Alltech names ten Kentucky Ambassadors for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010

Ten Kentuckians have been selected and commissioned by Alltech to represent the company and advance the message of the games.  The ten men and women come from all across the state and will play an instrumental role during the event. The selected individuals represent each of the Commonwealth's congressional districts and are tasked with represent Alltech in their hometowns and surrounding communities.  Part of that task will be to convey the message about global animal health and nutrition during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Read full article here.

UC grad becomes first to bike through 48 states

Phil Nagel, a 23-year-old recent graduate from the University of Cincinnati completed an 8,200 mile bike ride across the country on Saturday, September 13.  In the process Nagel has become the first cyclist to ride through all lower 48 states. Nagel began the journey roughly two months ago on July 20 from Tipp City near Dayton, Ohio and had intended on completing the route in 48 days.  This goal was set back due to some inclement weather and detours.  Overall his route was nearly four times as long as the famous Tour-de-France. Read full article here.

Lebanon Citizens National Bank introduces world’s first solar powered drive-thru

Vintage Hub Re-Cyclery rolls into Clifton with style and substance

For roughly four years Vintage Hub Re-Cyclery managing directors Greg Sulfridge and John Tittra collected European style bikes and parts that all started with the purchase of a triathlon bike gone wrong. Sulfridge remembers purchasing the $1,500 bike that he did not end up using for the triathlon he had intended on competing.  Instead the bike got limited use until Sulfridge found a vintage European bike that he found to be just as good riding-wise, but much better stylistically and environmentally. "What we're trying to do is recycle older bikes," said Sulfridge who went on to say that Vintage Hub Re-Cyclery is trying to create an affordable way to bring nostalgia back. Suflridge also described how important the design of a bike is for its rider who said, "we really look at it as the bike picking you." The 900 square-foot store located at 3230 Jefferson Avenue (map) in Clifton just made perfect sense for Sulfridge and Tittra who saw the built in customers from the nearby University of Cincinnati that now has close to 40,000 students. The store has four employees and does a buy/sell/trade operation that also includes the famous $40 tune-up; which according to Sulfridge is the cheapest in town.  Vintage Hub Re-Cyclery also works with the MoBo Bicycle Cooperative in Northside on parts that they donate to the group - parts that Sulfridge says have become more available thanks to the internet. On average, the vintage bikes sell for around $165 at the store.  Vintage Hub Re-Cyclery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm to 7pm at the Clifton location and is located along several bike and bus routes.  To find out more information call the store at (513) 281-VHUB. Writer: Randy A. Simes Photography by Scott Beseler Stay connected and follow Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy

The Candy Bar has brought the old neighborhood style candy shop back to Nky

Joe Barta has always had the dream to open up his own candy store, and in the process, bring back the old neighborhood style candy shop many grew up with.  On Labor Day weekend Barta's dream came true when he opened The Candy Bar in Covington's Mainstrasse Village. While the business has always been a dream of Barta's, he had always thought it might be a retirement venture until the struggling job market fast-tracked his plans earlier this year.  After tossing the idea around with his family, Barta then took his general business plan to Northern Kentucky University's Small Business Development Center where they refined his plan and determined that his business venture was indeed a good one. The Small Business Development Center was a "tremendous help" according to Barta who was unsure whether it was the right time and right plan to open such an establishment.  "Fortunately we were able to get the traffic from the UK/Miami football game, Riverfest, and Oktoberfest celebrations on Mainstrasse," said Barta. The 300 square-foot store located between the fountain and clocktower on Mainstrasse was a spot that Barta says he immediately fell in love with.  "It's family friendly, there is a park immediately across the street, and has access to lots of festivals," said Barta about the location which would also make for a great purchase eventually. "I would love to buy the building and move my family upstairs while running the store out of the retail space on the first level," said Barta. The Candy Bar is currently offers around 250 different types of candy; some of which date back more than 100 years.  The types of available candy is still growing as a unique feature to The Candy Bar is the board at the front of the store where customers can request a particular candy that they may remeber from their childhood. Barta notes that candy bars sell for around $1, and several candies are sold as two or three for a quarter.  "Candy is a treat and you don't need the supersize me mentality when it comes to buying candy," said Barta who goes on to say that The Candy Bar does not sell a lot of bulk sizes. The store is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 9pm, Sunday from 1pm to 8pm and is closed on Mondays. Writer: Randy A. Simes Photography by Scott Beseler Stay connected and follow Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy

Newport Ambassador Program looking for enthusiastic volunteers

The Newport Ambassador Program was started eight years ago by then Commissioner of Newport Jan Knetschield who wanted to start a community service program in Newport.  Nearly a decade later the program is still going strong and continuing to make an impact in the river city. Newport Ambassador Program Coordinator Kelly Flynn says that the program currently provides quality volunteers for eight different events and festivals throughout the year in Newport.  Once engaged, Flynn says that the volunteers help to promote Newport's positive image. At this point the Newport Ambassador Program has 20 active and about 50 total volunteers.  Active volunteers participate in at least three events per year, many of which occur on Newport's floodwall, and all volunteers go through a training/orientation session on how to participate and effectively answer questions for visitors and residents of Newport.  The volunteers are able to do this in part by handing out brochures on various items like the Newport Gang Tours, Newport restaurants, and by pointing people to local resources like Go2Newport. The last major event of the 2009 year for Newport Ambassadors will be Newport's Oktoberfest celebrations this weekend that are a replica of the events held in Munich, Germany.  Flynn also notes that the Ambassadors will also be helping with the East End Christmas Tour later this year as they have volunteered to help host the annual event. Over the next year Flynn expects the program to grow with upcoming changes at City Hall.  "Next season will be really busy as the Parks/Recreation Department is reorganized.  We might very well play a role in that and are looking to grow our base of volunteers as a result," said Flynn. Volunteers do not have to be Newport residents as Flynn states that there are some volunteers who might have move around the region, but still feel passionate about Newport and want to help.  To get involved you can visit Newport City Hall at 998 Monmouth Street and asking for an application which can then be dropped back off at a later time, or returned by mail.  Kelly Flynn can also be reached for more information at (859) 803-9749. Writer: Randy A. Simes Photography by Scott Beseler Stay connected and follow Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy

Annual street painting festival returns to Clifton this weekend

The 7th Annual StreetScapes Festival will be taking place this weekend from Saturday, September 26 through Sunday, September 27 on Telford Street at Ludlow Avenue in the heart of the Clifton neighborhood business district. The street painting festival has become a favorite amongst local residents and splashes the area with a vibrant scene of color and life over the two-day event.  Festival organizers tout that their is no other art experience like this in the Cincinnati region where local artists come together to reproduce famous works of art from around the world. The two-day festival will transform Telford Street (map) into a street full of paintings created with custom-made chalk.  The whole process can be enjoyed by spectators looking to see the final product, or track its evolution over the festival.  This year's event will reproduce pieces of work by Picasso and Michelangelo to start. There will also be a children's section where kids can showcase their talents and participate in the creation of a giant chalk mural right there on the pavement.  Music and other entertainment will also be available in addition to the wide array of businesses and destinations along Ludlow Avenue. The StreetScapes Festival is free and open to the public, and will run from 10am to 6pm both days.  For more information please call the festival hot line at (513) 230-5126.  The Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) has been identified as the alternative rain location for the event. There is on-street parking nearby, and the Ludlow Avenue business district is well-served by Metro bus service.  There will also be overflow parking available at Burnet Woods, the CCAC, and Annunciation with shuttles to and from the event. Writer: Randy A. Simes Images Provided Stay connected and follow Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy

Mottainai & Belmain going green in an old-school way in OTR

Can we talk? Cincy Chat gets lunchtime YP conversation going

The Commute, work, family, kids, after-school activities. The life of the average young professional is often frenzied and hectic, leaving little time to just sit, talk and learn something new. The Cincinnati Chamber’s HYPE (Harnessing Young Professional Energy) initiative is helping facilitate some YP “me time” with its quarterly Cincy Chat YP Luncheon series. The series links YP’s with notable Cincinnati area business and community leaders in an informal, conversational setting. “We created this event as a way for young professionals to access leaders in our community in an intimate setting where they can interact with our speakers, and go a little ‘beyond their bios’ so to speak. As well, attendees can connect with each other to forge new business connections,” said Jennifer Young, Chamber marketing communications. The next Cincy Chat is Nov. 5, and features Sunny Delight Beverages Co. President & CEO Billy Cyr and Kroger Chief Technology Officer Jim Scott. Game Day Communications Founder and CEO Jackie Reau will moderate. The luncheon is 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Chamber’s office downtown. The cost is $20 for chamber members, $25 for non-members, and includes lunch. On average, 65 people attend each event, and some of most popular speaking pairs have been TD Hughes from Larosa's and Thayne Maynard from the Cincinnati Zoo, Jack Cassidy of Cincinnati Bell and Patty Brisben Pure Romance founder and Pete Strange of Messer Construction and Evans Nwankwo of Megen Construction. Cincy Chat is just one of HYPE’s programs. Others are annual YP Summit BOLDFUSION, YP Orientation Program MY / PLACE and YP Leadership Development Program C-CHANGE. You can keep up with HYPE on Facebook, or Twitter. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Jennifer Young