Real Estate Information

Great Outdoor Weekend - September 24-25      

The Cincinnati Great Outdoor Weekend, an initiative of Green Umbrella presents a diverse sampling of nature activities in Greater Cincinnati the weekend of September 24-35.  There will be environmental education and outdoor recreation activities at over 51 sites around the area. It's all part of a push to get all of us, especially kids, enjoying the outdoors.  

Activities that sounded fun to me:

•Oiley Oiley Ocen FREE!  Backyard Games at Burnet Woods Valley shelter.  Sunday 1-3pm

•Great ARTdoors - Seeing Nature through the Arts at Gorman Heritage Farm and Evendale Cultural Arts Center, Saturday and Sunday, 10-4pm

•Be a Nature Detective at Woodland Mound - Saturday and Sunday 12-4pm

•Nature Scavenger Hunt and Critter Hike - Children's Meeting House Montessori School, Saturday 9-3pm

•Historic / Scientific Hike and Fossil Identification at Big Bone Lick State Park -Saturday and Sunday 12-4pm
 

For a copy of the brochure, detailing over 75 activities, go to great outdoor weekend brochure

Bluegrass for Babies   - Saturday, September 17                                 

This event, benefitting Cincinnati Children's Hospital grew out of a love for bluegrass and a determination to improve children's health.  Last year, over 1000 people attended sometime during the day and this year, even more are expected.  Headline sponsors include Krogers, Green Bean Delivery, Merrill Lynch, Suave and others.  As you can see, in only 3 years it has become quite an event.

Founders, Matt and Anne Schneider took their personal Bluegrass party and grew it for the entire community.  They believe firmly that young families need help in their journey to raise healthy kids.  The event will highlight both western and holistic health practices.

Activities for children include food and nutrition advice, and representatives from Kindermusic, Go2Grow Gymnastics, Soccer instruction and arts and crafts. 

So come to Seasongood Pavilion in Eden Park on Saturday, September 17th from 4pm until dark. Bands that will be playing include Relic, Jennifer Ellis, and the Comet Bluegrass All-Stars.  Cost is $10 in advance and $12 at the door.  Food, beer and wine will be available.

Once again, the Cincinnati Team (Saralou Durham, Mary Elsener and Julie Harms) is helping set a Reading Record with the organization, Jumpstart.  (www.jstart.org)  Your donation can help!

 This year’s featured book is Llama, Llama, Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney. You may have seen previous book selections being read on the Today show.

 Why are we doing this?

 Every child deserves the chance to succeed, yet studies show that children from low-income neighborhoods are at a greater risk of school failure. Most lack access to high quality early education, live in poverty and start kindergarten 60% behind their wealthier peers.

Jumpstart is a national early education organization that recruits and trains college students and community volunteers to help these disadvantaged children develop the language and literacy skills they need to be ready for school.

Statistics about the problem:

The Cincinnati Team has committed to adopting and reading to the children at Peaslee Neighborhood Center downtown.  Each child will receive their own book.  More books donated = more children we can read to.
 

Will you join us in this project? There are two ways to participate:
 

1.Send us a donation and we will buy the book. (We have made arrangements for a significant discount)  For every book donated, a child will have a book of their very own to take home and enjoy.
 

2.Or, buy the book yourself and read it to children you know.  Send us your story and maybe a picture about your experience! We’ll be compiling numbers to send to the national effort as they try to break last year’s record of over 2 million readers.
 

3.Donations can be sent to: The Cincinnati Team (checks to Saralou Durham or Mary Elsener),  c/o RE/MAX Preferred Group,   3522 Erie Avenue,  Cincinnati, OH 45208

Picture from our day reading Corduroy in 2009

Oktoberfest in Zinzinnati - September 16-18       

Come at Noon on Friday for the annual running of the wieners(as in dachshunds) or at noon on Sunday for the World's Largest Chicken Dance.  Anywhere in between you can count on a fun time at the largest Oktoberfest in the country and second largest in the world.  Quite an event!

You'll find the fun in a five block area along Fifth Street, downtown.  German food, music and ice cold beer will be part of the celebration.  Maybe you will want to be part of the 25,000 people eating potato pancakes or one of the 400 who are trying pig's feet.

Sam Adams may be the title sponsor of the event, but expect everyone who is anyone in the beer world to be there.   It is estimated that over 800 barrels of beer will be consumed, that's 1.6 million ounces!

You'll always be within shouting distance of one of the seven stages.  During the event, there are over 35 bands performing.  Do you know the polka?  Better practice ahead of time!

So, come celebrate your German traditions and heritage, or come for the fun, even if you aren't able to claim German ancestry.

Cincinnati Named to Kiplinger's Personal Finance List of "10 Best Value Cities for 2011" 

Cincinnati was named to Kiplinger's Personal Finance list of "10 Best Value Cities for 2011" for its falling unemployment rate, downtown redevelopment and reasonable cost of living.  Kiplinger's editors wrote that "despite its small-town affordability, Cincinnati is rife with big-city amenities" and highlighted events and organizations including the Zoo, Bengals, Reds, and Octoberfest.

The region was also found notable for its distinct neighborhoods that feature a wide range of housing prices, its corporate culture and the median household income of $53,329.  According to them, our cost of living is approximately seven percent below the national average.

Cincinnati was described as the "Comeback City" in Kiplinger's description of the city.  They particularly pointed out the redevelopment going on in Over the Rhine and downtown, including the new Great American Tower at Queen City Square.  In 2010, $180 million in development projects were completed.  Over $1.2 billion in projects are under construction.  Additionally, the population grew to 4,852 residents in 2010, up 11.7 percent from 2009. 

Cincinnati has a robust art scene, including the opera, symphony, ballet, art museum, theaters, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and the 12-day Fringe Festival.  Obviously, Cincinnati has a tremendous arts and cultural scene and continues to invest in both art and culture.

Mark your calendars for the year's biggest fireworks party - Sunday, September 4, 2011 on the Cincinnati's Riverfront      

P&G Riverfest is Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky's big boom, the end of summer blowout that concludes with one of the largest fireworks displays in the Midwest - the Cincinnati Bell/WEBN Fireworks. This signature Cincinnati event began 34 years ago. The party at Sawyer Point, held annually on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, has grown into an all-day affair with music, food and family fun and entertainment all day. Nearly a half-million people attend on both sides of the river. 

Brew Ha-Ha to be Held at Sawyer Point                          

For the fifth consecutive year, Brew Ha-Ha will return to all three stages at Sawyer Point for their free event.  It brings together over 50 comedy shows with over 100 beers to sample.  The event takes place on August 27 from 5 pm - midnight and Saturday from 4 pm to midnight.

Headlining the comedy acts are Bert "The Machine" Kreischer and Caroline Rhea.  Featured beers include microbrews and specialty items from Christian Moerlein, Hudephol-Schoenling, Alltech, Stone Brewing, Eel River Brewing, Bell's Brewery, New Holland Brewery and others.  Beer may be purchased by the sample or by the glass.  Food will also be available on site. 

Ault Park Celebrates its 100th Anniversary                      

Come to Ault Park's "Big Birthday Bash" on August 18, 2011.  The event is designed for everyone in conjunction with the Ault Park Advisory Council's third Summer Dance in the Pavilion.  There will be live music, birthday cake, centennial festivities and refreshments for sale.

The initial 142-acre tract for the park was gifted to the city in 1911 by Ida Mary and Levi Addison Ault.  Later other family members and donors contributed additional land.  The Italianate Pavilion where many events start was dedicated in 1930.  From the top of the Pavilion, you have a 360-degree view of the area...out over the Little Miami River and its marshes, over Lunken Area and all the way to UC.

Ault Park is known for its variety of areas for activities.   Go here for a site map. The formal gardens have areas for locals to plant their favorites...from a shade garden, to all bulbs, to perennials or lots of annual color. You can see lots of pictures of the gardens of the people who share their time and talents with us all and a map of the designated areas here. Great fun to walk through. Formal activities may include weddings or special events. 

Bike riders love it.  There are 6 races in May and June.  The circle around the Pavilion is wide and smooth with a gentle climb followed by a fast descent on each lap.  the roads are totally closed to traffic.  Each night there are both 20 K and 40 K races in each category.   There are even categories for women and Juniors.  There are both nightly and yearly prizes.  The competition is certified by USA Cyclery.

Nature lovers also enjoy the trails. Ideas to pursue include:

• Follow the Tree Trail
• Take the Kids on the special Tree Trail for Children or combine the two for a longer hike.
• Hike one of the other Ault Park trails. 
• Take in the geology of the area off the Tree Trail.

The 34th annual Concours d'Elegance was held in June.  This world class car exhibit benefits the Arthritis Foundation and Children with Juvenile Arthritis.  Yearly, they accept approximately 200 cars for display and to compete for prizes in Classic, Vintage and Exotic categories.

The Hyde Park Neighborhood Council sponsored the Fourth of July celebration.  It did it all, from a parade to food to music and culminated with celebratory fireworks.

The yearly Reggae Run is held in October each year.  October 1, 2011 at 6 pm is the official start time this year.  This is one of the largest runs in the area, attracting over 8,000 runners last year.  It follows a course that takes it around the park and down to Delta Avenue and back up Observatory to the finish line. After the race, the PARTY starts, featuring the Ark Band, a local Reggae favorite. Proceeds from the run and party go to the Make a Wish Foundation.  Over the years, the race has raised nearly a million dollars for charity.

Culminating the monthly Summer Dances will be the Big Band and Bigger Beer party.  It will be held on Thursday, September 1 from 6:30-10:30 pm.

The final event of the Centennial Anniversary is the themed Masked Gala on Saturday, October 22 in the Pavilion.  This event will have an admission charge for dinner, dancing and ceremonies.

If nothing else, look through the list of 100 Activities to do in Ault Park.  while some ate unique to the Park, many can be done in any of our wonderful parks around the Southwest Ohio area.

Cincinnati named Most "Social Media-Savvy City in the World"  

Mashable.com has named Cincinnati as the Most "Social Media-Savvy City in the World."  This website is know for their social media, technology and digital news.  The contest was designed to draw attention to Social Media Day. 

Thanks to the video submitted by Blair Ward, the committee was made aware of numerous methods social media is used by people in the city.  Some of the more famous celebrities sites were used, including Chad Ochocinco and Brandon Phillips.  The video shows examples of Twitter feeds, Facebook sites and fun entertainment and night life uses for social media.

The video also mentioned an appropriately named, location-based site unique to Cincinnati, called Porkappolis.  Have fun with that!

Music on the Trails of Burnet Woods                            

The last four Sundays of July from 1-3 pm, the Cincinnati Park Board will present musical concerts in Burnet Woods.  Expect the Park to come alive with music from one of the "natural stages" located throughout the park's hiking trails.  Won't it be fun to enjoy the music while picnicking and playing with your kids?