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Monday, January 17, 2005 - 11:24 PM
Your calendar for the week to come
By Michael D. Altman
Thursday, January 20, 2004, political vindication will be felt and wounds reopened, as President Bush will place his right hand on Chief Justice Rehnquist’s bible and take the oath of the office for the second and final time.
The Inauguration has been a huge “to do” in years past in D.C.--particularly by members of the victor's party. This year, Cincinnati will have a D.C. feel, but with a twist: it will be the opposition who will have the focus in this year’s inaugural soirees--or, more to the point, anti-inaugural celebration.
Alchemize, the two-level bar with a distinct modern, cool, lounge feel, on 12th and Walnut Street, will be the venue of the largest do-something-positive-and-stay-active-because-we’re-not-too-happy-with-Bush-again gathering in Hamilton County.
The “Paint the Town Blue” event was organized by the Progressive Alliance of Southwest Ohio. The Wolverton Brothers and the Howard House Band will provide entertainment, in addition to the loads of networking, conversation, and even some light hanging out.
“We are aware of it being inauguration day, and we are inaugurating the Progressive Alliance of Southwestern Ohio (PASO),” said an optimistic PASO chair Jody Grundy. “We Kerry-alumni, as we call ourselves, have not lost our energy or solidarity, and we also believe that (Bush’s election) is not a ’sweeping mandate’ for the Bush administration.”
Jody Grundy of Clifton was the chief organizer and administrator of the house parties for Kerry that raised close to $200,000 in Hamilton County alone. She continued, “There will be a number of (progressive organizations) involved. We are going to show our presence in moving forward.”
Tickets can be obtained online at http://www.progressivealliance.org or at the door for $5.
There will also be those who will be celebrating Bush--a lot of people celebrating. There is no organized party by the Hamilton County GOP, according to executive director Tara Kriss. However, the Republican National Committee has been organizing local house parties reminiscent of the “parties for the president” that were held during campaign season.
The RNC has made it easy for the president’s supporters to find a party by going to the “Party Home” at GOP.com http://www.rnc.org/Party/PartyHome.aspx and entering their home ZIP code. What will appear is a list of local house parties and what neighborhood they are in. After you click on the desired neighborhood, you essentially solicit an invite to the party by entering your name, email, and phone number.
Shelter from the storm
Before you get too caught up in all the political hoopla, don't forget those most in need. To benefit the survivors of the tsunami, the Tsunami Relief Effort of Cincinnati Benefit for the American Red Cross International Response Fund will serve “Dinner by the bite,” and will feature local DJs, a balloon pop raffle and much more. It will be held at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Hall of Mirrors, 35 W. 5th St., Cincinnati.
Restaurants such as Bistro 1020, Pho Paris, Cumin, Beluga, Teak, Celestial, Mt. Adams Fish House, Boca, Maisonette, Carlo & Johnny, Orchids, The Quarter Bistro, Embers, Sturkey's, Encore Cafe, Aioli, Sake Bomb, Shanghai Mama's, Vineyard Cafe, Bella, Riverside Korean, Lemongrass, Jag's, Cutting Edge Selections, Cincinnati Wine Garage, Heidelberg Distributing, Dennert Distributing, Ohio Valley Wines, Sprouts, Deux Design and more will be donating their efforts.
There is a suggested donation of $65 per person. Tickets are available by calling 513-533-9111. Tickets are also available at Cumin, Beluga, Aioli, Jean-Robert at Pig all s, Boca, Carlo & Johnny, and Mt. Adams Fish House, or any participating restaurant.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Tsunami Relief Effort of Cincinnati 3514 Erie Avenue, 45208 phone: 513-533-9111 fax: 513-871-3287, or email Arlene Aranzamendez at yajan2000@aol.com
Michael D. Altman writes “I Don’t Mind Telling You” based on insight into the direction politically and socially of this, the Pepsi Generation (No--- that’s Gen Y?). The fact checker responsible for this confusion has been sacked (fired). The column appears as a weekly feature in QCF magazine.
Links
· The Wolverton Brothers
· Republican House Parties for the President
· Progressive Alliance of SouthWestern Ohio
Contact Information
· michaelda@queencityforum.com
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