When Did Religion Start To Matter?

When did it start to matter, again, what religion a candidate practices? It is sickening watching candidates pander. It is positive that Strickland can at least pay lip service to governing people no matter what their religion (or lack there of). Blackwell is pushing his religion like he's on a crusade, not running for political office. His bigoted stances and his political alliance with openly bigoted groups show how religion has become a weapon. Doesn't matter if you practice what you preach, you just put the fear in masses and the votes of the sheep will follow, lambs to the slaughter.

Disappointed

This entire situation could have been handled without burning so many bridges.

Fountain Square Delayed

What this article alludes to, but fails to come out and say is that Fountain Square will open over a month late.

What is so strange is that just a week ago the Business Courier reported this:

Fountain Square parkers take heart: The renovation remains on schedule and on budget, and planners expect to reopen the plaza and garage Sept. 9.

How is this going to hurt Oktoberfest? Where will the events normally held on Fountain Square during Oktoberfest take place?

Being a month behind is not that bad for any type of project for this side, but in this case the appearance hurts and it looks like someone at 3CDC is either not in touch with the rebuilding efforts, or someone is spinning things. Yea, the latter.

The lead of today's story should have been that the Fountain Square Project is now behind schedule. That fact is not mentioned until after the jump to a later page, and it is not actually stated in a direct manner. The rest of the article is mostly old news rehashed into a massive front page story used to mask the bad news that Oktoberfest may be getting the shaft.

I am very optimistic about Fountain Square in general, but I don't see this as a positive sign. Nice job at manipulating the media, though. Not that they weren't willing, however.

Final Fridays in Oakley?

I like Oakley, but what gives with the moochin'?

Would someone maybe think to check around for what else is happening in the arts world on every Final Friday?

Not very nice.

Alchemize is Closed

Well, news of Alchemize closing was rather abrupt.

Oakley Bombing Solved:

A 34-year-old Oakley man was charged with two counts of aggravated arson and possession of a dangerous ordnance. He allegedly set off two pipe bombs near his residence, behind the Crossroads Community Church on Madison Road.

I don't see a connect with the other local pipe bomb incidents, but are they looking at that angle?

Drop a Dime

I have no major problem with TipCincinnati, but in high crime areas, which are generally the poorer areas of town, what percentage of people actually have handy Internet access?

Also, is this website going to get a bunch of spam? Or worse yet, a bunch of local crime reports outside the city?

The form doesn't limit addresses, so this could be for anyone in the world to submit.

The cool part is that you can upload a picture with the report. If you have drug dealers in your neighborhood, take their picture, fill out the form, upload the picture, and wait for them to be arrested.

Hell, its not that much harder than ordering a pizza online. (cough, cough)

High Speed Train in Ohio

Great ideas are hard to come by, but the Plan for a high speed train in Ohio is one of them.

This concept will reduce traffic on highways and make traveling easier. Additionally, if the stations are located in the downtown area of each major city, it will make for a great way to connect the major cities in Ohio. That connection can be on a business and social level.

3CDC in OTR

Interesting interview in the Business Courier with former 3CDC OTR lead, Des Bracey.

He has left town, but the most interesting take on OTR is his contention that the Drop Inn Center could/should stay in OTR, just in a different place:

Q: Where is there work still to be done?

A: The Drop Inn Center. We've tried real hard to work with them and be open and transparent and find ways where their mission and our mission would co-exist and be achieved. I don't think we're there yet.

The problem of homelessness is much more than an Over-the-Rhine problem. The solution there probably necessitates a citywide response.

Q: Do you mean moving the Drop Inn Center, which is located near Music Hall and Washington Park?

A: I think the solution will be in a new facility for the Drop Inn Center. A 200- or 300-space on-site shelter is not the best way to provide homeless services. But that new facility should be in Over-the-Rhine and could be right there in Over-the-Rhine. It will need more staff and more resources and will require the Drop Inn Center to change the way they do business as well.

The Drop Inn Center needs to move out of OTR, and most certainly away from Music Hall and pending new SCPA. It contributes far too much to the crime problems in OTR, and is the source of most of the pandhandling problem.

City Link may have been a start, but failed with the Nimby effect. Why not build the new jail, with the Drop Inn Center near by? Sounds cruel? Well, it is, but those who will not play along with the basic society shouldn't be afford with as much consideration as those who make an honest attempt to get along with the society at large.

The con to the Jail next to the Drop Inn Center idea is likely that the homeless who would go to the Drop Inn Center want to stay clear of the jail at all costs. They likely wouldn't face any more police attention then they do now, but they would likely percieve they would, keeping them away.

A large part of the perception game of safety in Downtown and OTR is getting the bums out. When I say bums, please understand that I literally mean the bums. Moving the Drop Inn Center would have the biggest impact on changing the perception of living/working/playing downtown as well as the reality of it.

Making News!

I wasn't there, and I don't think I know anyone who was there but this Enquirer story is a classic example of how to gain free media!

It sounds like someone complained and someone over reacted.

Alchemize to Move to Covington?

Nick's been talking about this for a while, but now is starting to get specific.

I've asked this before: Where is Midpoint going to be?

Save WAIF!

Joe Wessels is helping spearhead an effort to save WAIF-FM from its demise. Current leadership there are driving the station into the ground in what appears to be a few nutcases running the organization with mostly insane methods.

How can you help? Become a member and earn a vote! Then help vote out the board leadership!

Act now! you need to register before August 1st. Then vote on September 17th.

In all likelihood the current WAIF board is going to try to block this take over attempt, so we need tons of people!

Why do you care? Well, community radio is a way to keep culture alive in Cincinnati. The commercial radio stations are not out to preserve music and provoke ideas, they are out to make you listen to commercials surrounded by the popular music that often just sucks more than silence.

Its $15 to be a member. It ain't cheap, but it won't break anyone.

Join Online!

Anecdotal Suburban Ignorance

So I am eating lunch today at Panera in Mason. I overhear the conversation of a couple of women at the table behind me. One relays a story to the other about one time when she was driving on I-71. It was around Halloween and she got off at Dana Avenue Exit. She was so scared of driving in the area that she gunned it off the exit, running the red light. She said something about seeing a man walking along the road with a mask. It was, you know, Halloween and all.

This woman is in her early 30s and appears to me to be the poster child for the ignorance of the City. To think she was scared at exiting the Dana Avenue exit is laughable. She is but one person, who came across as an ex-sorority girl, but is her knee jerk unfounded fear of being on Dana Avenue indicative of people in Mason or West Chester? Are they foolish enough to equate Dana Avenue, which turns into Observatory about couple blocks from I-71, with a bad section of town? I would laugh my ass off if this woman was dropped off at 12th and Vine and told to walk to Fountain Square. She would likely just start screaming at the first sight of someone 'scary' looking, likely not even wearing a mask.

Ok, What's With This?

I am guessing it is a coincidence that pipe bombs were set off near Crossroads, but I hope people are looking at treats the church may have gotten.

This is latest in a rash of local pipe bomb reports: here, here and here.

UPDATE: WCPO is reporting that the pipe bombs went off in the parking lot, while the Enquirer says in the woods behind the church.

Address the Motives

Why did Taft sign and why did the Ohio legislature pass a bill requiring religious sayings in schools? Yes, In God We Trust" and "With God, All Things Are Possible" are religious, lets not pretend they are not, no matter what the rulings by religiously biased judges.

What is the motivation for this? What is the big deal? The article ends with this:

Moms for Ohio, a small political action committee that mostly promotes conservative causes, pushed the bill as instilling the right values in children.

What are "the right values." Why don't people come out and say what they are trying to do with these tactics? They are either trying to gin up the right wing with votes or they are pushing Christianity (or both). There is no other value, purpose, or motivation in existence. This is yet another brick laid for the theocratic foundation.

Nice Looking Site: Underneath Cincinnati

If you haven't already, check out the look of Underneath Cincinnati's site. Very sharp.

You Won't See an Outcry

You reap what you sow, and Christopher Allen Tull was out in the weeds with Crack Cocaine. Few will say much about how he died, which will have as much to do with his skin color than his circumstances.

Personal Grudge or Hate Crime?

The Enquirer sums up the incidents at a Jordanian family owned business:

"May 20-21: Someone threw a beer bottle containing a flammable liquid at the side window, burning the outside of the window and cracking it.

June 11-12: Someone threw a piece of concrete through a side door, then tossed in a Molotov cocktail, igniting a fire inside the restaurant.

July 5-6: Someone broke in through a window and set the store on fire."

The article states that police have no suspects. If there were a personal grudge, it logically follows that the victims might have an idea of who they may have pissed off. That then points to a hate crime.

What is amazing is that this has been going on for some time, and didn't get the attention of the media. That might have been the family's choice, but it is funny how things can go under the radar for so long and not get any notice.

Three Cheers for the CFD!

34 Rescued From Three-Alarm Apartment Building Fire

Enquirer Editorial Page is Clueless

This editorial from the Enquirer:"Levee's appeal offers clues for Banks" demonstrates with little doubt that they are not qualified to have any say in the development of the Banks. If their answer is to look to Newport on the Levee, then they must be lazy, ignorant, and foolish.

The Levee's broad-based appeal with its mix of aquarium, cinema, restaurants and retail says a lot for the entertainment formula of trying to offer something for everyone and packaging multiple attractions in a relatively compact space. The planned Banks on Cincinnati's riverfront already equipped with the Freedom Center, Great American Ball Park and Paul Brown Stadium could assemble a similar winning combination.

Firstly: Newport on the Levee is not exactly a success. Last time I was there it had lots of empty space. So looking to it as a model for anything is suspect. I like the levee, so I don't mean to disparage it, but it is no way a panacea.

Secondly: Survey's like the one they are referring to and the bulk of attractions at the Levee are volatile and can change like the wind, not something one would normally use as the basis for a marquee project.

Finally: Why would you want to copy something that exists right across the river that would then compete with the thing it is copying? Why not be unique? Why isn't the Banks something that would bring people to the river because you can't get it anywhere else? Yes, the idea of having a mix of attractions is a very good idea, but the Levee doesn't really have that.

Philosophically speaking, the Banks needs to be its own community that is parlty based on bringing people together. It should have wide appeal to all demographics. That means, painful as it may be, that it really targets the suburbanites with kids, but doesn't make it a Mickey Mouse Land. It needs residents open to suburbanite tourists visiting a few times a year. It needs linked major attractions (Freedom Center, Reds, Bengals, US Bank Area, City Parks). It needs some retail, office space, restaurants. It needs to be a 7 day a week spot for people to live, work, play, and visit. The Levee model doesn't do that.

What must happen to really complement this type of mass market attraction is to then target Fountain Square to be an entertainment district 7 days of the week. That means targeting it to adults. Fun/unique retail, office space, restaurants and bars are what will make the Fountain Square area work. Busy during the day with downtown workers, busy at night with downtown residents and adults from all around the area wanting a place to go out on the town. The Square needs to feed off the banks as the place to go after the game for the adults, keeping the bars off the river.

What loses out with this approach is Main Street. We can't sustain entertainment districts every five feet in the city, unless again the targets are narrow, and then how long can they really be sustained? I don't know if any this does anything to attract new young people to the city, which is what should be a primary goal of new development. That may be where Main Street, Uptown (UC), Covington's art district and Northside fill in the gaps, but not by being the entertainment zone for the masses, and instead retain a character they can create on their own. That unique character is what would attract the creative class, while Fountain Square would attract you more buttoned-down YPs.

Now, I'm sure that no one is going to want me to be planning the Banks or anything at all, but Enquirer seems to be using blinders when thinking about the future of the various areas in the city, without considering what happens there when your put money/resources here.

NuTone Closing Local Plant

Over 400 jobs will be leaving the region up word of NuTone Co. closing its doors. This closure has some earmarks of a plateauing company, where contraction is the only means of survival.

More from the Business Courier.

Reds' Shackelford Arrested For Sexual Assault

Ok, what I don't get is that the article says he was arrested but not yet charged with a crime? Is someone jumping the gun? If this guy is a slime ball, then lock him up, but the situation has to have more to it. Throwing in the Match.com profile makes it look like a plant. What is a professional baseball playing doing using an online dating service?

Hate Crime?

This sounds like it is being taken lightly by local officials, but the signs of a hate crime are there. If not a hate crime, then some really nasty feud is raging.

Black Police Convention

I am hoping that all of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives enjoy their stay in Cincinnati, but lets hope none of them get profiled by the CPD or even worse, arrested.

Stickland and Blackwell to Duel in Cincinnati

We don't know when or where but the campaigns for Ohio Governor have agreed to hold one of their four debates in Cincinnati, with the Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce as the main host.

I hope this is not a homer event for Blackwell, and is instead run like a classy debate with a quiet audience. I wonder who will get tickets? Also, what's the format, and who is moderating this? Getting the candidates to agree on journalists to moderate will be as much of a struggle as picking the time and place and number of debates.

Newport on the Levee Top in Survey

How does one separate Newport on the Levee from the Newport Aquarium in a survey of the best attractions in the region? What did it take to get on this list? What is totally open? Who would include "Movies" on a list of "Top 10 attractions to take out-of-town guests?" When is going to the movies on par with going to the Zoo? I can see from a marketing perspective you want to include all activities, but going to the movies is certainly not what is being measured here. Comparing unique local entities would seem to be the goal.

Uh, Bias, Hello??????

I took grief from commenters, who included some employees of Gannett I am fairly sure, about my strong contention that the Enquirer (editors mostly) has a huge bias against the city in favor of a suburbanite culture. Well, I present to you Exibit C for the prosecution. Why is this part included in what starts as a puff piece profile of the West Chester Area?

Others say people are coming here because it's not Cincinnati, which is losing people faster than any other big city in the nation, according to the U.S. Census.

"Who is his right mind would live in Cincinnati?" says Charlie Chappell, one of the original landowners of the Union Centre Boulevard area and president of West Chester 75 Inc., a group of investors who put up land for the interchange.

"We have better schools," he said. "We are more civilized. We have less crime."

But at the same time, township officials say they are not trying to steal business or residents from Cincinnati or Dayton.

Well what ever township official said they are not trying to steal business or residents from Cincinnati or Dayton was in my opinion lying their ass off. This reads like a West Chester Chamber of commerce propaganda piece. Where's discussion of sprawl? Where's the discussion of the McMansion homes and stale 'lifestyle centers' so championed as "newness" but from an honest perspective is responsible for more destruction of distinct American Culture than any other force today. The national homogenization of America is the single most destructive force for innovation of ideas and life in America, and that effort is crystallized in what suburbs have become, especially here in the Cincinnati Area.

Battle of Aggression

The Trial of Howard Beatty is starting to sound like a battle of who was acting like a bigger thug, Beatty or Oba. Who was the bigger peacock? I am still unable to grasp how two grown men let themselves get to the level of aggression where they had to carry around guns.

Change in Defense

Howard Beatty, the alleged murder of Kabaka Oba, and his lawyer, Ken Lawson, have changed tracks in what according to the information presented in the article is a tough case to defend. The article reports specifically that shooting of Oba was on video tape:

Prosecutors have a key piece of evidence from a video surveillance camera, which shows Oba walking to his car parked along Plum Street. Beatty is seen pulling up alongside, getting out of his car, walking over to Oba, firing several shots, getting back into his car and driving away.

Based on that alone, there is no doubt that Howard Beatty fired the shots. The rest seems like it is a major reach. For every person Lawson drags out to claim Oba was threatening Beatty, the Prosecutor will likely match with someone showing Beatty's aggression. The best Beatty can hope for is a conviction on a less crime.

This is going to be something of a show trial, with the cast of thousands being either witnesses or in the audience. It starts tomorrow, so look for some post Fourth of July fireworks.

Two Teens Shot In Forest Park

OK, with me posting this story about two teens getting shot in Forest Park, what will be the reaction about Forest Park or its surrounding communities? Will people start negative talk about Forest Park or Fairfield or even the nearby TriCounty area?

Strange Local Crime

What makes people stupid enough to kidnap someone for ransom. Real life isn't the movies, so 7 people are likely going to learn the hardway. Interesting tidbit from the article:

"This is the first kidnapping for ransom that Hamilton County has seen in more than 30 years."

In a city this size, I would have thought that there would have been more than 1 kidnap for ransom case in 30 years, but since it is the type of crime you can almost never get away with, that then makes sense.

Kudos for McConnell

Something I give rarely, but I say Kudos for Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky for helping prevent the anti-free speech flag burning amendment from passing. Every once in a while a Republican, who is not up for reelection, will avoid puffing his chest on faux issues of patriotism. It only makes sense though, anyone who thinks spending money is free speech, logically must agree burning a flag is a well.

The concept of property rights should've made the GOP against this bill anyway, since it is illegal now to burn a flag that does not belong to you. What is being talked about is my right to burn the flag that I own. Next will they try and make it a crime to write swear words in my bible.

Radio Swap

Clear Channel is swapping station formats for 1530 and 1360, with sports going to 1530, and Liberal talk radio moving to 1360. For dramatic affect, Rick Bird is trying to paint this as some big sign of Liberal Radio doom.

We're in Cincinnati. It is surprising that the Liberal Talk radio is even on the air. It is obvious that sports is going to be much more popular and far easier to sell ads on, than political talk plagued with groups trying to get it off the air. This change will likely make Clear Channel money, which is what they are after, above all.

We're Not Dead Yet

I applaud the Enquirer Editorial Board for their call for a revitalized Main Street. Questions abound, however:

1. Why is it time now, instead of a year ago to help Main Street?
2. How do we help Main Street?
3. What kind of Main Street does the collective 'we' want?
4. Who are we trying to help?
5. Is Main Street where we want marquee 'Entertainment District?'
   

Mostly I find this as kind of a 'throw a bunch of stuff on the wall and see what sticks' type of column, bully with calls for actions, but short on specific solutions or even goals. It strikes me as a sense of nostalgia for 1999 Main Street. It's not looking forward, it is looking back, and not learning.

When a few bars close, why are we worried about it? When bars close in Mt. Adams, we don't get editorials lamenting the death of Mt. Adams. Also, in Mt. Adams when bars close, we don't have the police/county/city letting the empty places go to hell with bums, crime, and derelict landlords.

In the tone of the editorial I still get a sense of their notion of morose of the Cincinnati Urban Culture. That notion brings out the negative attitude the Enquirer regularly puts on the city. The article is 'positive' in the sense that the editorial board understands that the city needs an entertainment district with vibrant/hip/edgy activities, but I get the sense that they really don't like having to need it.

Much like my regular laments against the soulless culture of the suburbs, I will repeat that the city is still around, still fighting against the bland and insipid boundaries of the suburban culture, which is being imposed on urbanites by much of the local media. If we are to remain an overall vibrant society progressing forward with new ideas, we can't pretend that we want a vibrant urban core. Instead we must find solutions to make one.

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.