Are you currently looking for a home and wanting to get in on that first time home buyer tax credit? Come and see all that the city of Norwood has to offer. We have 15 houses open from 12-4 this Saturday in every price range and area. Its a great way to see all that this community has to offer. There will be refreshments and prizes at most of the homes so be sure to check them all out.

I’d love to see you there! Simply click on the individual homes below to view the specifics.
Right now is a great time to buy in Norwood!

View Norwood Open House Tour - Oct 3, 2009 in a larger map

If you haven’t tried it, you must.  It is my new favorite ‘guilt-free’ addiction, its called Yagööt.  Yes, its in Norwood so maybe I like it even a little bit better.  Well, tomorrow is your chance to try out the new flavor…. *STRAWBERRY*for free with a coupon.

Some of you may think its a Pinkberry knock-off, but our very own Busken Bakery had this recipe since 1977! here is an excerpt from their history:

“Busken Bakery, the creators of Yagööt, were whirling up their first serving of frozen yogurt in — believe it or not — 1977. Soon Busken Yogurt Salads quickly became their most popular lunchtime item. Even then, people working downtown went a little gaga for this cool, healthy, live-active-culture treat.

So what happened? As fate would have it, the dairy that was making the yogurt went out of business. And the Busken Yogurt Salad sensation of the 70s and 80s lived only in the memories of wistful Cincinnatians pining for the vibrant goodness of days gone by.

Well, that is until 2008 when the Buskens redoubled their efforts to rewrite history. They found the old formula, worked with a new dairy to tweak out the perfect balance of rich yogurt tart to smiling sweet — in a frozen concoction that’s as refreshing and healthy as it was 30 some years ago. The original tingly-tart flavor was reborn. Only this time, accompanied by a scintillating suite of specially selected toppings. And, of course, a slightly new attitude.”

While original is still my favorite and probably always will be, I’m happy to taste this new spring flavor.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  Don’t forget your coupon.

It is confirmed!

Many of you saw my twitter/facebook status last night concerning the drug bust that was apparently going on down the street from me on Buxton/Marion. Well, I assumed it was a drug bust when I saw the police a large swat vehicle and its been rumored to be a drug house. I tried to snap a few photos, but it was too dark and blurry to do it from my car… so unfortunately I don’t have any visual aids.
Well, I sent out a few emails this morning to my friends over at Citizens for a Better Norwood and they confirmed my suspicians.  3 suspects were charged with the following:

1. Andre Powers was charged with 3 counts of trafficking.  He also had a previous felony warrant for drug possession from Sharonville, plus a misdemeanor warrant from Hamilton County.

2. Jessica Lilje was charged with trafficking.

3. Pamela Moore -Woods was charged with trafficking and permitting drug abuse.

Thanks CFABN (citizens for a better Norwood) for following up and getting this information!  And many thanks to the Norwood Police department for a job well done!  We are cleaning up the streets of Norwood making it a better place for all of us to live.

Many of you already know, Linden Pointe is now moving to phase II.  This is fantastic news!  I’ve been trying to find someone for weeks now who would give me a little more information as to who is there and what is happening. Here is what I’ve found out:

Phase 1 is about 90% rented. In addition to SHP and Brown Mackie College, there are several other tenants in the first building including Public Safety and a new law firm, the Logs Group.  Building phase II is hoping to start in the spring and they are currently pre-leasing that building.  I was told they needed to have about 75% of the future building under a lease agreement before they can secure the financing so they are working on that.  There are also two build to suit users that they are working with who would occupy their own buildings. 

I’m excited about this.  I think it will really help the North West Quadrant of Norwood as far as the residential sector goes.  Go Linden Pointe!

Is it a sign of the Apocalypse? I don’t think so, but its great to actually see!  I know they had paved part of Robertson (I think it was Robertson) a little while back, but I thought maybe it was a fluke and that they would never pave anything remotely close to my house (besides Montgomery Rd).  Well friends and lovers of Norwood, they’ve started paving Buxton Ave today!!  Don’t know where Buxton is?  Well, its a sweet corridor of a short cut for all of those who live “Indian Mound near.”  Everyone uses the back roads for easy access to the highway (or Swifty Gas) and to avoid Montgomery Rd and all if its stop lights.  As I was taking these shots, the people driving by were actually cheering!!  Who would have thought that simply paving some roads would make people so gleeful??  I hope Marion is next….

If they’re paving near your house, let me know :)  We want all to share in the splendor. 

Does anyone know if there is an actual plan to the madness? Or are they just randomly picking streets to pave?

Last Friday the Norwood Young Professionals had their happy hour at Norwoods newest pub & grill, “Gordo’s.”  There was much buzz and anticipation about this restaurant opening and if you haven’t stopped by yet, be sure to do so.

Raymond Gordo, a Norwood native, has worked for some top restaurants around Cincinnati as a head chef, as well as a Sui chef for the infamous Jean-Robert.  He brings a high level of culinary expertise to Norwood and we are happy he is here.  I was extremely delighted to see “upscale bar food” and not have the same “run-of-the-mill” bar experience.  I happily enjoyed the “Jean Robert burger;” a delicious 1/2 lb burger mixed with bacon, blue cheese and topped with a grape compote and goat cheese.  Pure gastronomic delight!

The Jean Rober Burger

Join us for this great event!  Or come to the after party.  See why Norwood really does happen….

For this year’s annual Taking Care of Business event, GBC (Give Back Cincinnat) is teaming up with the City of Norwood, the Norwood Young Professionals, and Xavier University for an event to boost the appearance of the Norwood business district. Volunteers will spend the day painting local businesses and city owned buildings, landscaping, picking up trash and completing other tasks all with the ultimate goal of beautifying the city of Norwood. Lunch will be provided by local businesses. The day will end with a celebration of a job well done at Norwood’s own Stone’s Lanes with bowling, food, and drinks!

All of us Norwood residents can breath a bit easier knowing that the eye sore that is currently fenced off vacant land located on prime real estate at Edwards and Edmondson roads is going to be developed!  Not sure when, but the Enquirer reported today that Joe Horney has sold his property to the Rookwood Partners for $1.25 million.

The $1.25 million is almost twice what the Rookwood Partners paid for the property of Sanae Ichikawa-Burton and Matthew Burton, the second to last of the holdouts to sell. The Burtons received $650,000 for the house they had converted to a reading and math education center.

Read the full article

There always seems to be a place where first time home buyers flock.  Typically first time buyers want to be where the action is, but they also want to live affordably.   They want to be close to dining and shopping, but also be close to work.  They want the charm and character of an older home, because most of them grew up in the suburban cookie cutter neighborhoods.  A couple of years ago the place they flocked to was Oakley, today’s first-time home buyer is looking towards Norwood.  Oakley doesn’t have the updated affordability it once had, but Norwood does.  Located only across the 71 Interstate, Norwood has basically everything that Oakley can offer except its home prices.  There is a reason some people call it “Hyde Park Near.”

Norwood is a great place to check out if you’re looking for convenience and great home prices.  Norwood has really done a lot the past few years to change its image.  It has booming businesses and office spaces available, it is currently updating its Surrey Square complete with a new Kroger and a Chipotle and Xavier Square is heading up the south side renovations.   The stage has been set to have a Norwood revitalization and you should be a part of it.  There are beautiful traditional American Four-Square homes, bungalows and fantastic Tudors.  If you’re looking to jump in and see whats happening in Norwood then look no further.  I recently listed a great home for first time home buyers - its updated and affordable!  There are so may people who have figured this Norwood secret out.   Citizens in Norwood have even started it’s own Young Professionals Organization (open to all ages and professions). 

If you’re curious about what this city has to offer, give me a call.  I’d love to show you around.

Those of you may be aware of our beloved Surrey Square makeover that is occurring in the heart of downtown Norwood.  I drove past it today on my way to the Speckled Bird Cafe and saw that they totally demolished the old McDonald’s and Media Play sites.  YEAH, the new Kroger’s is going to be going up soon!   It made me wonder what is going to be at the other end in the new construction.   So, I asked around.   I have no sources to actually confirm this, but my original source is pretty reputable.  I heard that a Chipotleis coming to Norwood!  How very exciting!  I do hope that this rumor is true… Yummy guacamole

deadmalls.com - you can soon take our beloved Surrey Square off your list of dead malls.