Author: Lenn Black

Business, Economy & Finance, Culture, Events, Social Justice

Celebration on May Day

by

For much of the world, May 1st is International Workers’ Day, a public holiday dedicated to labor rights. It commemorates the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, where workers striking for an 8-hour workday clashed with police. Today, millions of people participate in rallies, marches, and strikes to advocate for better wages and working conditions. It is a day to celebrate the contributions and achievements of workers in all sectors of the economy. From the factory worker to the teacher, from the healthcare professional to the farmer, this day honors the dedication, hard work, and sacrifices of individuals who labor tirelessly to build and sustain our communities.

Continue Reading »
Energy, Environment, Sustainable Living, Transit

Transit Columbus: Striving for Improved Public Transportation

by

Transit Columbus, a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization created in 2011, is an advocacy group dedicated to improving public transportation, walking, and biking infrastructure in the central Ohio region. Transit Columbus, a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization created in 2011, is an advocacy group dedicated to improving public transportation, walking, and biking infrastructure in the central Ohio region.

Continue Reading »
Food

Spotlight on Local Matters

by

ocal Matters is a private non-profit organization dedicated to creating healthier communities through food education, access, and advocacy. It addresses food insecurity by providing cooking & nutrition classes, operating the Veggie Van for fresh produce, and managing Columbus Food Rescue to reduce food waste. Since its founding in 2008, it has reached over 180,000 people with its services. Nonprofit funding is always difficult to predict, and the first quarter of 2026 has been especially difficult on that front. Local Matters is in a uniquely challenging position after the loss of several funding sources, and it’s dealing with a gap in funding that threatens its ability to keep the doors open. It needs help to bridge that gap to ensure that its work doesn’t come to an end.

Continue Reading »
Documentary Films, Environment, Events, Recycling

Look for Simply Living Events Coming in May

by

Want to take a behind-the-scenes look at how recyclable waste is processed? You may remember that, back in October 2025, 20 members of the Simply Living Community toured the facility. We are going back again! If you missed the tour in October, here is another chance to check it out. The Spring Tour will take place on Thursday, May 21st at 1:00 pm. Simply Living Simply Living will present Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? on Thursday, May 28th at 5:45 pm, at the Columbus Public Library’s Whetstone Branch, 3909 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214.

Continue Reading »
Arts & Culture, Culture

Spotlight on the Greater Columbus Arts Council

by

The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC), a partner of Simply Living, is a 501(c)(3) organization officially incorporated in 1973 to support, promote, and advocate for the arts in Columbus and Franklin County. With offices at 182 East Long Street, Columbus, it serves as the arts agency for the city. It provides grants, manages community arts initiatives, and offers resources for artists and cultural organizations.

Continue Reading »
Climate, Environment, Events

Celebrate the Earth on Earth Day and Every Day

by

Earth Day is an annual global event on April 22nd dedicated to environmental protection and sustainability. It mobilizes more than 1 billion people in over 190 countries to fight climate change, reduce waste, and support green energy through education, activism, and volunteering. The purpose of Earth Day is to raise awareness about environmental issues and to encourage action to protect the planet. Activities vary from large-scale marches to local community actions. The theme in 2026 is “Our Power, Our Planet” focusing on accelerating the transition to clean energy, promoting clean air and water, and ensuring climate stability.

Continue Reading »
Environment, News, Uncategorized

Dig in to Earth Month Activities

by

If you are paying attention, you already know that April is Earth Month in central Ohio. Simply Living will be participating in the Green Columbus Earth Day Celebration at the Scioto Audubon Center, 400 W Whittier St, Columbus, on April 26th from 11 am to 7 pm. It is one of the region’s biggest Earth Day events, featuring live music, environmental vendors, food trucks, dog agility shows, and fitness & family activities along the beautiful Scioto riverfront. We hope you will be able to attend and come and visit the Simply Living table. It is also a great opportunity volunteer a few hours of your time and effort to assist in the community. Even though we are almost halfway through Earth Month, there are still over 65 volunteer opportunities available in central Ohio through the end of April. Many are workdays at neighborhood community gardens and urban farms. There are also litter cleanups and beautification projects.

Continue Reading »
Business, Economy & Finance, Climate, Energy, Environment, Transit

Transitioning to a Better State with Clean Fuels Ohio

by

Clean Fuels Ohio (CFO), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, promotes the use of cleaner alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies in Ohio and beyond. It connects fleets, policymakers, businesses & consumers with unbiased resources and practical solutions to reduce emissions, save money, strengthen energy security, and grow Ohio’s economy. The mission of CFO is to improve air quality & health, reduce environmental pollution, and strengthen Ohio’s economy by increasing the use of cleaner, domestic fuels and energy-saving vehicles. Its vision is clean transportation across Ohio.

Continue Reading »
Arts & Culture, Events

Spotlight on Global Gallery

by

Global Gallery is a fair-trade nonprofit coffee shop located at 3535 North High Street in Clintonville. It is dedicated to promoting fair trade, handcrafted products from around the world while developing cultural enrichment through educational workshops and social events. Beyond retail, it serves as a community gathering space, hosting free live music, art exhibitions, and educational events that create accessible entry points into global culture and fair-trade practices. On April 17th, Global Gallery is holding a Music Series Fundraiser & Silent Auction to raise money for this year’s musical line-up. As a community-focused nonprofit organization, Global Gallery is committed to supporting local artists and keeping live music accessible to everyone.

Continue Reading »
Energy, Environment, Transit

Plug In America Launches Survey

by

Plug In America has now launched its 2026 Electric Vehicle Survey and has invited residents of the US to take a few minutes to share their experiences with or perceptions of electric vehicles. Anyone who lives in the US is welcome to take the survey, whether they drive an electric vehicle or not. Plug In America will use the feedback to check the country’s pulse on topics such as charging, dealerships, purchase considerations, and barriers to adoption. Once the analysis is complete, it will be shared with the public. It takes about 20 minutes to complete the survey.

Continue Reading »
Education, Events

Columbus Schools Transitioning to Clean Energy

by

Safe Green Schools, in collaboration with Parents United for Public Schools and the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, hosted a Building Safe Green Schools Together Roundtable on March 25th at the Columbus Mennonite Church, to discuss the Columbus City Schools’ transition to cost saving green energy infrastructure. The conversation featured State Senator Bill DeMora, School Board Vice President Sarah Ingles, School Board Member Jennifer Adair, Assistant Director of Sustainable Columbus Erin Beck, and parents & students who led the effort.

Continue Reading »
About Simply Living, Bioregionalism, Sustainable Living

Continuing the Conversation on Bioregionalism

by

Hopefully, you’ve already heard that Lynette Overholser of the Franklin County Pollinator Pathway (FCPP) will be speaking at the next meeting of Simply Living’s Bioregional Working Group. I am looking forward enthusiastically to hearing about FCPP’s activities and about the importance of pollinators to our bioregion. After Lynette’s presentation, there will be a discussion about the Working Group and about where we want to go from here. Read on for more information. Your input is valuable, so if you have an interest in bioregionalism, I encourage you to attend the meeting if you possible can.

Continue Reading »
About Simply Living

Simply Living Adds New Directors

by

Simply Living is pleased to announce that two new members have been added to its Board of Directors! Simply Living’s Bylaws state that its Board of Directors should consist of between 7 and 13 members, though 7 is a recommended minimum and not a strict requirement. With the addition of David & Paisley, Simply Living’s Board of Directors stands at 6 members. So, we are looking to add at least 1 more member to the Board.

Continue Reading »
Ecology, Environment, Lifestyle

Make Your Yard a Pollinator Pathway!

by

A Pollinator Pathway is a collaborative network of public & private pesticide-free, native plant corridors that provide essential habitat, food, and shelter for bees, butterflies, birds, and other insects. These projects connect fragmented green spaces, such as residential gardens, parks, and schoolyards, allowing pollinators to travel safely. Even the smallest green spaces, like flower boxes and curb strips, can be part of a pathway. Franklin County Pollinator Pathway (FCPP) is a local affiliate of the national Pollinator Pathway network. Its goal is to connect people & pollinator habitat in Franklin County. It works to expand pesticide-free corridors of native plants across Franklin County, linking yards, parks, schools, businesses, and community spaces so pollinators have safe, connected habitat.

Continue Reading »
Bioregionalism, Culture, Ecology, Environment

What is The Bioregionalist Approach?

by

Bioregionalism is an environmental philosophy advocating that human activity and governance be organized around bioregions, geographical areas defined by natural features like watersheds, mountain ranges, and ecosystems, rather than arbitrary political or administrative boundaries. It emphasizes living-in-place, sustainability, and local self-reliance to foster a deeper connection between communities and their native landscapes. Bioregionalism emerged in the early 1970s, developing primarily along the western coast of North America, and specifically from a broad coalition of poets, artists, writers, and community leaders, who envisioned a positive, place-based alternative to mainstream environmental efforts. It included many individuals (including Peter Berg, Judy Goldhaft, and Kirkpatrick Sale) working together through the Planet Drum Foundation to create a new place-based philosophy they called bioregionalism.

Continue Reading »
Arts & Culture

Reader’s Corner: The War Within a War by Wil Haygood

by

Wil Haygood was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, graduated from Franklin Heights High School and then attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he earned a degree in Urban Studies in 1976. He became a staff writer at the Boston Globe in 1984 and moved to the Washington Post in 2002. Wil’s latest book, The War Within a War: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home (2026) describes the experiences of Black soldiers and their families navigating racial injustice in America while fighting the war in Vietnam. It highlights the disproportionate death rate of Black soldiers, the rise of racial tension in the military, and the fight for voting rights at home.

Continue Reading »
Food, Health & Wellness

Tour of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank

by

Members of Simply Living were pleased to be included in a tour of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank held for the central Ohio community on February 28. The Mid-Ohio Foodbank is a part of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC) which, in addition to the Foodbank, consists of more than 600 partners (about half of which are Food Pantries) serving more than half a million people each year across 20 counties in central and eastern Ohio.

Continue Reading »
Business, Economy & Finance, Environment, Food

Spotlight on Rural Action

by

Rural Action is a member-based nonprofit organization founded in 1991, dedicated to fostering sustainable economic, environmental, & social development in Appalachian Ohio. It focuses on building local wealth, restoring the environment, and developing leadership through initiatives in sustainable agriculture, forestry, watershed restoration, and zero-waste projects. It supports entrepreneurs in the creation of jobs & utilization of local assets to build a sustainable economy. It leads efforts for watershed restoration, water quality monitoring, and sustainable forestry.

Continue Reading »
About Simply Living, Community Update, Support Simply Living, Support Simply Living, Uncategorized

New Sustaining Membership Levels Established

by

You may have noticed some changes recently at Simply Living. First, there is a new set of officers. And we have added a director to the Board. You may also have noticed that we’ve been offering our events with no admission fees. We plan to continue this practice whenever possible. If this approach is going to be successful, we will need to generate funding some other way. With this in mind, Simply Living has instituted two new Sustaining Membership levels: one at $2 per month and one at $5 per month. It is now possible to be a Sustaining Member for as little as $24 per year.

Continue Reading »
Uncategorized

Spotlight on the Hilliard Environmental Sustainability Commission

by

The Hilliard Environmental Sustainability Commission (ESC) is an advisory group for Hilliard City Council, focused on promoting environmental sustainability by reviewing green policies, advising on programs, and engaging the community through initiatives to reduce waste, conserve resources, & improve local green spaces. The Commission advises City Council and staff on sustainability initiatives, reviewing environmental policies, practices, & proposals.  It helps implement programs like Go Green Hilliard to educate residents & businesses on reducing waste, reusing materials, and composting.

Continue Reading »
1 2 3 4