Hotel of the Month: Homewood Suites in Downtown Enquirer Building

November 5, 2015 By

homewood roomOne of the most fabulous buildings…..which once housed the Cincinnati Enquirer, is home to a brand new concept in Cincinnati: The Homewood Suites (along with The Hampton Inn…a duel hotel). This new gem in the Queen City’s crown features a 105-room Homewood Suites situated on the buildings’ newly renovated upper floors. The historic integrity of the structure and its interior were preserved as much as possible.

 

When you enter the building, the first floor lobby features marble surfaces, bronze ornamentation, stone-carved detail work and large chandeliers. Motifs featuring elephants, dragons and squirrels are displayed throughout, and a two-foot diameter brass sculpture (“The Naked Printer”) is embedded in the floor. Guests can walk up the “grand stair” or take the elevator to the second floor, which is where you check in and enjoy the fitness center, library, business center, billiards and the separate Homewood and Hampton lounges.

Hampton Inn is housed on floors nine through 15 (there is no 13th floor, of course) and caters to business and weekend leisure travelers. Homewood Suites on floors four through eight focuses on extended-stay travelers; each room has fully-equipped kitchens. Both hotels offer complimentary breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Valet parking is available in the Macy’s headquarters garage, adjacent to the hotel. You’re just a 17-minute drive from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport via I-75 and in walking distance of Cincinnati’s popular eateries, lively nightlife and unique shopping opportunities. The hotels are also close to entertainment venues such as U.S. Bank Arena, Great American Ballpark, Paul Brown Stadium, the Taft Theatre and the Duke Energy Convention Center.

Business…pleasure…leisure…it doesn’t matter what you’re coming to Cincinnati for, the new Homewood Suites in Downtown Cincinnati, along with the adjoining Hampton Inn, will fit the bill.

 

 

 

Cincinnati-themed artwork and art inspired by the newspaper and its former building are on display throughout 617 Vine.

 

 

Filed Under: Entertainment, Hotel Of The Month

The Cincinnati Bengals off to a great start!

October 7, 2015 By

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Who Dey!

The chant heard around the city….and the nation. The Cincinnati Bengals are a force to be reckoned with….they seem virtually unstoppable. Week after week, they are showing their stripes. Great quarterbacking along with super receivers, a strong defense, all add up to a winning team. Cincinnati’s winning team! Will it continue??? YES!

The franchise was founded in 1967 and are members of the North division of the American Football Conference (AFC) of the National Football League (NFL). Their home stadium is Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati . Big rivalries in the division with the Pittsburgh Steelers leading the pack, the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens not far behind. Well, Bengals just beat the Ravens…so bring on the Steelers! Led by Coach Marvin Lewis (second longest tenured NFL coach with 12+ years in the Bengals franchise), his confidence and “never give up” attitude seem to be rubbing off on all the players. The addition of Hue Jackson as Offensive Coordinator, now in his 2nd year with the Bengals, has proved to be a winning combination. Quarterback Andy Dalton has led the team to at least 10+ victories every year. He is one of only two quarterbacks in NFL history to lead their team to the playoffs in their first four years. Everybody is hoping this will be the year for a playoff victory.   How about that A.J. Green….an incredible wide receiver able to catch any ball thrown in his direction, with speed and endurance driving him into the end zone…a sheer pleasure to watch.   So many great players, both offense and defense.

There are a lot of games left this season, with so much win potential. How many will you be attending?? Be sure to get your tickets soon….with many Bengals wins, there’s sure to be a shortage!!! Be a part of the game, the crowd, the spirit.  Who Dey think gonna beat them Bengals???

Filed Under: Cover Story

Cactus Pear…Southwestern cuisine in Clifton…minutes from downtown

October 7, 2015 By

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Cactus Pear is Cincinnati’s premier Southwestern Bistro, offering the best food with the most exciting flavors, from both sides of the border, since 1992. They pride themselves on using only the freshest ingredients, and strive to prepare menu items in ways that just can’t be found anywhere else.

Cactus Pear offers standard items like tacos, fajitas, nachos, enchiladas and burritos….and creative, tasty selections not found at other southwestern restaurants….wraps and burgers, noodle dishes and seafood offerings. There are some unexpected sandwiches, too, like the spicy shrimp po boy, the Tex Mett and the Aztec Tofu. For a little something different, try the beef enchiladas served on blue corn tortillas, and if you are a fan of kale they’ve got a delicious kale and mushroom enchilada that will delight your taste buds. The chefs are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions or recreate a meal vegetarian or vegan, so don’t be afraid to ask.

There are plenty of small plates and salads to enjoy, as well as lighter fare, like quesadillas and soups. Plus, you can end your meal with some flan, key lime pie or the fried ice cream sundae!

Cactus Pear is located in Clifton, and is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Weekly happy hours include Margarita Mondays (a Key Magazine personal favorite!), Brewsday Tuesdays ($3 draft beers!), Wine Wednesdays and Thirsty Thursdays, and reservations are available. Drop by Cactus Pear for a southwestern dining experience like no other.

Filed Under: Restaurant Of The Month

Appointments in Carew Tower…it’s PenFest time

October 7, 2015 By

appointments Penfest 2015Come spend an afternoon with us in the heart of downtown Cincinnati!

Saturday, October 3rd, 2015 is PenFest! 11 am – 5 pm at Appointments!

PenFest is your unique opportunity to experience the complete offerings of sixteen fine pen brands including new, special, and limited edition pieces. Fountain pens.  Rollerball pens.   Ballpoints. Mechanical pencils. The store countertops will be covered with so many pens it will more than double the variety typically in stock – already among the largest selections in the United States. Only at PenFest can you can see, touch, and buy from a selection of this size all in one place and know you’ll get expert guidance in choosing the perfect piece for your budget, practical, and quality needs! We hope to see you there!

Appointments is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati across from Fountain Square on the 2nd floor of the Carew Tower. Convenient parking can be found in the Fountain Square garage as well as the new Mabley Place garage, adjacent to Appointments in the Carew Tower.

Come enjoy the selection of pens and camaraderie of fellow pen enthusiasts! You’ll get the same expert advice at PenFest from the knowledgeable staff at Appointments, and company representatives from all over for PenFest….as you’ve come to expect every day of the year!

 

Filed Under: Business Of The Month

Must Go: The Ohio Renaissance Festival: Thrill…Feast…Watch…Shop…Enjoy!

October 7, 2015 By

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Forget your cares and step back in time to this 30-acre re-created 16th Century English village and enjoy over 400 years of fun in a single day! The festival offers something for everyone featuring nearly 100 shows daily on 11 stages, over 135 unique arts and crafts shops, hearty food and drink, games of skill and human-powered rides to amuse all ages.   Over 150 costumed characters welcome you to the village! Rub elbows with Royalty as you cheer your favorite knight to victory in the thrilling Full-armored Tournament Joust. Welcoming you to a festive day in the village are dueling swordsmen, rowdy pirates, nobles, peasants, and daring jugglers.

The sprawling landscape is dotted with hundreds of unique shops in the Medieval Marketplace featuring many one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted items. See time-honored crafts of glassblowing, stone carving, blacksmithing, leather tooling, boot making, and more demonstrated.

The air is filled with the scents and smells of the foods of the Renaissance period. Feast like Royalty on juicy, giant roasted turkey legs, fresh baked bread bowls overflowing with soups and stews, fish ‘n chips, steak-on-a-stake, succulent roasted corn on the cob and a wide variety of the finest ales and wines. There’s something for everyone’s taste buds!

Visitors of all ages will be amused by the games of skill and human-powered rides. Try your hand at archery and see if you’re a modern-day Robin Hood, or climb the castle tower and rescue the lovely damsel in distress.

SEPTEMBER 5TH — OCTOBER 25TH, 2015 • SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS • 10:30AM – 6:00PM

Filed Under: Entertainment

10th Annual Wine & Whiskers event benefitting The League for Animal Welfare

October 7, 2015 By

doggyWhat do you get when you mix artwork with animals, wine, tasty treats and shopping? That’s easy – you get Wine & Whiskers, one fantastically fun evening in an awesome venue for a wonderful cause! Proceeds from the League’s annual Wine & Whiskers event help ensure that they can continue to provide loving care and the security of a no-kill shelter for hundreds of homeless dogs and cats throughout Greater Cincinnati during the coming year.

This year’s Tenth Annual Wine & Whiskers will be held on Saturday, October 24, from 6 – 10 pm, at the Bell Event Centre in downtown Cincinnati. This beautiful building — formerly a church, with marble columns and arching stained glass windows — provides a unique setting for this elegantly casual evening.

Colorful framed artwork created by some of the League’s most talented canine and feline “paw-trists” will be on display, and the bidding on these masterpieces is bound to be “fur-ious.” (Okay, we’ll stop now, but you get the picture — or you might if you bid high enough!) Also, fabulous live and silent auction packages to choose from and bid on! New this year: Online registration and mobile bidding….purchase tickets and register your cell phone. You’ll be able to bid on silent auction packages and buy raffle tickets, or, personal shoppers will also be there to assist!

Signature cocktails will be there for the tasting, as will craft beers, fine wines and delicious offerings of heavy hors d’oeuvres with vegetarian and vegan options. You can enjoy these edibles and potables as you mingle with friends and fellow animal lovers… pet some adorable and adoptable pets.

Wine & Whiskers is a social event not to be missed! So be sure to mark your calendars and make your reservations now. Tickets are $100 per person when purchased in advance, and $120 after October 21. Tickets can be purchased at LFAW.myab.co.

Filed Under: Event of the Month
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