Yellow Springs is increasingly becoming renowned for its own vibrant community of artists, and this weekend, art lovers can get a first-hand look at what some of the village’s talented artists are creating.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the civil rights leader’s death. And to celebrate his legacy, the 2018 Yellow Springs Martin Luther King Jr. Day program has adopted a timely theme: “Courage to Take a Stand.”

Last November, when Tony Avalos closed his Mexican restaurant for remodeling, he wasn’t sure about its future. Or the future of the 1535 Xenia Avenue building. But after meeting with Brian Rainey, who’s owned the Sunrise Café since July 2004, the two restaurateurs struck a deal.

In early December, the New York Times elevated Yellow Springs native Monica Drake to its masthead as an assistant managing editor who will oversee the paper’s new digital features and projects.

The CDC advises pedestrians increase their visibility at night by wearing reflective clothing and carrying a flashlight. This year, Yellow Springs resident Carlos Landaburu took it upon himself to promote pedestrian safety in the village by creating the Flashlight Project.

Two thousand years ago, Marcus Aurelius encouraged his subjects to “stand up straight, not straightened.” While some historians believe he was conversing metaphorically, others believe the Roman emperor was speaking anatomically: people with healthy postural muscles don’t need to think about standing up straight; it comes naturally.

What began more than 20 years ago with a small group of local volunteers collecting fruit baskets for low-income families has evolved into a program—Share the Joy—whereby struggling families in Yellow Springs can request essential gifts for themselves and their children.

It was a small gallery on Glen Street. But inside was a trove of artistic images produced through the lens of one of the pioneers of impressionistic photography. The artist was the late Axel Bahnsen.

Tuesday, Nov. 6, was a good day for progressive voters. But throughout the Miami Valley, it was a bad night for one of the biggest progressive issues of our time: public education.

Local artist Sondy Kai will display at the opening of her exhibit, “Reincarnated: The New Forever Life of Plastic.” Her show, which runs through Dec. 9, features an array of colorful and bizarre looking “creatures” composed of post-consumer plastic trash.