A new plan

I've not heard anything from Avondale's town council, but am getting somewhat reinvigorated to get this started up. Previously, my plan was to visit each town during the course of a single day, however, I'm beginning to rethink that. First, right or wrong, good or bad, my calendar is generally pretty full, so my next really free weekend day won't come for a few more weeks and then, basically until the middle of December, I've got commitments each weekend thereafter.

Honestly, it would be swell to say that was because I am so darned popular that my time has become something of a commodity for my friends and family, but between weddings, vacations, Reds games and tea weekends, to paraphrase Ferris, life is moving pretty fast. So, with that in mind, here is my new plan in regards to Avondale:

Tomorrow, I am going to visit their library to do some research on the community. With some luck, one of the librarians might have some ideas or connections I can tap. Otherwise, it would be nice visiting the building again. I spent a bit of time there working one Summer while I was employed with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (PLCH) years ago. My recollections may have softened over time, but I remember it being a gorgeous Carngie library, illuminated by stained glass filtered light, bits of dust floating in the air.

Given the economic climate and my own self-interest, libraries are going to figure greatly in these entries. Cincinnati is absolutely blessed having one of the top five public library systems in the United States and it is troubling to see it's success and contributions to the community jeopardized by the loss of state funding. Rationally, I know cuts have to be made, but those cuts would result in catastrophic losses.

Beyond the library, I am just going to pop in from place to place over the course of a week or so, kind of visiting when time allows. It would be nice to have company during this, so if you are interested, let me know.

Calling Avondale

Rather than going into this blindly, I decided to ask for assistance. Those who know me know that I tend to be something of a "jump first, determine depth upon impact" kind of person. This is why I am a lousy baker and why the teahouse's walls tend to be crooked in parts. Because I want to do this the right way and because I don't want to reduce my community visits into hitting the obvious spots (ie: the stuff I can see off of a main drag) I plan to contact each of the 52 town councils through out the city. I sent off a request to Avondale today in the space of 675 characters and am not feeling too good about how choppy and disjointed the note was. Basically, I linked to this site, told them a bit about what I hope to accomplish and asked them if they could put me in touch with someone who'd point me in the right direction(s.)

I did this and plan to continue contacting the councils because I really don't want to miss anything. In thinking of my own community (Pleasant Ridge), I know a couple of out of the way places that I'd take people. Montgomery Road isn't a complete representation of Pleasant Ridge, just as Reading Road doesn't fully encompass Avondale. Hamilton Avenue, Colerain, Galbraith, etc are a snapshot, a fraction of what the city has to offer.

Keep your fingers crossed that they have a chance to reply.

Commenting

While I welcome discussion and your comments, please make them constructive and well intentioned. Basically, any comment that you wouldn't say face to face with me or a resident of the various neighborhoods will not be tolerated and will be removed. I'm not anticipating that this will be an issue, but did want to set a policy.

Making some progress

Time, it seems, has conspired against me for the month of August. So, this probably won't start off until September. Between being out of town two separate weekends, Michelle being gone one and having tea the other, it just won't happen. But, it is nice because it will give me a bit of time to contact a couple of town councils to see if they would be willing to help me out offering suggestions or maybe putting me in touch with local historians/residents who might want to play tour guide. I've drafted up a letter and have sent it off to Avondale's town council, so keep your fingers crossed that they have time to help.

In the meantime, I've driven through Avondale a couple of times on my ride home from work and am getting really anxious to get this started. Mental notes have already been filed away about places that I want to visit.

Until then, I welcome any comments, ideas or suggestions.

Thanks,
C

Introduction

So, I had this idea, something to motivate me writing. I am hoping to visit each of Cincinnati's 52 neighborhoods in alphabetical order (that's Avondale to Winton Hills) and write up a mini guide of stuff to do there. Hopefully, these visits will uncover local hidden gems, places, faces and sights that more people need to know about. Basically, really show what the city can offer while (hopefully) surprising myself.

I do see this as an evolving process and I hope to go into it with a fluid set of goals and, honestly, as blindly as I can.

Eventually, if I can see this through, I'll expand it to outlying towns and villages.

It is somewhat daunting and the project is still in the very nascent planning stages, but I think it'll be a lot of fun. Certainly, if nothing else, it is a way for me to fill those "there's nothing on TV" days.

Keep posted for developments and spread the word.