BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTB1
Crescent Springs Fitness Center co-owner, Sharon Spencer.
COMMUNITY RECORDER
Your Community Recorder newspaper serving Covington, Independence, Latonia, Ryland Heights, Taylor Mill E-mail: kynews@communitypress.com T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 3 , 2 0 1 1
Volume 15 Issue 13 © 2011 The Community Recorder ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
W e b s i t e : N K Y. c o m B E C A U S E C O M M U N I T Y M AT T E R S
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Baker Hunt classes offer learning
Center offers residents opportunity to see what they have to offer during one-day event in January Regan Coomer rcoomer@nky.com
Technobreds triumph
Twenhofel Middle School’s LEGO League team is off to the state competition after winning locally for a device they created that could help asthma suffers. The team of 10 students came up with a nanobot that would live inside a asthma sufferer to help them manage mucus and other side affects of their breathing condition. Read more about what being a member of the LEGO League means. SCHOOLS, A5
Neighborhood meeting
The South Covington Community Action Association will open the year with a presentation from Covington police chief Lee Russo on Thursday, Jan. 13 at the Hands Pike firehouse, 1255 Hands Pike. A social starts at 6:30 p.m. with the actual meeting starting at 7 p.m. The chief and his bureau commander will answer any questions regarding the police department.
Story time
Each week the Kenton County Library system sets aside times at their branch locations for parents to bring their children so those children can socialize and learn with other toddlers and infants. At the Covington branch though that time has evolved into one where parents get to socialize and meet other parents as well before, during, and after the program. Read about bonds formed and fun had at a program the library offers. LIFE, B1
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Learn to paint, make movies and dance with the professionals at the Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center in Covington starting Jan. 24. Each season the center, located at 620 Greenup St., offers a variety of classes and workshops for Northern Kentucky residents who’d like to start a new hobby, expand their horizons or hone their craft. “I think the definition of art is continually being broadened and we try to fill the niche of the interest of the Greater Cincinnati area,” said Ray Kingsbury, Baker Hunt interim executive director. Classes are offered for children and adults and range in price from $20 to $120, Kingsbury said. New classes this season include tai chi, Adobe Photoshop and digital photography. The Photoshop class is meant for artists who have to photograph their work to enter into art competitions and shows. The digital photography class, on the other hand, is an artistic class for individuals who want to produce better photos, Kingsbury said.
More information
Residents can get a taste of the art classes offered at Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Jan. 15 at the center, 620 Greenup Street. Arts Mart is a free art sampler showcasing the instructors, classes and workshops available during the winter session. Short sessions will be offered in painting, clay, mosaics, drawing, colored pencil, zumba, yoga, anime, dance, digital photography and more. Discounts will be available for those who sign up for winter sessions at the event. Cal 431-0020 for details. Registration is limited, so Kingsbury recommends signing up for classes or workshops as soon as possible. “Registration is pretty spirited,” Kingsbury said. Kingsbury said it’s not unusual for people to come back to Baker Hunt for classes again and again. “One hundred percent of folks who had taken our classes in the fall said they would take another class at Baker Hunt,” he said. For more information, to see a full schedule of classes and to register for classes online, visit baker hunt.com.
PROVIDED
Park Hills resident Mark Dwertman throws a piece of pottery in a class at Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center in Covington. Winter sessions for both adults and youth start Jan. 24.
Scheben still learning 65 years later Jason Brubaker jbrubaker@nky.com
Having volunteered and worked at the Erlanger Fire Department for 65 years, one might think there’s nothing Jack Scheben doesn’t know about the business. But he’s the first to tell you that’s not the case. “Every day I’m still trying to learn more,” he said. “I’m sure the new guys see me and wonder who that old guy in the training room is, but I love what I do and I love learning all I can about it.” Scheben was honored by the Erlanger city council at their Jan. 4 meeting for his service to the community, which began when he was just 16 years old and had to
rode his bike to Fire Station 2 on Erlanger Road for his shifts. He would work his way up through the department ranks over the years, eventualScheben ly becoming chief from 1976-1988. During his career he was instrumental in getting Fire Station 1 on Graves Avenue built and merging the Fire and EMS Departments. Today, Scheben is a member of the Kenton County Fire Investigation Team and serves as treasurer for the Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Unit. “People say volunteerism doesn’t exist anymore, but here is a
prime example that it does,” said Fire Chief Terry Allen. “He’s the guy I go to when I need advice, and it’s just a privilege to be part of honoring him tonight.” In addition to receiving a service pin from the city, Scheben received a few other gifts. Public Works Director Rick Bogard presented Scheben with a copy of the road sign that bears his name near the public works facility, and the Erlanger Fire Department presented Scheben with a special plaque. Additionally, the Erlanger Historical Society said they planted a tree at the Railroad Depot Park in honor of Scheben, who is the Society president. “He’s the backbone of the Historical Society and he’s like a walking history book of the city,”
said Pat Hahn. “Jack is just a special person, and we really appreciate all of the time he’s put in to the city.” “Jack is about as dedicated to the city of Erlanger as anyone I’ve ever met,” added her husband, former councilman Paul Hahn. “It’s an honor to have worked with him for so many years.” And those years aren’t coming to an end anytime soon, according to Scheben, who said he has no plans of slowing down. “It’s been a challenge over the years, but it’s also been fun and I have a lot of great memories,” he said. “There are so many people who have supported me and encouraged me along the way, and it’s just been a wonderful experience.”
Sen. Thayer given key to Independence Regan Coomer rcoomer@nky.com
Independence became the first city in Sen. Damon Thayer’s constituency to present him with a key to the city Jan. 10. “I’ve never had one of the 14 or so cities I represent present me a key to the city,” Thayer told Independence officials at their reg-
ular meeting. “I have a place of honor reserved for it on my office wall in the Capitol Annex.” Independence Mayor Chris Moriconi said it was time to recognize Thayer for his work and support of the cities of Independence and Taylor Mill. “What I wanted to do is officially thank you and present you with a key to the city for the work
you’ve done with us over the years. You’ve done a really good job representing Independence and Taylor Mill,” he said. In the past eight years, Moriconi said, Thayer has helped pave the way for bettering Independence’s infrastructure, including securing funding for the new Ky17, helping get a traffic signal at McCullum Pike and Ky-17 and
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supporting grants for Senour Road. After accepting the key to Independence, Thayer thanked citizens for their support over the years. “I feel like I share the values of the majority of the folks who live up here. I’m looking forward to representing you in the Kentucky State Senate for many years to come.”