Cincinnati's Great Casino Divide

Read the entire article here.

The implementation of gambling centers like casinos and horse racing tracks have had a wide and varied reception from the local communities in which they are placed. Some communities embrace the entry of the new tax payer with open arms while other places attempt to ward off the coming of a looming gambling option as if it were the second coming of the Black Plague.

One thing which makes casinos so controversial is the element of its customers that it may draw; this in addition to monies set aside for its development can bring communities together or tear them apart. There have been several examples around the country of this varying sentiment toward gambling and the type of customers that it attracts.

The State of Indiana, where casinos are a major part of the state's revenue, still comes under controversy from time to time when it comes to placement of their casinos. Most recently, Gary, Indiana has been debating to replace Don Barden's two casino boats with one land-based casino along Interstate 94 just outside of the city.

In 2009, the State of Ohio passed Issue 9, a resolution to legalize gambling within the state's boarders, which made way for cities like Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati to build and operate large scale gaming casinos; with a portion of the revenue to be funneled back into the government's pocket books.

Opinions of the casino were greatly dependant on the proposed placement. Columbus' casino was originally approved to be erected in the city's downtown Arena District but just months after its approval was changed to a location west of the city.

Read the entire article here.

InkTank Explodes With Artistry On Final Friday

Last nights Final Friday was spectaular.

My plan was to se out and explore the enitre Main Street becase of the great weather that wer were having, but ended up staying in one place.

InkTank has come back alive under new management and last night they held an open mic session, promoting local author, Kommon Knowledge. Until Uhuru is a collaboration of talented local authors who love to write and are great at it.

Pick up thier book at InkTank or order it oline at Amazon.com....I know I will!

Book Review: The Vast Fields of Ordinary

2009 was not a big year for me in the reading department. Outside of blogs and online newspapers, I did not do much reading. But there was one novel that I picked up due to it being covered in Out.com.

Nick Burd's Vast Fields of Ordinary" is a light-hearted young adult novel for readers 12 and up, where high school senior Dade spends a good majority of the summer after his graduation either high or drunk in attempt to save himself from his mundane suburban life as the only gay teenager in his neighborhood, nothing like my own experience in the last year of high school, but non the less it was a great read.

By the end of the story, he finds out that there are greater experiences to be had outside of is small Midwestern town when he moves away to college. We all know that, but we most likely did not go through as many ups and downs finding out.

Read my entire review of the novel here.

Sometimes U Need A Little Glam In Your Life

Horray For Health Care!

Last night, congress FINALLY pushed through a healthcare bill that has been trying to work its way don the pipes for some time now.

Despite this, opposition to the bill are still holding to their guns and attempting to block its passage.

What gives?

Do they think that passage of this bill will lead to Armageddon and the country will go down in history of other socialist counties which of health care for all?

That can't be it. Maybe the opposition is afraid that States will begin loosing their rights. But doesn't Federal Law usually trump State Laws? There are many examples where the Feds had to step in. Look at the case Plessy vs Ferguson or Brown vs Board of Education or even the fact that there is a minimum wage which employers pay to their workers. Its been done before.

Opposition should just let go and move on to other important things, like jobs.

The Queen City Has Never Smelled So Sweet

The cascading lights of the new Great American tower dominated the Friday night skyline of Cincinnati as a traveled home from the airport last night. The stark contrast of the city’s crispness to the past week’s warmth of the Dominican Republic was surprisingly refreshing.

Despite my absence, I have been keeping up with Cincinnati Shenanigans while I have been away. I am sorry that I missed the city’s celebration of St. Paddy’s Day (for I heard that it was one of the best ever) and the local college basketball team’s first win in The Big Dance (American Airlines does not seem it important enough to show the games on international flights).

Another thing caught my eye when reading over Cincinnati news while on vacation, the fact that PNC Bank announced that National City accounts had been compromised BEFORE they were acquired, AND Cincinnati accounts were the only ones affected.

What’s up with that?

Whatever the case, I hope I get some money back.

Cincinnati's Connection With The Underground Railroad

Founded in 1788 by John Cleves Symmes and Col. Robert Paterson, Cincinnati sits on the banks of the Ohio River, the official boundary between the Northern and Southern States during America's Civil War. With its close proximity to both the North and the South, during this time the city was torn between two worlds; the latter trying to embrace the ways of the past and the former trying to forge ahead. Incorporated in these two pedagogies was the issue of slavery. Since then, though in turmoil with racial tension and social/political setbacks, Cincinnati has embraced its historic past and is making strides towards the future.

Until the end of slavery, this institution was challenged on many levels, large and small; one of the most notable was exemplified in the legal court case of Margaret Garner. Garner escaped slavery from her Northern Kentucky plantation in 1856 to Cincinnati, located in the free state of Ohio, with her children. At this time...

Read the rest here.

Gone But Not Forgotten

No I have not forgotten about the Nasty Nati.

Currently, I am sitting on the beach on the Northern Coast of The Dominican Republic, taking in the sun and chillin' like a villin (no pun intended).

Not only is this time on the beach being used for a much needed vacation from opening my company BookMark! Online, but it also is giving me some time to write down on paper the stories which have been swimming in my head for the past few months.

In attempts to keep you wanting more, pictures of the vacation/sabbatical will be posted upon my return to Cincy next week. Needless to say that they will be well worth the wait...cheers!

Bock Fest Overload - Saturday Night's Sausage Queen Finals

Time 2 Rock Out With Your Bock Out!

Last night I ventured out into the streets for the Bock Fest and was so surprised at the turnout! I had to miss the parade which originated from Arnold’s Bar because of work, but managed to hit up Bock Fest Hall (the old Hussman Factory at Liberty and Vine) around 9pm where there was standing room only.

Not wanting to miss out on anything, after an hour or so I ventured to Grammer’s just across the street where I was not only met with a German cladden Jim Tarbell, but a second floor speak easy which was turned into a pseudo European discothèque.

As the night prolonged, and shoulders began to be rubbed more frequently, I made my way to Milton’s (your neighborhood bar) just for a nightcap on my way home. Not only did I have more than a night cap, but yet again I was met with a over capacitated watering hole.

Never before have I seen a Friday night in Cincinnati like this. The closest has been Pride Weekend just after the parade, and still it pales in comparison with last night’s shenanigans.

I can only imagine what tonight’s Sausage Queen Final competition will add to the weekend. Whatever the case, I will be ready to rock-0ut with my Bock out!