Economic Development

Innov8 for Health Challenge spurs innovation, jobs

By Newsroom

●

November 15, 2011

It's a tall order to create jobs, improve health and retain talent through a healthcare innovation challenge, but the new Innov8 for Health Challenge aims to do just that. Designed as an annual occurrence, Innov8 for Health will hold three community-wide events promoting healthcare innovation to solve a specific problem. The initiative involves developing a solution, building a business plan around it, and a shot at receiving startup funding to make the idea a reality. The challenge is already underway, and Innov8 is currently accepting ideas that address "transitions in care" this December. "We already have incubators and accelerators here in Cincinnati, and there is a lot of healthcare innovation going on. But we want to build on what is already here, and specifically help spur the healthcare innovation infrastructure," says one of the event's organizers Sunnie Southern, founder of ViableSynergy. Criag F. Osterhues, health care manager for GE Aviation, is also helping organize the event. Other planners include reps from C-Cap, and Queen City Angels, Biostart, Taft law firm and the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati. Innov8 hopes to uncover tech-based solutions to problems that arise when a person moves from one care setting to the next -- from a hospital to nursing home, from the hospital to home, from high school to college. They can include difficulties with cooking, medications or even personal safety. Lack of a successful transition often means repeat trips to hospitals, which translates into higher healthcare costs. "It's a very big issue for the country,” Southern says. “A study in 2004 in the New England Journal of Medicine showed it cost Medicare $17.4 billion." The Innov8 for Health Challenge is accepting ideas to solve transition to care problems through Nov. 28 at its website. Open to students and entrepreneurs, the best ideas will be part of a public Innov8 Idea Expo and contest Dec. 2. Winners will be selected to participate in a Business Concept Expo next spring. Finally, the top concepts will be pitched to a panel and potential investors during the Launch Pad event in summer 2012. By Feoshia Henderson

Latest in Economic Development

Queen City Project shows Cincinnati through new lens

By Evan Wallis

●

General

●

November 8, 2011

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then thousands of pictures strung together in two-minute videos must be worth at least a million. Focus those two minutes of visual storytelling on local businesses and you have the mission, and the creative drive, behind the Queen City Project.

My Soapbox: Lajuana Miller, 2012 World Choir Games

By Evan Wallis

●

General

●

November 8, 2011

Next July, when 20,000 participants from 70 countries descend on the city for the seventh annual World Choir Games, Lajuana Miller will be ready. As director of volunteer services, Miller will manage more than 3,000 volunteers during the 10-day event, which is estimated to have an economic impact of more than $73 million. Soapbox’s Evan Wallis talked with her about how it feels to manage a group of volunteers almost the size of her hometown.

Bridges targets bullying in latest campaigns

By Deidra Wiley Necco

●

For Good

●

November 8, 2011

As a human relations organization, Bridges for a Just Community cultivates programs for kids, young adults and the community at large to encourage diversity, inclusion and a fair and equitable environment. Serving the community for more than 60 years, Bridges has grown from an organization with mainly an interfaith agenda to one that champions equal rights and inclusion, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, physical / mental abilities or economic status. Creating awareness, building skills and fostering opportunity for a fair and equitable community goes hand in hand with the organization’s ability to respond to changes in society. As more reports surface concerning the devastating, and sometimes fatal, effects of bullying, Bridges has taken an active role in spreading awareness, compassion and tolerance of those who are different. The organization takes the issue seriously, working with the community to educate the public about the effects of bullying and to create a platform for positive change. Their annual fundraiser, Walk for a Just Community, highlighted the critical issue that bullying has become. Working closely with his family, the walk was dedicated to Sam Denham, a Covington teen who took his own life after being bullied by peers. “It is important to build a ‘human’ relationship with those who are different than you,” says Bridges President & CEO Lynette M. Heard. “In order to create a community that is different, we need to start looking at people differently.” Programs such as Equity Leadership, JUST Community, Village Schools, ONE Community and more “teach children to be respectful and respected,” says Heard. “These programs encourage youth to understand what it means to build a human, authentic relationship with someone who is different.” Through their work with the Denham family, civic leaders and the community at large, Bridges has become a prominent voice advocating for those who are victims of bullying. There are lots of ways to become involved with Bridges for Just Community. Bridge Builders actively recruits volunteers to spread the Bridges' mission by teaching volunteers to assist with established programs and training. JUST Community works with ninth through twelfth graders to help them learn how to transform their environments, while ONE Community works with a particular school to provide more help in areas like inclusion and equity. “Bridges gives everyone a place at the table,” says Heard. Do Good: • Volunteer: Become a Bridge Builder to help further the Bridges mission. • Get the scoop: Sign up to receive Bridges' e-newsletter for the latest opportunities and events. • Donate: to the many programs offered by Bridges for a Just Community. • Get educated: by learning all you can or watching videos like these. By Deidra Wiley Necco

Lacheys add star power to Emery opening, 11.11.11

By Newsroom

●

Arts + Culture

●

November 8, 2011

NOTE: Soapbox Media is a sponsor of The Requiem Project. This Friday marks the culmination of months of sweat equity and artistic collaborations. On 11.11.11, the Emery Theatre reopens its doors for a full slate of special events featuring bright local stars from Over the Rhine to Drew and Lea Lachey to awe-inspiring visual artists including photographers Michael Wilson and Soapbox's own Scott Beseler. When Tara Lindsey Gordon and Tina Manchise host their preview weekend, guests can view a local treasure that's been under wraps for years. The Emery Theatre in Over-the-Rhine, built in 1911 with impeccable acoustics, is the first concert hall in the United States to have no obstructed seats. The weekend-long celebration begins with a Friday night fundraiser, a slate of building tours and performances. Headliners Over the Rhine will be joined by musician and composer Peter Adams, choreographer Heather Britt, members of the modern chamber group concert:nova, Exhale Dance Tribe and Madcap Puppet Theatre. Drew Lachey, of 98 Degrees and Dancing with the Stars, will introduce the women behind the Requiem Project. His wife Lea, a dancer and choreographer as well as West side native, performs with Exhale. From the 1,600-seat theater to nearly 120,000 square feet of artistic space (the first two of seven floors will be open for tours this month), the Emery captivates returning and new visitors alike. Somewhere in its long-forgotten hallways, inspiration remains as palpable as the passion of the people dedicated to its restoration. When the building opens on 11.11.11, visitors can tour dozens of artists' work, including glass artist Margot Gotoff, Cedric Cox and photos by Michael Wilson, the event honoree. Gordon calls the Norwood native Wilson, whose photography has graced many an album cover, "the first in the water." She and Manchise contacted Wilson to gauge his interest before they knew he was based in Cincinnati. "He spent two days shooting the Emery," Gordon says. "There couldn't be a more amazing friend to this project." After the preview celebration starts Friday, festivities continue through the weekend. Saturday includes a free 2 p.m. concert by the Cincinnati Boychoir, free Chipotle lunch for kid guests and a visit from Cincinnati Zoo to You animals. Sunday, the Cincinnati Children's Choir stops in for a free 2 p.m. show. Friday night guests can tour the building, where dozens of artists' work, curated by ParProjects, will be on display, then see the concert, and enjoy a couple of after-party options that run until 2 a.m., all for just $75. Dinner and corporate sponsorship options remain available. By Elissa Yancey Follow Elissa on Twitter. Photo by Michael Wilson.

Imago nurtures sustainability in Price Hill, city

By Ryan

●

Environment + Sustainability

●

November 8, 2011

In the ever-expanding universe of grassroots organizations, nothing is more hardcore "grassroots" that a non-profit that specializes in the environment, You know... grass and roots. In Cincinnati, we have Imago, an environmental education organization that is committed to teaching Cincinnatians how to live sustainably in an urban environment. Since 1978, Imago's goal has been to excite residents about the benefits of sustainable living and inform the community of the people and resources available to help them. "Our goal is to answer the question 'How do we live in the city sustainably,'" says Chris Clements, executive director of Imago. "And there are a lot of different audiences located in urban neighborhoods." Clements says Imago holds information seminars for all ages, from children as young as 5 to the retired, each class catered to the audience. "With kids, you're talking about getting them outside and getting them to love nature," he says. For adult environmentalists, the focus is on creating spaces to share ideas on the nuts and bolts of sustainable living, whether it means going directly to group or hosting seminars for people to gather, which at times can be challenging. "[The environmental] community in Cincinnati is small, but passionate, and it's nice for people in that community to find other like-minded people," says Clements. According to Clements, many people have environmentalist tendencies, but don't want to be preached at or converted. They just want the facts that come from seminars that Imago hosts, such as the 'Ecology on Tap' series. 'Ecology on Tap' is basically a moderated conversation on environmental themes, such as how one can be a more conscious consumer or how to grow edible crops in an urban setting. It's catered for those people that urge to be greener, but aren't sure how to approach the lifestyle. Clements is sure more environmentalist exist in Cincinnati, they just don't know where to turn for guidance when they don't know where to start. "Sometimes people just need questions answered, like where they can go to compost," he says. "I think the word is out. Being green is part of the future." Do Good: Attend: the 'Ecology on Tap' seminars for more info on how to live sustainably and ecologically friendly. the next session takes place on November 16th. Donate: your time or money to keep the organization running. Connect: with Imago on Facebook and Twitter By Ryan McLendon

Listing Loon to bring craft beers, wines to Northside in 2012

By Newsroom

●

Development News

●

November 8, 2011

Whether she’s on stage singing with The Hiders, playing a princess at Ensemble Theatre or mixing it up on a Gruesome Playground at the Know, Beth Harris knows how to make a scene. Next year, the multi-talented singer/actress and partner Dave Mikkelsen plan on creating a brand new one in Northside. After years of blending their artistic lives with more beverage-friendly endeavors—the two met when bartending at The Comet—the pair is ready to launch their own business. The Listing Loon, a comfy craft beer and wine shop that will evolve into a “rock ‘n roll wine bar,” is set to open on Hamilton Avenue by Valentine’s Day. Located in a prime corner spot soon to be vacated by Feldenkrais Within (which will be expanding and moving into the former Chas. A. Miller Sons Funeral Home), The Listing Loon will fill a void in the neighborhood where bars and beers are plentiful but finding a good wine selection remains a challenge. “Northside is growing so much,” says Harris, who cites the American Can Lofts as a prime example of the area’s expanding customer base. “We’re walking distance to our target market.” She hopes to carry between 50 and 100 types of craft beers and about 60 wines, ranging from under $10 to upwards of $70 per bottle. “Our vision is to have a comfortable beer and wine boutique where people can come and hang out,” says Harris. “We’ll have The New York Times for sale.” The Little Rock, Arkansas, native landed in Cincinnati for an acting gig in 1997 and hasn’t left since. While her band, The Hiders, continues work on a new CD, she keeps busy with acting jobs and a stint behind the counter at Sidewinder Coffee and Teas. Harris’ craft beer obsession started when she lived in Portland, Oregon. She found a kindred spirit in Mikkelsen. “We’re both extremely passionate about beer,” she says. As the duo finalizes financing and continues honing the new boutique’s menu, they went through “months of bar napkins” before deciding on a name. Mikkelsen, an artist/sculptor/painter who currently tends bar at May Day, lobbied for the loon, his favorite bird. Adding “listing” as an adjective made alliterative sense, and added a hint of the playfulness of its owners. “We didn’t want to call it The Drunken Bird,” Harris says with a laugh. For more information about The Listing Loon, contact Harris. By Elissa Yancey Follow Elissa on Twitter Photo of Beth Harris by Elissa Yancey

Teens discover social innovation at UCREW

By Newsroom

●

Diversity

●

November 8, 2011

Small groups of teens huddled together, talking about companies they admire. Apple, Google, Facebook top the lists. They spend the rest of the evening listing what makes good companies great, and what makes non-profits successful. The 60 youth come from high schools throughout the region. Together, they represent the latest class of UCREW: Cincinnati. Formed as a school-year based student advisory board, UCREW is an outgrowth of the non-profit UGIVE.org, which gives students and young people opportunities to learn and grow through volunteering. Now in its fourth year, UCREW will create an awareness building event called AMPLIFY and, for the first time ever, launch a social business. A the second group session of the six-month program, UCREW teens brainstormed about business ideas and causes they would love to support. From healthy living to employment training, their wide-ranging social concerns give a hint as to their awareness of the needs around them. Business ventures ranged from online services to a series of fitness classes for teens that could raise funds to support similar classes for inner-city youth. “I’d never heard of social entrepreneurship before,” says Grace Kennedy, 17, a senior at Lakota East High School. “(UCREW) really made me interested in business, which I have never been before.” In addition to planning a social business, UCREW teens take part in volunteer efforts as a group. They participate in planning and mentoring sessions, all geared to prepare them to become long-term philanthropists as well as well-rounded citizens. An added benefit? Since teens come from a wide range of high schools, UCREW offers like-minded peers opportunities to build not only a business, but also cross-town friendships. Do Good: • Join UGIVE. Whether you are a parent, a non-profit, a part of a school community or student, you can find ways to connect. • Keep UGIVE free for non-profits and schools. Every donation to the non-profit helps. • Learn more about UCREW. Though launched in Cincinnati, UCREW now operates in eight Ohio cities. Find out how you can help support the effort and spread the word. By Elissa Yancey Follow Elissa on Twitter.

Obama: Can he win the youth vote once more?

By Staff

●

Cincy In The News

●

November 8, 2011

Just like the crowd at MOTR Pub, the youth vote was a key part of an extraordinary alliance that propelled Mr Obama to the presidency. If he is to win in 2012, he needs to excite them enough to get them to vote again. Read the full story here.

From Mumbai to the Midwest

By Staff

●

Cincy In The News

●

November 8, 2011

Tata Consultancy Services’ new American facility in Milford, Ohio, is a stark contrast to their colonial-era headquarters overlooking sweltering cricket pitches in Mumbai. Read the full story here.