Just weeks after winning his third term on Cincinnati City Council, Cecil Thomas surprised most political observers by announcing he would seek the Democratic nomination to run for the Hamilton County Commission seat being vacated by David Pepper. Party Chair Tim Burke is favoring Thomas over previously announced Democratic candidate Jim Tarbell, hoping Thomas will help mobilize African-American voters to provide a much-needed boost for U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Price Hill).  

Harris was a standout on Cincinnati City Council last year for bravely challenging wasteful spending in the city’s police and fire departments. Unfortunately, the powerful police and firefighter unions then waged a highly misleading disinformation campaign against him, leading to Harris’ defeat at the polls in November.  

Some British guy once started a great novel with the memorable turn of words, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." That phrase perfectly captures the feelings of most political reporters as autumn approaches, especially those in Greater Cincinnati.  

The success of the Woodstock Festival 40 years ago prompted dreams of hundreds of other mythic Rock festivals throughout the United States. Including Cincinnati. As luck would have it, the city's first major outdoor Rock festival was scheduled for Sept. 6, 40 years ago this Sunday. Jim Tabrell, who organized it, joins other local musicians to recall the event and the times.  

Back in the late 1960s, the Ludlow Garage was at the heart of the day's Woodstock-heavy music world. A 40th anniversary tribute is scheduled Friday night at the Cincy Blues Fest, and a live two-CD/one-DVD set called 'Still Truckin' of live recordings is set for release — a must-have for music lovers of the period.   

BENGALS FANS: It's not often Bengals fans have reason to celebrate, but they got one last week when the team's owners agreed to settle a five-year-old lawsuit filed by a group of season ticketholders.  

Soon Clifton's Gaslight District will host a place to buy hammers and nails and possibly a venue to hear live Jazz performed nightly. Already considered one of the city's most livable neighborhoods, Ludlow Avenue's versatile, metropolitan vibe continues to evolve.