Categories
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

Categories
News

NIMBY Tip of the Month (4.08)

Support the inner-city.

Have you ever wondered why more suburbanites/exurbanites aren’t more supportive of inner-city redevelopment, and urban living as a whole? Many of these people move out to say cornfield Butler/Warren County and then get upset when a bunch of other people do the same thing and ruin their good thing.

At the same time these are the first people you will hear chime in with negativity about the Cincinnati Streetcar, The Banks, or anything else going on in the inner-city. I would expect these types of people to be the biggest advocates for urban living and inner-city reinvestment. I mean after all, the more people that stay in the core the less that ruin their good thing, right?

I guess it all boils down to this. The people who live in cities generally like being around lots of other people (to a certain degree), and those that live out in the exurbs are typically the opposite. So all of you residents of Mason, West Chester, Lebanon, etc need to start being inner-city advocates…it will help to get more people in the city with those of us who want them, and it will keep more people away from your pristine suburban lawn. People helping people.

Image Credit:
Downtown West Chester Scares Me by Lookatme Shirts

Buy the Downtown West Chester Scares Me shirt HERE!

Categories
News

Happy Hour Cincinnati: Via Vite

There are tons of great happy hours around town…many of which are largely unknown. For the first of what will become an ongoing series, I will highlight Via Vite’s great happy hour.

First of all, Via Vite’s happy hour is EVERY day and lasts from 3-6 (I was told 7pm by our waitress the other week). Unfortunately they don’t offer any draft selections, but they do serve Christian Moerlein’s OTR Ale. After you take the $1.50 off you’ll be enjoying some great OTR Ale for $2 on Via Vite’s rooftop terrace.

The rooftop terrace is what really makes Via Vite special. It sits directly on Fountain Square and makes for one of the best happy hour environments around. Plus the rooftop terrace consists of couches arranged in a way that is great for groups of up to around 6 people.

The food specials also make it a great spot to start off your evening downtown. The wood fired pizzas are great for sharing with a friend and are at a great happy price – $7. If you’re in the mood for a great happy hour today then be sure to check out Via Vite. The location is to die for and the food and drink live up to the high expectations.

View pictures from Via Vite’s rooftop terrace HERE!

Via Vite
520 Vine Street (GoogleMap)
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513.721.8483

Additional Via Vite Reading:
Via Vite – JasonTT.com
Via Vite – 5chw4r7z.com

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

Bearcat in the flesh

Want to see an actual Bearcat, in person? Well you have a great chance now at the Cincinnati Zoo. If you are a student, faculty member, or staff member with the University of Cincinnati you can get into the zoo for 1/2 price now until May 25th (with an ID).

The Cincinnati Zoo’s Executive Director and the UC President Nancy Zimpfer kicked off the Bearcat’s return to the Cincinnati Zoo. In addition to the return, this baby Bearcat still needs a name. The public can enter into the Zoo’s, “Name the Baby Bearcat” contest until April 30th…with a winner being announced on Friday, May 9th.

Click here to submit a name for the baby Bearcat

Image Credit:
Cincinnati Zoo

Categories
Development News Politics

Help save 1502 Vine Street

You may or may not have heard, but another gem in Over-the-Rhine is at risk of being demolished. The building is around 15th & Vine on the NE corner. There is however a twist in this story…an effort is underway to raise private money as a sign of good faith to save the building from the wrecking ball.

The hope is that enough private money is raised to show a level of commitment that could go a long way in saving the building. This financial commitment could then help to leverage $100,000 the City has for restoration and $150,000 that 3CDC has for potential use on the building.

If you’re interested in helping, please check out www.pledgebank.com/Over-the-Rhine, or www.pledgebank.com/1500Vine (different pledge levels).

Image Credit:
Cincinnati Preservation Association, Margo Warminski