In June, city leaders made a rare proclamation condemning the actions of past politicians who systematically displaced tens of thousands of Black Cincinnatians. Standing alongside council members and other city leaders, Mayor Aftab Pureval issued a public apology for the destructive consequences of the 1948 "Master Plan" that saw the dismantling of the historically Black lower West End neighborhood to make way for the expansion of I-75 and the Queensgate industrial area. The apology acknowledged the racist actions and long-term damage inflicted on the predominantly Black community, where over 2,800 homes, businesses, churches and other buildings were leveled. Approximately 25,000 residents, mostly Black, were forcibly displaced, with promises of relocation assistance unfulfilled. The apology emphasized ongoing efforts to reinvest in the West End, including pedestrian safety measures, a $20 million federal grant for road improvements, a $7 million investment to address pollution in the Mill Creek corridor and support for local businesses. The city also plans to pursue a $50 million choice grant with the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority to revitalize housing on Linn Street and transform the historic Regal Theater into an African-American multicultural center.

News broke in March that Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC), the nonprofit that operates Hamilton County’s dog warden, received a call about a “leopard” stuck in a tree in Oakley. Turns out, after an encounter with Cincinnati Police, an illegal serval escaped from an apartment and ran up a tree. Crews retrieved the “grumpy” 35-pound cat, named Amiry, bringing him back to CAC’s Northside shelter. A big cat expert confirmed Amiry was in fact a 100% pure-bred serval, adding he’d “rather deal with a tiger.” CAC’s tests found cocaine in Amiry’s system, giving him the viral “cocaine cat” nickname in light of Elizabeth Banks’ horror/comedy Cocaine Bear released early that year. Amiry was eventually transferred to the Cincinnati Zoo where he transitioned into a new role as a “cat ambassador.” While the journey was wild, Amiry is now thriving as a public figure among new drug-free friends.

Mt. Adams is known for its San Francisco-like hills, high vantage point over the city and its bars and restaurants, but one local establishment combines all of those. The City View Tavern is a fun little bar with good burgers and a hidden away, local feel, but the best part is its namesake view. The picture window that looks out over the east side of the city might be one of best in town, and there’s also a deck to get even closer. Best seen at night looking out over the city lights. cityviewtavern.com.

For the past several years, Good Plates Eatery in Clifton Heights has been brightening the holidays for many by handing out free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to anyone interested — no questions asked. Good Plates owner Andrew Schlanser said the whole thing started in 2020 during the pandemic. He and his wife, Jamie, always wanted to use their restaurant to do some good in the community, and they figured since people wouldn’t be able to visit loved ones for the holidays, didn’t want to cook or just needed a meal, they could offer that kindness. It started with 20 or 30 meals then, and, in 2023, Schlanser said they were prepared to make at least 4,000 meals total. goodplateseatery.com.

On a sunny, blue sky fall day last September, the famous Goodyear Blimp landed at the historic Lunken Field. Onlookers who happened by on the nearby bike trail or driving by (like myself) stopped and looked on, taking pictures like a celebrity sighting, of sorts. Lunken Airport is a legend in its own right. Charles Lindbergh and his Spirit of St. Louis made a stop in 1927; Howard Hughes and Jean Harlow visited for the dedication; it’s where The Beatles landed on their first visit in 1964, and Air Force One has carried multiple presidents there over the years. The art deco airport is a sight itself; it’s one of the city’s essential buildings, and there is also always something to see in the, still, very active airfield. cincinnati-oh.gov/dote/lunken-airport.

College Hill residents saw a need in their community — traffic and pedestrian safety — and they banded together to fill it. After multiple bad accidents, lives lost and close calls, a few concerned neighbors took matters into their own hands to initiate studies and partner with groups like Vision Zero Cincinnati, to request and fund traffic calming measures. They regularly meet at troublesome entrances and intersections to hold signs, wave and work at making pedestrian safety a more visible concern for drivers in their neighborhood. They’re more than just keyboard warriors — they’re contributing members of their community. visionzerocincy.net.

Every year seems to bring another sterling example of how, in Northside, people really try to support their local businesses and cultural institutions. This year’s one centers on The Loon Wine Bar on Hamilton Ave., a lovely and friendly small establishment that also has some invigorating live musical entertainment. Forced to close in February due to her landlord’s plans for the space, owner Melanie Quallen discovered that the new spot she found across the street would take longer than planned to be ready, meaning a loss of revenue for time closed. So she started a GoFundMe campaign to ask for help to cover financial losses and expenses. As of late February, she has received $27,000 of her $30,000 goal, and the future is looking hopeful. welcometonorthside.com.

Whether in Paycor Stadium or screaming from The Banks, Taylor Swift Fans, or “Swifties,” showed up in full force for the first night of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concert in June. The Banks was transformed into "Swiftinnati" for a concert Tay-Gate, complete with friendship bracelet stations and custom Swift-inspired cocktails. Fans dressed in an endless array of Taylor-made costumes; even the protesters were unwittingly on-theme (see the "You Need to Calm Down" music video). The fashion and passion were a reminder that girls fucking rule, and Taylor Swift’s relevance and impact have only just begun.

While enjoying the array of wonderful drinks available on their menu, the draw of the Beeline is its spectacular view of the Cincinnati skyline. Whether it’s a chilly day and you can only view through the windows, or you get to sit at their outdoor section, you will get an incredible view of the Queen City, perfect for snapping a few photos or simply admiring the atmosphere. Beeline also has a long list of house cocktails to sip while you stare out at the city, such as the Hot Shot, which includes lavender-infused vodka, and The Derail, with jalapeño tequila, among others. Or, try one of their Jam Sessions, where you select your spirit (vodka, gin, rum, bourbon or tequila) and your jam (blueberry-lime, cherry-jalapeño, raspberry rosé, pineapple upside down or honey pear vanilla) which the bartenders will make into your own curated drink. beelineonthelevee.com.

While it’s mind boggling that it took this long, Ohioans have finally voted to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. Issue 2 passed with more than 56% of the vote, showing we’re ready to be treated as adults who unwind in peace. While lawmakers are still fighting over implementation details, like THC levels, home growth rules and more, 2023 was a major first step towards lifting the prohibition of something that should have never been illegal in the first place.

While many are forward-focused on the advancement of public transit in the city, most forget to put respect on one of Metro’s most cherished lines on the road: the 17. Shout out to a tried-and-true hero which, while sometimes off schedule, pulls us through from the south to the north of Cincinnati come rain, sleet, snow and especially shine. Operating during most holidays, the 17 still holds the respect of many of Cincinnati’s residents as a reliable way to move about Hamilton County and at a very appreciated price. go-metro.com.

Jerry Springer, the provocative daytime talk show legend and former mayor of Cincinnati, died at 79 after a battle with pancreatic cancer at his Chicago home in April. Before Springer was “Jerry! Jerry!” he spent a decade in Cincinnati politics, serving on city council and as the city’s 56th mayor in 1977. He then spent another ten years as WLWT’s nightly news anchor where Springer earned several Emmys. Starting in 1991, The Jerry Springer Show debuted, quickly evolving into a shocking daytime display paternity test reveals, marriage confessions and in-studio brawls that blurred the lines between reality and scripted television. Before the show wrapped after 5,000 episodes in 2018, Springer returned to his roots as a political and cultural commentator with The Jerry Springer Podcast, which was recorded in Ludlow, Ky. Cincinnati remembered Springer in a celebration of life at Memorial Hall that was broadcast to pedestrians at Fountain Square. Attended by local leaders, family and fans, guests were given t-shirts featuring his signature catchphrase: "Take care of yourself and each other."

The 859 area code has transformed into Area 51 with the arrival of “Clive,” a 30-foot-tall fiberglass alien who now calls Covington's Midtown Parking Garage home. The not-so-little green man protrudes from the second and third floors of the parking structure, wielding a giant magnifying glass to examine any humanoids passing by below… especially those interested in taking a selfie (#clivethealien). Created by local artist Marc Phelps and funded by Covington's Quality of Place grant program and meetNKY, the intergalactic installation adds a whimsical touch to the region’s already impressive collection of public art. instagram.com/clivethealien.

This court date had to be selected with the explicit intent to be funny. Rapper Afroman, known for his 2000 hit “Because I Got High," appeared in court on April 20 (yes, 4/20) to defend himself against seven Adams County deputies who allege he’s ruined their reputations. Afroman, given name Joseph Edgar Foreman, is being sued by seven members of the Adams County Sheriff's Office for publishing security footage of a raid on his home by the department from August 2022. The raid, which Afroman said caused extensive damage to his home, recovered only cash, a few joints, a vape and some hemp. Officials at the time said the raid was part of an “ongoing investigation” into possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia, money and weapons associated with drug trafficking and kidnapping. No charges were ever filed against the artist, but the deputies involved in the raid are suing the rapper for using his own security footage of the raid on Instagram, on t-shirts and in music videos for a new album titled Lemon Pound Cake. The case (and the laughs at his court scheduling) is still ongoing.

It’s not too often that you see a parking garage do anything to spruce things up, let alone show Christmas spirit, but the downtown 7th street Olympic Garage not only decorates the mid-century garage, but does it in style with a group of Christmas character blow molds and giant wreaths hanging over the entrance and exit along with decorations inside, as well — pretty charming. The giant eye-catching red and white arrow “PARK” sign might also be one of the best of the old Cincinnati signs still flying over the city streets.

When the weather turns cold, wet and altogether awful, it’s easy to feel trapped inside with your kiddo. There just aren’t enough indoor play options for kids in the post-COVID era. But tucked into the upper corner of Liberty Center’s indoor mall area is not only a whole library, but also an actual kid-friendly play area, sponsored by Cincinnati Children’s. From air tubes to a giant, climbable pig and slide, the Discovery Center is a great place to let your kids burn some energy indoors and for free.

1. Smale Riverfront Park
2. Washington Park
3. Summit Park

Music & Event Management Inc. (MEMI) really thought Cincinnati was going to jump for joy when they announced in 2023 that Coney Island and its iconic Sunlite Pool would be demolished and replaced with, wait for it, another music venue. The sun set on Coney Island in December after nearly 138 years of memories made, and critics of MEMI, a subsidiary of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, were quick with their honest takes online: "Please god no," one Instagram user commented on CityBeat's post about the news; “Stop taking things away from kids," commented another. The wide internet discourse ballooned into 24,000 people (and counting) signing an online petition to turn Coney Island's pool into a historical landmark. The Cincinnati Preservation Association is also taking a firm stance against filling in Sunlite Pool, the largest recirculating swimming pool in the world: “This is something that should be celebrated and preserved, not paved over.”

In a saga fit for an Italian soap opera, the Capitoline Wolf Statue, a stolen gem from Cincinnati's Eden Park, made a triumphant return in 2023 — or rather, its replica has. After the original disappeared under mysterious circumstances in June 2022, officials held a grand unveiling of the replacement in November, complete with the Cincinnati chapter of the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America. The stolen original, a gift from Benito Mussolini in 1929, had quite the journey — switched out for a larger replica in 1931, it stood in Eden Park until snatched by vandals in 2022. Despite the city council’s $50,000 reward offer, the police are still playing catch-up with the statue-nappers. The unveiling of her replacement, complete with Italian crooners and treats, turned the whole affair into a beautifully cheesy Italian-American spectacle, reminding everyone that Cincinnati has history, both stolen and recreated. cincinnatiparksfoundation.org/projects/the-capitoline-wolf.

When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the court made abortion rights a states’ issue, and Ohio spoke. The first predominantly Republican state to decide on abortion care access, Ohio passed Issue 1 with more than 56% of the vote, a crushing defeat for Republicans who railed against the measures with the full support of the state’s top election official. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose reportedly allowed several anti-abortion groups to assist in writing the ballot language for Issue 1, inserting misleading language such as “unborn child.” That didn’t stop Ohioans from making their priorities clear. Now, abortion access in the state remains untouched and is legal up until the point of viability, or about 22 weeks. The results of Issue 1 shines a purple light on the question: “Is Ohio a red or blue state anymore?”