Jeff Ruby Denies OJ

In a very bizarre occurrence local restaurateur Jeff Ruby denies OJ Simpson service at his restaurant in Louisville. Good for Jeff.

Why is OJ in Louisville?

Sub Rosa

Very well done web commercial:

2007 is the Year of OTR

John Fox has had an excellent editorial in CityBeat last week. The impression I get from it is that like me, John is sensing 2007 could be the year that OTR turns to a positive. He is very right about the need for all interest groups in OTR to work together. To me that means that no one can drag their feet. The biggest feet dragger has been the vocal supporters of the Drop-In Center. It must move. I would bet if they don't move, the center's location will be challenged in court for "housing" sex offenders once the SCPA is completed.

The way to finally tip OTR over to a positive comes in two ways:

1. Everyone living there must work together to fight the criminal element. If you have to lock up your old friends or relatives, so be it. Also, the long time residents need to work with the newer residents. That means a lot of racial and class mixing. That is a good thing, even outside of the action of fighting crime.
   
2. More people should take the challenge up and move to OTR. The condos are going in and the prices certainly beat those in the CBD. This year odds are in favor of this blogger putting his money where his mouth is.
   

Bates: The Candidate of Fear?

Is council candidate Melanie Bates trying to tap into the fear vote? In the city I would say she would be misguided. City residents are not the ones afraid of living in the City, that would be a majority of the Suburbanites.

One might argue she is pushing the anger buttons too, but when she says:

Melanie Bates, 53, expected a heightened crackdown on gun violence after her husband's shooting. City officials said they were united in their commitment against gun violence and tried to reassure residents that Cincinnati was safer than most big cities. It seemed - to the Bates family - that officials made little distinction between the killing of a public official's husband, in a residential neighborhood, and frequent drug-related shootings in the inner city.

Some of Bates' anger was directed at Mayor Mark Mallory.

"When Mayor Mallory called and said he was going to have a press conference on crime, I didn't even question it because I assumed it was to announce that he was going to assume some leadership in crime prevention, not telling the city that we really are safe and Phil Bates' death was an anomaly," she said.

I can understand why Mrs. Bates would be personally focused on her husband's murder, but it clearly is an anomaly. The vast majority of murders in Cincinnati and the entire country are either personal or drug related. It is also odd that in this article she comes across as if she was angry at Mallory because her husband didn't get a massive political attention. Why her husband deserved more hoopla than any of the other people murdered is puzzling.

From Bates we have no positive view of where she wants to take the city. I can understand why she doesn't emit anything positive, since its been less than a year since her husband was murdered. In a city council person we need to look forward, and this article is not good for her, he has her looking back and sounding bitter.

Finally, as can be seen I will not hold punches on Mrs. Bates. She chose to run for city council and is basing her campaign on the murder of her husband, therefore she is not above criticism on topic of his murder or her reaction to it.

Adios

WLW's "The Big Juan" billboards arecoming down, thanks to a complaint from the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA. Good! There were 82 of the tasteless billboards. A little bit of an over kill.

Berding, Just Move On

Jeff Berding is sounding like a pol on Hardball with this trite quote:

“We don’t put our signatures on something and then say we changed our mind, something better’s come up,” said Councilman Jeff Berding.

Fund small arts group, already.

Berding sounds like he is trying out for higher office with the way he is on the attack all the time. Is he going to run for Congress in a few years?

Bortz comes across poorly too, attacking his fellow Charterite. Who are the "Bortz supporters" who are either playing out Chris's wishes or stepping into a pile of crap, bringing Chris into something he may not want.

We don't need more of the bickering and we really don't need 5 people trying to create an agenda that doesn't seem to be based on much of anything coherent.

Sweet!!! HB Video

A brilliant video for the Heartless Bastards' "All This Time". The visuals really are cool. This is a first class effort. The guys at Lightborne should really be proud of their work.

Music At Northside Tavern

Who is this?

Title of the video is called "Not Sold in Stores." The band's name? They have a nice early Beatles sound going on.

Need More Goat Bell

New Stage Collective extends it's production of Edward Albee’s 'The Goat or Who Is Sylvia?' through May 27. Get out and see it while you still can! Get your tickets at www.newstagecollective.com.

Portune Working For Rail Transit

Joe Wessels' column this weekend brought news of Todd Portune's efforts in favor of light-rail for the East side. Fitting street cars is interesting, but one that I think easily makes sense. Use light rail to bring people in from the outlying areas, and have them hop on a streetcar to go into CBD/OTR/Pill-Hill to work.

Another interesting point in the column is that Todd is making overtures about a high-speed rail line between Dayton and Cincinnati. Most thinking about the census likely would agree that eventually, Dayton will be included in a combined Cincinnati Metro area. When it will happen is a bigger issue, since it affects much more than broadcast revenues, namely federal funding. Whether high speed rail would be a before or after effect of the Cincinnati-Dayton-NKY-SW Indiana metro area creation is the type of issue we pay politicians like Todd Portune to figure out. Connecting Downtown Dayton to the senior Downtown Cincinnati makes for a great conduit of people that not only would affect commuting, but day/weekend trips would become be a fun/easy activity for Dayton residents.

Rocking on the Square

On the Myfountainsquare.com website, a very promising summer line up of programming is scheduled, including an interesting one called "Rock the Square" which seems to be set for most every Friday. Many of those events are tied to larger local festivals/events taking place on that Friday. One of the first one's is slated to be themed for the Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

What is missing is a line-up of acts. It is very hard to book that far ahead, but when it comes to music you have to consider you music fan likes to know who they are going to see well ahead of the day of the event. If anyone has an idea of any acts playing "Rock the Square," please let me know. I got a quick response from the folks at CinWeekly, so we might get someone with first hand knowledge to chime in.

Tragic

The Enquirer is reporting that a Flying Pig Marathon runner collapsed at the finish line and later died. The coroner reportedly stated the deceased was a 45 year old man who had a history of hypertension and was allegedly not taking proper care of himself.

Warped Sense of Party Loyalty

There can be little question that Jeff Berding and David Crowley are not working together to help each other get reelected. Berding's negative efforts are most clear in the CityBeat Blog post:

Later, Jeff Berding — Crowley’s Democratic colleague on council — was quoted in a newspaper column criticizing Crowley. Berding stated: “Can you believe it? This is the guy who wants to tell the generals how to run the war in Iraq, but in this case he says we’re in no position to judge, that we shouldn’t stand up for the family of a slain police officer.” Also, Berding added, “It shows a warped value system.”

Berding is acting like he's a Republican and is doing so on purpose, showing no respect for the party that just recently endorsed him. Saying David Crowley has a warped value system is not only wrong, it is a nasty thing to say. Berding seems to think his only way to win is to campaign on the same issues and stances as Chris Monzel. He will need to have lots of money to win a second term, something he likley can do.

Rise of Gen X

As a card carrying member of Generation X, I feel no sympathy for companies who are squeezing the workforce they currently have down to a stone dried turnip, and now worrying about not having enough people to fill the jobs of the soon to be retiring Boomers that GenX has been carrying on our backs for a while now. If the retiring Boomers are going to have their stock portfolios appreciate a little slower because corporations are going to be paying people more wages over the next decade plus, then I say "cry me a river." With the cost of health care rising, the amount companies are paying for not increasing, GenX is once again left to clean up the generational mess being left by the Boomers. This is just the beginning.

More HB Goodness

I missed last night's Erika Wennerstrtom solo act at Southgate, but Mike Breen reports on the first official Heartless Bastards music video for All This Time.

I've not yet found the new video online, but here's a youtube.com live video from March of 2007.

Drilling Down to Me

It is an odd feeling when I am on Hillary Clinton's press relations email list. I'm getting emails now because she is coming to Dayton and Cleveland and it would appear that her campaigns press department has a very good list of bloggers that can be targeted as the candidate swings through the state.

I don't think Ohio will be a big state for the primaries, so I do not expect to see all of the candidates here before our primary.

Smoking Ban Lack of Impact?

It has been six months since since the smoking ban went into affect and yesterday enforcement went into effect. Most establishments have been following the ban since last December. From the Enquirer we hear both sides to the issue, but my experiences agree with this quote from the article:

Habit's Café in Oakley has not experienced any change in business. In fact, more people are coming in for the food at Habit's, said manager Brian Dobbins.

"It's a non-issue for us," he said. "There are always a few complaints but by and large, everybody's been very happy. Every night I get a customer who says it's a much better environment."

I've heard nothing about a mass exodus over the last 6 months. This weekend, the hardcore smokers may be going to Kentucky, but they will be leaving a small number of bars. Those places, like the Pilot Inn, may face a business down turn, but that conventional wisdom is likely to end up being false. With gas at $3 a gallon, how many Norwood smokers are going to drive to Kentucky to drink? They might do it more a few times, but in the end, they will adapt. Maybe after their first DUI they will have no choice but to walk to the neighborhood bar.

I would expect the standard for new bar construction will include a patio or deck.

It's Driehaus vs. Chabot

The Papers have been files so as Howard Wilkinson puts it The Battle of the Steves is on.

Cuz'nJake

Oh, the love, the politics, the stylings of a new duo: Cuz'n Jake.

CSO Keeps Paavo Jarvi

Great news about the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra signing Paavo through 2011. Paavo brings a fresh approach to classical music that is helping keep the artistic reputation of the CSO at the high level it holds.

CiN Stage Lineup Announced

Kari Wethington of CiNWeekly has announced the lineup for the CiN Stage at the Taste of Cincinnati. This lineup is subject to change:

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 Freakbass

MONDAY, MAY 28

1-2 Buffalo Killers
3-4 Pearlene

The last spot is still open for Sunday night.

UPDATE: I got an update that Freakbass has filed the TBA Sunday night spot at 9.

Chain Resturant Wins Best Damn Dish

Does this mean Carrabba's is that good, or that most of the better non-chain restaurants did not participate? I really enjoy going to Taste of Cincinnati, but for the restaurants it can be a big expense and effort to participate. This makes it something bigger chains can afford better than the independent establishment.

Targeted Bigotry

John Kiesewetter opened the can of worms on WLWs "The Big Juan" billboard campaign. I've not seen the billboards, so I can't speak to what they look like, but I have a more important question, where are they? The where speaks to whom WLW is targeting with the billboard. If these are only in Lower Price Hill or only in Mason, that says something very bad. If these are only in generally high traffic areas, like along highways, that says some less aggressive and more tasteless.

Leonard Pitts Jr wrote about this type of thing and summed it up brilliantly, is WLW being a bully about this? It sounds like they are, which is unfortunately what WLW is all about.

CAC 's New Director

Raphaela Platow comes from Brandeis University and has a very interesting background. Most interesting element is that she is young, but has already been a chief curator and action director while at Brandies.

I am intrigued by this pick. I think it takes the CAC in a new direction, brings new perspective, and hopefully the positive vibe of events of the last year plus will continue.

More at the Enquirer Arts Blog and CityBeat's A&E Blog.

Cincinnati Is Not Chicago

One of the biggest problems many people in Cincinnati have with grasping the concept that we are making progress in improving downtown is the delusion that Cincinnati is Chicago (2nd letter). I honestly don't understand what people like Phil Weintraub of Amberley Village want. What ever it is, it is not here, and will never be here. That shouldn't stop the rest of us from embracing the Cincinnati that is and revel in what we are becoming.

A simple fact people have to understand is that Cincinnati is not a Mega-opolis. We are not NYC, LA, or Chicago. Phil Weintraub needs to move to Chicago, instead of trying to making Cincinnati into something it can't and will never be.

Battle of Corporate Coffee

This story seems to be about corporate coffee sellers, not about the best coffee. I would agree that Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and McDonald's sell a lot of coffee, but when it comes to quality, value, personal service, and atmosphere they are stale and cold. That is what happens when you have mega-chains.

If you are going to compare coffee, why not skip these mass marketers and cover local coffeehouses? Oh, you say I answered my own question when I called them mass marketers? So you are saying they are also mass advertisers? Ah, ok. The circle of press coverage makes sense. Those who can buy more ads are more worthy of flashy graphics and big news coverage.

Bands at Taste of Cincinnati?

I'll open up to rumor, speculation or facts that anyone has on who will be playing at Taste of Cincinnati this year. Based on their schedule, the Heartless Bastards will not be playing. On the other hand Wussy does list taste on their schedule, but with a TBA date and time. I believe there will be a bigger line-up this year of music with the move of the festival to 5th Street.

I really hope they keep at least one stage a local showcase. With the HBs on tour, it would be amazing to get the Greenhornes to play a set. They have no 2007 tour dates listed on their website, nor do the Raconteurs, which has 2/3rds of the Greenhornes in it. It is a long shot, but that is the kind of headliner the festival needs.

NSC Review: Go see 'Goat'

The Enquirer has a very positive review of the New Stage Collective's production of Albee's The Goat. I've personally yet to see the play, but I did crash the after party last night and the players and theatre backers are very excited. They are of course very pleased and relieved to have the space opened. A lot of hard work went into transforming the space and it really looks great. The set for the Goat takes over the whole room and the seating feels like you are sitting in the dining room watching the story unfold. I sat in it at their open house, so I'm projecting reality here, but that vibe is just obviously there, especially with the odds and ends chairs lined up for the audience. I for one will be taking Jackie Demaline's advice and seeing the play soon. Get you tickets now, with a review like this they should start to sell some shows out. Check out Thursdays or Sunday's matinées for a better lock on a seat.

Cincy CW Must Change

In reading Joe Wessels' column today those quoted seem to me to be resting upon the Conventional Wisdom of Cincinnati politics from 20 years ago. Politically, Cincinnati is not what it was in 1987. A Republican majority on council is nearly an impossibility, unless the Dems run 9 Chris Smitherman clones for office. The Westside Conservatives are not around much anymore, at least not in force. Eastside Conservatives are a different breed and will not fit into the same mold.

The Republicans long ago abandoned the city. This cycle some appear to be putting more effort, but when you put up reactionary candidates like Charlie Winburn and Sam Malone, you are not going to win majorities. What is happening is they are picking one or two candidates to fit their splintered constituency. That is not going to win a majority, especially when you don't have a full slate of 9 to begin with.

What I found most entertaining is reading Bill Cunningham try and handicap city politics. The man is living life like it was 1983 and all in Cincinnati was calm, cool, and Republican. I think Bill even thinks Hamilton County is still a Republican stronghold. It is not yet a Democratic stronghold, but is clearly not an automatic GOP winner.

CityBeat Updates Blogs

CityBeat has a new look for all of their blogs and new locations. The looks are very nice and the location being on the CityBeat site is a very good move. I also like breaking them out on their own more. This allows each to have their own voice. You don't need the politics mixing with the music blog, so this change helps keep the Porkopolis's leftist rantings from ruining a good Heartless Bastards post.

Bronson's Living in a River in Egypt

At some point Peter Bronson will have to move, because the River D'Nile will be all dried up by Global Warming. Bronson's hot air is something the EPA should look into regulating, sooner rather than later.

Northside

Great photos of Northside over a great song.

Sporting Trouble

An interesting column from ESPN's Pat Forde on Cincinnati and our Troubled Bengals. I liked much about this column. I like how it didn't come out and just slam Cincinnati. That is breath of fresh air. I think this column went beyond sports, which is a good thing, but because it went beyond sports it also was is flawed. I guess I don't know what the articled was about. Was it about who the Bengals should draft and if Character should be an issue or was it about conflicted Cincinnati and the problem sports players we somehow attract? I guess I like my sports and sociology/civics separate.

Take Over CPS?

What is gained from the City take over of Cincinnati Public Schools? This idea feel flat back in 2005 when then State Senator Mallory broached the idea. What is worse about the schools? I don't see the City being able to do any better, and more likely would make CPS into more of political mess.

If Bortz thinks the CPS is being run poorly, why not call for the replacement of CPS Superintendent Rosa Blackwell? More importantly, why doesn't Bortz issue a listing of what specifically CPS is doing wrong and what needs to be changed? Reacting to news of layoffs and budget shortfalls with treats of a takeover isn't constructive, it is a political ploy.

Stupid People and Bad Editing

I have two questions about the next to last Letter to the Editor. 1)Where are idiots getting the notion that by speaking out against the war, you are committing treason? Have they read the 1st Amendment? Has the author thought about the many ways an argument could be made claiming everything Bush says about Iraq is causing people to die?

2) Why is the Enquirer perpetuating this notion by printing this type of letter? This is not the first type letter calling Sen. Reid a traitor and calling for him to be tried for treason for speaking against the War in Iraq. Why doesn't the Enquirer investigate where this type of mentality comes from? It was common among idiots during Vietnam and other wars previously, but it is over 40 years since the antiwar movement came alive during Vietnam. Why not interview someone, hell try Fred Kirkhart of Lebanon, and find out why he thinks this way and where he got it from. Yes, I say where it got it from because people don't repeat a meme without having it served up to them. Was it a right wing website or talk radio? FOX News? That's a good local angle to a national story. What Enquirer assignment editor is not on the ball here?

Will the Banks Break Ground in 2007?

The Business Courier Reports on the published plan for the Banks. It is a big plan. It is bigger than previously envisioned. Will it add what downtown needs? Will it end up being a neighborhood unto itself? There are many questions pending, including Chris Smitherman playing foolish games.

Clear Channel Out of TV Business?

It is good news that Media Mammoth Clear Channel is selling its 56 TV stations, which includes WKRC here in Cincinnati. The company buying them is called Providence Equity Partners, Inc. I know nothing about them.

New Club in Corryville

A new club is opening up: Sub Rosa

A new indie nightclub and dancefloor, located at W Charlton and Glendora, one block from UC, next to the Holy Grail. 18 and Up.

Free Preview Weekend - April 27th & 28th.

Premiere Night - May 5th. Bright Lights with special guest Peter Adams & The Nocturnal Collective. $3.

If you head out, give a full report.

Moerlein OTR Ale Haus Festival

Christian Moerlein is sponsoring an OTR Ale Festival starting tomorrow April 25th through Sunday the 29th at the former Elder Café location at Findlay Market near Elder and Elm Streets. Vice Mayor Jim Tarbell will be there to tap the first keg at 3PM on Wednesday.

Annie's is in the East End

This article lists COLUMBIA TUSCULUM as the dateline location of the incident. Someone at the Enquirer needs to get out a map, Annie's is in the East End. You could argue it is Linwood or California maybe, but it clearly is not Columbia-Tusculum. Are there any editors working there who don't know this?

Cheesy, Yet......

I find the concept of having a sing along to TV Theme song to be very cheesy, but I still worked downtown, I would be there taking part.

Once in a while a cheesy is needed. Bootsy and the Cincy Pops Composer leading it? That makes pushes it into the cheeky camp, and leaves cheesy in its dust.

Where's the List?

My initial reaction to the creation of a "likely killers" list is a good one. I would like to know where the list is. Part of the deal with a validity of such list is for police to have a group to target. The public needs to know who these people are and react. Either it will allow them to know who to avoid or it will hopefully make some people who are interacting with criminals to stop and help catch them when they break the law.

I am slightly conflict on the civil liberties concern, but I've not yet seen this as a problem, as long as the list is based on criteria determined from public information.

PR Payola?

I have to wonder if some PR firm paid the Enquirer money to make sure anytime they can they use "wedding district" in a news story about the area in Reading.

City Nightlife Changing - Growing

Two new nightclubs will open within the next two weeks. The nightclub at 3929 Spring Grove Ave. (formerly Alchemize) will now become Decibel Lounge. The renamed club likely will continue much of the same or similar programming held at Alchemize.

As God As My Witness, Hop Around Will Be Fun

How can you not have fun with a chance to meet Gary Sandy from WKRP? Be sure to check out everything at www.downtownhoparound.com.

I plan on making appearances with the folks from Enjoy the Arts (at Pitiful's I think), New Stage Collective, and the Know Theatre.

I'll be dressed for the CAC's Gala Afterparty too.

Bush in Ohio

He rambled into a Vietnam Question. The audience was filled with hardcore Republicans, but I think the fact the question about Vietnam was asked is a small sign of how low Bush is, even with his base.

Dressing Up?

This article claims there's a trend towards dressing more formally in the workplace. Is this true? Where I work has a nearly open dresscode, so Jeans and t-shirts are common. What about other places around town, is this true? I thought Business Casual was the norm now, not just a growing trend.

A Step Back: A Wake Up Call to Women

This should be a wake up call to women who don't want to have to die on the orders of the government.

For those of you who support a right of a women to not have the government order her to give birth and who voted for George Bush in 2004 or 2000, you should look back on the damage you have helped cause on the people in this country.

As Kevin Drum points out, the actual ruling doesn't really affect something that happens very often. The ban on IDX always was a political football that was more about symbolism, than change. The problem here is the ruling. How it was decided is bad. How this 5 person majority views personal rights is bad. How they view freedom is bad. If you do nothing else in your lifetime, make sure the next series of Presidents will appoint people to the court who believe in personal freedom.

Endorsement Battle: The Next Day

The Enquirer has a recap of the Dem meeting which confirms my take from last night, but spins it. The news is the fact that there was a significant effort to oust Berding, something the Enquirer played as something that "fizzled." What the Enquirer misses is that the anti-Berding effort indicates that a large portion of the Democratic base is not going to be easily convinced to support Berding. He may not want or need that support, but he is not a lock to win re-election. In the end, Berding will have to abandon Democratic issues and move to the right, which likely will mean he will lose the endorsement fight next cycle.

UPDATE: For a better take on the meeting, check out CityBeat's blog. The best part is the exchange between Kevin Osborne and Berding:

Asked by CityBeat to comment after the meeting, Berding said, “Why? You’re just going to write whatever you want to write.” Pressed to clarify if that was a “no comment,” Berding replied, “That’s a ‘no comment’ to you, yes.”

He sounds like a cocky prick in that exchange. I guess he doesn't want Kevin's vote. A lesson to all politicians: Be nice to the press, no matter what.

Something New For Bella's

Hidden in this article is the news that a new lease is close to being signed for a new business at the Bella's location at 6th and Walnut. That location is just to good not to have some type of restaurant or bar.