Tuesday, September 24, 2013

•chance operations• Moves to Tavern of Fine Arts, Monday, September 30


The debut •chance operations• reading at Tavern of Fine Arts, 313 Belt Avenue, will be Monday, September 30. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Featured readers will be Matthew Freeman, Eileen G'Sell, and Catherine Rankovic.

Open-mic will follow the featured readers.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Final Poetry Reading at Duff's on Monday, June 24


Broadside designed and printed by the Firecracker Press.

The final poetry reading at Duff's will be Monday, June 24. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Confirmed readers include Buzz Spector, Ann Haubrich, Ken Brown, Phil Gounis, douglis beck, Will Kyle, Richard Newman, Amy Genova, Elly Herget, Erin Wiles, Robert Nazarene, Susan SpitFire Lively, Joseph Sullier, Jim McGowin, D. Katz, Michael Sullivan, Dwight Bitikofer, and Marcel Toussaint. More readers to be announced.

Musical guest: Raven Wolf.


Duff's is located at 392 N. Euclid in the Central West End.

"Reflections on Duff’s Restaurant, Scheduled to Shutter at the End of June"  by George Mahe
After 41 years in business, current owners Karen Duffy and Tim Kirby have decided to close the landmark restaurant at 392 N. Euclid, an address that in earlier days, according to longtime customer and SLM dining critic Ann Lemons Pollack, was, besides Balaban's, “the place to be in that part of town.”
From its inception, Duff’s was as involved with being a good community citizen as it was with feeding members of the community. Frequent customer Charlie Downs recalls that “Monday night was poetry night," and in that regard “Duff's was way ahead of its time.”
From the West End Word:
Duffy said the •chance operations• poetry event is a perfect way to close the restaurant, since Duff's has been hosting poetry readings since the place opened in 1972.
"That's a fitting end," she said.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Tim Gravlin at April Reading


Tim Gravlin was one of twelve readers on April 29th as •chance operations• celebrated our third anniversary, National Poetry Month, and the publication of "Poems For Your Pocket 2013."

The final poetry reading at Duff's will be Monday, June 24. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Confirmed readers include Ken Brown, douglis beck, Richard Newman, Amy Genova, Elly Herget, Erin Wiles, Robert Nazarene, Joseph Sullier, Jim McGowin, Dwight Bitikofer and Marcel Toussaint. More readers to be announced.

Musical guest: Raven Wolf.


Duff's is located at 392 N. Euclid in the Central West End.

"Reflections on Duff’s Restaurant, Scheduled to Shutter at the End of June"  by George Mahe
After 41 years in business, current owners Karen Duffy and Tim Kirby have decided to close the landmark restaurant at 392 N. Euclid, an address that in earlier days, according to longtime customer and SLM dining critic Ann Lemons Pollack, was, besides Balaban's, “the place to be in that part of town.”
From its inception, Duff’s was as involved with being a good community citizen as it was with feeding members of the community. Frequent customer Charlie Downs recalls that “Monday night was poetry night," and in that regard “Duff's was way ahead of its time.”

Marcel Toussaint at April Reading


Marcel Toussaint was one of twelve readers on April 29th as •chance operations• celebrated our third anniversary, National Poetry Month, and the publication of "Poems For Your Pocket 2013."

The final poetry reading at Duff's will be Monday, June 24. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Confirmed readers include Ken Brown, douglis beck, Richard Newman, Amy Genova, Elly Herget, Erin Wiles, Robert Nazarene, Joseph Sullier, Jim McGowin, Dwight Bitikofer and Marcel Toussaint. More readers to be announced.

Musical guest: Raven Wolf.


Duff's is located at 392 N. Euclid in the Central West End.

"Reflections on Duff’s Restaurant, Scheduled to Shutter at the End of June"  by George Mahe
After 41 years in business, current owners Karen Duffy and Tim Kirby have decided to close the landmark restaurant at 392 N. Euclid, an address that in earlier days, according to longtime customer and SLM dining critic Ann Lemons Pollack, was, besides Balaban's, “the place to be in that part of town.”
From its inception, Duff’s was as involved with being a good community citizen as it was with feeding members of the community. Frequent customer Charlie Downs recalls that “Monday night was poetry night," and in that regard “Duff's was way ahead of its time.”

Debbie Pearce and Nick Turner at April Reading



Debbie Pearce and Nick Turner were two of twelve readers on April 29th as •chance operations• celebrated our third anniversary, National Poetry Month, and the publication of "Poems For Your Pocket 2013."


The final poetry reading at Duff's will be Monday, June 24. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Confirmed readers include Ken Brown, douglis beck, Richard Newman, Amy Genova, Elly Herget, Erin Wiles, Robert Nazarene, Joseph Sullier, Jim McGowin, Dwight Bitikofer and Marcel Toussaint. More readers to be announced.

Musical guest: Raven Wolf.


Duff's is located at 392 N. Euclid in the Central West End.

"Reflections on Duff’s Restaurant, Scheduled to Shutter at the End of June"  by George Mahe
After 41 years in business, current owners Karen Duffy and Tim Kirby have decided to close the landmark restaurant at 392 N. Euclid, an address that in earlier days, according to longtime customer and SLM dining critic Ann Lemons Pollack, was, besides Balaban's, “the place to be in that part of town.”
From its inception, Duff’s was as involved with being a good community citizen as it was with feeding members of the community. Frequent customer Charlie Downs recalls that “Monday night was poetry night," and in that regard “Duff's was way ahead of its time.”

Monday, June 17, 2013

Stephanie Marie at April Reading



Stephanie Marie was one of twelve readers on April 29th as •chance operations• celebrated our third anniversary, National Poetry Month, and the publication of "Poems For Your Pocket 2013."


The final poetry reading at Duff's will be Monday, June 24. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Confirmed readers include Ken Brown, douglis beck, Richard Newman, Amy Genova, Elly Herget, Erin Wiles, Robert Nazarene, Joseph Sullier, Jim McGowin, Dwight Bitikofer and Marcel Toussaint. More readers to be announced.

Musical guest: Raven Wolf.


Duff's is located at 392 N. Euclid in the Central West End.

"Reflections on Duff’s Restaurant, Scheduled to Shutter at the End of June"  by George Mahe
After 41 years in business, current owners Karen Duffy and Tim Kirby have decided to close the landmark restaurant at 392 N. Euclid, an address that in earlier days, according to longtime customer and SLM dining critic Ann Lemons Pollack, was, besides Balaban's, “the place to be in that part of town.”
From its inception, Duff’s was as involved with being a good community citizen as it was with feeding members of the community. Frequent customer Charlie Downs recalls that “Monday night was poetry night," and in that regard “Duff's was way ahead of its time.”


Thursday, June 13, 2013

Rae Cailliach at April Reading


Rae Cailliach was one of twelve readers on April 29th as •chance operations• celebrated our third anniversary, National Poetry Month, and the publication of "Poems For Your Pocket 2013."


The final poetry reading at Duff's will be Monday, June 24. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Confirmed readers include Ken Brown, douglis beck, Richard Newman, Amy Genova, Elly Herget, Erin Wiles, Robert Nazarene, Joseph Sullier, Jim McGowin, Dwight Bitikofer and Marcel Toussaint. More readers to be announced.

Musical guest: Raven Wolf.


Duff's is located at 392 N. Euclid in the Central West End.

"Reflections on Duff’s Restaurant, Scheduled to Shutter at the End of June"  by George Mahe
After 41 years in business, current owners Karen Duffy and Tim Kirby have decided to close the landmark restaurant at 392 N. Euclid, an address that in earlier days, according to longtime customer and SLM dining critic Ann Lemons Pollack, was, besides Balaban's, “the place to be in that part of town.”
From its inception, Duff’s was as involved with being a good community citizen as it was with feeding members of the community. Frequent customer Charlie Downs recalls that “Monday night was poetry night," and in that regard “Duff's was way ahead of its time.”

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Will Kyle at April Reading


Will Kyle was one of twelve readers on April 29th as •chance operations• celebrated our third anniversary, National Poetry Month, and the publication of "Poems For Your Pocket 2013."

The final poetry reading at Duff's will be Monday, June 24. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Confirmed readers include Ken Brown, douglis beck, Richard Newman, Amy Genova, Elly Herget, Erin Wiles, Robert Nazarene, Joseph Sullier, Jim McGowin, Dwight Bitikofer and Marcel Toussaint. More readers to be announced.

Musical guest: Raven Wolf.


Duff's is located at 392 N. Euclid in the Central West End.

"Reflections on Duff’s Restaurant, Scheduled to Shutter at the End of June"  by George Mahe
After 41 years in business, current owners Karen Duffy and Tim Kirby have decided to close the landmark restaurant at 392 N. Euclid, an address that in earlier days, according to longtime customer and SLM dining critic Ann Lemons Pollack, was, besides Balaban's, “the place to be in that part of town.”
From its inception, Duff’s was as involved with being a good community citizen as it was with feeding members of the community. Frequent customer Charlie Downs recalls that “Monday night was poetry night," and in that regard “Duff's was way ahead of its time.”

Tony Renner at April Reading


Tony Renner was one of twelve readers on April 29th as •chance operations• celebrated our third anniversary, National Poetry Month, and the publication of "Poems For Your Pocket 2013."

The final poetry reading at Duff's will be Monday, June 24. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Confirmed readers include Ken Brown, douglis beck, Richard Newman, Amy Genova, Elly Herget, Erin Wiles, Robert Nazarene, Joseph Sullier, Jim McGowin, Dwight Bitikofer and Marcel Toussaint. More readers to be announced.

Musical guest: Raven Wolf.


Duff's is located at 392 N. Euclid in the Central West End.

"Reflections on Duff’s Restaurant, Scheduled to Shutter at the End of June"  by George Mahe
After 41 years in business, current owners Karen Duffy and Tim Kirby have decided to close the landmark restaurant at 392 N. Euclid, an address that in earlier days, according to longtime customer and SLM dining critic Ann Lemons Pollack, was, besides Balaban's, “the place to be in that part of town.”
From its inception, Duff’s was as involved with being a good community citizen as it was with feeding members of the community. Frequent customer Charlie Downs recalls that “Monday night was poetry night," and in that regard “Duff's was way ahead of its time.”

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Steven Schroeder at April Reading


Steven Schroeder was one of twelve readers on April 29th as •chance operations• celebrated our third anniversary, National Poetry Month, and the publication of "Poems For Your Pocket 2013."

The final poetry reading at Duff's will be Monday, June 24. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Confirmed readers include Ken Brown, douglis beck, Richard Newman, Amy Genova, Elly Herget, Erin Wiles, Robert Nazarene, Joseph Sullier, Jim McGowin, Dwight Bitikofer and Marcel Toussaint. More readers to be announced.

Musical guest: Raven Wolf.


Duff's is located at 392 N. Euclid in the Central West End.

"Reflections on Duff’s Restaurant, Scheduled to Shutter at the End of June"  by George Mahe
After 41 years in business, current owners Karen Duffy and Tim Kirby have decided to close the landmark restaurant at 392 N. Euclid, an address that in earlier days, according to longtime customer and SLM dining critic Ann Lemons Pollack, was, besides Balaban's, “the place to be in that part of town.”
From its inception, Duff’s was as involved with being a good community citizen as it was with feeding members of the community. Frequent customer Charlie Downs recalls that “Monday night was poetry night," and in that regard “Duff's was way ahead of its time.”

Jennifer Goldring at April Reading


Jennifer Goldring was one of twelve readers on April 29th as •chance operations• celebrated our third anniversary, National Poetry Month, and the publication of "Poems For Your Pocket 2013."

The final poetry reading at Duff's will be Monday, June 24. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Confirmed readers include Ken Brown, douglis beck, Richard Newman, Amy Genova, Elly Herget, Erin Wiles, Robert Nazarene, Joseph Sullier, Jim McGowin, Dwight Bitikofer and Marcel Toussaint. More readers to be announced.

Musical guest: Raven Wolf.


Duff's is located at 392 N. Euclid in the Central West End.

"Reflections on Duff’s Restaurant, Scheduled to Shutter at the End of June"  by George Mahe
After 41 years in business, current owners Karen Duffy and Tim Kirby have decided to close the landmark restaurant at 392 N. Euclid, an address that in earlier days, according to longtime customer and SLM dining critic Ann Lemons Pollack, was, besides Balaban's, “the place to be in that part of town.”
From its inception, Duff’s was as involved with being a good community citizen as it was with feeding members of the community. Frequent customer Charlie Downs recalls that “Monday night was poetry night," and in that regard “Duff's was way ahead of its time.”

Chris Parr at April Reading



Chris Parr was one of twelve readers on April 29th as •chance operations• celebrated our third anniversary, National Poetry Month, and the publication of "Poems For Your Pocket 2013."

The final poetry reading at Duff's will be Monday, June 24. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Confirmed readers include Ken Brown, douglis beck, Richard Newman, Amy Genova, Elly Herget, Erin Wiles, Robert Nazarene, Joseph Sullier, Jim McGowin, Dwight Bitikofer and Marcel Toussaint. More readers to be announced.

Musical guest: Raven Wolf.


Duff's is located at 392 N. Euclid in the Central West End.

"Reflections on Duff’s Restaurant, Scheduled to Shutter at the End of June"  by George Mahe
After 41 years in business, current owners Karen Duffy and Tim Kirby have decided to close the landmark restaurant at 392 N. Euclid, an address that in earlier days, according to longtime customer and SLM dining critic Ann Lemons Pollack, was, besides Balaban's, “the place to be in that part of town.”
From its inception, Duff’s was as involved with being a good community citizen as it was with feeding members of the community. Frequent customer Charlie Downs recalls that “Monday night was poetry night," and in that regard “Duff's was way ahead of its time.”

Buzz Spector at April Reading



Buzz Spector was one of twelve readers on April 29th as •chance operations• celebrated our third anniversary, National Poetry Month, and the publication of "Poems For Your Pocket 2013."

The final poetry reading at Duff's will be Monday, June 24. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Confirmed readers include Ken Brown, douglis beck, Richard Newman, Amy Genova, Elly Herget, Erin Wiles, Robert Nazarene, Joseph Sullier, Jim McGowin, Dwight Bitikofer and Marcel Toussaint. More readers to be announced.

Musical guest: Raven Wolf.


Duff's is located at 392 N. Euclid in the Central West End.

"Reflections on Duff’s Restaurant, Scheduled to Shutter at the End of June"  by George Mahe
After 41 years in business, current owners Karen Duffy and Tim Kirby have decided to close the landmark restaurant at 392 N. Euclid, an address that in earlier days, according to longtime customer and SLM dining critic Ann Lemons Pollack, was, besides Balaban's, “the place to be in that part of town.”
From its inception, Duff’s was as involved with being a good community citizen as it was with feeding members of the community. Frequent customer Charlie Downs recalls that “Monday night was poetry night," and in that regard “Duff's was way ahead of its time.”

Saturday, May 4, 2013

"Sandra Lee Scheuer" by Gary Geddes


The award-winning Canadian poet Gary Geddes was one of three featured readers at the reading at Duff's on April 4, 2011, where he read his poem commemorating the May 4, 1970, Kent State shootings.

Sandra Lee Scheuer

(Killed by the Ohio National Guard at Kent State University, May 4, 1970.)

You might have met her on a Saturday night,
cutting precise circles, clockwise, at the Moon-Glo
Roller Rink, or walking with quick step

between the campus and a green two-storey house,
where the room was always tidy, the bed made,
the books in confraternity on the shelves.

She did not throw stones, major in philosophy
or set fire to buildings, though acquaintances say
she hated war, had heard of Cambodia.

In truth she wore a modicum of make-up, a brassiere,
and could no doubt more easily have married a guardsman
than cursed or put a flower in his rifle barrel.

While the armouries burned, she studied,
bent low over notes, speech therapy books, pages
open at sections on impairment, physiology.

And while they milled and shouted on the commons,
she helped a boy named Billy with his lisp, saying
Hiss, Billy, like a snake. That’s it, SSSSSSSS,

tongue well up and back behind your teeth.
Now buzz, Billy, like a bee. Feel the air
vibrating in my windpipe as I breathe?

As she walked in sunlight through the parking-lot
at noon, feeling the world a passing lovely place,
a young guardsman, who had his sights on her,

was going down on one knee, as if he might propose.
His declaration, unmistakable, articulate,
flowered within her, passed through her neck,

severed her trachea, taking her breath away.
Now who will burn the midnight oil for Billy,
ensure the perilous freedom of his speech;

and who will see her skating at the Moon-Glo
Roller Rink, the eight small wooden wheels
making their countless revolutions on the floor?

-- Gary Geddes