Where's the Streetcar When I Need It?

So today I headed to Fountain Square for the Strauss & Troy Market on the Square. I was planning to join the crew from Cooking with Caitlin to share some fun and promote our fresh produce from Findlay Market. Unfortunately, it was raining so it wasn't the best of days for the Square. Nevertheless, I thought I'd breeze downtown, pull into the Fountain Square garage, and be with Caitlin, Molly, and Kelly in just a few minutes. Little did I know that as I rounded 5th onto Vine, I'd see the FULL sign at the Fountain Square garage. It was 11:00 am on a lousy, rainy day. How could the garage be FULL?
I pulled in anyhow and went to the automatic gate, pushed the button for the ticket, and waited for the gate to rise. Surely someone had vacated a spot and I'd just pull in...But, nooooooo. The gate didn't open, and I had to back up. I left the garage and continued on down Vine only to find several other FULL signs greeting me. After circling a few blocks, I finally ended up in a surface lot that was unattended. I needed to get out in the rain with my umbrella, decipher the instructions on the cash box, fiddle for my money, take a receipt, return to my car and leave the receipt on the dash, and then walk the 3 blocks to the Square. Not exactly visitor-friendly...
For my $5, I got to spend exactly 1 hour at Fountain Square. Sure would have been nice to park at Findlay Market, pay a buck or two to ride the streetcar to Fountain Square, relax and enjoy the lunch hour, and return when I was good and ready. Hmmmm. Seems like the streetcar might be a good thing to go not only TO Findlay Market, but also FROM Findlay Market. Never thought of that.

Fountain Square is Back!

Fountain Square has always been the focal point of downtown Cincinnati. For years, political gatherings, Reds celebrations, concerts, and festivals have all found a home on the Square. Everything seemed to function fine until a few years ago when someone decided we needed to move the historic fountain of Fountain Square. What? Why? How could someone decide to CHANGE something that was such a fixture?
Well, folks, if you haven't been to Fountain Square for a while, you need to get there to see how things work now. Yes, the fountain is in a different location, but everything works beautifully. The trees have grown up to shade tables and chairs, a huge video screen is available but unobtrusive, the walkways across the Square are practical, and parking is easy.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of taking it all in at the Tuesday Market on the Square. I was a guest of Cooking with Caitlin, and I got to experience the lunchtime environment on Fountain Square. People everywhere--eating lunch, socializing, exercising, watching the World Cup on the big screen...all in a relaxing, urban setting.
The Market on the Square continues throughout the summer on Tuesdays from 11-2. Burgers off the grill, lasagna, crepes, ribs, sandwiches, and smoothies are just a few of the lunch choices on a Tuesday. In addition, other local vendors offer fresh produce, craft items, and cookies. This is just one of many activities that take place daily on your Fountain Square. If you haven't visited lately, put it on your "summer bucket list."

I'm Not a Doctor and I Don't Play One on TV, but...

THE SUN IS SHINING TODAY IN CINCINNATI. After the snow and ice of February and the gray and gloom of the first few days of March, it finally feels like spring will eventually get here. With the sun shining and the blue sky, I've noticed a few more smiles on faces and a little more bounce in everyone's step. It's amazing what a little sun can do.
Researchers have known for years that Vitamin D is crucial to building strong bones and supporting the immune system. They've known we need the sun's effect to get full nutritional value from the food we eat. In recent years, some studies have connected getting the proper amount of sunlight to preventing seasonal affective disorder (SAD), osteoporosis, depression, type 2 diabetes, and even certain cancers. I'm not a doctor, but I know that seeing the sun shine after a dreary winter gets people out of the house.
At Daisy Mae's Market, we've noticed that the number of customers goes up when the sun shines. It doesn't have so much to do with warmer temperatures as it does with just plain sun. It's almost as if humans can sense when they haven't had the required dosage of sunlight.
The next few days look sunny and bright. Time for you to take your medicine: Get out the door and soak up the sun. Go to Fountain Square to watch the Cinciditarod. Experience Bockfest. Shop at Findlay Market. You know you need that Vitamin D!