The Mariemont Community Planning Council (CPC) has started the petition “Ohio Department of Transportation: Do Not Relocate State Route 32 Through Mariemont or its South 80 Park” and need your help to get it off the ground.

Will you take 30 seconds to sign it right now? Here’s the link:

http://www.change.org/petitions/ohio-department-of-transportation-do-not-relocate-state-route-32-through-mariemont-or-its-south-80-park

Here’s why it’s important:

Mariemont opposes this route for the following reasons;
-Destabilization of nearby hillsides
-Possible loss of National Historic Landmark Designation
-Destruction of Native American Archeological Site
-Negative environmental impact on Park and nature area
-Flawed analysis of alternative routes
-Significant reduction in Mariemont Park space
-Increased air, noise, and water pollution to people of Mariemont
-Non conformance with land use guidlelines
Public meeting on January 22 at Mariemont Elementary; 6-8 pm. Public funds being wasted continuing to pursue this option for Route 32 relocation. Please come to meeting.

You can sign our petition by clicking here.

I, like many other Mariemonters, am enjoying the 1.4 mile scenic trail around the 80 acres of farm land in the flood plain of the Little Miami River owned by Mariemont. This ample walking and biking path is a fine addition to the range of activities offered to residents of the Village.

The media contains many articles about the Wasson Line Bicycle Trail, the Eastern Corridor Project that would extend Red Bank Road to Route 32, and the Oasis Trail Transit study for public light rail transportation connecting to Downtown Cincinnati. Each of these projects impacts Mariemont’s South 80 acres. However, many barriers such as zoning, ownership, eminent domain, preservation, safety, cost and engineering stand in the way of any of these projects becoming reality any time soon.

When I hike the trail, I see additional opportunities for the Village to utilize this area such as:

1. A couple of baseball diamonds or soccer fields with a parking lot. This would alleviate some of the congestion and improve safety around Dogwood Park in the height of baseball season.
2. A shelter with a picnic area along the stretch of the trail that runs along the main channel of the Little Miami River.
3. A landing or dock along the Little Miami to accommodate small boats and give access to the River for swimming and fishing.
4. For the gardeners, a shed to house roto-tillers and power equipment, and a water line to permit irrigation during summer dry spells.
5. Dredging to open up the parallel channel of the Little Miami along which most of the trail follows to permit the channel to flow and eliminate stagnant smelly pools of water.

If the Village really pursued a robust recreational strategy to develop the 80 acres, I think it might preempt the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) from routing the connector through that area. Does this approach make sense? Let us know your thoughts.

Virtually all Mariemont homes feature one or more major additions or renovations such as conversion of the garage into a playroom, the replacement of casement windows, and the building of a family room or extra bathroom.

Typically, homeowners think of remodeling costs in terms of how much money they have in the bank rather than the home improvement project as an investment in the resale value, curb appeal, and marketability of the home.

Here is real estate data regarding the estimated average ‘appreciation value’ and return on the investment of various types of home improvements in the Midwest region.

Basement Remodel—80%

Bathroom Addition—60%

Bathroom Remodel—71%

New Deck—75%

New Windows—77%

New Siding—80%

Roof replacement—67%

Kitchen remodel—72%

New entry door—100%

As is readily apparent, each type of improvement has a different return value which should be a considered when making the final decision to proceed with a major project. You might wish to consult with friends in the real estate or construction business.  

The sensational Burning Caravan Jazz Ensemble entertains with ‘gypsy swing’ every Wednesday night beginning at 6PM at the Dilly Café. The five or more piece band under the direction of Paul Gibby with an outstanding cornet player and vocalist Chris Miller consistently energize a full house of diners with their unique brand of ‘swing’. The swing music features tunes by Cole Porter, Louis Armstrong and other swing masters and compliments the fine beers, wines and cuisine at the Dilly. The band

displays a wonderful mix of polished musicians that play for the fun and passion of fine entertainment.

The History of the Burning Caravan: It all started as an offshoot of the Cincinnati Gypsy Jazz
Society about 3 years ago. Paul Gibby and Janie Yates from Terrace Park
mastered Django Rheinhart tunes on the guitar and this resulted in the formation of a larger group including Mike Firesheets (drums), Pete Brown (bass) Chris Miller (cornet and vocals),  Mike Barrett (rhythm guitar), and Dave Edmundson, (banjo and vocals).

Wednesday night at the Dilly is no ordinary experience!

Mariemont Boy Scout Christmas Tree Sale

Mariemont Community Church Boy Scout Troop 149 will open shop. See comments below for the hours of operations. It will be located at the Mariemont Municipal Building again this year to provide quality, freshly-cut Christmas Trees to the Residents of Greater Mariemont. The Fraser Firs, White Pines and Canaan Firs of sizes ranging from four to twelve feet in height come from North Carolina. Christmas Wreaths and pine roping

are also available.

The teams of Scouts, Scout Leaders and Volunteers have a tradition of providing outstanding personalized service in helping you procure your live tree.

Meet local author Cheri Brinkman, author of Cincinnati & Soup: Recipes from the QueenCity and Great Soup and Cincinnati & Soup:  A Second Helping—More Recipes from the Queen City. Cheri Brinkman shares recipes as well as local celebrity anecdotes during this fun-filled presentation.  Monday, November 13 at 6:00 p.m.  at the Mariemont Branch Library.

Due to a very hot and dry spell during the summer, the weather bureau predicted an earlier date this year for the leaves to fall. Their forecast was accurate and huge piles of leaves are accumulating on the curbs in Mariemont with no relief in sight as the first leaf pick-up is scheduled to occur the week of November 5th. Why this late date was selected is a mystery, but I think, if there are enough complaints, the Village might consider starting earlier to clean up this mess.

The Leaf Machines have arrived. Hurrah!

Where are the Leaves?

Leaves, Leaves Everywhere