Outsider Police Chief

It has taken forever and has been met with near rebellion from the police union, but the city is expected to hire a new assistant chief from outside Cincinnati. That will be a first for Cincinnati. I hope it is the first step in building a new atmosphere in the police force and ushers in a new age of cultural diversity in the CPD management.

How will people complain about it? They will find a way, but I just wonder how.

Zeleznik Moves to WVXU

Maryanne Zeleznik, news director at WNKU, will become news director at the combined WVXU and WGUC stations once the station merger is approved by the FCC. Maryanne Zeleznik is a great asset to local news and hopefully will be positioned to create much more local news for the two stations.

The article has this nugget too:

There's also a chance that Zeleznik and Hanselman could be heard on WNKU-FM later this year. Singleton says he's interested in exploring a local public radio news cooperative with WGUC-FM, WVXU-FM and Miami University's WMUB-FM (88.5 MHz), which Eiswerth proposed last year.

If the four stations combine news resources, I believe it would be a boon to local news in the area. It also could maximize quality levels and cost savings. That might open up more money for other local programming.

Taft Hires Lawyer

It is a criminal lawyer which he may need if possible ethics violations prove true or if Cointgate continues to grow. Taft may be in trouble. How will this affect the 2006 governor's race? Will it boost Dems? Will it tag all of those part of the Taft Administration, nearly all of the GOP field?

Still Supporting the Arts

I am glad that the City of Cincinnati was able to continue supporting local arts groups like the Know Theatre, Enjoy the Arts, and the Cincinnati Arts Association. It sucks that the overall funding level was cut well over 50%, but half is better than none.

CAC Renovation Campaign

The way this article paints CAC's plans to improve their exhibitions, it gives the appearance (or maybe just the tone I detected) that CAC is already obsolete and needs improvement. I think the contrary. It is a vibrant place with great things happening. I don't know why they need the improvements, but I don't think a place like the CAC is hurting.

The Brian and Joe Radio Show

Check out WAIF's the Brian and Joe Radio Show. Brian Mueller and Joe Wessels have put together a weekly show with local news, talk, and interviews with Cincinnati area happening people. It is every Wednesday at 10 AM. If you can't hear it live, like me, the archives are up and running.

During Fringe I was able to meet and chat for a bit with Joe Wessels about his show. I've be added their show's website, which is a blog, to my blogroll, so have a read and listen.

Ignorance, Again

It amazes me to no end when someone like Shaunna Howat writes a column with the most assumptive tone that reeks of ignorance and of blind faith in the Bush Administration. "It's us against them," she rattles off from behind her column. I don't know if she has been serving in the military or not, but I doubt it. This smells of astro-turf on the surface, but it is so blindly written by an ignorant person, that I doubt it.

Why doesn't Shaunna just advocate executing the prisoners? If they are all guilty because George Bush says so, why not just kill them? Who needs the rule of law? Who needs the Geneva Convention? Shaunna has the undertone of hate and revenge seething between the lines. It is subtle, but she is holding back, not wanting to appear like a blood thirsty ghoul.

Shaunna is the kind of ignorant person that endangers the American Democracy. Anyone whiling to blindly accept everything their leadership says is a fool. Anyone willing to blindly support the actions of this administration is willfully ignorant and a fool.

In the Name of the Father

I hope these candidates for mayor are more than just their father's child.

David Crowley Writes on Advocate.com

Councilmember David Crowley pens "A Father's Day tale" discussing the efforts to repeal Article 12 here in Cincinnati, which banned equal rights for people based on sexual orientation. He also talks about the power of conversing with people about issues directly, not in the political rivers, where people are detached from the humanity involved.

Charlie Winburn: Religious Bigot/Theocrat?

When reading the quote from the article in the Post, I can make no other conclusion that Winburn is both a religious bigot and theocrat, bent on establishing a Christians only government.

In the former book, Winburn writes, "We Christians must clean up politics. It is our job to elect only born-again believers to public office.

If officeholders are not Christian and refuse to obey the laws of God, we must work hard, under the law, to unseat them."

This is the best the GOP have to offer? Granted, it would take a socially liberal Republican to even get my attention, and that at this point is very rare, or even impossible

I applaud Leslie Ghiz for skipping Winburn's Sermon. I am flabbergasted that Damon Lynch III showed up. If he was there as a spectator, that is fine. The article leaves open how or why Damon was there, but it does not bode well for an endorsed Democratic candidate to support Winburn who spouts oddly hardcore support for the Cincinnati Police. Winburn takes a nuanced stance in supporting the police, but comes out on their side on most points.

Lynch can be noncommittal on the mayor's race, but he might go a long way in presenting a team player attitude to Democratic voters by saying that he will vote for one of the three Democrats running. Showing up at a GOP event and telling a reporter you don't know who you are going to vote for is either really bad press management, or a shot across the bow of the Dems. If Lynch says he wants to branch out to other groups for support, most would say he was talking about non-blacks, not Republicans.

Hype and Fear

The shooting downtown was shocking, but this type of hype ridden analysis will create panic and unwarranted fear. Did people freak out when a suburban trucking company was the scene a crazy guy going on a shooting spree? No, but because this is downtown and the scaredy cats living outside the city will use an isolated incident as a further reason to support their irrational fear of the City. Why do people bother living within 100 miles of a large metro area if they can't take news about a shooting in a city?

Yes, this was freaky and unnerving. It is not indicative of life in downtown.

Baby, If You Ever Wondered....

Maggie Downs has found the simple truth of life:

But as I sat at the event and listened to my peers speak, I realized that not much has changed since grade school.

We simply want the same things we always wanted.

We want people to play with. We want recess and activities. We want yummy snacks. We want music class, computer labs and art. And we want a bus to take us home at the end of the day.

Yes, even beyond my occasional 'teenage angst' attacks where I am 15 years old again for a few minutes of sheer terror, we are otherwise not much beyond life in the 2nd grade. When I was in 2nd grade I think I was watching WKRP. I actually like the idea of a WKRP museum. I think a WKRP festival might be more fun. Who would not want a huge game of "Are you a Bailey Quarters or Jennifer Marlowe kind of man?" I myself would be a Bailey kind of a guy.

Some Good News

City Council approved the 3CDC Fountain Square plan. This should work. It will be difficult during the construction, but it will worth it, once the retail plan is realized.

Banks Troubles

The Federal Government may cut funding for the Banks project now that the County took over the show. Add that to the city council troubles, which Nick Spencer indicates would not pass this plan, and we have a plan sinking.

The problem with the plan is that it is going to be a sterile mini-burbia tone for the non-urbanist, smack dab in the middle of a city. What it needs is an urbanists touch. 3CDC should have been keep involved. We don't need a Newport on the Levee feel on the Banks, people don't want to live there. We need something we character, and this plan has nothing to indicate it has that.

GOP Pick Winburn For Mayor

So sayeth the Cincinnati Post's Kevin Osborne. His article points out issues that make Charlie Winburn not only look nutty, but sounds like a snake salesman:

Winburn is the founder of the Encampment, a College Hill church where he often preaches and performs exorcisms.
......
Winburn is the author of a book about Biblical economic principles entitled, "Releasing the Money Anointing: You are Anointed to Receive Money!"

The power of Christ compels me to paint Charlie Winburn as a looney tune.

More should be out on this later on today.

Ok, this is Freaky

Man accused of shooting into downtown crowd. It was at 6th and Vine, Damn.

Question for Brinkman

Will Tom Brinkman run for Mayor of Cincinnati? Will Charlie Winburn instead get the GOP endorsement? If Winburn is going to get it, what are the GOP bigwigs waiting for, other than Brinkman making up his mind?

Schmidt vs Hackett

Hackett is no shock, but who was thinking Jean Schmidt was going to win? Did she even think she would win? How did she pull this one off?

This should be an interesting race. Hackett needs a lot to win, but it is not impossible.

DeWine just tanked. How do you waste a million dollar war chest? It proves that few moderate Republicans voted, or just that few, if any, exist in this district.

More from the Enquirer.

Dealer on Cincinnati Fringe Festival

Fred Pastry needs to fess up on the elaborate displays of Dog Porn that 'someone' was lusting for on a daily basis during Fringe, instead of dreaming of Jason Bruffy's "Mr. Willie." When you lust for dogs in thongs, you can't hide it for long. Please roll over and admit your addition Fred.

Primary Results

I am heading out to Drinking Liberally, so feel free to post the primary results. If you would rather a few beers, come on over to the Comet in Northside at 7:30 or so!

Speaking of the Square

Council is ready to rubber stamp the Fountain Square plan. Let's get it done and get going. If they city can get this going it can put attention on Main Street (all the way down to 6th street) and let the county hang out there with the Banks project.

Turf War?

The battle over the Banks comes to a head with city council lashing out. This has the hands of the County's toxic twins (DeWine and Heimlich) all over it. They have been out there running their own little show behind closed doors. They want the city out of it. Why? Why was 3CDC left out of the process? Who is making money on this deal and whose back is being scratched?

June is Busting Out

You may have missed the news, or you really may not because I don't think anyone has reported anywhere they fact that a new restaurant has opened up downtown. Rise and Shine has redone the former Frisch's Restaurant on 6th Street and is open and running. It is a part of a significant change to the lower Main Street area with Mana's going strong and the rehab of the Fort Washington Hotel. This is making the area behind the Arnoff center into yet another up and coming area with strong retail, residential, and restaurants. I wonder why you have not read about that.

Heartless Bastards on NPR

The link on NPR is not up yet but the Heartless Bastards were profiled this morning on NPR's All Things Considered Morning Edition. A local band is on the way up. They are listed as playing Alchemize on July 23, but they may not be back through town as much with a record deal and national attention. Good for them!

UPDATE: Here is the link to the story.

Blame City Council?

Nick Spencer points out another positive step going on in Covington's MainStrasse. Covington officials are considering shutting down traffic in the MainStrasse area on weekends and allowing opening containers in the streets. This is an idea Nick and CT had a while ago for the Main Street area here in Cincinnati. That idea was just dropped like most efforts the city was considering for the Main Street area. This is what I mean when I say that they city can't focus on more than one thing, and the Fountain Square Plan is all they have right now on their minds. They are not taking steps to keep a vital and vibrant area from growing in favor of building up an area that caters to a static population.

Fringe 2005 Ends! Long Live the Fringe!

Jackie Demaline has a nice closing article on this year's Fringe Festival which ended last night. I wish to personally thank those from Cincinnati Advance who represented our growing organization very well. I had fun myself volunteering, even when I wasn't on a shift I pressed myself into service to do a little bit of heavy lifting. Let me tell you, the bases for lighting beams are freaking heavy when you take them up a flight of stairs in the dying heat of Memorial Hall.

The shows were great, the performers where great, and it was best to be able to walk right up after a show and shake their hands and talk about it. That is the part of Fringe most people don't take advantage of, but that was there every night at the Bar Series. I went to all but 2 of the bar series events, and let me tell you, I am damn tired. I can't imagine how tired those who did 1,000 times more work during the Festival than I did feel.

I look forward to next year's event and hope those who came out to volunteer or see a show will be back next year and keep up their involvement with the Community. We would love to have you all take part in any or all of the Cincinnati Advance Activities.

Death of TV?

With the 800 Pound Gorilla in advertising saying they are cutting back on TV ads, does that signal the beginning of the demise of television as the number one media type? Has the Internet and other direct networking conduits finally taken a chunk out of the boob tube?

Down to the Wire

Today will be a very heavy day for the 2nd Congressional District candidates. They will be out and about all over the district begging for votes.

Who is going to win? Since I am not a registered member of either party, I will not be voting tomorrow. I don't like telling people who to vote for by giving endorsements. I would normally say who I am voting for, but since I am not voting, I am not saying who I would vote for. Instead, I offer predictions and invite others to chime in with theirs.

The Democrats: Paul Hackett will win. Sanders is the only other person with any possible chance, but I think with the Dem organizations backing him, Hackett will pull away with a solid margin.

The Republicans: This one is tough. There are four who could win: DeWine, Brinkman, McEwen, and Schmidt. Even with Schmidt's Enquirer endorsement, I think she will finish fourth. Even with his rabid support on this blog, I think Brinkman will finish third. It is tough to then pick the winner. DeWine should have won easily with his funding and organization, but he has big time enemies. McEwen is as much if not more of an opportunist than DeWine and should not really be a factor, he has no fresh ground team. I believe it will be very close between the two, but that to the surprise of the right wing conservatives, DeWine will win.

Yet Another Quiz: What is Your World View?

I am not one for online quizes, but I saw this one on Shwango and it was interesting.

You scored as Modernist. Modernism represents the thought that science and reason are all we need to carry on. Religion is unnecessary and any sort of spirituality halts progress. You believe everything has a rational explanation. 50% of Americans share your world-view. Modernist 88% Materialist 88% Postmodernist 81% Existentialist 75% Cultural Creative 38% Romanticist 25% Idealist 13% Fundamentalist 0% What is Your World View? (updated) created with QuizFarm.com

UPDATE: I took it again and am something different. I am just fickle? No, not really, the same top four I had are the same top four again, just in varied order.

You scored as Existentialist. Existentialism emphasizes human capability. There is no greater power interfering with life and thus it is up to us to make things happen. Sometimes considered a negative and depressing world view, your optimism towards human accomplishment is immense. Mankind is condemned to be free and must accept the responsibility. Existentialist 81% Modernist 81% Postmodernist 81% Materialist 75% Romanticist 56% Cultural Creative 31% Idealist 25% Fundamentalist 6% What is Your World View? (updated) created with QuizFarm.com

Enquirer Endorsements Are Out

The Enquirer has made endorsements in both 2nd Congressional District's Primaries set for Tuesday.

For the GOP they picked: Jean Schmidt. This is a bit of a surprise to me. I would said they would have gone with McEwen or DeWine, but it appears both men's negatives of being opportunist office seekers turned of the Board.

For the Dems they picked: Paul Hackett. This was not a surprise. Hackett has been the favorite to win the primary for quite a while now. This just helps further that end.

Even More on the Banks

The Enquirer is pushing the Banks Project again today.

This time we get inside the developer chosen by the County. Korte's descriptions is of a political player who knows how to grease the wheels, but who has a track record with some past bumps. This effort seems hasty. Will there be follow through? I am very skeptical that we will see the plan executed to the maximum. Something will happen, but how long will it take? If the county pushes this forward, then great. I think the City should stick to Fountain Square until that is done, then just hop on to the Banks if things work out. They already look like they are on the outside of this project, so why no stay on the outside and just reap the benefit of it getting done, if it gets done?

More on the Banks

This article gives a very positive spin on the Banks and the movement to getting it going. How the City/County will work together is still something in flux.

In the Wood Closes

Long time UC mainstay bar/restaurant In the Wood has settled their Eminent Domain case with the City. The owners ended up getting $1.6 Million. It was only a matter of time and of money.

What Is This?

Is this piece by Barry M. Horstman a news article or an opinion column? It might be considered News Analysis, but this superfluous anecdote it leans more towards a column:

And for the superstitious, there's this: At one forum, as a party strategist laid out an exceedingly optimistic scenario for a Democratic victory, a large sign saying "Hamilton County Democratic Party" loudly fell from a wall. Talk about bad omens.

That is news worthy? Why not mention that the Miami University Young Republicans had a sign that misspelled "Republican?"

Pick of the Fringe Venue Changes

The shows remain the same, but the locations for two of the performances have changed. Each show will be maxed out with the number of seats that can fit in the venues. The final show especially will have lots of space, so you still can join Fringe at the last minute. There is even a reception before the final show at 7 PM at Memorial Hall Sunday. Make the effort and see great theater!

Does 'The Banks' Have Legs?

With the County and the City not working together are we going to get a half finished development? Will the county's motion get the City in gear? Can the city focus on both Fountain Square and the Riverfront?

More From Amy Salloway

It is great to hear from a performer with praise for Cincy Fringe. Amy's performance was steller. Please try and check it out on Sunday at the CAC.

When Did the Governor Know?

Questions are now being asked about when Governor Bob Taft's Office knew about the Losses incurred by the Ohio Bureau of Workers? Compensation Fund. This fund's losses included rare coin investments, some of which are considered "missing." Taft's office may have bee informed of the problem six months ago, not just recently. Does this matter? Not politically, but it make me wonder if someone is lying or covering something up.

Even Bronson is pissed about investing in coins. Taft really has no fans at all.

Michaels Buys Liberal Show

The man who helped kill AM radio as we know it has purchased "The Ed Schultz Show," a liberal/populist radio show heard locally on 1530AM. Schultz is the biggest liberal radio talk show host out there and his star is rising. I have heard his show and I am not a big fan of that brand of radio. He not only sounds a little bit like Rush Limbaugh, but his tone sometimes strays into Rush's area. Not the content, just in the delivery.

I laugh a little every time I hear his name because in the town where I grew up, Ed Schultz was a big Auto Dealership. My best friend's dad used to work there.

2nd District Too Hot to Handle

The GOP primary race for the 2nd Congressional District is building to a fever pitch. Even Bronson’s column today gives off that lesser of two evils vibe to it when he leans on the scale in favor of McEwen over DeWine. Schmidt and Brinkman are still out there and they have a following. Will they both stick it out? At this point there is little reason not to, except that as Greg Korte reminds us in his column today that the GOP still have not endorsed anyone for Mayor, yet. It is Winburn by default, but does Brinkman still want it? Is he in position to take it from Winburn?

More on blogging the race from WaPo.

Pick of the Fringe

Even though it had already gone to press, getting the Midnight Announcement at the Cincy Fringe after party at Arnold's was fun:

On Sunday, June 12, these three 2005 Picks of the Fringe will receive one additional performance. These performances not only recognize the artists' hard work, but also ensure the existence of the next season's festival: all proceeds from these three shows go to the 2006 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

Critics' Pick of the Fringe:
"Does This Monologue Make Me Look Fat?" by Amy Salloway
2pm, Contemporary Arts Center

Producers' Pick of the Fringe :
"Slow Children Playing" by Anna Marie Agniel
5pm, Contemporary Arts Center

Audience Pick of the Fringe :
"A/ThePostModernLoveStory" by Blue Forms Group
8pm, Contemporary Arts Center
(also with one last regular performance June 11, 3pm CAC)

Tickets to these shows will go fast, so reserve them through the Cincinnati Arts Association (513.621.ARTS).

Reports are that Amy Salloway will be able to make it back for the performance. If she does, make sure you get your tickets now.

Lily Tomlin

I didn't go to see Lily Tomlin at the Arnoff last night, but I did see the large crowd file in from my art gallery post. From the article I found this interesting:

The winner of six Emmys, a Grammy and two Tony Awards also did her homework. Her famous character, Ernestine the telephone operator - famous for her "One ringy dingy, two ringy dingy" line - held a fake conversation with City Councilman Jim Tarbell. Marge Schott, the Bengals, Reds and Bearcats were the butt of other jokes.

This is interesting to me because of a quick anecdote I heard while at the art gallery. It appears that like all great comedians, Lily Tomlin does her homework. I hope this does not sound like revealing a magician's tricks, but during the day I am told she spent quite a bit of time chatting with some of the Arnoff staff about Cincinnati, which is where I presume she got some of her references. Jim Tarbell if he was lucky maybe got to have dinner with Lily, but that is just a random guess.

This is just like a classic story from college days I was told during Freshman Orientation about Red Buttons. On his visit a year or two before my Freshman year (a long long time ago....) he spent the afternoon walking around Uptown Oxford talking to people, visting places, and getting a feel for the town before he went on stage for a Parents Weekend show that night. His show referenced local places and people that ads that special touch to the audience that makes the difference between just having an act and being a performer.

2nd District Fashion Endorsements

The Cincinnati Dealer gives us the neckwear and their picks for the primaries.

More on Amy Salloway

Jacki Demaline announces in her article today that Cincy Fringe show "Does This Monologue Make Me Look Fat?" by Amy Salloway has won the first Enquirer Acclaim Award, which recognizes excellence in Cincinnati Theater.

The big rush is to get Amy a flight back to Cincinnati for Sunday's "Pick of Fringe" which illustrates the three best picks of the festival. If you have some Frequent Flyer Miles to spare, this wonderful playwright and actress could use your help. Call up Jeff Syroney from the Fringe at (513) 542-0195 to help.

Project Lily Pad: Wi-Fi

Keep your eye on this Wi-Fi project from the folks at Give Back Cincinnati. It has great potential and as a laptop owner the more free Wi-Fi there is, the more I will get out of my apartment.

Response to Challenge From Peter Bronson

Peter was very kind to respond to my email regarding my challenge to him:

Thanks for the note. Question: How many times can the Fringe Fest be on
front pages of the Enquirer before it loses Fringe status and becomes
Mainstream?

Just kidding. I'll check out your challenge and consider it. Pretty
jammed up right now, but it sounds interesting.

Best wishes,

Peter Bronson

I don't want to call Peter a Chicken or anything, but well I would bet he's CHICKEN. It is not like I want to goad him into coming to a Fringe event. That would be just too much for a busy guy to do. It is not like he has all week to do it, with shows running through Sunday.

Brilliant Show from Amy Salloway

At the Fringe last night I was privileged to see Amy Salloway's one woman performance of Does This Monologue Make Me Look Fat? It was a fabulous show. Hilarious, touching, a little raunchy, three things that make it wonderful. The last show is tonight at 9 PM at Memorial Hall. It was nearly sold out last night and tonight it may be standing room only. Get your tickets early and get down there early to see what may be one of Fringe's best productions for 2005.

Best thing, she even reads and posts on my blog. That is cool!

WLW leaving ABC for Fox

I am shocked, shocked I tell you that conservative radio station is picking up conservative radio news.

Visual Fringe: Challenge to Bronson

It gets less attention but there are two art galleries at the Cincy Fringe Festival. The Post gave a little attention in Friday's edition. I myself will be staffing one of the Galleries Tomorrow, Wednesday and Saturday Afternoon. If you would like to find out which one, you will just have to visit both of them, do that or make it to the bar series and I am sure you will see me there. This news may instead make the Art Galleries biggest days Thursday and Friday.

My Challenge is simple: I want to see Peter Bronson at the Galleries he attacked in his column last year. I want to discuss with him, in a very friendly manner, what he thinks of art and why he hates it so much, well all art outside of Dogs Playing Poker.

If you want to help push him on a bit, use the little mail icon on this post and email it to him at pbronson@enquirer.com.

I hope someone at the Enquirer might be able to pass this on too.

I am not looking for a showdown, I would just like to see how or what he finds wrong with the art and people's person expression. I want him to see some of the performances. I really think he and everyone would enjoy them.

WVXU Staffing Details

Some details on who is staying and who is leaving WVXU after the sale to WGUC.