More Qualls Fallout

Joe Wessels is reporting that the Dems may endorse Roxanne Qualls for Council. That would mean one candidate would not retain that endorsement. Joe reports the rumor that Wendell Young will be stepping down as a candidate. Young was a long shot candidate, who has not be garnishing much attention.

Will a double endorsement help, hurt, or do nothing for Qualls?

Art Academy Growing

The Art Academy of Cincinnati is expanding its campus with the recent purchase of the building adjacent to their Jackson St. location. This new building at the corner of 12th and Walnut was most recently owned by Fifth Third Bank.

The article doesn't indicate when this new building will open, but with it the 12th street Arts corridor increases its footprint.

Turn Them In

Nothing should be stopping people from turning in the mindless thugs who killed a 19 year old kid and defiled the efforts of hundreds of people to have a day of peace and community building. Solving the violence problem in Cincinnati starts with those who know about this crime (and other like it), turning in the criminals. You don't have a functional community if you don't adhere to the most serious law on the books, murder. Avondale and Evanston are two good communities infested with fear and ignorance that keeps murderers on the streets. I truly hope they are caught quickly.

It's Roxanne

Roxanne Qualls is the pick to to replace Jim Tarbell on City Council on September 3rd.

Qualls is believed to be a lock now for a council win. This hurts ever incumbent but Cranley, to a degree. Some think Bates, Harris, and Kaup will actually benefit from Qualls' coattails. I don't know if Council Race have significant coattails, but if Charter groups the candidates together, there might be a growing voting block that could help. This will not help Bate or Kaup with money.

Local Business Group Fronted by GOP

You are not going to get much more of a hardline Conservative than Steve Chabot's chief of staff. Chabot's office hasn't been doing anything the last 8 years to promote the City of Cincinnati or Downtown, so I don't see Gary Lindgren doing much to improve Downtown or anywhere in the City.

The CBC should be a group pushing for Street cars and light rail. Will this guy do anything to help that along? I don't know, but expect him not to push for anything that would improve the way of life that doesn't fit a conservative agenda. If I am wrong about that, it will be a welcomed surprise.

Forty Under 40

This year's Business Courier of Cincinnati Forty Under 40 winners have been announced.

Tarbell to Resign

Jim Tarbell is reportedly resigning from Council.

The Enquirer has the story. Speculation will now fly as to whom will be appoint to council. The assumption is that it will be either Joan Kaup or Melanie Bates. I will not be betting on Joan Kaup. Word on the street is that she's not the pick. Logically she is heir apparent to Tarbell on the issues. She is the top advocate for Downtown, OTR, and arts currently running. The PTB may see Bates as more of an establishment candidate and better able to capitalize on being an incumbent. Would she have to resign from the School Board? If it is not one of these two, then Charter is corrupt.

Also, Who is going to be the next Vice Mayor? Cranley?

Sheriff's In Town

Has Over-the-Rhine changed over the last year? One place I don't see a real change is in front of the Jordan market at 12th and Main Street.

Who Wrote the Headlie?

Bias in the media comes in many ways. One way is in the language that is used. In today's Enquirer we get this headline Unborn baby dies in wreck. The article lead reads as follows:

"A woman was seriously injured and her fetus died in a two-car accident on U.S. Route 50 in Clermont County on Saturday, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol."

I would like to know if the Editor who wrote this headline would come forward and explain why "unborn" was used instead of "fetus" and why the injury of the women doesn't rate part of the headline? This plays into the propaganda war that has surrounded the abortion debate. In Cincinnati it is my opinion that the local media, particularly the Enquirer, either have editors putting their bias into headlines or story choice, or if not their own opinion, they are playing into the significant extreme anti-abortion readership in the Cincinnati area.

UPDATE: The updated Store on Monday had an updated headline: Crash kills unborn child.

Pete, Please Excuse This

Via comments here's a video slide show opposing all current and former elected officials running for Cincinnati City Council. It is is a totally improbable and unwise to have 9 members of council with no experience in public office trying to run the city. That might be the Mayor's Dream, but it would be disaster. The video is fun, though.

Cincy Blues Fest Tonight and Saturday

Don't forget to check out the Cincinnati Blues Festival tonight. This year one of the highlights is the King Records Tribute Stage, which occurs tonight. For info, check out Cincyblues.org.

AFL-CIO Council Endorsements

CityBeat has reported the Union's endorsement list for Cincinnati City Council. I hope those not happy with the fiscal five understand that the AFL-CIO endorsed two of that lot: Berding and Cole. Why was Wendell Young not endorsed? I know they have to love Smitherman for his anti-business stance on the Banks project, but does that warrant dumping Young?

Anti-Jail Tax Has the Signatures

Surprisingly the motley crew of stumbled their issue onto the ballot.

Why isn't anyone questioning the deadline to turn in signatures they appeared to determine on their own?

Top TwoThree Best Blogs Announced

I thought this was supposed to be after today's conference, but a big congratulations go out to Drew Steinbrecher and Michelle Lentz for their respective blogs www.drew-o-rama.com/designcincinnati and www.wine-girl.net, who "tied" for best blog.

I guess they are giving away three iPones since the article lists Kevin Dugan of prblog.typepad.com, as the Chamber member winner.

Vote for CityBeat's Theatre CEAs

The 11th Annual event takes place on Monday August 27th. I can't find the voting deadline anywhere, but it surely is very soon so hit the CEA website and get your vote in.

Made The Enquirer

The Top Ten Cincinnati blogs hit the Enquirer today. There are some really good blogs out there. Most of the other nine I've read before, but not all. Hit the link and have a read. I'll likely add most of these to my blogroll. If you are the 10 best, you deserve to be on the blogroll.

Top 10 Cincinnati Blogs

The Chamber has announced their top 10 (not in order):

The Top 10 Best Blogs In Cincinnati USA As Named
By The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber And CincyTechUSA

"Building Cincinnati," blogger Kevin LeMaster, coverage of Cincinnati development news, http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com

"Cincinnati Blog," blogger Brian Griffin, political and progressive news and opinion in Cincinnati, http://cincinnati.blogspot.com/

"DesignCincinnati," blogger Drew Steinbrecher, design and architecture highlights around the region, http://www.drew-o-rama.com/designcincinnati

"Fort's Cancer Sux," blogger Melissa McLaughlin, Melissa's (Fort's) inspiring journal of her quest to beat stage-four breast cancer, http://fortscancersux.blogspot.com

"Freckle Photo," blogger Melissa Speelman, outstanding photo journal by a local art teacher documenting her family, friends, and classroom activities, http://www.frecklephoto.com

"Each Note Secure," blogger Joe Long, WOXY.com staffer who has his finger directly on the pulse of the music world in Cincinnati USA and beyond, http://www.eachnotesecure.com

"Lance McAlister," blogger Lance McAlister, arguably the premier overall sports blog in Cincinnati USA and the No. 1 fan site of Pittsburgh-bound lightning bolt Valerie Abati, http://1530homer.com/pages/lancesBlog.html

"My Wine Education," blogger Michelle Lentz, very tasty site about the local and worldwide wine scene, http://www.wine-girl.net

"Patent Baristas," blogger Stephen Albainy-Jenei, provides pertinent information about intellectual property topics, http://patentbaristas.com

"Strategic Public Relations," blogger Kevin Dugan, insights on the latest in PR developments and issues locally and globally, http://prblog.typepad.com

The two over all winners will be announced on Thursday. Good luck to all!

More here.

Latest Round of Nate v. CityBeat

With this blog post Kevin Osborne appears to be debating Nate, not reporting news. If this is only blog content and doesn't make the print edition, that's fine. It doesn't help his journalistic reputation by getting involved into a high level flame war. My advice, don't stoop to Nate's level. Nate may be wrong on a minor point, but his overall position on the issue was correct. Quiveling over minor points is petty.

Big Mo

You want evidence of the revitalization of Downtown? Well, the Front Page of Today's Enquirer provides exhibit A: huge growth in the backstage/Fountain Square area. This is a great first step. The next step is to build up the number of residents. It will take more people living in Downtown/OTR to then increase the retail. It sounds simple. It will take time and follow through.

Come on in, the water's fine

I'm not inviting you to my new home in Over-the-Rhine (let's be real), but I invite you to join me in moving to the general Downtown area. I closed on my condo this past week, so I have taken the full plunge into being part of the revitalization that has gained huge amounts of steam. No matter how many people have huge anti-city bricks on their shoulders, we shall succeed in improving the urban core of Cincinnati.

OK, some of you will scoff at this. I guess your fears run your life or you are already 95 years old or act like it and don't want leave your house, except to go get your hair cut or make the early bird special at Denny's. For the rest of you who think you really can't make that change or are just a little concerned, make the leap, it will be worth it.