Quality of Life

Event: Cincinnati Innovates Awards August 25th

By Newsroom

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August 23, 2011

Cincinnati Innovates Awards This Thursday The third annual Cincinnati Innovates Awards Celebration takes place this Thursday at NKU. The competition, which awards more than $100,000 in grants to entrepreneurs each year, will honor 12 startup companies for their innovations. More than 200 local entrepreneurs and inventors entered the competition. The competition was open to anyone with an idea or an invention who has a connection to the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky MSA. "The purpose of Cincinnati Innovates is to identify high-potential entrepreneurs and technologies and connect them with more than 50 local resources for entrepreneurs," says Elizabeth Edwards, former venture capital investor and founder of Metro Innovation, a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship. The competition was produced by Metro Innovation, with partners Taft Stettinius & Hollister law firm and public-private venture capital firm CincyTech. Winners of the previous two competitions have gone on to raise more than $3 million in follow-on financing and include growing companies like Gamma Dynamics, VenueAgent, and VenturePax. New winners will be announced at the awards celebration and 12 startups will have the opportunity to give two-minute elevator pitches at the event. "This is the first time where we've had the winners actually pitch their ideas to the crowd. Some of these technologies are truly impressive, and I'm looking forward to seeing them present," says CincyTech President Bob Coy. The event will be hosted by Northern Kentucky University's Entrepreneurship Institute on Thursday, Aug. 25 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. "The new Student Union Ballroom is a fabulous venue for an event like this. We're looking forward to showing off the recent changes to campus," says Director John Clarkin. "We were very impressed by the applicants this year," says Bill Scheyer of Vision 2015, one of the major award sponsors of the competition. Tickets are available at http://cincinnatiinnovates.com/pages/events Over $100,000 in awards will be presented, including: CincyTech Commercialization Awards: $25,000, $25,000 and $10,000 (sponsored by CincyTech) Taft Patent Awards: $10,000 and $5,000 (applied toward patent applications and prosecution, sponsored by Taft Stettinius & Hollister)LPK Design & Branding Award: $10,000 (sponsored by LPK) Round Pixel Web Development Award: $10,000 (applied toward web application, sponsored by Round Pixel Studio & Bare Knuckles Marketing) Northern Kentucky Vision 2015 Award: $5,000 (sponsored by Vision 2015) 7/79 Video Award: $5,000 (sponsored by 7/79) Northern Kentucky ezone Award: $2,500 (sponsored by the NKY ezone) Cooney, Faulkner & Stevens Get Started Award: $2,500 (applied toward business accounting and advisory, sponsored by Cooney, Faulkner & Stevens) HYPE Community Choice Award: $2,000 (sponsored by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber's HYPE program) GCVA Partner Participation Award: $1,000 (sponsored by the Greater Cincinnati Venture Association) 2011 Enquirer Media Investor of the Year The Greater Cincinnati Venture Association will honor one of its own active angel and venture investors for outstanding service to the venture community.

Latest in Quality of Life

Social Innovation Fund charts course from cradle to career

By Soapbox

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General

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August 23, 2011

As grade-schoolers play in the "Energy Zone" filled with bright-colored balls at the Duke Energy Children's Musuem, they learn about simple machines the fun way. Training teachers to guide students through field-trip science activities expands the reach, and impact, of every lesson. At Cincinnati's Social Innovation Fund, which supports a wide range of educational programs including teacher training, creating lasting learning makes for measurable successes.

Young People’s drama plays out on stage

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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August 23, 2011

One summer. Nine performances in two weeks. Sound like a blast? If you think so, and you're a Cincinnati youngster, The Young People's Theater might be the perfect way to spend your summer. Started in 1982 by Executive Director Tim Perrino, The Young People's Theater began as a summer camp for child thespians at the Dunham Recreation Center and Westwood Town Hall. Thirty years later, the program exists under the umbrella of Cincinnati Landmark Productions, which also operates the theater on the Showboat Majestic. "The Young People's Theater is the genesis of everything we've done," says Perrino. "I was looking to do what I did with my summers as a kid and it just gained momentum." Each summer more than 100 children audition for the chance to perform with The Young People's Theater at the Covedale Performance Art Center. The space was purchased exclusively for the program in 2002. This summer, the theater put on a performance of "Crazy For You," a musical based on George Gershwin's "Girl Crazy" with Judy Garland. "Crazy For You" is a 90s adaptation that packed more Gershwin songs from other musicals into the score. Two of the nine performances sold out and each show boasted at least 350 audience members, Perrino said. Last year's production of "Les Miserables" sold out every night. "It's all about the show," Perrino says. "We give them the experience by putting on a full- scale musical production." Do Good: • Volunteer. Visit the website to get involved. Operational meetings for next summer's program begin in December. You can get involved in everything from set design to costumes. • Donate: YPT benefits from outside donations and also offers two $500 scholarships for child actors. • Make a friend: Facebook "like" Cincinnati Landmark Productions. By Ryan McLendon

P&G touches millions with philanthropy

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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August 23, 2011

Procter and Gamble, one of the largest consumer goods companies in the world, claims that well over 22 million Pakistanis have benefited from its corporate social responsibility initiatives over the course of the two decades the firm has had a presence in Pakistan.Read the full story here.

Soapbox offers ‘arts lessons’ Tues., Aug. 30

By Elissa Yancey

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General

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August 23, 2011

Mark your calendars the next Soapbox Speaker Series event, an engaging discussion about community arts centers as catalysts for creativity. When: Tuesday, Aug. 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: Niehoff Urban Studio

Kentucky Symphony hits educational notes

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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August 23, 2011

In today's tech-savvy society, people more often create a new playlists on their iPods before they consider a night at symphony. Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, reminds us that live orchestral music can be just as interactive, current and interesting as any electronic media. KSO focuses on thematic performances that make you think, learn and wonder. Shows typically involve an overarching thread that is easily appreciable by even the most lax symphony-goer. "I wanted to focus on people who weren't symphony oriented," says Executive Director J.R. Cassidy. But he had a regional desire as well. "I wanted to have something Northern Kentucky could call their own." Cassidy founded what would become KSO after moving to Cincinnati from Tampa Bay to study at The College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. After he graduated, he wasn't interested in a formal teaching position. He wanted to pursue idea of creative orchestral music for the masses. He founded the Northern Kentucky Symphony, what would later become the KSO. Since its inception, the range of programming has been as divergent as Civil War retrospectives coupled with performance to a sonic symposium on how cartoons are made that featured the voice of "Yakko" from the former kid's show "Animaniacs." Each performance also offers a little bit of education as well. A historical thread was woven into the Civil War retrospective and explored little-known Kentucky facts, such as how Mary Todd-Lincoln, a Kentucky native, had brothers that served in the Confederate army. "It's the kind of history you don't get in school," says Cassidy. "When you come its always going to be different. You ever know what your gonna get." Do Good: Come. Come to events by the KSO. Click here for a complete calendar of events. Volunteer. Send an email to inquire about any and all volunteering opportunities. KSO needs help with everything from ushering to fundraising events. Donate. Contact JR via Soapbox to find out the best way to contribute.By Ryan McLendon

2012 Creative Writing Doctoral Programs: The Top Fifteen

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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August 23, 2011

The University of Cincinnati ranks eighth among creative writing doctoral programs in the country.Read the full story here.

MidPoint Midway inspires creative, ‘inside the box’ ideas

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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August 23, 2011

After hearing stories of renegade box truck art exhibits in other cities, some with stripper poles inside of U-Hauls, the staff at ArtWorks decided to try making the concept their own. "Midpoint seemed like the perfect place to try it for the first time," says Tamara Harkavy, executive director of ArtWorks. "There are a lot of people in the city for the festival, and it's a good way to connect the festival to the streets." Harkavy talked with MidPoint host John Fox of CityBeat and they decided to launch box truck exhibits at this year's MidPoint Music Festival, christening it MidPoint Midway. The Midway, situated on 12th Street between Vine and Walnut Streets, aims for an immersive street festival feel, complete with beer and food vendors, stages and the box truck exhibits. ArtWorks put out a call to local creatives to propose interactive installations that could fit in the back of box trucks. Sarah Corlett took charge of the submission gathering and artist wrangling. Corlett, also the SpringBoard coordinator at ArtWorks, sees her new challenge as a natural fit. "SpringBoard already has a entrepreneurial and artistic spirit, which is exactly what we needed," says Harkavay. Within days, Corlett created guidelines and contacted several artists around the city. "The only guidelines we really had were no alcohol and no open flames," Corlett says. "It has to be an art installation, but also be experiential, and fit inside the truck, of course." Corlett reached out to parProjects, a two-man artist group. Jonathan Sears and Chris Hoeting have created galleries in shipping containers and Uhaul trucks, so they welcomed the opportunity. "We are excited about the chance to do something in a mobile space again," says Sears. "We are creating a two-hole mini-golf course in our truck." Sears and Hoeting came upon the idea as a play on words relating to their business name. Preliminary renderings show water hazards, ramps and pipes. One hole features a ramp that exits and re-enters the truck. "If we create an experience that people will have a conversation about, I definitely think that is worthwhile," says Sears. parProject's goal to incite conversation reflects the central point behind the MidPoint Midway. "There are going to be some great surprises at Midway," says Harkavay. "We really want to give people an experience they will remember." Do Good: Volunteer. Contact Sarah Corlett about volunteering at MidPoint Midway. Attend. On Oct. 22, parProjects is hosting the Factory Square Fine Arts Festival. Donate. ArtWorks is always accepting donations to support its programs and services. By Evan Wallis

10K grant supports new riverfront bike, mobility center

By Soapbox

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Development News

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August 23, 2011

What do politics, cycling, charitable support and BMX stunts have in common? They were all part of a riverfront celebration of new funds to help Cincinnati Parks build a bike and family-friendly Smale Riverfront Park. At the event, representatives of Coca-Cola presented a $10,000 grant to build a bike and mobility center at the park. Park visitors will be able to rent bikes and equipment, and bike commuters will have a safe place to shower and store their cycling gear."It's just going to be phenomenal what that park is going to do for connecting Cincinnati," says Coca-Cola Vice-President of Sales Mark Rahiya, Sr.Congresswoman Jean Schmidt, an avid marathoner, sees the facility as a powerful tool to help fight the growing problem of unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles by making it easier for families to take part in active recreation. "We have to find ways to get people excited about becoming mobile," she says.One of the event's keynote speakers, professional BMX rider Bill Nitschke, pointed out that cycling goes far beyond simply getting people in shape. "When we're on a bike, we get to slow down in this fast-paced world and see what we want to see," he says. "This center's going to help a lot of people out, more than you can imagine."Cincinnati Parks Director Willie Carden accepted the grant, and then noted another grant program from the beverage manufacturer: the 'America is your Park' campaign that will award a $100,000 grant to a park or park system that receives the most votes by Sept. 6. Rather than calling for Cincinnatians to vote for the city's park system, he asked that they vote for the Minot, North Dakota, park system. Many of that system's parks suffered heavy damage this summer due to massive flooding."We have huge hearts in Greater Cincinnati," he said. "I want those to support them."By Matt Cunningham

ChoreMonster app aims to connect families, make work fun

By Newsroom

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Entrepreneurship

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August 23, 2011

For most kids there is no getting around chores. Whether it's cleaning their bedrooms, mowing the yard or taking out the trash, they are part of family life.While the tedious tasks may never make it on the list of things kids look forward to, two Cincinnati entrepreneurs are developing a web-based and mobile application that can make them more enjoyable.ChoreMonster, now under development, connects chores and rewards through a point system. The application, which can be accessed by parents and their children, gives kids points based on the type of chore they complete. Once they garner enough points, kids can cash them in for real-life rewards like a Christmastime gaming system or $25 for a night out at the movies. The parent decides how to award points and what rewards to associate with them.ChoreMonster is the brainchild of Chris Bergman and Paul Armstrong, digital marketing consultants at WiseAcre Digital in Over-The-Rhine."I grew up in a household where chores had a negative connotation," says Bergman, whose first child is due in December. "ChoreMonster is a way to enjoy daily chores. We wanted to create an experience where parents could interact with their children in a unique and engaging way. This gives them an opportunity to do that."ChoreMonster is one of eight startups that are part of The Brandery's 2011 class. The seed stage consumer marketing venture accelerator offers a 12-week course that includes mentoring, 20K in financing upon completion and access to potential investors."We already have a lot of strengths (in business) but we want to learn more about strategic partnerships and fundraising. It's a great opportunity to access the network, mentors and the collective wisdom of The Brandeary," says Bergman, of College Hill.ChoreMonster will be ready for private Beta when The Brandery class finishes this fall, Bergman says. As with each class, the application will be unveiled during a demo day before the public and the local investor community.By Feoshia HendersonYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites