Covington

Madeira Schools’ Energy Solution

Madeira city schools strive for greener energy pastures with a significant gift  from an anonymous donor and inspiration from a Northern Kentucky neighbor.

Vision 2015 Notes Successes in Creating Progress in NKY, Looks Ahead

Vision 2015, Northern Kentucky’s shared public agenda, is moving ever closer to its namesake year. And its 2008-2009 annual report notes the launch of the  Northern Kentucky Entrepreneurial Alliance, the hiring of an executive director for The Catalytic Development Funding Corp. and the new Cincinnati Agenda 360 strategic planning document among its community “wins.”  Vision 2015’s budget was $1.4 million, the majority of the funds came from corporate, foundation or donated services. More than $953,000 was dispersed to education, economic competitiveness, effective governance, regional stewardship, livable communities and urban renaissance efforts.“Over the past year Vision 2015 has continued to drive the implementation of the bold, strategic plan with make Northern Kentucky a better, more economically competitive place to live and work,” said Vision 2015 chairman A.J. Schaeffer. “Each (goal) is driven by community partners who strive to maximize the impact of their work on the community’s priorities and goals.”Other highlights include:• Reaching 17.8 percent of the goal to create 14,500 primary jobs by 2015 (overseen by Tri-ED).• Launch of Launchpad, a technology development initiative• Packaging service group receiving a Kentucky Enterprise grant, for $30,000• Bexicon Pharmaceuticals grant from the Commonwealth for $100,000• A biologic company, Charleston Labs grant for $1.3 million • TiER 1 Performance Solutions gaining a $100,000 matching grant from the Department of Defense• Second Community education summit: Literacy: Help NKY Invest in Tomorrow Today in 2008 led to 100 people committing to becoming education coachesBut not all went as planned, a Boone County Parks initiative failed at the ballot box last year that would have increased funding for county parks and green space.So what’s next for Vision 2015? Looking forward Vision 2015 plans to align the recommendations of Agenda 360 with Vision 2015, develop a consistent set of educational achievement indicators and continue a comprehensive strategy for partner engagement.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Vision2015 Annual Report

Northern Kentucky’s Southbank Partners raises over $200k for Riverfront Commons project

Cincy restaurants, hotels win AAA Four Diamond honor

Six Cincinnati-area restaurants and four hotels received the prestigious AAA Four Diamond rating.  All but one of the businesses were repeat winners, with Nicola's Ristorante in historic Over-the-Rhine being the sole newcomer. Many of the winners were located in or around Downtown, but Oakley, Mount Adams, Over-the-Rhine, Covington were also neighborhood homes for the winners. The ratings are based on surveys that judge hotels and restaurants on amenities, service and creative menus. Read full article here.

Paging Dr. Robot: St. E gets first da Vinci robotic surgical system in Northern Kentucky

St. Elizabeth Medical Center is set to operate on its first patient in August using Intuitive Surgical’s high-tech da Vinci S Surgical System.The robotic surgery system is the Northern Kentucky region’s first. Gynocologic Oncology and Urology patients will be among the first to undergo this minimally invasive surgery. “With this new system in place, the benefit to patients will be a quicker recovery, a shorter hospital stay and a quicker return to their baseline functioning level,” said Dr. Jack Basil, gynecologic oncologist.  “In addition, this new robotic surgical system will keep St. Elizabeth Healthcare at the forefront of surgical technology.” The system, introduce in 2006, allows for smaller incisions and more precise cuts. Among its further benefits are reduced hospitalization costs and lesser patient trauma. “My robotic experience has confirmed improved outcomes for patients,” said Dr. J.D. Williams, urologist.  “I am eagerly looking forward to having the opportunity to offer this technology to patients in Northern Kentucky.” The da Vinci Surgical System consists of an “ergonomically designed console where the surgeon sits, a mobile patient-side cart with four interactive robotic arms, a high-resolution 3-D vision system, and proprietary wristed instrumentation,” according to St. Elizabeth. The surgeons hand movements are prescilgy in synch with the tiny tools inside the patient’s body. The St. Elizabeth Foundation providing funds for the da Vinci system. The foundation helps the hospital purchase important, but otherwise cost prohibitive like the da Vinci. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: St. Elizabeth Medical Center

Serving it up local style

In the last 15 years, KHI Foods in Burlington has turned a humble honey sales operation into an innovative local foods powerhouse bringing Kentucky crops to the national market while feeding the region's manufacturing industry.

36 Hours in Cincinnati

New York Times writer Kassie Bracken visits Cincinnati and discusses the many things to see and do over the course of 36 hours in the Queen City. "With the quiet momentum of a work in progress, Cincinnati is finding an artsy swagger, infused with a casual combination of Midwest and Southern charm," says Bracken who goes on to discuss Cincinnati's revitalized downtown and the transcending historic Over-the-Rhine. Bracken visits a slew of places throughout the city and hits neighborhoods like Northside, Covington and Newport in addition to Downtown and Over-the-Rhine. Read full article here.

Soapicks July 14-20

Summer lovin' hits Cincinnati this weekend with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's Romeo and Juliet as part of their annual Shakespeare in the Park tour. Take in a double feature at Cincinnati World Cinema with a critically acclaimed exploration of public transportation and the dreaded killer of city centers - urban sprawl in Taken For A Ride and A Crack In The Pavement. Big Hair BINGO and Blue Wisp's Play It Forward Presents… are two fine examples of local organizations creating unique entertainment right here in Cincinnati.

Cuban restaurant opens in Covington’s Wedding District