"A Growing Community, with a Glowing Future" is the theme of this year's College Hill Community Potluck on Friday, February 16, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the College Hill Presbyterian Church. This free, fun event was established three years ago to bring together community friends and neighbors in a relaxing environment.

Anita Triggs tells us, "Don't miss a great opportunity to network with College Hill leaders, advocates and youth. Join us in celebrating the growth and accomplishments of our community by bringing a dish to serve 10-12 of your College Hill friends and neighbors."

If your name begins with A through H, bring salad or vegetable, I-S bring entrée or casserole, T-Z, dessert.

Contact the College Hill Forum at 513-542-7263 for more information or to volunteer to help with the event.

McAuley High School is opening its doors to the College Hill community and the entire city of Cincinnati during the Fine Arts Sampler Weekend on February 10 and 11. Five varied performances will take place at McAuley as a way to bring cultural events to the community. Young people especially will enjoy the CCM Preparatory Department’s musical theater, drama and ballet offerings.

On Saturday, February 10:

• 11:00 to 11:45 am. Tracy Walker, one of Cincinnati’s original singer/song writers performs with her band.
• 12:15 to 1:00 pm. The Firelytes Steel Drum Band plays an energetic repertoire on an amazing collection of 55-gallon oil barrels.
• 1:15 to 2:00 pm. Dave Hawkins, with Peg Buchanan on the fiddle, entertain with songs from his six CD releases, as well as kids’ songs, stories and anecdotes.

On Sunday, February 11:

• 12:00 to 12:45 pm. The UC CCM Preparatory Division's Musical Theater and Drama students showcase their work.
• 1:30-2:15 pm. The CCM Preparatory Division's Youth Ballet Company performs a variety of dance pieces featuring different music and styles.

McAuley is proud to host these events for the community. All events are free, family-friendly, and take place in McAuley’s auditorium.

Five years ago, College Hill resident Gene Gardner decided to do something to improve the quality of parenting that kids get during their formative years. He figured that getting the right parenting information in front of parents at just the right time--in the form of videos and DVD's--would make a real difference. Thus, the idea for Every Parent's Library was born.

Since then, Gene has single-mindedly pursued his vision, presenting the EPL story to individuals and groups hundreds of times, recruiting advice and support along the way. Today, EPL is up and running and is beginning to make a difference.

You can read more about Gene and EPL in a recent Enquirer article here.

Travel through time at LaBoiteaux Woods as we explore natural and manmade sites from the days of the LaBoiteaux Family’s ownership until the land was donated to Cincinnati Parks in 1940.

The first part of the program will be a hike approximately one and a half miles long covering moderately rough terrain with some off-trail exploration. The second part of the program will be indoors with copies of maps of the area--some dating from as early as 1847--plus famous historical references and some of Cincinnati’s historical resources.

It's free and it all takes place Saturday, February 17, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Reservations appreciated. Call 513-542-2909.

Ang Thompson, President of College Hill SAY soccer tells us that registrations for College Hill Spring Soccer are due in by February 12. Registration fee is $50.00 for the first child and $40.00 each additional child, with a family maximum of $ 110.00.

See details and a printable registration form here. Forward your questions to Ang at collegehillsoccer@yahoo.com.

Angela says, "We are also in need of sponsors for teams. Our budget is pretty low, considering we often make exceptions to allow many kids to play whose parents were unable to pay the registration fees."

A story in last week's Enquirer featured Cincinnati Art Museum curator Ted Lind, a College Hill resident, and his successful efforts to create more programs for children and families. See the Enquirer article here. He also got some nice publicity for the Museum in artdaily.org (see here) and on WCPO (see here). If this were hockey, that'd be a hat trick!

Pictured is curator Ted with a "touch cart" of art objects he uses with school children who visit the museum.

The North Hills Swim and Tennis Club is holding its first major raffle. The prizes are a week at an exclusive Caribbean resort or a family membership at the pool.

North Hills, located next to College Hill on Daly Road, is a private swim and tennis club that has served this area for decades. It offers lessons and teams in tennis, swimming and diving; family and adult parties; a shelter, a snack bar and a water slide.

The raffle's grand prize is a week's stay at the Mayan Palace Riviera Maya. (See it here.) Tickets are $5 each, 3 for $10, or 7 for $20.. The drawing is Sunday, February 24, at the College Hill Coffee Company. Buy tickets from a member or at the Coffee Company.

North Hills wants to be known as "your neighborhood swim club"--big enough to offer everything you want, but small enough that you can get to know everyone. If you'd like information about memberships call Jane Bray at 513-484-4080.

Mary Seguin contributed to this story.

The McAuley High School child development classes will again offer a preschool program to area youngsters ages three through five. Two sessions of the second semester preschool will be offered: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:50 to 1:30 pm and Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:35 to 2:15 pm, starting February 13. McAuley students plan and present the classes under the supervision of Diane Gibson, consumer science chairperson. There is no charge for the program. To enroll a child in either session, please contact Diane Gibson at 513-681-1800 x 2275.

Core Behavioral Health Centers raised over $4,000 at the second annual Girls' Night Out late last year, then used the proceeds to help fund the agency’s annual client holiday party in December. Core Behavioral Health Centers, which serves 2,900 clients yearly, is a non-profit agency based in College Hill serving adults with severe mental disabilities or in need of general counseling services.

With an attendance of nearly 150 guests, Girls' Night Out featured one-of-a-kind gifts, a raffle and door prizes. The event had bags, accessories, home decor, original artwork and holiday items for sale. Co- chairs Janet Schaible and Nadine Newberry planned the event.

With Girls’ Night Out proceeds and donations from local businesses, the agency was able to host its most successful client holiday party with a record-number 250 clients attending. At the event, each client received a gift bag and a meal served by the agency’s board of trustees. Entertainment included music provided by Harrison’s First Presbyterian Church and a visit by Santa Claus.

"As an agency, we put a lot of emphasis on social interaction and recreational time," said Dr. Alan Mabry, executive director. "When clients are engaged, their ability to function in the community increases. We are very pleased with the community’s support for Core at Girls' Night Out, and we are even happier we could share their generosity with our clients. Many of those who attended would not have had any other opportunity to celebrate the holidays."

College Hill's own Amy Finnegan is a co-chair of People Working Cooperatively's 2007 Oscar Night America fundraiser.

Amy asks us to "Please check out our online auction. All proceeds go directly to help the homeowners. Our goal this year is to raise $100,000 to support our mission to keep low income elderly and disabled homeowners living in their homes through critical home repairs. We need your support! This is an exciting and fun way to help us and at the same time have a chance to win cool items!"

PWC's Oscar Night America "A High Seas Caribbean Adventure" online auction is now open for bidding here.

The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati has completed its sewer construction project in College Hill from North Bend Road near Witherby to Belmont Avenue via Connecticut Court. Managed by MSD, Trend Construction replaced an old and outdated sewer line that was too small to handle wastewater flows during wet weather. The project began in July 2006 and was substantially complete on December 22, 2006.

Mercy Hospital Mt. Airy invites the community to an Open House and Health Fair celebrating the Grand Opening of their new Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation unit on February 14 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Come to the second floor of Mercy Mt. Airy for tours of the facility, complimentary health screenings, giveaways and complementary chair massages.

House of God Community Ministries invites area youth and young adults to its Open Gym on February 10. Every month the House of God will rent the gym at the St. Clare Church Parish Center and host basketball, volleyball and other activities. Coed teams are welcome.

This month the gym will be open from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Refreshments will be available for sale and there will be door prizes. Admission is $2.. For information call Brother Dondi Britten at 513-542-3333.

On Sunday, February 11, the McAuley High School Vocal Ensemble is sponsoring a spaghetti dinner to raise funds for a competition trip to Gatlinburg in April. Italian dinner will be served while the Vocal Ensemble entertains. Split-the-pot raffle chances will be available and in addition, the families of Vocal Ensemble have put together a jewelry raffle, and a variety of gift baskets full of great items to be raffled during the event.

Dinner is at the High School from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm with entertainment at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30. Adults, $8; Seniors and Students, $5; kits under 5, $ 3. Dinner, refreshments and entertainment are all included in the price. No reservations are required. Call 513-681-1800 Ext: 2228 for more information.