CincyWhimsy

LEAFPEEPING AT SPRING GROVE

With plenty of rain and mild temperatures during the summer, trees were primed for their best colors this year. Most Cincinnatians have caught a glimpse of the hillside forests surrounding the highways began showing their vibrancy; a contrast to most years in which they switch from green to brown to bare in an instant.

The interstate scenery is just a hint of what one can enjoy at Spring Grove Cemetery, the nation's second largest cemetery which also doubles as an arboretum. Since its establishment in 1845, Spring Grove has seen many autumns over the course of 150 years, but 2013 may be the most colorful season in recent times.

LEAFPEEPING IN KENTUCKY

Throughout the season, I've heard talk about Kentucky fall foliage rivaling the views one can find in New England. Having went leafpeeping in Boston last fall, I decided to check out a park close to home to see how it compared.

An urban oasis resting high above the hills in Covington, the winding roads of Devou Park transport visitors out of the city and into the serenity of nature. The main landmarks include the Drees Pavilion scenic overlook and the Devou Park Golf Course, both of which are surrounded with a burst of colors. Leafpeeping in Devou can be explored by car or on foot. A single lane road slowly wraps around the park creating Sunday afternoon drive nostalgia. There are also an assortment of hiking and bike trails for all experience levels.

Foliage canopies, woods in the distance, sitting under a Red Oak for a picnic, or going for a leap in a leaf pile; all of these are possible right here, just south of the Ohio River. With bursts of yellows, oranges, and breathtaking reds, Northern Kentucky provides a close-to-home spectacle of the East Coast leafpeeping season.

BROADHOPE ART COLLECTIVE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

You've seen them at City Flea. You've seen them at Crafty Supermarket. Now you can see them in their brand new space along Harrison Avenue, directly across from Westwood Town Hall. Broadhope Art Collective, the West Side's creative empire, is hosting their one year anniversary celebration this Saturday, November 9, from 11:00AM-6:00PM.

A home for a variety of artists and their mediums, Broadhope features visual arts, crafts, wearables, home decor and more. Made up of a group of passionate West Siders looking for more creative exposure in their hometown, Broadhope brings an exciting burst of energy to the evolution of Westwood.

Be sure to look for Emily Lyn Design and pick up one of my favorite Broadhope items: the Westwood Is The Best Hood tote!

CAKE BOSS TOURS CINCINNATI

Buddy Valastro: The Cake Boss

The Family Celebrations Tour

Join America’s favorite baker, Buddy Valastro, Monday, Nov 18^th at 7:30 PM at the Aronoff Theatre, for an all new show of cakes, stories, and fun. In this live, interactive event, TLC's Cake Boss will share stories from his highly popular TV shows (Cake Boss, Next Great Baker), his family at Carlo’s Bakery, will answer audience questions, and most importantly, will give lots of live cake & cupcake decorating demonstrations, sharing tips and techniques in a high-energy experience for the whole family!

Friends of Cincy Whimsy receive $5 off on tickets. Just click here and use code ‘BUDDY’.

STREETCAR STROLL: NOVEMBER

Once a month, Noel Prows organizes a group to walk the route of the Cincinnati Streetcar to view and document the development of light rail in the Queen City. During our previous strolls, we saw the laying of the first rail in Over The Rhine and utility improvements along the 3.6-mile loop.

On our November tour, rail had been laid for several blocks along the route, with the trench now extending up to Liberty Street. New rail is being unloaded every two weeks as route construction ramps up its pace. Crews already encased the first rails in concrete and are laying the granite pavers that made up the cobblestone-looking road outside Music Hall. Electrical and gas line work continues heavily along the line in Over The Rhine, as well as replacement of 300 feet of sewer lines on Elm Street that were leaking due to age.