Mt. Washington

Swimmers prepped for 5th Great Ohio River Swim

By Newsroom

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July 17, 2012

An off-the-cuff conversation over a cocktail between a National Geographic journalist and a local river enthusiast inadvertently launched the annual Great Ohio River Swim five years ago. “It was really a lark,’’ said Brewster Rhoads, who recounted the conversation he had with Boyd Matson. “Boyd was in town with his wife and he was looking for something fun and unique to do and he said: ‘Who wants to swim the Ohio with me?”’ That’s the question Rhoads and race director Jonathan Grinder have asked each year since. This Saturday will mark the fifth annual swim, which has grown to the largest swimming event on the Ohio River. Last year, 131 swimmers competed in the nearly 900-yard event. The timed race, sponsored by Ohio River Way, Inc., and managed by Tucson Racing, Inc., begins at the Serpentine Wall and crosses the river to Kentucky before ending at the Public Landing. Grinder, President of Tucson Racing, also organizes the Cincinnati Triathlon, reached out to Rhoads that first year – after seeing a photograph in the Enquirer of Rhodes and Matson getting out of the river. Grinder wondered if Rhoads would like to do the swim annually, on the day before the triathlon, so triathletes could acclimate to the river. Triathletes and regular swimmers have been involved since. For Rhoads, the river’s most vocal cheerleader, the swim is the best way to introduce people to the beauty of the river and to dispel the myth that it is unsanitary. “Nothing beats providing a personal experience – an immersion experience – where people are able to experience the beauty and wonder of this,’’ he says. Participants effuse delight recounting prior swims. Many are surprised by the water quality, the tranquility of the swim and how energized they felt after the event. Rhoads said the river quality is exceptional this year, noting he can see at least four feet down. Jennifer Mooney is no stranger to open swimming, but last year was her first Ohio River swim. She plans to participate Saturday. “The city is very still in the morning,” says Mooney, 49, of Wyoming. “The view from the water is peaceful.” John Finnigan, whose first river swim also was last year, says it wasn’t difficult to complete, but noted that he had to adjust to the river’s current. Rhoads said swimming in the river is different than in a swimming pool. Anyone contemplating joining will be required to sign a waiver saying they can steadily swim 1,000 yards. “This is not something someone should just jump in and do,’’ he says. Swimmers will be required to participate in a 20-minute safety review at 7 a.m. They will need to wear a provided swim cap and a chip around their ankle that will track their time. Swimmers will not be allowed to wear wet suits. The river will be closed to barge and power boat traffic from 7:30 to 8:30 am. Certified lifeguards and a legion of safety boats – including 20 safety kayakers and three personal watercraft, will be on the river during the race, Rhoads says. This year an oil spill boom will also be provided to help with safety. Rhoads, who is in charge of safety and does not participate in the race, says there has never been a safety issue, and all participants have completed the swim. Proceeds from the swim benefit the non-profit Ohio River Way, Inc., to support its work to promote, protect and celebrate the river. Greg Landsman is eager to make the swim again this year. “I plan to do it every year,’’ said Landsman, 35, of Mt. Washington. “It’s an exceptional way to start a Saturday morning: Good exercise, a refreshing swim, the vitality of the group and the sense of accomplishment – ‘I swam across the Ohio River and back today!’” Do Good: • To join the swim: You can register online. Swimmers can only register Saturday beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the Serpentine Wall. Parking is free. Cost is $45 per swimmer and $35 for member of USA Triathlon. • Look at photos from the 2010 swim. • View a video from the 2010 swim. By Chris Graves Chris Graves is the assistant vice president of Digital and Social Media at the Powers Agency.

Cincinnati Parks summer camps get kids outside

By Jen Saltsman

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Arts + Culture

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May 22, 2012

In 1927, naturalist Esther Stephenson organized Cincinnati Parks’ first summer camp. Cincinnati naturalists say that Stephenson, an early advocate of environmentalism and the outdoors, would carry large signs on the bus to advertise her day camp while on her way to work. Today, Cincinnati Parks’ summer camp program gives children ages 3-13 chances to learn about nature and explore the outdoors. The 19 different camps, which run from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., are now open for registration online and include five days of outdoor activities and planned lessons from nature specialists. “Kids spend so much time playing video games or surfing the Internet—those things keep them inside,” says Ruthann Spears, manager of Cincinnati Parks’ Explore Nature division. “We want to show them that getting muddy is OK.” Through their program, Cincinnati Parks naturalists hope to engender a sense of curiosity in their campers. Their goal is to get children and adults outside to explore Cincinnati’s parks on a regular basis. “We want to shows kids that being outside isn’t scary,” says Spears. “We want to give them a chance to connect with the outdoors and instill in them a love of nature that they’ll share with parents and friends when they get home.” Cincinnati’s park system--what Spears calls “everyone’s backyard”— comprises 70 neighborhood parks in locations ranging from Mt. Washington to Mt. Airy. Cincinnati Parks’ summer program offers camps in more than 10 of the 70 Cincinnati parks. In 2009, summer camp employees served more than 5,400 children from all 52 Cincinnati neighborhoods. But camp isn’t just for kids: Last year’s biggest success was Grand! Camp, an outdoor bonding experience in Ault Park for young children and their grandparents. The camp premiered last year, and sold out within the first few weeks of registration. Spears says the most popular camps in the program are the Astronomy Camp in Burnett Woods, the Grand! Camp and the Nature Camps in Ault, French and Stanberry Parks. Following the path of Esther Stephenson, Cincinnati Parks naturalists look forward to another summer of outdoor learning. Spears, who wishes she could sign up for camp herself, says reconnecting with nature helps people to connect with themselves and each other. “We should be outdoors most of the time,” she says. “That’s just how we were built.” Do Good: • Register: your child for one of Cincinnati Parks’ summer camps. • Like: Cincinnati Parks on Facebook.• Visit: any of the area's parks. By Jen Saltsman

Local entrepreneur finds ways to grow tee-shirt business

By Evan Wallis

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Architecture + Design

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January 3, 2012

Logan Wallace didn’t always think he’d follow his passion and wind up an entrepreneur. In fact, after graduating from Xavier University with a degree in communications and a minor in arts, he worked as a wine rep in both Cincinnati and California. But grapes just weren’t his passion, so Wallace moonlighted as an artist, launching a small t-shirt company he called Alternative Motive. “I think a lot of people, including myself art afraid of art,” says Wallace, 32, whose business morphed into City State Tees as it grew. “Your typical art is expensive and goes on a wall where not many people see. I see my shirts as art that people can show their pride for Cincinnati while they wear [them].” After getting his shirts into shops around town and having his designs featured on MTV, Wallace found that his top-sellers were all Cincinnati-focused. His best-seller? A t-shirt with white dots in the shape of Ohio, and a colored dot in the bottom left corner, representing Cincinnati. The popularity of the Cincinnati shirt inspired Wallace, who grew up in Milford and now lives in Mt. Washington, to create similar shirts for different cities. He began researching ways to streamline his business and discovered the German-based Spread Shirt. Spread Shirt provides Wallace, and other apparel vendors, with customer service, printing service and an online sales platform to help ease the process of producing large quantities of shirts. After settling on Spread Shirt, Wallace launched City State Tees just three months ago. Using the time he saves by using Spread Shirt gives Wallace more time to design. He plans on creating a new design each week. As a stay-at-home father and self-employed artist, Wallace finds pleasure in his passion for art, his city and using his own power to forge a sustainable business. “My plan is to tackle every major city in the US,” Wallace says. “It makes my day every time I see someone wearing something I made.” By Evan Wallis

STEM camp helps girls build bright futures

By Newsroom

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Diversity

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August 30, 2011

Thanks to the STEM Camp launched by the Cincinnati YWCA this past year, girls in grades 5-8 at Mt. Washington School are using their minds, and their hands, to discover careers in science, technology engineering and math. “Research shows that kids in grades 5-8 are in a unique window of time to become engaged in the STEM pipeline,” says Casey Frazee, girls’ programs coordinator. “Exposure to career possibilities in middle school can spark an interest.” So far, the STEM Camp has partnered with volunteers from AmeriCorps, University of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Observatory, GE and Building Value in Northside. Frazee says the camp curriculum is based on about a dozen careers within the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. “STEM camp encourages the girls to discover what they can do with the interests they have, and teaches them what to look for to enhance their studies when they reach high school,” she says. STEM Camp isn’t just conceptual. This fall, the girls will use their own hands to build a scaled down version of a model house. They will participate in every step of the process from electrical wiring, to painting, to preparing it for “sale.” The camp needs volunteers each Thursday from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 8 through 29. “STEM Camp provides young girls with hands on exposure to exciting career possibilities, ultimately encouraging financial independence and fulfilling work as adults,” Casey says. Do Good: • Volunteer on site. The girls need skilled support with things like drafting, carpentry, dry wall, plumbing, electrical wiring and beyond. • Become a mentor. Help the girls access adults in the field, especially women. • Donate money or supplies. By Deidra Wiley Necco Image courtesy of Cincinnati YWCA

Konkrete City brings skateboard culture to Mt. Washington

By Soapbox

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Arts + Culture

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May 24, 2011

Konkrete City Skateboard Shop in Mt. Washington looks as if it could fit in with the upscale clothing and art boutiques in Hyde Park and Oakley. Transformed from an old, torn up pizza parlor into a completely renovated store with bamboo floors and white bright walls, this unique skateboard shop brings a new life to the neighborhood and businesses of Mt. Washington. Independently owned by Toby Thompson and Adam Tilley, Konkrete City offers skateboards and apparel with the goal of providing a safe place to hang out for shoppers and kids interested in skateboarding. "Our business promotes local business, the little guy which is the backbone of the entire community," Adam Tilley said. "Owning a small business makes me feel like I can contribute to my city and my neighborhood by giving back to the community, which is extremely important to me."In business for two years now, Tilley stays involved with their shoppers by hosting special events including skateboarding demonstrations and parties."With skateboarding, it's a unique industry. It's an unorganized sport with no teams but everybody hangs out together. We've always been seen as the outcasts in society, so for us, Konkrete City is a place to meet, communicate, and keep kids off the streets," Tilley said.Both Tilley and Thompson grew up in Cincinnati and wanted to keep their shop within city limits. Tilley, who's mom previously owned a skateboard store, traveled outside of Cincinnati for a while but came back to his roots. "I think Cincinnati is very underrated. It's a big city with a small city feel. The city has a lot to offer."Writer: Lisa Ensminger

New trail connector part of a bigger plan for region

By Soapbox

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Development News

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May 3, 2011

The City of Cincinnati plans to hold a dedication ceremony in late May for one of its most recent infrastructure projects: a 1.1-mile bike and walking path that connects the trail at Lunken Field with Schmidt Playfields and Riverview East Academy. The $2.2 million project converts an abandoned railroad spur into a connector for the growing network of paved trails that planners hope will eventually connect downtown with Anderson Township and points to the north, through a connection with the Little Miami Trail.Two million dollars for a one-mile trail as the city climbs out of a recession; one can hear the budget hawks screaming. But according to officials involved with the project, the connector trail is more than just a luxury for runners and cyclists; it's one piece in a larger plan that is vital to keeping Cincinnati vibrant, healthy and relevant as the nation recovers from the economic downturn."It makes a lot of sense to continue investment during an economic downturn," said Cincinnati Director of Transportation and Engineering Michael Moore. "The people who wait until the economy gets better to start are going to be two, three, four years behind the curve." He added that the lengthy process of creating the trail, from identifying the best path to obtaining rights, to working with state and Federal funding sources to raise the money for the project took about four years; this is a project that was well underway when the economy tanked. In fact, he noted, the project created about 50 construction jobs.The project also creates a much-needed opportunity in the neighborhood, said Tiffaney Hardy, a spokesperson in the Cincinnati City Manager's office. "[Riverview East] doesn't really have any physical education equipment or time allotted for P.E., but with the trail, teachers can take kids on walks. It meets the needs of kids there." In addition to exercise, she noted that the trail provides a safe route to school for children who might otherwise face walks down a busy stretch of Kellogg Avenue.Moore said the city hopes that the trail will provide transportation options for adults as well as children."We as a city and department have been trying to create more transportation options for people," he said. "Particularly in these times, when gas is $4, we're trying to create ways people have alternatives to their cars." The goal, he added, is to create infrastructure that makes it just as easy to hop on a bike for the quick run to the store for a quart of milk as it would be to do the same in a car. He says the need is there."Since the economic downturn, I've seen more people on their bikes to just get around than I've seen in a long time," he said.And that plan for a network of safe, convenient set of alternative routes that let people walk and use bikes for transport is part of a much bigger regional picture. John Heilman, technical services coordinator with the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, noted that the new trail connector helps link a central junction in a planned web of rails that stretches east to New Richmond and north through Warren County. The north-south and east-west routes would converge near Lunken Field. "The city has been making continuous progress," he said, noting that the mile-at-a-time pace is not uncommon as communities build useful urban trail networks. "We have a big grand plan, and we go at it one chunk at a time."When city officials cut the ribbon on the new connector trail, it may - in and of itself - not seem like much. The mile-long stretch will help kids get much-needed fresh air, and could make it easier for Columbia Tusculum residents to run errands, or at least stretch their legs after work. But as the trail network expands and connects more and more communities along the eastern side of the Cincinnati region, the trail traffic may indeed change: commuters, shoppers and people who choose the pedal over the gas pump may soon get a major boost, as the city becomes increasingly friendly to their needs.Writer: Matt Cunningham