Walnut Hills was the first Cincinnati neighborhood to participate in Soapbox's On the Ground series, an embedded journalism approach to learn what's happening in the underrepresenting neighborhoods that are being transformed. Stories covered everything from business and community development, arts and culture and education to health and wellness, crime and food insecurity. A community newsroom was held at Caffé Vivace hosted by the champion of 45206, Kathryn Gardette.
The smaller buses that traverse the streets of Mt. Adams, downtown and the West End offer more than colorful exteriors and a route guaranteed to please museum-goers and downtown workers alike. Route #1 helps re-define Cincinnati's bus commuting scene with a sitting-room setting and a cast of friendly regulars. Soapbox's Jane Durrell takes a ride.
Inspired by Willy Wonka’s Golden Tickets and a love for unique, local shops in Cincinnati, Alex Shebar, Cincinnati community manager at Yelp, created a scavenger hunt to highlight local businesses and stimulate the local economy. Yelp is a web-based service that allows users to check-in, write reviews and share their opinions about any business in the area and already a main source for people searching out new businesses to explore. The hunt includes more than 80 independent shops from Bellevue to Farfield to Milford and everywhere in between. Shebar’s hunt, which focuses on six golden tickets randomly placed in the businesses, does more than include discounts and coupons. Each participating business donated an item worth at least $25 worth of prizes; donated items were split into six gift baskets worth hundreds of dollars each. Clues will be added on social media each day, getting more and more specific as Christmas draws nearer. Running from now until Dec. 26, the hunt gives patrons plenty of time to explore old and new favorite stores. The idea came from last year’s Totally Bazaar event that Yelp’s Shebar planned. He updated the idea from a one-day shopping bonanza to a citywide hunt. “The idea is to support local shopping,” Shebar says. “The Bazaar last year was a good introduction to the products stores have, but it didn’t get people in the stores. It can be intimidating to go in somewhere for the first time, and I think this will help.” Shebar looked for neighborhoods, like Bellvue, OTR and Milford, with multiple local stores to help hunters drive less. Each ticket was placed randomly, so there could be several in one neighborhood, or none in a particular neighborhood. All aspects of the hunt urge people to explore new stores. “I have nothing against chain stores, but we wanted to get people away from those stores and check out more unique, interesting shops,” Shebar says. “You can find gifts you wouldn’t find anywhere else.” By Evan Wallis
Since 2001, Barbara Seibel has been president of Jobs for Cincinnati Graduates (JCG), one of the social programs praised by America’s Promise Alliance in its recent recognition of Cincinnati as one of 100 Best Places for Young People. Soapbox's Becky Johnson talked to her to find out what's working and what needs to be fixed.
Cincinnati filmmaker Andrea Torrice has taken her latest project, The New Metropolis, to cities around the country to spark innovative dialogues about intentionally creating, and recreating, our own communities. Hear from local workshop participants in this video.
Local spoken word poets aren't trying to be famous. They just want to open your ears and possibly your minds.
Mike Moroski grew up on a golf course in Atlanta. Mike Rogers grew up in Cincinnati pool halls and ran away from home for the first time when he was just 9 years old. The unlikely pair found friendship and more on the streets of Over-the-Rhine, where they opened Choices Café, a coffee house with much more than caffeine on the menu. Moroski, now dean of student life at Purcell Marian High School in Walnut Hills, visited Over-the-Rhine more than 10 years ago with students from Moeller, where he was working as an English teacher. During the project rehabbing a building in the neighborhood, he met Mike Rogers, a formerly homeless graduate of the Men’s Recovery Program of the Drop Inn Center. The two men clicked. They discovered a shared passion for justice and affordable housing. They looked at their own friendship and wanted to offer others the same kind of opportunities to meet and work alongside people from different backgrounds and experiences. They found a way to do just that in Choices Café, a non-profit on Elm Street. The space serves as more than a coffee shop. It’s a gathering place for artists and an outreach center for like-minded groups. By partnering with 3CDC, The Drop Inn Center, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Peaslee Neighborhood Center, among other groups, Choices Café leaders embody their motto: “We are one.” Current outreach programs include an Urban Plunge experience for high-school and college students as well as a HELP program to assist ex-offenders prepare for work. Do Good: • Donate. Make a secure donation to support Choices Café online. • See a show. Dylan Sneed performs at Choices Café at 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24. • Facebook ‘em. “Like” Choices Café on Facebook. By Elissa Yancey Photo courtesy Choices Cafe.
James Crump, chief curator, and, since 2008, the curator of photography at the Cincinnati Art Museum, shares his passion for photography in words and deeds.
When Ronald Smith-Yisrael first enrolled in the Talbert House Fatherhood Project in May 2008, he was essentially homeless and trying to find food and shelter for his five children. This month, he'll be honored as Father of the Year and help lead a new celebration of nurturing and loving fathers at Sawyer Point June 19.Smith-Yisrael had just obtained physical custody of his children when he started 10 weeks of free classes called Nurturing Fathers. Sessions cover everything from how to process unmet needs from your own childhood to fathering without violence or fear. There are lessons on playing and listening, on problem-solving and discipline."It offers support for fathers and it's open to anyone who wants to be a better dad," says Kathleen Rause, Talbert House's community relations specialist. "Some folks didn't have the best models."Smith-Yisrael, a star student during his 10 weeks of classes, found permanent housing while part of the program. After graduating, he filed for, and was granted, full legal custody of his minor children in 2009. He still lives on a fixed income, but is now majoring in information technology in college."We are here, and we are making it," Smith-Yisrael says. He says he and his children rely on strong moral values, faith, and love to keep close. "My children are a blessing." Smith-Yisrael will be part of Talbert House's first ever Fatherhood Celebration, a free family outing Sunday, June 19, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.Do Good:• Celebrate Fathers! This year, put a twist on Father's Day traditions by visiting the first ever Fatherhood Celebration at Sawyer Point, June 19.• Make a donation to Talbert House. • Make a new friend. On Facebook!By Elissa YanceyPhoto courtesy of Talbert House
Diners at Xavier University's Gallagher Student Center now have new dining options, in some very familiar places. Local restaurateur Andy Hajar officially took over management of the university's Ryan's Pub and Fusions Café, incorporating the Middle Eastern fare of Andy's Mediterranean Grille into these popular campus restaurants."We are very excited to have Andy become part of the Xavier family," said Tom Barlow, XU's director of auxiliary services. He pointed out that Andy's, which was started 10 years ago by Hajar after he immigrated to Walnut Hills from Zahle, Lebanon, fits well with the university's commitments to both local business and creating a diverse campus culture."As a commitment to Xavier's mission to support our local community, we seek only local, family-run businesses," Barlow said.Greg George, business manager for Andy's Mediterranean, said the warm regards are mutual."Andy thought this was a fabulous opportunity to team up with an institution like Xavier," he said. "It offers him a great environment to improve on the brand, and lays the platform for expanding the brand."George noted that, although the healthy, natural ingredients in the Andy's menu may be a shift for some diners, the look and feel of XU landmark Ryan's Pub will remain mostly unchanged. The pub was built and named in honor of Steve Ryan, friend of building patron Charlie Gallagher, and the new manager intends to respect that history."Ryan's won't look any different beyond the branding," George said.Both Ryan's Pub and Fusions opened under Andy's management June 2. And George said that excitement at the restaurants remains high."This is a dream come true for Andy," he said.Writer: Matt CunninghamPhoto provided by Xavier University
Mayberry and Mayberry Foodstuffs grocery owner Josh Campbell and his business partners are opening a new restaurant, the Skinny Pig, in East Walnut Hills. Campbell, his business partner Jerry Murphy, and sous chef Kevin O'Connell signed a 15-month lease for a 750-square foot space at Desales Corner. As its name implies, the Skinny Pig's menu will specialize in pork but also include flatbreads and salads. Campbell said the restaurant will open in May seating 28 on the inside and 25 outside in an expansive courtyard that will feature an outdoor grill and live music on the weekend. Because downtown Cincinnati has seen an increase of new businesses, Campbell and his business partners decided it would be a smart business move to chose East Walnut Hills. "It's an up and coming neighborhood with a core community and a set of people who care about the community. They look out for one another there. It's a great neighborhood with great architecture and a great location, sitting next to O'Bryonville and Hyde Park," Campbell said.Campbell has an extensive background in the restaurant industry working and learning the trade in Florida and the Bahamas. After working at five star restaurants and preparing exotic menus that served various celebrities, the Cincinnati native decided to move back to his hometown to bring something unique to the urban core. "I think it's important that we still open mom and pop places. Everything that I have opened is small. My first restaurant seats 20 people; my grocery store is 600 square feet. Skinny Pig is as large as I'd like to get," Campbell explained. "If there's too much space and not enough people, it's hard to support a business in the urban core."According to Campbell, he believes it is very important for an individual to see and experience what the world has to offer beyond the walls of Cincinnati, and then bring those ideas back to the city."My goal is to build a community and attract people who want to come and have a good meal. It doesn't matter who you are and I don't ever want to put the blinders on and attract a certain clientele, I just want someone to enjoy themselves and have good quality food," Campbell explained.Writer: Lisa Ensminger
Our Partners
Common Ground Is Brewing
Support local stories and receive our signature roast straight to your door when you join at the Standard level (or above).
Drink Better, Read Local
