Page 933 – Soapbox

New Renaissance Covington Director returns to hometown with vision

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March 2, 2010

Renaissance Covington Director Katie Meyer came back to her hometown from Frankfort after leaving the region seven years ago. Just as she'd planned."I was really looking to get back to Covington, and specifically downtown. In the past I'd looked for public administration jobs here and what I wanted wasn't available. But this job opened up and it was a great opportunity," she said. "There is a uniqueness about Covington; there is character here you can't find elsewhere. There's a lot of civic participation that makes is a great place to live. Your neighbors care about what's going on in the city."Meyer started the job Feb. 17, replacing former Director Kathie Hickey. Renaissance Covington is a non-profit initiative aimed at revitalizing the city's urban core. Among Meyer's plans are expanding green and public spaces, making the city more bike and pedestrian friendly and working closely with the city's emerging Arts District."I'm working on building a strong partnership with the arts district, really developing our local arts. We have so much potential here for a great arts community," she said.Meyer grew up in the Old Seminary Square neighborhood and attended Covington Latin School. She has a bachelor's from the University of Kentucky in political science and journalism and a Master's from The New School in New York City in urban policy analysis and management.She also held public administration jobs in New Delhi, India and Vancouver, B.C. before working at the Kentucky Housing Corporation in Frankfort as Performance Analyst.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Katie Meyer, Renaissance Covington Director

Get your Ecosculpt on this Earth Day on Fountain Square

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Arts + Culture

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March 2, 2010

This Earth Day two dozen creative types will make new creations out of old stuff during the first-ever Ecosculpt event on Fountain Square.Fountain Square Management Group, a subsidiary of 3CDC, and Duke Energy are partners in the event that will showcase 24 original sculptures made out of recycled materials. Installation begins April 9 and sculptures will be on display through April 29. Winners will be announced and money prizes awarded during an event on Fountain Square on Earth Day, April 22.Ecosculpt will mark the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, and could be an annual happening. "It's a wonderful way to celebrate spring and gives people a reason to come downtown and visit something interesting and fun on the square," said Kelly Leon, 3CDC, vice president for communications.Anyone can submit a sculpture concept online, and organizers will pick the top 24 for display. Sculptures dimensions should be big, around 10 ft. by 10 ft. and be made from recycled or recyclable materials. Submissions must be postmarked by March 10, or sent by fax or email by 5 p.m. March 12. "The art will mostly be judged for creativity, detail, use of recyclable material and public appeal. A people's choice award will be given out for the sculpture that the public chooses as its favorite," Leon said.Find complete Ecosculpt information and an entry form here. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Kelly Leon, 3CDC Vice President of Communications

66 business, public agencies nominated for Green Business Awards

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Environment + Sustainability

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March 2, 2010

There is no lack of sustainable-minded companies in Cincinnati, and dozens have been nominated for the Cincinnati Chamber's first-ever Green Business Award.The Chamber, Cincinnati Business Courier and U.S. Green Building Council Cincinnati Regional Chapter are sponsoring the award, highlighting the "people, companies, and organizations that are demonstrating leadership in sustainable practices at a variety of facilities and projects."Among nominated businesses is Blue Ash-based DotLoop.com, which launched its namesake real estate software late last year. DotLoop.com, aimed at Realtors, helps them process contracts online. The fast growing company is forecasting 2010 revenues of $2 million - $5 million."We were honored to be nominated for the Cincinnati Green Business Award. As a company that is in existence to promote efficiency and other green initiatives, it is exciting to be part of a community that shares in these goals," said G. Austin Allison, DotLoop's Chief Executive Officer.GreenSource Cincinnati, created by long-established company Monroe Mechanical, an industrial and commercial HVAC company, also was nominated. GreenSource Cincinnati is a new technology and resource center for green builders in the Midwest."We're honored to be considered a leader in the green movement in Cincinnati. To be nominated for the Green Business award is an exciting opportunity for Monroe Mechanical, Inc. to reach more people with the message of sustainability and energy savings through GreenSource Cincinnati," Monroe Mechanical COO Will Housh said.Another nominee is Building Value, a non-profit salvage and workforce development organization. In addition to its deconstruction work, Building Value houses a retail center in Northside, a wood working area and warehouse space. Since its beginnings, Building Value has kept more than 5,000 tons of building materials out of the city’s landfills."It's always an honor to be listed among companies that place environmental stewardship as one of their top priorities. Building Value employees take pride in our efforts to preserve the local environment and are grateful for this chance to tell our story," said Jerry Janszen, Building Value Director.The Green Business Award Reception is March 16 at the Xavier University's Cintas Center. Tickets are $50 and will be sold through March 9th. Find more information and a full list of nominees here. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Monroe Mechanical, DotLoop.com, Building Value

City Office of Environmental Quality receives $500K for Green Cincinnati Action Plan

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General

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March 2, 2010

The City of Cincinnati's Office of Environmental Quality was awarded a $500K, EPA Climate Showcase Community Award for its Green Cincinnati Action Plan. The grant will be paid out over three years.The Green Cincinnati Action Plan, formerly the Climate Protection Action Plan, contains 80 specific steps the city can take to become a national leader in addressing global climate change.Recommendations include: Reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions 8% below 2006 levels by 2012. Reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions 40% below 2006 levels by 2028. Reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions 84% below 2006 levels by 2050. Supporting a regional light rail system and passenger rail. Encouraging home energy efficiency measures."Our Green Cincinnati Action Plan is a collaboration among dedicated citizens, community organizations, and businesses in our region. Our partners all realize that making Cincinnati a 'Green City' is essential to making Cincinnati a successful city. Once again the Office of Environmental Quality is bringing in outside resources to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Cincinnati," said Mayor Mark Mallory.This award reinforces Cincinnati's status as a national leader in its sustainability efforts. Just 20 cities were granted funds out of 450 applicants. Also, the EPA will use Cincinnati's plans as an example of how other cities can Green Up."This funding will provide a tremendous boost to fulfilling the vision and programs in the Green Cincinnati Action Plan" said Larry Falkin, director of the City of Cincinnati's Office of Environmental Quality.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: City of Cincinnati

Been to a Big Boy? You’ve seen the work of locally owned Glasshand LLC

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Architecture + Design

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March 2, 2010

If you've seen those big fiberglass squirrels in Glendale, the http://cincinnati.com/bigpiggig big pigs downtown, or have ever visited a Frisch's Big Boy, then you've gotten an up-close look at the work of locally-based Glasshand LLC.Glasshand, which takes projects from concept to custom painted finish, has been around since 1989, but new owners, husband and wife Rokeya and Steve Brauch, and Mark Wright bought the business in August 2009.Steve Brauch and Wright knew the business well before taking it over. Brauch was Glasshand's principal sculptor and designer for more than a decade, and Wright was the longtime shop manager. "The prevoius owners started another business … but we saw potential in Glasshand, so we decided to start fresh and take over," said Rokeya, also the office manager.The company retained five employees from the former owners, and hired one new worker. The business employs sculptors, fabricators and model makers. Early this year, Glasshand relocated from Cleves to Woodlawn to be closer to local customers. Glasshand has a Greater Cincinnati client base, but also serves clients across the United States. Projects run the gamut from public and commercial art to roller coaster bodies and theme park displays.Among their customers are American Custom Trailers, the Cincinnati Zoo, Yogi Bear Jellystone Park campgrounds, Gotham Cruisers http://www.gothamcruisers.com/index.htm and Frisch's Big Boy (yep, they make Big Boy himself)."We can do everything here, sometimes people bring ideas scribbled on a napkin and we take from there," Rokeya said.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Rokeya Brauch, Glasshand LLC office manager

UC is top ranked in ARCHITECT Magazine survey

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Architecture + Design

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March 2, 2010

The University of Cincinnati's world-renowned architecture program was ranked by ARCHITECTURE Magazine as a top-five program for "practice-based education" thanks to the university's pioneered co-op program. The survey spoke highly of graduates from the program that boast six quarters of professional experience by the time they graduate, and further stated that when professionals around the country hear the word "co-op" they think of the University of Cincinnati. Read full article here.

CCM grads win College Television Award with “Today”

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Cincy In The News

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March 2, 2010

CCM graduates Dustin Chow and Steven Schaefer are responsible for creating an award-winning short musical film, "Today." Featuring a dozen CCM musicians, "Today" was produced as part of UC's Senior Showcase and won the College Television Award for Best Use of Music. The CTA's are sponsored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. The score was composed by Chow's band, Where They Landed.Read the full story here.

Two Cincinnati companies make Interior Design’s top 100 Giants list

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Cincy In The News

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March 2, 2010

Interior Design Magazine's annual ranking of the top-100 interior design firms in the nation includes two Cincinnati-based firms that impacted over 10 million square feet of interior space design. Cincinnati-based KZF Design jumped 37 spots to number 71 overall while FRCH Design Worldwide dropped eight spots to number 40 overall in the rankings. Read full article here.

Cincinnati receives grant for ‘green’ vehicles

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Cincy In The News

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March 2, 2010

The City of Cincinnati received a $122,000 grant from Clean Fuels Ohio to help add 18 new alternative fuel vehicles to the city's ever-greening fleet. The City will add eight hybrid-electric vehicles and 10 propane-powered vehicles in place of existing gasoline-powered vehicles. City officials hope to eventually convert all applicable vehicles to hybrids as they are replaced. Read full article here.

Cincinnati Country Day has 10 National Merit Finalists

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Cincy In The News

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March 2, 2010

Ten seniors at Cincinnati Country Day Upper School have qualified as National Merit Finalists representing 16 percent of the graduating class. The students will compete for merit scholarships later this spring. More than 1.5 million students enter the competition with only 15,000 nationwide reaching the finalist level. The prestigious private school in Cincinnati had 24 percent of its current graduating class recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Read full article here.