Month: July 2016

Humor, Musings, PersonalLeave a comment

Off the Leash: Hara today, gone tomorrow—arena from my youth to be shuttered

Andy

Hara Arena was authentic before “authentic” was a buzzword and unpretentious before I even knew what that word meant. The dingy, 1960s-era arena was arguably the center of suburban north Dayton in my youth during the 1980s and early 1990s, with the exception of perhaps the nearby Salem Mall. Back in the day, big-time events were either held at Hara or at the slightly larger and (somewhat) nicer UD Arenaº. Hara is holding its last event Aug. 27 after being open for more than 60 years. Even though I left my native Dayton 10 years ago—and believe me, Hara even then had seen way better days—news … Continue reading Off the Leash: Hara today, gone tomorrow—arena from my youth to be shuttered

austin, dog, Dogs, Humor, Keeping it 100, Musings, Personal, Pets, writing4 Comments

Independence Day: My dog’s personal hell

Andy

Aside from a scenario in which Katniss is separated from both my wife and me for more than 10 minutesº—OK, 10 seconds—surrounded by vacuum cleaners, and *gasp* out of food and water, what is surely her worst nightmare¹, and maybe your dog’s, too, is the July 4 weekend. As in right now. It’s not that she’s sympathetic to the British rule of early America and hates freedom; it’s the sound of fireworks popping constantly in our neighborhood throughout the evening of the fourth that terrifies her and her very astute sense of hearing. In a selfish way, I suppose it’s … Continue reading Independence Day: My dog’s personal hell