Light Up the Square

Just wanted to point out what looks to be a really nice event happening tomorrow evening on Fountain Square. "The festivities begin on the Square at 6:30 pm with a performance by “Team Cincinnati,” winner of NBC’s 2007 Clash of the Choirs, and culminate with the tree lighting at 7 pm. Our mystery host “St. Nick" will keep the crowd entertained.."
I hope to make it down there for this. I think its an exciting way to start off the holiday season and celebrate a more lively and growing downtown Cincinnati.
If you're not doing anything or if you're already planning on coming downtown tomorrow, be sure to stop by fountain square!

More Info Here

Cincinnati Stores Ask Residents to Break the Big-Box Chain

On November 22, locally-owned businesses across Greater Cincinnati are urging area residents support the city's vibrant independent businesses by shopping locally-only. Taking part in Cincinnati Unchained, a shop local event throughout Greater Cincinnati that day, the businesses are offering promotions to help shoppers unchain themselves from big-box retailers and citizens reengage with their business community.

More than 35 businesses are participating, all offering either in-store specials or donating to a local charity. In College Hill, the College Hill Coffee Co. is offering a gift with purchase and discounts on select items. In Over-the-Rhine, new lighting store Switch will give 20 percent off select lighting fixtures. With mention of "Cincinnati Unchained," O'Bryonville's indigenous will donate 10 percent of your purchase to O'Bryonville Animal Rescue.

Local web magazine BuyCincy is producing the event with media sponsorship by CityBeat. 2008 marks the 2nd year of this annual event, which is organized with the intention of bringing the positive benefits of locally-owned businesses to the forefront of residents' minds this holiday

season.

"Locally-owned businesses are vital to the success of our region. Not only do existing independent businesses help to stimulate our local economy, they serve as community pillars – unique places where a neighborhood's individuality shines and citizens can experience a sense of place," said Sean Fisher, BuyCincy's co-Founder and Creative Director. "By supporting our local businesses we can keep that neighborhood vibrancy alive, while promoting the American spirit of entrepreneurialism."

Kurt Myers, co-Founder and Business Director of BuyCincy: "Local businesses are often our friends and neighbors. Ultimately, they are what make Greater Cincinnati a unique place to live. Our hope is that the success of Cincinnati Unchained will encourage people to shop locally throughout the year, helping the strengthen our economy and local neighborhoods."

According to Jennifer Rockne, Director of AMIBA,"Studies from small towns in Maine to sizeable cities like Austin, Texas found that locally-owned independent businesses create about three and a half times the local economic activity as chains do. Why? Because our independent businesses pay local employees, use the goods and services of other local independent businesses and give back to community institutions far more than chains."

Please visit www.buycincy.com/unchained for details.

Streetcars! Streetcars! Streetcars!

It appears the City of Cincinnati is continuing to move forward with the Streetcar Project as planned. Check out this article on Soapbox Media's website. It highlights the city's plan in the upcoming month's to select a builder and operator for the system and it talks about the city's recent visit to Portland, Oregon to tour and gather more information on their already established and very successful streetcar system.
Also, check out this article from UrbanCincy highlighting some more info on the streetcar progress and some cool pictures.
I'm very happy to see that the City of Cincinnati is continuing to stay focused on this very important project. The future success and strengthening of our urban core depends heavily on this system being built. I believe our city leaders understand this and I hope they continue to work hard to make it a reality.

2008 Election Results