert Sean Maloney will speak to us about the gun rights and changes for Ohio effective in March. He will talk about how we got there, and what is next. How do outside interest groups affect Ohio legislation, and what are their hidden agendas? Sean’s class will give you the factual insight for moving forward. What do you need to be concerned about most as a gun owner in the State of Ohio
Sean a passionate defender of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Sean Maloney is a defense attorney and member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers who practices in all areas of firearm-related law, including 2nd Amendment rights, criminal defense, federal and state restoration of gun rights, and federal NICS appeals. He has appeared as an expert witness in a variety of civil lawsuits related to firearms.
As an attorney, Sean’s law practice focuses on defending the rights of law-abiding gun owners who are forced to use their firearms in self-defense through Second Call Defense, which he co-founded.
Dr. Sawyer will be here to help us understand and give us some up-to date information on medicinal cannabis in Ohio. Dr. Sawyer is severalphysicians in our state that has a license for “Certification To Recommend” (CTR). The patient registry for Ohio is now open and patients cannot be registered if Doctor Sawyer determines they do not meet the medical criteria.
He will talk about medical conditions for medicinal cannabis, the steps required to meet the criteria for the conditions being considered in Ohio at this time. This class is sure to be informative. There will be time for questions. (non- personal conditions please)
Solo practice Family Medicine 5/1/1986 to present, Sharonville Family Medicine. Henry the Hand Foundation, founded 1999. Hand Awareness program based upon the 4 principles of Hand washing Awareness, endorsed by the AMA and AAFP. Dr. Sawyer has the medical license for “Certification To Recommend”(CTR) medical marijuana for designated medical conditions as set up by the state of Ohio.
Dr. Sawyer offers a personal consultation about medicinal cannabis to those who are interested in considering medical marijuana for themselves or a family member. He will be able to give you a better understanding weather you or a family member may meet the specific state criteria for the conditions being considered in Ohio.
Judge Heather Russell’s CHANGE Court treats people caught up in the web of human trafficking as victims rather than criminals. Both local Police and Representatives are very supportive of this endeavor. Judge Russell will share a video in which Senator Rob Portman visited the court and several survivors shared their experiences with him. Learn firsthand how this CHANGE court is literally saving lives by helping rather than incarcerating those less fortunate among us!
Judge Russell addresses the trauma, homelessness, mental and physical health of prostituted persons, all of whom are also fighting addiction. During the two year program, CHANGE Court graduates gain housing, jobs, self-esteem and sobriety, they re- connected with their families and reclaim their lives.
EDUCATION: 1980 Miami University of Ohio, 1983 University of Cincinnati College of Law; Urban Morgan Institute of International Human Rights Fellow
EXPERIENCE: 2014 Created and currently presiding over CHANGE Court, an Ohio-Supreme-Court-certified specialty court for Sex Trafficked victims. 2011 – 2016 Chief Justice O’Connor Appointee, Ohio Supreme Court Domestic Violence Advisory Committee
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2015 Sohsza Award for female leadership, nominated by Women Helping Women 2016 Keynote speaker for Cincinnati’s commemoration of National Police Memorial Week. 2018 Judge Julia Stautberg Award from Cincinnati Bar Association’s Women Lawyers Section, “In Recognition of Outstanding Female Counselor for her Exemplary Service and Accomplishments”
Ohio House Member John Becker will open this class and discus his new position as chairman of the Federalism Committee in the Ohio House of Representatives. Becker will speak on the Electoral College and other important topics his committee will review like Convention of the States.
At about 7:20 PM we will start our presentation on Democracy Now! Is the Electoral College outdated having served its purpose, if it ever had one? Ongoing efforts both legislatively and otherwise seek to establish the election of the President of the United States by popular vote bypassing the Electoral College system. Join Mr. Mike Maharrey of the Tenth Amendment Center as he explains the function and operation of the Electoral College.
How does the Electoral College fit within the American constitutional system? How will the movement to abolish the Electoral College fundamentally alter the way a President is chosen and the political relationship between the federal government and the fifty states which make up the United States of America?
Representative John Becker (R-Union Township, Clermont County) has been named to serve as the chairman of the Federalism Committee in the Ohio House of Representatives, from his previous post as vice chairman. Becker will speak the first 15 minutes of the EmpowerU session to discuss his role and how it pertains to key issues like the Electoral College and the possible Convention of the States.
House Speaker Householder also appointed Becker to serve as a member of two other Ohio House committees, the Ways & Means Committee and the State & Local Government Committee.
Cam Hardy is the outspoken President of the Better Bus Coalition in Cincinnati which is committed to ensuring Metro has adequate funding to address capital deficits and to increase frequency throughout the system. Cam’s group has put forward a petition to be voted on by the City of Cincinnati residents in Fall 2019 that would increase the earnings tax devoted to Metro funding from .3% to .5%. He has developed the Better Bus Plan, where 80% of Hamilton County residents and 86% of Hamilton County jobs will be within a 5 minute walk of a bus.
Cam will be joining EmpowerU during the first part of tonight’s class to fill us in on his Better Bus Plan and how his group can improve Metro, in first the City and then Hamilton County Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about what is going on now in the first half of the EmpowerU session. After Cam finishes about 7:30, we will learn about Gene Editing.
Gene Editing with CRISPR technologies will shape the future of the human race, and it is important that we stay informed on where it may lead us. Imagine a world where you design your baby before it is born and you can create an army of cloned super-soldiers. This is no longer science fiction or an x-men movie. This is the world currently being developed by the technology known as CRISPER 0r Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats.
In this class, the origins, applications, and ethics of CRISPR gene editing will be discussed. From bacteria to designer babies, the scary and exciting possibilities of CRISPR will be explained in a simple format.
Henry Heimlich is a 9th grader at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy who has always had great interest in the topic of gene editing and manipulation. In August of 2018, Henry had an op-ed published in the Cincinnati Enquirer on the subject of CRISPR gene editing. He first learned about CRISPR while doing a school project on the topic of cloning. His interest was further peaked when he saw the movie Rampage, and noticed inaccuracies surrounding CRISPR in the movie. That led Henry to further research and to submitting the op-ed. Along with being on his school’s Robotics team, he also trains in mixed martial arts and recently earned his red belt. Henry also enjoys performing standup comedy, and will be performing this April for the third time at his school’s annual ArtBeat event.
Join us in celebrating the actual 155th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address with this reenactment by nationally renowned Lincoln Presenter, Stan Wernz. Don’t miss the chance to relive the delivery of the most famous speech recording in American annals. From the now-iconic phrase “Four score and seven years ago,” to the equally iconic phrase, that “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth,” Stan Wernz will have you feeling like you are in the audience of the 16th President. “Abe” will then regale us with a monologue of the most famous and entertaining snippets from his writings and speeches. Before the close of the event—Mr. Lincoln will allow us to make inquiries of him.
Stan Wernz was born in 1935 in Mt. Healthy Ohio, amazingly enough on Lincoln Avenue! He attended Greenhills High School graduating in 1953. Stan then entered into the Military where he served in an infantry Division at Ft. Riley Kansas and Heidelberg, Germany. Following the military he worked as Procter and Gamble for over 7 years at which time he decided to become a music teacher. He attended Miami University where he earned a Bachelor of Music Degree. He later received a Master of Music Education Degree from the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnai. As a child Stan always had a deep regard for both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. He was especially drawn to President Lincoln and in the 1960’s when he grew a beard a student commented that he always acted like Lincoln and now he looked like him. Stan looked in the mirror and concluded if he shaved his mustache there was indeed a great similarity in appearance. Thus began his career as a Lincoln impersonator. Following retirement, Stan began doing more presentations of Lincoln and joined the Association of Lincoln Presenters. His monologue is taken from the speeches and writings’ of Lincoln. Stan has appeared in such publications as People Magazine, Time Magazine, Cincinnati Magazine and a Smithsonian Documentary “The Fighting Irish”.
We have all probably experienced short electrical blackouts lasting minutes or hours after a storm, but what are the chances of a much longer one? Are storms the only major threat to the electrical grid? Can we always count on utilities to quickly restore power? What preparations should we make?
Michael Patton will outline what he sees as possible major threats to the electrical grid in the Cincinnati area: weather, human error, massive solar flare with coronal mass ejection, physical attack, electromagnetic pulse, fuel shortages, and hacking. He will estimate the possible time to recover from a realistic worst case for each. Spoiler alert: he is not a “doomer.” At the end he will suggest preparations which do not involve moving to a mountain in Idaho.
Michael Patton is a professional engineer who has been working locally 25 years in the aerospace industry. He is interested in alternative energy, film, and history, especially the history of the American Indians in this area and of Cincinnati when it was the frontier. He is a frequent contributor to Streetvibes, the biweekly paper of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and which is sold downtown. Seminars at EmpowerU are one of the sources used for the articles.
He has learned that much news and even many histories are often so incomplete to be quite misleading. A good question to keep in mind is, “what am I not being told?” Among his favorite authors are Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged), C.S. Lewis (The Screwtape Letters and That Hideous Strength), Agatha Christie (mystery writer and observer of human nature extraordinaire), and G.K. Chesterton (religious writer and author of the Father Brown mysteries). One of his favorite quotes is by Chesterton and is appropriate whenever your view and actions are outside the norm: “A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.”
Note: This class is available virtually, but a recording will not be made of this class.
The Roebling Suspension Bridge, still in use today, opened for traffic on January 1, 1867. Its 1,057 foot span made it the longest suspension bridge in the world until 1883 when the Brooklyn Bridge opened. This Cincinnati engineering marvel, named for its engineer, John Roebling, a German immigrant, convinced New York City that the Brooklyn Bridge could be built. Join us for a slideshow about the history of the Roebling Suspension Bridge presented by Don Tolzmann, Covington Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee historian. The slides will show its construction, renovations, and flood effects. Although construction began in 1861, the Civil War prevented completion until 1866. Do not miss this interesting and very entertaining piece of local history.
Dr. Don Heinrich Tolzmann is Historian for the Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee, and also President of the German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati and Curator of its German Heritage Museum. He is the author of books on local and regional history, including several about John A. Roebling and the Suspension Bridge. He has assisted in the production of several PBS programs, including: “The German-Americans” and “Zinzinnati Reflections,” and is Book Review Editor for German Life Magazine. He has received many awards, including the Ohioana Book Award, and served on the board of many national and international organizations and institutions.
Charles Krauthammer was a beloved political pundit and the foremost conservative thinker of our time. In 1987 Krauthammer won the Pulitzer Prize for his column in The Washington Post which was syndicated to more than 400 publications. From his work as a Fox News Contributor to his acclaim for his writing on foreign policy (Reagan Doctrine) Charles work stands unmatched.
Through video clips and a review of several key essays in his books “Things That Matter” this class will be a eulogy of his work. What was Charles impact on Journalism? What were his views on the most important issues of our time–Health Care, Climate Change, Immigration, Gun Control and the Wall? Learn how Reagan altered the “trajectory of the country”. And what about Trump? Charles’ actual words will help us walk you through his class.
Join EmpowerU Managing Board Member Dan Regenold as we say goodbye, farewell to America’s voice of reason. During this class we will ask you to look at your beliefs and compare them to Krauthammer’s. Maybe it is time for a reset on a few of your ideas… Are you up for the challenge? Get ready for this fast-moving class–put your seat belt on and be ready to think and learn!
“I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life—full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living.”
–Charles Krauthammer
Dan Regenold first became active in Government in 2003 when he became involved fighting Eminent Domain and helping stop it in Evendale and in Norwood, Ohio. In 2006, he was one of the founders of WeDemandAVote.com which successfully fought and stopped, by ballot initiative, a sales tax increase in Hamilton County, Ohio. Later WeDemand stopped Red Light Cameras in Hamilton County.
Regenold spoke at the CPAC Convention in 2008 to discuss major Grassroots initiative actions across the United States. In 2010 Regenold was of three leaders of the initiative to End Ohio’s Estate Tax which happened in 2011. The Tax Foundation called the repeal of Ohio Estate Tax one of the most important Tax accomplishments of 2011. In 2010 Regenold formed WeDemandABalancedBudget.com a failed attempt to mandate Congress to pass a Balanced Budget Initiative. In 2011 Regenold founded EmpowerUOhio.org (now in it’s 16th semester), a Free University offered in the Greater Cincinnati area with the goal of “empowering” citizens. Regenold is CEO of Frame USA, Inc. in Springdale
This Class Has Been Cancelled–We Hope To Reschedule This Class in the Spring with More Information About Changes in Tax Policy.
This class is for the young or new manager or business owner. Learning how to understand and analyze financial Statements can be a game changer for your business or to help move your career path forward. Learn how to dig deeper into the Income Statement and Balance Sheet. What kind of ratios can be used to help you understand the health of a company? What are the key areas on these financial statements to watch? What about cash flow? How can budgets be used to keep the company on track?
Jeff Babiak will take a look at how companies, through their financial data, can give you the keys to watch to help your company move forward, and keep it out of trouble. We’ll also talk a little about how taxes and how tax law changes might impact the financial statements. This class will be a good opportunity to perform a health check-up on your business and your company’s financial statements.
Jeff Babiak joined VonLehman and Company Inc. in 1996. Prior to joining the firm, he had thirteen years of tax experience with international accounting firms. Jeff has continued his professional development reviewing tax law changes and how those laws affect our clients’ various industries. Throughout his 35+ plus years of experience, Jeff has worked extensively with closely-held, middle market companies. His industry expertise includes the tax and consulting needs of closely-held construction, home building, manufacturing, and medical practices.
In recent decades, federal judges—who serve lifetime appointments—have issued dozens of high-profile decisions that have shaped the nation’s legal landscape on such important issues as the size of the administrative state, racial discrimination, abortion, marriage, criminal sentencing, education, and much more. Matt Byrne’s class will focus on the following questions: 1).How have the Gorsuch and Kavanaugh nominations impact the Supreme Court? 2) How many vacancies remain on the lower federal courts? 3)What impact has been caused by the elimination of the filibuster for judicial nominations? 4) How have Trump’s judicial nominees differed from past Republican presidents’ judicial nominees, and more. 5) What is the status of the president’s judicial nominations for the federal courts covering Ohio and Kentucky, and do the nominees have a common judicial philosophy? 6) How do federal courts differ from state courts?
Mr. Byrne primarily represents clients in state and federal trial court and appellate litigation, in arbitration, and before administrative agencies. His litigation experience includes the full spectrum of employment matters, ranging from individual claims to complex class and collective actions. He has represented clients in appeals before the Ohio Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, among other appellate courts. Mr. Byrne also counsels employers regarding a wide range of employment-related issues. He works with employers in a wide range of industries, including financial services, automotive, health care, information technology, manufacturing, and non-profit, including churches.
This class has been cancelled due to a conflict with the speaker’s schedule. Class will be rescheduled for Spring 2019.
Confused about the good and bad effects of tariffs? Hearing conflicting news and find it’s hard to decide what is fact or fiction? Do not miss this opportunity to let EmpowerU and David Williams of the Taxpayer Protection Alliance clarify this complex issue.
President Trump says that imposing tariffs will save jobs and force countries to the negotiating table to make better trade deals. Taxpayer Protection Alliance President, David Williams, believes that tariffs will hurt the economy and raise prices for everything from beer to cars. David will present evidence that tariffs do NOT work and that free trade is the best way to strengthen the economy.
Join us to hear David untangle the knotty web of tariffs and trade! And we want to hear what you have to say about tariff’s. Do you agree with them or are you against them? Do we even have anything close to free or fair trade now?
David Williams is nationally known and the President of the Taxpayer Protection Alliance (TPA). TPA was founded in 2011 as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, educational and advocacy organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the governments effects on the economy. TPA through its network of taxpayers will hold politicians accountable for the effects of their policies on the size, scope, efficiency and activity Show More of government and offer real solutions to runaway deficits and debt. Mr. Williams is an expert on government waste and the budget process. His television appearances include: Fox News, CNN, and Sinclair Broadcasting. He has also appeared on numerous local network affiliates. Mr. Williams has appeared on hundreds of radio talk shows from coast to coast, including WBZ in Boston, WGN in Chicago, KABC in Los Angeles, WCBS in New York, and WOAI in San Antonio.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Washington’s victory at Trenton was a relatively small battle lasting about 45 minutes. This victory has been described as a miracle and the savior of the revolution. There were three distinct phases to this battle and each was deemed impossible however thanks to some truly remarkable people each was accomplished. The crossing of the Delaware, the ten mile night march to Trenton in a sleet/snow storm and the actual battle were each accomplished against seemingly impossible odds. Who were the remarkable men who completed this superhuman feat? This presentation will discuss the remarkable demonstrations of leadership, courage, sacrifice and determination exhibited by the solders, mariners and leaders of this ragtag army that in the previous year had suffered nothing but defeat and retreat.
Bob Galbraith received BS and MS degrees in Geology from the University of Cincinnati in the 1960s. His carrier began with work in mineral exploration in Canada and most of the western United States, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Australia. Since 1982 he has been involved in hazardous waste cleanup projects from California to Massachusetts ranging in size from single underground tanks to the Nevada Test Site. After semi retiring he continued to do geologic consulting and kept busy selling real estate tending his bee hives, and gardening. In December 2014 he retired and became a full time resident of The Villages, Florida where he is active in several clubs and plays water volleyball four or five times a week. Bob Galbraith is a Professor Emeritus of EmpowerU and a former member of the EmpowerU Board.
Remember: The Russians are Coming! – The Russians are Coming!
What perpetrated the threat then and what dangers do we face now?
Greg Lawson, is a Contributing Analyst with Wikistrat affiliation. Wikistrat is a global on-line network of over 5,000 Subject Matter Experts to help decision makers identify solutions to complex strategic challenges.
Mr. Lawson will share his knowledge and expertise with us. He will walk us through the history of US-Russia relations from immediately after the fall of the Soviet Union through the rise of Vladimir Putin and the 2016 election of President Donald Trump. He will show how mistakes on both sides have led to a tragic confrontation where the threat of an existentially dangerous nuclear exchange hangs perilously in the background while Russia is also pushed into the arms of America’s #1 21st Century geopolitical competitor- China.
Greg R. Lawson is speaking as a Contributing Analyst with Wikistrat. Wikistrat is a global on-line network of over 5,000 Subject Matter Experts to help decision makers identify solutions to complex strategic challenges. Early in his career, Lawson nearly joined the U.S. Foreign Service. He continues to engage in his passion for foreign policy and history through participation in programs to strengthen ties between the United States and Turkey, travel, and his affiliation with Wikistrat. Mr. Lawson also serves as a Research Fellow with Ohio’s free market think tank, The Buckeye Institute and lives in Westerville, Ohio with his wife and three children.
Calling all DIY divas and crafty dudes to hand stamp their own personalized piece of jewelry. Instruction is always FREE! Choose between 3 different pieces of Jewelry. Necklace, Bracelet and Keychain, Something for everyone! Priced $20-$35. $10.00 deposit to hold you seat. That will apply towards you purchase night of the class.
After choosing your jewelry piece the stamping experts will teach our group how to stamp and give you tips and tricks for your particular piece. The stamping experts have stamped thousands of pieces and are very familiar with all aspects of stamping jewelry.
After stamping we will have snacks and treats, or browse The Silver Diva for future stamping plans. The staff will gather our pieces together and get instructions from you about what you want to create with your piece. Your jewelry will be ready for pick up according to the production schedule. (at least 2 business days later) You may opt to have your item shipped or ask another member of the party to pick it up. Class space is limited to 20 people so sign up now before your spot is filled!
The Silver Diva is Cincinnati’s premiere hand stamping jewelry studio. Hand stamping is a process where each individual letter, number or design is hammered into the metal by hand. Our studio is designed for those with little to no artistic experience and you will be pleasantly surprised that you can learn how to stamp your own phrase or words on a special meaningful piece! https://thesilverdiva.com
Sharonville VFW #4369 3318 East Sharon Rd Sharonville, Ohio 45241
This presentation will focus on stress and coping, especially related to Veterans. Participants will be given tools to assess their own stress level and current coping strategies. The presenter will provide an overview of the symptoms and causes of Post traumatic Stress Disorder, and how and when to seek treatment. Event will be given by, Kathleen M. Chard, Ph.D.
Kathleen M. Chard, Ph.D. is the Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Director of Trauma Recovery Center at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. She is also a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Director of the UC Health Stress Center at the University of Cincinnati. As the VA Cognitive Processing Therapy Implementation Director, Dr. Chard oversees the dissemination of CPT to VA and Department of Defense clinicians across the United States. She is the author of the CPT for Sexual Abuse treatment manual and is co-author of the Cognitive Processing Therapy: Military/Veteran manual. Dr. Chard is a past-Associate Editor of the Journal for Traumatic Stress and she is an active researcher. She has conducted several funded studies on the treatment and etiology of PTSD and she currently is exploring the efficacy of CPT with veterans with PTSD and comorbid traumatic brain injury. Dr. Chard has over 50 research publications and 100 presentations at national and international conferences.
The School Choice movement in Ohio seeks to allow parents to locate the best environment for a child to learn, grow and succeed. A growing coalition of families, educators, legislators and experts are banding together in Ohio intending to unleash each child’s potential from a “one size fits all” educational system where a zip code is the only factor determining where and how a student is educated. Ohio needs to have high quality options for parents to choose from: whether that’s public, private, charter, online, or home education, Ohio should be a state that provides educational opportunities that are as diverse as our population.
Aaron Baer is currently president of Citizens for Community Values. Aaron has a background working in startup technology and for one of the nation’s premier family policy councils, Center for Arizona Policy (CAP). Following his tenure at CAP, Aaron served as policy advisor in the Executive Office of Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. Among other outlets, Aaron has appeared on CNN and NBC Nightly News, and his writings have been published in the Cincinnati Enquirer, USA Today, and the Arizona Republic.
Wiedemann Brewery 4811 Vine St St. Bernard, Ohio 45217
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Come join us at Wiedemann Brewery in St. Bernard for a fun evening of beer tasting. Cincinnati beer journalist Jon Newberry and his wife Betsy revived the beloved local brand in 2012, knowing that there were many thirsty Wiedemann fans across the country. We will tour the facility and see firsthand how craft beer is made (tour begins at 6:15). There are more than a dozen tasty new Wiedemann craft beers – Bohemian lagers, IPAs, wheat beers, stouts and ales of all sorts – all on tap from award-winning head brewer Steve Shaw. For a cost of $10 per person (pay at the door) we will sample the different flavors, be given a souvenier glass and a Wiedemann Brewery sticker. EmpowerU will provide FREE appetizers. Sign up early, class is limited to 40, payment will be collected at the Brewery.
The legendary Geo. Wiedemann Brewing Co. was founded in Newport, Ky., in 1878 by German immigrant George Wiedemann, and was run by the Wiedemann family until 1967. It produced its internationally acclaimed Wiedemann’s Bohemian Special Brew and Royal Amber beers for decades at a large brewery complex at Sixth and Columbia streets.
The brewery was sold to G. Heileman Brewing Co. out of La Crosse, Wis. The Newport brewery produced more than a million barrels of beer under Heileman in the early 1970s — the first Cincinnati-area brewery to achieve that milestone – and eventually grew to 1.4 million barrels in annual output. Heileman closed the massive Newport brewery in 1983, shifting operations to Evansville, Ind., and other sites. Wiedemann production later ended up in Pittsburgh, but when that brewery filed for bankruptcy protection in 2006, production ceased.
Along with world-class beers and brewery tours, the brewery and taproom offer a full menu of tasty sandwiches and appetizers, live music indoors and out, and a spacious sun deck. There are numerous rooms suitable for special events, reunions, community gatherings, business meetings, receptions and parties. Whatever the event, Wiedemann has the ideal space to make it just right in a well-preserved 100-year-old building in the heart of beautiful downtown St. Bernard.
And the taproom features a one-of-a-kind collection of Wiedemann’s memorabilia that’s sure to delight Wiedemann’s fans of all ages.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Have you ever wanted to get involved in your Community, School Board, or Politics but didn’t know where to start or how to go about it? You’ll be amazed at what your efforts might produce. Learn from four of our area’s most accomplished activists and build yourself a path to get involved know.
Ed Bell will focus on “How toMake seconds count in voter contact”. Presenting the right approach on a phone call or door knock is essential to sparking interest in an issue or candidate and allowing a conversation to begin. Ed Bell will offer helpful tips to ensure more successful contacts with voters in your community.
Jeff Capell’s presentation will focus on crafting a winning message for your issue, working with the media to make sure your side of the issue is heard, and use of social media to help amplify your message. One doesn’t have to be an industry expert to battle the lobbyists and experts on the other side. Jeff will share his experience in winning battles including how he literally saving the community millions of dollars in the FC Cincinnati Debate.
Kim Grant will talk about what it is like to be a Conservative and ask questions and get involved with a School Board. Her experience of being a fiscal conservative and C.O.A.S.T. Board member and serving on a School Board will be a real eye-opener for you. Nothing prepared Kim for the culture that exists within our school communities, when someone is questioning the status quo.
Matt Wahlert walks you through what it was like to lead a Petition Drive in the recent Sales Tax Petition Drive in Hamilton County. 4 weeks, 38,000 signatures, no real experience. Matt has been a leader on speaking out on the pro’s and con’s of the many tax levy campaigns that seem to be placed on the ballot every day. What tools do you need to be advocate for tax reform in your local area—city, county, state?
Ed Bell spent over a decade organizing liberty-minded citizens to engage in projects focused on bringing greater accountability and transparency to all levels of government. In 2009, Ed and his wife, Gena, partnered with a neighbor, Jay Groenke, along with other concerned citizens to form a tea party group focused on educating the public about the workings of government. Ed was involved with initiatives like the Ohio Healthcare Freedom Amendment and End the Estate Tax and also served as campaign manager for the 2014 campaign to reelect Hamilton County Commissioner Chris Monzel. In 2015 -2017, Ed served as SW Ohio Field Director with Concerned Veterans for America. This organization advanced legislative policy issues to reform the VA and improve the quality of life for America’s veterans. Ed and his wife are now living in Buena Vista, Colorado, where they are volunteering in the community and building new relationships.
Jeff Capell has been a citizen activist for many years and was referred to as a “citizen watchdog” by The Cincinnati Enquirer. He works as an Economist, was recently elected to his first term on Blue Ash City Council, and is the Chairman and co-founder of No More Stadium Taxes. In addition to fighting stadium taxes and subsidies, Jeff took a leadership role in stopping both the 2007 Jail Tax and 2014 efforts to raise the county Sales Tax to renovate the city-owned Music Hall. He is frequently sought by tv, radio, and newspapers for his analysis and commentary of taxes, spending, economics, transparency, and government ethics.
Kim Grant serves on the C.O.A.S.T.Board and the Warren County Central Committee. Before this Kim was a 1st and 4th grade teacher , who served as President of her local teachers union. Kim has been an advocate for accountability in education. Kim , was elected to the Kings School Board in 2013 and served an eventful 4 year term, where she tried to bring needed reforms , financial oversight and discipline to the Kings School Board.
Matt Wahlert was one of the organizers behind the recent Hamilton County Sales tax referendum effort. He has taught US History and Government at the high school level for the last eighteen years and is also a Visiting Professor of Political Science at Miami University. He also serves as member and president pro-tempore of the North College Hill City Council. Matt holds a PhD in political science and is active in local politics as well as his community.
It was an unbelievable crime – hideous, unexpected, baffling. A crime destined to become the most notorious and obsessive cold case in Cincinnati history.
On that long ago day in September 1966, we were horrified by the blaring Bricca murder headlines. Jerry, his pretty wife Linda, and their young daughter Debbie were found stabbed to death in their home in the city’s neighborhood. Striking between the 4th and 5th slayings of the Cincinnati Strangler, the Bricca killer plunged a city already on edge into an abyss.
Opening up any cold case is daunting. Evidence is lost, buried, or forgotten. Contradiction and hearsay muddy the waters. The truth is elusive, shrouded, or shameful.
Enter Cincinnati crime writer JT Townsend. The author of Queen City Gothic was given unprecedented access to the Bricca case file, and gathered information that never saw the light of print – evidence that might illuminate rumors that police “screwed up the crime scene” or “covered up for the suspect.”
With his new book Summer’s Almost Gone, JT Townsend will exhume this half century old murder mystery and discard all improbable theories until we arrive at the probable truth. And for those of us who preserved this slaughtered family in our memory, it will never be too late to learn that truth.
There looms one huge, lasting question? Who killed the Bricca family?
J. T. Townsend is a freelance writer, armchair detective, and lifelong resident of Cincinnati. He is the author of the 2009 regional true crime best seller Queen City Gothic, and 2014’s Queen City Notorious. His work has appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Magazine, Word Magazine, Crime Traveler and Clews. He has presented over 300 programs in the Cincinnati area as part of his True Crime Lecture Series, including Jack the Ripper, Lizzie Borden, the Lindbergh Kidnapping and the Lincoln Assassination.
What does it take to achieve your goals whether it is money, weight loss, etc. Learn the Six Steps for Acquiring What you Want. Steps used by the weathiest most influential people alive at the time “Think and Grow Rich was published in 1937.
In 1996 Maximizing Results LLC co-founder, Tim Burgess, was introduced to “Think and Grow Rich” by his first mentor. The mentor, a multi-millionaire entrepreneur, told Tim, an eight-grade drop-out, to get a copy of “Think and Grow Rich” and study it every day for the rest of his life. Tim saw what his mentor had and compared it with what he wanted for himself (and his family) and decided to take the advice of his mentor. Over twenty-two years later Tim continues to study the book every day, and as a result, has become recognized as a leading expert world-wide on the principles from “Think and Grow Rich.” Tim first used the principles to build a highly successful real estate business. In 2009, while doing a program on “Think and Grow Rich,” Tim met his future business partner, Al Lindeman. Then in 2013 Tim and Al co-founded Maximizing Results LLC with the intent of helping people learn and apply timeless success principles, like those found in “Think and Grow Rich.” Today they are serving people all around the world through the seminars, training programs, and coaching/mentoring services.
“Unlocking the Mysteries of Think and Grow Rich” is a program created by Tim and Al to share and teach the power that comes from applying the success principles of “Think and Grow Rich.” In this program they will provide an overview of each principle and the impact it can have in helping to achieve success personally and professionally. Tim and Al are looking forward to helping you unlock the mysteries of “Think and Grow Rich.”
Tim Burgess has been studying success principles for over twenty years. His primary focus has been in the areas of Dynamic Thinking, Effective Communication/Personality Traits, and the Entrepreneurial Mindset. After several years of studying this material he decided to apply it to the real estate profession. The proof that what he had been studying works proves out in the 17 listings he achieved in his first full-time month in real estate (December, 1999) and the 92 closings that he secured in his first full-time year. And his real estate success only improved from there. After several years of success in selling real estate he turned his attention to helping other real estate agents achieve greater success through the knowledge, experience, and skills that he developed. One footnote that you may find interesting about Tim is that he is an eighth grade drop-out.
Al Lindeman traveled a more traditional route having graduating from high school and college then moving into corporate America for thirty years. During those thirty years Al worked for a few big corporations (i.e. Honeywell, ADT Security), as well as, a few smaller companies. What really changed Al’s life was when he transitioned from sales to management. That transition really opened his eyes to how little he knew about business and people and life. It started him on a twenty-year journey of studying leadership, organizational development, sales and sales development, effective communication topics covering the “7 Habits” and emotional intelligence. Through his studies, Al helped the company he worked for open new offices in new cities that significantly increased their revenue and profits. After 30 years in corporate America, Al felt that it was time to follow his true passion. He left the corporate world to start a training and mentoring business with the help of his friend Tim Burgess.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Do you know what powers the constitution delegates to the federal government? What rules are required before you can make your government abide by these rules?
If you haven’t attended a Constitution Boot Camp yet, please consider registering for this one. We are sending out a special invitation to students to join us–Let’s Educate the Kids**. Learn about your constitution. By attending you will receive the handbook for We the People, The Federalist Papers and The Citizens Rule Book. Lunch will be provided FREE by American’s for Prosperity –AFP (Thanks!).
Learn the difference between a Republic and a Democracy, Natural Law and what Federalism really is. We do more in 5 hours than most schools do in FOUR YEARS! Fee for Class is $25. Free $25 GameSpot gift cards will be given to—College Age and under students who Complete the Class. Let’s educate the kids!
Boot Camp is a six-hour instructor led, workshop that outlines the key concepts and ideas of the Constitution in simple, easy-to-understand terms. Building Blocks for Liberty is the brainchild of Marines Jim Lewis and John Hindery.
In the United States Marine Corps, Jim and John spent four years defending the United States and the Constitution they took an oath to uphold and protect. Rick Herron , our third instructor, served in the US Navy. As American citizens, they all became increasingly alarmed as they watched in astonishment the endless attacks on the liberties of Americans by an overreaching government. Determined to stop the daily barrage of misinformation, the two men decided to combine their love of history with a desire to educate the public the truth about the Constitution, and developed the unique teaching partnership now known as Building Blocks for Liberty (BBFL).
The similarities are alarming, and most American’s have no knowledge or understanding of this impactful historical event.
Author, historian, master story-teller and CEO, Jim Rumford is captivating audiences around the country with his true tale of historical intrigue, involving both of his great grandfathers holding divergent positions, at a time when the infamous James Duke created a monopoly on tobacco, and birthed the American Tobacco Trust. The Tobacco Wars occurred after the Civil War and was basically an epic battle between monopolies and the average person.This is highly relevant today due to the rise of mega companies like Amazon and Facebook who are dominating the middle class and destroying whole industries. Rumford’s unique perspective is shedding light on a history that’s never been talked about and revealing the behind-the scenes events that shaped our government, our economy and our nation. Is history repeating itself? Jim Rumford will boldly answer that question, and leave audiences astounded at the historical parallels to our present age.
Jim Rumford is an entrepreneur, amateur historian, and CEO of Rumford Industrial Group. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Rumford grew up in Bracken County, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio, and now resides in Dayton, Ohio. His mission is to help people understand how events from history affect today, especially how the middle class is under attack. He wants to do anything he can to ensure a healthy middle class and promote entrepreneurship and capitalism for our children, grandchildren and generations to come. Jim Rumford’s book, Tobacco, Trusts, and Trump- How America’s Forgotten War Created Big Government, is available on Amazon.com
Celebrate Constitution Day with EmpowerU on September 17! Let us eat cake! Two hundred years ago the Constitutional framers looked to the future and made sure the American people had the tools to secure our rights from a government grown too large.
Article V of the U.S. Constitution gives states the power to call a Convention of States to propose amendments. Our convention would only allow the states to discuss amendments that, “limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints, and place term limits on federal officials.” A Convention of States would bring power back to the states and the people and away from unelected bureaucrats who currently make sweeping decisions impacting millions of Americans.
Can the Convention of States be used to enact a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution to help finally bring sanity to our federal budget process?
It boils down to one question: Who do you think should decide what’s best for you and your family. You, or the feds? Those supporting a Convention of States vote for the American People every single time.
Mark Meckler is a nationally known speaker and an American political activist and attorney. He was a co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots before resigning from that group in 2012. Meckler currently serves as President of Citizens for Self-Governance and the Convention States Project and is an active proponent of a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution.
Rocky Boiman to Headline Event! Brian Thomas to Emcee!
Chris Monzel, Christopher Smitherman & Bill Seitz to Attend and Speak
This event will be held outside, weather permitting at the Frame USA building, 225 Northland Blvd.. If Weather is bad we will move inside the studio.
–Dinner is from 5:45 PM-6:45 PM, dinner will be outside weather permitting.
–Program Starts at 6:45 PM. Program will be inside the studio.
–Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
–EmpowerU will provide burgers, and hot dogs
Bring your lawn chair and experience the meaning of our motto, “Educate, Enjoy, Engage.” 55KRC radio personality Brian Thomas will serve as master of ceremonies and gang leader of the “Rat Pack” including Christ Monzel and Christopher Smitherman. Christopher will be discussing the City and Commissioner Chris Monzel will discuss the County. On this very special evening we will celebrate the end of EmpowerU’s 15th semester. Empowered Citizen awards will be handed out. Will you receive one?
One of Empoweru’s favorite speakers and guest lecturers Bill Seitz will also join Empoweru’s season event and tell us about what is going on in the Ohio Statehouse. Currently, the State Representative for the 30th district and a former State Senator, Bill is always informative, and always on top of the subject. Join the incredibly entertaining Bill Seitz and and our huge cast of speakers on Wednesday night!
EmpowerU will be grilling the burgers and hot dogs as well as providing water and soft drinks. Attendees are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share at the potluck table. Adult attendees are welcome to BYOB.
There is no charge for this event, but your donation is gratefully accepted. We look forward to seeing all our friends at this great annual event.
Keynote speaker for the evening will be the great Rocky Boiman who will discuss Leadership. Dinner is from 6:00-6:45 PM. The event will be from 6:45-8:00 PM. Also joining the event will be “The Rat Pack”, Brian Thomas, Christopher Smitherman and Chris Monzel will attend.
Rocky Boiman
LEADERSHIP “My experience from the NFL”
Who better to discuss Leadership and Teamwork than one time pro football player who played in a SUPERBOWL – the amazing ROCKY BOIMAN????
Rocky will share his 2 Theme winning approach
Habits of Great Players, Habits of Great Teams. Rocky will walk us through each aspect of his winning theory formulated from many years of varied experiences on and off the field!
Can you stand up to the “No excuse, No Explanations mentality? Can you focus on building a CULTURE?
Rocky will explain these and many other of his winning habits and how you they can be applied to our everyday life. Are you ready? Are you prepared to be challenged and Empowered to win the Super Bowl in your life? Don’t miss this opportunity to have ROCKY ROCK your world!!
Speaker Bio:
Rocky Boiman is the co-host of the “Eddie and Rocky Show” 3-6pm on 700WLW as well as a College Football analyst for ESPN. Prior to this, Rocky was eight year veteran linebacker of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He was also a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Colts in Super Bowl XLI. Rocky played college football for the University of Notre Dame and served as team captain his senior year. Boiman graduated in 1998 from St. Xavier High School in his hometown of Cincinnati, OH. Boiman also served as Green Township Trustee from 2011-2014.
“In the Garden”…with Ron Wilson Your Personal Yardboy
Join ‘yardening expert Ron Wilson (your Personal Yardboy) for this informal open formatted session as he takes a look at new plants and products, shares timely ‘yardening tips, works thru what’s hot and what’s not in the ‘yarden, addresses your personal ‘yardening issues, and who knows what else? Bring your ‘yardening questions as we try to cover as much ‘yardening as time will allow!
You can feel it – you know It’s Time to get your hands back in the dirt and bask in the smells and beauty of the glory of Mother Nature in Bloom! Come join us to be Empowered to Yarden away!!
Speaker Bio:
Ron Wilson is Natorp’s Nursery Outlet Marketeam Mgr., wearing many Natorp hats!
He attended the University of Kentucky / Graduate of The Ohio State University / Landscape Horticulture
Past ONLA President / Awarded the ONLA Distinguished Contribution Award
Radio Host: “In the Garden with Ron Wilson” -Sat. 6-9am on 55KRC (550AM) – nationally syndicated ‘Yardening’ -Sat. 10-12pm on 610WTVN (Columbus) – Central Ohio ‘Yardening’
Republican Senate Candidate Mike Gibbons added to EmpowerU Event. Cleveland native Mike Gibbons will address EmpowerU from 7:00-7:20 PM and give you information on his candidacy. Gibbons will run in the May 8 primary against candidate Jim Renacci. Come meet Mike before the Beverly Hills Supper Club program and ask him questions.
On May 28, 1977, the Beverly Hills Supper Club with its fabled chandeliers, gold flocked white wallpaper, acres of plush red carpets, a sweeping spiral staircase with ornate golden railings and the opulent Cabaret Room that was featuring John Davidson that evening, was the “Showplace of the Nation.” Forty one years ago a fire swept through this beautiful building on the hill like an unstoppable freight train. There were 2500 people in the club that evening, 165 and two unborn babies would lose their lives that night. The once famous club was now in smoldering ruins with the dead and dying lying on the hillside, some not to be found until the fourth day, inside not able to escape. Tragedy had struck Northern Kentucky and was felt throughout the Tri State. What caused this beautiful place once billed as “Las Vegas on the Ohio River” to suddenly go up in flames and leave the area devastated. Was it faulty wiring? Was it arson? Was the mob involved? You’ll hear firsthand from a survivor the nightmare of that evening, and the theories surrounding the cause. Some call it a conspiracy to cover up the most deadly crime in Kentucky history, but is it a conspiracy? Many in the Tri-State today remember the fire as if it were yesterday, many knew people that were there and survived, and many survivors are stuck in the past. Wayne Dammert has a compelling story and evidence of the happenings leading up to that eventful tragic evening when the final curtain fell on the Beverly Hills Supper Club.
Speaker Bio:
Seventeen year old Wayne Dammert entered the Navy in 1954, returning home in 1957. Unable to find work he became a dealer at the Southgate, Ky. Club when it was an illegal mob casino. He worked there until 1961, when reformers cleaned up Northern Kentucky and shut it down. In 1965, he went to work with AM Harris as a Design Draftsman where he was working when the club re-opened in 1971 as Cincinnati’s classiest nightspot. Wayne returned to the club to work part-time while still working at AM Harris. He met his former Rockette wife, Betty, there. As captain (maître d’), he collected autographs and pictures from many Hollywood comedians, singers, dancers, etc. He was at the Beverly Hills Supper Club the Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend, 1977, when he saw a fire “roar through like a freight train” killing 165 guests. He led more than 100 to safety through cave-dark, smoke-clotted hallways on the second floor, and he prayed over dozens of the dead and dying. Before finding his way out Wayne was trapped on the second floor, he still remembers a vision that flashed before him in that dark hallway choked with smoke and frantic people, a sudden bright picture of his wife and children in a meadow. It only lasted a second, but he felt it was God telling him to get out of there.
Wayne retired at the age of 48 giving him time to spend with his wife and family. He and his wife Betty have done extensive traveling, babysit for their grandchildren and live life as fully as possible. Today there is a monument on the site erected by Wayne. He still goes back to the site of the fire often to ensure the grounds are being taken care of, and remember those who lost their lives and being thankful that he survived and was able to help others.
Painting with a Twist 6196 Tylersville Road Mason, Ohio 45040
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Bring out the artist in you! Join EmpowerU at Painting with a Twist!
Maybe you thought about giving this a try! Here is your chance to do just that, and best of all you will be part of an awesome group of people from EmpowerU.
A professional artist will instruct our guest step by step through the 16×20 painting pictured (Cincinnati), all materials need for the project are included with the fee.
This event is located on Tylersville road in Mason.
Doors will open @6:30 for Happy ½ hour.
Class instruction begins promptly: 7:00 – 9:00
This is a fun and unique way to socialize! Empower U will provide the munchies!
BYOB- Wine & Beer and soft drinks ONLY! No hard liquor.
Must be 21!
There is a cost of $35.00 per person for materials.
From July 2-26, 1863, while the great battles at Gettysburg and Vicksburg captured the attention of the American people, Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan led nearly 2,500 cavalrymen on a daring raid into the North. Morgan’s objective was to distract the Union forces under Major General William Rosecrans and Major General Ambrose Burnside from building up enough momentum to wrestle the mostly pro-Union East Tennessee region from its Confederate occupants, and push General Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee beyond its supply base at Chattanooga. Morgan’s incursion into Indiana and Ohio would produce the effect he desired, but it would end with disastrous results for his famous division. Mowery’s presentation will discuss Morgan’s Great Raid as it passed through three Union-held states and circumvented Cincinnati, which at the time was the seventh largest city in the United States and which served as the headquarters for Burnside’s department. Morgan’s special-forces operation represented the pinnacle of Morgan’s strategic and tactical skills and the best of his division’s raiding capabilities. No other American mounted infantry division on horseback would ever achieve what Morgan’s raiders accomplished on the Great Raid of 1863.
Speaker Bio:
David Mowery has been studying the Civil War for over 35 years, and during the course of this time, he has researched, visited, and site-documented over 500 Civil War battlefields across the United States. David has been a member of the Cincinnati Civil War Round Table since 1995, joining the Ohio Civil War Trail Commission in 2001 to represent Hamilton County’s Civil War sites to the state of Ohio. As a member of this volunteer group, he designed and historically validated the 557-mile John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail of Ohio. David has published two books on the subject of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan’s Great Raid through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, including its first campaign study, titled Morgan’s Great Raid: The Remarkable Expedition from Kentucky to Ohio, as well as the official guidebook of the John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail, titled Morgan’s Raid Across Ohio. David currently serves as the Chairman of the non-profit Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation, the all-volunteer group working to save Ohio’s only major Civil War battlefield.
Harvey Weinstein . . . Al Franken . . . .Kevin Spacey . . . Aziz Ansari . . . .Louis CK . . . . Garrison Keillor . . . the #MeToo Movement . . . These stories and countless others like them have caused an enormous change in how sexual harassment is viewed in America, and how it is addressed by employers and employees. What can the rest of us learn from Hollywood’s Harassment Problem?
This course is literally as timely as today’s headlines! We will be discussing in detail the implications of the recent explosion in sexual harassment allegations against prominent celebrities, businessmen, politicians, and judges – yes, Judges. Attendees will learn what each of us can do to make sure that we and our companies are not in the news ourselves – six weeks, six months, or six years from now.
Among the specific topics we will analyze and discuss are:
How can an employer best protect itself from sexual harassment claims in the Harvey Weinstein era?
What are the implications of the #MeToo movement for the modern workplace?
What is “sexual harassment”? What does that term actually mean in the law, as opposed to what it means in ordinary conversation?
When is a company or employer legally responsible or liable for sexual harassment committed by one of its employees?
How does the term “hostile work environment” relate to sexual harassment?
What differences exist between sexual harassment committed by a supervisor or manager, and harassment committed by a lower-level employee?
Can an employer be held legally responsible or liable for sexual harassment committed against one of its employees by an individual who is NOT an employee of the Company?
What written policies should an employer have in place regarding sexual harassment, and how should those policies be communicated to its employees?
What does a proper internal investigation of a sexual harassment complaint look like?
How is sexual harassment analyzed when the alleged harassment involves people of the same sex?
Speaker Bio:
Steve is a native of Cincinnati, and earned his law degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He has been in private practice since 1987, beginning his career with the Cincinnati firm of Taft, Stettinius & Hollister. Before joining the Finney Law Firm in 2016, Steve was a Partner at Katz, Greenberger & Norton in Cincinnati, where he was in charge of the firm’s labor and employment law practice.
Steve is an experienced trial lawyer who has conducted more than 60 jury trials in numerous State and Federal Courts, involving discrimination, harassment, and other employment issues. He has also won several cases at the highest appellate levels that have helped to shape the current state of employment law.
Steve lives in the Mt. Washington section of Cincinnati, and has three children.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, April 5, 2018
To view a complete recording of this class click here Peter Bronson, who has worked his entire career in the news business, at The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincy Magazine, and on TV and radio, is here to tell you that “fake news” is real—and has never been worse. He will offer examples and describe the Decline and Fall of the Daily Newspaper, caused by many factors—not least among them, dishonest fake news.
Speaker Bio:
Peter Bronson was editorial page editor and columnist for The Cincinnati Enquirer for nearly 20 years. Under his leadership the Enquirer was judged Best Editorial Page in Ohio four years in a row.
Before coming to Cincinnati in 1992, he was editorial page editor and columnist at The Tucson Citizen in Tucson, Ariz. He started his career in Michigan after graduating from Michigan State University in his hometown of East Lansing, Mich.
He has served on several non-profits, including Casa de los Niños home for abused children in Tucson; Northern Kentucky Children’s Home; Leadership Cincinnati; and Cincinnati Right to Life.
He was a regular panelist/producer on the Channel 9 WCPO TV show Hotseat, and also on the weekly Tucson news show Arizona Illustrated.
He’s now a contributing editor and columnist at Cincy Magazine, and owner of Chilidog Press LLC, which offers publishing, writing, editing and consulting. He has authored two books: Cincinnati For Pete’s Sake, and Behind the Lines: The Untold Stories of the Cincinnati Riots. He is co-author of Legacy of Courage: True Stories of Honor Flight Veterans, and Legacy of Courage II. In addition to those, Chilidog Press has published a dozen books, including Judge Z: Irretrievably Broken, Dance When You Can and From Salesperson to Superhero.
He is active as a Bible study participant and leader at Horizon Community Church. He enjoys working on his vintage British roadster, playing golf and travel.
He is the father of two, and lives with his wife, Kathy, in Loveland.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
To view a complete recording of this class click here The familiar honey bee Apis mellifera is a vitally important agricultural pollinator threatened by many human activities. It is also a behaviorally fascinating insect. This talk celebrates honey bees’ sophisticated social organization, intimate association with flowers, and past and present relationships with humans. We will also explore the wonderful ways honey bees sense their world and communicate with nest mates including their astonishing waggle dance language.
Speaker Bio:
Speaker – Randy C. Morgan, Emeritus Curator-Insectarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
Randy holds an M.S. in Entomology from the University of Wisconsin. He worked at the Cincinnati Zoo Insectarium for 32 years and is now retired from his position as Curator of Invertebrates, Reptiles & Amphibians. At the Zoo he managed a diverse collection of live insects and other small animals for public educational display and developed world-class exhibits. Randy has been a beekeeper for nearly 40 years, is active in the South Western Ohio Beekeepers Association and loves to share his passion for honey bees and the other little animals that propel and shape our living world.
1) From 7:00-7:40 PM We will be having a discussion about the Hamilton County Library’s Levy request which will be on the ballot on May 8. Elaine Fay and Libby Stock from the Hamilton County-Cincinnati Library will be talking about the proposed Library Levy on the ballot. Cincinnati’s library board is asking Hamilton County taxpayers May to double what they contribute each year on this upcoming tax levy.
At 7:15 PM Matt Wahlert, a City Councilman from North College Hill will discuss why he does not think the levy request should be voted for. We will make sure to leave some time for your questions about this important levy. An interesting discussion will come up about how an unelected board (Library board) has the ability to add a levy to the ballot with going through the County Commissioner’s normal levy process.
Elaine Fay * Libby Stock * Matt Wahlert
2) Around 7:40 PM Net neutrality will be discussed. Net Neutrality is the principle that governments should mandate Internet service providers to treat all data on the Internet the same, and not discriminate or charge differently by user, content, or website. It has become one of the hot topics of 2018 with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and the FCC voting 3-2 on a party-line vote to repeal Net Neutrality oversight regulations for internet service providers (ISP). This decision allows ISP to open up different speed and buffering options to large internet content companies like Netflix which could impact consumer’s service speed and cost. The repercussion of this decision by the FCC (overturning a previous Democratic FCC decision in favor of Net Neutrality) is important and has caused a groundswell of criticism among millennials and others. The decision has led many States to propose legislation to keep Net Neutrality in place event though the FCC has ruled that States have no authority in this area.
Is Net Neutrality one more area where competition will lead to a better internet? Is this a libertarian, free-market issue? With the importance of the internet do we risk ISP’s controlling content and changing the way the internet works? Will certain websites be blocked from your use if those websites don’t pay ISP’s to show their web pages?
As we move forward, what will provide the best user experience for the internet? EmpowerU Managing Board Member Dan Regenold will simplify this topic and take us through this important issue as we examine the pros and cons of Net Neutrality. This session will include plenty of time for your thoughts, discussion, and questions.
Speaker Bios:
Elaine Fay is the Community and Government Relations Coordinator at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County acting as a liaison between the Library and federal, state and local government agencies. Libby Scott is the Internal Communications Coordinator at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Matt Wahlert currently serves as a member of North College Hill Council and is President Pro Tem. He also is a member of teh Board of Directors of Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, Life Skills High School, and Riverside Academy.
Dan Regenold, is the Managing Board Member and Founder of EmpowerUOhio.org. He runs www.frameusa.com a American-Made picture frame manufacturing company that relies on selling their products on the internet.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, March 29, 2018
**THIS CLASS IS SOLD OUT** Sorry! We are trying to arrange a 2nd Session for this Class, but this is left up to the Attorney General. Please check back on this website.
Empower U partners with the Ohio Attorney General to present Sunshine Laws Certification Training
If you are interested in obtaining this certification Empower U is providing an opportunity for you to do so locally.
The Sunshine Laws Certification Training, provided by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, is a three-hour certification training session provided to all elected officials, and/or their appropriate designees, as well as members of the general public.
Ohio Revised Code Section 109.43(B) states:
The attorney general shall develop, provide, and certify training programs and seminars for all elected officials or their appropriate designees in order to enhance the officials’ knowledge of the duty to provide access to public records as required by section 149.43 of the Revised Code. The training shall be three hours for every term of office for which the elected official was appointed or elected to the public office involved.
Each session includes an in-depth analysis of Ohio’s Public Records Act, with a brief discussion of Ohio’s Open Meetings Act.
You can also find more information about the class by going to:
Renata Y. Staff joined the Attorney General’s Office in September 2010 and represents state agencies and statewide officeholders in both state and federal court. Renata has orally argued in front of the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Renata’s current clients include the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, the Ohio General Assembly, the Ohio Judicial Conference, the Supreme Court of Ohio, and the Treasurer of State of Ohio.
Renata is also a member of the office’s Public Records Unit. As a member of the Unit, she counsels state agencies and state employees on compliance with Ohio’s Public Records Act and travels throughout the State presenting CLEs on Ohio’s Public Records and Open Meetings Acts. Renata is also a member of the office’s Diversity Committee and volunteers with the Office’s Pro Bono Seniors Program.
**Renata Y. Staff works in the office of Mike DeWine(pictured)**
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Self Defense with LOVE. Let no one confuse your KINDNESS… as WEAKNESS
Courage Coaches Debbie and Mike Gardner are motivation speakers/authors who teach LOVE-based crime survival skills, drawing upon their personal mistakes and successes during their law enforcement careers. Their absolutely new approach to the timely subject of self-defense dares to emphasize “LESS is more, when less is RIGHT!” The Gardner’s instill Courage, Rights and a proven effective “ONE Word Safety Plan” you’ll easily understand.
In this class learn how to: 1) Control your Fear, 2) Prevent crime set-ups, 3) Understand when you have a legal right to fight back and 4) Learn Your Best Chance to survive. This is a class for your entire family!
We are requiring a $10 contribution to this session to defer expenses of the speakers travelling from Texas. You may pay this fee online when registering or you can pay at the door.
Speaker Bios:
Debbie and Mike met at the Cincinnati Police Academy in 1973. Mike is a 28 year veteran of the Cincinnati Police Department serving as the legal liaison expert witness for use of force issues and academy instructor. Debbie retired from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department after 8 years as Deputy Sheriff. She was one of the first women in the US to be assigned patrol duty alone in the mid 70’s. She is also certified by various national and international self-defense training programs. Debbie founded the Survive Institute on February 4, 1981 as a result of letters she and Mike received after a regional TV appearance.
Debbie and Mike conduct their realistic crime survival workshops for corporations, conventions, and colleges in almost every state in the US and in Canada, Central and South America, New Zealand, Australia and Central Europe.
This Class is Not Being Presented Virtually! (Be Here!)
Join EmpowerU Managing Board Member Dan Regenold who will be speaking at the Northern Kentucky Tea Party Meeting starting about 7:15 PM–all are welcome. You will be immersed in a lively discussion as he repeats his Fall 2017 class on the much talked about Saul Alinsky in Kentucky. Alinsky is generally considered the founder of modern community organizing and is often cited for the success of the Democratic Party under President Barack Obama. In the course of his lifetime Alinsky has received much praise and criticism for improving the living conditions of poor communities across America. William F. Buckley, Jr. said in 1966 that Alinsky was “very close to being an organizational genius.”
Specifically we will look at Alinsky’s 1971 book Rules for Radicals. Rules for Radicals was written as a primer for how the “Have-Nots” could take away power from the Haves. What are the 13 rules Alinsky outlined? How can Alinsky’s rules be used to accomplish goals that you or your organization have? Are they just rules for Radicals and the European Socialists or do Alinsky’s rules apply to Conservaties and others? Join us for our great discussion and video on what Alinsky refers to as “A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals”. Be ready…you are going to have to work hard at this class!
Dan Regenold, first became active in Government in 2003 when he became involved fighting Eminent Domain and helping stop it in Evendale and in Norwood, Ohio. In 2006, he was one of the founders of WeDemandAVote.com which successfully fought and stopped, by ballot initiative, a sales tax increase in Hamilton County, Ohio. Later WeDemand stopped Red Light Cameras in Hamilton County. Regenold spoke at the CPAC Convention in 2008 to discuss major Grassroots initiative actions across the United States. In 2010 Regenold was of three leaders of the initiative to End Ohio’s Estate Tax which happened in 2011. The Tax Foundation called the repeal of Ohio Estate Tax one of the most important Tax accomplishments of 2011. In 2011 Regenold founded EmpowerUOhio.org (now in it’s 14th semester), a Free University offered in the Greater Cincinnati area with the goal of “empowering” citizens. Regenold is CEO of Frame USA, Inc. in Springdale.
**Class Cancelled**Early Warning Signs of Drug Addiction and what we can do to stop the tide of drug trafficking
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
This Class Has Been Cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause.
Early Warning Signs of Drug Addiction and what we can do to stop the tide of drug trafficking…. What are the early signs of addiction? How should you respond to them? How can you be instrumental in help stemming the tide of this drug epidemic? Do not miss this opportunity to learn from Chief Synan, Police Chief of Newtown, as he shares his experience and expertise with us.
In 2014, after watching the last of an entire family die from drugs, the last two from heroin, Mr. Synan met with other members in Hamilton County and helped form the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition where he sits on the Steering Committee and Chair Interdiction. Mr. Synan coordinates law enforcement efforts to reduce supply and works with other members to help reduce demand.
Chief Synan will address many issues including:
What does addictive behavior look like, and what are the early signs of addiction in teenagers?
What can parents do to stop the behavior before it becomes a full blown addiction?
What does the drug dealer gain from synthetic drugs, how strong is addiction, is incarceration the answer for the addicted abuser?
Why Chief Synan believes there should be no limit on the number of times Narcan is administered, understanding the drug abuser is not the villain in drug addiction.
You’ll leave this class with a better understanding of addiction, why this epidemic is out of control, and just what our law enforcement and first responders are dealing with. What can you, the average person, do to assist reducing the damage this epidemic is causing in our society?
Speaker Bio:
Mr. Synan’s wide experience has allowed him to have a unique look into the heroin crisis. Mr. Synan is a United States Marine Corps veteran and a 24-year police veteran with the Newtown Police Department. For the last 10 years he has served as Police Chief and as a SWAT Team Leader veteran.
Mr. Synan was asked to testify in Washington D.C. at a U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee giving testimony on synthetic opiates and the impact Fentanyl and Carefentinal have had on the country. Mr. Synan was a speaker with President Clinton and other distinguished panelist for the Clinton Foundation discussing the opioid crisis. His work with the Coalition has been used in national and international publications and media outlets. Mr. Synan has spoken internationally on the heroin issue. Mr. Synan has been able to see all the ways that heroin touches lives and all the efforts it takes to help individuals, families struggling with addiction and the impact on communities; and has an in-depth understanding of the complexity of this issue.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Join EmpowerU for a night at the Movies as we watch the 2010 riveting documentary “Appalachian Dawn”. The town is Manchester, in Clay County Kentucky. It is nestled in the mountains of Central Appalachia where Clay County has long been at the nexus of history. Daniel Boone left plenty of footprints here. For over 200 years, the people who followed him generated headlines of heroism and infamy.
Unfortunately, by the early 2000’s, the situation in Clay County was so bleak with vicious feuds, crushing poverty, massive pervasive government corruption and epic drug abuse (many people calling it the most drug infected County in the United States) that any family that could was trying to flee to greener pastures. Those who stayed behind fought a running battle with hopelessness as illicit drugs threatened to consume an entire generation.
And then it happened–when a desperate band of believers cried, “Enough!” Could a Community make the decision that it was going to work together for the common good and change? Would it work? What happened when the Community asked God to descent into the town of Manchester to help? Was the result God’s work, the people’s work or a combination? Learn about the incredible story of hope and transformation on the town of Manchester, the City of Hope. Could such a transformation happen in your community? Others? Join us for an important lesson to be learned by all—with time to discuss after the movie*.
EmpowerU Will Provide the Popcorn!
*We will be watching a little over half of the movie.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, March 8, 2018
To view a complete recording of this class click here Human activity is, or soon will be, assisted, monitored or replaced by evolving technology. Both fear and wonder accompany the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Greg Lawson, Senior Policy Analyst at the Buckeye Institute and Joe Platt examines the vast changes we can expect in jobs, society and public policy as America transitions to an automated economy where the labor of humans has an ever decreasing role. The needs of American workers and millions hoping to become Americans through amnesty are merging as we experience the greatest economic and societal transformation in our history? RSVP today and look ahead with EmpowerU. The future is now!
Speaker Bios:
Greg R. Lawson is the Senior Policy Analyst at The Buckeye Institute.
In this role, Lawson works with all members of the Buckeye research team with a particular focus on local government and education issues. He is also Buckeye’s main liaison to the statehouse where he educates policymakers in both the legislative and executive branches on free-market solutions to Ohio’s challenges.
Prior to his position at Buckeye, Lawson served in the Ohio General Assembly as a Legislative Service Commission Fellow. He then went on to several government affairs roles focusing on numerous public policy topics, including Medicaid, school choice, transportation funding, and Ohio’s Building Code. He also has a background in PAC fundraising, grassroots organizing, and communications and served for five years on the boards of two Columbus-based charter schools.
Greg Lawson
Joe Platt, a self-employed attorney, is a father of four and husband to one. He is keenly interested in societal change and its impact on liberty and freedom of citizens of America, the greatest nation on Earth.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
To view a complete recording of this class click here. This class shows and discusses the culture of the people who are located near bases where our military are serving in Kuwait. Not all locals are terrorists and many are quite willing to show off and share their pets – particularly the Camel.
This is a class you won’t want to miss, hear from the speaker’s firsthand experience what it’s like to live in the desert. You’ll learn about the land, climate, business customs, economy, government, voting, health plans, education, language, dress, customs, courtesies, recreation, hobbies, why Camels are in Kuwait, and much more.
Speaker Bio:
Major Timothy A. Anglin deployed as the Director of Operations, 387th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. He provided administrative and operational control to over 350 Joint Expeditionary Tasked (JET) Airmen and Individual Augmentees (IA) serving at numerous locations throughout the Levant and other Gulf Coast Countries (GCC) in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
As an Ohio Air National Guardsman, Major Timothy A. Anglin is the FSS Director of Operations in Columbus, Ohio. As the Director of Operations, he administers and supervises the FSS staff in their support of the 121 ARW to ensure mission readiness of over 1,200 personnel that serve our communities, state and nation for both homeland defense and federal missions.
Major Anglin entered service in 1985 and has served in various operations and command positions in the United States Air Force and Ohio Air National Guard and was acting commander of the 123rd Air Control Squadron and served as the J-1 for the State Headquarters Ohio Air National Guard.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, March 1, 2018
To view a complete recording of this class click here. Join Americans for Prosperity and Empower U as we partner to dive into the life of Fredrick Douglass. Participants will learn the story of Fredrick Douglass, how education led to his freedom, and how he became one of the wealthiest Americans during his time. We will break down the life-empowering values of Fredrick Douglass that helped him not only break the literal chains binding his freedom, but also break the stereotypes of his day and ours.
Speaker Bio:
Grassroots Leadership Academy Strategic Director, Midwest
A native Hoosier and Indiana University alumni, Ryan joined the Grassroots Leadership Academy from the Indiana chapter of Americans for Prosperity Foundation. In 2015, Ryan was recognized for his tremendous efforts, earning AFP’s Liberty Guardian Award. With over a decade of experience in grassroots organizing, Ryan has served in previous roles as Regional Field Director for Educational Choice School Choice Indiana where he worked organizing support for educational school choice and education reform. Ryan has also worked as Field Director for the Indiana House Republican Campaign Committee, as well as Club for Growth President, David McIntosh. Most importantly, Ryan is an avid Cincinnati Reds fan.
6:30 – 7:00 Social meet and greet with food and drinks.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
To view a complete recording of this class click here. Are you living a full life today? Do you feel alive and passionate about what you are doing? Do you know what you want more of in your life? In this presentation, Life Coach Jennifer Blair talks to you about life, balance, fun and happiness— and how you can make choices to have the life you want.
Using an interactive life balance exercise, Jennifer examines what a full life is and provides practical perspectives, guidelines, and examples to help attendees think about their lives— what is working, or not working, and ultimately, what matters most.
By examining where people are in eight different areas of their lives, participants will explore how to add more balance, focus and joy, as well as gain practical tools to make empowered choices, create inspired actions, and get their lives moving forward.
Speaker Bio:
Jennifer’s passionate commitment to her work focuses on personal and professional life coaching, creative and entrepreneurial consulting, inspirational speaking, writing, and occasionally, teaching salsa dancing. Extensive coaching skills and personal experiences allow Jennifer to create compassion and trust with her clients to move them forward to envision and embrace their definition of success. She assists them in creating life balance, unearthing their strengths and values, overcoming fears and limiting beliefs, setting goals and integrating sustainable change not only in what they do, but in who they are becoming. Her lifelong leadership experiences, extensive coaches training through the Coaches Training Institute and public speaking are making a difference in the lives of clients, audiences and readers all over the country. As a native Texan, Jennifer graduated from Southern Methodist University and served in various communications roles for EDS, Senator Lloyd Bentsen’s office and the Louisville Bar Association. Her numerous volunteer activities have allowed her to mentor women, especially her roles as President of The Junior League of Louisville, co-chair of the Race for the Cure, Co-Director of Greater Louisville Outstanding Women (GLOW) and President of the International Coaches Federation (ICF) Ohio Valley Chapter. From 2007-2012, she wrote a monthly column focusing on in-depth life coaching issues for Underwired Magazine. A compilation of this work, The True You: Tools to Excavate, Explore & Evolve was published and released in January 2012.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Friday, November 17, 2017
The great Tom Petty passed away on October 2, 2017 and EmpowerU cannot think of a better way to end its 14th Semester than to celebrate his life and music at our semester ending event. Tom Petty’s impact over 40 years in rock and roll will never be forgotten.
Tom is best known as the legendary frontman of the band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Born in 1950, his career began with a group called Mudcrutch. After that, he and other members, including Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench re-formed as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. A string of hits including “American Girl,” “Refugee,” “Don’t Come around Here No More” and “Learning to Fly” helped make Tom one of the most successful musicians in Rock and Roll. In 1989, Petty embarked on a successful solo fun delivering music videos in the early MTV heydays like “Free Fallin” and “Running Down a Dream”. Petty’s career of over 40 years included his co-founding of the supergroup the Traveling Wilbury’s (Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Roy Orbison) and reforming his band Mudcrutch, His collaboration with other legendary rockers including Stevie Nicks, and Johnnie Cash is well known.
Petty’s career will be looked at on this special night through listening to his music, his interviews, and comments from many of his peers. Petty, a student of his music form will discuss in video his own views on music and the art form known as Rock and Roll. Tom Petty throughout his career has sold over 80 million records.
When Tom was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in 2002 with his band the Heartbreakers Tom said, “The music overcame me at a very early age and consumed my life.” What a life it was… EmpowerU you promises you a BLOW OUT for this last event of the year! We are requesting a $5 donation at the door which will be donated to Musicares, a group that honored Tom in 2017. Musicares is meant for musicians to have a place to turn in times of financial, personal or medical crises.
–We are limiting registration at this event to 1 ticket + 1 Guest
–Sign Up Now –Registration is Limited
–Beer and Wine will be served at this event.
–Join Us early at 6:30 PM as Daniel Regenold will be playingsome of Tom’s Hits on the Acoustic Guitar
Daniel Regenold is to open the show
Biography of Dana W. Gore, our Presenter
Dana was born January 28, 1953 in Shreveport, LA. His father was in the military and we moved many times in the early years. They lived in Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, North Carolina, and then finally in 1962 they settled in Falls Church, VA. This is where music started to change his life forever.
Next door to him lived a boy who was much older than him, but despite the age difference they still became very good friends, initially through their love of sports. This is where it happened. He vividly remembers the boys record player in his living room and the day he pulled out this album with a huge wave on the front, with a surfer on his board. It was the Beach Boys “Surfin’ U.S.A”. The title cut opens the record, and that was it, he was hooked. Then he showed him a record by someone named Chuck Berry titled “Chuck Berry is on Top”, and played the song “Johnny B. Goode”. He couldn’t believe my ears. It was truly a magical moment.
The final piece of the puzzle fell in to place on February, 9, 1964 when the Beatles made their 1st appearance on Ed Sullivan. Like so many others, this was a defining moment for him. From that day on, until today 50+ years later, music was the one constant in his life. From elementary school through high school, college, marriage, children, grandchildren, and lifelong friends, music has been with him for the entire ride.
Starting with his 1st concert in the spring of 1969, with Led Zeppelin opening for The Who, and up until his last concert on May 6, 2017 in Tampa, FL when Joe Walsh opened for Tom Petty, he has been blessed. But of the hundreds of bands and concerts he has seen, none brought him back again and again more than Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
On October 2, 2017 his world as he has known it, became a much sadder place. He would never see Tom Petty and his amazing band again. Dana had a long career in the record business with Penguin Feather Records in Virginia and served for 29 years as the President of Posterservice, Inc, a sister company of Frame USA.
***Class is SOLD OUT***The story of international broadcasting comes alive
VOA Museum 8070 Tylersville Road West Chester, Ohio 45069
Thursday, November 16, 2017
**This Class is SOLD OUT**”Tell the truth and let the world decide”. This simple eight word sentence captures the very essence of the Voice of America. It was guiding principle when it was founded more than 70 years ago and it serves today as the core mission of this venerable institution. The can-do, pioneering spirit of journalists and engineers of the 1940s made VOA a powerful voice of truth and fact during a time of propaganda, hate mongering and lies. Engineers based in Cincinnati designed and built a radio transmission facility, thought not possible by their peers. The facade of the classic Art Deco style building has been restored and the interior is being constructed as a museum highlighting the important accomplishments both yesterday and today. The museum also holds one of the most complete inventory of radios dating back to the Marconi era. After the speaker there will be a tour, participants will have the opportunity to see the new Powel Crosley Exhibit which opens in September. For more than 70 years, an iconic building has dominated the landscape on a plot of land located just north of Cincinnati, in West Chester Township, Ohio. For thousands of area residents, the Art Deco façade has been a landmark. More significant is that for many, living in foreign lands, it remains a source of inspiration. It was from this site that millions of people in thousands of cities and hamlets worldwide first learned about the United States. Our culture, values and dedication to freedom and the democratic process became bright beacons of hope and aspiration as the Voice of America beamed its broadcasts from this rural hill top in Ohio to millions around the world.
Jack Dominichas served asExecutive Director the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting since March 2014. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Cincinnati teaching in the eMedia Division of CCM and formerly served as an adjunct professor at NKU. He spent more than 38 years in public broadcasting retiring as VP&CET Station Manager CET, Cincinnati’s public TV station. Dominic writes and blogs about technology and media and has served on several national committees and working groups for public TV. He was one of five participants in a project based at the Smithsonian Institution in the 1980s that investigated the use of computer technology to map, photograph the entire United States and to freely distribute this information electronically. This project was undertaken well before the advent of Google Earth and other services now taken for granted.
Jack Dominic
**Class Postponed**Change The World**Class to be Rescheduled.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
This Class has Been Postponed–Will be Rescheduled in the Spring–Sorry for Any Inconvenience!
Judge Heather Russell’s CHANGE Court treats people caught up in the web of human trafficking as victims rather than criminals. Learn how this CHANGE court is literally saving lives by helping rather than incarcerating these less fortunate among us! Judge Russell addresses the trauma, homelessness, mental and physical health of CHANGE prostituted persons, most of whom are also fighting addiction. During the two year program, CHANGE Court graduates gain housing, jobs, self-esteem and sobriety, they re- connects with their families and reclaim their lives. CHANGE court is a judge-supervised treatment program for those changed with prostitution and related offenses in Hamilton County. It is voluntary and includes regular court appearances before the CHANGE court judge. The participants work with a team of professionals to improve like and work skills to successfully stay out of the criminal justice system.
Judge Heather Russell attended Walnut Hills High, Miami U and UC College of Law. She was an Assistant Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney from 1984-2001, where she was the first female team leader in the major crimes division. Heather prosecuted many adult and child sexual assault cases and homicides, including 6 capital murder cases. In 1999 she was appointed Chief Assistant of the Hamilton County Grand Jury and was also elected to Loveland City Council. In 2001 she was elected to the Hamilton County Municipal Court, where she has continuously served since then. Throughout her judicial career Judge Russell has been involved in domestic violence issues on the city, county and state levels, serving at Chief Justice O’Connor’s appointment for 6 years on the Ohio Supreme Court Domestic Violence Advisory Committee. Her peers have twice elected her to serve as presiding and administrative judge, acting as the voice of the 14 judges of the Hamilton County Municipal Court. She presided over a Mental Health specialty docket until 2015, when she turned that docket over to another judge so that she could devote more time to CHANGE Court. In 2014, two Cincinnati police officers asked Judge Russell to create a program for the heroin addicted prostitutes around West McMicken St, in Cincinnati, which led Judge Russell to combine her experiences in a victim-centered career and a Mental Health Court to create CHANGE Ct. Judge Russell has been married for 32 years; she and her husband have raised two grown sons. She enjoys scoring baseball and speaking French (tho not at the same time,) travel, reading, gardening and aerobics.
America Hero Bob Doolan turned 100 in March, 2017. He will tell you he isn’t a hero, that he didn’t do anything anyone else wouldn’t do, you decide for yourself if you agree. Did Bob get his St. X ring back? Come and hear his story of war and survival. Bob’s unit went to England where they flew missions over Germany. On Bob’s last mission (8-12-1943) his plane was severely crippled and had to land in a field in Holland. Members of the crew, who were able, left the plane in groups of two or three and they scattered. The first night Bob and his companion were able to stay at a Dutch farmer’s barn. Here they were given civilian clothing that made them appear to be poor workers trying to get to a work area. Bob had one item he treasured dearly “his St. X ring”. He gave it to the farmer because it would be a dead give away that he was an American. Bob hoped to get to Spain (over 500 miles to the south) with the help of the Dutch Underground. Unfortunately, he was captured by the Germans, after which he was questioned by the Gestapo and later put in prison for several days. Finally, he was sent to a POW camp run by the Luftwaffe (German Air Force). This camp was the same one on which the movie “The Great Escape” was based.
Bob Doolan grew up in Price Hill, attended Holy Family Grade School, and graduated from St. Xavier High School. He attended the University of Cincinnati, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering. An early interest in flying led to Bob’s traveling to the West Coast where he earned a pilot’s license just before WWII. After Pearl Harbor, Bob re-entered the Army Air Corps and became a navigator of a B17 bomber. While training in Kansas, he met a girl who would become his wife for over 70 years. After being liberated by units of General Patton’s Third Army, he returned home to Cincinnati where Bob and his wife raised their family, a son and two daughters. He served 25 years as a Scoutmaster of a troop St. Antoninus Church was sponsoring. Bob has always been active. He has been a member of the Dunham Choraliers and has given various presentations for the Lifelearn Program.
Join Roger R. Geiger, Vice-President and Executive Director of Ohio National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Roger will explain to us just how important Small Business is to the livelihood of Ohio (you’ll be surprised!). As the Director of Legislative Affairs in Columbus, Roger will also discuss the many issues that are currently impacting the State of Ohio and business in Ohio. With over 300,000 members across the United States, and 1,000 members just in Hamilton County the NFIB has been an incredibly strong force in representing businesses, their attitudes and beliefs. Come and let Roger know your thoughts on many issues and how we are tackling them in the State of Ohio. The Economy, Health Care, Taxes, the Governor’s Rae. What does the political landscape look like with the Ohio Governor’s race.? We hope for a good showing of business owners to hear what is important to you and how we can make Ohio even stronger.
Vine St - Near Washington Park 1332 Vine St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Friday, October 27, 2017
Do you dare investigate the fables of Cincinnati? Join forces with Empower U and together fearlessly face the myths, legends, and superstitions of the Queen City. Ready yourself to confront these fictions….. or are they facts? You decide…..
Discover stories of grisly murders, ghastly deaths and other disturbing tales buried deep within Cincinnati’s storied past. Linger in the shadows of an abandoned cemetery teeming with paranormal activity. Walk the grounds where human remains have recently been unearthed and learn the truth about the Witch of Washington Park!
American Legacy Tours makes history entertaining, enlightening and engaging through well-researched and witty storytelling. Since their original tour “The Newport Gangster Tour” debuted in 2009, as an immediate success, they have expanded tour offerings to include specialized tours on a variety of themes. These “Historically Entertaining” walking ours are available through Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Visit www.americanlegacytours.com.
Cincinnati’s favorite car expert, Dale Donovan joins EmpowerU for an evening of relationship building with your car.
Listeners to The Car Show on 55KRC on Saturdays appreciate Dale’s wealth of knowledge for maintaining your vehicle to ensure years of dependable service. Americans are keeping vehicles longer than ever, so proper care is essential.
Get advice on what to look for when buying a used car and learn tips on choosing your mechanic and avoiding unnecessary repairs. Dale will also share those simple maintenance items every car owner can do on their own.
Dale Donovan is the second generation owner of Donovan’s Auto and Tire Centers, a family owned business started in 1958 by his father Don in Pleasant Ridge. Dale learned about business and automobiles as a teen working with his dad and oldest brother, Denny. After attending UC, Dale quickly became the driving force for growth, bringing new ideas and innovative technology into the business. Over the years, Dale has expanded Donovan’s by moving to a larger location, opening an oil change facility and recently, acquiring a second auto repair business in Blue Ash. Donovan’s also managed the rare feat of bringing the third generation of family into the business as Dale’s son, Dane and brother Denny’s son, Kyle work side-by-side with the same focus on customer service as their parents and grandfather.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Bring Balance to Your Life. Are you living a full life today? Do you feel alive and passionate about what you are doing? Do you know what you want more of in your life? In this presentation, Life Coach Jennifer Blair talks to you about life, balance and happiness— and how you can be more empowered as a person and a leader. Using an interactive life balance exercise, Jennifer defines and clarifies what a full life is, and provides perspectives, guidelines, and examples to help you think about how you are living your life, what is working, or not working, and ultimately, what matters most. By examining where people are in eight different areas of their lives, attendees will explore how to add more balance, focus and joy, as well as gain tools to better manage the stress and distractions. Jennifer offers practical ways to make empowered choices, prioritize inspired action items, get life moving forward and make lasting changes.
Jennifer’s passionate commitment to her work focuses on personal and professional life coaching, creative and entrepreneurial consulting, inspirational speaking, writing, and occasionally, teaching salsa dancing. Extensive coaching skills and personal experiences allow Jennifer to create compassion and trust with her clients to move them forward to envision and embrace their definition of success. She assists them in creating life balance, unearthing their strengths and values, overcoming fears and limiting beliefs, setting goals and integrating sustainable change not only in what they do, but in who they are becoming. Her lifelong leadership experiences, extensive coaches training through the Coaches Training Institute and public speaking are making a difference in the lives of clients, audiences and readers all over the country. As a native Texan, Jennifer graduated from Southern Methodist University and served in various communications roles for EDS, Senator Lloyd Bentsen’s office and the Louisville Bar Association. Her numerous volunteer activities have allowed her to mentor women, especially her roles as President of The Junior League of Louisville, co-chair of the Race for the Cure, Co-Director of Greater Louisville Outstanding Women (GLOW) and President of the International Coaches Federation (ICF) Ohio Valley Chapter. From 2007-2012, she wrote a monthly column focusing on in-depth life coaching issues for Underwired Magazine. A compilation of this work, The True You: Tools to Excavate, Explore & Evolve was published and released in January 2012.
Attorney Brian Shrive teaches you how to get the information from governments you need through the public information request process. You must know this important Ohio law to let the sunshine in! If you need information from your Government(s), this class will tell you how to request the information, what information they are required to give you and when are they required to give you the information. We will also touch on the important Open Meetings Act which holds elected officials accountable to a series of procedures they are required to follow whenever they meet. Find out why these two Ohio laws have been called “the Great Equalizer.” This is a foundational EmpowerU class–SIGN UP!
Brian Shrive is an attorney with the Finney Law Firm where he focuses his practice on civil litigation including public interest and civil rights litigation. Brian recently helped bring about change to the Cleveland MetroPark’s unconstitutional “First Amendment Activity” policy, and has brought suits against public bodies for violations of the Open Meetings Act. Brian has advised local elected officials, candidates, and activists on Ohio’s Public Records Act and Open Meetings Act. Brian is a former board member of COAST, the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes, having recently stepped down in order to accept an appointment to the Cincinnati Election Commission.
With the election right around the corner, please join us for an important debate between the two candidates running for Mayor of Cincinnati—Current Mayor John Cranley and challenger and current City Councilperson Yvette Simpson. At 5:45 PM join us at The Farm for the Best Fried Chicken in Cincinnati (for purchase). The debate will run from 7:00-8:30 PM and include prepared questions we have given to the candidates, with rebuttal opportunities, and live questions submitted to the candidates from you the attendees. To send debate questions to us please email them to: jill@www.empoweruohio.org. There are many many issues on the table for the City of Cincinnati including The Streetcar, current budget problems, making the city more attractive, jobs growth, the neighborhoods, the transit system, safety in the City and the hospital deal in Avondale. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the candidates and ask questions about The City of Cincinnati. To see Debate Rules Click Here.
Yvette Simpson is a Cincinnati native who graduated from Princeton High School. After graduating, she attended Miami University where she earned degrees in Political Science and Mass Communication. She received the President’s Distinguished Service Award from Miami, the highest honor given to a student. She attended law school at The University of Cincinnati and became a lawyer. Simpson was elected to council in 2011 (the second election in 2015), one of four new faces that year. She’s known as a defender of the streetcar. But as far she’s concerned, it is her work on combating human trafficking that most defines her time on council. In the primary this year in May, Simpson received a greater percentage of votes (45%) than her top competitors, Mary Cranley (35%) or Rob Richardson, Jr. (20%–not running for Mayor). She is currently the President Pro Tem of the Cincinnati City Council. *Information taken from the Cincinnati Enquirer story
Yvette Simpson
John Cranley is the current Mayor of Cincinnati. He graduated from Harvard Divinity School with a Masters Degree in Theological Studies. In 2001, Cranley was appointed to the Cincinnati City Council and has since been elected three times. In 2005 election, John was voted the top vote getter in a field of 31 candidates.When John Cranley became Finance Chairman, he inherited a city deficit of $35 Million. In addition to his work on City Council, Cranley co-founded the Ohio Innocence Project at the Rosenthal Institute for Justice at the University of Cincinnati Law School, where he served as administrative director. Cranley won the September 2013 primary election for mayor of Cincinnati, defeating Roxanne Qualls in the November 2013 mayoral election. He was sworn in as Mayor on December 1, 2013. During his tenure, Cranley has been the most outspoken and effective leader in getting more cops hired and on the street to fight crime.
White Oak Garden Center 3579 Blue Rock Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Feeling the Spirit’s getting restless? Getting ready for Goblins and Ghosts to descend upon your front porch? Bewitch these little creatures with entrancing, enthralling and enchanting pumpkins and gourds. Join Jeff Webeler and Empower U at White Oak Garden Center as we join forces in creating unique pumpkin/fall decorations! Your entire family will have a great time using available materials, pumpkins, gourds, dried leafs and twigs. Create a unique and welcoming focal point that will thrill anyone who ventures upon your doorstep or joins your table for a festive fall feast! Your will learn how to paste and stack pumpkins, use leaves for hair – the only limit is your imagination!
You can watch and make one with White Oak staff’s help or make your own later– whatever you choose! The cost will vary from materials you choose, small pumpkins and gourds to larger pumpkins ($3 to $15).
Owner, Jeff Webeler, was born and raised on Cincinnati’s west side. Graduated from Western Hills H.S. Spent 4 years out west and received B.S. degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Utah State University.
Jeff began working at White Oak Nursery in 1978 and bought the business shortly after. Still to this day, he believes doing business is about more than offering a plant or product for a price. It’s about building relationships, growing together and cultivating a community of gardens and gardeners. White Oak Gardens has a great team of plant enthusiast that love sharing their passion with others. After almost a year of demolition and construction, April of this year they open a new state of the art 12,000sq. ft. greenhouses. These glass covered, open roof structures are climate controlled provide the best place for plants…. and people. Jeff is committed to educating the community and sharing his knowledge with others. Each year White Oak offers, Seminars and “Make & Take” workshops (check their website for more info). Active in many Trade organizations and locally the Colerain Chamber of Commerce and Montfort Heights/ Weight Oak Community Association.
It’s hard to miss the headlines about the increasing frequency and severity of Cybercrime and it seems that no organization or individual is safe. In this seminar, we’ll bring you up to speed on the latest cyber security threats and what you can do to mitigate your risk, including:
Physical Security, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Email / Phishing, Malware, Updates / Patches, Social Media, Mobile Security, Website Security, Data Security / PCI, and Cloud / loT
Dave Hatter has 25 years of software development, business analysis, project management and consulting experience delivering custom software solutions for business. He has earned numerous industry certifications, and a BS in Information Systems from NKU. Dave is especially good at bridging the gap between business and technology earning nearly 60 testimonial letters from former clients. Additionally, he has written or contributed to 12 books and has written more than 100 technology related articles for various publications including the Cincinnati Business Courier, the Boston Business Journal and the Kentucky Post.
Dave is a regular contributor on WXIX (Fox19) as the station’s tech expert, and he can be heard every Friday morning at 6:30 AM on 55KRC’s “Tech Friday” Segment with host Brian Thomas.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Herbert Roberts presents systemic innovations methods for use in modeling business and technical trends that are used to forecast emerging trends to identify solutions in advanced problem solving. You will learn how to develop stronger solutions, develop a better alignment with you products and services to meet emerging needs, and lower your development cost by identifying opportunities to adapt proven solutions from outside of your industry to address your business needs.
Herbert (Herb) Roberts is a Principal Engineer for advanced material repairs at General Electric Aviation where he has worked for 18 years in a range of R&D, design, management, and strategy roles for developing next generation jet engines. As a Six Sigma Black Belt focused on innovation training, Herb severed as an Innovation Strategist and a TRIZ trainer across a range of GE businesses located in the US, Germany, India, and China. Herb currently sits on GE Aviation’s patent evaluation board and helps screen and shape GEA’s intellectual property.
Herb previously worked at Pratt and Whitney’s military product division for 11 years. He holds 20 US patents and is a registered Professional Engineering consulting on intellectual property claims.
Do you know that just touching a gun might be considered lethal force … that “stand your ground” means something different in every state … that you may be judged by a “reasonable man” standard?
Attorney and gun law expert Sean Maloney from Second Call Defense will review the basic concepts of lethal force, how they are interpreted by the legal system, and what it all means for you as a gun owner.
Sean Maloney is a defense attorney and member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers who practices in all areas of firearm-related law, including 2nd Amendment rights, criminal defense, federal and state restoration of gun rights, and federal NICS appeals. He has appeared as an expert witness in a variety of civil lawsuits related to firearms.
As a Leader of Buckeye Firearms Association, Sean has been traveling throughout Ohio, and the United States; meeting with School Boards, and assisting them in implementing F.A.S.T.E.R. A program launched by Buckeye Firearms Foundation to provide “active killer” training to teachers and administrators. Sean Maloney serves as legal counsel for Buckeye Firearms Association. Sean is also co-founder of Second Call Defense (www.SecondCallDefense.org), a national organization that provides complete legal protection for armed self-defense, with thousands of members in all 50 states.
Jim Renacci, Governor Candidate for Ohio will speak from 7:00-7:15 PM
EmpowerU is pleased to announce that candidate for Governor of Ohio Jim Renacci will start off this Tuesday’s session from 7-7:15 pm. EmpowerU is trying to bring all the Governor candidates to our sessions to allow our class attendees to meet the candidates. (This visit by candidate Renacci does not mean that EmpowerU endorses or favors Renacci’s candidacy).
Structuring a portfolio to “Win by not losing”. Confused about investing in single stocks vs globally diversified funds? The differences and pros/cons of active vs passive investing? Selling high and buying low? Joins us to learn a disciplined and unemotional re-balancing strategy and a review of “all-in” costs any investor may face. Join Rob Siegmann, partner of Total Wealth Planning, and learn about the investment philosophy he and many professional financial advisors utilize. He will talk about the Modern Portfolio approach to investing and how the approach, based on Nobel Prize winning research, structures an investment portfolio to “win by not losing” by keeping costs and risks low, while not sacrificing long term returns.
Rob will discuss investment strategy to structure a portfolio and diversify across different asset classes. He will compare the use of diversified funds to stock of a single company (or multiple companies), and pros and cons of employing active managers versus a pure index (passive) approach.
Since money is emotional, he’ll show how the Modern Portfolio approach aims to rebalance portfolios without emotion to capture profits and take advantage of lower priced, out of favor investment opportunities. Lastly, it’s often not what you earn, but what you keep, so a comprehensive and transparent review of all costs an investor may pay on their own, or when working with an advisor will be covered. There will also be time for Q&A after the presentation.
Using his innate talents for organization and understanding the value of money earned, spent and saved, Rob found his calling in the financial planning business and has enjoyed guiding clients’ financial plans over the past 20 years. He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer with Total Wealth Planning, and constantly strives for operational excellence in all areas of the business. He earned his undergraduate degree from Xavier University in Finance, then promptly earned his MBA from Xavier as well. He is a series 65 licensed Investment Advisor and Fiduciary and member of the fee-only professional advisor community of NAPFA.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Have you ever wondered why colleagues who are not top performers get promoted ahead of those who are? Are you a top performer who has been passed over for promotion and want to know why? This course will discuss the hidden factors beyond excellent job performance that really matter to managers when it is time to decide who is ready for promotion.
Ed Burghard is the founder and CEO of The Burghard Group LLC, a company focused on educating elected officials and economic development professionals about the American Dream. Prior to this role, Ed had a successful 33-year career at Procter & Gamble in brand management. He was considered one of the company’s top Marketing Directors and in 1999 was 1 of the first 3 globally awarded the title of Harley Procter Marketer by the CEO.
Take this opportunity to get the facts about the issues you will be deciding on in November – Be An Informed Voter!
Most of us are confused from all the conflicting advertising we have seen on these issues. Empower U will be hosting a presentation to help get through the maze. We will have experts explain their reasons for supporting or opposing. We have assembled a very distinguished panel who are well informed and will share their knowledge with us.
Issue 1 – Victim Rights Initiative also known as Marsy’s Law – A law to enhance victims’ rights:
Marsy’s Law for Ohio amends Ohio’s state constitution to grant victims of crime equal rights to those of the accused. The amendment updates the 1994 victims rights constitutional amendment by giving crime victims the ability to enforce their rights in a court of law if they feel have been infringed upon during the criminal justice process.
Pro – Chris Albanese of “Vote Yes on Marsy’s Law” will explain why this law is necessary as victims have shared how their needs have not been met by the current laws.
Con – Barry W. Wilford of Kura, Wilford & Schregardus Co, LPA will take the opposing view on this and explain the reasons.
Is this law a good thing at the expense of victims of serious crimes? Does it favor the victim and not allow an even playing field for the defendant?
Issue 2 – Drug Price Ballot Issue:
Issue 2 would require that the state, including the Ohio Department of Medicaid, pay the same or lower prices for prescription drugs as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — which currently negotiates drug prices 20 to 24 percent less than other agencies.
A “yes” vote supports this measure to require state agencies and programs to purchase prescription drugs at prices no higher than what the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays for them.
Pro – David P. Little, Public Affairs Consultant and active in Media Relations, Speechwriting, Research, Management and Strategic Communications will explain how this initiative will save taxpayers about $400 million a year if the state pays VA prices.
a “no” vote opposes this measure to require state agencies and programs to purchase prescription drugs at prices no higher than what the VA pays for them.
Con – Greg Lawson, Research Fellow the Buckeye Institute, will explain how this initiative will actually raise drug prices for the majority of Ohioans.
When their first child was kidnapped from their home in 1932 and found murdered in the woods, Charles and Ann Lindbergh were the most famous couple in America, and the case would become the most publicized crime of the 20th century. Eventually suspect Bruno Richard Hauptmann was convicted and executed for killing “Baby Charlie”. But this delayed justice did nothing to halt the questions and controversies that still surround the case and confound armchair detectives 80 years later.
Join Queen City Gothic author JT Townsend as he takes a fresh look at the Lindbergh Kidnapping. As one of the rare writers to actually tour the Lindbergh house in Hopewell NJ, he combines contemporary photographs of the crime scene with archival images from 1932 to create a unique perspective on this notorious crime. And by interweaving forensic analysis and psychological profiling, Townsend laces the evidence into a shockingly rational theory that will forever close the book on the death of the Lindbergh baby.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Learn How Lean Six Sigma Can Drive productivity, efficiency and profitability at every level of your organization!
This overview class brings exposure to principles, terms and applications of Lean & Six Sigma, discussing the concepts and methodologies of Lean Six Sigma as well as some of the more common tools and applications.
You will learn what Lean Six Sigma is, how it was developed, and the tools it uses to streamline and improve both manufacturing and service organizations. Learn how Lean Six Sigma fits into an organization’s quality programs, how customers are retained, and how costs are driven down using Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
Tasos Georgopoulos, MBA, CSSBB has over 25 years of professional business experience working with organizations in the food, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and medical device industries. He has held management positions in corporate finance, global brand management and product platform development for Fortune 500 companies as well as privately held organizations, including Gibson Greetings, H.J. Heinz, Ossur, Maple Leaf Farms and AdvancePierre Foods. Tasos has over 15 years of consulting experience having worked with over 16 client companies improving effectiveness and profitability.
Historic Train Tracks At Glendale Square 30 Village Square Glendale, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Join us for a what promises to be a unique experience. You will think you are with the General Himself !
Curt Fields – a living historian will transport us back in time with his uncanny ability to the audience feel they are with the General himself. He’s the spitting image of U.S. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, In his cavalry-style slouch hat, blue wool sack coat, mud-splattered boots, dark beard and ever-present cigar, he’ll make a believer out of anyone. “I’m not a re-enactor. I don’t appear in combat at staged skirmishes,” he said. “I’m what’s known as a living historian. I talk to folks in first person.” To channel Grant’s philosophies, manner of speech and life experiences ,he pores over Grant’s memoirs and consults secondary source material left by those who personally knew the general, who also became the 18th president of the U.S.
Fields’ life-long interest in the American Civil War and his admiration for General Ulysses S. Grant is the background for his dramatic portrayal of the famous general to groups all over the United States as well as foreign audiences. Fields is the same height and build as General Grant and his presentation is given in the first person, quoting from Grant’s memoirs and letters.
We will meet at the Historic Train Tracks in Glendale to start the program and then walk about 1/2 block to the H.W.B. Scout House where the rest of the program will take place. The H.W.B. Scout House is located west of Bob Ronker’s Running Spot at 267 E. Sharon Road, 45246 and right next to the small Glendale chapel.
Whether you are 25, 55 or 75, this session is for you. Longtime public affairs specialist Sue Denny will provide an overview of Social Security programs and benefits. When most people think about Social Security, they think about retirement. In reality, Social Security is with you through life’s journey, securing today and tomorrow. Sue will briefly discuss Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance (RSDI), Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and then will open it up to questions from members of the audience. This is your opportunity to find out what you need and want to know about Social Security.
Sue Denny has been the public affairs specialist at the Social Security Administration in Cincinnati since 2001. Every year she gives hundreds of speeches, presentations and training sessions about Social Security’s programs and benefits to a wide variety of audiences. She also staffs booths at conferences and community events. Sue serves as the Social Security liaison for professionals and media in the Cincinnati area and is a regular guest on WKRC’s Simply Money, a popular drive-time radio program, and WMKV’s Medicare Moment. Her passion is public affairs.
Sue is a recipient of the Regional Communicator Award and a Deputy Commissioner’s Citation. She previously completed a six-month assignment in the Office of Electronic Services at SSA’s headquarters in Baltimore.
Learn just how true “A Dog is a Man’s Best Friend” is!!!
Meet these amazing Canine Companions and learn firsthand how they enrich and bring love into the lives of children, adults and veterans with a disability. Do not miss this very special Empower U!
Canine Companions for Independence is a national nonprofit with six regional training centers across the country. The North Central Region is located in Central Ohio and supports 14 states. Canine Companions provides highly trained assistance dogs to children, adults and veterans who have a disability. The dogs, their training and all follow up services are provided free of charge to each recipient. The value of each human and assistance dog team is $50,000 based from the birth of the dog through the retirement of the human and assistance dog team. The dogs complete task based commands, such as picking up dropped items or opening and closing doors to increase the independence for the recipient. To learn more about Canine Companions please visit www.cci.org
DogFest Walk ‘n Roll is the national signature event for Canine Companions. It is a family friendly event that includes a walk and activities to engage all ages and pet dogs too! DogFest Cincinnati will take place Sunday, October 8 at the Voice America Park from 1 pm – 4 pm. To learn more about DogFest Cincinnati please visit www.cci.org/dogfestcincinnati
As a Registered Advocate with Senior Standing, Cynthia has over 29 years of experience working in the field of victim advocacy, child abuse/neglect and crisis response. She served as the Program Coordinator and Forensic Interviewer of Michael’s House Child Advocacy Center, in Greene County, for 6 years and introduced the first facility dog in Ohio, working within the criminal justice system, during her tenure there.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Building Blocks for Liberty present their 33rd Constitution Boot Camp at the EmpowerU studio with lunch provided by American’s for Prosperity.
The Boot Camp is a six-hour workshop, with a break for lunch, which outlines the key concepts and ideas of the Constitution in simple, easy to understand terms. It is appropriate for teenage students and older.
Topic to be covered include:
How did the Founders view government?
What are Natural Law and Natural Rights?
What is the difference between a Republic and a Democracy?
How do you use the Federalist Papers to understand the U.S. Constitution?
What is Nullification?
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Boot Camp participants receive a binder with the presentation, 2 handbooks, The Federalist Papers and The Handbook For We the People, plus a pocket copy of the U.S. Constitution.
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This Constitution Boot Camps equip people with the tools and resources necessary to enable them to be confident in their abilities to understand and apply the U.S. Constitution to all facets of government.
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Who should attend our Boot Camp? Senior Citizens, Home School Students, Teachers, Law Enforcement Officials, Government Officials and anyone who just wants a refresher on the Constitution!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
The event is will be held outside, behind the Frame USA building, or in the studio if needed
Keynote speaker for the evening is Attorney General Mike DeWine
Dinner is from 6:00-7:00 PM –The Event is from 7:00-8:00 PM
Thomas, Monzel, Smitherman
The “Rat Pack” to Attend Closing Event
Brian Thomas
Chris Monzel
Christopher Smitherman
Bring your lawn chair and experience the meaning of our motto, “Educate, Enjoy, Engage.” 55KRC radio personality Brian Thomas will serve as master of ceremonies and gang leader of the “Rat Pack” including Christopher Smitherman and Chris Monzel. Christopher will be discussing the City and Commissioner Chris Monzel will discuss the County. On this very special evening we will celebrate the end of EmpowerU’s 13th semester. Empowered Citizen awards will be handed out. Will you receive one?
EmpowerU will be grilling the burgers and hot dogs as well as providing water and soft drinks. Attendees are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share at the potluck table. Adult attendees are welcome to BYOB.
There is no charge for this event, but your donation is gratefully accepted. We look forward to seeing all our friends at this great annual event.
Join EmpowerU as we enter through a quaint covered bridge to enjoy an evening in the beautiful old historical Anderson Township Homestead.
Relax in the splendor of nature brimming with buds and blooms!
Jennifer Radcliffe, of Greenfield Plant Farm, explains how you can “branch out” by introducing the principles of container design, color strategies and the use of perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs and trees, as well as annuals.
Jennifer will have some hands on as part of her presentation and products available for you to take home so you can get started on you own uncontained gardening venture!
Price Hill Chili 4920 Glenway Ave Cincinnati, Ohio 45238
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Fasten your seat belts and join Empower U as we take a ride down the path of Hamilton county’s transportation future!
Will we fall off the Western Hills Viaduct or will it be saved? This and many other questions concerning the state of our roads, infrastructure and Southern Ohio Regional Agency (SORTA) will be discussed. This is your chance to hear plans first hand and to ask pertinent questions!
Hamilton County is trying to attract new jobs to our region. What role does public transportation play in this? Metro is viewed through many different lenses. Some see it as a social service providing transportation to help people out of poverty and others see it as a means to attract millennials who prefer public transportation to private car ownership.
Will Hamilton County be able to provide transportation from urban job centers, Sharonville, West Chester and others where middle-income jobs and services are located?
Todd Portune will share his vision on this and many other issues confronting our county!
Empower U is pleased to have attorney Matthew Byrne join us to expound on the life and influence of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
Justice Scalia served on the United States Supreme Court from 1986 until his sudden death in 2016. He is perhaps best known for his stirring dissenting opinions, which he wrote in order to influence generations of law students. But Justice Scalia was more than just a frequent dissenter: he was the intellectual leader of the legal movements in favor of originalism and textualism in constitutional and statutory interpretation.
Those on the right and left agree that Justice Scalia was one of the most important legal minds of the last hundred years. When she was still dean of Harvard Law School, Justice Elena Kagan stated that “[Justice Scalia’s] views on textualism and originalism, his views on the role of judges in our society, on the practice of judging, have really transformed the terms of legal debate in this country. He is the justice who has had the most important impact over the years on how we think and talk about law.”
In discussing Justice Scalia’s work, liberal political philosopher Ronald Dworkin-perhaps overstating things a bit-stated that “We are all originalists now.”
In the end, though, Justice Scalia was also more than his work: he was a devoted husband and father, a man of character and deep religious faith, and a man with a deep capacity for friendship.
Mr. Byrne will discuss Justice Scalia’s work and some of the major threads of his legal thought, as well as why Justice Scalia has been so influential. He will also use the discussion of Justice Scalia’s work to highlight some of the issues that likely will be discussed in the confirmation hearings for President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Neil Gorsuch.
After having educated Empower U on how to live longer, and how to Reduce Stress- we now look at the scourge of modern life- Obesity. From larger portions, to larger clothing, larger seats and skyrocketing diabetes; we all see the evidence of the fattening of America is wherever we look. Now, what we can do about it!
Dr. Jay Rissover will explore the different methods currently available for weight control. Some recent and some older fads for weight loss can be quite humorous, as you will discover.
Join us for all the facts- and even some fun- with weight.
Dr. Jay Rissover
Social Media in the Workplace
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
We are sorry, but this class has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Wright State Professor of Law, Thaddeus Hoffmeister, discusses one of the most important Business Topics – Social Media in the Workplace. Topics to be discussed include:
Social Media Policies
Using Social Media to Hire/Fire
Requesting Passwords
Ownership of Social Media Content
Restricting Employee use of Social Media
Be careful – don’t let Social Media get away from you and your staff.
Join EmpowerU Business for this important session.
There is a $10 Fee for EmpowerU Business Classes
The Cincinnati Enquirer - Bias in the Media
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Last semester, EmpowerU discussed Bias in the Media in detail and it was one of the most popular, watched classes ever.
EmpowerU’s MediaAccountabilityProject.com, was an effort to look at whether Bias in the Media existed at the Cincinnati Enquirer for two weeks up to the Presidential Election in 2016. The results of EmpowerU’s research have been much discussed and reviewed.
Now it is time for the Cincinnati Enquirer to give us their thoughts about Bias. Does it exist? Does it exist at the Enquirer? Was the Media Accountability Project accurate or just a one-sided look at facts?
Join Pulitzer Prize-winning editor Peter Bhatia, who will discuss one of the most important topics on people’s minds….and one that is sure to continue to be important for many years to come.
As a prelude to Mr. Bhatia, Brian Shrive, an attorney, will tell us about transparency and the important legal settlement of the City of Milford and their closed-door meetings. EmpowerU has always been concerned about Ohio’s Sunshine Laws and we feel this case is of the utmost importance to the public.
Brian Shrive, Attorney
Peter Bhatia, the newly named Editor and Vice President of Audience Engagement at Enquirer Media, poses in the Enquirer Studio in Downtown Cincinnati, on Thursday, July 23, 2015.
Networking 101
Mount St. Joseph University, The Recital Hall (easy parking in the West Lot) 5701 Delhi Pike Cincinnati, Ohio 45233
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
This class has been cancelled due to a problem with the Venue. We hope to reschedule at another time.
Most think networking is the casual conversations we have at social or professional gatherings. True networking is much more than this and crucial to building your career network and business.
Networking is working. When you are networking your goals should include teaching people who you are, what you do and what kind of opportunities to send your way. It is building relationships on the foundation of trust and involves give and take with others in your network.
In this class, we will discuss the need and planning that must be done to effectively network to achieve your goals and build your professional identity. Strategies and tips for maximizing your networking time will be shared.
The class will include a panel conversation and sharing by those who know and use networking to accomplish their business goals. The group will include a member of the MSJ Career Center, the Founder of H7, the fastest growing business networking group in the U.S. and Joe Saylor, an area insurance agency owner who has built his agency on the power of networking to locate quality clients. The time will also include question and answer time with the class attendees.
6:30 – 7:00 Social meet and networking opportunity.
Invasion of the Resource Snatchers: Invasive Plants & Animals of the Cincinnati Region
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Join us to learn what invasive species are and how they are one of the leading threats to biodiversity, imposing enormous costs to agriculture, forestry, fisheries and human health.
Biological invasions are going on all around us. Our forests, waterways, parks, and even backyards are being invaded by plants and animals from around the world.
In the U.S., invasive species cause billions of dollars in damage each year, and threaten native plants and animals.
The Cincinnati Museum Center’s Zoology staff will discuss the species that are out of place and out of control in our region. How did these species get here? What makes a species invasive? You will learn how invasive species arrive in new locations and spread rapidly, and what effects they have on our native ecosystems.
The class will include case studies of common local invaders as well as significant biological invasions worldwide. We’ll also talk about invasive species that are likely to appear in our area in the future.
Photos and specimens will be shown to help you identify invasive species in the wild and in your own backyard.
Information will be provided about organizations that work on invasive species eradication, and how you can take can action yourself in your own backyard and community.
Heather Farrington
Emily Imhoff
Open Mic Night at EmpowerU Studio
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, April 13, 2017
This Class Has been Cancelled! We did not receive enough band submissions to allow us to have the competition we were hoping for. We love this idea and will keep trying. Sorry!
Calling Cincinnati Musicians! EmpowerU will present its first ever Open Mic night on Friday, April 13, 2018. Come and hear from some of Cincinnati’s top local musicians for what is sure to be a fun night as we choose 10 great musicians to play 2 songs each. We’ll make sure to have some great Cincinnati Craft Beer on hand to double the pleasure—making it a GREAT Cincinnati event. At stakes for the winner is a $100 prize with the 2nd place musician receiving $50
To be considered for our initial Open Mic Night challenge artists must submit an audition video of your performance—preferably on YouTube (other arrangements can be worked out via a dropbox). We prefer at least one of the two songs be an original composition from the musician. (If you don’t have any original songs please still apply). An AMP-PA System and Microphone will be provided for musicians to plug into. Email us your audition video to info@www.empoweruohio.org by April 9. You will be notified of your acceptance into the Open Mic night by April 11.
We look forward to a great night of live music and fun. You are welcome to BYOB and drinks and some snacks will be available at the venue. Seating for this event is limited to 120 people so make sure to sign up for this FREE event early.
Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Using scientific training in zoology and biological anthropology he has gathered clues associated with Sasquatch, a creature which has intrigued people for centuries.
Dr. Jeff Meldrum will share an informative and thought-provoking presentation which will intrigue all audiences with the evidence of relict hominoids globally. He will join us via the power of video conferencing.
“Dr. Jeff Meldrum investigates the mystery of Sasquatch through the lens of his scientific training in zoology and biological anthropology. This background gives him unique insight when interpreting the various clues, and hoaxes, associated with Sasquatch, a creature that has faced people for centuries. Dr. Meldrum’s presentation is intriguing, and at its conclusion you will certainly find yourself in a much better position to understand the controversy associated with this piece of Americana.”, Robert Schmidt, Utah State University.
Dr. Jeff Meldrum
Harnessing Ohio Energy
The Farm 239 Anderson Ferry Rd Cincinnati, Ohio 45238
Monday, April 10, 2017
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN DATE
****Join us for dinner starting at 5:45****
This evening promises great food, fellowship and an opportunity to hear from our own “home grown great orator” Representative Bill Seitz. In 2016, Columbus Monthly Magazine ranked Bill #1 out of 132 legislators as Ohio’s best speech maker, most knowledgeable, and savviest lawmaker.
Representative Seitz, who has championed fiscal responsibility and government efficiency, will share his views on how Ohio energy policy will be crafted and will impact our business and homes.
As the state legislature prepares to review the 2008 law that created current “renewable portfolio” mandates, Seitz, who compared the mandates to Stalinism, will have a seat at the head of the table this year when debate around the future of Ohio electric policy flares up.
Mr. Seitz chairs the House Public Utilities Committee and the Speaker’s Energy Task Force, having previously served as Senate Public Utilities Committee Chair and as a member of the Joint Legislative Energy Mandates Study Committee. His interest in these complex issues is simple: “Well, I care about utility rates.” “The folks in northwest Ohio, who have a couple operational wind farms say, ‘Look at the benefit it’s bringing to our counties.’ I say, yeah, it’s all being paid and subsidized by people in my neck of the woods getting no benefit.” Meanwhile, the “Clean Power Plan” promulgated by the Obama USEPA threatens to cause Ohio electricity prices to jump by 39% by 2030 unless the courts or President Trump and Congress step in to dismantle these looming federal mandates.
Mr. Seitz is also a proponent of U.S. shale production. “Why not use resources we have in abundance in the state,” Seitz said, “instead of trying to fit a round peg in a square hole to more extensively rely on wind power, when all data suggests it’s not practical?”
This year promises to give Seitz’s committee plenty of important work, including electric utilities’ push to re-regulate the state’s power market.
Also, take advantage of the chance to ask Representative Seitz questions about other pressing issues in Ohio. His position as House Majority Caucus Policy Chair affords him a comprehensive view of all that is occurring before the General Assembly.
Bill Seitz
Ten Leadership Strategies to Overcome the Education Opportunity Gap
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, April 6, 2017
We are sorry, but this class has been postponed to the Fall Semester!
Hear from Dr. Thomas Tucker, Superintendent of Princeton City Schools who was named the National Superintendent of the Yearby the American Association of School Administrators in 2016.
Dr. Tucker will discuss in great detail his partnerships with the PrincetonBoard of Education, staff, and business community to provide opportunities to close the achievement gap for students.
He strongly believes in order close the achievement gap you must close the opportunity gap.
You will be Empowered to hear Dr. Thomas Tucker speak and to learn the leadership strategies we need to overcome the education opportunity gap!
Soaring Dreams into a High Flying Business
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
We are sorry, but this class has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Butler County entrepreneur and Drone Camp CEO, Matt King invites dreamers of all ages to join the adventure as he describes the transformation of an idea into a viable business that ignites the imagination while embracing hands-on learning, innovation and adventure.
Matt will share his story of launching a business venture, offering lessons learned and tips for entrepreneurs growing and marketing a business startup. This presentation will also feature a drone flight and opportunity for EmpowerU business attendees to hear about the activities young aviators will enjoy this year.
Please visit this link to learn more about Drone Camp.
There is a $10 Fee for EmpowerU Business Classes
Matt King
Bad Things that Led to Good in the Life of George Washington
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Many things did not go well for our first president in his early life. Yet surprisingly, losses, disappointments, and tragedies positioned Washington and gave him skills he would need to lead later on as general and president.
If any of these very negative events had not happened, he would not have been the George Washington we know, who was in the right place, at the right time, with the right skills needed to play his part in history.
This talk covers his life up to the point his public life began as he became Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in 1775.
Everyone will be interested – it’s not just for history buffs!
Join us in welcoming Millie Henley as she shares the interesting twists of fate of the Life of George Washington.
Legacy of Courage – the Story of Honor Flight
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Join us to learn how the veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam shaped our country and how the Honor Flight honors them.
Our veterans are a national treasure, an American legacy of history and wisdom. Discover why Honor Flight takes them to see their memorials in Washington D. C., on an all-expense paid trip.
Our gift from a grateful nation. Look down the long hallway of history and learn how to put their service into perspective.
Honor Flight veterans have inspired the writing of two books by local authors Cheryl Popp and Peter Bronson, hear their stories of heroism in a way you never could before.
Cheryl Popp
Peter Bronson
Can We Get the Bureaucrats Out of Our Doctor’s Office?
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Join us at 6:30 for our 2nd Annual FREE Throw Shooting Contest for March Madness. You’ll get to shoot 10 Free throws and you have to play to win!
Grace-Marie Turner is one of the most knowledgeable and sought after speakers on the topic of healthcare. She will join us March 28 via the power of video conferencing to offer a detailed update on the fight to get federal bureaucrats out of our doctors’ offices. Grace-Marie will discuss where we’ve been and the direction she believes we need to head.
Where does the repeal effort stand now? What should healthcare in America look like as we move forward? How can we move back toward the power of free markets and innovation that has served America so well? How can we each be part of this vital discussion and make sure our elected leaders get it right this time? Join EmpowerU for a unique opportunity to hear from Grace-Marie Turner, who will answer these and other questions.
Grace-Marie will discuss what a revitalized world class healthcare system should look like, address difficult issues including how to help people in financial need and those with preexisting medical conditions, and reserve time to answer our questions.
Grace-Marie Turner
Tri-State Trails:Connecting Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio
Symmes Township Branch-Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County 11850 Enyart Rd Loveland, Ohio 45140
Learn how Cincinnati Connects with people through walking/hiking trails and bike lanes. Hear how you can enjoy our Tri-state local trails which makes our region a great place to live, work and play!
Join us as Empower U and Wade Johnston team up to help you discover the opportunities and positive effects as Cincinnati Connects through Tri-State Trails. Not only is it fun but will create healthier people and a better environment!
Discover the many trails that connect Cincinnati, where they begin and where they meet. There are also new proposed trails that will further enhance this ever growing network.
Share in the vision of trail advocates and their plans to connect our region through a physical network of trails.
Spring is on the way and this could make for a great family outing!
Wade Johnston
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Based on the book “Crucial Conversations-Tools for Talking when Stakes are High” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler. Jane Steinmetz will share with us theseven basic principles of successful dialogue. Participants will learn the tools to make it safe for all those involved in a conversation to add their thoughts, ideas, and opinions, and to explore all sides of an issue without retreating into awkward silence or embarrassing violence.
There is a $10 Fee for EmpowerU Business Classes
Jane Steinmetz
Brewing Up A Dream–Handcrafting a Tenacious Culture
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Join Lindsey Roeper, Dream Facilitator at Rivertown Brewery & Barrel House, as we touch, taste, feel and learn about all the ingredients that go into making beer.
In addition to the physical ingredients, like malt, hops, water & yeast, we will also learn about the more intangible ingredients that go into making beer, tasting beer, varieties of beer and building a business from the ground up.
Included at the end of the presentation will be a tasting of 3 craft Rivertown beers (bring your ID’s).
Discover the art and appreciation of Craft Beer
Lindsey Roeper
Save Lives Faster
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Active Killer events are not a new phenomenon, but too often we are training to deal with the last event, not the next event. This discussion will cover past active killer events which did (or should have) changed how law enforcement and society responds.
Be Prepared – Knowledge is the best protection!
Businesses, Churches and families can prepare themselves should they experience a violent attack. Joe Eaton, Program Director of FASTER will share the knowledge he has gleaned from, studying past active killer events.
Be Prepared — Save Lives FASTER
Joe Eaton
Why is Cincinnati a Sanctuary City
Midway Elementary School 3156 Glenmore Ave Cincinnati, Ohio 45211
Mayor John Cranley recently made it his initiative to make the City of Cincinnati a Sanctuary City.
When you heard this news recently, maybe you turned your head and asked why?
Why is Cincinnati a Sanctuary City? What is a Sanctuary City? How does a Sanctuary City interact with the Federal Government? What are the ramifications of immigration on a Sanctuary City? How is the Federal Budget involved? Are Sanctuary Cities less safe that other cities?
At every level of Government, the issue of Sanctuary Cities is one of the most important debates going on. Join Vice Mayor of Cincinnati, David Mann, as he explains the City’s decision to become a Sanctuary City. Will other neighboring cities be close behind? Is this the right decision for the people of Cincinnati and Hamilton County? Get your questions answered at this important EmpowerU session.
Overcoming Addiction and Re-Entry into Society
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Brandon Swinehart will share his experience with heroin addiction, life on the streets, recovery and his re-entry into society.
The first half of the class will focus on the progression of the disease of addiction and how a young man from a good home in Cincinnati ended up on the streets of San Francisco a homeless heroin addict.
The second part of the class will be Brandon’s journey into recovery and gradual re-entry into society. He will discuss the fears, stigmas and barriers (real and perceived) he faced along his journey putting his life back together.
Twelve years later, Brandon Swinehart is a loving husband and father, a helpful son, a great sales rep, business owner and very strong believer in 2nd chances!
Brandon Swinehart
Seizing the Moment: Implementing the Policy Solutions Ohio Needs in an Age of Fierce Competition
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Join Empower U and Greg R. Lawson from the Buckeye Institute who will enlighten us on policy issues including local Right to Work. In 2014, Greg wrote an editorial, Ohioans have earned the right to work. He gives a compelling argument for joining states like Michigan and Kentucky in passing Right-to-Work.
Has Ohio Earned the Right to Work?
Greg will explain policy priorities that shape Ohio’s economic and regulatory environment and will make our state attractive to businesses and jobs that secure a brighter future for all Ohioans. This year, Ohio has an opportunity to make great strides enacting legislation that will help us compete with neighboring states.
Greg will discuss recent policy “wins” as well as the reforms currently moving through Ohio’s legislature, including the massive state budget. Jobs, education, energy policy and business regulation are among several areas ripe for reform.
We may never know all the companies that exclude Ohio from consideration for a new location since forced unionization can keep the Buckeye state off the locations list entirely.
Greg R. Lawson
Sales & Performance Improvement for Your Business
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Mark Faust is the author of Growth or Bust: Proven Turnaround Strategies to Grow Your Business.
In his book he offers several strategies for how companies can grow their business, including Offer Options and Go Big, Begin a Continuous Innovation Process, Consistently Conduct Depth Interviews, and Prioritize and Manage the “three Target 20’s”
Join Empower U and Mark Faust for an in-depth discuss Sales & Performance Improvements.
There is a $10 Fee for EmpowerU Business Classes
Mark Faust
Growing Up Under the Swastika
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Sonja Stratman shares her captivating story of growing up under Hitler’s regime.
During his reign many German cities were destroyed, and the country was worse off than before Hitler came to power. At age 10 she and her classmates joined the Hitler youth not understanding the meaning of their participation.
As the war continued and her family’s safety was threatened, her father was forced to reveal the true nature of Hitler, changing Sonja’s world forever. For the next several years, the Bochmann family struggled for survival in a war-torn, devastated city.
Sonja Stratman
Half A Million People Experienced the Single Most Defining Moment of Their Generation!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Friday, November 22, 2024
We have decided to cancel our planned Woodstock event for August 17, 2019. When our plans didn’t materialize for the exact event we wanted to offer we noticed that another group was putting on a concert on the same day that we were planning that captures the Woodstock spirit. The details of the event are below. We hope you will consider attending this event and if you do –HAVE FUN! Also, if you are desperate to see the movie we’ll make sure our copy of the movie is in the EmpowerU library. You can feel free to drop by and borrow it if you want.
Regards, and have a fun summer! And we look forward to seeing you at EmpowerU in the Fall Semester.
EmpowerUOhio.org
1969 was a year unlike any other. Man first set foot on the moon. The New York Mets won the World Series against all odds. And for three days in the rural town of Bethel, New York, half a million people experienced the single most defining moment of their generation; a concert unprecedented in scope and influence, a coming together of people from all walks of life with a single common goal: Peace and music. They called it Woodstock.
The three-day Woodstock music festival in 1969 was the pivotal event of the 1960s peace movement, and this landmark concert film is the definitive record of that milestone of rock & roll history. It’s more than a chronicle of the hippie movement, however; this is a film of genuine historical and social importance, capturing the spirit of America in transition, when the Vietnam War was at its peak and antiwar protest was fully expressed through the liberating music of the time. With a brilliant crew at his disposal (including a young editor named Martin Scorsese), director Michael Wadleigh worked with over 300 hours of footage to create his original masterpiece released in 1970. Then, of course, there is the music–a nonstop parade of rock & roll from the greatest performers of the period, including Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Canned Heat, The Who, Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Ten Years After, Sly & The Family Stone, Santana, and many more.
Come and watch the movie that defined Rock and roll in the 60’s and 70’s on the exact 50thAnniversary of the event. If you haven’t seen it for a few years be prepared to join friends for one of the best experiences in Rock and Roll for this landmark Oscar®-winning documentary which captures the essence of the music, the electricity of the performances, and the experience of those who lived it.
Feel free to bring your adult beverages and snacks to this FREE event. (The movie will be edited to last about 2 hours). Please note: this class is evolving and there may be additional speakers and parts to this class added. Check back on www.empoweruohio.org
“Watching this ambitious film, as the saying goes, is the next best thing to being there–it’s a time-travel journey to that once-in-a-lifetime event.” —Jeff Shannon
Special Class January 16, 2017
Martin Luther King–“I Have A Dream” –54 Years Later
Fifty-Four years after the delivery of one of the most important speeches in American History, EmpowerU will examine and celebrate Martin Luther King’s I have a Dream Speech. This important speech delivered by civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom happened on August 28, 1963 in which King calls for an end to racism in the United States and calls for civil and economic rights. We encourage attendees to bring their children for the chance to see and learn from this important event.
The Speech will be shown in its entirety at EmpowerU studio (18 minutes) and then important community leaders will discuss the impact the speech has had on them and what messages and lessons we can take from this speech and King’s teachings. We will also encourage members of the audience to take the floor and give their thoughts and reflections on King—time permitting.
Partial List of Guest Speakers Attending
Warren Davidson—is a member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio’s 8th congressional district and a rising young star of the Republican Party. He is the congressman who replaced John Boehner when Boehner retired from the House. Davidson, who was sworn in on January 4, is a member of the important Financial Services Committee.
Ron Maag—Ron has been a member of the Ohio House of Representatives since 2008, representing the 62nd district of Ohio since 2013. Maag serves on key committees at the State House of Energy, Finance, Health and State Government.
Thaddeus Hoffmeister—a Wyoming, Ohio resident and Democrat, he is a professor of law at the University of Dayton, where he teaches courses related to criminal law, technology and the jury. He also directs the UDSL Criminal Law Clinic where his students represent indigent clients charged with criminal offenses. Jeff Pastor—Lives in Cincinnati Ohio and works at King Academy Community School. Jeff has studied finance at Wright State University and is a Republican Candidate for Cincinnati City Council.
Reservations are required for all courses. Reserve your spot now by clicking on the REGISTER button below each class description. Act now, before your class fills up!
EmpowerU Studio 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
Join us for a behind the scenes look at the amazing success of FC Cincinnati – our new professional sports team!
The President and General Manager of our new soccer franchise, Jeff Berding, will lead us through why he believed FC Cincinnati would be successful and what it took to make it a reality.
Young People – Please make it your GOAL to bring your parents to this exceptional, entertaining and informative class!
EmpowerU Studio 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Thursday, September 22, 2016 7:00 -9:00 p.m.
One of EmpowerU’s most popular classes. Courage Coaches Debbie and Mike Gardner are motivation speakers/authors who teach LOVE-based crime survival skills, drawing upon their personal mistakes and successes during their law enforcement careers. Their absolutely new approach to the timely subject of self-defense dares to emphasize “LESS is more, when less is RIGHT!” The Gardner’s instill Courage, Rights and a proven effective “ONE Word Safety Plan” you’ll easily understand.
In this class learn how to: 1) Control your Fear, 2) Prevent crime set-ups, 3) Understand when you have a legal right to fight back and 4) Learn Your Best Chance to survive. This is a class for your entire family!
We are requiring a $10 contribution to this session to defer expenses of the speakers travelling from Texas. You may pay this fee online when registering or you can pay at the door. If you don’t pay the fee online when registering we will only be able to hold your reservation until 6:40 PM at which point we will turn your reservation over to another person attending
EmpowerU Studio 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
Join Empower U to learn what Hamilton County Job & Family services are doing for our at risk children and how ProKids can enable you to positively impact a child’s life!
Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services Director Moira Weir joins ProKids Executive Director, Tracy Cook, Esq., Tax Levy Review Committee member (and Levy Opinion Writer) Dan Unger and Hamilton County Commissioner Chris Monzel for a discussion of the Services provided for our County’s children at risk.
Hamilton County JFS directs federal, state and county resources that provide for the safety and well-being of abused and neglected children. Foster care, child support enforcement and child protection along with temporary financial assistance are the tools employed to enhance young lives today and offer hope for a better quality of life tomorrow.
EmpowerU Studio 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Thursday, September 29, 2016 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
*Also: An appearance for 10 minutes by Gary Lee, Candidate for Hamilton County Sherriff see note below at the beginning of the presentation.*
A very Timely and vital subject as Libertarian Candidate Presidential Candidate, Gary Johnson, cleared a major hurdle to get on the ballot in Ohio. Will you know enough about the Libertarian platform to make an informed choice?
What is a Libertarian?
What are the Differences between Libertarian’s and the other political parties?
Are their local candidates that are running as Libertarians?
Join Bill Moore, an EmpowerU Board Member who has been a Libertarian for over 40 years and has written on Socio-political theory and libertarianism. Do not go into the voting booth uninformed!
*Gary Lee--is a candidate for Sheriff for Hamilton County. As Police Captain, Gary served as commander of the Special Services Section, the Inspections Section and was the first Commander of the Information Fusion Section, which focused on Homeland Security and Real Time Crime technology. In 2011, while assigned to the Community Policing Section, Gary received a commendation for his leadership on the Department’s successful 6.8 million dollar COPS grant acquisition, which saved 25 police officer jobs from imminent lay-off. Gary’s most recent command assignment was as District One commander.
*Note: EmpowerU does not support any single candidate. We invited Sheriff Jim Neal and Candidate for Sheriff Gary Lee to debate on October 10, 2016. This invitation was sent over 4 months ago. Sheriff Neal has decided not to debate his candidacy.
With the election right around the corner join us for an important debate between the four candidates running for Hamilton County Commissioner.
At 5:45 PM Join us for the Best Fried Chicken in Cincinnati (for purchase)
6:30-7:25 PM Commissioner Todd Portune(D) will debate challenger Andrew Pappas(R)
7:35-8:30 PM Commissioner Dennis Deters(R) will debate challenger Denise Driehaus(D)
If you aren’t up-to-date with all the issues going on in the County like Jobs and Family Services and the Metropolitan Sewer District you need to attend this event to help you make important decisions.
Please email us your questions in advance by sending them to info@empoweruohio.org. This will be a virtual class and you will be able to watch it live on the internet. Go to https://www.empoweruohio.org/ for a link to watch the class.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Wednesday, October 5, 2016 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Bill Gladwell is a Thought Reader, Mentalist, Actor and Consultant. He will read your thoughts! He has focused his attention on the field of Social Dynamics for over 25 years, and he is able to teach what he knows in an understandable and usable way. Social Dynamics is the study of how people interact within a group (2 or more people). Individuals in a group are influenced by one another’s behavior making them more predictable and suggestible, and Bill teaches you how to take advantage of this phenomenon. He teaches you how to influence others.
In this particular presentation, Bill illustrates how the process of dating is the same process you should be using in the business world to network (pick-up), structure your 1st meeting (1st date), negotiate (fall in love), and seal the deal. When you learn how these processes are essentially the same, sales techniques are no longer needed; and the relationship you build with your client is the priority.
For over 27 years, Bill Gladwell has studied and mastered the unique art of reading and influencing people, and he demonstrates his skill in a thought-provoking performance for intelligent audiences.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Tuesday, October 11, 2016 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
Cheers! To the Fine Art of Making Wine!! Join Empower U and Tom Deutsch as he leads us through the Art of Wine Making.
Tom’s heritage and formative years were filled with Italian traditions including making wine in the fall. This conjured up thoughts of the rich and flavorful aromas of fruit and visions of age-old vineyards in their homeland of Fuscaldo Italy. He developed a love and passion for wine making which he will share with us.
He will take the mystery out of this sometimes intimidating process and walk us through step by step how, we to, can place our own wine on the table!
Tom uses wine making equipment that his family kept from the 1930’s. Most wine enthusiasts are not lucky enough to have such treasures so Tom will address what equipment is available. Also the many steps included in the process from knowing when to harvest the grapes, fermenting, pressing and kegging or bottling then aging the wine.
Tom will take us from the vineyard to the pouring of our own wine for friends and family!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Wednesday, October 12, 2016 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Understanding the referral process will help you to understand how to develop meaningful and sustaining relationships. The better the relationship the better the opportunity to sustain your business and increase its value.
The best way to get people to help you grow your business is to educate them about you, your product or service and how they can get involved with your future success. Whether the people are referral sources or your possible clients they respond better to education than selling to them We will cover the concept of sales without selling. It will include understanding the sales process and what makes people buy. We then will help you how to understand how to engage educate and motivate potential referral sources.
Duane Plapp author and nationally recognized speaker, feels that people today do not want to be sold they want to the opportunity to buy. He feels that creating a buying environment allows you to “Sell Without Selling”.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Thursday, October 13, 2016 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
Learn about the death penalty in Ohio and its implementation. 2016 is the second year without any executions in Ohio and death penalty foes are about to claim victory. What is the Ohio Supreme Court doing to enforce the law? Is the law being enforced?
Opponents around the state are looking to support reforms, by exempting people from the execution laws. 17 people on Ohio’s death row have been there for over 20 years. With legal drugs to induce death becoming harder and harder to find is it worth keeping the death penalty in Ohio?
Learn about the tragic case of Anthony Kirkland who is an American serial killer. Between 2006 and 2009, Kirkland murdered a woman and three girls in the Cincinnati area following a 16-year prison term for the 1987 murder of another woman. Why did the Ohio Supreme Court grant a motion for a new sentencing hearing for Kirkland? How did Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters become involved in this case? Is the Court carrying out the will of Ohioans?
As the election draws near find out what you need to know about the death penalty in Ohio and what you need to know about the judges that are running for the Ohio Supreme Court.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Saturday, October 15, 2016 10:00 a.m.-12 Noon
Let’s get our youth involved in our Country. Denise Waterman from American Spirit Education Alliance walks your children through the basic foundations of our country. This hands-on session and handout will leave you and your children confident in the foundations of the United States. (Recommended for kids age 10+ including adults). You will receive a document at the class that you can take home and discuss with your children over the next months to come. Plan now to bring a few kids from the neighborhood for this important session.
The first Hour and One-Half will be on the Constitution with the last half-hour devoted to the Federal Election Process, including the Electoral College.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Tuesday, October 18, 2016 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
Are you aware of the dreaded OmniBUS Bill and what is headed your way?
Join Dave Williams, President of Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) as he explains
Why Congress dysfunction leads to these bills.
How the process works
Why these bills lead to higher spending
How the outcome of election will impact this bill
What we can do to educate and affect this practice some view as “anti-democratic”
This Empower U class will enlighten you on how Taxpayer Protection Alliance (TPA) is working to protect taxpayers and enable you to become involved in issues affecting your community! This is a most empowering class you do not want to miss!
Dave will illustrate how many of these small bills go unnoticed until we are personally impacted by them, i.e. Health Care, EPA, Gun Control and Education. He will also discuss economic impact and consequences of out of control government spending and excessive regulation. Keep your blood pressure under control and join us for this very important EmpowerU class.
Public speaking is one of the most valuable business skills you can learn. Contrary to popular belief, excellent public speakers not born, they’re made. What successful speakers know are the seven secrets to crafting and delivering a speech that inspires, persuades and entertains.
If you give presentations of any kind, or want to learn these secrets, there is good news for you. The program is called: How to Be a Successful Public Speaker. In this class, you’ll learn the foundations of exceptional public speaking from a Certified World Class Speaking Coach.
When you walk out of this class, you’ll have the foundational tools that enable you to:
Become Better Known in Your Industry
Attract More Clients
Free Up Your Time
Increase Your Income
Reduce Your Stress Levels
Michael Davis is the founder of Speaking CPR, and also serves as a faculty member of Stage Time University. He is a Certified World Class Speaking coach, and continues to study and work with some of the best professional speakers, humorists and screenwriters to hone his speaking and storytelling skills.
Nathanael Greene Lodge at Veterans Park 6394 Wesselman Road Cincinnati, Ohio, 45248
Thursday, October 20, 2016 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to the way their victims are selected.
While active shooter situations are relatively rare, the devastation caused by several recent incidents makes preparing for such an event seem prudent.
How should you react if you find yourself in the middle of an active shooter situation?
This session will provide guidance on how to respond to an active shooter at work, the mall, a movie theater or at your school. Everyone should be prepared to make an informed decision whether to run, hide, or fight if confronted by an active shooter. Responding correctly could mean the difference between life and death.
During this session, attendees will learn about the ALICE program which is being taught in most of our schools, as well as the Run, Hide, Fight program which was developed by the Department of Homeland Security. We will also will discuss the many lessons learned from active shooter incidents at places such as Virginia Tech and Columbine High School.
Jack Atherton has been cited by The Online Urban Dictionary as the inspiration for Ron Burgundy, Will Ferrell’s character in the Anchorman movies. Jack’s response: “If you were a man, I’d punch you. But at least you spelled my name right.”
After anchoring and reporting in San Antonio and Miami, Jack helped start The Ten O’Clock News on Cincinnati’s FOX19. During his 15 years there, it was among the highest-rated primetime newscasts in the country. Jack also contributed columns to Cincinnati Gentlemen magazine and taught a course on the history of electronic media at the University of Cincinnati. Jack will be discussing why most news is a distraction from crucial issues we all face, including:
the true causes of crime
how government is rigging the economy against the poor and middle class
Alexis de Tocqueville’s warning about politics and pop culture
establishment Republicans and the rise of Donald Trump
the Clinton scandals and Hillary’s record
To show how liberal bias came to pervade most media, Jack will survey the history of journalism in America since 1800. But most of all, he hopes to hear from you. Stay classy.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Wednesday, October 26, 2016 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Whether you’re designing your first (PowerPoint or Keynote) presentation or your hundredth, Janet shares tips to show you how to grab and hold the attention of your audience and deliver a message that people remember.
Tips include effective techniques such as highlighting, integrating visuals and text, visual and oral pacing, plus attention getting animations and transitions. Before and After examples demonstrate the impact of well designed slides.
The ideas presented apply to any PowerPoint/Keynote presentation, whether you are preparing a quarterly business report, teaching a concept in mathematics, addressing a national convention, or showcasing slides from a recent trip.
Janet Dieman
Janet Dieman is a teacher, media specialist, instructional designer, professor, author, lecturer, and visual editor who brings all her experiences in communication to share with you.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Thursday, October 27, 2016 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
Join EmpowerU at the Movies as we examine the important subject of Climate Change. You bring the brain-power and we’ll supply the popcorn. Scorching temperatures. Melting ice caps. Killer hurricanes and tornadoes. Disappearing polar bears. The end of civilization as we know it! Are emissions from our cars, factories, and farms causing catastrophic climate change? Is there a genuine scientific consensus? Or is man-made “global warming” an overheated environmental con job being used to push for increased government regulations and a new “Green” energy agenda?
CLIMATE HUSTLE answers these questions, and many, many more. Produced by CFACT and CDR Communications in the one-of-a-kind entertaining and informative style that has made CFACT’s award-winning ClimateDepot.com one of the world’s most sought after sources for reliable, hard-to-find facts about climate issues, this groundbreaking film tears the cover off of global warming hype, and exposes the myths and exaggerations of this multi-billion dollar issue.
Run Time is 78 minutes. Discussion will follow. Don’t miss this important look on Climate Change.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Saturday, October 29, 2016 10:00–11:15
Join Frame USA’s store talented artistic staff as we teach you how to Decorate Pumpkins right before Halloween. Don’t get scared you can do this! Included in your $5 material fee you will receive a basic Pumpkin Decorating kit (like the one shown in the picture) and a good size 9-12″ pumpkin. You bring your creativity with you and we pretty much guarantee a good result. Snacks will be included for all–and this will be fun!
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Tuesday, November 1, 2016 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
Exploring One of Lincoln’s Most Important Speeches Right Before Our Election.
This class will be a unique learning History experience for many but especially for our younger people. Pat Maloney’s knowledge of History and his dedication and love to the Republic result in a much-felt, passionate presentation that is sure to be kept in your memory for quite a while!
Is this time in history really the most threatening to our Republic or have we survived similar conditions? This class will provide an in-depth look into our past, how it is similar to our present, and how Abraham Lincoln advised Americans to overcome these dangers.
Join us as our Empower U Board Historian, Patrick Maloney, explores a speech given by Abraham Lincoln in 1834 at the Young Men’s Lyceum Museum of Springfield, Illinois. He will explore the context and meaning of this most magnificent, but largely forgotten address (which many consider one of Lincoln’s most important speeches). What can it reveal about the current state of American politics and how to proceed?
Can we once again unite as a people to prevent what many see as an inevitable fracture in or Republic? This class may give you hope to draw on from the past.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Thursday, October 13, 2016 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
Learn about the death penalty in Ohio and its implementation. 2016 is the second year without any executions in Ohio and death penalty foes are about to claim victory. What is the Ohio Supreme Court doing to enforce the law? Is the law being enforced?
Opponents around the state are looking to support reforms, by exempting people from the execution laws. 17 people on Ohio’s death row have been there for over 20 years. With legal drugs to induce death becoming harder and harder to find is it worth keeping the death penalty in Ohio?
Learn about the tragic case of Anthony Kirkland who is an American serial killer. Between 2006 and 2009, Kirkland murdered a woman and three girls in the Cincinnati area following a 16-year prison term for the 1987 murder of another woman. Why did the Ohio Supreme Court grant a motion for a new sentencing hearing for Kirkland? How did Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters become involved in this case? Is the Court carrying out the will of Ohioans?
As the election draws near find out what you need to know about the death penalty in Ohio and what you need to know about the judges that are running for the Ohio Supreme Court.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Thursday, November 10, 2016 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
Christopher Smitherman believes not only should parents talk to their children about going to college but they should have a plan to pay for college. Encouraging youth to study hard do well in school but parents have no savings sends the wrong message. Smitherman will discuss college savings strategies.
We will also ask Christopher to give us his analysis of the election which will be just completed with we meet for this session and also give us a brief update on the Cincinnati City Council. EmpowerU welcomes Christopher Smitherman.
Price Hill Chili 4920 Glenway Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio, 45238
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
An incredible trio of speakers will provide us a Beatles–Blast from the Past. GaryJeff Walker, Dusty Rhodes, Jim LaBarbara, at Price Hill Chili. The Election is over – Time to Celebrate!
Whether you are celebrating or commiserating what better way to kick back, relax and enjoy an historic musical interlude!
This class will be a night to remember for all. Young People will enjoy a great history lesson in rock ‘n’ and others will relive the golden years of this music genre. We will enjoy Beatles mania from the unique perspective of those involved up close and personal!
Join Empower U with Gary Jeff Walker, Dusty Rhodes, and Jim LaBarbara at one of our favorite venues Price Hill Chili for this BEATLES BLAST from the PAST! Dusty Rhodes (part of the Good Guys DJ.s) will share the behind the scenes story of how Cincinnati managed to land a much coveted Beatles Concert. Gary Jeff Walker (once dubbed “The Hardest working man in Tri-/State Radio) will reminisce about the Breakfast with the Beatles Tour. Jim LaBarbara, The Music Professor will share hist thoughts.
American Sign Museum 1330 Monmouth Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45225
Thursday, November 17, 2016 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
Celebrating the rich history of American signage through preservation and education, the American Sign Museum opened its doors in 2005, moving to its Camp Washington location in 2012. Come and spend an evening with us and experience the visual delight of America through the years at the American Sign Museum. The museum is the premier institution preserving historic signs and promoting the contributions the sign industry makes to commerce, culture, and the American landscape.
This will be a fun tour, join EmpowerU as we visit The American Sign Museum. There is a mandatory $5 charge for this class which you can pay for at Registration. EmpowerU will then pay for your admission.
EmpowerU tried to organize a candidate interview for the Ohio Congressional District 8 primary where about 15 candidates have applied for the position formerly held by Speaker of the House John Boehner. EmpowerU wanted a substantive discussion with 5 or 6 of the top leaders with a separate introduction of the other candidates. The two presumptive candidates Senator Bill Beagle and House Member Tim Derickson were unable to attend the interview. It is possible that they didn’t want to attend the interview–read letter here. Because we couldn’t get the candidates to participate we made the decision to cancel the forum. Several of the candidates submitted information about themselves. That information is attached–click the name of the candidate to read their information as follows:
Come and join us as Alan McIntyre, of the Frederick Douglas Foundation, chronicles the life of Frederick Douglass and elaborates on the fact that in Douglass’ life and writings, the solutions to America’s current crisis were revealed and the Frederick Douglass Movement in conjunction with the Exodus Project is an effective offensive strategy for saving America.
He will empower attendees to become involved in saving their country from a fundamental transformation.
On February 29, 2016, EmpowerU will host a debate to end all debates.
Tom Brinkman V.S. Heidi Huber
Thomas Brinkman in one corner, Heidi Huber in the other will face off in the Primary Election for the 27th District of the Ohio House of Representatives.
Brinkman, the well-known co-founder of COAST, and anti-tax advocate will square off against Huber, the well-known education expert and leader against the Common Core Movement.
Monitoring the debate will be someone who knows more about Ohio than almost anyone, Ron Alban, the successful leader of the Initiative to End Ohio’s Estate tax.
Attorney Chris Finney reprises a popular EmpowerU seminar on reducing your property taxes. This is like money in the bank! Property taxes finance our schools and fund numerous levies for public services and civic desires. As property owners, many people find taxes a significant burden on the family budget. Chris Finney will take you step-by-step through the process of determining how to pay the lowest possible tax on your home or business. His tips will be worth your effort to attend this great session.
Chris Finney is the owner of Finney Law Firm, LLC, where he concentrates on commercial transactional and litigation projects as well as complex real estate matters.
It’s hard to miss the headlines about the increasing frequency and severity of Cyberattacks so it’s not surprising that Infosecurity magazine has named 2014 the “Year of the Data Breach” 2015 came in with only 2 less known breaches than 2014 and 2016 is off to a bad start! In this seminar, we’ll bring you up to speed on the cybersecurity threats lurking out there and what you can do about them, including
Physical Security
Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
Email/ Phishing
Malware
Updates/ Patches
Social Media
Mobile Security
Web Site security
Data Security/ PCI
Cloud / IoT
The class is suited for professionals whose computer is their lifeline. Learn the tricks you need to know to keep your equipment safe.
Throughout Cincinnati’s History, its women have contributed a great deal to the well-being of their community and beyond. This presentation recognizes many very prominent people, some still relatively well-known, but also others who are no longer much remembered.
In addition, you’ll hear the story of the hard work performed by many thousands of common women to raise andsupport their families and the increasing opportunity that has fortunately become available to them.
It becomes apparent why the iconic Tyler Davidson Fountain, featuring a women supplying the vital life element of water to the people of the city, makes such an appropriate community centerpiece.
These lectures are free and open to the public. You’re welcome to bring your own lunch or purchase lunch in the Gateway Cafe in the Rotunda, featuring a new menu. We encourage you to reserve for the class. All lectures take place from noon-1 p.m.
Tell your boss that you need an hour off for this class. Important for Managers, Owners and Employees and Individuals. EmpowerU is pleased to partner with the Management of Frame USA, Inc. and the Springdale Police Department to bring this important class to the public.
Active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearm(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Most of these cases have occurred in locations where the shooter has been undeterred and unobstructed from carrying out their attack. The incident locations have often been described as soft targets with limited active security measures or armed personnel to provide protection for members of the public. In most instances, shooters have either taken their own lives, been shot by police, or surrendered when forced with a confrontation by law enforcement.
All employees can help prevent and prepare for potential active shooter situations. This course provides guidance to individuals, owners, managers and and employees, so that they can prepare to respond to an active shooter situation. Who will be the point person at your company to train workers about an Active Shooter possibility. Are you ready? This session will be Presented by Sargent. Andy Davis, Springdale Police Department
You will not be admitted to the building for this session unless you have a FREE ticket. Please register below.
What role do hormones play in human development and how does it affect adults as we age? How does optimal hormone balance help men and women maintain good health and a great quality of life?
Judy Couch, FNP will discuss how optimal hormone balance reduces the frequency of chronic illness, hot flashes, depression, sleeplessness and anxiety.
She will also explain how hormone therapy can promote a healthy weight and strong libido while replacing the loss of muscle mass or the advancement of conditions like osteoporosis.
Vitality and robust health can be a partner on the journey through every stage of life.
EmpowerU asks you to RSVP and bring your questions to this highly informative, possibly life-changing session.
EmpowerU Studio 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 7:00-8:30 PM
Grand Opening of EmpowerU’s New Studio!
Dr. Jay Rissover will explore the connection of stress, tension and health. What does stress and tension do to you? Does stress cause hypertension, or any other disease? And what can you do for yourself, for stress and tension?
(Besides turning off your TV to avoid the news and political ads.)
If time permits, we will also astound you with revolutionary changes in blood pressure research. Tune in for more answers including plenty of time for questions about your own health issues.
For those of you experienced EmpowerU attendees you might remember Dr. Rissover’s incredibly entertaining and informative class on Ten Ways You Can Live Longer. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to improve your personal health and commit to ways to keep your stress level down.
The days are getting l o n g e r, the weather warmer and fingers itching to dig into the dirt!
Leap into spring by joining us at White Oak Gardens for an engaging, friendly, informative session on growing cool plants in containers. Experience the magic of being surrounded by 3 acres full of flowers, trees, shrubs, houseplants, and happy people!
Jeff Webeler and his staff will help with container gardening tips on annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables and anything else you can grow. Reunite your senses with the fragrances of spring blooms, growing herbs and vegetables.
Get ready to start digging, blooming and creating indoor and outdoor spaces you love!
Unclear what opting out is all about and whether it will compromise your child’s promotion, class offerings or HS Graduation? Come learn the details you won’t hear from your school or from Columbus. You can safely protect your child but you must first be armed with the facts.
Heidi Huber is a devoted advocate for conservative principles and policy. She has worked tirelessly the last ten years for numerous issues as well as candidates, including joining forces with liberty leaders around the state to pass Ohio’s Health Care Freedom Amendment and end the Ohio Estate Tax. As leader of Ohioans for Local Control, she has authored legislation to protect children and restore local control. She has worked with fellow activists and think tanks from across the country and has served as a policy advisor for the Tenth Amendment Center’s national conference call with state legislators.
Wondering what to do with that “stuff” in your attic and garage you’ve been vowing to clean out for years? Join us as we team up with Everything but the House (EBTH) to give you some helpful tips on how to not only “clean out” but also “cash in”.
Join EmpowerU and get acquainted with Everything But The House. Learn why it is one of Cincinnati’s fastest growing companies and a unique American success story. Hear why EBTH is revolutionizing the way property liquidation is being handled and how they can make money to put in your pocket!
EBTH representative, Tricia Salem Lapp, will demystify how to downsize property that is keeping you from breathing. During this presentation, she will talk about declutteringeverything from the kitchen cabinet vintage items, Pyrex to the beautiful fire engine red Porsche in the garage that’s no longer your style.
Whether you’re relocating, downsizing, decluttering or dealing with the estate of a loved one, this session is for you!
Join Luke Stedke and learn about the major role Ohio played in the pivotal Battle of Shiloh. The men and material of the Buckeye State not only save the day on the second day of battle, but this victory propelled one Ohioan in particular, to General in Chief of the Army and ultimately to the Presidency of the United States. Gen Ulysses S. Grant will be a focus of the course along with other notable Ohioans-Gen. William T. Sherman, Gen. Alexander M. McCook.
Enjoy an engaging discussion of the American Civil War and learn how the State of Ohiosaved the Union!
If you’re a ratepayer within the Metropolitan Sewer District, the future is both obvious and unpleasant. Sewer rates are projected to continue increasing throughout the foreseeable future.
As a result of improvements mandated under the federal consent decree with the Ohio EPA, ratepayers bear the burden of compliance with the Clean Water Act. Hamilton County Commissioner, Chris Monzel will explain what is required of our community to meet our obligations, why is it so expensive and what strong County leadership can do to hold down the cost.
Come and learn about the big decisions facing our county in the coming years and the role empowered citizens will play in protecting your dollars from flowing down the drain.
Chris Monzel, is the Hamilton County Commissioner. As President of the Board, he has been the driving force for right-sizing government while keeping taxes low and improving our economy by cutting the red tape for businesses planning to expand or relocate in Hamilton County.
50 Years ago it happened. The first strangler murder was 12/2/65…..the 7th and final murder was 12/9/66.
A conservative Midwestern city in the 1960s confronts a mysterious serial killer and its own escalating racial turmoil. No, not the latest John Grisham novel-this is the unknown legend of the Cincinnati Strangler.
Join Queen City Gothic author J.T. Townsend as he takes a fresh look at the serial killer who stole Cincinnati’s innocence…
This Class has been Cancelled. We hope to re-position and offer it in Fall 2016.
Things to Consider when buying, selling or Investing in Real Estate EmpowerU Studio 225 Northland Blvd Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, April 19, 2016 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
There are many things to consider when buying a house, selling a house, or investing in real estate. You will hire a real estate agent to guide you in each step of the home buying/selling process, to assure the contract and negotiation components are handled to your specifications, and to protect your interests.
A mortgage loan advisor will pre-qualify you for the right home loan. An inspector will assure the home selected is structurally sound and within applicable codes. And a title agent will assure the house you selected, inspected and financed is cleared from all other claims and liens.
In many ways then, even a repeat home buyer/seller is a first time buyer/seller. It is important that the agents and professionals you select represent you and your best interests. The average person is in their home for more than a decade.
EmpowerU is pleased to present a panel of subject matter experts to explain their roles and provide tips in preparation and completion of buying your dream home. Click through more info tab to find out the backgrounds on Lisa Williams, Garret Gerard, Aaron Binik-Thomas and Drew Stacey.
Given the private nature of finances there will be time for private questions for each speaker.
HWB Scout House and Outdoor Pavillion 34 Village Square Glendale, Ohio 45246
Friday, April 22, 2016 6:00-7:30 PM
Rain or Shine–Inside Venue Next Door if It Gets Wet!
Class Sponsored by Dr. Jay Rissover, Blue Ash Internal Medicine, 4260 Glendale-Milford Rd, Blue Ash, OH 45246, 745-9993
Like so many Government initiatives, Earth Day started out as a great idea but has turned into a mess. Come celebrate Earth Day with EmpowerU as Blaze Radio Network’s Doc Thompson returns to Cincinnati. Learn the good, the bad, the ridiculous.
Has what begun with lofty good intentions turned into an avenue for the Government to have more control over our lives? Has the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, along with the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts helped us on balance, or caused more problems? Has Earth Day been hijacked and the original intent forgotten or taken over?
Join us for Happy Hour in Glendale, feel free to bring adult beverages and lawn chairs as we will be outside if the weather is nice. Wear your best Earth Day costume (Optional–Winner gets a prize(s)) and join the always fun Doc Thompson from Blaze Radio to reflect on Earth Day 2016. Let’s take a candid look at this and other Earth Day issues at a fun-filled Earth Day Event sponsored by EmpowerU. Happy Hour starts at 6:00 PM, and the event starts at 6:30 PM.
Class Sponsored by Creative Therapy Associates, Inc. Go to www.ctherapy.com
Join EmpowerU Managing Board Member Dan Regenold in a follow up class to last semester’s lively discussion on Is the U.S. the next Greece. Dan looks at the great Economist and Noble Laureate Milton Friedman, perhaps the first libertarian. Friedman’s approach to economic policy in the face of different views caused a revolution when he published Capitalism and Freedom in 1962 (sold over 500,000 copies). Friedman’s simple thesis: There cannot be political freedom without economic freedom.
EmpowerU will compare economic systems of capitalism and look at what the tools are to lead us to greater prosperity. Ah but that messy big Government seems to get in the way, by hindering the efficient handling of the Economy. We’ll try not to get too complicated here and about 1/2 the class will be Friedman in his own words.
Join Dan as he discusses Friedman’s work and puts it into simple context. This is a hands on class–be ready to work as EmpowerU analyzes the economics of Milton Friedman and if it is still relevant today.
*IPads and Iphones do not work on Virtual Classes
We are Sorry Tonight’s Event is Cancelled Due to Threat of Severe Weather Tonight in the Cincinnati Area
Glendale Lyceum Outdoor Pavillion 865 Congress Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Thursday, May 12, 2016 Dinner starts at 6:15 PM, Program 7:00-8:30 PM
Class Sponsored by Ted Day, Mutual of Omaha Insurance, 3284 E Sharon Rd, Sharonville, OH, 45241, Phone : (513) 793-0393
Bring your lawn chair and experience the meaning of our motto, “Educate, Enjoy, Engage.” Keynote Speaker and Cincinnati’s own Rocky Boiman will join us as our key-note speaker for our season ending event.
Rocky is a night time radio hos for 700 WLW and a radio and color commentator for both College and pro football. Rocky, a super-bowl champion, will share with us all he has learned about “Team Building” during the rough and tumble football years and how those same principles work to build positive, successful relationship in all walks of life. Whether it be friends, family, community, political activities or business Rocky’s message will work for all of them. Bring the kids for this special event.
Joining Rocky is 55KRC radio personality Brian Thomas will serve as master of ceremonies for the night and will help us pass out awards to Empowered citizens. Brian, will be joined by other “Rat Pack” members of the gang including City of Cincinnati’s Christopher Smitherman who will be will be discussing the City and Commissioner Chris Monzel who will discuss the County.
On this very special evening we will celebrate the end of EmpowerU’s 11th semester and we will be awarding Empowered Citizen awards. Will You Win?
EmpowerU will be grilling the burgers and hot dogs as well as providing water and soft drinks. Attendees are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share at the potluck table.
Executive Chef James Riley from the New Restaurant J. Austin’s American Eatery located 11568 Springfield Pike in Springdale
Cincinnati, OH 45246 will help lead the cooking efforts at the event this year. Don’t miss James and the treats he will bring from the restaurant.
There is no charge for this event, but your donation is gratefully accepted. Adult attendees are welcome to BYOB and bring your lawn chairs. We look forward to seeing all our friends at this great annual event.
Cincinnati was once known by the nickname “Porkopolis.” Visitors to the city often had walk down the streets that were crowded with pigs being herded to the city slaughter houses.
Pigs slaughtered in Cincinnati not only fed our country but also helped to revolutionize the country’s industries.
From pig pens to dinner plate, learn how “pigs” helped builds Cincinnati.
These lectures are free and open to the public. You’re welcome to bring your own lunch or purchase lunch in the Gateway Cafe in the Rotunda, Featuring a new menu. We encourage you to reserve for the class. All lectures take place from noon-1 p.m.
Empower U begins their Fall schedule with a Double Header!!
Statehouse Liaison and Policy Analyst at Buckeye Institute, Greg Lawson and Secretary of State, Jon Husted come together for this educational session.
Greg Lawson will discuss some of the major principles that Ohio policymakers must keep in mind if they are to help return Ohio to its previous position of economic greatness.
He will speak on major policy sections of the state budget including: education, healthcare and tax reform.
Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted will speak about what voters in Ohio will be deciding upon in the 2015 ballot. The Secretary will explain the confusion regarding Issue #2 and Issue #3 and the monopoly issues that will exist if Marijuana legislation passes. Voter integrity issues will also be discussed. Learn why the Secretary of State was recently recognized by the Association of the United States Army and Ohio was deemed an All-Star State by the Military Voter Protection Project.
Make sure that you know the issues so that you can make this election a more run!
Find out how the Temperance Movement and theAnti-Saloon League pushed through the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor in the United States.
Find out why the new law was impossible to enforce and how bootleggers such as George Remus and organized crime flourished over the 10 years that the law was in effect.
Learn how the consequences of Prohibition affect our society today!
These lectures are free and open to the public. You’re welcome to bring your own lunch or purchase lunch in the Gateway Cafe in the Rotunda, Featuring a new menu. We encourage you to reserve for the class. All lectures take place from noon-1 p.m.
This session is timely and vital to understanding the conflict that has reached its tentacles into the United States. As Westerners, it is difficult to understand cultures where religion is Government, scripture is law, and the past defines the future.
In a country where, history is measured in hourly news cycles and sound bites it seems incomprehensible that this conflict between Sunni and Shiite is the work of centuries that began with the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632.
This session will be presented by Former Representative and incredible public speaker and patriot, Bob McEwen, who will help us understand such things as:
What is the difference between the Sunni and Shiite philosophies and their ultimate goals? Who comprises the armies of ISIS and ISIL? How do we succeed in defending and defeating those dedicated to this “never-ending war”?
Each day, millions of Americans remain silent on important issues that affect their freedoms and their future.
Polished advocates in government, media, non-profits, unions and academia have mastered the art of promoting a compassionate narrative to advance their public policy agenda at all levels of government and education.
Hardworking citizens and taxpayers are often unprepared to face harsh criticism in the public square when they try to compete.
Rich Youngblood will bring every concerned citizen the skills to confidently assert their view, change the narrative and offer a winning strategy when faith, finances or freedom are under assault.
This class will provide you with the language and tools to protect your freedom and make you the hero in your community.
A storm is coming…are you ready? Is your county ready? The Fact is, Most American families are not prepared for even a 3 day power outage or local disaster in their area. Empower U would like to change that!
Jim Beck, a Major and Disaster Relief and Emergency Services Officer with the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol will guide you through this interactive program. This program will show you how to plan for a disaster that might affect you, and how to keep your family safe, fed, and sheltered for 30 days or longer.
Nick Crossley, Director of Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security will discuss the scope of Emergency Management and how it works within Hamilton County and the State. He will discuss how our communities can be better prepared by planning for large scale disaster as well as testing their plans and procedure.
How much water will we really need? How do we keep warm and safe in our homes? What kind of disasters will affect us? Why should we prepare all of of our family members?—Join us and find out the answers to these questions and many more!
Ohio’s first District Court Judge, Patrick Fischer joins us for this important session. Fischer is a member of the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission. He will lead us through the issues being considered by thisbody of scholars. The “Constitution” is the bedrock of our republic. We as citizens need to be aware of and be able to guard changes to it carefully!
Mark Plageman, a Professor Emeritus at Miami University, is back to explain how infamous bootlegger George Remus shot and killed his wife Imogene.
The ensuing Trial brought national attention to Cincinnati, with the prosecution being led by Charles Phelps Taft II,son of former President William Howard Taft. Despite the testimony of numerous witnesses, Remus was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
This presentation deals with the mistakes and lack of clarity on the part of the prosecution and defense. The result was as Charles Phelps Taft said: a gross miscarriage of justice.
The average Will is almost 14 years old at the date of death, and 55% of adult Americans don’t even have a Will. Successful people often fail to have succesful estate plans. Estate planning mistakes are common, and often there are some easy fixes. Many do not understand the nature of the mistakes, nor have been educated on the various solutions. We want to fix this.
Empower U presents estate planning attorney, Isaac T. Heintz of Finney Law Firm and registered investment advisor, William F. Lyon, CFP, MSFS of The Lyon Group for this important session in which you will learn the 10 common mistakes in estate planning.
“everything you have, is everything you have.” so join us to learn how to navigate the complex legal tax and financial planning issues.
**Attendees are encouraged to stay afterwards and play!
The Chief Entertainment Officer of Scene75, Jonah Sandler, opens up the doors of the Cincinnati location to talk all about how he turned an empty warehouse into the largest indoor entertainment center in the United States using Facebook. He managed to gain 23,000 likes on the center’s Facebook page in just three months all before the business actually opened and before anyone knew Facebook Marketing was even a thing.
Come and Join Empower U for this engaging event and stay afterwards to let your inner kid shine.
Serial murderers, grave robbers, epidemics,personal tragedies and even slime are all part of Cincinnati’s history.
Spend an hour hearing stories about some of Cincinnati’s most notorious citizens and their nasty deeds. Listen to details about a few of Cincinnati’ssaddest stories. Tragedies and crime abound in this program.
Come prepared to be shocked and saddened. Appropriate for adults.
These lectures are free and open to the public. You’re welcome to bring your own lunch or purchase lunch in the Gateway Cafe in the Rotunda, Featuring a new menu. We encourage you to reserve for the class. All lectures take place from noon-1 p.m.
To Reach Jim O’Connor Email this address: jfpoc@icloud.com
Tuesday, October 20, 2015 7:00 -8:30 p.m.
In this session you will learn how our local schools and teachers have been coerced into compliance, why communities must join in restoring local control and most importantly what parents can do to reclaim their authority over their children’s education and future. An update on what is going on with Common Core in Ohio will also be discussed.
This session is for everyone; parents, teachers, administrators and taxpayers. Each of us participates in our locally funded education system.
If you’re not fighting this takeover, you’re feeding it!
Citizenfour–The Movie Glendale Lyceum Pub (Downstairs) 865 Congress Avenue Glendale, Ohio 45246
Friday, October 23, 2015 6:30-9:00 PM (We are limited to a FIRM attendance of 75 for this event)
Is your Government Spying On You? What is the Proper role between National Security and Privacy? Citizenfour is one of the most highly acclaimed and awarded films ever and the winner of the 2014 Academy Award for Best Documentary. Watch as Edward Snowden is interviewed one week after releasing information on the US’s massive data mining efforts. The results you need to know.
Join EmpowerU at the movies to discuss one of the most important issues and important movies of our time. (Just ask Rand Paul and Chris Christie!).
We’ll supply the popcorn and soft drinks and you bring the brain-power and we’ll discuss this important issue of privacy after the movie!
If you can bring a dessert to share and BYOB is allowed.
(See Dan’s Blog Post “Outrage” on the top right side of this page)
Travel into the dark world of sociopaths with Author Jack Kerley, just in time for Halloween. Learn about what happens in the minds of sociopaths: are all of them killers, and where exactly do they come from. Jack Kerley a writer of psychological thrillers guides you on the journey into a world lacking conscience or remorse, a place where lies replace truth, deceit is the rule and the quest for power replaces humanity.
Learn whether that person you know is really a sociopath after all.
Twelve time novelist, Jack Kerley has been published in eleven languages and in over twenty countries. He currently lives in Newport and despite the often-dark topics of his novels, collects colorful and whimsical Southern folk art.
EmpowerU managing board member, Dan Regenold invites you to what will surely be a roll-up-your sleeves and get to work class. Is the United States really the next Greece?
EmpowerU will investigate this very important topic and learn whether the United States is on a downward spiral to irrelevance or if good ol’ USA still has a chance. Learn more about the driving factors of this debate and learn more about your Country–including useful handouts to take with you.
An Overview of the Budget of the United States
An Analysis of where we are at based on the Facts & Numbers
How Exactly does the United States Compare to Greece?
The military, entitlements, Social Security, The Debt — how does it all fit together? Does it fit together?
How close is the USA to Greece? EmpowerU Attendees will decide and sent the results to our elected officials (do they care?). The goal of this class will be to let you walk away with simple documents to help you understand where we are at as a County and what our options are.
Author, John Graham leads us on a pilgrimage filled with great sorrow and great history of The Gold Star Mothers of World War I.
During the first World War, a flag with a gold star identified families who had lost soldiers. Grieving women were “Gold Star” mother and widows.
Between 1930 and 1933 the United States government took 6,654 Gold Star pilgrims to visit their sons’ and husbands’ graves in American cemeteries in Belgium, England, and France.
This session is about these pilgrimages from their launch to the present day, beginning with an introduction to the war and wartime burial.
Remember on Veteran’s Day the Gold Star Mothers with this EmpowerU Session.
During this session, Brian will demonstrate to kids (of any age) how to prepare and decorate their own treats, and create their own crafty masterpiece at their work stations. Be ready to eat some goodies, get a little dirty, and have a blast! Bring your cameras to capture the memories!
Federalist 51 Frame USA, Inc. 225 Northland Blvd. Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246
Saturday, November 14, 2015 10:00-11:30 a.m.
“In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this; you must first enable the government to control the governed, and in the next place oblige it to control itself”, –James Madison, 4th President of the United States–1809-1817
Professor Emeritus of EmpowerU, Bob Galbraith returns to Cincinnati to teach us about Federalist 51 written by James Madison. Federalist 51 is the fifty-first of The Federalist Papers first published on February 6, 1788. One of the most famous of the papers, it addresses appropriate checks and balances which can and must be created in government. Also, learn about the key importance of the Separation of Powers. Federalist 51 is very much in the news and discussed throughout Mark R. Levin’s #1 Best Selling book Plunder and Deceit. Re-visit the fundamentals of our Republic and find out what we seem to have forgot.
If you enjoy reminiscing about the holidays, come along with us to celebrate the many joyful times and faces of the winter holiday season.
You can’t see the holiday spirit, but its there in the many traditions of Cincinnati around this festive season.
These lectures are free and open to the public. You’re welcome to bring your own lunch or purchase lunch in the Gateway Cafe in the Rotunda, Featuring a new menu. We encourage you to reserve for the class. All lectures take place from noon-1 p.m.
Which road do we follow? Brent Spence Bridge or By-Pass? Explore options pertaining to the current bridge dilemma. Is the bridge the only way? Is a by-pass a feasible alternative? Join us at this session to be informed on the pros and cons of both options.
The plan $3.6 billion plan offered by Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments is known as theBrent Spence Bridge Corridor Project.
The heated discussions and resulting impasse allowed the private sector time to develop an alternate plan to build a68 mile, four lane expressway on the east side of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky at a cost of $1.1 billion and make more moderate improvements to the Brent Spence Bridge.
Jason Kershner discusses for the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce the importance of moving forward with the Brent Spence Bridge Project. Greg Fischer discusses the innovative possible alternative called the Cincy Eastern Bypass. Joe Meyer will be speaking for Northern Kentucky United–which opposes tolls for all alternatives.
Years of study and millions of dollars spent and Empower U has it all in one hour and a half session.
EmpowerU has teamed up with the Cincinnati Museum Center to bring a crucial session
Islamic State’s calculated use of cultural destruction as a tool of terror—punctuated by the brutal murder of archaeologist Khaled al-Assad for his refusal to lead ISIS to hidden Palmyra antiquities– has SHOCKED the world
Even more antiquities from the Middle East are finding their way to American Buyers, who unqittingly become complicit in funding terrorism and thedestruction of heritage sites throughout the region.
International Cultural Heritage lawyer Marion F. Werkheiser will discuss the exponential growth of cultural racketeering and offer solutions that would protect priceless cultural heritage for future generations
This session will teach you the following things: The dynamics of the international trade in antiquities, the international legal regimes that protect cultural property and the role that Americans can play in disrupting Islamic State’s ability to profit from looted antiquities.
Enjoy a side of history with lunch at the Cincinnati Museum Center. This free docent led seminar will take you back to Civil War era. It is late 1862, and a Confederate Army is marching toward Cincinnati. The city is in a panic! Less than a year later, Cincinnati is threatened again – this time by the dashing General Morgan and his raiders. Find out how Cincinnati responded to these emergencies in this fascinating program. Bring your brown bag lunch or grab a bite in the rotunda and feed your brain a little local history.
Attorney Chris Finney reprises a popular EmpowerU seminar on reducing your property taxes. This is like money in the bank! Property taxes finance our schools and fund numerous levies for public services and civic desires. As property owners, many people find taxes a significant burden on the family budget. Chris Finney will take you step-by-step through the process of determining how to pay the lowest possible tax on your home or business. His tips will be worth your effort to attend this great session.
Chris Finney is the owner of Finney Law Firm, LLC, where he concentrates on commercial transactional and litigation projects as well as complex real estate matters.
National Consumer Protection Week is March 1-7 and the Ohio Attorney General’s office is educating citizens about identity theft. Eastern Hills and Western Hills Community Action have joined forces with EmpowerU to host an expert from the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division who will lead this important session. Bring your college student and your senior parent to hear about the most prevalent scams spreading across Ohio and learn how to protect yourself and your family.
The presenter for this seminar is Lindsey Wilson with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Division.
Disclaimer: “This event is not sponsored by, nor affiliated with, the Ohio Attorney General’s office. The Ohio Attorney General’s office does not endorse or recommend EmpowerU Ohio or any products of services affiliated with EmpowerU Ohio.”
This lesson uses America’s founding documents, monuments and quotes from the Founding Father’s to prove that America did start as a Christian nation. In addition, it examines multiple examples of the Biblical basis of the Constitution.
Dr. Lee Watts is the founder of God and Country Ministry and currently serves as the Kentucky State Chaplain. Dr. Watts is an evangelist, author and hosts a weekly radio broadcast called “Take America Back.” He currently resides in Lexington, Kentucky where he teaches at Tabernacle Baptist Bible College.
Governor Kasich has proposed a budget for the next two years to fund the functions of Ohio’s government. This budget suggests some controversial changes in how the state raises revenue and alters the distribution formulas for Ohio’s schools. The first half of the evening will bring members of two area school boards to address the redistribution of funds to school districts. The second half addresses several tax and policy proposals by the Governor including a one-half percent increase in the state sales tax, new taxes on oil and gas extraction in Ohio and planning ahead for the long term financing of Ohio’s Medicaid expansion which has recently added 465,000 new adults to the roles.
Ohio State Legislators Lou Terhar, John Becker, Jonathan Dever and Princeton School Board member Steve Moore will offer wide ranging opinions on the budget as well as offering possible changes that would protect the taxpayers while still growing Ohio’s economy.
Important Handouts From Ohio Budget Session (click on handout)
Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. for the Best Chicken Dinner in Town!
The Roman historian Tacitus observed, “The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.” Yes, my fellow citizens, it seems that we are all criminals now.
In his lively manner, Senator Bill Seitz will discuss a pervasive problem and outline one of his latest successful endeavors. There have been many media reports of citizens being penalized with fines and in some cases incarcerated for behaviors that were seemingly harmless, but discovered they were breaking an obscure law that they had never heard of much less INTENTIONALLY intended to break. Despite their protest, many have had to pay fines and in some cases, go to jail.
This presentation is guaranteed to enlighten citizens struggling to comply with a burgeoning regulatory state. Senator Seitz will also give an overview of the steps he’s taken to remedy the situation and detail Ohio’s other legislative efforts to rein-in the maze of laws and regulations.
State Senator Bill Seitz is a lifelong resident of Western Hamilton County and an alumnus of University of Cincinnati, where he also earned his Juris Doctorate from the U.C. College of Law. His reform efforts have been acknowledged with an award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform.
Attorney Curt Hartman teaches you how to get the information from governments you need. You must know this important Ohio law to let the sunshine in! If you need information from your Government(s), this class will tell you how to request the information, what information they are required to give you and when are they required to give you the information.
Find out why these two Ohio laws have been called “the Great Equalizer.” This is a foundational EmpowerU class–SIGN UP!
The best known celebrities of this century might find it difficult to match the glamorous life and social standing of Kate Chase. This famous Cincinnati native, born in 1840, commanded the attention of Americans and captured the eyes of powerful men, both during and after the Civil War era. Kate Chase was the daughter of Supreme Court Chief Justice and President Lincoln’s Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase. Kate possessed beauty, charisma and political savvy that launched her ascent to the highest echelons of society. Her celebrity rivaled Mary Lincoln and her marriage to dashing young Rhode Island Governor and Textile magnate William Sprague made her the Belle of Washington during the Civil War. Kate enjoyed a life of virtual royalty until it all came crashing down after an economic depression, a scandalous affair with a powerful senator and a sensational divorce. She lived her final years in poverty in DC, but never lost her independent spirit. Today, Kate lays at rest near her father in Spring Grove Cemetery. He will elaborate on her turbulent life, with particular attention to her and her family’s many Cincinnati connections.
The lecture will be conducted by lawyer and author, John Oller. He’s a 1979 graduate of The Ohio State University and received his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University in 1982.
Following the lecture, Mr. Oller will be signing copies of American Queen: The Rise and Fall of Kate Chase Sprague, Civil War “Belle of the North’”and Gilded Age Woman of Scandal.
John Oller
Human Trafficking: What Becomes of the Victims? The Lakeview Room Ronald Reagan Lodge 7850 VOA Park Drive West Chester, Ohio 45069
Thursday, March 26, 2015 6:30*-8:00 p.m.
(*Note the early start time for this class)
Each year, throughout the United States, thousands of people become victims of human trafficking, abducted or coerced into activities that destroy their future. Victims may be forced into sex slavery, prostitution illegal drug sales or working as unpaid laborers. When offenses bring them into contact with the court system, society has an opportunity to help the victims escape a destructive life. Judge Paul Herbert, of the Columbus Municipal Court will explain how his program attempts to help these victims and provide the resources to change their circumstances and prospects for the future. Judge Herbert will also bring a former victim to present her compelling story, detail her struggles and ascent to a better life.
Speaker Bio
Judge Paul Herbert is a lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio and has practiced law for the past 27 years. His CATCH (changing actions to change habits) program, started in 2009 is focused on Human Trafficking victims who have been charged with the misdemeanor offense of solicitation.
Spring is in the air and all our favorite early season plants are in bloom. Shake off the Winter blahs and prepare to be dazzled as Michael Benken presents some great tips and ideas for early Spring gardening with annuals and vegetables. The highlight of his presentation will be a variety of fun and cool container gardens. This session will remind you why we love the aroma of tulips, daffodils and many of the most beautiful Spring blooms. Nature will surround you and lovely container designs will start your creative juices flowing as you prepare to dig into the warm soil and plant your own bit of paradise.
Mike Benken, third generation owner of HJ Benken Florist is acknowledged as one of Ohio’s most successful growers. He takes great joy from helping others experience his love and success with greenhouse plants and gardening.
Hamilton County Auditor Dusty Rhodes and Greg Lawson with the Buckeye Institute square-off on shared services, a solution offered as a way to ease tight municipal budgets. The questions raised at this session demand frank discussion and evidence that communities will see savings without losing dependable services. Does every community need their own fire and police department? Can residents depend on a timely response in an emergency? Does sharing public services always save money for the taxpayer? These are important questions when your health or home are at risk!
Mr. Lawson and Auditor Rhodes offer opposing views on a number of possibilities for shared services, providing examples from communities where combining services offered more efficiency and quality service as well as those communities where the service or cost failed to deliver the promised savings and quality. This presentation will help citizens and elected officials make wise choices when combining services is suggested for their communities.
Dusty Rhodes has served as Hamilton County Auditor since 1990 and was reelected to a 7th term in November of 2014.Greg R. Lawson is the Statehouse Liaison and Policy Analyst at the Buckeye Institute.
Cincinnati Tax Day Event Sharonville Convention Center 11355 Chester Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Wednesday, April 15, 2015 6:00-8:00 PM
Cincinnati area liberty groups annually host one of the region’s premier Tax Day events. Over a thousand citizens will descend on Sharonville Convention Center to hear inspired speakers discuss the ongoing battle for more accountable representative government. Matt Kibbe from FreedomWorks, Jenny Beth Martin from Tea Party Patriots, Ben Swann, Commissioner Chris Monzel and a number of elected officials and local grassroots leaders will sound the clarion call for fiscal responsibility, limited government and free markets. So, send off that tax check then join your friends and neighbors as motivated Americans come together to create the change they wish to see.
Baseball Revolution Birth of The Professional Game Reakirt Auditorium Cincinnati Museum Center 1301 Western Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45203
Thursday, April 23, 2015 7:00 -8:30 PM
The evolution of baseball and all professional sports took a huge leap in Cincinnati in 1869 when the Cincinnati Base Ball Club decided to support a professional team, signing all players to contracts and guaranteeing them a salary. A change in the rules in 1869 permitted clubs to employ pro players for the first time, and the Cincinnati club was the only one in the country to take advantage of the opportunity. The Cincinnati team, the Red Stockings, played coast-to-coast (the first team to ever do so), defeated every opponent (57-0), broadened the popularity of the game and established the superiority of the professional system. The first pro league formed two years later and professional team sports have been a part of the American landscape since.
Presenter:
Greg Rhodes is a former Executive Director of the Reds Hall of Fame and co-author of six books on the Cincinnati Reds. A true fan with boundless baseball knowledge, Greg hosts the Reds Hall of Fame highlight moments heard prior to each Reds game on the Reds Radio Network pregame show while also serving as team historian and speaking to groups throughout the region on the history of Reds baseball.
What is “real” and what is hype among the products, diets and exercise regimens that promise to keep us living longer. We will explore some of the science behind living longer and some of the misconceptions. And I promise that we’ll have some fun while we do it.
Speaker Bio
Dr. Jay Rissover is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and has practiced in Cincinnati since 1989. He is currently practicing at Blue Ash Internal Medicine, affiliated with TriHealth. Dr. Rissover is one of the few remaining Internists who still has hospital privileges and sees his own patients who are admitted to Bethesda North Hospital and the TriHealth Evendale Hospital.
Dr. Rissover has done numerous public speaking engagements, including co-hosting “Take Charge of Your Health” on 55KRC in 2013 and 2014 and has appeared frequently on WKRC, WGRR, WLW, WKRQ, and Channels 9, 12, 5 and 19.
This interactive and informative class will be presented by Steve Adams, criminal lawyer, and Captain Russ Neville, Special Services Section of the Cincinnati Police Dept. This program is designed to give basic information about the appropriate behavior and response to a police encounter. Scenarios addressed will include:
Traffic Stop – When is a search of the vehicle warranted? Consequences of taking, or not taking a breathalyzer test? Additional responsibilities when a conceal/carry permit and weapon are involved?
Knock on the door – What are your responsibilities to be in compliance with the law before asking for a search warrant or invoke right to representation?
Encounter on the street – What information are the authorities obligated to divulge before asking for identification and what are the citizen’s responsibilities in response?
Speakers:
Russ Neville. The Neville family has had a long tradition of law enforcement so it was not surprising that Russ Neville would become a police recruit in 1987. He has worked undercover in narcotics, liquor violations and prostitution and also served on the “Ohio Organized Crime Investigation Commission.”
Steven R. Adams has been in the private practice of law since 2000. He is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, the Greater Cincinnati and National Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Ohio State Bar Association and the Hamilton County Bar Association.
Are We Overtesting Our Students? Frame USA, Inc 225 Northland Blvd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 7:00 – 8:30 PM
The growth of standardized testing in our public schools should concern every parent, student, educator, business leader, and policy maker in our country. It’s mandated assessments on steroids as the number of tests by the Ohio Department of Education increased by two, three and four-fold in just one year!
Powerful testing companies seized the day and $380,000,000 from the federal government to develop standardized assessments for Common Core states. Virtually no vetting took place before contractors and their products were approved. Our students, teachers, and school districts are paying the price. Over-testing generates mountains of “data” used to label, judge and threaten, yet fails to provide 21st-century learning skills students need to attain.
This session will show why timely action and advocacy for taking back control of our curriculum and classroom is necessary for America’s future.
Jim O’Connor is the Chair of the Social Studies department at Princeton High School.
EmpowerU celebrates the end of another successful semester by inviting all our friends and supporters to hear an important briefing from Congressman Brad Wenstrup as we grill-out and acknowledge all who attended 10 or more sessions during the Spring with an Empowered Citizen Award. This evening always brings a big crowd and most assuredly, several notable officials friends of EmpowerU to say a few words and greet engaged citizens from throughout the region.
Be sure to RSVP so we may plan plenty of grilled items for all our guests.
With the rise of ISIS and increased cyber-attacks, global stability and American security are important topics of conversation. How is America responding to this new century of threats? Congressman Brad Wenstrup, representing Ohio’s 2nd District, is an Iraq War Veteran and member of the House Intelligence and Armed Services Committees. He will speak about today’s evolving threats, the state of our military, and America’s capabilities in responding to current and future threats.
Lauren O’Brien, the Southern Ohio Field Director for Americans for Prosperity, will teach you about the types of student loans, the repayment options, and how to prepare for the future. She will outline the dangers of holding too much debt and the threat it creates for the future. Resources and tools to start planning for college will also be provided to parents and future college students. This class is foreveryone: parents of children of all ages, parents planning to have children, high school students, and current college students. With a plethora of resources, we hope to help everyone. We look forward to seeing you there! *Light refreshments will be served from 6:30 until 7:00 PM, session will begin at 7:00 PM
Green Township and Colerain Township Partner with Empower U to inform us of the rise of senior financial exploitation, recent and common cases, and prevention; strengthening protections through law; and Senior Advocate Fraud Education (SAFE) education for caregivers, social workers, seniors and their families about frauds and scams, AND MORE!
Amy Kurianksy,Fellow for the Annie W. and Elizabeth M. Anderson
Legal Fellowship for the Prevention and Resolution
of Financial Exploitation of SeniorsDanielle Murphy, Office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine*
Local Law Enforcement Representative
*This event is not sponsored by, nor affiliated with, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The Ohio Attorney General’s office does not endorse or recommend Empower U Ohio or any products or services affiliated with Empower U Ohio
Meet and Greet with lite Refreshments from 1:00-2:00 PM
Abraham Lincoln was a well-read president who was very familiar with Shakespeare’s works. Whether in tragedy or comedy, Shakespeare’s characters faced a tumultuous world, as did President Lincoln with a bloody Civil War. What lessons did President Lincoln draw from Shakespeare to face his Herculean challenges? Learn about this little-known aspect of Abraham Lincoln in a fascinating and lively presentation by Dr. Peter Schramm, professor of political science and well-known scholar at Ohio’s Ashland University.
This class will feature two speakers: Kenton County Sheriff, Chuck Korzenborn and Joyce Mucci from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). Chuck Korzenborn, along with various members of his staff to explain the large influx of “unaccompanied youth” in the Covington school system. Learn what problems this causes for the school system, the community and the students. Joyce Mucci, will present a true immigration reform policy using the 7 principles that have been developed by FAIR.
Prior to the 2014/15 school year, Covington, with a total enrollment of about 3,800 has 122 unaccompanied youth in pre-school and 270 in K-12, or about 10% of the population
Written questions will be collected during presentations and our moderator for the evening Tyler Hull, Esq. will select questions for the panel of speakers.
Joyce Mucci Sheriff, Chuck Korzenborn
Constitution for Kids–Glendale
Harry Whiting Brown Community Center, Scout House
34 Village Square
Glendale, OH 45246
Thursday, October 2, 2014 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Let’s get our youth involved in our Country. Denise Waterman from American Spirit Education Alliance walks your children through the basic foundations of our country. This hands-on session and handout will leave you and your children confident in the foundations of the United States. (Recommended for kids age 10+ including adults). You will receive a document at the class that you can take home and discuss with your children over the next months to come. Plan now to bring a few kids from the neighborhood for this important session.
How many times have you wished you were able to talk to someone with different political views in a non-conformational manner? This subject is often “off limits” at family functions and friendly gatherings This workshop will teach people how to speak to others (friends, co-workers, family, etc.) to get truth/facts/ideas across but in a non argumentative way. It will also cover how we should speak, question and address government officials to get real responses instead of the typical political replies.
*There is a $35.00 fee for this class to cover associated costs.
In conjunction with the Cincinnati Museum Center’s Insights Lecture Series
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
Reakirt Auditorium
1301 Western Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45203
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 7-8:30 PM
The lecture distinguishes science from religion, clarifies various meanings of evolution, and presents the evidence for evolution and the mechanisms by which it occurs. Beyond the fossil record, distinguished lecturer, Dr. Patricia Kelley also examines the Biblical creation accounts and creationist approaches such as Intelligent Design to assess the compatibility of evolution with faith-based perspectives. What you’ll learn: The difference between science and religion, differing definitions of evolution, evidence supporting evolution, the implications of intelligent design and implications of biblical creation accounts
All you need is Love…AND cookies! Join Torie Hancock for a cookie decorating course for little kids and big kids (who doesn’t love cookies!) She will teach attendees cookie decorating skills especially designed for all kids. The techniques taught can be used as a brag-able dessert or a fun summer project with the kids. And don’t worry if you mess up…you’ll just have to eat it and try again. Perfection never tasted so good.Torie owns the bakery, go ahead Bake My Day, and believes with a little bit of instruction and the desire, anyone can learn the art of cake decorating! She strives to share that passion with children and adults alike!
Courage Coaches Debbie and Mike Gardner are motivation speakers/authors who teach LOVE-based crime survival skills, drawing upon their personal mistakes and successes during their law enforcement careers. Their absolutely new approach to the timely subject of self-defense dares to emphasize “LESS is more, when less is RIGHT!” The Gardner’s instill Courage, Rights and a proven effective “ONE Word Safety Plan” you’ll easily understand.
We are asking for a $10 contribution to this session per person and $15 contribution per family of four to defer expenses of the speakers.
Courage Coaches Debbie and Mike Gardner are motivation speakers/authors who teach LOVE-based crime survival skills, drawing upon their personal mistakes and successes during their law enforcement careers. Their absolutely new approach to the timely subject of self-defense dares to emphasize “LESS is more, when less is RIGHT!” The Gardner’s instill Courage, Rights and a proven effective “ONE Word Safety Plan” you’ll easily understand.
We are asking for a $10 contribution to this session to defer expenses of the speakers.
Empower U and Cincinnati Bell partner to bring this presentation to people who wish to be informed on this most vital subject. This one-hour course is taught by Cincinnati Bell’s Director of Relationship Marketing, Stephen Smith. Mr. Smith launched the program in 2011 when tragic stories of teen bullying and suicides linked to sexting were first making news. In the presentation, Mr. Smith presents facts and anecdotes focused on three common technology issues confronting young people: sexting, online privacy and cyber bullying.
George Remus, originally a pharmacist and later a lawyer, is known as the king of the Bootleggers. He Used his knowledge of pharmacy and law to circumvent the Volstead Act to buy distilleries that had gone out of business due to prohibition, on the pretext of selling it for “medical purposes”. He became the largest supplier of quality booze to folks like Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Arnold Rothstein, and on the HBO series “Boardwalk Empire”: Nucky Thompson.
He made millions. There are many interesting stories about his life, including originating the “temporary insanity” defense. Come for a spirit-filled Session!
**Following Professor Plageman’s presentation there will be a Bourbon Tasting presented by The Cock and Bull. Five Bourbon Samples will be tasted for a cost of $20.00 (paid directly to The Cock and Bull). At EmpowerU we believe in participation! Please join us for this fun after-event.
Julie Zimmerman, opinion writer for Cincinnati.com/Enquirer, will discuss how the region’s biggest media outlet decides what to cover. Learn more about the news process and how to make your voice heard, especially on the opinion pages via letters to the editor and op-eds. We’ll talk about how to decide what topics to write about, how to make a submission, how to write for a news audience and how to work with journalists effectively.
There is something sinister at the heart of these murders. Questions abound. Why will no one go on the record about a brutal triple homicide? What skeletons lurk within the closely guarded files? And how could such a tenacious investigation uncover a killer without capturing him? Join EmpowerU at the world famous Price Hill Chili for a real Halloween Fright Night as local author and true crime historian JT Townsend lifts the curtain of secrecy that surrounds this notorious of all west side cold cases–The Bricca Mystery.
Sheriff Jim Neil and other law enforcement officials and attorneys will discuss traffic safety and the do’s and don’ts when you are stopped by law enforcement. What are the expectations of you? What should you expect from the Officer? How do we recommend you act or respond? What if you have a weapon in the vehicle? Do you have your CCW license? What are your legal rights? What happens in the Court process? Every day citizens might not come in contact with law enforcement on a regular basis (hopefully not). Come here from Sheriff Neil and professionals who work in the field every day what you need to know to be better educated and prepared.
Speakers will include:
Jim Neil,Hamilton County SheriffSgt. Mike Tarr, Oversees the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Traffic Safety Unit
Gwen Bender, Cheif Assistant Prosecuting Attorney overseeing
the Municipal Division of the Hamilton County Prosecutors Office
Followed by an optional Free Jazz Concert at HWB Scout House
New Princeton High School “Grid Room” (Enter at Door #30)
11157 Chester Road
Cincinnati, OH 45246
Friday, November 7, 2014 6:30-8:30 PM**
This class will examine the development of jazz music from its beginnings through the 1940s. Geo-political and social issues associated with Jazz music will be explored through listening to and discussing music from different eras, styles and artists. The class will include audio and video recordings to illustrate the stylistic differences and development of field hollers, spirituals, early American folk music, blues, piano styles, traditional jazz (i.e., Dixieland), and swing. The course is designed to foster an understanding of the social conditions that contributed to the history of Jazz music in the first half of the 20th century and to develop a greater appreciation of this original American art form. The incredible Timothy Smith travels back to Cincinnati from the greater Washington D.C. area. From 2001 through 2011 Mr. Smith served the Princeton City School District in Cincinnati Ohio as a band director, Director of Jazz Studies, and High School Music Department Head. His knowledge of music and jazz is legendary and he is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
**Following Timothy Smith’s presentation, at 9:00PM there will be a Free Jazz Concert located at The HWB Scout House (see listing below). You must register for this event but it is a free concert.
Come and enjoy a night of entertaining Jazz Music with this Free Jazz Concert which will combine parts of The History of Jazz-Part I & Part II to help bring Jazz to life!. This concert is in conjunction with the two EmpowerU History of Jazz courses–Part I and Part II. You must register for this event to attend the concert.
New Princeton High School “Grid Room” (Enter at Door #30)
11157 Chester Road
Cincinnati, OH 45246
Saturday, November 8, 2014 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
This class will examine the development of jazz music from the 1940s through the present time. Geo-political and social issues associated with Jazz music will be explored through listening to and discussing music from different eras, styles and artists. The class will include audio and video recordings to illustrate the stylistic differences and development of bebop, hard bop, Latin jazz, third stream, cool, avant-garde, free jazz, fusion, and beyond. This course will conclude with a discussion of the roles jazz plays in American society today. The course is designed to foster an understanding of the social conditions that contributed to the history of Jazz music in the second half of the 20th century and to develop a greater appreciation of this original American art form. The incredible Timothy Smith travels back to Cincinnati from the greater Washington D.C. area. From 2001 through 2011 Mr. Smith served the Princeton City School District in Cincinnati Ohio as a band director, Director of Jazz Studies, and High School Music Department Head. His knowledge of music and jazz is legendary and he is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
Come to this empowering workshop taught by Personal Trainer, Doug Gibson, to learn strategies you can easily implement into your daily life that will result in permanent weight loss and a skyrocketing quality of life. Simple day to day strategies will be presented that will eliminate the apprehension of holiday weight gain and add zest to your energy levels, but more importantly give you your life back. This is the real deal folks…there will be no trendy weight loss gimmicks or false promises at this presentation. Even learn how you make the Affordable Health Care Act work for you, by paying for your weight loss programs in a tax-free way!
Cincinnati’s Emissary from Israel, Maia Morag, will discuss Israel’s global accomplishments and global impact. She will also discuss the current divestment movement and the dishonesty – and impossibility of it. Most major pharma companies, a significant number of technology firms, and a growing number of international firms have a large presence in Israel.
Divesting from Israel would mean no cell phones, no internet search engines, no back-up cameras in autos, fewer generic drugs, fewer snack foods, fewer green energy options (pioneer in solar, wind, and biodiesel), less effective electric cars, flash memory (including usb). Medical findings for spine victims, SIDS/crib risks, and hands-free nursing would also be gone. Military achievements in helicopters and ballistic defense, used by the USA, would also be prohibited under this approach.
Israel’s global impact is positive and constructive.
Just in time before Thanksgiving. Join EmpowerU at the movies where we explore the value and selfless motivations of our Nation’s beginning and the fact our nation is predicated on the quest for individual liberty. EmpowerU’s historian Pat Maloney will guide us through the struggles of the Pilgrims and their quest to make America great!Long regarded as “the land of opportunity” there’s no question the tiny band of religious outcasts who founded this country hit upon a formula for success that went way beyond what they could have imagined. How else can you explain the fact that they established a nation that has become the best example of civil, economic and religious liberty the world has ever known. Take your family on a new adventure to discover the true national treasure of America… just in time for your own family Thanksgiving celebration
Launched in 2009, Bitcoin is a rapidly evolving open source technology that is revolutionizing the world as we know it. Bitcoin is a digital, global, secure, decentralized payment network and a new kind of money designed for the internet and the 21st century. No signle entity controls Bitcoin.
Come learn about what Bitoin is, how it works, and how you can use it in commerce as both a consumer and business owner. Hear from Andy Schroder and Jerry Felix members of the Cincinnati Bitcoin Initiative, a collection of individuals interested in promoting, and adopting bitcoin in the Greater Cincinnati area. Be there for this cutting edge class, and learn.
Connections Church 7421 E. Galbraith Road, Cinti, OH 45243
Tuesday, February 25, 2014 7:00-8:30 PM
From the book, this course will cover how capitalism and free markets fund our schools, our government and our charities, while providing our jobs and opportunities. Youth, please join us and get an education on free enterprise and learn a dozen things every student and adult should know about America’s Economic System and how to get ahead, instead of being left behind.
Rob Hudson and 8th grader Lauren Hudson
For more information about Rob and Lauren Click Here
Anderson Library 7450 State Road, Cincinnati, OH 45230
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014 7:00-8:30 PM
Are you feeling like your house is not yours? Attorney Chris Finney tells us what you have to do NOW to lower your Property Taxes.
As many of you have seen on your real estate tax bills that just came out the valuation of your property may not be accurate. You only have 1 month to do this as all appeals need to be filed by March 31, 2013. Don’t miss out on the chance to have your home properly valued.
Cincinnati Fit Body Boot Camp 7923 Blue Ash Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
Thursday, March 6, 7:00-8:30 PM
With all the different workout and diet systems available it can become very confusing to know what is healthy for you and what is not. This EmpowerU class will show you how to put together a simple, but effective workout that you can do anywhere. After taking you through a workout that will give you the best results we’ll show you how to supplement your exercise with an effective diet. A healthy diet starts with the basics , such as how to read a food label. We’ll get you to look past the surface, learn what you are putting in your body and be ready to Get in Shape for the Summer.
Trisha DeHall will work us through the nutritional aspects of this session. Trisha holds a Masters in Nutrition and is also a Master Certified Personal Trainer. Jeff Ackerman has been training people for 6 years and has received his Personal Training certificate from the American Council on Exercise. Jeff’s common sense approach will set your workout plan on a new path for 2014.
Trisha DeHall and Jeff Ackerman from Cincinnati Fit Body Boot Camp
Joy Community Church 5000 North Bend Road, Cincinnati, OH 45211
Tuesday, March 11, 2014 7:00-8:30 PM
Professor Godsey will discuss the Ohio Innocence Project (OIP) including known problems with our judicial system, success storis, and future plans. He will be joined by a man who was wrongfully convicted and later freed through OIP’s work.
Just last year more than 30 people were exonerated through OIP’s efforts. Don’t miss this interesting class today.
Launched in 2009, Bitcoin is a rapidly evolving open source technology that is revolutionizing the world as we know it.Bitcoin is a digital, global, secure, decentralized payment network and a new kind of money designed for the internet and the 21st century.No signle entity controls Bitcoin.
Come learn about what Bitoin is, how it works, and how you can use it in commerce as both a consumer and business owner.Hear from Andy Schroder and Jerry Felix members of the Cincinnati Bitcoin Initiative, a collection of individuals interested in promoting, and adopting bitcoin in the Greater Cincinnati area.Be there for this cutting edge class, and learn.
Optional Dinner Available (Best Fried Chicken) starting at 6:00 PM
This EmpowerU class will shine a spotlight on a most troubling subject and little known epidemic, Human Trafficking. Most would think trafficking is a third-world-country problem. If we think close to home at all, border states come to mind. This session will confirm that yes, this problem is right in our own community.
Join Melinda Haggerty of the Ohio Attorney General’s office and Congressman Steve Chabot who will give us insight into how this problem is impacting our communities. A preliminary report on this problem cited 13 YEARS OLD AS THE MOST COMMON AGE IN OHIO FOR YOUTH TO BECOME VICTIMS! Can you afford not to learn about what might be happening under your very eyes?
Congressman Steve Chabot and Ohio Attorney General’s Office’s Melinda Haggerty
From the book, this course will cover how capitalism and free markets fund our schools, our government and our charities, while providing our jobs and opportunities. Youth, please join us and get an education on free enterprise and learn a dozen things every student and adult should know about America’s Economic System and how to get ahead, instead of being left behind.
Rob Hudson and 8th grader Lauren Hudson
For more information about Rob and Lauren Click Here
Thirty kids in a classroom listening to a teacher five days a week with summers off to help with the crops? Sounds like the 19th century, but it’s not.That’s today. No wonder too many of our kids aren’t doing well in school.Fortunately, new school models are emerging which allow kids to learn at their own pace.And that’s just the beginning.After just three years, the KIPP Empower school in inner-city Los Angeles is the 10th highest- ranked public elementary school in the entire state of California.That’s not by accident. Come join us on Thursday, March 20th, but fasten your seat belts.We’re looking at the future, and it’s exciting!
Dan Peters is president of the Lovett & Ruth Peters Foundation in Cincinnati. The foundation focuses its efforts nationwide on creating great K-12 education options for parents and their kids.
Join us when Nathan Martin and other representatives from Concerned Veterans explain why you should care about the problems in the VA system and how it relates to Obamacare and you. Learn about Single payer healthcare and why this is the goal for the Government for all Americans. The VA is notoriusly slow and its service is sub-standard. See how this slow pay and service relates to what will happen with Obamacare and you.
This issue threatens to cripple not only our economic and national security, but also the spirit of opportunity and liberty veterans fought to defend. A don’t miss session!
Nathan Martin from Concerned Veterans for America
Reservations are required for all courses. Reserve your spot now by clicking on the REGISTER button below each class description. Act now, before your class fills up!
Cold cases fascinate us because of the endless possibilities. What if Alice Hochhausler hadn’t driven her daughter home from work while a strangler was running loose? What if Oda Apple’s wife hadn’t sent him to the corner drugstore? What if Linda Bricca hadn’t been so beautiful–and her husband not a workaholic? J.T. Townsend takes us on a sinister journey through thirteen cases, which took place in Cincinnati between 1904 and 1971. What do these cases have in common? Somebody literally got away with murder. Learn about the most interesting crime cases in Cincinnati’s history.
J.T. Townsend is a freelance writer and lifelong resident of Cincinnati. He is the former true crime historian for Snitch Magazine and his work has appeared in the Cincinati Enquirer, Cincinnati Magazine, Word Magazine, and Clews. He will be signing his book Queen City Gothic at the event. Enjoy the beautiful setting of The Rail House with their great food and drink. Join us–Limited Seating at this event!
All about the NSA. We will discuss the recent attempt by the White House to quell our growing concern about the over-reach of the NSA and its associated intelligence-gathering practices. How the NSA deflects criticism of their collection of activities. Learn about metadata and how it is used to assimilate information about the sender and recipient(s). Can this stuff really happen to the people? Is anything we do private and safe from government scrutiny?
Will shifting this NSA operation to a third party and raising the level of judicial approval do anything or will it just be business as usual? Join Doc Thompson, from the Blaze Radio Network, a conservative, freedom fighting, radio talk show host at what promises to be an ardent, highly-charged and informative EmpowerU. Are you being spied on? Click Here to find out (thanks to Wired Magazine!).
Join us for Cigar Tasting at the newest Cigar Lounge in Cincinnati–House of Cigar in Sharonville, Ohio. We’ll have our own private lounge on this night and we will sample three cigars chosen for us. We’ll have a cigar representative go through the basics of cigars with us–how to cut, what to choose, how to smoke and sample. We will also look at part of a video from Rocky Patel’s company that shows how cigars are made from when they are grown, to when they are harvested to how they are rolled. This will be kind of an introductory class to Cigars from a representative that works in the industry every day.
There is a $15 material fee for this class which includes three cigars you will be sampling. You are free to bring your own beverages–beer and wine– to the lounge. We will have our own special room for this event which will seat 25 people. Afterwards feel free to enjoy the large screen TV’s and comfortable seating. Are you ready to smoke some cigars???
Join Radio and Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame Inductee Jim LaBarbara at legendary Price Hill Chili.Learn about the making of some Great 50’s and 60’s music and the Stars who performed them.An evening with a true Living Legend.
Jim will be signing copies of his book The Music Professor.You listened to him for 40 years on Cincinnati Radio on WLW, WCKY, and WGRR. Don’t miss him at EmpowerU on April 8.
In this important class EmpowerU will teache you how to get the information from governments you need. Learn this important Ohio law to let the sunshine in! If you need information from your Government(s), this class will tell you how to request the information, what information are they required to give you and when are they required to give you the information. Find out why these two Ohio laws have been called “the Great Equalizer”. This is a foundational EmpowerU class–SIGN UP!
Attorney Curt Hartman, is an expert on Ohio’s Sunshine Laws, and has litigated many, many Ohio cases. This will be comprehensive overview of the very important Open Records and Open Meetings act and you will receive a handout to take with you to use as a reference guide. If you don’t know this law you must take this class.
Courage Coaches Debbie and Mike Gardner are motivation speakers/authors who teach LOVE-based crime survival skills, drawing upon their personal mistakes and successes during their law enforcement careers. Their absolutely new approach to the timely subject of self-defense dares to emphasize “LESS is more, when less is RIGHT!”
The Gardner’s instill Courage, Rights and a proven effective “ONE Word Safety Plan” you’ll easily understand. We are asking for a $10 contribution to this session to defer expenses of the speakers.
Maurice Thompson is “The People’s Attorney” He is the Executive Director of the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law in Columbus which is a non-profit, non-partisan legal center dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights of Ohioans from government abuse. 1851 litigates constitutional issues related to property rights, voting rights, regulation, taxation and search and seizures.
Many of the protections of individual rights and limits on government in the United States Constitution have been eviscerated. How did this happen; and what is responsible for it? The same thing is in danger of happening here in Ohio, even hought (1) the Ohio Constitution is more protective of rights and restrictive on government than the federal constitution; and (2) Republics claiming an interest in limited government have controlled the Court for a decade. What does the Ohio Constitution say? And how can we protect it?
In this unique session Maurice will “flash teach” on three important topics (20 minutes each) that are impacting the Ohio Constitution: 1) What are the Unique protections of the Ohio Constitution?, 2) Are the judges shredding these protections and 3) How can you judge Ohio’s judges.Don’t miss this important EmpowerU Session.
Terry Bowman is pro-union dedicated to bringing union leadership back to the middle to represent all workers.He believes you cannot serve the interests of members by making enemies with politicians.Understand the idea that “Forced Solidarity” is no solidarity at all.Only through complete voluntary unionism will there be real solidarity.
Find out why after 13 years of being dissatisfied with union politics and associated propaganda, UAW member Terry Bowman decided in 2010 to start organizing union members that disagree with political activities of their union officials.Find out what you need to know and how to get involved.
Learn why Marijuana might be re-legalized from the President of Ohio NORML–The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. This session will cover the historic, medical, industrial and social use of Cannabis also known as Hemp or Marijuana. We’ll discover Marijuana’s use for medical purposes.
NORML’s goal is to legalize Marijuana for personal, industrial and medical use. The world is changing in front of our very eyes with the State of Colorado being on the forefront of legalization. Will Ohio be next–the answer might surprise you!
Rob Ryan, Leader of Ohio Chapter of NORML and three-time Cancer Survivor
Free Admission to the Holocaust Museum from 6:00-7:00 PM on May 1
Dr. Henry Fenichel, Holocaust survivor and Professor Emeritus of physics at the University of Cincinnati, will recount his story as a preschooler forced by Nazis to wear a yellow star signifying his religion. Fenichel who did not speak openly about his experiences until the early 1990’s is now sharing his life story. What prompted him to break his silence on his past was the opening of the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C.
Do not miss the chance to hear Dr. Fenichel’s incredible story and learn about the Holocaust by visiting Cincinnati’s incredible Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education. Join us on May 1.
Dr. Henry Fenichel, Professor Emeritus of physics at the University of Cincinnati
Joel Pollak- Senior Editor-at-Large for Breitbart News.
Adam Koehler- Candidate for Hamilton County Board of Commissioners
Jed Hartings grew up on the West Side of Cincinnati and attended St. Xavier High School. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and earned a doctorate in neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh. He then served 8 years as a medical research officer in the U.S. Army at Walter Reed, separating from service at the rank of Major. 
Hamilton County Communications Center
Adam Masters is a Grassroots Trainer at Americans for Prosperity. A fifth generation Oklahoman, Adam has seen all types of grassroots efforts before joining the team. He began his political career traveling and on different campaigns and knocking on doors throughout college. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in Political Science, Adam went to work for former Mayor of Oklahoma City Mick Cornett’s gubernatorial campaign, doing everything from driving the candidate to events, knocking on doors, and making voter phone calls.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA
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Karen Cartier: Karen is an avid reader, writer, learner, wife, and 
Emma Jo Morris- Morris earned acclaim for her 
Dan is a lover of Liberty and enjoys speaking to EmpowerU classes about subjects he is passionate about. Recently he has discussed: Milton Friedman, Saul Alinsky, D-Day, The Deficit, Public Education, Winston Churchill, President Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Sowell and Sam Adams at EmpowerU Classes. This semester Dan will be discussing Pearl Harbor on December 7, 2023 at EmpowerUAmerica.org. Regenold is founder and Chairman of 
Terry Vaughn- Meet Terry, a distinguished TEDx speaker, body language and personal safety expert, author, and a former British Royal Marines Commando. Terry’s expertise in decoding body language traces back to his childhood, growing up under the heel of a violent father prone to spontaneous bouts of violence. It wasn’t until his time in the military, where he attended training on Body Language and Human Behavior, that Terry discovered his natural talent for deciphering nonverbal cues.
Starting in Cincinnati with the first daily weather forecast published in the US in 1869, he soon left for Washington, where he acted as Chief Scientist at what would become the National Weather Service. In a remarkable career that spanned 46 years, he mentored generations of scientists responsible for modern meteorology. 
Brian Crosby
War Against the Weak is the gripping chronicle documenting how American corporate philanthropies launched a national campaign of ethnic cleansing in the United States, helped found and fund the Nazi eugenics of Hitler and Mengele — and then created the modern movement of “human genetics.” Some 60,000 Americans were sterilized under laws in 27 states.
Jaimee Michell is a name that has been making waves in the world of activism lately. As the founder and president of the nonprofit Gays Against Groomers, she and her organization have been fighting to end the sexualization, indoctrination and medicalization of children that is being done in the name of “LGBTQIA+”.
Thomas E. Brinkman Jr. is 65 years old and lives in the Cincinnati neighborhood with his wife of 40 years, Cathy. Together they have raised six children and are enjoying their seven grandchildren, so far. Tom served 16 years in the Ohio General Assembly: (2001 to 2008) and (2015 to 2022) and is a veteran of 18 contested Republican primary and General elections. Tom is a co-founder of the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes and continues to fight unnecessary infringements upon our personal and financial freedom.
Businessman and elected official, Othal E Brand, Jr. has lived in McAllen, in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas for over 68 years. He graduated from Texas Christian University in 1976, and worked for the family business, Griffin & Brand and Trophy International for over 30 years. The companies were the largest grower and shipper of fruits and vegetables in the state of Texas and the largest grower of onions in the world during that time. His family had farming operations on property directly on the Rio Grande River, as well as in nine states in the United States, and in the countries of Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
For the last 10 years, Lonnie Freeman (Jake) and Malcolm Spence (Elwood) have been entertaining audiences throughout Ohio as The Sensational Soul Brothers.
The Pfizer documents were published in 2022 after a federal judge in Texas ordered the Food and Drug Administration to make public the data it relied on to license Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, accelerating the schedule to get the data published. This makes it around 75 years faster than the FDA said it could take to complete a Freedom of Information Act request. There’s an estimate of 450,000 pages about the vaccine. The FDA proposed on publishing 500 pages a month and U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman Pittman ordered to have 55,000 pages published a month so the data would be completely public within around 8 months instead of 75 years. 
Jim Lewis: Marine, retired Sales Representative, co-founder of Building Blocks for Liberty, currently teaching American History, World History and the US Constitution for homeschoolers in the PEP program at the Mason location. Jim has been interested in history since childhood. During his down time, he continues to read books on history, types of governments and law.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA
Speaker Bio:
Dan Regenold: Dan is a lover of Liberty and enjoys speaking to EmpowerU classes about subjects he is passionate about. Recently he has discussed: Milton Friedman, Saul Alinsky, Net Neutrality, D-Day, The Deficit, How to Destroy America in Three Easy Steps, Public Education, Winston Churchill, President Theodore Roosevelt, and Thomas Sowell at EmpowerU Classes. Regenold is founder and Chairman of 
Richard Rutz is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who has worked in mental health for 25+ years. His career has taken him around the country working in a variety of rural and urban settings. His experiences have included working as a nurse, hospital administrator and nurse practitioner in hospital, residential, and outpatient care settings for all ages and a variety of diagnoses. He currently works as a nurse practitioner at NeuroPsych Center of Greater Cincinnati helping coordinate care for individuals and families with a holistic and collaborative approach with other providers. 
Dan Peterson began his career at Procter & Gamble in sales retiring after 34 years in various executive capacities in both domestic and global roles. After retirement, he began his 2nd career, leading sales development and training for a handful of large, major companies. Dan finds passion in helping people improve their business skills. Additionally, he teaches sales classes as an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati as well as help coach the varsity sales team.
Kathryn Huwig attended Case Western Reserve University and Stanford University, double majoring in Planetary Geology and Evolutionary Biology. Her evolutionary biology degree focused mainly on different aspects of human evolution, including a graduate course focused solely on the epidemiology and evolution of human diseases. The degree was also heavily focused on the history and philosophy of science, or how we know what we know, how science succeeds and where it fails. 
Ronald Rothhaas is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® and principal owner of Arbor Doctor LLC, specializing in plant health care, tree preservation, consulting, and landscaping. Ron is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Horticulture and Natural Resources Interpretation and Cincinnati State College with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture. He is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture and the Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky ISA Chapters. 
Tom Wertman: It
H. Louis Sirkin is one of the nation’s preeminent First Amendment and criminal defense attorneys. Over more than 50 years of practice, Sirkin has consistently defended the free speech and constitutional rights of countless individuals and businesses, including adult entertainment establishments, museums, artists, activists, and ordinary citizens in all types of cases. Lou is both a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Criminal Lawyers.
Gail Niederlehner- Gail has lived in the greater Cincinnati area her entire life, began her career in IT, then transitioned into many roles as she and her husband started and operated a small business for over 30 years. Following the 2020 election, Gail knew something was wrong with elections in our country and began researching. She discovered Ohio elections have not been secure and accurate for a long time and it is very possible recent events in Arizona elections could also happen in Ohio. She is volunteering alongside many other patriots across Ohio to inform and educate We The People of our corrupt elections and to bring much needed common sense reforms to Ohio’s election processes. She is instrumental in developing the website ohio4truth.com which provides a wealth of information regarding Election Integrity to the people that they might not otherwise see or hear on mainstream media. 
Glenn Mehltretter is a Butler county resident since 1994 after graduating from ORU with a Film and TV production degree. His family owns a consulting company where he helps companies place the correct people into management roles based on the requisite organization structure. Glenn was a professional flatland freestyle bike rider in his youth and uses that balance learned to achieve skills in many industries. He flips houses (on house #7 now) sells commercial printing, owns a hand bindery business, and a production company for video and photography. He writes for magazines and corporations as well as does photography in extreme sports like paintball and BMX freestyle. He also runs multiple YouTube channels with multiple millions of views for his content. He started the “Trails of Doom” brand and has studied algorithms for years. When covid hit he had free time which was rare as he is typically so busy. So, he dug into the election integrity situation and what he discovered shocked him. After reading the forensic reports for the Tina Peter’s hard drives in Colorado as well as reading hundreds of affidavits from election officials all over the country. He also read the Maras affidavit which showed there were only 2 companies certified to approve the voting machines, but they lost their accreditation… He has put on the record all of this proof of election issues to the Butler County Board of Elections. As well as given, it all to the Butler County Sheriff. Education of the public is key so he has been vocal publicly as well as online and has proof of government officials shadow banning his comments about the election issues on Facebook.
Roger is a successful businessman, long-time philanthropist, internationally recognized softball coach, and founder of Magnified Giving. An entrepreneur since age seven, Roger made his first, significant philanthropic contribution as a young teenager and has been freely giving of his time, talent, and treasure for the past sixty years. 
Mike Biere is a 1964 graduate of Aiken H.S., USMC 1966- 1968, Vietnam 1967 – 68 B.S. and M.S. in biological sciences. He worked as a conservation consultant and field biologist before switching to work as an IT technical consultant.
Tom wears many hats including being the Executive Director of Free Ohio Now and the State Director of Ohio Freedom Action Network (OhioFAN). Through these positions, he has worked hard alongside many dedicated people to bring together like-minded leaders and individuals from across Ohio to facilitate communication and coordinated actions in the cause of perpetuating our God-given inalienable rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Sherry Hall has been site manager of the Warren G. Harding Presidential Sites in 
Tom Zawistowski- Tom, is the CEO and Founder, with his wife Nanette, of TRZ Communications, a 38 year old technology company based in Akron, Ohio. In 2009 he was one of the founders of the Portage County TEA Party, for which he became the Executive Director in 2010, a position he still holds. 
Michael Mercier is President of Screen Education, which provides research, training and consulting on the impact of information technology on human well-being. His research has examined the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical consequences of digital addiction, as well as its impact on academic performance and workplace productivity and safety. He has spoken to schools, corporate audiences, colleges and summer camps, as well as at numerous conferences. Mr. Mercier has presented his research to members of Congress, and to the legislative aids to numerous Senators. He holds a BA in Psychology from Vassar College, an MBA in Marketing from the University of Michigan, and an MS in MIS from the University of Cincinnati.
Senator George Lang is currently serving his first term in the Ohio Senate representing the people of the 4th Senate District, which covers the majority of Butler County. He previously served two terms in the Ohio House of Representatives.
EmpowerU guest Rachel R. Citak Ohio-licensed attorney and owner of her own 
Before coming to WCPO 9 in 2005, Steve spent nearly 20 years at KRON-TV in San Francisco as their Chief Meteorologist. He pioneered the country’s first instant weather information access, the California Weather Network. While there, he represented the United States at the World Weather Conference in Barcelona, Spain. He also broadcasted live from the White House lawn during a Presidential Conference on Climate Change. He’s become somewhat of a hurricane hound broadcasting live from the scene of over a dozen tropical systems. Steve is in his 38th year in meteorology covering everything from tornado outbreaks to major snow events, and still brings his my “comfortable” air mattress frequently using it during severe weather seasons.
Jim Meyers: Jim Meyers graduated from Gettysburg College in 1964 and began his military service in the US Marine Corps shortly thereafter. Upon graduation frothe Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in 1966, Jim received small leadership training at The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia, followed by additional training at Camp LeJeune, NC. He was deployed to the Republic of South Vietnam in 1967 and assignd to the 2d Batallion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
Cherise Wilson: 
IBM and the Holocaust was first published in 2001 and again in 2012, yet there are many people who have not heard of the events, in this book. The discoveries came about from a visit to The Holocaust Museum in Washington DC. While Edwin and his parents (who survived Hitler’s reign) stood looking through a glass at an IBM machine, and not understanding the significance, he promised them he would find out why it was there.
Dr. Debbi Silverman: 
Joseph Ashbrook: Joseph is President of the Cincinnati Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society. Founded in 1982, the Federalist Society promotes the principles that the state exists to preserve freedom, separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution, and it is the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be. Mr. Ashbrook was the editor-in-chief of the Virginia Law Review and currently practices at the law firm Ashbrook Byrne Kresge LLC, providing outside general counsel and litigation services for businesses and individuals. 
Betsy Sundermann: Betsy has the resume and the experience to serve as Hamilton County’s next Domestic Relations Judge. She has served as a Hamilton County Prosecutor, Magistrate, and as a member of Cincinnati City Council. She has also practiced law privately, helping clients with mental health issues. She understands the importance of having strong families, and will utilize her experience as an attorney, prosecutor, magistrate, community leader, and mother to ensure that the Domestic Relations Court is the first step in strengthening our Hamilton County families. Strong families result in more opportunities and safer communities. Betsy is currently serving as a Magistrate in Hamilton County Probate Court. She resides in Cincinnati with her husband and two daughters.
Congressman Warren Davidson: Warren Davidson was born and raised in Sidney, Ohio. He enlisted in the Army after high school and later earned an appointment to West Point. He served in the Old Guard, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and the 101st Airborne Division. After returning to civilian life, he helped grow his father’s small company with 20 employees to multiple companies with over 200 employees. Warren has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 27 years, and they have 2 adult children. 
Bill Gladwell: For over 30 years, Bill has been a consultant, speaker, and writer focusing on hypnosis, influence, and persuasion. He has helped hundreds of thousands of humans communicate effectively, ethically influence others, and get what they want.
Christopher Smitherman was born on July 16, 1967, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father, Dr. Herbert Smitherman, was a chemist and the first African-American with a PhD hired at Procter & Gamble. His mother, Mrs. Barbara Smitherman, was a teacher and administrator at Cincinnati Public Schools. Christopher has five siblings – one sister and four brothers. Christopher and his five siblings grew up in North Avondale.
The Mission for U.S.P.I.E. is – United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE) is a nonprofit, nationwide coalition that seeks to return education to its proper local roots and restore parental authority over their children’s education by helping parents and local communities to escape federal and other national influences. Grassroots leaders from around the country will work to 1) expose the lies being taught in government schools that harm children and threaten freedom, 2) encourage parents to take back responsibility to educate their children, 3) initiate and support efforts to return complete local control of government schools, and 4) encourage states to wean themselves off the federal education dole.
Catherine Engelbrecht is prominent in the news recently because of the documentary 
After the movie we will “speak freely” and discuss Gender Ideology and the movie. We will look forward to hearing your input and thoughts about “What is a Woman?” And as always, the popcorn will be supplied by EmpowerU!
In this class, students will be using Jackie Fisher’s bold line drawings as inspiration for their own versions of similar drawings. Using black permanent marker, gel pens, and washable marker, Jackie will lead students through her process of line making on pieces of cardstock paper. Once students have covered the entire 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper in their marker design, facilitators will help them to cut their paper into strips, approximately 2-3 inches thick. Once the strips have been cut, students will choose the strip with their favorite composition to laminate into a bookmark. Once laminated, students will punch a hole in the top of the bookmark and add a tassel using colorful lanyard string. This class is limited to 20 people.
Today, the federal government is constantly violating the US Constitution and usurping powers that belong to the States and the People. State’s Attorney Generals sue the federal government in federal courts asking the feds to define what their powers are instead of using the Constitution. Others want to hold an Article V convention to propose amendments to restrict the federal government. We had an amendments convention in 1787 to “Remedy the defects in the Articles of Confederation only”, find out how that turned out!
Stories from Marty Brennaman (who wrote the foreword), Johnny Bench, Tom Browning, Pete Rose, George Foster, Jeff Brantley, Chris Welsh, Ron Oester, Lou Piniella, Marge Schott, George Clooney, David Letterman, Jonathan Winters, Al Michaels and many others are in the lineup for Kiesewetter’s entertaining 300-page book. He will sign copies of the book available for $20 cash or check. Part of the proceeds benefit the Nuxhall Foundation.
Ron Hummons – 
– Hannah started at OTSE as a research intern during her senior year at Denison University (2017). She joined the full time staff after graduating and now serves as the organization’s Executive Director. Hannah has played a significant role in coordinating the NoDeathPenaltyOH campaign, which represents a diverse number of organizations all with the same goal in mind of repealing Ohio’s death penalty. Hannah oversees, manages, and implements the campaign and statewide strategy to repeal Ohio’s death penalty. She also serves on the board of the Columbus chapter of America’s Future.
But the most important aspect of all his work has been cultivation and support of grassroots efforts in about forty states. We are winning the public discussion because the grassroots are demanding that the situation be addressed. “Politicians don’t start parades, they join them”, has been the theme that is carrying the day. As individual citizens are remembering that “We the People” are supposed to be the government in our constitutional republic, they are stepping up and engaging their civic duty. This speaks loud and clear to our government leaders, and it is empowering the true patriots among them.
Third Eye features a large open taproom and lots of outdoor space including a covered patio with an upper deck. A wide range of beers and other hand crafted beverages to meet a variety of tastes – even for non-beer drinkers! Also offered is a limited selection of wine and spirits, non-alcoholic beverages, and a full kitchen. 
During the American Civil War, Cincinnati played a crucial role in preserving the United States. Not only was the city the North’s most populous in the West, but also it was the nation’s third most productive manufacturing center. The Queen City of the West served as a key provider of the Union’s soldiers, weapons, supplies, medical aid, and political influencers. 
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA
You can homeschool your child, so everyone considering the lifestyle can benefit from this class. The statistics on homeschooling have crushed most of the myths about the community, and we will certainly cover those, but at the end of the day, the most successful children have involved and engaged parents that have those important discussions at the dinner table…it’s just a matter of how many of those you need to “undo” before you have them. Like the profession of teaching, today’s homeschooling community is comprised of two groups: those who homeschool as a calling, and those who homeschool as a refuge or alternative schedule. Neither is right/wrong, good/bad, but why you homeschool may dictate the initial part of the journey. Toward that end, this class will cover “Myth-busting,” how to be “Legal” in Ohio, “Curricula,” and other areas about which people usually ask such as “Sports/Extra Curriculars.”
Uncertainty seems to be lurking all around us these days. This can derail us if we are not careful. Let’s add Dementia to the brain of someone you love and your whole world can feel upside down, falling apart. We can’t fix this one but with the right instructions the holidays can still be meaningful. I can add some much needed tools to your tool belt, help you realize there is life even with dementia and find hope while dealing with progressive memory loss. 
Wild Birds is a nation-wide franchise with over 300 stores in 45 states and four provinces in Canada and is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN. They have been serving the Backyard Birding community for nearly 40 years. Tim will share his insight on topics including, “Who are our Backyard Birds”, “How Can I Attract Them to My Backyard”, “Selecting Food and Feeders to my Backyard” and “The Wonderful World of Bird Behavior”. Tim will also be glad to answer any questions you have so bring them with you!
Mary Cunningham who, in the 1870s, with her husband William were in the business of aiding many young Cincinnati medical students in their studies by providing them with cadavers upon which to examine. They were grave-robbing body snatchers! Irish born Mary was a fun-loving woman that liked her whiskey and was rough around the edges. At the time you “see” Mary her beloved husband William, known as the “Ghoul of Cincinnati,” had passed away. Mary, dubbed as “Alligator Jaws” will enlighten you of the fine arts of bodysnatching, which was a very lucrative market in Cincinnati during that time. What else we know of Mary are from the many Cincinnati newspaper articles about bodysnatching.
Joyce Lovins Browning- is a native of Ohio growing up in Harrison and Okeana. She has been performing Living History for over 18 years. She retired after 20 years as the Naturalist Coordinator from Great Parks of Hamilton County in 2018, and now enjoys working as a part-time Tour Coordinator for Ohio Travel Treasures, sending groups on wonderful bus tour adventures.
Businesses will want to consider legal considerations of workplace violence (WPV) and active shooter (killer) incidents. As an employer do you have a workable active shooter (killer) response plan? “Hardening” your facilities, improving your procedures, & training your greatest assets: your co-workers and you! Equipment considerations (safety, medical, etc.) to minimize loss of life and maximize your chances for survival. Communication considerations, both internal and external, to include 9-1-1, your loved ones, and your employees. 
COL Bob Cutajar, USA (ret.) (coo – TIE – yer”)
Mike Gonzalez is a Senior Fellow at The Heritage Foundation. He writes on Critical Race Theory, identity politics, diversity, multiculturalism, assimilation and nationalism, as well as foreign policy in general. He spent close to 20 years as a journalist, 15 of them reporting from Europe, Asia and Latin America. He left journalism to join the administration of President George W. Bush, where he was speechwriter for Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox before moving on to the State Department’s European Bureau. He joined Heritage in March 2009.
Freshman State Representative Jennifer Gross (Dist. 52 West Chester) joins EmpowerU to discuss various issues including the contentious House Bill 248. House Bill 248, the Vaccine Choice and Anti-Discrimination Act, authored by Representative Gross who is joined by fifteen co-sponsors in the Ohio House from across the state. This bill would prohibit the imposition of a “vaccine mandate” and carrying a “vaccine passport” in order for Ohioans to work, exercise or enter public buildings. Proposed legislation in Ohio has rarely caused such a dramatic separation of viewpoints among legislators, businesses, and Ohioans. After Ohioans have lived under lockdowns, mask restrictions and a mandatory vaccination scheme for more than a year, House Bill 248 attempts to bridge the divide between safety precautions taken on behalf of the public “Common Good” and the very basis of individual liberty and personal responsibility. Get your popcorn!
Dan Regenold first became active in Government in 2003 when he became involved fighting Eminent Domain and helping stop it in Evendale and in Norwood, Ohio. In 2006, he was one of the founders of 
Jack Windsor – is an Investigative Reporter for WMFD in Mansfield and the Managing Editor at The Ohio Star. During the first several months of Covid-19 Jack was the reporter who consistently asked Governor DeWine difficult questions. Jack joins EmpowerU from 7:05-7:15 PM to fill us in on his perspective of his work on Covid-19 and how he thinks Ohio has done with the pandemic. He’ll also give us an update on projects that he is currently working on.
We have all encountered loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, loss of loved ones, loss of connections and loss of the freedoms we enjoyed before. As a result, many of us experience anger, frustration, and fear that at times can become overwhelming. Please join Erica Birkley in learning and practicing science-based strategies for effectively managing and regulating these emotions.
Dr. Erica Birkley is an Anderson Township resident, spouse, and mother to a 4-year old curious explorer. She is a psychologist and Assistant Professor within the UC College of Medicine. Dr. Birkley specializes in the treatment of stress, insomnia, anger, and depression among adults and couples. She loves bonfires with her neighbors, shopping Plants by Wolfangel, Zumba at the Mercy Anderson Healthplex, Beech Acres, A Fair of the Arts, Salem Garden’s burgers, and Coney Island’s tube slide.
ou missed the first installment of Talks held earlier this month, you missed a lot of fun. “Talks” is a new series of
To attend this class virtually click here after 6:50 pm the night of the class.
Rebecca Heimlich Seth Morgan
Tim Burgess has been studying success principles for over twenty years. His primary focus has been in the areas of Dynamic Thinking, Effective Communication/Personality Traits, and the Entrepreneurial Mindset. Tim has studied extensively Napoleon Hill, Earl Nightingale, Bob Proctor, and many more renowned experts in the field of personal development. After several years of studying this material he decided to apply it to the real estate profession. 
Maurice Thompson is a constitutional rights lawyer, author, commentator, speaker, and founder and director of the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law. Maurice fights for liberty across Ohio in high-stakes constitutional rights cases and provides legal support for freedom-oriented ballot issues. He has defeated state and local governments and agencies to protect property rights, taxpayer rights, free speech, parental rights, entrepreneurs’ rights, privacy rights, freedom to contract, and healthcare freedom. Maurice specializes in the Ohio Constitution.
To Watch a Complete Recording of This Class Click Here
Justin Binik-Thomas is a senior manager at a drug development research organization. In this capacity, he is responsible for mitigating risk, maximizing revenue, and growing relationships with internal and external customers. He holds undergraduate degrees in pharmacy and biology and a graduate degree in business. In his personal time, Justin enjoys being a father and husband. Learn Justin’s interesting story of how he was targeted by a coordinated attempt of our government to silence conservative speech and thought and the chilling effect this had on tea party groups across the nation (…which included EmpowerU). Two of Justin’s most enjoyable side project-OH Congress! And Read the Bill.
EmpowerU Studio at Frame USA
Mike and Debbie Gardner
Click Here to See Dr. Rissover’s Video on the Class
Rob Hudson and 8th grader Lauren Hudson
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Author J.T. Townsend
The Music Professor, Jim LaBarbara
Maurice Thompson
