5chw4r7z

Sid Saturday

2012-01-28T08:01:00.001-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Raininati

2012-01-27T08:21:00.002-05:00

I'm requesting a name change.
Seattle ain't got nothing on us.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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welcome to....

2012-01-26T08:39:00.002-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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br00mball!!

2012-01-25T06:29:00.003-05:00

I'm enlisting Jon Gruden to edit all my broomball posts this year so keep in mind, imagine Jon's voice when reading the post.

Is there anything greater than broomball on a chilly downtown Cincinnati night? I don’t think so.
WOW what a week of broomball we had last week with the Little Kings dominating their opponents.
This week we have two defensive powerhouses squaring off defensively.

First off let me say, I really like this guy Dave Rolfes, always upbeat he’s a leader that el-A-vates everyone else on the ice. There's nothing else you can say about Dave, but I'm gonna anyhow.
You know what makes this guy special? His specialness.
I’m going to call the Little Kings the Silver Bullets, that would make Dave Rolfes the cold activated mountain. You can’t get the ball past that mountain let me tell you.

at this point I have to break in and point something out.
something that blew my mind.
the goals are six feet tall. this guy is a whole head taller than that.
he looked even bigger in real life.
no wonder no one has scored on the krogerizers this season.
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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meanwhile, over here on the internet there's not much to see

2012-01-24T06:12:00.004-05:00

except craziness and an excuse to have a pirate party

and a sushi rampage

this explains most of it
the rum tasted like candy, grab you some
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
2 comments

Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show

2012-01-23T06:23:00.002-05:00

Wednesday January 25th is buck night. $1 for adults.
You can park across the street from the convention center for $10, but even better you can park at Fountain Square for $5 and grab something to eat around the Square before or after the show. More info here.[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Sid Saturday

2012-01-21T07:29:00.001-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Parker Flats Friday

2012-01-20T07:22:00.002-05:00

My little corner of the world.
I came out and sat down as the Google van got to the end of McFarland.
If I would have been quicker I may have been in this Google street view.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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do we still need cameras?

2012-01-19T07:25:00.006-05:00

or is the cellphone camera good enough?
crazy what my iPhone will do now
but the real benefit is the instant feed back when people like your photos on flickr and instagram.
between that and watching what everyone else is doing you see what works and what doesn't and hopefully your pictures get better along the way.
or you don't care and your pictures suck forever, but there's a certain charm in that too
i'm not a hater

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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13

2012-01-18T07:37:00.002-05:00

Remember when you were 13? Everyone has that one favorite dish that they remember exactly how it tasted. Heck, you might even remember how it felt to chew, and the how it smelt coming out of the oven. You don't really get to chose what it is, but it always brings back a flood of memories.

For me, its these guys. A hotdog chopped up on an English muffin and slid under the broiler.
Now I'm not going to claim this is gourmet or anything, hell, the way things go maybe it is, but it brings back all those memories when I think about and cook it once every couple years.
So, what does it for you?
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
1 YUMM

MASCOT BROOMBALL

2012-01-17T06:56:00.002-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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I'm Feelin rough I'm Feelin raw I'm in the prime of my life

2012-01-16T07:24:00.002-05:00

If I had the money this could easily turn into a weekly ritual for me, a shave with a straight razor. Angelo Salzano used to be in Hyde Park but moved downtown so I just had a short walk there Friday morning. A walk that couldn't have felt much different than Skywalker's foray out in Hoth a little late in the day.
But the series of hot towels and applications of different lotions to the face had me forgetting that quick. Ever have a shave with a straight razor before? You can almost feel every individual hair popping off your face. Its an intense feeling. And I stifle a laugh when Angelo grabs my nose so he can shave up close. I imagine Bugs Bunny in his rendition of the Barber of Seville.
A shave like that just sets the tone for the whole day. The best start imaginable to a birthday.
A day I'm going to spend floaking. maybe it won't be the most incredible day ever, but it'll beat the heck out of Season 4 of Lost.

A celebration isn't complete without a cigar to mark the occasion, I have a gift card for Strauss floating around thanks to Mojojacob and MandiraJ and snatched up a Punch. Can't go wrong there.

Funny story, Zach and Steven from Fusian always call me Mr. 5chw4r7z, I always think of Alec Baldwin and want to laugh and tell them, no no please, just call me Mr. 5chw4r7z.

Sitting in Lackman someone comes in and orders three Yuenglings, you should have seen the constipated look on the bartenders face, boy did he look bitter. Well they pay the bills just the same as the other beers. Then talking to Doug he tells me he was in for a beer the other night when someone asks for any beer that "tastes like Bud Light".
Don't even know how to respond to that, has that guy not watched any ironic beer commercials lately.

This is what 140 pizzas a night looks like

Wagyu meatballs. I can die and go to heaven now

The cool thing is, I'm still kicking. Who would of guessed?
And as long as i can do a pushup for every year old I am I'm still putting up a fight.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Sid Saturday

2012-01-14T07:19:00.002-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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New York City Street Dancers

2012-01-13T06:51:00.002-05:00

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WTF Men's Health

2012-01-12T07:06:00.004-05:00

why you should read fine print on the internet

I was going to log into Men's Health with my twitter account

but I need to grant them authorization to

follow new people

post tweets from my timeline

CHANGE MY PROFILE???

come on!

maybe its boiler plate and they're covering all the bases

maybe they should hire a programmer

there has to be a better way to do it than this Men's Health

make it easier and safe for us to be engaged

not a dangerous twitter threatening exercise

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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on the riverfront

2012-01-11T07:08:00.002-05:00

as a bonus there's Jupiter in the upper left

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br00mball? no, its d00mball!!

2012-01-10T06:43:00.002-05:00

I'm enlisting Jon Gruden to edit all my broomball posts this year so keep in mind, imagine Jon's voice when reading the post.

I gotta tell ya something there’s something special about broomball night on Fountain Square in CIN-si-NATI!
You wanna talk about gutsy broomball players named Ken Burns and the first one you think of is the gutsy broomball player for the Little Kings and Queens. What a competitor! Whenever there's crunch time, Ken Burns takes a big bite out of it. he scored two goals, you know why? He’s a fighter, he’s always hungry. Ken Burns is the athlete of the family, that's for sure.
I want to call him the Energizer Bunny because he never stopped goin'! I've gotta tell ya', this guy's broomball mind is sharp as a tack.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Moerlein Lager House

2012-01-09T08:13:00.006-05:00

How ready are you for the Moerlein Lager House to open?
I'm clutching a handful of beer tokens in anticipation!

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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how a cliche is born

2012-01-08T07:27:00.002-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Sid Saturday

2012-01-07T12:07:00.001-05:00

[where: 45202]sid kitty cat cincinnati ohio parker flats lilac point siamese Oriental Siam
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New Years EveTime Lapse on Fountain Square

2012-01-06T06:53:00.004-05:00

video courtesy Fountain Square
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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br00mball!!

2012-01-05T06:23:00.003-05:00

I'm enlisting Jon Gruden to edit all my broomball posts this year so keep in mind, imagine Jon's voice when reading the post.

First off let me say, is there anything greater than broomball on a chilly downtown Cincinnati night?
OK, my MVP for the night is Jenn-NAY. Let me tell ya, if there was a vote right now, she would be the u-nan-i-mous Most Valuable Player of the entire FS Broomball League. She's all over the place and let me tell you what I like about her, Jenn-NAY never quits, she's a graduate of DAAP so she knows what hopeless looks like and she never lets it stop her. Jenn-NAY brings it, and not just on the ice, when I saw her at an OTR bar on New Years Eve she was headbutting guys and screaming BOO-YAA in their faces.

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

2012-01-04T06:03:00.002-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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New Years

2012-01-03T06:27:00.004-05:00

Another fantastic night for New Years, a beer and cigar on Fountain Square, trip to a house party a few blocks away, back to the Square for fireworks and then Japp's and hanging out with Molly and everyone else after midnight. It cannot get any better than that.

Someone in my twitter stream complaining about guys downtown in Tux jackets and jeans saying keep it classy.
Oh, I am, I am.

Hung out at Shebar's birthday/New Years party

Then back to the square which was wall to wall people. How nutz is this?

Then up to Japp's.
I'm celebrating and getting cardio all at the same time.

This isn't creepy at all

And we got to see the F-bomb while she was in town! #winning
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Happy New Year

2012-01-01T04:58:00.001-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Sid Saturday

2011-12-31T06:33:00.001-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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some of my favs

2011-12-30T06:27:00.003-05:00

A couple of my favorite pictures from the past year.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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does everyone in OTR have a good view?

2011-12-29T07:06:00.006-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
3 comments

Christ-ian Moerlein time

2011-12-28T09:52:00.007-05:00

The tokens are out of stock now, Moerlein sold 1,000 sets in two weeks.
Each of the tokens is redeemable for one Moerlein draft beer at the Moerlein Lager House.
How cool would it be if they expanded it to include a Moerlein beer at any bar in the city?
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Christmas Joy

2011-12-27T09:05:00.002-05:00

I wish I still had that excitement of opening a gift finding that Santa had brought me exactly what I had been wishing for the last two months.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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why I still believe in Santa

2011-12-26T08:00:00.003-05:00

...the message there is that faith in something that is not true, as long as it is faith in goodness, is worth the huge cover-up, while disbelieving leads to all types of evil behavior such as scooping pennies off the poor, scaring little children, and being a general stick in the mud.

- - Zulieka

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Sid Saturday

2011-12-24T07:19:00.001-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Parker Flats Friday

2011-12-23T07:15:00.002-05:00

"Every cigar goes up in smoke." ~ Brazilian proverb

I'm guessing something got lost there in translation, but I was thinking you know, you can't judge a book by its cover, or a cigar by its band. But you can judge a cigar by its ash. If it hangs in there forever its because of the quality of the tobacco and the craftsmanship that went into creating it. If those two things are there chances are its going to be a good tasting cigar.

A couple beautiful days recently, I wish all winter could be like this.
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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I hope everyone gets the best Christmas

2011-12-22T06:24:00.001-05:00

My father and Aunt

I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave New Year
All anguish pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'll be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on Earth
Hallelujah Noel be it Heaven or Hell
The Christmas you get you deserve

-- GET Greg Lake - I Believe In Father Christmas

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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shiny new hybrid buses

2011-12-21T06:13:00.004-05:00

I got to see my shiny Christmas present from Cincinnati Metro, new hybrid buses!
So new, I could have been the first person to sit in them, who knows. These are still the "conventional" hybrids. Batteries, regenerative braking, all that good stuff.
Not the buses expected to debut later with super high tech jet fighter cooling technology. The buses were purchased with help from a number of Federal, State and local clean fund programs. In addition to saving fuel the buses will produce 820 tons less greenhouse emissions.
I can breath better already.

The bus drivers are busier than I would have ever expected, it almost looks like the cockpit of a plane.
Almost.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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frankencookieII

2011-12-20T08:52:00.005-05:00

Remember the 'Nomerati's frankencookie back in September and how crazy that was. I've always admired her fearlessness around food. So taking a page out her book we've been kicking around our version of it, chocolate chip Girl Scout thin mint frankencookies.

I hate when you keep the chocolate chips too long and the wax has started baking out of them.

About the richest thing you can imagine, and filling, you're actually eating three cookies at once. Or as the 'Nomerati said,
I heard you like cookies, so I put a cookie in your cookie so you could eat cookies while you were eating cookies
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Light up OTR

2011-12-19T09:28:00.002-05:00

And a downtown dazzle on the way.

Framester had a projector set up to shine the pictures up onto the side of Neon's, crackin idea as everyone could enjoy the pictures as they were shot, people were getting more and more creative with the feed back.
Master of ceremonies was Chris Seelbach, the first openly vegan councilman elected in Cincinnati.

dang paparazzi

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Sid Saturday

2011-12-17T00:16:00.002-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Light Up Over-the-Rhine, tonight

2011-12-16T07:30:00.002-05:00

Don't forget tonight is Light Up OTR, don't worry about freezing, we're all going to be jammed into neon's so tight we'll be warm as a bug in a rug.
Also over 1000 luminaries framing an 8-block radius from Central Parkway to Liberty Avenue.
Get there early to shop shop and sight see then get to Neon's at 10pm for the lighting of the tree.
If we're lucky Michael Johnson of the Bengals will be there and say "not sure why I'm here, Merry Christmas and drink up"

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Findlay market construction

2011-12-15T16:25:00.003-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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City Flea

2011-12-14T08:08:00.003-05:00

Where we walk around buying crafts looking to see what everyone is eating and drinking. Then buying something warm to drink and talking to everyone about what they've purchased.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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its not just for breakfast anymore

2011-12-13T08:55:00.006-05:00

Thats right starting tonight Taste of Belgium will be open for dinner. We went last Friday to a reservation only night and I found that their dinner is every bit as good as what you've come to expect from their breakfast and lunches.
I got a burger because I'm just that original, and the deserts are incredible.

The Taste of Belgium brew Jean-François says is brand new to the US, a pilsner but much smaller production than Stella and tastier. The only place in Ohio you can get Blanche de Bruxelles is right here, that's what I had. Taste has six Belgium beers on tap and 30 in bottles at virtually any price point you could want.

The chefs table, Jean-François told me "You can book to the table for a minimum of 10 people, up to 14 people can sit. We do a prix fix menu, 4 courses plus desert. We're open to special diet requests if guests let us know in advance."

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
6 comments

vintage Christmas

2011-12-12T09:41:00.001-05:00

I never tire of these pictures, the first of Ms. 5chw4r7z's mom, and one of her aunt. Downtown Cleveland, I think it was Higbee's but I'm not sure.
I feel bad for kids that will never know the joy of finding boxes full of pictures from parents and grandparents like this. Unless they somehow find joy in googling and discovering new flickr pics. But somehow I doubt the thrill would be the same.

best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Secret Cigar Society

2011-12-11T07:37:00.003-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Sid Saturday

2011-12-10T07:34:00.001-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Xtrasmall vs Xtrabig

2011-12-09T07:26:00.009-05:00

I've know Mark Byron a couple years now, first met him when he was shooting pictures at the Gateway Quater Summer Celebration in OTR. I've been a big fan of his ever since, his photos always inspire me to be a better photographer. Do you remember back in October on Rhonda's blog, My Life at Arnold's ran a story about Mark and his his Great Great Great Grandfather's pictures of the S.S. Normandie shot in the 1930's I thought, wow how incredible would it be to see those pictures!
I was super excited to get invited to a gallery show in Mark's studio to view them, blown up and projected onto the wall the old pictures were stunning. Amazing even.
And if you've never seen Mark's work before check out his website.
~~Between that and Lisa Phillips Beysiegel on the floor below showing her work~~ Mark told me the art on the second floor is from a group of Miami Oxford University students.
Their show;

Mark's father's camera. What passed for a pocket camera back then? A Voigtlander Vitessa, the cool thing about this camera is that the film advance and shutter cocking are operated with a plunger rod.

The pictures of the Normandy, shot on its maiden voyager with a large format camera on glass plate negatives.

Strolling around the space and KA-POW!!!!

The man himself, Mark Byron
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Holiday Condo Tour

2011-12-08T07:42:00.004-05:00

Six different condo's downtown were open for tours last night and the take away from the three we went through was bricks and views. If we ever move a brick wall will be one of our must haves. After that what really stuck out were window treatments. I'm not in the business but cloth curtains? Didn't feel right to me. And since it was a holiday tour I was expecting holiday decorations. None unless you count Christmas cookies, I've eaten my body weight in Christmas cookies this week.
Fountain Square Lofts

The Fort Washington

The Graydon Lofts

AHHH there's a tree!!

On a side note, if you don't have a contract on a Parker Flats condo as of yesterday forget it you're s#!t out of luck, they're all gone.[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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A Fairytale of New York

2011-12-07T08:13:00.003-05:00

This is my favorite non-traditional Christmas song ever.
A happy little Christmas ditty of dysfunction, misplaced expectations and domestic violence.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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NYC miss me like Earl

2011-12-06T07:00:00.006-05:00

More than anything when we visited NYCI wanted to see the Highline, the elevated rail line that after years of political infighting produced a spectacular park on the ~~east~~ west side of Manhattan. When we got there it didn't disappoint, I almost forgot being in a huge city while floating a couple stories above it. The designers did an incredible job with the greenery juxtaposed against the steel and concrete.
And of course the developments that have sprung are super cool too.

I was itching to smoke a cigar, it was a very pleasant afternoon but I suppose if I were to fire up a cigar on the Highline in NYC it would have been an affront to nature and surely prove absolutely my lack of any claim to belong to a civilized society. Or any kind of society for that matter
I imagine people being embarrassed for me, but too dignified to abuse me by listing my short comings as a human being.
So I didn't.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
5 comments

all access

2011-12-05T08:35:00.002-05:00

Long story short I ended up with an all access pass for the Bearcats game Saturday. I was imagining a beer fountain and gold leaf lobster tail but the reality ended up being a little less fantastic than that.

I need some of this to shoot sports. If I cared that much about shooting sports.

looks like Techmo Bowl

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Sid Saturday

2011-12-03T07:47:00.001-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Republic and 15th

2011-12-02T07:11:00.006-05:00

With rentals getting snapped up seemingly as fast as they're available I think this development in OTR is really cool, we got a tour of it on the Spirit of Christmas Tour last weekend to show what could be done with an abandoned church. The ground level is currently used as a fab shop but the top of the church has been turned into two airy light filled apartments.
At the time this church was built churches all had a large community room on ground level and you went up steps to the level where services were held.
And they aren't that expensive, at least by downtown standards for something this large and cool, they're talking $900 - 1000 range. I know I'll get blasted for calling a grand a month affordable but that's where we're headed like it of not.
The two apartments should be available around April 2012.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
5 comments

Christmas time is here again..

2011-12-01T06:46:00.004-05:00

Not everyone can get a Jane Seymour open-heart pendant for Christmas.
But everyone can walk around downtown and look in windows decorated for Christmas.
My favorite time of the year downtown is Christmas time, almost like living in one of those old movies where everyone walks around wide eyed.
And lucky for us Landor is helping Race St get that Christmas feeling going already.

And if you turn the corner onto Shillito Place they have an interactive window using Windows Kinect. I think.
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Spirit of Christmas Tours

2011-11-30T06:48:00.004-05:00

American Legacy Tours' newest guided tour, The Spirit of Christmas Tour, features access to some of the most interesting churches in OTR. And not just the churches, the tour winds in and out of streets and alleys that even some OTR residents may rarely venture down.
Who knew along with everything else that Cincinnati was also a leader in religion both regionally and globally? Learn about two Rabbis’ wanting to get the youth more involved who ended up creating a new holiday celebration that swept the globe.
A couple of these churches are in poor condition and the community rooms are utilized for services now. So see these incredible architectural assets before they're gone.
One other thing I learned that wasn't on the itinerary, kids are genetically programed to cry when setting foot inside church, doesn't matter what for. When that happens just remember images of Jesus surrounded by children. He loved and welcomed them so it’s all part of the package.

The tour ends at St. Francis Seraph Church and Friary, where Brother Tim has collected nativity scenes from around the world.

Only three dates are left:

Saturday, December 3
Saturday, December 10
Saturday, December 17

Tickets are $20 for adults.
Tickets for kids 16 and under are $5.
You can use the code "facebook" to save $5.00 online only.

TWO MORE WEEKENDS LEFT FOR THE UNDERGROUND Tour which I also highly recommend.[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati

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OTRespresso tour, at least that's what it was supposed to be

2011-11-29T07:11:00.007-05:00

Did you see all the AmEx advertising for Small Business Saturday last week? Anyone see the irony of a corporation as big as American Express trying to get you to shop local? Well if nothing else it got them some buzz. And it netted me a cool $25 gift card courtesy of Cincinnati Shopping Main Street.

I addition to some local shopping I got it in my head to do an espresso tour of OTR. Then I opened my mouth about it and backed myself into a corner and had to do it. A word of advice from someone who's been there though, do not start your espresso marathon with three cups of coffee at Taste of Belgium like I did.
After breakfast I ordered up the first espresso.
Did you know with enough caffeine you can see into the infrared spectrum?
Also blue light smells like bananas. Its amazing.

Once upon a time there was only retail in the "Q", then it all left and the restaurants moved in.
Now retail is coming back.
They both lived happily ever after the end.
Sloane Boutique, the newest retail in the "Q"

After buzzing around OTR for awhile, you know how once in awhile you take the car out on the expressway to blow the carbon out? I was doing 120 on the autobahn walking down main St. And stop number two, Park+Vine for another espresso. I have to tell you after that one I could hear dog whistles.

I was supposed to do the Coffee Emporium and Dojo also but those will have to wait for another day.
I'm going to skip the warmup coffees too.
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
5 comments

Light up the Square

2011-11-28T06:58:00.006-05:00

The official start to downtown's Christmas season gets bigger each year. They estimated 15,000 people were there. 5th and Vine were closed to traffic to accommodate everyone.
Amazing to think less than a month ago downtown was fodder for politicians and city haters.
"you'll get shot"
"no one goes there"
But what is everyone's first thought when they want an authentic experience? Lets grab the kids and head downtown!
Yep, crazy but true.
Its not Rockefeller Square yet but Fountain Square keeps building on one success after another.
15,000 people? if there were 5,000 there for the Obama rally a few years ago there were easily 3 times that many people in and around the Square Friday.

Zipline Santa! I guess some older curmudgeons weren't amused but everyone around us though it rather amusing.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Sid Saturday

2011-11-26T07:19:00.001-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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the day after

2011-11-25T09:36:00.003-05:00

I hope everyone had a fabulous and delicious Thanksgiving. I know I did.
Just a reminder, today and tomorrow is Holidays in the Bag in OTR, buy a reusable bag for $5 with proceeds going to the Freestore Foodbank and everything you can stuff in it is 25% off at participating OTR merchants.
When you go, look for me floaking around, I've got gifts to purchase too.

yeah, this is where all the real damage was done.
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T10:31:00.001-05:00

The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread. ~ Mother Teresa

I'm thankful for ms 5chw4r7z, my family and friends, by this measure I'm very rich indeed.

And now for some crazy Turkey Trotters working an appetite

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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we were the kings and queens of promise

2011-11-23T07:50:00.004-05:00

What you are shouts so loudly, that I cannot hear what you say
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Cincinnati isn't just a city, its an ideal.
People point out the downsides but I’m not interested in those, Cincinnati is an ideal to aspire too, a concept, for everyone's "Cincinnati" is a little different. Once we have the Banks, the streetcar a hopping OTR there will always be something else to reach for, and that’s ok. The city is a living breathing entity and creative destruction is real, a thriving city is not a destination but a moving target.

It shouldn't surprise me but it still does, I'm constantly amazed that there are people who hate everything I love most about Cincinnati.

I was about to go on a rant but why? I've relaxed since Nov 8th.
There are people out there who take the easy route trying to tear others down instead of working to better themselves, it gets tiring sometimes.
Hmmm, on second thought that isn't an easy route, its just a dead end.
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
1 comments

Crafty Supermarket is the new black

2011-11-22T07:25:00.006-05:00

The Crafty Supermarket is definitely not your grandma's craft market with knit dollies.
Hip, smart fine crafts, clothing you need for hanging out in the sudden fashion scene that OTR has become. Or artwork for placing ironically in your modern downtown loft even. I'm not making fun of it, the stuff was all sophisticated and well made.

Grace and her high tech Indie Craft Trend Generator and my little comment on whats hip.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Balluminaria 2011

2011-11-21T08:16:00.001-05:00

I got to this thing way too early, and when I got there Mirror Lake was completely surrounded already. I wonder what time all these guys got there. They've moved this thing a back a week, last year that caught me out and I missed it. Judging from the comments on twitter and Instagram lots of people still got caught out this year too. At least it was warm this year, past years my resolve had worn out from frozen fingers and toes before I was done taking pictures. Not this year.
If they charged admission for tripods they'd make a fortune.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Sid Saturday

2011-11-19T06:22:00.001-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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5th annual Cincinnati Unchained and Holidays in the Bag

2011-11-18T08:22:00.002-05:00

Last night we were treated to a mini “Taste of Over-the-Rhine” with venders serving their specialties as we learned about events for the upcoming Holiday Shopping/Event Season in OTR.

Jean-François Flechet, owner of taste of Belgium and Rob Williams, Fox19 news anchor
80 local businesses throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will offer shoppers specials this Saturday during the fifth annual Cincinnati Unchained, an event created to encourage shoppers to purchase holiday gifts from local, independent stores.

For every dollar spent at a chain $0.57 leaves the community.
For every dollar spent at a local independant store $0.73 stays in your community.
Local businesses get less subsidies and pay more tax per acre than chains. Money spent at a local independent shop is an investment in your neighborhood. Independent businesses recirculate revenue locally twice as much and have four times the economic impact per square foot while consuming a fraction of the land.

So I want to be clear, you don't have to drive to OTR to shop but you can. Support the independent merchants closest in your neighborhood.

For a full list of participating businesses and more information click here.

This Saturday, the 19th is going to be a busy day. We have in addition to Unchained;

Balluminaria in Eden Park beginning at 4pm

Crafty Supermarket Holiday Show! at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center

CINCINNATI CORNHOLE CHAMPIONSHIP at the American Can Lofts

Sloane Boutique Grand Opening Party 1216 Vine Street OTR

Looking ahead to next week we have;

OTR Bar Crawl, Wednesday November 23rd

Spend the night before Thanksgiving in Over-the-Rhine. A unique drink will be available at each bar or restaurant in the neighborhood, including Abigail Street, A Tavola, Senate, Lavomatic, The Lackman, MOTR, Neon’s, Grammer’s and The Drinkery!

Holidays in the Bag, Friday November 25th

Avoid the rush of the malls by shopping Over-the-Rhine for unique, local gifts in a relaxed atmosphere. Over-the-Rhine is holding its fourth Holidays in the Bag event. Buy the official reusable holiday shopping bag at Coffee Emporium on Central Parkway or other retail shops in OTR from November 21 – 25 and receive a 20% discount at participating stores. Proceeds from the sales of the holiday bags benefit the Freestore Foodbank.

And much much more, check out the full holiday schedule HERE
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Please Don't Tell

2011-11-17T06:00:00.007-05:00

If you are going to have friends, and I highly recommend you do, you should have at least one friend who knows everyone.
Take for example our recent trip to New York when we met up with Jackie and she handed us a card and told us to call the number. Now this seems like one of those things that all the planning and Googling in the world couldn't have prepared us for.

A call was placed and instructions given, go to a nondescript hot dog joint and proceed to a phone booth located inside. So that’s exactly what we did, jumped the 6 train to 8th St and walked to the Crif Dogs, a little dive joint on a tree lined street.

We walked in, looked around for the phone booth went in and lifted the receiver. A second or two later the back of the booth opens and in we go to a cozy low ceiling dark room. Now they only let one person in for every seat so there’s no crowding, no shouting or loud music. Just a nice quiet drink with the one you love.
perfect.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
4 comments

if blogging had existed in 1993

2011-11-16T01:02:00.014-05:00

back when Evel Knievel was still alive
before the lawyers and pussies took over the country
the 5chw4r7z blog would have..
run on pure grain alcohol, punched you in the face and stole your girlfriend

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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s'mores and s'longs

2011-11-15T08:03:00.004-05:00

All up in OTR to send off everyone's favorite nanny, the eff-bomb. We met up at the next best place to your backyard, Neon's on what ended up being a damn nice day weather wise. Everyone set her up with a Cincinnati care package loaded with food and mementos.
So yeah, we're losing Effie for awhile but I've admired people who chase good opportunities, it seems like its so hard to do even when its the right thing. But, its 2011 and with social media its going to be like she's right here anyhow. She'll be missed but no way forgotten.
Break a leg and give our regards to Broadway Stephie.

And like a moth to a flame the Neon's fire pits beg for marshmallows, the 'Nomerati can never resist a reason to cook and brought along all the s'more fixins you could ever want.
I have this roasting marshmallow thing down to a science thanks to years of Boy Scout camp-outs.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Findlay Market #instameet

2011-11-14T07:33:00.005-05:00

When Kevin Dugan proposed a Findlay Market photo walk the gears started turning, I've shot a thousand photo there so what was left to take a picture of?
People of course was my only answer.
Now the main thrust of the #instameet was to use the Instagram app on your iPhone but any kind of camera/app was welcome and I decided I would forgo a conventional lens and take all the pictures with either the Holga or Lensbaby.

[where: 45202]Findlay Market Cincinnati Ohio otr over rhine over-the-rhine historic oldest public market National Register of Historic Places 1852 food produce meat #instameet #cincysm
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Roebling

2011-11-13T07:52:00.001-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati

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Sid Saturday

2011-11-12T09:11:00.003-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
2 meows

Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T06:45:00.006-05:00

Those adverse to violence will always be subject to those who aren't
~ Sgt. Brad 'Iceman' Colbert

History teaches that war begins when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap.
~ Ronald Reagan

I hope everyone takes a moment today to think about the sacrifices that veterans made to get us where we are today.
Tell them thanks.

Thanks
dad 5chw4r7z!

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
2 comments

Queen City Underground tour

2011-11-10T07:31:00.007-05:00

The newest of American Legacy Tours, the Queen City Underground tour provides a snapshot of 1900 OTR and the years before and after when 136 breweries sat on Vine St stretching from the river to McMicken Ave. If you know anything about Cincinnati you know that Cincinnatians have always liked their beer, now find out the rest of the story.
If you haven't been on one of American Legacy's tours yet, what are you waiting for? These walks are researched so thoroughly they have become a tourist destination in themselves with a quarter of their customers driving two hours or more to participate.
Ok, lets cut to the chase, what are some of the things you'll learn about?
Why were there so many Germans there? And why did they disappear?
Where did the Symphony get its start? It may not have been high brow back then.
Where did Boss Cox chart Cincinnati politics?
The tours will run on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 11:30am but ours started on an evening that felt an awful lot like Halloween.
The buildings are only haunted for your haunted tours right? I asked nervously.
All I got in return was a smile.

Did you know there are two Shillito elves in the City Haus window? Doesn't cost anything to walk by and look. Bring the kids.

Why are there huge wiring boxes on the third floor of this building for what passed as high tech communications in the 1950s?

The highlight of the tour for me were these amazing tunnels, they stretched forever. I was going to warn you to wear heavy shoes on this tour until I noticed this girl in sandals.
You know, you should probably wear heavy shoes anyhow.

The last stop was St. Francis Seraph, the 1st Catholic church in Cincinnati with a crypt located under the alter.

You can go HERE for more information and to purchase tickets. If you love Cincinnati and Cincinnati history any of these tours are a must. The Queen City Underground is worth it to me just to see the tunnels where beer was stored and moved around in secret.
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Issue 48, goodbye and good riddance

2011-11-08T23:23:00.002-05:00

Good job Cincinnati, we

elected a council for progress
AND defeated an anti-progress amendment

Now the streetcar can move forward, along with the city and region.
This shovel ready project will mean instant jobs for the city and renewed investment.
The future looks bright.

As for the The CAVE* men...

*Citizens Against Virtually Everything[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati

1 comments

Johnny Appleseed

2011-11-08T07:48:00.005-05:00

I was born in north central Indiana lived there a few years them moved to Massillon, Ohio for some years then ended up in Youngstown. Up until a certain age it seems like every year we talked about Johnny Appleseed in history. Imagine how shocked I was to see this monument in Spring Grove. How the heck did I live in Cincinnati for seven years and not know he was buried here? And how did he end up in Cincinnati? Seems to me he was always cutting back and forth across the northern half of the state. Not only that, just to see the monument itself, I tend to forget these mythological figures of American folklore were living breathing historical people. John Chapman, knowing his real name makes him seem more human.

But no, when I got home and hit wikipedia I found he is buried in Fort Wayne.
Fort Wayne?
That seems even more unlikely than Cincinnati. If anything I would have expected Mansfield, Lima or Massillon.
Even Cleveland where I guess he owned land.
But why a memorial here where there is no evidence he even stepped foot?
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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need a brunch spot downtown? how about Nicholson's

2011-11-07T07:00:00.004-05:00

People are always asking me, "whats the brunch hot spot downtown for Sunday?" I've always had one answer, Nada.
But now there's a new spot demanding serious consideration, Nicholson's.
We couldn't pass up a change to sample the new brunch menu with the Nomerati's, good food, good friends, blah blah blah etc.
So with a brunch companions at the table and Shelia Grey at a table on one side of us and Molly Wellmann at a table at the other, no way was this going to be a boring meal.
Nicholson's chefs have whipped up a varied selection of dishes with a Scottish twist, there should be something for everyone even if like me you don't stray far from American fare. And the cocktail selection is very imaginative.

Laura started off a twitter avalanche with her selection of the Breakfast Fizz containing Bacon infused bourbon, Cointreau, maple syrup, lemon juice, seltzer and a slice of bacon. It ended with someone on twitter remarking that it sounded gross.
Really?
I can't think of anything I've ever consumed that contained bacon and wasn't fantastic. A sip of this drink included.

Ms 5chw4r7z's Prince’s St. Sunrise.
Someone at Molly's table had a Bloody Mary with a beef straw. I know right? Crazy.

There were a number of things I wanted to try but settled on the Shepherd’s Pie Tart containing Beef and lamb filled pie crust, topped with a free range fried egg. very flavorful. Other food ordered at the table, The Beef Short Ribs Benedict and a NicGriddle.

Also ordered were the Chicken & Waffle Sliders, which Tony Shaw the bar manager at Nicholson's admitted were still a work in progress. It was a handful, there's talk of cutting the waffles in half, and maybe some extra sauce on the side? Don't let this scare you off as it might be totally redone when you make it in, just be sure to ask some questions.

So there you go, next time you are staying downtown, or if you live here, there's another spot for an incredible brunch.
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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the lumix

2011-11-06T07:42:00.001-05:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Sid Saturday

2011-11-05T07:24:00.001-04:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Spring Grove Cemetery

2011-11-04T07:31:00.009-04:00

On the National Register of Historic Places in recognition for its design, the cemetery as a lawn. It was one of the first, if not the first cemetery to adopt landscape design in the layout of its grounds. As I walked around I marveled at the various tombstones and memorials and thought about how much it reminded me of Père Lachaise in Paris. But that's crazy, just because I've been to Paris doesn't mean it has influenced everything, especially in the heavily German influenced Cincinnati. So imagine my surprise when I got home, opened Wikipedia and found out that Spring Grove Cemetery took their inspiration from the contemporary rural cemeteries Père Lachaise in Paris, and Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Spring Grove is the second largest cemetery in the U.S. that too is incredible.

Where Père Lachaise is dominated by large boisterous crows, Spring Grove had its robins and geese.

We get lost, but we never mind, getting lost and walking in a circle lead us to Christian Moerlein who's grave site we never would have seen. Greg Hardman, beer baron extraordinaire told me "I bring him a beer on his birthday every year...no kidding..."
There is some Cincinnati trivia for you.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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The Emery Theatre, a Requiem Project

2011-11-03T07:25:00.007-04:00

The Emery Theatre, ever enduring has been reborn numerous times in its life dating back to when it opened in 1911 and then hosted the Cincinnati Orchestra through 1936. The last couple decades has seen it tangled by mortgages with no funding for restoration. But now the historic theater should be ready for local arts by January 2012. With its perfect acoustics, it amazed me how even normal conversations traveled through the space, the theater could not be kept dark forever and now with an OTR renaissance, a renewed focus on the urban core and the promise of a streetcar line a block away the Emery Theatre is bursting with potential.

We received a personal tour from Tara Gordon and Tina Manchise, the founders of the Requiem Project. the theater will not be restored by the reopening on 11/11/11 but it will be in functional condition. It has received a thorough scrubbing and the transformation from when I saw it last winter is amazing.

To kick off the space in grand style, the band Over the Rhine will play, there is a full slate of events planned for the evening, you can get more information and purchase tickets here.

In the meantime check out the space and the progress that has been made at The Emery Theatre.
Tina and Tara second and third from left talking about their vision for the Emery and what brought them to this point.

one of the many dressing rooms

Dang you Shebar

a parlor upstairs

the ceiling in the women's room

back stage

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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COAST demands right to lie

2011-11-02T18:02:00.004-04:00

Its a shame laws like this have to be passed, its an even bigger shame people are trying to overturn them. I don't see how you can come to any other conclusion than that this is an admission of guilt.
I just received this press release from Cincinnatians for Progress.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COAST DEMANDS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO LIE

COAST today filed a suit in federal court in Cincinnati seeking to overturn Ohio's law against false statements in issue campaigns.

Last week, Cincinnatians for Progress filed charges with the Ohio Elections Commission citing COAST's use of known false statements in its campaign to pass Issue 48, a wide-ranging rail ban in Cincinnati until 2021.

Instead of simply appearing at the commission to defend its behavior, COAST is asking the federal court to issue an injunction against a hearing.

COAST claims Ohio Revised Statute 3517.22 violates constitutional free-speech protection. The statute makes it a crime -- punishable by prison and fines – to “Post, publish, circulate, distribute, or otherwise disseminate, a false statement, either knowing the same to be false or acting with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not, that is designed to promote the adoption or defeat of any ballot proposition or issue.”

Cincinnatians for Progress stands behind Ohio's exemplary standards for fair, honest elections. We believe Cincinnati voters do too, and will not be swayed by this desperate ploy to waste time and taxpayers' money on promoting COAST's deceptive agenda.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Rally for Rail

2011-11-02T07:58:00.004-04:00

The rally started with a pep talk from Mayor Mallory and Rob Richardson outlining just what they expect the streetcar to do, attract business and people to the city. The Mayor, "Will we lose opportunity? NO, we didn't before [Issue 9 in 2009] and we won't now." Issue 48 will cause Cincinnati to lose opportunity.
The Mayor also talked about how opposition to the streetcar would have you believe that business does not support rail. Nothing could be further from the truth. All the big companies in Cincinnati support it. P&G, Duke and others have given financial support for the project.

Doug Sizemore, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Cincinnati AFL-CIO: We cannot support a charter Amendment that will stifle growth for ten years."

Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Oregon held up a bowl of candy and asked, "Trick or treat?" With Issue 48 all you get is the trick.

Congressman Blumenauer talked about Salt lake city's streetcar, which was controversial but at no time did anyone suggest outlawing rail. Their downtown is now turning around.
He went on to rip into issue 48 citing that he has never seen a community voting to put itself into hibernation for ten years. The congressman stated No city should tie one hand behind its back and 48 offers no sense into where the community is going. Cincinnati deserves better. 48 will allow people with no vision to tie down the work of those trying to improve the city

The biggest surprise of the evening for me? Seeing P.G. Sittenfeld in the back of the room. Months ago P.G. was evading all questions about the streetcar, but as politicians do, once he saw which way the wind was blowing he's picked a side.
UPDATE: OK this wasn't meant to be a slam on P.G. as much as a confirmation that Issue 48 doesn't stand a chance.

P.G. Sittenfeld photo courtsey @BRADLEYWTHOMAS[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Final Friday October

2011-11-01T10:38:00.003-04:00

Best idea ever, pre-made packs of 2 s'mores with homemade marshmellows. A small grill outside of Smartfish and we were all good to go.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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I don't know how it starts, but this is how it ends

2011-10-31T08:17:00.002-04:00

Zombie apocalypse on Fountain Square

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Sid Saturday

2011-10-29T07:03:00.002-04:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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closing the gate on 48

2011-10-28T11:25:00.003-04:00

I just received this press release from Cincinnatians for Progress.
They now have the release posted on their website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In an action filed today with the Ohio Elections Commission, Cincinnatians for Progress formally charged COAST with knowingly making false statements to affect the outcome of the Issue 48 election vote.
The case cites twenty instances in the past two months in which COAST made false statements in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 3517.22. Most claim the city has taken funds away from fire services to fund the streetcar project.
The Revised Code specifies those found guilty of violating Section 3517.22 "shall be imprisoned for not more than six months or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both."
Cincinnatians for Progress is leading the effort to defeat Issue 48, which would prohibit the city from investing in rail transit until 2021.
COAST has conducted a relentless campaign of deliberate misinformation about Issue 48 in the face of definitive evidence that their statements are wrong. Not only are the facts widely available in local media and city records, they have been provided directly to COAST officials by the city.
Our goal in filing this action to to assure that city voters can cast their ballots based on accurate, authoritative information.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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steam punk park

2011-10-28T07:24:00.003-04:00

Night and day. Soft and hard. Green plants and stark streets. The juxtaposition of the High Line and the Meat Packing District in New York City couldn't be more striking. Rough cobblestone, bricks and graffiti giving way to lush vegetation as you climb the steps and pass the portal into the park. Its amazing how the whole neighborhood seemed, to me at least, frozen between what was before and what is to come after the park has been created. Trendy restaurants and expensive boutiques carved out of old warehouses.

When you leave the park for some lunch, it really strikes you just how amazing the park is floating above the city like some steam punk H.G. Wells creation. One thing is for sure the MPD doesn't lack for outdoor dining, our table was right on the sidewalk, it almost felt like a Parisian Cafe.
Interesting watching limo's and taxis pull up and disgorge women wearing impossibly high and thin heels risking ankles as they tight rope walked to the side walk and surer footing.

Just a first impression as I knock out a few of the hundreds of pictures I took in NYC[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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48 will devAstate

2011-10-27T06:00:00.004-04:00

Lets see, as I peruse their twitter stream I see hundreds of retweets, they are retweeting everyone who complains about about the smell on trains and buses.
So this is the downfall of America? They can't come up with one compelling argument why not to build the streetcar.
Since the person who runs the Coast twitter account compared the streetcar to 9/11 on 9/11 obviously he isn't the transit expert. So I found a video of who he claims is their transit expert.

Are you really gonna bet Cincinnati's future on these guys?

Vote No on issue 48[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati

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Sid Saturday

2011-10-22T07:50:00.004-04:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
6 meows

downtown Landor inspires you

2011-10-21T08:00:00.002-04:00

Living Landor.
OK, yes it cheesy, but I like the it. I think everyone should have a personal mission statement.
Not to settle. To ask questions. To walk one more block to see what that is.
Curiosity, or as I like to call it, being nosey.
Curiosity and a very low tolerance for boredom is what drives me.[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati

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I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees

2011-10-20T05:20:00.004-04:00

Stand up straight at the foot of your love
I'll lift my shirt up
Stand up straight at the foot of your love
I'll lift my shirt up

I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees
I never married but Ohio don't remember me
~ Bloodbuzz Ohio by The National

For Bethany whose fault it is Bloodbuzz Ohio is stuck in my head.

I couldn't make heads or tails of what the lyrics meant but luckily Bethany gave her opinion and some others she'd found online. Long story short what Bethany said in her blog comments...

"This song is about being underwater financially on his home and being in debt to the creditors to the point he will never be able to repay his loans. The writer is on a blood-buzz because the blood has been sucked out of him. He has given his creditors the shirt off of his back and his head is now an ornament on their car. He never thought about love when he thought about home is a polite way of saying that he's been f__ked in a real estate transaction along with everyone he knows, whose floors are falling out from under them."

Kind of amazing the song pulled me to this picture. The subject has run out of options and money and is living in a junkyard, in a bus with his wife and no electricity or running water.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati

1 comment

BB Riverboats

2011-10-19T07:32:00.001-04:00

A nice way to kill a few hours and catch of view of the city and river you don't normally get.
If you go, don't get the diner package, they stick everyone in the middle of the boat, not sure how much they saw. We ate before hand then just hit the bar on board.
I'm not going to say a river cruise on BB Riverboats is a must do, but if you have out of town guests its a good time.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati

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Seventh Street

2011-10-18T08:25:00.002-04:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
1 comments

Youngstown

2011-10-17T09:25:00.004-04:00

Mob town, boom town, bomb town

I thought maybe it had out grown all this but I still hear it, mostly from people not from Youngstown. But its coming around, slowly. I went back last weekend, a cold cloudy blustery day for what used to be a gritty town. I didn't get much time to look around, downtown is still on an upswing it felt like. It looks and feels really small town now after living in Cincinnati for years.
On the way in drove past this little outdoor museum surrounded by No Trespassing signs.

Some of the specialized equipment used in the steel mills, hot ore or slag?

0-4-0 Davenport Gas Mechanical Engine

Youngstown Sheet & Tube 0-4-0 Plymouth EL Engine #320

0-4-0 N. G. Steam Engine

[where: 45202]Mahoning Valley Railroad Heritage Association youngstown ohio
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floaking

2011-10-16T07:54:00.002-04:00

hey 5chw4r7z sup?

not much butterfly, walking around enjoying the day.

cool

yep, trying to keep it light, not get weighted down by life

good for you

taking time to stop and smell the roses

that's the name of the game

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Sid Saturday

2011-10-15T07:45:00.001-04:00

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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lets keep Cincinnati on the right track

2011-10-14T07:03:00.002-04:00

As Jerry McGuire once famously said, “It’s an up-at-dawn, pride swallowing siege…”
A fundraiser/pep rally to kick off the campaign to defeat issue 48 was held last night at Japp’s on Main St, literally on the streetcar route. I heard many encouraging things, one of the more interesting that Duke has done some investigation into the streetcar and is now on board with the idea and has put money towards it, good news.

The politics on this keep getting crazier and crazier.
Wednesday the County Commissioners voted not to do federally-mandated sewer upgrades during streetcar construction actually lowering the cost for the streetcar construction and up to doubling their own costs.

Also on Wednesday Retired Federal Judge Nathaniel Jones, the former General Counsel for the NAACP, and Doctor Milton Hinton, former head of the Cincinnati chapterof the NAACP came out strongly against Issue 48 stating anything that raised a barrier to movement for jobs should be opposed.
"The single most important issue with 48 and with rail transit is the availability of jobs," Said Dr. Milton Hinton.

The League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area opposes the anti-streetcar issue

And the Enquirer is going to recommend voting NO on 48

Issue 48 is a job and economic development killing amendment, vote no on Issue 48.
Please click here and donate to help us defeat this crippling Amendment that would hand-cuff our City and prevent our region from moving forward with critical transportation plans that create jobs and make Cincinnati more economically competitive.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Art off Pike

2011-10-13T07:41:00.003-04:00

Love the Cov.
Nice slogan for Covington, and it fit walking to 7th where the show was located. Peaking in store fronts and mentally bookmarking them for a return trip. It didn't even occur to me until I ran into Margy from artswave and she asked "why isn't this show held on a day when the shops are open?"
MY GOD! So simple, what a showcase they could have had, opportunity lost.
Anyways, a beautiful day and a huge turnout.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Twitter knows the future

2011-10-12T11:30:00.003-04:00

Former Weezer bass player Mikey Welsh had a dream he was going to die a couple weeks ago

and then this past weekend....

I asked last Saturday if Shanghai Mama's had closed

and today it did.

Twitter is some scary powerful juju
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati

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Tyler Davidson Fountain on Fountain Square turns 140

2011-10-12T07:51:00.004-04:00

A grand party on the square for the Tyler Davidson Fountain with cake and music. What more do you want on a pleasant Friday night than relaxing on downtown's front lawn?

You have to admit, no matter what your feelings are or how badly 3CDC handled the announcement, the Square looks way better without that ugly tent occupying prime real estate.

Sorry Santa, caribou are strictly prohibited on the square.
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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#occupycincinnati

2011-10-11T09:24:00.004-04:00

Who are they?

From their website Occupy Cincinnati says they are a

"grassroots group that came together in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. We are fighting to give a voice to the 99% of us who don’t have expensive lobbyists or vast fortunes to buy favors and special consideration from our politicians."

Occupy Cincinnati follows on the heels of Occupy Wall Street at first glance what they are protesting doesn't look much different to me than what the Tea Party looked like when they first started, before the Tea Party hopped on the crazy train and rode it off of cliff. The big difference is instead of ending welfare to the poor, Occupy Cincinnati wants to end welfare to the rich and protect taxpayers and consumers.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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