Of Course You Realize This Means War

Jul 30, 2010 by

bed bugStare into the face of evil, it’s name is Cimex Lectularius. Commonly known as the bed bug.

These hateful vermin are spreading everywhere across the nation it seems. Rosemary Black, reporter for the NY Daily News, brings us this lovely bit of news:

More people than ever before are calling exterminators to deal with the pests, resulting in a 57% increase in calls in the past five years, according to a study from the National Pest Management Association and the University of Kentucky. Of the 519 exterminators surveyed, more than 95% said that in the past year, they had dealt with at least one bedbug infestation.

Some 20% of the exterminators surveyed said they’d handled more than 100 bedbug jobs this year, a more than threefold increase from 2008. And 7% of the exterminators handled more than 500 bedbug jobs in the last year.

“Most cities have bedbug problems today,”  Michael Potter, a University of Kentucky professor of entomology and one of the co-authors of the study, told msnbc.com. “Any place you have a lot of people, or a lot of movement of people, you have bedbugs.”

The bedbug population in the U.S. has jumped by 500% in the past few years, reports Congress’ “Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2009.”

Wonderful stuff to hear when the nasty little varmints’ resistance to poisons is rapidly and dramatically increasing. In New York City they have become so tough that it seems they are taking over. Things there have gotten so bad that NYC has officially declared war on them.

The reason I’m so hot on this subject is I’ve been having my first encounter with them and eff-ing horrible is probably the politest way I can describe it. From what we’re told there are an amazing array of possible vectors, and no real sure way to identify which one it was.

From initial discovery, very early on I’m happy to say, it has been a delirium of pesticides, organic remedies, vacuuming, steam cleaning everything in sight, and sleep deprivation. All seasoned with a bad case of stir craziness. During this plague of hexapeds we have refused visitors and refused to go anywhere else for fear of being plague bearers.

In short, it sucks. A lot.

Our scorched earth campaign against the alien invaders has been fueled by a large amount of Internet research. Websites like the Central Ohio Bedbug Task Force have been invaluable in planning our red hot vengeance upon those who would suck our blood. Who do they think they are, politicians?

Much as I hate to admit it this is one reason posting has been thin lately. Time not working has been spent on constant repeated sorties against the enemy. Our efforts are proving effective, but I won’t feel comfortable again until we’ve had two more weeks free of them.

Wish us luck.

-Loki, CIncyVoices Founder and Publisher

image by WonderFerret, used under its Creative Commons license

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Handing Cincinnati A Megaphone : A Clarification

Jul 26, 2010 by

Notice Your PrejudiceAs you may have noticed our tagline is “Handing Cincinnati a Megaphone.”  During an exchange with a local podcaster on twitter earlier it was drawn to my attention that some clarification is needed.

This blog exists to give a platform to voices in the Cincy area that I believe deserve one. For example, our ongoing series of guest posts, Voices of Cincy, is designed to introduce our readers to the bloggers and other voices here that I believe are deserving of notice. Our regular contributors are drawn from the local blogosphere and are hand picked by me based on their work.

While the writing presented is predominantly liberal, filling what I perceive as a huge gap in the discourse up here, that does not mean that you won’t see some conservative contributions occasionally. Our sister site in New Orleans has had several Libertarian contributors over it’s five years online. Again, this is completely my call.

You will never see Palin supporters or members of that branch of Republicans known as the Tea Party as contributors here for instance. Even if I agreed with their stance, which I most emphatically do not, they are well served by many other publications and media properties. CincyVoices is about bringing the underserved voices and perspectives to our readers wherever possible.

One thing that you will not see here is prejudice. If you want to share views that denigrate someone due to race, sexual preference, nationality, religion or any other generalized BS then you will not be asked to contribute. The podcaster I mentioned took issue with this, saying it is hardly the “voices of Cincy.” I disagree.

The conversation occurred because I took issue with his Biblically based stance against homosexuals. Sorry, but that is prejudice pure and simple. You can throw out all the Old Testament quotes you wish, but I question your Christianity if you do that rather than recall the instruction to “judge not lest ye be judged.”

Views of that nature, ones that denigrate people for their ethnicity, sexuality, or belief system are wrong. Period.

-Loki, Founder and Curator

Image: Skpy on Flickr / License: CC 2.0

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Reds fireworks

Jul 21, 2010 by

Reds Fireworks

Reds Fireworks

Reds Fireworks

Reds Fireworks

Reds Fireworks

Reds Fireworks

Reds Fireworks

Reds Fireworks

5chw4r7z

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4192: It’s All About Heart

Jul 19, 2010 by

Wednesday, July 14 was the local premiere of 4192: The Crowning of the Hit King at AMC Newport on the Levee.  The documentary focused solely on Rose’s on-field accomplishments and left his off-field antics off the screen.  Rose narrated nearly all of the film giving some very in-depth information and stories behind his now mythical statistics.

The movie is gratuitous and fairly sappy;  however the scenic views of Riverfront and the beautiful Crosely Field are outstanding.  This turns out to be not a documentary about a controversial ball player as much a commentary on Cincinnati history.  The Anderson Ferry shot in the beginning of the film is a lovely historical moment and Rose’s narrative is surprisingly witty, poignant and, at times, just fascinating.  When Rose talks of playing with Stan Musial during his last game, the brawl with Harrelson or his respect for Bob Gibson; it’s like listening to a cool grandpa revealing interesting stories while on a tour.  He reminds one of the many small psychological tidbits that make Baseball a study of human interaction. 

The audience at the film was just outstanding: I have never seen so many vintage tee shirts  covered by autographs and I would wager most had not been worn in 20+ years.  Folks were jovial, talking with complete strangers in line and bonding over unique Cincinnati history.

Seeing the film also brings out amusing anecdotes of “where were you” and sure enough, on our way home, Not-A-Hubs told his story of peddling his bike up Purcell Ave. as fast as he could.  His neighbor had called and was making the claim that you could hear the Riverfront crowd from the top of Purcell Ave.  Turns out he was right.  4192 reminded me of playing Knothole softball for 13 years in Trenton.  I played all outfields, third, and catcher (my favorite).  I was not a strong hitter but I could field hard and sprint.  My jersey was #14.   It also reminded me why Rose is such an everyman and gives life to the longing appeal that we do have control of our destinies despite whatever humbling beginnings from which we hail.  The same reason I wore #14 is the same reason I read all of Kurt Vonnegut’s writings.  Pete Rose was truly Fanfare for the Common Man.

If you are a Baseball, Reds, or Cincinnati fan then the up-coming DVD is an essential snapshot of Cincinnati history.  The footage, stories, stats and legacy are all worth the price of admission.  You can keep track of when the DVD is released on Facebook and Twitter.

“I was the 13th player to collect my 3000 and got my hit on 9-11. I’m a weird dude.” (Pete Rose)

While the film was worth the $20 per ticket price, the AMC was not.  No signs told us to check our ticket in on the first floor before treading up to the third where there was once again no signs telling patrons the two theatre numbers.  If you hadn’t bothered to look at your ticket you would not have known which one to go to because you surrendered your ticket downstairs.  We did get the right theatre only to find it labeled with a different movie title.  Rose made an appearance and said a few words that no one understood because the microphone was crackling and for the first 5 minutes of the film the lights were left on.

Barking Fish Entertainment = A

AMC Newport on the Levee = F

Film Premiered in LA

Best Documentary in All Sports Los Angeles Film Festival

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Voices of Cincy: Carried Away (Epiventures)

Jul 15, 2010 by

Welcome to the latest installment of Voices of Cincy, our ongoing series of guest posts by local writers and bloggers. This week’s guest is Courtney Tsitouris, the Cincy Food Blogger known as Epiventures!.  -Loki

GratinI guess this would be a good time to admit that I have no idea how I became a food blogger. To some people, my mother included, the idea of setting aside focused time to write about food every day seems odd, if not legitimately certifiable. Considering the vast array of art and politics and other interesting things to fill one’s day with, I can see where they’re coming from. I notice, for example, that my friends don’t feel compelled to stand on stools to snap photos of their dinner.

But as it turns out, Michael Ruhlman was right: “The best things in life happen when you get carried away.”

I was once content writing and posting recipes as a home cook but I soon found my interest in food expanding. It wasn’t long before I was signing up for culinary school and buttoning up in a white chef’s coat. One thing led to another and I suddenly found myself standing next to Jean-Robert de Cavel with a tape recorder doing an interview . And I can’t believe I’m saying this but recently I took it another step further and agreed to be an apprentice in an actual restaurant. With actual customers.

This is big.

Of course, I had to promise this restaurant that I would not set anything on fire. It’s a commitment I hope I can keep. It was not terribly long ago when my lovely gratin of shaved artichokes and roasted tomatoes caught on fire in the oven, prompting me to throw the dish on the floor and jump wildly on the rising flames. (That was the day I proved that I care more about my flooring than my feet. That was also the day I risked my life for artichokes. I hope never to do either again.)

I don’t know whether this time next year I’ll be home cooking a roast or working in a restaurant or catering a party but I’m charmed to have such delicious quandaries looming. I’m also perfectly content to write about whatever happens, namely because you’ve been such amazing sports and such inspiring guests and I get such a kick out of your tips andfeedback.

To thank you for your support and to prove to myself that I can indeed cook without nearly losing my life, I thought I’d redo that roasted artichoke and tomato gratin. The recipe comes from the ever-reliable Tom Colicchio [Not an affilliate link]  and it’s quite simply one of my very favorite gratins –– so simple and pretty and perfect alongside almost any kind of grilled or roasted meat.

So to you I say this: may you find some shade in this heat, may your house waft with the savory scent of summer ingredients, and may you never, ever learn to leave well enough alone.

Artichoke and Tomato Gratin:

  • Recipe adapted from Tom Colicchio’s Think Like A Chef
  • Serves 4 as a side dish
Ingredients:
  • 4 tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cups thinly sliced onions
  • 8 artichoke bottoms, halved and thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup Nicoise olives, pitted and finely chopped
  • 4 anchovy fillets, finely chopped (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped basil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

Procedure:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Sauté onions in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for 15 minutes (or up to 30 minutes for an even deeper flavor). Onions should be brown but not burned or papery. Add 1 teaspoon of white wine vinegar to onions during last few minutes of cooking.
  • Slice tomato halves and artichokes to same thickness.
  • Spoon onions into medium baking dish in even layer. Arrange the artichokes and tomatoes over the onions in a tightly overlapping pattern.
  • Drizzle the gratin with 1 tablespoon olive oil and add salt and pepper. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. (Note: don’t do what I did the first time and use parchment paper. Unless, of course, you would like a little campfire in your kitchen.)

Reduce oven temperature to 350°F, uncover gratin and continue cooking until tomatoes are slightly dry, about 20-30 minutes.

Just before serving, mix 1/4 cup olive oil, olives, capers, anchovies (optional) basil and thyme leaves. Spoon mixture evenly over gratin and return to oven until heated through, ten minutes.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Courtney Tsitouris is a home cook, culinary student, graphic designer and the authorof epiventures.com, a blog about dining in and dining out in Cincinnati.

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