EnterTRAINment Junction

I saw rock legend Neil Young at EnterTRAINment Junction! Well, not in person, but I saw his photo alongside the big train display he donated.
Sheila here.

My girlfriend Sharon and I took our boys up to West Chester for a day of fun with the trains and a visit with Santa. I hadn't been to the train wonderland with Eric for a couple of years, and I was surprised to see so many new things (including Neil Young's train exhibit).

EnterTRAINment Junction is 25,000 square feet of a train lover's dream. It's a real history lesson to walk through time, seeing how trains have helped to build our country. Of course, Eric and Christopher just ran through that part of the Junction, hooting and hollering about things they spotted, and only taking time to stop when they wanted to push the buttons to make the trains move, cows moo, or church bells ring. Two miles of track are busy with steam engines, passenger trains, and diesel locomotives. Everywhere you look, there are trains, tiny people, and right now, little Santa Claus figures all over the place. You can't look at it the same way twice.

EnterTRAINment Junction also added a funhouse earlier this year, and Chris and Eric scared us to death when they ran into Curtain Chaos -- it's a maze of red and white curtains -- and the boys almost disappeared on us! We found them, and the four of us laughed our heads off, running into walls and plowing through the curtains. The A-Maze-N Funhouse also boasts a Mirror Maze, which is one of the largest of its kind in North America, an Ames Room, where the boys seemed to grow or shrink by walking across the room, and the Outer Limits: Journey Through the Black Hole. It includes a spinning vortex tunnel that'll make you feel like you can't stay on your feet, along with a room full of glowing planets.

Of course, the best part of all was our time in the Main Street Holiday Trains room, all decked out with Christmas trees, a candyland, Santa's toy-making machine, and snow in every direction, followed by our Christmas journey through a winter wonderland on the way to see Santa Claus himself. In one room, snow was falling indoors! Even our four-year-old's figured out it was made of tiny bubbles, but they loved catching the "flakes." Eric stopped to check out Prancer in the reindeer stable, and the guys were treated to sugar cookies from Mrs. Claus before they sat on the Jolly Old Elf's lap and told him about their Christmas wishes. Funny how two boisterous boys got very quiet and polite when it was time to see Santa. (That made their mommies proud!)

We wrapped up our visit with some playtime in the Imagination Junction - a railroad-themed entertainment center where kids can climb, slide, bounce, crawl, and even shovel coal on a steam engine. Our boys worked off some steam, then clutched their Thomas the Tank Engine sticker books as we headed for the car. It was a fun day full of new Christmas memories for all of us. http://www.entertrainmentjunction.com/

Dreaming of the Beach

Hi everyone. It's Rob, and I'm dreaming of a warm, sunny, beachy vacation.

Pretty sad considering that winter doesn't officially start for another 3 weeks.

For the last two years I have vacationed with friends. We all went to the UK earlier this year. We spent a few days in London and a few days in the countryside. The trip was fun and educational, but it was expensive. We also did a lot of running around, so it wasn't too terribly relaxing. Last year, we all went to Nantucket. Again a lot of fun, but expensive and not too relaxing. Well, we are all planning a vacation in March. I want it to be relaxing and inexpensive. I don't care where we go as long as it is to the beach. I want a book, a drink in my hand and sand under my feet. I also want to hear waves and feel the sun.

I haven't taken many beach vacations. I have been to Caye Caulker in Belize. I have also been to Miami. Other than that, I don't know much about island vacations. Some of the ideas being tossed around: Cabo, Atlantis, the Rivera Maya. I told my friends, I will go anywhere as long as it is inexpensive. I have never been to an all inclusive resort. The price sounds right, but will it be too crowded. I don't like cruises. Per Sheila's suggestion, I have checked out vacation beach rental by owner http://www.vbro.com/ That's also a possibility. I'm sure we will find something. I'm sure it will be fun. I won't complain as long as it is INEXPENSIVE AND RELAXING. I don't want to do a lot of running around. If you have any suggestions email me rwilliams@fox19.com

Oh Christmas Tree

So do you like a real or fake Christmas Tree? I totally understand some circumstances that may keep you from getting a real tree every year, but it's something you must do from time to time. Marzullo here, and if your looking for a new Christmas Tradition I can't express enough to you HOW AWESOME of a experience the Big Tree Plantation in Morrow will be for you and your family. When I think tree farm, this is exactly what I think of. You can actually take a horse drawn carriage ride or tractor ride out to the trees, and they give you a saw and a sled and you can chop it down. I have had real trees in the past but my girlfriend has never had a real tree, so this was a big deal and it was well worth it. It took a while of going through the trees but we finally found our perfect tree, we chose a 7 foot Canaan Fir. In addition they have so many other varaities Colorado Blue Spruce, Scotch and White Pines, with live trees from 2 feet to 22 feet tall. If you do not want to cut down your own you can choose a pre-cut which includes Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, Noble Fir, Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, and White Pine. They cut and wrap it for you with the help of Moeller's Lacrosse Team volunteers, and while they do that you can hang out in The Winter Wonderland and see Santa and his real reindeer out behind the barn. Plus the gift shop is something out of Santa's workshop. Even if you already have your tree make this trip to Morrow and start a new tradition this what Christmas is all about!

Happy Black Friday!

Good Friday morning....Dan Wells writing I hope this note finds you well!

The holiday shopping season has begun here in the Tri-state as stores opened their doors at midnight -- a few hours earlier than they normally do on the most anticipated shopping day of the year. A few retailers even had lines of shoppers when they opened on the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday.

We're told retailers hope the earlier openings will make Black Friday shopping more convenient for Americans who are more likely to be worried about high unemployment and the other challenges they face in the weak economy.

Black Friday is important to merchants because it kicks off the holiday shopping season, a time when they can make 25 to 40 percent of their annual revenue. It's expected that shoppers will spend nearly $500 billion during the holiday shopping season, or about 3 percent more than they did last year.

About 34 percent of consumers plan to shop on Black Friday, up from 31 percent last year, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers, and 16 percent had planned to shop on Thanksgiving Day itself. For the weekend, 152 million people are expected shop, up from 138 million last year.

So...to get people to shop, merchants pulled out of their bag of tricks. Only a few opened last year at midnight, but several more stores followed this year. Some are offering to match the prices of competitors. Others are offering layaway plans that allow shoppers to pay as they go.
But the deals are what's driving many early shoppers into stores. After all, Americans are focusing more on bargains these days, a habit they picked up during the economic downturn

It remains to be seen whether that enthusiasm will linger throughout the holiday shopping season. But analysts seem to agree that if retailers want shoppers to keep coming back, they'll have to keep discounting.

Have a great weekend!

Dan

Happy Thanksgiving

Good Morning Everyone, We are taking a break from the BLOG on this holiday. However, we wanted to send a SPECIAL THANK YOU, to all of you who choose to spend your mornings with us every weekday. This morning Rob, Sheila, and I have reflected off air of what we are thankful for and we are thankful to do what we do each and everyday and we are so blessed in our professional and personal lives. We THANK YOU for allowing us to do what we do. We are also very thankful for our new friends and co-workers who have joined us over the last year, we are a team, we are a family, and we are thankful for all that comes with it. HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

A Tribute To Those Who Feed Us

Finally! We are done with the cook-off!


Hi, it's Sheila. Don't get me wrong. I have LOVED tasting everyone's cooking for the last week and a half, and I have enjoyed seeing another side of the Fox 19 Morning team during our friendly competition, but I am so glad my day in the kitchen is over. It's a lot of work!


Our contest has given me a new appreciation for the fantastic chefs and food experts who contribute to our show every month. Rita Heikenfeld, Giovanna Trimpe, Amy Tobin, Kia Crittenden, Barbie Hahn, this is for you. It's also for any chef who comes in on a not-regular basis, from Jean-Robert to Todd Kelly to "Gramma" Debbie Ganaway, Chefs Louis & Meredith and every other foodie we love here in Cincinnati. (I'm sorry if I'm forgetting someone!)

When you cook for TV, you have to do everything twice -- cook one version for the cameras (and for Rob and me to eat!), and prepare another one to demonstrate how to make it on TV. I forgot my salt, pepper, and garlic powder because I put it away when I was at home making the Oven Barbecued Pork for my entry! I had to schlep two boxes full of dishes, meat, tablecloth, fruit, and more into the station at 3:30 in the morning! And I woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, wondering what I had forgotten to do to get the dish ready. I ended up lying there, smelling the pork roasting for an hour before I got back to sleep!

It's all worth it when you see smiles on the faces of your friends eating the food, but let me tell you something, it'll be a long time before I agree to do that again! Watch Rob sweat today at 8:15, and watch Xtra to see which one of us won the contest.

And log onto to our friends' wonderful food websites for some great recipes for your family!
Rita Heikenfeld: http://cincinnati.com/blogs/cookingwithrita/
Giovanna Trimpe: http://www.holychowcookbook.com/
Amy Tobin: http://www.amy-tobin.com/
Kia Crittenden: http://www.kitchenvixen.com/
Barbie Hahn: http://andersonfarmersmarket.wordpress.com/category/barbie-hahns-eating-locally/

Guest Blogger 5chw4r7z

5th annual Cincinnati Unchained and Holidays in the Bag
Last night we were treated to a mini “Taste of Over-the-Rhine” with venders serving their specialties as we learned about events for the upcoming Holiday Shopping/Event Season in OTR.
Jean-François Flechet, owner of taste of Belgium and Rob Williams, Fox19 news anchor80 local businesses throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will offer shoppers specials this Saturday during the fifth annual Cincinnati Unchained, an event created to encourage shoppers to purchase holiday gifts from local, independent stores.For every dollar spent at a chain $0.57 leaves the community.For every dollar spent at a local independant store $0.73 stays in your community.Local businesses get less subsidies and pay more tax per acre than chains. Money spent at a local independent shop is an investment in your neighborhood. Independent businesses recirculate revenue locally twice as much and have four times the economic impact per square foot while consuming a fraction of the land.So I want to be clear, you don't have to drive to OTR to shop but you can. Support the independent merchants closest in your neighborhood.For a full list of participating businesses and more information click here.This Saturday, the 19th is going to be a busy day. We have in addition to Unchained;Balluminaria in Eden Park beginning at 4pmCrafty Supermarket Holiday Show! at the Clifton Cultural Arts CenterCINCINNATI CORNHOLE CHAMPIONSHIP at the American Can LoftsSloane Boutique Grand Opening Party 1216 Vine Street OTRLooking ahead to next week we have;OTR Bar Crawl, Wednesday November 23rdSpend the night before Thanksgiving in Over-the-Rhine. A unique drink will be available at each bar or restaurant in the neighborhood, including Abigail Street, A Tavola, Senate, Lavomatic, The Lackman, MOTR, Neon’s, Grammer’s and The Drinkery!Holidays in the Bag, Friday November 25thAvoid the rush of the malls by shopping Over-the-Rhine for unique, local gifts in a relaxed atmosphere. Over-the-Rhine is holding its fourth Holidays in the Bag event. Buy the official reusable holiday shopping bag at Coffee Emporium on Central Parkway or other retail shops in OTR from November 21 – 25 and receive a 20% discount at participating stores. Proceeds from the sales of the holiday bags benefit the Freestore Foodbank.And much much more, check out the full holiday schedule HERE

YOU CAN READ ALL OF 5chw4r7z's BLOGS HERE http://5chw4r7z.blogspot.com/ CINCINNATI MAGAZINE SAYS HE'S ONE OF THE BEST BLOGGERS IN THE AREA.