MasonBuzz.com

Military veterans enjoy free admission to Kings Island Memorial Day Weekend. Photo provided

Kings Island is offering special perks to veterans this Memorial Day weekend.

Military veterans receive free admission to the 364-acre Mason amusement park Friday through Monday.

The offer extends to active and retired military, National Guard, veterans with honorable or medical discharge and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps with government-issued ID.

Military personnel can also purchase admission tickets for members of their immediate family (up to six) for a discounted price of $29.99 each.

Military vets will also receive free admission and membership discounts of up to 20 percent at the Mason Community Center Saturday through Monday.

The center offers fitness machines, an indoor pool, gym and field house, game room, fitness activities and child care center.

Veterans who are already members can receive 10 free guest passes.

Valid military IDs are required for both offers and must be presented.  Present IDs to the ticket counter at Kings Island or to the member services desk at the Mason Community Center.

For Kings Island information, call 513-754-5700.  For Mason Community Center information, call 513-229-8555.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Community, Events, Health & Fitness, Mason Community Center, The Beach Waterpark |

Tags: Tags: free admission, kings island, mason community center, memorial day, memorial day weekend, military, veterans, vets

Live Well in Mason will hold a women’s luncheon at noon Wednesday at the Courseview Restaurant at the Golf Center at Kings Island, 6042 Fairway Drive, Mason.

The event includes a healthy lunch served overlooking the Grizzly golf course and guest speakers on a variety of women’s health topics.  A free drawing will be held for a pair of tickets to see the Cincinnati Reds battle the Pittsburgh Pirates June 19 downtown.

Luncheon and presentation are $5 for Mason Community Center premier members; $6 for basic members; $8 for Mason residents and $9 for non-residents.  Register online at www.imaginemason.org (activity #386101) or call 513-229-8555.  Walk-ins will be accepted the day of the event as space permits.

Live Well in Mason is a partnership of TriHealth and the city of Mason.

Posted in: Community, Events, Health & Fitness |

Tags: Tags: courseview restaurant, live well in mason, trihealth, women's luncheon

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

A partnership between the Mason Community Center and TriHealth has created an unusual way to learn how to shop for healthy foods.

Live Well in Mason has prepared a spring break scavenger hunt that takes participants any one of three Kroger stores near Mason and Deerfield Township. There they will be hunting for several healthy food items and answering questions about them.

“There are misconceptions out there about some products that people think are healthier than they really are because of the words (on the packaging),” said Tiffany Wentzel, a coordinator with Live Well in Mason.

“We want to help people become more aware of healthy food items and where to find them at the grocery store.”

Items on the list were selected specifically for the Krogers stores at 9600 S. Mason-Montgomery Road, 4700 Fields-Ertel Road and 7855 Tylersville Road.

Families can pick up the scavenger hunt sheet at the Mason Community Center, 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road beginning March 24. Completed sheets can be returned to any customer service desk at the community center through March 31.

There is no cost to participate and you do not have to be a member of the community center. Any family that completes the sheet correctly will receive a prize.

Posted in: Community, Events, Health & Fitness, News |

Tags: Tags: health, healthy, kroger, live well in mason, mason community center, nutrition, scavenger hunt, spring break, tiffany wentzel

The Mason Fire Department will offer a American Heart Association CPR class from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, March 6 at Mason Fire Station 51, 4420 Mason-Montgomery Road.

Those who take the class, which is free for residents and Mason Community Center premier members, will receive a certification from the American Heart Association.  The class is $7 for non-residents of Mason who are community center basic members and $10 for non-residents.

The class is part of a series of CPR courses offered by the department.  A less comprehensive 30-minute instruction in Hands-Only CPR is offered between the hours of 9-11 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month.  This class does not include a certification.

Register online at www.imaginemason.org (activity number 221620), by phone at 513-229-8555 or in person at the Mason Community Center, 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road.  Registrations are accepted through Feb. 28.

Posted in: Events, Health & Fitness |

Tags: Tags: american heart association, class, cpr, mason fire department

The Mason Community Center is launching a new program for senior citizens.

The national SilverSneakers fitness program is geared towards group retirees or older adults eligible for Medicare.

The program provides a fitness center membership, with customized classes for seniors to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance, along with health education seminars, online support classes and program advisors.

The center will hold a free informational seminar about the program at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27.

Enrollment for the program begins at 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3 at the front entrance desk. The center is at 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road and can be reached at 513-229-8555.

Posted in: Events, Health & Fitness, Mason Community Center |

Tags: Tags: enrollment, fitness, health, informational session, mason community center, senior citizens, silversneakers

From a wolf walk for dogs to Harry Potter-inspired Quidditch matches, there’s lots of fun and free things to do around Greater Cincinnati this weekend.

Friday: Altered States, 6-8 p.m., Miller Gallery, 2715 Erie Ave., Hyde Park. Works by Rob Jefferson and Jonathan Queen. Exhibit continues through Nov. 23. 513-871-4420; www.millergallery.com.

Friday: Cincinnati-Style Shabbat, 6:15-8:30 p.m., Plum Street Temple, 720 Plum St., Downtown. Mix and mingle with Jewish YPs, 21-35 and their non-Jewish significant others while enjoying a Cincinnati-themed Shabbat dinner with Montgomery Inn, Graeters Ice Cream, Busken and more. Vegetarian and Kosher options available upon request. Ages 21 and up. Free. Registration required. 513-373-0300; www.jypaccess.org.

Friday: Dodgeball, 3:30 p.m., Chapin Memorial Library, 6517 Market St., Petersburg. Defend and dive in raucous rounds to see who be the last one standing. Snacks and prizes. Free. Registration required. 859-342-2665; www.bcpl.org.

Friday: Cooking the Books, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Boone County Cooperative Extension Service, 6028 Camp Ernst Road, Burlington. Adults fix dinner inspired by or found in a book. Followed by dinner and discussion of book. Family friendly. Free. 859-586-6101; www.ca.uky.edu/boone.

Friday: Live @ the Library: 113th Army Band Brass Quintet, 7 p.m., Scheben Branch Library, 8899 U.S. 42, Union. Variety of music, from classical to jazz, marches to rock. Free. 859-342-2665.

Saturday: Cincinnati and Soup, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Gourmet Galleria, Jungle Jim’s International Market, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield. Meet author Cheri Brinkman and get autographed copies of books. Chat about Ruth Lyons, Paul Dixon and Bob Braun. Free. 513-674-6000; www.junglejims.com.

Saturday: Kids and Family Expo, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Mason Community Center, 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road. More than 40 booths with children’s programs and after school enrichment programs. Guided tours of the center. Free. 513-229-8555; www.masonoh.org.

Saturday: Missy Griffin,11:30 a.m.-noon, Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore, 3054 Madison Road, Oakley. Author discusses and signs “Gigi’s Window.” Free. 513-731-2665.

Saturday: Quidditch, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Heritage Oak Park, 5001 U.S. 42, Mason. Full contact, co-ed sport played in communities around the world. Founded in 2005 and inspired by the sport of the same name created by author J.K. Rowling, “Harry Potter” series. Presented by International Quidditch Association. Dress for weather. Midwest RegionalsTournament. Qualifying rounds. Free. Through Nov. 11. 513-204-7046; www.ohioslargestplayground.com.

Saturday: Wolf Walk for Dogs, 2 p.m., Harbor, Winton Woods, 10245 Winton Road, Springfield Township. Walk around lake with canine companion. Test their knowledge of the canine world. Dogs must be on leash under six feet in length. Some bags for waste removal will be available. Free, vehicle permit required. 513-521-7275; www.greatparks.org.

Sunday: Bengals Shuttle Bus, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Keystone Bar & Grill, 313 Greenup St., Covington. Catch free ride to and from home games. Southbank Shuttle stops outside Keystone and runs every 15 minutes so fans can go to game and leave game whenever. Free. 859-261-6777.

Sunday: The New Horizons Piano Competition Winners’ Recital, 3 p.m., Cincinnati Christian University, 2700 Glenway Ave., East Price Hill. Winners from the competition will present two pieces of varied genres. Free parking on campus. Free. 513-244-8165; www.ccuniversity.edu.

Sunday: Sensory Sunday: Stories, Songs and Fun for You and Your Little One, 2-3 p.m., Gymboree, 6209 Snider Road, Mason. Playgroups feature popular Miss Meliss, who keeps babies and parents engaged and entertained with unique brand of fun. Includes snack. Free. Registration required. 513-703-3343; www.myshalomfamily.org.

Monday: Miami University Lecture Series, 8 p.m., Hall Auditorium, Miami University, Oxford. Rick Steves, public television host and author of more than 50 guidebooks including the travel skills handbook, “Europe through the Back Door,” will share lessons he’s learned from a lifetime of travel. Free, tickets required. 513-529-7592; www.units.muohio.edu/lecture/index.php.

Posted in: Community, Events, Health & Fitness, Mason Community Center |

Tags: Tags: altered states, army brass band quintet, bengals shuttle bus, cincinnati and soup, cooking the books, dodgeball, events, free, fun, gymboree, kids and family expo, mason community center, miami university, missy griffin, new horizons piano competition, quidditch, rick steves, sensory sunday, shabbat, winner's recital, wolf walk for dogs

The Mason Community Center will hold its second annual Health and Wellness Expo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Area vendors will be on-hand to present health tips and advice and free services for attendees on all aspects of health, from physical wellness to financial planning.

Participants will be able to sign up for a blood drive, register for a flu shot, get a chair massage and learn about services available through the community center and TriHealth. A Kids Zone will be offered in the gymnasium.

The community will also have the chance to sample entries in Live Well in Mason’s chili cook-off served at noon. Pre-registration is required for the free chili lunch. Register online at www.imaginemason.org (activity code 686105-01) or call 513-229-8555.

The event is free and open to the community. The community center is at 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road and can be reached at 513-229-8555.

Posted in: Events, Health & Fitness, Mason Community Center |

Tags: Tags: chili cook-off, fitness, health, health and wellness expo, live well in mason, mason, mason community center, wellness

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

The Kings Homecoming 5K and Mile Fun Run sets off Wednesday.

The 17th annual run begins in front of the junior/senior high school complex, 5500 Columbia Road. The 3.1-mile course goes through Kings Mills, returning to the Kings Stadium track.

The Mile Fun Run uses the first mile loop of the 5K and begins at 6:15 p.m., followed by the 5K walk or run at 6:30 p.m. Race day registration opens at 5:30 p.m.

Awards are presented to the top male and female finishers, age group champions and top male and female members in the 5K run. Top male and female finishers in the 5K walk and Fun Run will be honored as well.

Cost for the 5K is $20 race day; cost for the Fun Run is $15 with t-shirt or $10 without.  Proceeds from the race benefit the men’s and women’s cross country programs.

Download registration forms at www.athletics2000.com/kings.

Information: 513-774-0797

Posted in: Events, Health & Fitness, School events |

Tags: Tags: cross country, deerfield township, homecoming, homecoming 5km, kings, kings high school, kings stadium, mason, mile fun run

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Those who take part in the Panerathon 5K on Sunday won’t just be exercising.

Participants will be raising money to feed families.

Proceeds from the fifth annual walk and run event will go to the Shared Harvest Foodbank in Fairfield and the Mason Food Pantry.

“Everyone knows someone – family, friends, neighbors – affected by our struggling economy,” said Tina Osso, Shared Harvest’s executive director. “Every dollar raised in the Panerathon will help us provide eight meals for families in need right here at home.”

The event begins at 9 a.m. at the Deerfield Towne Center Panera Bread, 5095 Deerfield Blvd. It will be followed at 10 a.m. by a free Kids Fun Run for children ages 10 and younger.

The cost is $30 for adults ages 18-59 and $25 for children ages 11-18, adults ages 60 and older, and members of the military. There is a $5 discount for those who register by Sept. 20.

Participants receive an event t-shirt, timing chip and good bag on race day. Panera gift cards and Sketchers athletic shoes are presented to the top men and women finishers. Kids Fun Run participants receive race bibs and medals.

Race packets can be picked up beginning at 7:30 a.m. race day.

Following the race, participants will munch on bagels, pastries and sandwiches from Panera Bread. There will also be on-site entertainment provided by Q-102 as well as activities for children and families.

“Panera Bread is committed to supporting our local communities and the fight against hunger,’’ said Craig Flom, president of Breads of the World LLC, franchise of Panera Bread.

Registration forms are available at the store or participants can register online or download forms at www.panerathon.com.

Information: 513-874-0114.

Posted in: Community, Events, Health & Fitness |

Tags: Tags: 5k, deerfield township, fundraiser, mason food pantry, panera, panera bread, panerathon, race, shared harvest, tina osso

Check out the top 20 events going on in the Greater Cincinnati area.

Monday

Safetysuit, 8 p.m., 20th Century Theatre, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley. With Taylor Berett. $19.64. 800-745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com.

Tuesday

Picturesque Cincinnati: Then and Now, 6-8 p.m., Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati Race Street Gallery, 811 Race St., Downtown. Pictures by the Kraemer Art Company and David La Spina. Part of FotoFocus. Exhibit continues through Oct. 31. Free. 513-421-4469; www.architecturecincy.org.

Renee Fleming, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Three-time Grammy-winning soprano. Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor. $45 and up. Reservations required. 513-381-3300; www.cincinnatisymphony.org.

Wednesday

Fall Fringe Festival, 7:30-9 p.m., Know Theatre of Cincinnati, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine. Ages 18 and up. $12. Four-show Fall Fringe passes: $40. Through Sept. 22. 513-300-5669; www.knowtheatre.com.

Thursday

B-105’s Show for the USO: Uncle Kracker, 7:30 p.m., Madison Theater, 730 Madison Ave., Covington. With Jana Kramer and Dustin Lynch. $30, $25 advance; $20 with military ID at theater box office. 859-491-2444; www.b105.com.

Bacchanalian Society Fall Gathering, 7-10 p.m., Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Varietal wine: Sauvignon Blanc. Benefits Junior League of Cincinnati. $20, $15 advance. 513-763-8036; www.bacchanaliansociety.com.

Books By the Banks Poster Debut, 6:30 p.m., Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 2692 Madison Road, Norwood. Posters available for sale $15; $10 previous years. Free. 513-396-8960; www.booksbythebanks.org.

Destination Imagination, 8-10 p.m., Parrish Auditorium, 1601 University Blvd., Hamilton. Ohio Metropolitan Pops Orchestra. Award-winning 60-piece orchestra, 80-voice chorale and soloist. $12 advance. 513-755-2338; www.ohiomet.org.

NEEDTOBREATHE, 7:30 p.m., Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. With Drew Holcomb. $30, $27.50 advance; plus fees. 800-745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com.

Friday

Cincinnati Comic Expo, 5-8 p.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown. Hall C. $65 VIP, $25 weekend, $15 one-day pass, free ages 12 and under. Through Sept. 23. 513-290-6583; www.cincinnaticomicexpo.com.

Joshua Bell: Superstar, 8-10 p.m., Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. $10 and up. Also Saturday. Registration required. 513-381-3300; www.cincinnatisymphony.org.

Moerlein Lager House Oktoberfest, 4-11 p.m., Moerlein Lager House, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. Free. Through Sept. 23. 513-421-2337; bit.ly/N93Y2l.

Slash, 8 p.m., Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. With Foxy Shazam. $47.36. 800-745-3000; www.livenation.com.

Warhol and Green Acres Opening Celebration, 8-11 p.m., Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown. Featuring DJ sets by VHS or BETA. Exhibits continue through Jan. 20. $10, free for members. 513-354-8400; www.contemporaryartscenter.org.

Saturday

Bluegrass for Babies, 4-9:30 p.m., Sawyer Point, Pete Rose Way, Downtown. P&G Pavilion. Benefits Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. $20, $15 advance; free for children. Registration required. 513-352-4000; www.bluegrassforbabies.com.

Fire Up the Night, 5 p.m., Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. International fireworks competition begins at 9 p.m. Includes waterless pool party, craft beer festival and more. $15-$20 per carload; includes parking. $5 for walk-ups. 513-232-8230; www.coneyislandpark.com.

Merchants and Music Festival, 3-10 p.m., Tower Park, 950 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas. Jo Dee Messina, Danny Frazier Band and Tupelo Honey. Food and shopping available. Free. 859-572-1278; www.merchantsandmusic.com.

NASCAR Nationwide Series: Kentucky 300, 4-7 p.m., Kentucky Speedway, 1 Speedway Drive, Sparta. $45-$75. 859-578-2300; www.kentuckyspeedway.com.

Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati USA, 11-midnight, Downtown Cincinnati, on six blocks of Fifth Street from Race to Broadway. Free. Through Sept. 23. 513-579-3111; www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com.

Sunday

Panerathon 5K to Fight Hunger, 9 a.m., Panera Bread, 5095 Deerfield Blvd., Mason. Celebration at finish line with fresh bagels, pastries, sandwiches and activities. Free Kids Fun Run for ages 10 and under at 10 a.m. $30, $25 advance; $25, $20 advance for children, seniors and military. 614-794-2008; www.panerathon.com/index-cincinnati.html.

Posted in: Community, Events, Health & Fitness, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: b-105s show for the uso, bacchanalian society fall festival, bluegrass for babies, books by the banks poster debut, cincinnati, cincinnati comic expo, destination imagination, events, fall fringe festival, fire up the sky, kentucky 300, merchants and music festival, moerlein lager house oktoberfest, nascar nationwide series, needtobreathe, oktoberfest zinzinnati, panerathon 5k to fight hunger, picturesque cincinnati then and now, renee fleming, safetysuit, slash, uncle kracker, usa