CTCC passed a motion in their October meeting objecting to a zoning variance request by the Columbia Parkway Speedway involving a building addition for a "beer cave."  The addition would be placed at the small space at north end of the store facing the parkway. This is for an expanded walk-in cooler.  Other Speedway stores use this to sell cases of beer.

The Zoning commissioner approved the Speedway variance request.  Below is the zoning commisioner's response to points made in CTCC letter opposing the addition. 

1.  The CC-M zoning district for this area has no side set back requirements.  The side of the building facing the parkway is not considered a side yard, so they determined a varance is not actually needed.

2. Will have no "adverse impact" (character of the area, public health, safety, general welfare) or impact on property values because the addition is only a 392 sq ft add-on to an existing structure.

3. Normally ground floor windows are expected to cover 50% of a building wall facing main streets.  Since there are no windows on the building side now facing the Parkway, they again say no "relief" from codes are needed.

4.  No exemption is needed from the Buffer Yard requirement because the expansion is not more than 30% of the current building.

The approval does include the following conditions:

1. A 4 ft landscaped bed to be maintained from the sidewalk on right of way to building addition.  Request evergreen bushes to be kept pruned to 30 inches.

2. Planting a 20ft evergreen at the back corner facing the house next door on the parkway.

3. A retaining wall to be built from specified stone (not concrete).

 

I am an independent real estate agent with Keller Williams Advisors Realty and was thrilled when we moved our offices from Mason to Columbia Tusculum last spring. I grew up in Hyde Park and have always loved living and working in Cincinnati. What could better than getting back to "my roots"?

I have also become involved in the Columbia Tusculum neighborhood and have volunteered to handle the marketing for the Columbia Tusculum Business Association. I have partnered with Fran Santangelo of Benefit Studio & Salon and many other wonderful business owners in the group and have thoroughly enjoyed planning events and being part of the vitality of our neighborhood businesses and homes.

Our Community Council President, Matt Ackermann, has asked me to take over his current position as the Columbia Tusculum neighborhood representative to Cincinnati Neighborhood Business Districts United. This will involve managing the Neighborhood Business District Support Funds (NBDSF). I'll be starting the first of the year and am excited about the wonderful possibilities that lie ahead.

I look forward to putting my experience and background to work for our community, to meeting many of you in person, and to hearing your input on how I can serve Columbia Tusculum.

Happy Holidays!

Rachael E. Seidel
Keller Williams Advisors Realty
3505 Columbia Pkwy, Ste. 125
Cincinnati, OH  45226
513.680.7978
rachael.seidel@kw.com

 

Riley School of Irish Music celebrates the Holidays with
"Peace and Merriment"
December 5, 2 pm

Columbia Baptist Church, 3718 Eastern Ave

 

The Riley School of Irish Music, a local non-profit organization dedicated to teaching the art of traditional Irish music, is celebrating its 15^th anniversary with a holiday concert of traditional Irish music.  The concert, titled "Peace and Merriment," will feature Irish and Celtic holiday music performed by students and faculty of the Riley School with a wide variety of instruments, including harps, fiddles, concertinas, flutes, bodhrans, mandolins, banjos, and guitars. 

Members of several well-known local Celtic music groups, including Silver Arm and Dark Moll, will also participate in the concert.  Refreshments will be served.  Admission is free; however, as a fund raising event for the school, donations will be accepted to help the school continue in its mission of encouraging people of all ages to learn and enjoy traditional Irish and Celtic music.

The Riley School was founded in 1996 by Susan Cross, a well-known fiddler who has performed with Silver Arm and Dark Moll. It serves 70-80 students each quarter, offering classes in harp, flute, tin whistle, fiddle, bodhran, concertina, accordion, banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, guitar, piano, vocals, and Irish language. 

 

We welcome Tusculum Pizza to the neighborhood! Located in O'Dell's Sports Bar, at 4343 Kellogg Avenue, it is locally owned and operated by Mike Campbell, Jason Mandry, and Matt Ackermann. The menu includes a variety of delicious choices including:  thin crust pizza, salads, sandwiches, and more.  You have to try the Buffalo Chicken Pizza.  All items are available for pick-up or delivery.

Tusculum Pizza proudly serves delicious food to residents and businesses on the East Side of Cincinnati.  The business was founded on the belief that their customers value local food options as well as convenience.  They specialize in thin crust pizza, with just the right mix of your favorite toppings, at reasonable prices.

They take the same pride in our food, as our neighbors do in their communities.

They believe in supporting local businesses, and have partnered with several area businesses in developing Tusculum Pizza - including Park & Vine, Garland Signs and Banners, and Bramkamp Printing.

They also believe in the value of volunteering time for our communities.  They are supporters of the SPCA, and partnered with Anytime Fitness for an adoption event on November 20^th.  They are in the process of adopting Eastern Avenue between Delta and Tusculum Avenue, and will maintain that area to better our community.

To show support for other local businesses, they offer 10% off + Free Delivery to all local businesses, all day every day. ($50 minimum order applies)

 

$2 off any pizza   Expires 2/28/11   Not valid with any other offer

They are happy to call this area home, and look forward to serving you.  Contact them at 513-824-4698 and see the full menu at www.tusculumpizza.com .

 
A little known, but quietly effective group has been operating on Eastern Ave near Airport Road for 37 years, assisting teens and adults in getting their GED's. Last year, the East End Adult Education Center served 170 students , with 32 students receiving their GED Diplomas. 

It may take several years for students to complete GED's, especially for young adults who dropped out of the regular school system due to learning disabilities, learning issues, health problems, and family demands.  The East End Adult Education Center is high school for many students.  EEAEC teaches students at their ability level with personalized learning plans, and they finally begin to suceed.  

Of the thirty two 2009 graduates, 25 were teenagers that had never been to high school, who realized they need an education to start a good job, college or a new career.  EEAEC encourages students to go on for further education, and many are opting to do that.

All students are from low income families.  EEAEC has many referrals from Juvenile Court, for young drop-out's whose lives have gotten off-track.  Most of EEAEC's students have never had a good experience in school.  EEAEC tries to change this, so they have success on the first day.  They help them set reasonable career goals, and a course of action to reach those goals.

 

Yep, we have a Yahoo group.  This is an area for residents in Columbia Tusculum to post stuff like:
- Events
- Opportunities (free tickets, babysitting, housesitting, petsitting, various other sittings, etc.)
- Concerns (Missouri avenue needs speed bumps!!)
- News/crime
- Funny things

You can join the group to post any time you want - and scan current postings any time you want.

This is meant to be a service to the community and let neighbors connect who may not otherwise know each other.  So, if you're looking for recommendations on a painter, an electrician, a lawn service, try it out. Or post your good experience with a contractor and help out the rest of us. 

The more we all use this Yahoo group, the more valuable it becomes to everyone.  Check it out.

Go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/columbiatusculum/?prop=eupdate