Mt. Carmel FIRE Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3), Christian-owned Amateur Football Club and Sports…read moreMinistry based on the East side of Cincinnati, in the Eastgate-Beechmont area. The FIRE organization is comprised of athletes, coaches, and volunteers from surrounding communities in Hamilton, Clermont, Butler, Highland, and Brown counties. OUR MISSION To support and develop amateur athletics in our local community. To provide adult men the opportunity to compete in amateur football in an atmosphere that fosters discipline, respect, sportsmanship, and fun. To provide adult men the opportunities to advance from an amateur level of competition to collegiate and/or professional national and international levels of competition. To build positive and encouraging relationships within the local community. To create and carry out service and ministry opportunities at personal, team, and community levels, through fellowship and outreach.

The second sporting event I attended this weekend was the Deveroes Summer League at Woodward High…read moreSchool. Each summer, the majority of Cincinnati, Xavier, Miami, Northern Kentucky, and Dayton's basketball players play in the league, as well as other current local players and sometimes past "legends." Current NBA stars David West, Jason Maxiell, James Posey and Kenyon Martin have all played in the league, so it is a great chance to see the future of the UC and Xavier programs first hand, among other things. As a die-hard Bearcat fan, I look forward to this event each summer as a way of seeing the top returning players up close, but even more so the new guys. The biggest draw for most fans is probably that opportunity to see the incoming recruits for the first time. The actual coaches aren't allowed per NCAA rules, essentially negating any defense that may be have been played. Get ready for plenty of dunks and exciting fast-break plays though. The Woodward gym is maybe two or three years old, so it's great place to watch the games, even when the top guys aren't on the court. The players walk and sit among the fans when not out playing on the court, so it is a great opportunity for young fans to score an autograph, or for the older crowd to chat among their favorite players. The quality of basketball is nothing like what you'll see during the real college basketball season, but for a $3 donation, it's more than worth it. The league will run through July 26.

What a beautiful place. It's nicer than places you pay to see a ball game!…read more The baseball field isn't nasty astro turf. It's real grass! So the players stay cooler and we saw some great baseball. There are two fields. The big Prasco field has a Jumbotron and everything. Stands and dugouts are just like the major leagues. The smaller field features a snack bar. And up above, between both parks, there are sheltered tables and chairs. Bar stools but no beer. There are inflatables for the kids and shady spots for adults. It's family friendly. This park is so clean! I had to ask someone, do they actually use it? Oh my! What an amazingly calm and beautiful place. Children squealing with delight just gives me more reason to sit and enjoy the game. This gift from above makes places you pay for seem, dirty. Seriously, the profit factor changes everything and the people too. No charge for entry into the park? Free food? You MUST be joking. What have they done? And how can it be repaid? Just love one another as I have loved you. His resources are unlimited. What love! Amen.

I have no idea what would possess a corporation to invest in the community like Prasco does, but…read moreit's amazing. Events are most-always family friendly, and also most-always free. Local tournaments are often held here, as well as some college teams. In the summer, enjoy a free game with (yes) free concessions. I haven't yet been successful in scoring tickets to the annual Christmas event, but I hear it's one-of-a-kind. Recommended!

No heat and no lights! Not enough seats…read more This winter has been unbearable, at times, sitting and watching the games without heat. Coats, gloves, and hats are not enough especially on the very cold days we had earlier this winter. The children that are playing soccer have even complained of being cold on the field while running around. The lights are completely out on one field and now they play with dim lights powered by a portable generator. Way too many games back to back causing parking issues. It is too small to accommodate all the parents, families, and players. Maybe bleachers would help??? Someone needs to put money back into the facility! It's filthy, especially the bathrooms,

Terrible management. Signed up for a session that was supposed to being on 1/29. Got an email on…read more1/25 that they would be starting the session on 2/5. It is 2/3 today and still haven't heard from them. I have left voicemails and sent emails and neither have been answered. Went to leave a review on Google and they turned their reviews off lol this place is a joke.

If you aren't laughing or having a good time, you're doing it wrong!…read more Wow! I never thought I'd find myself running around sans shirt in Yelp pasties http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/5wmxXfDLfT0_Ub16QwJtrA?select=VczvidtpSZjxcnEw1J13OQ in 40 degree weather for a good cause (Freestore Foodbank), but I'm so glad I did. *BTW, going topless is rather crazy and totally optional. Ditto Stacey and Nathan's tips. Overall, my advice is to just have fun and don't take it too seriously. There are of course people that treat this like the Olympics, and the prizes are decent (money$$$), but I'd rather just enjoy my time with friends. Whoever had the silly string really got that stuff everywhere. I saw it at so many points along the route, you must have had a dozen cans of it. *Very special thanks to the team that let us look at their map (ours might have been stolen??, curses sabotagers, ha ha!), we'd still be wandering around without you. There were some very creative and hilarious teams. It's amazing what people can come up with! I really liked the Forrest Gump team. And if you guys are reading this, that team that gave you $%&# about not being tethered, blah blah blah, well they can go (fill in the blank). Oh, and thanks for the chocolate :) So, next year, rustle up 4 other friends and a shopping cart, and have an amazing time. You only live once...

Cinciditarod is an annual scavenger hunt race that benefits the Freestore Foodbank. Held the first…read moreweekend in March during Bockfest, teams consist of five players pulling a (legally acquired) shopping cart. It's a reverse dog sled race, and the players must stay tethered to the cart at all times. Teams come up with a theme, wear costumes, and decorate their cart. I was on team Material Girls, which featured five genres of Madonnas through the ages. While there is an award for fastest time, most people participate in the race because its fun, not because they're marathon runners. Heck, my team ran for five blocks before we got winded and decided to walk the rest of the journey. Along the 5 mile route, teams trek from Fountain Square to as far north as Findlay Market, as far south as Covington, and up the grueling steep Liberty Hill. Armed with a map and cunning, teams must perform tasks at check points along the way: - Purchase a $25.00 bag of groceries from Kroger on Vine Street. - Deliver bag of groceries to Freestore Foodbank - Perform a musical skit - Eat a sack of pretzels and drink a gallon of generic Sunny Delight - Complete a trivia sheet about Cincinnati history - Run an obstacle course - Get your picture taken by event officials While all this is going on, other teams may be trying to booby-trap your team by spraying silly string, glitter, or duct taping your cart. "Who would do such a thing!?!" you ask. Teams like mine, who sabotaged 16 carts this year. Mwahaha! Our team finished just under two hours, and while we did not win any awards (nor were we trying to) we all had an amazing time. Tips: - Bring plenty of water in your cart - Bring a knife or scissors to cut yourself free from any duct tape sabotage - Wear layers and bring a coat. You can throw in in the cart when once you're running and warm. It's early March. It's cold outside. You'll need a coat. Suggestions: - Instead of the eating contest consisting of junk food, perhaps we could have a healthy alternative? I'm intolerant of processed foods (like Generic Sunny D) and in previous years people have vomited from eating junk (Cheetos, nutty buddy bars, liters of soda, Hawaiian Punch). How about some veg? COST: Registration Fee: $45.00 ($9.00 per team member) Grocery donation from Kroger: $25.00 ($5.00 per team member)

As a disclaimer, I got free tickets through Yelp (thanks Yelp; thanks Rollergirls!) Pro tip: look…read moreup some of the rules of the game before you go - basic rules are printed in the program, but it took awhile to understand what was going on. While the venue is dated, it's charming. The old fieldhouse at Xavier has a dusty/ dingy type of grungy character about it that I actually like. I have to say: this might not have been an activity that I would have seeked out myself... but now that I have been once, I would definitely return!

A different experience and something everyone should try at least once. The girls definitely has…read moreskills and made me want to go roller skating to practice on perfecting my skills. The major thing that was missing is knowing what the hand gestures meant because you couldn't hear what was being said on the sound system. It was nice they put in the brochure the concept of the game for someone like me that had never been to a game. Lastly, the location could have been better... it was very dusty causing my allergies to flare up so, I had to leave after halftime.

Came to S o a S for a volleyball tournament. Compared to…read moresimilar facilities I found this one to be much better. There was plenty of parking. The building is maintained inside and out. There are many courts and unlike most other facilities there is actually plenty of room between each court so each game does not interfere with the other. The food is a little pricey but decent, nothing great. They did charge admission today for the tournament, seven dollars per person, which is on the high side. There is a small bowling area, about eight lanes, and a gym upstairs that looks pretty decent. The locker rooms are very nice and are also very roomy and clean.

If you are looking for a clean, upgraded Jim, you are looking in the wrong place. This place has…read moremachines falling apart no personal trainers. The classes are weak, and there are multiple mold pores behind the walls. Disgusting. Also, the staff that runs the place have no personality. Worst gym rating possible if I could.-20 on a scale from one to 10.