Q&A: interviews

Notable Cincinnatians identify the best of the past 10 years

photo: seahuMike Breen Photo: CityBeat Staffer

Mike Breen:
Music Editor, CityBeat
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
I know this is a bit crass, but I think it's CityBeat. The best general thing to happen to this town has been the loosening of the conservative stranglehold on all levels, from the political to the cultural. I think CB is taken for granted now, but - with a lot of help from a lot of friends - the paper has done what it set out to do and more: Call bullshit on the bullshit and be progressive. It's the only way for society to evolve. And we've helped turn around public perception of Citizens for Community Values; now most everyone knows what an absolute fucking joke of an organization it really is.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
Having a kid. Those without a child have a hard time understanding the crazy gibberish parents talk about, but - along with your own birth and death - it's the monumental event(s) of any human's life. It's why we're here. The birth of my daughter has made me a better person, and it's shown me what's really important about life.

photo: seahuSteve Ramos Photo: Geoff Raker

Steve Ramos:
Senior Writer, CityBeat
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
The best thing, despite all the troubles and growing pains for the institution, is the opening of the new Contemporary Arts Center designed by architect Zaha Hadid.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
My son Theo is 7-soon-to-be-8, and he's the highlight of the past 10 years. My favorite parenthood cliche is how kids put everything in perspective. It's been easy separating the crap from what truly matters since Theo arrived.

photo: seahuJohn Fox Photo: Sean Hughes/Photopresse.com

John Fox :
Editor and Co-Publisher, CityBeat
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
The jury's still out, but looking back I think we'll see that electing Mark Mallory mayor last fall was the best thing to happen to this city. Already the tone of cooperation and forward thinking at City Hall has eclipsed anything we've known in recent years, and there's a lot of room still for improvement.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
The birth and growth of my daughter (8) and son (2) have filled my life in places I never knew existed. I'm really touched by how many of these Best of Cincinnati interviews mention the important role children play in our lives. It's very cool to know that progressive people in Cincinnati can support the kinds of causes CityBeat champions while also keeping their families close to their hearts - it's all about making a better future for the next generations

photo: seahuGregory Flannery Photo: Geoff Raker

Gregory Flannery:
News Editor, CityBeat
What is the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
The memorandum of agreement between the city of Cincinnati and the U.S. Justice Department. This is the lesser known twin of the collaborative agreement on police reform. As we saw during the anti-globalization protests downtown in 2000 and during protests against police violence in 2001, the Cincinnati Police Department was out of control and routinely using excessive force. Although Mayor Charlie Luken later backed away from his commitment to reforming the police, by asking the Justice Department to intervene he set the stage for meaningful changes in a department that almost singlehandedly made Cincinnati a repressive place for dissent.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
My four children graduated from Catholic high schools. This was important to my wife, Mary Alice, and me because we wanted our kids to have the solid moral foundation that we believe Catholic education provides. The tuition was painfully expensive, but we believed the investment essential in preparing our children for adulthood.

photo: seahuKathy Y. Wilson Photo: Kathy Y. Wilson

Kathy Y. Wilson:
Senior Writer, CityBeat
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
Definitely the run of my much-maligned and secretly loved CityBeat column, Your Negro Tour Guide.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
After the births of my nephews Kenny and Kyler and my nieces Kennedy and Koah, it was definitely the day I killed my much-maligned and secretly loved column, Your Negro Tour Guide.

photo: seahuRick Pender Photo: Geoff Raker

Rick Pender:
Former Arts & Entertainment Editor, CityBeat
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
The growth of Cincinnati's arts "scene" has been impressive. We have a long history of well-supported and sophisticated arts organizations, but I believe that the period from the mid-1990s to the present will be viewed as a 'golden age" for the arts - new buildings, strong leadership and increasing awareness from the entire community that the arts are what set Cincinnati apart from other cities in America.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
Without a doubt it was the chance to work at CityBeat and oversee arts coverage during a "golden age." I feel especially blessed to have seen a few theater companies come together to create a body of work and performance that rivals many larger cities. I've been watching about 100 productions annually - that's a big deal!

photo: seahuJason Gargano Photo: Geoff Raker

Jason Gargano:
Arts and Entertainment Editor, CityBeat
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
Hyperbole from The New York Times aside, the grand opening of the new Contemporary Arts Center transformed our largely staid cityscape into a bustling urban party that seemed to have people from every walk of life sporting shit-eating grins. The Ass Ponys and hot tubs, what could be better?

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
The birth of my ... just kidding. I think. The fact that I'm able to work amid and be a part of our small but ever-vital arts scene, one that continues to thrive despite little interest from the powers that be and the public at large, is extremely gratifying. Oh, and I got to talk to Kim Gordon.

photo: seahuMargo Pierce Photo: Sean Hughes/Photopresse.com

Margo Pierce:
Staff Writer, CityBeat
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
The Banks project, of course! It's so easy to spend an entire Saturday or Sunday downtown now. Between the shops, the park and restaurants I take care of my errands, enjoy some time outside and eat enough to avoid getting cranky on the drive home. The diversity of music events and festivals are regularly on my "to do" list. I've even gotten to the Taft Museum, the Cincinnati Museum Center and some great little art galleries that I hardly ever visited. Oh, and have you been up in the Ferris wheel yet? The view is fabulous, on a non-smog-alert day of course. I haven't been able to convince myself to tour the condos because I know I can't afford one. But then I doubt my Honda Civic would be at home in that parking garage with the likes of the cars that belong to those who think affordable housing means under $1 million.
Oh, wait, that's my daydream when I look at the colorful poster of what The Banks will look like then Hamilton County commissioners and Cincinnati City Council make the future a reality instead of a picture on an easel at yet another press conference explaining how beneficial the project will be when...

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
Doing a Lois Lane imitation as a CityBeat writer. I get to experience the grittier side of Cincinnati. I'm meeting people and hearing stories the mainstream press and suburbanites avoid like the plague. These aren't the "overcoming adversity with a happy ending" stories that make for a sappy balance to the latest round of shootings, murders or drug crimes - they're the real life experiences of people who get dismissed by those who desire only a partial picture of life in Cincinnati.
More than anything, I've learned the importance of asking questions as a powerful weapon against ignorance, corruption and bullshit that can also reveal truth, kindness and the valuable aspects of "the largest small town in America."

photo: seahuHannah Roberts Photo: Sean Hughes/Photopresse.com

Hannah Roberts:
Copy Editor, CityBeat
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
I think that even with its business advantages aside, the MidPoint Music Festival launched the city into a totally different league in terms of creating a formidable artistic presence in the Midwest. I remember a lot of grumbling over tax and zoning issues when the stadiums went up, and then with the new CAC and national Underground Railroad Freedom Center it seemed that all anyone wanted to do was debate art vs. commerce. MPMF gave us an opportunity to enjoy ourselves and to realize that, for better or worse, we're living in Cincinnati.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
By far, it was getting the opportunity to travel to Scotland for a semester of college. To this day I can't articulate the changes brought on by that experience, but I can say that it forever altered my perceptions of self and, more importantly, of home.

Steve Carter-Novotni:
Writer, editor, new media specialist, CityBeat contributor
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
The 2001 riots. I know that sounds weird, because obviously Tim Thomas' death was a tragedy and the violence and mayhem in the streets by both protesters and cops was a terrible thing; It's just that this flash of lightning through the streets of Over-the-Rhine woke up so many complacent people to some hard facts about our city. The riots were like an earthquake proving the existence of a geologic fault at Cincinnati's core. This racial and economic stratification that keeps the poor, black and white, under the heel of a corporate empire has got to go, and the people know it. For that reason, the shots fired by Officer Stephen Roach were ones heard 'round the world. And there's not enough Ivory Soap anywhere to clean up that mess.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
Finding out that my wife and I are going to have a baby. After freaking out for about a month and tripping on the existential dilemmas presented by this revelation, it began to bring my life into clear focus. Acting purposefully and deliberately are more important now. Patience, kindness and gratitude are virtues I'm trying very hard to pursue, because I have to develop these in myself if I'm ever to ask these things of this new life.

photo: seahuTim Lucas Photo: Tim Lucas

Tim Lucas:
Author, Editor of Video Watchdog magazine
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
I'm tempted to say Newport, but that wouldn't be playing the game by the rules. To stick on this side of the river, I would have to say that the last 10 years have found Cincinnati returning rather heroically to its roots as a great restaurant town. In the past five years or so, I've stopped pining for the sushi I had in Toronto, the Ethiopian food I discovered in Washington, D.C. and the Mexican cuisine and dirty martinis I've loved in Los Angeles. It's all here now - as good, or better.

It's hard for me to decide whether the single best thing is the easier obtainability of sushi in the area (I'm an Amarin regular), the arrival of Abuelo's (their "Mejor de la Casa" is to die for) or the recent resurrection of the much-missed Chart House with its magnificent river view and even more magnificent Callahan Cut of prime rib.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
My first screenplay was optioned by an important director (Joe Dante), and the film rights to my most recent novel, The Book of Renfield, were optioned by Nip/Tuck creator Ryan Murphy, so I'm excited by the possibility of seeing my work translated to the screen. But these are just possibilities, at the moment.
The best actual thing that happened to me during this period was finally finishing my critical biography of Italian film director Mario Bava, which I'd been researching and writing since 1975. It's in the layout stage now; it's going to be a 1,100-page, four-column, 14-pound, full-color monster, and Martin Scorsese has endorsed it by writing the foreword. It would have been impossible for me to publish a book like this 10 years ago or to interest another publisher in doing it, but with the continuing success of Video Watchdog and the advent of DVD I've been able to cultivate an audience for the book with liner notes and audio commentaries for numerous Bava DVDs released here and abroad. When Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark comes out this summer, I expect it'll be the second best thing that's happened to me in my life.

photo: seahuJay Kalagayan Photo: Geoff Raker

Jay Kalagayan
Executive Director, Know Theatre Tribe
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
The repeal of Article 12, which helped focus Cincinnati and formed a great debate. It really organized the GLBT population and helped them make a connection with different communities, and it was all through Citizens to Restore Fairness. It was a great victory toward fair and equal rights. We were behind the times, but now we're equal.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
We have a theater! It's going to be a home for contemporary, multicultural and experimental art in Cincinnati. We'll have a main stage performance venue seating 160, a cabaret space, an art gallery and a lobby space comparable to other large theaters at 1120 Jackson St. across from the Art Academy, across the street from the Kroger Gateway Garage and a block from Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati. Three leaders in contemporary art are going to be within a block of each other. Can the title "Arts District" be far behind?

photo: seahuSister Alice Gerdeman Photo: Roni Moerman

Sister Alice Gerdeman:
Staff member, Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center; Chair, Ohioans to Stop Executions
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
When President Bush came to Cincinnati in 2002, about 3,000 people came out to express their opinion and to say, "Nobody's going to take us for granted." It was a very positive step for our city for that many people to come out and be public about their concern for our country.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
I don't think in terms of my life having "best things" that happen. I think the past 10 years have been very positive for me in many ways. I think about literally hundreds of incredibly wonderful people who have been part of my life, from small children to elderly wise people to people who care about our country, about the people in our country and about the environment. The high point of my life has been the continual meeting of these wonderful people and knowing they're out there and they're my source of hope.

On Sunday morning, I was sitting by the window in my room praying and I looked out and there was a wild turkey across the street in a field - a male turkey with three hens. And I thought, "This could be one of the highlights, the fact that some of nature is coming back. Some of nature is coming back." To see these four fat turkeys, it doesn't rank up there with world peace or saving the world from hunger but it's a wonderful vital sign. Sometimes it's little stuff.

photo: seahuEric Kearney Photo: Jymi Bolden

Eric Kearney
Ohio State Senator, small business owner
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, which provides a positive national and international symbol for Cincinnati. My hope is that its principles and mission will spread throughout our city and region.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
My marriage and family. Jan-Michele and I recently celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary, and we're blessed to have two children, Emerson and Asher.

photo: seahuKathy Holwadel Photo: Una Karim-Cross

Kathy Holwadel
Executive Director and founder, InkTank
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
I'm the only one who thinks the best thing that's happened is the Black United Front-led boycott, because if we'd just stopped with the 2001 riots - civil unrest is too mild an expression - I would've been able to forget it and the rest of the city would've forgotten. The group kept the issues in the press, and it made me change my life. It was because of the boycotts that InkTank is in Over-the-Rhine. I didn't understand, and I wanted to, why people were so angry.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
I quit my job as a financial consultant at Meryl Lynch, and now I hang out with the artists and people who don't put money at the center of their lives.

photo: seahuRobert L. Harris Photo: Graham Lienhart

Robert L. Harris
Community Relations Coordinator, National Conference for Community and Justice
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
We"re beginning to show growth in the area of human relations and inclusion. This growth is manifested in many ways - by the decisive repeal of Article 12, which fostered discrimination against people who are gay/lesbian or transgender; by the way the it's been implementing the (ADA) Americans with Disabilities Act, especially SORTA as it has worked hard to make it entire fleet of buses accessible to and usable by all people; and by the way we're working to embrace our Muslim and Hispanic brothers and sisters.

We have a way to go before we arrive, but I think we have enough committed people on board to ensure our success

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
My answer is simple: I have had the great privilege and pleasure of watching, experiencing and helping my son, Jonathan David Ako Anderson Harris, grow from the wonderful loving and caring child that he always was into this even more wonderful loving and caring man whom I not only love but also like and respect.

photo: seahuPatricia Garry Photo: Graham Lienhart

Patricia Garry
Spiritual teacher and healer; Executive Director, Community Development Corporations Association of Greater Cincinnati
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
The re-energizing of community councils and the emergence of fresh and tenacious leadership. I have loved seeing Mary Anne Berry of Mount Washington, among others, pushing hard on the issue of keeping neighborhood police officers directly linked to their communities. What will save this city - and has kept it from being in even more trouble than it is - is neighborhood people every day not giving up, working on small and large issues to keep our communities livable and keeping up the hope of other residents. The city administration and leadership are also re-learning ways to partner with neighborhood leadership rather than just giving lip service to the concept. Mayor Mark Mallory, City Manager Dave Rager and Community Development and Planning Department Director Michael Cervay all seem to be on the right track.

The second best thing is the absolute explosion of art, theater and music in this town, at all levels and in all parts of the city. My favorite is the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. This great energy and great creativity is helping re-invent us as a much less stodgy city.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
A much more challenging question! My life has been on parallel tracks for 20 years _ as a left-brained community activist/community development professional and consultant and as a right-brained hands-on Reiki healer, intuitive Tarot card reader, spiritual teacher and writer. My new semi-regular column in Women's Business Cincinnati is called "Left Brain/Right Brain," and it feels good to bring all my ideas together in one place as I write these columns. I've al'o finished one book and have two others in process, all dealing with spirituality and growth in terms of making a practical difference in our lives, so this internal integration feels peaceful and energizing at the same time.
I'm also tremendously proud of my son, community activist and leader Brian Garry, who is working to build Neighborhoods United, a citywide community council coalition _ sorely lacking in this city for many years _ and my grandson Keegan, who is now officially a third generation protester. My son Terry is developing his abilities as a nutritional healer, and my D.C. son and grandson are also making a good difference in the world, which keeps me looking forward to the paradigm shift toward peace, justice and a healthy environment that I believe is coming.

photo: seahuJeri Toliver Photo: Una Karim-Cross

Jeri Toliver
Program Director, WDBZ (1230 AM)
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
Has anything happened to Cincinnati in the past 10 years? I was under the impression Cincinnati was living the (ultimate) Ground Hog Day _ reliving the same day until we get it right.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
Seeing my son graduate from college.

photo: seahuNapoleon Maddox Photo: Jon Hughes/Photopresse.com

Napoleon Maddx
Singer, songwriter and band leader, Iswhat?!
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
That's Coach Marvin Lewis. Even though the Bengals didn't get to the Super Bowl last season, the spirit of investing 110 percent effort that Lewis brings to the game and Cincy is a beautiful thing. He does his job with class, and the city is blessed to have him.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
A standing ovation from a packed house in Paris that insisted on an Iswhat?! encore. The lineup was Jack (tenor, flute and singing!), Hamid (drums), Claire Daly (baritone sax), Joe Fonda (bass) and myself. Jack sang "The World Is a Ghetto" and "Volunteered Slavery." In the middle of the show during an extended rendition of "Can't Get In," Jack and Claire left the stage led by Joe and danced through the crowd of 500 playing a funky horn line while Hamid and I did rhythms. It was crazy.

photo: seahuDenise Burge Photo: CityBeat Archive

Denise Burge
Art professor, UC's College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning; artist known for her quilt creations
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
The fact that Cincinnati voters elected a black man for mayor (Mark Mallory) and we also had a lesbian mayor (Roxanne Qualls).

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
If you asked that question of the Dalai Llama, he would say everything is good. But a very momentous thing was meeting quilt maker Sherry Woods in 1998 - she opened my eyes to where my work was heading. That, and turning 40.

photo: seahuMark Mallory Photo: Natalie Hager

Mark Mallory
Cincinnati Mayor, former Ohio State Representative
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
The Bengals' turnaround, of course. Coach Marvin Lewis has done a great job of returning the Bengals to a playoff-caliber team to match our playoff-caliber town.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
In 1996, I emceed the program and introduced President Bill Clinton to a crowd of thousands. It was early in my political career, but that event was a turning point for me because for the first time it allowed me to establish my own stature as an elected official beyond simply being my father's son.

photo: seahuRyan Rybolt Photo: CityBeat Archive

Ryan Rybolt
Entrepreneur, co-founder of Give Back Cincinnati
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
There have been a number of great happenings - the opening of the Contemporary Arts Center, the inception of the MidPoint Music Festival, the opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the renovation of Findlay Market and the building of two new stadiums. But the one thing that stands out more than anything else is Cincinnati's commitment to revitalizing the urban core along with the input Cincinnati has sought from the younger community to help define and adopt a collaborative vision. This inclusion will lead to many great things as we move toward the next 10 years.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
I would say it's the co-founding of Give Back Cincinnati, which made me quickly realize how attainable a vision can be when it's driven by passion and shared by other motivated individuals. Give Back is, without a doubt, one of the most efficient and influential organizations in Cincinnati - 2,500-plus members, zero paid staff and making a positive impact on individuals through the region.

Leading Give Back taught me many valuable business lessons that I apply everyday at Infintech, my for-profit business. It also offered many opportunities to interact with regional civic and business leaders. But most importantly, Give Back is where I met my wife, Kara.

photo: seahuTerry Bryan's Training Center Photo: Matt Borgerding

Katie Laur
Musician, writer, CityBeat columnist
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
A lot has been accomplished down on Cincinnati's riverfront. I hadn't expected to be so moved by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. It speaks to all of us with one voice. The structure itself is so enormous, so stark, you can almost hear the clanging of the iron and the scraping of the stone.

New times call for a new interdependence. I've been a performer all my life, and I've learned to share the limelight with others and then, when it's my turn again, I've got more juice. The Freedom Center reminded me that the good stuff doesn't come easy - we have to be willing to fight.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
I guess my dog, Sister, is the best thing that's happened to me. We are tight partners. Walking her three times a day gives me a sense of discipline and clears my head. I might go out dreading the walk, but I come in feeling energized and brimming with new ideas.

Lisa Mullins of Enjoy the Arts/START found her running on Scott Street in Covington and brought her to me. I hadn't had her long when I ruptured my Achilles tendon, and Lisa had to take her back for three months while I went through surgery and healing. Lisa said that Sister got along so well with her dog, Chief, it was a miracle. One night she came home and found Sister and Chief with her sweat pants. Sister had one leg and Chief the other, and they were just getting into a great tug of war. Friends, whether they're two-legged or four-legged, are the best, aren't they?

photo: seahuJulie Francis Photo: Sean Hughes/Photopresse.com

Julie Francis
Chef/Owner, Nectar (opened in Mount Lookout March 28; chef/owner of former downtown restaurant Aioli 2000-06)
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
The restaurant scene has really grown and prospered here. There are many more wonderful local chef-owned and -operated establishments in most neighborhoods in the city.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
It would have to be the opportunity to open Nectar and to be involved in building a restaurant from the ground up. It's really about what I want to do as a chef and bring that to my customers.

photo: seahuSue Taylor Photo: Jymi Bolden

Sue Taylor
President, Cincinnati Federation of Teachers
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
It's the "Continuous Improvement" rating earned by Cincinnati Public Schools based on the Ohio Report Card for school districts. While there are significant flaws in this accountability system, the rating is very significant in restoring public confidence in our school district. The successful passage of our bond issue will allow our students to be instructed and our teachers to teach in school buildings that will be conducive to learning rather than detract from learning, as is the case of so many of our aged buildings.

The successful passage of the levy renewal in November 2005 will allow the district to maintain the quality of services our students deserve. I'm very proud of this accomplishment, particularly in light of the fact that The Enquirer, The Post, the Cincinnati Business Committee and three of the current school board members were willing to jeopardize $65 million in funds that directly support our students. The well-being of the city is intertwined with the well-being of the school district. Clearly, the school district is making strides, as determined by the criteria used by the Ohio Department of Education. Our challenge is to sustain and improve our results.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
First, my husband recovered from a massive heart attack. He was able to be revived due to the fact that neighbors, who happen to be registered nurses, were home and available to provide CPR. Secondly, due to the fact that we live in Oakley quite near to a fire station that houses paramedics, they were able to respond to our 911 emergency very quickly, take the necessary action to revive him and transport him to University Hospital quickly for life-saving surgery. I'm extremely grateful that the city of Cincinnati has the ability to respond to such life-threatening emergencies so efficiently.

The trauma helped me to place issues in my life into perspective and to grow as a person, wife, mother and professional. The recovery allowed me to successfully run for president of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers and to successfully serve in this capacity since 2001. Plus our daughter (and only child) graduated from Cincinnati Public Schools, earning a "diploma with honors" as designated by the criteria of the State of Ohio.

photo: seahuMelvin Grier Photo: Sean Hughes/Photopresse.com

Melvin Grier
Cincinnati Post photographer, Taft Museum of Art Robert A. Duncanson Artist in Residence (2004)
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
Some people get excited about the Reds and Bengals, but my heroes are Jazz musicians. My favorite thing recently is the Hyatt Hotel Jazz Series that's come back Friday evenings. I think a lot about the city's past history with Jazz, but there's so much young and brilliant Jazz talent in this city. I see resurgence in the Jazz community and the music as being very important. Culturally for me, to be able to go out and hear these guys is super.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
Definitely has to be the Artist in Residence at the Taft Museum of Art. That was a great experience. So many things that happened to me are very positive - it's sort of like picking your favorite child. The recognition I received from all the people who came out for my events at the Taft was very gratifying.

photo: seahuChris Sherman Photo: CityBeat Archive

Chris Sherman
Bass player and band leader, Freekbass
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
I think one of the best things is the MidPoint Music Festival. Not only because it's brought national attention to Cincinnati for our rich and diverse music scene, but also the way it's liberated the Cincinnati music scene itself. It seems like only a few years ago if you played original music here you were pretty much going to be playing Clifton and downtown. Now original bands are popping up in different clubs and venues in all parts of Cincinnati, and I think a big part of this is because of MidPoint, which is inspiring.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
The best thing is the birth of my daughter, Issey, last year. I never knew it was possible to love something so much. And as crazy and unfunky as things can get out there sometimes, there's always one smile that saves the day for me.

photo: seahuMike Hammons Photo: Natalie Hager

Mike Hammons
Executive Director, Forward Quest
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
With Cincinnati's poor self-image, it's hard to appreciate the extent to which its businesses and arts institutions have reached new pinnacles of success in the last 10 years: P&G, Federated, Kroger, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Art Museum, the Playhouse, Contemporary Arts Center, Taft Museum, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Pops. We've been living in a period of extraordinary achievement. Every one of these businesses and arts organizations has set new standards of excellence within their spheres.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
Personally, I'm proud to have been with Forward Quest in the past 10 years and to have been able to play a small part in Northern Kentucky's incomparable growth and achievement.

photo: seahuNick Vehr Photo: Jon Hughes/Photopresse.com

Nick Vehr
Vice President for Economic Development, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
From a regional perspective, it's the growing awareness and acceptance of the relevance of the urban core. Whether considering housing development in downtown Cincinnati, Newport and Covington, new investment in major arts and cultural facilities, new leadership and spirit at Cincinnati City Hall or even the ramifications to our regional psyche and image driven by the ongoing challenge of race relations, people in our core and region are better aligned than ever on the importance of the core to the health of the region.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
Other than watching my three children grow and mature, which has been awesome, it's being blessed with opportunities to work in jobs that enabled and required me to be passionate and emotionally engaged. From service on City Council to providing strategic and creative communications counsel to business clients to the Olympic bid effort and then working at the Chamber to grow the regional economy through collaboration, I've been luckier than most to actually get paid for doing all this cool stuff.

photo: seahuJimmy the Weasel Photo: ?

Jimmy the Weasel
DJ, WAQZ (97.3 FM)
What's the best thing to happen to Cincinnati in the past 10 years?
I think one good thing is the development of Northern Kentucky. I hope it makes Cincinnati leaders realize that they need to be smarter and faster at coming up with ways to keep downtown vital
and relevant.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 10 years?
Moving to Northern Kentuck