Other activities next week are: Tuesday, June 28 Sistah's and Brothas" Bookclub for Adults at 6 PM "Life is Short but Wide" ~ Thursday June 30 Arts and Crafts "Create a Beaded Bookmark for Ages 5-11 at 1 PM.

North College Hill Senior Center will host a Stroke & Vascular Screening beginning at 9 AM Tuesday, July 12th at their location, 1586 Goodman Avenue Cincinnati.

Vascular screenings, combined with regular physician check-ups, are important parts of an annual health regimen - especially if individuals have been diagnosed with conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or if a family history of stroke and vascular disease is present.

Life Line Screening will be offering screenings for Carotid Artery Blockage, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, Atrial Fibrillation, and Osteoporosis. Tests are $60 each or get all 5 for $149.

For more information, visit www. lifelinescreening.com/community-partners, email Debbie at dnelson@llsa.com or call 1-800-324-1851 (priority code HSC3034).

The Pleasant Hill Academy Yard Sale has been rescheduled to this Saturday, June 25th.

Please come and support the school by purchasing such things as merchandise, food and much more!

 

Click here to see upcoming events in College Hill.

If you don't see your organization's events here, see here for instructions on how to get them listed.

There is interest in replacing the current sign, that tells what's going on in College Hill, with a new state-of-the art LAMAR digital sign.

Who, of you, would be willing to be on a committee to find out such things as:

• How much would it cost to rent the new signage?

• Exactly who pays for the signage? 

• Who, in the City of Cincinnati, do you talk to, to ask questions about the new signage, running the electric, and the like?

• Who would be responsible to remove the current signage? 

• Who would maintain the signage?

• Who would subcommittee to get further in-depth answers as needed?  

These are only a few questions to a bigger picture.  I would really like the community's input for this extremely important project!

Send your answers, or your questions, to enewsletter@collegehilloh.net.

And, AIKEN . . . The Future

Pleasant Hill Academy has a New Principal Ms. Shauna D. McDowell.  Ms. McDowell is a

Shauna McDowell

proud Cincinnati native! She was born to the late Elder Richard & Helen McDowell, the youngest of five children. She is a product of the Northwest School District, graduating from Colerain High School in 1993. Ms. McDowell chose to attend Alabama State University, a HBCU (Historically Black College/University) for her undergraduate college studies. With a love of children and an expressed interest in their development, she decided early in her collegiate journey to major in education. She graduated from Alabama State University in 1998 with a B.A. in Science. Ms. McDowell believes it is important to be a lifelong learner, she continued her studies post graduate at Xavier University where she earned a Masters or Education in 2005.

Ms. McDowell enthusiastically began her professional teaching career at Rothenberg Elementary in the Cincinnati Public Schools District (1998-2001). Following that experience, she taught at Parham Elementary (2001-2005), under the leadership and mentoring of Sharon Johnson.

After seven years as a classroom teacher, Ms. McDowell had a desire to impact students in a greater way, through administration and leadership. She joined the Oak Hills Local Schools as an Assistant Principal

(2005-2009). After four years of experience, professional development and mentorship, Ms. McDowell again wanted to expand her leadership scope of student achievement. With this in mind she became Principal at Stewart Elementary, in the Princeton City School District (2009-2011). During her tenure at Stewart she was recognized for her leadership in guiding the school in its accomplishment of an "Excellent" performance rating on the state issued Local School Report Card.

Ms. McDowell is honored and proud of the many professional opportunities she has been privileged to experience thus far in her career. She believes each of the experiences has led her back to her "first love" the Cincinnati Public Schools District! Ms. McDowell is excited to return to the district as the Principal at Pleasant Hill Academy for the 2011-2012 school year!

Ms. McDowell believes all children are born with a purpose. She is eager to collaborate with the families, community, businesses and staff of Pleasant Hill Academy. Her mission as leader of this great school will be to "Educate all children, giving them the opportunity to achieve at high levels-no matter the obstacles they may encounter".

A steadfast vision of bridging any gaps that may exist between the internal and external stake holding groups will be Ms. McDowell's goal at Pleasant Hill Academy. She believes that education is the key to her student's future of "possibility and achievement". She is committed to instilling, in the students of Pleasant Hill Academy, that "Anything is Possible" if they first have a dream, create a plan for success and are then willing to work hard to achieve their dream.

For professional growth, Ms. McDowell enjoys reading educational books that offer different ways of educating children in the 21st Century. As an educator, she is further empowered by learning how experts have revolutionized education in today's society.

In her spare time Ms. McDowell enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, as well as traveling to experience different cultures.

 Northside's Fourth of July Parade is Monday, July 4, 2011 at 12 Noon. It starts at the corner of Rockford and Hamilton Avenue and ends at Hoffner Park on the corner of Blue Rock and Hamilton Avenue. As in the last few years, they are focusing on being "green" by encouraging entries to walk or use bicycles at no charge and donating the proceeds from vehicle entry fees to a carbon-neutral or environmentally-focused cause.

The parade committee is looking for volunteers to help them to spread the word, participate by being in the parade, post No Parking signs the day before, and/or help them to recycle by rolling a recycling toter along the parade route, which is very easy and fun. For more information about the parade and to enter, visit  www.northsidejuly4.com/parade and click Volunteer or Be in the Parade.

Please remember that Hamilton Avenue is usually closed at the intersection of Belmont/Hamilton/Hillcrest.

Thanks to Mollie Ferrigan

The Girl Scouts of Western Ohio are offering a Summer Day Camp in Mt. Airy Forest this July. They will have a bus pick to up girls at College Hill Fundamental Academy. Below is the complete information.

Mt. Airy Day Camp 2011 ~
It's Your Planet, Love It!
Who: Girls in kindergarten through fifth grade
When: Monday, July 11, 2011 - Friday, July 15, 2011
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm (Please eat lunch before coming.)
Cost: $12 registration fee (Financial assistance is available to cover the cost)
Transportation: We have 4 bus stops in the area.

• College Hill Fundamental Academy
• Chase Elementary (Northside)
• Forest Ridge Apartments
• Ashley Woods Apartments in Mt. Healthy (2300 Walden Glen Circle) 

For more information or to register, contact Tracey Auld at 513-489-1025 or traceyauld@girlscoutsofwesternohio.org.

College Hill community leaders are pursuing a lucrative carrot that would help redevelop a stretch of the neighborhood's business district.

An anonymous donor has offered $200,000 toward the cost of buying and reviving

tired, empty buildings - but only if the community can raise $200,000 in matching funds.

In a business climate challenged by thin budgets and a recovering economy, the unique approach to community development creates an energizing opportunity, said Mike Cappel, board president of the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corp. (CHCURC).

The non-profit community developer, which is leading the fund raising effort, has helped fuel more than $3.5 million in neighborhood improvements in recent years.

From freshened-up storefronts, to upgrades to Hamilton Avenue, new street lights and gateway signs, work headed by CHCURC in recent years has largely been funded by competitive city grants.

"Basically, we've been going from grant to grant, but if we want to build up a staff to focus on community development full time, then we need to have a steady source of income," said Cappel.

If all goes as planned, the incoming $400,000 will be used to purchase existing property along Hamilton Avenue that CHCURC would renovate and lease out to office or retail tenants. The revenue collected from rents will then be used to create a development fund for future projects, said Cappel.

"This is all part of our effort to become financially independent and working to strengthen what's going on in College Hill," he said.

The funding challenge arrives as momentum is building on work to revive College Hill's ailing mid-business-district.

Unlike College Hill's northern and southern business districts, which are home to newly opened shops and long-time businesses, the mid-district needs serious attention, said Cappel.

"We know our strengths and we know our weaknesses," he said. "Our middle business district needs to be strengthened in order for us to continue to draw new businesses and residents."

Lined with empty, aging buildings, the mid-district has been blamed in part for the stalling of Linden Park, a $12 million plan unveiled by CHCURC and Al. Neyer Inc. in 2008 for new condos and retail space at the corner of North Bend and Hamilton. It was called off as the housing market slid and developers failed to land enough condo sales needed for the project's financing.

"We kept hearing that the reason that people were not grabbing up the condos is because the mid-district looked so shabby," said Marty Weldishofer, owner of newly opened Marty's Hops and Vines on Hamilton Avenue, and former board president of CHCURC. "They wanted it cleaned up before they made an investment."

By year's end, Cappel said five vacant buildings in the 6000 block of Hamilton Avenue are in line to be demolished to make way for a new development that could include nearly 30 residential apartments and up to 3,600 square feet of retail space.

The properties, home to former businesses including Evan Ramsey Florals and Beauti Mart, were recently purchased using city grant funds originally set aside for Linden Park.

A developer has yet to be tapped for the project, which Cappel said will require more input from community groups and business associations before final plans are made.

Meanwhile, CHCURC has continued to focus on projects within the northern and southern sections of its district. With the help of a $305,000 grant, the agency recently oversaw the demolition of a building on North Bend Road to make way for additional customer parking and the expansion of College Hill Coffee Co., Bacall's and Marty's Hops & Vines on Hamilton Avenue.

By late summer, each of the venues will be able to add outdoor seating.

Also, negotiations are under way to purchase the former Kroger super market at the northwest corner of North Bend and Hamilton Avenue. Acquiring the property would give CHCURC 10 contiguous acres of prime development property, Cappel said.

As for the fundraising efforts, CHCURC has raised $120,000 toward its $200,000 challenge. Before the end of the year, it expects to meet the goal with profits from an upcoming July 25 golf outing at Clovernook Country Club and the 5k Rhythm Race on Sept. 10.

CHCURC is posting updates and details about its fundraising efforts at its web site, www.chcurc.com.

"This will really give us the opportunity to do some great work," said Cappel. "Ultimately, we're looking for what all business districts want: a unique blend of retailers and businesses that serve our residents, but are also destinations that attract people from across Cincinnati to College Hill."

Follow College Hill Community Organizations on Facebook

There are now several Facebook pages that provide another window into what's happening in our neighborhood. Click the names of the organizations to get an idea of what they're about. "Like" a page to get posts from that page in your Facebook news feed.

• College Hill on Facebook 
• The College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation Home Page and their Facebook Page  
• College Hill Forum ~ Schedule of Meetings and Other Information {next meeting is June 28} 
• The College Hill Gardener Home Page and their Facebook Page 
• The College Hill Historical Society and their Facebook Page 
• College Hill Summit Information ~ Schedule of Meetings and Meeting Minutes  
• IMPACT in College Hill, a youth ministry and their Facebook Page 

The College Hill Coffee Company Ride is on for this Sunday, June 26 at 12 noon -- weather permitting!

Jim Lindner Safety and Education Director Cincinnati Cycle Club 513-742-2411

Please meet behind the College Hill Coffee Co. My bike has Yellow Fenders and my daughter may be attached on a Trailerbike. Jim Lindner Cell # 742-2411
EMAIL jlindner@resindek.com

McAuley High School's Green Rider Camp kicked off on Monday, June 13, at Cohron's Chestnut Acres{CCA} in Colerain Township. McAuley al

Carol Kohrman gives a lecture on how to greet a horse

umna Dawn Budke Cohron, class of 1968, owns Chestnut Acres, which just celebrated its 30th anniversary in2008. In addition to their summer camp partnership with McAuley, Cohorn's offers boarding, leasing, and riding lessons for horse lovers of all ages. CCA also has a student worker program where students with "limited finances can work in exchange for riding lessons."

Barn Manager Heather Williams runs the Green Rider Camp, which has twenty girls.  Their ages, this summer, are kindergarten through sixth grade. The campers rotate through four stations each day of the weeklong camp. Stations include: a Lecture Station, where campers learn about a new equine concept each day; a Riding Station, exposing campers to actual horseback riding; a Craft Station, featuring horse related, educational crafts; and a Stall Station, where campers are taught the responsibilities that come with horses. Williams took a slower approach to teaching the camp this year as "almost all [of the campers] have never touched or ridden a horse." Williams focuses on safety with beginner camps such as this.

Helper Annie Ture watches as the campers practice feeding a horse treats

The Green Rider Camp is the perfect start for any child looking to develop an interest in horses. "A lot of CCA's volunteers have come to camp in former years" Williams explained. "Some helpers are students at McAuley as well" she added. Yulia Feist, a fifth grader at Our Lady of Victory, attended Green Rider Camp last summer and came back this year for a second time. Feist's favorite part of the camp is riding horses as well as the "fun crafts," particularly Monday's craft of decorating treat bags and making stick horses.

The Green Rider Camp focuses on those who have never ridde

Yulia Feist practices riding a horse

n or have very little experience.  And, McAuley also offers a Beginner Rider Camp for students with some horse knowledge, as well as an Intermediate/Advanced Rider Camp for campers who have a great amount of experience with horses. All equine camps are conducted in partnership with Cohron's Chestnut Acres.

Visit www.ccastables.com for more information on Cohron's Chestnut Acres or visit www.mcauleyhs.net for more information about McAuley High School.

 

 

 

 

 

McAuley Brings Hogwarts to Cincinnati    

 

Once upon a time at McAuley High School, there was a Harry

Garce Garbsch practices a spell with her very own wand

Potter Camp that sent 45young girls and boys into a wonderful world of magic and wizardry. The camp was led by McAuley's incredibly creative Latin teacher, Mrs. Rachel Kless, and her friend, Kristi McCord. (McCord is a friend from Kless's days at The Ohio State University who now teaches Latin in Columbus at Columbus Alternative High School.)

The children, who were of all ages, reenacted scenes from the famous Harry Potter novels and were sorted into four houses in a sorting hat ceremony. From "buying" wands, to playing Quidditch, having wizard duels, and participating in quests, these young wizards spent the week of June 13 exploring and becoming thoroughly immersed in the magical world of Harry Potter. But it's not all fun and games. The students were taught and quizzed on basic mythology in order to obtain points for their Hogwarts House, which helped them on their quest for the Sorcerer's Stone. They also invented their own Harry Potter names, which were based on the Latin language.

 

McAuley campers compete in a round of Harry Potter Jeodardy

 

 

Six McAuley students assisted Kless and McCord: Molly Huey '12, Katarina Anhofer '12, Gabby Dangel '14, Danielle Riegler '13, Chloe Donohue-Ramirez '13, and Lizzy Lawson '13.  

 

Thanks to Kathy Dietrich 

 

College Hill Presbyterian Church announces that there is a Church Picnic This Sunday! Pack up your picnic basket - with extra to share - and head over from 4 PM - 8 PM to Stephanie Hummer Park.  {The park is at 661 North Bend Road, across from St. Xavier High School.} There will be fun just being together, playing games, dunking Pastor Drew and singing. Bring your prayer requests to share with the Healing Prayer Team. See you there!

Coffee and Bible Study at Panera: Everyone is invited for coffee and the Acts of the Apostles on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at the Finneytown Panera on Winton Road. For more info, contact Barbara Huston, 542-1921.

Summer Swim Lessons! The Swim Ministry is offering summer classes: June 27-July 1; July 11-15; and July 25-29. Applications for lessons are here. $45 per week per student. Scholarships available.



In Other News

When Did We See You Hungry? by Marybelle Chapman

Do you suppose the Holy Spirit was just kidding when He inspired Matthew to write chapter 25? Those poor goats didn't even know why they were shuttled off to outer darkness. And the sheep who went to their eternal reward didn't know what they had done RIGHT. They said, "When did we see you hungry?"

For years now, College Hill Presbyterian Church has given graciously to Christ's Community in College Hill. They gave away 120,000 pounds of food to needy people in our area in 2010. Phew!! That takes care of any guilt trip . . . right? Maybe!

Joking or not, the Spirit inspired Luke to describe Jesus' ministry on earth as freeing the downtrodden and releasing captives. There's a broad-shouldered, determined new Administrator at Christ's Community, Ralph Williams, who thinks we should do the same since we are the hands and feet of Jesus today. Ralph sees children in our neighborhood as easy prey to a criminal element. He sees the idle, bored teenagers as potential victims of drug lords and pimps.

Ralph was one of those troublemakers in the seventies who will tell you that Christ's Community saved his life both spiritually and physically. His appreciation for Christ's Community has never slackened. As a teenager, he was first attracted by the basketball program in the parking lot. After a run-in with CHPC, he marveled at the kindness and consideration shown to him by the church people. Today, now that he's taken ownership of Christ Community, he wants to reach the young people in our neighborhood for Christ.

Christ's Community in College Hill inhabits that white house on the other side of our parking lot. It had its beginnings in the 1960's when an influx of African Americans chose to move out of the inner city and "white flight" began. While many evangelical churches fled with them, CHPC chose to stay. Community leaders hired a consultant who suggested that the churches in College Hill join together to form a shared organization to help integrate the community and meet the emergencies of those in need. Christ's Community in College Hill is the result.

This summer 150 children from the community are meeting in our church, supervised by 18 young counselors from Christ's Community. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., "Whole Again" (a national organization) feeds them breakfast, has a tutoring program all morning, and then gives them lunch. From 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., Christ's Community organizes a time of fun, Bible lessons and instruction in good citizenship and proper behavior.

Christ's Community has a youth summer employment program and works closely with the Urban League helping teenagers find appropriate work experiences. They recently became a satellite for "Jobs Plus" and have their first young adults going through their training.

A working group is forming to set up a "Friends" program to match up families in the neighborhood who could fellowship in their churches or homes. Remembering the influence of basketball in his own youth, Ralph would like help now in organizing a basketball league that would meet in the parking lot in the evenings.

So there's much more to Christ's Community than just giving out food. We've done a good job at that. Now it's time to enlarge our commitment. Are you interested in helping out in other ways? Tutoring? Coaching basketball? Joining a "Friends" group? If you are, call Christ's Community at 541-0303.

"When did we see you hungry?" Jesus' answer was, "Inasmuch as you have  

done it to  

one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to me."

Plan to be at the Farm Market next week.  What a Blessing there was no rain this week!  See you next week!


July 7: Consumption Day: Learn to compost food scraps and yard waste

July 14: Energy Day: Learn to control phantom energy and cook with the sun

July 21: Trash Day: Reduce, recycle, reuse

Aug. 4: Giving Back Day Second Hand Fashion Show: Donate clothes and household items at the market

For more information, contact Diana Porter at porterd@cinci.rr.com or visit www.CollegeHillFarmMarket.org.