JUNE 2020 NANA NEWS Volume LVIIII No. 9
Published by the North Avondale Neighborhood Association
Your monthly news & updates
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Hello Neighbors,
 
I write to you this month with a heavy heart in the midst of the turmoil in our City and our Nation. Addressing issues of systemic inequality and the legacy of racism during a global pandemic was not on my agenda for 2020, but here we are. So, how do we, as a diverse community, ensure that we are working together to ensure liberty and justice for all of our neighbors?

I know that is a big question with no easy answers. What I am certain of is that North Avondale is filled with people who want to be a part of the solution. I have seen many social media posts from neighbors sharing resources and encouragement with one another. We are a community that cares, but there is a lot of work to do too!

The first step in making our neighborhood a model community for the rest of the City is to engage with our neighbors. I highly encourage everyone to attend our Annual Meeting and begin getting connected to NANA. While we cannot meet together in person, we can meet new neighbors, show our support for each other and work to heal and grow together. I look forward to hearing from our neighbors about their ideas for how to do this important work!
Please join us on June 14 th and until then stay safe and healthy.
Ethan Perry
NANA 59th ANNUAL MEETING 
  Sunday, June 14, 3:00 pm

VIA ZOOM at https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4627492892
Meeting ID: 462 749 2892
Password :  9tTTPt

Agenda Highlights
·  Annual Officer/Committee Reports
·  Election of Officers
 
N ANA’s 2020-2021 Nominating Committee comprised of: Chair Patrice Watson (Avon Fields Pl), Carolyn Gillman (Red Bud), John Jones (Marion), Ethan Perry (Wedgewood), Laura Pike (Warwick), Maura Wolf (Lenox Pl) is pleased to announce the proposed slate of officers:
 
2020/2021 NANA Board of Trustees
President:
Ethan Perry (Wedgewood) 
1 st Vice President:
Heather Herr   (Betula Ave.)
2 nd Vice President:
Laura Pike (Warwick)
3 rd Vice President:
Fred Fagen (N. Fred Shutlesworth)
Recording Secretary:
Morgan Rottinghaus (Lenox Pl.)
Corresponding Secretary:
Ilene Ross Tucker (Belvedere)
Treasurer: 
Robin Senser (Burton Woods Lane)

 
 NANA General Meeting July 14, 2020
  
 THANK YOU FOR PAYING YOUR 2020 NANA DUES  

COMMITTEE UPDATES

BEAUTIFICATION
Neighborhood Flower Pots

We are taking donations for 2020 to pay the Parks to maintain the flower pots along Reading Road. You can make a donation on line at: northavondalecincinnati.com/donate/ and check Other and put: flower pots or you can mail a donation to: NANA, 617 Clinton Springs Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229, ATTN: Beautification.

Please consider helping with a tax deductible donation so we can continue making our neighborhood beautiful! Thank you! 
NANA Beautification Team
H EALTH AND WELLNESS
Cincinnati has opened up; great news for businesses and the economy, yet not without managed concern. The goal is not to move backwards and find ourselves within the strong arms of COVID again. The best way to protect ourselves is to continue to practice social distancing and to make it such a habit that it is done unconsciously. Just as when we get into a car, we automatically put on the seatbelt, we must do the same with our masks and gloves and distancing behaviors of arm bumping and hand washing. It is heartbreaking to watch TV and hear about the stories of people of all ages who have succumbed to this virus. Let us do our part to make sure the stories end. 

“Reopening Ohio is a risk, but it’s also a risk if you don’t move forward. We’re on a dangerous road that has never been traveled before in Ohio and the danger is that we relax and stop taking precautions,” DeWine said.

Nevertheless, the Health Department is still alive and well, performing its duties to the city which appear to be more critical during this pandemic. All health centers are open to receive patients and to give medical treatment and advice. 

The Health Commissioner, Dr. Melba Moore, has expanded responsibilities due to the coronavirus. She is focusing all her time on managing the city’s response to the COVID pandemic. And she has been assigned by Governor DeWine to lead the State of Ohio Ethnic Data and Research Committee. Meanwhile, the day-to-day operations of the Cincinnati Health Department will be handled by the Assistant Health Commissioner, Dominic Hopson. Don’t fret, health services continue for Cincinnati.
Kimya Moyo, Health Liaison

LAW AND SAFETY

Neighborhood Updates:
  • The burnt-out shell of the white Nissan near 680 Dana can't be removed until COVID is over per Officer Hill.
  • There was an individual residing at the 700 block on Clinton Springs, house was raided by police last month, one individual was arrested and charged with Fentanyl use and possession + trafficking.
  • Also, was a drug transaction in late April -- not connected with the above property, but across the street -- this resulted in a Heroin bust after a short car and foot chase ending up on Washington Ave.
  • 882 Clinton Springs is still under many code violations. This is an ongoing problem and is being addressed but it will take some time. Not necessarily residents from there but as of this past week I've seen activity which looks a lot like drugs are at the heart of it. Especially a skinny white female (late 20s to mid 30s) who will walk around the corner of Mitchell (also Rose Hill), pace, and eventually a car swings by, transfer takes place, and off they go. The place itself is still a mess. This morning an elderly gentleman from there stood two feet off the curb on Mitchell with coffee cup in hand and had cars move over to avoid. Lots of garbage and junk sitting alongside the place -- we'll see how much finds its way curbside for pickup.
  • 887 Clinton Springs The burned down house is now considered a public nuisance and the city is currently working on a timeline for what's to take place next.
  • Missing signs at the entrance of Rose Hill near the Belvedere has been ordered. Also North Avondale sign that is down at the Dana Triangle has been reported to re-install.
Carolyn Gillman & Dirk Pastoor, Co-Chairs
FUN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
● Everyone is out walking and enjoying our neighborhood. Unfortunately, some areas in our neighborhood have plants that are overgrown making it difficult to walk on the sidewalk. Please trim back these areas on your property as a courtesy and to avoid a citation. Below is from the City of Cincinnati Municipal Code:
Sec. 731-4. - Managed Natural Landscaping
Managed Natural Landscaped Areas shall not be permitted to overhang or encroach onto any public or private properties, or public sidewalks, streets, or alleys adjacent to the lot, tract or parcel on which they are planted.
(Ordained by Ord. No. 149-2011, § 1, eff. June 11, 2011)

The removal of the bushes overgrowing the sidewalk where Rose Hill & Beechwood connect on the West side makes it both easier to use the sidewalk and improve the safety of pedestrians on that corner. Thank you.
FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND NONPROFITS
● Large trash pickup started June 1. For more information click here

● The 2020 Neighborhood Blitz Clean Up Program is suspended until further notice

● What's New - Mill Creek Alliance
Latest posts from https://www.themillcreekalliance.org/news/ on 05/22/2020
 
May 2020 Historic Rainfall on Mill Creek
by Bennett Kottler on May 22, 2020 12:38 pm
 
Source: h ttps://msdgc.vieuxinc.com/
 
Where were you during the record breaking rainfall this past Monday, May 18, 2020? We hope that you and your property weathered the “storm”. and record breaking precipitation. What did all that rain do to the streams near you? We asked folks to submit pictures of the Mill Creek in their neighborhood and received a lot of responses. See for yourself!

● Uptown Consortium, Inc.  is hosting a series of free virtual panels to help support businesses in the community. Up next, representatives from  Wordsworth Communication s  and  Brn Digita l  will discuss how businesses can effectively communicate with customers and partners throughout the pandemic.
 
Follow UCI on  Twitter  and  Facebook  for event details, including timing and registration. Reach out to Brooke Duncan with any questions,  [email protected] .
● It’s official and we need your help! Visit the link below and tell us what you think about the projects and transportation needs that OKI staff has identified as we plan for the next thirty years in our region . Some of this information is certain to have an impact on  the  work that you and the residents in your community are working on so diligently to ensure a safe, livable, sustainable environment in your neighborhood.

You took the survey, wonder what’s next? 
 
https://2050.oki.org/  is up and ready for your final input on the draft Plan, including the project lists across the eight-county OKI region.
  • Public comments are encouraged and will be accepted from now until noon on Wednesday, June 10, 2020.
  • OKI is hosting a modified (prerecorded) public hearing on Monday, June 8, 2020. Details found at 2050.oki.org.
● KEEP CALM. STAY HOME. TAKE THE CENSUS.
Fill out the Census online at: https://my2020census.gov/ or by phone (1.844.330.2020). Mail-in questionnaires can also be requested.
FROM YOUR NEIGHBORS
● Sydney Herr (left) graduated from St Mary and will attend St Ursula. Skylar Herr (right) 2020 graduate of Saint Ursula will attend University of Alabama honors program in biological sciences, pre-med.
Skylar, during her last weeks at Saint Ursula was featured in the SUA news, as she led the senior class in raising $2020 for Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Seniors typically participate in a flag football game to raise money for the hospital. It was cancelled this year, but Skylar and a classmate came up with the idea to challenge their class to contribute to this generous donation. See the article here:  https://www.saintursula.org/protected/ArticleView.aspx?iid=6GBPUYY&dasi=4GGGY

Heather Herr (Betula)
● Hi Friends,
 
During these Covid-19 (work and gigs evaporated times), I've joined PATREON and am offering my music recordings online for a monthly fee. Many of you may not be able to contribute at this time .... or ever, and I understand that completely. Please pass this on to other people who you think might enjoy my musical offerings. Thanks so much for your fantastic past support! Here is the PATREON address - Please check it out:
 
 
All the Best! We shall get beyond this and come out the better for it!
 
Jim Hart (Valley Lane) [email protected]
 ● Hi everyone,
 
This is just to let you know that my daughter jazz vocalist Petra van Nuis and her husband jazz guitarist Andy Brown are doing virtual gigs every Wednesday at 9 pm ET (Andy first set and Petra and Andy second set at 10pm ET). Originally, Andy was taking his quarantine gigs down and changed his mind after popular demand and decided Petra would be joining him on all gigs and they would do this every Wednesday. So you can tune in at the appointed hour or you can listen at any time afterwards. An added advantage is one of the fans has graciously put the tunes and times up after each show so you can scroll for any favorites (time stamp).
 
Also, whether or not you are a Facebook subscriber, there is a performance video ( approx. 35 mins.) and post (interview) from 5/16/20 which is public on the Facebook page of Caffe Vivace here in Cincinnati.
 
Enjoy and stay well.
Rosalie van Nuis (Burton Woods Lane)

Below are the links for the next two YouTube shows. 
Below that are some past gigs in the series: 

● From  Beth Ewing (Winding Way)
IN MEMORIAM
Rabbi Sigma "Sissy" Faye Coran: Rabbi, teacher, mother, wife age 54, passed away May 8, 2020. She was the beloved daughter of Aubie (Sandy) Coran and the late Susan Coran and daughter-in-law of Marvin and Gerry Kraus;  devoted spouse of Rabbi Matthew Kraus ; loving mother of Jacob (Kim) Kraus-Preminger, and Shirah, Micah, & Eden Kraus; dear sister of Steve (Laurie) Coran & Jeff (Kim) Coran; also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues, and Rockdale Temple family.
Funeral services took place on May 10, 2020 at Rockdale Temple, Rabbi Meredith Kahan and Rabbi Karen Thomashow officiating. Due to Covid-19 only the immediate family was present in the sanctuary but at least another 1500 people viewed the live stream. Interment took place at Walnut Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Rockdale Temple or Goldman Union Camp Institute would be appreciated.

WELCOME NEW NEIGHBORS  
 
  • Craig Faulkner at 778 Avon Fields Ln.
  • Daniel M & Sally H Keefe at 12 Burton Woods Ln.
  • Ramon Harris at 38 Clinton Springs Ave.
  • Emily A Vork Young & Matthew E Young at 27 Kessler Ave.
  • Bayview Loan Servicing LLC at 35 Kessler Ave.
  • Emily A Vork Young & Matthew E Young at 28 Wuest St.
  • Sarai Bailey at 41 Wuest St.
RECYCLING TIPS
We're still deep in the lockdown and the Earth911 team gathers from the far corners of the U.S. to discuss how to improve our personal and community sustainability as we emerge from the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Earth911's Sarah Lozanova, Mitch Ratcliffe and our producer, Doug Mackey, talk about the increased recycling reported by cities, as well as the disappointing news that people are not cleaning and sorting recyclables -- contamination rates stay stuck between 20 percent and 25 percent...
RECREATION AND LIBRARIES

● North Avondale Recreation Center - 617 Clinton Springs Ave. 513.961.1584 

  • North Avondale Recreation Center is temporarily closed please check cincyrec.org for updates on our reopening. 
  • Tennis Courts: I know longer know what the plans are going to be since the shutdown, it appears all capital improvements are on hold. One of the courts was being looked at for futsol.
Brittany Barrett, Community Center Director
● Hirsch Recreation Center - 3620 Reading Road ● 751.3393

  • Hirsch is running a full summer day camp. I don’t have any flyers it’s on our cincyrec.org website.
  • Hirsch’s pool will be open June 8th, there’s going to be a reservation process. Participants will call the center 751.3393 to schedule a block of swim time, by the end of the week I’ll have more details.
  • No fitness start dates yet, stay tuned.

Blake Williams, Service Area Coordinator
● Schools are officially ending their academic year, but keeping kids learning all summer helps make sure they don’t lose the skills they learned at school. The library has all you need to keep young people from pre-school through high school learning in a fun, engaging way. Please join with us to  Discover Summer !
 
Free Reading & Learning Materials
Beginning the week of June 8, drop by any library location offering  drive-thru or curbside service  to pick up one free book per child or teen and a free activity booklet. Books and activity booklets are available in four categories: preK, elementary, middle school, high school. PreK families can also get a free early literacy calendar. You can also download the activity books from our  summer site .

Stay Tuned for More
Later this summer we’ll be handing out Take and Make activity kits for elementary aged youth, and launching a mobile app that parents and caregivers can use to find recommended reading, learning activities and track their kids’ and teens’ summer learning. To close out our Discover Summer effort, we’ll be giving out prizes to kids through random drawings.
 
Stay Up to Date
 
Help us Help you!
The Strive Partnership  is seeking feedback from students about their learning experiences during the pandemic to help identify students’ most critical needs so we can come together as a community to address them. If you have a school-aged young person at home, please encourage them to take this  confidential survey .
 
All Library locations closed to the public.
 
Limited Services have started back at certain locations
  • Drive-thru service: As we shared on the blog earlier this month, drive-thrus will reopen on May 26, along with curbside service at Symmes. 
  • Curbside service will also begin at these locations: 
o May 28: Blue Ash and Loveland 
  • Mon. - Tues., 10:00 am – 9:00 pm 
  • Wed. - Sat. 10:00 am - 6:00 pm 
o June 1: Anderson, Clifton, Green Township, North Central, Walnut Hills 
  • Mon., Tues., Thurs. Noon to 8:00 pm 
  • Wed., Fri., Sat. 10:00 am to 6:00 pm 
S ummer Meals starting June 1st
  • Free meal service for children ages 18 and under will continue throughout the summer in much the same way as it has been since schools closed.
  • Avondale is a participating location
  • Monday-Friday 1:00-1:30
  • While the Library is closed to the public curbside meals will be available for youth ages 18 and under, at select locations. Children must be present to receive a meal. The meal service locations and serving times are subject to change.

Meals are available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at these locations.
  • 1-1:30 p.m. – Avondale, Covedale
  • 1:45-2:15 p.m. – St. Bernard, Westwood
  • 2:30-3 p.m. – Bond Hill
Discover Summer-Summer Reading Program
  • This year Discover Summer is definitely different than years past, but it’s still packed to the brim with fun! Participation in our summer program is open to kids of all ages and is completely free! No Library card is required.
Summer Fun Online
  • Tune in each week day and Saturdays for a free live or on-demand event or activity. As dates and details are finalized, we’re adding that to our online calendar. Live storytimes will continue Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 pm via our Facebook page.
 
NORTH AVONDALE SCHOOLS 
North Avondale Montessori ● 615 Clinton Springs ● 
   363.3900 ● www.namrockets.org      NAM Brochure     
NAM Preschool Brochur e        


NAM Honors the Class of 2020!
In an unprecedented event due to the corona-virus world pandemic, the Class of 2020 was recognized with a parade on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Students and parents traveled along the parade route which started on Clinton Springs Ave., went through the playground area, and exited school at the Rec Center.

Cars were decorated with streamers, signs, and pictures of the graduating student. "Our students were excited with joy and our parents were beaming with pride as the caravan traveled twice around NAM. Our teachers were cheering on our students while parents assisted with traffic flow and handing the gift bags to me for distribution. This was a total team effort and all of us were happy to give our students the recognition they so rightly earned and deserved," said Principal Lewis.

Students were treated with a variety of music provided by DJ,  Jermaine Hill. Pomp and Circumstance played on the first time through the playground and on the second pass, students were treated with today's popular songs. "The look on our students faces were priceless! They had so many special activities taken away from them this spring so having the parade lifted their spirits," said Angela Houston, a member of the NAM-Foundation.

"We needed to bring closure to the school year and honor our students. I am happy to see so many of our staff members were able to attend. Our students appreciate their teachers being here. This evening event was a home run," said Rein Forrest, 9 to 12 Team Leader.

"This was my 10th and final Grade 6 Recognition Ceremony at NAM. This was definitely the most special ceremony because as a community we had to be creative on how we honored our students. Our NAM-Foundation, NAM Fathers Group, and many other parents really stepped up this evening and I am proud of our community. But we are "Team NAM" and that is what we do for our students to get the job completed. I am very confident in stating we will never have another ceremony like we had tonight," said Principal Lewis.

C ongratulations to all the members of the Class of 2020 and we wish you the best!
Sincerely, Principal Lewis

CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW FOR THE VIDEO OF THE EVENT
Lt. Heibrun visited the memorial bench at NAM to honor Lt. Leahr's birthday. 
NAM Welcomes New 9 to 12 Teacher!
Please welcome the newest member of our 9 to 12 Team, Ms. Lauren Fisher. Ms. Fisher has been a 9 to 12 ELA Montessori Teacher for over ten years and comes to NAM from Dater Montessori School. While instructing students in grades 4, 5, and 6 at Dater Montessori School, she did a remarkable job teaching ELA. She has 9 to 12 
Montessori credentials and is a Highly Qualified Teacher, by the Ohio Department of Education standards.
"Ms. Fisher is a superstar! All of her students in grades 4, 5, and 6 scored "Proficient" or higher on the American Institute of Research (AIR) reading assessment required by the Ohio Department of Education. To have 100% of your students meet or exceed the 80% Ohio Department of Education ELA requirement speaks volumes of her abilities and the connections she makes with all of her students. She is innovative, creative, and connects with her students and parents. Also, she is involved with students in after school programs. She will be teaming with Ms. Janine Kiefer, our outstanding math and science teacher. I was elated when she accepted the position.

Lauren and Janine will make a tremendous team and down the road will be in high demand," said Principal Lewis. "I am excited to join "Team NAM" and look forward to the 2020-2021 school year. I want to be involved in the NAM Community and to make a positive impact on my families," said Ms. Fisher.
Roger Lewis, NAM Principal


The New School Montessori (TNSM) 
●  3 Burton Woods Lane ●  281.7999 ● www.newschoolmontessori.com     
Create artwork using paints you make yourself.

New School Montessori elementary art teacher, Robin Hartmann, made an instructional video showing students how they could make their own paints using everyday items found around the house. To create your own paint the way da Vinci did:
  • Separate egg white from egg yolk.
  • Put the yolk on a paper towel and use a toothpick to rupture the egg yolk's sack.
  • Squeeze the yellow liquid from the sack into a container or welled cup of a paint palette.
  • Take care to keep the yolk’s membrane on the paper towel.
  • Then mix small amounts of liquid yolk with various ground-up pigmented items like chalk dust, Kool-Aid or food coloring to begin your masterpiece.
   
Here is the the video:
Ann Baumgardner, Communications Director
ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORS
● The YWCA Greater Cincinnati has taken an unprecedented step by pivoting from its annual Career Women of Achievement Luncheon program to broadcasting a version on network television June 18 at 7 p.m. on Local 12 . North Avondale resident Jeanne Rehling-Golliher, President & CEO, Cincinnati Development Fund will be one of eight women honored.

Due to the tight quarters at the YWCA domestic violence shelters during the COVID-19 epidemic, the families had to be moved to motels, costing the organization an unbudgeted $36,000 a week for food, basic supplies and housing. Proceeds from the annual Career Women of Achievement Luncheon had already been designated to benefit the Domestic Violence Shelter Program.

In addition to paying tribute to the honorees and the ongoing work of the YWCA, the television program will feature a message from Patty Brisben , the originally-scheduled keynote speaker for the May 6 luncheon. Brisben, founder and chair of Pure Romance, is an entrepreneurial servant-leader who now employs 30,000 consultants around the globe. Her Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health works in unison with colleges and universities to advocate for and advance the understanding of issues facing women’s sexual health world wide.
 
For additional information on the award recipients, sponsorship and personal contributions to YWCA programs, visit   www.ywcacincinnati.org/careerwomen  or phone (513) 241.7090.
NANA CALENDAR

  • Sunday, June 14, NANA Annual Meeting, 3:00pm
  • Tuesday, July 14, NANA General Meeting 7 pm Zoom or North Avondale Recretion Center
  • No August Meeting - Vacation Time!
NANA EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COMMITTEES
President: Ethan Perry
1st VP: Heather Herr
2nd VP: Jimmy Musuraca-Messer
3rd VP: Sarah Henderson
Corresponding Sec.:  Rick Ruehlmann
Recording Secretary: Lesley Chapman
Treasurer: Doug Louder Jr
Block Watch: Carolyn Gillman
Law & Safety: Carolyn Gillman
Dirk Pastoor
Pedestrian Safety: David Emery
Strategic Development: David Emery
Rick Ruehlmann
USEFUL LINKS
North
Avondale
Neighborhood Association

617 Clinton Springs Ave.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45229

513.401.5356