West End / Brighton Archives – Page 25 of 25

West End / Brighton

This expansive neighborhood borders Over-the-Rhine in the shape of a sliver. Mostly residential, it has a rich history and diverse inhabitants, a beauty discovered by only the most discerning eye. The Dayton Street Historical District, a cluster of houses built mostly in the late 1800s, is on the National Register of Historic Places. City West, a mixed-income housing development just north of downtown in the neighborhood's southern-most point, is the biggest housing development in Cincinnati since World War II. The quiet streets have come alive with additions like the Mockbee across Central Parkway and a church renovation that will yield a climbing gym.

OTR Brewery district master plan comes into focus

By Soapbox

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General

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March 8, 2011

Registration opens March 15 for an April 9 workshop that will identify ideas for enhancing and preserving Over-the-Rhine's Brewery District, a significant facet of Cincinnati's brewing history. (Check here for details on the workshop. Space is limited.) The Brewery District includes Over-the-Rhine, home to 12 brewery structures, including that of Christian Moerlein Brewing Co.Leading the small-group workshop is the Brewery District Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation, a nonprofit organization aiming to make the area an economic tour-de-force. It's developing a master plan that will focus on more public and private developments and consider potential developers. The organization is building on its 2006 master plan, which called for residential redevelopments in the Findlay Market area and a streetcar system, among others. "Our goal is to refine the work that's already been done," said Steven Hampton, executive director of the Brewery District, and "build upon the great successes that are already happening, develop these key projects, and identify the partners and finances to do that." An upcoming workshop will shape the master plan, according to Jeff Raser. Raser is a principal with the architecture firm Glaserworks, hired to do pre-development planning for the Brewery District. "We want to hear from people, especially those who live and work and own businesses in the Brewery District," Raser said in reference to the April 9 workshop. "What do they really want to see in the next five years or even 20 years? What is their vision?"Carl Solway has some early ideas. At the press conference announcing the Brewery District's plans, the owner of Carl Solway Gallery asked if the district's boundaries could expand to the West End neighborhood, west of Over-the-Rhine. That's where Samuel Adams Brewery Co. operates, and where Solway owns a 40,000-square foot building, housing exhibitions and artists spaces."I see the potential of taking the concept much further by including what has the potential to be a very serious and important arts neighborhood," he said.Hampton acknowledged that idea and says the upcoming workshop will help flesh that out."Historically, the Brewery District really consisted of Over-the-Rhine and the West End. We've been very careful in the past not to lock ourselves into a specific boundary to respect that."Writer: Rich Shivener

Divine Inspiration: New Uses for Old Churches

By Sean Rhiney

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General

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March 1, 2011

A recording studio, boutique hotel, and arts center are just some of the innovative approaches Cincinnatians are taking to preserve and reimagine our historic houses of worship.

Finding hip-hop hot, inspirational at Elementz

By Elissa Yancey

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Arts + Culture

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February 8, 2011

At the Cincinnati Pops 2010 Christmas concert, "The Little Drummer Boy" never looked so jazzy. When dancers from Elementz, the Central Parkway studio where "hip-hop" is always mentioned in the same breath as "respect," took the stage, Tom Kent could not have been more proud. "This is an unusually gifted group of youth," says Kent, an initial funder and now executive director of the non-profit Elementz. What started in 2005 as an outreach effort designed to give young people in Over-the-Rhine and the West End a safe place to hang out after school has evolved into an incubator of positive creativity. Open four days a week from 2:30 until 10 p.m., Elementz uses hip-hop to engage and inspire youth. Young men and women take classes and practice honing their skills in rapping, dee-jaying, dancing and grafitti, or urban art. Kent says that on an average night, 30 to 45 young people show up to record, to learn, to talk and to listen. "We're developing a real reputation as a safe place where you are treasured," Kent says. With more than 320 members, Elementz ranks include aspiring artists aged 14 to 24, some of whom have attained their GEDs since starting at the studio. Some are preparing for college; some are already enrolled. But Kent says that many of the young artists don't want to talk about outside measures of accomplishment. "They want to talk about how they found themselves, how they found family when they needed family," he says. At the same time, they are preparing for public performances at neighborhood coffee shops, community centers and special events, including their upcoming sixth anniversary concert at the 20th Century Theater in Oakley. A sample rap from MC Forty: "Cincinnati We Be" C-I-N-C-I-N-N-A-T-I's where I'm at.That is where I live and that is where I rap.If you're raised by the city of the gray and the grittyYou can take from the city, but try and give back.I walk past mass cats everydayWith a "C" on their hat, claiming "Down The Way"And "Over the Rhine," but what do they sayWhen asked about faith and hope and change?Most will say that they gon' stay hustlers,Posted on Vine Street waiting for customers -Grinding, crunking, swagging, stunting,Passing time and up to nothing!But what about buildin' children,Education, preachin', prayin',Working, legally. Are you feeling me?I'll help healing you, you help healing me. Do Good: • Donate: Visit Elementz and make a contribution to their creative cause. • Enjoy the show: Attend Elementz Sixth Anniversary Showcase, March 10, 2011, 8-11 p.m., at the 20th Century Theater. Tickets are just $10. • Tweet about it: Follow Elementz on Twitter, @elementzhiphop

The Year In Photos

By Soapbox

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Architecture + Design

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December 14, 2010

Managing photographer Scott Beseler takes a look back at the photos from our top stories of 2010, showcasing some of the people, places and things that define our region.

Ohio school goes from dead end to high-tech star

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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November 16, 2010

Cincinnati's Taft High School, once known as one of Ohio's worst, has reached a high-tech level. Graduation rates increased from 21 percent to 95 percent and Taft earned an "excellent" rating along with the National Blue Ribbon Award. The turnaround is a result of good leadership internally and from corporate citizens like Cincinnati Bell, innovative planning, and a desire to make a difference. Read the full story here.