http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/ People who follow local politics were probably surprised recently to read Mayor Mark Mallory's response to the news of a pending budget deficit next year. When Cincinnati City Council received its monthly financial report in late May, members were informed that the city potentially faced a $40 million deficit in 2010 due to a drop in earnings tax collections. The news prompted some council members to contemplate possible layoffs at City Hall or cuts in services to citizens. But when The Cincinnati Enquirer contacted Mallory, who was in Las Vegas attending a convention of the International Council of Shopping Centers, the mayor did his best impersonation of Mad magazine's Alfred E. Neuman: What, me worry? ]]> Cincinnati neighborhoods could use more businesses like Milton's Prospect Hill Tavern. The watering hole, located roughly where Mount Auburn touches Over-the-Rhine, usually features an interesting cross-section of customers: young and old, black and white, straight and gay. In short, its crowd is often a microcosm of the city. But twice during the span of a week, on May 25 and May 31, the bar was robbed while it was open. Frustrated with the lackluster police response, Milton's owner is holding a fundraiser June 28 to help pay for security upgrades like indoor video cameras, increased outdoor lighting and fencing to enclose a patio area.]]> Cincinnati neighborhoods could use more businesses like Milton's Prospect Hill Tavern. The watering hole, located roughly where Mount Auburn touches Over-the-Rhine, usually features an interesting cross-section of customers: young and old, black and white, straight and gay. In short, its crowd is often a microcosm of the city. But twice during the span of a week, on May 25 and May 31, the bar was robbed while it was open. Frustrated with the lackluster police response, Milton's owner is holding a fundraiser June 28 to help pay for security upgrades like indoor video cameras, increased outdoor lighting and fencing to enclose a patio area.]]> Despite insurance, little work done at fire-ravaged Clifton landmark Seventeen months after a major fire nearly claimed Old St. George Church in Clifton Heights, its iconic spires are still missing from the city's skyline. The church lies dormant, virtually moth-balled with temporary roofing while its owner, the Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corp., decides its fate. ]]> NuVo restaurant utilizes local food to keep your money in the local economy Chef Michael Peterson of NuVo Modern American Cuisine in Newport depends on other small local businesses. They do the things he can't, and working with them moves the money we spend eating at NuVo into their pockets and hopefully keeps rotating through local wallets. Plus, Peterson says, dealing with local farms and small vendors is relational instead of an anonymous transaction. ]]> Proposed limestone mine ignites 11-month zoning dispute The area near the intersection of Roundbottom and Broadwell roads in Anderson Township features manufacturing buildings, a landscaping company, a park, a few blocks of small, older houses and signs. Lately, lots of signs.]]> Foot surgeon, an Iraq vet, challenges Mallory for mayor's job Stationed at Abu Ghraib for 11 months in 2005-06, Brad Wenstrup was part of the 344th Battalion Combat Support Hospital. He's now accepted an assignment that some observers think is actually tougher to accomplish: The Hamilton County Republican Party asked Wenstrup to challenge Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory in November's election. ]]> Activism just as necessary 40 years after Stonewall Many people believe that gay and lesbian activism and our fight for GLBT equality began the night of the Stonewall Riots in 1969. But as early as 1895, a group of New York “androgynes” called the Cercle Hermaphrodites united “for defense against the world’s bitter persecution.” ]]> How Democrats are taking back Ohio With Ohio’s 20 electoral votes — more than Nevada, Utah and Colorado combined — presidential candidates work hard to win over the state’s modest, workman-like and pragmatic voters. Last year both presidential campaigns spent so much time here their team could probably order at Skyline Chili without even glancing at the menu.]]> Foot surgeon, an Iraq vet, challenges Mallory for mayor's job Stationed at Abu Ghraib for 11 months in 2005-06, Brad Wenstrup was part of the 344th Battalion Combat Support Hospital. He's now accepted an assignment that some observers think is actually tougher to accomplish: The Hamilton County Republican Party asked Wenstrup to challenge Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory in November's election. ]]> Ups to homeless people, down to public libraries, Bryan Gabel, Laketa Cole and Leslie Ghiz Gov. Ted Strickland proposed an additional 50 percent cut in the state's Public Library Fund, the primary funding source for libraries. If approved by lawmakers, the local results would be catastrophic for Hamilton County.]]> NuVo restaurant utilizes local food to keep your money in the local economy Chef Michael Peterson of NuVo Modern American Cuisine in Newport depends on other small local businesses. They do the things he can't, and working with them moves the money we spend eating at NuVo into their pockets and hopefully keeps rotating through local wallets. Plus, Peterson says, dealing with local farms and small vendors is relational instead of an anonymous transaction. ]]> Despite insurance, little work done at fire-ravaged Clifton landmark Seventeen months after a major fire nearly claimed Old St. George Church in Clifton Heights, its iconic spires are still missing from the city's skyline. The church lies dormant, virtually moth-balled with temporary roofing while its owner, the Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corp., decides its fate. ]]> People who follow local politics were probably surprised recently to read Mayor Mark Mallory's response to the news of a pending budget deficit next year. When Cincinnati City Council received its monthly financial report in late May, members were informed that the city potentially faced a $40 million deficit in 2010 due to a drop in earnings tax collections. The news prompted some council members to contemplate possible layoffs at City Hall or cuts in services to citizens. But when The Cincinnati Enquirer contacted Mallory, who was in Las Vegas attending a convention of the International Council of Shopping Centers, the mayor did his best impersonation of Mad magazine's Alfred E. Neuman: What, me worry? ]]> Obama is a father figure, a responsible boyfriend and a cool doctor all rolled into one I don't need to be the one to tell you that it's been a pretty rough week for a lot of people. This whole "getting a candidate we actually wanted and voted for" elected as the next president of the United States has left millions upon millions of us — except the rich assholes who voted for John McCain — without things to complain about.]]> The 2008 MidPoint Music Festival is upon us, so get ready for three nights of sublime entertainment from the best local, regional and international musicians ever to congregate in this region during one weekend. ]]> Seattle PsychPop band The Purrs stays on the D.I.Y. path ... for now Chances are, if you went out to see live original music in Cincinnati in the late '80s/early '90s, you've likely seen Jim Antonio on stage. Antonio was one of the best frontmen in town when he led Lizard 99, an Art Punk band in the vein of early Jane's Addiction. ]]> You should make a record sometime with Dallas and Travis Good of The Sadies Asking guitarist Travis Good what The Sadies have been up to lately is like asking Bill Gates to count his money, you'll run out of time before he finishes. With The Sadies' notoriously double-booked recording schedule and frenetic touring calendar, it's obvious that they've likely had more irons than fire, and so it is. ]]> Cincinnati Natives Why? come home for MidPoint Why`s kaleidoscopic musical output conjures a host of descriptors, the most accurate of which might be the Oakland-based band's own genre-spliced classification: "Pop-inflected Psychedelic Folk Hop." The brainchild of Cincinnati native/former cLOUDDEAD member Yoni Wolf, Why? started as a one-man bedroom project (2003's Oaklandazulasylum). ]]> It's only been a week since Barack Obama was elected, and most of our problems are already solved! Anyone who drove down I-75 last week near St. Bernard probably thought to themselves, You know what? The air smells really great now that Barack Obama has been elected president. It just goes to show you the power of a liberal, progressive black man being elected to our nation's highest office. ]]> Helping Barack Obama and his kids choose the best pet for the White House I know that change starts with me, and so I've been wracking my brain trying since Election Day to figure out how to become a better American. Then I thought of a quote Barack Obama said to his daughters during his victory speech: "You have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House." That's it! Take one of mine. ]]> But incumbents keep their Hamilton County Commission seats Democratic incumbent Todd Portune and Republican Greg Hartmann, endorsed candidates who received money and volunteer help from their respective parties, easily won in their separate Hamilton County Commission races. Still, Ed Rothenberg, an unendorsed Republican who challenged Portune, and Chris Dole, an unendorsed Democrat who vied against Hartmann, each nabbed more than one-third of the votes cast in the races.]]> Driehaus unseats Chabot, Schmidt hangs on Ohio might have turned Democratic blue Tuesday night, but Hamilton County and the southwestern part of the state sent mixed signals about whether it embraced the tides of change. State Rep. Steve Driehaus unseated seven-term U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot in the 1st District, while U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Miami Township) claimed victory in the 2nd Congressional District.]]> Voters are heard on city and state ballot issues Cincinnati voters sent a mixed message on the two ballot issues before them, both placed on the ballot by a group of local activists and political organizations. Issue 8 failed, meaning City Council won't be elected via proportional representation, with Issue 7 passed, prohibiting the use of "red light" cameras.]]> Obama’s landslide victory even includes Hamilton County Change is in the air across the United States, but some things remain constant: for example, the slow pace of tabulating ballots in Hamilton County. But given the dramatic finish to the nearly two-year-long race for the White House, the local problems were just an annoying delay.]]> President-elect Barack Obama chooses unity over division By 11 p.m. on Election Day, about 25 people were at Integrity Hall in Bond Hill talking or dancing to the music of a DJ. Just 25 people in a room with that DJ, a TV and a snack table with corn chips and sheet cake with red, white and blue frosting, watching in amazement as the first biracial person was elected president of the United States. "His life is the perfect example of inclusion," said Ken Ghee, a psychology professor at the University of Cincinnati. "His color is a merging of Caucasian, African, Hawaiian."]]> Getting schooled by Ohio mixmaster Ruckus Roboticus Before the public adoration of narcotics. Before the high-profile relationships with B-list actresses. Before his festive, ornithological stage apparel. Manson was described as being well mannered and easy to talk to. He and the rest of the band were respectful and courteous. ]]> Knoxville's The Rockwells have learned from the best There are plenty of interesting topics on which to quiz The Rockwells: their fantastic experience playing Bonnaroo in 2006 or the fact that the Knoxville-based band is made up of two sets of brothers. ]]> Palin mistakes Nutcracker performance with Russian threat, alerts Homeland Security PROVIDENIYA, RUSSIA — An annual outdoor concert and celebration here was mistaken by Alaskan authorities as a military operation, causing Gov. Sarah Palin to alert the Department of Homeland Security to "a well-organized collection of giant wooden warriors fiercely practicing formation changes and fighting."]]> Discussing the effectiveness of housing as a tool to end poverty Reduce crime, preserve architecturally significant buildings, support social diversity and create a beautiful community in which everyone is welcome — these appear to be the goals of development efforts in dilapidated urban neighborhoods such as Over-the-Rhine.]]>