Northsider Vol. 1 | Issue 14 | November 2014

november 2014 volume 1 | issue 14 northsider.northside.net a free publication

COMMUNITY WELLNESS SPOTLIGHT VERSE & PROSE 5 9 10 17Apple Street Market Moves Closer to Reality

It’s Not All In Your Head Shop Local & Map of Northside

Invisible Too?

FEATURE WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS - DANA HAMBLEN12 SCENE - WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHSIDE THIS MONTH20

2 vol. 1 | Issue 14 NOV 14’ life & culture 45223

Steve Meek grew up on a farm in Kansas and nearby, at The University of Kansas in Lawrence, he completed his

BFA in Visual Communication. Then, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, as he was anxious to experience the big city and all the excitement and opportunity that go along with it.

He practiced Graphic Design in Chicago for 18 years, 15 of which he freelanced, working for himself. He branched out into illustration, specializing in editorial magazine illustration and got his work published in many major magazines and newspapers such as: Men’s Health, Psychology Today, Mademoiselle, Modern Bride, Ladies Home Journal, the Boston Globe, the Village Voice and The Wall Street Journal.

He earned an MFA in Illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco last year and is working toward a 2nd MFA in Web Design & New Media. He taught full time for ten years, most recently at UC Blue Ash and is now freelancing and teaching part time at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.

About the Cover: This is a partially recycled collage designed for a fundraiser for Mobo. I shot a series of photographs of interesting imagery and architecture unique to Northside and then processed them into high contrast impressions, combining the photos with hand drawn and vector based illustrations.

COVER ART | FEATURED ARTIST

STEVE MEEk

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3life & culture 45223 vol. 1 | Issue 14 NOV 14’

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 14 | CONTENT

4 COMMUNITY NEWS -ANGELS AMONG US

-APPLE STREET MOVES CLOSER TO REALITY -IT’S A TREE! -TIME TO GIVE THANKS -FREE PHOTOS WITH SANTA

8 FOOD CULTURE -INTREPID URBAN FARMER

9 HEALTH & WELLNESS| -IT’S NOT ALL IN YOUR HEAD

10 SPOTLIGHT | SHOP LOCAL -PUT YOURSELF IN THE PICTURE

SPOTLIGHT | MAP OF NORTHSIDE SPOTLIGHT | NORTHSIDE SURPLUS -SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

12 FEATURE | WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS - DANA HAMBLEN/ CHICKEN LAYS AN EGG

14 EATS | A “FRESH” TAKE -“NORTHSLIDERS” HAVE ARRIVED

15 HISTORY | WESLEYAN CEMETERY -DESIGNATED FREEDOM SITES

16 SNAPSHOT 45223 | OFF-BEAT -BY JON HUGHES

16 VERSE & PROSE -EPISODE 3

-INVISIBLE TOO?

18 EDUCATION | WORDPLAY -STEM SCHOLARS HELPS KIDS

19 SCREEN | HAPPEN NORTHSIDE -HAPPEN’S FILM CRITICS

20 NORTHSIDE SCENE -EVENTS CALENDAR-NOVEMBER

22 OPINION -MEDICAL JUSTICE

23 PHOTO STORIES | NORTHSIDE

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 Northsider Monthly newspaper is published on the first Friday of the month and is distributed to businesses and residents in the 45223 zip code.

WRITERS: MiMi Chamberlin, Remi Walz, Mary Kroner, Kristen Barker, Larry R. Wells, Karen Andrew, Nick Mitchell , Tommy Reuff, Alisa Balestra, Steve Sunderland, Brandon E. Niehau, Melissa Mosby, Bryan Shupe, Ginger Dawson, Stefanie Sunderland

Artwork: Steve Meek, CAIN, Cincinnati Urban Promise, Chris Glass, Karen Andrew, Happen Inc., Sam Womelsdorf, Dana Hamblen, Melissa Soluski, Jon Hughes/Photopresse, Nick Mitchell, Ginger Dawson, Against the Grain Scholars

Volunteer advisory committee: Jeni Jenkins, James Kinsman, James Heller-Jackson, Barry Schwartz, Karen Andrew, Mark Christol

Publisher, layout, Design and management

Jeni Jenkins of Uncaged Bird Design Studio

Social Media Coordinators Kevin Cain, Nick Mitchell

paper rollersHappen Inc. Volunteers led by Tommy Reuff

delivery teamRiccardo Taylor, Sue Wilke, Stephen Davis, SaraLynne Thoresen, ThoraLynne McKinney, Mati Senerchia, Noeli Senerchia, Jacob Walker, Jared Walker, Isaac Hunter, Evan Hunter, Owen Hunter, Kirah Hickman, Wilamena Roe, Margaret Roe, Tina Myers.

Contact us: [email protected] AD RATE INFO, SUBMISSION DEADLINES AND TO SUBMIT EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS AND VIEW THE

ONLINE VERSION, VISIT US:

northsider.northside.net

CONTRIBUTORS NORTHSIDE TIDBITS

Up to 235 homebuyers may be eligible to receive $15,000 toward their down payment this month under the Wells Fargo Neighborhood-LIFT Program. Registration to qualify people for grants is open for the free program scheduled for Nov. 21-22, 10a.m – 7:00p.m., at Duke Energy Convention Center. To be eligible homebuyers:• May not earn more than 120% of the Annual Median Income (about $82,000 for a family of four.)• Must complete an eight-hour homebuyer education session led by the Homeownership Center or another NeighborWorks counseling agency approved by HUD.• Must qualify for a mortgage.Those chosen may obtain a mortgage loan through any qualified lending institution; Will have up to 60 days to finalize a contract to buy a home in the city of Cincinnati; and must commit to residing in the home for five (5) years.To obtain more information or pre-register (highly recommended) visit www.neighborhoodlift.com or call 1-866-858-2151.CNCURC also offers down payment assistanceRecipients of the NeighborhoodLIFT Program grant may also be eligi-ble to receive additional down payment assistance for the purchase of the two CNCURC single family homes listed on the MLS that are still under rehab; 4118 Lakeman and 1726 Hanfield. For more informa-tion about qualifications needed to purchase a CNCURC home contact Stefanie at 542-4709.

5.2M Program To Aid Homebuyers in Cincinnati

CALL TO ARTISTS | MONTHLY COVER ARTMonthly 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: [email protected]

Subject line: Cover Art Submission

Congrats to Chase Elementary School - In October the Ohio Department of Education named Chase Elementary School a High Progress School of Honor, based on their 2013-2014 Ohio School Report Card data on student reading and math performance.

NCC Elections - Nominations are now open for NCC Board positions. For role eligibility requirements and role descriptions, please see www.northside.net

Apple Street Market - Our neighborhood food cooperative now has over 400 members! More information available on Facebook or at www.applaestreetmarket.org

Next Community Council Meeting - 7:00 PM, Monday, Nov. 17th at McKie Rec Center

Northside Community Council Updates

4 Vol. 1 | Issue 14 NOV 14’ Life & culture 45223

CAIN’s annual Angel Shop is preparing to serve over 350 families

For more than 2 decades, Churches Active in Northside – CAIN - has connected North-siders who need help and

Northsiders who want to help. This happens year-round and even more magically during the holidays.

Every December, CAIN’s Rainbow Choice Food Pantry is transformed into an ‘Angel Shop’ for pre-regis-tered families who visit and select gifts and toys and receive food gift cards. Hundreds of donors and volun-teers make this all possible.

CAIN is currently seeking individ-uals, schools, churches, businesses and

community groups to help fill its shelves with toys, household items and gifts for Northside families in need. Donors provide toys, practi-cal household items and food gift cards. Families visit at their

assigned times to select items they most need.

Donations can be dropped off at CAIN FRI. Dec. 5 * 10am to noon, SAT. Dec. 6 * 10am to noon, and SUN. Dec. 7. * noon to 3pm.

You will light up a child’s life when she opens her new toy, bring a smile to a teenager as he uses his new bath and body items, and encourage a family gathered around a table en-joying a wonderful meal because of the grocery gift card you provided!

As the holiday season approach-es, CAIN provides plenty of opportu-nities to get your wings!

Angels are truly among us: Angels Look Like…

The elderly woman who returned your wallet yesterday.

The small child who showed you the wonder in simple things.

The stranger that just helped you along when you had lost your way.

The friend who touched your heart when you didn’t think you had one.

Angels come in all sizes and shapes, all ages and skin types.

Disguised as friends, enemies, teachers, students, lovers and fools.

They leave no forwarding address; they ask nothing in return.

They are hard to find with your eyes closed, but when you choose to see they

are everywhere you look.So, open your eyes and count all your

angels – For you are truly blessed.

FOR MORE INFO: CAIN - Churches Active In Northside4230 Hamilton Ave.Cincinnati, OH 45223(513) 591-2246

Visit: www.cainministry.org to donate, shop or volunteer.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Angels Among Us | NORTHSIDERS CAN GIVE OR RECEIVE HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS

CAIN Angel Shop in action – shopper assisting guest in choosing gift for teen son.. Photo: CAIN.

“The most-needed items are financial contributions for food gift cards, teen gift items, practical household items like sheets, blankets, comforters (Full, Queen,

King) pots and pans, dishes, bath towels and wash clothes, laundry, dish detergent and toilet paper.”

MiMi Chamberlin is CAIN’s Executive Director and has served the Northside

community for over 21 years.

By MiMi Chamberlin

For those needing assistance, sign-ups are November 4, 6, 11, and 13 (for current CAIN families) & November 18 (for new families) All those who register must bring

Proof of Address (mail from utility or any other business mail – for ALL household members

18 AND OVER); Verification of ALL household members of ANY AGE – social security card, birth certificate, medical card, school papers, etc.; Payment of $1 per

person being registered (FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN 12 & UNDER

CAN REGISTER FOR TOYS ONLY WITHOUT CO-PAY)

Need Assistance?

5Life & culture 45223 Vol. 1 | Issue 14 NOV 14’

Excitement is building as Apple Street Market moves closer to reality. On November 3rd a group of Apple Street vol-

unteers gave representatives from Interact for Health a tour of the former Save-A-Lot. Interact for Health is considering a proposal to award Apple Street $100,000 towards store equipment. Apple Street passed the first stage. Final Grant recipients will be announced in December. The site visit was impressive. Neighborhood architects Mary Jo Minerich and Re-nee Martin described the store layout, Northside Community Council Presi-dent Ollie Kroner, Community Council Board Member Barry Schwartz , All Around Northside Community Activist Heather Sturgill and Amazing CAIN and Apple Street Volunteer Darryl Jenkins emphasized neighborhood support and how the full-service grocery store will be a place where people of all backgrounds can rub shoulders and find things they are looking for. Casey Whitten-Ama-

don and I answered questions about market size and how the store will operate. All in all, a great day!

Neighborhood support is en-ergizing! People attending weekly meetings, connecting with neighbors, designing our store layout, creating our promotional materials, planning events, helping out with the website, keeping the future parking lot of Apple Street clean! Awesome.

Now, people are even volunteer-ing to get pied in the face to support the store! Have you heard about the Take a Pie Challenge? Want to laugh and help raise awareness and community ownership shares? Join in! Check out the videos on our facebook page for inspiration. You can do the challenge on your own or you can come to our Apple Street Meeting on Wednesdays at Happen Inc at 7pm. We’ll have all the whip cream and pie pans needed and cell phones aplenty to record the action.

WANT TO DO MORE?

Participate in upcoming events:Apple Street Market JAMboree -Saturday, November 8th - 5-10pm in the Apple Street Parking Lot! Fire pits, Roasting Marshmallows, Apple Cider, Jam sessions and more. Save the date! Participate in the planning process:Apple Street Event Planning Commit-tee meets every Monday at Happen/Toylab at 7pm - All are welcome!Apple Street General Meeting hap-pens every Wednesday at Happen/

Toylab at 7pm - All are welcome!Invite friends to become an Owner Today!

• Purchase a share for $100• No annual fee• Available to everyone• Subsidized for applicants who qualify for SNAP or free & reduced lunch• Online Community-Ownership shares are available at www. ap-plestreetmarket.coop• Or, you can invite people to download the contract from our website and pay with check or Money Order to the following address:Apple Street Market Cooperative

P.O. Box 24192Cincinnati, OH 45224

Together we will bring this grocery to life!

For questions, or to get involved: • Casey Whitten-Amadon (Project Manager); [email protected] (513) 368-9694• Kristen Barker (CUCI President); [email protected]

COMMUNITY NEWS

Kristen is the President of the Cincinnati Union Co-op Initiative. As a community organizer for the past 12 years,

she fosters faith, labor & community part-nerships. She is the mother of a resilient daughter with special needs. She is a life-long Cincinnati resident (except 2 years in El Salvador) and lives in Northside.

BY Kristen Barker

Apple Street Market moves closer to reality

How does the challenge work?

1. Record yourself saying why Apple Street matters, then get a pie in the face (whipped cream in a pie, Three Stooges style!). Tag the Apple Street Market on Facebook, and #pieface and @AppleStreetCoop on Twitter and Instagram.

2. Pledge to do 1 of 3 things:

a. Buy a share!

b. Donate any dollar amount to the market (through our fiscal agent CUCI)

c. Volunteer some time

(Join us Mondays 7pm for event planning or Wednesdays 7pm for a general meeting at Happen Inc.)

3. Challenge someone else to make a pledge and take a pie (this is where things get really fun)! Be sure to include their name in your social posts.

the apple street market Take a Pie Challenge?

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Happen, Inc. and Community Sprouts joined forces with a goal to help reestablish native plants and trees in

Northside and surrounding areas. Last spring children attending the

Whiz Kids tutoring program and the M.O.R.E. program at Chase Elemen-tary School worked hand and hand with Community Sprouts and Happen volunteers to plant over 100 acorns in the Happen “Do Goods Garden.

” Now, Happen is fostering over 70 seedlings eager to find a new and permanent home.

The event will take place at Happen, Inc. on Saturday, Novem-ber 22, from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. In addition to your oak seedling, all registered new “parents” will receive a free tree sleeve and fiberglass tree stake to help ensure optimal growing conditions.

There will be volunteer horticul-

turists on site giving instructions and guidance on how to properly plant and care for your new baby oak. These volunteers will also be giving out tips on how to get your friends and family excited and involved in the tree planting fun.

“It’s been a great growing season, not just for the plants but for young minds as the kids had a blast planting and learning in the garden,” said Tommy Rueff.

The only thing that Happen requests in exchange for your own oak tree and growing supplies, is that once a year on the anniversary of your tree adoption, you send a picture of you and your tree back to Happen, Inc. so they can see and celebrate what the children Northside started from just one seed.

If you would like to learn more about this adoption process please contact Tommy Rueff at Happen Inc. To receive the free tree sleeve and stake, please register on site, by phone (513) 751.2345 or email [email protected] by Tuesday, November 11th.

ART ACTIVITIES FOR PARENTS & CHILDREN4201 Hamilton Ave (& Chase) HOURS: 3:30 - 7:30PM (Tue.-Thu.) 10am - 5PM (Sat.) www.happeninc.org (513) 751-2345

COMMUNITY NEWS

Schaeper Pharmacy, Inc.4187 Hamilton Ave.

Cincinnati, OH 45223513-541-0354

Your Family’s Good Neighbor® Pharmacy…*Ranked #1 by JD Power for Customer Satisfaction over ALL Chain Drug Stores in 2013!

Flu Shots Now Available!!!

Richard A. Schaeper, R.Ph. Linette Corwin, R.Ph. Tricia Rice, PharmD

BY Remi Walz

Happen’s Nature Team in Happen’s Nature Garden. Photos: Happen Inc.

It’s a Tree!

Adopt A Tree Day

November 2210am to 1:00pm

Grown from Seed By Northside Children For You.Pick up Your Oak Tree at Happen, Inc.

It’s A Tree! | HAPPEN INVITES YOU TO ADOPT A NATIVE OAK TREE THIS FALL


COMMUNITY NEWS

Free photos with Santa & more at Happen, Inc.

The day after Thanksgiving has a reputation for being aggra-vating and stressful but Hap-pen, Inc. has a plan to make

it more about family fun than busy malls and traffic jams.

On the Friday after Thanksgiving Happen will be open from 10:00am - 5:00pm for pictures with Santa. This annual Happen tradition is just like getting pictures taken with the mall Santa but with one big difference, its all free!

All you need to bring are your kids and your camera. Plus, new this year Happen’s Toy Lab will be open on Black Friday from 11:00am - 5:00pm for gift certificates, t-shirts and BE3D scanning or you can build a toy as a gift for friends or family. A unique gift from Happen’s Toy Lab can make a great holiday memory for someone special in your life and

as always, proceeds from Toy Lab help pay for the free programming Happen offers all year long.

Programs like Holiday Ceramics where guests to Happen’s Open Stu-dio can make a special holiday plate for cookies starting Saturday, No-vember 29. Then return on Thursday, December 16 for Happen’s Milk and Cookies and pick up their finished holiday plate.

ART ACTIVITIES FOR PARENTS &

CHILDREN

4201 Hamilton Ave (& Chase)

HOURS: 3:30 - 7:30PM (Tue.-Thu.)

10am - 5PM (Sat.)

www.happeninc.org

(513) 751-2345

BY Remi WalzPhoto: Happen Inc.

Time to Give Thanks

It’s that time of year again; Time to be thankful for what we have, joyful that we’re alive, and compassionate towards those who may not have

the blessings we find ourselves with. Whether you have a lot to share, or barely anything - CUP wants to cele-brate a time of Thanksgiving with you!

For the last 6 years Cincinnati Urban Promise has been sharing a time of Thanksgiving with more than 200 of our Northside neighbors! This year CUP would love those neighbors to be you! The annual Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Sunday afternoon, November 23rd from 3:00PM to 5:00PM com-plete with turkey, veggies, and all the dessert you heart could desire! Please join us for dinner, door prizes, and a great time of community with your neighbors.

Students in CUP’s Powered for Life program, a program that teaches teens

how to move towards a successful career in adulthood, will serve this dinner. This is a great opportunity for them as they learn how to serve others, work hard, and reach a suc-cessful future.

CUP will be accepting dessert and door prize donations. If you wish to help with dessert or your business would like to donate a door prize please contact CUP at [email protected] MORE INFO: Cincinnati Urban Promise 4139 Kirby Avenue, 45223 513-255-5582 Visit: www.cincyurbanpromise.org or on facebook at www.facebook.com/cincyurbanpromise.

Photos: Cincinnati Urban Promise. BY Joni Brandyberry


Summer has come to a close. The be-witching beauty, the ripe moments, the delicious episodes of gustatory emotion; the small side diversions.

The love affairs of 2014 have come to an end. The bittersweet change of seasons has arrived. I have loved and lost....but as always, I have learned much.

I’m talking about tomatoes here. Les Pommes d’ Amour.

From the ordering of the seeds, to the first little plants that push through the soil, to the harvest of gorgeous fruits....it is a love affair. And, like any summer love, it must end.

Let me give you a run-down of the “performance” of my suitors from these past few months.

Grandaddy Hybrid—Determinate

plant with verticillium and fu-sarium resistance. Oh Daddy! Great tomato. This is the best year I have had with this one. Very high yields of firm, round, thick-walled fruits. Very meaty with good flavor. Definitely one to strike up a relationship with next year. Even that rotten raccoon I had this past summer liked this one. Masher!

Costoluto Genovese—An heirloom plant from Jefferson’s Monticello. Duped again! My love of history has led me astray. This tomato is thin-walled and seedy. Smaller, irregularly sized and shaped fruits. Also, being an heirloom, it is more susceptible to blights. I will not be seduced by Jef-ferson again.

Big Mama Hybrid—This lady promised to be a little

more productive than she delivered. Not bad, but not what I wanted to see. Howev-er, the fruits that I did get (and there were actually quite a few) were indeed zaftig. I didn’t give any of these away. They were pretty..... and the sauce! It could very well be that her garden position with sunlight hampered her blossoming to fullest poten-tial. I guess it could be said that I failed her. I’ll try her again next year in a better spot.

Rutgers—This fellow is always de-pendable. If you’re looking for a good pro-vider, not flashy, but definitely reliable and tasty enough to not get bored with, this is your tomato. Every girl needs one of these in her life.

Summer Girl—This one is a tease. She promised to deliver the goods by July sev-

enth and didn’t give it up until the twentieth! Huh! Her fruits were a little thin-walled and ripened in an unusual way. She had green shoulders that ripened last. Someone should develop a new perfume for teasers called “Green Shoulders”. It would at least warn you about what to expect.

Sugary Hybrid—Cherry tomatoes. They were NOT sugary. The plant was healthy and heavy yielding. But where did that name come from? “Blah” hybrid would be more suitable. I will be looking for a better cherry for next year.

Big Boy Hybrid—In the past, this has been my best boy. Excellent quality large tomatoes. But, not this year. Like Big Mama, a less advantageous sun position hampered this one. I believe there was some envy here that crushed an ego, as well. There was a new man in the garden……

Burpee Steakhouse Hybrid—Holy tomato! What studs! I have never had such incredible tomato plants! These guys were amazing. In the best pair of tomato cages I have (see, already Big Boy is upset), they reached a height of over seven feet! They were full and glorious and loaded with enormous tomatoes. I had one that reached two pounds, five ounces! I would say an average weight for a tomato off of these babies would be a pound and a half. The tomatoes were meaty and very tasty. Good reviews came from everyone who sampled them.

These boys also brooked no insult from blights or fungi. They produced full-sized fruits up until the end.

Is it possible to marry a tomato plant? Personal relationships aside, it’s time to take the final tally. Last year, I harvested eight hundred and eleven tomatoes. I wanted to exceed that count, and I did! This year

I harvested eight hundred and fifty-nine. Last year, I also discovered the astonishing fact that weighing the crop is the proper method of measuring yield, so I did that. I ended up with three hundred and seven-ty-four pounds of tomatoes. This was off of fourteen plants. I did not count any of the “Blah” hybrid cherry tomatoes in this.

Twenty pounds of tomatoes per plant is, by popular account, a respectable yield. I am pleased to report that I came in at 26.71 pounds per plant. These were all ripe tomatoes. I also harvested over sixty pounds of green tomatoes during clean-up.

If you received an anonymous bag of green tomatoes on your doorstep last week, I hope you didn’t call Homeland Security. It was me.

The best part of gardening over a long period of time is the satisfaction of having a real, meaningful relationship with your garden. It will talk to you. You just have to learn the language. Like any good relationship, it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of listening. These little dalliances with capricious tomato plants won’t mean a thing.

Photo: Ginger Dawson

By ginger dawsonGinger Dawson has been a resident and urban gardener in the Mutter Gottes/Old Town Neighborhood and historic district in Covington, Kentucky for 26 years. She maintains a close affiliation with the Northside community as well. Contact: [email protected]: The Intrepid Urban Farmer

food culture|INTREPID URBAN FARMERSUDDENLY, LAST SUMMER


There was a not-very-funny sto-ry that made its way through my family when I was a child: A woman tells the neighbor

boy that his father’s illness is all in his head. A few days later she asks if his father still thinks he’s ill. The boy responds, “No, now he thinks he’s dead. We bury him tomorrow.” (The story was a bit of a shot at Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Chris-tian Science.)

Most people take an all or nothing approach to this issue. Either it’s all in your head or your head has nothing at all to do with it. The truth lies somewhere between these two extremes.

I first became interested in the connections among health, healing and mind/belief when I was a pastor in mid-Missouri. A seemingly large percentage of the population expe-rienced a variety of cancers. Since it was a very small community, every

case of cancer was well known. The correlation between belief/attitude and disease process caught my at-tention. Those who believed they had some control over the disease and their treatment did better than those who believed they were victims of and powerless over the disease.

Later, in my career as a pastor, I had the privilege of facilitating a cancer support group. The group consisted of people with a cancer di-agnosis who wanted to take charge of their lives and be the primary person on their healing team. Over the four years I was with the group, we worked with over forty incredible individuals. Though not all survived in the long term, all lived longer than expected and experienced a much higher quality of life than those who believed their survival depended totally on doctors and protocols.

Ex-Los Angeles Dodgers manag-er Leo Durocher is credited with say-ing, “Nice guys finish last.” This group seemed to prove his point. They were not particularly good patients. They were in charge of their health and treatment. They took charge of

their schedules while in the hospital, insisted on getting the information they needed from their docs and did whatever they thought would be useful for healing, even choosing to

refuse treatments in which they had no faith.

A few years ago the movie “What the Bleep Do We Know?” seemed to suggest that we create our own reality. A comedy fol-low-up movie, “I Heart Huckabees,” implied that we do not. My belief, again, is that the truth lies some-

where between the two. I believe we participate in creating our reality. Our attitudes and beliefs help shape our experience.

So I would say that though it is true that it is not all in your head, belief and attitude do influence

health and disease recovery. Those who feel powerless when it comes to health issues would benefit by seeking out those who can help them learn how to use the unbelievable power of the mind to influence the course of disease and recovery.

LLC

Your Holistic Health Center

4138 Hamilton Avenue. Free parking and entrance on Knowlton St. | 513.541.5720 | futurelifenow.com

A U N I Q U E S H O P P I N G E X P E R I E N C E

Fall Shopping EventStorewide sale one day only. Local artisan goods, fair trade items, special wellness gifts, gift certificates and more. Enjoy hot tea and nibbles while you shop.

Saturday, November 11, 10 am - 3 pm.

Make an appointment today:

Acupuncture The Feldenkrais Method® Neuro-Linguistic

Programming

Coaching Massage

Larry R. Wells, M.Div, MSW is a partner in Future Life Now and Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic

Programming. He has facilitated support groups for individuals with chronic or life threatening illnesses, particularly cancer patients and those with chemical dependency. He may be reached at (513) 541-5720 orwww.futurelifenow.com

BY larry r. wells

health & Wellness|IT’S NOT ALL IN YOUR HEAD

We participate in creating our reality. Our attitudes and beliefs help shape our experience.”


Consider doing your Holi-day Shopping right here in Northside. You’ll be giving great gifts while doing something re-

ally positive for the neighborhood at the same time by supporting our local busi-nesses, most of which are independently owned and operated. Gift Certificates to Northside businesses have the potential of bringing new folks to the neighborhood, and exposing them to yet even more businesses while they’re here. So consider giving them to your friends and family who live outside the neighborhood too!

The following Northside shops, restaurants, and establishments offer gift certificates and/or fun gifts:

Bistro Grace, Black Plastic, Boswell’s, Casablanca Vintage, Chicken Lays an Egg. The Comet, Craft Village, Django Western Taco, Fabricate, Future Life Now, Galaxy Skate Shop, Happy Chicks Bakery, Joseph Clark Gallery, The Kitchen Factory, The Listing Loon, The Littlefield, Market Side Mercantile, Mayday, Melt Eclectic Cafe, Shake It Records, Spun Bicycles, Tacocracy, Tantrum, Northside Grange Pet & Urban Farm Supply, Northside Hardware, Northside Surplus, Northside Tavern, NVISION, Object by Modology, Picnic and Pantry, Ruth’s Parkside Café, Sidewinder Coffee and the Urban Legend Institute at Wordplay.

Take a strolling holiday tour with your friends and visit a couple of bars in Northside, have lunch or dinner, and do some shopping. Please remember, the Holidays are important times for many businesses, where they hope to make their nut for the winter. Give the gift of Northside and help be part of what makes Northside feel good for the Holidays.

spotlight|SHOP LOCAL PUT YOURSELF IN THE PICTURE

BY mary kroner

spotlight|MAP OF NORTHSIDE BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS

designed & provided by Chris Glassdownloadable at chrisglass.com/northside/


When one drives along Spring Grove Avenue, it’s easy to speed right past Northside Surplus. Housed in a

non-descript two-story building with white siding, this store is located catty corner from the White Castle on the west and Building Value on the east.

But, its colorful patriotic-styled sign above the entrance topped by an Ameri-can flag dancing in the wind should capture Northsiders’ attention. They are a reflec-tion of the treasure trove of military and non-military merchandise packing the aisles inside. Items for sale include clothing and footwear, jackets and coats, camping and outdoor gear, helmets, goggles, knives, flags, military insignia, patches, and flags, and first aid kits.

Co-owned by Todd Hague and Parker Watts, Northside Surplus has been in busi-

ness for about five and a half years.“We saw the opportunity to sell things

that aren’t being sold elsewhere,” said Hague. “We were interested in this stuff and no one else was doing it.”

He said they have something for everyone.

“If you’re out in the weather, it’s good to be warm and dry,” said Hague as he led a tour of the cold-weather gear that includes heavy coats, hats, gloves and wool liners, socks, scarves, and fleece clothing.

“Or there’s the do-it-yourselfers that come in and buy merchandise for arts and crafts projects or to repurpose items for re-sell. They might add patches or screen prints,” said Hague. He added that bicyclers like to purchase backpacks and bags with long handles that are made of materials that stand up to the weather.

“We also get dance, church, school groups, and those doing photo shoots that are looking for unique items.”

Although most of the merchandise is new, there are used items such as blankets and poncho liners. Hague said the poncho liners are also called ranger blankets and they repel dog hair.

The store is also a good spot to see objects not normally found in typical retail. The display case up front has gas masks and canisters for sale. At the end of the counter are artillery shells which are not for sell. On the front counter, are waterproof notebooks.

Although there is a great deal of American military merchandise, Hague said that many other countries are represented: Czechoslovakia, Sweden, France, Germa-ny, Greece, Canada, Switzerland, Serbia, Great Britain, Israel, and Bulgaria, just to name a few.

He also pointed out the ample supply of non-military camping and outdoor gear: compasses, first aid kits, insect repellent, sporting goods, and a good selection of sturdy boots and shoes.

“We all know what we’re talking about in this store,” said Jonathan Hoffer, sales clerk, whose friendly face greets customers on the weekends. He said the owners and the employees have a vast knowledge of the merchandise and some have first-hand experience using it because they served in various branches of the military.

The store also offers merchandise via mail order. Items may be ordered in the store or through the store’s website.

For Northside Surplus customers, free parking is available for thirty minutes in the Northside Business Association’s parking lot next to the store.

The holiday season is nearly here and a good place to start looking for unique and useful gifts is at Northside Surplus. And, don’t forget their offerings of warm weather clothing and gear – winter is knocking on the door.

For More Info: Stop In: 4019 Spring Grove AvenueCall: (513) 541-1405Web: www.northsidesurplus.comFacebook: Northside-Surplus-Co

spotlight|NORTHSIDE SURPLUS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

(Top Left) Outside of Northside Surplus on a sunny afternoon. (Top Right) Northside Surplus’ merchandise includes military flags, insignia, backpacks, and kits. (Bottom Right) Inside of Northside Surplus is a treasure trove of merchandise. (Bottom Left) Employee Jonathan Hoffer discusses waterproof notebooks. Photos: Karen Andrew

Karen is a big fan of Northside and likes to find out about its treasures. She’s a member of the Northside Community Council, Greenspace, and Citizens on Patrol and volunteers when she’s not working.

BY KAREN ANDREW


For Dana Hamblen of Chicken Lays an EGG, Northside is Cincinnati’s “vintage capital,” but Chicken offers residents and visitors to the neighborhood more than simply vintage

clothing and housewares from the 1950s-90s. The shop has, like Hamblen herself, an eclecticism that draws on fashion, performance art, and installa-tion. Chicken is, in many ways, a shop like no other.

A Cincinnati native, Hamblen is a self-de-scribed “dabbler” in the local music scene who named Chicken after a music video she wrote about a young hipster couple. (“Chicken” is slang for a cute or sexy young boy or girl.) Although now in Northside, Chicken began as a Saturday only fashion gallery in Camp Washington; Ham-blen says of the shop in its new location that the storefront has “amazing display windows” – ideal given Chicken’s unique niche and presence among Northside vintage shops.

Perhaps you’ve seen Hamblen and her Chick-en team at the fourth of July parade in Northside or at the most recent Northside Summer Streets festival. Likely a product of her interests in styl-ing, fashion shows, and performance art, Hamblen proudly acknowledges Chicken’s reputation as a “creative visual spectacle” at neighborhood events and encourages residents to “express [themselves], be creative, [and] don’t be afraid to stand out or be ridiculous.”

Chicken Lays an EGG at the 2014 Northside 4th of July Parade. Photo: Sam Womelsdorf

continued next pageChicken Lays an EGG Vintage Boutique. Photo: Dana Hamblen

feature | WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS

DaNa HamBlENFaSHION ICON/RETaIl SHOp OwNER


ration as shop owners that Hamblen desires to have fashion shows more inclusive of Northside’s diverse vintage scene.

Hamblen’s collaborative spirit and pride in Northside are evident in her goals for the neighborhood as well. Not only does Ham-blen urge residents to shop local, but she also encourages them to “support the neigh-borhood [and] be nice to each other.” What Hamblen wants for Northside, ultimately, is for residents to “build a better place to live and grow in our neighborhood.” Residents interested in helping to grow Chicken can visit the shop Wednesday-Saturday from 12-6, on Sunday from 12-4, and on Second Saturdays until 10 PM.

For More Info: Stop In: 4178 Hamilton Avenue Call: (513) 834-9268Email: [email protected]: @chicknlaysanegg Facebook: chickenlaysanegg Hamblen and her staff certainly don’t shy away from cre-

ativity and expression; for Hamblen, it is Chicken’s aesthetic that she has worked to maintain, with a “brand video” in the works within the next three to five years. Other goals for the shop include an online store, continued work on Chicken’s participation in the fourth of July parade, and “more collaborative fashion shows.” Hamblen is clear that despite Chicken’s niche among vintage shops, shop owners in Northside are a “unified front” and are supportive of one another’s businesses. Hamblen went on to say that she is “eager to send out-of-towners to check out Casablanca and NVISION.” It is no surprise given their collabo-

Dana Hamblen’s shop Chicken Lays an EGG, located in the heart of Northside, specializes in Handpicked Vintage Gear for the whole family from the 1940’s -1990’s. In edition to clothing, the shop carries Artwork, Costumes, Housewares, Toys and Accessories. Photos: Dana Hamblen.

Alisa Balestra is a Northside resident and is a Specialist-Project Management and Clinical Research Professional at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. You can find Balestra running the streets of Northside, hiking in Parker Woods, biking in the Spring Grove Cemetery, or eating delicious vegan eats around the neighborhood.

BY Alisa Balestra

Caitlin at the Chicken Lays an EGG Fashion Show. Photo: Melissa Soluski


This year’s momentous Northside Rock n’ Roll Carnival marked the soft opening of Chef Gary Clark’s restaurant, Fresh. Fresh is located

inside Northside’s neighborhood bar and music venue Chameleon; adjacent to the new Myron Johnson building currently under construction. Northside’s homegrown kid, Clark is a young culinary arts graduate and entrepreneur, and his kitchen specializ-es in home recipes with flavorful sauces; all made from scratch daily.

Designed to satisfy the neighbor-hood’s late night grubbers, the Fresh menu features a variety of specialty entrees and appetizers ($4 -$8), including “Northsliders” ($6), zucchini hummus ($5), the Fried Green BLT ($8), and the 3CGC (three cheese grilled cheese), which is panini- pressed with your choice of three cheeses ($6). The most beloved of the appetizers are the fried

green tomatoes ($6), which are lightly --breaded with panko, and served with remoulade. The trending burger option is the Big Sexy Burger ($8), which comes topped with hash browns, fried egg, bacon, shredded lettuce, and spread. All entrees are crowned with cheese and spreads, plus your choice of yukon or sweet potato chips all of which is prepared in house.

Fresh’s signature, homemade sauces and spreads give the restaurant its distinct personality. The palatable dipping sauces are mango habañero, honey jalapeño, hot garlic ranch, lemon pepper, and sweet BBQ, while the exclusive sandwich spreads include the highly -praised bacon jelly, tomato jam, onion jam, basil pesto, and dijonaise. The sauces are best partnered with the chicken wings ($6) or corn fritters ($6), while the spreads will accentuate any of the six current sandwich and burger

options ($6- $8).The menu and hours of operation con-

tinue to grow and evolve, as Clark promises an “ever -changing menu” that sustains his “made fresh in- house” approach. Specials aren’t on the laminated menu, but present-ed on the sidewalk “sandwich” board at the entrance of the restaurant, as well as on their Facebook page. Thus far, spe-cials have included the “Pitza” pita pizza topped with vegetables ($5), white chili garnished with pickled jalapeños ($4), and most recently, the turkey club wrap with bacon, red onions, and shredded lettuce ($6). Clark hinted that vegan -friendly and gluten -free options are imminent.

Those who are ravenous will be drawn in by the smell of Chameleon’s home-made cider. Patrons order appetizers and entrees from the bar staff, then enjoy the beautiful view of Northside’s landmark Hoeffner Park. Fresh’s kitchen staff deliv-ers your dish with an unwavering ambition to satisfy every customer personally. The interaction between the kitchen and the customer is quite significant. Chameleon’s happy hour cocktails, discounted drinks, craft beer selection ($4 -$6), and soothing

live music round out the dining experience.Fresh is a desirable enhancement to

Northside’s burgeoning restaurant scene. Chef Gary Clark offers affordable yet ful-filling entrees, and service that is re-fresh-ing.

For More Info: Dine In: 4114 Hamilton Avenue, inside ChameleonCarryout Orders: (513) 541 -2073Facebook: FreshLLCHours of operation: Weekdays from 4pm to 10pm, and Saturdays from 7pm to 11pm.

eats|A “FRESH” TAKE ON CLASSIC RECIPES“NORTHSLIDERS” HAVE ARRIVED

Nick is a touring musician and the co-founder of Grasshopper Juice Records. He and his

wife moved to Northside three years ago in appreciation of its alternative culture.

BY nick mitchell

(Left) Happy hour customers enjoying entrees. (Right) Gary Clark, Chef and owner of Fresh, preparing his famous 3CGC sandwich. Photos: Nick Mitchell.


In October, 2014, the National Park Service officially announced inclusion of Wesleyan Cemetery and the Escape of the 28 Fugitives Corridor among two of

six Cincinnati area sites (5 of which are in the city of Cincinnati) recently approved for the Underground Railroad Network To Freedom (NTF). Eligibility for inclusion as an Underground Railroad NTF site is based solely on historic documentation, the reli-ability of the documentations’ sources, the number of historic documents supporting the application and how well this informa-tion is used to present an accurate story.

Due to the dedication of several volunteers, Kathy Dahl, Betty Ann Smid-dy, Diana Porter, and to a lesser degree, myself, who donated an enormous amount of time over the course of several years searching for supportive documentation, Betty Ann, author of Escape of the 28 Fu-gitives Corridor, and I, author of Wesleyan Cemetery, were able to prove both as NTF sites. Provided in the next few paragraphs are the condensed versions of what makes these sites so uniquely distinctive as well as a brief description of the others approved for inclusion.

WESLEYAN CEMETERY Abolitionist John Van Zandt’s burial site

John Van Zandt, also spelled Van Sandt, was born in Fleming County, Ken-tucky, on September 23, 1791. Docu-mented as having been a slave owner,

himself, who absolutely deplored the institution of slavery, Van Zandt took his slaves into Ohio, where he decided to stay, and set them free. He purchased a small farm north of Cincinnati, where he and his family resided, in the present day Village of Glendale, Hamilton County, Ohio, until his death in 1847.

In 1842 John Van Zandt was apprehended transporting 9 es-caped slaves from Cincinnati, (Lane Seminary in Walnut Hills, Ohio) to Lebanon, Ohio.. Prosecuted under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793, 1847 U. S. Supreme Court “Jones v. Van Zandt,” it was the second only fugitive case to be heard before the Supreme Court for violation of the Act. Although this was not his first of numerous efforts to help fugitives escape – Harriet Beech-er Stowe attributes fugitive Eliza Harris’ successful escape to Cana-da, in part, to Van Zandt assistance in 1837, and neighbors suspected

and opposed his involvement with run-away slaves for several years – April, 1842, was the first time he was caught. Defended by Salmon P. Chase, Van Zandt died a pauper before the Supreme Court finalized their decision to uphold the lower court’s previous decision finding Van Zandt guilty, sentencing him to imprisonment and imposing fines for Wharton Jones costs. By the time the Supreme Court Justice ren-dered his decision in 1857, the Van Zandt family was shattered, his children were scattered amongst relatives’ homes across the country and the farm had been sold to pay the debts resulting from the lower court’s decision.

In the latter part of 1887, he and his first wife’s remains were moved to Wes-leyan Cemetery in Cumminsville from their original burying site, the Old Salem Church Cemetery, after it fell into gross disrepair, and re-interred on January 30, 1888. In 1891, the hundredth year anniversary of his birth, a large stone honoring his contribution to all of mankind was erected at Wesleyan.

1853 Escape of the 28 Fugitives – Incorporated by the Episcopal Methodists in 1843, Wesleyan Cemetery, located 3½ miles north of the city of Cincinnati in the rural community of Cumminsville along the West Fork Creek of the Mill Creek, was the only cemetery in the area known to permit both black and white burials the

year (1853) the 28 fugitive slaves, led by John Fairfield (a white man), arrived at daybreak on the outskirts of the city. Hunkered down along the steep slopes near the mouth of the Mill Creek following their treacherous crossing of the Ohio River from Petersburg, Boone County, Kentucky, and the 20 mile trek along its river banks from Lawrenceburg, Indiana, to Cincinnati, Ohio, their condition rendered them easily identifiable as escaped slaves. Although Ohio was a Free State, the U. S. Congress’ 1850 re-ratification of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 made it illegal to harbor and/or assist escaped fugitives anywhere in the country; an offense punishable by imprisonment, fines and court costs. Bounty hunters, hired by slave owners, were free to search for and apprehend escaped fu-gitives anywhere, and return them to their “owners.” Those assisting them would be prosecuted or worse, beaten, depending on which state they were apprehended assisting escapees. Free blacks, appre-hended by bounty hunters for assisting or harboring fugitives, were sometimes taken south and sold into to slavery.

Noted as one of the largest number of fugitive escapes documented in the region, it was necessary to move the 28 fugitives out of the city undetected and quickly. With assistance from John Hatfield, a free black deacon of the Zion Baptist Church, (then located on Third Street, between Race and Elm) his wife and daughter, and individuals from Cincinnati’s free black community, and direction from Levi Coffin, the group of fugitives accompanied by Hatfield and Fairfield posed as a mock black funeral procession going to Wes-leyan Cemetery and successfully escaped from the city and the bounty hunters in pursuit.

ESCAPE OF THE 28 CORRIDORKirby, Glenview and Belmont Avenues (Northside, College Hill)

Following their arrival at Wesleyan Cemetery, Coffin had advised the 28 fu-gitives to take the first right-handed road, Kirby Avenue, to College Hill. In College Hill they were instructed to go to the home of Rev. Jonathan Cable, a free Presbyteri-an minister, and abolitionist who lived near Farmers’ College. His home, noted as a safe house, was the first of many stations the fugitives would stay at as they traveled through Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, with Fairfield before arriving in Windsor, Cana-da, April 19, 1853; an arduous journey of

approximately 400-450 miles over rough terrain, equal to an average of 25 miles per night.

Though some of the names of the roads have changed; Kirby Avenue was originally the old Badgley Road, and, in the 1840’s was also known as “Kirby Way,” Glenview Avenue was named High-land and Belmont was named Colerain Avenue, these established roads enabled the fugitives to safely travel the back roads, the most direct route to Cable’s home at that time, and avoid the “Southern Sympathizer” documented as manning the Hamilton Pike toll gate which, at the time, was located near what is now Hammond North.

Three NTF sites within the city of Cincinnati that were completely researched and written by Barry Jurgensen’s high school history honors class at Arlington High School in Omaha, Nebraska, desig-nated as NTF sites are:

Salmon P Chase Law Office (Third Street Downtown, Cincinnati)

Spring Grove Cemetery (Spring Grove Village)

Zion Baptist Church (Glenwood Ave. Avondale)

The sixth NTF site; research and the application was complied and completed by Karen Arnett, a Mt Healthy resident:

Abolitionist Charles Cheney (Mt. Healthy)

NATIONAL HISTORIC MARKERSTo raise funds to purchase historical

markers for Wesleyan and the Escape of the 28 Corridor sites in Northside we are offering Escape of the 28 booklets for sale at $4.00 each. They may be purchased at the Northside Community Council No-vember general membership meeting or ordered by phone by calling Stefanie at 542-4709.

To learn more about famous city founders, shakers and movers buried at Wesleyan read the Cincinnati Magazine article, Corner Stones, published in their November, 2014, issue.

history|WESLEYAN CEMETERY & ESCAPE OF THE 28 FUGITIVES CORRIDOR DESIGNATED UNDERGROUND RAILROAD NETWORK TO FREEDOM SITES

Stefanie Sunderland is a member of the Hamilton Avenue Road to Freedom Committee and the Executive Director and co-founder of the Cincinnati Northside Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation.

BY Stefanie Sunderland


VERSE & PROSE

A Thing A Time A Place Awaiting a breath That will never comeWind around cornersAir below pavementFinding a place Among the cobble Wagon wheels trampleShoes of iron Pound out songsOf longing and lossAgainst the pavement My stomach knots upStepping out of thereInto snowInto cold But I like it I wouldn’t change itThe frost over the sunBrilliant white reflectionsA sweaterSleevesButtons and zippers This soup of airWill saturate and suffocate Bring the low lowsPleaseAny day becauseTomorrow and todayAre fewThey come and they go I’ll wait for youWith a silent coat rack And bootsNot yet wettedWith the coming snowsOf love

Being Brother Blacksmith Banging ClangingForging Hammering away At a lifeYours always Shape it how you willHeat yourselfAnd forge again Be your own hammerNo other hands Should hold the handleOnly mindful digitsShould be graspingThe oaken handle of soulResiding within Develop callusesHave scarsThese things of learningAnd respect And knowledge Will only aid When the sand has run longAnd crevasses Join with your faceAs they swallow the mirrorIn which you gaze

EPISODE NO.3

Brandon E. Niehaus has a shoebox full of ideas and occasionally picks one out to focus on. He also enjoys dogs, pocket knives, and reading.

BY brandon E. Niehaus

SNAPSHOT 45223|OFF-BEAT

Photo: Jon Hughes/Photopresse

The Northsider Monthly is always looking for contributors to submit articles, poetry, short stories and artwork/photography. Additionally, we are open to ideas for content or special projects. We want to hear your voice! This is also a good way to gain exposure for your work. While this is a small budget grassroots volunteer run newspaper with limited funds available now, there is potential for this to change in the future. If you are interested in having your work considered or would like to find out more please contact us. email: [email protected]

Subject line: Contribute

CALL TO WRITERS/JOURNALISTS/POETS/PHOTOGRAPHERS


In October I submitted a short writing titled “Invisible?” (see side bar) to the local street newspaper Streetvibes. Even as I wrote it, I was

sure that being invisible only affected me in a hurtful and negative manner. Within two weeks I came face-to-face with the hard truth, and nothing but the truth, of who can be negatively affected by those who live in a fanta-sy world in which other human beings can be and are routinely “invisibi-lized.”

It was a late night/early morn-ing. I was walking down a street near Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral down-town. A man came up from behind me on a Segway and passed me on the sidewalk. I paid him no real attention as he sped by. However, moments later I heard a gut-wrenching sound and I looked ahead. The man on the Segway had wrecked on the sidewalk while crossing over a driveway.

I ran ahead to him and asked if he was okay. He didn’t move. I moved closer and bent at the waist to get his attention. A puddle of blood began to form and pool beneath his head. Truly, I rather panicked. I looked around us and not a single soul was in sight. My heart raced, actually blocking out any idea of construc-

tive thought. Loud and clear though, I heard the fallen man snoring softly and almost easily. I knew that he was unconscious.

I ran across the street yelling, “Help, help! This man is hurt! Call 911, somebody please.” My thought was to knock on the door of the build-ing across the street. When I got there I realized it was an apartment building and on the façade of the building was a row of doorbells for each apartment. I ran my finger over each button and pushed frantically. I stepped to the curb and looked up at the windows hoping to catch some-one’s attention should they look down.

No one did. I ran back to the injured man

and saw that a huge puddle of blood had formed across the concrete. My heart turned in my chest. I had a cell phone, but it didn’t have battery power. It is an issue that I battle daily, as I am currently homeless and often can only charge my phone for as long as I am somewhere work-ing. The charge had died hours before.

Suddenly across the street at the apartment building, a man came to the door and began shouting, “Why did you ring my bell?” His words were not questioning out of curiosity, but obnoxious and blaming. He used his cuss words as he displayed his faithfulness and loyalty to

his fantasy of “invisibilization.” As I urged him to call 911 to get help, it registered to me that he was angry for having his fantasy interrupted and that he was not even beginning to hear me, or see me, or the situation before him. He turned on his heels - bathrobe swirling behind him like a superhero’s cape, slammed the door and walked up the stairs behind it.

I gotta tell you I was wounded. I was shocked. I was afraid, not only for the injured man, but for myself. I was hurt, angry, afraid, and sad. I felt helpless. I prayed. As I said earlier, I was sure that being invisible only affected me or those others rendered invisible through homelessness. I know now I was

wrong. Invisibility has the potential to be dangerous to anyone. This time someone, a human being, lie on the sidewalk unconscious - head bleeding profusely. And that man in his apart-ment refused to see me. Wow.

The injured man eventually did come to, and that was a miracle in my eyes. Still bleeding and totally unaware that he had even fallen from his Segway, he refused to slow down to listen to me as well. But he was drunk. He wiped the blood from his

face and eyes like it was sweat, got on the Segway and rode off without a word. I thank God for him, as he was unaware of this dangerous po-sition or that for a moment in time he was invisible too. (This article originally appeared in Streetvibes, No. 290 | Nov. 7th-20th, 2014)

Melissa Mosby is a Contributing Writer and Distributor for Streetvibes.

BY Melissa Mosby

Invisible Too?VERSE & PROSE

Invisible?Am I invisible to you? What do you believe you will lose if you should ever really see me? We share the universe, the planet, the state and this city. We share 12th and Vine St., 13th and Main St., Court and Walnut St. We share Peaslee Park, the field at Sycamore and Woodward, and Washington Park. We share Final Fridays and Second Sundays and every day in between them in OTR. I’ve spoken to you on several occasions. When I received no response, I thought maybe I didn’t speak loud enough. Again I greeted you, “Hello, how are you?” on a different day. Clearly and audibly I asked. There was nothing obvious in the way you chose to ignore me. You never missed a beat. Yet it was there… because there is no discreet, polite way to pretend someone is invisible. (This article originally appeared in Streetvibes, No. 288 | Oct.10th-23rd, 2014)

I came face-to-face with the hard truth, and nothing but the truth, of who can be negatively affected by those who live in a fantasy world in which other human beings can be and are routinely ‘invisibilized’ ”

Photo: Xiren Bathory, deviantart.net


Last spring semester, local non-profit organization, WordPlay, instituted a new program to help broaden their academic

reach. Known for their mission to help children with literacy and creative ex-pression, WordPlay introduced their STEM Scholars Program in February of this year. From the beginning, the curriculum was designed with a focus on sustainability and responsi-ble stewardship of our environment through the STEM fields.

“Literacy spans all subjects,” explains WordPlay co-founder and Executive Director Libby Hunter. “We had a significant number of volunteer

tutors who are professionals in the STEM fields -- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math -- and began to form the idea of a pilot project that could tap their professional experience and passion for for the benefit of our students.” With one se-mester under their belts, the program continued again this fall after a very successful experience in the spring. Of the program goals, continues Hunter, “STEM Scholars provides hands-on, kinesthetic learning and disciplinary literacy for students who are tradi-tionally under-represented in these fields - children from low-income families, minorities and girls.”

“It’s not so much about teaching science basics or anything you can Google. It’s about the process,” said Curtis Maples, Coordinator for the STEM Scholars pro-gram. “The whole idea of the program is to foster scientific literacy and critical thinking among kids, get them using experimentation and hands-on activities to get the ball rolling in terms of how they think about the world.”

Maples said STEM education in the past few decades has fallen be-hind in the United States and this program is spe-cifically designed to tar-get those areas essential to true scientific literacy. No stranger to working with at-risk children in the sciences, Maples - himself a first-generation college graduate with a master’s degree in Engineering - has been instrumental as a mentor with Against the Grain Scholars. He also leads a science and math group for children at the Seven Hills Center in the West End, and currently

sits on their board. “The biggest advantage for a

program like this, is that it provides supplementary education, in terms of scientific literacy, that the schools don’t,” Maples said. “With the pro-gram, we cover anything from current events to business and art and tie it all together with science. On top of that, we’ll provide students who are historically under-represented in the STEM fields with mentorship and hands-on activities.”

The bi-weekly program, which happens every other Saturday, is geared toward junior and senior high school students and engages them

in hands-on experience that teaches critical thinking skills, inquiry-based learning and disciplinary literacy. For example, students involved in the program will work on science proj-ects ranging from thermodynamics to microbiology.

The structured 15-week program was given a significant boost for the 2014-15 academic year by generous funding from the Procter and Gam-ble Foundation and is expected to expand its reach the following year.

At the same time it launched STEM Scholars, WordPlay also formed a partnership with fellow newcomers to the local nonprofit scene, Against the Grain Scholars, founded by former middle school teacher at St. Francis Seraph, Michael Farrell, Jr. AGTS is comprised of eight high school students who specialize in the STEM curriculum. An ATG Scholar is defined as an “at-risk student who has proven, and continues to prove, their determination to excel above the odds by regularly attending school, doing their homework and respecting others.” The AGTScholars make up half the students in STEM Scholars, and serve as near-peer mentors to the younger students.

Under the leadership of Co-ordinator Curtis Maples, the STEM program is supported by a team of local professionals and educators from the WordPlay and Against the Grain Scholars volunteer corps. The program meets on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 2 to 4 pm. There are limited spaces open for new students, please contact 513-541-0930 or email [email protected] for more information.

For More Info: Stop In: 4041 Hamilton Ave.Call: (513) 541-0930Email: [email protected] Facebook: wordplaycincy

Bryan Shupe is WordPlay’s journalism intern for the fall semester 2014.

BY Bryan Shupe

Students are enthusiastic about their projects at STEM Scholars. Photos: Against the Grain Scholars

EDUCATION|WORDPLAYSTEM SCHOLARS HELPS KIDS DIVE INTO SCIENCE!


Fantastic Four (2005) Rating: PG-13

Marvel’s First Family burst onto the scene just as the comic book movie genre was finding its legs, but

before Marvel Studios laid down the foundation for their eventual massive footprint on the annual release schedule (with the studio aiming for three movies a year through 2020 and potentially beyond). Of course, several different Hollywood studios own the rights to key superhero titles, preventing Marvel and Disney from truly bringing all of their characters together for classic comic book events. But that’s not stopping those individual studios from riding the coattails of the Marvel bandwagon.

Case in point, 20th Century Fox, which maintains the rights to the Fantastic Four (as well as the X-Men franchise) is planning to reboot the First Family, releasing a brand new line-up of actors and a different origin story for the team. So, Happen’s Kids Critics are taking a hard look back at the Tim Story adaptation from 2005, which stayed fairly true to the comic book template with inventor Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), his biologist partner Sue Storm (Jessica Alba), her fiery daredevil brother Johnny (Chris

Evans), and Reed’s best friend and protector Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) blasting off into space - on a shuttle funded, in a bit of a departure from the mythology, by Reed’s rival Victor von Doom (Julian McMahon) - only to be bombarded by cosmic radiation that transforms them into a loving (and slightly dysfunctional) super-powered family. Does the lighter touch on display here work for our young critics? Let’s find out!

- TT Stern-Enzi, Cincinnati Film Critic

Big Hero 6 (2014) Rating: PG

Based on a comic by Duncan Rouleau and Steven T. Seagle, this animated feature presents the story of the bond between

Hiro Hamada (voiced by Ryan Potter), an inventive computer and technology prodigy who started out in life as a sickly kid and Baymax (voiced by Scott Adsit), the cutting-edge inflatable robot caretaker developed by Hiro’s older brother to keep the young boy safe in the futuristic world of San Fransokyo (a city that combines elements of San Francisco and Tokyo). Rather than relying on the typical superhero models of mutants or science experiments gone awry to produce super-powered beings (big unrealistic

dreams that kids latch onto), Big Hero 6 focuses on Hiro’s ability to create and manipulate technology in amazing ways, which should appeal to kids today who are growing up in an age where advances in social media and computers are setting new standards for what the future might hold for society. So, instead of big show-stopping songs and sentimental moments (as might be expected from the team behind Frozen and Wreck-It Ralph), Big Hero 6 is about a smart kid and his cohort of equally bright friends who use their intelligence to not only save the world, but potentially have an even bigger impact on it. Now that’s big thinking.

- 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 Fantastic Four (2005) and Big Hero (2014).

ART ACTIVITIES FOR PARENTS & CHILDREN4201 Hamilton Ave (& Chase) HOURS: 3:30 - 7:30PM (Tue.-Thu.) 10am - 5PM (Sat.) www.happeninc.org (513) 751-2345

Happen, Inc.’s founder and Executive Director

Submitted BY TOMMY RUEFF

Reviews of Fantastic Four (2005)

“This movie is a good superhero movie. If you like Marvel, chances are you will like this movie. Some scenes were a little over the top, but overall it was entertaining and fun.

I would give this movie 3 out of 5 stars. ”-Henry

“It is about four people who go into space and get powers. I think it’s really cool.”-Gwendolyn

“I liked the movie. They could have cut some scenes, but overall I liked it. It also followed the Fantastic Four origins well. ” -Maxwell ____________________________

Review of Big Hero 6 (2014)

This month Henry Jost, Happen’s Kid Film Critic, attended the screening of BIg Hero 6 now showing in theaters. Read Henry’s film review below and go see Big Hero 6.

“This movie was an awesome movie for the entire family. I really liked the characters and was on the edge of my seat for the whole movie.

It is like a Marvel Movie for younger kids.

I thought the main character, the boy Hiro Hamada, was a great role mod-el. I also like his hugging inflatable robot, Baymax.

The movie was filled with narrow escapes and heartwarming scenes.

I would give this movie a 4 out of 5 stars. ”-Henry Jost

screen|HAPPEN NORTHSIDEHAPPEN’S KID FILM CRITICS


ONGOING EVENTS: First Monday – Northside Business Association Monthly Meeting @ Happen, Inc. 4201 Hamilton Ave. (6PM) The Northside Business Association is a resource for all Northside Businesses and works to continually improve the neighborhood. More info: call 513-541-4745 or email: [email protected]

Third Monday (Fourth Monday January and February) – Northside Community Council Monthly Meeting @ McKie Rec Center 1655 Chase Ave. (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.

Every other Monday – The Qtet @ Northside Tavern 4163 Hamilton Ave. (9PM) Influences range from Miles Davis to Van Halen. Jazz. Front room. Cost: Free www.northsidetav.com

Every other Monday – Northside Jazz Ensemble @ Northside Tavern 4163 Hamilton Ave. (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. Jazz. Front room. Cost: Free. www.northsidetav.com

Every Monday – Mom-to-Mom support group @ Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center 4244 Hamilton Ave. (10:30am to 1pm) FREE. Children are offered an array of fun motor activities in an encouraging, safe, soft environment. www.theplaceforfamilies.com

Every Monday – Crawlers & Climbers @ Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center 4244 Hamilton Ave. (10:30-11:15am) $10 per class. Children are offered an array of fun motor activities in an encouraging, safe, soft environment. www.theplaceforfamilies.com

Every Monday – Whale of a Tale / Storytime @ Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center 4244 Hamilton Ave. (12:00 - 12.30pm) FREE. Interactive bilingual story time. Instill the love of reading within your child from infancy upward by participating in our multi-sensory story time. Weekly themes incorporate story telling, singing, and a simple take-home craft, if desired. Come with your “listening ears” on! www.theplaceforfamilies.com

Every Monday – The Marburg Collective @ The Comet 4579 Hamilton Ave. (9pm) Free. Indie/Jazz. www.cometbar.com

Every Monday – Adult Pictionary & Prank Calls w/ Steven Walls (Vampire Weekend at Bernie’s) @ Chameleon, 4114 Hamilton Ave. (11pm) Free. Game Show/Comedy.

Every Monday – Trivia @ Northside Tavern 4163 Hamilton Ave. (8PM) Cost: Free. www.sexytimekaraoke.com

Every Monday – Bomb’s Away Comedy Open Mic @ Mayday (8PM) Cost: Free. 4227 Spring Grove Ave. www.maydaynorthside.com

Every tuesday– JitterBugs @ Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center (10:30-11:15) Ages 18 months to 3 years. $10 per class. This unique movement class for beginners introduces basic terminology and the fundamental movements of ballet, modern, African and creative dance! www.theplaceforfamilies.com

Every Tuesday – Movies & Games @ Northside Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library 4219 Hamilton Ave. (3PM) For information, call 513-369-4449

Every Tuesday – Teen Movie Madness @ Northside Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library 4219 Hamilton Ave. (3PM) For information, call 513-369-4449

Every Tuesday – Zumba @ McKie Center (6PM) 1655 Chase Avenue. ”If you are perfect don’t come”- you’ll ruin our demographic.

Every Tuesday – Bike Night @ The Comet 4579 Hamilton Ave. (7pm) Motorcycle enthusiasts gathering. Free. Bikes, Burritos and Brews. www.cometbar.com

Every Tuesday – Artist In Residency: @ The Comet 4579 Hamilton Ave. (10pm) Free. Indie/Folk. www.cometbar.com

Every Tuesday – Cinthesizer @ Chameleon, 4114 Hamilton Ave. (7pm) Free. Electronic. www.thechameleonclub.com

Every Tuesday – Rap Karaoke w/ Immortal Meteor @ Chameleon, 4114 Hamilton Ave. (10pm) Free. Hip Hop. www.thechameleonclub.com

Every Tuesday – Trivia Tuesday @ Mayday (8PM) Trivia every Tuesday, with prizes and specials. Cost: Free. 4227 Spring Grove Ave. www.maydaynorthside.com

Third Tuesday– Square Dance @ Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave. (8-10:30 pm) All dances taught. Live music by the Northside Volunteers. Beer on tap. Suggested donation $5-10 to caller. It’s hip, it’s what’s happening. Each month features a different caller and live old-time music and dance. Historic tavern, resonate wooden floor for dancers, small stage for all-volunteer band.Nov 11 Tamara Loewenthal (Bloomington IN)Dec 16 T Claw & Fiddle Pie (Boulder CO)

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

Every Wednesday – Open Shop @ Mobo Bicycle CoOp 1415 Knowlton Ave. (6-9PM) Come work on your bike. For info: mobobicyclecoop.org or [email protected]

Every Wednesday – Kreative Kids @ Northside Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library 4219 Hamilton Ave. (3PM) Ages 5-12. For info call 513-369-4449

Every Wednesday – Northside Farmers Market @ Northside Presbyterian Church (7PM) 4222 Hamilton Ave.(4-7PM) This twelve-month market brings tri-state farmers to the city of Cincinnati to sell their produce, meat, eggs, crafts and fruit. NFM prides itself on bringing fresh and locally produced food to the vibrant community of Northside. More info: www.northsidefm.org

Every Wednesday – Live Acoustic Wednesdays @ Bistro Grace 4034 Hamilton Ave (6:30-9pm) we support local events, breweries and musicians. We are centrally located in Northside. We have quality food at reasonable prices and a full bar. We offer happy hour prices, drink specials and half off wines. Come join our friendly staff and enjoy our beautiful patio. Free. BistroGrace.com

Every Wednesday – Karaoke @ Chameleon, 4114 Hamilton Ave. (8pm) Free. Karaoke. www.thechameleonclub.com

Every Wednesday – Sexy Time Live Band Karaoke @ Northside Tavern 4163 Hamilton Ave. (9PM) Live band karaoke. Back room. Cost: Free. www.sexytimekaraoke.com

Every Thursday – Zumba Class @ Northside Presbyterian Church Thursday (7PM) 4222 Hamilton Ave. ”If you are perfect don’t come”- you’ll ruin our demographic.

Every Thursday – International Folk Dancing @ Clifton Community Arts Center, 7-9 PM. Line/circle dances from Eastern Europe/Middle East. No partners necessary, no experience necessary. Teaching available. For information, call 541-6306 or e-mail [email protected]. Cost $3.

Every Thursday – Slow and Steady Bike Ride @ Leaves from Hoffner Park 4104 Hamilton Avenue (7PM) Cost: Free. Join this welcoming and easy bike ride.

Every Thursday – Karaoke with Bree @ Boswell’s, 1686 Blue Rock. (8pm) Free. Great food, great drinks, great karaoke!www.facebook.com/hotwheelsentertainment

Every Thursday –Nathan Wells (Dealer)@

Chameleon, 4114 Hamilton Ave. (7pm) Free. Blues/R&B. www.thechameleonclub.com

Every first & third Thursday – Comedy Night w/ Andrew Rudick @Chameleon, 4114 Hamilton Ave. (9pm) Free. www.thechameleonclub.com

LAST Thursday – Folk & Fiction @ The Listing Loon 4124 Hamilton Ave. (6-11PM) Reading and musical performances. Cost: Free. More info: facebook.com/folkandfiction

Every Saturday – Signing Safari @ Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center (11:30-12:15) Ages 6 to 35 months. $10 per class. Join your child in singing, signing, playing, & rhyming! www.theplaceforfamilies.com

Every SATURDAY – Zumba @ McKie Center (12PM) 1655 Chase Avenue. ”If you are perfect don’t come”- you’ll ruin our demographic.

Every Saturday – International Folk Dancing @ 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 [email protected]. Cost: $5. 5343 Hamilton Ave.

Every Second Saturday – Northside Second Saturdays (6-10PM) Come see art, shop, 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 – Hook & Ladder (Vinyl Night) w/ Margaret Darling (The Seedy Seeds, Devout Wax) @ Chameleon 4114 Hamilton Ave. (9pm) Free. Vinyl / Variety. www.thechameleonclub.com

Every Second Saturday – Galaxie Art Show & Skate Park Fundraiser @ Galaxie Skate Shop, 4202 Hamilton Ave. (6pm) Free. Art. galaxieskateshop.blogspot.com

Every Second Saturday – Basement Reggae w/ Abiyah & Grover @ The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave. (9pm) Free. Reggae. www.cometbar.com

first sundays– Bulletville @ Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave. (9pm) Live music. Front room. Free. www.northsidetav.com

third sundays– DJ Harv @ Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave. (9pm) Front room. Free. www.northsidetav.com

Final sundays– The Tillers @ Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave. (9pm) Live music. Front room. Free. www.northsidetav.com

FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND NORTHSIDE THIS MONTH. events calendar – november


every sunday–SUNIGHT w/ Josiah Wolf (of Why?) @ The Comet 4579 Hamilton Ave., (10:30 PM) Free. Indie/Improvisational. www.cometbar.com

Every Sunday– Comet Bluegrass Allstars @ The Comet. (7:30PM & 9PM) The Comet house band plays two sets every Sunday. Cost: Free. 4579 Hamilton Ave.

very Second Saturday – MULAMBA (Cinthesizer) @ Chameleon 4114 Hamilton Ave. (9pm) Free. Indie/Electronic www.thechameleonclub.com

Weekdays –– OPEN STUDIO @ Happen, Inc. 4201 Hamilton Avenue. 3:30 - 7:30PM (Tue.-Thu.) & 10am - 5PM (Sat.)

UPCOMING EVENTS:Friday, November 7– Moving Our Children into and out of the Hoilday Season in a Healthy, Joyful way!s @ Craft Village, 4119 Hamilton Ave. (6:30-8:30) A month of hectic shopping that culminates in a day of frenzied consumerism- the next day the tree is at the curb, the letdown kicks in, and we’re left wondering what it was all about. So are our children. It doesn’t have to be that way! Please join us for an informal presentation and discussion on moving our children into and out of the Christmas season in

a healthier way. One simple moment each day can not only help to temper that consumer energy but can also cultivate a sense of gratitude in our children, as well as ourselves! Whatever your spiritual foundation may be, let’s create for our children a season filled with purpose, wonder and joy! Free. CraftVillageShop.com. For more info: [email protected]

Friday, November 7– Fabulous Byurd Brains @ Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave. (9pm) Free. Folk/Rock. www.northsidetav.com

Saturday November 8 – Wanderlust Pop-Up Gallery @ 4265 Chambers St. (8pm) A free opportunity to view photographs exhibiting wanderlust by fellow Northsider, Laura Woolf. The show is open to the community and will be focusing on traveling for the sake of movement. Featuring photographs from a year of traveling in Asia, the Wanderlust show is about putting oneself into unknown situations, fueled simply by curiosity and the need to move, and what is found once the traveller is there. Email: [email protected]

Saturday November 8 – Fall Shopping Event @ Future Life Now, 4138 Hamilton Avenue., Suite B (10am to 3pm) FREE. Come for a unique shopping experience including local artisan goods, fair trade and special wellness gifts and gift certificates. Hot tea and nibbles will be

served. Store wide sale on that day only, so we hope to see you! Parking on the street, or in our lot. Enter at Knowlton St. entrance. Call 513-541-5720 www.futurelifenow.com

Tuesday, November 11– Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle @ Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave. (9pm) Free. Folk/Rock. www.northsidetav.com

Saturday, November 15 – Easing In Fitness @ Future Life Now, 4138 Hamilton Avenue., Suite B (1-4pm). You know you need to exercise consistently, but you are having a hard time getting started, or a hard time sticking with it. You are not alone—the problem is universal. Easing In Fitness is a behavior-change process that removes obstacles to consistent exercise so that you can enjoy all the amazing benefits of being fit and healthy. All you need to bring is something to write with (no fitness activities required in this session), and we will transform how you think about, relate to, and experience exercise. $75. Register at 513-541-5720. www.futurelifenow.com

Saturday, November 15 – Little Trees, Mardou, and more @ Chameleon, 4114 Hamilton Ave., Free. Hard Rock. www.thechameleonclub.com

Friday, November 21 – Bones Fest w/ Bummer’s Eve and more @ Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave. (9pm) Free. Rock. www.

northsidetav.com

Saturday, November 22 – Bones Fest w/ Jackass, SS-20, and more @ Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave. (9pm) Free. Rock. www.northsidetav.com

Wednesday, November 26 – Soledad Bros w/ Buffalo Killers @ Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave. (9pm) Free. Rock. www.northsidetav.com

Wednesday, November 26 – Manitoa, Spankalicious, and more @ Chameleon, 4114 Hamilton Ave., Free. Hard Rock. www.thechameleonclub.com

Wednesday December 3 –A Jugar! Spanish speaking Playgroup @ Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center (11:00am to 1:00pm) FREE. This playgroup has been created for children being raised in either a bilingual (English/Spanish) or Spanish-speaking household and their parents. Children will have independent play time with others Spanish-speakers like themselves, while parents will have the chance to share and talk about their experience raising a bilingual child(ren) with other parents. It’s a great way to encourage children to interact in Spanish outside their home—and a great way to make new friends!. www.theplaceforfamilies.com

Do you have a northside event, class, program, or workshop you would like

listed in the Northsider? Then submit that

info:

www.northsider.northside.net

NORTHSIDE SCENE

4114 Hamilton Avenue Northside | 513-541-2073

Live Music, Spirits, Suds, and Fun!

Grant funds are available to homeowners in Northside through the Cincinnati Lead Education and Remediation Program (CLEAR). The CLEAR Program is designed to protect Cincinnati’s young children from exposure to lead-based paint in their homes. Paint in homes built before 1978 might contain lead. Lead is poi-sonous. Deteriorating lead-based paint can create a toxic dust. It is especially harmful to children. Lead poisoning is the number one environmental health hazard to children under the age of six and is 100% preventable!Assistance from this program often includes window replacement or treatment, as original wood windows in poor condition can be a major source of lead hazards in homes built before 1978. FOR MORE INFO: To apply for the grant, or to receive more information, please contact People Working Cooperatively at (513) 366-4699.

Grant Funding Available for Northside!

Research shows that students who can’t read by 4th grade are 4 times more likely to drop out. Once you learn to read, you read to learn. It is not a lack of intelligence that holds students back, but rather a lack of support systems and role models. Will you change a child’s life by simply sharing your valuable skill of reading with them, and by becoming that support system and role model they need to succeed?North Church and the community, for our fifth year, are providing one on one tutors for students at Chase Elementary. We meet at the school on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:45-4:00pm. You only have to commit to one of the days. All you have to do is show up, turn your cell phone off, and spend an hour helping a child learn to read and do simple math. All the training and supplies are provided. FOR MORE INFO: Please contact Joann Ashley, [email protected] or Gary Loomans, [email protected] to sign up or for more

Needed: one on one tutors for students at Chase Elementary


What one health care change would dramat-ically improve poor people’s chances of

surviving cancer, bring health costs down, and improve physician effec-tiveness? The answer: Patient Naviga-tion. Patient Navigators support cancer patients as they negotiate the emo-tional, mental and financial realities that they immediately face from the moment of a physician suggests a test for a possible cancer, to a diagnoses of cancer, to treatment options, to life post treatment. Both cancer patients and physicians face a set of frustrat-ing, ambiguous, and often difficult decisions that are further muddied by communication difficulties.

For too many people, the expe-rience of cancer is so filled with fear that questions about care are left unasked by patients. Instead of feeling confident about entering the health system, many people find every rea-son to postpone taking the step to find out whether or not they have cancer and at what stage. Sadly, our health systems have not figured out how to help the poor and minorities gain ac-cess to life saving treatments. For too many patients, for example, the key obstacle is just getting to and from the treatments. No major system for ade-quate patient transportation is avail-able. ( Affect. Inc. (7/20/12). Sum-mary Report: Stakeholder Research on Patient Transportation Resources. Prepared for the East Central Division, American Cancer Society.)

Similarly, changes in the insurance systems and the recording processes for doctors and nurses have added a burden that is distorting the caring process. Health care providers may have little time to hear the fears

and doubts of the patient and the patient’s family when the diagnosis is cancer. Many doctors and nurses know that the patient is unfamiliar with the terminology of diagnosis and treat-ment that are so critical for patient participation in a way that supports the best process of treatment. Effec-tive response to cancer requires the physician to understand a set of tests, many possible treatments, and the understanding and agreement of the patient. The willingness of the patient to follow the treatments are essential for success. The patient knows that they do not know as much as doctors and nurses and, most importantly, they do not want to get in the way of improv-ing their chances for success. Yet, the relationship between the patient and the health team, without any assis-tance, is likely to result in mis-steps, limited understanding on both parties part, and a weakening of the psy-chological strengths so necessary for the long process of being a successful patient. The Patient Navigator, acting as an advocate for the patient and as an advocate for the doctor, may make the critical difference in opening the communication process to its greatest strength: the combination of fully sup-ported patient care and completely clear health care treatment. Patient Navigators could make a difference in reducing the number one killer, lung cancer, by encouraging smokers to get a low dose CT scan. Getting screened, a study reports, “...reduced the number of death from lung cancer by 20 percent. (A. McKee and A. Sal-ner(9/21/14. The New York Times.)

Poor people confronting cancer face additional obstacles of access to diagnosis, comprehension of treatment options, choices of kinds physicians and hospitals, and basic needs of transportation, day-care for children, funding for cab fare, and funding for health bills not covered by insurance. The Patient Navigator is critical for the full exercise of patient choices and for assisting health care staff to understand the personal and cultural limitations and opportunities. Without a Patient Navigator, a person, fearing a lump in their breast, may approach a clinic and/or hospital with little

understanding of how to enter and be given treatment. The clinic or hospital staff may not understand the fears of the patient or his/her family member, about the stage of the cancer, on one hand, or the ways the patient can reach the hospital on a regular basis. A Patient Navigator, presenting them-selves to the patient at their request, can immediately step in and make a major difference in the allaying the fears of the patient about both the health options the hospital offers as well as the possibility of support for the basic needs of the patient.

Preparing the patient to meet the health care team starts the health care process off on a positive step. The patient “knows” they are in “good hands” that care about their possi-ble illness, and the health system has an advocate, too, to assure doctors and others that their suggestions for treatment and follow up will be heard and followed. If the Patient Naviga-tor is experienced with the hospital’s cancer resources, and with the bene-fits offered by the American Cancer Society, then the chances for a well prepared patient to meet the health care team are substantially improved. (www.cancer.org)The health care team can depend on the Patient Navigator to not “get in the way;” instead, the Patient Navigator acts as a transla-tor for both health care team and patient, offering alternative ways of communicating that attempt to clarify just what is being felt and what the health options can be, now and in the future. The Patient Navigator is also a “guide” for both parties into the often confusing world of medical jargon, hospital admissions, and meetings with doctors and nurses. Often, the patient hears only a part of what is happen-ing with their cancer and the results of their treatment. The Patient Navigator can shift the patient’s understanding to a deeper level, revealing questions that the patient may have been too afraid to ask and, sadly, too confused to understand the treatment options. For the health care team, the Patient Navigator acts as a “friendly advi-sor,” suggesting that the physician may need to repeat an explanation, or de-scribe a procedure’s risks in different

ways, or help the physician understand the family pressures on the patient.

Cancer can be a lonely and wasteful experience for the patient. For many patients, especially poor people, a new world of fear opens. Financial concerns begin to overwhelm life choices. Successful treatment of cancer requires a caring health care context and a kind of compassionate communication that is essential for the patient’s psychological and physical well-being. The Patient Navigator is that person that can step in and make a vast difference. Moreover, the Patient Navigator can make a pow-erful difference in strengthening the patient’s economic reality by helping with hospital and personal finances. Working with billing departments, physician’s offices, and monies avail-able for patients in need can ease the patient’s mind and strengthen the patient’s resolve to follow treatments. Having patients regularly in agree-ment with treatment schedules also improves the financial health of the health care system. Patients that are more attuned to the physician and hospital, and who feel more able to manage their conflicting responsibili-ties, are people that will make serious use of the health care team and hospi-tal’s resources. Currently, patients and health systems waste their lives and financial resources. Uneducated about the health care treatment process, patients are sidetracked and put their lives and welfare at risk. Why not a Patient Navigator for every patient with cancer? Anyone with cancer de-serves the humane experience of full knowledge, compassionate communica-tion, and productive partnerships with health systems. It is time.

WE, TOO, ARE Humans |ONE STEP TO BENEFIT CANCER TREATMENT FOR THE POOR: THE PATIENT NAVIGATOR

Steve Sunderland, Northsider, is director of the Peace Village and a former professor of peace at the University of Cincinnati. Samuel Joseph is a professor at Hebrew Union College.

BY Steve Sunderland and Samuel Joseph

OPINION: MEDICAL JUSTICE

Photos: Brandon Niehaus

photo stories|NORTHSIDE

Photos: Tina Gutierrez

beginning Sunday, November 30Sunday, November 23Thanksgiving Feast following worship.

All are welcome! The Spirits of ChristmasFive Verses of A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens

We are a progressive faith community where all are welcome at God’s table.

We invite you to join us for Sunday worship at 10:30 AM, and follow us on

Twitter and Facebook for the latest.

Located behind Skyline at the corner of Clifton Ave and Ludlow, Clifton UMC

has been a witness for social justice since its founding in 1892.

In 1998, we became a Reconciling Congregation, joining a network of

LGBTQ-friendly Methodist churches.

3416 Clifton Ave513-961-2998

www.cliftonumc.com

facebook.com/CliftonUMC@CliftonUMCOhio

Lunch & DinnerMon–Thu : 11.30–9Fri : 11.30–10

DinnerSat : 5–10

Happy to be in Northside!LOCATED IN THE American Can Building

FRee PaRking & Full BaR

Hours:*

4101 Spring Grove Ave

*drinks and desserts available for an hour after kitchen closes

The northsider, Nov. 2014 volume 1 | issue 14 northsider.northside.net a free community publication

Emily Buzek ValentinoSales Vice President

Cell (513) 602-7414E-mail [email protected]

2716 Observatory Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45208

Brokering Fine Homes Since 1946

comey.com

“Northside’s most prolific Realtor” – Cincinnati Enquirer, June 2013

Do you have an ad, northside event, class, program, or

workshop you would like listed in the Northsider? submit that info:

www.northsider.northside.net

Northsider Vol. 1 | Issue 14 | November 2014

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