Here I Am In Yellow Springs, Ohio
September 6th, 2008 . by economistmom
Meet one of the “coolest small towns” in America (as recently characterized by Budget Travel magazine), Yellow Springs, Ohio. I’m here just for fun for a weekend with yoga master teacher Erich Schiffmann (who doesn’t live here but is visiting from southern California). As I mentioned yesterday, this place is like a little liberal, hippy oasis in the middle of otherwise-conservative central Ohio. Just check out what the “Hippyland” online community has to say about it… Or for a totally different perspective, see this Weekly Standard article on what happened to (”alarmingly radical”) Antioch College, which used to be the center of this town but which recently shut down for lack of funds.
My friend and I just had dinner tonight in the restaurant mentioned in the Budget Travel article (my emphasis added):
Yellow Springs has been a beacon for artists, activists, and creative thinkers since progressive Antioch College opened in 1852. “You can breathe here and feel very comfortable expressing yourself,” says Kim Korkan, co-owner of The Winds Cafe & Bakery, which serves dishes using ingredients mostly from local farms…
Well, that must explain my post from yesterday…
And here’s a photo of one of the pieces of Yellow Springs art that hangs in the entryway of The Winds, that well sums up the unique nature of this midwestern place (click to get closer view):
I’ve only seen Obama-Biden signs here in Yellow Springs–not a single McCain-Palin sign. And many of the main-street businesses (the main street here is “Xenia Ave.”) proudly display anti-Bush “shrines” of sort in their shop windows. (I won’t post those photos…) But tomorrow on the way back to the airport in Dayton, I’m sure I’ll see the McCain signs again. And of course I’ll soon be back on my street in Northern VA where the majority of my neighbors are not remotely close to the average liberal here in Yellow Springs. Back to reality!
I have lived here for about 6 years and just LOVE it. Have thrived and blossomed here as an artist. I am so glad you enjoyed your visit. My friend and fellow Jafagirl painted the bench you are sitting on
jafabrit: how great that you found my post and this blog–which I assume you don’t normally visit!
The bench and all of this town are amazing. I hope to visit it again…maybe again next year if Erich comes back to do the yoga weekend (as he has been for many years now). “namaste” to you…
Hope it’s ok for me to make a tangential note regarding the arts and the intersection between the arts and politics. For anyone who is (or plans to be) in the NYC area, I HIGHLY recommend a show I saw yesterday, “Fela” http://theater2.nytimes.com/2008/09/05/theater/reviews/05fela.html?scp=1&sq=fela&st=cse
Fantastic music, great dancing and a powerful story. It’s scheduled to run only through 9/21 (which is a darn shame)
Hello everyone in Yellow Springs,
I got a phone call today from my sweet ex-sister-in-law, and she has just recently moved to Yellow Springs. My husband and I would like to come and visit her and her husband. Can someone give me a review of any B&B’s in your town?
Thanks much,
Catrina
not sure what happened to my last post with the list, but I recommend you visit the chamber of commerce website which lists several accommodations. I have heard little negative info about any of them.
yellowspringsohio.org
oh,and have LOVELY visit