Hamilton County Budget Survey

Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper has posted a link on his Cincy Peptalk blog to this Hamilton County Budget Survey. He says the County Administration is seeking more public input than ever as the 2010 County budget is being put together and that some tough choices will have to be made if revenues continue to stagnate. If you’d like take the survey, it takes about 4-5 minutes.

Norwood woman and 2 children seriously injured in Ky. crash

One of our readers just alerted us to this Channel 5 report that Norwood residents Cindy Keith, 30; and 9-year-old Kaitlyn Hahn, a student at Allison Elementary; and 3-year-old Savannah Stevens were seriously injured Sunday evening in a Gallatin County, Kentucky car crash in which one woman was killed. A pickup truck turned into the path of the car in which the three were passengers. Cindy Keith was taken to University Hospital, and both children were taken to Children’s Hospital. We wish them a full and speedy recovery.

(ht to jk)

Four NHS students receive Cappies awards

At a gala at the Aronoff Center this past Saturday, The Cappies of Greater Cincinnati recognized four Norwood High School students for their outstanding theater work on the production of the modern day fairytale Cinderella Waltz. According to the Enquirer, students from 27 area schools were included among the nominees for the awards. Both the nominees and the winners were selected based on voting by students who write reviews of plays and musicals at schools. Congratulations go to:

Props & Effects: Kristen Jackson, Matt Mattingly, Amber Meade

Creativity: Keith Bauer, Improv: Directing

Lead Actor in a Play: Keith Bauer

April 09 NFD Activities and Statistics Report

A monthly feature

A. Total of emergency responses for the month of April = 380

Medic Runs = 274
Fire Runs = 8 w/breakdown
Average Response Time on Runs = 3 minutes, 8 seconds (city-wide)

Number of incidents by type:
Fire Runs – 8 - (Building, Vehicle, Brush, etc.)
Overpressure, Explosion - 1
Rescue & Medic Unit Assists – 58 - (lock-in, extrications, traffic accidents, etc.)
Hazardous Conditions (no fire) - 9 - (power lines down, arcing, spills, etc.)
Service Call – 7 - (smoke removal)
Good Intent – 4 - (odor of smoke, controlled burning)
False Alarms – 19 - (false alarms, system malfunctions, smoke detector activated, etc.)
Special Incident - 0

B. Fire Hydrant Activity
243 - Flowed, lubed, and weeded
3 - Out of service

C. Bureau of Fire Safety Activities = 775
Total Inspections – 125 - (residential, schools, churches, businesses)
Total Violations – issued 283
Total Violations – corrected 268
Total Block Inspections – 17 - (Unit #1, Unit #2, Unit #3 – Rental & multi-family)
Additional Activities - 82

Overnight armed robbery at UDF

Shortly after midnight, a gunman with a T-shirt wrapped around his head robbed the UDF at 2059 Dale Avenue. According to Norwood police, the man ran off after obtaining an unknown amount of cash and remains at large this morning.

42 planters available for adoption

As in years past, former Health Commissioner Donna Laake is overseeing the adoption of planters by businesses, individuals, civic groups, churches, and others organizations that want to beautify areas of our city this summer. 42 planters are available this year through funding from a Community Development Block Grant as part of the Streetscape Program. If you would want a planter near your home at an intersection but don’t want the sole responsibility of caring for it, recruit some neighbors to pitch in and help, but hurry while supplies last. Adopting planters is as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Promise you will care for and water each planter faithfully, then
2. Email Donna Laake at dlaake@fuse.net and tell her you want to adopt a planter or planters and where you would like it/them placed.
3. Donna will take it from there and make arrangements for delivery to the location at no charge to you.

Memorial Day ceremony at Victory Park

Jerry Owens with Victory Park Veterans invites everyone to come to their annual Memorial Day ceremony at Victory Park on Montgomery Road to honor all veterans and those currently serving in our military. Retired General Tom O’Brien will be the guest speaker. The ceremony starts at 1:00 p.m.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Mayor proclaims Class of ‘74 Reunion Day

Debra Simpson, one of the organizers of the 35th Reunion of the NHS Class of 1974, tipped us off to Mayor Williams’ official proclamation, which is also proudly displayed on the Class of ‘74 website. As she told us, “July 31 is the reunion, but the proclamation lives on forever.”

Xavier certificate programs qualify for stimulus funds

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed by President Obama, provides a total of $138 million for Ohio to assist an estimated 20,000 adults, youth and dislocated workers with job training, job search assistance and other employment services. Of the funds being distributed, $19.9 million will support services for adults and $35.1 million for dislocated workers.

The Xavier Leadership Center (XLC) offers several certificate programs that respond to the current economic crisis and qualify for Ohio economic stimulus funding. For qualified participants, 100% of the registration fee is covered by economic stimulus funds, with participant materials and examination fees often included.

For adult Ohio residents, this means flexible training accounts for employed workers at imminent risk of losing their jobs or for displaced workers who require training or certification to find new jobs. The XLC programs culminate in the required industry-recognized certifications or credentials in demand-driven occupations and can be completed within the requisite two-year time period.

1. Qualified XLC programs include:
2. Project Management Certificate Program and PMP Exam Review
3. Six Sigma Yellow, Green and Black Belt Certificates
4. Senior HR Certificate Program
5. Global Supply Chain and Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Exam Prep
6. Business Essentials Manager Certificate Program
7. Certified Financial Planner
8. Adobe Certifications: Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) and Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)

Many of these programs are available as open enrollment programs at Xavier or can be offered for groups of ten or more employees at employer locations. The Xavier Leadership Center has already successfully offered several of these programs using economic stimulus funds for employed workers at risk of layoff and displaced workers at DHL/ABX Air in Wilmington, OH.

To start the process as an individual interested in an open enrollment program at Xavier:
- Identify the specific program area of interest by visiting www.xavier.edu/xlc
- Contact Sue Bensman, Director of Programs, bensman@xavier.edu, phone: (513) 745-3396 or toll free: 1-800-982-2673, to pre-register.
- Sue will help you with the application process with the State of Ohio for submission and qualification.

To begin the process for you and your employer for ten or more employees at your location:
- Identify the specific program areas of interest for your company by visiting www.xavier.edu/xlc
- Contact Bruce Miller, Managing Partner, millerb7@xavier.edu, phone: (513) 745-3230, for detailed program information.
- Bruce will help facilitate the application process for you and your employer with the State of Ohio for submission and qualification.

The Xavier Leadership Center is speaking with other states about making these programs more widely available.

Norwood Community Garden launches May 30

Saturday, May 30, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m. is Norwood Community Garden’s planting and launch (make that lunch!) at Linden Pointe thanks to the support of Al Neyer, Inc., Civic Garden Center, Norwood Service League, The Center for Closing the Health Gap, SHP Leading Design, Robin Wood Flowers, Whole Food Market, Kroger, and Urban Harvest.

Since our 4/27/09 announcement of this community gardening effort, there have been a few unexpected hurdles, things like making water more accessible. Also, the Steering Committee worked and re-worked the design to accommodate the overwhelming response from 200 people who wish to raise their own vegetables. "The design will be a showpiece," said Lupe Hoyt, "the cooperation, ideas, and resources have been incredible."

The tentative schedule is to begin with an informational session regarding community gardening 'rules' and planting and will be followed by a grill-out. Those who have registered will receive an email notification with assignment number by May 21 from NSL director Lupe Hoyt. Due to the size of the garden design, every group will receive at least one plot, and another one will be assigned upon completion for those groups with more than 10 people. Linden Pointe developer Al Neyer, Inc. is building the raised bed frames on top of geofabric, filling with topsoil, and providing adequate water for gardeners.

Everyone's patience is greatly appreciated as this wonderful project has grown and developed into something we can all be proud. For questions, please call Lupe Hoyt at 924-1200.

Operation Splash! gets needy kids swimming

What could brighten a needy child's life? A swim pass to our community pools for a FUN SUMMER! With our park pools scheduled to open in less than two weeks, now is the time to make sure all our kids will be swimming. Operations Splash!, a collaborative effort between Norwood Service League, Norwood Recreation Commission, and Wright Patt Credit Union, needs caring people to donate any amount for families who cannot afford to purchase a $35 pool pass for their children. Every penny donated goes to helping our neediest kids swim this year, and all donations are tax deductible. NSL’s Lupe Gonzalez Hoyt asks that you send whatever amount you can donate to:

Operation Splash!
c/o Wright-Patt Credit Union
4560 Lafayette Avenue
Norwood, Ohio 45212

For more information, call 924-1200.

Forget Me Knot Walk raises $20,000

Guest blog by Joyce McDowell

Special thanks to the City of Norwood all those who helped to make the "Forget-Me-Knot" Walk on May 9th a success! The day started with an opening ceremony around the Flag Pole at the corner of Ashland and Lafayette Avenues facilitated by Jerry Owens of the Veterans group and Mike Arnold singing the national anthem. Then, Mayor Williams issued a proclamation declaring May 9th the Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation's "Forget Me Knot" Walk Day. The Mayor then lead the procession to Floral Ave. in an ATV from Tri County Polaris. The Citizens on Patrol and Norwood Young Professionals then manned the street corners as crossing guards.

Walkers had 1, 5 and 10 mile walking options and received a red bow (Forget-Me-Knot) for each mile walked in honor of Caleb or some other loved one special in their life. At 10 a.m. the carnival opened with Charles Russ of the building department among others braving the dunking booth. There were lots of other games as well with the moon walk, skeeball, tip a troll and lots of other traditional carnival games. At noon we held the memorial balloon launch with music by Nathan and Rachael Mabry followed by a special Mother's Day tribute with red carnations supplied by Greene's Flower Shop. Victor Shull of Pure Energy did a great job as the DJ for the event. We had a cookout lunch with hotdogs, burgers and drinks from Pierre Foods and Meyer Dairy along with a "give and get" opportunity for a lot of great prizes provided by area businesses. The St. Elizabeth Foundation provided face painting for the day.

We are hoping to provide a video synopsis of the day soon on Norwood cable compliments of Oliver Comstock. Darlene Morgan was the winner of the Wii game system with Wii Fit as the result of a donation she gave to a student going door to door. Between funds raised by the children at Cornerstone Christian Academy ($7,800) on their own and the support from family, friends, door to door donations in the community and the support of our local business sponsors, we were blessed to have raised $20,000 as a result of this event.

You can find out more about the event, our sponsors or make a contribution on our website, www.forgetmeknotwalk.com or at any Huntington Bank location.

Thanks again to all those who helped to make the day a success. This year's funds will be used in part to provide scholarships to Cornerstone Christian Academy. We will also be hosting the Mad Cap Puppets at Williams Ave. school on Friday June 19th at 7pm. Then, we will be helping to sponsor the Kids in Action camp at Ashland Ave. Baptist Church from 6 -8 pm June 22-28. Then, we will be hosting Mad Science at 9 a.m. at the Norwood Church of the Nazarene (Smith & Floral) just before their Back to School Bash on August 1st. These events are all free to all kids in the community and we hope everyone will plan on attending. It's not mandatory, but we are asking kids to bring a non perishable food item with them to the event which will then be donated to the Norwood Food Pantry.

Thanks again to everyone for their help and support. We look forward to working with the community and its leaders in helping to meet the needs of our children.

-Joyce McDowell

Click here for more pictures from Forget Me Knot.

April 2009 Earnings Tax Report

A monthly feature

Below is the summary information from the Earnings Tax Department’s April Report, which shows a substantial YTD increase over last month’s decrease of 2.62% or $105,830.47.

Individual………….$ 377,231.40
Business…………....$1,295,932.65
Withholding……….$1,000,397.54
TOTAL……………....$2,673,561.59

Collections thru April 2009….……….....…...........$6,546,266.96
Collections thru April 2008.............................$6,014.229.63
8.85% increase collections over 2008.…………….$ 532,037.33

Xavier’s Women’s Center Hosts Women’s Health at Twelve

Summer lunchtime series of brown bag video conferences

Wednesdays at noon in June and July, the Xavier University Women’s Center will present Women’s Health at Twelve, a collaboration of the Center, Xavier Psychological Services and the McGrath Health & Counseling Center. This free, bring-your-lunch gathering presents a weekly sampling of shows from the University of California’s television programming. The shows originally aired between 2003 and 2009. Come to the Women’s Center at 1415 Dana Avenue on the following dates, and don’t forget to bring a lunch and a friend!

June 3: Heart Healthy Chocolate - Chocolate is good for heart health as well as the palate. Mary Engler’s research results show chocolate and cocoa are rich, plant-derived sources of antioxidant flavonoids promoting beneficial cardiovascular effects.

June 10: Alzheimer’s Disease - Current treatment for Alzheimer’s disease offers only symptomatic relief, but recent discoveries by Nazneen Dewji, PhD, UCSD School of Medicine, support the development of two new drugs to potentially treat the cause. What might the future hold in treating Alzheimer’s disease?

June 17: Women’s Health after Breast Cancer - Dr. Mindy Goldman explores menopausal issues related to breast cancer. Learn about alternative treatment of hot flashes, issues about sexual dysfunction and improving quality of life. Presented by the Center for Gender Equity at UC San Francisco.

June 24: Health Matters: Varicose Veins - Dr. Gerant Rivera, Associate Professor of Radiology at UCSD describes how new minimally invasive techniques in interventional radiology are used to treat a variety of conditions from aortic aneurysms to varicose veins.

July 1: Successful Aging: Sleepless in San Diego - Research suggests it is the ability to sleep not the need that changes as we age. Factors affecting sleep include changes in biological rhythms, medical and psychiatric illness and their medications, the prevalence of sleep disorders, and behavioral problems, like poor sleep habits. Dr. Daniel Kripke discusses these factors and remedies that will help us sleep better as we get older.

July 8: Sex Talk: HIV Prevention Messages - Panel experts explore problems that hurt community-based organizations and public schools in their efforts to teach HIV/AIDS prevention messages. Co-sponsored by The UCLA AIDS Institute and The Williams Project on Sexual Orientation.

July 15: Your Nightly Dreams - G. William Domhoff, research professor of psychology and sociology at UC Santa Cruz, is a leading dreams expert. Fascinated by dreams for nearly 50 years, he highlights his work with DreamBank, a search engine and database of 16,000 dreams.

July 22: Childhood Obesity - Childhood obesity concerns both parents and health care professionals. Dr. Dennis Styne, Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology at UC Davis explains the causes and factors.

July 29: Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Gender Differences - Women often receive inadequate pain care as it requires gender distinctive treatment strategies. Margaret Chesney, Ph.D., Deputy Director, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, updates gender differences in the use of complementary and alternative medicine.

August 5: Pain and Endometriosis - The UCSD School of Medicine and the Diana Padelford Binkley Foundation bring the newest installments of this innovative series targeted at successfully managing pain in women. In this program, Karen Berkley, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience, Florida State University, talks about pain and endometriosis.

2009 Spring Yard Sale Directory online

As everyone everywhere surely knows, Norwood’s Semi-Annual Yard Sale is today and tomorrow from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m. Click on the headline above to access the link to this year’s Yard Sale Directory. You'll find it at the very top of the City of Norwood's Home Page. It’s in Excel, so if you aren’t able to open it, we have the directory here, too, thanks to lightning speed assistance from Debbie Simpson and Carrie Town at City Hall.

Republican Club speakers, picnic, and monthly food drive

Everyone is invited to hear longtime Norwood residents and WWII veterans Charles Geraci and Dan Romanello speak at the 7:30 p.m., Monday, May 18 meeting of the Norwood Republican Club at the Community Center. The theme of their remarks will be “Memorial Day Memories & Remembrance.”

Both Mr. Geraci and Mr. Romanello received Purple Hearts for injuries they received during combat. Mr. Geraci was wounded twice, once from sniper fire during the 1944 Normandy Invasion on Omaha Beach and then a second time during German resistance at the French seaport of Brest. Dan Romanello fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the single bloodiest battle in U.S. history. His Purple Heart was awarded for an event on the Rhein River. He will be sharing the details of both that event as well a 1944 incident that occurred on Christmas Eve when he was in France.


Everyone invited to the annual Club Picnic
Monday, June 29th starting at 6:30 pm in the Lower Millcrest Shelter. Hamburgers, hotdogs, brats, metts and drinks provided by club. Everyone should bring: a covered dish to share and a wrapped item for the Bid and Buy to raise funds for the club. New this year will be a white elephant gift exchange. Please bring a gift for a white elephant gift exchange. Any item that is already "around the house". Something that has been around for a while and that will never be used again... that old ugly vase, an old hat, fishing gear, a game, old cook book, candles. These are just shown as suggestions. The funnier the item... the funnier the game!

Food drive
Every month for the rest of the year, people attending the club meetings are being asked to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Norwood Food Closet. Cash donations will also be accepted.

Reminder: swimming pool passes are on sale

Swimming pool passes are on sale Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at Norwood Recreation’s office in the Community Center at 1810 Courtland Avenue. Kathy Hammond tells us she will be selling passes at the Teen Center at Waterworks Pool on Harris Avenue from 12-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 30 and from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, May 31. Waterworks Pool open on Friday, May 29, and both Victory and Burwood Pools open Monday, June 1. Call 531-9798 for more information.

Children: $ 35.00
Adults: $ 55.00
Family: (parents and all children under the age of 18) $ 115.00

Baccalaureate Service for 2009 NHS grads canceled

We just received an email from the Norwood Ministerial Association stating they met yesterday, and after a long conversation, they decided to cancel this year’s Baccalaureate Service. The service was scheduled for this Sunday, May 17 at the Norwood Middle School Auditorium.

It’s official: new Health Commissioner starts June 1

The Norwood Health Board met Monday and established Monday, June 1, as the date Pamela Walker-Bauer will assume her duties as our new Health Commissioner. We are officially relieved the position is filled, especially in view of the potential public health threat posed by the recent swine flu outbreak. Our Norwood Health Department staff has been keeping current about the outbreak via conference calls with the Ohio Department of Health, the Emergency Management Agency and other agencies, but we welcome Ms. Walker-Bauer’s timely arrival and the expertise she will bring to this and all other public health issues in our community.

Rec. Commission meeting rescheduled

This month's regular meeting of the Norwood Recreation Commission has been changed from next Wednesday, May 20, to Wednesday, May 27. The meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center at 1810 Courtland Avenue.

7th Annual SPCA Cincinnati Doggie Dash

A stroll with your dog will benefit SPCA Cincinnati

Hundreds of dogs and their two-legged friends will teach others about the humane treatment of animals when they take part in the seventh annual SPCA Cincinnati Doggie Dash Walk for Kindness on Saturday, May 30 at 10:00 a.m. The two-mile walk along the Ohio River begins at Sawyer Point (corner of E. Pete Rose Way and Eggleston Avenue) and will be held rain or shine.

The “dash” will help raise money for SPCA Cincinnati. Walkers without dogs are also welcome. Local celebrities will be on hand to lend their support.

All participants will receive a free T-shirt. There will be booths and entertainment at the registration site. Parking is available at the corner of E. Pete Rose Way and Eggleston Avenue. Directions are available at www.spcacincinnati.org.

Registration is $20 per person if you register by 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 29. Each additional family member residing in the same household and registering together is only $10 each! Registration is also available beginning at 9:00 a.m. on the day of the event but early registration is strongly recommended. Cost to register on the day of the event is $25.

Don't forget to gather pledges - collecting pledges really helps make this event successful!! Prizes will go to the top three people with the most money in pledges. Prizes include four Diamond seats to the Cincinnati Reds, four Scout seats to the Reds and four Club seats to the Reds.

There are four easy ways to register:
Mail a registration form to SPCA Cincinnati, 11900 Conrey Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249
Register in person at SPCA Cincinnati, 11900 Conrey Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249
Fax a registration form to 513-489-7394.
Register the day of the event.

A printable brochure/registration form is available online at www.spcacincinnati.org.

(h/t to Debora)

NYP’s Oliver Comstock on WGRR FM this a.m.

Oliver Comstock with Norwood Young Professionals will be promoting their community wide event Beautify Your Block! at 8:50 a.m. on WGRR 103.5 FM Radio. The event is this Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Click here for more information and to register.

Invitation to "Old Fashioned Day" at Norwood Wesleyan Church

Come Join Us

This Sunday, May 17th at 10:30am
at
Norwood Wesleyan Church
5407 Warren Avenue
Norwood

“OLD FASHIONED DAY”

Mayor Thomas Williams will be our speaker during the service.**

It’s going to be a great time of fellowship and fun! Everyone is encouraged to dress in old fashioned clothing.
There will be food following the service.


EVERYONE WELCOME!
For Transportation or Information
Call 614-322-1012

**Mayor Williams will be talking about his life and how he has overcome obstacles. While he may touch on politics, that will not be his focus.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, May 12
ESOL Conversation Group
5:30 p.m.

Preschool Storytime
Ages 3-5
6:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 14
Wii for Seniors!!
Get active, have fun, and see what the Wii craze is all about!!
10:00 a.m.

Adult Education Classes
4-7 p.m.

Friday, May 15
Friday Morning Book Club
Heartstopper by Joy Fielding
10:30 a.m.

Norwood man arrested for kidnapping Oakley infant

According to today's Enquirer, Norwood resident Roy Wilson is being held this morning at the Hamilton County jail on a kidnapping charge. Last night at 10:30 p.m., he allegedly deceived a babysitter to take a 15-month-old baby boy from a residence on Brotherton Drive in Oakley. The baby is safe and has been returned to his family. With overcrowding at the jail, will authorities make space to keep this alleged baby snatcher under lock and key or will they release him, perhaps, with one of Sheriff Leis’ 440 ankle bracelets? See this related Enquirer article about the recent fight on Cincinnati City Council over using $1.2 million in stimulus funds to lease 75 more home monitoring units.

David Pepper’s latest Citizen Survey

We thought our readers might be interested in taking Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper’s latest 7-question survey posted at his Cincy Peptalk blog. Some of the questions ask for opinions about the proposal for high speed rail connecting Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland, casino gambling in Ohio, Gov. Strickland’s proposal to extend the school year and consolidating fire departments in Hamilton County.

Urgent: more crossing guards needed for Forget Me Knot Walk

Jack Weston with Norwood Young Professionals asked us to post this last-minute plea for more crossing guards in the hope that some of our readers can help out:

We need your help!

We have committed to providing the Forget Me Knot Walk with 15 to 20 volunteers on Saturday. As of this morning, we are well short of that committment. Along with Citizens on Patrol, we'll be serving as crossing guards for the walk, which starts at 8 a.m. The walk is held in honor of Caleb Fuller, who lost his battle with bone cancer while attending school in Norwood. He requested to "not be forgotten" during his fight, and the money raised while celebrating his passion for life will go towards scholarships at the Cornerstone Christian Academy where he attended. You will be provided with free lunch and a t-shirt for your efforts, and you'll feel good about yourself! We'll send you detailed instructions upon your reply to norwoodyp@gmail.com.

Norwood Day Parade application now online

The Norwood Chamber of Commerce has chosen “Our Tradition Sparkles Like Diamonds” as the theme for the 117th Norwood Day Parade on Tuesday, July 21. Entry fees for the parade are as follows:

Each Political Candidate entry (outside Norwood): $100/candidate
Each Political Candidate entry (within Norwood): $ 50/candidate
Business entry (non-chamber member): $100
Business entry (Norwood Chamber member): No Charge
All others: No Charge

Click here to access and print out the online application form to mail in.

Welcome Home Celebration for Veterans

Recently, we received the following invitation to all Veterans and their families to attend the 2nd Annual Welcome Home Celebration on May 15th and 16th:

My name is Master Sergeant Steven Jessie, currently of the Ohio Army National. I am a lifelong resident of Norwood class of ‘78, and I am also involved in numerous Military/Veterans type events. I would like to inform you of an upcoming event that should be of interest to all the Veterans of Norwood. It is the 2nd Annual Welcome Home Celebration at Lunken Airport on Saturday, May 16th from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. Also, the Thank You Foundation will be holding a fundraising gala the prior evening on Friday May 15th at The Underground, 1140 Smiley Avenue.

This is a party for Veterans and their families. It is being sponsored by the Veterans Administration, and last year’s event had 4,000 attendees. We expect this year’s numbers could be double that.

We want as many Veterans as possible to know about this event and attend, and I am enclosing this website address so they can RSVP online. The V.A. needs an approximate headcount so they can be prepared.

Master Sergeant Steven Jessie

35th Reunion of NHS Class of 1974

On Friday, July 31, the Norwood High School Class of 1974 will gather at Sorrento’s at 5143 Montgomery Road** from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. for their 35th reunion. Members of other NHS classes are invited to join them. The cost is $25 for the buffet (garlic bread, salad, wings, pizza, and lasagna), plus there will be a cash bar. Mail your reservation and check to Debra Simpson, 4288 Ashland Ave., Norwood, Ohio 45212 or call 631-6466.

Debra tells us that after the celebration at Sorrento’s, everyone is invited to join them at the traditional “underground” Friday night party at the Indian Mound Café at 5226 Montgomery Road. Stop by and see some of your “old” friends. Failing that, you might see some of them in this gallery of pictures and video at the NHS '74 website.

This year’s Class of ‘74 Reunion was organized by Reunion Committee members Angie Ball Combs, Linda Degaro Koscianski, Melissa Murray McGrath, Sharon Tungate Bailey, Debra Simpson, Steve Barker, Terry McFadden, and Neal Schulte.

**The Sorrento’s lot is small. Street parking and the lot at CVS @ Fenwick & Montgomery Rd. are options.

May COW meeting canceled

Per the Clerk of Council's office, tonight's regular monthly meeting of the Committee of the Whole has been canceled.

Kudos to Youth Pastor Jimi Bird for “After Prom” success!

We are only too happy to take Michael Gabbard up on his suggestion to recognize Jimi Bird, Youth Pastor at Grace Church, for organizing the first “After Prom” event at Norwood High School this past Friday night. And while we’re at it, we’ll thank all the school officials and parents who volunteered to make Mr. Bird’s “After Prom” vision a reality.


Guest blog by Michael “Gabby” Gabbard

I think it would be a good idea to recognize Jimi Bird, Youth Pastor at Grace United Methodist Church for hosting an AWESOME event this past Friday night. Jimi had a vision of offering a safe and fun environment for students after prom. Each year we hear reports of students getting hurt and/or killed after prom, so Jimi wanted to offer a safe alternative; and he did. Jimi recruited a large team of adults, shared his vision and set a plan. This group then presented this vision to Mr. Winterod, Norwood High School Principal, and the result was an event enjoyed by over 100 youth. From midnight till 5:30 a.m., the high school was host to "After Prom". In the gym was human bowling, 3D Twister, Oversized boxing ring, corn hole and fast blast. In the mini auditorium they ran movies all night. The cafeteria was the dance floor with jammin tunes and also a buffet of pizza, chips, soda and waters.

After you worked up a sweat in the gym or on the dance floor, you could then take a dip in the pool. WOW, what a night for these youth, and all this for just $3.00 a student. As I mentioned about, this event was attended by over 100 prom goers, including this year’s prom King & Queen, Gentry Gabbard and Michelle Geiger.

My wife and I were able to help as chaperones and had fun ourselves. I want to really thank Jimi Bird and all of those that helped make this safe event happen for the youth of Norwood. It's encouraging to see people get involved in the youth of our city to help offer activities that are safe and fun. Well done, Jimi Bird, and I look forward to seeing what you have in mind for next year.

Thanks,
Gabby

Mayor Williams: “We’re keeping our head above water.”

Today’s Enquirer has this article, “Small projects keep Norwood afloat,” detailing the $25 million in commercial construction and rehab projects that are taking the sting out of the losses of U.S. Playing Card’s 460 employees later this year and Medpace’s 350 employees in 2013. Mayor Tom Williams told the Enquirer, “We’re not stagnant. Construction just keeps moving.” We thought so, but it’s reassuring in a bad economy to see it all laid out in black and white.

May events, volunteeer opportunities at St. Elizabeth Arts

St. Elizabeth Art’s Studio e has filled their calendar for the merry month of May with film screenings, Art Trippin field trips to tour Cincinnati’s Weston Art Gallery and notable downtown Cincinnati buildings, open studios focused on architecture basics and style, and more. Click here for all the happenings.

Volunteer opportunities of all kinds abound at Studio e. Not only are they looking for artists, documentary photographers, a volunteer coordinator, and a graphic designer to help out, they also need an extrovert and a Facebook guru. Click here for all the details.

NYP Happy Hour at Gordo’s today

Norwood Young Professionals invites everyone to join them any time after 5:00 p.m. for another one of their good times at Gordo’s at 4325 Montgomery Road. They also tell us it’s not too late to volunteer as NYP crossing guards for the Saturday May 9 Caleb Fuller Foundation’s Forget Me Knot Walk, which starts at 8:00 a.m. If you’d like to help out, email norwoodyp@gmail.com.

Upcoming programs at Norwood Branch Library

Saturday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
Culture & Heritage: Make your own maracas & play fun games!
Ages 6-10

Monday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Monday Evening Book Club
Mrs. Lincoln: A Life by Catherine Clinton
Adults
Call 369-6037 for more information

Monday, May 4 and Thursday, May 7
Adult Education Classes
GED & Literacy Improve your basic academic & pre-employment skills and prepare for the GED test.
4:00 -7:00 p.m.
Call 363-6100 for more information

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.
ESOL Conversation Group (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Open to anyone who would like to practice speaking in English. Activities for children available if needed
Call 369-6037 for more information

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
Preschool Storytime
Ages 3-5
Call 369-6037 for more information