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Business Development News

OEDA recognizes Cincinnati for industry leading marketing efforts

The Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) recognized Cincinnati for its efforts in marketing and volunteerism at its annual summit held last week in Columbus. OEDA officials say that the awards program is meant to recognize the achievements of both individuals and organizations throughout the state in the areas of economic and workforce development.

The City of Cincinnati’s Economic Development Division was recognized for its new Choose Cincy website which debuted earlier this year. The new website replaces a previously buried site on the City’s main page, and has dramatically improved access to information for those interested in the economic and demographic activities in Cincinnati.

“The new website signified a huge step forward on how we communicate with the economic development community as we seek new investors and bring jobs to Cincinnati,” Interim Economic Development Director Patrick Ewing said in a release. “This will help us to further compete in a global economy.”

The other recognition went to Cincinnati Neighborhood Business Districts United (CNBDU) organization for excellence in volunteerism. Two individuals, Mike Wagner and John Price, were specifically identified for their years of service leading the non-profit group that works to improve Cincinnati’s many neighborhood business districts (NBDs).

Wagner and Price started the organization in 1993 and have helped secure roughly $30 million in City funding for nearly 200 capital improvement projects, like streetscaping work, throughout many of Cincinnati’s NBDs.

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Business Development News

Yoga Row creating new business unions along Main Street

A visit to Main Street between 8th and Liberty streets nowadays reveals a neighborhood not only on the mend, but on the rise.

“There are a few signs that keen-eyed observers of urban areas look for that an area is changing,” says Main Street business owner Nancy Willman. “The increased use of bicycles, people walking pets, a new hardware store or successful bakery, and another is the growth of yoga studios. Main Street shows all these signs — especially now with four yoga studios equally spaced along eight blocks of Main Street.”

The owners of Main Street Yoga, Yoga Bar, You Do Yoga, and the Joyful Life Yoga Center have collaborated together to form a new project, nicknamed “Yoga Row.”

“While competition may be the norm in American business it has no place in yoga,” explains Yoga Bar owner Rachel Roberts. “The word ‘yoga’ translates to union, and that is the spirit in which the four Main Street studios have come together with our yogi friend and green grocer, Dan Korman of Park+Vine. We want to foster community, to reach more people and to help students find their style or blend of styles and their teachers.”

The four studios offer a wide variety of teaching styles and yoga classes, and it can seem overwhelming to those who might be looking to begin or continue their practice. Yoga Row collaborators have created the solution to this problem through the Yoga Row Passport.  Available for purchase at Park+Vine, this $20 pass renders the owner eligible to take one class of their choosing at each studio, for free.

“By offering this Yoga Row Passport, students can try four distinct schools of yoga and a variety of teachers at a very affordable cost, giving them the time and experience needed to cultivate a sustainable practice,” said Roberts. “After they have visited all four studios they can use their passport for 20 percent off a yoga mat or any other item at Park+Vine.”

Photo Credit: Rachel Roberts

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Two exciting events for Saturday 11/6

Cincinnati’s Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. will tap the first Christkindl Winter Warmer Ale keg of the season on Saturday November 6th from 1pm to 4pm at Christy’s Biergarten in the Uptown neighborhood of CUF.

Brother Tim Sucher of St. Francis Seraph Ministries will ceremoniously tap the first keg at 1pm, “We are honored to celebrate the new release of Moerlein Christkindl in the spirit of the holiday season,” said Brother Tim Sucher of St. Francis Seraph Ministry. $1 from every pint sold that day will go towards St. Francis Seraph Ministry’s Christmas Fund.

According to a the brewing company, the building in which Christy’s is located was built as a wedding present for Christian Moerlein’s daughter in 1890. Owner and manager Christy Windholtz Lammers commented, “My family is very proud to have a direct affiliation with Cincinnati’s grand brewing tradition, and is honored to host the Moerlein Christkindl keg tapping event at Christian Moerlein’s daughters home. Wilkommen!”

Christy’s Biergarten will have a special happy hour with $3 pints of the new Moerlein Christkindl and a specially priced happy hour food menu, serving Bratts, Metts, Potato Pancake, German Potato Salad – Rueben and Sauerkraut Balls. Christies is located in the heart of the Clifton Heights business district at 151 West McMillian. Christie’s provides ample parking, but if you choose to imbibe, please do not drive. The biergarten is well accessible by Metro bus service.

Later in the evening, there will be another party taking place at the American Sign Museum (map) in Walnut Hills. Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals (CHYP) will be throwing their ‘Under Construction’ Bash from 7pm to 11pm at the nationally renowned museum. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $35 per person and $45 per person at the door. Tickets include food, open bar, dancing, and a silent auction.

“We’re very excited about this event and grateful to be able to have it at a hidden gem like the American Sign Museum,” said Marissa Woodly, Development Director, Cincinnati Habitat.

The museum boasts a collection of over 3,000 pieces of glowing Americana, which provide a nostalgic look into our commercial past in America. The proceeds from the event will go towards building an affordable home for a Cincinnati family in need.  Tickets for this event can be purchased online.  Also be sure to follow CHYP on Twitter at @CincyHabitatYP.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Autumn Air Art Fair brings emerging artists to Clifton

The second annual Autumn Air Art Fair will be 11am to 5pm Saturday, November 6 at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center in the historic Clifton Gaslight District.

With over 40 local artists displaying their craft in painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, glass and graphics, the juried show will prove to be a fun time for artists and purveyors alike.

Four local artists will be judging the show, including Kay Hurley, a nationally recognized pastel artist; Terri Kern, a nationally recognized ceramist; Tamera Muente, Curator of Keystone Contemporary Gallery at the Taft Museum; and Sylvia Rhombis, owner of the Malton Gallery.

Local artist and organizer Pam Irvin is excited about two unique aspects of this show. “This year we will be featuring an ’emerging artist’ area, which will be displaying works from students ages 5-18 for sale,” Irvin explained. “Proceeds from selling the art goes towards the Autumn Air Art Fair Scholarship Fund, a scholarship available for art education students up to age 24.”

The show is free to the public with free parking on the street and at Cincinnati Recreation Center adjacent to the Clifton Cultural Arts Center – 3711 Clifton Avenue.

For more information on the event and scholarship fund and to sign up to volunteer email info@autumnairartfair.org.

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News Transportation

Modern streetcar to be on display in downtown Cincinnati through 11/10

If you have not been one of the hundreds of Cincinnatians to make the trip to Portland to see modern streetcars in action, or visit one of the many global cities with them in operation, then tomorrow is a great chance to see one up close and in person.

City officials sent out a message late Thursday stating that the first modern streetcar made in America since the 1930’s will be on display at 5th and Walnut streets in downtown Cincinnati on Friday, November 5 from 1pm to 7pm. Those who are unable to check it out for themselves on Friday will have another chance from 11am to 7pm daily through Wednesday, November 10.

“This is a perfect opportunity to pierce the veil of misunderstanding about what our city is trying to do with this project,” streetcar supporter John Schneider stated in an email.

City officials do note that while the Cincinnati Streetcar may end up being this particular model, the final decision on that has yet to be made, but they say that it will give a great idea for what to expect once Cincinnati’s modern streetcar system is operating in 2013.

The mayor is expected to hold a news conference at 1pm on Friday to discuss the project and this type of streetcar model. After the streetcar leaves Cincinnati it will make its way to Portland to join their existing streetcar fleet.