Everyone in College Hill should now be in the Halloween and harvest party spirit! On Saturday October 7, College Hill families spent a beautiful fall day enjoying the annual Pumpkin Patch Festival with their children (and dogs!) on Heitzler Field next to Town Hall.

At the craft tent, kids made pine cone bird feeders, stained glass glitter ornaments, beaded jewelry and other fun projects. Kids jumped and played in a huge hay pile reminiscent of a day at a country farm. Some even dragged a parent in, and a gleeful “hay fight” ensued.

Never once did the line dwindle at the pony wheel where four beautiful live ponies awaited young riders. Speaking of beautiful animals, the Sheltered Paws dog rescue group brought along three adorable puppies and their mama who were all up for adoption.

Of course, there were pumpkins of all sizes for sale along with locally grown peppers, eggplant, a variety of squashes and dried Indian corn for fall decorating.

Patch-goers voted for their favorite scarecrow built by local groups and families. There was the "American Gothic"--two scarecrows striking the famous Grant Wood pose; the "Red Hatter" representing the ladies of the Llanfair Retirement Community; and a gypsy scarecrow with a crystal ball with the caption "I see a CONDO in your future" promoting the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation's Linden Park project.

The entertainment, as usual for a College Hill event, was excellent and varied--from drumming storytellers to mandolin and guitar players. The food tents stayed busy and it was a cool enough day to enjoy a cup of delicious hot coffee at the College Hill Coffee Company stand.

Article contributed by Sarah Mann.

Forum President Elizabeth Sherwood has sent the following statement to government officials as part of a concerted effort to prevent closing four I-74 ramps that provide access to and from Northside and College Hill.

"The College Hill Forum Board opposes the Ohio Department of Transportation’s proposed closure of highway ramps in Northside. These closures would have a severe negative impact on the residents and businesses of Northside, College Hill and surrounding neighborhoods.

"In addition to cutting off our neighborhoods from the rest of the City, these closures make it more difficult for neighborhood people to go Downtown. If drivers are forced to circumnavigate Northside to get downtown for events, shopping and entertainment, that will probably be the last straw.

"The elimination of access to Northside (and downtown) would jeopardize recent development in several neighborhoods and would give homeowners, new business owners and customers more reasons to leave the City.

"ODOT's proposal would, instead, create a boon for Kenwood Towne Center and suburban areas. Our neighborhoods face plenty of challenges without being barricaded from the rest of the City.

"Please do not let ODOT erase the progress we have made. I urge you to do everything possible to oppose ODOT's unilateral and unsupported plan to close ramps in Northside."

Read more about the ramp closings from Ms. Sherwood here .

Community leaders in Northside and College Hill have been working with government officials to prevent closing of four I-74 ramps in Northside. See Enquirer coverage of this effort here.

As a result of their efforts:

• Wednesday October 3, Cincinnati City Council unanimously passed a motion to request that the Ohio Department of Transportation extend the comment period to October 30. ODOT agreed.
• Saturday October 7, State Representative Catherine Barrett declared she will oppose the ODOT recommendation.
• Wednesday October 11, Cincinnati City Council unanimously passed a motion to oppose the ODOT recommendation.
• Thursday October 12, Vice Mayor Jim Tarbell and County Commissioner Todd Portune expressed concerns about the ODOT recommendations at the Ohio, Kentucky, & Indiana (OKI) Regional Board of Governors Meeting.
• Friday October 13, Hamilton County Commissioners staff from Pat DeWine’s and Todd Portune’s offices said that the County Commissioners intended to approve a Resolution announcing their opposition to the ODOT recommendation. At their meeting Wednesday, October 18, they did so. See news coverage in the Enquirer here and Channel 12 here.

The situation continues to develop daily. Contact Elizabeth Sherwood (esherwood@mrj.cc, 513-241-4722) to see what you can do to support continued easy access to and from College Hill.

Not only was the Rhythm Run 5K a fun filled community-building event, it also raised over $20,000 which was gifted by the College Hill Forum to the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation to support College Hill’s paid Director of Community Development.

DOCD Marty Weldishofer has been shepherding the Linden Park Development at the old Shuller’s site. Marty also works on many other community projects, such as the Gateway and the Facade Improvement program, all of which serve to enhance the business district and benefit College Hill.

A tremendous amount of effort went into the implementation of this third annual Rhythm Run 5K, held this year on August 18. The planning committee began meeting many months in advance to effectively manage the myriad of details that made this event a success. The committee (in alphabetical order) consisted of Becky Tossey, Beth McLean, Carolyn Royalty, Elaine Ludwig, Elizabeth Sherwood, Ellen Brewster, Jennifer Schuerman, Juanita Canfield, Kathryn Kein, Kristin Shrimplin, Mary Brewster, Phyllis Slusher, Sue Roth, Susan Osborn and Tracy Wilson.

Many thanks also go to the sponsors for their support. PNC Bank was the title sponsor and the others (listed alphabetically) were Al Neyer, Inc.; American Heritage Flooring, Bacalls, Belmont Apts; Bruegger Bagels, Juanita Canfield; Champlin/Haupt Architects; College Hill Business Association; CHCURC; College Hill Gardeners; Children’s Hospital; College Hill Coffee Co & Casual Gourmet; Comey & Shepherd Realtors; Sarah Mann (Das Krackenhausen); Karen Dudley; Elizabeth Sherwood, Attorney; First United Church of Christ; Fleet Feet Sports; Hammond North; Hodapp Funeral Homes; JTM Foods; LaRosa’s; Llanfair Retirement Community; Lord’s Bounty; Carol and Ken Lyon; Midwest Grip & Lighting; M-Retail, Pit-to-Plate; Re/Max Unlimited/Michelle Evans; Savannah Gardens; Schuerman Landscaping, LLC; Schwartz Jewelers; Sibcy Cline/ Mike DeFallco; Brandon Sirbu, Target; Twin Towers Retirement Community; US Bank; Weston Agency and Wild Oats.

Finally, CHCURC thanks all of the community volunteers who helped out in so many ways. Thanks to all who walked, ran or bought tickets to attend the party. Thanks to all who supported this event in any way!

By working and playing together, we are revitalizing College Hill!

Article by Carolyn Royalty.

The College Hill Recreation Center and Corporate and Community Sponsors will present Halloween Extravaganza 2006 on Tuesday Oct 31 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Recreation Center.

Rick Schroer says, "We are excited about offering a safe alternative to trick or treat. We will have many activities that night including a haunted house, moonwalk, games, crafts, video games, trunk-n-treat and much more. Each child will receive a goody bag."

Questions? Call the Center at 513-591-3555.

The Good Neighborhood Consortium meets Thursday October 19 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at 1201 Stock Street in the Camp Washington Recreation Center. The agenda will cover issues of crime in our neighborhoods and will feature a presentation by Northside activist Paul Green on "Drug Prohibition: Myths & Facts Presentation." City community council and neighborhood volunteers are welcomed to participate.

"The Good Neighborhood Consortium is a city-wide neighborhood forum for folks to talk face-to-face about issues, challenges and successes," says facilitator Joe Gorman, community organizer with the Camp Washington Community Board, Inc. "We hope to develop real strategies by presenting good ideas, positive projects and a chance to discuss issues in a friendly and lively atmosphere."

Call Joe at 513-542-1637 for more information.

The fall Make a Difference Day clean-up is coming to College Hill Saturday morning October 21.

Meet at 9:00am at the vacant lot at Hamilton and Llanfair near the community sign. Bring a friend or neighbor and help clean up our community and green space. Prizes and celebration follow at noon. Volunteers will get free breakfast, t-shirts, drinks and prizes.

Organizer Kathryn Kien says, "We'll provide garbage bags and gloves. Bring your broom, dustpan, rake, et cetera-- or just yourself. The City of Cincinnati will pick up and remove all the trash we collect. We also have plenty of gardening opportunities among our community green spaces: planting spring bulbs, mulching, and trimming. Bring a trowel or shovel if you'd like to help with the spring bulbs."

The event is sponsored by Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and the College Hill Forum. For more information contact Kathryn Kien (513-542-4892, kien@fuse.net).

A project to replace approximately 165 feet of deteriorated sewer on Aster Place starts this week and is expected to be completed in November 2006.

This project is part of the Metropolitan Sewer District’s ongoing Capital Improvement Program, which focuses on continually updating and improving the operation of MSD’s wastewater collection and treatment systems.

College Hill Recreation Center is in need of part time staff to work the CincyAfterSchool programs at Pleasant Hill and Mt. Airy Schools. This program is an after school educational/art/sport program that we expect between 125-150 children to attend.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and pass a police check. The work requires good customer service skills, ability to work with children 6 to 13 years old, and a high level of energy and motivation.

Any interested individuals can call Doug Carlisle or Katie Lear at 513-591-3555.

Submitted by Doug Carlisle.

Rick Schroer at the Recreation Center tells us, "We at the College Hill Recreation center are gearing up for our youth basketball season. We are going to have between 15 and 17 Teams and we are in desperate need of volunteer coaches. Interested folks can contact me at the Rec Center at 513-591-3555."

The College Hill Branch Library reminds us that you can celebrate National Chemistry Week in the neighborhood at the library's October 24 presentation, "Your Home: It's All Built on Chemistry." Local chemists will "entertain and enlighten" in 45- minute demonstrations at libraries throughout the city next week.

The presentation begins at 12:30pm. It's recommended for ages 6 to 12, but all ages are welcome. There's no charge.

This weekend is your chance to see former Cincinnatian Shawn Womack perform here in College Hill. The Contemporary Dance Theater presents Ms. Womack, a noted choreographer and performer, Friday and Saturday night at College Hill Town Hall.

In her new performance "Out of the Mouths of Moms," Ms. Womack will present three works exploring motherhood from her unique perspective. Subtitled "Solo Docu-Dances Pestering Notions of Motherhood," the pieces were inspired by conventional and unconventional moms and their contemporary stories.

Kathleen Hurley and Paula McArthur will also perform.

CDT is headquartered at historic College Hill Town Hall, where Ms. Womack will also present a master class for dancers. The building was designed by noted Cincinnati architect Samuel Hannaford, and is located at 1805 Larch Avenue. Both shows begin at 8 pm. Tickets are $10 ($6 students and seniors).

Article contributed by Gail Finke.

Elizabeth Evans Fryer will sign copies of and lead a discussion on her memoir, My Lost Summer, on Tuesday October 24 from 4:30pm to 5:30pm at the College Hill Coffee Company. The book tells the story of her recovery from a coma when she was a teen.

For more information, you can contact Elizabeth Evans Fryer (513-569-7940, libbi@eliz abethevansfryer.com).

The Twin Towers Auxiliary invites everyone to their Autumn Bounty Fall Tea and Silent Auction on Tuesday October 24 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Twin Towers Gulden Community Center. Elizabeth Rising, harpist, will entertain. Donation of $10 accepted.

You can get more information from Arline Becker at 513-853-2724.

They’re back! They packed the house and raised the roof with their first performance--expect no less this time. With great tunes from the 60s, 70s and 80s, they’ll bring back the memories, the harmonies and the fun of your favorite decades. Pals and singers since their days among the very first Aiken HS classes, they’ll have you reminiscing and wanting to sing along.

Those Guys will be back at the College Hill Coffee Company Saturday night, October 21, from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. There’s no charge, but tipping the performers is welcomed.