C. Trent Rosecrans, Enquirer Reds Beat Writer
CityBeat readers might remember C. Trent Rosecrans’ weekly sports column in this publication during 2012, before he came up on his current gig at The Enquirer covering the Reds. In addition to covering the crap out of Cincinnati’s most beloved hometown team, Rosecrans is actively forwarding the journalistic craft in creative new ways. Follow his Blog Above Replacement at Cincinnati.com and find him hosting his monthly live talk show/podcast the C. Dot Show at MOTR Pub in Over-the-Rhine, a casual-yet-compelling conversation with insiders celebrating baseball and all things related to the world’s greatest game. Find past episodes on iTunes.
CityBeat:
What’s your favorite thing about fall in Cincinnati?
C. Trent Rosecrans:
I like that fall actually exists here. I’ve spent many years in the South and you never get a true fall.
CB:
What annual fall event do you look forward to each year?
CTR:
I love handing out candy on Halloween. My wife makes a big pot of soup; we have some soup and beers and hand out candy. Before we moved to my current house, we had a group of neighbors that would have a big beer-share, and while handing out candy, the neighbors would pour tastings of different fall beers and we’d watch the neighbor kids come by and admire their costumes. Pure suburban bliss, I tell you.
CB:
Is there anything in particular this fall that you’re looking forward to?
CTR:
The Afghan Whigs at MidPoint. Long before I ever moved to Cincinnati, I idealized the city because the place that birthed the coolest band on the planet had to be a pretty amazing place. I’ve seen the Whigs several times — and all of Greg Dulli’s other projects — and every time I walk away with that same feeling I had in my chest the first time I heard the opening of “Debonair” on MTV Asia more than 20 years ago.
CB:
If you could imagine a perfect, cozy fall meal at a local restaurant, what would the meal be?
CTR:
Give me the smoke from Eli’s (3313 Riverside Drive, East End, elisbarbeque.com) and that’s enough. But if I’m already there, the pulled pork is the real deal — and I say this as someone who has lived in Texas, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina and has roots in Kansas City — but the ribs are fantastic. I just want to sit outside on a crisp fall day, eating Eli’s ribs and jalapeño cheese grits with a nice, thick stout to drink.
Picks for “The Jock”
Moerlein UberDrome: Celebrate Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in the Moerlein Lager House’s UberDrome, a Munich-style tent fest with Paulaner original Munich Oktoberfest beers, German eats, German music and games. 5 p.m.-midnight Sept. 19; 1 p.m.-midnight Sept. 20. Free. 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks, Downtown, moerleinlagerhouse.com.
MidPoint Music Festival: Cincinnati’s Indie music festival (hosted by CityBeat) featuring local, national and international acts. Headliners include the Afghan Whigs, Chromeo, OK Go and more. Sept. 25-27. $40-$79. Various venues in downtown and Over-the-Rhine. mpmf.com.
Jungle Jim’s Weekend of Fire: Boasting a selection of more than 1,500 hot sauces, the annual Weekend of Fire solidifies Jim’s spot as the hottest grocer in the Tristate. Sample hot sauces, barbecue sauces, salsas, rubs and whatever other spicy condiments vendors dream up, plus the Arena of Fire features a bunch of idiots willing to eat the fieriest food. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 4; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 5. $8-$10; $14 two-day. 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, junglejims.com.
The River Grill Before the Big Chill: This is Cincinnati’s first Ohio State Championship Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event. Over the course of two days, competitors will duke it out to win the barbecue competition. There will also be live music (with headliners Starship featuring Mickey Thomas), a barbecue marketplace and beer. 5-11 p.m. Oct. 10; noon-11 p.m. Oct. 11. $5. Sawyer Point, 801 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown, cincinnatiparks.com/rivergrill.
Bengals vs. The Browns: The Bengals take on the Cleveland Browns in the home jungle. 8:25 p.m. Nov. 6. $44-$270. Paul Brown Stadium, 1 Paul Brown Stadium, Downtown, bengals.com.
This article appears in Sep 17-23, 2014.
