Spring time in Cincinnati, depending on the year, is also Cicada time. Mt. St Joseph University has a map tool that is allowing community members to report where they see Cicadas. Looking at the map it is interesting to see the clustering around certain areas such as Loveland, Indian Hill, and Mariemont.

The University benefits because as the community sends in Cicada sightings they gather useful data in their research. We benefit because we know when it is time to cover up our new bushes and trees to protect them. Be a part of the Cincinnati community and report your Cicada sightings.

Each year Newsweek puts out a list in the spring of its top 1300 public schools. This year 5 Cincinnati area public schools made it into the top half of that list. Sycamore (585), Mariemont (449), Indian Hill (120), Wyoming (87) and Walnut Hills (56) are excellent examples of the high quality public education available across greater Cincinnati.

The quality of the educational system, and the perception of quality of an education system can weigh heavily on the minds of buyers. It is important to do the research yourself by consulting comprehensive lists of school rankings and looking up Cincinnati School Resources on your own.

Recently at the National Relocation Conference in San Francisco, Cincinnati was named the 10th best city for relocation. The study compiled a number of factors important to relocating families for large, medium and small markets. Some of the factors included housing costs, commuting ease and access to educational and medical facilities.

Of significant note was that 30% of the top 10 cities were Midwestern; Indianapolis, Columbus, and Cincinnati. Additionally, real estate costs and access to good public education may have been significant contributors, considering the relative stability of the housing markets in all three cities.  A bit further down the list Cleveland was ranked #12 adding to the overall assertion that the Midwest is a desirable place to relocate to.

The Cincinnati Public Library Downtown Main Library location has recently undergone a major renovation. The library is continually trying to meet the advancing technological and research needs of the public in all age groups.

An area that was greatly enhanced was the Teen and Student Department. Parents will be happy to know that there is now a program called “Homework Central” which supports the educational needs of Hamilton County primary and secondary students by providing homework assistance in person, by telephone, and via the Internet.

There is also an area called “TeenSpot” which features a high-interest collection of teen print and audiovisual material, the latest technology, and an inviting and comfortably furnished floor plan that supports a wide variety of group and independent activities.

The other two areas that were improved with this renovation are the research level resources and services in local history and culture, river history, African American history, and genealogy are provided by the Genealogy and Local History Department, as well as the TechCenter which offers access to a broad spectrum of technological applications.