More Good News on the Streetcars

A recent study done by University of Cincinnati's Economics Center for Education & Research agrees that the proposed streetcar system is economically beneficial and sound. The results were released today and can be seen below. This should hopefully quiet some of those "fiscally conservative" opponents.
Enquirer Article

UC Study

New OTR Blog!

Just found this blog today: Just Past Central

Looks like we have another OTR-centric site to enjoy! Welcome to the neighborhood!

Betts House in Smithsonian Magazine

The Betts House to Participate in Smithsonian Magazine’s

Museum Day on September 27, 2008

On Saturday, September 27, 2008, the Betts House will participate in the fourth annual Museum Day, presented by Smithsonian magazine. On Museum Day, museums and cultural institutions nationwide will open their doors free of charge to Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors.

“We are pleased to participate in this nationwide event and are delighted to offer residents of the greater Cincinnati area the opportunity to visit the Betts House for free,” said Julie Carpenter, executive director of the Betts House.

The Betts House will be open for free from 12:30 – 4:30 pm on Saturday, September 27, 2008. Visitors of all ages will be able to participate in a hands-on blacksmithing activity and tour the house. In addition, the special exhibit Great Cincinnati Families at Home, featuring the historic homes of the Taft, Probasco-Rowe, Hauck, and Huenefeld families, will be on view. Great Cincinnati Families at Home is co-curated by Walter E. Langsam, architectural historian and adjunct associate professor at the University of Cincinnati, and author of Great Houses of the Queen City; and historic preservation consultant Beth Sullebarger of Sullebarger Associates and contributing author of Architecture in Cincinnati. The exhibit is made possible by grants from the John Hauck Foundation, the William S. Rowe Foundation, the Jeanne Anderson Trust, and contributions from anonymous donors.

Last year, upwards of 100,000 people attended Museum Day. All 50 states plus Puerto Rico were represented by 651 participating museums. Attendees must present Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry to participating institutions. The Museum Day Admission Card will be available in the September 2008 issue of Smithsonian magazine and a downloadable version is available on the Museum Day website at www.smithsonianmag.com under “Culture Spotter.”

The general public is welcome to participate by going to the Smithsonian.com website and downloading the Museum Day Admission Card. Listings and links to other participating museums’ and sponsors’ sites can be found on the Museum Day website.

ABOUT THE BETTS HOUSE
Built in 1804, the Betts House, “Ohio’s oldest brick house,” is located in the Betts-Longworth Historic District in downtown Cincinnati. The Betts House Research Center was established in 1995 to promote the study of building materials and historic preservation through special exhibits and public programs. Tours of the house showcase its history and construction. An ongoing exhibit features a timeline of the house paired with the history of Cincinnati and the nation. The Betts House also supports the fields of construction and architecture with a summer outreach program, Bond at the Betts, providing youth from inner-city neighborhoods a hands-on introduction to the building trades.

VISITOR INFORMATION
The Betts House is located two blocks west of Music Hall at 416 Clark Street. Parking is available on Clark Street, John Street, Central Avenue, and the Town Center Garage on Central Parkway behind Music Hall. The Betts House is open Tuesday through Thursday, 11 am - 2 pm; other days and times by appointment. The museum is closed on federal holidays and the month of August. Group tours are available by appointment. Admission is $2 per person.

TIBETAN MONKS CONSTRUCTING SAND MANDALA FOR UNIVERSAL PEACE

"Aquarius Star and Gankar Tulku Rinpoche bring new light to Over-the-Rhine"

Starting next week Sept. 2nd, there will be some beautiful art work being made in Over the Rhine by some Tibetan monks who will be in town constructing a sand mandala for world peace.
Be sure to check it out at some point during the week, these mandalas are always stunning to see and they only last for a few days.
Info here.

Milk Money Vol. 3 Release Party

What: "Milk Money Magazine is an independent literary journal that provides a creative outlet for traditional and experimental works written by undiscovered authors. Milk Money does not have a political or theological agenda, just a cold, refreshing 2% aftertaste."
They are hosting a release party. Its going to be rad.
There will be: Readings by the authors of the magazine
Bands: Other Brothers, and Lion's Rampant
Free beer (while it lasts)
Listening stations for the readings go live at 8:30PM and bands should be on around 9:30.
When and Where: Friday, August 22nd
8:30 PM
FERALMADE Gallery 4573 Hamilton Ave (in Northside)

Links: Here and Here

Did you see the part about FREE BEER?

Streetcar Update: We made the NY Times!

Have you been wondering lately "What's happening with the streetcars?" Well, I have and so I've been in contact with City Manager Milton Dohoney asking about the progress being made on the project. He was kind enough to respond to my questions today and had a couple of interesting bits of information to share with me.
First, he pointed out this article in the New York Times today featuring Cincinnati's plans for bringing streetcars back: Check it out here.

Second, he informed me that starting this Monday he will be hosting a series of weekly breakfasts to solicit financial support from various private sources including law firms, engineering firms, advertising firms and so on. He has assured me that "We will work until we realize success."

This is all great news for our city. I was so happy to see our city getting such positive attention from such a big national news source.

Also: Check out this cool slide show of streetcars from the same article above.

New Coffee Shop

I just had the opportunity to check out the brand new tazza mia coffee shop downtown. I must say it is a very well done store and they make excellent coffee and espresso. Its located inside the Carew Tower with street access from Vine (on the corner of 5th) and from inside Carew Tower. The storefront they chose used to be a jewelry store not too long ago and has a very cool loft above it for enjoying your drink, reading, studying or whatever else. Apparently they make the freshest coffee available in the city because they actually buy non-roasted beans and do the roasting themselves off site and ship the beans to the downtown store.
I think they picked an excellent location given its close proximity to Fountain Square. Plus, they are inside one of Cincinnati's most beautiful pieces of architecture. Now I have an excuse to go check out the stunning art deco lobby of the Carew Tower on a regular basis!
Welcome to the city Tazza Mia!

Development on Pleasant Street

Check out this article from this weekend's Enquirer. It looks like there is more development planned for a troubled area of Over the Rhine. In my opinion this is great. That area is perfect for this sort of residential planning. As mentioned in the article, what could be better than being situated between Findlay Market and Washington Park and within walking distance to everything the city has to offer. This is more proof that once the streetcars are installed, that entire area is going to change drastically.
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080803/BIZ01/808030346/