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The Columbia Journal March 2009
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CT Calendar
Mar. 16: CTCC meeting, 6:30 p.m
Riverview East Academy, 3555 Kellogg Ave.
Apr. 20: CTCC meeting, 7 p.m. RiverviewEast
Academy, 3555 Kellogg Ave.
May 3: We sponsor Flying Pig Marathon's Mile 21.3 water station, Carnegie Center
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Click here:
ctcc@columbiatusculum.org
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March 16 Historic District Night:
Riverview East Academy, 3555 Kellogg Avenue
Columbia Tusculum is Cincinati's oldest neighborhood, founded before downtown Cincinnati. Have you ever wondered:
- How and when our first settlers arrived?
- What are our most historically significant buildings?
- How one of America's first millionaires used the miles of hillsides he owned from Mt. Adams to CT in the early 1800s? - When CT was annexed with the City of Cincinnati? What did it look like then?
- Where in CT is the first recipient of the Purple Heart believed to be buried?
Join us in welcoming Margo Warminski, of the Cincinnati Preservation Association, who will enlighten and entertain us on these and other points in Columbia Tusculum's fascinating history.
We are a historic district within the city and have a number of properties on the National Historic Registry. These designations and the difference between them will be described, as well as the practical impact for homeowners.
The evening will begin with an open house to introduce you to the Riverview East Academy. (See story below)
The evening's agenda:
6:30 - 7 p.m. Riverview East Open House
7 - 7:15 p.m. CTCC business meeting
7:15 - 8:30 p.m. Historic District discussion
8:30 - 8:45 p.m. Riverview East time capsule discussion
Parking is under the school. Enter the building from a large staircase at the far end of the lot, nearest the river.
Stay tuned for the April 20 meeting on the CT Housing Market. Coldwell Banker Realtors will present information on today's housing market for CT and the Cincinnati area. Bring your questions on selling a home, buying, pricing and whatever else is on your mind.
Please note, we are moving to a 7 p.m. start time for CTCC meetings, as of the March 16 meeting. |
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Columbia Tusculum Focus On ...
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... Riverview East Academy & Community Learning Center
That distinctive looking new school on stilts at the foot of Stanley Avenue is an unexplored treasure for many neighborhood residents. Come join the Community Council at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 16, for a tour of the public features at Cincinnati Public Schools' first community learning center.
 And why not bring along something to place in the school's time capsule that reflects life in Columbia Tusculum and the East End in 2009? A dedication ceremony is slated during a May 16 community "Healthy Kids Carnival" at Riverview East. Both historical and modern items are welcome.
Opened in January 2005, the nautically themed school actually consists of three connected buildings: one for elementary students, one for secondary students and a multipurpose building designed to serve the community after hours as well as students during the day.
It's a school that's not locked up at 3 p.m.
Did you know it contains a community fitness center as well as a gym, a cafetorium available for meetings and receptions, music rooms, an art room with a kiln and a media center where people can learn to use computers and the Internet?
"We're a resource for students and parents but also a resource for the  community at large,'' says school resource coordinator Patrice Tiggs, an employee of the YMCA under a federal grant, who organizes all non-academic activities. Those include recreational, social services and after-school care and learning opportunities. She also works to recruit community partners -- businesses and service organizations.
The award-winning Cincinnati Early Learning Centers Inc. also offers an independent full-day preschool program in the building.
"The school day is just one part of the community learning center,'' Tiggs says. "We want to improve academics but also revitalize the community."
Riverview East is a special community partnership to support children from prekindergarten through 12th grade in its historically Appalachian service area along the east side's riverbanks. It was created because parents didn't want to see neighborhood schools disappear when Linwood and McKinley (one of Ohio's oldest) elementaries were slated to close.
"That culture is close-knit,'' Tiggs says. Students tended to drop out rather than leave the neighborhood and travel to Walnut Hills for high school. That pattern is changing.
Riverview East, which has added a high-school grade each year it's been open, will celebrate its first high school graduation ceremony in May. Between 16 and 19 students are expected to participate.
The building enrollment now stands at about 416 students, about half white and half African-American, Tiggs says. That figure could grow because parents of preschoolers in Mount Adams recently asked to become part of Riverview's service area.
The school district's goal is to turn all its schools into community learning centers. Currently, there is one other preK-12 academy: Oyler School on the west side, also in a traditionally Appalachian community, Tiggs says. A number of other community learning centers are in process.
Meanwhile, Tiggs has been busy building Riverview East's support network. Seven social service agencies have space in the school to provide families with everything from health, mental health and mentoring help to sports and after-school activities. The Cincinnati Police Department even has a community policing office in the school.
Many other community partners serve as volunteers and sponsor special events. They include bigg's supermarkets, Bella Luna restaurant, Starbucks, the Mt. Washington Kroger and Lens Crafters.
For more information about community activities or use of school spaces, contact Tiggs at 363-3489 or e-mail her at ptiggs@cincinnatiymca.org.
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| Columbia Tusculum Community Council News |
February CTCC Notes
Crime prevention was a key topic for February with police reports of increased thefts and break-ins in our area, especially of cars. Jack Karsh, Lunken Area Volunteer Coordinator for Citizens on Patrol reviewed how this program works. COPP is part of a proactive approach for neighborhoods to discourage crime and improve their overall appearance. Any resident willing to volunteer three hours a month can be part of a monthly neighborhood patrol that assists Cincinnati Police in identifying and responding to evidence of crime activities. Patrol groups also identify needed repairs that help discourage crime activity, like replacing burned-out street lights. Interested individuals can contact Jack at 871-1111 or ojwkmjkotl1@netzero.com.
Patrice Tiggs, Riverview East Community Learning Center Resource Coordinator, reviewed the classes, meeting and recreational facilities available to the community at the Riverview East Academy. Facilities available for neighborhood use include:
o Art room with a kiln
o Fitness center with Nautilus equipment
o Parents center that can be used as a community room for organization meetings
o Library and media center
Patrice also presented the school's time capsule project planned in honor of the school's first senior graduating class in May. Anyone can submit articles, photos or artifacts for the capsule. How would you document everyday life in today's Columbia Tusculum for future generations?
Come to the March 16 CTCC meeting to learn more about the academy at the open house prior to the start of the meeting. Contact Patrice at 363-3489 for any questions or requests on use of the school's facilities.
Ben Young, Carnegie Center trustee, discussed the center's status and lease negotiation underway with the current tenant, the Midwest Ballet Company, planned through June 2010. If either organization determines a longer term lease is not in their interest, an alternate plan for use of the Carnegie Center will be needed.
This could involve finding another nonprofit tenant or possible sale of the building. Any building sale would include a deed restriction on the type of business that could be conducted, consistent with the Center's by-laws promoting the historic district and encouraging educational, cultural and arts activities.
Finding a long-term tenant is essential for the Center to be financially viable, to pay off its mortgage and address significant repairs and maintenance needed on the exterior of this historic building.
Columbia Tusculum Community Council meetings are moving to the Riverview East Academy as of the March 16 meeting. Start time is also moving to 7 p.m.
The Carnegie Center seeks new trustees
The Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum is a nonprofit organization separate from the Columbia Tusculum Community Council. It is a group of Columbia Tusculum residents who joined forces in the early 1990s to preserve and protect this former Carnegie Library as a historic building and focal point for community activities.
The Carnegie Center is looking for new members for its Board of Trustees. There is room for four additional trustees-at-large, with five of nine positions currently filled after the resignation of Brenda Morress. Brenda was one of the original visionaries for transforming the center
Continuing Board members are Ben Young, Catherin Herring, Julie Baughman, Dilip Tripathy and Brnie Kearney Gray.
If you are interested in joining thre Board to help set direction for the future of the Carnegie Center, please contact Ben Young at byoung@tcco.com or any of the other trustees. Flying Pig Marathon Mile 21.3 Water Station
CTCC will once again take charge of staffing a water station for the Flying Pig marathon on Sunday, May 3. See the whole spectacle of the race from a front-row seat in front of the Carnegie Center.
Fran Santangelo, a CTCC director, will organize the water station. She needs 30-40 volunteers to set up/clean up and hand out water to runners. It's a lot of fun and you'll receive a 2009 Flying Pig marathon T-shirt.
The Flying Pig organization requests volunteers sign-up through its website. You will be asked to declare your water station organization. This allows CTCC to be verified for volunteer involvement. (You'll also get the usual waiver statement to tick off.)
If you can volunteer, go to www.flyingpigmarathon.com. Select the Volunteer Tab at the top and then "Volunteer Registration" at the left menu. Then, "Sign up with a registered group." Select "Columbia Tusculum Community Council" from the menu. Type "CCC" all in caps as the password.
For questions, contact Fran at franniesantangelo@yahoo.com or 484-3395.
Columbia Tusculum Spring Street Party
CTCC needs volunteers to plan our first-ever spring event for Columbia-Tusculum residents. The idea came about as a way to: meet your neighbors, promote the businesses and neighborhood artists, and celebrate the accomplishments of the community, i.e., last fall's Historic Home Tour and the upcoming street mural by ArtWorks.
If you have ideas for location, food, music and activities, please contact Beth Fiore, a CTCC Director, at enfiore@gmail.com. Stay tuned for more details. |
Columbia Tusculum People in the News
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Dick Macke opens photo exhibit at Redtree Gallery
Dick Macke, a Walworth Avenue resident, has a photo exhibit coming up April 1-30 at the Redtree  Gallery.
Redtree Gallery owner Wendy Smith, also a Walworth Avenue resident, is
moving the gallery this month from its current Oakley side street
location to a more prominent place at 3210 Madison Road
Dick is one of five artists exhibiting. Join Dick and Wendy for the gallery and show opening April 10, 6-10 p.m. featuring live music, wine and great artwork by local artists. For more information on the gallery and show opening, see www.redtreegallery.net.
Since his retirement in June of last year, Dick has seized the opportunity to travel, along with his dog, Flanders. One of his favorite destinations has been the city of New Orleans. The architecture, heritage and culture of NOLA are unlike any other in the United States. Even after the recent destruction of hurricanes Katrina and Gustav, the community rebounds. "Yes, the city may be altered," Dick says, "but no one surrenders."
Dick's photographs are images of NOLA that are obscure, yet beautiful. He explains, "There is a constant stream of images passing before our eyes. There are people, places and all kinds of events happening. A million fascinating sites to observe. Our eyes see all of this. Some of it is remembered, but most forgotten or overlooked. The role of the photographer is to see and select that particular action, person or scene that he thinks is worth remembering." Through the lens of his camera, Dick offers the viewer an opportunity to stop and notice beauty in the everyday world around them. A beauty often overlooked in the fast-paced world in which we live.
Dick is a veteran photographer and art educator in the Greater Cincinnati area. He received his bachelor's of fine arts in Art Education from the University of Cincinnati and a master's degree in Art Education from Miami University. He has exhibited over more than 10 years, including at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Hamilton and the College of Mount St. Joseph. Congratulations, Dick, on your new exhibit and the freedom to now pursue your passion. |
Urban Orchard Project: 427 Strader St.
On Saturday, April 26, volunteers will come together for the Urban Orchard Project at 427 Strader St. This project, three blocks west of Riverview East Academy, led by Joe Corcoran of the Veterans Memorial Garden, will plant 100 fruit trees to serve as a nursery for community gardens throughout Cincinnati. Over 100 saplings will be planted including apples, pears, plums and persimmons.
 Joe and Chris, a Civic Garden volunteer, first initiated work to create the Veterans Memorial Garden in 2004 on vacant lots owned by the City of Cincinnati. These lots in a flood plain were not planned for other use, so the city made them available for community gardening. Joe and Chris tilled ten 10-foot by 10-foot plots in 2004 and gardeners slowly trickled in. Starbucks donates used coffee grounds for compost, as well as refreshments for work sessions.
In 2006, the Civic Garden Center built six raised beds for the after-school gardening club of nearby Riverview Academy. Joe and other volunteers salvaged used bricks and rocks to build raised beds and a veteran's memorial. Much of the produce grown has been donated to the Freestore/Foodbank.
Also on April 26, the Veteran's Memorial Garden will be expanded to double in size and a general clean-up of Strader Street will take place. This is part of the Great American Clean-up weekend. The event is sponsored by the Cincinnati Garden Club, the Civic Garden Center of Cincinnati, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and Starbucks Columbia Tusculum.
Many volunteers are needed to prepare beds and plant the trees. If you can help, contact Stuart Revis at Starbucks at 533-4127.
Columbia Tusculum Neighborhood Yahoo Group created
Who hasn't at sometime wished they had an easy way to query neighbors with the need of the week? A recommendation on a pet sitter, a baby sitter, a reliable painter or chimney sweep for our old houses. A quick loan of a chain saw to take out a fallen tree limb. Your car's in the shop and you need a ride across town to work. Last-minute tickets you can't use and want to give away. Something you want to to sell - or buy.
Thanks to Missouri Avenue resident Mark Sickmiler, we now have an easy way to answer these and other questions. Mark has set up a CT Yahoo Group you can sign up for.
Summer jobs for youth
Artworks, Cincinnati's award winning arts-based youth employment program for teens, is currently recruiting enthusiastic teen artists for their Summer Job Program. This summer, jobs will be available at Artworks in the visual arts.
Interviews will be held one weekend only, April 18 and 19, at the Contemporary Arts Center. More information and applications are available for download at www.ArtWorksCincinnati.org. For questions, contact Allison Knue at (513) 333-0388.
Cincinnati Recreation Commission is recruiting 100 new lifeguards for 37 City of Cincinnati public pools. Free lifeguard training is available which will certify potential lifeguards in American Red Cross Lifeguarding, first aid and CPR for the professional rescuer/AED. Training participants must turn 15 by the end of the lifeguard course.
Home foreclosure hotlines
Are you concerned about possible home foreclosure? Hotline counselors are available to discuss your problems and recommend solutions. Banks are recognizing it's to their advantage to keep homeowners in their homes. Call a counselor now to help you plan your options:
o NeighborWorks -- 24-hour hotline with HUD-certified counselors, 1-888-995-HOPE
o State of Ohio -- Save the Dream, 1-888-404-4674
o Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, 241-9100
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| Pallina's Corner - The scoop on poop |
 Woof Woof Woof! Let me introduce myself. I am Pallina and I live here on Tusculum Avenue . Look forward to meeting you while walking to the park!! I love Alms Park and I love the walk to the park. This time I am going to talk about poop -- a smelly and unpleasant topic -- and about mitts.  Lately, I smell several different poops left behind on the way to the park.
Humans sometimes are distracted and do not remember to bring a plastic bag to collect our poops. I would like to bring to your attention the mitt dispensers that you can find on Tusculum Avenue while walking to the park.
 One dispenser is at the corner of Tusculum and Sachem. Another one is at the entrance to the park and soon another one is going to be added midway. Each dispenser is located close to a trash can to easily and properly dispose of the smelly issue. Please use the MITTS!! They are provided to you FREE of charge, thanks to the Columbia Tusculum Community Council.
Humans and dogs do not like to step on poop! And if you do not pick it up on the way to the park, you might step on it on the way back or on the following walk!
Let's keep the sidewalks poop-free! So that we do not bring a smelly problem inside our homes!
Woof-woof -- Greetings to all the dogs in Columbia Tusculum!
Pallina |
If you would like to lend a hand to those less fortunate, here are two worthwhile nonprofit groups helping lower-income residents and the aged:
People Working Cooperatively began as a nonprofit agency in 1975 as a way to help very low income elderly, disabled and other residents of greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky maintain their homes. PWC organizes volunteers to provide critical home repairs, energy conservation and maintenance services, or weatherization for renters. The average PWC client earns less than $13,000 a year.
Think of PWC as a Habitat for Humanity for already built homes. Volunteers work with a staff of professionally trained service people who focus on basic living essentials like functioning heating, running water, working toilets, solid roofing and other home repairs.
You can help with donations, volunteering or supporting PWC's periodic fund-raisers. If you would like to make a difference in someone's life, contact www.pwchomerepairs.org or
call (513) 351-7921.
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Wide-ranging help is available for older adults in our community through the Council on Aging, says COA volunteer and Tusculum Avenue resident Eleanora Fusco. Since 1974, Council of Aging has been designated by the state of Ohio as the Area Agency on Aging for Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties. COA plans, coordinates, funds and administers programs for an area that is home to more than 252,000 adults age 60 and older.
COA promotes choice, independence, dignity and well-being of older adults through a range of services that help them remain in their homes for as long as possible. One call to COA links people to the wide variety of agencies, information and programs that serve older adults.
Council on Aging's new Web site is a one-stop resource of unbiased information for anyone looking for answers on aging -- seniors, caregivers, families, friends, community leaders, elected officials and professionals of all kinds who work with older adults. For answers on aging or to volunteer, contact Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio at www.help4seniors.org or call 513-721-1025 or toll-free 1-800-252-0155. We'll continue to report on local organizations needing our help. If you know of one you would like to publicize, tell us at www.columbiatusculum.org. |
Get involved in Columbia Tusculum
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Spring is here with plenty of volunteer opportunities. If you would like to get more involved in your community and make new friends, we have volunteer opportunities for you:
- Flying Pig Water Station: Help set up/clean up and hand out water to runners. Interested volunteers can sign up at www.flyingpigmarathon.org. Select "sign up with a registered group" option, using "Columbia Tusculum Community Council" and "CCC" as password. For questions, call Fran Santangelo at 484-3395.
- CT Neighborhood Spring Party: Help plan this event and celebrate Columbia Tusculum. Contact Beth Fiore at enfiore@gmail.com.
- Urban Orchard Project: Help plant fruit trees for city-wide community gardens, contact Stuart Revis of Starbucks at 533-4127.
- CT 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.
- CTCC 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.
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Protect yourself from car theft
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Practical advice from Cincinnati Police on protecting your car from thieves
** Always take your keys out of your vehicle.
** Always lock you car.
** Park in well-lit areas and attended lots.
** Leave only the ignition/door key with attendants.
** Completely close car windows when parked.
** Leave no valuables in plain view (only in trunk).
** Use your garage. Lock vehicle and garage doors.
** Replace T-shaped locks with straight locks.
** Engrave expensive items left in car.
** Use tire/wheel locks.
** Install an audible alarm.
** Take out removable radio and face plates.
** Avoid parking between large vehicles acting as
cover.
** Do not approach your car when a stranger is
near it. Call 911 or security for an escort.
** Be aware garage door openers mounted in cars
work and open garages when car is turned off.
Typical entry methods include:
** Breaking glass
** Doors left unlocked
** Pried/jimmied
** Windows rolled down or half way
** Window vents, sunroofs, sliding windows left open
Watch for suspicious actions:
** Pulling door handles; looking in windows
** Checking alarms by hitting or bumping windows or bumpers
** Odd clothing for time of year (coat in summer)
** Look-outs, person looking nervous
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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 an award, started a new business or some other noteworthy news? |
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Important phone numbers:
Emergency Calls: 911
Non-emergency police calls: 513-765-1212
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.:
Officer Germaine Love, Neighborhood Liaison Officer 513-979-4480
Sgt. Cassandra Tucker, Unit Supervisor 513-979-4470
Lt. Joe Williams, 1st Shift Commander (7 a.m.-3 p.m.) 513-979-4438
Lt. Michael John, 2nd Shift Commander (1 p.m.-9 p.m.) 513-979-4437
Lt. John Rees, 3rd Shift Commander (9 p.m.-5 a.m.) 513-979-4439
District 2 Police Front Desk - 24 hours 513-979-4400
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