Great Article on Alchemize

Nick Spencer's club got some great press today.

A Rally For the Levee?

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

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

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

Welcome to Cincinnati, Jackie

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

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

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

Lies From Afar Taint Cincy Pops

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

The Good News for Main Street

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

Neon's Closes

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

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

What is a Journalist?

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

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

The Burbs 'Love' the Nati

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

Si Leis Disses Pat DeWine

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

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

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

Fountain Square Event Canceled

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

That Was Quick

WCPO has already updated their site. Reviews?

WCPO Website to Move?

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

Riot?

Was this a riot or was it a rumble?

Chicken and the Egg Journalism

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

No Point From Bronson

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

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

UC 2008 Debate Site?

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

More Thugs

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

MIAMI Wins MAC Tourney - Heads to Dance

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

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

What a game.

Drag the Mayor to the Fountain

Joe Wessels has a column today about the proposal for a unique ceremony for turning on the Tyler Davidson Fountain. It sounds a bit out there, but I really like the idea. As Joe writes, it is a throw back to other historical traditions, like British Parliament celebrates, where custom dictates that a when a new speaker is elected, they are dragged to the chair at the start of their first session. Very ceremonial, but fun. It makes civic society more human, than just figureheads.

The problem which may prevent this from happening is that City Officials and local leaders are far too stuffy to do something like this, except for Jim Tarbell. That is just such a shame. If people want to change the image of the city, it must include things are are fun, interesting, and don't happen anywhere else. It would be a great way to get media attention, preferable on a national or international level. It is unique, it is rare in Cincinnati, but also across the country. If there was a way to find a similar German tradition, it might go over more with old guard around town.

This kind of thing isn't going to hurt anyone, so why anyone would be opposed to it would be more of reflection on their inability to either have fun or to think beyond the simplistic. It is kind of ironic that to break out of a traditional bland image, we'd be creating an elaborate new tradition that hearkens back to over a hundred years ago. This kind of idea is why Bill Donabedian was hired to run Fountain Square. I say go for it. Maybe tone down the detail of the event, but if this is tied in with an opening day weekend every year, it is a connection to our past and creates a direction for the future to flow forward.

The Nati in Austin

Joe Hansbauer is blogging the SXSW Music Festival in Austin.

Reds Ban Smoking In Stadium

Ok, here's the story. I'm sure this will stir up the comments.

Big Dog Heading To The Tri-State

Later this month former President Bill Clinton will be in Cincinnati for a fundraiser to benefit his wife, Hillary.

Racism in the Warren County Commission

The level of contempt I feel for Warren County Commissioner Dave Young grew more the second time I read this Enquirer article about his desire to violate the 14th Amendment and deny birth certificates for children born in Warren County to illegal aliens. The article states that Young seeks to "challenge" the 14th Amendment. OK, lets review the relevant part of the Amendment:

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

What's to challenge here? What part of "All" does Mr. Young not get?

You say there's more? Has Young read TITLE 8 CHAPTER 12 > SUBCHAPTER III > Part I > § 1401?

The following shall be nationals and citizens of the United States at birth:
(a) a person born in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof;

Let's see, people born in Warren County Ohio are born in the United States and if there are here they are subject to the jurisdiction of the State of Ohio and the United States of America. What kind of scum thinks of stuff like this? I say scum for two reasons. First its the obvious racism behind this. Sorry folks, there is no rationale for his desires other than keeping brown babies out of his county. The second reason his is scum is for daring to challenge the 14th Amendment on something so basic and simple and a foundation of American society. If you are born here, without question, you are an American. It doesn't matter where your parents came from, in the eyes of the law, you are one of us. Well, when I use us, I mean to say All Americans. For Mr. Young, the us he's looking for has a paler face.

In today's paper Young was told what's what:

Young had earlier proposed that the county Health Department withhold birth certificates of children born to illegal immigrants.

But he was told by the prosecutor's office that such a program would be unconstitutional.

Young said he's not advocating taking away health care or other benefits, but "you don't give them citizenship."

The level of racism, hate and bigotry on the Warren County Commission is ugly, but not a surprise.

Gary Burbank Retiring at End of Year

Does anyone reading actually care Gary Burbank is leaving WLW at the end of the year? Back in the day I would listen to Gary and Duke, but that was likely when I was at work and there was nothing else to listen to.

I fully expect that WLW will fill the afternoon drive with some hack of epic stature or at least with some kind of national following. After all, local radio, outside of sports, is dead in Commercial Radio. Public radio is not ideal on local coverage either, but the quality is just so much better, they can make up for it.

YP's and Promotion

Getting YP's to attend an event has always been a challenge, so the Taft Museum is trying the Myspace route, and the claim good results. I'm torn on the use of Myspace. The idea of social networks are a good way to market to a large number of people. It isn't a great way to express yourself or share in depth ideas. The website's technology is also very unreliable. It is popular, however, so I use it.

Side note, the above article provided a nice mention for Cincinnati Advance.

Chris Monzel - Ignorant Boob

Chris Monzel obviously lacks the historical knowledge and perspective to comment on the Iraq war:

Mr. Crowley asked the other day, who supports the war and no one responded. Well, just like the Greatest Generation of WWII, I do…I support fighting for freedom and against tyranny…it was Hitler and Mussolini in WWII, today it’s militant Islam, Osama bin Laden, the Taliban and Iranian President Ahmadinejad, who by the way recently hosted a conference about how the Jewish Holocaust did not happen. How can we stand by and say it is okay for other nations to call for wiping the nation of Israel off the face of this earth. Over 6 million Jews lost their lives during WWII…how many more deaths will happen on our watch. We cannot crawl into a shell and forget about it or wish it away.

It's so very ignorant for anyone to try and compare WWII to the war in Iraq. What is worse here is that Councilman Monzel is so ignorant that he just lumps in the fight against the Taliban and Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan into the mess in Iraq. Everyone who either has a brain or finally awoken from the lies of the Bush Administration understands that the war on Terrorism has nothing to do with Iraq or Israel. Jeesh, is Chris looking to gain Jewish votes with this speech or what? It is a very clever way to tap into the anti-Muslim attitude without actually being anti-Muslim.

HD Radio

I love radio, but not enough to shell out the cash for a HD radio. Has anyone listened to the digital stations available locally? Worth it? Is satellite radio a better bet?

It's Double Media Mention Week for CincyBlog

Must have been a full moon or something, but not only did I get a mention in CityBeat's Media, Myself & I column, where they spelled my website incorrectly in the online version, (Show me some love!!!!) but I was listed as one of the "Other great Cincinnati blogs" in this week's CinWeekly. Their entire cover story was on local blogs.

UPDATE: Thanks to CityBeat for fixing the link in the online version of the article.

Good, But What Would You Find At A Mall?

If police did a sweep for truants at Tri-County Mall at the same time of day, how many would they pick up?

Larry's Sky Is Falling

Larry Gross once again shows he seeks failure of the city. Does Larry Gross or his ditto head gaggle understand anything about the restaurant business? Does he know how many restaurants close or change hands and reopen as something else? Did Larry bemoan the death of Northside when the 5th Amendment closed and reopened? What about when Pot Luck become the Hideway? Is that the end of the world as we know it?

I think Larry does know things change, but he hates change and is bent on putting the city down. My opinion is that he has some political or psychologically twisted reason to try and make people believe the city's falling down. If you don't know the history, read up on it.

Columnist Swap, Anyone?

Peter Bronson wants to just does what Heir Leis wants. I propose we take Bronson's column to the max. Let's Bring in E. J. Dione for a few months to write columns for the Enquirer. Someone might actually learn something of importance, instead of being exposed to Bronson's years old suburban pop culture references.

In turn, the Washington Post might teach Peter a few things about being a columnist, like say doing more research and stop being a shill for the GOP.

Joe's Post on the Post

Joe Wessels shares his views on the recent coverage of the last year of the Cincinnati Post.

New Retail Coming to OTR

Late this spring a new store called Park+ Vine plans to open at the corner of Central Parkway and Vine street. They have a survey asking for what people want the story to carry. Products will likely rain from clothing, to personal care productions, to some furnishings.

[Via Joe Wessels in the Post]

Government Square Problems

Calls are being made for more police to patrol Government Square. My question is why should it be a huge issue controlling 15 year old kids fighting?

Cincinnati News Still in Motion

Joe Wessels has a post about a new website: Cinplify.com. The website defines itself as follows:

Cinplify is a content management system for news throughout the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area. On Cinplify, users store links of Internet resources that they find worthy of sharing with other users. Their links are accessible to the public and other people with similar interests can view the links by category, tags, or even randomly and vote on the links.

Also in Joe's post he mentions word of the impending end of CincyNation. I am too lazy to write about it, so I'll just link to the oral services being performed here.

2007 Cincy Fringe Festival Line-Up Announced

Rick Pender of City Beat has the first word on this year's Fringe. It all begins on May 30th. Full details are at www.cincyfringe.com.

Jackie Demaline at the Enquirer has more, including a this too.

'This is a Public Service...Anouncment'

Do you have a right to protest on Fountain Square or can the City's Agent require you to have liability insurance? Answer? I don't know.

I really like what the team running the square is doing. The broomball league was a great a idea. Their upcoming schedule looks great. I hope to hit as many events as my time allows.

From the beginning when I heard about 3CDC taking over the management of the square the issue of public use of the facility become a concern. I am a firm supporter of the first amendment. I believe public space should be open to all groups. If there is a procedure they must follow to hold an event, then they must comply. If there is a cost, that is something that should be minimal. Insurance is not minimal. The requirement of insurance should be clarified by the City and 3CDC. If a group follows the application process correctly, they should not be prevented from executing their rights to peaceably assemble.

That being said, I don't want the square turned into a haven for extremists, nut cases, or sad sacks out there charging at windmills. (Yea, like the Greg Flannery's around town) Where's the balance? How do we have fun on the square, but keep our free society?

Boch Beer

Last evening I partook in the 15th annual Bockfest. I got the full experience with the food and the beer. Oh the beer! I had my fill of the beer, and then some. Much thanks to my designated driver! I think I made it home before midnight!

I was privileged to know a couple of the parade judges who donned jester hats and braved the wind to pick the float winners. I was at the fest last year, but I didn't get a chance to see the ceremony at the end of parade. A priest blessed the beer complete with holy water being whipped around into the crowd. (None hit me, so I don't have acid burns) The mayor spoke, Jake Speed played, the Sausage Queens presided, and then everyone drank.

If you missed it last night, you can still catch it tonight. Jake Speed is playing at the old RBC's, which should be good beer drinking song filled set.

Battle of the Weeklies

Score one for CityBeat's Blog, CiN Weekly's coffee issue had a small little problem, one of the coffeehouses it listed as open has apparently been closed since last year.

It's a Friday

The Sun is out, for now. The beer was nice last night. Arnold's crowned co-sausage queens. Bockfest is in full swing. Sing, Drink, and be merry for tomorrow we may have to sing, drink and be merry again. Save the off day for Sunday.

Shh!!!! Don't Tell Larry Gross, Again

Last night I made my way to the City Beat Swizzle party at Sully's, the new bar/restaurant located at Race and 7th Street in the former Redfish space. Larry Gross, also of City Beat, complains loudly when ever a downtown business closes. I've not yet read anywhere about Sully's opening in his column or on his blog. Does he not get the City Beat internal memos about company events? I think I got about 5 emails telling me about it. The full page age about the party, with the address on it in today's City Beat should have sent Larry over the edge with glee. Well, I'll check his blog today for a glowing story about the rebirth of the former Redfish. If I missed his glowing article, please let me know and I'll be sure to link to it.

Pre-Pre-Bock Fest Online Toast Competition

Tomorrow, Bockfest is having a toast competition on Fountain Square to kick off Bockfest. I'm going to kick it off here with an online version. Best one gets a free beer if you find me during Bockfest. Here is my entry:

Raise your glass
Shout your name
Shut up you fool
You are an ass

Cheer Spring Forward
and Boo Fall Back
Peter Bronson
is Still a Hack

If you can't do better than me, then you really aren't trying.

Roll Out the Barrel!

Christian Moerlein is bringing Hudy Bock Beer back for this weekend's Bockfest. It will be on tap. I would suggest trying it out at Kaldi's.

Ask Donald Murphy About Mixing Religion and National Parks

From comments we get word that the incoming Freedom Center CEO has a soft spot for letting religious documents adorn National Parks. Was he asked about that before he was hired? In a side note, the Freedom Center doesn't seem to be very up front about the new CEO's salary.

More on Berding's Fundraiser

The Dems are splitting a bit on supporting Jeff Berding. The split appears to be some of the grassroots of the party vs. the party leadership. One issue to remember is that the more money Berding gets, the more he will have to help out other Dems. If Berding can't spread around the wealth in the local Democratic Party, then he will get a swift kick in his wallet out the down of the HCHP headquarters.

Obama Vists Cincinnati - Anyone Go?

1,000 people turned out downtown for a Barack Obama fundraiser. Anyone go and care to provide a report?

Jake Speed and Tracy Walker

Prude Is As Prude Does

If you have to say "I'm not a prude" 7 times in an article about advocating prudishness, then you are a prude. Bronson would be a prude even if he never denied he was, but adding the denial increases the prudishness.

Birmingham Hires John Elkington

It would appear that someone has been suckered again by John Elkington.

BockFest Cometh!

Get Up and head to Bock Fest starting this Friday with a Parade. Check out more at www.bockfest.com.

On Thursday the 1st, there's more too:

Study of City Core Great Step Forward

More great news on people moving forward on improving the City Core. Getting a better undstanding of our urban center and getting other business leaders convinced that the urban center is key to a vibrant metro region is a big picture plan to improve the City's image.

Candace Klein, chair of the Mayor's YP Kitchen Cabinet came up with the idea initially, but for some odd reason this effort didn't get included in the Mayor's speech this week on the State of the City. Odd.

New Boss At Freedom Center

Pepper is stepping down effective May 1st when Donald Murphy takes over as CEO. Murphy is a former deputy director of the National Park Service. The Freedom Center needs permanent leadership and a direction that can build it as an institution. It still feels to me like it has not found it purpose.

OTR Loves Coffee

This is great news and a great problem for OTR Area. This business is very forward looking. When the new SCPA goes in, the line out the door for coffee will be around the block.

The interesting part is that the coffeehouse is moving from Northern Kentucky to OTR.

Some FAF Grants Out

Good news for New Stage Collective, Inktank, and Cincy Blues Fest, all need the funding.

Gov Supports Cincinnati Streetcars

Gov. Ted Strickland wants to help find federal money for streetcars in Cincinnati.

State of the City - The Day After

Mallory gave his speech last night. Anyone go? Anyone have an opinion on it? Was it worth hearing? The text of the speech is here (doc).

It sounds like the YP Kitchen Cabinet is doing next to nothing:

Last year, my office created the Young Professional Kitchen Cabinet to help develop strategies to attract and retain young professionals. They are an energetic and passionate group, and they are already working on all types of ideas.

In fact, my office is about to launch one of their ideas. The Young Professionals Kitchen Cabinet with the help of the Youth Council and Rumpke will be running a pilot recycling program in 6 Cincinnati Public Schools. Recycling containers are being delivered this week, and the students will be competing to see which school can recycle the most.

How does this do anything for YP's? A big thing for people to understand is that YPs most of the time DON'T HAVE KIDS!. Sure volunteering is a plus for some YPs, but this is not going to do a damn thing to attract more people to town, it does nothing to keep people here, and it doesn't make the city more interesting for suburban YPs. What real ideas did they have and is the Mayor going to consider or act on any of them? If this is the best they can do or if this is the only thing Mallory can (or will) announce, then I think the YP Kitchen Cabinet is, so far a failure, and waste of time.

UPDATE: CityBeat's blog has more.

Bortz Phone Demeanor

Councilman Chris Bortz is facing heat for why he called people on the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission.

Smitherman Gets Another Chance

There will be a new election for President of the Cincinnati chapter of the. Edith Thrower, the incumbent, won last year after a controversial election over former Cincinnati councilman Chris Smitherman.

State of the City

Mayor Mallory gives his State of City address tonight at 7PM at the Aronoff Center. The number one thing I would like him to report on is the progress he is making with the YP Kitchen Cabinet. As of yet, I've heard nothing official about it doing anything but meeting. Meetings can only accomplish more meetings. Actions bring about more actions.

In preparation of the speech, the Enquirer reported on public opinion of the City comparing 2006 to 2007 here is what they stated:

1. Approval Rate of Mayor Mallory: Positive 2006-60%, 2007-50% That is a damn large drop.
2. Wrong Track: Yes 2006-59%, 2007-57% About even.
3. Are You Safe in Your Neighborhood: Agree 2006-42%, 2007-49% A gain!

The Enquirer is asking you to take their unscientific poll, so chime in.

Brownback In Town, Will Bring Out the Extremists

Few politicians will have better luck at getting out the most extreme Conservatives than Sen. Sam Brownback, who is coming to town again on March 3rd, after a quick visit here yesterday. In a sign that social conservatives have given up hope of getting an extremist on the ballot in 2008 is the results of polling of Ohio Republicans recently:

In a Quinniapac University poll of Ohio Republican voters last month, Brownback had only 1 percent support. Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani led the poll with 30 percent, following by McCain at 22 percent and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 11 percent.

1% isn't going to get you on stage for a primary debate.

The Loop? Main Street Redo

It's long overdue, but the idea of making a neighborhood out of the Main Street area (including the area to lower Vine) is a wonderful idea. Make it place for people to live, work, and play. Consider it something like Hyde Park Square, where no one is going to cry if the streets are not crowded at 1 AM. If you can't find a parking spot at 1 PM on a Saturday in the Main Street Area, then I say good! Let the nightlife move to area on 7th Street and 4th Street. Make Main Street a neighborhood.

I also don't like the Loop, but I agree on changing the name from the "Main Street Entertainment District."

UPDATE: More from the Enquirer.

Another Reason to Move the Drop Inn Center

If you want a homeless shelter that can legally serve all of the homeless, then it is time to move the Drop Inn Center. It's been time to move the Drop Inn Center for years now and I would predict there are many groups who would pay to move the facility to a new location.

At this point, what are the reasons it has not yet moved? Here are the reasons I think I hear the feet draggers either saying or thinking.

1. 'We' can't move it because the Homeless know where to go now, would suffer when they can't find the new location.
2. 'We' can't move it because it would be admitting that we don't want the extreme poor around.
3. 'We' won't move it because we don't want to cave into the business crowd.
4. 'We' can't move it because we don't have the money.
5. 'We' can't move it because we can't find a good enough location.
6. 'We' won't move it because the homeless are our battering ram to force our political views down the upper classes.

Numbers 1, 4, and 5 could be valid reasons, but would be short run issues that with money can be solved. I think the money would be there if those who use the homeless as a political tool would worry more about sustaining the effort to provide services to the homeless, instead of using homelessness as a means to make your political foes look bad.

Are there other legitimate or not-so legitimate reasons to not move the Drop Inn Center?

Battle Won, War Lost

What happens now that the eminent-domain case was won? I guess I don't see why the developers don't raise the offer to include the legal fees that are likely waiting and then go forward with their development? If the home owners don't make a deal, I think they'll be hurt as well. I think its time to make a deal and get on with progress.

Crazy Republicans

Can the extremists in the GOP get any more extreme?

UPDATE: Clark Street has more.

It's Not News

In what must be a slow news day at the Enquirer, we get a story about a poll of a subgroup of the local GOP that had Rudy Giuliani as their top pick for the GOP nomination for President.

I'll be waiting for the Eastern branch of the South by Southwest Hamilton County Know-nothing Party Club's straw poll where Bob was victorious over Jack, 3 votes to 1 in their straw poll.

White Snow vs. Black Teenager?

Is the media and/or the Sheriff's office picking who to worry about fairly? In the case of the Sheriff, I think they may have a point about who they pick to open up a warning about. As for the media, well, they have no answer. They live for missing kids, if the pictures they can show on TV work for the suburban audience.

"God Save the Queen, Fascist Regime"

Not really news, but the Queen of England at the Kentucky Derby is interesting.

What's on Your Wallpaper?

On a snowy Saturday I'm going to post something light. What is on your PC/MAC's desktop wallpaper? Here is what I have:

This is a picture of a sunset on the beach in the small town on the West coast of Florida where my parents live. It was taken in winter about 5 years ago and it was warm that day.

What does everyone else have?

Berding’s Billions

CityBeat's blog as a lengthy piece on the Cash Machine that is Councilman Jeff Berding. Big money is behind this candidate for office. Last time Democratic Party endorsements went around the CW was that Berding was given the endorsement by some in exchange for others supporting Lynch's endorsement. This time around will there be enough support for Berding? He is a Democrat on council, so I don't see how the Party could not endorse him, no matter how much the rank in file scream.

Fangman: Call Me

Former FOP President and instigator is under investigation for allegedly making harassing phone calls to the current FOP President. I don't know if I can comment. This is just too ripe to hit off the tee.

Punting on the Banks

The Banks Project Working Group is allowing itself to punt.

Enquirer and Bronson Spread a Lie

It is no shock that Peter Bronson or the Enquirer would spread a lie, but they are:

Jason Mallott of Cincinnati is stationed in Baghdad. "Yesterday I found out about the vote from a younger soldier who came up to me and asked why my hometown does not support us," he wrote. "I have lived in the city for over 25 years. I was even thinking about applying for a job with the Police Department when I returned. I am just confused on why City Council would not be supporting us.

Bold Added. I guess Peter and Jason Mallott didn't read the resolution when it says this:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Cincinnati:

Section 1. That Council supports the U.S. troops currently serving Iraq, as well as those that have previously served, and those that have been killed or wounded during such service, and their families.

Peter Bronson, stop spreading Lies!

Shut The Hell Up!

The Enquirer looks like a fool by printing a series of letters to the editor about the pending Cincinnati City Council Iraq War resolution. NONE OF THE WRITERS LIVE IN THE CITY!!!. Can we have a little bit of relative perspective from people who are actually governed by the politicians considering the resolution????? The funniest part is that they list this at the top of the letters "A sampling of some of the opinions we've received on this topic." Here is what I think it should have stated "A sample of our Conservative readers views, those readers we actually care about."

That idiocy aside, I find myself rather conflicted. On the surface I am strong believer in the City sticking to City Business and staying out of national issues, like abortion. I hope Monzel keeps his trap shut about the Iraq War resolution if he wants to forget about his push to outlaw abortion using City policy. That issue is decided, abortion is legal. He wants to change that, petition your Congressman.

That being said, I agree with what the resolution says, for the most part. What the resolution is missing is making reference to what Bush did right here in Cincinnati by misleading the American people during his speech at Union Terminal. That brings the issue home and has a sliver of relevance to Cincinnati.

More Downtown Development

A tip from reader Richard gives word about new Race Street Renovation in a building I've long loved and wished someone would bring back to life:

The beautiful Lyric Piano Building near the corner of 7th and Race is currently undergoing renovations. In the past, the ground level of this building served as a Hardees restaurant (and Burger Chef) and there was speculation a number of years ago that the former owners of The Temple Restaurant were planning a new restaurant at that location. But, I spoke with a lady who works at one of the jewelry stores next door and she said that a very nice couple has purchased the building with plans to use a portion of the structure as a new architectural office and the remaining square-footage as a private residence. It will be great to see this handsome building, which is a favorite of architecture lovers throughout the area, returned to its former glory.

Here's a link with information about the structure, crowned a "blight of the week" by CityBeat in 2002.

Race Street has for a long time needed more renovation. I hope this is just a start with Sully's going in just up the street.

Weather Report Suite

The weather is crappy today. Got any hot news flashes to warm up the roads?

'Cincinnati Rock Concert Philosophy'

In an almost therapeutic screed "Riggsveda" unleashed a post at the TPMcafe that riddled the culture with bullets mostly aimed at the Right Wing Hypocrites. In the process, however, this screed barreled into two things dear to me, Cincinnati & The Who:

What else? Well, there's the death of public civility on streets, trains, buses and in cars, and the failure of American parents to teach their children anything at all about manners and etiquette. This has led to the Cincinnati rock concert philosophy of life: that we all must be in a constant battle for supremacy with one another, whether it's who goes through a door first, gets a parking space, or gets to change lanes. All of this is directly anathema to the idea behind etiquette: that in order to create a tolerable and decent community, we must all behave graciously and with grace toward each other, meaning at times we back off, suppress our egos, and let someone else have something at our own expense out of sheer kindness. Meaning we treat others as if they were our dear friends, or at least unfortunately demented relatives not responsible for their own behavior.

I don't necessarily disagree with the point of the whole post, but do we have to create another term that denigrates a city and a horrible tragedy that occurred well over 25 years ago? This city has certainly suffered enough from that event and we don't need it put back into our faces, or more importantly, not hung around our collective necks. Including "Cincinnati" is really the injustice in the term. The City didn't create the tragedy. It was truly "the mob", which I believe is the point of the term. Having Cincinnati confused with "the mob" does nothing but put blame were none is deserved.

New Businesses Downtown and on Main

Joe Hansbauer is reporting there are two big additions to Downtown and Main Street. First rumor has it that the former Jump location at 12th and Main will become a Sushi restaurant. Don't know who is going to run it or if it will include a bar or not.

Second is word that McFadden's has bought several store fronts and will open a new bar called Lodge, and as Joe states it will be similar to the one in Columbus. I wonder where this space will be. I assume it is on 7th street, but not sure where.

We're Still Here!

I just watched the Police reunite on the Grammys and play "Roxanne." The world did not end, so lets all rejoice and start saving now for tickets to their tour. I'd be game for a Police show at Paul Brown Stadium.

How'd I Get Mixed Up With This?

Somehow, Someway, I was dragged into Nate's latest feud:

If Ghizzy had black skin, the white media -- especially her boosters at The Cincinnati Enquirer, CityBeat, and The Cincinnati Blog -- would tear her apart like they did to former Vice Mayor Alicia Reece. The only reason Ghizzy gets a free pass is because she is a white girl. Period.

This is of course false, but that doesn't usually matter in this type of discussion when Nate is involved.

St. McCain In Town This Week

I'll throw a bone to Republicans and pass on word that Senator (Saint) John McCain will be visiting Cincinnati on Friday. Logically I would conclude the local media will be stumbling over each other to cover St. McCain. the media's darling. Around Cincinnati I really wonder, however, what level of support he will get, making the media's coverage not so intense. He's not well loved by the far rightists for his lukewarm stance on social issues. He's a mainstream Conservative when it comes to social issues, but in the past hasn't made them his focus. In the 2008 primary race I expect he'll go off the social issue deep end, one way or another. Either he'll counter Rudy's pro-gay/pro-choice stances, if Rudy gets into the race, or McCain will go to the middle to try and get the moderate vote if Rudy doesn't get into the race.

Bill Maher Visits Nutty Creastionist 'Museum'

Sacha Baron Cohen is likely very proud of the methods used by Bill Maher in filming a documentary on religion. Maher's tactic was especially interesting because it happened just outside of Cincinnati in Kentucky at the Answers in Genesis facility. Ken Ham, the creator of the Creationist 'Museum', was reportedly not pleased with Maher. Go figure. I nutty creationist is likely confronted with the nutty ideas he has and the guy gets pissed off.

I am eagerly awaiting the documentary.

Obama to Visit Cincinnati on Feb 26

State Sen. Eric Kearney is bringing the Presidential hopeful to town for a fund raiser.

GOP Endorsing Child Beater Sam Malone?

It is amazing that the GOP would dare endorse a man who admitted to beating his own child with a belt in court, a source indicates that the HC GOP has done just that. The reported slate of endorsements equal:

Leslie Ghiz
Chris Monzel
Charlie Winburn
Sam Malone
John Eby
Andre Harper is this the same person?
Pat Fisher (President of P-Ridge CC?)

UPDATE: CityBeat's Kevin Osborne has more.

HCDP Has New Executive Director

Caleb Faux is taking over the reins from Chandra Yungbluth who left to work for Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.

Question of the Day

Ok, I'll dare to put a question out there. What topics do people want the blog to include, that are not being posted, or not posted enough? Be gentle, keep the 7th grade humor to a minimum, please.

Death of the Arts Section at the Enquirer?

This morning I got an unsigned email which describes the tearing apart of arts/media/culture criticism at the Enquirer. Here is the email in its entirety:

Yesterday, on the 19th floor of the Cincinnati Enquirer, a room of arts critics (including theater critic Jackie Demaline, classical music critic Janelle Gelfand, art critic Sara Pearce, entertainment reporter Jim Knippenberg media critic John Kiesewetter, former arts editor Pam Fisher and food critic Polly Campbell) along with features writers were told they will be pulled off arts beat to staff phones on the Saturday general assignment reporting desk.

Apparently, one body is as good as another in the new "Info Center" reich over at Third and Elm -- although it seems counterintuitive in Gannett's penny pinching culture to stick high priced talent (several old timers rumored to be at six figures) manning the phones on one of the worst news days of the week -- not exactly fiscally savvy.

Oddly, this news comes just days before Enquirer publisher Margaret Buchanan kicks off the citywide Fine Arts Fund drive Sunday as its chair.

Shortly after arriving in Cincinnati, Buchanan took a spot on the symphony board and launching a new Sunday Arts section, promising better arts coverage to a disgruntled arts community.

If today's Enquirer is any indication, looks like a snow job: less arts coverage, but complete sledding hill lists in Cincinnati and diagrams for making snowmen.

Please keep in mind this is one writer's opinion and I have no confirmation of anything in this email. For those on the inside there are enough details to determine if this is authentic. I find it very credible for the simple fact that the issue at hand is a detail on how the inner workings of the newspaper happens. This is clearly someone with knowledge of the Enquirer.

Printing this email is not a great journalistic act, but it is a reasonable act for a blogger. Is this just another sign that the Enquirer is abandoning content creation in favor of press release publications? Will this act affect the many blogs on the Enquirer?

Drive Home Contest

A free pat on the back goes to the person who had the longest (in time) drive home last night in the snow. Mine was about 2.5 hours.

What If Bronson is Delusional?

Peter Bronson is living in lala land. It is just not worth my time to rebut his ignorance in his column, but I had to make people away that there are still people living with the delusions that Iraq can be "won", that "the terrorists" in Iraq are trying to kill "us", and that Dick Cheney is 'right' about Iraq. The facts are that Iraq is lost. The terrorists in Iraq want the US out and are fighting the Shia, they are not out to invade the USA. They don't threaten us, never did. Finally, Cheney is just a bad shot.

Panic Sightings

I can report first hand that the White Death is starting to fall up in Mason. At this point I haven't seen any soccer moms desperately making their way to buy milk, bread, toothpaste, and the most essential mayonnaise. What snow storm is complete with out Extra Mayo?

UPDATE: The Enquirer's website has the full snow coverage overload.

Speak to the Enquirer

The Enquirer has adopted a message board like tool that allows for feed back on all stories, editiorials, and letters to the editor. In the manner they use it, does it really add a value to the reader or to their publication? Will this just be a way to yell at people? I would guess they are going to use a filter or monitor to edit out the spam and 'rude' comments. I'll be posting on the story above about my post here to see if they really want interaction or not.

Budget Battle Lingers

I have lost track of what money is going where, but either progress is being made or we have found another impasse.

Build Humans, Not Machines

The bottom line problem with the
drop off of school groups visiting the arts is the misguided education philosophy sweeping most school boards, administrators, and politicos. It is the belief that test scores are the only thing that matters. Being a well rounded student is not going to get grant money. This is not an new conflict, but one that is ugly and is the true sign of the death of culture in this country. Those in power in Ohio and Kentucky for last 10 plus years have the idea that schools are meant to turn out machines to fuel the economy. Schools are meant to turn out adult human beings and citizens who can think for themselves, reason, and express their views and ideas. The Arts are one of the best ways to do that. If schools fear time constraints, why not cut back on sports?

It's Cold

It is 1 degree outside. For people like me from the Buffalo area, yes, that is actually cold. I don't understand why schools are closed, unless the pipes froze.

Well, it was a slow news weekend, with the superbowl and all. I watched the game for the first time on DVR last night while at a friend's house. We all were going to be late to the start of the game, so we agreed to meet later at the one friend's house. It was strange knowing that we were about a half an hour behind what was really happening. I am very glad no one called to ask about the game after it ended.

Props to Prince for playing in the rain.

But It Has a Sign!!

How can Cincinnati Mills be failing? It's in the suburbs where Malls are King. It has plenty of free parking. Finally, it has a massive sign out front, which, as Larry Gross helped point out, is the key to any Mall's success.

Sign of a Change on Main?

Great news for the local theatre scene with the announcement of the New Stage Collective getting a permanent space on Main Street. They'll be using the old Jekyll and Hyde's building. They will transform the 2nd floor into a very challenging but fresh theater space. For more information on the New Stage Collective, check out their website at www.newstagecollective.com. Be sure to review the announcement of NSC's new season with more details on the new space.

County Jail in Camp Washington?

A deal on where the new Hamilton County Jail will be built appears to be complete. How we pay for it is a whole different story.

Ummmm? Bronson?

I can understand that Peter Bronson is complaining about the angst on City Council, which he help create, but other than that, I don't get his point here. The only thing I get is that he thinks the CHRC is bloated and thinks this is all about money. It can't be about power or be personal? It also can't be the fact that this is an election year and candidates need money and votes and need to get the attention that conflict brings to help get money and votes.

Downtown Hop Around Returns April 21

The Downtown Hop Around is set to skip into downtown again on April 21. Stay tuned to their website for more details.

Is CPD Doing Its Job?

If the Cincinnati Police Department is able and willing to do their jobs, then why does former police officer and current City Council member Cecil Thomas want the sheriff to patrol 5 other neighborhoods in the city?

Also in this article, one is getting the sense that Council member Jeff Berding is sucking up to the Westside:

Council member Jeff Berding asked that Westwood and Price Hill be added to the list.

The FOP is screaming about this, but frankly, who gives a rat's ass?