5chw4r7z:: the ethos of downtown Cincinnati

Final Friday July edition.

Sometimes I wonder if OTR's Final Friday has outlived its purpose. Back in the day Final Friday was the only night of the month you would see people on the street. These days OTR will host more people on a random Monday evening then Final Friday would draw back in the day. If it does hold any significance, it is a good placeholder for new businesses to hold a grand opening. This past Final Friday was one of those nights with both The Rhined and GalleryOTR opening officially. In addition to domestic cheese and meats from Indy's Goose the Market The Rhined carries a small wine and draft beer selection. A small plate and a drink were an excellent way to begin the evening.

GalleryOTR is a new space ar 1121 Walnut and is a showcase for photographer Mark Byron. Photography runs in his family as photos from his father and grandfather were also on display. If you have need of a photographer for a wedding or any other special event look him up.

Last up was Spring in Our Steps alley party. SiOS is on a mission to activate and bring to peoples attention these overlooked and neglected spaces. Coral & Drum Alleys were activated with lawn bowling and movie shorts. Half the fun I think is watching people wander in, full of awe, wondering what is going on. And the movie shorts were interesting and sometimes inspirational.

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Sid Saturday

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Community Bike Ride: #LovTheCov

The city is the new outdoors, and if you need proof all you have to do is check out all the outdoor activities happening. Group exercises classes in every park, urban hiking groups and cycling. You can't turn around anymore without spotting a big group of cyclists enjoying the city. While most events are weekly, there is a monthly bike ride that wheels off in Covington. Co-hosted by mobile exercise app Physi and Ride the Cov, whose mission is to make Covington more bike friendly.
The LovTheCov ride is a good beginner ride for anyone looking to gain confidence riding in the street. I think some of use who do the vast majority of commuting and running errands by bike may not realize how big a barrier riding with traffic might be for some people. At any rate, group rides are a good starting point for anyone looking to be more active.
Marty going over the route and rules of the road.

Some people got the life!

I wish every bike ride ended with ice cream!

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Cincinnati Streetcar

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Sid Saturday

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The City Flea

People have short memories, they really do. Remember back in 2007 when Fountain Square was redone to much fanfare? The city haters and others with no vision said no one would ever come downtown to visit the square and it was a massive waste of money. Back in 2012 Washington Park was redone and the city haters and others with no vision said no one would ever go to OTR to visit a park and hang out with drug dealers.
Its really amusing because those same people rant against the streetcar and claim its a waste of money and all the people who have come back to the city have done it because of Washington Park and Fountain Square. You can't make this stuff up.
Well we can't and shouldn't worry too much about those people, lets worry about the people who are here right now and love the city. The area around Washington Park is a boom-town, memorial Hall has been redone, Music Hall will finish up a massive rehab this fall. Race St is almost built out to Liberty now and Elm St is close behind. There are so many fantastic things happening right now, its amazing.

If you get one of these hats you really do need both.

Cold treats on a very hot day.

You could drive to OTR but you would be crazy. Ride a bike, walk or if you have to drive, park at Fountain Square or the Banks and ride the streetcar. You'll show up at the City Flea relaxed instead of stressed from traffic.

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Brown Bear Bakery.

Its easy to get jaded around here. The new places start blending together and feeling the same. But every once in awhile something happens off the main drag, like when places started popping up on Republic St. A small tree lined street that felt like an oasis in the city.
Well another place just opened between two beaten paths on the corner of Clay and 13th. Standing across the street talking to friends I kept asking, is this really Cincinnati? I mean I ride the bike through here a couple times a week but I've never stopped right there to take it in. A shady quiet corner in a busy neighborhood. There were bikes locked up everywhere, tons of course and a steady stream of strollers.
And just like the corner, Brown Bear Bakery is kind of magical too. Blair Fornshell who started out creating small batch cookies for Second Sunday on Main and the City Flea, finally got her brick and mortar off the ground with a soft opening. Blair and Sami Crittenden are creating some amazing cakes, pies, cookies, and pastries. Forget everything you know about sweets. These aren't the cheap stuff you pick up at the grocery, no, these are dense treats, made with real ingredients that will leave you full and satisfied.
Its pretty crazy, afterwards standing out on the street I felt like a stumbled across one of those hidden gems in a faraway city that an insider told you not to miss. Pretty heady stuff. I haven't been this excited about a new shop in quite awhile.

We're standing in line with Susan and Chris, watching a tray of cinnamon rolls disappear. Lets see 8 rolls, 8 people in front of us.Good gawd they better not run out. They get down to the last two and I'm getting nervous when Chris elbows me and says, they just puled another tray out of the oven. We all relax and go back to enjoying spectacle of a bakery line.

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Sid Saturday

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Senate Blue Ash

Ms 5chw4r7z has been wanting to check out Senate Blue Ash since they opened because of their outdoor seating. When the 'Nomerati's, Laura and David invited us to brunch we jumped at it. That is my first visit to Summit Park, the park is impressive and dramatic. But it felt so weird, its landlocked, or maybe road locked would be a better term. At any rate, Senate, if you have even eaten at either location you already know how good the food is and brunch didn't disappoint.

Laura ordered the Birthday Cake Pancakes as a appetizer and for a laugh. They were ~~saturated to a molecular level~~ covered with funfetti glaze & crushed birthday cake oreos. I thought they were going to be cross eyed sweet but they struck a perfect balance. The panacakes were so good I immediately regretted not ordering the Neapolitan Pancakes. Luckily the Bacon & Egg Muffin was awesome, so I wasn't bitter about it.