Sean Davidson is the winner of the College Hill Recreation Center Logo design contest. Center users liked his logo best. It will soon appear on jackets, shirts, letterheads, etc.

At Tuesday's Forum meeting, Cincinnati Recreation Department Head Jim Garges recognized the College Hill Recreation Center as being among the best in the city. It is certainly among the busiest, as the often-crowded parking lot attests. So far this year, the center has 2500 members of all ages who have used the center 55,000 times.

Check out the listing of programs offered here--it is amazing!

Helen Habbert, consultant to the Core Planning Team of College Hill volunteers that is developing a shared vision for continuous learning at College Hill's three public schools, reports summary results from over 200 community people who participated in a survey designed to discern what we want to create together that would make THE difference in College Hill Schools.

The top four building priorities were: Computer Lab, Job Resource Center, Performing Arts Center and Fields & Playgrounds.

The top four program priorities were: Tutoring/mentoring, After school activities, Parenting/life skills and Vocational training/career counseling.

The team will work with the schools and architects to incorporate the community input in plans for our new and remodeled schools. For more information, contact Helen Habbert (HBH@QRC-Associates.com, 513-731-5951).

All are welcome to attend College Hill Gardeners' Open House on Tuesday evening, June 6, at 7:00pm in the Campus Center of Llanfair Retirement Community.

Ron Wilson, host of WKRC's "In the Garden," and Rita Heikenfeld, author and cooking expert, will give presentations. Attendees will also learn about a few of the Gardeners' projects, which include Beautification, Awards, Aiken Greenhouse and Farm Market. Refreshments will be served.

This all-volunteer group received 2nd place in the nation for community improvement and beautification last December from Keep America Beautiful. Call 513-681-1326 for more information.

Readers continue to share their favorite things in College Hill.

One reader likes, "The small town sense of community, the beautiful homes and, most of all, the energy!"

Vanessa-Nelson Paunescu says, "My most favorite thing about College Hill has been around every since I was a little girl--it's the sweet smell of books the moment you open the library doors. I also like the convenience of having my doctors office within walking distance, the "home" feeling I get when I enter Saint Clare church, and all the creative ways we "Collegehillians" have of coming out to enjoy our community.

You can share your favorite things in College Hill with the editor here.

In what could be the start of a wonderful relationship, Give Back Cincinnati representatives visited the College Hill Forum meeting Tuesday to talk about their Paint the Town program and to learn more about College Hill. College Hill has applied to be the recipient of the Paint the Town program in 2007. All indications are that both parties liked what they saw.

Give Back Cincinnati is a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing Cincinnati's communities through activities of volunteerism while fostering the development of young leadership through participation. Each year Give Back Cincinnati organizes 7-10 large-scale one-day volunteer and civic engagement activities, and several social events in which their 2500 members participate.

In this year's Paint The Town project, 800 volunteers will paint 30 homes in the Hartwell-Carthage area all in one day--June 10--at no cost to their owners. A great party will follow.

Brent Nawroth, Give Back Cincinnati's Events Director, said that there is room for 100 more volunteers to participate in Paint the Town 2006 on June 10. Forum President Elizabeth Sherwood wondered aloud whether College Hill's participation in this year's project would influence Give Back's decision on next year's choice of neighborhood. Brent made no comment, but he did indicate that the energy and optimism he witnessed in the meeting was impressive.

For more information or to sign up, see the web site (below), or contact Brent (events@givebackcincinnati.org, 513-218-7297).

At Tuesday's Forum meeting Councilmember David Crowley (right) inducted all of the Forum officers for another one-year term of office. They are (from left to right) Treasurer Jim Bodmer, Secretary Amy Finnegan, Vice-President Marianne Puntenny and President Elizabeth Sherwood.

The Cincinnati Police Department, in an effort to make College Hill a safer place to live, play and work has introduced CitizenObserver.Com. Citizen Observer will send instant updates on crimes occurring in College Hill and throughout the city directly to your email, cell phone, pager or fax.

Cincinnati Police Department Sergeant Eric Franz says, "It is my belief that College Hill would greatly benefit from this. It gives the residents the ability to receive instant notifications of crimes occurring in College Hill." College Hill CPOP member Jim Bodmer agrees, "I think it is a great way to keep abreast of what is happening around us, whether it is crime or such things as an Amber Alert about a missing child."

To participate, you'll first need to register with CitizenObserver.com (it's free) here.
Then, register in the College Hill Neighborhood Watch Group here. Be sure to click on "Apply for membership in this Neighborhood Watch Group" near the bottom of that page.

For further information or assistance, contact the College Hill Neighborhood Officer (513-352-3578 or 513-352-4088).

Cincinnati Union Bethel is offering a two-month summer camp at The Encampment Church, starting June 5. The camp will last most of the day and includes two meals.

Cincinnati Union Bethel's plans for the camp include daily activities, field trips, breakfast, lunch and a snack for children ages 6-12. The camp runs from June 5th to August 4th, and costs $140 each week. Vouchers are accepted. Call 513-541-5444 for information and an enrollment packet.

Cincinnati Union Bethel, the oldest social service agency west of the Allegheny Mountains, operates and is headquartered in the Anna Louise Inn downtown. CUB provides social services in the Greater Cincinnati area, including a Head Start program at the Encampment.

If you're over the age of 12, you may not know "Miss Arnice," College Hill's Children's Librarian. Stop by the library to see the new framed photo and plaque honoring our own "New York Times Librarian of the Year," or visit a Storytime or library children's event. See an Enquirer article about this award-winning librarian here.

Just reading about Ms. Anice's Storytime makes your editor wish he were a kid again. Preschool Storytime is 10:30am Wednesdays, and is open to all kids three to six years old. Call the library (513-369-6036) for more information.

Cincinnati may be going after casino gambling downtown, but you can play smokeless bingo right here in College Hill! There is no money involved, but you can win fabulous prizes like videos, candy and decorative items. Even better, you can enjoy the company of your neighbors.

One morning a month, you'll find men and women of all ages at the College Hill Branch Library for bingo and company. The doors open at 10:00am for coffee, tea, and cookies, and from 10:30 to 11:30 the bingo cards come out.

There's a regular crowd that never misses a game, but librarian Heidi Bullard says many people just drop in. A group from the Mt. Healthy Christian Home comes, and another from an adult day care center, but so do people in their 20s and 30s. "The real draw of the program is the fun, community party that encourages participants to get to know their neighbors," says Heidi. "We've got room for plenty more."

Morning Bingo is usually, but not always, on the first Friday of each month. The next game is scheduled for Friday, June 9. Players must be at least 16 years old. For information call 513-369-6036.

Contributed by Gail Finke.

"The Pricklies" perform at College Hill Coffee Co. and Casual Gourmet Saturday, May 27 at 7:30pm. This up-and-coming band from Columbus, OH takes the stage with favorite rock, light rock and alternative rock music by Oasis, Nada Surf, Guster and more--plus some of their own original work. This will be a memorable concert this Memorial Day Weekend.

Dinner, coffee drinks and desserts are served before, during and after the concert. There is plenty of free parking in the well-lighted lot behind College Hill Coffee Co.

We are reminded that Cincinnati has a curfew for children and teens under 18 years old.

• For those 15 and under, it's 10:00pm.
• For those 16 and 17, it's midnight.

As with all laws designed to protect people, such as seatbelt laws and helmet laws, there are consequences for failure to comply with the curfew. Young people found in violation of the curfew law will be arrested, and every effort will be made to release them to a parent or guardian. In cases where the child has previously violated curfew, the parents may be cited. To report a curfew violator, you may call 513-765-1212.

MUSE, the Cincinnati Women's Choir, wants you to give peace a chance at this year's spring concert. "The Great Peace March," MUSE's 23rd annual spring concert, will be held on two nights in June and will include special guest performer singer and peace activist Holly Near.

Both concerts will be preceded by teach-ins featuring special guests. Cindy Sheehan of Gold Star Families for Peace will lead a teach-in before the June 9 concert. Muslim Mothers Against Violence, a 100-member Cincinnati-based group, will lead the June 10 teach-in.

MUSE's members come from all over the city, including College Hill. The choir is directed by Catherine Roma, who co-directed the Martin Luther King Chorale with Rev. Todd O'Neal of the House of Joy.

The concerts will include performances by Ms. Near, MUSE, and the annual Mothers' and Children's Choir. MUSE will also present its annual Enduring Spirit Award.

"Holly will encourage us all to become our best selves and speak out for the common good," says Diana Porter, one of at least six College Hill MUSE singers. "She would fit right into our neighborhood committed to diversity and being good neighbors." Rhonda Whitten, another College Hill singer, agrees. "The peace focus of this concert is so timely, given what is going on in the world at this time. I think people will find the concert to be uplifting and inspiring."

All events take place at the New Thought Unity Center in Clifton. Teach-ins begin at 7 pm, and concerts at 8 pm. The tickets are $15 (on a sliding scale between $8 and $25) in advance, $20 at the door.

Contributed by Gail Finke.

Much to our regret, the Community Yard Sale planned for June 17 has been cancelled. We hope to bring that activity back to the community next year when a designated location for the event can be found.

--Juanita Canfield