Opera Reaches New Heights

You never know where a road trip will lead you. For Evans Mirageas, the Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director at Cincinnati Opera, a visit to Cincinnati instilled a lifelong passion for summer opera.

Safety First

Have you noticed that your veterinarian is busier than ever? The days of calling in the morning and seeing a vet in the afternoon have been replaced by a two-week (or longer) wait for an appointment. The reason? Blame it on the pandemic.

According to research published in the recent Packaged Facts market research report Pet Population and Ownership Trends in the U.S.: Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets, 4th Edition, more than half (54%) of American households have pets, representing a total of almost 68 million households. And while pet ownership was projected to grow about 4% over the last year, that number probably is higher because pet ownership jumped during the first few months of the pandemic as we looked for someone (or something) to keep us company.

Dr. Denise Chase of Pleasant Ridge Pet Hospital is one of those vets who has seen a strong surge in office visits. She says that’s why it’s more important than ever for pet parents to be front-line advocates for their pets’ health, especially during the summer months. It starts with flea and tick prevention as our animals spend more time outside.

“Fleas and ticks are generally preventable with the same 2-in-1 product,” she says. “There are a lot of good topicals and the monthly topicals work very well. The problem with them is the effectiveness does get reduced with bathing or swimming. So if you take your dog to the pool or the lake on a regular basis or if you bathe them often, those products are going to be a lot less effective.

“The new oral chewable products, it doesn’t matter if your dog gets wet. The chewables are wonderful, they last up to three months depending on the product you pick, and there are no worries with bathing. The only downside is they shouldn’t be given to dogs who have a seizure history. But otherwise, they are very safe and effective.”

She also mentioned flea and tick collars, specifically the Seresto brand which, through reports to the Environmental Protection Agency, has been linked to seizures in dogs. “What the veterinary industry believes at this point is that a lot of those reports of illnesses in dogs are because of knockoff, fake products. The original collar is safe and effective but if you’re buying them from a third-party website for super cheap, beware. You might not be getting the real thing. Make sure you get it from your veterinarian or a trusted online partner.”

If you suspect your dog or cat may have fleas, Dr. Chase says take a good look at your pet’s coat. “Hair loss on the rump is usually the first telltale sign,” she says, “it’s usually right over the tail to start with. And you can do a quick flea combing and find flea dirt, which is that little black residue that they leave behind. That’s easier to find than the fleas themselves.

“If you have any concerns about it, buy a flea comb which is a little fine-tooth comb you can buy at the pet store, run it through your dog’s coat and if you find that black debris, then you know you need to do something about the fleas. But all the newer products are very effective against flea prevention, there’s really no reason to have flea infestations anymore.”

Ticks now are becoming an even bigger threat to your pet, Dr. Chase says. “Ticks are a big problem this year. We always have ticks of course, but they are spreading Lyme disease in this area now, which is relatively new. We didn’t used to have Lyme disease in Ohio, but now we do and, in my practice, we’ve diagnosed three cases this season already.

“Ticks can spread disease very early in the season but it becomes more likely as you get later into the summer so it’s super important to prevent ticks as well as fleas.”

Another summertime caution for your pets is heartworm, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. “Heartworm doesn’t produce any clinical signs early on. It’s not until the disease is fairly advanced that they will begin to show signs,” she says.  “Coughing is usually the first sign, followed pretty quickly by labored breathing, not feeling well and generally declining in condition.

“Ideally, we’d be diagnosing heartworm long before they’re coughing, and that’s why we do the annual tests. If we can catch it before they get to that point, then it’s a very treatable disease with minimal damage to the heart. If they’re already coughing, they’re going to be compromised for life.”

And just like 2-in-1 flea and tick protection, there are combination medicines that can protect your pet from heartworm as well as other issues. “Some of the oral products that are combination products like Trifexis are great for heartworm protection but it doesn’t kill ticks. There’s a new one called Simparica Trio which does do fleas and ticks and heartworm.”

Another danger to your pet during the summer? Being in a hot car. “And just cracking a window is not enough to prevent that car from getting really hot,” Dr. Chase says. “On a hot sunny day, that car can heat up to 120 degrees in 10 minutes or less. It is definitely not OK to leave the dog in the car.”

And while our cicada friends are starting to diminish in numbers, your dog still might find enough for a tasty treat during a walk. Dr. Chase says cicadas in moderation shouldn’t be a problem. “A little cicada snack here and there can be extra crunchy protein, but for dogs who eat a lot of them, it is possible it could cause issues. If the dog goes out and gorges on 100 cicadas, they could have a bloated stomach, they could have some abdominal pain, they could feel bad for a day or two if they eat a lot, just like eating a lot of anything.

“My suggestion is if your dog, like mine, likes to snatch up one here and there on a walk, that’s fine, but if they’re really going out and gorging on them, it’s probably better not to allow them to do that. You might even have to do a basket muzzle, a soft rubber muzzle they can wear. It doesn’t prevent them from opening their mouths or panting or getting a drink of water, but it will keep them away from cicadas on the ground.”

Dr. Chase has other summertime warnings for your pets, starting with water safety. “When people go to a lakehouse or have a summertime beach vacation with their dogs, I would recommend that if you’re taking your dog out on a boat on a lake, have your dog wear a life jacket. You don’t know what might happen. Dogs do unexpected things, they jump out of boats, or if the boat were to capsize, the dog should be protected with a life jacket.

“Also, there’s one vaccination that not every dog normally receives, the leptospirosis vaccine, which I recommend for dogs that are going to be swimming a lot in the summer. It’s a disease that is spread by wild animals, such as deer and raccoons. If they are near water and they are urinating around that water source, they are excreting this organism which lives in the kidneys and is excreted in the urine. And then dogs can, when they drink that water, ingest that organism and it’s a very deadly illness.

“It’s not a very common disease, thankfully, but we do see three or four cases a year in my practice and lake and water exposure is the primary way it’s transmitted. It’s worth asking your vet, if you’re going to be doing some hiking or fishing or camping or going to a lake where your dog is going to be drinking out of streams and lakes, if it’s worth getting that vaccine.”

And, with all these new dogs and pet owners outside in warmer weather, Dr. Chase says be especially careful at dog parks. “Dog parks are great, except that they’re very crowded in the summer and we do see a lot of injuries from dog parks when dogs get into a fight. It’s not that I don’t think you should take your dog to a dog park, but do so cautiously. It’s best to go to a place that’s not so crowded because if there’s 50 dogs running around it’s probably best to skip it that day.”

One more caution—you might think it’s fun to let your dog run free in the woods or along the water, but Dr. Chase says make sure your dog is well trained. “Off-leash activity, of course, is lovely and wonderful, but if your dog isn’t trained to recall, don’t let them go on the beach. A lot of people want to believe their dogs will always come back to them, but if they’re not really trained to do that, you can’t predict what they’re going to do.

“Dogs are instinctive, they’re going to chase their noses, they’re going to see something and run. If you’re in a strange place, it’s really going to ruin your vacation if you can’t get your dog to come back to you.”

Dr. Denise Chase is a 1994 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She opened Pleasant Ridge Pet Hospital in August of 2000. Find out more at www.pleasantridgepet.com.

–Betsy Ross

Dog Tales

Sisters Maureen Murphy Mello and Constance Murphy Nies teamed up to write and illustrate If You Just Imagine, to make hospital visits a little less scary for kids (and their parents!)

Find out what inspired them to write the book and the real animals behind the characters.

Teaming Up

For Bob Huggins, it’s personal.

Next weekend, as friends and colleagues gather in Cincinnati to honor Bob Huggins, they’ll also be raising money for a cause close to his heart, a cancer hospital to be built on the campus of West Virginia University. In interviews with the media last week, Coach Huggins said it’s a way to honor his mother, who died of the disease.

“Losing my mother in 2003, watching the struggle she went through, it’s a terrible, terrible disease,” he said. “We’ve raised money for cancer research since 2003, but we need a hospital. So, we’re going to raise money and build a hospital that will carry my mother’s name.”

While we may be more familiar with Coach Huggins’ time in Cincinnati, it’s West Virginia that has always been home. “My mom grew up just down the bottom of the hill from campus,” he said. “I’ve got aunts and uncles and cousins here. I was born here, so this state and the people in this state are very near and dear. But I love the people in Cincinnati, the people are fantastic, so nice, so cordial every time I’ve gone back.” 

Coach Huggins is still celebrating a coaching milestone that only six NCAA Division 1 men’s coaches have reached—900 career wins. But reaching that milestone last season, with quarantine interruptions and canceled games, wasn’t easy. Add the new transfer portal that allows players to change schools much easier, and he says it’s a different landscape for college basketball.

“It’s a tough time right now,” he said, “the COVID issues, portal situation, this is different than any of us have ever experienced, and I’ve been doing this for 40 years. 

“You look around and (Duke head coach) Mike Krzyzewski decided to retire, it’s not going to be long before (Syracuse head coach) Coach Boeheim retires, (North Carolina head coach) Roy Williams laid it down last year, it’s really a tough time right now for basketball. Hopefully we’ll start playing again soon and move on.”

Just don’t put Coach Huggins in that retirement category quite  yet.  “I’ve said from the beginning, when I lose my enthusiasm for it, when I lose my energy and say, ‘God, I don’t want to do this today,’ then I’ll quit,” he said. “Because I’m not going to cheat our players. That’s something I’d never do. 

“I’m around people I’ve known for such a long time, they give me energy and we’ve been blessed with terrific guys. All those people who (griped) that people didn’t graduate, they need to come over here, we’re graduating our players. But you know why? Because they care. You need support, and we have great support.”

The inaugural Huggins Homecoming will benefit the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Endowment, a fund established by Coach Huggins in his mother’s name to provide cancer care and research. The weekend features a 5K run/walk on Sunday, June 13, and dinner on Monday, June 14. Limited tickets are available at wvucancer.org/hugginshomecoming.  

Fair Enough

What started as a small art fair’s salute to the opening of Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park has grown into one of the oldest continuous art fairs in the country. Summerfair returns to Coney Island for its 54th year June 4, 5 and 6 with 274 juried artists set to exhibit.

Jayne Utter talks with Betsy Ross about all of the great art visitors will experience.

Raising the Stakes

From the Big Apple to the Queen City, George Goldhoff has won rave reviews throughout the hospitality industry. Learn a bit more about him, as he leads the rebranding, and grand opening, of Hard Rock Cincinnati.

Hip Hippo Hooray

For Mother’s Day 2021, we went behind the scenes to learn more about the most famous mom in Cincinnati, Bibi the hippo.

Since the interview, Bibi has a new partner, Tucker, and is now a mother of two.

Our Mother’s Day gift to you is a look back at the interview, which features a cameo by the always adorable Fiona.

Very Swarm for May

Internationally renowned cicada expert, and admitted “frustrated historian,” Dr. Gene Kritsky shares the when, where, and how of the upcoming Brood X emergence. He also hints that though cicadas may not always be great for trees they could be a bit of a good luck charm for the Reds.

Want to hear more from Dr. Kritsky? Check out his new podcast with WVXU, Brood X.

Holding the Line

Bengals legend Will Anderson sat down with Betsy Ross to share his NFL Draft memories ahead of next week’s draft. He offers his thoughts on the Bengals’ draft options this year, building around Joe Burrow, and how good people help to make a great player.

Royal Observer

With all the upheaval in the British royal family, we talked to a British ex-pat about the monarchy.

A Little Romance

Chris Cicchinelli is the CEO of the Cincinnati-based Pure Romance, LLC, where he leads business development, operations, sales, and marketing. He is also the founder, along with his wife, Jessica, of the Living with Change Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting transgender youth and their families.

What inspired you to write The Secret is You?

I have been kicking around the idea of writing a book for at least five years. But I didn’t want to do it unless I knew I had something important to contribute to the conversation as someone who overcame a lot–having graduated at the bottom of my high school class–to thrive in the business world. I also didn’t want to put out just another book that deals in all kinds of theory but fails to specify actionable steps you can take to succeed beyond your wildest dreams. I was determined to lay out a series of what-to-dos rather than talk concepts and case studies. And I have. I’ve written the book I wish someone had written for me when I was just starting out. This book is for the person who wants to start a business, anyone involved in a family business, a budding entrepreneur, or anyone who is determined to find the motivation inside themselves to make it happen. If you want to start living comfortably, you need to understand that you’ll actually need to live uncomfortably to start moving forward in the business world. You are going to have to push yourself to extremes that are deep inside and not yet unlocked.

“For one, commit and commit fully, not halfway. Don’t run at the first sign of trouble or the first challenge. Also, be patient...Nothing worth achieving happens overnight. ”

What do you hope is the biggest takeaway from the book?

I hope readers are left understanding that each of them has the ability and the opportunity to determine their own destiny. I want them to be empowered to go out and supercharge their reality and turn their dreams into action. It’s all about supplying people with the tools necessary to become successful entrepreneurs while at the same time recognizing that great career achievement isn’t beyond their grasp. I want readers to walk away with the confidence and understanding that they can design their own life. They don’t have to live with the labels that others give them. They don’t have to sit back and take second place. They can design their own life, whether they’re looking to advance in their organization or start their own business. They should read the secret is YOU and take to heart the message that it really is all up to them, because it’s true. They can be as successful as they allow themselves to be. It’s all about believing in their ability and knowing they have the power to overcome any obstacle tossed in their path.

What has been the most fulfilling part of the tremendous success of Pure Romance?

Being able to help my mom see her dream through by scaling the company and touching so many lives. I see women who get here feeling like failures, like they’ll never amount to anything, and within months watch them thrive. The coolest part is how many dream-come-true moments I have helped to happen over the years, from paying off a credit card bill, to leaving a bad relationship, to building a retirement account. It’s helping to fulfill these dreams that are my proudest accomplishments. It’s been an amazing privilege to assist so many women who started without the confidence in their skillsets and witness their evolution as business owners. They invariably grasp that there’s no glass ceiling when they surround themselves with positive thoughts and intentions, and that the only limitations are those they place on themselves.

What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?

It came from a guy who I respect a lot. He said, “Be the last person at the table. Don’t fold. Don’t show your cards. Stay in the game as long as you possibly can, because everybody will give up eventually. Either they can’t take the pressure or can’t handle the uncertainty.” That suggestion has stayed with me. Can you outlast the pain and the doubt to thrive while you’re in the middle of doing a deal? It’s become my maxim. In essence, don’t give up before you get going! Stick around and let the process play out.

Can you talk a little bit about the experience working with your mother to launch and rebrand Pure Romance?

Well, I can now say that after my five years in therapy from spending three years in a U-Haul driving from town to town with my mother back when I was starting out in the business that things are great! (I’m joking, but we really probably should have sought therapy after that). If you want to learn true patience, go into business with your family or close friends. You learn a bundle about yourself and those closest to you. The truth is that when you’re working with them, you need to create boundaries to protect those relationships. My mom and I have a deep respect for one another and what each of us brings to the table, but at the same time we’re both very headstrong people who know what we want and what does and doesn’t work. She is a passionate perfectionist. I’m the hard-driving marketing builder. The yin and the yang. So it’s been challenging. But at the same time, we make a heck of a team. And when all else fails, bring on the wine!

The book talks a lot about female empowerment in business. What advice would you give to a woman who is looking to branch out as an entrepreneur?

I would say a couple of things. For one, commit and commit fully, not halfway. Don’t run at the first sign of trouble or the first challenge. Also, be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is any viable business. Nothing worth achieving happens overnight. Staying on top of tech, trends, and the influences of the modern landscape is integral. And she should be prepared to pivot and change up the dynamic when needed. Women in business, in my opinion, are too often asking for the opinions of others when what they really need to do is trust their gut and stay the course. I am not opposed to crowdsourcing ideas, but over the years working with thousands of women I have watched them grow and succeed primarily on their own intuition.

Tell us one thing that readers would be surprised to learn about you?

That I didn’t go to school to sell sex toys and I am typically the only man in the room! Seriously, when you meet me, you would probably never think I run a relationship enhancement company with a community of 40,000 women. I was told that I shouldn’t bother applying to college by my high school advisor, who stressed that trade school would be a better fit for me. As if! My dyslexia did not make taking the SAT easy, and I had to work really hard to score high enough to get into Mount Union College in the nineties. But it’s the things that I learned from my football coaches in high school and college that still motivate me today. We all have the secret to our own success residing inside of us. We just have to step up and decide it’s our time and then never stop pushing toward our goal.

Get the Show on the Road

Heading to Indy this weekend for the Final Four? Stop by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum between games and you might see a familiar face.

Joe Hale, long-time head of the Cinergy Foundation and a tireless cheerleader for worthy Cincinnati-area causes, is back in his home state of Indiana running an iconic shrine to open wheel racing with fans and followers around the world. He talks with Cincinnati People about his time in Cincinnati, including a stint as chair of the Flying Pig Marathon, and what brought him out of retirement to his return to the Midwest.

Work Hard, Play Hard

After 18 months of hard work–and in the middle of a global pandemic–the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area at The Banks is now open! Tracy Schwegmann, The Banks' marketing director/property manager, tells how DORA is the light at the end of the tunnel for the businesses and the community.

Reason to Believe

Longtime TV news anchor Pete Scalia reflects on the challenges he and his wife Amy have faced, from chronic illness to infertility and even a tree falling into their living room, never mind navigating a pandemic.

Betsy Ross catches up with Scalia in his studio to see what’s next for him and how he’s finding ways to inspire and help support others through the work of his new foundation, P. S. Never Give Up.

Jim Moehring’s Quest for the Holy Grail

On the eve of the 10th anniversary of the popular bar and restaurant at The Banks, Jim Moehring, owner of Holy Grail Tavern & Grill, talks about the COVID-19 challenges that he and his staff weathered over the past year. Learn how the establishments at The Banks have banded together to help each other through these challenging times.

"Food as Medicine" with Colleen Lindholz, President of Kroger Health

Over the last year we've all become more conscious about taking care of ourselves and our family. Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health, discusses Kroger’s “Food as Medicine” initiative and Kroger’s next steps in COVID testing and vaccinations.

Valentine's Day advice from the "Queen of Romance"

By: Betsy Ross

Pure Romance founder Patty Brisben on how to elevate your romantic holiday

Whether it's a new relationship or one that's been going for a while, this pandemic has tested even the most romantic of couples. How do you keep relationships going through these challenging times? We chatted with Patty Brisben, the founder of Pure Romance, for suggestions on how to make your Valentine's Day special, especially after a year when we’ve been more or less homebound (with or without or significant others).

“With most relationships, since we’ve been at home, somewhat in tight quarters with one another and with the whole family, I think we’ve learned a lot about each other,” said Patty. “And I think what you’re going to see is a shift in relationships.

“I work with thousands of consultants who work with millions of women, and I hear from them how people are putting more emphasis on their relationships. I think you’ll see people pivot and their relationships will get stronger, with people knowing, now, exactly what it is that they need to keep those relationships healthy.”

This is also a good time, Patty said, for all of us to set aside time to take care of ourselves, as well as our partners. “First and foremost, I am all about taking care of us,” Patty said. “That’s why I started the Patty Brisben Foundation because we are so far behind research on women’s sexual health. We as women are constantly putting everybody else’s needs way before our needs. And I think it’s time that we need to stand up and make sure that we are taking care of ourselves, that we’re getting the proper amount of sleep, exercise, time to ourselves.

“Because if we’re unhealthy emotionally, we’re unhealthy everywhere,” she said. “And I think women being able to communicate this to our families, is very important. Just say, even to yourself, ‘I need to give back to myself. It’s important that I do. It’s important that I look at what my needs are and make a schedule for that.’

“Sometimes we don’t allow ourselves to do that, because we feel we’re being selfish. Sometimes you might do a better job if you take that 10, 15 minutes, half an hour, to yourself. It gives your mind a chance to clear and you’ll do a much better job if you give back to yourself.”

So how do we put aside all the stresses we’re dealing with and still celebrate Valentine’s Day? Patty suggests making the celebration a family affair. “I’m going to go back to when my children were little,” she said. “Most children are not going to stay up and make it to midnight for New Year’s Eve, but everybody wants to celebrate it, right? So if you have small children, what I would suggest is maybe you make a big deal of Valentine’s Day at dinnertime. Maybe you make cupcakes or cookies and make it a celebration for them, too. But also let them know, let your significant other know, that after the kids go to bed, it’s time for you two.

“But I hate to look at Valentine’s Day as the one day that we spend together. For me, the day is a reminder that our relationship is something to take care of, to pay attention to, every day, because we want to have a quality life with our significant other.”

As we start to ease back into our lives outside our homes and away from our families, Patty expects that our relationships will take on a new look after we’ve spent so much time together. “I think we should hit a reset button,” she said. “I think in this time together we’ve learned a lot about who we are and more than anything, the strength that we have in coming together and uniting. I think we’re going to look at our relationships very differently and not take them for granted.

“It’s important that we remember this time and remember that we only had each other to get through this. I hope that, when all this is said and done, that we will continue to build on that strength and what we have come through together as a family, as a unit, as a couple, as a parent and for ourselves, and that we will continue to do better.”

To learn more about the Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health, visit www.pattybrisbenfoundation.org.

To learn more about Pure Romance, go to www.pureromance.com.

Former Bengal Max Montoya on Chiefs vs. Buccaneers

Max Montoya understands what it feels like to be at Sunday’s big game. As a Bengals Offensive Lineman, he played in the game twice. He and his daughter, Fox19 Anchor and Reporter Alison Montoya sit down with our own Betsy Ross to talk about the game and more.

Eric H. Kearney: Black-Owned Businesses are an Important Part of Cincinnati

Videography by: Shae Combs

Eric H. Kearney, president and CEO of the African American Chamber, discusses new economic impact study which shows Black-owned businesses made a $1.4 billion impact on the region’s economy and what that means for Cincinnati.

Learn more about the study in our Cincinnati by the #s section.

Frank Duveneck: American Master and Cincinnati Native

By: Stephanie Denzel

Videography by: Shae Combs

Frank Duveneck is a name synonymous with Cincinnati’s rich art history. Born in Covington in 1848, Duveneck’s brilliant and inspiring work made a substantial and enduring impact on the international art world of his time.

Now, more than 90 examples of the Covington’s native’s work is on display at the Cincinnati Art Museum. With 35 pieces on loan from collections across the country, this exhibit gives a fresh, in-depth look at this important artist.

See Duveneck’s work for yourself by purchasing tickets online. Advanced registration for timed entry is required.