Cincinnati places
Penguins Are His Passion
When Ric Urban walks into the area of Newport Aquarium where the African Penguins are housed, they all waddle over to him…especially one little girl, Paula. It is yet one more reason why this man who has been doing his work (Newport Aquarium is his fifth employer) for 35 years has no plans for retiring. He loves what he does. It is his passion and his purpose.
“With the birds at the Aquarium, I have been able to promote penguin conservation to a whole new level. When people see and meet a penguin, they are making a connection that will hopefully empower them to do something,” he said.
As the Aquarium’s Chief Conservation Officer, Ric’s job is about promoting the mission of conversation in our community…and around the globe. He wants visitors of Northern Kentucky’s destination favorite to be enthralled while they are there, and leave with information to become interested and engaged in saving wildlife and the ecosystem beginning in their back yards.
However his job entails so much more. On any given day, he could be testing water, speaking to groups, teaching classes, creating programs, or traveling the globe. He has participated in many research projects through his career. This past spring he was appointed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to be the program coordinator for the AZA SAFE African Penguin Identification Project. The goal of the Project has been to tag at least 10% of the world’s declining population of African Penguins over the next 3 years. That’s around 5,000 birds to be tagged and identified in South African and Namibia. It is an especially important program as African Penguins were placed on the endangered species list in 2010. The Newport Aquarium is one of 50 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums that house these birds, and Ric did the original hand feeding of all eight that are on display in Northern Kentucky. Paula is often their ambassador, traveling with Ric on appearances to local events. I actually met Paula and Ric for the first time at a Muscular Dystrophy fundraiser.
When I asked Ric about his most interesting journey, he brought up the 2012 research project in Peru to learn about the Humoldt Penguin. They were working to prevent the decline in population of these birds, just as what has happened with the African Penguin. Guano, the fecal matter produced by sea birds, is a very effective and natural fertilizer, and of great value for the harvesters. The problem is that, being a natural pesticide, also makes guano an excellent place for Humoldt Penguins to lay eggs, and when the guano is harvested it has the potential for great harm to the Humoldt Penguin population. Ric was an observer. He was in South America to make sure the nests were undisturbed during harvesting. The whole experience was one he will never forget.
He shared this story.
“It was exciting to see wild Humoldt Penguins for the first time and go out with Peruvian biologists to watch what they are doing to save and protect the species, and preserve the ecosystems. Peru is one of the largest reserves for that penguin.
We were definitely roughing it. There was only power for three hours in the evening and no refrigeration. For toilets we had to use bail water from the ocean. We had male and female sides of the bathrooms, and would do bucket brigades every few days to fill the needed supply. We had to walk to the headquarters, about two miles away and across a coastal desert, to get a few minutes of shower time.
One night after our day was through, a young biologist invited me to explore. We wandered down into this area where the coastline had fallen onto the beach and created a long cave. The biologist had seen birds go there and then disappeared, and decided to follow them one day. That night he told me to crawl under a rock, and then we went on this incline that must have been 20 to 30 feet. You could feel the bottom of the cave below your belly and the space was so small that you couldn’t raise your neck. Then we got to the top and there must have been dozens of birds sitting on nests.
It was incredible. No where have I ever read about penguins nesting in the darkness of caves. It took everything I had ever learned and added a whole new level.”
With stories like that, it is no wonder why Ric has no immediate plans for retirement.
Celebrate The New Kennedy Heights Cultural Campus!
There is exciting news ahead for the racially and economically diverse Kennedy Heights neighborhood. After nearly six years of planning and construction, it is about time for the official ribbon cutting and grand opening of the all new Kennedy Heights Cultural Campus. Not only is it going to be an incredible asset to its surrounding community, but also to our region. The Campus will be a place where people of all ages can come for arts performances, classes, studios, and even an art gallery. And children will have an opportunity for education in the award winning Kennedy Heights Montessori.
I’m helping them to promote the festivities – August 28 and 29 – and can hardly wait. These organizers sure do know how to throw an incredible time!
On Friday morning, August 28, at 10:00 am, friends and supporters will help celebrate with an official ribbon cutting followed by refreshments and a tour of first look at inside the building. Then, on Saturday, beginning at 11:00 am will be the Raise the Heights Art Parade followed by a family festival.
Have A Creative Side? Be Part Of The Parade!
The Raise the Heights Art Parade promises to be filled with vibrant colors and sounds and will travel from Ridge Road, up Montgomery Rd to the Campus site (at the corner of Kennedy Ave and Montgomery Rd). Ten of the region’s very talented artists received small grants to create incredible entrees depicting their own very personal interpretation of the Campus’ meaning to our community.
Just some of what you will see…Pam Kravetz is designing and building five incredible replicas of hot air balloons that will include in their baskets, children dressed to resemble various performing arts; and each one to be pulled by dancers and actors masked with body paint. Jesse Mooney-Bulluck is creating a visually striking 16 ft tall totem pole puppet with engaging moving parts to celebrate diversity.
from a past Kennedy Heights art parade
You can be in the parade too!
We are inviting visual artists, dancers, musicians, street performers, civic groups, schools, organizations and neighbors to participate. With the theme of art, we are asking that groups and individuals either create a portable sculpture, moveable artwork, decorate a car, wear costumes or puppets, hold creative flags/banners/signs, or perform their way down the road.
There is NO fee to participate.
DATE: Saturday, August 29, 2015
TIME: 11:00AM
ROUTE: Montgomery Rd. from Ridge Ave. to Kennedy Ave.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: August 14
Please click here to download an Entry Form.
Raise the Heights Festival
Following the parade, there will be a free festival on the grounds of the Kennedy Heights Cultural Campus, 6620 Montgomery Rd., from 12-5pm with live music, performances, interactive art installations, food trucks, activities for kids, and more. Grammy nominated children’s entertainer Zak Morgan will perform at about 3:30 pm.
Funding is provided in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation.
About the Kennedy Heights Cultural Campus
The Raise the Heights event will mark one of Greater Cincinnati’s most dramatic revitalizations as the once derelict building (on the corner of Kennedy Ave and Montgomery Rd) which once housed a Kroger will open its doors as a destination for exploring and experiencing creative expression. Among its occupants will be the Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s Carl, Robert, Richard, and Dorothy Lindner Annex and the Kennedy Heights Montessori Center. The building was purchased with a $675,000 grant from the City of Cincinnati.
The Kennedy Heights Arts Center new second location will quadruple its size and double the number of people served. The Annex will include a 3,000 sq ft 
multi-purpose event center for theatre, dance and music classes and performances; a state-of-the-art Scripps Howard Media Center that will offer arts education programs for all ages in video, photography, animation, website design and graphic design; and ten individual artist studios. The Ohio Valley Woodturners Guild will be among the groups offering workshops for people of all ages. A gallery in the lobby will be a venue for resident artist exhibits.
A $250,000 leadership gift from Robert D. and Betty Lindner paved the way for Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s Satellite Expansion $700,000 project. Other major contributors include: Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Scripps Howard Foundation, George and Margaret McLane Foundation, The Kroger Co., John A. Schroth Charitable Trust/PNC Bank Trustee, Louise Taft Semple Foundation, Thomas Emery Memorial, Ruth and Robert Conway Foundation and gift from many individual donors. Website: www.kennedyarts.org
The Kennedy Heights Montessori Center is an award-winning, not-for-profit parent cooperative school that has been educating neighborhood children, ages 2 to 6, for fifty years. Its presence strengthens the community by providing high quality superior educational opportunities to a racially and economically 
diverse student body of toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarten children. Its sliding scale tuition means families who otherwise would not be able to afford it are assured their children are well prepared. KHMC is a United Way Agency providing half-day and full day programs.
The Center opened its first school in Kennedy Heights in 1965 and with the completion of the new Campus, will be returning to this neighborhood. Its new 12,000 sq ft location will include 4 large classrooms, an extended day care area, a muscle room with indoor play equipment and two outdoor playgrounds. It will be introducing a toddler program for 2 year olds which will be taught by a highly qualified Montessori teacher. Openings are available for both programs. Website: kennedyheightsmontessori.org
CINspirational People: Jill Dunne
CINspirational People is a new feature of Good Things Going Around profiling diverse people of Greater Cincinnati, what inspires them, and what is inspiring about them. Know someone for us to consider? Please submit your idea.
GTGA: What is an accomplishment you achieved that you are proud of?
Jill: Professionally, I am proud to have represented some of Cincinnati’s best organizations. Having a career that I love is something I will never take for granted. Plus, I can’t help but tell people that I was on the Today Show and Good Morning America.
GTGA: Tell us about someone who has been a positive influence in your life.
Jill: It’s a cliché to say my mom – but it’s absolutely true. I’ve never met someone more patient, kind and loving. She has been an inspiration to me, my four sisters and so many others.
GTGA: What is a motto you live by and why or how has it impact you?
Jill: I remember watching David Letterman on the Late Show when I was a teenager and hearing him say: “If you think life is boring, you are doing something wrong.” Through the years, I think of that quote when I feel overwhelmed and I remind myself I must be doing things right. I am NEVER bored.
GTGA: What is your biggest motivator?
My family is my motivation. My parents, sisters, husband and my daughter give me my drive. They are so awesome – I want to make them proud.
GTGA: Tell us about what you do and what are some of the reasons why you enjoy it.
Jill: I love my job as the marketing and communications director for the Cincinnati Art Museum because I get to tell the stories of 65,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years. Although I’ve been in this role for just seven months, I am passionate about bringing art into the lives of the people of Cincinnati. My husband and I got married at the Cincinnati Art Museum well before I started working here, so that’s proof that I genuinely love this place.
Kennedy Heights Arts Center Has Student Art Show
Each spring, the galleries at Kennedy Heights Arts Center highlight the work of our area’s most up-and-coming artists. The annual Student Art Show features artwork by more than 80 youth and adult students who take class at the arts center or in one of its many outreach programs in local schools.
Paintings, drawings, photography, mixed-media collage and textured wall sculptures grace the walls of the historic building’s exhibition space. The works demonstrate the great imagination and talent of these diverse students, as well as the creativity of their skilled, professional art instructors. Kennedy Heights Arts Center offers a wide range of classes and camps for youth ages 5+ and adults in drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, print making and more – allowing people of all ages and backgrounds to express themselves creatively, hone their skills, 
or learn a brand new art form. The center’s sliding-scale fee policy ensures affordability for all people regardless of income. Outreach programs in public schools and social service organizations provide enrichment opportunities for many under-served children.
Students of all ages look forward to this exhibit every year so they can show off their hard work – and its a great chance for the public to view all the imaginative and inspiring work students have been making, and to discover what others have been learning. Participating schools include Academy of World Languages, Nativity School, The New School Montessori, Pleasant Ridge Montessori, Silverton Paideia Academy, and Woodford Paideia Academy.
The show runs through Saturday, May 23rd. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 10am to 5pm and Saturday, 11am to 4pm. The Kennedy Heights Arts Center is located at 6546 Montgomery Rd; 45213.
Reasons To Play At Cincinnati Parks’ Smale Park This Summer
The big kid at heart in me can hardly wait to see the new elements of our Cincinnati Parks’ Smale Park, truly one of our city’s great gems.
On May 12, this new spectacular ‘Splas
h & Play’ Susan and Joe Pichler Fountains element opens atop the carousel plaza.
And, speaking of the Carol Ann’s Carousel…it opens May 16, just west of the Roebling Suspension Bridge in downtown Cincinnati. Located inside a glass building, the carousel is 20 feet tall and 46 feet in diameter and will operate year-round. The Cincinnati Parks Foundation received a $5 million gift from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. / U.S. Bank Foundation to build the carousel, which honors Carol Ann Haile’s philanthropic vision.
You can bet you will be seeing me there this summer!
What makes this carousel ride even more special is that its 44 animal characters 
are hand carved and each tells a story of our great city. This one is Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon. After magnanimous efforts to save from extinction the beautiful bird that once numbered in the billions, her death at our Cincinnati Zoo resulted in stronger conservation laws.
The paintings on the carousel feature a whimsical exploration of one of Cincinnati’s parks. Animals featured in the paintings include an elephant flying a kite at Ault Park; giraffes enjoying the sunset at the Alms Park overlook; a squirrel, toad, and lizard band playing in Washington Park; and an artist owl painting the Abraham Lincoln statue at Lytle Park, with the Taft Museum of Art in the distance.
Local artist Jonathan Queen was selected to create them. “My own experiences in Cincinnati’s parks inspired most of these scenes,” he said. “I also thought about my own family and what we’ve enjoyed doing together in the parks.”
Jonathan Queen completes Rapid Run Park in his studio.
In addition to the Cincinnati Parks landscapes, Jonathan worked with ArtWorks apprentices to paint 16 views of Cincinnati architectural landmarks for the center of the carousel.
His paintings appear effortless, but they required nearly two years of painstaking work. You can that work in an exhibition at the Taft Museum of Art called From Studio to Carousel: The Whimsical World of Jonathan Queen from May 22 to September 6, 2015.
The exhibition will include preliminary sketches, clay models of animals, and all 16 painted studies.
ARTIST TALK: JONATHAN QUEEN
Thursday, June 4, 7 p.m.
Jonathan Queen will discuss his work decorating Carol Ann’s Carousel and From Studio to Carousel: The Whimsical World of Jonathan Queen in the Sinton Gallery. Reception to follow.
FREE Taft Members and Students. $10 Public (includes Museum admission)
Reservations: (513) 684-4515 or taftmuseum.org
