Mad Science coming to Norwood August 7

Guest blog by Joyce McDowell

The Mad Cap Puppet Show on July 9th was great success with about 220 people attending with many bringing a nonperishable food donations that were given to the Norwood food pantry.

Our next community event is a free Mad Science Event which will take place on Saturday, August 7th at the Norwood Church of the Nazarene at the corner of Smith and Edward's Roads. The Mad Science portion of the day will be provided by the Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation at 9:00 a.m., and this will be followed at 10:00 a.m. by the Back to School Bash where children can come and pick out a free back pack and play carnival games where school supplies are given as prizes. Everyone is invited. This may be a good way for some of the local families to get free supplies.

Joyce McDowell
Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation

Terry Disney named “Hall of Fame” Big Sister

Norwood resident Terry Disney has been chosen as a “Hall of Fame” Big Sister for her role in mentoring three tri-state children over the past 24 years. She is a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati and was honored at the agency’s annual celebration of volunteers. Terry is currently matched with “Little Sister” Shawnesha, who recently graduated from high school and is getting ready to attend Cincinnati State, studying Early Childhood Education.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati is always in need of caring adults willing to spend time with children in the community who can benefit from that friendship. 400 tri-state children are on the waiting list right now. If you can’t volunteer, you can still assist the agency with it’s mission to help children become successful in school and in life. Call (513) 421-4120 for information, or go to the website at www.bigsforkids.org.

Winning entries of the 118th Norwood Day Parade

Congratulations to this year’s winners!

President's Trophy (Business: 100 or more employees)
United Dairy Farmers

Rick Dettmer Trophy (Business: 100 or less employees)
Stone Lanes

Mayor Aaron McNeil Trophy (Civic, Church & Non-Profit):
Norwood Little Indians Football League

Judges' Choice Trophy (1st Place Award)
Star Strutters

Musical/Performance Entry Overall Award
Emerald Society of Cincinnati Pipes & Drums

Best Float - $500
Cornerstone Christian Academy

2nd place Float - $250
Cameron Avenue Church of God

Bike Rodeo at Norwood Night Out

Bike Rodeo
Tuesday, August 3rd from 6 pm-9 pm

Norwood Community Center
1812 Courtland Avenue - Norwood, Ohio

1. Bike Obstacle Course
2. Bike Safety Lessons presented by the Norwood and Xavier Police Departments
3. Norwood Cub Scout Pack 99 will be assisting with the rodeo
4. FREE Bike Helmets to the first 100 children courtesy of Children’s Hospital Medical Center
5. Refreshments courtesy of Kroger
6. Ice Cream by United Dairy Farmers
7. Children must be accompanied by an adult and must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian

For more information contact: Lt. Tom Williams @ 458-4545.

Presented by
Norwood Police & Norwood Citizens on Patrol

Invitation to 2010 Holy Trinity Festival

Guest blog by Brian Mumper

Thank you to Susan and CBN for the opportunity to contribute to the blog as a guest.

Dear friends and neighbors in the Gem of the Highlands,

We invite you all to attend the 2010 version of the Holy Trinity festival. You can expect the same great food, great beverages, and great games you have come to love. This is our third year in the new location and we have continually improved the event based on your feedback.

Friday, July 30 (6-midnight) with Red Idle: The Red Idle Band played on Sunday night last year and rocked it. On their website they list HT as “the rowdiest festival in the land”! Let’s live up to it!

Saturday Night, July 31 (5-Midnight) with The Remains: We welcome back “The Remains” to their Norwood stage. They have been with us for 3 years and offer an amazing performance.

Sunday (3-9pm), August 1, highlighting Ooh La La and the Greasers: Their 50s and 60s sound is well known throughout the area and we are excited to have them!

In addition to the drawing of our chance for a $10,000 Grand Prize, Sunday will also offer …
· Early BINGO under the big top – 1-4pm (food and beverages available)
· Happy hour prices 3-6pm
· Special kids game prices 3-6pm
· a visit from Xavier University Athletics and Kings Island’s Snoopy (XU and Kings Island will be offering discounts and promotions).

All Weekend Long: In addition to the above, we have added the following attractions …
· Little Tykes Area (kids 0-3) – play in the grass and on our toys (no charge).
· Additional Skill games – cornhole challenge, jug toss, quarter pitch, quarter bounce
· Teen area – GenY Bid and Buy, Guitar Hero Challenge, Pop a Shot
· Alumni area – anyone attending St. E’s, St. Matt’s, Sts. Peter and Paul, Gressle, Holy Trinity, and St. Nicholas are welcome to sign in and share memories.

“Our Homecoming”
While we are embracing our past with traditional food, games, and drinks…the most important thing is our community… our current Norwood Community as well as those that called us home in the past! Most of us can’t leave Norwood – those that were able to leave physically, cannot take Norwood from their hearts and we’d like to welcome everyone back.

Please join the largest annual event in our City and invite your new neighbors as well as those that may have moved out as we celebrate “Our Homecoming”!!!!!!!

See You Soon!!!!!!!!!

J. Brian Mumper

Cincy Biz Blog: “Take Away Days” offers free design scraps

Starting this Saturday, August 28 and every Saturday through September 25, except for Labor Day weekend, artists, educators and others will be able to pick up free materials at Linden Pointe from 9:00 - 1:00 p.m. at the small, freestanding, triangle building at 4801 Montgomery Road. The materials will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis, with no limits on how much you can take. They include items like carpet tiles, upholstery swatches, ceramic tiles, plastic laminates and paint chips, wallcovering books and three-ring binders.

ZEROlandfill Cincinnati, sponsor of the event, is a community wide program designed to divert waste from local landfills and promote repurposing of unused materials. Architecture and design firms and manufacturer’s reps are donating expired materials from their libraries. Last year’s event diverted more 70,000 pounds of material from the landfill.

h/t Laura

Summer Splash Family Night this Thursday

Everyone is invited to Norwood Recreation’s annual Summer Splash Family Night this Thursday, July 29, at Water Works Pool at 2605 Harris Avenue. Everything is free: free swimming from noon to 8:00 p.m. and free music and food from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. This event is made possible by donations from businesses and individuals from the Norwood Community. For more information, call 531-9798.

Back to School Bash this Saturday

Guest blog by Deb Robison

Norwood Church of the Nazarene in partnership with the Norwood Presbyterian Church will be hosting our 18th annual Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 7th. This free carnival is for children Pre-K through the sixth grade. The first 500 students will receive back packs. Children will play games and win school supplies. The Caleb-Tate Fuller Foundation is sponsoring a show by Mad Science. That will begin at 9:00am. The Carnival opens at 10AM and runs until noon. Many local organizations (after school programs, library, HIPPY, etc) will be on hand to talk with people about their programs.

Teens (seventh grade through twelfth grade) will have their own TEEN Bash on Friday, August 13th 7PM-9PM. This event designed especially with them in mind will have food, a live band, a Velcro wall, dunk tank and large screen guitar hero. The first 250 teens to attend will receive back packs and school supplies.

Both events will be held at 4424 Floral Ave, Norwood Church of the Nazarene and Norwood Presbyterian Church. For more information or questions please visit www.norwoodnaz.org or call 531-7585.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, July 27th
Make Your Own Air Pollution Catcher!
3-4 p.m., Ages 6-12

No Storytime due to Norwood Parade

Wednesday, July 28th
Preschool Storytime
11:30 a.m., Ages 3-6

For more information, call 369-6037.

Yo! Deal offers big discount today only at Quatman Café

Cameron just emailed us a link to a very cool website, Yo! Deal, that offers a “deal of the day” on purchases at area businesses and then donates 10% of every dollar spent to a local cause. He tells us he has bought several deals from the website without any problems. Today only you can get a cheeseburger, fries and drink at Quatman’s worth $7.60 for only $5.00. Click here to buy this great deal. Quatman’s has 2 locations: 2434 Quatman Ave. in Norwood and 224 West Main St. in Mason.

Invitation to Norwood Police National Night Out

Ptl. Bobby Ward with the NPD sent us the following information about a very special community wide event:

When: Tuesday, Aug. 3rd from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Norwood Police Substation / Community Center at 1810 Courtland Ave.
What: Law Enforcement Displays / Fire Department Displays, Police / Fire Equipment Displays. SWAT / K-9 / Special Units, Food / Drink

1. A bike for a boy and for a girl will be given away.
2. Several other police agencies will be bringing their police cars for display.
3. This is a family event. All are invited.

Ptl. Bobby Ward
Norwood Police Division
Training Officer
HCPA SWAT Team
Team Leader

Invitation to 75th Norwood Day at Coney Island

Guest blog by Laura Hobbs

Greetings!

I hope blog readers will come out on Wednesday, July 28, for Norwood Day at Coney Island, our 75th (almost) annual community event. I say "almost" because, as most readers probably know, last year's Norwood Day was rained out. Coney Island management decided to close for the day.

But all of us at the Norwood Business & Professional Women's Club are thinking positive thoughts for sunshine on Wednesday! So come out and join us, whether you pack a picnic or choose to purchase food at Coney Island.

Norwood Day runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is a great deal because we have special low admission pricing. Come in Gate 1 (the one off Kellogg Avenue on the west end of Coney, nearest the bridge.) You'll get a Coney wristband that entitles you to ride the rides and swim, PLUS you'll get FREE PARKING and FREE soft drinks.

Admission costs $17 for age 4 and up; $4 for ages 2 and 3; free for babies under 2.

Tickets are available at Gate 1 on the day of the event or in advance from the treasurer's office at Norwood City Hall during business hours.

In addition, NBPWC offers other activities for a small fee: bingo; split the pot; corn hole and horseshoe tournaments; kids' games where every child wins a prize; and our traditional Baby Show.

We're also selling tickets for our combination raffle, with more than 100 great prizes. Top prize this year is $300 cash! But we also have a 19-inch LCD HDTV, kids' bicycles, restaurant gift cards, museum gift certificates, Reds tickets, a Bengals collectible, concert tickets, flowers, salon services, sunglasses -- see our website for a list: www.nbpwc.org. We are able to offer these prizes thanks to our wonderful donors from the community.

Because it's a "combo" raffle, you buy a strip of five tickets for $1, then we draw numbers and match them with prizes, so your 20-cent chance is a pretty good deal. We'll pull the ticket for the top prize first, so everyone who buys tickets will have an equal chance at the big bucks.

For those of you who may not know about us, the Norwood Business & Professional Women's Club is a civic group celebrating our 76th anniversary this year. We use the money raised at Norwood Day to support our charitable work in Norwood and the surrounding community throughout the year. We fund two scholarships each year for girls graduating from Norwood High School.

If you have additional questions, contact us through our e-mail address, info@nbpwc.org.

Laura Hobbs
Norwood Day Publicity
Norwood Business & Professional Women’s Club

Rep. Reece wants full clean up of Hilton Davis site

Reece meeting with EPA officials today

Norwood Health Commissioner Pam Walker-Bauer sent us the following press release issued by the office of Rep. Alicia Reece:


COLUMBUS – Representative Alicia Reece (D-Bond Hill) is asking the Ohio EPA to consider a full clean-up the Hilton Davis site located in her 33rd House District. The site is owned by Eastman Kodak and has been a concern among the residents of Pleasant Ridge, Golf Manor, Bond Hill, and Norwood dating back to the early 1980’s.

Under the currently proposed plan by the Ohio EPA, the toxic wastes that have been dumped at the site for nearly 50 years will be allowed to remain. Rather than removing the toxins, the current plan allows Eastman Kodak to “cover-up” the metal barrels of waste with a layer of soil restricting the site’s future use indefinitely.

“I have received an enormous amount of feedback from taxpayers and residents who live near this site and are concerned about the long-term safety plan,” said Rep. Reece. “Failing to require Eastman Kodak to clean this site up has the potential to cause irreversible damage to our local environment and could create an enormous expenditure to the citizens of Cincinnati down the road if this site is no longer used as an industrial park. The site is surrounded by residential property and it is our job to protect the citizens living near this 80-acre toxic waste land.”

Rep. Reece will join residents from the area and other officials in a special meeting tomorrow afternoon at the Ohio EPA offices in Columbus.

Scam Alert: NPD investigating sweepstakes scam

Lt. Tom Williams tells us an 84-year-old woman who lives on Ida Avenue contacted the Norwood police yesterday after receiving a phone call informing her she had won a million dollars from a sweepstakes she had entered at Walmart. The caller told her that in order to collect her winnings, she needed to send a money order (amount unknown) for processing fees incurred.

“This is a fairly common scam, and the elderly are often the target,” according to Lt. Williams. Residents need to be on the alert for calls coming from area code 876, the area code for Jamaica. The scammers frequently tell their victims they entered the sweepstakes at Walmart. Lt. Williams added, “We’re asking everyone to spread the word about this scam, especially to our elderly neighbors.”

June 2010 NFD Activities and Statistics Report

A monthly feature

A. Total of emergency responses for the month of February = 429

Medic Runs = 309
Fire Runs = 10 (Building, Brush, etc.)
Average Response Time on Runs = 3 minutes, 13 seconds (city-wide)

Number of incidents by type:
Fire Runs – 10 - (Building, Brush, etc.)
Overpressure, Explosion - 0
Rescue & Medic Unit Assists – 64 - (lock-in, extrications, traffic accidents, etc.)
Hazardous Conditions (no fire) -8 - (power lines down, arcing, spills, etc.)
Service Call - 9 - (smoke removal)
Good Intent - 7 - (odor of smoke, controlled burning)
False Alarms – 20 - (false alarms, system malfunctions, smoke detector activated, etc.)
Severe Weather - 2
Special Incident - 0

B. Fire Hydrant Activity
Painted hydrants: 60

C. Bureau of Fire Safety Activities = 1,184
Total Inspections – 195 - (residential, schools, churches, businesses)
Total Violations – issued 358
Total Violations – corrected 464
Total Block Inspection - Unit #’s 1, 2, 3 - Rental & multi-family: 28
Referrals to Health and Building Depts. - 13
Additional Activities - 126

Upcoming meetings re clean up of toxic Hilton Davis site

Ward 3 City Council member Donna Laake asked us to post the following information she recently received from the Hilton Davis Committee of the Pleasant Ridge Community Council:

Upcoming meeting in the State Capitol: Representatives of the Hilton Davis Committee will go to Columbus on Thursday, July 22, 2010 to meet with representatives of the Ohio EPA and the Governor’s office to request-once again-a complete cleanup of Hilton Davis. We will be joined by officials from the City of Cincinnati, including Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls and Council Member Laure Quinlivan.

We need you to contact your state representatives! Before the July 22nd meeting-we need as many people as possible to mail or call our state elected officials to voice concerns about the Ohio EPA’s proposed cleanup plan. We need our state representatives to help convince the Ohio EPA to require Eastman Kodak to remove the 50 years of toxic waste from Hilton Davis, not just cover it up. Your call or message can be very brief; just ask them to urge the Ohio EPA to require a complete cleanup of Hilton Davis. Some talking points follow.

1. Hilton Davis is not located in an industrial area or open space. It is surrounded by thousands of residential properties in Pleasant Ridge, Norwood, Golf Manor and Bond Hill. Allowing Kodak to cover up 50 years of toxic waste would pose health risks for these residents.
2. At 80 acres, the Hilton Davis site is the largest property in Pleasant Ridge and one of the largest in Cincinnati. Allowing Kodak to leave toxic waste will likely keep this site as an industrial site forever and a toxic waste dump forever. Our community and city deserve better. The state of Ohio can require Kodak to clean it up so that we can do better. Eastman Kodak owns the property and all of the assets and liabilities that go with it. It should be held responsible for properly cleaning up-not covering up-the toxic waste. If Kodak does not do it, then the taxpayers of Cincinnati and Ohio will likely have to pay for it in the future.
3. The Ohio EPA has a duty to protect public health, the environment and welfare and to enforce a 1986 court-order consent decree that requires the owner of the Hilton Davis site to clean it up. We - the taxpaying citizens of Cincinnati and Ohio - deserve nothing less.
4. Kodak is an out-of-state corporation that leases out the Hilton Davis site and employs no one there.
5. Pleasant Ridge and neighboring Norwood are vibrant neighborhoods in Cincinnati with excellent schools, active churches, great restaurants and businesses and engaged citizens. We have a bright future and we do not want Hilton Davis to impede on it.

Upcoming meeting in Pleasant Ridge with environmental activists: Lois Gibbs will speak on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church. Pleas write this event in your calendar. Ms. Gibbs is well-known for her community organizing in Love Canal, NY in the 1970’s, after it was learned that the community was built on a toxic waste site. Her efforts led to the creation of the U.S. EPA Superfund, which is used to locate and clean up toxic waste sites throughout the U.S. Ms. Gibbs founded and serves as executive director of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, which seeks to form strong local organization sin order to protect neighborhoods from exposure to hazardous wastes. We are very fortunate to have her in Pleasant Ridge.

If you have any questions you can e-mail Donna Laake at dlaake@fuse.net.

Contact info:

Governor Ted Strickland
(614) 466-3555
amanda.wurst@governor.ohio.gov

Senator Eric Kearney
(614) 466-5980
SD09@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Representative Alicia Reece
(614) 466-1308
district33@ohr.state.oh.us

Caroline Schirmer
Secretary to Clerk of Council
Norwood, Ohio
cshirmer@norwood-ohio.com
513-458-4594

2010 Norwood Day Parade

The Norwood Day Parade, sponsored by the Norwood Chamber of Commerce, is a long-standing tradition in the Norwood community. This year will mark the 118th annual parade! The theme for this year's parade is "Norwood: The Shining Star" and we will have as our Grand Marshals, Vicki and Andrew Clark, Co-Editors of the Norwood Star. The Norwood Chamber selected the Clarks to recognize them for their 1 year anniversary of the publication of Norwood's neighborhood newspaper, Norwood Star.

If you have an organization or non-profit group that would like to participate in the parade, you can download a form by clicking here. There is no cost for non-profit groups to participate. There is a charge of $50 for political candidates within Norwood, $100 for political candidates outside of Norwood, $100 for businesses who are not chamber members. (The entry fee is waived to Norwood Chamber members.)

Trophies are given out in several categories and 2 cash prizes of $500 and $250 are given out for the 1st and 2nd place floats.

The Norwood Chamber is offering businesses an opportunity to participate in a parade sponsorship program. This is an excellent way to show your community support as well as to advertise to thousands of people in our area with your name on a banner in the parade that is included with your sponsorship. The sponsorship program consists of 4 different levels: $100 silver sponsor, $250 golf sponsor; $500 diamond sponsor and $1000 platinum sponsor. Click here to download a sponsorship form.

Mark your calendar for 7:00 p.m., July 27 for an evening filled with fun and excitement for the whole family at the 118th annual day parade.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, July 20th
Sluggo The Library Clown
3-4 p.m., Families

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

Wednesday, July 21st
Preschool Storytime
11:30 a.m., Ages 3-6

For more information, call 369-3067.

Xavier staff move to new Hoff Academic Quad

The excitement continues to grow on the Xavier University campus as more faculty and staff move into the new James E. Hoff, S.J. Academic Quad.

On Tuesday, July 20 at approximately 10:00 a.m. the first move will be made to the new Michael J. Conaton Learning Commons (CLC) located on the southwest corner of Dana and Ledgewood Avenues. Other moves will be made during the rest of the week. The moves include Discovery Services and the math and writing academic labs. A total of 24 faculty and staff will be moved during the week. The CLC includes forward-looking flexibility and cutting-edge technology combined with appropriate spaces for both collaborative and individual learning which makes this facility unique in American higher education. It is also a highly social center for learning outside the classroom.

Facts about the new building:

1. Features 84,000 square feet, five floors, a cafe and 24/7 environment.
2. Creates new focal point for connecting teaching, learning and Xavier’s Jesuit mission of service to others.
3. Resources include digital media lab, classrooms, auditorium and centralized location for reference and technology assistance.
4. Equips students with all the latest academic and technological tools in a wireless setting.
5. Offers ample space for individual study and group work with access to plasma screens, movable white boards and more.
6. Houses centers for academic advising and career services and labs for math, writing and modern languages.

Click here for more information about the Hoff Quad.

Norwood City Wide Home Sale and Open House

Norwood resident and Comey and Shepherd Realtor asked us let everyone know that Norwood homes for sale will be open for viewing on Sunday, July 18. This is an opportunity to buy a Norwood home a discount. Click here for details and a map of homes posted on her blog.

June 2010 Earnings Tax Report

A monthly feature

Individual………….$ 42,729.37
Business……………$ 190,138.40
Withholding………$ 769,706.52
TOTAL……………$1,002,574.29

Collections thru June 2010….……….....…...........$7,732,793.53
Collections thru June 2009...............................$8,961,338.84
13.71% decrease in collections over 2009.………($1,228,545.31)

Hamilton County opens Citizen Survey online

Hamilton County Administration is seeking input from county residents as part of the development of the 2011 budget. The survey is available to all Hamilton County residents and will be posted on the county website from July 8 through August 8, 2010. Click here to take the survey.

The 2011 survey focuses its questions on 12 distinct policy issues facing Hamilton County and its residents, and asks respondents to choose among several courses of action. Survey questions take on such issues as the stadium fund revenue shortfall, 911 call center consolidation, drug incarceration policies, election policies, Sheriff’s road patrols, approaches to public health and mass transit, and overall county government reform.

County administration anticipates releasing the survey results in mid-August, along with revisions to the 2011 budget forecast, and department responses to the current forecast budget. The survey responses may impact budget decisions and engage discussion during budget hearings between county officials and the Board of County Commissioners during September.

Hamilton County residents will also have an opportunity to express their views at public budget hearings to be scheduled in October.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Monday, July 12th
Art Camp
3-4 p.m., Ages 6-12

Monday Evening Book Club
Blue Highways: A Journey Into America
by William Least HeatMoon
6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 13th
Art Camp
3-4 p.m., Ages 6-12

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

Wednesday, July 14th
Art Camp
3-4 p.m, Ages 6-12

Preschool Storytime
11:30 a.m., Ages 3-6

Thursday, July 15th
Teen Craft Club
Surprise Craft and Snacks
1 p.m., Ages 12-18

Friday, July 16th
Friday Morning Book Club
Blue Highways: A Journey Into America
By William Least HeatMoon
10:30 a.m.

For more information, call 369-3067.

NSL Food Closet “Christmas in July” drives

Norwood Service League has been feeding the hungry for over 93 years with bags of food, bread lines during the Great Depression, a community food pantry in the 1960-70’s, and our NSL Food Closet today*.

We need your help with unemployment reported at 9.5% July 2, 2010. This figure doesn’t even include the millions of people who have given up trying to find jobs, or whose unemployment benefits expired bringing unemployment up to 16.5%. (Dept. of Labor)

Hunger is a year round need.
Can you help?

Ways you can help our community:

“Funds for Food” money collection at your workplace, organization/club, or church.

Food & Personal Care Drives

1. workplace
2. business
3. neighborhood grill-outs,
4. community events
5. church outreach
6. youth groups

Call 924-1200 for pick up or delivery arrangements.

* NSL Food Closet fed 6,827men, women and children in 2009. In 2010, NSL has 75% less resources than 2009 without community help.

2011 Tax Budget Public Hearing next Tueday

2011 Tax Budget
Public Hearing

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Time: 7:30 PM

Council Chambers
During the regular meeting of City Council.

Copies of the 2011 Tax Budget can be viewed at the Auditor’ office and on the bulletin board outside of Room 205 at City Hall, at the Norwood Branch Library, at the Health Department, and at the Community Center. You can view these during regular business hours at each location.

NEXUS Community Garden offers education open to all

Xavier University has partnered with Norwood and Evanston community members to create a 30-plot community garden behind Xavier’s McGrath Health & Wellness Center on the north side of Cleneay Avenue. The Norwood-Evanston,-Xavier Urban Sustainability (NEXUS) Community Garden launched in April.

NEXUS is a unique project aimed at engaging Norwood and Evanston residents alongside Xavier University students, faculty and staff to grow food, learn about sustainable living, and build community on common ground. The plots are about 8 by 3 feet each and for $25, gardeners will have that space to grow in through the end of October.

From late April through October each year, NEXUS will be a hub of learning and community engagement. Free workshops will be held three times each month through the season and are open to NEXUS members and to the general public. Check this website for the latest details.

July 10: 10:30-11:30 am in Cohen 195 “Growing and Cooking with Herbs”
July 13: 6:30-7:30 pm in Cohen 195 Showing of the film “Fresh”
July 24: 12-2 pm at the NEXUS Community Garden “Mid-Summer BBQ” (bring side dish to share)
August 7: 10:30-11:30 am at the Garden “Harvest the Rain” Rain Barrel Workshop
August 21 10:30-11:30 am at the Garden “Eat Local” workshop
August 26: 7-8 pm at the Garden “Container gardening workshop”
September 11: 10:30-11:30 am location TBD “Canning and Preserving”
September 25: 11 am - noon “Fall Harvest Party with Jazz music”
September 26: 7-8 pm Cintas Center “Will Allen: The Urban Farming Revolution”
October 9: 10:30-11:30 am location TBD “Food Security and Justice”
October 23: 10:30-11:30 am at the Garden “Putting your garden to bed”

Design and implementation is facilitated by a steering committee of 14 members from Norwood, Evanston, and Xavier. NEXUS has generous support of: Urban Harvest, Al Neyer, Inc., Evans Landscaping, Xavier University Peace & Justice Programs and Physical Plant, and the Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati.

For more information, contact Brad Rogers, NEXUS Norwood Co-Chair at brad@urban-harvest.org or Molly Robertshaw, NEXUS Xavier Co-Chair at 745-3560 or robertshawm@xavier.edu.

Invitation to free Mad Cap Puppet Show this Friday

The Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation extends a special invitation to the community to attend a free Mad Cap Puppet Show on Friday July 9th at 7:00 pm at the Norwood High School Mini auditorium, 2020 Sherman Avenue. Mad Cap Puppets is a twenty-nine year old, nonprofit, national touring company that creates original shows with giant puppets. Based here in Cincinnati, Madcap brings the thrill of live theater to more than 200,000 children and their families around the country each year.

Mad Cap's founder, the late Jerry Handorf, studied art and design in New York, then worked with Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets and was a puppeteer on Sesame Street. He returned to Cincinnati and founded the Mad Cap Puppets with Beth Kattelman.

Please join us for this special performance of Annie Oakley's Wild West Show as the hilarious characters and spine-tingling stunts bring American history to life like never before. The only thing taller than these giant tales are the giant puppets in this production! Nonperishable food donations are being accepted for the Norwood food pantry but are not necessary to attend the performance. For additional information you can contact Joyce McDowell, Community Liaison for the Caleb Tate Fuller Foundation at 513-236-2838.

Biz Courier: Duke Energy warns about scam

Last Thursday, Duke Energy said scam artists are contacting customers in some Tri-State areas offering to pay their entire energy bills in exchange for a fee. The company said no Duke Energy employee would ever offer to pay a customer’s bill. Customers who want to confirm the identity of a Duke Employee can call 1-800-544-8900.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, July 6th
Puppet Show with the Storybook Puppeteers!
2:00 p.m. All ages

Preschool Storytime
Books, songs, and a craft!
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Ages 3-6

Wednesday, July 7th
Toddler Jam Time
Music & Movement Storytime. Sing, dance, move!
10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Ages 1-4

Preschool Storytime
Stories, songs, and a craft!
10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Ages 3-6

Saturday, July 10th
Lego Club
Build a monster creation and have your picture taken with it.
3:00 p.m. Ages 6-12

For more information, call 369-3067.

It’s official: Marshall’s coming to Surrey Square

Yesterday, Mayor Tom Williams called to give us the heads up on the announcement that the department store Marshall’s Inc. will be opening later this year at Surrey Square. In a subsequent email, he stated “We have worked closely with Centro to promote Surrey Square. I want to give a special thanks to Norwood Building Inspector Mark Reeves for his help in expediting the process.”

Following are the contents of a memo dated 7/1/10 from Norwood Building Inspector Mark Reeves informing Mayor Williams about Marshall’s, Inc. tenancy:

"Marshall’s, Inc. has submitted permit drawing on 7/1/10 for the new tenant build-out at Surrey Square at 4450 Montgomery Road. Centro Properties, owner of Surrey Square, has been in negotiations with Marshall’s since early September, 2009.

Marshall’s will be occupying approximately 26,000 square feet. They are primarily a clothing and home-good retail store, owned by TJX Companies (also TJ Maxx). Construction should begin late July, 2010 with occupancy in time for the Christmas, 2010 season (early fourth quarter)."

Restaurant review: Thumbs up for the Cancun Mexican Bar & Grill

Recently, Lupe Gonzales-Hoyt sent us her very favorable review of the new Cancun Mexican Bar & Grill at the Quality Inn on Montgomery Road:

I don’t know how many people have tried our new restaurant, Cancun Mexican Bar & Grill, but I strongly recommend it! When you first walk in the door, you sense good quality by the courteous and attentive staff at the hostess desk. Brought back good memories of Brinkley’s. The waiters and servers are friendly, helpful and accommodating. They provided my party with request for special hot salsa to replace the regular salsa provided for all customers. The tortilla chips were fresh and tasty.

The food is absolutely delicious: frijoles, rice, guacamole, chicken and real beef tacos. The Shrimp Fajitas was less than expected, but given the higher cost of seafood these days, we weren’t surprised at the small quantity per serving. Nevertheless, the food is fabulous. And they carry my favorite Pepsi brands of soda. We don’t normally eat desserts, but their selection certainly looked interesting and tempting.

Did I mention the décor? Bright, primary colors. Airy and comfortable dining room. Beautiful light wood chairs, tables and booths with comfortable seating. Personally, I love the artwork of colorful parrots, scenery, and flowers. The lighting in the dining room is soft and comfortable to the eyes.

The owner of the restaurant had the front patio completely replaced, and now has a welcoming outdoor dining experience awaiting you.

In a rating of 5 stars, I’d give Cancun Mexican Bar & Grill in Norwood almost four stars.

Subsequent visits
I just wanted to follow up on my restaurant review of Cancun Mexican Bar & Grill. I am pleasantly surprised that the emphasis is on Grill than on the Bar. I’ve been back two more times, and enjoyed their Fajita Taco Salad. This meal was very healthy, veggies cooked just right and the steak was well done, as I like it.

I just found out they are hosting a live Mariachi Band on Thursday, July 22 during dinner time. If your readers want to enjoy a musical treat, this will be a great evening of lively music. I’m planning on bringing a group of friends and family!

Lupe Gonzales-Hoyt

2010 4th of July Norwood Hometown Fireworks

Thanks to the dedication of the Norwood Fireworks Committee and the generosity of the Carl H. Lindner family and many local businesses and individuals, the 7th Annual Norwood Hometown Fireworks is set to explode at dusk this Sunday, July 4 at Shea Stadium at 2603 Harris Avenue. The gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the program starts at 9:00 p.m. Admission is free.

This year, the new REWIND 94.9 with Steve Mann will be on hand with giveaways, plus there will be clowns, face painting, Zoo Wings of Wonder, moon bouncer and pre-fireworks music entertainment by All Dance Sound. Various civic groups have reserved booths.

Steve Thornbury is the Master of Ceremonies. Pastor Timothy Brooks of the Norwood Church of the Nazarene will give the invocation. followed by Mayor Tom Williams’ opening remarks. Lois Schneider, John Breadon, and Victor Schneider will be the presenters for the “Master of the Fireworks” Finalist and Drawing.