Off to the Races

If You Go

Jeff Ruby Steaks
Saturday, March 25, 12:45 p.m.
Turfway Park
7500 Turfway Road
Florence, KY 41042

Tickets and reservations for Jeff Ruby Steaks Day can be found at www.TurfwayPark.com.

And they’re off! The road to the Kentucky Derby runs through the Jeff Ruby Steaks this Saturday at Turfway Park. Last year’s race produced the winner of the 148th Kentucky Derby, Rich Strike. 

The Jeff Ruby Steaks is a “Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series” event and the top 5 finishers will receive points on a 100-40-30-20-10 scale toward a spot in the starting gate for the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI).

Last year’s Jeff Ruby Steaks helped launch Rich Strike to victory in the Kentucky Derby. This year’s field is expected to feature a talented group of 3-year-olds including Spendthrift Farm’s two-time graded stakes winner Major Dude; Patricia’s Hope and Phillip Sagan’s multiple stakes winner Two Phil’s and Tami Bobo and Lugamo Racing Stable’s $150,000 John Battaglia Memorial winner Congruent. The Jeff Ruby Steaks is one of six stakes events on the 13-race program.

Turfway Park and Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment have extended their partnership and will remain the presenting sponsor of the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (Grade III) for an additional five years.

“Turfway Park recognizes our responsibility to provide best in class Thoroughbred racing that will complement the Jeff Ruby brand,” Turfway Park President Michael Taylor said. “Mr. Ruby has always been an advocate of supporting important causes for our industry, especially the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). We are grateful for his continued partnership in what has become Northern Kentucky’s premiere Spring sporting event.”

In addition to sponsoring the race, Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment will be providing their food for the VIP dining experience on race day.

"This race has a long and storied history in Northern Kentucky. We're thrilled to be a part of it and continue our partnership with Turfway and Churchill Downs," said Jeff Ruby, Chairman and Founder of Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment. “The Jeff Ruby Steaks continues to grow and we're so proud to play a role in this key steppingstone to qualification for the Kentucky Derby."

“We are so happy to extend our partnership with Jeff Ruby and his team for the next five years in support of our Jeff Ruby Steaks,” Turfway Park General Manager Chip Bach added. “To have the ability to continue to associate our premier race with his best in class brand is a dream come true.”

Now Playing

Listen up! You can here the sounds of Spring (and Summer!) at The Banks.

“Banks Radio,” powered by the iHeartRadio app, will be airing The Soundtrack of Cincinnati featuring JonJon from KISS 107.1 FM using a new sound system recently installed along the Freedom Way Plaza from Joe Nuxhall to Walnut.

The Banks and iHeartMedia, parent company of stations including 700WLW, WEBN, and KISS 107 FM, collaborated to create the new station. 

“We are continuously looking for new amenities for our guests at The Banks,” said Tracy Schwegmann of The Banks. “Banks Radio will provide a music track to complement the energy of the area while entertaining our guests when they visit for dinner, a ball game or a concert.”

“Banks Radio is a unique station branded just for The Banks on the iHeartRadio app. It was built incorporating our iHeartCX platform, which is our retail in-store audio solution technology,” said DJ Hodge, Metro President at iHeartMedia, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. “We are thrilled to use our music automation software to air a custom playlist created just for the fans of The Banks.”

What are the odds?

It’s time to take a gamble on The Benjamin.

That’s the theory behind the new men’s lifestyle media brand, brought to you by Game Day, the same company responsible for the fine work here at Cincinnati People.

The Benjamin, available at BetTheBen.com, focuses on those interested in sports betting, Cincinnati content and is one of the area’s only outlets specifically geared toward men, though all are welcome.

Readers of The Benjamin will find daily content from award-winning sports columnist Paul Daugherty, who retired from The Enquirer last year, and Keith Jenkins, who has enjoyed stints at ESPN and The Enquirer as the University of Cincinnati Athletics beat writer.

“The Benjamin will connect Cincinnati sports enthusiasts and bettors with sportsbook promotions, betting tips based on research, lifestyle features and exclusive promotions,” said Jackie Reau, Publisher of The Benjamin. “We know there is a void in the market for Cincinnati-focused sports betting and men’s lifestyle content to drive engagement and promotions for those brands looking to market to men, 25+. The Benjamin will work to fill this void.”

The genesis of The Benjamin came from the success of the first few months of legalized sports betting in Ohio. In January alone, the volume of sports betting in Greater Cincinnati was $526 million, representing nearly half of the $1.1 billion in total for the entire state. Now, there’s a sports and entertainment platform focused on those bettors and others, who would like to learn more.

“We had a hunch sports betting would be popular in Cincinnati when we saw 1.9 million bets made from January 1-2 alone so we are taking a gamble on The Benjamin as a new media resource for Cincinnati,” added Reau, who has been studying the business of sports betting since 2020 when she earned a Master’s Certificate in Sports Gambling Education at Ohio University.

The Benjamin will offer freemium subscriptions to all content including:

• The Morning Line by Paul Daugherty, a daily look at sports stories from around Cincinnati

• The 100, video features about top sporting and entertainment events in Cincinnati, from bourbon tastings, concerts and new restaurants, hosted by Keith Jenkins

• The Key, a weekly sports betting tip sheet by Keith Jenkins, sourced from research from top betting experts, all focused on Cincinnati area teams

• A map and listing of all sports book license holders and their locations

To subscribe for free, visit www.BetTheBen.com and follow on social media: Twitter @betthebenjamin, Instagram @betthebenjamin and Facebook @betthebenjamin.

Paid sponsorship opportunities are available for brands looking to connect with men 25+ in the Greater Cincinnati area.

Key Figures

In Concert

Emanuel Ax
Friday, March 24, 7:30 p.m.
Corbett Theater at the School for Creative & Performing Arts,

BCB recipients Trinity Thrasher and Morgan Olivia Reynolds will also perform.

Tickets and information at bcbscholarship.org.

“This is an inspiring opportunity to give back to the musical community,” said Emanuel Ax, one of the world’s finest classical pianists.

A Grammy-winning musician who regularly performs with major orchestras around the world, Ax will be performing in Cincinnati to benefit the Ben Carlson-Berne Scholarship Fund.

“The Ben Carlson-Berne (BCB) Scholarship Fund makes a real impact on the lives of many young students,” said Ax. “Their scholarships nurture the next generation of classical musicians and expose the artistry of classical music to new audiences.”

For the last 19 years, underserved and economically disadvantaged students at Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) have been receiving free classical music lessons through the fund.

“The single most important factor in improving a student’s music ability throughout junior high and high school is the opportunity to take a weekly private lesson with a qualified teacher,” says Dr. Isidore Rudnick, Fine Arts Manager for Cincinnati Public Schools, said. “The ability to study with, and be mentored by, a professional music teacher over the course of years can have a dramatic impact on a student’s life and future.”

The fund was created by Susan and Phil Carlson-Berne to honor their son, Ben. At 16, after realizing some youth had limited exposure to classical music, and couldn’t afford lessons, Ben made it his mission to share his love of classical music with underserved youth. He began finding instrument and providing music lessons to underserved youth.

As Ben’s began to expand his efforts, his life was cut short in a tragic hiking accident when he was 19. A short time later, his parents continued his mission, founding the BCB Scholarship Fund.

“We were inspired by our son’s capacity for giving back, and we knew we had to continue what he had started,” Phil Berne said. “Starting at 5 years old, piano lessons were a venue for Ben to express his profound love for classical music. He didn’t want anyone to be excluded from the opportunity of having classical music in their lives.”

The BCB Scholarship Fund focuses on building a strong mentorship between students and tutors. Students who receives a scholarship can extend it from middle school through high school. The scholarships considers a student’s talent, but also need and interest

Morgan Olivia Reynolds, a student at SCPA, has been a BCB piano student for two years.

“Receiving a BCB scholarship has been a wonderful entry to the path of my extraordinary journey of perfecting my craft in piano,” Reynolds says. “I am elated for the phenomenal opportunities that BCB has bestowed upon me, allowing me to express my passion freely.”

Another student, Trinity Thrasher, a junior at SCPA has been a BCB student for the past three years. She recently been accepted into the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra. Lessons for both students are funded until their high school graduations.

Behind the Wheel

Saturday, April 8 at Cintas Center, Xavier University

Saturday, April 22 at Sports Plus in Evendale

Saturday, May 13 at Sports Plus in Evendale

Saturday, June 10 at Sports Plus in Evendale

Tickets are on sale now!

The Cincinnati Rollergirls take the Cintas Center for their first match of the season.

“We're excited to let our fans throughout the Cincinnati area know about our 2023 season,” said Cincinnati Rollergirls owner Lauren Bishop. “We’ve been practicing hard since January. The energy is great, and the teamwork is impressive. The recruits from our recent open tryouts are already proving to be valuable additions.”

CRG's A team, the Black Sheep, take on Louisville Roller Derby on Saturday, April 8 in a single-header event. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the game at 6 p.m. The game will also be Pride Night, in partnership with Cincinnati Pride.

CRG is working toward double-headers for its remaining games at Sports Plus. Opponents and more details will be announced soon. 

Founded in late 2005 with its inaugural season in 2006, the Cincinnati Rollergirls is Cincinnati's first amateur flat track roller derby team. The all-volunteer team is owned and operated by its skaters and is an internationally ranked member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, the sport’s governing body. 

All Clover Again

Find your pot of gold at The Banks this Saturday, March 11!

St. Patrick’s Parade Schedule
12 p.m – 55th annual St. Patrick's Day parade
2 p.m. – Irish dancers
3 p.m. – Live music by the Tyler Moore Band
6 p.m. – DJ entertainment by DaveyC

Don’t miss the 55th annual St. Patrick's Day parade, starting at noon, with grand marshal Ken Anderson. The Bengals legend will be joined by Irish dancers, floats, families, and marching bands.

This beloved tradition is followed by a new event sponsored by a number of bars at The Banks, LepreCon.

LepreCon is a bit like SantaCon, only sub in green for all the red. Fishbowl at The Banks, Holy Grail, Jefferson Social, and The Stretch, have teamed up to host this new spin on a block party. The stage will be set up in front of BurgerFi on Freedom Way, with beverage sales available throughout the DORA District. 

Goat For It

It’s spring!

Almost.

Kind of.

Just go with it, ok?

Bockfest, Cincinnati’s annual celebration of Spring, Over-the-Rhine's brewing heritage, and bock beer, begins tomorrow, with the parade and the opening of Bockfest Hall. The revelry continues through Sunday. With so much to do, and so many goats, how to you make the most of the weekend? Check out our top 5 tips for enjoying Bockfest.

1. Go to the Parade

Cincinnati loves parades – the weirder the better. The Bockfest parade with monks, goats, wooden goats, and more monks doesn’t disappoint.

The parade starts at Arnold’s at 6 p.m. The area around Eighth and Sycamore is the perfect vantage point to catch all the action, before, during, and after the parade.

2. Drink a bock beer

Bock beer is a strong, German (duh) beer, brewed by monks to during Lent to offer nourishment during their fasting. (wink wink)

Legend has it that the citizens of Munich pronounced the beer as "ein Bock" ("a billy goat") which is where all the goat associations – goatsociations? – started.

3. Pet a goat

If you get to the parade early, you can pet goats lining up to march. Baby goats, old goats, rams – any kind of adorable goat you can imagine is there!

Goats are also part of the fun around Bockfest Hall. But please, don’t try to steal a baby goat. They frown on that sort of thing.

4. Go on a brewery tour

Bockfest isn’t just about beer, it’s also about history.

The Cincinnati Brewing Heritage Trail is offering tours of the 19th century Sohn Brewhouse during Bockfest weekend. This is the only time guests will be allowed inside before a major restoration and construction project begins. Adult tickets include a beer at Bockfest Hall!

5. Get a pretzel necklace

With all of the drinking and walking, you need to keep your strength up! But it can be hard to eat on the go AND keep track of your food after a few beers.

Enter the pretzel necklace.

The friendly folks at Servatii’s have a stylish way for you to enjoy a German snack during Bockfest – A pretzel you can wear. It’s good and good for you!

Longtime Bockfest enthusiast (and event coordinator) Aaron Sharpe has some critical advice as well. (That’s him on the left!)

Do NOT miss the parade. While there is plenty happening all weekend long at Bockfest, the parade is the highlight.

Wear a costume. Doesn’t matter what it is, but everything about Bockfest is more fun in full costume.

Don’t sleep on Sunday. Weather will be beautiful, Hot Magnolias will be playing, and one of the most entertaining Bockfest activities, the .05K takes place on Sunday.

Take a brewery tour. It’ll truly be one of the most interesting experiences you can have in Cincinnati.

Drink lots of water and pay attention to the ABV’s of the bock beers you’re drinking. They’ll add up quick!

Admission to the parade and Bockfest Hall, HQ for bock beer, music, and entertainment, is free all weekend long.

​Bockfest Hall, at Findlay Playground, 1811 Vine Street, and the adjacent outside spaces around the Brewery District will host a number of popular traditions including

• Bockfest Parade, Friday, March 3, 6 p.m.
  Steps off from Arnold’s Bar & Grill, 210 East Eighth Street

• Bockfest Hall Opening Hours, Friday, March 3, 6 p.m.,
  1811 Vine Street
  Opens on Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at noon

• Bockfest 5K, Saturday, March 4, 10 a.m.,
  Starts from Bockfest Hall, 1811 Vine Street.

• Bockfest Brewing Heritage Trail Tours and Historical Programming
  Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5

• Bockfest Beer Games
  Saturday March 4 and Sunday, March 5

Sales for all ticketed events and packages are available now at www.Bockfest.com.

Back to the Garden

If you still need help with your home improvement projects, you’re in luck! The Cincinnati Home + Garden Show is back for another weekend.

You can see stunning patios and gardens, along with kitchen, bath, and more, plus talk to experts about how to bring it home to you from Thursday, March 2 through Sunday, March 5 at the Duke Energy Convention Center.

Thursday is Hero Day, with free admission for active military, veterans, current or retired police, fire, highway patrol, healthcare workers, and teachers. Stop by the show office and show an ID or proof of your service to get in free on that day.

Friday and Saturday, HGTV’s Joe Mazza takes the stage to answer questions and offer his expert advice. A home inspector with a 20-year construction background and a sixth sense for safety, Mazza runs Exclusive Home Inspection in Westchester, New York. On HGTV, he works with his design partner to help house hunters achieve their dream home designs while also repairing high priority safety issues.

Get more details and discounted tickets at www.cincinnatihomeandgardenshow.com.

Spring to Mind

Duke Energy Convention Center
Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
Sunday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Thursday, March 2, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
Friday, March 3, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
Saturday, March 4, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
Sunday, March 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tickets: $15, box office (adult admission); $13, at www.cincinnatihomeandgardenshow.com
Discount courtesy Ray St. Clair Roofing
FREE for children 12 years old and under

With the spring-like weather, it’s easy to start dreaming about starting your garden or working on a new home improvement project. But before you get to far, make sure to ask an expert!

The 54th annual Cincinnati Home + Garden Show, presented by Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers has more than 350 experts in landscaping and home improvement trends all in one place. Running over two weekends, this annual showcase is a one-stop spot for idea, advice, and vendors.

This year’s special guest is Joe Mazza, the host of HGTV’s “Home Inspector Joe.” Mazza will be at the Home + Garden Show on Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4. 

Mazza is an expert home inspector with a 20-year construction background and a sixth sense for safety. He runs Exclusive Home Inspection in Westchester, New York, and his job is to ensure his clients won’t move into an unsafe home. On HGTV, he works with his design partner to help house hunters achieve their dream home designs while also repairing high priority safety issues.

Other highlights of the Home + Garden show this year are:

FEATURE GARDENS

Explore a bridge to spring as you stroll through the Garden Showcase and see the outdoor inspirations created by Cincinnati’s top landscapers. Find new ideas, solutions, tips and design inspiration from the pros for all your outdoor needs. Local master gardens presenting awards in categories.

PICKLEBALL COURT

It’s the hottest trend in backyard fun! Cincy Sportscapes features VersaCourt, the premier athletic court system to reduce joint impact and athlete injury. Sportscapes is an authorized dealer of VersaCourt. 

ASK A DESIGNER

Get expert advice plus 2023 tips and trends for home décor questions at the “Ask a Designer” exhibit presented by Sacksteder’s Interiors. Bring photos and project samples along with your questions!

HERO DAY

To honor those who serve or have served, the Cincinnati Home + Garden Show will offer free admission on March 2 (includes active military, veterans, current or retired police, fire, highway patrol, healthcare, and teachers). Stop by the show office and an ID or proof of your service and you will get in for FREE on this day.

Mad about the beer

Get ready for a beer bonanza this weekend! Madtree Brewing is celebrating 10 years of brewing with a huge party, and everyone’s invited.

Madtree Taproom
3301 Madison Road,Oakley

Saturday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.

Details at www.madtreebrewing.com/bonanza

“I would say there’s been some significant growth over the past 10 years,” says Madtree’s co-founder, Kenny McNutt. “When we first started, the goal was distribution. Within the first three months, some laws had changed and we realized there was a big opportunity to really connect to the consumer through our taproom…that grew and blossomed.”

Madtree continued to grow. In 2017, they opened the taproom in Oakley, with the Alcove in OTR opening in 2022, winning a “diner’s choice award” through Open Table within it’s first few months.

Madtree doubled it’s employee base (again), released its first non-beer vodka soda, Sway (it’s delicious) and won three medals for two of its lagers and Happy Amber.

“Year 9 was a really good year,” says McNutt.

Hop on In

Are you hopping these spring-like weather lasts? You can always enjoy warm temps at Krohn Conservatory, and right now you can enjoy one of the cutest signs of Spring!

Bunnies & Blooms is underway and you can get up close and cozy with some of the cutest, fluffiest little bunnies.

If You Go

Bunnies & Blooms
Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Drive

Through March 12

Tickets: $10 for adults, $7 for youth; Free for kids under 5

“Surrounding the bunnies are gardens featuring a lot of vegetables, which we thought was ironic,” says Mark House, assistant manager Krohn Conservatory. “The bunnies do eyeball them but they can’t eat them. They’re relegated to the hay and vegetables in their pen.”

Raised by a local family, the bunnies are used to a lot of attention. This event is a first for Krohn and House says there’s a very specific demographic who enjoys it.

“Usually the under-5 crowd who has a favorite children’s book featuring a bunny,” he says. “Their eyes just light up when they see these rabbits because they’re every bit as cute as they are in the books.”

At “Bunnies & Blooms,” keep an eye out for a few of your favorite children’s books/themes sprinkled around the showroom.

Pick Your Battles

If you think a potluck should be more competitive, Food Fight 513 might be just what you’re looking for.

If You Go

Food Fight 513
Monday. Feb. 20, 6–11 p.m.
TQL Stadium, Medpace Tunnel Club

Free parking for all who attend. Kids 10 and under get in free.

Tickets are $10 cash at the door. Proceeds from the door will go to The LEE Initiative.

This event – part potluck, part cooking contest –brings together some of the best chefs in region. But the fun isn’t limited to the pros!

You want to be judge? Put your name in the pot. You want to fight? Put your name in the same pot. The trick – It’s the same pot.

So don’t bring a dish if you aren’t ready to play.

But everyone attending the event is encouraged to bring a dish, whether it’s a family fave casserole or a box of coneys you picked up on the way over – just be sure to have a sign explaining what it is.

Cocktailoligist Molly Wellmann will be stirring things up at a casheless bar with DJ Mowgli shaking the tunes. Adopt-a-Pit and other non-profits will have raffle baskets and Cincy Sharp will be sharpening knives on site.

Date Nights

Much like Cupid’s very own arrow, Valentine’s Day strikes fear in the hearts of many people. The panic over finding just the right gift, the dread of forgetting to make a dinner reservation, or the absolute terror of empty buckets in the Kroger floral department can all be too much.

But fear not, we have a few tips that will make Feb. 14 (or even the weekend before!) a little more fun and a whole lot easier.

First things first

Courtesy Hilton Netherland Plaza

Maybe you’ve Bumbled or Matched your way to finding someone online, and it’s time to meet IRL.

The pressure! You could probably use a drink.

The Bar at the Palm Court (Hilton Netherland Plaza, Fifth and Vine Streets) is just the place you need to meet a new love interest. The art deco setting is classic and romantic, plus offers plenty of fodder for conversation. Order a Martini or an Old Fashioned, nestle into a banquette, and settle into the rich history of the bar.

Once you’ve steeled your courage, head out to the next phase of your date. Just around the corner from the Palm Court is the Van Gogh Expo, (18 West Fourth St.) This immersive visual art experience allows you to walk through the paintings. It’s better than going to a movie – you can actually talk during it, getting to know each other better while you stroll through the light and music of Van Gogh’s work.

While that is certainly a lovely initial meeting, if you still want to spend a little more time together, take a trip to Graeter’s on Fountain Square. You can learn a lot about someone’s through their choice of ice cream flavor!

A Little Romance

Have you been dating for a while and need some new fun? Or maybe you’re newlyweds who feel all dated out? When life has become a bit more Netflix and Zzzz than party on, it’s time to act like a kid again!

Pick up those cool college vibes with a trip to Art Academy of Cincinnati’s (1212 Jackson St.) current exhibition, Minumental 33. The 2" x 2" works works of art in the Pearlman and McClure Galleries will spark big conversation. As a plus, the art is for sale, if you still need a gift!

Courtesy Pins Mechanical

It may not be the video arcade of your youth –  though there is pinball – but duckpin bowling is much more interactive. At Pins Mechanical (1124 Main St.) the bowling using smaller balls and smaller pins which makes it much more difficult. While not obviously romantic, the healthy competition, and a little trash talk, will certainly heat things up, in a good way.

Courtesy Pendleton Parlor

Keep the spirit of fun going by grabbing a slice at Goodfellas (1211 Main St.) Along with specialty pies and sandwiches, you’ll also find salads, since you’re not a kid anymore!

After the game and pizza, cap off the evening with a trip to Pendleton Parlor (1218 Broadway St.) While the initial appeal may be ice cream, sundaes, and shakes, the real draw is every kid’s fantasy, edible cookie dough.

Family Fun

If Valentine’s Day has become more of a family affair, share the love with kid-centric fun.

Celebrate a little early, as the Contemporary Arts Center (44 E. Sixth Street) holds their winter family festival, Ice Ice Baby, in the Creativity Center on Saturday, Feb. 11. This free drop-in program offers loads of art and science-themed projects plus a meet-and-greet with a penguin. The day also includes an indoor snowball fight.

The recently opened Creativity Center has exhibitions and art making every day, so it’s a fun way to reconnect through art on any day.

Across the street, Bru Burger (41 E. Sixth St.) has an expansive list of burgers available for all ages, but also offers a special kids menu along with root beer floats! Grown-ups can also choose from chef-driven salads and sandwiches, plus local craft beers and cocktails.

The ice rink at Fountain Square is still open, which includes both skating and bumper cars. To make the day even more dazzling, the Winter Wonder Light Show happens every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday throughout the evening.

From a chat over a cocktail to a turn on the ice, you’l find plenty of ways to make memories this Valentine’s Day, and isn’t that what love is all about.

Sow Much to Learn

Flying Pig Community Scholars

Applicants must demonstrate a passion for running and community service. Applicants who are interested in applying to the Flying Pig Community Scholars Program must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled as a high school senior

• Participate on a high school Cross Country or Track & Field team

• Have a cumulative 2.7 GPA or higher

• Be recommended by a teacher, coach or community leader

• Submit a personal essay 

For additional information about the Flying Pig Community Scholars Program and how to apply, please visit https://flyingpigmarathon.com/flying-pig-high-school-scholarship/ 

To learn more about other charity efforts at Pig Works, visit our Charity Program Overview https://flyingpigmarathon.com/get-involved-2/2015-charity-program-overview/ 

Running is good for your body and mind, with Pig Works, the non-profit parent organization behind the Flying Pig Marathon, offering a new scholarship opportunity for students in the area.

Flying Pig Community Scholars will award 10 scholarships of $5,000 annually to community-minded student runners, helping them pursue their running goals and their post-secondary education. 

“The Flying Pig has always been about the spirit of Greater Cincinnati and ultimately about creating a vibrant future for our community. Investing in these amazing young track and cross-country athletes in our community is a great way to give back while helping them become the leaders of the future, ” said Bob Coughlin, founder, Paycor and The Flying Pig Marathon.

The program is an expansion of Pig Work’s existing youth initiatives, including a scholarship program that has awarded more than $100,000 and The Flying Pig Youth Program which provides opportunities for kids of all ages and abilities to learn healthy nutrition and exercise habits while training for the Cincinnati Children’s 26th Mile and the Flying Pig 5k. The program is generously funded through the Coughlin Family Foundation, sponsorship from Skyline Chili and donations to Flying Pig charities. 

This will be one of the largest scholarship programs for high-school runners in the country, extending Pig Works commitment to care for the Greater Cincinnati community through fostering support for community-minded student athletes who are seniors in high school with financial assistance to pursue their academic and athletic dreams.

Beer Me

Think beer is just for the summer? Think again!

The Cincy Winter Beerfest brings more 150 local and craft brews, as well as new craft wineries and distilleries to the Duke Energy Convention Center on Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4.

Ready to go? Get tickets!

Dive Right In

If even thinking about the scene in the freezing water at the end of Titanic is too much for you, jumping into the Greater Cincinnati Polar Plunge the Polar Plunge may not be for you.

But you can still support Special Olympics during this annual event and still stay warm and dry!

This year’s Polar Plunge returns to The Banks on Saturday, Jan. 28, with the opening ceremonies starting at 10:15 a.m. Then those who have raised at least $75 will jump into the cold water, many in costume.

Along with the Plunges, the day includes a costume contest as well as fun throughout the day for participants and spectators alike. There will also be vendor booths set up near the Plunge and many restaurants at The Banks will be opening early on Plunge day.

Prizes are awarded for best costume – the best individual and team costumes will receive the coveted Golden Plunger award – and for the top individual fundraiser and for the top fundraising teams in corporate/civic, school and law enforcement divisions.

Held in front of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, the event is a fundraiser for both Special Olympics Ohio and Special Olympics Kentucky to support the Special Olympics mission of providing sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The Plunge has raised nearly $1.9 million for the two programs. 

Special Olympics is the world’s largest program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Participation is open to all individuals eight years of age or older. Training and competition in local, area, state, and national programs is offered year-round in 25 sports.

For more information about Special Olympics Programs, visit www.sooh.org or www.soky.org.

From Soup to Nuts

Bringing delicious and nutritious meals to people is the mission of both La Soupe and Meals on Wheels Southwest Ohio & Northern Kentucky. It’s fitting, then, that these two organizations have teamed up for a new project.

Working with La Soupe, a nonprofit that bridges the gap between food waste and food insecurity, Meals on Wheels will deliver fresh, chef-driven medically tailored meals to their clients, using sustainable, rescued ingredients.

This marks the first collaboration between a local Meals on Wheels America organization and a food rescue nonprofit.

La Soupe chefs have been creating “Medically Tailored Meals” for over a year as part of their Food as Medicine Program, which provides healthy food as nutrition intervention for those with chronic illnesses in the community. La Soupe's recipes will provide an increased variety of flavors for those receiving Meals on Wheel’s diabetic and heart healthy therapeutic meals.

Through this new partnership with La Soupe and its recent merger with 55North, Meals on Wheel is continuing to innovate in its fight against food insecurity, malnourishment, and senior isolation in the community.

Drink in the History

If You Go

Brewing Heritage Trail Guided Tours
1939 Race St.

Tours offered include the winter Cincinnati Brewing & Distilling Tasting Tour, Built on Beer, and Over & Under the Rhine

For more information visit brewingheritagetrail.org/tours.

If you like your pint of beer with a side of Cincinnati history, look no further than Brewing Heritage Trails in Over-the-Rhine.

We took you along on a haunted brewery tour last Fall, and recently we stopped by for another tour, with beer and spirit tastings!

Brewing Heritage Trails has a number of guided tours, but the new winter tour is an indoor tour focused on Cincinnati Brewing & Distilling Tasting.

During the tour, we learned about modern and historic brewing and distilling. We sampled a flight of beers from Rhinegeist and a flight of spirits from Northern Row Brewery & Distillery.

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The first stop on the tour is the Rhinegeist Brewery

We toured the pre-Prohibition brewing structure, got a behind the scenes tour & finished our time there with a flight of their winter beverages.

Safety glasses are needed for this portion of the tour – We walked past the “employee only” signs (with our tour guides, of course) and learned about historic and modern day brewing techniques!

We stood in awe of the massive pallets of IPA Truth, then finished our tour with a few cold ones.

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Next, we walked through the lagering cellar of the historic Jackson Brewery.

We explored underground passages where beer was fermented and cold stored dating back to the 1850s!

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After touring the tunnels below Jackson Brewery, we made our way back to West McMicken, to our final stop, Northern Row Brewery & Distillery.

Here, we were treated to a behind the scenes tour and finished our day with a Northern Row spirits tasting.

There’s nothing quite like this in Cincinnati. It’s so fun to walk through the old lagering tunnels and learn more about the history of brewing in the Queen City.

– Lauren Artino

Connecting Community

Admission to the Freedom Center’s exhibits and permanent collection are FREE on Monday, Jan. 16 for their MLK Fifth Third Community Day.

Art Activity with local artist Brent Billingsley

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. I Grand Hall

Brent Billingslev. is an artist and empowering voice behind young, disenfranchised youth. Stop by for an art activity about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Unpacking Love & Justice with Brittany Packnett Cunningham

2–3 p.m. I Harriet Tubman Theater

Moderated by Angenita Brown with Union Institute & University, this open discussion explores the intersection of culture and justice with Brittanv. Packnett Cunningham. Brittany is an award-winning activist, educator and writer. Cited by President Barack Obama as a leader whose “voice is going to be making a difference for years to come,” Brittany is an award-winning educator, organizer, writer and leader. Brittany has become a remarkable voice in the work of social change, empowerment and freedom.

Education Resources

All day I 3rd floor

Stop by and learn about the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center's educational resources, field trip opportunities and youth initiatives.

The King Legacy Celebration at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center begins at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast and an opportunity for fellowship before the program begins. Tickets available.

Artist Destiny L will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” to start the program and Revolution Dance Theatre will perform prior to the keynote. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s Nouveau program will perform in reflection to Dr. King’s philosophy and students from the Freedom Center’s Youth Docent Program will speak about Dr. King’s six principles.

The event also includes a keynote discussion between Brittany Packnett Cunningham and Lacey Roberts from WLWT.

Brittany Packnett Cunningham is an award-winning educator, organizer, writer and leader who is leading at the intersection of culture and justice.

Doctor's Orders

The outpouring of love and generosity for Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin was inspiring. From Bengals fans gathering for a vigil outside UC Medical Center to the millions of dollars donated to his Chasing Ms foundation, people were trying to find ways to show support.

Last Sunday, as the Bengals faced the Ravens, the bars and restaurants at The Banks joined the cause.

Fans made direct donations to Hamlin’s foundation by scanning a QR code shown on the Reds Hall of Fame video board on Joe Nuxhall at Freedom Way.

But inside the establishments, money was being raised for the UC Medical Center Trauma Center. From the proceeds of drinks sold before and after the Bengals game, $18,853 was donated to the UC Health Foundation, designated for the Trauma Center.