Bluegrass for Babies + GIVEAWAY

Saturday September 20th from 3-9pm, will be the 6th annual Bluegrass for Babies concert at Sawyer Point benefiting Cincinnati Children’s. There will be performances by some of the region’s top bluegrass bands, family-friendly activities, a variety of vendors, local and organic concessions, giveaways from exhibitors, and more. Co-founder Anne Schneider says about the event:

“We created Bluegrass for Babies to not only raise funds for the hospital, but with the goal to also also educate parents on raising healthy children. What really sets us apart is that we implement our three pillars of preventative health – nutrition, toxin awareness, and waste management – throughout the Bluegrass for Babies concert. We offer real, non-processed food options like apples, guacamole, and sustainably raised local meats, and feature organic and locally sourced concessions and vendors, as well as family safe skincare products. We also strive to be a zero-waste event, offering water refill stations, creative recycling options, and by composting of all concessions, and service ware.”

On top of the music and vendors there are 6 interactive areas as well!

Farmer’s Market: Nutrition and food are key components of setting the foundation for healthy lives. The Farmer’s Market features real, non-processed food options like apples, local sustainably raised burgers, gluten-free grilled cheeses, locally made desserts, and more. And, none of the food or drink options contain any high fructose corn syrup.

Healthy Home:  The Healthy Home Experience features activities provided by local experts on home building design and resources, waste management, baby care products, and more.

Family Wellness:  Visit the Family Wellness Experience to learn about relaxation techniques, skincare, family financial plans, pediatric health tips, and more.

Let’s get Moving!: Children of all ages will enjoy a variety of movement activities on the lawn including soccer, basketball and more.

Art & Music: Children of all ages will enjoy exploring new instruments, creating new masterpieces, and more.

Toddler Play Experience: The Toddler Play Experience allows parents to enjoy some of the area’s best bluegrass music and a refreshing beverage in a worry free environment. We have created a contained location on the lawn with many of your toddler’s favorite play activities.

And the lineup:

3:00pm: Ma Crow & The Lady Slippers

5:00pm: The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars

6:45pm: Hickory Robot.

Special guest Jennifer Ellis will perform her popular children’s songs at 4:15pm.

Tickets for the benefit concert are $15 for adults in advance and $20 day of, with children admitted for free. Presale period ends Friday, September 19, 2013 at 10:00 PM.  Tickets can be purchased at www.healthyrootsfoundation.org. Parking is $8 in the Sawyer Point parking lot. Discounted tickets are available for groups of 10+ adults until Friday, September 19.  Please contact anne@healthyrootsfoundation.org for more detail

Don’t want to pay? You’re in luck! I have a pair of tickets to giveaway for the event! You’ll also get a gift card for Mama Mia’s pizza! Why the pizza? Bluegrass for Babies will be offering Mama Mia’s pizza this year. 100% of your purchase of from the Mama Mimi’s Pizza Booth will be used towards our donation to Cincinnati Children’s.  And if you need another excuse to grab a slice, Mama Mimi’s uses only high quality, fresh ingredients in their pies! So enter below and I’ll pick a winner This Weds at noon!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The Healthy Roots Foundation is a Cincinnati; Ohio based non-profit organization that helps provide families with the knowledge to make the best choices to raise healthy children. The organization achieves its mission by partnering with health care providers, educators, and local experts to provide educational tools that teach families how to create a healthy home, right from the start.  The Healthy Roots Foundation’s mission of supporting pioneering children’s health research and creating innovative family health education programs is reflected at its signature fundraising events: Bluegrass for Babies and Midsummer Harvest.  Since 2009, the organization has raised over $100,000 to support innovative children’s health research and educational programs through their partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.  For more information on the Healthy Roots Foundation or their events, please call 513-549-1838 or visit healthyrootsfoundation.org.

August 22-24 End of Summer Events

Summer draws to a close and Fall seems to creep in. The kids are going back to school, you’re commute is lengthened behind busses and through school zones, the weather gets a little chillier, and you’re just waiting around for the WEBN fireworks Labor Day Weekend to officially end the summer season in Cincinnati. But this weekend holds a bunch of events to hold you out just a little bit longer and enjoy the great outdoors.

Germania Park Oktoberfest

And it starts… The drinking season…errr.. I mean Oktoberfest season. And this is a great one to kick off the season and one of my favorites! The Germania Society opens their gorgeous park for biergartens, rides, games, authentic German food and wares. Admission is $3 for anyone over 12 years of age, and prices are very reasonable for a festival. They also have large steins of beer for purchase! There are rides and playgrounds for the kids and beer, polka music, and games for the adults. I recommend taking use of their shuttle service. They’re open Friday 6pm-Midnight, Saturday 2pm – Midnight and Sunday Noon -10pm.

 

Taste of Blue Ash

 Is held at the new Summit Park this year (the old Blue Ash Airport). They have an extensive list of vendors (below) and offer some amazing entertainment! So browse and eat to your hearts content and then enjoy a FREE concert fr0m some awesome artists! This year’s lineup is:

Friday:
6:30pm Hollywood Nights (Bob Seger Tribute Band
9:00pm Charlie Daniel’s Band

Saturday:
7:00pm TOTO
9:00pm Michael McDonald (of the Doobie Brothers)

Sunday:
5:30pm Pistol Holler
7:30pm Kellie Pickler

 RESTAURANTS
1. Vonderhaar’s
2. El Pueblo
3. Buona Terra
4. Arloi Dee Thai Bistro
5. City BBQ
6. Rusty Bucket
7. Alfio’s Buon Cibo
8. Busken Bakery
9. Buffalo Wild Wings
10. La Petite France
11. Streetpops
12. Rascals NY Deli
13. Culvers of Mason
14. Delicio Coal Fired Grill
15. Graeters
16. Café Mediterranean
17. Slatt’s Pub
18. Puffins Café
19. The Cincinnati Grill
20. Cascades
21. J. Gumbo’s
22. Orange Leaf
23. Bangkok Terrace
24. Qdoba Mexican Grill
25. The Melting Pot

Brew Ha Ha

 If you like comedians and beer, then this is the perfect place for you! More than 100 beers, and 50+ comedians take over Sawyer Point for the weekend. You can enjoy the comedy absolutely FREE! and the beer will cost you a $5 wristband (so basically an admission to drink) then $1 a beer ticket. You can enjoy sampling that way or 5 tickets will get you a full serving if that’s more you’re thing.

Thursday, Aug. 21st from 5pm to 12 Midnight
Headliner: Josh Sneed

Friday, Aug 22nd from 5pm to 12 Midnight
Headliner: The Sklar Brothers

Saturday, Aug 23rd from 4pm to 12 Midnight
Headliner: David Alan Grier

So lots of choices to check out and make an entire weekend of it!

Bad Tom Brewing

In a very non desript building in Linwood, at the end of Bella Luna’s parking lot, is a relatively new brewery. Actually, Bad Tom Smith Brewing has been open for a year, but just recently extended their tap room hours.

Its a small building with a bar and a few picnic tables where you can see and smell the brewing going on behind some glass doors. There lineup right now is 6 solid beers, mainly traditional ones but with a slight twist.

They have:
A 6.6% American IPA (Addlehead IPA)
A 6% American Brown Ale (Bad Tom)
A 6.8% Wheat beer (Brother Clement)
A 10% American Strong Ale (Old Abe)
A 5.8% Stout (Black Kettle)
And a 5.4% Helles (Kloppenburg Helles)

I would easily say their Helles is one of the best, I’d not thee best that I’ve had. And I was pleasantly surprised that I love the brown ale as well! As far as the others, the IPA is a little untraditional and I don’t think as bitter as most. I’m not an IPA fan (there I said it) but it was drinkable to me. Now as far as their stout, that’s the totally unique one! It was a sweet stout with definate hints of cinnamon in it. Like I said before, they definitely put their.own twist on their beers.

So if your down that way, definitely check them out! Slight parking is in the left side of the building, but mainly street parking. I can solidly say this might be my favorite little brewery in Cincy! 🙂

Have you checked them out yet in person or at Beerfest? What are your thoughts?

Cincinnati Auto Expo

The Cincinnati Auto Expo is happening this weekend at the Duke Convention Center downtown. Almost all the major car brands are in attendance.  You can check out and sit in almost all of them, including the new Corvette Stingray and a Jaguar.  There’s no sales pressure here and you can’t actually buy a car at the event. The Bud Light travel bar is also in attendence as well as a few food booths. So go down and enjoy the day! Tickets are $11 at the door, or swing by Kroger to get $3 off!

I ❤ the Charger 🙂

Did you find a favorite there?  🙂

Frame sale at Mohawk building

I’m going to start out with an apology for the crappy cell phone pics. A dusty warehouse with crude lighting doesn’t help, but so be it. The old CASTNER PICTURE FRAME COMPANY is located in the Mohawk Building, 2145 Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine, shut down some years ago, and left over 100,000 frames in their building! This Sunday, feb 16th they’re opening up the building to you to peruse and purchase the old frames. Cash, checks and credit cards all accepted and street parking is available.

You’ll go upstairs and promptly be handed rubber gloves. I suggest using them. There you are free to walk around at your leisure. They have index cards and markers at the front table as well, so if you’d like, you can write your name down and pick a vacant section of wall or corner and make a stack of the frames you’re interested in if you don’t want to carry them around.

They have small 1-4 inch frames starting at $1. And large ornate ones priced at $55. But here’s the thing…. They offer bulk pricing!! So don’t let those prices scare you off. The frame I got I guesstimated to be about $35-$40 by itself based on the sizing chart they have spread throughout. But when purchased with 7 small frames it all came out to be $15!! So seriously, buy more and get a quote, then decide if you want more or fewer frames. They also have some old prints and even mirrors for sale to go with your frames!

The above is my haul that I walked away with for $15 total. If you want to see what I end up with mine you can follow over at my personal blog here.

For more information and the story behind it all CityBeat has a great article here! And follow the frame sale on Facebook!

Drake Planetarium

Did you know we have a planetarium in Cincinnati? And no, I’m not liking about the observatory. Drake Planetarium is located on the 4th floor of Norwood High Schhol.

To get there, you can park on the street and go in the seat of doors in the middle of the school. There’s a slight courtyard and a skywalk connecting the two buildings. I tell you this because it took us about 10 minutes to figure out where to go. You check in at the front desk and you’re on your way up the stairs! (They also have an elevator for those that need it). They do a few laser light shows to bands such as Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Metallica. For the Christmas season they also have Let It Snow. This isn’t a laser show, but a 360 projection, full of great Christmas and Holiday music, to get you in the spirit!

The bonus to going to this show? It’s shorter than the other shows, so she’ll fire up the old school star machine and let you look at the stars, point out constellations, and answer any questions you may have. I’m not going to lie, this was amazing for kids and adults! The theatre only holds about 50 or so seats, and all recline so you don’t end up with a crick in your neck. I also recommend sitting in the middle area for the Let It Snow show as it doesn’t really change sides any and kind of sticks with the middle, but there’s still not a bad seat in the house!

Seriously, go check this place out! It’s a unique spot in Cincinnati! You can find tickets here on their web page. tickets are $10 if made beforehand, $12 at the door. Tiny tots are free. I believe the age is 5, but don’t quote me on that. I’ll try to find out. Also, if you go to an earlier show and want to stick around for the next one, you can just pay up there and stay awhile longer as long as they’re not booked! There’s even a gift shop if the kids decide they want some themed goodies to go along with the night.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, and slightly in the holiday spirit, or not-as this may get you there, I suggest heading over to the North College Hill City Center (1500 W Galbraith Rd) and see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by the CenterStage Players.

By Barbara Robinson
Director – Fred Hunt

In this hilarious Christmas tale, a couple struggling to put on a Church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids – probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem – and the fun – when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on

This is a great show for kids an adults alike. A cast of around 25 children and about a dozen adults, had me laughing and near tears at one point. For a lot of the kids, this is their first show, and you’d never know! They were all great! There’s also some great crowd interaction, that’s not scary or overbearing but just the right amount of fun. Like I said, if you’re in the Christmas spirit or not, this will get you there!

The show runs this Friday & Saturday (12/6-12/7) at 7:30pm and Saturday & Sunday (12/7-12/8) at 2:00pm. North College Hill City Center, 1500 W Galbraith Rd. North College Hill. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12.

All photos courtesy of Mark Culp – CenterStage Players

Mad Tree Fundraiser

On Tuesday, Mad Tree Brewery had a fundraiser to benefit the Philippines typhoon via the Red Cross. From 5-9ish or whenever people decided it was time to go, food was served by Maribelle’s and all proceeds from the beer was donated to the Red Cross.

This isn’t the only fund raising they’re doing. They’ve also got a Toys for Tots donation area set up, albeit a little unconventional, but awesome none the less

Through out the night, the amount on the giant check above the beer board was changed out to cheers and applause. It was a great night of good beer, good friends, and good food for a great cause! A total of $3100 was raised!! Well don’t beer drinkers of Cincinnati! Feel free to stop by, off Kennedy Ave in Pleasant Ridge during the week, or the weekend, and don’t forget to throw a donation for Toys for Tots above the bar while you’re at it!

Dent SchoolHouse – GIVEAWAY!!

This will be a quick flash, one day giveaway. Dent SchoolHouse has given me 2 BOGO ticket offers for their lights out nights this Friday and Saturday (Nov 1st & 2nd). This is one of my favorite haunted things. If you went through Dent earlier this Fall, let me just tell you that it is completely transformed for these 2 nights! Ok so nothing really changes except that there are absolutely NO lights on in the place (except for the stairs, safety first!)

You go in groups of 10 or so, and the first person in the line is given 1 single glowstick. That is the only light you have period. So if you’re in the back of the group, you’re going to be completely in the dark once the head person takes a turn, totally upping the creep factor. But it’s so worth it!!

So, I will have 2 BOGO free codes to order your tickets online tonight or tomorrow. So the tickets normally at $15, will be $7.50 if you split it up between you and a friend! They are open 7:30-12pm tonight and tomorrow! Hope to see you there!

Contest Entries,
please comment below for each one. I will choose a winner from the below comments and a winner from sharing this post on facebook

1. Like SmallTownBigCincy on Facebook

2. Like The Dent SchooHouse on Facebook

3. Comment below to what your favorite haunted house to go to is!

And remember, I’ll be doing a 2nd giveaway from facebook just buy sharing this post! Giveaway will end at 6pm today! (Friday Nov 1st!) Good luck!

Cincinnati Chocolate Festival – GIVEAWAY!!

The Cincinnati Chocolate Festival is this Sunday October 13th, from 12-5pm at Xavier Universities Cintas Center! Enjoy tempting chocolate tastings from delicious local vendors, celebrity chef demonstrations, LIVE vendor competition judging, contests, raffle baskets, children’s activities and more!

Believe it or not, the Chocolate Festival is actually a giant fundraiser! Proceeds support the Isaac M. Wise Temple Sisterhood. They work on projects such as the Interfaith Hospitality Network, Over-the-Rhine Soup Kitchen, Freestore Foodbank, The Assistance League, The Lincoln Heights Health Center, ProKids, YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, Dress For Success, and many more.

NEW this year is the Cheers to Chocolate Lounge featuring wine tasting paired with chocolate-inspired savory lite bites! I believe it is an extra $10 but for 4 glasses of wine with chocolate inspired food paired with it?! I think you’ll find me here all day!  Admission in the event is $10 at the door, $7 in advance at Kroger (beginning Oct 1), children 12 and under free with paid adult. Parking is also free. Bring a canned good donation for the Freestore Foodbank and receive an extra tasting ticket!! (limit 1 per paid admission) There is also a kids zone area free of charge this year, so bring the whole family!

GIVEAWAY!!

The Chocolate Festival was awesome enough to give me 2 tickets to give away to one lucky reader! Unfortunately due to WordPress restrictions, I can’t get the Rafflecopter widget to post. So you can click here to enter the giveaway on Facebook or click below to go straight to the Rafflecopter page. Winner will be drawn Friday October 11th at Noon!! Good luck and go out and enjoy this delicious event! 🙂

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/Mzk2MDQ1Y2ZkNmFkMTVmNDE2MGE3Y2MyODdjMDA5OjA=/