Meet Dani McClain, the library’s 2020 Writer-in-Residence
The award-winning journalist and author hopes to reconnect with her hometown during her tenure.
Madeira
Bustling and vibrant, the city of Madeira offers much in the way of hometown feel, overall convenience and accessible facilities. Recently on the up and up in residential population numbers, the area boasts well-maintained homes on lovely tree-lined streets. Shopping and dining options on par with the best in the region surround the city’s center square, which is easily reached from nearly anywhere in the city. Premier services such as a two-location fire department, shared with Indian Hill, round out Medeira’s alluring attributes. Annual community events include the Art Fair and Street Dance.
Ten-year plan: improvements to Cincinnati’s libraries
Over the next decade, all 40 branches will receive renovations and improvements.
A taste of Mexico in Madisonville
After years of traveling, Josh Wamsley returned to Cincinnati to open an authentic Oaxacan restaurant.
Area schools among the country’s top 100 high schools
Two Greater Cincinnati high schools have been ranked among the nation’s 100 best in the latest list from U.S. News & World Report.
Collaborating to create ’20-minute’ neighborhoods in Greater Cincinnati
In keeping with national trends, residents and business leaders in Cincinnati are constantly looking for ways to make local living more walkable and less car-reliant. But could transport alternatives like the streetcar also be the key to more affordable downtown housing?
Who says print is dead? Literary culture alive and well in Cincy bookstores
Greater Cincinnati celebrates its long history as home to a wealth of independent bookstores, each occupying a special place in the hearts of readers across the region.
Madisonville named Cincinnati’s top neighborhood
Real estate firm Redfin recently released its national list of hottest neighborhoods. In Cincinnati, Madisonville came in on top.
Soapdish: What might have been with MetroMoves, what might still be
Hamilton County voters resoundingly rejected MetroMoves in 2002, but Casey wonders if the comprehensive light rail vision could make a comeback once Cincinnati's streetcar is a success.
A Tavola opening second location in Maderia
In April, Over-the-Rhine restaurant staple A Tavola will open its second location in Maderia.
Happy Chicks’ at-home bakers offer vegan goods
The idea for Happy Chicks Bakery began in Jessica Bechtel’s kitchen. She and Jana Douglass, 31, have been friends and colleagues for about 10 years, and over those years, they’ve made many batches of cookies together. Since they love to bake and are both vegans, the pair figured they could make it into a business. Douglass and Bechtel started Happy Chicks, a vegan bakery, in April of last year. Happy Chicks doesn’t have a storefront, but they sell their products wholesale to Park+Vine and the Family Enrichment Center in Northside. In the summer, Happy Chicks has a booth at the Northside and Madeira farmers markets. Bechtel and Douglass also do custom orders and cater special events. “Our goal is to have a storefront in the next few years,” says Bechtel, 33. “We’re trying to do the business without taking out loans. When the time comes, we’ll probably look for a space downtown.” Happy Chicks is also in the process of looking for other wholesale opportunities to help expand their business. Happy Chicks makes cakes, cupcakes, cookies, macaroons, pies, scones, muffins, a vegan croissant, breakfast roll and coffee cake; the breakfast items are popular at both Park+Vine and the Family Enrichment Center, Bechtel says. The black raspberry chocolate chip cookie is a top-seller, as are the tiramisu and caramel chocolate stout cakes. They also offer seasonal-flavored treats, such as the Snowball, which is a coconut cupcake topped with coconut frosting and filled with a cranberry sauce. All of the bakery’s goodies are dairy and egg-free, and most of the recipes are also soy-free. Many can be made gluten and nut-free, too. Need to satisfy your sweet tooth before Valentine’s Day? Visit Happy Chicks at Sweet Victory, a wedding dessert tasting and cake-decorating contest, Feb. 6 at Cooper Creek Event Center. Or get tickets to Cupcakes & Cocktails, a ladies-only event that benefits the Eve Center, Feb. 8. By Caitlin Koenig Follow Caitlin on Twitter
