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Cincinnati Zoo's farm protects Warren County’s natural beauty

Bowyer Farm is restoring wetlands, growing native plants and showing how development can leave room for wildlife.

Development

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cincinnati Zoo&#x27;s conservation " data-vars-click-url="https://cincinnatizoo.org/conservation/" data-vars-content-id="8c5189b1-2595-4d52-bdad-7d5d683a0758" data-vars-headline="Cincinnati Zoo&#x27;s farm protects Warren County’s natural beauty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cincinnatizoo.org/conservation/" target="_blank">Cincinnati Zoo&#x27;s conservation </a>work extends far beyond its urban gates, with a 600-acre working farm preserving native plants, wetlands and wildlife in Warren County.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bowyer Farm" data-vars-click-url="https://cincinnatizoo.org/gardens/bowyer-farm/" data-vars-content-id="8c5189b1-2595-4d52-bdad-7d5d683a0758" data-vars-headline="Cincinnati Zoo&#x27;s farm protects Warren County’s natural beauty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cincinnatizoo.org/gardens/bowyer-farm/" target="_blank">Bowyer Farm</a> isn&#x27;t a tourist destination, but remains important in testing how native habitat can survive alongside development.<ul><li>It&#x27;s showing businesses and homeowners how to make room for wildlife, too.</li></ul>

Museum-quality art minus the "shhhh" factor

60 sculptures, 470 acres and one giant outdoor adventure at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park.

Things to Do

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in Hamilton packs more than 60 monumental sculptures across 470 acres of rolling hills, gardens, lakes and hiking trails — making it an easy place to get artsy with the fam.

Cleveland-Cliffs' Middletown steel plant getting a $1B upgrade

The steel manufacturer received a $500M grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to modernize the plant.

With considerable federal backing, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland-Cliffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevelandcliffs.com" data-vars-content-id="5c75b621-17b2-4ef5-9a67-c8a0117211d4" data-vars-headline="Cleveland-Cliffs&#x27; Middletown steel plant getting a $1B upgrade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevelandcliffs.com" target="_blank">Cleveland-Cliffs</a> is planning a $1 billion overhaul of its Middletown steel plant.Why it matters: Cleveland-Cliffs is one of the city&#x27;s biggest employers.<ul><li>The project is expected to preserve 2,300 jobs and make one of Ohio&#x27;s largest steelmaking operations more competitive with international steel manufacturers, company officials say.</li></ul>

Vance brings 2028 intrigue in hometown return to Middletown

Vance came home to speak at Cleveland-Cliffs, bringing speculation about what's next for him.

Politics

Vice President JD Vance&#x27;s trips home to Southwest Ohio are creating two kinds of congestion: traffic jams and electoral intrigue.Why it matters: Homecomings like Friday&#x27;s speech in Middletown give Greater Cincinnati a front-row seat to the vice presidency — and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="early maneuvering around 2028" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/02/vance-wsj-trump-rubio-2028" data-vars-content-id="200994a3-e5b2-401f-9015-cf0df9043554" data-vars-headline="Vance brings 2028 intrigue in hometown return to Middletown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/02/vance-wsj-trump-rubio-2028" target="_self">early maneuvering around 2028</a>.

Charm at the Farm returns to Lebanon this weekend

The seasonal event at the 56-acre farm includes a craft market featuring over 100 local vendors.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Charm at the Farm" data-vars-click-url="https://charmatthefarm.com/" data-vars-content-id="487a4bfe-1b88-44fb-8d60-40d4e01915b0" data-vars-headline="Charm at the Farm returns to Lebanon this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://charmatthefarm.com/" target="_blank">Charm at the Farm</a> returns this weekend, bringing thousands of shoppers to a 56-acre Lebanon farm for a fall-leaning weekend of good, old-fashioned fun.Why it matters: The market doubles as a showcase for small businesses and a form of agritourism that keeps farmland in use while giving back to local nonprofits.

Casey tries: The Cracked Pot in Middletown

Review: This unassuming spot on Central Avenue is well worth the weekend wait.

Food and Drink

I&#x27;ve had <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Cracked Pot" data-vars-click-url="https://thecrackedpot.coffee/" data-vars-content-id="4d1e0a4e-2aed-4fcf-9da0-cef01c945c4a" data-vars-headline="Casey tries: The Cracked Pot in Middletown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thecrackedpot.coffee/" target="_blank">The Cracked Pot</a> on my radar since moving to the &#x27;burbs about a year ago, and finally made it to the converted Middletown home to try the famous crepes and oversized omelets.State of play: This place epitomizes a hole-in-the-wall breakfast spot — good value, big portions and a space worthy of the wait you&#x27;ll probably face on weekends.

New Cincy Light serves UC support at Cincinnati Open

A portion of the Rhinegeist sales will go toward supporting University of Cincinnati athletes.

Rhinegeist and the Cincinnati Open are teaming up on a limited-edition Cincy Light can, pairing two Queen City favorites while also supporting University of Cincinnati athletes.Why it matters: It&#x27;s more than just a cool-looking beer can with tennis balls on it. The Cincinnati Open partnership gives Cincy Light a bigger stage while a portion of every can sold supports <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cincinnati Athletics through its NIL initiative" data-vars-click-url="https://gobearcats.com/name-image-likeness" data-vars-content-id="c9209543-4544-4f20-a361-000a88be7dbe" data-vars-headline="New Cincy Light serves UC support at Cincinnati Open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gobearcats.com/name-image-likeness" target="_blank">Cincinnati Athletics through its NIL initiative</a>.

The unexpected spot in Monroe for the best sopes around

A must-try during your next visit to Treasure Aisles.

I&#x27;m a sucker for Tex-Mex, and the best I&#x27;ve had lately came from an unlikely spot: the El Vaquero food truck at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Treasure Aisles flea market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/north-of-cincy/2026/07/08/swap-meet-traders-world-treasure-aisles" data-vars-content-id="ddd9b17c-40fd-4f6f-ae28-295ae2f52a66" data-vars-headline="The unexpected spot in Monroe for the best sopes around" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/north-of-cincy/2026/07/08/swap-meet-traders-world-treasure-aisles" target="_self">Treasure Aisles flea market</a> in Monroe.The sopes ($5 apiece) were packed with flavor — loaded with chicken, steak and carnitas, respectively.

Warren County Fair returns to its roots

Teams spent the spring prepping the fairgrounds for the 176-year-old tradition.

The Warren County Fair returns this week with carnival rides, corn dogs and a full-on rodeo as new leadership tries to make the 176-year-old tradition feel like the &quot;Warren County Fair&quot; again.Why it matters: It&#x27;s been a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bumpy financial year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/commissioners-ok-warren-county-fair-beer-license-but-demand-financial-answers/article_1250bc71-57e1-58ef-9a05-dcf56909b974.html" data-vars-content-id="ec386963-a24b-45aa-b0af-c945f1c5fb0f" data-vars-headline="Warren County Fair returns to its roots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/commissioners-ok-warren-county-fair-beer-license-but-demand-financial-answers/article_1250bc71-57e1-58ef-9a05-dcf56909b974.html" target="_blank">bumpy financial year</a> for the nonprofit organizing board, which sees this fair as a chance to get back on track.

VOA Museum of Broadcasting to offer new hands-on STEM exhibits

The historic site once fought propaganda and will soon teach students through interactive learning.

The former Voice of America Bethany Relay Station in West Chester is investing in interactive technology connecting its World War II and Cold War history to STEM education.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting" data-vars-click-url="https://voamuseum.org/" data-vars-content-id="22a54c7d-cdcf-4e5f-a53c-8e043bee96c5" data-vars-headline="VOA Museum of Broadcasting to offer new hands-on STEM exhibits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://voamuseum.org/" target="_blank">National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting</a> and neighboring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="USS Cincinnati Peace Pavilion" data-vars-click-url="https://subcincy.org/" data-vars-content-id="22a54c7d-cdcf-4e5f-a53c-8e043bee96c5" data-vars-headline="VOA Museum of Broadcasting to offer new hands-on STEM exhibits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://subcincy.org/" target="_blank">USS Cincinnati Peace Pavilion</a> hope the hands-on exhibits will inspire future scientists, engineers and skilled trades workers.

See how the Tennis Center comes to life for the Cincinnati Open

Every July, a team turns the sprawling grounds in Mason into a world-class venue for tennis.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cincinnati Open Sporting Club" data-vars-click-url="https://cincyopensportingclub.com/" data-vars-content-id="1413e68b-b1bc-4109-9899-32b8b6625a7f" data-vars-headline="See how the Tennis Center comes to life for the Cincinnati Open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cincyopensportingclub.com/" target="_blank">Cincinnati Open Sporting Club</a> and the rest of the Lindner Family Tennis Center campus is about to change almost everything except its address.Why it matters: Starting July 19, the Mason facility closes to the public for about a month while crews entirely remake the campus for the annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cincinnati Open" data-vars-click-url="https://gotickets.com/cincinnati-open?region=26&amp;fv=1&amp;venue=2575&amp;fv=1&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_source=google&amp;tid=aud-2281692811619:kwd-11694742840&amp;agid=197153228346&amp;cid=23081319770&amp;int=1023626&amp;pres=9015635&amp;network=g&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23081319770&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAqsaoURkLhvWUVbRGcFxWwYnM3Pb7&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwmJjSBhB-EiwAkZgxi68Pu5VHwDCNokSvWEBNZP_5-iRhQlmkUfI5rwdaQHKhoaA5jk4MMxoCsokQAvD_BwE" data-vars-content-id="1413e68b-b1bc-4109-9899-32b8b6625a7f" data-vars-headline="See how the Tennis Center comes to life for the Cincinnati Open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gotickets.com/cincinnati-open?region=26&amp;fv=1&amp;venue=2575&amp;fv=1&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_source=google&amp;tid=aud-2281692811619:kwd-11694742840&amp;agid=197153228346&amp;cid=23081319770&amp;int=1023626&amp;pres=9015635&amp;network=g&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23081319770&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAqsaoURkLhvWUVbRGcFxWwYnM3Pb7&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwmJjSBhB-EiwAkZgxi68Pu5VHwDCNokSvWEBNZP_5-iRhQlmkUfI5rwdaQHKhoaA5jk4MMxoCsokQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Cincinnati Open</a> (Aug. 11-23).

Warren County's best treasure hunts happen at the swap meet

Every great swap meet purchase starts the same way: "I wasn't looking for this."

Every great swap meet purchase starts the same way: &quot;I wasn&#x27;t looking for this.&quot;Why it matters: Luckily, Warren County has two of the region&#x27;s best places to make those discoveries happen: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Traders World" data-vars-click-url="https://tradersworldmarket.com/" data-vars-content-id="1922ee8b-7929-4f8a-9189-b6fbda3af4e3" data-vars-headline="Warren County&#x27;s best treasure hunts happen at the swap meet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tradersworldmarket.com/" target="_blank">Traders World</a> in Lebanon and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Treasure Aisles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.treasureaislesflea.com/" data-vars-content-id="1922ee8b-7929-4f8a-9189-b6fbda3af4e3" data-vars-headline="Warren County&#x27;s best treasure hunts happen at the swap meet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.treasureaislesflea.com/" target="_blank">Treasure Aisles</a> in Monroe.

Old Scratch Pizza and baseball a perfect combo

A Dragons game finally got me through the door. The pizza, beer and atmosphere made me want to come back.

I&#x27;m a big pizza guy. If you&#x27;ve seen my waistline expansion over the past few years, you probably already assumed that. But somehow — despite now living just north of Cincinnati — I had never tried <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Old Scratch Pizza &amp; Beer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oldscratchpizza.com/locations" data-vars-content-id="371194c6-8168-4bbc-9341-e734e85d8417" data-vars-headline="Old Scratch Pizza and baseball a perfect combo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oldscratchpizza.com/locations" target="_blank">Old Scratch Pizza &amp; Beer</a>.

Things to Do 🗓

Museum-quality art minus the "shhhh" factor

Charm at the Farm returns to Lebanon this weekend

Cincinnati Open: A guide to tickets, food, parking and more

August gives Cincinnati stargazers lots to watch

Casey tries: The Cracked Pot in Middletown