Walking around Northside, it appears the neighborhood seems to encompass many of the positive characteristics a close-knit community has to offer. The biggest difference I noted in Northside compared to Over-The-Rhine was the distinct old-world feel with the sociable community-run Northside Farmers Market, the enchanting WordPlay Cincinnati organization, and the pulsating Shake it Records store. Some similarities I noticed were the wall art, the park, the prevalence of crime and the variety of shops.
At the Farmers Market I met a woman who came all the way from Indiana to sell her produce to the community every Wednesday, a man selling all kinds of apples, and an old man selling fresh herbs and grasses. However, the most influential person I met was a man selling cheese for his cousin. He told me he was originally from the Czech republic, hence his accent, but that he has lived in the U.S for 45 years now. The cheese he sells can be found nationwide at local grocery stores and he says his organic product has such a high demand that it has caused local markets to want to expand their own organic foods section. This salesman told me that the Farmers Market is not only important in that it provides a way to make an income, but that it also promotes the old age community style of living. He looked around and said, “I see the community finding a way to connect” and I realized he was right. The Farmers Market is a weekly event, something the locals can look forward to for friendly conversation, and as a result, there was an intimate, familiar, atmosphere you wouldn’t be able to find at Kroger’s.
The WordPlay Cincinnati organization that we got to learn about was very interesting because even though, like 3CDC, it is also non-profit, their focus is on educating and nurturing the growth and betterment of the community through creativity and inspiration instead of renovations and new projects to improve aesthetic appeal. The problems they deal with are mostly with spreading the word about community programs, improving education, and working with parents to teach them how to teach their kids. They typically get around 15 kids a day who need help with their homework or just want to spend some time reading and exploring the town’s urban myths and legends. There are various interactive artifacts for kids to play with and which help them focus on expanding their imagination through the art of writing.
The sense of community I got from Northside was overwhelming, hence it came at no surprise then, when I found a live band from Massachusetts playing in the back of Shake It Records and a gathering of locals listening intently while perusing through the endless stacks of records, movies, CDs and novelties. I felt at home instantly there, even though the music wasn’t my style and I didn’t know anyone except for my classmates, I felt like I could sit, take a load off and just enjoy the music that literally bounced off the brightly colored walls.
Yes, Northside isn’t perfect. The park may not be state-of-the-art and the restaurants may not be gourmet, but they give the community a site for gatherings. They do have crime like in Over-The-Rhine and many people struggle financially, but overall it feels like a more established place where the residents can continue to make themselves at home.
At the Farmers Market I met a woman who came all the way from Indiana to sell her produce to the community every Wednesday, a man selling all kinds of apples, and an old man selling fresh herbs and grasses. However, the most influential person I met was a man selling cheese for his cousin. He told me he was originally from the Czech republic, hence his accent, but that he has lived in the U.S for 45 years now. The cheese he sells can be found nationwide at local grocery stores and he says his organic product has such a high demand that it has caused local markets to want to expand their own organic foods section. This salesman told me that the Farmers Market is not only important in that it provides a way to make an income, but that it also promotes the old age community style of living. He looked around and said, “I see the community finding a way to connect” and I realized he was right. The Farmers Market is a weekly event, something the locals can look forward to for friendly conversation, and as a result, there was an intimate, familiar, atmosphere you wouldn’t be able to find at Kroger’s.
The WordPlay Cincinnati organization that we got to learn about was very interesting because even though, like 3CDC, it is also non-profit, their focus is on educating and nurturing the growth and betterment of the community through creativity and inspiration instead of renovations and new projects to improve aesthetic appeal. The problems they deal with are mostly with spreading the word about community programs, improving education, and working with parents to teach them how to teach their kids. They typically get around 15 kids a day who need help with their homework or just want to spend some time reading and exploring the town’s urban myths and legends. There are various interactive artifacts for kids to play with and which help them focus on expanding their imagination through the art of writing.
The sense of community I got from Northside was overwhelming, hence it came at no surprise then, when I found a live band from Massachusetts playing in the back of Shake It Records and a gathering of locals listening intently while perusing through the endless stacks of records, movies, CDs and novelties. I felt at home instantly there, even though the music wasn’t my style and I didn’t know anyone except for my classmates, I felt like I could sit, take a load off and just enjoy the music that literally bounced off the brightly colored walls.
Yes, Northside isn’t perfect. The park may not be state-of-the-art and the restaurants may not be gourmet, but they give the community a site for gatherings. They do have crime like in Over-The-Rhine and many people struggle financially, but overall it feels like a more established place where the residents can continue to make themselves at home.