Heart of Northside

Thanks to @cmmarkjeffreys and his team for visiting the Heart of Northside! It may seem old-fashioned, but the best way to understand this place and its many interlocking functions is by visiting in person. I’d love to meet any and all community members who are curious about what I’m up to. Today, I will be at the weekly @northsidefm , offering FREE blood pressure checks and consultations along with Kaitlyn, a second year @uofcincy medical student, and representatives from the @cinci_healthdept . We’ll be at the market every week so you can come back to track your progress and discuss adjustments. Tomorrow is the @northsideparade , a 4th of July tradition! My own tradition is to hand out water in front of my building. If you plan on attending, please stop by 4222 Hamilton Ave. and say hello!

Tomorrow and every Wednesday afternoon, I will be at the @northsidefm with Kaitlyn, a second year @uofcincy medical student, and representatives from the @cinci_healthdept . We’ll be offering FREE blood pressure checks and consultations to anyone. Why are we doing this? Because, while the US spends a lot on healthcare ($4.5 trillion in 2022), only 3% of that spending is directed toward disease prevention. We are not doing enough to catch heart disease early and to prevent problems from causing irreversible damage. Many people don’t go to the doctor unless and until they’re sick. Even getting your blood pressure checked during your regular checkup is typically only once a year. But what if this could be a regular part of your community life? What if getting your blood pressure check were as easy and available as going to the weekly farmers’ market? What if, alongside this data, you receive regular medical advice? What if you track your progress and make adjustments as you go? We may be able to improve community health at the individual level. The idea makes sense, but it’s never been tested until now. If this interests you, please stop by on Wednesday, and let’s talk about this work! Look for the Blood Pressure Station next to the information kiosk. The first 20 neighbors to get a blood pressure check will receive $10 in Market Coins to use at the market!

Such a beautiful day today! I hiked through @cincyparks ’ Parker Woods and the Buttercup Valley Preserve this morning to get some fresh air and to appreciate the lovely weather. 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day is a good baseline, and I’m a fan of hiking. It builds muscle mass, helps prevent osteoporosis, and helps reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even some cancers. Plus, it’s fun, free and gives me an excuse to observe birds and plants through the seasons! How much daily exercise are you getting? #cincinnati #parkerswoods #buttercupvalley #naturepreserve #cincyparks #lovecincyparks #hiking #urbanwilderness #summerincincy #featuremeCX

There are SO MANY reasons to eat locally and seasonally. Here’s just one: it’s a chance to eat foods you may never find at a supermarket! For instance, picking gooseberries is quite labor-intensive (and possibly painful, as the bushes have thorns), which increases their cost and isn’t really viable for the supermarket business model. This small, tart fruit is in season right now, and @ourharvestcoop is one place that grows them! Stop by the farm stand at the Bahr Farm in Thursday afternoons for the freshest produce grown right here within Cincinnati city limits. If you’re lucky, you’ll find some fresh gooseberries while you’re at it! Gooseberries are closely related to currants. Just 1 cup (150 grams) of gooseberries contains 7 grams of fiber and almost half (46%) of the Daily Value of vitamin C. They are rich in antioxidants and a good source of copper, manganese, potassium, and vitamins B5 and B6.

I recently went back to school. To Solar School! @sonlight_power provides hands-on solar training in a friendly setting, located at the @civic_garden_center ’s Green Learning Station. SonLight Power designs and builds solar energy solutions for community venues in remote locations around the world, bringing clean electricity for the first time to thousands who do not have it. The Green Learning Station is a place for people to spend time outside, learning about science and sustainability concepts and how to implement them. I learned so much during the workshop! The Heart of Northside includes a flat roof that’s approximately 4,000 square feet, which will be structurally reinforced and covered with a rooftop garden and solar panels. I’m excited about updating all the building’s systems so they can better serve the community!

Earlier this year, I hosted World Voice Day, a family-friendly musical event that included workshops on gender affirming voice care, vocal health screenings, and more, featuring @voxveritatischoir , @cincinnatiopera and the Professional Voice Center of Greater Cincinnati (@provoice_cincy ). I look forward to hosting more outreach events like this!

Earlier this year, the Heart of Northside received a grant from the Northside Community Fund, administered by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation (@gcfdn )! This funding supports interior improvements to provide a more pleasant experience for community events. Jaden from @froggiescream is working on a mural for the vestibule and hallway, and I can’t wait to show you the finished product! #cincinnati #northside #northside45223 #froggiescream #diy #mural #interiormural #workinprogress #wip

Did you catch us at the @northsidefm yesterday? I was out there with Kaitlyn, a second year @uofcincy medical student who is focusing on public health. The Urban Health Project (@cincyuhp ) connected us, and I couldn’t be more pleased! We will be at the farmers’ market every Wednesday 4-7pm in the parking lot behind the Heart of Northside, right next to the information kiosk, talking to neighbors about heart health. Beginning Wed 3 Jul, we’ll perform FREE blood pressure checks. Why is this important? Because, while the US spends a lot on healthcare ($4.5 trillion in 2022), only 3% of that spending is directed toward disease prevention. We are not doing enough to catch heart disease early and to prevent problems from causing irreversible damage. Many people don’t go to the doctor unless and until they’re sick. Even getting your blood pressure checked during your regular checkup is typically only once a year. My question here is: what if this could be a regular part of your community life? What if getting your blood pressure check were as easy and available as going to the weekly farmers’ market? What if, alongside this data, you receive regular medical advice? What if you track your progress and make adjustments as you go? We may be able to improve community health at the individual level. The idea makes sense, but it’s never been tested until now. If this interests you, please stop by the Blood Pressure Station next Wednesday, and let’s talk about this work!

A really awesome façade improvement initiative is coming to Northside, courtesy of @nestnorthside , our nonprofit community development corporation! NEST recently received funding from the @city_of_cincy ’s Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program (NBDIP) for the exterior improvements of 17 locations, including the Heart of Northside. The work may include façade improvement, storefront repairs, signage, awnings and shade structures, exterior hardscapes, and exterior amenities. Katie Frazier and Sarah Thomas from NEST and Janelle Kelpe from @chroma.architecture stopped by for a site visit the other day. Their work will modernize my signage to help me better communicate to the community all the great things happening at the Heart of Northside! This transformative effort is a great tool for neighborhood improvements without the heavy cost burdens for individual property owners, and I’m so grateful that REFRESH will improve my building’s exterior while allowing me to focus on my core mission of improving community health. #cincinnati #northside #northside45223 #nestnorthside #nbdip

Neighbors, have you stopped by @lierers.market yet? This new specialty grocery store focuses on sustainable and low-waste essentials, and also offers a selection of fresh produce. These peaches are amazing! #cincinnati #northside #northside45223 #yelpcincy #lierersmarket #lowwastegrocery #refillery #refillrevolution #refillnotlandfill #sustainablelifestyle #zerowasteliving #consciousconsumerism

I’ve got something really exciting in the works! My blood pressure station is coming to the @northsidefm in July! You’ll be able to stop by for a FREE blood pressure screening and a consultation with a trained professional on next steps to take to help reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. The station will be present at the market every week so you can come back to see your progress, or find a provider through @cinci_healthdept representatives. The first 20 neighbors to get their blood pressure checked will get $10 in Market Coins to spend at the Market. Please stay tuned for details on the soft launch, and get ready for this important community service starting Wed 3 Jul 4-7pm in the parking lot behind the Heart of Northside (4222 Hamilton Ave.).

I recently had the honor of hosting a series of events on Friday afternoons for individuals with dementia at any stage, alongside their care partners, to connect through music and movement! Music in Motion was presented by Episcopal Retirement Services (@erscincinnati ) and The Giving Voice Foundation (@givingvoicefdn ), featuring an interactive, choral experience by the @cincinnatiopera , with holiday classics and lively performances to enjoy amidst yoga instructor Stacy Shirley’s gentle exercises. This was a truly wonderful experience for everyone involved, and I’m grateful to have been able to offer up the space. If you’re planning a community event or private party, please get in touch about booking the Heart of Northside! #cincinnati #northside #northside45223 #heartofnorthside #cincinnatiopera #musicinmotion