Reader Paul Ellis sent these photos of the Twin Towers bus shelter, which was torn down Sept. 19 for the Hamilton Avenue widening project.

"I'm just glad I had the camera in the truck and was able to get one last photo!" He said. " Such a bummer!"

 

College Hill's Director of Community Development Marty Weldishofer unveiled the new Linden Park drawings at last night's Forum meeting.

As previously announced, developer Al Neyer, has changed the design to better reflect new market conditions. Phase I, which will be built on the Shuller's Wigwam site, will include retail, 19 condos and 24-30 townhomes. Marty reports that Columbus-based MI Homes will be the townhome developer. This is the new sketch of the mixed-use development.



The sketch for the townhome design, which coordinates with this one, would not work on our eNews computers. Ask Marty to look at it next time you see him!

Neyer expects to set up a sales office for all the properties within a month after City Council approves the funding.

Llanfair invites College Hill residents and their pets to join residents and staff on October 6 for their fourth annual Blessing of the Animals.

A popular annual event at many churches, this pet blessing will also feature speakers. Guests from the Clovernook School for the Blind and the Cincinnati Police Department's Mounted and Canine Units will talk about their unique animals, and Beverly Thomas of the Animal Welfare League will present a children's program called "How to be a Good Pet Parent."

Bring a lawn chair and join Llanfair from 2-4 pm on the Campus Center Lawn.

Story courtesy Llanfair

 

College Hill actor and musician Gregory Patrick Agnew stars as the father of a paranormal family in a new public-access soap opera, Circle of Necessity.

The half-hour soap opera is planned to run weekly through at least Dec. 21, 2012 -- when, according to an ancient legend, the world will end. The story centers on two Cincinnati families who despise each other in typical soap opera fashion. The twist is that members of these families have supernatural powers, and are trying to take over the world.

Circle of Necessity is being directed by Al A. Hope and filmed through Media Bridges, which will broadcast the programs weekly. In another College Hill connection, most filming will take place inside the Powell Crosley Mansion in Mt. Airy.

A promo episode first aired Sept. 18 and will air periodically until Oct. 15, at 5:30 on Time Warner Cable channel 4. Hope expects the regular series to begin in November. Check for times and dates at the show's web site, where you can also catch up on the Stark and Cole families and link to scenes from the promo.

 

The Feast of Love, an ecumenical ministry helping needy families, invites you to its second annual art sale. Donated art (some gently used, some new) will be sold at the College Hill Presbyterian Church.

Hours are noon-4 pm Saturday, Sept. 29, and 8:30 am - 1 pm. Sunday, Sept. 30. For more information or to donate art, contact Karen at 541-5676, ext. 167.

Speaking of art, here's a chance to see photos by College Hill resident Jonathan Burkhardt in his first exhibit at Park + Vine downtown.

Burkhardt has learned the basics of photography as a student at Walnut Hills. While studying for his Master of Science in Chemical Engineering at U.C., he revived his passion through digital photography. All the photo in this show were taken at Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park.

The show starts with a reception Sept. 28 from 6-10 pm, part of the Final Friday Gallery Walk downtown. A reception kicks things off from 6 to 10 p.m. The show will continue through Nov. 17. For more information about the artist and the venue, see here.

Story contributed by Connie Menefee

 

Did you know that College Hill was once home to the Ohio Military Institute?

Originally Farmers College (the school that gave College Hill its name), and later Belmont College, the campus on Belmont Avenue was home to OMI from 1890 until 1958, when it was torn down for Aiken High School. Many graduates went on to West Point, and at least one was a Cincinnati mayor. There are still College Hill natives that remember the color guard processions down Belmont and being woken to the sound of Reveille.

You will hear these sounds again this October 6. Alumni from as far away as Europe will be returning for the dedication of a new historic site sign on Belmont Ave. It will include a plaque showing a depiction of the main buildings, a map of the campus, and memorial pavers. For more information about OMI check out this amazing site.  

Story by Sarah (Mann) Wolf

 

Oct. 6 will be a gala day for OMI alumni, who will spend a morning of their school reunion in College Hill to see more than a year of work come to fruition. A state historical marker will be unveiled at the school's site. Be at Belmont Avenue between the Recreation Center and the Aiken High Schools at 10 am to share the excitement.

Here's the preliminary schedule:

• Star Spangled Banner played by the Aiken High School Band
• Invocation
• Welcome and recognition of Mayor Mallory, Dale Mallory, Steve Chabot, and distinguished guests
• Unveiling of the sign by the Ohio Historical Society
• Presentation of a Senate Proclamation to the College Hill Forum by State Senator Eric Kearney
• Cadet memories by Tom Schurter, President of Ohio Military Institute Historical Associates
• Closing OMI song by the Aiken High School Band
• Benediction
• Reception in the College Hill Recreation Center

"Welcome to Aiken Diner" is how you're greeted when you come for lunch at Aiken Diner, a student-run restaurant at Aiken College and Career High School most Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Aiken Diner staff consists of special education students, directed by their teacher, Karen Kasee, and assistants LaVette Grayson and Connie Waller, who instruct the students in learning job skills.

The students shop for, prepare, and serve lunch to staff and community members. They use a time clock to clock in and out, learn to follow verbal and written directions, read recipes, set tables, wash dishes and operate a washer and dryer. Most importantly, they learn to work together as a team and to be flexible in switching jobs at the last minute.

Aiken staff enjoy eating in a restaurant-like setting within the school. This has also given staff the opportunity to get to know students they might not have otherwise encountered. Aiken Diner has given students with disabilities an opportunity to learn job related skills before they enter the workforce.
    
Individual and group reservations are welcome. If you are interested in lunch at Aiken, email Karen and she'll send you an order form. Questions? Call her at 363-6629.

Story contributed by Karen Kasee

 

Dr. Kenyon Hackworth, a Finneytown chiropractor with many College Hill patients, invites the community to a Hoxworth Blood Drive/Sickle Cell Awareness day at his office Sept. 28.

The donor bus will be at Priority Health Chiropractic, 881 North Bend Road, from 1-6 pm. All donors receive a free t-shirt. Call Priority at 242-6472 to schedule your donation time.
 

Aiken's Athletic Director Steve Rossi tells us the schools have a position open for a band director, and is looking for people with convertibles to drive in their homecoming parade.

The band director position pays a stipend, and the person hired will be responsible for practices, performances at all home football and basketball games, and other band activities.

Aiken's Homecoming game will be October 13th against Woodward at Stargel Stadium. The school is looking for five or six volunteer drivers with convertibles to drive the homecoming court around the stadium at halftime.

Interested? Call Steve Rossi at 363-6706 for details.