Add Jean-Robert to Over-the-Rhine Fraternity

Joe Wessels story drops a warm glow on us today with his reporting of Jean-Robert de Cavel's planned new restaurant in the "Gateway Quarter" of Over-the-Rhine.

That's not all:

MetroNation, a contemporary downtown gift shop and home accessories store that has agreed to expand by 66 percent and relocate to 1213 Vine St."

This will be right next to the location the new restaurant de Cavel is for now calling the "Greenup Annex."

MetroNation plans to be open in early June.

Below Zero Lounge

Rumors have been confirmed regarding Nigel Cotterill's new club on Walnut street. It will be in the former alchemize location.

This news came in the same article as Neon's, but it deserved its own article, therefore it gets its own post.

Main Street is changing. Out with the cheesy college dance clubs, in with fresh nightspots for the 25 and up crowd.

UPDATE: Look for more in the Post later on today from Joe Wessels.

Long Live Neon's!

The Owners of Vinyl are partnering with the owner of Neon's will turn the establishment into Jardin Wine and Tapas Bar. Neon's is still open, and will remain open through April, when remodeling will begin.

I hope they don't do too much remodeling and can be open for as much of spring as possible. I myself love their patio and I'll definitely want to check it out.

Will there be live music?

UPDATE: More from the Business Courier.

alchemize Moving/Closing/Changing

Word from Brian Butts of the Enquirer that alchemize will be moving/closing/changing after the April 7th show. In a MySpace bulletin from alchemize owner Nick Spencer stated there appears to be bad dealings between Nick and his business partner as well as Jason Cooper, owner of the now closed Cooper's on Main. Cooper is allegedly set to open up a new place in the current Spring Grove location after alchemize moves on.

This is very bad news. What ever the situation, it sounds like people were not being honest.

Best of Cincinnati is Out

Have a read and debate the picks of the Best of Cincinnati 2007 from CityBeat.

Joe Hansbauer Smacks Down Gross

I'm not the only who is taking on Larry Gross for his ludicrous columns.

Big Downtown Mo?

It will surely pain the City Haters, but momentum is on the side of Downtown right now. The developers are seeing the positives and the public is starting wake up. Granted the pissy pants crowd will surely undo their diapers on this idea, but I really don't think their stink can stop thing going forward.

Having the Playhouse Downtown would be HUGE! Add to that a multi use venue that could holder "larger" events (concerts etc) and you have an anchor to the Fountain Square area that will draw better than almost anything that could be put in that space.

Great Condos

I went on a tour last year while these new condos were in the early stages of construction. They were not much more than gutted out buildings, now they sound great! Best yet, they appear more affordable to a middle class person. These condos are on the edge of where development is happening in OTR, so they are not for faint of heart. If you fear poor people, you should maybe stay away. If you like diversity and urban living, go on a tour!

Smitherman Elected to Head Local NAACP

Former councilman Chris Smitherman was elected president of the Cincinnati chapter of the NAACP. Smitherman is known as a prolific grandstander, creating confrontation where there is none. Will Smitherman seek to make Cincinnati a better place for everyone or will he play racial politics?

Also, does this mean he's not running for city council?

Driehaus To Battle Chabot

State Rep. Steve Driehaus, minority whip of the Ohio House, plans to challenge Steve Chabot for Ohio's 1st District in 2008.

Driehaus is a good pick for this district. He's a generally more conservative Democrat, and his anti-abortion stance will be a plus in this big one issue voting district. I think a candidate could be for killing puppies, but if he opposes abortion, he'll get a set of voters on the West side, no matter what.

This is not good for women's rights, of course, but in a district where a pro-choice candidate just can't win, you have to take the bad with the good.

Starting early is plus for raising money. It will take a chunk of change to unseat a GOP guy. A big problem will be trying to predict how the 2008 presidential race will sway voters down the ticket. Without Bush around, the GOP will have more room to wiggle around. Steve Chabot, however, has little room. He was glued to Bush's hip very tightly.

FOP Opposes Fighting Crime

From last week we have a story showing the Cincinnati FOP and their political shills concerned more about increase the CPD budget than with fighting crime.

More HB Attention

City Beat's blog reported over the weekend that Heartless Bastards are continuing to gain attention with the use of their music by cable channels. On one level it sounds like a sell out, sure, but for the band it is great news to have their music heard by more people.

I am curious why I don't hear the Heartless Bastards on local radio, specially on The Sound or WEBN?

Charter Announces Council Endorsements

I swear to Zeus I didn't know, but this morning the Charter Committee announced their endorsements for council. Cincinnati School Board member Melanie Bates and Joan Kaup join Councilman Chris Bortz as the Committee's picks for council.

Very interesting picks which will have a lot of attraction on the East Side.

Where Are the Democratic Endorsements?

We are nearly at the end of the month of March, a mere 7 months away from the election and only about 5 months before signatures must be submitted, and still no announcements as to whom the Democrats are endorsing for Cincinnati City Council. Why the delay? The GOP announced over a month and a half ago, which was strangely early.

We've also not hear a word from the Charter Committee either.

More Good New Stage Collective Press

New Stage Collective is opening their season next month with a local theatre stars: Amy Warner (Playhouse) and Brian Isaac Phillips (CSC). Opening weekend will surely sell out, so, get your tickets now!

Note that NSC is having a special event on April 21st as part of the Downtown Hop Around.

Strictly Balls

WireCan is off like a prom dress with his "God's Gift To Ballroom Notoriety" post.

He Needs a Cape

Can someone please make Vice Mayor Jim Tarbell a cape? His latest crime fighting action surely earns him the right to be considered a local super hero, fighting crime in our fare city.

Able to leap his scooter in a single leap, its SUPER JIM!

Oxford International Film Festival

This appears like it will be a great event for Oxford and Miami University. Why can't UC or others here in Cincinnati pull this off?

For more check out www.oxfordfilms.com.

Downtown HopAround Is Back: April 21st

Save April 21st for a night on the town. For more information, check out the website at www.downtownhoparound.com.

Taste Moves to 5th Street

The Taste of Cincinnati is moving from its long time home on Central Parkway five blocks down to 5th Street.

My take is that it's great idea for the festival and for downtown. It will showcase the Square and bring more people in who may think of staying the night. I believe we are starting to see the impact of the new Fountain Square. We are starting to see the center of a new mainstream entertainment district form in 4th to 7th street areas. The area is compact enough for people to walk, but spread out to not have an over dense bar zone. I would have gone to taste anyway, but now I am more interest in going and will likely come down multiple days, if the music is as good as has been the past. (Get the Heartless Bastards to play again!!!)

More from WLWT and the Enquirer.