HAMILTON — The building that houses Pen and Ink sits in a strategic location — at B and Main streets on Hamilton's west side.

        The building is the first thing you see as you cross the High Street Bridge, going west. You notice soaped messages on the windows in the area: “Save Our Block” and “Call City Manager.”

        They refer to the news that a chain drug store wants to purchase six buildings between B and C streets, demolish them and build a large pharmacy.

        The project threatens Hamilton's efforts to rehabilitate its urban core. Why bother to refurbish old buildings on High Street if a block of Main is bathed in neon?

        This week, council asked planners to look into rezoning the Main Street area as a historic district and business planned development.

        The move is long overdue. Designation as a historic district would make it more difficult to tear down the buildings — and Hamilton's past.

        Pen and Ink co-owner Amy Pelicano said people have been overwhelmingly supportive of saving the block.

        “These are beautiful, historic buildings,” she said. “This block already shows what the rest of Main Street could be like. We could make new construction fit in with the feel of the neighborhood. This is a landmark building, and removing it would permanently change the look of Main Street.”

        Dave Loeffler, president of the Dayton Lane Historic District, on the city's east side, met recently with the Main Street Area Association to explain how the process works.

        “I called them (merchants) to see what they are doing about the situation,” he said. “There was a lot of stuff in the paper with people saying, "We don't want to do anything until we see what happens.' I said, "Wait a minute. I think you should do something now.'”

        He said people in the area have considered creating a historic district before. “Now that they face losing one of Hamilton's premier blocks, they want to move,” he said.

        The block certainly qualifies as historic. The old Burg's clothing store building, in which Pen and Ink is located, was built in the 1850s in the Rossville area west of downtown.

        This week, Ms. Pelicano said she has spent much of her time talking to people who are curious about the situation.

        “So many people have called and stopped,” she said. “Everybody we have talked to wants to preserve the integrity of the neighborhood.”

        MASON — Joe Falter is writing a newsletter about the city's past. The next issue is expected in November.

        Do you have Christmas stories to share?

        For more information, contact the Mason Historical Society Museum at 398-6750.

        OXFORD — The Limper Geology Museum of Miami University will hold a free program: “Volcanism in the Azores: Causes and Consequences,” at 10 a.m. Nov. 4.

        Dr. Elizabeth Widom, a member of the geology faculty, will speak. She has spent several summers investigating the origins of magmas in the Azores and Canary Islands.

        She will speak in Room 115 of Shideler Hall, at Ohio 73 and Patterson Avenue on the campus.

       Randy McNutt's column runs on Saturday. He may be reached at 860-7118 or at The Cincinnati Enquirer, 4820 Business Center Way, Cincinnati, OH 45246.

Poll sees firm lead for Bush in Ohio
Volume raises fear of delays
N.Ky store faces obscenity charges
Clark Montessori's trademark: Music
Differences mark suspect, rapist
RAMSEY: CPS levy
Deerfield finances worrying Warren
Hidden office camera proves dud
Tristaters set to Make A Difference
HOWARD: Survivor
Museum's ex-director honored
Nephew gets 15 years to life
Payment pursuit brings award
Candidates please business
Grand jury indicts suspect on charge of murder in fatal shooting
Homes get heating help
Information about sludge flows slowly
Ky. body sleuths turn to Web
Lynne Cheney visits Owensboro elementary school
McNUTT: Save Main St.
Naberhaus makes 3 in race for commission seat
Political yard signs allowed, for now
Politics makes the grade
Program helps low-income reduce home heating bills
School board race focuses on finances
Social event of year in Ky.
Teachers trained to fill in
Urban center gets funding
Vote on liquor disputed
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report