by Lisa MurthaBY CARRIE BLACKMORE SMITH by Michele Day
The Chief Is a Man on FirePuppets Teach Kids About MoneyAm I a Gentrifier?
Your guide to the area's best haunted houses, costume shops, ghost stories, and more!
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incinnati is one of only a few cities in the country to have the newest non-surgical anti-aging technology. Mona Dermatology in Kenwood will be premiering the new “EmFace” treatment in the fall and will be one of three locations in Ohio—and the only one in Cincinnati— selected to launch this new technology.
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lasers, heating the tissue in the skin creates injury and results in an increase in collagen and elastin production. Over time, this can make skin look tighter, reduce wrinkles, and give an overall more youthful appearance. Muscle contraction for the face is a new innovation, but it is rooted in equally strong science. EmFace uses High Frequency Electrical Stimulation (HIFES) technology to tighten the muscle layer as well as radiofrequency to build collagen and tighten the skin overlying theAsmuscle.weget older, we start losing the support structures of our skin, bone, muscle, fat, and collagen. Currently, we replace lost volume with fillers, tighten and lift loose skin with radiofrequency or ultrasound, and repair sun damaged skin with lasers, lights, and chemical peels. Up to this point, we have not had anything that could safely address one of our skin’s basic support structures, the muscle layer. EmFace will be a first-of-its-kind procedure to address this important component in facial aging.
OCTOBER 2022 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM 1 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MONA DERMATOLOGY www.monadermatology.com
Mona S. Foad, MD, is a boardcertified Dermatologist and owner of Mona Dermatology in Kenwood
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FEATURES OCTOBER 2022 SPOOKY SEASON IS HERE For a significant number of people, Halloween is the only holiday that sparks uncontrollable glee. We’re celebrating the costumes, characters, events, and stories of things that go bump in the night for the supernatural lover in you. PHOTOGRAPH BY ANNETTE NAVARRO OCTOBER 2022 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM 5
Who’s
BY CARRIE BLACKMORE SMITH
A rapping puppet, a public TV station, and a UC economist team up to teach children about financial literacy and making good choices.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT GENTRIFICATION P. 56
HOUSE OF THE DRAGON ASIDE FROM HIS CEREAL MONSTERS (FRANKEN BERRY AND COUNT CHOCULA), MICHAEL WONG IS ALSO KNOWN ON THE CONVENTION SCENE FOR THIS DRAGON RIDER COSTUME.
SHOW THEM THE MONEY P. 52
lost, what’s gained, and why it matters—seeing the conflicts through my own experience as a Pendleton landlord.
BY MICHELE DAY
P. 36
6 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022 ADKINSLANCEBY(BOTTOM)/HOFFMANMARILYNCOURTESY(TOP)PHOTOGRAPHS 12 / CONTRIBUTORS 12 / LETTER FROM THE EDITOR FRONTLINES 15 / DISPATCH FotoFocus returns! 16 / SPEAK EASY YouTube star Feli From Germany 16 / FILM Scary movies compete for awards 18 / STYLE COUNSEL Odetta von Kasek’s dark fashion 20 / STOREFRONT Hierophany & Hedge, Covington 22 / REAL ESTATE Who owns this mega-mansion?Kentucky 24 / DR. KNOW Your QC answeredquestions COLUMNS 26 / LIVING IN CIN Oh! Calcutta!’s full monty BY JAY GILBERT 30 / PERSON OF INTEREST Cincinnati Fire Chief Michael A. Washington Sr. BY LISA MURTHA 120 / CINCY OBSCURA A Price Hill organ collector BY RICK PENDER
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106 / OFF THE MENU Reds Executive Chef Gary Davis 108 / HOT PLATE Mala Hotpot, Evendale 108 / TABLESIDE Barbie Hahn of That Dam Jam! 110 / TAKEOUT HERO Heyday, East Walnut Hills 110 / FIELD NOTES Lost & Found’s Booze Bags 112 / DINING GUIDE Greater Cincinnati restaurants: A selective list ON THE COVER photograph by JEREMY KRAMER pumpkin carving by WILLIAM E. WILSON 22 ON OUR SITE FOOD NEWS An extra serving of our diningoutstandingcoverage. CITY NEWS Decoding our civic DNA, from history to politics personalities.to HOME + LIFE Tracking what’s new in local real estate, artisans, and storefronts. SPORTS Insight and analysis on the Bengals, Reds, and FC Cincinnati. 20 DEPARTMENTS OCTOBER 2022 Cincinnati Magazine@CincinnatiMag @cincinnatimagazine@Cincinnatimagazine FOLLOW US
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Fan Guide 2022 Learn about the artists and organizers behind about the amazing outdoor light festival returning to Overthe-Rhine, downtown, and Covington this month. PAGE 89 Learning Together What local schools want prospective SCHOOLSTheOpenHouseGuide2022–2023
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to provide the best education possible. Here’s what schools want parents to know now. Plus, a list of open houses, virtual tours, and other admission events. PAGE 61 world. Whether managing your assets with wealth name outstanding professionals, then works with publications such Cincinnati Magazine winners, go www.fivestarprofessional.com. order consider broad population high-quality wealth managers and investment professionals, award Five Star Professional advisory firm content this article should considered financial FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER FIVE STAR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL 2022 CINCINNATI FIVE STAR AWARD WINNERS Dwayne Adams Adams Wealth José Chavez The Rosselot Financial Group Randy Hein The Rosselot Financial Group Kimberly Ann Thompson Ameriprise Financial Chris Ward EntryPoint Wealth Alan Richard Henning Madison Wealth Thomas Stanley Mench Mench Financial Jeffrey David Stanley Morgan Stanley Angie Trandai Trandai Financial Solutions Page
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Kids were kings on Halloween. The only adults who tried to get involved, as I remember it, were the pesky old-timers who engaged you in small talk at their doors, asking about your costume and what street you lived on. Adults always had a big cut of the Christmas scene, with their own gifts, decorations, and fancy meals—but not Halloween. Plus I went to Catholic grade school, so we had the next day off for All Saints Day. Double score! Slowly but surely, Halloween has changed over the decades. (Spoiler alert: We all have.)
12 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022
It probably won’t come as a surprise that autumn is the busiest time of year for master pumpkin carver William E. Wilson, whose skill in the Halloween craft landed him on Food Network’s Outrageous Pumpkins last year. The father of five churns out up to 100 commissions each fall through his business, Wicked Designz Carving. That’s one of his creations on the cover. “I’ve always been interested in art, so I began carving pumpkins through the advice of a good friend,” Wilson says. “I’ve grown so much over the years.”
WILLIAM E. WILSON
KANE MITTEN
I get the attraction. Why stop trying on costumes? Why deny yourself the fun of becoming a favorite movie or video game character now and then? Why not keep a bottomless bowl of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups handy?
JOHN FOX EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR OCTOBER 2022 H CONTRIBUTORS ILLUSTRATION BY LARS LEETARU
AIESHA D. LITTLE
After a brief sojourn into TV news, Social Media Manager Kane Mitten returns to Cincinnati Magazine (he was an intern in 2019) in “Spooky Season Is Here” (page 36). Mitten’s colleagues know him as a film buff— a trait that comes out in full-force around Halloween. “Every October, I try to watch at least two horror movies a week,” he says. His go-to flicks? “Always one movie by David Lynch, and my favorite, Scream…which I’ve already seen three times this year.”
HALLOWEEN WAS EVERY KID’S FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR DURING MY CHILDhood in the last century. After reaching a certain age, I was allowed to trick or treat with my brothers and my friends without a parent tagging along—and we ran from house to house for what seemed like hours. One year the elastic string on my brother’s cheap plastic mask broke before we even got to the first house, and he had a cast on his wrist and couldn’t rethread the string. It was like a scene from a war movie: Leave him! We can’t slow down! We’ll come back and check on him later!
I’m amazed and amused at the sheer volume of adult-focused thrills available today, as dissected in “Spooky Season Is Here” (page 36). Ghost tours, costume shops, big budget haunted houses, professional-grade pumpkin carvers, and cosplay conventions and YouTubers—Halloween has become a year-round industry. A lot of adults appear to be very happy about it, too.
For Senior Editor Aiesha D. Little, October is a way of life. “Growing up, Halloween was the only time I could really indulge in my love of costuming,” she says. Little, who drew on that love when building “Spooky Season Is Here” (page 36), is part of the local cosplayer community. You can find her at events like the Ohio Renaissance Festival’s Fantasy Weekend and the Steampunk Symposium.
Based on my own kids’ experiences and the army of visitors we see every October 31, this adult fascination with Halloween doesn’t seem to have ruined the day for children. I think it’s actually turned Halloween into a true family holiday along the lines of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Which is a pretty cool treat, don’t you think?
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OTOFOCUS, THE BIENNIAL EXHIbition of photography and other forms of lens-based art, returns bigger than ever this month from a pandemic-forced cancellation in 2020. Almost 100 individual shows will be held at more than 90 venues, including some in Columbus, Dayton, and Yellow Springs; many will continue past October. “This is a time for people to come together again,” says Katherine Ryckman Siegwarth, the biennial’s new director. “I’m hoping people see themselves in some of the shows and find new perspectives in others.”
“World Record is a double entendre,” says Moore. “It’s literally a record of the world, photographic documents of everything. But the title also plays with the idea that breaking records used to seem like a positive thing—the idea of mankind achieving dominance over his environment. Increasingly, though, it has a negative connotation:
FotoFocus returns after four years to highlight photography and video art at more than 90 venues. STEVEN ROSEN
MAKERSIMAGE
HOW GERMAN ARE WE? P. 16 BLACK IS BACK P. 18 COVINGTON’S MAGICAL SHOP P. 20 A MYSTERIOUS MANSION P. 22
PHOTOGRAPH BY NANCY FORD CONES, “MAMA’S KODAK” (CIRCA 1912), COLLECTION OF W. ROGER AND PATRICIA K. FRY
The tumult of the past several years— racial reckoning after George Floyd’s murder, scary effects of climate change and mobilization to mitigate it, and the pandemic—has influenced many of the individual shows, says Kevin Moore, FotoFocus artistic director and curator. Indeed, this year’s theme, World Record, encourages work that addresses the need for climate justice.
F
HOW GERMAN IS CINCINNATI?
What brought you to Cincinnati? I really wanted to study in the U.S. to experience American college life, and my department offered two exchange programs; one was in the Electronic Media Division at UC. Since I’d participated in a high school exchange between the sister cities of Cincinnati and Munich in 10th grade, it felt like destiny.
Two of the curated exhibitions represent new locations for FotoFocus. Sun Dogs features the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra collaborating with Liquid Music, a Minnesota-based contemporary music ensemble, to bring together filmmakers and composers to make short films inspired by the natural world. The
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will host “Free As They Want to Be”: Artists Committed to Memory, which looks at how participating contemporary artists, many of them African American, approach the legacies of slavery. They often use older images as source material, including work by J.P. Ball, the 19th-century Cincinnati-based Black photographer.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY JONATHAN WILLIS DISPATCH
SCARY GOOD HORROR MOVIES
Other curated shows include These Things Are Connected at The Carnegie in Covington, assembled by that institution’s exhibitions director, Matt Distel; Natural World at Cincinnati Art Museum, curated by Nathaniel Stein, the museum’s photography curator; and Craft and Camera: The Art of Nancy Ford Cones at Taft Museum of Art, curated by Pepper Stetler, associate professor of art history at Miami University. Cones, who lived in Loveland, was a celebrated, innovative photographer in the early 20th century.
‘the hottest day on record,’ ‘most hurricanes in a season,’ ‘record extinctions,’ these kinds of things.”
Even as this sprawling biennial gets underway, FotoFocus is in the process of evolving into a year-round arts institution with its own brick-and-mortar home. The new FotoFocus Center is slated to open in two years at Liberty and Sycamore streets in Over-the-Rhine. “It seemed to add to and complement all the other great arts organizations we have,” says Mary Ellen Goeke, executive director of FotoFocus, on the decision to expand. “To find another nonprofit group dedicated solely to photography, fi lm, and video within the Midwest, you have to go to Chicago or Cleveland.”
can city. Of course, there are spots that have certain elements that remind me of home, such as the biergarten at Hofbräuhaus or the narrow streets in Clifton, but I wouldn’t say any of these places full-on feel like home.
16 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022 BYICON/COMPETITIONFRIGHTFILM(FILM)/GERMANYFROMFELI(SPEAKEASY)COURTESYIMAGES VILLAVICENCIOEMI
The annual Frightfilm Competition will screen entries October 30 at Price Hill’s Incline Theater, followed by the Skelly awards (left). Area filmmakers had two months to write, produce, and edit a horror film based on prompts like on-camera use of a teddy bear. frightfilmcompetition.com
FILM
—SARAH McCOSHAM
SPEAK EASY
Picture This FotoFocus is September 29–October 8. Find details at fotofocus.org.
Cincinnati is lauded as a German town. Are there any places here that remind you of home? To be completely honest, no! This is a question I get a lot because many people know about Cincinnati’s rich German heritage; but to me it feels like a typical mid-sized Ameri-
Cincinnati is known for, among other things, hosting the nation’s largest Oktoberfest celebration and showing our German roots all around town. But it wasn’t Zinzinnati’s German pride that attracted Felicia (Feli) Hofner to the Queen City; it was a UC master’s degree program. She’s now amassed more than 365,000 followers on her eponymous YouTube Channel, “Feli from Germany,” where she discusses differences between the U.S. and Germany.
So how does Cincinnati feel like home? How have you found your “tribe” here? I met some amazing people through the UC German Club who liked to go to the Cincideutsch Stammtisch at Mecklenburg Gardens, which is where I met one of my best friends to this day, Josh, with whom I host a podcast Understanding Train Station: Living Between Cultures
What are some things Americans, particularly Cincinnatians, do that you find strange? One of the biggest things I had to learn was probably American small talk, especially when UC students would say “Hi” and “How are you” but keep walking. And I know everyone in the city will hate me for saying this, but eating spaghetti with a weird Bolognese sauce and way too much orange cheese is just plain weird.
Twelve high-profile curated exhibitions will take place at nine locations, some of which feature special commissions by major artists. Moore is involved in the curation of four shows, including two featuring Australian photographer Ian Strange at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. He’s co-curating, with Harvard Art Museums’s photography curator Makeda Best, On the Line: Documents of Risk and Faith at the Contemporary Arts Center. And he’s co-curating a show at Michael Lowe Gallery downtown featuring artist and co-curator Tony Oursler, renowned for his surreal, sculptural video projections.
movies will screen at Music Hall while the symphony accompanies them. In Camp Washington, FotoFocus Director of Curatorial Strategy Carissa Barnard presents California-based artist Liz Roberts’s Post Blonde installations, which will symbolize moving forward—like a car in motion—while also appreciating the past.
READ A LONGER INTERVIEW WITH FELI AT NATIMAGAZINE.COMCINCIN
—JACLYN YOUHANA GARVER
OCCUPATION: Single barrel rack and sample specialist at New Riff Distilling
COUNSELSTYLE
vonOdettaKasek
What is it about ’90s fashion that you like so much? The early to mid ’90s [were] very much my formative years. I didn’t dress really goth in middle school or high school, [but] internally I always felt it. I was always into horror, even as a kid. My mom’s a huge Stephen King fan, so when the new Stephen King adaptation was coming out, I was watching that when I was probably way too young. Growing up with EmpireRecords,The Craft—I love the whole vibe, and now that I’m an adult and ’90s stuff is kind of coming back, I’ll wear all the things that I was either too young to wear or didn’t have the money to wear. Now I can look more on the outside like I have always felt on the inside. Tell me about that Ouija board tattooed across your chest. [It started one night] as a temporary tattoo, and all my people were like, Thatlooksso amazing.Youshouldgetthatforreal.By the end of the night, I’m thinking, Maybe Ishouldgetthisforreal?About a year and a half later, my tattoo artist—she had taken some time off—is like, Hey, I’m back. I’m looking to do some interesting stuff. And I’m like, Well, I have this idea… Your eye makeup is incredible. Are you self-taught? Or have you taken classes? During the pandemic, I started watching [professional makeup artist] Robert Welsh on YouTube and decided this is the perfect time. What’s your fashion philosophy? Fashion is for everyone. It doesn’t matter how old you are. It doesn’t matter what size you are. You’re never too old to wear the thing you want to wear. The only thing you should stop wearing when you turn 40 is the weight of other people’s opinions.
18 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022
STYLE: ’90s goth chick
PHOTOGRAPH BY JEREMY KRAMER
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You’ll certainly be tempted the moment you see the Covington’sshop,onlydesti-nationforbespokear-cana.There’splentytostopyourightinyourtracks.Itmightbethemassiveapothecary’scounter,orperhapsthelargeglasscasesfilledwithjarsfullofmysterioussubstances.Andyoucan’thelpbutnoticetheshopkeepers,wholookasifthey’djustbeenpluckedfromthepagesofasweepinggothicnovel.ThisishowCoilandAugur—theafore-mentionedshopkeep-ers—wouldlikeyoutofindthestore.(Yes,seriously,theypreferusingthesesinglenames.)Thisisaplacemadeforlingering,wherevisitorsarewelcometoleafthroughbooksandshuffletarotdecks,wavewands,andcuddleplushfamiliars.Hierophany&Hedgehasrejectedthemove-menttowardfastandimpersonalservice,insteadfocusingonconnectionaboveall.Takewandfitting,forexample.CoilandAugurdelightintak-ingdownany—andifneeded,every—wandintheirshop,settingitinsomeone’shands,andwatchingthesparkintheirfaceonamatch.“Peopleareusedtowandsthatareextrudedinplasticandmadeinafactorysomewhere,”Au-gursays.“Wherethese
20 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022
effort Augur notes was successful. “She seems to have found a winner,” he adds.Coiland Augur understand magic as throughthestillwithaorfindspect,theobject,individualit’srelationship—whetheratwopeople,anandanorhumanityanduniverse.Inthatre-evenifyouneveryourperfectwanddiscoveryouhavedeep,spiritualbondrosequartz,you’lldiscovermagicsecondyouwalkthedoor.
The question to ask yourself before visiting Hierophany & Hedge is not, Do I believe in magic? It’s, Would I like to?
THIS OTHERWORLDLY ARCANA SHOP LOOKS LIKE THE STUFF OF STORYBOOKS—BUT IT’S THE REAL DEAL.
MAGICPRACTICAL GOOD TO KNOW Need a bit of magical assistance? Hierophany & Hedge offers select consulting services and can provide referrals to local spirit guides and paranormal investigators for special cases. HIEROPHANY & HEDGE, 19 W. PIKE ST., COVINGTON, HIEROPHANYANDHEDGE.COM STOREFRONT PHOTOGRAPHS BY LANCE ADKINS
“So much of our customer base has started to feel like a community,” Augur says, noting that they tend to see people again and again. “One customer vets boyfriends by bringing them here,” Coil says—an
are made by a human; it has imperfections, some of that unique character. I think the feeling of the world being enchanted comes from that human touch.”Not interested in a wand? Hierophany & Hedge tries to have a little something for everyone, from talismans filled with a bespoke blend of herbs, stones, and other tiny, enchanted items; to patches decorated with the Loveland Frogman.
—MICHELLE SIKORSKI
That was 10 years ago. The home is now on the market. And we still don’t know who lives there. Public records are no help (the owner has the house in an attorney’s name). The agents remain tight-lipped. All we know is that in the listing, the home is described as “designed and built by one of the country’s foremost entrepreneurs for his own personal estate.” Narrows it down, doesn’t it?
The space is dramatic, but even the tiniest nooks are opulent with hand-painted frescos, intricate woodwork, and all the markings of an estate that took a village to complete. And as we noted in our 2015 Home magazine story, the house, for all its grandeur, is remarkably livable. The first-floor sitting room wouldn’t be out of place in a middle-class suburban home. The bedrooms are massive, but they’re not overly gaudy. Whoever the mystery owner is, they absolutely have a taste for the finer things in life, but they also have…well, taste
E ON MARKETTHE 22 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022 $8.995 MILLION 3313 TURKEYFOOT RD., EDGEWOOD LISTING ADDRESS:PRICE:
EVEN BEFORE CONSTRUCTION
WRAPPED ON 3313 TURKEYFOOT RD. nearly a decade ago, the rumors were flying.
It wasn’t so much about why the 15,000-square-foot mansion was there, but about who built the French chateau-inspired estate in Edgewood. Local media floated theories that it could be the residence of Joey Votto, a Bengals player, or even a Kentucky home that would put George Clooney closer to his parents (sadly, that one didn’t hit the mark).
Northern Kentucky landscape as the Florence water tower. It’s also the priciest house to hit the local market in years.
Builders brought in a cavalcade of international talent to create a home that features six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, a dramatic two-level library, a casino-style “gentleman’s lounge,” and an infinity pool that’s dwarfed by the sprawling pond.
. HOFFMANMARILYNCOURTESYPHOTOGRAPHS
THE EDGEWOOD HOME THAT CAPTIVATED IMAGINATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION IS ON THE MARKET. WE STILL DON’T KNOW WHO OWNS IT. —LAUREN FISHER
Today, the home is as much a part of the
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your short answer is: Yes, Cincinnati once had a 10th Street and an 11th Street. Your long answer is: Don’t ask precisely where they were or when they weren’t. Heads will explode.
DEAR DIRECTIONS:
Your hunch would seem easy to confirm, at first. Pity the Doctor’s eternal burden of being a dogged researcher who must stick to the evidence. To wit: During the early years of our canal, Cincinnati maps showed a street below 12th Street called “11th, or Canal.” Case closed, right? But then (surprise) we find legal property descriptions that say “12th Street, formerly called 11th Street.” What? What does one do with that?
Dr. Know is Jay Gilbert, radio personality and advertising prankster. Submit your questions about the city’s peculiarities at magazine.comdrknow@cincinnati
One pivots to researching 10th Street instead, that’s what. To wit: Cincinnati built an early courthouse at 10th and Main in 1819, and that is when the street was renamed Court Street. Maps from sub sequent years show the street as “10th, or Court.” Case closed, right? But then (surprise) we open a City Street Guide from 1836 and find this: “Court Street, see Ninth.”
My great-grandfather Jeremiah Sweeney was a Cincinnati City Councilman in the late 1800s. I think there used to be a short street named for him in the Queensgate area, but it was wiped out by the ramps near the Brent Spence Bridge. Can you confirm? If true, tell me exactly where it was. —ASKING DIRECTIONS
Meanwhile, various police officers named Sweeney (go ahead, roll your eyes at the Irish stereotype) performed famous heroics during this era. Therefore, when Avery Street was renamed Sweeney Street in 1908—it’s now buried under the
A Q + ILLUSTRATIONS BY LARS LEETARU
KNOWDR.
DEAR FREEZEOUT :
24 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022
—TENTH STREET FREEZEOUT
Your heart will be warmed by our confirmation that a Sweeney Street did, in fact, exist. Your heart may freeze, however, because we found no proof that the street was named for your great-grandfather. Pity the Doctor’s eternal burden of being a dogged researcher who must stick to the evidence.Towit: The name “Sweeney” is as common in Cincinnati as the name “Threeway.” When your ancestor Jeremiah was on Council in 1896, the city directory listed 103 Sweeneys. He certainly enjoyed some prominence, but he was also tarred by scandal: pretending to reside in the 19th Ward (as required) while secretly living in (oh, the horror!) Price Hill.
Therefore,What?
I’ve always assumed that Court Street downtown used to be 10th Street and that today’s Central Parkway was 11th Street before the canal was built. That’s why those streets don’t exist now. Your column, though, has shown me that things are rarely that simple. Am I right?
Photo: Pari Dukovic THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL THE DAILY BEAST OCT 25NOV 6, 2022 AronoffCincinnatiArts.orgCenter OCTOBER 2022 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM 25
DEAR MOVIN ’:
Welcome to the Doctor’s fi rst allstreet-history column. Let the dogged research and strict evidence continue! Cincinnati real estate agents often advertise a home as if some pixie dust from a nearby upscale neighborhood had sprinkled down upon it. We aren’t suggesting that your street is among those pretenders, because it most defi nitely and comfortably sits within the 45208 ZIP code. Enjoy that property tax.However, when the village of Hyde Park was annexed by Cincinnati in 1903, its border was at Observatory Avenue, several blocks away from your street. East Hill Avenue, developed around 1910, shows real estate ads proudly boasting of its location in East Walnut Hills. So why the change, and when? All we can say for sure is that by 1943 when the Post Offi ce established the Postal Zone Delivery System, Hyde Park had stretched out to the O’Bryonville business district, swallowing up yourBystreet.theway, East Hill Avenue is spelled Easthill on your street sign but East Hill at the Hamilton County Auditor website. Maybe that property tax is actually double-billed. Enjoy!
Duke Energy Building, between West Fourth and Fifth Streets—it could have been to honor one of those men in blue. Hmm, the valiant policemen or the tarnished politician? What are the chances of a future Sittenfeld Street?
I live on East Hill Avenue in Hyde Park, but I think this street was originally considered part of East Walnut Hills. Why else would the street have that name? My ZIP code and my appraisal documents say Hyde Park, but was this always so? When did my street move?
—MOVIN’ ON OVER
EIGHTH-GRADE
Maybe you’ve never heard of this once-notorious show. Oh! Calcutta! was last seen in Cincinnati in 1992, and by then it was a mildewed curiosity from the 1970s—an artifact
LIST OF EVERY dirty joke they know and then delete all but the lame jokes at the bottom, you’ve created something close to the script for Oh! Calcutta! The show’s international fame rests on its adult sketches and nude cast, but only rarely does anyone admit that this thing is not remotely “adult.” It’s just a mashup of childish sketches for middle-school locker rooms. The only good joke is this: All that onstage nudity and humor are perfect for eighth-grade boys, but eighth-grade boys aren’t allowed to see it.
Take the year 1970, for instance. That was the first time Oh! Calcutta! dared show its face (among other things) in Cincinnati.
No, Calcutta!
THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT BROADWAY’S FULL-FRONTAL ASSAULTS ON CINCINNATI.
IF YOU ASK A BUNCH OF BOYS TO MAKE A BEST-TO-WORST
recalling the wilderness years of Broadway, the troubled period just before Andrew Lloyd Webber swooped in and made things worse revived the form. Nude performers on a Cincinnati stage? In 1992 it barely raised an eyebrow. Time was, raising anything more than an eyebrow in this town could send you to jail.
26 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022 PHOTOGRAPHS BY STOCK.ADOBE.COM / JEREMY KRAMER LIVING IN CIN BY JAY GILBERT
On the night of September 28, a live Broadway performance was transmitted nationwide to theaters; the closed-circuit broadcast was booked in more than 250 cities, but local prosecutors rattled their handcuffs and many venues chickened out. Surprisingly, Cincinnati wasn’t among them. The Shubert Theater downtown went ahead with the show despite decency groups fil-
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WELCOME NOW TO 1977. YOU’D THINK that after seven years an Oh! Calcutta! rerun in Cincinnati would cause less turmoil, but no—what happened was, in contrast, volcanic. Why? To explain, I must walk you through the many months leading up to the show’s arrival.
LIVING IN CIN SOAKLET’SITALLIN.
No casualties were reported. A time bomb, however, had been quietly planted that night. Stand by for the explosion.
The article, titled “War: The Real Obscenity,” showed appallingly graphic bloody photos of mangled corpses from the Vietnam War—page after page of stomachchurning images. If Flynt thought his stunt
Producers of the 1977 tour knew about the time bomb and set out to defuse it.
would attract more supporters than it would repel, he miscalculated. The mass mailing outraged everyone, even his own lawyers. On February 8, Flynt was pronounced guilty and sentenced up to 25 years.
Plus, there was the ticking time bomb: After the Shubert Theater telecast in 1970, a local judge had been given a videotape from that night. He decided it was “pure obscenity” and issued a permanent injunction, banning the show from being seen in Cincinnati ever again. Oh! Calcutta! was now officially a crime.
January began with the city’s OEOS (Obscenity Emergency Overreaction System) already set to Bright Red. A pair of high-profile controversies were underway, both involving Larry Flynt, indecency’s favorite bad boy. He was being prosecuted for pandering obscenity with his magazine, Hustler. Free speech supporters spouted the usual stuff: Yes, the magazine was disgusting, but nobody was being forced to pick it up and look at it. Then, just as his trial began, Flynt inexplicably screwed those supporters. He chose a really disgusting Hustler article and mailed a reprint of it to 400,000 homes all over Hamilton County. In other words, he forced everyone to pick up his magazine and look at it.
pulsating, hardened, and conjoined (perhaps also entrench), but 1977 had them all.
A lot of crap had piled up during 1977. The year saw several conjoined incidents that only helped to further entrench Cincinnati’s already-hardened reputation as America’s capital of pulsating puritanism. I apologize for using salacious words like
ing lawsuits and city officials threatening arrests. Depending on which newspaper you picked up the next day, either 1,200 or 2,000 Cincinnatians witnessed his tory, paying inflated ticket prices to see a low-def analog TV image of a not very good show beamed onto a movie screen.
The Flynt Follies made Cincinnati queasy about the Oh! Calcutta! revival tour, set for April. Both Music Hall and the Taft Theater rejected bookings. Blurry naked people on a screen the first time around had been controversial enough, but now the performers were going to be live, doffing their digs and doing their deeds right there on the stage!
THE ENTIRE HOT MESS DESCRIBED above was all crammed into 1977. What a stark contrast to 1992, when Oh! Calcutta! came to Cincinnati for the last time. Our world and our town were now very different; no injunctions were declared, nobody sued, nothing was stopped.
Describing the moment as “nothing big” is perhaps unkind to Bob, but come on… that type of humor will be around as long as there is an eighth grade.
Lawyers raced to a federal judge the
I lied, however, about no raised eyebrows. Thanks to the Robert Mapplethorpe hysteria from 1990 (look it up, kids), the city’s Obscenity Emergency Overreaction System had lowered only to Yellow. Some local decency groups grumbled, but times had clearly changed. Nothing happened at the 1992 show.
Just before the curtain rose, the crowd heard this: “If there is anyone in the audience who feels tonight’s production should not go on, speak now or forever hold your peace. But don’t hold it too tightly; you will be arrested.” Applause, applause.
OCTOBER 2022 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM 29JONATHAN WILLIS
I was there. I can confirm that the most offensive thing about Oh! Calcutta! is how disappointing it is for anyone expecting good eroticism or good writing. And I confess another lie—something did happen that night. It was nothing big, just a guy from the morning show at my then-employer, WEBN radio, agreeing to join the cast on stage for their final group nude scene. Everyone wondered if he would go through with it. The scene came, and out he walked. Here’s looking at you, Bob the Producer!
The lawsuit failed. Afterward, though, Leis seemed to imply that, hey, he was a reasonable guy. In late September he went to see a New Jersey performance of the revised show and, upon returning, expressed no intention to shut it down when it came here. Music Hall committed to hosting Oh! Calcutta! for two nights, starting October 12.
next morning. Instead of arguing about the show’s content, they went after Leis. He’d waited two weeks after seeing the New Jersey performance, they said, and by pouncing at the last minute had given them no time to defend themselves. That’s called prior restraint, and it’s illegal. The federal judge agreed, kicking Leis to the curb and allowing the second night of Oh! Calcutta! to go on as scheduled, skin and everything.
They filed suit, claiming that because their sketches had recently been revised, the injunction was outdated and void. They also accused Hamilton County Prosecutor Simon Leis Jr.—bet you were wondering when I was going bring him up—of using his famed anti-smut reputation to bully and threaten a perfectly legal activity. The producers demanded that Leis take no action against a rescheduled Oh! Calcutta! booked for October.
At noon on October 12, Leis shut down the show. He’d exploded the bomb, getting the injunction upheld and canceling opening night hours before showtime.
CINCINNATI FIRE CHIEF MICHAEL WASHINGTON HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FIREFIGHTER. Man
As a kid, he hung around the fire station near his grandma’s house every chance he got. “These guys were there night or day,” he recalls of the firefighters who worked at “The Fives” (firefighter lingo for the Cincinnati Fire Department’s Engine 5 station at Overthe-Rhine’s McMicken and Vine). “Didn’t matter what time.”
Washington still remembers the fire truck roaring down the street and slamming to a halt in front of him. The eyes of every neighbor in the area, peering out from behind curtains. One of the firefighters on the truck smoking a “big stogie.”
MICHAEL A. WASHINGTON SR. KNEW EARLY ON WHAT HE WANTED TO BE WHEN HE GREW UP.
An ecstatic Washington practically watched the clock for 36 hours straight. “I remember the smell of chili,” he says of that magical first time inside the firehouse. Then, he recalls, “they said, ‘Kid—you gonna eat with us?’ ”
kid’s OK,” Washington recalls him saying. Before they left, Lilly said, “Come visit us again in three days.”
From that moment on, when he wasn’t in school, Washington was at the firehouse. First, he swept floors and peeled potatoes for dinner. By age 8, he had his first fire house key. By age 12, he was riding on the “apparatus” (fire truck), and by age 15 he was sleeping at the firehouse after work.
But Washington’s real date with destiny came circa age 7, when he found himself standing on the sidewalk in front of a public box alarm (a hand-crank fire alarm that directly alerted the firehouse) after someone else had triggered it—a false alarm.
PHOTOGRAPH BY JEREMY KRAMER
The men of Engine Five assumed he’d pulled the trigger until they realized Washington wasn’t even tall enough to reach it. That’s when one of the firefighters—Gene Lilly, who “looked [more] like a mobster,” says Washington—recognized him. “This
Fast forward nearly four decades and Washington has held “every rank and position as a Cincinnati Fire Fighter,” says his official bio, including “fire apparatus opon Fire LISA MURTHA
30 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022 PERSON OF INTEREST BY
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His feelings about the job are best captured, he adds, by a Bruce Hornsby song from the movie Backdraft, called “The Show Goes On.” He cues it up on YouTube. Scenes from the film show firefighters enduring grueling training, battling ferocious blazes, and risking their own lives to save others. Washington watches, too, and says the song’s lyrics as Hornsby sings them. “People watching as the curtain falls down.… Everyone watching all along.... Some rush into things, some stand and wait their turn.… Still without you, the show goes Sometimeson.” it’s harder than others to keep on keeping on. The toughest part of the job, he notes, is the fear of losing any of his people, especially the 193 firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics actively working throughout the city. “My job as fire chief is to make sure you go home tomorrow.”
Still, though the CFD has technically been integrated since Herbie Baines was appointed in 1955, Washington says he had never seen a Black firefighter until he saw Teddy Ray Smith, one of his dad’s Taft High School classmates, driving “a big red deuce and a quarter” down a city street in 1975. In 1981, he met the city’s first African American fire lieutenant, Robert Wright, who went on to become fire chief, at “The Nines” (Engine Company 9). Both men were big inspirations.
erator, fire lieutenant, fire captain, district fire chief,” and assistant fire chief. In May 2021, he earned the top job and was appointed the Cincinnati Fire Department’s 18th fire Workingchief.as
a firefighter is not unlike riding a roller coaster at Kings Island, 51-year-old Washington muses from his Central Parkway office today. “You get in the seat, put the seatbelt on and you think, Is this a good idea? But it’s too late. Now you hear click, click, click, and you are cresting the hill. You feel that rush of adrenaline. That is this job every day.”
In 1993, at age 22—after graduating from Hughes High School and working part-time firefighter/EMT gigs at Coler ain and Green Townships—Washington was officially appointed to the Cincinnati Fire Department by then-Chief Thomas Steidel. Washington went on to work at multiple districts across the city as his life unfolded (he became the proud father of three now-adult children). He says he would have been content to stay working in the field, but he was asked to begin taking administrative roles instead. In 2002, he began studying for his bachelor’s degree at the University of Cincinnati.
Even though he’s been an administrator for years, “I still got the bird dog in me,” he says. In 2018, he suited up to help fight the Coffee Exchange/Molly Malone’s fire in Pleasant Ridge. This spring, he made his way back to The Fives and made a few runs on their trucks, too.
He also worked as a district chief for eight years before being promoted to as sistant fire chief in January 2020. Not long after, then-Chief Roy Winston called him into his office and asked, “What’s your next
HEADING UP THE CINCINNATI FIRE DEpartment (CFD) carries with it a certain amount of prestige. That’s because, in 1853, Cincinnati was the first city in the nation to have a paid, professional fire department. Today, it’s a 905-person, $145.5 million operation, says Washington. “We pride ourselves on being the oldest and best.”
We rush out the door and down the stairs into the garage, where the fire chief’s car waits, unlocked, in front of an open bay door. When he realizes he’s forgotten the keys, he runs out to the sidewalk and yells up to his assistant to throw them out the window. By the time he makes it into the car again, a special operations heavy rescue truck is making its way back toward downtown. False alarm.
On the way back upstairs, we pass a corkboard dotted with children’s crayon thank-yous and drawings of fire trucks. Inside Washington’s office, degrees, honors, and photos decorate the walls, including one of that original group of firefighters at The Fives who invited him back to the firehouse after thinking he pulled the alarm. Behind his desk, six of his old fire helmets hang, in varied shades of char.
32 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022
WASHINGTON SAYS HIS FAVORITE PART about being a firefighter is that “it’s one of the few jobs where you get to go down the street, make noise, and flash your lights. Every camera is on you.”
The adrenaline rush firefighters get from going out on a call and not knowing what lies ahead is definitely part of the appeal, says Washington. “I like to be where the action’s at, in the thick of things.” But there’s also something more, he adds. “I’m old school. You don’t forget where you came from.”
He knows by heart the details of the day—March 26, 2015—veteran firefighter Daryl Gordon did not go home. Gordon died trying to rescue someone from the fifth floor of a burning apartment building in Madisonville. “It’s a rarity, but it does happen,” says a somber Washington. And when it does, “this follows you the rest of your life. It’s always a calculation in your equation.”Moments
Someone once called Washington a true firefighter’s firefighter, he tells me—the kind of guy who’d rather be in the trenches working alongside everyone else. But really, it’s simpler than that. At the end of the day, says Washington, “I’m just that kid, still chasing fire trucks.”
PERSON OF INTEREST
later, he’s pulled from his thoughts by a call on his two-way radio. A car’s just flipped west of I-75 and someone’s trapped inside. He springs into action, and asks if I want to ride along.
Washington is proud of the work he’s accomplished during 28 years with the CFD—developing a strong reciprocal re lationship with the Covington fire department, teaching at both UC and Cincinnati State, serving as a consultant to NASA, and—this past summer—being selected to join the United States Fire Administration’s instructors. Still, he’s already set to retire in 2027 (or sooner, he says) to make way for the next chief in line. Maybe someday that will be his son, who was appointed to the Cincinnati Fire Department in 2015.
move?” Washington recalls saying, “This is my next move. I’d like to be No. 2.” Winston had other Washingtonplans. had already attended the Los Angeles City Fire Department’s Leadership Academy in 2015; in 2021 he earned a master’s degree in public administration from Anna Maria College (the latter at Winston’s urging). But when Winston announced his retirement, Washington said he didn’t feel ready to take charge. “You’re ready,” Washington remembers Winston saying. “I’ve been watching you.”
Stand Up for Yourself N o m o r e wa i t i n g, n o m o r e p u t t i n g u p w i t h p a i n . S t a r t i n g t o d ay, we s o l v e i t .No more waiting, no more putting up with pain. Starting today, we solve it. V i s i Visitt m e r c y. co m / o r t h o o r c a l l 5 1 3 3 4 7 9 9 9 9mercy.com/ortho or call 513-347-9999 t o u n l o c k t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f j o i n tto unlock the possibilities of joint r e p l a c e m e n t w i t h M e r c y H e a l t h t o d ay.replacement with Mercy Health today. J O I N T C A R E F OJOINT CARE FO R T H E U N I V E R S E O F YO UTHE UNIVERSE OF YOU
LIVINGDOWNTOWNTOUR2022 Kroger,EateryREGISTRATION:OnTheRhinelocatedabove100E.CourtSt. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 11 AM-4 PM For more information and tickets: www.cincinnatimagazine.com/downtownliving
Enjoy a day of curated experiences featuring the extraordinary arts, restaurants, museums, and hidden gems that are unique to the Queen City. In addition tour amazing apartments, condos, and homes located in the heart of downtown.
Page36
Lawler,AieshaD.Little,KaneMitten,SamRosenstiel,MorganSchneider,andRodneyWilsonPHOTOGRAPHBYJeremyKramer ICON BY STOCK.ADOBE.COM
For a significant number of people, Halloween is the only holiday that sparks uncontrollable glee. We’re celebrating the costumes, characters, events, and stories of things that go bump in the night for the supernatural lover in you.
BY Lauren Fisher, Nathan Granger, M. Leigh Hood, Allison Kiehl, Lucy
No. 1
CandyHalloweenScaryBooks
For trick or treating in the Queen City, only chocolate will suffice.
—AIESHAD.LITTLE
AHauntedHistoryofInvisibleWomen
(Kensington Publishing Corp.)
CincinnatiMurder&Mayhem (The History Press)
Within the pages of this book, author Roy Heizer thoroughly examines the Queen City’s slimy underbelly. From true crime to contagions, no stone is left unturned. PATIÑO
Let’s face facts: No matter how old you are, Halloween isn’t Halloween without candy. Over the years, the childhood joy of going trick or treating gives way to the grown-up satisfaction of offering the best confectionary options to hungry little ghosts and ghouls (or consuming as many treats as you want, if you don’t like to share). According to The Kroger Co., the best chocolate-y option by sales volume during the month of October in the Greater Cincinnati market is snack- sized Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. It makes sense, right? The tradition of trick or treating began in the 1930s and the nation’s most well-known candy manufacturers—Hershey, Reese, Brach—were already household names when they started marketing their products specifically for Halloween in ’50s. Nearly 70 years later, a classic is still a classic. No need to mess with a good thing.
/ (CAT) JESSICA DUNHAM
Leanna Renee Hieber and Andrea Janes’s book on true ghost stories, which includes several Cincinnati women, is equal parts melancholic and mesmerizing.
PUB-KENSINGTONCOURTESYCOVERS)(BOOKPHOTOGRAPHS PRESSDELACORTEPRESS,HISTORYTHECORP.,LISHING ILLUSTRATIONS BY (CANDY) EMI VILLAVICENCIO / (HAUNT ACTORS) DIEGO
38
Pick up a spine-chilling tome to satisfy your morbid curiosity. —LUCYLAWLER
Choosetherightcanvas: Make sure to choose a pumpkin that best fits your design vision. “Not everything you’re going to want to do on a pumpkin is going to fit, especially if you’re writing something out,” Wilson says. “Go to the pumpkin patch with an idea.”
Teen Haunt Actors
Evan Schnebelt agrees. The 15-year-old is in his sixth year at West Harrison’s Horror Hike, where he plays an ’80s sleepaway camper luring people into the woods. He loves working outside, watching people have fun in something he built with other haunt actors, and going to haunted houses whenever he can. Schnebelt hopes to act in a movie set in a haunted house one day. “I’ll probably never stop haunt acting,” he says.
It’sOKtousesuperglue: Mistakes happen, and super glue is the preferred way to mend carving errors or add additional sculpted features. “Super glue is one of the best things that I’ve ever come across in the pumpkin carving world.”
Findagoodplacetocarve: As with all things, location is key. Pumpkin carving is messy business, so find a space to let your creativity go wild. “Get yourself a nice table, get outside, and then get into it.”
William E. Wilson, owner of Wicked Designz Carving in Fairfield, shares his top tips for your jack-o’lanterns this Halloween.
Life mingles with death in this young adult novel, the fourth for local author Sara Bennett Wealer. Protagonist Elaine must find herself amid paranormal adventures, affairs of the heart, and persistent anxiety.
39
/WILSONSUSANBYCARVER)(PUMPKINPHOTOGRAPHS STOCK.ADOBE.COMBYILLUSTRATIONS&PHOTOGRAPHS PHOTOGRAPHS BY (PUMPKIN TEXTURE & SEEDS) JEREMY KRAMER
These tri-state kids love their gigs on the local haunted house scene.
—MORGANSCHNEIDER
Choosetherighttools: While many people, including Wilson, grew up carving their pumpkins with kitchen knives, they won’t produce professional results. He recommends clay tools to carve, specifically the clay ribbon tools, which are available at most craft stores.
Tips from a Master Pumpkin Carver
GraveThingsLikeLove (Delacorte Press)
HAUNT ACTORS BRING SCARY SCENES AND creatures to life, creating terrifying experiences for the average haunted house visitor. Sometimes, the surprise is spookier when the zombie or vampire in front of you turns out to be a Lizziechild.Schreibeis, 15, has haunted show business in her blood. Her dad is involved in set design and acting on the USS Nightmare in Newport, and she’s been in the show since she was 4 years old. She’s played an insane asylum patient, a killer clown, and the doll of Anna, the young daughter of William S. Mitchell, captain of the Nightmare. Schreibeis says she loves the creative freedom that comes with the show. “You’re able to bring your character to life in your own way,” she adds.
—ALLISONKIEHL
Ghost Tours From slightly spooky to totally terrifying, these tours will scare up a good time. —SAMROSENSTIEL American Legacy Tours: Ultimate Queen City Is CincinnatiHaunted Ghosts Flying Pig Ghost Tours: Buried Secrets Bobby ParanormalMackey’sToursNightlySpiritsTourandPubCrawl Location/Start DurationFear FactorPrice & Website Family-Friendly21+ $39 per groupsamericanlegacytours.personcom/ultimate-queen-city-is-haunted$25adults,$18children6andup,$13childrenunder6cincinnatighosts.com$29perpersonflyingpigtours.com/ghost-tour$35perperson($25perpersonforoffourormore)gatekeeperparanormal.com/book-a-tour$25perperson(beveragesnotincluded)nightlyspirits.com/cincinnati/cincinnati-ghost-tour On this tour of historic OTR, you’ll hear spooky stories surrounding Music Hall, Washington Park, the Emery Theater, and otherThislandmarks.nighttime tour uncovers supernatural phenomena at bars and theaters, murder in old OTR, spirits in orphanages, and otherExpecthauntings.gruesome tales of body snatching for medical dissection as well as recent activity from spirits that won’t rest in their ashonky-tonk—billedToursgraves.ofthisthe“MostHauntedNightclubinAmer-ica”—includebriefstopsforparanormalinvestigation.Onthispubcrawl,you’llhearscarystoriesandaccountsofghostsightingsaroundOTR.Fraidy-catsshouldbefinewithalittleliquidcourage. TwoOnehourshour (an extended 90minute tour is Twoavailable)alsohours The standard is two hours but five-hour stays are available for extremehunters.ghost Two and a half hours 1332 Vine 44StepsOver-the-RhineSt.,ofMemorialHall,1225ElmSt.,Over-the-Rhine1230ElmSt.,Over-the-RhineLickingPike,WilderArnold’s,210E.EighthSt.,downtown Fear Factor Levels: - Low, - Medium, - High GHOSTUS&GHOSTSCINCINNATISPANGLER,ADAMTOURS)LEGACY(AMERICANCOURTESYPHOTOGRAPHSTOUR HAUNTEDSPIRITSNIGHTLYPARANORMAL,GATEKEEPERMACKEY)(BOBBYTOURS,PIGFLYINGADVENTURES, (STOCK.ADOBE.COMBYILLUSTRATIONS&PHOTOGRAPHS/TOURSPUB 40
in its repertoire, Costume Castle is the tri-state’s purveyor of Easter Bunnies, Santa Clauses, and Halloween one-shots alike. But this lesser-known Loveland Castle isn’t just about the rentals. The store also has a floor-to-ceiling collection of masks, wigs, makeup, and everything else you could possibly need to pull off the perfect look.
You won’t find superhero costumes in plastic bags or cardboard pirate hats at this Northside favorite. Casablanca Vintage has a near-cult following among Cincinnati’s thrifting community—Bruno Mars even stopped in during a local trip—for good reason. The store’s pieces range from Victorian Era to Y2K, with so many racks of shoes,
PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS PASION STOCK.ADOBE.COMBYILLUSTRATIONS&PHOTOGRAPHS 41
With four locations scattered throughout Greater Cincinnati, Cappel’s has become something of a local Halloween tradition since it began selling costumes in the early ’80s. The family-owned store’s stock caters to all the classics— think witches, vampires, flappers, and greasers—but the sheer size of its inventory makes it a year-round go-to for costumes, accessories, and party supplies. Multiple locations, cappelsinc.com
3944 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, (513) 541-6999, casablanca vintage.com
In need of a pair of vampire teeth?
This sprawling vintage clothing and costume shop occupies two floors of a Reading storefront—and it takes Halloween seriously. Inside, you’ll find hats, shoes, and costumes galore, plus attentive staff members who will help you put together the perfect head-to-toe vintage outfit using both authentic and reproduced pieces. 9111 Reading Rd., Reading, (513) 563-8844
Costume Castle
Costume Shops
Talk of the Town
Spock ears? Body paint? A swashbuckling sword to take to your next pirate-themed gathering? You’ll find all of that and more at Costume Gallery, but the real draw of this Newport emporium is the opportunity for customization. Owner Joy Galbraith and company will work with you to make your Halloween
Cappel’s
(or theatrical) dreams a reality. 638 Monmouth St., Newport, (859) 655-9419, costumegallery-new port.com
Costume Gallery
Theatre House
467 Wards Corner Rd., Loveland, (513) 831-8121
If you’re a hardcore Halloween participant, this one’s for you.
Casablanca Vintage
purses, dresses, and accessories, you may need to set aside an entire day for your shopping excursion.
With more than 100,000 costumes
Whether you’re looking for a last-minute Halloween mask or planning an epic cosplay, these suppliers have everything you need to dress to impress.
Covington’s Theatre House is a hotbed for local theater-lovers and cosplay fiends alike with its wall of wigs, massive selection of fabrics, and smorgasbord of professionalgrade Ben Nye makeup. The shop is the go-to place for spooky season, but make sure to check out the off-season deals to stock up for next year. And the next year. And maybe the year after that. 400 W. Third St., Covington, (859) 431-2414, theatrehouse.com
—LAURENFISHER
PRIVET MANOR PRIVET MANOR THE METZNER MANOR HAIGHT STREET HAUNT THE HAUNTING ON PINEBLUFF LANE THE HAUNTING ON PINEBLUFF LANE SANDRIC CEMETERY
Come for the trick, stay for the treat. Metzner’s family-friendly haunt is a 26-year family tradition that features a mausoleum, a giant witch’s house, life-size werewolves, a 10-foot-tall moving pumpkin, and many more professional grade animatronics and pneumatic creatures, with boxes of candy and full-size kettle corn bags awaiting guests. facebook.com/themetznermanor
Dave Rapien’s Sandric Cemetery (Liberty Township)
René Micheo’s Haight Street Haunt (Northside)
You know the co-owner of The Dent Schoolhouse would have something wholly unique up his sleeve. Hundreds of lights adorn Stross’s house from top to bottom—there are even LEDs installed in the soffits!—accompanied by giant speakers and mannequins of famous horror characters to create a Halloween jam session with all your favorite hits.
Joanna Rose & Eric James Danowski’s The Haunting on Pinebluff Lane (Anderson Township)
Some of our neighbors are really into Halloween. If you’re lucky, they’ll let you join in on the fun. —KANEMITTEN
A yard haunt so big it has its own merch, this love letter to horror starts gradually setting up on September 1 before finishing on Halloween with live actors. Hundreds of props, animatronics, and lights make this one a chilling haunt you can geek out on for the entire season.
If you’re in Northside on Halloween, Haight Street is the place to be. Rain or shine, you’ll find live dance shows, singing pumpkins and giant dragons at Micheo’s, and plenty of candy all the way up and down the street at this yearly neighborhood celebration of all things spooky.
pineblufflanefacebook.com/thehauntingon
climbing up the sides of the house. facebook.com/privetmanor
Greg Thorpe’s Privet Manor (Fairfield Township)
Walking through this graveyardthemed yard haunt might have you humming some classic horror scores as replica figures of seasonal icons like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees are surrounded by oddities like a life-size skeleton horse and an array of spooky creatures
Halloween DecoratorsHome
SANDRIC CEMETERY THE METZNER MANOR THE NIGHTMARE ON NEWPORT ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY RESPECTIVE HOUSE DECORATORS / PHOTOGRAPH & ILLUSTRATIONS BY STOCK.ADOBE.COM 43
Gabby Leithsceal (Loveland)
Bobby Metzner’s The Metzner Manor (Green Township)
This yard haunt is a handmade labor of love with some moderate internet fame, due to nearly every element being crafted from scratch by Rapien himself. Look out for the 7-foot-tall zombie programmed to sway toward you—lovingly named “Sway-Z” after the Brooklyn rapper. sandcem.com
What started off as an expression of creative freedom from the prop fabricator and assistant prop master (respectively) of horror hits like Wrong Turn and The Strangers: Prey at Night became a yearly holiday tradition for this former contestant on SyFy’s Face Off. Hollywood-quality lighting and fog alongside dozens of creatures make Leithsceal’s yard fright a scary delight.
Bud Stross’s The Nightmare on Newport Island (Newport)
in black.Meanwhile, an unsolved murder from the 1800s haunts the Ohio River. On a warm August night in 1890, Billy Fee went fishing with his newlywed friends and a fourth companion near Lawrenceburg, Indiana. When a farmer later pulled Billy Fee’s naked body from the water, a whodunit murder mystery began. He’d suffered gunshot wounds to the head and chest, and someone slit his throat. Police never named any suspects, and no one faced justice, though a ghostly copy of Billy’s face appeared on a rock, and passersby claimed to see ghoulish reenactments of the fateful fishing trip in the fog.
as a train station took a backseat to its museums, was welcoming home soldiers during WWII. Witnesses share stories of hearing families and crowds cheering to loved ones around the platforms, but not all the weary soldiers seem to have found their way out. It’s said that a lonely ghost in a WWII uniform wanders Union Terminal, forever
trapped on the last leg of his journey home. And there are many other ghosts who are also stuck at the location they were last Imogeneseen.Remus fell in love with a former prohibition agent while her husband, a notorious bootlegger, served time in prison. Her husband,
her and she never reached her man. Now she runs between the creek and the cemetery in the white dress she’ll never wear to her Roadwayswedding.aren’t the only modes of transportation haunted by ghosts. One of Union Terminal’s first great triumphs, long before its role
The ghost who haunts the dead end of Lick Road in Colerain Township goes by the name Amy. Local legend says her boyfriend or stepfather murdered her in the woods, and she’s still trying to find help. She may reach out to you. Rumor says you can summon her by parking your car, flashing the lights, and honking into the woods that swallow the road. The woman in white may appear, making strange noises on the nearby bridge or writing help me on a foggy window. Another road in Batavia Township, Clermont County, tells a ghost story in its name. The road, Lucy Run, shares its name with a creek and cemetery, both of which play critical roles in the legend. When Lucy’s fiancé came to her family’s house to break off their engagement, she leapt on a horse to get him back. Caught in a flash flood, the horse threw
CINCINNATI’S ghost stories could (and have) filled many books. Friendly faces, angry murder victims, and small children up to no good fill the region’s dark corners and historic spaces.
George Remus, returned in 1927 to fi nd his assets liquidated, his distillery sold, and his wife fighting to file for divorce. He had her driver run her off the road near the Spring House Gazebo by Mirror Lake in Eden Park and shot her dead. He was declared innocent by reason of insane jealousy. It is believed that Imogene haunts the site of her murder, dressed
Ghost Stories
FRIENDLY FACES, ANGRY MURDER VICTIMS, AND SMALL CHILDREN UP TO NO GOOD FILL THE REGION’S DARK CORNERS AND HISTORIC SPACES.
If you’re into ghostly lodging encounters, The Golden Lamb Inn has a fine collection of spirits. Located in Lebanon, it’s Ohio’s oldest hotel, having hosted the likes of Charles Dickens and Annie Oakley as well as 12 presidents. Some of its guests are more famous now than they were in life, like little Sarah Stubbs , who— depending on who you ask— might actually be Eliza Clay. The ghostly girl giggles be-
The tri-state has more specters than you can shake an EMF meter at. —M.LEIGHHOOD
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construction. She will only go home when he does.
Harry Delos Andrews loved few things as much as the castle he built on the shore of the Little Miami. The WWI veteran spent 50 years work ing on and living in his dream. He suffered severe burns from a trash fire on the roof that ended his life at 91, but even
ILLUSTRATION BY JASON SNELL
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hind staff and coaxes visiting children to play. And there’s Clement Vallandingham, who died in a guest room in 1871, who likes to smoke and peo ple-watch from his window. For a ghastly downtown hotel experience, even the ghosts are well dressed at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. The Lady in Green is the most
that couldn’t keep him away. Volunteers report encountering his ghost, which points out things in need of maintenance. He still sleeps in his old room, too.There’s always another scary story in Cincinnati. The ghosts here aren’t shy, and you don’t have to go far to find the next cold spot.
well-known and often spotted. Wandering the mezzanine, Hall of Mirrors, and even catching a lift in the elevators from time to time, she keeps on the move because she’s looking for something—the man she loved. According to legend, her husband helped build the hotel, suffered an accident, and disappeared in the
Killer Costumes For some people, the magic of Halloween is in the costume. —AIESHAD.LITTLE Readmagazine.comcostumerswithinterviewstheseatcincinnati Name: Robert Dorsey Costume: Pirate Name: Dorasae Rosario Costume: Brightwing (World of Warcraft) Name: Kat Starrett Costume: Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland) Name: Mike Rochester Costume: Undertaker Name: Stixen Stones Costume: Pennywise (IT) Name: Amaji Finnell Costume: Jessica Rabbit (Who Framed Roger Rabbit) Name: Megan Carriger Costume: Lulu (Final Fantasy) /COSTUMERSCOURTESYPHOTOGRAPHS BYILLUSTRATIONS&PHOTOGRAPHSSTOCK.ADOBE.COM PHOTOGRAPHS BY (VAMPIRE & PIRATE) JEREMY KRAMER46
Jack O’Lantern Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction
Name: Michael Wong Costume: Franken Berry
Saturdays at the BOOseum Cincinnati Museum Center features Halloween-themed family activities every Saturday in October, including costume parades and scavenger hunts. Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, cincymuseum.org
PHOTOGRAPH BY BERRY) ANNETTE NAVARRO BY CARLIE BURTON
Name: Loren Muzzy Costume: Vampire
This fall-themed 5K walk/run at Bonnybrook Farms in Clarksville helps raise funds for the national charity Girls on the Run! All skill levels welcome. Sept. gourdyspumpkinrun.com24,
Kids will love Jack O’Lantern Junction, where they can walk through Halloween-themed model train sets as well as a slightly spooky indoor maze. Sept. 24–Oct. 31, entertrainmentjunction.com
Fall Fun at Niederman Family Farms
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s TheLivingDead
Guests can enjoy trick or treat stations, magic shows, and animal learning activities. Costumes are encouraged. Oct. 15 & 16, 22 & 23, and 29 & 30, cincinnatizoo.org
Tricks or Treats at the Ohio Renaissance Festival
Guests of all ages can enjoy special food tastings, trick or treating for the little ones, themed games, and shows at this event. Select dates between Sept. 25 and Oct. 30, visitkingsisland.com
Pumpkin Chuck at Stanbery Park
In its last hurrah before the close of ren faire season, guests can dress up and visit participating booths for some trick or treating fun. Oct. 29 & 30, renfestival.com
Less Scary Things to Do
Tricks and Treats Fall Fest at Kings Island
Local pooches show off their spooky sides at Findlay Market for a chance to win a year’s worth of free dog food. Oct. 29, petwantscincy.com
Penned by local playwright Isaiah Reaves, this reimagining of the classic zombie film explores contemporary themes through a horror lens for a live audience. Oct. 14–29, cincyshakes.com
With a four-acre corn maze, hayrides, animal exhibits, tug of war, and more, you’ll find something fun for everyone. Sept. 23–Oct. 30, niedermanfamilyfarm.com
—NATHANGRANGER
(FRANKEN
Haunted houses aren’t the only way to have fun this Halloween.
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Enjoy live music and craft beer before launching a pumpkin from one of three locally constructed trebuchets into Stanbery Park’s ravine. Nov. 5, stanberypark.com
Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run 5K
/ ILLUSTRATION
The Pet Wants Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest
HallZOOween at Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens
An underground church and an old foundation are all that’s left of the original town, one of America’s oldest communes. On the night of December 13, 1847, a community dance turned to horror as the Ohio River flooded and collapsed part of the hall. Most of the town vanished in the icy waters. Some people claim to see the lost townsfolk wading out of the river on cold nights.
Wayne Park/Sutherland Park/ Rossville Cemetery, Hamilton
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This is as close as Cincinnati comes to The Exorcist. Local rumor and a number of ghost hunting experts believe something demonic lives in the old rectory. Although the building has no marked tragedy in its recorded history, visitors have suffered scratches, including a mark suspiciously similar to an inverted cross, and dark voices growl at investigators over “ghostboxes” (paranormal research devices).
Haunted Places
Spring Grove Cemetery, Winton Place
Taft Museum of Art, downtown History walks the halls of the Taft Museum of Art a little too literally. Annie Taft, sister-in-law to the former president, reportedly startles guests and peeps on gatherings from the upstairs balcony in a pink gown. Disembodied voices and phantom touches spook other visitors and staff deal with a pesky ghost who likes to knock over items in the gift shop for fun.
Some places draw crowds, families, or artists. Burnet Woods attracted the desperate. The arboreal retreat just west of the zoo saw the end of many stories by suicide, and the tragedies left their mark. The park’s reputation carried so many shadows even in the 1800s, a path earned the name Dead Men’s Row and one of its loveliest oaks became the Suicide Tree.
An old stagecoach stop, Hammel House keeps some of its visitors. Many suspect the ghostly gentleman in room four began as a traveler who met a bad end in the inn. Workers also tell of a girl crying in the basement, though it’s the spectral cat that really runs the show. It makes pawprints on guests,
Arnold’s Bar and Grill, downtown Who doesn’t enjoy lingering over drinks with friends? More than 150 years old, Arnold’s is Cincinnati’s oldest continuously open bar, and it remains a spirited establishment. This goes beyond the legendary gin purportedly brewed in the bathtub upstairs. Guests see glasses float off the rack and drop to the floor, and workers hear pounding on the bathroom wall. Faucets turn on, doors close, and lights switch off by themselves. The Arnold family, who lived upstairs, may haunt the bar. Deceased patrons may prefer their favorite drinking hole to the afterlife, but not all of Arnold’s ghosts come from the distant past. An employee who died several years ago reputedly lingers at the workplace he loved, and tours have reported seeing him peeking around the top of the stairs and through windows. Whoever lingers should thank the bartenders who leave a drink for them on the bar after hours.
Groves of Burnet Woods, Clifton
A three-acre park and playground sit on what was once hallowed ground. The bodies of the area’s first wave of white settlers were relocated for good to the old Pioneer Burial Ground, and while some were moved to a nearby cemetery as the town grew and the cemetery declined, construction crews still found some old friends sleeping under the new park.
Cincinnati Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine Music Hall looks like it should be haunted. Its history backs that up. Long before the first red brick appeared on the site, a potter’s field occupied the space. It served the community through multiple epidemics, particularly cholera, and likely accepted some of the unidentified victims of the Moselle steamboat disaster in 1838. An orphanage built on the same grounds added to the literal body count. Some of the bodies were moved to Spring Grove Cemetery when Music Hall was first built, but every renovation and excavation uncovers more. It’s no wonder staff claim ghosts trigger the box office bell, children see people their parents cannot, and, of course, there’s no shortage of ghostly music—particularly around the elevator, where a trove of bones greeted teams digging the shaft. Volunteers and workers see the ghosts as friendly, just extra guests there for the music.
Bobby Mackey’s, Wilder Bobby Mackey’s Music World has a grisly reputation for real live country music and real dead ghosts. Upstairs, shoves and scratches are attributed to ghouls as often as they are to rowdy patrons. Believers insist they see dark figures and the headless ghost of Pearl Bryan, an 1896 murder victim whose head, according to legend, went into the slaughterhouse drain in the building’s basement. Downstairs, guests on organized ghost tours see the drain itself, better known as “the portal to hell,” where local tradition holds that cults used to perform ritual sacrifices. Rumor and myth also claim a woman named Johanna, the daughter of a mobster who owned the venue during its days as a casino in the 1950s, took her life in another basement room after her father killed the singer she loved. Real or not, people claim to smell her rose perfume.
Phillips’ Folly, Maysville
—M.LEIGHHOOD
A beautiful spot to spend eternity, Spring Grove Cemetery hosts its spectral residents with grace. Its most famous grave is probably C.C. Breuer’s. A life-sized bust on the headstone features glass eyes many guests swear follow them as they walk by. Others claim to have seen white wolves that mysteriously disappear between the monuments, lakes, and trees of the arboretum.
If you like dogs, this is your haunt. Local legend says one of the late owners, John Armstrong, still plays with his Newfoundland on the balcony at night. Stories of another John (Pearce), who lived and died in the house, say you can hear the duel he fought or the gunshot he used to take his own life in the parlor.
If you’re into being frightened, the Queen City has plenty of locations that can do the job.
Utopia, Clermont County
Sedamsville Rectory, Sedamsville
brushes up against ankles, and leaves loose hairs in its wake.
Hammel House Inn, Waynesville
The hands-down scariest of Cincinnati’s haunts, local legend holds this red-brick schoolhouse saw some child murders in the ’50s—and holds residual spirits as proof.
This high-octane haunted hayride incorporates classic horror films to deliver an intense experience in rural northern Kentucky. And Farmer’s Revenge, the on-site haunted barn, keeps the fear going with a spooky funhouse and more.
Haunted Houses
USS NIGHTMARE
Wulkotte says: “This haunt is full of high-tech animatronics and amazing detail that would make Walt Disney jealous.”
Peaceful Middletown, Ohio, scares up the nation’s biggest haunted experience with—count ’em—five haunted houses (maze clowns! phobia rooms!) and the award-winning Middletown Haunted Trail.
We spoke with the King of Scream Noah Wulkotte—who runs the City Blood: Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana Haunt Reviews website (ohioshaunted.com) —for his 12 scariest haunts. —RODNEYWILSON
Wulkotte says: “Sandyland Acres embodies the Halloween spirit. It’s frightfully fun.”
5963 Harrison Ave., Dent, dentschoolhouse.com
101B Riverboat Row, Newport, ussnightmare.com
Comprising two levels aboard the William S. Mitchell, a dredge boat with real-life death in its wake, USS Nightmare is an immersive, unforgettable haunt.
Scary level: Fear Afloat
LAND OF HAUNTEDILLUSIONSCREAM PARK
8762 Thomas Rd., Middletown, landofillusion.com/haunt
Wulkotte says: “Prepare to have the ship scared out of you. The rusty old boat is full of creatures beyond the grave and even a clown or two.”
ILLUSTRATION BY ADAM DOYLE Can you name all of the horror onillustration?referencedmoviesinthisVisit@cincinnatimagazineInstagramtoseehowthesketchwascreated! 50
Scary level: Cornfield Carnage
THE DENT SCHOOLHOUSE
SANDYLAND ACRES HAUNTED HAYRIDE & FARMER’S REVENGE
Scary level: True-Life Terror
4172 Belleview Rd., Petersburg, Kentucky, sandylandacres.com
Scary level: Chilling & Thrilling
Kings Island takes a spooky twist every Halloween with foggy paths, costumed performers, and frightfully fun stage shows and mazes. Wulkotte says: “You never know what’s hiding in the darkness. Halloween Haunt offers a plethora of haunts that will appeal to a broad audience.”
Terror Town puts the “ghost” in ghost town, and the town’s trail is a grimly immersive scare. Wear a red band to catch buckets of blood or go gold for touch-free terror.
Scary level: Frightful Family Fun
Scary level: Classically Creepy
TWISTED TRAILS
Opening for its 32nd Halloween, this one is Cincinnati’s longest-running haunt, with a new “Voyage of Fear” 2022 theme and the legendary dark maze.
HAUNTEDHEALTHYHALL
525 Brimstone Rd., Wilmington, brimstonehaunt.com
Wulkotte says: “Horror Hike will play on your fear of the unknown.”
Pick your poison at Wilmington’s Brimstone Haunt. Take a hellish hayride through Brimstone Farm, experience foggy fear in the Forgotten Forest, get crazy with Psychosis, or (and?) evade the undead in Zombie Assault.
Scary level: Probably Traumatizing
1261 W. Dalton Rd., wilmingtonhauntedhollowride.comWilmington,
Scary level: Monstrous Melee in Middletown
5719 W. St. Rt 73, gokirkwood.com/twistedtrailsWilmington,
KINGS HALLOWEENISLANDHAUNT
Scary level: Nature Nightmare
This half-mile nature hike is anything but peaceful, with psychopathic characters, murder scenes, and gore aplenty, all set amongst a wooded environment. Complete with a camp storyline and tons of actor-based scares.
Scary level: Tried-and-True Thrills MT.
7700 Seward Ave., Mt. Healthy, hauntedhallinfo.com
Wulkotte says: “This is an intense haunt beyond words and one you surely won’t forget this fall season.”
1449 Greenbush Cobb Rd., Williamsburg, allhallowsevellc.com
BRIMSTONE HAUNT
HORROR HIKE
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NIGHTMARE MANOR
Wulkotte says: “When the sun goes down, you better be on the lookout for unspeakable creatures that will gobble you up.”
Wulkotte says: “Your true nightmare begins as you come face to face with your deepest and darkest fears. Movie monsters, crazy creatures, and intense scenes of mayhem await you.”
Wulkotte says: “It’s fun, scary, and memorable to say the least.”
WILMINGTON HAUNTED HOLLOW RIDE
1601 S. University Blvd., Ste. A, Middletown, mareManor1facebook.com/Night
Scary level: Seriously Scarring
With witches, werewolves, and ghosts on the loose, Twisted Trails isn’t afraid to go old school with their scares.
Wulkotte says: “Twisted Trails features traditional characters and an array of scare scenes that are sure to put a chill down your spine.”
With themed rooms, recognizable characters, and unpredictable frights, this old school haunt is sure to invade your dreams.
6300 Kings Island Dr., Kings visitkingsisland.com/events/hauntMills,
28051 Moore Ln., West Harrison, Indiana, horrorhike.com
Wulkotte says: “This classic horror house has scares around every corner. Scream your head off at Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall.”
ALL HALLOWS’ EVE TERROR TOWN
Scary level: From Scared Smiles to Really Vile
Take a ride in the maliciously modified school bus for a one-of-a-kind experience full of flaming semis, chainsaw maniacs, zombies, and other depraved, hellish scenes you have to see to believe.
Wulkotte says: “Things go bump in the night at Brimstone Haunt—one of the area’s best haunted attractions.”
By Michele Day Photo illustration by Ryan Olbrysh
A rapping puppet, a public TV station, and a UC economist team up to teach children about financial literacy and making good choices.
PHOTOGRAPHS (TOP) BY JACKSON SCHAAD / COURTESY (RIGHT, PREVIOUS PAGE) $MARTPATH / (BOTTOM) JULIE HEATH
soundtrack. On a different stage in a different city, she’s the voice of Gabrielle, a 6-year-old Muppet on Sesame Street
If Kevin could speak for himself, he’d certainly credit Piphus and the CET team for his artistic flair. He’d also tell you he owes his existence to a number-crunching economist, Julie Heath, who laughs when I mention Dr. Dre and Eminem. “I’m more of an oldies person,” she says.
(Clockwise from left) Kevin and Blackbeard are brought to life by Emmy-winning Megan Piphus, WCET and Madcap staff, and UC professor Julie Heath.
evin’s purple hoodie flaps around his lime green headphones as he bobs his head to the beat. According to his bio, his first hip-hop single just went platinum. And on this sizzling Monday in July, he’s lip synching for a camera crew at the WCET studios in Over-theRhine.Word is that legendary hip-hop stars Dr. Dre and Eminem inspired Kevin’s new song, “Five Thousand Dollars.” It’s a calland-response rap with singer/songwriter Megan Piphus, who lauds her costar as a “talented musician.” She drops a hint of drama, though, saying, “Kevin’s imagination tends to run wild.”
Kevin is not real. At least, he’s not flesh and bones. He’s a puppet, a cloth-and-glue embodiment of Scianamblo’s imagination and a puppeteer’s sleight of hand. His musical abilities are a projection of Piphus, who sings both her own and Kevin’s parts on the “Five Thousand Dollars”
Heath’s motives for giving Kevin life are all about money, but don’t get the wrong idea—that’s a good thing. Kevin may be the key to her ambitious plans to foster a generation of financially healthy consumers. Along the way, he and his puppet castmates are unlocking creativity both in front of and behind the cameras.
ulie Heath arrived as director of the Alpaugh Family Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati in 2012. The center had already established itself as one of the largest in a network of about 200 economics education centers across the country. Peter Alpaugh and the Alpaugh Family Foundation had just committed to a $1 million gift to support financial and economic education online. Heath saw an opportunity.
“We’re not teaching a 5-year-old to write a check,” says Heath. “We’re teaching a 5-year-old that if you borrow something, you give it back in the same condition they gave it to you. We’re teaching a 5-year-old that if you choose this, you’re giving up that.”
Research shows teaching finance to kids reaps money-savvy adults, says Chris Caltabiano, chief program officer for the Council for Economic Education, a national organization representing financial literacy centers. “They have better credit scores and lower loan default rates, and they go into less credit card debt while in college,” he says. Those kinds of outcomes prompted state legislatures in about half of the U.S., including Ohio and Kentucky, to pass laws requiring personal finance courses or programming for high school graduation.
In 2016, Heath’s dream led the economics center to invest in $martPath, a free digital financial education platform. Stories about cartoon bears, skunks, and robots illustrate how to save money and distinguish between cash and credit. The target audience: elementary kids. The approach: age appropriate.
Financial literacy isn’t about vocabulary, she explains. It’s a way of thinking. Heath recalls visiting a fourth-grade class in Memphis after launching Tennessee’s fi nancial literacy program in the mid-2000s. She asked a 10-year-old named Kobe what he’d learned. “He said, I’ve learned how to make good choices.” Impressed, Heath asked if the stuff he’d learned would help him in the future. “He said, Oh yes. Now I know I shouldn’t join a gang.”
Heath supports high school classes in financial literacy, but she also fears they’re too little too late. Spending patterns are set by age 7, she says, so she lobbies for introducing financial values to kids as young as 3. By the time students get to high school, they’ll be able to grasp increasingly complex ideas, that, she reasons, “will have something to stick to rather than being introduced in a vacuum.” She smiles wistfully. “That’s the dream.”
GrabbingAttentionYour
Director Colin Scianamblo wants more dancing, and Kevin responds with enthusiastic gyrations. He twists his body in time with the beat, lifts his arms when the music swells, and closes the song with a beatbox flourish. Kevin leans into the microphone, his mouth mimicking the percussion rhythm. As the music fades, Scianamblo shakes his head. “Kevin really looks real sometimes,” he says with a sigh.
Heath’s perspective shifted that day. “There was noth-
Over the last six years, $martPath has spread hope to more than 2 million kids and the curriculum has won five national awards. But in 2017, Heath went looking for more. “If a product doesn’t develop and grow,” she says, “it becomes stale.” Soon, revelation struck.
Heath shopped the idea of financial literacy videos featuring puppets to potential partners. Kitty Lensman, CEO of CET/ Think TV public television in Cincinnati and Dayton, immediately wanted in. The project fit the station’s educational mission and filled a programming gap for young children. Heath’s puppet vision sealed the deal. “I’m thinking Sesame Street meets financial literacy,” Lensman says.
ing about gang membership pros and cons in the curriculum,” she says. “I went up to the teacher, we stepped out in the hall, and I cried a little bit. I asked the teacher, Did you make that connection at all? She said, No, he did that.” Heath pauses.“That is the power of economic and financial education. When we give children the tools to make good decisions, when we give them the critical thinking ability to think through whatever their life is, we give them hope.”
“It was like I’d been hit with a bolt of lightning,” says Heath.“She was so captivating. And the picture with those puppets all around her head—my eyes were just opened. I knew that it had to be puppets. How fun is that? Thank goodness she agreed.”
Reading The Cincinnati Enquirer, Heath’s eyes stopped on a photo. Megan Piphus was lying on her back, flashing her trademark radiant smile, in one of those heads-in-a-circle poses. The other heads were puppets. The article provided an update on the self-taught ventriloquist from Cincinnati who traveled the country as a teen singing at schools and churches. She graduated at the top of her Princeton High School class in 2010, then earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in finance at Vanderbilt University. Her recognition as a ventriloquist grew, spurred by a 2013 run on America’s Got Talent. She launched a career in real estate finance in 2017, but she never gave up performing. The story
A 2018 e-mail finally changed her fortunes. Heath saw the message during a hiking trip with her husband at Glacier National Park: “Call me right away.” She didn’t recognize the name and delayed responding. So it took several days to get the news that she’d won the Lighting the Way Award, sponsored by the SunTrust Foundation to recognize nonprofits working in fi nancial education. The prize included $75,000.
“We’re not teaching a 5-year-old to write a check,” says Julie Heath. “We’re teaching them that if you choose this, you’re giving up that.”
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ON PAGE 100 PHOTOGRAPH BY KRISTEN SHEFT PHOTOGRAPHY
headline read: “Given a choice between finance and ventriloquism, she chose both.”
But funders were not as enthused. “I assumed, I don’t know why, that it would be easy to get funding for this,” says Heath.
“Can’t everybody see how cool this would be?” She submitted applications to multiple arts and financial education foundations for a year and a half, with no success.
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Who’s lost, what’s gained, and why it matters—seeing the conflicts through my own experience as a Pendleton landlord.
I’m part of the influx of white people into what had been a predominantly Black neighborhood. Back in 2000, 77 percent of OTR’s
58
Philenthia Robinson, 50, and Willie Mimes, 43, see “the good and the bad” in the changes they’ve witnessed. They grew up and lived in Over-the-Rhine and the West End until the early 2000s, when they say living conditions became
PHOTOGRAPHS BY OUSSMANE FALL
I
untenable. The neighborhood had become overrun with drug dealers and violence, Robinson says, and racial tensions with the Cincinnati police were palpable. She didn’t want to raise her children in a place where safe community services and spaces were disappearing.
I noticed a group of Black tween and teenage girls sitting on the building’s front steps. I asked them not to sit just outside my tenant’s front door and leave trash, smear gum, or let ice cream melt on the steps, acts I’d witnessed from my third-story windows above. They generally responded by denying responsibility, ignoring me, or, sometimes, vacating the Onestoop.day,dog tired after a long workday, I saw the girls occupying the steps but decided not to engage. As I approached the front gate, one of the girls stood suddenly and yelled at the top of her lungs, “And we ain’t movin’! We don’t like you!” Seeing red, I shot back, “Well, I don’t really like you!” and stormed into my Yearsbreezeway.later,theincident remains fresh in my mind. Were something similar to happen today, I’d like to think I would approach the teens with more compassion and maturity. What I didn’t understand, but can clearly see now, is that to those girls, I was the problem. I was the interloper, the outsider, even though I care deeply about my neighborhood and my neighbors. I’ve been called a gentrifier, and in some ways, I am.
population was Black and 20.3 percent was white, according to the U.S. Census. Twenty years later, 42 percent were Black and 47 percent were white. In that time, he neighborhood saw a 464 percent increase of owner-occupied units (including mine) and a 33 percent decrease in rental units. Rents are soaring; in fact, Cincinnati topped a recent list of the fastest rising rents in America’s 50 largest cities.
The couple lives in Blue Ash today but visits Over-the-Rhine and downtown often, like on a sunny September afternoon in Washington Park, where they’re enjoying sandwiches picked up at the new
n 2014, I purchased and renovated a vacant fourunit apartment building in Pendleton, the urban neighborhood bordering Over-the-Rhine, after renting across the street for eight years. My husband, an artist, and I, a journalist, were thrilled to become first-time homeowners in a neighborhood we loved. We moved into one unit and began renting the otherOverthree.time,
The dictionary defines gentrification as a process in which an economically disadvantaged area of a city experiences an infl ux of middle-class or wealthy people who renovate and rebuild homes and businesses, often resulting in an increase in property values and the displacement of earlier, usually poorer, residents. Every community is trying to increase owner-occupied housing, property values, income and racial diversity, and small business activity, and many would see those as positive results for the larger population. The sticking point, however, is that existing residents, especially lowincome ones, rarely benefi t from these outcomes. They find themselves priced out or driven out, displaced, and further marginalized, all in the name of progress.
“The truth is, in all the instances where we’ve organized with people, there’s almost no legal protections for tenants,” he says. “It’s very difficult to stop your own displacement.”
59 CONTINUED ON PAGE 102
TREATING PEOPLE FAIRLY Longtime Over-the-Rhine residents Georgia Keith (above) and Bonnie Neumeier say newcomers who value the neighborhood’s diversity are actually destroying it.
Josh Spring, director of the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, says he’s seen too many tenants forced from their homes because landlords decided to raise rents above what they could afford.
eorgia Keith and Bonnie Neumeier have lived in Over-the-Rhine for 50 years each, but these days they feel like strang-
The old neighborhood might not have been as trendy or glitzy as Over-the-Rhine is today, but ev-
Kroger store on Central Parkway. They’re planning to see some live music in the evening. “They always have something going on here, whether it’s live entertainment or a movie,” says Robinson. “There’s always all kinds of people here. We come to the city for the noise and theStill,atmosphere.”she’sfrustrated that “when this was a predominantly Black neighborhood, we asked for the same things they’re doing now.”
Such was the case for Aliah Englemon, who lived in a Burnet Avenue apartment building in Mt. Auburn from 2012 to 2020. She received a letter in December 2019 saying her building had been sold. She
“People probably get tired of me saying it, but THE FACES OF OUR PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE FACADES OF BUILDINGS.”
“Treat people fairly, the way you would like to be treated. You never know when it might be you that needs a glass of water.”
eryone knew and watched out for each other. The community, the women say, was built on respect. “I have always said it isn’t where you live, but how you live,” says Keith.
G
ers in their neighborhood. Up until about 15 years ago, they were surrounded by people like themselves: large working-class families getting by on low to middle incomes. Many more of their neighbors were Black or poor whites of AppalachianNeighborhooddescent. businesses like laundromats and corner stores are mostly gone now, replaced with high-end retail and expensive bars and restaurants. The church where Keith’s daughter was baptized is now a million-dollar home.
Neumeier is founder or cofounder of neighborhood organizations such as Peaslee Neighborhood Center, the Drop Inn Center, and Over-the-Rhine Community Housing, where she serves as board secretary; Keith is the board’s vice president. “Some people say they move here because they value the diversity, but we’re losing it,” says Neumeier. “People probably get tired of me saying it, but the faces of our people are more important than the facades of buildings.”
OCTOBER 2022 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM 61 PLUS A select list of in-person and virtual recruiting events
SCHOOLSTheOpenHouseGuide
Together
Learning
prospective parents to know now.
2022–2023 HD3DSH/ADOBE.STOCK.COMBYILLUSTRATION SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
What local schools want
Glendale
Fenwick’s curriculum, spiritual guidance, and extra/co-curricular activities provide a well-rounded education that prepares a Fenwick student for future successes. We are proud that Fenwick offers a holistic education to an academically diverse population. We offer a highly successful intervention program and a wide range of AP and CCP courses. Fenwick also prosomething they enjoy and in which they excel: career/college exploration, athletics, arts, service, and STEM. Fenwick has redesigned Flock Block, now a daily 40-minute block, to give students opportunities to connect with teachers, counselors, peers, and with God through different activities, both structured and free-formed.
3DJUSTINCASE/ADOBE.STOCK.COMBYILLUSTRATION
LESSON PLANS
Bishop Fenwick High School
Badin High School has hired Mr. Jose Contreras as our Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement. Guided by the Hallmarks of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, including, “We embrace the gift of diversity,” Badin has worked hard to increase its diverse student body. The minority population has increased from 5 to 15 percent in the past few years, with an ongoing emphasis on additional outreach. Our co-ed student body checks in at a vibrant 645 students to start the year, including 195 freshmen. The word of mouth in the community about Badin is very positive, and we look forward to serving God, serving others for years to come.
Franklin/Middletown
—Kaylene Schwab, Director of Communications and Marketing
Hamilton
Bethany School
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 62 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM MONTH OCTOBER20XX2022
and socially. Our campus-like setting and green school features encourage a respect for others in the environment. The wide array of extracurricular activities coupled with an emphasis on service learning allow students to learn and grow.
Bethany School supports students, families, and the whole community by providing a place where all can thrive. We have a team process for support that involves teachers and families coming together to identify students’ strengths and what strategies and supports will help them continue
—Sharon Shumard, Director of Community Engagement
—Dirk Q. Allen, Director of Admissions and Media Relations
Badin High School
Parents can get a glimpse of what’s new inside Greater Cincinnati’s schools as local administrators share strengths and new programs.
Be an athlete. Be an artist. Be an innovator. Be a philanthropist. Be a leader. Be your best self. Country Day is the place to be.
dent’s journey is unique and through purposeful engagement, forge educational and career paths forward that lead to student success. Each individual can discover their passions, play to their strengths, and hone their skills. We foster a collaborative culture that recognizes and celebrates each person’s ability to contribute to exceptional educational experiences, and the district ensures best-in-class learning environments that provide the latest educational tools and technology to enhance the potential of each student.
Great Oaks serves 36 school districts southwestethroughoutrnOhio
Elder strives every year to provide an exceptional educatio nal experience for our students. We continue to bring an innovative approach to this effort, including developing new academic opportunities. An area we have been excited to highlight recently is our Elder News Network. This extraordinary initiative has seen a small club of students blossom into a group of dozens of young men working on video commentating, and publishing. With the addition of our brand-new, unprecedented production studio, this program provides a phenomenal opportunity for young men looking to uncover and develop these skill
New academic initiatives include outdoor education, makerspaces, experiential learning week, global travel and learning, job shadows and internships, and a new,
—Aaron B. Kellenberger, Director of Enrollment Management
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 64 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM MONTH OCTOBER20XX2022
Loveland
Children’s Meeting House Montessori School
Indian Hill
Cincinnati Country Day School
—Brian Hiles, Director of Admissions
—Karen Crick, Enrollment Director
Twp.Washington/Anderson
of this. Whether adding a new student-run business to our Entrepreneurship Program, building bridges with new countries for our International Student Program, or building onto our state-of-the-art Athletics and Fine Arts facilities and programming,
Our newly introduced mission will help guide Country Day and ensure families that their children will be known, nurtured, and inspired. We create leaders who, through the discovery of their own abilities, kindle the potential of others and better a dynamic world. We provide students an exemplary, character-driven, and innovative academic experience.
be innovative and at the leading edge of pedagogy. Unique experiences are not just limited to our students. For example, parents can take part in learning in our Teaching Kitchen. There’s no limit to the potential of our quality staff and exceptional students. Whether a preschooler, an Upper School student, or anywhere in between, you will experience high levels of engagement intellectually, spiritually, and relationally.
Equally important are the personal development programs including the “House” program for character development, expanded advisories, peer mentoring, EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) council, and the Growth Mindset curriculum. We believe both student personal and academic growth is important—because who they become is as important as what theyBelearn.ascholar.
Cincinnati Waldorf High School graduated CWHS ’22 graduates were admitted into pursuing their dreams! Waldorf students are not only academically prepared; they are also compassionate, resilient, creative young humans who know how to problem-solve and think independently. This is exactly what our world needs most right now.
—Chris Pinelo, Community Relations and Education Foundation Strategist
Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy Symmes CincinnatiTwp./Downtown
CMH is celebrating 50 years as Cincinnati’s premier Nature Montessori. Indeed, our full-time Naturalist brings the hundreds of acres of natural abundance that surround our school to life for our preschool–6th grade students. Beginning in the fall of 2023, CMH will expand into Middle School with the launch of 7th and 8th grades. While continuing our strong tradition of rich Montessori and Nature studies to nurture our students’ social and emotional development as fervently as their academic achievement, the CMH Middle School will extend into newer territories essential to adolescent development including broader community engagement and entrepreneurship. Learn more at CMHSchool. com.
Cincinnati Waldorf School Mariemont/Madisonville
—Corey Stoops, Principal
Guardian Angels School Mt.
Guardian Angels School continues to grow 2022–2023 school year, we are launching “Halo Lab,” which is a newly created makerspace area were students will go to design and build. Through this, students will develop critical reasoning skills; engage in real-world design thinking; collaborate with colleagues/staff; and participate in creative, open-minded exploration and play! Many resources will be available for students to grow in these areas such as 3D printers, laser cutters, poster makers, robots, and more! In addition to our new Halo Lab, we continue to develop students in STEM education through a dedicated Science Lab, tablet access for all students, a Robotics/Engineering club, and much more!
Elder High School Price Hill
Innovation is a key cornerstone of the CHCA experience, and our world-class
—Susan Maggard, Business Director
Great Oaks Career Campuses
—Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 66 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM MONTH 20XX
We are excited to be returning to our pre-COVID operations this year with more opportunities for our school community to gather. We will be offering offsite service learning, new extracurricular activities, and a return to our junior high food-service businesses as well as full-year swim instruction. In addition, our school has been
We will continue our vital work on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. It is our hope that this work will inspire greater awareness within our community, foster conversation, grow our understanding of various identities and experiences, and identify opportunities for advocacy.
College Hill
OCTOBER 2022
the UC IT bachelor’s degree by taking
Mercy McAuley High School
Miami Valley Christian Academy Newtown
—Patty Normile, Principal
See greatoaks.com/cm for dates and locations.
—Jill Beasley, PR / Marketing Director
Mercy McAuley has partnered with the University of Cincinnati on an innovative program called the Early Information Technology Program. Through this partnership with UC, Mercy McAuley
—Patty Thelen, Director of Marketing
when it comes to paying for college. Mercy McAuley students who successfully complete the required courses in high school are offered automatic admission to UC’s IT school to complete a bachelor and master’s degree and 20 months of work experience in just four years after high school.
Mercy Montessori Center East Walnut Hills
Visit an open house in January.
Every day, MVCA’s faculty and staff are engaging in and developing the intellect and faith of our students. Faith, Academics, Athletics, and Fine Arts are the keystone pillars of every MVCA education. We are passionate about prayerfully guiding young people and equipping them for success in life beyond MVCA as they go out to change the world.
Please join usfor our events!admission
VIRTUAL EVENT: College CounselingA Comprehensive 4-Year Program (Grades 6-12)
—Dawn Ellington, Director Admissionsof
Wednesday, Jan. 25 12-12:45 p.m.
—Dr. Mari Thomas, Principal
EARLY CHILDHOOD ED & LOWER SCHOOL ADMISSION EVENTS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION MONTH 20XX CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM 67
VIRTUAL EVENT: Early Childhood Ed (Pre-k for 2-yr-olds through kindergarten) Tuesday, Sept. 27 1:30-2:15 p.m.
Mount Notre Dame Reading
WALKING TOUR: Lotspeich (Pre-k for 2-yr-olds through kindergarten) Wednesday, Sept. 21 9-10 a.m.
WALKING TOUR: Lotspeich (Pre-k for 2-yr-olds through grade 5) Thursday, Oct. 13 9-10 a.m.
WALKING TOUR: Doherty (Pre-k for 2-yr-olds through grade 5) Tuesday, Oct. 11 9-10 a.m.
VIRTUAL EVENT: Lower Schools (Pre-k for 2-yr-olds through grade 5) Thursday, Nov. 3 9-10 a.m.
VIRTUAL EVENT: Student & Parent Panel (Grades 6-12)
St. Ursula Academy
OCTOBER 2022
East Walnut Hills
—Donna Groene, Director of CommunicationsStrategic
powerful, relevant advantages that create printing and Cricut. SUA offers two new AP Courses, Statistics and Human Geogin all classrooms creates spaces where teachers can challenge limits and inspire Other enhancements include a Counseland Training Room, and outdoor seating in the student center patio. regular communication and involvement opportunities that connect parents with resources.
WALKING TOUR: (Grades 6-12) Wednesday, Nov 2 9-10 a.m.
VIRTUAL EVENT: Middle & Upper School (Grades 6-12) Thursday, Oct. 20 7-8 p.m.
WALKING TOUR: Doherty (Pre-k for 2-yr-olds through kindergarten) Thursday, Sept. 22 9-10 a.m.
WALKING TOUR: (Grades 6-12) Wednesday, Sept. 28 9-10 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 19 7-7:45 p.m.
MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL ADMISSION EVENTS
East Walnut Hills
REGISTER FOR ADMISSION EVENTS AT 7HILLS.ORG/EXPLORE
Purcell Marian High School
WALKING TOUR: (Grades 6-12) Wednesday, Oct. 19 9-10 a.m.
Mount Notre Dame is the premier all-girls Catholic high school in the region with 27 Honors, 20 Advanced Placement, and 10 College Credit Plus (CCP) classes. Our alized attention in a warm, welcoming environment. MND has state of the art facilities including a new Performing Arts succeed and thrive.
tall in East Walnut Hills for more than 90 Education, the Arts, Social Justice, and are. Our innovative programs, dedicated Awaits.
Voted Best Private School 2020, 2021 Are you seeking a school that considers education a journey, not a race? Parent & Child | Preschool | Grade School www.cincinnatiwaldorfschool.org 513.541.0220 CWS High School Now Open! OCTOBER 2022
Seven Hills is ranked the No. 1 Best College Prep Private High School in the Cincinnati area as well as the No. 1 Best K–12 School in the Cincinnati area for 2022 supported by the Seven Hills community, the school has invested approximately $40 million in their two campuses, including a 550-seat auditorium and community forum, an Early Childhood Center for 2-year-olds through kindergarten, a Middle School facility for grades 6–8, outdoor
ular clubs and activities, on stage, and in their communities. The mission and values of Seton High School, strong academics and a true sense of sisterhood are why thousands of young women have chosen to become a Seton Saint.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 68 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM MONTH 20XX OPEN HOUSES | Nov. 5, 2022 & Feb. 4, 2023 | 10:00am - 1:00pm
by City Beat Magazine Readers
Seton High School
At Seton High School, our strong Catholic faith is at the forefront of every aspect of the school. The young women here are challenged to be critical thinkers in an individualized, supportive, and experiential learning environment. Seton offers an Honors Program, a variety of both AP and dual college credit courses, and an inclusive and collaborative support services program. Our students are leaders in the
—Chris Hedges, Director of Communications & Marketing
West Price Hill
Madisonville and O’Bryonville
academic and athletic facilities projects.
—Sarah Cranley Lykins ’02, Seton High School Director ofAdvancementInstitutional
The Seven Hills School
Be Known. Be Challenged. Be Great. Sunday, October 30 | 1 – 3:30 p.m. Open House Pre-register TODAY www.mercymcauley.org/OpenHouse.at
Springer is a leader in the region for teaching students with dyslexia and for providing professional development for area teachers to identify and support those students. Through Springer’s Center, area educators can take Wilson ® Professional Learning to enable them to implement multi-sensory structured literacy programs for students in grades 2–12. Springer is growing and will be able to provide more access and additional learning spaces, and offer new community education programs. We are looking forward to helping make sure students with dyslexia, ADHD, and executive function issues can grow academically and experience success.
Hyde Park
For more information, contact Seton Director of Institutional Advancement Sarah Cranley Lykins ‘02 513.471.2600 ext. 2422 or lykinss@setoncincinnati.org
Springer School and Center
—Tami McMann, CommunicationsDirector
HIGH SCHOOL FIND YOUR LIGHT AT SETON Faith, Academics, Leadership, Service, Spirit, Athletics, Fine Arts and more Open House: November 9, 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (Pre-registration required)
Hyde Park
Questions?
3901 Glenway Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45205
—Jill Wieging, Admissions Director
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION MONTH 20XX CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM 69OCTOBER 2022
Beginning this school year, The Summit is widely implementing a learning program that empowers students to navigate the complex world of social media. Through lessons provided by The Social Institute (TSI), teachers will reinforce strengths like empathy, integrity, and teamwork while inspiring students to be leaders of character. Grades 4 and up are currently participating in the TSI curriculum. “TSI takes a positive approach and embraces the possibilities for social media to be used for good,” says Dr. Kirstin McEachern, associate head of school for academic affairs. “There is crossover with our digital citizenship programming and our Leaders of Character framework that will make all three areas more impactful.”
Visit us online at setoncincinnati.org
The Summit Country Day School
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 70 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM MONTH 20XX
Experts in Dyslexia, ADHD, and Executive Function
Students learn about the fundamentals of manufacturing during the 10-week program and visit weekly, says Jessica Dean, youth services community operations manager at Easterseals of Greater Cincinnati, which implements the grant. Students also learn about applying to Festo’s Registered Apprenticeship Program.
More than
OCTOBER 2022
2121 Madison Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208 (513) 871-6080 www.Springer-LD.org
MOVING STUDENTS FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO TECHNICAL CAREERS
panies in areas such as manufacturing, architecture and construction, and information
3DJUSTINCASE/ADOBE.STOCK.COMBYILLUSTRATION
When schools join the program, they work with Easterseals to identify programs of interest to their students. Many students were interested in becoming electricians, Dean says, so they worked with the Independent Electrical Contractors to craft a program for participants.
T hanks to a workforce development grant, students at Kings and Goshen high schools can get on-the-job, advanced manufacturing training at Festo Didactic, a technical education equipment provider.
—JACLYN YOUHANA GARVER
Easterseals intends to expand offerings over time to encompass more industries.
“This program is meant to target students who are not transitioning to university,” Dean says. “These are students who have aptitude,” who are good test takers with solid math and critical thinking skills, “but maybe the traditional college pathway isn’t for that Studentsperson.”receive this training at Festo’s Regional Service Center, a 47-acre stateof-the-art plant that serves all of North America. It is among the 15 largest employers in FestoMason.isn’tthe grant’s only industry partnership. Based on the region’s needs and interests, Easterseals also works with com-
“Studentstechnology.gothere for tours of the facility. They job shadow an apprentice onsite in the shop, and someone will take them
“It’s a joy for me to get to watch and get to interact with the students and talk to them,” Dean says. “They have this eagerness.”
It’s proven to be a successful model: One student was hired on the spot, and they are waiting to turn 18 to start working.
We ensure that each child, 18 months to 18 years, will be known, nurtured, and inspired. Few schools are better equipped to connect students both academically and personally. Whether in the classroom or on our 62-acre campus, we are designed to help cultivate a passion for learning, independent thinking, and self-discovery that guides students to be scholars, athletes, artists, innovators, and leaders. Country Day is The Place to Be
The highly selective, competitive program isn’t a “cushy summer camp,” Sams stress-
BECOME IS AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT THEY LEARN.
es. This summer, there were more than 400 applications for the 144 program spots. It combines STEM skills with enterprise development, and it’s highly effective—students love it. By the end of the program,
The program, which started in 2013, has been housed at NKU since 2018 and has served more than 700 teens, and it has a history of success, Sams says. Alums have launched more than 30 small businesses
3DJUSTINCASE/ADOBE.STOCK.COMBYILLUSTRATION
and pitfalls of taking a business concept from the idea phase to pitching it to potential investors,” says GSE Executive Director Tasha Sams. “Basically, we turn high schoolers into business owners for free.”
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION MONTH 20XX CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM 71
OCTOBER 2022
“We seek the innovative thinkers, the collaborators, the risk takers, the change makers, the teens with a drive that is unstoppable,” she says. “They are Kentucky’s future business creators and leaders.”
KNOWN, NURTURED, AND BECAUSEINSPIRED.WHOTHEY
to the program open in November.
W ith a three-week residential program, Kentucky high schoolers can earn three hours of college credit at Northern Kentucky University.
THE GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP BUILDS KENTUCKY BUSINESSES
The Governor’s School of Entrepreneurship (GSE) lets students develop a business model, design a prototype, and pitch a startup idea to an audience and judges.
During this summer’s Demo Day pitches, students from Highland High School and the Ignite Institute received cash prizes to help them and their teams continue to work on their projects.
in delivering business pitches.
APPLYNOWFOR ADMISSION AND TUITION AID CONSIDERATION AT COUNTRYDAY.NET
—JACLYN YOUHANA GARVER
nder the Early IT Program, high school college coursework at their high schools, in classes taught by their own teachers. Then, should they choose to continue studying in the program at UC, they begin or data technology, says Hazem Said, UC’s nology.Thecollege has been working on the propartnerships rolling out between 2017 and 2019. Cincinnati Public Schools was the more than 40 area districts, he says.
in spring 2023, Said adds. cheering at graduation.”
—JACLYN YOUHANA GARVER
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Elder High School Thursday, Nov. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information elderhs.org/Admissions JOIN US FOR OPEN HOUSE A UC PROGRAM HELPS IT STUDENTS START COLLEGE AS SOPHOMORES YOU can be a part ofSome ing Ext dinary! Recruiting e Class of 2027 OPEN HOUSE- November 6 1-5:00 PM, RSVP for your tour Shadow Days & Ramformation Nights information can be found online at BadinHS.org 3DJUSTINCASE/ADOBE.STOCK.COMBYILLUSTRATION
Early IT students who enroll at UC can throughout their college careers, as well as an accelerated master’s degree program,
High school instructors collaborate with
this support,’ ” she says. “Students say, ‘I didn’t know what I was going to do, and now I’m like, ’”
72 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM MONTH OCTOBER20XX2022
graduateuation.
U
rience through their 20-month co-op, where their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. UC has placed students in co-ops at more than
MEMBER6-YEAR19 ClassesAPOffered CampusSettingCollegiateforHighSchoolGIrls GradeSchoolsZIPCODES6290+3States16% 88%StudentsofColorStudentsCatholic to13:1StudentTeacherRatio Graduate100% money$23+millioninscholarshipearnedbytheClassof2022 TheatrePreview-Nov.9August23-December16VISITSUAOPENHOUSEOctober23SHADOWDAYSGRADESCHOOLNIGHTSVolleyball-Sept.20REGISTERwww.saintursula.orgStudentscomefrom Academic Results CELEBRATING 50 YEARS WHERE LEARNING HAPPENS, NATURALLY Minutes from Historic Loveland at 927 O’Bannonville CMHSchool.comRoad
6539 Beechmont Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45230 513.624.3141 • www.gaschool.org Guardian Angels School Open House: January 29th, 2023 Now Offering PRESCHOOLFULL-DAY • Halo Bell: Enrichment Services for ALL Students • Leader In Technology - New Makerspace Lab Opened in Fall 2022 - K–4 Grade Students Have 1:1 Access to iPads - 5–8 Grade Students Have 1:1 Access to Tablets • All K-8 EducationArt,ParticipateStudentsinSpanish,Music,andPhysicalWeekly • Extra-Curricular Activities Include Athletics, Music, Drama, & Robotics Clubs, Plus Much More ⊲ ⊲ ⊲ RECOGNIZED FOR STEM EDUCATION ⊳ ⊳ ⊳ Schedule a Personal Tour Today Mount Notre DameSunday,www.mndhs.orgNovember6 74 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OCTOBER 2022 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM 75 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
(513) 683-4757 | https://cmhschool.com/
Elderhs.org/admissions 3900 Vincent Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45205 (513) 921-3744 | https://elderhs.org
ANDTHISREMOVEPAGEPOST!
Learn More Live Chats are virtual deep dives into programming at CHCA. For dates/times, go to: www.chca-oh.org/ Toadmission/visit-usscheduleapersonal tour, shadow visit, or virtual visit, go to: www.chca-oh.org/ Followadmission/visit-ususonsocial media @GoCHCA for pop-up events throughout the year!
Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
Guardian Angels School
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023, 8:30–10:30 AM
Founders’ Campus (Grades 4–8) 11300 Snider Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45249
Bishop Fenwick High School
Personalized tours are available daily and by appointment. Evening appointments are available October through December. Call (513) 979-0220 to schedule a date and time. Virtual tours are available campus-map.www.countryday.net/admission/visit-us/at
Laurel Oaks Career Campus 300 Oak Wilmington,Dr. OH 45177 (937) 382-1411 | www.greatoaks.com
Scarlet Oaks Career Campus 300 Scarlet Oaks Dr. at 3254 E. Kemper Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45241 (513) 771-8810 | www.greatoaks.com
Elder High School
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022, 1–3:30 PM Preregistration is encouraged to save time at check-in. Preregister brinkmank@mercymcauley.org(513)KevinQuestions?www.mercymcauley.org/openhouse.atContact:Brinkman,DirectorofAdmissions681-1800x2272
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022, 4–8 PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2022, 2 PM
Register for a scheduled tour time on BadinHS.org
Martha S. Lindner Campus (Grades 9–12) 11525 Snider Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45249
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2023, 2–4 PM
Children’s Meeting House
Cincinnati Waldorf School
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2022, 10 AM–1 SATURDAY,PMJANUARY 28, 2023, 10 AM–1 PM
OPEN HOUSE GUIDE
Ramformation Nights
Edyth B. Lindner Campus (PK2–Grade 3) 11312 Snider Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45249
555 Albion Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45246
2022-2023
7 PM: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14; TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27; WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 (LATINO NIGHT—INTERPRETERS WILL BE AVAILABLE), THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27; AND MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022
(513) 771-7462 | https://bethanyschool.org
Bethany School
Mercy McAuley High School
PM: SEPTEMBER 7, SEPTEMBER 28, OCTOBER 5, AND OCTOBER 12, 2022
Live Oaks Career Campus 5956 Buckwheat Rd. Milford, OH 45150 (513) 575-1900 | www.greatoaks.com
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2023, 2 PM
All Campuses Open House
927 O’Bannonville Rd.
Open houses at Great Oaks Career Campuses—Diamond Oaks in Dent, Laurel Oaks in Wilmington, Live Oaks in Milford, and Scarlet Oaks in Sharonville—will be scheduled for January. Virtual tours and other information at www.greatoaks.com.
Information WEDNESDAYS,Nights6–7:30
Shadow Days are available throughout the fall. For more information about Admissions, or any of our Admissions Events, please contact Director of Admissions Chris Kemper at ckemper@fenwickfalcons. org or (513) 428-0525.
Montessori School
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022, 1–3 PM
Ramformation Nights, small sized admissions events, are a great way to learn more about Badin High School. Register online. There are a number of Shadow Days available to prospective 8th grade students. Register online: BadinHS.org under Admissions.
All Campuses Campus Visit Day
Badin High School
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022, 10 AM–1 SATURDAY,PMFEBRUARY 4, 2023, 10 AM–1 PM Lower School 6743 Chestnut St. Cincinnati, OH 45227 (513) 541-0220 High School 6703 Madison Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45227 (513) 386-7974 | www.cincinnatiwaldorf school.org
Diamond Oaks Career Campus 6375 Harrison Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45247 (513) 574-1300 | www.greatoaks.com
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2023, 1 PM Grade PersonalK-8tours available at your convenience. Just call (513) 624-3141 to schedule. 6539 Beechmont Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45230 (513) 624-3141 | www.gaschool.org
Great Oaks Career Campuses
Loveland, OH 45140
Cincinnati Country Day School
571 New London Rd. Hamilton, OH 45013 (513) 863-3993 | https://BadinHS.org
6905 Given Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45243 (513) 979-0220 | www.countryday.net
Learn more and RSVP at com/enrollment/schedule-a-tour/https://cmhschool.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2022, 1–5 PM
6000 Oakwood Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45224 (513) 681-1800 | www.mercymcauley.org
4855 State Route 122 Franklin, OH 45005 (513) 423-0723 | www.fenwickfalcons.org
Otto Armleder Memorial Education Campus (PK3–Grade 6) 140 W. Ninth St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 247-0900 | www.chca-oh.org
St. Ursula Academy
Seton High School
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023, 12–12:45 PM
Middle School & Upper School Campus Tour Grades 6–12
OCTOBER 11, 2022, 9–10 AM Doherty Campus Lower School Tour Pre-k for 2-yr-olds through kindergarten TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27,2022, 1:30–2:15 PM
In-Person Open House
Bulldog for a Day Shadow Program
Middle School & Upper School Admission WEDNESDAYS,Events9–10
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022, 1–4 PM
Main Building 2161 Grandin Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45208 (513) 871-4700 | https://summitcds.org
Upper School Open House THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022, 6:30 PM Grades 9–12
76 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022
PM: NOVEMBER
Springer School and Center
Virtual Campus www.saintursula.org/visit.aspxTours:
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2022, 4:30 PM–8:30 PM
Doherty Campus 2726 Johnstone Pl. Cincinnati, OH 45206 (513) 728-2400 | www.7hills.org
WEDNESDAYS, 6:30PM: OCTOBER 12, 2022; NOVEMBER 9, 2022; DECEMBER 14, 2022; JANUARY 11, 2023; MARCH 15, 2023; APRIL 12, 2023
8th grade girls
Mount Notre Dame
The Summit Country Day School
Mercy Montessori Center
RSVP required, (513) 871-4700, ext. 261 or admissions@summitcds.org
Purcell Marian High School
Virtual Event: Student and Parent Panel Grades 9–12
Miami Valley Christian Academy
1339 E. McMillan St. Cincinnati, OH 45206 (513) 961-3410 | www.saintursula.org
TUESDAY,AM
By appointment only
Pre-registration required
Virtual Event: Lower Schools Event Pre-k for 2-yr-olds through grade 5
Hillsdalelocations:Campus
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022, 7–8 PM
Showcase THURSDAYS,Night6:30–8:30
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2023
ANDTHISREMOVEPAGEPOST!
2022-2023
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2023, 10 AM–5 PM
VARIOUS DAYS NOW–DECEMBER 16, 2022
Admission
Questions? Contact Dawn Ellington ’04, Director of Admissions, (513) 751-1230 x128, www.purcellmarian.org/openhousedellington@purcellmarian.org, 2935 Hackberry St. Cincinnati, OH 45206 (513) 751-1230 | www.purcellmarian.org
Virtual Event: Early Childhood Education Pre-k for 2-yr-olds through kindergarten THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022, 9–10 AM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2022, 1–5 PM Visit our website at www.mndhs.org for more details.
OCTOBER 13, 2022, 9–10 AM Hillsdale Campus Lower School Tour Pre-k for 2-yr-olds through kindergarten THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022, 9–10
Mercy Meet-Ups (Virtual Information TUESDAYS,Events)
711 E. Columbia Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45215 (513) 821-3044 | https://www.mndhs.org
AM: SEPTEMBER 28, OCTOBER 19, AND NOVEMBER 2, 2022
THURSDAYS, 8:30 AM: OCTOBER 20 AND NOVEMBER 10, 2022 Ages 18 months–Grade 8
3 OR DECEMBER 1, 2022 6th–8th grade girls and families
OPEN HOUSE GUIDE
Dellecave with questions or for more information at mdellecave@saintursula.org, (513) 961-3410 ext. 183
Open houses occur monthly throughout the school year. Register online or call (513) 871-6080 ext. 211 to speak with Admissions Director Jill Wieging. 2121 Madison Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45208 (513) 871-6080 | www.Springer-LD.org
THURSDAYS, 8:30 AM: SEPTEMBER 22, 28, AND OCTOBER 19, 2022 Grades 9–12
WEDNESDAY,EventsSEPTEMBER 21, 2022, 9–10 TUESDAY,AM
The Seven Hills School
Contact Amanda Grimm for more information and to register for any of these events: agrimm@mercymontessori.org, (513) 475-6700. 2335 Grandview Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45206 (513) 475-6700 | www.mercymontessori.org
7th and 8th grade girls and families
Early Childhood & Lower School
To learn more about Seton High School, Open House, and parent information sessions, please visit www.setoncincinnati. org or contact Seton Director of Institutional Advancement Sarah Cranley Lykins ‘02 at (513) 471-2600, ext.2422 or lykinss@setoncincinnati.org. 3901 Glenway Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45248 (513) 471-2600 | http://setoncincinnati.org
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Virtual Event: Middle School & Upper School Info Session Grades 6–12 THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023, 7–7:45 PM
Virtual Event: Four-Year College Counseling Grades 9–12 Campus
Open SUNDAY,HouseOCTOBER 23, 2022, 1–4 PM
Paige McElfresh, Admissions Director pmcelfresh@mvca-oh.com 6830 School St. Cincinnati, OH 45244 (513) 272-6822 | http://mvca-oh.com
5400 Redbank Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45227 (513) 728-2400 | www.7hills.org
RSVP required for all events. Register at Contactwww.saintursula.org/visitAdmissionsDirector Michelle
9 AM: OCTOBER 11, 2022; NOVEMBER 8, 2022; DECEMBER 13, 2022; JANUARY 10, 2023; MARCH 14, 2023: APRIL 11, 2023
Parent Preview Days
Erik Shifflett ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors
MitchAdvisorsEdwards ∙ Morgan Stanley
Mark Noble Wilkins ∙ Thrivent Investment Management
MatthewManagementJ.Larmann
Nick Otto ∙ WestPoint Financial Group Page 6
These days, it takes a village to manage your fi nancial world. Whether it is managing your assets with a wealth manager, navigating the ever-changing tax landscape, sorting out your estate and succession planning or picking the right life insurance, fi nding the right team can be a daunting task. In fact, many consumers have a hard time fi guring out where to even begin.
Lisa Gerardi ∙ Gerardi Wealth Management, LLC
Jeffrey David Stanley ∙ Morgan Stanley
Stout ∙ The Legend Group
Chuck Futel ∙ Primerica
Joseph Clifford Hack ∙ Madison Wealth
Alan Richard Henning ∙ Madison Wealth
All award winners are listed in this publication.
• Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager, Five Star Investment Professional or any professional is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected professionals will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future.
Eric Scott Ross ∙ Madison Wealth Management
∙ The Rosselot Financial Group
Matthew C. Bayer ∙ The Bayer Financial Group, LLC Page 7
• The inclusion of a professional on the Five Star Wealth Manager list or the Five Star Investment Professional list should not be construed as an endorsement of the professional by Five Star Professional or Cincinnati Magazine
Christopher Evans Collier ∙ WestPoint Financial DarylGroupJoseph
RESEARCH DISCLOSURES
Humphrey ∙ Madison Wealth YoungjinManagementJung∙
Continued from FS-9
Randy E. Hein ∙ The Rosselot Financial Group
Aubrey Herman ∙ Ameriprise Financial Services, SallyLLC
In order to consider a broad population of high-quality wealth managers and investment professionals, award candidates are identified by one of three sources: firm nomination, peer nomination or prequalification based on industry standing. Self-nominations are not accepted. Cincinnati-area award candidates were identified using internal and external research data. Candidates do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final lists of Five Star Wealth Managers or Five Star Investment Professionals.
Brian P. Lillis ∙ Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC Page 8
Robert Stephen Castellini ∙ Wells Fargo
FIVE STAR AWARD WINNERS
Michael A. Mueller ∙ The Coastal Advisory Group
FIVE STAR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL DETERMINATION OF AWARD WINNERS CRITERIA
Jason Sirotak ∙ WestPoint Financial Group Page 6
Page 5
• The Five Star award is not indicative of a professional’s future performance.
George Edward Kavalauskas ∙ Park Avenue
Dwayne E. Adams ∙ Adams Wealth Management Group
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
José L. Chavez ∙ The Rosselot Financial Group
NathanSecuritiesM.Kosman
Kimberly Ann Thompson ∙ Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
Gregory Warren Hang ∙ LPL Financial
John Gould ∙ Morgan Stanley Page 4
ToddGroupDavid
Molly A. O’Connor ∙ Lifetime Financial Growth Company, LLC Page 8
FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER
Ryan P. Grote ∙ The Rosselot Financial Group
James McDermott ∙ Madison Wealth Management
Financial Planning
Susan M. Bennett ∙ Thrivent Investment Management Page 8
Chris R. Ward ∙ EntryPoint Wealth Management Page 9
∙ Madison Wealth
Demo ∙ DayMark Wealth Partners
Marc Erle Henn ∙ Harvest Financial Advisors
EdwardManagementR.Kuresman
Peter D. McColgan ∙ Wells Fargo Advisors
Thomas Stanley Mench ∙ Mench Financial
Jamie M. Powell ∙ Capital Advisory Services, LLC
Alan Runkel ∙ Independent Financial Resources
Sometimes, a few simple questions can put you off on the right path. Asking a professional what makes working with them a unique experience can help you understand how they work and if their style meshes with your own.
Michael E. Short ∙ Periscope Financial Page 2
• Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets.
LEARN MORE AT FIVESTARPROFESSIONAL.COM — FS- 1
Greg Brown ∙ Brown Financial Advisors Page 7
Jay Grandfield ∙ Zenith Advisory Group
Investments
Tim Walsh ∙ Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC Page 8
Angie Trandai ∙ Trandai Financial Solutions
Amy Burgraff ∙ Morgan Stanley Page 3
2022 CINCINNATI
Andrew D. Sathe ∙ MCF Advisors
Paul McCauley ∙ Morgan Stanley Page 3
This is a great place to start! Five Star Professional uses its own proprietary research methodology to name outstanding professionals, then works with publications such as Cincinnati Magazine to spread the word about award winners. Each award candidate undergoes a thorough research process (detailed here) before being considered for the fi nal list of award winners. For the complete list of winners, go to www.fi vestarprofessional.com.
Morgan Stanley
DETERMINATION OF AWARD WINNERS CRITERIA
Bradley Meeks ∙ Madison Wealth Management
∙ Larmann Financial
Ryan Frank Antepenko ∙ The Rosselot Financial Group
The investment professional award goes to estate planning attorneys, insurance agents and select others in the financial industry. Eligibility Criteria – Required: 1. Credentialed with appropriate state or industry licensures. 2. Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years. 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review. 4. Accepting new clients. Evaluation Criteria – Considered: 5. One-year client retention rate. 6. Five-year client retention rate. 7. Number of client households served. 8. Recent personal production and performance (industry specific criteria). 9. Education and professional designations/industry and board certifications. 10. Pro Bono and community service work. This year, we honored 2 Cincinnati-area investment professionals with the Five Star Investment Professional award.
HenryManagementH.Hampton ∙ Thrivent Investment Management
James O. Stewart ∙ The Rosselot Financial
Christopher M. Gongola ∙ LPL Financial Page 9
Jonathan Peirson ∙ Peirson Financial Services LLC Page 6
Paul E. Burgdorf ∙ Harvest Financial Advisors
Award candidates who satisfied 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers. Eligibility Criteria – Required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative. 2. Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years. 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review. 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal firm standards. 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation Criteria –Considered: 6. One-year client retention rate. 7. Five-year client retention rate. 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or nondiscretionary client assets administered. 9. Number of client households served. 10. Education and professional designations. 1 ,585 award candidates in the Cincinnati area were considered for the Five Star Wealth Manager award. 230 (approximately 15% of the award candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers.
• Five Star Professional is not an advisory firm and the content of this article should not be considered financial advice. For more information on the Five Star Wealth Manager or Five Star Investment Professional award programs, research and selection criteria, go to fivestarprofessional.com/research.
Mark Charles Lindloff ∙ Lincoln Financial Securities/DG Advisors
This award was issued on September 1st, 2022 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period January 3rd, 2022 through September 1st, 2022. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award winners may pay for marketing tools, including this advertisement. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. 1,585 Cincinnati-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 230 (15% of candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2021: 1,357 considered, 221 winners; 2020: 1,406 considered, 216 winners; 2019: 1,371 considered, 238 winners; 2018: 1,413 considered, 239 winners; 2017: 985 considered, 288 winners; 2016: 918 considered, 368 winners; 2015: 1,667 considered, 427 winners; 2014: 2,082 considered, 483 winners; 2013: 1,367 considered, 509 winners; 2012: 1,265 considered, 477 winners. STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER
Wealth Advisor Michael E. Short
For over 15 years, Michael has been helping his clients build, protect and pass on their wealth in order to pursue their personal and professional goals. Through careful planning, calculated risk-taking and diligent accountability, Michael’s clientele are able to navigate life’s financial ups and downs and focus on the long-term goals that are most important to them.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
• Network of financial professionals • Caring and attentive service • Robust investment and protection strategies • Comprehensive wealth management Comprehensive Service. Individual Attention.
FS- 2 — LEARN MORE AT FIVESTARPROFESSIONAL.COM
Left to right: 2013 – 2022 winner Michael E. Short; Andrea Trammell, Operations Manager
— WEALTH MANAGERS —
WINNERYEAR 10
FIVE
It’s been one year since Michael started Periscope Financial, and the response and encouragement from all of his clients has been wonderful! As they begin taking on new clients again, they look forward to continuing a high level of service while welcoming new friends into the Periscope Financial family. They are also excited for the upcoming opening of their new offices at The Barter Room in O’bryonville in the next few months and look forward to seeing you there.
7119 Maple Avenue • Cincinnati, OH 45243 Phone: michael@periscopefinancial.com513-430-0171• www.lpl.com Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.
— WEALTH
Paul McCauley and Amy Burgraff
— SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION LEARN MORE AT FIVESTARPROFESSIONAL.COM — FS- 3
FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER
Left to right: Julie Eten, Client Service Associate; Three-year winner Amy Burgraff, CFP®, Financial Advisor; Ten-year winner Paul McCauley, CPM®, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor
*Paul McCauley has over 27 years of experience and Amy Burgraff has over 10 years of experience in the financial industry. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, C ERTIFIED F INANCIAL P LANNER ™, and the CFP® mark (with plaque design) in the U.S. ©2022 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 4888533 08/22. WINNERYEAR 10 • Paul McCauley: 2012 and 2014 – 2022 Five Star Wealth Manager • Amy Burgraff: 2020 – 2022 Five Star Wealth Manager • *Over 37 years of combined experience in the financial services industry
Tagline (80 characters)
221 E 4 th Street, Atrium Two, Suite 2200 • Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: paul.d.mccauley@ms.com513-852-4408•amy.burgraff@ms.comwww.morganstanleyfa.com/madisongroupsb Paul, Amy and Julie work together as a team to comprehensively serve clients. Paul’s area of concentration focuses on managing portfolios for individuals and families. Amy collaborates closely with families when creating financial plans, helping them define and reach their goals, such as funding a child’s college and comfortable retirement. Paul’s disciplined investment approach tailors the client’s portfolio to help achieve the wealth planning goals Amy helped them define. Julie serves clients’ administrative and technology needs with her personalized service.
This award was issued on September 1st, 2022 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period January 3rd, 2022 through September 1st, 2022. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award winners may pay for marketing tools, including this advertisement. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. 1,585 Cincinnati-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 230 (15% of candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2021: 1,357 considered, 221 winners; 2020: 1,406 considered, 216 winners; 2019: 1,371 considered, 238 winners; 2018: 1,413 considered, 239 winners; 2017: 985 considered, 288 winners; 2016: 918 considered, 368 winners; 2015: 1,667 considered, 427 winners; 2014: 2,082 considered, 483 winners; 2013: 1,367 considered, 509 winners; 2012: 1,265 considered, 477 winners. MANAGERS
• Professional portfolio management
• Alternative investments
— WEALTH MANAGERS —
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Left to right: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 winner John Gould, CFP®, CPWA®, CPM®, First Vice President, Financial Advisor, Alternative Investment Director, Workplace Advisor of Equity Compensation, Portfolio Management Director; Anna Kohlem, Assistant Vice President, Wealth Management Associate, Financial Planning Specialist;Janie Shaffer, Business Development Director
The more money you earn, the more complicated your financial life can become. The stakes get higher, and the challenges get more complex.
FS- 4 — LEARN MORE AT FIVESTARPROFESSIONAL.COM
As a financial advisor here in Cincinnati, I help clients overcome their toughest financial challenges every day. With my 27 years of experience, Anna Kohlem’s 25 years of experience and Janie Shaffer’s five years in the industry, our highly experienced team provides world-class resources, a commitment to exceptional service and a relentless drive to help make your wealth work harder.
I have been named a Five Star Wealth Manager in 2016 – 2017 and 2019 – 2022.
Helping Make Your Wealth Work Harder So You Can Pursue a Life Well-Lived
Direct: 513-562-8309 • Cell: 513-815-3263 Fax: 513-322-4574 • Toll-Free: 800-659-6599
John Gould
CFP®, CPWA®, CPM®, First Vice President, Financial Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager
john.gould@morganstanley.com • advisor.morganstanley.com/john.gould
Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. The strategies and/or investments discussed n this material may not be appropriate for all investors. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.©2022 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 4869904 07/22. WINNERYEAR 6
755 Montgomery Road, 2 nd Floor • Cincinnati, OH 45236
This award was issued on September 1st, 2022 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period January 3rd, 2022 through September 1st, 2022. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award winners may pay for marketing tools, including this advertisement. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. 1,585 Cincinnati-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 230 (15% of candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2021: 1,357 considered, 221 winners; 2020: 1,406 considered, 216 winners; 2019: 1,371 considered, 238 winners; 2018: 1,413 considered, 239 winners; 2017: 985 considered, 288 winners; 2016: 918 considered, 368 winners; 2015: 1,667 considered, 427 winners; 2014: 2,082 considered, 483 winners; 2013: 1,367 considered, 509 winners; 2012: 1,265 considered, 477 winners.
• Stock option planning
FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER
Certified
• Retirement planning
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Peter’s investment team provides comprehensive planning focused on achieving your financial objectives. It’s a process to grow your wealth in support of your life and retirement goals. Peter believes his years of experience provide a significant benefit to his clients. He works with you to keep investment strategies aligned with ever-changing goals and needs. He is a 2021 - 2022 Five Star Wealth Manager award winner.
Peter D. McColgan
Senior Vice President – Investments, Lic. 1783205
FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER
Working Toward Your Financial Dreams
8044 Montgomery Road, Suite 570 • Cincinnati, OH 45236 Phone: 513-985-2170 • Phone: 513-985-2871 peter.mccolgan@wfadvisors.com • wfadvisors.com/peter.mccolgan
— WEALTH MANAGERS —
WINNERYEAR 2
LEARN MORE AT FIVESTARPROFESSIONAL.COM — FS- 5
For three decades, he has helped clients develop investment strategies that meet their objectives. Peter’s 31 years of experience as a financial advisor gives him a perspective on market behavior. His knowledge of and access to an expansive array of investments and platforms provides him with the tools necessary to help clients succeed financially. option planning
Investment and Insurance Products: NOT FDIC Insured / NO Bank Guarantee / MAY Lose Value
This award was issued on September 1st, 2022 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period January 3rd, 2022 through September 1st, 2022. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award winners may pay for marketing tools, including this advertisement. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. 1,585 Cincinnati-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 230 (15% of candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2021: 1,357 considered, 221 winners; 2020: 1,406 considered, 216 winners; 2019: 1,371 considered, 238 winners; 2018: 1,413 considered, 239 winners; 2017: 985 considered, 288 winners; 2016: 918 considered, 368 winners; 2015: 1,667 considered, 427 winners; 2014: 2,082 considered, 483 winners; 2013: 1,367 considered, 509 winners; 2012: 1,265 considered, 477 winners.
Wells no n-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. [CAR-0822-01223].
Two-year winner Peter D. McColgan
Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and
• Retirement income strategies • Goal-based planning • Business retirement plans • Wealth preservation strategies • Stock
We listen. In our first meeting, we let you do the talking. Here, we discover your goals and risk tolerance, your current position, where you want to go and how to get you there.
FS- 6 — LEARN MORE AT FIVESTARPROFESSIONAL.COM
This award was issued on September 1st, 2022 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period January 3rd, 2022 through September 1st, 2022. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award winners may pay for marketing tools, including this advertisement. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. 1,585 Cincinnati-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 230 (15% of candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2021: 1,357 considered, 221 winners; 2020: 1,406 considered, 216 winners; 2019: 1,371 considered, 238 winners; 2018: 1,413 considered, 239 winners; 2017: 985 considered, 288 winners; 2016: 918 considered, 368 winners; 2015: 1,667 considered, 427 winners; 2014: 2,082 considered, 483 winners; 2013: 1,367 considered, 509 winners; 2012: 1,265 considered, 477 winners.
2018 – 2022 Five Star Wealth Manager
•
ERTIFIED F INANCIAL P LANNER
We work together. A solid financial plan requires teamwork and trust, which is why we take the time to discover what you envision for your financial future to tailor recommendations to your situation and set you up for success.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and the CFP® mark (with plaque design) in the U.S. Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. 8044 Montgomery Road, Suite 620 East, Cincinnati, OH 45236, 513-332-9982. CRN2025062575990.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, C ™, and the CFP® mark (with plaque design) in the U.S. Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. The LPL Financial Registered Representatives associated with this site may only discuss and/or transact securities business with residents of the following states: CA, NC, SC, GA, FL, IN, KY, NH, and OH. This communication is strictly intended for individuals residing in the state(s) of CA, NC, SC, GA, FL, IN, KY, NH and OH. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside the specific states referenced.
The Sirotak Otto Team
• jsirotak@financialguide.com •
8044
Our combined experience of more than 25 years in the financial services industry allows us to help clients like you. Whether it’s retirement planning, investment allocation, insurance, college savings or something else, we develop strategies to help you meet the goals that are important to you.
FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER
CFP®, President, CEO Peirson
— WEALTH MANAGERS —
Left to right: 2019 – 2022 winner Nick Otto, CFP®, ChFC®, FSCP®; 2012 – 2022 winner Jason Sirotak, CFP®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP® Montgomery Road, Suite 620 Cincinnati, OH 45236
•
www.sirotakottoteam.com •
Jonathan
WINNERYEAR 5
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
We care. We want to see you live the life you work hard to achieve. It will be a marathon rather than a sprint, but we’ve trained to run alongside you every step of the way. By analyzing, implementing and reviewing your strategy, we can ensure you’re on course to achieve your goals.
•
We work with select families and businesses across the country to oversee and coordinate their financial affairs, thus providing the confidence to pursue their goals. We do this by thoroughly assessing a client’s financial state of affairs and determining how we can best assist them. Wealth management Financial planning Wealth protection
•
Jason: 513-332-9982 Nick: 513-332-9973 notto@financialguide.com Jason Sirotak: AR Insurance License 2987741
WINNERYEAR 11 FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER Five-year winner Jonathan Peirson 7450 Whispering Way • Cincinnati, OH 45241 Office: 513-202-6228 • www.peirsonfinancialservices.comjonathan.peirson@lpl.com
Helping Build Secure Financial Futures
•
Securities and Advisory Services offered through Harbour Investments, Inc Member FINRA/SIPC.
This award was issued on September 1st, 2022 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period January 3rd, 2022 through September 1st, 2022. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award winners may pay for marketing tools, including this advertisement. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. 1,585 Cincinnati-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 230 (15% of candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2021: 1,357 considered, 221 winners; 2020: 1,406 considered, 216 winners; 2019: 1,371 considered, 238 winners; 2018: 1,413 considered, 239 winners; 2017: 985 considered, 288 winners; 2016: 918 considered, 368 winners; 2015: 1,667 considered, 427 winners; 2014: 2,082 considered, 483 winners; 2013: 1,367 considered, 509 winners; 2012: 1,265 considered, 477 winners.
Greg
Phone: www.BayerFinancialGroup.combfg@bayerfinancialgroup.com937-432-6585
Matt Bayer is celebrating over 27 years of providing independent financial advice. As an independent advisor, he can truly work in his clients’ best interests without external pressures. Matt is a SmartVestor Pro. He has the heart of a teacher, not the attitude of a salesman. Matt has positioned The Bayer Financial Group, LLC to work within both fiduciary and suitability standards. Through a combination of fee-based and commission-based investment strategies, Matt has created the opportunity to not only keep client costs low, but guard against deep market swings and preserve assets for generations to come. Please visit the BFG website for a complete description of the planning process and to schedule some time to chat with Matt.
Portfolios With Purpose
Brown A significant part of our holistic practice is establishing close relationships with clients and helping them achieve their specific financial-life goals. Financial Advisor “Working for Clients, Not Companies” • Financial planning and investment management • Lifetime income planning • Pension, Social Security and Medicare planning • Insurance solutions • Tax advice and preparation • Estate planningWINNERYEAR 8
Left to right: Alexander Brown; Eight-year winner Greg Brown; James Borth; Julie D’Orazio
FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER
President
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION LEARN MORE AT FIVESTARPROFESSIONAL.COM — FS- 7
964 State Route 28 • Milford, OH 45150 • Phone: 513-575-9654 team@brownfinancialadvisors.com • www.brownfinancialadvisors.com All fee-based financial planning and investment advisory services are offered by Brown Financial Advisors, LLC. a SEC Investment Advisory Firm registered in the States of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida. Insurance and tax services are offered through Brown Insurance and Tax Advisors, LLC. Brown Financial Advisors, LLC. and Brown Insurance & Tax Advisors, LLC. are affiliated companies with 5 convenient office locations around the tri-state.
— WEALTH MANAGERS —
Matthew C. Bayer
WINNERYEAR 8 FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER
2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018 – 2022 winner Matthew C. Bayer, President
1948 E Whipp Road, Suite D • Kettering, OH 45440
WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER
• 2012 – 2022 Five Star Wealth Manager
InsuredNo Financial Institution GuaranteeMay Lose Value Investors
Park Avenue Securities, LLC. (PAS). 419 Plum Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, (513)579-1114. Securities products/services and advisory services are offered through PAS, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor. Financial Representative, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Lifetime Financial Growth, LLC. (LFG) is not an affiliate of subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. LFG is not a registered investment advisor. PAS is a member of FINRA, SIPC.
Experienced, Knowledgeable Insight
ChFC®, CLU®, CASL®, Financial3174AdvisorMack
Phone: timothy.j.walsh@ampf.com513-874-6600 11
• Five Star Wealth Manager award winner, 2012 – 2022
WINNERYEAR
WINNERYEAR
I deliver personalized financial advice to help you achieve your goals, today and tomorrow, through our Confident Retirement® approach.
This award was issued on September 1st, 2022 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period January 3rd, 2022 through September 1st, 2022. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award winners may pay for marketing tools, including this advertisement. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. 1,585 Cincinnati-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 230 (15% of candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2021: 1,357 considered, 221 winners; 2020: 1,406 considered, 216 winners; 2019: 1,371 considered, 238 winners; 2018: 1,413 considered, 239 winners; 2017: 985 considered, 288 winners; 2016: 918 considered, 368 winners; 2015: 1,667 considered, 427 winners; 2014: 2,082 considered, 483 winners; 2013: 1,367 considered, 509 winners; 2012: 1,265 considered, 477 winners. STAR
I take the time to understand what’s truly important to you. Together, we document your goals, track your progress, make ongoing recommendations to help you diversify your portfolio and adjust to whatever life brings — both the expected and the unexpected. With regular reviews of your goals, anytime access to your investments and digital tools to help you stay on track, I can help you feel confident, connected and always in control of your financial life.
FurtherAdvisorFinancial Group – West
Road, Suite 2 Fairfield, OH 45014
Financial Growth
Financial Consultant, RICP® Executive Park Drive, Suite 400 Cincinnati, OH 45241
Not FDIC NCUA should conduct their own evaluation of a financial professional as working with a financial advisor is not a guarantee of future financial success. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. The Confident Retirement approach is not a guarantee of future financial results.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Lifetime LLCCompany,
Molly A. O’Connor Financial Advisor
— WEALTH MANAGERS —
Invest. Achieve.
WINNERYEAR 9 FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER
FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER
Financial Advisor & Registered Representative of Lifetime Financial Growth Company, LLC.
• Retirement and estate planning
Tim Walsh
4 FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER
Susan M. Bennett
Molly has been a financial advisor serving the greater Cincinnati area for 20 years. Molly serves business owners and executives in the areas of retirement planning, investment management, education savings and insurance planning. Molly has served as a manager and senior advisor for Lifetime Financial Growth Company, LLC and runs an advisor team in the downtown Cincinnati office. Molly lives in Glendale, Ohio with her family and has served on the St. Xavier High School Mother’s Club board and the Boy Scouts Troop 902 committee.
Protect.
CRPC®, Private Wealth
4055
FIVE
A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC Cincinnati, OH 45211
FS- 8 — LEARN MORE AT FIVESTARPROFESSIONAL.COM
419 Plum Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Cell: 513-907-6974 • Office: molly_o’connor@lfgco.com513-619-2508www.mollyaoconnor.com
or
29 Years of Experience in the Financial Industry
Brian P. Lillis
Phone: brian.p.lillis@ampf.com513-347-8010
WINNERYEAR
11
Not FDIC or NCUA InsuredNo Financial Institution GuaranteeMay Lose Value
Susan leverages 29 years in the financial industry and her values of creativity, leadership and service to create retirement income strategies for those five to 10 years from retirement. She will help you prepare for a tax-efficient wealth transfer to potentially maximize your generosity to future generations and the causes you care about. Helping You Live and Leave a Legacy
Investors should conduct their own evaluation of a financial professional as working with a financial advisor is not a guarantee of future financial success.
Phone: connect.thrivent.com/susan-bennettsusan.bennett@thrivent.com513-370-2273
Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. Advisory services available through investment adviser representatives only. Thrivent.com/disclosures. 3711313.2.
Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.
Since his start as a financial advisor in 1987, Tim’s commitment has been to provide a high level of personalized, client-focused financial advice to his clients. His ability to do so is the result of gaining and maintaining an understanding of each client’s goals, objectives, time frames and risk tolerance through ongoing and interactive relationships. Tim has a genuine interest in each client’s well-being.
• Investment management strategies
Continued from FS-1
JamesJohnJohnCharlotteS.NancyJoshuaStephenMicheleJeffreyCharlesMorganClineStanleyHerbertColeChuckColeFinancialServicesEarlDaniherRitterDaniherFinancialAdvisoryR.DaniherRitterDaniherFinancialAdvisoryEdwardDauerMorganStanleyDavidDeeterDeeterAdvisoryGroupLouiseDelGrossoMorganStanleyDavidDinnSecuritiesAmericaAdvisorsAnneDoughertyDougherty&AssociatesE.DoughertyIIIDougherty&AssociatesDavidDovichMAICapitalManagementRobertEckEckGetter&GreenwellWealthManagement
Securities and Advisory Services Offered Through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. The LPL Financial Registered Representatives associated with this site may only discuss and/or transact securities business with residents of the following states: AZ, CA, CT, FL, IL, IN, IA, KY, MS, NY, OH, TN, WV, WI.
Peter Robert Bouley Merrill Lynch
Gregory Neal Altenau
Michael Sayers Cambron Bartlett & Co. Wealth
Kathy J. PrincipledHammWealth Advisors
7310 Turfway Road, Suite 550 Florence, KY 41042
Hornor Townsend & Kent
Founder, Senior Wealth Advisor, CFP®
THOR
FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER
Hyde Park Wealth Advisors
Robert John Grossheim
Chris R. Ward
Douglas
James Clarence Getter Eck Getter & Greenwell Wealth Management
WEALTH MANAGERS — INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS
STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER
Jerry Butts 3 Point Wealth Strategies
Ryan
Brian Francis Antenucci Bartlett & Co. Wealth
William Carl Bruns MAI Capital Management
Brian Matthew Bushman Saxon Financial Services
Sandra Faith Hall Faith Financial Advisors
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and the CFP® mark (with plaque design) in the U.S.
FIVE
Phone: chris@gongolafi859-320-0321nancial.comwww.gongolafinancial.com
Crown Capital Securities
All award winners are listed in this publication.
• Available: hourly or AUM fee
Gregory Brian Burch Lighthouse Agency
WINNERYEAR 8
This award was issued on September 1st, 2022 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period January 3rd, 2022 through September 1st, 2022. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award winners may pay for marketing tools, including this advertisement. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. 1,585 Cincinnati-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 230 (15% of candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2021: 1,357 considered, 221 winners; 2020: 1,406 considered, 216 winners; 2019: 1,371 considered, 238 winners; 2018: 1,413 considered, 239 winners; 2017: 985 considered, 288 winners; 2016: 918 considered, 368 winners; 2015: 1,667 considered, 427 winners; 2014: 2,082 considered, 483 winners; 2013: 1,367 considered, 509 winners; 2012: 1,265 considered, 477 winners.
ZachGaryShawnThomasDavidSteveMikeMattStephenJoelManagementNicholasHandorfMorganStanleyDuaneHawkinsAmeripriseFinancialServices,LLCAaronHeldClarityWealthManagementThomasHengeholdHCMWealthAdvisorsEliasHengeholdHCMWealthAdvisorsBrianHenningFormidableAssetManagementHermannPNCInvestmentsHillHillFinancialStrategiesEdwardHollanderHollander&AssociatesTylerHornFoster&Motley
Daniel Joseph Altenau
Michael Louis Andrews Merrill Lynch
Wealth Managers
John Michael Brueggeman Viceroy Wealth Counsel
Keith Jerome Bookbinder
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION LEARN MORE AT FIVESTARPROFESSIONAL.COM — FS- 9
Hornor Townsend & Kent
Coleman B. Goldsmith
Phillip Ray Brann Morgan Stanley
ErikRobertManagementCarrollCarnegieInvestmentCounselJamesChristmanOxfordFinancialPartners
JahnJamesRyanDavidTimStephenChristopherJayBenKimberlyJamesFosterEnglish&MotleyRandallEutslerHCMWealthAdvisorsMaeFeckMorganStanleyFeldmeyerAmeripriseFinancialServices,LLCAlanFinkeClarityWealthManagementMichaelFloresThreeCornersCapitalPatrickFortinThreeCornersCapitalDavidFosterUBSPhilipFrancisBartlett&Co.WealthManagementAndrewFrommWellsFargoAdvisorsDavidGauntFormidableAssetManagementDorabGazderAmeripriseFinancialServices,LLC
640 Main Street, Suite 2 Covington, KY 41011
Phone: chris@entrypointwm.com859-203-1414www.entrypointwm.com
Christopher M. Gongola Owner
Jeffrey Gensheimer
Family Wealth Advisory DennisGroupF.GrothausGrothausFinancial Group
ElizabethManagementWealthMarchal Green Foster & Motley
As a financial professional, Chris is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses establish their financial futures. Chris’ experience and professional affiliations have fostered his practical approach to offering financial services and advice to his clients.
WINNERYEAR 5
Thomas J. Guidi Foster & Motley
Wells Fargo Advisors
Jake Elliott Butcher HCM Wealth Advisors
Eric Matthew Greenwell Eck Getter & Greenwell Wealth Management
LucasManagementParkerHailFoster&Motley
Michael Anthony George Tri-State Financial Group
James Edward Gore
Megan Kathleen Hammann Cassady Schiller Wealth
At EntryPoint Wealth Management, we serve individuals, business owners and real estate investors to help achieve their financial goals. We work in the best interest of our clients, implementing complex tax and investment strategies to maximize our clients’ future wealth.
James Brian Hagerty Bartlett & Co. Wealth
RyanCaseyBethanyZacharyRichardRonaldLewisStephenEdwardManagementL.ApfelMorganStanleyM.AshworthMorganStanleyAndrewAssaleyMorganStanleyTimothyBates1919InvestmentCounselHowardBeckertMerrillLynchThomasBinzerFoster&MotleyBohmer-HuffmanBohmerKilcoyneWealthManagementMichaelBolandHCMWealthAdvisorsPatBonaventuraBonaventuraWealthAdvisors
Greg M. Bonner Merrill Lynch
EnyiManagementIhechituru Kanu
WoodrowDeanD.J.StevenAmyAndrewMarkElainaRogerChristopherW.JohnDavidBradManagementMichaelSoperFoster&MotleyLaurenSpeerCornerstoneFinancialGroupCharlesSpencerHFGAdvisorsRussellStewartCamargoInvestmentManagementStiverLPLFinancialLeeStrunkLincolnFinancialAdvisorsCordeliaStuardRobertW.Baird&Co.ByronSuttonAmeripriseFinancialServices,LLCScottTedescoDougherty&AssociatesLynnThomasFoster&MotleyMarkThomasWellsFargoAdvisorsJ.TrindleMorganStanleyD.TrindleMorganStanleyHunterUibleBartlett&Co.WealthManagement
RandallBarryPhilipTimothyAdamDanKennethIrwinChrisWilliamDeborahGarryWilsonManagementFrederickRosebraughSRInvestmentHoldingsW.RutledgeSaxonFinancialServicesAnneSaasCenterforWealthManagementRankinSarranMorganStanleyLeeSaulAmeripriseFinancialServices,LLCBruceScheinesonPlanningWorksLawrenceSchlachterBartlett&Co.WealthManagementAllenSchneiderCrewCapitalManagementJosephSchosterMorganStanleyJohnSchwiebertLMKohn&CompanyEdwardSeibertJuliusArthurSeibert&Co.PatrickShelleyAmeripriseFinancialServices,LLC/B.P.Shelley&AssociatesSinghShokerShokerInvestmentCounsel
David J. Nienaber Foster &
BartlettRobbins & Co. Wealth
Jeff AdamJLBBauerConsultingJ.CentnerKeatingMuething & Klekamp PLL
Brendan Ryan Hosty
Matthew Ronald Smith Morgan Stanley
MichaelRachelAndrewRobertLoriKyleKyleMaryThienthanhBoydJosephBrianStephenMattKristineChristopherMotleyRobertOberholzerInfinityWealthCounselSueO’BrienWealthTransitionsB.OlsonMerrillLynchFrederickO’NeillAmeripriseFinancialServices,LLCTallmanParkerHydeParkWealthAdvisorsAnthonyPattersonFoster&MotleyPattonHuntingtonFinancialAdvisorsThuyPhamMorganStanleyAnnPietromonacoMorganStanleyWilliamPohlmanBartlett&Co.WealthManagementPolandMorganStanleyBethPooleBartlett&Co.WealthManagementErnestPrangleyIIWellsFargoAdvisorsPulsfortTheProsperityPeopleAnnRasmussenFoster&MotleyRawlingsLPLFinancial
Robert W. Baird & Co.
Jason Martin Katz
J. Scott MarinerSimsWealth Advisors
InvestmentProfessionals
All award winners are listed in this publication.
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Robert Paul Huesman
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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with plaque design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. The Chartered Financial Consultant® credential [ChFC®] is a financial planning designation awarded by The American College. This award was issued on September 1st, 2022 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period January 3rd, 2022 through September 1st, 2022. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award winners may pay for marketing tools, including this advertisement. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. 1,585 Cincinnati-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 231 (15% of candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2021: 1,357 considered, 221 winners; 2020: 1,406 considered, 216 winners; 2019: 1,371 considered, 238 winners; 2018: 1,413 considered, 239 winners; 2017: 985 considered, 288 winners; 2016: 918 considered, 368 winners; 2015: 1,667 considered, 427 winners; 2014: 2,082 considered, 483 winners; 2013: 1,367 considered, 509 winners; 2012: 1,265 considered, 477 winners. This year, we honored 2 Cincinnati-area investment professionals with the Five Star Investment Professional award.
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An Australian puppet builder shaped the dog’s shaggy-but-loveable look. Bootsy Collins, Cincinnati’s Grammy-winning funk superstar, produced his song and provided vocals: “I will sing out ruff ruff when you buy me stuff stuff.”
but also a great musician,” he says. Heath sees a bit of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in him. “He has the same nonarrogant swagger,” she says, shrugging. “I have no idea if Joe Burrow would be pleased with that comparison or not.”
ASK 1,000 ELEMENTARY
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In his first video, Kevin is a wannabe rapper who tries to buy candy with street cred. The “Five Thousand Dollars” video picks up his story as hip-hop success brings new money hurdles. In the opening narration scene, Piphus stands next to a baby grand piano in a mock music studio; Kevin peers through a recording booth window behind her. On a side window, Lorenzo Jackson acts as the fictional sound engineer. His role isn’t a stretch. Jackson, who is Piphus’s cousin, produced the music for four of the first six $martPath videos and has a long recording history with Piphus. “We did ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ when she was 12 years old,” he says. “It was not traditional, more like a hip-hop version.”
Back in her office, Heath offers insights on the cast. “They have their own personalities,” she says. “Some of them are sassy, some are shy, some are kind.” She doesn’t hesitate when I ask if she has a favorite. “It’s Kevin.”According to Scianamblo, Kevin’s models were a young Barack Obama and singer John Legend. “He’s a great communicator
“YOU STUDENTS, DO YOU LIKE PUPPETS? THEY ALL SAY, YEAH!,” SAYS GEORGIA EDUCATION EXECUTIVE MICHAEL RAYMER.
who learns to conserve limited resources as he faces a dwindling supply of cannonballs. Other ideas came from life experience. Good Boy is a sheepdog who distinguishes between goods (dog food, chew toys, dog bowls, leashes) and services (proper training to keep him classy, grooming and brushing to keep him fancy). Scianamblo’s thirdgrade teacher had a sheep dog named Jack Benny, whom everybody loved.
$martPath celebrated the release of its first six puppet videos with a red-carpet event in February 2020. Published on the $ martPath website, YouTube, and PBS Learning Media, the 5- to 10-minute clips and accompanying lesson plans proved instant hits among kids, teachers, and parents. They also won three regional Emmys and were spotlighted on CNBC.
Heath’s vision has continued to grow. Last year, the economics center adapted the lessons to be accessible to children with developmental disabilities, including autism and down syndrome. “I can’t think of a population of students for whom teaching good decision making is more important,” Heath says. Success led to requests for a second series. Analytics showed viewers preferred singing to dialogue, so the new videos will be 3- to 4-minute music clips. Recording began with Kevin on that July day at CET.
Heath opens a bin, digs through foam nuggets and uncovers a big-eyed Flea the Frog. She sticks her hand in Flea’s back and wiggles his mouth. “I don’t know why his name is Flea,” she says, patting his head like he’s a family pet. More plastic boxes reveal Bebe the Parrot and pirate mateys who report to Blackbeard. She spots something else. “Blackbeard’s in here!” she says with delight. “Blackbeard is a favorite because of all the aarghs.”
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in 2015 to produce interview shows and documentaries, found the puppet challenge intriguing. It brought back childhood memories of watching PBS broadcasts of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. “I felt like it was an opportunity to continue that tradition,” he says.Scianamblo took charge of CET’s production process. It consumed him. He huddled with leaders of Madcap Puppet Theater, based in Westwood, and scoured the internet for puppet-making experts around the world. He studied YouTube videos on credit debt and consulted his girlfriend (now wife) for help sketching character designs. He also organized the building of five elaborate sets, including a pirate ship. And, like Kevin, he let his imagination run wild.
Heath calls it “manna from heaven.” She told the award contact, “I’m going to use this money to make puppet videos.”
HEATH’S ABILITY TO FRAME FINANCIAL literacy concepts for children has earned national acclaim. But none of her experience prepared her for producing highquality puppet videos. “I was clueless,” she says. Staff at CET shared similar naivete. “We’re not puppeteers,” says Lensman. “We’re storytellers and producers.” But Scianamblo, who had joined the station
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Scianamblo dreamed up the majority of $martPath’s characters and storylines, drawing inspiration from curriculum cartoons for characters like Blackbeard, a pirate
In all, $martPath videos feature about 20 puppet characters. Heath introduces me to a few when we get together in June. “It’s kind of creepy,” she says as we enter a small breakroom in the Alpaugh Family Economic Center’s office at UC. Heath points out the refrigerator and coffee machine next to
the stack of plastic bins containing puppet figures. “We don’t stand much on ceremony around here,” she says.
As the camera rolls, Piphus leans against the piano. “Meet Kevin, a talented musician who just earned $5,000 to turn his latest hit into a music video. Kevin’s imagination tends to run wild. But does he really understand how much everything costs?” Scianamblo’s crew records these lines six times with different camera angles and lighting. “I think we’ve got a winner there,” the director says after the sixth take. “But let’s start back on the other side.”
DESPITE SCIANAMBLO’S OCCASIONAL concerns, $ martPath’s ability to balance accurate information with zany story lines draws a lot of praise. It’s the reason the Georgia Council on Economic Education decided to support the project financially and plans to train more than 2,000 teachers to use the videos this school year, according to Executive Director Michael Raymer. “The number one thing is the economics and financial literacy concepts must be right,” he says. But puppets are the secret sauce. “You ask 1,000 elementary students, Do you like puppets? They all say, Yeah! To me that’s the hook. They’re going to remember Kevin, and they’re going to be singing his songs.”
How much can I spend for videography?
comparative shopping for toys on Amazon. Suddenly, smart consumer practices made sense. “It was way more powerful than anything I could have done on my own,” says MarshaBeiting.Piphus, Megan’s mom and a speech pathologist for Cincinnati Public Schools, has participated in workshops and trainings provided by the economic center for decades. During the school year, she uses $martPath videos to enhance lessons. The kids love it, and she credits the puppet factor. “Our kids are so tech savvy,” she says, and animated educational materials generally can’t live up to the quality of video games like Minecraft. But when kids see a real person interacting with puppets, they’reArettafascinated.Baumgartner, a Madcap veteran and national expert on puppets in education, says research supports Marsha Piphus’s theory. “It’s because children are so smart,” she says. Their brains see puppets like a canvas, and they long to create their own visuals and fill in the blanks. “It’s just like any good visual art—it’s in the eye of theBackbeholder.”atCET, Heath is immersed in that magical dimension as she watches a puppeteer move Kevin through human-like motions. “The intellectual part of your brain is going, This is a bunch of felt and a little bit of structure,” she says. “Yet, when you watch them, it’s like, Yeah, this is a person. And then you start thinking, I wonder what Kevin’s going to do next.”
My grand ideas will go on the big screen I made some cash from recording melodies
Donna Beiting can attest to that. She feared her third-graders at Amity Elementary in Deer Park would find puppets too cheesy. Instead, they danced and beat their desks to the rhythm when she showed $martPath videos last spring. She recalls a lesson with Scarcity Cat pricing items in his store, saying, “When the video ended, kids’ hands all went up.” They talked about the price of Pokémon cards at Target and
We find the dream car parked on a table on a CET set. It’s 3½ feet long. Scianamblo bought this toy ride on Amazon, and his team cut a hole in the seat to accommo date Kevin and his puppeteer. “It’s the perfect size for a puppet,” says Scianamblo. “I looked into getting a real Lamborghini, but driving one up on our loading dock probably would have given me a heart attack. You know, I feel like Kevin and I are one in the same in that aspect. We’re both learning how to be financially responsible.”
Kevin’s fantasies for his $5,000 video escalate to include dancers, a marching band, and a yellow Lamborghini (Put it in turbo, my fans go loco ). Piphus responds with calls for financial restraint.
Outside the puppet realm, Heath has many ideas for Kevin’s future—and her own. When $martPath begins releasing the second round of videos in December, Heath plans to retire from UC. But she won’t end her relationship with $martPath. The next step might be children’s books featuring the puppet characters, or gamifying the curriculum. And she’s up for another set of videos.Thenumber cruncher in Heath says Kevin and his puppet peers have awakened her whimsical side and unlocked creative ideas in other unexpected areas, too. She considers that concept for a moment. “I know business executives go through training and pay a whole lot of money to unlock their creative potential,” she says. “All they need is a puppet.”
videos and voices many of the characters, including Kevin, in the songs. She also writes all of the songs, adapting concepts like supply and demand and market equilibrium to musical styles from hip-hop and funk to jazz, bluegrass, and even cheesy popAsballads.ofAugust, she’s written and recorded half of the six new songs. Besides “Five Thousand Dollars,” Piphus has created a funk pop tune debating the costs and benefits of competitive bowling and crafted a high-tempo number to accom pany a pair of hungry rats racing through a grocery while choosing between bread, fruit, and cheese.
It’s a lesson for adults, too. During a lunch break, Scianamblo confides that Kevin’s wild imagination reflects his own fanciful musings. “If I had to pick what to put in a music video to make it big, bold, and exciting, I would choose back-up dancers, a marching band, and a sports car,” he says. Standing up to clear his plate, he asks,“Want to see my Lamborghini?” Of course I do.
The $martPath team takes pride in running with ideas like singing rats in a grocery, but Scianamblo admits to occasionally wondering how far they should go. “There were times, like when you’re shooting in a farmer’s field with a herd of cattle, that the absurdity of it all hits you,” he says. “You wonder if this works.” He reminds himself of the project’s ultimate goals. “As you’re in that field with the puppets and the cows, you’re still teaching a lesson.”
You have a list of things you need to buy So make a plan to divide your five Your music video has a price So split up your five right Know your costs and you might Have funds left over for your next worldwide hit!
As we watch this back-and-forth song, Heath says, “The goal is to get the lesson across to little kids that it’s exciting to have money and exciting to spend money, but you still can’t have everything you want.”
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Piphus’s connections, as well as her background in both musical puppetry and finance, have made her invaluable on the project. She appears as herself in all the
Heath stops by at mid-morning, just as Kevin lets his infamous imagination spin in the rap’s first verse: I’ll make a music video of my dreams
With one difference. Scianamblo did get his marching band and dancers. Piphus connected him with her aunt and uncle, who lead the Kentucky State University dance team and marching band. They recorded Kevin’s dream scenes at CET in August.
Who’s lost, conflictsmatters—seeingwhat’sthethroughmyownexperienceasaPendletonlandlord. 56 57 102 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022
had double digit percentage increases in Black residents in that time frame.
In response to a request to talk about the issue, Mayor Aftab Pureval says in a statement the city is “refocusing our policies to have equity at the center of the frame” when it comes to housing priorities. “After years of exciting but too often uneven growth, we are working hard to double down on more equitable outcomes for our city.”
Englemon and her boyfriend did fi nd a nearby apartment for $475, and she is
and her boyfriend were given a month to leave, along with the other tenants in the 17-unit property. “Thirty days is truly not enough time to find someplace to go,” says Englemon. They’d been paying $300 a month in rent, and every one-bedroom apartment they looked at was $700 or more. The Homeless Coalition was able to get the residents more time by lobbying Cincinnati City Council members and putting pressure on the landlord, but in the end the tenants were forced out.
stock is changing,” says Liz Blume, director of the Community Building Institute (CBI) at Xavier University, which tracks regional housing. “All of those things are markers of gentrification.”TheCBI’s2019 Fair Housing Assessment showed a significant shortage of affordable housing in Cincinnati, stressing low- to moderate-income households. Areas in the center city—including downtown and the West End—are particularly vulnerable to losing aff ordable housing, but other city neighborhoods like Avondale, Corryville, Evanston, Mt. Auburn, Northside, and Walnut Hills show signs of gentrification as well. All but the West End experienced double-digit percentage increases of white residents and doubledigit losses of Black residents from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Census data. Meanwhile, Hartwell, Lower Price Hill, Mt. Washington, Riverside, and West Price Hill
The Fair Housing Assessment is required of jurisdictions receiving Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, says Blume, and it showed a significant shortage of affordable housing options in Cincinnati. “We know we need to be producing more housing units,” she adds. “At best we are replacing what we have. There isn’t a magic thing you’re supposed to do and then everything is better, but it’s clear we must support low-income families who have been in historic neighborhoods for a long time. We have to do that.”
Housing discrimination and racial bias in lending can add to the spread of gentrification, Blume says. The Fair Housing Assessment included a survey of local housing professionals, and 67 percent of those who worked in placement, community development, or government jobs said they’ve witnessed housing discrimination. Data from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, released in 2016, showed that Black applicants in Cincinnati were almost 20 percent less likely to be approved for mortgage, refi nance, and home improvement loans than white applicants.
grateful to stay in the neighborhood she loves, which is near the hospital where her boyfriend is being treated for prostate cancer and near reliable bus routes for work. But their rent recently went up to $675, more than twice what she was paying two years ago. “We’re struggling to make ends meet,” Englemon says. “I look at the women’s shelter right down the street, and it’s the last place I want to go. And last winter, when it was really cold, I noticed people living under the bridge, making rock igloos to keep themselves from the cold. I think about that a Gentrificationlot.” can also be indirect, Spring says. People might not be forced from their homes, but suddenly their neighborhood has changed, the culture has changed, and they don’t feel welcome there anymore. People move in from the suburbs and bring their suburban mentalities, he says—as I had.
Spring describes a recent Over-theRhine Community Council meeting where a white resident in a market-rate condo came to ask for more police presence because his Black neighbors hung outside his building listening to loud music late into the night. “I interjected and other people did, too, and asked the question: Have you walked down your stairs and gone outside and said, Hey, I can’t sleep. Could you turn it down? The answer was, Of course not. Instead of just talking to your neighbor, you want armed people to show up with guns on their hips. That doesn’t make any sense.”
“THERE ISN’T A MAGIC THING YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO DO,” SAYS XAVIER UNIVERSITY’S LIZ BLUME, “BUT WE MUST SUPPORT LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS.”
INEVITABLY, IN A CONVERSATION ABOUT gentrification, the question of blame comes up. Is it the fault of big landlords and developers? Small landlords like me? Affluent and influential not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) residents and business owners? Young professionals who can pay the higher rents? Earlier trends, like the well-documented white flight to the suburbs, disinvestment in minority neighborhoods, and city policies that created concentrated areas of poverty? The simple answer to a complex problem is: all of the above.
Cincinnati voters turned down an affordable housing ballot issue 3–1 last year
GENTRIFICATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 59
To add insult to injury, gentrifying city neighborhoods are some of the region’s highest opportunity neighborhoods— meaning they have good access to jobs, healthcare, education, cultural and recreational resources, and public transportation—but are most at risk of losing affordable housing for existing residents. “Real estate values are changing, populations are changing, and the character of the housing
Creating a diverse tenant mix is a top priority as well at 3CDC, he says, when the company leases commercial spaces for restaurants, retailers, and service-based businesses. Looking specifically at OTR, 29 percent of 3CDC’s 80 leased first-floor commercial spaces are minority-owned businesses, says Rudemiller. “I understand that things have changed, but I actually think Over-the-Rhine is more reflective of the city as a whole,” he says, noting that the city of Cincinnati is about 45 percent Black and 43 percent white. “This is an area where people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds can live to gether and Pendletonenjoy.”resident Cholly Moses, 23, is pushing his son in a stroller in Washington Park, one of a number of civic spaces that 3CDC redeveloped in partnership with the city. He says watching change take place in the neighborhood where he’s lived since he was 13 has been “weird.” “Things look nice, and bringing more parks and things to the community is nice,” he says. “But so many people have been pushed out. So have places that people liked, too.”
For Crystal Andrews, the move to her new apartment in Willkommen has been nothing but “a blessing.” The 38-year-old mother of five moved into her renovated apartment on Race Street near Findlay Market in November 2021. “It is so mod ern, so extravagant,” says Andrews, who pays $407 a month. “It has changed my whole life.” A Section 8 voucher covers the remainder of her $1,000 monthly rent.
AMI is determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, says Joe Rudemiller, 3CDC’s vice president for marketing and communications. While 3CDC is required to provide a specific amount of units at the regional AMI for projects where it receives certain government funds and tax credits, the organization tries to reduce rents even further on many projects, he says, adding that the Willkommen rates are below HUD’s minimum“Werequirement.believe,and have believed from the start, that having a mixed-income neigh-
Blume and others cheer mixed-use, mixed-income projects like Willkommen, which consists of 16 historic rehabs and four new infill buildings scattered around four sites in Over-the-Rhine. Out of 163 housing units across the Willkommen project, 88 were considered affordable, according to information provided by 3CDC, a project
OCTOBER 2022 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM 103
that would have required city government to invest $50 million a year in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Pureval says his administration is working on other solutions and reports that, as of late August, the trust fund totaled $57 million. “After years of discussion and planning, the trust fund is now accepting applications for new affordable housing projects,” he notes.
Other housing efforts are both completed and underway. OTR Community Housing has developed more than 725 units of affordable housing and currently manages approximately 420 units. The Port Authority of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati are currently working in the West End to ensure balanced growth and protection of current residents after the opening of FC Cincinnati’s TQL Sta dium, which displaced several residents.
answer to avoiding gentrification can’t be to fight investment in my neighborhood.”
borhood is the best way to build a neighborhood,” says Rudemiller. “If you only have low-income housing, we don’t think that creates a strong neighborhood. We think there should be low-income housing and market-rate housing.”
Andrews grew up in Over-the-Rhine and had been living in Evanston. She never expected to be accepted when she submitted her rental application online. “I cried,” she says. “It was an amazing feeling, a new start.” It led her to a job with the 3CDC, where she is now a play attendant at Washington Park.
As of August, 3CDC and its partners had developed 593 apartments in OTR, 436 (or 74 percent) of which are affordable to those making 50 to 80 percent of the Area Median Income. But Spring, from the Homeless Coalition, takes issue with the private nonprofit corporation’s definition of affordable. “The AMI is based on the Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is like an 11-county area, and most of those counties are nothing like Cincinnati’s urban core,” he says. “So the Area Median Income is around $81,000, but Hamilton County’s median income is closer to $59,000. And Over-the-Rhine’s is far less. For whom is thisAccordingaffordable?”tothe Over-the-Rhine Census Data Housing Study, the largest percentage of Black households there (62.8 percent) earned less than $24,390—below 30 percent of AMI.
Keith and Neumeier say they’re reminded of the haves and have nots every day in Over-the-Rhine. They see wealthy people getting wealthier, and the playing field remains uneven.“We all have a right to live in dignity and have quality of life in our neighborhoods,” says Neumeier.
Pureval says the city has also undertaken a comprehensive review of its tax incentives to ensure it’s giving only what is needed and is targeting larger incentives to mixed-income and affordable projects “to build the diverse housing stock we know our city needs and our residents deserve.” He’d also like to change the city’s underlying zoning code, which dictates what can and can’t be built and has restricted more than 70 percent of the city to just one type of housing product.
Efficienciespartner.were rented for as low as $480 per month, with one-bedroom units starting at $586 per month and two-bedrooms starting at $727 per month. The market rate units were nearly all $1,275 per month and under, with just a couple of higher rent exceptions, according to 3CDC. “It was a very complicated project, multi ple buildings, multiple funding streams,” Blume says. “We have to stop pitting community revitalization as an objective and effort against affordable housing—they are not in of themselves conflicting. The
Longtime residents’ opinions don’t get considered like others at the negotiating table and often fall on deaf ears, the pair say. Until political power and financial power is shared with existing residents living in gentrifying neighborhoods, Spring says, their spaces will always be at risk of be ing overtaken by more wealthy newcomers. “Start with the people who are there,” he says. “Many have good ideas about how to improve their communities. If other people from other areas like what they see and would like to live there, too, great! Those people can move in and live there without attempting to change the place.”
CLUB KIDS
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REDS CHEF GARY DAVIS P.106 HOTPOT IN EVENDALE P. 108 THAT DAM JAM! LADY P. 108 BURGERS IN EAST WALNUT HILLS P. 110
The Scouts Club at Great American Ball Park features a full service bar (Bar 80/20) and
a graband-go concession area for fans with Scout Box, Scout, and Dugout Box tickets. PHOTOGRAPH BY DEVYN GLISTA
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HE ROOKIE COOKIE FRY BOX, A NEW CONCESSION ITEM AT GREAT AMERICAN Ball Park (GABP), is one of those dishes that tastes good against all odds. The massive pile of French fries, Golden Grahams, marshmallows, and crumbled Oreos drizzled with chocolate and caramel sauce breaks just about every culinary law, but it works.
If you’ve ever cut into a cooked-to-order steak at the Diamond Club, loaded up on California rolls at The Handlebar, or had the privilege of dining in a well-stocked private suite while taking in the ballgame, you’ve tasted Davis’s handiwork. The 37-year-old has been training for this job for most of his life. “I’ve always loved to cook,” he tells me as we grab a seat in the currently empty Handlebar a few hours before a game. The Bond Hill native made his first foray into the food service industry at the beloved Grand Finale. After that, it was on to culinary school at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. He found cooking
T
STEP UP TO THE PLATE
How Chef Gary Davis keeps Reds fans fed. —BRANDON WUSKE
Gary Davis came up with the idea for the Rookie Cookie Fry Box. As the executive chef for the Cincinnati Reds, a position he has held since 2018, he is responsible for most of the fan favorites at the baseball stadium. Truth be told, the magnitude of his responsibilities is mind-boggling. He runs the ballpark’s six premium dining areas (the Diamond Club, the Scouts Club, the Boone County Bourbon Press Club, Bally’s, The Handlebar, and the Machine Room), which employ nearly 50 cooks and can feed up to 4,000 people on a given game day. He’s also responsible for getting food out to the dozens of suites and concession stands that line the grounds. This means rolling out up to 17,000 hot dogs per day. And let’s not even try to count how many peanuts and Cracker Jacks.
OFF THE MENU 106 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022 PHOTOGRAPHS BY DEVYN GLISTA
“The casino was one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever done,” he says. “Two hundred e-mails a day, a steakhouse that could feed 300 people on a Friday, a buffet that could feed 1,500 people on a Friday, and restaurants that were open 22 hours a day. You can only do casinos for so long before they wear you out.”
A ballpark kitchen, hectic as it can get, is a reprieve for some. “Sometimes coming here gets my employees out of a home lifestyle that might not be so great,” Davis says. “I want people to have funIfhere.”mythree-plus hour walkthrough was any indication, he
OCTOBER 2022 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM 107
Davis’s great balancing act is to serve unique—sometimes experimental—food that still has broad appeal. “If you look up Major League Baseball food, there’s always those unique items, food that people come to the ballpark to have,” he says.
Not to say that his current gig is a walk in the ballpark. When I visited in July, the Reds were in the middle of their longest home stand in years. For Davis, this means two weeks of 10- to 12-hour days and around 30,000 steps per day. And no, he and his team don’t get an extended break when the Reds go out of town.
seems to be achieving that goal. He greeted nearly all of the kitchen staff we ran into by name, often asking how their days were going, making rapid-fire banter or following up on previous conversations mid-stride. He even introduced me to his father, Gary Davis Sr., who was readying hundreds of hot dogs to be sent out to conces sionAsidestands.from managing scores of employees, Davis also has a hand in all the dishes that come out of these kitchens, working with Executive Sous Chef Chris Stephens (whom he worked with at Orchids) and Diamond Club Chef Chris Metz to draw up menus. The menus at most of the premium restau rants rotate with each new Reds series, with menus at the exclu sive Boone County Bourbon Press Club and the Diamond Club rotating daily. The goal is for fans to get a different menu on repeat visits.And what a menu it is. Highlights included the tender, meaty cod with broccolini; spicy-yet-sweet Mexican street corn; a Big Mac-inspired slider; and those far-fetched but somehow craveable dessert fries.
His current experiment: red ice cream. “The blue ice cream at Kings Island has become so iconic,” he says. “We wanted to do something equally iconic with red ice cream.” You might see it roll out in 2023, if he can find a reliable source of red dye.
Chef Gary Davis sits behind home plate at Great American Ball Park; the bar at the Boone County Bourbon Press Club; and cod with broccolini.
jobs hard to come by after graduation and took a job as a stewarding manager at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza hotel, eventually working his way up to banquet chef at Orchids under Todd Kelly, whom he describes as an important mentor.
And when the Reds’ season ends this month, Davis continues to push full steam ahead, planning next season’s menu and even taking off on a few road trips of his own. As a regional chef for Delaware North (the company that runs the culinary operations at Great American Ball Park as well as several other stadiums around the country), he lends a hand at other venues in the offseason. Traveling sports fans might see him powerwalking the halls of some giant stadium in Columbus or Baltimore, rounding the kitchens like so many bases.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME (From left)
Davis credits his team with helping him get the job done. As the executive chef, he is personally responsible for most of the hires. The job being seasonal, he relies heavily on students, including foreign exchange students from as far away as Mongolia. For many of his employees, it’s a welcome first job.
In 2013, Kelly recommended Davis for the banquet chef position at the newly opened Horseshoe (now Hard Rock) Ca sino. He took the job, and eventually became the casino’s executive chef. That high-stakes job prepared him for his cur rent role at GABP. As anyone who has been to a casino and seen the frenetic, late-night world firsthand can guess, it got to be pretty daunting.
That Dam Jam! thatdamjam.com
What about the other flavors? The Perfectly Pineapple recipe was developed because some people tasted the jam and said, “That’s too hot.” Some tasted it and said, “Can you make something hotter?” Hence, the Pineapple Ghost Pepper.
HAVING A HOTPOT DINNER IS NOT FOR PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW OR LIKE EACH OTHER. THIS ancient Chinese cooking method—which involves a boiling broth filled with an assortment of meats, noodles, and vegetables and dates back more than 1,000 years to the Zhao Dynasty—shouldn’t be used as a get-to-know-you experience such as a first date. It’s a slow-going process that requires time and patience, one that is best had with good friends or close family. Located in the old La Petite France space in Evendale, Mala Hotpot is a great spot for one of these meandering meals.
After you make your selections, you can get back to your conversation until the restaurant’s Keenon Robotics automated robot delivers your order to the table. The $13,000 unit zips around the space, pre-programmed with table numbers by the kitchen staff to drop off corresponding meals and drinks. And you won’t want to forget your drink. A bottle of unfiltered sake or a Tsingtao beer should do nicely. —AIESHA D. LITTLE
Where did your recipe come from? My husband and I bought a jar of pineapple habanero jam at a farmers’ market when we were traveling. We took it back to our hotel room to have as a snack and ate the whole jar. I searched to try to find a product that was similar to buy and couldn’t find one that matched what we had on our trip, so I started experimenting with my own recipe.
Hot Head
How long did it take you to recreate the product you’d tasted? I experimented for a couple of years before I got a recipe that I felt was close to the one we enjoyed.
108 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022 PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDREW DOENCH / ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS DANGER HOT PLATE TABLESIDE WITH...
How did you come up with the name? I thought the name That Dam Jam! was hysterical and in a way logical because everyone said, “You should sell that damn jam,” “I love that damn jam,” “I need more of that damn jam.” I dropped the n to prevent having a curse word in the name. I love that when people hear or say That Dam Jam!, they smile or laugh. It just makes my day!
THE THAT DAM JAM! MAKER spreads joy with a sweet-and-spicy addition to your meal.
AIESHA D . LITTLE
BARBIE HAHN
Read a longer conversation with Barbie at cincinnatimagazine.com
A combo will get you your choice of a protein (everything from chicken breast to lamb leg slices to fried tofu), a soup, vegetables, and a carb. It’s a culinary game of “choose your own adventure.” Want your broth with a little kick? Go with the Mala soup to up the spicy level. Want your protein hearty? Try angus rib eye slices, beef belly, and flank steak. Not in the mood for noodles? Skip the ramen and udon and try the rice cakes. If there are just too many choices to make and you want less food, the à la carte menu is pared down for your frugal sensibilities.
Mala Hotpot, 3177 Glendale Milford Rd., Evendale, (513) 4073039, mala-hotpot.com
Seasonal cocktails to your —ALLISON KIEHL
Lost & Found, 22 E. 14th St., Over-theRhine, (513) lostandfoundotr.com834-8441,
FIELD NOTES BOOS BOOZEAND
MealHappy
Heyday, 1527 Madison Rd., E. Walnut Hills, (513) 274-3238, heyday.menu
T HEYDAY, THE COOKS DON’T SKIMP ON TOPpings, particularly sauces, and while this ensures a flavorful burger that’s anything but dry, the bun will do everything in its power to slip-slide away. The patties fit the regular potato buns almost perfectly, which means you’ll have plenty of room for hand-cut fries, the kind you get at fairs and out door festivals. An adult combo meal gets you a house burger (two patties, American cheese, lettuce, sweet onion, pickle, and special sauce), fries, and a Common Ale from West Side Brewing. If you aren’t into beer, substitute wine, lemonade, or iced tea. The menu also offers a couple of salads, chicken tenders, and a few more surprises for anyone venturing beyond the classic
—M. LEIGH HOOD
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delivered
Burgers, pies, and fries share space with pints on this restaurant’s menu.
Thiscombo.spaceused to be home to O Pie O, and while it’s sad to see any shop with such a fun name leave, pie hasn’t disappeared from the menu. (O Pie O’s owners are behind Heyday.) The selection rotates, but an Ohio staple, the honey vinegar pie, leads Heyday’s desserts. Don’t let the name put you off—it’s tangy, salty, and sweet, landing in a gray area between a custard pie and a cheesecake. It looks and tastes like the kind of pie crust a seasoned elder brings to Thanksgiving dinner: something made with love, care, and expertise.
door.
110 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022 PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDREW DOENCH / ILLUSTRATION BY CODY GUNNINGHAM TAKEOUTHERO
Over-the-Rhine’s Lost & Found has the perfect refreshment for your Halloween celebrations this year—the booze bag. The bar offers artisan cocktail bag mixes such as margaritas, daiquiris, and Manhattans—available for pickup or delivery—but also has seasonal flavors. “We always have something seasonal and appropriate,” says owner Camilo Otalora. “Someone can blindly read our cocktail menu and then tell what season of the year it is because of what we’re serving.” If you’re going out on Halloween night, drop by the bar for something spooky. “Historically, we’ve been open for a few Halloweens already,” Otalora says. “We’ve always done more immersive Lost & Found type of stuff if you’re looking for something for Halloween.”
october 30, 11 am - 1 pm at the Gatherings of Blue Ash Find out more information at www.cincinnatimagazine.com/musicalbrunch Your ticket includes a Full Brunch buffet and 2 drink tickets good for the Mimosa/Bellini Bar, and/or the Outrageous Garnish-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar With m y b r o t h e r ’ s k e e p e r
Top 10 = Named a Best MarchRestaurant2020.
2998 Harrison Ave., Westwood, (513) 3890175, ivoryhousecincy.com. Dinner Tues–Sat, brunch Sun. MCC. $$$
MEDITERRANEAN 118
QUEEN BEE
CHINESE 113
AMERICAN
IVORY HOUSE
ITALIAN 118
$$ = Up to $30
BRONTË BISTRO
DS Discover, MC MasterCard, V Visa
of the guide’s restaurants may not be included. Many restaurants have changing seasonal menus; dishes listed here are examples of the type of cuisine available and may not be on the menu when you visit.
SUGAR N’ SPICE
OTTO’S
To update listings, e-mail: magazine.comcmletters@cincinnati
AMERICAN 112 BARBECUE 113 CAJUN/CARIBBEAN 113
STEAKS 119 THAI 119
AE American Express, DC Diners Club
COPPIN’S
This Paddock Hills diner, with a second location in Over-the-Rhine, has been dishing up wispythin pancakes and football-sized omelettes to Cincinnatians since FDR was signing new deals.
DINING GUIDE
On any given evening, guests nibble at spicy hummus served with French breakfast radishes and pita bread while sipping slightly spumante glasses of Spanish Txakolina. And while the dinner menu reads strictly casual at first glance—soups, salads, and sandwiches and sharing plates—the preparation and quality are anything but. A chef salad with chopped romaine, sweet peas, applewood smoked bacon, hard-boiled egg, and sunflower seeds surpassed many versions of the bistro classic. And both the Brussels sprouts and fingerling potato sides refused to play merely supporting roles. Both were sensational studies in the balance of sweet, spicy, and acidic flavors.
Four Entertainment Group—owners of cocktails.pizzasonChicken,homewasfeetThetheatzeriacocktailplansBuzzNewportbee-themedbarsTheandBeeline—toopenbar/piz-KillerQueenTheBanksbyendoftheyear.3,000-square-space,whichtheformerofJoella’sHotwillfocusbuild-your-ownandcraft foureg.com
521 Main St., Covington, (859) 491-6678, ottosonmain.com. Lunch and dinner Tues–Fri, brunch and dinner Sat–Mon. MCC. $$
FRENCH 115
JAPANESE 118 KOREAN 118
VIETNAMESE 119
$$$ = Up to $49 $$$$ = $50 and up
KEY: No checks unless specified.
Chef/owner Paul Weckman opened Otto’s, named after his father-in-law, with $300 worth of food and one employee—himself. Weckman’s food is soothing, satisfying, and occasionally, too much of a good thing. His tomato pie is beloved by lunch customers: Vine-ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and chopped green onions packed into a homemade pie shell, topped with a cheddar cheese spread, and baked until bubbly. Weckman’s straightforward preparations are best. The shrimp and grits with sauteed shrimp spinach, mushrooms, Cajun beurre blanc atop a fried grit cake, short ribs braised in red wine and herbs, served over mashed potatoes with green beans and caramelized baby carrots that will bring you the comfort of a home-cooked meal. This is, at its heart, a neighborhood restaurant, a place with its own large, quirky family.
GREYHOUND TAVERN
WHERE TO EAT NOW 112 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022 ICON BY JESSICA DUNHAM
Back in the streetcar days, this roughly 100-yearold roadhouse was at the end of the Dixie Highway line, where the cars turned around to head north. The place was called the Dixie Tea Room then, and they served ice cream. The fried chicken came along in the 1930s, and they’re still dishing it up today. Families and regulars alike pile in on Mondays and Tuesdays for the fried chicken dinner. While the juicy (never greasy) chicken with its lightly seasoned, crisp coating is the star, the side dishes—homemade biscuits, cole slaw, green beans, mashed potatoes, and gravy—will make you ask for seconds. Call ahead no matter what night you choose: There’s bound to be a crowd. Not in the mood for chicken? Choose from steaks, seafood, sandwiches, and comfort food options that include meatloaf and a Kentucky Hot Brown. Or just try the onion rings. You’ll wonder where onions that big come from.
Fashioned to the Queen City’s Bees Knees—had an extra dash of liveliness from a house-made element, like a rhubarb honey syrup or the raspberry shrub. Even when an ingredient seems out of left field, like the burnt grapefruit hot sauce on the Hamachi, it never tastes as unusual as it sounds. The hot sauce is just a hint of sweet citrusy spice that melts into the grits—a softly intriguing element rather than a slap in the face. Ivory House also has an excellent brunch.
4381 Reading Rd., Paddock Hills; 1203 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 242-3521, eatsugarnspice.com, Breakfast and lunch seven days. MCC. $
MEXICAN 119 SEAFOOD 119
$ = Under $15
MCC Major credit cards: AE, MC, V
2500 Dixie Highway, Ft. Mitchell, (859) 3313767, greyhound tavern.com. Lunch and dinner seven days, brunch Sat & Sun. MCC, DS. $$
CINCINNATI MAGAZINE’S dining guide is compiled by our editors as a service to our readers. The magazine accepts no advertising or other consideration in exchange for a restaurant listing. The editors may add or delete restaurants based on their judgment. Because of space limitations, all
2692 Madison Rd., Norwood, (513) 396-8970, josephbeth.com. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days. MCC. $
INDIAN 115
With wine on tap and an extensive local beer list, Coppin’s is an ideal place to meet for drinks. In addition to plenty of Kentucky bourbon, much of the produce, meat, and cheese comes from local growers and producers. House-cured meat and cheese from Kenny’s Farmhouse and cheese from
THE BIRCH
The menu here generally doesn’t reinvent dishes or introduce outlandish flavors, but simply pays attention to enough little things to make the results unusually good. The Wagyu is served in cheeseburger form, but the exceptional tomme from Urban Stead gives it that extra something. The cocktails are things you’ve probably seen before, but everything—from the Death Valley Old
Urban Stead populate the “Artisan Cheese and Charcuterie Board,” which dresses up the main attractions with honey, dijon mustard, house pickles, and Sixteen Bricks purple barley bread.
702 Indian Hill Rd., Terrace Park, (513) 8315678, thebirchtp.com. Lunch and dinner Tues–Sat. MCC, DS. $
The mussels—made with seasonally rotating sauces and chorizo from Napoleon Ridge Farms in Gallatin County—were served with a peppery tomato sauce, perfect for sopping up with bread. The seven-ounce Sakura Farms Wagyu ribeye with wild mushrooms, roasted parsnip, and beef jus is a must have. Or try the striped bass with grape farro roasted broccolini and mussel cream sauce. 638 Madison Ave., Covington, (859) 9056600, Thurs–Sun.Breakfasthotelcovington.com/dining/coppins.sevendays,lunchMon–Fri,anddinnerMCC. $$
Breakfast and lunch offerings mix old-hat classics like steak and eggs, corned beef hash, and basic burgers with funky iterations that draw on ethnic ingredients such as chorizo and tzatziki. Get here early if you don’t want to stand in line.
ECLECTIC 113
You might think this is a lunch-only spot where you can nosh on a chicken salad sandwich after browsing next door at Joseph-Beth Booksellers. But this Norwood eatery feels welcoming after work, too. The dinner menu features entrées beyond the rotating soup and quiche roster that’s popular at noon. Mac and cheese? Check. Quesadillas and other starters? Yep. An assortment of burgers? Present, including a grilled portobello option. Casual food rules the day but the surprise is Brontë Bistro’s lineup of adult beverages, which elevates the place above a basic bookstore coffeeshop. The regular drinks menu includes such mainstays as cosmopolitans and sidecars.
Top 10 BOCA
BARBECUE
Elias Leisring started building his pulled pork reputation under canopies at Findlay Market and Fountain Square in 2011. Leisring’s proper little ’cue shack along the river serves up ribs that are speaking-in-tongues good, some of the zazziest jalapeño cheese grits north of the MasonDixon line, and browned mashed potatoes that would make any short order cook diner-proud. The small no-frills restaurant—packed cheek-by-jowl most nights—feels like it’s been there a lifetime, with customers dropping vinyl on the turntable, dogs romping in the side yard, and picnic tables crowded with diners. The hooch is bring-your-own, and the barbecue is bona fide.
11051 Clay Dr., Walton, (859) 485-2828. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC. $$
The Pine serves some of the best Louisiana home-style food you’ll find this far north of New Orleans. Taste the fried catfish filets with their peppery crust, or the garlic sauteed shrimp with smoky greens on the side, and you’ll understand why it’s called soul food. Between March and June, it’s crawfish season. Get them boiled and heaped high on a platter or in a superb crawfish etouffee. But the rockin’ gumbo—a thick, murky brew of andouille sausage, chicken, and vegetables—serves the best roundhouse punch all year round. As soon as you inhale the bouquet and take that first bite, you realize why Cajun style food is considered a high art form and a serious pleasure. And you’ll start planning your return trip.
BREWRIVER CREOLE
11042 Reading Rd., Sharonville, (513) 563-6888, chineseimperialinn.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MC, V, DS. $
1535 Madison Rd., East Walnut Hills, (513) 221-2702, eatatbranch.com. Dinner Tues–Sun, brunch Sun. MCC. $$
4632 Eastern Ave., Linwood, (513) 861-2484, brewrivercreolekitchen.com. Dinner Tues–Sun, brunch and lunch Sat & Sun. MCC. $
ECLECTIC
The jambalaya packs all the heat of a late summer day in the French Quarter without masking a hint of its satisfying flavors. Paired with a Sazerac and nightly live jazz, you may just feel tempted to start a second line.
Trio is nothing if not a crowd pleaser. Whether you’re in the mood for a California-style pizza or filet mignon (with roasted red potatoes, sauteed spinach, crispy onions, and a red wine demi glace), the menu is broad enough to offer something for everyone. It may lack a cohesive point of view, but with the number of regulars who come in seven nights a week, variety is Trio’s ace in the hole. A simple Margherita pizza with roma tomatoes, basil, Parmesan, and mozzarella delivered a fine balance of crunchy crust, soft cheese, and sweet, roasted tomatoes. Paired with a glass of pinot noir, it made a perfect light meal. The service is friendly enough for a casual neighborhood joint but comes with white tablecloth attentiveness and knowledge. Combine that with the consistency in the kitchen, and Trio is a safe bet.
More than 800 miles from New Orleans, this may be as close as you can get to the real deal here in your own backyard. The menu fully leans into Chef Michael Shields’s penchant for cuisine from the Crescent City. His six years of training under NOLA’s own Emeril Lagasse comes through in a scratch kitchen menu that spans a range of the city’s classics. The enormous shrimp and oyster po’ boys—the former protein fried in a light and crispy beer batter and the latter in a hearty cornmeal breading—are served on fluffy French bread loaves and dressed with lightly spicy rémoulades.
317 Buttermilk Pke., Ft. Mitchell, (859) 331-3000; 2444 Madison Rd., Hyde Park, (513) 871-6888, orientalwok. com. Lunch Mon–Fri (Ft. Mitchell; buffet Sun 11–2:30), lunch Tues–Sat (Hyde Park), dinner Mon–Sat (Ft. Mitchell) dinner Tues–Sun (Hyde Park). MCC. $$
What makes Crown Republic special isn’t its handful of outstanding dishes. It’s the place’s sheer consistency. No single dish is absolutely mind-blowing or completely original, but when almost everything that comes out is genuinely tasty, the service is always friendly and attentive, and (stop the presses!) the bill is quite a bit less than you expected, you sit up and pay attention. The crab and avocado toast, served on toasted bread with lime juice and slivers of pickled Fresno chiles, is a prime example of what makes Crown Republic tick. The cocktails are equally unfussy and good, like the Tequila Honey Bee, made with tequila reposado, honey thyme syrup, lemon, bitters, and mezcal rinse, which adds
Located in a huge Art Deco building, formerly a bank, Branch has taken this potentially cavernous and impersonal space and made it intimate. Diners might recognize the vibe from this restaurant group’s first venture, Northside’s The Littlefield. This “international homestyle” menu takes inspiration from the comfort food of many cultures. It maintains a balance between cooking to a higher price point and creating an atmosphere of refinement without losing the informal neighborhood feel. The shrimp and grits—served soupy in a big bowl with an addictively sweet-and-sour green tomato marmalade swirled into the creamy grits— are taken surprising heights. Another notable item is a dish that wouldn’t normally get a mention in a review: the french fries. They demonstrate that food that is usually mindlessly inhaled can be worth savoring if it is made with enough love.
3742 Kellogg Ave., East End, (513) 834-7067, swampwatergrill.com. Lunch and dinner Wed–Sun, brunch Sat & Sun. V, MC, DS, AMEX. $$
BRANCH
5910 Chandler St., Madisonville, (513) 561-2337, beesbarbecue.com. Lunch and dinner Wed–Sat. MCC. $
BEE’S BARBEQUE
OCTOBER 2022 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM 113
KNOTTY PINE ON THE BAYOU
At first blush, this place is a dive where homesick Cajuns can find a good pile of jambalaya. But thoughtful details like draft Abita Root Beer and char-grilled Gulf Coast oysters on the half shell signal its ambition. Bayou standards like jambalaya, gumbo, and fried seafood also make an
ORIENTAL WOK
ELI’S BBQ
CARIBBEANCAJUN/
7565 Kenwood Rd., Kenwood, (513) 984-1905, triobistro.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC, DC. $$
It has all the elements of your typical neighborhood Chinese restaurant: Strip mall location. General Tso and kung pao chicken. Fortune cookies accompanying the bill. The dragon decoration. But it is the nontraditional aspects of Raymond’s Hong Kong Café that allow it to stand apart. The menu goes beyond standard Chinese fare with dishes that range from Vietnamese (beef noodle soup) to American (crispy Cornish hen). The Portuguese-style baked chicken references Western European influences on Chinese cuisine with an assemblage of fried rice, peppers, carrots, broccoli,
appearance. But the extensive menu also features amped up pub-style items for those who may be squeamish about crawfish tails (which can be added to just about anything on the menu). You’ll also find a roundup of oyster, shrimp, catfish, and alligator Po’Boys, as well as a selection of hardwood-smoked meats.
114 E. Sixth St., downtown, (513) 542-2022, bocacincinnati.com. Dinner Mon–Sat. MCC, DS. $$$
zucchini, and squash all simmering together in a creamy bath of yellow curry sauce. Deciding what to order is a challenge, but at least you won’t be disappointed.
Normally diners aren’t pleased when a restaurant runs out of something. At Bouquet, though, surprise changes to the menu are simply a sign of integrity. Chef-owner Stephen Williams is serious about using seasonal ingredients, and if the figs have run out or there is no more chicken from a local farm, so be it. The flavors at Bouquet are about doing justice to what’s available. Preparations are unfussy, complexity coming from within the vegetables and proteins themselves. A spring salad—wonderfully fresh and vibrant, so you know the strawberries included have just come off a nearby vine—is dressed with candy-striped beets, jerk-seasoned pepitas and whipped goat cheese. This determination to make something delicious out of what’s on hand, to embrace limitations, gives the food at Bouquet a rustic, soulful quality.
TRIO
519 Main St., Covington, (859) 491-7777, bouquetrestaurant.com. Dinner Tues–Sat. MCC, DS. $$
CROWN GASTROPUBREPUBLIC
SWAMPWATER GRILL
6302 Licking Pke., Cold Spring, (859) 781-2200, theknottypineonthebayou.com. Dinner Tues–Sun. MCC, DS. $$
With its grand staircase, chandelier, and floorto-ceiling draperies, Boca has an atmosphere of grandeur and refinement. There is a sense of drama not only in the decor but in everything it serves. In some dishes, there is a painterly sense of contrast and surprise, like violet-derived purple sugar beside the pain de Gênes (French almond cake). In others, there is a dramatic suspense, like the whole egg yolk quivering in the center of the Fassone tartare waiting to be broken. While staying mostly grounded in the fundamentals of Italian and French cuisine, Boca has an air of international sophistication that sets its food apart. The hamachi crudo, an old standby on the menu, takes Japanese flavors and gives them new dimensions with grapefruit suprêmes and slivers of shishito pepper. This is food of extraordinary creativity and flair.
CHINESE IMPERIAL INN
RAYMOND’S HONG KONG CAFÉ
The chilies-on-steroids cooking here will have you mopping beads of garlic-laced sweat from your brow. The musky, firecracker-red Mongolian chicken stabilizes somewhere just before nirvana exhaustion, and aggressively pungent shredded pork with dried bean curd leaves your eyes gloriously glistening from its spicy hot scarlet oil. Even an ice cold beer practically evaporates on your tongue. Do not fear: not all the dishes are incendiary. Try the seafood—lobster, Manila clams, Dungeness and blue crabs, whelk, and oysters— prepared with tamer garlicky black bean sauce, or ginger and green onions. The Cantonese wonton soup, nearly as mild as your morning bowl of oatmeal, is as memorable as the feverish stuff. Sliced pork and shrimp are pushed into the steaming bowl of noodles and greens just before serving. Think comforting, grandmotherly tenderness.
3313 Riverside Dr., East End, (513) 533-1957, elisbarbeque.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC. $
You’ll want to get to Bee’s Barbecue in Madisonville early if you want to avoid the line of friendly regulars. The restaurant’s smoker churns out a variety of meats—including brisket, pulled pork, ribs, turkey breast, and two kinds of sausage—so it’s easy to see why they keep coming back. If you enjoy the spicy grease that oozes out of a good chorizo, you’ll love the Cincinnati Hot Link, which tastes like the delicious love child of a chorizo and a hot mett. Word to the wise: Bee’s opens at 11 a.m. and closes when they run out of meat. Understandably, this doesn’t take long.
Top 10 ANDRESTAURANTBOUQUETWINEBAR
When Mike and Helen Wong opened Oriental Wok in 1977, the couple wanted to recreate the glamor and refinement of the Hong Kong-Cantonese cuisine they knew. Today, locals and expats alike enjoy authentic Chinese and Chinese-American dishes in dining rooms reminiscent of Beijing. Beyond the elephant tusk entryway and fish ponds and fountains is the warmth and hospitality of the Wong family, service on par with the finest establishments, and very, very good food. Best are the fresh fish: salmon, grouper and sea bass steamed, grilled or fried in a wok, needing little more than the ginger-green onion sauce that accompanies them. Oriental Wok is the tri-state’s longest-running family-owned Chinese restaurant for a reason.
CHINESE
This lively mash-up is a telling symbol of Earth+Ocean Restaurant Group’s flexible approach to traditional food. In what other Greek restaurant would the best cocktail be a smoky, chile-laced paloma, normally associated with Mexico? Or would the dish of lamb chops come dressed with gremolata, which we’ve never seen on anything but Italian food? E+O has always prided itself on its eclectic take on regional cuisine and they serve up something similarly fun and varied here. Those looking for classic Greek food will find plenty to satisfy them. The lamb kebabs, served ground, with the classic roasted tomato on the side; or the Via bowls, featuring tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, feta, red onion, tzatziki, and your choice of protein served atop a bed of couscous. The fun Okto has with Greek cuisine means there is already plenty that is good, plus plenty of room to grow.
a smoky kick.
1401 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 6217000, salazarcincinnati.com. Dinner Mon–Sat, brunch Sat & Sun. MCC. $$
WHERE TO EAT NOW 114 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022 ICON BY JESSICA DUNHAM
SENATE
MASHROOTS
THANK YOU BERRY MUCH
After serving mofongo at Findlay Market for nearly four years, Mashroots opened its first brick-and-mortar spot in College Hill this year. For the uninitiated, mofongo is a traditional Puerto Rican dish of mashed fried plantains with garlic and olive oil, typically served with protein and sauce. Here, you can get plantain, yuca, or sweet potato as your root and a protein, like skirt steak or pulled chicken. Top it off with veggies (pinkslaw, vinagrete, citruscarrot) and a sauce (pink mayo, anyone?), and wash it all down with refreshing cocktails made with rum and harderto-find spirits.
With only 40 seats inside, Daniel Souder and Joanna Kirkendall’s snug but spare OTR gem—they
Metropole has been remarkably stable since it opened in 2012. Even when chefs have left, the organization has promoted from within, kept pop-ular dishes on the menu, and maintained a certain vibe, a balance between sophistication and rustic-ity. Its vegetarian fare contains many
toastandberry.com
609 Walnut St., downtown, (513) 578-6660, metropoleonwalnut.com. Dinner seven days. V, DS, MC, AMEX. $$
A freewheeling tour through Korean, Moroccan, Italian, and French flavors—and that’s just on one iteration of the ever-evolving menu. Salazar turns out fresh, well-balanced dishes dotted with seasonal surprises: the cauliflower steak special (a Moroccan spiced, seared wedge of the cruciferous vegetable complemented by a strong hit of lemon), the chicken liver mousse (so good it deserves its own trophy), and the succulent chicken Milanese (with its musky, sweet-and-sour notes of ground cherry). With its bustling bar and cheek-by-jowl tables, Salazar hums with energy at every meal.
5903 Hamilton Ave., College Hill, (513) 6204126, mashroots.com. Lunch and dinner Tues–Sat, Lunch and dinner Sun. MCC. $
METROPOLE
Ever since it began dishing out its lo-fi eats, Chef Dan Wright’s gastropub has been operating at a
of its most inventive and delightful creations. The seared salmon is served with beluga lentils, green tomato, cucumber, brown butter, and smoked onion. The blistered shishitos, served with refreshing watermelon, goat cheese, yuzu, and spiced almonds, encapsulates Metropole at its best: fun and whimsical, but rooted in careful execution of deep and satisfying flavors.
By early winter, Looking Agavebyflwilllunch,offtaurant,Township.&locationwillHospitalityGlassGroupopenasecondofitsToastBerryinLibertyTheres-whichersbreakfast,andbrunch,beonthegroundooroftheACHotelMarriott,near&Rye.
OKTO
645 Walnut St., downtown, (513) 632-9181, oktocincinnati.com. Dinner Tues–Sat. MCC. $$
PLEASANTRY
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serve breakfast and dinner like a true neighborhood spot—features an engaging wine program aimed at broadening your palate alongside small plates that are equally ambitious. Classic technique and fresh produce anchor an approachable menu—toast with poached salmon, burgers, and katsu chicken breast are available at dinner, and the oyster mushroom dish is an admirable vegan option, served with a black garlic BBQ sauce and tempura flakes. This is not to say that the proteins aren’t something special. Traditionally a much less expensive cut, the small hanger steak was decidedly tender, served with jus sauce.
SALAZAR
118 W. 15th St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 3811969, pleasantryotr.com. Dinner Wed–Sat, brunch Sun. MCC. $$
720 Sycamore St., downtown, (513) 246-4272, crgcincy.com. Brunch, lunch and dinner Wed–Sun. V, MC, DS, AMEX. $$
THE VIEW AT SHIRES’ GARDEN
FRENCH
233 Main St., Milford, (513) chezreneefrenchbistrot.com.428-0454,Friday–Sat and dinner Wed–Sat. MCC. $$
LE BAR A BOEUF
Pumpkin Spice Killer
INDIAN
7633 Reading Rd., Roselawn, (513) 821-2021, ammaskitchen.com. Lunch buffet seven days (all-vegan on Wed), dinner seven days. MC, V, DS. $
velocity few can match. From the howl and growl of supremely badass hot dogs to the palate-rattling poutine, Senate has led the charge in changing the local conventional wisdom about what makes a great restaurant. Consumption of mussels charmoula means either ordering additional grilled bread to soak up every drop of the herby, saffronlaced broth or drinking the remainder straight from the bowl and perfectly crisped and seasoned fries inspire countless return visits.
The name of this restaurant demands that one question be answered first: So, how’s that view? Well, it’s impressive. Especially if the weather cooperates and you can get a seat outside. Most dishes are rotated out every six months, but a few remain staples from season to season. Try the panroasted chicken, featuring a Freebird Farms skin-on breast. Or go for the Chef’s Feast for Two, a shareable steak with an
309 Vine St., 10th Floor, downtown, (513) 407-7501, theviewatshiresgarden.com. Dinner Tues–Sat, brunch Sat & Sun. MCC. $$$
Order at the counter the way you might at a fast food joint, except the shakes come in mango and there’s no supersizing your mint lassi. The saag, full of cream in most northern Indian restaurants, is as intensely flavored as
CHEZ RENÉE FRENCH
IcedDLMPumpkinBrownie®SpiceLatteClassicPumpkinPumpkinCookies
2200 Victory Pkwy., East Walnut Hills, (513) 751-2333, barboeuf.com. Dinner Tues–Sat. MCC. $$
BISTROT
1100 Summit Place Dr., Blue Ash, (513) 769-0099, senateblueash.com. Lunch and dinner Tues–Sun. MC, V, DS. $
of bistro fare, with escargot, beef tartare, duck leg confit, steak frites, and French onion soup all making appearances. As France’s influence on American fine dining has waned, it’s refreshing to see a restaurant committed to not only preserving the French classics but reinvigorating them.
AMMA’S KITCHEN
Jean-François Flechet’s waffle empire grew from a back counter of Madison’s grocery at Findlay Market to multiple full-service sit-down spots. There’s more on the menu than the authentic Belgian treat, though it would be a crime to miss the chicken and waffles: a dense, yeasty waffle topped with a succulent buttermilk fried chicken breast, Frank’s hot sauce, and maple syrup. There are also frites, of course, and Brussels sprouts—served with pancetta and sherry vinaigrette—plus a gem of a Bolognese. And let’s not forget the beer. Five rotating taps offer some of the best the Belgians brew, not to mention those made in town.
Based on American stereotypes of French food—that it’s elaborate, elitist, and expensive—one might expect Chez Renée to fall on the chichi side. Instead, it’s elegant in an everyday way, operating on the principle that it is better to excel at simplicity than to badly execute something complicated. The formula is not complex: Simple ingredients, generally fresh and from nearby, prepared without much fuss. Warmed brie is served with thyme, almonds, fruit, and bread, and the chicken risotto is served with creamy mushrooms. This is solid, tasty food, both approachable and well executed. It’s well on its way to becoming, as a good bistrot should be, a neighborhood institution.
If it’s been a couple of years since you’ve been to Le Bar a Boeuf—Jean-Robert de Cavel’s fun-yet-refined French bistro located on the first floor of the Edgecliff Private Residences in East Walnut Hills—it may be time for a revisit. The formerly burger-centric menu now approaches the full repertoire of bistro classics. The menu reads like a greatest hits list
OCTOBER 2022 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM 115 Oakwood (937) 299-3561 Washington Square (937) 434-1294 Springboro (937) 748-6800 DOROTHYLANE.COM Satisfy PumpkinYourCraving
TASTE OF BELGIUM
Argentine shrimp salad and two sides. The cocktail list offers high, low, and zero proof options alongside a well-rounded beer and wine selection.
Muthu “Kumar” Muthiah serves traditional southern Indian and Indo-Chinese vegetarian cuisine, but with a sizable Orthodox Jewish community nearby, Muthia saw an opportunity: If he was going to cook vegetarian, why not also make it kosher? Muthiah prepares every item— from the addictively crunchy gobhi Manchurian, a spicy Chinese cauliflower dish, to the lemon pickle, tamarind, and mint sauces—entirely from scratch under the careful eye of Rabbi Michoel Stern. Always 80 percent vegan, the daily lunch buffet is 100 percent animal-product-free on Wednesdays. Tuck into a warm and savory channa masala (spiced chickpeas) or malai kofta (vegetable dumplings in tomato sauce) from the curry menu. Or tear into a crispy, two-foot diameter dosa (chickpea flour crepe) stuffed with spiced onions and potatoes.
1133 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 381-4607, and other locations, authenticwaffle.com. Breakfast and lunch Mon–Sat, dinner Tues–Sat, brunch Sun. MCC. $
BRIJ MOHAN
Experience Savor: Chef’s Table, a fresh take on our classic dinner series. Be sure to #savorthedate with us and support our favorite local restaurants while enjoying a unique five-course dinner. Limited tickets available.
Tickets and information at: cincinnatimagazine.com/savor
AT HARD ROCK CASINO
NOVEMBER8–11
Presented by
After the closing of Sung Korean Bistro, Haru is a welcome addition to the downtown scene. Dishes are served along with the usual Korean accompaniment of pickles, kimchi, fish cakes, and other
520 Vine St., downtown, (513) 721-8483, viaviterestaurant.com. Dinner Mon–Sat. MCC, DS. $$
5889 Pfeiffer Rd., Blue Ash, (513) 791-8687, andojapaneserestaurant.com. Dinner Tues–Sat. MCC. $$$
collard greens in the Deep South—real Punjabi soul food. Tarka dal is spectacular here, the black lentils smoky from charred tomatoes and onions, and the pani puri, hollow fried shells into which you spoon a peppery cold broth, burst with tart cool crunch. Follow the spice with soothing ras malai, freshly made cheese simmered in thick almond-flavored milk, cooled and sprinkled with crushed pistachios.
WEST SIDE PRIDE
628 Vine St., downtown, (513) 381-0947, harucincy.com. Lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. MCC. $$
RIVERSIDE RESTAURANTKOREAN
You don’t go just anywhere to dine on uni sashimi (sea urchin) or tanshio (thinly sliced charcoalgrilled beef tongue). Don’t miss the rich and meaty chyu toro (fatty big-eye tuna), or the pucker-inducing umeshiso maki (pickled plum paste and shiso leaf roll). Noodles are also well represented, with udon, soba, or ramen options available. And don’t forget to ask about the specials; owners Ken and Keiko Ando always have something new, be it grilled koji or marinated amberjack smoked salmon crudo, delicacies that you’ll be hard-pressed to find in any of those Hyde Park pan-Asian wannabes. The only thing you won’t find here is sake, or any other alcohol. Bring your own, or stick to the nutty and outright addicting barley tea.
512 Madison Ave., Covington, (859) 291-1484, riversidekoreanrestaurant.com. Lunch Tues–Fri, dinner Tues–Sun. MCC, DS. $$
Top10 SOTTO
As with all of Thunderdome’s restaurants, you get a sense that they want to deliver a meal that satisfies many different kinds of people. The prices are reasonable, with pasta entrées about $15. The dishes are familiar in their flavors, but everything feels balanced and modulated and gradually perfected. There is lovely variety: the limone pasta is zippy with lemon and chili flakes, and just the right mixture of tart and creamy; the deep meaty flavors on the mushroom toast are balanced with a nice acidity; and the heat in dishes like the eggplant involtini is just enough to wake up the sauce without overwhelming the flavor. The menu has a wealth of excellent vegetarian and pasta-alternative options.
JAPANESE
vergebrewing.com
KOREAN
WHERE TO EAT NOW 118 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022 ICON BY JESSICA DUNHAM
Come for the jo gi mae un tang—a bowl of sizzling, happy hellbroth pungent with red pepper, garlic, and ginger, crowded with nuggets of fish, tofu, and vegetables. Come for the restorative power of sam gae tang, a chicken soup for the Seoul—a whole Cornish hen submerged in its own juices and plumped with sticky rice and ginseng, dried red dates, and pine nuts. Revered for their medicinal properties, both dinner-sized soups will leave your eyes glistening and your brow beaded with sweat. They’re a detox for your overindulgence, rejuvenation for when you’re feeling under the weather. Expect crowds on weekends. Expect too, that dozens of them have come for dolsot bibimbap, the hot stone pots filled with layers of rice, vegetables, meat or tofu, egg, and chili paste. Characterized by its electric color and addictive flavors, Riverside Korean’s version is a captivating bowl of heaven.
MEDITERRA-NEAN
Top10
Owner Jason Shi seems to know everybody’s name as he chats up diners, guiding them through the extensive sushi and sashimi menu. Five young sushi chefs, all part of Shi’s family, work at light speed behind the bar, a choreography backlit by rows of gleaming liquor bottles. Dinner proceeds with glorious chaos as a feisty Carla Tortelli–like server delivers one dish after another—slivers of giant clam on ice in a super-sized martini glass, a volcanic tower of chopped fatty tuna hidden inside overlapping layers of thin avocado slices, smoky grilled New Zealand mussels drizzled with spicy mayo, and delicate slices of a samurai roll—all between shots of chilled sake.
mysteriously delicious dainties. A favorite is the japchae, a traditional dish sporting silky sweet potato noodles with sesame-and-garlic sauce, matchsticks of assorted crisp vegetables, and behind it all a wonderful smokiness that pervades the whole meal. The accompanying pot of gochujang, a fermented Korean chili paste, adds its own sweet and spicy note. The result is a homey, soulful, and satisfying taste that appeals even to those who’ve never eaten a bite of Korean food before.
ITALIAN
118 E. Sixth St., downtown, (513) 977-6886, sottocincinnati.com. Dinner seven days. V, MC, DS, AMEX. $$
1501 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 419-1820, peppanddolores.com. Lunch Fri–Sun, dinner Mon–Thurs. MCC. $$
7022 Miami Ave., Madeira, (513) 272-0192, atavolapizza.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. V, DC, MS, AMEX. $
with rapini and sausage comes in a buttery, lightly starchy broth with a kick of spice that you could go on eating forever. From the texture of the chicken liver mousse to the tart cherry sauce on the panna cotta, most of the food has some added element of soulfulness.
KYOTO
11259 Reading Rd., Sharonville, (513) 7694549, brijmohancincinnati.com. Lunch and dinner Tues–Sun. MC, V, DC, AMEX. $
In 2011, Jared Wayne opened A Tavola Pizza with two friends just as OTR was blowing up. A Ferrara pizza oven was ordered from Italy; Wayne, a skilled woodworker, built custom tables; and the menu was fleshed in with trendy crowd-pleasers like charcuterie and craft cocktails. Fast-forward a decade. The OTR outpost is closed but the second location is still going strong in the ’burbs: A Tavola Madeira capitalizes on the menu from the Vine Street location, including the fresh and zesty artichoke pizza on a Neapolitan crust; gooey mozzarella-filled arancini, or risotto fritters; and the zucchini mozzarella. Wash down your small plates with a glass of crisp and grassy Sannio falanghina or an ice-cold Peroni lager. They’re definitely going to need a bigger parking lot.
A TAVOLA
Via Vite serves up crowd-pleasing entrées, including the Pietoso family Bolognese, over penne, right on Fountain Square. (Add in a golf-ballsized veal meatball heavy with lemon zest, and it’s an over-the-top comforting main dish.) The same applies to the risotto, where a few small touches add sophistication. Carnaroli rice results in a glossier, starchier dish. A puree of asparagus turns the risotto an eye-popping green, and the poached lobster garnish creates a nice back-andforth between vegetal and briny flavors. Braised lamb shank over polenta is comforting workhorse, and the flavorful Faroe Island salmon with roasted carrot puree, caramelized Brussel sprouts and truffled brown butter balsamic vinaigrette.
12082 Montgomery Rd., Symmes Twp., (513) 583-8897, kyotosushibar.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC. $$
906 Nassau St., Walnut Hills, (513) 281-9791, andyskabob.com. Lunch Mon–Sat, dinner seven days. MCC. $$
PEPP & DOLORES
No matter how much restraint you go in with, meals at Phoenician Taverna quickly become feasts. There is just too much that’s good, and everything is meant to be shared. With fresh pita bread continuously arriving from the ovens, and a table of quickly multiplying meze (hummus, falafel, muhammara), there is a warmth and depth to the cooking that envelops you. With such traditional cuisine, you may think there isn’t much left to discover beyond simply executed classics prepared according to time-tested methods. But there are always new discoveries as the flavors mingle from plate to plate: the tabbouleh with the hummus, mixed with a touch of harissa, or the smoky baba ghanoush spooned onto falafel. Phoenician Taverna keeps taking these classics a little further.
VIA VITE
Billed as “Italian comfort food,” this sister restaurant to 20 Brix offers the classics (like lasagna and chicken carbonara) plus hoagies and meatball sliders, an impressive wine list, seasonal martinis, and a decadent signature appetizer—garlic rolls, doughy buns smothered in olive oil and garlic. Best of all, Barraco’s pizza sauce, which is comprised of roasted tomatoes and basil, is so gardenfresh that one can’t help but wonder: If this is real pizza, what have we been eating all these years?
111 Main St., Milford, (513) 965-0100, padrinoitalian.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC, DS. $$
7944 Mason Montgomery Rd., Mason, (513) 770-0027, phoeniciantaverna.com. Lunch Tues–Fri, dinner Tues–Sun. MCC. $$
There are certain books and movies that you can read or watch over and over. Eating at Sotto is a similar experience: familiar, but so profound and satisfying that there is no reason to ever stop. Unlike other restaurants, where the techniques are often elaborate and unfamiliar, the magic at Sotto happens right in front of you, using ordinary elements and methods. When you taste the results, though, you realize that some mysterious transmutation has taken place. Penne
HARU
PADRINO
ANDY’S MEDITERRANEAN GRILLE
ANDO
In this lively joint with a burnished summer lodge interior of wood and stone, even the food is unrestrained: rough-cut chunks of charbroiled beef tenderloin, big slices of onion and green pepper turned sweet and wet in the heat, skewers of marinated and charbroiled chicken perched on rice too generous for its plate. Co-owner Andy Hajjar mans his station at the end of the bar, smoking a hookah pipe that fills the air with the sweet smell of flavored tobacco, while the friendly but hurried staff hustles through.
TAVERNAPHOENICIAN
Verge Brewing Co. recently acquired endforhopesownedkitchen.brewery,forplansTownshipfacility3,000-square-footainDelhiwithtorenovateitanewtaproom,andThefamily-businesstobereadycustomersbytheoftheyear.
CARLO & JOHNNY
PEARLSTAR
700 Walnut St., downtown, (513) 784-1200, jeffruby. com. Dinner Mon–Sat. MCC, DC. $$$$
THEMORTON’SSTEAKHOUSE
VIETNAMESE
PHO LANG THANG
OAKLEY FISH HOUSE
No one has replicated the concept of an expensive boys’ club better than Morton’s. Amid the dark polished woods and white linen, the Riedel stemware and stupendous flower arrangements, assorted suits grapple with double cut filet mignons, 24 ounces of porterhouse, pink shiny slabs of prime rib, overflowing plates of salty Lyonnaise potatoes, or mammoth iceberg wedges frosted with thick blue cheese dressing. Jumbo is Morton’s decree: Oversized martini and wine glasses, ethereal towering lemon soufflés, roomy chairs, and tables large enough for a plate and a laptop. Even steaks billed as “slightly smaller” weigh in at 8 to 10 ounces.
Owner Chanaka De Lanerolle has said that he decided to bring back Teak’s take on Thai food because of the renewed vibrancy in Over-the-Rhine, which he compared to the energy he felt in Mt. Adams during his time there. But for all of the hype around the restaurant’s re-emergence on the scene, it’s probably best to consider it a reimagining rather than a reopening. While long-time favorites show up on the menu, prepared by many of the same kitchen staff members from Mt. Adams, some adaptations have been made to better meet expectations of modern diners. Letting go of preconceived notions about Teak will serve you well. With a two-sided, standalone sushi menu and a wide variety of main plates ranging from small bites to signature dishes, you have plenty of room to craft your own dining experience.
Sitting on a corner of Hyde Park Square, it’s easy to see that Mesa Loca has an absolute dream of a location. The pandemic forced a few changes to the seafood-centric menu, but those dishes still on the menu indicate what Mesa Loca could be. The tuna ceviche is nicely balanced: tart, with a little spicy creaminess, and a good crispy tostada. The Baja snapper goes well with a bright pile of grated radish and the mango habañero salsa, one of the highlights of the meal. With minced chunks of mango and a hint of fruity habañero heat, it is a prime example of how you can elevate Mexican food and make it worthy of a higher-thanordinary price. One of Mesa Loca’s appealing qualities is its dramatic flair: The yucca fries come stacked on the plate like a late-stages game of Jenga, and their sour-and-spicy rub is quite delicious and striking against the bright starchy white of the fries.
2942 Wasson Rd., Oakley, (513) 731-0107, greenpapayacincinnati.com. Lunch Mon–Sat, dinner seven days. MCC. $$
MAZUNTE
5207 Madison Rd., Madisonville, (513) 785-0000, mazuntetacos.com. Lunch and dinner Mon–Sat, brunch Sun. MCC. $
Over-the-Rhine’s buzzworthy oyster bar marks owner Terry Raley and his Amaranth Hospitality Group’s first foray outside of Nashville. The oysters—flown in every 24 to 36 hours—are delivered on a bed of crushed ice with lemon wedges and a vinegary herbed mignonette sauce. Add a few refreshing drops of lemon and mignonette, mix in the additional fresh horseradish, house-made hot sauce, or cocktail sauce, and slurp your way to the sea. The entrées (Pearl “Stars,” as they’re called on the menu) are equal parts surf and turf, with the Arctic char and Texas redfish living up to the “star” billing. The char, with its topping of lemon caper butter, was creamy enough to eat by the spoonful while the soft, spicy redfish was flecked with a chocolaty chorizo oil that tasted like a master chef’s take on Cincinnati chili. All of this can be washed down with PearlStar’s extensive drink menu, including cleverly named cocktails like Summer Dreamsicle and House Cup #1. 1220 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 381-0427, pearlstar.com. Dinner Wed–Sun, brunch Sun. MCC. $$
TEAK THAI
STEAKS
The stars of the menu are 12 delectable steaks that could sway the vegi-curious to recommit. Not sure which to choose? If you prefer brawny flavor over buttery texture, go for one of the three bone-in rib cuts. Or if it’s that meltin-your-mouth experience that raises your serotonin levels, C&J features several tenderloin cuts, including the premium six-ounce Wagyu filet. There are the usual suspects of raw bar, seafood, pork chops, et al, if you’re interested in nonbeef alternatives.
9769 Montgomery Rd., Montgomery, (513) 936-8600, jeffruby.com/carlo-johnny. Dinner seven days. MCC. $$$$
THAI
and greens and handsome, dark wood furniture, it takes time to sort through the many curries and chef’s specialties, not to mention the wide variety of sushi on the somethingfor-everyone menu. Have the staff—friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable—help you. When the food arrives, you’ll need only a deep inhale to know you made the right choice. The Green Papaya sushi rolls are as delicious as they look, with a manic swirl of spicy mayo and bits of crabstick and crispy tempura batter scattered atop the spicy tuna, mango, cream cheese, and shrimp tempura sushi—all rolled in a vivid green soybean wrap.
2507 Chelsea Dr., Ft. Mitchell, (859) 341-0707. Lunch and dinner Tues–Sat. MC, V, DS. $
1200 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 421-8325, teakotr. com. Lunch and dinner Tues–Sun. MCC. $$
Wild Ginger Asian Bistro’s ability to satisfy a deep desire for Vietnamese and Thai fusion cuisine is evidenced by their signature Hee Ma roll—a fortress of seaweed-wrapped rolls filled with shrimp tempura, asparagus, avocado, and topped with red tuna, pulled crab stick, tempura flakes, a bit of masago, scallions, and of course, spicy mayo. It’s tasty, even though the sweet fried floodwall of tempura and spicy mayo overpowered the tuna completely. The spicy pad char entrée was a solid seven out of 10: broccoli, carrots, cabbage, succulent red bell peppers, green beans, and beef, accented with basil and lime leaves in a peppercorn-andchili brown sauce.
shews, and the stew itself is packed with mussels, shrimp, and chunks of fish.
Filled most nights with local scenesters and power brokers (and those who think they are), everything in this urban steakhouse is generous—from the portions to the expert service. White-jacketed waiters with floor-length aprons deliver two-fisted martinis and mounds of greens dressed in thin vinaigrettes or thick, creamy emulsions. An occasional salmon or sea bass appears, and there’s a small but decent assortment of land fare. But most customers, even the willowy model types, inhale slabs of beef (dry aged USDA prime) like they’re dining in a crack house for carnivores. The best of these is Jeff Ruby’s Cowboy: 22 ounces of 70day dry-aged bone-in rib eye. This is steak tailor-made for movers and shakers.
JEFF RUBY’S
The menu at this four-table mom-and-pop welcomes you to “a little piece of Mexico.” The huaraches (spelled guarachis here), are flat troughs of thick, handmade fried masa dough the approximate shape and size of a shoeprint, mounded with beans and slivers of grilled beef or chili-red nubs of sausage, shredded lettuce, a crumble of queso fresco, and drizzle of cultured cream. Should you have an adventurous side, you can have your huarache topped with slippery tongue, goat meat, shredded chicken, or pork. There are stews, carne asada plates, and sopes—saucers of fried masa much like huaraches, only smaller.
MONTOYA’S
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Owners Duy and Bao Nguyen and David Le have created a greatest hits playlist of Vietnamese cuisine: elegant, brothy pho made from poultry, beef, or vegan stocks poured over rice noodles and adrift with slices of onions, meats, or vegetables (the vegan pho chay is by far the most flavorful); fresh julienned vegetables, crunchy sprouts, and herbs served over vermicelli rice noodles (again, the vegan version, bun chay, is the standout); and bánh mì. Be sure to end with a cup of Vietnamese coffee, a devilish jolt of dark roast and sweetened condensed milk that should make canned energy drinks obsolete.
Mazunte runs a culinary full court press, switching up specials to keep both regulars and staff engaged. Pork tamales arrive swaddled in a banana leaf, the shredded pork filling steeped in a sauce fiery with guajillo and ancho chilies yet foiled by the calming sweetness of raisins. The fried fish tacos are finished with a citrusy red and white cabbage slaw that complements the accompanying mango-habañero salsa. With this level of authentic yet fast-paced execution, a slightly greasy pozole can be easily forgiven. Don’t miss the Mexican Coke, the margaritas, or the non-alcoholic horchata.
TAQUERIA CRUZ
2645 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, (513) 321-6372, mesalocahydepark.com. Lunch and dinner seven days.
MESA LOCA
3036 Madison Rd., Oakley, (513) 631-3474, oakleyfishhouse.com. Lunch Fri–Sun, dinner Tues–Sun. MCC. $$$
Mexican places seem to change hands in this town so often that you can’t get the same meal twice. Montoya’s is the exception. They’ve been hidden in a tiny strip mall off the main drag in Ft. Mitchell for years. It’s unpretentious and seemingly not interested in success, which means success has never gone to their head here. At a place where you can get Huracan Fajitas with steak, chicken, and chorizo or Tilapia Asada, the tacos are still a big item.
3655 Edwards Rd., Hyde Park, (513) 533-9500, wildgingercincy.com. Lunch and dinner Mon–Sun. MCC, DS. $$
MCC. $$
WILD GINGER
MEXICAN
441 Vine St., downtown, (513) 621-3111, mortons.com. Dinner seven days. MCC. $$
GREEN PAPAYA
518 Pike St., Covington, (859) 431-3859. Lunch and dinner seven days. Cash. $
Inside this simple dining room, replete with soothing browns
CINCINNATI MAGAZINE, (ISSN 0746-8 210), October 2022, Volume 56, Number 1. Published monthly ($19.95 for 12 issues annually) at 1818 Race St., Ste. 301, Cincinnati, OH 45202. (513) 421-4300. Copyright © 2022 by Cincinnati Magazine LLC, a subsidiary of Hour Media Group, 5750 New King Dr., Ste. 100, Troy, MI 48098. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or reprinted without permission. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, and artwork should be accompanied by SASE for return. The magazine cannot be held responsible for loss. For subscription orders, address changes or renewals, write to CINCINNATI MAGAZINE, 1965 E. Avis Dr., Madison Heights, MI 48071, or call 1-866-660-6247. Periodicals postage paid at Cincinnati, Ohio, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send forms 3579 to CINCINNATI MAGAZINE, 1965 E. Avis Dr., Madison Heights, MI 48071. If the Postal Service alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year.
SEAFOOD
1828 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 376-9177, pholangthang.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC, DS, DC. $
Chanaka De Lanerolle sold Mt. Adams Fish House back in 2011, and Oakley Fish House is its reincarnation—and reinvention. Most of the menu tends toward fairly conservative takes on classics, like well-seasoned crab cakes and thick, creamy chowder full of seafood. The handful of ethnic experiments on the menu are among its most vibrant offerings, including a Mediterranean fish stew that takes inspiration from the North African coast. Tender, fluffy couscous soaks up a fiery but sweet tomato sauce that showcases chiles and peppercorns, golden raisins, and lovely firm ca-
A STATELY 1875 VICTORIAN HOME IN PRICE HILL HAS A SURPRISING REAR WING: A 2,250-square-foot music room crowded with pianos and Wurlitzer pipe organs and outfitted with a glittering chandelier from the historic Sinton Hotel in downtown Cincinnati. Organ enthusiast Ron Wehmeier added the room to showcase his extraordinary collection, which includes a nine-foot Steinway grand piano, a half-dozen Steinway player pianos (and dozens of player piano rolls), a gold-plated Wurlitzer harp, and his dream instrument, a 37-rank Mighty Wurlitzer. Mechanically inclined, he’s had a six-decade love affair with these powerful music machines and once maintained 65 organs around the Midwest. He’s still the go-to guy for the Mighty Wurlitzer in the Music Hall Ballroom, once featured at the Albee Theater and Emery Theater. Wehmeier occasion ally hosts historical societies and organ enthusiasts at his music room. “The sound is so inviting,” he says. “People aren’t used to hearing something like that.”
—RICK PENDER
Pipe Dreams
120 CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER 2022 PHOTOGRAPH BY DEVYN GLISTA
OBSCURACINCY
