MasonBuzz.com

Mason High School’s athletic office announced its athletes of the week.  This week’s honorees are volleyball and tennis standouts Drew Pfander and Colin Heim.

Drew Pfander / Provided photo

Coaches say Drew Pfander, a sophomore on the Mason boys volleyball team, has stepped up this year and has become a strong blocker and attacker for the Comets.  He has a strong passion for the game and has helped all his teammates be successful this season, according to school release.

Colin Heim / Provided photo

Senior Colin Heim, a third-year varsity green tennis doubles player, has been a “huge contributor” to the team’s success, coaches say.  His record is 11 – 3 so far this season. Colin and his partner, Young-Jin Kang, won 2nd doubles championship for the GMC and both were named First Team for the GMC. Colin and his sectional partner, senior John Mostowy, took the 2nd seed in sectionals and will play in the districts on Thursday.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: athletes of the week, boys volleyball team, colin heim, comets, drew pfander, high school, mason, mason high school, sports, tennis

The Mason Community Center is launching its first teen health and wellness camp this summer.

The one-week camp geared for teens ages 13-15 seeks to educate camp-goers on healthy exercise and wellness habits and includes many community center amenities, such as the fitness center, Edge climbing wall, gymnasiums, indoor and outdoor pools and local parks.

Two one-week sessions will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Camp sessions held the week of June 25 and the week of July 23.

Teens may attend either or both camps. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Cost is $30 for Mason Community Center premier members; $35 for basic members; $44 for non-member Mason residents and $53 for non-residents.

Register online (activity number 461803) at www.imaginemason.org or call 513-229-8555. Registrations are recommended at least one week before the camp session begins.

Posted in: Events, Health & Fitness |

Tags: Tags: fitness, health, mason community center, programs, sports, summer camp, teen health and wellness camp, teens

The Cincinnati United Sycamore Australia U16 girls soccer team swept the competition last month to be named the 2012 Club Ohio Nike Challenge Cup winners.

The team, which includes several players from Mason, finished the tournament with a record of 3-0-1 while outscoring their opponents 7-2.

Pictured above are:

Front row – Kelly Woodward (Ursuline Academy), Madison Castellanos (Loveland), MacKenzie Johnson (Loveland), Ronnie Huon (Madeira), Darby Moloney (Loveland), Beth Rawson (Loveland) and Olivia Sutton (Milford).

Back row – Emily Dicks (Mason), Cassie Hoesl (MND), Regina Doench (Princeton), Lucy Sweeney (Indian Hill), Hailey Martin (Princeton), Hayley Robinson (Milford), Skyler Wilson (Princeton), Paige Ratterman (Loveland), Katrina Schroeder (Milford), Abbie Wootton (Mason) and Coach Mike Prosser.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: abbie wooton, cincinnati united sycamore australia, club ohio nike challenge, cup, emily dicks, girls, soccer, sports

Sara, a 2-year-old female Pointer/Hound mix, is one of many available dogs at the Cincinnati SPCA. Provided photo

Looking to add a new four-legged member to your family?

Emeritus at Long Cove Pointe in Mason will host the Cincinnati SPCA’s mobile adoption unit from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 30. The SPCA will have several available dogs and cats for prospective adopters to meet.

The senior living community is also accepting donations for the SPCA throughout the month as part of the community’s “project with a purpose” campaign.  Donations will be presented to the SPCA at the adoption event.

Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served at the free event, held at 5535 Irwin-Simpson Road. For more information, call Community Relations Manager Debby Farmer at 513-229-3155.

See a list of available cats and dogs at the SPCA at www.spcacincinnati.org.

Posted in: Community, Events |

Tags: Tags: cats, cincinnati spca, dogs, donations, emeritus at long cove pointe, mason, mobile adoption unit, pet adoption, spca

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy senior WR Austin Jones. The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger

Austin Jones, of Mason, is one of five Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy football players headed for the college gridiron this fall.

The senior wide receiver will be a preferred walk-on at Virginia Tech.

Jones garnered attention during his junior year for his breakaway speed. He went to camps last summers, but was setback by an injured hamstring, which meant teams couldn’t see him at full speed.

In the end, it all worked out for Jones, who always wanted to end up a Hokie, according to CHCA head coach Eric Taylor.

Jones, who is about 6-fee-4, according to Taylor, possesses the size many teams covet in a receiver.

“He’s got such a great frame and speed…that’s what everyone’s looking for, these big tall receives than can run,” Taylor said. I’m excited to see what he can do.

Other college football-bound CHCA players are: Brandon Moore (Monroe, University of Alabama), Nick Taylor (Mainville, Hillsdale College), Zach James (Norwood, Carthage) and Josh Thiel (West Chester, Robert Morris).

Enquirer reporter Nick Dudukovich contributed

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: austin jones, chca, cincinnati hills christian academy, eric taylor, football, hokie, sports, virginia tech

Kevin Goheen reports:

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: alex notton, ashley brown, bridget mcelhenny, comets, delaney mcdowell, div. i, ethan valentine, jordan horning, josh dooley, lady comets, lakota east, mason, mason high school, meet, meredith haller, michael mumma, monica lake, olivia gaus, paul d'hyver de las deses, reece pontious, taylor reid, track

The Enquirer

Kilo, a drug-sniffing black Labrador retriever working for the Warren County Sheriff/Warren County Drug Task Force, has lived up to its name. The dog recently helping authorities confiscate five kilograms of heroin with a street value “well over $1 million,” said John Burke, commander of the drug task force.

On April 30, Donna Mae Herriges of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was pulled over by the Ohio State Highway Patrol for a traffic violation on Interstate 71 a couple of miles north of the Jeremiah Morrow Bridge. Then Kilo the dog went to work, finding five kilos of drugs – about 12 pounds – that were initially thought to be cocaine. “It tested at the lab as very high-grade heroin,” Burke said.

He said the bust was the result of a new collaboration between state troopers and the drug task force.

Herriges, 32, has been indicted on charges of trafficking and possession of heroin and possession of criminal tools. She is in the Warren County Jail.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: commander, crime, donna mae herriges, drugs, jeremiah morrow bridge, john burke, kilo, ohio state highway patrol, warren county drug task force

Jennifer Edwards Baker reports:

Grab a jacket or sweater as you head out the door this morning – it’s a brisk 55 degrees at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron.

The morning low should slip to 52 before daybreak. Later, expect mostly sunny skies with a high temperature of 75 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

The sun will dominate the forecast over the next several days with highs in the 80s and overnight lows in the 50s; it will be picture perfect weekend weather. The normal high this time of year is around 75 degrees.

It should remain dry until early next week. The next chance for rain will be Tuesday.

Posted in: News, Weather |

Tags: Tags: chilly, national weather service, spring, sunny, weather

The Lou Eves Municipal Pool was upgraded with new pumps, paint and PVC liner this season. The pool opens Memorial Day weekend. Provided photo

City workers are putting the finishing touches on improvements to the Lou Eves Municipal Pool.

The outdoor community pool, which opened in 1995, was recently upgraded with new pumps, paint, and a new custom-fitted PVC pool lined was installed.

The pool opens on Saturday, May 26 and will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Memorial Day weekend.  The pool reopens the weekend of June 2-3; daily operation runs from June 9 through Aug. 19, with weekend operations Aug. 25-26 and Labor Day weekend.

Amenities include a climbing wall, water slide, baby pool, children’s play area and snack bar.  Morning swim lessons by the Mason Swim Academy begin June 11.

Regular resident passes are $73 adults; $45 youth and senior citizens and $128 for families.  Non-resident cost is $157 adults; $96 youth and senior citizens and $321 for families.   Special rates are also available for Mason business employees and their families.

Daily resident admission is $5.50 adults and $4.50 youth and seniors; non-resident daily rates are $8.50 adults and $7 for children and seniors.  Children ages 3 and under are free.  Daily pass rates are discounted 50 percent after 5 p.m.

The pool is at 6249 Mason-Montgomery Road.  For more information, call the City of Mason at 513-229-8500.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: city of mason, community, corwin nixon park, lou eves pool, mason, outdoor pool, upgrades

Matt Ledbetter (left) and Jack Schulte of Reuben USA cook kielbasa, onions and peppers in a giant skillet in Goebel Park for the kickoff luncheon for the 32nd Annual MainStrasse Village Maifest last year. Enquirer file photo

The Enquirer

With the year’s first Party in the Park tonight, the grand opening of Riverfront Smale Park on Friday and Maifest this weekend, there’s plenty to do. Here are some ideas to get you started.

May 16: First Party in the Park
5-10 p.m., Yeatman’s Cove, 805 Pete Rose Way, Downtown. Happy hour prices from 5-6:30 p.m.
Music by Naked Karate Girls. Free. Through July 25. 513-579-3100 |• More information

May 17: Bacchanalian Society gathering
7-10 p.m., Cincinnati Masonic Center, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown.
Wine varietal: American-grown Chardonnay. Teams must bring three bottles of wine. Benefits The Josh Cares Cincinnati Program.
$20, $15 advance. 513-421-3579 |• More information

May 18: Grand opening of Smale Riverfront Park
6:15 p.m., Smale Riverfront Park, Mehring Way and Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown.
Celebrate completion of Phase I features of new park. Free ice cream, ribbon-cutting ceremony, music by Kathy Wade and others, jugglers, face painters, balloon artists, concessions and fireworks.   Free. 513-352-4080 |• Photos: John Smale | More information

May 18: An Evening with Pete Rose
8 p.m., Belterra Casino Resort & Spa, 777 Belterra Drive, Florence, Ind. CenterStage Showroom.
4192: The Crowning of the Hit King. Rose talks about his life leading up to setting a world record for hits.
Ages 21 and up. $30, $25 members. 800-745-3000 • Photos: A history of Pete Rose |• Get tickets

May 18: Spring Fling
8 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. Pavilion.
Finger food from local restaurants and beers by Christian Moerlein. Includes four drink tickets. Music 3 Day Rule and DJ Tony Krebs. Benefits The Cincinnati Horticulture Society and Jean Robert’s Family SIDS Foundation.
$45. Reservations required. 513-383-5595 | More information

May 18-20: Maifest
Noon-11 p.m., Germania Society of Cincinnati, 3529 W. Kemper Road, Colerain Township.
Maibaum (Maypole) raising, Mai Konigen (May Queen) coronation and traditional Maitanz (May Dance). Assorted German/domestic beers, wine and schnapps available, along with German meals, pastries and other items, including plants and crafts. Variety of music. Family friendly.
$2, free ages 12 and under. Through May 20. 513-742-0060 |• Photos: Maifest over the years |• More information

May 18-20: I Hear Music in the Air conference
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Word of Deliverance Family Life Center, 693 Fresno Road, Forest Park.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. Classes include: Plan and Purpose for Your Life by Bishop Derek Triplett, Women in Ministry by Shelia Knight and Juandolyn Stokes, Airplay 360 by Ace Alexander and panelists and Zumba Fitness by Y’Anna Crawley.
$15 per person. 513-851-9673 | More information

Seventh and 8th-grade Italian Dancers from St Catherine of Siena School performed in the light rain last year at CincItalia in Cheviot. Enquirer file photo

May 18-20: CincItalia
3 p.m.-midnight, Harvest Home Park, 3961 North Bend Road, Cheviot.
Celebration of Italian heritage. Entertainment from national music acts, activities for all ages and authentic cuisine prepared by local Italian restaurants and Cincinnati’s Italian cultural societies.
Free. Through May 20. 513-675-7581 | Photos: CincItalia cookie queens |• More information

May 19: Ben-Gals finals
6 p.m.-midnight, Newport Syndicate, 18 E. Fifth St., Newport.
Candidates perform skill sets for a spot on the 30-person roster. The women will be judged by dance professionals, celebrities and local fans. Cash bar and food available. Afterparty follows.
$30. Registration required. 513-236-1643 | Photos: Ben-Gals tryouts last year | Photos: Ben-Gals through the years

May 19-20: Asian Food Festival
11-midnight, The Banks, 150 E. Mehring Way, Downtown. Freedom Way between Elm Street and Rosa Parks Street.
Food from various countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, India, Indonesia and more. Local craft and Asian beer, entertainment and games for children. Fireworks by Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics Saturday night. Benefits Care2Share.
Free. 513-549-5036 |• More information

May 19: Tap and Run 4K
5 p.m., Northern Kentucky, Northern Kentucky, Covington.
Start line at Saratoga and Third streets.
4K with four beer-chug stations along race course, full beer at finish line, crazy costumes and more.
$34-$46. 513-345-3054 |• More information

May 19: Go OTR 5K
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Over-the-Rhine, Over-the-Rhine, Over-the-Rhine. Registration 8:30 a.m.
Course begins at corner of 12th and Vine streets.
Celebration follows run with shopping, food and music. Benefits Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce.
$25, $20 advance. Registration required, available online. 513-241-2690 |• More information

May 20: Rain
7 p.m., Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall, 650 Walnut St., Downtown.
Multi-media enhanced live performance follows Fab Four from first Ed Sullivan appearance through Abbey Road album.
$60, $55, $50, $35. 513-621-2787
• Photos: The Beatles |• More information

May 20: Brad Paisley with The Band Perry
7:30 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township.
With the Band Perry and Scotty McCreery, “American Idol” season 10 winner.
Gates open 4:30 p.m. $63.75, $43.75 pavilion, $28.50 lawn; plus fees. 800-745-3000 | More information

Posted in: Community, Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: an evening with pete rose, asian food festival, bacchanalian society, beatles, belterra casino, ben-gals, cinciitalia, cincinnati, cincinnati masonic center, coney island, downtown, first party in the park, germania society of cincinnati, go otr 5k, harvest home park, i hear music in the air, maifest, newport syndicate, over-the-rhine, rain, smale riverfront park, spring fling, tap and run 4k, the banks, yeatman's cove