Today, April 7, 2011, marks the 10th anniversary of the shooting of Timothy Thomas by Stephen Roach, then a Cincinnati Police officer. Thomas was unarmed and fleeing from police when shot. This incident sparked the Riots which began on April 9th after a heated City Council Committee meeting.
Both the Cincinnati Enquirer and the Cincinnati Herald had multiple stories recently remembering what happened 10 years ago and looking forward to where we are now.
From the Enquirer:
Special Section Cincinnati Riots
Changes in policing
A different struggle
From the Herald:
City was in crisis during civil unrest of 2001
How far we’ve come since 2001
Looking back a decade—
I recall how vivid tension that filled the streets was back then. I remember walking Downtown during the day and I could sense the tension. It is a feeling that was likely all in my head since I was following the unfolding events very closely, but it was a feeling I can remember to this day. I don't know if it is because I live in Over-the-Rhine now or that we have changed, but that tension is gone. Many of those at the forefront of the protests have retreated from the public eye or just left town, so I don't know how much that has changed the feel of the city over the last 10 years.
I believe the City and its citizens have changed. That change has been positive. The police have a much improved attitude towards the public, particularly the black community. We have outlets for the citizens to voice their views. We still do have a significant separation between the communities, something we must still work on. Much of that separation is rooted in socio-economic differences, but much of it is culture. The cultures of our city still are very different and don't like to mix. We don't communicate outside of our own culture as often as we could or should. Since the animosity towards the city continues to fester in large sectors of the suburban and exurban areas, we can't afford to not have a wider community in the city working together. I hope we can improve the connections to that macro community for everyone.
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Cincinnati Band Walk the Moon Featured on Carson Daily Show
Cincinnati Band Walk the Moon was at SXSW the year and got the notice of the Carson Daily Show, here's the segment:
Lead singer Nicholas Petricca appeared in a Cincinnati Fringe Festival show last year and made many connections. The music video highlighted in the Carson Daily show you can see Pones Inc., Cincinnati Fringe veterans, who helped out Walk the Moon in making the video.
Lead singer Nicholas Petricca appeared in a Cincinnati Fringe Festival show last year and made many connections. The music video highlighted in the Carson Daily show you can see Pones Inc., Cincinnati Fringe veterans, who helped out Walk the Moon in making the video.
Summer Will Bring Taste of Belgium to Gateway Quarter
Polly Campbell blogs some great news about a new Taste of Belgium cafe coming to the heart of the Gateway Quarter. A big congratulations goes out to owner Jean-Francois Flechet on this news. I look forward to having another dinning spot on Vine Street this Summer.
Anti-City Zealot Farts and the Enquirer Rushes in to Sniff
I think if anti-City extremist Chris Finney were to write a letter to Santa Claus containing nothing but the first 100 names in the Cincinnati Bell white pages, the Enquirer would write a story about it. If you promote EVERYTHING a political group does with a positive 'news' story then you have a bias. That bias is either for the group or a bias against the people or organizations that group is attacking.
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Monday, April 04, 2011
Donate to the Know Theatre Right NOW!
Theatre, as an art form, brings unmeasurable value to a society. Theatre provides humanity a purpose. That purpose is a journey of discovery to understand what it means to be human. Here in Cincinnati one Theatre company speaks to me more than any on that journey of discovery and that is the Know Theatre.
It takes money to make a theatre work and right now the Know needs your help. Impending budget cuts at the State are going to make it difficult for all arts organizations to make ends meet, and that includes the Know. We must as a community do everything that we can to keep our society on a path of discovery. I've chosen to donate a modest amount to the Know Theatre. I ask that you help out Now as well. Check out the Know's website with the details on how your can give. Remember that any sum can help. $20 goes a long way. $100 can go further.
With the Cincinnati Fringe Festival Coming up in less than two months, your funds will be put to great use to keep the lights on for an organization that is vital to the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and the entire arts community.
Also, be sure to see their latest production, The Dragon. I got to see it on opening night and was amazed with the work. The show is a co-production with MadCap Puppets and should not be missed. It runs through May 7th.
It takes money to make a theatre work and right now the Know needs your help. Impending budget cuts at the State are going to make it difficult for all arts organizations to make ends meet, and that includes the Know. We must as a community do everything that we can to keep our society on a path of discovery. I've chosen to donate a modest amount to the Know Theatre. I ask that you help out Now as well. Check out the Know's website with the details on how your can give. Remember that any sum can help. $20 goes a long way. $100 can go further.
With the Cincinnati Fringe Festival Coming up in less than two months, your funds will be put to great use to keep the lights on for an organization that is vital to the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and the entire arts community.
Also, be sure to see their latest production, The Dragon. I got to see it on opening night and was amazed with the work. The show is a co-production with MadCap Puppets and should not be missed. It runs through May 7th.
Chris Bortz to Decide on Council Run Within Two Weeks
Cincinnati City Council Member Chris Bortz will make his decision on running for City Council within a couple weeks. Council Member Bortz tells the Cincinnati Blog that it has been his habit to wait until the Spring of an election year to make the decision to run or not. The question of whether Chris Bortz will get a Charter Committee endorsement has has already been answered , and that answer is an undramatic yes.
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Bloody Mary Rankings From: get in mah belly
I personally don't like tomato juice, but if you want to know about local bloody mary hits and misses check out Liz's take with the get in mah belly bloody mary rankings for Cincinnati, so far.
Saturday, April 02, 2011
The Enquirer is On Top of the Important News!
Yes, the Cincinnati Enquirer knows what news is important to its readers and they write about it.
Stadium Mustard is really important. We need reporters to spend time tracking down the news stories that matter. Mustard matters and don't you forget it!
Stadium Mustard is really important. We need reporters to spend time tracking down the news stories that matter. Mustard matters and don't you forget it!
Friday, April 01, 2011
Damon Lynch III's Church to Leave Over-the-Rhine
I find it very surprising that the New Prospect Baptist Church is leaving Over-the-Rhine. I am surprised that Damon Lynch III would do that. From a pure practical perspective, the article lays out a case for the church, which appears to want a more big box church facility. That's not something you would find in OTR. I thought, however, that part of the Church's mission was to reach the trouble youth of the inner-city, which places them right where they need to be. Are they abandoning that mission or are do they see that mission being more of an issue in other neighborhoods in the City? On the other hand are they looking to capitalize on the demand for property in that part of OTR?
I am really not sure what to make of this. What does it say about the neighborhood? We are days away from the 10th anniversary of the killing to Timothy Thomas and the Riots of 2001 and a church that was at the epicenter of those events announces they are leaving the neighborhood. The neighborhood is on the upward rise. I want to live in a diverse neighborhood, and New Prospect leaving makes it less diverse. Or does it? As the article points out, most of the people going to the church don't live in OTR, so does this really affect much at all?
I am really not sure what to make of this. What does it say about the neighborhood? We are days away from the 10th anniversary of the killing to Timothy Thomas and the Riots of 2001 and a church that was at the epicenter of those events announces they are leaving the neighborhood. The neighborhood is on the upward rise. I want to live in a diverse neighborhood, and New Prospect leaving makes it less diverse. Or does it? As the article points out, most of the people going to the church don't live in OTR, so does this really affect much at all?
Section 8 Housing in the Burbs? It's Hell Freezing Over Time!
I know there are going to be curse words, shouts, and protests if 'public housing' increases in the suburban areas of Hamilton County, but since this is part of a deal to resolve a discrimination complaint, legal action to block the housing will have a bigger hurdle.
It is only fair that 'public housing' is included in all areas of the county. It should also be inlcuded outside of the county as well, for I would surmise Warren County doesn't have much, if any, Section 8 housing.
Sidenote: I am also very glad the Enquirer does not have comments turned on for that article. The racist and bigoted comments would fill up your screen if they did.
It is only fair that 'public housing' is included in all areas of the county. It should also be inlcuded outside of the county as well, for I would surmise Warren County doesn't have much, if any, Section 8 housing.
Sidenote: I am also very glad the Enquirer does not have comments turned on for that article. The racist and bigoted comments would fill up your screen if they did.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
My Plan: Expose Meaningless Political Speech
We all hate meaningless poltical speech, but politians continue to use it. Why? Well, the "we" I use means those reading this blog and other political commentary. That "we" doesn't include most people. The average person in America doesn't bother to pay attention to anything other than American Idol. When they do finally pay attention it is for about 2 minutes and that is only enough time for a candidate to give a few political generalities about their ideas. 99% of the time they are meaningless.
In the City Council Election we are going to see this a lot. Today I offer up the meaningless political speech of the week from Republican candidate Catherine Smith Mills. In a recent blog post on her campaign website she addressed her "Mills Means Jobs Plan." She emphasized it to the point of putting it in bold.
I looked through her website for a white paper. I didn't find one. I looked for some type of listing of what the plan would entail. I didn't find anything. A plan to create jobs is not an easy thing to create, if you are actually going to write up how to create jobs.
Instead I found this on her "issues" page:
That's not a plan, that just word tested meaningless political speech that maybe a few ignorant people will think means something. What she needs to do is tell the truth: She's willing to give away the farm to businesses, and hope they actually hire people here. She's not going to do anything that is unfriendly to them, so I presume that includes NOT making it legally binding that any give-away to business requires the business to maintain a number of jobs here in the City (as opposed to overseas or out of state.) If Mills would do that, why not put it in print?
What she has put out their so far is meaningless. There is no detail. There is the illusion of detail, but that is worse than no having no political rhetoric at all.
Mills is not and will not be unique in this or any campaign. She's just the first I chose to look over. There will be more. We can only hope other candidates will try a little harder to provide more details on their websites.
In the City Council Election we are going to see this a lot. Today I offer up the meaningless political speech of the week from Republican candidate Catherine Smith Mills. In a recent blog post on her campaign website she addressed her "Mills Means Jobs Plan." She emphasized it to the point of putting it in bold.
I looked through her website for a white paper. I didn't find one. I looked for some type of listing of what the plan would entail. I didn't find anything. A plan to create jobs is not an easy thing to create, if you are actually going to write up how to create jobs.
Instead I found this on her "issues" page:
Mills Means Jobs: Job Creation, Retention, & Economic DevelopmentSo her plan is nothing but typical light Republican fare with a little extra pro-business sauce on the side.
I support job creation and retention efforts for businesses, because a city with a strong tax base can support its services. We must stop unnecessary barriers for business creation and growth. The vitality of small businesses in Cincinnati and the cultivation of the entrepreneurial spirit are key components to our City’s future success. I will work to develop new polices[sic], research tax incentives, and create a business friendly atmosphere in which companies of all sizes have an opportunity to succeed.
That's not a plan, that just word tested meaningless political speech that maybe a few ignorant people will think means something. What she needs to do is tell the truth: She's willing to give away the farm to businesses, and hope they actually hire people here. She's not going to do anything that is unfriendly to them, so I presume that includes NOT making it legally binding that any give-away to business requires the business to maintain a number of jobs here in the City (as opposed to overseas or out of state.) If Mills would do that, why not put it in print?
What she has put out their so far is meaningless. There is no detail. There is the illusion of detail, but that is worse than no having no political rhetoric at all.
Mills is not and will not be unique in this or any campaign. She's just the first I chose to look over. There will be more. We can only hope other candidates will try a little harder to provide more details on their websites.
The Mightly Casey Coston At Bat: Home Run
Soapbox columnist Casey Coston's article this week elegantly summarizes the recent attacks being made on Cincinnati. Those attacks are not from a foreign land or even a different state, (Pittsburgh is not a suspect.) These attacks are coming from Exurban Ohio law makers bent on pushing an anti-Cincinnati, anti-urban, and dogmatic conservative agenda on the City of Cincinnati and the entire State of Ohio. We must not let this go unchallenged and must be heard. Kudos to Casey for this brazen commentary.
Señor Roy's Taco Patrol to Close?
This Tweet from @Señor Roy indicates the owners looking to get out of the business by selling the food truck.
@SenorRoysThere have been rumors going around that they might be going under, but this is the first credible comment I've seen that indicates the establishment may close. I've had good food from the mobile eatery, and will be sorry to see them go.
Señor Roy
Wehave had a fabulous time with everyone, but for personal reasons, we have decided to offer SRTP for sale. Inbox fordetails
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Recommendations for Democratic Endorsements For Council Floated
A listing of recommendations for the Democratic Council enforcements were made public at a recent fundraising event. These are not finalized, but would be the preliminary slate, pending official action from the City Dems. There are:
Incumbents:
Roxanne Qualls
Laure Quinlivan
Cecil Thomas
Wendell Young
Challengers:
Nicolas Hollan
Jason Riveiro
Chris Seelbach
P.G. Sittenfeld
Yvette Simpson
Two key points:
Outside of the possible inclusion of Chris Smitherman, what we are missing are the fringe and crazy candidates. It is still early, so maybe some unknowns will get into the race this summer.
Incumbents:
Roxanne Qualls
Laure Quinlivan
Cecil Thomas
Wendell Young
Challengers:
Nicolas Hollan
Jason Riveiro
Chris Seelbach
P.G. Sittenfeld
Yvette Simpson
Two key points:
- It is unknown if Qualls and/or Simpson either have or are seeking the double endorsement from the Charter Committee. If they don't, Charter may only have once candidate running (Kevin Flynn).
- One name you don't see is Bernadette Watson. She logically would be a good candidate, with her good showing in 2009, but not seeing her name on this list leads me to presume she is not running.
Outside of the possible inclusion of Chris Smitherman, what we are missing are the fringe and crazy candidates. It is still early, so maybe some unknowns will get into the race this summer.
Buffalo Killers Play MOTR April 1st - No Fooling
1345 Main Street
April 1st, 2011 - 10 PM
2 Sets - No Cover
No one is fooling you...well at least not about the Buffalo Killers.
Come see one of Cincinnati best bands drive their Garage Blues groove straight into soul and out through your finger tips.
Monday, March 28, 2011
It Appears Charlie Don't Surf
City Council member Charlie Winburn is NOT looking to Serf come the end of June. Instead he has a different type of Endless Summer planned.
I think he maybe should go for a swim in the Mill Creek, instead.
I think he maybe should go for a swim in the Mill Creek, instead.
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