Exploring Cincinnati’s Women-Owned Businesses Family Nurturing Center Advocates for Ohio House Bills

By: Jenn Bakes

While we may not be blessed with great weather in Cincinnati, what we do have are fantastic restaurants, bars & shops, many of which are owned by women! Follow this list supporting some of these local, women-owned businesses. This day is focused in the OTR/Findlay Market area, so you can park your car (or rideshare) and be on foot for the rest of the day in one of our city’s most historic and fascinating neighborhoods. Let’s start the day sustainably with brunch from Essen Kitchen, an entirely plant-based café run by a mother & daughter team, Patricia Bittner & Lida Bilokur. But make sure to leave some room – next we’re headed to a wine & cheese tasting at The Rhined, owned & operated by Stephanie Webster (who now also owns Oakley Wines). Once you’ve had all the cheese you can take, let’s give your stomach a break & do some shopping. There’s Lucca, a beautiful shop full of perfect gifts for others (or yourself); Artichoke, a luxury kitchenware shop; Churchill’s Fine Teas (don’t miss the samples!); and two lovely flower shops – The Budding Florist and Gia & the Blooms. If you’ve had enough activity for one day and are ready to head home, I highly recommend stopping by Dean’s Mediterranean first. Now run by Dean’s daughter, Kate, the shop features delicious pita wraps, flatbreads, feta frites, and more, plus specialty food items from around the world. If you’ve been craving a day out & are nowhere near ready to go home, you’re in luck- there are plenty more women-owned businesses nearby to explore! If you planned this day in advance, I hope you registered for the evening’s cooking class at Tablespoon Cooking Co. A classically-trained chef & culinary educator, owner Jordan Hamons (who is also a frequent supporter of the Junior League) has designed classes to feel more like a party, with drinks & a killer playlist to go along with the amazing food. Now time to complete the busy day with a nightcap – just head a couple of streets over to OTR Stillhouse, a newly-opened distillery & brewery owned by Michele Hobbs. Enjoy their award-winning blended whiskey while checking out their enormous indoor & outdoor spaces, & perhaps even catching some live music. This is just one neighborhood, and there are so many more wonderful, women-owned businesses throughout the Cincinnati region. Start making a list & get to exploring!

Family Nurturing Center Advocates for Ohio House Bills

WHY OHIO HB 105 & HB 266

By Carrie M. Starts

The Family Nurturing Center has been following House Bill 105 and 266 in Ohio, as they directly relate to its mission. HB 105 regards age appropriate child sexual abuse instruction. It is part of the Erin’s Law initiative, to ensure children are taught to protect themselves. HB 105 would require all Ohio school districts, community schools, and STEM schools in Ohio provide age-appropriate, annual instruction on child sexual abuse prevention for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Currently HB 105 has passed the House and is in the Senate Primary & Secondary Education Committee. HB 266 regards statutes of limitation for rape and child sexual abuse. The bill would remove the statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of ORC § 2907.02, extend the period of limitations for a civil action by a victim of childhood sexual abose other than rape and remove the spousal exemption from ORC § 2907.02. This bill has been referred to the House Criminal Justice Committee. These bills, along with HB 270 and HB 263 in Kentucky, coincide with and will help further the mission of The Family Nurturing Center, which is to end the cycle of child abuse by promoting individual well-being and healthy family relationships. The Family Nurturing Center’s program, Stewards of Children, is a training that helps adults identify signs of child sexual abuse. This is a revolutionary prevention program that teaches adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly. It uses real people and real stories to show one how to protect children. This program relates to HB 105 in that the goal is to educate adults and children in order to prevent childhood sexual abuse. If you have questions about these bills or how your support could help, please reach out to JLC’s Advocacy and Education team at advocacy@jlcincinnati.org.