Relationships
As I glance at the calendar, I see that the Fourth of July, Independence Day, is upon us. Since I usually have to work or have nothing special planned, it's just another day to me. Now my real independence day was celebrated last week. Because my man finally got a car. That may not be…
News: I Won’t See You in Court
Jymi Bolden Bea Larsen helped found the Center for Resolution of Disputes as an alternative to fighting it out in courtrooms. A lawsuit doesn't resolve a conflict; it only picks a winner. Mediation, an increasingly popular alternative to litigation, means no one has to be a loser. The Center for Resolution of Disputes, founded…
Music: CD of the Week: Nikka Costa
I have heard the wailing voice of Mary Magdalene and she's a tricked-out, henna-haired, freaky music soulchild named Nikka Costa. Costa, with her Dirty Mind-era stage antics, Janis Joplin sex appeal and organic funkiness, is a fresh package of voice, songwriting skills and real talent in this post-Morissette/Badu age of the female singer/songwriter. Her voice…
Community Calendar
Covington The Second Sunday Antiques Marketplace, at MainStrasse Village, features European beer tasting, barbecued ribs, strudel, ice cream, coffee, cookies and cider. More than 50 vendors will display collections of vintage items. For more information, call Cindy Scheidt at 859-491-0458 or 859-341-3390. COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETINGS California Community Council, 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the…
Diner: No Nonsense
There are certain places in this city that permit you to travel back in time. The strip of Harrison Avenue where Cheviot meets Westwood is one of them. A "real" barber shop — the kind with 1950's barber chairs and a striped pole in front — adjoins the local hardware store, a throwback to today's…
Questioning Charlie, Anticipating Courtis
The first surprise was the fact that the May 10 letter arrived on my desk sometime in June. It's a delay even the Post Office would have trouble explaining. The second surprise was the squiggly signature at the bottom of the letter: Charlie Luken, Mayor of the City of Cincinnati. You see, I've never received…
News: Show the Poor the Door
Jymi Bolden Everyone would benefit if more poor lived in a variety of different places, according to John Cranley. Cincinnati City Councilman John Cranley wants the poor to have nicer places to live — and he wants more of them to live elsewhere. Cranley has proposed a housing strategy that would encourage more subsidized…
Music: Platinum Punks
Blink 182 just wants to have a good time while playing thier music. You be the judge, invites Mark Hoppus. Blink 182 is either an offensive trio that says bad words or a fun Punk Rock band. "I think it really depends on who you talk to. I think it's different for every person,"…
The Fairmount Girls ready the release of their latest album, Tender Trap
Fairmount Girls "In the beginning, Melissa and I would just sit and play acoustic guitars," remembers Jane McBrain, on the origin of her Fairmount Girls. "And then we'd look at catalogs!" On the eve of their second CD release, this band of merry shoppers is laughing about how little has changed. The band, though,…
News: It’s a Maelstrom
A lot is going on with the United States Postal Service (USPS): A Congressional committee is considering the most comprehensive reform in 30 years, a new postmaster general began work June 1 and the second increase in postal rates this year angered scores of large-volume mailers. Locally, another audit has identified mail-sorting problems at the…
What if Charlie Luken Up and Called It Quits?
If we're to have a television news anchor for mayor, shouldn't we know what he believes in? You're thinking about Courtis Fuller, the WLWT anchor who has caused such excitement by announcing a run for mayor. But what about the incumbent, a former anchor for the same station? Does Charlie Luken stand for anything? Does…
Mr. Livingston, I Presume?
I was in the studio one morning at WDBZ (1230 AM) last September when Nate Livingston was offered a regular on-air talk show gig by Program Director Lincoln Ware. The offer was made live, on the air. It also was made hesitantly and with provisions. It was kind of like when a parent gives the…
Electile Dysfunction
Almost exactly a week ago, local Republicans surprised the public, the pundits and their political competition by announcing that revered longtime — and, since 1996, deceased — television anchorman Al Schottelkotte would be their candidate for mayor. It is only now, however, that a clear picture of the events leading to this development, as well…
News: We Have to Talk About This
A gesture characterized the mood of From Protest to Proposal, a day-long conference on police-community relations at Cincinnati State College. After a young African-American man voiced his profound frustration with Cincinnati Police, Lt. Howard Rahtz approached and handed the man his business card: an invitation to keep talking. Current and former police officers and civil…
Cover Story: All the News That Causes Fits
Lloyd Dangle Over the last year the stock market has gone down, then up, then down, then up again. Survivor's ratings went up and up and up. And for a while it was impossible to tell whether George W. Bush or Al Gore was on top. And the mainstream media never averted its gaze…
