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 The Columbia Journal January 2009 | |
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CT Calendar
Jan. 19, 2009: CTCC meeting 7:30 p.m., Carnegie Center
Feb 16, 2009: CTCC meeting 7:30 p.m., BeneFIT Studio, 3567 Columbia Pkwy |
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Happy New Year!
What's coming up in the new year for Columbia Tusculum? See details in articles below.
January 19: Meet and vote in remaining 2009 Steering Team positions. CTCC will now have six enthusiastic community members to lead the way.
February 16: Take the Council to the community. First to host a Council meeting for Februrary will be BeneFIT Studio, a fitness and personal training studio on Columbia Parkway.
March 16: CT Historic District night -- hear a Cincinnati Preservation Association presentation and learn about CT history and our historically significant buildings.
May 3: Flying Pig Marathon -- enjoy the race with a front row seat the Mile 20.5 water station, in front of the Carnegie Center. |
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Columbia-Tusculum Focus On ...
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New Edgecliff Theatre |
 Ever wonder what goes on inside that old Pepto-Bismol-pink chuch on Eastern Avenue? If you haven't experienced it for yourself yet, check out intimate, cutting-edge theater right here in Columbia Tusculum Feb. 12-14. That's when New Edgecliff Theatre will present two one-act shows celebrating singleness. True to its mission of producing thoughtful, contemporary plays for 11 seasons, the non-profit New Edgecliff is experiencing a boom, despite our deteriorating economy. Attendance is up. Its popular Cincinnati Directors Competition for one-act plays -- in which the audience gets to vote -- is coming up March 5-8. (The third annual event is the only one of its kind in the country.) And it reaches out to the community with youth theater workshops and a partnership with Dramakinetics to involve people with special needs. And all this is accomplished by local folk with day jobs. Founder and Executive Director Michael Shooner attributes NET's longevity in Cincinnati's ever-evolving theater scene to "a bulldog mentality -- simply refusing to fail" and "insistence on consistently high artistic standards" without flash or gimmicks. Every effort is made to pay crew and actors a small stipend even if salaries aren't possible. Out of about 30 regional theaters, perhaps fewer than a half dozen maintain this "semi-professional" status, Shooner says. But after five years of making the most of a tiny 100-seat space with a curtainless stage, NET leaders are pondering where their future lies. NET recently hired a grants writer and a marketing director to help find more grants and other support for the theater. More than 100 years old, the portion of the former Eastern Avenue church NET rents poses many technical challenges as well as space, Shooner says. "We are now in a rather steep growth phase" -- with audiences averaging 23 percent larger than last season. "We would love to stay in this area but this will be contingent on solving our venue issues." In the meantime, on Valentine's Day weekend, NET's theme is romance with a twist. The one-act One Good Marriage and an original movement-and-music work by the performance group Pones Inc., called 2 by 2, will explore singleness. For more on 2009 productions, go to www.newedgecliff.com. Oh, and why is it called New Edgecliff? When he founded the theater in 1998, Shooner modeled it after his fond experiences at Edgecliff College, which merged with Xavier University in 1980. Any other alum out there? Is there another spot in Columbia Tusculum you've always wondered about? Be it historic or modern, let us know and we'll look into it for you. E-mail us at: ctcc@columbiatusuclum.org. |
| Columbia Tusculum Community Council News |
The Community Council was on holiday break in December, with no monthly meeting held.
Expanded 2009 CTCC Steering Team
By-Law changes in 2008 expanded the CTCC Steering Team from four to seven members. At the November Council elections, we elected people volunteering for four positions. Two people have since come forward to nearly complete our slate of officers and directors for the 2009, and provide the quorum we need to operate.
Come to the January 19 CTCC meeting to meet and vote in these two individuals as Directors for the CTCC Steering Team:
- Frannie Santangelo, co-owner of the BeneFIT Studio on Columbia Pkwy.
- Beth Fiore, Missouri Ave resident
This will give us six enthusiastic and committed Steering Team members ready to lead the way for 2009. We will benefit from the experience of several small business owners on this year's team and representation from a wider cross section of CT. The group has agreed to share duties for a seventh, unfilled position of Secretary.
Historic District Night: hold your calendar open for March 16
Margo Warinski of the Cincinnati Preservation Association spoke on the history of Columbia Tusculum and its architecture at the October 2008 Historic Home Tour. For those of you who missed this informative and fun talk, Margo has agreed to come back and present again for our March 16 Council meeting. Other topics we'll cover are:
- Update on current city's Historic District Guidelines & how they affect property owners
- What is the Federal Historic Registry and which CT properties are registered; what's
involved if you wish to register a home
- Owners of historically significant buildings will be invited to give a little history on
their homes
- Examples of "extreme home make-overs"
As people toured our neighborhood in October, most probably had no idea how things looked in the past, and the work that has gone into so many of our beautiful homes and buildings. Do you have an "extreme home makeover" or remodeling you can share? Just a few pictures (digital if possible) and a few words are all we need. At the March meeting, let us appreciate the work you or previous owners have done.
Do you have specific questions on our historic district? Send them in advance to ctcc@columbiatusculum.org. This will allow us to get a head start on finding information.
Angela Lyman: CTCC Volunteer of the Year
We have the opportunity to recognize a community volunteer of the year at the city-wide level through Invest in Neighborhoods. This group has been contracted by the City of Cincinnati to consult with community councils and manage dispersing funding grants. They hold an annual event and workshop to convene community council leaders across Cincinnati.
Angela Lyman will be recognized with volunteers of the year from all neighborhoods at a city-wide dinner January 23rd. Angela's work throughout the year to lead the Historic Home Tour made her the clear 2008 nominee from Columbia Tusculum. Angela led the Home Tour with enthusiasm, grace and never-ending attention to detail that made the tour a success and a pleasure for all involved. Congratulations, Angela, on this well deserved honor. You earned it! |
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Cincinnati Bike/PAC planning in January |
Are you a cyclist interested in improving bike/pedestrian paths or promoting cycling in Cincinnati? See the Bike/PAC meeting announcement below to get involved. Bike/PAC has made nice progress in coordinating efforts across nonprofits interested in cycling and starting to speak with one voice to the Cincinnati City Council.
Sorry the e-Journal publishing date gives short notice on this Jan. 13 meeting, but you can make note for future involvement.
 "Welcome to 2009! This will be an exciting year. City Council approved $360,000 for a Bike Master Plan, and there are some critical improvements in the budget for 2009. Building on these successes, we and the larger community of cycling advocates look forward to your contribution. "To provide the best advice on what makes a good bike plan, and help build a bicycle-friendly city, members of Bike/PAC have committed themselves to become experts on the cycling successes and failures in other cities. Join us for our January meeting: "Best Practices Sub-committee, Jan. 13, 7-8:30 p.m., LeBlond Recreation Center, 2335 Riverside Dr. To be followed by a social half-hour at a bar of choice with the fun members." |
Columbia Tusculum People in the News
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Meet the artist
Pam Kravetz, the artist who has designed Columbia Tusculum's future ArtWorks mosaic murals, is being featured at the Contemporary Arts Center downtown. Pam and her husband became CT residents on Morris Place in 2008.
The versatile artist, who creates with quilts, clay and dolls, has an interactive exhibit in the CAC's UnMuseum until spring. It features three larger-than-life marionettes representing three aspects of Kravetz's childhood -- the Beauty Queen, the Super Hero and the Peanut.
Visitors can make the marionettes dance or try on costumes and read stories abut them. Kravetz has created "narrative quilt" outfits for each whimsical figure.
A Cincinnati native, Kravetz teaches visual arts at Harrison High School. She holds a fine arts degree from the University of Cincinnati and a master's in art education from Miami University. But that's not all. She's also a master teacher for the Cincinnati Art Museum, an ArtWorks project manager, an Uptown arts teacher and an Art Academy of Cincinnati community educator.
For Columbia Tusculum's city-sponsored ArtWorks mural project, Kravetz designed a series of images showcasing the neighborhood's history. High school student artists will help construct the mosaics when final approval is obtained from SORTA, property owner for the mural location. The mural is expected to be installed in the upper panels of the railroad underpass at Delta and Eastern avenues later this year.
CT residents featured in Footlighter's Production of "1776"
Mark and Amy Waldfogle, Morris Place residents, will be appearing in the Footlighters, Inc. production of *1776*. Shows are scheduled over the first three weeks in February.
Footlighter's, Inc. is one of the longer-running community theatres in the area, established in 1963, and one of the few that own their own space. Plays are held in a converted church they call the "Stained Glass Theatre," 802 York St., Newport, KY.
The show 1776 is often not done because there are so many men's parts and only two women's parts. "We're all pretty excited," Amy said, "to be doing a show about the founding of our government so close to the inauguration of our first minority President. That connection is especially felt since the issue of black slavery is a major plot point for the story of the show. Also,for fans of the show, seeing it on stage is an opportunity to see the song "Cool, Conservative Men," which was not in the motion picture release of the show at then-President Nixon's request."
Mark is playing Josiah Bartlett and Amy, Abigail Adams.
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Get ready for 2009 city and county rate hikes |
It's inevitable that costs go up. Perhaps with the economic pinch on, we are feeling them more now. Here's some 2009 city and county increases to be aware of:
@The Hamilton County Auditor has posted increases in the assessed value of properties. The tax rate remains the same, but net taxes paid rise with an increase in assessed value. Increases are made on a three-year cycle, and September 2008 was the next scheduled increase.
You can find this information on www.hamiltoncountyauditor.org. Enter your name or street address under Property Search; then click "Value History" on the left.
@You will see water rate increases of 5.9% from Cincinnati Water Works. This is required to meet capital and operating costs of water works systems. Feel better knowing that charges within the city are 20 - 25% lower than Clermont, Butler or Warren counties. The mayor noted that this increase still puts Cincinnati "substantially below industry averages."
@Watch where you park! Parking infraction fines are going up from $40 to $45 for most parking fine codes (502-3 and the 508 series). This is at least one we can all avoid by watching where you park and keeping track of those parking meters.
Hamilton County Park District announces seasonal job opportunities
Hamilton County Park District will be hiring for over 100 seasonal positions in departments that include Camping, Boating, Fishing, Food Service, Golf, Grounds & Maintenance, Landscape and Naturalists (Outdoor Education). Employment Open Houses will be held February 7 at four park district locations, including Woodland Mound (Anderson Township). Applicants age 16 and over can apply at the open houses, meet department supervisors, take part in on-site interviews and enjoy free refreshments. Open houses will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Woodland Mound, Sharon Woods, Miami Whitewater and Winton Woods park centers. Online applications are also accepted at www.GreatParks.org.
Enjoy seasonal half price admission to the Cincinnati Zoo
The Cincinnati Zoo wants you. Enjoy "cooler prices and even cooler animals during Penguin Days, with half-price zoo admission every day and special animal encounters every Saturday & Sunday through February 28. Plus, enjoy more than 12 heated indoor animal exhibits throughout the park." |
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Get involved in Columbia Tusculum
If you would like to get more involved in your community and make new friends, we have volunteer opportunities for you:
- Beautification Committee: Planning, planting, weeding, watering, grass cutting around our gateway welcome sign -- we need it all. Help this group over the winter plan new projects for a cohesive beautification plan.
- Columbia Journal editor and support: Have ideas to improve the look and content of the e-Journal? Stories to contribute? We need someone to take over as Journal editor, as well as help in writing stories.
- Website development: Help update the organization and maintain content for www.columbiatusculum.org.
- Special project help: Is your time limited, but still willing to help on an ad hoc basis? We can match you with current needs. Let us know your time availability or the kind of skills you have to offer.
Contact ctcc@columbiatusculum.org if you can help on any of these. |
Columbia Tusculum logo items for sale
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Let people know you're from Columbia Tusculum with a CT tote bag.  
This heavy organic cotton canvas tote bag holds a lot because it's 17 in. x 13 in. with deep 7 in. side panels. Something old, something new, with both CT logos front and back. A classy bargain at $12.50.
Historic Home Plaques are again available for $35. (Sorry, sometimes our prices have to go up, too. (from $30 to $35)) 
Originally produced for the historic district, you do not need to own an historic home to order one. Just provide your home's construction date, often available on the Hamilton County Auditor's website.
Send your name, address, a phone # and a check made out to CTCC for articles you are interested in to CTCC, P.O.Box 26085, CIncinnati, OH, 45226. |
| Share YOUR CT News |
It's easy to send us news. Do you have a local event to tell your neighbors about? Know of someone who's won a award, a new business owner or some other noteworthy news? Send us just the facts, ma'am, (who, what, when, where, plus your phone #) to ctcc@columbiatusculum.org. |
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