The Nati

Today was the filing deadline for the Cincinnati Mayoral Race. There were 8 candidates the ended up filing for Mayor and will be seeking your vote on Sept. 13th. The primary on the 13th is open (meaning the top two vote getters regardless of party will go on to the final election). There are 4 fairly well known candidates, 1 decently known independent (Justin Jeffre of 98 Degrees) and 3 other largely unknown independents.

• Yvette Barbara Baldwin, 48, of University Heights. - Independent
• Sylvan Grisco, 83, of Madisonville. - Independent
• Justin P. Jeffre, 32, of Clifton Heights. - Independent
• State Sen. Mark L. Mallory, 43, of the West End. - Democrat
• Sandra Queen Noble, 49, of Walnut Hills. - Independent (Also ran for President of the US In 2004)
• Councilman David Pepper, 34, of Mount Adams. - Democrat
• Vice Mayor Alicia Reece, 34, of Bond Hill. - Democrat
• Former Councilman Charlie Winburn, 54, of Mount Airy. - Republican

Happy Voting... and don't forget about the August 30th Mayoral Candidate Forum at CET studios. The first 250 YPs to register online will have live-in studio access and your chance to submit your questions!

Concerned about Cincinnati Youth and their activity on the street? Ever thought, don't these folks have somewhere they can go, something to do? Well there is certainly a new kid on the block that is creating a unique draw for the urban youth. Providing not only a safe place where they can learn about themselves, self esteem, healthy eating and respect, but also a place they WANT to go. A place where their creativity can thrive, and it's all driven on almost no budget by a staff of 8 folks that DON'T get paid to do it. (lord knows I understand the idea of doing something because you want to do it and it's good for the community and not for a pay day... see Give Back Cincinnati and Project Lily Pad).

That Place is the Hip Hop Youth Arts Center at 1599 Central Parkway. Below is an update on what they are doing, the success they've seen, but more important what YOU can do to help! They've spent blood, sweat and tears getting this place going and making it successful, now they need your help to expand. To get even more programming going and get more of the at risk youth off the street and in a positive environment...

An average of 75 unduplicated youth walking in the doors every day to take
advantage of our programming on every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 10pm. Originally they hoped to have 30 people per night.

from talking to the youth at the center the vast majority of people we’re working with don’t go anywhere else. Cincinnati is always so concerned about what to do with the young people on the streets downtown. Let em come to Elementz: The Hip Hop Youth Arts Center!!

There is no project that equals it when it comes to creativity and innovation in Cincinnati. In
fact, Gavin has been at a couple conferences around the country this summer and can
say confidently that what they’re doing is amazing from a NATIONAL perspective.

Let me encourage you to check out the website at www.natiyouthcenter.org, click on make
a donation to do just that, check out the Wish List to see if you’ve got a Polaroid camera or fridge in the basement that we could put to use, and check the NEW Volunteer Wish List for how you could help us out.

More Information? Contact Gavin Leonard - gavin.youthcenter@fuse.net

This isn't local news, but I found the article interesting. It was just over 10 years ago (in 1994) that the first 'web browser' Mosiac was unveiled. Think about how dramatically the world has changed since that day. Here is just a few things that come to mind that weren't possible (or even imagined 10 years ago):

• Online Banking/Bill Payment
• Credit Card/Bank Statement Access
• Vacation Research/Booking (airline tickets, car rentals, hotels).
• Internet Music Downloads/Streaming
• Government Services - Renew License Plates, Check Home Values.
• Home Buying - Shop for new homes, loans, realtors online.
• Gift Registries - New Home, Marriage, Baby

Those are just some things I can think of, and ignore the obvious (instant global news, email, etc). It's really astounding how lives have changed in just 10 years. It's really hard to think of how I was able to get buy before. I can't imagine going to a travel agent to get a paper ticket, or calling a bank teller to get my account balance. It's made life so much easier and effecient. And we're only just getting started... there is so much more that the internet can do.

What a great idea from the folks at Artworks. Bring art to the masses and to kids via ice cream truck. What better way to get kids interested in art than by luring them in with the sound of the ice cream man and free ice cream. That's exactly what his happening with the Artworks "Scoop City Project"

The truck will drive through urban and suburban neighborhoods this summer delivering free UDF ice cream, engaging kids in arts projects and attending special events to pass out Artworks student art. This is the same group that was behind the Big Pig Gig, and the Art-o-mat vending machines. Great work once again... why don't you contact them and ask about sponsorhip opportunities!