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 Columbia Tusculum
e-Journal
September 2010
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Monthly Community Council Meeting, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Columbia Baptist Church, 3718 Eastern Ave |
September 20 meeting:
1. Neyer, Inc., developer for Columbia Square will update us on new tenants for the Square and plans for their property on the opposite corner of the Parkway.
2. We will vote on a proposed addition to plans for the Stanley Ave Streetscape project. This project to improve sidewalks and lighting in the Neighborhood Business District has been on hold, pending completion of the sewer project now in progress.
3. We will collect resident input on how the City can resolve a 2011 budget deficit of $51MM. Using a working document prepared by the City's Budget Office, each person will identify key areas you are willing to accept cuts in services, those services you want to protect and options for
increasing revenue you are willing to pay for. It's important we understand the City's budget and influence changes that will impact us in 2011.
Next Meeting: Oct 18
The Cincinnati Energy Alliance - Andy Holzhauzer
Former CTCC Director discusses his new Nonprofit business doing home energy assessments & consulting on energy saving building technologies, including support for low income residents.
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- Sept 24 Deadline to apply for City's Fall Tree Planting Offer (see below)
- 10/10/10 Columbia Tusculum Home Tour
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| Columbia Tusculum Community Council Notes |
August 16 Meeting Minutes
1. City Councilmember, Laure Quinlivan, attended the meeting to stay abreast of our community issues. Thank you, Laure!
2. Fran Santangelo, BeneFIT Studio owner and leader of the Columbia Tusculum Business Association updated us on CTBA work in their first year of operation and plans for 2011. Enlisting new members, benchmarking with other business associations, preparing new resident Welcome bags and setting up Columbia Square music & events for the 2010 Home Tour are first year activities. Plans for 2011 include sponsoring seasonal events, like a spring Lunken run, summer concert and fall farmer's market.
3. Tracey M. Hunter, candidate for Hamilton County Juvenile Court judge, introduced herself and her candidacy for the November election.
4. Stanley Pub owner, Bill O'Donell, proposed a modifcation to the planned Stanley Ave Streetscape project to include a "bump out" in front of this pub. We agreed to publicize this and defer voting on the proposal until the October meeting to allow other interested parties to weigh in. Bill has also requested City Dept of Transportation input to the proposal.
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 Columbia Tusculum
Home Tour
10/10/10
Come for the 2010 Tour and see why Columbia Tusculum is the neighborhood where "everything old is new again."
Twelve homes will be on tour spanning over 200 years - from 1804 to 2008! We'll add to that four historic buildings and Celtic musicians throughout from our own Riley School of Celtic Music.
The Columbia Tusculum Business Association will join in with a fall farmer's market day and music at Columbia Square. Local businesses will be set up in the Square with discounts and exciting giveaways. Many businesses will have their doors open the day of the tour.
Come celebrate Columbia Tusculum, both the old and the new. Enjoy local music, local food and have local fun.
Tickets will be sold day of the tour for $15 at the Green Dog Cafe in Columbia Square, 3537 Columbia Pkwy. Shuttle service will be provided for the tour.
Now, we need some of your help.
Community Council board member George Frank, chairperson of the Volunteers Committee, is looking for volunteers the day of the event.
You will be volunteering as House Captains and Shuttle Drivers for 1 of 2 shifts:
- 12:30 - 3:30 or
- 3:15 - 6:15
We'll also need help to set up & take down various signs for the tour. Volunteers get to see the homes for free during their off shift. All volunteers are welcome to a FREE after party that night; location to be determined.
Volunteer for the day of the tour and be a Columbia Tusculum "ambassador." You'll join in the fun, too. Please contact George at 374-3348 or george.frank@gmail.com.
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Housetrends Magazine profiles home tour homes - and their owners
You can preview nine of the twelve homes to be on tour in Housetrends magazine August issue cover story. The homes are featured with interior and exterior photos. These homes illustrate the range of housing available in Columbia Tusculum, from 1855 - 1890 historic homes to new construction homes built in 2008.
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Columbia Tusculum is named one of area's 10 Best Places to Live!
Did you see the August issue of CIncinnati Magazine? If you didn't, you missed seeing Columbia Tusculum named one of the area's Ten Best Places to Live in their annual Neighborhood Watch issue. We were one of only two neighborhoods within the City to be named. Others were in Northern Kentucky, Hamilton County and the northern Suburbs.
We loved their Intro: "Westwood is moving, Liberty Township is holding its own, and Columbia-Tusculum's painted ladies are hot, hot, hot. True, the economy battered the real estate market for the past few years. But we found 10 parts of town where (fingers crossed) things seem to be on the mend." (Our highlight.)
Columbia Tusculum had the biggest percent increase in median home sales price from 2008 to 2009 of any neighborhorhood in the greater Cincinnati area. Big, as in a 22.39% increase - and in a year when most neighborhoods experienced a decrease.
Check out this issue to see the page and a half spread on Columbia Tusculum and six pictures of your neighbors on Tusculum Ave.
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Enquirer recognizes Ballet School re-opening & growing Arts District
Ballet Theatre Midwest has moved from one historic Columbia Tusculum building to another as of September. Previously located in the old Carnegie library on Eastern Avenue, BTM now resides a block away to the former Spencer Township Hall, 3833 Eastern Ave.
Ballet Theatre Midwest offers both training and performance opportunities for all ages. More information is available at: ballettheatremidwest.com or by phone:513-520-2334. Spencer Hall, built in 1860, was the original township hall for the Columbia Tusculum area (then called Spencer Township), before it was annexed to the City of Cincinnati. This tall red brick building is a Greek Revival temple style. The distinctive building with its low gabled roof, Italianate brackets and tall 12 by 12 paned windows was empty for a number of years.
Local historic rehabber John Adams has renovated the landmark in Columbia Tusculum's historic district. Ballet Theatre Midwest is its first occupant.
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HEATHER CURLESS COMPETES IN "BAD GIRL VENTURES" PROGRAM
Heather Curless: Of Greener Stock |
Bad Girl Ventures, a new Cincinnati-based micro-lending company, has named eight women-owned companies that will compete for $25,000 in funding. The eight participants are : · Darcy Vorhees of Flaming Medusa Studios Inc.; · Heather Curless of Greener Stock;· Ellen Faethe of Mullane's Parkside Cafe; · Emily Hill of Stop Traffick Fashion; · Caitlin Wilkerson of Wouldurather.com; · Michelle Hobbs and Amanda Broughton of Pet Wants; · Ellen Smith of Electronic Interiors; · and Nicole Willis of Party Sitters LLC. The companies will participate in a six-week program in which they will receive business training. After the training is complete, one of the businesses will be chosen to receive the $25,000 loan from Bad Girl. Read more: " Bad Girl Ventures names first firms to compete for loan" - Business Courier of Cincinnati
GOOD LUCK HEATHER.... WE'RE ROOTING FOR YOU!
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What is Good Guy Loitering?
Good Guy Loitering is just a group of friends and neighbors getting together - publicly - in a part of the community that is struggling with bad behavior. In large part, it is a few hours of fun and fellowship with other residents. It is a chance to get to know your neighbors and come together for a good cause. It is also a way to model what the area could become and a showing that problem behavior no longer fits there.
What are the requirements to be a "Loiterer"?
If you are able to sit and chat with friends, you are qualified to "loiter!" There are even grandparents, children, and pets that "loiter."
What are the benefits of Good Guy Loitering?
· Quiets a street corner or other trouble spot for the night with carry-over effect that may last a few days afterward
· Returns a sense of "community" to an area that may not have known it for years
· Models that sense of community and imprints it on that location, making it clear that "bad" behavior is no longer acceptable there
· Unites the neighborhood. Each neighborhood makes "Good Guy Loitering" their own-they run it in the way that best meets the needs of their community
· Residents who may not be able to commit to other activities for physical or time reasons can become "involved" in making their neighborhood a better place
· Empowers regular people and gives them a way to stand up-by sitting down
· Provides other neighborhood groups, such as local community councils and Citizens on Patrol, an opportunity to reach out to people who want to become more involved in their neighborhood
Where is Good Guy Loitering already being done?
· Bond Hill
· Madisonville
· Roselawn
· Westwood
· And more are starting programs soon!
Is Good Guy Loitering safe?
Good Guy Loitering has been in existence for three years and there has never been an incident. The local police district captains are always contacted prior to a Good Guy Loitering event, and they have always tried to have patrol officers keep an eye on the group.
It's not confrontational. We arrive before the "bad guys" do, and they never show up. But confrontation is not the point. Good Guy Loitering is about family and community.
How do we start a Good Guy Loitering program in our neighborhood?
Have your local community council contact us. We would love to come to your neighborhood and help you get started. Contact Brian Lee at 379-9208 or brianlee1970@gmail.com. For more information, go to our website: www.goodguyloitering.org.
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Leblond Center School Program information
Home School Programs:
Gym Class-$2.00 per class
Wednesdays 11:30-12:15
Art Class-$2.00 per class
Wednesdays 12:30-1:30
Pre School Programs:
Squirmy Mondays-$3.00 per class
Gym Games-$10 for 10 sessions
Tuesdays 10:00-10:45
Soccer-$10 for 10 sessions
Thursdays 11:00-11:30
For
more information and dates please go to www.cincyrec.org and look under
LeBlond Recreation Center's programs or call us at (513) 281-3209.
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During the week of October 3-9 the Nation's Annual Fire Prevention Week will occur, during that week the Cincinnati Fire Department is planning to distribute hundreds of smoke alarms by means of its Fire Fighters and its support agencies.
As you undoubtedly know Smoke Alarms Save Lives and when everyone install and advocate the use of the life saving devices, we have a safer community.
"Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!" is NFPA's official theme for Fire Prevention Week (FPW), October 3-9. If you're wondering why NFPA, the official sponsor of FPW for nearly 90 years, is focusing on smoke alarms when most homes already have at least one, you've come to the right place!
This year's campaign is designed to educate people about the importance of smoke alarms and encourages everyone to take the steps necessary to update and maintain their home smoke alarm protection.
Thanks for consideration concerning this important project.
Fredrick Prather CFD
District Fire Chief
Cincinnati Fire Department |
Wood Chips for your Yard????
Joe Corcoran, of the Veteran's Garden on Strader
is offering woodchips for a donation to the garden.
Give what you feel is appropriate.
He has a lot of wood chips.
His ph # is 513-330-3342.
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Traditional Irish Music Session Night
(ongoing the 2nd Wednesday of every month)
in the Social Room, Great Irish Music, Singing, and Craic!
Bring you instrument, party piece or just yourself for a night of Irish entertainment and great fun! Open to all.
When: Wed Sep 8, @ 7:30pm - 11pm
Where: Irish Heritage Center located @ 3905 Eastern Ave Cincinnati, OH 45226
Who: Irish Center - organizer
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Support local Farmer's Markets
Try the new Mt. Lookout Farmer's Market which operates Saturdays, from 10-1pm at Cardinal Pacelli. This Market features Geiger Farms, a family owned and operated farm in Clermont County. The farm raises 2 1/2 acres of berries and approximately 3 acres of vegetables. All produce is raised organically. They also have a greenhouse and sell organic vegetable plants, 51 varieties of heirloom tomato plants, all manner of berry plants and some of the best fruit trees available all on rootstocks specific to local soil conditions.
Drop down the hill for our own tried and true Lunken Farmer's Market for sweet corn, tomatoes, melons and an assortment of locally grown produce. Many of the farmers come from just over the border in Indiana. You might buy corn picked that morning. They're out every day, usually gearing up by 10:00am til 5:00 or 6:00 pm.
 You might also try the Mt. Washington Farmer's market to sample Tusculum Ave. resident, Amy Cortez's herbs and aloes. Amy has grown a lot of herbs right here off her Tusculum Ave. back deck. She now has a farm she recently started in Adam's County. The Mt. Washington market is open only Thursdays, from 3:00 - 7:00 pm at Stanbery Park. Take Corbly Ave from Beechmont just after the Kroger's. Check Amy's website for more on her wares and other markets she sells at: www.amysaloesandherbs.com. |
 Hamilton County Needs YOU! Dear Friend: I invite you to consider a great opportunity to serve our community and become involved in Hamilton County government. Begining in late October and through the end of this year, appointments will be made to 16 different Hamilton County boards and commissions. By law theses positions must be filled with County residents in order to provide representative and accountable decision making bodies for many County agencies and departments. As you will see in the list below, appointees will have the power to influence County taxation policy, building and zoning regulations, transportation planning and economic development priorities to name a few. The positions to be filled include: 1 position - Board of Building Appeals 1 position - Board of Building Standards 5 positions - Board of Revision 1 position - Board of Zoning Appeals 4 positions - Earthworks Appeal Board 1 position - Local Corrections Planning Board 1 position - Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority 1 position - Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority 1 position - Public Library Board 1 position - River City Facilities Governing Board 3 positions - Rural Zoning Commission 1 position - Southwest Ohio Regional Transportation Authority 1 position - Storm Drainage Variance and Appeals 5 positions - Tax Incentive Review Council 1 position - Tax Levy Review Commission 2 positions - Zoo and Botanical Gardens Information on the requirements and descriptions of positions is available HERE. I hope that you will consider applying to serve! Please click HERE to fill out an application and submit it as soon as possible. The deadline to submit applications is October 20th. You may apply for more than one position. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office at (513) 946-4405. It is essential for reform-minded, responsible, common sense decision makers to volunteer their time to serve as members of these boards and commissions. Your leadership can help make Hamilton County an even better place to live, work and raise a family. Sincerely, Greg Hartmann |
SAVE THE DATE....
"Lead Paint: Renovate Safely, Learn the New Regs."
SAVE THE DATE for Cincinnati Preservation Association's next program: "Lead Paint: Renovate Safely, Learn the New Regs." Learn how to work safely around lead paint and how the new EPA rules on lead affect you. Presenters: Aisha Tzilla of the City of Cincinnati Community Development Department and Bill Menrath of the University of Cincinnati. Saturday, September 25, 10:00. Building Value, 4040 Spring Grove Avenue, Northside. $5.00 members, $10.00 guests. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED due to limited space. 513-721-4506, info@cincinnatipreservation.org. We hope to see you there!
Preservation field services provided by Cincinnati Preservation Association are assisted by a Partners in the Field challenge grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. |
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Duke Energy brings "Smart Grids" to Cincinnati
The digital technology that revolutionized your TV, computer and phone experience is coming soon to a power pole near you. Duke Energy is upgrading our region's infrastructure to provide energy, that over time, will be more reliable, more affordable and ultimately, more clean.
What is the smart grid?
A smart grid is a power distribution system that uses digital technology to enable two-way "conversation" between Duke Energy and their customers, using advanced meters and other high-tech communications equipment. It's a new way of working with customers - helping them to manage energy better, save money and help the environment.
By giving Duke Energy timely information about what is happening on our system, the smart grid allows us to quickly detect and resolve problems, prevent and shorten power outages, improve service reliability and give customers information to better manage their energy use.
Duke has offered to send a speaker on Smart Grids to a community council meeting. We will schedule them in next couple months.
In the meantime, go to Duke's website to learn more and see a map of when we can expect to have smart grids installed in the Cincinnati area. Click the right hand menu for the map.
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Cincinnati YMCA Mentoring Needs You!
Spread the Word....
Do You Know A Sharon?
Sharon has been a friend of Jennifer, a YMCA staff member for nearly 5 years and will soon be mentoring a young girl (age 9-12). Sharon hopes to be able to help expand the world of her mentee and provide a listening ear. A retired teacher, Sharon is a transparent wife and mother of 5 grown children. She is caring, emotionally available, loves children and has several interests including photography, music (she teaches cello), and botany that she is excited to share with her Mentee.
Do you know a Sharon? Please help YMCA Mentoring Build a Future and Change a Community for 140 young people by referring yourself or at least one person you know above the age of 23 to be a YMCA Mentor.
For information on becoming a YMCA Mentor, please call the Mentoring Hotline at
(513) 246-3230 and a YMCA Mentoring Coordinator will contact you.
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What you need to know...
The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati is one of six YMCA's nationwide to have received a grant to match 140 local youth with Mentors. With adult role models committed to teaching good decision making skills in young people, the one-on-one site based YMCA Mentoring program will nurture students ages 6 to 18 and will focus on improving academic performance, strengthening relationships with peers, siblings and primary caregivers, and modeling positive behavior. In addition to the mentoring experience youth will participate in 2 service learning projects and explore career options.
After passing a background check and undergoing 15 hours of training over a four week period YMCA Mentors will meet with their Mentees for 1-3 hours weekly for a year either at their local YMCA branch (they will have free use of the branches during their visits together) or at a CincyAfterSchool site managed by the YMCA.
Participating sites are currently: Westwood Elementary, Mount Airy Elementary, Riverview East, Skyline Community Center, Academy of Multilingual Immersion Studies (AMIS) and YMCA Black and Latino Achievers College Readiness program at Hughes High School and Withrow International.
If you know of a young person age 6-18 at any of the partnering schools who might be interested in participating in the YMCA Mentoring Program, please have their parent complete the attached Parent-Youth information form and fax it back to (513) 961-3201.
YMCA Mentoring. Build A Future. Change A Community.
Andrea Laudat Blackmon
Mentoring Coordinator
COMMUNITY SERVICES YMCA
1105 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
(P) 513 246 3233
(E) Ablackmon@cincinnatiymca.org
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Concerned about possible home foreclosure?
Are you concerned - or know someone who may be at risk of home foreclosure? Several Nonprofit organizations that are HUD approved housing counseling agencies are available to assist.
One organization, The Home Ownership Center of Greater Cincinnati, has worked with homeowners in purchasing and maintaining their homes for over 30 years. In the last twelve months, they've helped nearly 300 familes avoid foreclosure. Services are free.
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WOULD YOU LIKE A FREE TREE??????
PARK BOARD FALL RELEAF PROGRAM 2010
A selection of trees of different sizes are available to private property owners from the City for their annual Fall Releaf Program. Trees are free, but you are responsible to pick them up and plant them yourself.
They have some interesting choices this year - from Large (Dawn Redwoods - see them in Alms Park) to Medium (River Birch - 40-50 ft) to Small (Serviceberry & Redbuds - 20-25 ft).
Orders are due by September 24. Urban Forestry reviews applications and you are informed by October 8 if your site qualifies. Pick up is on a Saturday later in October.
TO QUALIFY:
1. Property must be in the City of Cincinnati.
2. Trees must be planted within 30 ft of the right-of-way or visible from the street. Planting between the street and sidewalk and in backyards is not acceptable.
3. Plant the right tree in the right place. Please consider the mature size of the tree. Be aware of any obstructions from wires, utilities, or other structures.
Cincinnati Park Board, Natural Resource Management Section 3215 Reading Rd.
If you have any questions, please call Phil Hucke or Doug Fritsch at 861-9070 ext. 21 A high priority is given to planting trees on private property along streets the Park Board cannot plant due to narrow right-of-ways. The Park Board encourages such streets to coordinate delivery and planting for interested property owners.
Forestry staff will inspect each planting location before approving tree requests, and will inspect locations after planting to ensure guidelines are followed.
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Survey on Hiring next Police Chief
With Cincinnati Police Chief Thomas Streicher planning to retire next year, the City of Cincinnati Administration is in the early stages of planning the recruitment process for the next leader of the police department. Before undertaking any formal recruitment process, the City Manager wants to better understand the citizen point of view on the attributes most desired in the next police chief. Residents are invited to provide their opinions by taking a short online survey available at www.cincinnati-oh.gov/chiefsurvey from September 14 through October 4, 2010. Residents will assess an initial list of ten attributes desired in a candidate. They can also add to the list. This input will help inform the selection of the next chief so he/she will be ideally suited for the challenge of leading an urban police force in working with residents to improve public safety in the 52 neighborhoods of Cincinnati. |
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Protect yourself from fraud and scams
Whether in person or online, scammers have become increasingly clever. The State of Ohio Attorney General's office has a number of resources available to acquaint you with how to detect consumer scam and protect yourself from fraud.
They list them by category with examples. Like the email message titled, "Review your Amazon.com order." When you haven't made an order.
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| Give the Gift of Columbia Tusculum | |
Columbia Tusculum Padfolios
 These black faux leather padfolios hold a standard 8 1/2 x 11 tablet on the right and have pockets of several sizes on the left. A large outer pocket and zipper enclosure make these perfect for both work and school. A large CTCC urn and flowers logo is embossed on the front, letting people know we are "Cincinnati's Oldest Neighborhood."
To place your order: send a check & identify items ordered to CTCC, P.O. Box 26085, Cincinnati, OH 45226. Include your name, address, email address & phone #. If orders cannot be left on your porch, give delivery instructions. We only deliver within the 45226 area. No shipping included. Indicate in your instructions if you plan to pick up. |
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. Can YOU help?
2010 Columbia Tusculum Home Tour: Day of event colunteers needed. See article above in CT Neighborhood News.
Alms Park invasive species clean-out: Help Friends of Alms Park in a fall clean-out day. Contact bylichtenstein@aol.com
Irish Heritage Center - help with organizing & rehabbing their building at 3907 Eastern Ave, as well as assisting with performances & events. Contact Maureen Kennedy at 513-225-6915 or IrishAmericanTheaterCo@fuse.net .
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 what your interests are. We'll keep you in mind. Contact ctcc@columbiatusculum.org |
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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? | |
| Important phone numbers:
Police/Fire 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
District 2 Police Front Desk - 24 hours 513-979-4400
Crime Stoppers 352-3040
City Services- One Call # 591-6000
Duke Energy - power outage 651-4182 or 1-800-543-5599
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