Monroe's "Light Up The Sky" 2009

The fourth of July is a wonderful time to celebrate and have fun with friends and family. There are so many activities that you can do on fourth of July weekend but one thing you most certainly do not want to miss is the annual "Light Up The Sky" festival and fireworks celebration held every year in Monroe.

Last year's festivities were something to be remembered and the people behind "Light Up The Sky" promise this year's event to be bigger and better. Due to economic conditions the festival has been shortened from two days to one day with events going on all day long. Featured attractions at this year's celebration include numerous different rides and games for kids, a car show, pie baking contest, corn hole tournaments, sack races, watermelon seed spitting contests, hot dog eating contest, watermelon toss contest, the annual Little Mr. and Miss Red White and Boom Pageant, many different live bands and, of course, the fireworks display. There will also be many different food vendors in the park for you to fill up on including popular foods like Chic-Fil-A, The Red Onion Cafe, and Yardbirds Southern Barbecue. There is also a parade that will start at 5 pm.

The festivities will take place on July 4th at the Monroe Community Park in Monroe. The festival starts at noon and will go until dusk, concluding with the fireworks display. This year's events promise to be a day full of fun for the whole family that you won't want to miss and won't soon forget. If you want all the information on the festivities, need directions, or are interested in sponsoring or working the event, then go to the Light Up The Sky website.

Kings Island's "Son of Beast" Shut Down

The Son of Beast, a popular roller coaster located at Kings Island, has been shut down due to a pending investigation. According to a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Cincinnati area amusement park decided to close the ride after a woman contacted park officials to say she had been injured on the ride on May 31. An investigation is currently in progress and no details have been released as to when it may be completed.

According to King Island spokesman, Don Helbig, it is not unusual for large rides such as the Son of Beast to be shut down for periodic inspections and maintenance. He also told Cincinnati.com that he did not know why the woman didn't speak up until over two weeks after the incident, but that the park shut down the ride immediately because they "take all guest comments seriously."

The Son of Beast, which opened at Kings Island in 2000, is the world's tallest, fastest wooden roller coaster and until 2006, was one of the only roller coasters in the world to successfully include a vertical loop. In July 2006, an accident involving the roller coaster sent 27 people to local hospitals and prompted removal of the loop. The ride reopened in July 2007.

2009 Kid's Bike Rodeo

The Monroe Police Department and the Dayton Children’s Medical Center have already kicked off the 2009 Kid’s Bike Rodeo. These are days dedicated to teaching children about bike safety awareness within the community. It is free to participate in and features safety tips from Officer Bret Kahny and a mini bike obstacle course. In case of any questions or comments, you can contact Officer Kahny at the Monroe Police Department at 539-9234.

Dates, Times, and Locations:

June 19th, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Old High School Parking Lot

June 19th, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Wexford Drive (Dead End)

June 25th, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Rochest Hills (Front Entrance)

June 25th, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Monroe Crossing (Shanda Drive)

July 1st, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Bridle Creek (Bobtail Way)

July 1st, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Monroe Community Park

July 2nd 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Locust Street (Lemon Township)

July 2nd 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Debord Lane

Read the original story about the 2009 Kid’s Bike Rodeo.

1869 Era Baseball Game to be Hosted by Monroe Historical Society

For over 200 years, baseball has been the great American sport. People have filled the fields and the stands to partake in this fun-filled past time since the 1800’s. It is a game that most Americans can enjoy in one way or another. What some people don’t know though is that baseball used to be quite different then the sport we watch today.

The Monroe Historical Society is providing the community with an opportunity to experience a true to life 1869 Era baseball game. Together with the Cincinnati Red Stockings-Cincinnati Buckeyes, the Historical Society will host this baseball game, which will be played exactly as it was in 1869. This means that all the same rules and equipment of an 1800’s baseball game will be utilized.

Not only will there be the authentic baseball game, but also there will be a variety of games, food, and fun held throughout the park. There will be potato sack races, three-legged races, and many other activities for everyone to participate in. Prizes and awards will be given to the lucky winners in an assortment of age groups.

This family-fun event will be held on August 8, 2009 at the Monroe Community Park. Festivities will begin at 11:00, and the baseball game will begin at 1:00.

If you would be interested in volunteering to play in the baseball game, contact Council Member Tracy Shell at 600-0366.

Read the original story about the Monroe Historical Society’s 1869 Era Baseball Game.

The MLS Champion Columbus Crew host The Children's Heart Foundation (CHF) Aug 15th at 7pm vs. FC Dallas

Come and support a great cause when the MLS Champion Columbus Crew host the 2nd Annual Children's Heart Foundation (CHF) Night against FC Dallas. Tickets are $18 each and a portion benefits the Foundation in their fight against America's #1 birth defect...Congenital Heart Defects (CHD). Tickets can be purchased by phone at 614-447-4114 or online at or on line at
Columbus Crew

United Way Born Learning Trail at Monroe Crossings Park

One item on tonight's Monroe City Council agenda is an emergency resolution that authorizes the City Manager to "enter into a Memorandum of Understanding" between the City of Monroe and the United Way of Cincinnati. The purpose is to put a Born Learning Trail at Monroe Crossings Park.

According to Michael J. Sanders, Director of the Middletown Area United Way of Greater Cincinnati, the United Way would like to install Born Learning Trails in city parks in both Monroe and Trenton in 2009. A trail was installed at Smith Park in Middletown last year.

A Born Learning Trail consists of ten signs along a paved path or walkway that provide tips for early learning. The signs may encourage children to talk about the shapes and letters they see painted on the path. Other signs will guide adults in ways to talk about nature and their surroundings with the children in their care.

The United Way believes that learning happens everywhere but "parents, grandparents, and caregivers may not always know how to support that learning." The goal of the Born Learning Trail is to encourage this early learning but to also make it fun for both adults and children. According to bornlearning.org, the trails are being built in parks, museums, libraries and corporate campuses country wide.

Home Depot Looking to Hire 200 Employees for New Distribution Center

The Home Depot has created 200 new job opportunities this summer with the opening of a new distribution center on Gateway Blvd. in Monroe. This massive home improvement retail store is hiring for full-time positions that will provide excellent service and an increase in efficiency. The positions available are general warehouse and office positions.

Applications are currently being accepted and interviewing has already begun. It is recommended that if you are interested, your application should be submitted by June 20. The retailer will open later this summer, and jobs will pay above minimum wage. Applicants can apply online at Home Depot’s website or at the career kiosks located in any of the Home Depot stores.

The Home Depot will offer a benefits package that will include medical insurance, dental insurance, 401k, and Success Sharing bonuses for all employees.

It is suggested that anyone interested should visit http://careers.homedepot.com and search for jobs in Distribution Center Hourly; in Ohio. Select “RDC – Cincinnati OH”.

Read the original story about the new Monroe Home Depot Distribution Center.

Interview with Coach Ken Meibers of Monroe High School

Ken Meibers, the varsity football coach at Monroe High School, started playing football at a very young age. The sport that he calls "greatest team game in the world" has been a part of his life ever since. We recently had the opportunity to talk to Coach Meibers about everything from the upcoming 2009 football season to his favorite things about the Monroe community to what he likes to do in his spare time:

Can you tell us a little bit about your background including your days as a player and a coach at Colerain and Findlay, where you are from, about your family?

Coach Meibers: I played two years at St. Xavier High School. I then transferred to Colerain High School and continued to play football. I was a member of the 1995 State Finalist football team that was disqualified for using an ineligible player. I earned a football scholarship after my senior season at Colerain. I went on to play for 5 seasons at The University of Findlay. I was a member of their first NCAA Division 2 recruiting class. I was a three year starter on the offensive line. In college I was a two-time All GLIAC Selection as an offensive lineman. I was voted as The Most Outstanding Lineman in 1999. In 2001, I was voted Team MVP. After my playing days I became the Tight Ends Coach for a year and a half before returning to Colerain as a Science Teacher and Assistant Football and Track Coach I coached both football and track at Colerain for 5 years. During that time I was part of the 2004 State Championship Football Team. We were also Regional Champions in 2006, and Regional Runner Ups in 2003, 2007.

I coached two girls throwers to the state meet in the shot put. They finished 4th and 6th place respectively. I also coached numerous sprint relay teams to the state meet during my four seasons as Boys Sprint Coach. In 2005, our Boys Track team was District Champions.

My parents are both retired teachers. My mother taught OWE for 35 years at Northwest High School. My father is a very accomplished Track and Cross Country Coach. He was head coach of the Boys 1978 State Cross Country Team at Colerain High School (The only other boys state title won at Colerain.) He is now the Athletic Director at Lockland High School.

When did you first get into football?

Coach Meibers: I began playing football in 5th grade, and I played every year til I graduated from college.


How did you end up at Monroe High School?

Coach Meibers: When I saw that the job was open I became interested. I always wanted to be a Head Coach. I thought long and hard about the Monroe Job, but after several conversations with both Dave Bauer and John Singleton, I decided that it would be a great fit.


What is your favorite thing about coaching and working at Monroe High School?

Coach Meibers: The best thing about being at Monroe is the school and community support. Since I first arrived here, everyone has been very welcoming. I also love working with the staff and players. The kids have done a fantastic job. They finally understand that hard work is the key to success.


What are you looking forward to for the 2009 season?

Coach Meibers: I look forward to putting a much improved football team on the field every week. We are bigger, faster, and stronger than we were last year. We return 17 starters. Our off season program was very successful. The kids have been put through a total of 108 grueling workouts that began the Monday before Thanksgiving. Football here at Monroe will never be cancelled and it is our goal to outwork every opponent on our schedule. The players have now had a full calandar year to learn the system and terminology. The staff is also completely intact and we now have had extra time to fully understand each other and the goals of the offensive and defensive system. Our goal as a staff is to improve our players and stress the common goal of every aspect of the program...WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS.


Who are your heroes - both in football and in life? Favorite football players growing up?

Coach Meibers: My hero is my mom...Carol Meibers. I don't have football heroes, favorite players, or favorite teams. I enjoy watching college games. I love to see the competition that goes along with the sport. Football is the greatest team game in the world...we win and lose as a team.

What is your favorite thing about the Monroe Community?

Coach Meibers: I love the way that the community supports the schools and sports. The community is very tight-knit and family oriented. That is perfect because I consider myself to be a family man.


What do you like to do when you are not coaching?

Spend time with my wife Stephanie, and two kids...Jackson (2 years old) and Makenna (5 weeks old).

Coach Meibers also added "I encourage everyone in the community to come out and support the Hornets at every game this year. The kids will make you proud."

We'd like to thank Coach Ken Meibers for taking the time for our interview and of course, Go Hornets!!

To View More Pictures Click Here Monroe High School Football

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The 2009 Monroe Community Wide Garage Sale

Come on out for a weekend of rummaging at the Monroe Community Wide Garage Sale. It will be held Saturday, June 6, 2009 from 8AM to 5PM and Sunday, June 7, 2009 from 1PM to 5PM. Enjoy searching for those hidden treasures or look to make a profit on you old, unnecessary things. It is not even necessary to sign up to sell your things.

Blue and yellow balloons will mark the garage sale spots and help everyone locate the sales. Maps and listing addresses will be available at 8AM on Friday, June 5, 2009. After 5PM on Friday, this valuable information can be picked up in the lobby of the Monroe Police Department at 223 South Main Street, Monroe, Ohio 45050.

Join the City of Monroe in their Community Garage Sale! You're sure to have a wonderful time!

Check out the original Monroe Community Wide Garage Sale story.

Cincinnati Premium Outlet's Job Fair

Workforce One of Warren County has joined with their counterparts in Butler County to host a job fair for the soon to be open Cincinnati Premium Outlets in Monroe. The outlet mall is set to open on August 6, 2009 and is projected to supply around 700 new job openings, with another 300-500 becoming available at a later date. Positions will vary from customer service to store management, and it is estimated that approximately 4,000 prospective employees will attend the job fair.

The hiring event is going to be held on June 9, 2009 from 8AM to 8PM. It will be hosted at Monroe Senior High School located at 220 Yankee Street, Monroe, Ohio 45050.

The Butler County Regional Transit Authority is providing transportation to the job fair for $2 each way. The transit will run from 7AM to 4PM. Reservation can be made by calling (513) 785-5237. Those making reservations will be informed of their scheduled pick up and return trip times on June 8.

Read the original story for the Cincinnati Premium Outlet’s Job Fair.