Cincinnati Now

Bearcat Basketball. Back on the Map.

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:14:00 +0000

This is a huge sign for UC! The Bearcats haven't had a McDonald's All-American top 10 talent since the likes of Kenny Satterfield and DeMarr Johnson.

Huge, huge, huge. This makes them instant top 25 talent.

I've always been a Bearcat fan, even though I went to Miami, and am excited to see him and Gates on the court together next year, not to mention Deonta Vaughn and others!

Here is the article on ESPN.com.

Check out the video link higlighting his rise to basketball prominence.

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Sun, 24 May 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Cincinnati NAMjA... here we go again.

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:32:00 +0000

test...

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:41:00 +0000

? Pv8_&?r?0 ?L??oy t}??s ????fzY?~??. (????e ? ??? :?,/?@ gz\ ??u??? ?A?4??.??i6;? ??dP t???t ? f???3? r??.? 6??r? ???f??? ?? 8;? ?@

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:41:00 +0000

? ?7?< ??t4( ??t??- ?j q}???@

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:45:00 +0000

CincinnatiNow is Now Mobile. Boom. look out blog world. You don't even know...

The Aquarium

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:18:00 +0000

Today's spring break destination is the Newport Aquarium. Looking forward to this little family outing as spring break begins to wind down. I took a quick look at the daily activities and I noticed this on the schedule: "Watch Piranha being fed in the Dangerous and Deadly Gallery. Mon., Wed., Fri. 11:00 a.m." Not sure if I'll make it down there in time, but that sounds like an entertaining moment in time.

One of my neighbors in my dorm my freshman year at Miami had a piranha. Named him Mickey. We had weekly feeding parties in his dorm room. I'll do my best to recreate that experience today. Well, maybe not, the aquarium is a family friendly place after all.

If you've never been down to the aquarium, it's definitely worth an afternoon visit. Especially if you're into wildlife and nature. I suppose there are two ways to enjoy the aquarium. One is by yourself, taking your time, reading about these wild creatures, watching the penguins go back and forth, waiting for the sharks to be fed, learning about crazy dangerous jellies. The other way is 'family-style' and is more about watching your kids watch the creatures, penguins, sharks, and jellies. Also a fun experience. We purchased a family pass this year and have definitely visited the aquarium more than enough to make it worth the purchase. Definitely recommended for families with kids needing a place to go on a rainy day... like today. Just a side note, we packed lunch for today. Tuna fish sandwiches. Thought that was rather appropriate. Or innappropriate.

Learn more about the Newport Aquarium - A Million Gallons of Fun here.

Maybe some 'action photos' later.

Reds' Opening Day

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:27:00 +0000

Ventured into the wild world of downtown this morning and spent the day with my dad. We headed up to 5th and walked briskly, bundled, and with opened umbrellas to see some of the parade. It was my 1st opening day parade in Cincinnati. I bet they're reall fun when it's not 35, raining, and windy.

From there we headed down to Great American to watch the Reds and my beloved Mets and their 50 trillion dollar payroll. I'm not complaining as a Mets fan, because it makes winning a lot easier. Just saying...

The weather got no better, although there were some breaks in the cold drizzle, evidenced by that bright overcast sky where it doesn't clear, but it does thin out enough to remind you the sun is there, somewhere. But I'm sort of a fair weather fan. No, not sort of, I am. I am the definition of it. And I'm definitely spoiled when it comes to tickets (and very appreciative!), and was fortunate to be invited to watch this opening day, my 1st opening day, from the comforts of a luxury suite above the field, shielded from the delightful weather. Definitely a nice way to enjoy a game especially when weather is bad.

Unfortunately for Reds fans, the 1 run produced wasn't quite enough to get it done today, but Aaron Harrang looked good in his outing. Fortunately for me, I'm still riding my allegience to the NY Mets that I acquired living in NY my early years. The Mets' offseason billions in spending paid off in the opener with the bullpen, Putz and KRod, shutting things down.

To all you Reds fans, I will join you in rooting for the home team once the Mets head out of town.

The Ohio River Road Runners Club

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:11:00 +0000

I travelled up 71 a little today and ended up in Xenia. Ever been up there? Small town in the middle of cornfields in the highway triangle between Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus. I was up there for a marathon, and no, I definitely did not run in it. My longest race was only a 10k, about 20 miles short of a marathon. I was actually there to run a booth to do some advertising at the race.

The person I worked with was Terry Murray, who is listed as the club's treasurer, but seemed to be the race coordinator today. He ran a very efficient racing event today. The Xenia YMCA was the site for the start and finish for the 42nd Annual ORRRC Marathon and 20th Annual ORRRC Half Marathon. It was a smaller race with approximately 600 runners pre-registered. The volunteers were friendly and the weather was perfect (although I heard the marathoners had a bit of a struggle with the wind once they got into the countryside and very little windbreak).

The ORRC is a Dayton area runners club. Check out their website for race listings, a calendar of events, and to learn a little more about them. I was happy to be associated with the ORRRC today.

Cincinnati Now and Its New Focus

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:41:00 +0000

The Old and the New

It's been just short of a year since Cincinnati Now posted last. Last summer, Griffey and his 600th homer. Seems like forever ago. In that time, I had sort of taken a sabbatical from my blogging. We'll see what happens after this post, but my hopes and intentions are to continue writing about the area and topics of interest to the area and me.

Because I'm such a suburbanite, I think I will shift some of my writing to what is occuring out here in the northeast suburbs. That's where I am and that's what's around me. It just makes sense really. But I'm OK with this. I used to want to fit in the Cincinnati blogging scene as one of the 'insiders' who goes to art shows in OTR and spends time in coffee shops in Clifton. But as a writer, I realize that my best writing will emerge as I write about issues and topics that I can truly relate to, not just issues I have a passing interest in, or one I'm somewhat uniformed about.

To be honest though, I do like to stir the pot a little, so I think that will continue. And I think I'll start that now. I'm going downtown Monday. It's been a few weeks since my last trip, which was to visit and volunteer with OTRCH, an non-profit serving the needs of some of the low-income families in OTR. This time though, I'm heading to opening day! Since I'm a teacher, I've never been able to head down to opening day, but this year, because of our schedule, it's spring break!

Well, I've had a relaunching of Cincinnati Now once before... let's see how long this one lasts.

Griffey, Jr - 600

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:41:00 +0000

Cubicle Worker Freaks Out...

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:13:00 +0000

I knew cube world could do damage to your health...

http://view.break.com/513310 - Watch more free videos

Chad Johnson, again.

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:18:00 +0000

Chad Johnson says he's going to report.

Duh. He's got some public relation work to do. But then again, maybe not. He clearly pissed off nearly all of his fan base in Cincinnati, so if he actually cared about the fans, he may be forced to do some kissing up to the Cincinnati faithful.

My theory is that he does not care about the fan base here, and it's pretty obvious in how he has acted the last year or so. The Bengals called his financial bluff, and now he has no choice but to report to camp.

Fines from $8,000 to $14,000 daily don't help when you can't even pay taxes on your house at the present time.

All about the money. Period.

But hey, why not?

Actually, I don't have anything against guys playing for money, but it really turns me off when they pretend that it's their teammates' and community's support they care about once the contract is signed.

Here's the article by Mark Curnutte of the Enquirer.

By the way, I have a feeling that Mark Curnutte sees a lot more "stuff" that us regular, non-reporters ever see when it comes to those affiliated with the Cincinnati Bengals. I have a feeling that Mark Curnutte is a lot nicer to certain individuals than what they may deserve. Just a hunch...

Chad owes $13K in taxes

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:22:00 +0000

I think I know why somebody wants a new contract..

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080529/SPT02/305290002/-1/CINCI

Toe Sprayer... Huh?

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:17:00 +0000

In a case that has befuddled police officials, a Columbus man has been charged with crawling under a table at a library on University of Cincinnati’s campus, spraying a substance from a syringe on a woman’s shoes and then photographing them.
Wow. Not sure what to say about this. Read the Enquirer article here.

They are coming... Cicada Swarm is imminent.

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Fri, 23 May 2008 20:25:00 +0000

Pictures taken in my backyard. Awesome. The 'experts' have predicated as many as 100 cicadas per square yard to as much as 200 per square yard. Oh what fun!

I lived on the west side for the invasion in 2004, since then, we've moved east. Now I get another shot at cicada combat.

www.cicadamania.com if you want some interesting information about this absurd phenomenon.

StatCounter.com

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:56:00 +0000

StatCounter.com

I like this feature of blogging. I think it's mainly an ego trip, but nonetheless, is interesting to me. I like posting on consecutive days and watching the numbers of visitors to my blog go up for a couple of days. I only wish I could know who actually reads this blog.

It's still a funny phenomenon to me, that there are random people out there that I've never met and for some reason are reading my random thoughts about random topics. Feel free to give me a shout out sometime if you want. I would love to see who you mystery people are.

So here you go random people, another post about things I think are interesting.

Word of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:14:00 +0000

From Paul Daugherty's blog, in reference to professional athletes and good behavior...

"Why do we give pro athletes credit for not getting in trouble with the cops? Is the bar that low now? Does your boss ever say to you, "Great job, you havent been arrested lately?''..."

Read the entire blog entry here.

Forget the Street Cars!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 03:05:00 +0000

Forget the street cars! I think Cincinnati should get a Grid. Sounds so much more efficient.

...the grid could also provide the kind of power needed to transmit holographic images; allow instant online gaming with hundreds of thousands of players; and offer high-definition video telephony for the price of a local call.

Read the entire article here.

It also turns out the having a Grid may provide solid, scientific evidence that God exists. See? Way better than public transportation.

Think about it, if we have a Grid we will save big time on gas, reduce emissions, and finally rid our city of malaria.

Come on, scrap the street car and vote for the Grid!!!

Positive Press for Cincinnati Sports...

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:12:00 +0000

Reds pitcher rookie pitcher, Johnny Cueto threw 10 strikeouts and 0 walks in his first game as a MLBer.

Even Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker was pretty excited, as seen here in an excerpt from the article.

"I'm giddy inside," Baker said. "I'm excited to hear the guys on the bench talk. They haven't seen this in a long time. As a matter of fact, they haven't ever seen it."

A nice positive and happy story - about the Reds - to wash down some of the negative Bengals coverage.

See here.

Chris Henry's recent activity...

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:10:00 +0000

Judge Bernie Bouchard ordered him jailed on $51,000 bond. "You've kind of become a one-man crime wave," Bouchard said.

Who-dey?!?

More Great PR for the Cincinnati Bengals...

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:10:00 +0000

Or "Another Solid Character Wide Receiver!"

At least the Bengals seem to be taking a stand of some sort...

Chad Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:33:00 +0000

Wow. An interesting interview with Chad Johnson.

If you've followed his situation with the Bengals at all this past year, you'll probably be turned off to Chad after watching this...

Earth Hour

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:07:00 +0000

Turn your lights off tonight.

See article here.

Oh, I expect some photos of 'Cincinnati lights out' from Kevin LeMaster on Building Cincinnati!

This Holiday Life

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:53:00 +0000

Come and see This Holiday Life. These guys are some good friends of mine from college. Go Miami Redhawk-skins!!

They put on a pretty good show and have toured with Switchfoot some out west, so if I were to put them into a music category, it would be the one Switchfoot is in. Whatever that may be.

THL is rarely in Cincinnati since they're based in San Diego now, but they're making a run through the heartland this week and next.

Now, they are playing at Dirty Jack's, which to be honest, sounds a little bit intimidating to this EastSider, but that's OK, I'll brave the unknown to see these guys.

Check out their music and come see them. http://www.thisholidaylife.com/

They will be playing Sunday night at 9:00 p.m.

Click here for venue information: Dirty Jack's