CityBeat | November 13, 2024

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NEWS NEWS

JD Vance holds his first solo campaign rally as the Republican Vice Presidential nominee at Middletown High School on July 22.

JD Vance first P HO T O : LYholds D I A Shis CHE M B solo R E campaign rally as the Republican Vice Presidential nominee at Middletown High School on July 22.

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CityBeat’s ‘Elegy’ Podcast Hosts Roundtable CityBeat’s ‘Elegy’ Podcast Hosts Roundtable Following Trump-Vance Win A panel of political experts joined the final episode ofWin “Elegy: The Many Myths of JD Vance” to talk Following Trump-Vance about the presidential election outcome.

A panel of political experts joined the final episode of “Elegy: The Many Myths of JD Vance” to talk BY MADELINE FENING about the presidential election outcome.

BY MADELINE FENING

C C

ityBeat’s limited-series podcast about JD Vance, “Elegy: The ityBeat’s limited-series podcast Many Myths of JD Vance” about JD Vance, “Elegy: The released its final episode on Nov. 8, Many Myths of JD Vance” featuring a roundtable discussion on released its final episode on Nov. 8, the Republican presidential victory. featuring a roundtable discussion on The roundtable was hosted by Citythe Republican presidential victory.

Beat’s Madeline Fening, “Elegy” host The roundtable was hosted by CityAshley Paul, University of Cincinnati Beat’s Madeline Fening, “Elegy” host political scientist David Niven, Ohio Ashley Paul, University of Cincinnati Capital Journal Editor-in-Chief David political scientist David Niven, Ohio DeWitt and the host of Appodlachia, Capital Journal Editor-in-Chief David John Isner.

DeWitt and the host of Appodlachia, Keep reading for highlights from John Isner. the roundtable discussion, and visit Keep reading for highlights from the roundtable discussion, and visit

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the “Elegy” feed on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to hear the full episode. the “Elegy” feed on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to hear the full episode.

This episode was recorded on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

This episode was recorded on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Madeline Fening: Former President Donald Trump and his running mate Madeline Fening: Former President JD Vance, a Middletown native, will be Donald Trump and his running mate the next President and Vice President JD Vance, a Middletown native, will be of the United States. Trump defeated the next President and Vice President Vice President Kamala Harris, winof the United States. Trump defeated ning every swing state and the popuVice President Kamala Harris, winlar vote. Harris has conceded the race ning every swing state and the popuat this point. lar vote. Harris has conceded the race at this point.

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Polling was showing a slight lead for Harris before Election Day, or at least Polling was showing a slight lead for a race that was much closer than what Harris before Election Day, or at least we ended up seeing. Did the polls get a race that was much closer than what it wrong in the same way we saw in we ended up seeing. Did the polls get 2016? What’s the difference here? it wrong in the same way we saw in 2016? What’s the difference here?

David Niven: Well, I think the bottom line is, polling is more art than science David Niven: Well, I think the bottom than we’d like to admit. And polls are line is, polling is more art than science inherently built around a projection than we’d like to admit. And polls are of exactly who’s going to vote. And inherently built around a projection you don’t know. The secret sauce of it of exactly who’s going to vote. And is you’re mixing the respondents that you don’t know. The secret sauce of it you get with a waiting factor to try and is you’re mixing the respondents that you get with a waiting factor to try and

account for who’s going to vote and who doesn’t. account for who’s going to vote and You know, 2016 and 2024 underwho doesn’t. weighted the Republican vote, and You know, 2016 and 2024 under2022 underweighted the Democratic weighted the Republican vote, and vote, it’s not an easy thing to do. And 2022 underweighted the Democratic in a country that is closely divided, it vote, it’s not an easy thing to do. And makes all the difference in terms of in a country that is closely divided, it our expectations. makes all the difference in terms of our expectations.

David DeWitt: Speaking of trying to predict who will vote and who will not David DeWitt: Speaking of trying to vote, there was a significant drop-off predict who will vote and who will not in voting between 2020 and 2024. And vote, there was a significant drop-off I think people staying home had a big in voting between 2020 and 2024. And I think people staying home had a big

effect on the results that we’re seeing.

Fening: Speaking of polling, this question is for Ashley Paul: Exit polls are showing that slightly more men were likely to be Trump voters in 2024 versus 2020, but there was also a jump in male Latino voters – in 2020, 36% of male Latino voters chose Trump over Biden, but that number jumped to 54% in the Trump versus Harris race this year. We also saw a big jump in young voters choosing Trump. In 2020, 36% of voters between the ages of 18-29 voted for Trump, but that number jumped to 42% in 2024.

We cannot understate how much alternative media and influencers played a key role for both campaigns, but especially the Trump-Vance campaign. Like, when Trump and Vance went on Joe Rogan’s podcast and Theo Von’s podcast – which voters do you think Trump and Vance connected with the most in these spaces?

Ashley Paul: There are two kinds of perspectives I want to bring in. One, as someone who’s worked in marketing and obviously storytelling here with you guys, but also just seeing things in my own life.

It’s who the New York Times calls “target persuadables and low propensity voters.” Obviously, the target persuadables in this case were young, some say under 30, all races but specifically non-white males that they were trying to target with these kinds of social media strategies or invade those spaces. I think Hasan Piker kind of talked about how like these spaces have been commandeered by Republicans and at least right-leaning sort of politics and culture, right? So, it’s not just specifically men who have voted who are in those spaces. It’s men who haven’t voted – low propensity, right?

I know in my own life, personally, someone very close to me and my family has never voted. They are also a non-white 30-year-old male who hangs out in these kinds of spaces.

And for most of the election cycle, they thought they were voting for RFK Jr. Or not voting. And at the last minute, decided to vote for Trump. I think what’s so interesting about that is that it’s not that we should have seen it coming or it was super unexpected or anything like that. It’s just that, how clear and defined and targeted and laser-focused Vance specifically and Trump have been in this specific demographic I think showed huge returns when it comes to the voting numbers.

John Isner: I mean, I’m in that demographic. I don’t listen to Theo Von, but I’m a 30-year-old. I’m a white male, but still in that male category that they deem persuadable. And if you think

about it, look at the narrative that they created throughout – made Democrats look like the anti-man party, the party against men. And what does that do? It riles people up.

That’s the entirety of a presidential election. It’s not to just convince people to vote for you, it’s also to convince people not to vote for the other guy. That’s the biggest issue that we saw in this election. Donald Trump and JD Vance did a fantastic job of coming out and saying, it’s not what I’m going to do for you. It’s what they’re going to do to you. And that’s the difference that we saw between the two. And I think that’s where Donald Trump, just like in 2016, was able to capitalize.

DeWitt: Just something that stuck out to me was how effective it was to go for this online, this very online strategy compared to previous cycles.

I think of the vaunted Obama ground games of 2008 and 2012. Kamala had a billion dollars compared to 380 million for Trump. Trump exported his ground game to third-party vendors and focused a lot of his efforts on doing these online forums, these online town halls and things like that.

And I don’t know if it’s a long term shift in campaigning toward fully digital like this, but I think it was very effective, especially in the demographics you mentioned, just young people in general, especially young men, but even young women made a more rightward shift this election.

And I think that that very online type of culture we’ve got going is not going away anytime soon.

Fening: Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy was held up as sacred text to make sense of Trump’s win in 2016. That book then propelled Vance to eventually become Trump’s 2024 running mate in an election that has many Americans asking the same question they originally turned to Hillbilly Elegy to answer: Why did Trump win? What do you think is different this time around?

Isner: If you look back at the 2016 election, it was easy to pinpoint the states that flipped to Trump. And a lot of people started to narrate that it was only Appalachian and only rural voters that voted for Donald Trump, which we know when you look down the demographics of the voters, that’s not true, but it was easy for the national media to take that from that book and say, ‘Aha, we got it! This is why they won.’ And it’s just an easy running point. In 2016, you had Donald Trump versus Hillary Clinton, both non-incumbents, right?

This year you have Donald Trump and

Harris. There’s an interesting dynamic there because once you strip Biden off the ballot, you create this new power struggle: Does Trump then become almost an incumbent-like politician at that point? Because he’s the one who has something he can run on. Not to mention a massive difference is we’ve never seen a presidential campaign switch in July of that election year and then all of a sudden put someone new on the ballot.

Trump did a much better job of connecting deeper with voters because he had four years to campaign. That’s all he’s been doing for four years. She had three months. Big difference, right? Another key issue here too is if you go back to the 2016 election, just look at rural voters in general, right? When it came to ballot initiatives, they stayed on the conservative side. If they voted for Donald Trump on ballot initiatives, they voted conservatively. That’s not what we saw in this election. In the 2024 breakdown, if you look, people split tickets when it comes to who they voted for for the presidency and who they voted for for ballot initiatives. Look at Nebraska. It’s a great example, right?

Nebraska went heavily for Donald Trump. They just supported raising the minimum wage there and being able to have paid leave. Missouri, same thing — raising minimum wage, paid leave. In general you saw ballot initiatives that in 2016 would not have passed that did this time. So that tells you more about the politicians on the ballot than it does the voter, I think.

Paul: For me, I’m looking at what’s happening in Michigan. I’m from Northwest Ohio. I grew up in Toledo, very close to Michigan. And Michigan flipping, for me, I think, was the biggest shock of the night, truly. And also not a shock, because if you look at the breakdown, so the largest shift – it’s the 9.2% Republican gain – was in Wayne County, and that’s where Dearborn is. That has an 8% Arab American population, so it’s blue, it’s very blue.

And it had a 9.2% Republican shift.

That is the largest Republican shift in all of Michigan. So all of these rural Michigan voters who voted for and against their Democratic governor, they didn’t change nearly as much towards Republicans as the bluest part of the state. That is because there were people not turning out or they were voting for the other, you know, the other candidates, the third party candidates, which was 161,000 of them. So this whole idea, as John was saying, of the rural voter and that’s the people we need to really dig into, it’s bigger than that. It’s that people are voting for Trump who ostensibly for no other reason are Democrat, and it’s

that they’re connecting on something else, and that something else is the cultural element that Vance was so keen to pinpoint.

Fening: David Niven, what do you think about the third party element in this race? Because I felt like we had, maybe for the first time in a while, a third party candidate that people knew about just in general. I mean, RFK Jr. eventually came out in support for Trump, but he was on that radar last night. I’m just curious if you have anything on that.

Niven: So certainly the reality is a lot of Americans say they’d like third party candidates and say they’d like alternatives, but then never actually vote for that third party candidate.

And the fortunes of third parties are inextricably tied into the prominence of whatever candidate they’re able to come up with. Third parties have had their moments in the sun at the state level. Jesse Ventura gets himself elected governor of Minnesota a couple of decades ago based on being famous and running as kind of the outsider in the system. I don’t think ultimately it mattered much in 2024 in the outcome. If you look to sort of expand on, what happened? Well, this thing happened everywhere. And it’s not just the states that Trump won, it’s the margins that declined in the states that he lost. You look at it, New Jersey was shockingly close number in a state that doesn’t really have rural people. You know, this is a top to bottom triumph of a campaign that was run on the capacity to state their own reality and to sort of perpetuate Trump’s approach, not just to politics, but to life, that there shall never be a consequence to anything one does.

Fening: I want to turn to a couple key issues here that were popping up in this campaign. A big one in this campaign on both sides was immigration. David Dewitt, this question is for you. Since immigration was such a big issue pushed not only by the TrumpVance campaign, but cited by many voters on both sides as one of their biggest factors in who they decided to cast a ballot for in this election, I’d like to know how did the Haitian migrant population in Springfield, Ohio become such a lightning rod for this conversation? And, as a Springfield native yourself, what sort of fallout can we expect to see in Springfield now?

DeWitt: Well, to be clear, I grew up in Ashtabula, Ohio, but my parents are both from Springfield and four of my grandparents lived their whole lives in Springfield. I’ve spent a lot of time in Springfield and I keep going there

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because I have a lot of family there.

But to answer your question, how did Haitians in Springfield, Ohio become a big topic? Republican politicians ran with that to use as an example of one of these cities where immigrants are “overrunning the city.” Tim Alberta did a great piece in the Atlantic just right before the election where he kind of gave the backstory to where JD Vance blew this up into a national firestorm the day before the debate.

So that Monday, JD Vance, according to Tim Alberta’s reporting, he wanted to put his mark, his stamp on the campaign. And he had been marinating in this kind of right-wing agitprop in Springfield about pets supposedly being eaten by the Haitian migrants there, which was first raised by a white supremacist at the city commission meeting. So JD Vance is kind of marinating in that and he decides, you know, let’s go for it. Let’s tweet this out on a Monday and accuse Haitians of eating people’s pets in Springfield. And he does that and Trump’s campaign, according to Alberta, was trying to run a very disciplined campaign, but that was like catnip to Trump, right? So we got to the debate the next day and this had blown up into a national firestorm. And Trump couldn’t resist, and he does that, “they’re eating the cats, they’re eating the dogs” during the debate and it turns into a real kind of tragedy for Springfield. Of course, they doubled down, they lied. They were factually proven wrong and they kept repeating it. Eating the cats and then raising the disease rates and then committing murders – none of that was corroborated, none of it was true, according to local elected officials.

What they’ve promised to do now, we’ll see how much they carry out, but they’ve promised to revoke the legal status of the migrants in Springfield.

They’ve promised to obviously deport everyone. They want to send the 12,000 temporary status Haitian immigrants in Springfield back to Haiti.

Which is riddled with violence, by the way, right now. Gang violence and the government’s been toppled there and it’s very chaotic. That’s why the people are fleeing Haiti. But there’s also 300,000 other Haitians in the United States that they want to round up and deport, along with the 20 million other immigrants in the country.

And that’s what they’ve said that they’re going to do. Obviously people have raised the factual reality that this is going to be a massive scale operation that’s going to cause a lot of chaos. We’re going to be seeing a lot of crazy things on our TV sets at night and the news if they do try to carry this out. We’re going to be seeing American police kicking down doors and

"So ideally, it’s kind of weird to say, but ideally, Trump just accepts the fact that he’s being handed a really strong economy and doesn’t do too much to mess it up," David Dewitt says. "And again, his plans for the across the board tariffs and stuff, economists, most respected economists say that that’s going to be inflationary. His policies are kind of in conflict there. " hauling families out of their homes if they carry this out. For Springfield, if they carry that out, they’re going to lose 12,000 factory workers and whatever they’re contributing to the economy, as well as a bunch of restaurants and population.

Fening: Speaking of the economy, perhaps the other biggest issue for voters in this election was the economy, it was our pocketbooks. We know that the cost of living and interest rates, it’s all a very real problem that voters live with every day. But how did Trump and Harris engage in honest solutionoffering on the economy? And why do you think that Trump is perhaps more poised to really rally voters behind his idea of a better economy?

Niven: Selling discontent is Trump’s approach to virtually anything. So, you pick at whatever the point is that you think folks can get riled up about. This objectively is a remarkable economy in terms of low unemployment. This is objectively. Harris was part of an administration that took on a country treading water because of COVID and took it forward. But, you know, they’re not selling a plan so much as they’re selling an attitude. They’re selling a perspective on things. And it would be a lot harder for Trump to sort of run in a celebratory context. So this is the natural playbook for him.

DeWitt: I think one thing that’s significant to point out is that we’ve had reporting in the last week that there’s enormous economic headwinds behind the next administration. And there are, but there has been a lot of discontent. So ideally, it’s kind of weird to say, but ideally, Trump just accepts the fact that he’s being handed a really strong economy and doesn’t do too much to mess it up. And again, his plans for the across the board tariffs and stuff, economists, most respected economists say that that’s going to be inflationary. His policies are kind of in conflict there. I do think that there is a very strong element of this election that was a reaction

against the incumbent administration over how people perceive the economy over the last four years.

Fening: Dave Niven, could you walk us through the process of choosing Vance’s Senate replacement. Who’s gonna be in charge of that?

Niven: Well, Ohio gives that power entirely to the governor, as most states do. Some have taken it away and forced a special election, but here in Ohio, the governor has the power. He can choose anyone who’s eligible to serve in the Senate. So 30-year-old Ohioans, raise your hand, you’re eligible to serve in the Senate. I think the choice that he faces is to either kind of advance, for possibly the last time, a Republican in the traditional Ohio Republican mold that he is of, which is somebody who’s conservative, but might give you a hug rather than somebody from the fire-breathing Trump wing that’s obviously taken over. The other option for him, if he doesn’t want to go in the direction of somebody like a Matt Dolan from his wing of the party, the other option is to try and head off the next nasty Republican primary fight. So for example, right now it looks like the Lieutenant Governor and the Attorney General are on a collision course in a gubernatorial primary. Pick your Lieutenant Governor, put him in the Senate, and you head off that nasty primary.

DeWitt: Other names that I’m hearing that are possible for consideration: We know Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

He ran in the primary for Senate as well. We know that he definitely wants it. He’s probably lobbying the governor for it. I don’t know what DeWine thinks about that. Other names that I’ve heard mentioned are Vivek Ramaswamy. He’s looking to do something. He’s making himself very well known after his presidential run.

He definitely wants to stay. I think that he’ll be lobbying as well. And then some other just names that I’ve heard are the former GOP chair, Jane Timken, and Congressman Mike Carey,

who just won reelection as well to the U.S. House. So those are basically the names I can think of that I’ve heard mentioned.

Isner: I think that makes it a very interesting race in 2026 because essentially Sherrod Brown could run once again for a Senate seat in Ohio, only two years removed from the Senate. So if the Republicans fumble the bag, so to say, Sherrod Brown has something to run on in 2026 and get back into the Senate, only two years removed. So I think that that’s a very interesting race that could be headed to Ohio.

Fening: We talked earlier about how many in America today are asking the question again, why did Trump win?

Why is he going to be the next president? But I’d love to hear from everyone after eight years of Hillbilly Elegy and failed startup ventures and weird interview moments, no bills passed in the Senate…Why is Vance going to be our next vice president?

Niven: Well, I think the most direct answer is he was chosen to never say no to Trump. That’s his main qualification. And he certainly demonstrated that in the campaign. And I think that’s the expectation in the administration. And obviously, as we’ve discussed, he not only echoed Trump during the campaign, he advanced some of the, you know, the angriest, loudest rhetoric of the campaign.

In some sense, he is Trumpier than Trump because he’s a little bit more creative. Trump is relying on a lot of things handed to him. Vance helped sort of blow Springfield up single-handedly.

DeWitt: He became really good friends with Donald Trump Jr. And he displayed his willingness to toe the Trump line and be Trump’s strongest defender. And then he proved that he could win an election in 2022. And people like Elon Musk and Don Jr. were promoting Vance. Whereas some more traditional Republican types like Rupert Murdoch and others were promoting somebody like Tim Scott. And Trump went with the Elon Musk, Don Jr. crowd and then went with Vance.

Isner: And Peter Thiel, the guy from PayPal. I mean, that’s the other guy who swayed this entire election and did so out of just pure greed. And rightfully so. I mean, he picked the right winner, right? JD Vance. Make no mistake about it. He has a lot of terrible, terrible traits and qualities and a lack of morals. But all of those things don’t matter when you’re very good at strategy. JD Vance is that.

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gift guide GREATER CINCINNATI GIFTS FOR EVERY PERSONALITY ON YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING LIST

BY KELSEY GRAHAM

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he holidays are here, and we hope to help make gift-giving a breeze with our 2024 Gift Guide. This year, we’ve broken down the list into sections for all the personalities on your list. From foodies, creatives and stoners to sports fans, thrill-seekers and those obsessed with the internet, we hope to make the holidays merry and bright with these gifts you can find in Greater Cincinnati.

for the foodie Gifts from Findlay Market 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine; findlaymarket.org Findlay Market is a foodie haven with shops and restaurants featuring products from around the globe. Spend a day browsing at the market and create a personalized gift basket for the food lovers on your list. For starters, check out the spices at Colonel De, a variety of cold-pressed, flavored olive oils at Kofinas or grab some freshly roasted coffee beans at Urbana. For ultimate flexibility, they even offer gift certificates that can be used with 50 full-time vendors at the market.

Cooking Class at Tablespoon Cooking Co. 1731 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine; tablespooncookingco.com/classes Tablespoon Cooking Co. offers interactive and flavorful cooking classes for all skill levels. So, whether your recipient is a budding chef or a cook with a plan, this welcoming community makes an excellent gift for any food-loving giftee. With classes focused on making tacos and margaritas, as well as curry and roti, you can find a class that pleases every palate.

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Tickets for the Cincinnati Dinner Train Cincinnatidinnertrain.com All aboard for a dinner and a show on the Cincinnati Dinner Train! For those on your list who love food and the Queen City, this exciting ride is for them. The dinner train operates from March through December and takes reservations on its website.

The menu includes appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts, along with drinks, of course. The train takes guests on a 25-mile round trip, passing sites such as Bond Hill, Lunken Airport, Riverside Drive, Theodore Berry Friendship Park and more.

Food-Inspired Candles from Hoste Shoppe 737 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills; hosteshoppe.com Foodies will love the asparagus taper candles from Hoste Shoppe in Walnut Hills made of beeswax. Not a fan of asparagus?

There are a bunch of other food-related candles, like croissants, an heirloom tomato, avocado and even a farfalle pastashaped candle. They’re the perfect addition to any kitchen or dining room.

Marble and Acacia Wood Serving Tray from Lucca 126 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine (Findlay Market); luccaworkshop.com/kitchen/ smallwhitemarble Got someone on your list who loves to

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Tablespoon Cooking Co. offers a variety of fun cooking classes for the foodies in your life.

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for the stoner The O-H Chocolate Bar from Story Cannabis 3950 Edwards Road, Oakley; storycannabis.com Chocolate is almost always a muchappreciated gift, and this Ohio-themed bar enhanced with 100% pure cannabis oil is a winning choice. Each bar is crafted with a milk and dark chocolate blend featuring toffee pieces. And for those who appreciate a little buzz, it’s made with 100mg of THC broken down into 10 mg pieces.

CBD Bath Bomb from the Ohio CBD Guy

Find that special person their next favorite read at Downbound Books.

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entertain? This marble and acacia wood serving tray from Lucca is an excellent choice. Whether used as the base for a delicious charcuterie board or a means to serve crackers and dip, this engraved serving tray comes in 18 different patterns that are all finished with beeswax so they’re food-safe. They can even double as a stylish jewelry holder.

for the chronically online Skincare from Launch Party 114 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine; shoplaunchparty.com/collections/skincare If your giftee is obsessed with scrolling TikTok, there’s a good chance they’re also obsessed with all of the skincare recommendations they find there. Launch Party is your local one-stop shop for all indie beauty and skincare needs. You can find everything from lip tints and cleansers to eye masks and spot patches. They also have a wide selection of makeup, bath and body care items on their website and in their brick-and-mortar store in OTR.

Baked Goods from Sebastian Bakehouse 10269 Summit Parkway, Blue Ash; sebastianbakehouse.com For those who are food and social mediaobsessed, a gift card to Sebastian Bakehouse is the ideal present. Their selection includes delectable sweet and savory croissants that look as good as they taste.

While their brick-and-mortar location at Summit Park is still under construction, they’re hosting pop-ups, which are announced on their Facebook page.

A Book by a Local New York Times Best-Selling Author from Downbound Books 4139 Apple St., Northside; downboundbooks.com For rom-com-loving friends and family, fellow Cincinnatian Emily Henry’s latest New York Times bestseller, Funny Story, makes an excellent gift. The story follows Daphne as she searches for love after ending her engagement because her fiance realizes he’s in love with his childhood best friend (yikes). This book is a superb read for someone who loves lighthearted stories with twists and turns.

Matcha Tea from Churchill’s Fine Teas 3438 Edwards Road, Hyde Park | 122 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine (Findlay Market); churchillsteas.com Matcha tea is having a moment on the internet. If you’ve got a matchaobsessed friend on your list, one of Churchill Teas’ matcha blends is sure to be a welcome surprise. From the rich Japanese and Kenyan blend of Izu Green Matcha to a spicy and sweet spiced chai matcha, these loose-leaf teas are always a delight and come highly recommended by tea lovers all over the city. They also have a traditional matcha bamboo whisk to make matcha lattes at home like a pro.

2817 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills; ohiocbdguy.com Treat someone on your list to the ultimate self-care essential: CBD bath bombs from the Ohio CBD Guy. Made with CBD and essential oils, these bath bombs are available in scents to uplift, invigorate, comfort and refresh, and are made with 300 mg of full-spectrum CBD. Even better, they’re made without artificial dyes or preservatives, so they won’t stain your bathtub.

Relax Gummies from Cincinnati Hemp Company 101 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine; cincinnatihempcompany.org Give the gift of relaxation with Astria Farm’s Creative Chill Delta 9 Gummies from Cincinnati Hemp Company. Each chewy and fruity gummy is made with 10 mg of 100% hemp-derived DELTA 9.

These gummies are available in a variety of flavors, including mixed packs, orange, watermelon and blue razz.

Thrive - MycoMatrix Mushroom Blend from Kentucky Botanical Co. 406 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Ky. | 266 Main St., Suite A, Florence, Ky.; kybotanicalco.com Kentucky Botanical Co. always tops our Best of Cincinnati lists as one of the voters’

favorite CBD and green stores. Their Thrive MycoMatrix Mushroom Blend is an excellent gift for those who are always looking for the latest and greatest in wellness. Made with a mix of lion’s mane, cordyceps, reishi, chaga, shiitake, turkey tail and maitake, these gummies promote focus and cognitive function, stress relief and boost overall immune wellness.

A Cannabis-Scented Candle from The Candle Lab 1325 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine | 7454 Beechmont Ave., Suite #308, Anderson Township; thecandlelabcincy.com Looking for a gift outside of edibles? Go for this cannabis-scented candle from The Candle Lab. Made with a soy-wax blend, these hand-poured candles burn for up to 80 hours with a clean cottonpaper wick. You can purchase it online or visit one of their shops to create your unique scent for someone special.

for the thrill- seeker Season Pass to Kings Island 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason; visitkingsisland.com/season-passes A Kings Island season pass is a nobrainer for those on your list who can’t get enough of theme parks and roller coasters. All three season pass levels allow the user unlimited visits to the park in 2025 through Labor Day, with the gold and prestige passes giving them access to Halloween Haunt and WinterFest.

Tour of Underground Beer Tunnels Brewingheritagetrail.org/tours Give the gift of history and excitement

Decorated Glassware from Handzy Shop + Studio 421 W. 6th St., Covington; handzyshopstudio.com/products/ colorful-bows-glass-cup Cute home and kitchen decor is another winning gift idea, and this etched bow glass is no exception.

Whether used for an iced latte, a fizzy cocktail or a refreshing glass of water, this adorable drinking glass will delight anyone who receives it. Plus, there are more designs, including one with colorful smiley faces and another with a floral cowboy theme.

Give the gift of relaxation with relaxation gummies from the Cincinnati Hemp Company.

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Charley Harper Print

with a tour of Cincinnati’s underground beer tunnels. The “Built on Beer” tour offers an above- and below-ground experience through the historic Brewery District on the West Side of Over-the-Rhine. Starting at Findlay Market, this tour requires less than half a mile of walking and reveals hundreds of years of Cincinnati’s brewing history.

Charleyharperartstudio.com The gift of one of Charley Harper’s colorful and geometric prints will surely be a winner for those obsessed with the Queen City and art. This A Day in Eden Park poster is an excellent choice that features Harper’s well-known red cardinal, but there are also a handful of other options to cater to the recipient’s preferences, like prints of national parks.

Walking Cincinnati Book

Cincinnati Art Museum Membership

Josephbeth.com Thrill-seekers will enjoy months of inspiration and adventures with the Walking Cincinnati: 35 Walking Tours Exploring Historic Neighborhoods, Stunning Riverfront Quarters, and Hidden Treasures in the Queen City.

This book includes 35 self-guided tours with a mix of short and long routes. It also provides details about each area’s history and tips on where to eat, drink and shop.

Climbing Fun at Climb Time 4460 Orkney Ave., Oakley | 10898 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash; ctoba.com Give the gift of reaching new heights with a gift card to Climb Time in Oakley or Blue Ash. These rock climbing gyms are open to beginners, intermediate and advanced climbers and offer rental climbing shoes and harnesses. The Blue Ash location is a 7,000-square-foot space specializing in bouldering, while the Oakley facility features a full-service, 50-foot-tall climbing facility.

Book a Haunted Tour with Cincinnati Ghost Tours Cincinnatighosts.com Ghost stories, hauntings and more. For anyone on your list with a fondness for the supernatural, the gift of a Cincinnati Ghost Tour will be a sheer delight.

Tours are held all year round and start at 8 p.m. for an even spookier feel.

It starts at Memorial Hall and takes participants around some of the most haunted places in Cincinnati.

Reach new heights with your gift-giving with a gift card to Climb Time.

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(CRC) golf gift card. These gift cards can be redeemed at any CRC golf facility and are good for green and cart fees and balls at the driving range. Note: They are physical cards, so you may need to order online ahead of time to ensure they arrive on time.

FC Cincinnati T-shirt from Cincy Shirts 2709 Observatory Ave., Hyde Park; cincyshirts.com Cincinnati is home to many rivalries, but one team most Queen City residents can agree on is FC Cincinnati, which makes FC Cincinnati a safe bet for Cincinnati sports fanatics on your list. Featuring FC Cincinnati’s shield logo on soft, screen-printed cotton fabric, this t-shirt is the perfect way for fans to show their pride.

953 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park; cincinnatiartmuseum.org/give-join/membership For the person who has everything, give the gift of almost constant access (when they’re open, of course) to majestic works of art with a membership at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Not only does each membership give recipients free access to all paid exhibits at the museum, but they also get to enjoy Member’s Morning hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Members also get exclusive invitations to special events and discounts on shopping and dining at the museum.

Tickets to a Show

For the Artsy Person Ornament from Rookwood Pottery 1920 Race St., Over-the-Rhine; rookwood.com Give the art lovers on your list a piece of history with an ornament from Rookwood Pottery. These tiny delights are elegantly crafted with no detail overlooked. These will look great hung on a tree or used to decorate a wreath to spread good tidings.

Choose from cheerful designs, like the Queen City Pig, a happy elephant, a frolicking Fiona the Hippo or a beautiful blue jay.

Cincinnati is home to a thriving arts scene, so why not give the gift of a show to a friend or family member? With options including a revolving list of traveling Broadway shows to stunning performances by the Cincinnati Ballet, you’re sure to find a show to mesmerize everyone on your list.

Creative Classes at Silk Road Textiles 6106 Hamilton Ave., College Hill; silkroadcincinnati.com/collections/classes For creative kids and adults, a class at Silk Road Textiles will be a welcome surprise to help them fine-tune a skill or learn something new. With classes like Get to Know Your Sewing Machine, Learn to Crochet, Introduction to Embroidery and more, the artists on your list will enjoy this hands-on experience that will spark inspiration and joy.

Tickets to a Cincinnati Cyclones Game

for the sports fan Engraved Wood Bengals Coasters from Grainwell 33 W. Pike St., Covington; grainwell.com Spread Who Dey spirit with these engraved Bengals coasters from Grainwell. Each coaster has a cork backing to protect table surfaces and is finished with a water-resistant poly finish to help prevent wear-and-tear. These coasters can be purchased individually or in packs of two or four.

Cincinnati Recreation Center Golf Gift Card Cincygolf.org/gift-cards Give those who enjoy the warmer months something to look forward to with a Cincinnati Recreation Center

100 Broadway, Downtown; cycloneshockey.com The Cincinnati Cyclones are another beloved team that even East and West Siders can agree on. Whether you’re a hockey fan or not, almost everyone who’s gone to a game has enthusiastically described how fun they are, making this an excellent gift for all ages and interests. They also have a lot of fun theme nights, like Pups n’ Pucks Night, where fans can bring their canine companions, and Throwback Night, which celebrates the Cyclones’ history.

All Over Ohio Socks from Originalitees Originalitees.com Do you have someone on your list who is passionate about Ohio sports? Then they need a pair of these Originalitees All Over Ohio socks. With color combos like white and black, red and gray, and blue and orange, these socks are ready to show off anyone’s Buckeye pride no matter what sport they’re watching.

Give the artsy person on your list an ornament from Rookwood Pottery.

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ARTS & ARTS & CULTURE CULTURE

Hannah Shankman and Stephen Mark Lukas in the National Tour of Funny Girl Hannah Shankman and Mark P H O T O BY M AT T H E W M UStephen RPHY FO R M ULukas RPHYMADE in the National Tour of Funny Girl P H O T O BY M AT T H E W M U R P H Y F O R M U R P H Y M A D E

Hello, Gorgeous!

Hello, Gorgeous!

Funny Girl heads to Cincinnati, cast in tow BY N OA Girl H M Oheads O R E to Cincinnati, cast in tow Funny

A A

BY N OA H MOORE ctor Stephen Mark Lukas has seen a lot of the country as a ctor Stephen Mark Lukas has member of the national tour of seen a lot of the country as a Funny Girl, playing love interest Nick member of the national tour of Arnstein. Originally in the 2022 BroadFunny Girl, playing love interest Nick way revival as an understudy, Lukas’ Arnstein. Originally in the 2022 Broadjourney with the show has taken him all way revival as an understudy, Lukas’ over the country. Just last year, the clasjourney with the show has taken him all sic musical kicked off its first national over the country. Just last year, the clastour in decades, playing everywhere sic musical kicked off its first national from Omaha to New York City, and tour in decades, playing everywhere soon, Cincinnati, telling the story of one from Omaha to New York City, and charismatic performer, Fanny Brice. soon, Cincinnati, telling the story of one With a score by Jule Styne and Bob charismatic performer, Fanny Brice.

Merrill, the 1964 musical chronicles the With a score by Jule Styne and Bob rise to fame of comedian and singer Merrill, the 1964 musical chronicles the Fanny Brice, a real-life figure from rise to fame of comedian and singer the Lower East Side of New York who Fanny Brice, a real-life figure from dreams of fame. She became one of the Lower East Side of New York who the most well-known Jewish performdreams of fame. She became one of ers of the time, and as her life unfolds, the most well-known Jewish performshe meets Nick Arnstein, eventually ers of the time, and as her life unfolds, eloping. Through the ups and downs she meets Nick Arnstein, eventually of her career, interspersed with some eloping. Through the ups and downs of the most iconic music of the theater, of her career, interspersed with some her charisma and resilience propel her of the most iconic music of the theater, forward in an inspiring and comical her charisma and resilience propel her gem of musical theater. forward in an inspiring and comical The classic musical is perhaps bestgem of musical theater. known for Barbra Streisand’s star-makThe classic musical is perhaps besting performance in the 1968 film verknown for Barbra Streisand’s star-maksion, or more recently for Lea Michele’s ing performance in the 1968 film version, or more recently for Lea Michele’s

journey from Streisand-obsessed Glee character to full-on Fanny on Broadway journey from Streisand-obsessed Glee in 2022. It was during this production character to full-on Fanny on Broadway that Lukas got his first dose of Funny in 2022. It was during this production Girl, as the understudy for Nick Arnstein. that Lukas got his first dose of Funny “I was on stage eight times a week Girl, as the understudy for Nick Arnstein. in my ensemble track and then I got to “I was on stage eight times a week understudy Ramin Karimloo, who was in my ensemble track and then I got to playing Nick Arnstein, and ended up understudy Ramin Karimloo, who was getting to do a run of about three weeks playing Nick Arnstein, and ended up in the role of Nick, opposite Lea,” said getting to do a run of about three weeks Lukas, whose Broadway credits include in the role of Nick, opposite Lea,” said the hit musical Book of Mormon. “That Lukas, whose Broadway credits include was really good to get to do it as an the hit musical Book of Mormon. “That understudy, that’s sort of the dream.” was really good to get to do it as an His intermittent performances paid understudy, that’s sort of the dream.” off when he was cast as Nick Arnstein His intermittent performances paid full-time when the show launched off when he was cast as Nick Arnstein its tour last year. Since then, it’s been full-time when the show launched through several rounds of edits and its tour last year. Since then, it’s been tweaks, including reinstating Fanny’s through several rounds of edits and song, “People,” and contracting Broadtweaks, including reinstating Fanny’s way veteran Harvey Fierstein for book song, “People,” and contracting Broadedits. The end result, Lukas says, is way veteran Harvey Fierstein for book something that captures the spirit of the edits. The end result, Lukas says, is original show with a fresh and new lens. something that captures the spirit of the “It has changed a little bit since original show with a fresh and new lens.

Broadway, just because of the prac“It has changed a little bit since ticalities of touring. Harvey Fierstein Broadway, just because of the pracrevised the book and made it very fresh ticalities of touring. Harvey Fierstein and very funny and very sort of fastrevised the book and made it very fresh paced,” he says. “There are new songs in and very funny and very sort of fastpaced,” he says. “There are new songs in

the show that were cut from the original that are all written by Jule Styne. But it the show that were cut from the original is a new Funny Girl. It is really a Funny that are all written by Jule Styne. But it Girl for the 21st century.” is a new Funny Girl. It is really a Funny Beyond the script, Lukas also had Girl for the 21st century.” the task of portraying a character Beyond the script, Lukas also had whose reputation precedes him, with the task of portraying a character actors such as Omar Sharif and Sydney whose reputation precedes him, with Chaplin playing the role before him. As actors such as Omar Sharif and Sydney an actor, he says, sometimes audiences Chaplin playing the role before him. As have expectations of the role before he an actor, he says, sometimes audiences even enters the stage, but it’s authentichave expectations of the role before he ity that really makes a performance. even enters the stage, but it’s authentic“There is a trap, I think, with roles in ity that really makes a performance. a show like this that people know the “There is a trap, I think, with roles in movie, they love the movie, they have a show like this that people know the a portrayal of it in mind. (In a theater), movie, they love the movie, they have the scale of the performance just has to a portrayal of it in mind. (In a theater), be different,” he says. “I’ve played oppothe scale of the performance just has to site six different Fannys by this point be different,” he says. “I’ve played oppoand each one brings something new to site six different Fannys by this point the role. I’m there to support her and to and each one brings something new to make sure that I’m honestly responding the role. I’m there to support her and to to what I’m being given from her.” make sure that I’m honestly responding Providing that support along with the to what I’m being given from her.” demanding vocals and choreography, Providing that support along with the plus travel, can take a toll on performdemanding vocals and choreography, ers; but for Lukas, it instead presents a plus travel, can take a toll on performunique opportunity to focus on mind, ers; but for Lukas, it instead presents a body and spirit, while also taking in the unique opportunity to focus on mind, new sights, like art museums. body and spirit, while also taking in the “First off, (in a new city) I always have new sights, like art museums.

“First off, (in a new city) I always have

to find the best coffee and a good gym to help me stay in shape for the show. to find the best coffee and a good gym So that’s my first day. My first, usually, to help me stay in shape for the show.

Tuesday morning I’ll go out and try to So that’s my first day. My first, usually, take a nice long walk around the city Tuesday morning I’ll go out and try to that we’re staying in,” he says. “But art take a nice long walk around the city museums really have been sort of my that we’re staying in,” he says. “But art saving grace on tour, because I can go museums really have been sort of my be quiet and rest my voice, and get a saving grace on tour, because I can go new perspective of the city that we’re in. be quiet and rest my voice, and get a It’s just very restorative for me.” new perspective of the city that we’re in.

Whether the Cincinnati Art Museum It’s just very restorative for me.” or Skyline Chili, you’re bound to find Whether the Cincinnati Art Museum the 27-member cast and numerous or Skyline Chili, you’re bound to find crew members around the city during the 27-member cast and numerous the show’s two-week run. Audiences crew members around the city during itching for a big, classic musical will the show’s two-week run. Audiences find their cravings satisfied in this glitzy itching for a big, classic musical will revival, he says. find their cravings satisfied in this glitzy “(This show is) a love letter to Broadrevival, he says. way and to the Broadway musical and I “(This show is) a love letter to Broadthink that anybody who has an affinity way and to the Broadway musical and I for the big Golden Age classic musicals think that anybody who has an affinity will really, really enjoy this show,” says for the big Golden Age classic musicals Lukas. “It really is an evening that I will really, really enjoy this show,” says think has sort of the best of Broadway Lukas. “It really is an evening that I all in one evening.” think has sort of the best of Broadway all in one evening.”

Funny Girl comes to the Aronoff Center for the Arts’ Procter and Funny Girl comes to the Aronoff Gamble Hall Nov. 19 through Dec. 1.

Center for the Arts’ Procter and More info: cincinnatiarts.org.

Gamble Hall Nov. 19 through Dec. 1.

More info: cincinnatiarts.org.

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Romance, Resilience and Holiday Magic Romance, Resilience and Holiday Cincinnati author Jenna Beall Mueller celebrates Magic the release of her first full-length

II

CULTURE CULTURE

fiction book, Pop, Fizz, Cincinnati author JennaClink.

Beall Mueller celebrates the release of her first full-length BY K E LS E Y G R A H A M fiction book, Pop, Fizz, Clink.

BY K E LS E Y G R A H A M

f you’re into fun and cozy romantic comedies with a heavy helping of f you’re into fun and cozy romantic pop culture references, then Pop, comedies with a heavy helping of Fizz, Clink deserves a spot on your pop culture references, then Pop, to-be-read list. With an added dose of Fizz, Clink deserves a spot on your holiday magic sprinkled throughout, to-be-read list. With an added dose of it’s the perfect time of the year for this holiday magic sprinkled throughout, debut fiction novel by local writer it’s the perfect time of the year for this Jenna Beall Mueller to be released. debut fiction novel by local writer The plot unfolds over the threeJenna Beall Mueller to be released. month holiday season, beginning on The plot unfolds over the threethe eve of protagonist Bea Parker’s month holiday season, beginning on 30th birthday, just days before Thanksthe eve of protagonist Bea Parker’s giving. Readers are quickly drawn 30th birthday, just days before Thanksinto Bea’s anticipation as she awaits giving. Readers are quickly drawn the results of her latest medical exam, into Bea’s anticipation as she awaits where she quickly learns about her the results of her latest medical exam, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. The where she quickly learns about her story takes the reader through Bea’s Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. The thoughts and feelings as she digests story takes the reader through Bea’s this information — especially at the thoughts and feelings as she digests same time as she’s about to enter a this information — especially at the new decade of life — and shows how same time as she’s about to enter a she navigates her career, love life and new decade of life — and shows how self-image with this new diagnosis. she navigates her career, love life and Bea is quirky, creative, hopeful self-image with this new diagnosis. and imperfect, all making her highly Bea is quirky, creative, hopeful relatable and likable, along with her and imperfect, all making her highly penchant for savvy thrift and antique relatable and likable, along with her shop finds. She makes mistakes. She penchant for savvy thrift and antique misjudges situations. But she takes the shop finds. She makes mistakes. She time to self-reflect. And overall, she misjudges situations. But she takes the knows her worth, even if sometimes time to self-reflect. And overall, she she loses sight of it. knows her worth, even if sometimes Composed of short and easy-toshe loses sight of it. digest chapters, it’s easy to get sucked Composed of short and easy-tointo the plot of this novel and feel as digest chapters, it’s easy to get sucked if you’re actually having a conversainto the plot of this novel and feel as tion with the author. Aside from Bea, if you’re actually having a conversathe book features a cast of supporting tion with the author. Aside from Bea, characters that are each unique, down the book features a cast of supporting to earth and (mostly) likable in their characters that are each unique, down own way. Bea’s leading love interest is to earth and (mostly) likable in their Chris Little, an environmental enthuown way. Bea’s leading love interest is siast and high school science teacher.

Chris Little, an environmental enthuWhile sparks fly almost immediately siast and high school science teacher. between Bea and Chris, the reader is While sparks fly almost immediately left to wonder, along with the leading between Bea and Chris, the reader is lady, if Chris is a walking red flag, due left to wonder, along with the leading to just getting out of a seven-year relalady, if Chris is a walking red flag, due tionship, or a suitable chase that could to just getting out of a seven-year relahappily end in love. tionship, or a suitable chase that could While the novel is a love story, it happily end in love. explores more than just romantic love.

While the novel is a love story, it Bea’s love life and diagnosis are central explores more than just romantic love. to the story, but her relationships Bea’s love life and diagnosis are central with her immediate family members, to the story, but her relationships coworkers and neighbors also play a with her immediate family members, significant role throughout the novel. coworkers and neighbors also play a One of the most complicated relasignificant role throughout the novel. tionships depicted throughout the One of the most complicated relabook is with Bea’s straight-laced and tionships depicted throughout the seemingly perfect older sister, Mattie, book is with Bea’s straight-laced and who Bea goes back and forth between seemingly perfect older sister, Mattie, trusting and keeping at arm’s length. who Bea goes back and forth between trusting and keeping at arm’s length.

Pop, Fizz, Clink deserves a spot on your to-be-read list.

Pop, aHspot P H O TFizz, O : P RClink O V I D deserves E D BY A U T O R on your to-be-read list.

Author Jenna Beall Mueller P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY AU T H O R

Author Jenna Beall Mueller

P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY AU T H O R

However, the true hero of the story is Bea’s blind dachshund, Tony Soprano, However, the true hero of the story is who is a symbol of unconditional love Bea’s blind dachshund, Tony Soprano, and affection that helps carry both Bea who is a symbol of unconditional love through the ups and downs. and affection that helps carry both Bea Bea’s journey with MS was inspired through the ups and downs.

by Beall Mueller’s own diagnosis of Bea’s journey with MS was inspired the disease. “I was diagnosed with MS

by Beall Mueller’s own diagnosis of the day before Thanksgiving in 2019,” the disease. “I was diagnosed with MS she said. “My MS was caught early the day before Thanksgiving in 2019,” (like Bea’s) thanks to my primary care she said. “My MS was caught early doctor.” But it wasn’t always obvi(like Bea’s) thanks to my primary care ous to Beall Mueller that’s what the doctor.” But it wasn’t always obvistory should be about. “The very first ous to Beall Mueller that’s what the draft was actually my attempt to write story should be about. “The very first a chick-lit version of Ann Patchett’s draft was actually my attempt to write Bel Canto,” she remembers. “I had a chick-lit version of Ann Patchett’s the entire novel take place over a Bel Canto,” she remembers. “I had single night when all of the guests the entire novel take place over a get stranded at an engagement party single night when all of the guests during a snowstorm. After another few get stranded at an engagement party failed drafts, I realized it was my MS during a snowstorm. After another few story I wanted to tell, and things finally failed drafts, I realized it was my MS started to come together.” story I wanted to tell, and things finally From the very first draft to the last started to come together.” one, it took about two years for the From the very first draft to the last novel to fully come to life. While Beall one, it took about two years for the Mueller had success with an agent novel to fully come to life. While Beall selling her children’s books, the Fairy Mueller had success with an agent Tales as Told by Clementine series, selling her children’s books, the Fairy none of her women’s fiction manuTales as Told by Clementine series, scripts sold. “It was a tough decision none of her women’s fiction manuscripts sold. “It was a tough decision

ending our contract, but I had to rely on my brain instead of my heart — ending our contract, but I had to rely which doesn’t come naturally for me,” on my brain instead of my heart — she said. “I started querying other which doesn’t come naturally for me,” agents with a different women’s fiction she said. “I started querying other manuscript I had written, but I found agents with a different women’s fiction myself distracted with Pop, Fizz, Clink. manuscript I had written, but I found I decided to go the indie publishing myself distracted with Pop, Fizz, Clink. route and was inspired by fellow CinI decided to go the indie publishing cinnati author Jessica Booth’s journey route and was inspired by fellow Cinand success. She’s been a wealth of cinnati author Jessica Booth’s journey knowledge for me and very generous and success. She’s been a wealth of with her time.” knowledge for me and very generous Beall Mueller didn’t just decide to go with her time.” the independent route with publishing Beall Mueller didn’t just decide to go but with releasing the book, too. She the independent route with publishing partnered exclusively with The Bookery, but with releasing the book, too. She a locally owned independent bookstore partnered exclusively with The Bookery, in Columbia-Tusculum, for preorders of a locally owned independent bookstore the book. “I cherish independent bookin Columbia-Tusculum, for preorders of stores, and I wanted to do my preorders the book. “I cherish independent bookexclusively with one of them,” she stores, and I wanted to do my preorders said. “I mean, can you think of many exclusively with one of them,” she more aspects of real life that are just said. “I mean, can you think of many as magical as they are in the movies? more aspects of real life that are just Sierra Hollabaugh is one of my literary as magical as they are in the movies? guardian angels, and the Bookery is one Sierra Hollabaugh is one of my literary of my favorite local bookshops. I feel so guardian angels, and the Bookery is one fortunate to get to work with Sierra and of my favorite local bookshops. I feel so be available at her shop!” fortunate to get to work with Sierra and Beall Mueller’s love for her homebe available at her shop!” town is evident throughout the book, Beall Mueller’s love for her hometown is evident throughout the book,

PHO TO : P ROV I D E D BY A U Tsetting HOR as Cincinnati acts as the and heart of the story. There are callouts as Cincinnati acts as the setting and to cherished and well-known landheart of the story. There are callouts marks, like the Krohn Conservatory, to cherished and well-known landthe Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden marks, like the Krohn Conservatory, and The Netherland Plaza, along with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Pleasant Ridge-specific favorites, like and The Netherland Plaza, along with the Gas Light Cafe and Goodfellas Pleasant Ridge-specific favorites, like Pizzeria. “One of the very first things I the Gas Light Cafe and Goodfellas learned as a creative writing major was Pizzeria. “One of the very first things I to write what you know, and I certainly learned as a creative writing major was know Cincinnati,” she said. “Honestly, to write what you know, and I certainly I think Cincinnati is underrated and know Cincinnati,” she said. “Honestly, that there should be more midsized, I think Cincinnati is underrated and Midwestern towns as novel settings. that there should be more midsized, We’ve got a lot to offer.”

Midwestern towns as novel settings.

Overall, Pop, Fizz, Clink will bring We’ve got a lot to offer.” you moments of laughter, contemplaOverall, Pop, Fizz, Clink will bring tion and hope. Millennials will love it you moments of laughter, contemplafor all of the late ‘90s and early 2000s tion and hope. Millennials will love it pop culture references that bring back for all of the late ‘90s and early 2000s both nostalgia and laughter. And while pop culture references that bring back the book deals with the heavy topic of both nostalgia and laughter. And while chronic illness, there’s a lightness to it. the book deals with the heavy topic of “It sounds sort of funny for a book chronic illness, there’s a lightness to it. about a chronic disease, but the main “It sounds sort of funny for a book message is this: sometimes life can about a chronic disease, but the main surprise you in all the best ways,” message is this: sometimes life can said Beall Mueller. “Something I’ve surprise you in all the best ways,” found to be true throughout my own said Beall Mueller. “Something I’ve life is how much can change over the found to be true throughout my own course of a single year. Sometimes the life is how much can change over the absolute best, most wonderful thing is course of a single year. Sometimes the just around the corner, and you simply absolute best, most wonderful thing is don’t know it yet. Hang in there!” just around the corner, and you simply don’t know it yet. Hang in there!”

Pop, Fizz, Clink can be found at The Bookery in Columbia-Tusculum, Pop, Fizz, Clink can be found at Barnes & Noble, the Cincinnati and The Bookery in Columbia-Tusculum, Hamilton County Public Library, Barnes & Noble, the Cincinnati and Amazon or the author’s website, Hamilton County Public Library, jennabeallmueller.com.

Amazon or the author’s website, jennabeallmueller.com.

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NOVEMBER 13-26, 2024

CULTURE CULTURE

A A

Books by the Banks Returns with Literary Oasis for Readers Books by the Banks Returns with Literary Oasis for Readers and Authors BY JASAuthors O N GA R GA N O and

BY JAS O N GA R GA N O

t this point it’s hard to imagine life before the internet, even for t this point it’s hard to imagine those of us who inhabited the life before the internet, even for earth long before screens dominated those of us who inhabited the our existence. There are advantages to earth long before screens dominated having access to so much information our existence. There are advantages to at a moment’s notice. But, for a considhaving access to so much information erable number of us, little is more satat a moment’s notice. But, for a considisfying than the ability to crack open a erable number of us, little is more satbook and immerse oneself in its tactile, isfying than the ability to crack open a uniquely transportive pleasures. book and immerse oneself in its tactile, Books are a balm for those looking uniquely transportive pleasures. to take a break from the chaotic, often Books are a balm for those looking anxiety-inducing aspects of modern to take a break from the chaotic, often living, which is why Books by the Banks anxiety-inducing aspects of modern is such a satisfying fix for lovers of living, which is why Books by the Banks the printed word. The annual festival is such a satisfying fix for lovers of debuted in 2007, a literary oasis for a the printed word. The annual festival cavalcade of authors and the readers debuted in 2007, a literary oasis for a who appreciate what they do. The latcavalcade of authors and the readers est edition returns Saturday, Nov. 16, who appreciate what they do. The latrunning from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a new est edition returns Saturday, Nov. 16, home following a long run at the Duke running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a new Energy Center. Admission, as ever, is home following a long run at the Duke free.

Energy Center. Admission, as ever, is “One of the big things this year, if not free. the biggest, is that the festival will be “One of the big things this year, if not at the newly renovated Cincinnati & the biggest, is that the festival will be Hamilton County Public Library downat the newly renovated Cincinnati & town,” David Rippe, president of Books Hamilton County Public Library downby the Banks’ board of trustees, writes town,” David Rippe, president of Books by email. “We’re very excited to use by the Banks’ board of trustees, writes this venue because it gives us naturally by email. “We’re very excited to use lighted space, covers two floors and is this venue because it gives us naturally set in a place dedicated to books and lighted space, covers two floors and is reading. We feel it’s going to be our best set in a place dedicated to books and festival yet.” reading. We feel it’s going to be our best Books by the Banks again offers panel festival yet.” discussions, author readings and signBooks by the Banks again offers panel ings and activities for kids. The festival discussions, author readings and signfeatures works in an array of genres — ings and activities for kids. The festival from biography, fiction, teen and poetry features works in an array of genres — to fantasy, romance, historical and local from biography, fiction, teen and poetry interest. More than 120 authors are set to fantasy, romance, historical and local to take part, including a typically robust interest. More than 120 authors are set lineup of local and regional writers. to take part, including a typically robust Among the book discussions of lineup of local and regional writers. interest is Michael D. Morgan and Bret Among the book discussions of Kollman Baker’s endlessly entertaining interest is Michael D. Morgan and Bret Tanked in Cincinnati: Fortune & CalamKollman Baker’s endlessly entertaining ity in the Beer Business. (They appear at Tanked in Cincinnati: Fortune & Calam3 p.m. as one of 10 “Author Stage Talks” ity in the Beer Business. (They appear at on the library’s second floor.) The duo’s 3 p.m. as one of 10 “Author Stage Talks” collaboration dives into Cincinnati’s on the library’s second floor.) The duo’s rich beer-brewing history and features collaboration dives into Cincinnati’s interviews with a host of contemporich beer-brewing history and features rary craft-beer luminaries based both interviews with a host of contempoin the Queen City and out. Morgan is rary craft-beer luminaries based both no stranger to books about libations, in the Queen City and out. Morgan is previously serving up 2010’s Over-theno stranger to books about libations, Rhine: When Beer was King and 2019’s previously serving up 2010’s Over-theCincinnati Beer. A champion of hisRhine: When Beer was King and 2019’s torical preservation, Morgan wrote the Cincinnati Beer. A champion of hisfirst book to shine a light on Over-thetorical preservation, Morgan wrote the Rhine’s roots and the neighborhood’s first book to shine a light on Over-theneed for revitalization.

Rhine’s roots and the neighborhood’s need for revitalization.

Books by the Banks will take place this year at the newly renovated Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library downtown.

P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY B O O K S BY T H E B A N K S

Books by the Banks will take place this year at the newly renovated Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library downtown.

P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY B O O K S BY T H E B A N K S

“I found that beer was a way to get people to listen to things that they “I found that beer was a way to get wouldn’t ordinarily listen to,” Morpeople to listen to things that they gan says by phone. “And then just the wouldn’t ordinarily listen to,” Morhistory itself is fascinating in the ways gan says by phone. “And then just the that beer is intertwined with American history itself is fascinating in the ways history. It’s changed, it’s morphed. The that beer is intertwined with American focus is no longer historic preservahistory. It’s changed, it’s morphed. The tion in this last book by any means, but focus is no longer historic preservathat broader concept of beer and the tion in this last book by any means, but industry telling broader stories about that broader concept of beer and the society and business patterns and just industry telling broader stories about a kind of the way we live and enjoy life, society and business patterns and just that’s a big part of what Bret and I do a kind of the way we live and enjoy life, with this book.” that’s a big part of what Bret and I do Perhaps the highest profile of the with this book.” panel discussions features longtime Perhaps the highest profile of the Rolling Stone staffer Rob Sheffield, panel discussions features longtime one of the best music critics of the Rolling Stone staffer Rob Sheffield, last 30 years. (Sheffield’s conversaone of the best music critics of the tion with Cleveland-based journalist last 30 years. (Sheffield’s conversaAnnie Zaleski begins at 1:30 p.m. on the tion with Cleveland-based journalist library’s third floor.) His just-published Annie Zaleski begins at 1:30 p.m. on the Heartbreak Is the National Anthem: library’s third floor.) His just-published How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music Heartbreak Is the National Anthem: examines the rise of an artist few anticiHow Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music pated would become the cultural jugexamines the rise of an artist few anticigernaut she’s become today. Sheffield pated would become the cultural jugwas a Swiftie from the get-go. gernaut she’s become today. Sheffield “I’ve been writing about her music was a Swiftie from the get-go. for such a long time, back when she was “I’ve been writing about her music a teenage country singer with a couple for such a long time, back when she was a teenage country singer with a couple

of hits and nobody knew she was going to be anything more than that,” Shefof hits and nobody knew she was going field says by phone from his apartment to be anything more than that,” Shefin Brooklyn. “I still remember hearing field says by phone from his apartment ‘Our Song’ the first time and just being in Brooklyn. “I still remember hearing knocked totally sideways by it.”

‘Our Song’ the first time and just being No ordinary fan, Sheffield — whose knocked totally sideways by it.” previous books include the excellent No ordinary fan, Sheffield — whose Love Is a Mixtape and the even better previous books include the excellent Dreaming the Beatles — has crafted a Love Is a Mixtape and the even better running list for Rolling Stone ranking Dreaming the Beatles — has crafted a every song Swift has ever written. For running list for Rolling Stone ranking the curious, he has “All Too Well” at No. every song Swift has ever written. For 1. the curious, he has “All Too Well” at No. “I wanted the book to be a story 1. about the music as it has moved “I wanted the book to be a story through the world,” he says. “There’s about the music as it has moved just never been a career like this one. through the world,” he says. “There’s For someone to be at this level for 18 just never been a career like this one. years, there’s just no precedent for For someone to be at this level for 18 that. The Beatles lasted half this long. years, there’s just no precedent for I wanted to tell the entire story of her that. The Beatles lasted half this long. career, of this artist, and how she’s built I wanted to tell the entire story of her it song by song, album by album, into career, of this artist, and how she’s built something that’s never existed before. it song by song, album by album, into I can’t say I solved this mystery of how something that’s never existed before. this happened or how she does this, but I can’t say I solved this mystery of how I wanted to try to understand it a little this happened or how she does this, but better because it looms so large.”

I wanted to try to understand it a little Another local author taking part in better because it looms so large.” the festivities is Jessica Strawser, whose Another local author taking part in latest novel, the recently published the festivities is Jessica Strawser, whose latest novel, the recently published

Catch You Later, is getting props from across the literary landscape. (Strawser Catch You Later, is getting props from is part of a panel discussion dubbed across the literary landscape. (Strawser “Buzzworthy Books” at 12:30 p.m. in is part of a panel discussion dubbed room 1SC.) “Buzzworthy Books” at 12:30 p.m. in “I’m always surprised by how many room 1SC.) Cincinnatians have never heard of “I’m always surprised by how many Books by the Banks!” Strawser writes by Cincinnatians have never heard of email. “We’re so fortunate to have an Books by the Banks!” Strawser writes by event that brings talented authors from email. “We’re so fortunate to have an all over the country to town for a full event that brings talented authors from day of programming for kids, teens and all over the country to town for a full adults — all for free. I look forward to it day of programming for kids, teens and every fall.” adults — all for free. I look forward to it Strawser believes books remain as every fall.” vital as ever.

Strawser believes books remain as “I’ve been noticing an uptick in vital as ever. readers lately who’ve made a point of “I’ve been noticing an uptick in approaching me at my events to say readers lately who’ve made a point of they recently rediscovered their love of approaching me at my events to say reading after years of not picking up a they recently rediscovered their love of book. My hunch — and my hope — is reading after years of not picking up a that books satisfy a craving for somebook. My hunch — and my hope — is thing focused and substantial in a world that books satisfy a craving for somewhere we’re all being pulled in so many thing focused and substantial in a world directions at once.” where we’re all being pulled in so many directions at once.”

Books by the Banks takes place Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Books by the Banks takes place Cincinnati & Hamilton Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the County Public Library downtown.

Cincinnati & Hamilton More info: booksbythebanks.org.

County Public Library downtown.

More info: booksbythebanks.org.

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FOOD FOOD & DRINK & DRINK

alReddy Cafe’s brunch items are crafted with healthier and fresh ingredients. alReddy items with P H O T O : Cafe’s FA C E Bbrunch OOK.CO M / A L are R E Dcrafted DYC A F E healthier and fresh ingredients.

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Eggs-tra Special Eggs-tra Special 15 under-the-radar brunch spots in Greater Cincinnati BY C IT Y B E AT STA F F brunch spots in Greater Cincinnati 15 under-the-radar

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BY C IT Y BCincinnati E AT STA F Fslouch reater is no when it comes to fantastic brunch reater Cincinnati is no slouch spots like the ever-popular Sleepy when it comes to fantastic brunch Bee, Maplewood and Taste of Belgium. spots like the ever-popular Sleepy But while those places are most definitely Bee, Maplewood and Taste of Belgium. worth the wait, there are also many other But while those places are most definitely restaurants and bars that may not be as worth the wait, there are also many other high on your brunch-time radar, offering restaurants and bars that may not be as laid-back and low-key experiences along high on your brunch-time radar, offering with delicious food. From live music venlaid-back and low-key experiences along ues where you can rock out all Saturday with delicious food. From live music vennight and roll in the next morning for ues where you can rock out all Saturday some hangover-curing food to a Gernight and roll in the next morning for man eatery tucked away in the West End some hangover-curing food to a Gerand Pleasant Ridge cafe offering healthy, man eatery tucked away in the West End satisfying Mediterranean dishes, here are and Pleasant Ridge cafe offering healthy, some brunch spots in Greater Cincinnati satisfying Mediterranean dishes, here are that may not yet be on your radar. some brunch spots in Greater Cincinnati that may not yet be on your radar.

The Comet

4579 The Hamilton Comet Ave., Northside You know neighborhood 4579may Hamilton Ave., Northsidebar The Comet as a great spot to hang out, enjoy You may know neighborhood bar The some drinks and burritos and watch live Comet as a great spot to hang out, enjoy music or comedy, but they also offer a some drinks and burritos and watch live Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. music or comedy, but they also offer a The menu features a rotating selection of Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. dishes prepared by chef Robert KochaThe menu features a rotating selection of nowski, with offerings like biscuits and dishes prepared by chef Robert Kochagravy, shakshouka (a pepper and onion nowski, with offerings like biscuits and stew with poached eggs) and quiche. gravy, shakshouka (a pepper and onion Plus, there’s always hot coffee, mimostew with poached eggs) and quiche. sas, Bloody Marys and a full bar. Check Plus, there’s always hot coffee, mimosas, Bloody Marys and a full bar. Check

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The Comet’s Instagram early on Sunday mornings for their full menu.

The Comet’s Instagram early on Sunday mornings for their full menu.

Allyn’s Cafe

3538 Columbia Allyn’s CafeParkway, ColumbiaTusculum 3538 Columbia Parkway, ColumbiaAllyn’s Cafe originally opened as a corner Tusculum bar in Columbia Tusculum in 1991, but Allyn’s Cafe originally opened as a corner has grown and evolved with the neighborbar in Columbia Tusculum in 1991, but hood. The restaurant now offers eclectic has grown and evolved with the neighborCajun fare, along with vegan dishes and hood. The restaurant now offers eclectic beer, wine and cocktails, as well as a Cajun fare, along with vegan dishes and vibrant, community-centric atmosphere beer, wine and cocktails, as well as a that has made it a neighborhood staple for vibrant, community-centric atmosphere over 30 years. Their under-the-radar Sunthat has made it a neighborhood staple for day brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. over 30 years. Their under-the-radar Sunand features a small but mighty menu of day brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, Texas and features a small but mighty menu of toast, French toast, a brunch burger and eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, Texas the delicious huevos rancheros, which toast, French toast, a brunch burger and can also be made vegan. the delicious huevos rancheros, which can also be made vegan. alReddy Cafe 11083 Reading Road, Sharonville alReddy Cafe Family-run since 2003, alReddy Cafe 11083 Reading Road, Sharonville offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and a Family-run since 2003, alReddy Cafe full-serve espresso bar, perfect for those offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and a brunch-time cravings. Dishes are crafted full-serve espresso bar, perfect for those with healthier, fresh and high-quality brunch-time cravings. Dishes are crafted ingredients, with brunch specials focuswith healthier, fresh and high-quality ing on eat-on-the-go items like avocado ingredients, with brunch specials focustoast, a fresh-fruit “sundae” and a breaking on eat-on-the-go items like avocado fast wrap. If you can stay a little longer, toast, a fresh-fruit “sundae” and a breakfast wrap. If you can stay a little longer,

NOVEMBER 13-26, 2024

try the crème brûlée French toast, made with Sixteen Bricks challah bread soaked try the crème brûlée French toast, made in a Grand Marnier custard and served with Sixteen Bricks challah bread soaked with fresh berries and your choice of a in a Grand Marnier custard and served side. To drink, try a classic offering from with fresh berries and your choice of a the espresso bar like the cappuccino or side. To drink, try a classic offering from americano, or opt for one of alReddy’s the espresso bar like the cappuccino or smoothies. americano, or opt for one of alReddy’s smoothies.

Kantine

1220 Harrison Ave., West End Kantine Kantine offers Southern fare 1220 Harrison Ave., WestGerman End from an off-the-beaten-path spot in the Kantine offers Southern German fare West End. For brunch, this beer garden from an off-the-beaten-path spot in the and eatery, try the Paar Weißwürst — West End. For brunch, this beer garden white sausages served with sweet mustard and eatery, try the Paar Weißwürst — and a pretzel — or the Frühstücksbrett, white sausages served with sweet mustard a breakfast board with an assortment of and a pretzel — or the Frühstücksbrett, cold sausages, cheese and fruit and served a breakfast board with an assortment of with marmalade, butter, a hardboiled cold sausages, cheese and fruit and served egg, a German-style hard roll and Blue with marmalade, butter, a hardboiled Oven Bakery bread. For something a little egg, a German-style hard roll and Blue sweeter, find a friend to split the KaiserOven Bakery bread. For something a little schmarrn with you. It’s a fluffy, lightly sweeter, find a friend to split the Kaisersweetened pancake with raisins that’s schmarrn with you. It’s a fluffy, lightly topped with powdered sugar and served sweetened pancake with raisins that’s with applesauce. topped with powdered sugar and served with applesauce.

Alcove

1410 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Alcove Brimming with live greenery and living 1410 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine feature walls, Alcove creates a secret Brimming with live greenery and living feature walls, Alcove creates a secret

garden-like atmosphere perfect for a low-key weekend brunch with loved ones. garden-like atmosphere perfect for a The menu features farm-to-table dishes, low-key weekend brunch with loved ones. including their sharable brunch board of The menu features farm-to-table dishes, local pastries and seasonal jam or the beet including their sharable brunch board of and goat cheese salad. For a heartier dish, local pastries and seasonal jam or the beet opt for the loaded potato hash, stuffed and goat cheese salad. For a heartier dish, with short rib, roasted red pepper relish, opt for the loaded potato hash, stuffed red onion and cheddar, or the mouthwawith short rib, roasted red pepper relish, tering goetta sandwich. Add the mimosa red onion and cheddar, or the mouthwaflight to your meal to round out the tering goetta sandwich. Add the mimosa brunch experience. flight to your meal to round out the brunch experience.

6 ‘N The Mornin’

1535 Road, East Walnut Hills 6 ‘NMadison The Mornin’ You get your day East started right Hills with 1535can Madison Road, Walnut breakfast or brunch at 6 ‘N the Mornin’.

You can get your day started right with Dishes are inspired by classic Southern breakfast or brunch at 6 ‘N the Mornin’. favorites with a twist, and their menu Dishes are inspired by classic Southern names feature cities from across that favorites with a twist, and their menu region, like the New Orleans Shrimp ‘N names feature cities from across that Grits or the Nashville Kickin’ Chicken region, like the New Orleans Shrimp ‘N with waffles (which can also come as red Grits or the Nashville Kickin’ Chicken velvet). Add one of their specialty mimowith waffles (which can also come as red sas to complete the most important meal velvet). Add one of their specialty mimoof the day. sas to complete the most important meal of the day.

Cafe Alma

6111 CafeMontgomery Alma Road, Pleasant Ridge Health-focused 6111 MontgomeryMediterranean Road, PleasantresRidge taurant Café Alma offers delicious but Health-focused Mediterranean reshealthy dishes that use high-quality taurant Café Alma offers delicious but healthy dishes that use high-quality

Bellevue Bistro 313 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue Bellevue Bistro is a cozy breakfast and lunch spot in the heart of historic Bellevue. The space offers an eclectic and vintage vibe, from the pressed-tin ceilings to the striped awning out front. And while the eatery is on the smaller side, the menu features wholesome dishes with big flavors. There’s an assortment of breakfast bakes, like the goetta/cheddar jack/sautéed onions Bellevue option or the vegetarian-friendly Mediterranean, made with mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, spinach, basil, feta and mozzarella. You can also opt for one of the benedicts or hot browns or try the avocado toast or spicy breakfast tacos. For lunch, Bellevue Bistro serves up a variety of sandwiches, including paninis, wraps and even a cinnabread one topped with fried eggs, cheddar jack and American cheese, with pepper jelly and potatoes on the side.

Dishes at 6 ‘N The Mornin’ are inspired by classic Southern favorites.

P H O T O : FA C E B O O K . C O M / 6 N T H E M O R N I N C I N C Y

The Park Pour

West Shine Restaurant serves dishes with recipes handed down for generations.

P H O T O : FA C E B O O K . C O M / W E S T S H I N E R E S TA U R A N T

ingredients packed with good flavors.

Breakfast offers everything from a build-your-own omelet to four different options of the Middle Eastern breakfast favorite shakshuka. Heading into lunch, they have salad, bowls and sandwiches all packed with fresh ingredients. The restaurant is also certified Kosher.

MOTR Pub 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine One of the best parts about MOTR Pub is that you can rock out to live music all night on a Saturday and roll back in for brunch on Sunday morning. The live music venue offers their Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a selection of dishes designed to cure your hangover woes, including the Smash Bagel Burger; the Trucker Casserole, stuffed with savory breakfast goodness of whipped eggs, potatoes and cheddar and topped with green onion, tomatoes and salsa; and the BLT, G(oetta)LT and T(ofu)LT. And, if you want to keep the

party going from the night before, don’t leave without trying MOTR’s Bloody Mary.

West Shine Restaurant 3245 Westbourne Drive, Green Township Family-owned West Shine serves up hot, fresh breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes. The menu features recipes handed down for generations, as well as some creations from the diner’s culinary team. For breakfast, try one of their omelets, which you create by selecting your veggies, cheese and meat.

They also have a selection of breakfast sandwiches, called Shinewiches, which includes their Breakfast Coney (sausage or goetta, with homemade sausage gravy and cheddar). And for lunch, you can pick from a variety of sandwiches or burgers, or try their Gripp’en Chicken as a sandwich, strips or in their homemade mac and cheese. West Shine now also offers Bloody Marys, mimosas and beer.

Coppin’s Restaurant

4815 Cooper Road, Blue Ash

638 Madison Ave., Covington

For a savory brunch paired with wine in a relaxed atmosphere, head to The Park Pour in Blue Ash. This wine bar offers a seasonal brunch menu featuring items like quiche, Spanish crepes and eggs Florentine, along with a selection of sharables like hummus and whipped goat feta; salads and sandwiches. Along with hot and iced coffee drinks, tea and soft drinks, The Park Pour also has a selection of wines by the glass and specialty cocktails available for brunch.

Coppin’s Restaurant is located inside luxury Hotel Covington. Brunch is offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a menu featuring lighter fare like Greek yogurt, seasonal frittata or the crisp wedge salad, as well as filling dishes like the Porkopolis omelet (Glier’s goetta, local smoked ham and gruyère) and hearty breakfast sandwich of bacon, fried egg, red wine onion, cheddar and honey mustard on Texas toast. If you have to wait for a table, head out to the patio to play lawn games and relax. Coppin’s also has a unique cocktail menu, featuring imaginative and picture-worthy drinks for a beautiful morning-turned-afternoon.

Mid City Restaurant 40 E. Court St., Downtown Helmed by the same team as popular Over-the-Rhine bar Longfellow, Mid City Restaurant describes itself as intimate and relaxed, with a menu of savory small (but hearty) plates. The restaurant features cafe-style seating and walls lined with traditional-style oil paintings, as well as a calming beige, white and green color palette for a laid-back dining experience. And while it’s a popular dinner spot, Mid City also offers brunch on Saturday and Sunday with a menu of elevated dishes. For a sweeter meal, try the corn fritter, with pumpkin butter, maple syrup and powdered sugar, or the bread pudding with benedictine glaze and seasonal fruit. On the savory side, Mid City has the salmon gravlax, their version of bagel and lox, with an everything bagel, herb cream cheese, pickle, dill and onion, or the fried sandwich: yam, leek, black garlic and Manchego cheese with egg on top.

Ché 1342 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine; 2038 Madison Road, O’Bryonville Argentine restaurant Ché may best be known for their empanadas, but they also have a brunch menu available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dishes are a blend of classic brunch fare with South American twists, like the Steak & Eggs, featuring skirt steak, over-easy eggs, breakfast tots, green chimi and salsa criolla, or the Choripan Completo, with chorizo, fried egg, romaine, tomato, salsa criolla, chimi and breakfast tots. You can also order dishes with their popular empanadas, including the La Trifecta (any three empanadas with breakfast tots).

Luca Bistro 934 Hatch St., Mt. Adams Simple and French cuisine make up the unlikely duo at Luca Bistro. The menu is filled with cozy, flavorful and laid-back dishes that Chef Frédéric Maniet says are common in French foods. Breakfast offers familiar favorites like omelets, tartine and croissants. For lunch, the menu changes to include salads and sandwiches, like a classic Niçoise salad and a mouthwatering croque monsieur layered with delicious ham, gruyère and béchamel.

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EATS EATS

Food & Dining Bites Food &food Dining Bites The latest & dining stories in Greater Cincinnati BY AT H E Rfood I N E BA R I E R stories in Greater Cincinnati TheK latest &Rdining

BY K AT H E R I N E BA R R I E R

New Italian Restaurant Carmelo’s Opens in Covington New new Italian Restaurant Carmelo’s Opens in Covington Italian restaurant helmed

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by two Greater Cincinnati dinnew Italian restaurant helmed ing and hospitality veterans is by two Greater Cincinnati dinnow open in Covington. ing and hospitality veterans is Carmelo’s recently opened at 434 now open in Covington.

Madison Ave., near the former IRS Carmelo’s recently opened at 434 site, which will soon be going under Madison Ave., near the former IRS development to create apartments, site, which will soon be going under townhomes and retail space. The development to create apartments, concept is a collaboration by former townhomes and retail space. The Thunderdome Restaurant Group concept is a collaboration by former director of food and beverage Billy Thunderdome Restaurant Group Grise and Chef Mitch Arens, who has director of food and beverage Billy helped create concepts like Beard & Grise and Chef Mitch Arens, who has Bellies BBQ and Grub Local and is the helped create concepts like Beard & founder and executive chef of SouthBellies BBQ and Grub Local and is the ernly, a local private chef company. founder and executive chef of SouthNamed after Grise’s grandfather ernly, a local private chef company.

— an Italian American immigrant, Named after Grise’s grandfather family man and restaurant owner — an Italian American immigrant, himself — Carmelo’s offers Italian family man and restaurant owner American classics in an inviting, rustic himself — Carmelo’s offers Italian yet modern space. The atmosphere American classics in an inviting, rustic is reflective of Nono Carmelo’s warm yet modern space. The atmosphere and jovial spirit, carrying on the legacy is reflective of Nono Carmelo’s warm of all the beloved grandfathers who and jovial spirit, carrying on the legacy came before us, says the team. of all the beloved grandfathers who “Growing up, I worked in my grandcame before us, says the team. father’s restaurant where he taught “Growing up, I worked in my grandme the value of hard work, the power father’s restaurant where he taught of persistence and the importance of me the value of hard work, the power sharing a meal together,” Grise said in of persistence and the importance of a press release. “We can’t wait to share sharing a meal together,” Grise said in our vision with you.” a press release. “We can’t wait to share Grise and Arens have been longour vision with you.” time friends and colleagues, first Grise and Arens have been longmeeting while working together 16 time friends and colleagues, first years ago at Nada, where Arens was meeting while working together 16 the sous chef and Grise a line cook. years ago at Nada, where Arens was the sous chef and Grise a line cook.

Carmelo’s P H O T O : H AT S U E / P R OV I D E D BY P B & J

Carmelo’s

P H O T O : H AT S U E / P R OV I D E D BY P B & J

The two say they spent hours dreaming up culinary concepts after work.

The two say they spent hours dream“The journey to opening has been ing up culinary concepts after work. one of the most incredible experi“The journey to opening has been ences of my life,” Arens added. “I had one of the most incredible experibeen searching for the next big thing ences of my life,” Arens added. “I had in my culinary career and linking been searching for the next big thing back up with one of my best friends, in my culinary career and linking Billy, to create Carmelo’s was someback up with one of my best friends, thing we used to always talk about Billy, to create Carmelo’s was somewhile working alongside one another thing we used to always talk about in kitchens across Cincinnati and while working alongside one another Northern Kentucky. It feels surreal in kitchens across Cincinnati and now that it’s all actually happening.”

Northern Kentucky. It feels surreal At Carmelo’s, diners can expect now that it’s all actually happening.” quintessential Italian American At Carmelo’s, diners can expect dishes, including some selections that quintessential Italian American will “push their palates,” with regional dishes, including some selections that will “push their palates,” with regional

staples from Italy. Menu highlights include the Mozzarella, hand-pulled staples from Italy. Menu highlights to order with grilled focaccia and olive include the Mozzarella, hand-pulled oil, and the 101-layer Lasagna, which to order with grilled focaccia and olive is a whole pound of lasagna, panoil, and the 101-layer Lasagna, which seared until the edges are crispy and is a whole pound of lasagna, panserved with red gravy and parmesan. seared until the edges are crispy and As for the beverage program, Carserved with red gravy and parmesan. melo’s features classic cocktails with a As for the beverage program, Carspin, as well as an all-Italian wine list melo’s features classic cocktails with a that highlights Italian varietals. spin, as well as an all-Italian wine list Carmelo’s is open Tuesday, that highlights Italian varietals.

Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday Carmelo’s is open Tuesday, from 4-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 4-10 p.m. from 4-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4-10 p.m.

Carmelo’s, 434 Madison Ave., Covington. More info: eatatcarmelos.com.

Carmelo’s, 434 Madison Ave., Covington. More info: eatatcarmelos.com.

Findlay Market Launches Thanksgiving Pre-Orders on Shopping App else you could need for to the market during normal business oneverything indlay Market is making it easy Findlay Market Launches Thanksgiving Pre-Orders Shopping App

F F

to do all your Thanksgiving indlay Market is making it easy shopping on their app, with to do all your Thanksgiving pre-ordering for the big feast day now shopping on their app, with available. pre-ordering for the big feast day now “For years, Findlay Market has been available. a prime location to source essential “For years, Findlay Market has been Thanksgiving dishes and ingredients, a prime location to source essential and this year is no exception. With Thanksgiving dishes and ingredients, specialty butcheries and expert bakerand this year is no exception. With ies, Findlay Market Merchants bring specialty butcheries and expert bakertheir best to the table for Thanksgivies, Findlay Market Merchants bring ing,” the market said in a press release. their best to the table for ThanksgivFrom now until Thursday, Nov. 21, ing,” the market said in a press release. you can pre-order your Thanksgiving From now until Thursday, Nov. 21, turkeys, pies, sides and more on the you can pre-order your Thanksgiving Findlay Market Shopping App. Findlay turkeys, pies, sides and more on the Market is also offering extended Findlay Market Shopping App. Findlay pickup and delivery hours during the Market is also offering extended week for shoppers who can’t make it pickup and delivery hours during the week for shoppers who can’t make it

hours. Customers can order pickup or to the market during normal business delivery for 2-7 p.m. Tuesday through hours. Customers can order pickup or Friday every week, and service delivery for 2-7 p.m. Tuesday through and delivery fees will be waived for Friday every week, and service customers using SNAP benefits. The and delivery fees will be waived for market will also be open the Monday customers using SNAP benefits. The before Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, from 9 market will also be open the Monday a.m. to 3 p.m. before Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, from 9 Several Findlay Market merchants a.m. to 3 p.m. will also be selling whole turkeys this Several Findlay Market merchants year, including: will also be selling whole turkeys this • Barlion’s Poultry & Seafood year, including: • The Country Meat Co. • Barlion’s Poultry & Seafood • Eckerlin Meats • The Country Meat Co. • The Gourmand Group • Eckerlin Meats • Mackie Quality Meats • The Gourmand Group • Neil Luken Meats • Mackie Quality Meats For more information on vendors • Neil Luken Meats and merchants selling sides, pies and For more information on vendors and merchants selling sides, pies and

Another Five Greater Another Five Greater Cincinnati Frisch’s Cincinnati Frisch’s Restaurants Have Been Restaurants Have Been Ordered to Close Ordered toGreater Close our more Cincinnati Frisch’s

your holiday meal, visit findlaymareverything else you could need for ket.org. your holiday meal, visit findlaymarAnd on Black Friday (Nov. 29), ket.org.

Findlay Market will launch its annual And on Black Friday (Nov. 29), Christmas Tree Sale, located on the Findlay Market will launch its annual Race Street Esplanade and running Christmas Tree Sale, located on the Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Race Street Esplanade and running Dec. 22. The market will have three Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until sizes of trees, as well as garland, Dec. 22. The market will have three wreaths, tree stands, Findlay Market sizes of trees, as well as garland, Playing Cards and commemorative wreaths, tree stands, Findlay Market Findlay Market ornaments. Hours for Playing Cards and commemorative the Christmas Tree Sale are 11 a.m. to Findlay Market ornaments. Hours for 6 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturthe Christmas Tree Sale are 11 a.m. to day; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

6 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.

Findlay Market, More info: findlaymarket.org.

1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.

More info: findlaymarket.org.

Big Boy restaurants will close after a our more Greater Cincinnati Frisch’s Hamilton County magistrate granted Big Boy restaurants will close after a their evictions at a hearing on Nov. 6.

Hamilton County magistrate granted The following Hamilton County restautheir evictions at a hearing on Nov. 6. rants were ordered to close and vacate the The following Hamilton County restaupremises within seven days: rants were ordered to close and vacate the Anderson Township (7706 Beechmont premises within seven days: Ave.) Anderson Township (7706 Beechmont Forest Park (11990 Chase Plaza) Ave.) Harrison (1181 Stone Drive) Forest Park (11990 Chase Plaza) Montfort Heights (5351 North Bend Road) Harrison (1181 Stone Drive) On Nov. 5, a Butler County judge also Montfort Heights (5351 North Bend Road) ordered the Frisch’s located on GermanOn Nov. 5, a Butler County judge also town Road in Middletown to vacate. These ordered the Frisch’s located on Germanevictions are the latest in a spree of Frisch’s town Road in Middletown to vacate. These closings that began last month. In October, evictions are the latest in a spree of Frisch’s a total of 10 Greater Cincinnati locations closings that began last month. In October, closed or were ordered to vacate: a total of 10 Greater Cincinnati locations • Blue Ash (9070 Plainfield Road) closed or were ordered to vacate: • Bridgetown (4227 Bridgetown Road) • Blue Ash (9070 Plainfield Road) • Colerain Township (9830 Colerain • Bridgetown (4227 Bridgetown Road) Ave.) • Colerain Township (9830 Colerain • Delhi Township (5202 Delhi Ave.) Ave.) • Norwood (4765 Montgomery Road) • Delhi Township (5202 Delhi Ave.) • Symmes Township (12150 Mason • Norwood (4765 Montgomery Road) Montgomery Road) • Symmes Township (12150 Mason • Loveland (1283 SR-28) Montgomery Road) • Bethel (551 W. Plane Road) • Loveland (1283 SR-28) • Lebanon (1330 Columbus Ave.) • Bethel (551 W. Plane Road) • Franklin (3560 S. Dixie Highway) • Lebanon (1330 Columbus Ave.) In September, Frisch’s landlord, Orlando • Franklin (3560 S. Dixie Highway) real estate company NNN Reit, filed eviction In September, Frisch’s landlord, Orlando notices for more than 20 Southwestern Ohio real estate company NNN Reit, filed eviction Frisch’s locations, including 17 in Hamilton, notices for more than 20 Southwestern Ohio Clermont, Butler, Warren and Highland Frisch’s locations, including 17 in Hamilton, counties. According to Hamilton County Clermont, Butler, Warren and Highland court documents, in February, NNN sent counties. According to Hamilton County notice to Frisch’s that its rent, totaling over court documents, in February, NNN sent $4.5 million, was overdue and failure to pay notice to Frisch’s that its rent, totaling over would result in being in default under the $4.5 million, was overdue and failure to pay lease agreement. A notice of default was sent would result in being in default under the to the restaurant chain in August, followed lease agreement. A notice of default was sent by a three-day notice to leave the premises to the restaurant chain in August, followed at affected restaurants in September. by a three-day notice to leave the premises According to Hamilton County court at affected restaurants in September. documents, Frisch’s says it tried to work According to Hamilton County court with NNN to avoid evictions, including the documents, Frisch’s says it tried to work suggestion to work together to close stores with NNN to avoid evictions, including the on a schedule, but states NNN rejected those suggestion to work together to close stores efforts. on a schedule, but states NNN rejected those Other locations scheduled for eviction efforts. hearings include Batavia, Fairfield and Other locations scheduled for eviction Hillsboro. hearings include Batavia, Fairfield and Frisch’s is also facing more legal woes Hillsboro. after FC Cincinnati filed a lawsuit alleging Frisch’s is also facing more legal woes the restaurant chain breached a sponsorship after FC Cincinnati filed a lawsuit alleging agreement and owes the soccer organization the restaurant chain breached a sponsorship $156,500. agreement and owes the soccer organization Frisch’s was acquired by NRD Partners I, $156,500. a private equity growth and expansion fund Frisch’s was acquired by NRD Partners I, based in Atlanta, in 2015. Since then, over a private equity growth and expansion fund 40 of Frisch’s locations have closed, with just based in Atlanta, in 2015. Since then, over 38 left in the Greater Cincinnati area now, 40 of Frisch’s locations have closed, with just according to its website.

38 left in the Greater Cincinnati area now, according to its website.

NOVEMBER 13-26, 2024

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MUSIC MUSIC

Ric Hordinski P H OTO : M A D E L I N E H O R D I N S K I

Ric Hordinski

P H OTO : M A D E L I N E H O R D I N S K I

Smiling in the Sunshine Smiling inRicthe Sunshine Cincinnati musician Hordinski gets personal on his latest effort, Flesh and Ghost.

Cincinnati musician Ric Hordinski gets personal on his latest effort, BY E R Iand C BAT ES Flesh Ghost.

BY E R I C BAT E S

R R

ic Hordinski, one of Cincinnati’s most admired musicians, will ic Hordinski, one of Cincinnati’s release his long-awaited and most admired musicians, will highly anticipated solo album, entitled release his long-awaited and Flesh and Ghost, on Nov. 24. This new highly anticipated solo album, entitled collection of songs showcases not only Flesh and Ghost, on Nov. 24. This new his instantly recognizable guitar playcollection of songs showcases not only ing, but also his wide range of musihis instantly recognizable guitar playcal styles. From heartfelt folk ballads ing, but also his wide range of musito heavy-hitting R&B spoken word cal styles. From heartfelt folk ballads anthems, Hordinski lays out a veritable to heavy-hitting R&B spoken word musical banquet of everything that anthems, Hordinski lays out a veritable makes up his artistic world. musical banquet of everything that Joined by many incredible artists and makes up his artistic world. musicians, Flesh and Ghost, recorded Joined by many incredible artists and and mixed by Hordinski himself at his musicians, Flesh and Ghost, recorded legendary Monastery Studio in Walnut and mixed by Hordinski himself at his Hills, delivers songwriting, arranging legendary Monastery Studio in Walnut and performances at the highest level, Hills, delivers songwriting, arranging all of which the public has come to and performances at the highest level, expect and appreciate over the years. all of which the public has come to Hordinski, a resident of historic Walexpect and appreciate over the years. nut Hills in Cincinnati, didn’t begin his Hordinski, a resident of historic Walmusical journey as a guitarist. Though nut Hills in Cincinnati, didn’t begin his he did have a deep admiration for musical journey as a guitarist. Though guitar, he started out playing the drums. he did have a deep admiration for Coming from humble economic means, guitar, he started out playing the drums. playing the drums at school meant he Coming from humble economic means, only needed to purchase drumsticks, playing the drums at school meant he bypassing the need to invest in a full only needed to purchase drumsticks, bypassing the need to invest in a full

kit. It was during these early years that, while taking a break from drumming kit. It was during these early years that, in the school band room, he opened while taking a break from drumming one of the lockers and came upon a in the school band room, he opened neglected Japanese electric guitar. “I one of the lockers and came upon a literally dreamed about that guitar later neglected Japanese electric guitar. “I that night,” Hordinski tells CityBeat. literally dreamed about that guitar later Then, at a yard sale, he purchased an that night,” Hordinski tells CityBeat. acoustic guitar for $3. Determined Then, at a yard sale, he purchased an to turn it into an electric instrument, acoustic guitar for $3. Determined Hordinski modified the guitar by taking to turn it into an electric instrument, apart an old dial-telephone and using Hordinski modified the guitar by taking the mouthpiece as a pickup. From apart an old dial-telephone and using there, his admiration grew into an the mouthpiece as a pickup. From obsession that carries on to this day. there, his admiration grew into an In 1989, Hordinski, along with his obsession that carries on to this day. college friend, Linford Detweiler, In 1989, Hordinski, along with his formed the band Over the Rhine with college friend, Linford Detweiler, vocalist Karin Bergquist and drummer formed the band Over the Rhine with Brian Kelley rounding out the quartet. vocalist Karin Bergquist and drummer Hordinski would go on to perform Brian Kelley rounding out the quartet. many shows and release several albums Hordinski would go on to perform with the band. Grateful for the time many shows and release several albums making music with Over the Rhine, with the band. Grateful for the time Hordinski feels those years of makmaking music with Over the Rhine, ing music were not only cherished Hordinski feels those years of makmoments of collaboration with friends ing music were not only cherished but also an invaluable musical educamoments of collaboration with friends tion that has played an enormous part but also an invaluable musical educain the evolution of his own music. tion that has played an enormous part in the evolution of his own music.

Inspired by the Dylan Thomas poem “Before I Knocked,” Flesh and Ghost Inspired by the Dylan Thomas poem showcases Hordinski’s musical evolu“Before I Knocked,” Flesh and Ghost tion and hints at where it may lead him showcases Hordinski’s musical evolunext. Songwriter, composer, arranger tion and hints at where it may lead him and producer — all facets of Hordinnext. Songwriter, composer, arranger ski’s artistry are captured in this deeply and producer — all facets of Hordinpersonal album. Finding the balance ski’s artistry are captured in this deeply between spontaneity and craftsmanpersonal album. Finding the balance ship is something Hordinski is always between spontaneity and craftsmansearching for. Taking elements from his ship is something Hordinski is always live performance practices and braidsearching for. Taking elements from his ing them with meticulously arranged live performance practices and braidpieces of music has been a welcomed ing them with meticulously arranged challenge for him over the years. pieces of music has been a welcomed Most comfortable performing music challenge for him over the years. live, Hordinski is at ease being in front Most comfortable performing music of a crowd. At the beginning of each live, Hordinski is at ease being in front performance, he usually turns to the of a crowd. At the beginning of each band and looks at them as if to say, performance, he usually turns to the “Here we go. I have no idea what’s comband and looks at them as if to say, ing next, but let’s go together,” Hordin“Here we go. I have no idea what’s comski tells CityBeat. Then, on the flip side, ing next, but let’s go together,” Hordinhe takes writing and arranging as both a ski tells CityBeat. Then, on the flip side, challenge and a craft to be approached. he takes writing and arranging as both a “It’s a life’s work to keep the subconchallenge and a craft to be approached. scious/in-the-moment stuff happen“It’s a life’s work to keep the subconing while trying to do a journeyman’s scious/in-the-moment stuff happenwork,” he says. ing while trying to do a journeyman’s Flesh and Ghost, for Hordinski, is work,” he says.

Flesh and Ghost, for Hordinski, is

like a little love letter to Cincinnati, and especially to his adopted neighborhood like a little love letter to Cincinnati, and of Walnut Hills. Having raised a family especially to his adopted neighborhood there and built Monastery Studio just of Walnut Hills. Having raised a family across the street from his home, this there and built Monastery Studio just historic area of the Queen City is near across the street from his home, this and dear to his heart. That love is felt in historic area of the Queen City is near the song, “Very Smiling in the Sunand dear to his heart. That love is felt in shine,” which features sampled sounds the song, “Very Smiling in the Sunof the neighborhood. shine,” which features sampled sounds Reflecting on the subjects of life’s of the neighborhood. transitions, and grappling with outward Reflecting on the subjects of life’s and inward conflicts, Hordinski brings transitions, and grappling with outward two songs in particular to the album and inward conflicts, Hordinski brings that speak to his personal thoughts two songs in particular to the album on these matters. In the song “Golden that speak to his personal thoughts Hour,” Hordinski touches on the feelon these matters. In the song “Golden ings one gets before a transition. From Hour,” Hordinski touches on the feelthe passing of a loved one or a child ings one gets before a transition. From leaving home, to even the end of a the passing of a loved one or a child single day, “Golden Hour” emotes a leaving home, to even the end of a sense of sweet melancholy that radiates single day, “Golden Hour” emotes a from a glow of surrender. “Benedicsense of sweet melancholy that radiates tion” is a song inspired by a Chinese from a glow of surrender. “Benedicproverb about when bad news turns tion” is a song inspired by a Chinese out to be good news, and vice versa, proverb about when bad news turns and a favorite quote of Hordinski by out to be good news, and vice versa, George Bernard Shaw that says, “There and a favorite quote of Hordinski by are two great disappointments in life: George Bernard Shaw that says, “There Not getting what you want, and getting are two great disappointments in life: what you want.” A meditation on life’s Not getting what you want, and getting challenging unpredictability, Hordinski what you want.” A meditation on life’s refers to the song as being an unconchallenging unpredictability, Hordinski ventional benediction. refers to the song as being an unconFlesh and Ghost will be released in ventional benediction. three different versions: A vinyl LP, a Flesh and Ghost will be released in streaming version where the songs are three different versions: A vinyl LP, a separated and can be listened to indistreaming version where the songs are vidually and a third version Hordinski separated and can be listened to indiis calling FLESH + GHOST, where the vidually and a third version Hordinski songs can be heard in two long tracks, is calling FLESH + GHOST, where the with “FLESH” being track one and songs can be heard in two long tracks, “GHOST” being track two. with “FLESH” being track one and A wealth of talented musicians “GHOST” being track two. helped make Flesh and Ghost. While A wealth of talented musicians Hordinski performed all the guitarwork helped make Flesh and Ghost. While on the album and sang most of the Hordinski performed all the guitarwork lead vocals, he was also joined by other on the album and sang most of the peak-level vocalists and instrumentallead vocals, he was also joined by other ists. Vocalists Sage Rose, Chaya Jones, peak-level vocalists and instrumentalAndrea Summer, Elsa Kennedy and ists. Vocalists Sage Rose, Chaya Jones, Erica Bostick lend their voices to songs Andrea Summer, Elsa Kennedy and throughout, with Cincinnati Symphony Erica Bostick lend their voices to songs Orchestra members Paul Patterson throughout, with Cincinnati Symphony and this author on violin, Ted Nelson Orchestra members Paul Patterson on the cello, Craig Dockery on the and this author on violin, Ted Nelson piano and Matthew Wallenhorst on the on the cello, Craig Dockery on the saxophone. An impressive who’s who piano and Matthew Wallenhorst on the of bass players also perform on various saxophone. An impressive who’s who songs on the album, including Amos of bass players also perform on various Heller (the bassist for Taylor Swift) songs on the album, including Amos and David Labruyere (former bassist Heller (the bassist for Taylor Swift) for John Mayer). Drumming brilliantly and David Labruyere (former bassist across the record is Hordinski’s dear for John Mayer). Drumming brilliantly friend and long-time collaborator, Josh across the record is Hordinski’s dear Seurkamp. friend and long-time collaborator, Josh Seurkamp.

Ric Hordinski plays the Woodward Theater on Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.

Ric Hordinski plays the Woodward You can pre-order Flesh and Ghost Theater on Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. at richordinskimusic.com.

You can pre-order Flesh and Ghost at richordinskimusic.com.

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SOUND ADVICE SOUND ADVICE

BABYMETAL BABYMETAL Nov. 23 • Andrew J Brady Music Center On Saturday, Nov. 23, Japan’s kawaii Nov. 23 • Andrew J Brady Music Center metal band, BABYMETAL, will appear On Saturday, Nov. 23, Japan’s kawaii at the Andrew J Brady Music Center. metal band, BABYMETAL, will appear This Japanese idol band, with its J-pop at the Andrew J Brady Music Center. trio and heavy metal combination, This Japanese idol band, with its J-pop will deliver a musical experience like trio and heavy metal combination, no other, giving the audience a jawwill deliver a musical experience like dropping show that will shatter all no other, giving the audience a jawexpectations. dropping show that will shatter all BABYMETAL, produced by Kobamexpectations. etal, burst onto the Japanese music BABYMETAL, produced by Kobamscene in 2010, and from its incepetal, burst onto the Japanese music tion, has since exploded into an arena scene in 2010, and from its incepheadlining phenomenon. The original tion, has since exploded into an arena trio lineup, Su-metal, Moametal and Yuiheadlining phenomenon. The original metal, who emerged from the Japanese trio lineup, Su-metal, Moametal and Yuiidol group Sakura Gakuin, joined forces metal, who emerged from the Japanese with producer Kobametal to develop a idol group Sakura Gakuin, joined forces new genre of music, combining catchy with producer Kobametal to develop a melodic tunes with extreme heavy metal new genre of music, combining catchy support. Having released four studio melodic tunes with extreme heavy metal albums, twelve live albums and videos support. Having released four studio on YouTube with views reaching into albums, twelve live albums and videos the millions, BABYMETAL is a musical on YouTube with views reaching into experiment that’s taken root and grown the millions, BABYMETAL is a musical into a genre all its own that’s spread like experiment that’s taken root and grown wildfire all over the world. into a genre all its own that’s spread like Throughout the last decade, wildfire all over the world.

BABYMETAL has seen some lineup Throughout the last decade, changes in its trio of core members, BABYMETAL has seen some lineup with various singers and “screamers” changes in its trio of core members, moving on to other endeavors. But the with various singers and “screamers” J-pop sound, look and aesthetic have moving on to other endeavors. But the remained consistent. The heavy metal J-pop sound, look and aesthetic have band, made up of various session musiremained consistent. The heavy metal cians who go by the name Kami Band, is band, made up of various session musia veritable virtuosic metal machine that cians who go by the name Kami Band, is elevates the live experience to heights a veritable virtuosic metal machine that unheard of. elevates the live experience to heights The BABYMETAL live show is a specunheard of. tacle like no other. For anyone who’s into The BABYMETAL live show is a specanime and Japanese pop culture, the tacle like no other. For anyone who’s into look and feel of the BABYMETAL experianime and Japanese pop culture, the ence will tug at your heartstrings. Anime look and feel of the BABYMETAL expericlassics like Death Note and Haikyu!! and ence will tug at your heartstrings. Anime extreme metal giants like Cradle of Filth classics like Death Note and Haikyu!! and and High on Fire all boil in a cauldron of extreme metal giants like Cradle of Filth epic staging, light shows, costumes and and High on Fire all boil in a cauldron of tight choreography, creating a concocepic staging, light shows, costumes and tion that will quench the thirst of any tight choreography, creating a concocanime and metal enthusiast. tion that will quench the thirst of any BABYMETAL, with special guest anime and metal enthusiast.

Scene Queen, will appear at the Andrew BABYMETAL, with special guest J Brady Music Center on Nov. 23 at 8 p.m.

Scene Queen, will appear at the Andrew More info: bradymusiccenter.com. (Eric J Brady Music Center on Nov. 23 at 8 p.m.

Bates) More info: bradymusiccenter.com. (Eric Bates)

THE PLOT IN YOU THE Nov. 24 •PLOT Bogart’sIN YOU

Melodic metalcore outlet The Plot in You Nov. 24 • Bogart’s is bringing their aggressively ambient Melodic metalcore outlet The Plot in You tunes to Cincinnati. The band, originally is bringing their aggressively ambient tunes to Cincinnati. The band, originally

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BABY METAL P H O T O : Z A C H A RY C H I C K

BABY METAL

P H O T O : Z A C H A RY C H I C K

The Plot in You P H O T O : D E R R I C K AU S T I N S O N

The Plot in You

P H O T O : D E R R I C K AU S T I N S O N

from Hancock County, Ohio, will make their last tour stop on Nov.24 at from Hancock County, Ohio, will Bogart’s. make their last tour stop on Nov.24 at The Plot in You originally started as Bogart’s. nothing more than a side project of forThe Plot in You originally started as mer Before Their Eyes member Landon nothing more than a side project of forTewers. Tewers, vocalist of The Plot in mer Before Their Eyes member Landon You, would later commit fully to the Tewers. Tewers, vocalist of The Plot in band and his solo project. The band has You, would later commit fully to the further ties to Ohio, as their first EP Wife band and his solo project. The band has Beater was released through InVogue further ties to Ohio, as their first EP Wife Beater was released through InVogue

NOVEMBER 13-26, 2024

Records, a well-known alternative label based in Findlay.

Records, a well-known alternative label The Plot In You saw quick success based in Findlay. due to Tewers’ ability to write music for The Plot In You saw quick success the project while still a part of Before due to Tewers’ ability to write music for Their Eyes. Shortly after releasing their the project while still a part of Before first EP, the band signed with Rise Their Eyes. Shortly after releasing their Records and put out their first fullfirst EP, the band signed with Rise length effort in 2011, First Born. The Records and put out their first fullband has continued to put out music length effort in 2011, First Born. The consistently, with their third album band has continued to put out music consistently, with their third album

Happiness In Self Destruction being their most famous and commercially Happiness In Self Destruction being successful. This album showcased some their most famous and commercially of their most popular singles like “Take successful. This album showcased some Me Away” and “My Old Ways.” of their most popular singles like “Take The Plot in You’s sound is rooted in Me Away” and “My Old Ways.” metalcore and post-hardcore. Heavy The Plot in You’s sound is rooted in riffs over passionate harsh vocals are a metalcore and post-hardcore. Heavy staple of theirs. What separates The Plot riffs over passionate harsh vocals are a in You from other heavy outlets is their staple of theirs. What separates The Plot ability to create a hauntingly beautiful in You from other heavy outlets is their ability to create a hauntingly beautiful

State Champs P H O T O : V I N C E E VA N S

atmosphere within their songs, utilizing ambient distortions and chilling vocal lines. It’s truly a unique take on what could’ve been a traditional metalcore group, and it’s done the band plenty to earn the interest of fans.

The Plot in You won’t be alone when they make their final stop in Cincinnati.

The band will be joined by other rock and metal outlets Currents, Zero 9:36 and Wind Walkers. If you’re into heavier music that will hit you in the feels, this is certainly the show for you.

The Plot in You plays Bogart’s on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. More info: bogarts.com.

(Logan Turner)

STATE CHAMPS Nov. 27 • Bogart’s Pop punk veterans State Champs are bringing their antics to Bogart’s with a few of their friends. The evening is geared up to be a fun night filled with cold riffs, two-stepping and plenty of crowd surfing.

State Champs has been releasing music since 2010, but they really emerged with the release of their debut album The Finer Things in 2013. The album was their first on Pure Noise Records and featured such singles as “Elevated,” which helped propel the band into the mainstream. They would continue to put out records through Pure Noise with their biggest being Around The World and Back. The 2015 album features hits like “All or Nothing” and “All You Are Is History.” Following all this

success, State Champs released a new self-titled album on Nov. 8, featuring the single “Silver Cloud,” and is available for purchase on the band’s website.

State Champs has cultivated a sound that pop-punk fans have come to know and love. Ever since their inception, the band has been able to fuse uptempo riffs with catchy chorus lines to great success.

Many fans liken their sound to pop punk greats like Blink-182 and Sum 41. That likening has been a driving force in the band’s success as they’ve been able to bring back a nostalgic sound and morph it into something that more modern fans love. Essentially, if you’re a fan of 2000s punk and pop punk, then maybe a trip to see State Champs is something for you.

A lot of exciting things seem to be brewing for State Champs as they embark on their tour that will see them come to Cincinnati. With a new album coming out, fans can obviously expect to hear some new tunes from the band — all the more reason to make sure to catch them at the show. To make things even sweeter, they will also be joined by other notable pop punk and emo acts Knuckle Puck, Meet Me @ The Alter and Daisy Grenade.

State Champs play Bogart’s on Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. More info: bogarts.com. (LT)

time the solo artist has played Bogart’s as a part of Jack’s Jam as he seemingly hopes to make it an annual event in his home city.

Kays has seen plenty of success since beginning his music career after graduating from Sycamore High School.

Kays has released multiple EPs, albums and singles dating back to 2020. Shortly

after releasing his breakout hit, “Morbid Mind,” Kays was quickly picked up by Columbia Records. After signing with the major label, Kays released his first official album, Mixed Emotions. The album was then followed up with two EPs, voice memos and My Favorite Nightmares.

Kays would then collaborate with Travis Barker, the drummer of acclaimed poppunk outlet Blink-182.

Jack Kays’ sound has evolved drastically since starting his music career. After graduating high school, Kays released rap music on Soundcloud. He’s also ventured into the realms of indie, rock, pop-punk and folk rock. A lot of the instrumentals in Kays’ music are guitarcentric. As a multi-instrumentalist, it’s clear that Kays takes pride in writing catchy riffs that act as earworms for the brain. Kays is also lauded for his ability to touch on sensitive subjects bluntly and aggressively. Topics like drugs and mental health are common themes in many of his lyrics. These words have resonated with his fans, as Kays now has millions of streams and views across multiple platforms.

The growing popularity hasn’t made Kays forget where he’s from, though.

Despite the ongoing success, Kays will again bring back his annual hometown show — and he won’t be alone. Kays will be joined alongside other artists like Peter McPoland, Evan Honer and Massie. This lineup hits on multiple genres, spanning from country to rock.

Clearly, Kays is looking to make an event where everyone and anyone can come out and have a great time.

Jack Kays plays Bogart’s on Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m. More info: bogarts.com. (LT)

JACK KAYS Nov. 29 • Bogarts Cincinnati’s Jack Kays is again visiting Bogart’s to bring back his “Jack’s Jam” concert series. This will be the second

Jack Kays P H O T O : I N S TA G R A M

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WHAT THE RED DEVILS? CROSSWORD

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69. “Keep it,” in printing

31. Big bauxite miner

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64. Fancy home

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66. Chowderheads

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58. Zero

22. Beats to a pulp

55. Single-master 59. Plane part

51. Most confident

21. Slightly wet

50. Come to light

13. Food drive piece

49. Put a line through

12. Perfectly matching

30. Merchandise

47. Either of Hermione Granger’s parents, e.g.

11. Drop down on the far right

63. Had on

33. Grp. offering Military Virtual Programming

46. Not, not good

10. Corned beef establishment

62. Order option

28. Inter Miami’s all-time leading goal scorer

41. Sculpted by ___ (cosmetics brand)

9. Breakout machines?

61. Argue against

26. Clean (up)

40. “No need to keep talking, all right?”

8. Releases

57. Smearing shit on a President?

25. Day of the wk. when albums drop

39. Spot for some lamps

7. Mannheim Mrs.

56. Australian cassowary

24. Treasure on the Spanish Main

38. “I need to be kept up to date”

6. As a stopgap

54. Put to work

23. Polished off

37. Jane Austen novel set in the village of Highbury

5. Without question

53. Turn bad

20. Words about coffee?

1. Work bottleneck

4. Utah ski resort that prohibits snowboarding (plan accordingly)

48. Table-hops at a reception

18. Band of brothers?

36. Opposing side

3. Flow regulators

46. Second-stringers

17. Covered in gold

Down 2. Get to the chopper

45. Change, as code

16. Soul singer Marie

34. Loud speaker

42. Pianist Thelonious

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