🌱 311 Cincy Launches + Teachers' 'I Need Box' For Students Goes Viral

Hello, Cincinnati. I'm here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Here we go.

First, today's weather:

Hazy sunshine. High: 83 Low: 59.

Here are the top three stories today in Cincinnati:

1. As one of many steps to streamline non-emergency services, Cincinnati has launched "311 Cincy." The new initiative provides four ways to reach out to the city: by phone, through a website, in an app, and on social media. Chandra Yungbluth, assistant to the city manager, emphasizes the ease of having only two numbers to call: "911 for emergency, 311 for everything else.” (WKRC TV Cincinnati)
2. The President and CEO of Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Ellen Katz, plans to depart in June. Having joined in 2015, Katz said she has accomplished her goals over the past seven years. Katz said she is "especially proud of the outstanding Board and staff [they] have assembled. Their passion for our community motivates [her] every day." (Subscription: The Cincinnati Enquirer)
3. An 'I Need Box' started for one grade at a local school has been flooded with donations from around the country. Two Cincinnati public school teachers, Margie DiMuzio and Brittany Noble, came up with the idea for the box as a way to grow the community in their classrooms. Students could write what they needed on a slip of paper and when needs shifted from pencils and friends to clothes and food, DiMuzio and Noble opened up for donations. (WKRC TV Cincinnati)

Today in Cincinnati:

• Low Impact Aerobics - Session 5 At Springfield Township Community Arts Center (11:00 AM)
• Painting Masterclass - Session 5 At Springfield Township Community Arts Center (1:30 PM)
• Ault Summer Music Fest At Ault Park (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The USS Nightmare is opening for those who dare to come aboard. Attendees can tour the boat's two decks, Crew's Quarters, captain's family suite, museum, vampire's lair, asylum, and infirmary. (WKRC TV Cincinnati)
• The mayor has declared tomorrow a half-day holiday for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati starting at 11:00 a.m. Oktoberfest has German-style music, food, and beer with over 500,000 people attending each year. (WLWT Cincinnati)
• The Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is partnering with Northside Distilling Co. to release Braille Bourbon Whiskey. The whiskey with braille labels will cost $64.99. (The Cincinnati Enquirer)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you soon.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.