A Short Stop in Cincinnati

Today I drove to Cincinnati, went through it, and kept right on going across the Ohio River into Newport, Kentucky. I checked into a hotel, then walked across the Central Bridge into downtown Cincy. One of the first things I noticed upon entering Cincinnati was that the WWE was in town. A fleet of large trucks with large decorated trailers were parked by the waterfront.

John Cena’s trailer.

I walked down Broadway Street, then turned left on 5th Street. I was very impressed by the symmetrical building(s) with the garden in front of it.

Building(s) and gardens in downtown Cincinnati.

I had lunch-dinner at the Rock Bottom Brewery. I ordered tomato bruschetta and cod fish and chips with a Summer Honey Ale and a Red Ale (and I had a taster’s glass of Belgian White Ale). The meal was very good. I particularly enjoyed the Summer Honey Ale. After eating I sat at a table in the grove section of Fountain Square, which is directly in front of Rock Bottom Brewery. A band called Ten Foot Big was playing on the P&G Music Stage. I listened to them and watched people feeding the birds while I tried to will my food to digest so I could have dessert. In the picture below the stage is to the right of the fountain. On the left front edge of the fountain you can see crossed legs and a photographer walking towards them. The legs belonged to a model, who was lounging all over the fountain and being photographed. She was attracting just as much attention as the band.

The grove in Fountain Square.

There were also pigs in the square. I liked the camouflaged pig.

A pig.

I had Graeter’s Ice Cream for dessert. Coconut Chip. I must say that I rate it above the Coconut Chip produced by The PSU Creamery.

Graeter’s Coconut Chip ice cream.

The Chaquita Building.

As I was walking back toward the Ohio River I saw the Chaquita Building. This was of interest to me because I just read a book about the banana and the banana industry last week (Banana: Fate of the fruit that Changed the World by Dan Koeppel). Chaquita plays a large role in banana sales in the U.S. You probably already know that if you notice the stickers on bananas. When I was inside Great American Ballpark I saw a large Chaquita billboard on the outfield wall. Two people sitting behind me noticed it as well. One of them asked the other about the size and competition of the banana industry. It took all my willpower to refrain from turning around and dropping a wealth of banana knowledge on them.

I bought a ticket at an automated ticket machine (ATM) at the ballpark. It was the first time I have used one, and I thought it was a good design. It made the ticket purchase quick and easy–and it did not charge me excessive fees. I got a field box ticket in Section 111, Row E, Seat 10. When I got to my seat I was very surprised how close to the field I was. I was three rows from the left field ball boy.

In the concourse framework I spotted one of my favorite ballpark cuisine quotes:

A quote on the Great American Ballpark concourse.

I enjoy watching the grounds crew get the field ready before a game. The left field foul line was applied with chalk poured from a coffee can into a stencil. Pretty cool.

The grounds crew prepares the left field foul line.

Mascots frolicked on the field before the game. But Mr. Red seemed to be afraid of me–he stayed on the other side of the park. Gapper was friendlier.

Gapper poses with a fan.

I had a good view as the visiting Padres went through pregame warm-ups.

Pregame warm-ups for the San Diego Padres.

I was very happy to see Scott Rolen play again.

Scott Rolen!

Scott is one of my favorite players of all time, and I wish he was still in Philadelphia.

Scott Rolen at the plate.

It ended up being an ugly game for the Reds. They scored 3 runs in the 1st inning, yet gave up 5 in the 2nd inning. It got worse from there. Dusty Baker made many pitching changes.

Dusty Baker walking to the mound; a common occurrence on this night.

When a Reds pitcher struck out a batter the PNC Power Stacks released three spurts of flames. It was pretty cool.

The flames.

All baseball games now seem to require a mascot race. Instead of stuffing an intern into a costume, the Reds use animation. I think the real thing is better.

Who needs a real race? Uh, I’d like one, please.

So the game ended as a loss for the Reds. I really wish I would have gotten to see Aroldis Chapman pitch, but that didn’t happen. After the last out was recorded I slowly left the ballpark.  The WWE event was just ending at a neighboring building, so I walked back to my hotel in a sea of wrestling fans.

Great American Ballpark after the game viewed from across the Ohio River.

It was a very enjoyable half day in Cincy.

A Doubleheader in Altoona and No Sign of Elvis

Due to a rain out last night the Altoona Curve and New Hampshire Fisher Cats played a doubleheader tonight. On a whim I decided to go. The promotion for the evening was an “Alex not Elvis” Presley figurine.

The “Alex not Elvis” Presley figurine.

Since I was at the ballpark early I perused the program while I waited for the game to begin. I find it interesting that profane or offensive language is a prohibited item. There are separate listings for signs and “Guest Conduct” that seem to cover this.

Profane or offensive language is a prohibited item.

The first game was probably the best-pitched game I ever saw in person. Both starters threw complete games (in the Eastern League doubleheader games are only 7 innings long), and Altoona starter Phil Irwin threw a 2-hit shut out. The Curve won 1-0. The game only took 1 hour and 33 minutes to play.

A beautiful day at the ballpark.

After the first game a storm rolled through, causing a delay of the second game. The game began with light rain falling. Altoona got another great effort from their starter and won 8-1.

The family of Altoona Curve right fielder Adalberto Santos was sitting near me. It was great to see how excited they were to see him play. He went 0 for 3 in the first game, but then went 2 for 3 in the second game. In his last at-bat he hit an RBI triple to right center, then scored when the next batter singled. The game might have been a blow out–and the runs were rather inconsequential–but there were some happy fans in the stands.

A Standoff in State College

This afternoon around 12:30pm I left my apartment to run a few errands. As I exited the driveway of my apartment complex I noticed an ambulance was parked in the right lane of Vairo Boulevard with orange traffic cones stretching across the road beside it, preventing me from turning right. I turned left, and saw several police cars in the parking lots of the apartment complexes that line Vairo Blvd.

When I returned around 2:45pm I noticed more police officers along Vairo Blvd, and the road was blocked at Majorie Mae Street. I pulled into the Lions Crossing parking lot–sitting in my car for a moment wondering what was happening. Then I got a text from a friend:

I walked to the barricade on Vairo Blvd and asked the township workers standing guard what was going on. They told me the road was closed for a police emergency and that they were not allowed to say anything else. By this time I had received more texts and seen reports on Twitter, so I asked them where the gunman was. They seemed surprised and said that they couldn’t talk about it (and they wanted to know where I heard a gunman was involved), but their response made it clear they knew something.

A CATA bus was sitting along Majorie Mae Street, sent there to be a shelter from the sun and looming rain for people stuck outside their apartments. Most people walked or drove away from the area, so for about 20 minutes I stood by the bus and talked to the bus driver. We discussed how scary the world was, higher education economics, phones, and the weather. I read him the updates I was finding on Twitter about the situation and texts I was receiving.

At the barricade I was surprised at how angry some people were at being prevented from driving through. One man in particular stands out. He was a middle-aged guy who seemed to be in a hurry. He wanted to get to the apartment complex I live in–which was completely off limits at the moment. Here is a paraphrase of the conversation:

The Guy: I need to get to that (pointing) apartment complex. Can I drive around to the other end of Vairo Blvd and get in that way?

Guard: No, I’m sorry, Vairo Blvd is closed right now for a police emergency.

The Guy: Can I park and walk over?

Guard: No, I can’t let you do that. We are not allowed to let anyone past this point, walking or driving.

The Guy: I have to get back to my apartment! (When I saw the agitation on his face I thought he might have a loved one he was concerned about.) How long will I have to wait?

Guard: I have no idea.

The Guy: But I HAVE to get back to my apartment! (Anger now very obvious.)

I HAVE GROCERIES HERE!

It was interesting. In that moment losing a gallon of milk and some frozen vegetables trumped personal safety. The efforts of the protectors were met with disdain.

By 3:30pm news vehicles were starting to arrive. When they stopped at the barricade they were told the road was closed for a police emergency, then they were told to move on. The same was happening with civilian cars. Since I was standing close to the barricade I got to hear the guards deflect questions and refuse to comment (they did a very good job holding the line literally and figuratively).

Authorities on the scene keep saying they can't talk about what is going on here on Vairo Blvd. The news vehicles are accumulating.—
Benjamin Hoover (@thebenjamin9) July 26, 2012

At 3:40 I decided this might take a long time to resolve, so I drove to Otto’s Pub and sipped a Nittany Pale Ale and had an Ottonator.

Based upon the story posted by the Centre Daily Times it looks like the situation was a stand off with police by a man experiencing an emotional crisis (and he had access to weapons–no word on whether he made any threats). He was in the apartment complex directly beside the one I live in. No shots were fired. Things were resolved around 3:15pm, while I was talking to the bus driver by the barricade.

I hope the distressed guy gets help. I’m grateful for authorities who are able to bring a conflict to a peaceful resolution. And I think my neighbor’s groceries are going to be just fine.

The Paterno Statue Site

This morning I walked across campus to see the site where the Joe Paterno statue had been. The statue was removed over the weekend, and early this week the groundwork and walls around the statue were destroyed. Two levels of barricades surround the site. A police officer stands guard.

I’m sure the bowl-themed banner will come down soon.

A pile of soil sits where the statue used to reside.

It’s a far different scene than the last time I was at this location.

What the area looked like the last time I saw it.

Staying at The Longwood Inn

During my visit to Boston last week I stayed at The Longwood Inn in Brookline, MA. The Longwood Inn is a 1900s Victorian mansion that has been converted to an inn. It has excellent rates for the area and offers free off street parking for guests. After my experience in Cooperstown this place felt like a palace.

The front of The Longwood Inn.

The inn has a wifi connection available throughout the building and on the deck and patio. Both the brick patio in front of the building and deck on the rear of the building feature cafe style tables.

The back of The Longwood Inn.

I did not take many pictures of the inside of the building–and the ones I have were shot quickly with my phone. The lobby has a nice fireplace and woodwork. It definitely feels like an old mansion.

The lobby of The Longwood Inn.

The dining room in The Longwood Inn.

The kitchen is open to all guests. Everything placed in the refrigerator must be labeled, and dishes that are used must be washed. During my stay the kitchen was very clean, and it was a nice perk to have it available.

The kitchen in The Longwood Inn.

My room was on the third floor. It was small but very comfortable. The quality of the furniture and fixtures was very good, and the room was very clean. The mattress was like a cloud with good lumbar support. The shower had excellent water pressure and the water heated in seconds. Some guests staying on the third floor might not like the narrow staircase, and the fact that guests are expected to transport their own luggage, but I didn’t mind that at all.

My room at The Longwood Inn.

I found the staff to be pleasant. They were helpful and available, yet they gave their guests space. Since I have no problem doing things myself or initiating conversations if I need something, I didn’t mind this at all.

One of the great things about The Longwood Inn is the location. It is a pleasant 1.1 mile walk to Fenway Park. The Arnold Arboretum is a 3.0 mile walk away. The Boston Common (and the start of The Freedom Trail) is a 2.8 mile walk from the inn. There is a Trader Joe’s 0.4 miles from the inn on Beacon Street. Numerous restaurants are within walking distance. I recommend the Corrib Pub if you want a nice drink selection and classic pub food. I noticed that there are bus stops within a couple of blocks of the inn too. The Emerald Necklace is very close to the inn, which offers great trails for walking, running, or biking along the Riverway.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Longwood Inn, and I recommend it if you are visiting Boston.