Page 948 – Soapbox

Downtown Cincinnati Inc. gets six new board members

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December 8, 2009

TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT. Writer: Randy A. Simes Photography by Scott Beseler Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy

NoKy Small Web Business is Superb by Design

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Entrepreneurship

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December 8, 2009

The best businesses grow where desire meets need. Jennifer Mitchell, owner of www.superbbydesign.com Superb by Design, began designing Web sites for fun in 1997. She never guessed that her hobby would carve a new path for her career.Last November, Mitchell was laid off from an HR job in downtown Cincinnati. A friend, whom Mitchell had helped with a corporate website, encouraged Mitchell to craft websites as a full-time vocation."I started networking in January, just to find out if there was room for another Web design firm in Cincinnati," said Mitchell. She built her clientele while sending out resumes, but soon became confident that Superb by Design could create the lifestyle and job satisfaction she craved. "I love what I do. Being my own boss is wonderful, and you meet some really great people." Mitchell builds up her contacts with online and face-to-face networking. She is director of the Cincinnati chapter of http://www.likemindedmoms.net/Cincinnati.htm Like Minded Moms, a women's business community, and leads an online business group on Meetup.com. Mitchell also attends http://www.womensideanetwork.com/index.php Women's Idea Network, http://newmediacincinnati.com/ New Media Cincinnati, and several business collaboratives.Web design has seen a lot of change since 1997, providing Mitchell with challenges and chances to grow. "Many people are still designing websites the same way we were eight years ago—before BlackBerrys. Today's small businesses need a site that's accessible no matter what platform you use—from a cell phone to a three-monitor station. YouTube is now the second largest search engine. With people wanting video on their sites, I've had to learn more about incorporating it." Superb by Design currently operates in Mitchell's Florence home, though she's considered opening a separate office as the business expands. She subcontracts with a photographer, a graphic artist, and a copywriter, and may hire administrative help in the next year.Writer: Elena StevensonSource: Jennifer Mitchell, Owner, Superb by Design

Library Brings Playaway audio technology to Cincinnati

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General

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December 8, 2009

Local library patrons have a smart new way to enjoy great books. The http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County now offers audio books on a Playaway, a new device that’s half the size of a deck of cards. Findaway World, who manufactures the Playaway, has extended a free 90-day trial at no cost to the Library.For decades, busy minds have enjoyed books on tape or CD. But Rick Ryan, the East Region’s Library Services Manager, points out several advantages the Playaway holds over old formats. “An entire book is loaded on each device, so there are not multiple CDs or cassettes to keep track of and load throughout the listening time.” You can find more about borrowing Playaways here: http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/news/2009/playaways.htmlA Playaway can go places that traditional audio players can’t. Joggers can enjoy narration without skips; chemo and MRI patients can listen during long treatments. Large buttons and convenient features like auto-bookmark and speed control make the Playaway user-friendly. Durability is another plus. “Because the content is digitally preloaded, the sound does not diminish with multiple playings,” says Ryan. Ryan is part of a team of Library staff who spearheaded the Playaway project. He pointed out that although the format is fairly new, it has been well received by the library community; 20,000 libraries now lend Playaways. Locally, about 100 titles are available at six Library locations: Main, Anderson, Clifton, Harrison, Madeira, and Monfort Heights.According to the Public Library Data Service Statistical Report 2009, The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County ranks twelfth in circulation among U.S. libraries, and downtown’s Main Library building is the busiest public library in the country.Writer: Elena StevensonSources: Rick Ryan, Library Services Manager, East; Emily Baute, Media Communications Specialist, The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Two Northern Kentucky start ups awarded more than $630,000 in state tech grants

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Entrepreneurship

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December 8, 2009

Two Northern Kentucky start ups, with help from Northern Kentucky ezonehttp://www.madisone-zone.com/Home.aspx, have been awarded a total of $630,000 in Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation grants.http://jacobsautomation.com/ Jacob's Automation, which is moving from Norwood to Campbell County, Ky., was awarded $600,000 for further development of its development of PackTrak™ technology. PackTrak is an upgrade on the chain, belt and gear motors in traditional package movers. PackTrack relies on a direct-drive linear motor that is tracked by customized software. Jacob's earlier received $200,000 from the Kentucky Enterprise funds to pay for patent expenses and for building two PackTrack demo units. "Given the economy and difficulty securing funding from traditional sources, the support we have received from the ezone and the KSTC programs has been invaluable and helped us invest in and further develop our technology," said Keith Jacobs, Founder and President of Jacobs Automation. "We are focused on growing our company and excited to be part of the high-tech economic growth that is happening in the state of Kentucky." DRSQUARED, in Covington, was awarded $30,000 for continued development of its web-based product designed to save web-based sellers' time by allowing them to manage, post and track products for sale through multiple online platforms at a single point."The KSTC grant gave me the momentum and confidence to push my idea forward," said Rodney D'Souza, DRSQUARED's founder. "The best part is that the ezone and KSTC provide the mentoring, networks and access to many non-monetary resources that will accelerate the growth of my business." Northern Kentucky ezone is a division of Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corp. http://www.northernkentuckyusa.com/Home.aspxWriter: Feoshia HendersonSource: Cheryl Besl, Strata-G Communications

Share Some Sugar makes neighborhood borrowing high tech

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General

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December 8, 2009

When Manhattan transplant Keara Schwartz moved from her Over-The-Rhine apartment to a house in Hyde Park, she needed a lot more "stuff."But she didn't necessarily want to buy things that she'd only use occasionally, like power tools or a snow blower or a ladder. "There was so much stuff I need for a house. Every time I'd buy another tool, I'd think, There has to be someone in my neighborhood who has this,'" the graphic design manager said.That formed the idea for Schwartz's new web site, Share Some Sugar, an online neighborhood borrowing site that launched just weeks ago.The free service, which is in Beta, has three main components. Users can offer an item to share, look for an item by neighborhood or zip code, or discuss neighborhood issues like block party plans or safety issues.Users sign up for the service by creating a profile, then they can list, look for items or have discussions. Currently nearly 300 items have been listed on the site including sprinklers, wheelbarrows, a carpet steamer, GPS and digital camera.Schwartz said Cincinnati is a perfect place to launch the site because of its neighborhood awareness. The city has 52 neighborhoods and numerous suburbs. The site allows users to save money, reduce their environmental footprint, and meet their neighbors."That exchange – of helping someone the first time you meet them – is a good way to start off a new friendship in your neighborhood," she said.Schwartz is promoting the site and working up the inventory to through local media and social networking sites. Eventually, she plans to spread the concept to other cities.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Keara Schwartz, founders Share Some Sugar

Local medical practice wins top physician award for Bio-Identical HRT treatment

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General

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December 8, 2009

Local Dr. Bruce Worrell, who specializes in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, also known as SottoPelle, brought home the top physician award from this year's national practitioner's conference.Dr. Worrell, who co-founded the Center for Optimal Vitality, was named the "Top SottoPelle Physician" in the U.S. The center, which has offices in Mason and Mt. Healthy, also won five other awards including the Eagle Award for "displaying great leadership, exemplary SottoPelle standards, and utilizing all SottoPelle methods." Dr. Worrell wife and center co-founder received the office manager of the year award."This motivates us to continue on the right path for next year and push our practice to achieve the very best in the field while recognizing our patients as the reason for our success," said Dr. Worrell, who has 26 years experience in internal medicine.SottePelle is an emerging, natural treatment option for health problems associated with hormone production loss due to aging. Those hormones include Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Both women and men use SottePelle, which treats everything from sleep problems and hot flashes to sexual dysfunction and bone density loss.The practice started with 2 employees in 2007, and now has 20. Dr. Worell plans are hiring three additional employees soon.Writer: Feoshia Henderson Source: Laura Day, Eisenmarketinggroup.com

Cincinnati-based Kroger offered its first Black Friday promotion

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Cincy In The News

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December 1, 2009

The nation's largest grocery store chain got involved with the many Black Friday promotions for the very first time in 2009 as it offered special discounts on the many gift cards the grocer sells at its stores to places like Best Buy, Pottery Barn, Sears and more. Shoppers buying gift cards at the grocery giant received $10 back for every $100 worth of gift cards they bought. It's the first time Kroger has engaged in such a Black Friday promotion to start off the holiday shopping season. The gift-card discount will continue through December 13 for shoppers using Kroger's loyalty cards. Read full article here.

Riverboat owner wants to go green

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Cincy In The News

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December 1, 2009

Newport-based BB Riverboats is looking to go green by seeking a $500,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to retrofit its flagship Belle of Cincinnati with three new, more efficient electric generators. BB Riverboats managers say that if they're successful in winning the grant money that they will then apply for additional grants to replace the three diesel engines on the Belle of Cincinnati, as well as, the generators and engines on the company's two other boats - the Mark Twain and River Queen. Read full article here.

Two Nky actresses debut this week

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Cincy In The News

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December 1, 2009

Ciara Bravo and Galadriel Stineman of Northern Kentucky will make their national television debuts this week on Nickelodeon's "Big Time Rush," and Cartoon Network's "Ben 10: Alien Swarm" respectively. "Big Time Rush" is being seen as Nickelodeon's answer to Disney's smash hit show "Hannah Montana" and the Jonas Brothers. Stineman, on the other hand, will be in a starring role as a superhero in the new television show based on the popular "Ben 10: Alien Force" cartoons. Read full article here.

Cincinnati ranked in Top 5 of most charitable cities

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Cincy In The News

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December 1, 2009

Men's Health Magazine recently released their rankings of the nation's most charitable cities. Of the nation's most 100 major cities Cincinnati ranked number four on the list just behind Madison, WI; Richmond, VA; and Seattle, WA. The magazine looked at total online charitable contributions, number of donations given to Goodwill in December, and the amount collected by the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign. The next highest Ohio city on the list was Toledo which came in at number 64. Read full article here.