That's So Cincinnati

Eve Bolton called Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education's decision last week to close the school buildings and return to fully remote learning "devastating" for students and their families.

The retired teacher was the only board member who voted against returning to full remote learning amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in Ohio's third-largest school district. School buildings are shutdown to students until at least Jan. 24, a date board members targeted for returning to in-person learning. 

Bolton, the board's longest-turned member, didn't hold back in expressing her frustrations with the decision during an interview with The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast.

"We don't have a lot of credibility about trying to promise that we'll return on the 24th," Bolton said.

Most other regional school districts remain open for in-person learning. CPS came under scrutiny from parents and community leaders early last year for continuing to be fully remote while most other local school districts had returned to in-person learning. 

Bolton said she decided last year that she wouldn't support going back to remote learning under most circumstances. She particularly worries how the board's decision will impact children and families living in poverty.

"Our children are safer at school than any other place," Bolton said. "No matter how good remote (learning) is, there's learning loss for a majority of the kids."

A staffing shortage was cited as a reason for the decision. Bolton acknowledged that the teachers' union had an influence on board members.

"They are a political force in the community," Bolton said.

Bolton spent 36 years as a teacher and theater director in the suburban Wyoming City Schools, including serving part of her career as the local union president. She's been on the CPS board since 2007.

She said the district wasn't "aggressive enough" in hiring substitute teachers in preparation for the latest uptick in cases. 

Said Bolton: "We have to figure out how to still teach our kids and get them to school and get them fed and have the medical services that are available and have them be with their friends and have them have great adult mentors like our teachers and our coaches."

When the invitation came to Aftab Pureval, who had just been elected Cincinnati mayor, to visit the White House late last year along with other new mayors he wasn't sure what to expect.

But Pureval went to the Dec. 14 meeting prepared, bringing with him a request for what he sees as Cincinnati's most pressing need from the federal government: A new Brent Spence Bridge.

He did pitch that project the White House to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Although first, as an aside (and Pureval gets this a lot), Biden complimented Pureval's hair.

Pureval talked about the White House visit on The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast during his first week on the job as mayor. He admits he was a little bit in awe and shared what he told President Biden and top administration officials.

"I'm sitting there with the mayor of Boston, of New York, of Atlanta, of Seattle and I'm just trying to play it cool," Pureval said. "I'm just trying to be like, 'Oh yeah, this is no big deal. We're in the Oval Office.' "

But to Pureval, the son of immigrants and Cincinnati's first Asian American mayor, it was a big deal. Biden and senior administration leaders stressed they wanted to work with local leaders, Pureval said.

"It was an inspiring experience," Pureval said. "But I was there to do work. So I made it very, very clear to the Biden administration and specifically to the vice president. I personally challenged her to ensure that the Brent Spence Bridge is a priority and that it's not just lip service because we've seen presidential candidate after presidential candidate do press conferences at the Brent Spence Bridge. We're tired of inaction and it's having a big impact."

No promises were made in return, but Pureval added: "I worked very hard to not just talk about it as a local project, but talk about it as a national project for interstate commerce."

In a wide-ranging podcast interview, Pureval also addressed questions about his agenda; what his style of leadership will be; and his stance on public safety. 

Enquirer executive editor Beryl Love and columnist Jason Williams discuss the biggest stories of 2021.

Where does UC football making the College Football Playoff, Brood X cicada invasion and Aftab Pureval winning the mayor's race rank among the top stories? 

Find out on "That's So Cincinnati." 

Cristian Pietoso takes pride in offering an authentic Italian dining experience at his four Greater Cincinnati restaurants.

Early next year, guests at Downtown's Via Vite will have a new experience. They'll be able to watch up close the pasta-making process, a viewing area that'll be part of an upcoming remodeling at the Fountain Square restaurant.

Via Vite is scheduled to temporarily shutdown on Jan. 8 to begin a planned monthlong remodeling, Pietoso told The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast. The restaurant will reopen in early February.

Via Vite originally opened as the anchor fine-dining restaurant on Fountain Square in 2007, and Pietoso said it's time for a "refresh."

"We're redoing the entire restaurant – kitchen, bar, dining room, light fixtures, (outdoor) piazza bar, awnings, everything brand new," Pietoso said. "We're going to re-modernize and make it super edgy again and feel exactly what it should be for a contemporary Italian restaurant smack in the middle of the city. It's going to be beautiful."

The pasta-making station will be behind glass near Via Vite's main entrance, Pietoso added. The pasta served at his restaurants – which also include Nicola's in Over-the-Rhine, Forno in Hyde Park and Montgomery – are made with flour and other ingredients imported from Italy.

Via Vite's menu also will be overhauled, with a handful of favorites remaining, Pietoso said.
Other good things are happening for Pietoso's restaurants. 

Nicola's, located at the corner of Sycamore and Liberty streets, celebrated its 25th anniversary in April. Pietoso moved to Cincinnati from Italy in 2004 to work for his father's restaurant. Nicola Pietoso began passing the ownership torch of the restaurants onto his son in 2012, when Cristian was handed the keys to Via Vite. 

The elder Pietoso opened Nicola's a decade before Over-the-Rhine's renaissance even began. Cincinnati Magazine this year called Nicola's "one of the city’s longest-standing fine dining restaurants," and Cristian Pietoso called it a testament to his father's hard work.

"He had nothing to lose," Pietoso said of his father's mentality leading up to the 1996 opening of Nicola's. "He was a hungry immigrant who was willing to work hard. This is the beauty of this country. People call it the land of opportunity. The opportunity is there. You just need to chase it. Think about the incredible endurance that this guy had going through the challenges of being in that corner."

A decade ago, Chris Seelbach ran for Cincinnati City Council wanting to help stop the city's yearslong population decline.

The trailblazing Democrat was personally doing his part. He purchased a condo in Over-the-Rhine for $125,000, $10,000 of it an inheritance his parents told him he was squandering on such a purchase.

Seelbach, first elected in 2011, has watched his neighborhood thrive ever since.

As Seelbach prepares to leave city hall early next month, he told The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast that he accomplished more than he thought possible on council. Prevented by term limits from running for reelection, he reflected on his time at city hall and talked about what might be next for him. 

"I ran for city council because we were losing population for 65 years ... and that's why we had a deficit every year," Seelbach said. "And so the conversation was only about what are we going to cut? What are we going to not cut? I wanted to run to change that conversation to not what are we going to cut or not, but what can we invest in that will attract people back to our city that will make people want to live in Cincinnati."

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey and Enquirer research, from 2014 until 2019 – the last year estimates are available – the city's population grew 1.9%, or by nearly 5,800 people. It might not be a lot, but it's not a decline – and Seelbach is proud of the growth.

Montgomery Inn partner Dean Gregory tells stories about his dad and the restaurant's late founder, Ted Gregory; his mom's secret BBQ sauce; how Bob Hope got involved; and the exploding cigar prank. 

Cincinnati City Councilwoman Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney and former President Barack Obama have been friends since they were classmates at Harvard Law School 30 years ago.

Their families have stayed in touch. Kearney and her husband, former state Sen. Eric Kearney, held fundraisers for Obama and worked on his campaigns. Did Lemon Kearney turn to Barack and Michelle Obama for political advice while running her first campaign this year?

No, and Lemon Kearney didn't need to. The North Avondale resident was the top vote-getter in last week's city council election. But she has received advice from the Obamas over the years.  

"They're advice to us has always been to our kids about college, parenting stuff. Nothing politically," Lemon Kearney told The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast. "I'm sure Eric has had conversations with Barack about politics, but I have not."

In a wide-ranging interview, Lemon Kearney recalled her interactions with Barack Obama at Harvard. They graduated from law school in 1991.

"He was amazing in law school," she said. "Super, super smart. Always well-prepared. Always wanted to hear what everybody had to say. He was really wonderful. I'm not surprised that he ended up being president."

For years, Lemon Kearney loved helping others on their campaigns. She enjoyed the fundraising events for her husband, Obama and other Democrats. But she loved her career running the Cincinnati Herald and "never really thought I'd be out there in front" in politics, Lemon Kearney said.

"I used to tell people in politics, 'You guys are crazy. I can't believe you would put yourselves out there,' " she said.

Then early last year, a seat became open on city council after Tamaya Dennard had been arrested on federal public corruption charges and subsequently resigned a few days later. Lemon Kearney was appointed to council in March 2020.

"I just had this strange weekend," Lemon Kearney recalled. "First, it's this Joel Osteen thing about when you're called, you need to answer. Then reading Stacey Abrams' book about how women are so hesitant to say yes. We always think we're not qualified. We need more degrees or more training or more experience. And she said, 'Have the audacity to say yes.' " To my parents saying, 'You've got to serve your community. That's important.' "

What issues do Lemon Kearney want to focus on in upcoming council term? Does she have political aspirations beyond city council? 

Find out the answers by listening to "That's So Cincinnati" for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Media and other podcast listening platforms.

David Pepper first ran for office 20 years ago, the start of a career that now includes Cincinnati City Council, the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners and Ohio Democratic Party Chairman.

Pepper, 50, of Indian Hill, pivoted in recent years to a new career: author, writing political thrillers.

His newest book, Laboratories of Autocracy: A wake-up call from behind the lines, is a non-fiction tome culled from his political experience. His thesis: corrupt politicians in statehouses across the country pose a threat to American democracy.

Pepper joined The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast to talk Tuesday's general election, what he sees happening in statehouses and what's next for him. (No, he's not ruling out a run for office.)

REDI Cincinnati is the region's leading organization charged with recruiting new companies and jobs. It played a big role in regional leaders' pitch to World Cup officials last week, and REDI President and CEO Kimm Lauterbach joined "That's So Cincinnati" podcast to discuss.