Monday, April 30, 2007

Battle of Corporate Coffee

This story seems to be about corporate coffee sellers, not about the best coffee. I would agree that Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and McDonald's sell a lot of coffee, but when it comes to quality, value, personal service, and atmosphere they are stale and cold. That is what happens when you have mega-chains.

If you are going to compare coffee, why not skip these mass marketers and cover local coffeehouses? Oh, you say I answered my own question when I called them mass marketers? So you are saying they are also mass advertisers? Ah, ok. The circle of press coverage makes sense. Those who can buy more ads are more worthy of flashy graphics and big news coverage.

Bands at Taste of Cincinnati?

I'll open up to rumor, speculation or facts that anyone has on who will be playing at Taste of Cincinnati this year. Based on their schedule, the Heartless Bastards will not be playing. On the other hand Wussy does list taste on their schedule, but with a TBA date and time. I believe there will be a bigger line-up this year of music with the move of the festival to 5th Street.

I really hope they keep at least one stage a local showcase. With the HBs on tour, it would be amazing to get the Greenhornes to play a set. They have no 2007 tour dates listed on their website, nor do the Raconteurs, which has 2/3rds of the Greenhornes in it. It is a long shot, but that is the kind of headliner the festival needs.

Sunday, April 29, 2007

NSC Review: Go see 'Goat'

The Enquirer has a very positive review of the New Stage Collective's production of Albee's The Goat. I've personally yet to see the play, but I did crash the after party last night and the players and theatre backers are very excited. They are of course very pleased and relieved to have the space opened. A lot of hard work went into transforming the space and it really looks great. The set for the Goat takes over the whole room and the seating feels like you are sitting in the dining room watching the story unfold. I sat in it at their open house, so I'm projecting reality here, but that vibe is just obviously there, especially with the odds and ends chairs lined up for the audience. I for one will be taking Jackie Demaline's advice and seeing the play soon. Get you tickets now, with a review like this they should start to sell some shows out. Check out Thursdays or Sunday's matinées for a better lock on a seat.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Cincy CW Must Change

In reading Joe Wessels' column today those quoted seem to me to be resting upon the Conventional Wisdom of Cincinnati politics from 20 years ago. Politically, Cincinnati is not what it was in 1987. A Republican majority on council is nearly an impossibility, unless the Dems run 9 Chris Smitherman clones for office. The Westside Conservatives are not around much anymore, at least not in force. Eastside Conservatives are a different breed and will not fit into the same mold.

The Republicans long ago abandoned the city. This cycle some appear to be putting more effort, but when you put up reactionary candidates like Charlie Winburn and Sam Malone, you are not going to win majorities. What is happening is they are picking one or two candidates to fit their splintered constituency. That is not going to win a majority, especially when you don't have a full slate of 9 to begin with.

What I found most entertaining is reading Bill Cunningham try and handicap city politics. The man is living life like it was 1983 and all in Cincinnati was calm, cool, and Republican. I think Bill even thinks Hamilton County is still a Republican stronghold. It is not yet a Democratic stronghold, but is clearly not an automatic GOP winner.

CityBeat Updates Blogs

CityBeat has a new look for all of their blogs and new locations. The looks are very nice and the location being on the CityBeat site is a very good move. I also like breaking them out on their own more. This allows each to have their own voice. You don't need the politics mixing with the music blog, so this change helps keep the Porkopolis's leftist rantings from ruining a good Heartless Bastards post.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Bronson's Living in a River in Egypt

At some point Peter Bronson will have to move, because the River D'Nile will be all dried up by Global Warming. Bronson's hot air is something the EPA should look into regulating, sooner rather than later.

Northside

Great photos of Northside over a great song.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Sporting Trouble

An interesting column from ESPN's Pat Forde on Cincinnati and our Troubled Bengals. I liked much about this column. I like how it didn't come out and just slam Cincinnati. That is breath of fresh air. I think this column went beyond sports, which is a good thing, but because it went beyond sports it also was is flawed. I guess I don't know what the articled was about. Was it about who the Bengals should draft and if Character should be an issue or was it about conflicted Cincinnati and the problem sports players we somehow attract? I guess I like my sports and sociology/civics separate.

Take Over CPS?

What is gained from the City take over of Cincinnati Public Schools? This idea feel flat back in 2005 when then State Senator Mallory broached the idea. What is worse about the schools? I don't see the City being able to do any better, and more likely would make CPS into more of political mess.

If Bortz thinks the CPS is being run poorly, why not call for the replacement of CPS Superintendent Rosa Blackwell? More importantly, why doesn't Bortz issue a listing of what specifically CPS is doing wrong and what needs to be changed? Reacting to news of layoffs and budget shortfalls with treats of a takeover isn't constructive, it is a political ploy.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Stupid People and Bad Editing

I have two questions about the next to last Letter to the Editor. 1)Where are idiots getting the notion that by speaking out against the war, you are committing treason? Have they read the 1st Amendment? Has the author thought about the many ways an argument could be made claiming everything Bush says about Iraq is causing people to die?

2) Why is the Enquirer perpetuating this notion by printing this type of letter? This is not the first type letter calling Sen. Reid a traitor and calling for him to be tried for treason for speaking against the War in Iraq. Why doesn't the Enquirer investigate where this type of mentality comes from? It was common among idiots during Vietnam and other wars previously, but it is over 40 years since the antiwar movement came alive during Vietnam. Why not interview someone, hell try Fred Kirkhart of Lebanon, and find out why he thinks this way and where he got it from. Yes, I say where it got it from because people don't repeat a meme without having it served up to them. Was it a right wing website or talk radio? FOX News? That's a good local angle to a national story. What Enquirer assignment editor is not on the ball here?

Will the Banks Break Ground in 2007?

The Business Courier Reports on the published plan for the Banks. It is a big plan. It is bigger than previously envisioned. Will it add what downtown needs? Will it end up being a neighborhood unto itself? There are many questions pending, including Chris Smitherman playing foolish games.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Clear Channel Out of TV Business?

It is good news that Media Mammoth Clear Channel is selling its 56 TV stations, which includes WKRC here in Cincinnati. The company buying them is called Providence Equity Partners, Inc. I know nothing about them.

New Club in Corryville

A new club is opening up: Sub Rosa
A new indie nightclub and dancefloor, located at W Charlton and Glendora, one block from UC, next to the Holy Grail. 18 and Up.

Free Preview Weekend - April 27th & 28th.

Premiere Night - May 5th. Bright Lights with special guest Peter Adams & The Nocturnal Collective. $3.
If you head out, give a full report.

Moerlein OTR Ale Haus Festival

Christian Moerlein is sponsoring an OTR Ale Festival starting tomorrow April 25th through Sunday the 29th at the former Elder Café location at Findlay Market near Elder and Elm Streets. Vice Mayor Jim Tarbell will be there to tap the first keg at 3PM on Wednesday.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Annie's is in the East End

This article lists COLUMBIA TUSCULUM as the dateline location of the incident. Someone at the Enquirer needs to get out a map, Annie's is in the East End. You could argue it is Linwood or California maybe, but it clearly is not Columbia-Tusculum. Are there any editors working there who don't know this?

Cheesy, Yet......

I find the concept of having a sing along to TV Theme song to be very cheesy, but I still worked downtown, I would be there taking part.

Once in a while a cheesy is needed. Bootsy and the Cincy Pops Composer leading it? That makes pushes it into the cheeky camp, and leaves cheesy in its dust.

Where's the List?

My initial reaction to the creation of a "likely killers" list is a good one. I would like to know where the list is. Part of the deal with a validity of such list is for police to have a group to target. The public needs to know who these people are and react. Either it will allow them to know who to avoid or it will hopefully make some people who are interacting with criminals to stop and help catch them when they break the law.

I am slightly conflict on the civil liberties concern, but I've not yet seen this as a problem, as long as the list is based on criteria determined from public information.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

PR Payola?

I have to wonder if some PR firm paid the Enquirer money to make sure anytime they can they use "wedding district" in a news story about the area in Reading.

Friday, April 20, 2007

City Nightlife Changing - Growing

Two new nightclubs will open within the next two weeks. The nightclub at 3929 Spring Grove Ave. (formerly Alchemize) will now become Decibel Lounge. The renamed club likely will continue much of the same or similar programming held at Alchemize.

As God As My Witness, Hop Around Will Be Fun

How can you not have fun with a chance to meet Gary Sandy from WKRP? Be sure to check out everything at www.downtownhoparound.com.

I plan on making appearances with the folks from Enjoy the Arts (at Pitiful's I think), New Stage Collective, and the Know Theatre.

I'll be dressed for the CAC's Gala Afterparty too.