Streetvibes July 15-31, 2009 Edition

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Sexy, Yummy, Veggie P. 8

Art to Save Our Souls P. 3

Will it Be Moved? P. 11

STREETVIBES

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July 15 - August 2, 2009 • Advocating Justice, Building Community • Issue 157

A Streetcar Named ‘Democracy’ NAACP wants voters to decide By Paul Kopp Contributing Writer The Cincinnati Chapter of the NAACP wants citizens to decide on a proposed streetcar plan approved by city council. The plan calls for the construction of a 3.9-mile long streetcar line around downtown and parts of Over-the-Rhine, with a connector leading to uptown neighborhoods at the top of the hill. The city hopes the streetcars will create new jobs, business and economic growth. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) wants voters to decide. The NAACP has circulated petitions for an amendment to the city charter that would require a referendum Streetcars of varying designs and styles are seen in many large American cities. to determine whether a major transportation project, such as In addition to the $200 million cost to build the tions to make sure voters get to decide. streetcars, should be approved. The NAACP says it “All we are demanding is a vote,” says Christo- streetcar system, operating costs will cause a furhas already submitted sufficient signatures to put the pher Smitherman, president of the NAACP. “They ther $60 million dollar issue on the ballot but is continuing to circulate petiseem to fear people voting on this issue.“ imbalance, Smitherman See Streetcar, p. 4

Making More Than Pizza Q&A with the head of Venice on Vine By Angela Pancella Contributing Writer Rina Saperstein is executive director of Power Inspires Progress, which operates Venice on Vine, a restaurant and employment-education program at 1301 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. What is Venice on Vine? The restaurant's purpose it to sell good food and be a comfortable place to visit. We're about more than just pizza. Because we're an employment education program, we are helping our employees gain a work history and job skills so they can get out and get a better job. What are the requirements to work here? One of our eligibility criteria is that our employees have to be from inner-city Cincinnati. Right now we have people from places like Avondale, Price Hill, Camp Washington. A fair number come from Over-the-Rhine. A fair number are from temporary homeless shelters and transitional housing. Other criteria: You must be over 18, you must want to work, you must want to make changes. We're not a part-time or See Pizza, p. 7

Venice on Vine teaches local residents more than just preparing delicious pizza. Photo by Andrew Anderson.


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