Endorsement Battle: The Next Day

The Enquirer has a recap of the Dem meeting which confirms my take from last night, but spins it. The news is the fact that there was a significant effort to oust Berding, something the Enquirer played as something that "fizzled." What the Enquirer misses is that the anti-Berding effort indicates that a large portion of the Democratic base is not going to be easily convinced to support Berding. He may not want or need that support, but he is not a lock to win re-election. In the end, Berding will have to abandon Democratic issues and move to the right, which likely will mean he will lose the endorsement fight next cycle.

UPDATE: For a better take on the meeting, check out CityBeat's blog. The best part is the exchange between Kevin Osborne and Berding:

Asked by CityBeat to comment after the meeting, Berding said, “Why? You’re just going to write whatever you want to write.” Pressed to clarify if that was a “no comment,” Berding replied, “That’s a ‘no comment’ to you, yes.”

He sounds like a cocky prick in that exchange. I guess he doesn't want Kevin's vote. A lesson to all politicians: Be nice to the press, no matter what.

Something New For Bella's

Hidden in this article is the news that a new lease is close to being signed for a new business at the Bella's location at 6th and Walnut. That location is just to good not to have some type of restaurant or bar.

City Dems Pick Choices

As I type, the candidates are making their cases for getting the endorsement from the City Dems. Berding as already spoke as of about 7:15PM. He was reported to be humble. All of the candidates are getting 3 minutes to speak.

UPDATE: My source at the meeting gave me an interesting tidbit on Cecil Thomas's speech. In it Thomas stated that the Dems should run the City. The implication Thomas made is that they currently are not running the City. This to me could be viewed as a reference to the "Fiscal Five" on council, which is not a block of Democrats.

UDPATE#2: It appears an effort was made to vote for each candidate separately, but that effort was quashed. This was likely an effort to pull Jeff Berding out from the pack, where he would face much more opposition.

UPDATE #3: The slate passed 75 - 43. It appears that a large group of people were not happy with the slate. Berding clearly must be the cause of most of the opposition. My understanding is that most votes have been rubber stamps in the past.

Indian Hill Crime

Will the people of Indian Hill now be scared to death of Rheinstrom Park because they've read this story in the media? If not, why? Per capita hate crimes must have "jumped" through the roof in Indian Hill.

Easter Again?

Joe Hansbauer writes again about the resurrection of Main Street's bar district. I am looking optimistically at this situation in that not only will it happen, I think it will, but that the focus of these locations will not be to gain the dance club college kids. Instead, it would be something else. What is that something else? I don't exactly know what the target market would be. Who is going to want to go to the Old Jefferson Hall or RBC if they are not remodeled? Also, is there a market for this number of bars, at least the number we talking about this quickly? Over the year, if they stagger the openings, build up buzz through a big media blitz, then you could build a new scene. Can all of this, plus 7th Street/Fountain Square, plus Mainstrasse, plus Newport, plus Northside, plus Mt. Adams, plus Mt. Lookout all be the home of nightlife? Is the market niches wide enough at each to make all of them viable?

Robo-Calls?

Robo-Calls? Who uses the dreaded robo-call in hopes of getting an endorsement? As an incumbent no less!

Challenging Liquor Permits

From a couple weeks back: WCPO reported on the establishments being challenged in an effort to rid the city of crime based on booze. Most of these places are corner "markets" that cater to the dirt poor or the wino. The rest are bars that have a problem with serving criminals. Then there is R.P. McMurphy's which is just a place with too much rowdiness/idiocy for a nice neighborhood.

The list:

* Wilson's Market - 3800 Zinsle Avenue - Kennedy Heights
* Walt's Grocery - 118 West 15th Street - Over-The-Rhine
* Sam's Market - 1900-1902 Linn Street - West End
* McMurphy's Irish Pub & Coffeehouse - 2910 Wasson Road - Oakley
* Queen Ann Bar & Grill - 2141 Central Avenue - West End
* Phoenix Cafe - 641 Walnut Street - Downtown
* Parktown Cafe - 1624-26 Linn Street - West End
* Jet In Market - 1205-07 Linn Street - West End
* Ike's Blues & Jazz Club - 2924 Gilbert Avenue - Walnut Hills
* Golden Nuggett - 2194-96 Queen City Avenue - Fairmount
* Glenway Market - 4420 Glenway Avenue - Price Hill
* Don's Deli - 1500 Beech Avenue - Price Hill
* Cole N Quick Drive Thru - 2029 Dana Avenue - Evanston
* Best For Less Market - 1820 Vine Street - Over-The-Rhine
* Club Embassy - 3602 Warsaw Avenue - Price Hill
* Amir Mini-Market - 549-553 Findlay Street - West End

More on Mass Transit

The Downtowner delves into transportation. The question comes up again, are Streetcars the answer? It depends in part on what is defined as a streetcar, but to me the answer is clearly yes, but....that doesn't fix the broader metro area transportation problem that is being ignored by the rest of metro area. We have too many cars out there and we need to get rid of the congestion.

Fountain Square Grows Again

The latest restaurant, Cadillac Ranch Rock-N-Country Bar & Grill does not sound like my kind of place, but variety is good. The Square needs to attract a wide range of themes, but stick to entertainment for adults.

Nazi Group 'Suspends' March

The Enquirer is reporting that the Nazi group planning a march through OTR have postponed it because of an outstanding warrant for the Ohio leader of the Nazi group.

Ok, let's hope this is the end of it. There shouldn't be any march going on this Friday, spread the word on that. Even though the article indicates the Nazi's are claiming to still want to do it, they are in reality blowing smoke. Which in the end is all this whole thing is, one big exercise in blowing smoke out of the asses of very stupid people.

OTR Foundation Has New Leader

The Over-the-Rhine Foundation has named a new director: Michael Morgan takes over the post from retiring director Marge Hammelrath.

CAC Silk and Spice Gala After Party

Hit the CAC Gala After Party April 21st at 10PM at the CAC (6th and Walnut Streets, Downtown, Cincinnati).

The CAC’s Kaplan Hall lobby becomes a shock-rock club space with DJ Bill Redman and a cash bar.

After Party reservations are $20 in advance at www.contemporaryartscenter.org; $25 at the door.

Stalkers

If you make 29 phone calls to a person in one week and those calls allegedly are heavy breathing over a porn soundtrack doesn't that make you a stalker? Don't stalkers get charged with crimes and go to jail? Well, a police investigation concludes 29 calls were made from former FOP president Keith Fangman's cell phone to current FOP president Kathy Harrell as reported by The Enquirer. The only punishment Fangman got was a letter in his file. That is intolerable.

There is either more to the story on the end of Harrell, or Fangman should be fired, at a minimum.

Last Day in St. Louis

Yes, posting has been non-existent for the last few days. Sorry about that. I won't be looking for the massive crowd of well-wishers at the airport upon my arrival back in town tonight.

Until then, keep it open, but clean!

In St. Louis

Ok, I'm running late for now, so I'll open it up again.

Smitherman Is a Loon

First off, I hate Nazis. I also hate the KKK. I don't however believe that we, as a society, should think like they think and willfully allow a situation to occur where human beings are attacked, no matter how horrible individuals may be. Chris Smitherman, recently elected president of the Cincinnati Chapter of the NAACP, issued one of the stupidest letters (pdf) from a supposed community leader that I have ever read.

Chris Smitherman has demanded the Cincinnati Police Department offer no protection for the Nazi's march. Smitherman is clearly opening the door for a situation where human beings could be beaten or even killed on the streets of Cincinnati.

If Smitherman is going to run a chapter of an organization that has long been associated with non-violence, then I fear that here in Cincinnati we have the beginning of a sectarian struggle much like the one people in Baghdad are facing today.

If you can't rise above the level of your oppressors, then you are an oppressor.

The letter is signed by him alone, so I presume this was a solo effort on his part. Smitherman is off his rocker. How did anyone ever endorse this man for office?

Additinally, I find it odd that he managed to write a letter that mentioned Christians and Muslims, but when the topic of the letter is about a Nazi group Jewish people were not mentioned at all.

Finally, Damn Chris Smitherman for making me write this post. Why does he have to create a firestorm out of this. He could have issued a simple press release condemning the idiots and requested a few things. Instead he makes demands. He makes demands in a tone that sounds like as a terrorist, nearly as much as these Nazis.

New Downtowner

The Downtowner has be reborn as "The Downtowner, Pulse of the City." Biggest addition to this effort are in 2 places. First, they have a website: www.pulsedt.com. Secondly they have expanded their circulation to include Covington, Newport, Bellevue, Oakley, Hyde Park, O'Bryonville, East Walnut Hills, Clifton, Mt. Lookout and Northside. So far the new paper is expanding their presence in a positive way. They need to clear up the website first off, it is very clunky, and doesn't always format well or at all. They are akin to the Community Press, so if that is their target, go for it.

I Don't Like Mondays

Today is a travel day for me, off to toil away along the Mississippi for 3 days (on business). My blogging will either be normal or light. I'll likely be able to blog more, but when ever I am out of the city I tend to feel out of touch, but more interested in keeping up with what is going on.

Call it open for now. Keep the gloves on.

Bronson: Sinners Must Die!

No, Peter Bronson didn't actually write that in his recent column, but he might as well have. What he and all other "abstinence-only" advocates do when they refuse to talk about how contraceptives can prevent STDs because they hold the belief that those who have sex outside of marriage deserve to get STDs and suffer the results, which could include death.

Using fear in this manner is helping cause more needless deaths. Peter and his anti-sex pack may be out to thin the herd for their "cause," but they shouldn't be doing it with tax dollars.

As a society we have organized government to do what it can to prevent physical harm from affecting the citizens it governs. Educating kids about condoms helps save lives.

Guess what else educating kids about condoms does! Educating kids about condoms reduces the number of abortions. It does so by reducing the number of unwanted pregnancy's. I somehow thought Peter and his ilk wanted to stop abortions. I guess they only want to prevent all of them by controlling women's bodies. Reducing the number of abortions must not be something they are interested in doing.

Snarky Preemption: To the Trolls who are going to comment about John Cranley or some other Democrat's anti-abortion stance, stop. This post is about the fools like Peter Bronson who are anti-abortion and anti-condom. Save your foolishness for another post.

City Hall Isolated?

Joe Wessels has a good column today about a new website started locally that gives citizens an outlet to voice their views on pothole like issues: www.votercam.com.

The effectiveness of the website here in Cincinnati has to be evaluated with a strange situation:

Council Member David Crowley responded and got city transportation officials to contact Blackshaw. The only problem was city officials could not access the site because of restrictions placed on their computers. So the workers apparently looked at the site on their home computers and realized how concerned residents were.

Over a year ago there was a news story about my blog being blocked from City Hall and several officials had to request special permission to view it from City Hall computers. I understand the city not wanted a clerk to spend their time reading blogs on the job, but when a website is doing the City's job of identifying problems, wouldn't it be nice if City Officials could view the website and get cracking on fixing those problems? If they can't this done, then the City is making itself isolated. Kudos to the transportation department officials who viewed the site on their home PCs on their own time. Communication is a key element of government. When the citizens organize themselves and provide the simplest of ways to grasp a problem, the least the city could do is review what they are saying.

Law Dog's Drug Problem

Ken Lawnson has stated he has a drug problem that threatens he career. This is not a new story, this is not a unique story. This will make some people mock Ken, this will make some people feel sorry for him. Other will see the fact that Ken Lawson gave this interview to the Enquirer at the same time the Cincinnati Bar Association files a complaint against him and view the interview as PR tactic.

Is it Good Friday or Christmas?

It is snowing quite strongly on Good Friday afternoon. I'm stuck out here in the burbs working, so anyone else getting the snow?

Cincinnati Metro Population Compares Well

The Post listed out 2000 to 2006 population changes and Cincinnati is less than 10,00 people smaller than Cleveland. Further more, we grew more than San Fransisco and Boston in both percentage and actual number increase.

By the way, 2.1 million people is a big metropolitan area. That's the "big city." For those of you who grew up here, you don't have that perspective, but it is very true.

Nazis to March in OTR?

The Enquirer is reporting that a "white supremacist group of self-proclaimed Nazis" are allegedly planning to march in OTR.

It is beyond sad that scum like these idiots still exist. There are maybe 5 people who would show up and they would be faced with likely hundreds if not thousands people protesting.

The real fear to me is that there will be violence. A crowd of hundreds of peaceful but angry people, could turn into a mob who might turn protest into rage with damage to innocent people/property with no direction connection to the situation.

I was torn about posting this story. By posting it, I am giving these loner idiots more attention. If I ignore it, then I would criticized for ignoring racism. It's a lose-lose situation. I chose to post this story, with the hopes that I have sane non-Nazi readers. I know I am hoping for a lot.

The Mayor Tries Again

On national TV Mayor Mallory got it on the second try.

Berding Gets Recommendation

Jeff Berding is a simple formality away from gettingDemocratic endorsement for City Council. The Nine are as expected: Berding, Cole, Cooper, Cranley, Crowley, Garry, Harris, Thomas, and Young.

Mitch Painter Running for Council

You have get your sea legs somehow, so rookie politician Mitch Painter, nephew of Judge Mark Painter, has announced he is running as an independent candidate for Cincinnati City Council. He has a website: www.painterforcouncil.org.

Mallory's Excuses

The Enquirer fields Mallory's 10 excuses for his opening day wild pitch.

Mayor's Got a Rubber Arm

No Oakley Jungle

Bad news for the Cincinnati Millworks with word that Jungle Jim's expansion plans are dead. It does appear that the project is going nowhere. The key for Jungle Jim's was the new highway connector, which seems to have no progress what so every.

On the other hand the area on Madison Road is doing well with new store fronts being built and a new restaurant on the way called Hugo, which fills the Pho Paris space.

Dems Delay Council Nominations

Today is the day the HCDP nominations committee meets to make their recommendations.

Kevin Osborne reports that the likely 9 to get nominations (assuming Berding doesn't get booted) are:

Incumbents:
Jeff Berding
Laketa Cole
John Cranley
David Crowley
Cecil Thomas

Challengers:
Minette Cooper
Brian Garry
Greg Harris
Wendell Young

There may still be a fight over Jeff Berding, especially his alleged backing of Republican John Eby. That is not something a loyal party member does, at least not publicly.

Best news: Alicia Reese is not running!

Play Ball! Let's Go Reds!

Opening Day is here. Get out your gloves, get out your bats, comb your hair and don your hats.

Good luck to the Reds. Get out to a game this year.

Crime Is Down - Where's the Enquirer?

Joe Wessels has a very good story in the Post announcing a dramatic decrease in crime in OTR, Downtown, West End, and Mt. Adams. This is of course great news and had to do with the refocus of the CPD and patrolling by the Sheriff's department.

I've not yet read anything about this in the Enquirer. If I missed it, then please pass on the link. This should have been front page news.

I've Seen the Light

Peter Bronson is right about everything!




Oh, and April Fools!

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.

More Downtown Progress?

Today's paper reports the possibility that Jeff Ruby and Bootsy Collins will open a restaurant downtown, another one in the case of Ruby.

I am sure some will hate the idea of another local business being started in downtown. This would be a local business that doesn't cater to an aging hippie crowd, mind you, which I am sure burns someone's bee's wax.

New Restaurant Downtown

Another restaurant will will be opening downtown. I am sure this is pissing off a few folks on a different blog, but I guess they'll be more inclined to just stay away.

Headline Bias

I can see the editors salivate over the census stats. That would lead to the bullshit headline on this article. The headline seeks to make Hamilton County into a hell hole, and seeks to prop up West Chester as the new Shangrla. Several facts I would think would be available are missing from the article.

What portion of those leaving are actually going to other local counties and how many are going to Arizona or California? There is little if anything the local area can do to stop people leaving the metro area. Warren and Butler Counties share the "blame" for the people going to California, Arizona, or anywhere else if they go for jobs. When business leaders, large companies, and governments are parasites on a large city, they can't expect the metro area to develop stronger industries and cutting edge businesses. If you want more economic clout, you must build up your urban core.

Sure, Hamilton County is second "worst" for population loss in the state, but we were not worse than Cleveland. Where's the comparison? What's the difference between the lowerest three ranked counties in the State? How do we rank with other urban counties across the country? Are we any different than St. Louis or Milwaukee?

How many reasons people gave for leaving were really excuses?

Also, when did white flight get the politically correct term of "outmigration?"

$50 and a Drive to Louisville?

Anyone up for this? I love the Police, but I just don't know if the price is worth the effort.

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.