Great Theater - Playhouse in the Park and Ensemble Theater     God of Carnage on the stage at the Playhouse through October 1 You're always hearing about the fights on the playground.  Here, you'll see what happens when two sets of parents meet to try to work out the problems...sounds like the problem just got bigger!   There have been great reviews for this show. It won the 2009 Tony for Best Play.  A great start to Ed Stern's last year as Artistic Director. Next to Nowhere on the Ensemble Theater stage through September 25 I loved this show and I wasn't the only one...it's just hard to see such raw feelings on stage, especially in a musical.  The Goodman family - such a prophetic name - experiences the ups and downs that most families with a bi-polar mother will endure.  As theater, i... 09/16/2011

Great Outdoor Weekend - September 24-25 The Cincinnati Great Outdoor Weekend, an initiative of Green Umbrella presents a diverse sampling of nature activities in Greater Cincinnati the weekend of September 24-35.  There will be environmental education and outdoor recreation activities at over 51 sites around the area. It's all part of a push to get all of us, especially kids, enjoying the outdoors.   Activities that sounded fun to me: Oiley Oiley Ocen FREE!  Backyard Games at Burnet Woods Valley shelter.  Sunday 1-3pm Great ARTdoors - Seeing Nature through the Arts at Gorman Heritage Farm and Evendale Cultural Arts Center, Saturday and Sunday, 10-4pm Be a Nature Detective at Woodland Mound - Saturday and Sunday 12-4pm Nature Scavenger Hunt and Critter Hike - Children's Meeting House Mon... 09/16/2011

Oktoberfest in Zinzinnati - September 16-18 Come at Noon on Friday for the annual running of the wieners(as in dachshunds) or at noon on Sunday for the World's Largest Chicken Dance.  Anywhere in between you can count on a fun time at the largest Oktoberfest in the country and second largest in the world.  Quite an event! You'll find the fun in a five block area along Fifth Street, downtown.  German food, music and ice cold beer will be part of the celebration.  Maybe you will want to be part of the 25,000 people eating potato pancakes or one of the 400 who are trying pig's feet. Sam Adams may be the title sponsor of the event, but expect everyone who is anyone in the beer world to be there.   It is estimated that over 800 barrels of beer will be consumed, that's 1.6 million ounces! You... 09/16/2011

Bluegrass for Babies   - Saturday, September 17                            This event, benefitting Cincinnati Children's Hospital grew out of a love for bluegrass and a determination to improve children's health.  Last year, over 1000 people attended sometime during the day and this year, even more are expected.  Headline sponsors include Krogers, Green Bean Delivery, Merrill Lynch, Suave and others.  As you can see, in only 3 years it has become quite an event. Founders, Matt and Anne Schneider took their personal Bluegrass party and grew it for the entire community.  They believe firmly that young families need help in their journey to raise healthy kids.  The event will highlight both western and holistic health practices. Activities for children include food and nutrition advice, an... 09/16/2011

Free Cincinnati Home & Condo Buyer Class Wednesday, September 28, 2011by Dan Weis, Cincinnati RealtorCincinnati, Ohio Real EstateTo register, go to: http://www.HomeBuyingClass.comAre you planning to purchase your first home in the near future and you don't know where to start?Where can you turn to find all of the information you need to buy a new home or condo? While there are many places to do extensive internet research about buying a home or condo in Cincinnati, you may be left with many unanswered questions.  You may be afraid to make a mistake when purchasing a home, because a mistake can end up costing you thousands of dollars or putting you in a situation you don't know how to get out of.Don't begin your home search without attending our class!  There have been so many changes in... 09/13/2011

Cincinnati Celtic Festival on Fountain Square September 23 - 25 2011 Are you ready for the return of the Cincinnati Celtic Festival?  Not just two days this year, but THREE!  But wouldn't you need at least three to cover the Celtic nations??  Wait, Celtic Nations??  I thought we were only talking about the Irish here?  Nope, the Celts are much more than that!  The 7 Celtic nations aren't just in the United Kingdom, but across the Channel too!  You've got Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man, Wales, Cornwall, Galicia (Spain) and Brittany (France). And with FREE admission to this event on Fountain Square, you're going to have a great time! This celebration of Celtic culture will be packed with dancing, music, food & drink!  And for the really hardy, they're having a Corned Beef & Cabbage Eating... 09/12/2011

What to do...what to do?!?   The Cincinnati Home Staging team from Design To Market hit the road today with a schedule full of consultations.  With stops in Amelia, Indian Hill, and Oakley, we knew we would have a full day of work ahead of us.  After spending several hours in a home in Indian Hill rearranging furniture and coordinating the move of a few items to a storage unit, we headed to Oakley.  As we entered this home we wondered what staging would be required.  This home had great curb appeal but what would we find inside?  Home staging can be a tough profession.  The decisions can be challenging.  One thing though for sure: other than clearing the top of this refrigerator and grabbing a few magnets off the front, all bets were off on where "killer kitty" would choose to pounce! ... 09/01/2011

Cincinnati's Coney Island Hosts THREE Major Events Saturday September 3 2011! It's Labor Day weekend, schools are back in session and summer is winding down fast, but it's still not to late to have a great time! And Coney Island is doing there best to give you a great day this Saturday with THREE significant events in addition to all their usual rides and pool!  Regular rates apply for the rides and Sunlite Pool, parking is $7, and the events below are all FREE to watch! First, an event delayed by weather, a hot air Balloon Blast Off at 6 p.m.!  With 20+ hot air balloons involved in a race around Cincinnati, this should be a sight to see!  And throw in an exhibition by the Cincinnati Circus Company from 3-6 p.m. to add to the fun! Second, if you like classic cars, 12-4 p.m. you've got 2... 09/01/2011

Cincinnati Navy Week 2011 Underway We're pro-Navy here since Bill's a 1985 Annapolis grad and served six years with surface warfare ships!  And Cincinnati has a fairly unique opportunity to get a closer look at the Navy.....sorry, no warships or submarines will be docking on the Ohio River for Navy Week August 28th - September 4th, but they're sending the best they can for our location! Each year the Navy visits about 20 cities to put on a Navy Week demonstration, and this year Cincinnati made the list!  They last did this in 2007, and the Navy Week events are already haze gray and underway!  (inside joke for the Navy Vets!)  You might have already spotted some sailors in the area starting August 28th as they've been making regular appearances in the Cincinnati area! There's already a C... 08/31/2011

Cincinnati Hosts Oktoberfest Zinzinnati September 17-18 2011 Roll out the barrels and tap the kegs, it's almost time for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati USA centered on Cincinnati's Fountain Square!  Now in it's 36th year, this is the 2nd largest Oktoberfest in the WORLD!  You'll have to go to Munich if you want bigger!Featuring Beer, Brats, Beer, Metts, Beer, Creampuffs, Beer, Black Forest Cake, Beer, Potato Pancakes, Beer, Sauerkraut and Beer!Okay, so really there's a LOT more to Oktoberfest than just the BEER! (although there is typically  more than 800 BARRELS of beer consumed at this Oktoberfest!).  There's actually quite a bit of entertainment!  Bands, dancers, weiner dog races, YES, weiner dog races!  Now you know THAT has to be a blast to watch!  With seven stages of live entertainment (... 08/30/2011

Free, Home & Condo Buyer Class This Wednesday, Aug. 31st.To register, go to: http://www.HomeBuyingClass.comAre you planning to purchase your first home in the near future and you don't know where to start? Where can you turn to find all of the information you need to buy a new home or condo? While there are many places to do extensive internet research about buying a home or condo in Cincinnati, you may be left with many unanswered questions.  You may be afraid to make a mistake when purchasing a home, because a mistake can end up costing you thousands of dollars or putting you in a situation you don't know how to get out of.Don't begin your home search without attending our class!  There have been so many changes in the real estate and mortgage guidelines that you need to learn how to ... 08/28/2011

P&G Riverfest September 4th 2011 & WEBN Fireworks Send Out Summer With a BANG!  Maybe Summer isn't OFFICIALLY over Labor Day Weekend, but the WEBN Fireworks show 9 p.m. September 4th marks the unofficial end of the Cincinnati Summer Season! And after 35 years of running this BIG BANG, Rozzi's Firewworks & WEBN know how to throw a rocking party! Now of course there's much more to this Ohio River Fireworks Show than JUST the fireworks!  There will be live music and other entertainment starting at noon on September 4th at the Serpentine Wall and P&G Pavilion stages!  And the expense to get in?  FREE!  Now of course parking, food and non-alcoholic drinks for the day are on you. (Sorry folks, but FAMILY friendly event, and nothing fouls up a family friendly event faster than a few folks baki... 08/14/2011

Paying It Forward:  2011 Rubber Duck Regatta To Benefit Freestore Foodbank If you've lived in the Cincinnati area for a little while, you've heard of the Rubber Duck Regatta every Labor Day Weekend!  It's part of the prelude to our area's biggest annual fireworks bash down on the Ohio River!  This September 4th at 3 p.m. more than 100,000 rubber ducks will be dropped into the Ohio River, each with it's own serial number and a sponsor. Starting at the Purple People Bridge, they'll race down to the Ohio River to the finish line!  Now this isn't being done for the 17th year just for sheer entertainment value, but to benefit one of our area's most worthy charities, the Freestore Foodbank!  The Freestore Foodbank is Cincinnati's primary foodbank, serving 20 counties across Ohio, Kentucky & I... 08/14/2011

Downtown Cincinnati Restaurant Week August 8-14 2011 We're a bit late to get you in on the start of the Downtown Cincinnati Restaurant Week, but it's not too late to sample some of the best dining Cincinnati has to offer at significantly discounted prices!  And all this just a short drive for Warren County residents!  30-40 minutes for most of us will get us there for a great meal! This year 18 restaurants are participating in the Downtown Cincinnati Restaurant Week, and NONE of them are slouches when it comes to food!  A couple are part of national chains (McCormick & Schmick's and Morton's the Steakhouse),  but the rest are independent restaurants who'd love to have you pay them a visit!  And the deal?  A three course dinner for $35 per individual, or for some restaurants that $35 co... 08/10/2011

Ault Park Celebrates its 100th Anniversary                       Come to Ault Park's "Big Birthday Bash" on August 18, 2011.  The event is designed for everyone in conjunction with the Ault Park Advisory Council's third Summer Dance in the Pavilion.  There will be live music, birthday cake, centennial festivities and refreshments for sale. The initial 142-acre tract for the park was gifted to the city in 1911 by Ida Mary and Levi Addison Ault.  Later other family members and donors contributed additional land.  The Italianate Pavilion where many events start was dedicated in 1930.  From the top of the Pavilion, you have a 360-degree view of the area...out over the Little Miami River and its marshes, over Lunken Area and all the way to UC. Ault Park is known for its variety of areas for ... 08/09/2011

Home Loan refinance - Compare your Mortgage rates FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional - CincinnatiHow do I know if it makes sense for me to refinance?First determine your financial mortgage related goals: i.e. are you looking to improve your monthly cash flow, reduce your mortgage term, do you need to take out cash utilizing the equity from your home? Obtaining the right mortgage for your particular needs could make sense even when rates are not at their lowest levels so Compare your Mortgage rates FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional .in the Cincinnati Area.  First identify your goal and contact a mortgage professional for suggestions on mortgage programs that would best help you meet your objectives. Then shop for rates after you have selected the appropriate mortgage program.Home Loan refinance - Com... 08/05/2011

US Open Beach Volleyball in Cincinnati? YES!!!  September 1 - 4 Think pro beach volleyball and what comes to mind?  California sand, girls and guys with tans, 6 pack abs for both sexes and a scarcity of clothing? Kind of like the picture? But what you probably DON'T think about is Cincinnati! But guess what? We won't have the ocean in the background, but  CINCINNATI is where the 2011 US Open Beach Volleyball event will be this Labor Day Weekend September 1st through 4th at Hahana Beach! Hahana BEACH??  Okay, they've hauled in tons and tons of sand to make a premier volleyball and restaurant complex with an Hawaiian theme!  Located at 7605 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati OH 45227 (just west of the Newtown Bridge), they've built the place and gathered the sponsorships to make a SUPERIOR event!  ... 08/04/2011

The 19th Cincy Blues Fest August 5-6 2011 at Sawyer Point! If you're a Blues fan, this is your weekend!  Lebanon has their Red Hot Blues Festival Saturday, and it's FREE! But if you want to drop a few dollars on a two day festival, Cincinnati has the offering for you with the 19th Cincy Blues Fest!  With THREE stages of entertainment set up at Sawyer Point right on the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, you'll get your money's worth. The Main Stage will be the P&G Pavilion.  A second stage will be set up under the Purple People Bridge and feature rockabilly acts Friday.  And a third stage will be set up for local blues performers. Admission is $15 per day, or a two day pass for $25.  Children 13-18 $5/day, 12 and younger are free. Performances start Friday at 4:45 pm and Saturday at 4:3... 08/03/2011

  Take something great and make it Greater!   The home stagers at Design To Market followed our formula for success in working with the owner of this great Cincinnati home.  With a full page of "to-do" items and a willingness to work hard this seller followed the recipe and had his home under contract in under 10 days.  The 3 part strategy focused on the following: The homeowner decluttered and cleaned the home from top to bottom The Design To Market stagers added the decorative touches with artwork and accessories that gave this great home a finished look that would grab prospective buyers. The professional photographer engaged by Design To Market took great listing photos that made this a must see on the listing websites.     Bonus space goes from extra storage to appealing breakfast ... 07/28/2011

Grab Your Paddle!  Cincinnati Paddlefest June 23-25 2011 How'd you like to participate in one of the country's LARGEST canoe and kayak events?  Get out on the Ohio River and head DOWNstream?  Be part of a floating armada of around 2000 canoe and kayak enthusiasts?Well here's your chance!  The 10th annual Paddlefest Weekend starts Thursday at Coney Island in New Richmond!Thursday June 23rd at Coney Island: The Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  (two sessions:  9:30-12:30 & 1:30-4:30).  Outdoor water safety & environmental education programs.  Towboat tour too!  And actually, QUITE a bit more activities for the kids!  FREE. Friday June 24 at Coney Island:  Ohio River Music & Outdoor Festival.  5-9:30 pm live music on the WNKU Band stage.  Cardboard Boat Races 7-8 pm.... 06/21/2011