Sunset in the U.P.

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A few pictures of a gorgeous sunset taken from my sister's backyard. I always find it amazing when it it still even somewhat  light out past 10:00pm. :-)

Edited to add 6/26: The gallery linked has been expanded to include a bunch of shots I took tonight. :)

An Evening of Zydeco Music

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Another great evening, if a little hot & muggy, for a Greenhills Concert on the Commons, this time featuring an old favorite returning after a few years absence; Robin Lacy & DeZydeco! After an opening act, Watershed, played for about 20 min, Robin and the band played a straight 90 minute set of wonderful Zydeco music, an interesting and entertaining mix of music from SW Louisiana, combining Cajun, rock, R&B, and other genres.

Summer Sizzlin' Concerts in Colerain

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Of course, Greenhills isn't the only community in the Waycross area that has concerts; Colerain Township has the Sizzling Summer Entertainment Series, which Friday night featured Ooh La La & The Greasers, a classic rock band that entertained a large and appreciative crowd gathered at Colerain Park. Another beautiful night, though the heat and humidity is starting to inch up, making feel, I guess, just like summer.

Cold Smoke - Concert on the Commons

It's summer, and the Greenhills Concert on the Commons is back! Aside from absolutely gorgeous weather (clear, about 80 degrees, and low humidity) this week featured Cold Smoke, a 50's and 60s band who entertained the crowd with pop and blues. Also featured during the intermission was a Mystery Guest who gave a tribute to Roy Orbison.

And as usual, Waycross and its award winning crew of volunteers was there to bring all the music to those that, for whatever reason, couldn't make it to the concert. Next up: Robin Lacy & DeZydeco on June 20th, 7-9pm at Greenhills Commons. If you're in or near Greenhills, come on out!

Bozinis Roll on the River

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As per Bozini custom, the Bozini clan held their quarterly Birthday Dinner Sunday night, this time at The Moerlein Lager House, next to Great American Ball Park. According to a floor plaque inside the restaurant, it is located where first base of the late Riverfront Stadium was, where Pete Rose stood for several minutes after tying Ty Cobb's record.

After a delicious dinner, we spent some time at the new Smale Park, waiting until sunset for the lights to come on for the waterfalls. Got some great shots of the falls and of the Roebling Suspension Bridge, which you can see more of here.

Blue Chips at The Redmoor

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I was on the production crew Wednesday night for the 2012 Blue Chip Cable Access Awards, held at The Redmoor theatre on Mt. Lookout Square. I was given the anachronistically titled job of "Tape Operator"; actually, I was cueing up mpeg video clips of the winners entries for roll-in on a Windows XP computer. Another example of language failing to keep up with technology, much as when the hostess Denise Johnson said the we were "filming" the show for later playback.

All in all, a very enjoyable evening, and the show went off with few hitches. :-)

Bozinis head to (Little) Italy

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A night of wonderful people (the Bozini clan) and some wonderful Italian food at Ferrari's Little Italy in Maderia, to celebrate the birthdays of Bob, Cheryl, Joan Sarah and Sharon. Happy Birthday to all! :)

Super Bowl XLVI

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Great friends, great food, and an exciting finish to a great game, what more could you ask?

Another great Super Bowl Party hosted by the ever gracious Tony Suarez. ;-)

Henry VIII: All Is True

Another enjoyable evening of Shakespeare, courtesy of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (and its Production Sponsor, Charles Parsons); this time Opening Night of the seldom-staged Henry VII: All Is True by William Shakespeare (with some alleged involvement of John Fletcher; collaboration and/or revision). This is the play that literally brought down the house, as the Globe Theater was destroyed by fire during an early performance. According to Wikipedia:

On 29 June 1613 the Globe Theatre went up in flames during a performance of Henry the Eighth. A theatrical cannon, set off during the performance, misfired, igniting the wooden beams and thatching. According to one of the few surviving documents of the event, no one was hurt except a man whose burning breeches were put out with a bottle of ale. It was rebuilt in the following year.

Fortunately, no such misfortune befell the CSC's production of the play. :) And what a production it was! Strong acting, choreography, set design. And the costumes! If this production doesn't sweep the awards for which it is eligible, well then, they ought to not bother having them.

I was especially impressed with the scene where the Surveyor is relating to the King something the Duke of Buckingham had said, and the actor playing Buckingham appears in the front row aisle with a spotlight, performing the same lines in synch with the Surveyor. A very cinematic technique, done without audio editing equipment that a movie maker would use, and it came off quite well, in live theater. You really need to see this show!! It runs through February 5, and tickets, I understand, are still available.

Photography is not allowed during performances, of course, but I was able to take some pictures during the pre-show reception, hosted by the ever gracious Charles Parsons, as well as after the performance. You can see these pics by clicking here, or on the images.

Pixel is missing :( UPDATED: Now Home! :-D

Pixel, my 6yo Maine Coon Cat (mix) pictured here, has been missing since Saturday. I let her out on Saturday evening during the first half of the Bengals/Texans game, and I haven't seen her since. If you are in the Glendale, OH area and you see her, please email me at hugh57b@gmail.com.

Missing:
Maine Coon Cat (mix), Female.
Name: Pixel. Approx 6 years old, 7.5 lbs
Last seen Sat. 1/7/12, in Glendale, OH

UPDATE 1/13: PIXEL IS HOME!!! :-D Apparently, she had been picked by a stray by someone on the street behind my backyard, and taken in by the Dog Depot, a dog grooming place about a half mile from my house. The owner had seen Pixel before, but several years ago, when she worked for Pixel's vet, so she didn't make the connection until yesterday [Thurs.], when I dropped a flier off at her dog grooming place. She had "fostered" Pix out to this lady in Wyoming, who had some thoughts that they might keep her, but their dogs thought otherwise. When I went over there, Pixel was in their garage, hiding under a pile of sporting equipment. A few calls and whistles from me, and she started mewing, so I was able to locate her by sound, and coax her out. She came out pretty eagerly, once she realized who I was. :-)

A Holiday show and a New Years Dinner (with fireworks)

Went to see the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's production of "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)" with several of the Bozinis. A very hilarious mashup of pop culture references and traditional Christmas stories. Alas, last night's performance was the last this season, but if you get a chance to see this show next Christmas season, I highly recommend it. Since the CSC doesn't allow photography during performances, I left my camera in the car, so I didn't get any photos. Pity. ;-)

After the show, it was down to 5th & Main to McCormick and Schmicks restaurant, where we were joined by several more of the Bozini clan, for a delicious dinner, as well as fireworks from Macy's roof across the street. I had the Lobster Bisque, followed by a Kobe Burger.

Fortunately, I did have my camera along for the dinner and fireworks, so just click here or on the image for more pics.

Kwanzaa 2011

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The 5th night of Kwanzaa was celebrated on Friday night at Gwen McFarlin's house in Springfield Township. A very fun and convivial evening, featuring some great food, including Gwen's chicken dish, a tasty string-bean dish and a delicious Brie pie. Many thanks to Gwen for her gracious hospitality, and to all who attended for the great food and company.