Dec. 4-6 CHPC presents Friends of the Groom in "Nativity on the Square."

Dec. 5, Those Guys in Concert at Bacall's Cafe.

Dec. 5, Cincinnati Suzuki Flutes in a Morning Concert at the College HIll Coffee Co.

Dec. 5, Raison D'Etre in Concert at the College HIll Coffee Co.

Dec. 11, MUSE Small Ensemble Present "An AMUSE-in Evening" at the College HIll Coffee Co.

Dec. 12, Pleasant  Hill Academy Snowball Fest.

Dec. 12, The Cincinnati Boychoir Christmas Concert at the First United Church of Christ.

Dec. 12, Aqapelyx Anonymous Annual Holiday Show at the College HIll Coffee Co.

Dec. 12, Light Up College Hill Night.

Dec. 13, McAuley High School's annual Sounds of Christmas Concert.

Dec. 16, College Hill Business Association meeting at The Hammond North.

Dec. 16, Journey to Bethlehem at Twin Towers.

Marty's Hops & Vines--The Avenue's newest gathering spot--will open Friday in the old Jr. Order of Mechanics Building at 6110 Hamilton Avenue. Marty's will serve wine, craft and import beers, and light food. It will also stock wine, foods, and gifts.

Marty's plans wine and beer tastings and other events in the coming year.

Friday will be a "soft" opening, with a grand opening to be scheduled later in the month. The building Marty's is housed in was most recently a Masonic meeting hall. Its old blue outside paneling has been stripped away and its decades-old interiors replaced by spacious retail and seating areas. The store will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm.

Marty Weldishofer, College Hill's former Director of Community Development, and his wife Kate are the proprietors of the new wine/beer/gift shop and wine and beer bar. "Investors purchased the building about the time the Piazza Discepoli wine store closed its College Hill location," Marty says. "They asked me if I would be interested in owning a wine shop in the building." Though he had worked in retail design for years, Marty had never thought of opening a wine shop. But he did have a long-cherished dream. "In my early 20's I visited England and fell in love with the whole concept of pubs, where everybody knows everybody," he says. "I wanted to go back and open one." Marty's research into the beer and wine industry showed him that the fastest-growing businesses were a combination of a store and a bar or pub. "So 40 years later," Marty says, "Here I am!"

"We hope Marty's Hops & Vines becomes a destination in College Hill," Marty says, "and we hope to set a trend on The Avenue. People have a lot of great ideas for businesses. As an advocate for College Hill, I'm putting my money where my mouth is and I hope others will do the same."

You can call Marty's at 513-681-4222.

A College Hill entertainment and catering company is offering a very limited special this Christmas--a visit from "The Real Santa" to your home.

"Imagine waking your children from a restless sleep to quietly hide where they can see Santa Claus unpacking his bag, enjoying his cookies and milk and filling the stockings," says Santa Victor Phillips, owner of College Hill-based Abracadabra Entertainment and Catering. "This Christmas season Santa will visit eight to ten homes in and near College Hill for a visit that will be remembered forever." At each of the pre-arranged stops, parents can wake their children to "discover" Santa placing presents under the tree. He will share cookies and photos with the family before heading off to his next visit.

 

Abracadabra Entertainment and Catering has been serving local families and businesses  since 1976. For information about its services and programs, or to arrange a visit from Santa, call 513-681-8509. To see a Youtube slide show of Santa, click here.

Cincinnati Boychoir. The renowned Cincinnati Boychoir will perform a Christmas Concert December 12 at 7:30 pm. Now under the direction of Christopher Eanes, the choir has performed around the world for 45 years. See them here in College Hill for only $10 ($7 youth and seniors). For information and tickets, call 513-541-7302, etc. 17.

Combined Christmas Performance. Choirs from St. Peter's UCC and First UCC (under the direction of Sherrie Turner) and the God Squad liturgical dancers (directed by Gordon Havens of City Cure) will present an afternoon of music on December 20 starting at 4 pm.  They promise an enjoyable afternoon of song and dance to get you into the Christmas spirit. No fee, but a free will offering will be collected.  For information call 513-541-7302, etc. 17.

National Audubon Bird Count at Spring Grove Cemetery. December 20. This is Cincinnati's official West Side count, part of an annual, nationwide bird count. Full- or half-day birders are welcome. Improve your birding skills and help the National Audubon Society track bird populations. Meet at 8 am at the cemetery's main entrance for instructions from Cincinnati Parks naturalists. $5 (donation goes to the National Audubon Society); 8 am to noon, noon to 5 pm, or 8 am to 5 pm. For more information call 513-321-6070, ext. 16.

Wild Puppets! Family Night at LaBoiteaux Woods. January 29. Enjoy several short
puppet plays, try puppeteering, and make a puppet to take home. $3/person or
$8/family; 7  to 8:30 pm. Reservations are required by Jan. 25; call 513-542-2909.

LaBoiteaux Woods Winter Arts Classes with Mary Provotskys:

Winter Art in the Woods. Ages 6 & 7. Mondays 4 to 5:30 pm, January 25 to March 22. Indoor 3-D art activities will be enhanced by outdoor hikes and games. Registration deadline January 18.

Landscapes for Adults. Mondays 1 to 3 pm, January 25 to February 22. Students will create winter landscapes in dry and wet media. All skill levels welcome. Registration deadline January 18.

Still Life for Adults. Saturdays 9 am to noon, Feburary  6 to 20. All skill levels are welcome for this class, which will complete a project each week. Registration deadline February 1.

 

Twin Towers Living is Learning invites the community to a special multi-media Christmas event December 16. "Visions of Israel" presents a re-telling of the Christmas story for all ages.

Photography, video, live actors, song, and narration by Twin Towers resident Judy Haag will take you back in time to learn about the historical events of the birth of Christ. "This is a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to enjoy during the Advent season," says Tom Reusch, "and you may discover some new and interesting details about life in ancient Bethlehem." For more information call the Twin Towers Connection at 513-853-4100.

Calls are taken by trained professionals. Shana Trent, the agency's crisis and prevention director, said many people are dealing with grief, the change of season, or the effects of job loss.

"The holidays can trigger many emotions, and 281-CARE is a simple and confidential resource for anyone who needs someone to talk to," Trent says, adding that people of all ages, or friends and relatives of people in crisis, are encouraged to call. The service is free, confidential, and TTY-accessible.

Centerpoint Health provides behavioral healthcare, including outpatient treatment, counseling, case management, support services and crisis and prevention services to residents of Hamilton County. It is affiliated with Talbert House and is funded in part by the Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. Its College Hill offices are located in College Hill Plaza.

Funding for 281-CARE is provided in part by Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board and the City of Cincinnati.