NOVEMBER 19, 2009
Holiday decorations for the block
Some of the residents will begin putting up Christmas decorations on the street, beginning Sunday at the Sandford House apartment complex.
I doubt the holiday merriment will be extended north of W. Robbins Street, once again leaving out a whole bunch of households. If Old Seminary Square Ladies and Retirees Association funds were used, then they should be included.
And, please, please don't hang anything on the fences of the burnt-out building. That would be extremely tacky given that it's the site of so much heartache; certainly not the place for the celebratory decking of holly.
Other than that, happy holidays and merry Christmas!
The Politician sent
her attorney after me!
Oh, ha, ha, ha! Please stop, my side hurts from laughing so much!
The very-thin skinned politician has sent her attorney after me. Kathy, you're in the wrong business. Politics is a mean and dirty profession, and you just can't handle it.
Take it from someone who has worked on a presidential campaign, several congressional campaigns and local contests. I have more political experience in one baby finger than you have in your entire big head!
And I also know my rights as a journalist and as an internet publisher.
This site, and other sites will continue to cover your comings and goings.
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
Me and the Judge
 One of my long-time friends is a Judge. I've known Mark Painter for decades. I've known his wife, the lovely Sue Ann, even longer, before they'd married.
Mark recently left the Ohio First District Court of Appeals bench, simply because he was bored. He's written a book or two. He's a UC College of Law adjunct professor. And, he's a judge on the international tribunal at the UN.
Isn't that enough for one to keep busy? Not for the Judge. He now wants me to partner with him to start a newspaper in Cincinnati. For God's sake, Mark, slow down :-)
I'm not sure the market is right for a newspaper. But Mark, I promise. I'll think about it.
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
So many dogs
 Dogs are not allowed in my building here in SoFLA, mainly because it's a highrise and none of us want to see mounds of animal leftovers in the elevators as owners rush to get their best friends outside.
I miss not seeing the dogwalkers in Covington. The professional dogwalkers, the Sylvias, the Dianes, the Joshes. The people who are seen on a daily basis, trotting up and down Russell Street. I even miss watching the crazy politician yelling at people who let their dogs use the tree islands
as a bathroom.
So why do people own dogs? Most accounts say it's for companionship and protection, and that sounds just about right.
|
|
Grand entrance
The grand entrance to the Sanders Law Firm at Russell and W. Robbins Streets.
|
|
NOVEMBER 16, 2009
I hear Beth is/was down here in Florida.
Hope she's enjoying herself!
|
|
Covington native
reports from afar
Growing up in Covington, Heidi Vogt said that she always had one thing on her mind: getting out, branching out, seeing the world. Vogt is an Afghanistan correspondent with the Associated Press.
[ Link ]
Is 'The Politician' ashamed of Kentucky?
Looks like our favorite politician has some explaining to do, Lucy.
While doing research for my new internet fan club that will be all about The Politician (since the KY politicos seem to enjoy her contradictive and pandering behavior), I've noticed that her Facebook page lists her as being based in Cincinnati! What's wrong with Covington, Kentucky?
[ Link ] + [ Link ]
NOVEMBER 13, 2009
Traffic disruptions last weekend
Updated: Madison Avenue was closed at 12th Street this weekend. Probably more traffic on Russell Street while vehicles use it as an alternative.
|
|
Dry cleaners on the street
The photo above is the building on the southeast corner of Russell and 11th Streets. Once a dry cleaners, it's now apartments. The one-story building to its left used to be a bar, now it's a parking lot for the apartments.
|
|
NOVEMBER 12, 2009
Kentucky an 'unhappy' state
Kentucky is ranked the 49th happiest state in the nation. Conversely, that would make it the second unhappiest state.
|
|
NOVEMBER 11, 2009
Russell Street condo sells for $150,000
One of the new condos at Russell and Sixth Streets has been sold for $150,000. The condo has skylights, a wrap around deck with walkout from the kitchen, granite countertops, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances.
|
|
NOVEMBER 10, 2009
Meeting with the city
The big meeting with the city was Monday night.
A lot of accusations, but it looks like the blame is being pointed at some lowly code enforcement person.
You didn't really expect the city manager to step up and admit that the city is delinquent on home inspections, did you?
The water pressure problem is the responsibility of the water district, not the fire department.
The neighbors got to blow off some steam, but those folks are really inconsequential with regard to this matter.
Mr. Hypocrite Von Blowhard was really steamed, but he said nothing about the property on Banklick, which also seems to be a fire trap.
I'm going to call the city and ask why there hasn't been an inspection at 902 Banklick.
And did The Politician display her uncanny ability to say stupid things again? (Previously: "Don't worry, the city will tear the building down at no charge;" "The building can't be saved, I'm a structural expert, I know;" "They can tear down the top floor by Christmas.")
No wonder the politicos in Kentucky make fun of her.
And, so far, I haven't been able to find out about how much money was collected at the so-called fundraiser over the weekend. I got a feeling the residents didn't make much of a sacrifice.
All yap, all the time.
|
|
Chain-linked fence
around burnt out building
As noted before, I'm rather certain that the city will demand a chain-linked fence be erected around the building for safety reasons.
At the very least, on the W. Robbins Street side. The yellow/red tape and those flimsy wood barriers aren't enough.
|
|
NOVEMBER 8, 2009
Fundraiser for the fire victims
I'm not sure what the residents
are doing for the fire victims.
Those who donated money over the weekend should be given kudos. At this point, not sure how much was raised, I'll find out as the emails come in to Russell Street News.
Hope it was a lot. Frankly, my challenge of $200 per person was not a lot to ask, considering the circumstances.
|
|
NOVEMBER 7, 2009
Condos only feasible option
While people were running around the neighborhood coming up with impractical ideas for the burnt-out building, I'd suggested on October 22th that condos would be the only
financially-feasible option.
The notion was completely discounted by most neighbors. I say "most," but there are a few with common sense who agreed and may have been already working on it.
I think it's the only way to save the centerpiece of our neighborhood.
|
|
NOVEMBER 6, 2009
Intricate ironwork
This most beautiful and intricate ironwork still holds strong at the Ashbrook House, nearly 100 years later. The wrought-iron was probably made by the Stewart Iron Works in Covington.
|
|
|
 |
FLORIDA LIFE
Room with a view
If you look beyond the golf course and into the horizon, you can see the Fort Lauderdale skyline, which is more prominent when you see it in person from one of my balconies. The panoramic view is spectacular, day or night.
|
|
NOVEMBER 5, 2009
Henry Farny Park
It's a shame. Henry Farny Park didn't get many visitors this year. As a person who frequently passed by, I never saw a single person there.
The reason: No sitting benches. No benches because some in the neighborhood feared that drug dealers would use it as a selling spot.
Still, I love the little memorial around the corner from Old Seminary Square. And kudos to those who have taken care of it this season. To help with next year, I've already donated $100 for the park, and challenge everyone else to step up and do the same.
|
|
NOVEMBER 4, 2009
Westside in 1980
Another photo. This one shows the west side of the 1000 block of Russell Street as it appeared
in 1980.
|
|
NOVEMBER 3, 2009
Autumn on Russell Street
Pretty nice, wouldn't you say?
|
|
NOVEMBER 2, 2009
Finally, the asphalt sidewalks
are being replace
 It's a miracle. After six months the temporary asphalt sections of sidewalk
are being replaced with permanent concrete.
You already know what happened: Contractors spent the spring and summer replacing pipes that belonged to Duke Energy. The concrete work seems to be moving along, so it won't be long now!
|
|
W E A T H E R
Check the weather here
|
A quick and easy way to check on local weather and from around the world.
|
|
|
|
