It's Memorial Day weekend. The official start to summer fun and there is a lot going on in Cincinnati...A Taste of Cincinnati--Yum, the Reds are in town playing the Cubs and there are parades in many parts of town. Have a great weekend, but give a thought to what we are celebrating today and say at least a silent thank you to all of those who have fought and died to make sure that we are free to celebrate this weekend.

An incident of felonious assault occurred yesterday at 2435 Harrison Avenue. The suspect was driving a white Chevy Captiva, Kentucky plaate 129PDL. The suspect shot at two victims while they were in their vehicle. The first victime attempted to run for cover and was struck in the right hip. There were no injuries to the second victim. The first victim was transported to U.C. Hospital.

By Andy Furman...If we learned only one thing this baseball season as we approach the quarter pole if you're a Reds fan, don't leave early. You'll get your moneys' worth the full nine innings. Case in point, Reds got three runs in the ninth to defeat the Mets 7-4 Wednesday afternoon in New York to complete the three-game sweep and finish their road trip with a sweet 7-2 record. And can we please mention Joey Votto. I laugh when people early on were pointing to his knee and saying, Well, he's lost it. Hey, if he's lost it I want to find what he's lost.

The Bengals today signed DE Margus Hunt of Southern Methodist, one of their two second-round selections in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Just a shout-out to all Readers and our Facebook and Twitter Friends and Fans. We have just launched a new app that makes it easier to keep in touch with all of your social media contacts on all the various sites at just one address on your mobile phone.

Holley was arrested May 21, 2013 for aggravated robbery. The offense occurred at 1955 Fairmount Avenue May 20, 2013. Per the victim he was in the rear of Fairmount Avenue when appoached by the above suspect (while he was in his vehicle) with an assault rifle. Victim claims that he was then forced out of his vehicle.

For me, there are good things and bad things about this time of year. I find it mostly great, because I love the outdoors, the warm weather, lazing out by the pool, going to amusement parks, al fresco dining, baseball games, and I could go on and on. One of my least favorite things about the onset of summer is looking for a new bathing suit. You go into that little fitting room, with the harsh lighting and the floor to ceiling mirrors, struggle to get your pale flesh into that little piece of spandex, and it's instantly depressing.

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto has been named National League Player of the Week for the periodending May 19th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

Its time to power up your reading skills and earn prizes for participating in the 40th annual Summer Reading Program at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. This years theme, Power UpRead!, offers all sorts of excitement by spotlighting superheroes.To kick off a fun season of reading (June 1-July 31), ALL Library locations around Hamilton County are holding Summer Reading activities related to this exciting theme on Saturday, June 1. Children and their families are invited to stop by their neighborhood Library to decorate a superhero mask (while supplies last).

Cincinnati is a city with a great German heritage. Or so I had been told. However, after three weeks in Cincinnati, I hadn't seen anything that struck me as particularly German, other than street names. Sure, many German immigrants settled in Cincinnati about 200 years ago, but what did they leave the city? What is so German about Cincinnati? Since I couldn't find an answer to these questions myself, I decided to do the next best thing: I asked people in Cincinnati what they thought was German about their city. This is what they told me:

By Andy Furman...I am often amazed with my brothers and sisters in the local sports media. How can you ride that roller coaster each day? How can you go up and down with every win or loss by the Cincinnati Reds? Hey, you're not foolin us, really you're not. And honestly, you can't be that jacked up in mid-May for the Reds can you? That's why I chose to occupy this space. I mean there's more to sports and life- than a baseball teams win or loss in the middle of May. Take this for instance. Former NFL lineman Ray Edwards is 4-0 in his professional boxing career. Edwards, who spent seven seasons in the NFL playing defensive tackle with the Minnesota Vikings and the Atlanta Falcons, now makes his living squaring off against huge men intent on punching him in the head as frequently as possible. But get this.

From nature preserves and parkways, to regional and neighborhood parks, Cincinnati has a long and proud history of enhancing the quality of life through outdoor recreation. In keeping with this tradition, Cincinnati Parks, in partnership with ArtWorks and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, is gathering community input on the design of a new carousel to be built at Smale Riverfront Park.

United We Write teaches various writing genres at Main Library No matter what style of writing you want to try your hand at fiction, non-fiction, humor, poetry, memoir weve got a program for that. Come hear professional authors share their expertise during United We Write at the Main Library. All programs are in the Popular Library Reading Lounge Tuesdays at 7 p.m. The Main Library is located at 800 Vine Street. Call 513-369-6900 or visit www.CincinnatiLibrary.org.

I just got back from a week in Florida, and had an absolutely wonderful time there. My two girlfriends, Shannon and Raqui, and I spent quite a bit of time shopping at the fabulous malls and boutiques there, as we're all really into fashion and clothes, like most girls. We knew, of course, that the lifestyle is much more casual down in the Sunshine State, but were somewhat surprised to see that there seemed to be little call for dressing up, at least in the areas we visited. Everyone was in shorts, capris or ankle pants, or perhaps shift dresses, or casual maxi dresses. They even shopped in bathing suits with cute cover-ups and flip-flops. When we were shopping, we noticed, too, that people seemed to be skipping the clothing departments, and gravitating toward the shoe, handbag and accessory areas.

The Public Library and Gold Star Chili want to reward you for participating in Summer Reading! Stop by a participating library branch location to visit the Gold Star Chilimobile, register for Summer Reading, and get a free cheese coney! All ages are invited to sign up at one of the Chilimobile events or go to

Cincinnati Union Bethel and Western & Southern appear to have resolved their 2 year litigation over the future of the Anna Louise Inn. Anna Louise Inn is a safe and affordable residence for disadvantaged women and children who are trying to establish themselves and get back on their feet. In an announcement made yesterday, Cincinnati Union Bethel said that they have entered into a purchase agreement with Western & Southern that settles the litigation and gives them a new site for the Anna Louise Inn. Neither the new site nor the conditions of the agreement were revealed.

Our German on the loose in Cincinnati, Marinela, made her first visit to the Horseshoe Casino this weekend. What did she think?"It is flashy, it is glamorous, and it is Cincinnati's latest attraction: the Horseshoe Casino.To be honest, I don't like casinos. I usually try to stay as far away from them as possible. Don't get me wrong I am a passionate player; cards, roulette, Scrabble you name it, I play it! As long as there is no money involved, I do great. But this changes as soon as I start to play for money; my luck packs its bags, takes a plane and flies far, far away.

On May 8 the Public Library received a National Medal for Library Service from the Institute for Museum and Library Service. This award is the nations highest honor recognizing museums and libraries for their service to the community. To celebrate this national recognition and thank our community for their support, we're holding a Fine Amnesty Day on Wednesday, May 15. During Fine Amnesty Day, outstanding fines will be removed from library cards.

With the new Gatsby movie coming out, of course there's a lot of buzz about the fabulous fashions of the era. The film is set in the early 1920s, in a time of prosperity after WW I, known as the Roaring 20s. Unfortunately, not all of us are going to look at good as Carey Mulligan as Daisy in these flapper dresses and opulent accessories, but they're fun to look at, and hey, if Leonardo DiCaprio likes them, they must be worth considering,

Xavier University sophomore golfer Korey Ward (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) has been selected to participate in the NCAA Mens Golf Championship May 16-18 in Columbus, Ohio. Ward will compete in the 54-hole regional tournament at the Ohio State University Golf Club Scarlet Course. There will be 13 teams and 10 individuals competing at the regional at OSU.This will be the third straight year and the 10th time in 13 years that the Xavier mens golf program has sent an individual or the team to an NCAA Regional. This marks the third straight year and the fifth time in seven years that a Xavier mens individual golfer has been selected for the NCAA Championship.

We want to welcome a new resident to Cincinnati. Born in Romania and raised in Germany, Marinela Potor will be giving us her insights on life in Cincinnati. Her first column is shown below:"There were three things people had told me about Cincinnati: 1. They have the best milk shakes in the country 2. It is the city of the flying pigs 3. People in Cincinnati are crazy about a certain type of food called chili cheese dogs

For over a year now,, I have been driving in to work 5 days a week down Turkeyfoot Rd.past the "mansion" under construction just south of Turkeyfoot School. Well the construction is almost complete and Saturday I got to take a close up look during the Cavalcade of Homes. It did not disappoint. Builder Tim Burks and interior designer, Grace Jones did an unbelievable job. The home is huge, over 15,000 square feet, but it is a home. It is light, airy, and beautifully functional. The crystal chandeliers are beautiful. The finishes are gorgeous, right down to the crystal embellished door and drawer pulls. The pool and patio are amazing, even now when the pool house is not quite finished. There is a lake in the front of the house with what looks like a moat, giving it a truly castle-like feel. Chateau Mon Reve is truly fit for a king.

The University of Cincinnati sports communications office was one of 11 honored nationally by the Football Writers Association of America with the naming of the Super 11 for excellence in sports information during the 2012 season. This marks the fourth year the Super 11 recognition has been handed out to sports information departments which were deemed the best in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.

Xavier starting pitcher Jon Richard was named to the 2013 CoSIDA Academic All-District 5 First Team. Richard holds a 3.51 GPA and is majoring in middle childhood education.The native of Versailles, Ohio, is 7-2 on the season and has won four-consecutive starts. Richard holds a career-low 2.64 ERA in 75.0 innings pitched with 51 strikeouts and just 18 walks.

If you are wondering what is happening in the old Brooks Brother's space next to Tiffany's on Vine Street, don't despair, it is not just going to remain another empty store front. We're getting a bookstore and cafe. The Booksellers on Fountain Square will open in July and will not only carry books but will also be a creperie and coffee bar.Renovations on the space started this week.

It's Flying Pig Marathon this weekend in Cincinnati. This is the 15th annual race and whether you are a runner, a walker or a spectator, it's an exciting weekend with lots of fun for all. For a full schedule of this weekend's event visit http://bit.ly/YN82Ox.

By Andy Furman...NBA playoffs, NHL playoffs, Jason Collins and, gulp twitter...where do I begin?The Jason Collins story - the first gay male athlete to, lets say come out of the closet is an interesting situation. He's been tabbed a hero. Certainly I commend him, and it was a move of courage. But hero? I think Ill reserve that for our fighting military men and women. What about you?

Ahh, it's that time of year when the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and romance is in the air. It seems like you're receiving invitations to bridal showers and weddings daily, and every time you see your Mother she's asking you if you've found anyone yet. (Like eligible guys are just lying under a bush or curled up in a shoe box somewhere waiting to be found). Wait, maybe if they were, I'd be headed down the aisle this June, too.

Tomorrow, May 1. Is the first 2013 Party in the Park. It is supposed to be a warm, sunny day tomorrow so head on down to Yeatman's Cove after work and join the Party. Hours are from 5pm to 10pm. Entertainment by the Naked Karate Girls.

The Mens and Womens Big Ten Golf Championships at French Lick Resort have concluded this afternoon in southern Indiana. This marks the second year in a row that both the Men and Women have competed on the same date and at the same site.The University of Illinois fired a final-round total of five-over-par 293 to seal its fifth-straight Big Ten championship and junior Thomas Pieters carded a two-over-par 74, clinching Big Ten medalist honors with a five-stroke victory.

Cincinnati Art Galleries will feature an exhibition of paintings by seven artists in the general region. Artists include Linda Anderson, Rob Anderson, Brian Burt, Tim Kennedy, Eve Mansdorf, Emil Robinson, and the late Aidan Schapera- who was awarded his MFA at Indiana University this month posthumously. The exhibition will open Friday, May 3rd from 5-8pm and will continue through June 8th.

Looks like spring is finally here. Temperatures are going to be near 80 this week and the Strauss and Troy Market is back on Fountain Square.Stop by between 11am to 2pm to enjoy everything from fresh produce and flowers to baked goods and handmade trinkets. Grab a sandwich from Eli's BBQ or a hot dog from Kaimelsky's, indulge in some sweet treats from the Bonbonerie, or spend some time browsing isle's of specially crafted jewelry by Jimi Designs or Joystone Jewelry.

The Taft Museum of Arts annual Artists Reaching Classrooms (ARC) exhibition is on display through May 16 in the atrium of the Main Library. The exhibit showcases art, including painting, photography, digital design and ceramics, created by students from 12 area high schools.

The University of Cincinnati womens lacrosse team closes out its 2013 season this weekend with a set of home games and festivities to celebrate the year and honor its seniors. On Friday, April 26 at 4 p.m. the Bearcats play host to Villanova and then cap off the season against Rutgers Sunday, April 28 at 1 p.m. Both games will be played inside the Sheakley Athletics Center and admission is free.

Comic book fans assemble! Its time for the first Comic Con event Sunday, May 5, from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. in the atrium at the Main Library. The Library is joining forces with Arcadian Comics & Games and the Friends of the Public Library to present an afternoon filled with a comic book swap, booths, a comic book exhibit, a panel discussion with writers and illustrators, the Comic Con Drawing Contest award ceremony, the opportunity to take pictures with your favorite characters (Stormtroopers, Mandalorian Mercs, X-Men characters and more), and free comic books in celebration of Free Comic Book Day. Call 513-369-6900 or visit www.cincinnatilibrary.org/news/2013/comiccon.html.

I'm really excited that I get to join several of my best girlfriends in a couple of weeks to vacation in Florida. One of my friends, Raqui, has a time-share in West Palm Beach, and has invited our friends, Shannon, Liv and me to join her there. I'm really looking forward to getting away from the grey days (its raining again) here in the Midwest, and having some fun and relaxation in the sunny South.But before I pack my bags, I have to shop for a few necessities to get last years summer wardrobe up to speed.

Author Heather Shumaker will be at the Blue Ash Branch Library at 7 p.m. Monday, April 29. She will talk about her book, Its OK Not To Share and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids. The Blue Ash Branch is located at 4911 Cooper Road. Call 513-369-6051 for further information.

Soteni is hosting a meet and greet for Paul Odipo from Kenya Africa on Thursday April 25 at O'Bryon's Irish Pub inO'Bryonville.For many Kenyan runners, the passion for running is rooted in dreams of personal rewards. However, for Paul Odipo - who traveled thousands of miles from Nairobi, Kenya to Cincinnati, Ohio, to fulfill his dream of running a marathon in the USA - his goal is to help SOTENI International raise money to support our programs focused on reducing the incidence and effects of HIV/AIDS in rural Kenya.

The Bengals today signed free agent LB James Harrison, a five-time Pro Bowl selection for Pittsburgh and also a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Harrison (6-0, 242; Kent State) is a 10th-year NFL player in 2013, having played all his previous seasons with Pittsburgh. He entered the league in 2002 as an undrafted free agent and saw his first significant playing time in 2004.

Kenzie's CLOSET, a nonprofit organization located in OBryonville, is celebrating its eighth year and dressed close to 550 financially-disadvantaged local high school junior and senior girls this spring for the girls' proms. Kenzie's Closet held a recent fundraiser "Girls Night Out" at the Hyde Park Country Club and wanted to share some of the pictures with you.

The Cincinnati Masonic Center invites you, your family, friends and business associates to The Breakfast Lecture Series at the Cincinnati Masonic Center...Featured Speaker: Jim Neil, new Hamilton County Sheriff. Sheriff Neil, will discuss his administration's initiatives to improve efficiencies and the ways in which the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office can partner with citizens, businesses, civic groups, elected officials, and law enforcement personnel to keep our county moving in the right direction.

Students in four local Head Start programs will soon have new ways to learn and experience math and literacy with the help of CET and The PNC Foundation.CET, Greater Cincinnatis PBS station, is currently setting up Math & Literacy Corners at the Kemper Heights and Assumption Head Start locations as well as within the John P. Parker and Pleasant Hill elementary school Head Start programs. Each corner will include an iPad and Kindle pre-loaded with educational games and apps from PBS Kids; kits of materials with age-appropriate activities and books as well as resources for parents and teachers; a PBS Kids rug; and two large bean bag chairs to encourage students, parents and teachers to spend time in the space.

The Xavier Track and Field teams will be sending five runners to the prestigious Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, California this week. Seniors Rachel Clark and Hank Geer along with juniors Tom Ohlman, Abby Fischer, and Clare Fischer will be participating in the historic meet throughout the rest of this week. The five have already enjoyed remarkable careers as a Musketeer and will look to make the next step with success out west this week.

I don't know about you, but no matter how many tops, t-shirts and blouses I have (and believe me, I have a bunch), I never have the right one. If you buy a top to go with a specific pair of pants or skirt, the bottom portion of the outfit gets a tear, or you spill something on it, or you get a grass stain. Maybe the pants style goes from wide legs to skinnies, or the skirt from maxi to mini, the in color changes, or (worse yet), those short shorts you bought last year no longer cover enough to make them even marginally decent. Or the reverse happens, and your top gets ragged or stained. Either way, you end up with a slew of mismatched tops and bottoms that take up valuable space in your closet or bureau, but don't add up to even a few great outfits. These pieces get relegated to "round the house" or maybe "washing the car" wear.

Green thumbs and beginning gardeners alike are invited to bring plant cuttings and divisions to share with fellow gardeners at the Mariemont Branch Library Saturday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, for an Earth Day plant swap.While you're at the library, be sure to check out its collection of books on topics such as annuals, perennials, heirloom vegetables, and landscaping.

The University of Cincinnatis womens lacrosse team, in conjunction with UCATS, is hosting its inaugural BBQ Bash on Friday, April 26, 2013. The event will take place at the Sheakley Athletics Center immediately following the lacrosse game between UC and Villanova, which is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.

Remember when little girls looked like little girls and not miniature rock stars? A local designer and entrepreneur, Mary Helen Boeddeker, is bringing back that look. Mary Helen wants to bring youthfulness and joy back to childrens clothing. Mary Helen has formed a company called Mary Helen Clothing. Her main focus is designing clothing for young girls, but she has a few items for young boys and is slowly branching out into womens clothing. Mary Helen is a 2012 graduate of DAAP. While attending school she interned at Abercrombie, Carters and Justice so she learned a lot about the childrens clothing industry. Mary Helen has been sewing since she was 8 years old. She comes from a family of clothing designers. Two of her aunts are in the design business. One attended DAAP and the other is a graduate of Parsons. With their guidance and inspiration Mary Helen knew that she wanted to combine her design talents and her business acumen to form her own business.

The Public Library is partnering with SCORE Counselors to Americas Small Business, to offer Your Business: It Starts With a Plan, a free three-part series of instructional workshops Saturdays, May 11, 18 and 25, at the Main Library.A lot of people have experience in working at a business but most people have no experience in managing a business. So what we do is give them the knowledge of what to expect, said Tom Moon, a Counselor at Greater Cincinnati SCORE. He and fellow SCORE Counselor Mike Martin will be the main presenters at the workshops.Workshop topics include:

The Reds are "going to the dogs" tonight. Bark in the Park: Over 600 dogs and their owners will be at the ballpark tonight for the *sold out* Bark in the Park, presented by Iams and Kroger. Free Reds basebowl mat to the first 5,000 pet owners. Dog tickets for tonight are sold out, but fans can purchase dog tickets for the next Bark in the Park on Sept. 23: www.reds.com/dogday.

Xavier University held its annual men's basketball awards banquet tonight at the James and Caroline Duff Banquet Center at Cintas Center, honoring a Musketeer squad that finished 17-14 in its final of 18 seasons as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference.Fourth-year head coach Chris Mack passed out numerous awards, including a trophy for freshman Semaj Christon for being named to the Kyle Macy Freshman All-America Team.

By Andy Furman...Why the surprise and why the panic that your 2013 Cincinnati Reds are struggling to reach the .500 mark? Have faith my friends. Wasnt it your manager, Dusty Baker who said, and I quote, "All we want to do is be around the .500 mark?" Yup, he said it and I heard it. And this is the same Dusty Baker who didnt have those hangy-down things to tell management in spring training where he wanted Aroldis Chapman starter or reliever. But again, this is also the same manager who, lets face it, ruined the careers of many a pitcher, see Mark Prior and Kerry Wood.

The Bengals have re-signed HB Bernard Scott as an unrestricted free agent. Scott (5-10, 198; Abilene Christian) is a fifth-year NFL player in 2013, having spent his full career with the Bengals after being drafted in the sixth round in 2009.

The MYCincinnati Youth Orchestra is proud to present a concert that will benefit the Red Cross Measles & Rubella Initiative. Thanks to MYCincinnati students, more children around the world will be vaccinated against Measles and Rubella. Half the proceeds from this concert will go towards supporting the continuation and growth of MYCincinnati, which provides the opportunity for children in Price Hill to learn an instrument and play in an orchestra.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) proudly presents the final installment of the 2012-13 Studio Series with a production of Emily Manns powerful docu-drama Execution of Justice, directed by CCM Professor of Drama Michael Burnham. Execution of Justice runs April 18-20 in UCs Cohen Family Studio Theater. Admission is free, but reservations are required. This production contains mature subject matter.

Do you ever feel like you just don't have the right pants no matter how many pair you have in your closet? Then, if you're like me, you just pull out your favorite pair of jeans if you're going someplace casual, or black dress pants if you're going to work, and you really don't feel happy with what you have chosen. Blue jeans are great, and I love them, but I do get tired of them sometimes, and want something with a little more pizzazz, a little more color. And those black dress pants are certainly a necessity, but after a long, bleak winter, I'm ready for spring and even a taste of summer.

The SocialPoint app is now available for Free in the Google Play store. With the app you can fully interact with your Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn newsfeeds, post to any or all of them at one time, even search all of the feeds with just one touch. SocialPoint also integrates and manages the Text Message feeds for all AT&T customers. The SocialPoint app is now available for Free in the Google Play store.

The Xavier University baseball team will partake in the annual Joe Nuxhall Classic this week beginning with Cincinnati on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Games will be held at Marge Schott Stadium on Cincinnatis campus.The Joe Nuxhall Classic features Xavier, Cincinnati, Miami (Ohio) and Wright State in a two-day tournament-style event. The winner of the XU/UC game will face the winner of the MU/WSU contest on Wednesday evening, while the two losing schools will play Wednesday afternoon.

The Xavier womens golf team concluded the first round of the 2013 Wyoming Cowgirl Classic today tied for seventh place with a team score of 325 (+37). The Musketeers are tied with Montana, Sacramento State, and Eastern Michigan, and are only separated by five strokes with the fourth place team. Ariel McNair fired a team-low 80 (+8) in the first round and currently sits tied for 23rd.

Its that time of year the days are longer, warmer weather is around the corner, and the CET Action Auction is almost here! This years Action Auction will be broadcast live on CET from 5pm to 11pm Wednesday, April 10, though Friday, April 12, and then from 3pm to midnight Saturday, April 13.This is the 46th year for this live televised auction, which is the biggest annual fundraiser for CET, Greater Cincinnatis PBS station.

Full Circle - A Hitler-Youth boy spares the life of a Jewish Girl. Forty-five years later, distinct generations entwine against all odds. One Simple Digit - An Israeli born-again Jew, a taxi driver, helps an elderly American tourist, a Holocaust survivor, to start a new life. Sarale - A Jewish man in Nazi-occupied Poland pays his former Polish employee to shelter his 12-year-old daughter from the Nazis claws while he and the rest of the family relocate to the near-by Jewish ghetto. The girls uncle, a Holocaust survivor, learns her unexpected fate in a most bizarre way.

On Saturday, April 13, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful is hosting a one-of-a-kind recycling event at the Whole Foods Market in Rookwood Commons. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. you'll be able to safely recycle electronic waste like computers, TVs, and cell phones for free. These materials, when not properly disposed of, leach chemicals into the ground. When recycled, plastics, metals, and raw materials are reused in the manufacturing process, and we reduce the need to mine new material. For more information, see: KeepCincinnatiBeautiful.org

It's finally a beautiful day, and the forecast is for warming temperatures! Bring on the sandals and sundresses, summer is right around the corner!W ell, maybe I am being a little optimistic, but one of the things I love best about summer is sandals. I live in a place where we have cold winters and snow, so I am not able to go bare-legged for about six months of every year. Its tights, sox, pantyhose or boots, and I am so ready to throw all those things out the window and get into a gorgeous pair of sandals that a couple of warm days make me almost giddy with anticipation.

The days are getting long, the sun is getting hotter, and the smell of fringe is in the air. Whet your appetite for the 10th Anniversary of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival with your sneak peak of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival line-up, Wednesday April 17th. This will be an opportunity to eat, drink, be merry, and begin celebrating the Cincinnati Fringe Festivals 10th Birthday by perusing the 2013 festival line-up. There will also be a performance from fringe veteran Kevin Thornton. The announcement party begins at 6:30 pm and the viewing of An Evening with Kevin Thornton will begin at 8 pm.

The Xavier Track and field teams had a successful Easter weekend competing at the Oliver Nikoloff Invitational at the University of Cincinnati's Gettler Stadium. 13 Musketeers recorded top-10 finishes in several different events this past weekend including 10 individuals in the top-5.Senior captain Rachel Clark led the way for both teams with her 2nd place finish in the 800-meter in a time of 2:11.95. She led the entire race, which came down to the final step where she was out leaned by a runner from Miami of Ohio.

Are you a new or prospective business owner? Would you like assistance and advice on starting and running your business, including how to write a business plan? If so, then plan to attend Your Business: It Starts With a Plan, a free three-part series of instructional workshops conducted by specialists from SCORE, Counselors to Americas Small Business. Dates:Saturdays, May 11, 18 and 259:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

University of Cincinnati sophomore midfielder Megan Bell was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week Monday and senior attack Katie Kiriazoglou was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll after their performances Friday against the University of Detroit Mercy.

Cincinnati Police are looking for a black male age 25-30, height approximately 5"8" and weight approximately 165 lbs in connection with an incident that occurred at approximately midnight at 1800 Vine Street on March 30.The victim was riding his bike in the area of Findlay and Vine Streets when he was approached by a male black brandishing a knife. The suspect fled with the victims white Huffy bike, wallet, passport and cell phone.

Xavier University freshman guard Semaj Christon has been named to the 2013 Kyle Macy Freshman All-America Team, which was announced on Monday as part of the CollegeInsider.com award program. The top freshman will be announced and will receive his award on April 5 in Atlanta, the site of the 2013 NCAA Mens Basketball Final Four.

The University of Cincinnati womens lacrosse team won its inaugural game at the Sheakley Athletic Center, defeating the Detroit Titans 16-6, while sporting pink uniforms in support of Katelyn Wettigs family in front of a crowd of 253. The Bearcats 4-0 start at home continues their best home start in program history. Friday nights win snaps the Bearcats two-game losing streak as they record their fifth win of the season, tying the most program wins since the 2010 season.

The University of Cincinnati football team held its second scrimmage of the spring Saturday, moving downtown to Paul Brown Stadium, the home of the Cincinnati Bengals.The competition and effort was good, head coach Tommy Tuberville said. The defense won the day. We looked a little ragged on offense with way too many penalties. We have lots of room for improvement but if we continue to get this type of effort, we will have a chance. Our guys were energized and this is a beautiful facility. The Bengals were gracious enough to let us come down here today and we appreciate that.

It was the end of an era Saturday at University of Cincinnatis Gettler Stadium as Bill Schnier coached his final home meet at the Oliver Nikoloff Invitational. Schnier, who will retire at the end of the outdoor campaign after 33 years at UC, was honored during the meet by UC Director of Athletics Whit Babcock and the Department of Athletics. Along with Schnier, UC also held Senior Day, recognizing the achievements and careers of 13 student-athletes.

Dear Friends:My name is Lucas Gould - I'm 16 years old and 6'8" - and play basketball for Indian Hill High School. That might seem a natural conclusion - but playing basketball is a lot more than being tall.For me - basketball is learning how to take what I bring to the court - and - "team up" with the other guys - my teammates - to play the best that we can. It isn't always easy to get things together - keep what the Coach tells us - deal with each other - and - an opposing team.

By Andy Furman...Football has it all over baseball. Except in Cincinnati. Maybe thats what makes our town special. Especially on Opening Day. The Reds roll out their season, Monday, April 1st against an American League opponent for the very first time the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Doesnt matter a lick. They could be playing the Bad News Bears, tickets in Cincinnati for Opening Day will always be at a premium. The tradition, the love affair between a city and its baseball team, and of course the passion of the area fans is no better than in Cincinnati.The birth place of major league baseball always puts it best foot forward on Opening Day. And its a shame one of the long lasting traditions of the game has gone by the boards. That of Cincinnati opening their season prior to every other ball club.

Saturday is supposed to be a beautiful day. So bring the kids down to the new Washington Park to joinin the fun at the Easter Egg Roll. The event is scheduled fro 10am to noon. There will be over 6,000 Easter Eggs just waiting for the kids to scoop them up. I understand the Easter Bunny will be there as well.

The CCM 2012-13 Mainstage Series of Operas, Musicals and Dramas comes to a colorful close next week as we present Mozart's comedic singspiel Die Zauberflte (The Magic Flute) April 4 7 in Corbett Auditorium.One of the world's most loved operas, this production will be sung in German with English dialogue (with supertitles displayed). Mark Gibson conducts with stage direction by Steven Goldstein.

The Francis Xavier Homan Golf Center at Maketewah Country Club will officially open on Apr. 13 with an invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony.Xavier Director of Golf and mens golf coach Doug Steiner is excited about having such a prestigious club as its home golf course and a dedicated practice facility near campus for both the mens and womens golf programs.

The 7th annual Books by the Banks: Cincinnati USA Book Festival will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2013 (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati.Books by the Banks is one of the Tristate regions most popular literary events attracting book lovers of all ages who come together for a day of celebrating the joy and reading of books.For those authors and book illustrators interested in participating, the Books by the Banks 2013 author selection team is currently accepting submissions via their website at www.booksbythebanks.org.

Word is that Eli's BBQ may be opening an additional restaurant in Cincinnati's historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.Eli's at 3313 Riverside Drive (near Delta) in the East End, has been named the #10 Best Restaurant in the City (according to Cincinnati Magazine).

It's that time of year-the days are longer, warmer weather is around the corner, and the CET Action Auction is almost here! This year's Action Auction will be broadcast live on CET from 5pm to 11pm Wednesday, April 10, though Friday, April 12, and then from 3pm to midnight Saturday, April 13. This is the 46th year for this live televised auction, which is the biggest annual fundraiser for CET, Greater Cincinnati's PBS station.

I've always loved the Easter holiday, ever since I was a little girl. It has great religious significance, which I appreciate, of course, but it also opens the door to the Spring season. It makes me hopeful; spiritually, physically and mentally. For as far back as I can remember, I've gotten a new outfit to wear to church on Easter Sunday, and I still keep up the tradition as an adult. If it's a gorgeous, sunny day (we can hope), or a dreary, chilly one, I still venture out in the morning to join the throng at services in our cheery Spring finery.

The annual Findlay Market Opening Day Parade will begin at 12:00 PM so fans will have plenty of time to enjoy the parade before heading down to Great American Ball Park for the Opening Day Game against the Los Angeles Angels, which begins at 4:00 PM. In order to accommodate the staging area of the parade, the following streets in the Findlay Market area will close at 8:00 AM on Monday, April 1:

Xaviers Vinny Nittoli was named the Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Week on Monday afternoon by the conference office. This is the first award for a Musketeer this season and the first weekly award for Nittoli in his three-year career.

The YWCA Women's Art Gallery is pleased to present surreal photographs by Audrey Ann and fascinating paperclay sculptures by Lisa Merida-Paytes. The combination of their works in the gallery gives a sense of archeological and mystical exploration.

WHAT is JUST Community Youth Leadership Institute? JUST Community is BRIDGES for a Just Community's signature youth leadership development program for high school students in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky metropolitan areas. JUST Community gives students the opportunity to live and interact with a diverse group of people. Students and advisors from different ethnic, religious, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds experience the power of building and working with a diverse team. Delegates work to build a community based on inclusion, diversity, and justice for all.

Xavier will introduce its new athletic director, Greg Christopher, on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the Duff Family Banquet Center in Cintas Center. Xavier University President Michael J. Graham, S.J., will officially introduce Christopher as Xaviers new AD. After comments from Fr. Graham and Greg Christopher, Christopher will hold a media question and answer session. The entire event can be seen and heard live on GoXavier.com. Media in attendance will also have an opportunity for one-on-one interviews following the press conference.

The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team will play host to its inaugural match at the Sheakley Athletics Center Friday, March 29 when it battles the University of Detroit Mercy Titans at 7 p.m. ET.In celebration of its first competition at Sheakley, UC invites patrons to the Bearcats Fan Zone from 6-7 p.m. on the SAC concourse. The fan zone includes face painting, sign making, games and inflatables. In addition, the first 200 fans will receive a commemorative Sheakley Athletics Center hat and 2013 lacrosse schedule poster.

Hey teens, maybe youre a poet and you just dont know it. Theres one way to find out!During April, which is National Poetry Month, the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is teaming up with Elementz Urban Arts Center to present four workshops to help youth craft some original poems for the Teen Poetry Contest. Workshops are:

The Cincinnati Masonic Center invites you, your family, friends and business associates to The Breakfast Lecture Series at the Cincinnati Masonic CenterFeatured Speaker: Jim Neil, new Hamilton County SheriffSheriff Neil, will discuss his administration's initiatives to improve efficiencies and the ways in which the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office can partner with citizens, businesses, civic groups, elected officials, and law enforcement personnel to keep our county moving in the right direction.

There is a new restaurant/bar opening at the Banks today...The Yardhouse. I was there for the pre-opening party on Friday night and if the opening was any indication, it will be a great success. Samples of their best dishes were offered Friday night and everything was yummy. There is a large patio on the southwest side of the restaurant and even though it was chilly on Friday night, they have huge heaters on the patio that kept it toasty. There are plenty of tv's for all of you basketball fans and the atmosphere is casual and friendly.

Monday, April 1 - 11AM to 7PMJoin your fellow Reds' fans at Washington Park as we celebrate Opening Day! Festivities begin at 11AM with beverage sales, live DJ Music, games and MORE.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is delighted to report that Drama Department Chair Richard E. Hess has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to teach and research at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya during the 2013-14 academic year.

The Bearcats (4-2) open 2013 BIG EAST play as they travel to No. 10/8 Georgetown (5-2) on March 22 at 4 p.m. to battle the Hoyas, followed by another conference battle with the No. 11/18 Loyola University Greyhounds (2-5) on March 24 at 12 p.m.

What started as a response to the 01 Riots has blossomed into an urban creative hub.For what Cincinnatis racial riots of 2001 displayed in ugliness and violence, they also brought forward one thought amongst most people: something needs to change. And so when a group of activists began Cop Watch in 2002, they took their first step in causing this change. The group evolved and they began to formalize better ways to serve the community. In 2005 they officially opened Elementz, the Hip Hop Youth Arts Center located in Cincinnnatis West End.

Xavier University President Michael J. Graham, S.J., announced today that Xavier is joining a 10-team conference with fellow private schools Butler, Creighton, DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, St. Johns, Seton Hall, and Villanova. The conference will be officially named the Big East on July 1.

On Sunday, March 24, 2:00 pm, author Louise Borden speaks about her latest book, His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg, at The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Main Library. The acclaimed young adult author will present about her creative journey to write about the inspiring life of Raoul Wallenberg.

Unfortunately, I'm a few years past prom, but that doesn't make me uninvolved. I still love to look at the new styles, and there's always a cousin, niece, friend, neighbor or someone I know who can get still get me excited about picking the perfect dress for the big night. I also know that it's an evening that can be a huge expense, so I've tried to keep my choices to include some more moderately-priced gowns. I'm aware that these still represent a significant investment, but maybe I can at least give a taste of several different trends and styles, then you can scour the stores and the 'net for sales, coupons and special offers, and find your own perfect outfit for this big occasion.

Briana Lampley was an occupant with two other suspects of a car in Eden Park when she resisted arrest and fled in a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser at a high rate of speed. The Cincinnati Police Department is attempting to locate the above suspects.

The Green Township Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library is hosting a family night for families affected by Autism on Friday, March 22.This open house event is designed to provide an opportunity for a low-stress visit to the Library to explore books, activities, educational resources, and programs that meet the special needs of families with ASD.

The University of Cincinnati department of athletics will reinstate and increase funding to its Olympic sports scholarship programs, ensuring they are able to compete at the highest level nationally, director of athletics Whit Babcock announced Tuesday.Beginning in the fall of 2013-14, UC will implement an aggressive plan to ultimately offer the full NCAA complement of grant-in-aid scholarships to student-athletes in each of its 19 programs.

If you have a smartphone, City Hall has announced a new mobile app to give you easy access to city services. For those smartphone users out there, be sure to download the new Cincinnati City Hall Mobile App for your city services on the go. See download details below!This app can be used to report everything from trash and potholes on the street to broken windows, graffiti, and crumbling vacant properties or garages.

University of Cincinnati freshman LaCrosse goalkeeper Meg Gulmi was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week Monday following her performances last week against Liberty University and Presbyterian College. She was honored with Villanovas Jessica Mucci, who picked up BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Fifteen hundred Opening Day tickets will go on sale Saturday, March 23 at 9 am at the Great American Ball Park ticket windows only. The available tickets to the April 1 season opener vs. the L.A. Angels (4:10 pm) are limited to 1,000 View Level and 500 Standing Room Only. Ticket prices are $32 for View Level and $20 for Standing Room Only.

Alexander McCall Smith, one of the worlds most prolific and most popular authors, will visit the Main Library on Saturday, April 6, at 2:00 p.m. His career has been a varied one: for many years he was a professor of medical law and worked in universities in the United Kingdom and abroad. Then, after the publication of his highly successful No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, which has sold over 20 million copies, he devoted his time to the writing of fiction and has seen his various series of books translated into over 40 languages and become bestsellers throughout the world.

The Bearcats' women's lacrosse team defeated the Liberty University Lady Flames, 7-3, Thursday afternoon at Nippert Stadium, led by goalkeeper Meg Gulmi's 12 saves and a balanced scoring attack. The win marks the first time the Bearcats have won at least three games in a season since 2010.

It's back! Roller derby returns to the Cincinnati Gardens on Saturday, March 23, when the Cincinnati Rollergirls open their eighth season with a double-header against NEO (Northeast Ohio) Roller Derby of Akron, OH.The 2012 season includes the return of all the things fans love about Cincinnati Rollergirls games - including the same low ticket prices, free parking, tailgating and a $1 beer happy hour - plus some new features that will make the game day experience even more exciting:

Did you miss the Bockfest Parade last weekend. Don't worry, there are some really great pictures of the parade at http://www.blogotr.com/otr/2013-bockfest-parade-photos/.

This Saturday, grab your friends and make your way down to Fountain Square for Cincinnati's biggest and best St. Patrick's day Celebration! Enjoy traditional Irish fare, merchandise, dancing and live entertainment, courtesy of Claddaghs Irish Pub, CTM Merchandise and, of course, Guinness.

This Saturday, March 16 is the annual St. Patricks Day Parade (hope it warms up a little). So put on your favorite green shirt and head downtown for the festivities.The parade will stage on Culvert Street and southbound Eggleston Avenue, and will travel north on Eggleston Avenue, then west on Central Parkway, then south on Sycamore Street, then east on Fifth Street to the demarcation area on Sentinel Street. In order to allow the parade participants to stage, the following streets will close at 10:00 am:

SOTENI International, a Cincinnati-based non-profit that works in rural Kenya to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS and improve the lives of those affected by the disease, is hosting their 3rd annual A Cupcake Affair with a Kenyan Flair on Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 7:00 to 10:00 PM at the Peterloon Estate in Indian Hill located at 8605 Hopewell Road. Guests will delight in live African music and authentic Kenyan cuisine while participating in a silent auction featuring goods and services from Cincinnati to Kenya.

I don't care if you're of Irish heritage or not, everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day! If you're like me, you take any opportunity to celebrate, and part of the fun is dressing up in the color of the day. Fortunately, the big day falls on Sunday this year, so we can take the whole weekend to be green.

Xavier University freshman Semaj Christon has been named Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Year, Second Team All-Atlantic 10 and a member of the A-10 All-Rookie Team. Christon is the first XU player in Xaviers 18 seasons in the Atlantic 10 to win A-10 Rookie of the Year and the first XU freshman ever named to the A-10s first, second or third team.

University of Cincinnati midfielder Kylie Ramsland (Catonsville, Md./Chapelgate Christian Academy) was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Monday after accounting for 10 points, including eight goals last week in matches against Niagara and Iona. Her four goals in each match marked game-highs for both contests.

Seventh-seeded Xavier will face 10th-seeded Saint Josephs at 6:30 pm on Thursday in the first round of the 2013 Atlantic 10 Mens Basketball Championship at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The game will be broadcast on the NBC Sports Network. The winner advances to face No. 2 VCU in Fridays quarterfinals, also at 6:30 pm.

The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum is honoring Joe Morgan with a special exhibit that examines the many highlights of his illustrious career. Featuring game-used equipment, rare photographs, memorabilia and never-before-seen items from Joes personal collection, the exhibit shines a light on the player who many historians consider to be the best second baseman in the history of the game.

By Andy Furman...What a loss. Xavier and the University of Cincinnati have met 80 times in basketball with the Bearcats coming on top 49 times. Not now. The series, which was once dubbed the Crosstown Shootout is the annual mens college basketball game played between both schools. Remember, these schools are some three-miles apart making this arch rivalry one of the hottest in the country. For your history buffs, the game was first played in 1927, and has been played every year since 1946. And recently the game has been sponsored by Skyline Chili. This year the game was played at the U.S. Bank Arena, in conjuction with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and is now called The Skyline Chili Crosstown Classic.Cincinnati won, 60-45, yet Xavier has won 9 of the last 15.Enough of the history lesson.

Obviously you can navigate the Internet or you would never have found this article. But if you know someone who could use a few tips, Connect Ohio is offering free classes at the Library.Did you know that only 66% of Ohioans subscribe to an Internet service at home? Connect Ohio, in collaboration with the Ohio Broadband Task Force, is working to change that number by bringing the benefits of Internet access and knowledge to everyone in the state.

Applications for the 2013 Strauss Troy Market are now being accepted.. Click www.myfountainsquare.com to apply.

Last weekend was Bockfest, this weekend it's the Cincinnati International Wine Festival. I think I recognize a theme here. Anyway the main event of the Wine Festival, the wine tastings, are being held this Friday and Saturday at The Duke Energy Center. More than 700 wines from over 100 wineries are available to sample, while guests enjoy live music, delicious food and a silent auction.

Join us for the 31st Annual St. Patricks Day Celebration of Song and Dance, sponsored by the Friends of the Public Library, on Friday, March 15, at 11:45 a.m., in the Main Librarys Reading Garden Lounge.Featuring music with Foley Road and a special performance by the McGing Irish Dancers, this tribute to Irish heritage is family-friendly and fun. Reserved seating is available for Friends of the Public Library members by calling 369-6035.

The University of Cincinnati department of athletics and the BIG EAST Conference jointly announced the Bearcats' 2013 football schedule Wednesday.UC, winners of four of the past five BIG EAST Conference titles, will play Connecticut, Louisville, Purdue, Northwestern State, SMU and Temple at home while facing Houston, Illinois, Memphis, Miami (Ohio), Rutgers and USF on the road.All six of the Bearcats home games are scheduled to be played inside Nippert Stadium.

Unfortunately, lots of people are desperately seeking jobs right now. For many, months and months of job hunting have resulted in a loss of confidence and feelings of hopelessness. Hopefully, according to all reports, things are finally looking up, and more jobs are becoming available. Maybe it's time to get back out there and give it another try. If you've taken a position that you aren't excited about, it might be time to start looking for your dream job again. (Just remember, don't give up a sure thing until you lock in your new career.)

In appreciation for fan support throughout the 2012-13 basketball season, Xavier Athletics announced today a special $15 ticket offer to the final regular season home game against nationally-ranked Saint Louis this Wednesday, March 6 at 9:00 p.m. The offer is for a limited number of upper-level tickets, and while supplies last.The sale is on walk-up purchases only, beginning Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. Tickets may be purchased during normal business hours at the Xavier Athletics Ticket Office on the east side of Cintas Center, and at the event ticket windows beginning 90 minutes before tip-off.

Xavier women's golfer Breanna Patz has been named the Colonial Athletic Association's February Golfer of the Month as announced by the conference office. She shares the honor with UNCW's Lori Beth Adams after strong play to start the spring season.Patz finished tied for second place at the Le Triomphe Collegiate Invitational after carding 75-77-76--228 (+12) on the 72 par, 6,226-yard course of the Le Triomphe Country Club in Broussard, La.

Xavier women's golfer Breanna Patz has been named the Colonial Athletic Association's February Golfer of the Month as announced by the conference office. She shares the honor with UNCW's Lori Beth Adams after strong play to start the spring season.Patz finished tied for second place at the Le Triomphe Collegiate Invitational after carding 75-77-76--228 (+12) on the 72 par, 6,226-yard course of the Le Triomphe Country Club in Broussard, La.

This weekend is Bockfest in Cincinnati. Festivities begin with a parade on Friday night. Led by a goat pulling a key of bock beer and the Sausage Queen the parade begins at Arnold's Bar and Grill and ends at Bockfest Hall where the ceremonial first keg is blessed. There will be live entertainment, great food, walking tours, a homebrew competition, a 5K and lots of bock beer.

The University of Cincinnati swimming and diving teams sit in fifth place in the mens division and seventh in the womens Wednesday evening after the opening round of the 2013 BIG EAST Conference Championships at IUPUI Natatorium.Through three events in each division, the Bearcats men own 58 team points while the UC women have totaled 54.

Last time we talked about dresses, and particularly dresses suitable for both work and fun in the spring and summer. And, knowing me, one of the things I found most attractive about wearing dresses is that we would have a chance to show off our cute summery shoe collection. Well, I've been scoping out lots of shoes, and believe me, it was an enjoyable chore. There are tons of gorgeous shoes out there, in every imaginable color and style. It's not, however, always easy to find something suitable for work.

National Passport Day is Saturday, March 9, and the Main Library is making it easy to apply for a passport all weekend. The Information & Reference Department, located on the second floor of the South Building, will have additional staff available to assist customers with their passport applications Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, March 10, from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are accepted as staffing permits. To schedule an appointment, call 513-369-6900.

The Cincinnati Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit is investigating a theft offense where in the unidentified suspect, who is described as being a male black in his mid to late tweenties through early thirties, between the dates of March 16th, 2012 and June 22, 2012, made numerous ATM withdrawls and merchant purchases, using a stolen credit card.

The City Manager Milton Dohoney, will be having three Public Meetings to briefly discuss the parking project that is being evaluated for the City of Cincinnati. They are scheduled as follows:* February 25, 3-5 pm, Oakley Community Center* February 28, 6-8 pm, Invest In Neighborhoods meeting, Cincinnati Fire Museum, 315 West Court Street* February 28, 6-8 pm, Corryville Community CenterOfficial public notices of these meetings will be distributed by the City Managers office.

Know Theatre is thrilled to announce the regional premiere of COCK by Mike Bartlett as our next mainstage production. This will be only the second American production following its premiere at the Royal Court Theatre, London. COCK opens April 12, 2013 and runs through May 11, 2013. Brian Robertson, who currently teaches in the Theatre and Dance Department at Northern Kentucky University, will direct this production. Some of his past directing credits include Camelot at the Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center and A Flowering Tree at Cincinnati Opera. Casting is currently underway and will be announced shortly.

CET is excited to announce that the station will be hosting the first ever CET Action Auction Art Show & Sale later this month. The event, which is open to the public, will be held from 6pm to 8pm Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Champion Window showroom at 12121 Champion Way in Sharonville.Artwork is on display and available for viewing during regular showroom hours through Thursday from 9am to 7pm. The show is sponsored by Champion and Montgomery Inn and will include wine, cheese and appetizers.

Freshman shortstop Colin Hawk was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning and the University of Cincinnati baseball team produced its first win of 2013 with a 7-6 triumph over Western Carolina in the First Pitch Invitational finale Sunday evening at Fluor Field.In the final inning, Cincinnati outfielder Matt Williams walked with two outs before freshman first baseman Jeff Murray singled to right center to put runners on the corners. Freshman catcher Woody Wallace was intentionally walked to load the bases, setting up Hawks hit by pitch that ended the ballgame.

The Xavier women's golf team will travel to Miami Lakes, Fla., for the Sir Pizza Terrapin Challenge on Monday, Feb. 25, and Tuesday, Feb. 26. The 54-hole tournament will be hosted by the University of Maryland at Shulas Golf Club, and will begin with a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. on Monday.

BY ANDY FURMAN....I really didn't mean to put the kiss of death on Mick Cronin and his University of Cincinnati basketball Bearcats.But I think I did.After they fell to the University of Connecticut in Hartford the other night, in overtime no less, my statements proved true.This team is hovering around the .500 mark since the first of the year. It's no coincidence they started their play in the Big East the same the.The Bearcats racked up some 14, 15 wins against teams most people never heard of, let alone locate with a GPS.It's simply fools gold. Honestly, it's a cheap way to build a resume and a false sense of security for the players.More than that it's cheating the paying public.

University of Cincinnati football head coach Tommy Tuberville completed his 2013 coaching staff Friday, naming Steve Clinkscale as defensive backs coach.Clinkscale, who comes to Cincinnati after a year coaching the cornerbacks at Illinois, replaces John Lovett who left UC to join the Philadelphia Eagles staff.

This spring, artists have a chance to design and install large-scale sculptures made of recyclable material at the newly renovated Washington Park, AND win cash prizes. Applications are now being accepted and must be mailed, faxed or emailed by no later than 5pm EST on Friday, March 8, 2013.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is pleased to announce its first Comic Con will be held May 5 at the Main Library. However, until that illustrious day arrives, writers and illustrators can get their superhero-sci-fi-zombie-manga fix with a wide range of workshops and contests being held during March and April. Learn firsthand from published comic book experts and try your own hand at creating characters and stories.For details, visit www.cincinnatilibrary.org/news/2013/comiccon.html or call 513-369-6900.

The Xavier womens 200 medley relay team opened the Atlantic 10 Mens and Womens Swimming and Diving Championships with a bronze medal to set the tone for a successful first day of competition. At the completion of day one, the womens team sits in sixth place out of 11 teams and the mens squad trails only St. Bonaventure.

University of Cincinnati womens soccer head coach Neil Stafford announced Wednesday the programs 2013 spring exhibition schedule.We are excited to play our upcoming spring practice season, said Stafford. Our team has been working extremely hard on the practice field and in the weight room since the beginning of the semester. We look forward to the chance to play against five quality opponents.

Take a look into the vibrant, exciting, talented, and sometimes mystical life of a local legend during An Afternoon with Bobby Mackey at the Main Library March 9 at 1 p.m. in the Reading Garden Lounge.Hear Mackeys music as well as stories from his Northern Kentucky bar Bobby Mackey's Music World and what its like to own one of the most haunted destinations in America.

I love to wear dresses, but I must admit, that in the winter I generally wear a lot more pants than skirts. Pants are warmer, you can get by with wearing the same comfortable shoes or boots several days in a row, you can even wear socks, and not shave your legs as often. In fact, I sometimes find myself getting in a rut, wearing the same few pair of slacks over and over with different tops, sweaters or jackets. Well, it's time to get out of that rut and get inspired. Soon, well be able to go bare-legged again, and to slip our tootsies into those gorgeous colored pumps or strappy sandals without fear of frostbite. We won't have to wear two or three layers of clothing just to get through the day without a bad case of the shivers. We'll be able to dress like women again!

The Xavier University swim teams will embark on a trip to Geneva, Ohio for the Atlantic 10 Swimming and Diving Championships held Feb. 20-23 at the Spire Institute. The Musketeers participated in a meet at the Spire Institute earlier this season, featuring fellow A-10 members La Salle, St. Bonaventure, Butler and Duquesne.

Vince Suriano, a long-time head coach at Anderson High School, has been named director of high school and player relations, University of Cincinnati football head coach Tommy Tuberville announced Tuesday.Suriano joins UC after a season as the senior offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach at Thomas More College. In his role at UC, he will manage the Bearcats on-campus recruiting program and focus on outreach and relationships with high school programs within the tri-state area.

University of Cincinnati freshman midfielder Courtney Curtis (Mason, Ohio/William Mason) has been named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the week of Feb. 18 for her performance against Coastal Carolina University.Curtis had six points, including five goals in a 13-8 win over the Chanticleers on Feb. 15, helping the Bearcats to their first season-opening win since 2009 and becoming the first freshman to score five goals for UC since Katie Liberatore (March 7, 2010 vs. Duquesne).

The Xavier University women's basketball team jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, leading wire-to-wire in a 59-40 win over Rhode Island, Sunday in Atlantic 10 action on senior day at Cintas Center.Xavier (9-15, 3-7 A-10) handed Rhody (5-19, 0-9 A-10) its 13th straight loss and seventh consecutive in the series. XU held URI under 50 points, the third time this season and 61st time since the 2002-03 campaign.

Florida Atlantic University catcher Mike Spanos walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning sent the University of Cincinnati baseball team home with a 4-3 loss Sunday at FAU Baseball Stadium.FAU right fielder Corey Keller hit a first-pitch leadoff triple in the bottom of the 10th and three pitches later Spano lined a 1-0 pitch through the right side of the infield to win the ballgame 4-3.

The Florence Freedom are asking for your help to save the life of a fellow peer in the baseball world. Chris Herrell is 39 years old and is a member of the Cincinnati Reds front office staff. He is the husband of wife Laurie for 15 years and they have three young children: eight-- year--old Chase, two--year--old Rickson and Alani, who was just adopted this past September right before Chris became sick. Chris has worked in ticket sales for the Cincinnati Reds the past 15 years and was recently diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a rare form of blood cancer. His only cure is a bone marrow transplant. Presently, no donors in the bone marrow registry match Chris. A match must be found to save his life. Without it, his wife and children will lose him to this battle.

CET will be presenting THE CINCINNATI BOYCHOIR: A TREATURE OF YOUTH AND SONG on digital channel CET Arts at 8:30pm on Sunday February 24.This special program, which was recorded at the Queen Citys historic Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine, features the renowned Cincinnati Boychoir singing a collection of classic and contemporary songs such as Let There Be Peace on Earth, Lift Evry Voice, Amazing Grace, The Sally Garden, Climbin Up the Mountain and more.

The University of Cincinnatis womens lacrosse team opens the 2013 season Friday when it travels to Conway, S.C. to take on Coastal Carolina University. This is the first ever meeting between the Bearcats and Chanticleers (Chants) as 2013 is the inaugural season for CCU. Fridays contest is also the first of the season for the Chants.

Looking for a way to treat your Valentine to a romantic evening without breaking the bank? Then make your way down to the US Bank Ice Rink on Fountain Square where you can enjoy 2-for-1 skating and admission from noon to 9pm. But wait, there's more!

Everybody loves flowers! Getting them, giving them, planting them, smelling them, just looking at them makes us feel better. Each one is like a little miracle. They make us happy. So, why not wear them, and get that feeling all day long? Well, we're lucky that florals are another big trend this spring season. Florals are popping up all over, and I've found some great ones on the shopping sites this week.

Hey hockey fans have you heard about Library Card Night at the Cyclones game1. Get a discount! Show your RED Library card at the Box Office and save on tickets to the Cincinnati Cyclones vs. Evansville Icemen game on March 9. Or, order tickets online to get a discount by entering the password READ at http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/160048EC87EC424D

Members of the University of Cincinnati football team and department of athletics traveled to Columbus Wednesday as the 2012 Bearcats were recognized for their accomplishments at the Ohio Statehouse.Making the trip were director of athletics Whit Babcock, director of player personnel Antrione Archer, defensive lineman Adam Dempsey (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands), offensive lineman Parker Ehinger (Rockford, Mich./Rockford), kicker Tony Miliano (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) and defensive back Chris Williams (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods). University staff included, vice president for governmental relations & university communications, Margie Rolf, assistant vice president for governmental relations and Michael Carroll, assistant vice president for governmental relations.

Can't wait for the baseball season to start?Guarantee your seats to Opening Day and Opening Night, plus eight weekend games with the Reds Power Pack on sale Saturday, Feb. 16 at 9 a.m. only on reds.com. The 2013 Power Pack starts with two games against the Angels and also includes great weekend matchups with the Cardinals, Cubs, Brewers, Pirates, Dodgers and Mariners. Five of the games have post-game fireworks shows.

First pitch of the 2013 college baseball season is this Friday and the Xavier Musketeers are prepped to open their season with a three-game series at the College of Charleston. As the start of the season rapidly approaches, XUs outfield is taking shape.

Nearly 60 percent of University of Cincinnati student-athletes had a 3.0 or better semester grade point average (GPA) and 18 had a perfect 4.0, according to Fall 2012 semester academic data highlighted by the UC athletic department. The department also announced team academic data and individual academic leaders.

Whether youre looking for a new job, advancing in your career, or starting your own business, the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is a valuable resource to have. JOB SEEKERS: REFERENCEUSA...Not all companies post their job openings in newspapers or online job search sites. Find the Hidden Job Market with ReferenceUSA, a program the Library offers to teach you how to use ReferenceUSA to track down and target these hidden jobs.

Xavier University freshman guard Semaj Christon has been named Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week for the fifth time this season. Christon had a team-high tying 16 points to go with a game-high eight assists, a career-high seven rebounds and two steals in Xaviers 73-65 win over Duquesne in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The Xavier mens and womens track and field teams had one final tune-up for the Atlantic 10 Championships when they competed at the Hoosier Hills Invitational this past weekend. While some of the top competitors for both sides did not run, many new personal records fell in Bloomington.

Mitch's Mission along with the University of Cincinnati football team will play host to a Third Annual Playdate With The Bearcats on Sunday, Feb 10, 2013 from 2-5 p.m. at UC's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. The fundraiser will benefit pediatric cancer and blood disease patients at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.The event is designed as a carnival-like, family-fun event, featuring UC student-athletes from the football team and other varsity sports along with the Bearcat mascot.

The Cincinnati Reds announced the inaugural Reds Collegiate Invitational will feature the University of Cincinnati and University of Louisville baseball teams playing at Great American Ball Park on Sat., April 6, 2013. The UC vs. UofL BIG EAST Conference matchup will begin 30 minutes after the Reds vs. Washington Nationals game at 1:10 p.m., marking the first NCAA game played at Great American Ball Park since opening in 2003.

By Andy Furman...Let me preface this before we proceed. I am a big-time college basketball fan and I wish no ill-will against the team that has the city's name on the front of their jerseys. I'm talking about the University of Cincinnati. But perhaps there's something the Bearcats rookie athletic director, Whit Babcock knows that we dont. Seems Whit is in love with his basketball coach, Mick Cronin. Why not? Mick took the Bearcats to the NCAA Tournament a year ago, and was instrumental in putting out the fires after the Xavier-UC brawl. Yeah, Mick said all the right things at the right time. He's seemed to garner the interest of the community, and although the crowds aren't all the way back at Fifth-Third Arena, they're coming. Slowly, but coming. And if you want to know why they're staying away well, I'm glad you asked.

The Xavier women's soccer team would like to welcome eight new faces to the 2013 women's soccer roster as announced by head coach Woody Sherwood. Celeste Carlson (Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South), Tori Doss (Carmel, Ind./Carmel), Ellie Eckerle (Villa Hills, Ky./Notre Dame), Maggie Hare (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West), Maddy John (Sagamore Hills, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit), Erika LaRosa (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton), Erin Lattimer (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) and Rachel Piccus (Solon, Ohio/Laurel) will be joining the Musketeers' roster this coming fall.

You can begin Mardi Gras Celebrations tonight at MainStrasse in Covington. There will be live music in the entertainment tent, featuring Nake Karate Girls on Friday and 4th Day Echo on Saturday. Music begins after the parades each night

Celebrate Mardi Gras this Sunday at Findlay Market. Celebrations will be held on the south side of the market house along Essen Street. Bring the whole family to this free event. There will be four bands and a traditional lowland seafood boil. The OTR Biergarten will be open, selling Christian Moerlein beers, and Market Wines will host a special winetasting.

Have you started your spring cleaning early? Have your kids or teens outgrown their book and movie collections? Or maybe youre downsizing from a house to a condo. Whatever the reason, the Anderson Township Library Association (ATLA) is looking for your books, CDs and DVDs.Every year ATLA holds two used book sales to benefit the Anderson and Mt. Washington branch libraries. Last year the proceeds from the summer sale and the holiday sale totaled $40,000. Over the past 30 years, ATLA has raised more than $1 million in funds for the two libraries.

The University of Cincinnati football added 22 student-athletes to its roster, including five who enrolled in January 2013 and will participate in spring football, head coach Tommy Tuberville announced Wednesday, the beginning of the NCAA initial signing period for football.Our coaches did an outstanding job of catching up, Tuberville said. We are bringing guys in who can help the team win. I dont want to give offers and scholarships out just to give them out. We have immediate needs at starters and backups so there is no better way than doing that than bringing in some junior college players. The players we have signed will be able to help the team in the near future and we are looking forward to getting started this spring.

"At approximately 6:25 today an employee, male white in his forties, of DBest Printing was robbed at gunpoint. He was loading printing boxes into the doorway at 316 West Fourth Street when he was approached by the suspect. The suspect pointed a small caliber weapon possibly a .25 caliber and stated " Give me your wallet and keys or I'll shoot you."A short struggle ensued and the victim gave up the keys and wallet. The suspect fled on foot east toward Plum Street, where the keys were found on the sidewalk.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and whether you currently have a Valentine or not, its certainly a day worth celebrating. Remember when you were in grade school and you always wanted to wear a red outfit so you could look pretty and valentine-y when passing out those cards to your friends in class? I still feel that way on Valentine's Day, and always wear red to celebrate. And even if I'm not in a romantic relationship on the all-important day, I always make it a point to find some friends who are similarly situated to make an evening of it. Why mope around by yourself when you can hang out with friends? Hey, maybe this will be the day when you'll meet that someone special.

The Cincinnati Reds and 700 WLW announced today the renewal of the radio rights agreement to broadcast all regular and postseason games through 2017. As part of the agreement, 700 WLWs game coverage will serve as the flagship for the Reds Radio Network, one of the largest in sports with 93 affiliates in nine states.

Junior Chad Thompson and freshman Luke Johanns each earned Atlantic 10 swimming accolades after helping break pool records at the OConnor Sports Complex in Xaviers meet with Wright State last Saturday.Thompson was named the A-10 Mens Swimming and Diving Co-Performer of the Week with Fordhams Shintaro Noguchi. A native of Dekalb, Ill., Thompson won both the 400 individual medley (4:09.29) and the 100 back (52.52). He then teamed with Johanns and seniors David Maxwell and Pablo Morejon to break the pool record in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:23.85.

Hue Jackson will take on new roles on the Bengals coaching staff in 2013, serving as special assistant to head coach Marvin Lewis and as running backs coach. Jackson is in his second term as a Bengals assistant, having re-joined Cincinnati in 2012. He was Oakland Raiders head coach in 2011, with an 8-8 record that tied for best in the AFC West. He had two of the NFLs best rushing attacks during two seasons at Oakland, including 2010 as offensive coordinator. Released by the Raiders after the break-even 11 season, Jackson spent 12 in Cincinnati assisting position coaches with special teams and defensive backs.

Cincinnati Reds Right Handed Pitcher Mike Leake has agreed to terms on a 1-year contract for the 2013 season, avoiding arbitration.

The longstanding dental practice of Golub and Dock Pediatric Dentistry will continue to operate at 9505 Montgomery Road, with a new name, and under the sole ownership of Murray Dock. With the retirement of Joel Golub, D.D.S., the practice has been renamed Montgomery Pediatric Dentistry, and will continue under the direction of Murray Dock, D.D.S., M.S.D.

Now you can read copies of your favorite magazines on your tablet, computer or mobile device for free. Enjoy current issues of over 160 popular titles, including: Consumer Reports, Seventeen, Newsweek, Elle, National Geographic, Rolling Stone, Runner's World, ESPN The Magazine, and Food Network.

Doesnt it always seem like our kids know technology better than we do? Thats all well and good if youre playing on your iPhone at home, but when youre in front of a classroom of 25 kids, what do you do? How do you encourage those kids to use the technology in a safe and educational way? And how can you use that technology to engage children in school?In addition to the wide variety of professional development workshops CET already offers for teachers, were excited to announce a new workshop: Learning for the Mobile Age. This workshop which can be taken online, in-person or through a blended version of the two is designed to help teachers and educators overcome the challenges of teaching and learning with mobile devices.

3CDC is hiring for seasonal positions as well as a few full time positions as well. They wanted to get the word out to downtown residents, especially those that may be in the market for a part-time seasonal job at Fountain Square/Washington Park. Feel free to give Tamara Brooks a call (513-621-4400) and/or visit their website www.3cdc.org for more information.

On February 8 and 9, 2013, Cincinnati will be rocking with more than 25 blues bands. The Cincy Blues Society's Winter Blues Fest celebrates over two decades of supporting the Blues. This year's festival showcases the best local and regional Blues musicians for two nights, from 7:00 pm to 1:00 am at The Phoenix in downtown Cincinnati.

Steve Specht of St. Xavier is the winner of the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year award, the NFL announced today.As the national Shula Award winner, Specht will receive $25,000, of which $15,000 will go to the St. Xavier football program. Specht is a guest of the NFL this week at the Super Bowl, and he was congratulated by Shula today at a news conference in New Orleans.Specht is a former winner of the Paul Brown Excellence in Coaching award, presented annually by the Bengals to an outstanding high school football coach in the Cincinnati region. Specht was the Paul Brown winner for the 2005 season.Specht was among 45 original nominees for the Shula Award.

Well it looks like the City and Duke Energy have finally reached an agreement to begin moving utilities so that the Streetcar Project can move forward. Just this week, Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls, asked the administration for a report on the possibility of getting the Streetcars operational for the All-Star Game in Cincinnati in 2015.Today, Mayor Mark Mallory and City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. announced that the City of Cincinnati and Duke Energy have reached an agreement on the Streetcar project.Under the agreement, Duke Energy will begin moving its utilities now, while a court determines responsibility for the relocation costs later. The City and Duke have also agreed to an operations plan for how Duke and the City will work in partnership once the Streetcar is operational.

As part of a festive Mardi Gras celebration, Ohios Largest King Cake will be constructed, iced, decorated, and then cut into slices and served to the public at the Main Library (8th and Vine streets) on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 1-4 p.m. Members of The Greater Cincinnati Retail Bakers Association will be constructing the massive 10-by-6-foot cake.

Kroger announced today that they are going to be lowering prices on their private label and name brand products. That's a good thing, I guess. Somehow those lower prices never seem to be on the products I want to buy. But, and this is the killer, no more double coupons. How could you Kroger? How will we spend those wintery Sunday afternoons, if we can't clip coupons and plot how to get the most out of them?

Already on a road trip for Super Bowl XLVII, the Baltimore Ravens took another one Thursday, splitting their second day of full-scale workouts for their game against San Francisco between their NFL-assigned Tulane University FieldTurf practice field and the grass fields at the New Orleans Saints facility in nearby Metairie.

The incident occurred at: Liberty Shell Gas Station, 30 East Liberty Street Specifics: Larry Stone was arrested on 1/30/2013 for an armed robbery at the Shell Station at 30 E. Liberty Street. Mr. Stone using a realistic looking BB gun approached the clerk and demanded money. Mr. Stone fled, but was later located by District One Officers at 827 York Street where he was involved in a physical altercation where he pointed a pistol at a female victim. District One officers quickly apprehended the suspect and determined he was the suspect in the earlier robbery. Mr. Stone was charged with several other robberies of as stations in the District 5 area. Anyone with information about this or any other crime is asked to call Police Dispatch at 513-765-1212 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 513-352-3040. To send a text message, type CINTIP and the message, and then send it to CRIMES (that is, 274637). Callers may remain anonymous and may receive compensation for their information.

By Andy Furman...NEW ORLEANS --- You might argue about the restaurant serving the best Cajun food here. But honestly, theres no argument about who is the leader spiritual on and off the field for the Baltimore Ravens. And with the Super Bowl just three days away Ray Lewis' name looms bigger than life as the game approaches. He's a magician. A pied piper if you will. Proof positive came just the other day at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, during Media Day. No less than 500 media members packed around his podium to find his final thoughts for the big game.Yes, final thoughts.

Wanna take a streetcar to the All Star Game when it is played in Cincinnati in 2015? If it is up to Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls, you will be able to do just that. Due to various reasons the start date for the project is sometime in the spring of 2016. But, Roxanne Qualls is asking City Manager Milton Dohoney to develop a plan to have the streetcar up and running in time for the 2015 game.

Two of the hottest color trends for Spring are pretty and delicate pastels and bright citrusy shades. Orange tones in anything from the softest peach to nearly red are all the rage. And one of the most popular pastels seems to be light green, with mint popping up in everything from clothing to accessories to home decor.

The Library will host an open house for parents about applying for federal student financial aid Sunday, February 10, from 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. in TeenSpot at the Main Library.Volunteers with expertise in navigating the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process will discuss timelines, filing options, forms, and other key information needed that will help college-bound teens and young adults complete the application process. One-on-one consultations will also be available for those already engaged in the process, but who need assistance with specific questions.

By Andy Furman...NEW ORLEANS --- Lets be real here. The Super Bowl isnt about the game to kick-off Sunday at 6 pm (eastern).The game is played all week long here, inside the New Orleans Convention Center. Thats where merchants peddle their wares, and former athletes are here to serve as spokespeople and radio row with something like a 1,000 local, national and international outlets gobble up these jocks for their guests. Its a simple cycle. And it runs the entire week. The game, really, is secondary. Even Boomer Esiason, the former Bengal quarterback who is here covering the game for CBS Television, marvels at the growth of the game and the game within the game.

Even if you don't want to spend hours at the Blackjack table or if playing the slots bores you, you will still want to drop by the Horseshoe Casino when it opens in March, just to sample the food. In addition to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, and Jack Binion's Steak, famous TV chef Bobby Flay will also be opening Bobby's Burger Palace at the Casino. And it features, guess what, BURGERS. Yummy, delicious gourmet burgers. There are only 13 other BBP locations in the U.S. at this point, mostly on the East Coast, but now we will have our own.

Jim Anderson, who coached five Pro Bowl players and many outstanding others during a 29-year Bengals career as running backs coach, today informed the club that he is retiring. It has been a great run with the Bengals, and Im happy to have ended it with two straight playoff teams and three in the last four years, Anderson said. The memories will last forever, and Im proud and grateful to have had the opportunity. Its a new challenge for me to move on, because I love coaching, but its time.

By Andy Furman...NEW ORLEANS --- Yes, its everything its hyped to be. Im not talking about the Super Bowl Im talking about my stay here. Certainly you cant starve here and if I were a few years younger, I could probably get myself in a heap of trouble. In short, this place has it all great food, bars, parties, and did I mention bars? Seems like theres one on every corner and everyone is crowded. Could be the magic of the Super Bowl come Sunday or maybe no one works here? And that could be a good thing. I will say this smoking in the streets is fine. And, yes you can carry a drink in the street, too. Are you listening Cincinnati? Doesnt make these people bad, you know.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) proudly presents a sprawling, elegant production of American playwright William Saroyans award-winning five-act play The Time of Your Life, running Feb. 6 (preview) - 10 in UCs Patricia Corbett Theater.Set in a run-down waterfront dive bar on the docks of San Francisco (Nicks Pacific Street Saloon, Restaurant and Entertainment Palace) in October of 1939, The Time of Your Life is filled with colorful characters, love and the follies of humanity. CCM Associate Professor of Drama Diane Kvapil directs.

he University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Musics (CCM) Philharmonia Orchestra, Chamber Choir and Chorale will present a rare two-evening run of Giuseppi Verdis Requiem at 8 p.m. on both Friday, Feb. 1, and Saturday, Feb. 2, in UCs Corbett Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now.CCM mounts these performances in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the composers birth, which will be Oct. 10, 2013. Huge choral and orchestral forces come together for this highlight of the 2013 CCM Orchestra Series, with choirs prepared by Earl Rivers, director of Choral Studies, and Brett Scott, Choral Studies faculty member, as well as performances led by Maestro Mark Gibson, director of Orchestral Studies and of the CCM Philharmonia.

Frontier Airlines, a low cost airline based in Denver, will begin offering flights out of Cincinnati International airport beginning beginning May 17. Now before you get too excited, it is only two flights a day, one to and one from Denver. We have a beautiful airport. Regrettably it is only half full. Hopefully this is a start back to its glory days. If you are planning a trip to Denver after May 17, you might want to make reservations now because they are offering introductory fares as low as $99 each way if you book by February 2. You will be flying on a 168 passenger Airbus 320.

Red may be the color of love, but its also the color of your library card from the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Use it this year to create your own special Valentines Day gift or to send an old-fashioned card to your modern-day sweetheart. Plus, be sure to visit the display of antique Victorian valentines on display at the Main Library.Victorian Valentine Display... Visitors to the Main Library, 800 Vine Street, can view the Victorian valentines that are on display in cases by the elevators on the second and third floors of the South Building.

This is Andy Furman from the Super Bowl in New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS. Eat your hearts out. Its 71 degrees here today and not a cloud on the sky. Just returned from a walk on Canal Street, and most of the people, ugh, tourists are wearing shorts. In January? Go figure. The Super Bowl hasnt been in this city for 11 years. Places like Jacksonville, Dallas and Indianapolis have served as first-time hosts since then.So what does that mean? More and more locales want to host this event. And why not? Exposure. Money flushed into the economy and tourism. A city just cant buy this exposure. James Carville, a New Orleans native is co-chair of the Super Bowl Host Committee. He summed it up perfectly when he said, We have 23,000 hotel rooms within walking distance; and nobody does hospitality like we do. I agree.

Friday, February 1st is the 8th annual Balls Around the Block pub crawl benefiting Fido Field. The pub crawl goes around the block - Walnut, 7th, Vine, and 6th. There drinks specials at each location. This is the only fundraiser for the downtown dog park. Advanced Registration is required through www.ballsaroundtheblock.com .

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing "Camelot in Concert" at the Carnegie in Covington. I wasn't sure what the "in concert" meant, but because I love the music , I decided to take a chance. I was delightfully surprised.The orchestra was on stage, but so were the actors. Including dialogue with the songs they presented the entire play in costume. The only thing missing was the staging, but the actors were so good, you didn't even notice. Their beautiful voices made you forget about the orchestra on the stage and took you straight to Camelot.

Major League Baseball and the Cincinnati Reds will hold the2015 All-Star Game at Great American Ball Park. The 2015 All-Star Game will be the 86th Midsummer Classic. It will mark the fifth time that the Reds have hosted the All-StarGame, having also done so at Crosley Field in 1938 and 1953,and at Riverfront Stadium in 1970 and 1988.

Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig today announced that Major League Baseball is committing $1.5million to the development of the Reds MLB Urban Youth Academy, a future state-of-the-art facility that willprovide free, year-round baseball and softball instruction and educational programs to Greater Cincinnati youthfrom ages six to 18. The Reds MLB Urban Youth Academy, which will be located at Roselawn Park in Cincinnati,is also supported by Procter & Gamble, the City of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, and Redsowners and players.

Last week I suggested some basic necessities for your winter cruise or warm weather vacation, so I thought today we'd round out our wardrobe with the final touches in the way of footwear, bags and jewelry. I'm still getting ready for my imaginary warm-weather adventure by scanning all the on-line shopping sites and brick-and-mortar stores for the items we'll need to take full advantage of our respite from winter, so let's get started!

Maggiano's Restaurant at Kenwood Towne Center is holding Kids' Cooking Class on Saturday, February 2nd at 10:30 amChildren ages 5 and up are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult.The kids get to learn the steps of how to prepare their very own lasagna,sample a taste of ours and take theirs home with them!$20.00 per person all-inclusiveProceeds will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Cincinnati (EFGC) recently announced its merger with the Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio (EFCO). The merged entity is now known as the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and Columbus (EFGCC). The two Foundations have united their individual Board of Directors to create one governing board to make decisions and provide direction of the Foundations programs and services under the leadership of Kathy Schrag, Executive Director. The merger was effective January 1, 2013.

By Andy Furman...NOTICE:ANDY FURMAN WILL BE AT THE SUPER BOWL IN NEW ORLEANS FOR CINCIPULSE.COM SENDING DAILY BLOG/REPORTS.AND HE MAY BE THE ONLY MEDIA MEMBER IN CINCINNATI AT THE SUPER BOWL KEEP READING. Theres so much news perhaps it should be put in a book how about a movie?What do you make of this Manti Teo deal?A make-believe girlfriend?Look, Ive watched, written and talked about sports for years, and Ive never, ever heard of anything like this.Lets face it; sports are no longer discussions of on-the-field activities. When was the last time you read, or even heard the actual play-by-play account of a game unless you were actually watching the game on TV or listening on radio?

The Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund is excited to announce that registration for the 12th Annual Queen City Classic (QCC) Chess Tournament is NOW OPEN! Each year, this scholastic chess tournament has SOLD OUT, hosting over 650 players ranging in ages from kindergarten to seniors in high school in five rounds of intense chess competition. Held on March 22-23, 2013 at Paul Brown Stadiums Club West, the Queen City Classic is open to rated and non-rated players from all around the United States.

Xavier University freshman guard Semaj Christon has been named Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week for the second straight week and the fourth time this season.Christon averaged 18.5 points, 7.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in Xavier wins at St. Bonaventure on Jan. 16 and vs. La Salle on Jan. 19. Christon shot 56.0 percent from the field for the week.

If you are in downtown Cincinnati on a regular basis, you are sure to have seen the Hat Man, Avtar S. Gill . Mr. Gill passed away this weekend. Mr.Gills body was found at the Budget Host Hotel on Central Parkway on Saturday.Goodspeed Mr. Gill.

The University of Cincinnati department of athletics and the BIG EAST Conference jointly announced changes in the Bearcats 2013 football schedule Friday.UC, winners of four of the past five BIG EAST Conference titles, will face SMU and Temple in league games at home while facing Houston in a road conference game. The Bearcats were originally scheduled to play Boise State and UCF at home while traveling to San Diego State.

The Public Library is extending a hearty huan ying, or welcome, to nine teachers participating in the 12th Teacher Exchange between Cincinnati and her sister city, Liuzhou, China. As part of the exchange program, the teachers will present special cultural programs to school groups showcasing a favorite place, story or sport. In the past, Chinese music, dances, games and other activities were featured during the presentations.The teachers also will give a cultural presentation at TeenSpot in the Main Library Jan. 23 at 3:30 p.m. Teens are invited to come and learn more about the Chinese culture.

Come explore and celebrate the contributions African Americans have made to our countrys history and culture during one of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton Countys February programs at select branches. Diversity of Comics Peanuts Franklin Saturday, Feb. 9, 2 p.m. Enthusiast William Bell traces the dynamic journey of Franklin from the Peanuts comic strip and discusses why Franklin's introduction was so ground-breaking. Main Library - Popular Library Lounge, 800 Vine Street, 513-369-6900.Books Alive! For KidsMonday, Feb. 11, at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, January 21 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and in honor of Dr. King a number of activities are taking place downtown. The Commemorative Civil Rights Walk begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Freedom Center and continues to Music Hall. The Freedom Center will offer free admission, with special programs all day, thanks to sponsor PNC. The Main Library has programs highlighting Dr. King's achievements and values throughout the afternoon as well, all free of charge. If you haven't been to the Freedom Center yet, this is a great opportunity.

Every year, around this time, I get the itch to travel to someplace warm and sunny. Unfortunately, I dont always get to scratch that itch, but I love to look at the great cruise and resort wear online and in the stores. I have enjoyed several great winter vacations, from the beaches of southern Florida to the gorgeous islands of the Caribbean, and one of my favorite ways to incorporate both of those fabulous destinations in on a cruise.Find a great itinerary that leaves from a southern Florida port, and enjoy a few days at the beach and the sizzling nightlife in South Beach before your exciting cruise to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, the Bahamas and/or some other exotic sunny shores.Of course, youre going to need a few necessities for a trip such as this, and Ive got some great ideas for you!

Kenzie's Closet is gearing up for this year's prom season and needs your help to make a prom dream come true for Cincinnati girls who might otherwise miss the experience. I visited Kenzie's Closet last year during a "shopping day" for the girls. If you could have seen the smile on these girl's faces when they were all decked out in their prom finery, you could not help but wanting to be involved. Kenzie's Closet provides the dress, shoes, jewelry, the girls provide the smiles. If you have happy memories of your own prom, help make that feeling happen for these girls.

Bengals OT Andrew Whitworth has been added to the AFC squad for the Pro Bowl, the NFL announced today. The game will be played in Honolulu on Jan. 27. Whitworth was a first alternate in last months voting, and he will replace Denvers Ryan Clady, who will be unable to play due to an injury. Its the first Pro Bowl selection for Whitworth, a seventh-year NFL player in 2012. He was a Bengals second-round draft choice out of Louisiana State in 2006. This is recognition for Whit that weve felt was overdue, said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. Hes been a key part of all our success in recent years, a great player on the field and a key leader in our locker room.

On February 8 and 9, 2013, Cincinnati will be rocking with more than 25 blues bands. The Cincy Blues Society's Winter Blues Fest celebrates over two decades of supporting the Blues. This year's festival showcases the best local and regional Blues musicians for two nights, from 7:00 pm to 1:00 am at The Phoenix in downtown Cincinnati. Great Local Lineup With Special Touring Acts More than 25 local and regional blues bands will perform over two nights. Headlining Friday night is award-winning guitar player Sonny Moorman. Saturday night features a Cincinnati homecoming for the Nashville-based Stacy Mitchhart Band.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is partnering with the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon and the Nutrition Council of Greater Cincinnati to help youngsters Be Smart, Eat Well and Move More. Once again this year kids can get their Oink on at the Avondale, Corryville, Price Hill, and West End branch libraries and the Main Librarys Childrens Learning Center.Through May 4, kids (ages 5-12) are invited to keep track of the distances they move, the healthy food choices they make, and the time they spend exercising their brains with the Public Library by logging their efforts on the Kids Marathon Hog Log, available at all five of these Library locations and online at www.flyingpigmarathon.com.

Freshman Semaj Christon (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods/Brewster Acad. N.H.) was named Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week for the third time this season after averaging 18.5 ppg. and 4.5 apg. for XUs wins over Temple on Jan. 10 and George Washington on Jan. 12 to open the Atlantic 10 season last week.

Know Theatre is excited to announce When The Rain Stops Falling by Andrew Bovell, acclaimed Australian playwright and author of Speaking in Tongues (recently seen at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in 2012). Time Out Magazines Best New Play of 2010, When the Rain Stops Falling opens on February 8, 2013 and runs through March 16, 2013. Cincinnati Shakespeare Companys Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips will direct the production, with scenic and lighting design by Andrew Hungerford, costume design by Noelle Wedig, and sound design by Doug Borntrager.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is pleased to announce an exciting lineup of summer programs for 2013. Students from around the world have the opportunity to work with CCMs world-class faculty and renowned guest artists while in residence at the state-of-the-art CCM Village. These high caliber summer opportunities are open to CCM and non-CCM students alike. For a full list of summer programs organized by discipline, please visit ccm.uc.edu/summer. CCMs 2013 summer programs include:

This Sunday is the Gold Star Chili Cook-off at Findlay Market. There are 30 entrants in the competition, which will be held at noon in a tent on Elder Street. First Prize: Chili Meister $100 Findlay Market Gift Certificate and one year membership to the Cincinnati Fire Museum. Second Prize: Chili Monarch $50 Findlay Market Gift Certificate. Third Prize: Master Chiliologist $50 Findlay Market Gift Certificate. The public is invited after the competition from 1:30-3:oopm to sample the chili and listen to Chuck Brisban and the Tuna Project.Sounds like fun!

Fountain Square is now offering a 2-for-1 admission and skate rental special, Monday - Friday before 5PM. Offer valid through February 15, 2013.Cost: $3.00 admission and $3.00 skate rental. Payable by cash or credit card (Visa/MasterCard/AmEx). Call 513-381-0782 anytime for a rink status update.

The University of Cincinnati baseball team is set to host the third annual First Pitch Reception on Friday, Feb. 8, in the Riverfront Club at Great American Ball Park.The UCATS/Diamond Club event is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and will feature appetizers and an open bar. Notables scheduled to attend are Cincinnati Reds chief operating officer Phil Castellini, as well as University of Cincinnati director of athletics Whit Babcock and baseball head coach Brian Cleary.

The University of Cincinnati swimming and diving teams resume action Friday when the Miami University squads come to Clifton for an evening dual meet at Keating Aquatics Center.The meet will begin 3 p.m. with diving competition, followed by the swimming events, which are scheduled to start at approximately 5 p.m.

Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham has been added to the AFC squad for the Pro Bowl, the NFL announced today. The game will be played in Honolulu on Jan. 27. Gresham was a first alternate in last months voting, and he will replace Pittsburghs Heath Miller, who will be unable to play due to an injury. Gresham was a third-year player in 2012, and he also went to the Pro Bowl last season. He was a Bengals first-round draft choice in 2010.

Following a nearly two month break in meets, the Xavier University mens and womens swim teams will be back in the pool for competitive action.The swim team travels to Indianapolis, Ind., for a 6 p.m. meet with IUPUI, Ball State and Marshall (women only) on Friday night. Both teams will be in the pool at 1 p.m. on Saturday in a meet with Cleveland State and Oakland in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Cincinnati Zoo has become well-known the world over for its rhino conservation program, especially the Sumatran rhinos. So the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is pleased to welcome Zookeeper Paul Reinhart to the Main Library Saturday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m. in the Reading Garden Lounge. He'll talk about the adventures and research that led up to the zoo achieving this recognition.

Its January, that blah! month. The holidays are over, the weather is crummy, and everyone seems to be sick, grouchy, or just plain bored. It's the After-Christmas blues, and I'm afraid I have them, too. To combat this malady, I have to concentrate on the imminent arrival of Spring. I tell myself its just around the corner (okay, so I lie to myself sometimes), and I look for pretty things in fresh colors on-line and in the stores. I'm tired of all those clearance racks of lumpy sweaters and out-of-shape corduroys. And just when you think you've happened upon a great fashion find, you discover it's only available in a size 0 petite. I don't know about you, but I don't need that kind of depression. Even sale shoes can be a challenge. Better check that there's actually one for each foot in the box, and not two righties or two lefties, or a size 6 on the left and a size 9 on the right. Believe me, it happens.

The old School for Creative and Performing Arts Building (former location of Woodward High School) has been vacant since the new school opened a few years ago. In December the property was purchased at auction by Core Redevelopment for $1.3 million. Last night, Core presented its preliminary plans for the building in a public meeting held at the Main Public Library. John Watson, CEO of Core, revealed that the preliminary plans for the building are to build 170 apartment units ranging in size from 500 to 1100 square feet with rents ranging from $775 to $1600/month. The renovations would preserve many of the historic features of the building.

The University of Cincinnati mens soccer program will hold two winter College ID Camps, the first being Saturday, January 26, 2013 and the second on Saturday, February 16, 2013. The camps offer prospective student-athletes the opportunity to tour UC and exhibit their skills for several college coaches, including UCs staff. Both the January and February College ID Camps will be held on the campus of the University of Cincinnati in the Sheakley Athletic Center Bubble from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The University of Cincinnati football staff, in conjunction with the 1200 Club and UCATS announced an exclusive fan dinner for Signing Day 2013, set to take place on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. inside the Kingsgate Marriott and Conference Center.Fans will have the opportunity to meet UC head coach Tommy Tuberville and his staff, participate in a silent auction, and get an inside look at the 2013 football signing class.Tickets to the event are $125 per person, including dinner and parking. Tables of eight are available for $900. All funds raised will benefit the UC football program.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is offering childrens programs at selected branches to honor the life of Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Main Library, Childrens Learning Center, 800 Vine St., 513-369-6922Celebrate the life of Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Childrens Learning Center in the Main Library. Childrens Theatre of Cincinnati actor Deondra Kamau Means will perform Martins Dream, a one-man show that explores the real person behind the historic figure. Afterward, children can make a stained glass window craft using inspirational words.

The 2013 Reds Caravan, presented by Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network, kicks off Thursday, Jan. 24 and is scheduled to make 15 fan stops in four states covering more than 2,800 miles over four days. The annual Caravan consists of three separate tours traveling simultaneously through Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia and provides fans with the opportunity to interact with current and former players, broadcasters and members of the Reds front office staff. At each fan stop, the group will field questions from fans and sign autographs while time allows. All Caravan fan stops open to the public are free, and at each fan stop listed below the Reds will raffle two tickets to the 2013 Opening Day game on Monday, April 1 (4:10 pm) vs. the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Got talent Ohio? Then start practicing your scales, juggling those oranges, or practice pulling that rabbit out of the hat, because Americas Got Talent is coming to Columbus, Ohio on January 19 and 20 to hold auditions for the show.

The Cincinnati Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America today named DT Geno Atkins as the Bengals 2012 Most Valuable Player and OT Andrew Whitworth as the recipient of the organizations annual Good Guy award. The voters are the beat writers who cover the team on a daily basis. In his third season, Atkins has gained recognition as one of the NFLs elite DTs, earning his second Pro Bowl spot and his first as a starter. His 12.5 sacks led all NFL interior linemen and was a team record for a Bengals defensive tackle, topping Dan Wilkinsons 8.0 from 1996.

University of Cincinnati offensive lineman Parker Ehinger (Rockford, Mich./Rockford) was named 12th annual FWAA Freshman All-America Team Monday by the Football Writers Association of America.Ehinger (pronounced: anger) saw action in all 13 games for UC, starting 12. On the two deep coming out of fall camp, Ehinger earned his first career start at right guard against Delaware State. The following week, against Virginia Tech at FedEx Field, he slid over to right tackle where he would start the final 11 games of 2012.

Your help is requested to take down the holiday lights and decorations in Piatt Park. Many hands make light work.Please contact Mike McManus, mcmanus2@earthlink.net, if you can help take down the decoration. We will start at 11:00am on Saturday, January 12th.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is partnering with Grailville Retreat & Program Center to discover new and talented poets from Cincinnati during the second annual Poetry in the Garden Contest.Adults, ages 18 and up, are invited to enter their creative verses through February 28 using the Librarys online form. Participants can ONLY enter the contest using the online form. For complete rules, go to www.cincinnatilibrary.org/news/2013/poetry-contest.aspx.

University of Cincinnati head coach Tommy Tuberville announced six of his assistant coaches and the teams strength and conditioning staff Friday.Darin Hinshaw (passing game coordinator/quarterbacks) and Blake Rolan (wide receivers) were named to the offensive staff while Art Kaufman (defensive coordinator), John Lovett (defensive backs), Robert Prunty (associate head coach/defensive ends) and Fred Tate (defensive line) will comprise the defensive staff.Tuberville also announced Joe Walker and former UC letterwinner Orlando Smith as director and assistant director of football strength and conditioning, respectively.

In celebration of the New Year, the US Bank Ice Rink has decided to extend its hours of operation for the remainder of the week. What does that mean for you? It means more time to skate, more time for fun and more time to enjoy whats left of your winter vacation. Please note that the newly adjusted hours (found below) are only in effect from January 3 through January 6.

I don't know about you, but after we've motored past Christmas and New Years, I'm completely over winter. If I could, I'd just skip January and February altogether, and get right into Spring. Everything in the stores is picked over, and most of the great deals were snapped up the exchangers and bargain hunters the week after Christmas. Specific sizes and colors are hard to find, and I keep telling myself I got tons of stuff from Santa and don't really need anything more for winter.

Bengals K Josh Brown today was named by the NFL as AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December. Brown, a 10th-year veteran, signed as a free agent with Cincinnati on Dec. 6 to fill in for injured K Mike Nugent and went on to connect on 11 of 12 field goal attempts (91.7 percent) and eight of eight PATs in December for 41 total points. His 43-yarder with four seconds left on Dec. 23 at Pittsburgh clinched a playoff berth for the Bengals. His only FG miss since joining the team was a 56-yard attempt in the same game at Heinz Field, where, since it opened in 2001, no one has connected on an attempt longer than 52 yards.

Chris, our OurTown.com marketing director was stuck in traffic for over 50 minutes this morning due to the accident on I-75 at Sharon Rd. He spent the time answering his e-mail and watching the cars around him try every way in the world to get around the traffic jam. He took this picture while waiting.When the traffic jam was cleared, Chris wondered why his lane was still not moving. He changed lanes and drove past the front car in his lane...the woman driving had fallen asleep.

On September 28, 2012, the Smoke Shop located at 2824 Jefferson Avenue was broken into by an unknown suspect. The suspect used a rock to break the glass to the front door of the business. An undisclosed amount of U.S. currency was taken during the offense. The suspect also stole various tobacco products before fleeing the scene. On January 2, 2013, Cincinnnati Police from District 4 arrested and charged Billy Mullins m/w 29 with one count of Breaking & Entering for the September 28th offense. Billy Mullins was recently charged with three counts of breaking & entering by the Reading Police Department.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) welcomes distinguished UC alumnus Randy Edelman (CCM '69, HonDoc '04) back to Corbett Auditorium for one unforgettable evening beginning at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27. A prominent singer, songwriter, arranger and film scorer, Edelman will bring his film scores to life during this special event concert featuring CCMs acclaimed Philharmonia Orchestra andJazz Ensemble.As a singer/songwriter, Edelman has recorded dozens of solo albums and has toured with popular music acts like the Carpenters and Frank Zappa. His pop songs have been covered by major recording artists including Barry Manilow (Weekend in New England) and Olivia Newton-John (If Love is Real).

1. Why spend money on your entertainment when you can get it for free? Apply for a Library card if you dont already have one and start saving money. Use your card to check out a wide range of the lastest best-sellers, top albums, newest DVD releases and favorite magazines for FREE instead of paying for book club selections, CDs, movie rentals, and magazine subscriptions. 2. Forget joining an expensive gym. Get in shape with DVDs from the Library. Bored of the same old routines? Check out new exercise routines every week. The Librarys collection offers DVDs covering everything from Aerobics to Zumba. 3. Upgrade your computer skills. From the basics of typing and keyboard skills to more advanced classes on Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, the Library offers computer labs and workshops at the Main Library Tech Center and branch locations. Come to a class or schedule a one-on-one appointment with a Library staff member.

No plans for New Year's Eve? Why not come down to Fountain Square to ring in 2013? Hosted by Tricia Macke and Ben Swan of Fox19 along with Jay Kruz of Rewind 94.9, the 2012 New Years Eve Blast will take place on December 31, from 8:00pm to 1:00am on Fountain Square. In addition to an entertainment line-up including live music and DJs, the event features traditional favorites such as all-night free ice skating on the US Bank Ice Rink (courtesy of Strauss Troy), a giant dance party, Rozzis Famous Fireworks and a special midnight reveal and holographic holiday light show by Partech Lighting.

The football helmets worn by the Bearcats in the 2012 Belk Bowl will be made available to UC fans. The new-look helmets will go for a $1,000 special contribution to UCATS, the proceeds of which will be earmarked for an enhancement of the strength and conditioning program which will benefit all 18 sports.The Bearcats took the field in Charlotte in a red carbon fiber helmet with black C-paw and claw mark logos, UCs first time in a red helmet since the 1982 season. UC worked with Hydro Graphics Inc., an Oregon based water transfer printing facility which utilized its proprietary HydroSkin system of finishing to create the unique design.

Bengals DT Geno Atkins today was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week by the NFL. Atkins, a third-year pro who was named yesterday to his second straight Pro Bowl, had 2.0 sacks for 17 yards in the Bengals playoff-clinching 13-10 win at Pittsburgh on Sunday, extending his team-leading total for the season to 12.5. He led a defensive line which provided consistent pressure on Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, who completed just 50 percent of his passes and was intercepted twice. In addition to the sacks, Atkins led the defensive line with eight total tackles (four solo) and one forced fumble against the Steelers.

University of Cincinnati outfielder Justin Glass (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) was named Thursday to the 2013 Preseason All-BIG EAST Conference Team, as voted by the leagues 11 head coaches.Glass, a 6-foot-2 junior, was a 2012 All-BIG EAST First Team selection after he finished last season as one of six players among the BIG EAST leaders in batting average and steals. The left-handed slugger finished fourth in the conference with a .366 batting average, while his 15 stolen bases were tied for 11th.

Learn how to download free books onto your new eReader at the Public LibrarySo all the wrapping paper has been thrown away and youre looking at your brand-new eReader. Now what? The Public Library has the answer. Come to one of the Introduction to eBooks programs or schedule a one-on-one appointment to learn how to download free eBooks onto your new eReader.

Get out your paper and pencils, its time once again for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton Countys annual Teen Drawing Contest. The contest runs January 1-31 for teens ages 12-18. The theme is Fan Art! and teens are encouraged to re-create a scene from their favorite book. Original drawings or paintings may be submitted at any Library location.

By Andy Furman...Notes that we found under the Christmas tree...After a bleary-eyed Christmas day watching five count em five NBA games on TV, look what we learned.Remember James White? Hes that sky-diving basketballer who played at the University of Cincinnati and was dubbed, Flight White and Flight 75 because of his dunking and leaping ability.Hes a member of the New York Knicks these days, and guess what hes being nominated by the Players Association for the All-Star Slam-Dunk competition in Houston in conjunction with the NBA All-Star Game.According to the New York Post, White was approached by union officials last week about the dunk competition. The union, the Post wrote, has more influence in the skill competitions in the new format in which the conferences compete against each other.

I had the best day yesterday. It was a beautiful day in Cincinnati. All the gifts were bought, wrapped and under the tree, so I took a day to relax and enjoy the city. First stop, the Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park. As always the Christmas display is beautiful and don't forget to stop and enjoy the Nativity scene. Krohn has a $6 admission fee, but it is worth the price. Next stop downtown at the ice rink, take a look at the beautiful Macy's tree and a stroll around the downtown hotels to see the Christmas decorations and the beautifully decorated carriages. After that hop back in the car and ride past Lytle Park, Washington Park and Piatt Park to see all the holiday lights.

The answer to the gun problem in the United States is more guns, at least that's the opinion of Wayne LaPierre, Executive VP and CEO of the National Rifle Association. During Mr. LaPierre's press conference today, he advocated putting an armed guard in every school in the United States. How about snipers on the school rooftops, Mr. LaPierre, would that work for you? According to Mr. LaPierre there is no reason to limit access to guns, those guns like the one that killed the children in Connecticut are not that dangerous, that's just the media exaggerating the whole thing.

If you haven't been downtown yet this holiday season, this weekend is a good time. This Saturday is the last day for the kids to visit Santa at Macy's and it is the final weekend for the free holiday carriage rides.While you are downtown for the carriage ride, stop off at the ice rink on Fountain Square. What better way to bring the family together than to spend an hour or so picking one another up off the ice.

Cincinnatis premiere fundraiser returns in early 2013 when the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) presents A Moveable Feast! The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, and this years Feast celebrates the theme A Star is Born.A star-powered showcase of CCMs world-class performing and media arts programs and state-of-the-art facilities, the fundraiser features samplings of artistic and culinary delights throughout CCM Village. Guests can enjoy backstage tours and plan their own schedule of 20-minute samplings of student entertainment, including Jazz, Musical Theatre, Piano, Opera, Drama, Dance, Orchestra and Chamber Winds performances, along with E-Media video productions and much more. This years artistic menu also includes a performance by CCMs Steel Drum Band and entertainment by local CCM Alumni.

The Bengals have named CB Leon Hall as the recipient of this years Ed Block Courage Award. The award honors players who demonstrate commitment to the values of sportsmanship and courage. Each NFL team selects one player as its nominee. Hall will be honored with other teams recipients at the annual awards banquet in Baltimore after the 2012 season.

This New Years Eve, get your fedoras and flapper dresses ready for the 7th Annual Know Theatre CityBeat NYE Speakeasy Party! Attendees can look forward to raucous back room games, tasty appetizers, and two bars serving up classic martinis, and a champagne toast at midnight! Entry to the event is $15 in advance and $25 beginning December 24 at noon. All proceeds support Know Theatre of Cincinnatis mission of creating a playful artistic community where artists can collaborate and grow. This December 31, the party starts at 8pm and jazzes away into the New Year, or until 1am.

Tim Schigel, a successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist, will serve as manager for Cintrifuse Early Stage Capital Fund I, LLC, a venture capital fund of funds organized by Cintrifuse, a Cincinnati-based organization that proactively links entrepreneurs with strategic businesses/institutions, mentors and investors to successfully launch high-growth startups.The Cintrifuse Fund will invest in early-stage venture capital funds regionally and nationally.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is hosting a free four-part workshop series, Art Shapes Us, led by local artists and educators Cedric Michael Cox and Marcus Fletcher. The workshops will expose young students to different art mediums and processes, and inspire their creativity.Students age 10 to 16 are invited to attend this four-week series each Saturday in January (Jan. 5, 12, 19 & 26) in the Childrens Learning Center at the Main Library, 800 Vine Street, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. A reception for the artworks created during this series will be held Saturday, Feb. 16, on the first floor of the North Building.

Many of us have fond memories of the World Choir Games in Cincinnati this past summer. Guenter Titsch, President of INTERKULTUR, the founder and organizer of the World Choir Games was recently honored by the Federal Republic of Germany.Volker Bouffier, Prime Minister of Hesse presented the Federal Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany as designated by the Federal President of Germany, to INTERKULTUR President Gnter Titsch, founder and organizer of the "World Choir Games.

University of Cincinnati president Dr. Santa Ono and director of athletics Whit Babcock jointly announced a proposed plan to renovate Nippert Stadium Tuesday.All of our expansion at this time will be in the form of premium seating," Babcock said. "This project will also include improving the fan experience on the concourse level. This will entail opening up some concourses and improving our point of sale, traffic flows, restrooms, concessions and making Nippert a little more fan friendly than when it was built in 1924.

Cincinnati area seniors and community members will deliver thousands of petition signatures to the Office of Senator Rob Portman urging him to protect vital programs, such as social security and Medicare, in the ongoing fiscal cliff negotiations. As the negotiations intensify as the end of the year approaches, these seniors will be delivering the petition signatures that have been gathered from concerned Ohioans over the past few weeks.

I just got back from a wonderful weekend in New York City with some friends, and we saw some absolutely fabulous things. There was Rockefeller Center and the giant Christmas tree, a couple of terrific Broadway musicals, the touching 9/11 Memorial, St. Patricks Cathedral, the windows along Fifth Avenue, even the Statue of Liberty. Besides all of this, however, were the wonders of the shopping world! Even if you don't have the money for the vast array of designer fashions available in the Big Apple, its still loads of fun to look at the wonderful colors and fabrics and new fashion trends. I especially love to look at the bountiful selection of evening gowns. Not that I have a lot of occasion to wear designer evening dresses, or the pocketbook that even comes close to some of the price tags you see here, but every girl can dream, can't she?

Join us to celebrate the end of days with the variety show to end all variety showsThe world is coming to an end. The sky will catch fire, the rivers will rise, and the ground will shake! Where will you be when it all comes crashing down? Instead of roaming the streets creating havoc, eating all of your Twinkies, running for the hills, crying with your cat, or cowering in your basements, why not spend your last forsaken moment with your friends at Know Theatre? No one is really sure the exact moment, method, or duration of our path to judgment day, but one thing is for sure, Know Theatre will tell you what to expect when you are expectingthe end of the world.

Head coach Brian Cleary announced Friday that University of Michigan outfielder Will Drake has transferred to the University of Cincinnati and will be eligible to play for the Bearcats in the 2014 season.Drake, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound sophomore from Fairfield, Ohio, will begin taking classes at UC and practicing with the baseball team in January.

University of Cincinnati alum Josh Schneider (Cincinnati, Ohio/Taylor) and sophomore Awse Maaya (Amman, Jordan/The Bolles School) competed in the FINA World Swimming Championships held Wednesday through Sunday at Sinan Erdem Arena in Istanbul.On Friday, Schneider, UCs 2010 NCAA champion in the 50-yard freestyle, finished sixth in the finals of the 50-meter freestyle with a mark of 21.38 seconds, which was 0.83 seconds behind first-place Vladimir Morozov of Russia.

Former University of Cincinnati assistant coach Eddie Gran will return to Clifton as the Bearcats offensive coordinator, head coach Tommy Tuberville announced Thursday.He served as UCs wide receivers coach from 1992-93.Gran is wrapping up his 26th season of collegiate coaching and his third season at Florida State, where he serves as associate head coach, tutoring the running backs and coordinating special teams.

Trinity Episcopal Church, at the corner of Madison and Fourth Streets in Covington, Kentucky, will celebrate the church seasons of Advent and Christmas throughout the month of December. Several services are noteworthy. On Wednesday, December 19, at 12:15 p.m., our regularly scheduled Midday Musical Menu will feature the Trinity Brass Ensemble, organ music from musical director Dr. John Deaver, and audience participation Christmas Carol singing, a twenty-three-year tradition. Lunch will be served in the churchs May Room at 11:30 a.m. for $7.00. The Music and Carol Sing, which will last about 45 minutes, is free.

If you haven't been downtown for the holiday festivities yet, this weekend is a great opportunity. It is Santa's final rappel of the season is this Saturday. The free festivities begin at 5:45 p.m. with a performance by the Cincinnati Men's Chorus on Fountain Square, followed by Macy's Downtown Dazzle at 6:30 p.m. After Santa makes his way down the 525 Vine Building and the spectacular fireworks display, you can head inside Macy's for Story Time with Mrs. Claus and to visit with Mr. Claus himself.

A helicopter lift completing maintenance activity for US Bank will take place downtown on December 15, 2012. In order for the helicopter to safely complete its work the following streets will close* on December 15 at 8:00 AM and remain closed until approximately 1:00 PM or until the area is safe to reopen:

The Horseshoe Casino will open Monday, March 4, 2013 in downtown Cincinnati. It will be the 4th casino opened in the state.A pre-opening controlled demonstration will take place Feb. 27 before the casino control commissioners and staff. The casino is a $400 million development and will include several restaurants in addition to full-service gaming. There will also be 33,000 square feet of space fsor social, corporate and private and live entertainment events.

On December 11, Duke Energy presented the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County with a check for $111,000 as a rebate for reducing energy consumption at the Main Library.

Invite a friend to join you for a foodie tour at Findlay Market. A 90-minute Taste the World tour is the perfect way to introduce visitors to one of your favorite Cincinnati landmarks. You'll meet your guide at Daisy Mae's and then visit the shops or stands of six specialty merchants. At each stop, you'll sample sips and bites and learn more about the market. Cost of the tour is $15 with an optional $5 add-on for wine tasting at Market Wines. Last tour Saturday, December 15 at 3:00 pm.

FOX Sports Ohio Redsfest presented by PNC drew 22,683 fans Dec. 7 and 8 the Duke Energy Convention Center.Proceeds from Redsfest will benefit the Reds Community Fund and its baseball-themed outreach programs.We make Redsfest bigger and better every year as a tribute to our fans, who are the best fans in all of baseball, said Bob Castellini, Reds President and CEO. Its their chance to connect with our players off the field, plus gets our players and coaches invigorated for the upcoming season.

Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty today announced acquisition of leadoff hitter and CF Shin-Soo Choo, IF Jason Donald and cash from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for CF Drew Stubbs and SS Didi Gregorius. "It was very difficult giving up home-grown talent, but we think Choo can fill the missing parts in our lineup both offensively and defensively," Jocketty said. "He is an exciting player, and we expect him to set the table for Phillips, Votto, Bruce, Ludwick and the rest of our run producers."

I love a pretty coat! I know we all need practical thingsa warm jacket for play or shoveling snow, a huge down-filled bundle-upper for when the temperature dives to the subzeros, something water-repellent for those rain and ice storms. I know we need these practical things, but I dont have to like them.

Everyone has his or her favorite holiday tradition. This weekend in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnatians have the opportunity to create new family traditions . Avoid the hustle and bustle of malls and shop local in OTR, visit Santa at Washington Park and listen to the 4th Annual Caroling in the Quarter and hear popular Christmas songs throughout OTR. Take a Spirit of Christmas Tour, watch the windows of OTR sparkle as part of OTR AGLOW, or take a fun bike ride around neighborhood decked out in bright lights. All this and much moreMore details:

By Andy Furman...Stop whining. For those asking that ridiculous question why did Butch Jones leave the University of Cincinnati to coach football at the University of Tennessee I have three million reasons. Yeah, three million. As in bucks.The green cabbage. Gelt. Dinaros. Sure, theres more to life than money but money will give Jones and his family security for life. Yeah, he said he believed and bled for the C at the University of Cincinnati. I believed that, too. But hell do the same for the Orange in Knoxville. The only difference, hell have a much different stage. How big, you ask? The Vols attract close to 105,000 fans a game on Saturdays. The University of Cincinnati might attract that number in three games.

On and between the dates of November 2nd, 2012 and November 7th, 2012 there were at least 10 fraudulent payroll checks cashed at various banking institutions, both here in the Greater Cincinnati area and Northern Kentucky. The suspects vary in age, sex and race and all the checks were made out for approximately $800.00.

Former University of Cincinnati student-athlete Nate Kramer and the Bearcats swimming and diving teams participated in the Ted Mullen Hour of Power Relay fundraiser on Wednesday afternoon at Keating Aquatics Center.The Hour of Power Relay is in honor of former Carleton College swimmer Ted Mullin, who passed away in the fall of 2006 from sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer.

The mens and womens track and field teams kick-off their season Saturday at the Oiler Opener in Findlay, Ohio. This will be the first meet of the 2012-2013 indoor season for the Musketeers.

The Cincinnati Bengals and the United States Marine Corps Reserves are teaming up again for the Annual Toys for Tots Collection on Sunday, December 9th before the Bengals/Dallas Cowboys game at Paul Brown Stadium. U.S. Marine Corps Reserves will be at all entrances to Paul Brown Stadium with Mobile Storage Depot Containers to collect new, unwrapped toys and cash donations. All contributions benefit the less fortunate children in our community.

The Health Collaborative celebrated the contributions of three health care professionals during the organizations annual dinner held November 28th at the Westin Ballroom in Downtown Cincinnati. 2012 marked the 10th year for the dinner, and the 20th Anniversary of the founding of the Health Collaborative. Over 400 guests attended the event. Honorees received a Rookwood tile commemorating their contributions to health care improvement in Greater Cincinnati.

Take a walk across the bridge this Friday evening and visit Bellevue for A Dickens Christmas F r i d a y , D e c e m b e r 7 Beginning at 6 pm. Shown below are special offers from Bellevue merchants. 205 Sigra GalleryReceive a 20% discount on selected prints.

The Cincinnati Reds have announced their 2013 Cactus League exhibition schedule. The defending National League Central Division Champions open the spring training season with three games against Ohio rival Cleveland Indians on Feb. 22-24 at Goodyear Ballpark. Fans can catch the Reds in action at the beautiful Goodyear Ballpark, which will be celebrating its five year anniversary this spring.

The University of Cincinnati baseball team held its inaugural U.S. Marine Corps IronCat Challenge on Saturday, with junior infielder Ryan Quinn (Sparta, N.J./Sparta) emerging as the champion.This was the culmination of a semesters worth of training with the Marines from here at UC," said Bearcats baseball head coach Brian Cleary. "I think they provided not only great training to our players, but some great lessons in hard work and effort, and I think the players have an appreciation for who they are and what they do. We are thankful for the time and energy they spent helping us get better.

Junior outfielder Justin Glass (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) was officially named team captain of the University of Cincinnati baseball team for the upcoming 2013 season, as announced to the team by head coach Brian Cleary on Friday.Justin is one of several strong leaders among our upperclassmen who this young team will rely on to provide a daily example of how to play hard and with great effort, said Cleary, whose current roster features 26 first and second-year players.

Redsfestwill be held at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati this Friday, December 7 from 3pm to 10:30pm and Saturday, December 8 from 11am to 6:30pm. Proceeds from the event benefit the Reds Community Fund.

If you're really searching for your own special holiday look this year, give a thought to a Christmas sweater, or t-shirt. If you're mainly going to informal house parties, having guests in your own home, or just want something to reflect the mood when opening gifts under the tree with family, try something like this.

The Cincinnati Police Department is attempting to identify the individual in the photos. The female subject used stolen credit cards at various banks receiving cash advances from stolen credit cards. Anyone with information is asked to call Cincinnati Police Department or Crimestoppers.

The University of Cincinnati football team has accepted a bid to play a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference in the Belk Bowl on Dec. 27, 2012 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The game will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. ET and air on ESPN. "We are pleased to accept a bid to the Belk Bowl," head coach Butch Jones said. "We are excited by the prospect of a great number of Cincinnati fans being the team behind the team and helping us celebrate the holiday season in Charlotte.

By Andy Furman...Its the time of the season not for giving for leaving. At the University of Cincinnati they talk about coachs moves rather than major bowls in football. Thats a fact and its a shame. They call Miami of Ohio the Cradle of Coaches, but in reality its the University of Cincinnati. Think about it. Heres a short list from as far back as I can remember. The late Sid Gillman, the Father of the wide open offense, went from the Bearcats to the San Diego Chargers. Mike Tomlin, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jets head coach Rex Ryan both cut their teeth at the University of Cincinnati.

Fountain SquareCorner of Fifth and Vine Streets Saturdays, November 24, December 1, 8, 15; 6:30 p.m. (choirs at 5:45 p.m.)FREE! Forget coming down the chimney, now Santa comes down the side of a building! Each Saturday Santa rappels down the 525 Vine Building office tower to the Macys rooftop to kick off a spectacular holiday fireworks display. Macys Downtown Dazzle takes place Saturdays on Fountain Square The 20-minute family-friendly program also features holiday music. (513) 421-4440

Award-winning writer George Ella Lyon leads the next Talking Poetry event at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, at the Main Library.Talking Poetry: A Conversation and Writing Experience with George Ella LyonFirst and foremost a poet, Lyon will speak about poetry and the writing life, and offer an opportunity to start a poem of your own at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, in the Popular Library Reading Lounge. The evening will include informal discussion and a Q&A, as well as writing prompts to stimulate your own creativity.

The University of Cincinnati swimming and diving teams will resume action following an 11-day layoff to compete at the 19th annual Miami University Invitational, Thursday through Saturday, at Corwin Nixon Aquatic Center.UC swimming and diving head coach Monty Hopkins and his squad will have a second consecutive challenging invitational meet to compete in this weekend in Oxford

The Cincinnati Bengals and the Freestore Foodbank are pleased to announce the results of the annual canned food drive held Sunday, November 25, 2012 prior to the Oakland Raiders game.Generous Bengals fans donated 7,893 pounds of food and $16,600 in cash.

Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty today announced the signing of free agent RHP Jonathan Broxton to a three-year contract through the 2015 season with a club option for 2016. Broxton, 28, is a 2-time All-Star (2009 & 2010). Since 2006 among Major League Baseball relievers (min 400ip) he ranks fourth in strikeouts (526), fourth in lowest homers allowed per 9 innings (0.56) and sixth in ERA (3.01).

The holidays are all about glitter and shine, not only on the Christmas tree, but on you and me, too. Holiday fashions are brimming with bling, from dresses and sweaters, to great accessories that can bring even your everyday outfits up a few notches.

The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County is offering a wide variety of holiday activities and events at several branches through December. Come watch a favorite holiday movie, hear a story, decorate a cookie, make homemade wrapping paper, or listen to some seasonal music. Theres plenty to do. For a complete list of activities, go to the calendar at http://programs.cincinnatilibrary.org or call your branch library. And dont forget Dazzle Days Dec. 1, 8, and 15 from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Main Library, 800 Vine Street, featuring holiday performances, crafts and treats. Some Holiday Highlights:

Do you know of a park, ball field or neighborhood recreation area that is in need of a renovation? This summer, P&G and the Reds will makeover one special community in the surrounding Greater Cincinnati area. Nominate your community today! 1. Interested communities should complete the application at reds.com/community by Jan. 15, 2013. 2. Communities must be located within the surrounding Greater Cincinnati area. 3. Projects must include a minimum of one baseball and/or softball field and should also include a significant community park or asset in need of renovation. 4. Please also provide photographs, site maps and/or additional narratives to highlight relevant information regarding the project needs.

Neil Stafford has been named womens soccer head coach at the University of Cincinnati, as announced Monday by UC director of athletics Whit Babcock. Stafford comes to UC from Central Michigan University where he has spent the last four years, including the past two as head coach. Hed previously served eight seasons as head coach at NCAA Division II Assumption College in Worcester, Mass., where he became the schools all-time winningest head coach. His overall coaching record in 10 seasons is 102-71-9.

The Atlantic 10 Conference named Butler senior Rotnei Clarke its mens Basketball Player of the Week and Xavier freshman Semaj Christon its Rookie of the Week Monday. The awards are for games played during the week of Nov. 19-25.

This fundraising auction featuring exclusive, luxury items at http://www.cincinnatiopera.org . All proceeds from winning bids directly benefit Cincinnati Opera. Perfectly timed for holiday shopping, the auction features over 150 items, including many luxury items such as Herms scarves, Jimmy Choo shoes, and bags by Prada and Valentino, as well as restaurant gift certificates, performance tickets, and hotel stays. A number of priceless, one-of-a-kind experiences are also up for bid, including a three-night stay at Hotel Monteverdi in the medieval village of Castiglioncello del Trinoro in Tuscany and a one-week stay at La Garde-Freinet Village House in Provence.

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL DINNER - NOVEMBER 27TH...On November 27th, the DRC will be helping with the dinner at Christ Church. The hours involved are anytime between 3:00pm and 7:00pm.People can choose the time they want to work and the chore.Earlier hours would involve preparing the meal. (3pm-5pm)Setting up the tables would be next . (around 4:30-5)Serving the meal (5:30pm-6:30pm)Clean up (usually finished by 7:30pm)

The Naughty List at Arnolds Bar & Grill...This holiday season, Know Theatre takes a show off-campus to Arnolds Bar & Grill featuring Jackson Street Market member OTRimprov. The show will be directed by Producing Artistic Director Eric Vosmeier and features OTRimprov members Sean Mette, Dave Powell, Alison Rampa, Kat Smith, and Chris Wesselman. Performances will take place in the courtyard at Arnolds Bar & Grill Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings at 8pm from December 2 30, 2012.

Thinking of buying an eReader or tablet for the book lover on your holiday shopping list? Now's a great time to buy! Prices are dropping and lots of new devices have hit the market. But when it comes to picking the right device, the choices can be overwhelming. Thats why the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is holding a series of eReader Petting Zoo programs at select branches.Stop by and try out an iPad, Nook Tablet and Kindle Fire and learn more about the Librarys downloadable books and music. Staff members will be available to answer your questions.

By Andy Furman...Give me a coin quick. Heads I finish that leftover turkey sandwich. Tails, I high-tail it to the mall to push, shove and get mangled. I hope its heads. Never understood the Black Friday phenomena. I mean what could you possibly need that requires you to wake at the crack of dawn? A new freezer? A refrigerator? An I-pad? Please. But the phase has continued from Friday openings at midnight, to this year seemingly stores opening at 8 pm on Thanksgiving night. Who can possibly get off the couch at 8 pm on Thanksgiving night? The only possible reason? The Jets and Mark Sanchez were so far behind those Patriots Thursday night, a trip to the mall might have been a relief. But I digress.

Ladies, have you been thinking of what you're going to put on your Christmas list this year? You know, if you don't have a list, chances are you'll end up with a fuzzy leopard robe and matching pjs in a hideous chartreuse, or maybe a gift card or a piece of costume jewelry you wouldn't be caught dead in but now have to wear because he picked it out himself. Sure the gift card is nice, and it is the thought that counts, but wouldn't it be nice to get something you actually want?

Visit the Market as a part of your after-Thanksgiving Day activities. The Market is open and you might win some great holiday gifts in our free Black Friday drawing! It's our way of thanking shoppers for supporting the merchants of Findlay Market all year long!From 9:00am 2:30pm, stop by the center tower, just across from Taste of Belgium, and enter a free contest to WIN a variety of great prizes. You do not need to be present to win.

Join us on the Square on Friday, November 23, as we celebrate the arrival of the Holidays with Cincinnati's annual tree lighting ceremony. This year's event will feature appearances from the likes of Drew and Lea Lachey, Santa Claus, as well as performances by The Cincy Brass, SCPA and MORE! What other surprises do we have in store for you this year?

Tis the season to be jolly! So why not make a visit to the Main Library part of your downtown holiday tradition? Whether you are 2 or 92, theres something for all ages. Bring your entire family to enjoy all the excitement surrounding Dazzle Days during the first three Saturdays in December. From 1-4 p.m., there will be lively music a

Xavier University head coach Chris Mack announced today that he has received National Letters of Intent from 6-1 guard Brandon Randolph (Inglewood, Calif./Inglewood High) and 6-6 small forward Kamall Richards (Henryville, Pa./South Kent). Richards transferred to the Connecticut prep school South Kent this past year after playing at St. Benedicts Prep in Newark, N.J.

Theres something about the holidays that brings out the little kid in all us, and what better what to revisit our childhoods than by viewing the classic illustrations of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, The Night Before Christmas and other favorite books at the Main Library.The illustrations are from the Peter G. Thomson Collection and make up the exhibit Wonderland of Fairytales in the Joseph S. Stern, Jr. Cincinnati Room in the Main Library. The exhibit is on display Nov. 16 through Feb. 17, 2013, and includes alphabet books, Mother Goose nursery rhymes, Shakespeare and a host of other childrens books from the 1880s.

Xavier freshman Jenna Crittendon has been named the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week, the first weekly honor for a Musketeer this season. Dayton's Andrea Hoover and Chatilla van Grinsven of Saint Joseph's were named the A-10 Co-Players of the Week, the league office announced on Monday.

The Cincinnati Bengals and the Freestore Foodbank are teaming up again for the Annual Meijer Canned Food Drive. Canned foods and monetary donations will be collected at Paul Brown Stadium Sunday, November 25, prior to the Bengals home game against the Oakland Raiders.Gates open at 11:30 AM. Non-perishable foods and cash donations will be accepted at each entrance to Paul Brown Stadium by Freestore Foodbank volunteers. Food products will be collected in Mobile Storage Depot Pods.

For the first time in over 25 years, U.S. Bank Arena will play host to the Xavier University and University of Cincinnati NCAA Mens Basketball matchup. The Skyline Chili Crosstown Classic will be played on Wednesday, December 19 at 7:00pm. This years game marks the 80th time the schools have met. Tickets, $125, $75, $50, and $35, go on-sale Wednesday, November 21 at 10am at the U.S. Bank Arena box office, all Ticketmaster outlets including select Kroger Stores, call 1-800-745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com.

I took a stroll up Radio Shack today to buy a microphone for my computer, by the way they dont carry them any more. They have sent them all to the Newport store, which apparently is a hotbed for microphone usage.But, that is not the point of this article. It is really about cell phones. I took a short 4 block walk to Radio Shack today and I saw a women almost get mowed down in a crosswalk. I noticed, the driver turned pale, but she didnt appear to hear or see her near brush with death. She was busy talking on her cell. Another women plowed into me when I was coming out of the Carew Tower on Vine Street. I dont think she noticed eithertoo busy talking on the phone. At least she didnt acknowledge the collision or ask if I was all right.

The University of Cincinnati mens and womens swimming and diving teams will make its first road trip of the 2012-13 season when the Bearcats compete in the Purdue University Invitational Friday through Sunday at Boilermaker Aquatic Center.In addition Purdue, the Bearcats will compete against teams from Louisville, Missouri State, Southern Illinois, Utah, as well as a select group of student-athletes from the University of Michigan.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Beginning Friday November 30 through Sunday December 9, you will b able to stroll through the 40+ wreaths and Christmas trees that have been decorated by local decorators, companies and friends.This is the 10th anniversary of Celebritrees, a fundraiser for Tender Mercies. Admission is free and open to the public and the hours are Mon-Sun 11am-7pm, except for December 9 when the hours are 11am-4pm. Celebritrees is being held at the Hyde Park Plaza on Paxton Rd. There is a preview party on Thursday, November 29 from 6pm-9pm and admission for the event, are $50. You can purchase tickets at http://bit.ly/ZY8BCt

The Cincinnatian Hotel and its long-time General Manager, Denise Vandersall, have parted company. The new General Manager is Martin Pittman. He has already begun his duties at the hotel. Mr. Pittman was formerly with DesiresHotels/Tecton Hospitality and Omni Hotels. Welcome to Cincinnati Mr. Pittman.

he latest addition to the Main Library isnt a book or a video its a caf where customers can satisfy their hunger for a good book and a good pastry at the same time.The S&J Caf officially opened Nov. 14 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The caf is operated by pastry chefs Stefan Skirtz and Andrew Johnston, owners of Skirtz & Johnston Bakery and Cafe at Historic Findlay Market. The two chefs have over 20 years of experience in the culinary and hospitality industries.

The original bad boy and legendary king of monster trucks BIGFOOT, makes a return trip to the Cincinnati Gardens and will battle a slew of other trucks at the Monster Truck Championships, featuring BIGFOOT on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 7:30 pm. Also slated to appear, the original "back-flipping" monster truck GHOST RYDER, making its Gardens debut to perform the unbelievable, gravity-defying stunt.

The beginning of the holiday season is almost here and Fountain Square is gearing up with a lot of great events. Tuesday November 20 is the Annual Turkey Bowl. The ice rink is turned into a bowling alley. All are welcome and eligible for prizes. You need only bring two non-perishable food items or $5 cash to be donated to the Freestore Food Bank. The Turkey Bowl will be held from 11:30am to 1:30pm.

In the last couple of columns, we've discussed party clothes for the holidays. Well, as tempting as those cocktail dresses and formal gowns might be, many of us spend lots more time at house parties or other more casual activities during the Christmas season. But that's no reason to restrict your wardrobe choices to old jeans and tee-shirts. Jazz things up a bit with some great winter sweaters. I love sweaters because they're so soft and warm and comfy, but they can also make a statement. No cotton tee or button-down blouse makes you feel as great as you can when sporting a fabulous sweater. Be it cotton or cashmere, wool or fuzzy angora, sweaters rule when you need a great casual look for winter.

Bengals QB Andy Dalton today was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week by the NFL. Dalton completed 21 of 30 passes for 199 yards, four TDs and 0 INTs (127.6 passer rating) in the Bengals 31-13 win vs. the N.Y. Giants on Sunday. It was the first game of his career with four TD passes. Daltons scoring passes went to four different receivers -- 56 yards to WR A.J. Green and 11 yards to WR Andrew Hawkins in the first quarter, and 10 yards to TD Jermaine Gresham and 10 yards to WR Mohamed Sanu in the third quarter. The last three of those TD passes came on third down.

Xavier womens basketball head coach Amy Waugh has announced the signing of six high school seniors to National Letters of Intent to play college ball as Musketeers as part of XUs 2013 recruiting class.Maddison Blackwell (Gahanna, Ohio - Lincoln), Kayla Davis (Brampton, Ontario St. Marguerite dYouville), Erica Dawson (Marietta, Ohio - Marietta), Leah Schaefer (Alexandria, Ky. Highlands), Kayla Styles (Louisville, Ky. Manual) and Martha Thompson (Solon, Ohio Solon) are now the newest members of the Xavier family.

Remember the Poky Little Puppy? Or maybe you were more of a Tootle the Train fan. Whichever Little Golden Book character was your favorite, you now have the chance to revisit your old friends.The Main Library is hosting the Golden Legacy exhibit, the most extensive public showing ever of original illustration art from American publishings best-loved and most consequential picture-book series, Little Golden Books.The exhibit runs through Feb. 21, 2013, in the Main Librarys Atrium, 800 Vine Street. Hours are: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

By Andy Furman...Im just now getting over the shock of the Reds three-game sweep by the Giants so you can imagine how I feel after seeing our home Bengals wallop another giant the New York Giants.These werent any ordinary giants they were the defending Super Bowl champ New York Football Giants.It was more like a clinic. A 31-13 beat down that was never in doubt.Too bad most of the town didnt or couldnt see it. Thanks to a crowd some 15,000 short of a sellout hence the local TV blackout.So the Bengals halted a four-game losing streak, and now the questions are flying. Where was this offense the last month?Where was Andy Dalton, who threw a career-high four touchdowns each to a different receiver no less?The Bengals rolled up their 31 points in just three quarters. And A.J. Green was a major part of it.This on the heels of his proclamation on WFAN radio last week that the Giants had some holes in their defense.Whether he said it or not, it proved true.

An antidote to contentious and often toxic political rhetoric Side-by-Side kicks off with Vice-Mayor Roxanne Qualls and State Senator Bill Seitz sharing the stage. Date/Time: Monday, November 12, 2012, 6-8 pm Location: College Theatre, College of Mt St Joseph - 5701 Delhi Rd, Cincinnati OH 45233 Cost: Free with Advance Registration - call 513-244-4220. Light Refreshments offered at 6:00pm. Program begins at 6:30pm. "Side By Side" - an antidote to contentious and often toxic national political rhetoric that polarizes society - invites local political leaders to reflect on the people and experiences that helped to form their political beliefs and positions"Beyond Civility" believes we are less likely to demonize people we know personally. That's why we're pleased to offer this opportunity to get to know our public officials on a more personal level - away from party campaign platforms and political personas.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH FROM 11AM TO 3PMEach year the Downtown Residents Council decorates Piatt Park for the holiday season. More details will be forthcoming, but save this date to help transform our park for your family, friends and neighbors.** Please contact Mike McManus, at mcmanus2@earthlink.net, if you can volunteer for the decorating.

Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all who have served our country in both times of war and times of peace. We remember and celebrate you always but especially today on Veteran's Day.

If you loved the World Choir Games in Cincinnati this summer, you won't want to miss this event at Joseph Beth Bookstore on November 13. Share Song. Create Magic. Capturing the Memories of the 2012 World Choir Games, a 160-page limited edition coffee-table photo book with more than 400 pictures from the World Choir Games, will be available for purchase locally at a release event at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Rookwood.

The University of Cincinnati baseball team will conclude its fall practice season with the annual Red & Black World Series, a three-game intrasquad series, Friday through Sunday at Marge Schott Stadium.With plenty of talented new faces on this seasons roster, as Baseball America pointed out, and a group of heralded veterans, the Red & Black World Series offers fans a final chance to preview the 2012-13 UC baseball team before the season begins in February.

Cincinnati Reds right fielder Jay Bruce has been named winner of the National League Louisville Silver Slugger Award for his position. In 2012, the 25-year-old was selected by National League manager Tony LaRussa for his second All-Star Game appearance, was the Reds nominee for the Hank Aaron Award and was a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. In 155 games for the Reds, Bruce hit .252 with 35 doubles, 34 HR and 99 RBI.

We keep getting all these little reminders of how close Christmas is...scary! It is only two weeks until Thanksgiving and on Saturday the tree is going up on Fountain Square.

Are you a social media junkie like meyou know always checking your newsfeed, afraid you will miss the latest post? Unfortunately, not all of my friends are on the same page, most use Facebook, but others rely totally on Twitter, Google+ or Foursquare. Then theres all those business contacts on Linked In. Checking my newsfeeds can become a full time job, to the detriment of the rest of my real life.Since I cant seem to kick the habit, I looked for a way to better manage all of this work and came across a new website that is still in Beta. It is www.SocialPoint.me. And guess what, its a Cincinnati company.

Our last blog got into great looks for formal and dressy events around the holidays, and it was fun! The next best thing to buying all those gorgeous cocktail dresses and evening gowns for myself, is finding things for you to buy, or giving you ideas for your own closet. Now, when you're trying on your new finery, look down at your feet. You have to make sure you've got the right footwear to complete your look, be it young Cinderella, sultry sex kitten, or someplace in-between (hopefully). I hate to say it, but just because your gown is floor-length, you can't just get by with a pair of plain black pumps. To complete the look, you have to pump it up with something glittery, glitzy, and, I'm afraid so, HIGH!

Tip-off for the Xavier men's basketball season is set to begin November 9 against Fairleigh Dickinson. In an effort to keep you up-to-date with the team accomplishments, Xavier Athletics has partnered with Pledge4good.com to create a fun and exciting way to track the team's activities during the games. For every 3-point basket scored during this season, you can pledge to donate as little as $1 to support the men's basketball team.

Well, it's over. No more political commercials. President Obama has won another term, pretty convincingly too. It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out during the coming months. Whether your candidates won or lost last night, once the glee of the winners and the doom and gloom of the losers all settles down, it will be okay. The country is strong and we will all come together in some way. If you missed what happened in some of the local races, the Cincinnati Chamber has put together a list of the winning candidates in our area. You can click here to see the list http://bit.ly/SSIn2N

Come celebrate the close of another fantastic season of The Constella Festival of Music and Fine Arts.Join us at Memorial Hall for a special concert and finale party featuring renowned pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet in a program of music by DebussyTicket includes concert and finale party. Purchase at: http://tinyurl.com/9df7vr7You can also call 621 ARTS 2787 and some tickets will be available at the door.

Xavier men's basketball opens its regular season on Friday, November 9. Xavier Athletics will offer discounted tickets for only $10 to all veterans and active military to attend the men's basketball home opener against Fairleigh Dickinson.In appreciation to the men and women who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces, Xavier will provide discounted tickets to Opening Night at Cintas Center for all active duty, retirees, and reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at Cintas Center.

Xavier men's basketball opens its regular season on Friday, November 9. Xavier Athletics will offer discounted tickets for only $10 to all veterans and active military to attend the men's basketball home opener against Fairleigh Dickinson.In appreciation to the men and women who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces, Xavier will provide discounted tickets to Opening Night at Cintas Center for all active duty, retirees, and reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at Cintas Center.

The Main Library will host 58th Annual Veterans Day Commemorationon Monday, November 12 at 10:45 a.m. Vietnam War Veteran James R. Shaw will present "Lest We Forget".When James R. Shaw enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at the age of21 in 1955, he followed a path blazed by the famed aviationpioneersthe Tuskegee Airmenwho were the first AfricanAmerican pilots of the U.S. Army Air Force. They overcamesegregation and prejudice to become one of the most highlyrespected fighter groups of World War II, proving conclusivelythat African Americans could fly and maintain sophisticatedcombat aircraft.

I was at the Obama rally yesterday (well sort of anyway). I was in the overflow crowd and wound up going home and watching it on the Internet. The crowd was unbelievable. I saw more of the UC campus while trying to find the end of the line than I have ever seen before. The crowd was enthusiastic and they had been waiting for hours to get one of those 15,000 seats inside Fifth Third Arena. Whether you are an Obama or a Romney supporter, I am sure that you are as excited about the election tomorrow at least in part because it finally means an end to this everlasting campaign season. National reporters are in town today showing us the long lines at the early voting stations in Ohio. People are waiting for hours to get the chance to vote in this election. That can only be a good sign. Whether Democrat, Republican, people in Ohio and across the nation are passionate about this election.

Don't panic, but its already November, and the holidays are going to be here before we know it!Only three weeks until Thanksgiving, and after that, it's office parties, holiday benefits, fund-raisers, concerts, and on and on and on for the rest of the year. Yikes, and then New Year's Eve!! Sure, some of these shindigs are casual, and well explore options for dressing for those another time, but many of us have occasion to go all out with a formal gown or fancy cocktail dress at least once during the season.

The Xavier women's basketball team is set to kick off the 2012-13 season with an exhibition tune up on Saturday, Nov. 3 against the Greyhounds of Indianapolis. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. at Cintas Center and admission is FREE!

If you have strolled by Fountain Square lately, you might have noticed that the ice rink is under construction. And if the ice rink is there, can Broomball be far behind?This is thethe seventh season of Broomball on Fountain Square. Broomball combines elements of soccer and hockey. Players wear gym shoes, not skates, and use sticks with a small, broom-shaped head to pass the ball and score goals.

Missing person, Eugene Young, was last seen in Winton Terrace. He was wearing a black tshirt and gray sweatpants.

If you were disappointed that the President didn't make it to Cincinnati yesterday, we get another chance. Not only will President Obama be coming to Cincinnati this Sunday, but he is bringing Stevie Wonder with him. The President and Stevie Wonder will appear Sunday at the Fifth Third Arena at the University of Cincinnati. Doors will open at 4 pm.

Join the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County for two lively conversations with award-winning writers at the Main Library, 800 Vine Street. For more information, call 513-369-6900.A Conversation and Writing Experience with Richard HagueTalk with Richard Hague about poetry and the writing life, and start a poem of your own at 7 p.m. Monday Nov. 5, in the Popular Library Reading Lounge. The evening will include informal discussion and Q&A about writing, reading and publishing poetry, as well as writing prompts to stimulate your own creativity.

Meet local author Joani Lacy at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Main Library and learn about the newest and final installment to her Hollister House series, "The Witch and the Banyan Tree." The author will be signing books.The event takes place in the Reading Garden Lounge, Main Library, 800 Vine Street. For more information, call 513-369-6900.

On December 5, 2011, the Unique Convenience store located at 2726 Vine Street was robbed at gunpoint by two suspects. An undisclosed amount of property was taken from the business.On October 30, 2012, District 4 Investigators arrested Jermell Hughes and charged him with aggravated robbery of the Unique Convenience store. The arrest was made after investigators obtained a DNA hit from the Hamilton County Crime Laboratory.

I had never heard of National Gaming Day, but apparently we have one and it is November 10. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is participating in National Gaming Day Saturday, Nov. 10, with plenty of events for the whole family at select branches.Young gamers can interact with a diverse group of peers, share their expertise with others, and develop new strategies for gaming and learning. Activities include video games, board games, card games, trivia, puzzles and much more.For details, visit www.CincinnatiLibrary.org.

One fashion trend that has been resurrected this fall is the peplum. You see it everywhereon dresses, skirts, blouses and sweaters. Stylists will tell you that this is a look that everyone can wear. I agree, up to a point. Unless you are a perfect size 6, you need to take a little care when wearing a peplum. First it has to fit exactly right. A peplum can draw attention to your waist and give you that hourglass figure, but it has to fit the waistline properly. A shirt or sweater with a peplum has a defined waistline so you need to make sure it hits you slightly above your natural waistline. If it hangs too long, it just looks silly. True, a peplum can hide a little tummy, just make sure that it is not too tight so that it flares out like a fan.

Before I continue with the Walt Disney World portion of my recent trip to Orlando, I just have to stipulate that I am a dyed-in-the-wool Disney World fan. Even though I have no children, and my two friends and I were there to enjoy a girls trip, we really get into the Disney spirit.

By Andy Furman...Thoughts on a day the Bengals didnt lose because they didnt play. A rest. Just what we needed. A rest. Not just from football but from the local sports scene. The Bengals didnt play Sunday hence they couldnt lose. And thats a sad statement to make, but its true. Seems to me every season the dreams are perpetrated by the media who but in to the system. Finally I have something to say about this. Perhaps the media are just fans and are rooting for the hometown team. Or, worse yet, maybe the media just doesnt know the game of football and after seven games, like the Bengals, they look like fools. Who knows? And more than that, who really cares?

The NCAA has released this year's Graduation Success Rates (GSR) for student-athletes in Division I athletics. Xavier has continued its strong academic tradition among its student-athletes by posting a score of 97 percent, which ranked tied for 11th in the nation and was the best GSR score in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The A-10 ranked second among 31 Division I conferences in the GSR.An impressive list of 14 Xavier teams out of XU's 18 NCAA Division I sports can boast GSR scores of 100 percent: men's basketball, men's cross country, women's cross country, men's golf, women's golf, women's soccer, men's swimming, women's swimming, men's tennis, women's tennis, men's indoor track and field, women's indoor track and field, men's outdoor track and field and women's outdoor track and field. The Xavier women's basketball and volleyball teams were the next-highest ranked XU programs at 91 percent.

The weather man tells me that the weather is going to turn cold this weekend, so I thought that it was time for me to update my fall and winter wardrobe. I took a walk downtown at lunch todaywhere do you shop downtown?I walked over to Macys and it was a sad experience. The last time I shopped there, only a week or so ago, you could go to the second floor and put together a good work outfit from their Ann Klein, Jones and Ralph Lauren offerings. Today, I found that they have moved Ann Klein and Jones to the first floor to the professional woman section and have expanded the mens department. What a waste of floor space, right ladies?

Cincinnati Were you one of the thousands of people to attend the Antiques Roadshow taping in Cincinnati this summer? Wondering what treasures the Queen City holds? Ready to search the TV for someone you know?Then mark your calendars!

Celebrate Halloween on Fountain Square this year. Come alone, with a friend or get the whole gang from the office together and form a team to enter the sixth annual Costume Contest on October 31.TTo participate, simply show up at the stage on Fountain Square at 11:30am and sign up. Costumes will be judged by several qualified representatives. In the past, prizes have been awarded in seven categories:

It seems like holiday shopping starts earlier and earlier every year. And what better way to kick off this years season than with the Anderson Township Library Associations annual Holiday & Nearly New Used Book Sale Nov. 8-10 at the Anderson Branch Library.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is pleased to present a fun-filled classical music experience for the entire family performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's Brass Trio. The CSO @ The Library concert is 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Pleasant Ridge Branch Library.

This is a quote from Indiana Senatorial candidate Richard Mourdock. I find it unbelievable that an educated man who has been paying even the slightest attention to what goes on around him could make such a statement: "The only exception I have to have an abortion is in that case of the life of the mother," Mourdock said. "I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize that life is that gift from God and I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape that it is something God intended to happen."1) Whatever happened to personal responsibility? Is the rapist not responsible for his actions because God intended it to happen? Maybe there should be no repercussions for the rapist; after all he is only doing what God intended.

Xavier University strives to develop our student-athletes beyond the playing field. We hope that you share our excitement about Xavier's continued success at the Division I level while maintaining the highest level of integrity. Help Xavier student-athletes pursue excellence by becoming a member of the All For One Club.

People Working Cooperatively is seeking volunteers for its 25th Annual Prepare Affair event on Saturday, Nov.10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. PWC staff members and volunteers will prepare more than 1,000 homes in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and portions of Indiana for the long winter months ahead.Prepare Affair is one of the Tri-States largest single-day community volunteer event composed of approximately 3,000 individuals, families, businesses and community groups helping neighbors clear their home repair checklists before the start of winter. Volunteers will take on tasks such as raking leaves, cleaning gutters and other winter preparation tasks for their elderly neighbors.

I know a lot of people don't bother with a watch anymore. They have their cell phones with them 24/7 and just have to glance down to check the time. I, however, don't live by the cell phone. Of course, I have one. Who doesn't? But I like to leave it in my pocket or purse most of the time. I hate to have it in my hand constantly, like a huge growth on my palm. I'd rather give my full attention to the person I am physically standing next to, be it a friend or colleague, the clerk in the department store where I am buying something, the bank teller, the restaurant server, or any other human being who deserves my attention.

Xavier swimmer Mackenna Rife was named the A-10 Womens Swimming Rookie of the Week by the conference office today. She earned the award after just the second week of competition this season.Rife took first place in four events meets against Southwest Ohio-rivals Cincinnati and Miami (Ohio) last weekend. Rife claimed the top spot in both the 500 freestyle and 1000 freestyle against the Bearcats.

The Atlantic 10 Conference office in Newport News, Va., has released the results of the coaches preseason poll and the Xavier mens swimming team was picked to finish third. The womens swimming team was selected to finish ninth.Under the guidance of Atlantic 10 Mens Swimming Coach of the Year Brent MacDonald, Xavier finished third in the 2011-12 A-10 Championships. The team was selected to finish in third again this season. The team will be relying on the experience of several upper classman, including Sam Conchuratt, Chad Thompson and Pablo Morejon, while receiving contributions from several of the newcomers.

CINCINNATI Xavier women's basketball coach Amy Waugh has announced that freshman Ce'Dra Evans has not been medically cleared to compete for the Musketeers this coming season. Evans was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy during a routine exam performed on incoming freshman student-athletes at Xavier.

How can there possibly be any undecided voters in this years Presidential election. Have you people been living under a rock? We have two candidates who, at least from what they have been telling us for months, are polar opposites on economic and social issues. Until last nights debate, I also thought they were nearly as far apart on foreign policy. After the first 30 minutes, I thought Mitt Romney was an Obama supporter! He agreed with the President all night long. If you are a Romney supporter you must be thoroughly kerfluxed.

Get a birds-eye view of the Queen City when author Susan Sachs Levine reads from her book Harrietts Homecoming at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Main Library during storytime.The book tells the story of a young peregrine falcon named Harriett who is rehabilitated and released from the top of the Carew Tower by a wildlife officer.Listen to the story of Harriett as she searches for home and visits the many wonderful local sites, including the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Krohn Conservatory, Findlay Market, and even the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton Countys famous book fountain.

Music Live at Lunch, Christ Church Cathedral's weekly concert series, will feature the following performers in October.These free concerts are presented on Tuesday at 12:10 p.m. Patrons may bring their lunch or buy one at the cathedral for $5.Christ Church Cathedral is located at 318 East Fourth Street, downtown Cincinnati. All performances are in the Centennial Chapel unless listed as being in the cathedral nave.

The Cincy Deli located at 2832 Jefferson Avenue was broken into on October 19, 2012. The suspect removed an undisclosed amount of property from the business. Please review the attached surveillance photographs of the suspect. Anyone with information about this or any other crime is asked to call Police Dispatch at 513-765-1212 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 513-352-3040.

Xavier University will be hosting its annual Musketeer Madness presented by Skyline Chili tomorrow at Cintas Center. Musketeer Madness is the tip-off event for fans as the men's and women's basketball teams gear up for the 2012-13 seasons.The general schedule:

Why not stay downtown for dinner tonight and then walk over to Fountain Square for 4EG's Rocktober Happy Hour on Fountain Square. From 8PM to 11PM tonight you can enjoy,$3 beers, wines, and other delicious cocktails Try one of the seasonal beers, like the Widmer Brothers OKTO or Sam Adam's Octoberfest Brew. Youll also have the chance to win a FREE pair of tickets to the upcoming Bengals vs Steelers game

By Andy Furman...Stop please stop. Please stop e-mailing me (furman@ourtowen.com or AndyF@FSR247.com) to find out if Im alive and well. Yes, I appreciate the concern. But I was buried in a basement no windows and just bread and water for several days. Thats how long it took me to get over the shock and pain of that disaster we labeled the playoffs for our Cincinnati Reds. I mean, cmon up two-to-one having to win just one more in three.And all three at the (Not So) Great American Ball Park.How does that happen? How do you explain this team leaving some 39 runners on base in the series? Thats what pained me.

Just got back from a girls getaway to Orlando, and we had a great time. There were three of us, all single, and we chose Orlando for a number of reasons. One, we love the hot weather. Two, we enjoy the Disney experience. And last, but certainly not least, Orlando is one of the cheapest destinations you can fly to from Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

This Saturday, October 20 is the 6th Annual Books By The Banks held at the Duke Energy Center. The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m and will feature plenty of activities for the entire family to enjoy! All events are free and open to the public!

Style & Steps for OTS (Off the StreetsSM) is a fashion show, shopping event, and cocktail hour on Wednesday, November 14th, from 6-9 p.m. at Macy's Fountain Place. The fashion show will begin at 6:15 p.m.Guests will enjoy Macy's to themselves, fully staffed, with a 20% discount on all purchases except cosmetics and fragrances. Free shipping and gift wrap will also be available. Shop for the holidays without the crowds while you enjoy food from Jeff Thomas Catering.

Local comedians are presenting a benefit performance for Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at Below Zero Lounge at 1122 Walnut St. in Over-the-Rhine. The show, titled You Say Election, We Say Vagina: A Night of Legitimate Comedy, starts at 8 p.m.Motivated by the record number of attacks on womens health over the past year, supporters of Planned Parenthood recruited local comedian Alison Rampa to gather some of Cincinnatis funniest people for a response.

I told you last week that I'd look for boots and booties that would look great with all the new skirts and tops you'll be wearing to work, and I did just that. These are just a sampling of the tons of fabulous footwear that is available, in all price ranges, online and in stores. Some of the selections I've made this week are colorful and fun, and maybe a little impractical if you just want one or two pair of boots or booties, but most of those shown are also available in basic colors of black and brown. Things just look hotter and more interesting in color! Its like purses. If you see a bag in a gorgeous red or pink sitting next to the same bag in black, it's the colored one you notice and you probably long for, but it may usually be the black one you choose because it's more practical.

The Dads & Daughters ticket package is back for the 2012-13 womens basketball season after last years successful package. Over 100 dads and daughters enjoyed their experience last year prompting Xavier marketing to continue with the program. This ticket program is targeted for dads with daughters in eighth grade and below. The unique package includes tickets to four games during the 2012-13 season regular season, t-shirts, and four different events at each of the games all for ONLY $50.

The Cincinnati Cyclones take on the Trenton Titans this Saturday at U.S. Bank Arena for the first Kids Eat Free night of the season! Kids 2-12 will receive a free meal courtesy of John Morrell, Hawaiian Punch, & Sunny D. Plus, each fan 2-12 will receive a Twister Card! Doors Open at 6:30, The Puck drops at 7:30, and tickets are only $13! Click here to purchase online or call 513-421-PUCK(7825) for group discounts and special packages.

Conference play for the Musketeers begins with a three-game series at St. Bonaventure from March 22-24. Xavier also plays on the road against Saint Louis (March 29-31), Saint Josephs (May 3-5) and Butler (May 16-18). XU will host A-10-foes Dayton (April 5-7), Charlotte (April 20-23), Rhode Island (April 26-28) and UMass (May 10-12).The A-10 Conference Tournament will be hosted by Charlotte and played from May 22-25. All games will be held at the Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

This Friday fon Fountain Square is the 2012 Cincy Chic even "Bras with Flair on the Square", A list of events is shown below:11AM-1PM OCT. 19 - MAMMOGRAMS + BRA DISPLAY VIEWING, VOTINGNo Cost* Mammograms provided. The decorated bra with the most votes wins two Ultimate Jet Charter Tickets! 5-7PM OCT. 19 -TA-TA TINI HAPPY HOURMusic, shopping, drinks, mingling and silent auction7-8PM OCT. 19 - FASHION SHOW**Featuring the latest fall trends from Sara Benjamin's & Mitchell's Salon and Day Spa + finale show honoring a local breast cancer survivor.

The City of Cincinnati is opening a community conversation to identify what decks over Fort Washington Way will be anything from a commercial or mixed retail corridor to an open public space for recreation and art. To facilitate this process, the City is inviting public input and is hosting a national, open design competition. The decks will cover the recessed highway, at street level between Second and Third streets, bookended by Elm Street to the west and Main Street to the east. What do you envision for the area? How can this area best serve the surrounding business and civic community? Please voice your preferences they will help guide the design program by visiting the website and taking our survey www.cincinnati-oh.gov/connecttheblocks

From the littlest ghost to the biggest ghoul, the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is offering up a cauldron full of Halloween events at select branches starting Oct. 23 and running through Oct. 31. Some SPOOKtacular highlights are: Mystical Nights - Tarot Card Readings: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 24, at the Main Library,Reading Garden Lounge. Experience the magic of Patricia Garry, local mystic, as shereads tarot cards. See what the future holds for you. For entertainment purposes only.Adults.

Photographer Tyler Shields has the pop culture world a-buzz. His photo shoot with Heather Morris from Glee was one of the biggest news stories in American entertainment television; his exhibition in London made headlines in the UK papers; and his work with Lindsay Lohan made international news. His body of work often features his muse and girlfriend, Francesca Eastwood, daughter of Hollywood veteran, Clint Eastwood. Open to the general public, Tyler Shields is the guest of honor at the opening party for Tyler Shields: Controlled Chaosexhibition Friday, October 12, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Miller Gallery in Hyde Park Square. Controlled Chaos is Miller Gallerys contribution to Fotofocus, the 2012 photography biennial.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is presenting the program Nanotechnology: The Smallest BIG Idea in Science at select library branches during National Chemistry Week Oct. 21-27. Celebrating 25 years in 2012, National Chemistry Week is a community-based program that unites the American Chemical Society, businesses, schools, and individuals in conveying the importance of chemistry to our quality of life and getting students excited about studying science. No reservations are required. Call your library branch for more information or visit http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/news/2012/chemistryweek.html.

If you're bored with your look and want to try something new, give a skirt a chance. I know, pants are easy. Buy a couple of black pair, a couple of brown pair, maybe try a gray pair, and your work wardrobe is set. I love pants, too, but face it, ultimately, they all look pretty much the same. Yes, with skirts you do have to do a little more preparation. Legs have to be shaved more often. When its cold, you want to get in a supply of coordinating tights. Your shoes must be kept in better condition.

University of Cincinnati kicker Tony Miliano (North Bend, Ohio/Elder) was named the BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week for the week ending Oct. 9, 2012, the league office announced Monday.DB Camerron Cheatham (Kalamazoo, Mich./Central) and RB George Winn (Southfield, Mich./UD Jesuit) both earned spots on the conferences weekly honor roll following the Bearcats 51-14 win over Miami (Ohio) in front of a sold-out homecoming crowd at historic Nippert Stadium.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is pleased to welcome the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company for two lively discussions at the Main Library Oct. 16 and Oct. 23. They will be speaking about the upcoming productions of Romeo & Juliet and Titus Andronicus.CSC members will give the inside track on how they stage productions of the Bards plays. Find out about costumes, set design, plot interpretations and the never-ending challenge of how an actor or actress approaches Shakespeares complex characters.

The police are looking for Kevin Sullivan, a suspect in a fradulent check cashing scheme. Sullivan has one felony warrant for probation violation out of Warren County and has six open warrants here in Hamilton County, with the charges ranging from Theft and Passing Bad Checks to Failure to Comply with a Police Officer.

On September 25, 2012, at approximately 2350 hours a Domino's delivery person was robbed at 227 McGregor Avenue. At least two suspects were involved in the robbery. Two male black suspects punched and choked the victim. The suspects were armed with a knife during the attack. The suspects fled the scene with the victim's wallet. One of the suspects dropped his wallet leaving behind his personal information. District 4 Investigators signed aggravated robbery charges on Cortez Sloan age 19. On October 3, 2012, the Fugitive Apprehension Unit arrested Cortez Sloan in the 100 block of Malvern Place. Police are still trying to identify his accomplice.

In celebration of the Cincinnati Reds Central Division Championship, fans caught wearing red next week could receive an ice-cold surprise, compliments of Coca-Cola.Volunteers will be taking to the streets of Cincinnati and Dayton on Tuesday, October 9th with coolers full of ice-cold Coca-Cola aluminum bottles. They will be on the look-out for fans who are celebrating the Reds division championship by wearing red attire, whether to work, play or just running errands.We are thrilled to congratulate the Reds on an outstanding season and look forward to joining fans across Southeast Ohio to celebrate post-season play, said Mark Rahiya, Sr. VP of Sales for Coca-Colas Great Lakes Region. And we know nothing goes better with baseball than an ice-cold Coca-Cola!

By Andy Furman... Dusty Baker is the National League Manager of the Year. No question about it. He wins the award over the Giants, Bruce Bochy and Davey Johnson, a former Reds manager now with the Washington Nationals. Think of this, and maybe you forgot, Baker brought this Reds ball club to the top of the National League Central after losing his closer Ryan Madson in spring training. Most managers win pennants and championships after acquiring players. Not only did Baker lose Madson, he lost his MVP Joey Votto for some 48 ballgames. Votto, if you've lived in a cave was batting in the .340 neighborhood. That?s a bite.

I absolutely hate to shop for coats. Mind you, I love coats. I love to look at them. I love the beautiful materials, and the luxurious furs, and the fun sporty looks. But I hate to try them on and try to decide on one. Theyre too long, or too short, or too big, or too small. Worst of all, you try a puffer style that looks fabulous on the hanger, but makes you look like the Michelin Man. How depressing is that?

STREETCAR SATURDAYS - GET ON BOARD!Join the city in celebrating the Cincinnati Streetcar in six business districts along the new route. Each Streetcar Stop will issue a "Transit Pass" that you can redeem for real rewards when the streetcar's real route is running. Come and show your support for the streetcar and Cincinnati's downtown businesses!October 20th - Main Street (12th and Main)November 17th - Findlay Market (Race and Elder)December 15th - Fountain Square (5th and Walnut)Follow us on Twitter for updates @Streetcar_Sat

Xavier University announced today that every regular season mens basketball game will be televised this season on a regional or national network. The first broadcast will be the home opener on Friday, November 9 against Fairleigh Dickinson on FOX Sports Ohio, the Television Home of Xavier Basketball.

Do you know what a Nerdfighter is?If you answered No, then you need to come to the Main Library at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, and discover the awesomeness that is known as author John Green as he kicks off Teen Read Week.

Michelle Obama will be coming to Cincinnati next Tuesday and speaking at a public campaign event at the Duke Energy Center. Tickets are necessary free and can be picked up at the following locations this Saturday from 9-9. East Walnut Hills - 2718 Woodburn Ave. Forest Park - 1240 West Kemper Road College Hill - 5846 Hamilton Ave. Over-the-Rhine - 1130 Main Street

Know Theatre of Cincinnati is excited to announce a photo exhibit as a part of the city-wide celebration of photography, FotoFocus. FotoFocus @ Know is curated by former Cincinnati Fringe Visual Fringe chairperson, Matt Steffen and will feature nine photographers, ranging in style and scope; the salon style show will fill the Underground's walls with images of portraiture, documentary and experimentation. Please join us for the exhibitions opening on Thursday, October 4 with a free reception from 6 pm to 9 pm and will remain installed throughout the month of October. Happy hour drink prices and light food will be provided.

My aunt Edna, who lived upstairs from me when I was a little girl, used to make the best peach cobbler. Aunt Edna went to her just reward several years ago and it has been a long time since I have had any peach cobbler, but I am going to get the chance again.A new pastry shop is opening downtown next month. Everything Under the Crust will open on 4th Street between Elm and Plum in October and as the name suggests, specialize in cobblers. In addition to peach cobbler, they will also serve pies, cakes and casseroles.It sounds so good. I can hardly wait.

October is National SIDS month. Jean Robert and Annette deCavel are hosting the best fundraiser of the year on October 14 at the Midwest Culinary Institute on Central Parkway. Just come and graze the delicious offerings being presented by Cincinnati's best chefs. Participating restaurants include Jean Robert's Table, Daveeds Next, Mayberry, Taste of Belgium, The Coffee Emporium, Keegan's Fresh Seafood, Oriental Wok, Orchids at the Palm Court, Via Vite and many more.

Q: What should I know about keeping costs down when I buy auto, homeowners or umbrella insurance policies? A: To receive discounts and reduce premiums, you can generally get the best overall coverage and the best overall price by purchasing auto, homeowners and umbrella insurance from the same company and the same agent. Make sure your agent gives you comparative quotes from various companies for various limits. This allows you to see the full picture and make an informed decision. It is important to review your insurance coverage with your agent every year. Your needs as well as the price of insurance may change if you buy a new vehicle, have speeding tickets or claims (or claim-free years), or if your teenager starts to drive.

Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Judge Patrick F. Fischer has appointed five Cincinnati-area lawyers to be chairpersons of OSBA committees and sections for 2012-2013. The OSBA maintains 31 standing committees and 11 sections, each of which monitors a particular area of law. Committees and sections work to improve the justice system by keeping Ohio lawyers informed about the latest court decisions and regulatory changes. In addition, they comment on bills before the Ohio General Assembly and draft their own legislative proposals to improve existing laws.

Johnson recorded a career-high three sacks for minus-17 yards in the Bengals 38-31 win at Washington on Sunday. He totaled seven tackles (six solo). It was the first time a Bengals player recorded three or more sacks in a game since DE Antwan Odom tied a club record with five at Green Bay in Week 2 of 2009. In fact, Odom was the last Bengal to be named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for that performance. Through Week 3, Johnson leads the Bengals with 4.0 sacks. That total ranks tied for second in the AFC and tied for fourth in the NFL.

The Reds Community Fund has announced the 8th annual CBTS Marty Brennaman Golf Classic, which took place at Belterra Casino Resort on Sept. 23-24, raised a total of $275,000 for the Reds Community Fund.

If you need a lift just thinking about the gray days of a long, drab winter, turn up the volume on your wardrobe by adding some warm and wonderful color! Red is always an eye-opener that will brighten up anything, and also give you a head-start on your holiday dressing. At Christmastime, you always want to have something red, even if its just a scarf or tee-shirt , so you can join in a festive get-together at a moments notice.

The Public Librarys 11th annual Teen Photography Contest is running Oct. 1 through Oct. 31 and offers teens an opportunity to show their creative side. This years theme is Harmony Is and teens are encouraged to snap pictures of harmony wherever they may find it in their music, in their environment, or in their friends and family.The Library is partnering with the Art Academy of Cincinnati to provide free programs for teens as part of the contest. The Art Academys professional photography instructors will inspire ideas while guiding teens to think outside of the box when conceptualizing ideas for the contest. Basic digital editing instruction will be covered as well as time for critiques of provided examples to help teens to shoot a winning photo.

This Sunday, SEPTEMBER 30TH and again on AND OCTOBER 26TH, you have a great opportunity to learn more about our city. Experience a foodie trip around the world during a 90-minute guided tour of Cincinnati's historic Findlay Market. Your $15 ticket includes stops and tastings at six specialty merchants where you'll meet the merchants, learn their history and products, and sample sips or small bites. Optional $5 add-on completes your tour with wine tasting at Market Wines. Upcoming tour dates include Sunday, September 30 at 12:00 pm and Friday, October 26 at 2:00 pm. Visit www.cincinnatifoodtours.com for more information and online reservations

The MidPoint Music Festival continues its 11-year tradition on the region's frontline of music exploration. MidPoint's embrace of emerging artists reflects the same pioneering ethic of Cincinnati's celebrated music history and its present day music-makers.MPMF.12 is Thursday through Saturday Sept. 27-29 in downtown Cincinnati and the adjoining Over-the-Rhine district.

he Musketeer womens golf team concluded the Wolverine Invitational tying for third place and had several notable individual efforts. Xavier shot an 81-over-par 933 (316-311-306) as a team and tied Illinois and Eastern Michigan at the par-71 U-M Golf Course. Senior Breanna Patz and freshman Shane Crutchfield tied for sixth place with scores of 232 (+19).

By Andy Furman..You know Ive been doing this sports thing for most of my adult life. In fact, as a kid in high school, I know I sound like my dad, I wrote a weekly sports roundup column for the Brooklyn Graphic, for gulp, ten bucks a week. And, all the stamps and envelopes I could get my hands on as well. Oh yeah, Id send those weekly clips cross-country. But after all the years in sports, youd think youve seen it all. You know the freaks. The face painters on game days. The nuts that sit atop billboards until their favorite team wins. The hecklers. The wigs. The banners. The noise makers. Even the coaches and managers with tempers. Who could forget Sweet Lou Piniella managing the Reds one hot summer night, and the fuse went off. He went off. Got into it with the umpires and tossed a base into right field. True passion. You gotta love it. But every day is a new day in the sports arena; and I had to share this one with you

If Oktoberfest is not your thing and the Reds game is not your cup of tea, how about a great movie. You can see "The Hunger Games" for free at Washington Park on Saturday night. The movie starts at 8:30 and is scheduled to be over at 11. Bring a chair and a blanket. Tomorrow night promises to be chilly. For details about other activities at the new Washington Park, click http://www.washingtonpark.org

Tuckers Restaurant, on Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine, has plans for a permanent Parklet in front of their restaurant. Early today, the designers set up a temporary Parklet to show the city how a few under utilized parking spaces could turn the space into a usable area to enhance the neighborhood and provide an outdoor dining experience.

It is Oktoberfest weekend in Cincinnati and the fun starts at noon on Friday on Fountain Square with the 6th Annual Running of the Wiener dogs. Saturday hours are from 11:00am to midnight and are kicked off with the Worlds Largest Chicken Dance at 1:30 on Fountain Square. Sunday hours are from 11am to 10pm. It should be a great weekend for the event so grab your lederhosen and get on downtown to enjoy the beer, brats and cream puffs. For a complete list of events check out www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com.

Come to the Main Library this fall to experience the history of steamboats through their photographs, starting with the oldest surviving photographs of steamboats, captured in the Cincinnati Panorama of 1848. View close-up images, glass slides, postcards and prints from the Librarys extensive Inland Rivers Collection of more than 20,000 photographs. Travel back in time to explore steamboat building, luxury liners, river disasters and the impact of steamboats on life in Cincinnati.

The Xavier womens basketball team has announced the complete 2012-13 schedule, including all Atlantic 10 Conference games. The Musketeers will play host to Duquesne, Fordham, George Washington, La Salle, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure and Saint Louis while traveling to Butler, Charlotte, Dayton, Massachusetts, Richmond, Temple and Virginia Commonwealth.

I know that a lot of the things I write about and show on my blog are kind of pricey, but, what can I say? I love beautiful things, and many of them have a steep price tag. Sure, sometimes I splurge and buy the gorgeous shoe, or the fantastic designer jacket that I just have to have, but usually Im looking for bargains like the rest of the world. I might get one outstanding piece at a great price, and build the rest of my outfit around it, using items I already have at home, or basic pieces I can pick up at a department store, or an on-line outlet.

To commemorate the Civil War Sesquicentennial, the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County plans to host every year through 2015 a fall speaker series highlighting the history of Cincinnati and the Tristate area during the Civil War. All presentations begin at 2 p.m. and will be held in the Genealogy & Local History Study Area: Saturday, Sept. 22: The John Hunt Morgan Trail David Mowery, Cincinnati CivilWar Round Table, will talk about Morgans Raid and Mowerys own effort tocomprehensively mark the raids trail through Hamilton County.

Diner en Blanc is a fancy pop up dinner for 1,100 people at a secret location. Cincinnatis first ever Diner en Blanc was on September 15th in Lytle Park. Everyone wears white and brings his or her own food, chairs, and table. Guests arrive on bus from various spots throughout the city. After tables were set at approximately 7 pm all guests participated in a Napkin Wave to signal time for dinner to begin. Throughout the evening music played as guests dined, danced and released over 1,000 white balloons.

President Obama spoke to a packed house today at the Seasongood Pavillion at Eden Park. He centered his remarks on economic policy, criticizing his opponent for his tyring to solve all problems with tax cuts. He reiterated President Clinton's remarks at the Democratic Convention that "the arithmetic doesn't work". You cannot spend more money and give tax cuts at the same time.

The President arrived at the DHL runway at CVG at about 11:30am today. He was greeted by Mayor Mallory and Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls before leaving for the Seasongood Pavillion in Eden Park where he will speak today at approximately 12:25pm. These are pictures of the President's motorcade as it made its way to Eden Park.

Join the County Administrator and Budget Director for a brief presentation discussing county responsibilities and the 2013 general fund budget with a question and answer period to follow. Learn about the competing forces that shape the county budget, and contribute your voice to the difficult choices ahead for county leaders.

The fourth Friday in September marks Parking Day. From Austin, Tex. to San Juan and in between, people take over metered parking spaces to demonstrate the need for more public space in cities. Cincinnati has participated for the past five years with community members setting up in the central business district, Over-the-Rhine and Uptown neighborhoods. Event is 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 21. The majority of participating businesses are located on Main Street between Central Parkway and Liberty Street, Over-the-Rhine. Click here for a list of locations.

The Queen City comes under the lens this fall with FotoFocus Cincinnati; a month-long biennial celebration being held in October to spotlight independently programmed exhibitions of historical and contemporary photography and photo-based art.The Library is giving FotoFocus more exposure by showcasing works from some of the regions best photographers in the Frame Cincinnati exhibit. The photos will be displayed from Sept. 5 through Nov. 4. in the atrium of the Main Library, 800 Vine Street.

The Bengals have selected Cincinnati business leader Alfonso Cornejo as the recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award, a recognition made possible through the support of Bud Light. The NFL and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) have partnered for the second annual NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards Presented by Bud Light during the 2012 celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The awards recognize the contributions of Hispanic leaders in each NFL market.The Bengals will honor Mr. Cornejo this Sunday at their Hispanic Heritage game when they host the Cleveland Browns.

This Saturday, September 15, is a great time for you to "go Underground." Saturday is the 8th annual Toyota Scion Underground Party..."Scion Exposed." Not only does it sound like a lot of fun, but it's free!. The entrance to the 1/2 mile long tunniel is at 220 Central Avenue between Third Street and West Pete Rose Way, under the Second Street Overpass. Don't worry if you don't know exactly where that is, Scion promises plenty of signs. Doors open at noon and the party ends at midnight.

Tonight, in the spirit of Salsa on the Square a popular Thursday night event during the PNC Summer Music Series and in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, P&G and Midwest Latino bring back one night of September Salsa dancing, live entertainment, and free dance instruction. This free night of fun will leave your toes tapping.

Women who wear black pants to work every day, this ones for you. You know who you are. Black pants are easy. Theyre always in style. They make my butt look smaller. They go with everything. They cover the legs I hate. Theyre seasonless. I know all the excuses, and Ive used most of them myself. But if you must wear black trousers everyday, at least spruce them up with some fabulous tops and accessories. Forget the little button-up cotton shirt, and, please, dump the shapeless tee-shirt. I know you. If you work in a bank or law office, you might top them off with a little black blazer. If your career is in another kind of office or in retail, you may not even bother with that. Black slacks may be your staples, your go-to piece of clothing, but dont let that look become your uniform.

If you think of Ross playing his keyboard synthesizer on Friends when you hear the words experimental music, then you need to swing by the Main Library and listen to some real musicians push the limits of genre and sound.Electric Inertia...Jonathan Hancock will play trumpet and piano simultaneously, accompanied by a cellist, while manipulating reel-to-reel projectors. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, Reading Garden Lounge

Xavier University sophomore Korey Ward (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) won his first collegiate individual title with a one-stroke victory in Xaviers first event of the fall season, the Marshall Invitational. Ward earned medalist honors with a three-round total of 9-under-par 204 (69-66-69) at the Guyan Golf and Country Club in Huntington, W.Va. Xavier finished in a tie for seventh place as a team with a three-round total of 867 (289-288-290).

Live It Up Downtown! Proudly presented by Downtown Cincinnati Inc. and the Downtown Residents Council, with support from Horseshoe Casino and 4EG, celebrates the vibrant downtown residential community on Saturday, September 15 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fountain Square at Fifth and Vine Streets.The FREE event features realtors and property managers proving information on available apartments and condos; booths highlighting downtown amenities, and live music and entertainment for all ages. Meet members of the Downtown Residents Council and find out why they love to live downtown.

I was in the car this morning at 8:46am, the exact time at which the first plane hit the World Trade Center 11 years ago. I dont think any of us who were alive on that day will ever forget where we were at that moment. I was in my office, when a co-worker ran in and said a plane had just struck the World Trade Center. We immediately all ran into the conference room to turn on the tv and see what had happened. At first, we all thought that it was an accident, until while watching we,in disbelief, saw the second plane strike.

One of the biggest figures in Cincinnati Bengals franchise history is throwing a huge event for a good cause. In his effort to increase autism awareness, Ken Anderson will be hosting a charity event on Fountain Square during the Bengals first game of the season on Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens. Other former Bengals, including Issac Curtis, Max Montoya, Ickey Woods, Anthony Munoz, and Bob Trumpy will be there to support Anderson and the cause. All will be available for autographs for a suggested donation to IMPACT Autism.

Cincinnati Union Bethel will be hosting a free ice cream social on Friday, September 14th, from 4:30-6 p.m., in Lytle Park. Guests will enjoy Dojo Gelato and music from Burning Caravan. Tours of the Anna Louise Inn will be available from 4:30-5:30 p.m.Hope to see you on September 14th!

By Andy Furman...I didnt want this I promise. I didnt want to be sucked in to the NFL preview game. Everywhere I turn its news for the forthcoming National Football League season. The picks. The games. The previews. Why is there so much football news? Doesnt the media go overboard in covering this game? I know. I know. We are told the public cant get enough football. Ya wanna know why? Because the media wont stop feeding it to us. Football news in the media is a 24/7, 365-day cycle. The news media covers in-season games, pre-season games, the draft, the practices and everything in-between. Why football gets more coverage, total, than baseball and basketball combined. And quite frankly, I dont get it.

By Andy Furman...I didnt want this I promise. I didnt want to be sucked in to the NFL preview game. Everywhere I turn its news for the forthcoming National Football League season. The picks. The games. The previews. Why is there so much football news? Doesnt the media go overboard in covering this game? I know. I know. We are told the public cant get enough football. Ya wanna know why? Because the media wont stop feeding it to us. Football news in the media is a 24/7, 365-day cycle. The news media covers in-season games, pre-season games, the draft, the practices and everything in-between. Why football gets more coverage, total, than baseball and basketball combined. And quite frankly, I dont get it.

An important monument to Cincinnati's Black Brigade will be honored thisSunday at Smale Riverfront Park. The Black Brigade was a Civil War military unit of African American men who fought to save Cincinnati from attack

The Cincinnati Police Department - District Two is experiencing multiple offenses of Public Indecency. The offenses are occurring in the early morning hours. The suspect is targeting female victims that are jogging alone. The suspect is described as a male-black late 20's early 30's. He is medium built and usually wears something on his head, possibly a bandana.

Lisa McDaniel Brown has been named Advancement Director at Dress for Success Cincinnati. Ms. Brown will develop and execute fundraising plans and special events.Dress for Success Cincinnati provides business clothing for women entering or re-entering the workforce, along with career counseling and related services such as financial literacy education, job search and retention guidance, resume and letter-writing lessons, and interview preparation. For more information, visit www.dfscincy.org.

The Bengals today made the following roster moves after 4 p.m.:* Placed C Kyle Cook on the Reserve/Injured list, designated for possible return to the roster this season. Teams may place one player in this category, pursuant to a new NFL rule for 2012. Cook will be eligible to return to practice as early as Week 7 and will be eligible to play as early as Week 9, depending on his condition and on team plans. Cook, who has started the last 50 Bengals regular season and postseason games (tied for the current teams longest streak), has been out since suffering an ankle injury on Aug. 23 vs. Green Bay.

It didn't take much to convince me to add more purple to my fall wardrobe. I love the purple hues, and they can add so much zing to the winter palette of darker colors. Im not suggesting that you go all wild and crazy purple. If you have a purple dress, you might want to go with silver and black accessories or maybe a beautiful print scarf. If your background color is navy, black, or even winter white, dress it up with a dash of violet or regal plum.

You only have to win by one and sophomore Margaret Woods scored the game-winner for the Xavier women's soccer team in the 98th minute for the 1-0 win at Northern Kentucky Tuesday night. Woods' golden goal was the first of her career.Xavier (3-3-0) improves to .500 for the season with its second-straight win heading into a two-game homestand this weekend. XU and Northern Kentucky (1-4-0) ended up tied in the shots category with 11 apiece. NKU recorded six corner kicks to XU's one.

Xavier needed Stephanie Vorherrs record-breaking performance and Am Whites double-double to defeat Miami in five sets (28-30, 25-22, 21-25, 25-19, 15-11) on Tuesday evening.Vorherr reached the career-milestone for digs midway through the fourth set when she recorded three digs in a matter of minutes. The senior libero finished the match with 20 digs, giving her 1,735 for her career. Beth Osterday previously set the mark at 1,728 digs during her four-year career that lasted from 1996-99.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is pleased to announce details for its 2012-13 Studio Series of opera, musical theatre and drama.The series opens in October with a revival of the comedy-horror-rock musical Little Shop of Horrors and concludes in April with an extended run of the Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning musical Parade, co-produced with the Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center.

This is a composite sketch of the rape suspect from Delhi Township's Robbery, Kidnapping, and Sexual Assault from yesterday. We are asking if anyone recognizes the suspect, to contact Delhi Township Police at 513-922-0060 or CrimeStoppers at 513-352-3040.

The Xavier volleyball team fell in three sets (26-24, 25-21, 27-25) to Marquette in the Musketeers final match of the Xavier Invitational. Xavier (4-3) finished the tournament with a win over Tennessee Tech and losses to Ole Miss and Marquette (4-1), who won the tournament with a perfect 3-0 record.

By Andy Furman...No, Dez Wells wont be playing basketball at the University of Kentucky sorry. Yes, the man who was expelled from Xavier University last week after a sexual assault investigation but the Hamilton County prosecutor announced Wells would not be charged with any crimes he will not be Wildcat. He was on the Lexington, Ky, campus last week but since classes had already started it would have been highly unlikely he would be a candidate for immediate eligibility. As for Wells, Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters released a statement asking Xavier officials to revisit the ruling against Wells. The university said its decision was final.

There's a blue moon on August 31 and it's Final Friday with all sorts of fun stuff happening in Over the Rhine and Downtown Cincinnati.Dozens of Cincinnati area cyclists are decorating their bikes (and themselves!) with all kinds of shiny, shimmery & sparkly things. Many of these cyclists rode in BRIGHT Ride events last December and in July for the World Choir Games. This will be a short, flat, happy, smile-making ride. We're gathering at 8:30 PM by the mural on the north side of Know Theatre, just off 12th Street at Jackson. At 8:45 we're leaving to tour past Washington Park, the shops, pubs, and galleries of Main and Vine Streets. We'll conclude the ride at Night Owl Market at Central and Main Streets. Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/126987814113616/

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is awarding much needed equipment to Anderson Township Fire and Rescue Department during a ceremony at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012 at the Anderson Towne Center Firehouse Subs restaurant in Cincinnati. Otherwise unavailable due to budget constraints, the department benefits with a BullEx fire extinguisher training system worth more than $15,800. The donated system will allow firefighters to instruct the community on the safe and proper use of fire extinguishers through hands on instruction and demonstrations. Since 2005, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has donated more than $136,300 to public safety entities in Ohio.

The Cincinnati Cyclones announced today that defenseman David MacDonald and forward Alex Bourret have agreed to terms with the club for the 2012-13 season.MacDonald, a 26-year-old Baddeck, Nova Scotia native, returns for a second consecutive season with the Cyclones. Added to the roster on March 7, 2012, he appeared in 14 games during the 2011-12 campaign and contributed three points (1 goal, 2 assists) and 13 penalty minutes. The five-foot-eleven-inch defenseman played one season at Dalhousie University where he was named Team Captain and accumulated 19 points (7 goals, 12 assists) and 49 penalty minutes in 27 games.

The Xavier men's and women's cross country teams are set to open their 2012 seasons at the Mount St. Joseph Invitational this weekend here in Cincinnati. The event will take place at Heritage Park in Colerain Township with the men starting at 6 p.m. and women to follow at 6:45 p.m. Both teams will be running a 5K.

The Bengals today signed free agent C Jeff Faine, a 10th-year NFL veteran who has started all 117 of his career games, including postseason, with Cleveland, New Orleans and Tampa Bay. Faine (6-3, 291; Notre Dame) was a first-round draft pick (21st overall) by Cleveland in 2003. After starting 36 games over three seasons with the Browns, he was traded to New Orleans for 2006. After two seasons and 32 starts for New Orleans, he signed with Tampa Bay as an unrestricted free agent for 2008. In four seasons with the Bucs, he started 49 games. He was released by Tampa Bay on March 14 of this year.

This Fall Season is definitely not like the last few weve seen in the Fashion World. Vivid colors and wild patterns abound, and leather is making a big comeback. Clothing is fun again! Whether you just want to add a few accessories to dress up some of your staples, or jump in with both feet, Ive got some real winners for you today.

The worlds pro beach volleyball stage shifts back across the pond from Londons Historic Horse Guard Parade to Cincinnatis Washington Park. Riding the wave of record-breaking Olympic media exposure, television ratings, and fan enthusiasm, the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) is hosting the top U.S. and Olympic beach volleyball stars to compete at its 2012 AVP Cincinnati Open. The AVP Cincinnati Open, touting U.S. pro beach volleyballs highest 2012 regular season prize purse to date of $175,000, will serve as the official qualifiying event for the AVP Championships in Santa Barbara, California, will showcase the 24 mens and 24 womens pro beach teams. Beyond beach volleyball, the AVP Cincinnati Open will feature nationally renowned music acts as well as an array of regional talent after 8:00 PM Friday and Saturday.

The Xavier mens and womens cross country teams have been picked to finish ninth and eighth respectively in the Atlantic 10 for the 2012 season. The women are also ranked 11th in the Great Lakes Region after finishing 16th last season.The men start the season with three returning seniors in Ben Foley, Matt Coniglio, and Hank Geer, who is returning to action after missing last season due to injury. The junior class is led by two strong runners in Tom Ohlman and Keith Schenkel, both of whom were named to last seasons A-10 Academic All-Conference team. Both Ohlman and Schenkel also earned A-10 All-Conference honors, marking the first time in team history two runners earned All-Conference honors. Xavier has a large sophomore class with strong experience in collegiate competition. Travis Hawes, Corey Zielinski, Aaron Moore, Connor Buchholz, and Matt Orlando each participated in more than two races last season as freshmen.

University of Cincinnati junior quarterback Munchie Legaux (New Orleans, La./Edna Karr) was named UCs starter entering the 2012 season, Head Coach Butch Jones announced Tuesday.Legaux edged out senior Brendon Kay (Marine City, Mich./Marine City) in a battle that started during spring football.

The arrival of the 2012 Guinness Oyster Fest on Fountain Square also marks the return of another oyster-filled tradition...the annual oyster-eating challenge. The contest is FREE and open to the public, provided you love the delicious taste of raw oysters. Event registration will remain open until Wednesday, August 29, at 5PM. Oyster Fest will be held on September 1 from 5pm until 10pmIn addition to the competition, this years Guinness Oyster Fest will offer everything from raw oysters and ice-cold Guinness to authentic Irish merchandise and great live music. Washington Platform & Saloon will also be providing several other cooked dishes, including Southern Fried Oysters and Creole Oyster Gumbo, served with a side of their world-famous Cajun Dirty Rice. Prices for oyster dishes will range from $2-$6.

Junior midfielder Katie Greers (Massapequa, N.Y./Saint Anthony's) 109th-minute goal in double overtime on Sunday gave the University of Cincinnati womens soccer team a 2-1 win over Northeastern University at Gettler Stadium.With less than 2 minutes remaining in the match, senior defender Kaylee Dakers (Brampton, Ontario/Heart Lake Secondary School) sent the ball to freshman forward Callie Taylor (Long Beach, Calif./Los Alamitos), who touch passed it toward Greer streaking down the right sideline. Greer took the pass and struck the ball from the right 90-degree corner of the box, which sailed over NU goalkeeper Paige Burnett and landed into the top left corner of the net.

The Xavier women's soccer team suffered a 2-1 double-overtime loss at Ball State Sunday afternoon in its second game of the 2012 BSU Tournament. Junior Ashton Green scored the Musketeers' lone goal of the match, her first of the season. Green and sophomore Meredith Gleichert were named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Xavier women's soccer team dropped a 3-0 decision to Western Kentucky in its first game of the 2012 Ball State Tournament Friday afternoon at BSU's Briner Sports Complex. Freshman Erin McGauley led the Musketeers offensively with three shots, including one on goal.

By Andy Furman...Theyre always crying. And theyre always whining. No, not those kids sitting in front of you on your plane ride returning home from vacation, no its those billionaire owners in Major League Baseball. Theyre always weeping about money, and when they dont get their way, wow, theyll close the doors and tell their hired help major league players we dont want you. You cant play. Stay home youre locked out. Money is and will always be -- the key.......

Downtown Cincinnati and the riverfront will be hopping again this weekend. In addition to the Reds at Great American Ballpark, tonight is the first of two nights of the 6th annual Cincinnati Brew Ha Ha beer and comedy festival.. There will be more than 100 brands of beer and 50 comedians on four stages at Sawyer Point. The entertainment is free, but you need to buy a wristband to buy beer.

The Cincinnati Cyclones announced today that forward Byron Elliott and defenseman Chris Reed have agreed to terms with the club for the 2012-13 season.Elliott, a 24-year-old Burlington, Ontario native, returns to the Cyclones for his first full season as a professional. The six-foot-one-inch forward joined the team late in the 2011-12 campaign, posting three assists in 11 games.

oday is Gene Kelly's 100th birthday. If you are a fan, enjoy the video, if you've never heard of him, you're in for a treat. Go out and rent the movie. This clip is from "Singin in the Rain." If you can't find that one, try "An American in Paris".

Xavier volleyball will begin its 40th season on Friday against South Carolina State in the Big Orange Bash hosted by Clemson University in Clemson, S.C. The match is slated for a 4:30 p.m. start time.The Musketeers will follow with a pair of matches on Saturday against Coastal Carolina at 10 a.m. and host Clemson at 6 p.m. Xavier is 3-0 all-time against the field in the Big Orange Bash, including one win over South Carolina State and two wins over Coastal Carolina. XU and Clemson have never met.

When youre thinking about your fall work wardrobe this year, give a thought to adding a few dresses to the mix. I know pants and shirts are easy, but sometimes a kicky little dress can make you feel special. And if you shop around a bit, you might even find that a dress can be more economical than buying a good pair of slacks or a cute skirt and top.

C'mon down to Smale Riverfront Park on this Saturday to participate in the national Let's Move! Campaign. The City of Cincinnati will join the national Campaign with a kick-off event at the beautiful new Smale Riverfront Park on August 25 from 8:30 till noon.

The Xavier University Conduct Board (UCB), made up of faculty, students and administrators, found Xavier sophomore and basketball player Dezmine Wells responsible for a serious violation of the Code of Student Conduct. The punishment for the violation is expulsion from the University.

Amor Towles, author of Rules of Civility, will visit the Main Library at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25. His debut novel, Rules of Civility, was published by Viking/Penguin in July 2011 and reached the bestseller lists of The New York Times, the Boston Globe and the Los Angeles Times. The book, which is being translated into 15 languages, was rated by The Wall Street Journal as one of the 10 best works of fiction in 2011

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is partnering with the Urban Appalachian Council and Thomas More College to present Talking Poetry and Our Beloved Community. Both events are part of The Appalachian Writers Series and funded in part by the Ohio Arts Council and PNC Charitable Trust.

The Xavier women's soccer team bounced back from its season-opening loss with a 2-1 victory over Lipscomb Monday night at XU Soccer Complex in front of a rowdy crowd of 657 fans. Junior Mariah Whitaker scored the winning goal for the Musketeers in the 84th minute after collecting a long pass through the middle and then beating the Bisons goalkeeper one-on-one.The win marked the Musketeers' first of the season and the 100th career win for head coach Woody Sherwood. Xavier (1-1-0) out-shot Lipscomb (1-1-0) 19-6.

After scoring three goals in her first two collegiate matches, University of Cincinnati freshman forward Laura Rose (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills) was named the BIG EAST Conference Rookie of the Week, the league announced Monday.I think Laura would be the first to tell you that she wouldnt have earned this award without her teammates, said UC head coach Michelle Salmon. Our backline played great over the weekend. Our midfield did a nice job with distributing the ball and finding Laura in spots where she could make a play. We appreciate the recognition, but this is a team award.

Congratulations to the 328 Summer Readers who won a four-pack of tickets to a Cincinnati Reds game or two tickets to a performance by the Cincinnati Symphony or Pops orchestras. And the grand prizes - LeapFrog Tags, iPod Touches, $25 Gold Star Chili certificates, and Sony e-readers- have been awarded to 246 winners.Nearly 38,500 readers of all ages took on the challenge of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton Countys 39th annual Summer Reading Program - Reading Rocks! From June 1 to July 31, the Librarys youngest Superstar Readers read more than 500,000 books while teens and adults logged over 2 million hours of reading.

Freshman forward Laura Rose (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills) scored two goals, junior midfielder Katie Greer (Massapequa, N.Y./Saint Anthony's) had two assists and the University of Cincinnati womens soccer team defeated North Carolina State University 3-1 Sunday afternoon at Dail Soccer Field.With the Bearcats clinging to a 2-1 lead in the 73rd minute, Rose grabbed a loose ball from freshman Callie Taylor (Long Beach, Calif./Los Alamitos) and chipped a shot past Wolfpack goalkeeper Victoria Hopkins.

By Andy Furman...Joe Philbin lied. The first-year coach of the Miami Dolphins said earlier this week that the decision to release six-time Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson wasnt based on any single incident and wasnt made to send a message. Sorry, Joe -- you lied. It wasnt about one specific thing; it just wasnt going to work. The Dolphins terminated Johnsons contract a week-ago Sunday night, about 24 hours after he was arrested in a domestic battery case involving his wife. Johnson was released from jail on $2,500 bond earlier Sunday after his wife accused him of head-butting her during an argument.

Did you know that Saturday is "Date Night Movie" at Washington Park. Bring your blanket, your snacks and your "date" and c'mon down to Washington Park tomorrow night to watch "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows", starring Robert Downey Jr. I've seen it and its a great movie. The movie starts at 9pm.

The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud affiliate of the NHLs Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators, announced today that they will hold an Open House on Wednesday, August 22 at U.S. Bank Arena from 4:00-7:30pm.

The Xavier volleyball team was picked to finish second in the Atlantic 10 by the leagues coaches as announced by the conference office in Newport News, Va. The Musketeers earned 10 second place votes and 129 points in the preseason poll. Xavier has earned second place finishes in each of the last two regular seasons. Mike Johnson, who enters his third season as head coach at XU, has also guided the Musketeers to back-to-back championship matches in the A-10 Tournament.

The Horseshoe Casino, which will be opening on Broadway in the spring of 2013 will begin hiring next week. They will be accepting resumes for dealers and dealer supervisors through their website at www.horseshoe.com/info/cincinnati/careers from August 22 through September 16. There are about 750 positions open.

The University of Cincinnati football team will play host to a public kickoff event for the 2012 season at Dave & Buster's Tri-County location on Sunday, Aug. 26, from 7-8 p.m. The recently renovated Dave & Buster's at the Tri-County Mall (11775 Commons Drive, Springdale, Ohio, 45246/513-671-5501) has served as the preferred away-game watch party location for each of the past four seasons. The event is free and open to the public.

I have to admit that I look for reasons to buy new shoes. I love them! What more can I say. But fall really is a legitimate reason. Weve been clomping along in flip-flops all summer (and, believe me, I love flip-flops), but now we need to get down to the realization that feet get cold. Mine do, anyway. Also, fall shoes, booties and boots are sooooo gorgeous, they even make me want to pack the sandals away til next year. This teal patent bootie http://piprl.me/Muy0ji from 7 for All Mankind will rock with their narrow-leg jeans, dress pants, or a cute straight skirt. The $280 price tag is a little frightening, but the color is fantastic. I found them at PiperLime.com.

This Friday is Cinema in the City at Seasongood Pavilion in Mt. Echo Park in Mt. Adams. The movie is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. There will be live music from Sound Body Jazz Orchestra. It all starts at 7:00 pm and winds up around 11. There are benches in the park or you can bring a chair and sit on the lawn. It's a great, cheap night out.

The 24th Annual Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion Celebration will be held August 17th and 18th, 2012 . This year's theme is "Bringing Families Together". The outdoor event continues to grow and is one of Cincinnati's largest family-focused events drawing over 40,000 patrons.

This week's band is the Ohms and they will be providing music tomorrow night on Fountain Square from 7pm to 10pm. The Ohms classify themselves as a mix of reggae, rock, and ska with quaility vocals and original songs that promise to please reggae fans across the board.

By Andy Furman...I was amused by this story. Actually made me laugh. But what made me cry was the way our local media treated it they didnt. They chose to ignore it.I wonder why? Seems University of Cincinnati basketball coach Mick Cronin was publicly reprimanded by the NCAA for using offensive language after the teams NCAA tournament loss to Ohio State in last years March Madness. Cronins comments, apparently, were directed towards an official, as he wasnt happy with his teams 81-66 loss to the team from the North The Ohio State University.So whats the punishment? Well, the NCAA said Cronin had originally appealed the reprimand, but get this; they upheld their decision after reviewing records. So it was like a double-whammy. And it got several lines in the local daily. That I dont get.

It is Second Sunday on Main this week. This months theme is Growth and Wellness, and to celebrate, well be featuring farmers market & garden vendors, health & yoga demos, amazing local goods vendors, activities for the whole family, street performers and musicians, food vendors, and an outdoor beer garden.

The Cincy Blues Fest is at Sawyer Point this Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $20 for each day and will give you access to the entertainment on the various stages. Two day pass will be sold at the gate on Friday night. It all starts at 5:00pm tonight. Head to the Riverfront for a great time. For more information and a complete entertainment schedule click www.cincybluesfest.org.

Celebrated Cincinnati Reds Mascot Mr. Redlegs and author Joel Altman will be on hand to promote his new book, Mr. Redlegs and His Great Adventure: A Journey Through Cincinnati Reds History, during a storytime at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, in the Childrens Learning Center at the Main Library, 800 Vine Street.Free copies of the book will be given out while supplies last to kids ages 14 and under. Mr. Redlegs and Mr. Altman will be signing copies of the book. PNC also will be donating 40 copies of the book to the Public Librarys collection.

Former University of Cincinnati standout Kevin Johnson (Willard, Ohio/Willard) added a professional title to his baseball resume after the Alpine Cowboys won the independent Pecos League Championship on Tuesday. The Cowboys secured the championship with a 13-7 win over the Las Cruces Vaqueros at Kokernot Field. Johnson, a left-handed pitcher and first baseman for the Bearcats from 2007-2010, made 12 relief appearances for the Cowboys in 2012, recording 18 strikeouts in 13 2-3 innings pitched.

The Xavier womens basketball team announced its non-conference schedule today, including all dates. The Musketeers will potentially face nine non-conference 2011-12 postseason teams, including Duke (NCAA Elite Eight) on November 25 at home. Adding in the 2013 Atlantic 10 opponents, XU will face up to 15 2012 postseason teams in the upcoming season.

The Xavier womens volleyball team began its 2012 campaign with the first practice this morning at Cintas Center. Ten players, including five starters and the libero, return from last seasons 21-11 squad.Juniors Sarah Brown and Kelsey Dunaway and redshirt junior Alex Smith, who combined for 820 kills in 2011, will lead a potent Xavier attack. Brown and Alex Smith were tabbed Atlantic 10 First Team selections for their efforts last season.Setting up the attack is sophomore Aubree Smith, who earned nods to the A-10 All-Rookie and A-10 Honorable Mention teams after receiving seven A-10 Rookie of the Week honors. She handed out 1,210 assists, a one-year total that places her ninth in the career-records.

Ladies, there really is something good about the end of summer. Its an excuse to buy a new fall handbag! We can't take that old summer straw off to college, or carry a white bag to the office when were getting ready to trade in the sundresses for woolens and sweaters. That would be a big no-no. There's nothing better for getting into the mood for turning leaves and bonfires, textbooks and parent/teacher conferences than a new designer (or designer-look) handbag.

Xavier women's golf head coach Tom Elfers was inducted into the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame in Sandusky, Ohio, on August 6. Elfers was one of three inductees in the class of 2012 and joins 79 members of the hall.Elfers is entering his seventh season as head coach of the Xavier women's golf team and his 10th overall at XU. Prior to coming to Xavier, Elfers played on the Champions Tour, qualifying for six tour events and he advanced to the final stage of Tour qualifying in 2003.He is a three-time Cincinnati Met Champion and has won both the Toledo District Medal and Toledo District Match Play Championships in addition to qualifying for seven U.S. Amateur Championships.

Herbert Day, a 2011 Xavier University graduate, has earned a spot on the inaugural season of PGA TOUR Latinoamrica. Day, a native of San Salvador, El Salvador, will be competing against a familiar face when the tour tees off next month. Sebastian MacLean, a 2012 Xavier graduate and native of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, had already earned a spot earlier this summer.

National Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkins career with the Cincinnati Reds will be honored with 11 Days of Larkin," a series of celebrations from August 16-26 that will include the retirement of his uniform number 11 on Saturday, August 25. That pre-game ceremony at Great American Ball Park will begin at 3:00 p.m., preceding that afternoon's 4:05 p.m. game vs the Cardinals. Larkins #11 will be the 10th jersey number retired by the Reds, joining Fred Hutchinsons #1, Johnny Benchs #5, Joe Morgans #8, Sparky Andersons #10, Dave Concepcions #13, Ted Kluszewskis #18, Frank Robinsons #20, Tony Perezs #24 and Jackie Robinsons #42.

Restaurant week begins in downtown Cincinnati tomorrow. Take the opportunity to treat yourself to that great downtown restaurant you have been wanting to tryl Restaurants are offering either a 3 course prix fixe meal for $35 or two meals for $35. For a complete list of participating restaurants, click www.dodowntowncincinnati.com.

We have all heard by now that Red's broadcaster, Marty Brennaman, shaved his head on Friday night and raised $50,000 for the Reds Community Fund. You may not have heard that father and son Martin and Charlie Sheen, long time Red's fans were also in town for the game. Charlie Sheen has pledged $50,000 to the Reds Community Fund, matching the amount raised by Marty.

By Andy Furman...(Some idle thoughts while watching Marty Brennaman get his hair cut). Id have to say Marty Brennaman the Hall of Fame voice of the Cincinnati Reds not only looks better sans hair on his dome, but looks younger as well. I know, this getting the hair cut shtick has been going on since the dawn if time, but Marty and the Reds put a new twist to it. A tie-in with charity, and the Reds Community Fund came out smelling like a rose...some $50,000 more in their coffers.

Have you seen the new and improved Washington Park yet? Well tonight is a great opportunity. The Cincinnati Pops, the May Festival Chorus and the Cincinnati Ballet will be performing in a free concert tonight beginning at 7:00 pm. And Saturday c'mon back downtown for the 27th annual Over The Rhine Community Festival. The festival will feature games, face painting, food, fundraising raffles, childrens talent show, DJ music and other live entertainment.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati presents music from Hundred Days Selections from Cincinnati Fringe favorites The Bengsons' new experimental folk-opera.At the 2011 Cincinnati Fringe Festival, husband and wife duo The Bengsons, participated in a workshop as part of FringeDevelopment. Other artists participating in the Festival joined The Bengsons to rehearse and present selections of their new folk-opera, Hundred Days.

Xavier senior women's golfer Breanna Patz will be competing at the 2012 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship Aug. 6-12 at The Country Club in Cleveland, Ohio. Patz's 76 at Broadmoor C.C. in Indianapolis on July 16 qualified her for the national event."Breanna has worked very hard on her game ever since she started playing at Xavier tree years ago," commented Xavier head coach Tom Elfers. "She is now reaping the rewards for her hard work. The Xavier team will be rooting her on."

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) proudly presents the world-renowned Ariel String Quartet as part of its 2012-13 concert season, with an inaugural concert scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 11 in the intimate Robert J. Werner Recital Hall.

Xavier University sophomore Korey Ward (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) was the medalist at the U.S. Amateur Championship Qualifier at The Camargo Club on Tuesday. Ward finished with a two-round total of 133, including a final round of 62 that tied The Camargo Club course record.The complete list of results from the 2012 U.S. Amateur Championship Qualifiers around the nation this week can be found on the USGA site.

I was lucky enough to be invited to an end-of-summer luau over Labor Day weekend, and, of course, I don't have a thing to wear. Neither do I want to spend a fortune for something that I'll probably have to put away until next summer after one wearing. So, I went looking for some fun, but inexpensive ideas to get into the spirit of the party, but not break the bank.

You may have stopped by Fountain Square sometime this week and noticed that giant rubber duck taking center stage. That's right, it's Rubber Duck Regatta time again.Prior to the WEBN Fireworks on Sunday, September 2 the 18th Annual Rubber Duck Regatta will take place during the P&G Riverfest. That afternoon, as many as 150,000 ducks will be dropped into the Ohio River to race along the Serpentine Wall. The owner of the first duck to cross the finish line will win a 2012 Honda Civic LX Sedan and possibly $1 million,

Xavier athletics would like to announce the hiring of Ryan Orner as the new XU men's and women's cross country and track & field head coach. Orner starts his tenure with the Musketeers on August 1."I'd like to thank Xavier athletic director Mike Bobinski and the entire search committee for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Xavier University athletic family," commented Orner. "I'm excited to coach all of the talented and hard-working student-athletes that have made this program successful in the past and I'm looking forward to elevating the program to new levels."

Are you looking for a job and just don't seem to be having any luck? Well the Cincinnati Public Library may be able to help. Come on down to the main library on Friday, August 3 at 12:30 to receive interviewing tips and a mock interview. Volunteers from Accenture will be available in the Group Study Area on the third floor of the Information and Reference Department at the Main Library, 800 Vine St.

The Bengals today signed head coach Marvin Lewis to a two-year contract extension, running through the 2014 season. Lewis has led the Bengals to the playoffs in two of the last three seasons, including 2011, and to three postseasons overall, with two AFC North Division championships.

Welsh musician Gruff Rhys has announced his second investigative concert tour of the Americas. The Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati on August 9th is the ONLY STOP IN THE REGION. Tickets on sale now.

Ault Park: Emerald in the Crown was awarded the regional Emmy for historical documentary at the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awards ceremony Saturday, July 28.Ault Park: Emerald in the Crown is a half-hour CET program about the history of Cincinnatis Ault Park, which was donated to Cincinnati by Levia Addision Ault.

The Downtown Dash & Block Party at St. Xavier Church began in 2007 as a block party for the entire community with the 5K run being added the following year. The event is non-profit with all proceeds benefitting downtown organizations that assist and/or educate those in need. Proceeds of the 2012 Downtown Dash will benefit the local efforts of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. We will also have a SVdP Trailer onsite at the Dash before the race. Bring your gently-used items and help us give back!RACE

Public involvement meetings have been scheduled for two of the Eastern Corridor Program's core projects-Oasis Rail Transit and the State Route (SR) 32 Relocation project. Meetings about the Oasis Rail Transit project will be held on the evenings of July 31, August 1 and August 2. Although held in different locations, each meeting will have the same content. A meeting about the SR 32 Relocation project will be held in conjunction with the Oasis meeting on August 2. Specific meeting times and locations are listed below:

By Andy Furman...Look I wasnt the first one to ever criticize athletes and their smarts and believe me I wont be the last.I know its not a fair assessment, and certainly Id never throw a net over a group of people like that but, did you hear the story about the Greek world indoor high-jump champion.Well, he failed a doping test on the eve of the Summer Olympics according to an IAAF official and his father and coach has said hes withdrawn from the games.Ouch imagine waiting four years to compete for a medal and represent your home land and then get the heave hoe? Wow.I cant wait 365 days for Christmas.

Make sure to get your tickets to the Macy's Music Festival this Friday and Saturday at Paul Brown Stadium. Promoters are expecting significantly increased attendance this year so do not delay! As always the line-up of chart-topping artists and new acts will ensure an amazing experience for everyone. .

The Bengals today signed DT Brandon Thompson of Clemson, a third-round selection in the 2012 draft.

Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars for Divisions I, II and the NAIA have been announced by the GCAA. Xavier's graduating senior men's golfer Chris Burger has been named to the prestigious list.

The Xavier womens basketball players and coaches will be hosting a Girls Day Out event on Sunday, August 26 beginning at 1:30 p.m. This is the fourth year for the event which will be held in Cintas Center and will be a day for moms and daughters (& dads too) who want to play, learn and meet the Xavier womens basketball team! Last year over 300 kids and parents enjoyed a night with the Xavier coaches and players.

Kick your lunch hour up a notch at the Public Library of Hamilton County and Cincinnati.Darlene Chaffins, head instructor at the Blue Ash Tai Chi Academy, will lead an introduction to the soft martial arts, such as Tai Chi, from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug 9. Then from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, Darlene explores the hard martial arts such as karate.Both programs take place in the Popular Library Lounge of the Main Library.

Summer fashion in the stores is getting a little tired looking. There is nothing new to look at and with temperatures in the 90s, fall fashion is of no interest at all. But we have to shop for something, ladies and Jewelry is always good! I found some terrific stuff on-line. It is not inexpensive, but it is high quality fashion jewelry that will really make a statement.I am a bracelet person. I wear at least one every day with any kind of outfit. I loved this Bonding Bracelet http://bit.ly/MWvUVi from www.FolliFollie.com. This particular one is in brown and gold, but it comes in a wide variety of colors at various prices. This one is $160.

Former Bengals offensive lineman Bruce Kozerski, now head football coach at Holy Cross High School in Covington, Ky., was announced today as the 2011 season winner of the Paul Brown Excellence in Coaching Award. The award, given annually by the Bengals to an outstanding high school football coach in the region, includes a $5000 donation by the Bengals to the Holy Cross athletic department.

The Cincinnati Reds offer condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Louise Nippert, an owner of the team since 1966 who died earlier today at age 100. Reds President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Castellini said, "The Nippert family has been a proud steward of this great franchise for decades, and its influence is woven into the fabric of our long and storied history. No person loved the Cincinnati Reds more than Mrs. Nippert, and her players loved her for her devotion to the family atmosphere she fostered within the organization. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time."

The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud affiliate of the NHLs Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators, announced today that forwards Dan Eves, Mike Pelech, and defenseman Mike Liambas have all agreed to terms with the Cyclones for the 2012-13 season.Eves, a 26-year old Lake Orion, Michigan native, will embark on his fifth season as a professional this fall. In 2011-12, he tied his career-high of 45 points and registered a career-best 10 multi-point efforts.

The Downtown Residents Council is sponsoring STAND UP FOR THE ANNA LOUISE INN this Wednesday, July 25 from 5:30-6:30 at Lytle Park.This family-friendly gathering with speakers representing a variety of organizations, singing, candy, theatre and fun for lots. If you want to join others in their mission to save the Anna Louise Inn, this is your chance to participate.

Head on down to the downtown branch of the Cincinnati Public Library this Wednesday, July 25, and live out your artistic dreams. Learn about famous artis and create your own masterpiece. It starts at 7:00pm.

By Andy Furman...Some notes written while the rains are (finally) pouring. It may not be the biggest story in the world of sports but its certainly a big story. At least big enough to catch my eye. Remember Rex Ryan? Sure you do. He coached defense in the 90s at the University of Cincinnati,yes he did. Most recently, hes been patrolling the sidelines for the New York Jets as their head coach. Hes big. I mean, real big. In fact, published reports had Sexy Rexy tipping the scales at 348 prior to the 2009 AFC Championship Game. Thats big, believe me. Well, just the other day Rex announced hes down to 242 yup hes dropped some 106 pounds since then.Yeah, you can say he cheated with a lap-tuck but he did it. Its willpower and being able to push that plate away. The only bad thing, Rex told CNN, is that I need an entire new wardrobe. He did add that the only thing that still fits him is his socks. I say its wonderful.,

Xavier University announced its impressive 2012-13 mens basketball non-conference schedule today, including the dates and sites. Xavier has 22 teams on its 2012-13 schedule that participated in 2012 postseason action, including 10 in the NCAA Tournament, combining the Atlantic 10 slate and all potential non-conference opponents.

The World Choir Games and Bunbury Music Festival may be over, but you can still enjoy good music during two programs offered by the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.The family musical group Muddy River Consort will perform at the Pleasant Ridge Branch Library, 6233 Montgomery Road, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 30.

This Sunday is the first Cincinnati Triathalon.Join athletes from Ohio, Kentucky and 30 other states on what has been called one of the most spectacular courses in all of triathlon.

Single-game tickets for the Bengals 2012 season went on sale one week ago, and initial results have been strong. Based on those initial results, the Bengals Ticket Office today announced that the supply of single-game tickets for home games against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 21 and the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 9 has been exhausted. A limited number of tickets remain for those games through season ticket sales and Ticket Packs. Single-game tickets and Ticket Packs remain on sale for all other games.

Summer Reading concludes with a Grand Slam as the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and the Cincinnati Reds team up for Redlegs Reading Week. From July 23 to July 31, children can enter a Redlegs coloring contest, collect mascot trading cards by attending Library programs (while supplies last), and enjoy baseball storytimes crafts at various Library locations.

I chose to write about tops this week because they are a great way to freshen up tired pants or skirts. These first two tops from www.wallisfashion.com are on sale. In fact, they are offering 10-30% off all merchandise right now. I loved the color of this blue butterfly blouse http://bit.ly/O8FiXg . It sells for $58.

The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud affiliate of the NHLs Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators, announced today that they have named 29-year-old Matt MacDonald as the Assistant Coach for the 2012-13 season, replacing Andrew Cassels.MacDonald, a native of Niagara Falls, Ontario, will embark on his first year in coaching after completing a seven-year playing career. He spent parts of three seasons with the Cyclones, logging 119 regular season games and 44 points (5 goals, 39 assists). MacDonald also contributed with 14 tallies (5 goals, 9 assists) in 44 Kelly Cup Playoff games and was a member of Cincinnatis first-ever Kelly Cup title in 2008.

A small group of Romney supporters, 150 or so, gathered on Fountain Square at 1:00 today. They were passing out signs and placards and are on their way to Music Hall to greet President Obama when he arrives today to give a speech this afternoon at 2:20. The group looked a little disorganized so I'm not sure how many will make it up to Music Hall in the heat, so I've attached some pictures.

Brendan Keefe and Tanya ORourke of WCPO acted as hosts for the closing ceremony of the 2012 World Choir Games at the U.S. Bank Center on Saturday evening. The festivities were sponsored by the Horseshoe Casino.After the singing of the National Anthem, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra played the World Choir Games Fanfare and members of the Cincinnati Boys Choir paraded into the auditorium with the various flags of all the participating countries.

The first ever Bunbury Music Festival is being held this weekend at Sawyer Point. Headliners include Janes Addiction, Weezer and Death Cab for Cutie.The Festival will feature 100 live performances on six stages throughout Sawyer Point andYeatmans Cove.For more information, click www.bunburymusicfestival.com

By Andy Furman...What happened at Penn State University is the worst scandal to ever occur in athletics in any university or college in our country. There I said it. I didnt want to but I had to. I remember when Southern Methodist Universitys football program received the death penalty several decades back for sports-related improprieties. Penn State got that beat.By a lot.At Penn State you have legal as well as moral issues involving athletics. In other words a complete mess. So what is there to do next?

Fountain Square was alive with the sound of music today when another in a series of free concerts were given by 2012 Choir Games participants. At 11 A.M. a Global Village concert was presented, with five choral groups taking part. A large crowd was on hand to greet the singers and musicians from Canada, Hong Kong, Poland and the U.S. The first group was Vox Juventutis from Poland, who performed a mix of popular American songs and selections in their native language in their coral and white costumes.

Former University of Cincinnati pitcher Brian Garman (Wapakoneta, Ohio/Wapakoneta) is one step closer to playing Major League Baseball after his promotion Wednesday evening to Double-A Huntsville of the Southern League.

University of Cincinnati womens soccer head coach Michelle Salmon announced Thursday the hiring of former University of North Carolina-Greensboro assistant coach Sandy Davison as a volunteer assistant for the 2012 season.

Class AA Pensacola C Tucker Barnhart and RHP Curtis Partch have been named the Cincinnati Reds' Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for June. Barnhart, 21, in 19 games with Class A Bakersfield last month led all Reds qualifying hitters in batting average (.382). He also ranked among the California League leaders in hitting (T4th) and on-base percentage (.455, T6th) in June.

Thursday night the Erlanger branch of the Kenton Co. Public Library hosted a free Friendship Concert in conjunction with the 2012 World Choir Games. A large crowd attended the event, which featured four choral groups.

The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud affiliate of the NHLs Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators, announced today that forward Mathieu Aubin has agreed to terms with the club for the 2012-13 season. Aubin, a 25-year-old Sorel, Quebec native, will return to Cincinnati this fall for a sixth season after a career year in 2011-12. A season ago, the Montreal Canadiens draft choice led the Cyclones in points (68), multi-goal games (3), and multi-point games (22) while tying his own career-high for single-season goals (30). On December 3, 2011, Aubin played in his 300th professional game against the Greenville Road Warriors.

University of Cincinnati junior punter Pat O'Donnell (Lakeworth, Fla./Palm Beach Central) was named to the preseason watch list for the 2012 Ray Guy Award, which honors the nations top collegiate punter, the Augusta Sports Council announced.UC led the BIG EAST in net punting behind the kicking of O'Donnell, a First-Team All-BIG EAST Conference selection in 2011 as a sophomore.

Fountain Square was the place to be today at 11 am for the Global Village event. Several choirs gave free concerts and there was a huge crowd on Fountain Square to celebrate the day. I didn't get to hear the whole event, but did hear the Young Women's Chorus from Charlottesvile, Va. The girls, all from Burley Middle School, gave a great performance.

This season, for the first time in Club history, the Bengals will conduct their Training Camp in Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium. Camp will run from Friday, July 27th through Sunday, August 19th. All practices will be free and open to the public. Practices will be held both in Paul Brown Stadium and on the Bengals practice fields, located just west of Paul Brown Stadium.

Last week, I suggested some great sundresses, but you are going to need some really hot shoe to polish off your looks. And even if you didnt buy a sundress, a girl always needs a new pair of shoes.These Guess denim sandals are on sale for only $77 at Bloomingdales. Those ankle straps are sexy and draw the eye to your slim ankle http://bit.ly/NDmBKV.

Festivities at the World Choir Games 2012 continued yesterday evening with the Celebration of Nations parade presented by Fifth Third Bank. The parade began at the Duke Energy Convention Center, which has been the base of operations for the Games, and continued down Fifth Street to Fountain Square. Check out our pictures showing several of the visiting choral groups. Numerous participating choir groups from dozens of countries participated, along with Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Bootsy Collins.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is hosting Nancy Huth, the Taft Museum of Arts curator of education, as she presents a series of illustrated talks at the Main Library, 800 Vine St. Huths talks will showcase the fascinating history, art, and families of the Taft Museum of Art. All of the events are being held in the Main Librarys Reading Garden Lounge on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

University of Cincinnati swimmers Liz Hansson (Lund, Sweden/School of St. Petri), Josefine Wede (Landskrona, Sweden/Gripenskolan/Auburn) and Helena Pikhartova (Prague, Czech Republic/Gymnazium Jana Nerudy) each received individual Scholar All-America honors from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) on Friday.

Internationally bestselling author Karin Slaughter will visit the Main Library (in the Atrium Reading Garden Lounge) on Sunday, July 15 at 2:00 p.m. With millions of copies of her books in print worldwide, this thriller/crime fiction author has wowed readers and critics alike with the gritty forensic detailing, all-too-human characters, and stark rendering of crime found in her lacerating thrillers.Widely credited with first coining the term investigoogling,

By Andy Furman...I know its 100-plus outside or better yet I dont know since I havent been outdoors since the heat wave hit. I mean why would I? I have DirecTV and full freezer of cold adult beverages so Im ready to rock.And talk about, of all things, professional football. Nothing makes me feel better in 100-degree weather than pro football. The thought of these 300-plus pound brutes in 50-plus pounds of equipment sweating from all places during two-a-day drills. Ouch.

This morning was the official re-opening of the new and very much improved Washington Park. Situated in front of Music Hall, this area has been undergoing extensive rehab and the results are beautiful. I have some pictures to share with you, but you really need to take a stroll through the park yourself. Bring the kids. There is beautiful new fountain for them to splash around in.

Today is the second day of the World Choir Games in Cincinnati and you can feel the excitement in the air. The sun ducked behind the clouds this afternoon so I decided to take a walk around the city. I strolled up through the Westin Hotel and saw the pig carousel in the lobby. Then walked across Fifth Street to Fountain Square to snap other pigs. I was pleasantly surprised to see giant fans spraying cooling water all over the Square.

The University of Cincinnati will welcome international representatives from the 2012 World Choir Games in a special public event scheduled for Monday, July 9. This welcome ceremony will commence with a 1 p.m. performance by the Cincinnati Childrens Choir, an ensemble-in-residence at UCs College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), followed by a brief reception and then an official welcome to the World Choir Council at 2 p.m.These events are free and open to the community. Both the performance and welcome ceremony will take place in UCs Corbett Auditorium in CCM Village.

The World Choir Games got off to a rousing start yesterday with a parade of the participants to the U.S. Bank Center for the opening ceremonies. The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and the May Festival Chorus put on a terrific show and paid tribute to the late Erich Kunzel who was instrumental in bringing the Games to Cincinnati. This promises to be a tremendous week in Cincinnati. Enjoy and try to stay cool.

Enter The Public Librarys 2012 Frame Cincinnati Photography Contest Through July 31! The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is pleased to announce its participation in FotoFocus Cincinnati, a month-long biennial celebration spotlighting independently programmed exhibitions of historical and contemporary photography and lens-based art, which will be held in October. To celebrate, we are going to showcase works from some of the regions best photographers. Through July 31, photographers can enter our Frame Cincinnati Photography Contest. The best entries will be displayed in the Atrium of the Main Library from September 5 through November 4.

Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month, and the third Sunday of the month is National Ice Cream Day. Frankly, I don't care. Everyday is National Ice Cream day to me. On July 3, Cincinnati-based ice cream company Graeters will be featured on ABCs The View. Host Elisabeth Hasselbeck will sample the sweet treat on air with a studio audience.

Whew! Its hot. In this kind of heat all you want to do is sit in the air conditioning or lounge around the pool. But if you dont have a pool or you have to get dressed to go to work, what you need is a sundress. Put a sweater or jacket on top of these dresses and they will be fine for the office. Leave the sweater at your desk and catch the sun at lunch on Fountain Square.The first is this bright yellow and brown sleeveless print from Vince Camuto. The fabric is cool and screams summer. It is $138 at Dillards. http://bit.ly/N2Q3LU. Top off with a yellow cardigan to fight off that office air conditioning.

By Andy Furman...There are certain people in the world of sports I take a liking to. And Butch Jones, the University of Cincinnati football coach is one of them. Wait a minute, before you think Im a Bearcat homer let me explain. I like what Jones has done from afar. He has built a winning program in football both on and off the field. He has recruited quality athletes, sure one or two may fall of the tree down the road, but by and large good kids. Kids that have been active and involved within our community.

Capping off Cincinnati Pride week in Cincinnati was the Pride Parade downtown on Saturday followed by a festival at Sawyer Point. What a great way to celebrate diversity in our community. Take a look at the parade pictures.

This is Pride week in Cincinnati. There have been festivities scheduled all week and they willl be capped off this weekend by the Pride Parade and festival at Sawyer Point on Saturday.

You have picked out your new bathing suit, now you need some really hot jewelry to set off your look as youre lounging around the pool or the beach. Jewelry with a bathing suit? Really?, Of course, jewelry goes with anything. Take this Trina Turk bracelet from Banana Republic for example. http://brstyl.es/LzY7G0 for $45. It will really add sparkle to your beach look and looks great with a tan.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton Countys 2012 Cincinnati House series continues 2 p.m. Saturday, July 14, with the Matthew McWilliams house in Riverside at the Main Library, 800 Vine St., on the third floor in the Genealogy & Local History program space.The house is a Greek revival temple-form house from the 1840s owned by Dave Zelman.

This incident occurred on June 24th 2012 at 1:10pm in the 2500 block of Seegar Av. The suspects approached the victims vehicle as it was stopped in traffic. Suspect #1 pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded money while suspect #2 took the victims money. Both suspects fled the area in a white four door sedan with unknown Ohio plates.

There will be several opportunities for star sightings during the 2012 World Choir Games.The largest international choral competition in the world takes place July 4-14 in Cincinnati USA, and the event will feature three Grammy Award winners, one Tony Award winner, a Grammy-nominated Dancing with the Stars champion, a Las Vegas headliner, some of the top choral music stars in the country, as well as Cincinnatis own Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, May Festival Chorus and Cincinnati Opera. When and where can you see all this star power?

By Andy FurmanIm coming out of the closet.Yes and dont be scared, Im not.So here goes.I admit I was one of perhaps the very few who watched every single NBA playoff game. Yeah, and I paid dearly for it.Most of those games ended after midnight, and since I awake a little after 4 am each and every morning for my morning radio show on Fox Sports Radio, well, those games took a lot out of me.But it was well worth it.Sorry to say, I dont think many others watched at least not in this town.And I understand completely. We dont have a professional basketball team.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is hosting two exhibits this summer showcasing handmade books, artists' books and fine bindings. Bookworks 13 is the annual Cincinnati Book Arts Society exhibit of regional book artists. It will be on view through Sept. 2 in the Main Librarys atrium.

This week has been a scorcher. If you can get to a swimming pool, that is the only place to be. That does mean, of course, that you have to go through the misery of buying a new swimsuit. If you are a perfectly toned 24 year old, buying a new bikini is easy. There are thousands of them in all shapes and sizes. For those of us who may be more comfortable in a one piece, it is a little more challenging. They are both Marc by Marc Jacobs. The first, selling for $182 at Bloomingdales is a Finch Charm Peplum Maillot. Named so, because that design you see in the suit is actually little birds. http://bit.ly/Lb7JAR

The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum has an exciting weekend planned in celebration of the Reds Hall of Fame Class of 2012: Sean Casey, Dan Driessen and the late John Reilly.The official induction of Casey, Driessen, and Reilly into the Reds Hall of Fame will take place at Great American Ball Park before the 4pm Cincinnati Reds Minnesota Twins game this Saturday, June 23rd.

The 117th Battle for the Victory Bell pitting the University of Cincinnati against Miami (OH) University, will kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012 and be televised on FOX Sports Ohio.The annual game, which is the oldest NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision non-conference rivalry, will serve as UCs 2012 homecoming celebration.

The Smoke Shop located at 2824 Jefferson Avenue was robbed at gunpoint on June 20, 2012 at approximately 9:00 P.M.. Two suspects entered the store and demanded money while displaying handguns. The suspects fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. The suspects are descriped as male blacks and are approximately 18 years of age.

Catch "The Adventures of TinTin on Sunday night on the big screen on Fountain Square. Bring the whole family, your lawn chairs and snacks. Movie starts at 7:00p.m.

Cincinnati is the paddling capital of the United States and the Ohio River Way Paddlefest is the largest canoe/kayak paddling event in the Midwest with over 2,200 paddlers making their annual trek down the Ohio river during Paddlefest. It is a celebration dedicated to enjoying the experience of paddling the Ohio River one of Cincinnatis greatest natural assets that sits right in our own back yard. Paddlefest is a fun filled family event designed to bring people together to paddle, enjoy the outdoors, listen to great local music and much more for the whole family.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is partnering with The Childrens Theatre of Cincinnati for the Meet and Read with Pocahontas events taking place at select Library locations. This is part of the Librarys Summer Reading Program, Reading Rocks, which runs through July 31. After meeting Pocahontas, children will listen to her read a book and parents can sign up for a four-pack of tickets to a Childrens Theatre performance of Seussical Jr. being raffled off at each event.

Part of the sprucing up of the Downtown Area for the World Choir Games to be held July 4-14 includes a revival of 2000s Big Pig Gig. Then, over 400 of the artsy fiberglass pigs found temporary homes throughout Cincinnati, Newport and Covington. This time, Artworks, a community art program, is placing 100 of the painted pigs in the Downtown Area at venues including Fountain Square, Music Hall, the Banks and the Hamilton Co. Public Library.

The Xavier womens golf team released its 2012-13 schedule which features 11 tournaments including the return the LPGA Xavier Invitational. The Musketeers will begin its season September 9-10 at the Chip-n-Club Invitational in Lincoln, Neb.Head Coach Tom Elfers was quoted, I am excited to announce our 2012-2013 schedule. We have added Nebraska, Michigan, Charleston, Maryland, and McNeese State, as well as our continued travels to Arizona, Tennessee and Florida.

There are more than 200 events the public can attend during the 7th World Choir Games from July 4-14 in Cincinnati USA, including competitions, concerts, workshops, free public performances and more. The Cincinnati Organizing Committee and INTERKULTUR, the International Organizing Committee, today released details of the event schedule and a list of choirs expected to perform at the Games.Expected are 15,000 participants from 64 countries and 22 U.S. states, including 362 choirs, 61 judges, choral and INTERKULTUR officials. There will be 68 sessions of competitions, more than 60 Friendship Concerts

CET and ThinkTV have teamed up for a series call Our Ohio. They want to hear your stories about what makes your Ohio town unique. Check this out. In the course of our Our Ohio journey, series producers have visited farms and zoos, explored the history of flight and fairs, and learned the stories of people like Charles Kettering. Now were looking for your story!

Xavier volleyball head coach Mike Johnson has announced the 2012 schedule, which features a home tournament over Labor Day weekend. The schedule features six 2011 NCAA Tournament participants, three of which were receiving votes in the final 2011 AVCA Top 25 Poll.

By Andy Furman...I admit it. I am a sucker for a great promotion. Sure, I love sports and I make a living out of it talking about them on Fox Sports Radio (1360-AM locally, and XM 169). But when it comes to dare-devil stunts; well, Ill take em anyday over LeBron, D-Wade or KD.And thats exactly why I was glued and I mean glued to my TV Friday night watching high-wire artist Nik Wallenda walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope. Ive had a little bit of a relationship with the Wallenda family.

The latest Amazing Spiderman movie is scheduled for release in 3-D on July 3. To coincide with this summer blockbuster, Spideys going to be at the Main Library (800 Vine Street) on Saturday, June 23 at 2:00 p.m. Come visit with him and see all the amazing ways he READS on the ground, in the air, or on a wallreading to Spiderman can take place anywhere. Bring your camera to take your photo with Spiderman and some of his other action hero friends who will be joining him for a super powerful fun afternoon. Get your face painted like Spidey and choose from great looks. Enjoy crafts and more fun activities.

Appraiser Frank Farmer Loomis to talk about antiques July 21 at Sharonville Branch LibraryWell-known antiques appraiser, writer and media personality Frank Farmer Loomis will be speaking at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 21, at the Sharonville Branch Library, 10980 Thornview Drive.He will talk about what makes an antique an antique, with entertaining stories from his show, his career, and the last Cincinnati visit of Antiques Roadshow.

Six of Xavier's NCAA Division I athletic teams have been recognized for earning multiyear Academic Progress Rates (APR) in the top 10 percent of all squads nationally in each sport. XU men's tennis along with women's golf, tennis, indoor track, outdoor track and volleyball have been recognized by the NCAA as teams that demonstrate a commitment to academic progress and retention of student-athletes by achieving the top APRs within their respective sports.

The University of Cincinnati and Xavier University announced today their Crosstown rivalry in mens basketball will continue in 2012, but with some changes, including a new name and venue.The Skyline Chili Crosstown Classic benefiting the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will provide a new direction for the annual rivalry. The 2012 game date has been set for Dec. 19 at U.S. Bank Arena.

At approximately 10:50pm on June 14, a suspect approached his victim on Findlay Street in the West End and demanded the victim empty his pockets. When the victim attempted to flee on foot, the suspect fired several shots, one of which struck the victim in the right shoulder. A warrant for Aggravated Robbery has been signed against the following suspect:Name: Timothy Stuckey

As we near the 4th of July we are reminded of those always fashion colors that are always in stylered, white and blue. Take a look at these red, white and blue fashions and put yourself in a patriotic mood and look summery and crisp at the same time.This red and white dress from Dillards is cute, fresh and will take you almost anywhere, from the office to dinner. http://bit.ly/JZL6PP. It sells for $169. Dillards also offers this blue asymettrical ruffle dress which is flattering to almost any figure. It is also $169. http://bit.ly/LYdAZP

CETs local production, Ault Park: Emerald in the Crown has been nominated for a regional Emmy Award in the historical documentary category. Nominations were announced today, Tuesday, June 12, by the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County is partnering again this summer with Learning Through Art, Inc. on a series of 10 performances at selected Library locations. The award-winning Books Alive! For Kids is an interactive program which combines sight, sound and touch by presenting a book, engaging children in a performance and providing a hands-on, make-it-and-take-it craft. The Books Alive! For Kids Summer Library Tour 2012 features What A Wonderful World by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele and illustrated by Ashley Bryan.

Bestselling novelist, non-fiction writer, TV show creator and award-winning comic book author Brad Meltzer will be discussing his books, including the recently published Heroes for My Daughter via Skype at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 800 Vine Street.This is the Main Librarys first author event using Skype. It will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, June 16, in the Huenefeld Tower Room. It is free and open to the public.

On June 9, 2012 at approximately 2:00A.M., a female was robbed in the 200 block of Stetson Avenue near U.C. Hospital. The victim was assaulted by an unknown suspect and property was taken. The suspect is described as a male black, 20-25, 6'00, and approximately 180lbs.

Cincinnati native Drew Lachey a member of Grammy-nominated 98 Degrees and winner of the second season of ABCs Dancing with the Stars will emcee the two Champions Concerts for the 2012 World Choir Games.Lachey, who was emcee of the Countdown to the Games event on July 11, 2011, on Fountain Square, will play host to the Champions Concerts on July 8 (2-4 p.m.) at Aronoff Center for the Arts and July 14 (2-4 p.m.) at Music Hall. Tickets to all World Choir Games events are available at www.2012worldchoirgames.com or by calling 513.977.6363.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is in need of Site-based mentors for an hour a week: Be a lunch buddy to a student at St Francis Seraph or mentor at the LeBlond Boys and Girls Club from 530-630pm on Thurs. Make a difference in the life of a child who lives near downtown. For more information contact info@bigsforkids.org

Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati and Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) announced today that effective July 23, 2012 all Broadway in Cincinnati ticketing and subscriber services will be consolidated into one location at the Aronoff Center for the Arts. With CAA providing comprehensive ticketing services for Broadway in Cincinnati, season ticket holders and single ticket buyers will be able to have their needs met in one location. This opportunity provides enhanced efficiencies for all consumers and supports both organizations high standards of customer service.

The Constella Festival of Music and Fine Arts is pleased to announce our 2012 Constella Festival of Music and Fine Arts Season Announcement Party on Friday, June 15, 2012. The event will be held at the downtown Bromwells Art Gallery, located at 117 West Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Guests will be treated to a lively and multi-disciplinary event as Constella announces our highly-anticipated second season festival line-up.The announcement party begins at 8pm with the 2012 presentation taking place at 9pm. Local jazz artists trumpeter Matthew Anklan, pianist Phil DeGreg, bassist Will Wagner and drummer Bobby Sharp will perform throughout the evening. Flora and Fauna, Bromwells gallery exhibition,

A pair of game times for the 2012 University of Cincinnati football season were announced Thursday afternoon by the BIG EAST Conference office.UC's game against Delaware State on Sept. 15, 2012 at historic Nippert Stadium is set for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff with ESPN3 televising the contest exclusively.Cincinnati's Oct. 20 contest at Toledo will be televised by ESPNU or ESPN3 with a game time to be announced.

Jake Kolesar, a fifteen-year-old ninth-grade student at Walnut Hills High School, was selected as the winner of a $500 award at the Cincinnati Arts Associations inaugural Overture Awards Next Pop Star competition at the Aronoff Center on Saturday, June 2. A talented guitarist and singer-songwriter, Jake played and sang one of his original songs Floating during the competition.

Xavier University and the Atlantic 10 Conference have announced the women's basketball home-and-away league opponents for the 2012-13 season. The Musketeers will face off against six 2011-12 national postseason teams in conference action this coming season.XU's home A-10 Conference slate includes Saint Louis, Duquesne (WNIT First Round, Fordham, George Washington, La Salle, Rhode Island and St. Bonaventure (NCAA Sweet 16).

For all of you car afficianados, don't miss the 30th Annual Concours d'Elegance this Sunday at Ault Park. For a full schedule and details, please check http://www.ohioconcours.com/.

University of Cincinnati right-handed pitcher Christian McElroy (Middletown, Ohio/Monroe/Sinclair CC) became the third UC draftee in 2012 when the Cincinnati Reds selected him with the 982nd overall pick in the 32nd round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday.McElroy becomes the second right-hander from UC drafted by the hometown Reds in as many years after Dan Jensen was taken by the Reds in the 20th round of the 2011 MLB Draft.

For a limited time if you make a video ad at www.vADz.com, we will download your final video on to a vADz.com flash drive and send it to you free of charge. You can use your video at sales presentations, for display in your store or just to show friends, relatives and business prospects.Click here to go to www.vADz.com

Thanks to our new Horseshoe Casino, Broadway and television star, Idina Menzel, will appear at the closing ceremonies of the World Choir Games in Cincinnati. Months before opening its doors, Cincinnatis newest downtown entertainment destination is proudly opening its star-studded black book to the 2012 World Choir Games (WCG) hosted in the Queen City on July 4-14, 2012.

One of the hot trends this is summer is bold, saturated color. If you are used to neutrals and black and white, this can be quite a departure from your normal routine. Two of the biggest colors for summer are pink and orange, sometimes together and sometimes separately. This color combo seemed a little strange to me at first, but it actually does work and surprisingly these colors are flattering to most women.If you are having trouble finding the right boldly colored summer clothes for you, try these.Bloomingdales has a pretty wide selection of dresses in all shapes and sizes. This Aqua Knit dress in Calypso, a fancy name for orange is just $98. It seems a little short, so if you arent comfortable with showing a lot of leg, you might stay away from this one http://bit.ly/Ma2buy

University of Cincinnati right-handed pitcher Zach Isler (Union, Ky./Covington Catholic) was selected Tuesday by the Chicago White Sox with pick No. 261 in the eighth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, the eighth consecutive year a Bearcat has been drafted.I dont even know what to say right now; Im ecstatic, said Isler. (White Sox area scout) Phil Gulley said that were taking you with the next pick that weve got; congratulations. Im very happy with where I went.

Xavier University and the Atlantic 10 Conference announced XUs home and away A-10 opponents for the 2012-13 season. Ten of Xaviers 16 A-10 games will be against teams that earned spots in 2012 postseason play, including six of the eight home opponents.Xaviers home Atlantic 10 Conference slate includes new A-10 member VCU (NCAA), Temple (NCAA), Saint Louis (NCAA), Dayton (NIT), Fordham, George Washington, La Salle (NIT) and Massachusetts (NIT).

University of Cincinnati outfielder Jake Proctor (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) was selected by the Minnesota Twins with the 430th pick in the 14th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft; the second Bearcat to get drafted Tuesday.Proctor, a 6-foot-2 junior, started UC's first 42 ballgames of the season before missing the final 14 due to a leg injury suffered April 25 vs. Xavier. He batted .284 with 29 runs, three home runs, 28 RBIs and 14 stolen bases and was the team leader in RBIs and stolen bases before the injury. The Oak Hills High School product finished the year second on the team in steals and third in batting, slugging (.399), on-base (.340), runs, hits (52), RBIs and total bases (73).

Long time friends of the Reds will remember Reds pitcher Pedro Borbon. Pedro died today of cancer at the age of 65 at his home in Pharr, Texas. Borbon appeared in more games than any other National League pitcher from 1970 to 1978. He holds the Reds club record with 531 career appearances. He pitched in 20 playoff games during his career and had a 2.42 postseason earned run average.

Don't forget Summerfair this weekend, June 1, 2 and 3. The fair, located at Cincinnatis historic Coney Island, will feature more than 300 fine artists and craftspeople from around the country as well as regional performers, a variety of gourmet arts, and the Youth Arts Rocks! area for kids.

The lineup of choirs scheduled for the eight Celebration Concerts during the 2012 World Choir Games includes eight former champions, including two of the most decorated choirs in World Choir Games history, an all-star collegiate choir and a Cincinnati Public Schools Honor Choir that will perform with the Cincinnati Childrens Choir.

The University of Cincinnati mens basketball team will face the University of Alabama inside Fifth Third Arena on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012 as part of the second annual SEC/BIG EAST Challenge, the BIG EAST, SEC and ESPN jointly announced Friday.All 12 games of the SEC/BIG EAST Challenge will be carried by ESPN. The game times and which ESPN channel will carry each game will be announced at a later date.

By Andy Furman...I hardly knew Jack Twyman. Oh, in basketball circles you would see him around; you would say hello and he would, more often than not, smile back. He was that kind of guy. Unassuming. Downright normal. A regular mench. A guy you would love for a neighbor. In fact, his family was the same. Same genes I guess.

It's summer on Fountain Square and there is entertainment day and night. Today, May 31 from 11:45 to 1:15 is Acoustic Thursday. Bring your salad or sandwich down to the Square and enjoy the music.Tonight put on your dancing shoes for Salsa on the Square.Friday stay downtown for dinner and then wander over to the Squara for the music of Midpoint Indie Summer from 7pm to 11pm.

The 40th Annual Used Book Sale at the Main Library is next week, June 3-8. There are many treasures to be found each year at the sale, and the proceeds benefit the Library.

The Ohio Renaissance Festival will hold auditions on Saturday, June 23rd and Saturday, June 30th at the festival grounds. The festival is looking for men and women 16 years and older to perform as street characters, stage combatants, singers, dancers and musicians for its 23rd annual season operating Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day, September 1 through October 21. Experience is a plus, but not necessary, as workshops will be offered for all categories during rehearsals held Saturdays and Sundays, July 7th through August 26th.

Ticket Packs for the 2012 Bengals home season will go on sale on Thursday of next week (June 7) at 9 a.m. The schedule includes visits by Dallas, Denver, Miami, Oakland and the defending NFL champion New York Giants, in addition to the annual games against AFC North Division rivals Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

Summer is here and its time to wiggle your toes in some great looking sandals. Lets put away those high heels for now and get comfy in these flate and low wedge cuties. The first pair is from Piperlime. Dannah by DV by Dolce Vita. They will look terrific with with jeans, shorts, crops or a skirt and are only $49.50

CETs June membership drive will be extra special this year thanks to two shows, Americas Generations with Chuck Underwood and Antiques Roadshow Jackpot, as well as the Luther Challenge Grant.Chuck Underwood, creator, host and executive producer of Americas Generations, will be in the CET studios for the premiere broadcast of his new public television special. Chuck will join CETs own Tina Hebel on-air during breaks in the program to talk about generational dynamics and the importance of public television. Underwood lives in Centerville, Ohio, and recorded this 90-minute PBS special at Sinclair Community College in Dayton in front of a studio audience.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Fringe Festival are proud to announce the 2012 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. The 9th annual festival is scheduled to kick-off Tuesday, May 29th with CityBeats official Fringe Kick-off Party. The festival will continue through June 9 with 35 productions and special events including the second year of the high school centered program, FringeNext.

The Bengals today signed G Kevin Zeitler of Wisconsin, the second of their two first-round selections in the 2012 draft. Zeitler (pronounced ZITE-ler) was the No. 27 overall selection. The Bengals now have signed eight of their 10 draft selections, the list also including the No. 17 pick in round one, CB Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama. We continue to get our draft picks in the fold, and I credit everyone involved in getting Kevins deal done, said head coach Marvin Lewis. Hes a young man who we feel will be ready to play a lot of football for us as a rookie, and this only aids him working toward that goal.

Tomorrow, Memorial Day, is your last chance to visit the 2012 Taste of Cincinnati. It operates tomorrow from noon to 9 pm. It's a great way to celebrate the beginning of summer in Cincinnati. There's music, food, drink, rides, street performers and a place to run into people you haven't seen all winter long.

University of Cincinnati sophomore outfielder Justin Glass (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) was named an All-BIG EAST Conference First Team selection, the league announced Tuesday during its annual awards ceremony prior to the conference championship at Bright House Field.

The Bengals today signed HB Daniel Herron of Ohio State, the clubs sixth-round selection in the 2012 draft. Herron (5-10, 215) averaged 4.9 yards per rush during a four-season OSU career. His 2869 rushing yards rank 10th in Buckeye history, and he rushed for 32 TDs while scoring once on a reception. As a senior last season, he was named the teams Most Valuable Player and served as a

Last week this column featured some great swimwear. But when you are going to the pool, you need something in which to carry all of your necessities of life, like your Kindle, your phone, your suntan lotion, etc. Check out these great tote bags:This Echo graphic diamond beach tote from www.ebags.com will hold just about everything http://bit.ly/JdLhvn and it is only $43.50.This more traditional looking Seaside Scoop tote from Swim Outlet at $31.95 is not quite as large, but will certainly fill the bill http://bit.ly/JJnBMG.

Maybe its the way of the world at least in Cincinnati. While other D-1 college basketball teams are vying for new talent and announcing their recruiting class on a daily basis the people at the University of Cincinnati, are, gulp, dismissing players. It's a shame - really.

The Cincinnati Arts Association, the Music Hall resident arts organizations, and friends and family of Music Hall mourn the loss of Roger Adams, Music Halls beloved Technical Director since 1994. Roger died at his home on Monday, May 14. Born on New Years Day in 1944, the youngest of five children, Roger was the son of a stone mason, who apprenticed to learn his fathers trade. In January of 1960, he began working with Cincinnatis stagehand Union (IATSE Local 5), a decision that would lead to a life-long career in the entertainment industry. An active member of Local 5, Roger served as an officer and executive board member, and under his stewardship the Union established its health and welfare fund.

Club Diamond Nation (www.clubdiamondnation.com), a virtual baseball and softball academy, premieres with the first-ever Club Diamond Nation Charity Challenge. The sites resident stars will compete to win $25,000 for their selected charities.Club Diamond Nation will launch Summer 2012 offering playing tips, personalized feedback and fully-produced webcasts from Major League Baseball players, Olympic softball players and coaches.In a sneak peek to the sites launch, Club Diamond Nation is asking fans to vote for Barry Larkin, Tom Glavine, Jennie Finch, Kevin Long or Jack Cust Jr.s aligned charity, simultaneously entering for a chance to win a one-on-one training experience with that star. The five are affiliated with Club Diamond Nation and will be the hosts of the sites webcasts.

Xavier mens golf standout Sebastian MacLean will represent Xavier in the 2012 NCAA Mens Golf Championship Regional hosted by the University of Michigan. MacLean is making his second trip to the NCAA Regionals, the only Musketeer to do that individually. The only other Musketeers that have competed at this level were 2011 Atlantic 10 Individual Champion Herbert Day and current PGA Tour player Jason Kokrak.

It's a beautiful day in Cincinnati, so why not stay downtown tonight and join the crowd for Salsa on the Square from 7pm to 10pm. Tonight's band is Clave'Son.And, tomorrow is Freaky Friday, so you'll want to be on Fountain Square for the first Freaky Friday of the year, the Fish Toss. Starts at noon.

Our final port of call on this unforgettable cruise was Copenhagen, Denmark. After all the historical sites and museums we had seen over the past few days (gorgeous as they were), we decided to do something a little different in Copenhagen. In this lovely city, we opted for a short overview tour, with a destination of Tivoli Gardens and Amusement Park.

Expansive new online initiative will provide expertise from expert contributors,public television, and trustworthy sources on aging. America is in the midst of an age boom. The 50+ population in America has grown from 74 million in 1999 to more than 99 million today, and is projected to be 127 million in 2030. While part can be attributed to the sheer size of the boomer demographic, part is due to a dramatic increase in longevity at the beginning of the 20th century, life expectancy was 49 years, and today it tops more than 80 years.In response, CET introduces Next Avenue, an extensive new website launching May 15. Designed to meet the needs and the potential of this age boom, Next Avenue will engage, inspire and inform the more than 100 million people who are transitioning into what many see as a new life stage in human development a stage between young adulthood and old old.

Thorntons is proud to announce that for the 5th consecutive year they have partnered with the Make- A- Wish Foundation of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. On Tuesday, May 1st, all Thorntons store locations began selling Wish Stars for $1, with 100% of the proceeds going back to the foundation. Since beginning the partnership in 2008, Thorntons has raised over $50,000 for the foundation.

Join us on Monday, June 18th at the Heritage Club, Mason Ohio for our 20th Anniversary Golf Outing to benefit Tender Mercies. The scramble format starts at 2pm and includes a lunch prior and dinner after. Be a sponsor, bring your friends to make a foursome or come alone to network with new friends. Cost is $225 for individual golf. All proceeds benefit Tender Mercies which provides housing and related services to homeless adults with histories of mental and/or emotional disorders.

Have a good time and help out a good cause this weekend. Cincys on Sixth, downtown Cincinnatis Modern American Grill will be hosting the VIP pre-party for the 2012 Marvin Lewis Golf Classic this Saturday, May 19th. The team is excited to be participating in this years ninth annual fundraiser to support the Marvin Lewis Community Fund. The Marvin Lewis Golf Classic presented by Cincinnati Bell, will be held Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20, with a list of current and former Bengals headlining the celebrity golfers.

I hate to bring up what for many of us is a painful subject, but Memorial Day is just around the corner and swimsuit season is about to start. Every year when I begin my hunt for a new bathing suit, I think maybe this is the year that I find that perfect suit that takes 2 inches off waist while making my boobs look young and perky. I know its out there somewhere, I just have to find it.On that optimistic note, how about these beautiful suits that I found while browsing the internet. I have to warn you they are pricey. After all, miracles dont come cheaply.The first is a beautiful Tommy Bahama Fiori di Mare one piece bandeau swimsuit for $147 at Nordstroms. Makes you think of the Italian Riviera. Im going to try this one myself. Maybe that ruching at the waist will take away those two inches. http://bit.ly/LPKVsG

In cruising the malls and retail websites, Ive noticed a lot of maxi-dresses. While these are not really office appropriate, a girl has to have some down-time and maxis make a great change for a pool party, an outdoor cocktail party or even an outdoor wedding. The bright colors and the beading on many make any jewelry except maybe a bangle and some dangly earrings unnecessary. So, grab a pair of strappy sandals and go party girl. The first is a brown print patio dress (its just a maxi with a fancy name) from Banana Republic http://brstyl.es/Jrglsh. It is a little expensive at $130, but has a chic, polished look for those special occasions.

The Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati takes us back to the Fabulous 50s with Life Could Be A Dream, the musical story of a group of teenagers with big dreams of becoming a famous rock group. The plot's a bit thin in this two-act charmer, with all the action taking place in the basement of one of the teens, Denny. Along with his cute but nerdy friend, Eugene, Denny has hopes of entering a radio singing contest, with the winner receiving a record contract. The duo becomes a trio with the addition of Wally, the preachers son, and finally, a quartet when garage mechanic, Skip, gets in on the act.

This incident occurred on May 12th 2012 at 11:05pm. The victim was getting out of his car in the 2300 block of East Tower Dr when the suspect approached him displaying a handgun demanding the victims money and cell phone. The suspect fled the scene on foot after discovering the victim had no property. The suspect was described as male, black with a slender build armed with a handgun.

This sounds like a lot of fun and a great way to participate in a downtown Cincinnati project.OTR FLAGS is an art installation of over 126 hand-painted silk flags that will adorn the renovated Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine. Residents, friends and visitors of OTR can paint their very own personal silk flag in one of two final community workshops. Each flag will be exhibited in the park during July and August for a total of eight weeks. After the exhibit, individuals can retrieve their personalized creation or donate to the Emanuel Community Center to be auctioned and help generate funds for like minded programming.

The Bengals today signed two draft choices, DT Devon Still of Penn State and WR Marvin Jones of California. Still (6-5, 305) was a second-round choice, 53rd overall. He was a first-team Associated Press All-American last season and also was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year while serving as a Nittany Lions co-captain. Over his final two Penn State seasons, he had 8.5 sacks and 27.0 tackles-for-loss.

By Andy Furman...Basketball is perhaps the furthest thing in the minds of Cincinnati sports fans but it shouldnt be. Northern Kentucky University will put themselves on an even playing field with both the University of Cincinnati and Xavier when they join the D-1 ranks next season. Nancy Winstell, who has won over 600 games for the Lady Norse, has since resigned. And the perhaps the best-kept secret the Skyline Chili will play on in 2012-13 for the 80th edition. And why not?

Xavier University mens basketball attendance cracked the top 40 in NCAA Division I for the first time in school history this past season. XU ranked 39th in the official NCAA rankings with an average of 10,155 fans for its 16 home games, which translates into an impressive 99.1 percent capacity at the 10,250-seat Cintas Center for the 2011-12 season.

By Andy Furman ... Some notes some quotes some thoughts some ideas. Far be it from me to spend someone elses money although Id love to yet its time we discuss the role of the Cuban Missile on your Cincinnati Reds. This hard-throwing lefty was signed for some $30 million, and it hurts me as much to say it as write it. He was a carnival act when he was brought up last season. Throwing the baseball at some 105.3 miles-per-hour. Wow that 105.3 is FM numbers.But this year hes be relegated to the bullpen, and not in the lights-out closer role. He sets-up in the 7th and 8th innings.And for my money this flamethrower has to be the closer on this ballclub. At this point in time, wandering around the .500 mark this team needs him.

The Bengals today signed CB Shaun Prater and S George Iloka, who both were fifth-round choices by Cincinnati in last months 2012 draft. Prater (5-10, 190; Iowa) was the 156th overall selection. He played in 48 games with 35 starts over four seasons at Iowa, posting 171 tackles, seven INTs and 19 additional passes defensed. He had a 24.7-yard avg. on INT returns, two of which he carried for TDs.

Saturday from 5pm to 10pm, you can enjoy a lovely spring evening sipping wine on Fountain Square. The Bella Vite (Beautiful Vine) event features $1 tastings with 24 different wines to experience. Knowledgeable staff will be on site to help guests navigate the selection and learn about the wines they taste. Vote for your favorite red and white, then enjoy live local music from the Chris Comer Trio, Triage and The Bluebirds.

It's Salsa on the Square tonight. Put on your dancing shoes and get down to Fountain Square at 7:00pm. It's a beautiful night for dancing.

When we read on our sailing itinerary that one of our stops was Tallinn, Estonia, our first question was, "Where's that?" Well, Tallinn is the Capital of Estonia and is located in Northern Europe, south of Helsinki, Finland, east of Stockholm, Sweden, and west of St. Petersburg, Russia.

Youre all dressed and ready to go, but a final look in the mirror says something is missing. That plain black jersey dress needs a little bling. If you are a little wary of all the bright colors that are out for the spring and summer, how about adding a pop of color with your jewelry.I found some great examples on line that will spice up your wardrobe without breaking the bank.Having said that the first one is a little pricey. It is a Kate Spade bracelet, on sale mind you for $103. http://bit.ly/IJrDCp . There is a matching neckace on the Kate Spade site as well.I also loved these yellow chandelier earrings from Kate Spade on sale for $68. They would really liven up a plain white sundress or white top. http://bit.ly/IDgyUv

Last evening I went to see the current offering at the Aronoff Downtown. It was the 25th Anniversary Production of Les Miserables, a musical based on the novel by Victor Hugo. The story, if you aren't familiar with it, is a classic. In revolutionary era France, Jean Valjean has been just been released from 19 years of hard labor for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving nephew. He breaks his parole out of desperation, to start life anew.

The Flying Pig Marathon weekend was another great success this year. Nearly 31,000 people registered to participate in the various events. Marathon winners were Sergio Reyes of Palmdale, California, a two time Flying Pig winner, with a time of 2:22:04 and Rachel Bea of Taft, Ohio with a winning time of 2:54:38. This Friday is Flying Pig Night at Great American Ballpark. Bring your medals and parade around the park celebrating your own great finish.

This incident occurred on May 7th 2012 at 5:06am. A Town taxi was robbed at gun point in the 3200 block of Bowling Green Ct. The suspect brandished a shotgun and demanded money from the taxi driver. The victim then drove away from the scene. The suspect was described as male, black, 18-20, 510, 140-160lbs, wearing a black hoody.

Our next port was the one I was most looking forward to because I never thought the day would come when I would be visiting St. Petersburg, Russia. Just a comment about a cruise that goes to Russia. For all cruises, of course, you need a valid passport. The cruise line tries to make it easy for their passengers by arranging with the other ports in Europe for you to go ashore without a visa for each country. This is not the case in the Russian ports.

Nothing says summer clothing quite like seersucker. Its light weight, cool, resists wrinkles and goes with so many things. This Antonio Meloni blue and white seersucker dress from Dillards at $159 is a perfect example of the summer dress that will take you anywhere http://bit.ly/IVaHib. Combine it with brightly colored shoes, like red, hot pink or emerald green and you are set for any occasion.This seersucker shift dress from Castaway Clothing is a lot more casual, but works for the casual office or for an outdoor dinner, a day of shopping. Pair it with a pair of red or green espadrilles and you look chic and casual http://bit.ly/IHTVSy. It sells for $158.

Since 1909, the Anna Louise Inn has been providing affordable housing for women in transition who are making their way back into the work force. It is the only facility of its kind in Cincinnati. Rooms, while not fancy, offer these women a safe harbor till they get their lives back in order. The renovation would install bathrooms and small kitchens in the dormitory-style rooms. Sounds like nothing but good news for a worthy organization, right? Not so fast.. it seems that Western & Southern was waiting for the opportunity to transform that building into luxury condominiums. Western & Southern sought to have the City revoke its operating permits due to zoning violations. So several of the Anna Louise residents filed suit in Federal Court against Western and Southern citing harassment of its residents. Disputes over zoning ensued and renovations were put on hold.

The Bengals today signed G/C Trevor Robinson of Notre Dame as a college free agent. Robinson (6-5, 310; Elkhorn, Neb.) played in 48 games with 40 starts in his Notre Dame career, including 13/13 last season. He is the Bengals 15th college free agent signee. The CFAs will have their first work with the team during the teams minicamp for rookies and eligible first-year players May 11-13 at Paul Brown Stadium.

Class A Bakersfield SS Billy Hamilton and LHP Tony Cingrani have been named the Cincinnati Reds' Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for April. Hamilton, 21, in 23 games in April led all of professional baseball with 29 stolen bases and led all Reds farmhands in batting average (.398). He also led the California League in batting average, stolen bases, on-base percentage (.481), triples (4) and runs scored (24) and ranked among the leaders in hits (T-2nd, 35) and total bases (T-4th, 52).

Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo and you won't want to miss the festivities on Fountain Square. There will be authentic Latino art, music, food, dancing and children's activities.Admission is free and the party goes on from noon to 11pm on Saturday and noon to 7 on Sunday. Bring the kids and have a great time.

GOOD LUCK RUNNERS! The Flying Pig Marathon takes place on Sunday, May 6. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and avoid streets along the race route. Spectators are encouraged to watch the race and cheer for the runners at various points along the route.Beginning Sunday at 1:00 AM for staging, and at 5:00 AM on the course, and continuing until approximately 3:00 PM, various city streets will be closed or have parking and traffic restrictions to allow for the Marathon. Race participants desiring near-by parking are advised to arrive early (before the streets close) to ensure there is plenty of time to park and to get to the starting line of the race. The course will be opened to traffic as the race proceeds and the runners are clear.

Even though it is only early May, this week has been like summer in the city. You want to grab those summery clothes and really get into the season. Bold colors and florals are a great trend for this season. Here are some great floral pieces that spice up your summer wardrobe without breaking the budget.The first is a really bright dress from Wallisfashion.com that combines two of my favorites, flowers and polka dots. It is only $59. http://bit.ly/JPOsFD

The Hair Depot Beauty Supply was robbed on May 2, 2012 at approximately 12:00 p.m. The store is located at 2633 Vine Street in Corryville. An unknown suspect entered the store and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk suffered minor injuries during the robbery. The suspect was seen fleeing the scene on a dark colored mountain bicycle. An undisclosed amount of U.S. currency was taken during the incident. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 20 years old, wearing a gray hooded jacket, blue jeans, and a red bandanna. The suspect dropped a Cincinnati Reds baseball hat. The hat was recovered by District 4 Investigators and submitted to the Hamilton County Crime Laboratory for DNA analysis.

The Hair Depot Beauty Supply was robbed on May 2, 2012 at approximately 12:00 p.m. The store is located at 2633 Vine Street in Corryville. An unknown suspect entered the store and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk suffered minor injuries during the robbery. The suspect was seen fleeing the scene on a dark colored mountain bicycle. An undisclosed amount of U.S. currency was taken during the incident. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 20 years old, wearing a gray hooded jacket, blue jeans, and a red bandanna. The suspect dropped a Cincinnati Reds baseball hat. The hat was recovered by District 4 Investigators and submitted to the Hamilton County Crime Laboratory for DNA analysis.

Summer is coming, in fact it feels like Summer already this week. It's your turn to heat up Fountain Square with the first Salsa on the Square next Thursday, May 10 from 7-10.

Our cruise continued from Berlin on to Stockholm, Sweden, after a day at sea. These sea days (we had one before Berlin as well), are life-savers on a longer cruise such as this one. The days in port are strenuous because you want to see everything possible, so sea days are a time to relax, meet your fellow passengers, or maybe even take a nap so that you can dance till dawn in the ships disco if thats what suits your fancy. There are numerous ways to pass the time if youre looking for something to do. You can use the indoor pool, or have a spa day. There are lectures on the upcoming ports, and classes on various subjects if that interests you. You can always take in an on-board art auction, or a game of Bingo, go to the ships library, take dance lessons or exercise classes, catch a movie, have a drink at one of the half dozen or so bars aboard, drop a few bucks in the casino, play group games, listen to live music, or just relax.

For the last couple of years it seems like handbags have been getting bigger and bigger. When I leave for work in the morning it looks like Im going away for the weekend. I had to ask myself, do I really need to carry all of this stuff. The answer is, of course, no.While Im not ready to give up my satchels and totes, when you want to carry your essentials, but want to keep your hands freeyou can do more shopping that way you know, there is nothing like a great crossbody bag. The seven that I am showing in this column cover a wide range of price points. They are cute and comfortable, but they allow sufficient room for some cash, credit cards, a lipstick, hanky, your smartphone and a pair of glasses.The first is a Dooney & Bourke crossbody that sells for $198 and comes in some great colors http://bit.ly/ID9hZt .

The first official stop on our cruise was Warnemunde, Germany, a small coastal village with a few attractions within walking distance of the ship. There is also a nearby medieval town, Rostock, for passengers who dont want to go too far for some shopping or sightseeing. However, the big attraction at this port is its proximity to Berlin, around a two and a half hour train ride from the port.

"THE BEST INTENTIONS" CINCINNATI PLAYWRIGHTS INITIATIVES BEST OF NEW VOICES PRODUCTION DATES: JULY 19-21, 2012 (Aronoff Center)(This is a fully staged production.)Director, Mary Jo BeresfordDate of Auditions: MAY 14, 2012, 7:00 P.M.

By Andy Furman...I dont get it.But I dont get a lot of things.This NFL draft the buzz surrounding it. Id much rather attend a pre-season NFL game than sit through a red carpet affair with no names kids that may never see the light of day in the National Football League.Yet, there are parties and credit the league they do it up big. Gala event at New York Citys Radio City Music Hall.Go figure.And the players I mean theyre dressing to the nines. Wonder where they get that kind of cash.That may be a story for another day.This is the second year the draft festivities went prime time starting Thursday and rolling into Saturday.

There will be a new Japanese restaurant coming to Over The Rhine this fall. Restaurateurs, Jon Zipperstein (Embers) and Cincinnatian and Sycamore High alumni Hideki Harada Zipperstein will be opening a Japanese GastroPub and sushi bar that will include a bar/lounge, a dining room and a landscaped beer garden. With the help of 3CDC, the partners have chosen the Color Building at 14th and Vine for their new enterprise and they will specialize in taking American favorites into the Japanese style.

The Xavier men's golf team is set to compete in the 34th annual Atlantic 10 Men's Golf Championship at Heron Bay Golf Club. Sebastian MacLean, Chris Burger, Yuki Kato, Tanapol Vattanapisit and Korey Ward will look to bring home some championship hardware.

Xavier swimming standout Michael Zennedjian was named a CollegeSwimming.com Mid-Major All-America Team Honorable Mention for the second consecutive season. Zennedjian goes into the history books as the program's most decorated swimmer.

How do the children of Greater Cincinnati see and interpret the world around them? The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) has been exploring this question for ten years through its Student Art Show, which exhibits artwork by local students. This years theme is Celebration. The exhibition will be on display in the Aronoff Centers Fifth Third Bank Theater (7th & Main Streets in downtown Cincinnati) from Saturday, May 5 Sunday, May 13, 2012. Exhibition hours are Friday, 4:00 8:00 PM; Saturday, 12:00 PM 5:00 PM; and Sunday, 11:00 AM 4:00 PM. The Student Art Show is free and open to the public.

In Seattle, fish tossing at the Pike Place Market is a top tourist draw. In Cincinnati, its another wacky contest that brings people out to Fountain Square.Teams of four people have 60 seconds to toss whole, raw fish from person to person down a 50-foot course. The team that gets the most fish all the way down the line wins four $20 gift cards and a trophy.

This Tuesday, March 1 is the first day of Market on the Square for 2012. Keep you fingers crossed for good weather and stroll up to Fountain Square during the lunch break on Tuesday.

Kate Middleton wore a lace dress to an event this spring and voila!, we have a trend. Being a fashion victim myself, I succumbed to hype also and bought an orange lace skirt at Ann Taylor earlier this spring. I have been searching for lace items to show you. (Ann Taylor sold out of my skirt). Finding a lace item that fits into the ordinary womans wardrobe and is not lingerie is not easy. How often do you wear a lace dress to Krogers? But, I am committed to bringing you the latest trends, so I did some power shopping and found these great items.The first is a really cute cotton lace dress from J.C. Penney for only $65. This dress will take you to the office or out to dinner. http://jcp.is/IdatAn

Xavier University head basketball coach Chris Mack announced that he has received signed scholarship papers from Matt Stainbrook, a 6-9 center who is transferring to Xavier after starting and leading his team in rebounding for two seasons at Western Michigan University. Stainbrook will be eligible as a redshirt junior beginning with the 2013-14 season.

The Bengals today signed K Mike Nugent, who became a free agent following last season and was designated March 2 as the teams franchise player. In 2011, he set team records for points (132) and field goals (33) in a season, helping Cincinnati advance to the playoffs. Nugent (5-10, 183; Ohio State) is an eighth-year NFL player in 2012. He exercised his option to sign the one-year tender offer specified in the NFLs Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Is there any truth to the rumor that Western & Southern may be moving its downtown offices to Northern Kentucky?

Most offices today are business casual. This doesnt mean jeans and a sweatshirt or pajama bottoms and an Im with stupid tee. But it does mean, you can wear comfortable, casual, washable clothes, with comfortable shoes. Paired differently, these pieces can be used a million different ways for almost any occasion. These Worthington straight leg pants are perfect for the office. They come in several colors, but for this look, I have chosen the white. They sell for only $25 at J.C. Penney http://jcp.is/Icjqed.

Spring Drills Wrap Up on Saturday with Red & White Game -- Like anxious job applicants, members of Miami University's football squad are excited to begin the last week of their five-week "internship", culminating with their all-important "final interview" at the annual Red & White Game this Saturday (April 28). The scrimmage, free to the general public, begins at 12 noon at Yager Stadium.Several individuals, such as quarterback Zac Dysert (Ada), receiver Nick Harwell (Missouri City, TX), defensive lineman Austin Brown (Woodbridge, VA) and cornerback Dayonne Nunley (Monroeville, PA), have starting jobs lined up for the 2012 season, but there are many other players who are still scrambling for starting and back-up positions on Miami's two-deep.

Xavier University head basketball coach Chris Mack announced today that redshirt junior guard Mark Lyons will not be returning for the 2012-13 season.After our end of the season meeting with Mark it became apparent that a change for both parties was the right thing moving forward, said Mack. During our meeting expectations were outlined for his fifth and final season, areas in which I believe needed improvement. Mark did not recognize these expectations as being important and ultimately it was decided that a change of scenery would be in his best interest. I wish Mark well.

Due to inclement weather this Saturday THE GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP has been rescheduled for SATURDAY, MAY 5THJoin the Downtown Residents' Council when they paint Downtown fire hydrants for the Great American Cleanup-- to beautify our city for the World Choir Games. Saturday, May 5th, 2012. 1PM - 5PM.

By Andy FurmanToo early to talk Reds or at least make a prediction where theyll finish.As for the Bengals theyve started voluntary practice didnt the season just end.But its not too soon to talk racing the Kentucky Derby is less than two weeks away. Certainly you dont expect me to tout here nope, I wont.But I will make a prediction and I backed it in the local daily press the other day.If the people at Turfway Park dont get out and promote that facility soon, itll be razed for a business park.Yes, I care.

The Banks is not all sports bars. There is a new frozen yogurt shop that you will want to try. Orange Leaf, located on the Walnut Street side of The Banks lets you choose from many different flavors of frozen yogurt from plain old vanilla to cocoanut and mango. You serve yourself so don't let your eyes get bigger than your stomach. Then you add your own toppings. You are charged by the weight of your final creation. Give it a try!

Regina Carswell Russo (Director of Marketing and Communications, Cincinnati Art Museum) and her dance pro Brian McNamee (Cincinnati Ballroom Company) scored a PERFECT 10 from the four judges on Saturday, April 14 at the Music Hall Ballroom, taking first place at the Cincinnati Arts Associations sixth-annual Dancing for the Stars. With an audience of 750 guests (a new attendance record), the sold-out event raised $70,000 to benefit CAAs Overture Awards the nations largest locally-run high school arts scholarship competition.

Xavier University held its annual men's basketball awards banquet tonight at the James and Caroline Duff Banquet Center at Cintas Center, honoring a Musketeer squad that finished 23-13, reached the NCAA Tournament for a seventh straight season and the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the fourth time in five years.Third-year head coach Chris Mack had plenty of other highlights to talk about. Xavier is now one of only four teams that have made the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 four times in the last five years (2008-12). That list includes Kansas, Michigan State, North Carolina and Xavier. Xavier is one of only eight schools that have made at least seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including 2012: Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Marquette, Michigan State, Texas, Wisconsin and Xavier.

The official award ceremony will be held on Wednesday, April 25 from 11:30am to 1:30pm. At noon we will announce the first, second and third place winners as well as the peoples choice award. The Cliftones will provide entertainment throughout the lunch time event. There will be various earth friendly vendors displayed on the Square for all to browse.

It was another beautiful day in Cincinnati yesterday, so I ventured back up to Fountain Square to see the rest of the Ecosculpt installation. Upon approaching the Square, I thought I was seeing a miniature golf course, see the windmill in one of the photos. I've attached photos of the exhibits, but I hope you will get to the Square to take a look for yourself. It is interesting to see how the artists have used the recycled materials.

Xavier will be running against the some of the top competition in the state as it takes part in the All-Ohio Championships this weekend at the George L. Rider Track on the campus of Miami University.The Musketeers will compete in the distance events and mens pole vault on Friday. The running events get underway beginning at 5 p.m. with the womens 5,000-meter run. The 10,000-meter run will complete Fridays events. The pole vault is schedule to begin at 3 p.m.

For the past few columns I have been suggesting clothing, shoes and accessories that I love, but how to put them all together, thats the question. So I have put together some looks that definitely work for the office. Each piece can easily be paired with something else to give you a lot of diversity at a reasonable price.Lets start with the pencil skirt. This is a classic silhouette that looks good on everyone and gives you a polished professional look. This one from Nordstroms comes in several colors, but I have chosen the cream. It is light and airy and lends itself to many possiblilities http://bit.ly/J4xnax and it is only $59.

Downtown is "going green" this week and red too! An e-waste recycle event, sponsored by the Eighth Street Design District, takes place tomorrow. Bring your unwanted cell phones, fax machines and other e-items to greensource where Ez Housh and his team will recycle them with help from 2trg, a certified electronics recycler.Students from third to seventh grade will be walking the runway in a recycled costume contest at the Earth Day celebration at Sawyer Point this Saturday, along with more than 70 vendors and exhibitors. I wonder how many Ninja Turtle costumes are still out there?

The Xavier womens golf team will conclude its regular season with the CAA Championship in Southport, N.C. April 20-22. The Musketeers will play at the par-72, 7,100 yard Reserve Course at St. James Plantation, designed by Nicklaus Design. Xavier finished in third place last year in the tournament with a 925 (+61) at Pinehurst Course No. 6 in Pinehurst, N.C.The Musketeers enter the Championship placing in the top-10 in three of their last four spring tournaments, and two top-five finishes. Sophomore Christine Cash has a team-low 77 scoring average and leads the team with four top-20 finishes. Cash has two of the teams three sub-par rounds

Xavier University senior Tu Holloway has been named to the 2011-2012 National All-Jesuit Mens Basketball Team, as announced by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and the Jesuit Basketball Spotlight. This is Holloways second straight year on the team.The other Division I members of the first team are Creightons Doug McDermott, Marquettes Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom, Gonzagas Elias Harris, Georgetowns Jason Clark, Detroits Ray McCallum and Fairfields Rakim Sanders. Two Division II/III standouts also made the team: Steve Catich of Div. II Wheeling Jesuit and Corey Shontz of Div. III John Carroll.

Rumor has it that Western & Southern has enacted a new dress code for its female employees, Skirts are to be no more than 2 inches above the knee, no cleavage and ladies you have lost your right to bare arms. If you have a sleeveless dress or blouse, you have to wear a jacket or sweater in the office. Sounds a little like Catholic School in the 60's. Does your office have a dress code? Share with us all.

CINCINNATI BENGALS 2012 SCHEDULE All times are Eastern. An asterisk (*) denotes a game subject to flexible scheduling. PRESEASON (day, date, opponent, time)Fri., Aug. 10, N.Y. JETS, 7:30 p.m.Thurs., Aug. 16, at Atlanta (FOX), 8 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 23, GREEN BAY, 7 p.m.Thurs., Aug. 30, at Indianapolis, 7 p.m.

I rarely hear of anyone whos been on a cruise and not liked it. Even those who have doubts going into it, are won over by the sense of getting away from it all on the open seas, the wide variety of activities, and, of course, the continuous array of fantastic food.

The University of Cincinnati baseball team (12-23, 2-10 BIG EAST) takes a break from conference action when it plays the No. 2-ranked Kentucky Wildcats (32-5, 11-4 SEC) 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Senior left-handed pitcher Brad Mergen will climb the hill for the Bearcats. Mergen is coming off his best outing of the season against Xavier last Wednesday. In his first start since March 18, the 6-foot-3 southpaw allowed just three runs, only one of which was earned, and scattered 10 hits in a season-best 5 2-3 innings pitched. Kentucky's starting pitcher will be freshman lefty Sam Mahar, who will be making his first collegiate start. The Cincinnati-UK ballgame will be streamed live at UKAthletics.com/allaccess (subscription required).

With the advent of spring weather, our thoughts naturally turn to flowers and we are tempted by all those beautiful floral pattern being shown in everything from clothing to shoes to handbags. Florals can add an interesting element to your wardrobe, but you need to make sure you get the right ones and remember a little dab will do you.If you have a trim frame, you can easily do a print dress and I have found a few that I think you will like. The first is from a UK website www.wallisfashion.com. It is a bold print on a black background, retailing for $63. Remember you have a lot going on here, so plain black sandals or flats will work best. http://bit.ly/IYBk48

The Xavier volleyball team competed in the OVCC College Spring Tournament and won all three matches it played. XU notched victories over Marshall, Morehead State and Samford."As I said before, we don't put a lot of stock in the final outcomes of the spring matches," said head coach Mike Johnson. "That said, the success is a great barometer of the improvement we have been seeing in the gym every day. Our kids have really been working hard since the final point of the 2011 season and I'm very proud of their effort."

This Saturday, April 21 is Great American Clean Up Saturday. Grab your old clothes and a paintbrush and join the Downtown Residents' Council when they paint Downtown fire hydrants for the Great American Cleanup. You will be helping to beautify our city for the World Choir Games. They will be painting this Saturday from 9AM - 1PM. WEAR CLOTHES AND SHOES THAT CAN GET DIRTY.

This is your chance. If you are like me and others that I know, you are always complaining about how the city is spending "our" money. Well, the city of Cincinnati is giving us a chance to give our input. The City is implementing a Priority-Driven Budgeting process that relies on what you tell them are your strategic priorities.City programs and services will then be evaluated based on the contribution they make to the strategic priorities. The Cincinnati City Council will make final decisions on the priorities identified as part of the Citys budget process.

Improved weather conditions, helped the Xavier men's golf team card better rounds on the final day of the Robert Kepler Invitational. Senior Sebastian MacLean led the Musketeers, finishing tied for second in the tournament.MacLean utilized five birdies, including four over six holes, to bring in an even-par 71 on the final day for an 8-over-par 221 total. MacLean would tie with Ohio's Paul Grauer and the pair were one shot off of the lead.

Xaviers track and field team finished its competition at the Sea Ray Relays on Saturday by running in a showcase event, competing in two relays, and jumping in two field events.Junior Rachel Clark was the lone individual runner to compete for the Musketeers. She took part in the 1,500-meter showcase run where she finished ninth with a time of 4:33.45.

By Andy Furman...The headline in the morning Cincinnati Enquirer was staring me right in the face yet either I didnt want to believe it; or couldnt believe it. Reds Boss did his part, it stated, Fans, Youre up. The column was right under the fold on page 1, and the writer was the award-winning Paul Daugherty. Look, I know writers dont write the headlines, but if Im Doc Im not too happy the way the paper positioned me. In short a houseman. It took me some time to digest this one.

Since it is such a gorgeous day today, I decided to stroll up to Fountain Square to see what was going on. The Ecosculpt installation is in progress beginning today and I was able to snap pictures of three of the entrants. Award winners will be named on April 20. Also, Xavier students are on the Square today giving out free hugs. The official "free huggers" are wearing blue t-shirts and carrying signs that send free hugs. Running up to perfect strangers could result in getting more than you bargained for, so check for the shirts.

This weekend is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. I don't want to ruin it for you, but the ship sinks.Cincinnati Music Theatre (CMT) proudly presents a musical tribute to the dreams and aspirations of those who sailed aboard the greatest achievement of The Remarkable Age, the RMS Titanic. Join us May 11 19, 2012 at the Aronoff Centers Jarson-Kaplan Theater as we honor the memories of those lost on the maiden voyage 100 years ago, with our production of Titanic: The Musical.Tickets are on sale now at www.cincinnatiarts.org, (513) 621-ARTS (2787), or the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.

Since I am keeping you up to date on current fashion trends, it is with great trepidation that I write about stripes. Trepidation because this morning I decided to wear a blue and white horizontal striped t-shirt with my denim skirt. When looking in the mirror, I was reminded of what my great aunt Ruthie used to say when presented with a similarly dressed woman. She looks like barrel-house Bessie with the middle wire busted, think about it. But in the interest of full reporting and keeping in mind that many women are not short waisted with more waist than they need. I decided to go ahead with this column on stripes. When wearing stripes, please take a good, unbiased look in the mirror before you venture out.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is sponsoring an e-waste recycling drive to collect and recycle unwanted electronic waste from guests of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical and the local community during the Zoos Party for the Planet Earth Day celebration on Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All electronics will be recycled by 2trg, a certified recycler that operates under zero landfill and zero export policies. Data storage devices will be sanitized according to NIST SP 800-88 standards.

During his State of the City address last night, Mayor Mallory announced that the city has selected a vendor to build its new streetcars. The selected vendor is CAF USA and they will be providing 5 streetcars like the red and white one shown in the picture. The first car should be ready in about 18 months.

In celebration of Earth Day, this Friday the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance EcoSculpt, will begin a three-week installation of original sculptures made of recycled and/or recyclable materials on Fountain Square.The artists creations will add life and color to Fountain Square this spring and bring attention to how we use (and maybe re-use) resources.

The best deals in town return this April with the 45th annual CET Action Auction!This years Action Auction will be broadcast from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, through Friday, April 20, and from 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday, April 21.The auction is one of CETs main annual fundraisers and involves volunteers from all segments of our community. Proceeds from the event help fund our programs for viewers at home and in classrooms as well as many of our outreach and arts initiatives, said Jack Dominic, CET station manager.

Findlay Market will celebrate National Poetry Month with its fourth annual Art and Poetry at the Market event on Sunday, April 15th from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm.Event features include:Local poets and spoken word artists competing for cash prizes.An art bazaar featuring a variety of local artists and crafters.Members of the popular Bitchs Brew, Kathy Y. Wilson and Abiyah, will once again serve as event emcees.The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Elementz will serve as poetry contest judges.

An aggravated robbery occurred on April 9th 2012 at 9:13pm at the Hart Pharmacy located at 4861 Glenway Av. The suspect brandished a machete and demanded oxycotin. The suspect fled east on Glenway Av. The suspect was described as male, white, 40s, 511-6, 160lbs, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with red writing, blue jeans and a black and yellow baseball cap

A big fashion trend for this season is color blocking. Designers make it sound tricky, but color blocking is really nothing more than big chunks of bold color combined in one garment or look. There are many different ways to color-block. I have chosen a few color-block looks for you to browse through The first is a Donna Morgan blue-green color block dress from Nordstroms for $138.00. Its a crepe-de-chine, so it is dry clean only, but I love the colors and the shape is universally flattering. http://bit.ly/HygyFP

Grab this kids this weekend and come out to the VOA Park and Museum in West Chester for the WGUC Airwaves Kite Fest. This years Kite Fest features the Chicago Fire Kite Team. They have been competing for more than 20 years and have won 50 competitions and 10 American Kitefliers Association National Championships.

By Andy Furman...Its taken me this long to figure out what Joey Votto would do with his new contract. Oh, you havent heard Votto signed a contract extension for $225 million yeah, million, that isnt a typo. It extends his deal with the Cincinnati Reds for 12 additional seasons and Im not here to discuss the pros or cons of that deal yet. But $225 mil what to do?Buy an island? A small country? Feed the poor?

I don't think there is anyone in the Cincinnati area that doesn't know that today is Opening Day. There were thousands of people downtown today for the parade and to cheer the Reds on to victory. In case you couldn't make the festivities, I have snapped some pictures of the parade.

It's spring and every woman needs a new handbag. I'm convinced that there is the perfect handbag for everyone. I have found a great variety in all sizes, shapes and price ranges. Hope you find something that is just right for you.The first is a Kate Spade Point Breeze Straw. At $378 it's a little pricey, but too cute. It will take you just about anywhere all spring and summer and will go with everything. http://bit.ly/Hr4seE

On April 6 from 6 to 9 pm the merchants along Fairfield Avenue are bringing back the wildly popular "Scrambled Eggs" Easter event.You'll find treasure-filled eggs at the many wonderful shops, art galleries, and eateries in our beautiful historic shopping district. At each participating business you will receive an egg filled with a special surprise. Eggs have been "scrambled" between the merchants, so you won't have any idea what surprise you'll receive at each location.

Ever heard of crowd funding? Inventors and Entrepreneurs who have developed a new product or service are looking for some financial help in launching their creative effort into a full-fledged, marketable product.Websites like www.kickstarter.com and www.indiegogo.com encourage entrepreneurs to submit their project for display and to begin to gather attention and funding. There are some interesting products on these sites. Some will turn out to be winners and others will probably never see the light of day, but you might see something you like and when that product becomes the next big thing, you can feel great about being a part of it.

Ladies, if you have ever caught your heel in a grate and ruined a perfectly good pair of pumps while walking around downtown, you know that a 4 inch stiletto is not the perfect answer for running around the city. You can get a great look for all your spring and summer clothes without resorting to sticking your feet into a tennis shoe. Try the wedge. They come in all heights and colors and are a great summer look. I have picked out six pairs that I think you are going to love. The first three are from Nordstroms. My favorite is this Miz Mooz wedge for $99.95. I love the color, its a nice heel height and will go with dresses or pants http://bit.ly/HR6Ddr.

If you have been to Music Hall recently you have probably noticed the Washington Park Project. Washington Park is being expanded and renovated to create an urban oasis for residents and visitors to this area. Included in the plan is a 450 space underground parking garage and a bandstand. The project will provide a beautiful background for the cultural institutions in this long-neglected neighborhood. You can follow the project at http://bit.ly/cdwStr. This is whats happening this week:

I can't decide whether this guy has a lot of nerve or is just plain stupid. Andrew Hayden was released from the Hamilton County Justice Center this morning at 5 am and walked to District 1 Station, where he asked the desk officer to call him a taxicab to take him to his apartment at 2701 Hill Vista in Mt. Airy near Colerain and North Bend Roads. Upon arriving at his home, Andrew ran from the taxi driver, failing to pay the $20.22 fare.

i was browsing the first floor of Macy's at Fountain Square yesterday and found some things I love. I thought I would share them with you. The jewelry department is kind of limited, but look at these great pieces and while checking them on the Internet, I found even more pretty necklaces and earrings that will spice up your spring look. I loved this Ralph Lauren beaded bib necklace. It hangs very nicely and will brighten up a v-neck top. There are several styles of earrings to match, but I have chosen the dangly ones with the little beads attached. The necklace is $68 and the earrings are $35. Both reasonably priced, especially when you use those coupons Macy's is always sending out. http://bit.ly/GZDiMx. Check out the longer agate beaded necklace as well.

You know that old pumping station and tower on Martin Drive in Eden Park? It could soon become a micro-brewery. Jack and Bryon Martin, owners of the Cincinnati Beer Company, have approached the city about turning the facility into a micro-brewery. The city will have to determine if the building is structurally sound and there may be some zoning issues that need to be addressed, but it might just happen.

In Cincinnati, Opening Day is a local holiday celebrated with an all-day party on Fountain Square.The traditional Findlay Market Opening Day Parade passes by Fountain Square in the early afternoon, while Local 12 WKRC-TV and Give Back Cincinnati, a volunteer organization for young professionals host a rally with giveaways and activities from PNC, Cincinnati Bell, Skyline Chili, Wellington Orthopedic, and Brown Mackie College.

Sprite Spark Parks Project Launched To Refresh Basketball Courts Nationwide. DeHart Park Seeking Local Support To Earn Up To $15,000 In Grant Funding. Beginning today, local residents can help a well-worn neighborhood basketball court in Cincinnati transform into a refreshed play space where teens can express all their uncontainable moves. This spring, through the Sprite Spark Parks Project, Sprite and the NRPA are giving people an opportunity to get their local courts back in the game. DeHart Park has been selected as one of 25 courts nationwide to be refreshed through the program, and local residents can show their support and raise critical funds by voting at: www.SpriteSparkParks.com.

On March 27, 2012, at about 10:45 p.m., the Taco Bell Restaurant located at the corner of Highland Ave. and E. McMillan St. was robbed at gunpoint. Three suspects entered the store and demanded money from the employees while holding them at gunpoint. Cincinnati police have asked that you view the attached photos and contact Crimestoppers with any information concerning this robbery.

Throughout the Reds season, FOX Sports Ohio and Budweiser will be hosting pregame events at the Holy Grail in the Banks. Reds fans will have the chance to be recorded asking baseball questions that will later be answered on-air during Reds Live post-game shows throughout the week. Prizes will also be given away at every event.

C'mon down to the Main Branch of the Library this Saturday at 2pm and join authors Karen Raizor and Mike Martini for a look at Cincinnati music legends Homer & Jethro. Before they earned millions of fans, a Grammy, & an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, they were performers on WLW radio who started their recording career at King Records in 1947. Should be interesting and best of all, it's free. More information: (513) 369-6900 or http://bit.ly/GYkoZ0.

Douglas Long of 3637 Boudinot Avenue was arrested this morning for the robbery at the Hart Pharmacy on Glenway Avenue. Mr. Long is described as a white male, age 39 with brown hair and brown eyes. The robbery at the Hart Pharmacy occurred on March 23, 2012

Spring and Summer are on their way. You're going to need some great jewelry to match all those brightly colored clothes and bangle bracelets to flash on your bare arms. I've picked out some great ones for you. The first is a painted paisley bangle from Nordstroms. I love this one, the colors are bright and the bangle even fits over your hand without having to crush your knuckles. I've shown the narrower one here, but it also comes in a wider version. http://bit.ly/H6iqCR The narrow one is $38 at Nordstroms and if I remember correctly the wider one is $42.

The Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team arrested Macarthur Jackson m/b 19 on March 22, 2012. Macarthur Jackson was identified by the Hamilton County Crime Laboratory after examing DNA evidence ( .44 caliber rifle) that was recovered by the Cincinnati Police K-9 Unit back on September 19, 2011. Cincinnati Police charged Macarthur Jackson with the aggravated robbery of the taxi cab driver.

By Andy Furman...I waited to return to this space.Waited while holding my breath with every basketball bounces and now that I can exhale we can continue. College basketball returned to the mountain this season and the mountain contained Seven Hills that is Cincinnati has the center of the basketball universe. And in a good way. Too much was made of the December 10th brawl between Xavier and the University of Cincinnati. At the time, Cincinnati was 5-3, they got spanked by the Muskies who were riding a ranking of 8th in the nation. After the fight which was publicized it seemed almost daily Cincinnati turned their program around, although they had their big man Yancy Gates on the sidelines for six games. Others were suspended on both sides as well. Call it addition by subtraction, if you will.

It was a beautiful day on Wednesday so I had lunch on Fountain Square. I couldn't help but notice that the uniform of the day seems to be black pants and a t-shirt. It looks good and it is practical, but I thought I would offer some suggestions on how to take this look up a notch with some great tops.The first is a polka dot blouse from Zara. Zara is an international retailer who specializes in reasonably priced clothes and accessories. They have brick and mortar locations in New York and Chicago as well as all over Europe.The first Zara blouse is polka dot that sells for $49.90 and would really perk up those black slacks or black pencil skirt. http://bit.ly/GQwtxJ

Looking for a fun family event for this weekend? How about the Lego KidsFest at the Duke Energy Convention Center.LEGO KidsFest brings all of the creative hands-on, minds-on fun of LEGO building and experiences together in one activity- and entertainment-packed family event for children of all ages and builders of all skills and interests.

My friend, Grace, wrote an article today on 8 Rules for Being the Perfect Wedding Guest. You can find it under Columnists/Social Grace. It reminded me that we are entering wedding season and if you are like most women, you dont have a thing to wear. I found some great dresses that are suitable for almost any wedding, except the most formal. They are flattering, in some cases washable and allow for a night of dancing without worrying about a wardrobe malfunction.

They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky. They're all together ooky, the Addams Family. The Addams Family starts its two week run at the Aronoff on Tuesday, March 27. It looks like a lot of fun. The book is by the authors of Jersey Boys.

A Burglary was reported March 20th 2012 7:33am in the 2900 block of Westridge Av. The suspect entered the victims residence by standing on a trash can and climbing through an unlocked window while the victim was home asleep. Medication and money were taken in the offense.

This chocolatey good dessert comes to us from the Kraft Kitchens.

MARCH 24TH @ 2PM AT THE MAIN BRANCH LIBRARY Join armchair detective/crime historian J.T. Townsend, a Wyoming resident, as he exhumes an infamous legend: Lizzie Borden, the lady with the axe. This spellbinding program will explore the relics and sift the evidence, as the author of Queen City Gothic exposes the myths and spins a devastating conclusion to this most notorious chapter in American criminal history.

I attended a wedding of a co-worker this past weekend and was reminded, as we all need to be at some time, of a few of the dos and donts that make us a good wedding guest, if not a perfect one. 1) RSVPit is an acronym for a French phrase, but what it means is please do me the courtesy of letting me know whether or not you will be at the reception. You know those little cards that they put in with the wedding invitation; they even put a stamp on the envelope for you. Your hosts are serious. They really want to know if you will be there or not. Dinners are expensive, and place cards take a while to make. They want you to join them or they wouldnt have invited you, but they dont want to save you a seat or pay for a dinner if you cant make it. Cardinal Rule #1take two minutes to fill out the card and put it in the mail. 2) If you have replied that you will be at the reception, please be thereyour hosts have paid for your meal.

The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) has announced Caroline Lembright as the winner of its Overture Awards Essay Contest 2012: An Underground Railroad Traveler. Caroline, chosen by four judges who are professional writers/historians/teachers, will be awarded a $250 prize for her essay, Someone to Watch Over Me.

vADz.com announces important changes to its video editing suite, including a Freemium Option, an expanded timeline and an audio recording feature making it easier to create an even more professional ad video.

Know Theatre is pleased to announce the regional premiere of the Off-Broadway hit musical, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, with music and lyrics written by Michael Friedman, and a book by Alex Timbers. After a sold-out run at the Public Theatre, the show transferred briefly to Broadway. This rock musical will be making its regional premiere at Know Theatre March 31 May 12, 2012.

Visionaries + Voices, a nonprofit arts agency serving and promoting artists with disabilities, is hosting Double Vision, its annual art auction gala at Memorial Hall on Saturday, April 21st, 2012.

You may remember an article published here a couple of weeks ago about a proposed change in terms for Cincinnati's City Council. Two proposals are on the table. The first would have all 9 council members running in a single election every 4 years and the second has the 9 members running in staggered elections every two years. Each proposal would retain 8-year term limits and 4 year terms. The city's Government Operations Committee would like to hear your feedback and will be holding a series of evening public hearings at City Hall and in several neighborhoods.

What a great day for a parade! Can you believe that we are having 70 degree weather in March. Well as someone who has shivered through many St. Patrick's Day parades, it was a relief. If you couldn't make the parade, we have some pictures that we want to share with you.

The Junior League of Cincinnati (JLC), along with Ohio Junior Leagues from Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Stark County and Toledo are working together to address the growing epidemic of hunger and food insecurity through a statewide food drive for the month of March. Right now, more than 300,000 people in Greater Cincinnati are battling issues related to hunger. Of those, about 100,000 are children who depend on healthy nutritious meals for key brain and physical development. In 2009, the Freestore Foodbank distributed over 7.5 million meals to people in need throughout 20 counties in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. By 2011, that number had jumped to more than 16 million meals, and is still growing due to increasing need in our communities.

Dressing for the office in these transitional spring months in Cincinnati can offer some challenges. How do you add some "spring" to your winter wardrobe without bringing out those summer cottons too early. One of the easiest ways to spruce up those basic black pants or black and navy pencil skirts or even a plain shift dress is with a jacket. A good jacket can not only add color to your tired winter wardrobe but can also hide a multitude of sins and add a professional quality to the most basic wardrobe.I found some great jackets that will not only spice up your transitional wardrobe, but can also be used during the summer months to cover up your cotton sundresses and make them appropriate for the office.

On Saturday, March 17, from 10am to 10pm, Fountain Square will host the citys largest St. Patricks Day partyand youre invited. Guinness St. Patricks Day, presented by Raymond James, will have everything from live bands and food to authentic Irish merchandise and, of course, plenty of $4 Guinness. If beer isnt your drink of choice, a full service bar with wine, spirits, and Coke products is on site.

CETs annual Live on CET! fundraising gala will return to Cincinnatis historic Music Hall May 16.This years gala, which includes a silent auction, buy-a-box, red carpet guest interviews and more, will kick off with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. An elegant dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the live televised auction will start at 7 p.m.The 2012 Live on CET! honoree is Jerry Kathman, long-time CET/Public Media Connect Board of Trustees member and chair elect. cet

This Saturday is St. Patrick's Day and you won't want to miss Cincinnati's St. Patrick's Day Parade that begins at noon that day. The route of the parade follows so you can choose where to stand to get the best view and plan your own route into downtown. The parade will last for about 3 hours, so you may want to bring a chair.

State Representative Denise Driehaus (D Cincinnati) and State Representative Dan Ramos (D Lorain) introduced a bill today that would ban the sale of baby bottles, pacifiers and drinking cups that contain the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA). Additionally, the bill would have the Ohio Department of Health create a pamphlet explaining the dangers of BPA and pregnancy

Downtowners took advantage of the early spring weather today to enjoy their lunch hour on Fountain Square. Let's hope this is the early start to a great spring!

Spring is on the way. Temps are going to be in the 70s this week. Its time to put those heavy jeans and cords in the back of the closet and bring out your lighter weight colored jeans and brightly colored crops. Crops come in all sizes, lengths and colors. I found a great pair of Not Your Daughters Crops at Dillards. They sell for $79 and come in a great shade of purple. Not Your Daughters Crops are slimming, with tummy control, and wear very well. http://bit.ly/AAV0QY

Did you know that the City of Cincinnati has a Citizen's Service Request Website. Right now they are asking you to use it to report potholes so that they can repair them. You can also request other services at this site like recycling, traffic light issues, water problems, etc. You can access this website at http://cagismaps.hamilton-co.org/csrcincinnati/.

This explosive new play examines the relationship between headstrong Sarah, a star photojournalist, and James, a foreign correspondent, who were once addicted to the adrenaline of documenting the realities of war and are now grounded in their Brooklyn loft. Now, James writes online movie reviews while Sarah recovers from being injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq, itching to get back behind the camera. But, when their own story takes a sudden turn, the adventurous couple confronts the prospect of a more conventional life...and everything changes-in a flash. A gripping story of the war waged within ourselves, set against the backdrop of the Middle East conflict.

The Cincinnati Reds and Findlay Market announce that Reds great and ESPN broadcaster Aaron Boone will be the Grand Marshal of the 93rd Findlay Market Opening Day Parade, which kicks off at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 5th.

It is a beautiful day today so I walked down to the Banks and had lunch at the new Christian Moerlein Lager House. It is a huge place, but was crowded. At 1:00p.m we had a short wait for a table. The servings are equally large, and everything was delicious. But I digress. What this article is really about is shoes. When I was walking down Walnut Street in the sunshine, I started to think about wiggling my toes in the sun, which, naturally, led me to think about espadrilles. You know those cute little summer shoes with the rope heels. They are casual, colorful, inexpensive, for the most part, and they brighten up a plain skirt or pants.

Feel like going out to eat. There are a number of new restaurants downtown just waiting for you to try them out. The Moerlein Lager House at the Banks has just opened. For lunch try Freshii's in the U.S. Bank Center, The former Cadillalc Ranch has now opened as Cincys on Sixth. Opening next week are Burnell's (former Mayberry) and The Silver Ladle on Restaurant Row on Sixth between Walnut and Main.

New Edgecliff Theatre continues the Irish flair of its recent production of "St. Nicholas" with its Annual "Luck of the Irish" Casino Night from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday March 17. Enjoy an evening of fun and excitement featuring Black Jack, Poker and Roulette. There will also be a silent auction, a blind raffle and a split-the-pot reverse raffle. Admission includes appetizers, cash bar (wine & beer) and $25 in casino chips.All proceeds benefit New Edgecliff Theatre's Operating Fund.

The prestigious Interior Design Magazine has listed local firm KZF as one of the nation's "Interior Design Giants" for the 27th consecutive year, listed #82 among the nation's top 100 design firms in the January 2012 issue.

Jon Stewart will be appearing at The Aronoff Center for the Arts on Friday, April 20, 2012 at 8 P.M. Tickets range from $47.50 to $68.50. Tickets go on sale on March 9 at 10 A.M. Tickets are available at the Aronoff Ticket Office, online at cincinnatiarts.org or by phone at 513-621-ARTS.

Two of the most iconic Motown Super-groups, The Temptations and The Four Tops, are appearing together, onstage, at the Aronoff Center on Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. Ticket prices are from $35 to $75.

If you have been shopping for pants lately, Im sure you have noticed that this year we are being bombarded with something called the ankle pant. They are nothing new. They have been around for years. I dont know why the fashion industry is trotting them out again but I guess it has something to do with the fact that over the past few years they have sold us more crop pants than we could ever wear so they have decided they needed something new to torture us with. Now there are women who can wear the ankle pant. They are 5'6" and a size 6 or smaller. Any taller and you look like you are wearing high water pants, any shorter and they make your legs look short and stumpy even if you have great legs.

The World Choir Games are coming to Cincinnati in July, and you can get tickets now. : Visit www.2012WorldChoirGames.com to get your tickets. By visiting the website you can also see the current Event Schedule and get good overall feel for what to expect.VOLUNTEER! The WCG Welcome Committee is still very much in search for volunteers!

Harold LaFond was arrested by a Cincinnati Police Canine Officer at 04:52am after attempting to gain entry into the United Dairy Farmers located at 2203 Queen City Av.

The Cincinnati Arts Association is pleased to announce the winners of its 2012 Overture Awards Scholarship Competition, held on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the Aronoff Centers Jarson-Kaplan Theater. The competition annually awards $2,500 scholarships to six area students for post-secondary education, with 18 runners-up each winning $500 scholarships. Students are nominated by their schools to compete in one of six disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art or Vocal Music. The scholarship program is the largest of its kind in the United States and was developed to recognize, encourage and reward excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12. There are three levels of competition: Regional, Semi-Final and Final.2012 Overture Awards Scholarship Winners

Starting tonight is the 20th Anniversary of Bockfest in Cincinnati. Beginning with a parade (weather permitting) beginning at Arnold's Bar and Grill (Cincinnati's oldest saloon) at 8th and Main, celebrations will continue throughout the weekend. The parade is lead by a goat pulling a keg of bock beer and the reigning Sausage Queen. It ends at Bockfest Hall where the ceremonial first keg is blessed, the best Parade entries are honored, and Bockfest officially begins.

In my efforts to find dresses which I could actually recommend to you, I wandered into Macys downtown yesterday. Forget the dress department on the first floor. Macys apparently thinks we are all going to a funeral. They have almost nothing but black and gray dresses (hardly makes you think of spring). If they do have some color, it is done in horizontal stripes. No woman over a size 8 should be wearing a dress composed entirely of horizontal stripes.Anyway, I took the elevator up to the second floor and there among all those ugly knit tops, I found a few gems.The first is an INC dress that you will find right as you cross from the mens department in the womens department. It is an aqua and brown print, is washable and sells for $79.50.

If you have walked through the downtown Public Library yesterday or today, you may have noticed some interesting looking sculptures made of food cans. This is Cincinnati Canstruction 2012. Canstruction is an international community service project to benefit community foodbanks. Architects, engineers, designers and contractors compete to design and build fantastic giant-sized structures made entirely out of canned foods. The sculptures are entered in a competition and at the close of the competition all of the food used in the structures is donated to the local food bank for distribution to community emergency feeding programs.

City Councilwoman, Laure Quinlivan has made two separate charter amendment proposals to City Council to extend council terms from 2 to 4 years.The first option would be to have a council election every four years and the second would allow for staggered elections so that half of council would be up for election every other year. The first option would save taxpayers around $250,000 since there would be one less election but the second, the staggered option, would allow voters to change Council every two years, as they do now.

The newly-formed Epilepsy Youth Council of Cincinnati is bringing together children and young adults diagnosed with epilepsy to face their challenge and overcome it. The council's motto is: "We may have epilepsy, but epilepsy does not have us." The Epilepsy Youth Council of Cincinnati will be meeting at Mt. Lookout Joes Caf in Mt. Lookout Square on March 14 at 6:00pm. Its top priority is to educate the community by encouraging its members to talk about, and shed light on, epilepsy.

There is a fun event that will be happening on Fountain Square on Saturday beginning at noon.The Cinciditarod is a wacky shopping cart race through the city. Named for the Alaskan Iditarod a brutal 1,100-mile dog-sledding race but instead of dogs racing through the snow, it is people attached to shopping carts running through what we hope is the sunshine.

Date: Sunday, March 25, 2012, 7:00 PM (CPI SALON)Sponsored by Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative (CPI)."Steam" by Irvon ClearIn spite of the efforts of many dedicated professionals a hospital visit is comparable to visiting a casino.success is still attached to random rewards that are carefully controlled but never fully understood.Q&A segment will follow the reading.

By Andy Furman...This Ryan Braun decision has my head spinning and Im ready for some drugs myself.Baseball appointed an independent arbitrator -- appointed jointly by baseball and the players unionand ruled that Braun should be cleared of his testing positive last season during a random drug test.This was a first. Brauns 50-game suspension which would have cost him some $7,000 , was overturned for his positive test in October for elevated testosterone.Yeah, he was the National Leagues Most Valuable Player last season hitting .312 with 33 homers and 111 RBIs. Yeah, he led the Milwaukee Brewers to the NL Championship.Was that a factor? Should it have been?

Dennis Simpson was arrested for a Robbery which occurred in the 3500 block Glenway Av on February 26th 2012 at 2:30am. The suspect punched the victim in the face and took his money and cigarettes.

Hollywoods greatest musical moments will live again when the Society for the Preservation of Music Hall (SPMH) presents Hooray for Hollywood with the Mighty Wurlitzer at Cincinnatis Music Hall Ballroom on Thursday, May 10 at 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM. As part of SPMHs popular annual theater organ series, the concert is being presented in cooperation with the Ohio Valley Chapter of the American Organ Society.Tickets are currently on sale at www.CincinnatiArts.ORG, (513) 621-ARTS 2787, and the Aronoff Center and Music Hall Ticket Offices. For groups of 10 or more, please call (513) 977-4157.

I know I told you I never pay full price, but I may have fudged a little. I do make one very important exceptionhandbags. True, I do try to hold off until COACH sends me a coupon or Macys has a sale, but I have been known to pay full price. These tempting little purses might just have you doing the same.The first is a small Marc by Marc Jacobs cross-body bag that I found at SAKS. It is $298 and is so cute. It is emerald green and a sort of electric blue. This would go great with a black skirt or pants or even with blue jeans. If you dont want to walk up to Saks, I found it on their website as well, but not in this color combination http://bit.ly/ybkF02

CHECK OUT OUR NEW "SHOPPING WITH GABBY" FEATURE PAGE. Our fashion writer, Gabby Prescott, has been shoe shopping. Take a look and see what she's found.

Fido Field - Downtown's FIRST off leash, free, and fun dog area is located at 630 Eggleston AVE (near the corner of Reedy & Eggleston). There are two entrances on Eggleston: one for small dogs 22lbs and one for large dogs. There is another entrance at the bottom of the steps from Mt. Adams on Gilbert caddy corner from the Grey Hound bus terminal. Plenty of FREE parking is available near Eggleston entrances after 4:30pm on weekdays and all day on the weekends in the standard business parking lots. The DRC encourages you to search and join "Fido Field" on Facebook as the primary way to stay connected to the Fido Field.

Hi, my name is Gabby and I am your Cincipulse fashion consultant. It is my job to shop and share with you things that I have found that I love and that I think you will love too.Its the end of February. Spring is only about a month away and its time to put a little color into our wardrobe. The best and easiest way to start is with shoes and handbags. Even if you are a basic black sort of woman, you can add a little pizzazz to your wardrobe with the right shoes and handbag. You can get away with last years skirt, if you team it with a good quality pair of shoes. The right shoes and handbag can take your bargain pants and shirt up a couple of notches.

Your sculpture could be 1 of 24 sculptures displayed on Fountain Square for a three week art installation AND have the chance to win cash prizes! See www.myfountainsquare.com for the guidelines and the entry form. All submissions need to be turned in by March 2, 2012 at 5 pm EST.

According to an article on the "Business Courier" website on Wednesday, Community newspapers to a pay model . You would be allowed to see a few articles for free, but the after you have reached a certain number of pages the rest of the articles would reside behind a paywall. The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times currently employ this model and I don't think it has been a rousing success of either of them, so I am a little surprised to see Gannett going in this direction.

This incident occurred on February 22nd 2012 at 6:45pm in the 2600 block of Erlene Dr. The suspect brandished a knife and demanded the victims property. The suspect then fled on foot. The suspect was described as male, black, 16, 508, thin build, light skin, wearing a light colored shirt and blue jeans.

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP is pleased to announce that Lisa A. Amend recently joined the firms Cincinnati office. Amend is an attorney in Tafts Labor & Employment practice group and is licensed to practice in Ohio.Ms. Amend graduated cum laude from Miami University and holds a law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law where she was Order of the Coif. In addition, Ms. Amend earned an Executive MBA from Bowling Green State University.

On February 1st, 2012 at approximately 9:30 P.M. an aggravated robbery offense occurred in the 2400 block of Concord Ave, which is located within the community of Walnut Hills. The suspect held the victim at gunpoint, took the victim's money and fired shots at the victim; one of which struck the victim on the lower half of his back.

On Feb. 12, 2012, at about 12:15 p.m., the Gold Star Restaurant located at 3026 Burnet Ave. was robbed by a suspect who threatened the use of a handgun. The suspect was described as a white male wearing a black coat, winter gloves, a black hat, and a scarf around his face. The suspect fled south on Burnet Ave. with an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.

Findlay Market celebrated Mardi Gras yesterday complete with costumes, decorations and happy faces. It looks like a lot of fun was had by all. Our intrepid photographer was on hand so we can share pictures with you. Check out the trophy for best costume.

The Bengals today hired Hue Jackson to an assistant coach position. Head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2011 and a Bengals assistant from 2004-2006, Jackson is slated to assist primarily in the area od defensive backs and special teams, working closely with DBs coach Mark Carrier and special teams coach Darrin Simmons.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center was the scene of a press conference today, to discuss the merger of the Freedom Center and the Cincinnati Museum Center. A large audience of press and other interested parties joined representatives from both museums.The first speaker was Reverend Damon Lynch, Jr., presiding Co-Chair of the Freedom Center, who stressed that the organizations could do more for the community as we work together. Francie Hiltz, chair of the Cincinnati Museum Center Board of Trustees agreed, saying we know that joining together will strengthen our respective organizations.Acknowledging that some mistakes had been made in the past, Kim Robinson, Freedom Center President and CEO also pointed out that the Freedom Center has brought many visitors to the area.

In celebration of Earth Day, the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance EcoSculpt, a three-week installation of original sculptures made of recycled and/or recyclable materials on Fountain Square.Your sculpture could be 1 of 24 sculptures displayed on Fountain Square for a three week art installation AND have the chance to win cash prizes! Click www.myfountainsquare.com for the guidelines and the entry form. All submissions need to be turned in by March 2, 2012 at 5 pm EST.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood was in Cincinnati today for the groundbreaking of the Streetcar project. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held at Memorial Hall today at 1:00pm. A large crowd was on hand for the ceremony.

In response to a request for proposals for a project area on the north end of Madison Avenue issued late last year, the City of Covington received 3 propsals for the riverfront project.One from Corporex Corporex Latest from The Business Journals Corporex fires back against Bank of AmericaU.S. Bank donates M to N.Ky. development effortDenver-area commercial real estate leaders honored Follow this company Realty & Investment LLC and Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, would reopen the Waterfront Restaurant in the first phase and a boardwalk and second floating restaurant in the second phase.A review team that will work with the city commission in the next 90 days to evaluate the proposed projects.

Javion Kirkland was arrested for a Felonious Assault which occurred in the 3700 block of Westmont Ln on January 27th 2012 at 9:30pm. In that assault the victim was shot.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Patricia A. Corbett Distinguished Chair of Musical Theatre, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) Mainstage Musical Theatre Series continues its 2011-12 season with Stephen Sondheims Into the Woods. The award-winning pairing of new and existing fairy-tales with Sondheims witty music and lyrics runs Feb. 23-26 and March 1-4 in Patricia Corbett Theater in CCM Village.The Tony Award-winning comedic musical Into the Woods centers upon a Baker, his Wife and the Witch next door who has placed a curse upon them. In a quest to reverse the curse, the Baker goes into the woods to gather the magical ingredients the Witch needs to create a potion. Along the way, the Baker runs into his neighbor, Jack, who tries to feed his family with magic beans, Little Red Ridinghood on the way to her grandmothers house, Cinderella scurrying away from a night cut short with a handsome Prince

The Cincinnati Museum Center announced today that it will merge with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The Freedom Center has been plagued with a $1.5 million annual budget shortfall and the Museum Center has an $8 million debt that they hope to pay down more quickly, while interest rates are at an all time low, as a result of the merger. Even after the merger the two museums will remain separate entities with separate missions and they will both remain in their current locations, but they hope to be able to save money through the centralization of certain administrative and financial functions.

The groundbreaking for the Cincinnati street car project is this Friday February 17, 2012 at 1pm at Memorial Hall (1225 Elm Street).City and project officials will gather to celebrate the official groundbreaking for the Cincinnati Streetcar project. They will be joined by Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.Events will take place inside the Memorial Hall lobby. There will be a short official groundbreaking ceremony outside on Elm Street.Come out to celebrate this momentous day for Cincinnati.

The Bengals today signed Mark Carrier as defensive backs coach and promoted Paul Guenther to the position of linebackers coach. Carrier is entering his seventh year as an NFL position coach. He spent the last two seasons (2010-11) as defensive line coach for the New York Jets and was defensive backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens from 2006-09. As a player, he was a standout safety over 11 seasons for Chicago, Detroit and Washington, earning three Pro Bowl selections. He was a first-round draft choice (sixth overall) by Chicago in 1990. He played in college at Southern California and is a native of Lake Charles, La.

The University of Cincinnati baseball team kicked off the 2012 season with a splash after hosting its second annual First Pitch Reception on Friday at the Riverfront Club in Great American Ball Park.The sold-out event was hosted by the Diamond Club, a function of UCATS that provides financial support critical to the success of UC baseball. There were over 200 people in attendance which consisted of baseball supporters, UC baseball alumni, current players and friends and family of the program.

University of Cincinnati womens soccer head coach Michelle Salmon announced the 2012 spring schedule on Monday.We look forward to the spring and the challenging schedule thats been set, said Salmon. With the bulk of our players returning from last year, its a great opportunity for us to challenge and develop them. Were taking the spring season as a chance to experiment with some new systems of play, as well as a chance to clean up our offensive finishing and defensive shapes.

Not only is 3CDC offering 2-for-1 ice skating on the US Bank Ice Rink this Valentines Day from 7pm to 9pm, but one lucky pair of skaters will win a very special Valentines Day prize package. The package includes dinner for two at Via Vite, complete with a complimentary bottle of Prosecco, opening night tickets to the Broadway Series West Side Story, as well as an evening stay at the luxurious Hyatt hotel, followed by breakfast for two.

This incident occurred on February 9th 2012 at 3:30am in the 3700 block of Westmont Dr. The suspect assaulted the victim then removed money from the victims pocket. The suspect then fled on foot in an unknown direction. The suspect was described as male, black, 20-30, 510, wearing a black skullcap, dark jeans, white gym shoes and a red bandana.

Thursday, February 16, 2012, 6-9pm, concert at 6:30pmBromwells GalleryDreams. Fantasy. Myth. Music.Come in from the cold to Bromwells downtown gallery for Constellas first event of 2012! Cincinnati artist Dan Duttons exhibition Evoked Imaginations draws from the imaginative elements of Russian Fairy Tales. His fantastic works are the perfect pair for a Constella Trio performance (featuring Tatiana Berman, violin, Yael Senamaud-Cohen, viola and Ilya Finkelshteyn, cello) of music inspired by imaginative storytelling

Anthony Hines is wanted for Menacing by Stalking and Menacing that occurred on February 1st 2012 at 11:30pm in the 3200 block of Westbrook Dr.

Remember when we had dreams of a Nordstrom's on the corner of Fifth and Race? Then we settled for a parking lot. A very nice parking lot, but not a big draw for a prime piece of real estate. Well, we finally have a real tenant for that space. DunHumby USA has announced today that they will build their headquarters on that corner.

CINCIPULSE IS LOOKING FOR A COMMISSIONED SALES REP TO SELL LOCAL ADS FOR THE WEBSITE. WORK ON YOUR OWN SCHEDULE FROM YOUR HOME. WE PROVIDE BUSINESS CARDS, BROCHURES, TRAINING AND SUPPORT. REPLY TO CAROL@OURTOWN.COM

The Cincinnati Arts Associations Building Diverse Audiences Advisory Committee (BDAAC) is seeking exhibitors for ArtNet, a networking opportunity for minority artists and arts organizations. BDAAC is looking for arts organizations, arts related businesses, clubs, schools and individual artists interested in having an information table at the event.

Remember your high school prom? You were nervous, excited and happy. You had the perfect dress, shoes and jewelry and you wanted to make sure that this was going to be a night to remember. You can help young girls in Cincinnati to make their own prom dreams come true. Kenzies Closet is a Cincinnati organization that helps high school girls, who could not otherwise afford to go their prom, by providing them with dress, wrap, jewelry and shoes.Girls are referred by their school principal, guidance counselor or social worker and are given an appointment to come and shop at Kenzies Closet during the month of February.Each girl is assigned to a volunteer who helps them put together a prom outfit. The girls can try on as many dresses as they like and the volunteers help them choose just the right dress, matching shoes, jewelry, purse, wrap and gloves. They smiles on the faces of the girls when they see themselves all dressed up are priceless.

Nino Morgan is wanted for an Aggravated Robbery that occurred on January 31st 2012 at 11:55pm in the 2800 block of Harrison Av. A handgun was used in the offense.

By Andy Furman....INDIANAPOLIS ---The big story here all week is Peyton Manning. And quite honestly, I dont understand it. I know, I know the fans here love their Colts and perhaps there wouldnt be a Super Bowl here at beautiful Lucas Oil Stadium without No. 18. Yup, No. 18. How did I know? Thats all you see walking through wall-to-wall downtown. But enough already please. Peyton is a long shot to return as quarterback for the Colts. They won two games without him last season.The head coach was dismissed in the process. Add the offensive coordinator, General Manager and his son. Wow! I bet you never thought a quarterback had that much power. Peyton had the juice whether he still does remains to be seen

On January 30th, 2012 at approximately 3:57 AM, an aggravated robbery offense occurred in the 900 block of Debbe Lane. There were at least three suspects in this offense and at least one of them was armed with a handgun.The suspects approached the victim, one brandished a handgun and made demands for the victim's property; taken from the victim was U.S. Currency. The suspects fired a shot at the victim and fled from the scene on foot.

On 8-25-11, two citizens were robbed in the parking lot of the Enterprise Rental car company located at 7759 Reading Rd, Roselawn 45237.On 2-1-12, District 4 Investigators charged Willie Attaway M/B 20 with two counts of aggravated robbery. Willie Attaway was identified after police received a Crime Stoppers tip. Willie Attaway is currently incarcerated at the Hamilton County Justice Center.

Date: Sunday, February 26, 2012, 7:00 PM (CPI SALON)Sponsored by Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative (CPI). "The Hanged Man" by Miguel TrejoTrekking through the wastes of Wyoming, an old traveler encounters a stranger left to die. As a connection between the two men is unearthed, the traveling man struggles with the ideas of justice and retribution.

February is Black History Month and today, February 1 is the day in 1960 when a group of black Greensboro, North Carolina college students began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter."Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and later as "Black History Month." What you might not know is that black history had barely begun to be studied-or even documented-when the tradition originated.

Corey Allen was arrested for a Felonious Assault which occurred in the 2800 block of Harrison Av on January 29th 2012 at 4:30am. The suspect struck the victim in the face with a shotgun causing injury.

The Senate Democratic Caucus has a new leadership team after an official swearing-in ceremony today in the Ohio Senate. Senator Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati), an attorney, businessman and lifelong resident of Cincinnati, was elected Minority Leader. He is joined on the Caucus leadership team by Assistant Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield), Minority Whip Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) and Assistant Minority Whip Edna Brown (D-Toledo).

ANDY FURMAN IS IN INDIANAPOLIS THIS WEEK FOR THE SUPER BOWL. CHECK OUT HIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING "FURMAN/SPORTS."

By Andy Furman...INDIANAPOLIS Super Bowl edition. Weve seen it on TV either live on the NFL Network or on the TV news. Media Day at the Super Bowl. Well, I just lived through it. Let me take you on the tour. Some 3,000 media types, from all over world are trampling on Lucas Oil Field here, to see, chat and converse with members of the New England Patriots and New York Giants. Yes, there is a game, Sunday, February 5th called the Super Bowl. But what I learned early in this process is that the game isnt the thing. It is merely the icing on the cake after a weeklong party and festivities. Back to Media Day.

Prolific British novelist Charles Dickens was born 200 years ago on February 7, and The Mercantile Librarywill celebrate all day.Between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, Cincinnatians will be invited to visit the Mercantile Library to enjoy birthday cake and no kidding Dickens punch, and view movies based on Dickens works. Movies on offer will include Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, Bleak House, and Little Dorrit.

A robbery occurred on January 25th 2012 at 6:06pm in the 1900 block of Quebec Rd. The suspect approached the victim, knocked her to the ground and took her purse. The suspect then fled on foot south on Quebec Rd. The suspect was described as male, unknown race, wearing a black jacket and black pants.

Social media isn't so social after all. Don't believe me just ask Tony Grossi. Oh, you haven't heard the story? Long-time Cleveland Browns beat writer from the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Grossi inadvertently posted an unflattering message about Browns owner Randy Lerner on Twitter.

This is the 75th anniversary of the January 1937 flood in Cincinnati. Contrary to what some may believe, I was not there and did not take these pictures myself. The flood of 1937 was the highest the Ohio had ever risen since any type of records were kept. The very first recorded flood in 1773 was measured at 76', The official height of the 1937 flood is listed at 79.99 feet

The Cinciditarod is a wacky shopping cart race through the city. Its named in tribute to the Alaskan Iditarod a brutal 1,100-mile dog-sledding race but instead of dogs, its people; instead of sleds, its shopping carts; and instead of Alaska, its Cincinnati.The race starts on Fountain Square on the first Saturday in March the same day as the real Iditarod. And yes, we stole the idea from similar races in San Francisco, Portland, New York, and Chicago. Applications to participate in the race are being accepted now. Please visit www.myfountainsquare.com

Applications are now being accepted from vendors who wish to be considered for the 2012 Strauss & Troy Market market on Fountain Square. The market takes place every Tuesday from May 1 to September 25. Interested vendors are invited to review the Market Overview for details about the Market, selection criteria and instructions on how to apply. Vendors must apply by March 23 by 5pm. All vendors will be notified by March 31.Check it out at www.myfountainsquare.com

Vampires take center stage in powerful one-man show. New Edgecliff Theatre today announced an exciting addition to NETs performance line up with the regional premiere of Conor McPhersons St. Nicholas. This chilling one-man show features NET Executive Director Michael Shooner and is directed by Brian Robertson. St. Nicholas will run in NETs newly-created major production slot, Feb. 23-March 10.

Robert Marshall was arrested on suspicion for an Aggravated Robbery which occurred in the 3700 block of Beekman St on January 23rd 2012 at 7:15pm. The suspect stated to the victim that he had a gun and demanded the victims property. The suspect was apprehended by District Three police in the 3400 block of Beekman St at 7:35pm.

An aggravated burglary occurred on January 24th 2012 at 9:15pm in the 4900 block of Cleves Warsaw Av. The suspects forced their way into the victims home when the victim opened the door to see who was at the door. The suspects pointed handguns at the victims and demanded their property. The suspects were described as two male blacks. Suspect #1 was 506, wearing a white ski mask, black clothing, armed with a handgun. Suspect #2 was 510, wearing a black ski mask, black clothing, armed with a handgun.

You may be able to clean out your closet and make some young girls very happy by donating your cocktail dresses, prom dresses, bridesmaids dresses and party accessories to Kenzie's Closet. Kenzie's CLOSET, is a unique nonprofit boutique that provides complete prom outfits for financially-disadvantaged girls in Greater Cincinnati, will begin its seventh prom season -- and its seventh year of service.

Whether in Las Vegas or on television, magic has never been hotter! There are more television specials and series involving magic than ever before and they are always ratings winners. Now the hit MY-TV show, Masters of Illusion: Impossible Magic, breaks out of the box and into the Aronoff Centers Procter & Gamble Hall as Masters of Illusion Live! on Friday, February 24 at 8:00 PM. The show is part of Cincinnati Arts Associations 2012 Winter/Spring Season. TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT THE ARONOFF OR CALL 621-ARTS.

You have probably all been to Music Hall at some time or other. I have watched Carol Channing sing Hello Dolly there, have enjoyed POP Concerts and even had my high school graduation and junior and senior proms there. We all have great memories of this beautiful building.Did you know that Cincinnati Research & Paranormal Studies hosts guided ghost tours of the building? Sorry to say I didn't and the tour scheduled for February has already sold out. The site does say to keep checking as additional tours will be scheduled. Some details of the tours are shown below:

In celebration to the start of the 2012 season, the University of Cincinnati baseball team will host its second annual First Pitch Reception on Friday, Feb. 10, at the Riverfront Club in Great American Ball Park.The festivities are scheduled from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and admission is free, but attendees must register by Monday, Feb. 6. The event is limited to the first 200 guests and registration will be accepted until full.

University of Cincinnati senior linebacker J.K. Schaffer (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle) will play in the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, Saturday at 6 p.m. inside the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The game will be televised by the NBC Sports Network.The teams will be coached by Tom Flores and Dick Vermeil.Schaffer was a First-Team All-BIG EAST Conference honoree at linebacker and the Defensive MVP of the 2011 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. He led UC and ranks third in the BIG EAST in tackles, averaging 8.8 per game.He finished with 114 tackles in the regular season, the third straight year he has eclipsed that mark, making him only the fifth UC player all time to do so.

What If Gift Solutions has recently opened a store on the Skywalk level of the 580 Building at 580 Walnut Street. The shop features unique and personalized gifts, gifts for special occasions, and Chamilia Jewelry.

New play by Allison Moore takes a funny look at crumbling lives. Know Theatre is pleased to announce Collapse by Allison Moore as our next production of the 2011-2012 Season. The production will be directed by former Know Theatres former Artistic Director Jason Bruffy, with scenic and lighting design by Andrew Hungerford, costume design by Noelle Wedig, and sound design by Doug Borntrager. The production will show February 4 March 3, 2012.In 2007, the Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis collapsed, killing 13 people and injuring another 145. Hannahs husband David was driving one of the cars that went off the bridge. Hes suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, but refuses to attend a support group. Hannahs life is falling apart. She cant get pregnant, shes one step away from losing her job, and she thinks her husband, who hasnt been to work for months, may be an alcoholic. All he does is sit around the house, watering the plants with beer.

The Facebook page for Cincy's on Sixth proclaims that it's "the newest hometown grill in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, featuring fresh and local American comfort food."New owner, Restaurant Entertainment of Cincinnati, is changing the former Cadillac Ranch into an "all new restaurant with brand new offerings and atmospheric enhancements". Both the iconic Cadillac atop the building entrance and the mechanical bull inside are gone, but new fun and ideas are promised by partners Jim Henning and Larry Couchot.

A robbery occurred on January 16th 2012 at 9:00pm in the 400 block of Purcell Av. The suspects approached the victim on the sidewalk, assaulted him and took his wallet. The suspects then fled on foot in an unknown direction. The suspects were described as two male blacks, 17-18, 509 180lbs, both were wearing all black clothing.

Peter Landgren, dean and Thomas James Kelly professor of music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), has announced that the internationally acclaimed Ariel Quartet has been named as a new string-quartet-in-residence at CCM.As quartet-in-residence, the Ariel Quartet will present a series of public performances at CCM, and its members will work closely with CCMs student musicians providing chamber music coaching. This initial residency will be for three and a half years, committing this fine ensemble to CCM and the greater artistic community through the 201415 academic year and concert season.

There were 3 murders in Cincinnati this weekend. Suspects have been arrested in two of the crimes, but there has been no arrest in the murder of the convenience store owner. Aside from the obvious unacceptable horror of 3 murders in one weekend in our city, I found this quote from the Cincinnati police surprising "When you look at the first one occurred on the 14th, we hadn't had a homicide in this year. It took 14 days to have one and then unfortunately we had three within two days," Sergeant Gramke said.

Relax and enjoy live music at lunch at Christ Church Cathedral's weekly lunch time concert seriesThese free concerts are presented on Tuesdays at 12:10 p.m. Patrons may bring their lunch or buy one at the cathedral for $5.Christ Church Cathedral is located at 318 East Fourth Street, downtown Cincinnati. All performances are in the Centennial Chapel unless listed as being in the cathedral nave.For more information, call 513.621.1817.

The following suspect was arrested for felonius assault on Sunday. Name: Aldonuss Pleasure Sex: Female Race: Black Age: 48 Height: 509 Weight: 300 Hair: Black Eyes: Brown Address: 3409 McHenry Av. Cincinnati, Ohio 45211 This suspect, Aldonuss Pleasure, was arrested for a Felonious Assault which occurred in the 3400 block of McHenry Av on January 15th 2012 at 7:58pm. The suspect cut the victim on the face with a razor blade. The suspect was apprehended by District Three police at the scene.

There are celebrations in many communities tomorrow to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The celebration in downtown Cincinnati will begin at the Underground Freedom Center. There will be a Commemorative Civil Rights March, 10:30 a.m., National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. March to Fountain Square for 11 a.m. interfaith prayer service. Continues to Music Hall for noon commemorative program.

This suspect was arrested for a Breaking and Entering which occurred in the 800 block of Elberon Av. on January 13th 2012 at 11:08am. The suspect forced entry into a vacant house and cut out the copper wire. The suspect was apprehended by District Three police at the scene.Name: Otis Moore Jr.

UPDATE: THE BANK ROBBER CALLED 911 AND TURNED HIMSELF IN. HE IS NOW IN CUSTODY. A bank robbery just occurred about 30 minutes ago at Court and Main (US Bank). The suspect is a male black aged approximately 27 wearing a black winter cap, black jacket and dark pants. He was of average build 197 lbs 511 in height. Suspect was last seen going out the door of the bank and possibly entered a cab that was green and white in color.

Brrr!, Baby it's cold outside! Not a good weekend for outdoor activities this weekend, so how about exploring some of our great museums.The Cincinnati Art Museum in Eden Park is featuring Picasso Master Prints and the Taft Museum is featuring a holiday favorite...Antique Christmas at the Taft Museum. This holiday favorite returns to the Taft this year.

FREE CPI Public Cold Reading of a new one-act playDate: Sunday, January 22, 2012, 7:00 PM (CPI SALON)Sponsored by Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative (CPI)."PIATA" by Cecil Albright.Casual conversation between estranged spouses evolves into wrenching conflict that pries them out of the comfortable lies of their marriage and, with the help of the wife's recently deceased mother, hurls them to the brink of their deepest hurts and fears.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) will present the award-winning Spring Awakening as the next installment in its 2011-2012 Studio Musical Theatre Series. The musical runs Feb. 2 4 in the Cohen Family Studio Theater and promises to push the envelope as a stirring production of this celebrated rock musical.

An aggravated robbery occurred on January 11th 2012 at 5:08pm in the 1200 block of Blanchard Av. The suspect approached the victim on the sidewalk, brandished a handgun and demanded the victims property. The suspect then fled west on foot behind 1207 Blanchard Av. The suspect was described as male black, 19-25, 509 140lbs-150lbs, wearing a long gray dress coat and black gym shoes.

C'mon downtown Saturday starting at noon for the Mascot Broomball game at the ice rink on Fountain Square.

A robbery occurred on January 10th, 2012 at 6:00pm in the 2800 block of Montana Av. The suspects approached the victim as he was walking into his apartment building. The suspects punched the victim and pulled him to the ground while attempting to take his laptop. The suspects were described as two male blacks, 17-20, 601 170lbs. Suspect #1 had dark skin and a small afro and was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt. Suspect #2 was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt.

By Andy Furman...Belated Happy New Year to all you smoke ringers. And what a way to start the New Year. Barry Larkin gets into the Hall of Fame. Just saying it gives you a tingle; and I think its just a little more special that he is one of our own. Coming from Cincinnati makes the news that much bigger. Why? we are the home of professional baseball. I am certain if Jack Morris was elected this year, and perhaps the Detroit Tigers pitcher should have gotten the nod, the city of Detroit would not be going as bonkers as we are. Take a look and see what Ive seen.

I thought I would share a snapshot of the Great American Ballpark scoreboard congratulating Barry Larkin on getting into the Baseball Hall of Fame. You can read Andy Furman's thoughts on Barry Larkin by clicking "Smoke Rings."

Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative (CPI) continues its New Voices Season of Staged Readings with Wrapped in CloverTuesday, February 14, 2012, at 7:30 PMAronoff Center for the Arts, Fifth Third Bank Theater.Corner of Main and Seventh Streets.Tickets are only $8

On Jan. 8, 2012, at about 7:05 p.m., the Marathon Gas Station located at 2340 Gilbert Ave. was robbed at gunpoint. A suspect described as a black male, in his twenties, about 5'06" tall, thin build, wearing all dark clothing, and brandishing a black pistol entered the store and demanded money from the cash register. The suspect held the store clerks and customers at gunpoint. He then removed cash from the register and fled on foot. The suspect was last seen running towards Florence Ave. Please review the attached photos and contact the Police if you have any information on the suspect's identity or the incident.

A suspect was arrested for a Burglary which occurred in the 2600 block of Mustang Dr. on January 6th 2012 at 1:00pm. The suspect forced entry into the victims home while she was away and took a TV. The suspect arrested is:

A Breaking and Entering was reported at G's Perfection Plus Barber shop located at 3120 Harrison Av. The offense occurred on 01-06-12 between 12:00am and 09:45am. The suspect entered the store by breaking the front door glass. Hair products, CDs and a cordless phone were taken in the offense.

On February 10 and 11, 2012, the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati will be rocking with more than 25 local blues bands. The Cincy Blues Society's Winter Blues Fest celebrates over two decades of supporting the Blues with the same great music, but a new location. The annual festival showcases the best local and regional Blues musicians for two nights, from 7:00 pm to 1:00 am. "Because we have bands playing on multiple stages simultaneously, we needed to find a venue that would provide the high-quality sound that our bands are used to, as well as keep the sound of the bands from overlapping each other," said Mark Bubash, festival coordinator. "The ideal venue turned out to be four venues: The Drinkery, Below Zero, the former Rhythm & Blues Cafe, and the former Harry's Pizza location in Over-the-Rhine.

On 1-9-12, at approximately 9:00AM a victim was robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Fifth Third Bank located at 2355 Victory Parkway. The suspect displayed a handgun and fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. The suspect was seen fleeing the scene in what appeared to be an older black Chevy Impala. The suspect is a black male, 25-35, 6'00-6'02, thin, gray hooded sweatshirt, and blue jeans.

Know Theatre is pleased to announce that Joe Hutcheson will be returning to Cincinnati to present MissMagnolia Beaumont Goes to Provincetown. The production received the Critics Pick of the Fringe Awardat the 2011 Cincinnati Fringe Festival and played to sold out houses during its run. Miss Magnolia will beperformed at Know Theatre on January 13 & 14, 2012 at 8pm.

John Marx, a.k.a. The Bagel Man has told us such for years now Ohio Magazine has made it official.Hot Bagels, 9701 Kenwood Road, in Blue Ash, has been named Best in Ohio according to the January, 2012 edition of Ohio Magazine.

Did you know that Cincinnati has a visitor's center? At the Visitor Center, you can find information on bus routes, walking tours, shopping, restaurants, events and just about anything else you might want to know about Cincinnati. If they don't readily have the information, the volunteers will happily find it for you. The Visitor Center is looking for volunteers who have a few hours a week or a month to staff the visitor center. You can pretty much set your own schedule, you'll learn a lot about the area and you will get to meet some very interesting people.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow for Rev. James R. Leo. Reverend Leo was 79 years old. Born in Somers Point, New Jersey, Reverend Leo graduated from Bucknell University and the Episcopal Church's General Theological Seminary in New York City. In 1980 he became dean of the American Cathedral in Paris. Many prominent people attended services at the cathedral, but Reverend Leo's most famous communicant might have been the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson. Reverend Leo often privately gave communion to the Duchess at her home. In 1986, responding to a call from the Queen of England, Reverend Leo presided at the burial of the Duchess at Windsor Castle.

Join the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music for the return of the citys premiere fundraiser, A Moveable Feast," on Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.A unique showcase of CCMs world-class performing and media arts programs and state-of-the-art facilities, the fundraiser features samplings of artistic and culinary delights throughout CCM Village. Guests can enjoy backstage tours and plan their own schedule of half hour samplings of student entertainment, including Jazz, Musical Theatre, Piano, Opera, Drama, Dance, Orchestra and Wind Symphony performances.

A Burglary was reported on January 4th 2012 10:30pm, occurring in the 1200 block of Ross Av. The suspect entered the residence through a second floor window. A laptop and camera were taken in the offense.

The Board of Directors of the Adolescent Health Center of Greater Cincinnati, which supports the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, elected Janet Ach as Board President at their Annual Meeting in December 2011. Janet has served on the Board since 1994 and has served as Vice-President of the Board since 2003.The Division of Adolescent Medicine (formerly known as the Adolescent Clinic) at Cincinnati Childrens has been in existence for more than 50 years and is a recognized leader in the field of adolescent medicine. The Division of Adolescent Medicine is committed to providing evidence-based primary health care and consultative services to the community

On Friday nights from January 6 through February 17, 2011, enjoy discount admission and listen to radio music from WARM 98 while you skate at the ice rink on Fountain Square!

This Friday from 3pm until 5pm, the ice rink at Fountain Square will be welcoming kids from CPS. Thanks to First Student bus company, Cincinnati Public School students have the opportunity to practice ice skating on weekday afternoons in January & February this year!First Student will provide bus transportation for CPS students taking part in a YMCA after-school program. The students will skate for free at the U.S. Bank Ice Rink at Fountain Square, thanks to First Student.

Missing PersonZachary MeistrichGender: MaleRace: WhiteAge: 24Height: 5'8Weight: 170Missing was last seen on December 26, 2011 on Saybrook Ave enroute to his Navy base in Virginia. He was driving 2005 Chevy Cobalt red in color plate OH 232 KIV.

This suspect was arrested for an Aggravated Robbery which occurred in the 1200 block of Quebec Rd on January 3rd 2012 at 1:30pm. The suspect pointed a handgun at the victim and took the victims property from his pockets.Name: Charles Black

A Robbery occurred in the 1000 block of Parkson Pl on January 2nd 2012 at 5:45pm. The suspect pushed the victim to the ground and took money from her hand.Police are looking for the following suspect in conjunction with this robbery.Name: Kevin Freeman

The New Year may have just begun, but FOX Sports Radio already has exciting news to share. Veteran sports talk personality Andy Furman will host the networks new 6 - 9 a.m. ET/3 - 6 a.m. PT program FOX Sports Daybreak with former NFL defensive back Artrell Hawkins, beginning January 3, 2012. Furman has been a fixture on the network for more than a year as host of a weekend show with former NFL All-Pro Lincoln Kennedy, in addition to filling in during various timeslots and day-parts. He will continue to host his Sunday evening program with Kennedy, which airs from 7 - 10 p.m. ET/4 - 7 p.m. PT.

UC Bearcats defeat Vanderbilt 31-24 at the Liberty Bowl.

A Burglary was reported on December 27th 2011 7:17pm, occurring in the 1900 block of Westmont Dr. The suspects entered the residence by breaking the rear window. Numerous electronic items and money were taken in the offense. The suspects were described as male black in their twenties, 508-510, 160-170lbs. Suspect #1 was wearing a brown coat, black hooded sweatshirt and white sweat pants. Suspect #2 was wearing all black clothing.

If you don't have tickets for the Bengals' game against the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday, you can watch it broadcast on the JumboTron. The game starts at 4:15, but come down early. The ice skating rink on Fountain Square will be open from 2:00pm until 10:00pm.

Don't sit on the sofa this year, watching the ball drop on Times Square. C'mon downtown for the Toyota New Year's Eve Blast on Fountain Square.This years Blast will be bigger than ever!Festivities will kick off at 8 p.m. with FREE ice skating, music from DJ Pillo, drinks & snacks.

On January 1, workers covered under Ohios minimum wage law will see a 30-cent increase in their hourly wage taking them to $7.70 an hour. In 2006, on behalf of Ohios lowest wage earners, the Ohio AFL-CIO and the coalition, Ohioans for a Fair Minimum Wage successfully placed the Constitutional Amendment on the ballot, which tied Ohios minimum wage rate to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI has increased over 4% from September 1st 2010 to September 31st 2011.After over a decade without a minimum wage increase, Ohioans overwhelmingly passed the amendment- taking rate increases out of the hands of politicians and adjusting them in a fair and reasonable manner, said Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO.

A Breaking and Entering was reported on December 26th 2011, occurring at the Family Dollar store located at 2120 Ferguson Rd. The suspect entered the business by breaking the front door glass. The suspects were described as 510-6, 200lbs. Suspect #1 was wearing all black clothing, black hat, black mask and gloves. Suspect #2 was wearing a checked coat, black pants, light colored hat, black mask and gloves.

A robbery occurred on December 25th, 2011 at 11:40pm in the 3000 block of Brackenwoods Ln. The suspect approached the victim as he was walking down the street, punched the victim in the face and took his cell phone. The suspect was described as male black, 18-20, 511 180lbs, wearing all black clothing.

On 12-15-2011, at approximately 4:20P.M., an aggravated robbery occurred in the 100 block of Parkway Avenue in Hartwell. An unknown suspect approached an elderly female 80 years of age and robbed her with a blunt object. Polce recovered DNA evidence belonging to the suspect and sent it to the Hamilton County Crime Laboratory. The suspect in this case is described as a white male, blond hair, thin build, 5'10"- 6'00", approximately 20 years old. The suspect was last seen wearing a black coat with a white hooded jacket underneath, and blue jeans.

Also known as the hedgeapple, the osage-orange fruit is a bumpy pale green ball with an outer skin made up of a numerous small drupes. Osage was introduced to the southeast via Oklahoma, before the era of readymade fencing, to establish hedgerow borders for cattle fields in the recently clear cut Ohio Valley. Since then, the plant has taken over as dense undergrowth in many forests throughout the region, producing a grapefruit-sized bright green fruit that seeds in the Fall. Contained inside these small pods is a milky latex fluid.

After all the gifts are opened on Christmas Day, bundle up the kids and come on down to Fountain Square. The ice rink will be open from 2:00pm until 10pm. It costs $3 to skate and another $3 for skate rental. Quite a bargain if it gets all those hyper excited kids out of the house.

The Cincinnati Police are looking for the following suspects for an aggravated robbery. The incident occurred on December 20th 2011 at 5:34pm at Mages grocery located at 3316 Glenway Av. Two suspects entered the store brandished a handgun and ordered the clerk to give them money and store merchandise. Both suspects took property then fled on foot north on Elberon Av. Both suspects were described as male black 18 years of age. Suspect #1 was 52 wearing a black jacket with gold stripes down the sleeve armed with a handgun. Suspect #2 was 53 wearing all black clothes carrying a black duffle bag.

Who will be voted Cincinnatis best celebrity dancer? Which stars have the right moves to rule the dance floor? Find out on Saturday, April 14, 2012 when the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) presents its sixth annual Dancing for the Stars at the Music Hall Ballroom to benefit CAAs Overture Awards the nations largest locally run high school arts scholarship competition.Inspired by the hit ABC-TV show Dancing with the Stars, Dancing for the Stars will feature eight Cincinnati celebrities paired with some of the areas finest professional dancers in a competition program, at which the audience will vote for their favorite celebrity dancer. The competitive dance for the evening will be the Cha Cha, and each dance pair will have 90 seconds to woo the crowd and the judges.

Melvin Murray is wanted on a Felony Domestic Violence warrant and 24 traffic capiases. Melvin Murray is a black male, 22 years old, 5'07, and approximately 155lbs. He has a last known address in the 2500 block of Park Avenue in Walnut Hills.

2011 FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS Scout Team Players of the Year: Offense: Daniel Murray Defense: Silverberry Mouhon Special Teams Player of the Year: Pat ODonnell Specialist of the Year: Tom DeTemple Brig Owens Outstanding Back: Offense: Isaiah Pead Defense: Drew Frey Most Valuable Receiver: Anthony McClung John Pease Outstanding Lineman Offense: Randy Martinez / Alex Hoffman Defense: Derek Wolfe / John Hughes

Here is a message from the Cincinnati Police Department about holiday safety:Taking a trip this Holiday Season?Travel can be stressful; it is even more exaggerated by the holidays. Everybody is in a rush trying to make it from one place to another, and it can be hard to make sure that you have all your affairs in order while you worry about making it to your destination in one piece. The holiday traveling season is the busiest time to travel with many people on the roads. It is important to keep safety your number one concern when traveling this holiday season.Here are a few holiday travel safety tips for uneventful travel this season.

On Friday, December 16 from 7010pm ArtsWave is helping to light things up for the holidays by sponsoring a brilliant new idea: a first-ever light-up bike ride. Cyclists from all over the Cincinnati area will decorate their bicycles -and themselves - with things that twinkle, sparkle and glow, and meet together in Northside. The group will travel from Northside to Downtown via Spring Grove Avenue and Central Parkway, rounding Fountain Square to see the tree, stopping at Coffee Emporium for a warm break and continuing through Over-the-Rhine to join in the Light Up OTR festivities.

At noon on Saturday, January 14, grab the family and venture down to Fountain Square to witness an epic broomball showdown between Cincinnatis favorite mascots. The match is scheduled to last about 30 minutes and promises to be filled with thrills and spills. Want to get in on the action before the game? The mascots will be available before and after the game for a meet & greet and photo opportunities! The event is free and open to the public.

The Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative (CPI) continues its New Voices Season of Staged Readings with Changing Mom's DiapersTuesday, January 10, 2012, at 7:30 PMAronoff Center for the Arts, Fifth Third Bank Theater.Corner of Main and Seventh Streets.Tickets are only $8Reservations may be made in advance at Aronoff Center Box Office, or by calling 513-621-2787 at normal work hour,

.A.J. Green and Andrew Hawkins a pair of Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers -- will visit with their fans at Jake Sweeney Chevrolet, 33 West Kemper Road, Friday, December 16th, from 4-7 p.m.In making the announcement today, Mark Dinkelaker, Jake Sweeney Chevrolet Sales Manager said, Were real pleased to have the opportunity to showcase two great Bengal athletes, and make them available to our customers as well as Bengals fans.

By Andy Furman...Call me a Johnny Come Lately. Sorry, I enjoy coming to the party fashionably late. Thats why I waited for the smoke to clear after the Skyline Chili Cross-town shootout and believe me, after this year the sponsor needs to change that name. Shootout wont get it. Sure the last 9.4 seconds were ugly. For who? You? Me? ESPN seemed to love it they played it every hour on the half for three days. And they even decided to broadcast the University of Cincinnati-Wright State basketball game, from Nutter Center, Dayton, Tuesday night.

On Monday an autistic young man suffered on unprovoked attack at about 3:30 in the afternoon on Government Square. The incident occurred on 12/12/2011 The suspects are: Two male blacks in their early to mid twenties. #1 Black hoodie with white stripes. Black pea coat with design on back. blue jeans, dark gym shoes with white bottoms.#2 Moustache, large earrings, mid-length black coat Suspect #2 grabbed the victim in a chokehold pulling him to ground. Suspect #1 took book bag. Book bag later recovered on the skywalk. The Ipad that was taken is still missing.

The Norwood Police Department is attempting to locate the following individual:James Andrew Clemmons, who ran from the scene of a Norwood address where his 10 month old son nearly drowned in the bath tub. The child is in Intensive Care at Childrens Hospital and Clemmons is a witness needed by Norwood Investigators. Additionally Clemmons has outstanding warrants through Hamilton County for Misuse of a Credit Card, Theft and 2 traffic charges. If located please contact Crime Stoppers.

Internationally acclaimed vocal phenomenon Celtic Woman has announced their brand-new North American tour in support of their new CD/DVD release, BELIEVE. The tour kicks off February 3rd in Nashville, TN with performances lined up in nearly 60 cities through April 29th in Las Vegas, before heading to Europe. The tour plays the Aronoff Centers Procter & Gamble Hall on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 8:00 PM. Tickets go on-sale to the public on Friday, December 16 at 10:00 AM at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS 2787, and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. For complete tour schedule and ticket information, visit www.celticwoman.com.

You've been to the Downtown Dazzle, you've seen the lights at the Zoo. What other holiday celebrations will this weekend offer?How about taking a trip up to Mt. Adams this Sunder for the Mt. Adams Luminaria? The Luminaries will be lit at 5:30 PM. on Sunday, Dec. 18th and other holiday fun will follow:Fire juggling elves will escort the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Claus to the fountain at 6:00pm.Celebration of music featuring the local Childrens Choir, juggling elves and choirs from both Immaculata and Pilgrim Chapel.Carriage Rides for Luminary tours will run from 6pm-8pm, the cost $15 per person and will be on a first come, first serve basis so arrive early!

Xavier University Associate Vice President and Athletic Director Mike Bobinski announced today that four XU mens basketball student-athletes will serve suspensions as a result of their parts in yesterdays incidents at the Crosstown Shootout. Bobinski made the announcement on behalf of Xavier and the Atlantic 10 Conference. Freshman Dezmine Wells, who had a mandatory one game suspension for being ejected from the game for fighting, has been given an additional three games by Xavier and will serve a four-game suspension. Sophomore Landen Amos has also been given a four-game suspension.Junior Mark Lyons will serve a two-game suspension. Senior Tu Holloway will serve a one-game suspension.

This weekend Over-the-Rhine promises to be filled with the sights, smells, and sounds of the holidays. Join the rest of the community as they celebrate the season with City Flea and Caroling in the Quarter.Theres nothing like a little holiday shopping to get the blood pumping! On Saturday, get wrapped up in all that local flea market vendors have to offer! The first annual City Flea Holiday Market will be held at 12th and Vine Streets from 11am to 4pm. The streets will be lined with local holiday merchants, each offering hundreds of unique craft and gift ideas ensure that you find gifts for everyone on your list!

Cincinnati Santacon is a gathering of like-minded individuals who wish to both get into the Christmas spirit, as well as spread Christmas cheer to their fellow man. SIGN UP and follow Santa on Twitter....On the morning of the event you will be contacted via mobile phone text message through Twitter and instructed to descend upon a location while wearing your Santa Claus Suit. Throughout the day you will continue recieving text messages and Tweets guiding you through Cincinnati (on foot) from location to location. Many of these locations are bars so this is not an event for children. The group of Santa Clauses will sing songs, make merry, and generally spread good cheer through the city.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music has appointed Amy Dennison to serve as the first Assistant Dean of its Preparatory Department (CCM Prep). Dennison has served as the director of CCM Prep since 2001 and her new appointment reflects the growth of the program during the last decade.Under Dennisons tenure, CCM Preps programs have expanded to include learning and ensemble offerings for students of all ages. The program has also forged relationships with numerous area arts organizations and schools, increasing the visibility and outreach possibilities for the entire college.

Knox Presbyterian Church has announced the following Concert Schedule:J.S. Bach Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 (Complete)Saturday, December 17, 20114:00 p.m. Parts I, II, and III (free admission)6:00 p.m. Dinner in the Knox Commons (by reservation only; catered dinner ($25) reservations also confirm reserved seating for either the 4:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. concerts, or both)7:30 p.m. Parts IV, V, and VI (free admission)Knox Choir, Knox Soloists, Chamber OrchestraEarl Rivers, Conductor Knox Presbyterian ChurchMichigan and Observatory Avenues, Hyde ParkFree admission; Free-will offering

A record 23,737 fans attended FOX Sports Ohio Redsfest presented by PNC on Dec. 2 and 3 at the Duke Energy Convention Center.The previous record for the event was 21,781 in 2010.Proceeds from FOX Sports Ohio Redsfest will benefit the Reds Community Fund and its baseball-themed outreach programs.Thank you to our fans for turning out in record numbers for Redsfest, said Reds President and CEO Bob Castellini. Your loyalty and support makes Redsfest the best fan festival in all of Major League Baseball.

I don't know how many of you have had an opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor. Not only was I lucky enough to visit but the day I was there, a veteran of Pearl Harbor actually led the tour. Hearing his thoughts on what happened that day was a privilege. Pearl Harbor is a beautiful location. When visiting you have mixed feelings of pride and sadness. It's hard to believe that so much horror and tragedy could have taken place in this spot 70 years ago. If you have a few moments today, say a prayer of thanks for all the heroes of Pearl Harbor, and all those who have served our country.

CCM has announced its winter 2012 schedule of major performances. Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 4, CCM will present more than 50 events, ranging from faculty and guest artist concerts to fully supported theatre productions. Full details are available in the attached Word document.CCM's winter schedule of performing arts events includes returning favorites like the Philharmonia Orchestra's annual celebration of American composers (Jan. 27), the TRANSMIGRATION festival of student-created new dramatic works (Feb. 16 - 18) and the PRISM concert's 60-minute non-stop musical trip around the world (Feb. 19), alongside dynamic productions of Mozart's sublime Don Giovanni (Feb. 9 - 12), Sondheim's Tony Award-winning Into the Woods (Feb. 23 - March 4) and a bold new cinematic presentation of Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust with visuals by filmmaker and E-Media faculty-member Raul Barcelona (Feb. 25).

UC is going to the Liberty Bowl. The game willl be played in Memphis on December 31.

University of Cincinnati senior defensive tackle Derek Wolfe (Lisbon, Ohio/Beaver Local) has been named the National Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards, it was announced Sunday.Wolfe had 10 tackles, a career-best 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in UCs 35-27 win over Connecticut on senior day at Nippert Stadium.Cincinnati (9-3, 5-2 BIG EAST Conference) clinched a share of its third BIG EAST Championship in four years and is one of the most improved teams in the NCAA FBS after more than doubling its win total of four from a year ago.

No. 11 Xavier, 6-0, remained unbeaten with wins at Vanderbilt (Nov. 28) and versus Purdue (Dec. 3) this past week.One of the big reasons is the big-time play of senior All-American and National Player of the Year candidate Tu Holloway, especially at crunch time. Holloway averaged 22.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals in wins this past week at Vanderbilt and vs. Purdue. It was his late-game heroics that helped him capture Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week honors. He scored 10 of XUs 16 points in overtime at Vandy on Nov. 28 and scored XUs final 11 points, including three three-pointers, over the final 1:48 in the Purdue comeback victory on Dec. 3.

This robbery occurred on December 4th, 2011 at 4:24pm in the 900 block of Grand Av. The suspect approached the victim in her apartment parking lot, brandished a firearm, took the victims property then fled on foot behind the apartment building. The suspect was described as male black, 18-20, 506 150lbs, wearing all dark clothing.

Kids raising money for kids it doesnt get any purer than that! The skaters of the Northern Kentucky Skating Club are putting on a Holiday Show on Saturday, December 10th at 9:00 10:00 am. The show will be held at Fountain Square and will be a fun family activity for all ages. We will be accepting donations that day and have set a goal to raise $10,000 to benefit the kids at Shriners Hospital for Children in Cincinnati.

The Downtown HOLIDAY CONDO TOUR is December 7 from 4:00 7:00. The event is free; so are the rides on the Holiday Trollies to the six condo buildings: Graydon Lofts, The McAlpin, Park Place at Lytle, Parker Flats, Ft Washington Condos and 417 Lofts on Vine. Pick up the itinerary at any of these stops or go to http://www.DowntownCincinnati.com for further info or call Christine Schoonover 513-235-8662.

Are you tired of wasting the holiday season stuck in line at the mall? Do you still have more people on your list than you do actual gifts? Well, Over-the-Rhine has a solution for you. Join other holiday shoppers on Saturday and Sunday, December 3rd and 4th, as they make their way to Over-the-Rhine for some of the best deals around.This weekend from 11am to 9pm, Main Street favorites like Atomic Number 10, Park+Vine, Couture Couture Boutique, and dozens of others, will be rolling out the red carpet for this one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Customers can expect to find everything from shoes and clothes to home dcor and unique gift ideas, all right there on Main Street.

If you missed the tree lighting on Fountain Square last Friday, don't worry about it. You have another chance to join in the Christmas festivities downtown.This Saturday kicks off the Fifth Annual Macy's Downtown Dazzle. For the next three Saturdays, join us on Fountain Square at 6:30 p.m. and watch Santa and friends rappel down the side of the 525 Vine Building office tower followed by fireworks. Arrive early and enjoy live holiday music from registered World Choir Games choirs and a visit with mascots Whirl and Twirl. Immediately following the fireworks, head into Macy's for Story time with Mrs. Claus. This is a wonderful free event where the kids can enjoy stories from Mrs. Claus, cookies and craft activities.

Cincinnati police have arrested the following suspect in connection with a recent robbery. Name: Matthew UltschSex: MaleRace: White Age: 31 Height: 6Weight: 180Hair: Brown Eyes: BlueAddress: 3763 Darwin Av, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211 The suspect was arrested for a Burglary which occurred in the 3400 block of McFadden Av on October 27th 2011.

This robbery occurred on November 29th 2011, at 2:05 am in the 3200 block of Westbrook Dr. The suspect entered the victims apartment through an unlocked balcony door, took property from the victim and fought with the victim as he fled. The suspect was described as male black in his mid 30s, 508-509, thin build, dark skin, wearing a black coat.

Husband-and-wife team, Paul and Linh Nguyen, will open a dry cleaning business December 1st in the 1300 block of Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine. The service business is located next to Capital Shoe Repair and Ionic Collective, a consumer marketing company. These businesses occupy the ground-floor commercial space of Trinity Flats, home to twenty-five one and two bedroom condominiums. Just north of Trinity Flats, the for lease sign on an old renovated post office building has attracted the attention of several hopeful restaurateurs.

The Grammy award-winning male vocal ensemble, CHANTICLEER, will present their holiday concert: A CHANTICLEER CHRISTMAS on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 8:00 P.M. in Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral, 8th and Plums Streets, downtown Cincinnati. The Concert is presented as part of the Cathedrals Great Music in a Great Space concerts.

Cincinnati Police are currently investigating an Aggravated Robbery and Abduction incident that occured 11/14/11 near the 900 block of Burton Ave in the Avondale area. Wanted for this offense is Curtis Boston male black 19 and Oliver Miller male black 22. Both subjects frequent the Price Hill, Cumminsville and Avondale areas.

A couple of months ago, a non-profit organization sent me a press release regarding a fundraiser they would be hosting at the Cincinnati Museum Center. I confess that I had never heard of the organization, Impact 100, prior to receiving the press release, but the theme of the fundraiser, Wine, Women and Shoes piqued my interest. I wanted to find out more.Impact 100 promotes philanthropy by women. Begun in 2001 by Wendy Steele, Impact 100 has donated over $2 million to local charities and over $15 million through 15 chapters across the U.S.Members of Impact 100 make an annual $1,000 donation and by pooling these donations, Impact 100 is able to make $100,000 grants to local non-profits that provide services to people who lack the basic necessities like health care, shelter, education and job training.

By Andy Furman...Here is another fine mess youve gotten me into, Ollie. And that may very well apply to the football team at the University of Cincinnati.The Bearcats host the UConn Huskies Saturday at noon and a win gives them yet another Big East championship. The first for coach Butch Jones.But there is another story swirling around Clifton this week. An all-too-familiar story. A bigger school. Perhaps a more prestigious school. One with more money and better facilities is putting the worm on the hook to lure Jones away. Not fair you say. In college athletics all is fair, cheating is fair as long as you dont get caught. But what blows ones mind, what really has Butch done in his two short seasons here to merit interest from, gulp North Carolina, UCLA and Illinois?

This Wednesday is your last opportunity to sign up for Broomball league play this winter. Everyone is welcome to form a team. All teams must have anywhere from eight to twelve players, and each must elect a team manager and/or captain. No experience is needed to play!

I hope you were able to make the tree lighting on Fountain Square on Friday night. From the crush of the crowd, it seemed like everyone in the Cincinnati area was there. I didn't count them, but Channel 5 estimated that over 10,000 people spilled over the Square onto Fifth Street and Vine Street. Sheree Paolello hosted the event which began at 7:00p.m. Mayor Mallory flipped the switch on the tree at about 7:20. Santa floated from the U.S.Bank Tower onto the stage at Fountain Square and we were entertained by a band from New York, "Time Flies". I think we might have done better with a local band because this one murdered some terrific Christmas songs, but the fireworks show that ended the celebration was well worth the trip downtown.

By Andy Furman...Im tired of talking about Teabow. Im disgusted about the thought of Penn State. And the last time I went gaga over the University of Cincinnati football Bearcats and the Bengals, well, they both lost. Whats left? Hot stove time with the Reds. In particular Brandon Phillips. So I guess its time to play every athletes favorite game, Break the Bank. Oh no, not the the ballclub they play for. And thats exactly what Phillips through his agent is trying to do with public support, of course. Im not buying it nor would I pay for it. Lets get things straight first and foremost. Phillips is an outstanding second baseman he hit .300 won the Silver Slugger and copped a Gold Glove award, again. He has tweeted his way into the hearts of Reds fans all over Reds Country, and perhaps that more than any award makes him a valuable asset to the club. Maybe.

Cincinnati shoppers can avoid the rush of the malls by shopping in Over-the-Rhine for unique, local gifts in a relaxed atmosphere. OTR is holding its fourth Holidays in the Bag event this Friday, November 25th. The official Holidays in the Bag, reusable shopping bag can be purchased for $5 the day of the event at all participating merchants. All proceeds of the bag go to the Freestore Foodbank, which distributes over 19 million pounds of food annually throughout 20 counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. With the purchase of the bag, shoppers will receive discounts at 20 locations in OTR.

Have you seen our new shopping and games section? Check them out under "Fun and Games" and "Shopping with Gabby."Speaking of shopping, if you would like Gabby to review your local shop, send her an e-mail at support@ourtown.com.

Its that time of year again! Thanks to the support of U.S. Bank, 3CDC will be officially opening the Rink for its fifth season on Wednesday, November 23, at 10am. The ice rink will be open for skating until Sunday, February 19. (Full rink schedule available below)The U.S. Bank Ice Rink will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 2pm to 10pm. Bring your family down to the square for a holiday treat that they will be sure to never forget!In addition to daily skating activities, the ice rink will host a variety of events that the whole family can enjoy! The ever wacky Turkey Bowl event has been moved to Wednesday, November 23 at 11:30am. Then, Macys Light Up the Square is set to kick off the countdown to Christmas Friday, November 25 at 6:30pm. Every Saturday and Sunday, Santa will join families out on the ice for an hour of holiday fun. And last but not least, everyone is invited spend their New Years Eve on Fountain Square as we celebrate the beginning of the New Year!

We'll give you a little time to sleep off that Thanksgiving Dinner on Friday, but then come on downtown on Friday evening for the kick off of the holiday season! The 65' tree on Fountain Square will be lit at 6:30 p.m.There will be live music from Timeflies and ice skating. At 7:00p.m. hosts Brian Douglas of Q102 and Sheree Paolello of Channel 5 will emcee live from P&Gs Music Stage. Santa makes a special appearance, the Mayor himself lights the tree, and a beautiful fireworks show lights up the night! For those who cannot attend, Channel 5 will feature the event in a live 30-minute broadcast starting at 7:00 p.m.

A robbery occurred on November 21st , 2011 at 8:05 pm in the 2900 block of Four Towers Dr. The suspects approached the victim while he was getting out of his car. Both suspects brandished firearms and demanded the victims property. The suspects then fled in a dark colored Grand Am with temporary plates. Both suspects are described as Male Black, 20-25, 507 150lbs, wearing all black clothing.

This robbery occurred on November 20th, 2011 at 3:25 am in the 3000 block of Ramona Av. The suspects pointed a gun and fired shots at the victims and took their property. The suspects were described as two male blacks, 18-25, 509. Both suspects were wearing black hooded sweatshirts. Suspect #1 was armed with a gun. Suspect #2 was armed with a knife. Both suspects fled in a silver Mazda.

Turkey Day is upon us and what better way to prepare than bowling frozen turkeys!! This Tuesday, November 22, the fifth annual Turkey Bowl presented by Rewind 94.9 and Yelp.com will be the buzz on Fountain Square at noon. Dozens come from across the city to see the U.S. Bank Ice Rink transformed into a bowling alley for these fine gobblers.

Know Theatre is excited to announce a special screening in Cincinnati of the documentary film, Miss Representation, on December 7th at 7pm.Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Miss Representation exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film challenges the media's limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman to feel powerful herself.

Freshman Helena Pikhartova (Prague, Czech Republic/Gymnazium Jana Nerudy) set a school record in the 200-yard breaststroke as the University of Cincinnati swimming and diving teams concluded competition at the Pittsburgh Invitational Sunday at Trees Pool.Pikhartova won the womens 200-yard breaststroke after setting a UC record mark of 2 minutes, 14.76 seconds. The previous record was 2:15.68, previously set by senior Josefin Wede (Landskrona, Sweden/Gripenskolan/Auburn) on Dec. 4, 2010 at the Miami (OH) Invitational in Oxford, Ohio. Pikhartovas mark qualifies for the NCAA B cut.

You may have wondered what all that artwork that has been on display in the Westin Hotel Lobby for the past month is all about. It is the preview for the Secret Artworks Fundraiser being held tomorrow night. A lot of interesting people will gather tomorrow night to purchase miniature artworks that have been created and signed by artists from around the country. You just won't know who the artist is until after you have purchased the art. You may be purchasing art from the next Picasso. Friday, November 18, 20115pm-9pm (curtains open at 6) MCA Event Center (former location of the CAC, in the Mercantile Building)120 E. Fourth StreetCincinnati, OH 45202

Get out your credit cards Cincinnati. The Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market is at the Duke Energy Convention Center tomorrow through Sunday with over 180 exhibitors. This is a great time to pick up some unique holiday gifts.

District 3 police have arrested the following individual for aggravated robbery.Name: Daniel KeithSex: MaleRace: White Age: 31 Height: 509Weight: 175Hair: Brown Eyes: BrownAddress: 722 Woodlawn Av, Cincinnati, Ohio 45205 The suspect was arrested for an Aggravated Robbery which occurred at Chloes closet 3703 St Lawrence Av on 11-12-11.

November 16, 2011 - CINCINNATI, OH: Luke Brockmeier, a Madisonville resident and grassrootsorganizer, is entering the Democratic primary for the 31st district of the Ohio House of Representatives.The campaign kickoff event will be at The Greenwich (2442 Gilbert Avenue) in Walnut Hills on Thursday,November 17, 2011 at 6:00pm. Brockmeier is a first-time candidate who has political experience with Citizens to Restore Fairness,America Votes Ohio, and Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, where he is employed as thePublic Affairs Coordinator. He is a graduate of Princeton High School and Miami University, and has alsoworked extensively with local arts organizations as a stage manager and technician.

On Friday November 18th Hyde Park Square will host its annual Holiday Classic event from 1:00 to 8:00. Stores and restaurants will be open late and will be serving holiday treats. Choral groups affiliated with the 2012 World Choir Games will be roaming The Square throughout the day and evening treating one-and-all to the quintessential sounds of the season. At 6:00 sharp, Santa will arrive in the center island park to throw the switch that lights the giant evergreen tree to officially kick off the Holidays! Santa will have treats to share with all the kids and will ho-ho-happily take Christmas wish requests.

The holiday season is always a special time of year. It is also a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. We can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware.Driving - Avoid driving alone or at night.- Keep all car doors locked and windows closed while in or out of your car. Set your alarm or use an anti-theft device.- If you must shop at night, park in a well-lit area.- Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with tinted windows.- Park as close as you can to your destination and take notice of where you parked.- Never leave your car unoccupied with the motor running or with children inside.- Do not leave packages or valuables on the seat of your car. This creates a temptation for thieves. If you must leave something in the car, lock it in the trunk or put it out of sight.- Be sure to locate your keys prior to going to your car.

Online Bidding Opens November 18 at www.CincinnatiArts.ORG/backstageAt 8:00AM on Friday, November 18, 2011, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) raises the curtain on its 8th annual Backstage Treasuresand More! an online auction that supports CAAs arts education programs. Once again, CAA is partnering with Bidding for Good, Inc. the leading online auction platform for nonprofit and school fundraising to bring the auction to its bidders and donors. Presenting Sponsors for Backstage Treasures and More are Lenox Wealth Management and Arthur Murray Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is pleased to announce its 2012 Winter/Spring Season five events that promise audiences of all ages unforgettable evenings of music, magic, and imagination. These intriguing additions to another vibrant Cincinnati arts season are certain to continue CAAs long-standing mission of presenting an eclectic mix of alternative entertainment choices to Cincinnati theater-goers. The Winter/Spring Season opens in late February with unbelievable illusionists from the popular syndicated TV show Masters of Illusion: Impossible Magic in Masters of Illusion Live!, and the recreation of one the greatest rock albums of all time in Classic Albums Live Dark Side of the Moon.

Law Protects Consumers from Bill Collector HarassmentQ: Is there any law that addresses harassing phone calls from bill collectors?A: Yes. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects you from unfair collection acts, including harassing calls and calls outside of normal business hours.Q: If bill collectors harass me, can I stop paying my debt?

On November 14, 2011, District Two Police Officers arrested Tommy Annes, 422 W 12th Street, Covington Kentucky, Kenneth Hayden Jr., 813 Scott Street, Covington Kentucky, and Jonathon Christian, 141 W. 19th Street, Covington Kentucky for Theft from a Motor Vehicle at 508 Tusculum Avenue.

On November 13, 2011, District Two Police Officers Arrested Gary Malley, 3956 Eastern Avenue, and Robert Mathis, 6082 Heis Terr #2, for Theft from a Motor Vehicle at 4937 Beechmont Avenue.

The Downtown Resident's Council will be decorating Piatt Park for the holidays again this year. They would welcome your help on Saturday, November 19. Please give a few hours of your time, 10 AM to 2PM, and help them continue a DRC tradition. If you would lik to join in the fun, . please email: dbsiders@gmail.com to say "I can help" and for additional details.

Name: Donna WalterAddress:819 Main St #18 Hamilton, OHHT: 504WT:195Hair: BrownEyes:BlueDOB: 4/17/1963Ms. Walter was last seen at University Hospital on 10/8/11. Ms. Walter suffers from a neurological condition. Ms. Walter's last known address is 819 Main St #18 in Hamilton, OH.

Cincinnati Police DepartmentCriminal Investigation SectionPersonal Crimes UnitWANTEDName: WALTER LEE JOHNSON Address: 2366 WHEELER ST #3 Frequents: 142 GLENRIDGE PL #3

The Police Department has made us aware of a scam that is connected with the Golden Buckeye card. If you have experienced a phone call of this nature, please contact the Cincinnati Police Department."We've been made aware of a potential scam in which an individual called a consumer and claimed to represent the State of Ohio and the Ohio's Best Rx program. The caller falsely said the state was issuing or re-issuing Ohio's Best Rx cards and that she needed information, such as bank account number or social security number, to verify the consumer's identity. Since the Golden Buckeye program is affiliated with the Ohio's Best Rx program, the Ohio Department of Aging is notifying consumers to be on the lookout for this scam and avoid falling victim.

Join in the fun on Fountain Square this winter by signing up for the sixth season of HGC Broomball. You can watch teams play under the lights on the Fountain Square ice rink, with live game coverage, announcers, and scores on the giant video board!Live announcers call each game and Spectators are welcome!Broomball combines elements of soccer and hockey. Players wear gym shoes, not skates, and use sticks with a small, broom-shaped head to pass the ball and score goals.

Coca-Cola is rolling out the white carpet at the Cincinnati Museum Center on Tuesday, November 15 to kick off the Arctic Home campaign an initiative between Coca-Cola and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to raise awareness and funds to help protect the polar bears Arctic habitat. The white carpet event will bring together community leaders, media representatives and other key stakeholders to help launch Arctic Home in the Cincinnati area and generate support for the beloved bear, a Coca-Cola icon since 1922.

Tomorrow, November 11, is Veteran's Day. Please take a moment to remember and say a prayer for all of the people who have served our country in the armed services.Did you know that the celebration of Veteran's Day dates back to World War I. World War I known at the time as The Great War - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of the war to end all wars.

Sloane Boutique, named after fashionable Sloane Square in London, opens in Over-the-Rhine Saturday, November 12. Located at 1216 Vine Street, in a building redeveloped by 3CDC and Urban Sites, Sloane Boutique will offer womens clothing and accessories priced from $50 and up. The store will be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The grand opening party is Saturday, November 19 from 7pm to 10pm with music, appetizers, and cocktails.

Well Cincinnati, you have a new Democratically-controlled City Council...and the winners are:Roxanne Qualls, P.G. Sittenfeld, Wendel Young,Charlie Winburn, Cecil Thomas, Laure Quinlivan,Yvette Simpson, Christopher Smitherman Chris Seelbach. Four incumbent Republicans were ousted to make way for the newcomers, Sittenfied, Simpson, and Seelbach. Your new City Council will be sworn in on December 1.

It was close, but it looks like the plans for streetcars in Cincinnati are going to be moving forward. Issue 48, which would have stopped the city from moving forward with the streetcars when down to a 51.5% to 48.5% defeat on Tuesday. If Issue 48 had passed, the city charter would have been amended to prohibit the city from spending or appropriating any money on streetcars or passenger rail transit through 2020.

The ice rink on Fountain Square is all set up and ready to go beginning on November 22. The first event of the season on the rink is the Turkey Bowl which will be held on November 22 from 11:30 until 1:30.Fountain Square starts Thanksgiving early with yet another wacky event! We bowl frozen turkeys on the Fountain Square ice rink, because its silly and fun and supports a good cause.The person who knocks down the most bowling pins in three throws will win $50 cash, a DVD of the classic Turkeys Away episode of WKRP in Cincinnati, and a trophy. In 2010, nearly 150 people participated, and James Weiler of South Fairmount won with a score of 20 out of 30.

Nicole TuckerRace: WhiteGender: FemaleAge: 15Height: 5'01Weight: 112lbsLast seen on November 5, 2011 in the Kennedy Heights area. Missing is depressed and not on her medication. Missing has told friends that she have thougts of hurtiing herself.

A.J. Green and Andrew Hawkins a pair of Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers -- will visit with their fans at Jake Sweeney Chevrolet, 33 West Kemper Road, Monday, November 14th from 4-7 p.m.In making the announcement today, Mark Dinkelaker, Jake Sweeney Chevrolet Sales Manager said, Were real pleased to have the opportunity to showcase two great Bengal athletes, and make them available to our customers as well as Bengals fans.The 6-foot-4-inch Green, a rookie from the University of Georgia, has helped the Bengals win six of their first eight games this season. He leads the club with 40 receptions for 599 yards for a 15.0 yards-per-reception average and has caught five touchdowns.

By Andy Furman...Cover up?Scandal?Shame?Perhaps all three. I cant imagine what life might be like on the campus of Penn State University these days.Talk of your cheating in sports, DUI charges or even academic fraud the sexual acts performed in and around the campus of Penn State University from 2002 dwarfs all other allegations.How does this happen?Why does this happen?And where does this fine university go from here?For a good man, and were talking of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. For a good man, this situation, under his watch, is perhaps even worse than the way Woody Hayes was dismissed. Hayes was a legend in Ohio as Buckeye football coach.

Xavier University head coach Chris Mack announced today that he has received four signed National Letters of Intent for the fall signing period: Semaj Christon (Sem-ah-jeh Kristen), a 6-3 and 182-pound point guard from Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H.; Myles Davis, a 6-2 and 200-pound guard who is playing at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Fitchburg, Mass.; James Farr, a 6-9 and 222-pound forward from Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, Maine; Jalen Reynolds, a 6-9 and 220-pound forward who is now playing with Christon at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H.

Xavier senior point guard Tu Holloway added another preseason honor to a growing list of accolades as he was named today as a preseason ESPN.com First Team All-American by a panel of 15 ESPN analysts. ESPN.coms Dana ONeil selected Holloway as her preseason choice as National Player of the Year.Holloway, who was also named as a preseason Athlon Sports First Team All-American, was No. 4 in CBSSports.com's recent list of the Top 100 Players In College Basketball. Holloway was named Second Team All-American by CBSSports.com.

Cincinnati Music Theatre announces Auditions for its spring production of Titanic the Musical, Sunday, December 4, 2:00-6:00 pm, and Monday, December 5, 7:00-10:00 pm at Clifton United Methodist Church, 3416 Clifton Ave. (just north of the Clifton and Ludlow intersection). Callbacks are Wednesday, December 7, 2011 from 7-10 pm.

It's hard to believe, but the holidays will soon be here. Graeter's is offering some special holiday treats this year and also wants to remind us of the deadlines for Thanksgiving orders.Christmas candy will be available in stores starting November 7 think English Butter Toffee, Peppermint Bark and Florentines The cutoff for Thanksgiving bakery orders is Monday, November 21 get your Pumpkin Pie, Butterbit Rolls and Schnecken orders in now so you do not miss out!

Tomorrow is forecast to be a beautiful day with temperatures in the upper 60's. So, you have no excuse for not voting. I know it's an off-year election and you may not think it is important, but voting is both a privilege and a responsibility. In the United States, we have the rare privilege of being able to determine how we want to live and how we want to be governed. There is no unimportant decision. So take today to read about the issues and the candidates on the ballot in your area and make an informed decision tomorrow when you go to the polls. We are lucky today. Information about the candidates and the issues is just a couple of keystrokes away. If you don't make your voice heard at the polls, you have no business complaining about how our government is being run.

The NFL is announcing today that Bengals QB Andy Dalton has been named the leagues Offensive Rookie of the Month for October. Dalton led the Bengals to a 4-0 record in October, becoming the first Bengals rookie QB to lead four straight victories. Two of the wins featured fourth-quarter comebacks.

Despite the beautiful sunny weather this week, I guess winter really is on the way. Construction has begun on the ice rink on Fountain Square. Soon, people much more athletic than I will be gliding across the ice. The next thing you know, it will be Christmas. Oh, my poor frozen pocketbook!

GUEST SPEAKER: The Kenyan Ambassador H.E. Elkanah OdemboThe value of enhancing cross-cultural relations by the Kenyan community.WHEN: This Saturday evening, November 5th, 2011

You're invited to celebrate the historic revival of The Emery on 11.11.11. See the space, hear the plans and experience art in every form with live performances headlined by acclaimed local music legends, Over the Rhine.Why you should attend: The Emery is a 100-year-old Treasure a remarkable hub for artistic expression that has fallen into darkness, disuse and disrepair over the last decade. The time to bring it all back is now. One sprawling stage, 1,600 seats, seven floors with space for studios and workshops. 119,439 square feet of artistic possibility.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is happy to offer an exciting new collaboration with American Legacy Tours that bundles together American Legacy Tours "Queen City Underground" walking tour, dinner, and the CSO Russian Festival: Voices Concert on November 17th for only $35! This new Sights and Sounds of Cincinnati package is a great opportunity to take a historical guided tour of OTR then enjoy dinner and a concert by the world-renowned CSO at Music Hall. You can dress casually and know your whole evening is taken care of. Please use source code 6137 to reserve tickets online, http://cincinnatisymphony.org/Content.php?id=268 or for more information you can call the Symphony box office at 381-3300 or Group Sales at 744-3590.

It's time to clean out your closets and give your unused winter clothing to those who don't have closets to clean out. The Freestore/Foodbank is collecting winter cozats, hats and and will be distributing them to those less fortunate who are really in need. They will clean each item before it is distributed so you don't have to worry about that. Beginning this Friday there will be a one-week collection for these gently used items. You can drop off your donations at the Christ Church Cathedral at 318 4th Street or at the Freestore/Foodbank drive-through on Liberty Street.

The Cincinnati Police Department offers some tips for a safe Halloween: Halloween is just around the corner and many neighborhoods will see ghosts, ghouls, and goblins floating through the streets on October 31, 2010. The Cincinnati Police Department along with the National Crime Prevention Council, home of McGruff the Crime Dog, suggests that parents follow these few tips to assure that their children enjoy a safe and fun-filled evening. Remember the following tips. Clear your yard and sidewalk of any obstacles or decorations that may be hard to see in the dark, lest someone go bump in the night.

By Andy Furman...Ah the drama save it for the stage, I say.Not so with the Cincinnati Bengals. Seems some just couldnt leave well enough alone I mean, please keep your mouth shut.Carson Palmer moves to the west coast to play quarterback for the Oakland Raiders the Bengals fleece the Raiders with two first-round draft picks and that should be it.But it wasnt.Some I investigative reporter from Yahoo.com called Bengals coach Marvin Lewis yesterday, and the dirt covered every bit of Palmers body.Why oh why?Marvin was quoted as saying Palmer quit. Wow.Well, if that was the case, why on earth did you travel to California after last season to try and sell him on returning for this season?It gets even wackier.

Don't forget the costume party on Fountain Square tomorrow.Come to the Square dressed in your most creative, funniest or scariest costume tomorrow, Friday, October 28, at noon. Bring a friend to dress as a couple or bring the whole office and dress as a team! To participate, simply show up at the stage on Fountain Square at 11:45am and sign up. Costumes will be judged by representatives from UC-CCMs Costume Department, St. Vincent de Paul Stores, and Goodwill Industries. Prizes will be awarded in the following seven categories:

Head down to Fountain Square on Halloween for the Yuengling Fling, welcoming Yuengling beer to Cincinnati.Sparrow Bellows will rock out on the music stage and beer from Americas Oldest Brewery will pour from the Fountain Square taps.During the band break, there will be a pumpkin toss contest. Contestants will throw a ten-pound pumpkin as far as they can (hence the Fling). The winning man and winning woman will each walk away with $50 and some swag. Register before 5 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2011, to participate. (You must be 21 to enter.) Click on this link for the registration form:

Cincinnati police are looking for the following person in connection with a robbery in Price Hill:Name: John Stith Sex: Male Race: White Age: 53 Height: 5'2" Weight: 110 Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue Address: 1320 Manns Av, Cincinnati, Ohio 45205 The suspect attempted to punch the victim in the face and took his cell phone

With 199 points, the Xavier women's basketball team has been picked to finish seventh in the 2011-12 Atlantic 10 Conference preseason poll based on voting by league coaches. Dayton and Temple tied for the top spot after receiving seven first-place votes and 189 points. Duquesne, Charlotte and Saint Josephs round out the top five.

It's a beautiful late fall day in Cincinnati. Probably the last one this week, but we'll take what we can get. So anyway, I strolled up to Fountain Square today to see what was going on. Guess what these guys are doing. They're hanging the Christmas lights on the trees around Fountain Square. Are you ready for the holidays?

Numerous air conditioning units, on top of Delhi Businesses, have been stolen. The thefts have occurred late night after the businesses have closed.Businesses at the interesection of Cleves Warsaw and Ebenezer, and Del-Fair Shopping Center have been hit.Please, if you see any suspicious late night activity around closed businesses please contact the police department.If you have any information in regards to recent thefts of air conditioning units please submit a tip and/or call the police department.

The Cincinnati Masonic Center in cooperation with the Cincinnati Business Courier will present on Wednesday November 2, 2011 The Breakfast Lecture Series at the Cincinnati Masonic Center on the upcoming World Choir Games. The World Choir Games is the largest choral competition in the world.Inspired by the Olympic ideal, the goal of the World Choir Games is to unite people from all nations through singing in peaceful competition.The 2012 World Choir Games will occur July 4-14, 2012 in Cincinnati , Ohio . Cincinnati was selected from over 20 competing cities and will be the first North American city to host the event.

Ever heard of the Constella Festival? No, well I'm embarrassed to admit that I had not heard of it either. This is the inaugural season in Cincinnati and it is going on now. The Constella Festival was created to showcase and celebrate the depth and breadth of musical and artistic life in Cincinnati. Constella presents unique collaborations between international artists of the highest caliber, in partnership with eight of citys finest performing arts organizations, to spotlight the rich and vibrant musical fabric of Cincinnati. As well as traditional chamber music, Constella Cincinnati brings to audiences world premieres of several ground-breaking works, interweaving music, visual art and dance into multi-sensory artistic performances, presented in both conventional as well as unusual venues and surroundings.

The Xavier University mens basketball squad is ranked 15th in the preseason ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, which was released today. Xavier was ranked 20th in the final 2010-11 Associated Press Poll.Expectations are high at Xavier entering the 2011-12 season, including numerous top 25 preseason rankings and the preseason favorite role in the Atlantic 10. The Xavier program is coming off a sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and a fifth straight A-10 Regular Season Championship.

Whit Babcock has been named Director of Athletics at the University of Cincinnati by UC President Dr. Gregory H. Williams. Babcock, currently executive associate director at the University of Missouri, will start as soon as arrangements can be made."Whit comes highly recommended as an energetic leader and rising star in collegiate sports," Williams said. "He is a person who will build on the excellence of the Bearcat sports and take UCs athletics program into a dynamic future. I am counting on him to carry forward our successful programs for our student athletes, both on and off the field."

By Andy Furman...Believe me, I dont remember the Indians selling Manhattan Island to the Dutch for $24 and trinkets. Im old, but not that old. But Mike Browns decision to trade quarterback Carson Palmer to the Oakland Raiders this week for a second first-round pick if the Raiders win a playoff game in 2011 was just plain masterful. OK, the Raiders were desperate. Their quarterback, Jason Campbell broke his collarbone in last Sundays ballgame against the Cleveland Browns. So if you want to thank the Browns instead of praising Mike, Ill understand. Oh yeah, the Bengals get a first-round pick in 2012 and a second-pick in 2013. This doesnt come together if Bengals rookie qb Andy Dalton doesnt lead this team to four wins in the clubs first six games. Its all about leverage, and yes Mike Brown not only had it he used it to perfection.

Celebrate Halloween on Final Friday this year. Building upon last year's Pimp that Pumpkin success and recognition, Marsh Inc. will behosting Pimp that Pumpkin at the Pendleton Arts Center this year. Pimp That Pumpkin features artfully designed pumpkins created by Marsh employees, local artists from Pendleton and people from member companies of the 8th Street Design District. Marsh is partnering with ArtsWave whose mission and vision, much like that of the 8th Street Design District, is focused on making Cincinnati a better place to live, work, play and stay.

People Working Cooperatively will hold its 24th Annual Prepare Affair event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov.12, 2011. The Tri-State's largest single-day community event helps prepare homes in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and portions of Indiana for the long winter months ahead.

Hairspray the Musical is coming to the Aronoff Center (Jarson-Kaplan Theater) November 4-12.

The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is pleased to announce that Summerfair Cincinnati has expanded its partnership with CAA to sponsor the entire visual art discipline of The Overture Awards. The scholarships associated with the visual art category of the competition will now be known as The Overture Awards Summerfair Cincinnati Visual Arts Scholarships.

Who: More than 400 women join Bengals Coach Marvin Lewis, assistant coaches and players in a night of football instruction at Paul Brown StadiumWhen: Thursday, October 20, 2011, beginning at 4:30 p.m. with dinner, silent and live auctions, and the Pink Football award recognizing a breast cancer survivor

University of Cincinnati senior running back Isaiah Pead (Columbus, Ohio/Eastmoor Academy) was named the BIG EAST Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announce Monday.Pead rushed for 153 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in a 25-16 win against Louisville, the Bearcats BIG EAST opener. Pead keyed Cincinnatis comeback from a 16-7 halftime deficit by breaking free for a 50-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that gave the Bearcats the lead for good. Pead has rushed for 624 yards and eight touchdowns this season and ranks second in the BIG EAST in rushing at 104.0 yards per game. Pead was also named the BIG EAST Player of the Week by Rivals.com.

This Saturday, October 22, is the fifth annual "Books by the Banks" bookfair being held at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Over 100 writers and illustrators will be on hand for you to meet. Among the authors will be Judy Collins, author of "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes", Matthew Reinhart and his latest book, "DC Super Heros", Dennis Lehane, author of "Moonlight Mile" and many more. Children and their families can also enjoy storybook characters, crafts, and other fun activities in the K12 Kids Corner.

It was a fun night at the Museum Center on Friday night as Impact 100 held their annual fundraiser, "Wine, Women and Shoes". It was a glamorous night complete with a chocolate fountain, an auction with incredible items li