Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame

I was excited yesterday to attend my first Cincinnati Reds game of the 2014 season, against the San Diego Padres. With rain in the forecast and tornado warnings, however, it didn't look like we would get the game in, but my son-in-law Kevin and I headed to the park anyway, because that's what fans do. Turns out, however, the game never even got started.

After a delay of game (and before we heard the official word that it was cancelled), we decided to see the Reds Hall of Fame. Kevin has toured the HOF before, but this was my first time.

I did my best to contain my excitement. Then I gave up. It's just too cool to see the players and records and moments and games and memorabilia and history I've followed all my life--most closely, from the beginning of the Big Red Machine in 1970, when I was twelve years old (yes, I am that old).

The "Wall of Balls" is a dizzying three-story display representing Pete Rose's record 4,256 hits. It faces an outdoor rose garden (get it?) that marks the physical location where (in Riverfront Stadium) Pete's record-breaking 4,192nd hit landed in left-center field. 

I got to confer a little with Sparky Anderson. I think he appreciated my insights. 

The museum offers all kinds of things to see and do; I could easily spent a whole day there, I think. There's an area devoted to hometown heroes, Reds players who were originally from the Cincinnati area. There are scale models of the Palace of the Fans, the Reds' park prior to 1912, and Crosley Field, the park where I first saw the Reds play. There are interactive areas that are perfect for kids (like me, and even younger): Kids' Clubhouse, an area where you can pitch from a regulation mound, an "outfield wall" where you can catch a ball at the wall, and more. There are exhibits honoring Reds broadcasters and highlight films and baseball cards. And, of course, the  team's world series trophies are on display:

The final stop, at least on the route we took, is the actual hall of fame, a reverential display of Reds greats from every era in the team's history. 

The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum opened in 2004 (though the "hall of fame" was started in 1958, it had no physical location until the completion of Great American Ballpark on Pete Rose Way in Cincinnati. You can learn more about the hall of fame and museum at RedsMuseum.org.

MIA in Oxford, Ohio

Yesterday (for Mother's Day) I got to enjoy Sunday brunch at the (relatively) new MIA restaurant in The Elms Hotel in uptown Oxford, Ohio. 

MIA is the latest in a line of upscale establishments on this site, and I think this one is our favorite yet. The buffet (below) is fresh and extensive, featuring everything from eggs and bacon to salad, entrees, and side dishes. A dessert bar, soup tureen, omelet chef, and several cuts of meat round out the menu. 

The ambiance was great, the service efficient, and though the price is high it was a fine way to treat my wife and daughter to a memorable Mother's Day meal. 

Great Strides Walk 2014

Today was the long-awaited day of the 2014 Great Strides Walk to benefit the efforts of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to find a cure for cystic fibrosis. It started out as a drizzly day...and turned into a deluge! At the instant the walk started, the rain started pouring down on the intrepid volunteers and participants, turning Oxford, Ohio's uptown parks into a soggy mess (the photo above is of our team, McCane's Miracles, one of ten teams who signed up to participate). 

The rain, however, didn't stop the kids who were there from having fun and collecting balloon animals. 

The band Weedle (below) volunteered their music and MC talents for the event, and did such a great job. Please show them some love on their Facebook page and show up to hear them play whenever you can! 

And, though the sound of thunder ended all our efforts around 11 a.m., the day still netted over $15,000 toward our site goal of $30,000 (with some teams and many donors yet to report). McCane's Miracles (the team of family and friends who love and walk and raise funds on behalf of my grandchildren, Calleigh and Ryder) reported over $9,000 raised for the event--and that's not even counting the amount turned in today. We plan to top $10,000 for our 2014 efforts, which will be more than a 56% increase over last year's total! See our team page here for more info--or to help us out! 

Thank you to all who participated, whether by walking, donating, and spreading the word! Calleigh and Ryder are blessed to have friends and family like you!

Cafe Mineiro

Directly across the street from the International Palms Resort, where I am staying while at the EQUIP Conference here in Orlando, is Cafe Mineiro, a Brazillian steakhouse.
As I approached it on foot, I wasn't sure it was open. Sure, there was an "Open" sign in the window, but with the parking lot in back and no other signs of life that were immediately apparent, I feared I may have had to walk an extra few steps to one of the other dining establishments in the area. But my fears were unfounded. It was open; I apparently arrived ahead of the post-7-p.m. dinner rush.
I opted for the buffet (no surprise there) and had (believe it or not) a salad plate with mixed greens, red beets, and watermelon slices, and then went for the meats (pork, chicken, beef, and sausage) and sides. The meat (except for the sausage) was a bit overcooked, but otherwise the meal was well done (see what I did there?).

Cafe Mineira is located at 6432 International Drive, south of Orlando.

International Palms Resort

I arrived on Monday at the International Palms Resort on International Drive in Orlando, Florida.
I'm here for the EQUIP Conference, a gathering of a few hundred Salvation Army youth workers.
My room (above) is roomy, and the view from my window (below) is very "viewy."
It's my first time at this venue, which is not exactly state of the art but plenty comfy by my standards. And the weather my hosts have arranged is pretty darn good.

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Cap City Diner

It would be easy to miss the Cap City Diner at 1299 Olentangy River Road in Columbus, Ohio...but don't.

The diner (which is much larger inside than appears from the road, and which features a full bar as well) is one of restaurateur Cameron Mitchell's dozen area establishments.

And it's a great one. Of course, they had me at "hello, warm and soft dinner rolls."

Robin's pot roast with seasonal vegetables prompted the ravest (is that a word?) review I've heard from her in a long time.

And my southern fried chicken with mashed potatoes, green beans and red peppers was excellent. I actually loved the vegetables. Yes, you heard that right: I loved the vegetables.

The portions were large, just the way I like them, and perfectly prepared and presented. The service was likewise just right--attentive but un-intrusive.

If you're ever in the area, make a meal at Cap City Diner a top priority.

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Fairfield Inn & Suites, Columbus, OH

The lovely Robin and I checked into the Fairfield Inn and Suites on Olentangy River Road near the OSU campus in Columbus, Ohio, today.

We are here so Robin can attend a play therapy conference Friday and Saturday, just a few miles away at Columbus State University.

The accommodations are both clean and comfortable if not luxurious. The hotel offers a pool, jacuzzi, exercise room, guest laundry, meeting rooms, and (most importantly, to me) a complimentary breakfast.

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