In addition to the Fine Arts Sampler Weekend events at McAuley mentioned last week, we now know that the Contemporary Dance Theater will present an afternoon of dance on Saturday, February 10, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the College Hill Town Hall.

The afternoon features 30-minute performances, demonstrations and sample classes showcasing a variety of dance styles by CDT instructors and friends in the dance community.

• 2:00 pm: Instructor Diana Ford invites you to sample her class, Just Dance, a fusion of African dance, Hip Hop, modern and jazz dance. See why Cincinnati Magazine calls it the best dance class in Cincinnati.
• 2:30 pm: Christina Bolden will offer a sample Belly Dance class, inviting participants to try the styles and basic movements of belly dancing.
• 3:00 pm: Women of Sole will perform a rhythm tap dance choreographed by the late, great Dr. James "Buster" Brown, named "Laura." There will be audience participation in the historic tap learning style of "call & response," and an opportunity to learn three basic tap steps.
• 3:30 pm: CincySwing will perform Vintage Lindy Hop Swing from the 1930's. Numbers include a choreographed dance, a swing line dance and high tempo Balboa freestyle dance.
• 4:00 pm: Modern dancers Holly Price & Rebecca Parker will perform work from their Living Breath Project.
• 4:30 pm: Salsa instructors Malik Spencer and Marilyn Kuntz will demonstrate how to say "I love you" in 6 steps in this fun demonstration and sample class.

The College Hill Forum won the Economic Development Award at the Neighborhood Summit Dinner at the Cintas Center on January 19. Awards in various categories were presented to six neighborhoods. The Economic Development Award recognizes efforts to collaborate with developers and the like to encourage economic growth and vitality in the neighborhood.

Forum President Elizabeth Sherwood, pictured on the right accepting the award from Council member Laketa Cole, said, "Through an unprecedented collaborative effort, College Hill's biggest revitalization project is proof that a community can work together to transform a neighborhood."

The Forum was recognized for their support of the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation's multi-million dollar Linden Park development at the Hamilton and North Bend intersection. The Forum actively worked with City Council, various City departments and the developer to cultivate support for CHCURC's project, obtain favorable zoning decisions and protect the development site.

To raise funds for CHCURC's revitalization efforts, the Forum started the College Hill 5K Rhythm Race, now in its fourth year. The 2006 Race involved over 50 local businesses and organizations as sponsors, with approximately 500 runners, walkers, volunteers and party-goers. This year, the College Hill Forum raised over $20,000 for CHCURC, for a three-year total exceeding $40,000.

Last year 30 College Hill residents got together on a cold, blustery day in January and took down a dilapidated garage for a family in College Hill. With the new year comes an even bigger opportunity--a house to destroy!

Phyllis Schoenberger tells us, "On Thursday, February 22, we will begin to demolish a house at 1304 Cedar Avenue. Working In Neighborhoods will provide the dumpster and a supervisor. We just need lots of hands to get the debris into the dumpster. This is a rain or shine project! We start at 9:00 am and work until we finish. Workers will then gather for a pizza and salad lunch at warm and inviting St. Clare church."

If you want to participate, contact Phyllis (513-542- 3498, phylmark@fuse.net).

Again this year, it'll be Guest Bartenders Night at Clovernook Country Club on Tuesday, February 27 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, to benefit community redevelopment projects. (As was the case last year, due to scheduling limitations, this is the same night as the Forum meeting, so make it a too-fer: go to the Forum meeting at 7:00 pm and then unwind at Clovernook.)

Dave and Sandy Schwartz, Tom and Beth McLean, and Mike and Amy Battoclette will serve up the drinks and accept tips. All gratuities and donations will benefit community redevelopment projects in College Hill. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be provided by Clovernook Country Club. Dinner will be available to order from the menu.

Information about the Linden Park development on both north corners of Hamilton and North Bend will be on display, as will information about other business district revitalization projects.

Again, as last year, chances will be available to win a wonderful week in Florida in Dave and Sandy Schwartz' condominium on Anna Maria Island in Tampa Bay.

Details: Cash and Checks Only. No Credit Cards. Dressy Casual Attire. Questions? Call Beth McLean at 513-681-8808.

Critically acclaimed songwriter and College Hill resident Dave Hawkins is excited to be back in his Hometown Community of College Hill for the Fine Arts Fund Sampler Weekend.

"The past few years I've been on the road so often that I only get to perform every couple months or so in the Cinci area, " Dave said from the living room of his sprawling College Hill home. "In 2007 I'm hoping to change that! I want to spend more dates playing around the area."

Last year in Austin, Texas, Dave helped organize a benefit concert for Katrina Victims and shared the bill with Arlo Guthrie, Peter Yarrow, Cris Williamson and sOnia (from Disappear Fear). He's also traveled to Oklahoma City where he performed with Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson. On the 22nd of this month he'll be in Memphis to perform at another benefit concert for his Union Local's Emergency Relief Fund, sharing the bill with Peggy Seeger and John McCutcheon.

Dave said, "It's hard to put my finger on one thing and say 'That's the most thrilling,' but I must admit I was VERY close to that moment a few years back when I sat in on a sing-around with Pete Seeger!"

Dave's Fine Arts Fund performances will be on Saturday, February 10, at 1:15 pm at McAuley High School and on Sunday, February 11, at 1:30 pm at the Boone County Library, 8899 U.S. 42, Union, KY.

Mark your calendar for Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, November 23, for the joint 1967-1968 Aiken class reunion at The Oasis Conference Center. Others from nearby classes are welcome to attend.

The class of 1967 reunion committee will be holding their next meeting at Cynthia Arnett's home on Sunday February 11 at 4:00 pm. If interested please contact Cynthia at cannett@cinci.rr.com.

Katie St. Clair, painter of the window mural on Hamilton Avenue, was profiled this week in an Enquirer article about overcoming dyslexia. After her mother, College Hill writer and gardener Peg St. Clair, discovered that both Katie and her younger sister were dyslexic, she home-schooled them. Katie went on to be valedictorian of last year's graduating class at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.

The next meeting for the revival-in-progress College Hill Historical Society will be Wednesday, February 21, at 6:30 pm. at Llanfair Retirement Community's Campus Center Room.

Meeting organizer Sarah Mann says "We have a lot to talk about including elections and recreating a mission statement. We hope to see everyone there, especially former members." Contact Sarah (513-884-6497, s_mann@tcbinc.org) with any questions.

Twice each year, the Education Team of the College Hill Gardeners hosts an Open House with a special speaker and displays of featured award-winning projects and events, light refreshments and door prizes. Past topics include bluebirding basics from the Ohio Bluebird Society, tree and shrub care from a certified arborist, pest management, cooking with ingredients from the garden, nature in the urban neighborhood, and crafts with dried flowers, foliage and herbs. All are free and open to the public.

This year's Open House will be on Tuesday, March 6, at 7:00 pm in the Campus Center of Llanfair Retirement Community. More information is coming next week. Inquire about CHG at collegehillgardeners@cinci.rr.com

Contributed by Beth McLean.

The entire junior class of McAuley High School was absent on February 5 for a very good reason. Each junior took part in the annual Junior Job Shadowing Day.

Students arranged visits to various places of employment: hospitals, universities, schools, corporations, print and broadcast media offices, veterinarians, fine arts organizations, etc. While there, students gathered information for use in a photo or written essay connecting their experience with Catholic Social Teaching.

Additionally, thirty juniors are taking part in an investigation by doctoral candidate and yoga instructor Nancy Bloemer to study the impact of yoga-based interventions on the overall wellness of adolescent girls. For their part in the research, the students and all McAuley employees will receive a workshop on "Tips for Managing Everyday Stress."

The Cincinnati Waldorf School will now accept Ohio education vouchers. CWS is located in Winton Place/Spring Grove Village, but has purchased property in College Hill and plans a future move. The school is based on a unique educational philosophy developed in Europe and in use at schools around the world.

Students who attend Pleasant Hill or who would be assigned there when they begin school are eligible for the vouchers, which are worth up to $5000 at participating private schools. There are no income requirements for vouchers. The deadline for application is April 2.

Eden Grove Academy, a private Christian school on Collegevue Place in College Hill, also accepts the state vouchers.

See information about the Cincinnati Waldorf School here. See information about Eden Grove Academy here.

Story contributed by Gail D. Finke.

Children's classes with Cincinnati artist Thomas Zink will return to Eden Grove Academy this month. Mr. Zink will lead a seven-week series of classes beginning Friday, February 23, at the school on Collegevue Place. Grade school students from the area are invited to attend.

The classes will cover pencil, charcoal and pastel drawing; cartooning; painting; color theory; composition and other subjects. The class is part of an ongoing series by the instructor, who teaches in seven locations around the region. The fee is $85 for the series.

For information call 859-431-7237.

You may know long-time College Hill resident Marilyn Dapper from her work as The Dapper Dog Sitter or from her years volunteering as the Children’s Liturgical Music Coordinator for St. Clare School. But did you know that she is also an accomplished piano teacher?

When Marilyn's dream of owning a baby grand piano came true in 1998, she combined her love of music with her talent for teaching by offering classical piano lessons in her charming Belleair Place home. "It is so gratifying to watch my young students improve their playing abilities with every lesson," Marilyn says.

Ms. Dapper offers private lessons to beginning and intermediate students from eight to eighty in her home on weekday afternoons. The only prerequisites are having an enthusiastic desire to learn and a piano.

Pictured are Marilyn with College Hill resident Keri Asante, who is an eighth-grader at Walnut Hills.

You can reach Marilyn at 513-591-0107 or at dapperdogsitter@fuse.net.