What Are You Doing on August 24th?

What are you doing on August 24th?
Come to Kona Bistro, have a good night out and support my workplace!

My office (Working InNeighborhoods) is going to participate in the Community Night on August 24th (from 6-10pm) at KonaBistro in Oakley (Oakley Square, 3012 Madison Avenue). On this special night, Kona will donate every cent that goes to its bartender's tip jar to Working In Neighborhoods (WIN).

WIN works with communities to turn their neighborhoods around: We help residents to be leaders in their own communities. We work in poor, inner-city neighborhoods such as South Cumminsville (where I work) and fifteen other neighborhoods in Cincinnati.

We rehab vacant houses or build new ones, then sell them to first-time, low-income homebuyers.

In our office, we provide community room, computer lab, afterschool program (weeekdays from 3 - 7pm), reading lessons, housing counseling (include budgeting and financing classes), all with no charge for neighborhood residents.

Kona's food is always tasty and creative. The last time I went there, I ordered tilapia with sauted coconut and walnut and sambal (spicy Indonesian sauce made out of fresno chili) with brocolli over basmati rice. They also serve vegetarian or all meat food. Great setting, good layout and color, with a very clean restroom.

Dessert? Big chunks of nuts on rich dark chocolate cake, or Sundaes in white bowls, or a big piece of carrot cake, you choose. What else would you want?

Parking for Kona is available at two spots, next to Dewey's Pizza and across the street at the car-wash. But, if you would try to take the bus and do your share for cleaner air, take Metro number 11 or 69.

Two men painted the dead Kaldi's. Broken-white. Rumors flies that a family is buying the space, but they planned to maintain Kaldi's as Kaldi's.

Someone turn on the light in the kitchen, and hang a poster to welcome the Art Academy to move to their new location in OTR.

re-birth

Have you ever feel very happy the whole world smells like jasmine in the morning, and even weeds looks like a perfect arrangement created just for me; you feel like flying and every single cell of your body is celebrating your re-birth?

Have you ever feel so happy that nothing in the world you want anymore? Or that you feel you have enough with the peace that you have from YouKnowWho and you know that you have just to trust Him?

Have you ever feel that you finally find out the way God led you after all these rough path you've been through?

Have you ever feel happy all you want to do is just laugh laugh and laugh?

Funding Cuts Update

Who got the power...the people got the power...
Bravo to all of you who has sent concern letters to public officials regarding the Public Library Funding Cut. The state restored the funding, but not the federal government. Full story...

What the?
But then they have an idea to cut a significant amount of funding for Public Broadcasting, for WGUC, it's gonna be 45% of their total budget. The story is not ended here. Remember, "Who got the power? The people got the power". Full story...

The Cleanest and Dirtiest Cities

Cincinnati is ranked number 19 while Portland is number one. Portland is the 23rd biggest city while Cincinnati is right below that. Why then, there is such a huge gap on its effort to keep the cities clean and livable?

May be it's because Portland has a rail system and Cincinnati does not.

Rail system made a big difference in the day to day life of cities.
It means less pollution, less gas spent on the highways,
more space for parks and trees that helps clean the air,
more walkable places since people live around the transit system.
More efficient highways (only for trucks).
More efficient lives: no more wasting time on traffic jam.
More opportunities for people to work and access work:
it means more money
and more tax for cities to help keep the environment cleaner,
i.e. more money to run recycling program that reduce the number of landfills. Less landfill spaces means less health effects to communities.

One clear and simple act, but they still don't get it.

Perception to Choose

We tried to find an interesting news on Chicago Tribune when we found Back to the Future Milwaukee: Everything old is new again in a city booming on its past.

"Why didn't Cincinnati learn?" Cincinnati learned. But only if you choose to think positively and look around on what's being done, what's in the process, what happened and what will happen. Look around Main Street where you see the sign from Mercy Housing "Affordable Apartments for Rents. Downtown Living at its Best."

Look at Vine Street and see how clean it is compared with three months ago. There are still crime and violence, but if you've been to other cities, aren't they the same? Even in New York, don't mention Manhattan, but go to Brooklyn.

See the workers without uniforms cleaned up buildings in the morning. They might be one of those family businesses who benefited from downtown development.

Many more are coming: the Kroger Gateway Condominium, The Art Academy moved to the former Barrel House building, the new vintage bookstore (Silbylline) on Woodward Street, an Art gallery on 1305 Main Street (1305 Gallery), that new sign of development around Liberty and Main Street, the Fort Washington Hotel development, the Old Fellow building development, more police patrol on foot.

"It's coming. It's slow, but it's here. Feel the energy. Embrace the life. Breath the air. Think positive."

augusta

mbiajc4

mbiajc2

iRhine in the news

Ran made a cover of Cincinnati Business Courier last week, where he also told stories about iRhine and its role in Over-the-Rhine. Full article...

mbiajc

Do you have to analyze EVERYTHING?

Is geranium a collection of roses?

I love you also means I love you more than anyone loves you, or has loved you, or will love you, and also, I love you in a way that no one loves you, or has loved you, or will love you, and I also, I love you in a way that I love no one else, and never have loved anyone else, and never will love anyone else. He knew that it is, by love's definition, impossible to love two people.From, JonathanSafranFoer, Everything Is Illuminated.

Is Cincinnati Sustainable?

The Sustainable Cincinnati, a coalition of institutions, government agencies and organizations in Cincinnati launched a new report for Sustainable Cincinnati. Is sustainability measureable? Are there any exact indicators for sustainability? Can the numbers talk or can we feel it by living in Cincinnati?

How L.A did it

Southern California has turned around from the most sprawled region to the most livable urban life. Full story...

Here are some lessons learned from L.A:

After 50 years of doubting, it has finally become clear that freeways don't relieve congestion but induce it. The promise of free and rapid mobility by car through the L.A. basin has been dashed. Commuting across the region is out of control. The half-hour freeway ride between Pasadena and Santa Monica is now a distressing 11/2 hours in the morning and evening.

As a result, alternative means of mobility have emerged and prospered. In the past decade, bus and rail systems have become regional in their reach. Working at home or closer to home is increasingly seen as a preferred way of living in Los Angeles. Transit-oriented development is becoming an alternative to extensive car ownership and time-wasteful commuting by car.

When will Cincinnati wakes up? There are simply many other things that people can do by choosing to develop a rail line rather than developing one more lane of highway. And that there are other choices than automobile to go to and from work.

The METROMOVES plan was rejected three years ago, and some optimists said that it will take at least two other ballots until people realize that light rail is one answer to a healthy region. Think about what can people do with light rail. How much more money you could save by using light rail and park your car more in the garage. And how convenient it is for people to be able to access jobs and schools without having to own a car?

Most of the healthy regions did it: L.A., Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle, New York. Could I even dream that someday Cincinnati will have one?

More articles on LA:
Don't Let L.A. be the GM of Cities

Fire

It was four thirty in the afternoon when I heard the blast and we found that our phone line and internet network were down. While we were busy figuring out to return the phone service, our neighbors called the fire department knowing that there was a fire on the steeple. It was sad to see the steeple burned, but good glory and praise to the brilliant old architecture (and architects). They have everything planned, including the water tunnel on the steeple and the beam that support the 6-feet tall copper cross.

The only one who needs to learn more about what they do is the news crew. They have no idea of what they were talking about. (click here for the complete story). And click here for who occupied the "church". And click here to learn more about the building.

Address

"I want to confess." "What." The connection was gone. We did not talk for days. "What was it?" "I lost your address. You sent me two postcards already. You won." "This is not a competition." "I have to go. I have a date. Well, not really. To the museum. The best sculptor in Europe." "I hear you. I have to sleep too. Hey, whose the date?" "Ehm. She's from Holland. A jew. Well, a secular jew." "A jew by blood only. Not religion." "Whatever." "Your postcard is coming. Probably it's an opportunity for business in Cincinnati. It's extremely hard to find a good authentic Cincinnati postcard that doesn't have a postcard-like pictures. You know what I mean? So, yesterday, I bought you an opium salad postcard from Sitwell's. The only place I can find a decent postcard. Send me more postcards from Paris. And have a good date."

I haven't talk to him for a week, now. We always missed each other. I wonder why with our time distance it's very hard to catch up with each other. "Did you find anything about the slum prototype?" "Can't find any. We have a different angle to look at this subject. I could care less about the design. I don't care. Why would you put these people on the tip of the river where they cannot find any decent and safe place to live?" "It's just a simulation." "You can't simulate people's lives. These people are real. and the situation are real. If I were you I would take the subject more on the policy level. How can tourism in Siem Reap pay back to the residents." Here we go again. The "non-stop-bitching-me" who cannot stop complaining about things. I can't stand to see innequalities, but I know, "bitching" alone will not work. "We're on the same page. But social solution without design solution is non-sense. Remember what happened in Code? In the end after Romomangun died people built their houses permanently?" I hate that in the end he always wins. But I know I was right. People are more important than design. I know he probably thinks the same way, but "design" is his life now. What can I say.

I felt that night, on that stage, under that skull, incredibly close to everything in the universe, but also extremely alone. I wondered, for the first time in my life, if life was worth all the work it took to live, What exactly made worth of it? What's so horrible about being dead forever, and not feeling anything, and not even dreaming? What's so great about feeling and dreaming? (ExtremelyLoudAndIncrediblyClose, JonathanSafranFoer.)

"I feel empty." "Why? I thought you're happy in Paris." "No. I am empty and lonely. But I don't know why." "I hear you. I was there before until I found God." He was silent all the time I talked about the moment God woke me up at night when I was sick three years ago (I can't believe it was that long ago) and made me realized that He just wanted me to find him. It was a long journey, very painful, but it was part of me being a clay to surrender to the potter who knows what best of me. "I don't want to read that book and am not trying to." "Does that sound crazy? I'll stop." "No, it didn't. You did. The way you told me that you'd be happy if you're die right now. That's crazy." "A friend of mine told me that if the whole thing about Jesus is not true, at least we'd made the world a better place by helping others. Of course I didn't agree. And it is silly to believe in God halfway cause it meant nothing at all if you do that." "I agree with your friend. Well, we have our own way. I wonder if in the end we'll end up in the same road again." The word that came into my brain was -never- not if you don't believe in Jesus. I prayed for you, cause you wouldn't told me those things if something didn't bother you. God is working in you. And I pray that he'll keep doing that in you.

Art Academy Building

When the Cincinnati Art Academy is moving downtown to Over-the-Rhine, the Eden Park building will become the property of the Cincinnati Art Museum. Click here for detail.

Suggested plans for this wonderful example of American Romanesque Architecture is to level it and build something new. To kick off this plan Greg Smith, President of the Art Academy, plans on ripping out the beautiful slate staircase, worn down by years of great Cincinnati artists. They will be turned into benches for the new building. These stairs once carried the artists of the past to the beautiful north light studios, and will now be a place for today's art students to sit their bottoms.

Mr. Smith also plans on ripping the front facade off the building and hauling it downtown as part of the big trade with the museum for the building downtown. He seems to feel that tearing apart this building will be a wonderful gift to the Alumni.

So after the building is raped architecturally, it will be the perfect time for the current museum administration and board to finish the job, and destroy it.

Coming from two institutions whose major concern ought to be art education, neither of these moves seems very educational or artistically minded.

Many consider the artist Frank Duveneck to be one of the true fathers of American painting. Much of the great work he did as a teacher of other great American artists was done in this building. It is a part of our cities history, and is in danger of disappearing forever. This building is the house that Duveneck built.

If the community stands together, we might have a chance to prevent this from happening. The Cincinnati Preservation Association suggested there be a meeting to discuss the options. The most important thing right now is to get the word out.

If anyone is interested in getting involved, please contact: richard_luschek at yahoo.com.

Opinions:
-- City Beat Letter 06/01/05 from Jason Franz, Walnut Hills
-- No Place Like Home, Margo Pierce's Article

Clapped

We clapped and clapped. I notice that you did not stand up. I can feel you. You're not the kind of person who like to fake things. That's why I like you, by the way. But I want to build this wall around me and I won't let you in...

We walked. We talked. About everything else under the sun but us. Have you read Jonathan Safran Foer? He's hillarious. He almost reminds me of JD Salinger, but more brilliant. What? Did I say that? I've never said that before about anyone. I didn't even said that about John Updike.

Yeah. Sure. I don't drink (anymore). But I can smell your scotch. I loved scotch. I used to take a sip from my boyfriend's drink. "Which one" "What do you mean, which one" "Which boyfriend" "O, he's gone." "He dump me." "O" "OK" "Where is he now?" "I have no idea" "Do you love him?" "It doesn't matter." "OK."

"What's that that you order?" "Somekind of chicken artichoke pasta." "That's funny. That's my favorite food here." I don't think it's funny. I think it's funny that you surprised me by not telling me that you broke up with your girlfriend three months ago, asked me to go with you, and here we are the two of us, when I thought I would have a chance to know your girlfriend more. I have to be careful not to get in this situation again. It's the last thing in the world I wanted to experience again. "What." "What?" "Nothing." "O."

"I think the family on the corner wanted to buy Kaldi's." "Really?" "Really." "That's great." "You should talk to them." Why? O, may be because he knows I love Kaldi's so much. But I have to get back to the presentation of this Fountain Square development plan. For the first time, I felt that they have been listening to people. This is the kind of people we need. The kind who listens.

"So, are you ready to move back?" "Is there any empty apartment? I thought they are full." "Well, we could offend someone and call you so that you can move back." No, thank you. The 2nd last thing in the world I want is to live across from my ex-boyfriend. "October 21st. Are you in?" "I don't know. I should've think of going home. In fact, it's pretty definite that I will go home." "Well, may be it's good that you're not going with us. Because, I am afraid, if you go to Portland, you'll never come back. I could surely see you there." Well, I fell in love with all those big convenient cities with great public transportation, but something about Cincinnati kept my feet stand still and did not move a bit. It's definitely a challenge to be here, but in my season of life, this is the perfect kind of challenge that I need."May be" was the word that came out instead.

About Art

Inspired by Russell in his blog

What is art? Art is everything. Let's start with me. A human being, was created by God. I was designed. Formed. I am art. My computer was created by someone, was designed; it is art. The tree. Leaves. Table lamp. Chairs. Mug. Coffee Maker. Mouse. Cell phone. Table cloth. The wall. The Sky. The earth. Everything was designed. Everything is art. Nature is the creation of the divine. There was nothing chaos in it. Everything was and is in order. Everything works the way it worked before. Nothing evolved. Even though sometimes we do adjust with things in our surroundings. But there was NO Chaos in it. Even the most chaotic looking art was designed by its creator, through his brain, creating something that probably only he could understand. But every art, was designed, and of an order. No chaos was involved. Period.