Circuit Breaker

Looking for a quick break, a snack, and a drink while enjoying BLINK?

There’s a bunch of places you can do just that…for free!

Check out our list below for some of the spots where you can rest, refresh, and recharge (your phone!).

BLINK IN THE BALLROOM

Music played on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ while sipping on a cocktail? Wer’re in!

Presented by Friends of Music Hall and Cincinnati Arts Association, BLINK in the Ballroom, runs Oct. 13 to 16, 7 to 10 p.m. Acclaimed theater organist Trent Sims will playing a medley of new and classic songs on the 1927 Mighty Wurlitzer Organ each night in the Music Hall Ballroom. Guests can also see the remarkable Music Hall model made with botanical materials by Applied Imagination from Alexandria, Ky., which will be included in the Krohn Conservatory’s holiday exhibit.

During the day, Music Hall will offer tours (Oct. 14 and 15 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Oct. 16 at noon). Tour tickets are required. 

BLINK in the Ballroom is free and open to the public. Concessions will be available for purchase. Restrooms will be open.

FINDLAY MARKET

A feast for all your senses. There’s a ton to see and do here!

During BLINK, the Findlay Market Zone will be feast for the eyes (and stomach) with dozens of murals, light projection mappings, along with food to enjoy. Explore the vibrant Outdoor Night Market, with food and drink specials from storefronts, bars, and more.

See the Outdoor Market lineup for more.

BLINK AT BRAXTON

Don’t forget the BLINK fun in NKY!

BLINK is back in Covington. Braxton Brewing Company will have two installations, but you can also grab a beer (of course!) and check out the views of the other works from their rooftop.

The Lift One to Light in the Lumen Lounge will be in front of Braxton, with an inflatable, illuminated bar on Seventh Street, complete with experiential music and seating. On the roof, you can experience the Glowing Garden.

On Thursday, The Loft on Braxton's second floor welcomes NKY Pride Center for a BLINK Drag show.

BLINK AT THE CAC

Rest, refresh, and shop!

Stop by the CAC during your BLINK adventures! While the facade will be illuminated and animated by the brilliant minds at Lightborne, the CAC’s Lobby, Lower Level, and 2nd Floor Galleries will be open during.

Enjoy a cash bars, use their restrooms, and see two of their current exhibitions, Images on which to build, 1970s-1990s and Baseera Khan Weight On History.

On Saturday, Oct. 15, from 6–10 p.m., Market Bleu, a quarterly event showcasing artisan handmade products, takes over the CAC Lobby. Enjoy shopping along with treats from Fausto at the CAC amidst the energetic entertainment of BLINK.

HARD ROCK CASINO

Black Jack and burgers served all weekend long!

Whether it’s before the lights go on or after BLINK has gone dark, head to Hard Rock Cincinnati for drinks, dinner, and fun, plus the chance to recharge your phone while you’re doing all that! You’ll need it for all those Instagram-able pics you’re taking.

The Hard Rock Cafe, home of its legendary burger, is open until midnight, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to midnight.

YouYu has Asian-inspired street food, with a late-night menu of savory broths and noodles, sushi, and more. Don’t miss their coconut buns – a yummy, sweet treat, day or night.

The restaurant is open, 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Pm, Friday - Saturday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Looking for a classic, late-night slice? Brick’d Pizza offers real Neapolitan pizza cooked in a brick oven, over fire. This chef-led pizzeria also offers pastas and sandwiches. Find great dishes from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday. 

AGAR

Artists battle it out in Secret Walls

One of the coolest parts of an already cool event is Secret Walls.

This competition between muralists in town for BLINK will be held at AGAR, 1205 Walnut St., on Friday, Oct. 14, from 8 to 11 p.m.

The artists competing are Jason Alghussein, The Cats Eye Art, Chris Caudill, Chroma Projects, DEVI, Dye Brothers, Danny Gamble, LAmour Supreme, Tenzing, Michael Thompson, and Jenny Roesel Ustick.

An Apple a Day

An apple a day just feels right, especially now that it’s Fall.

Irons Fruit Farm
640 Stubbs Mills Road in Lebanon
Open Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m. –6 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. October.

We took a trip to Irons Fruit Farm in Lebanon to gather up a bushel or two and had the best time!

Irons Fruit Farm is a fourth generation farm with a market, plenty of apple picking/buying options, a corn maze, hay rides to find that perfect pumpkin, and more.

Grab an apple cider donut!

There’s donuts and then there’s this. We had to grab a few before we left.

If your schedule allows, stop by on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds. The hayrides won’t be available but you’ll practically have the apple crates to yourself.

All the apple goodness

Apples, apple butter, apple fritters, apple tarts..

Hoop It Up!

Saturday Hoops works to change the lives of youths in Cincinnati.

It started with Saturday basketball, but then came volleyball, yoga, ballet, jumprope, and more.

These gatherings grow bigger and bigger during the summer, but with the weather turning cooler, the organization needed a bigger indoor space to continue its growth.

Enter, Lincoln Recreation Center in the West End.

“We’re so excited! This is year 19 for Saturday Hoops. The program began and it was January - May and that was it. 5 years ago we had a summer program at Ziegler Park. And now, we’re here year round at the Lincoln Rec Center.. We’re really excited to serve hundreds of families here in the West End.” said Saturday Hoops Director, Adam Turer.

Last week, on a cool, fall day, Saturday Hoops welcomed local students and volunteers at Lincoln Rec Center to kick off its Fall Season.

Photos courtesy of Saturday Hoops

Their friends at Bigger Than Sneakers unveiled the fully stocked Saturday Hoops Resource Closet. Kids will be invited to grab a new pair of shoes, a basketball, a toy or anything else they’d like.

Turer says they’ll gauge this by the awards given out at the end of each day.

“We’re really excited that Saturday Hoops is now officially a program of CYC, one of the biggest and best youth mentoring programs in Cincinnati. We’ve hired program coordinator, Jason Brown and we’re really excited to see it expand and grow throughout the city,” he says.

Relish the Idea

PIckleball, anyone?

More and more, the answer is yes.

Monster Smash
Oct. 7–9
Sawyer Point Pickleplex
815 East Pete Rose Way

CPC members get discounted registration. All event registrations include either a boxed lunch or a food truck voucher and a drink ticket that can be used for beer, seltzer, water, or a soft drink

For more information, check out the event page.

The nation’s fastest-growing sport has a chokehold on Cincinnati, from professional tour stops to neighborhood pickup games in cul-de-sacs from Walton to West Chester.

The sport, which combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, rose to recent prominence during the pandemic, but it’s been around since 1965. It draws fans of all ages, from all corners of the country, with players now eclipsing the five million mark nationwide.

Why? Several reasons, according to pickleball experts here and around the country. It has a low barrier of entry – all you need is a paddle, a small court and a net – and, according to Mitch Dunn, co-founder and president of the CIncinnati Pickleball Club, it’s “easy to learn – but difficult to master. The sport attracts people looking for something athletic that is easy to pick up. Once they start playing though, they often find that the "difficult to master" part is what really hooks them. It's that part that makes the sport so addictive.” 

Dunn and fellow co-founder Karen Games launched the Cincinnati Pickleball Club (CPC) in January 2020 – before the pandemic saw pickleball participation rise exponentially.

“We saw a huge opportunity for the tri-state. We made it our mission to turn Cincinnati into the hub of midwest pickleball, “ Dunn said. “We were confident we could pull this off because of Cincinnati's heritage as a tennis town.”

Since then, CPC has grown into one of the largest pickleball organizations in the midwest, with more than 1,500 members. The group has helped draw both professional pickleball tours to the city, with multi-year commitments.

Dunn points out, “Since we launched we have hosted eight major tournaments, run year-round league play that attracts roughly 200 players per session, given over 1,000 lessons, and hosted more Club events than we can count.”

And the allure of pickleball has made it to the city level as well. The city of Cincinnati saw enough potential in the sport to renovate the Sawyer Point Pickleplex, a $600,000 complex that will be the site of the third annual Monster Smash, a pickleball tournament sponsored by CPC, Oct. 7–9.

“Monster Smash is our last tournament of the year, and we think it's the most enjoyable tournament,” said Dunn. “It's a celebration of pickleball, Halloween, and the fall weather that Cincinnatians love.”

It also includes live music, a college division, a beer booth, and food trucks throughout the weekend. And the best part: anyone can enter.

“Even if you're not playing, we encourage people to come down to Sawyer Point and watch some of our gold medal matches. Pickleball is as fun to watch as it is to play.”

In addition to competition, Monster Smash will also feature open play once tournament play concludes.

“Pickleball is a game for all, regardless of your athletic prowess,” Dunn said. “I play with 12-year-olds and 87-year-olds in the same day, and have great experiences with both. So if you're curious, come out and join the Club. Pickleball is hugely beneficial for both your physical and mental wellbeing.”

Well and Good

New season, new outlook!

If Fall has you ready to start new endeavors with new energy, especially for your health and well-being, don’t miss the the Kroger Wellness Festival.

The festival includes panels, demonstrations, and entertainment to help people along their wellness journey. This year’s presenters include Olympian Abby Wambach, New York Times best-selling author Chrissy Teigen, entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel, and Grammy-winner Carrie Underwood.

The festival is designed to help people live healthier lives by taking a holistic approach to healthy living and raise awareness of how Kroger and its products can help improve both your physical and mental heal

Here are a few highlights, but view the full schedule. For a playlist of musical performers click here.

FRIDAY, SEPT 23

11 a.m. – Olympian, Activist, Author

Prepare to be empowered and energized by Abby Wambach, world champion, author, activist, and soccer legend, during this moderated conversation and public Q&A session, powered by Gatorade Fit. Public meet and greet to follow.
Johnson & Johnson Stage

1:15 p.m. Cooking Simply with Chrissy Teigen

Author of New York Times bestseller Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat, Chrissy Teigen will host a 30-minute cooking segment, presented by Simply®.
Laura’s Lean Stage

2 p.m. – Becoming a Food Entrepreneur

Stories and advice from powerhouse food founders and how they found success, featuring Kyle Cooke, TV personality and founder of Loverboy.
BODYARMOR Stage

2 p.m. – Chef’s Shortcuts

Join Chef Brian Malarkey, Top Chef and 10x Award-Winning Restaurateur, as he shares his top tips to hacking it in the kitchen. Featuring Chef Christian Gill and Kroger’s Ashley Martinez.
Laura’s Lean Stage

2:30 p.m. –America’s Foodie Family

Mother-daughter duo Chrissy and Pepper Teigen discuss the importance of embracing cultural traditions while making them your own.
Johnson & Johnson Stage

3:15 p.m. – Down to Business

Entrepreneur, author and reality TV star Bethenny Frankel shares her approach to fearlessly leading with her gut, embracing being a “multi-hyphenate woman” and laying a foundation for greatness through investing in her wellness.
BODYARMOR Stage

6:15 p.m.–Curvy Cardio

Join Morgan Angelique Owens for Curvy Cardio, where every body can move in a healthy and happy way!
American Greetings Stage

SATURDAY SEPT 24

12:30 p.m.–Mental Health and the Media

Exploring tips to develop healthy social media hygiene for better quality of life, featuring TV Star Dylan Barbour and TikToker Megan Mitchell.
American Greetings Stage

2:15 p.m.–30-Minute Mind-Blowing Meals with Home Chef

Explore easy-to-make dishes with Chef Vanessa Miller and iHeart Radio’s JonJon!
Laura’s Lean Stage

2:30 p.m.–Cardio with Carrie Underwood

BODYARMOR presents a special 30-minute full body cardio blast workout led by 8-time GRAMMY® Award-winning superstar and fitness entrepreneur Carrie Underwood and her trainer Eve Overland.
BODYARMOR Stage

3 p.m. – Flipping Out with Dominique Dawes

Join a whole-family gymnastics activity led by 3x Olympic Gymnast Dominique Dawes, owner of the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academies.
Johnson & Johnson Stage

Around the Cluck

“…and we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world!”

This year’s World's Largest Chicken Dance at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is not throwing away its show, as the cast of HAMILTON steps in to lead the dance.

Cast members will take the stage in front of tens of thousands of people in on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. on the Turfway Park Main Stage, at Second and Elm Streets.

HAMILTON National Tour (c) Joan-Marcus

Saturday also marks a new name for the dance. The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber is renaming of the World’s Largest Chicken Dance in honor of longtime Chamber employee and local media legend Rich Walburg. Walburg was the Chicken Dance’s biggest fan and had a hand in booking some of the most popular grand marshals over the years.

After leading the chicken dance at Oktoberfest, the cast heads back to the Aronoff Center, where HAMILTON is playing through Oct. 2, as a part of Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati’s season presented by TriHealth.

Kegs-cellent Adventure

Ready to get the party started?

Cincinnati Mayor, Aftab Pureval, has proclaimed Friday, Sept. 16 a half-day holiday in Cincinnati. 

“Nobody else in the country does Oktoberfest as big and as proudly as we do here in Cincinnati,” said Mayor Pureval. “And we should continue to recognize its importance to our community and local businesses.”

While not an official half-day holiday, with this proclamation, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati® and Mayor Aftab Pureval encourage the Cincinnati region to come downtown early and celebrate on Friday, Sept. 16 starting at 11 a.m. 

“We’re opening up the event this year with some of our fan-favorite festivities,” said Maddie Regan, vice president of events and experiences at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. “We hope the city and region can take advantage of the half-day holiday and make their way down to this amazing Cincinnati tradition.”

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati festivities will begin with the Running of the Wieners, Friday, Sept. 16 at 12 p.m. at the Turfway Park Main Stage at Second and Elm Streets. In this event, 100 dachshunds will don costumes and compete to determine Zinzinnati’s fastest wiener dog.

It will be followed at 2 p.m by the Gemütlichkeit (Goodwill) Games. This annual event features local media personalities competing in stein carrying and barrel rolling competitions. The festivities continue on Saturday, Sept. 16, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati has a lineup of more than 130 different varieties of beer and alcoholic beverages from national and local breweries.

“We’re excited to offer a beer list with a variety of options and flavors,” said Spencer Mapes, lead event manager for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. “Along with our official beer, Samuel Adams, local favorites like Madtree, Rhinegeist, and Urban Artifact will be participating in the event.”

Food also plays a big part in Oktoberfest, and this year, more than 30% of the vendors are new to the event. Patrons will enjoy choosing from more than 150 food options, both traditional along with new twists on favorite dishes.

Of course, Oktoberfest also includes a diverse entertainment line-up, with more than 30 acts ranging from traditional German music to indie rock appearing on multiple stages all weekend long.

Get all the details at https://oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/food/.

Leading the Way

If You Go

23rd Goering Center Family & Private Business Awards
Tuesday, Sept. 13, 4:30 p.m.
Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, 1000 Broadway

Order tickets now.

“Each year, the Goering Center recognizes companies that represent the ideals of the Center and what we know to be the qualities of great organizations,” said Carol Butler, president of the Goering Center. “Our annual awards provide businesses with a unique opportunity to showcase their successes and the impact they are making in our community.”

This year 11 local companies and two business leaders will be honored at this years’s annual Goering Center Family & Private Business Awards on Sept. 13.

This year’s honorees include

• Batesville Products, Inc.

• Baxter Burial Vault Service

• BRG Realty Group

• Crescent

• Heaven Hill Brands

• Kingsgate Logistics

• New Republic Architecture

• New Riff Distilling

• RiskSOURCE Clark-Theders

• trak group

The John Goering Impact Award will honor Sid Barton, PhD, Professor Emeritus and Professor-Education in the John and Gloria Goering Professor of Family and Private Business, Department of Management.

The Greater Cincinnati Family Business Hall of Fame recognizes companies or individuals who have made a long-term community impact through their employment growth, philanthropy, community engagement and enhancement of our community image. This year’s inductee is JANCOA.

The Premier Sponsors of the event are Clark Schaefer Hackett, Fifth Third Bank and USI Insurance Services. Additional support of the event is provided by First Financial Bank, Cincinnati Commercial Contracting, Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP, FORVIS, Valuation Research Corporation, New Riff Distilling and Beer House Distributing/Cavalier Distributing, Wood Herron and Evans, and ALINITI. The creative and media partners are Game Day, Prestige AV & Creative Services, Spot On Productions and the Cincinnati Business Courier.

Best in Class

Legion of Excellence Gala 2022

The 21st Annual Legion of Excellence recognizes the academic achievements of current UC scholar-athletes and the UC Athletics Hall of Fame inductees.

Friday, September 23, 2022
Fifth Third Arena
2700 O’Varsity Way
Cincinnati, OH 45221

6 p.m – Reception
7 p.m. –Dinner and program

Individual Event Ticket = $125
Sponsor a Student-Athlete = $100

Get tickets now!

The Legion of Excellence annually recognizes the academic achievements of current UC scholar-athletes from each sport, new inductees to the James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame and UCATS Order of the Black Blazer along with a winner of the Strubbe Distinguished Service Award and the first Bob Goin Service Award for contributions to Bearcats Athletics.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in educational programs and activities, the 2022 Class for the James P. Kelly UC Athletics Hall of Fame will be the first to feature all women and will include Jacqueline Keire (swimming and diving), Kathy Klump (track and field), Laura Lauder (volleyball) and Laurie Pirtle (longtime women's basketball coach).

“We are thrilled to honor these Bearcats legends,” Director of Athletics John Cunningham said. “From the track to the courts and the pool, these women proved to be the best of the best during their collegiate careers at the University of Cincinnati. They serve as shining examples for our current student-athletes of how hard work can lead to success, and what it means to be a Bearcat for life.”

Cincinnati's 2022 Hall of Fame Class

Jacqueline Keire

Swimming and diving,
2013–17
Keire was a three-time All-American for the Bearcats in 2015, 2016 and 2017. She qualified for the NCAA Championships all four years of her career and was a three-time AAC Most Outstanding Swimmer honoree. She collected 13 conference championships and still holds nearly every UC record in the events she swam. She also won a gold medal for Team Canada at the 2017 World University Games.

Kathy Klump

Track and field, 2008–12
Klump was a three-time All-American and four-time BIG EAST champion middle distance runner for the Bearcats track and field team from 2008 to 2012. She earned First Team All-America accolades in 2012 by placing fourth in the 800-meter run at the NCAA Indoor Championships and sixth in the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Klump was the 2012 BIG EAST Most Outstanding Indoor Track Performer and set five school records, including the indoor 500-meter (1:10.08), indoor 800-meter (2:04.57) and outdoor 800-meter (2:03.35) runs.

Laura Lauder

Volleyball, 2000–03
Lauder was a three-time all-conference setter, who finished her career 10th in NCAA history in assists per game (13.87 in the 30-point scoring format). She finished first in the UC record book in career assists (5,946) and helped the Bearcats to a pair of conference championships and four NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2003, she earned All-Conference USA First Team accolades, honorable mention All-America and Conference USA Setter of the Year honors. A member of the C-USA All-Decade Team, Lauder was also C-USA Co-Freshman of the Year in 2000.

Laurie Pirtle

Women’s basketball
head coach, 1986–2007
Pirtle is the winningest coach in Cincinnati women's basketball history with 310 victories over her 21 years at the helm of the Bearcats. She had seven straight winning seasons from 1996-97 to 2002-03. Pirtle guided the Bearcats to four appearances in the Women's NIT and three appearances in the NCAA Tournament, earning UC's first-ever NCAA Tournament win in 2002. Cincinnati won the Conference USA Tournament and finished with a record of 27-5 in 2002. She was a two-time Conference USA Coach of the Year and retired in 2007.

In addition to the Hall of Fame, the Legion of Excellence annually recognizes the academic achievements of current UC student-athletes from each sport, new inductees to the UCATS Order of the Black Blazer along with a winner of the Strubbe Distinguished Service Award and the Bob Goin Service Award for contributions to Cincinnati Athletics.

The James P. Kelly UC Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1976 to honor and pay tribute to those individuals and teams who have made outstanding contributions in the field of intercollegiate athletics and helped bring recognition, honor, distinction and excellence to the University of Cincinnati and its athletics programs through participation, support, or interest. The Hall of Fame is named in honor of Jim Kelly, Sr., who was associated with UC for over 40 years as an athlete, assistant coach, and administrator.

Choosing the Right Course

The Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G brings the best women golfers in the world to town. This week, get a behind-the-scenes look at the Kenwood Country Club preps and plans, hear interviews with organizers, and see how you can be part of the action.

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We chatted with KCC’s grounds crew about the work it takes to keep their course in tip-top LPGA shape (Insider info: it always looks this good).

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Tee time

Watch some of the best female golfers in the world, enjoy golf clinics and more.

Events

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Winner takes all

Including this gorgeous trophy and oh yeah, a $1.75 million dollar purse.

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Volunteer opportunities

Looking for a way to get in on the LPGA action?

Here's your chance

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Baking and Entering

Bust a Crust

Sunday, Sept. 25
7:30 a.m. – Registration
8:30 a.m. – Race start

Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum
4521 Spring Grove Ave.

Find out more and register at bustacrust.org.

Having trouble getting motivated for a 5K? Would pie sweeten the deal?

Meals on Wheels Southwest OH & Northern KY is getting ready for its second annual Pie-K 5K run/walk. This family-friendly race is ideal for runners and walkers of all ages – the course at Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum is paved so it can accommodate strollers and wagons.

After the race, all participants enjoy pie and, of course, whipped cream! The Pie-K festivities also include other treats, along with an awards ceremony and music by DJ Brandon Scott Perry of Sound for Day.

The Pie K serves as the official kick-off to Bust a Crust!, Meals on Wheels’ largest fundraiser. These events help Meals on Wheel feed more than 10,000 local seniors. Pre-orders for Bust a Crust! will be taken at the Pie-K, long before online ordering begins in October.

This year, packet pickup for the race will be on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fleet Feet store in Glendale, 267 E. Sharon Road. Runners/walkers who pick up their packets on that day will also receive 20 percent off merchandise in the store.

Those who register online can make an additional gift to honor a special senior in their lives with a donation in their name. Senior honorees are recognized in signage along the race route. Participants can also write a senior’s names on their race bibs. The Pie-K offers the chance for people to remember seniors they love in a way that brings together community and promotes health and well-being.

All participants receive a race T-shirt and commemorative medal. Trophies are awarded to the overall top three male and female runners and walkers.

High (School) Fashion

Superman has his cape, Wonder Woman has her bracelets, and Captain America has his shield. Every hero wears something that makes them feel stronger, more capable, and the best version of themselves.

Couldn’t we all use an outfit like that?

As we enter back-to-school season, we asked a few teens what their go-to outfit is to feel confident, comfortable, and cool.

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My favorite thing to wear is this outfit!

I love the tie in the back of the shirt and the shape of the jeans. I like wearing clothes that speak to me so I can show off my style while feeling cute and confident!

–Annabelle, 16, Dixie Heights

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I like to mix basic pieces and more edgy streetwear styles. I do wear a lot of black. It matches everything!

My favorite things to wear are oversized sweaters and sweatshirts in the cooler months. The oversized tops offer a nice contrast with tighter pants. They are also incredibly comfortable and fend off chilly classroom temperatures.

Don’t worry about whether you look cool, although I’m 100% sure you will. Focus more on what clothes make you feel most comfortable and in your element. That energy will shine through!

– Dani, 14, SCPA

I prefer to wear athletic clothing, including skateboarding-inspired brands. I don’t even skateboard, but they are often clothes that fit me well and that I feel good in. Oh, and I lean toward wearing warm colors. They look good with my skin tone!

My favorite things to wear are jogger-style khaki pants. I personally don’t like wearing jeans. The joggers are a little more dressed up and just as versatile. They are also stretchy and fitted at the bottoms, which makes them comfortable to sit, work, run, and relax in.

My advice for kids picking out clothes for the school year is just pick up clothes that you like. Clothes that show who you are. Colors that are you. Be creative and have fun with it!

 – Damien, 16, SCPA

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My favorite piece to wear is a short, pastel rainbow dress. It is from a company called Selkie Collection, based in the UK/Europe and was a birthday gift to myself last year. I wear it in fancy and casual settings.

I like wearing this dress because it was the first super fancy, expensive thing I bought for myself with my own money. Last summer was my first job, and when that project was over, I used the money I saved up working to buy this dress. I am proud to own this dress because I worked very hard at my first job and this dress serves as a reminder of that.

I like to wear this dress because of the poofy skirt and gorgeous color, they make me feel confident and powerful. Being non-binary and dressing as feminine as I like to, I often get mistaken for a girl. This dress helps me remember that no matter what other people say, I am by no means a girl, and get to dress however I want.

My advice to people looking to feel cooler and more confident in their clothes is to research different styles and aesthetics. Pinterest has been pretty good for me personally for ideas, try some different stuff out and experiment, it's a great way to find new pieces, and to trust that you will find something that works for you and that you like.

No one is inherently “cooler” or “better” than you because they dress a certain way.

– Phoenix, 17, Walnut Hills High School

NFT FYI

If blockchain has you bewildered and NFTs turn your language NSFW, a new technology conference can help.

The Art Academy of Cincinnati, Disrupt Art, Cintrifuse, Fifth Third Bank, and organizations across the country are launching MidwestCon. this weekend, Aug. 12 to 14. This immersive experience of art, culture, and technology, will be held at the AAC.

“Innovation doesn’t just live on the West Coast. It doesn’t just live on the east coast. It doesn’t just live in Miami,” said Rob Richardson, the founder of MidwestCon. It’s right here in Cincinnati. We can be the spark for innovation in the Midwest.”

The Metaverse and Web3 technology are reshaping the global economy. Today it’s a $100 billion market; tomorrow it will touch on every aspect of entertainment, finance, and culture.

Experts from the local community and around the country will discuss investing, NFTs, DeFi, cybersecurity, and the future of art, entertainment, and fashion in the metaverse.

Ready to jump into the metaverse IRL – Get tickets now!

Schedule

Friday, August 12
Registration begins at 9 a.m.

9 a.m. – Morning Meditation with Naama O. Pozniak

9:30 a.m. – Morning Intention Setting with Fari Jaan

10:10 a.m. – Welcome and Opening Remarks from Rob Richardson

10:15 a.m. – Coffee Chat with Special Guest and
Rob Richardson • Kimbo Slice Jr • Jesse Foreman

10:40 a.m. – The Evolution of the Internet Presented by NFTCLT

11:12 a.m. – NFTS 101, Community Presented by LovableCurves with Lisa Kuntze "Lovable Curves"

11:33 a.m. – The Age of Teleportation Presented by the KryptoKhemist with Link Green “The KryptoKhemist” 

11:55 a.m. – Disruptor’s Crash Course AMA with
Link Green "The KryptoKhemist" • Lisa Kuntze "Lovable Curves"

12:12 p.m. – Wallet Setup / Claim Your Unstoppable Domain Credits

12:24 p.m. – Disrupt Art NFT Gallery

1 p.m. – Lunch Break

1:05 p.m. – Afternoon Stretch and Reset with Marcel Powers

2:30 p.m. – The Web3 Renaissance – “How Art Catalyzed a Movement” with Rob Richardson • Myrina Renaissance • Jacob Voelzke • Link Green “The KryptoKhemist” • Flower Cheyeld

2:52 p.m. – Transforming Business and Banking in a Blockchain World with Diamond Doll • Edmond M. Allmond • Maxwell Posival • Barbara Bickham • Lee Mosbacker

3:14 p.m. – From the Block to the Blockchain – Empowering Underrepresented Creators and BUIDLers with Tony Bravado • Christoper Green “KNXTTI” • Tommy Trillfigger • Doug McCollough • Felicia Dunson

3:36 p.m. – Cinema on the Blockchain with David Bianchi

4 p.m. – A Guide to Transitioning Your Business from Web2 to Web3 with Rob Richardson • LaTosha Ward • Danielle Petty • Dani Kimble

4:22 p.m. – Utilizing Blockchain Applications to Generate Social Impact with Nick Fontova “Mr. Pink” • Branden Hutton • Jamar Montgomery • Charles Mbata

4:44 p.m. – Harnessing Brand Power on the Decentralized Internet with Rob Richardson • Jon Thompson • Dessie Brown • Tal Navarro

5:06 p.m. – Breaking the Rules – The Changing Landscape of Music with Zanib Salih • Leo Pastel • Alexander Star • Charm Taylor

5:28 p.m. – Building Community in a Trustless Ecosystem – Why Safe Education and Onboarding Matters with Tony Bravado • Jamar Montgomery • Richard Zreik • Diamond Doll

6 p.m. – Fireside Chat – Astrology and Web3 with Fari Jaan • Rahme’el Bey

6 p.m. – Dinner Break

6:20 p.m. – Evening Sound Healing Meditation with Diamond Doll

7 p.m. – Disrupt the Flow with KLOU • Draagan the Artist • Turich Benjy • Caly Bevier • Brady Funke • Tony LeRoy • Leo Pastel • Zanib Salih • Alexander Star • Tommy Trillfigger • Monica Windom

9:30 p.m. – After Party 

Saturday, Aug. 13
Registration begins at 9 a.m.

9 a.m. – Morning Meditation with Naama O. Pozniak

9:30 a.m. – Morning Intention Setting with Fari Jaan

10:14 a.m. – Coffee Chat with Special Guest
Rob Richardson • Mayor Aftab Pureval

10:40 a.m. – Web3 Cincinnati with Rob Richardson • Leo Pastel • Andrew VanSickle • Nick Fontova “Mr. Pink” • Annie Burke

11:12 a.m. – CyberSecurity in the Digital Age with
Tony Bravado • Eku Williams • Jason Martin

11:33 a.m. – Protect Your Content! IP, Trademark, and Licensing of NFTs with Edmond M. Allmond • Alex Washington III • Gaea Kassatly • Rob Richardson

11:55 a.m. – Innovation Girl’s Demo withRichard Zreik

12:18 p.m. – Young Disruptors

12:40 p.m. – Prioritizing Wellness in Web3 with Fari Jaan • Naama O. Pozniak • Lisa Kuntze “Lovable Curves” • Shira Lazar

1 p.m. – Lunch Break

1:05 p.m. – Practices for Self-Care in Web3 with Seven Brown

2:30 p.m. – House of First Panel with Andrew VanSickle • Tony Bravado • Diamond Doll • Nick Fontova “Mr. Pink”

2:52 p.m. – Women Who Disrupt Web3 with Rob Richardson • Shira Lazar • Tal Navarro • Jessica Greenwalt

3:14 p.m. – Indepenent Films Meets NFTs with Richard E. Pelzer II • Marquette Williams • David Bianchi

3:36 p.m. – David Bianchi Spoken Word 

3:58 p.m. – Ready Player One? A Guide to the Token Economy with Tony Bravado • David Lopez-Kurtz • Link Green “The KryptoKhemist” • Matthew Ball

4:20 p.m. – Future Applications of AR and VR with Rob Richardson • Jeni Barton • Maryana Ryumshin • Barbara Bickham

4:42 p.m. – Bots on the Blockchain with Shawn Pickett

5:14 p.m. – NFT Marketing and Mass Adoption – How to Generate a Growing and Active Ecosystem with Nick Fontova “Mr. Pink” • Jon Thompson • Brian Thomas • Mariah Howard • Dessie Brown

5:34 p.m. – NFTs, But Make it Fashion with Annie Burke • Flower Cheyeld • Derius Carruth • Stacey Vest • Jessica Marquez

6 p.m. – Dinner Break

6:05 p.m. – Evening Sound Healing Meditation with Diamond Doll

8 p.m. – Non-Fungible Awards

8:30 p.m. – Mint the Runway Fashion Show

Kick-off Time

Can we get a “WHODEY”?

Pregame at The Banks

Friday, Aug. 12, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., v. Arizona Cardinals

Saturday, Aug. 27, 3–6 p.m. v. Los Angeles Rams

Sunday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. v. Pittsburgh Steelers

Thursday, Sept. 29, 4 – 8:15 p.m. , v.Miami Dolphins

Sunday, Oct. 23 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., v. Atlanta Falcons

Sunday, Nov. 6, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., v. Carolina Panthers

Sunday, Dec. 4, 1 – 4:30 p.m., v. Kansas City Chiefs

Sunday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., v. Cleveland Browns

Monday, Jan. 2, 4:30 – 8:30 p.m., v. Buffalo Bills

Sunday, Jan. 8, TBD, v. Baltimore Ravens

Join fellow Bengals fans this Friday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. before the Bengals game against the Arizona Cardinals at The Banks.

This season, every Bengals home game kicks off with the new Pregame at The Banks tailgate party that includes fun for all ages.

During the preseason, Pregame at The Banks runs from Joe Nuxhall Way to Rosa Parks Street.

Enjoy live music in the Bud Light Party Zone with 4th Day Echo playing on the stage located near Joe Nuxhall Way.

Pregame at The Banks spans three blocks in the DORA district on E. Freedom Way running from Joe Nuxhall Way to Race Street and features music, food, drinks and games.

Test out your football skills at the CareSource Play 60 activity area on the lawn across from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

Visit the Jungle Zone presented by Toyota for interactive games, face painting, inflatables and a DJ near Race Street.

The next Pregame at The Banks will be Saturday, Aug. 27, from 3–6 p.m. before the Super Bowl LVI re-match, as the Bengals game take on the Los Angeles Rams.

Like a Rainbow

The Science of Color featuring PRISMATICA
Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Drive

Through Oct. 16
Open daily, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Adults (18 years & up) $10, Youth (5-17 years old) $7, and children under 4 years old, FREE

Find more info here.

This is cool. 

Prismatica, a world-traveling art exhibit recently opened at Krohn Conservatory.

“There are 25 prisms spread throughout the conservatory but here in the showroom, in the Science of Color exhibit, we have educational components explaining the natural pigments in the flowers in bird feathers, butterfly wings and things like that,” says Mark House, director of Krohn Conservatory.

Photos by Shae Combs

The entire show is surrounded by a floral rainbow with interactive elements to learn more about the science of color.

“We have a garden kaleidoscope. We had seen a picture of it and we have a facility maintenance guy who we showed the picture to and he said ‘Oh, I can make that,’” says House. “Not only did he make one, he made two! They’re stunning – They turned out so well!”

Prismatica allows visitors to move and play with giant pivoting prisms. transforming Krohn into an interactive kaleidoscope. As they wander and manipulate the prisms, visitors will enjoy the infinite interplay of lights and colorful reflections. 

– Lauren Artino

All Time High

Ridge Day and Night

Saturday, Aug. 6, 4 – 11 p.m.
Music, food and vendors
6142 Montgomery Road

The Ridge Day Fun Run is at 11 a.m.

More about Ridge Day 2022

With bars, restaurants, and an award-winning record store, Pleasant Ridge knows how to party.

That’s not surprising, since they’ve hosted Ridge Day for the past 50 years!

Ridge Day is a longstanding community celebration in Pleasant Ridge that includes food, beer, live music and an overall family-friendly festival. The goal of the day is to raise money for the community council, offer neighbors a chance to hang out, and celebrate a pleasant neighborhood.

This year, neighbors and friends will find dozens of vendors – from food trucks to beer and jewelry to T-shirts, along with live music. 

With gaslit streets and business district occupied largely by long-standing, independent businesses, Pleasant Ridge is one of the most diverse, dispersed and durable communities in the region, according to a study by the Cincinnatus Association.

Making Connections

Enter Now

Find entry form and full rules for the Roebling Suspension Bridge Photo Contest, sponsored by the Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee (CCSBC) contest at roeblingbridge.org/Photo-Contest/EntryForm

It’s a beautiful bridge, isn’t it?

From Travel & Leisure to The Simpsons, the Roebling Suspension bridge has been the focus of countless images over the past 155 years.

Now you have your chance to share you view of the bridge.

Roebling Suspension Bridge Photo Contest, sponsored by the Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee (CCSBC), wraps up on July 21. You still have time to enter your best photographs and/or short videos. Public voting for the winning photos will be held Aug. 8–15.

Participants can enter one to three photos or videos with a $25 entry fee. Each participant will receive one print. Either one 8" X 10" print or one 8" X 12" print depending on the dimensions of the image.

Winners will be contacted and announced on CCSBC’s website. The amateur and professional winner of each of the three categories – daytime, nighttime, and video – will receive a one-hour trip with the other winners to the top of the Roebling Suspension Bridge for a photo-shoot. Their winning image will be printed on 16x20 photo paper formatted to the dimension of the image by Madison Photo Works.

Image: Allison Rotella

A Storied Past

Politician, diplomat, and activist Andrew J. Young Jr. is among those participating in the inaugural Un-Told Speaker Series. The program, presented through a collaboration between Fifth Third Bank and Visit Cincy, will focus on stories of diversity and empowerment from nationally acclaimed speakers.

The series coincides with this weekend’s Cincinnati Music Festival, one of the region’s largest cultural celebrations and tourism draws.

“Visit Cincy’s Vibe Cincinnati platform empowers diverse communities through tourism,” said Jason Dunn, group vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at Visit Cincy. “Fifth Third’s partnership will help expand the significance of the music festival experience by adding conscious programming that will inspire generations to come and welcome locals and visitors to Vibe within our region.”

The Un-Told Speaker Series will be held at the Westin Cincinnati in downtown and at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. Admission is free with registration.

• The Uncle Nearest Story and Uncovering your African Ancestry. Panel discussion to feature Victoria Early Butler, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey; Joi Brown, Jefferson County Memorial Project; and Dr. Gina Paige, AfricanAncestry.com. 11 a.m. July 22, Westin Cincinnati, 21 E. Fifth St., Cincinnati.

• Women's Liberation Workshop. 9 a.m. July 23, Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Cincinnati.

• Raekwan the Chef, founder of Wu-Tang. 11 a.m. July 23, Westin Cincinnati.

• Andrew Young, Jr. The former pastor, civil rights leader, U.S. representative, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and Atlanta mayor speaks at 2 p.m. July 23, Northern Kentucky Convention Center, 1 W. Rivercenter Blvd., Covington, Kentucky.

Registration is available at VisitCincy.com.

Eye Opening

“We are so excited to celebrate the cultural vibrancy and history of the region by bringing a world-class art experience to the streets of Covington,” said Justin Brookhart, executive director of BLINK.”

Join the parade! Applications are now open for the parade on October 13. This year’s theme is “Together: a constellation of shared cultures and unique identities; we illuminate joy through creative expression.”

Brookhart, along with the other organizers and supporters of BLINK® Cincinnati, illuminated by ArtsWave, announced initial plans for Northern Kentucky’s participation in the 2022 art, light and culture festival.

“We’ve begun working with some incredible partners in the region to light up their buildings as well as highlighting institutions doing important work in the city,” Brookhart said.

From October 13–6, the Covington area will receive the full BLINK Experience of world-class local and international artists. Along with an installation on the Covington riverfront that will be seen on both sides of the river, plans are underway to connect the event from Roebling Point, through Downtown Covington, stretching installations to the doorsteps of the Covington Arts District.

“In 2019, the extension into Northern Kentucky was a grand experiment to make BLINK a regional event,” said Brendon Cull, president of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. “We are excited to build upon that connection through the support of MeetNKY, the cities of Covington and Independence, and the region as a whole.”

Julie Kirkpatrick, President & CEO of meetNKY, is excited to once again have the region be part of BLINK.

“We are thrilled and honored to be welcoming BLINK back to Covington,” she said “We believe in the power of this event and how it connects us. We look forward to welcoming the millions of visitors to our region for this epic event.” 

Last experienced by over 1.3M people in 2019, BLINK, Illuminated by ArtsWave, welcomes all to Cincinnati, Ohio October 13-16, 2022. The four-day, 30 city block, outdoor art experience is sure to be unforgettable, uniting street art, projection mapping and light-based installations.

Playing the Field

Ask most people and they’ll tell you.. It's not summer without a trip to the ballpark!

Recently, we dropped by Y’alls stadium in Florence for a Y’alls (formerly the Florence Freedom) game.

Let’s start with the prices. Everything is incredibly affordable! Especially for families.

• Tickets are $11 in advance. On game day, they’re $13. 

• Parking…It’s free!

• We were there on “Thirsty Thursday,” so many draft beers were $2! We opted for a Summer Shandy, a large bag of popcorn, an all-beef hot dog...All of that was $14!

Let's talk about the ballpark.

It’s clean, easy to navigate, handicap accessible, and you can keep the kids fidget-free in the Kids Zone! 

The Kids Zone features inflatables, 2 play-scapes and a basketball court.

The Y’alls tell us entry is free but if you want to play on the inflatables, there’s a $5 charge.

“However, if you purchase a Lil’ Y’allers membership, it gives you access to the inflatables for free all season long!”

Trying to catch a foul ball? You're in luck. There are two outfield areas that are open to sit (or stand) in. On this particular game, a group of kids in far right field cleaned up.

Need some Y’alls gear? Drop by the team shop. We grabbed a Y’alls tank top and a hat for $34. (Imagine buying that at the an MLB stadiums!)

Want a picture with the Y’alls mascot? We gotchu! 

The mascot is hard to miss, modeled after the Florence Water Tower. They’ll stop and pose for pics all game long.

Y’alls staff – everyone from behind the scenes, in food service, and on the field – make the game fun and enjoyable. 

You’re truly missing out if you don’t have this on your summer “must-do” list.

 –Lauren Artino