SHARONVILLE, OH (FOX19) - A fundraising Campaign Kickoff is being held 3:00 p.m. Thursday January 19 in Sharon Centre, 11450 Lebanon Road, in Sharon Woods.

This event begins the fundraising campaign for the new Simmonds Family Dog Park to be located in Miami Whitewater Forest.  The goal of the campaign is to raise $500,000 to make the 11-acre facility a reality and create the largest dog park in southwestern Ohio. 

Hamilton County Parks Foundation President Jon Hoffheimer and Hamilton County Park District Executive Director Jack Sutton will say a few words about the campaign.  Campaign chair

John Ruthven will be there, as will Harold Dates, SPCA Cincinnati President and CEO.

CINCINNATI (FOX19) - The Cincinnati Zoo has a number of animals that enjoy winter weather.  If you're not one of them, they are enticing you with half-price admission.

During Penguin Days, Zoo admission is half-price every day and there are special animal encounters every Saturday & Sunday, from now through February 29.

Daily, guests can see the Zoo’s King Penguins parade through the park at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and you can enjoy more than 12 heated indoor animal exhibits throughout the park.  Every Saturday and Sunday, guests can watch penguins, polar bears, snow monkeys and even elephants enjoy the winter weather in their own way during a variety of animal enrichment activities. 

Weekend Activities include:

CINCINNATI, (FOX19) - Dayton based Mike-sells has become the official snack-food of the Cincinnati zoo and is planning an official kick off during PNC Festival of Lights.

Mike-sell’s, which started with Dan Mikesell delivering and selling his dried beef and potato chips by bicycle, has been a family owned business for more than 100 years.  Their products are available in Cincinnati and all the major cities surrounding Cincinnati.  The company’s Honey Barbeque Chips, Groovy Chips, Original Potato Chips and pretzels will be available for sale at the concession stands.

“We felt this is a great partnership opportunity since our company and the Zoo both associate so well with family fun,” explained Chuck Shive, executive vice president of marketing for Mike-sell’s.  “It is a great combination of enhancing family fun while visiting the zoo and enjoying our name brand snacks.”

“The next time there’s a rumble or a growl that isn’t coming from one of ou