Soapbox Media

Lydia's House set to open in 2014

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

Between January and March of this year, Lydia’s House went from a dream to reality. Organizers and volunteers secured donations from enough individuals to purchase a Norwood home, which will serve as a refuge for women and their children beginning in early 2014. “In our community, there are many people who don’t have opportunities for stable, transitional housing to get on their feet,” says Calista Smith, Lydia’s House board member. “There are often homeless shelters that max out. It’s a day-by-day or week-by-week situation as to how long you can stay in either friends’ homes or shelters, but this will be something they have access to for six to 18 months.“ Though Lydia’s House reached its goal of purchasing a home, Smith says $60,000 worth of funding is still needed, as the home is in need of renovation. Once the goal is met, however, four women and their children will be able to move in to the home, where they will begin working toward gaining job skills, saving for long-term housing and growing in a supportive and loving environment. Though Lydia’s House is still in its early stages of planning, Smith says the goal is that women will be able to “grow together in wholeness with their children.” In order for that to happen, community members will come together to repair the home, paint, provide lawn care and perhaps even donate to adopt a room, but Smith says her hope is that individuals move beyond the notion that financial contributions alone can change lives. “We really believe that this is an exercise in extended community, in that we need people to be connected—not only, ‘Okay, here’s some money to help someone,’ but really feeling that we have a shared vision of the world,” Smith says. “This is a continued effort for the Norwood community to have a vision of something to engage in that brings the whole community together while uplifting four women at a time—four families at a time.” Do Good: • Sign up to volunteer with demolition. • Read about Lydia's House's pressing needs or consider donating. • Like Lydia's House on Facebook. By Brittany York Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a teacher at the Regional Institute of Torah and Secular Studies. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.

Krohn's butterfly show introduces Moroccan culture

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

Charmaine Mamantov, 78, came to Cincinnati from Knoxville, Tenn., so she could be with family. What she didn’t know was that she would find a second family at the Krohn Conservatory, where she’s volunteered for the past five years. “I’ve worked all my life as a retired college professor, and I can’t just sit,” Mamantov says. “So I looked at several places, and when I went to Krohn, they were very welcoming to volunteers. They made me feel like I was going to be an important part of a team.” As a key member of Krohn’s team of volunteers, Mamantov has served in a variety of capacities—as a door guard, a horticulture helper, a tour guide and a butterfly show board member—to name a few. This year’s international show, Butterflies of Morocco, is about more than beautiful butterflies, though, Mamantov says. It’s a cultural experience. “When you walk in, the first thing you see is a tent with camels, and you go through an entranceway that has all sorts of interesting artifacts,” Mamantov says. “And you really need to take time to look at it really slowly. And not just the butterflies, because when you come out of the show, you’ve had the experience of being in that other culture.” It’s the ambiance, Mamantov says, that “really attacks the senses.” Flowers continually change; 16,000 butterflies flutter about; water flows; and Moroccan beats and rhythms play in the background. “Everything just surrounds you—what you hear, what you feel, what you look at,” Mamantov says. “And that’s not an accident. The people that design this do it that way so that when you walk into the showroom, you really feel like you’ve entered another world.” While the sights and sounds engulf the senses, it’s the message, Mamantov says, that’s the ultimate takeaway. “It’s particularly important in the current world climate that we come away from the show each year with an understanding that there are many, many other cultures out there in the world,” Mamantov says. “And the butterflies put a peaceful thing over all of it.” Do Good: • Get a coupon and visit Butterflies of Morocco. • Volunteer at the Krohn Conservatory. • Support Krohn Conservatory. By Brittany York Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a teacher at the Regional Institute of Torah and Secular Studies. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.

Tonic Tours showcases Cincinnati beer scene in new ways

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

Cincinnati is home to a number of breweries, but this summer, beer lovers will be able to experience these breweries in a new way. Starting in July, Tonic Tours, a new alcohol-based tour company, will start offering public tours of microbreweries every second and fourth Saturday of the month. “I want to show off Cincinnati’s beer scene to both locals and tourists,” says Rachel Dean, aka Ginny Tonic, the mastermind behind Tonic Tours. She originally thought about hosting a local alcohol convention, but figured tours would be more fun. Tonic Tours is about more than just the brewing process, Dean says. She plans to introduce her clients to the beer-tasting process, including what flavors to look for and how to identify flavors in different beers. “I plan to infuse art and science into the tours,” she says. “I don’t want people to get bogged down on the brewing process, but I want them to see the art in it. Flavor is a very underappreciated sense, but it’s just as engaging as visuals.” Each tour is $90, and includes transportation to a handful of breweries, plus drinks, water, a snack and a commemorative glass. For the first few tours, the itinerary will remain much the same, but Dean wants to mix things up a bit so people see different breweries and get to try different beers. Tonic Tours will also be available for private tours and tastings. Dean will also be teaching a class at the Bird Haus on June 20 on how to make four local summer cocktails. “A lot of people don’t realize how many great beers are based in Cincinnati,” Dean says. “When you go to a tap room, you might see beers but not know they’re from here—there might not be anything that says ‘Cincinnati proud.’ I want people in Cincinnati to appreciate the great beer makers who are revitalizing Cincinnati’s beer history.” By Caitlin Koenig Follow Caitlin on Twitter

Holtman's Donuts to open location in Over-the-Rhine

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

Starting this summer, those with sweet tooths will be able to get Holtman’s Donuts in Over-the-Rhine. Holtman’s announced last week that they’ll be opening a location on Vine Street on the ground floor of the Trinity Flats building. Charles Holtman started his donut business in 1960—he opened a location in Loveland in 1964, and his daughter and son-in-law, Toni and Chuck Plazarin, opened another in Williamsburg in Oct. 2009. The Plazarin’s son, Danny, and his fiancé, Katie Willing, will operate the OTR location. “Danny and I started coming to OTR on dates and saw the energy and excitement of the neighborhood,” says Willing. “We searched for the right space for about two years, and we knew OTR was the right place for us.” Holtman’s has always been a family-run, mom-and-pop shop that bakes from scratch. The OTR location will continue that trend, and will make donuts on-site daily. “We want to continue the uniqueness of OTR,” says Willing. “We’re really excited to be part of such a great community that is constantly growing and thriving, and we hope to be the neighborhood’s bakery.” Holtman’s wants to be the place in OTR where families can create their own memories over donuts, she says. By Caitlin Koenig Follow Caitlin on Twitter

NKY design and fabricating studio lends a hand to artisans

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

Rash, LLC, a design and fabricating studio in Bellevue in Northern Kentucky, offers a 360-degree cycle of design-related services to local artisans. Rash helps with everything from consultation to concept to construction. Rash was founded in 2012 by Timothy Rives Rash II. He received a BA in architecture form the Architecture School of Design at the University of Virginia and a masters in architecture from Southern California Institute of Architecture. For the past 10 years, Rives has worked on similar projects with other companies and partners. He’s also currently teaching at the University of Kentucky’s College of Design. Mostly, Rash completes the projects for clients, including drawings and any necessary extra design, says Myra Rash, Rash’s media manager. “But there have been a few times where the client is crafty and will help out to learn, or to just get dirty.” The majority of Rash’s projects have been out-of-state, but they did complete the large red oak cross for Belleview Baptist Church’s façade. Rives also collaborated with students from UK’s College of Design and St. Elizabeth Hospice Center in designing and fabricating a concrete base for an I-beam from the World Trade Center to commemorate the 10^th anniversary of 9/11. “We hope to bring eye candy to the area, plus some good designs of our own and, most importantly, great collaborations with local firms, contractors, artists and designers,” Myra says. Rash is currently working on the Speechbuster for the Storefront for Art and Architecture in New York City. It’s a 54-foot long table that is put together like a giant jigsaw puzzle and upholstered with neoprene with a rainbow gradient for indexing the 36 parts that make up the table. By Caitlin Koenig Follow Caitlin on Twitter

CoSign snags $200K ArtPlace America grant

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

With a new $200,000 award, The American Sign Museum will expand its innovative CoSign initiative that pairs artists, small businesses and sign fabricators. Read the full story here.

Struggling women sad, angry over sale of nonprofit Ohio home that will become a boutique hotel

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

After losing a two-year fight with a Fortune 500 company determined to buy their beautiful, 104-year-old property and turn it into a boutique hotel the women of the Anna Louise Inn have to leave the neighborhood. Read the full story here.

Swapping innovation ideas with Cincinnati

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

A team from Detroit toured Cincinnati in search of innovation: "Cincinnati reminded me that transformation does not happen quickly, but it’s not exactly gradual, either. 'Incremental' is the better term." Read the full story here.

NKY students win scholarships to Gateway through new UpTech program

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

Three Northern Kentucky high school students won scholarships to Gateway Community and Technical College through an innovative new UpTech program that challenges students to apply advanced manufacture learning through competition. Eleven Kenton County high schoolers competed for the scholarship earlier this month. Competitors were sophomores and juniors who have been taking college courses while still in high school. The scholarship pays for up to 24 credit hours at Gateway. UpTech is a new business informatics incubator launched by several Northern Kentucky institutions, including Northern Kentucky University, Tri-Ed, e-zone and Vision 2015. The intense, six-month accelerator program includes $100,000 in funding. This latest scholarship program reaches into the advanced manufacturing area, which is a strong source of Northern Kentucky job growth. Called mUpTech, the program seeks out area talent at the high school level, and encourages learning through competition and college aid. "mUpTech, was born out of our region’s need to stimulate interest and innovation in our manufacturing industry,” says UpTech co-founder Casey Barach. “Over the last 12 years, over 300 companies have used the e-zone, and only three were in the manufacturing industry.” This year, all competing students came from the newly developed Kenton County School District’s Academy of Innovation and Technology. The high school houses six academics that focus on real world learning, including biomedical sciences, engineering and high performance production technology. As part of their learning, academy students must complete and present a project related to their learning. Divided into two-person teams (one student competed alone), students from the high performance production technology academy presented their projects and participated in the mUpTech competition. It was held at the Gateway Center for Advanced Manufacturing. Winners were juniors Matt Flanagan and Austin Ernst, who developed a speedy tractor lift, and sophomore Wendy Webster, who created a window heater. "Their families were really floored," says Academy director Francis O'Hara. "This will be a life-changing experience for them." mUpTech’s partners include Gateway Community and Technical College, Tri-ED, ezone, Vision 2015, UpTech and Duke Energy Foundation. Plans in the next year are to expand the program into Boone and Campbell counties, and to include more of the region's advanced manufacturing business community in judging, Barach says. By Feoshia H. Davis Follow Feoshia on Twitter

Metro blazes new trails with green efforts

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

Metro has been "going green" for more than 25 years, but partnerships with progressive organizations have helped it broaden sustainability efforts.

Smale Riverfront Park offers family-friendly summer programming

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

Nestled between Great American Ballpark and Paul Brown Stadium, Smale Riverfront Park provides the public with everything from green space and gardens to bike paths, fountains, a labyrinth and porch swings that face the Ohio River and allow family and friends to sit back and relax. For Deb Allison, Cincinnati Parks’ business service manager, the space serves as “the front doorstep, not only to Cincinnati, but also to the state of Ohio.” To encourage more visitors to embrace the landscape, events will take place from now through mid-September to promote family-friendly fun this summer. “The Greater Cincinnati Foundation was kind enough to support this new series, in partnership with the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, so we’ve been able to put together this amazing lineup,” Allison says. The lineup includes events that are divided in three different areas—music, theater and movies—the latter of which Allison says she’s particularly excited about. “They’re not all just kid movies, but they’re all kid-friendly, so the entire family will enjoy,” Allison says. Brave is the next scheduled film, set to air the evening of May 31. Allison says families are sometimes hesitant when it comes to navigating the area and finding parking, but she says she doesn’t want that to discourage them. Most events are scheduled for non-Reds game days, so parking is more available and less expensive. “Smale Riverfront Park can not only act as the backyard for the residents and citizens of Cincinnati, but it can also act as a destination place for people who have never been or that are coming for the first time,” Allison says. “It’s an amazing, unique oasis and should be explored and experienced by everyone.” Do Good: • Attend Family Summer Fun events at Smale Riverfront Park. • Contribute to the evolution of Smale Riverfront Park by voicing your opinion about what you'd like to see on the park's new carousel, coming in 2015. • Get involved and contribute. By Brittany York Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a teacher at the Regional Institute of Torah and Secular Studies. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.

NEW mentorships promote female leadership

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

Amy Armstrong Smith, national account manager at Brown-Forman, says she knows what it’s like to be the only woman in the room. “I’m in an industry that’s male-dominated,” Armstrong Smith says. “I’m the only woman nine times out of 10.” When Armstrong Smith first attended an event for the Cincinnati chapter of the Network of Executive Women nearly three years ago, that all changed. “Never had I been in a room with that many professional women,” Armstrong Smith says. “It reinvigorated me.” Since Armstrong Smith became involved with NEW—whose mission, she says, “is to attract, retain and develop women for the field of consumer products from a manufacturer and retail perspective”—she’s engaged in a variety of outreach activities for high school and college students. She's also served as a mentor, both for women interested in pursuing a career in the field, and for those already immersed in it. “I’m mentoring a woman at NEW who just told me she got the promotion that we’ve been talking about and working on with how to position it,” Armstrong Smith says. “And it was so great because when she told me—her success is my success.” According to Armstrong Smith, the mentorships work both ways because the college students she assists reenergize her. “They look at the world in a whole different perspective,” she says. “And they’re giving me a new perspective too—a new way to look at the business—a new way to approach it through technology.” Armstrong Smith says she’s appreciative of the networking opportunities NEW offers because when she graduated from college in the ‘80s, you had to do it on your own. “I’m with other professional women," Armstrong Smith says. "I’m stimulated—we’re talking about the industry. But the number one reason I do this is because I have a daughter, and I want her to be able to walk into a room when she starts her first career in 20 years as Rosie Smith, just like Tom Smith would walk in the room.” That’s what Armstrong Smith says drives her. “I’m so appreciative of the women who went before me, and if I don’t turn around and help Rosie and the generations behind me, women are never going to move the needle,” she says. “We won’t get to our full potential that we know we all can get to.” Do Good: • Like the Cincinnati chapter of NEW on Facebook. • Contact NEW if your business would like to become a sponsor. • Become an individual member. By Brittany York Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a teacher at the Regional Institute of Torah and Secular Studies. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.

Dance, movement, art shape The Shakti Factory

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

Looking for a place to let loose and dance? Then The Shakti Factory is for you. The Shakti Factory is a movement studio, gathering place and dynamic learning community that is focused on creativity, freedom, embodied spirituality and evolutionary human potential. Owners Meredith Hogan and Lisa Stegman wanted a place for themselves to dance and gather, but they couldn’t find anywhere that fit their needs in Cincinnati. They opened their business in December near Xavier University. “We want to continue to build a tribe of dancers and help set our bodies into a healing, natural rhythm,” says Hogan. “Shakti” is defined as the divine, feminine power that animates and brings life to everything that is. But The Shakti Factory isn’t just a place for performance artists. The studio is currently displaying a print show by Hans Waller; he also painted a mural on one of the walls. In the future, Hogan and Stegman want to host art shows regularly. “It’s about pushing boundaries, and offering things that aren’t found elsewhere in town,” says Stegman. There are plans for salons that will create conversation about subjects like sexual health. The Shakti Factory currently offers three dance classes each week. In July, Hogan will be adding a yoga class to the studio’s offerings. There will also be one-time workshops, such as the Warrior 101 yoga class in August that will be taught by a friend. “Our vision of the space is a flexible concept that is always evolving,” says Stegman. “It might not be the same next year because it will always be changing.” By Caitlin Koenig Follow Caitlin on Twitter

Women in the kitchens, part 2

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

Last week, Soapbox's Andrew Welsh introduced you to Take the Cake's Melissa Mileto, whose fashion background contributes to her artistic references in the kitchen. This week, he talks food, art and inspiration with the chef-owners of Nectar, Eat Well Cafe & Takeaway and Honey.

Area high school students earn college credit with video distance learning

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

Students at 10 Cincinnati area high schools are earning college credit through a new dual enrollment program at the University of Cincinnati's College of Engineering and Applied Science. It's the first step in a wider plan that will allow incoming UC engineering majors to complete their freshmen year of college before high school graduation. The dual credit program grew out of a longer collaboration between CEAS and area schools that started in 2007. That's when CEAS began offering an introduction to engineering course to high school seniors. The course is offered through an educational video platform called Mediasite, which is designed specifically for educational use. That collaboration started with four schools—Harrison, Mother of Mercy, Mt. Notre Dame and Princeton high schools—and now more than 13 participate (howerver, not all offer the dual credit option). The 2012-2013 school year was the first that students could take courses for credit at UC, says College of Engineering Academic Director Eugene Rutz. Not all students take the class for dual credit, but out of the 500 who did, about 140 of them earned credit, Rutz says. UC faculty and the high school teachers work together to deliver the course. UC provides lessons via videos, which students can watch from home. In the classroom, high school teachers assign projects that require students to find solutions to questions by creating an engineering-based solution that builds on what they learn in the videos. "They build a prototype for the solution, test it, report it and defend," says Rutz. "There's a verbal presentation of it as well." During the school year, students complete several projects—some could take a week, some could take a month. The focus is on applied learning. "This is a course that helps students see and appreciate why they learn math and science," Rutz says. "They are also learning critical thinking, and that there are multiple ways to solve problems." CEAS plans to add more high schools to the program next year, and add an additional engineering course, says Rutz. By Feoshia H. Davis Follow Feoshia on Twitter

Kenton County School District applies to be District of Innovation

2013-05-21T04:00:00Z

The Kenton County School District is one of 17 districts across Kentucky applying to become a "District of Innovation," whic is a new designation that allows districts to waive some established education statutes. It's part of an effort to push educational boundaries and reimagine education. State lawmakers enacted the innovation program in 2012, and school districts should know if their applications have been approved by early June. If approved, Kenton County could speed up work already begun through its Kenton County Academies of Technology and Innovation, where high school students study informatics, media arts and the biomedical sciences in-depth. This is the Academies' first year. If approved, the district could move more quickly to allow students to do more work outside of the classroom, including internships and project-based learning, without asking for state waivers, says Superintendent Terri Cox-Cruey. "Some of what we're doing was not envisioned when the statues were written—for instance, project-based learning is based more on demonstrating mastery of a subject than sitting in a seat for a certain number of hours," she says. The district has 18 schools, including three high schools. Next year, two of the academies of innovation will be at the former J.D. Patton Career and Technical Center in Edgewood. The remaining two will be at Simon Kenton High School and Dixie Heights High School. It's expected that 400 high schoolers will be accepted into the academies this year through an application process. By Feoshia H. Davis Follow Feoshia on Twitter

Women in the kitchens, Part 1

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

Melissa Mileto grew up in Baltimore's Little Italy. Today, Take the Cake's chef and joint-owner oversees one of the city's busiest and most creative kitchens. She kicks off Soapbox's series that spotlights Cincinnati's female chef-owners.

Band artist Lindsay Nehls mixes art, photography

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

It’s a good thing for everyone involved when artists find their niche. In Lindsay Nehls’ case, the Cincinnati music community provides the perfect home for her artwork. Poster illustration and photography have been her chief projects as a commissioned artist. There’s a psychedelic joyousness to her drawings, which lends itself well to some of the bands she’s worked with. SHADOWRAPTR, her first album art client, recently released “Love a Good Mystery.” Nehls’ cover art is a mixture of hand-illustrated and digital art, a fitting accompaniment to SHADOWRAPTR’s jazzy, experimental rock music that, like Nehls’ work, is beyond convenient classification. Nehls has worked with a number of other musicians, including locals like The Happy Maladies, Gorges, Whitfield Crocker and Majestic Man and Chicago’s Zamin. Nehls works out of her garage, which is heated by a potbelly stove in the winter. She’s currently working to master screenprinting, since T-shirt designs go hand in hand with album cover art. Nehls wants to be able to be a one-stop shop for bands. Some of her fine art illustrations are available on Tumblr, which serves as her primary online portfolio. By Sean Peters

dunnhumby, AAF Cincinnati start Cincinnati Digital Dialogue

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

A new partnership between the American Advertising Federation Cincinnati and dunnhumbyUSA is setting the stage for the city's first consumer-focused digital marketing conference. D2, or Cincinnati Digital Dialogue, will be held Sept. 11 and 12 at the Horseshoe Casino downtown. The conference will focus on putting consumers at the center of digital marketing and business planning. "If the customer is not at the center of your marketing, then what is?" says dunnhumbyUSA Executive Vice President of Communications and Media Matt Nitzberg. "I think people can get caught up in technology and technique because of the interesting things that can be done. But the techniques that will work are the ones that will connect with customers." Digital marketing through websites, social media and video has been more accessible and available than ever. And businesses large and small are using digital media to promote their brands to varying levels of success. The conference will help businesses and agencies focus those efforts to their particular customers. "This is for professionals who want to put the consumer at the center of their digital marketing strategy," Nitzberg says. "It's for everyone, from the big retailer to the small ad agency." The conference is a good fit for the Queen City, which has the highest per-capita concentration of branding professionals in the world. It's home to P&G, to the largest consumer goods manufacturer; Kroger, the country's largest supermarket retailer; and Macy's, the country's largest department store chain. Organizers will spend the summer ironing out conference details, including speakers, session topics and registration information. To stay updated on the latest news, or for more information on speaker and sponsor packages, go to www.d2cincinnati.com or follow D2 Cincinnati on Twitter @d2Cincinnati #d2Cincy. By Feoshia H. Davis Follow Feoshia on Twitter

Retrocentric creates pin-up army

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

Lovers of WWII-era Americana should kick off their shoes and bop to this news: Retrocentric, a boutique that offers the combination of professional salon and photography sessions, also celebrates the glamorous pin-up styles of yesteryear. The business' all-female staff works to ensure customers, non-models especially, are completely comfortable. All of its “retrofitted” photo sessions include selections from a classic pin-up wardrobe themed around clothing that was popular in the American Midwest during World War II, along with hair and makeup by Eros Salon. Founded by Sailor Gruzleski, Retrocentric will be celebrating its first year in Cincinnati later this summer. To help commemorate that achievement, the Retrocentric team is selling a 2013 charity calendar called “Pin ups for Pound Pups.” Featuring pin up girls with rescue dogs from local shelters, the proceeds will benefit Cincinnati’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Living historians like the Retrocentric team help preserve the rosier side of turbulent times in America. While most able-bodied men were overseas, the ingenuity and strength of the women left behind helped stabilize the homestead. By taking on jobs typically held by men, Gruzleski says, women found unique ways to preserve their delicacy and femininity while still struggling under society’s wartime duress. It's an important cultural footnote that's shadowed by the glamorous eye candy of Retrocentric’s portfolio. Eros Salon (featured at Bridalrama) is open for non-pin up related appointments inside Retrocentric. By Sean Peters

NKY students win scholarships to Gateway through new UpTech program

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

Cicadas = cha-ching! Insects in sex fest spawn business

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

As the East Coast braces for the emergence of Brood II, researchers at the University of Cincinnati offer up a web page of cicada dishes, including quiches. Read the full story here.

Dress for Success Cincinnati moves to Textile Building

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

The Textile Building is now home to Dress for Success Cincinnati and 4^th Street Boutique. The two businesses moved just 100 feet from their old downtown home of 10 years. DFS opened its new doors yesterday, only 13 days after taking possession of its new space. The layout of the old space wasn’t ideal, says Julie Smith-Morrow, CEO of DFS Cincinnati. But in the new building, 4^th Street Boutique is on the ground floor, and the DFS programs are all on the ninth floor. “We hope that our clients will feel inspired by the new space when they come in,” says Smith-Morrow. “As always, we’ll be very welcoming, and will meet them where they are.” DFS Cincinnati is one of 127 affiliates in 15 countries that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help them thrive in work and life. It was founded in the Queen City in 1999, and has served more than 11,000 women in the area. 4^th Street Boutique sells women’s new and gently-used clothing, and its net proceeds support DFS. “We’re really excited about the move—it’s something we’ve wanted to do for years,” says Smith-Morrow. “We’ve had lots of help from the community, which has helped us succeed. We hope to be able to help women get to work, keep their jobs, develop careers and be successful in life.” By Caitlin Koenig Follow Caitlin on Twitter

City Council adopts form-base code

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

For five years, Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls has been working with the City of Cincinnati to develop form-based code for the city. Last Wednesday, City Council officially approved the Cincinnati Form-Based Code. “Cincinnati now joins hundreds of cities that are using form-based code to build and reinforce walkable places that create value and preserve character,” Qualls says. Cincinnati’s neighborhoods originally developed so residents could easily walk to restaurants, shops and grocery stores in and around business districts. Form-based code will allow neighborhoods to return to that original ideal and reinforce or create places where residents can live, work and play, Qualls says. Current zoning code makes creating mixed-use neighborhoods difficult—the new code will help streamline the development process. To start, form-based code will be applied to business districts and adjacent residential areas in four pilot neighborhoods that volunteered for the chance—College Hill, Madisonville, Walnut Hills and Westwood. The code is a result of six Neighborhood Summit training sessions; five years of neighborhood working group meetings, neighborhood walks and training sessions; five delegations to learn about Nashville’s form-based code; a five-day citywide urban design workshop; a four-day neighborhood urban design workshop; and more than 600 public comments on the draft from residents, stakeholders, neighborhood groups and city departments. By Caitlin Koenig Follow Caitlin on Twitter

'Big idea challenge' offers rewards for innovative solutions

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

Part crowd-sourcing, part-buzz-generating and all focused on civic progress and innovation, the Greater Cincinnati's Foundation's freshly launched "The Big Idea Challenge" guarantees funding for big ideas with community support and the potential for high impact. Envisioned as a way to engage the broader community in problem-solving and program development, the Challenge offers a public platform for anyone with an idea that could make the city a more vibrant and healthy place. Online submissions answering the question, "What's your Big Idea for a more prosperous Greater Cincinnati?" will be accepted from June 3 through July 29. In August, the field will be narrowed to 21 finalists; in September, public voting will determine the winners in each of seven categories. "This is a groundbreaking way for one of the largest funders in our region to connect with the entire community," says Elizabeth Edwards, CEO of Metro Innovation and founder of Cincinnati Innovates. Her web platform, CrowdSpark, which hosts the Challenge. She's also part of the Big Idea Brain Trust, local thought-leaders who helped shape and refine the project with Greater Cincinnati Foundation leaders. GCF is looking for ideas that will impact Cincinnati in one or more of seven categories: • Strong Communities • Cultural Vibrancy • Job Creation • Environmental Stewardship • Educational Success • Health & Wellness • Economic Opportunity The application process is streamlined — applicants, aged 18 and up, need only submit their contact information, a title, a 140-character description (great for Twitter) and a 2,000-character detailed description. Applicants whose ideas are chosen as winners will receive cash prizes; then, GCF will award $5,000 grants to area non-profits with the capacity to implement the winning "Big Ideas." One overall "Big Idea" will add a $50,000 grant to a complementary non-profit's coffers to "kickstart" the implementation of the idea. By Elissa Yancey Follow Elissa on Twitter

Soapdish: Rhinegeist taps into history to build future

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

Over-the-Rhine brewery Rhinegeist, set to open this year, embodies a 21st century spirit of creativity and adventure in the neighborhood with roots in beer and city-building.

GO Cincinnati engages community, serves nonprofits

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

About seven years ago, Crossroads began a transformation that positioned it as more than just a church. Its vision was to focus on ways in which it could serve others—in not just the community, but across the world. Crossroads’ work with GO South Africa was making an impact in the lives of those battling poverty and HIV/AIDS, but at the same time, volunteers began to think about their roles in their own community. Modeled after GO South Africa, a team of volunteers initiated GO Cincinnati. It's an outreach activity that started out with about 1,200 volunteers who completed 65 projects throughout Greater Cincinnati in a single day for nonprofits. “People really connected with the idea of serving their city, and on the front line serving those in need,” says Kelley Kruyer, director of Cincinnati ReachOut projects and leader of GO Cincinnati. “They’re doing the hard work every single day, so we thought it would be cool to thank them for the work they do in our community.” This year, 7,000 volunteers will combine forces on May 18 to complete 400 projects that range from painting and landscaping to putting up drywall and serving meals. According to Kruyer, the best parts of GO Cincinnati are the long-term relationships Crossroads has formed over the years with the organizations it serves. “We know their buildings, their properties, their needs, and we know how to best help them, so sometimes we put together a multi-year plan, and it gives them the peace of mind and helps them to budget so they don’t have to spend money on things that we’re happy to help with,” Kruyer says. “It’s just a really special day.” Kruyer, who grew up in Northern Kentucky, left her hometown in the ‘80s. During that 10-year period of her life, she says she wondered what she was doing because everyone and everything she loved was here. She says that's the kind of passion for the city that drives Crossroads to engage and reach out. “We love our city—and by Cincinnati, we mean all of it—from Burlington to Middletown to Amelia to Cleves—the whole Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area,” Kruyer says. "We’re just totally committed to making it one of the best places in the country to live.” Do Good: • Find a nonprofit that interests you and lend a helping hand. • Assist Crossroads in its volunteer efforts throughout the year. • Like Crossroads on Facebook. By Brittany York Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a teacher at the Regional Institute of Torah and Secular Studies. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.

Stepping Stones celebrates 50 years of family at upcoming reunion

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

What started 50 years ago as Greater Cincinnati’s first summer day camp for children with disabilities is now a two-site operation that serves about 1,000 children, teens and adults with disabilities year-round. Stepping Stones will celebrate its 50th anniversary on May 18 with a reunion aimed not just at celebrating the organization’s accomplishments over the years, but it's also intended to bring together the thousands of volunteers, staff members, participants and supporters who have enabled the nonprofit to grow and flourish since 1963. Deb Alexander, 61, is a retired teacher who started volunteering with Stepping Stones in 1969. She says it was the work she did with the organization that led her down the path of pursuing a career in special education. “I was a junior in high school—I know nowadays the kids do community service, but in those days, we didn’t really have to do that—and I had heard of Stepping Stones and just thought it’d be an interesting way to spend my summer,” Alexander says. “I didn’t really know a lot about children with disabilities. I ended up just really loving what I was doing out there, and it helped me choose my career.” Alexander says she remembers fondly what she refers to as “Kodak moments,” where “everything comes together and a child you’re working with can do something today that they couldn’t yesterday, or that they can do something independently.” It was moments like these that Alexander says challenged her. “What could I do to figure out how to teach?” she says. “A quote that really stuck with me that I heard once is ‘If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way we learn.' So that inspired me to go on, and I taught for 30 years.” Alexander is passionate about her line of work, so much so that upon retiring, she returned to Stepping Stones 39 years after her first volunteer experience. She began working part-time in the organization’s alterative education program, Step-Up, for students with autism. Step-Up, which began in 2004, is available to students who have been referred to the program by their school district and who are no longer able to attend public school because of extreme behavior. “Just to see a student successfully get through the day without a behavior outburst and to really gain confidence in themselves that they could learn new skills was really neat,” Alexander says. Though Alexander has returned to Stepping Stones many times since 1969, she says she’s looking forward to returning once again to experience the 50th anniversary reunion. “It’s a place where we all learn together and have grown together, and that’s such a big part of it—the relationships,” Alexander says. “There’s a lot of people that I think their heart’s out there, and they just keep coming back or they return because it’s just a place that meant a lot to them—the staff as well as the students." Do Good: • RSVP for Stepping Stones' 50-year anniversary celebration May 18. • Support Stepping Stones by donating. • Get involved with Stepping Stones by volunteering. By Brittany York Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a teacher at the Regional Institute of Torah and Secular Studies. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.

Print’s June 2013 Issue

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

Powerhouse Factories helped design the cover of June's PRINT magazine. Take a look at how and why. Here's the story behind the cover.

Learning to survive, then thrive, at Junia and Company

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

Zakia McKinney knows all too well the heartbreak and inability to reach one’s full potential when trapped in an abusive and unhealthy relationship. “I just thought the world had ended," she says. "I couldn’t trust anyone. I felt I wasn’t worth anything." McKinney was stuck in a cycle that she says lasted throughout her late teens and twenties. But at the age of 30, she made up her mind that she could no longer live in that manner. “I had an instance where a young gentleman had beaten me in the middle of the street,” McKinney says. “And I just thought I can’t do this—I can’t live life like this.” It’s been more than 20 years now since McKinney started helping women, but she says she made a promise to herself that as soon as she was able to help herself, she was going to dedicate her life to helping others by empowering them. And that’s what she’s done through her nonprofit, Junia and Company. “The word ‘Junia’ means ‘pretty flower,’ and we named it that because we believe there’s something beautiful in each woman to give back to society and the community,” McKinney says. Since Junia’s inception, McKinney has helped more then 3,000 women do everything from break unhealthy relationship cycles to gain confidence and leadership skills and move closer to attaining their life goals. McKinney, who recently celebrated her 57th birthday, says a few of Junia’s former clients attended her party to thank her for the changes they were able to make in their lives. “One was a young woman who we picked up from Anna Louise Inn, and our programming turned her life around—she has a beautiful little girl—she’s going to start her own daycare business, and her husband’s going to start a photography business,” McKinney says. “Another, who we found sitting in the corner with her head down with a beautiful head of hair. Now she works as a machinist who does phenomenal work—and she’s looking to move in to other parts of the country utilizing the skills she’s acquired because she had the confidence to go after it.” Through Junia and Company’s Ann’s House—one of three homes in the city that accept women and their children—women are given the opportunity to learn life skills and participate in all of Junia’s programming so they can break the cycle of homelessness and learn to not only survive in their community, McKinney says, but also to thrive. Women learn computer skills. They learn to cook. They contribute to the home once they find employment. They create a savings account. They tend the garden, and they even make a cucumber salsa, which they package and sell at Lettuce Eat Well Farmers' Market. “Whatever proceeds are made for that day, they get to put in their pocket,” McKinney says. “We try to make sure they get what we consider our 55 key life areas to have them sit on their feet, stand on their feet and stay on their feet.” Do Good: • Support Ann's House by partcipating in Ann's House 5K Run/Walk at Winton Woods on May 18. • Call (513) 544-6957 to support Junia and Company by donating. • Contact Junia and Company to volunteer at Ann's House by helping with the garden or collecting and delivering in-kind donations such as sheets and toiletries. By Brittany York Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a teacher at the Regional Institute of Torah and Secular Studies. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.

Five Uptown organizations receive awards for community commitment

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On Friday, members of the Uptown community gathered for the Uptown Business Celebration, presented by Uptown Consortium and Uptown Rentals/North American Properties. Five Uptown organizations walked away with awards for business excellence and commitment to the community. In order to be eligible for an award, businesses demonstrated strong commitment to the Uptown community, success in meeting the organization’s mission and sustainable businesses practices. They also encouraged others to follow their lead. Awards were given in five categories: Small Nonprofit of the Year (25 of fewer employees), Large Nonprofit of the Year (more than 25 employees), Community Champion, Small Business of the Year (50 or fewer employees) and Large Business of the Year (50 or more employees). The Small Nonprofit award went to the Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation and Large Nonprofit to Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center. Avondale resident and avid volunteer Patricia Milton won the Community Champion award; the Small Business award went to UC's DuBois Bookstore; and the Large Business award to Uptown Rental Properties. Keynote speaker Benjamin Carson, Sr., M.D., overcame poverty and a rough childhood, and is currently a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He has directed the pediatric neurosurgery program at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for more than 25 years. Carson's many awards include 60 honorary doctorate degrees and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian honor. Carson encouraged those at the awards ceremony to “elevate themselves” to make things better. He also shared his philosophy of success, which is “THINK BIG—talent, honesty, insight, nice, knowledge, book, in-depth learning and God.” Uptown neighborhoods are Avondale, Clifton, Corryville, Clifton Heights, Fairview, University Heights and Mt. Auburn. By Caitlin Koenig Follow Caitlin on Twitter

How to Resurrect an Urban School District

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

The Cincinnati school district has improved both test scores and graduation rates since 2003 while—unlike Atlanta and Washington—transparently pursuing highly collaborative reform strategies that, counter to the current trend, don't rely on rigid hierarchy and punitive accountability. Read the full story here.

ReUse-apalooza empowers individuals, advocates

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

Designers, do-it-yourselfers, the environmentally friendly and people who generally enjoy a good time will gather May 17 for Northside’s fourth annual ReUse-apalooza. Building Value and its parent-organization, Easter Seals TriState, host the annual event to raise awareness about reuse and to support on-the-job training and other programs that assist people with disabilities. This year’s event will include the Designer Challenge, which highlights some of the work BV does. The organization reuses building materials to create everything from useful pieces for the home to works of art. Items will also be up for auction, and according to Lisa Doxsee, communications manager for EST and BV, it’s a way to “assist individuals with disabilities and disadvantages to more fully live, learn, work and play in their communities.” Each year, the event raises close to $30,000 of unrestricted funds, which allows the closely connected nonprofits to further their missions by enabling individuals who might otherwise have difficult times securing employment to learn necessary skills and gain experience. “They just can’t seem to get both feet on the ground at the same time, and they just need some assistance in getting the education or the training they need and the opportunity to learn,” Doxsee says. “When they do, they’re able to move out and get their own jobs and fully support themselves and often start to train others—it’s really a cool thing to watch.” Not only does BV help put people to work, but the organization also helps keep materials out of area landfills. “What we do is go into a home, and maybe you wanted a new kitchen cabinet set, so we take out your kitchen cabinets in a way that it can be reused and resold,” Doxsee says. “We’ve taken down full homes and salvaged 60 to 70 percent of the home with the lumber and products that come out of that.” The ultimate goal, however, is to provide the ability to succeed to those who have encountered barriers in the past—whether those barriers be physical, mental, economic or educational. “We believe that every person deserves to feel the thrill of success—no matter what that success is,” Doxsee says. “So everything we do is to try to help empower those individuals to find success in whatever it is that they need.” Do Good: • Support Building Value and Easter Seals TriState by purchasing a ticket to ReUse-apalooza. • Donate to Building Value and Easter Seals TriState. • Volunteer with Building Value and Easter Seals TriState. By Brittany York Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a teacher at the Regional Institute of Torah and Secular Studies. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.

Elements Therapeutic Massage offers healing care to clients

2013-05-14T04:00:00Z

West Chester is now home to Elements Therapeutic Massage, a massage studio that customizes services to clients’ needs. Owner Pam Garrett opened her Elements franchise April 13. “West Chester shows great opportunities for growth,” says Garrett. “There are connections to healthcare, and up-and-coming neighborhoods. We want to help people with their own wellness program, and help them to live more comfortable lives.” Garrett has spent more than 25 years working in retail, but she most recently worked for a company that combined retail and healthcare. After working with a franchise broker, she was matched with Elements. “I want to contribute to the community in a way that makes it easier for people to thrive,” she says. “I hope to offer partnerships with other businesses that have the same goals and vision as Elements, and help grow employment.” The goal of Elements is to make therapeutic massage more affordable and available to time-starved customers who recognize massages connection to overall health and wellness. Elements focuses on the healing aspect of massage and pain relief—from deep tissue to stress relief massages. Elements was founded in 2006 by a licensed massage therapist in Highlands Ranch, Colo. It is one of the fastest growing providers of therapeutic massage in the United States, and has more than 100 locations in 26 states. The West Chester location is open seven days a week. Walk-ins are welcome, and there’s a membership program that allows clients to receive discounted massages on a monthly basis. Elements’ 14 masseuses are licensed massage therapists. By Caitlin Koenig Follow Caitlin on Twitter