DECEMBER 2015 | LIFE & CULTURE 45223
A FREE COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
3 FEATURE
5 HAPPENINGS
8 ARTS
10 FOOD CULTURE
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
MAKE 2016 HAPPEN WITH HAPPEN, INC
“GHOSTWRITING” COMES TO LIFE
DJANGO MAKES FRESH CHANGES WITH NEW CHEF
LIVE MUSIC ALMOST EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK. SHOWS ARE FREE! CHECK INDIVIDUAL LISTINGS FOR SHOWTIMES.
Win Free Market Items!
4163 HAMILTON AVE CINCINNATI, OH 45223 (513) 542-3603 NORTHSIDE-TAVERN.COM HOURS: MON – SAT: 5:00PM – 2:30AM SUNDAY: 7:00PM – 2:30AM HAPPY HOUR: MON-SAT 5-8PM
Join Our Loyalty Card Program Shop with us in December, and you could win unique market products! Every Wednesday 4-7pm, Rain or Shine North Presbyterian Church, 4222 Hamilton Ave www.northsidefm.org
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Keeping Northsiders smiling since 1982!
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Christopher Thielen, D.D.S. LLC General Dentist Cosmetic, Implant & Family Dentistry 513 541-5655
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* Environmentally conscientious: Proud to be the only OHIO-EPA DEED GOLD AND GREEN compliant dental office in Cincinnati! THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
COVER ARTIST
CONTRIBUTORS
WHAT’S INSIDE
EDITOR IN CHIEF AND ART DIRECTOR:
NEWS IN NORTHSIDE: NORTHSIDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL ��������������������������� 2 NORTHSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ����������������������� 2
Leo Pierson D’Cruz and Michelle D’Cruz
WRITERS IN THIS ISSUE: Ollie Kroner, Jim Swafford, Leo Pierson D’Cruz, Michelle D’Cruz, Libby Hunter, Matt Luken, Stefanie Sunderland, Adler Thomas, Katie Griffith, Janine Thorn, Erin Prus, Caitlin Koenig, Ana Bird, Brett Kollmann Baker, Pete Metz, James Bartram, Steve Sunderland, Gary Loomans, MiMi Chamberlain, Larry Wells
NORTHSIDER MANAGEMENT TEAM: Ollie Kroner, Mati Senerchia, Karen Andrew, Jarrett Shedd, Kamall Kimball, Jonathan Sears, Barry Scwartz, James Heller-Jackson, Leo Pierson D’Cruz and Michelle D’Cruz
MICHELLE D’CRUZ Michelle D’Cruz is a Founding Principal and the Creative Director at Reverb Art + Design. A graduate of Cranbrook Acadamy of Art, she is a mixed-media contemporary artist specializing in pattern-based design. Michelle is also a strong advocate for women artists and for public access to the arts. The cover design is meant as a simple gift to all Northsiders. An inclusive ornament for the holidays, may it serve as a reminder that we’re all in this together.
CALL FOR ARTISTS/COVER ART The Northsider is seeking monthly cover art submissions from local artists. Artists will be paid $40 for published covers. All 2 dimensional pieces will be considered. One stipulation of publication is that the piece or a print be donated to The Northsider Annual Art Auction Fundraiser that will help support the paper. If you are interested in having your artwork considered: Email: northsidermonthly@gmail.com Subject line: Cover Art Submission
THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
PAPER ROLLERS: Happen Inc. Volunteers led by Tommy Reuff
DELIVERY TEAM: Kamall Kimball, Riccardo Taylor, Karen Andrews, Sue Wilke, Stephen Davis, SaraLynne Thoresen, ThoraLynne McKinney, Mati Senerchia, Noeli Senerchia, Jacob Walker, Daisy Walker, Evan Hunter-Linville, Owen Hunter-Linville, Lauren & Meredith Shockely-Smith
MISSION STATEMENT As an independent monthly communication, The Northsider’s mission is to engage and inform about life and culture in the Northside Neighborhood. As such, The Northsider is committed to providing timely, quality and informative community news and opinions while embracing the diversity of the neighborhood. Northsider, LLC. is a Nonprofit Limited Liability Company overseen by the Northside Community Council. The Northside Community Council is a volunteer, community-based organization that provides an opportunity for all individuals and groups in the community to participate in Northside’s present and to chart Northside’s future. As such, it is committed to bringing people of diverse backgrounds and opinions together in an atmosphere that fosters cooperation and communication.
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS ������������������������������������ 3 EDUCATION: (IN)VESTED IN OUR KIDS’ FUTURE ���� 4 HAPPEN HAPPENINGS ����������������������������������������������� 5 DEVELOPMENT: NEST NEWS ������������������������������������ 6 GOINGS ON ABOUT NORTHSIDE: CHOCOLATS LATOUR ���������������������������������������������������� 6 NORTHSIDE HARDWARE RENOVATIONS ������������������� 6 MUSIC: MARDOU RENEWS POST-PUNK ������������������ 7 RUMOR HAS IT: WINTER SOLSTICE ������������������������� 7 ARTS: “GHOSTWRITING” COMES TO LIFE ����������������� 8 FOOD CULTURE: DJANGO MAKES CHANGES ��������� 10 AT THE MARKET: LOCAL GIFTS ������������������������������ 11 SPIRITS: CINCINNATI HOLIDAY BEER GUIDE ��������� 11 CITY HALL: GOVERNMENT AS CUSTOMER SERVICE ������������������� 12 LOCAL POLITICS: NO DEMOCRATIC ENDORSEMENT ����������������������������� 12 OPINION: TRYING COMPASSION ������������������������������ 13 COMMUNITY: NORTHCHURCH TAKES A LEAP OF FAITH ��������������� 14 CAIN EARNS 7TH TOP NONPROFIT RATING ����������� 14 WELLNESS: FEELING NO PAIN �������������������������������� 15 SCREEN: HAPPEN FILM CRITICS ����������������������������� 16 EVENTS ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 16 The Northsider Monthly is published on the first Friday of the month and is distributed to businesses and residents in the 45223 zip code.
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NEWS IN NORTHSIDE
Northside Community Council Elections: Northside Community Council is now seeking nominations for Board candidates for 2016. Board Directors and Officers help shape the future of the Neighborhood by working with Northside residents and City officials to advocate for community interests. NCC is looking for a variety of skills and perspectives - we need you! Please send your questions or nominations to olliekroner@gmail.com.
New Position for 2016: With everything going on in Northside, it can be difficult to keep up. To help stay on top of things, and do a better of job of spreading the word about our activities, NCC will be adding a Communications Secretary position to the board in 2016. The position will be responsible for managing our social media accounts, press releases, and websites. We would love to hear your feedback on the best ways to reach you.
PAR Projects: In 2013 NCC signed on to be a fiscal sponsor for the aspiring non-profit PAR Projects. PAR approached the neighborhood with a vision to build an arts center of recycled shipping containers, and NCC wanted to help make it happen. Last month, PAR Projects announced they were officially granted 501c3 status. PAR now owns land on Hoffner St with plans to build, NCC hopes to continue to support the effort.
What do you think Northside should work on? Come to the next Community Council Meeting - 7PM December 21st at McKie Rec Center.
those intimate friends and loved ones that you just cannot get anywhere else, something unique that will surely be remembered over years to come.
shopping Northside for the Holidays. Your friends will thank you for directing them to some of the most creative and unique gift ideas for the season… not to mention great places to stop and eat during the quest! Have a great Holiday season and have fun shopping in Northside!
FOR FREQUENT UPDATES: Find us on Facebook!
OLLIE KRONER President, Northside Community Council, olliekroner@gmail.com
Northside Business Association Holiday Greetings and Best Wishes from NBA! As the Holiday season is upon us once again, and almost everyone gets caught up in the festive gift giving spirit, I would like to suggest to everyone to consider shopping local here in Northside. As for myself, I have a tendency to overdo it a bit. I always find myself
struggling–last minute–to find the right gifts for those on my giving list. Might I suggest to everyone that we have a vast array of unique and creative treasures right here in our own neighborhood business district. There is a broad range of specialty items from the eccentric to the eclectic. There are rare things you might not find anywhere else in the tri-state area. Consider giving a special gift to
The Northside Business District is full of specialty shops with a wide range of necessities that are unique to our diverse community. Support your local business community, and encourage everyone to consider
JIM SWAFFORD
4114 Hamilton Avenue Northside | 513-541-2073
Live Music, Spirits, Suds, and Fun! 2
THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
Charting a Path Forward for The Northsider Monthly The first thing Michelle and I want to express is our sincere thanks. Thank you to Jeni Jenkins for carrying the weight of the Northsider for two straight years. That is more than can be asked of anybody, and it’s because of her that The Northsider Monthly is alive and well today. Thank you also to the Northside Community Council. Your volunteer support and constant bolstering of our neighborhood plays a direct roll Northside’s growth as one of Cincinnati’s destination neighborhoods. And thank you to the readership. Your commitment to reading The Northsider Monthly is the reason for its existence. Without your readership, without your feedback, without your interest, The Northsider Monthly would cease to exist. Michelle and I are transplants. We moved from Washington, DC to Cincinnati six years ago. We purchased our home on Pullan Avenue three weeks later. This is an amazing neighborhood. It has an impressive stock of creative talent. Northside’s definition of diversity traverses race, class, gender and sexuality. For us, that sealed the deal because any community that can hold that up as an asset is a neighborhood filled with people who share similar values to which we, too, are committed. Michelle is a design and visual communications specialist. She is a founding Principal and the Creative Director of Reverb Art + Design in Downtown Cincinnati and is Consulting Creative Director of a DC-based communications firm. She is a parent, an outdoor enthusiast, and loves to travel. Top destination choices: Italy’s Tuscan countryside and the Badlands. THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
Leo is a political and communications specialist. In partnership with Michelle, Leo is a founding Principal as well as Chief Communications Officer of Reverb Art + Design. He gladly shares the role of parent with Michelle, runs twenty miles a week, and equally enjoys both children’s literature and historical non-fiction. If you get the chance, ask Leo about the history of Grimm’s Fairy Tales!
we intend to tap that growth, then translate it into a sustainable neighborhood newspaper. Second, our focus will be on creating a narrative strategy for The Northsider. This will mean stabilizing sections so that they are the same from month to month and diversifying content. Look for new sections in the coming months! We are planing
object—offers people a lens through which to view our large and diverse Northside community. Any lens has at least two qualities: it can both reflect and project. In this way, The Northsider acts as both a reflection of how we see ourselves, and a projection of how others around Cincinnati view us. Being conscious and aware of this, we will see to it that the words written in these pages offer honest, humble, complex and inclusive ideas of who we Northsiders are currently and who we want to be as we move forward together. All this means exploring The Northsider’s identity. We will ask meaningful questions about what this publication is and what it ought to be. Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you and to growing the conversation on everything we’ve mentioned here. From both of us, we wish you all a sincere, warm and happy holiday season! TO REACH OUT DIRECTLY TO THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY TEAM: Email: northsidermonthly@gmail.com
Together we will look to grow The Northsider Monthly in three ways. First, we will have an eye toward process and sustainability. We will build so as to leave The Northsider better than when we became part of it. Michelle and I will draw in a broader swath of editors, writers, photographers and designers to create a stable flow content streaming into The Northsider. Likewise, we will look to draw in folks who can help with production and distribution. Our neighborhood is growing, and
a comics section. Short stories can be fun, engaging and impactful. Look for dialogue on the arts, on civic leadership, increased community engagement and politics. We want feedback. This publication should not operate as a one-way stream of information. It should be a forum for community-based conversation. We will open a letters to the editor and op-ed section.
LEO PIERSON D’CRUZ MICHELLE D’CRUZ
Finally, we recognize that The Northsider Monthly—as a literary 3
EDUCATION
(In)vested Interest In Our Kids’ Future I walk through WordPlay one late November evening, a few minutes before pickup time at 6 pm, with a head full of distractions from the busy day. Children are shuffling into their coats, backpacks tucked under arms; rejected papers tossed into the recycling bin, homework shuffled into folders. Parents fill up the doorway waiting in turn to collect their young ones. They greet each other, chat with the staff, urge their kids to finish tidying up - “Hurry along now, it’s been a long day.” Over the hum of closing time, something stops me in my tracks. I can barely make out the notes of a song; the quality of the voice is almost unreal. I slide around a few mothers to peer into the next room, and see one of our long-time students curled up in a wing-back chair, singing words from a worn sheet of lined paper. This little girl has been strolling through our door every week for nearly three years, since not long after we opened. A foster parent is raising her, just like her mother before her. She hasn’t seen her mother since she was an infant. LD, ADHD, IEP - there is a thick folder in our filing cabinet that bears the acronyms of her educational history. Each day at our writing center, however, these diagnoses don’t make an appearance. Our WordPlay students - Scholars, as we call them - aren’t defined by their struggles, but are celebrated for their gifts. On this rare November night, I am awed to have experienced yet another of her gifts, this amazing voice. 4
A VOICE THAT IS CARRYING AN EXTRAORDINARY MELODY OF HER OWN CREATION, AND SHE IS SIGHT-READING HER VERY OWN LYRICS. Three years ago, she wasn’t reading. Or writing. Math was a struggle, and homework was rarely turned in. And as of December 1st, 2015, she will be a published author. We are very excited to announce the release of our first-ever anthology of student writing, When You See My Name, written by the WordPlay Scholars of 2014-15 under the wise guidance of our Writer-in-Residence, Pauletta Hansel, and Associate Writerin-Residence, Kelly Thomas. Theresa Kulbaga, now our WordUP Coordinator and fellow Northsiders, also served as a creative writing leader for the publication. We extend our deepest thanks to the Andrew Jergens Foundation for their generous support of our Writer-in-Residence program and this first publication. Our friends at The Mercantile Library are hosting our big release celebration free and open to the public on Tuesday, December 1st, from 5:30 - 7:30. We will also premiere a video created by a team from the College of Informatics at NKU showcasing teens from our WordUP program with Aiken New Tech High School, with much gratitude to Charitable Words for their support of the project. Join us in celebrating the young writers of When You See My Name - anthologies will be available for sale in the Urban Legend Institute, WordPlay’s social enterprise, for $20. Proceeds will go to support our Writer-
in-Residence program, providing free, creative writing instruction to over 150 children throughout the course of this school year.
Checks can be mailed to WordPlay, 4041 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati OH 45223, or made securely online via PayPal at www.wordplaycincy.org/donate.
In just over three years, we’ve grown from serving 60 students a week, to 100, to 175 by January 2016. The need, seemingly, is without end. As this year draws to a close, we ask for your help to make 2016 a huge success for the kids. Donations from individuals are what keep our doors open, our lights on, and food to feed all of our kids. No amount is too small, and every dollar goes a very long way. We need caring volunteers both to work with our kids and lend their talents behind the scenes. And we need great folks to spread the word - what better way to share news of our work than to buy an anthology? We ask you to take a vested interest an INvested interest - in our kids; they are the future of our community.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit: wordplaycincy.org Email: info@wordplaycincy.org Call: (513) 541-0930 Facebook: wordplaycincy
LIBBY HUNTER Executive Director and Co-Founder of WordPlay and long-time Northside resident.
THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
HAPPEN HAPPENINGS
Make 2016 Happen Happen, Inc. welcomes in 2016 by providing another year of creative programing for parents, children and the community. Thank you to all the volunteers, donors and Happen staff that have made 2015 the largest serving year in Happen history. If you have not signed up for Happen’s New Year’s Eve Celebrations then make your reservation today! It’s a family tradition as the Happen clocks are set back and we ring in the New Year at 12 midnight (that’s 7pm Happen time!). It’s more than just a dance as we reflect back on all that has been accomplished and introduce another great year of new Happen programing. By providing over 18,000 creative experiences in 2015, we broke a record with the amount of people that we served and the many locations in Greater Cincinnati where we provided Happen activities. One of the biggest areas of planned growth for 2016 are our Happen teen sessions and outdoor garden and activities. Look for more creative ways for the community to come together and enjoy Happen activities all year around. On December 12th Northside teens will go on the first Happen Teen Riverboat Dinner and Dance. Happen’s Teen Hall meets on the last Saturday of every month for dinner and planning activities and events. During the month of November, Happen offered 14 different teen volunteer and learning sessions which served as opportunities for teens to earn their tickets to the dance.
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Each teen had to complete three sessions to go to the dance or attend 6 or more to become a VIP with a limo ride to and from the dance. Sessions included everything from picking up trash to Caribbean dance, and four sessions dedicated to filling out job applications, resumes and interview role playing.
THE TEEN’S MOTTO IS TO “HAVE FUN AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.”
We came up with the idea of a River Boat dance as way for Northside teens to be able to have fun and celebrate all the good things they are accomplishing in our neighborhood. The only problem was how to pay for 50 people to go on a riverboat dinner and dance plus pay for the transportation. As the teens started to plan on how to raise the funds needed, an anonymous Northside donor volunteered to pay for all of the event expenses. Such a generous donation has given teens in the neighborhood an incentive to give back and also for many a first time experience to enjoy the holidays on the Ohio River in style. Happen’s theme is “Community is more than where you live, it’s how you live with other people.” The donors, volunteers and Northside teens have proved our theme over and over again this holiday season. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit: www.happeninc.org Call: (513) 751-2345 E-mail: admin@happeninc.org
MATT LUKEN Happen, Inc. Office Administrator
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DEVELOPMENT
GOINGS ON ABOUT NORTHSIDE
Nest News
Chocolats Latour
Northside Hardware
This new gem is fantastic. The packaging and storefront design are contemporary and trendy. When you walk in, the product layout is intuitive. There is also an adorable spiral staircase off to the left that leads down to a mysterious space below.
When I stopped by Northside Hardware, both Kevin and Kevin Bomkamp (father and son) were standing at the front of the newly remodeled store. Kevin Sr. is the owner and has nearly three and a half decades of experience in the hardware business. Bomkamp owns another hardware store in Camp Washington. It is Kevin Jr., though, who runs Northside Hardware, and it’s up to him to build on the family tradition. “I don’t think I could do any of this without my son.” Said Kevin Sr. “I just don’t have that kind of energy. I’m confident he can handle this.”
NEST is on the move! With Phase II of the Witler Street Homeownership Project near completion, NEST (Northsiders Engaged in Sustainable Transformation) will once again focus attention on development in the Fergus Street Homeownership target area. The 2 new single-family constructed homes underway as part of Phase II of the Witler Street Homeownership Project, also referred to as the Blockwatch 45223 Homeownership Project in honor of the courageous residents who volunteered countless and often challenging hours to take back their streets, are located at 1722 Hanfield and 4137 Witler. Funded, in part, through the City of Cincinnati’s HUD NSP (Neighborhood Stabilization Program,) both homes, once listed, will be offered for sale to households who’s AMI (Annual Median Income) is 120% or less. Designed and built by Creative Housing Solutions, both 2200sf homes will feature an open first floor plan, three bedrooms including a master, two full and one-half baths, high-energy efficient mechanicals, and off-street parking. They are expected to be finished by February, 2016, and may be listed as early as mid-December. Buyers who meet the city’s criteria will be eligible for substantial downpayment assistance. Phase IV of the Fergus Street Homeownership Project, currently in the pre-development stage, will include new construction of 1 single-family home at the NW corner of Mad Anthony and Chase and the rehabilitation of 4 single-family houses, 1 on Mad Anthony and 3 on Fergus and will, also, allow NEST to develop our first of six planned visitable single-family homes - our solution to helping residents “age in 6
place ‘ – throughout Northside. With new gap financing from the City of Cincinnati NEST anticipates beginning development within the next couple of months, beginning with the 3 Fergus Street homes. Through grant funding from BB&T NEST has hired local architect Alice Emmons to help establish guidelines for development of visitable homes. NEST, formerly recognized as CNCURC, is a 501 © 3, non-profit. When planning your end of the year contributions please consider adding NEST to your list. Your charitable gift to NEST is 100% tax deductible, stays in Northside, and guarantees continued development of affordable, energy efficient and sustainable homes in our community. When planning your end of the year contributions please consider adding NEST to your list. Your charitable gift to NEST is 100% tax deductible, stays in Northside, and guarantees continued development of affordable, energy efficient and sustainable homes in our community. To make a donation please make checks payable to NEST and send to: NEST 4129 Georgia Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45223
STEFANIE SUNDERLAND, For further information regarding NEST projects please contact Stefanie Sunderland at 542-4709 or by email at ssunderland_2848@fuse.net.
Shalini Latour is the owner of one of Northside’s latest shops and adds considerably to the neighborhood’s expanding palate. The chocolates are fantastic. Truly! They’re the type of creation only a personalized touch can accomplish. It doesn’t hurt to have roots in Belgium, and Ms Lateur has that as well! This is not just a business, it’s a cultural exploration. Fortunately for Northsiders, we get to share in the tradition. Besides the Chocolate Bee storefront on Hamilton Ave., you can find Chocolats Latour at the Northside Farmers Market each Wednesday afternoon, all year round. Do yourself a favor: indulge! FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit 4037 Hamilton Ave. Wed-Sat 12-7, Sunday 12-5
ADLER THOMAS
The remodel is noticeable. The purchasing counter has moved to the front of the store. The crowded aisles have been cleaned up. There are now three rows of product that span front to back. This makes it easier for customers to quickly find exactly what they’re looking for. Heading into the new year, and with a strong focus on customer service, Northside Hardware is well positioned to grow into both a family and a Northside tradition! FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit 4037 Hamilton Ave. Mon-Fri 9:30-7, Sat 9:30-5
Serving Northside lunch + dinner Monday–Friday & dinner Saturday
THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
MUSIC
RUMOR HAS IT
Mardou Renews Post-Punk With First Full-Length Album
Possible Winter Solstice Celebration in Blue Rock Park
DIY Culture Plays Role in Band’s Development, Leads to Innovative Music
Rumor has it that the Northside Business Association is planning a “Winter Solstice” celebration at Blue Rock Park. If it gets off the ground, then this would be the first year of the non-traditional holiday festival.
Three years ago when local band Mardou introduced themselves to the Cincinnati music scene there wasn’t all that much to encounter. Since then the band and the scene have developed in big ways and in one similar direction: DIY music. “When we first started playing it was kind of a dead time for the music scene around here,” vocalist Dylan McCartney said. “There were definitely still a lot of bands but people weren’t going to shows because there weren’t that many.” A lack of participation and resources fueled this DIY approach and bands like Mardou – with music to share and creative ways to share it – perpetuated the craze. Now DIY shows, venues, music videos, recording, and production are the norm and Mardou continues to contribute with their first full-length album. “Cold Grasp,” set for digital release in January, is a 12-track manifestation of what McCartney explained as, “External forces weighing you down all the time and the feeling of being collapsed on by the world you live in.” The post-punk quintet recently selfrecorded the single “Ophelia” on an 8-track tape, a rare and distinctive way to record these days but one that parallels the band’s identity. The song sticks to Mardou’s reputable light-punk sound with a pop-ish appeal while other songs on the album like “Earth” explore the muddy subgenres THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
associated with post-punk. “Flash” reflects Mardou’s gothic influences, boasting a fast-paced tempo driven by drums and steered by playful guitar strums and brooding vocals. Although McCartney admits the band has never had the same sound for more than 6 months, it’s somehow refined, which enables them to be more experimental on tracks like “Pan-aggressive.” Finally getting around to those oppressive external forces, “Panaggressive’s” glum baseline balanced by a ghostly, droning guitar is tranceinducing. McCartney’s almost spokenword vocal delivery wallows on a whole different level, a desolate part of the song that spawns an intense connection with the cryptic music video. Shot with a digital camera through the lens of a handheld VHS camera, the distorted video stars a pair of mannequin hands and abstract scenes of a moldy basement.
Possible ongoings include involvement by local breweries, arts and crafts sale, live music and a Krampus parade! For those who are unfamiliar, the Krampus figure finds its roots in Germanic folklore. It is the central figure to punish misbehaved children. Whereas St. Nicolas, of course, rewards the well behaved.
My undisclosed source suggests that the celebration would be very family friendly. The fun will (maybe) include a “Grilled Cheese Throwdown” in which participants compete for the honor of having made Northside’s tastiest grilled cheese sandwich! Readers ought to keep an eye out for more reliable event information. But mark your calendars, as the festivities may or may not happen on Saturday, December 19th around noon.
JANINE THORN
“Cold Grasp” reminds listeners how eccentric and interesting post-punk was in the late ’70s and proves that it’s still being perfected today. Without simply replicating the classics Mardou has formed a sound of their own and made an undervalued genre feel relevant again. Catch them live on the bill for Santamania Dec. 18 at Northside Yacht Club and Dec. 19 at Legends (Ky.). FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit: mardouband.bandcamp.com www.facebook.com/Mardouband/?fref=ts Call: 513-300-6550
KATIE GRIFFITH 7
ARTS
I believe everyone has an amazing story in them, and i want to hold it up to the world. 8
THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
Photo by: Leo Pierson D’Cruz
“Ghostwriting” Comes to Life Swedish singer-songwriter Jens Lekman reimagines strangers’ stories at CAC. The “art of storytelling” is no new or novel endeavor – and the bent towards innovative, well-crafted narratives isn’t lost on Swedish musician Jens Lekman, as his recent “Ghostwriting” endeavor well proves. Yet his motivation for continuing to create fresh, meaningful stories may be different than most. In 2012, Lekman told Rolling Stone Magazine: “I’m getting a little bit sick of this Jens Lekman character, so I kind of want to do an album where I sing other people’s stories from their perspective.” Enter “Ghostwriting,” Lekman’s fansourced venture sponsored by the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center, THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
to bring complete strangers’ stories to life. In his effort to “find a more spontaneous and free outlet” for his songwriting, Lekman hand-selected several stories via email entry and recorded them in his quirky, pop-laden style. The only catch: Winners had to travel to Cincinnati for a meet-andgreet, and receive their reimagined story via flash drive as his special “thank you.” Lekman’s act of gratitude took center stage on Friday, November 20th, in the restored Woodward Theatre – aptly timed to the official season of “thanks.” Black baseball cap clad and unassuming Lekman was very much alive, earnestly crooning his oftentimes-ironic songs against a harmonious strings sextet. “I believe everyone has an amazing story in
them,” Lekman says, “and I want to hold it up to the world.” He opened with “To Know Your Mission” and “Black Cab,” both as acoustic solos with strong, surging vocals. But the audience wasn’t waiting long before he dove into the “Ghostwriting” material, covering five songs like “Emotional Support Animal” and “What Was Worth Saving.” With his deadpan approach and crafty songwriting, he delivered sad news with humor and focused on the nonsensical aspects of life – all by marrying his signature sounds to strangers’ sentiments. While Lekman consistently delivered dry lyrics against harmonious strings most of the evening, these recent sounds mark a departure from the earlier, sample-infused songs of his beginning.
Lekman’s history of writing about love and heartbreak is documented in I Know What Love Isn’t (2012), and in the iconic album, Night Falls Over Kortedala (2007). And while his music may present as gimmicky at first glance, the Secretly Canadian artist’s sad-but-hopeful interplay with language and music reminds us all to listen a little more carefully. Pairing melancholy to upbeat rhythms can be hard to swallow (or border on absurd), but it’s that element of surprise that separates his devoted fans from those in the crowd who simply want background music.
ERIN PRUS Erin Prus is a writer, editor and all-around word maven living in Northside. She writes on art, design and tech. 9
FOOD CULTURE
NORTHSIDE’S DJANGO MAKES FRESH CHANGES WITH NEW CHEF DJANGO WELCOMES CHEF JOSH CAMPBELL TO ITS KITCHEN
Chef Josh Campbell, most recently of the restaurants Mayberry and Lavomatic, took over the kitchen and management at Django Western Taco at the beginning of November. After the first of the year, he will also become the owner/operator of the restaurant. Campbell’s culinary experience has taken him all over the world, and those influences are evident in his cooking. He graduated from the Florida Culinary Institute and obtained an advanced professional cooking degree from the Royal Thai Culinary Academy in Bangsaen, Thailand. He also spent time in the Caribbean, working at a five-star restaurant. Campbell has been working on freshening up the menu—and the restaurant itself—by adding bolder flavors and ingredients, as well as fresh coats of paint. 10
“The word ‘django’ means rebirth, so I’m just putting my own spin on the menu,” says Campbell, a Cincinnati native. “I want Django to remain a local place where people from all over the city feel comfortable.” Django will now be open seven days a week, including brunch and dinner on Sundays. Campbell is also changing up the restaurant’s specials, including Happy Hour from 3 to 7 p.m. on Mondays. One of the Happy Hour features will be a Mexican-style beer and tequila for $5. As far as the menu goes, Campbell wants to change Django’s reputation from simple Tex-Mex to more authentic Mexican and South American influences. There will be two different types of guacamole, as well as a selection of housemade salsas. Campbell plans to do a twist
on refried beans and prepare refried lentils with brown butter crema and Mexican cheese. He plans to keep the queso chorizo since Food Network just featured the dish on its blog. A number of other customer favorites will remain on the menu as well, including the Cowboy Stew and Molcajete, which is going to be beefed up with mussels and clams. The tacos are also staying, but will be tweaked a bit with different sauces and proteins, including a vegan taco with mushrooms, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts and kale.
CAITLIN KOENIG, Missouri native Caitlin Koenig has fallen in love with the stories the Queen City has to offer. She freelances for several publications around town, and when she’s not writing, enjoys cuddling with her dog and exploring Cincinnati’s food scene with her husband.
Natural Burial Green Fun Natural Burial Cem Preble Memory Gardens For the first time, Django will be taking Green Funerals reservations for groups PH:800-972-4476 of all sizes. greenburialatp TO MAKE A RESERVATION: Call 513-542-3664
Preble Memory Gardens Cemetary For more information, call 800-972-4476 or visit greenburialatpmg.com
THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
AT THE MARKET:
SPIRITS
Local Gifts At Your Farmers Market
Cincinnati Holiday Beer Guide
Feel-good Holiday Shopping
9 Local Beers Worth You Getting Put On The Naughty List
This Holiday Season, the Northside Farmers Market (NFM) has prepared a Gift Guide which features artisan crafts, unique food items, and tickets for cooking classes. In hopes of making holiday shopping a little easier, the market provides easy and thoughtful gifts customers can pick up while doing their weekly grocery shopping. NFM always promotes shopping locally for gifts-dollars spent at local independent businesses bolster local economy. This Farmers Market Gift Guide will hopefully inspire customers to give the gift of local. Farmers Market Gift Certificates The easiest way to share the farmers market with loved ones is to purchase a NFM Gift Certificate. Certificates are available in any amount, and allow the recipient to shop with any vendor at the market. Gift Certificates are available for purchase at the market Info Booth.
each market this December, baskets, ribbon, and decorative elements will be available at the Info Booth. Customers can then shop the market for local items to fill the basket. Alternatively, staff can help create the perfect holiday basket on any budget.
There’s a plethora of holiday beers
Cooking Classes and Workshops
50 West, Wooster Pike – “Home Sweet Home” – An ale that tastes just like sweet potato pie. The perfect dessert beer to accompany your holiday meal, should you still have room to spare after your second helping of holiday rum ham.
Giving the gift of experience rather than things can be a big hit at the holidays. This year, gift givers can choose from a variety of classes and workshops. Available for purchase are January and February Adult Cooking Classes, Kids’ Cooking Classes, and workshops offered by vendors. The classes are hands on and teach attendees cooking skills, nutrition, and introduce them to foods of the region. Tickets may be purchased online or at the market Info Booth. FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit www.northsidefm.org
Farmers Market Gift Baskets
ANA BIRD
For the last two holiday seasons, NFM has provided customers the opportunity to create their own gift baskets with market products. At
Ana Bird works at Northside Farmers Market as Market Manager, at Imago, as program coordinator in environmental education, and authors Cincinnati food blog Our Local Kitchen.
available in Cincinnati. Many of them make great gifts and most are worth drinking, however, like those things you did the other night that might land you on the naughty list, some are not worth mentioning.
Blank Slate, Columbia-Tusculum – “Opera Cream Ale” – A beer based on the delicious local treat from the BonBonerie, opera cream cake. If you haven’t already heard of Opera Cream Ale, it’s probably too late for you to get your hands on any, but there’s always next year! Rhinegeist, OTR – “Dad” – In keeping with what Rhinegeist does best, they bring us yet another hop forward beer. Spicy and citrusy hop flavors lead the charge on this amber-hued pale ale. MadTree, Oakley – “Thundersnow” – With a kickass name and the holiday flavor (nutmeg, ginger, vanilla) to back it up, “Thundersnow” has quickly become a Cincinnati winter staple.
Listermann/Triple Digit, Norwood – “White Death” – Perhaps the only local brand to wait until after Thanksgiving to release their holiday beer. If the sound of Christmas music already has you white-knuckling the steering wheel, this winter warmer featuring Saigon cinnamon is for you. Taft’s Ale House, OTR – “Liquid Advent” – A winter spin on their taproom favorite, “Maverick Chocolate Porter.” Chilies and cinnamon kick this beer up a notch and are sure to warm up the ol’ tummy. Mt. Carmel Brewing, Mt. Carmel – “Winter Ale” – A delicate hand lends a subtle holiday spice flavor. Balanced by the addition of honey, this winter brew will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy on the inside. Urban Artifact, Northside – “Kicksled” – A winter spiced stout with flavors reminiscent of eggnog. Tastes great straight up or when mixed with a bit of rum, just how Uncle Eddie likes it.
BRETT KOLLMANN BAKER Bret Kollmann Baker is a Northside resident, liquid enthusiast, and Co-owner/Chief of Brewing Operations at Urban Artifact.
Ei8ht Ball, Bellevue – “Home Alone” – It’s cold outside and there is a classic 90’s movie starring Macaulay Culkin coming on TV soon. Grab a growler of this Chocolate Milk Stout and stay in tonight.
THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
11
CITY HALL
LOCAL POLITICS
City Government as Customer Service
No Democratic Endorsement for 31st State House District
I have a tragically idealized view of working in government. Some say it’s because I’m too young to be jaded, but I like to believe it’s because I was raised on the TV show The West Wing. If you haven’t seen the show (stop reading this and go watch all seven seasons on Netflix!), it’s about a bunch of whip smart do-gooders working for an idealistic President and actually making the world a better place. With that as my introduction to politics and government, I found my way to City Hall, working for Vice Mayor David Mann. As a new Northside resident, I’ve been asked to write from time to time for the Northsider about what’s happening at City Hall. But before I jump into updates on the day-to-day of city life and projects that might impact us here in Northside, I wanted to set the tone by laying out my view of city government. I believe city government is a customer service industry, designed to serve citizens and solve problems in their communities. It’s that simple. Sure, we also have to focus on a big picture policy
agenda that moves the city forward on a macro level, but our most fundamental duty on a day-to-day basis is to ensure we are serving the residents of Cincinnati as effectively as possible. If we fail to do this, little else we do matters.
not), but it’s important. Bringing all the relevant city staff under one roof will help significantly improve the time between when you apply for a permit and when it’s approved. It’s just one more way we’re trying to make doing business with the city easier.
Luckily, the City Administration is working hard to create a more customer service oriented government.
These are only two examples of ways we’re trying to be more customer focused, but I know from experience that there are still so many ways we need to improve. If at any time you feel lost trying to navigate the confusing structure of City government as you try to solve a problem here in our neighborhood, I hope you’ll reach out and ask for help. The West Wing convinced me that I just might be able to help you out!
Here are a few examples: Our 591-6000 customer service line is coupled with a website (www.5916000.com) and app (Fix It Cincy) that allow citizens to file real time complaints, track their progress, and see the results. You can schedule a time for the trash collectors to pick up a piece of furniture, let us know that there’s a really bad pothole on your route to work, or report a street sign that was damaged during an accident. Our new Department of Buildings and Inspections has moved into a new location downtown at Centennial II (behind City Hall) to help streamline the process of getting construction permits. This doesn’t sound sexy (it’s
PETE METZ Pete Metz is Chief of Staff to Vice Mayor David Mann. He and his wife, Becca, moved to Northside in July.
There are six Democratic candidates running in the March primary for the 31st State House District, part of which runs through Northside. In alphabetical order, the candidates are Paul Booth, Brian Garry, Nicholas Hollan, Brigid Kelly, Ben Lindy, and Dr. Paul Sohi. There has been tension in the county Democratic Party over whether or not to endorse one of the six. Northside resident, Sue Wilke, even wrote an Enquirer op-ed titled: Democrats should let voters choose candidates. On Saturday, November 21st, at The Letter Carriers Hall on Blue Rock Ave., the Democratic Executive Committee (EC) met. After a heated discussion that at turns involved both shouting and crying, the EC decided not to endorse. Candidates to keep an eye on: Brigid Kelly and Ben Lindy. Both are life long Democrats but have some distinct policy positions. Each has already raised at least $100k to support their campaigns.
JAMES BARTRAM
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THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
OPINION
Trying Compassion For A Change Cincinnati Area Patient Navigators Fight Cancer With Care.
students, and administrators? What habits of communication blinded and prevented the faculty from stepping forward and changing the ways in which the university welcomed minorities?
Change is often stressful. Many of us grow comfortable with what we think exists as a current reality. We have habits that keep us connected to the illusion of a world that seems incapable of changing. But the world is loudly shouting: “We are changing with or without you!” Being involved in change means touching fears, sometime superficial fears and sometimes-dramatic fears. Why are we so afraid of finding peaceful ways of going a different direction?
When it comes to resistance to access for minorities and low-income individuals, the health system is second to none. Even serious diseases like cancer are not higher on the priority list. Minorities and poor people have been dying from cancer in Hamilton County at rates higher than the Ohio and the U.S. average. (20082012 Trend Period, State Cancer Profiles, National Cancer Institute, Center for Disease Control.) Access to early screening and rapid treatment meets one health system obstacle after another. Even individuals with “suspicious” findings can be delayed to the point of giving up on ever getting efficient and effective treatment. The death rate climbs and climbs with little or no mention even by those who decry the status of cancer care for everyone in Cincinnati.
The football team and their coaches understood that changing the structure of the University of Missouri could only occur if they threatened to not play last Saturday. A president and a chancellor resigned or were forced out. Now, the question is what will other sports teams do to change the access to college for black students and faculty. Why did the situation have to get to such a point of negative stress... on a college campus...and by faculty,
But the habits of compassion are coming into being in terms of cancer care. A group of social service
agencies have joined with religious organizations and educational institutions to plan for a different reality: full access to screenings, more rapid diagnosis, creating smoother transition to hospital programs, and more successful outcomes in terms of longer life, better quality of life, and more efficient and timely treatment for minorities and low income individuals. The key to this success is the agent for change: lay patient navigators. A group of educated, certified, and carefully matched community citizens will form the first class of cancer change agents. Thanks to courageous leaders of institutions that serve minorities and low-income individuals, the structures for welcoming Hamilton County citizens is being created. It is now possible to think about a service agency like the FreeStore, or CAIN, or a church like Christ Church Cathedral, or a school can be a crossroads for spurring people to trust that they can be helped to receive cancer care at a high level. Thanks to lay patient navigators, the central obstacles to care can be overcome through persistent and
knowledgable action. Transportation, insurance, certifications by hospitals, and personal fears can become unimportant as lay patient navigators develop timely and effective relationships with individuals who are too afraid to enter the health system. The founder of lay patient navigation, Harold Freeman, MD, surgeon and former president of the American Cancer Society, has importantly raised the standard of care for cancer victims: “No patient with cancer should go untreated. No patient with cancer should experience a delay in treatment that diminishes survival. No patient should be bankrupted by the diagnosis and treatment of of cancer.” (Harold Freeman and Rian Rodriguez(8/1/2011). Cancer.) Now, Cincinnati is on the edge of creating a compassionate and bold change for all individuals. We hope it is in the immediate future.
STEVE SUNDERLAND Steve Sunderland is director of the Peace Village Cancer Project.
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THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
13
COMMUNITY
NorthChurch Takes A Leap of Faith
Princesses Ballet program begins in December On Dec. 3, NorthChurch is bringing something new to Northside: City Gospel Mission’s Princesses Ballet. This greater Cincinnati program offers free ballet instruction, and more, for girls from 2nd through 12th grade. The discipline required to perform ballet helps children learn a strong work ethic while building character and self-esteem. A strong focus of this unique ministry is on creating lasting relationships between girls, parents, volunteers and churches. Princesses has given youth ongoing support and encouragement as they grow into young adults. Two NorthChurch members will be the ballet teachers. Alicia always felt left out as a child, until she found ballet and found a place to belong. “We moved often when I was growing up, and a ballet studio was always the first place I looked for in a new place,” said Alicia. Erin, a high school sophomore, says she was shy and insecure until dance helped 14
her come out of her shell. She said she wants to help girls in Northside find a place to belong, be themselves, and grow to be young ladies. Actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian, Angelina Jolie, once said. “When other little girls wanted to be ballet dancers, I kind of wanted to be a vampire.” Perhaps she wouldn’t mind being a vampire ballerina. NorthChurch and City Gospel Mission can’t help with the vampire part, but they do want to provide an opportunity for any girl that wants to be a princess ballerina. The program will be held 6:30 – 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Combining grace, discipline and worship, the Princesses Ballet team helps young girls build confidence in themselves and their faith. For more information, call NorthChurch at 513-681-1400 or visit its website, northchurch.faith. All girls are welcome and any adults interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact the church.
GARY LOOMANS Gary is the youth director and a member at NorthChurch. He’s also director of Teen Impact at City Gospel Mission.
Cain Earns 7th Consecutive Top Nonprofit Rating Harnessing the power of social media, GreatNonprofits is the leading site for donors and volunteers to find reviews and ratings of nonprofits. Reviews on the site influence 30 million donation decisions a year. Since its inception in 2009, CAIN has participated and earned a spot on the Top-Rated list each year! Reviews by guests, volunteers, donors and supporters show the importance contribution of CAIN right here in Northside. “Savvy donors want to see the impact of their donations more than ever,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits, “People with direct experience with CAIN have voted that the organization is making a real difference.” FROM A GUEST: “I am so grateful for CAIN. I am always greeted with a smile; they make me feel welcome and are very helpful in my pantry choices. They care about you and never look down on you for coming there when you need help.” FROM A VOLUNTEER: “CAIN serves the Northside community with compassion and holistic care through relationships, and practical service which meets people’s immediate needs. Volunteers and staff honor people’s dignity in the way they have designed and implemented their pantry, tax filing, community meals and garden, and shelter programs. Those involved with CAIN are an inspired community with generous hearts; creative, progressive, and open-minded toward CAIN’s expanding vision and mission to serve Northside and beyond. I am proud and thankful to know and participate with CAIN!”
FROM A DONOR: “CAIN ought to be in the dictionary under care! Each and everyday the house is full of volunteers and staff whose purpose is to treat the persons in need with respect and tenderness while trying to fill their needs. Smiles abound and I know some troubled thoughts are vanquished. Anyone who is thinking about finding a place, either for your time or some of your hard earned dollars--this would be the place.” CAIN is honored to serve the Northside community and depends on Northside residents to give of their time, talent and treasurer to help neighbors in need. TO LEARN MORE: Visit www.cainministry.org and click on the Great Reviews badges, Volunteer or Donate tabs.
MIMI CHAMBERLAIN MiMi Chamberlin is CAIN’s Executive Director and has ser ved the Northside community for over 22 years.
THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
WELLNESS
Feeling No Pain I believe Cynthia Allen coined the phrase “The blame for pain lies mainly on the brain.” Now, please don’t misunderstand. She is not implying that people only imagine they have pain. She means that the brain (not the mind) decides when and if to send a signal of pain. Most of us have at one time or another discovered bruises on our body with no idea of how they got there. And it’s entirely possible to sustain a significant injury but not experience pain until the crisis passes. The brain’s number one job is self-preservation. Therefore, if being immobilized because of pain puts our life in danger, the brain will not send the pain signal until it’s safe to do so. Remarkable! The brain can also send a signal of pain even when there is no physical injury. My father had an unexplained pain in his right arm. No physician could find a cause. I knew he was in a
great deal of distress because of his wife’s illness. I asked him, “Dad, what would you give for Nancy to get better? Would you give your right arm?” This was a phrase he often used in other contexts. Tears came to his eyes as he shook his head “yes”. The pain soon dissipated. He had somaticized that which he could not speak. A client got relief from low back pain when she realized she needed to end a relationship that was “a real pain in the …” The origin of the pain was not physiological, but real nonetheless. Neither my father nor this woman are to be blamed for their pain. “The blame for pain lies mainly on the brain.” More recently, another client believed that his pain was a signal to heed something in his life that needed his attention. Because he was willing to investigate such a possibility, at the end of the session, he left pain free. Again, don’t misunderstand. I am not proposing a simplistic concept of pain and pain relief. I do propose that pain is a complicated phenomenon that may require addressing issues that lie beyond just the physical. When in pain, we fear we are powerless over it, but I
have never yet met a client who could not make their pain worse. Once we realize that, we can learn to lessen— perhaps even eliminate—our pain.
LARRY WELLS Larry R. Wells, M.Div, MSW, is a partner in
Future Life Now and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Larry works with clients individually, and, with his partner Cynthia Allen, teaches “PainLESS”, a workshop for people dealing with chronic pain. Reach him at 513.541.5720 or futurelifenow.com.
Ready to create the life you deserve? NEURO LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING (NLP) is a life-changing approach that uses the mind-bodyspirit connection to bring about desired changes in health, behaviors, beliefs and attitudes. LARRY WELLS Neuro Linguistic Programming Master Practitioner, Trainer/Consultant and Coach
THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
Visit futurelifenow.com or call 513.541.5720 Free introductory consultation upon request.
4138 HAMILTON AVENUE, CINCINNATI, OH 45223
15
SCREEN
Happen Kid Film Critics
NIGHTMARES AND DREAMSCAPES: STORIES FROM STEPHEN KING “BATTLEGROUND” This month, the Happen’s Kid Critics get an up-close introduction to one of the primary names in horror Stephen King - thanks to this 2006 TNT mini-series adaptation of Nightmares and Dreamscapes his short story collection. King, for more adult audiences, is the living master of supernatural and psychological thrillers, with a role call of novels (Carrie, Cujo, The Shining, and Misery to name a few) that have become cultural touchstones as a result of film and television translations. So, it seems fitting for the Kid Critics to have settled in for “Battleground,” one of eight episodes in the collection. It
features the story of an assassin (Academy Award-winner William Hurt) who eliminates a toy manufacturer, and then must face off against a small and mysterious force intent on revenge. Trust the Happen Kid Critics to let you know if this installment is a real “killer” thriller. –TT Stern-Enzi Each month, Happen’s Kid Film Critics received their own official Happen film critic packet and a press badge. TT Stern-Enzi, Cincinnati film critic, provided insight about the film and guided the children as they wrote this month’s film reviews. Read the reviews, and be sure to watch!
“All in all, this short film is simple, but has a lot of hidden meaning. The film is about the horrors of war and humanity. It centers on an assassin who is fueled by rage to defeat the perfect form of revenge - toys. It shows that feelings can go right to the tiniest, microscopic level. While a bit predictable, the film balances horror and humility. It is done with no verbal speech, but very effectively shows the fear and pain of the events.” –Luci “Battleground did very well creating an eerie background. I liked that no one talked and I felt this added to the background of the story. I wonder how the police react at the end of the rest of the story.” –Maxwell “Predictable and I don’t understand it.” –Gwen
EVENTS NORTHSIDE LIBRARY 12.8.15 / Games Galore! Come play Wii games, board games and Pokemon! All ages. 6pm
12.22.15 / Family Storytime Enjoy books, songs, activities and more, while building early literacy skills. Ages: 3-6. 6pm
12.9.15 / Preschool Storytime Enjoy books, songs, activities and more, while building early literacy skills. Ages: 3-6. 10am
12.23.15 / Preschool Storytime Enjoy books, songs, activities and more, while building early literacy skills. Ages: 3-6. 10am
12.16.15 / Preschool Storytime Enjoy books, songs, activities and more, while building early literacy skills. Ages: 3-6. 10am
12.26.15 / Family Movie Enjoy “Muppets Christmas Carol”! All ages. 3pm
12.17.15 / Holiday Party Come for some holiday crafts and activities! All ages. 4pm
12.30.15 / Preschool Storytime Enjoy books, songs, activities and more, while building early literacy skills. Ages: 3-6. 10am
12.21.15 / Evening Arts Create a holiday craft. All ages. 6pm
12.30.15 / Afternoon Art Create a winter craft. All ages. 4pm
http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/branches/northside.html 16
FAMILY ENRICHMENT CENTER:
LABOITEAUX WOODS:
12.19.15 / These aren’t Your Momma’s Cloth Diapers! Today’s cloth diapers use no pins, no rubber pants and need no rinsing. Want to know more? Cloth diapering moms will be on hand to answer all your questions. 12:45pm. $5 donation requested
12.5.15 / Girl Scouts Craft Workshop Create handmade holiday crafts with your scouting group. Brownie and Juniors. 12-2pm. Fee: $5/person.
1.4.16 / Playful Learning Beginning this January, children can attend an “unschool” preschool alternative Mon.’s, Wed.’s, &/or Fri.’s from 9:30-12:30. Building, dancing, experimenting, imagining, creating, exploring, and most importantly, playing! Registration deadline is Dec. 11th. 9:30am. $30/day.
http://www.theplaceforfamilies.com
12.5.15 / Holiday Craft Workshop Bring the family to enjoy crafts with natural materials or a nature theme. Ages 4+. 3-5pm. Fee: $5/person. Email: jason.watson@cincinnati-oh.gov
COMBATING JOBLESSNESS 12.5.15 / Hand-Up Job Training Fair Connect with professional development workshops, job skills training, and job opportunities. Location: Millvale Recreation Center, 3303 Beekman St. 1-3pm. Free Email: lcarpenter@wincincy.org THE NORTHSIDER MONTHLY
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 SUNDAY DECEMBER 6 FRIDAY DECEMBER 11 SUNDAY DECEMBER 13 SUNDAY DECEMBER 20 THURSDAY, CHRISTMAS EVE
SUNDAY DECEMBER 27
ADVENT I: “FINDING A WAY BACK HOME: A JUST HOME” WORLD AIDS DAY SERVICE: TRINITY EPISCOPAL, COVINGTON ADVENT II: “CLEANING UP FOR THE FOLKS” - 10:30 AM) - CAROLING IN THE AFTERNOON HOLIDAYS ON LUDLOW (7 PM- 9 PM) ADVENT III : “A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW: A SAFE HOME” (10:30 AM) - CHILDREN’S PROGRAM & POTLUCK ADVENT IV: “HOME IS WHERE THE HEART(H) IS : A HELPFUL HOME” (10:30 AM) , LONGEST NIGHT (6 PM) CHILD-CENTERED SERVICE (5:30 PM) CHOIR, COMMUNION, AND CANDLELIGHT (7:30 PM) LESSONS AND CAROLS WITH CANDLELIGHT (11 PM) “WHEN HOME CHANGES: A RESILIENT HOME” (10:30 AM), IN-GATHERING OF GENTLY USED ITEMS Progressive Faith Community All are welcome at God’s table Sunday Worship 10:30 AM LGBTQ-Friendly Methodist Church
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