5chw4r7z

asleep at the switch?

2009-12-10T10:00:00.005-05:00

I think not!
You haven't heard much noise about the streetcar lately but believe me, behind the scenes things are chugging along furiously and the plans are quickly falling into place.
I think we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel for this long and difficult journey.
Last night the Cincinnatian for Progress met at City Cellars to discuss what has happened, whats happening now, and also the future of rail in Cincinnati.

The Fed has $2.4 billion (a year for 10 years) for high speed rail. The question is do they concentrate it in cities with existing rail?
Or, do they invest somewhere like Ohio, the densest state without high speed rail connecting its biggest cities?
Ohio is looking very good in this debate, with its plans for the 3C corridor.

John and Joe, two of the many tireless Streetcar promoters

On the streetcar front, Cincinnati is going to receive a state grant which will be announced shortly, and a federal grant, there are 6 or 7 grants for $25 million each and Cincinnati's streetcar plan is considered one of the top plans in the country.
Considering that almost every urban/rail blog in the country talks about Cincinnati's streetcar, I have to wonder what the CAVE* men would think about some of the lesser plans from other cities?

I believed in the streetcar from day one and never doubted Issue 9 would fail, I was kind of surprised it was as close as it was, if you can call that stunning defeat close. But I knew it was all over for the CAVE* men when Cunningham said on the radio that 9 was stupid. He had to be the last and most entrenched friend they had.
Similarly the Enquirer, they were against the streetcar when they thought their readership was. But as they became more educated along with everyone else they could no longer deny the logic of a streetcar for the future of Cincinnati.

Cincinnati's future is so bright, we have to wear shades.

*Citizens Against Virtually Everything[where: 45202]
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Mayberry: a downtown story

2009-12-09T07:31:00.005-05:00

I'm always talking about downtown and The Story so here we go, I'm going to gift wrap one for you so follow the instructions and then go tell your friends.
First off Mayberry is BYOB so head first to this unpretentious little place, City Cellars 908 Race St, where Brian, one of the most knowledgeable beer and wine salesmen downtown can help you pick something out. Grab your preferred beverage and head East across 9th to Vine St for a Niagara Falls of flavor back at Mayberry.

The servings weren't huge, but the flavor was.

OMG!! The richness of the chocolate truffles was a punch to the forehead that left your eyes rolling around. Imagine chocolate mainstreamed straight into your brain, yeah, it was just like that.

Pilot Dave and Lori fighting over the apple dumpling.

[where:915 Vine St. Cincinnati, OH 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio
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Kate's amazing race

2009-12-08T08:30:00.002-05:00

She's wacky, she's weird, she's our Kate.
She wanted to do an amazing race, so I decided I could be grumpy or just smile and go with it.
I chose to have a good time. And how could I not, she picked a group of adventurous fun loving people and paired us all up.
I don't know if she was genius with the grouping or just lucky, but I think it was brilliant.
We were the "old married couples", there were the hyper competitive lawyers, and then the peoples in between.
I've always said I don't get there first I get there large and being more worldly, that's exactly what Megan, Brian,Ms5chw4r7z and I did.
You know what? we were that close to winning it all anyhow.

First clue

Took us here, we tried blocking the Smart car in, but they wiggled it out anyhow.

Next clue

Took us up into Mount Adams were there's no parking and you have to hike in from your parking spot miles away.

Which lead to the next clue, .

Which we thought was Yum Yum, but they didn't know what we were talking about and thought we were trying to Shanghai them back to China

We ended up hanging out, drinking talking having a good time and chatting up other Youngstown expats.
The Boardman Social club as us insiders like to call it.

It all wound down around a firepit in Newport, drinks and s'mores for all.

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio
1 comments

goin flying

2009-12-07T07:48:00.005-05:00

After asking for a ride when a spare seat appeared, my lucky number was pulled this past Saturday.
Bright and sunny with a little haze, what a great day, this is the same plane my Dad used to fly when I was a wee kid. man did the memories come flooding back once I got in.
I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.
Thanks @benabaker

Take off

As close as we got to downtown, there was a bubble of haze around it.

The Moscow power plant punching a hole through a thermal layer.

Not being a backseat pilot

~~Wonder how many Chevy's Jeff Wyler sold to buy that place?~~
UPDATE: got some bad info, that isn't Jeff's house.

back at Lunkin
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1 touch and go

West Campus, UC

2009-12-05T10:09:00.002-05:00

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Parker Flats Friday

2009-12-04T08:42:00.003-05:00

Middle Earth went crazy and decorated! An unexpected but appreciated surprise.

The stocking was hung by the tweetdeck with care
in hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there
[where:353 W 4th St Cincinnati Ohio 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio
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Cincinnati Magazine's Best of Cincinnati local Blogs 2009

2009-12-03T07:43:00.015-05:00

It was a pleasant surprise to open December's issue of the Cincinnati Magazine and see 5chw4r7z listed in the Best of the City 2009 under local blogs.
I had a blog when I moved to Cincinnati in 2004 that didn't know what it wanted to be and had no voice. Upon arriving, and discovering how awesome everything was, the blog found its voice, to tell everyone just how cool it is to live, work and play in Cincinnati.
I still feel like I'm on paid vacation living here. Downtown is my Disney World and I can't help but share it.
A couple quick shout outs, first to Ms. 5chw4r7z who hardly ever gives me eye rolls anymore when I stop to take pictures.
Raymi, who has the most awesome blog in the world and I blatantly rip off, and you should too.
And Jackie, who pushed me out of my comfort zone to be a better blogger and person.
Now, man, sometimes it seems like my comfort zone shoots way out there and I surprise myself. Other times I turn back into that introvert I tried to leave back in Youngstown. The introvert rears his head less and less these days.
Hi fives to the other 4 bloggers too!
[where: 45202]
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17 comments

RedKat's Bday at FBs

2009-12-02T14:45:00.004-05:00

Sometimes you just need an easy quiet evening.
And thats just what this was.

I don't think the deconstructed interior of FBs will ever get old for me. Amazing what they pulled off, I wonder if I could get that designer for the office/share bedroom of our condo.

She hated this one, but its my blog and I really liked it.

[where:126 6th st 45202]
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High St at High Noon

2009-12-01T07:33:00.005-05:00

Driving home from my parents outside of Akron, we've worn a path through High St in Columbus, there's really nothing like it, on this scale at least, in Cincinnati. We're pulled, rain or shine, hot or cold to Jeni's the Mt. Vesuvius of ice cream joints. All their selections offer up a Niagara Falls of flavor that, sorry Cincinnatians, Graeter's just can't match.
Hey, one other thing, has anyone been to Dirty Franks? I think its a block or two away, I'd really like to try those crazy hotdogs sometime.

I didn't get this one, but it looked interesting.

While munching the cones we'll sometimes wander down to Rose Bredl, they always have something unique and green in there.

If you've been paying attention you know I love pop-up shops. This one as interesting looking as a few and more than most.
Damn them, they committed the venial sin of not being open while we were there.

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6 comments

green trees, black Fridays and white Russians

2009-11-30T07:45:00.004-05:00

If downtown is about anything, its about the holidays, think of every classic holiday movie and where did all the magic happen?
Downtown.
The stores, the holiday displays, the crowds. That intensity and sharing of cheer can't be recreated anywhere else.
And the annual tree lighting is no exception. Yes, they light the tree which if you think about, big whoop.
But toss in a party band, ice skating and a thousand little girls screaming for Josh Hutchenson and there's some magic in the air.
As far as Thanksgiving and the first holiday of the season go, mission accomplished.
Now the bad news, if you want to call it bad, we have four more weeks of Christmas parties to go.

2/3rds of the UrbanCincy crew are some of(but not the only) my favorite Cincy bloggers.
The hot chocolate high above the square at Via Vite was thick enough to spoon and oh so rich, the views spectacular.

On to High Street for Black Friday White Russian.
High Street is one of those shops, where do they find this stuff? Out there on the edge of design, I want to buy everything in the store.
OH, and those guys can throw a party.

[where: 45202]
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2 comments

on 7th St LPK inspires you

2009-11-27T07:13:00.003-05:00

[where:19 Garfield Place Cincinnati, Ohio 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio Libby Perszyk Kathman international design agency Brands strategy, design innovation
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Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T07:14:00.004-05:00

The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread

- Mother Theresa

Between my family and friends I’m already rich, without those I wouldn't have much else to be thankful for.

Our homemade apple cider apple pie

[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio
3 comments

Local 127

2009-11-25T07:46:00.006-05:00

It took 2 months for us to coordinate our schedules with the Nomerati, but it finally happened and it was worth it.
As a matter of fact there was a mad scramble at the last couple days before we went so Distortedgirl and Veganjacob came along also.
I never did make it to Pigall's so I have no idea what it looked like, but from what I've heard they didn't change much, but if so, I didn't find it as stuffy as I would have thought and it had a contemporary feel.

What happens after a group of geeks order their drinks and food?

The apetizers were creative and delish.

Dave, playing against type ordered a Shlitz, not sure if he fancies himself a hipster, or just being contrary.

$14 burger meet my leetle friend, my tummy.
OK, on the surface that sounds expensive right? Let me tell you its the bargain of the century, it was every bit as good as the $20 burger I had at the Rockit Bar & Grill in Chicago, $6 difference and the cost of getting up there? A $20 burger for about $70 off. I actually came out $56 ahead by eating one of the best burgers I've ever had.
No, expensive is a $10 piece of crap burger you can get a couple blocks away on 7th. That's expensive.

The deconstructed apple crisp, I don't know how they prepared the apple, not sure I care, this was eyes rolled up in the back of your head good.

[where:127 w 4th st cincinnati, ohio 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio
3 comments

Late Night at the Moulin Rouge

2009-11-24T07:51:00.003-05:00

And I mean late, the thing didn't start until it was my bedtime, but I'm glad I chugged that Red Bull and sprinted out the door, it was totally worth it.
It was like, everyone kept calling it a grown up prom.
Hey it was the most incredible Fake-Believe prom ever as far as I'm concerned.
The last one I went to was Wizard of Oz inspired and the girl I went with danced with one of my buddies all night.
but I digress.
This one was Wizard off the charts OZ. Kind of like a coke-fueled 70’s rock concert. With out the , you know, shattered eardrums and hair band.

And that was before the high wire acts started, our own private Cirque

The girls, as lovely as ever.

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Balluminaria

2009-11-23T07:45:00.002-05:00

The relatively warm night, for the end of November brought out some big crowds, and the balloons didn't disappoint.

[where: 45202]
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1 comments

revolutione

2009-11-21T07:33:00.003-05:00

Inspired by the boilover
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2 comments

....but of course we alreay knew that didn't we?

2009-11-20T14:25:00.008-05:00

That Issue 9 had nothing to do with anything but a special interest group and a guy from Anderson township trying to stay relevant in a city that has passed them by.
Proof?
Every city and county issue they backed went the opposite way they wanted.
How more out of touch can these CAVE* men be?

Doug Bolton Publisher of the Business Courier of Cincinnati says "the supporters of Issue 9 ... quickly blathered on about how the failure of Issue 9 was not a mandate for the city’s streetcar plan"

So let me get this straight,
We defeated Issue 9
We elected by a wide margin a mayor who wants the streetcar.
We elected Laure Quinlivan, whose whole platform was the streetcar, to city council.

Yet "they" interpret this as a sign they need to keep fighting the fight?
As Doug said, "The losers need to find another fight."
Amen, preferably one in their own community.

*Citizens Against Virtually Everything[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio streetcar transportaion rail

2 comments

Parker Flats Friday

2009-11-20T07:41:00.001-05:00

[where:353 W 4th St Cincinnati Ohio 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio
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SUSHI RAMPAGE!

2009-11-19T07:25:00.005-05:00

I'm starting to get the hang of this whole sushi thing I think, got a little braver this time.
Love the wasabi, I kept loading up a little more, a little more, a little more.
Did you know a pinky nail sized hunk of wasabi hitting the roof of your mouth feels like someone punching you in the forehead?
It does.

Alex and Allison. She probably regrets telling me she knows anything about cameras right about now.

[where:1018 Delta Ave Cincinnati, OH 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio
4 California rolls

who are you?

2009-11-18T08:00:00.009-05:00

What are you all about?
No matter how much lip service people give it, not many of us like change.
OH, we'd like change, as long as its other people changing.

But deep, soul searching what am I all about change, man that's hard.
The only way I know to change is to push, to try, test boundaries, get uncomfortable.
Boy it sure is easier to just toe the line and get along isn't it?

Even professional challenges, do you shy away or charge in? The sure fire way of learning anything new is wading in.
Those reasons you have for not trying?
Actually those are constraints to work around, that's safe, no one ever got the glory with one hand on home base now have they?
If you never push, never get uncomfortable, you'll never learn anything about yourself.

[where: 45202]
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5 comments

4th St study

2009-11-17T08:50:00.003-05:00

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1 comments

in Cincinnati its all grand, when its lunch and you have a 10 spot in hand

2009-11-16T08:27:00.009-05:00

The ups and downs of social media.
The downs. mention you have the afternoon off.
Get bombarded by pleas to visit one eatery or another. But its not all bad, not bad, don't hate me guys.
I'm the first to admit I need some pushing and prodding to get out, especially on an awesome afternoon, you need a long lever to pry me off the tweetdeck.
But I am ever so glad I got up and moving because with their limited hours, who knows when I would have another opportunity to try Mayberry.

The upside to social networking?
I mention online that I'm going to lunch and Pilot Dave, Delta Lima drops in and joins me.
I have to say, after spending maybe 40 minutes or so there, I saw a dozen people I know, do you guys spend all day walking up and down Vine?
The burger was awesome by the way, Josh, one of the partners says that later on they'll stay open later on Fri-Sat nights BYOB. I'm imagining eating this burger or the sloppy Josh(their take on a sloppy Joe) with a spicy Harpoon Winter warmer beer.
I can't wait for that Friday night, a nice unpretentious place to go and eat with a group of friends, it just has that homey comfortable vibe going on.

UPDATE: I just found out that Mayberry will be open Fri & Sat nights and Sun brunch, starting Dec. 4.
[where:915 Vine St. Cincinnati, OH 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio
8 comments

I really wanna be in Cin-say

2009-11-15T08:00:00.002-05:00

I came to Cin-say to be rock and roll,
along the way i had to sell my soul,
I made some good friends that make me say,
I really wanna be in Cin-say

I take the city in the dead of night,
I'm burning gas untill i feel allright,
The sunset honeys always make me say,
I really wanna be in Cin-say
~ Eagles Of Death Metal - Wanna be In LA

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Queen City Square II

2009-11-14T07:28:00.005-05:00

There are many people taking pictures of the construction progress but the majority of them are, whats the word clinical? That's not quite right, with no context?
Anyhow, the other day, with people running around, I thought this view told the whole story, a view sensitive to the fact that there are real people, working, playing and living their lives downtown in the shadows of whats going to be the tallest building in the city.

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2 comments

Parker Flats Friday

2009-11-13T08:49:00.002-05:00

I realized, I had a million pictures looking out the city door, but none of the city door.
This was rectified while we're still trying to squeeze every last minute of use out of it, its getting tougher now with the sun setting at like 6pm.

Quacky McDoorstop

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