MusicNow returns to Memorial Hall March 30th with a great 2010 festival lineup. Headliners include Joanna Newsome, St. Vincent, yMusic, and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver.
Tickets are on sale now. $20 per night and $50 for 3 day pass.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
WNKU Goes "All Music"
Starting February 1st, Public Radio station WNKU will go all music with the dropping of two NPR news programs(pdf). Gone will be Morning Edition and Fresh Air, programs that can both be heard locally on WVXU. WNKU News Director Craig Kopp will anchor a new program called "Morning Drive" which will feature music but will continue with "NPR and BBC newscasts, local news and local features and interviews that get behind the headlines," filling in the morning drive time.
WNKU is making a smart move. It long ago ceded news programming to the more powerful WVXU station. By focusing on a unique mix of music, they stand to gain listeners and better serve those they have. It also hopefully will increase the rotation of local recording artists and I hope the morning program can be a showcase for local bands and artists.
WNKU is making a smart move. It long ago ceded news programming to the more powerful WVXU station. By focusing on a unique mix of music, they stand to gain listeners and better serve those they have. It also hopefully will increase the rotation of local recording artists and I hope the morning program can be a showcase for local bands and artists.
What Exactly Is Smitherman Protesting? Seriously!
If Chris Smitherman and his followers from the local NAACP are protesting the issue of minority contracts on CPS construction projects, then I can understand the point. I don't like the fact that Smitherman has debased the local NAACP chapter into being little more than a lobbyist for black owned companies, but putting that aside, inclusion in public contracts is a fair issue to be concerned about.
The article from the Enquirer states that the protests are about working on MLK day. Seriously? This is what the protest is about? Working on a holiday? That is not a civil right and Smitherman knows that. Private companies, which are doing the construction, can be open for work any day they wish. I did know it was a priority of the NAACP, to require private companies or even vital public services to refrain from working on this particular holiday. Why would Chris Smitherman make MLK into a political football? Today is a day we should remember the man and his message and honor him. Today is a day that many people fought for and wanted, not as a political day, but a day where everyone (all races!) can honor what Dr. King did and the dream he died for.
I'm surely going to get flack from some for daring to criticize the leader of the local NAACP on today of all days, but I believe that is, in part, what Dr. King wanted: everyone to be judged by their actions, not given leave to exlpoit ideas and a movement for their own embellishment. I'm judging Smitherman by his actions and his actions are not of a man looking to help people, they are the actions of a man looking to help himself and a few of his allies. That does not do justice to anyone's memory, no matter how superficially similar it may appear. MLK was about than just knee-jerk protests. He had principles. Smitherman could use a refresher on those principles.
The article from the Enquirer states that the protests are about working on MLK day. Seriously? This is what the protest is about? Working on a holiday? That is not a civil right and Smitherman knows that. Private companies, which are doing the construction, can be open for work any day they wish. I did know it was a priority of the NAACP, to require private companies or even vital public services to refrain from working on this particular holiday. Why would Chris Smitherman make MLK into a political football? Today is a day we should remember the man and his message and honor him. Today is a day that many people fought for and wanted, not as a political day, but a day where everyone (all races!) can honor what Dr. King did and the dream he died for.
I'm surely going to get flack from some for daring to criticize the leader of the local NAACP on today of all days, but I believe that is, in part, what Dr. King wanted: everyone to be judged by their actions, not given leave to exlpoit ideas and a movement for their own embellishment. I'm judging Smitherman by his actions and his actions are not of a man looking to help people, they are the actions of a man looking to help himself and a few of his allies. That does not do justice to anyone's memory, no matter how superficially similar it may appear. MLK was about than just knee-jerk protests. He had principles. Smitherman could use a refresher on those principles.
Friday, January 15, 2010
The Time Is Now: Read Tom Callinan's Essay on OTR
Please read Tom Callinan's Essay about preservation of OTR. It is a straight forward piece that points fingers everywhere. We all must act. The attitude is the first thing and the phone call that Tom should make is to WLW-AM and try to convince them that their hate filled anti-city attitude are not only wrong, but they will hurt when the city loses as well.
The Urban core is the heart of the metro area. It must thrive and it will bring all of the Tri-State area along with it..
The Urban core is the heart of the metro area. It must thrive and it will bring all of the Tri-State area along with it..
Best Unauthorized Use of a Registered Trademark Goes Too...
Cincinnati MetroMix had egg on its face this week with what they had originally billed as the "Best of Cincinnati" contest. CityBeat made MetroMix aware of the problem with using "Best of Cincinnati" which is a federally trademarked item. MetroMix updated the information surrounding the contest, including the website.
The moral of the story, check with the lawyers before using a title that sounds like a very similar title for a very similar contest that's been around for 14 years. Better yet, be original, and don't rely on corporate programs! A long winded moral, but one that everyone should learn. The non-relying-on-corporate part is the hardest part to do, since most of reliance is mandatory. Another reason to read local.
The actual Best of Cincinnati voting opens soon!
The moral of the story, check with the lawyers before using a title that sounds like a very similar title for a very similar contest that's been around for 14 years. Better yet, be original, and don't rely on corporate programs! A long winded moral, but one that everyone should learn. The non-relying-on-corporate part is the hardest part to do, since most of reliance is mandatory. Another reason to read local.
The actual Best of Cincinnati voting opens soon!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Because We Have To Do Something
Approximately 2 million people live in the capital of Haiti and the surrounding areas where the earthquake struck. The American Red Cross is now estimating that 3 million people are affected by the disaster. Current reports from Haiti tell of terrible destruction, widespread chaos, and overcrowded hospitals. Preliminary reports are estimating the death toll could be as high as 50,000.
Former Republican Presidential candidate, Rev Pat Robertson says the earthquake is God's punishment on Haiti because of some "pact with the devil" Haitians made at the time of Napoleon III. America's moral compass (and occasional drug addict), Rush Limbaugh, saw the devastation and death in Haiti this way:
This will play right into Obama's hands. He's humanitarian, compassionate. They'll use this to burnish their, shall we say, "credibility" with the black community--in the both light-skinned and dark-skinned black community in this country. It's made-to-order for them. That's why he couldn't wait to get out there, could not wait to get out there.
Thankfully neither of these cartoonish boobs represent actual people in America.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Council Staff Bonuses Not a Big Deal
Berding and Bortz gave year end bonuses to their staffers.
This is not a big deal, especially since the amount of money is not hugely significant. They both did not use of their payroll budget, so how they structure the salaries of their staff is their prerogative. I was pleased to see everyone come in under budget overall. I wonder, what is Monzel not spending money on that other council members are? How is he able to have 25,000+ left over? Cole was close behind at 17,000+. So the question could go to her as well.
This is not a big deal, especially since the amount of money is not hugely significant. They both did not use of their payroll budget, so how they structure the salaries of their staff is their prerogative. I was pleased to see everyone come in under budget overall. I wonder, what is Monzel not spending money on that other council members are? How is he able to have 25,000+ left over? Cole was close behind at 17,000+. So the question could go to her as well.
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