Mallory's Excuses

The Enquirer fields Mallory's 10 excuses for his opening day wild pitch.

Mayor's Got a Rubber Arm

No Oakley Jungle

Bad news for the Cincinnati Millworks with word that Jungle Jim's expansion plans are dead. It does appear that the project is going nowhere. The key for Jungle Jim's was the new highway connector, which seems to have no progress what so every.

On the other hand the area on Madison Road is doing well with new store fronts being built and a new restaurant on the way called Hugo, which fills the Pho Paris space.

Dems Delay Council Nominations

Today is the day the HCDP nominations committee meets to make their recommendations.

Kevin Osborne reports that the likely 9 to get nominations (assuming Berding doesn't get booted) are:

Incumbents:
Jeff Berding
Laketa Cole
John Cranley
David Crowley
Cecil Thomas

Challengers:
Minette Cooper
Brian Garry
Greg Harris
Wendell Young

There may still be a fight over Jeff Berding, especially his alleged backing of Republican John Eby. That is not something a loyal party member does, at least not publicly.

Best news: Alicia Reese is not running!

Play Ball! Let's Go Reds!

Opening Day is here. Get out your gloves, get out your bats, comb your hair and don your hats.

Good luck to the Reds. Get out to a game this year.

Crime Is Down - Where's the Enquirer?

Joe Wessels has a very good story in the Post announcing a dramatic decrease in crime in OTR, Downtown, West End, and Mt. Adams. This is of course great news and had to do with the refocus of the CPD and patrolling by the Sheriff's department.

I've not yet read anything about this in the Enquirer. If I missed it, then please pass on the link. This should have been front page news.

I've Seen the Light

Peter Bronson is right about everything!




Oh, and April Fools!

Add Jean-Robert to Over-the-Rhine Fraternity

Joe Wessels story drops a warm glow on us today with his reporting of Jean-Robert de Cavel's planned new restaurant in the "Gateway Quarter" of Over-the-Rhine.

That's not all:

MetroNation, a contemporary downtown gift shop and home accessories store that has agreed to expand by 66 percent and relocate to 1213 Vine St."

This will be right next to the location the new restaurant de Cavel is for now calling the "Greenup Annex."

MetroNation plans to be open in early June.

Below Zero Lounge

Rumors have been confirmed regarding Nigel Cotterill's new club on Walnut street. It will be in the former alchemize location.

This news came in the same article as Neon's, but it deserved its own article, therefore it gets its own post.

Main Street is changing. Out with the cheesy college dance clubs, in with fresh nightspots for the 25 and up crowd.

UPDATE: Look for more in the Post later on today from Joe Wessels.

Long Live Neon's!

The Owners of Vinyl are partnering with the owner of Neon's will turn the establishment into Jardin Wine and Tapas Bar. Neon's is still open, and will remain open through April, when remodeling will begin.

I hope they don't do too much remodeling and can be open for as much of spring as possible. I myself love their patio and I'll definitely want to check it out.

Will there be live music?

UPDATE: More from the Business Courier.

alchemize Moving/Closing/Changing

Word from Brian Butts of the Enquirer that alchemize will be moving/closing/changing after the April 7th show. In a MySpace bulletin from alchemize owner Nick Spencer stated there appears to be bad dealings between Nick and his business partner as well as Jason Cooper, owner of the now closed Cooper's on Main. Cooper is allegedly set to open up a new place in the current Spring Grove location after alchemize moves on.

This is very bad news. What ever the situation, it sounds like people were not being honest.

Best of Cincinnati is Out

Have a read and debate the picks of the Best of Cincinnati 2007 from CityBeat.

Joe Hansbauer Smacks Down Gross

I'm not the only who is taking on Larry Gross for his ludicrous columns.

Big Downtown Mo?

It will surely pain the City Haters, but momentum is on the side of Downtown right now. The developers are seeing the positives and the public is starting wake up. Granted the pissy pants crowd will surely undo their diapers on this idea, but I really don't think their stink can stop thing going forward.

Having the Playhouse Downtown would be HUGE! Add to that a multi use venue that could holder "larger" events (concerts etc) and you have an anchor to the Fountain Square area that will draw better than almost anything that could be put in that space.

Great Condos

I went on a tour last year while these new condos were in the early stages of construction. They were not much more than gutted out buildings, now they sound great! Best yet, they appear more affordable to a middle class person. These condos are on the edge of where development is happening in OTR, so they are not for faint of heart. If you fear poor people, you should maybe stay away. If you like diversity and urban living, go on a tour!

Smitherman Elected to Head Local NAACP

Former councilman Chris Smitherman was elected president of the Cincinnati chapter of the NAACP. Smitherman is known as a prolific grandstander, creating confrontation where there is none. Will Smitherman seek to make Cincinnati a better place for everyone or will he play racial politics?

Also, does this mean he's not running for city council?

Driehaus To Battle Chabot

State Rep. Steve Driehaus, minority whip of the Ohio House, plans to challenge Steve Chabot for Ohio's 1st District in 2008.

Driehaus is a good pick for this district. He's a generally more conservative Democrat, and his anti-abortion stance will be a plus in this big one issue voting district. I think a candidate could be for killing puppies, but if he opposes abortion, he'll get a set of voters on the West side, no matter what.

This is not good for women's rights, of course, but in a district where a pro-choice candidate just can't win, you have to take the bad with the good.

Starting early is plus for raising money. It will take a chunk of change to unseat a GOP guy. A big problem will be trying to predict how the 2008 presidential race will sway voters down the ticket. Without Bush around, the GOP will have more room to wiggle around. Steve Chabot, however, has little room. He was glued to Bush's hip very tightly.

FOP Opposes Fighting Crime

From last week we have a story showing the Cincinnati FOP and their political shills concerned more about increase the CPD budget than with fighting crime.

More HB Attention

City Beat's blog reported over the weekend that Heartless Bastards are continuing to gain attention with the use of their music by cable channels. On one level it sounds like a sell out, sure, but for the band it is great news to have their music heard by more people.

I am curious why I don't hear the Heartless Bastards on local radio, specially on The Sound or WEBN?

Charter Announces Council Endorsements

I swear to Zeus I didn't know, but this morning the Charter Committee announced their endorsements for council. Cincinnati School Board member Melanie Bates and Joan Kaup join Councilman Chris Bortz as the Committee's picks for council.

Very interesting picks which will have a lot of attraction on the East Side.

Where Are the Democratic Endorsements?

We are nearly at the end of the month of March, a mere 7 months away from the election and only about 5 months before signatures must be submitted, and still no announcements as to whom the Democrats are endorsing for Cincinnati City Council. Why the delay? The GOP announced over a month and a half ago, which was strangely early.

We've also not hear a word from the Charter Committee either.

More Good New Stage Collective Press

New Stage Collective is opening their season next month with a local theatre stars: Amy Warner (Playhouse) and Brian Isaac Phillips (CSC). Opening weekend will surely sell out, so, get your tickets now!

Note that NSC is having a special event on April 21st as part of the Downtown Hop Around.

Strictly Balls

WireCan is off like a prom dress with his "God's Gift To Ballroom Notoriety" post.

He Needs a Cape

Can someone please make Vice Mayor Jim Tarbell a cape? His latest crime fighting action surely earns him the right to be considered a local super hero, fighting crime in our fare city.

Able to leap his scooter in a single leap, its SUPER JIM!

Oxford International Film Festival

This appears like it will be a great event for Oxford and Miami University. Why can't UC or others here in Cincinnati pull this off?

For more check out www.oxfordfilms.com.

Downtown HopAround Is Back: April 21st

Save April 21st for a night on the town. For more information, check out the website at www.downtownhoparound.com.

Taste Moves to 5th Street

The Taste of Cincinnati is moving from its long time home on Central Parkway five blocks down to 5th Street.

My take is that it's great idea for the festival and for downtown. It will showcase the Square and bring more people in who may think of staying the night. I believe we are starting to see the impact of the new Fountain Square. We are starting to see the center of a new mainstream entertainment district form in 4th to 7th street areas. The area is compact enough for people to walk, but spread out to not have an over dense bar zone. I would have gone to taste anyway, but now I am more interest in going and will likely come down multiple days, if the music is as good as has been the past. (Get the Heartless Bastards to play again!!!)

More from WLWT and the Enquirer.

More Downtown Progress?

Today's paper reports the possibility that Jeff Ruby and Bootsy Collins will open a restaurant downtown, another one in the case of Ruby.

I am sure some will hate the idea of another local business being started in downtown. This would be a local business that doesn't cater to an aging hippie crowd, mind you, which I am sure burns someone's bee's wax.

New Restaurant Downtown

Another restaurant will will be opening downtown. I am sure this is pissing off a few folks on a different blog, but I guess they'll be more inclined to just stay away.

Headline Bias

I can see the editors salivate over the census stats. That would lead to the bullshit headline on this article. The headline seeks to make Hamilton County into a hell hole, and seeks to prop up West Chester as the new Shangrla. Several facts I would think would be available are missing from the article.

What portion of those leaving are actually going to other local counties and how many are going to Arizona or California? There is little if anything the local area can do to stop people leaving the metro area. Warren and Butler Counties share the "blame" for the people going to California, Arizona, or anywhere else if they go for jobs. When business leaders, large companies, and governments are parasites on a large city, they can't expect the metro area to develop stronger industries and cutting edge businesses. If you want more economic clout, you must build up your urban core.

Sure, Hamilton County is second "worst" for population loss in the state, but we were not worse than Cleveland. Where's the comparison? What's the difference between the lowerest three ranked counties in the State? How do we rank with other urban counties across the country? Are we any different than St. Louis or Milwaukee?

How many reasons people gave for leaving were really excuses?

Also, when did white flight get the politically correct term of "outmigration?"

$50 and a Drive to Louisville?

Anyone up for this? I love the Police, but I just don't know if the price is worth the effort.

Great Article on Alchemize

Nick Spencer's club got some great press today.

A Rally For the Levee?

Who is organizing a rally in support of a bill to help Newport on the Levee? Do I need to ask?

Acting.....Brilliant!!!!!

I myself will be waiting for the DVD to come out, but you can see Damon Lynch III in a movie if you so choose. I think this might mean he's not running for council again.

Welcome to Cincinnati, Jackie

Joe Wessels has a incredibly positive column today. It actually lifted my spirits. Jackie Danicki is a new Cincinnati Resident who left London for Cincinnati. She didn't come here because she had too, she came here because she wanted to come here.

She's seeing the City not for what it can be, she is seeing it for what it is. On her website she raves about a local treasure people forget about: Arnold's. I can say with joy that Arnold's, a great place, is just the tip of the iceberg of great things in this town. I for one welcome Jackie to Cincinnati.

To get more people to move here it starts with attitude. We are not perfect, but tearing the city down will hurt the many great things here. Accentuate the positive, folks, it's that simple.

Lies From Afar Taint Cincy Pops

Politicians like to twist things and "Cooter" appears to be just making stuff up about why the Cincinnati Pops didn't want to do a Dukes of Hazzard-themed program. Instead former Georgia Congressman Ben Jones, "Cooter", made this personal and pushed John Schneider and Tom Wopat to think this was about them, not about the show. Yea, I don't want an esteemed arts group like the Cincinnati Pops doing a Dukes of Hazzard themed problem for two reasons: first are the racist undertones, second is that the music is not good enough for the Pops. I wonder who came up with the idea in the first place? Why not do a Mork and Mindy based show and get Pam Dawber and Robin Williams instead?

The Good News for Main Street

Yes, Neon's closed, but the Post comes right back with news of a Plan for the Main Street/12th Street area: Make it an arts/entertainment district - pushing a mix of dining, theatre, galleries, retail, and clubs. This is a great idea. The writing was on the wall for this to happen, but I am very happy it has been announced. The New Stage Collective taking over of the old Westminster's space was the best sign this was coming and is a great part of how it can succeed.

Neon's Closes

I walked past Neon's last night and no one was inside. I asked a friend, "Is Neon's closed?" He didn't think so, but agreed it was empty. The lights were all on, but no one was around. I would comment nearly every time I walked by the place that it appeared to be empty. The Post is reporting that Neon's is closed.

Neon's was a really nice place. No frills, but a great space and a superb patio. I agree with the view that the place will open again with a new owner. Neon's never was a bar that seemed to go out of its way in recent years to work with the area on events or promotions. They stopped having live music, so their draw was limited.

What is a Journalist?

Clermont County is suing to try to define what a journalist is in hopes to helping with who is allowed to obtain the concealed carry gun law records.

I'm not bringing up the concealed carry issue here, so please try and avoid that. What I wonder honestly is who qualifies as a journalist. What keeps anyone starting a blog from being one? Does there have to be history? Could I be considered a journalist simply because of the consistency and frequency of the posts on my website? Why would I be different than someone who publishes once a year?

The Burbs 'Love' the Nati

If by Love, you mean hate, then you may be correct.

Si Leis Disses Pat DeWine

It's never a bad thing for Republican to attack Republican, but we do need a new jail and we need to find a fair way to finance it. Si Leis needs to stop with this type of childish behavior:

“He’s been criticizing it and he’ll continue to criticize it because, in my opinion, he’s very small-minded,” Leis said in an interview at his office.

Si Leis must live in a really, really, really big glass house.

Fountain Square Event Canceled

The Fountain Day event planned to celebrate the turning on of the Tyler Davidson Fountain has been canceled. Construction delays and a lack luster response to the idea put it on the scrap heap. This is a wasted opportunity.

That Was Quick

WCPO has already updated their site. Reviews?

WCPO Website to Move?

Clear Channel is taking over the management of the WCPO website. One can assume now that it will split from Cincinnati.com and the Gannett sites. This does not appear to affect the Post site, only TV sites from Scripps. Will WLW's site improve? I've never been a fan of the look or structure of of Clear Channel sites. 700wlw.com is just a horrible looking site. This might be about streaming media. Clear Channel may have the infrastructure to handle streaming WCPO TV programs better than Gannett.

Riot?

Was this a riot or was it a rumble?

Chicken and the Egg Journalism

What prompted this article from the Enquirer? Did some specific event happen on Short Vine? I may have missed something, but the article sites statistics that crime in Corryville has dropped since 2003. Is the Enquirer making fear the story to make a story?

No Point From Bronson

Honestly, I don't have a clue what Peter Bronson is trying to say about colleges today. It is more likely he came up with the title and then tried to write a column to match it. Are colleges bad because they cost too much? Are they bad because they don't push the right kind of politics? Are they bad because they don't focus enough on education? Are they bad because they are wasteful spenders? The question you don't here him ask: Are public colleges too expensive because Republicans have cut their funding year after year? He sites Miami's cost, but doesn't mention how much their state funding has been cut over the last 16 years.

Peter could have made a plea right now at the beginning of the one of the biggest money makers for college sports by saying too many school put too much effort into winning championships and not enough into educating students. If he said that, he would have been correct. Instead he seemed to just be anti-higher eduction. I guess nothing short of Bob Jones University will do.

UC 2008 Debate Site?

Seems like a logical choice to me. Sen Voinovich likes the idea too. How much of this is "political" in the sense that who is on the debate commission give out favors to those who lobby them most?

More Thugs

It is an odd comparison that thugs likes these are allowed to disrupt businesses, but when thugs who don't hold bibles in their hands do the same, they are rounded up. I wonder if anti-war protesters carried around a live man on a cross if they would be arrested. More to the point, I wonder if anti-war protesters carried around signs of dismembered soldiers and civilians if they would be arrested or made to stop? The government has convinced the media to sensor itself of such realities, what would stop the local police from doing the same?

MIAMI Wins MAC Tourney - Heads to Dance

Love and honor to Miami,
Our college old and grand,
Proudly we shall ever hail thee,
Over all the land.

Alma mater now we praise thee,
Sing joyfully this lay,
Love and honor to Miami,
Forever and a day.

What a game.