Good news from a blogger named Fort

I got a great e-mail last week. Someone was inviting me out to Hap's in Hyde Park for a celebration. But this was no ordinary get-together.

Fort (aka Melissa McLaughlin) was meeting friends to toast the good news she received from her oncologist. Her cancer is in remission.

You might remember Fort from the Last Word column that appeared last week in CiN Weekly. Her story touched many readers, not the least of whom were the 29 people who commented via the Last Word blog. Said one: "I just finished reading your story for the 10th time in a row . . . to face such wrenching diversity with such strength and dignity is impressive and admirable."

If you want to read more about Fort's saga, be sure to read her aptly titled blog, Fort's Cancer Sux!!

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If you were to tell me at the beginning of the season that Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez would be dealt to the Washington Nationals for some middle relievers, I would have called you crazy. Now I'm thinking the move was rather brilliant.
Sure, it's hard to see those guys go - especially Kearns, who wasn't racking up the errors as quickly as Lopez - but the struggling bullpen got a big boost. And shaking things up often has a way of bringing good results. The Reds responded by starting the second half of the season with a four-game sweep of the Rockies.
Feel my forehead - I've got wildcard fever!

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Last week I complained about second-hand smoke and wondered out loud if smoking should be banned in public places, including bars and restaurants. The question is featured in a CiN Weekly online poll tied to Bold Fusion, YPCincy.com's upcoming symposium and networking event.

Surprisingly (at least to me), most of the responses have been in favor of a ban. One of the more amusing comments questioned the benefits of non-smoking sections: "This is the equivalent of non-urinating areas of a swimming pool."

If you missed the Bold Fusion survey, you can still vote. Just go to CiNWeekly.Com, where you'll find a new question this week and a link to more information on the July 28 event.