Page 909 – Soapbox

Local fitness coach turns fitness concept into Keep It Tight boutique gym

By Newsroom

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May 18, 2010

You've probably heard of boutique hotels, boutique clothing and even boutique bowling but a Mason nutritionist turned fitness coach has turned a fitness concept "Bikini Bootcamp" into a locally-owned boutique fitness center for women.Melissa Maston, a longtime nutritionist, began coaching the Bikini Bootcamp in a small gym her husband built within the last four employees of his Mason-based company Matson Money."The employees didn't really use it. I thought we could open it to the public and started the Bikini Boot camp for women," said Melissa who became a certified fitness coach in early 2009. "It went crazy, and within a year it was time to expand."Bikini Boot camp is an intense, high calorie burn fitness class that mixes cardio and low weight training. The class proved so popular that Melissa expanded her offerings, and in April opened Keep It Tight fitness in a former sofa express in Symmes Township.Keep It Tight fitness is not a typical gym. It's highly structured and focused, and is tailored to each member's goals."It's not the type of place where you just come in whenever you want and exercise by yourself. You make an appointment, and we work with our girls one-on-one, talking to them about specific goals they want to accomplish," Melissa said.The 6,000 sq. ft. fitness center has a variety of classes, and a hot yoga studio in addition to cardio equipment. The center has three employees and includes nutrition counseling.Membership ranges from $75 to $399 a month, depending on how many times a week members want to work out. Classes are geared toward specific goals and include names like Tight Tummies, 100% cardio, Hot Power Lunch and Chick Power Hour.Keep it Tight also uses the web to keep members on track with videos of exercises that can be performed at home, nutritious recipes, suggestions for beauty products and a place to download music playlists from classes on iMixes via iTunes.Melissa believes the center's focus on pushing members to get results, and its women-only atmosphere is appealing to members who are willing to pay higher prices than a traditional fitness center."We have women who belong to other fitness centers, but just don't feel like they get those results without help," she said.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Melissa Matson, owner Keep it Tight FitnessYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiasoapbox

BAE Systems in Butler County awarded $10 million federal contract to armor vehicles

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Innovation News

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May 18, 2010

BAE Systems in Butler County has just been awarded a $10 million federal government contract to armor vehicles for commercial use.Under the contract, BAE will armor commercial SUV's and pick-ups. The custom vehicles will be tailored to specific customer needs and include mission specific-features. The vehicles won't look like traditional military-style transportation, and are intended to look like everyday commercial vehicles, according to the company."With the current growth in areas of conflict, we are seeing global demand for commercial armored vehicles continuing to keep pace," said Don Dutton, Vice President with BAE Systems' Security & Survivability business. "Because they're designed to blend in with local, indigenous cultures, and they send out a decidedly different 'message' than military-style vehicles, we're seeing more and more commercial armored vehicles being used, both here in the U.S. and abroad," added Dutton. Locally, BAE employs approximately 1,600 and is one of Butler County's largest employers. The commercial armored vehicles will be manufactured in West Chester starting in late 2010, with the first set of deliveries scheduled in 2011.BAE is an advanced manufacturing, product and service company based in the United Kingdom, with 107,000 employees worldwide. The company's Butler County plant is part of the global aerospace, defense and security company's Land and Armament business unit. The company's client base includes the air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Jennifer Robinson, BAE SystemsYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiasoapbox

Christ Hospital part of national study testing new wound healing device

By Newsroom

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General

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May 18, 2010

The Christ Hospital has been chosen to take part in a national research study testing a new FDA-cleared medical device designed to better treat hard-to-heal, chronic wounds.The Smart Negative Pressures, or SNaP, Wound Care System is a disposable suction device that requires no electricity or batteries. The novel device uses "negative pressure therapy" or removal of small amounts of discharge from chronic, acute, traumatic, subacute and dehisced wounds, ulcers (such as diabetic or pressure)."We're excited to have been chosen to take part in this national study. The SNaP System is a small and silent device that uses a patented vacuum technology to provide a therapeutic benefit to chronic wounds," said Mark Harding, M.D., medical director of The Christ Hospital Wound Healing Center.The Christ Hospital Wound Healing Center is one of 12 hospitals taking place in the study, which will compare the SNaP device to the negative pressure devices currently on the market.SNaP is in the pre commercialization phase, having received FDA clearance in 2009. It's manufactured by California-based by Spiracur, Inc. The device delivers this negative pressure through tubing that is connected to dressing that creates an airtight seal around the wound. It's fully portable and about the size of a cell phone."It is indicated for use on a variety of ulcers typically seen on our patients here at The Christ Hospital and is ideal for our outpatient clinic. It generally takes about five minutes for a dressing change, which can be completed in the clinic by a nurse or physician or at home by a caretaker," Dr. Harding said.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Michael Beauchat, The Christ HospitalYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiasoapbox

Cincinnati’s Zoo Games brings independent game design to a larger audience

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Entrepreneurship

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May 18, 2010

For those that love video games, a new one is an addictive, guilty pleasure. Some fan favorites come from a local company - Zoo Games.From their offices near Rookwood Pavilion, Zoo Games finds and promotes new games and innovative ways to enjoy the gaming experience. The company specializes in moderately-priced, family-friendly games for the casual gamer: racing, game-show, action-adventure, and the like. Brands represented include Jeep, Hello Kitty, and Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson. Some Zoo Games products are bundled with creative gaming accessories that put players into the action. Independent game designers bring fresh ideas; Zoo Games provides the marketing polish, and connects the finished products to distribution platforms. "Zoo Games was originally based in New York," said Mary Kish, company marketing specialist. "But as we began to focus primarily on sales and marketing as opposed to development, the need for a location with consumer marketing ability increased. Cincinnati was a prime location for these needs."Currently, Zoo Games' Cincinnati headquarters employs 20. The company plans to recruit new talent for its finance, digital, and marketing departments. Zoo Games recently launched IndiePubGames, a site where gaming enthusiasts and indie game developers can meet, game, and generate new ideas. May 1, IndiePub launched a Game Design Competition; the designer of the grand prize game receives $100,000 and a contract to have their game published. Gamers who register are entered to win an iPad each month, and a flat-screen 3D TV as a grand prize. Both contests end September 15. Zoo Games launched in 2007; its leadership team was formed after a merger of three companies. Mark Seremet, President and CEO, co-founded Take 2, a global publisher of interactive entertainment software, in 1993. Take 2's 1998 acquisition of Jack of All Games, a majorvideo game distributor based in West Chester, brought Jack of All Game's president, Steve Buchanan, to Zoo Game's leadership team. The trio was rounded out when when Take 2 bought David Rosenbaum's company DSi Games.Today, Seremet, Rosenbaum, and Buchanan steer Zoo Games; the length of their successful involvement with video games gives them a wide-angle view of the fast-paced industry. Writer: Elena StevensonSource: Mary Kish, Marketing Specialist, Zoo Games

UC PR students place second with awareness proposal for Kohler’s Save Water America campaign

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Environment + Sustainability

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May 18, 2010

A group of University of Cincinnati students brought home a second-place prize for their plan to raise awareness of Kohler's Save Water America campaign.The Wisconsin-based kitchen and bath fixture company awarded runner-up status to the University's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America for their proposal. It involved raising campaign awareness where large groups of people gather in Cincinnati's urban core, including Findlay Market and the Reds Opening Day parade in addition to placing more traditional radio ads."The unique situation with us is that we are the University of Cincinnati - we could utilize the entire city in our campaign. That’s why we went beyond campus to include Findlay Market," says senior Brad Okel. "We had two goals for our campaign: use Cincinnati as an example for water conservation trends, and position Kohler as an expert in water conservation."The Save Water America campaign promotes water conservation and awareness and tips through an interactive web site that allows users to find specific ideas for their lives."Winning second place in a national competition is a great indication of the way the program is growing," says Communication Professor Maribeth Metzler, the director of UC's Public Relations Program and faculty advisor of PRSSA. "Our students are seeing the benefits of their hard work and it's causing them to become more competitive and proud of what they’re doing."UC came in second behind Syracuse University with Ohio State University finishing third. The winners were announced in April and were told they will receive water saving products for their home universities.UC began offering a public relations certificate in its Communication Department in 2003. The certificate is one of two in the state certified by the Public Relations Society of America (the other is Ohio Northern University just outside of Lima) .Last year, UC's PRSSA chapter won first place in a statewide Donate Life Ohio campaign, the organ donation effort sponsored by the Ohio Department of Health. The year prior, in its Debunkify campaign, the chapter earned "Best Creative Execution."Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Kim Burdett, assistant PIO McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, UC PRSSA chapter president Kelley UjvaryYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiasoapbox

Train Station Reuse – Cincinnati Style

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Cincy In The News

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May 18, 2010

The city of Buffalo looks at the restoration of Cincinnati's Union Terminal as a model to preserve their very own Buffalo Central Terminal. Buffalo praises Cincinnati for their adaptive reuse of what used to be considered a non-valuable and useless space to a lively and cultural place for all ages. Read the full story here.

Cincinnati Casino Developer promises thousands of job opportunities

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Cincy In The News

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May 18, 2010

Cincinnati's recently approved casino promises thousands of jobs to Cincinnati residents. Rock Ventures, the group developing the new Broadway Commons casino, plans to use mostly local contractors and workers to complete the construction. Cincinnati is the first among the four other major cities in Ohio to make such a positive impact by creating many local jobs. Read the full story here.

Macy’s reaches new high in largest employee-based food campaign in U.S.

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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May 18, 2010

Macy's Inc. employees contribute to "Bag Hunger," one of the largest food drives in America by providing food donations and hours of community service. The company is proud to make such a positive impact locally and nationally by supporting many of those in need in such a variety of ways. Read the full story here.

Cincinnati Is Awesome: Who Knew?!

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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May 18, 2010

A native New Yorker finds that the Queen City is "awesome" after a spontaneous trip to Cincinnati She blogs about the enthusiasm and friendliness of the natives who showed their love for the city itself. Along the way she visited the Cincinnati Museum at Union Terminal, Opening Day Parade activities at Fountain Square, and the Contemporary Arts Center. Read the full story here.

Urban parks take over downtown freeways

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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May 18, 2010

USA Today takes a look at cities working to improve their downtown areas with more parks and pedestrian friendly areas. Cincinnati's Banks and Riverfront projects will reconnect downtown to the Ohio river with 16 acres of unused space for development and 40 acres for a park on the banks of the river. Read the full story here..