Special City Council meeting today

City Council is having special meeting at 6:00 p.m. today in Council Chambers to consider three agenda items: 
                    1. Ordinance to Advertise for Bids &
                        Enter into Contract for Resurfacing Park Avenue  
                    2. Consideration of Liquor Permit Denial-Shafer’s
                    3. Consideration and possible acceptance of Terms
                        Of Recent Contract Negotiations

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Thursday, May 3

Cinco de Mayo Party

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo by playing Musical Chairs and Pin the Tail on the Burro.  Chips and salsa will be served.

4:00 p.m., Families

Drop off unused medications at NHD tomorrow

In a collaborative effort to combat prescription drug abuse, the Norwood Police Department and the Norwood Health Department are hosting a “Medication Disposal Day” tomorrow, Saturday, April 28, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Members of the community are encouraged to bring expired, unneeded and unused prescriptions, as well as over-the-counter medications to the Norwood Health Department located at 2059 Sherman Avenue (across from the Norwood Middle School).  For more information, call NHD at 458-4600.

March 2012 NPD Statistics Report

The total number of incidents is all police activity for that month including officer initiated actions such as traffic stops as well as radio dispatched runs. The total number of reports is the actual number of reports taken by our police officers for that month including non-criminal reports such as Aided Cases and General Conditions reports. Total arrests include all arrests made in the City of Norwood including arrests for other agencies on warrants or capiases.

Total Number of Incidents: 3,531
Total Arrests Made: 297
Total Reports Taken: 266

Crimes Reported:
Part One Crimes Total: 117*
Part Two Crimes Total: 110**

FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR)

*Part One Crimes include Aggravated Assault, Forcible Rape, Murder, Robbery, Arson, Burglary, Larceny-Theft, Motor Vehicle Theft.

**Part Two Crimes include Simple Assault, Curfew, Loitering, Embezzlement, Forgery, Disorderly Conduct, DUI, Drug Offenses, Fraud, Gambling, Liquor Offenses, Offenses Against the Family, Prostitution, Public Drunkeness, Runaways, Sex Offenses, Stolen Property, Vandalism, Vagrancy, Weapons Offenses.

Lt Tom Williams
Norwood Police Department
(513) 458-4545

New: Norwood Is Beautiful blog

One of our readers recently came across the new Norwood Is Beautiful blog and sent us the link. It was introduced this past December with this brief entry: 

“This blog is all, or mostly, about Norwood, OH, where I live. It’s a suburb of Cincinnati, OH, and exists as a city within a city. I’ve lived in Cincinnati all my life, and lived in Norwood for 11 years. It’s an interesting place. Let me tell you how interesting.”

We enjoyed our first visit to Norwood Is Beautiful so much that we’ve installed a permanent link on the right

side of the page.  So far,  blog topics cover architecture, holidays, lawns, life in the Wood, and things to do, and photos are plentiful.  Take a tour!

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Wednesday, April 25
Preschool Storytime:  For Me, For You, For Later
The concepts & skills needed to be a financially responsible adult can be formed in childhood. This storytime for preschoolers incorporates books and activities to help children learn the basics of spending, saving, and sharing.
11:00 a.m.,  Ages 3-6 with adult
Registration recommended.  Call 369-6037.

Man stabbed at Heritage Hill apts. last night, suspect at large

According to the Enquirer, Norwood police are searching for a suspect who led them on a chase last night after stabbing a man, Theodore Pryor, at the Heritage Hill apartments n Moeller Ave.  The victim incurred multiple stab wounds and was taken to University Hospital.  The police found his vehicle, which had been stolen, nearby at Fenwich and Quatman avenues and determined the stabbing suspect was one who had stolen it.  After a chase began, the suspect crashed the car on West Seymour Ave. and ran off.

Sunday Funny

A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts: "Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?" The man below says: "Yes you're in a hot air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this field." "You must work in Information Technology," says the balloonist. "I do" replies the man. "How did you know?" "Well," says the balloonist, "everything you have told me is technically correct, but it's no use to anyone." The man below says, "You must work in Management." "I do," replies the balloonist, "but how did you know?" "Well," says the man, "you don't know where you are, or where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help. You're in the same position you were before we met, but now it's my fault."

Recycling event this weekend at Pubic Works Garage

From the Norwood Health Dept.’s Facebook page:

Norwood will be holding a Freon Removal & Tire Recycling event April 21st & 22nd from 9am-Noon. Bring all of your old TIRES, REFRIGERATORS, FREEZERS, AIR CONDITIONERS, and any other item that has freon to 3001 Harris Avenue (Public Works Garage). This event saves you from having to pay for freon removal prior to placing appliances at the curb for garbage pick-up. If you have any questions you can contact either the Health Department(458-4600) or Public Works(458-4615) for more information.

(h/t C.K.)

PSA from NHD: STD's are increasing in Norwood

April is Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) awareness month. STDs are an increasing problem in Norwood and surrounding areas. CDC states that 1 in 2 sexually active people will get an STD by the age of 25. Most people do not even know they are infected. The Norwood Health Department investigates all reported cases of STDs in Norwood. In 2011 the Norwood Health Department investigated 85 cases of Chlamydia and 29 cases of Gonorrhea. Out of those total numbers, 28 cases were of school aged children 13 to 18 years of age. STDs throughout Norwood would be significantly higher if all sexually active persons would be routinely tested. The only way to find out is to Get Yourself Tested (GYT)!

Brad King, R.S., M.P.H.
Health Commissioner
Norwood City Health Department
458-4600
bking@norwoodhealth.org

March 2012 Earnings Tax Report

Individual…………….$ 96,812.69
Business………………$ 111,259.29
Withholding…………..$ 764,757.40
TOTAL………………...$ 972,829.38

Collections March 2011….……….....…................$ 3,178,472.46
Collections thru March 2012...........................$3,086,572.09
2.9% decrease in collections from 2011.………..($ 91,900.37)

2012 Spring Semi-Annual Norwood Street Sale

Semi-Annual
Norwood Street Sale

Friday, May 4th – 9 A.M. – 5 P.M. and
Saturday, May 5th – 9 A.M. – 5 P.M.

ALL PERMIT FEES ARE ABATED
(THAT MEANS YOU PAY NOTHING!)

All residents participating in the sale MUST OBTAIN A PERMIT
prior to the sale dates from the Norwood Treasurer’s Office,
located on the first floor of City Hall.

Permits are available Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

A Permit also allows your address to be entered in a directory of sale locations!

The Directory will be available from the Treasurer’s office or online at www.norwood-ohio.com
(closer to date of sale)

Clean house, recycle, make $

Possible problems with Echo commenting

One of our regular readers emailed us that Echo, our commenting service, doesn’t allow her to post comments. She can type her name in but isn’t able to type in the comment box. If any of our other readers are experiencing problems like this, please email us at betternorwood@aol.com.

Recently, Echo notified us that they are dropping their commenting service in the near future. We are in the process of looking at other options and would welcome any suggestions you might have.

Our apologies to any readers who aren't able to comment at this time.

2 arrested for residential a/c unit burglary

In conversation with Lt. Tom Williams this past Tuesday, he told us that there has been an increase in both commercial and residential burglary of air conditioning units. The following day, he posted of two arrests for that very crime on the NPD Facebook page:

"Two people were arrested today for breaking into two residences. One residence on Slane Ave and one on Floral Ave were broken into. A resident saw the suspect in one residence and called police as he got into a car being driven by another subject. The witness gave a description of the vehicle which was spotted by police. Once stopped a miter saw and air conditioning unit were recovered. The a/c unit was found to have been taken from Slane and the witness saw the suspect take the miter saw from the residence on Floral. David Schnitzler M/W is under arrest for Burglary and Jennifer Ross is under arrest for Complicity to Burglary. Thanks to an observant neighbor and good police work this case is solved!"

Invitation to McTeacher's NIght

Our local McDonald's restaurant in Norwood is partnering with Sharpsburg Primary and Elementary School on Monday, April 16 for McTeacher's Nigh. This fundraiser is being held from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Sharpsburg Primary and Elementary Schools will receive a percentage of all sales during the event to assist with educational supplies. All community members, Norwood students and their families are encouraged to come out and participate in this event.

The Sharpsburg staff along with the Bulldog mascot will be there to greet you. Rumor has it Ronald will make an appearance!

New: Follow Norwood Police on Twitter

Guest blog by Lt. Tom Williams

The Norwood Police Department recently opened an account on Twitter. The Twitter feed allows the police department to instantly send a message up to 140 characters in length to subscribers on their smart phones. The Norwood Police Dept. plans to use this application to send out timely information that can help the residents of Norwood understand what is going on in their community. Information such as crime alerts, traffic information, or trends in criminal activity that affect our neighborhoods can be received instantly. Twitter is a free application that can be downloaded on our smart phone. Once you have signed up for a twitter account, you can follow the Norwood Police Department at “@NorwoodPD”. Twitter is also accessible from your home computer or laptop.

Lt. Tom Williams
Norwood Police Dept.
Phone: 458-4545


CBN Addendum: You can follow the NPD on Facebook, too. We’ve just installed a link to Norwood Police Facebook on the right side of the page.

Rookwood Exchange construction finally underway

Various local media outlets report that construction on a 123-room Courtyard by Mariott hotel started yesterday, along with 40,000 feet of restaurants and retail at the 12-acre, $100 million Rookwood Exchange site. Plans also include a 15,000-square-foot retail building along Edwards Road, 230,000 square feet of mixed-use retail/entertainment/office space, two 9,000-square-foot restaurants, and a 750-car parking garage and surface parking. Developer Jeff Anderson told Channel 12, "We're now going into what we call, instead of class A...going above class A and between us and the Western Southern building, these should be the nicest office buildings built in the greater Cincinnati area."

Click here for the Enquirer’s report, click here for Channel 12’s, and click here for the Business Journal's article.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Thursday, April 12
Make Your Own Button!
Make & decorate a button with your picture on it!
4:00 p.m., Ages 6-12

Saturday, April 14
Meet Dann Woellert, author of “Cincinnati Turner Societies: The Cradle of an American Movement.”
Hear the story of the Turner Societies, born in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, and how they fostered a great German-American Movement. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.
2:00 p.m.

From the Norwood Health Dept.: Easter Egg Safety

Guest blog by Chandra Corbin, RN

Q: How long can hard-boiled eggs stay out at room temperature? The Easter basket looks empty without them!!

A: Your friendly U.S. Department of Agriculture says you can keep those colorful eggs in the Easter basket or out for an Easter egg hunt no longer than 2 hours. Otherwise, it says, they should be kept in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. If they're out for longer than two hours, you should NOT eat them. The USDA says, "Some people make two sets of eggs--one for decorating and hiding, another for eating."

Other suggestions:
1. Only use food-grade eggs and dyes to make colored eggs.
2. Don't hide eggs that have cracked shells. It is too susceptible to picking up bacteria from the environment.
3. Don't hide eggs in areas that are dirty or where they
are likely to come in contact with animals or other bacteria sources.
4. Eggs that are not found with-in two hours should not be eaten.
5. Make eggs to decorate and eat and use the plastic eggs filled with treats for the hunt.

Have a Happy & Health Easter Weekend.

Chandra Corbin, RN
Public Health Nurse
Norwood Health Department
2059 Sherman Avenue
Norwood, Ohio 45212
513-458-4600

10th Annual “Fur Ball” benefiting SCPA Cincinnati

The ‘Best of Show’ will be featured at SPCA Cincinnati’s 2012 Fur Ball on Saturday, April 28 at Xavier University’s Cintas Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. The annual event raises vital dollars to continue SPCA’s mission of turning no animal away. The evening begins with cocktails and a silent auction followed by dinner.

Local 12 Reporter Rich Jaffe will be the special guest emcee for the evening’s events. The highlight of the evening will be the crowning of the four-legged “Best in Show” with special guest judge Local 12 anchor Cammy Dierking as well as surprise judges you don't want to miss!

Sheltered Paws Dog Rescue founder and long-time SPCA Cincinnati volunteer Christina Hamberg will be honored with the P.B. Johnston Humane Care Award for her dedication to animal welfare and raising awareness in the community about animals.

To cap off the fun, everyone will keep their tails wagging to the dance tunes of Airwave. Of course, there will also be animals available for adoption that very night!

Tickets for the cocktail attire event are $150 per person. A table for ten is $1,500. Parking is free. For more information about purchasing tickets, please call 513-489-7392 or visit www.spcacincinnati.org.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Thursday, April 5
Cookie Decorating
Decorate Easter Egg and other Spring themed cookies! Take some home and eat some up! Bring a friend along to share in the fun.
5:00 p.m., Ages 12-18

Friday, April 6
GED Practice Test
Determine if you’re ready to take the official GED test. To register, call 369-4570.
10:30 a.m.