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The Columbia Journal August 2009
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August 17 Monthly Community Council Meeting
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Laurie's Gallery, 455 Delta Ave,
Lincoln School Office Building
Two speakers will attend the CTCC August meeting:
# - Cameron Ross will announce the Kick-Off of the City of Cincinnati's Comprehensvie Plan
# - L. Hannekamp, an aide to Councilperson Monzel, will address issues related to managing unmaintained properties |
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CT Calendar
August 17:
CTCC meeting, 7 p.m. Laurie's Gallery, Lincoln School Office Building, 455 Delta Ave.
September 21:
CTCC meeting, 7 p.m, RiverviewEast Academy, 3555 Kellogg Ave.
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Featured Business -
Laurie's Gallery Brings Fine Art Photography to Columbia Tusculum
Located in suite 103 of the Lincoln School Professional Building on Delta Avenue, Laurie's Gallery, photography as a fine art, is a "must see" for the discriminating individual who wants the most lifelike portraits that capture the very soul of their loved ones. Owner and photographer, Laurie Nock, has been delighting clients for years by carefully assessing their wishes and employing her special ability to preserve fleeting moments as a treasured memory.
Expanding her artistry to what she calls the "LAN Prints" line, Laurie is weaving her same magic with the sights of everyday life. Her photographs turn ordinary subjects into extraordinary works of art, by heightening color, lighting, and textures beyond what the eye normally sees. The results blur the lines between photography and painting.
Laurie's subjects include the neighborhoods of Columbia Tusculum. Laurie welcomes CTCC to her studio for a meeting on Monday, August 17th, at 7:00 pm. Enjoy a special evening that will include the unveiling of a commemorative work celebrating life in Columbia Tusculum. For a preview of Laurie's work, visit her website at www.lauriesgallery.com.
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| An Update on Columbia Square... |
Welcome to Green Dog Cafe!
The Green Dog Cafe opened on Friday, July 31, 2009. This is the eco-friendly restaurant in Columbia Square from Mary and Mark Swortwood. (Original owners of the Brown Dog Cafe in Blue Ash and Tink's in Clifton.)
All aspects of the operation take environmental impacts into consideration, from products for building to recycling waste. Local food is on the menu, which includes choices for vegans, vegetarians, and those who don't eat wheat or dairy. A few things on the lunch menu: Cider-brined pastured local turkey sandwich, house-made veggie burger, Green dog fries, grilled salmon wrap with goat cheese, and a Oaxacan turkey burger. It is also open for dinner and breakfast.
 Chef and owner Mary Swortwood says that she is excited to open a restaurant that aligns itself with green thinking.
"Our children are now old enough to be part of this new restaurant, and they care a lot about the green steps we're taking to reduce energy and produce healthier food," says Swortwood who states that everything at Green Dog Café is made fresh, in-house and in an open-kitchen concept.
She also says that there is something for everyone as "we won't forget folks who like the basics and no man will leave hungry."
The restaurant features walk-up service with full table service which is a unique ordering process that was inspired by the Swortwood's extensive travels. "It saves the patron time and money, without giving up quality," says Mark who goes on to say that tipping is not required - place your order, take a seat and they will take it from there.
Green Dog Cafe can seat approximately 120 guests inside and 40 outside. Hours of operation 8a.m.-9p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 8a.m-11p.m. Friday and Saturday, 8a.m.-3p.m.Sunday brunch.
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Welcome to Keller Williams Realty!
Keller Williams Realty signed a lease for 5,600 SF in the 48,000 SF One Columbia Square at 3505 Columbia Parkway in Columbia Tusculum.
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Welcome to Bruegger's Bagels
Bruegger's Bagels is now open for business at 3515 Columbia Parkway at the entrance to Columbia Square. Their grand opening is scheduled for August 20 - 22.
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| Vandalism at Columbia Square |
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On Tuesday morning, July 21st, minor vandalism was discovered at Columbia Square. This is one of many recent incidents that may be related to an East End gang. Fortunately, the damage didn't cause a significant financial loss, but it does concern existing tenants and could be a deterent for future business. It is important for Columbia Tusculum, as a community, to be vigilant and report suspicious behavior. More about helping to identify suspects in our neighborhood, in the Neighborhood News. |
| Columbia Tusculum Community Council News |
Great Community Support at Allyn's for Mural Fundraiser and Celebration of Allyn's 18th Anniversary
On June 25th, a fundraiser to support a mural in our community was held at Allyn's. There was some concern that the event might be cancelled or that few would attend, due to inclement weather, however, Columbia Tusculum was quite fortunate, as the storm that knocked down trees, did not hit our neighborhood.
 Over 100 people attended the event, which included a crawfish boil, beer, wine, and a "Taste of Allyn's." A three piece band, that included members of The Modulators and Stupid Rooster, played a variety of music throughout the evening. $3,325 was raised in support of the mural. Thank you to Allyn and Karen Raifstanger for hosting and working so hard to make the event a success!
 Pam Kravetz, the local artist who designed the mural, had images of the mural available for all to see. Representatives from Artworks, who approved our mural through their MuralWorks program and who are funding the majority of it, were also in attendance. Pam, the supporting artists, and the teen artists have finished their preliminary work on the mural, which was being done in the basement of the Carnegie Center on Eastern Avenue. The mural has been painted on parachute cloth and will be installed in the fall on the north facing overpass, where Delta Avenue meets Eastern Avenue. There will be eight sections to the mural that fit into the eight recessed panels on the overpass.
A dedication ceremony for the Columbia Tusculum Mural will be held in the fall after the installation is complete. Anyone interested in helping to support this event with your ideas, time or donations, please call Matt Ackermann at 503-4004 or e-mail him at mackermann@fuse.net.  Overall, there was a great turnout, with people attending from all parts of the neighborhood; residents from Walworth to Missouri, Sachem to Golden, and from Morris to Hoge. Thanks to everyone for the great community support.
If you did not receive a tax receipt thank you letter and would like one for your records, please contact mackermann@fuse.net.
Special thanks also the The Neyer Foundation, Parkside Christian Church, Tarvin Plumbing and St. Stephen's Church for their donations to the mural. We appreciate it!
If you couldn't attend the fundraiser, but are still interested in supporting the mural project, please send a check to: CTCC, P.O. Box 26085, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. The check should be made out to Columbia Tusculum Community Council. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations to CTCC are tax deductible. |
Columbia Square Art Project
As mentioned in the June newsletter, a committee of Columbia Tusculum residents developed concepts for a Columbia Square Art Project. This is intended to develop the public seating area at the Square into an attractive gathering place for residents and visitors alike with distinctive three dimensional art work.
 City funding is available to communitities to improve neighborhood business districts through the Neighborhood Business District Improvement Project fund. Projects of the type we plan are limited to a maximum of $30,000.
The basic design concept, agreed upon by the committee, was submitted by the July 10th deadline.
The committee will meet again to finalize the design. Matt Ackermann will then meet with Ed Ratterman, our representative in the Department of Community Development, to be sure we meet all zoning guidelines and utilize the expertise the City can offer. In the fall, a presentation will be made to our neighborhood business district peers, who will vote on our funding proposal. The conceptual Images of the art are below. They can be as tall as 15 feet. The pot is used as a base, because is represents the pot in the Columbia Tusculum Logo. The images from left to right represent victorian architecture, lizards, planes/Lunken airport, and steamboats.
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| June CTCC Notes - There was no July CTCC Meeting |
3C Corridor Rail Project
"3C" refers to a connecting rail service between Cincinnati-Columbus-Cleveland. At the June meeting, we had great discussion regarding where the temporary and permenant terminus should be for the 3C high speed diesel trains. Council passed a motion supporting the preferential route/terminus of the 3C rail project to be at Union Terminal. In the same motion the following passed: Columbia Tusculum supports further study of alternate routes including the Eastern Corridor in the event that Union Terminal is proven unfeasable. The motion passed with 20 in favor and 2 opposed.
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County tax levy issue
Ray Hils of the Public Library spoke with us on their proposal for a fall tax levy. Our library continues to be one of the heaviest used library systems in the country. With library use continuing to grow, there is a need for additional funding to close their current deficit gap.
As of now, there is no local City funding or County tax levy for the library. Their only source of funding is at the State budget level, which has been impacted by losses in income taxes with the economic downturn. The tax levy proposed for the November ballot will result in $30 per year in taxes for every $100,000 of property value.
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Proposed City Charter Amendment
The city-wide debate about streetcars has 2 sides. One side, represented by Cincinnatians for Progress, www.cincinnatiansforprogress.com, supports preserving modern transportation options and opposes a recent proposal that would amend the city charter and create barriers for progress. The oppossing side is represented by COAST, the Coalition Opposed to Additioanl Spending and Taxes, www.gocoast.org, and other groups, whose mission is to limit increases in taxes and spending to within the rate of inflation and to stop abuse of power by government officials throughout Ohio.
The groups opposing the streetcar have proposed the following City Charter Amendment: "Be it resolved by the people of the City of Cincinnati that a new Article XVI of the Charter is hereby added as follows: The City, and its various Boards and Commissions, may not spend any monies for right-of-way acquisition or construction of improvements for passenger rail transportation (e.g., trolley or streetcar) within the city limits without first submitting the question of approval of such expenditure to a vote of the electorate of the City and receiving a majority affirmative vote for the same."
Those seeking to defeat the amendment argue its language is too broad and will jeopardize Cincinnati's ability to pursue state or federal funds for all forms of passenger-rail transit.
Supporters of the amendment point out that other cities have held public votes on streetcar, light-rail and other passenger-rail systems.
A few issues are at stake:
This is a City-wide issue that all Cincinnatians should educate themselves on. Please see the following links for more articles on this issue.
Representatives from Cincinnatians for Progress and COAST have been invited to speak on their position about the streetcar issue and answer questions at the October 19 CTCC meeting. |
2010 Census
What is the 2010 Census?
� The census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is done every 10 years.
� The next census will be April 1, 2010.
Why participate in the 2010 Census?
� Census data are used to determine the distribution of $300 billion in federal funds to
cities and states for community services such as clinics, schools, hospitals, child care,
transportation, roads and other supportive services.
� Communities get their U.S. House of Representative members and U.S. Congressional
reapportionment based on the population count.
� The Census form takes less than 10 minutes to complete. If you complete and return
the census form, a census worker will not need to visit your home.
Your information is Safe and Confidential
� Federal law protects the personal information you share during the census.
By law, no information can be shared with other agencies.
� Personal information on the census form is sealed for 72 years.
The Census provides temporary jobs
Visit www.census.gov/detroit for more information or
call 1-866-861-2010. You must be 18 years of age to apply. |
Two Shot to Death Outside Annie's on July 27, 20009
The operators of Annie's nightclub have stopped the Sunday night hip hop and rap concerts, after two men were killed in the club's parking lot.
In the May/June Columbia Journal we reported Annie's application for a dance hall license from the City of Cincinnati was denied earlier this year at the recommendation of the Cincinnati Police Department. The initial dance hall license was denied based on the large number of "incidents" occurring at Annie's, including those involving the Cincinnati Police. The owner's of Annie's subsequently sued the city obtain the license.
The club and the city had recently entered into a settlement requiring Annie's owner's to increase security and try other measures to try to curtail violence.
Homicide detectives with the Cincinnati Police Department have arrested a man they believe killed one of the two men.
To read more on this subject, click on this link to Carrie Whitaker's article, "Suspect Arrested in Annie's Shooting",in the Cincinnati Enquirer. The link will be available until September 1, 2009. |
Receive Real Time Crime Alerts And Help Identify Wanted Suspects In Your Neighborhood
The Cincinnati Police Department utilizes the CitizenObserver.Com program to keep residents aware of ongoing and unsolved criminal events in individual neighborhoods throughout the City of Cincinnati.
Residents can sign-up for these alerts by following these simple steps:
1. Log on to www.CitizenObserver.Com
a. Click on SIGN UP FOR ALERTS
b. Enter all your basic contact information.
2. Check the RECEIVE ALERTS box for EMAIL
3. If you want alerts sent as a text message to your cell phone, check SMS
4. Click NEXT and select the Law Enforcement Agency you want to receive alerts from:
CINCINNATI POLICE DISTRICT 2
5. Click on the NEXT page and select your neighborhood for Neighborhood Watch Alerts-
Do not sign up as a Block Watch Captain, only a member.
Email alerts will come to your email account within minutes of their being sent by Police Department Investigators.
You will see the Columbia Square vandalism case listed here. The site also maps crimes by type and offers a form to submit tips to the police. This is an effective tool to stay in tune with crime in our neighborhood. |
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Neighborhood Watch Program
Neighborhood Watch is a program that tries to prevent crime before it happens. The program
relies on residents being familiar with our neighbors, knowing who is typically around and who is not. Neighbors watch out for one another by reporting specific details to authorities of any suspicious presence or activity.
Lisa Hilbert is the Neighborhood Watch Captain for Morris Place, Lower Tusculum, and Eastern Ave. Lisa offers the following suggestions to help protect your neighborhood.
1. Protect your home with motion-sensor lighting, clean up overgrown bushes and trees and locking door and windows, especially when you are not home. Lock cars and keep desirable objects out of view.
2. Notify neighbors if you are going away for an extended amount of time. You can also contact Officer Love for Directed Patrol. Give her your name, address, phone number and someone to contact while you are away. She will notify all shifts that you are away and they will patrol your house.
3. Do not engage or confront any suspicious people.
4. Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong and youu think it's suspicious, call it in.
Any street or group of streets/block can start a Neighborhood Watch Program and each is assigned a Neighborhood watch number that you can give when you call in a crime. It is confidential and the suspect will not be given any information about the informant.
If you have questions on how to start a Neighborhood Watch Program, please contact Lisa at hilbert.l@gmail.com. |
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Citizen's On Patrol Program (COPP)
An outgrowth of the community oriented policing strategy adopted by the Cincinnati Police Department, civilian volunteers have been incorporated in the departments operations since 1990.
Citizens on Patrol: First deployed in 1997 in three test neighborhoods the program has expanded into 24 of the cities 52 neighborhoods with an additional unit patrolling City Parks. Volunteers patrol their neighborhoods, acting as the eyes and ears of the police. Patrols concentrate around problem areas aiding the police by increasing visibility. COPP units deter crime by their mere presence and visibility to the general public.
Using police radios and cell phones team members are able to communicate directly with officers and report crimes in progress. Much of the COPP units function however, is the reporting of quality of life issues. By locating and reporting issues that contribute to criminal activity, these teams are able to fix the proverbial "Broken Window."
All members have completed a basic class with twelve hours of class training and an 8 hour ride-a-long with a police officer and attend additional ongoing training throughout the year.
COPP units have been deployed for special events, such as the Labor Day fireworks, Riverfront Stadium implosion and support duties during other neighborhood events. COPP units were also able to free up officers from fixed post guard duties during the civil unrest of 2001 allowing as many as 10 additional officers to be fielded for patrol duty.
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Riverview East School Supplies Drive
Parkside Christian Church is helping pull together School Supplies to distribute to the students and teachers of Riverview East Academy. Working with Patrice Tiggs, Resource Coordinator for the school's Community Learning Center, the supplies will be distributed at Riverview East's back to school event held during the first week of classes. Everyone is invited to participate by donating school supplies in one of the bins located at Anytime Fitness, BeneFIT Studio, Leblond Recreation Center, Maribelle's Tavern or Starbucks Columbia Tusculum. The supplies will be collected on August 16th, so make your donations today. Examples of items needed are: #2 pencils, pens, markers, notebook paper, and notebooks.
If you have any further questions, please visit the Parkside website at www.visitparkside.com or contact Parkside Christian Church at (513)231-9482 or prayer@visitparkside.com. |
Tour the Peterloon Estate with Cincinnati Preservation Association
Step back in time and experience a remarkable example of historic preservation. Join CPA on September 5th between noon and 4 p.m. for the first ever public tour of Peterloon Estate, including the beautifully landscaped grounds, at 8605 Hopewell Road in Indian Hill. The epitome of luxury and refinement, from the Golden Age of Indian Hill estates, Peterloon was the home of John J. and Irene Emery.
Reservations are required because space is very limited. Admission is $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Contact CPA at 513-721-4506 or info@cincinnatipreservation.org to purchase tickets. |
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St. Stephen's Convent Demolition
The City of Cincinnati's Historic Conservation Board granted a certificate of appropriateness for demolition of a convent building on St. Stephen's property. This certificate was needed because the building is located within Columbia Tusculum's Historic District.
Columbia Tusculum Community Council had previously approved a letter in support of the demolition. The old land locked building on the back of St. Stephen's property could not practically be sold because it has no public right of way access. The Fire Department also indicated the building is potentially a fire hazard because of difficult fire truck access to the back of the property and the building sits up on a rise with a ten foot retaining wall. |
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Leblond Recreation Cener - Fall Classes
LeBlond Recreation Center Fall Program Information
Youth Drop In Program (Monday-Friday)
Ages 6-12
2:30pm-5:00pm
Begins Monday, August 17
**Arts and Crafts, games, homework help and other activities may be provided during the program time.
$5.00/Youth Center Membership Card or $16.00/All City Youth Center Membership Card
Zumba
Mondays 5:00pm-6:00pm (Time will change Monday, August 24 to 6:15-7:15pm)
Wednesdays 6:15pm-7:15pm
Indoor Group Cycling
Tuesdays (With Arms) 11:00am-12:15pm
Thursdays 11:00am-11:45am
Fridays (With Core) 9:00am-10:15am
**Please Call 281-3209 if you are interested in an Evening Indoor Group Cycling Class
Bellydance
**Please Call 281-3209 if you are interested in Bellydance classes.
Get Steppin' Walking Club
7:00pm-7:45pm
Begins Monday, September 14-Monday, October 26 (Mondays Only)
REGISTRATION FOR THE FOLLOWING CLASSES WILL BE HELD SEPT. 8-11 Home School Gym-Free with Membership
Ages 6-12
10:30am-11:45am
Tuesday, September 15-Tuesday, October 27 (Tuesdays Only)
Tot Play ($25.00/7-Week Session)
Ages 18 months-3 yrs. old
10:30am-11:45am
September 16-October 28 (Wednesdays Only)
Pre School Soccer ($21.00/7-Week Session)
Ages 2 ˝-4 yrs. old
5:00pm-5:45pm
September 16-October 28 (Wednesdays Only)
Pre School Open Gym ($1.00/class)
Ages 18 months-3 yrs. old
10:30am-Noon
September 17-October 29 (Thursdays Only)
Home School Art ($35.00/7-Week Session)
Ages 6-12
1:00pm-1:45pm
September 17-October 29 (Thursdays Only)
Playskool ($25.00/7-Week Session)
Ages 3-5
10:30am-Noon
September 18-October 30 (Fridays Only)
LeBlond will be closed Tuesday, September 1, 2009 - Friday, September 4
Closed Monday, September 7 due to the Labor Day Holiday
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Get involved in Columbia Tusculum
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If you would like to get more involved in your community and make new friends, consider volunteering. Newsletter and Website support continue to be our top needs!!
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.
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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 (use this for most, nonemergency calls)
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
Street Corner Unit - 352-2555
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