Can't Wait!!

Take a minute to appreciate how incredible the new Clifton Cultural Arts Center will be...

Imagine it. A sprawling regional arts and learning center unlike any other. An incomparable campus environment where artists and students of all ages and interests gather to teach... to learn... to enrich their lives... and express their creativity.

Click here for the latest on this very cool initiative.

Mandy's Art Project

Check out this CityBeat story about our friend Mandy Smith and her community art project.

"A few years ago on a road trip, (my husband and I) got stuck in traffic for miles," she says. "The crazy thing was, they had barrels up to keep the traffic in one lane and nothing was happening in the closed lane. As we edged ahead, my husband started weaving the car through the barrels, and after a few minutes all the cars behind began to join in, like a great long line of elephants. I never saw the faces of those in the cars behind us and never will, but we all had a moment of enjoying our common humanness or something. Maybe it's a bit ambitious, but I'd love The Collect to be something like that."

Note to self: Wear seatbelt when riding with Jamie.

Celebrate World Fair Trade Day at Rohs Street Cafe

Our friends at Rohs Street Cafe are not only celebrating World Fair Trade Day this weekend, they are using the opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the people who grew our java. The funds raised from the weekend of events will be going to our project in the village of Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala.

In partnership with our roaster, La Terza Coffee, Un Mundo Cafe and the farmers of the village, we are helping build a community of economic sustainability, cooperation and pride. This weekend we also will be unveiling the first micro-crop of the new La Armonia Hermosa coffee of the farmers of Santa Maria.

May 10th - May 12th. For a complete schedule and info click here.

The Sheds Rock

Some pals of Brutopia --The Sheds-- have a new CD.

Check out music from You've Got a Light along with other free tunes at www.theshedsmusic.com. Here's a song called Reflection of the Sun.

The Sheds present new songs and recordings on April, 28 2007 at Southgate House. See you there.

Turn Your Junk Into Art

Our friend Mandy Smith is calling on all Cincinnatians to participate in a "collect-ive" art project.

Collect a little trash. Make a little art. Have a little fun. Find a little meaning.


What is The Collect?

A project that brings together the people of Cincinnati and helps them think about what it means to be a community

A time to tidy up a bit

A chance for the broken to be made whole, for the worthless to be of value, for the lost to become found, (for the couch potato to get off the couch?)

A groundswell movement which puts art-making back into the hands of the people and raises questions about ritual, urban living, recycling

An excuse to take a walk and visit a local coffee shop

All the above.

Go here for more info and then put your junk in the box at Brutopia. Cool, eh?

Ludlow Uprising Tastes Good

We're selling more and more of our specially roasted Ludlow Uprising --Clifton's own fair trade, organic brew. Available only at Keller's IGA.

You can always pick up our other fresh roasted beans at the shop. Think globally, drink locally!

Fair Trade is much more than a fair price!

Fair Trade Certification empowers farmers and farm workers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the environment, and developing the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace. Fair Trade principles include:

Fair price: Democratically organized farmer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price and an additional premium for certified organic products. Farmer organizations are also eligible for pre-harvest credit.

Fair labor conditions: Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.

Direct trade: With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.

Democratic and transparent organizations: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers decide democratically how to invest Fair Trade revenues.

Community development: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement trainings, and organic certification.

Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.

Clifton Gaslight Kicks Off Main Street Program

Clifton becomes the fourth city neighborhood in Ohio to join the Main Street program, an arm of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that began in 1980. Click here for more info.

David Beats Goliath (in Chess)

For those who frequent Brutopia, you've no doubt witnessed the consternation on David's face as Howard whips his tail at chess time after time.

All this came to an end this week. David won fair and square.

Can he do it again? Was this a once-in-a-lifetime event? Stay tuned for chess scores and other Brutopia updates.

Musicians like Brutopia

Local musician Sharon Udoh picks Brutopia as one of Cincinnat's "Best Places to Eat" in CityBeat's 2007 Best of Cincinnati.

"I know, I know, this is a coffeeshop. True. Yet some of the few lunch items they have are off-the-hook. Try their chicken curry salad sandwich or their organic soups. You won’t regret it."

Thanks Sharon. We think you're off-the-hook too!