Unmuseum Kid's Art

I've blogged a few times about the kids programs at the Contemporary Arts Center.

 

Some photos from the 5th Floor of the Contemporary Arts Center of drawings kids made during these events:

Breakdancing Sumo:

 

Fish:

 

Scribbly Man:

 

Lady with earrings:

 

Charcoal lady:

 

Kid Play on CAC Curved Wall

Kids love running up this wall at the Contemporary Art Center.

 

But you are definitely not allowed to climb the wall inside, no matter how tempting:

 

[Where: 44 E. Sixth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202]

Union Terminal Visit

Here is a great place to visit now that the weather is turning. Union Terminal is home to Cincinnati Museum Center, which is the Children's Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Cincinnati History Museum,and the Omnimax Theater. Here are a few photos from a recent visit.

Exterior:

 

placed in service plaque:

 

Rookwood Tile in the Coffee Shop:

 

The natural history museum has a cave very similar to the cave that they had at their old location at Eden Park, but now they have real bats, and an ice cave. Their is a sandbox for little kids that has come in handy a few times in mid-winter.

But the building itself is also fun. There is the whispering drinking fountains and beautiful mosaics in the rotunda.

A spiral shell fossil, seen in the red marble of the walls:

 

We walked here from home. It is a 1.2 mile walk from Vine and Central Parkway to the Museum Center, which is a bit of a chore. I am finding that anything less than half a mile, we will do on any whim, because it is so easy. This will get us to most of downtown, though not to the riverfront. Longer than half a mile, and our chance of walking there drops precipitously. Walking alone at a fast pace, the time difference might be 15 minutes, but with kids and distractions, it can take up to an hour, which is a big dedication of time. I have tried the #1 bus, but it only runs once an hour, and it is hard to justify $8 to go 1.2 miles and back (two adults and two children, two ways). It is also no fun trying to get a stroller with a sleeping baby up the steps of the bus, only to be on the bus for a few minutes.
[Where: 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati,OH 45203]

Aglamesis Ice Cream Parlor

I am always re-suprised at how heavy and creamy their real whipped cream is. I also like how they give you those two little sugar cookies with malts. And of course the ice-cream is the best. Their Site.

 

Lloyd Library Young Naturalist Club

SW corner of Court and Plum:

 

Lloyd Library has a new program for local kids 6-10 years old.

The program is called Young Naturalists Club, and meets on the second Saturday of each month 10am-11:30. The topics for the year:

October 13th: Growing Herbs and Plants
November 10th: Cornhusk weaving and plant dyes
December 8th: Holiday wreaths
January 12: Aromatherapy, candle making and potpourri
February 9th: Nature printing, Valentine cards
March 8th: Recyclable art, wind chimes
April 12th: Cooking with herbs
May 10th: Naturalist team survival game.

 

I think it is fantastic that this private research library is attempting outreach to the community. The program is just right for the budding naturalist on a lazy Saturday morning.

[Where: 917 Plum Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202]

Eat Grease Live Longer

"Doctors Say So"

 

Alabama Fish Bar, Liberty and Race Street, OTR.

I had food here again, against my better judgement. They offer 3 kinds of fish, Cod, Whiting, and Perch, all deep fried for 5.99 or 6.99. The "meal" includes fries and two slices of the cheapest white-bread. Plus they will pile on cooked onions and peppers if that is what you like. It is quick, local and tastes pretty good. But you won't be able to forget you ate there for the next day or so. Kinda sticks with you in the same way White Castle does.

I forswear this place for at least the next year.

[where: 1601 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202]

Hocking Hills Weekend Getaway

 

October is the perfect month to take a weekend trip to Hocking Hills. If you take the kids, walk the trails in the hollows, the ridge trails have some very steep drops that would frighten any normal parent. State cabin rentals here.

Ash Cave:

 

New Spa Salon Opening

I just met the owner of this building. They are rehabbing the storefront and 3rd floor for a new Hair and Nail Salon with Spa called "Deviate". It is Aveda affiliatted and aims to be upscale.

 

Should open in mid-November. First floor will be hair and third floor will be the Spa.

 

[where: 1010 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202]

Review: Movies on the Square

I was one of the skeptics. I really thought the old square was fine, and I believed it was a misplaced priority to spend millions of dollars to re-arrange the square. But, I like it more each visit. Mostly it seems to be because of the programming, and the bigger crowds that are there everyday. I am not sure if the programming could have happened in the old square, but that is a discussion for another day.

Last night, I spent what I would call a perfect urban evening on the square. I call it perfect because it was stress free to be in a public space like this, with little kids. I didn't have to hold their hand all the time. It wasn't too loud so that I couldn't talk to them in a normal voice. And when they played loudly, it just added to the mix; it didn't disturb others.

There were people in formal dress, and people who were probably homeless. But they all mixed fine. Kids ran around, young couples took photos of each other at the fountain, old men smoked, college kids sat and had a beer together and this mixed up group had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

The things that help make it work:
1. Free movie: Nemo
2. Lots of kids. Some in pajamas and sleeping bags. They had a blast.
3. Lots of playing in "The fountain", and the newer squirting fountain.
4. Free iced coffee.
5. Popcorn and beer, for a couple bucks.
6. Diverse, laid-back crowd.
7. Perfect weather, clear, cool, mist from the fountain.
8. Kids meeting new friends, playing, even dancing, laughing and giggling.
9. Clean, easy to use restrooms. (The old ones were underground and hard to find).
10. Downtown Ambassadors, taking care of business.

I don't like a public space to have a giant TV. I don't like to go to the square and see a bunch of people looking up at a screen. But somehow the screen is not obtrusive to me in the daytime. I think because the sound is not too loud, and it is up high. Yet, for a movie is works smoothly. Easy to hear and see. People can be walking around and kids can be playing at the periphery, cars are driving by on the street, but it is not distracting, if you really want to watch.

We got there a little early, and people were hanging out, some watching football, others getting settled for the movie. Kids are tossing coins (and barbie dolls) in the fountain:

 

A perfect example of the diversity of the crowd. Here is Melvin Wilson, with his free Caribou Iced Coffee. He is the kind of guy, I would never meet at an event that had paid admission. He is a Vietnam vet, lives in some kind of group home, but a sincere guy, who loves to yuk it up with kids. We sat and talked for half and hour. I'll probably never see him again, but it was fun.

 

The crowd, settled and watching the movie and illuminated by some weird blue lights, that kind of make the granite sparkle:

 

Our beautiful fountain:

 

After the kids movie, the "more adult crowd" started taking over (for Jaws). And they looked like a fun group too.

Planetaria Open to Public

Like many Cincinnati children, I was very fond of the Planetarium at the old Natural History Museum on Gilbert Avenue. I had assumed they were a thing of the past, and that I would never set foot in one again. Fortunately, I was wrong.

This past summer the Cincinnati Park Board reopened a very small planetarium (it maybe seats 20) in Burnet Woods, at the Trailside Nature Center. Our family attended a short program, and the kids enjoyed it a lot. This setting is very appropriate for little kids because the naturalist is very casual, and talks directly to and interacts with the audience.
[where: Brookline Dr & Burnet Woods Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45220]

Then, yesterday I read that Northern Kentucky University, has just completed construction of a state-of-the-art laser projection planetarium. This planetarium will be open to the public every Monday at noon (beginning Sept 27), and it can be reserved for school classes or groups. It seats 61. I haven't attended yet, but it seems more appropriate for older kids, as the programs are computerized and explore science questions.

...Northern Kentucky University's campus has joined the list of seven institutions worldwide to boast a laser projection planetarium, and the first ever installed on an educational campus.

NKU unveiled Aug. 27 its plans to open the new Carol Anne and Ralph V. Haile Jr./US Bank Foundation Digital Planetarium, which is set to open to the campus community Sept. 17, 2007, at noon.

Tours will be available the opening week every day at noon and that Saturday at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. After that, tours will be available with tickets each Monday at noon. Tickets are free and will be available throughout campus at undetermined locations at the time of print.

The planetarium, which is being funded by a $2.7 million federal grant and private funds from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr./US Bank Foundation, has a 16 megapixel resolution, uses three six watt lasers, and takes 18 computers to run, according to a press release from the university.

"We expect this facility and its programs to create a 'wow' factor, instilling in students a lifelong passion for discovery and exploration," President James Votruba said in the release. "We've come a long way since chalkboards and classroom movie projectors."

Dan Spence, coordinator of the planetarium, said it has been a dream of his for nearly 20 years. Spence taught astronomy courses and labs at NKU while serving as the Cincinnati Planetarium director from 1977 to 1985...

[where: 7 Kenton Dr., Highland Heights, KY 41099]

Apparently there is also a planetarium in Norwood High School.

Also: this site has a list of all the planetaria in Ohio!

Contemporary Arts Center

On select Sundays, the CAC has art projects for kids on the 6th floor. We went yesterday for a lazy Sunday afternoon, and had a great time. The artists that were helping to direct activities were very encouraging to our son who was making a sculpture out of used toys.

If you don't know, the top floor of the building is called the UnMuseum, and has kid-friendly, hands-on exhibits. We like it alot, but the rest of the museum is not usually suitable for young children. Mondays are doubly good, as they are open until 9pm and admission is free.

Below, a photo I found online of Zaha Hadid (architect of the CAC) with Margaret Thatcher in 1984:

 

Krohn Butterfly Show

 

Not to be missed, the last day of the butterfly show is Sunday, June 24, 2007

Daddy Zebra

 

Baby Zebra

 

New arrival and mother at Cincinnati Zoo