Although the structure may not be the like of the gothic Sistine Chapel, the dome shaped beauty one mile northwest of the center of Cincinnati is still a site to see. But beyond the architectural beauty, a highlight is the Cincinnati Public Landing. The landing is recreated from its original look in the 1850s.
“You can actually board a 94-foot side wheel steamboat,” said historian Jay Roberts. While there, one can also load a flat boat or aid the printer to set type by hand. This is something that was painstakingly done in that day.
Costume interpreters also assist visitors. The Queen City of the West’s captain is always available for chat. It is not uncommon to meet a pioneer newly arrived in the Ohio River Valley in 1792, board a real 1940s streetcar and talk with a conductor, or help the captain of a flatboat. The streetcar is one of the museum’s permanent exhibits on Cincinnati like the home front in World War II.
“Visitors can talk about ration cards with a housewife,” said Mrs. Roberts. “They can also learn about what those left behind did while their fathers, husbands and sons were off in Europe or the Pacific.” One can lastly take delight in an antique sedan, Crosley radios from the 1930s and 1940s, and peek into someone’s kitchen.
Each of these attractions is available now at Union Terminal; so, besides enjoying the exhibits also learn about the history of the building’s architecture and the other features.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Extended Version of Historical Piece, Part 2
In the beginning, their designs were called “classical in style” until Paul Phillipe Cret became a consultant for Union Terminal and influenced the building’s current style. The building is curved on each side resembling wings and a grand fountain, cascade and pool makeup the foreground. On each side of the entrance doors, there contains bas-relief figures designed by Maxfield Keck; they symbolize commerce and transportation.
Kelly Dean, a student studying art history at the University of Cincinnati, shared with me, “the entrance originally went through side entrances from the three tunnels used by cars and buses.” These entrances were used in 1933 but they are no longer in use and the space now holds exhibits.
“The ceiling is something else,” said Sarah Bowen, a U.C. freshman tagging along with Ms. Dean; it is designed with a silver arc with shades of orange and yellow. The shades of color come from a marble called Verona. The floor is also covered in a colorful pattern of light and dark bands to give the arched-look of the main lobby.
Even though Union Terminal was expected to exhibit a neoclassical structure, the reason for its modern design is the lower cost. During the onset of the depression, the marked period of the building was designed; it was unrealistic to maintain the high cost of a neoclassical structure.
Kelly Dean, a student studying art history at the University of Cincinnati, shared with me, “the entrance originally went through side entrances from the three tunnels used by cars and buses.” These entrances were used in 1933 but they are no longer in use and the space now holds exhibits.
“The ceiling is something else,” said Sarah Bowen, a U.C. freshman tagging along with Ms. Dean; it is designed with a silver arc with shades of orange and yellow. The shades of color come from a marble called Verona. The floor is also covered in a colorful pattern of light and dark bands to give the arched-look of the main lobby.
Even though Union Terminal was expected to exhibit a neoclassical structure, the reason for its modern design is the lower cost. During the onset of the depression, the marked period of the building was designed; it was unrealistic to maintain the high cost of a neoclassical structure.
Extended Version of Historical Piece, Part 1
The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is one of Ohio’s most groundbreaking attractions because of its three museums: the Cincinnati History Museum, the Duke Energy Children’s Museum and the Museum of Natural History and Science. While the center provides visitors entertainment, the architectural beauty of the building holds a lot of history that can be learned at the Historical Society on the lower level.
When speaking to a historian, one can find out that the dome-shaped railroad building was dedicated on March 31, 1993. Its first proposal took place in the early 20th century to help the crippling, existing railroad system; according to the History of Cincinnati Union Terminal, “the system consisted of seven lines operating out of five stations.” The first stages of planning took place in the early 1990s but many factors like World War I delayed the plan until the late 1920s.
The construction of Union Terminal was a cooperative project dealing with many railroad companies and the aforementioned source states that the building “centralized Nashville, the Pennsylvania, and the Chesapeake and Ohio. However, the architectural beauty came into play when New York architects Alfred Fellheimer and Steward Wagner were hired to design the building.
When speaking to a historian, one can find out that the dome-shaped railroad building was dedicated on March 31, 1993. Its first proposal took place in the early 20th century to help the crippling, existing railroad system; according to the History of Cincinnati Union Terminal, “the system consisted of seven lines operating out of five stations.” The first stages of planning took place in the early 1990s but many factors like World War I delayed the plan until the late 1920s.
The construction of Union Terminal was a cooperative project dealing with many railroad companies and the aforementioned source states that the building “centralized Nashville, the Pennsylvania, and the Chesapeake and Ohio. However, the architectural beauty came into play when New York architects Alfred Fellheimer and Steward Wagner were hired to design the building.
A survival guide to Zombieland
Consider this a survival guide to Zombieland. A land filled with flesh eating zombies stalking the earth, craving their next heart beating meal. There are only four survivors, well five, including the temporary Bill Murray for five minutes in the film.
Rule number one, exercise cardio. The “fatties” were the first to go, leaving plenty of flesh to go around, creating a decoy for the skinny people. Where would we be without rule number one? Probably dead because the zombies in this film can sprint, relentlessly.
Rule number two is the double tap. After knocking a zombie unconscious, do not, I repeat, do not stick around to see if our mouth watering friend is still alive. Simply hit the blood thirst bastard again, thus the double tap to ensure the kill. This rule could save your life.
Rule number three, stay away from bathrooms. Zombies are notorious for sneaking up on their prey, even when they are most vulnerable, such as letting loose those bad tacos consumed with the guacamole stacked on top.
Rule number four, check the backseat. Our un-welcomed friends may find places of rest in our escape vehicles, anticipating a ready to serve human caught off guard.
Lastly, rule number five, arguably the most important rule, do not try to be a hero. Heroes are the Clint Eastwood’s or Bruce Wayne characters in these Blockbuster hits. Stay alive, because heroes are often sacrificed in their time of need to save another human. A bullet in the head is one thing, but being ripped alive to aid another, well, consider the choices.
Rule number one, exercise cardio. The “fatties” were the first to go, leaving plenty of flesh to go around, creating a decoy for the skinny people. Where would we be without rule number one? Probably dead because the zombies in this film can sprint, relentlessly.
Rule number two is the double tap. After knocking a zombie unconscious, do not, I repeat, do not stick around to see if our mouth watering friend is still alive. Simply hit the blood thirst bastard again, thus the double tap to ensure the kill. This rule could save your life.
Rule number three, stay away from bathrooms. Zombies are notorious for sneaking up on their prey, even when they are most vulnerable, such as letting loose those bad tacos consumed with the guacamole stacked on top.
Rule number four, check the backseat. Our un-welcomed friends may find places of rest in our escape vehicles, anticipating a ready to serve human caught off guard.
Lastly, rule number five, arguably the most important rule, do not try to be a hero. Heroes are the Clint Eastwood’s or Bruce Wayne characters in these Blockbuster hits. Stay alive, because heroes are often sacrificed in their time of need to save another human. A bullet in the head is one thing, but being ripped alive to aid another, well, consider the choices.
A film based on a historic attraction in Cincinnati
Cincinnati’s Abandoned Subway is an informative documentary about the unfinished subway underneath Central Parkway. Old footage of the 2.2 miles of tunnel and also plenty of commentary about its construction and history is supplied by credible sources, such as members of the Cincinnati Historic Transit Society and the Cincinnati Museum Center.
The purpose of this film according to director Leland Schuler is “to get people educated about the subway.” Some people thought the subway served nothing more than a creepy and made-up story but the subway actually does exist. “There are no ghosts down there,” said producer Paige Malott. “But it is very dark.”
According to the film, the construction of the subway started in 1919. This happened in a bed of a canal that used to be polluted with feces and other disgusting things. One interesting fact about the canal is its prior usage; for instance, during the summer, people swam in it. Throughout the winter, people ice-skated on top of its frozen water.
The intended sketch of the subway contained a 16-mile loop, stretching from Central Parkway to Walnut Street and the south of Hopple Street. But when money dwindled in 1927, everything but the rails and cars were completed and the loop scaled back to 11 miles.
The reason for the scaled back loop and a halt to construction of the rails and ordered cars can be linked to two primary factors, the Great Depression and World WWII. “It all came down to money,” said Mr. Schuler. “The funds just ran out.”
Even though construction took place from 1919 to 1928 and approximately 9 construction contracts were implemented, the completion of the subway still required $13 million. This is money that Cincinnatians did not want to spend on the completion of this subway.
In 1928, construction ceased and the underground tunnel became an underground eyesore but not too many people seemed to care. This can be concluded because nothing drastic happened over the succeeding years since its failure of completion and the issue is set aside every time it is mentioned, according to the film.
What is interesting now about the issue of a rapid transit system is the streetcar voted on last year. According to a website titled Cincinnati Streetcar, “the $128 million project will build a 3.9 mile line operating with modern streetcar vehicles.” The streetcar will connect the two largest employment areas, downtown and uptown.
“I think its great that people are bringing light rail back into the city,” said Mr. Schuler. While the streetcar project can be considered a start to make Cincinnati more accessible for residents and visitors, the issue of a rapid transit system connecting the city to the suburbs is still talked about today.
During the film, Cincinnati Historic Transit Society member Bill Myers said, “the 90 year old transit system would have reduced congestion, reduced emissions and needed to stimulate the economy.” This system more than likely would have affected the entire region for the better.
The purpose of this film according to director Leland Schuler is “to get people educated about the subway.” Some people thought the subway served nothing more than a creepy and made-up story but the subway actually does exist. “There are no ghosts down there,” said producer Paige Malott. “But it is very dark.”
According to the film, the construction of the subway started in 1919. This happened in a bed of a canal that used to be polluted with feces and other disgusting things. One interesting fact about the canal is its prior usage; for instance, during the summer, people swam in it. Throughout the winter, people ice-skated on top of its frozen water.
The intended sketch of the subway contained a 16-mile loop, stretching from Central Parkway to Walnut Street and the south of Hopple Street. But when money dwindled in 1927, everything but the rails and cars were completed and the loop scaled back to 11 miles.
The reason for the scaled back loop and a halt to construction of the rails and ordered cars can be linked to two primary factors, the Great Depression and World WWII. “It all came down to money,” said Mr. Schuler. “The funds just ran out.”
Even though construction took place from 1919 to 1928 and approximately 9 construction contracts were implemented, the completion of the subway still required $13 million. This is money that Cincinnatians did not want to spend on the completion of this subway.
In 1928, construction ceased and the underground tunnel became an underground eyesore but not too many people seemed to care. This can be concluded because nothing drastic happened over the succeeding years since its failure of completion and the issue is set aside every time it is mentioned, according to the film.
What is interesting now about the issue of a rapid transit system is the streetcar voted on last year. According to a website titled Cincinnati Streetcar, “the $128 million project will build a 3.9 mile line operating with modern streetcar vehicles.” The streetcar will connect the two largest employment areas, downtown and uptown.
“I think its great that people are bringing light rail back into the city,” said Mr. Schuler. While the streetcar project can be considered a start to make Cincinnati more accessible for residents and visitors, the issue of a rapid transit system connecting the city to the suburbs is still talked about today.
During the film, Cincinnati Historic Transit Society member Bill Myers said, “the 90 year old transit system would have reduced congestion, reduced emissions and needed to stimulate the economy.” This system more than likely would have affected the entire region for the better.
Writing Exercise 1: In-Class
The woods in my backyard, filled with small rodent and grass that reaches past my waist, retains a lot of my childhood memory with my two brothers. When REsident Evil came out for Sega systems, my older brother pretended to be a zombie and chased my younger brother and I.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Writing Assignment #2
The Ocean, where no one can hear you scream, is both eerie and fascinating for a traveller. No land on either side of the Carnival boat cannot be shown effectively on a postcard or photo placed in a magazine article. Peace and reflection is what the ocean brings to us. Seeing clean water touched by God's hands and dolphins actually swimming near the boat is beautiful and breathtaking. A traveller actually notices the stars and the moon. A sunset now seems more interesting than the late news in the evenings. A sunrise is even anticipated because it cannot be experienced the same way at home. Absolute serenity is here.
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