The Quality of Life Team Training conducted recently at Twin Towers was a great success. There were 41 registrants representing 17 neighborhoods. Some communities brought as many as five people. The November 30 event was hosted and sponsored by the College Hill Forum’s Quality of Life Committee and Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Monzel (pictured).

The event featured an audio-video presentation by Phyllis Schoenberger, chair of the QOL Committee and ardent supporter of College Hill. Topics included code enforcement, relationships with city departments, how to deal with current problem properties and how to keep properties from becoming a problem. Each participant received a packet full of useful information that they could apply in their community.

It was an exciting group that was eager to move forward. During the course of Phyllis' presentation there were many interesting questions from the crowd that sparked further discussion. Many were at different stages but wanting an overall process of pulling it all together.

One element of a community Quality of Life program may be a Community Problem Oriented Policing (CPO) program. One concrete result of the QOL training is that Pleasant Ridge has decided to start their own CPOP.

Phyllis Schoenberger thanks QOL representatives Ed Wells, Beth McLean and Joni Mataitis for their presence and support in the day to day work that makes QOL successful and in particular for their support in making this presentation a success.

Plans are in the works for a second QOL Team Training to be held early next year. If you would like more information on this training or future QOL Team Trainings, please contact Christa Criddle in Councilman Chris Monzel’s office (513-352-3640, christa.criddle@cincinnati-oh.gov).

A CPOP team is a formal partnership entered into between community members, the police department, and other city personnel to address specific community issues. The team meets together regularly and track their progress.

Mayor Mark Mallory and City Council will hold the last public hearing on the city's proposed budget at the College Hill Recreation Center tonight (Thursday). According to the Enquirer, more than 600 people came to the budget hearing Tuesday night at the Duke Energy Center.

The 2007 budget proposed by City Manager Milton Dohoney includes more money for police but cuts millions for many city services and for the poor. The budget meeting begins at 6:00 pm. Parking at the Recreation Center is limited, but parking is available next door at the Aiken High School campus or in the Grace Church lot.

On a night packed with College Hill activities, more than 150 people enjoyed a world-class performance that raised money for neighborhood programs.

Last Friday, Russian pianist Natalia Lepeshkina played a benefit concert at St. Clare Church as a thank-you to College Hill, where her son lived with Len & Connie Hermann while going to school. The former soloist for the Moscow Philharmonic played Russian classical favorites to a dazzled audience. Words like "intense, "spectacular" and "passionate" described Ms. Lepeshkina's performance.

Donations from the concert go to CHCURC and ARCH for future arts programming. ARCH representative Kate Weldishofer thanks Fr. George Jacquemin and Darin Art, Director of Music at St. Clare Church, for the venue, and Sheena Parton, Executive Director of Llanfair, along with Steve Schmitz and the Llanfair Retirement Community for their contributions to the reception. ARCH also thanks Ms. Lepeshkina and her family; soloists Billy and Brandon Phillips and their family; Phyllis Slusher, Rick Slusher, Bob and Elaine Ludwig, Dave Hawkins, Connie Hermann, Carolyn Royalty, Mary McLain, Mary Seguin, Sue Effler, Judy Moyer, and Brentwood Printing & Envelope, Inc., for their donations and contributions.

The Department of Community Development and Planning will hold a second public meeting to discuss how the proposed change in zoning between Gray/Groesbeck and Winton Roads will affect the general welfare of property owners and the community. The meeting will be at the Winton Hills Recreation Center at 5170 Winneste Avenue on Monday, December 18 at 6:00 pm.

A small portion of the area to be rezoned falls in College Hill and is currently zoned Residential. Uses allowed in the proposed "NM" Zone District include some residential uses, agricultural uses, various public and semi-public uses and a couple of commercial and industrial uses.

The plan was drafted by the Winton Place Land Use Committee. It is designed to:

• Support the unique mix of residential, agricultural and light manufacturing in the area.
• Support small and family owned businesses along Gray Road and throughout the district.
• Support environmentally responsible land use and development.

You can still catch College Hill brother and sister CJ and CeCe Thompson at the Taft Theater tomorrow (Friday). Both are starring in the Children's Theatre's production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Craig Thompson, Jr. (CJ) and Cyara LeNise Thompson (CeCe) are students at College Hill Fundamental Academy and neighborhood residents. Craig 11, and Cece, 9, are active in College Hill sports, as well as in singing, dancing and modeling. Their parents, Angela and Craig, are familiar to many in the neighborhood. Angela is President of College Hill SAY Soccer and also runs a local basketball and cheerleading organization.

Remaining showtimes are 10:00 am and 12:30 pm Friday.

Story contributed by Gail D. Finke.

Doug Carlisle of the Recreation Center tells us, "We are looking for volunteers to help start Cub Scouts (boys 7-10) and Boy Scouts (boys 11 and older) based out of the College Hill Recreation Center.

"Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older. No experience is needed; training will be provided. Meetings will be held in the center at times convenient to your schedule. The total time commitment each week is approximately 3 hours, which includes planning and meeting preparation.

"This is a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in helping our youth and giving back to the community. Scouting offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness. Service projects, ceremonies, games and other activities guide boys through 12 core values and give them a sense of personal achievement."

If you are interested in learning more please contact David Heineman (513-961-2336, extension 214, dheineman@danbeard.org).

Larosa's College Hill is accepting applications for Drivers and cooks--part time, seasonal and full time. "We would like to thank the community for keeping us so busy that we are adding to our staff," says owner- manager Bruce Soldano.

Stop by the store for an application. Drivers must be 21 or older, have two or fewer DMV points, a dependable car and proof of insurance. Drivers earn wages plus commission plus tips. Cooks must be at least 18 years old.

The McAuley High School athletic department will sponsor a grade school Mini Mohawk Basketball Night on Thursday, January 4, in the Sister Michaeleen Arena at McAuley. McAuley’s opponent that night will be Seton High School.

Admission will be free for all grade school girls and boys, who are urged to wear their school colors or spiritwear, if possible. Prizes will be given away during all three games.

The freshman game starts at 4:30 pm, the JV's play at 6:00 pm and the Varsity at 7:30 pm.

For more information, please contact Rich Craig, Athletic Director, at 681-1800 x 1152.

EZ Wireless has opened at 5923 Hamilton Ave. Carol Roehling and Jemal have done a wonderful job making the store bright and inviting. Please stop by and welcome them to the Avenue.

Northside GED has moved to 5920 Hamilton Avenue.

College Hill Shoe Repair has moved to what was the LaRosa’s dining room. Jerry Bamberger, long time owner of the shop, needed the larger space for his work.

Birdwatchers, get your binoculars ready for the National Audubon Bird Count this month. Help the nation-wide effort to count and identify bird populations by joining the Western Cincinnati count Saturday, December 23.

Cincinnati Park naturalists will join volunteers at the main entrance to Spring Grove Cemetery at 8:00am. You can stay until noon, or do a full day of counting until 5 pm. A $5 fee goes to the Audubon Society.

Still not enough birding? You can also join the Eastern Cincinnati count on December 30 in Stanbery Park.

For information call 513-321-6070, ext. 14.

Gail D. Finke contributed this story.

Cincinnati Wild! Nature through Art, a city- wide art show this spring at LaBoiteaux Woods, is accepting entries from adults.

Students from LaBoiteaux Woods Nature Art Camps will display some of their work. Adult artists are invited to submit their own nature-themed works, in any media. The show will be held March 10 at the outdoor education center.

Call 513-452-2909 for more information. The entry deadline is March 2.

Saturday night is Luminaria Night in College Hill. Take a drive around our community and see the streets all lit up.

Some neighborhoods are making an event of it. Many of the Hillcrest Road/Lanius Lane neighbors are coming out to put up Luminaria for the whole neighborhood, then will go caroling, followed by hot chocolate offered by one of the neighbors.

Email the eNewsletter about what your street did, and we'll put it in a follow-up article. If you have pictures, do send 'em along.

Becky Tossey writes, "Here's a fun thing. Dr. Ernesto Ortiz, a friend of ours from church in Mason, was among the "Dreamy Doctors" mentioned in a recent Enquirer article. He and his brother also happen to live around the corner from us in College Hill."

'Tis the season to adopt new puppies. These furry bundles of joy require lots of extra care, just like babies. They need to be fed three to four times a day and taken out to potty as many times, if not more.

Although you may have time to provide all this attention because you are off work over the holidays, when you return to work, you may need someone to give your puppy a potty break while you are gone. College Hill resident Marilyn Dapper, the Dapper Dog Sitter, offers this daily service, as well as vacation pet sitting. For more information about personalized half-hour visits in your home, call Marilyn Dapper at 513-591-0107.

Got detectors? If not, the College Hill firehouse on Marlowe has some smoke and CO detectors for you for free. Call 513-352-2351 for details.

Nyeemah McDonald’s making quite a name for herself in the clubs and coffee shops of Greater Cincinnati, and we’re proud to have her here! Nyeemah captivates an audience with her distinctive delivery of the best in blues, jazz and spoken word soul. This time out, there’s a holiday flavor as well.

Nyeemah will perform at the College Hill Coffee Company this Saturday from 7:30 pm. until 9:30 pm.