Now fashionistas can shop for exciting clothing and accessories in College Hill. Maree White, owner of the brand new Miz Maree's Transformations shop at 5838 Hamilton Avenue, wants her customers to feel good about themselves and what they wear.

Miz Maree's Transformations opened for business April 17. Her goods showcase quality materials and a mix of looks--timeless and trendy, upscale and funky. Miz Maree is looking forward to a gala grand opening celebration in May.

"We are delighted that Miz Maree's Transformations is now open," says Maree. "We think our customers will have a wonderful time finding just the right looks and just the right style for their individual personalities." There's clothing for all occasions, according to Maree. "We have labels people already know, plus some new brands and looks to introduce to the community. We also want people just to stop in and say hello, get to know us and let us get to know them. This is a stress-free zone!"

Maree points out that "transformations" refers not just to apparel, but also to re-energizing customers' sense of relaxation and even outlook! In addition to clothing and accessories, Miz Maree's Transformations also offers on-site spa services, including massage and facials, by appointment.

You can welcome our newest new business in College Hill from noon until 7:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday, or you call Ms. Maree at 513-541-2666.

Article provided by Phyllis Slusher.

Two new or renewed services with significant community involvement marked the start of a celebrative Easter season at Grace as well as a new stage in Grace Church's history.

On Good Friday, Grace hosted the College Hill Community Good Friday Service from noon to 3:00 pm. The service was sponsored by the College Hill Ministerium, and was organized by the Rev. Ray Betts, former Grace Rector. Structured around the seven last words of Christ, it re-instituted a long-time College Hill tradition after a 15+ year hiatus, and featured preaching by seven local clergy. See the participants here.

On Easter Eve, the first "full blown" Easter Vigil in memory was celebrated by Grace and three neighboring Episcopal Churches. With the help of clergy and laity from St. James, St. Phillips St. Stephens and Grace, Bishop Benjamin Omosebi baptized, confirmed and received members into the Church. The combined choirs of St. James and Grace led the congregation in singing the great Easter hymns and contributed two exuberant anthems.

The Great Vigil of Easter presents a great drama of God's saving acts in history. It starts in darkness and proceeds into light, culminating in the first Eucharist of Easter. You can see the drama unfold here.

These two services are part of Grace Church's emphasis on finding ways that its facility can be used to make a contribution to the community.

The College Hill Forum officers are doing such a fantastic job that they were unanimously re-elected at the April 24 Forum Meeting. The officers are: Elizabeth Sherwood, President; Marianne Puntenney, Vice President; Jim Bodmer, Treasurer; and Amy Finnegan, Secretary.

The elections were conducted by Mary Bodmer. Elizabeth Sherwood thanked the membership for the vote of confidence.

On Sunday, April 22, the newly revived College Hill Historical Society elected new officers, who were sworn in by former president Betty Ann Smiddy. The new officers are: Sarah Mann, President; Kate Weldishofer, Vice President, Jennifer Shuermann, Secretary; Don Baechle, Treasurer; and Doug Trimmel, Amy Finnegan, Karen Forbes-Nutting and Reno Runk, Trustees.

Special honors were presented to Betty Ann Smiddy for all her work in research and writing and for keeping the Society in good standing even while it was "sleeping." Members were also treated to an excellent talk by long-time resident Andrew Thompson who worked for Champion Paper (a company founded by Peter G. Thomson of Laurel Court).

If you would like information on becoming a member of the Society, please email collegehillhistory@yahoo.com or call 513-884-6497.

The Contemporary Dance Theater's last show of its Performance & Time Arts (PTA) season will take place at the College Hill Town Hall at 8:30 pm on May 4 and 5.

Produced by PTA member Laura Bosse, the May concert features dance and other performance. Christina Bolden will present a modern dance inspired by Flamenco dance, while Laura Bosse takes the audience back to the 1930s with a dance about a returning serviceman looking for that special girl. Choreographed by Christina DiGiovanni and danced by Rachel James, "What about Vivaldi?" imagines the experience of having your true love taken from you shortly after finding him. Brittany Keller presents a modern dance, and Amanda Kurtz dances a solo work entitled "The Moirae," based on the Three Fates, from Greek mythology. Poet Mark Flanigan teams up with guitarist Steve Proctor for a performance of spoken word and music. Vern Jackson, who performs at the Greenwich regularly, will read his def jam style poetry.

Now in its 13th year, Performance & Time Arts is Cincinnati's longest-running performance art series. It celebrates the time-based arts such as dance, performance, music and poetry and combinations and permutations thereof. PTA provides a forum for expression to artists working in experimental, time-based media, presenting mostly new work by talented, creative, original, accomplished and mostly local artists. PTA might be surprising, challenging, thought-provoking or (fill in the blank), but it always leaves the mainstream behind.

Admission: $10 (general) $8 (students & seniors) Call (513) 591-1222 or visit the web site for reservations, driving directions, or other information.

At this week's Forum meeting, Sergeant Volkerding (right) announced that College Hill has made it to the second round in this year's MetLife Foundation Grant selection process. He believes and that College Hill has an excellent chance of winning the $25K grant in support of partnerships between the College Hill community and the Police Department.

Since 2002, the MetLife Foundation and LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) have partnered to recognize, sustain, and share the work of such innovative partnerships to promote neighborhood safety and revitalization. The Community Safety Initiative along with police and community development executives select recipients of the award based on the strength of the community group's collaboration, creativity of their strategies, and degree of accomplishment.

In other grant-writing news, the College Hill Gardeners have applied for a Merit Grant in the amount of $1,000 to help offset the cost of two traffic islands they maintain and beautify for the thousands of cars that pass through College Hill every day. College Hill Gardeners' volunteers spend more than 250 hours a year working on the islands, not to mention the other gardening projects they have on the Avenue and throughout the community.

Scott Engle writes, "This Friday, April 27, we will have our version of the "Family Feud" pitting groups of friends and families against one another in a match of mind bending trivia and tons of fun. Join us from 6:30 pm until 9:30 pm and enjoy the fun and games as well as ice cream, hotdogs, snacks and beverages."

"If you miss us this week; join us any Friday for games, music and fun."

McAuley High School will hold its annual Spring Showcase for 6th and 7th grade girls and their parents on Thursday, May 17, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

The showcase includes tours, activities, demos, an information packet and a barbecue buffet dinner. Administrators and teachers will be available.

Please R.S.V.P. via McAuley's website: www.mcauleyhs.net/showcase07. Questions can be directed to Kathy Dietrich at 681-1800 x 2272.

Amy E. Wallace, manager of St. Theresa Textile Trove on Hamilton Avenue, will be featured on an HGTV program in May.

"That's Clever!" will show Amy making a coiled textile bowl and a polymer clay light switch cover on May 11 at 1:00 pm. (The time has already been changed once, so be sure to check the listings that day in case of another move.) Amy says the camera crew spent 7 hours in her Downtown Cincinnati apartment, filming the 8-minute segment.

You can meet Amy most days at the store, and see her work at her Ovenfried Beads web site. Amy sells her bowls, clay products, and beaded pieces at shows around the region. She also takes commissions.

Yvette Stanford is the new director of the College Hill Recreation Center. Ms. Stanford comes from the Millvale Recreation Center. She is open to any ideas from the community for programming and events at the center.

From the Community Press: Aiken University High School senior Randall Harris has accepted a Buschmann Award from Xavier University. Harris is active in basketball, the academic team and GE Scholars. He plans to major in mathematics.

Craig "CJ" Thompson Jr., 11, a fifth grade student at the College Hill Fundamental Academy, starred in the dramatization of the children's book, "Heaven's All-Star Jazz Band" by Don Carter on Channel 12 last week. CJ is the son of Angela Thompson of College Hill, who tells us that CJ recently won an award for the artwork he entered in a City-Wide Art Exhibit.

Kathy Kiefer from Llanfair Retirement Community is happy to report a successful fund raising dinner held Friday, April 13. The dinner was held to raise money for two shampoo chairs for Llanfair's in-house beauty salon.

The dining room at Larchwood was overflowing with over 150 supporters--including all four Forum officers--who, along with other donations, contributed $1,750 for the salon chairs. Whatever money is left over after purchasing the chairs will go into the Groesbeck Fund which allows residents of Llanfair to go to the salon who ordinarily wouldn't be able to pay for the service. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please contact Llanfair at 513-681-4230.

The College Hill Farm Market team is already preparing for the first market day on Thursday, May 24. Team member Sue Kogan has created a new market banner which will be displayed each market day.

The Farm Market will again be every Thursday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This year, the Market is moving across the street to the parking lot of the College Hill Presbyterian Church.

The College Hill Drive In, aka "Charlie's," closed today to make way for the new College Hill Fire Station coming to the corner of Hamilton & Llanfair.

"Charlie's has been doing business on Llanfair since 1959. It used to be owned by a "Charlie," but has never had any official name other than the College Hill Drive In.

Phyllis Slusher announces that this year's Rhythm Race will take place Saturday, August 8, at 9:00 am. This year, aside from the running, walking and age divisions, the Rhythm Race will add a new wheelchair category.

Once again, PNC bank will be the mega-sponsor, along with sponsorships from Mercy Hospital and the Lord's Bounty. College Hill residents are urged to make personal donations as well since this event provides major PR for College Hill and also helps fund community developments such as the Linden Commons project. Your donations are tax deductible and you could even get your name on the Rhythm Race T-shirt!