Expo Serves Up GAC Info to Communities

On Saturday, February 5 from 9 AM - 11 AM, more than 50 community representatives attended our Great American Cleanup Expo to talk one-on-one with KCB staff about registration, new projects, communications procedures, and more. Tim Jeckering, of Northside, gave an excellent presentation about recruiting volunteers during the 10 AM volunteer workshop. Following Tim was Give Back Cincinnati that talked about how they manage and retain a huge volunteer base. Many attendees enjoyed the opportunity to learn about new tactics and resources as well as the opportunity to network with other community leaders. The expo took the place of our annual Town Hall meeting. Instead of listening to a PowerPoint presentation, our guests were able to stop by eight different booths for information. Sponsor raffles were given away periodically, and one lucky attendee won a $50 gift card to Lowe's for visiting all eight booths. Our booth topics were "The 411", "Get Your GAC On", "Fame & Fortune", "Free Money!", "Environmental Brain Food", "Gardens & Greenspace", and "Tires & Such". If you missed us, contact Liz McEwan at (513) 352-4384 to find out how you can get involved in the 2010 GAC. We're shooting for 10,000 volunteers this year, but we can't do it without you!

You can bring $50,000 to Cincinnati!

Keep Cincinnati Beautiful was recently accepted into the Pepsi Refresh Project with our program, Future Blooms, and WE NEED YOUR VOTES!!!

(Psst... See what it's all about in our 3-minute YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL0WTBwkcyI)

What is Future Blooms? Future Blooms is a community beautification program, specifically aimed at the aesthetic enhancement of vacant, abandoned and foreclosed properties in Cincinnati. Our city has witnessed a growing number of properties fall victim to vacancy and abandonment over the last several decades. Just in Over-The-Rhine alone, one of the 52 neighborhoods in Cincinnati, the population has decreased from 50,000 residents in 1950 to less than 5,000 today. This exodus has left behind thousands of vacant properties. As a result of the deterioration that these properties often endure during the foreclosure process, they become associated with crime and general unsightliness and act as a deterrent to prospective investors. Future Blooms is a high-impact, low-cost program that revitalizes these vacant properties by resurfacing the barricades with painted representations of doors, windows, awnings, and flower boxes (see attached photos).

What is the Pepsi Refresh Project? In March of 2010, instead of spending millions of dollars on advertising during the Super Bowl, Pepsi decided to fund numerous community projects across the country. Pepsi is giving away $1.3 million each month, throughout 2010 and into 2011. Pepsi only accepts 1,000 submissions each month in various categories and grant amounts. Future Blooms has applied for a Neighborhood Grant of $50,000.

Why Future Blooms? Future Blooms has enhanced over 250 buildings since October of 2009 and has recently expanded to include a vacant lot stabilization program. Since October of 2010, we have improved over 30 abandoned inner-city parcels of land by cleaning, planting grass and trees, and establishing regular maintenance. As a result of our efforts, blight in Over-The-Rhine has reduced by 25% making our city more attractive to investors, visitors, and residents. Additionally, the police have reported nearly 20% fewer calls-for-service in Over-The-Rhine over the last two years. This is evidence that Future Blooms is a unique and powerful factor in encouraging economic development in Cincinnati as well as in reducing crime. With this grant, we will be able to complete another 150 buildings and 60 vacant lots.

How can I help? Go online and VOTE... EVERY DAY... with multiple e-mail and facebook accounts. Voting begins Monday, January 3, 2011 and ends Monday, January 31, 2011. Register at www.refresheverything.com by clicking the "Sign In" at the bottom left of the page. After you're signed in, go to www.refresheverything.com/futureblooms and click the "Vote For This Idea" button.  Again, you can register multiple times using different e-mail addresses and via Facebook.  Better yet, text "105193" to "73774" (Pepsi). 

Please take a few minutes each day to log in and vote! With your help, we can win! And don't forget to spread the word to your family, friends and co-workers.

Visit our website (www.keepcincinnatibeautiful.org) to learn more.

Thanks for being a part of our vision!

E-Cycle this Saturday with Whole Foods!

Saturday, April 17th

E-Cycling

10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. FREE

What is E-Cycle??? E-cycling recovers valuable materials from old electronics that can be used to make new products.  As a result, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce pollution, save energy and save resources by extracting fewer raw materials from the earth.  E-cycling also protects your surroundings - safe recycling of outdated electronics promotes sound management of toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury. 

Allowable items to drop off include:
Small Appliances: microwaves, toasters, coffee makers,etc
Laptop Computers
Desktop computers, keyboards and mice
Mainframe computer systems
Cathcode Ray Tubes (CRT's) and Monitors
Modems and telephone boards
Hard drives, floppy drives and CD ROMs
Phones, fax machines & telecommunications hardware
Printers
Computer boards, CPUs & memory chips, circuit boards, connecting wires & cables

 Please note, Whole Foods cannot accept televisions for recycling
 Any hard drives in computers will be removed, scrubbed and destroyed by our partners at Esquire Environmental after collection

WHERE:             Whole Foods Market Rookwood Commons
2693 Edmondson Road Cincinnati, OH 45209
                                513.531.8015

WHEN:                 APRIL 17th, 2010 :: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

WHY:                   The first region-wide Whole Foods Market E-Cycling event in January was able to collect and divert over 169,000 lbs of e-waste from landfills for recycling. This time, the retailer is working to continue this project will raise awareness that some of the most precious resources on our planet are 100% recyclable and reclaimable. Through a partnership with Esquire Environmental, Whole Foods Market will continue to recover valuable materials from the collected electronics that can be used to make new products, while preventing toxic materials from entering the waste stream.
 

Bloom Bazaar

Cincinnati Fashion Week and Keep Cincinnati Beautiful would like to invite you to our Bloom Bazaar. We will have an exhibit of Recycled fashion as well as a craft and clothing sale featuring Local Designers and Live Music.

WHERE: BLOOM Studio 1334 Main Street
WHEN: Wednesday April 21st. 6-10pm
WHO: Cincinnati Fashion Week, KCB and several local designers listed below.

VENDORS FOR 2010 BLOOM BAZAAR

Dulcet Design
Dulcet Design is a line that explores several different media. The primary material used is plexiglass, which is of interest to me be because of its limitless shape, texture and its ability to combine with other materials, shapes and colors. When combined with silver and colorful beads, the possibilities are numerous. Also included in this submission is a line of kitchen and food themed jewelry, including hand made napkins, perfect for a summer-themed party or event. (Alica Kravitz)

Tafi
Tafi is a line of household items that takes an interest in the tactile and sensual in order to add beauty to utilitarian objects. Vases and containers are her main focus. Taking both re-claimed and new glass containers, she adds hand-sewn fabric sleeves that play with various texturing. The sleeves are made out of wool felt and the colorful felts are hand-dyed. The goal is to create pieces that complement the objects it contains, as well as being a desirable stand-alone piece. (Tara Finke)

Projects Agog
projects: a collaborative enterprise, presenting a particular view
agog: very eager or curious to hear or see something, excited, keen, on the edge of one's seat

Projects Agog feature work by Catherine Richard's, artist and architect. Works explore material hybrid’s:  lace vases, lace purse, ornament and pattern through worn objects- earrings, bags and purses. Lace plastic zipper bags and hand dyed felt purses combine simple shapes with ornate elements for use in everyday life. 


Sprightly Strands Boutique
Sprightly Strands Boutique specializes in handmade hair accessories. All materials are purchased from non-corporate sellers, and a portion of each sale goes to the Matthew Shepard Foundation. http://www.etsy.com/shop/SqueakyBroncoLibz

Atomic Number Ten
Atomic Number Ten carries vintage and used clothing, accessories, and furniture from the 50's to the 90's.  They will have a table featuring their unique, affordable clothing.
http://www.atomic10.com/

Southpaw Prints
Southpaw offers custom screen printing for t-shirts, hoodies, posters, album covers, and much more.  They will be selling a collection of pop art t-shirts at the event.
http://www.southpawprints.net/

Slow Food
Slow Food is a national organization that supports good, clean, and fair food.
http://slowfoodcincinnati.blogspot.com/

Tulong
"Tulong" is the Filipino word for "help," which is appropriate for this company that manufactures people-friendly and earth-friendly apparel that helps the world.
http://www.tulongllc.com/sustainable-materials/

Re-Cap
Re-Cap takes plastic bottle caps that would otherwise go to landfills and re-purposes them into eco-friendly doormats.  Each mat is made from 100% post consumer materials (including 400 caps), and many different designs are offered.
http://www.recapcompany.com/

University of Cincinnati, School of Design students
A group of students will be bringing a wide variety of items, ranging from personal clothing designs to vintage accessories.

KCB Facebook Fan Eco-cart Contest courtesy of Cincicarts.com

To celebrate our first 500 facebook fans, KCB is giving away a brand new 96 gallon Eco-cart (free delivery included*) and "Don't Trash The 'Nati" T-shirts!

All Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Facebook fans are invited to join our first Litter Prevention contest. (If you are not a fan yet, become one by clicking here. ) HOW? Just write your favorite Litter Prevention short story, tip or slogan on our FB wall by February 20th. We encourage you to add photos as well! The winner will be selected by the KCB staff on February 22nd and will receive a 96 gallon Eco-Cart courtesy of CinciCarts.com. Second through Fifth place winners will receive "Don't Trash The 'Nati" T-shirts. 

- For more information about buying your own Eco-Cart with Free Delivery please visit CINCICARTS.com or call (513) 505-2383.
* The winning Eco-Cart can only be delivered within the City of Cincinnati. However, if you win and live outside of the city limits, you are welcome to pick it up from our downtown office.

Questions? Email us and we'll get back to you right away.

Madisonville kids receive the visit of The Wartville Wizard

This past Tuesday January 12th Keep Cincinnati Beautiful brought its litter prevention show "The Wartville Wizard" to John P. Parker Elementary in Madisonville. Now on its 7th season, this play tells the story of a Wizard and its efforts to clean up his town. High School students from Clark Montessori perform under the direction of Kate Wilford. Every first Tuesday of the month, these High School actors drive a bus and visit an average of three schools. After the play, attended this week by 80 students from first to fourth grade, a local police officer turned kids into "agents of change". Every kid pledged to "keep Cincinnati beautiful" and received a "badge" that entitles him/her to keep their neighborhoods free of litter.

If you would like to have "The Wizard" coming to your school, email us by clicking here OR call us at 352-4387.

* We would like to thank The Dater Foundation and LaRosa's for their support. We could not make it without you!

Whole Foods Succesful e-cycling event!

This past Saturday Jan. 9th Whole Foods put together an electronic recycling event at its Rockwood Commons store. From 10:00am to 3:00pm local residents dropped their old scanners, computers, laptops, stereos, speakers, monitors and more. This kind of "trash" harms the environment and citizens due to the heavy metals they contain. Whole Foods has hired an expert team to disassemble this electronics, scrub hard disks included, and reuse the materials.

KCB would like to congratulate Whole Foods for this amazing effort. Everybody will benefit from this event.

If you miss it, they will be having it again in April. Make sure to visit their facebook page for updates.

* if you would like to e-cycle in the meantime, click here.