Author: Jenny Kessler

Jenny is a local designer who has a passion for people and for Cincinnati. She began writing for UrbanCincy in September 2009, and served as the website's operation manager until March 2012. Jenny currently works for ArtsWave and manages the OTR Urban Kickball League.

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News

Crock of Love a unique kitchen alternative

For many Cincinnatians, creating a weekly menu, a grocery list, going to the grocery to buy said list, then finding the time to prepare, eat and store those menu items seem like impossible tasks. Almost as if it would be easier to scale Everest. You know who you are, you kitchen-shy bachelors with nothing but eggs and beer in the fridge. Cooking is a pain, but eating out every night is both unhealthy and expensive. What to do?

Enter Nikki Galea Franz, owner and operator of Crock of Love, a small private chef’s business – “homemade all day while you’re away!” For the same price as a week’s worth of groceries, she will set up either 2 or 4 nights of meals for you from start to finish. Franz is a personal chef with a twist. Her unique meals cook in a crock pot, timed exactly so that dinner is ready whenever you walk in the door.

Franz started her labor of love this past fall. She originally started her career in real estate, but grew unsatisfied with the business. She has always loved cooking for friends and family, and they encouraged her to turn her passion for “feeding the soul” into an actual business. After 4 months in business, she has found a small but extremely satisfied set of clientele.

“People who want a home cooked meal, but simply don’t have the time are perfect for my service,” said Franz whose customers range from obscenely busy bachelor lawyer types to families who are busy with schedules or a new baby.

Here’s how it works: You sign up for a month’s worth of meals, either 2 or 4 days a week. Nikki will meet with you to fill out a survey to find out your dietary needs and preferences. Her menu is easily adaptable to fit a wide range of special diets from gluten free to vegan and back again. You then indicate what time you would like to eat dinner each night and Nikki will arrive at your place at the corresponding time to set up her crock pot right in your kitchen. When you come home, your main dish will be ready to eat, and any corresponding sides will be waiting in your refrigerator.

Made from scratch lasagna and garlic bread – yep, it came from a crock pot! Photo provided.

If you think of overcooked, chewy stews and bland veggies as the only things that can be made in crockpots, think again! After 4 months in business, she has created four meals a week with no repeats thus far. Past Crock of Love dinners include such delicacies as Portabello Mushroom Ravioli with Demi Glace and Cesar Salad, to BBQ Chicken Lasagna with salad and holiday cookies (baked by Franz’s 77 year old Aunt Ruth, who is a part of the business and supplies Nikki with home made baked goods and desserts). Another unusual dish (for a crock pot) is Garlic and Herb Shrimp Stuffed Tilapia with Zucchini and Yellow Squash.

The art of crock pot cooking has been around for years, but it takes a practiced hand to really understand how to make the food turn out just right. Franz sources her recipes from all over, and will often adapt recipes cooked traditionally for the crock pot. She takes extra effort to source her ingredients locally when possible, especially when trying to cultivate an authentic flavor. All of her sauces are from scratch and she also cooks healthy, using low-sodium or low-fat ingredients, as long as it doesn’t affect the taste.

“I’ve gotta use butter, it’s delish!” Franz exclaimed while feeding me a sample of her incredibly tender brisket and a small bowl of fragrant, flavorful bean soup. This bubbly blonde may be all business when it comes down to the crock pot, but she says that the time and love she gets to put into her customers makes it all worth it in the end.

“I know it’s cheesy, but feeding people really does feed my soul. I can’t believe I get to do this. When my work day is finished and my customers get home, I’ll get text messages telling me how yummy the food is, and it’s so encouraging,” Franz explained.

You may not be a busy bachelor, but if you need a break from the kitchen and don’t want to blow up your pocketbook (or your waistline!), consider Crock of Love for your meal needs. It’s a unique local business right in the heart of Cincinnati. Crock of Love will deliver anywhere inside the 275 loop, and you’ll get a discount if you live Downtown or in Over-the-Rhine, or if you refer someone in your neighborhood! Check out the Facebook page, email Nikki at crockoflove@gmail.com, or call (513) 404-7276 for more information.

Categories
Development News

Phase 1a of The Banks to rise quickly

This past Tuesday, January 27th, Cincinnati City Council’s Strategic Growth Committee gathered at City Hall to listen to and review construction updates on the long-awaited Banks development project. David L. Holmes, Assistant City Manager and John F. Deatrick, Banks Project Executive were both on hand to explain the project’s progress in further detail.

The update focused on Phase 1a of the construction plan, which includes 300 apartments and nearly 80,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space with parking garages below street level. As of this January, Phase 1a is 65% constructed and staying well within the budget previously set for the development.

Construction of Phase 1a of The Banks is 65% complete as of January 2010 – Photo Provided

Both the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County have pledged monies towards The Banks. The City has pledged $20 million and has so far paid $7.5 million, while the county has committed some $5 million. After both the city and the county have paid their committed shares, they will split the remaining cost 50/50.

Phase 1a of The Banks is projected to open by Opening Day 2011. According to the presenters, apartment leasing will begin in fall of 2010, though the projected price points of said apartments are still up in the air. As soon as the exterior facades on the buildings are finished, the streets that are currently closed off due to construction will reopen.

Construction has begun on 300 apartments and 80,000 square feet of retail at Phase 1a of The Banks – Images Provided

The scope of construction that has been most recently completed is mostly structure for parking and mechanical, electrical and plumbing infrastructure. They are currently laying shear walls and columns in the south site by the bridge. The workers are waiting for warmer weather to come back in order to pour more concrete.

One of the financial directors gave an update on the amount of local, small business, minority and women employees and businesses currently engaged in the Banks project. She emphasized that 74% of construction workers for the project currently live in the Cincinnati metropolitan area, 20% are minorities, and 2.5% are female. Council members Charlie Winburn, Laure Quinlivan and committee chair Chris Bortz expressed concern for making sure that “as many Cincinnatians as possibly are involved in the construction and in the business of the Banks.” Winburn stressed making sure that “this project has the utmost integrity” when it comes to keeping money local, (despite hiring out of Birmingham for the general contractors).

Phase 1a site plan for The Banks – Image Provided

After Phase 1a is complete in early 2011, work will begin on reconstructing Mehring Way to cut a wider arc above the river, bordering the new Central Riverfront Park. As a result, project managers are currently in the process of appropriating stimulus funds for this development.

While retailers for the Phase 1a portion of the project are not yet set in stone, much has been speculated about a potential grocery store, entertainment venues like an ESPN Zone, and other restaurants, bars and entertainment venues to compliment the evolving riverfront district. Connectivity to the existing Riverfront Transit Center, and proposed Cincinnati Streetcar, will help connect The Banks to the rest of Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, and Uptown neighborhoods resulting in a live/play/work situation that will be attractive to all.

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News

‘Spring Awakening’ Not Your Average High School Musical

Failure, young love, parental pressure, abortion, homosexuality, suicide, sex, abuse, repressed hormones, and getting kicked out of school. It’s not the description of the next hot reality show, it’s the plot line to an out of this world musical.

If overbearing divas with vibrato and too many jazz hands come to mind when you think of “musical theater,” the newest show of the Broadway Series at the Aronoff Center may cause you to reconsider your definition. Spring Awakening: A New Musical is actually a very old play and has won eight Tony Awards. Author and playwright Frank Wedekind wrote Spring Awakening in 1891, and the translated version serves as the basis for this emotion-charged musical that is more rock concert than Rogers and Hammerstein.

Spring Awakening follows the lives of teenagers in 19th Century Germany as they struggle with teenage angst and blossoming sexual desires in an intensely repressed society. Though the source material is over 100 years old, the feelings and emotions that are represented are universal and carry through to today.

Andy Mientus (Hanschen) explores his body [LEFT]. The girls sing about their repressed feelings surrounding their sexuality [RIGHT]. Photos provided.

Tony and Grammy award winner Duncan Sheik composed the music to accompany the storyline. His songs range from alterna-folk ballads to upbeat rockin’ numbers, all with lyrics that truly speak to the raw emotions experienced by the kids on stage. Instead of headset or lapel mikes, the actors whip out hand held microphones or belt the tunes from on stage. This unique choice makes for a great sound experience, since the soloists are well heard, and the group numbers blend together beautifully.

The set design by Christine Jones and lighting by Kevin Adams make for amazing visuals. The stage is set in a bare bones style that evokes an old German brick school, with actors rarely leaving the stage. Props on the wall and a dazzling array of lighting styles juxtapose the stark reality of the storyline with the neon emotions of the teenage mind. Some of the audience members actually sit on the stage, with cast members sitting next to them between songs… unless they’re running, jumping, rolling around on the floor, doing crazy hand motions, having sex, or flipping you off.

The majority of the cast is young – either just out of undergrad or even high school. Look out for Christy Altomare, who plays the female lead of Wendla. She is a graduate of University of Cincinnati’s CCM as of 2008, and brings a sense of innocence and a crystal clear singing voice to her role. Honestly, the entire cast is superb – their energy keeps the show flowing smoothly and they blend together as a group better than the kids on Glee. Other notable roles include Taylor Trensch as the uniquely coiffed Moritz, and Angela Reed and John Wojda who play all the adults in the show.

The adult themes within the show may not be appropriate for young children. So leave the eight year old at home, but if you’ve seen a Judd Apatow film (especially an unrated one), you’ve seen more risque material.

Spring Awakening is playing at the Aronoff Center for the Arts (map) now through Sunday, January 24. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased online, by phone at (513) 621-2787, or in person at the Aronoff Center box office at 650 Walnut Street in downtown Cincinnati. Off-street automobile and bicycle parking is available and the Aronoff Center is well-serviced by Metro’s Government Square bus hub. To see which route is most convenient for you, and to plan your trip now, use Metro’s Trip Planner.

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News

New Clifton Heights traffic signals improve pedestrian safety

The City of Cincinnati has installed two new stoplights in the Clifton Heights neighborhood directly adjacent to the University of Cincinnati. These lights are located at the intersections of Calhoun & Ohio streets as well as Clifton & College Court (the drive at which the college of DAAP is located).

For now the light at Ohio and Calhoun only blinks yellow and red, but will be changed to a full functioning stop light in the future. The DAAP light is fully functioning and allows for drivers turning left out of College Court onto Clifton to have a safe right-of-way.

The new light on Calhoun (map) comes at a particularly troubling spot for pedestrians. The flat straight-a-way had often encouraged drivers to speed down the street just feet away from pedestrians and bicyclists, many of whom cross back and forth across the street.

As a student attending the College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning I have experienced the perils of attempting to cross Clifton Street during rush hour. It is a busy, four lane road where drivers often drive over the speed limit. Drivers had a tendency to ignore the small yellow pedestrian crosswalk sign swinging high above the street, and more than once I jumped out of the way to avoid a collision. One memorable morning a van screeched to a halt approximately 6 inches from smashing me into pulpy art student pieces. I gave him a piece of my mind, for sure.

Categories
News

Binocular: A New Way to Look at Dance

The Cincinnati Arts Association presents “Binocular”, the first performance of the 2010 season by Exhale Dance Tribe. This particular presentation is not your typical “going to the ballet” dance experience. Exhale Dance Tribe is a contemporary jazz troupe, mixing modern and rhythm based dance to create “expressionistic and multi-lingual dance rooted in rhythmic language and story telling.” They work hard to push the boundaries and discover new and beautiful ways of expressing oneself through movement.

Exhale Dance Tribe was created by Andrew Hubbard and Misty Lay Zimmer, who met while performing during a Broadway run of the musical “Cats.” According to the Exhale website, the partners noticed a dire need for dancers to reconnect with what dance was originally intended for: self expression and storytelling. As choreographers, performers and educations, Hubbard and Zimmer are committed to drawing out the artistic soul of performers and audiences alike, daring to explore and expand notions of individuality and nonconformity.

Dance is one aspect of the arts community that is often overlooked in Cincinnati. Exhale Dance Tribe takes the preconceived notions of what dance should be and flips them around into something entirely different.

With “Binocular”, the audience is invited to look closer… what we perceive with one “lens” may be transformed when we see with both eyes. It is the first performance of the 2010 season and includes original choreographic works from LA choreographer Kristen Denehy as well as Andrew Hubbard and Missy Lay Zimmer. It includes new works and premieres of “Motion Pictures” and “Valley of the Dolls.”

Performances are Friday and Saturday, January 8th and 9th, at 8pm. The performances will be held in the Jarson-Kaplan Theater at the Aronoff Center for the Arts on Main Street downtown (map). Tickets are $20, and ETA members can use their vouchers or get tickets for $12 the day of the show. Call (513) 621-2787 or email ticketing@cincinnatiarts.org.

All pictures copyright Exhale Dance Tribe. Become a fan on Facebook!