Signing off for the holidays

As in previous years at about this time, we’re going on hiatus until the first of the year so we can get into the full spirit of the holiday season. But before we go, we want to wish everyone a joyous Christmas and Happy New Year! We’ll see you back here on Monday, January 4.

Spirit of Christmas at the Norwood Police Dept.

Yesterday we spoke with the NPD’s Lt. Tom Williams about a tip we received from Officer Dungan telling us about a new Christmas gift-giving project spearheaded by Sgt. Dwayne Summer. Springing from a strong desire to give back to our community, Norwood police officers took $1,000 from their union’s Wage and Benefit Committee Fund so that five local families in need would have an abundant Christmas this year. Lt. Williams told us the five families were referred by local agencies, and each was allocated $200 in gifts. Working from a list of the families’ needs and wants, the officers did all the shopping themselves; and yesterday they distributed the gifts to all five households. Additionally, Walmart is donating full Christmas meals to the families. We applaud our men and women in blue for making Christmas very merry for some of our neighbors.

Retirement Reception for Steve Collier

After 17 years of service at Norwood City Schools, former Superintendent Steve Collier will be leaving December 31st. Click here for photos of the December 3rd retirement reception hosted by Xavier University at the A.B. Cohen Building.

Just in: Boy Scout trailer stolen from Community Center

Victor Schneider asked us to post his email below with sad news about the Boy Scout trailer:


Could you let the community know that the Boy Scout troop trailer has been stolen?

This is the large trailer that was parked at the Community Center.

This red enclosed trailer was used to transport Norwood Boy Scouts equipment on camping adventurers. The trailer is red with 2 wheels on each side. It has a door on the passenger side and large rear doors.

Anyone with leads or information should call the Norwood Police Department at 468-4520. There are surveillance cameras and the footage is being reviewed at this time. Currently we are not sure of the exact time that it was stolen. If anyone has information, like witnessing someone removing the trailer, we would appreciate if they contact the Police Department.

Thanks,

Victor Schneider
Assistant Scoutmaster T9
513-631-3972

Retired NCS teacher Linda Brim spearheading Norwood Promise

The article below by Andrew Clark appears in the current issue of the Norwood Star, which comes out today. We want to thank Andrew for sending us his article with permission to publish it.

Some of our regular readers may recall this blog about the August, 2008 joint meeting of the NCS Board of Education and city council’s Committee of the Whole to discuss the possibility of the school district doing a Norwood version of the Kalamazoo Promise and the City partnering on the project. We do not know if NCS ever laid any groundwork for the project following the joint meeting, but we are pleased to know that Linda Brim has stepped in to launch the Norwood Promise. We applaud her effort, and we plan to keep our readers informed about her progress.

Norwood Promise
By Andrew Clark
Norwood Star

I’m excited to tell you about a new program that is coming to Norwood called the Norwood Promise. It is based off of the successful Kalamazoo Promise that was implemented in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The basic premise of the program is to provide up to 100% of a student’s college tuition, to a state college or university, if they attend district schools from kindergarten through 12th grade.

This may sound crazy or impossible, but while reading about Kalamazoo the similarities between it and Norwood are remarkable. The program was implemented in November of 2005 after receiving an anonymous donation a scholarship foundation was set up. The program has now become an economic development tool for the city of Kalamazoo because of the number of new students and families it has brought into the city.

The “Promise” has also been credited with a rise in housing prices within the school district, an increased interest from developers, growth in enrollment in Kalamazoo’s public schools, and an increased rate in the number of students who go on to college. Two researchers from WMU found that school enrollment in the district grew by 1,211 students or 12.1 percent. Enrollment gains generated $7.8 million in additional state aid in the first year which was used to educate the influx of new students.

The Norwood Promise is being spearheaded by Linda Brim, who retired from the Norwood School District several years ago. Linda worked for the Norwood School system for 24 years and before worked for the Northwest District for seven years. She is a graduate of the Norwood High School Class of 1961. She was also a resident of Norwood for 11 years. Linda is heavily involved in our community through the Norwood Business and Professional Women’s Club and you may recognize her as the MC at the Baby Show at Norwood Day at Coney Island.

This program is just what our city needs. With your help we could set up this program that has already brought results to Kalamazoo in less than five years. We could see growth in development, an increase in enrollment in our schools (which has seen a decline for some years), and our kids could be guaranteed a college education for free as long as they stay in the district from kindergarten through 12th grade and maintain a 2.0 GPA!

The Norwood Promise is currently setting up a website that will have more information soon. You will be able to visit www.norwoodpromise.org in the near future. You may also call Linda Brim at 513-924-2517 if you have any questions or comments about the Norwood Promise. Please also call her to make donations, which are tax deductable, or find out how you can help.

I can’t stress to you enough the potential that this program would have to change the entire dynamics of our schools and our city. Can you imagine your children going to college for FREE for just attending the district? It could happen. Please consider donating or helping out!

New commenting system named Echo

Several days ago, our free commenting system Haloscan offered us a deal we couldn’t refuse: either cough up $10 annually for the new state-of-the-art system Echo or lose all previous comments in the transition to any other service. Seconds after paying the fee, Echo was installed. We’re still pouring through all the information about Echo’s features, some of which seem so advanced we may never understand them, and see there are several that will enhance discussion among our readers. Now our readers can respond to specific comments by clicking “reply” under any comment. and/or click “like” to give favorable reviews. There’s also the option to publish images in the comment boxes, including your own photo with your comment. Two readers have already used this feature.

Over the holidays we’re going to try to get up to speed on the new system. There appears to be a number of other features we can opt to enable. So far, we like what we see; but more importantly, we’d like to know what our readers think about Echo. Are there any features you’d like to see added for your commenting enjoyment?

Behind the scenes at Saturday’s open H1N1 flu clinic at X.U.

Guest blog by Pamela Walker-Bauer

Cincinnati and Norwood health department staff and scores of volunteers vaccinated almost 1,000 people against the 2009 H1N1 virus at Xavier University’s Cintas Center this past Saturday, December 19, 2009. We could have easily vaccinated 5,000 individuals without being overly taxed. On hand, we had 8,000 doses available and could have gathered more vaccine if needed. Unfortunately, the first accumulation of measurable snow likely kept many away and perhaps some last minute holiday shopping.

Previously, an exercise in July 2008 tested the plan to use the Cintas Center facility as a point of dispensing for antibiotics (pill-form) with many lessons learned. This past Saturday’s event was the first test of the plan to use Cintas as a distribution point for vaccine. Vaccine distribution is an entirely different event as it is more labor intensive requiring licensed medical personnel to administer the injection or mist form. Unfortunately, vaccine administration is the easiest part of such an event; Getting to the point where we can administer the vaccine is the difficult part. Days and weeks went into final preparation for this event.

Even though we were not fully taxed, we learned many valuable lessons on Saturday. I cannot go into great detail because the information is sensitive as we would not want terrorists to know our weaknesses. What I would like to do is to tell you how Norwood was represented at this event.

Several Norwood Health Department staff members dedicated their last Saturday morning before Christmas to work at this clinic. Health Inspector, Dale Marshall was a key logistic player in handling vaccine flow and inventory. Public Health Nurses, Chandra Corbin and Betsy Nabors arrived extra early to prepare the vaccine for distribution by filling syringes with vaccine and later staffed an “express” vaccination table; this was in addition to the many hours they had already dedicated to the H1N1 mass vaccination campaign. We also had two of our temporary contract nurses working- with one staffing the screening table and the other, a family vaccination table.

Three Norwood Law Enforcement officials - Lieutenant Tom Williams, and Officers Price and Vickers -helped provide security for the event; Lieutenant Williams was actually in charge of security for the entire event. (At one point during the planning stages, Lt. Williams said, “Pam, don’t worry about security. I’ve got it covered.” I can’t begin to tell you how comforting that was to me.) These gentlemen were courteous, respectful, and professional to everyone and represented the City of Norwood well; I was most proud to serve beside them!

We had numerous volunteers. We had some Citizens on Patrol folks who were ready and willing to help. We even had a highly experienced Medical Reserve Corps volunteer and former health commissioner, Donna Laake, who volunteered her Saturday afternoon to help staff an “express” vaccination table!

Behind all of this was Mayor Williams who granted his blessing for this event to take place and pledged his support for anything we needed and Service Safety Director Geers who provided us with the tools we needed to make it all happen. I should not fail to mention, Brenda Osterday, the Mayor’s secretary who took my numerous pesky phone calls and Asst. Law Director, Chris Brown, who made sure all of our “I”s were dotted and our “T”s were crossed.

As you can see, it takes many people to put this all together. Norwood does public health and community service the right way. Once again, even after nearly 7 months of service as your health commissioner, I am still very happy to be here. And by the way, I was the Public Information Officer (PIO) at this event…which in my opinion translates to…“STAND IN THE CORNER, GET OUT OF THE WAY, and LET US DO OUR JOBS!!”

Pamela Walker-Bauer, MPH, RS
Norwood Health Commissioner

Norwood Presbyterian Church to Seek New Pastor

Guest blog by Rev. Chris White

On December 31, 2009, my six years of serving the Norwood Presbyterian Church (NPC) as pastor will come to an end. But the ministry and mission of the Norwood Presbyterian Church will live on for a long time to come! It was a difficult decision, but through much prayer and discernment, we have decided it is best for NPC to be good stewards of the funds God has provided and therefore seek part-time pastoral leadership. The NPC “What Next Committee” is active, discovering who God has planned as their next pastor. They are interviewing several “Commissioned Lay Pastors” (CLP) - ordained elders who have been educated specifically to be the pastor of a local congregation. That pastor will have the privilege – as I have had – to walk alongside this wonderful group of Christians - as they continue on their faith journeys. Together, they will find even more new and exciting ways to bring the Good News of the Gospel to the city of Norwood and beyond. As for what is next for me, I too am discerning how God wants to use me – and am happy to report that whatever congregation I serve next – I will remain a proud citizen of Norwood, Ohio. I'd like to thank all the folks of Norwood for welcoming me into your community – especially the pastors of the Norwood Ministerial Association. God is good – all the time! All the time – God is good!

Rev. Chris White

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, December 22nd
Preschool Storytime
6:30 p.m., Ages 3-6

Wednesday, December 23rd
Holiday Open House
Games, Crafts, Music, & Refreshments
2-4 p.m., All Ages

Thursday & Friday, December 24th & 25th
Library Closed
Happy Holidays

For more information, call 369-6037

Xavier Players & Madcap Puppets present “Toby and the Ice Goblin”

On January 16 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and January 17 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Xavier Players will present Toby and the Ice Goblin directed by John Lewandowski, Madcap Puppet Theatre’s Artistic Director. This is the second show in this season’s “Hats Off” series collaboration between Madcap and Xavier. Tickets cost $7 each. They can be purchased online now at https://xavier-players.ticketleap.com and can be purchased by phone beginning Monday, January 11 by calling 745-3939.

The elves who make the winter snow, have been kidnapped by the evil Ice Goblin. Is this the end of snow as we know it? Not if Toby, a snow-loving little boy, has his way. Join Toby on his adventure as he tries to save the Snow Elves from the clutches of the selfish Ice Goblin and restore snow to the world. Czech Black Puppetry brings a magical element making this a production not to be missed. The puppeteers, normally visible, dress totally in black to blend into the background. The puppets wear light-catching fabric, making them appear as if they are moving on their own. Perfect for the winter season, the black light illusions and family friendly nature will warm the hearts of all audiences.

Summary of Rec. Commission meeting re Victory Pool

Guest blog by Keith Moore

At the Wednesday night‘s meeting, the Recreation Commission discussed the future of Victory Pool. The pool costs (after deducting revenues) about $8,000 a summer for staff and supplies. Last year (when pool attendance was low across the board due to all the rain), the pool averaged 16 kids per day, other than kids from the Summer Camps.

If the pool is closed, the plan would be to take the Camp kids to Burwood Pool.

Mayor Williams, Safety-Service Director Geers, and Council Members Sanker and Thornbury were also in attendance.

There was an hour-long wide-ranging discussion about a number of issues. A few highlights -

1. The feeling of the Commission is that they would rather spend that $8000 elsewhere - maybe sprucing up other parks or extending hours at Burwood or at the teen center at Waterworks.
2. On the other hand, $8000 to offer something to younger children, particularly in West Norwood, might be a wise investment in attracting and keeping school-age children.
3. The costs are similar to Burwood, but the threatened closing of Burwood produced a great deal of energy and awareness about Burwood pool, which has increased attendance and made that pool a focal point for community activities. Burwood is older and the repairs needed there this winter will be expensive, but the way people have embraced Burwood in the last few years makes it a valuable presence in the neighborhood.
4. The Rec Commission wants to hear from people - whether Victory is important to them, how to get more people to Victory, and programs that kids are interested in attending.

If anyone has any thoughts or ideas, please let Recreation know (531-9798 or norwoodrecreation@fuse.net), post on here, or contact me.

Keith D. Moore
Norwood City Council Ward One
Phone: 924-0571
Email: moore4norwood@aol.com

"Nice" Armed Thieves Robbed Angilo’s, LaRosa’s, Mio’s

Channel 12 is reporting that 2 male robbers armed with a gun and a knife have robbed 3 area pizza restaurants, starting with Angilo’s Pizza at 2649 Park Avenue in Norwood ten days ago. According to Angilo’s employees, the weapon-wielding pair apologized to customers and store personnel both at their store and at Mio’s, which they robbed several days later. They struck again Wednesday evening, terrorizing everyone at the LaRosa’s on Madison Road in Hyde Park.

The thieves are described as black males...one carries a knife, the other a silver handgun. Each time, they've been wearing black clothes, including hoodies. Wednesday night, one wore a knit scarf he pulled up to his eyes, the other was described as having a round face, a rough beard and a knit hat.

If you have any information about these robberies, call CrimeStoppers at 352-3040. You can get cash for clues.

November 2009 Earnings Tax Report

A monthly feature

The Earnings Tax Department’s Report for November shows YTD collections strong for the eigth month running. Last month, YTD collections increased 8.13% over 2008.

Individual…………...$ 68,090.77
Business……………....$ 12,715,69
Withholding………$ 1,006,191.86
TOTAL……………...$1,086.998.32

Collections thru November 2009….……….....…...........$15,538,272.14
Collections thru November 2008.............................$ 14,484,027.99
7.28% increase in collections over 2008.…………….......$ 1,054,244.15

Pediatric H1N1 vaccine recall

Following is a message for our readers from Health Commissioner Pamela Walker-Bauer regarding the recent pediatric H1N1 vaccine recall:

I am sure you have heard about the recall of pediatric H1N1 vaccine because it may not be potent enough to protect against the H1N1 virus. We administered approximately 80 of those 800,000 doses last week at the Norwood Health Department either on 12/9 or 12/10. This vaccine is formulated for use for children 6mos - 35 mos. The CDC states that no action needs to be taken except to continue to recommend that children under 10 yrs should have a 2nd dose of H1N1 vaccine spaced apart about 28 days.

RN’s Chandra and Betsy have a list of children who received that vaccine, so if any parents have questions, they can contact our nursing staff at 458-4600.

Pamela Walker-Bauer, MPH, RS
Health Commissioner
Norwood City Health Department

Cincinnati & Norwood Announce Open H1N1 Vaccine Session

We just received the following the following press release from Health Commissioner Pamela Walker-Bauer:


December 15, 2009

-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-

Cincinnati—the Cincinnati Health Department (CHD) is partnering with the City of Norwood to offer H1N1 vaccination for all members of the general public wishing to be immunized. For this session no pre-registration is required and the vaccination is free. Cincinnati and Norwood Health Officials will be staffing vaccine stations capable of performing 8,000 immunizations at this event. Details:

What: Cincinnati/Norwood Walk-In H1N1 Vaccine Session

Where: Xavier University’s Cintas Center, 1624 Herald Avenue, 45207

When: 9 am – 3 pm, Saturday December 19

Due to patient confidentiality requirements the media will not be permitted inside the facility while vaccinations are occurring. They will be permitted outside of the facility.

Individuals are encouraged, but not required, to fill out the consent form ahead of time and bring it with them to the session. The form may be accessed here:
http://cincinnati-oh.gov/health/downloads/health_eps38182.doc

Pamela Walker-Bauer, MPH, RS, Norwood’s Health Commissioner says, “Many non-tier one individuals have patiently waited to receive the vaccine and we are finally able to offer them immunization.”

“We’re glad to partner with Norwood to maximize resources and vaccinate as many individuals as possible. The disease continues to circulate and with the holidays approaching this is a great time to protect you and your family from becoming ill,” said Dr. Noble Maseru Ph.D., M.P.H. Cincinnati Health Commissioner.

All forms of the H1N1 vaccine are being produced with the identical process used successfully for years for seasonal flu. Local state and federal health agencies continue to monitor for adverse reactions from the vaccine and to date no serious or unusual side effects have been observed. Additional vaccine safety information from CDC is available here: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_safety.htm

Information and updates from Cincinnati:


· The week of December 14th any member of the general public wishing to receive H1N1 vaccine may attend one of the City’s health centers from 4-7 pm. The complete schedule is available here:
http://cincinnati-oh.gov/health/downloads/health_pdf38140.doc

· 513-357-7499, the Cincinnati Health Department H1N1 Information and Vaccination Hotline

· Visit: www.cincinnati-oh.gov (click “H1N1 Flu Info” on the top right)

· Follow the Cincinnati Health Department on twitter at: www.twitter.com/CinciHealthDept

· www.cdc.gov

Information and Updates from Norwood:

· Visit: http://www.norwoodhealth.org

· 513-458-4600

Just in: H1N1 Flu Clinic next Tuesday open to all

Health Commissioner Pam Walker-Bauer just sent us the following announcement:

We are beginning to schedule for an H1N1 clinic at the Norwood Health Dept at 2059 Sherman Ave. next Tuesday, December 22, 2009 for ANYONE who would like to be vaccinated. The clinic will be from 3:30-7:00 p.m. Individuals must call 458-4600 to schedule an appointment; No walk-in appointments. We also encourage everyone to visit our website at www.norwoodhealth.org and complete this H1N1 Consent for Vaccination prior to their visit to reduce wait time.

Pamela Walker-Bauer, MPH, RS
Health Commissioner
Norwood City Health Department

October 2009 Earnings Tax Report

A monthly feature

The Earnings Tax Department’s Report for October shows YTD collections strong for the seventh month running. Last month, YTD collections increased 6.19% over 2008.

Individual………….$ 139,949.01
Business…………….$ 568,363.40
Withholding……….$ 889,713.76
TOTAL……………..$1,595,026.17

Collections thru October 2009….……….....…...........$14,451,273.82
Collections thru October 2008.............................$ 13,364,485.16
8.13% increase in collections over 2008.……………...$ 1,096,788.66

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, December 15
Preschool Storytime
6:30 p.m., Ages 3-6

Thursday, December 17
ESOL Conversation Group
5:30 p.m.

Friday, December 18
Friday Morning Book Club
My Antonia by Willa Cather
10:30 a.m.

For more information, call369-6037

Norwood receives AAA Traffic Safety Award

Congratulations to the City of Norwood and especially to the Norwood Police Department for winning AAA's Platinum Award for improving our local roadways for motorists and pedestrians. the NPD's Sgt. Thomas Stein accepted the award when 12 area cities were recognized December 2 at the annual AAA Community Traffic Safety Awards at the Metropolitan Club in Covington.

Invitation to Norwood Historical Society's Holiday Open House

The Norwood Historical Society invites everyone to join them for their annual Holiday Open House this Saturday, December 12 at the historic McCullough House on the grounds of the beautiful Lindner Park Nature Preserve. The Preserve is located on Cypress Way off Montgomery Road at the far northern boundary of Norwood and the Cincinnati community of Pleasant Ridge.

The annual event begins at 4 pm and runs through 7 pm. and will feature live dulcimer music from 4 to 6 pm, refreshments and an assortment of holiday treats. The event is free and open to the public.

The event will also feature a brief ceremony honoring former Norwood Historical Society President, Donna Burgess with the Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The fourth recipient since the award’s inception, Ms. Burgess will be honored for helping the Society establish a firm footing in the community after its founding over thirty years ago. Previous recipients include Lucy Simpson, Venice Brown and Fu Linder.

The open house is a rare opportunity to tour the historic McCullough House, former homestead of the family that founded the J.M McCullough’s Sons Company, one of the nation’s premier seed merchants that operated in the Cincinnati area from 1838 to 1960. The home and grounds were purchased and renovated over two decades ago by the City of Norwood thanks in large part to donations from the families of brothers Carl and Robert Lindner. The home will be decorated for the season by the members of the Norwood Historical Society.
Those interested in joining the Historical Society during the open house will enjoy bonus membership months through May of 2011 when yearly membership renewals are normally due. Memberships are $15 and include the monthly newsletter. The Society also operates an archive room located in the Norwood Community Center that features artifacts and publications related to Norwood History. For more information about the Holiday Open House or the Norwood Historical Society, including information about how you can find a permanent, secure home for artifacts you or family members may have that relate to Norwood history, contact Society president, Rodney Rogers at 531-3447.

To learn more about the Society and Norwood history, visit the Norwood Historical Society.

NSL’s Holiday Assistance program seeks gift cards for families

Guest blog by Lupe Gonzalez-Hoyt

Norwood Service League is conducting its annual Holiday Assistance program to help 100 families who have job loss, are unable to work, or who are needy in other ways. NSL is preparing food baskets for 100 families. Members of the Norwood Middle School Honor Society are volunteering Thursday and Friday to assemble 200 old-fashioned Christmas stockings with oranges (Thanks, Kroger!), candy and small toys for 5th Annual Norwood Community Christmas Celebration on Dec. 13. NSL has received toys for needy children up to age 12 from various individuals, companies and organizations.

We don’t want to forget the young people ages 13-18 years old. Can you imagine waking up Christmas morning with no gift while your younger siblings have been blessed with toys? Mom and dad are struggling to pay the rent, get food… there’s nothing left for the teens. Yeah, Christmas is for children, but teens are still children, too. Norwood Service League would appreciate ANY donations of store gift cards for our families with teens. Local retail store cards are the best because these stores are close by, and local businesses are supported. We want to extend charity in our community to people of all ages. Please call Misty at 924-1200 if you can help.

And speaking of young people: I just want to take a moment to brag about two Youth Groups in our city. The young people at Community Missionary Baptist Church have taken on the NSL Senior Shut-In Stockings project for the public health nurse, Betsy, to deliver on her regular route. These teens took the stockings NSL provided and filled them with personal items, sugar free cookies and candy, CD’s, and personalized Christmas cards.

The young people at Cameron Church of God have outdone themselves this year by fundraising, shopping and delivering more toys this year than last year for needy children in our community. Their youth leaders have done a great job of instilling charitable deeds, showing a heart for others and service to the community. I applaud both of these youth groups and their leaders, and so appreciate them all!

I hope CBN blog readers can help us with the store gift cards. And thank you for allowing me to not only ask for help, but for thanking those who are helping us to help the needy in our community.

Norwood is awesome!

Lupe Gonzalez-Hoyt
Norwood Service League

Six inducted in Norwood Athletic Hall of Fame

Click here for more photos of the Norwood Alumni Association’s November 14 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction at Crowne Plaza in Blue Ash. This year’s inductee were

Marie Geraci, Class of 75
Kevin Weidenweber, Class of 90
Maria Hammond Eshman, Class of 95
JD Foust, Class of 99
Paul Dutch Ludwig, Teacher & Coach
Jim Powell, Indian Award Recipient

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, December 8th
Preschool Storytime
6:30 p.m., Ages 3-6

Thursday, December 10th
Tales to Tails
Read Aloud To A Therapy Dog
4 p.m., Ages 5-12

ESOL Conversation Group
5:30 p.m.

For more information, call 369-6037.

‘A Xavier Christmas’ welcomes children to campus today

180 elementary school children will be special guests

Xavier University once again kicks off the holiday season today with ‘A Xavier Christmas.’ Around 180 elementary school students from Hoffman-Parham, Frederick Douglass, Sharpsburg, Williams, South Avondale, and Norwood View schools will be special guests of the University and will be accompanied by more than 180 Xavier Buddies (students). The children will have an opportunity to meet Santa Claus, see a live nativity scene and partake in various crafts and activities.

Xavier University President Michael J. Graham, S.J. will join the participants at the Sally Watson Tree for a special tree lighting ceremony. Xavier’s Physical Plant staff always creates a breathtaking display for all. The Xavier University Gospel Choir will perform.

Xavier faculty, students and staff have collected new hats and gloves to be distributed to the children in attendance and sent to other children in need. On the day of the event, all the children will receive fleece scarves color coordinated by school.

The evening schedule is:
3:30 p.m.: Children from 6 elementary schools arrive at Cintas Center for pizza and pictures with Santa.
4:00 p.m.: Children and their Xavier student buddies will play games and do crafts
5:30 p.m.: Nativity scene featuring live animals on the green space near Bellarmine Chapel, as well as cookies and hot chocolate.
6:00 p.m.: Tree lighting ceremony in front of the Gallagher Student Center with Fr. Graham.
6:30 p.m.: Elementary school children depart.

“Baby” H1N1 Flu Clinic this Wednesday

This Wednesday, December 9, the Norwood Health Department at 2059 Sherman Ave. is conducting a “baby clinic” from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. for children ages 6 months - 35 months. Individuals must call 458-4600 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

Norwood officials’ letter to ODH: distribute more H1N1 vaccine

Below is the December 3 letter from Mayor Tom Williams and Health Commissioner Pamela Walker-Bauer asking the Ohio Department of Health to release more H1N1 vaccine because our Norwood Health Department has been prepared to start inoculating the larger local population (Tier 2) since Thanksgiving. Ms. Walker-Bauer had been fervently communicating this fact to the ODH via phone and conference calls for two weeks prior to the sending the letter, or as she put it, she had been “figuratively jumping up and down and screaming and shouting to ODH officials that we, in Norwood, were ready.”

Ms. Walker-Bauer doesn’t credit her and Mayor Williams' efforts with the ODH’s decision to release more H1N1 vaccine (see press release immediately below), but we’re going to give credit for both tenacity and preparedness. Today, she, Mayor Williams, and RN Betsy Nabors, and perhaps others, are meeting to discuss strategies for moving to the larger population. We will publish those details as soon as they are available.


December 3, 2009

Alvin D. Jackson, MD
Director, Ohio Department of Health
246 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Dear Dr. Jackson:

Since October 12, 2009, the Norwood City Health Department has administered over 3,500 H1N1 vaccinations to Tier 1 clients with a staff of 5 employees (2 nurses) that serve a population of over 21,000 residents. We completed the first round of school-based mass vaccination clinics on October 26, 2009. We then completed a second round of school-based clinics on November 20, 2009 to cover the second dose recommendation for the under 10 population, as well as to provide anyone who missed the first dose with vaccine. During that time period, we have also conducted 7 mass vaccination clinics.

We also have shared the 2009 H1N1 vaccine with approved providers and other local health departments who needed vaccine assistance in serving the Tier 1 population. Our last two clinics at the Norwood Health Department have been filled with a majority of non-Norwood residents. The information we are providing to you clearly supports that the Norwood City Health Department has saturated the Tier 1 market in our community. Which brings us to the purpose of this letter; the Norwood City Health Department has been ready to serve the Tier 2 population of our community since Thanksgiving.

Since many other state health departments are opening up the vaccine beyond Tier 1, we respectfully request that you will do the same in Ohio. We understand that some of the larger health jurisdictions may not be ready for the next level, but in Norwood, we indeed are ready! Unfortunately, our voice is not being heard over the larger, more vocal health jurisdictions.

The regional public health coordinator for Southwest Ohio recently gathered data indicating that there are at least 50,000 doses of vaccine in Southwest Ohio ready for distribution. We have a moral and ethical obligation to distribute this vaccine now before the next upswing in H1N1 cases. We are hopeful that you will look favorably on our request and allow us to move forward in this mass vaccination campaign.

Sincerely,

Thomas F. Williams
Norwood Mayor
Board of Health President

Pamela Walker-Bauer, MPH, RS
Norwood Health Commissioner
Secretary to the Board of Health

ODH expanding H1N1 vaccine to all Ohioans

Health Commissioner Pamela-Walker Bauer sent us the following press release her office received late Friday from the Ohio Department of Health. Shortly, we will also publish a timely letter she and Mayor Williams wrote to the ODH stating Norwood Health Department’s readiness since Thanksgiving to vaccinate the City’s larger population.

ODH BEGINS NEXT PHASE OF VACCINE

DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY
High-risk individuals encouraged to seek vaccine

COLUMBUS – As part of the next phase of the Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH) strategy to provide vaccine to Ohioans, ODH today told its partners that after a final week of focused efforts to reach high risk populations, it will expand H1N1 influenza vaccine eligibility to all Ohioans beginning December 14.

For the next week, health officials will continue to focus vaccination efforts exclusively on health care and EMS workers who provide direct patient care; pregnant women; people who live with or care for children less than 6 months of age; all people 6 months to 24 years; and people 25 to 64 years with chronic medical conditions. Beginning the week of December 14, these individuals will continue to be eligible for vaccination, along with other Ohioans who are not in the risk groups.

“We continue to urge high-risk Ohioans to seek H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines,” ODH Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D said.

Nearly 2.3 million doses of the vaccine are already available in the State of Ohio and more is expected to arrive each week. Health officials evaluated several factors before making the decision to lift restrictions on vaccine eligibility, including prior vaccine distribution, feedback from local health departments and discussions with other state and federal health officials.

ODH and their local partners have used various strategies to reach the at-risk populations including school-based, appointment-only and mass clinics and distribution to private providers to reach at-risk Ohioans.

Local partners will have flexibility to determine if it is necessary to continue prioritizing the vaccine for the at-risk populations, based on the needs in their local area.

In addition to being vaccinated, Ohioans can help stop the spread of illness by washing hands thoroughly and often; covering mouths when sneezing or coughing; and staying home from work or school if sick.

For more information on vaccine availability, check the ODH Web site at http://www.flu.ohio.gov or call the ODH H1N1 information line at 1-866-800-1404 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Voice of America: Norwood Moves Beyond Blue Collar Economy

An article on the Voice of America website recounts Norwood’s financial comeback from the devastation of the 1987 closing of the GM plant to today’s mixed use business community. Not only are Mayor Tom Williams and former local UAW president Ron Rankin quoted, but veteran Enquirer reporter Steve Kemme also shares his observations of how the City coped with losing 35% of its tax revenue, a time when he says, "A lot of people wondered if Norwood could survive as a city. A lot of people wondered if Norwood could continue with any level of services.”

He praises City leaders in this excerpt:

Kemme attributes much of Norwood's success to strong leadership. The reporter notes that while politics are usually adversarial, when GM pulled out, local political parties buried their differences and worked together. "That unity of purpose certainly is very important and they were fortunate enough to have leaders at that time who had a plan, a strong vision and stuck with it."

Do any of our readers remember the days during the GM era Mayor Williams describes when “on the weekends you couldn't walk down Montgomery Road. It was all crowded with people shopping" or “you didn't even have to set out your garbage cans. They would have someone come around in the middle of the night and set 'em out!”?

Mayor Williams shares a quote with our readers

We appreciate the email from Mayor Williams yesterday asking us to share the following quote with our readers and thought it would be a thought-provoking way to wind up the week. As long as the subject is voting, what are your thoughts on why so many people vote rarely or not at all? Low voter turnout is a phenomenon we fail to understand.

I come across quotes from time to time that I think is relevant. The one I would like to share with you today is:

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost. …John Quincy Adams

Sincerely,
Mayor Tom Williams

Victory Pool Update: City has made the repairs

Councilperson Keith Moore has informed us the City has made the repairs to the swimming pool at Victory Park (see his 12/3/09 guest blog below). He does, however, still plan to attend the December 16th Rec. Commission meeting to which he and other City officials were invited.

SPCA’s Pet ID Day offers big savings on rabies shots, microchips

Casey Brown tipped us off to some big savings at SPCA Cincinnati’s Pet ID day event tomorrow, December 5 at their Sharonville location at 11900 Conrey Rd. For one day only, SPCA is offering free rabies shots for dogs with the purchase of $19.75 Hamilton County Dog Licenses, free rabies for cats (registration of cats not required, but please make a small donation to defray the cost), and discounted microchip implantations and registrations for one cat or dog for only $15, a savings of over $60. Click here for more details.

ADDENDUM: Here’s another pet event Casey told us about: UCAN (United Coalition for Animals) at 1230 W. 8th Street in Queensgate is having a Holiday Open House from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, December 6 to celebrate their 20,000th surgery. The organization’s mission is to end pet overpopulation through sterilization. Sunday’s event will feature professional pet and people photos with Santa, custom pet ID engraving while you wait, refreshments, raffles, and more.

Recreation meeting to discuss future of Victory Pool

Guest blog by Keith Moore

The Recreation Commission has invited Council members and the administration to the Rec meeting at the Community Center on Wednesday, December 16 (7:00 p.m.) to talk about the future of Victory Pool. I believe that will be a discussion about whether to keep the pool open. There are some costly repairs that need to be done before it can open next year.

The last few years, the kids attending the summer camp at Allison went to Victory pool in the afternoons. I think that if Victory is closed, those kids might go to Burwood.

Some of the attendance numbers from 2009:

Total Average Daily Attendance: 33
Average Daily Attendance not counting summer camp kids: 16

Total attendance:
June: 862 (424 from summer camp)
July: 556 (330 from camp)
August: 303 (139 from camp)

July and August were really rainy this year, so attendance was down from June at all the pools.

I don't have any info on daily operating costs.

Anybody that has an opinion, please contact me, Recreation, another Council member, or the Mayor.

Keith D. Moore
Norwood City Council Ward One
Phone: 924-0571
Email: moore4norwood@aol.com

H1N1 Flu Clinic next Thursday, December 10

Health Commissioner Pamela Walker-Bauer has notified us that the Norwood Health Dept. at 2059 Sherman Avenue is having another H1N1 Flu Clinic on Thursday, December 10 from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Individuals must call 458-4600 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.


12/3/09 UPDATE: Pamela Walker-Bauer has informed us this Flu Clinic is full.

The clinic is for the following groups only:

1. Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
2. Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by "cocooning" them from the virus;
3. Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
4. All people from 6 months through 24 years of age;
5. Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread;
6. Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population;
7. Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza; and
8. Children under age 10 who need the 2nd and last vaccine.

Annual Madrigal Dinner by Xavier’s Department of Music

Xavier University’s Conaton Board Room in Schmidt Hall will again transform into a Renaissance feasting hall complete with court nobles, musicians, heralding trumpets, elegant food and divine music on Friday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m. as the Xavier Music Department presents its seventh annual Madrigal Dinner. The cost of the dinner is $45 per person with checks payable to Xavier University Music Department. Reservations are limited and can be made by calling 745-3801. Deadline for reservations is December 7.

The Madrigal Dinner will begin with a cocktail hour followed by a traditional Elizabethan feast. Guests will be seated at festively adorned tables where they will enjoy a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings: the Wassail (hot apple cider), the boar’s head (beef course), and Yorkshire pudding.

Xavier’s Edgecliff Vocal Ensemble performs, under the direction of chair/associate professor of music and Master of Ceremonies Tom Merrill, dressed in Renaissance finery. The ensemble provides musical entertainment throughout the evening. After the dinner, they will sing a brief concert of Christmas favorites. Proceeds from the dinner will support Xavier Music Department productions.