Photos: Provided by Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals
Former Cincinnati Reds third baseman Scott Rolen and current Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow are both in awards conversations this week.
We're in the thick of it now, Cincinnati. Bengals fever definitely has taken over the Queen City again – just like last season – as the team continues its second bona fide Super Bowl quest in as many years. Meanwhile, a Reds legend finally is getting his due, and a rising soccer talent is turning heads. Outside of sports, government leaders are coming up with all kinds of plans and several local restaurants are getting major validation. Meanwhile, CityBeat dropped a new print issue that's on newsstands now.
Catch up on the week's biggest headlines below.
Former Cincinnati Reds Third Baseman Scott Rolen Gets National Baseball Hall of Fame Nod
It finally happened. In his sixth year of eligibility, former Cincinnati Reds third baseman and eight-time Gold Glover Scott Rolen made it into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He'll be inducted during a July 23 ceremony alongside Fred McGriff, who played 19 seasons and was added by the Contemporary Baseball Era Players Committee in December. Rolen punched his Cooperstown ticket with 297 votes, or 76.3% of the vote, from eligible members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). Read CityBeat's story about Rolen's journey to the Hall of Fame and read fans' memories of his Cincinnati milestones.
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval Raises Bengals Flag as Team Heads to AFC Championship at 'Burrowhead Stadium'
The city of Cincinnati is shouting "WHO DEY" from the flag pole outside of City Hall. During a brief ceremony, Pureval, city employees and fans gathered in their best black and orange attire to raise the Cincinnati Bengals flag before the team heads to its AFC championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs. "I told you last year that this team perfectly personified our city. They are young, they are diverse, they are hungry, they've got that Cincinnati swagger and they are not 'just happy to be here.' We belong here, and we're going to come back year after year after year," Pureval told the crowd. Read CityBeat's story about Pureval's friendly digs at Kansas City's mayor as well as their bet on the game's outcome.
Cincinnati Bengals Fans Are *Pissed* that Zac Taylor Was Snubbed for NFL Coach of the Year
Where's the respect? That's what Cincinnati Bengals fans were asking after the NFL and Associated Press released the list of finalists for Coach of the Year and Zac Taylor wasn't on it. Taylor's first two seasons leading the Bengals were rocky, but things turned around during the 2021 season, with an AFC conference title and by coming just minutes away from the franchise's first Super Bowl win. This season, the team sits on a 12-4 regular season record and is heading to its first back-to-back AFC championship berth with the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 29. Read CityBeat's story that features spicy reactions to the NFL's insult of the Bengals' head coach as well as the award that quarterback Joe Burrow may win.
Youth Sports Complex, Gun Range, Cancer Caucus: Big Topics in Alicia Reece's State of Hamilton County Address
New Hamilton County Commission president Alicia Reece delivered the first State of the County address since the event was paused for the COVID-19 pandemic. Touching on everything from mobile health resources to youth sports, Reece announced new or returning projects that Hamilton County residents can look forward to in her “One Hamilton County” plan. Read CityBeat's story about Reece's top priorities for Hamilton County.
Photos: Everything We Saw During the Bigger Than Roe Women's March in Downtown Cincinnati
Demonstrators recently took to the streets of downtown Cincinnati to declare their right to an abortion. The event, Bigger Than Roe: Women's March Cincinnati, commemorated the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade (which was overturned in June) and was one of many marches that took place all over the country. Speakers at the event included Cincinnati mayor Aftab Pureval and Dr. Nicole King of Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights. See CityBeat's photos from the demonstration.
Amid Confusion Over Kentucky Medical Marijuana Rules, Companies Cash In
Kentucky’s vague medical cannabis executive order, which gives pardons for Kentuckians possessing marijuana that has been legally purchased in other states, has led to confusion, particularly over which documents are needed to satisfy its demands in the absence of a uniform, statewide medical marijuana card or other registration system for patients. That's left advocates fearing that people using medical marijuana could still face criminal charges, and hospital systems are scrambling to come up with how to handle patient requests for documentation. Read CityBeat's story about how unscrupulous companies are trying to fill the gap.
Four Chefs and Two Restaurants in Cincinnati are Semifinalists in the 2023 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards
Cincinnati continues to get recognition for its food scene, with a new round of local semifinalists up for one of the industry's top honors. Mita's, Nolia, Elaine Uykimpang Bentz (formerly Townsend) at Cafe Mochiko, Francisco Alfaro from Mid City Restaurant and Hideki and Yuko Harada from Kiki all have been tapped for this round and will find out on March 29 if they'll move on as finalists. Read CityBeat's story about the categories for which these Cincinnati restaurants and chefs are being considered.
Swingin’ Schwartz’s Point: Ed Moss Left a Major Musical Impact on Cincinnati that Still Reverberates Today
A triangular building with a huge clock atop it overlooks Vine Street. Inside, the walls are lined in fabric, rugs and thick curtains to help dampen the sound. Flickering candles on triangular tables provide a wavering low light, painting the room with an intimate atmosphere. This is Schwartz's Point, and it's the career apex of Ed Moss, a local jazz figure who died in 2016 but whose legacy lives on in the Queen City. Read CityBeat's story about how Moss helped shape local jazz despite what some may have called a prickly demeanor.
FC Cincinnati's Brandon Vazquez Scores in USMNT Debut, Hitting Another Milestone
It's all happening for FC Cincinnati forward Brandon Vazquez now. Making his international debut at the senior level after being selected for the U.S. Men's National Team's January training camp, Vazquez earned both a cap and a goal during the USMNT's Jan. 25 loss against Serbia at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Vazquez had the team's lone goal of the friendly game in the 29th minute, scoring with a header after Vancouver Whitecaps fullback Julian Gressel sliced the ball his way. Read CityBeat's story about what Vazquez's goal means for FC Cincinnati.
Bockfest Returns to Cincinnati in March With Beer, Debauchery and the Crowning of a New Sausage Queen
Who wants beer? Cincinnatians will find a lot of it at Bockfest this year. All of the favorite Bockfest traditions are returning, including the Bockfest Parade, the 5K, the Beer Games and everyone’s favorite gender-neutral pageant to crown this year’s Sausage Queen. The fun will happen at Findlay Playground in Over-the-Rhine’s Historic Brewery District. Read CityBeat's story about for all the hoppy Bockfest details.
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