Have you noticed these directional signs in downtown Cincinnati? I’ve been seeing them for the last few months. At first, I thought this was some sort of prank: the signs are almost too official-looking with their Modern pedestrian icons, arrows and distances. So, basically these are instructions for how to use the sidewalk, right?

I couldn’t tell if the sign signified that the walking route lasts for 3 miles or begins in 3 miles. So strange… Then I saw this pair of signs at the corner of 8th and Race:

What the what? Which way do I go?

Next to Fountain Square, I finally found an answer of sorts, in the form of a larger map showing three walking routes:

So, let me get this straight. People should be getting more exercise, and walking is an easy way to do it. I certainly can’t argue with that. But three distinct walking routes? Through a small downtown business district? Which features a straightforward grid and East and West numbered streets? Is this for real?

As a graphic designer, I love to think about how important, pervasive and persuasive my field is, but this scheme is basically a Rube Goldberg machine rendered in gratuitous signage. Am I wrong?

What kind of urban environment encourages walking? For starters, you need maintained sidewalks, appropriate lighting, interesting architecture, storefront businesses, places to stop [sidewalk benches and parks] and places to get out of the elements [arcades and awnings]. You need things to walk to and also things to walk past. You also need a perception of safety, and seeing other pedestrians helps in that regard. Understanding your physical surroundings is an issue but, as I mentioned, downtown Cincinnati is easy to understand.

As someone who walks through downtown all the time, I can attest to the fact that it’s walkable regardless of this signage. It can be unpleasant, though, and these signs don’t fix that. It’s pretty obvious that Cincinnati is not a pedestrian-friendly town, even downtown. NYC is famous for its aggressive drivers, but Cincinnati’s drivers are aggressive and clueless.

I’m reminded of the “love tap” I received from an SUV backing out of a parking lot at full speed, and also of the gentleman who called me a “fucking whore” because he almost hit me while running a red light. I’ve seen drivers go half a block in the wrong direction on a one-way street as a shortcut to a parking lot. It seems like everybody runs red lights — not just regular schmucks, but school buses, cop cars, mail trucks, and Metro buses.

If I were in charge of an initiative to encourage walking, I would just send all the drivers in for a refresher course, to unlearn that a yellow light means “speed up” and a red light means “gun it.”

Written by Maya Drozdz / VisuaLingual

Re-posted from:  VisuaLingual.wordpress.com: “Walking Routes in Downtown Cincinnati”

Recently, I’ve developed this strong distaste for going to bars on what we call “Amateur’s Nights”. You know what I’m talking about… St. Patty’s, New Year’s Eve, Cinco De Mayo… nights were people who rarely go out to bars descend upon them in droves. They come with taxi-cabs, limos, and wallets full of I’m-gonna-spill-my-beer-and-puke-on-your-girlfriend.

Me, I’m an avid bar-goer. I think of it more like visiting the local public house (which, by the way, is where the term “pub” came from). That’s why I love to stop by the Northside Tavern, for example, which is only a block from where I live. I’m bound to see some people I know, and it’s great to share a beer and sit out by the fire pit, discussing politics, the new album I’m listening to, or the latest episode of Breaking Bad. Even if I have every intention of drinking until I’m squarely inebriated, busy bar nights annoy me to no end. I don’t want to be around a bunch of yelling, screaming, drunk people, unless they are my friends. I want to actually be able to have conversations with people, away from the distractions of home and work, whilst enjoying some tasty brews.

So, New Year’s Eve rolls around. I’m trying to think of what I want to do, and the images forming in my mind are pretty disappointing. Crowds of people I don’t know, waiting for 25 minutes to get a drink because some n00b is buying 20 washington apples, getting my beer spilled all over me when some bro comes stumbling through the room… no thanks.

Fortunately, a couple of days before my New Year’s Eve plans were settled, I received a magical bit of news: The Rake’s End would be open for the last night of 2011.

The Rake’s End is a new bar (actually, let’s say “pub’) located in historic Brighton. Brighton has become more popular recently for being home to gallery hops along Central Ave, the now-closed event venue inside the old Mockbee, or the community-driven living opportunities. I’ve recently been dating someone who lives in Brighton, so I am down there a lot. The idea of ringing in the new year at a new bar, especially one in an up-and-coming neighborhood, was very appealing to me; especially since I knew we could just walk back to her place afterward and hang out, rather than waiting an hour in the cold for a cab.

It turned out to be a great night. We took the Cincinnati Metro downtown to have a couple of fancy drinks at Japp’s, and big surprise, one of my favorite bands, The Dukes are Dead, were playing there. We stayed for a while, but made it a point to catch the metro back to Brighton, where we could ring in the new year at The Rake’s End.

Riding the bus to Brighton

Here’s what I knew going in: I’d see a lot of familiar faces. I also suspected that it would be busy, but not packed-to-the-wall-with-amateurs busy. I also knew that the guy running the place, Jerome, doesn’t do anything halfway. The bar would be fully stocked, there would probably be a credit card machine (though I brought cash, just in case), and there would be a place out back to smoke. I also expected that there would be champagne.

I was correct.

I saw many of my favorite people. The place was cozy, comfortable, clean and spacious. There was enough room to host a band or a DJ in the future. There were a couple of bartenders and your drinks came quickly. There was a TouchTunes Jukebox on the wall, and everyone was feeding it Washington’s to make the vibe their own. There were no televisions (thank goodness… much as I like watching the over-commercialized three-ring broadcasts on New Year’s Eve). You could step out back with your beverage of choice to enjoy a cancer stick if that’s your thing, or just to get some fresh air and hang out with the smokers. They also had this spicy snack mix. My friend Heather described it as “delectable”.

I got to ring in the new year with my loud voice counting down the seconds off the atomic clock that is my iPhone. It was the perfect way to celebrate the good and bad of 2011, and welcome 2012 with open arms.

Readers, you should all make it a point to check out The Rake’s End. Now, it won’t be open every night, at least not for now. Brighton is very much a do-it-yourself kind of neighborhood. As far as I’m aware, there aren’t many (if any) city, state or federal monies being used to revitalize or sustain it. There aren’t any big investment or development companies going in to clean the place up and gentrify it. So, you’ll need to know when it’s open if you want to stop by. Here’s a hint: It will be open this weekend to celebrate my friend Brittany’s birthday, who by the way took these great photos from New Year’s Eve.

          
Photos courtesy of Brittany Skelton

The Rake’s End is located at 2141 Central Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45212. The doors will be open around 9:00pm this Saturday. Come check it out.

Written by Matthew Risher.

This Halloween, I finally did something I had been planning to do since discovering that it was even possible in Cincinnati. I went to a viewing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show in a theater supported by a live cast. The Denton Affair (rhps.net) has been showing cast supported viewings of RHPS since 1979 in Cincinnati. You can attend a viewing in Cincinnati year-round about every two weeks.

The performing cast was not the only added feature of the showing. Imagine louder, raunchier MST3K (wikipedia link) standing in the back and aisles of the theater. This is not the way to see RHPS if you’ve never seen the movie before, but it is definitely an experience worth having after you’re familiar with the old cult classic.

[Jeff B]

Austin, Texas has been home to weird forever! We are proud to have Make Cincinnati Weird represented in such a place.

These unusual window art installations are on 6th Street just entering MainStrauss. Thanks again Jillian for keeping your eyes open for Make Cincinnati Weird – we love it!

I visited Bellevue Hill Park in Clifton the other day with a couple of friends.  As a first-timer, I found the view absolutely beautiful. The sky was crisp, clear, and we had that great fall weather that makes everything that much more enjoyable. Looking at Cincinnati from another perspective was inspiring. Not only do I think we underestimate the beauty of Cincinnati, but also we forget to remember the entirety of the city. And by that I mean Cincinnati is made up of so many different, colorful neighborhoods and we’re quick to section them off as separate entities. I once heard someone say that we shouldn’t forget that Over the Rhine is the SAME as Cincinnati. This is just one example of how we divide different parts of the city. Downtown, Clifton, Mt. Adams, Over the Rhine, Mt. Lookout, Northside – it’s all Cincinnati. While each neighborhood has unique characteristics, I do think there is an importance to looking at Cincinnati as a whole.

So go to Bellevue Hill or wherever your favorite viewing spot is and take a minute to look this beautiful place we call home.

Written by Kara Driscoll

Did this post leave you itching to know more about the different parts of Cincy? Check out this cool, interactive website: www.space513.com

William Lytle, “Warrior Poet” Killed September 20th
 
The “Warrior Poet,” Brigadier General, William Haines Lytle from Cincinnati was killed on this day Sept. 20, 1863, at the Battle of Chickamauga.
 
Born and raised in Cincinnati, William Lytle worked as a lawyer before volunteering to serve in the Mexican-American War.  After the war he continued his law practice as he gained national fame as a renowned poet.   His poem “Antony and Cleopatra,” published in 1857, was recited and loved by both the North and South in the days prior to the American Civil War.
 
“Lytle is a great study in contrasts.  He was a lawyer from a privileged family, but also heeded the call to serve his country.  As a poet and a general, he achieved celebrity status,” American Legacy Tours Director of Tour Development Mac Cooley said.
 
During the Civil War he was appointed as a major general and led the 10th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, comprised primarily of Irish immigrants from the Greater Cincinnati area.  “Initially the regiment was a bit of a laughing stock. They favored their drink, and were not the most disciplined bunch, but Lytle turned them around and the group would go on to be known as the “Bloody Tenth,” a nickname earned for their bravery in battle,“ Civil War tour guide, Rob Ervin said.
 
During the Battle of Chickamauga in Georgia, Lytle was shot by a sniper while leading a counterattack and carried across enemy lines while still seated on his horse.  On a hillside on the battlefield, the Confederates identified the deceased and beloved poet.  Out of respect for the fallen hero, they kept guard over his body throughout the evening and recited his poetry in his honor.
 
“To this day, the hill where he died is called ‘Lytle Hill,’” Civil War Tour Guide, Mitch Ruth said.
His body was eventually returned to Cincinnati and a funeral was held at Christ Church.  So many people lined the streets that the funeral procession did not reach Spring Grove Cemetery until nightfall.   Along with Lytle, numerous members of the German-American Regiment and the 9th OVI from Over-the-Rhine, died at the Battle of Chickamauga during a brave counter attack.  Because of their bravery on the battlefield that day, a monument is erected at Chickamauga in their honor.
 
To learn more about the contributions of the 9th OVI, 10th OVI and William Haines Lylte, American Leagcy Tours offers a Civil War Cincinnati walking tour on Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. throughout the rest of September and October.  The tour starts at the Cincy Haus on 1218 Vine Street.  For more information go to www.americanlegacytours.com

The Hudepohl 14k Brewery Run is coming back from retirement after more than a decade of absence. It brings with it, a brother event that is unruly, wild, and boasts an absolutely splendid prize, $1,000 dollars to the Christian Moerlein Lager House, that will open in October.

The event is a unique race called the Bier Laufen, which has been dubbed “the World’s Fastest Parade”. Local groups of friends, bars, and brands have been working around the clock like Santa’s elves, constructing race floats that will navigate a hay bail obstacle course.

Each team will be made up of 6 nut jobs (4 riders and 2 pushers). Plenty of drinks will be had and hopefully some good crashes will be the result.

These human propelled chariots of fury will take off at 11am on the dot.

This promises to be a new Cincinnati Tradition and Make Cincinnati Weird is stoked to be a part of it. So don’t be dull come out September 17 and check out our Bier Laufen and cheer us to victory (if we win, we’ll buy you a drink).

www.hudepohl14kbreweryrun.com

Stay Weird and Always Always Drink Local Beer

(Jake Gerth)

Image 1 used to reside on the corner of 4th and Scott
Image 2 is on the stairs of the Roebling Suspension Bridge
Image 3 was/is on the north side of the UpOver bar on Mainstrauss

Special Thanks to Jillian Kelly for these finds. Keep em coming.

We are always looking for cool and weird street art, so please send in to our Facebook page if you find any good stuff!