OK....So They Lost Again

The Cincinnati Bengals have managed to maintain their season reputation for being one of the worst teams in the league.

So what?

Cincinnati has seen its ups and down with the Bengals over the last few decades and it has not been since 1988 since they almost won the Super Bowl.

Even in this time of downward mobility and losing games (not to mention one tie game....let's not forget that), let's not forget the good things that the Bengals bring to the city of Cincinnati.

There is the, you know....

And you can't forget about the....ummm....

OK, I can;t think of too many things either, but don't give up on them!

Random Pics of The Queen City

Inside the Courtyard at Verdin Bell Centre



Storefront at Woodward and Main Streets

St. Mary's Baptist Church on E. 13th Street.

School for the Creative and Performing Arts as seen through neighbor's tulips.

Pendleton Neighborhood Children's Garden on E. 13th. Street.

View of Downtown going south on Sycamore Street. (No I was not driving).

Me old fraternity house at the corner of Brookline and Jefferson Avenues in Clifton.

Needs To Be Said Again!

Amy Does Davey

Enquirer Endorses McCain

This is what I thought as well when I clicked on to their website and read the following rhetoric:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081024/EDIT03/810260303

The funny thing is that I fear that The Enquirer will cave in to its big money backers and flow down the same road as the guy who wrote this.

Money, Fame and the Financial Bailout

I hosted a dinner party last night with 20 or so friends of mine and, as with most dinner parties, current events came up in the conversation. As we muddled through political woes, national and local, the topic of the economic "crisis came up.

I was surprised to find out that not too many people fully understood the steps that are being taken to keep our nation from moving from the constraints of an economic recession into the throws of an economic depression. More specifically, it was more of a question as to whether or not we here in Cincinnati will benefit from the interest rate cuts announced by the Federal Reserve (The Fed).

Q: So is the bailout another case of the rich people looking out for other rich people?A: Yes and no. With this lower interest rate, banks will begin to lower rates that they offer their customers. These banks will most likely offer lower rates to those who already have good credit.

Q: Will the rate cuts help fix the financial crisis? A: Most likely not anytime soon, but it will eventually. The main reason why the country is in a economic scare is because banks are holding on to their money and not lending to Joe Smo’ around the corner, and the interest rates cuts do not effect that directly.
Q: What exactly is this rate that was cut? A: The Fed cut the federal funds rate, which banks charge each other for loans.

Q: So if these rate cuts aren't going to work, what will work?A: So soon we forget. there was a $700 Billion governmental loan to these banks, purchasing their bad debts and, hopefully, loosening their pocketbooks so that their lending practices become a bit more liquid.

The Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers: Just Getting Started

These five gentlemen are one of the most talented singers that I have ever witnessed.

Though I have only seen The Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers perform locally, I am sure that if there were placed up against some of my favorite vocalist such as Patti LaBelle, Luther Vandross and the like, they would definitely be able to hold their own.

Being born and raised in Covington, I have seen them perform several times and each time was just as invigorating as the first. Here is a video of them performing my favorite song of theirs in Spain last year.

Not tooting my own horn, they actually performed back up for me a few times. They have have graciously provided their services for several of my family member's "homecoming" celebrations, and for that, I very great full.

The first time was when at my little brother's 8th grade graduation. One of the band member's daughter graduated with my brother and since I had gone to the school as well, I was asked to perform at the ceremony.

The second time was when I performed the National Anthem at Kenton County Library's 1st Annual Fall Folk Festival. We never even practiced before we performed. The told me just to sing and they will improvise the back ground vocals for me.

Click here to watch them the National Anthem at the Great American Ball Park for one of the Red's games.

You can read about this amazing singing group in an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer. You can also experience a live performance Thursday, Oct 9 at The Carnegie in Covington.

Public Libraries and the Digital Divide: Part 1

The ever changing discoveries in science and technology are changing the way that we all live around the world each day. No other aspect better exemplifies this than computer technology.

Over the past 50 years we have seen this technology lead us from a one of the first computing machines which weighed as much as five adult male elephants to the computers of today which now is smaller than one’s fingertip. Not only has the computer come a long way in its development, but its advancement has changed the way that people all over the world communicate with one another.

In the process of this stellar advancement, there have been a segment of the population which has lagged in the access of all of the technology available. Those left behind have traditionally been lower socio-economic levels.

This lag or disparity in access to computers and the Internet has been labeled the digital divide.[i] There have been several rules of thought as to if the continued advancement in computer technologies and The Internet will continue to widen the Digital Divide or make that chasm a bit narrower.

Whether or not you think that the Digital Divide is widening, non-profit organizations and other organizations serves an invaluable role in adding in bridging the gap between the Have’s and the Have Not’s. With these organizations providing much needed assistance to those who would not otherwise be able to gain access to computers and The Internet.

Public Libraries are a perfect example of this. For example, just in the past two decades, the number computers in the average public library has increased insurmountable compared to the increase in literary material and has caused some libraries’ attendance to rival the attendance some small amusement parks.[ii] In a series of blog posts, I will attempt to explain advancement in computer science and shed some light as to what public libraries’ roles are and can be in the narrowing of the Digital Divide.

[i] http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/digital%20divide
[ii] "Information: The Perfect Economic Good" Kareem A. Simpson (2004)

Red Bull Soapbox Races....Nati Style!

Sorry not too many pics of the actual racers. It was sooo crowded in Mt. Adams that if you did not get there several hours before the actual race, you were stuck watching the entire race in the jumbo-tron or you had great views of the backs of people's head.

After about 20 minutes of Trying to watch the race, we relegated ourselves to City View Tavern for Bloody Mary's and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Vep's Primetime Showdown

In last night fort and only vice presidential debate, I felt that both parties put on their best face. Gov. Palin seemed to stave off the detrimental pho-paus that have brought her late night crave on comedy sketches. In addition, Sen. Biden did the same by not living up to his long-winded, sometimes nonsensed rhetorical style of debating. Despite my somewhat biased thought, I feel that both Vep wanna-be's showed their best in last night's debate.

Saying this, I do feel that there was a clear cut winner.

Sen. Biden portrayed a calm and collected voice of reason in the shadow of Palin's tom-boyish, "go get-em" attitude. For example, when Gov. Palin stated that Sen. Obama cast his vote to raise taxes 94 times, which was true, Sen. Biden rebutted and countered her allegation by stating that if Sen. McCain were to be held under the same way in which Sen. Obama, it would be discovered that Sen. McCain would have voted to raise taxes 477 times.

It just seemed to me that Palin spent her two days in Arizona, prepping for this debate, by trying to find statistical information which makes Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden look bad with out checking deeply into her own ticket's history.

The House Says "No!" To Bailout Proposal

There has been several different trains of thought about how to get the Nation of the economic slump which it has been experiencing.

I want to hear your thoughts about who is to blame and what we need to do to get our county's financial situation under control

Tazza Mia: Downtown Coffe Shop Hops

I found a new place to grab a bit e to eat on Sunday mornings. Here is a review I found about the place online.

"An inviting and laid-back combo of coffee shop and cafe, Tazza Mia's free WiFi draws lots of business folk with laptops, as well as casual lunchers and serious coffee drinkers too.

Paninis, artisan breads, coffees ground and roasted fresh for every cup - with free refills - tea lattes, desserts and chocolates tempt the hungry diner as well as those just giving themselves a well-earned treat."

For the most part I thought that this place was a great place. Centrally located in the Carew Tower, Tazza is a great meeting place for breakfast or lunch meetings for the business downtown worker, or even if you are just visiting the Queen City.

The sandwiches are a bit over priced for what you get, but if you are looking to support locally owned businesses, Tazza is your place.

Cincy Ave Making a Name For Itself

If you read this blog, most of you know that I have a few different business on the the side. A small publishing business, 15 West Publishing where I publish books by local authors in addition to providing editorial service.

I also have a pretty successful consulting business, ION Consultants (ionconsults.com) where I provide resume and cover letter writing service, in addition to business plan writing.

Last week I received a new client who wanted me to create a business plan for his website www.cincyave.com.

This young man has down a great job with not alot of resources. His brain child combines a web presence like CityBeat.com and fuses it with the social networking capability of MySpace.com or FaceBook.com.

The great thing about this website is that it all centers around things to do in Cincinnati.

I am going to enjoy this project!

All Is Right At Deli Seven 20

Formerly Poppies’ Deli located on Elm Street, Deli Seven 20 has emerged as one of the best kept lunch time secrets of Cincinnati’s business district.

Now located in what was formerly called Buck Town, at the corner of Pete Rose Way and Eggleston, Deli 720 has succeeded in carving out a niche in The Sawyer Point Building, pre-made with captive clientele comprised of several different companies including C.R.E. Corporation, and Northlich Incorporated.

Deli 720 uses its new home, built in 1905 and once the home to the American Tool Company and then White Consolidated Industries, to serve some of the most saliva inspiring lunch time delights in the city.

Michelle Lightfoot, the brains and beauty behind the popular Poppies’ struck gold again with her recent proprietary achievement. Her signature recipes of freshly chopped garden veggies and thinly sliced sandwich meats, in addition to tasty toppings have all made the transition across town from the widely popular Poppies’ to the insatiable Deli Seven 20.

Open weekdays 8am to 3pm, you can stop by on your way to work or at lunch time and settle your taste buds on their riki tiki turkey sandwich, comprised of roast turkey, Swiss cheese, olive tapenade and honey mustard all layered nicely atop a fucaccia.

Not only that, you can stay on the healthy side by choosing the equally delectable salad seven 20 infused with mixed greens chilled pasta, tomato, blue cheese, English cucumber, toasted pine nuts and chopped bacon.

Note: Your sandwich and salad option also include your choice of ingredient mix and matches, included daily made soups and home-made sweet potato chips.

Taking no more than five minutes from order to delivery, Deli seven 20 is a perfect lunch time place for you if you are looking for something new and fresh without paying an arm and a leg.

Deli Seven 20, 720 East Pete Rose Way, 513.381.3720, deliseven20@fuse.com

Sources:

http://www.pilotbuilds.com/domino/web/pilotweb.nsf/2ac7aa4905f4aef3852567e0002b0ae1/235db3b6544f6ddd852568180051097502ec.html?OpenDocument

http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_f0ccj1

http://www.urbanup.net/index.php?buildingID=59

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/12/19/story8.html

http://citybeat.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A127311

http://home.fuse.net/deliseven20/

Second Sundays On Main (Aug 10th, 2008)

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