Bypass the sidewalk construction on Vine Street, walk into Park + Vine Aug. 28-30 and grab a slip of paper from a bowl reading 10, 20, or 30 percent off. Apply the amount on the slip toward all clearance items and save 60-80 percent. One slip per customer, per day. All sales final.

Cincinnati City Council is considering eliminating the city’s recycling program. It’s time for the citizens of our great city to step up and notify Mayor Mark Mallory and Cincinnati City Council that they support recycling in Cincinnati. There are two quick and easy things you can do:

1. Copy-and-paste the letter posted here and send it to the Mayor and City Council at the addresses provided
2. Sign the petition to implement the proposed enhanced recycling program, which will divert more than 37,000 tons of material from the waste stream each year, at Park + Vine

Dear Mayor and Cincinnati City Council,

I would like to show my support of the city of Cincinnati’s recycling program and its proposed enhancements. Recycling is an essential service. It goes hand-and-hand with waste services. It diverts waste from the landfill and it does so in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner. It secures employment and grows our economy, too.

Currently, more than 40 percent of Cincinnatians participate in the city’s recycling program, diverting more than 12,000 tons from the landfill. With the implementation of the enhanced program, and providing everyone in the city with the tools to recycle, Cincinnati will have the opportunity to divert more than 37,000 tons of material from the waste stream each year, saving the city an estimated $4.6 million in tipping fees over the next 10 years.

Implementing the enhanced recycling program would help chip away at the city’s growing budget deficit, as it is projected to save the city $20,000 in 2009, $240,000 in 2010, and $29,000 in 2011. Additionally, residents would have more than $200 in additional spending power each year, with the potential of injecting $20 million back in the local economy, by adopting the RecycleBank program in which retailers pay for discounts and free merchandise to be used as incentives for active recyclers.

I am proud to support the city’s recycling program to ensure the city remains fiscally and environmentally responsible, and formally requested City Council approve implementing the proposed enhanced recycling program.

MAYOR AND CINCINNATI CITY COUNCIL CONTACTS

Mayor Mark Mallory
801 Plum St. Rm 150
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3250
Fax: (513) 352-5201
Email: mark.mallory@cincinnati-oh.gov

Vice Mayor David Crowley
801 Plum St. Rm 356
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-2453
Fax: (513) 352-2365
david.crowley@cincinnati-oh.gov

Y. Laketa Cole
801 Plum St. Rm 351
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3466
Fax: (513) 352-3957
laketa.cole@cincinnati-oh.gov

Jeff Berding
801 Plum St. Rm 350
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3283
Fax: (513) 352-3289
jeff.berding@cincinnati-oh.gov

Chris Bortz
801 Plum St. Rm 348
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3255
Fax: (513) 3264
chris.bortz@cincinnati-oh.gov

Greg Harris
801 Plum St. Rm 346B
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-5303
Fax: (513) 352-4657
greg.harris@cincinnati-oh.gov

Leslie Ghiz
801 Plum St. Rm 354
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3344
Fax: (513) 352-3277
leslie.ghiz@cincinnati-oh.gov

Chris Monzel
801 Plum St. Rm 352
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3653
Fax: (513) 352-4649
chris.monzel@cincinnati-oh.gov

Roxanne Qualls
801 Plum St. Rm 346A
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3604
Fax: (513) 352-3621
roxanne.qualls@cincinnati-oh.gov

Cecil Thomas
801 Plum St. Rm 349
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
Phone: (513) 352-3499
Fax: (513) 352-3218
cecil.thomas@cincinnati-oh.gov

There are some new wares here at Park + Vine and we’re here to tell you about the ones that excite us most:

Kissaluvs
We’re happy to add this hard-working and economical fitted diaper to our selection. The smallest size is especially loved for newborns, because of the way it snaps below the belly button for a comfy fit. These little cuties are made in the USA with American-milled fabric. $13.95

New and returning books
We have a number of new titles on our shelves, many of which are food-related. Maybe it’s because our mouths are constantly salivating as we peruse the multitude of in-season veggies at farmers’ markets around town. If you need any fresh recipes, you can check out one of our ever-growing selection of cookbooks like “Babycakes Cookbook,” “How It All Vegan,” and “Vegan Lunchbox Around the World.” Or if you’re after food for thought, Micheal Pollan’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” is back in stock, along with plenty of copies of Barbara Kingsolver’s “Animal Vegetable Miracle.”

Speaker note: Michael Pollan is speaking at the Schiff Family Center at Xavier University 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. Pollan, also the author of “In Defense of Food,” was very visible in the movies “Fresh” and “Food, Inc,” and has helped mobilize a discussion around the country about the American industrial food system and its colossal dysfunction.

ChicoBag
The Park + Vine ChicoBag is back. It’s cute, ultra-compact, reusable, washable, an easy gift, and, of course, ecologically-friendly. Pick up this updated design by Cory Shafer for $7.50. We’re super-excited about unpacking our upcoming shipment of new Daypack, Messenger and Sling bags made from recycled plastic drinking bottles, too.

“From Cincinnati To You” features photography by Artist Judy Zirkelbach at Park + Vine, 1109 Vine Street. Zirkelbach documents a range of iconic Cincinnati images, including a Graeter’s sign and a stone bridge in Spring Grove Cemetery. This show opens 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28 and continues through Sept. 20.

Park + Vine keeps its doors open late the last Friday of every month, along with other spots on Vine and Main Streets and at the Pendleton Art Center, as art lovers get a close-up look at the artists and artisans at work in Cincinnati.

“20th Century Theatre, Oakley” – Judy Zirkelbach

Dear SIGG Customer,

(STAMFORD CT) – Within the scientific community, the safety of the packaging ingredient bisphenol A (BPA) remains the subject of considerable debate and controversy as evidenced by the FDA meetings on the topic this month. For decades, BPA has been the industry standard for protective coatings – approved by food and health regulators around the world. One year ago, Andrew von Eschenbach, the Commissioner of the FDA, announced that, “The science we have reviewed does not justify recommending that anyone discontinue using products containing BPA.” At that time, SIGG Switzerland, the world leader in premium reusable bottles, had already made the transition into bottles that are BPA free.

Within the reusable bottle water category, polycarbonate plastic bottles (#7) came under scrutiny in early 2008 because they were found to leach BPA. As a result, many consumers turned to metal bottles (aluminum and stainless steel) because these bottles had no issues with BPA migration. Prior to its transition, SIGG utilized a water-based epoxy liner which contained a trace amount of BPA. The bottles were thoroughly and regularly tested in both the USA and Switzerland and all tests revealed absolutely no migration or leaching of BPA or any other substance from the protective inner liner. These tests have been public information on the SIGG website for several years and remain there today.

Despite the fact that these bottles were manufactured well within strict international regulations and posed no health risk, my team and I initiated a project in June 2006 to develop a new liner which would be both BPA free and produced in a more environmentally friendly manner. We recognized early that there were questions surrounding BPA and we wanted to be sure that we had a bottle liner that you, our customers, could have absolute confidence in.

After two years of comprehensive testing and development and a one million dollar investment in new equipment for our Swiss factory, SIGG began producing bottles with our new, next generation “EcoCare” liner in August 2008. Providing the same quality and protection afforded by the previous liner, this new powder-based, co-polyester coating has been thoroughly tested and is certified to be 100% free of BPA, phthalates, BADGE, BFDGE, and NOGE. It is also environmentally friendly as its application generates virtually no waste and utilizes no organic solvents or VOCs. Our new bottle liner is not only a technological advance; it’s a major step forward in SIGG’s journey towards sustainability.

To be clear, all SIGG bottles made since August 2008 contain our new BPA free EcoCare liner. SIGG bottles manufactured prior to August 2008 have the former water-based epoxy liner which contains trace amounts of BPA. These bottles have been thoroughly tested and showed 0% leaching of BPA. It is easy to determine which liner you have, as they are of 2 distinctly different colors. Visit MySIGG.com/liner to see photos comparing the two.

The primary reason that I am writing this letter today is because I believe that the BPA conversation has changed dramatically in the last 12 months. Last year, the primary concern was that of BPA leaching from bottles. Since that time the dialogue has evolved such that now some people are concerned about the mere presence of BPA and some states are considering legislation.

I am proud to say that SIGG took action quickly back in 2006 to begin the development of a high performance bottle liner that is BPA free. In addition, we have developed this special section on our website that we will be updating regularly where you can find independent laboratory testing on SIGG and other bottle brands as well as an update on the BPA situation as it continues to develop. We want our current and potential customers to have the facts.

SIGG is a Swiss company that has earned a reputation for quality over the last 100 years. Our success has been a result of ensuring that SIGG customers are always and completely satisfied with our products and our service. If you have further questions or comments please feel free to e-mail me directly at steve.wasik.ceo@sigg.com.

Sincerely,

Steve Wasik
CEO, SIGG Switzerland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Operations update: The city of Cincinnati is suspending curb side collection of yard waste offered to residences and business owners:

• Beginning Friday, August 21, 2009, yard waste collection will no longer be collected as a separate service
• Regular garbage collection will continue to occur on regularly scheduled days. This service remains unaffected
• Citizens are encouraged to engage in alternate environmentally friendly uses for their yard waste such as composting and mulching when ever practical
• Yard waste that is commingled with regular garbage will be collected as part of the regular garbage collection but citizens are encouraged to opt for greener methods of disposal

Several yard waste drop-off sites are in operation across Hamilton County. Residents are strongly encouraged to freely utilize these sites to supplement their regular yard waste collection service:

Central: Cincinnati Public Services – 3320 Millcreek Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45223
March 28 – November 22, 2009 (Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
January 2 and January 9, 2010 (Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Closed holidays

East: Bzak Landscaping – 3295 Turpin Lane (off Rt. 32), Anderson Township
March 28 – November 22, 2009 (Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
January 2 and January 9, 2010 (Saturday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
Closed Independence Day (July 4)
During the week 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7

West: Kuliga Park, 6717 Bridgetown Road, Green Township
March 28 – November 22, 2009 (Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
January 2 and January 9, 2010 (Saturday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
Closed Independence Day (July 4)

North: Rumpke Landfill – Struble Road and Colerain Avenue, Colerain Township
March 28 – November 22, 2009 (Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
January 2 and January 9, 2010 (Saturday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
Closed Independence Day (July 4)

Call 513-591-6000, or visit the city of Cincinnati Web site, for more information

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We’ve added a membership perk to Enjoy the Arts’ fall membership drive, which gets members quick access to many Cincinnati arts events. Check this out:

Become a new member of Enjoy the Arts and receive a free ETA canvas bag. Bring your canvas tote bag to Park + Vine before Sept. 30 and receive 10% off everything you can reasonably fit inside. Limited to one visit per ETA member, while supplies last. Bag must be picked up from the ETA office, 1338 Main Street, during regular business hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Enjoy the Arts is a membership organization that provides opportunities for people of all ages to experience the arts. The goal is to foster lifelong arts patronage. Enjoy the Arts facilitates cincinnatiArts.com, the online arts portal for the region, too.