If You've Never Had It, You've Got To Try It: Cincinnati's World Famous "Skyline Chili"

      I had forgotten about Cincinnati's world famous chili brand until I was driving to Columbus, Ohio, from Bowling Green for a business meeting a couple of weeks ago. I saw a billboard sign for a "Skyline Chili."http://www.skylinechili.com/ restaurant.

      I've never known much about this famous brand of chili until I heard about it for the first time from some guys that I went to an insurance sales school with for a week in Lexington, Ky., in the Summer of 1989. There was a Skyline Chili restaurant in the eatery mall next to Rupp Arena (where the University of Kentucky plays their home basketball games) and the hotel where I was staying in downtown at the time. Apparently, it was all the rage back then and still is in parts of Northern Kentucky and Southern Ohio. But I don't remember if I ever had tried any or not. That was almost 30 years ago, you know.
But I did stop in Cincinnati near King's Island on my way back home from Columbus. I just popped into the Skyline Chili restaurant and ordered their smallest bowl to go they had for about five dollars and ate it in the car in the parking lot. Believe it or not, I did not spill any on me! They also gave me some hot sauce packets and crackers to go with it. Yes, it was extremely hot (heat wise and somewhat spicy) and very delicious to say the least. I checked our local Kroger grocery store in Bowling Green and they sell it for $4.59 a can. I think it's a little steep in price but I guess if you're dying for some of Cincinnati world famous chili, you'll pay the price. But I didn't see that Kroger carries the other world famous Cincinnati brand, "Gold Star" either. Here's a little about the history of Skyline Chili from their web-site. Enjoy!:

"The Story of Skyline Chili

      From a small kitchen in the village of Kastoria, Greece, a fascinated young Nicholas Lambrinides watched as his mother and grandmother prepared authentic Greek dishes. Their recipes had been passed down from generation to generation. These were unique, wonderful dishes that had the power to bring his whole family together.
     Nicholas dreamed that one day he would bring these recipes and traditions to America, where he could share them with friends and family. In 1949, his dream came true when Nicholas opened his first restaurant overlooking the skyline of Cincinnati, Ohio and began serving his delicious secret recipes to appreciative customers.
     Since then, Skyline Chili’s Coneys, Ways and table-side service have been enjoyed by generations. Our Chili continues to be made from Nicholas’s original recipe, using a secret blend of spices and only the highest quality ingredients. Skyline is dedicated to bringing friends and families together for an experience like no other and we will always be devoted to the American dream of that young man from a small village in Greece."

Chancellor Dr. Dan Jones Is The Best Man For The Job At Ole Miss

"I have been thinking about the firing of Chancellor Dan Jones at Ole Miss recently. Yes, none of us probably like the new Black Bear mascot that replaced Colonel Reb or whatever Dr. Jones else has done to remove symbols of the old South or the ugly past of stale old racism at the university. However, for those who spent four or five years of our young lives at the university that helped mold us on who we are today to live in this modern high-tech and volatile world, I think deep down inside, we want what's best for Ole Miss and we want to see her keep moving forward to continue to be a world-class institution of higher learning no matter what a person's skin color, religion or sexual orientation is. So with that being said, it appears to me that Dr. Jones is the best man for the job from his past performance."-Galen A Smith Sr

Who Can Save The Hitcents Park Plaza In Downtown Bowling Green, Ky?

      Now what?

It's always something when you're dealing with big government money and spending especially when it comes to a "TIF" a (Tax Increment Financing) district I understand. So guess what?  We have one in our own backyard so to speak, in the beautiful Bowling Green downtown area which looks like it might be heading into some rough waters.  The latest red flag is the big front page story in today's Bowling Green Daily News which I posted below.

     Believe or not, I thought the Hitcents Park Plaza and the Bowling Green downtown TIF might eventually turn into a a financial fiasco. Sounds like the Mills brothers or family just needs to pay up for their bad business decisions and losses for their venture into the tough, BG restaurant market that didn't quite pan out like they thought it would originally.
      I wrote about the new "Mariah's Restaurant"  http://acriticfromthesouth.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-new-mariahs-restaurant-in-downtown.html on my (I posted a paragraph from the blog below) and the Hitcents Park Plaza in my blog this past year, in May of 2014.  So really, it has not even been a year yet since the plaza opened and they have run into major financial problems already. Apparently, there wasn't enough business or poor business and management decisions? You think?

"But then of course, the devil's advocate side of me has had this curious thought lingering in the back of my mind. I'm sure as taxpayers of Bowling Green and Warren County, we will all help pay for the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) which includes the building of two new parking structures (Downtown and Western Kentucky University) and several buildings and projects in one form or fashion that I have seen being built in the downtown area lately. Too many for me to recall right now. According to my mortgage company, I know that my city taxes are going up a little next year . I'm not complaining, I'm just saying. But the county taxes, may not have not have anything to do with the TIF and the downtown redevelopment. I don't know for sure or how all of this is working out is all I am saying. But on the other hand, I do know that there are people here who are investing tons of their own money also into these private ventures which is a good thing for Downtown Bowling Green and our local economy."-Galen A. Smith Sr.

Nearly $2 million owed on Hitcents Park Plaza
City investigating how money for Hitcents Park Plaza has been spent



Miranda Pederson/Daily News


Posted: Sunday, February 22, 2015 5:00 am

By KATIE BRANDENBURGkbrandenburg@bgdailynews.com |0 comments


Financial problems plague a development in the downtown Bowling Green Tax Increment Financing district even as city officials negotiate with another organization to potentially take over management of that development.

Mills Family Realty Inc. owes the contractor and subcontractors that built Hitcents Park Plaza nearly $2 million for work done on the project, according to a letter obtained by the Daily News. Hitcents Park Plaza is a commercial wrap on the parking garage in Block 6 of the TIF district and includes restaurants and office space.

Bowling Green city government is investigating how money to finance the project has been spent.

A letter dated Feb. 11 from attorney Michael Shull III of Frost Brown Todd LLC, representing Alliance Corp., said $1,974,463.05, as well as accruing interest, is past due to Alliance for work done on the project.

“As you know, Mills Realty is severely behind in payments to Alliance for its work on the project,” the letter said. “This has, in turn, caused the inability for Alliance to forward said payment to the subcontractors who also performed work on the project.”

Mills Family Realty has yet to “adequately explain” how money for the construction of the wrap has been spent, according to the letter.

Clinton Mills of Mills Family Realty said in a text message Saturday that Mills Family Realty is “engaged in discussions to explore options to provide for the payment of any amount owed to Alliance Corporation.”

He said in the text message that the company declines to comment further on the matter at this time.

Alliance attended a meeting Nov. 24 with some of the larger subcontractors on the project, representatives of the city of Bowling Green and Warren County, the Warren County Downtown Economic Development Authority and others, according to the letter.

“Subsequent to that meeting, we have heard nothing from Mills Realty as to why payment has not been forthcoming, or where funds which should have been used to make payment to Alliance were spent or directed,” the letter said.

Bowling Green Mayor Bruce Wilkerson said bonds should have been sufficient to cover construction costs of the wrap.

The project is financed through a temporary bond anticipation note, which covers the entire amount of bonds prior to those bonds being sold, he said.

Attorney James Parsons of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP has been investigating how bond proceeds have been used, Wilkerson said. He was initially hired by the city in January to handle negotiations between the city and Bowling Green Hot Rods owner Jerry Katzoff about taking over management of the parking garage wrap.

“We have certain questions about the spending practices with regard to the wrap,” Wilkerson said.

He said he doesn’t believe the city would be liable for unpaid money for construction of the wrap, but that is also part of what Parsons has been retained to determine. The city is serving as a backstop to cover bond payments if they aren’t covered by other revenues, including TIF revenues from some blocks of the TIF district.

Contractors and subcontractors are seeking a resolution to the situation, and Wilkerson said he has been involved in those negotiations, though he isn’t aware of any direct contact between city officials and the Mills family. That contact would occur through the Warren County Downtown Economic Development Authority.

“I will say negotiations have intensified of late, and I’m optimistic that we’ll have a positive resolution,” he said.

Doug Gorman, chairman of the Warren County Downtown Economic Development Authority, said the authority has been working with all involved parties to come to a resolution.

Those negotiations have been ongoing for four or five months, he said.

“Most importantly we are working with the city and the county in assisting with negotiations with Mr. Katzoff,” Gorman said.

He said he expects that Katzoff could be a “giant” part of a resolution with his extensive restaurant and commercial development experience.

The Bowling Green City Commission in 2012 approved a number of agreements to finance the garage wrap.

The city leased the parking garage, with payments for the garage set to be equal to bond payments for the wrap.

Agreements at the time also set aside money to help cover the cost of the parking garage lease, including lease revenues from the wrap, TIF revenues generated by one of the tenants of the wrap and TIF revenues generated in blocks 4A, 5, 8 and 10. Any revenue beyond the lease payment would go to the city and could be used to pay off other bonds.

The city is responsible for covering whatever portion of the bond payment isn’t covered by specified revenues. The subdeveloper has to pay the city back for any payments it makes, but only if the company wants to buy the wrap after bonds are repaid.

In 2013, the City Commission approved issuing $5 million more in bonds for a project in which $22 million had previously been approved so that Mills Family Realty could further develop the wrap.

Five restaurants – Tres Molinos, Brick & Basil Pizzeria, 6-4-3 Sports Bar, Pagoda Asian Cafe and Mariah’s – opened at Hitcents Park Plaza in the spring of 2014. MR Group, which is owned by Clinton, Chris and Ed Mills, bought Mariah’s restaurant in February. Rick Kelley, former owner of the restaurant, was hired as a consultant to help with the new development.

The Mariah’s property had been part of ongoing litigation dating back to 2011, when Citizens First Bank went to court to attempt to collect repayment of loans extended to Bowman-Kelley Total Office Systems.

To secure the loans, Kelley put up Mariah Moore House and another downtown property, the Pushin Building, as collateral. Citizens First took legal action after Kelley defaulted on the loans.

Tres Molinos, Pagoda and Brick & Basil closed suddenly Sept. 27.

Clinton Mills, co-founder of Hitcents and president of MR Group, said at the time that the three restaurants didn’t fit in with the “downtown destination” atmosphere Mills and Hitcents co-founders Ed and Chris Mills want to create.

The letter from Shull serves as a pre-lien notice. It states that if the outstanding amount is not paid within five days of the date of the letter, Alliance will begin to exercise its lien rights on “any right, interests, or assets of Mills Realty or any other available or attachable asset, interest, or right of any entity on the project.”

“Alliance reserves any and all rights and causes of action in relation to any misuse or mishandling of fund due Alliance by Mills Realty,” the letter said.

However, it said Alliance will participate in mediation proceedings to find a settlement arrangement as a “gesture of good faith and cooperation with the city and county leaders who are working pro-actively with Alliance.”

Shull on Friday afternoon said no liens have been filed against Mills Family Realty.

“We want to work with the parties involved here to find a solution for this outside of any liens or litigation, if possible,” he said.

However, Alliance filed a notice and statement of materials and labor to be supplied with the Warren County clerk on Dec. 23.

The document said Alliance originally executed a construction contract with Mills Family Realty on Aug. 8, 2012, with a guaranteed maximum price of $19,325,000. That amount was modified.

Alliance anticipates it will supply in excess of $21.6 million to the project, according to the document. It notes that the amount is subject to amendment.

“This statement does not constitute a claim of lien, but rather a notice to any prospective purchasers of any interest concerning the project of Alliance’s work on the project and its reservation of all rights, including its rights under KRS 376.010 et seq.”

That portion of the Kentucky Revised Statutes deals with mechanics’ and materialman’s liens.

Warren County Attorney Amy Milliken said placing a lien on the Hitcents Park Plaza structure might be complicated because it was created through a partnership between government and private entities.

“This is a very difficult situation because it is a public-private partnership, and so I don’t know that the statutes adequately cover how liens can be placed on that type of building,” she said.

Milliken said the companies owed money need to be paid, and she is hopeful that ongoing negotiations will yield a positive result.

“It’s very important that that area succeed, just because it’s really transformed downtown in my opinion,” she said.

Warren Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon said county officials have also been involved in negotiations, but that the county ultimately doesn’t have any fiscal responsibility for the project.

He said county officials want the Hitcents Park Plaza development to succeed. At the same time, contractors have put a lot of work and product into the building.

“Obviously we’re concerned because it is in the heart of the TIF district,” Buchanon said.

— Follow government beat writer Katie Brandenburg on Twitter at twitter.com/BGDNgovtbeat

Bowling Green's Cage The Elephant Continues To Bring World-Wide Attention To Southcentral Kentucky With Their Recent Grammy Nomination

"It's awesome to see that some of our local musicians such as Cage The Elephant have made an impact in the world of the music industry with their recent Grammy nomination, three albums and constant world-wide touring through the years. Not only have they and will continue to inspire other young musicians in Bowling Green and Southcentral Kentucky, they have also helped propel other BG bands get their start in their professional music careers in the industry such as SLEEPER/AGENT. Not to mention all the media attention that they have brought to our community and they have also help to produced our outdoor music music festival, "Starry Nights Music Festival." May we continue to sing Cage The Elephant's praises!"-Galen A. Smith Sr.


'BETTER AND BETTER'Grammy-nominated Cage the Elephant could inspire others

Jordan Strauss

Daniel Tichenor, from left, Brad Shultz, Matt Shultz and Jared Champion of Cage the Elephant arrive at the 57th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

By Laura Wilson, lwilson@bgdailynews.com

Bowling Green band Cage the Elephant didn’t win a Grammy on Sunday, but being nominated for the prestigious award brings the band recognition and could inspire other young musicians.

The band was nominated for best alternative album at the 57th annual Grammy Awards for its 2013 release “Melophobia.”

Though Cage the Elephant lost to St. Vincent at the awards ceremony, it was exciting to see the band nominated, local musician Tony Lindsey said.

“I think it’s just fantastic for a local band to be nominated for a Grammy,” he said. “ ... They’re very deserving. They’ve been in the trenches a long time.”

“Melophobia” shows the band’s at the forefront of alternative music, Lindsey said.

“It’s my favorite release that they’ve had so far, just commercial enough to appeal to a wide audience,” he said. “They just keep getting better and better.”

Cage the Elephant members Matt Shultz, Brad Shultz, Jared Champion and Daniel Tichenor grew up in Bowling Green and began their music career here, playing at local venues including Tidball’s, where they still perform occasionally. Since their breakout single “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” in 2009, the band has received national and international attention.

Lindsey believes their Grammy nomination will inspire other local bands.

“It will be a very positive thing for all the other young bands in the area to see what they can aspire to,” he said.

While in Los Angeles for the awards ceremony, Cage the Elephant members made their way around the city with various radio talk show hosts.

The band has performed on various nighttime talk shows, including “Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and at numerous music festivals, including Coachella and the Glastonbury Festival.

Cage the Elephant announced Jan. 23 that it’s working on its fourth album.

— Follow faith/general assignments reporter Laurel Wilson on Twitter at twitter.com/FaithinBG or visitbgdailynews.com.

"American Sniper" Strikes A Deep, Emotional Chord In Audiences Across The U.S.

    I should have known that something was in the air when I saw a train crossing the tracks at Dishman Lane in Bowling Green late Friday evening carrying U.S. military tanks, Humvees and Jeeps painted with that very familiar faint yellow which is the camouflage for combat in a Middle Eastern desert.

    I didn't know it at the time, but I was in for a big surprise this weekend. I assume the train was transporting equipment from Fort Knox to Fort Campbell, two Army bases,  which are both located in the State of Kentucky. Recently, I've heard the news that the U.S. government is downsizing our military and reducing the amount of man power and equipment used in operations across the globe. I know that our Kentucky politicians are concerned and many Kentucky citizens are also concerned. Both bases will be greatly reduced in many ways effecting our state's economy.  Mainly, I am concerned about America's safety and security against the War On Terrorism. With all the reduction in the troops, I feel that this make us more vulnerable to the enemy a.k.a. "ISIS."
      However, the high point and surprise of my weekend was how great of a movie that "American Sniper" was starring Bradley Cooper and directed by Clint Eastwood. It's was the highest grossing non-big budget films movies of all time during its first two weekends. Even my wife, Patty, wanted to see it. We arrived at the theater about 15 minutes early even before the previews started and the movie was almost sold out. And it was the first movie showing of the day.  For me when I walked out the theater after the movie was over, I felt like I had been hit hard in the chest. The movie is such a deep, emotional movie for all true, patriot Americans especially if you have family members who are veterans and who fought in combat. I could barely hold my tears back. Wow. There was total silence and not a dry eye in that theater when everyone walked out of there. My heart was full yesterday afternoon after the movie. But I think all Americans can relate to this movie and the incredible bravery of Navy Seal Chris Kyle and his life story especially if you know someone who has returned home from combat and has experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Chris served four tours of duty in Iraq, he had the highest number of sniper kills (160) in U.S. military history. He earned two Sliver Stars and five Bronze Stars Medals before he was killed on a firing range at home in Texas while trying to help another solider with PTSD.  I also think all Americans can relate to the 911 scenes and the War on Terrorism. My father was a World War II and Korean War veteran and experienced PTSD or "shell shock" as it was known back in those days. Psychiatrists and psychologists really did not know much about the condition until recently.  Also, the general public is starting to understand and learn more about it too.  Nevertheless, this movie has struck a deep chord in my life and I will be forever grateful for Chris's service to our country. I also know that the family too suffers when soldiers returns home because they are still fighting the war in their minds. My dad did and my mom says he was never the same when he came home. Go see the movie and then thank a veteran and their family for the service and sacrifices in which they have made in order to protect America from the evils of terrorism.

The Mid-South Coliseum In Memphis, Tenn., Has Its Place In Rock & Roll History And It Should Be Saved

   

The 1970's in the American South was in tatters after the civil rights movement with unrest that had blazed the streets of Memphis, Tenn., and other cities across the South in the late 1960's.  With the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., at the Loraine Hotel in downtown Memphis in April of 1968, the city was struggling to get back on its feet after the riots that rocked the streets that stood next to the "Mighty Mississippi River."

     Also, the Vietnam War was still riveting the landscape with America's young soldiers being slaughtered on foreign soil and then later sent home in body bags and makeshift coffins tearing families apart as well as the drug culture seeping into mainstream of the country's veins.

     And with the "Summer of Love" in 1967 during the "Golden Age of Rock & Roll" which had come and gone in San Francisco and the massive rock concert in Woodstock, N.Y., that made history in 1969, Memphis was slowing but surely finding its way to become a world-famous city for "Arena Rock" even before the death of Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock & Roll" in 1977.  However, there was a light of hope in the form of entertainment for Memphis that shined a beacon of  light during turmoil years of the late 1960's and during the reconstruction years of the 1970's.  And that light was the "The Mid-South Coliseum" and tens of thousands of people from Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas flocked to shows, rock concerts, sporting events and graduations at this historic, iconic arena.

     Also, the Mid-South Coliseum is a place where the ghosts of the Mississippi delta blues men would meet on any given night that there was a rock concert taking place.  The roots of rock and roll all began about 60 miles south of Memphis on that famous Highway 61 in North Mississippi just outside the little shanty town of Clarksdale, Miss., where former sharecropper Robert Johnson made a pact with the devil in order for him to become a famous blues man and guitarist and singer from the Mississippi delta.  Unfortunately, Robert Johnson died at the young age of 27 years-old.  From Elvis to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin to Kiss and Van Halen to ZZ Top including hundreds of more rock bands who have performed at The Mid-South Coliseum, this former rock and roll venue has earned it's place in history and it should be saved from the wrecking ball.

                           Some Historical Facts About The Mid-South Coliseum

*The Mid-South Coliseum was also known as the "The Entertainment Capital Of The Mid-South" which is located at 996 Early Maxwell Blvd., at the former Mid-South Fairgrounds and the Liberty Bowl Stadium with a seating capacity of 11,555.  At one time, it was fully air-conditioned with a paved parking lot for 3,000 vehicles.

* The building was built as a sports and concert venue in 1963 and now listed with the United States National Register of Historic Places.

*The Mid-South Coliseum was home to the University of Memphis Tigers basketball team before they booked for the Pyramid which opened in 1991.

*The Mid-South Coliseum was one of the few stops on the Beatles' final American tour. The Aug. 19, 1966 concert is infamously known as "The firecracker Concert" in which a concertgoer set off a firecracker or "cherry bomb" while the Beatles were performing on stage.  The Beatles had flown into the city for two shows and Memphis was their eight stop along their North American tour.  John Lennon's misquoted remarks earlier in the year about the current state of Christianity had caused some problems especially in the Southern states.  There were protests, record burnings organized by Christian radio stations and even death threats including a televised death threat against the Beatles from a local Memphis Klu Klux Klansman.  While there were no problems with the afternoon concert, nerves were shattered when some someone threw the firecracker or cherry bomb on stage during the evening concert.  Apparently,  concertgoers thought the noise sounded like a gunshot during their performance.  Everyone who heard it was shocked.

*The Mid-South Coliseum was also a popular venue for professional wrestling and the home base for the United States Wrestling Association and Jerry "The King" Lawler headlining numerous sold-out shows at this historic facility.

                    Help Save The Mid-South Coliseum From The Wrecking Ball

    Currently, there are plans for the City of Memphis and Shelby County to raze the historic, iconic The-Mid Coliseum in order to build to some new developments.  In order to keep up on the latest news of what's happening with the MSC, please "Like" the "Save The Mid-South Coliseum" Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/savemidsoucol/

A Holiday Memory: The Christmas Candle

     When I was growing up in East Memphis, Tenn., I attended Sea Isle Elementary School which was only a couple of blocks from our house.  Back in those days in the early 70's, you could walk to your neighborhood school with your friends without the fear of being kidnapped by a child molester or serial killer.  This particular school year, I was supposed to be in the fourth grade but I was placed into a special education class because the educators determined that I had developed a learning disability.  My teacher's name was Mrs. Pollard and she was a very special teacher and lady.  She was kind, patient, loving and funny.  Mrs. Pollard always went the extra mile for her students and went to great lengths to spend the proper amount of time to help us develop fully and to enable us to learn what we needed in order to catch up with our classmates in the other classrooms.  I remember that she always brought us food, cakes and cookies and other treats from her home to give to us especially during the Christmas holiday season.  But the one thing I remember most about Mrs. Pollard was her faith in God. She always said a prayer with her students.  Apparently, that was something you could get away with in the public schools in those days.

    Before school let out for Christmas break that year, I remember she gave all the students a candle and a piece of paper with a printed version of the "Lord's Prayer" on it.  She told us to light the candle on Christmas eve and place it by our bedside and then read the prayer to ourselves aloud. The world was in turmoil then like it is now.  Things have not changed a lot in some ways. America was still dealing with the Vietnam war and the civil rights and hippie movement was still going strong.  A lot of families in the nation's suburbs and inner cities were beginning to struggle with domestic social issues such as alcoholism, drugs and divorce especially after women's lib and the sexual revolution had surface in the concourse of America's landscape.  However, that Christmas eve, I did light the candle, read the prayer aloud and I fell peacefully asleep shortly thereafter.  Now I can still see the candle's bright, misty glow in my mind when I shut my eyes.  It takes me back, long ago when I was just a little boy and it helps me remember all those warm and special teachers such as Mrs. Pollard who made a big difference in my life. Thank you, Mrs. Pollard, and Merry Christmas to you wherever you are.  I'm sure you are in heaven now.  I will light a candle this Christmas eve in your honor and place it by my bedside. Then I will say the "Lord's Prayer."