Children and Youth in America: A Documentary History, Volume III, 1933-1973: Vol. 1 Parts 1-4; Vol. 2 Parts 5-7 (Children and Youth in America)

Children and Youth in America: A Documentary History, Volume III, 1933-1973: Vol. 1 Parts 1-4; Vol. 2 Parts 5-7 (Children and Youth in America) written by Robert H. Bremner, John Barnard, Temara K. Hareven, and Robert M. Mennel was a great informative read.

As the title states, it chronicles the way that youth were perceived and treated during the years of 1933 through 1973. A bit too laden with correspondence, I think it is an OK source if you are researching the way that children were perceived during this time period in American, which is what I am doing for my upcoming book, Triple Threat: America's Misconceptions of a Misunderstood Society.

Though a good resource, I would not take it on vacation if you are in search of "light reading"

The Carew Tower

The tallest building in Cincinnati, in my formative years, I would frequent retail shops located in the basement and first few floors. As I have grown older, shopping has fallen to the waist side of such events as the Climb the Carew events and patroning The Gym At Carew.

Height: 574 ft.

Floors: 49

Construction Complete: 1929

Happy Easter!

Bulldogs head to State Semi Finals

In high school, I guess you could say that I was not the best at sports. Being two years younger than everyone in my class put me at a it of a physical disadvantage when it came to that aspect of high school.

Dispite this minor set back, I did manage to letter in both Track & Field and Football. Though I tried, I was not quite good enough at basketball to ever make the team. It could have been that during the years that I attended Holmes HS, our b-ball team was one of the best in the State.

Its only fitting that this years squad of Holmes 'ballers have defeated 17 teams to make it to the State championship. The only area team in more than a decade to do so (area meaning Northern Kentucky).

Read more about my alma mater's success here.

My Buns are hot....and crossed

A hot cross bun is a type of sweet bun composed of currants and leavened with yeast ornamented with a cross on the top made with frosting.

Historically, these sweets are traditionally eaten on today, Good Friday, having the cross standing as a symbol of the crucifixion. Believed by some to pre-date Christianity, according to what I have read, the term "hot cross bun" did not appear 1733.

Though I grew up Catholic, I have never heard of these tasty treats until this morning when I stopped in to Shadeau Bread to pick up my morning egg and cheese croissant. I chatted up the attendant, and on my way out, she presented me with one of these treats.

Is anyone else as clueless to this tradition as I am?

Rothenberg School Meeting: A re-cap

Last Thursday's Over-The-Rhine Community Learning Center Process meeting went well.

Going into the meeting, I thought that the gathering would be over shadowed with hot headedness, causing the process to be stalled.

That was definitely not the case.

The meeting ended with defined action items and committee meeting times to set up and develop both the design and curriculum of the proposed community learning center.

Unfortunately, I do not have the expertise to help with the physical design of the school and am unable to make the meeting time designated to talk about the curriculum, will continue to follow the process as closely as I can, adding input and suggestions when I can.

If you would like to put your input on either the design or curriculum of the new Rothenberg Community Learning Center, you can do so and either one of the following meetings:

Curriculum Committee will meet on April 17, 2008 at 3pm at Rothenburg

Physical Design Committee meeting time is soon to be determined.

There will be a Parent Dinner/Pep rally held on March 23 from 4pm to 5::30pm at Rothenberg

Is Gerry Ferraro Senile?

Back in 1984, I was a bit too young to vote. In fact, I was a bit too young to do most things, but I did think it was cool that a woman was chosen as Walter Mondale's running mate for his run for the president of the United States.

It was one of my earliest expressions of political aspirations that I can remember.

That is why I immediately thought that her comments a few days ago were taken out of context.
No way could a champion of women/civil rights question the validity of a man's bid for the presidency based on his race.

After investigating more into her comments, and reading HER response to her comments, it makes me want to as G. Ferraro..."What were you thinking?"

News From Across The River

It's a sad day for Covington Independent Schools.

Yesterday, a well respected music teacher, Dr. James Chase was arrested on child pornography charges.

He was my music teacher in highschool when I attended CIS, and never really got the impression that he was a pedophile.

Tonight is Another Sausage Fest

What: Sausage Queen Competition (2nd Semi-Final)

When: Tonight; 10pm Milton's Tavern

Sausage Queen Pageant Semi-Final

Last night was the first competition for the crowning of this year's Sausage Queen who will preside over the Bockfest Parade on March 6th, Downtown Cincy.

The first competition was held at Shooter's and the contestants consisted of 3 very manly female impersonators.



After it was all said and done, Gypsy Russell (the drag queen pictured on the left) came out victorious,



Check out the Bock Fest website to find out the next two chances to become Sausage Queen.

Obama Is Coming To Town

According to Politics Extra Blog, the big "O" is making his way to the Queen City this coming Monday. I will keep you posted on the place and time.

Book Review: Raising the Bar: Integrity and Passion in Life and Business: The Story of Clif Bar & Co.

As a rule, I usually do not pick up self help books. i tend to think that they are filled with feel good attitudes that do exactly that, make you feel good, but giving little information which I could not figure out on my own.

I am still convinced that the secret of life will never be found located between bound leather, but after speaking with friends, I have come to realize that some insight to life issues can be found printed in Black and White.

Still sceptical, I set out to locate a published work that would live up to my friend's promises.

Raising the Bar by Greg Erickson was the first book that jumped out at me. Bar was writtten by the owner and creater of Clif Bar & Co., a line of fitness bars and energy drinks which came out of nowhere and took the industry by storm.

Bar caught my eye for two reasons:

1. This book documents the success story of a small business who's healthy and eco-friendly business practices is the main readon for its prosperity

2. It documents a product that I have grown to love over the years, The Clif Bar.

If you are interested in learning how grow your business WITHOUT worrying about the economic bottom line, I would definitly recommend this book. Though containing some business theory and accounting mumbo-jumbo, it is still light and jovial enough to take on vacation with you or being considered a "light read".

NAMjA's Rating=======3 points (Rating based on a scale of 1-5, 5 being the best)

The Quiet After The Storm

Earlier in the week, the area was hit with a winter storm.Believe me, I am not complaining, I was called off of work that day.Due to the unusually warm weather that Cincinnati experienced, I thought I would take may camera along with as I traveled to Clifton for some of the best Indian buffets in town.

Save The Date: Bock Fest 2008 (Take 2)

As I mentioned last month, Bock Fest is fast approaching. Here are some additional dates you should keep in mind if you want to participate in the parade that will kick off the fest:

BOCKFEST PARADE 2008
Friday, March 7th at 6pm
Starting at Arnold's Bar & Grill
210 East 8th Street
Admission is Free

Some additional notes:
Best Parade entry wins a HUGE, one-of-a-kind beer stein handcrafted by the Art Academy
The Bockfest Parade is Cincinnati's most bohemian parade!
Best entries are determined by originality, Bockfest themes (Bock Beer, Goats, German Renaissance) , and general funkiness!
Visit www.bockfest. com for more details!

The snow has shut me in today

From time to time, the weather forecaster get it right.

Yesterday, they called for a huge snow storm would hit the area and low and behold, I am sitting on my living room couch watching it role in when I would usually be at my desk at work.

I snapped this picture this morning of my neighbor's cat Ben who likes to sneak into my apartment from time to time and make himself at home.

I am guessing it is going to be a lazy cat/couch day for me as well.