Soapbox - Features

Metro blazes new trails with green efforts

Caitlin Koenig — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Metro has been "going green" for more than 25 years, but partnerships with progressive organizations have helped it broaden sustainability efforts.

Women in the kitchens, part 2

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Last week, Soapbox's Andrew Welsh introduced you to Take the Cake's Melissa Mileto, whose fashion background contributes to her artistic references in the kitchen. This week, he talks food, art and inspiration with the chef-owners of Nectar, Eat Well Cafe & Takeaway and Honey.

Soapdish: Rhinegeist taps into history to build future

Casey Coston — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Over-the-Rhine brewery Rhinegeist, set to open this year, embodies a 21st century spirit of creativity and adventure in the neighborhood with roots in beer and city-building.

Women in the kitchens, Part 1

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Melissa Mileto grew up in Baltimore's Little Italy. Today, Take the Cake's chef and joint-owner oversees one of the city's busiest and most creative kitchens. She kicks off Soapbox's series that spotlights Cincinnati's female chef-owners.

Rise of the rest: Creativity loves company

Eric Peterson — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Startups aren't just for Silicon Valley anymore. As entrepreneurs find expected pleasures—and great quality of life—in cities like Cincinnati, a new kind of energy is building. Read about the rise of our startup sister cities, from Boston to Denver.

My Soapbox: Jason Langdon, Cincinnati Mini-Maker Faire

Elissa Yancey — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Louisville had a fire-breathing pony. New York had 3-D printers and makerbots galore. Cincinnati Maker Faire Founder Jason Langdon looks forward to seeing what the local science, DIY and art community has to offer in the city's first all-ages, all-genres celebration of maker culture this October in Washington Park.

Seeing stars: Innovative collaboration brings top performers to school stages

Jessica Noll-Korczyk — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Bringing local, national and international artists to work with students at Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts does more than whet their appetite for the arts. It builds disciplined, savvy learners with deep bonds rooted in Over-the-Rhine.

My Soapbox: Lucia Jackson, Kintimate Costumes, Etc.

Elese Daniel — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Need a kid's, guy's, marching band, Viking, witch doctor or Santa costume? Lucia Jackson has you covered, all from her Northside attic.

My Soapbox: Nick Shah, UC Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence winner

Caitlin Koenig — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Nick Shah, who will graduate from the University of Cincinnati later this month, has already proven himself a 21st century Renaissance man. With a degree in biomedical engineering and a minor in Spanish, he'll start med school at UC this year, but he's already a fixture at the Ronald McDonald House, where he shares his talents as a pianist every week. Shah chats with Soapbox about his plans for the future and what he hopes to contribute to the world of medicine.

Raw music in a digital age: Young Heirlooms find beauty in folk traditions

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

After years of work and an expansive list of side jobs, Christopher Robinson and Kelly Fine illustrate the value of dedication to their music with the release of the first Young Heirlooms' studio album, a self-titled collection born and brought to life in Cincinnati.

Bridging the gap: Enjoy the Arts streamlines path to arts patronage

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

In its 32^nd year, Enjoy the Arts may be older than most of its target audience members, but its new website doesn’t show it. With a fresh look and a new approach to its high-value services, the audience-growing nonprofit is planting serious roots in the digital age with some help from local startups.

Shades of Grayscale: historic brewery revives to showcase local culture, spirits

Elissa Yancey — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

On the site where the first brewery in Over-the-Rhine began operating in 1829, a new generation of artisans is redefining the boundaries of the historic neighborhood’s 21^st century renaissance.

Flights of fancy: A toast to OTR wine bars

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Wine purveyors in Over the Rhine share "a community of love and attention," says Joanna Argus, joint owner of 1215 Coffee Lab & Wine Bar. As that community grows, Soapbox's Andrew Welsh tours what aficionados have dubbed "Wine" Street and beyond.

My Soapbox: Chase Whiteside, New Left Media

Elissa Yancey — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Chase Whiteside wasn't setting out to start a YouTube sensation. But when he and filmmaking partner Erick Stoll documented a Tea Party rally in Washington, they started a documentary-making partnership that has now taken root in Cincinnati. He shares his love of film and his hatred of the Internet with Soapbox's Elissa Yancey.

Modern Makers: The Big Dinner with Chef Frances Kroner of Feast

Scott Beseler — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Soapbox's Scott Beseler shares a visual feast of the latest Modern Makers event, a celebration of food and art at the Niehoff Urban Design Studio in Uptown. Music by Maria Carrelli.

My Soapbox: David Le, Pho Lang Thang group

Caitlin Koenig — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

David Le and his restauranteur partners want to make Cincinnati an easy place for Asian Americans to live—and eat. Through Pho Lang Thang and Quan Hapa, he's sharing familiar recipes, with a healthy dose of culture, to an ever-growing fan base. He chats with Soapbox about his inspiration, his strategies and his goals for the future.

From Guatemala with love: Deeper Roots partners with growers for richer roasts

Robin Donovan — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

What do a dairy barn in Mt. Healthy and this year's TED conference have in common? A shared love of top-quality coffee from a Guatemalan village that locals know thanks to relationships nurtured with Deeper Roots, a local roasting company and coffee consultancy.

My Soapbox: Kyle Neyer, University of Cincinnati

Andrew Gable — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

When 23-year-old University of Cincinnati track star Kyle Neyer considered his senior year at his hometown college, he knew he had a chance to make a difference. He wanted to make it easier for other gay and lesbian athletes to feel supported and welcome among their peers and fans. So, he spearheaded the production of an inspiring and inclusive video: "You Can Play."

Bayer Becker symposium awakens Cincinnati neighborhoods

Caitlin Koenig — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The Urban Awakenings series looks at redevelopment projects in four Cincinnati neighborhoods—Walnut Hills, Northside, Over-the-Rhine and East Price Hill—that are focusing on revitalization, and what developers can do to help.

My Soapbox: Janelle Hopper, Contemporary Arts Center

Elissa Yancey — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Janelle Hopper, public programs manager at the Contemporary Arts Center, takes a holistic approach to connecting the community with art. In her three years on the job, she's showcased eclectic guests, from the Smithsonian's new media strategist to Sigur Ros. She shares her goals, her insights and her passions with Soapbox.

From cradle to career, creating new cycles of success

Jessica Noll-Korczyk — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Whether she is downtown in the offices of Strive or coaching track at Clark Montessori, Nia Williams understands the power of a challenging, encouraging mentor. Without hers, she says, she wouldn't be where she is today.

Brunch bunch: crowds hungry for fresh choices by city's chefs

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Cincinnati's brunch scene is sizzling with creative dishes baked from scratch by the region's top chefs. Their ever-changing menus range from the ridiculous—crispy pork and shrimp fried rice with a fried egg and Flamin' Hot Cheetos—to the sublime—try French toast with Rogue Mocha Porter maple syrup.

On OFFF: Designers that will blow you away

Scott Beseler — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Even if you didn't get a chance to attend the sold-out OFFF event hosted by the Contemporary Arts Center, you can still experience the mind-blowing designers' work from the comfort of your computer. Slideshow by Soapbox's own mind-blowing photographer, Scott Beseler.

Old kids on the block: Calhoun cornerstones offer alternatives

Kyle Stone — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

As U Square at the Loop looms large, long-standing Calhoun Street businesses in Clifton hope for a long-awaited resurgence.

Anchor districts emerge as powerful players in bid to shape new metropolis

Lee Chilcote — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

In Cincinnati, Cleveland and East Baltimore, major employers are anchoring massive new developments in a full-on effort to remake their cities. Strong partnerships and shared visions are essential elements for success.

My Soapbox: Sandra E. Spataro, NKU

Jessica Noll-Korczyk — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

With degrees from Stanford and Berkeley, Sandra Spataro brings experience from Silicon Valley and teaching stints at Yale and Cornell to her students at Northern Kentucky University. She chose to work at NKU because it offered not only a diverse student population, but a chance to focus on what she calls "up-close-and-personal" teaching.

Nights out Cincinnati

Scott Beseler — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

One weekend. Two nights of Cincinnati. Soapbox's managing photographer Scott Beseler tours the Art of Food in Covington and the Platter Party in Brighton. The result? A taste of fashion, music and fun in the city. Video by Scott Beseler.

Cincinnati's newest dream team: The faces of Cintrifuse

James Pilcher — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The Cintrifuse venture capital team is already working on supporting the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Now, it's time to see how The Rainmaker, The Money Man, The Go Getter, The Teacher, The Connector, The Youngster and The Magician Behind the Curtain plan to get down to business.

Success by Six jumpstarts learning for youngest students

Jessica Noll-Korczyk — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

From prenatal care to kindergarten and at every milestone in between, Success By Six guides Greater Cincinnati's youngest learners on their journey from cradle to career.

My Soapbox: Cate Yellig, Art Director, City of Covington

Kelsey Kennedy — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Cate Yellig knows how to build things. And how to use a blowtorch. The City of Covington's new art director talks economic development, world travels and how the region has become a magnet for talented, smart entrepreneurs and artists.