Cincinnati and the Civil War

A new tour organized by the same guys doing the Underground tour, the Cincinnati and the Civil War is a well produced and researched tour. The narrative is shuffled around 4 different speakers keeping it fresh, interesting and the audience engaged. If you like Cincinnati history or Civil War history you'll love Cincinnati Civil War history.
Isn't it funny how things we see or hear everyday we take for granted, this tour highlighted and shown a spotlight on some of this trivia. My most impressed moment, as the Confederate army marched on Cincinnati, 70,000 men mobilized and built fortifications. When the rebel army saw these fortifications they turned around and left. Today we know these fortifications as Fort Wright, Fort Thomas and Fort Michell.

Cincinnati and Civil War
Cincinnati and Civil War
Cincinnati and Civil War

The organizers say,
"Guests will discover the heroic accomplishments of the Black Brigade and their Medal of Honor winner, and learn of the exploits of the first all-German regiment in the Civil War, the “Dutch Devils.” Patrons will also hear how Cincinnati’s Sister Mary Anthony O’Connell first developed battlefield triage and earned the nickname, “The Angel of the Battlefield.
The Queen City has a lot to be proud of and, as the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War approaches, it’s time for Cincinnati’s story to be told.”
Cincinnati and Civil War
Cincinnati and Civil WarCincinnati and Civil War
Cincinnati and Civil War
Cincinnati and Civil War

As much as it pains me to say this, and in light of that stupid survey saying 80% of people feel unsafe downtown, if you are indeed apprehensive about coming downtown by yourself, this is the perfect way to explore OTR, with a large group of other history buffs.
Cincinnati and Civil War
Cincinnati and Civil War
Cincinnati and Civil War
Cincinnati and Civil War

One way or the other you need to attend this tour and discover a history of Cincinnati you may know little about. Entertaining, informative and the realization of a living and breathing history we interact with every day and haven't thought much about, you'll look at your surroundings with a new appreciation.
UPDATE: Cincinnati Re-adventure has just posted a review of the Queen City Underground[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati

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who gonna wear the drop inn center

wear?[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Final Friday August

Another beaut of an evening, eating wheels burgers, gabbing with the Al & Al show as they talked to people about yelp and helped sign them up.
Is there anyone not excited about the new Park+Vine location? I can't wait.
Final Friday August
Final Friday August
Final Friday August
I like these compositions, the two center pieces drawn by Becky Iker, an autistic artist and then painted by Bill Ross, a child-like naivete and joy comes right through them. I wish I would have bought one years ago when I first saw her work and they were more affordable.
Final Friday August
Final Friday August
Final Friday August
Final Friday August
Final Friday August
Final Friday August[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Big River The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

BIG RIVER
Photo courtesy Mikki Shaffner

The story of Tom's friend Huckleberry, as he grows up and learns a little more of the world, the bad and some good.
You know by now I'm not the biggest musical fan but I had a good feeling about this one and I wasn't wrong, the songs were witty, smart and once or twice a little bawdy. But it was all in good fun as although there were dark moments for the most part Big River is light hearted.
The performers, most notably Deondra Means as the slave Jim who had a voice that grabbed you and didn't let go, all sang their hearts out. And Micheal Carr as Pap had everyone's sides slitting in his tongue twisting rendition of Gov'ment. Ben Durocher and Zack Steele had chemistry that sold me they've known each other their whole lives.
The stage setup was sparse but the actors made good use of the few props and at times it actually felt like they were in the middle of the big river or dockside.
Guys, take your wives/girlfriends to see this one if you hate musicals, you'll enjoy it, and it'll get you out of the next big production to come through the Aronoff that invariably finds you sitting next to someone sobbing to music you don't understand.

The performances run the next three weekends at the Carnegie. Click here for more info.

August 20 7:30pm
August 21 7:30pm
August 22 3:00pm
August 27 7:30pm
August 28 7:30pm
August 29 3:00pm
September 3 7:30pm
September 4 3:00pm
September 4 7:30pm[where:1028 Scott Boulevard, Covington, KY 41011 ]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Nicholson’s closed for "renovations"

Nicholson's

Its funny how closed for "renovations" has become the cure for what ails you among restaurants and bars. I remember back when what was McFaddens closed for "renovations" when really they had been busted serving minors and were shutdown for 3 days.
Which takes us to last week, I met up with Dave, of UrbanCincy.com fame and his lovely fiancee after their epic cake tasting day for drinks at Nicholson's. Dave was in the mood for scotch and wanted a flight, the bartender mumbled something about not really having anything available for a flight and they went back and forth and a beer appeared.
What, you just decide on a beer Dave?
No, she decided I'd have a beer. Say Bob did you hear anything about them losing their liquor license?
Nope, that's weird, and we looked around 5pm on a weekday we were the only people in the bar. How weird is that?
And now they're closed for"renovations"

UPDATE:here it is from the State of Ohio DIVISION OF LIQUOR CONTROL

6392716
NICHOLSONS PUB LLC
625 WALNUT ST 1ST FL, MEZZANIN
CINCINNATI OHIO 45202
CANCELED DATE: 05/24/2010
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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your next best burger

While you sit peacefully at home on your couch blissfully unaware and watching Ultimate catch there's a war being waged on the streets of Cincinnati.
A life and death, give no quarter continual arms race and one up-manship.
They say in war there are no winners.
WRONG

The Rookwood
The Rookwood
The Rookwood

chicken fried bacon. it is all that.
The Rookwood
The Rookwood

Talking burgers last week with the 'Nomerati, she suggested we hit up The Rookwood on a Wednesday for their build your own burger special.
Whats that all about I asked?
dunno, that's why we need to go
Plus they give out a prize for the most creative burger.
Lets see, bacon check. fried bologna check. oh yeah liken this already.
and right about here my photo skills began to fail me
The Rookwood
The Rookwood

old skool, juice running down you hands, flavor packed burger.
this cannot be good for you, oh no, but it tastes sooo good.
And guess what, at the end of the meal the cook came out to talk to the 'Nomerati for her creation the "keep it classy" burger. All I remember is she had Velveeta on it, and that pushed it over the edge for him, so sometime soon she'll be back up there for a burger on the cooks tab.
The Rookwood
The Rookwood
The Rookwood
The Rookwood

We're all winners in the battle for Cincinnati's best burger. I don't know where it can go from here given the laws of diminishing returns, I'm left to splitting hairs now over a couple of the best burgers, but the Rookwood couple possibly have the best hamburger in Cincinnati.
The Rookwood Bar & Restaurant on Urbanspoon[where:1077 Celstial St, Cincinnati, OH 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati The Rookwood Pottery Co. Bar Restaurant Mt. Adams cincinnati ohio Maria Longworth Nichols Storer
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all the worlds a stage

~ In a drama of the highest order there is little food for censure or hatred; it teaches rather self-knowledge and self-respect. ~
Percy Bysshe Shelley

I know I'm mixing some quotes, but drama really does make the world go round. And even though I've been accused, maybe not totally unfairly of liking drama, its the good drama I really love. And what can be more dramatic than food? Whether its bursting into flames, or coming out of the oven absolutely perfect.
I think that's the big attraction it has for people on the internet, we're all intimately wrapped up in food.
So with all this in mind you can only imagine how excited I was to receive an invite to dine at Epi-Ventures awesome Mt Lookout home. Forgetting about food for a moment Courtney has the best blog in the world with her excellent writing and photography skills. I've always been insanely jealous of her food photography so you can imagine how I felt at my chance to touch some of that magic. When I pulled out the camera she even redid all the lighting for me, she's figured out all the best configurations for it.
epi-ventures
All the spoons aligned, not anal at all.
epi-ventures
epi-ventures
epi-ventures
epi-ventures[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Beered 'N Boiled

Crazy crazy stuff going on last night.
Remember that Christmas when you were 8 and you were expecting a run of the mill toy train but when you ripped the wrapping off the box it was a Lionel 6-30089 O Scale Pennsylvania Flyer Freight Train Set?
Remember?
Last night was exactly like that, I was expecting a low key night sitting around with some tweeps, a beer a sandwich, the usual.
What did I get? A full on sea food boil, a veritable feast, when they walked out and poured that food onto the table my head almost exploded. Totally unexpected and unusual.

Virgil's Cafe

Joe was generous enough to organize this whole thing, thanks Joe. And featuring Danica as our exclusive server.
Virgil's Cafe
Virgil's Cafe
Virgil's Cafe

One thing I've missed since moving to Cincinnati is good bread, you can argue all you want, but unless you've been to Little Italy in Cleveland you don't know what you're talking about.
Until last night that is, Virgil's has hands down, the best bread I've tasted almost anywhere.
Virgil's Cafe

I didn't know shrimp got this big, and I can't believe they were wasting it on a bunch of bloggers and twitter users. crazy heady stuff.
Virgil's Cafe

The beered part I understood until Molley walked out, how the hell can anyone drink a beer when you have the option of a Molley Wellman handcrafted cocktail?
Virgil's Cafe
Virgil's Cafe
Virgil's Cafe
Virgil's Cafe

Virgil's Cafe on Urbanspoon[where:710 fairfield ave. bellevue ky. 41073]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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