In This Hamilton! Thrive Issue …

📌Daily Weather

📌Local Business Spotlight - Lee’s Chinese

📌New Years Eve Venues

📌Local School News

📌Bengals at Chiefs Sunday

📌Cat Humor / Far Side

📌Local Business Spotlight - Mother Earth Vitamin Shop

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10 New Year’s Eve parties in Butler, Hamilton and Warren counties

Being at home more during the COVID_19 pandemic means people are eager to get out for New Year’s Eve to eat, drink and dance — even those who considered themselves retired from the party scene. Whether you want to dress up or stay casual, head down to the big city or stay local, we have you covered. Here are 10 New Year’s events close to home.

New Cheer’s Eve at Coopers Hawk

An ideal New Year’s party for Butler County wine enthusiasts, Coopers Hawk is offering a three-course meal that includes filet medallions, lobster tail gratin, and white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, with each course paired with Coopers Hawk wines. Check it out at Coopers Hawk, 7490 Bales St., Liberty Township, on Dec. 28 from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person. For more information, call (513) 463-9463 or visit chwinery.com.

Midnight in Munich – NYE 2021 Zinzinnati

True Cincinnati natives proud of their heritage will celebrate New Year’s at Cincinnati’s oldest German restaurant. The event includes German beer specials, hors d’oeuvres, and live music. At 6 p.m., when the clock strikes midnight in Germany, an authentic German buffet and kid-friendly buffet will be served There will also be a champagne toast and a livestream of the Brandenburg Gate fireworks in Berlin at that time. Check it out at Mecklenburg Gardens, 302 E. University Ave., Cincinnati, on Dec. 31 from 4-8 p.m. Tickets are $23-$63. For more information, call (513) 221-5353 or search “Midnight in Munich Zinzinnati” at eventbrite.com.

New Year’s Eve with the Menus

This wedding-style party includes an open bar, appetizers, a buffet dinner, a late-night snack bar, party favors, a champagne toast at midnight, and live music from The Menus, a rock band that’s been entertaining Cincinnati audiences for over 30 years. Check it out at Receptions Event Center, 5975 Boymel Drive, Fairfield, on Dec. 31 from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Tickets are $175 per couple. For more information, visit facebook.com/receptionsinc.

New Year’s Eve Dinner at Taft’s

One of Cincinnati’s premiere craft breweries is throwing a “Great Gatsby”-inspired New Year’s Eve event. The evening includes a five-course dinner, a welcome beer or cocktail, a specialty cocktail menu, and a champagne toast with dessert. Dressing up is highly encouraged but not required. Check it out at Taft’s Ale House, 1429 Race St., Cincinnati, on Dec. 31 from 6-10:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person and includes tip. For more information, call (513) 334-1393 or visit www.taftsbeer.com.

New Year’s Eve 2021 (at Jags)

The premiere steakhouse in Butler County is offering a three-course meal, suggested wine pairings, and live music from a special trio rotating stages. The meal will include delicacies such as Chesapeake Bay Oyster Stew and longtime Jags specialties such as their Grilled New York Strip and Chilean Seabass. Check it out at Jags Steak & Seafood, 5980 West Chester Road, West Chester on Dec. 31 from 4 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Admission is $85 per person. For more information, call (513) 860-5353 or www.jags.com

Ryan Hamilton NYE Show

This clean stand-up comedian focuses on self-deprecating humor, particularly his famous large smile. He’s done the late-night talk show circuit and was a semi-finalist on “Last Comic Standing.” See him at the Funny Bone at Liberty Center, 7518 Bales St., A-120, Liberty Twp., on Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets are $45-$75. For more information, call (513) 779-5233 or visit www.liberty.funnybone.com.

Happy Zoo Year

The Cincinnati Zoo is offering a kid-friendly New Year’s party that includes a glow party, a DJ, giveaways, kid-friendly activities, and a kid-friendly countdown at 8 p.m. Check it out at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, on Dec. 31 from 5-8:15 p.m. Tickets are $7-$23. For more information, call (513) 281-4700 or visit cincinnatizoo.org.

New Year’s Eve Blast

You don’t have to go to New York City to have a Time’s Square experience. Come to the heart of downtown and enjoy ice skating, a light show, heaters and high-top tables, games, a DJ, hot, cold, and bubbly drinks, and a fireworks show at midnight. Check it out at Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Cincinnati, on Dec. 31 from 8 p.m.-12:20 a.m. Admission is free but ice skating is $10. For more information, call (513) 621-4400 or visit myfountainsquare.com.

Dueling Pianos at 16 Lots

This local New Year’s party package includes four hours of dueling pianos, unlimited beer, cider and wine, unlimited appetizers (pasta, charcuterie, seafood) from Mad Monks Pizza, and a champagne toast at midnight. Check it out at 16 Lots, 753 Reading Road, Mason, on Dec. 31 from 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Tickets are $95. For more information, call (513) 486-3672 or visit the New Year’s Eve Party with Ashton Wolf Dueling Pianos Facebook page.

NYE VIP at the Banks

Spend New Year’s on the Ohio River with E&O Kitchen, a restaurant that specializes in Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese and other types of Asian cuisine. For New Year’s, E&O is offering 11 different dining packages (including sushi towers), DJs, and a champagne toast. Check it out at E&O Kitchen – The Banks, 56 W. Freedom Way, Cincinnati, on Dec. 31 from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Tickets are $25-$2,000. For more information, call (513) 684-1720 or search for NYE VIP at E&O Kitchen on eventbrite.com.

Your business could be featured HERE !

Norwood collects victory over Hamilton New Miami

Norwood grabbed a 39-22 victory at the expense of Hamilton New Miami on Dec. 28 in Ohio boys high school basketball.

BUTLER COUNTY — Two holiday high school basketball events are taking place this week in Butler County.

The Brian Cook Classic tips off Thursday and Friday at Madison, while the inaugural Butler County Backyard Bash runs Friday and Saturday at Fairfield Arena.

The 28th annual Brian Cook Classic — which was once the Madison Classic before being renamed to remember Cook who passed away in 2000 at the age of 16 — will hit the Mohawks’ Coach Smith Court when Madison, Cincinnati Christian and Belmont battle it out. The tournament had a scheduling conflict and will finish up in February at CCS.

Fairfield, Hamilton and Badin will be bringing both boys and girls programs to the Butler County Backyard Bash. Middletown, Monroe and Talawanda will have their girls teams participate, while Mount Healthy, Ross and Lakota West boys will compete.

“This will be a great event for our community,” Fairfield boys basketball coach DJ Wyrick said. “It is a great opportunity for fans to see the quality of basketball that we have here in Butler County. There are some great matchups this year.”

Indians athletic director Aaron Blankenship said he hopes the Backyard Bash will be an ongoing event that runs for years to come.

“We’re really excited about this year’s event,” Blankenship said. “We’re wanting this to be the first of many. We’ve already had quite a few teams reach out about participating in next year’s event if we’re able to have it.

“Our hope is that we have a fun holiday event that showcases the great talent and the great coaches and the great communities we have here in Butler County. We’re excited to see the event as it grows. This is going to be a great first year.”

Blankenship said the Backyard Bash also serves as an option for area basketball programs that didn’t head south for a holiday event to participate.

“This is a great opportunity to play in a local rivalry game in front of a great crowd in their own backyard,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for family, friends and students to come out to watch two really good nights of basketball.

“We felt like we could provide something great in a great facility like Fairfield Arena for a great community that Butler County is. This will create a tournament style environment for our student-athletes to participate in. While some of these trips are great, we felt like it’s a great opportunity for our programs to stay home.”

Fairfield’s boys basketball team also plays in the LaRosa’s Holiday Hardwood Classic on Thursday, Dec. 26 at Xavier University’s Cintas Center. The Indians face Lakota West with a 7:45 p.m. tipoff.

The Brian Cook Classic schedule is as followed:

• Boys 

• Thursday, Dec. 28, at Madison

• 6 p.m. — Cincinnati Christian vs. Belmont, JV

• 7:15 p.m. — Cincinnati Christian vs. Belmont, varsity

• Friday, Dec. 29, at Madison

• 6 p.m. — Belmont vs. Madison, JV

• 7:15 p.m. — Belmont vs. Madison, varsity

• Tuesday, Feb. 13, at Cincinnati Christian

• 6 p.m. — Madison vs. Cincinnati Christian, JV

• 7:15 p.m. — Madison vs. Cincinnati Christian, varsity 

• The Butler County Backyard Bash schedule is as followed:
  
  Girls

• Friday, Dec. 29, at Fairfield Arena

• 4:30 p.m. — Middletown vs. Monroe

• 6 p.m. — Hamilton vs. Talawanda

• 7:30 p.m. — Badin vs. Fairfield

• 
  Boys

• Saturday, Dec. 30, at Fairfield Arena

• 4:30 p.m. — Mount Healthy vs. Lakota West

• 6 p.m. — Badin vs. Hamilton

• 7:30 p.m. — Ross vs. Fairfield
  Source: Chris Vogt with BCHS Sports Report

Cincinnati Bengals' star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is poised to make a game-time decision regarding his participation in Sunday's crucial matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, scheduled for 4:25 p.m. and airing on Cincinnati's Channel 12.

Chase, who is reportedly dealing with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder, provided an update to the media after a limited practice on Thursday, marking his first public appearance since exiting the Dec. 17 overtime victory against the Vikings.

Responding to queries about his readiness, Chase stated, "If I knew, I'd be playing. I'm getting (range of motion) back. It's going to come down to tolerating pain from a hit, for real. If anything, that will be the biggest test. You can't test that pregame. You'll hurt yourself before you play. We'll find out."

Aware of the stakes, Chase acknowledges the significance of the Bengals' playoff chances hinging on their final two regular-season games. A win in both would secure their postseason berth with over a 90% probability. Conversely, a loss would complicate matters. Chase recognizes this reality, emphasizing, "It's up to me making the decision. Be in the right mindset to play. My body. Mindset. All of the above."

While pursuing personal milestones, such as reaching 100 catches (currently at 93) and aiming for the team record of 112, Chase remains focused on the team's objectives. Reflecting on his season, he remarks, "I'm not saying I'm satisfied, but I did a good bit this year. I still have plenty of time to go after that record."

In another key player update, Bengals slot cornerback Mike Hilton expresses confidence in his recent performance, considering it among the best stretches of his career. Motivated by the disappointment of last year's AFC title game loss to the Chiefs, Hilton remains resolute in his commitment to deliver a better showing this time around.

Acknowledging a challenging moment in the Divisional win over the Bills, Hilton's declaration of "Burrowhead" after the game, in reference to quarterback Joe Burrow, is still etched in memory. Despite considering retracting the statement, Hilton maintains, "It doesn't bother me anymore. I thought about taking it back, but that's not me. It's a humbling experience."

Revisiting the critical play from last year's loss, Hilton points to a touchdown pass by Patrick Mahomes to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, emphasizing its impact on the outcome. Eager for redemption, Hilton reflects, "I don't regret it ('Burrowhead'). It was the worst game of my career, and I've got a chance to right that wrong." With an opportunity for redemption against the Chiefs, Hilton is determined to make a decisive impact in the upcoming game.
Source: Bengals.com

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