Spirit of Christmas Tours

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.

Spirit of Christmas Tour
Spirit of Christmas Tour
Spirit of Christmas Tour
Spirit of Christmas Tour
Spirit of Christmas Tour
Spirit of Christmas Tour
Spirit of Christmas Tour

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


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

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.

OTR holiday in the bag

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.
OTR holiday in the bag
OTR holiday in the bag
OTR holiday in the bag
OTR holiday in the bag

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"
OTR holiday in the bag
OTR holiday in the bag
OTR holiday in the bag

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.
OTR holiday in the bag
graffiti

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
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Light up the Square

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.

tree lighting
tree lighting
tree lighting

Zipline Santa! I guess some older curmudgeons weren't amused but everyone around us though it rather amusing.
tree lighting
tree lighting
tree lighting
tree lighting
tree lighting
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
2 comments

Sid Saturday

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

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.

Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving

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

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

Turkey trot 2011
Turkey trot 2011
Turkey trot 2011
Turkey trot 2011
Turkey trot 2011
[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

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


Downtown lomo

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.
Fisheye#2[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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Crafty Supermarket is the new black

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.

Crafty Supermarket
Crafty Supermarket
Crafty Supermarket
Crafty Supermarket
Crafty Supermarket
Crafty Supermarket
Crafty Supermarket

Grace and her high tech Indie Craft Trend Generator and my little comment on whats hip.
Crafty Supermarket
Crafty Supermarket
my big purchase from the crafty supermarket today
[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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