Ok, Then Why?

Why can't gays and lesbians experience and live in a marriage?

UPDATE: Did Peter Bronson even try and save Nick and Jessica's marriage?

Who is Milton Dohoney?

I know that some on City Council are not huge fans of Milt, but who is the guy? Joe Wessels of the Post gives a short profile.

Shocked!

I am shocked to learn that Peter Bronson is highlighting the efforts of Westwood Concern, a group with the reputation of being lead/founded by, well, racists.

What is left out of this article is the overt "guess who's coming to the neighborhood" theme. Westwood Concern may or may not be pushing subtle/overt racism, but their tone and methods strike a tone of bigotry that can't be denied. They don't want their neighborhood to "change." When Bronson talks about crime as the concern, I think he's not translated from Westside Speak the concept that crime = poor blacks to many who live in that area. It is not surprising that Peter looks past that kind of bigotry. It is sad.

Good Final Friday Article, but....

Good to read this article on Final Friday, but I think the folks at Enjoy the Arts should have been listed.

RIP Coach Randy Walker

Tragic News for Miami fans as former Football Coach Randy Walker died from an apparent heart attack last night.

This news is even more horrible with the loss of what would have been a great day for Randy Walker: Northwestern's season opener against Miami in Oxford.

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Can 3CDC or business owners breathe life back into Main Street? The dates that should be worrying people are in September, when Midpoint occurs. What venues will they use? Where do you put the bands that played last year on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday?

Choices are now much more limited. (Note to Enquirer: you forgot to include the move of the Warehouse to Main Street, and you did not include Club Dream on the list)

More of the Same

Today we learn that it's not the inner-burbs fault that Hamilton county is losing population.

"While Cincinnati is the nation's pace-setter for population loss, Hamilton County continues to have the two most-populous townships in Ohio - Green and Colerain."

So the city sucks, burbs great! Ok, Enquirer, we got you the first time. The horse is dead already.

New City Manager Today?

Then Enquirer is reporting that Milton Dohoney has the 5 votes needed to be confirmed as City Manager.

I will predict a 6 to 3 vote. At this point the grandstanding has gone on long enough. Mallory is not going to give in on who he is choosing, so have the vote, and lets move on. We can't afford to let this go on through the summer in limbo.

The Enquirer's Tuesday Desdemona Story

Well, Why a story wasn't in Sunday's and Saturday's paper is unknown, but at it got some coverage. 7,000 appears to be a really good number. I don't know how that was figured, but it sounds better than expected.

Mason Cop Accused of assault

You look extra guilty when you don't turn yourself in immediately and you are a cop.

Big question: Where is his gun? He was put on leave yesterday, but is his gun kept at the police station or was it seized or does he still have it? The public should know.

Hopefully, he has surrendered by now.

Slap in the Face

Can we say without a bit of hesitance that the Enquirer has a clear editorial bias against the City of Cincinnati? Who runs this story a couple of days after a mega story that basically shouts from the hill-tops that the city is dying? Someone or a group of someone who like to bash City Council, and in turn all of the people trying to make Cincinnati a real city, not just a parking lot with two sports stadiums for the exurbanites to visit twice a year.

What gives with this attitude? Is there an editor(s) at the paper with a big stick up his/her ass? Did someone have a beggar ask them for money on their way to the Fourth Street Starbucks? What motivates this negative attitude?

Hat-tip to montecarloss from comments.

"Enquirer" Coverage Of Des

Via comments: A link to some great blogging on Desdemona from Cincinnati.com's Brian Butts.

Why wasn't this put into print?

Desdemona Music Festival Recap

I made my way down to the Desdemona Music Festival again last night. I saw a great Heartless Bastard's set. I don't think I have heard them sound as good. The crowd for the opening main stage show was not overly rocking, but none of the crowds ever got that rowdy at any show I saw during the fest.

It's now over. I don't know how it did, but it would appear to me it did ok. I am hopeful that it was able to at least break even.

It got no coverage over the weekend in the Enquirer that I saw. Other than seeing Kari from Cinweekly at the event, I don't know if they plan on running any kind of story about it. I found nothing online today.

Tucked Away Positive Snipits

Yesterday we were finally able to read what felt like a blog post about the Freedom Center's event last Thursday night. Is this a column? Is that where the
Savvy in Cincinnati subheader comes from? It doesn't make much sense otherwise. I'll take what ever positive vibe I can get about the city from the Enquirer, but I am hoping for more in the form of opinion, which we are never going to get on the editorial pages.

While We're on Music

The Enquirer reviews Pearl Jam's show last night at the US Bank Arena. The best line from the article is:

It was a fitting, and touching, moment during a show that was otherwise filled with shout-along songs and more fist-pumping than a fascist rally.

That line referenced Eddie Vedder's tribute to the 1979 Coliseum tragedy.

Speaking of Being Heartless...

In their email this week the Heartless Bastards Report that their new album "All This Time" will be released on August 8th. No word yet on a CD release event, but I for one vote for one at the Southgate House.

Desdemona Music Festival

I went down to Desdemona last night. I didn't know any of the groups I saw, but I enjoyed Forget Cassettes and Enon.

Today The Heartless Bastards play at 4PM on the main stage, so, I'll likely make my way down for that.

Anyone else go? Your take on the bands and fest itself?

New Convention Center Opens

I missed the early part of the night, but the Cincinnati Convention Center is great! The Rusted Root show drew a very diverse crowd, with the smell of incense a lingering from group of dreadlocks wearing white kids to reformed adult hippies. Mixing in the stuffy suits and music lovers made for a motley bunch of dancing fools!

Old News

Old News is new again!

Go USA!

Catch play by play results of the USA vs. Ghana World Cup Match here.

Helmet?

It appears Council Woman Cole was not seriously injured in a motorcycle crash. The article is a little bit vague if she was actually on a motorcycle or not, but I wonder if she was wearing a helmet.

Main Street Thoughts

Stacey Czar explores what Main Street is supposed to be, entertainment zone? Arts District, Neighborhood?

With the recent closings of bars and restaurants and the likelihood of more to come soon, the fate of Main Street is headed for change. Where it goes is in the hands of those who want it to go somewhere. No help is coming from anyone outside the group of people who care about it now.

Circle Jerk

The Enquirer loves feeding the circle of negative spin. When you quote talk radio you are not looking for honest public opinion, instead you are looking for controversy and inch closer to being called the "Inquirer."

Kings Island Draws More than Cedar Point

I am surprised to learn that Kings Island attracts more visitors than Cedar Point. The latter has higher revenues, however.

The Quiet Burbs

Where are the names of the adults involved? Why are they not being shamed for taking party in this childish behavior?

Negative Press

The Enquirer has a big story about why people are leaving the city. Why are they so negative? Where are views of people who move here? Where are views of people who live in the city and like it?

Why does the article not include another reason people move out of the city, namely bigotry? That bigotry takes on many forms, whether it is because of race or more commonly in the form of bigotry against poor people. (Class bigotry) That is one of the "other" reasons not listed in the article: Folks are leaving Cincinnati for a lot of reasons: lower crime, better schools and cheaper land in the suburbs, to name a few.A few, indeed. The fact that you can live in a nice lily-white cul de sac has nothing to do with it?

Where can I get a local mainstream news source that is not biased against the City of Cincinnati? It is certainly not the Enquirer.

The Enquirer arrogantly then asks for comments based on the question: "How would you change Cincinnati?" Here is the comment I submitted:

I would change Cincinnati by gaining local media outlets (print, radio, and TV) that don't publish/air biased anti-city stories that do nothing but cater to and enable the anti-city suburbanites who hate the city.

I don't expect them to publish it.

IKEA in Ohio?

Reports are out there that IKEA is debating where a Ohio store will go. Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati are reportedly being considered. Cincinnati actually makes the most sense when you consider where the existing stores are located in the Region: Pittsburgh, Detroit, Chicago.

Cincinnati gives you a reach south, where the other two cities are not that far from Pittsburgh.

100 Cops

What will 100 Cops add to public safety that the sheriff's patrol of OTR doesn't?

Heimlich Poor Tax Plan Dead

Pat DeWine will not support Republican Commissioner Phil Heimlich's plan to build a county jail by raising the sales tax and lowering the property tax.

One Year and Out?

Desdemona is only a few days away, but it is already looking like it may be a one time shot.

Bronson's Lies

Does Peter Bronson really like to play stupid games like this or is he just so filled with love for Lord Bush that he will look past what the Bush Administration did to Wilson and his wife? If you are a critic of BushCo, then Rove, Dick, and Shooter are going after you. Where's the OUTRAGE from Mr. Moral?

Peter, if he is anything, is a moralist. He bemoans those who don't live up to his brand of morality. Most of us do that do one degree or another. What I don't think most of do is excuse people for being bad. Breaking the law? It is a matter of semantics in the Plame case, since King George is claiming the right to provide edicts to cover his loyal subjects from the Justice System. That coupled with the likes of the Bronsons who will defend the Bush Minions no matter what they do, makes the justification of immorality a hypocritical zenith.

Bronson ends his column by defending the Marines accused of murdering a couple dozen civilians in Iraq. I guess when Bronson can hide behind the statements of the lawyers of the accessed as some type of "Truth," he can better dismiss the horrible crimes they are accused of committing. If they say they were justified, it must have been justified. If the military or Bushco say they are terrorists, they must have been. It reminds me of Bronson's knee-jerk defense of the Cincinnati Police Department. If he dares criticize that which his conflicted sense of morals is holding up like a house cards, it might fall. He must therefore defend accused murders because they are "God's" soldiers, otherwise his moral deck of cards won't be able to stand up to the conflict a sense of guilt produced when his beloved King's actions are tarnished by murder. If war is moral, then murder can't be, but if war is murder, than the house of cards falls.

World Cup Soccer

Zips is a great place to watch a World Cup Match. Interest in the games appears to be fairly high right now. If the USA makes it out of the first round, I would guess that "Football" fever might grow a bit. If the USA loses on Thursday, you can bet that the anti-soccer fools will come out bitching. After the finish complaining about how horrible Soccer is they'll go back to chatting about steroids, salary caps, trade deadlines, and general managers. They'll find little time to talk about the game, except whine about why their team isn't winning.

The reason so many ignorant people bad mouth soccer is the same reason most sports in America are ethically corrupt. The sport is gone. It is all about winning and being identified as a winner, even though your only contribution to the win is that you bought a ticket to the game or watch ESPN 24/7.

Play, watch, and explore the game, not the business of sports.

Donna's Diner In Covington Closing Sunday

The much troubled Queen City Restaurant Group is troubled once again with the closing of a great bar/restaurant in Covington, Donna's Diner. This closing sounds like a repeat of the Watson Brothers liquor license fiasco, where a microBREWERY/restaurant lost the right to sell BEER. In both cases paying taxes are the reported problems. The Post had more on this story a couple weeks ago.

Jail, Jail, Everywhere, But Not a Place to Build It

It appears that the townships of Hamilton County are all for NOT building a new county jail in their neighborhoods. Their reasoning is right out of the "Grasping at Straws" book of public debate.

"Entertaining the idea of putting the new jail in an area inaccessible to the current Justice Center and Courthouse is short-sighted and unworkable," stated Wagner. "With the price of gas, it is ludicrous to transport criminals back and forth between the Court House in downtown Cincinnati to an area in the northern part of the county. What a terrible waste of time, energy and manpower!"

Gas prices? Are they joking? Claiming that building a jail that will hopefully last 50 years or more should be based, even in part, on the cost of fuel is a funny enough notion for even Si Leis to chuckle.

If you don't want the jail, fine, people understand why, but that is not an excuse they should be allowed to use. What people need to do is belly up to the bar and buy everyone else a round of drinks once in while. Colerain Township isn't any better or worse than the rest of the County. Downtown can't afford to waste land on a new jail and the current jail is sufficient to handle those awaiting trial or on trial.

If there was a way to level the downtown jail, and build a much smaller holding area for trials, that would be the ideal solution for the needed development of Broadway Commons, Sycamore and Main Streets. I shall not hold my breath for the non-city governments and populace to do anything to help out the city.

Public Funding of Religion

Some locals tried to cheat the poor by finding a loop hole in a law designed to fund religion. I missed this law enactment. Too bad that we now live in a country where religion is funded over education. The 1st Amendment continues to be crushed under the weight of theocratic politicians.

In Time for the Election?

Will Tom Noe's trial in October provide a negative effect on the elections big enough to influence the outcome? The polls right now are very bad for the GOP, but it still is early and lots of money is waiting to be spent on attack ads.

Downtown - OTR Status

So, in what direction are we headed? Jon Fox of CityBeat explores where we're going. Some say bad, some say good. Is the City doing anything outside of grandstanding on the Selection of City Manager?

Dale Mallory - Under Fire

The Mayor's Brother Dale Mallory is is being scrutinized for his actions.

His efforts regarding City Link are drumming up his foes again as well.

Poor Tax Defeated?

The Enquirer is reporting that the effort to raise the sales tax and lower property taxes, something we shall call the poor tax, could be on its way to defeat. Uncle Carl seems to need more money, so unless he plans on buying everyone in the county a new car, I don't see how this plan does anything but stick it to the poor and to a lesser degree the middle class, mainly the renting middle class. Where's the debate on funding plans? Heimlich appears to be feeling the pinch from Pepper, forcing him to try and win over the nutty anti-tax extremists.

City Manager Vote Delayed

Mayor Mark Mallory will not ask council to approve his candidate for City Manager today, instead opting to wait at least a week.

Does Milton Dohoney have the votes for approval? Is council only pissed off about the process or do they want someone else? What will it take to get Chris Monzel to side with the four council members on record with not liking the selection process? Maybe just a phone call? If they really felt Dohoney was a good candidate, would they be this open about the problems with the selection process?

In Case You Missed the Bus

Inktank has announced: "Encore Performance of Stories From Behind The Wheel Scheduled For Monday, June 19, 2006 at Mr. Pitiful's (1323 Main Street)

InkTank's submission to the 2006 Cincinnati Fringe Festival was a wild success as each of the performances of Stories From Behind The Wheel sold out. (Actually it's not that hard to sell out when you perform your show on a 25 seat bus, but we're proud anyway, so stop raining on our parade, okay?). Due to an overwhelming number of requests to add another performance, the cast has graciously agreed to hold another performance at Mr. Pitiful's (1323 Main Street) at 8:00pm on Monday, June 19th, 2006. Unfortunately, we won't be on a bus for this performance, but the good news is that we'll have plenty of seats for everyone. Please join us for a special night of storytelling with three fantastic actors, Jennifer Dalton, Embrya DeShango, and Scott Fitzgerald. Directed by Michael Burnham, the production takes stories collected by InkTank writers from bus passengers and bus drivers and strings them together to show Cincinnati through the windows of its mass transit system. Donations to InkTank gladly accepted at the door. For more information, please call Jeff Syroney at 513-542-0195."

Synergy

It's a cliché, but the Multimedia PR Kits can provide a synergy of files/documents that can fit any media outlet or PR need.

As the Internet grows as a tool for all types of media, TV, Radio, Print, each medium wants all possible types of content that will fit their varied Internet sites.

Around Cincinnati - WVXU

One of the great local radio programs on Cincinnati Radio is Around Cincinnati. The full archive with Podcasts are available.

B-Roll

The average Jane/Joe on the street has no idea how much thought local news puts on the production of stories. The visual image is what drives television. The importance of having video or quality digital pictures is a must for an arts organization to get any Television news coverage.

Best quote: "How did the monkey start riding the dog?"

New Local Arts Blog

We didn't have time to add this to the NAMP workshop, but CincinnatiArts.com has a new local blog going at cincinantiarts.com/blog.

NAMP: Blogging

Much like walking and chewing gum at the same time, I can't blog and speak in front of an audience much, so I am looking back and thinking, yes, I have voice for Blogging.

UPDATE: A point to add on commenting for blogs. Every blog editor/owner should consider a clear policy on how to handle comments from readers. On my blog I don't regulate comments and I get some nut cases. An arts organization will likely need to moderate comments.

Speaking of Long Lines

The Fringe Festival is on my mind (it just ended) and seeing people wait in line for a show reminded of this photo we got from Saturday at the Know Theatre where people were waiting in line for Catholic Girl's Guide.

Virtual Backstage Tour

The types of things I think a "backstage" tour could provide are limitless. During the Fringe Festival just last week I walked by a theatre and heard the company going through what I would guess was a warm-up ritual. What I might want to know is, what are they doing? Why are they doing it? How can/does the ritual make the performance better? I would love to see that ritual.

Ok, I must be honest. I am not a fan of Cirque du Soleil. They do have a great video, however.

The Agenda & Welcome

Living blogging an event is not a new concept, so I won't pretend to be the "Blog of Record" for the workshop, but I hope to add a different perspective.

The Agenda:

• Virtual Backstage Pass
• Previews and Trailers
• Blogging and Podcasting
• B-Rol
• Multimedia PR Kits

The four of us presenting the event are:

• James Czar
• Adam Rabinowitz
• Luke Brockmeier
• Brian Griffin (me)

Yes, our video trailer was a bit goofy, but only James is really that geeky in real life.

NAMP Pre Game

We had a little bit of maneuvering to get the Internet hook up set, but we are up and running. James, Adam, Luke and I are prepping the workshop.

National Arts Marketing Project Workshop

I'll be live blogging the National Arts Marketing Project workshop today from UC's campus. I am part of the presentation. If there are questions on blogging or anything else from a participant in the workshop, please feel free to post it or email me.

Papers, Please

I wonder how much longer before every person who "looks" like they could be illegal are rounded up in Butler County?

Fountain Square North Upgrade

Fifth Third is set to announce plans for the building running along the North side of Fountain Square. Plans are reportedly including a remodeled Rock Bottom Brewery and 42 million dollars worth of renovations.

Bigotry Blooms in Butler County

The xenophobia of Michael Fox is reaching new levels with his effort to ignore efforts to fight the crimes in his county that will affect people, instead of playing politics and feeding bigotry by going after illegal immigrants who were hired by local Business owners. I wonder what party 75% (or higher) of Butler County business owners belong too??? If you didn't just think Republican, then I don't think you have been to Butler County before. How does Fox think he can run away the money of business and expect to have enough money to get elected again?

Effort to Force Air American off 1530 AM?

It would not surprise me in the least that conservatives are pressuring local businesses into dropping ads on 1530 AM. It also would not surprise me if local Clear Channel AM boss Darryl Parks had orchestrated a faux campaign to try and get Ed Schultz off the air, thus rallying listeners in Ed's defense. How many times have they claimed Willie Cunningham was "suspended" for a week for something "controversial", only instead for it being his vacation?

Pimpin' the Purple People Bridge

I don't know if the event will live up to hype, but the national media is eating up the new climbing attracting over the river on the Purple People Bridge. With three mayors meeting at the top, the spectacle is something no TV news producer can miss.

Gunman Robs Arby's

If this took place at the Arby's at the corner of 6th & Vine I wonder what our anti-city commenters would be saying about it? Instead this took place in Fairfield. When will the panic hit about going to Cincinnati Mills?

I mean, you can't really believe that you could be safe at that mall if a crime is committed anywhere in the vicinity of it, even a matter of 5 miles. Are you willing to gamble with your children's lives on 5 miles? The robber had a gun and could have just as easily robbed the food court or movie theater at the Mall. What is this world coming to when you can't go to a suburban fast food restaurant without the fear of being robbed at gunpoint?

[If you can't read my snarky/sarcastic tone, then you really aren't paying attention]

Pick of Fringe

Today is your last chance for Fringe. Two great shows are scheduled:
Critics & Audience Pick: The Catholic Girl's Guide to Losing Your Virginity at 4PM
Producers' Pick: (Un)Natural Disaster at 2 PM.

Proceeds from today's shows go towards the 2007 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

I saw Catholic Girl's Guide last night, and it was great. The full run of sell outs surely will mean a huge audience today, so get there early!

We got to see it from the Tech booth, which is one of the best seats in the house. Get out there now and see these shows!

Hyde Park Murder Solved

Joe Deters has announced an arrest in the Mulligan's murder case.

City Council Ticked Off

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory is not winning over friends on Council. Four members of council are not happy over how the Mayor handled his appointment of a new City Manager. A fifth member, Laketa Cole, is said by the Four to be in agreement with their opinion.

None of the members are opposed to Milton Dohoney, per see, but the state the City Charter states they should be more involved in the selection process, other than providing an up or down vote.

This sounds like Bush and Supreme Court nominations.

Katie Reider HAS an Ego

It would appear that being on the radio, just isn't' good enough for local musician Katie Reider. I guess free radio air time is growing on trees.

Nick Spencer: Death of Main Street

Nick is seeing doom for Main Street. I don't know the inside of the business operations to know what is happening, but it appears Jekyll and Hyde's has now closed.

Cincy Fringe Blog 2006 is UP!

Hit the CincyFringe06 Blog, comment or email in your comments!

Why?

Why is the President pushing an anti-gay amendment?

Three possible reasons:

1. He hates gays.

2. He is reading the polls and sees the GOP hurting. How do you get an animal to pounce? Throw them some red meat. Nothing gets people on the far right going like some good old fashioned gay hatin'!

3. Both.

This time I think that Bush is badly misjudging the right wing. They love hating gays, but the are not liking Bush or much of the GOP leadership at this point. This faux passion for hating gays is not going to fool many, and Bush's standing in the polls will not be swayed by this hateful action.

Get on the Bus

The Enquirer - Transcendent night on a bus

Fringe Day One Done

The Cincinnati Fringe Festival is off and running. For a behind the scenes take on Cincinnati Advance's volunteer organization, check out our Volunteer Fringe Blog.

Selective Policing - Veiled Racism?

New Allegations are hitting Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones in his office's treatment of Latinos, and Jones seems to have failed to understand that Mexico didn't bomb the World Trade Center:

"What if we stop bin Laden?" the sheriff wants to know. "What are we supposed to do? Say, 'Oh, you can go right on, sir, have a nice day. And stop by ICE's office and maybe turn yourself in.' It's gotten that ridiculous."

Last I checked, OBL wasn’t being sheltered by the Mexican government. I guess anyone not white is a possible terrorist to Sheriff Jones.

This is the guy who says he is trying to uphold all of the laws but seems to have an obsession with certain ones:

"'I took an oath to uphold all the laws of this state and of this country,' he said."

Damn, Sheriff Jones sure must have solved all of the crimes in Butler County.

I want to know if the Sheriff has all of this free time, why does he have a Cold Case Unit? If he can't solve all of the state crimes he has, why use man power to enforce a federal law that has no impact on his county?

The actions by Butler County officials are more and more taking the pattern of institutional racism, making me think of sheriffs in Alabama and Mississippi from the 1960's. This is not what should be happening in Ohio. Jones is pushing the limits of the law, and needs to be taught that he can't oppress an innocent group in hopes of finding someone breaking an insignificant law.

Theocracy In Action #814

What other reason would moronic legislators like Republican state Rep Keith Faber have for the religious state and federal mottoes being posted in Ohio schools?:

'The goal is to make sure that students have a basis to talk about the historical aspects of how this country was founded,' said state Rep. Keith Faber, who sponsored the bill.

'I don't think the mottoes are necessarily religiously based,' the western Ohio Republican said."

When you talk about God or god, you are talking about RELIGION! Simple facts seem to just fly by the theocrats. When you believe that "god" or "God" is an absolute "truth", then thinking it's not a religious concept is the kind of foolishly ignorant view one tends to have, like Rep. Raber.

Well, those mottoes are religious. ALL references to a god or God, and most certainly the Christian God, are religious references. They are what is called monotheism.

The only reason this type of thing is done is to appease the right wing Republican bent on establishing a theocracy in Ohio and the USA, and try create a fake issue to try and save Ken Blackwell from defeat.

Hanging signs in schools does nothing but divide students based on religion and create MORE conflict. Religion is not a unifying force in America! I wish people like Faber would start understanding that. Any attempt to use government to force religion on me is not a good thing! If you want to gain converts, fine, do it on your private dime using private institutions. This is not a difficult concept, but one the right wingers don't seem to grasp. I am once again sounding like a broken record, but I will not stop repeating myself as long as more attempts are made to establish a theocracy in Ohio or anywhere in the USA.

Russia Hates Gays

The right wing anti-gay bigots in the USA have new allies in their crusade against gays and lesbians. Russians appear to not hide their hate behind legislation, they show their hate with violence. I hope the Phil Burress type nut cases NEVER get to this level of insanity. I hope and I hope, but we should keep a watchful eye to their actions. Keep the hate pushers in check, and do not let their brand or level of bigotry go without retort.

Taste of Cincinnati Tales?

Anyone at or been to Taste of Cincinnati today? I am heading down tomorrow for the CiN Stage trifecta of 500 Miles to Memphis, Wussy, and THE HEARTLESS BASTARDS. Great line-up. It is going to be hot as well, so wear your sun screen!

You Don't Say

All is well, please move along!

(Yes Junior, its open)

Pick Your Battles Better

I believe it is a waste of time for anyone to try and have the Banks oversight committee's makeup altered. Instead, they should lean on the Mayor, Council, and County commission to push the issues they feel should be addressed in the plans for The Banks. Worrying about the color of skin or sex of the committee members doesn't get anything done.

People talk about "inclusion," but don't make the case for what that is supposed to be. If you are talking about quotas, well you are not going to make much headway. I have not heard any details from anyone about what is wanted other than

"The big question is, who will be in the room when decisions are made that will affect where hundreds of millions of dollars are spent and decisions are made that will affect African-American, Hispanic, Asian and other communities?" Love said. "We cannot, a decade from now, look up and see that we are lacking fair and reasonable inclusion after the Banks has been completed.

In Ten years how can we judge anything if we don't state what we want to happen? Don't give symbolic goals if you want tangible results, instead give tangible goals with realistic and possible results.

Riverfront Park Plan Updated

Will this park be a product of the Banks or will the Banks just disrupt its completion?

It sounds like by itself this project is going to take forever to complete:

Carden said the park will be built in five phases with the first phase taking two years to complete.

I really hope stages 2 through 5 are minor compared with stage 1.

The Last Temptation of Da Vinci

It is a movie. It is a fictional story, not a religious edict. The more attention it is given, the more people will see it. Some critics don't think its a very good movie anyway.

UPDATE: We have local idiots protesting! Seeing a couple fools carrying picket signs always makes for good TV. Watch for the satellite trucks!

Butler County Has No Other Crime

It would appear that Butler County has solved all outstanding felony cases and have plenty of time to waste on Federal Laws.

Volunteer For Fringe

How to Fringe IT

We know you are dying to help out on the Fringe Festival. Well, here is your chance! Below is a set of directions as to how you can volunteer for the festival. Included are links to our website listing out the wide variety of shifts available. If you have any questions, please email us at fringe@cincinnatiadvance.com or just logon to www.cincinnatiadvance.com/fringe. For more information about the Fringe Festival, check out the mains site at www.cincyfringe.com.

How to Sign - Up

1. LOGIN / REGISTER - You will need to Login or Register on the Cincinnati Advance website in order to sign up for shifts via this website. If you see a box to the left that say's "User login," then you need to log in. If you don't see that box, then you are logged in, skip to step two! If you have never logged in before, you need to hit the "Create new account" link. Otherwise enter your "Username" and "Password." If you forgot your password, hit the link "Request new password," and follow the directions to have a new one emailed to you.


2. CHOOSE SHIFTS - Once you are logged in you are ready to review what shifts you would like to choose to work. Below are links for the shifts categorized two ways, by day and by venue. Select a date or venue and view the shift lsting.


3. CLICK ON DATE / VENUE LINK - When you click one of the links below, a listing for that type will show with the date, time and volunteer position for each option.


4. GET MORE INFO ABOUT SHIFT - n the bottom right hand corner of each shift box, there is a "more info" link that will open up more details of the shift, including the address.


5. ***VOLUNTEER*** - Click on the green button located on the bottom right hand corner of the box of the shift. If the button is red, that means the shift has been filled and you can go back to select another shift. IF there is a red button , then that shift is full, pick a different one.

By Day

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  Wednesday May 31, 2006


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  Thursday June 1, 2006


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  Friday June 2, 2006


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  Saturday June 3, 2006


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  Sunday June 4, 2006


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  Monday June 5, 2006


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  Tuesday June 6, 2006


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  Wednesday June 7, 2006


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  Thursday June 8, 2006


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  Friday June 9, 2006


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  Saturday June 10, 2006


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  Sunday June 11, 2006

By Venue

• CAC


• ETC


• Know Theatre


• Harry's Upstairs


• Kaldi's


• Mr. Pitiful's


• Art Gallery


• Bar Series


• Headquarters


• Promotions


• Kick Off Party

CiN Weekly Revamps Website

It is very different, much simpler, I think I like it at first glance. Once I start navigating, we'll see.

Crappy Law Enforcement and Racism

What happened to law enforcement doing something to prevent theft or catching those who steal property? Why are local political hacks playing politics by worrying about minor law enforcement issues, instead of going after the law breakers who do damage to people's lives by stealing their property?

Racism is driving this:

"It's bigger than our economy tomorrow, it's our heritage," he told Fox. "It's our way of life. ... This sounds prejudiced maybe, but this is our country. This is not Mexico. ... Are we willing to have the whole face of America change?"

That didn't sound prejudiced, that sounded racist, Mr Fox. These are the word of an elected official. When does Mr. Fox get his white sheet fitted?

Miss Me?

I didn't think so!

Open Thread!

Congratulations to Wes Flinn

Give a big shout for Wes Flinn! Wes and the lovely Jawa Girl are getting married TODAY here in dazzling SW Ohio. It is nice having Wes and Jawa Girl back in town and it will be great being there when they tie the knot. Here's to their long future together!

Supply and Demand's a Bitch

The Continetal Lounge is opening up its restaurant to non-members of the club. I would surmise that membership is not generating enough business, so they need some of the little people to provide patronage to help keep the endeavor going. I am not a fan of the concept and structure of this club, so this is sign to me that the economics of the situation are becoming more clear to the operators that this type of entity will not survive as it was structured for very long. That is a good thing.

City Beat Blog

Greg Flannery and the City Beat News Team have started a blog. Bout Time Greg, Sheesh.

Diner Location to Become Vinyl

Main Street is getting a boost from a new restaurant called "Vinyl." Great news. Get out and support it when it opens in July.

A Casino at Broadway Commons

I really don't think a casino at Broadway Commons is going to work. Gambling Grandmas are not the type to attract to Main Street. On the river is where it otta be, down past the Brent Spense. I favor casinos, I just don't favor them being the focus of tourism efforts for the city.

But How?

Peter Bronson does his best to booster his nutty buddy Charlie Winburn in his latest column, but neither tells us how we can reduce crime. Peter notes Winburn's quick fix solution

Winburn says he can cut homicides in half in six months by going after "500 African-American families who commit 80 percent of the crimes, homicides, drugs and use of guns in Cincinnati."

Ok, fine maybe that's true. Maybe if you somehow pick certain people to go after things might get better, for a while. Killing cancer cells does not rid you of what caused the cancer in the first place.

What about jail space? When is the county or state governments, controlled by the GOP, going to pony up the money and build a new jail up in Sharonville? I say Sharonville because no one wants a jail near by, but why not up in Sharonville? The Sheriff Deputies would have a shorter commute.

All we get is talk-talk. We get conservative Bronsons out there saying stuff like "So what does it take to finally do something about it?" My question is: so what does it take for people in the suburbs to stop being a bunch of chickenshits? How do you fight crime? Outside of the police getting aggressive, which they should, it takes individuals building a community (an entire METRO community) that prides itself on cooperation, communication, and interaction. Don't let irrational fear drive you to the burbs. I've said this before, and I am going to get the pussies scared of their own shadows saying they are staying behind their cul de sac moats because they can't risk their little kids lives on some poor inner city black kid they'd rather stay away anyway.

As long as you create and maintain an "us and them" attitude, live in seclusion, and experience nothing outside your villiage, society will feel like a monster out to change you. Society can only change you if you let it or want to change. Change is not bad, but if you want to claim to be tuff and strong, then face the fears of difference and of violence with a real simple thing, don't let it scare you. Go places you are told to fear. If you then still fear it, ask why. If you no longer fear it, ask others why they still cling to fear like a security blanket that would make Linus blush.

OHIO's FIRST - Cranley v Chabot

New blog in town called Ohio's First. It will be on the blog roll soon. Give it a read.

Enquirer Bodyguard Poll

Who sings the song "I will always love you" better: Whitney or Dolly?

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!

Take it easy Stratford Avenue!

Universal Grille

More bar blogging here. Hamburger Mary's is changing its name and its menu and Cincinnati Advance was honored to gain a special preview sample of their appetizers. Maryoke and Wifi make for a mean combination.

Banks Deal Reached

Hamilton County and the City reached a deal yesterday and in the process have propelled Reds CEO Robert Castellini into a place of power that could rival Carl Linder before long.

The Reds are the real winners here, with Castellini getting two seats on the oversight board. What I wonder is that is there more to the Reds wanting the Banks to succeed other than wanting a neighborhood right next door to help their attendance?

The Enquirer's Editors like the deal. (Enquirer full coverage of the banks is here)

Live By the Attitude, Die...

In reading the Enquirer's story about the gun fight on I-75 early this morning I was flabbergasted. A witness's account of what lead to the gun fight can't be answered with words:

Witnesses told the Enquirer the problem started when a large group of men at the night club became upset after money was being thrown from the stage by one member a rapper’s entourage.

“It was supposed to be for the ladies,” said one witness, who asked not to be named. “But it (the money) was hitting the guys in the face and they were like, ‘We got money’ so why are you throwing money at us?’”

The tension mounted and moved outside, where the witness said T.I. was trying to get his group packed up in their vans.

“T.I. was telling his boys, ‘Come on let’s go. Let’s Go.’ And the Cincinnati boys were like, ‘Yea, let’s go.’”

The witness said about four people – believed to be from Cincinnati -- followed the rappers’ vans in a large vehicle, possibly a GMC Tahoe.

The witness said one shot was fired in the parking lot, but he did not think it was related to the tension.

“They were just showing off,” the witness said.

How do adult human beings let this petty "slight" to their obviously fragile egos, grow into murder?

Ok, I like to look, but...

Do cheerleaders have any value other than as sexual eye candy? More importantly, why do they need a blog? Other than linking out of morbid curiosity, I am not going back to it. What other Enquirer blog is going to have video on it? Well, maybe the rollerderby girls blog. I would like to request that if web space is a limitation, drop the Ben-gals, and make room for the rollerderby girls!

Blackwell vs. Strickland

Blackwell's dirty tricks won out and he took no time in starting his negative attacks against Strickland. How does the saying go: if you can't be positive, be negative?

Schmidt Defeats McEwen

I am surprised that Schmidt was able to pull out a respectable win.

Wulsin pulled down a sizable win over the rest of the field.

Election Results Delayed Until 9:30 PM

Ok, this is rather strange, but it appears not everyone got the word to hold off until 9:30 PM.

Nothing to Vote For

I am not voting today. As a card carrying independent, there is nothing for me to vote on, unless I want to declare myself an official Democrat. I vote with the Democrats 99% of the time, but I don't want to join any party, so I get to go pick up my dry cleaning by 7PM instead of voting. The race in the Ohio 2nd is up in the air for the Dems, so if ever was to join the party officially, it should be today, but no, I am like being the independent liberal I am. Sorry, HCDP, I still dig ya!

Will Hackett's support be enough for Thor? I like saying THOR! in hopes that a magic man in a helmet will come float down from Mt. Adams and wield his might hammer on the wicked and the merciless, but I digress.

Oh, and I am very much against party jumping in primaries. Pick your party (or lack there of) and stay with it.

CAN or CAN'T?

CAN has a report out (pdf), but where have they been? I haven't heard anything about CAN for almost 4 years. What actions have they taken, what good have they done? Is this just an exercise in doing something for the sake of doing something, but actually doing nothing because doing something that would matter is far to politically impossible?

GOP Abuse of Power

Yea, water's wet, but it's still important to know the GOP is abusing power and threatening the balance of fairness in Ohio's election system. This is not new. The GOP has been out to twist the election system to prevent people from voting for years now. It came to a head in 2004 with Ken Blackwell's keep the vote turnout low campaign, that still hasn't been exposed fully.

Primary Predictions

For Governor:
Dems: Yea, Strickland!!!
GOP: Blackwell

Ohio 2nd:
Dems: Too close to call
GOP: McEwen

Hamilton County Comissioner:
Dems: Pepper (Yeah, I am stepping out on a limb here)


Chime in with your 2.2 cents.

Hamilton Co. Democrats Want Blackwell To Pull Radio Ads

Well, we are getting a taste of the lack of political ethics in one Ken Blackwell.