Too Many Sweets In The House

This time of year our home is full of balloons, cakes and candy. If you're not careful ...you could hurt yourself by tripping over wadded up wrapping paper all over the kitchen.

Hi....Tracey Johnson here. Three of our four children celebrate their birthday within two days of each other.
Yesterday, was a defining moment for me.

I found myself chasing my daughter's birthday gift down the street. Meet Maverick. While he thought we were playing....I clearly was not. I had so much on my "to do list" and chasing Maverick was not one of them. As my patience was dwindling quickly ...it was in the moment that I felt quite guilty. A story I had just finished writing about was still very fresh on my mind and heart.

His name is Kaden. I met him on my recent trip to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Kaden has lived there with his mom for the past 2 years. So here I was losing patience with my daughter's birthday puppy....when I quickly realized life could be much different. My new little friend would probably give anything to be chasing a little puppy outside in the sunshine.

Next week FOX19 and LCNB National Bank will begin selling tickets for the St. Jude Dream Home giveaway. 100% of your $100 ticket goes back to the hospital to provide for such a place for these families fighting childhood cancers. You can watch Kaden's story here by clicking on this link http://www.fox19.com/category/229749/cincinnati-st-jude-dream-home-2012-from-fox19-lcnb and learn more about the Dream Home Giveaway and how YOU can make a difference.

Thanks for your time....and ENJOY the SUNSHINE! Tracey

Behind Every Great Man....

You know the saying....
"Behind every great man is a great woman." In this case, that woman is Mom.

Hi there, it's Sheila.
The first time I met Michelle Hutcherson, the Northern Kentucky mother was accompanying her nine or ten year old son Josh to the Fox 19 studios for an interview about his first big Hollywood role: he was the model for the animated boy in the major motion picture, Polar Express. As she describes it, "you and Rob were there when Josh was just a human interest story." We saw something special in Josh, and it's thrilling for us to see that we were right!

Over the years, Josh grew up, not just in age, but in on-screen presence, acting ability, and popularity, but one thing didn't change. Michelle has always been right there with her son, stressing how important it is to be yourself and keep some normalcy in life. Josh's dad Chris and brother Conner are a big part of that too, and I would think the Northern Kentucky community they call home must be as well. Michelle gave up her job as Josh's acting career accelerated. Now that he's 19, and Conner is almost halfway through high school, she is thinking about the next phase.

When Josh and Michelle visited the Fox 19 studios this week, I asked her if she would mind a quick Q & A with me. She's not one to take the spotlight, but she agreed.

What did you do this weekend (while the rest of us were watching Hunger Games)?
"We had nice family time - bowling at Star Lanes, private dinner at Jimmy G's. Josh was really tired, so he had a lot of time to relax and catch up on sleep."

What's a typical day like for you?
"During a movie shoot or when I'm home?"
How about we start with during a movie shoot?
If he's on a shoot, I'll go to the set with him (then some funny banter ensues about when Michelle shows up on the set.)
Josh says, "you totally sleep in, since you don't have to come with me anymore!"
Until Josh turned 16, child labor laws required Michelle to always be present on the movie sets with him. Now that he's 19, (Michelle admits) "I can sleep in, then I'll go watch for a couple of hours, go shopping, do some sight seeing and act like a tourist, mostly shopping. It's actually really boring on a movie set."

Watching him acting in movies for all of those years, have you ever had even an inkling of desire to do a walk-on or do some acting yourself?
"No, I don't like to be in front of the camera. I love the business side. That's why we started a production company (Jet Lag Productions). I am interested in making movies. The goal now is the turn it into a legitimate profitable company."

"A typical day when I'm home is going to the gym, meeting friends for lunch, and then I wrap up whatever I'm doing by 2:30 because then I am running Conner home from school or to soccer practice, academic team practice, and then we go out to dinner somewhere because I don't cook." (Conner is a sophomore at Ryle High School and recently won a big debate competition. He was part of the Ryle soccer team which competed for the state title last fall).

When Josh talked you into letting him try an acting career, did you ever envision girls screaming and crying for your son?
"That was the furthest thing from our minds. That didn't even enter our thoughts."
Not you or your husband Chris?
"No. We didn't think any further ahead than "let's let him try." We've always been the type of people to just go for it, see what happens. everything works out - that's my philosophy."

Does the fame worry you?
"No, because I know him. Seeing him and knowing him as well as I do, I don't see him changing who he is."

Do you ever think Josh missed out on anything that Conner is getting to do, like playing on the soccer team, dances?
"He went to elementary school and a little bit of high school. He didn't go to middle school because he was working. So he did experience a lot of it. Also because he knows everyone here, he participates with Conner. He's gone to high school dances even if he wasn't in school. Everything is a choice. He didn't get to letter in a sport, but he went to Iceland. One is not better than the other, just different."

Will you ever move to Hollywood?
"Yes, when Conner is done with high school we will move to work with our company. It's a family company, and we have to be there for it to work. Conner is interested in a Cal Tech (and a possible major in the field of Physics), so he wants to be out there too."

When that time comes, Boone County will lose some truly nice neighbors. Michelle's been so kind in sharing her family with us, and I can't think of anyone who deserves the good fortune more.
--Sheila

A day that went well….

Brad here and I’m talking horse racing.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit I know very little about the sport, but I’m learning. I spent all day Saturday at Turfway Park for the 2012 Vinery Spiral Stakes, a day of 12 races including the big one, the Spiral Stakes. For the second year in a row, a horse trained by Graham Motion and owned by Team Valor International won the Spiral Stakes. Went The Day Well won the Kentucky Derby tune up by 3 ½ lengths over runner up Holiday Promise. Last Year’s winner Animal Kingdom went on to win the Kentucky Derby.
I’ve been to all different types of sporting events in my life. Small, big, local, regional, and events on the national stage, but this past visit to Turfway Park was something completely different… First off, let me just say, I was very impressed with my overall experience. The folks at Turfway Park sure do know how to throw a party and host a day of racing. The VIP tent was out of this world. The gourmet food, the beverage stations, televisions all over the place, live music. I wasn’t quite sure where I was, there was so much of everything…Oh wait, there goes another giant hat, that’s right I’m at the horse track.
Just outside the massive tent we could walk right up to the track and watch as the horses flew past. The early races were shorter in distance but as the day went on, the starting gates moved to our portion of the track. Just watching these magnificent thoroughbreds jump out of the gate was so cool.
My predictions didn’t go as well as I had hoped, but overall this is an event and a scene I will be returning to. Oh yeah, there was basketball on Saturday. In case anyone wants a conclusion to my Bracket Blog from the past two weeks, here it is. My bracket is officially busted! I have one Final Four team left and it’s not my champion.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Good Morning, Marzullo Here: Finally feeling like Spring after we shot straight to summer with 5 record setting days in a row last week in the low to mid-80's. While it felt great it was a tad muggy to soon, I love the cool mornings and mild afternoons of Spring and that is exactly what we have in store this week. It comes with a price though, while this picture of the rainbow looks peaceful after the storm passed we did have some damage on Friday night. First off I think this picture of a rainbow Friday evening is about as perfect you can get, it was taken from Hyde Park looking over Mt. Lookout. I wonder if there is a pot of gold at the end of it? However not all of the Tri-State was as peaceful as this shot, we had a few weak Tornado touchdowns this weekend, with minor damage. The National Weather Service confirms a EF-0 tornado both in Harlan Twp. in Warren County and Clarksville, in Clinton County. The wind speeds were around 70 mph and the storm stayed on the ground for about 50 yards. Minor damage of a pole barn and some broken windows along 2nd street in Clarksville, but no injuries. The bottom line is that while warm weather this time of year is awesome it does come with a price with a increase risk of severe weather every time some cooler air trys to work in.

Tree Falls Over Property Line: Who Pays and Cleans up?

Tree Falls Over Property Line: Who Pays and Cleans up?

Good Morning. Dan Wells writing, I hope you're in good spirits this Friday!

Today, I'm writing about a "spring" clean-up specifically when it comes to a shared yard with neighbors.

We unfortunately have a foreclosed property next door to us and a dead tree leaning in my homes direction.

So here's the question I'm exploring this morning. If a neighbors tree falls over your property line, Who Pays? Who Picks Up the Pieces? What I found is actually pretty interesting and so I thought I'd pass it along to you.

The first piece of advice I'm getting (if that happens) is to file an insurance claim for repairs and cleanup. No house damage? Check if chopping and hauling debris is covered.

If a neighbors tree damages your property, your insurance company should pay to repair the damage, then decide whether to seek reimbursement from your neighbor (or the bank in my case)

Home owners policies cover tree damage caused by perils like wind and winter storms. Most policies cover hauling away tree debris if the mess is associated with house damage; some will cover cleanup even if no structures were harmed.

When a tree falls

Your neighbor is responsible when a tree falls over your shared property line only if you can prove he was aware that his tree was a hazard and refused to remedy the problem. Regardless, your insurance company restores your property first, and later decides whether or not to pursue reimbursement from the neighbor or his insurer if the neighbor was negligent in maintaining the tree.

Before a tree falls

Write a letter to your neighbor before his dead, diseased or listing tree falls through your roof or over your property line.

The letter should include:
Description of the problem
Photographs
Request for action
Attorney letterhead-not necessary but indicates you mean business.

Trim their trees

If the limbs of a tree hang over your property line, you may trim the branches up to the property line, but not cut down the entire tree.

If a tree dies after your little pruning, the neighbor can pursue a claim against you in civil or small claims court. Depending on the laws of your state, your neighbor may have to prove the damage was deliberate or caused by negligence, but may also be able to recover up to three times the value of the tree.

Before you cut, tell your neighbors what you intend to do to protect your property.

If your tree falls

It's always a good idea to take care of your big and beautiful trees, and keep receipts for trimmings and other care.

But if your tree falls over a neighbors property line, do nothing until their insurance company contacts you. You may not be liable unless you knew or should have known the tree was in a dangerous condition. If you pruned a tree or shored up trunks to prevent problems, gather your receipts to prove your diligence.

Just thought this may help someone, power is knowledge right? I really hope I don't have to deal with any of it.

Have a great weekend. Dan

Reds, Reds, Reds...

Two weeks and counting!!! Good morning, happy Thursday.. It’s Katy. Boy, am I ready for Reds Opening Day!! I think this weather has all put us in the baseball spirit. Every afternoon I feel like I needed to be at a baseball game! Soon enough, though… it will be here! Tom and I were able to get a sneak peak at the team a couple weeks ago, when we visited Goodyear, AZ! It was wonderful out there! The whole Phoenix area in general is a cool place, and a great place to play some ball! We took a tour of the Reds Player Development Complex, where the team trains during the spring. All I can say is… WOW! Very impressed with the facility, really is top notch. We watched them at late morning batting practice, and training. I think my favorite part was the outdoor training “patio” as I called it. Inside was a shared weight room that both minor league players and major league players use. But right outside was a nice outdoor grassy patio area where the Reds do strength training exercises and stretching. We walked right by Bronson Arroyo doing an arms exercise to loosen up before the game he was starting later in the afternoon. Later, we went to the game, and let me tell you… what a great feeling it was to walk into a ballpark on sunny afternoon after hibernating all winter! Can’t beat it!

While we were in town, we also decided to climb Camelback Mountain. We had heard it’s a well-known mountain for tourists to climb… as it’s situated right in the middle of the greater Phoenix area. The trail warned us that it was a strenuous climb, and boy was it difficult! We weren’t prepared for the hands and feet climbing we’d do, but it was well worth it when we reached the top of the 2000 ft mountain! Beautiful panoramic views of the city! We really had a great time in Phoenix and Goodyear.. we may have to go back some day! But for now… my attention is on the countdown until Opening Day! 14…13…12..

Some Love For The Bobcats

How 'bout my Bobcats?

Sheila here.
Okay, I'll admit it. I'm not much of a basketball fan. The only time I really get into hoops is during March Madness, so I wasn't following John Groce and Ohio U's team until the tournament. I always fill out a bracket though, and the most fun for me is when there are good upsets. The Bobcats gave us a good one -- followed by another win to make it to the Sweet 16 -- and now I'm hoping they can give us another big victory against the big men of North Carolina.

Our producer, Dan Romito, scolded me the other day and asked me how I can call them "my Bobcats" when I'm also a fan of the Buckeyes. Who says you can't be a fan of more than one team? It's thrilling for all of us around here to see TWO Cincinnati teams - FOUR Ohio teams - and even BOTH big teams from Kentucky in the Big Dance. But when it comes right down to it, you support your alma mater. THAT'S a no brainer, and my alma mater is Ohio University. I loved that place from the first moment I set foot on the campus in Athens, and I love it today.

I was in the Convo for some games during my time at OU, and the Bobcats won the MAC Championship when I was a student. I was picturing how crazy it must've been last Friday night on Court Street, but then I found out most of the students were headed out of town for spring break. I read a newspaper article this week which called Ohio the "New Darlings." Move over Butler and VCU, MY darlings are on the prowl! And no matter who wins the tournament, I will always be one proud Bobcat.

Want to see my prediction for Friday night's game? Take a look at this video from 2002 (with thanks to Brad Underwood for finding it!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLfX1G6TLF4

How Sweet It Is!

After six days of hoops, only 16 teams remain. Add to that, a quarter of them are from Ohio. That’s extra sweet.

Brad here.

So how does your bracket look? I’m guessing it’s like a lot of brackets out there, busted. Mine is broken, but not calling it a bust just yet. I still have three of my final four teams left after Florida State lost to Cincinnati Sunday night. However, I like that upset, you can feel the vibe here in Cincinnati as the bearcats get set to play Ohio State on Thursday. Xavier is still alive too. They’ve been in the sweet 16 four times in the last five years. Then you have the MAC tournament champs, Ohio University. The Bobcats beat Michigan and South Florida to get the sweet 16 for the first time since 1964.

Looking back at the first weekend, there is so much to talk about. First and foremost, great games! The drama of March and college basketball was front and center in the sports world and once again, it delivered. Back and forth battles, seniors leading teams, freshmen making names for themselves and oh yeah, the upsets! After an average Thursday, Friday filled the void, starting with Norfolk State taking down number two seed and favorite Missouri. Norfolk State had never won a game in the NCAA tournament until this one. My personal favorite upset of the day, DUKE. Take that Dukies! I think I can speak for all Butler fans and thousands of other fans across the country that just don’t like that team from Durham. It came down to the end for a few games; Purdue and St. Mary’s, Alabama and Creighton, Ohio and Michigan, plus the Xavier vs. Notre Dame, all entertaining.

My personal highlight was Saturday night. No, it had nothing to do with the color green, but Cream and Crimson baby. Welcome back to the Sweet 16, Indiana!!!! I watched the final five minutes of this game much like I did every single Butler game the last two years, jumping, yelling, pacing. In the end, the Hoosiers did it, setting up a date with Kentucky in Atlanta on Friday night. If UK fans forget what happened earlier this season on December 10th,, let’s refresh. Indiana beat the number one team in the country, Kentucky.

Even though my bracket is set let’s do a little predicting of the teams that are left. I like UC in the upset over Ohio State and I think Xavier will get to elite eight too. I think Wisconsin, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Michigan State, Marquette, and Indiana will all advance too. My final four of the teams that are left includes North Carolina, Marquette, Indiana and Wisconsin. I’m sticking with my initial pick of UNC over Marquette in the championship game.

GO HOOSIERS!

The Heat Is On

So sitting in my green t-shirt this weekend I had to do a calendar check was it St. Patricks Day or 4th of July? With the unseasonably warm air it was almost unbelievable and it will stay this way over the next several days. Temperatures should be around 54 degrees but after a record high of 79 degrees on Sunday we will now be climbing into the 80's this week. Our record for Monday is 81 degrees we could tie or break it. It is amazing because in some ways you do not want to start opening the house and doing those warm weather things, but at the same time it feels like winter is over. Officially winter will end at 1:14am on Tuesday and then it will snow! Just kidding! It is amazing though we visited my friends at there lake house in St. Joe, Michigan over the weekend and people were actually in swim suits. The beaches of Lake Michigan are awesome the gold sand just squeezes through your toes and the water is clear and gorgeous. It was a little to cold however to take a dip. We sat out on the dock and enjoyed the sunshine, in fact we had to take the windows off the screen porch and we did plenty of grilling. What have you grilled this year? Share your recipes with me. Enjoy the heat this week it will stick around through Thursday.

Irish Eyes Are Smilin

Good Friday Morning! I know Rob Williams thinks I spend my weekends with a bottle of Pinot, Sixteen Candles, and my kittycat Benji…but your girl ties one on every now and then.
One of my favorite holidays arrives this weekend…St. Patrick’s Day! Although I’m only an 1/8 Irish…my heritage comes alive on the 17th of March. Trust me if I wouldn’t disappear on the chroma key…I’d be head-to-toe in Kelly green today J
I don’t know about you but I’m trying to squeeze in all the Irish festivities I can this weekend. I’m trying to hit Nicholson’s downtown, Hap’s in Hyde Park, and of course I’ll be at the St. Patty’s Day Parade in my Gaelic finest.
But I’m most looking forward to my good friend Whitney’s party. I think the best holiday memories are made with friends…and sometimes a few festive cocktails make the party all the more memorable J Here are a few of my favorite Irish drink recipes. Enjoy!
Irish Pirate
Recipe courtesy Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh

Ingredients
1 cup whole milk
1 pint green mint chocolate chip ice cream
1 teaspoon pure mint extract
3 tablespoons dark rum
Mint sprigs, for garnish
Directions
Put the milk, ice cream, mint extract and rum into a blender. Blend on high until smooth, about 15 seconds. Pour into 2 chilled glasses and garnish with a sprig of mint.
Original Irish Coffee
Recipe courtesy Barman Dara Cruise, Four Seasons Hotel, Dublin Ireland

Ingredients
1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 jigger Irish whiskey (1 1/2 ounces or 3 tablespoons)
Heavy cream, slightly whipped
Directions
Fill footed mug or a mug with hot water to preheat it, then empty. Pour piping hot coffee into warmed glass until it is about 3/4 full. Add the brown sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Blend in Irish whiskey. Top with a collar of the whipped heavy cream by pouring gently over back of spoon. Serve hot.
Mudslide Milkshake
Recipe courtesy Claire Robinson, 2009
Ingredients
1/2 cup Irish cream liqueur (recommended: Bailey's)
1/4 cup chocolate vodka
1 pint best quality coffee ice cream
1 banana, sliced and frozen
2 tablespoons natural cocoa powder, plus more for sprinkling as garnish
Directions
Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend on high until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour into glasses and sprinkle with cocoa powder. Drink up baby!!!

Coincidence is not a part of my vocabulary!

So, after I heard about this company more than a half dozen times in less than a week....I thought I'd check it out.

Hope this finds you well. Tracey Johnson here.

The company is called THIRTY ONE GIVES. When you visit their website, what you'll see are stylish handbags and utility products. But, they are so much more.

What I love about this company is that for every purchase of a..... U R U THERMAL TOTE....they will donate $1 to support nonprofit organizations whose mission contributes to the empowerment of women and girls.

While you are helping young women across our community, you'll get a GIVES EXCLUSIVE that delivers a boost of self confidence every time you open it!

You can watch the interview I did on the FOX19 NEWS MORNING XTRA
by clicking on this link. Http://www.fox19.com/video and click on #9.

I love the U R U TOTE for my girls!

Hope you have a wonderful day.....Trace

A Cardinal In The House

Katie has made her choice.

Sheila here. We're about to become University of Louisville Cardinal fans at my house. Anyone got a flag?

This week, U of L opened up its enrollment for Freshman Orientation (gulp!). My stomach did a little flip when I was signing up Katie and myself for a session this summer. I cannot believe we have reached this point! Seems like yesterday that Katie was terrified about her first day of high school (and I was crying in the parking lot), and now she can't wait to move out of our house and into her dorm in Louisville! She's been chatting on Facebook with her roommate, and we've been looking at comforter sets in the middle of prom dress shopping. Those rooms have come a long way. Katie and her new friends will be in a suite with just four girls to a bathroom. At Ohio U., my friends and I had to get comfortable with the communal showers, not that I ever did. Those girls will have a microwave and flatscreen TV. We had hot plates, and we were lucky if we had the money to get a phone installed! And the prom dresses? Let's just say we've come a long way since the days when Gunne Sax gowns were on the cover of Seventeen Magazine.

I've always loved Louisville - 4th Street Live, great restaurants, all things Derby, the riverboats. However, I had never visited the campus until last summer, when Katie and I were on our series of college tours from Chicago to Kentucky and in between. A little part of me hoped she would choose my alma mater in Athens, but knowing what a city girl she is, U of L is a good choice. We both had a positive feeling there, and we all know how important it is to go with your gut.

Funny how her senior year of high school has been giving me and Ric a taste of what's to come. Katie spends so much time with her friends, or at her job, or holed up in her room doing homework and cruising Facebook that we don't see her as much as we used to. If I want to spend time with her, most of the time, I have to schedule it. But at least I can peek in at her sleeping or give her a kiss as she goes out the door. It will be hard for me when she leaves.

So right now I am treasuring every minute we have with Katie, even if it's crazy busy getting ready for graduation, and I guess I'll watch some Louisville basketball this week. Go Cardinals!

FINALLY!

March Madness baby!!!!!

Brad here wishing you a happy Tuesday from Dayton and I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am for the NCAA tournament to start. Growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana, basketball was a way of life, high school in particular. I would compare it to high school football in Ohio and Texas. Small town’s shut down on game nights and big cities pack their schools gym every Friday night. Add college ball to Hoosier Hysteria, forget about it. Indiana rules the hardwood, just ask John Wooden.
Me, I’m a huge Indiana University and Butler University fan. Finally the Hoosiers are back in a big way. While Tom Crean is no Bobby Knight, he’s bringing back respect, hard work and that grit that made IU great.
I grew up around the corner from historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, where Butler plays and where the movie Hoosiers was filmed. I spent many Saturdays inside watching the Butler Bulldogs. Each year the program got stronger, the DAWGS won more games and eventually started making NCAA appearances. Now, they are nationally known after making it to two straight NCAA finals. This year the DAWGS missed out, nonetheless the tournament is here and it’s time for some super hype games.
My bracket is filled out and now it’s time to sit back with a cold beverage, some wings and enjoy the drama of March Madness with my boys. So, who do you take all the way? I’m not a fan of taking a number one seed to the title game, but in my first draft I found myself putting three of the top seeds in the final four! Yikes. So, I revised. I still have a number one seed winning the National Championship, but at least they aren’t playing another number one seed. In the end, I have North Carolina winning it all over Marquette. I really don’t care for UNC but I feel they have what it takes to cut down the nets in New Orleans in 2012. Sorry Andy, UK just doesn’t have it.

Cheers.

Brad.

P.S. check out my blog next week for an update on the tourney and my bracket.

I Got Engaged !

Good Morning Everyone, Marzullo Here and I am really under the weather this morning so I am going to make this short...but I need your address so I can get you a invitation to my wedding! Yep, my girlfriend and I got engaged on Friday ! I guess she is no longer my girlfriend, but my fiance' now! Leslee and I have been dating since the fall of 2010 and she has made me the happiest I have ever been. They always say you know when you know...and I knew! If you followed me on facebook or on air you may have heard I proposed while on the airplane and that would be correct. We had a trip planned to Northstar Village in Lake Tahoe and I had a clue she may have thought it was going to happen that weekend so I decided to surprise her and do it on the plane ride out. So once we got into the air I got down on one knee and she said yes! I had it set up with Delta to have some bubbly waiting and we celebrated. The best part was once we got on the ground on our layover in Salt Lake City, we were able to light up our phone and share the news with all of our dear family and friends. So over the next year I will have several updates as we plan, do you have any advice for Leslee and I ? Yes, Benson and our dog Otis will be in the wedding in some way.

More Than Just Beer

It's finally happening. Cincinnati's Riverfront is becoming THE destination in town.

Sheila here.
The opening of the Moerlein Lager House last week is a major development in the riverfront re-birth. It opened last week, and I couldn't wait to go. Rob, Brad, Dan, Stephanie and I went to lunch on Friday, and it did not disappoint. The river view - virtually at the end of the Roebling Suspension Bridge - is breathtaking. The place is all windows on that side, so the interior really reflects what the weather. On one side of the Lager House, you can walk right out and enjoy it. An Enquirer feature says the 50-foot bar on the main floor will open up to the outdoor beer garden in warm weather. And the newspaper says the restaurant will open onto the Jacob Schmidlapp Event Lawn, a green space that can hold 3,000 people, with a stage at its western end.

You can also see Smale Park coming together right in front of the Lager House, and The Banks is right behind it.

The business is the brainchild of Christian Moerlein Brewing Company President and CEO Greg Hardman. An article in CityBeat says "Don't call it a restaurant," and it's really true. Instead, Hannah McCartney calls it a beer mecca. That is is, but I think it's also a tourist attraction. Dan Wells asked Greg when he was live there for us last week, whether he plans to offer tours. There is that much to see inside the 15,000-square-foot facility. It's two floors with two bars, three kitchens, a microbrewery...and on and on. This is the brewmaster, Richard Dube' (right).

There are so many little touches which make it special. The brick reminds you of the tunnels under Over The Rhine, where the beer was made back in the 1800's. You can look at historic photos of the old Shoenling brewery, and see classic posters from international beer expositions here in Cincinnati more than a century ago. Overhead lights are made from the bottoms of beer bottles. Wood beams give the inside an old world feel. And it should be special. It's been widely reported, the Lager House cost $10 million dollar to build.

Located in the shadow of Great American Ballpark, one can only imagine the crowds we'll see on game days with visitors from all over the country taking in the atmosphere. (The Lager House has indoor and outdoor seating for 1,400.) While it may be all about fun for you and me, for Greg Hardman, the mission is also about keeping our city's beer history alive and carrying on Moerlein's commitment to "simply a better beer." (I recommend the Helles!)

Cheers!
http://www.moerleinlagerhouse.com/our-story/

Only 3 Hours Sleep Last Night

I'm dragging today, but it's nothing a bunch of coffee can't cure.

Good Tuesday morning everyone.

Could fall asleep last night. Why you ask? I was watching television. Not the smartest of things, but so worth it.A few weeks back, Dr. Deb told me about a show on BBC America called "Luther." It stars Idris Elba. Dr. Deb and Brad Underwood are big fans. They say, The Wire was possibly the best show ever. They're not alone. "The Wire" has been described by many critics as one of the greatest television series ever made. Elba played Russell "Stringer" Bell who was second in command to a Baltimore drug kingpin.

Elba plays a London detective in "Luther." However, you find out in the first episode that John Luther is not all good. In fact, you think he's bad, very bad. You feelings for the guy will change though. He's a dedicated police officer. He's also genius, and obsessive, possessed and sometimes dangerous.

It is a brilliant show. Couldn't stop watching yesterday. Watched hours of it. I'm hooked. You can checked it out. On Time/Warner channel 402. BBC on demand.

Let me know what you think: rwilliams@fox19.com

Bracing For Round Two

The powerful storms that ravaged the Midwest on Wednesday claimed the lives of 12 people.

Another round is expected to hit a good portion of the country today. What can we do to help those left without a home or mourning the loss of a loved one?

Good Friday to you! Tracey Johnson here on this 2nd day of March.

March is American Red Cross month. When a disaster strikes, Americans depend on the Red Cross. In fact, families, friends and neighbors right near you depend on the Red Cross 24/7!

More than 200 times a day, families who have lost everything need the American Red Cross. Every 60 seconds, 250 people are helped by Red Cross volunteers.

Are you ready to volunteer? They need and depend on people like you.

Every year, the Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters-including approximately 150 home fires every day.

There's something for everyone. You can volunteer in so many different ways..... from giving financially to donating blood to teaching classes.

There are many benefits that come when you volunteer......

A recent study from the University of Michigan found that people who volunteer for selfless reasons, such as helping others, live longer than those who don't lend a helping hand. The same study shows that those who volunteer for more self-centered reasons.... do not reap the same life-extending benefits.

The American Red Cross is asking you to offer a part of yourself...and know however you can help.... will allow them to continue to be there when the next person needs help.

Here's their link.....
http://www.redcross.org/

Thanks for whatever time you can give!
Have a good day!

Is your soap or shampoo safe?

Good Thursday Morning! Dan Wells writing, I hope this blog finds you well.

Quick question…when you wash your hair, body and hands, you do so with the intent of killing germs, removing dirt and leaving yourself feeling clean…right?

Ironically, some of the very soaps and shampoos that we use to keep ourselves free of bacteria, dirt and other undesirables can be toxic to our health according to one website my wife found.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently conducted a six-month investigation into more than 10,000 personal care product ingredients and found, we as consumers assume our personal care products are safe, but those assumptions aren’t always right.

The vast majority--some 89 percent--of the 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products (products that you rub into your scalp and skin, spread onto your face and trust on your body) have never been evaluated for safety by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other institution according to the study.

If that doesn't make you uneasy, consider these other findings uncovered by EWG's safety investigation into 7,500 personal care products (based on the product labels):

· One of every 120 products contains ingredients classified as known or probable human carcinogens by the government.
· One-third of all products contain one or more ingredients classified as possible human carcinogens.
· 55 percent of all products contain "penetration enhancers," (including some that contain known or probable human carcinogens) which increase the product's ability to penetrate the skin and get into the bloodstream.
· The FDA has banned or restricted only nine personal care product ingredients. For comparison, the European Union has banned 450.

Just for a quick example of what you can find in this study….check out the five most toxic bar soaps, according to EWG (scores are based from 0-10, with 10 being the worst):

Five Most Toxic Bar Soaps

1. Neutrogena Transparent Facial Bar, Oily Skin, Dry Skin and Original Formulas Score: 8.1

Potential problems: One ingredient, triethanolamine, is a possible human carcinogen, and three other ingredients contain harmful additives linked to cancer or other health problems: sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, TEA-stearate and tocopherol. Further, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is a penetration enhancer that could increase your exposure to the harmful ingredients. The soap also contains six ingredients that have not been assessed for safety by the CIR and one ingredient (fragrance) that could be an allergen.

Note: Each formula contains slightly different ingredients. Those listed are for the Oily Skin formula. For specifics on the other formulas, please visit the EWG's Skin Deep Report.

What's lurking in the soap YOU use? Visit EWG's Skin Deep Report to find out.

2. Oilatum Cleansing Bar, Unscented Score: 7.9

Potential problems: One ingredient, lecithin, may contain harmful impurities linked to cancer or other health problems, while four ingredients, lecithin, propylene glycol, tetrasodium EDTA and trisodium HEDTA are penetration enhancers. Propylene glycol poses risks of other health concerns, and 14 ingredients haven't been assessed for safety.

3. Got2B Spa Body, Full of Soap Soy & Oatmeal Loofah Cleansing Bar Score: 7.5

Potential problems: One ingredient, triethanolamine, is a possible human carcinogen and may be linked to other health problems as well. Two ingredients, propylene glycol and sodium laureth sulfate, are penetration enhancers, 13 ingredients have not been assessed for safety, one ingredient (fragrance) could be an allergen, and two ingredients, propylene glycol and sodium stearate, may pose other health concerns.

4. Neova Cleansing Bar Score: 7.3

Potential problems: Two ingredients, PEG-6 and sodium PCA, may contain harmful impurities linked to cancer or other health problems. PEG-6, specifically, may be linked to breast cancer. One ingredient, tetrasodium EDTA, is a penetration enhancer and 15 ingredients have not been safety tested.

5. Lever Deodorant Soap, Pure Rain Moisture ResponseScore: 7.2

Potential problems: One ingredient, butylated hydroxytoluene, is a possible human carcinogen, and another ingredient, tocopheryl acetate, may be linked to cancer or other health problems. Two ingredients, propylene glycol and tetrasodium EDTA, are penetration enhancers, 13 ingredients have not been safety tested, fragrance may be an allergen and propylene glycol may also present other health concerns.

If you want to check out the website I have link here. http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/site/about.php

Have a great day!
Dan