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CPS enrollment better than expected

As much bad news as inner-city school districts typically get, Cincinnati Public Schools keeps the positive news coming. In January CPS was profiled on CNN’s Lou Dobbs Tonight show for their improved graduation rates and by eliminating the achievement gap between white and black students.

At the same time construction chugs along on what will become the first and only K-12 public arts school in America. Even better news is that CPS is within reach of attaining an ‘Effective’ rating by the State of Ohio…a rating comparable to most suburban school districts and the highest rating of any urban school district in Ohio.

Photo by Randy Simes – Withrow High School

The news out today is that enrollment numbers are higher than original projections by State demographers. Maybe this is another indicator supporting Cincinnati’s claim that population projections, for Cincinnati, are actually higher than projected. It might also be a sign of CPS’ improvement and the move back towards public schools by younger families. In either scenario the news is good news.

Bottom line, the excuses for not living in the City continue to go away in Cincinnati.

Related readings on UrbanCincy:
Cincinnati Public Schools making the grade
Get off the juice

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Christian Moerlein favorite local beer

Well the results of April’s poll aren’t even close. UrbanCincy readers clearly favor Christian Moerlein which claimed 62% (146 total) of the votes. Mt. Carmel took second place with 17% (41 total) with Sam Adams, Hudy Delight, and ‘Nati Light rounding out the list.

I voted for Christian Moerlein but this certainly pained me because I absolutely love Mt. Carmel. The connections with Over-the-Rhine are what eventually put Christian Moerlein over the top for me.

Of the locals I rank my top three beers as:
1. Mt. Carmel Copper
2. Christian Moerlein OTR Ale
3. Christian Moerlein Barbarossa
4. Mt. Carmel Stout (honorable mention)

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Happy Hour Cincinnati: McCormick & Schmick’s

This week’s highlighted happy hour is McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant. Doesn’t sound like a good happy hour place right…WRONG. Happy hour at McCormick & Schmick’s is M-F from 4:00pm – 6:30pm. They also have an evening happy hour from 9:30pm – 11:00pm M-Th. Plus the location is just about as central as you can get – directly across the street from Fountain Square.

Their happy hour menu (PDF, 77kb) consists of a variety of food. It includes the fish as you would expect, as well as, a number of other items for those not into the whole seafood thing. The main item they’re known for is their 1/2 lb Cheeseburger with fries for only $1.95.

McCormick & Schmick’s generally doesn’t do specials on their drinks. With that said, the bar has a good selection of drinks and the typical cost for a beer is $3.75. There is also a two drink minimum during happy hour times, but they do not necessarily have to be alcoholic as soft drinks count towards your two drink minimum.

McCormick & Schmick’s
21 E. Fifth Street (GoogleMap)
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513.721.9339

Previous happy hour coverage on UrbanCincy:
Buddakhan — Via Vite

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Happy Hour Cincinnati: Buddakhan

I don’t think a lot of people know about Buddakhan, but its got a nice happy hour (M-F) drink selection and a huge food menu. They now have a lunch, dinner, and late night food menu to take care of their customers all throughout the day.

For happy hour you can get 22oz. drafts for $2 which includes Bud Light and 2 rotating featured drafts. If draft beer isn’t your thing then you can choose from 40 different selections of beer on stock.

This is a great spot to hit up midway through your night if you’re looking for some food and want the drinks to keep on flowing. It also works for that late night end cap (open until 2:30am every day). Buddakhan also has live music occasionally and many of the tables include their own personal TV on the table.

The other great thing about Buddakhan is its location. All you have to do is turn your head and you could continue your hop to Lodge Bar, BlackFinn, Madonna’s, Sully’s, Cadillac Ranch, Universal Grille, Rockin’ Robins, Via Vite, Havana Martini Club, Arnold’s, Blue Wisp Jazz Club, or Nada (I’m sure I forgot something, so forgive me).

Buddakhan
713 Vine Street (GoogleMap)
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513.421.9700

Previous happy hour coverage on UrbanCincy:
Via Vite

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Business News

Be a Volunteer Ambassador in OTR

Vitality Over-the-Rhine is a non-profit group that came into existence in the Fall of 2006. They are dedicated to making resident/business driven initiatives reality in Over-the-Rhine.

Currently they are embarking on a new Volunteer Ambassador Program. You need not be a resident of OTR to apply. You don’t even need to be familiar with the neighborhood. If you are simply looking for a way to get involved and make an impact then this is for you.

All ambassadors will be provided with a map, a list of neighborhood contacts, and a T-shirt to wear whenever they’re in Over-the-Rhine for any reason (additional resources will be provided as needed). Several Over-the-Rhine businesses will be providing drinks and restrooms for ambassadors to use.

Volunteers will not be required to check in, record hours or maintain a certain route, though volunteers can opt to have their time logged for any service requirements that they need to fulfill. While the structure of the program is fairly laid back, Vitality Over-the-Rhine asks that ambassadors not get drunk or cross over into the CBD while in service (to avoid confusion with the DCI Ambassadors Downtown).

This effort will continue as long as there is interest from volunteers. Fortunately enough for UrbanCincy readers…I’m organizing this whole effort. You can contact me for more information and details.

Randy A. Simes | Vitality Over-the-Rhine
Volunteer Ambassador Coordinator
VitalityOTR@gmail.com