New from Apple: New iPods; major iTunes update, including Movies and Games!

Today came Apple's big "It's Showtime" press event.

First, changes across the board to the iPod lineup.

• iPod nano: new external designs, 5 colors, in the style of the popular predecessor Mini. Though prices remain the same, capacity is doubled. Brighter screen, improved battery life. Should be less scratch-prone than the previous nano model.
  
• $150: 2 GB - silver only
• $200: 4 GB - silver, green, pink, blue
• $250: 8 GB - black only
• iPod shuffle: totally redesigned, aluminum, with built-in belt/pocket clip - dock included.
• $79: 1 GB
• iPod: brighter display, improved battery life. Prices lowered by $50 compared to previous predecessor. Both models still have choice between black and white. The 5th Generation iPod now plays full-feature movies and games!
  
• $250: 30 GB
• $350: 80 GB - Holds approximately 20,000 songs. Increased capacity great for movies!

Next, major updates to iTunes and the iTunes Music Store!

• iTunes 7 released today
• Seperate library for music, podcasts, TV, etc.
• Auto download for album art
• Jukebox-style browsing of artwork
• Still a free download - looks great on my iMac!
  
• Online store now known as "iTunes Store"
• Music
  
• TV Shows
• Growing selection - over 45 million shows have been sold
  
• Features every major network, 220 different shows represented
• Resolution now 640 x 480–4x resolution
  
• Movies
• NEW!
• 75 features now available from Disney, Pixar, Touchstone and Miramax
• Future releases to be available same the same day as DVD release
• $12.99 first week then $14.99 afterward; pre-ordered titles $12.99
• 640 x 480 resolution
• 30 minute downloads, can watch movie as it loads
• Old titles $9.99
  
• Same rights apply on movies as on TV shows
  
• Only available in the US until 2007
  
• Same picture-based browsing featured with album art
  
• Mac with iTunes can now take over your living room (all your base are belong to Apple)
  
• Films feature tons of movie data such as actor bios, etc.
• Games
• NEW!
• 9 games now available, including Tetris, Pac-Man, Bejeweled, Vortex, Mini Golf
• $4.99 each or $44.91 for all 9
  
• Compatilbe only on 5th generation iPods - can't be played in iTunes.

Apple is also venturing into the home media center sector with iTV.

• Apple has wireless set top box for TV
• Working title is “iTV”
• Similar to Mac Mini, but 1/2 the size
• Uses Apple Remote
• Intended an ultimate media center, allowing users to play movies, music, photos, etc. on TV
• Works with PC or Mac
• $299, available in Q1 2007

Missing was the long-rumored widescreen, virtual touch iPod with wireless connectivity, as well as an iPhone - but never say never!

Photos and more at CrunchGear.

2007 Watch: Cedar Point announces Maverick!

"Maverick" is no longer a code name.

Today, Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH has announced its 17th roller coaster, Maverick, now being located in Frontiertown. Built on the former White Water Landing site, the Intamin launched coaster may lack the speed and height of previous Cedar Point coasters, but won't lack the fun thrill-seekers have come to expect.

Maverick features:

• Linear synchronous motor launching system
• 95-degree first drop
• Two launch areas
• Two 360-degree corkscrew rolls
• One 360-degree heartline roll
• Eight airtime-filled hills
• One 400-foot-long tunnel
• 10 banked turns, from 62 to 92 degrees
• Magnetic, non-contact braking system
• Elevated single load/unload station

The $21 million Maverick is the third most expensive Cedar Point coaster, and the park's fourth longest. It will essentially give Cedar Point, once again, the title of park with most coasters with 17! It will also be the first Intamin coaster at Cedar Point with the newer over-the-shoulder restraint design, making it easier for larger riders (like me) to ride!

However, 2007 season pass information for Cedar Point itself has yet to be released. If you live at another Cedar Fair park, like Kings Island, Michigan's Adventure, Kings Dominion, or Valleyfair!, you can get your Cedar Fair Maxx Pass for $125 or less and enjoy Maverick...

New for 2007 at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

Just a few minutes ago, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari announced their 2007 plans.

Bakuli

our new family water slide in Splashin' Safari. Bakuli (pronounced bah-COOL-ee) is the Swahili word for "bowl" and that is exactly where this takes you—swirling round and round in a huge, colorful bowl! Start seven stories up and climb into a four-person cloverleaf raft. You'll be launched into a very dark, very steep tunnel that's full of surprises. You know how The Voyage has three 90-degree curves? So does Bakuli!

And you know how Zinga flings you into a huge funnel? Bakuli drops you into a gigantic purple, green and yellow bowl that measures 60 feet across! Around and around the high-banked bowl you'll slide and then drop into one last tunnel. Are where do you end up? Right in the middle of the island at Bahari River! Bakuli will (dare we say it?) bowl you over, it's so much fun!

Turkey Whirl

Over the river and through the woods, in Holiday World, there's a new ride being cooked up for our Thanksgiving section. Your entire family will want to take a spin on the Turkey Whirl! This new themed tilt-a-whirl is truly fun gone a-fowl. And the only leftovers will be your laughter!

Plymouth Rock Cafe
Originally set to be completed in 2006, this cafeteria-style restaurant will serve Thanksgiving-style dinners. Not sure if a gravy buffet will be included, though.

Bakuli image courtesy Holiday World & Spalshin' Safari


Also, tomorrow, Cedar Point will announce the details of the closely watched 2007 project, which is an Intamin steel coaster with inversions, and is said to have up to two LIM launches.

And don't forget that Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg announced Griffon, the world's first B&M floorless dive coaster - reaching heights of 200' and over 70 mph - and 90 degree drops. Yet another quality thrilling coaster at a quality theme park.

2007 Season Pass Sales are now ON!

Looking at the forums, I've found out that you can now buy 2007 season passes through Kings Island now.
Kings Island
- There will still be the basic KI only pass at $75, and the Junior/Senior pass for $50.
- Cedar Fair Maxx Pass is also available at $125, but unlike before, there will be a Junior/Senior version of this pass available for $80. Maxx Pass offers admission to all of Cedar Fair's ride parks, including Cedar Point and Geauga Lake.
- A new version is now available: the Cedar Fair Maxx Plus Pass! Maxx Plus offers admission to Kings Island, all ride parks, and now, the separately gated water parks (Knott's Soak City, CP Soak City, and Oceans of Fun). $150 Adults, $75 Junior/Senior.

Cincinnati's park isn't the only one doing this now...
Michigan's Adventure is now selling their 2007 passes.
MiAdv offers the Regular, Maxx, and Maxx Plus passes, too, but also now a MiAdv+Cedar Point pass for $105.

Valleyfair! is now selling '07 passes for $75. They, like KI and MA, are one park only, but offer a Maxx upgrade for only $10 more. Nothing mentioning the Maxx Plus, though.

The real kicker, though comes from Canada's Wonderland. Passes there will ONLY be valid at that park - no Maxx Passes will be available in Canada.

So far, no information yet from other parks, including Cedar Point, Geauga Lake, Kings Dominion, Dorney Park (where it's Dorney Time!), Et Cetera...

BTW, the BIG announcement regarding the 2007 Project at Cedar Point is coming Thursday, September 7 - expect 2007 season pass info to be relased then, too.

Bush and the CNN Ladies' Room

You may be seeing President Bush speaking on the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, but you are also hearing Kyra Phillips in the CNN Ladies' Room. And you thought Bush's live mic at the G8 Summit was shocking...

HS Football Update

The time of year is finally here. Today at Nippert Stadium at the UC campus is the Crosstown Showdown: Ryle playing Glen Este, then after 1pm, Lakota East will play LaSalle. The big game of the day is Covington Catholic vs. Elder at 4:30. Will the Panthers have a strong season after two weak ones, after two consecutive state titles, then last year going 4-6?
Because of the Huber Heights teacher strike, the St. Xavier vs. Wayne game originally scheduled for tonight was played Thursday at St. Xavier - the Bombers won 52-14. There will be no fourth game replacement. Tickets are $12 at the gate, so come on down to the beautiful Clifton campus, see the completed MainStreet and Varsity Village, and see some great high school football! Lots of parking available in the garages.

Cedar Fair: New for 2007

Confirmed:
Cedar Point: Maverick: IntaRide steel looping coaster, with lims, on White Water Landing site.
Valleyfair!: Renegade: GCI wooden coaster, Millennium Flyer trains.
Geauga Lake: Removal of X-Flight to another Cedar Fair park.
Kings Dominion: WaterWorks expansion: second wave pool, family play house, ProSlide Tornado? (Not officially announced, but listed in '07 Career Days brochure on park site)
Knott's Berry Farm: Timberland Twister, Mack Spinning Coaster in Camp Snoopy

Rumored:
Canada's Wonderland: Water park expansion, make-over into Boomerang Bay. (Rename/retheme unlikely, since KD is keeping WaterWorks name despite expansion) Kids Area/Nickelodon Makeover as well?
Kings Island: Bunch of things: X-flight from Geauga Lake... Return of flying scooters... New dining options?
Geauga Lake: Redevelopment of former Hurricane Hanna's water park site, new slides for Wildwater Kingdom, Coasters Drive-In?
Carowinds: Coaster?
Dorney Park: Racing slide at Wildwater Kingdom
Michigan's Adventure: Mad Mouse midway rehab, new ride in, some flats out... X-Flight?
Great America: Kids Area/Nickelodon Makeover. Makeover coming to Orleans Place as well?
Worlds of Fun: Unknown.

Now the KI 2007 Passes AREN'T for sale yet...

Looks like the folks in Sandusky have yet to get their act together with the 2007 passes...

First, it's announced that Canada's Wonderland is going to sell passes this week, but they will no longer be accepted at other parks.

Then, supposedly, Kings Island passholders won't get free parking, even if they are renewals.

Now this:

Canada's Wonderland 2007 pass page is blank.
Kings Island's gives a notice:

2007 Season Passes are currently unavailable for sale via web, phone or at the park. Please check this web site periodically for updates as they become available. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

So, if you're dreaming of a Maxx Pass, print one out for yourself right now!

Pricing for the 2007 Passes at KI.

Gold Passes: Valid only at Kings Island
Adult: 74.95, Child/Senior: $44.95

Cedar Fair Maxx Pass: Valid at ALL 12 Cedar Fair amusement parks
All Ages: $124.95

Parking: $34.95 per pass - Free for renewing 2006 passholders when purchased by by October 29, 2006.

Kings Island announces 2007 Season Passes

From the "PKI" web site:

2007 Season Passes on Sale Friday, Aug. 25, 2006

3 Great Pass Options - 2 Parks for the Price of One!


ADULT GOLD PASS

Everyone Gets Gold! Enjoy over 80 rides, shows & attractions, including Nickeodeon Universe and the award winning Boomerang Bay Water Park Resort! Plus, get the rest of the 2006 season and all of the 2007 season with all the great Gold Pass Perks:

· FREE 2006 Fearfest & Nick or Treat
· Early Ride Times
· Walk on Weekends
· Bring-A-Friend FREE Days
· Meal Deals
· Priority Concert Seating


CHILD / SENIOR GOLD PASS

Get all the same great passholder perks and benefits. For person’s under 48” tall or ages 60 and over. $20 less than the 2006 Child/Senior Pass! Height and age determined at time of processing when photo I.D. is made.


NEW! Cedar Fair Maxx Pass

A Cedar Fair Maxx Pass gives passholders access to Paramount's Kings Island for the rest of the 2006 season, and all of the 2007 season with all the Gold Pass Perks! This pass also gives guests access to all 12 Cedar Fair ride amusement parks (including 3 in Ohio) for the 2007 season, including:

Kings Island, Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio; Geauga Lake near Cleveland, Ohio; Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, California; Dorney Park near Allentown, Pennsylvania; Valleyfair near Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Worlds of Fun, Kansas City, Missouri; Michigan's Adventure near Muskegon, Michigan; Kings Dominion near Richmond, Virginia; Carowinds, Charlotte, North Carolina; Great America, Santa Clara, California and Canada's Wonderland near Toronto, Ontario.


FREE PARKING FOR RENEWING PASSHOLDERS!

How does the Chicago "Big Box" law affect low-income residents, inner city?

Big Box Rebellion Wall Street Journal

Well, that didn't take long. Just as Mayor Richard Daley and these columns predicted, the law recently passed by Chicago's City Council requiring a super-minimum wage is driving big retailers out of the city.

Target was the first big chain to react, recently cancelling plans to open a new superstore in a run-down area on the city's North side. Only a few months ago the project was hailed by city leaders as an anchor for redeveloping that depressed neighborhood. Now it gets to stay depressed. Wal-Mart has also announced that its plans to build 20 new stores in the city over the next five years are "on hold" until the wage issue is resolved.

This isn't what the politicians said would happen when they mandated that certain mostly non-union "big-box" retailers pay a minimum of $13 in wage and health benefits by 2010, or more than two-and-a-half times the national minimum wage. "This is a great day for working men and women of Chicago," said Alderman Joseph Moore, who sponsored the ordinance but clearly doesn't think very far ahead, if he thinks at all. The Council was warned that stores would flee to the suburbs or not be built. But instead it heeded such activists as Annette Bernhardt, chief economist at New York University Law School, who claimed that "We're very confident that retailers want and need to be in Chicago." Whoops.

This liberal red-lining may yet be overcome by common sense. Mayor Daley seems intent on vetoing the bill, which he says would result in higher property taxes to compensate for lost sales-tax revenue once stores leave. Alderman Shirley Coleman voted for the law but has since changed her mind now that a Wal-Mart in her district may never be built. At least three other aldermen who voted for the measure are also reportedly now open to giving Mr. Daley the votes he needs to sustain his veto.

The entire "living-wage" movement is the latest product of upper-income politicians who want to stick it to non-union companies in the name of helping the poor. But the working poor lose twice in Chicago: first, in lost retail jobs and then in less access to low-cost goods. Alderman Carrie Austin, who represents the area where the Target store was supposed to locate, puts it this way: "My colleagues are saying, 'Don't worry they [the big box retailers] will come.' Well, mine just left."

We all know well the battle between those who love and those who hate big-box retail. A great opportunity to build these stores on brownfields and other vacant sites, probably even build more urban-friendly stores, and create jobs (which pay more as one advances), seems to be going out the window. Instead of helping to improve the big box, some politicals have decided to oddly enough stick to status quo in the name of "change."

Kings Island lays off 15

Cincinnati Enquirer article

Kings Island said it has laid off 15 employees as its new owner Cedar Fair restructures and integrates the amusement park into its operations.

Sandusky-based Cedar Fair, which also owns Cedar Point and Knott's Berry Farm, said the move on Thursday eliminated some overlapping functions since two new managers have assumed oversight.

"A number of duplicated positions were reduced by the company here yesterday," said Maureen Kaiser, a park spokeswoman, who added the 15 managers and other employees received severance packages.

What about "Paramount?"

While mulling the future direction of its acquired parks, Cedar Fair has indicated in government filings that it doesn't plan to rename the park, noting its "strong local brand." The company said Kings Island did $108 million worth of business last year.

After opening this year the largest collection of Nickelodeon-inspired attractions at any amusement park before the takeover, Cedar Fair has also signaled in filings that it plans to keep the features.

The company, however, has indicated it might reduce its association with Paramount - including such Kings Island rides as the Italian Job and Top Gun - after the current season after studying customer opinion. Such a change would cut the company's royalty expenses.

While there's no official move/announcement on the Paramount name, here's some hints:

Latest from Apple: Leopard Preview, and Launch of Mac Pro and Intel XServe

(OS News)

Prior to the 2006 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, rumors swirled around about a "dizzying" amount of new products to be unveiled.

Now, at the WWDC in San Francisco, it was announced by CEO Steve Jobs that the first peek at the latest version of Mac OS X, Leopard, is now out, as are the first Pro-level versions of the desktop and server models using the Intel processors.

First of all, Jobs announced the Mac Pro, a dual dual-core machine with 64bit 2.66Ghz Woodcrest processors. The processors have 4MB of shared L2 cache, with 128bit vector engines. The machine is "1.6 to 2.1" times faster than the G5 quad. Because of the reduced cooling system, there is now space for four hard drives and a 2nd optical drive. Inside the machine has been completely redesigned; on the outside, it is basically the same. There is one standard configuration, which costs USD 2499.

Next up, Jobs announced the new Xserve. The new Xserve's specifications are similar to those of the Mac Pro, and still has the 1U footprint. Apple says the machine is 5 times faster than the previous Xserve. With this announcement, the transition to Intel is complete.

And if you're waiting for Windows to catch up to Mac OS X, bring a ton of books to read! By the time Vista comes out, OS 10.5 (better known as Leopard) will likely be out! The newest features and upgrades:

Leopard will support running 32bit application side-by-side with 64bit applications. Other than that, applications can be run completely in 64bit, and a 64bit Carbon UI is also available;
A feature called 'Time Machine' will be available; it's an automated back-up solution that lets you switch back to older revisions of files, or of entire harddrives. Back-up can be done towards a remote server or a local harddisk. However, the biggest feature of Time Machine is that you can enter specific dates into Finder windows, after which the directory will appear as it was on that specific date. Time Machine is Spotlight-enabled, so you can search through documents in the past. Update: A similar solution exists for Linux, called 'Dervish';
Boot Camp will be included in Leopard;
Leopard will have virtual desktops (Apple calls them spaces), with drag and drop support;
Spotlight will be capable of searching through files on remote machines (if you have the proper permissions);
Apple also introduced a new core technology of OS X, namely, Core Animation, which allows developers to easily integrate fancy animations into their applications. The live feeds were a little unclear as to what Core Animation specifically is; I believe it does a whole lot more than animations, but it was hard to figure out from just text feeds;
Leopard will focus on accessibility; it will have better text-to-speech functionality, closed captions in Quicktime, etc.;
Apple has added system-wide to-do's and notes into Leopard; any application can create notes and to-do's. For example, you can turn an email that just arrived into a to-do;
Dashcode helps to design, develop, and debug Dashboard widgets;
Webclip allows you to create widgets out of any part of a webpage;
iChat will see some serious enhancements, such as multiple logins, animated user icons, video recording, and tabbed chats. Besides those, the iChat Theater allows you to i.e. watch photos with your contacts or doing a Keynote presentation, while holding an a/v conversation;
Xcode 3.0 will be released today.

Missing from the conference were the anticipated iPhone and a new iPod. Of course, the year isn't quite over yet, so I'd be surprised if there weren't the release of a new iPod prior to the holiday/Christmas season.

Bad fans at the Bengals game? Call 381-JERK

Bengals Offer "Jerk" Hotline (WCPO Channel 9)

For the first time, the Bengals are offering a tip line for fans to call to report unruly behavior.

The hotline number is 381-JERK.

It will be set up and ready to go at this Sunday's pre-season game.

The Bengals said they've started this new approach after seeing a rise in bad behavior last season.

There were more fights and beer bottles being thrown, so this year they decided to do something about it.

While the Bengals had a winning season last year, some fans walked away from Paul Brown Stadium with a bitter taste in their mouths after spending time with unruly fans.

It's about bleeping time. Why people would spend hundreds, even thousands to see a football, and then to get drunk and rude is beyond me. I see people cramming bars to get tanked, why don't the Bengals and the NFL put a disclaimer warning to people entering the stadium?

Also: Getting tough on boorish fans (Cincinnati Enquirer)

"You can get a lot of abuse with these things," (Bob) Bedinghaus said. "If you get 6,000 people calling this line - 'Hey, Ben Roethlisberger is a jerk' - then it becomes less effective. The thing to remember is we have caller ID on this line. So if you're crank calling, we are going to be able to ID who you are."

Who's the real jerk, the one with the Super Bowl ring, or the one with 2 Bud Lights in each hand?! Seriously though, sports needs to take a look at its relationship with alcohol: the balance between profit boosts and alcohol's potentially dangerous side effects.

Happy Birthday to Six Flags!

If you have set foot inside a Six Flags park this year, like I have, you may have noticed signs celebrating a "45th Anniversary."

The exact anniversary is today, August 4, when Six Flags over Texas opened in 1961. Texas has been under six different governments, and officials originally called it "Texas under Six Flags," but some felt that the name might have been coined by Debbie Downer. The Arlington, TX park was among the first of many regional theme parks that would open across America in the next two decades. While the parent company is a troubled time now, they list the original Six Flags park as one of its "core" protected/safe properties. So...

Happy Birthday Six Flags! Here's hoping the next one is better...

AOL going free

America Online (AOL), who has been facing the loss of customers, and customer service nightmares, most notably account cancellation, is now offering its service for FREE. Anyone using the service along with a separate internet connection (DSL/Cable/Broadband or dial-up) is no longer charged a monthly fee. Those needing a dial-up connection now pay only $9.95 to get AOL. Because of the changing internet user and technology, not to mention what the market offers, AOL is having to reinvent itself.

Son of Beast to be partly rebuily

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060804/NEWS01/308040024

Part of the Son of Beast roller coaster at Paramount’s Kings Island must be taken apart and rebuilt under state supervision, a time-consuming process that raises questions about whether the ride will reopen this season.

“If they want to operate it again, that’s what they have to do,” said Melanie Wilt, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the state agency that regulates amusement park rides.

The Son of Beast has been closed since July 9 when 27 people were injured after a particularly rough ride. On Friday, Wilt said the problem has been narrowed down to three possible structural issues: wood strength, maintenance or design.

Inspectors found a cracked vertical support beam in the double helix part of the coaster the day after the accident. Inspectors say that might have contributed to the big jolt riders described.

Kings Island must now take apart a small section of the ride, including pieces surrounding that cracked beam. Those pieces must be turned over to the state for analysis. Meanwhile, the park would have to rebuild that section and test the new portion under the supervision of an independent engineer hired by the state.

Man dies after riding Goliath at SFOG

Disney World deaths on Rock 'n Roller Coaster and Mission Space.

Mishaps at Kings Island and Kings Dominion.

Man dies after riding Gwazi at Busch Gardens Africa (Tampa, FL).

Several other injuries/mishaps.

Now a death on the new Goliath at Six Flags over Georgia.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Cobb County authorities say a 45-year-old man died of an apparent heart attack after becoming unconscious during a roller coaster ride at Six Flags amusement park.

Fire Lt. Dan Dupree said authorities were called to the park about noon Thursday after the man lost consciousness while on the park's newest roller coaster — Goliath.

Dupree said firefighters arrived to see Emergency Medical Services workers and employees of the park treating a man who was suffering from cardiac arrest. The man was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities have not released his name.

So far, not a great year for amusement parks - especially since many of these weren't necessarily due to rider misconduct - nor operator error.

MVRPC director Robinette retires early

A surprising move at MVRPC in Dayton, where I was a planning co-op in 2002 and 2003:

DAYTON — As a cost-saving measure last October, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission Director Mike Robinette recommended an early retirement incentive plan to the agency's board.

Last week, Robinette surprised the board when he took advantage of the retirement plan and announced he was leaving the agency.

Although the early retirement plan will save the agency money, the terms and the late notice of Robinette's retirement rankled some top officers.

Miami County Commissioner Ron Widener, chairman of the agency board when the early retirement plan was proposed and approved, said he was "very uncomfortable" with the terms of Robinette's retirement.

More of the article at Dayton Daily News - Registration required, free of charge

OH Supreme Ct: Norwood Abused Eminent Domain

Enquirer - Eminent Domain Abused

The city of Norwood cannot take property by eminent domain to give to a private developer, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled today.

In holding parts of Ohio’s eminent domain law unconstitutional, the state’s highest court set a different course than the U.S. Supreme Court did in its landmark Kelo v. New London decision last year.

There, the Supreme Court ruled that a Connecticut city’s taking of property for economic development was constitutional – but made clear that state constitutions could set different standards for property rights.

The Norwood case is expected to be closely watched around the country. It was the first major eminent domain case to reach a state Supreme Court since Kelo.

The case was brought by property owners Joseph Horney, Carl and Joy Gamble and Matthew F. Burton, who argued that the city should not be able to take their properties and deed them over to Rookwood Partners for a $125 million shopping and office complex.

Honestly, I understand both sides. The homeowners, whose homes are standing in an urban desert, should not lose their property just so someone else could build a "better development for the community." If the City of Norwood and developers had their way, there would be severe implications on private property across America - low to mid-income residents, churches and other religious buildings, and "less desirable" yet successful businesses, would become fair game.

On the other hand, Norwood, like other first-ring suburbs, as well as the City of Cincinnati, are facing great challenges. Many residents and businesses have left the older areas - moving to newer suburbs, creating sprawl. In order to keep the region healthy, the "heart" must too, remain healthy. Therefore, the inner city and its brownfields and depressed areas must redevelop. As someone schooled in urban planning, I know that we can't just ignore what's there and keep going outward.

Personally, I wish the three property owners would take the big money, and find a better place in a more stable neighborhood. The ever-increasing traffic and the closeness to I-71 is a sign to bail. The long awaited, appealing Rookwood Exchange could finally move forward as planned, and it would help turn a corner for Norwood. Ethically, I side with the property owners - they are exercising their rights as Americans. If the owners decide to keep their properties, then if the developers want to move forward, they'll have to make some big changes, and co-exist with the out-of-place houses - that are still home to others.