The Nati

RSVP Today - Community Immersion - OTR - Oct. 13

2007-10-02T23:28:00.000-04:00

Join me the first annual event with Give Back Cincinnati called 'Community Immersion'. It's an all day event in traditional Give Back fashion, but you can leave your shovels and rakes at home and bring out your thinking caps. We will rotate around the region each year and explore a new community. We're out to learn about the history, the architecture, the people and the future.

There is no better community than Over-the-Rhine to launch this endeavour. There is no Cincinnati community as rich in history, culture, architecture, prosperity, strife, fits and starts. It's a community in constant flux, and one that is currently in a period of tremendous possibility. Join us as we take a look at the history and future of this community.

Best of all - It's FREE! (Including Lunch and Drink Tickets!) - So please come out and join us on Saturday Oct. 13th!

RSVP Today!! Space is limited: http://www.givebackcincinnati.org/v3/events_details.asp?EventID=1193

10:00 AM - Registration - T-Shirt, Agenda and Welcoming Remarks - (Kick-off location will be emailed to you in event details)
10:30 AM - Dr. Nikki Taylor - Author of Frontiers of Freedom: Cincinnati's Black Community
11:30 AM - Walk to Findlay Market - "Ohio's oldest surviving municipal market house"
12:00 PM- Architreks Tour of OTR - sites include: Findlay Market House . Jackson Brewery . Phillipus Evangelical and Reformed Church . Site of Bellevue Incline . Christian Moerlein Brewery . Kaufmann Building . Hudepohl Bottling Plant . St. Francis Seraph Church
1:30 PM - Walk to lunch - Courtyard Cafe
2:00 PM - Lunch and OTR Development Discussion including representatives of the Gateway Quarter
3:30 PM - Walk to Music Hall - Home of the Cincinnati Ballet (includes walk through Washington Park)
4:00 PM - State of the Arts - Past/Present/Future in OTR
5:30 PM - Dinner and discussion of the Streetcar Plans for Cincinnati with representation from the City on state of current plans
7:00 PM - ?? - Open Discussion and Drinks!

Washington Park Music Festival

2007-09-08T19:43:00.000-04:00

I am happy to announce we are bringing WPMF back as a day show during MPMF. THis years event will be bigger and better, and best yet, it will be rain or shine with tent protection in case it does rain again.

The event is a celebration of local music, and an introdcution to Washington Park, one of Cincinnati's best kept secrets, an aboslute gem of an urban park. And we are tying it this year to the School for the Creative and Performing Arts which will be breaking ground at the front door of Washington Park later this fall. See our myspace page (www.myspace.com/wpmf) for more details and samples from some of the bands that will be playing.

Stop by Washington Park (across from Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine) for drinks, food, music and mingling on Saturday, Sept. 29, during the last day of the annual rock 'n' roll event, MidPoint Music Festival.

Bands include Pearlene, Bad Veins, 500 Miles to Memphis, (with one final band to be confirmed soon) starting early in the afternoon and leading up until MidPoint kicks off with its pre-party that night.

WHEN: 1:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29
WHERE: Washington Park,1203 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
PRICE: $5 donation or free with MidPoint wristband; benefits the School for Creative and Performing Arts
ETC: Christian Moerlein Beer, water and food available, with proceeds benefiting SCPA.

Thanks to our presenting sponsors Mayerson Foundation, Duke Energy and CiNWeekly. Thanks also to our partners/sponsors: Gateway Quarter, Model Group, WOXY.com, Shake It Records, Each Note Secure, OTR Chamber, Strata-G, and Give Back CIncinnati

Fountain Square

2007-09-03T21:44:00.000-04:00

The crane is down, and the square is often packed. One of the coolest events is the weekly movie on the square on Saturday nights... it's free and often packed with people. It's a great concept with the early movie being kid friendly (Finding Nemo this week), and the later movie being focused on adults (Jaws was the movie).

Head on down and check out the new square, grab some dinner, and just enjoy the urban setting.

Coming soon, Via Vitte (on the square - wine bar by the owner of Nicola's in OTR). Also coming soon is Potbelly's sandwich shoppe to be open by November. When it's all done it should be great for the holidays!

Check out the pictures:

Moerlein Oktoberfest - Oh Boy

2007-08-14T22:42:00.000-04:00

Christian Moerlein.... my most favorite beer family.... is set to launch another new brew. This time it's Oktoberfest. They have had a seasonal Oktoberfest in the past, but this is a new launch, with new name, and slightly new taste. Should be great...

They are opening the Elder Cafe at Findlay Market again to launch the beer with proceeds going to OTR Foundation and the OTR Brewery District. SHould be a great weekend, and I am bummed I am going to miss it, as I will be out of town... CHeck out the details below

Development in the Last Few Months

2007-08-06T20:04:00.000-04:00

So, while I've been relaxing there sure has been all kinds of development occuring downtown and around the city... here are some highlights:

- Cadillac Ranch - Opened on the back of Fountain Square across from CAC. A little cheesy and not really my scene, but they did a great job with the outdoor seating area.

- Lodge Bar - Opened up next to McFadden's. Great little bar, and great to work with, have already had two parties there for Katrina and Give Back.

- Nada - The owner of Boca is opening an 'upscale' Mexican restaurant in the Old Bella space across from CAC.

- Boi Na Braza and Morton's - Both opened at the corner of 5th and Vine, and Boi Na Braza is amazing, a bit pricey but really awesome.

- Graeter's - Opened on Monmouth a block up from the Levee and will be soon open on the square.

- Steamboat Bagels - About ready to open on Foutain Square.

There are SOOOO many more around town, but downtown is really turning the corner... great to see!

Where Did the Summer Go

2007-08-06T19:59:00.000-04:00

Wow.... just went back to look at the blog for the last several months. It's a pretty horrible showing, sorry about that. I guess things just got away from me... lots of great things on the personal (family), Work and Volunteer front just put this blog on the backburner.

It's been a great summer with a successful Paint the Town in College Hill (heading to Northern Kentucky in 2008 with 40+ houses in Covington), a fantastic trip to New Orleans with Katrina Collaboration, and a great win for Lily Pad at the airport.

Now the next few months are going to keep up that progress. Lots of great new things with Give Back Cincinnati, a 2nd year event for Washington Park Music Festival (WPMF) which will occur the Saturday of MPMF. This years event will be bigger and better, with support from the Mayerson Foundation and all proceeds going to the School for the Creative and Performing Arts which should begin construction later this year at the foot of Washington Park.

Back from NOLA

2007-07-01T22:57:00.000-04:00

Check out the nola blog for full details later this week, but thought I'd put up a photo of the team for now. It was an amazing week, and I think it's safe to say Give Back and Habitat Cincinnati will be heading back to NOLA again in 2007, there is more work to be done.

The 2007 team was absolutely amazing. They endured the heat, a broken down bus, and some re-work without batting an eye, it was an honor to just be a part of the team!

New Orleans Here We Come

2007-06-22T23:01:00.000-04:00

Well.. June is always crazy for me with Paint the Town planning and execution in Early June. This year it's been even more crazy, as I have been helping to plan the second trip of Katrina Collaboration (coalition of GIve Back Cincinnati and Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals).

But the time is upon us, so whatever hasn't been taken care of isn't going to... I have created a blog that I will be tracking our progress as we make the trip down... check it out:

http://givebacknola.blogspot.com/

I'll try to update it during the week with pictures and stories...

As we get ready to leave, I've created a playlist on lala.com to occupy me for at least part of the 16 hour bus ride to N'Awlins. Check it out:

More Music - Pandora

2007-06-17T23:30:00.000-04:00

I blogged about Pandora last week. It's a cool site (less directly customizable than lala.com), but it allows you to create stations. Those stations then generate music based on the music genome project that does a very good job of finding other artists (some you have heard of, some you haven't) that are similar in style to those that you like.

You can also share out playlists from that site. I have created a 'Quick Mix' based on about 2 dozen artists I like. You can then listen to this station for a sample of the type of music I supposedly like. As I mentioned, as opposed to Lala.com that allows you to pick out specific artists and specific songs for a radio playlist, the Pandora playlist is 'computer' generated.

Check out my Pandora Quick Mix here... make your own and send it over to me!

http://www.pandora.com/?sc=qm35123459

New Lala.com

2007-06-17T23:11:00.000-04:00

I've posted about lala.com before and I love it... here are the reasons why I previously loved it:

1) Saved WOXY.com - The Cincinnati-based world's best radio station. woxy was to be wiped from the face of the earth and the backers of lala.com swooped in with cash to keep them going.

2) Cheap CDs - I still love Shake It and buy 99% of my music there because I like to interact with real people... but every once in a while there's a CD you want, and lala.com sells new CDs for cheaper than you can shake a stick at.

3) Trade CDs - They have an amazing service that lets you send and recieve CDs from others for $1/CD... but what's really great about that, is that the artists get a cut of the proceeds from that trade, so it's WAY better than burning CDs.

Well, lala.com went and made themselves even better... you can now 'upload' your music to the site. They keep record of all the music you own, and you can log in from any internet connection and have complete access to your entire music library. Not just from your home PC, but from ANY PC... Okay, not cool enough? Well it gets even better.. you can create what amounts to your own internet 'radio station'. You create your own playlists and then you share them out...

My first try at this will be the 2006 Hansbauer Holiday CD...it's basically my best of 2006. You can listen to it by clicking below (if you weren't already sent it before). I am also going to attempt to create a new playlist about once per week with some interesting music, a mix of new and old. So click below and enjoy! And be sure to check out lala.com, it's amazing.

Katrina Collaboration Happy Hour - Friday Jun 15

2007-06-12T22:43:00.000-04:00

Paint the Town is now over and I'm back to the real world, preparing for the Katrina Collaboration trip to New Orleans.

As many of you know, I am going to New Orleans Jun 23-Jul 1st to help build houses with Katrina Collaboration at a Habitat for Humanity site know as the Musician's Village. We are taking a group of almost 90 people to New Orleans this year for a week. Myself and the other participants on the trip are all giving a week's vacation and making a donation of $325. We are holding a fundraiser on Friday June 15th (see details below), and I am hoping you can come out and join us for a great evening.... $15 gets you in the door and includes 10 drink tickets, limited appetizers and entertainment by Ricky Nye.

Join us at Jefferson Hall Newport on the Levee
Friday, June 15th

5:30 PM to 9:00 PM

$15 donation includes 10 drink tickets, limited appetizers,
live music by
Ricky Nye and a silent auction entry.

Silent auction items include:
Reds & Bengals tickets, a Relaxation Spa package to Mitchell's,
Fossil watches, golf gear, restaurant gift certificates, etc

Come thirsty and leave happy for a cause!
For more info visit: www.katrinacollaboration.com

New Washing Machine

2007-06-01T00:45:00.000-04:00

I think it's time to get a new washer and this one seems like a great fit, go here to see how you can build your own -

Freedom Project Happy Hour

2007-05-31T23:12:00.001-04:00

The Freedom Project - Collaboration between Give Back Cincinnati and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, is holding a happy hour on Friday evening at Jefferson Hall.

**The Freedom Project is hosting a happy hour to support our Paint the Town volunteer efforts. *Project participants will be volunteering to paint houses in College Hill and need to raise funds for supplies.

WHERE: Jefferson Hall, Newport on the Levee
WHEN: June 1st, *6pm * 9 pm
WHY: Marsha Brady Band + Friends + Beer + Great Cause = Great Times!!!!
COST: $10 (Includes cover and beer)

Pandora's Box

2007-05-27T23:01:00.000-04:00

Cool website that my buddy Jared pointed me to, called Pandora. It's a product of the Music Genome Project that has 'mapped' out music according to "melody, harmony and rhythm, to instrumentation, orchestration, arrangement, lyrics, and of course the rich world of singing and vocal harmony."

At the site you insert the name of a band or artist, and it plays music from that artist as well as 'like' artists. It's not dissimilar from other products out there like MSN and Yahoo music. However, it does seem to be better at suggesting 'like' artists. it's a great new way to find music... check it out.

Smoking - How It Affects Business

2007-05-18T16:06:00.000-04:00

Okay... so the article today in the Enquirer was all about OH smokers going to KY to enjoy the smoke filled establishments, and KY non-smokers (like myself) going to OH bars/restaurants more often.

In that article was an interesting statistic though:

Kentucky’s smoking rate is nearly 29 percent, meaning 71 percent of Kentuckians don’t smoke. Ohio’s smoking rate is just more than 22 percent.

What does this mean... it means that about 22 percent of Cincinnati's population may be interested in going to KY to enjoy a smoke. However, it also means that the opposite is true, 71 percent of KY Non-Smokers are likely to head to OH more often.

So, even if you make the argument that Cincy's population is larger and that perhaps smokers hang out at bars more than non-smokers, it's still VERY clear that the impact should actually be better for OH business. There are more potential clients to market to in KY that don't smoke than there are OH smoking targets for KY business.

NET: I predict that within a year we will see more business at Ohio bars/restaurants than at KY AND, I predict that more KY businesses (especially restaurants) will go smoke-free to compete. I also predict that KY will see a big push for smoke free legislation.

City is Growing

2007-05-18T16:05:00.000-04:00

Twice in a year, it has been determined that the Census numbers for Cincinnati are wrong. THe newest information based on a study by Social Compact a non-profit urban analyst, indicates that Cincinnati has 368,868 residents. This is 60,000 more than the original Census study and 37,000 more than the 'revised' numbers from last year.

What does this all mean... it means that there are more people in Cincinnati with more buying power than previously tought. Mayor Mallory is going to Las Vegas armed with this information to the Retail convention to lure new retailers to Cincinnati. First on my list (and hopefully his) is a downtown full-service grocery. Sure would be nice if our own Kroger would step up, but I'd actually prefer a Whole Foods.

City-Wide Wifi

2007-05-17T10:04:00.000-04:00

As a member of the Lily Pad leadership team, community wifi is something near and dear to my heart. When we began Lily Pad a couple years ago, we focused on brining free wifi to public spaces (parks, town squares, business districts). However, there was hope that this offering would spur communities throughout the tri-state to provide community-wide wifi. The time is right for this, and Lily Pad has been involved in some early discussions with the city. The city is being very proactive to it's approach and support of community wifi, and i hope that continues beyond the initial study they are looking to do.

Lily Pad wouldn't be providing this community-wide wifi, but we certainly support it and where possible we'd gladly lend our brand for free wifi to the effort. It would be great for the city, and from some of the presentatios I've seen there are a tremendous number of government uses that can utilize the connectivity.... from monitoring garbage cans in parks, to providing communication networks for fire/police. The reality is that building out this network can actually reduce government costs, making the implementation of the plan very cheap.

I look forward to seeing how this progresses.

WNKU Acoustic Lunch - Piatt Park

2007-05-13T20:26:00.000-04:00

The WNKU acoustic lunch at Piatt Park returns again this spring/summer on Tuesday afternoons. Great lineup of bands... be sure to swing on down and check it out on a couple Tuesdays from 11:30-1:30 PM.

My personal favorites that I hope to make it out to are, July 3, July 24, Aug. 14. I have included a link to myspace/band website where I could find them.

May 15 – Malkum Gibson & The Mighty Juke
May 22 – Mix Machine
May 29 – Iswhat!?
June 5 – Sullivan & Janszen - Cover Band
June 12 – Lane & Sauers
June 19 – Jayne Sachs
June 26 – Bromwell/Diehl
July 3 – Tracy Walker
July 10 – The Flock
July 17 – Disconnected
July 24 – Ma Crow & The Motherpluckers
July 31 – Eric Leyton Band
August 7 – Tupelo Honey
August 14 – Jake Speed & The Freddies
August 21 – Clark & Jones
August 28 – Raison d’Etre
September 4 – Frazier & Goins
September 11 – Troubadours of Divine Bliss
September 18 – Faux Frenchmen
September 25 – Tanner Hill

Know Theater - Fringe Kick-Off - Friday

2007-05-13T09:31:00.000-04:00

Know Theater is having an happy hour and live music showcase to kick-off Fringe Festival on Friday May 18th. It will also include an exhibition of photos from art academy students of their experience in Over-the-Rhine.

Free admission from 6-8:30 PM and then $5 admission beginning at 9 PM. They will also have Christian Moerlein's OTR Ale on sale for $1.

Music includes The Newbees in the Underground and Jake Speed & The Freddies starting at 9:30 p.m.

Mentos and Diet Coke - Fountain Square World Record

2007-05-08T23:55:00.000-04:00

Fountain Square is set to try to break a world record for the largest Diet Coke + Mentos Geyser. If you haven't seen the EepyBird guys do there performance, it's pretty amazing.

On May 24th they will be coming to Fountain Square to do there best to create the largest geyser ever. And to make it happen they are looking for 500 participants. Register will be at Founatin Square starting at 5 p.m, and will be limited to the first 500. Participants will receive a gift bag with candy, a Mentos Loading Tube, goggles, and a rain slicker. Show begins at 6 p.m.

This one might actually be more funny...

More Bastards

2007-05-08T05:10:00.000-04:00

Check out the new video from the Heartless Bastards! Thanks to Mike Breen at CityBeat for passing it along! Has anyone ever listened to or seen the Heartless Bastards live and not loved them? The local group Lightborne shot and produced the video, and they did an amazing job! The have a nice catalog of work including Deathcab for Cutie, The Raconteurs and the Greenhornes.

Click below to watch the video!

Heartless Bastards Rocking It

2007-05-06T21:09:00.000-04:00

The Heartless bastards continue to rack up the good news. Already announced is a performance at Lollapalooza in Chicago. Now they are one of 15 bands pre-released by Austin City Limits website through an online crossword puzzle. If you are too lazy to fill out the crossword puzzle, you can go to this website to see the lineup announced, as well as the rumored bands.

Let the Clean Air Begin

2007-05-02T23:46:00.000-04:00

In about 15 minutes we begin the celebration of clean air in Ohio. Judge today ruled to allow the indoor smoking ban take affect as scheduled on Thursday. I couldn't be more excited, and I'll celebrate by going to a fine establishment in Ohio... just think, I live in KY and I'm going TO Ohio because of the smoking ban... I'm going to guess that I'll spend a lot more time at bars in Ohio, and a lot less time at bars in KY. Does that mean I'll only go to Ohio bars.... probably not, I'll still hit up Hofbra for sure, but more often then not I'll head across the Ohio...

Smoke 'em if you got'em, for 15 more minutes!

CiN Weekly - CiN Stage @ Taste

2007-05-02T17:00:00.000-04:00

CiN Weekly kicks butt again. The addition of the CiN stage at Taste of Cincinnati is everything that Cincinnati should be all the time. Cincinnati has an incredible live music scene, if only people in Cincy new that...

A stage at a major event that is full of local original music is such a fantastic idea and it was a big hit last year. Kari Wethington at CiN Weekly put it together and they've got an awesome lineup waiting for your attendance! It's at a great new location at the P&G Gardens on 5th street between broadway and sycamore... see you there!

SATURDAY, MAY 26
1-2 The Swarthy Band
3-4 Kristen Key
5-6 Ellery
7-8 Wussy
9-10 Kim Taylor

SUNDAY, MAY 27
1-2 Ill Poetic
3-4 Paper Airplane
5-6 Fairmount Girls
7-8 Bad Veins
9-10 Ruby Vileos UPDATE: Ruby Vileos Out - Freakbass is now playing.

MONDAY, MAY 28
1-2 Buffalo Killers
3-4 Pearlene

Kentucky Derby on Fountain Square

2007-05-01T23:48:00.000-04:00

Come on out on Saturday May 5th for a big Party on Fountain Square. The event is free and open to the public and is being put on by Give Back Cincinnati.

CiN Weekly features the event this week, and has all the detals. But it's got a little something for everyone. The Derby will be shown on Fountain Squares big LED, and we'll have a cornhole tournament from 5-7 PM. After the Derby there will be Live music from locals Ellison and the Newbees. Througout the entire event we'll be featuring Mint Juleps with Bourbon from Woodford Reserve (the official Bourbon of the Derby).

Perhaps even more exciting for me will be one of the first chances to publicly try Christian Moerlein's new beer... OTR Ale. I tried it last weekend at Findlay and I can tell you it's TASTY!

See you on Saturday. PS for those running on Sunday, we'll have plenty of cheap water at the event, so come on out, have some fun and hydrate!

Bike Month - Get Off Yur Arse!

2007-05-01T13:15:00.000-04:00

It's May, it's 70 and Sunny and it's time for everyone to get up and off their arse (including me!)

There is a lot of great stuff happening in May for Bike Month and there's a website to pull it all together. www.cinergize.org/bikemonth.html

Check out the website and get involved in Bike to Work Week (aka Commuter Challenge), and the Bike Rally.

Chili Century Ride - May 6
Underground Railway Tour - May 9
Ride for World Health - May 11 - 13
Ride of Silence - May 16
National Employee Health Day - May 16
Commuter Challenge - May 21 - 25
Bike Rally Finale - May 26

Bengals Draft

2007-04-28T16:43:00.000-04:00

So the bengals got a DB (Leon Hall) at #18 in the 2007 NFL draft. Hopefully he'll be able to mature the same way Jonathan Joseph did. If that works out we may have two really nice corners for the next 8 years. Now we just need a LB and a defensive lineman.

Skybus - New Airline - Fares So Low You Will Say Holy Crap!

2007-04-26T10:46:00.000-04:00

Just saw this new airline based out of Columbus - Sky Bus. It looks as though their main comparison is Southwest. They fly point to point only, and they have no seat assignments. It's very much ala carte. You pay for food/drink on board (but at this point the meals on 'full service' carriers is pretty small anyway). You pay $5 for checked baggage (carry on is free). You can pay for pre-boarding services to get in group #1 for seating.

All of that is okay by me, as they have flights to LA, Seattle, Boston, San Fran for no more than $200 round trip. They have flights as low as $5o each way regularily, and as low as $10 each way special price.

Moerlein OTR Ale - Don't Forget

2007-04-25T16:38:00.000-04:00

Don't forget to check out the launch of the OTR Ale at a five day festival (tonight through SUnday) at Elder Cafe at Findlay Market! CiNWeekly has more on the event. And you can read a full breakdown from my blog a week ago.

I will probably be down there either Friday or Saturday night.

Banks 2010

2007-04-23T22:08:00.000-04:00

I went to the meeting at Duke Energy today at lunch that discussed the new AIG/Carter plans for the Banks. It's a bit different (more modern) than the old plan, but I really like it.

Some notes:

You will see two orange oval shapes in front of the current freedom center lawn. These are to be restaurants, but it's not clear if they are phase I or II.
Phases, on that note, you the site is an 8-10 year plan withe the two blocks between the Freedom Center and Great American being built first. The first phase will have up to 300,00 sq ft of office, 325 Condos, and 70-100,000 sq ft of retail.
Freedom Way will be main street for development with retail/restaurants on both sides of the street.
Timeline - Assuming the development agreement is finalized at it's deadline in a couple weeks (May 15th), it would be about 6 months to finalize some of the grants/finances to begin work. You would then see shovels in the ground building the parking garages by around Nov/Dec. 2007. It would be ready for occupancy then in late 2009. Still a long way off, but at least it's some progress instead of a wasteland.

This is an evening picture of the 2 blocks proposed to be developed first. You will see on the south side of the development (closest to the river) buildings that are lower. These are set to be lower density housing in the form of townhomes. You also see the glass restaruant sitting on the lawn of the Freedom Center. The glass building on the top left of the image is the planned office development. We should note that ALL of this can/likely will change to a certain extent as they finalize the plan and determine what the market will bear!

Here are two renderings of what things would look like from the street level looking towards Great American. All in all I think the new renderings looks great. It'll be nice to see some things coming out of the ground!

Mint Juleps on the Square - Derby Party May 5th - Fountain Square

2007-04-23T10:17:00.000-04:00

Give Back Cincinnati is hosting a free and open to the public party on Saturday May 5th on Fountain Square. It's going to be a great event even if horse racing isn't your thing. We'll have a cornhole tournament prior to the Derby and Live Music after the derby. We'll have food and drinks including Mint Juleps (you have to at least try one), and beer from Christian Moerlein.

And for those ambitious folks who plan on running the pig on Sunday May 6th, you can still come out for the fun, and we'll have plenty of spring water on sale at low cost!

Click Here for complete details on the event, and I hope to see you all out there!

Lily Pad Wins Airport!

2007-04-17T15:06:00.001-04:00

Huge win today for Project Lily Pad. Lily Pad was awarded the contract to provide free wifi at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport at all locations not already covered by a pay service by T-Mobile. Lily Pad free-wifi will be at the ticketing, baggage claim, Terminal 2 and Comair sections of the airport.

The original Request for Proposal (RFP) that went out did not have a requirement that service be provided for free. In part due to the response provided by Lily Pad for free service, the airport scrapped the process and started over with a Free-Based RFP. Lily Pad competed with some major regional and national providers in this process and still was able to provide a convincing argument for our model and the support of this community.

It's truly awesome that we were able to win this contract. I believe there is already an article in the Cincinnati Post, and there is likely to be quite a bit more press on this. It is a huge step for us as we enter the spring/summer months and begin to get signficantly more interest in the project in our community..... stay tuned for additional announcements in the near future about some major partnerships!

Main Street Renaissance?

2007-04-17T09:59:00.000-04:00

I commented on the Post Article from back in March that indicated the current owner of the Exchange (Paul Yankie), was looking to lead an investment group to purchase several of the recently scuttled bars in the Main Street area and re-work them.

I've begun hearing rumblings that this may be nearly a done deal, and that Jefferson Hall, RBC, Japp's and Harry's will all be open (under new names and concepts) as soon as July 1st. It's still a believe-it-when-I-see-it stage, but it's at least clear this is still in the works. It would be great if those places could be re-opened along with plans for Mixx (old Jump), Jardin (old Neon's), Below Zero (old Alcehmize), and Ocho Rios (old Club Clau).

This would result in Main Street having it's largest collection of bars and restaurants operating since it's heyday.

Let's Beat That Dead Smoking Horse

2007-04-16T22:41:00.000-04:00

Well... looks like smoking ban enforcement finally goes into affect on May 1st. Kind of funny that people are still hitting up the it's not fair card. I don't know how smart it is for an owner of a pub to go on the record as saying he's going to break the law and pay the fine. Seems to open himself up as a target when enforcement begins.

More Newport Cool

2007-04-16T19:28:00.000-04:00

This is a refreshing approach to 'those troublesome youngins'. Obviously the approach is still finding somewhere to heard the skaters, but I like that the approach is both to find something positive for them to do AND it's actively engaging some of them to help plan the park.

Newport has announced the beginning of a skate park under I-471. It's only a couple blocks away from my house, but I don't think I'll be buying a board and knee pads anytime soon. I am pretty sure I've passed my skateboarding prime :)

It's cool that they are getting it started, and have even grander plans for the park in the future. I hope they are able to find and/or raise the funds to bring about it's full plan.

Newport Cycling Mecca?

2007-04-16T19:04:00.000-04:00

Robert Yoder, who I am not going to christen Newport Brainchild, is doing a bang-up job as Newports 'Main Street Coordinator'. His official charge is to revitalize and promote 'downtown' Newport and specifically the Monmouth Street area south of the levee. He has done an amazing job already promoting facade improvements, streetscape programs, and enticing new business (like Steamboat Bagels and Graeter's) to locate on Monmouth.

He's also fantastic at dreaming up and supporting innovative and progressive ideas to make the community interesting. Some cost money (and most of the time he finds state, federal or private grants), but many don't.

His new brainstorm includes relocating a gas station building (circa 1920), which includes a spanish tile roof, to Saratoga and 10th street to serve as a Tourist and Cycling Depot. The concept is detailed as follows:

"bike racks, air pumps, a water fountain, tourist information and a transportation museum detailing the area's railroads and other landmarks. The station would mark the beginning of a bike trail where road signs would point bikers through town to the Purple People Bridge and connect with trails in Ohio."

It's a great concept, and will help bolster Newport's position as a 'bike friendly community', both in name and in certification, as there is early rubmlings about applying for the League of American Bicyclists 'Bike Friendly Community' program, which brings with it honor and streamlined application for additonal grants for cycling promotion.

Give Back Cincinnati Community Conversation - Ohio Riverfront Parks (NKY and Cincinnati)

2007-04-16T10:09:00.000-04:00

Want to hear about plans for Urban Parks on Both Sides of the Ohio Riverfront?
Give Back Cincinnati is hosting a Community Conversation

Tues, April 17th 6-8 PM
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Discovery Room

Steve Schuckman,

the superintendent of planning and design for the Cincinnati Riverfront Park,
will present the park proposal and answer questions.

Mike Phillips,

Park and Greenspace project facilitator for NKY’s Vision 2015,
will present plans for Licking River Greenway and Ohio Riverfront Commons

Please RSVP at http://www.givebackcincinnati.org/events_details.asp?EventID=1127

Click on the image to download a copy of the full plan for the Cincinnati Riverfront Park.

Refreshments provided by Chic-fil-A - Tower Place Mall and Alpine Valley Water.

More on Christian Moerlein Launch of OTR ALE

2007-04-13T14:23:00.000-04:00

Wanted to add some details about the 5 day launch of CM OTR Ale.

On April 25 at 4 p.m., at 128 W. Elder St. in the Findlay Market Square, the door to the "Moerlein OTR Ale Haus" will open. Launching the 5-day festival celebrating OTR Ale.

For the past two years, the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company has been hand-crafting Moerlein Over-the-Rhine Ale to replicate beers brewed in OTR's Brewery District during the mid-1800's. The beer has been named to honor both the history of Over-the-Rhine's brewing heritage as well as the efforts of the people working toward the neighborhood's rebirth. Moerlein OTR Ale will be a permanent member of the Moerlein family of beers. For the first five days of the beer's existence, the only place to purchase Moerlein OTR Ale draft beer will be at the Moerlein OTR Ale Haus at Findlay Market.

Your second opportunity to try out the beer will be at Give Back Cincinnati's Mint Juleps on the Square event celebrating the Kentucky Derby on May 5th!

The five days of events will include the following:

Wednesday, April 25th: 2-4 PM, private press party - 4-8 PM, open to the public
Thursday, April 26th: 2-8 PM. Brewery District and Friends Happy Hour. Traditional OTR dinner will feature bratwurst from Findlay Market's best sausage makers and cold Moerlein OTR beer.
Friday, April 27th: 2-8 PM. Friday Fish Fry catered by the famous Aunt Flora.
Saturday, April 28th: 11 AM - 8 PM. Brews, Blues and BBQ by Mr. Pig.
Sunday, April 29th: 12PM - 4PM. Cajun Sunday Seafood Sampler by Luken's

All proceeds of beer sales will go toward the Brewery District's plan to sub-name McMicken Ave. "Brewer's Boulevard." Specifically, the money will be used for street signs and an Ohio Historic plaque honoring Over-the-Rhine's brewing heritage. Many of the remaining Nineteenth Century brewery buildings are located on or near McMicken. Information regarding the location of the remaining brewery buildings, Cincinnati's beer heritage, and the plans for "Brewer's Boulevard" will be available throughout the event. For patrons wishing to aid the effort with more than the purchase of beer, a $25 donation will buy an annual membership in the Brewery District Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation.

Commemorative Moerlein OTR Ale memorabilia highlighting the importance of the event will be available. This includes a limited number of commemorative pint glasses celebrating the beer's launch date and location.

New Downtowner - Mass Transit

2007-04-13T11:00:00.000-04:00

The Downtowner newspaper has gone through a revamp. It has a new print design, has expanded scope to cover 'inner neighborhoods' like Newport, Covington, OTR, etc. It is also dramatically larger than it used to be (current issue is 32 pages).

It's much improved, and has a lot of timely information. I stopped picking it up the last year or so, as it didn't seem to have much new info, but was pleasantly surprised when i picked up the most recent issue.

Another new addition (which is a long time in coming) is a website. It's not the best/most organized website I've ever seen, but there have been plenty of times when I've wanted to share an article on this blog, or with friends and couldn't because there was no website.

The cover story this week is a new story on the Streetcar initiative. If you've been paying attention to the news, there isn't ground-breaking info in the article, but it's another affirmation of why Street Cars make sense as a first step in Mass Transit for our region...

Smoking Ban Update

2007-04-12T17:36:00.000-04:00

Everyone's favorite topic it seems. I'll say it again, I can't wait until this is in affect, even if only for selfish reasons.

It looks like the ban should be in affect by the end of April, and enforcement will begin then. It appears the rules will have a 'loophole' to accommodate private clubs (think Knights of Columbus and the like). It didn't have details, so I wonder if you are going to have to be a registered Fraternal Organization or anything like that... if not, I think you are going to see a lot of new 'private' clubs where all the employees will be given a very minor stake in the company in order to get around the ban. Hope not... we'll have to wait and see what the rules look like.

Here is the update from CityBeat.

Fountain Square Tenants - HMMM?

2007-04-12T17:12:00.000-04:00

Well, I've got a bit of mixed feelings about this... It's been a long wait for 5/3 to start naming tenants and their first attempt is a relocated Jones the Florist, and the addition of Cadillac Ranch, which is a rock and country music themed bar... it kind of has that kitchy Planet Hollywood type of theme... it's going at the corner of 6th and walnut.

If the previously announced Jeff Ruby/Bootsy Collins restaurant opens a block away at the former 'Za location, it could have a major impact on Cadillac Ranch's ability to survive.

I guess it's progress, but seems to be a big letdown... I was hoping for a Maker's Mark Lounge... wonder if that's still on the table.

UPDATE: Today's Business Courier has named Graeter's and Starbucks (oh boy, just what we need, since there is already about 5 downtown) will be in the former space of the Visitor's Center, and PotBelly will be moving in along the square at an unnamed location.

Lollapalooza Aug. 3-5 - Heartless Bastards!

2007-04-12T14:52:00.000-04:00

The schedule for Lollapalooza in Chicago came out... and it's a stellar line-up (see below). One really cool note is that local favorites the Heartless Bastards continue their positive news with selection to the festival. That is awesome, and is more good news coming off the heals of their successful tour with Lucinda Williams... here's hoping that they'll be topping the charts soon!

Tunes & Blooms - Cincinnati Zoo

2007-04-11T15:28:00.000-04:00

Head to the Cincinnati Zoo the next three Thursdays in April. "Tunes & Blooms” - "a collection of Cincinnati’s finest and most-respected music veterans playing together in the Zoo’s beautiful gardens, for FREE, after 5 p.m."

Apr. 12 - Psychodots and Faux Frenchmen
Apr. 19 - Jake Speed and The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars
Apr. 26 - Kim Taylor and the Hiders

Bengals Schedule

2007-04-11T15:00:00.000-04:00

Well, the Reds have lost a couple in a row, so it's nice to have the Bengals schedule to look at and start daydreaming about!

What are the highlights.... The previously announced home opener on Sept. 10th against the Ravens is certainly huge. They head on the road for two games, and then return for another home game on Monday Night Oct. 1st against the Patriots....

Steelers come to Cincy on Oct. 28th, and the Browns on Dec. 23rd. December also brings two more night games, both on the road against the Steelers (Dec. 2) and 49ers (Dec. 15th). Overall, only 9 of the Bengals 16 games are at 1 PM... The other seven are 2 Monday Nights, 1 Sunday Night, 1 Saturday Night, and 3 Sunday Late Afternoon (Home v Jets, @ Seahawks, @ Ravens).

It's a great looking schedule... and one much favorable than last year... I'm calling 12 wins!

Christian Moerlein - OTR ALE!!!!

2007-04-10T11:46:00.000-04:00

Huzzah! What an awesome piece of news... This is the event I mentioned that was going to be occurring at Findlay Market.

Christian Moerlein (which should be everyone's favorite beer) is rolling out a new beer. It's a Pale Ale and it's going to be called Christian Moerlein OTR. To kick it off they are re-opening (for 5 days) the former Elder Cafe bar at Findlay Market on April 25th.

Shortly there after you'll be able to enjoy the tasty new beverage at Give Back Cincinnati's Derby Party on Fountain Square on May 5th... so join us for some fun and great new beer...

I'll add more later when I find out more about the launch festivities are at Findlay Market.

Give Back - Community Conversation - Riverfront Park

2007-04-09T14:55:00.000-04:00

Join Give Back Cincinnati on Tues., April 17th at 6 PM for the 2nd quarter of Community Conversations to hear about the plans for the Cincinnati Riverfront Park on the bank of the Ohio River.

RSVP HERE to hear Steve Schuckman, superintendent of planning and design for the Riverfront Park, speak about the plans for the park.

Click on the image below to download a copy of the full plan for the park.

Cindi Nugent, will present volunteer opportunities through the Parks Board, and a CRC rep will be there to talk about volunteer opps as well.
Free Food from Chic-Fil-A!

Mallory on Jimmy Kimmel

2007-04-05T08:51:00.000-04:00

And it gets worse... well it gest worse then slightly better.

Mallory went on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night (he was actually at the studios live) and attempted another pitch (this one from closer than opening day). His first attempt was almost as bad as opening day, except it was way right instead of way left... I am guessing he over corrected a bit for fear of repeating Monday.

Here is the clip, his second attempt wasn't too bad, still bounced it up there, but at least it went straight!

OTR Gains More Momentum

2007-03-31T08:57:00.000-04:00

Wow... How much good press can one little troubled neighborhood get in one week? Kudos to Brian Tiffany (OTR Chamber) who has been working mostly behind the scenes to help some of these deals.

Kudos also to the Gateway Quarter folks, the arts and cultural instutions and Roula David and Michael Spalding (Owners of Vinyl).

The above mentioned duo, are working with the business partner of Neon's to keep the bar open through Apr. 21st, and then do a renovation to turn it into Jardin Wine and Tapas Bar. What a fantastic idea. A Tapas bar in that area is perfect, and will fit in well with the Latin club that is going into the former Club Clau space.

The duo are also still moving ahead with their plans for a Sushi bar at the former Jump location. This area is going to be really fantastic by the middle of the summer! See other news on OTR with the new club in the former Alchemize space!

OTR Grapevine - Permission Granted

2007-03-30T16:17:00.000-04:00

I guess I can officially talk about some of what I mentioned in my earlier post about the OTR Grapevine.

Joe Wessels has officially reported some of the things I've heard through the grapevine, and the most exciting if Jean Ro is moving into OTR with a cafe similar to his Covington Greenup Cafe. It's really amazing news for the Gateway Quarter, and an afirmation of what is coming in that area.

Joe also officially confirms "Below Zero, a martini and piano bar, open in the location of the former Alchemize Bar on Walnut Street will open early this summer. Its owner is former Hamburger Mary's/Universal Grille co-owner Nigel Cotterill."

It also comments on the move of Urban Homeware store MetroNation to the Quarter, along with Park + Vine "a new "green" general store in the next block south".

What great momentum for the area. Take a tour, buy a condo!

UPDATE: Enquirer chimes in today as well.

Final Friday and Second Sunday on Main

2007-03-29T10:10:00.000-04:00

It's spring, so it's time to head back out to Final Friday on Main Street/Pendleton. If you've never gone, now should be the time to start. It's an amazing event on North Main St, and in the pendelton arts center in OTR.

And if you need added incentive, then come on out to Mr. Pitiful's on Main St. a little early. There is a happy hour being thrown by the Second Sunday on Main organizers. They will be unveiling their schedule for 2007, and if you REALLY need incentive, the first 30 people through the door will get a free drink!

CityBeat Done Good

2007-03-28T17:04:00.000-04:00

Okay, enough of the Larry Gross bashing... CityBeat's 2007 Best of Cincinnati is a great issue. Go pick up a print copy for 88 pages of 'Wow, Cincinnati really is pretty awesome' goodness.

Or, go to the online view and check it out: http://www.bestofcincinnati.com/

They have a theme of music for this year's issue, so each of the 6 categories has at least a little bit of music love. This statement couldn't be more true: "First of all, the quality and quantity of exciting original music being created in this area is at an all-time high". Now, it's just time for our fair city to embrace that and start going out and supporting it even more.

I'm to blame probably some as well, as I don't get out to local shows as much as I used to, and will make that a goal this summer!

CityBeat - Larry Gross

2007-03-28T16:40:00.000-04:00

Seriously... I've seen Cincinnati Blog comment time and time again on Larry Gross from City Beat, and I never really cared much.... but this weeks article really bugged me. How do you open CityBeat's 'Best of Cincinniati' edition with the drivle from Mr. Gross? The 'Best of' Edition is far and away CityBeat's most upbeat week of the year. So why ruin that with this article.

Apparently Mr. Gross (maybe it's his name that's the problem) can't make a friend if his life depended on it. I've never met the man, so maybe I'm wrong and he's actually very pleasant to be around. But he claims that he talked to 80 people on Main St (near the courthouse) and 40 people on Fountain Square and couldn't get more than 2 of them to answer a question about what they like about Cincinnati. I am calling complete BS on this, and might even do my own experiment to prove it.

How hard did he try? Did he present himself in a positive manner, or did he approach people as if he was giong to ask them for a buck? I can't believe that if he held a notebook in his hand, or a voice recorder, and went up to people and said, "Hey, I'm a reporter from CityBeat, and I need 2 minutes from you to tell me what you like best about Cincinnati." that he would have gotten only 2 responses. It's just not true. People in this city are friendly, and I've had dozens of people from out of town tell me that.

Give it up Mr. Gross, the gal you met on the street that day was correct, Smoking is bad for you, and if it really is miserable here, no one is keeping you hostage. America is a very mobile-friendly country, so moving to a new city is only a U-Haul away!

Not a Moerlein but Barrelhouse Will Do

2007-03-27T16:30:00.000-04:00

Christian Moerlein is definitely my favorite local brand, but when I can't get it, I'll settle for a Barrelhouse.

The former brewpub, turned brewery in the west end is coming back to Great American Ballpark with Redlegg Ale.

In addition they are bringing back an opening day tradition with a fan appreciation day. I'll be down at the stadium tailgating, but if I wasn't I'd be at Barrelhouse enjoying $1 Brats and $1 beers.

In a nod to an old tradition with Hudepohl, the brewery will open it's doors for a fundraiser, and to celebrate the coming of spring and baseball season. More info about the event at their website.

Freedom Project

2007-03-27T16:15:00.000-04:00

Cincinnati is the 6th most segregated city in America according to Census numbers from 2002. It's not a ranking to be proud of, and with segregation comes ignorance and intolerance. It's much easier to make generalizations about 'them', than it is when 'them' becomes 'us'. Or better yet, 'them' becomes individuals and friends with names.

The enemy of bigotry is knowledge, I'm sure someone famous said that, but I can't find it on google, so I'll just take credit for it :)

Well, Give Back Cincinnati and the Freedom YPs (YP group of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center) are taking the issue head on. Together we've created the Freedom Project. A group of 60 people from purposely diverse backgrounds will spend the year working together on 4 GIve Back Cincinnati volunteer projects. The Wednesday Following each of the 4 projects, will be a facilitated discussion around diversity, inclusion, and racial equity.

The goal of the project is to bring people together for direct and sometimes uncomfortable discussions. Build relationships through community service. And end the year with lasting and sustainable cross-race relationships. Once you build knowledge, the bigotry ends, and hopefully the result will be the beginning of a trend in Cincinnati where people of all races are interacting on a regular basis. It's a lofty goal and a first step in making a true impact in our community.

Good News for Ovation

2007-03-26T17:39:00.000-04:00

Ovation (the 600 Billion+ development) on the Newport Riverfront (where housing projects sat before being torn down this winter) got a big boost when Gov. Fletcher signed a TIF (tax increment financing) deal into law.

It is great news for the project, and it allows some of the taxes generated from the development to be used to pay off infrastructure for the project (streets, parking garages, etc).

However, a comment from Rep. Dennis Keene is enough to ensure that if I were ever in a position to vote for/against him it would be a resounding 'no'.

Here is his comment:

"It shows that Northern Kentuckians are committed and get things done, while our friends on the other side of the river (Cincinnati) struggle because they can't cooperate."

Why is this ignorant?

1) Cincinnati already has TIF laws in place. Part of the argument for TIF was that both other KY cities (Louisville for one), and CINCINNATI had these laws and it made it hard to compete.

2) What the hell does Cincinnati have to do with this project. Taking jabs like this is the 'little brother' syndrome of having to attack someone else to make yourself feel better. Why not just celebrate the success you have

3) In the time that Newport has built a shopping mall (with no stores) and a movie theater (aka Newport on the Levee), Cincinnati has built a professional football stadium, professional baseball stadium, a major museum (NURFC), a reconstructed highway (fort washington way), and the Contemporary Arts Center. Get off your high horse!

4) Cincinnati/NKY wins only as a region. We will not be able to compete with other urban areas unless we are moving forward in the same direction.

Thanks for letting me blow off some steam. Dennis Keene is an idiot (for the record). Also for the record, I live in Newport.

Downtown Bike Trail to Lunken

2007-03-26T17:26:00.000-04:00

The Education, Health and Recreation (perhaps along with the economic development committee) of the Cincinnati City Council will meet to hear an update on the proposed downtown to lunken bike trail.

This is very important for downtown and will connect the proposed Riverfront park to hundreds of miles of continous bike trails that are proposed from Cincinnati to Cleveland. Here is the email about the meeting. If you care about biking, be sure to attend!

"The next meeting of City Council's Education, Health and Recreation Committee on the Lunken to Downtown bike trail will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall on Monday, April 16, at 3:00 p.m. This meeting, which may turn into a joint meeting with Council's Economic Development Committee, will be very important to completing the trail. As charged by the attached resolutions passed by City Council this past November, the City-led task force that has been studying the trail for the past year will present at the April 16 meeting its report on the trail alternatives, a recommended alignment, cost and time estimates for completing the trail, and a progress report on its negotiations with SORTA.

Your presence at the April 16 meeting will help demonstrate to Council how important you view this project. Please plan to attend it and ask others to join you."

Bengals and Ravens Open Season on MNF

2007-03-26T17:24:00.000-04:00

The Bengals and Ravens will play in Cincinnati on Mon. Sept. 10th. It's a great start to the season, and should be a very fun game. Bengals better not screw around in camp as this is a very important game right off the bat!

OTR Grapvine

2007-03-24T20:21:00.000-04:00

Heard a bunch of cool news this week for the OTR/Gateway Quarter/Findlay area. Some of it I have been forbidden to spill the beans on (at least not yeat).

Here is what I can say. Nigel Cotterill (Universal Grille fame) is rumored to be taking the lease on the Alchemize space at 12th and Walnut. It will be a bar concept to welcome locals and the arts crowd. Not clear if it'll have food.

Second bit of news is that one of the condo developments in the Gateway Quarter has signed a lease for a restaurant with a locally famous restraunteur. There's a lot of people that could be, but when the announcement is ready, it'll be great news for the neighborhood.

Finally, wait for a major announcement for a late April Findlay Market event. I'm really excited about this one, and can't wait until I can start spreading the news.

May Bike Month - Cincinnati

2007-03-23T08:52:00.000-04:00

May is National Bike Month. This year Cincinnati is re-energizing the event, and has launched a community supported biking 'wiki'. The site (Cinergize.com) is focused on collecting information about cycling in Cincinnati.

The major first use of the site is to promote Bike Month in Cincinnati. If you're a cyclist (recreation or serious) i really encourage you to learn more about it, and get involved. You can volunteer, sponsor, bike, or just spread the word. But for numerous reasons (gas prices, traffic, pollution, health) there is real momentum to make biking easier and safer in communities across the country.

I know that for the Riverfront Park there is discussion about creating a bike 'center'. With bike lockers, locker rooms and bike repair shop. The cost would be minimal (and less than parking). Add that to the street car line and bike commuting in CIncinnati will get MUCH easier!

Back from Austin

2007-03-21T00:38:00.000-04:00

Just got back last night from Austin. What a wonderful week... It's truly a great time, and I look forward to next year!

Check out the blog by CinWeekly's Kari Wethington, and my own blog from the week - Nati SXSW. Ran into her a couple times during the week. Mostly at Cincinnati shows, as we had to show the home town bands some love.

If you have the chance to go down to SXSW in the future I really recommend it. It's a blast, and really pretty inexpensive (don't get a badge or a wristband, there's plenty of free/cheap music to see)

Back to regular blogging this week!

YP Sounding Session - Street Cars

2007-03-13T11:03:00.000-04:00

So, you've read what I have to say, now head out to a YP Sounding Session by YP Wired and see what the real experts have to say.

THe First 100 people to register for each of two sessions Mar. 20 and 21st will get a seat:
Click here to register online

YP Sounding Sessions

Let your thoughts be heard on the downtown streetcar initiative!

Mayor Mark Mallory, City Councilmembers, City of Cincinnati Department of Transportation and Engineering, and GO Cincinnati, a diverse, multi-talented public-private commission formed to lead a comprehensive economic growth strategy for the City of Cincinnati, have all identified streetcar transit as a potential tool for improving local circulation, complementing other components of the local and regional transportation system, and supporting sustainable revitalization of urban neighborhoods. Based upon ongoing and continuing successes realized in other communities, the City of Cincinnati is taking a proactive approach in determining the feasibility of implementing a streetcar system within the central business district and immediately surrounding areas. To this end, the City has engaged HDR Engineering, Inc. (HDR), with additional support from Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB), to complete the Cincinnati Streetcar Feasibility Study.

The purpose of this initial feasibility study is to identify and evaluate a set of potential streetcar transit corridors and technologies, assess major engineering impacts related to traffic, parking and utilities, estimate transportation and economic development benefits, develop preliminary capital and operating cost estimates and identify a set of financing and implementation options. In general terms, the outcome of this feasibility study will be to validate and document whether the streetcar initiative should proceed beyond this initial study phase to the preliminary engineering and final design phases.

The Sounding Sessions will be hosted on the following date at a downtown location:
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007

The first 100 people will be registered due to limited space. Registrants will receive a confirmation e-mail with the time and location of the session.
Click here to register online

Public Transit Works and it's for the Masses

2007-03-12T19:08:00.000-04:00

USA Today is reporting today that mass transit ridership nationwide is up 2.9% in 2006, and 4% in the 4th quarter (even as gas prices are lower in 4Q 2006 than in 4Q 2005).

That now puts the transit ridership rate at a level not seen since the late 1950's with over 10 BILLION trips in 2006. It's great news, and it shows that as mass transit systems are improved and expanded, ridership increases along with it.

Jump on board Cincinnati...

Fountain Square Floral Carpet

2007-03-11T18:58:00.000-04:00

I spoke about this when it was unofficially announced in late Januray - http://thenati.blogspot.com/2007/01/busy-fountain-square.html.

It's now official, and P&G will step in to provide the funding. It should be great for the square in drawing some folks down to take a peak. It's great that it coincides with the Zoos annual zoobloom event, as well as the Flower show down at Coney... should be great to market them all together... but I'm hoping the chamber doesn't label it flower fusion... I'm done with 'fusion' titles, time for something new :)

It's also very cool that they will let people come and snag some of the flowers to plant at your own home....

Check Out My Blog from South By Southwest in Austin

2007-03-09T22:51:00.000-05:00

If you're not familiar, SXSW is an amazing indy music festival in Austin. It's basically a weeklong celebration of music, food and good times in Austin.

I'll keep The 'Nati from being overly cluttered with SXSW 'stuff', by utilizing a new blog for SXSW. If you're interested in what's going on, check here, as I'll be making regular updates this week about the joy of Austin:

http://natisxsw.blogspot.com/

Bagel Shop - Newport

2007-03-08T10:33:00.000-05:00

Steamboat Bagels will open on Monmouth Street a block away from the levee next month. It will sit in between the Dry Cleaners, and the planned Greater's on Monmouth.

I thought about opening a bagel shop on Monmouth about a year ago, but realized I had no idea how to make bagels...

Anyway, this is directly on my route to work, so I am guessing I'll be a regular at Steamboat.

Side Note - Arthur Leech is also opening Restaurant Mandolin on the 600 block of York St in Newport this summer.

Funny aside - thought this was amusing... "The city introduced Leech to Tom Robertson, who owned a four-story building in the 1880s with a large available first-floor space". If that dude owned a building in the 1880s he must be like 150 years old, someone call Guiness Book of World Records.

Why Rail Transit

2007-03-08T08:48:00.000-05:00

Okay... I know, by now it's a dead horse, but I am going to continue to beat it. Cincinnati/NKY talks a lot about attracting and retaining the 'creative class'. Label it however you want, but in a nutshell, cities have a vested interest in ensuring a strong, educated workforce.

Quality of life is a key component in this, and quality of life is a major aspect of transit. When someone is on a job search and has comparable job offers in multiple cities, that is when things like transportation and entertainment comes into play.

Right now Cincinnati is probably outpacing many cities of comparable size in entertainment. With all the cultural institutions (Aronoff, Playhouse, Symphony, Know, etc), college and professional sports, and dining options, it's hard to say that what you're looking for isn't in Cincinnati.

Transit is another question. You've read me talk about street cars, and ultimately light rail. This is so important. If you don't believe me take a look at what happens to development when you rely on highways and roads instead of trains and mass transit.

From Light Rail Now Website - http://www.lightrailnow.org/facts/fa_sf-cin-lrt-hwy-photoessay_2006-09a.htm

San Fransisco - In this view of downtown San Francisco and its waterfront, on the surface and visible in the photo is a surface light rail line and a streetcar line, along with cable cars, electric trolleybuses, and diesel buses

Cincinnati - In this photo of downtown Cincinnati and its waterfront, besides the great swaths of concrete of the roadways themselves are the vast parking lots and garages necessary to accommodate the battalions of private motor vehicles which this combined land use and transportation policy is designed to encourage

It's time to get rid of some of the cars, and start being smart about transit.

I'm a Famous Blogger

2007-03-07T10:50:00.000-05:00

If you don't believe it, just check out CiN Weekly this week: http://cinweekly.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070307/COV/703070324/0/rsst1

Okay, so there's a bunch of other famous bloggers in Cincinnati/NKY as well, here's a rundown in this week's CinWeekly:

http://cinweekly.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070307/COV/703070319/-1/rsst1

Streetcars - Yeah!

2007-03-02T10:47:00.000-05:00

In what was somewhat a repeat of the article in the Enquirer from late January, Citybeat this week has a news feature on the streetcar study in Cincinnati.

It really is much of the same news:

Streetcars are better than buses because they are 'sexier', i.e. people that won't ride a bus because it's 'only for poor people' will hope on a street car.
Streetcars are better than buses because it's a rail in the ground - i.e. developers know that it will take major effort to move or close a street car line, but a bus route can be changed overnight

There is currently a study by the group that did the Portland street car line on feasiblity for Cincinnati. You can tell by previous and current comments of city council members that it's really about where to put it, not if to do it. Which I think is great.

There is also today a letter to the enquirer about Streetcars... I think they got it half right. Streetcars are not the answer, and it should be part of a regional transit network with light rail. However, to indicate that streetcars aren't needed is also not a holistic view of transit. Light Rail provides a regional link with stations spaced 1/2 a mile or more apart. It's higher speed and has right of way. But when you get downtown, the best way to connect to destination is to be able to hop on a streetcar. If light rail goes from Mason to Downtown and dumps off a the 2nd street multi-modal transport center (under 2nd st between PBS and GABP), and you work at Kroger, most people will opt-out becuase they'd have to walk 9-10 blocks every day. But if you have a connecting light rail line do a loop up vine and back down main st, you'd make it more feasible.

The other point to make here, is that the folks in the 'region' spoke in 2002. They didn't want to spend the money to build light rail to the 'burbs. However, streetcars can do a lot for transport in the urban core, and wouldn't require approval of the 'region'. So you can get started on a better transportation system by getting buy-in from the people who understand the value of public transit (most of those people are in the urban core).

Blah Blahblah Blah

2007-02-28T14:33:00.000-05:00

That's what it sounds like when I read this article aloud. I will be the first to say that I am not in agreement that the government has a definite role in regulating smoking. I will say that I enjoy the smoking ban quite a bit.

I just got back from California, and it sure is nice to spend an evening in a bar and not smell like an ash tray when you're done. I'm getting ready to head to Austin and can't wait to spend the week at the music venues and not come out with scratchy eyes.

Let's take a look at some of the lame excuses provided by the business owners:

"Pam Parker, a tavern owner from Grove City near Columbus, said she fears the bar she bought with her husband will go out of business, because loyal customers want to smoke and no longer can."

a) people who regularily smoke and drink are not going to overnight quit drinking and smoking. They may 'protest' at first by staying away, but eventually they will learn to deal with it. b) I have an idea, why don't you start catering and advertising your business to the new population of folks that will go out more (like me) now that smoking is banned!

"Shawver said voters were confused by Issues 4 and 5. "

a) no, that is exactly what the tobacco companies that backed issue 4 wanted to happen, but unfortunately for them the people who vote aren't as dumb as they thought/hoped.

I have an idea, get over it. It's law, and it's the 17th state (as well as hundreds of other municipalities) that have passed it. It is constitutional, and it's time to move forward. People will continue to smoke, and they'll do it outside... or maybe, just maybe, they'll use it as an opportunity to quit smoking, definitely not a bad health choice.

Back From Vegas/Cali

2007-02-27T16:48:00.000-05:00

What a week... Spent Wed-Wed in Las Vegas for training. Good classes actually, even though I know no one will believe I was actually in training.

The weekend I was there was NBA All-Star Weekend... which should be renamed NBA Thug Alert. Check it out on Las Vegas News. And if you think the 362 arrests were due to simply the large crowd... well, the largest crowd of the year is New Year's Eve and....

"Las Vegas police arrested 362 people since the start of NBA festivities, and 209 of them were from out of town, Montoya said. Between 80 and 140 people have been arrested during each of the past three New Year's Eve celebrations."

It was in a word...chaos in Las Vegas...not that I still didn't have fun... for those that are going there, and have any interest in Beatles music, I urge you to go see Cirque Du Soleil's Love - it's fantastic.

On a much more positive note, I spent the next 5 days in California. I went to see the Tour of California (think Le Tour De France without all the heckling of American Riders). It was awesome. Many of the big riders were there, and California native Levi Leipheimer took home the yellow jacket. It was a great success for a 2nd year event, with more than 1.4 million people coming out to see at least part of the 8 day race (2008 they are adding 2 more stages). Funny, there were way less than 362 arrests at this event, and there wasn't even any security around... strange, or not!

SXSW - Tentative Schedule

2007-02-27T16:45:00.001-05:00

Wow... i'm not even half way through scoping out the day shows, and it's already created this mess... clearly I won't see even 1/3 of what's listed here, but it's going to be a great time!

Wednesday, March 14
Apostle Hustle - IODA Day Show - Emo's
The Black Angels - IODA Day Show - Emo's
Twilight Sad - IODA Day Show - Emo's
Jon Langford - The Bay Area Arts and Music Organization Day Show - Yard Dog
Geri X - MySpace - NO SHOWCASE - The Bay Area Arts and Music Organization Day Show -Yard Dog
The Beauvilles - MySpace - NO SHOWCASE - The Bay Area Arts and Music Organization Day Show -Yard Dog
Nessie - MySpace - NO SHOWCASE - The Bay Area Arts and Music Organization Day Show -Yard Dog
A Band of Bees - MySpace - Showcase - 10 PM - Blender Bar at the Ritz
Shane Bartell - MySpace - Showcase - 10 PM - Latitude 30
The Broken West - MySpace -Showcase - 10 PM - Antone's
Twilight Sad - MySpace - Showcase - 10 PM Mohawk Patio
The Early Years - MySpace - Showcase - 10:15 PM - Emo's Jr
The Rosebuds - MySpace - Showcase - 11 PM Antone's
Annuals - MySpace - Showcase - 12:45 AM Beauty Bar Patio
Scott H Biram - MySpace - Showcase - 1 AM - Continental Club

Thursday, March 15
The Rosebuds - Birds Barbershop Day Show - Birds
Annuals - Spaceland and LiveDaily - Antones
Dirty On Purpose - Spaceland and LiveDaily - Antones
Shearwater - MySpace - Showcase - 7:30 PM Central Presbyterian Church
The Cassettes - MySpace - Showcase - 8 PM - Blender Balcony at the Ritz
Apollo Sunshine - MySpace - Showcase - 9 PM - Dirty Dog Bar
The Sundresses - Showcase - 10 PM - Lava Lounge Patio
The Young Knives - MySpace - Showcase - 1 AM Friends

Friday, March 16
Waco Brothers - MySpace - NO SHOWCASE - Bloodshot Records Day Show - Yard Dog
Clem Snide - Bloodshot Records Day Show - Yard Dog
Gore Gore Girls - Bloodshot Records Day Show - Yard Dog
The Silos - Bloodshot Records Day Show - Yard Dog
Deadstring Brothers - Bloodshot Records Day Show - Yard Dog
Danbert Nobacon - MySpace - NO SHOWCASE - Bloodshot Records Day Show - Yard Dog
Apollo Sunshine - MySpace - The Big One Day Show
Apostle of Hustle - Hot Freaks Day Show - Mohawk
Shearwater - Hot Freaks Day Show- Mohawk
The Black Angels - Mess with Texas - Red 7
The Broken West - Merge Records Day Show - Pok-e-jo's
The Rosebuds - Merge Records Day Show - Pok-e-jo's
+/- - Merge Records Day Show - Pok-e-jo's
Frog Eyes - Merge Records Day Show - Pok-e-jo's
Margo & the Nuclear So and So's - MySpace - Showcase - 9 PM - Antone's
Dirty On Purpose - MySpace - Showcase - 9 PM Maggie Mae's
Clem Snide - MySpace - Showcase - 9 PM - Buffalo Billiards
Andrew Bird - MySpace - Showcase - 9:30 PM - Stubb's
Buffalo Killers - MySpace - Showcase - 10:30 PM - Beerland
The Black Angels - MySpace - Showcase - 11 PM - Antone's
You Am I - MySpace - Showcase - 11 PM Dirty Dog Bar - Thanks to Dave Purcell
Apostle of Hustle - MySpace - Showcase - Midnight - Habana Calle 6 Annex
Apples in Stereo - MySpace - Showcase - 1 AM - Dirty Dog Bar
Jon Langford - Showcase - 1 AM - Molotov Lounge
Peter Adams and the Nocturnal Collective - 1 AM - BD Riley's

Saturday, March 17
The Early Years - Hot Freaks Day Show - Mohawk
Annuals - Hot Freaks Day Show - Mohawk
Viva Voce - MySpace - NO SHOWCASE - Hot Freaks Day Show - Mohawk
The Young Knives - Hot Freaks Day Show - Club Deville
Margot & the Nuclear So and So's - Hot Freaks Day Show - Club Deville
The Rosebuds - Hot Freaks Day Show - Club Deville
A Fine Frenzy - MySpace - Showcase - 8 PM - Stubb's - On Tour with Pete Yorn
The Silos - MySpace - Showcase - 9:30 PM - Red Eyed Fly
Deadstring Brothers - MySpace - Showcase - 10:30 PM Red Eyed Fly
Aberdeen City - MySpace - Showcase - 11 PM - Red 7 Patio
Gore Gore Girls - MySpace - Showcase - Midnight - Continental Club
+/- - MySpace - Showcase - Midnight - Habana Calle 6 Patio
Frog Eyes - MySpace - Showcase - 1 AM Habana Calle 6 Patio

Sunday, March 18
Alejandro Escovedo - Continental Club

Service Travel - New Orleans (June), Dominican Republic (Oct)

2007-02-19T19:51:00.000-05:00

Give Back Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity YPs are organizing two service travel trips in 2007. We will be taking a group of up to 100 to New Orleans the last week in June and will be taking 25 to Dominican Republic in October.

You can see a presentation about the 2007 Trips Here:

http://www.givebackcincinnati.org/2007 Service Travel Info Session.ppt

To apply for a trip the DEADLINE IS MON. FEB 26! - Download the application below (or from www.givebackcincinnati.org), and email it back!

International Trip - Dominican Republic - Sep. 30-Oct. 8 - http://www.givebackcincinnati.org/misc/2007_International_Service_Travel_Application.doc
Domestic Trip - New Orleans - Jun. 23-Jul 1 - http://www.givebackcincinnati.org/misc/2007_Gulf_Coast_Service_Travel_Info_App.doc

Jump to Re-Open as Mixx Ultra Lounge

2007-02-19T19:41:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned last week, Jump is being re-opened as a Sushi Restaurant. The owners of nearby Vinyl are going to bring the restaurant (and upstairs private club) to Main St. by early spring/summer.

I think it's great that Jump will get some new life (it's in an important location at the corner of 12th and Main... especially when you look to connect in Know Theater and Ensemble Theater. I also think it's great they have announced the inclusion of a latin themed club Ocho Rios at the former Club Clau space.

What I don't get is the private club idea. That seems to have not worked a couple of other times/locations in Cincinnati/NKY. I just don't know who is paying $200-$500/month to be part of a club.... maybe I'm just clueless...

Also mentioned in the Joe Wessels article, is the desire to rebrand from Main Street Entertainment District to something new. I think that's really smart... however the two names mentioned (Mid-City, and The Loop) seem like a bad idea to me. As seen below, 3CDC and many developers have already began marketing the 12th and Vine area (near Ensemble, Know, and the Kroger Gateway Condos) as The Gateway Quarter. Seems to me this is the perfect opportunity to jump on board with that, and have one unified area of OTR that includes the new SCPA, 12th/Vine area, Ensemble, Know and all of Main Street and identify that as the Gateway Quarter. It's got a nice ring (think New Orleans - French Quarter).

Southshore Newport - Ground Breaking - Feb. 21

2007-02-15T20:05:00.000-05:00

The Southshore project in Newport (near the Comfort Inn) is set to break ground on the first of three condo towers next Wednesday (Feb. 21). It will consist of 200 condos when completed. Way out of my budget it's still a very cool project... they have a pretty slick interactive map on the site, but I'm wondering why my house wasn't specifically called out as an attraction in the area!

The only thing I don't like about the project is this: "Newport Beach Club, the private plaza located five stories above the parking garage". Would have been nice if they had followed suit with One River Plaza on the Cincinnati side (where Montgomery Inn Banquet Center now sits). ORP is going to have a PUBLIC plaza, and are even creating a grand staircase to connect with the purple people bridge. That is how a TRUE urban project is built. Making it walkable for everyone.. but hey, I guess it's there millions of dollars, not mine ;)

Gateway Quarter - Urban Living Renaissance

2007-02-15T10:32:00.000-05:00

Good friend of mine Bobby Maly works at Model Management company and are working along side 3CDC, Kimbler, B2B and Urban Sites to build over 100 new condo units in Over-the-Rhine.

A lot is said around the downtown condo boom, and the goal of attracting Young Professionals. However, the fact of the matter is that most of the condos that are going up along the Cincinnati, NKY riverfront, and in the Central Business District are $300,000 plus. Not sure about most, but that seems to be stretching for a price point for young professionals.

Well that is where the Gateway Quarters urban renewal is exciting. There are condos starting at $86000. And to top it off, there is a tax abatement, meaning it's likely you can get into some of these condos as an owner for less than you are going to pay in Rent!

It's more than 7 buildings that is just the start of what is happening in the area. They have launched a website - Gateway Quarter. On it you will see floorplans, maps, prices, etc. But the real way to understand what is going on in OTR is go down and see it. Call 513.621.GATE (4283) and set up an appointment to go view some of the new urban living!

CiN Kari Goes to Austin

2007-02-14T20:49:00.000-05:00

Kari from CinWeekly is going to Austin for SXSW and she's started a blog about it... It appears from her description, this may be the first time she's been down there... now I'm no expert (this will only be my second year), but my good friend Chuck has been begging me to go down for about a decade... so I feel like it's my tenth time down. ANd I've been to Austin about 2 dozen times... so here's my unofficial tips for Kari...

- Breakfast - Kirby Lane - yummy gingerbread pancakes.. make sure you get there and make sure you go to the original on Kirby Lane.

- Sunday Gospel Brunch - Stubb's... so, you know the BBQ, but the real secret is the gospel lunch every Sunday.. make reservations and take in the tunes!

- Yard Dog - Day Parties - there are plenty to go to, and I am sure I'll be hopping around, but Yard Dog is in a cool little part of town away from the chaos (SoCo - South Congress). And they've got great bands most every day... see my blog entry below for some of them.

Okay, that's it for now... maybe my friends and I will cross paths with Kari while we are down there!

Jake Speed and Tracy Walker - All Roads Lead to Cincinnati

2007-02-14T20:46:00.000-05:00

My favorite singer/songwriter - Jake Speed, has paired up with another great Cincinnati talent - Traci Walker. They've come up with a great new song about Cincinnati, and what a great town we have.

If you've never heard Jake Speed and the Freddies you need to. This song is a lot like what you'll hear... a lot of songs about Cincinnati (good and bad)... Fun times are for sure, as he's also a great stage presence and gets the crowd taking part...

Enjoy... and thanks to Julie at the Chamber for passing along...

All Roads Lead to Cincinnati

SXSW - Agenda

2007-02-13T15:38:00.000-05:00

Okay... here is my first crack at what I want to see. It doesn't include any showcases, just day shows (that I know about).

Anyone have other suggestions of bands to see? Here is the official list of 1300 bands that will be playing. It's a long list, but when you are choosing from 1300 bands, it's pretty short!

Aberdeen City - MySpace
Apollo Sunshine - MySpace - The Big One Day Show (Fri at TBD)
Apples in Stereo - MySpace
A Band of Bees - MySpace
A Fine Frenzy - MySpace - Opening for Pete Yorn
Apostle of Hustle - MySpace - IODA Day Show (Wed at Emo's), Hot Freaks Day Show (Fri @ Mohawk)
Shane Bartell - MySpace
Scott H Biram - MySpace
Andrew Bird - MySpace
The Black Angels - MySpace - IODA Day Show (Wed at Emo's), Mess with Texas (Fri @ Red 7)
The Broken West - MySpace - Merge Records Day Show (Fri at Pok-e-jo's)
Buffalo Killers - MySpace
The Cassettes - MySpace
The Early Years - MySpace - Hot Freaks Day Show (Sat @ Mohawk)
Jon Langford - The Bay Area Arts and Music Organization Day SHow (Wed @ Yard Dog)
Geri X - MySpace - The Bay Area Arts and Music Organization Day SHow (Wed @ Yard Dog)
The Beauvilles - MySpace - The Bay Area Arts and Music Organization Day SHow (Wed @ Yard Dog)
Nessie - MySpace - The Bay Area Arts and Music Organization Day SHow (Wed @ Yard Dog)
Jesse Malin - MySpace
Margo & the Nuclear So and So's - MySpace - Hot Freaks Day Show (Sat @ Club Deville)
Waco Brothers - MySpace - Bloodshot Records Day Show (Fri @ Yard Dog)
Clem Snide - MySpace - Bloodshot Records Day Show (Fri @ Yard Dog)
Gore Gore Girls - MySpace - Bloodshot Records Day Show (Fri @ Yard Dog)
The Silos - MySpace - Bloodshot Records Day Show (Fri @ Yard Dog)
Deadstring Brothers - MySpace - Bloodshot Records Day Show (Fri @ Yard Dog)
Danbert Nobacon - MySpace - Bloodshot Records Day Show (Fri @ Yard Dog)
Twilight Sad - MySpace - IODA Day Show (Wed at Emo's)
The Rosebuds - MySpace - Birds Barbershop Day Show (Thur@ Birds), Merge Records Day Show (Fri at Pok-e-jo's), Hot Freaks Day Show (Sat @ Club Deville)
+/- - MySpace - Merge Records Day Show (Fri at Pok-e-jo's)
Frog Eyes - MySpace - Merge Records Day Show (Fri at Pok-e-jo's)
Shearwater - MySpace - Hot Freaks Day Show (Fri @ Mohawk)
Annuals - MySpace - Spaceland and LiveDaily (Thurs @ Antones), Hot Freaks Day Show (Fri @ Mohawk)
The Young Knives - MySpace - Hot Freaks Day Show (Sat @ Club Deville)
Viva Voce - MySpace - Hot Freaks Day Show (Sat @ Mohawk)
Dirty On Purpose - MySpace - Spaceland and LiveDaily (Thurs @ Antones)

Main Street Rumor and McFadden's to Open New Bar

2007-02-11T19:05:00.000-05:00

Don't have many details yet, but sounds like the former Jump space at 12th and Main street is giong to re-open as a Sushi restaurant. Good news for the area, given last weeks announcement of the re-use of the Jeckyll and Hyde space for a new theater.

Also downtown is the announcement that McFadden's has bought several nearby storefronts and will be opening a second bar called the Lodge (similar to the one in columbus). Sounds like it's going to be a very large space, and will include Live music.

Cincinnati @ SXSW

2007-02-08T10:03:00.000-05:00

South by Southwests has FINALLY posted the an initial listing of bands that will be playing this years festival. It's a long list, and I think some more are still to be added. I am officially excited to get down there.

From Cincinnati this year the list is a little shorter than in the past:

Peter Adams and the Nocturnal Collective
Buffalo Killers
The Sundresses

I will post more later on some of the other favorites I'm looking forward to seeing!

New Restaurant/Bar Openings

2007-02-04T14:42:00.000-05:00

Some new restaurants are opening up around town.... thought you may have missed it:

Southview - Opens Feb. 13th at Newport on the Levee - with an eclectic southern menu like vanilla bean cornbread

Sully's Sports Bar - Opens Feb. 15th opens at the former Redfish location at 7th and Elm

Jalapeno's also opened downtown at 7th and Elm.

Joe

Main Street Transition?

2007-02-04T14:10:00.000-05:00

Main Street Entertainment District to be soon known as Main and Twelth Street Theater District? Combine the art galleries on North Main, the Art Academy at 12th and Jackson, Ensemble Theater at 12th and Race, Know Theater on Jackson St. and the recently announced permanent home of New Stage at the former Jekyll & Hyde's. It's all really exciting for the district that now strecthes from 12th to Liberty on Main, with a T from Main Street over to Race.

That doesn't even take into account the energy around Music Hall and Washington Park and all the new condos and apartments being brought online in the next 30-90 days in the Gateway location around the art academy.

I think the entire area in OTR is ready for a boost of participation and life. There are so many people working to make this happen, and it's exciting. It might not be the late night spot anymore, but it certainly is going to have a new type of energy.

Editorial or Not - Enquirer Article is Irresponsible

2007-01-25T11:25:00.000-05:00

Allowing something like this to be printed in the newspaper and distributed to tens of thousands of people is irresponsible. Even if it is printed under the title 'editorial' there is still some limit to what should be promoted.

The piece, written by Theodore Bering of Anderson Township, has no basis in fact, and even less basis in reality. To even propose that instead of continued work on the banks deal, that they land on the riverfront (quite possibly some of the most prime real estate in any major city in the United States) should be used to build a jail is irrational.

But what pisses me off the most is this statement, "businesses still located in the downtown area are mainly unused, some have closed and others lacking customer support or parking will eventually fail and close because of uncontrolled street gangs, thugs, panhandling, etc."

I am with the next guy that says some areas such as OTR, West End, Avondale and others have some crime issues that must be addressed and that a jail is important. However, indicating that the downtown area has problems with 'uncontrolled street gangs' is ignorant. Flat out ignorant. It is very obviously a comment from a man who has not stepped inside of the downtown in years. Or is simply a flat out lie... one of the two. I spend every day and many weekday/weekend nights in downtown for work and for fun. I can tell you i've yet to see the gangs he speaks of.

Stop the lies and the propaganda. Quit printing filth like this, Enquirer! It's not true, and you know it's not. If you can't edit the editorials, then don't print them!

Downtown is not struggling... I was downtown at 9 PM on a Wednesday night last night, and you couldn't get a seat at Rock Bottom... obviously this isn't the sign of a struggling business... just wait until all the rest of the tenants in 5th/3rd are announced and open by June!

It Doesn't Get Any More Basic

2007-01-25T11:02:00.000-05:00

Juan Williams, Senior Correspondent for NPR, was the Freedom Center yesterday. His message was simple, his audience receptive.

This is what he had to say... and does it get any more basic than this:

Williams challenged the black community to take these steps to pull themselves from poverty:
Graduate from high school.
Stay in the job market.
Don't get married before age 20, and don't have children until marriage.

If those 3 steps could be followed, so much would change. Now I am not here to say that there aren't challenges there. Staying in school and graduating should be achievable. Staying in the job market is potentially a harder task, but mostly because step 1 isn't completed.

The final one is pretty simple too. Now, I am not here to say that there aren't reasons why some people end up as single parents. I am also not here to say that it's impossible for a single parent to raise a successful family. What I am here to say (and more accurately, agree with) is that getting established, maturing, getting married later and THEN having children, is a great reciepe for success.

Now take his three steps to success and compare them to what is actually happening in the black community in the US, from Juan Williams' speech:

"Fifty percent of African-American children are dropping out of high schools"
"The number of blacks in poverty is more than double the national average."
"Seventy percent of black children are born to single mothers today".

If you believe in the path to success laid out by Juan Williams, then a comparison to reality crystalizes the issues faced by the black community today... now the real question.... How do you reverse this trend and create a path to success?

More here in the Enquirer article

Busy Fountain Square

2007-01-24T09:20:00.000-05:00

It's just a rough draft, but everyone should take note of the calendar of events that has quietly been posted to the Fountain Square website.

It's chock full of 'stuff'. When I say full... I mean full! Starting in early May and lasting through late September there are literally one or more events planned every day. That's impressive. 3CDC and Fountain Square Mgmt are living up to their end of the bargain to make FS lively and active... now if 5th/3rd could get off their rump and get some damn tenants signed!

My favorite new event.. this looks awesome... the Flower Carpet (Apr. 14-29). It's in the tradition of public flower carpets in Europe. Check out this site for an example.

Here's a preview of some of the other 'stuff':

- Partner Events - Bock Fest Kick-off (Mar. 1), Mini-Heart Marathon Events (Mar 25), Reds Opening Day (Apr.2), Bridge Climb Kick-Off (Apr. 13), Flying Pig Events (May 1-4),
- Celebrations - Fountain Day - New event to celebrate turning the fountain back on (Mar. 19th), KY Derby Party by Give Back Cincinnati (May 5)
- Games - XBOX Challenge (May 24-25), Spelling Bee (May 30),
- Events - Fountain Square Market (Tuesdays starting May 29), Movie Night (Saturdays starting Jun 2),
- Sports - Mondays starting Jun 4th - Dodgeball, Human Foosball, Four Square, Badminton, Volleyball, Sumo Wrestling
- Music - Fridays starting May 25th - Live Music every friday evening, Thursdays at lunch acoustic thursdays.

Okay... you get the idea... check out the rest online. - All dates subject to change.

Open Letter - Marvin Lewis

2007-01-22T12:40:00.000-05:00

Dear Marvin Lewis,

When is it time to say enough? As a season ticket holder, I understand the drive to win as much as the guys sitting next to me in the stands. We remember the Bungles and the empty stands. I don't want to go back to that, not ever!

When I used to tell people that I was a Bengals fan they would laugh, or get a confused look on their face. "Really?" they would ask. That was embarassing. You arrived and things changed. We began to win games, and then Carson arrived to lead us to the playoffs last year. It was glorious, once again I could wear my bengals gear in public, even purposely packing it for vacations to deliver my pride across the country.... "I am a Bengals fan!" However, it's just as embarrassing (maybe more) now. I know what the 'company line' is going to be. We don't comment on on-going investigations. Or maybe the ever present, "I can't babysit them 24 hours a day".

I am tired of those excuses. I am now laying the blame on you. You are hear to coach a football team, but you're also here as a representative of our community. When the first, the third or even the eigth different person gets arrested, perhaps you can say 'boys will be boys'. At some point though, it comes down to leadership. Maybe it's the type of players you and your staff are selecting (with talent being the only criteria). Maybe it's being too loose in the punishment handed down. I don't know, but I call on you to fix it.

Sure we're winning again, but I don't want to go out in public with a grocery bag over my face whenever I have Bengals gear on. Please fix it!

Joe Hansbauer

Shared Cars

2007-01-19T11:00:00.001-05:00

So... I was looking for information for the post below (Streetcars in Cincinnati). Then I stumbled onto London Streetcar... and man, would it be great to have here in CIncinnati. As someone who has a single car (by choice) between my wife and I, this type of system would be invaluable. It would also be a great resource to those that perhaps can't afford to own there own car, but need to get to the grocery.

It's simple. You reserve a car (just like you'd be reserving a rental car) online or via phone. You have your 'key card'. You arrive at one of hundreds of locations where the cars are, enter your keycard and type in your pin.... and you're on your way. You go about your business and then return it at the same location or any of the others and check it in. It costs $5/hour or $35 for a day.

Here's a list of locations around the world that have a similar concept in place: http://www.carsharing.net/where.html

Type in Car Sharing in google and see all the places/companies that do this. I don't think Cincinnati is ready (not enough density, but this would be a great way to improve urban living).

Streetcars - A study in ROI

2007-01-19T09:56:00.000-05:00

In case you missed it on Wednesday, the Enquirer reported (finally) that the city is looking at the possiblity of a streetcar system. First of all, one thing to point out is this is the lightest of lightrail.

You have commuter trains (think Amtrak, and the like...mostly east/west coast). Big trains, very heavy and require a ton of space. The stops are usually spread out 5-10 miles, and require a huge park and ride location.

You have Light Rail (everyone's favorite buzz word). This is a smaller version of commuter train, and uses smaller cars that are cheaper to operate, and quieter. The stops are usually 2-4 miles apart. You still need stand-alone tracks which require more land acquisition and but do give you a right of way (meaning you won't get stuck in traffic). The major downside is it requires tremendous resources to acquire land and build the tracks, and it creates very little in terms of development as the stops are infrequent, and often times surrounded by parking.

Enter my favorite mode of urban public transit... the streetcar. Streetcar's are small, and stop frequently. They often utilize the same roads with periods of right of way (i.e. one aspect they are looking at to connect to NKY, is utilizing the unused portion of the Purple People Bridge to add in a streetcar lane). The stops are frequent and concentrated near areas of interest (grocery stores, museums, stadiums, restaurants, etc). They also provide the opportunity to take a line to a currently underutilized area, and spur development. Typically, development will spur 3-4 blocks on either side of the streetcar line as people begin to move near and utilize it. That is the beauty of the ROI. You can take a public investment and turn it into 5x as much private development. Something you don't get with Commuter Rail or Light Rail.

Don't get me wrong... light rail plays a role. Getting people from Suburbs to Urban Center for work can greatly reduce traffic using light rail (the way a bus can't do quite as well). But you'll never get that until traffic is so bad people demand it (or gas goes to $5/gallon and people can't afford to drive their cars 40 miles roundtrip every day).

Here is a great presentation on the value of StreetCars (and a great footnote, these people know what they are doing, and the City has hired them to do the study locally). I will be watching closely to see if Bortz and Bearding can build the critical mass of support needed to make this a reality... and watch even more closely to see if we can get a regional approach to it, and bring NKY and Southbank partners into the mix to have the streetcars for Covington and Newport.... may I suggest taking it down 6th st, so that it's a block from my house!

Broomball Fame

2007-01-19T09:31:00.000-05:00

The enquirer today ran a story on the Fountain Square Broomball League. The team I play on (Brooms of Doom) and another I helped organize (Frosty Balls) are featured. It's a great article and really gets to the heart of the fun. I know a lot of teams got closed out this year, but i really encourage folks to play in the future, it's great fun, and a really cool idea to be playing a sport in the center of a city outdoors...

A couple pictures: Team members Maggie B, and Sue W. bearing down on the opposing team:

Doug B from Frosty Balls with a hip-check...come on Doug, it's co-ed!

CityBeat Person of the Year Selection - Awesome

2007-01-10T10:58:00.000-05:00

Wonderful article today for the annual CityBeat Person of the Year issue. Gavin Leonard, runs the Elementz Hip Hop Youth Arts Center. I wrote an article about him back in Feb. 2005, right after I had first met him.

It's absolutely amazing what he and the others behind Elementz have been able to do in the last two years. Securing funding, a permanent home, and continuing to expand the space and the offerings.

There are some really important points that Greg Flannery brings to light in his article. (it's not yet online or I would link to it). He mentions the aspect of asking what youth want. That is so incredibly important to engaging youth. They have plenty of people at school, at home and elsewhere telling them what to do. IF you provide them with a domain to own, and to really control from concept to implementation, that will be attractive to youth.

Second very important point is that the hip hop youth arts center takes something that is normally hated by main stream, and makes it a positive. Instead of telling them not to rap, not to wear there hat sideways, it treats it as a positive. It puts them in a position where they can be creative, but where they can also take ownership and responsiblity. It's not the sideways hat that makes someone fail, it's the lack of responsibility that is the culprit.

Anyway...I emplore you once again to take a look at what Gavin Leonard is doing in OTR. Visit Elementz, and maybe most importantly, add it to your list of things to support financially in 2007! The single biggest issue in OTR is idle youth on the streets. Elementz gets them off the street on a regular basis and turns their idle minds into creative minds working towards a purpose... that is important!

iWant an iPhone

2007-01-10T10:36:00.000-05:00

In case you haven't seen the crush of media about the iPhone announced by Apple yesterday at MacWorld, I thought i'd fill you in.

It's awesome. For the last 2 years I've been saying I'd love to have an iPod phone combo. Not a phone that happens to play mp3s, but an iPod phone. Not only has Apple made that happen, but they've made a device that is revolutionary. The interface and the features are amazing. They come out in June, but I'm sure they will be back-ordered forever. Also of note, is that it is a multi-year exlusive agreement with Cingular. The apple website has more info and some sweet video overviews. Here is a picture for those that haven't seen it yet... it's thinner than a razor.

Who's Your 'Nati

2007-01-08T13:06:00.000-05:00

What a great article by Joe Wessels in the Saturday Post. Boy, have I been waiting for this story to be written! And it is all the result of Maggie Van Cantfort of Madisonville, and her love-letter campaign for Cincinnati. I think it's an awesome idea. I composed the letter below and sent it in. I encourage all of you to do the same. It's time the media understands that we don't all hate Cincinnati. We're excited about the city we have today, and even more excited about the city and region we have the potential for. And it's time the media takes note and plays along.

Here is my letter... compose yours and go here to read others and post your own:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lovecinci/

--------------------------------

Where shall I start. Born here, I had my chances to leave. I left you and spent time in New York City, NY, Portland, ME, Seattle, WA. I've visited all 50 states and found many places I enjoy (some places I even go back to year after year - like Austin, TX). But Cincinnati is the place I love. Why do I love you? Let me count the ways.

You're a big city with a small town feel. You have a huge heart, with Fountain Square beating proudly. You have wonderful neighborhoods, each with a unique character. The diverse and inclusive bohemian neighborhoods for Northside and Clifton. The shopping/entertaining meccas of Hyde Park/Oakley/Norwood. You have seven hills (though I've yet to figure out which of the 7 are 'official'). You have tremendous views from atop Mt. Adams, and a great neighbor across the river in Northern Kentucky.

You have a tremendous arts and music scene, without the big city price tags. From Know Theater to Ensemble Theater to Aronoff to Playhouse in the Park there is no lack of stage productions. The music venues from small (the Comet), to huge (Taft Theater), and everything in between (Southgate House). I could fill a list a mile long of the off-the-beaten path bars and restaurants that are each filled with friendly smiling people. From Mr. Pitiful's in OTR, to Northside Tavern. The celebration of German heritage at the Hofbrahaus. The celebration of eras gone-by at Tropicana.

Boy do I love the food! Give me a three-way (and I'll take it from Skyline, GoldStar, Camp Washington, Dixie or Pleasant Ridge)! WHen I'm finished with that, I might just run down to the boathouse for some ribs, and finish it off with a bowl of Graeter's. But tomorrow, I'll be sure to swing by Dewey's pizza, and then wash it all down with an ice cold Hudy Delight or maybe a Christian Moerline, and I'll do it all while taking in some tunes by Jake Speed and the Freddie's at our oldest bar - Arnold's.

These are just a few things I love about you, Cincinnati! But what I haven't mentioned yet, is why I really love you Cincinnati, it's your citizens! I have found no where that people are so gracious, so friendly. You can rant and rave about southern hospitality all you want, but nowhere have I found people more energetic, more willing to lend a hand and share a laugh. I have a tremendous group of friends and family that also share this love!

Fountain Square Broomball

2007-01-08T12:10:00.000-05:00

It begins tonight! I can hardly wait. Brooms of Doom will dominate the TDC (Tyler Davidson Conference) and will be playing for the Cup on Feb. 23rd! We've got a crack team of experienced broomballers (and a few amatuers) ready to take the ice. Though, our first round draft pick Brian "The Rock" Frerichs did take a puck to the face over the weekend while refing hockey, and may be lost to the season. A serious blow to Brooms of Doom.

Our first game is in the opening night prime time slot - 7:30 PM. Stay tuned tomorrow for updates on our victory!

The Freedom Project - 2007 - Info Session January 10th

2007-01-02T13:52:00.000-05:00

There’s a lot of talk about bringing together people of different backgrounds in Cincinnati. The fact is, we need it. We tend to live and socialize with people who look just like us--rarely with people of a different race. That contributes to racial barriers in our community. Do you want to be a part of changing this? We can help bring people together, starting with ourselves.

Give Back Cincinnati and FreedomYP (the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center young professional group) are giving you an opportunity to be a part of a change. It’s called the Freedom Project, and it will provide you with a unique opportunity to build relationships with people of diverse backgrounds through shared volunteer experiences and communication.

A diverse team will be selected from applicants, and will participate on teams at 4 Give Back Cincinnati events throughout the year. The week following each event, members of the Freedom Project will get together for a facilitated reflection on their experiences and a chance to socialize together.

An info session for the Freedom Project will be held on Wed. Jan. 10th from 6:00-8:00 PM at McFadden’s – 7th St. Downtown.

By attending the info session you are not obligated to apply.

Please help anticipate the crowd by RSVPing here: http://www.givebackcincinnati.org/events_details.asp?EventID=1117

If you are interested in the project, but can not attend the info session, fill out and send in the application: http://www.givebackcincinnati.org/THE%20FREEDOM%20PROJECT.doc

Give Back Cincinnati Service Travel - New Orleans and the Dominican Republic

2007-01-02T13:45:00.001-05:00

It's a new year and a new schedule of events for Give Back Cincinnati. The final list of events for all of 2007 should be published on the Give Back website in the coming days. But there are two that I want to specifically call out, because I think they are really important and unique. I will create a second post for the other in just a moment.

Service Travel – New Orleans (June 2007), Dominican Republic (October 2007) - http://www.givebackcincinnati.org/events_details.asp?EventID=1122

First is Service Travel:

Join us to learn about Service Travel trips to New Orleans and the Dominican Republic with Katrina Collaboration, Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals, and Give Back Cincinnati. Having been on the trips to Ecuador (2005) and New Orleans (2006), I can tell you that it's both fun and rewarding. I have an incredible group of friends that many I had not even met prior to these trips. It's a great way to meet new people in Cincinnati.

Click on a link below to RSVP for one of the Info Sessions:

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Best Music of 2006

2007-01-02T13:45:00.000-05:00

I assume that most everyone that reads this blog (yeah, both of you), know that I'm a pretty big live music fan. 2006 actually turned out to be better than I thought it was going to be, and here is my best of list. This is actually the CD I created for the best music of the year, and it's followed by a listing of the albums the songs came from.

The only song (I think) on the list that is not from 2006 is 'Marching In', as a tribute to Katrina Collaboration's trip to New Orleans in August... what a fun trip that was!

1. We Don’t Run – Willie Nelson
2. Broken Boy Soldier – The Raconteurs
3. Your Touch – The Black Keys
4. G’Dang Diggy – Common Market
5. Think I’m in Love – Beck
6. Dearhead on the Wall – Alejandro Escovedo
7. Please Don’t Talk About Murder While I’m Eating – Ben Harper
8. So Hard to Find My Way – Jackie Greene
9. I Gotta Get Drunk – The Little Willies
10. Into the Open – Heartless Bastards
11. When the Saints Go Marching In – Louie Armstrong
12. The Heart Bionic – Bobby Bare Jr
13. We’re Going to be Friends – Jack Johnson
14. Store Bought Bones – The Raconteurs
15. Leave the South – Nathan Asher & the Infantry
16. For the Price of a Cup of Tea – Belle & Sebastian
17. Lmno6 – The Selmanaires
18. Just Got to Be – The Black Keys
19. Beat Beat Beat – Glue
20. Searching for the Ghost – Heartless Bastards
21. Lucky – Richard Buckner
22. Today Is the Day – Apollo Sunshine
23. Streets of Baltimore - The Little Willies
24. Steady, As She Goes - The Raconteurs

And the Albums:

Belle & Sebastian – The Life Pursuit
Jack Johnson – Curious George
The Raconteurs – Broken Boy Soldier
Beck – The Information
The Black Keys – Magic Potion
Willie Nelson – Songbird
Common Market – Common Market
Jackie Greene – American Myth
Nathan Asher & the Infantry – Sex Without Love
Glue – Catch As Catch Can
Alejandro Escovedo – The Boxing Mirror
Richard Buckner - Meadow
Ben Harper – Both Sides of the Gun
Apollo Sunshine – Apollo Sunshine
The Selmanaires – Here Come the Selmanaires
The Little Willies – The Little Willies
Heartless Bastards – All This Time
Bobby Bare Jr – The Longest Meow

2007 Here We Come

2007-01-02T13:37:00.000-05:00

I took December (and most of November) off from the world of blogs. It was a nice break, and I think I'm ready to make a resolution for 2007 to post to this lovely blog at least 3 times per week. Hopefully that's enough to keep people's interest! Maybe I'll even come up with some 'columns'. Tuesday's Song of the Week, Friday's Crazy news story of the week. Or maybe I won't but what I will do is post here at least 3 times a week. If I find that I'm unable to keep up with this schedule (barring any vacations, etc), then I'll likely go into blog-retirement and sit on my couch drinking Miller High Life instead!

Political Change and A Breath of Fresh Air

2006-11-08T08:32:00.000-05:00

Voting yesterday in NKY was kind of depressing. While Ohio had all sorts of interesting races (Chabot v Cranley, Wulsin v Schmidt, Heimlich v Pepper, DeWine v Brown, Strickland v Blackwell) and a host of ballot initiatives (2 Smoking Bans, Gambling, Min Wage Increase), NKY had a whole lotta nothing. I got to vote on one interesting race (Lucas v Davis), a city commission race with a whole bunch of incumbents, a few judges and my school board.

Well, at least it was fun to watch the circus from the other side of the river. And I'm excited to see what happens now. The Democrats clearly took some control, now the question is - Can they do anything productive with it, or is it simply a situation of 'throw the bums out' mentality that the 'other' party happened to benefit from. The Dems have spent years complaining about nothing getting done in America, so now the pressure is on.

Locally, I think it's more interesting. What does a Pepper/Portune Commission look like? It's the first time in 40 years that the dems have had 2 of the 3 commission seats...not that Pepper is significantly more liberal than Heimlich. I think it will mean good things for the city/county. There has been very little cooperation between the city and county governments, and with Berding/Bortz on council and Portune/Pepper on county, there is some chance for real change, real progress and real cooperation. I would have liked to see that jail tax pass though.... that needs to be A1 priority for Pepper to figure out now. We can't continue to allow criminals to be released because we don't have a cell for them.

Now to my FAVORITE.... Smoking Ban... I almost created a separate post for it. I am one who is very 'free-market oriented' and I realize that a smoking ban goes 100% against a free-market mindset. However, in this case my personal desire trumps my political/economic mindset. I just selfishly want to be able to go to bars, restaurants, concerts and not have to come home and immediately fumigate my clothes. I can tell you that 30 days from now my consumption of burritos at the comet, my nights listing to local bands at Northside Tavern and my visits to the Ohio side of the river for a beer just went up about 75%! I'm giddy with the thought of it. Now how do I get SmokeFreeOhio to lend their expert advice to KY... let's get this on both sides of the river to snap off any notion that bar business will be doomed in Ohio, and go to KY.

Kudos to the Enquirer

2006-10-31T08:44:00.000-05:00

The thanks goes out in two areas. First, for running a follow up story on the population change reported yesterday.

Secondly for accurately reporting on what the change means. The first instance is recognizing the report on the 'most dangerous' cities, also released yesterday is now meaningless.

"Cincinnati's new population number came the same day as the
much-publicized "most dangerous cities" rankings - issued by Kansas publisher
Morgan Quitno Press - ranked Cincinnati 18th

Because that analysis also relies on city population figures, Cincinnati's
ranking was obsolete the moment it was released."

That is an important distinction that Fox 19 and Local 12 missed last night. BOth did a short story on the updated census and BOTH followed that with a 'But' story about the crime report listing Cincinnati as 18th (up from 20th the year before). COMPLETELY ignoring, most likely out of incomplete reporting or general ignorance that fact that the calculations in that report are based on the old census numbers, which undercounted Cincinnati by an amazing 8%. Typical Cincinnati news report ignoring facts and searching for a way to spin negative... congrats!

Second, and again I am sure this is going to get lost in the Cincinnati Enquirer article. Remember last month, when Streicher indicated Cincinniati was one of hte safest cities in America, and the Enquirer and local news stripped out that 2 second soundbite to stir the ire of Cincinnatians concerned about crime. What they failed to do at the time was report on what the hell Streicher was actually talking about. FINALLY, Greg Korte actually reported what Streicher was saying:

Many big cities, such as Indianapolis, Louisville and Charlotte, have
merged with their counties to form one metropolitan government. Because their
populations now include both the old center city and the suburbs, those cities
appear safer in the rankings - even though the region is no safer.

Taking into account the entire metropolitan area, Greater Cincinnati
and Northern Kentucky has the 121st highest homicide rate of 358 metropolitan
statistical areas, according to FBI statistics.

This is VERY important to look at. Many large cities have combined with suburbs to great a giant 'urban' area. This affects many things, but one of the most important from a perception perspective, is it drops them off the top of the list of cities with crime issues. When you 'spread' the crime rate out across all citizens, all of a sudden your crime rate drops. THat is the point that Streicher made in his original comments, if anyone took the time to actually care to understand what he was actually saying. Taken into context Cincinnati is a much more safe city than lead to believe.

Something To Smile About

2006-10-30T10:08:00.000-05:00

It's not all doom and gloom. The homes you see being renovated in your neighborhoods, the new condos you see popping up in the urban core, where old abanonded warehouses or department stores used to stand... well, those count too.

You see the original numbers provided by the census that estimated that Cincinnati lost 30,000 people from 2000-2005 were not accurate. A flaw in the way they create those estimates almost always leave our spaces that were previously unoccupied, and especially those that were previously not residential.

Well, through the process available by the census, you can challenge those numbers and show proof of uncounted residents. Cincinnati did just that, and has now gone from the 2nd fastest shrinking city (behind only Detroit) to one of the very few cities to have picked up population between 2000-2005. And pretty much the ONLY midwestern city to do so. The is very important, and what's more important, is these numbers STILL don't count the huge number of projects/condos/apartments that have come online in the last year, and are under construction for the next few years.

Cincinnati is growing (while only picking up a small number of residents), this is in the face of the constant new stories about the city failing, crumbling and being crime ridden. Now the REAL question. The Enquirer ran about a dozen stories over a one week span when the original numbers came out... jumping on the doom and gloom story. WIll they put forth a similar 'news' push to highlight the inaccuracy? Will the scream the praise or a city that is accomplishing what most other midwestern cities aren't? Adding new residents!

I guess time will tell... also of note, is today the story about the crime stats lists Cincinnati 18th in crime (behind other midwestern cities like St. Louis and Cleveland). While 18th isn't the best ranking, you'd think we were number 1 if you watched the news nightly and read the Enquirer. I'll be interested in watching the news coverage over the next week to see how much coverage these stories get!