A Love Letter to Running

I started to reminisce yesterday as I did my daily run.

Good morning, it's Sara Celi.

I was on the treadmill, trying to work in a quick two mile run when I started thinking about how far my feet have carried me.

Four years ago, I couldn't even run one mile. It was a real struggle. I lived in the deep South then, and had a job at KSLA in Shreveport. I remember seeing runners all around the town making their daily journeys, and looking at them with a tinge of envy. How could they do it?

Part of me doubted I ever could. I'd never been an athlete.

Then I met Sean (my husband now) and he encouraged me to try. We started running--just a little a first, and tried to work up to one mile, then three, then five. Sometimes it felt like I couldn't breathe, but we pressed on. We did a 5K, then a 10K, and I found myself wanting more.

Four years later, I've run hundreds of miles. I've already run 15 this week, and I'm in the middle of training for my second half-marathon.

Even my mother believes I'm an athlete now (*said with a smile).

So here's to my feet. They've carried me on this journey, they've endured the hours of punishing runs and dripping sweat. I owe them a lot.

Kindness of Strangers

As I posted in an earlier blog, I'm training for the Columbus Marathon.

Hey everyone. Rob here. Back from a few days off.

I don't want to jinx myself, but training is going better than expected. I'm surprised. Why? Because it has been so hot this summer. Figures show that last month was the hottest on record.

This month hasn't been much better.

This past Sunday I started my 11 to 12 mile run early at about 8:20.

The plan to beat the heat didn't work. It was already 82 degrees at the start of the run.

I started at my gym in Bellevue, ran across the Purple People Bridge, down Eastern Avenue to Delta and back. The run was hot, humid and hard. As I crossed back over the bridge, I read 90 degrees on the spinning Western Southern sign above Fort Washington Way. I only had about a mile left but I was struggling. That's until I saw something welcome but unexpected at the end of the bridge.

I saw Tommy and Lashawanda. They are members of the New Beginning Community Church in Newport. They were handing out ice cold water. About 1,000 of them. A lot of people were asking, "Why are you doing this?" They replied, "We thought it would be nice." And it was. I finished the rest of the run with smile on my face.

Flying Through The Air With The Greatest of Ease

There's just something unnatural about jumping out of a tree when you're several stories up. I did it anyway.

Sheila here. You don't have to go far to have an amazing adventure. Just an hour from downtown Cincinnati, you can fly through the trees at Dagaz Acres. Patrick and Lori Noonan opened their scenic zipline course about a year an a half ago in Rising Sun, Indiana. They wanted to give families a way to spend time together and get out into nature. This is one fantastic way of doing that.

You may remember, Rob, Frank, Meghan, Dan Carroll, and I tried it out not long after it opened, and I finally got back out there with my daughter Katie, and our friends Sara and Lisa.

I felt a little more confident when I started running for the first zipline, since I'd been there before. The first time I was terrified! You can't help but get a little scared when you catch your first glimpse at what looks like a pretty thin wire stretching over valleys which get bigger and bigger.

My 16-year-old daughter Katie and her friend Sara screamed on their first zipline, but I'd say they were a lot more daring than their moms. I think it's because there's something in my brain which is screaming, do not jump out of this tree! It was screaming especially loud on that very last zip, which is in the background in our group photo.

Patrick and his son Joe run Dagaz Acres, and they've done a great job of clearing out older trees on their many acres to make way for new growth. They get some help from local Boy Scout troops, and in exchange, the boys get a place to earn their badges and commune with nature. They spend a lot of days and nights there.

Every summer I try to find a few special ways to

spend time with Katie, and our day at Dagaz

Acres was perfect. We laughed together (sweated together too!), and the girls had fun trying to knock us moms off of the Burma bridge. Lisa and I were tough! We stayed right on there, no matter how much they jumped on the wire. One thing that really stuck with me, outside of the time spent with Katie, was how fresh and clean everything looks and smells when you get out in the woods. We don't do it often enough.

I was surprised when Patrick Noonan told me he gets a lot more visitors from Indianapolis than from Cincinnati, especially since we are a lot closer. Dagaz Acres may be in Indiana, but it's an

easy drive from the city, and I hope more people will take advantage of it.

Patrick has a discount coupon on his website along with more information. http://www.dagazacres.com/

And if you have a little time to kill, you can watch the Fox 19 Morning News Team taking on Dagaz Acres here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDRErJW3xNE

Rubber Ducky You're the One!

It's time to pick your duck:) Hi it's Meghan.

Cincinnati's Rubber Duck Regatta is the largest and longest-running rubber duck race in the nation. Over 85,000 rubber duckies will be dropped from the Purple People Bridge into the Ohio River and swim quarter mile along the Serpentine Wall. This event happens on Sunday, September 5th at 3 p.m.

In a few days you can also get involved by buying a Celebrity Duck. Chose from over 60 ducks signed by local and nationally recognized stars. Sports legends Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Chad Ochocinco and Kentucky Basketball coach John Calipari all have a duck. There's even Bieber Fever this year, music phenom Justin Bieber has one! The picture above is of the Carrie Underwood and Rey Maualuga duck (love all that hair)! The event is this Thursday, July 29th from 5:30 to 8:30 at Newport on the Levee's Jefferson Hall.

The Rubber Duck Regatta is the Freestore Foodbank’s largest fundraiser. Last year, $550,000 was raised – that is equivalent to 2.2 MILLION meals. Click here for details.

I'm Frank Marzullo And Now The News...

It's a Monday morning, it is 3:30am and I am at work. No big surprise, ( or maybe it is ) but it is not what I am used to. Usually I am looking at surfaces maps, checking out the Storm Tracker Doppler, and doing live radio weather hits. However, this morning it is Frank Marzullo anchorman!!

That is right I am getting a shot at anchoring the news along with Sheila Gray from 5:30 to 9am. Now the plan is for me to continue in for Rob through Wednesday, that is if I do not get a sweating attack and start talking jibberish. Now, being in front of the camera is nothing new for me, but this is somewhat different. I mean at 3:15am a town car picked me up at my house, I had the newspaper on the back seat, I had coffee, and a english muffin waiting for me. ( Oh wait that part is not true it's not 1985 anymore )


So, When I do the weather it is all of the top of my head and it is not scripted, so when you flub up or stumble you can naturally correct yourself. However, a lot more goes into anchoring, especially making sure you scripts are factually correct and that you properly pronounce your words. Plus, when you anchor you work more closely with a team of producers who have been working all night on the show, so the last 2 hours I have been looking over scripts and adding some Frank touches to what I say. It was kinda of funny to see my name in the anchor intro this morning, producer Carl and I had a chuckle. While I am doing something different and have to adapt, I still want to be Frank and be myself, I do not want to become or play the role of ANCHOR ACTOR.


So I am trying to be witty and creative with this mornings blog post, but to be frank with you, I am a little nervous for the first time in a long time. I know after the first hour I will be fine, but still it's exciting and nerve racking all at the same time. So tune in and let's see how this goes my friends...by the way Pat Barry is talking about a much more comfortable day.

Literally Made for Me

I went out on a fashion limb this month, and did something I’ve never done before. I had a cocktail dress made for me.

Good morning, Sara Celi here.

I’ve seen a couple fashion shows that feature ALK designed dresses this year. Every time I see the gowns, I love them more. Amy Kirchen launched ALK Chic Couture Fashion LLC back in January to quite a lot of buzz here in Cincinnati. She showed at the first annual Cincinnati Fashion Week, and is in the process of getting some of her designs in bridal shops around the area. Amy specializes in cocktail and evening gowns, so it’s a good fit. She's also shown at Charlotte's Fashion Week.

I last saw her designs at Cincy Chic’s Red, Pink and Blue Party in late June, and I decided that night that I would get a dress made for me. I felt this would be a great way to celebrate an anniversary that has come up this month. It’s been exactly two years since I decided to lose the weight for real. I’ve lost and kept off more than 35 pounds for that long. What better way to celebrate that milestone then with a little designer fashion? Plus, I have a few upcoming parties to go to…..

Amy invited me to her house in Milford earlier this month, and she had placed all design samples on a rack. I tried on a few styles, picked out a favorite, and she took my measurements. We also talked about a few modifications like colors and length. It was so much fun, and it took about 30 minutes.

Then, all I had to do was sit back and wait!

Amy called me this week with news that the dress was done. I could hardly wait to catch up with her and get it! I met up with her Thursday afternoon see my design.

And I wasn’t disappointed.

When she pulled it out of the garment bag, I loved it instantly. The dress turned out better then my biggest hopes. Not only was it beautifully sewn, it’s fully lined with interior boning and double-stitched details.

Then I tried it on.

Oh wow, can you tell the difference between a dress designed for you and something off the rack. Every section of this dress was perfect. It’s not too long, or too tight in some places, or too loose.
It’s perfect!

So let’s just say, Amy’s got a new fan of her fashion.

Here’s to Cincinnati fashion designers!

*And if you are wondering about cost, don’t worry. Her custom made designs are more than affordable.

We Have Computers Now

Hi it’s Meghan:) No it's not 1987 and this not breaking news. But I wanted to let you know about something you might have noticed while watching the show. If you look at the wide shot of the two anchors sitting at the desk you can now see little computers with the FOX19 logo.

Those are brand new Netbook computers. The anchors use them to read scripts, respond to emails and to watch for breaking news alerts. We had computers on set before, but they were slightly below the desk on a small table so they wouldn’t be seen. They were awkward to use and not helpful since they weren’t in front of the anchors. The Netbooks are a great addition they are smaller and easier to see and use. Plus it now gives Rob something to do during commerical breaks:)

The computer is just another tool we use to make sure the information we deliver is accurate and up to the minute. Thanks for watching!

I Love My Reds!

I have been a Cincinnati Reds fan for as long as I can remember, and every time I go to a game, the love intensifies.

Sheila here. It's Sunday afternoon. The sun is high in the sky, and the Reds are on the field at Great American Ballpark. Ric and I are right behind home plate, and I'm thinking life can't get any better.

There's something thrilling about sharing your team loyalty with thousands of other people. I remember the first time I ever went to a Reds game. I was in seventh grade, and I got tickets for making the honor roll at Bridgeview Middle School in Sidney, Ohio. My parents bought tickets for the rest of the family, and we drove down to Riverfront Stadium. It was so exciting to see Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan and the other stars of the Big Red Machine in person! Something else which stands out in my memory is the friendliness of the hometown crowd.

That friendliness is still there, from the fans to the staff at Great American Ballpark. Maybe it's because everyone is so happy. How can you not be when you're at a Reds game?

Now instead of heroes like Johnny Bench, we are cheering for Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, and the guys, but the emotion is the same.

This weekend, our Reds had a chance to tie up the game, and I actually got chills when the video on the big screen showed their dramatic last inning comebacks. The ballpark felt electric as the fans started making noise to encourage our team, and everyone went crazy when our guys got on base. Sad to say it wasn't our day, and the Reds lost, but it still was a great day at the ballpark.

Thanks to the bossman for the great seats!

Carew Tower: Older And Now Smaller

It's still spectacular. Hey guys. It's Rob and my day to blog.

( Pictures posted by Frank, because Rob still does not get it! )


A week ago, Great American Tower at Queen City Square was topped off with much fanfare. It was pretty exciting. Our Meghan Mongillo covered the story live for you all morning. It was indeed a big deal, but I didn't want Carew Tower to feel like second banana. Like Mary Wilson to Diana Ross or Ed McMahon to Johnny Carson.






Walking into Carew Tower is like walking back in time. Plans for the building were announced in 1929. Crews started the foundation in 1930 and it was completed in 1931. The building is often described as one of the finest examples of French Art Deco style.

The Hall of Mirrors hosted John and Jackie Kennedy in the early 1960's. The Pavilion Caprice which looks like a ballroom of an ocean liner was where Doris Day made her professional debut at the age of 16. My favorite room is the Palm Court. They don't build grand rooms like this anymore. It used to be the hotel's lobby and lounge in the 1930s.

Today its a great place to catch Sunday brunch or a late night drink. You can hear a live music most nights. The food is great. I recommend the pork belly sliders.
It was Winston Churchill who said, "Cincinnati, I thought was the most beautiful of the inland cities of the union. From the tower of its unsurpassed hotel the city spreads far and wide...."

Great Weekend For Golf

PGA Golf hit the Tri-State this past weekend, and it was a hole in one for everyone involved. Good Morning Frank Here...The Nationwide Tour took the fairways at TPC Riverbend just north of Cincinnati, for the inaugural Chiquita Classic. I hope this becomes a regular event here in Cincinnati because it was top notch experience for players and those who lined the greens to watch world class golf right here in the Tri-State. The course was well groomed and looked fantastic. Even with temperatures on Saturday, in the upper 80's and the muggy weather, organizers had plenty of shade available and hospitality tents were nothing but top notch. Oh if you wanted some potassium there was no shortage of bananas along the entire course and in the club house.
Over 156 male golfers went after a 550 thousand dollar purse, and the winner, Tommy Gainey shot a 3-under 69 to become the Nationwide Tour's first two-time winner this season, holding on for a three-stroke victory. He was not the only winner however, many local charities benefit from this event. In fact, I took a put or two for charity, all weekend long you could buy puts with money going to charity, I will not discuss my dismal performance though. The event was televised on the Golf Channel, yet another venue that showed off our community in a classy light. Like our crew on the FOX19 Morning News, those behind the camera work very hard. I could not imagine carrying camera equipment in that type of weather to bring the fairways to the television set. While we were on the 18th hole watching, we came awfully close to getting a golf ball in the eye, talk about golf in 3D. A ball dropped right in front of the Skybox about 5 feet from hitting the metal railing. You can see in the picture to the right how close he came to us. What you do not see on tv are the many volunteers and tech crews who are very close to the golfers, making sure the crowds are quiet and that each stroke and shot can be heard on television. If you have never watched golf in person you are really missing out it is amazing to see the talents of those on the tour. No fear, the Chiquita Classic will return for at least three years.

Can't Touch This....

Good morning, Sara Celi here.

We've all heard the talk about the big celebration of the 1990 World Champion Reds at Great American Ballpark tonight, and I wanted to take a moment to share a few reasons why I'll be there.

As I've blogged previously, I love the Reds and I'm happy this season is going to so well for the home team. That alone would get me into the stands. But there's something else---

I'm also happy about tonight's scheduled entertainment.

MC Hammer.

Now to understand why, you have to know a little bit more about me. Back in 1990, I was 8. I remember very well how it felt to live in Cincinnati at that time (at least for me). 1990 was a good year, and it was the tail end of a great time in my childhood. The Bengals were a good team (this was close to the time when they went to the Super Bowl), the Reds won the World Series, my dad's cancer seemed like it was being beaten, I had seen NKOTB in concert at Riverfront Stadium, our family went to Disney World that summer, I had TWO neon Reds baseball caps, and I had an MC Hammer CD.

It was the first CD I ever owned.

On Christmas Day 1990, the big family present was a 6 disk CD changer. It was as wide as a 24 inch TV--made to go right along with the huge home stereo system that my father (a former DJ) loved. This was a big deal because it was before the time when everyone had CD players.

Suddenly, we were ahead of everyone else. No more tapes for us!

My dad gave my mom a Paul McCartney CD--his greatest hits. I got MC Hammer's "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em". When I opened it up, I remember my dad telling me to be careful and not scratch the disk.

I didn't. We still have it at my mom's house.

So tonight, I'll be at Great American Ballpark with all my fond memories. I might even be wearing one of my neon ball caps. My mom found them the other day in the closet.

Cool Roadside Joint in Newtown

Hi it’s Meghan:) I love to try eclectic new places and this past Saturday afternoon I found a great one. Corral 32 is on Route 32 in Newtown, OH, or "Main Street" as the locals call it. I just happened to drive by and thought it looked interesting (well, that, and I was starving!) so I decided to stop for a late lunch.

Corral 32 is a bit hard to explain or classify. It's an ice cream shop that's also a BBQ joint on weekends, but its atmosphere feels more like an old trading post. The house that was built back in 1836 has now been remodeled to look like a barn, and the porch and yard contain a hodgepodge of antiques, from Tonka trucks to a Magnavox record player that still works. The owner, Ted Gerrard, sometimes brings his animals down for a petting zoo. Other times they have live music performances. Ted says that July 31 is Open Mic Night for anyone who wants to belt out a song or play an instrument.

Phil (wearing the cowboy hat) smokes the ribs and chicken with real hickory wood for about 3 hours before transferring them to the grill and adding his homemade BBQ sauce. He says he messed up 100 different sauces before perfecting his current recipe, which I tried over both chicken and ribs. I also tried his "sagebrush beans" that have sage and apples cooked in. A soft serve twist cone was my sweet treat at the end, and it was all delicious!!!

Corral 32 is only open seasonally right now, so I'm glad I drove by when I did!

Big Bargains on Designer Duds

I am a shop-a-holic.

Sheila here. I have a very hard time passing up a chance to shop for clothes. Lately, I've been pretty good, but I think I'm going to have to feed my addiction this weekend at the Cincinnati Boutique Sale.

If you've never been, you've got to check it out. Twice a year, Cincy Chic and the Lindner Center of Hope bring together high end local shops -- these are not chains or department stores -- which offer some spectacular, one of a kind clothing for women and even kids. I went to the boutique sale this spring, and I found some fantastic deals. I snatched up some accessories along with a Nicole Miller dress which originally sold for more than 300 dollars at Bella Donna in Glendale. I picked it up for around 74 dollars!!! Of course, I also had to buy something for my shopping partner, my daughter Katie, and I even got a couple of cute things for my little boy.

19 local boutiques like Alligator Purse, Fetish, Silly Bean, and Soho mark down their merchandise and allow shoppers to browse in one location. This time it's in the old Linens 'N Things space at Sycamore Plaza, across from the Kenwood Towne Center.

I'm sure you love saving money just like I do, but the really great thing about the sale is that it benefits the Lindner Center of Hope. The Lindner Center of hope is a comprehensive mental health care facility providing advanced diagnostic and treatment services for patients and the families living with mental illness. Your donation will help pay for counseling and treatment for men and women right here in our hometowns. Thursday evening from 6 until 9, you can get a look at the fashions on sale before everyone else if you're willing to donate 25 dollars. The sale is also open this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with a five-dollar admission.

You can find out more about the Lindner Center of Hope by logging onto http://www.lindnercenterofhope.org/
And you can find ticket information and the list of the 19 boutiques involved in this weekend's sale at http://www.cincinnatiboutiquesale.com/

Happy shopping!

Training for Columbus Marathon

This will be my 10th marathon and I really didn't think I had it in me....Hey everyone. Rob here.

Earlier this year, I was training for the Flying Pig. However it wasn't going well, so I had to abandon my quest for a marathon this year (or so I thought.) Also, the pig in 2009 was a disaster for me. Slow, hard and excruciating. That's a picture of me taken by a viewer at mile 16 in Mariemont. I'm completely suicidal and depressed. I don't know if those are tears or sweat. With that nightmarish experience fresh in my mind, it was easy to give up on training this year. I didn't run the pig, but I did cheer on runners. I saw a lot of friends including Corey, Ryan and Zach. It was wet and miserable, and I was jealous.
About a month ago I started running with a fellow runner who is MUCH faster than me. My fastest marathon time 3:09. His is more than 30 minutes faster. The first time we ran, the pace was blistering. After it was over, I said you make me feel like Frank when he runs with me. He asked if Frank was a runner, and I said ah.. No.

Usually, I'm not that regimented when it comes to marathon training. This time I'm keeping a training log. Last week, I logged 40 miles. Columbus here I come.

Go Take A Hike

Marzullo Here... After a nice break from the muggy and humid weather this weekend, get ready the muggies will return to the Tri-State. The first part of the week, we can expect unsettled weather with off and on thunderstorms, then by Wednesday, the haze and heat will once again take over the Queen City skyline. So what is one to do to stay cool? Yeah, the usual air conditioned mall or movie theater always good, however what about a hike? I know what your saying how does staying outdoors keep you cool? Well, you have to stay hydrated, but if you can handle it the shade of the trees really does keep you cool. Last week I took a hike and I have to tell you so many memories of childhood came rushing back in. When I saw large trees hanging over streams and water trickling through, all I could think of was when I would build forts back in the woods with my buddies growing up. We have 4 acres of woods behind our home so there was always a new path to discover. The only negative was when I was in 9th grade and came down with a awful case of poison ivy. It was everywhere, in my eyes and throat, ( argggg not pretty ) plus it happened the week of school pictures not a picture that we saved for the old scrapbook!

A positive memory of the woods, is when my family and I would take our annual Thanksgiving Morning walk. We had moved from the city to the country and that was our first experience with the woods. We kept the tradition alive and would get our hot chocolate and walk through the woods every year before our Turkey.

So if you can handle the warming air this week take a walk through some of our areas nature trails and become one with mother nature!

Congratulations, Votto!

Good Friday morning! Sara Celi, here.

I have to admit, I'm pretty much a huge Reds fan right now. I feel a little giddy inside when I think about how well they are doing in the NL Central at this moment. Yeah, they lost last their last, but they're still in the lead by three games! They're still in first place! Go Reds!

For me, this is a little personal.

My dad passed away when I was a kid, and he LOVED the Reds. He loved baseball. Every year, he'd look forward to opening day like it was Christmas, and he'd go to almost every game he could. He was there when they won the World Series. He was there when they had a bad season.

For me, whenever I watch the Reds, I think of him. It's a good memory for me, so this season has let me revisit how much I enjoyed going to games with him as a kid.

So Go Reds! Keep it up! And I'm glad you made it, Votto!

Really Getting Away

Hi it's Meghan:) I just got back from vacation. Every year since before I was born my family heads to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. I love going..it's like a home away from home. This year was no different. Tennis, swimming, beach volleyball, reading and relaxing.

But the best thing I did was disconnect. I turned off my Blackberry and didn't watch TV for a week. It felt so good to have the real world disappear for a while. I didn't think about work or anything else important (Sorry FOX19 family - i am glad to be back.)

If you are going away... even for a few days, I highly suggest turning off the cellphone, TV and computer. Try just sitting and talking to the people you are with. I think in this technology driven society, the art and warmth you get from having a real conversation is missing. But the good news is...it's not hard to get it back - you just have to unplug.

Mr. Benson Meets Prince

How Was Your 4th Of July? Besides it being hot as a firecracker the last several days, our weather was perfect for celebrating our country's Independence Day! Good Morning, Frank Marzullo here. We have been talking about the HEAT EMERGENCIES that remain in effect for the metro area this week, and with temperatures in the mid-90's it reminds us to watch out for our four-legged friends and make sure they have plenty of water. A good idea is to put ice cubes in the water bowl to make it a colder treat for them.

Speaking of our four legged friends, my dog, Mr. Benson had a awesome 4th of July weekend. He met his cousin, Prince, a miniature french bulldog. Benson traveled to my parents house in Cleveland this weekend where we introduced him to my brother's dog Prince. The two got along great, which was a bit of a concern at first, because my mother is not a huge fan of having dogs in the house. The first time Mr. Benson had a accident in the house you would of thought we had a nuclear leak, my dad used just about every cleaning product for the hardwood floor possible, for just a dime size of Benson's potty. ( Yes I said Potty ! ) Anyway, the two spent all day Saturday running in the backyard off the patio, Benson looked like a race track rabbit as Prince chased him in circles. The big treat was when they would play tug of war with Benson's favorite toy, his squeaky stuffed monkey. If you have more than one dog, or introduced your dog to a new one, I am sure you know what I mean, they just ran all weekend long, but when we left on Monday Mr. Benson passed out the entire trip back and he continues to sleep in the cool house.

Before I Go: we were driving up to my aunts lake house on Lake Erie, Sunday and we found out that Benson owns a auto repair shop. I had no idea, so if you need a oil filter changed or your rotors rotated give Benson a call!

Have A Great Day Everyone and Stay Cool!

Joey Votto Leading All-Star Voting

Lets make sure we keep him in the lead.

Rob here. Votto one of five players who could take the last spot on the NL all-star team.

So far, fans have cast 10 million votes. Votto is widely considered the biggest snub when the All-Stars were announced on Sunday.

Many argue Votto has the numbers to to merit inclusion on the NL squad. Reds manager Dusty Baker said on Sunday, "I urge everyone to go on the Internet and vote for Joey."

According to MLB.com, Votto came into Monday's games fifth in the league with a .312 average, tied for second with 19 home runs and tired for 5Th with 57 RBIs. (We should also mention Votto got two home runs in last night's win against the Mets.)

Since 1952, there hasn't been an NL player to rank in the top 5 in the Triple Crown categories and not make the All-Star team.

You have until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday to vote. You can do so at our website and here's a link. http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=12756698

I should also mention, Votto was kind enough to sign a jersey for Sheila when we celebrated 10 years working together.

From Cincinnati to Chicago

For today's blog, a little plagiarizing. Sheila here.

My friend Mark Behler's son Jason and Jason's friend Brennan set out last week on a bike ride from Crestview Hills, Kentucky to Chicago. Mark and another friend Ryan drove the support car.

The 355 mile trip took 5 days. Their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow was the Reds-Cubs game at Wrigley Field on Friday July 2. Marty Brennaman gave them a shout-out along the way, and they got to explore some small Midwestern towns.

His travelogue includes restaurant reviews which made me want to visit some of the breweries! The guys grew moustaches, or in Mark's case a goatee, as banners of pride, and it sounds like they bonded.

Here are some excerpts from their blog, entitled 2010 Indiana Moustache Ride.

Day 1 highlights:
Taking my first ride on the Anderson Ferry. It is the oldest ferry in operation. It has been in operation since 1877. I prefer bridges when available.
Watching the corn grow as we travelled the back roads of Indiana. Yes, I know I am easily amused.
Ryan and I took a 50 mile detour to see the world's largest ball of twine. Clark Griswold would have been proud.
Driving through Milan. In honor of Dennis Hopper we went to Milan High School and ran "the picket fence". If you don't understand go home tonight
and watch "Hoosiers". One of the best sports movies ever made.

Day 2:
We arrived in Acton, IN a little after 11:00. We had our choice of Old McDonald's Café, Old McDonald's Café or Old McDonald's Café.
We chose, you guessed it, Old McDonald's Café. When we walked in we were greeted with a sign on the wall that read "Welcome to OMC. Many Have Eaten Here, Only a Few Have Died".
The bikers underestimated how difficult day 2 would be. They encountered a head wind most of they way. I think they were also feeling the effects of the 90 miles the previous day. They're starting to get a little whiney.

Day 3:
As we drove toward Lafayette, our stopping point for the day, I was channeling my inner Mellancamp (not out loud of
course.). We are driving across the heartland of America and I can't get his songs out of my head.
Watching the corn grow by leaps and bounds. It's going to be a good crop this year.
Today's ride was by far the easiest. The total mileage today was about 57 miles. Total miles 219.

Day 4 crowned a new member of the Century Club.

Jason and Brennan rode 102.5 miles today.

Brennan has ridden over 100 miles a few
times so he was already a Centurion. The boys knew this would be a tough day (about 90 miles they thought). They had to change their
routes a few times due to gravel and construction. Their total mileage is about 319.
When we went on vacation when I was a kid, my dad hated to drive, never exceeding 55 MPH. You can imagine how
long it took to drive to Ft. Myers, FL. Dad chain-smoked Lucky Strikes from the time we got in the car until he went to bed. I prefer Strawberry Twizzlers.
Rensselaer is a nice town. They have a town square with a courthouse that has a clocktower. It could have been the setting for Back to the Future. If they replaced all of the cars with 1950's models you couldn't tell the difference.

I have never been to Wrigley Field. It's been on my bucket list. Janie (mark's wife) called a contact she has with the Reds, and we have Reds hats and shirts with the "Beat The Cubs" logo underneath. Jason e-mailed Marty Brennaman and he gave us a shout out on the radio today.

Day 5
Starting Point: Merrillville, IN
End Point: Wrigleyville, IL!

Today's plan is short and simple. Of the 40 miles the guys have to ride to get to Wrigley, most are on bike paths. So that's good.
I'm telling you all of this now because it's highly unlikely I'll be in any condition to update a blog after the game. But don't fret. I'll be sure to update with final pics from the trip early next week!

You can check out Mark's entire blog and more fun pictures of their trek by logging onto 2010Indianamoustacheride.blogspot.com

Not Quite The Tennis Champion

Maria Sharapova, I am not.

Good morning, Sara Celi here.

For years, maybe as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to learn how to play tennis—really learn. Something about the game has always fascinated me, and intimated me. When Wimbledon or the US Open comes around each year, I’m always watching the professional players in awe. There’s something about the ease in which those players hit the ball, the simple sophistication of their swing.

So I finally decided that this year would be my year to learn. I’m not planning on being a competitive player, but I want to learn enough to keep the ball in play. I also would like to be skillful enough to play a game with my husband (he’s better than he thinks he is).
I had my first lesson this week at Sawyer Point. I’m sure Jonathan, the tennis pro, had to reach down to a special place to get the kind of patience it takes to work with me. Not only am I a beginner, I am a left-handed beginner.

He worked with me for an hour, and we focused on just the basics—forehand, backhand, and the serve. I watched many of the balls I hit go wilder than leaves in a hurricane. A few times I wondered if Jonathan wasn’t holding back a laugh. But soo, as he worked with me, I saw things start to get at least a little better. My swing got stronger, my speed got better, and I got more confident.

I think I’m going to like this tennis thing better than even I could have imagined. We’ll just have to see if I can keep it up.

Play Ball With The Little Sisters

Morning Everyone Frank Here...

I have spent many a evening / day watching our Reds play at Great American Ball Park over the last 3 years. However, earlier this week I attended my favorite game of the last three years. Why? Because I spent time with my good friends from the Little Sisters of The Poor. Over 150 residents and supporters of the Clifton facility attended the game where ticket proceeds go back to the Little Sisters. It was such a great evening hanging with the sisters, I really got excited for them when they were smiling and waving on the HUGE HD screen at GABP. I want to say a special hello to Bonnie her picture below she loved meeting Rosie Red. This group of sisters do so much for the elderly and seniors providing unmatched love and care. I am providing a link to there website for more information.

Click Here on how you can volunteer and help our little sisters :http://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org/