Pachinko = Success

Thanks to everyone who came out last night. It was so nice seeing those of you who frequent our events and those of you who were new! Here are a few pics I borrowed from Shannon. Thank you Cincinnati Women Bloggers for co-hosting and organizing.

awesome new-ish blog

i just stumbled upon a really cool blog that i thought you guys would like. it's called cincinnati re-adventure, and it's about the adventures of a girl who has lived in cincinnati her whole life but is trying to rediscover it.

here is some info from her first post:

I am Erica Minton, and I am burnt-the-eff-out of Cincinnati.

Was. Was burnt-the-eff-out.

I'm 26 and I've lived here all of my life-- even college only took me as far as Miami University (<1hr away). I felt that I'd done it all, seen it all, eaten it all, met 'em all.

Of course that wasn't true. While I'm living in a suburb I've definitely outgrown, the moment I really tried to piece together a social life I was inundated with options and opportunities that I'd been blind to before.

So I'm re-adventuring Cincinnati. This is the blog where I'll share my rekindled love for the Queen City, Porkopolis, the home of the first baseball team and chili that ain't chili.

As they say, don't trash the 'Nati. ...At least not until you've given it a fair shake.

the writing is good and her adventures are interesting. i recommend that you check it out. and feel free to share in the comments your own cincinnati adventures that others might enjoy.

cincinnati imports/cincinnati women bloggers holiday happy hour

it's time for our next event, just in time for the holidays! join us and our co-hosts cincinnati women bloggers for a night of fun and new friends at pachinko's on december 14:

Happy Holi-daze Happy Hour

Hosted by Cincinnati Women Bloggers & Cincinnati Imports

A holiday social (media) gathering

benefiting the Welcome House in Covington

Monday, December 14th

6:00-9:00 p.m.

Pachinko

424 W 6th St
Covington, KY 41011-1316

you must rsvp to this event! to do so, please click here and register for as many tickets as you like. it is free to get in, but we are requesting a $10 donation from each person to go to the welcome house in covington. in exchange for your donation, you will get drink tickets and snacks.

we hope to see you all there!

Guest Blog: Seven Ways to Remain in Cincinnati for 10+ Years

My biggest goal when I moved to Cincinnati was to leave it as quickly as possible. That was in 1998.

I was so miserable living in Cincinnati that each time I drove into town—always on 71/75 North or 74 West—I cried at the sight of "Cincinnati" on the green signs.

Whenever I traveled to other cities or states, I'd apologize for being from Cincinnati, or say I was a rural Indiana girl. (Somehow that had more charm when people mistook me for a New Yorker.)

I blame this early behavior on 3 things:

1. When I brought an old flame to Cincinnati for a visit (of whom I was deeply enamored), he ripped the city to shreds as I showed him my favorite haunts.

2. I felt that Europe was superior to the United States, aka Continental superiority complex that afflicts recent college grads who tour Europe.

3. Native Cincinnatians' own self-loathing.

I couldn't put my finger on this third point until I started dating. Every native Cincinnatian I met, even though still living here, was desperate for the day when he'd leave.

Studies show that it's our relationships that contribute most to our happiness. (Read up on what makes us happy at the Brazen Careerist:
[http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/08/03/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-be-happy-hint-your-sex-life-matters-more/])

Which leads me to my list of 7 ways to remain in Cincinnati for 10+ years:

*1. Be in a committed relationship with someone who can't leave Cincinnati. *A year after I arrived in the city, I was committed to someone working on a master's and then a PhD at UC. I stuck it out, thinking once he had finished school, we'd be free to leave.

*2. Find a job that's your passion.* When looking at your happiness, the two biggest factors are job AND relationships. If you go into work every morning for the paycheck alone, Cincinnati won't be enough to keep you here.

*3. Uncover the neighhorhood(s) you really connect with.* I first resided in Hyde Park/Oakley, like many newcomers. Then I spent a long time in Clifton due to the UC relationship. I did not like Clifton at all, and it only exacerbated my desire to leave.

In 2007, I moved to Northside, then later to Over the Rhine. I can't imagine leaving OTR for as long as I remain in Cincinnati. I treasure the weekend morning walk to Coffee Emporium, the Cincinnati skyline, the greasy napkins and chicken bones cradled curbside. I know the people, the establishments, and the best of the best. It contributes to a feeling of home.

*4. Travel often.* My job takes me to diverse places to speak and network. I also enjoy traveling around the world (see one of my daring excursion tales here: [http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/2008/11/29/OnBeingOneOf100000PeopleStrandedInThailand.aspx]).

The more I wander away from home, the more I appreciate what Cincinnati has to offer, its cost of living, and its relaxed pace of life.

*5. Enjoy the arts.* I'm currently a Business on Board student, a Fine Arts Fund program that trains and places business people on arts boards. While I already knew that Cincinnati has a vibrant arts scene that far surpasses cities of similar size, I've learned additional statistics that make me proud to say I live here. (Did you know that Cincinnati ranks No. 1 in its number of community theatres in the United States?)

*6. Embrace the loving familiarity of staying put.* Indiana writer Scott Russell Sanders wrote about this phenomenon poetically in his book /Staying Put/. I can get nearly anywhere in greater Cincinnati without a map. I can detour with confidence. I know the exact location of new stores and restaurants because they're taking the place of old establishments I used to frequent. I understand the significance of annual events and what they'll be like (and if they're worth attending). I have deep relationships with the people here. I breathe with the City.

Then I travel to relieve boredom and remind me what I love about home.

*7. Realize others can take pleasure in being miserable no matter where they are. *You know who these people are. And if they drain your energy, it's time to find a new circle of friends. And Cincinnati Imports is here to help.


Jane Friedman is the publisher and editorial director of Writer's Digest (a division of F+W Media). She has a blog about authorship and the future of publishing at There Are No Rules [http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules], and you can find her lifestream at JaneFriedman.com [http://www.janefriedman.com]

thank you to the 5chw4r7z's - another successful event

Thanks to everyone for coming out on Friday night! We saw both familiar and new faces and it was great that some of you who have been trying to come to our events finally made it out! Also, a big shout of to the 5chw4r7's for hosting and throwing an excellent bash on the tweetdeck! Check out some pics: http://5chw4r7z.blogspot.com/2009/10/cincinnati-imports-hosted-by-5chw4r7z.html

Cincinnati Splash Dance Surprise

Has everyone seen this video? You might even recognize a few Cincinnati Imports if you look closely.

http://www.fineartsfund.org/blog/2009/09/surprise-splash-dance-video.html

Update: 5chw4r7z's deck party extravaganza

Thanks to those of you who have RSVPed for 5chw4r7z's deck party, Friday October 9th. We look forward to seeing you all there. We have had such a great response but unfortunately, we are now capped out for the party and are no longer accepting RSVPs. For those of you who RSVPed on the facebook page but did not send an email to the Cincinnati Imports email address (cincinnatiimports@gmail.com), please contact us asap to determine space.

I hope 5chw4r7z knows what he has gotten himself into :)