News

Pumpkins, secrets & Great American Cleanup

COVINGTON, Ky. – One might think that after the (entirely warranted) hullabaloo over last week’s BLINK that we in The Cov would be sinking into a “woe-is-us, oh-what-to-do-now?” pity party.

One would be mistaken. We’re in “onward” mode.

Let us not forget that this is the month (yes, month) of Halloween and, as such, there’s plenty of fun to be had. (Much of which involves pumpkins, ghosts, and good mysteries.)

But even if you’re not a fright freak, there’s lots of non-pumpkin stuff to do this weekend: Listening to music … getting free books for kiddos … beautifying your neighborhood … playing cards … planting trees … doing yoga … photo exhibits … and lots more.

Readable treats

Tonight, the Covington Police Department will dispense the best kind of treat of all: a good story.

And by “good story,” we mean free books.

Bring the kiddos to Barb Cook Park for Get Spooky with Covington P.D. for books, Halloween-themed games, a fun art project, and treats. Costumes are welcome, so let your little one debut their costume tonight. (After all, good costumes deserve better treatment than wear-once-and-banish-to-the-attic bridesmaids’ dresses.)

Celebrate the transformers

People who do good to create positive growth and transform a community should get due recognition for their effort.

The Center for Great Neighborhoods thinks so too.

On Friday, its Annual Celebration will recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Covington community and business leaders who do things that matter.

The celebration commences at the Hellmann Creative Center, where there will be light bites, a Braxton Draft Truck, and a silent auction.

Time to tidy up

The Great American Cleanup on Saturday is The Cov’s largest annual volunteer event.

Hundreds of volunteers will beautify little corners of Covington all over the city.

The City’s Solid Waste and Recycling Division and Rumpke Waste and Recycling will provide Keep Covington Beautiful with trash bags, gloves, trash bag removal, tools, hand sanitizer and disinfectants, snacks, and a giveaway for every volunteer.

And, as if an immaculate city wouldn’t be enough, there’s a chance to score $4000. Whichever neighborhood picks up the most trash gets the cash in the Perk Up the Neighborhood event. Keep Covington Beautiful will work with the winning neighborhood on how they can use their investment. Plus, you can apply (and maybe win) a $250 grant.

Baba Yaga the Bony-Legged

Fairy tales don’t always end with “happily ever after,” but there’s generally some morsel of wisdom to take from all of them.

Russian fairy tales, for instance, are deeply rooted in Slavic mythology and feature an array of interesting characters (heroes, witches, demons, etc.).

Award-winning Russian author, illustrator, and artist Faina Lorah explores those stories in her first book, Vasilisa’s Russian Fair Tales. A year after its release, she created a companion coloring book, a veritable compendium of mythological creatures like Baba Yaga the Bony-Legged, the enchanting Alkonost, and the intriguing Rusalka.

On Saturday, Lorah will be at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop for Faina Lorah: Presentation on Russian Fairy Tales, Personal Journey, Culture and Art, where she’ll share her work and speak about her personal journey as an artist.

Check out her Moon Journal and Nocturnal Garden Lenormand Deck Art Nouveau Divination cards. Pretty sure the word “stunning” will come to mind.

Carvin’ party

This is not any old pumpkin carving party.

Covington Parks & Rec raises the bar tonight at its Jack-O-Lantern Walk Pumpkin Carving event by bringing in members of the University of Kentucky Horticulture Department to talk about the difference between fruits and vegetables and how to grow pumpkins. So, while you and the kids are hacking a face into a pumpkin, you’ll be learning how to grow a whole new patch of ‘em for next year’s Halloween butcherin’.

You’ll also get to show off your handy work because the pumpkins you carve will light the way for Parks & Rec’s first annual Jack-O-Lantern Walk on Saturday. Wear your best costume.

(And note that tonight’s event will be held at David Housley Pavilion at Randolph Park, just like last night’s.)

Get a clue …

… and a beer (or two) while you’re at it.

Braxton Brewing Company’s Get a Clue Covington Murder Mystery Pub Crawl on Saturday begins at Rich’s Proper, where you pick up your scoresheet and set out to solve puzzles at each watering hole to uncover the mystery.

During this investigation, teams from Braxton, New Belgium, and MadTree will converge, retrieve a puzzle from each bar, and … investigate, of course. Teams are a mix of four and you are encouraged to dress the part.

Solve the crime and meet at the location of the murder to drop off your scorecard and enter to win the big prize (to be announced next Monday morning). Other pubs include Hannaford and Olde Towne Tavern.

Shhh. We’ve got some ‘Spooky Secrets’

Starting Saturday, the Spooky Secrets Walking Tour through The Cov is back, for all of you creepy-story seekers.

Along a 2-mile route through The Cov, you’ll hear ghost stories, visit haunted sites, and learn about some of the area’s more gruesome history.

The tour starts on Covington’s riverfront (where perhaps a thunderous storm has left a dense fog on the Ohio River. Darkness falling, a waning crescent moon and obscured city lights demand that you walk in faith of the tour guide’s voice to lead you through the streets of Covington).

Your walk of haunts ends in MainStrasse Village, with a bastion of frightening tales in its own right. You’ll end your night with a copy of Secret Cincinnati, a special bookmark, and a checklist for further curious explorations.

No euchre sheriffs allowed

You ever get involved in one of those euchre groups where you agree with a group of friends to get together once a month to play euchre?

You take turns playing at each other’s house, folks bring food, and there are usually beverages involved. But heaven forbid you actually enjoy the good food, the drinks, and chatting with friends because, invariably, one of them reveals themselves as a maniacal euchre enforcer who demands that you’re there to play instead of have fun.

The Weekend Euchre Tournament at Mac’s Pizza Pub will not be that way because you are not going to show that hateful euchre sheriff friend of yours this issue of Weekend in #LoveTheCov. There will be plenty of pizza and you’ll actually be able to enjoy it. Make sure to click the link and sign up tho.

Live music

Tonight: Bumpin Uglies with Kyle Smith at Madison Live … Music + MadTree at Keystone Bar & Grill … Missy Werner Band at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant … The Chuck Brisbin Trio at Smoke Justis … Open Mic Night with Mara Moon at Pandemonium … Karaoke Thursdays at The Cellar.

Friday: Joslyn & The Sweet Compression at Madison Live … Third Person Omega with 92Nova, FiveByFive, and Knavery at The Rooftop … Leroy Ellington at Smoke Justis.

Saturday: Kenny Cowden at Smoke Justis.

Miscellaneous

Tonight: These Things Are Connected exhibit at The Carnegie … Yoga in the Grove in Rotary Grove Shelter at Devou Park.

Friday:  Chippie’s Sensational Kids Club Monster Madness at Behringer-Crawford Museum … Fotofocus with Ryan Hill at Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center … Catoctin Creek “Meat” and Greet with Special Guest GWAR at Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar … … Fab Friday at The Cellar.

Saturday: Fall Tree Planting in Austinburg … Covington Farmers Market at Roebling Point … MainStrasse Village Food Tour… Fiber Spider at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop … Bizarre Bazaar at Pandemonium.

Sunday: Kickoff in The Cov at Keystone Bar & Grill … Frida … A Self Portrait at The Carnegie.

 

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