Final Friday and #tinytownaf

The Ledge Gallery hosted their inaugural exhibition last Friday, #tinytownaf: A Selection of Photographs by Maya Drozdz. As the newly elected mayor of Tiny Town, Ms. Drozdz has been rigorously documenting the tiny treasures of her tiny town. I didn't realize just how big a deal this was until after we saw the exhibit. Up and down Main St people were talking and asking about The Ledge Gallery. I believe in striking while the iron is hot but most people weren't so lucky and missed the tiny hours of operation. Now, while #tinytownaf may or may not have been tongue in cheek, it was a sincere and executed brilliantly. Whether looking at an individual picture or the whole exhibit its artistry shone through.

#tinytownaf
#tinytownaf
#tinytownaf
#tinytownaf
#tinytownaf
#tinytownaf
Park+Vine was celebrating their 9th anniversary, I can't believe Dan Korman has been rocking it that long. Remember way back to 2007? OTR was a different animal back then and Park+Vine was the first business to pull us across Central Ave to shop.
Final Friday May 2016
Final Friday May 2016
Final Friday May 2016
Final Friday May 2016
I'm still excited there is now a flower shop with hours I can actually make after work, no more grabbing Kroger flowers for special occasions.
Final Friday May 2016
Final Friday May 2016
Final Friday May 2016
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Sid Saturday

Sid
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Northside Yacht Club and the (almost) end of Bike Month

I never really paid much attention years past because I was riding the bike everywhere anyhow. Yet somehow this year I realized there was a bike related event almost every day of May! Of course the weather did not cooperate so many of them were washed out. This year I did pay attention and it was so cool to see everyone working hard to raise bike awareness in Cincinnati that I joined in. I hadn't made it to Northside Yacht Club yet so what better excuse than an easy ride out? And why ride by ourselves so we invited the entire city out to ride with us. Now, 10am on a Sunday isn't the most popular time slot of the week and I figured we (ms 5chw4r7z) would be riding out ourselves. But you know what, four other riders appeared and off we went.
Now these days downtown to Northside is a breeze, Central Parkway bike lane to Marshall Ave., drop down to Spring Grove where there is a bike lane most the way and even where there isn't Spring Grove is wide open and on a Sunday the traffic is light.
And Northside Yacht Club!! Their food is legit! A veritable mouth soiree! I definitely want to start riding the bike out there at least once a month.

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Sunday could have been the first really amazing day of the bike season, the weather was perfect and we sat outside in the spacious patio.
Northside Yatch Club
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I don't have the right words to express how rich and flavorful this was. All I can say is I can't wait until the next time.
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They've added some artwork to the Mill Creek Greenway Trail since I was there last.
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The brush is high, we couldn't see any of the usual goats and chickens.
Northside Yatch Club
Downtown was so quiet Tony cruised up and then passed us on his motorized skateboard. It will never ever happen while we are stuck with our current mayor, but once he is gone we're gonna work on Sunday Streets. Not sure how it will look or work, maybe close Elm or Race down between the Banks and Washington park for bike riding, walking or any other non-motorized activity people want to engage in.
Northside Yatch Club
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an unfortunate chain of events, the Third Annual Preservation Ride

Once Cincinnati was filled with incredible historic buildings.
Now its filled with parking lots.
Now, nothing unfortunate happened on the ride fortunately, but how Cincinnati lost much of its buildings and history is unfortunate.
The Cincinnati Preservation Collective lead a slow ride around the downtown/OTR basin highlighting the buildings that used to stand in what are now parking lots. In addition they highlighted one happy ending, Washington Park and a couple buildings at present risk.

Third Annual Preservation Ride
preservation is important, but first, coffee!
Third Annual Preservation Ride
I had forgotten already that when I moved to Cincinnati half of Washington Park was a parking lot. A parking lot that has now been lost to gentrification!
Third Annual Preservation Ride
Third Annual Preservation Ride
Third Annual Preservation Ride
waving at trains never gets old. we are the biggest dorks
Third Annual Preservation Ride
at each stop pictures were revealed of what had existed before the bulldozers came.
Third Annual Preservation Ride
Third Annual Preservation Ride
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#SaveTheDennison

Save the Dennison
The Cincinnati Preservation Collective held a press conference outside the Dennison to talk about just why it needs preserved.
The are big things in Cincinnati that make Cincinnati, Cincinnati. Like Fountain Square and Roebling Bridge to name a few. There are also some small things. The city is the sum of its parts. One of those small things is the Dennison Hotel. The Dennison was purchased by the Joseph Auto Group with the intent to level it a build a parking lot.
Located in the middle of a national historic district the proposed Dennison demolition must first be approved by the Historic Conservation Board. The Cincinnati Preservation Collective would like to pack the room with supporters of Cincinnati and its rich history. The Historic Conservation Board and the Joseph Auto Group need to know a bright spotlight is focused on their backroom dealing and will not be tolerated.

If you have time and can make it the Historic Conservation Board will meet on Thursday, May 26th at 1:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
Cincinnati City Hall
801 Plum St, Cincinnati 45202
A facebook event page is HERE.
If you can't make the hearing but still want to help #SaveTheDennison t-shirts are available at Park + Vine and Acme Lock And Hardware at Main & Court. They are $10 cash only. Proceeds go to the Cincinnati Preservation Collective Dennison Legal Defense Fund.
You can go to Cincinnati Preservation Collective for more info and to donate directly to the cause.
Save the Dennison
Save the Dennison
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The City Flea

The first City Flea of the year was a little cool and grey. But that didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm. Or ours.
We were excited to see our friends, Oh Little Mustard Seed on their first Flea outing. Oh Little Mustard Seed describes themselves as a faith-based, South Indian catering & events co. specializing in both modern + traditional South Indian eats. Everything was amazing but the Pani Puri, little pastry puffs fill with spicy potato, coriander, red onion and chutney was mind blowing.

The City Flea
The City Flea
The City Flea
The City Flea
The City Flea
The City Flea
The City Flea
Another place I was excited about, Gia & the Blooms will be opening a brick and mortar on 13th in OTR as soon as construction is down.
The City Flea
I don't understand soccer so someone will have to drag out a chalkboard and explain what this shirt means.
The City Flea
The City Flea
The City Flea
Don't fight traffic in OTR, let Tiger Ghost Rides and this guy fight it for you.
The City Flea
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Sid Saturday

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

People love s'mores!
Who knew?
Well I do but I wasn't expecting the scene they caused at Neon's. There was a line about thirty people long for a good two hours.
It moved slowly, I think Grateful Grahams struck a gold mine but they may need something that pumps out some serious heat to industrialize the marshmallow toasting. But everyone was having such a great time I don't think it mattered much.
Get to Neon's on the 3rd Sunday of the next couple months for your own s'more.
S'MORES BAR
S'MORES BAR
S'MORES BAR
S'MORES BAR
S'MORES BAR
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