NOVEMBER 2021 NANA NEWS Volume LXI No. 3
Published by the North Avondale Neighborhood Association
Your monthly news & updates
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Neighbors and Friends of North Avondale:

Please help me welcome Dr. Colleen Hanycz, the President of Xavier University to North Avondale. Dr. Hanycz is the 35th and first female president to Xavier University with an incredible background. I had the honor of speaking a few lines to welcome Dr. Hanycz on behalf of North Avondale Neighborhood Association at the Presidential inauguration and installment Thursday October 28th at The Cintas Center. I also was joined with Vice Mayor Christopher Smitherman, Victor Schneider, Mayor of Norwood and James Stallworth, Evanston Community Council President. 
Xavier has been an institution of higher learning in Cincinnati for 190 years. Xavier became a part of North Avondale when it moved up the hill in 1921. We have enjoyed their soccer games echoing through our neighborhood on Friday evenings, ROTC students running up and down our streets, and Xavier students babysit for us and live among us on many streets all over neighborhood. We are thrilled that Dr. Hanycz and any future Xavier President will also truly call North Avondale her home and community. 

I am excited to announce that NANA was approved for the Neighborhood Activation Fund (NAF) award for $10,000. If you have any ideas or suggestion for future community events, let us know.

Thank you to volunteers: Beth Ewing, Tania Carreon-Valencia, Caroline Gillman and Charlene Morse for their hard work in making candidates night a success. (see article below for a list of candidates who attended). More attendance from the neighborhood would have been appreciated.
Heather Herr, President NANA
NANA GENERAL MEETING 
 Tuesday, November 9, 7:00 pm

IN PERSON! at the North Avondale Montessori Cafetorium
617 Clinton Springs
or
VIA ZOOM:
Passcode: 45217


Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 14 7:00 pm
  
 THANK YOU FOR PAYING YOUR 2021 NANA DUES 

MEET THE CANDIDATES NIGHT

Was held on Wednesday, October 27th from 6 to 7:30pm at the North Avondale Recreation Center.
We invited everyone who was running and here is a list of the candidates who cared enough about our community to attend:

City Council: Jalen Alford, Jaime Castle, LaKeisha Cook, Jeff Cramerding, Kevin Flynn, Jackie Frondorf, Bill Frost, Brian Garry, Steve Goodin, Galen Gordon, Kurt Grossman, Reggie Harris, K.A. Heard Jr., Evan Holt (North Avondale Resident), Mark Jeffreys, Scotty Johnson, Liz Keating, Andrew Kennedy, Greg Landsman, Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney (North Avondale Resident), Phillip O’Neal, Meeka Owens (North Avondale Resident), Victoria Parks, Te’Airea Powell, Elizabeth Sundermann, Jim Tarbell, John Williams 
 
School Board: Pamela Bowers, Brandon Craig, Gary Favors, Kareem Moffett
 
Judges: Donte Johnson, Elizabeth Tye (North Avondale Resident)
‌
Beth Ewing, Heather Herr, Charlene Morse
  • Click on the Picture for Your copy of the extremely helpful Voter Guide (I never vote without reading it)

  • To learn more about the election go to:

  • Sample Ballet


Thank you to Beth Ewing, Tania Carreon-Valencia, Caroline Gillman and Charlene Morse for organizing and carrying out this event. Thank you to the North Avondale Recreation Center for all their help.
RECYCLING/ENVIRONMENT

PUMPKIN DONATION

Red Oak Animal Rescue- ROAR wants to pick up pumpkins in North Avondale again! They were so thankful for the donations last year!

️Bring your pumpkins to Dottie Shaffer’s Full Spectrum Health Clinic at 3836 Reading Road by THIS WEDNESDAY. 

️ Please put them in the first parking spot on the RIGHT as you pull in, closest to the road.

️ Please do not bring pumpkins that are 1) rotten 2) painted or 3) sprayed with any sort of chemical.

The tag for ROAR is: @ROARredoakfarm

Oral care products, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes, may seem impossible to recycle. Good news: You can keep your teeth healthy and reduce waste.
COMMITTEE UPDATES

BEAUTIFICATION
Jolene Struebbe. Beautification Chair
FEATURED GARDEN IN NOVEMBER
Our feature garden this month comes with a HOUSE! There are so many aspects to Beautification and rescuing a derelict property in North Avondale and making it your home definitely beautifies our neighborhood. Here is one family’s story. 
 
I’d like to introduce you to 3981 Lowry Avenue, home of Chris and Monica Human.
What made you decide to rescue this house? 
We moved to North Avondale from Fairfield. After living in the suburbs for so long we expected this to be a big transition. With not knowing what areas within the city might suit us, we decided to rent a house while we explored different areas. Thankfully we landed on Lowry Avenue at 3986. We were immediately welcomed by neighbors and in no time fell in love with our street and all the families around us. 3981 was almost directly across the street from us. For the first few months, we honestly didn't even know there was a house there as it was so overgrown you could not see the house from the street. We later learned that 3981 was referred to in the neighborhood as "The Creepy House". It had been abandoned for about 7 years, was boarded up, had been vandalized, and all the pipes had frozen and burst. One day I walked across the street and around the property. When my wife came home from work that evening, I told her “We’re going to live in that house one day", to which she replied "yeah right!".  
 
Had you done this type of thing before?  
We had done minor renovations...a bathroom here and there, a basement, a kitchen. In 2010 we bought a commercial building on Short Vine and did a major renovation there but nothing to this extent. Every inch of 3981 Lowry needed help...roof, electric, plumbing, HVAC, you name it.
 
Had you looked at others?  
We had looked at other homes requiring renovation, a few in Northside and Norwood.
 
Any in North Avondale? 
We had looked at a house one street one over on Dickson that was eventually sold at auction.
 
Any tips for others who want to rescue/restore homes?  
It is not for the faint of heart. It is not as easy as they make it look on TV. However, in the end it is worth every minute.
 
How long did it take you?  
It took us just about a year to complete the renovations.
 
Any big surprises?  
There were many surprises along the way. With a house of this age, every wall you open, or layer you peel back can bring a new challenge. The biggest surprise by far was about 6 months into the project, a city inspector stopped by just to make sure we knew that the property had been condemned several years before (this little fact had not come to light in any of the due diligence done before purchase, not to mention as permits were pulled, plans submitted, etc.)
 
Did you do the work yourself?  
We did a good amount of the work ourselves but did hire in subs for some of the major projects like plumbing, electric, and HVAC.
 
How did you choose your colors and plant materials?
Colors were chosen by my wife after much research online. For plant materials, I spoke to a couple of different nurseries getting input, but one of my main considerations was that I wanted perennials. I want things to be as maintenance-free as possible while still adding color and life to our landscape. I like to be able to trim things down in the fall and for them to pop back up in the spring. Then with a little mulch and water we're ready to roll.
 
(As shared by Chris Human)
North Avondale Litter Report

Saturday 10/23 was Xavier's Community Action Day! We had an excellent turn out for litter with 11 volunteers including two families (due to it being Family Weekend), a Xavier professor, Grace from North Avondale, and Xavier President Colleen Hanycz and her husband. We collected about nine full 33-gallon bags of trash over about two hours, focusing on Dana Ave. Because the President was there, we're looking forward to some professional photos to come out in a future newsletter!! Big thanks to Xavier students, families, and staff! 

Also, a reminder that I am still looking for a co-chair to help organize pickup events and brainstorm other solutions!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Litter Chair, Coral Weigel
NANA Community Gardens
 
October is ending on a high note for our Washington Triangle garden at the intersection of Washington and Clinton Springs. Without leadership for much of the year, it had become a tangle of weeds and undesirable plants, but things are changing.  We are grateful to two women who stepped up to manage this garden and are on the way to make this a beautiful garden of blooming plants once again – keep your eye on this space.

Washington Triangle – garden of many weeds August 2021
Washington Triangle after workday October 2021
We met with several landscape designers who suggested adding a few trees to the triangle. We planted 6 Allegheny Serviceberries at the back of the property that will not interfere with the traffic view. We’ve cleaned out many of the weeds and undesirables and have attempted to arrange more of the same varieties together. 

A big thank you to Cecil Thomas, who lives nearby, for his help in clearing the weeds for us and providing water in a very dry period. 
 
We sponsored a workday with several Xavier students and other volunteers on Saturday, October 23 to spread mulch, plant the trees, and put the garden to bed for winter. We are anxious to see this garden next spring as the narcissus and then iris begin to appear. It may take some time to bring this garden back, but with our great team, especially Terri Byczkowski and Megan Rothe in charge, we are excited to see the results. Thank you Terri and Megan and all the volunteers who have helped to renovate this garden space.
Workday with Xavier Students at Washington Garden October 23 – Cecil Thomas stopped by to see how the garden and tree planting was coming along. 
We continue to search for gardeners who might be willing to maintain the small Dana roundabout plantings and the planted border garden south of Marion Park. If you might be interested but would like to know more about what this would entail contact Judy Evans at nanacincinnati@gmail.com.
Judy Evans, NANA Community Gardens
LAW & SAFETY

Alert to North Avondale Neighbors:

Please be aware we are experiencing a string of car break-ins and a stolen car.
  • If you have items of value, please keep them in your trunk. Anything in clear view will encourage a car break-in.
  • In the event your car has been ransacked or items stolen, please call the non-emergency number at 765.1212.
  • By calling this number it will create a paper trail which will help the police in their investigation.
  • If you have any camera footage, please send it to Officer Hill at anthony.m.hill@cincinnati-oh.gov.
  • The Rose Hill side just experienced three kids wearing hoodies checking car doors on Beechwood at 5:00 pm a couple of days ago. Yes in broad daylight! They did get into an unlocked car. 911 was called. The kids were headed towards Clinton Springs.
Carolyn Gillman, Chair
ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORS
●A Tribute to Peter Stambrook who passed away in October 2020 and lived on Avondale Avenue with his wife Mary Piper for over 40 years. Click on the picture for the article.
●Congratulations to Tyler Wolf, President at Urban Blooms USA. Living Wall Systems. Urbanblooms.org .

Urban Blooms is extremely proud to present their new Living Mural! Walnut Hills, Cincinnati Ohio, is now home to the most extensive Living Mural ever completed in the world. It was an honor to collaborate with April Sunami and ArtWorks Cincinnati on the Mural portion. Funding was from Greater Cincinnati Foundation and The Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation.

This piece adds to Cincinnati's long-standing tradition of producing world-class art for the public to enjoy. At 30 feet tall and 60 feet long, pictures do not do this installation justice. April is a Columbus-based artist, we are proud to showcase the beauty our two cities can create together.

Swing by to see this beautiful mural, located @ Park Avenue and E. McMillan Ave.
●Avondale Receives $20 Million Fifth Third Bank Grant to Revitalize Neighborhood

Fifth Third grant to transform Avondale over the next three years. Read more here. 
FROM YOUR NEIGHBORS
●Writing an art book and need an editor. Based on apple pages on icon. Total length approx. 110 pages. Albert Andrews 513.221.6774
Albert Andrews (Ardmore)

●I’d like to make contact with any relatives of James/Catherine Reis who lived at 3950 Rose Hill in 1948. Thanks
Dr Mel Nizny, (Rose Hill) Melmind@aol.com 513 300 9224

●How long have YOU lived in North Avondale?
Of all the amazing things about North Avondale, one that recently came up in discussions with neighbors, is how long families STAY once they find this treasure of a neighborhood. Some choose to stay in their initial homes and others try out many homes in the neighborhood. In addition, I think many of us know of families who raised their children here and then all or many of the children bought homes in North Avondale too. I am thinking of Williams, Harten, and Hassel families and I am sure there are many more!

I thought it might be fun to see 1. Who has lived in their current house the longest and 2. Who has continuously lived in the neighborhood the longest – allowing for moves to different houses? And perhaps, 3. Whose family has been the single owner of their house? No prizes for this just yet, but let’s all celebrate families who have been such supporters of North Avondale by their presence and by being good stewards of these beautiful houses we get to call our homes.

I need your help to get the correct data for all three categories. This will be my Winter project, now that Beautification will be winding down. So, if you want to tell me your story, and put yourself on one of the above lists, please email me at jmstruebbe@gmail.com or call me at 513.884.4018. My goal will be to share your stories in upcoming newsletters and celebrate longevity in North Avondale!
Jolene Struebbe (Beechwood)

●Noise Pollution From Xavier
 
Dear Scott,
 
As you know from our phone conversation, I am writing to submit a complaint about the level of noise pollution coming from the soccer stadium this past weekend. The loud music started at 8:45am and was played consistently loud for over 11 hours. We had a guest from out of town on our back porch and we could barely have a conversation with the loud music playing (and my guest was here for 3 hours!). Later in the day I rode my bike through campus and noticed two weddings (one at Bellarmine and one at the small chapel). If I were a bride, I wouldn’t have been too happy with rap music playing loudly during the whole ceremony.

After dinner I called the Xavier police to ask if they could go and ask the event to turn the music down. She said she would send someone, but the music level never decreased. 

I posted in our neighborhood group to see if anyone knew what the event was and if anyone else was bothered. At least three people immediately responded that they were annoyed also and suggested we write a letter. My husband walked down around 8pm and encountered people running up and down the stairs. One person was wearing an official event t-shirt and he asked them if they could turn the music down. The person’s reply was, “This is our last heat.”

I am not opposed to music being played at the stadium, but there must be a level where the music can still be loud and motivating, yet not loud enough to disturb residents in the neighborhood. I would also ask that if an event is going to be all day long, perhaps the music level can be at a lower level for the majority of the time and then raised at critical times for the event. 

If you would like to notify the neighborhood that you will be having an event that will affect the neighborhood you can contact Charlene Morse (charlenemorse@gmail.com) to put it in the newsletter or Sarah Rich (sarahelizabethrich@gmail.com) to post it to our Facebook page. It might be helpful if someone were planning an event the same day at their house to know ahead of time.

I sincerely appreciate our conversation and I hope in the future Xavier will be more mindful of the level of noise coming from campus and that campus is nestled in a residential area.
 
Thank you for your time and consideration,
 Vanessa Sorensen (Marion)

Editor's Note: NANA had this problem in 2010. We worked with Xavier to enact the first noise ordinance governing outdoor concerts. As I recall they even purchased a noise monitoring devise. I have been searching for more information but can't find anything. So, if any of you remember anything. please email me at nanacincinnati@gmail.com.
PARKS, LIBRARIES & RECREATION
●Avon Woods is hosting a volunteer invasive removal event on November 20. Information and registration is included in the link below. Thank you!
 


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

  • Hours: open Monday thru Friday 10 am to 8 pm; Saturday 9am to 2pm
  • Weight Room is by reservations 
  • Masks must be worn
  • Senior Knitting & Social Group Monday, 12:00 to 1:30 membership required
  • Soccer Unites partnership with FCC: 6 to 8 week program; games Tuesday & Thursday Afternoons at the new mini pitch; teaches basic soccer skills and character building; Fall and Spring Sessions
  • Adult Fall Kickball at Oakley ballfields on Tuesdays
Tim Johnson, Service Area Coordinator

●Hirsch Recreation Center - 3620 Reading Road ● 751.3393

  • Hours: 10am to 8pm Monday thru Friday
  • After School 2:30-6:00pm - Cost: $62.50/child - accept vouchers for children
  • Spinning classes: Mon. & Wed., 6:15 – 7:00 pm. It is necessary to sign up before class. To register call 751.3393 or go to the front desk.
  • Yoga: Tuesday 6:00pm - call to reserve space.
  • Senior Program: arts & crafts, journaling, walking club, essential oils
  • Program Schedule

Taylor Singleton, Service Area Coordinator
NORTH AVONDALE SCHOOLS 

North Avondale Montessori 
363.3900 ● 615 Clinton Springs www.namrockets.org
It is amazing to think that it was only 11 years ago when these two celebrated with us, speaking at the opening of our new building! They were students at North Avondale School about 90 years ago. The lives of 1st Lt John H. Leahr, a Tuskegee Airman, and 1st Lt Herbert M. Heilbrun, a B-17 bomber pilot are honored on the bench in front of our school (dedicated May 12, 2017). Now the 45229 post office has been named for them. May they Rest In Power and Peace and never forgotten.

To view the News Report Click on the picture above.

The New School Montessori (TNSM) 
● 3 Burton Woods Lane ●  281.7999 ●www.newschoolmontessori.com   
●A Message from TNSM’s Director, Jeff Groh: Zip on! Taking risks and exercising courage.

Hello Friends,
 
Last Friday I spent the day with our (9-12) students at Camp Ernst. We love this experience because it provides our students with opportunities to take risks and exercise courage.
 
Students played in creeks, practiced archery, went horseback riding, scaled climbing walls, and zipped down zip lines. Some comfortably moved from one activity to the next with confidence and enthusiasm. Others had to dig down deep to find the courage to try something new. Some watched and waited, thinking, "Next year. I'll try that next year." What I love about our TNSM community is that students support each other no matter what.
 
I witnessed one student climbing the zip line tower. He harnessed himself to a long metal cable that stretched out into the woods. After a series of safety checks, the child is supposed to yell "Zipping" to the staff operating the activity, and they reply "Zip on." He took deep breaths. He looked long and hard, and then he decided to come back down. When he got back down to the bottom, he was met with high fives and "way to go" from fellow classmates. They understood what courage looks like. He understood what it felt like. His face bloomed into a smile.
 
Today I observed in the (3-6) program and imagined what these students will be like as 12-year-olds. Nine years from now, this 3-year-old I see working on her letter sounds will be reading books, asking big questions and expanding her world through taking risks, finding courage, trying something new, zip lining! It is simply astonishing to witness a child's development from 3 to 12 – seeing how much they change and how much they stay the same.
 
As educators and parents, it is a courageous journey for us as well. We learn how to trust, let go, be vulnerable, guide. In a way, it at times feels like we are climbing a tall tower, attaching ourselves to a long metal cable that stretches out into an unseen future. "Zipping!"
 
"Zip on," the Universe replies.
 
Enjoy the 2-minute video from our time at Camp Ernst!

TNSM Director, Jeff Groh
Ann Baumgardner, Communications Director
WELCOME NEW NEIGHBORS 

  • G & C Properties Group LLC at 950 Burton Ave.
  • 915 Dana Ave LLC at 915 Dana Ave.
  • John Back Jr & Mercedeh Namei at 948 Dana Ave.
  • Patrick & Theresa E Mulrey at 3950 Dickson Ave.
  • Vanessa A Irby at 3970 Parker Pl.
  • Jean Skahan Silverstein at 3900 Rose Hill Ave. 703B
NANA CALENDAR
h
  • Tuesday, November 2 VOTE!
  • Tuesday, November 9, 7 pm, NANA General Meeting at North Avondale Montessori Cafetorium, 617 Clinton Springs or Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7228542133 Passcode 45217
  • Sunday, December 12 Luminary, Rose Hill Side
  • Tuesday, December 14, 7 pm, NANA General Meeting at North Avondale Montessori Cafetorium, 617 Clinton Springs or Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7228542133 Passcode 45217
NANA EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COMMITTEES
President: Heather Herr
1st VP: Ethan Perry
2nd VP: Patrice Watson
3rd VP & Events: Morgan Rottinghaus
Corresponding Sec.:  Ryan Jarrell
Recording Sec.: Sandesh Samdaria:
Treasurer: Robin Senser
Beautification: Jolene Struebbe
  • Litter: Coral Weigel
  • Community Gardens: Judy Evans
Block Watch & Law & Safety: Carolyn Gillman
NANA/NABA Joint Strategic Development:
Jeff Herr - Chair
Beth Ewing - Vice Chair
USEFUL LINKS
North Avondale Neighborhood Association
PO Box 16152
Cincinnati, Ohio 45216
513.401.5356