It’s Mardi Gras for Homeless Children – the 27th Year Anniversary celebration. Once again the event is presented by Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell and at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center on “Fat Tuesday,” February 13th. The proceeds from the Mardi Gras go to three area shelters that provide essential care to homeless children and their families: Bethany House Services of Cincinnati, Brighton Center’s Homeward Bound and Welcome House of Northern Kentucky, Inc. in Covington.

Together these three agencies serve more than 40,000 needy individuals in our community each year. How did the Mardi Gras for the Homeless begin? 28 years ago, there was a tragic accident that touched the hearts of the Tri-State area; three homeless children were living in an abandoned garage and – locked in when their father left them alone. Tragically, a fire broke out. Unable to escape, the three children perished. Realizing children are not always visible behind the homeless adults, the Northern Kentucky Restaurant Association wanted to help – the first Mardi Gras for Homeless Children was held.

This 27th Mardi Gras will feature over 50 booths of fantastic food and beverages (all-included) provided by members of the Northern Kentucky Restaurant Association. This year, one of the highlights will be a Royal Court Parade featuring returning Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard as Grand Marshal, Scott Sloan of WLW 700 and Sheila Gray of Channel 12 as King and Queen, and the Beechwood High School marching band, as well as a float. Live and silent auctions will offer a remarkable selection of items, with live music provided by Robin Lacy and DeZydeco.

The party is 6:30pm-10:00pm. For tickets call 859-291-NKRA (6572) or go to www.mardigras2018.org. Tickets may also be purchased at Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell.

When you think of sports in Cincinnati, you think the Reds, the Bengals, even the UC Bearcats.  But did you know we have a hockey team too?  Our Cincinnati Cyclones are a top-notch team and a game is the perfect evening out for the whole family!

Since 1990, the Cincinnati Cyclones have been playing hockey all over the country and in Canada; they are the AA team of the National Predators. Eighteen of their players have gone on to play for the NHL, which makes our Cyclones a hotbed of talent that’s exciting to watch.

Coming to a game at the US Bank Arena is more than just a hockey experience: it’s the complete package of great fun, great food and great times.  There’s music, promotions and fun half-time activities (think hamster balls and sumo suits!), so even if you aren’t a hockey fan, there’s plenty to enjoy.  Games always have a fun theme, such as Superheroes, Star Wars and Video Games, and promotions include $1 beer night, $1 hot dog night, kids eat free and more.  Special fundraising nights are featured as well: for example, “The Cure Starts Now Night” raises money for pediatric cancer and there also are breast cancer awareness nights that mix philanthropy and fun. The atmosphere at a Cyclones game is always charged up with excitement and exuberance.

In February, the Cyclones will hold the Frozen 5K/10K, a unique winter race that takes you on a course along the Banks of the Ohio River and through Cincinnati’s Transit Center underneath Second Street; funds raise go to the Cincinnati Cyclones Foundation, an organization that helps defray the costs so that children can play youth hockey.

A Cyclones game is also a great place to celebrate birthdays!  Check out their package options at www.cycloneshockey.com.

When you want more than just a sports experience on a night out – when you’re looking for sports, fun, music, food and an atmosphere of excitement – come to a Cincinnati Cyclones game at the US Bank Arena.

Downtown Cincinnati is great for shopping, entertainment, culture and of course, food!  And Palomino Restaurant and Bar is one of downtown Cincinnati’s most popular destinations.  They serve fabulous rustic Italian food in a stylish and eclectic setting, all while taking your taste buds to new heights of deliciousness.  With a wide variety of specials, as well as unique dishes and drinks, there is something for everyone on their menu.

One of the best drinks to start your meal with is the Chef-inspired Bloody Mary.  Made with Stoli Pepper Vodka, rimmed with herbed salt and adorned with house-made mozzarella and Kalamata olives, this drink is a sure-fire reason to leave work early or kick off a Sunday brunch.  Palomino is also known for their signature Paella dish; featuring clams, mussels, fish, chicken, chorizo and saffron rice, this Italian specialty is sure to satisfy.  You can even add prawns, scallops or Dungeness crab for a slight extra charge.

Palomino also has a special for almost every day of the week!  Every Wednesday Palomino has “Wine Down Wednesday,” featuring 1/2 price bottles of wine, all day long.  You can savor half-price martinis on ‘Tini Tuesday, and Mondays offer $5 wine flights.  For those who enjoy dining a little on the earlier side, Palomino has a “First Seating” menu for two; this delicious menu is served daily from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and includes: one choice of antipasto (such as bruschetta, hummus and tzatziki or french onion dip); two choices from the Primo offerings (soup or one of three salads); two selections from the Secondo Y Contorno items (main course dishes); and of course, a dessert.  This menu is available for just $25 per person.  On Sundays, come in for the “3 for $25” dinner menu; a great way to enjoy a delicious meal without having to do all the cooking!

For Happy Hour, a leisurely meal, or drinks and dessert after the theater, Palomino is the place to be.

Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery invites you to attend our upcoming anniversary exhibit, ‘CHAPTER 11’, on Friday January 26, 2018 from 6 to 9 p.m. This exhibition will be in the historic Over-the-Rhine arts district on Main Street. The exhibition will run until March 9, 2018.

Join us at Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery to celebrate the 11th showcasing of the artistic talents of artists with disabilities. Experience the original art and meet the featured artists. Art Beyond Boundaries will exhibit a variety of paintings, sculptures, photography, and other media by talented, local and regional artists. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Admission is free.

Art Beyond Boundaries provides a professional, mainstream fine arts exhibition venue for artists with disabilities, located at 1410 Main Street in the historic Over-the-Rhine arts district. With your support, we can continue providing a gallery, workshops, programs, and services for our artists and people with disabilities. For more information, “friend” or “follow” the gallery on FaceBook and Twitter, and/or contact the gallery.

Cincinnati is lucky to be surrounded by the best nature has to offer; from hiking and water sports to skiing and camping, you have a wealth of activities to choose from.  The Benchmark Outdoor Outfitters have everything you need to make the most of whatever experience you embark on.

The Benchmark has been around since 1974, and as the outdoor industry has grown and developed, so have their offerings of outdoor gear and apparel.  With a focused and pressure-free sales environment, their staff focuses on what you need to get out and enjoy the outdoors as much as they do!  Their staff doesn’t just sell what they carry, they share their experiences with you so you know you’re not just getting the best gear, but incredible advice and opinions too.

The Benchmark has four core values: Adventure, Compassion and Service, Social and Environmental Responsibility and Learning Through Experience.  With these in mind, the dedicated staff at The Benchmark will help you create the perfect experience, from gear to clothes to guidance – there’s no trip they can’t help you get fully locked and loaded for!

Whether you need hiking gear, camping equipment, footwear and clothes, or just a chat about the best places around to backpacking, paddle or hike, The Benchmark Outdoor Outfitters should be your only stop.

There’s a new place in town to get the best steaks and seafood, and that place is Trotta’s Steak and Seafood in Dayton, KY.  Located just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Trotta’s has made quite the impact on the local dining scene.

Proud to offer hand-cut steaks and fresh, never frozen seafood, Trotta’s is owned by Kathleen Trotta, a fine-dining expert who decided it was time to open her own place and show Cincinnati how quality is done.  Kathleen is all about keeping her menu fresh and different; new items are always appearing on the menu, which they print in-house, so that diners never get bored and always have something different to try.  She loves to create new recipes that keep her diners’ taste buds hopping!

Trotta’s will remind you of an old-school supper club, with a grand piano in the lobby and vintage décor.  More live music is coming, in addition to the pianist who plays, and they have a beautiful patio for al fresco dining.  They also have firepits you can dine around, lit up with candles and surrounded by umbrella tables; it’s romantic and comfortable and perfect for a date night adventure.

In addition to offering outside dining, Trotta’s also has VIP dining available.  Their private dining area boasts its own side door entrance, so the more famous among us can slip in unnoticed, and it has every amenity you need for a quiet – or not so quiet – private experience.

“I’ve got a great team, wonderful servers.  We work like family here,” says Kathleen.  “And we’ve got great reviews online.  Check out Yelp or TripAdvisor: we’re five stars!”

Trotta’s is jampacked on the weekends, and not just with Cincinnatians and Dayton, KY patrons; people from Dayton (Ohio), Louisville, Indianapolis and more have embraced this restaurant and welcomed them to the community with open arms.

This holiday season, treat your family and friends to the newest dining experience in town: Trotta’s Steak and Seafood.