Eastsider Magazine October 2009

october 2009

Get Smart• Adult Education: School Isn’t Just For Kids Anymore •

• Comparing Traditional & Montessori Methods •• 529 College Savings Plans •

• Wine Tastings & Beer Blogs: Learning About Spirits •• Knowing When You Are Mentally Ready for Cosmetic Surgery •

plus: an interview with guster,nerd alert: web browser wars, & the hyde park art show

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what’s inside uoctober 09

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eastside eats: wine tastings and beer blogs - learning about spirits

guster: an interview with guster’s joe pisapia

nerd alert: the new web browser wars

hyde park square art show: art and area are both showcased in thisannual event

cosmetic surgery: are you mentally ready

adult education: school, it’s not just for kids anymore

traditional & montessori teaching methods: making the right decision for your child

529 plans: college tuition made easy?

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Today’s selection of spirits, wine, and beer is incredibly varied, with not only each type’s rich history, but new products being developed and put on the market every month. While this wide alcoholic abyss may seem intimidating to those just starting to explore a new spirit or beverage, this month’s Eastside Eats is here to detail the local tasting events and opportunities to help you take the plunge and learn more about the wonderful world of distilling and brewing. With the growing popularity of craft beers with consumers, restaurants and stores are starting to showcase their selection more often and increase both visibility and availability. Cincinnati area restaurants are starting to expand their craft beer selection, offering varieties from Stone, Avery, Dogfish Head, Victory, and many others.

Prices for these events vary; and can fit a wide range of budgets. On the lower end of the price range, there are plenty of tasting events that won’t break the bank. Some are unpublished except for a few signs in your liquor or beer stop of choice, so it’s always wise to ask the management about the upcoming schedule to ensure you won’t miss something interesting. These events usually average under $10. Catskeller (www.uc.edu/mainstreet/Catskeller.html), the student pub of the University of Cincinnati, has an excellent selection of beers and holds tastings as well. These tastings usually average $10 a person, and the crowd is a mix of students and beer enthusiasts. Ludlow Wines (www.ludlowwines.com), located next to Clifton’s gaslight district, offers both wine and beer tastings, with beer featured Saturday evening, and wine featured both Friday and Saturday night. Market Wines, (www.marketwines.net) located in Findlay market, has both wine and beer tastings weekly, often during popular Saturday and Sunday shopping times. A newsletter is emailed out to announce new tasting events, which can be

signed up for at Market Wines store or on their website. Another up and coming trend is the beer dinner—a pairing of beers, often from the same brewery, served with corresponding courses to compliment the unique tastes and flavors that can be found in craft beer. Past beer dinners include events at Lavomatic in Over the Rhine, Hugo in Oakley, and Morton’s downtown. While a beer dinner can be a more expensive experience than a smaller tasting, keep in mind that the price includes dinner and is generally a good value. Local beer blog Hoperatives (www.hoperatives.com) updates their blog often with most tasting events and beer dinners as soon as they are made aware of the events at various venues. Another local blog, My Wine Education, (www.wine-girl.net) also showcases any wine tasting events she is aware of, as well as other various spirits of interest. Reoccurring tastings can be found on a handy Google Calendar linked from her website. On Friday night at Whole Foods stores, customers have the chance to try five wines and five small dishes amid grocery shopping and browsing. The “5 after 5” will put you out $5 — only $4 if you bring back your tasting glass. Party Source, just across the river in Kentucky (www.thepartysource.com/eq_tastings.php) offers a variety of tastings. Including wine, beer, and spirits. From red wine and bacon pairings (occuring on October 15), burgers and beers (a sampling of five brews paired with a specialty burger), to single malt scotch, the classes and tastings cover a variety of topics and are hosted by knowledgeable and entertaining presenters. Prices for the events vary and range from $5-$25. Dilly Deli Cafe (www.dillydeli.com), featured in last month’s Eastside Eats, also has wine tastings on Saturday, which are announced on Fridays in the weekly newsletter, sent by email. Every Saturday, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, the Cafe conducts a wine tasting for under $1 a taste. Winemaker’s dinners, such as Domaine Chandon Winery Dinner on October 27, are also exciting events that the Cafe proudly features. When it comes to seeking out a new favorite spirit, there are lots of opportunities to try and experience in Cincinnati—as long as you know where to look and bring an open mind and sense of adventure. One of the best things about tasting events is that you have the opportunity to discover a great beverage, learn more about how it was made, and socialize with both enthusiasts, newcomers, and experts, all who may have different opinions, experiences, or advice to contribute.__________________________________________________You can read Laura Arnolds blog, Cincinnati Nomerati, at Cincinnatinomerati.blogspot.com.

eastside eatswine tastings and beer blogs: learning about spirits

www.eastsidermagazine.com | october 2009 | 5


There are two types of people in the world: those that love Guster and those that haven’t heard them yet. Okay, maybe that was said about Jeff Buckley, but the same holds true for the Boston-based group with a large and loyal fan base. Their upcoming show at the Madison Theater in Covington on November 4 will be a dual set performance, with one set celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the release of their breakthrough albmun Lost and Gone Forever, in which the album will be performed in its entirety. Eastsider Magazine caught up with one of the Gusters, the multi-talented Joe Pisapia, to get his take on music, tv. fight clubs, and Cincinnati.

How has the band changed and evolved over the past few years – since you joined the group? Musically speaking, adding another person to the mix tends to change a lot of things. For instance it lightened everyone’s load on stage and allowed for more fine tuned orchestration parts-wise. Logistically it is 8 arms rather than 6. Also I have my own mixed bag of musical ideas, just as anyone would, that are obviously different from everyone else’s as we were all living out different experiences before we all came together.

How was it for you personally coming into a band that had been well known and established before your arrival? It was both fun and strange – and at some points intimidating. I mean, one of the first shows that I played with the guys was the release of Keep it Together in Boston. There were 40 thousand people there! It was insane. Before that, the biggest shows I had ever played were exponentially smaller than that. And to be honest, I didn’t come in with the guys expecting to be in a band with them. I came on for what I thought was a few months just to help launch Keep It Together. Of course here we are 7 years later. Crazy.

How did the idea come about for the two-set concerts with one set being the entire Lost and Gone Forever album? Well, we wanted to do the LAGF album in its entirety and still play a lot of the newer stuff as well. It just seemed like the best way to fit it all into an evening and still do a variety of other material.

What is your favorite song to perform and why? Hmmm.... This is a rotating answer because I have strange little almost “crushes” on songs that come and go. One of my constant faves though is “C’mon.” I get to play bass on it and it is super fun and satisfying to play. The song comes across all “California breezy,” but in reality I am practically bludgeoning that little P bass to do my bidding. (Wow that sounded so heavy metal.)

What is your favorite TV show to perform on and why? Austin City Limits. We had the opportunity to do it years ago and it was a great experience. It truly is a show dedicated to the music. It is rare that that level of attention span and television still overlap. Oh wait, it’s on Public Television... Anyway, it was an honor to be on the show.

Guster has a large and loyal fan base. While having some “mainstream” exposure through radio, tv, and movies, most of your fans have come without a huge radio hit. Is it a conscious effort to maintain some “street cred” while always adding to your fan base? I know that in the world of Guster the fans are paramount. I am not sure, however, how conscious or unconscious we are about the street cred thing. I think we all really just want to write great songs. I think everyone in the band has a deep-rooted reverence for the “hit song.” Every songwriter has a dream of writing a song that would live on in that lexicon forever. If we interchanged the word hit with impact, you might better understand what I mean. We are intentionally trying to write/produce/perform songs that have the highest level of “impact.” The fans are highly regarded in these choices. Much higher than having impact on radio per se. So I guess in a round about way you are correct. However, I think I can speak for everyone that it would be quite an accomplishment to have a song that just naturally “hit” everyone who heard it. Listen to Rumors by Fleetwood Mac for instance. This is a great demonstration of what I mean. These are the records that keep you humble.

Why is it such a priority for the band to be so fan-centric and have so much interaction with them online, during shows, etc.? Without fans there would be no Guster tours. I wouldn’t get my little miniature hot dogs wrapped in Pillsbury crescent rolls before the shows; you see where I’m going with this.....

What music do you guys listen to, and is the music you write influenced by other musicians and sounds? There are many records in which our tastes overlap. Usually we enjoy those (what the f@#$ is the modern term for “record” or “album.”... I sound like an old person.)… let’s just say we enjoy those “collections of songs” whenever we are playing poker on the road. Yeah, personally it is hard not to be influenced by every sound you hear all the days of your life. I’m still probably trying to work out a melody that I heard all muffled and muted while in utero... everyone has this. What makes everyone unique is how they filter and select their own interpretations both consciously and unconsciously.

What happens on the bus? Are you addicted to any particular video games? Do you write more music? Have a fight club? Sleep? …? The first rule about Wii Tennis is that we don’t talk about Wii Tennis.

interview: guster


Who would win the Guster Fightclub? Me, naturally. Or if you opened it to include our crew, Gordon. I’ve seen him break boards with his head.

If you weren’t in a band, what would each of you be doing as a career/job at this point in your life? I personally love watching HGTV. I would want to be like that guy David Bromstead for instance. He always designs really creative solutions to accommodate people’s desires. It would be great to be able to bring in the homeowners, do the reveal and have them cry and hug each other, then we would all group hug and cry etc. Of course this scenario could also go terribly wrong.

What is one thing (or more) that people would be surprised to know about the band and its members? It probably wouldn’t come as any surprise to know that my brethren of Guster are also such great daddies. I love watching them engage with their little girls. It showed me a whole new side of each of them that I hadn’t ever seen before. I think it is the first time I saw the look of awe in each of them.

Do you have any particular Cincinnati memories? I do have one actually. There used to be this amazing thrift store right by the water on a main street that I think was perpendicular to the water. I wish I could be more descriptive of where it was, but it was literally one of the best I’d ever been to. (This is going back at least 10 or so years.) Anyway, they had new old stock in the basement and it was like being in a fantasy world of sweet finds. I’m sure it is luxury loft living or something by now, but stumbling upon places like that, those are the nuggets that make being on the road fun.

How does Guster define success? Now I think that’s the best question I think I’ve ever been asked. It’s so much better than “what’s the craziest thing that ever happened on the road?” And if I could answer for all of us I would most likely be clairvoyant. I can only answer honestly how I define success.... to get Joe’s answer to this and other questions, read the full interview at www.EastsiderMagazine.com.__________________________________________________Jason Jones is the Editor-in-Chief of Eastsider Magazine.

Guster: (left to right) Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, Brian Rosenworcel, and Joe Pisapia


There’s no question that the Internet, more specifically the Web, has permanently changed human socialization patterns and culture. But even though the Web has taken such a pivotal place in our lives, many give little thought to how they access it. Your choice of Web browser can affect your experience just as much as, if not more than, the bandwidth of your Internet connection. In this edition of Nerd Alert, we’ll get you up to speed on the most advanced browsers out there today.

Internet Explorer 8. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, also known as IE, has a unique place in the market due to being packaged as the default browser in Windows operating systems. After crushing Netscape Navigator in the first “Browser Wars” in 1998 - mostly due to this default advantage - Microsoft slowed down development to a complete halt with the release of IE 6. It wasn’t until the first release of Mozilla’s Firefox, that Microsoft reinvested in ongoing development of its browser. Since then, IE has mostly matched the features that originated in other browsers. While Microsoft’s increased effort is welcome, IE still does not match its competitors’ speed and standards compliance. Also, if you’re using Mac OS X or another Unix operating system, you won’t be able to run IE at all.

Firefox 3.5. You might not be able to tell now, but Firefox was started as a rebirth of the Netscape Navigator browser. Stripped down to only the most basic features, the increased speed and enhanced usability of Firefox 1.0 positioned a true competitor to IE’s throne. From the initial release in 2004, each successive version has contributed to knocking down IE’s market share from a peak of 95% to somewhere around 65% today. This rapid decline of IE usage has marked what many are calling the second wave of Browser Wars. With Firefox version 3.5, which focused on new multimedia standards and increased performance for complex pages, Firefox remains one of the best combinations of features, speed, and site compatibility. Particularly addictive are Firefox’s Add-Ons, which allow you to customize your browser nearly limitlessly. A few to get you started are Flashblock, which replaces annoying, battery-sapping Flash advertisements with a single play button; IE Tab, which allows you to view pages that are only compatible with Internet Explorer inside a tab; and the controversial Adblock Plus, which deletes nearly all the ad content on the pages that you view.

Safari 4. Apple’s Safari has made great strides in going from a somewhat weird, Mac-only browser with site-compatibility

problems to a highly competitive product that also runs on Windows. Although somewhat out-of-place in its “look and feel” on a Windows machine, there are still several reasons why someone who is not familiar with the browser might want to give it a shot. Apple has invested a lot of time in making Safari one of the fastest browsers in existence. Safari 4 is even faster than Firefox 3.5, leaving Internet Explorer completely in the dust. What this means to you is much snappier page loads, especially for highly functional, application-like sites such as Gmail. Safari now also has a nifty homepage mode that shows thumbnails of your favorite sites, tiled for easy use. If you’re familiar with the shiny, drool-inducing Cover Flow view in iTunes, it’s very similar to that.

Chrome 3. Most geeks have a Pavlovian response to rumors of upcoming Google products, and Chrome was no exception. But beyond the Google brand name, there are some truly innovative features in Chrome. One great example is the “tab isolation” security and reliability system. In browsers such as Firefox, any separation between tabs is mostly visual. If a page you are browsing in one tab tries to load a bad plug-in, for example, it can crash the whole browser, leaving you to hope that you didn’t lose any work on your other pages. In Chrome however, each tab is strictly isolated so that can never happen. A misbehaving site can at most crash its own tab, leaving the rest unaffected. It should be noted that Internet Explorer 8 is the only other browser that has duplicated this feature since its appearance in Chrome. Chrome is also an extremely fast browser, which should be no surprise given that it actually uses much of the same page displaying technology as Safari.

So which one should I use? In short, as many as you can! It’s relatively easy to install any of these browsers on your computer and give them a test drive. Importing and exporting your bookmarks between any of them should also be a straightforward process. For the Windows user, we’d definitely recommend that you upgrade your copy of Internet Explorer to version 8 before doing anything else. For Mac users, Safari 4 is still the most “Appley” experience, although it will be interesting to see the upcoming version 4 of Chrome in action, which promises OS X compatibility. Happy surfing!__________________________________________________David Arnold frequently spaces out on technology, mathematics, and games. Occasionally, he writes it down. Follow him on Twitter @david_n_arnold.

nerd alertthe new web browser wars


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Intended as a means to promote both the Hyde Park square and local artists alike, the Hyde Park Square Art Show has been an iconic event for more than four decades. Now embarking on its 43rd year, the art show doesn’t appear to be changing that any time soon. “A lot of people will tell us it’s the best art show in the area,” says Katie Luning, registrar for the Hyde Park Square Art Show. “People like it, it’s a one day thing and there’s something for everybody.” The show, which is scheduled for October 4, is set to feature 207 artists. Though predominantly local, it’s slated to feature other artists from North Carolina, Michigan, Indiana, Florida, Oklahoma and New York. “I like the variety of work we see,” says Luning, who’s been working with the show for 24 years. “We get so many good things. It goes from $10 earrings to $2,000 collector’s items.” The art at the show typically runs the gamut with a variety of different kinds of paintings, ceramics, sculpture, photography, fiber, crafts, jewelry and multi-media. “There’s also wearable stuff,” she adds. “There are reasonably priced things, hand-knitted and woven.” Luning also says the event sees between 7,000 and 9,000 visitors depending on the year. However, the number of attendees isn’t always in their control. “ Attendance usually depends on whether the Bengals are home or away,” says Luning. “I think they’re away this year so that should make the crowds a little higher.” Hyde Park Square is surrounded by a number of different

store fronts. Among them are boutique shops, restaurants, art galleries and coffee houses. Each of them look to benefit from the crowds attending the show. “That’s our biggest Sunday brunch of the year,” says Brendan Hurley, General Manager of Teller’s of Hyde Park, a restaurant located in the thick of the square. “It’s hand’s down, beats mother’s day.” Hurley, who’s been with Teller’s since it opened 12 years ago, says the restaurant can expect close to double the business that it usually does during a Sunday brunch. Typically, Sunday brunches are the busiest meal for the restaurant. He says Teller’s doesn’t need to do anything to entice customers to come in because there are already so many people just outside the door. “We just need to make sure we get the job done,” Hurley says. “That’s our biggest job that day.” He explains that the restaurant will staff up October 4 in order to keep up with the expected customer flow. The Hyde Park Square Art Show is the largest one-day art show in the Greater Cincinnati area and is free and open to the public. The event is to be held at Hyde Park Square at Edwards Road and Erie Avenue from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Those interested in going are asked to leave their dogs at home because of the congestion. For more information about the art show, visit www.hydeparksquare.org/hydeparkartshow or email [email protected].__________________________________________________Chad Reid is a Cincinnati native and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati.

hyde park square art showart and area are showcased in this annual event


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Have you ever looked in the mirror and said to yourself, “I wish I could just change my (blank)?” If you’re like most people, there is probably some aspect of your physical appearance that bothers you in some way. If it bothers you enough, you may be considering cosmetic surgery. If so, you are not alone. Despite the slumping economy, the overall number of cosmetic procedures in this country actually went up 3% from 2007 to 2008, according to statistical data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In 2008, there were a total of 12.1 million cosmetic procedures performed. These procedures range from minimally invasive options like laser skin resurfacing and Botox injections to more extensive surgeries like breast augmentation and facelifts. Regardless of the type or extent of the procedure, choosing to have cosmetic surgery of any kind is a big decision. Changing how you look in a lasting way can significantly affect you mentally as well as physically. In most cases, the results of cosmetic surgery have a strong positive affect on a patient’s self-

image and confidence. But that is not always true. Before going under the knife, laser or needle, it’s important to make sure you are adequately mentally prepared.

Managing Expectations. Before you can decide if cosmetic surgery is right for you, you have to determine if the change you would like to see in your appearance is even possible. Cosmetic surgery has come a long way in the last two decades, but it is a science not a magic act. Your skin tone, your underlying bone structure and other unique aspects of your physiology can

limit the scope of what a surgeon can actually do. According to Dr. Robert Smyth a facial plastic surgeon at The New Age Face Center in Hyde Park, cosmetic surgery is “a balancing act between what the patients want and expect versus what Mother Nature will allow you to do with their face.” The initial consultation with a surgeon is key to determining what type of result you can realistically expect from cosmetic surgery and discussing any potential complications that may occur. During the consultation, the physician will typically examine you in front of a mirror and show you what can (and cannot) be done to alter your appearance. “Realistic expectations are huge,” says Dr. Jon E. Mendelsohn a specialist in facial plastic surgery at the Advanced Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Rookwood Towers in Hyde Park. “Can we remove the bump on their nose? Yes or No. Can we make their nose look like someone else’s in a magazine when they have a completely different skin type? Of course, we can’t…We want to work with someone to understand what is possible,” he explains.

The physician will also use the initial consultation to evaluate your level of mental preparedness for surgery. In Dr. Mendelsohn’s office, patients are asked to fill out a questionnaire that covers their expectations for surgery as well as any history of past cosmetic surgeries and additional information. While not all plastic surgeons use such a questionnaire, a good surgeon will use the initial consultation to preoperatively screen for patients who may not be the best surgical and non-surgical candidates for psychological or emotional reasons.


Are you mentaly ready ? for

CosmeticSurgery

by Christa Gatewood


Motivation Is Key. Why you want to have a cosmetic procedure is just as important as what you want to have done. “I tell them [patients] that I will not operate on them unless what they are in for is something that bothers them and not somebody else,” says Dr. Smyth. “I don’t want them to come in and say, ‘well, my husband said this,’ or ‘my boyfriend said this,’ or ‘my fiancé said this.’ Unless that patient is coming in and wanting something done for themselves, then I won’t do the procedure,” he continues. Patients who have internal motivations to have cosmetic surgery such as a long-standing complaint about a particular aspect of their physical appearance are usually the best candidates for cosmetic procedures. Patients with external motivations such as trying to save a relationship, however, are often less prepared to handle cosmetic surgery and may be less satisfied with the results. In some cases, internal and external motivations may overlap. “These days we see a lot of people who are coming in because they may have lost their job,” says Dr. Mendelsohn. “Maybe they are in their mid 40s or mid 50s and are competing with younger people in a technology job or any job.” Dr. Mendelsohn points out that due to the large role that image plays in our society, “if individuals are more confident about themselves, they may be more productive.” In this situation, the external motivation of career assistance is combined with the internal motivation to look younger and feel more confident in your appearance.

In Good Hands. Once you have determined that you want cosmetic surgery for the right reasons and that you have realistic expectations of what can

be done, ask yourself if you are confident in the surgeon you have chosen. Do your due diligence to verify the credentials and experience of your surgeon so that you know you are in good hands. Your surgeon should be available to answer any and all questions you have and do all that is necessary to put you mentally at ease before the procedure. “In our practice, we spend a lot of time ahead of the procedure discussing whatever needs to be discussed with the patient,” notes Dr. Mendelsohn. “If a patient feels like they are actually developing a relationship with a surgeon and their team, they feel so much more comfortable.”

Whenever possible, it’s also helpful to speak with past patients who can give you a first-hand account of what you can expect from the surgery, the surgeon and the recovery process. “We always provide patients with the opportunity to speak to as many other patients as they want,” says Dr. Mendelsohn. When speaking with prior patients, be sure to discuss any mental effects of the procedure as well as physical effects. Did the surgery boost their self-esteem? Were they happy they did it? How did it feel to look in the mirror for the first time afterwards? If you do choose to have the surgery, knowing just what to expect from beginning to end will make your recovery processes that much easier. In the end, don’t forget that cosmetic surgery is elective surgery. There’s no reason to rush into making a decision before you are mentally and emotionally prepared. When you are ready, you won’t have any problem finding a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon right here on the Eastside.

Dr. Robert Smyth

Dr. Jon Mendelsohn


SchoolIt’s Not Just for Kids Anymore

by Stephanie Davis-Novak


Although many people still picture college students as being gangly 18 year olds, fresh out of high school, that isn’t necessarily the case any longer. An increasing number of adults over the age of 22 are choosing to attend college. In fact, according to a 2006 National Center for Education Statistics report, adults over the age of 22 made up 57% of the total enrollment in U.S. postsecondary institutions. College enrollment among adults has been steadily increasing since 1970.

Why are so many adults choosing to pick up the books these days? The reasons vary from person to person, but many adults who opt to go to college do so to give their careers a boost. Rob Caldwell, an East Walnut Hills resident who works in the insurance industry, headed back to school in his mid-20s for a graduate degree, hoping that it would result in career advantages. “I wanted another degree to help me advance my career at a much faster pace.” He also notes, “I knew that it would also help me earn a higher salary in the long run.”

Another major reason adults are going to college is to seek out a new direction. “I decided nursing just wasn’t what I wanted to do,” shrugs Victoria Butler, who lives in downtown Cincinnati. After taking various nursing management and counseling courses, she decided to pursue paralegal studies, even though doing so required a delicate balancing act with her job and her family. Steve Davis, an engineer, echoes Butler’s sentiments. “My job didn’t have much upward mobility, and electronics seemed to have a good future. At that point, I wanted another career path.” So the former grocery store manager worked toward an associate degree at Sinclair College, and eventually went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree from other universities. Some people whose jobs have been cut due to the recession are taking

advantage of the involuntary career break and go back to school, especially if they had been considering doing so anyway.

Of course, heading off to college as an adult isn’t just a simple decision. It can be a very complicated equation, involving factors such as family commitments and work responsibilities. Caldwell recalls that when he was wrestling with his decision to return to school, his three biggest concerns were time, money, and whether it would be worthwhile in the long run. Although he would be eligible for tuition reimbursement from his employer, he still had major concerns about whether he would be able to finish. “I hadn’t been the greatest student as an undergraduate,” he chuckles, “and I was really concerned about the time investment. There’s the time you spend in the classroom, but then you also have to make time to study on top of that. And when you’re working full-time, that’s a big commitment to make.” Davis struggled with many of these same concerns. “My first concern was, could I afford it? Then, could I find time to study? And could I compete with all the other guys? When you’ve been out ten years, you wonder, ‘I’ve been out so doggone long, can I still learn?’”

Adults with families also find themselves concerned about the impact that school may have on their loved ones. As an adult student, Butler was all too familiar with these concerns. “I had a husband with medical problems, a child with medical problems…. I had to give up a lot of family things, and had to go to a lot of extra lengths.” She notes that even today, she still wonders if her daughter had missed out on anything as a result of the time that Butler had to devote to her schoolwork.

Luckily, many colleges and universities have made tremendous strides in creating more flexible opportunities for adult learners. Whereas previously the only concession for adult students may have been a part-time degree option, many schools have now begun to offer special

evening or weekend programs, with online options as well. Many of the Greater Cincinnati area universities have set up educational programs specifically for adults who require flexibility. For example, the University of Cincinnati offers an Adult Scholars Accelerated Program (ASAP), which offers adult and other nontraditional students the option to accelerate their degree completion through special weekend courses (although previous coursework must be completed prior to participation). Northern Kentucky University has the Program for Adult-Centered Education (PACE), which offers four degree programs designed specifically for the needs of working adults. These programs can be finished in 4 or fewer years, taking 1 or 2 classes at a time. The College of Mt. St. Joseph, where Butler pursued her paralegal studies, offers many undergraduate degree programs for adults in a variety of formats, including evening, weekend, online, and blended (a combination of face-to-face and online). Xavier University also offers flexible options for adult students through its Center for Adult and Part-time Students (CAPS), including part-time, evening, and weekend courses. There are more options than ever before for adult learners. Cincinnati State offers a wide variety of associate’s degree and certificate programs, and has a reputation for being accommodating to adult students and having very affordable tuition rates. A full 10% of their courses are offered online, as well.

Of course, going to school doesn’t necessarily mean enrolling in a degree program. Adults can choose to take individual courses or certificate programs. Butler, for example, had taken several different types of courses ranging from fine arts to counseling before settling into paralegal studies. For someone who may still be undecided about committing to school, taking a course or two is a good way to gauge if one is mentally prepared for the time investment that school represents, and what types of studies one is interested in. Or it can also be a fun way to just try something new without jumping into

an entire program. The University of Cincinnati, for example, has developed the “Communiversity,” with a large variety of general-interest courses at dramatically reduced rates. Communiversity courses range from music lessons to economics and finance classes, and some are even online.

The needs of adult students don’t end with registration process, however. Meredith McClain, an Anderson resident who enrolled in Cincinnati State’s Interpreter Training Program, says that although she found the school to be very welcoming of adult students overall, she sometimes found it difficult to access some administrative offices and professors, due to her work schedule. “Because many of the faculty members were themselves part-time with other careers, it could also be challenging to reach them.” For these reasons, some universities have established outreach offices and services to assist adult students. For example, Xavier’s CAPS program, in addition to having specially dedicated advisors, has evening hours most days of the week, and is also open on the weekends. “We are here to assist [adult students] every step of the way,” says Kim Dulin, 1 of the 6 CAPS academic advisors. To help ease adult students’ transition back to school, CAPS can help students with course planning and registration, financial aid solutions, and transcripts review. “Many students are pleasantly surprised how many of their credits will transfer.” At the University of Cincinnati, adult student services are handled by the



specific colleges, and include extended hours and special advisory and career planning services.

With all of the unique challenges that adult learners face, they also possess some advantages over younger students. Dulin observes of the adult students she sees: “People really know what they want to do. They have more focus.” Based on her personal experience, Butler agrees. “The first time in school… I didn’t know beans from applesauce.” Upon returning as an adult however, she was more self-assured and directed. “I wasn’t naïve.” Nancy Gamon, a Cincinnati resident who is planning to return to school in several years, elaborates: “Going to college as a teenager, there are all kinds of things to learn besides coursework. There are the distractions of living away from home, separating from your parents, taking responsibility for yourself, learning to manage your

money, and experimenting with social interactions. Because I’ve already gone through all of that, I

can go back to school now and completely focus on studies, without any speculation

about whether or not I should attend a certain frat party. I also have a

broader base of experiences to draw from. I’ve worked in a variety of industries, lived in different parts of the country, and met interesting people. I can pull from a more diverse set of influences now than I could when I was younger.”

Another key advantage that adult learners possess is that

they generally have practical work experience that they can

relate to. “I’m really glad that I had that work experience before

I returned to school, versus going

into a graduate program right away,” says Caldwell. “I was able to relate a lot of what I was learning to what I had seen on the job. I had more of a foundation to work with, I think, than I would have otherwise.” Tuition reimbursement is another benefit that younger students typically don’t have. Without that financial assistance from his employer, Caldwell notes that he probably wouldn’t have been able to further his education.

Given the economic conditions, more adults than ever are thinking about college, some for the first time, some looking to try something new. Dulin advises to do plenty of research. She recommends starting with the programs in which one is interested, then looking into schools that offer those programs. Investigate the program’s schedule and cost. University websites are a great source of information about universities and their programs. They also have contact information, if you’d like to speak to an advisor, or would like more specific information about a particular academic program.

Dulin also recommends to prospective students to “be realistic, and balance out your life.” She advises students to sharpen their time-management skills, which are crucial.

McClain agrees that students should carefully consider the time commitment and encourages them, if they can, to speak to graduates or students in the programs they’re considering.

The decision to attend school as an adult can seem overwhelming. There are many commitments to balance, between one’s personal, family, and professional lives, and financial and time constraints are very real concerns. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to adult education, but the many educational options that now exist can definitely make getting an education a much more realistic and attainable goal.


With a new school year just kicking off, children everywhere are sure to have many new experiences: new schools, new teachers and new peers; some may even encounter a new teaching environment. Eastside schools employ a variety of educational methods and techniques, from traditional education to Montessori to hybrids and specialized curricula, and the differences between those educational models are significant, especially in terms of the differences between traditional education and Montessori. St. Ursula Villa in Mt. Lookout is an independent Catholic school which offers families a choice of traditional pre-K and Montessori classes, says Marta Runnels, admissions director. Parents, she says, generally decide which educational model might best serve their child after touring the facilities, attending events and classes and after determining what specific goals they have for their children. The hallmarks of a traditional education are well known to most: The focus largely is on achievement of pre-determined academic standards and core curricula; test scores, grades and competition reinforce learning; classes employ a strict teacher-

student hierarchy, with teacher dominance providing an “extrinsic motivation”; and students are grouped by age and in many cases by ability. Classes or lessons generally run for relatively brief, predetermined periods, with all students working on the same material at the same time. The Montessori approach is a little different. The North America Montessori Teachers’ Association characterizes the model as featuring blended classes consisting of children of a variety of ages in which older students mentor younger students. A kinesthetic educational model in which all the child’s senses are employed is emphasized, and allowing a child to pursue his or her interests without interruption is a basic tenet, as is learning through discovery rather than rote memorization. Thus, students work at their own pace, in blocks of time that typically run three hours. Learning is highly individualized on a per student basis. Proponents also suggest the Montessori model directs children to improved concentration, self-motivation and self-discipline. Parents also are encouraged to start children in Montessori at age three. Despite the significant differences between the two, Runnels

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is careful to point out that one is not necessarily a better than the other. There are benefits to both. “In the traditional classroom there is more of a shared experience; the kids enter together as a group and learn together as a group,” she says. “The Montessori classroom benefits the sponge-like minds of children. There’s a lot of exciting learning, learning styles are formed and independence is fostered.” Both methods also have their critics. Critics of traditional education cite a lack of critical thinking skills and a failure to integrate subject matter. Proponents point to teacher experience and innovation in countering the claim, as well as to student-teacher rations that generally allow for more significant one-on-one teaching. The student-teacher ratio in traditional classrooms is about 15 to 1 while in Montessori classrooms the ratio tends to be much higher – in the neighborhood of 30 to 1. The Montessori Foundation, based in Terra Ceia Island, Fla., points to the Montessori student-teacher ratio as an element that further promotes the goals of Montessori education. In an article posted on the foundation’s Web site, John Moncure, Ph.D., and Darlene Maxwell, Ed.D., say, “The fastest way to the information a child seeks is through the adult. The larger the student ratio to adults, the more difficulty a child looking for the easy answer has gaining the attention of the guide. A child in this situation will eventually depend on other children in the classroom, building teamwork, negotiating skills, and gaining a sense of self-reliance in being able to ‘do it myself.’” Many people also perceive the Montessori classroom as somewhat chaotic. Runnels challenges that thought process. “It’s a common misperception, she says. “Many people think Montessori is not as structured. The truth is that each student’s education is structured individually. The argument could be made that, in that regard, Montessori is more structured.” Runnels says there is also a perception that Montessori children struggle with the transition to the traditional classroom. Montessori education at the Villa ends with kindergarten. Moving into first grade, all students are blended into a traditional classroom. With the awareness that children could feel separated from their peers at this time, Runnels says the Villa proactively takes steps to integrate the student body into a whole. All students wear the same uniform, share recess and lunch periods and go on the same field trips. “We’ve been very deliberate in making those connections,” Runnels says. As a result, she says, most Montessori students have no problem adjusting to first grade and most first grade teachers cannot tell from which environment the students came. Purcell Marian is a traditional Catholic High School in East Walnut Hills. The school offers several educational tracks, from advanced placement to college preparatory to general academics to student support services. “Some kids from Montessori do have trouble transitioning

to high school while some adjust beautifully,” says Tammy Reasoner, director of communications. “It’s hard to put it in terms of one versus another – traditional vs. Montessori. For kids preparing to start at Purcell Marian, a quality education is one that gets kids excited about learning. Because every kid is different, their path to that goal is also likely to be different.” The school’s student support services works with learning disabled students. Reasoner says the same is true for these students. “Regardless of the child’s educational background, what’s most important is to be flexible in meeting the needs of that child.” And she says there are many other factors more likely to predict future academic success. An alumna of Purcell Marian, Reasoner says “parent involvement is critical,” and that it’s what caused her to want to come back to work at her alma mater. “The school really encourages parental reinforcement at home, and that reinforcement makes the time spent at school that much more effective.” Reasoner also has a few tips for parents, regardless of the grade level or teaching models they are considering. “First and foremost,” she says, “parents need to go into it with an open mind and consider every option.” She suggests families look for the widest curriculums available, and whether they are considering Montessori or traditional she says, “It’s important to look for faculty who appreciate and support different learning styles.” Because, as both Reasoner and Runnels emphasize, every child is an individual, every child is different, and there is no one perfect education for them all.__________________________________________________Kristy Conlin is an avid traveler and photographer and a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati. A native New Yorker, her heart will always belong to the Yankees. Follow her on Twitter at @Kristy Conlin.

From Montessori.edu:Montessori is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own unique pace. A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which everyone learns from one another and everyone contributes. Moreover, multiage grouping allows each child to find his or her own pace without feeling “ahead” or “behind” in relation to peers.

From Montessori.org:Children who are easily overstimulated, or those who tend to be overly aggressive, may be examples of children who might not adapt as easily to a Montessori program and who may do better in a smaller classroom setting with a more teacher-directed program that offers fewer choices and more consistent external structure.

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Nearly every American parent has to eventually face the fact that college for the kids just may break the family bank. Tuitions have continued to skyrocket over the years, often faster than a family can save up the funds needed to pay them. Luckily, there are long-term investment options available to help amass those funds without the student going into debt with student loans. One way to do just that is by utilizing a 529 Plan. What’s that, you wonder? So did I. After all, writers aren’t known for their financial savvy. After finding a ponderous amount of information

on the trusty Internet, I decided to go to Ed Finke of Financial Network Group for some clarity. Besides being President and Managing Partner of that concern, Ed also does the Simply Money call-in show on 55KRC 550 and Fox 19 with business partner Nathan Bachrach. The man knows about money and how to invest it. Perhaps more importantly, he’s also able to explain it in a way that even I can comprehend. “They’ve actually been around a long time,” he said of college savings plans in general during an interview at his Kemper Road office. “It’s just

recently that they’ve gotten a lot of press, but they were around in the form of prepaid tuition plans. The plans themselves have changed. Many states found it was way too good a deal for the people putting the money in. They were buying college credit hours at the current price, although the inflation of college costs was so great that it became a real money loser for the state.” In response to this problem, most states no longer have prepaid credit programs. Instead, they offer 529s, which allow the investors to put their money in whatever plan they choose,

529 planscollege tuition made easy?


from a state offered conservative CD to a more aggressive mutual fund and, as Ed puts it, “everything in between”. “The plans are specified for college,” he explains. “They have the advantage of growing tax free, just like with a Roth IRA. If you’re anywhere near saving for college, you should look at the 529 first, just because of the tax free nature of it”. Although these plans are named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code which provides for them, they are offered not by the federal government, but by individual states. Because of that, their terms vary from state to state. States also offer tax incentives to use their plans, allowing the purchasers to take deductions on their state taxes. But what happens if the beneficiary decides to forego college? If the fund is earmarked for a college education that never takes place, what happens to the money? Ed has a ready answer. “You can take money out, and it would be taxed as normal income, plus a ten percent penalty, just like it would if you took it out of an IRA. There are other options though, and they are pretty lenient. You can change beneficiaries to another child or grandchild, or to pay for your own education. There’re some weird uses. I mean, there are five golf schools that are approved for 529 plans.” Golf schools? Really? “Well, It’s hard to set parameters as to what is higher education and what isn’t. You could use the funds

for tuition, room and board, books… anything generally associated with school costs. I doubt it would pay for a new driver.” While I silently dismissed the idea of an accredited clown school, I mentioned to Ed that I had, just that morning, heard on NPR that the number of college admissions was down. Presumably that’s because high school graduates are reevaluating the high cost of a college education.

It seems that, in our present tight job market, most employers are now looking for at least a master’s degree when interviewing potential employees. Many young people don’t want to make such a long-term commitment to their education. With these factors in mind, universities may have begun to price themselves out of new tuitions. If the great paying job is no longer guaranteed by a degree, is the education worth the cost? “That’s a legitimate question,” Ed answered. “And some kids don’t even see it through to earn any degree. They take on massive debt,

and then a relatively high percentage of them never complete college. I think a college degree will always be important. And I don’t think that will effect 529’s, since someone besides the student - a parent or other benefactor - has already put the money in for them.” It seems that no matter how you look at it, a 529 plan is a good way to go. And, it’s relatively easy to get one started. In Ohio, you can go directly to the College Advantage website. There you can opt for a direct plan, which you buy yourself, or an Advisor plan, which would involve a licensed financial planner. Some of these plans involve multiple options within them, so if terms like “front end loaded” and “declining surrender charge” seem daunting, you may want to opt for the Advisor Plan. Still, the 529s are more straightforward than most government entities that you will encounter, and may become easier yet. In Washington, Vice President Joe Biden is now chairing a board that hopes to streamline 529 plans even more, and to eliminate some of the variances that occur between states. How the new plans will affect Golf Schools is anyone’s guess._____________________________Brian Dobbins has pandered his writing and illustrating talents through everything from novels to comic books. When he is not pounding away at the keyboard, he can often be found loitering about in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio.

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Eastsider Magazine October 2009