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December 2005Hot Spot Hotline debut - 513-588-6909
Members of the Over-the-Rhine community are now able to leave anonymous
messages concerning the hottest spots for crime and drug activity thanks to
funding by Mercy Health Partners. The hotline will allow residents, property
owners, and businesses to leave secure messages that will only be accessible by
the Drug Elimination Detail Task Force. The hotline number is
513-588-6909. For more information on the hotline or the Chamber's other
Safe and Clean Programs, please contact us by phone at 513-241-2690 or email
us. October 2005
OTR Chamber hosts City Council CandidatesOver 75 people attended the October 6th Meet the Candidates Night at the Bell
Event Centre in Over-the-Rhine. Most Cincinnati Council Candidates were in
attendance along with the candidates for Cincinnati Mayor, Mark Mallory and
David Pepper. Attendees had the opportunity to meet personally with each of the
candidates and put a name with a face. Several spontaneous conversations allowed
attendees to voice some of their concerns for Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine.
Thank Yous go to Paul Goebel and the Belle Event Centre for hosting and the
delicious appetizers, the SCPA for the wonderful harp background music and
Corporation for Findlay Market and the Cincinnati Symphony for donating door
prizes.
September 2005
Art Academy Moves to Over-the-Rhine
Cincinnati's oldest independent college of Art & Design has moved to
Over-the-Rhine at 1212 Jackson Street. With about 200 students, the new facility
distinguishes Over-the-Rhine as the city's center for creativity. The Art
Academy looks forward to providing a unique education for its students at the
new facility and promoting a variety of outreach programs in the community. For
more information about the Art Academy, visit www.artacademy.edu.
Kaldi's Reopens
A wave of revival has hit Main Street. The community was not the same since
Kaldi's closed in late April. With new owners, Jeremy and Collette Thompson,
Kaldi's is back at 1204 Main Street with a new menu and local beer on
tap(includes 4 BarrelHouse brews). They are open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-
midnight. Several Kaldi's supporters have returned to Main Street and excitement
is brewing in Over-the-Rhine. The new owners plan to bring back the artistic
spirit amd allow customers to enjoy the sounds of live music. They hope to have
extended hours and a variety of new art and music. The Chamber is proud to
welcome back one of Over-the-Rhine's most beloved businesses.
August 2005
OTR Chamber hosts City Mayor Candidates
A full house was present for the Mayoral Candidate Forum and Lucheon held on
Tuesday August 16, 2005 at the Jefferson Hall Saloon in Over-the-Rhine. Each of
the seven candidates running for Cincinnati Mayor had the opportunity to explain
why they want to be Mayor of Cincinnati. Each candidate touched on a wide
variety of issues from crime and safety to small business development for their
desire to be Cincinnati Mayor. A brief Question/Answer session provided further
discussion of the issues and the candidates. Thank Yous go to our host Jefferson
Saloon, Harry's Bar & Pizza for the food and drink and the seven candidates,
Sylvan Grisco, Justin Jeffre, Mark Mallory, Sandra Queen Noble, David Pepper,
Alicia Reece, and Charlie Winburn for taking time out of their schedule to meet
with us.
June 2005
The roast of Jim Tarbell
A full house of long-time friends, supporters and members were present for
the roast of founder and first president of the OTR Chamber and current City
Councilman Jim Tarbell at alchemize at 1122 Walnut Street. Roasters included Bob
Schneider, past Chairman of the Over-the-Rhine Chamber, Ronda Androski, current
owner of Arnold's Restaurant and continually reminds Jim that she now owns
Arnold's, D. Lynn Meyers from the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, former Mayor
Roxanne Qualls, and John Fox from Citybeat. After the roasters finished, members
of the crowd shared stories and comments about Mr. Tarbell and Mr. Tarbell
officially closed the roast with his harmonica playing. Thank you's go to
alchemize for hosting the event, Harry's Bar & Pizza for
providing dinner, Arnold's Bar & Grill for providing appetizers &
desserts, Mike Perry for the music and Huff Realty - Metropolitan
Office, Lightborne Communications, North American Properties,
Sunset Supplies, and Verdin Company for generously underwriting
the celebration. A special Thank You goes to Christine Schoonover for
emceeing and organizing the event.
Over-the- Rhine All Safety Sector Meeting
Over 70 people attended the All Sector Safety Meeting held Tuesday, June 29th
for an update on accomplishments and what work needs to be done to make for a
safer and cleaner Over-the-Rhine. Captain Whalen from the Cincinnati Police gave
crime statistics for Over-the- Rhine in 2005 which were down from 2004. He also
mentioned that 85% of those arrested did not live in the Over-the-Rhine
community. Linda Holterhoff from Keep Cincinnati Beautiful gave a visual
presentation showcasing the community's murals on Vine Street and Findlay
Market. Thank you's go to American Classical Music Hall of Fame for the use of
Memorial Hall and Coffee Emporium for providing drinks and cookies. May 2005
Over 350 people attended the 2005 Over-the-Rhine Chamber Annual Meeting on
May 3rd. The audience included several business, civic and government leaders,
along with many other Over-the-Rhine supporters. . .
Read More >> April 2005
Over-the-Rhine Chamber Board Focuses its
Efforts
Over the last year, the Over-the-Rhine Chamber Board made a great deal of
progress to establish goals on which the Chamber will focus its efforts going
forward. These goals include:
- Business Generation involving recruitment and retention of businesses.
- Job creation requiring the matching of the need for employers with a source
of employable people.
- Service for Over-the-Rhine businesses and residents to help them succeed.
- Marketing of Over-the-Rhine and Over-the-Rhine businesses.
- Networking and advocacy for business to assure the right environment(safe
and clean neighborhood) for Over-the-Rhine to grow.
The Chamber looks forward to working with members and stakeholders to achieve
these five goals.
No Tresspass Sign Program Makes a Difference
In August 2003, the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce received "Safe and
Clean" Grant money from the City of Cincinnati for the "No Trespass Sign
Program". The No Trespass Sign Program is one segment of the Over-the-Rhine
Chamber’s Safe and Clean Agenda. The program assists residents, property owners,
businesses, and the police to rid our neighborhoods of non-residents who are
trespassing, selling and purchasing drugs, vandalizing property, committing
robbery, and engaging in prostitution. More than 400 properties participate in
the No Trespass Sign Program. Each participating property displays a no
loitering sign, provided by the Over-the-Rhine Chamber, which cites Ohio Revised
Code Chapter 2911.21. Properties and building locations participating in the
program are added weekly to a report submitted to the District One Police
Department. Letters designating the District One Police Department as an agent
for the property owner are maintained on file with the OTR Chamber and District
One Police Department. ORC Chapter 2911.21 states that violators who have
received two prior warnings can be arrested for criminal trespass. The no
trespass sign provides warning number one. A notice of criminal trespass issued
by Officers is warning number two. The Safe and Clean Grant dollars purchased
the warning forms for Officers' use. Over 350 trespass warnings were issued and
20 arrests made as a result of the program from June 2004 through October 2004.
Consequently, the number of persons entering and loitering in Over-the-Rhine for
illicit purposes and associated behaviors resulting in criminal activity have
been reduced. Although the original grant dollars have been used, the
Over-the-Rhine Chamber and District One Police still maintain this simple and
effective program. For more information on how to participate, call the Chamber
office at 513-241-2690.
Media Bridges/OTR Chamber Business AfterHours
Recap
A full house was on hand for the April 13 Business AfterHours at the Media
Bridges facility at 1100 Race Street. Participants enjoyed catered snacks from
Giminetti's, pizza from Donato's, desserts from Take the Cake, and beverages
from Aqua Perfect and Sam Adams. Aside from the lively atmosphere, there were
tours of the Media Bridges facility and door prizes including gift certificates
to First Watch, and free tickets to a Cincinnati Reds home game.
March 2005
OTR Chamber hosts US Congressman Steve Chabot
Over 70 people attended the March 8 Membership Luncheon featuring US
Congressman Steve Chabot at Music Hall's Corbett Tower in Over-the-Rhine.
Representative Chabot touched on a wide variety of issues ranging from Social
Security reform to local Cincinnati politics. An interesting Question/Answer
session afterward provided further discussion of issues in Over-the-Rhine. Thank
Yous go to our sponsors Herman Miller and
Cinergy. More thank yous go to door prize donors, Know Theatre
Tribe for free tickets and Kaldi's Coffehouse for gift certificates.
February 2005
All Sector Safety Meeting Recap
Over 70 people attended the All Sector Safety Meeting held Tuesday, February
15th. The meeting covered community and police measures to address safety, an
update of safety results, and to discuss additional steps, proposals and
measures to improve safety. The question and answer portion went very well.
Everyone had an opportunity to ask questions and make comments on strategies and
improving community participation. Thanks to Bell Event Centre, for hosting the
event, Loud n Clear for the audio/video and Coffee Emporium for the terrific
brownies and cakes.
January 2005
Leads Exchange Lunch Opens Doors
Over-the-Rhine Chamber Members meet every month on the second Thursday for a
luncheon that opens doors and opportunities. This exclusive Members only
networking event has grown two fold since the OTR Chamber began them in
June, 2003. The brain child of OTR Chamber Member, Ann Young of Coach Logic
and the OTR Chamber’s Membership Committee, the Leads Exchange Lunch brings
sales professionals, business executives, and non-profit organizations to
promote the success and growth of that business or organization. New business
ventures and established companies are all expanding through this promising way
to make contacts. Members provide leads and referrals to other members by
sharing information and assist others with business recommendations and ideas
for improving services, emphasizing the importance of Over-the-Rhine and
promoting the highest ethical standards. Each attendee has the opportunity to
promote his or her business in a casual atmosphere. Join your fellow OTR Chamber
Members at the next Leads Exchange Lunch at the OTR Chamber office.
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