Planned Parenthood advocates and supporters packed a hearing room in Columbus this morning to demonstrate opposition against controversial House Bill 298, a measure that, if passed, would put family planning clinics such as Planned Parenthood at the back of the line for state funding, instead giving priority to health departments. The House Health Committee heard testimony from bill supporters and opponents. "If PP is defunded, we will still offer a full range of options for care, but the working poor will have no way to pay for them," testified Beth Lonn, Chief Operating Officer of Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio, according to a tweet from Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio. Opponents of HB 298 express concern that the reprioritizing of funds would deny high-need women, particularly those of low income, access to preventive, affordable health care services. "More than 96% of what we do is to provide essential lifesaving cancer screenings, breast exams, birth control, sex education and counseling to nearly 100,000 Ohio women and families, regardless of one’s ability to pay," reads a segment on the Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio website. Rep. Nicki Antonio (D-Lakewood) expressed her concern for bill supporters' motivation, noting, "The proposed defunding bill is is a move based on ideology, not on practical needs of Ohioans...There are many counties in Ohio without alternatives to PP. It's a 'Health Care Desert.'"Supporters of the bill such as Ohio Right to Life tout the measure as a way to steer funds away from the "abortion industry." The bill is now awaiting a committee vote.

Project Runway mentor, author, fashion guru and catch phrase king Tim Gunn stopped by Cincinnati this weekend as he opened the 2012 SmartTalk ConnectedConversations speaker series at the Aronoff Center. Gunn, who I envision as that proverbial angel on everyone's shoulder, was just as sweet in person as on TV.

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There's usually so much happening the weekend before Halloween that the problem isn't finding something to do, it's narrowing your options down! Here are some fun, spooky, booze-filled and/or kid-friendly suggestions. It's the Halloweekend, baby I'm about to have me some fun.Tonight is Final Friday in OTR, so check out gallery openings/shows at Aisle, YES, Static Age and 1305. Might as well Pimp That Pumpkin while you're in the neighborhood! If you're feeling nostalgic while in OTR, definitely check out the Final Friday OTR Skate at the OTR Rec Center. $3 gets you a skate rental, lessons from the Cincinnati Rollergirls, music by DJ Apryl Reign and Diamonn Gurr, horror film screenings, games and more. Go here to get all the details, and be sure to wear skate-friendly attire!Perhaps you had a little more glam in mind for your Friday evening? Head over to Northside's Mayday for Ziggyween 2011, where you'll witness a live, full recreation of David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Also appearing are Scandinavian Leather and the original Gypsy Hut staff, dressed as the Mayday staff. That's more than you can shake a delicious, gourmet, pretzel-encased hot dog at (which, by the way, are $2 all night). Check out maydaynorthside.com for details.

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