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January 26, 2006

Try a cut at Alexanders

Loretta Riley stands behind the hairdresser’s chair putting some finishing touches on a customer’s hair.

“Just have a seat; I will be done here in a couple minutes,” she says to me, as I sit down in a lobby chair and begin leafing through the first magazine in a pile of fashion magazines available atop an end table.

After the customer leaves, it is closing time and Riley, owner of Alexander’s Hair Design at the Mariemont Inn, replaces the void in the hairdresser’s chair left by the departing patron.

“The lady you just saw me with working on her hair ... she was my first standing client in 1969 when I began cutting hair,” Riley said. “There are about 22 clients who have been with me since the beginning.”

Riley didn’t start out in Mariemont, though; her career started in the late 60s with Charles Alexander, her teacher in hair design.

She worked at the Village Beauty Shop for 12 years when it was located in the Old Towne Center. After the owner of the shop retired, Riley moved her career to Red Bank Road.

When the spot at the present 6880 Wooster Pike location Riley decided it was the appropriate time to open her own shop.

“I worked here alone for almost four years; then Alexander’s Hair Design closed and we decided to combine,” she said.

“I was located at the Old Towne Center for 12 years and it was nice, but this present location is more exciting. There are the restaurants, more activity and the customers are very colorful,” Riley said.

She enjoys hair design because she enjoys working with people.

“Some of the people have been here so long they have become like family,” she said.

Riley is also addicted to fast cars. She is a member of the Ft. Thomas Corvette Club and owns a 1988 Corvette.

“I also love the Cincinnati Reds. I go to opening day every year,” she said.

To set an appointment with Riley, Charles or Alex, call 561-2022 or 561-1100.

Posted by johnston at 07:53 PM

January 24, 2006

PNC Bank a village supporter

We all know the services that banks offer: checking and savings accounts, loans, ordering $2 bills for an eccentric customer or cashing an entire paycheck in rolls of dimes.

And there are numerous other financial services that cater to each and every single person’s needs.

But Mariemont’s PNC Bank does a little more than the average bank located within the United States.

One of the bank’s services it takes most pride in offering is giving back to the community.

“One of our most important missions is doing a lot of community-oriented activities,” Branch Manager Madeana Brousseau, who has been overseeing the Mariemont branch for nearly five months, said. “We are proud with all the work we do with the community, such as the village schools, the MariElders and the Kiwanis.”

For years the PNC Bank, located on the Mariemont Square to the immediate left of The Quarter and the Mariemont Theatre, has been hosting numerous village events, such as the MariElders bake sale in December and the Kiwanis nut sale throughout the holidays. And the village’s local entertainment books fraught with coupons are available within the bank’s front doors.

“I think we are unique because the village is such a small community. We want to be involved in as much as we can as sponsor as many events as we can,” Brousseau said.

PNC Bank has also expanded, adding branches in Milford and Deerfield Township (and although expansion may not seem a big deal in regards to the Mariemont branch, but to villagers who bank with PNC this creates a greater convenience when driving through-out the Tri-State area.)

And according to Assistant Vice President of Business Banking, Karen Miles, another aspect that makes PNC Bank so popular is its “below prime-interest lines of credit.”

“Most banks are at the prime rate or a point above the prime rate ... we are a point below,” Miles, who has been at the Mariemont Branch for nearly two years, said. Of course, though, the lines of credit are based on a case-by-case situation.

For more information regarding PNC Bank or to learn how the bank might help sponsor another village activity, call the Mariemont branch at 271-0480

Posted by johnston at 12:33 AM

January 05, 2006

Sara Benjamin having winter sale

Ladies act quick.

Sara Benjamin is having their fall/winter sale on select merchandise, particularly sweaters, hats, scarves, sweatshirts, various jeans, etc., and patrons will find these items' prices cut from 30 percent to 70 percent off.

Sara Benjamin is a ladies boutique located in The Strand in Mariemont. For more information, call the store at 272-2280.

Posted by johnston at 05:57 PM

Check out the Dilly Deli this 2006

Now that 2006 is here, it is time to start getting back into the groove of things. For example, finding a routine and being cognizant of the schedules of various events is important.

The Dilly Deli has already begun promoting their 2006 events. For starters, the Deli will be hosting the Bell’s Beer Keg Tapping Party on Tuesday, Jan. 24. It ensures to be a good time for all who want to attend. Call ahead for details, though, at 561-5233.

The Deli has also resumed its “Saturday Shop Tastings”, where special guests pour wine and discuss the histories of various wines. Anyone is welcome (as long as they are 21 or older). The wine tastings are 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. every Saturday.

There will be a Mariemont Preservation Foundation tasting planned tentatively for April and a Fife Winery Tasting booked for May and the owners are hoping to have the events on the patio if the weather permits.

Of course, people may also just visit the Dilly Deli for lunch or dinner or to purchase a fine bottle of wine and their favorite choice of beer by visiting the shop at 6800 Wooster Pike in The Strand. The wine shop, bar and eatery is located beside Starbucks.

Posted by johnston at 05:54 PM