Cincy's ice bar serves holiday spirits 'on the rocks'

The "ice bar" is the chillest attraction amid my city's New Year's Eve festivities.

Every December 31, thousands of locals converge on Fountain Square in the heart of Cincy to ring in a new year. The event, dubbed the "Blast", is among my favorite winter festivities. I, personally, look forward to the very cool "ice bar", which will again be serving spirited drinks. But I especially enjoy the camaraderie and embracing high hopes for the coming year. My city likes celebrating, which might explain our high number of fireworks displays during winter months. This year's "Blast" starts at 8 p.m. and includes free ice skating, music by DJ Pillo, hot food, and, of course, plenty of merriment. Then close to midnight, we'll count down the final seconds of 2010 amid cheers, sing Auld lang syne, and, in customary Cincy fashion, enjoy a fireworks display above Fountain Square.

DJ Pillo
http://www.soulcommune.com/profile/djpillo

Cincy Dweller finds beloved British culture at home

Cincy's John A. Roebling Bridge crosses the Ohio River to connect Ohio and Kentucky.

The Tower Bridge links north/south London.

Last Christmas, my daughter Elle was preparing to embark on a four-month stay in the United Kingdom. She returned from her trip in the spring, but left her heart abroad. So to counter her melancholy, I looked for British experiences in Cincy to embrace her faraway love. We begin our excursion with High Tea. Instead of The Brown's Hotel in London, we take our tea at The Cincinnatian Hotel http://www.cincinnatianhotel.com/. Next, shopping at High Street for "fierce objects, studio designs, and London style." We recently attended High Street's "Black Friday, White Russian" party and had a blast ... another place high on my list of Cincy favorites. Our shopping continued with a visit to Hyde Park Square. Unlike London's Hyde Park, Cincy's is a haven for specialty shops. Pub fare at Rookwood Commons follows. I drink for the two of us - since Elle's of Pub age in the UK but underage in the States. For our nightcap, we watch the British movie Run Fatboy Run while enjoying an ale (ginger ale, that is). Our night concludes with recounts of her life abroad, including her 20th birthday celebration in a church turned Pub, events via Pure Groove Records, shopping at Miss Sixty, French Connection, Harrods, and Topshop, hanging out at Trafalgar Square and Tower Bridge, visits to Oxford, Wales, Edinburgh, and then Paris (EU) pour Easter, traveling on the Tube and international culture. The lesson: experience our world wherever you live -- Peace and Love!!!

Cincy Tea Rooms and Houses
Mrs. Teapots http://www.mrsteapots.com/hightea.htm (adorable)
Essencha Tea House http://www.essencha.com/ (trendy)
Orchids http://www.orchidsatpalmcourt.com/events.html#anchor5
Basically British Tea Room basicallybritish.com up north in Dayton (charming)
The BonBonerie: http://www.bonbonerie.com/ (sweet)

British Shopping
High Street http://www.highstreetcincinnati.com/
Hyde Park Square http://www.hydeparksquare.org/.

Handful of our Numerous Pubs
English: Cock and Bull http://www.theenglishpub.com/
Scottish: Nicholson's http://www.tavernrestaurantgroup.com/nicholsons.html
British: The Pub / Rookwood Commons
http://www.tavernrestaurantgroup.com/pub_rookwood.php
Irish: O'Bryon's http://www.obryonsirishpub.com/

Fashion Streak: Uncanny message gains popularity

"Ohio Against The World" design is courtesy of Floyd at http://ableprojects.com/.

Original Thought Required (OTR) reports that their "Ohio Against The World" T-shirts and sweatshirts sell out quickly, with each new shipment. Visit OTR at 1307 Main Street, Cincy, or order your merchandise here: http://www.otrfresh.com/shop/womens/womens-tees/ohio-against-the-world-tee1/

Also check out their blog: http://www.otrfresh.com/

In case you missed Graffiti City, in which the "Ohio Against The World" poster appears, experience the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGh9vByeStU&list=UL0cK4ghV9Mec&playnext=2