Me & T

They call this work??

Sheila here.
Four days until Sunday, when I'll just be hanging out along the Ohio River with my girlfriend, Tricia Macke.

Last year, Fox 19 took over the coverage of the Cincinnati Bell WEBN Fireworks, and Tricia and I get to host the show once again this year. You could say Tricia is the best friend I never see! When I'm waking up in the morning, she's just gone to bed. When I'm going to bed, she's in the middle of a newscast! You get the picture. Our lives are alike in a lot of ways--both busy moms with fun jobs (and cute husbands), but with opposite schedules. We look forward to the fireworks show because, as Tricia puts it, "It's late enough in the day that we're both semi-awake!"

Hosting the Last Blast of Summer on Fox 19 gives us a chance to catch up.

We had a great time last year, sitting on our porch at Newport on the Levee, people watching and talking with Tricia's daughter Kaitlynn. This will be the 35th year for the WEBN fireworks display, and I asked Tricia if she watched the first one. She did, from her mom and dad's deck in Newport. Since then, it's become a Uehlien family tradition. Tricia's favorite memory is just being with her whole family, and she lets her kids stay up for the whole show, no matter how late.

So this Sunday, Fox 19 will feed us, we'll "ooh and ah" over the fireworks on live TV, wait out the traffic afterward, and then my girlfriend Tricia and I will toast another show for the record books. Can you believe someone actually pays us for this?!

Saying Goodbye to Summer

I'm usually not affected by the weather. It really doesn't affect my mood or my outlook.
Hello everyone. Rob here.
Yesterday for instance, it was nice but I took a nap. A long one. I'm not the kind of person who says, "I can't be inside. It's too nice." That's usually not me. However this morning I stepped outside, and could feel the slight chill in the air. Summer is winding down. That makes me a little sad. I definitely enjoyed summer this year, but it flew by fast. I can understand why the The Cincinnati Bell/WEBN fireworks have been such a big deal around here for 34 years. You have to make the most of it. Before long, we will all be hunkered down for a long, cold, and dark winter. Actually, this will be my first fireworks along the Ohio River. Sunday will pretty much be all hands on deck at Fox19. We are carrying the fireworks on our channel again this year. Last year, I was out of town for a wedding. This year I will be along the Ohio River as we put on a live show and for a hour before the fireworks. Should be fun. Hope you will be watching live in person or on your TV in BEAUTIFUL High Definition.

Weekend On The River

You had to almost feel guilty this past weekend as parts of the country were hammered with Hurricane Irene, which was historic in that this one storm effected a record number of people. While the east was hit with heavy wind and flooding rains our weather was just picture perfect. In the middle of updating our radio partner 700 WLW with Hurricane Updates, I enjoyed our fantastic weather along the mighty Ohio River. I spent Saturday near Vevay, Indiana at a friends place along the river. It was first time really spending a entire afternoon and evening along the river which reminds me more of a inland lake than a river. The light breeze and the sunshine was perfect for hitting the open water on the boat and we were not a lone, this section of the river near the Markland Dam was packed with pleasure boaters. After spending the afternoon basking in the sun it was time for a text book summer dinner. We fired up the grill and I grilled my pork tenderloin and some white wine and lemon shrimp. We also through the bake potatoes and fresh corn on the cob on the grill. By the way if you have never been to the Newtown Farmers market, get yourself out there, WOW GREAT CORN. The only bad part of this weekend was that slowly but surely I realized summer is coming to a end, so do yourself a favor get outside enjoy the weather and kick back with some gorgeous sunsets before the the snow starts to fly.

Boone County Arboretum

Good Friday Morning, Dan Wells writing. I hope this note finds you well and in good spirits! I had to write today about a new place that I visited last week. The Boone County Arboretum at Central Park is such a cool place for the entire family. I know we're all looking for things to do with our kids and this morning I can tell you look no further. If you don't know an arboretum is a type of botanical garden focusing on trees and woody shrubs. These living museums support the local biodiversity in an effort to preserve a sustainable environment. They provide educational opportunities through hands-on learning, classroom instruction, or simply observing "what works". An arboretum is also a place to relax in the contemplative refuge of nature, a meeting place with a beautiful backdrop for special events, a source of inspiration for home gardens, and a cornerstone for community pride. Reflecting the horticulture and history of the area, an arboretum strengthens the regional economy and increases the quality of life for local residents and visitors alike. There are few places in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky area where you can see such a unique arrangement of diverse plants. At 121 acres, the Boone County Arboretum was the nation's first arboretum within an active recreation park setting - the specialized arrangements of plant families and 12 athletic fields are connected by a 2+ mile winding multi-use trail. The beauty and educational value of these plant collections, including obscure selections rarely observed by the public eye, will captivate everyone from the avid plantsman to the average homeowner. Special attractions at the Arboretum include the Children's Garden, a Wildlife Viewing area in our Native Kentucky Grassland, and two short woodland trails. Three informational kiosks are located at the main trail entrances to provide horticultural information, Extension class offerings, and our Arboretum map - all free to the public. If you want to go the park is located just outside Union, KY, only 25 minutes southwest from downtown Cincinnati. It's open daily from dawn to dusk for your year-round enjoyment of our more than 3000 trees and shrubs. There is no charge for admission or parking. If you have a chance check this place out!
Have a great weekend
Dan

My Best Friend's Wedding

Good Morning, and happy Thursday! Katy here, back from Virginia over this past weekend! I was happy to a part of my best friend’s wedding. It was more beautiful than I could have imagined. She decided to have it on a farm, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. The ceremony was beautiful with the mountains in the backdrop, as they recited their vows. What was especially sweet was the fact that Kristen and Loren were married on their 11 year dating anniversary!! The reception was equally as beautiful, with stringed lights hanging from the top of the barn, and a country-chic theme throughout the venue. After the party, the wedding party and close friends of the bride and groom all camped out! It was one of the most unique weddings I’ve ever been to!
On the way home, Tom and I drove through Shenandoah National Park on Skyline Drive. If you’ve never been through this part of the country, I highly recommend it, it’s beautiful! We did some hiking along a trail that followed a 70ft waterfall, and boy did I get a work out! Overall, it was a great stop on the trip, and well worth it. We saw a black bear about 30 feet into the woods from where we were standing! Cars were pulling over on the side of the road to get out and take pictures of the bear that was looking for food in a dead tree. It reminded me of Yellowstone National Park, where everyone would get out of the car to take pictures of moose.
It was a great mini-vacation before the wedding!! Kristen’s wedding was the last before ours in October, so I’m back into full out wedding-planning mode! Charge!!

Oktoberfest Is Here!

Break out your leiderhosen or dirndl! It's time for Germania Oktoberfest!

Sheila here, and sadly, this Saturday I will hand over the mallet used to tap the first keg of the season.

It seems like just yesterday that I was driving everyone crazy, asking them to vote for me to be the Burgermeister for the 40th anniversary of Cincinnati's own Germania Society.
I won, and it was one of the most fun moments of my life when I got to tap that keg with thousands of my friends, some of them authentically German, some just for the weekend!

The Germania Society was founded 40 years ago to establish a German House, a place where Germans and German-Americans could come to meet, as well as a place where visitors could feel comfortable. Ric and I have been going to Germania Park for Oktoberfest most every August since we moved here. Our little Katie was only 5 the first time we enjoyed the festival, and now our four-year-old son loves it too. It's a fantastic family event with rides, great food, and authentic German music, dance and the classic Tug-O-War. And you can hoist a German beer or two as you experience gemutlichkeit.

Prost! I hope to see you there!
http://www.germaniasociety.com/oktoberfest2011/oktoberfest11.html

Taste of Blue Ash

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, you might want to head to Blue Ash.

I went for the first time last year, after being invited by some friends.

Loved it. Obviously it features a lot of great food. Everything from Thai, to BBQ to Mexican. You can walk around with a cold one, but there' a family fun area. However, I think it is the entertainment that draws a lot of people. Best part: it's all free. This Friday night at 9 you can see 4 time grammy winner Pat Benetar and Neil Giraldo. She by the way was had the second video that aired on MTV with "You Better Run."

On Saturday night, you catch REO Speedwagon which has sold more than 40 million records. "Keep On Loving You and "Can't Fight This Feeling" two of their number one hits.

On Sunday you can see Creedence Clearwater Revisisted which was formed in 1995 by former CCR members Doug Clifford and Stu Cook.

Just some suggestions on what you can do this weekend.