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‘Crazy Light Guy’: This Clermont County Man Stirs Up Holiday Magic with Hundreds of Vintage Blow Molds
There’s a special tradition in Cincinnati as the winter holidays approach. But you won’t find this one downtown, at the Cincinnati Zoo or Kings Island. It happens right in Jason Dunham’s front yard, just after Thanksgiving. First, it’s two 4-foot red candles with blazing yellow flames. Next, a tan grinning gingerbread man. Then, Santa’s round…
Jack White Is Bringing His Supply Chain Issues Tour to Cincinnati in April
Rock icon and venerable guitar god Jack White needs no introduction. He — of the White Stripes, The Raconteurs (featuring hometown heroes and former Greenhornes “Little” Jack Lawrence and drummer Patrick Keeler) and multiple other music projects — is stopping by the ICON Music Center on April 13 as part of his Supply Chain Issues Tour.…
Anne Frank’s Stepsister to Give Talk at Cincinnati’s Holocaust & Humanity Center in January
Eva Schloss, a Holocaust survivor and posthumous stepsister of Anne Frank, will be visiting Cincinnati in January. Schloss, whose mother Elfriede Geiringer was Otto Frank’s second wife (both of their spouses died in concentration camps), will be at the Holocaust & Humanity Center at Union Terminal on Jan. 26. There she will speak with HHC…
Kentucky’s Forecastle Festival Is Back After Two Years, and Louisville Native Jack Harlow Is Headlining
Forecastle, one of Kentucky’s most popular music festivals, is coming back to Louisville after a two-year absence. It will return to Waterfront Park from May 27–29, 2022. The festival didn’t happen in 2020 or 2021. Last year, it “took a pause,” as organizers called it, like other Louisville festivals Hometown Rising and Bourbon & Beyond. But next year,…
Andrew Bird and Iron & Wine Coming to PNC Pavilion
Melancholy Indie Folk stalwarts Andrew Bird and Iron & Wine are embarking on a co-headlining tour this summer, with a stop in Cincinnati. The two will be bringing the Outside Problems Tour to PNC Pavilion on Aug. 4. Tickets are on sale now via ticketmaster.com. “It will have been more than two years of being…
Hello Honey Artisan Ice Cream Shop Opens New Storefront in East Walnut Hills
Cincinnati has an almost gratuitous amount of gourmet ice cream and gelato options in which to indulge: Graeter’s, Aglamesis Bro’s, Dojo Gelato. But one of them really takes the cake (or the cream): Hello Honey. Husband-and-wife team Nitima and Brian Nicely have been serving their homemade, small-batch desserts on Vine Street downtown since 2012. And, great…
Netflix’s Original 2021 Holiday Movies, Ranked
We here at CityBeat love a good made-for-TV holiday movie — the cheesier the better. Are you a still-single 30-something who gets magically stuck in a literal snow globe in order to find true romance this Christmas? Great. Have you fallen in love with a hot ghost who can only appear in the flesh for…
Cincinnati Leaders Warn About COVID-19 Increase as Holidays Approach
As we head into two major holiday weekends, more Cincinnati leaders are warning about the region’s — and the state’s and country’s — significant increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. During a Dec. 21 briefing, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley, Health Commissioner Melba Moore and Mayor-Elect Aftab Pureval jointly urged residents to take COVID-19 precautions and…
New Dining Concept Would Transform 1920s Funeral Home in Westwood into Two Restaurants
A 1920s funeral home on Harrison Avenue in Westwood may soon be something completely different. According to the Westwood Urban Redevelopment Corporation (WestCURC), the owners of Ivory House restaurant, Frank Eversole and Rick Pouliot — as EP Investments — have submitted a proposal to transform the structure into two separate dining establishments. The building would be…
Ohio’s Chocolate Buckeyes Are Actually Iconic, and That Other Survey Can GTFO
Listen: we’re chocolate buckeye stans around these parts. There is nothing you can tell us that would crater our appreciation for the holy combination of chocolate and peanut butter, hand-rolled into little candy balls with a tiny, tasty eye peeking out. They’re an Ohio classic and part of long-held holiday traditions for many families. That’s…
Dewey’s Brings Back the Rudolph-Themed Yukon Cornelius Loaded Potato Pizza for the Holidays
For adults of a certain age, the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 1960s stop-motion TV special is seared into our memories as something you must watch every holiday, like A Charlie Brown Christmas or Frosty the Snowman. Dewey’s Pizza has tapped into that nostalgia with their seasonal special: The Yukon Cornelius. Named after the mountaineer who…
Kentucky Witches Called to Curse Sen. Joe Manchin Over His Refusal to Support Biden’s Spending Bill
Lots of people are cursing U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin right now. But a group of Kentucky witches apparently want to actually place a curse on the Democratic West Virginia lawmaker. They’re calling for fellow witches to gather at The Witches’ Tree in Old Louisville tonight for a solstice ceremony in opposition to Manchin. But why…
The Omicron COVID Variant Is Surging. Here’s What We’ve Learned So Far
With Omicron spreading globally at a dizzying pace, scientists are scrambling to learn as much as they can about the latest worrisome variant of the coronavirus. First spotted in South Africa and Botswana at the end of November, Omicron is already poised to soon become the dominant variant — dethroning Delta — in some regions,…
Brown Bear Bakery in Over-the-Rhine Offering Limited-Time Green Bean Casserole Croissant
Brown Bear Bakery in Over-the-Rhine is known for crafting delicious and creatively flavored baked goods. Recent menu items have included options like a pumpkin pie croissant; rosemary, persimmon and granola shortbread; and matcha, chocolate and mint snickerdoodles, alongside favorites like the salty chocolate chip cookie. But one recent invention grabbed our eye: Chris’s Green Bean Casserole…
Here’s When You Can Catch Metro Bus During the Holidays
The winter holidays are affecting pretty much all aspects of life, including Cincinnati’s public transportation. All Metro buses and Access service will be on special schedules for the holidays, a release from Metro says. Here’s when you can catch a ride: Friday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Day observed): Sunday/holiday schedules Saturday, Dec. 25: regular Saturday schedules…
Ohio Families Are Implementing ‘Vaccine Mandates’ for Holidays, Survey Says
Some lawmakers keep trying to stop COVID-19 vaccinations from becoming mandatory at businesses or in government, but that doesn’t mean individuals won’t do it. A survey from New York-based medical malpractice law firm Duffy & Duffy says that more than half of Ohio’s residents — 55% — will demand that holiday gatherings in 2021 only…
Ohio’s Favorite Christmas Candy Is Not the Buckeye, and That’s Just Wrong
Ok, Ohio, seriously. The Buckeye State already has shown that it prefers the blandest cake imaginable, but we had high hopes for what Ohio’s favorite Christmas candy for 2021 might be. After all, many of us grew up making buckeyes — those chocolate-covered peanut-butter wonder balls — during the holidays. And even though the treats…
Cincinnati Police are Asking for Help Identifying a Christmas Grinch in Clifton
Someone went around the University of Cincinnati neighborhoods slashing tires Sunday night. We aren’t sure if they were wearing green. Cincinnati Police said in a Twitter post that many residents of Clifton, University Heights and Fairview reported their tires had been slashed. They say others reported general damage to their vehicles. This close to Christmas,…
COVID-19 Testing Is Complicated Right Now. Here Are Answers to 6 Big Questions
A friend texted me recently because her daughter’s class had a coronavirus outbreak and my friend had some questions about COVID-19 testing. Testing has been on lots of other people’s minds and in the news lately, too. President Joe Biden announced recently that insurance providers must reimburse people for at-home coronavirus tests, and millions of…
HomeMakers Bar in Over-the-Rhine Hosting Holiday Night Market with Women-Owned Businesses Tuesday
Need a place to wrap up your last-minute holiday shopping? HomeMakers Bar in Over-the-Rhine is hosting its annual Night Market. From 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, shoppers can browse and buy goodies from woman-owned businesses. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HomeMakers Bar (@homemakersbar) HomeMakers says vendors such as Flora Naturals, District…
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Museum Center to Host COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic for Kids
There’s another option for getting your kids vaccinated from COVID-19 — just in time for the new year. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the Cincinnati Museum Center are teaming up to host a pediatric COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Wednesday, Dec. 29. The clinic will run 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Union Terminal. Pfizer vaccine doses…
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Is Extremely Full, According to Facebook Post
Local hospitals have a message for Cincinnati: We’re full. Regional health officials have sounded the alarm for months (actually, since a few months into the pandemic), but now they’re being much more direct. The ongoing spread of COVID-19 along with influenza and other respiratory problems are coalescing into a season from hell, and hospitals are…
Cincinnati’s Oldest Bar, Arnold’s Bar & Grill Is Hosting a 160 Year Anniversary Party
Cincinnati’s oldest bar has officially been operating for 160 years, and of course, they have to celebrate. Arnold’s Bar & Grill will be hosting an anniversary party Dec. 29. Seem like that’s pretty close to the end of 2021 to celebrate? Arnold’s co-owner Chris Breeden explained the reason why in an email, writing, “So, with…
Airbnb Is Cracking Down on New Year’s Eve Party Rentals in Cincinnati
Party-and-dash revelers, consider yourself warned. Rental platform Airbnb has implemented new anti-party rules will make it harder for people to rent Cincinnati homes through its app to hold New Year’s Eve parties. Guests without a history of positive reviews on its platform won’t be able to make one-night reservations for entire houses. What’s more, the…
As COVID Cases Climb, Cleveland Hospitals Take Out Full-Page Ad in Newspaper Begging Public to Get Vaccinated
“Help.” That’s how the full-page ad in the Sunday Plain Dealer taken out by the Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, University Hospitals, Summa Health, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center begins. “We need your help. We now have more COVID-19 patients in our hospitals than ever before. And the overwhelming majority are…
Here’s How to Find Free COVID-19 Tests and Vaccines in Cincinnati During the Holiday Season
With the Omicron variant of the coronavirus circulating within Ohio and residents gathering for the holidays, health officials are urging Greater Cincinnatians to take COVID-19 safety precautions and get tested for the virus. During a Dec. 15 media briefing with Hamilton County officials, Dr. Richard Lofgren — UC Health’s president and CEO — said that…
The Bengals Beat the Broncos So Cincinnatians Get Free Chili
The Cincinnati Bengals brought home a win Sunday night, keeping their winning record and making it to an 8-6 season. Because they defeated the Denver Broncos 15-10, Gold Star is offering buy-one-get-one “Who Dey Ways.” As the “Official Chili of the Cincinnati Bengals,” Gold Star serves up a special deal every time the Bengals triumph…
Guest Commentary: The Rabid Right Believes the Second Amendment Has No Limits — Not Even Nukes
“Under no pretext should arms and ammunition be surrendered.” — Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, Address of the Central Committee to the Communist League, 1850 Private citizens have the right to stockpile nuclear weapons under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Or so says David Barton, the former vice chair of the Republican Party…
The CDC Recommends mRNA COVID Vaccines Over J&J’s, Citing Fewer Risks
People seeking a COVID-19 vaccine should choose an mRNA shot over Johnson & Johnson’s, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends. The mRNA vaccines, made by Moderna and by Pfizer and its German partner BioNtech, are safer and more effective and are the preferred option, an advisory panel unanimously agreed on December 16.…
Top 10 Things To Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (Dec. 17-19)
Cincinnati is rife with cute, cozy and glowing things to do this weekend. There are 14 drive-thru or walk-thru light displays, plenty of traditional end-of-year productions on local stages and multiple pop-up ice rinks to skate outdoors. In particular, this weekend boasts the return of two hometown music acts, as well as the Cincinnati Ballet’s The…
These Greater Cincinnati Restaurants Are Offering Christmas Carry-Out
Don’t feel like making dinner this Christmas? No problem. These Greater Cincinnati restaurants are offering special holiday take-out meals so you can enjoy spending time with your family instead of spending time cooking in the kitchen. Note: It’s better to plan these things in advance, so if you know you want carry-out, place your order…
DeWine Mobilizes Ohio National Guard to Help Relieve Hospital Staff as COVID Cases Rise
The pandemic isn’t over, as UC Health President and CEO Dr. Richard Lofgren said during a Hamilton County news briefing this week. “It is active and alive and is actually overwhelming our health systems,” he told Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus and Hamilton County Public Health Commissioner Greg Kesterman. That strain on state hospitals is what has…
Mayfield Candle Factory Employees Whose Jobs Were Threatened During Kentucky Tornado Are Suing The Company
Employees of the Mayfield, Kentucky, candle factory that was destroyed by a tornado, killing at least eight workers, have filed a lawsuit against the company and are asking for class action status. Elijah Johnson, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, told NBC News that he and other employees asked to leave work on the night the tornado…
There’s a Shit Ton of Ugly Sweater Parties This Weekend
If you were hoping to find somewhere to don your tackiest holiday sweater, you’re in luck, because there are multiple “ugly sweater” parties and bar crawls happening this weekend. Here are just 10 of them. Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at Low SparkLow Spark is hosting an ugly sweater party with a themed drink menu and…
Cincinnati Zoo’s Festival of Lights Wins Best Zoo Lights Award from ‘USA Today’
For the fourth year in a row, the Cincinnati Zoo’s Festival of Lights has been voted the No. 1 zoo light display in the country by USA Today. Readers voted for the Queen City to take home the gold as part of the paper’s 10Best poll, where a slew of experts select their top picks…
Review: Netflix’s ‘Procession’ Uses a Unique Storytelling Method to Explore Shattered Faith
“I want this to be like Marvel superheroes vanquishing the fucking forces of darkness,” says Ed, one victim of sexual abuse, says in Robert Greene’s newest documentary Procession, currently streaming on Netflix. The slide, in which the middle-aged man’s face folds in on itself, moving to the brink of tears as he makes an appeal…
Found Footage Festival Coming to Cincinnati’s Memorial Hall in February 2022
After having 80 tour dates canceled last year due to the pandemic, the Found Footage Festival is back on the road and will come to Cincinnati’s Memorial Hall at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3. Tickets are on sale now. Hosts Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher, whose credits include The Onion and The Late Show, will…
Here’s Everything We Learned About COVID-19 Vaccines in 2021
2021 was the year the COVID-19 vaccines had to prove their mettle. We started the year full of hope: With vaccines in hand in record-breaking time and their rollout ramping up, we’d get shots in arms, curb this pandemic and get life back to normal. That was too optimistic. Roughly 200 million people in the…
Ohio Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Targeting COVID Vaccine Lottery
The Ohio Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit Thursday that alleged the state’s COVID-19 vaccine lottery program was an illegal spend and that mask mandates violate a Holocaust-era ethics doctrine around experiments with human subjects. The court dismissed the suit on legal grounds like standing and jurisdiction and left alone the vaccine conspiracy theories that undergirded…
Weird Al Yankovic Is Finally Touring Again, but Cincinnati Nerds Will Have to See Him in Dayton
Break out the shirts and prepare for accordion goodness, because “Weird Al” Yankovic is finally launching a new tour. The only problem? You’ll have to head to Dayton to see it. Yankovic, will kick off his amazingly titled “The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour” tour on April 26 in Poughkeepsie, New…
Legislation Ensuring Right to Homebrew Beer in Ohio on Way to Gov. DeWine
Elmer Steingass’ friends call him Goose, and his brown ale took home a gold medal at a recent homebrewing competition. It’s going to be tough to get a taste, though. That’s because homebrewing falls into a bit of a grey area under Ohio law. A measure on its way to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk would…
Renowned Author, Feminist, Thinker and Kentucky Native bell hooks Has Died at 69
“One of the most vital ways we sustain ourselves is by building communities of resistance, places where we know we are not alone.”—bell hooks bell hooks has died. According to the Washington Post, the cause was end-stage renal failure. She was 69. Born Gloria Jean Watkins in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, hooks became an internationally renowned author,…
Biden Shocked By Kentucky Tornado Damage; Feds to Cover 30 Days of Disaster Relief
U.S. President Joe Biden spent the afternoon in Western Kentucky on Wednesday, surveying the damage of last Friday’s deadly tornadoes and laying out more plans for ongoing federal support, including that the U.S. government promises to cover 100% of the disaster relief costs for the first 30 days. Biden — who approved Gov. Andy Beshear’s…
Cincinnati Doctor to Hamilton County Residents: ‘This Pandemic Is Not Over’
A local health leader has a warning for Greater Cincinnati: don’t let your guard down. During a Dec. 15 media briefing with Hamilton County officials, Dr. Richard Lofgren — UC Health’s president and CEO — said that COVID-19 continues to be a big threat within the region as vaccination enthusiasm has waned, new coronavirus variants…
Cincinnati is One of the Top 10 American Cities for Christmas, According to Study
It definitely seems like the Christmas spirit is in the air in Cincinnati this year. Financial website WalletHub knows what’s up. They recently released a list of the best American cities for Christmas, and Cincinnati ranked pretty high. Out of the 100 cities surveyed, Cincinnati took home the No. 8 spot. Other Ohio cities Cleveland…
Liberty Center Is Getting an Event Space Developed by the Founders of Agave & Rye
A new event space developed by the founders of Agave & Rye Tequila & Bourbon Hall is coming to Liberty Center in January. Shindig Park will be taking over the location that was previously Rodizio Grill. The space will be transformed into an “eclectic and vibrant space for all of life’s ‘shindigs,’” according to a…
Spot a ‘Holly Jolly’ Decorated Cincinnati Metro Bus and Ride for Free This Holiday Season
Cincinnati Metro is going all out spreading holiday cheer this season. Officials say two bus interiors have been decked out with festive decorations. These buses will be circulating throughout routes in Hamilton County. If you happen to catch one of these “Holly Jolly Metro Buses,” your ride will be free. The buses will circulate from…
‘Packing and Cracking’: How Ohio’s Gerrymandering Affects Communities
With pending litigation challenging Ohio’s recently passed legislative maps, a new project is humanizing the stakes of the redistricting process. The Ohio Supreme Court heard arguments last week from three groups challenging the new Ohio House and Senate district maps as unconstitutional for violating anti-gerrymandering requirements. Jeniece Brock, policy and advocacy director for the Ohio Organizing…
On Sandy Hook Anniversary, Ohio Senate Committee Votes to Scrap Training, Background Checks for Concealed Carry Permits
The hearing began with a moment of silence to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting, in which a young man shot and killed 20 children and six adults. It ended with Republicans on the Veterans and Public Safety Committee voting to send to the Senate floor legislation to remove training…
How Long Will It Take Kentucky To Recover From the Tornadoes? Joplin, Missouri, Can Tell You
Kentucky’s recovery process from the storm that Gov. Andy Beshear called the worst tornado event in the state’s history is going to take years, according to Kentucky’s Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett. Years, or a decade? In 2011, a tornado cut a six-mile path at three quarters of a mile wide through Joplin, Missouri, in…
U.S. President Joe Biden To Visit Kentucky Wednesday To Survey Tornado Damage
U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Fort Campbell, Mayfield and Dawson Springs, Kentucky on Wednesday to survey tornado damage. Federal disaster assistance teams are on the ground in Western Kentucky, helping families apply for disaster relief. Michael Dossett, emergency management director for the state of Kentucky, said there are three ways families can apply for…
FC Cincinnati Announces New Head Coach
2021 was not the season of dreams for Queen City soccer fans — FC Cincinnati finished the year with a 4-22-8 record, tying it with the 2019 season for losses. But there’s hope for change in 2022 with the announcement of a new head coach. FC Cincinnati has tapped Pat Noonan to step into the…
Kentucky Tornado Death Count Holds Steady at 74, but There’s More to Come, Beshear Says
There’s little to celebrate in the aftermath of devastating tornadoes, but Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is trying to look for the good. During a media briefing on Dec. 14, Beshear said that the confirmed death count from series of deadly tornadoes on Dec. 10 and 11 holds steady at 74. Eight people are still unidentified…
Motion City Soundtrack Singer Talks About Anniversary Tour Coming to Bogart’s in January
When Motion City Soundtrack singer-guitarist Justin Pierre first met guitarist Josh Cain, the two were in high school and liked very different types of music. Cain had an older brother who was the conduit for “really cool music” and introduced him to acts such as Big Black and the Pixies. Pierre had much more conventional…
Mason City Council Repeals Abortion Ban
Controversial — some might say ill-conceived — legislation in Mason was aborted Monday night. After months of attempting to become a “sanctuary city for the unborn,” Mason finally gave up its mission to ban abortions during the Dec. 13 city council meeting. The council voted 6-1 to repeal an anti-abortion ordinance that it had passed…
Columbus Zoo Loses Accreditation Appeal
Columbus Zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Dan Ashe, Tom Schmid
Cincinnati’s Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center Gets a New Name
Cincinnati’s new downtown music venue, the Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center, is getting a new name. Well, at least a shorter one. The indoor/outdoor space at The Banks will now be known as the Andrew J. Brady Music Center, dropping the “ICON.” According to local Music and Event Management, Inc. (MEMI) — the music promotion…
Ohio Supreme Court Asks for More Information in State Redistricting Case
The Ohio Supreme Court is still considering whether or not to change legislative redistricting maps in the state, and have sent a question back to the parties in the three lawsuits. In a filing Dec. 13, the state’s highest court asked the League of Women Voters, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a group of Ohio citizens,…
Guest Commentary: The Tornadoes Will Come Again, And The Kentucky Worker Is In The Path
The tornadoes will come again. Floods, ice storms, heatwaves and hurricanes, too. There have been more than 7,000 major natural disasters in the last 20 years. That’s nearly double the number of disasters from the two preceding decades. By now, it is apparent that world leaders are not going to take the dramatic measures required…
Indiana Woman Finds Vintage Kentucky Photo That Traveled 130 Miles Via Tornado Winds
The tornadoes that ripped through the Midwest and mid-South over the weekend caused untold death and destruction that officials still are trying to quantify. But even among the devastation, moments of sweetness can occur. On Saturday, Kate Posten of New Albany, Indiana, found a black-and-white photo on her windshield, the Associated Press reports. The image?…
Tornadoes May Have Caused Fewer Deaths at Kentucky Factory than Previously Thought, Beshear Says
Kentucky still is in a dire situation after this weekend’s massive tornadoes, but there may be a little hope on the horizon. During a media briefing Dec. 13, a visibly shaken Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said that search-and-rescue efforts that began shortly after this weekend’s devastating tornadoes are ongoing. Kentucky residents in at least eight…
Ohio Confirms First Two Cases Of Omicron, But CDC Says Delta Is Still The Biggest Threat
Twenty-five states have identified cases of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19, federal public health officials said Friday as they released new data on the first 43 U.S. cases. On Saturday, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) confirmed two cases in the state of the variant, bringing the number to at least 26 states. “We have known…
Evanescence and Halestorm’s Cincinnati Tour Stop Postponed Due to COVID
Update: The show has once again been postponed until Jan. 14. Lead singer Amy Lee said in a release: “We’ve done everything we could to try and make it work but with multiple positive Covid tests in our touring party it just wouldn’t be right to continue the show schedule as is. All the bands…
Here’s How You Can Help Those Impacted by Kentucky’s Deadly Tornadoes
This past weekend, more than 20 tornadoes descended upon the Midwest and mid-South, destroying parts of western Kentucky. According to Governor Andy Beshear, upwards of 80 people have been killed — that number is expected to climb, Beshear has said — and an untold number have been displaced by the devastation. The city of Mayfield was…
Kentucky’s Tornadoes Were Among the Most Deadly in History
Officials are still trying to piece together the full devastation and death count from a series of tornadoes that ripped through multiple states — including Kentucky — this weekend. More than 20 tornadoes descended upon the Midwest and mid-South on Dec. 10 and early Dec. 11, hitting Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee. Emergency agencies…
Western Kentucky Communities Band Together in Tornadoes’ Aftermath
Communities in Western Kentucky are grappling with the destruction and loss of life from deadly tornadoes that ripped through the state over the weekend. The storms have likely killed at least 80 people, with dozens more unaccounted for. Tens of thousands of people remain without power. McClean County resident Karen Kitchens works at a local…
The Winter Guide: 47 Things To Do In Cincinnati When It’s Cold Outside
It’s time for CityBeat’s annual Winter Guide, offering up all things quaint and cozy to do this December in Greater Cincinnati. From Ebenezer Scrooge’s return on the Playhouse mainstage and a dozen drive-thru light displays to heated igloos and a giant collection of glowing vintage blow molds, there’s enough holiday cheer in the following pages…
Beshear Is Bringing Sexy Back, and 7 Other Greater Cincinnati Stories You May Have Missed This Week
It’s the holiday season, but if you’re following Ohio political news, you may have forgotten. Catch up on this week’s political football, dining news, winter fun and one of the region’s largest homemade displays of holiday lights. Redistricting Plans for Statehouse Now up to the Ohio Supreme Court Ohio Republicans recently drew and voted for…
Guest Commentary: Here’s the Difference Between PCR and Antigen COVID-19 Tests
At this point in the pandemic, you or someone you know has probably received at least one COVID-19 test. But do you know which kind of test you got and the strengths and weaknesses of these different tests? I’m a molecular biologist, and since April 2020 I’ve been part of a team working on a…
Oscar Winner Regina King Filming New Movie, ‘Shirley,’ in Cincinnati
Oscar-winning actress Regina King is the latest star to land in the Queen City. King will be in town to shoot Shirley, which follows the story of America’s first Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm. Film Cincinnati says Shirley will cover Chisholm’s “dynamic presidential campaign” and “provide an intimate, behind-the-scenes portrait of the ground-breaking political leader during…
Rural Ohio Students Ready to Use Broadband Investments from Federal Infrastructure Package
Ohio’s rural educators said the funding for broadband in the bipartisan infrastructure package signed into la w last month is critical for their communities. While many acknowledged the problem has existed for decades, the pandemic put a spotlight on the increased need for high-speed internet for virtual work and learning. Lauren Metcalf, president of the…
Fern’s Holiday Market Brings More Than a Dozen Local Makers to the Plant Shop’s College Hill Location
Looking to shop local this season? College Hill plant and lifestyle shop Fern is hosting its annual holiday market pop-up with more than a dozen Greater Cincinnati vendors. On Sunday, Dec. 12, head to the gas-station-turned-storefront for artisan eats, jewelry, coffee, makeup and apothecary items, sustainable goods, stuff for kids, fiber art and even cocktails.…
Reading School Reopens after Student’s Alleged Threat of Gun Violence
A Greater Cincinnati school is returning to classes today after being closed Thursday due to a threat of violence. On Wednesday, the Reading Police Department took into custody a 13-year-old student from the Reading Community City School District who allegedly had made violent threats. The student was arrested and charged with inciting panic. The student…
Jason Isbell Plays Cincinnati This Weekend and His Return to Ohio Was Worth the Wait
Alt-Country stalwart Jason Isbell and his band the 400 Unit are on their way to Cincinnati. Isbell will perform back-to-back shows at the Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center on Friday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 11. Grand Ole Opry star Marty Stuart will be the featured guest, along with Stuart’s band, the Fabulous Superlatives.…
Asheville-Based Hi-Wire Brewing to Open a Location in Norwood Factory 52 Development
An Asheville, North Carolina-based brewery has announced they will be adding a location in an upcoming 20-acre mixed-used development in Norwood. Hi-Wire Brewing focuses on seasonal beers that are “brewed to be balanced and approachable.” According to the brewery’s website, they currently have eight locations, including one in Louisville. Norwood’s will be the first in…
Cincinnati’s Bars Make Us One of the Most Fun Cities in America for 2021, WalletHub Finds
If you’re having a blast in Cincinnati, you’re not alone. Financial website WalletHub recently released its list of the American cities where you can have the most fun, and Cincinnati is right up there. Out of the 180 metro areas WalletHub studied, Cincinnati comes in as the No. 17 overall city for fun in 2021.…
Uh-Oh: Ohio Just Burned Out on Holiday Cheer, Study Says
Ok, Ohio. Your Christmas spirit (or whatever) is officially up. American Addiction Centers recently conducted a study to determine when residents of different states burn out from holiday parties, festive events and all of the drinking that comes with both. To determine results, the organization surveyed 3,192 drinkers about the festive season, which for the…
Costumed Dogs Take Over Mt. Adams for the 32nd Annual Reindog Parade This Weekend
Don’t miss out on one of Cincinnati’s cutest and most charitable parades this holiday season. The 32nd-annual Reindog Parade kicks off this Saturday, Dec., 11 at 2 p.m. Proceeds will go to the Batavia League for Animal Welfare. The Mount Adams Business Guild says along with the parade there will be a costume contest, raffles,…
New Abortion Bill That Passed Ohio House Could Bring Clinic Closures in Cincinnati
The newest abortion bill to pass the Ohio House could also spell the closure of Southwest Ohio clinics and the criminalization of doctors. Despite multiple Democrat attempts to amend the bill and remove the language that would affect doctors’ ability to transfer patients from abortion facilities, Senate Bill 157 passed Wednesday afternoon along party lines,…
Redistricting Plans for Statehouse Now up to the Ohio Supreme Court
Three groups challenging district maps for the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate made their cases Wednesday that the Ohio Supreme Court should reject maps approved by state Republican leaders. The League of Women Voters, The Ohio Organizing Collaborative and a group of a dozen Ohio residents pushed the state’s highest court to find that…
CincyShirts’ Sexy Gov. Beshear T-Shirt Is the Gift We All Need
There’s a reason CityBeat gave Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear a Best Of Cincinnati pick this year for Best Kentucky Daddy. For the mom who has watched every single one of Beshear’s COVID press briefings. For the Republican who you most want to troll in your life. For the health care worker who’s sick of explaining…
Drug Enforcement Officials Support White House Plan for Easier Cannabis Research
Federal agencies with oversight of illegal drugs say they support a Biden White House plan that would make it easier for scientists to conduct research on Schedule I drugs such as cannabis and some psychedelics, Marijuana Moment reports. Officials with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the National Institute on Drug Abuse last week testified at…
Kentucky COVID Rates Escalate Again, Hit Highest Case Count Since Mid-October
Kentucky COVID, Kentucky COVID stats
Charges Finally Dismissed for Kentucky Farm Bureau Protesters
The charges against three protesters who were arrested in 2019 at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Country Ham Breakfast at the state fair were dismissed on Tuesday in Jefferson County District Court. Chris Hartman, Sonja Wilde-de Vries and Carla F. Wallace — who were arrested by Kentucky State Police — faced disorderly conduct in the second…
Comedian John Mulaney Heads to Cincinnati’s Heritage Bank Center in March
John Mulaney is taking his “uncomfortably vulnerable” comedy act on tour, and he’ll be stopping by Cincinnati’s Heritage Bank Center on Sunday, March 13. Presale tickets already have gone on sale for Mulaney’s fan club members, and the public sale will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10. “From Scratch” is Mulaney’s first tour since he…
12 Days of Festive Things To Do Before Christmas in Greater Cincinnati
While the 12 days of Christmas are traditionally the 12 days following the holiday, most people today like to do their Christmas celebrations in the days leading up to Dec. 25. So to give our readers some holiday inspiration, we’ve made a list of 12 festive things to do before Santa comes to town. (And…
Andrew Gabbard of The Buffalo Killers Debuts Solo Album ‘Homemade’ — And It’s Really, Really Good
Whenever Greater Cincinnati Rock band the Buffalo Killers does press interviews, bassist/vocalist Zach Gabbard typically takes the lead. But now that guitarist/vocalist (and Zach’s brother) Andrew Gabbard is set to release his first solo project, Homemade, it’s his turn in the promotional spotlight. So how does it feel being the carnival barker directing people into…
Three Outdoor Cincinnati Ice Rinks to Skate On This Winter
Ice skating has been a quintessential winter activity since humans figured out that gliding over frozen water was both an effective means of getting around and also fun. According to some light Googling, ice skating seems to have originated in Finland about 4,000 years ago (they have a lot of ice) and began to resemble…
Seven Greater Cincinnati Igloos for Cozy Comforts and Outdoor Cocktails
We’re in full cozy-core season now, and nothing beats feeling the air’s soft chill while being 100% enveloped with warmth. Greater Cincinnati restaurants and bars are fully committing to that idea with “igloos.” After gaining popularity in 2020, these translucent, frequently heated biomes are here to stay, providing the perfect place to vibe and chill…
Five Model Train Displays to See in Greater Cincinnati This Holiday Season
Get in the seasonal spirit by visiting some of Cincinnati’s holiday model train displays. Holiday Junction at the Cincinnati Museum Center The Duke Energy Holiday Trains are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year. The display first debuted in downtown Cincinnati in 1946, and this year’s iteration at the Cincinnati Museum Center’s Holiday Junction features 60…
From Roasted Chestnuts to Sugar Plums: Why Are These Holiday Foods Rarely Seen In Cincinnati
Winter’s here, so that means families around the globe are getting sentimental for holiday traditions at the table. While there’s nothing wrong with the standard American go-to dishes like roasted ham, gingerbread or milk and cookies, there are certain foods and drinks that tend to be associated with the holiday season that nobody in Cincinnati…
North South Baking Company Opens a Brick-and-Mortar Storefront in Covington
North South Baking Company is slinging baked goods in a new home shared with Ludlow, Kentucky-based Bircus Brewing Company. For baker and owner Kate Nycz, it’s a dream years in the making — and it comes just in time for the holidays. North South, which formed four years ago, had previously operated out of Newport’s Incubator…
Five Holiday Productions Onstage at Greater Cincinnati Theaters
Cincinnati’s mainstream theaters are back for the winter holidays, along with COVID-19 safety precautions (requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test, plus masking). Some productions began before Thanksgiving, but by early December, shows from Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati…
