march 2014
volume 1 | issue 6
northsider.northside.net
2
INTERVIEW
10
FEATURE HAPPEN INC.’S 15-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Q&A with NCC’s New President
9
a free publication
OPINION
A Male Feminist’s Perspective
16
MUSIC
Interview with the Perfect Children
IN THIS ISSUE
COVER ART | HAPPEN COVER ART CONTEST
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 6 | CONTENT
3 5 8 10 12 13 14 15 16 18
CONTRIBUTORS
WRITERS:
COMMUNITY NEWS
INTERVIEW WITH NCC’S PRESIDENT NORTHSIDE TIDBITS CAIN EXPANDS MINISTRY
COLUMNS
THE DOUBLE LIVES OF FARMERS XENOESTROGENS WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT SLEEP
OPINION
A NEIGHBORHOOD OF RESPECT A MALE FEMINIST’S PERSPECTIVE
FEATURE
Barry Schwartz, Pat Knapp, Ana Bird, Zarleen Watts, Larry Wells, Steve Sunderland, Mike Moroski, Karen Andrew, Kristen St. Clair, Rae Hoffman, Tommy Reuff
artwork:
Toby, Ollie Kroner, Grace Place, Ana Bird, Karen Andrews, Future Life Now, Tommy Reuff, Jliard, ZHM, Kristen St. Clair
volunteer advisory committee:
Jeni Jenkins, James Kinsman, James Heller-Jackson, Barry Scwartz, Karen Andrew, Mark Christol
layout, Design and editorial management Jeni Jenkins of Uncaged Bird Design Studio
HAPPEN CELEBRATES 15 YEARS
Social Media Coordinator Kevin Cain
SPOTLIGHT
toby
O
ver the past several weeks children taking part in Happen’s Open Studio sessions have had the opportunity to participate in a contest to design the cover of the March 2014 issue of The Northsider. After receiving so many wonderful entries we’re happy to feature the winning designer and share his creation with all of Northside. Congratulations to Toby, a Northsider. Your art truly shows the whole neighborhood that “It’s easy being green.”
CALL TO ARTISTS | MONTHLY COVER ART Monthly Cover Art submissions: 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. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will be reinvested in a fund to support art projects in Northside. The remainder will help support the paper. If you are interested in having your artwork considered:
email: northsidermonthly@gmail.com Subject line: Cover Art Submission
2 vol. 1 | Issue 6 MAR 14’
Event listings editor:
NATURE: MAGNIFICENT MOTHS
Zarleen Watts
Proofreaders
DIY
FOOD: GRAPEFRUIT EXPERIMENT
ARTS
YOUTH: HAPPEN’S FILM CRITICS
EDUCATION
Megan Fitzpatrick & Carolyn Banfield
delivery team
James Moore, Stephen Davis, SaraLynne Thoresen, ThoraLynne McKinney, Mati Senerchia, Noeli Senerchia, Jacob Walker, Jared Walker, Isaac Hunter, Evan Hunter, Owen Hunter, Kirah Hickman, Margaret Roe.
YOUTH: WORDPLAY’S WORDUP
northsidermonthly@gmail.com
SPOTLIGHT
MUSIC: PERFECT CHILDREN
NORTHSIDE SCENE
Contact us:
EVENTS CALENDAR- MARCH
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NORTHSIDER.NORTHSIDE.NET 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.
organizational structure: 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. The NCC meets the third Monday of the month, (except January and February, fourth Monday due to holidays) at 7:00 PM at McKie Recreational Center, 1655 Chase Avenue. The Northsider Monthly newspaper is published on the first Friday of the month and is distributed to businesses and residents in the 45223 zip code. life & culture 45223
COMMUNITY NEWS
Interview with NCC’s New President
Oliver Kroner was elected the new president of the Northside Community Council (NCC) on January 27th. He has been a resident of Northside most of his life. He is an environmental scientist who works for TERA, Inc. and he is very excited about the future of Northside.
Q A
Why did you want to be president of the Northside Community Council? What do you bring to the role? I have had friends say to me in the past, that they don’t vote, because no matter which way they vote on an issue they never notice a change in their lives. One of my favorite things about NCC, is that when an issue is presented, we cast our votes—and then a week, or maybe a month later you are driving to work and you see the changes happening. It feels good to know you played a part in making Northside what it is. What is your vision for the community council and the community? Where do you see the community and NCC in five years? I grew up in Northside, on Brookside. For three decades now, I have watched Northside’s ups and downs. This neighborhood has incredible momentum - young families buying their first homes, new businesses sprouting up, two brand new schools, a newly renovated rec center, and now a major new develoPMent in the heart of our neighborhood. We
Q A
NORTHSIDE TIDBITS
Lori Bailey North Side Employee Appointed to Tri State League Board: Lori Bailey, an Auditor at the North Side Bank and Trust, has been appointed to a three-year term on the board of directors of the Tri State League of Financial Institutions.
seem to be in the middle of the biggest develoPMent boon this place has seen in 100 years. This is an era of growth and change for Northside. NCC is here to guide this growth. What are your priorities for the NCC and the Northside community beginning with your tenure?
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1) Schools! With the surge of strollers seen through the streets of Northside, developing strong community schools will be a top priority. As a Dad, I hope to walk my son down the street to school, but we have some work to do at Parker Woods or Chase to meet my wife’s standards! Sue Wilke and our Education Committee are leading this effort on behalf of NCC. 2) Food! The restaurant scene is alive and well, but we need better grocery options in Northside. With the loss of Sav-a-lot, we suddenly find ourselves looking like a food desert. 3) Teenagers! If you were a teenager in Northside, where would you hang out? We need to augment the good work of Happen Inc., Wordplay, Northside Soccer, and others to provide more ways to engage teens in Northside. Do you expect to launch any new initiatives or relaunch existing ones?
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We have so many initiatives in motion right now – sustaining The Northsider, building a skate park, growing the youth soccer program, upgrading recycling in the business district, cleaning up the bus stops.... There are so many people working really hard to make these successful. I work as an environmental scientist for the local non-profit TERA, so you can expect a focus on green projects around town. For example, we will be working on a street tree planting initiative early this year.
Q
The Tri State League is an industry trade association of community banks and savings and loans in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana areas. In existence since 1960, the League provides a forum for member institutions to exchange ideas and explore ways of better serving their customers. In addition to working in Northside, Lori is also active in the neighborhood through her involvement at Saint Boniface School. She helps promote financial literacy by managing the Student Enterprise program and instructing the students on Savings and Credit. And she has been known to organize student field trips to Great American Ball Park to watch the Cincinnati Reds.
If you see Lori in the bank or run into her at one of the Hamilton Avenue restaurants or shops be sure to say “Congratulations!” Northside Citizens on Patrol: Those interested in being part of NCOP are required to take a citizens on patrol basic training. May classes will be held at District-One (located at 310 Ezzard Charles Dr. 45214). Applications are due by May 1st. Training Dates are Thursdays, May 8th /15th/22nd from 5:30- 9:30PM. For more info: northsidecopp@gmail.com Gantry Development: In February, Northside Community Council approved a motion of support for updated design plans on the devel-
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BY Barry Schwartz barrys@cinci.rr.com Barry is a retired city planner and is currently on the Northside Community Council, the Northside COP team, and is heading up the Save-a-lot replacement committee.
opment of the former Myron G. Johnson & Son Lumber Co. property, located at the corner of Hamilton Avenue and Blue Rock Street. The plans presented by Jake Dietrich of Milhaus Development, include a mixed-use property consisting of three new buildings, totaling 129 apartments and approximately 8,000 sf of retail space. Construction is set to begin in Spring 2014, and the first units are expected to be available in early 2015. The construction is being completed by Milhaus Construction, LLC and is expected to be completed in the Summer of 2015. The property will be managed by Milhaus Management, LLC. For more info contact Jake Dietrich, jake.dietrich@milhausdevelopment.com.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
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CAIN Expands Ministry | Transitional Housing for Women and Children
hurches Active in Northside (CAIN), which has operated a neighborhood food pantry and provided social services to Northside residents for more than two decades as CAIN and twice that long through its churches, is expanding its hospitality ministry by welcoming into its fold a Cain and its new ministry, longtime College Hill grace place share deep roots community: Grace Place Catholic Grace Place co-founder Worker Community. Joyce Asfour, a lifelong Grace Place is resident of Cincinnati, grounded in the travisited her childhood docdition of radical hostor in his home office at pitality, a movement 4230 Hamilton Avenue. founded in 1933 That building now houses by Dorothy Day CAIN (Churches Active In and Peter Maurin. Northside). Co-founders Joyce Wittekind Asfour Northside’s beloved and Sandy McCoy and recently deceased bought a three-stoBill Dickhaus, owner ry Victorian house of Northside’s Ace in College Hill and, Hardware on Hamilton, in 1998, opened worked with Joyce’s its doors to women father, William Wittekind, and children in crisis, in the Wittekind family’s providing them with hardware store in the close-knit communiDepression-era Clifton ty and transitional neighborhood. housing at no cost for up to one year
while they work through difficult challenges. Volunteers join guests for meals, skill-building, spirituality and daily companionship. A handful of volunteers live full time at the house. CAIN Executive Director MiMi Chamberlin says the missions of CAIN Valentine’s Day at Grace Place, Joyce (left) and two Grace Place Guests. Submitted by Grace Place and Grace Place are conen’s movement whose national headquarters are nected by their in Loveland at Grailville, Joyce travelled around focus on hospitality and their founding by women the world. Joyce immersed herself in prayer and who put their faith in action. In the 1970s Jewel social justice efforts, and connected with activists Davis Smith started a food pantry that became from every continent and here in Cincinnati where CAIN. “It’s a tremendous blessing for both organishe engaged in social justice and faith-based zations and even more for the people we serve,” actions. She served WILPF as a liaison for its she notes. “With the retirement of Joyce Asfour, members in both Israel and occupied Palestine, a Grace Place was in need of an administrator and passion fed by her late husband, Victor, a Paloversight. For CAIN, this helps us live out our misestinian immigrant who was the co-founder of sion more fully,” she says. CAIN is a neighborhood Arab-American Association of Cincinnati. ministry that transforms lives and inspires hope by Though she is retired and now living in Colproviding nutritious food, crisis assistance, resourclege Hill at Llanfair, Joyce joins the community es, and compassion in a way that respects human of guests and volunteers for dinner and converdignity and builds a more vibrant community. sation several times a week. She loves the depth “At the pantry, we provide food and other neand breadth of community at the house. Joyce is cessities and individual attention in grateful to see Grace Place thriving through the a truly, loving and compassionate commitment of longtime and new volunteers and way to over 400 households per with the support of CAIN. month. We have always longed After dinner one recent night, Joyce, volunfor a way to also help people in a teers and guests sat for long hours at the table, more in-depth and long-term way,” talking and laughing until one woman offered Mimi adds. “Grace Place is a way words from Psalm 118. At 75, releasing Grace to do this by providing assistance Place to CAIN and a new generation of volunand support the women need to teers, Joyce raised her voice and sang out, “Tocreate more stable and self-susday is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice taining lives for themselves and and be glad in it.” their children.” For more info: CAIN’s desire to serve in an www.cainministry.org even more in-depth and personcain-churchesactiveinnorthside.tumblr.com al way mirrors the intentions of CAIN 513-591-CAIN (2246) Catholic Worker, Grace Place; and Grace Place 513-681-2365 co-founder Joyce Asfour. A member of The Women’s International League for Peace (WILPF) as well BY pat knapp as The Grail, an international womPat Knapp is a CAIN volunteer who lives in Clifton
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COLUMN: FOOD CULTURE
The Double Lives of Farmers | Winter and Spring Market Offerings
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t is now March and farmers’ markets have nothing new to offer; if anything, the selection is sparser. February and March represent a turning point in local foods. Most of what is available harkens back to the labors of the past year, but our farmers already have begun growing for this coming year. At the end of a bitterly cold winter, the farmers’ market still offers local food because our farmers have planned carefully, starting at this time last year. Back Acres Farm, selling at the Northside
Photos: (Far Left) The snowy scene outside the Carriage House Farm hoop house. (Left) The hoop house will soon be full of transplants. (Above) Seedlings waiting to be planted. Photos: Ana Bird
Farmers Market, planted hundreds of feet of potatoes last spring and onions last summer, in order to have them available to us over winter. Other farmers spent the fall drying herbs and hot peppers, canning pickles and jams, and grinding wheat into flour—preparing for the coldest months. Some vendors have invested in heated greenhouses where they have grown lettuce and
other greens all winter. Despite lingering cold temperatures, longer days and the warming soil of March bring a bustle of activity to local farms. As a culture we tend to expect fresh produce much later in the spring, but in fact this time of year marks the beginning of the new growing season. On a recent visit to Carriage House Farm, another Northside Farmers Market vendor, farmer Kate Cook showed me around her high tunnel (pictured). A high tunnel is a greenhouse of thick plastic stretched over a series of arching hoops. Most farms use at least one of these to warm up soil faster and begin planting sooner. Kate has hundreds of seedlings ready to plant into the hoop house, where they will grow into the first greens of the season. During my visit, Kate’s infectious excitement over transplanting the
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first peas of 2014 made me envy her work in the sun-warmed hoop house. The more effort we as a community make to include products from the winter market in our diet, the better we can support our farmers to bridge seasons. The next time you stop by a farmers’ market, ask your farmer about the steps of getting their current offerings to the table, and about the work they are doing to bring spring vegetables back to the market. Let’s appreciate the change in seasons by becoming more aware of how local farms produce our food.
BY ANA BIRD Ana Bird works at Northside Farmers Market as Market Manager, and at Imago, as program coordinator in environmental education, and authors Cincinnati food blog Our Local Kitchen. She also teaches youth ballet classes at UC and Baker Hunt Cultural Center.
vol. 1 | Issue 6 Mar 14’ 5
COLUMN: HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Xenoestrogens | Where They’re Hiding and How They Sabotage a Woman’s Hormonal Harmony
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enoestrogens are chemical estrogens that mimic the natural hormones found in the body and disrupt proper endocrine/hormonal function. They come from man-made chemicals, and our bodies are exposed to them through air, water, application to skin, and consumption. Both men and women are affected by chemical estrogens, but women are especially sensitive to the effects of these “fake” estrogens that attach to estrogen receptors and cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms. Children are also exceptionally sensitive to xenoestrogens because their reproductive systems are still developing. Symptoms of Xenoestrogen Overload in Women? The condition of having too much estrogen, usually from chemical estrogens, but also from some natural sources, is called estrogen
6 vol. 1 | Issue 6 MAR 14’
Cubist Woman By: jliard
dominance. It is estimated that, in the west, nearly 50 percent of women, over the age of 35, suffer from estrogen dominance, but younger women are also affected. Symptoms of estrogen dominance include tender breasts, breast cysts, abnormal menstrual cycles, heavy menstruation, mood swings, irritability, PMS, endometriosis, fibroids, fatigue, insomnia, infertility, headaches, constipation, low libido, weight gain, hair loss, depression, foggy thinking, fluid retention, reproductive cancers, and more. Our environment is more over-run with chemical estrogens than ever before due to a heightened dependency on petrochemicals in packaging, processing, and manufacturing.
supplies, bar and anti-bacterial soaps, cosmetics, nail polish remover, hair care products, perfumes, and deodorants contain petrochemical compounds. When something is applied transdermally, the liver, which normally filters out toxins, is bypassed, so chemical estrogens and toxins are absorbed within minutes and released directly into the blood stream or stored in fat cells. This is why many pharmaceutical companies use medicines in the form of a skin patch. Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy are very high in synthetic estrogens. A woman can be exposed to them by taking them as a prescription or by drinking tap water, which can contain estrogens from the many hormone pills that have passed through others into our water supply. Xenoestrogen load can be increased by exposure to herbicides, pesticides, exterminating poisons, new carpet, new clothing, new furniture, plastic bottles, and plastic heated in the microwave. Because estrogens are stored in fat, being overweight also contributes to estrogen dominance. Commercially produced meats and dairy contain synthetic hormones that are easily stored in a woman’s fat cells. Scented candles, commercial room deodorizers, and cigarettes are also loaded with chemical estrogens. To learn more, come to the Women’s Health Empowerment Workshop – Women, Hormones, & the Xenoestrogen Connection at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center on March 13, 2014. For tickets and more information, go to https://whew-women-hormones. eventbrite.com
Where are Chemical Estrogens Found? The most prevalent way to get chemical estrogens is through topical application to the skin. Most lotions, shampoos, conditioners, cleaning life & culture 45223
How can I Avoid Xenoestrogens? These days, it is nearly impossible to avoid chemical estrogens altogether, but here are a few guidelines to help people drastically reduce their exposure. • Stay away from tap water – use spring water or get a good water filter for drinking and cooking • Choose body-care products, toothpastes and soaps that are made from all-natural ingredients and organic, if possible • Wash new clothes before wearing • Use all-natural laundry detergents, or better yet, use soap nuts • Avoid birth control pills or HRT or, at the very least, get the lowest dose possible • Get all dairy and meats organic and without hormones, free-range and wild-caught • Try to eat organic or low-pesticide produce, and wash conventional produce with a white vinegar solution • Avoid candles and deodorizers with chemicals listed on the labels • Stick to white vinegar, baking soda, and natural citrus oils for cleaning • Never heat plastic, including plastic wrap, with food in the microwave • Use stainless steel or glass water bottles • Get regular exercise to help the body metabolize estrogens and keep stress and weight down • Rule of thumb – if it has chemicals in it, it is probably estrogenic
BY Zarleen Watts Zarleen Watts, owner of This Lovely Life Holistic Health & Wellness Coaching, helps people heal by teaching them to practice self-care, listen to their bodies, craft delicious healthy meals, and create habits for life-long health. Free initial consultations. Zarleen@ThisLovelyLife.com, 513-394-6478, www.This-LovelyLife.com
COLUMN: HEALTH AND WELLNESS
What you may not know about sleep
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lthough most people experience times when they can’t sleep as they would like, there are people for whom this is a condition that lasts for extended periods of time. Insomnia is this chronic inability to fall asleep, or to sleep as long as one needs, or to go back to sleep after having been awakened. DID YOU KNOW: That over the course of human history the practice of sleeping through the night is a relatively new phenomenon brought on by the industrial age? That’s right. For many centuries it was natural to sleep for a few hours, be awake for an hour or two, and then return to sleep. That hour or two was often used for things like prayer, personal reflection or personal conversation with one’s bed partner. So, waking up in the middle of the night might not be unusual or
An opportunity to explore ways to lower stress and get better sleep is coming up on March 22nd at Future Life Now in Northside. problematic. DID YOU KNOW: That a high percentage of those who experience insomnia have high levels of the hormones ACTH and cortisol 24 hours a day? These stress hormones keep one at high alert. Those who are stressed a good bit of the time may also find it difficult to sleep as they would like. DID YOU KNOW: That the regular practice of meditation, prayer, tai chi, the Sounder Sleep System® and the like can teach the body to decrease levels of ACTH and cortisol and can contribute to a better night’s sleep? As little as five minutes of these activities three or four times a day
Northside’s
Holistic Health Center
can, over time, have a dramatic effect. Actually, five minutes three or four times a day can be more useful than an hour-long session because the body learns how to lower those hormone levels quickly. And, the more times they are lowered, the more likely they are to remain low for a period of time. DID YOU KNOW: That you can use your body to calm the mind? Many who can’t fall asleep find their mind is racing. Very simple slow, small movements can calm the mind day or night. They reduce stress hormone levels in that moment. The reductions are cumulative. That is, the more often they are lowered, the lower they stay.
Stop by Mon. - Fri. from 9 am to 5:30 pm.
LLC
DID YOU KNOW: Did you know that very simple practices such as the one in the sidebar can be the beginning of changing your relationship with sleep?
BY larry r. wells Wells, M.Div, MSW, is a partner in Future Life Now & Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming. He has also trained extensively in the Sounder Sleep System® approach to insomnia. www.futurelifenow.com 513-541-5720
C L A S S E S / WO R K S H O P S
Acupuncture
Bones for Life®
Neuro-Linguistic Programming Coaching Massage
4138 Hamilton Avenue. Free parking and entrance on Knowlton St. 513.541.5720 | futurelifenow.com life & culture 45223
To begin to calm the mind, lightly hold your left thumb in your right hand and gently squeeze your thumb as you exhale and release as you inhale. Breathe naturally with no attempt to control the breath. Squeeze on the exhale and release on the inhale. Try this for two minutes. Rest for one minute. Then squeeze on the inhale and release on the exhale. Which of the two is more natural and relaxing? Go through the cycle again, but this time notice what else you might be experiencing in your body: any sensations, tingling, calm. Become aware that this simple exercise can have significant impact on your physical and emotional state.
P R I VAT E S E SS I O N S
The Feldenkrais Method®
Enjoy our art exhibit, browse our boutique, or inquire about our services and classes.
Begin improving your relationship with sleep right now.
Awareness Through Movement® Sounder Sleep System® Nia NEWCOMERS:
First class FREE when mentioning this ad!
vol. 1 | Issue 6 Mar 14’ 7
OPINION: COMMUNITY
NORTHSIDE| A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WORKS WITH RESPECT with the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Highlander before the Montgomery Bus Boycott was started. The founder of Highlander, Mr. Myles Horton, extended the invitation to Parks and King even though they all knew that holding such a meeting would have personal and institutional dangers. Last week at
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orthside is an unusual neighborhood. It knows how to organize to protect itself from major projects, such as highways invading, and it knows how to get beautiful flags for the bridge. The long-term success of organizers has been evident over the years, irrespective of who is mayor, on city council; or in the leadership positions of the Northside Council. Northside’s annual 4th of July parade, house tours and Rock ‘n’ Roll Carnival bring thousands to our neighborhood to enjoy an inclusive, diverse, and often amazing set of stores, outstanding restaurants, and a beautiful and much-used Hoffner Park. The recent history of Northside has also revealed a set of difficult obstacles for its residents: random crime, poor schools, shuttered stores
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“
with many different people, and with a common commitment to respect, the flag of Northside flies beautifully.”
on Hamilton Avenue, and a policy of benign neglect from Cincinnati City Council. Yet, the journey to a vibrant urban community continues each day and raises questions about how the community “works.” A recent visit of the leaders of the Highlander Research and Education Center to Cincinnati and Oxford, Ohio prompted discussions about the basics of its 75-year-history of success in labor, immigration, civil rights, and youth programs. Based in rural Tennessee, Highlander has been a meeting place for activists seeking to solve problems, strengthen relationships, and develop partnerships in local action that can be transferred to other local communities. Famously, Rosa Parks had her first “integrated” seminar
the Peaslee Center in Over-theRhine, the discussion facilitated by Pam McMicheal and Andre Canty, staff of Highlander, gave more than 50 local Cincinnati community organizers a chance to share what could make a difference in Cincinnati. In reflecting on the discussion, one participant said, “I had a chance to talk about my personal experiences without any worry....I learned that every participant had power and powerless experiences that we can share.” Another participant, in seeing the Highlander group process at work, said, “Being an advocate for social justice is different than being an organizer for social justice.” Northside knows these lessons, too. The keys to creating and sustaining a rare urban alternative
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to Cincinnati’s often segregated neighborhoods has meant that the facilitators of action have respected the involvement of many different people, including minorities, people in wheelchairs, and different religious groups. No one group “runs” Northside; instead, respect for involvement, honoring the elders and the young, and working hard to continue the dream of Northside are the “secrets” of Northside’s success. Throughout the neighborhood, largely unknown heroes educate children in free after-school programs, while others reclaim houses from ruin, and others work for a viable business district. The effort to create a “new” kind of community has not been easy. Yet, in many little ways, with many different people, and with a common commitment to respect, the flag of Northside flies beautifully. (I wish to thank Joe Schorer, Miami University educator, and Yuichi Kimara, community researcher, for their comments on an earlier draft).
BY Steve Sunderland sundersc@ucmail.uc.edu Steve is a founder of the Peace Village and a professor of peace and educational studies at the University of Cincinnati. He has been a Northsider for over 10 years.
OPINION: EQUALITY
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“What Women Have Taught Me” | A Male Feminist’s Perspective
hen I used to tell my students at an allmale Catholic high school in Cincinnati that I was a feminist, they would look at me as you would expect teenage males to look at a male adult who just said he was a feminist. I then would proceed to define “feminism” for them as anyone who believes women should have the same rights as a man, receive the same pay as a man, and have access to the same opportunities as a man. Most, not all, would usually say, “Yeah, I guess I am a feminist too.” That said, in honor of Women’s History Month, this column is a male feminist’s reflection on but a few of the Cincinnati women in my life who have taught me so much, and what I have learned from them. First, there’s my wife, Katie. Katie, in my highly unbiased opinion, is the most awesome woman in the world. Katie is compassionate, strong-willed, willing to adapt to best resolve a conflict, and able to seemingly empathize with every single person she meets. Katie truly is the best person I know and is able to soften my testosterone-driven need to win everything (yes, I may be a feminist, but that dang biology/ science thing gets in the way every now and then). Without Katie, I would not be as strong or resilient as I am today, and I certainly wouldn’t be able to fight as hard as I do for the rights of others. Next, there’s my mom. My mom has this amazing gift of being able to love everyone and simultaneously strike fear into the hearts of anyone who messes with her family. The Archbishop of Cincinnati should still be sending prayers of thanksgiving to the Good Lord that my mom was out of town last year when he fired me for supporting marriage equality. Heck – I’m still sending prayers of thanksgiving on his behalf that she was not here. What’s more, as a
child I always marveled at how my mother was friends with everyone at every place we went when we ran errands – bank tellers, bag boys and girls at the grocery store, the pharmacist – literally everyone. Libby Hunter of WordPlay Cincy Libby asked me to serve on her board in November of 2011. Working for a year and nine months with Libby was a true blessing. I have seen many nonprofits start from the ground up, but none as successfully as WordPlay. I probably beat a dead horse by telling this to Libby the entire time I was on the board, but it’s true. The reason WordPlay has been so successful? Libby’s ability to time-manage, think strategically and, most importantly, build relationships. But Libby didn’t just build relationships with the “right” people, she built them with everybody. Sister Louise Akers, S.C. Sister Louise is a hero of mine. You may remember Sr. Louise when she was fired from Mount St. Joe’s after advocating for female priests. She was fired after 50 years of serving her church as a Sister of Charity. But did Sr. Louise say a single nasty thing about anybody who fired her, or about the Archdiocese itself? No. Sr. Louise was one of the very first people I called when the Archdiocese of Cincinnati told me to recant my support of marriage equality or lose my job. She talked to me at length about separating the “People of God” and the “institutional church” in my mind. Her example and guidance helped me make it through a very difficult time with grace and forgiveness. Arlene Nolan, Executive Director of the Drop Inn Center Arlene was named one of Cincinnati’s “Women of the Year” not too long ago. Every time I would show up to a board meeting and say something about it she would play it off. This is not because of a
false-modesty that is all too common in the male species (sorry, guys), but because all Arlene cares about is serving those who no one else wants to serve. I served as Trustee on the Drop’s board for two years, and as I watched Arlene guide the center, I came to see her as the prototypical leader – calm on the outside and filled with fire on the inside. Jen Walters, the CEO of Lower Price Hill Community School I currently serve as Director of Outreach Services at the Lower Price Hill Community School. In the first month I have been on the job, I have watched Jen juggle tax credits, form new 501(c)(3) organizations, help transition old organizations into something new, be a mom, coordinate a team and be a friend. I cannot say for certain how she does all of this, but I can say for certain that my new boss inspires me. What’s more, the other two women on the leadership team – Emily Eskridge & Mary Knauff – are equally as inspiring. The fact that I get to work in the same room as these women on a daily basis, helping to make the community better, is amazing to me. I often text Katie during the work day and say, “Is this really my job?” These are but a few of the women in Cincinnati who continue to inspire me. They all share one thing in common – taking into account the human experience of others and approaching their work holistically. All of these women could run major corporations or hold elected positions, but would they receive the same pay or respect as their male counterparts? Would they be viewed as equals by their male peers? Those questions can only be answered on a case-by-case basis, but the sad reality is that the overarching answer is, “no.” While we have come a long way with the gender pay gap and women’s equality through the work of women’s rights activists there is still much more work to be done for women’s rights in this country.
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Lastly, I would like to take you back about 10 months. I attended the Business Courier’s “Biz Women’s Breakfast” because I thought it was for anyone who wanted to attend the event and meet really high-profile professionals. Well, I was the only male there. Anyway, the event was amazing. After we ate, our table leader asked us a series of questions like, “At what do you wish you were better?”, “What are your selfimprovement goals for this years?”, “Where do you fall short or feel inadequate?”, etc. The honesty in the women’s answers pushed me to be more honest, more open. We all sat around the table and discussed how to better hone our respective talents. When I got home I told Katie how I wish men had events like this, that we shared our insecurities so freely with one another, that we strived to be more compassionate in our business practices. Don’t get me wrong, men are pretty awesome, but we could seriously do ourselves and the country a favor by accepting our more feminine qualities and inviting more women to the table, not to mention fighting for our female counterparts’ and coworkers’ equal rights. As Katie likes to tell me, “We are all winners.” Let’s commit to making some things right so that this is true. Happy Women’s History Month, Northside.
BY Mike Moroski Mike Moroski has been active in the community for 12 years fighting for issues affecting low-income people, education, homelessness, and affordable housing. He currently serves as Director of Community Outreach at Lower Price Hill Community School, board member, activist, & educator and has two postgraduate degrees; one in English, and one in Nonprofit Administration. vol. 1 | Issue 6 Mar 14’ 9
FEATURE: ANNIVERSARY
H
happen inc’s anniversary | 15 YEARS OF MAKING THINGS HAPPEN
appen, Inc. was founded in 1999. Many readers of The Northsider are familiar with our mission of bringing families together through creative experiences. But what many people don’t know is that Happen’s original business plan had the organization opening its first doors right in the heart of Northside more than 15 years ago. As the ideas and plans started to come together, we decided to interview parents to help shape our business plan. There was a lot of discussion about the best location to kick off our new non-profit. What we found is that back in 1999, many parents did not feel comfortable driving into Northside. Our goal was to be accessible to everyone, and we knew that it was going to be difficult to make this business successful, so we needed to find a space located in an area that was welcoming for families to travel to. We found a space in Corryville on West Corry Street, which would become the first Happen location. It was at this space we started to
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develop the mission, vision, and programming that we still use today. After a year, we moved to larger space on Beechmont Avenue, and soon after started to develop outreach programs like Happen’s Community Canvas Program and Happen’s Let’s Play with Clay. Happen then expanded the programs and the
facility to include Happen’s Toy Lab and Happen’s in school programs. When Happen was located in Corryville, and on the east side, we were involved in many different aspects of the community, much like we are here now in Northside. We were able to build out the space and create an environment that was fun and full of surprises. But the one thing that was missing was a real sense of community. Because we were located in a retail strip mall, our front yard was a parking lot. There is nothing wrong with being in a retail environment, but given Happen’s mission, a strip mall did not support the best way for us to reach families. About eight years ago I started to see a real positive change in Northside. I saw more and more families moving and buying homes in Northside. So we raised enough funding to provide 52 weeks of programing and opened the Northside location. We had enough funding for one year in Northside and really
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didn’t know if we would last much beyond the 12-month commitment. The space was a originally a pharmacy starting back in 1896, and the recent tenants before Happen were a pet supplies store and Pinnokkio’s Hair Salon. I always give Tina, the owner of Pinnokkio’s, the credit for all the hard work in saving and restoring the original ceiling, long before Happen started to work in the space. All of the woodwork and the marble floors are also original. Happen installed six chandeliers and velvet stage curtains that have helped to transform the space into a magical art studio for families. But the biggest attribute to our space has been the families who have become our family at Happen. The number of parents and children has soared since we opened our doors in Northside. It’s been wonderful to see children grow year after year, and know that the time they have spent with their family at Happen will be a memory that will last a lifetime. We look forward to celebrating our 15th anniversary on March 8, which kicks off six months of Happen celebrations in Greater Cincinnati. We want to celebrate with past and new visitors, and especially with the residents of Northside, who every day have helped make Happen a success. I thank everyone who has helped Happen start and continue to provide award-winning educational programs to parents and children. We have grown to provide eight different programs in Greater Cincinnati that now also includes three Happen garden locations. Our Happen motto is “community is not just where you live,™ it’s how you live with other peopIe.” And I see that continued next page
FEATURE: ANNIVERSARY
continued
motto come to life every day by the families and individuals who live, work and serve in our community. It has been rewarding to take the time to look back, and know that where we are today is exactly where we wanted to be 15 years ago—Happen, Inc. located right in the heart of Northside.
BY TOMMY RUEFF
Brokering Fine Homes Since 1946
Emily Buzek Valentino
Tommy is Happen, Inc.’s founder and Executive Director
Sales Vice President
2716 Observatory Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45208 Cell (513) 602-7414 E-mail evalentino@comey.com
“Northside’s most prolific Realtor” – Cincinnati Enquirer, June 2013
comey.com life & culture 45223
vol. 1 | Issue 6 Mar 14’ 11
SPOTLIGHT: NATURE
A Tale of Two Marys|Magnificent Moths
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ave you seen any Lepidoptera lately? Probably not if you’ve stayed in Cincinnati all winter. In warm weather you will find Lepidoptera everywhere. The order Lepidoptera is comprised of more than 155,000 species of butterflies, moths, and skippers, according to the online version of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Two local women, both named Mary, will share their passion for one group of Lepidoptera, the moths, at Northside Greenspace’s annual meeting on March 20, 2014. If you think moths are just a nuisance, you might want to attend this presentation and let Mary and Mary change your mind. Known to her friends and acquaintances as Flower, Mary Jo White will do most of the talking with a visual presentation. Included will be her images of the elegantly beautiful, winged creatures, decked out in a myriad of colors and patterns. White grew up in the eastern part of Cincinnati where her parents and grandparents instilled in her a love of nature. When she was 12, her father purchased a 135-acre farm in Brown County near Sardinia. The farm was fairly devoid of vegetation due to grazing and crops. Throughout the ensuing years, the farm began to return to its natural habitat. Beginning in 1990, White began keeping records of the returning flora and fauna by taking photographs and keeping detailed notes.
But, what became a turning point in her life was her discovery of the moths. “One day when I arrived at the farmhouse, I noticed many tiny specks of moths around the outside lights that my brother had left on overnight,” said White. “I took a digital photo of the speck, zoomed in on the photo and discovered the beautiful pattern. The farmhouse turned out to be the perfect palette to attract Moths.” She spent the night photographing moths and was hooked. Armed with a “Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America” and information from the Internet, White was able to identify the moths in her photographs. Her main interests in moths are their beautiful patterns. She said there are so many to study and they can’t hurt you. Serving the Families of Northside “I am a Moth-er and to share and teach others about the activity of mothing, I have For Over 28 Years! created a Power Point presentation using my photographs to share and teach people the Your Headquarters for Flu Shots & props necessary to moth, the different moth Medicare Part D Plan Selection families and how to identify the moth,” said White. Assistance! Joining her in her presentation will be her Mothing Partner, Mary Ann Barnett, who Call or Stop By Today! raises several species of moths and is as avid an advocate of moths as White. Barnett is the chair of a field-based natural history conference focused on moths, called Mothapalooza!, which has occurred the last couple of years in June.
Schaeper’s Pharmacy…
541-0354
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“Mothapalooza features keynote presentations from moth and caterpillar experts, diurnal excursions, workshops and nighttime field trips to mothing stations,” said Bennett. “The proceeds go to educational programs and land conservation groups.” She built the website for mothapalooza.org and has a Facebook group devoted to the subject — “Moth Rearing 101 - Ohio”. She also volunteers at the Cincinnati Museum Center, working with their moth collection. “Most warm nights, you will find me outside on my well-lit porch photographing and studying the moths and other animals attracted to the lights,” said Bennett. See Mary and Mary at the Northside Greenspace annual meeting, 7-9p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2014 at the Laboiteaux Woods Nature Center, 5400 Lanius Lane (off of Belmont), College Hill 45224. Weather permitting, they will be setting up a Mothing Station for viewing moths after the presentation. The public is welcome.
BY KAREN ANDREW Karen loves to write, watch DIY and HGTV programs, and learn how things work. She was formerly a staff writer and calendar editor at The Cincinnati Enquirer. Her memberships include Northside’s Greenspace, Citizens on Patrol, Community Council and Writing Group.
diy: FOOD
The Grapefruit Experiment
T
he experiment below is an example of one of the many seasonal-vegetable-focused experiments performed every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Gabriel’s Place Market in Avondale. The samples are free and everyone is welcome to cook, shop, garden or just watch. Gabriel’s Place is a non-profit committed to garden to table education and access. Please call us at 513-221-2306 or e-mail at gabrielsplace.myrita@gmail.com.
Grapefruit Zabaglione over Mixed Berries
Grapefruit Brulee
3 cups mix of hulled and quartered strawberries,
2 red or pink grapefruits, chilled
blueberries, raspberries, and/or blackberries
2 tablespoons coarse sugar
4 egg yolks
3/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1/3 cup sugar
Special EquiPMent: Blowtorch or oven
1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice
Halve each grapefruit crosswise, and cut a thin slice off the bottom of each half to stabilize the pieces. Remove all seeds from the grapefruit, and loosen the segments with a paring knife.
Pinch kosher salt Grated grapefruit zest
In a large bowl, toss together the berries. Spoon the berries into serving dishes and set aside. Meanwhile, combine the egg yolks, sugar, grapefruit juice, and salt in a large metal or glass bowl. Whisk vigorously until combined and the color is a pale yellow. Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Be very careful not to let the bottom of the bowl touch the simmering water. Using a whisk or an electric hand mixer, vigorously whisk the egg mixture until it has tripled in volume and is very thick and creamy, about 4 to 5 minutes. Spoon the warm zabaglione over the berries. Top with a light sprinkle of grapefruit zest. Serve immediately.
Grapefruit Brulee
Sprinkle each half evenly with the sugar. Using a blowtorch, melt the sugar to form a golden brown and crispy surface. Sprinkle the hot sugar with the salt, and serve immediately.
BY Kristen St. Clair, Gabriel’s Place educational Chef Kristen is a graduate at The Midwest Culinary Institute. Her role at Gabriel’s Place is to run educational cooking classes, geared toward expanding knowledge on utilizing fresh foods that result in inexpensive and nutritionally full meals. Email: gabrielsplace.kst.clair@gmail.com
ashtanga | vinyasa | rocket | teacher training
Yoga classes 7 days/week $90 | 90 days | for new students
yogaahstudio.com yogaahstudio@gmail.com life & culture 45223
513.542.YOGA
4138 Hamilton Ave. 2nd Floor vol. 1 | Issue 6 Mar 14’ 13
ART: YOUTH
Happen Northside: Happen’s Kid Film Critics
Reviews of “The Day the Earth Stood Still” “It is about an alien that tries to warn people on Earth. I also like it.” -Gwen “Bobbie is a very curious boy. He really likes the alien and wants to spend time with him but he has a very important mission.” -Sweet Pea “I can tell they put a lot of effort into making this movie. I think the effects are pretty good for its time. I would give this movie three out of five stars.” -Henry “If I were Bobby I wouldn’t follow Klaatu at all. I also like how the end wasn’t really decided.” -Maxwell “I’m not a fan of black and white movies. I liked the old cars but I really don’t like the hairdo styles. I would be excited to be Bobby so I really liked the movie. I would give it a 10 out of a 10.” -Olivia
W
hat will Happen’s Kid Film Critics think of the original version of “The Day the Earth Stood Still?” Released in 1951, this science-fiction classic attempted to answer the question of what might happen when humanity first encountered an alien life form. In this case, the alien (Michael Rennie) lands his spaceship in Washington, D.C., endures a less-than welcoming greeting from the military, then seeks to contact a group of scientists and world leaders who might be willing to pay attention to his mission and message. Along the way, the alien pairs up with a young boy (Billy Gray) and his mother (Patricia Neal) and learns a thing or two about the real potential for good in human nature. It’s a cautionary tale with a lesson for all ages. Besides offering their analysis of the film, Happen’s Kids Critics were charged with thinking about how they might respond if they found themselves in a similar situation. - TT Stern-Enzi, Cincinnati Film Critic 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 the original version of “The Day the Earth Stood Still.”
BY TOMMY RUEFF Tommy is Happen, Inc.’s founder and Executive Director
Art activities for parents & children 4201 Hamilton Ave (& Chase) HOURS: 3:30 - 7:30PM (Tue.-Thu.) & 10am - 5PM (Sat.) FREE on a first come first served basis. www.happeninc.org (513)751-2345
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education: YOUTH
WordPlay’s WordUp boosts self-awareness in teens
WordUP students and volunteers enjoy a VIP tour of the University of Kentucky. Photo: WordPlay
A
t WordPlay, a group of 15 sophomore and junior Aiken High School students take turns standing as they share words to describe their days: “Live.” “Spectacular.” “OK.” Their words fill a chalkboard wall and inspire impromptu poetry as they pair with tutors who act as mentors during the 14-week WordUp program. The program, which started last year as an enrichment option for freshman and sophomores, focuses on bolstering students’ self-awareness, strengthening their abilities in community-building and helping them envision bright futures with college as a legitimate option. The atmosphere at a two-hour after-school WordUp meeting is palpably energetic. Students pile into the room, share their stories of the school day and banter with the volunteer tutors like old friends reunited. At the first group meeting in 2014, students and tutors alike shared their goals for the year by making a “A Toast for Change.” They gathered in a circle with sparkling juice (fake champagne for ‘toasting’). “What’s one thing you want to change about yourself this year?” asked Elissa Yancey, WordUp coordinator and WordPlay co-founder. The answers vary.
“I want to improve my work ethic,” one student said. “I’d like to change the way I see myself,” said another. “I want to improve my swag,” said another with a wry smile, causing the room to erupt in laughter. Then students gathered at the chalkboard-paint covered wall to write their ideas for self-improvement on the board, leaving a visual reminder of their goals. After that, it’s time for homework. They group together for tutoring help on their homework or reading along with a tutor. Most need homework help. “The key to WordUp is the relationship between the students and the tutors,” said Sandi Horine, a counselor at Aiken High School who initiated the WordUp program. “A really great and honest relationship has developed between them, and I think it’s very helpful to the kids.” It’s true—spend 10 minutes with the group and it becomes obvious that there is a level of mutual compassion and care between the students and volunteers. During a break in the homework action, I spoke with Tayshona, one of the Aiken students involved with WordUp. She knew I was working on this story, and shared that she too wants to go to school for journalism, with a minor in communications or
theatre. “I love telling people’s stories and meeting all kinds of people,” she said. She’s excited for her future, and expressed interest in attending Ohio State or the University of Cincinnati. The rest of the students in the room all seem to share Tayshona’s vigor for their futures. They eagerly discuss goals for college and adulthood. The objective of WordUp is to highlight the students’ awareness and improve their performances in school as they build relationships across generations, zip codes, and income levels. With planning for a field trip or two to local colleges, and a plan to craft and publish essays and photographs based on the theme of “This I Believe,” Word Up participants look forward to a busy spring. “We recently received funding support from the Mayerson Foun-
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dation, which will allow us to create books with the students and share those with the world,” said Yancey, a full-time educator and Associate Professor of Journalism at UC. “We’re so grateful for the foundation’s confidence in what we are doing and their encouragement to keep it up.” She noted that the program’s volunteers, as well as the students, make the program unique. “I’ve never worked with a more dedicated group of tutors,” she said. They leave their jobs, they spend time they could be relaxing or catching up on their own lives, to share their gifts with these amazing young people from Aiken. Getting a chance to work with them is a highlight of my week.”
BY Dylan McCartney Dylan is the Journalism intern for WordPlay Cincy.
vol. 1 | Issue 6 Mar 14’ 15
SPOTLIGHT: MUSIC
The Perfect Children
“
Their energy, catchy vocals, and harmonies are infectious. The closest way to describe their sound is like a mix between rockabilly and soul ”
T
Perfect Children at MayDay in Northside. Photo: ZHM
he Perfect Children is a fun band that has been growing and adapting in size and sound since its conception in 2011. Among the band’s many influences are Wanda Jackson, Chuck Berry, Al Green, Nina Simon, heavy metal, (surprisingly) and other strangely opposing yet valuable bands that give The Perfect Children their full and varying sound. “We don’t sound derivative,” says Adam Shelton, and they don’t. With the diverse interest and input from all of the members — Kristen Kreft, Adam Shelton, Beth Harris, Victor Strunk, and Nicole Potter-Borngebre, the sound and performance they end up with is original, energetic, and honest. You may have seen The Perfect Children play at Northside Tavern or the Comet, and if you have, you wouldn’t have forgotten. Their energy, catchy vocals, and harmonies are infectious. The closest way to describe their sound is like a mix between rockabilly and soul. But you can listen for yourself by attending their next show at the Comet on March 14th, or by visiting their music site at www.theperfectchildren.com. Though The Perfect Children are fun, the band’s lyrics cannot be brushed aside as a secondary or superfluous way to engage the sound. They’re thoughtful and per-
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sonal, and though the songs are all written by Kristen, “they are relevant to every member of the band and the listener, too,” says Beth Harris, musician and owner of the Listing Loon. “We feel every moment of it.” The Perfect Children were kind enough to welcome me into their home for an interview and even played me a song. They’re the epitome of what a Northside band should be — diverse, serious about their craft but fun, and approachable. You can catch their debut album this summer, which was recorded at The Diamond Building by Brian Olive.
BY Rae Hoffman Rae Hoffman lives in Northside with her pug, Athena. She has a BA and MFA in Poetry. She has been published in Kenning, Poetica Magazine, Red River Review, and is forthcoming in Mojo. When she is not working, she knits religiously, listens to local bands around Cincinnati, and wanders around trying to find the beauty and secret to everything. life & culture 45223
The Mesoamérica Resiste graphics campaign is the third and final image in the Beehive’s trilogy about globalization in the Americas, focusing on resistance to mega-infrastructure projects that are literally paving the way for free trade agreements that devastate local economies and communities. The stories in the graphic come from current struggles, but are also rooted in the legacies of over 500 years of colonialism in the Americas. Through the lens of Mesoamerica, the graphic tells the big picture story of what’s at stake across the globe with the neoliberal model of “development,” and what we’ve already lost. We’ve depicted over 400 species of insects, plants, and animals that are native to somewhere between Mexico and Colombia, giving a glimpse into the incredible biodiversity of the region.
Beehive Collective Posters and Storybooks Available for Free!
Posters/storybooks available to people who will use them for education. Contact Barb Boylan (513) 708-5448, or email, barbaraboylan@gmail.com For more info about the Beehive Collective and the poster series:
www.beehivecollective.org
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vol. 1 | Issue 6 Mar 14’ 17
NORTHSIDE SCENE
events calendar – march
FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND NORTHSIDE THIS MONTH. 4521 Spring Grove Ave. (10AM-12PM ) This Saturdays (6-10PM) Come see art, shop, Every Wednesday – Open Shop @ Mobo ONGOING EVENTS: outdoor walking seminar will originate at the Every Monday - Community Yoga class @
North Presbyterian Church in gym (6:30 to 7:30PM) Class taught by Christopher Bueker, in collaboration with the Greater Cincinnati Yoga Project. Cost: Free. Contact: BuekerC1@Gmail.com. 4222 Hamilton Ave
First Monday – Northside Business Association Monthly Meeting @ Happen, Inc. (6PM) The Northside Business Association is a resource for all Northside Businesses and works to continually improve the neighborhood. 4201 Hamilton Avenue. For more information, call 513-541-4745 or email: bdemske@ella.net.
Third Monday (Fourth Monday January
and February) – Northside Community Council Monthly Meeting @ McKie Rec Center (7PM) Get involved with issues that directly affect our community! The NCC is a volunteer, community-based organization that provides an opportunity for all individuals in the community to participate in Northside’s present and to chart Northside’s future. McKie Center, 1655 Chase Avenue.
Every other Monday – The Qtet @ Northside
Tavern (9PM) The Qtet plays every other Monday. Influences range from Miles Davis to Van Halen. Front room. Cost: Free. 4163 Hamilton Ave.
Every other Monday – Northside Jazz
Ensemble @ Northside Tavern (9PM) From Funk, Reggae and Soul to Rock, Free Jazz, Blues and straight-ahead Jazz and back again, this tight four-piece puts familiar tunes in a brand new bag. Front room. Cost: Free. 4163 Hamilton Ave.
Every Monday – Bomb’s Away Comedy Open Mic @ Mayday (8PM) Cost: Free. 4227 Spring Grove Ave.
Every Tuesday – Teen Crafts @ Northside
Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library (3PM) 4219 Hamilton Ave. For information, call 513-369-4449 or email Sarah. Schellenger@cincinnatilibrary.org.
Every Tuesday – Trivia Tuesday @ Mayday
(8PM) Trivia every Tuesday, with prizes and specials. Cost: Free. 4227 Spring Grove Ave.
Every Tuesday – CoOp Night @ Mobo
Bicycle CoOp (6PM) 1415 Knowlton Avenue. For information mobobicyclecoop.org or mobobicyclecoop@gmail.com
First wednesday– The Chris Comer Trio @ The Listing Loon 4124 Hamilton Ave. (8PM) A piano based jazz trio. Cost: Free. More info: www.ChrisComerTrio.com 18 vol. 1 | Issue 6 MAR 14’
Bicycle CoOp (6PM) 1415 Knowlton Avenue. For information mobobicyclecoop.org or mobobicyclecoop@gmail.com
Every Wednesday – Kreative Kids @
Northside Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library (3PM) For information call 513369-4449 or email Sarah.Schellenger@ cincinnatilibrary.org.
Every Wednesday – Northside Farmers Market @ North Presbyterian Church auditorium (4-7PM) The NFM is a twelvemonth market that brings tri-state farmers to the city of Cincinnati to sell their produce, meat, eggs, crafts and fruit. Mid-Oct to Mid April months the NFM lives in the North Presbyterian Church Auditorium located at 4222 Hamilton Avenue. NFM prides itself on bringing fresh and locally produced food to the vibrant community of Northside. Every Wednesday – Sexy Time Live Band
Karaoke @ Northside Tavern (9PM) Live band karaoke. Back room. Cost: Free. 4163 Hamilton Ave. visit www.sexytimekaraoke.com
Third Wednesday – Gathering hosted by
Starfire @ McKie Center (6PM) 1655 Chase Avenue. Citizens are gathering every month to meet-up over community building and inclusion. The gatherings are a springboard for people’s ideas around community related projects, as well as opportunities to learn from local citizens. Hosted by Starfire, free, and open to all. Each gathering begins with a potluck. For information Sarah@ starfirecouncil.org
Every Thursday – Preschool Story Time @ Northside Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library (1PM) For information call 513369-4449 or email Sarah.Schellenger@ cincinnatilibrary.org. Every Thursday – Slow and Steady Bike Ride
@ Leaves from Hoffner Park 4104 Hamilton Avenue (7:30PM) Cost: Free. Join this welcoming and easy bike ride.
imbibe and eat in one of Cincinnati’s most creative and diverse neighborhoods. Featuring new art openings, later hours, bar drink specials, interactive events and promotions that vary monthly with participating businesses.
Every Second Saturday – Basement Reggae Night @ The Comet. (10PM) DJ Grover, Abiyah and Boss Lady bring you all vinyl, all the time. Cost: Free. 4579 Hamilton Ave. Every Sunday– Comet Bluegrass Allstars @ The Comet. (7:30PM & 9PM) The Comet house band plays two sets every Sunday. Cost: Free. 4579 Hamilton Ave.
Weekdays – Homework Help @ Northside
Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library (3PM) For information call 513-369-4449 or email Sarah.Schellenger@cincinnatilibrary.org.
Weekdays –– OPEN STUDIO @ Happen,
Inc. 4201 Hamilton Avenue. 3:30 - 7:30PM (Tue.-Thu.) & 10am - 5PM (Sat.)
Thursdays (through May 31) –– Silent Sittings
and Guided Meditations @ Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 43711 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220 (7:30-8:15pm ) Silent Sitting is about relaxing the mind in a relaxing atmosphere. Participants do not have to know anything at all about meditation. These are drop-in classes. Feel free to come to any or all of them. More info: Zarleen@This-Lovelife. com | Web: This-LovelyLife.com
UPCOMING EVENTS: Runs until April 11 –– Deep in Thought:
Paintings by Mark Betcher and Scott Carney @ Thunder-Sky Gallery, 4573 Hamilton Ave. More info: (513) 823-8914 | info@raymondthundersky.org| Web: raymondthundersky.org
Friday, March 7
the Avenue Studios 1546 Knowlton (7-8PM) Cost: $7 drop in, $5 each for 10 classes.
Emily & the Complexes and Canoes @ Mayday, 4227 Spring Grove Ave. More info: (513) 741-0999| Web: maydaynorthside. com
Every Saturday-International Folk Dancing
Saturday, March 8
Every Friday Night – Zumba Party @ Off
@ Twin Towers’ Hader Room (8-10:30 PM). Line and circle dances from Eastern Europe/Middle East. No partners necessary, no experience necessary. Teaching available 8-9 PM. For information, call 541-6306 or e-mail kspencer1@zoomtown.com. Cost: $5. 5343 Hamilton Ave.
Every Second Saturday – Northside Second
Musical Guests Tatiana Berman and Zak Morgan @ WordPlay, 4041 Hamilton Ave. (1PM) Open to the community - free event! More info: (513) 260-9632 | info@ wordplaycincy.org | Web: wordplaycincy.org Pruning Seminar for the Homeowner @ Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum,
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Historic Office. Event held rain or shine, dress for the weather. Wear comfortable shoes. Pre-registration is required. Registration will open 30 days prior to the event. | Web: www.springgrove.org
Annual Owl Prowl @ Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, 4521 Spring Grove Ave. (6PM-8PM) Raptor Incorporated (www.raptorinc.org) will be here with an exciting presentation on the birds of prey that inhabit Spring Grove Cemetery. Free to the public but we are asking that you bring a donation for Raptor, Inc. Some items on their wish list include: Paper Towels / Printer Paper / 9 Volt or AA Batteries / Dog Food / Gas Cads|Web:www.springgrove.org Happen’s 15th Birthday Celebration @ Happen Inc., 4201 Hamilton Ave. (6PM8:30PM) (513) 751-2345 | info@ happeninc.org |Web: www.happeninc.com Danny & His Fantasy (Joey Cook of the Pomegranates) / Christian Gough (TheYugos) will host their SPLIT CD RELEASE PARTY w/ California Wives @ Narthside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave. (9PM) Free. More info: (513) 542-3603 |Web: www.northsidetav.com/ cincy/
Tuesday, March 11 Planned Parenthood Event @ Mayday, 4227 Spring Grove Ave. More info: (513) 7410999| Web: maydaynorthside.com Misunderstood @ The Chameleon Club, 4114 Hamilton Ave. (9PM) 21+, No cover. More info: (513) 541-2073| Web: www. thechameleonclub.com
Thursday, March 13 Spun Out 45’s Night @ Mayday, 4227 Spring Grove Ave. More info: (513) 7410999| Web: maydaynorthside.com Women, Hormones, & the Xenoestrogen Connection @ Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 43711 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220 (7:00-8:30pm) Part of the Women’s Health Empowerment Workshop Series. PMS, Cyclical Irritability, Weight Gain, Digestive Issues, Cramping, Fibroids, Endometriosis, and more are aggravated by hormonal imbalance! Please join us to find out how to balance hormones holistically through diet & lifestyle and how chemical estrogens (hiding everywhere) are sabotaging your hormones.. Tickets:$20, $25 - day of event, More info: Zarleen@This-Lovelife.com | Register
& Purchase tickets: https://whew-womenhormones.eventbrite.com
the creativity. (513) 751-2345 | info@ happeninc.org| Web: www.happeninc.com
Friday, March 14
Wednesday, March 19
Csshost.net presents Genre Wars, The Rockn-Roll Anticompetition @ Mayday, 4227 Spring Grove Ave. $6 advance tickets, $10 at door. More info: (513) 741-0999| Web: maydaynorthside.com
Black Planet, Summer’s Eve, and Peach Kelli Pop @ The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave. (10PM ) Black Planet – noisy, loud songs about being sad, Summer’s Eve – fuzz punk, both from Cincinnati, Peach Kelli Pop – rock n roll from Los Angeles. More info: (513) 5418900| Web: cometbar.com
When Particles Collide and The Perfect Children @ The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave. (10PM) More info: (513) 541-8900| Web: cometbar.com/ Shoot Out the Lights CD Release, Alone at 3am @ Narthside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave.( 9PM ) Free. More info: (513) 5423603| Web: www.northsidetav.com/cincy/ Hook & Ladder (Vinyl Night w/ Margaret Darling) @ The Chameleon Club, 4114 Hamilton Ave. ( 9PM ) 21+, No cover. More info: (513) 541-2073| Web: www. thechameleonclub.com
Saturday, March 15 Cinthesizer @ The Chameleon Club, 4114 Hamilton Ave. Electronic dance music, 21+, No cover. More info: (513) 541-2073| Web: www.thechameleonclub.com Jeremy Pinnell & the 55s In-store @ ShakeIt Records, 4156 Hamilton Ave. ( 7PM ). More info: (513) 591-0123| Web: www. shakitrecords.com Home Buyer’s Training @ Working in Neighborhoods - 1814 Dreman Ave. (8AM5PM ) Preparing for Homeownership is a big step and may feel very overwhelming at first; there are many decisions to make before purchasing a home. Working In Neighborhoods’ free training and counseling can help you prepare for this important investment. First in a series of classes. More info: (513) 541-4109 x 112 | Web: www. wincincy.org
Monday, March 17 The Blue Rock Boys @ The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave. (10PM ) Irish Traditional Folk/ Americana, from Cincinnati. More info: (513) 541-8900| Web: cometbar.com
Tuesday, March 18 Grey Host w/ Temple & Men of Fortune @ The Chameleon Club, 4114 Hamilton Ave., ( 9PM ) 21+, No cover. More info: (513) 541-2073| Web: www.thechameleonclub. com Open Studio - Kite Special Event @ Happen Inc., 4201 Hamilton Ave. (4:30PM-6:30PM) Come work on projects at your own pace. We’ll supply the materials, and you supply
Joe Pettis, Justin Schafer, Wes Hedger & MORE!! @ Mayday, 4227 Spring Grove Ave. More info: (513) 741-0999| Web: maydaynorthside.com
Thursday, March 20 Dinner & Music Series featuring...Bennett @ Mayday, 4227 Spring Grove Ave. More info: (513) 741-0999| Web: maydaynorthside. com
Friday, March 21
info: (513) 352-4280 Wussy In-store @ Shake-It Records, 4156 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio 45223. ( 7PM ). More info: (513) 591-0123| Web: www. shakitrecords.com Gran Bel Fisher @ The Chameleon Club, 4114 Hamilton Ave. ( 9PM ) 21+, No cover. More info: (513) 541-2073| Web: www. thechameleonclub.com Ripple Effect @ Boswell Alley, 1686 Blue Rock Street. More info: (513) 681-8100 info@boswellalley.com| Web: www. boswellalley.com Brave the Shave @ C & D Northside, 1714 Hanfield St. (12PM-4PM ) Be a hero for kids with cancer! Join us and help us raise money for life-saving children’s cancer research. There will be plenty of food, drinks, music, raffles, and other shenanigans as well as plenty of shaved heads! More info: (513) 541-9881 | Web: www.facebook.com/ CDNorthside
Sugar Blues: Combating Sugar Cravings @ Conscious Living Center of Cincinnati, 114 Wellington Pl., Cincinnati, OH 45219 (6:308:00pm) Sugar has a profound effect on both our bodies and minds! Come join us to find out what sugar does and how to kick the habit in this fun and informative workshop. Tickets:$20, $25 - day of event, More info: Zarleen@This-Lovelife.com | Register & Purchase tickets: http://sugar-blues-clc. eventbrite.com
Grotesque Brooms @ The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave.(10PM) freakbeat/garage/ pop-psych, from Cincinnati. More info: (513)541-8900| Web: cometbar.com/
Misunderstood, Killer Looks & Noise, Slippery Lips @ Mayday, 4227 Spring Grove Ave. More info: (513) 741-0999| Web: maydaynorthside.com
Larry Cerveza & The Comanches @ The Chameleon Club, 4114 Hamilton Ave. (9PM) 21+, No cover. More info: (513) 5412073| Web: www.thechameleonclub.com
7 Speed Vortex @ The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave.( 11PM ) Indy-Noise Pop. From Cincinnati. More info: (513) 541-8900| Web: cometbar.com/
Alex Vulecich, Vanilla Sake @ Mayday, 4227 Spring Grove Ave. More info: (513) 741-0999| Web: http:maydaynorthside.com
Juan Cosby (hip-hop VJ set) @ The Chameleon Club, 4114 Hamilton Ave. (9PM ) 21+, No cover. More info: (513) 5412073| Web: www.thechameleonclub.com Daniel Martin Moore & Friends In-store @ Shake-It Records, 4156 Hamilton Ave. (8PM ). More info: (513) 591-0123| Web: www. shakitrecords.com
Saturday, March 22 Tire Amnesty Day @ Dunham Recreation Complex at 4356 Dunham Lane, 45238 (9AM-3PM) City of Cincinnati residents can bring up to 10 tires per load that will be disposed of properly at no cost. You may bring as many loads as you like within the event times. This is for residents and for neighborhood cleanup efforts. No trucks with a business logo on them will be allowed. More
Brent James & the Vintage Youth EP Release, Noah Smith, The Trampsteamers @ Narthside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave. (9PM) Free. More info: (513) 542-3603 | Web: www. northsidetav.com/cincy/
Wednesday, March 26
Thursday, March 27 Guy Genome w/Cincy Brass @ Mayday, 4227 Spring Grove Ave. $10 cover. More info: (513) 741-0999| Web: maydaynorthside.com Open Studio - Kite Special Event @ Happen Inc., 4201 Hamilton Ave.(4:30PM-6:30PM) Come work on projects at your own pace. We’ll supply the materials, and you supply the creativity. (513) 751-2345 | info@ happeninc.org| Web: www.happeninc.com
Friday, March 28 Ohio Riot @ Mayday, 4227 Spring Grove Ave. More info: (513) 741-0999| Web: maydaynorthside.com Monitor Lizard, Ethicist, and Gazer @ The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave. (10PM) Monitor
life & culture 45223
Lizard -Hardcore Punk, Ethicist – black/ post-black metal, Gazer – punk/noise/rock, all from Cincinnati. More info: (513) 5418900| Web: cometbar.com
Saturday, March 29 Los Honchos @ The Chameleon Club, 4114 Hamilton Ave. (9PM) 21+, No cover. More info: (513) 541-2073| Web: www. thechameleonclub.com Frontier Folk Nebraska In-store @ ShakeIt Records, 4156 Hamilton Ave ( 7PM ). More info: (513) 591-0123| Web: www. shakitrecords.com
Monday, March 31 Merge Records’ VERTICAL SCRATCHERS in-store @ Black Plastic, 4027 Hamilton Ave. (3PM) Ex-Northsider John Schmersal (Brainiac, Caribou, Enon) returns with his new group Vertical Scratchers. only Cincinnati appearance. live musics. those not attending will be more likely to face eternal peril. free. all ages. business casual. Web: www. facebook.com/blackplasticrecords/info
Starting April 1 –– Buy your bus passes
at Cincinnati City Hall, 806 Plum Street, downtown! Zone 1 and 2 Metro 30-day rolling passes, Metro/TANK passes and $20 stored-value cards will be available at the City’s Treasury Department, Room 202. This convenient location provides a new option for downtown bus riders who aren’t close to the Metro Sales Office at Government Square. More Info: www. go-metro.com
On Tuesday, April 1 only –– Enjoy a FREE cup of coffee provided by Coffee Emporium with the purchase of fare media at City Hall on April Fools’ Day, while supplies last.
1 Bdrm Apartment available in Two Family House 1 bedroom on the first floor of a house with a brand new kitchen and bathroom. Washer and dryer are in the basement. Easy walk to the hip and hot business district. Very convenient and close to Interstates, Downtown, and minutes to Clifton. Tenant responsible to pay all utilities including water. Terms are 12 month lease, security deposit is $ 650.00, may not apply to last months rent. Contact: Jeff Hartman 513-673-3756 vol. 1 | Issue 6 Mar 14’ 19
Northside’s newest Cafe! LOCATED IN THE
American Can Building
HOURS
4101 Spring Grove Ave
MONDAY–THURSDAY lunch : 11.30–5 dinner: 5–10* FRIDAY lunch : 11.30–5 dinner: 5–11*
* kitchen closes one hour before closing
SATURDAY dinner: 5–11*