Always Trying to Improve Life in the Neighborhood – 5 (I mean 4) Questions with Mark Celsor

One improvement we wanted to make to the OTR Summer Celebration was to make it more family friendly.  Thank goodness Mark Celsor volunteered to spearhead this project.  Having worked with Mark on a couple of small projects I am looking forward to see what he has in mind for the Kid’s Activity Center at this years OTR Summer Celebration.  When I called to see if Mark needed some help, he told me his dad had worked at the Cincinnati Recreation Commission for 30 years, and he therefore had unlimited access to a subject-matter-expert.

3 Generations of the Celsor Family - we are happy they are in Cincinnati.

1. What is your role in the Go OTR 5 K & Summer Celebration?
My name is Mark Celsor. I am a father with two preschool daughters and the CEO of a Gateway Quarter web development firm called Vine Street Interactive. This year I am organizing a children’s activities booth at the Go OTR 5K and Summer Celebration. We are going to have games, arts and crafts, face painting, and other fun stuff throughout the day.

2. Why/How did you get involved in this event?
I lived in Over-the-Rhine in the 1990s and then moved to San Francisco for several years. My wife and I moved back to Cincinnati after our first daughter was born and I was amazed by the transformations that were taking place in the Over-the-Rhine. I decided to open my office on Vine Street two years ago and was able to join a wonderful group of independent business owners and arts organizations who are excited and working hard to make the neighborhood great. The Go OTR 5K and Summer Celebration is our major event to kick-off the season with a 5K run, bands, and artists. Last year I attended the Summer Celebration with my daughters and they had a great time seeing all the art and listening to the music, but this year I wanted to help bring some activities especially for children. I’m excited to help organize games, arts and crafts, face painting, and other kids activities inspired by the great local artists and musicians at the event.

3. Tell me about a favorite place/activity in OTR?
One of my favorite things to do in Over-the-Rhine is taking my daughters to get pastries at Shadeau Bakery on a Saturday morning. The
friendly staff, delicious, handcrafted baked goods, and Italianate storefront make us feel like we’ve stepped back to the time when my
great, great grandfather lived and owned shop a few blocks over around 1900. I’m sure his kids loved to get danishes too.

4. If you had a magic wand what would you do in OTR
I’m not a big believer in the power of magic wands. I am a big believer in the power of individuals and I feel that the current
project to turn Washington Park into a great destination for families is going to serve as a huge magic  wand to energize the individuals
who currently live and work in Over-the-Rhine to continue to work to improve the neighborhood. The real magic will come from them.

Thanks for coming back to Cincinnati Mark.