Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND, OHIO - Grannys Garden School needs class coordinators

LOVELAND, OHIO - Stephanie Sarnecki (left) and Peg Sulfsted were tending the gardens at the Loveland Elementary and Primary schools on Friday. Sarnecki is garden founder Roberta Paolo's assistant and she describes Sulfsted as the garden's "knowledge bank" and seed expert. Sulfsted trades seeds on the internet and procures seeds from large seed companies from their excess stock or asks them for last year's seeds.

Acording to Paolo, coordinators are the most important part of the Granny's Garden School program and she needs more for the upcoming school year.

Paolo said, "Teachers will tell you that having dedicated garden volunteers is what makes it possible for their class to get the most learning from their class garden."

Each classroom needs one or two people to be in charge (coordinate) and 4-5 garden volunteers to help with the activities.

You do not need to know how to garden. Paolo said, "We will teach you what you need to know."

Since early spring, volunteers have been working with present coordinators and teachers to develop new support material. Training will be starting soon. If you think this might be something you are interested in doing, you can attend one or both of two training workshops. You are welcome to bring your children and they can take part in the program. There is no charge but you do need to register by e-mailing Granny at: schoolgarden@fuse.net.

Wednesday, August 11th, 8-11 a.m.

Jane Gonzales is an Environmental Educator with Mothers Nature, Inc. The company provides in-house field trips for preschool through second grade to schools located all over the tri-state area. As a mother of two, she realizes that even the youngest citizen can make a positive impact on their environment. Gonzales is particularly interested in helping children become aware that nature is as close as their own back yard. To that end, she volunteers for Grannys Garden School and The Cincinnati Nature Center in an educational capacity.

Techniques for working in the gardens with 25 kids.
Tips for teaching about garden insects.
Points of interest on the nature trail.
Available supplies and teaching material and how to us it

Wednesday, August 18th, 8-11 a.m.
Topic: Identifying and using culinary herbs and edible flowers and herbs in the pioneer garden.

Rita Heikenfeld, CCP, Herbalist
Identifying and using culinary herbs and edible flowers
Tour the herb garden picking herbs and edible flowers under Rita's guidance.
The class will prepare a variety of dishes using the herbs and flowers gathered with other simple ingredients.
Sit down together and enjoy the fruits of our labors.

Rita will share her knowledgeable about culinary herbs and Peggy French will cover how herbs were used by the pioneers. Peggy French: is a retired Loveland City Schools teacher and volunteers at the Loveland Historical Museum as a tour guide for school groups that includes the herb garden at the Museum. Peggy will be sharing some of the information she has cultivated about how the pioneers used herbs.

For more information about Grannys Garden School:
http://www.grannysgardenschool.com

loveland, ohio - good for the goose?

Loveland, Ohio - Loveland Councilman gives signs to City at Cost - NO GOOD DEED EVER GOES UNPUNISHED

LOVELAND, OHIO - Paul Elliott, who serves on Loveland City Council, also owns Apex Imprinted Sportswear and Promotional Specialties.

He was contacted this year to provide yard type signs as he has for at least seven prior years for Loveland’s Concerts in the Park. In the past, Elliott provided these signs at a reasonable price and a reasonable markup.

But, this year was different because Elliott had been elected to a seat on Loveland’s City Council. Elliott took the order, easily expedited it because his supplier already had the basic artwork on file, delivered the signs, and sent the City an invoice for his cost only. No markup - nothing added to the invoice Elliott received from his supplier.

This year was different also in that long after the City had used the signs and nearing the end of the concert season, the City Manager Fred Enderle refused to pay the bill, claiming he couldn’t because Elliott should have never taken the order from the city because he was on city council.

At the June 22 council meeting, Councilwoman Katie Showler asked Enderle if he intended to pay the bill. When he said he wouldn't unless council voted to pay it, Showler made a motion to pay the bill. The motion was seconded by Todd Osborne who said he had no problem with paying the bill if no profits were made.

It didn’t end there however, as city administration, with the aid of council members Dan Daly, Rob Weisgerber, and Vice Mayor Joe Schickel managed to get in a few good barbs at the council meeting where Elliott said he would withdraw the invoice and apologized for completing the business transaction.

And it didn’t end there, as within days, Mayor Brad Greenberg called a local newspaper to make sure they had picked up on the scandal. Also, Assistant City Manager, Tom Carroll managed to squeeze the scandalous tidbit into a conversation he was having on an unrelated subject with a news reporter. Of course this got the media attention Carroll and Greenberg sought, and Elliott deserved.

The bill was approximately $300.00 and the signs are still being used around town.

LOVELAND, OHIO - ZONING PUBLIC HEARING CHAIRED BY GOSHEN TOWNSHIP RESIDENT

LOVELAND, OHIO - The public hearing held Tuesday night to hear public comments about changing the Loveland Zoning Code was chaired by Goshen Township resident John Hill.

Hill, a Chamber of Commerce Trustee, chaired the meeting that was convened to hear Loveland residents concerns/suggestions about the current code and its relation to Loveland's Comprehensive Plan.

In attendance, besides the committee were, three Loveland residents whose businesses are members of the Chamber of Commerce, two Chamber of Commerce employees, one Chamber Trustee, another Chamber member (and City Council member), and a past Chamber President. No one from the public at large attended.

The Chamber had solicited the opinion of some of its members that do business in Loveland and had prepared a list of changes to the zoning code they were recommending. Two Chamber Trustees who do not live in Loveland, Georgia Porter and John Hill also sit on the council appointed committee that will recommend zoning changes to city council. Hill and Porter were listening to recommendations coming from the organization they guide as trustees.

Although the Committee was appointed by City Council with the sole purpose of reconciling differences between the City Zoning Code and the City Comprehensive Plan, most of the discussion has been a potpourri of suggestions on how to change the zoning of the Loveland Madeira Road business corridor. None of the members of the committee or those in attendance at Tuesday's public hearing have either a businesses in, or live in the corridor. The Comprehensive Plan has rarely been mentioned, and what it says about the future of the Loveland Madeira Road corridor was not discussed at Tuesday's meeting.

Because of confusion about the time the meeting was supposed to start, the elected chairman of the committee, Norman Neal was not present at the start of the meeting. Hill, as vice chair was eager to start the public hearing immediately even though the committee chair and another committee member had not yet arrived. Tom Carroll, the Assistant City Manager blamed the confusion about the starting time on a local newspaper, but a city issued press release, as well as the City web site said the meeting started at 6:30, not 6:00.

Neal arrived at the meeting at 6:25 P.M.

LOVELAND, OHIO - PUBLIC LIBRARIES will have limited services, August 1 through Sunday, August 8

LOVELAND, OHIO - During the period of Sunday, August 1 through Friday, August 8, local branches of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County will have limited services.

To prepare for a final transition to their new catalog, all Library agencies will be closed on Saturday, August 7 and Sunday, August 8 as they switch from the old CINCH catalog to a new catalogue service.

However, during the days of limited services (August 1-6) the libraries can:

Check out materials if you have your library card.
Offer reading recommendations.
Answer reference questions.
Make sure that items you borrow will not be due this week.
Call another location to check on the availability of an item and have them hold it for you to go and pick up.
Access all information (except the catalog) on our web site.

They cannot:
Look up your library card number or access your account. (So bring your library card!)
Rely on memorized library card numbers.
Issue or renew library cards.
Renew material.
Print out a list of items currently checked out on your card.
Place reserves.
Have items sent from one location to another.
Access the Library’s catalog or Newsdex.

In a prepared statement from the Library they said, “Although we hate to inconvenience our customers (even for a limited time), we are looking forward to offering everyone a wonderful new resource that will make it easier for them to locate the information they need.”

For more information about our new catalog and how service will be affected from August 1 to August 8, please contact your local branch - Loveland - 369-4476, Miami Township - 369-6050, Symmes Township - 369-6001.

For information about the new catalogue system go to: http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/news/bigchanges.asp

LOVELAND, OHIO - Sunday's Concert in Nisbet Park

Italy - CENTRIFUGAL RUNNING TRACK

Permits running as if carrying extra weight, therefore avoiding race errors, loss of balance, giddiness and injury as a result of wearing weightsi.

Maintain the natural running stance. Allows the same forward inclination of the chest and equal placing of the soles of the feet as in natural running, but without any extra weight load necessary used in athletic training in order to strengthen the muscles.

Major increase in the development of the muscles used whilst training.

Maximum development of strength in running Favourable improvement in muscle strength with consequential training advantages, above all increase in speed.

Useful to improve frequency of pace. In as much that the track simulates a gravitational field of greater gravitational pull than that of the earth, encouraging a faster pace than that of running on a normal track.

The load may be regulated with great ease whilst running by changing the inclination of the platform.

Gives maximum tone to the leg muscles whilst putting no added pressure on the spinal column.

It may be used by all athletes who want to improve their running from those who participate in team sports to distance runners and sprinters, practically everyone who requires strengthening their leg muscles without using extra weights and without changing the style of running

It is convenient for warming up in small areas, maintaining the same stance of normal running without using any weights.

Allows training to take place indoors where there may be little space when the outdoor weather conditions prevent it.

Permits race testing with natural performance and without the use of any weights.

Allows several athletes to run at the same time in a limited area.

http://www.pistacentrifuga.com/eng_new/index_e.htm

Click here to read THE CENTRIFUGAL TRAINING METHOD Download la_pista_centrifuga.html

Santa Monica, California - Kerry / Bush Singalong

"Kerry / Bush Singalong" link points to the JibJab cartoon which appeared on TV last week and which is going around the email chains this week...

They posted their three-minute video of the song on their Web site, jibjab.com, and it quickly resonated with Americans of all political stripes.

And in case you missed it... the best bipartisan jib-jab around.

"This Land", Woody Guthrie's aw-shucks hit song adapted for the average jaded American voter.

In 1998, brothers Gregg and Evan Spiridellis saw a dancing doodie and it changed their lives forever - it was in a cartoon broadcast over the Internet. Today, Gregg and Evan run JibJab from a warehouse in Santa Monica, California– slightly less cliched than a garage in Brooklyn, but evidence of their continued desire to be “hip” in the eyes of those who pay them big bucks to pursue their craft.

To see the animated cartoon go to: http://www.jibjab.com/

LOVELAND, OHIO - CONCERT IN NISBET PARK SUNDAY

LOVELAND, OHIO - The Calhoun Street Jazz Quintet performs this Sunday, July 25th, at the City of Loveland's Concert Series at Nisbet Park Amphitheater.

The band will be performing from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.

Nisbet Park is located at the 100 block of West Loveland Avenue along the scenic Little Miami bike trail and the Little Miami River. Enter the park from Karl Brown Way or Railroad Avenue. Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic if you want - this event is FREE and for the whole family.

LOVELAND, OHIO - If he were still there, would Jesus be turning over in his grave?

LOVELAND, OHIO - The Matthew's 25 Ministries building at 1425 Loveland Madeira Road will be turned into a gun shooting range if the owners of Shooter's Supply can convince Loveland Council to change the Zoning Code to allow the discharge of firearms inside city limits.

Shooter's Supply currently sells guns and ammunition at a location in Shopper's Haven Shopping Center. Attorney William Gustavson, representing the gun storeowners, asked Loveland Council on July 13 to change Section 137.08 of the Loveland Zoning Code. The code currently prohibits the discharge of firearms within city limits unless by a police officer or others engaged in "defense of persons or property."

The Mathew 25 building is being vacated because they are moving to a location in Blue Ash. Their mission is to fulfill the Christian Gospel in
Matthew 25:34-40 of the New Testament by "providing nutritional food to the hungry, clean water to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, affordable shelter to the homeless, medical care to the ill, and humanitarian supplies to prisoners." The organization became a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit in 1992. In November 2002, they celebrated sending their 1,000th forty foot ocean going container (including 30 U.S.A.F. cargo planes) carrying over 21,000,000 pounds of products valued at an estimated $178,000,000. According to information on their web site, "At any given time they are processing literally millions of dollars worth of donated products destined for one or more of the 30 desperately poor countries we serve worldwide."

Council member Rob Weisgerber said of the shooting range, "Personally, I don't mind if it is across the street from my house, but my neighbors might have other concerns." The prososed shooting range is ajacent to a residential neighborhood.

He then asked Gustavson if they had any information that hopefully might alleviate concerns of nearby residents that aren’t familiar with ranges. Gustavson said he could gather information for Weisgerber before a public hearing on the zone change to help him deal with the concerns, so the residents can be convinced the shooting range, "would really not have an impact on their neighborhood. "I will see that this is done before the zoning hearing."

Gustavson described the proposed shooting range as, "State of the art - as safe as you can make a facility." He said bullets and sound would not escape.

Gustavson said, "A gun is a tool and it can be used to harm, it can be used for many different purposes. "But, it is merely a tool and like using a chain saw or any other tool if you use the equipment safely it can be a very enjoyable sport."

Council member Joe Schickel seemingly speaking on behalf of the whole council said, "I just want to thank Shooter's Supply for coming tonight and for being a business on Loveland Madeira Road and we're excited about their plans to expand and to stay in Loveland. Speaking for himself he said, "I have a very positive reaction to this move."

Gustavson said the sale contract had not yet been signed and that Shooter's Supply was not the buyer of the property, but would lease or rent space in the building. He said the project would move along "pretty quickly" and they have hired an architect and may be open in December.

A secretary at Mathew 25 Ministries who did not want to be identified said, "This was as much a surprise to us as it is to anybody else." She said she has heard no strong opinions from members, "No one is quitting over this, but there have been some jokes about it."

She said Reverend Wendell Mettey, the founder of the organization could not be reached for comment because he was on a trip to Nicaragua and would not be back until next week.

At the suggestion of Fred Enderle, the Loveland City Manager, council member Todd Osborne moved to set a public hearing on the zoning code change for August 10. All council members voted to move forward with preparing the legislation necessary to implement the code change.

Washington, DC - 911 Commission Issues Final Report

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9-11 Commission) released its, unanimous final report to the American people yesterday.

The report can be found at: www.9-11commission.gov

The final report is the Commission’s accounting of the facts and circumstances surrounding the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as well as recommendations for corrective measures that can be taken to prevent acts of terrorism.

"I am honored to present the report to the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the American people for their consideration," said Thomas H. Kean, Chair of the Commission. "Ten Commissioners—five Republicans and five Democrats chosen by elected leaders from our nation’s capital at a time of great partisan division—have come together to present this report without dissent. "This report is a product of a Commission that came together with a unity of purpose that our nation demanded," said Kean. "September 11, 2001, was a day of unprecedented shock and suffering in the history of the United States. The nation was unprepared."

In its final report, the Commission issued 37 recommendations to help prevent future terrorist attacks, divided into sections detailing a global strategy and a government reorganization necessary to implement such a strategy. The Commission summarized its recommended global strategy into three pillars: (1) attacking terrorists and their organizations; (2) preventing the continued growth of Islamist terrorism; and (3) protecting and preparing for terrorist attacks.

"The first phase of our post-9/11 efforts rightly included military action to topple the Taliban and pursue al Qaeda," said Vice Chair Lee H. Hamilton. "But long-term success demands the use of all elements of national power: diplomacy, intelligence, covert action, law enforcement, economic policy, foreign aid, public diplomacy, and homeland defense. If we favor one tool while neglecting others, we leave ourselves vulnerable and weaken our national effort."

Since December of 2002, the Family Steering Committee (FSC) has followed the course of the 9/11 Commission. From the Commission's inception, the FSC sought to maintain a close working relationship with the Commission by providing it with documented research, along with the questions it generated, and by communicating concerns about the progress of the investigation.

In a press release issued Tuesday, the Family Steering Committee said, "While we believe that our concerns were acknowledged, we had also hoped that more of our questions and those of the American public would be fully addressed during the public hearings, or at the very least, discussed in the prepared staff statements. Yet today, many of our collective questions remain unanswered. "The vulnerabilities in our security network cannot be rectified until they have been identified through a process in which issues are thoroughly examined, witnesses are fully questioned, accountability is wholly assigned and sound conclusions are ultimately drawn. It is only after this vetting process that we - the American people - can be confident that critically important changes and reforms will be expeditiously implemented."

The web site for the Family Steering Committee is: http://911independentcommission.org

To implement their strategy, the 911 Commission proposed a five-part plan to build unity of effort across the U.S. government: (1) closing the foreign-domestic divide by linking intelligence and operational planning in a new National Counterterrorism Center; (2) bringing the intelligence community together under a National Intelligence Director and national intelligence centers; (3) encouraging information sharing through government through decentralized networks; (4) centralizing and strengthening congressional oversight of intelligence and homeland security issues; and (5) strengthening the national security workforce within the FBI and clarifying the missions of the departments of Defense and Homeland Security.

"No president can promise that a catastrophic attack like that of 9-11 will not happen again," said Hamilton. "But the American people are entitled to expect that officials will have realistic objectives, clear guidance, and effective organization. They are entitled to see standards for performance so they can judge, with the help of their elected representatives, whether the objectives are being met."

In the report, the Commission provided the support for these recommendations with an account of the events surrounding September 11, 2001, including particular findings. While specifics may be found in the final report, the Commission’s general findings focused on failures of imagination, policy, capabilities, and management throughout U.S. government. The Commission found little evidence that the progress of the al Qaeda plot was disturbed by any of the counterterrorism policies or activities of the U.S. government.

"The 9/11 attacks were a shock, but should not have come as a surprise," said Kean. "By September 2001, the executive branch of the U.S. government, the Congress, the news media, and the American public had received clear warning that Islamist terrorists meant to kill Americans in high numbers."

LOVELAND, OHIO - GODSPELL IN LOVELAND AGAIN!

LOVELAND, OHIO - Loveland United Methodist Church will present the musical Godspell on August 12 - 14.

Godspell was conceived by John-Michael Tebelak and is a celebration of the Gospel as told by St. Matthew. John-Michael uses pantomime, children’s games, puppetry, vaudeville antics, tap and soft-shoe dancing, and charades to tell the parables and stories from the bible. This play provides music ranging from rock, pop, folk and ballads

The cast is made of ten key players whose talent brings this show to life through their creativity in dance, song, comedy, and drama. There is a live orchestra and the church's minister, Pastor Doug Sonnenberg, is playing percussion. The musical director Linda Bergholz has the pleasure of seeing her children Katie and Andy Henn performing. Three alums from musical theatre at Loveland High school will also be starring. They include Adam Peal, Sara Kosmer and Kristin Kroncke.

Ken Richardson, one of the directors has always loved this show and really wanted Loveland United Methodist to give this gift to its members and to the community. He enlisted the help of Ginger Kroncke as the other director who assists in the direction of theatrical performances at Loveland Middle School.

The songs, Day by Day, Bless the Lord, and Learn Your Lessons Well will be performed.

The show will open August 12 at 8 p.m. and will run the evenings of August 13 and 14. It will be held in the sanctuary at Loveland United Methodist Church, 10975 Lebanon Road. The tickets cost $10 for adults, $7 for children under 18 and senior citizens. For information: 683-1738.

Photo courtesy of Loveland United Methodist Church

Remington, Ohio - Cicadas, now ants!

REMINGTON, OHIO - Artist Chip Doyle needed some sand for propagating bamboo, and since the pile was sitting in the front yard of his Remington Road home (near Loveland Madeira Road), "Hmm…"

Actually, Doyle is in the process of creating an advertising campaign for a local pest control company (Sure Thing Pest Control) and took this opportunity to tweak and hone an idea rolling around in his head. Thus, the ants made out of bowling balls and bamboo. It is an eye catching piece, right on the roadway.

Doyle is an artist and guilder who also restores and sells antiques, but he is also a collector of the unusual. He travels around the country hunting for pieces to add to his eccentric collections. Some of Doyle's art can currently be seen at the Starbucks in Montgomery and Frame Designs in Remington.

Doyle said, "I'm contemplating having a rather large yard sale in the near future, though I may prefer to maintain the integrity of my mad chattel."

LOVELAND, OHIO - GODSPELL OPENS TO FULL HOUSE

IRAQ - SGT POE UP-DATE

Dear Loveland Magazine,

I saw on your web page that my father had emailed you about the loss of a fellow soldier here in the 216th. It was a very tragic day for us all. I, was no where near the attack.

Specialist Bowen was a great soldier. I had only known him for a short time. On my first day at home base, SPC Bowen took it upon himself to show my group of six soldiers who had just showed up, around our camp. He spent the day with us talking, and taking us to chow, and showing us where everything is on the base. He took us to the Post Exchange (PX), and helped us get supplies so we could hook up to the 220 volt electricity over here. I learned a lot about that man in just one day. I wish others were just as lucky as me.
Download bowen.html

And there are others. Myself, and another soldier left the next day to go to another camp to do some work. We were also introduced to Staff Sergeant Brondhaver of Cincinnati, who many of you reading the Cincinnati Enquirer have more than likely read about. He was injured in the attack. (http://www.wcpo.com/news/2004/local/07/09/soldier.html) Download studs_make_get_well_cards.html

These two men who had never met us until that moment, but knew we were going to be the soldiers who would be with them for the next seven months. They didn't care about our back grounds or who we were. They just cared that we were there, willing to be along side them.

A fellow soldier and a great friend of mine, Sergeant Danny Bell,was in the convoy when it was attacked. He was tending to another soldier who was not feeling well from the heat when the attack occurred. Sgt. Bell went about, and beyond the call of duty to try to help his friend Spc. Bowen, but was unable to keep him alive.

You will not read stories about Sgt. Bell and you will never hear of what he did. He may not receive any ribbons for his dress uniform, but he will receive respect. Many of us here know what he did and what we have to deal with. A man died in his arms that day, who only a week before we had just met. Now that is a Hero!

I can't explain in words what these soldiers here are like, but the saying is true; "It's not about me, it's about the guy next to you." Everyone wants everyone to make it home safe - but it is hard. Just driving down the road to another camp is scary enough. An IED, (Improvised Explosive Device) is as common as and orange barrel on I-71 or I-275. We hear about them everyday.

We have a mission and will not be deterred. We will stay until our job is complete. I am proud of what I am doing and am proud of every other soldier here. Some may support that we are here and some may not, but everyone watches out for everyone. Now those are true friends. Take care and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Blake (ah1cobra00@yahoo.com)

IRAQ - Sgt. BLAKE POE, UP-DATE 7/13/04

LOVELAND, OHIO - NEW THEATER PRODUCTION

LOVELAND, OHIO - Summertime Fun (A summer Children's Theater Workshop)

Production: "Godspell Junior"
Directed by: Mark Woods
Tickets: $10.00 (General Admission)
$8.00 (12 and under)
$8.00 (Seniors)
Show Dates: July 16, 17 & 18, 2004
8 PM

Contacts: Mark Woods 553-4815 or Carol Hall 697-1313

There are 63 local children in this production and they have been active in all aspects of the theater production.

Tickets are still available by calling Nadine Friedmann at 513-984- 5410 or at the theater ticket office the night of the show.

Directions:
The Loveland Stage Company
111 S 2nd St. (Rt 48)
From I-275 take the Loveland exit (#52). Travel north 2 1/2 Miles on Loveland-Madeira Road to West Loveland Ave and turn right. Travel through "Olde Loveland" to South 2nd Street (St. Rt. 48). At the Fire Station turn right again. The theater will be on your left.
Parking across the street.

For more information: http://www.lovelandstagecompany.org

LOVELAND, OHIO - Classic Automobile and Motorcycle Show

LOVELAND, OHIO - This Saturday, July 17 there will be a "Classic Automobile and Motorcycle Show" at the Loveland American Legion Post 256.

The Legion Post is at 897 Oakland Road across from St. Columban Church.

DJ Jeff Powel, an Elvis impersonator will entertain and there will be a corn hole tournament. All kinds of good old American summer food will be served.

Profit from the event goes to the Sons of the American Legion who have an annual Santa Claus program.

Admission is free. 3 - 9 PM.

12 noon to register a car or motorcycle.

From West Loveland Avenue, go east over the Col. Paxton Bridge (Little Miami River) into Historic Downtown Loveland, turn right at the Fire Station ( 2nd Street) and take State Route 48 to the American Legion. (2nd Street becomes Broadway)(Broadway becomes Paxton Road)(turn left continuing on St. Route 48 onto Oakland Road).

INFO: 513-683-6989.

LOVELAND, OHIO - TOUR DE LOVELAND

LOVELAND, OHIO - CORRECTION

LOVELAND, OHIO - It was incorrectly reported on June 30 (in the article "Controversy Surrounds Zoning Committeethat") that John Hill is a Miami Township resident. Hill lives in Goshen township.

LOVELAND, OHIO - Blake Poe up-date

LOVELAND, OHIO - Below is an e-mail from Jim Poe, father of Blake Poe who is serving in Iraq.

"For those that have been keeping track .....the causalities last week are in Blake's National Guard unit....... the 216th Engineers........They were in the convoy ahead of Blake's......his, hadn't left yet to return to his home base from their mission......We were two days without contact.......thank goodness the Army shuts down all phones and INTERNET until families are notified. I had an email this morning and a phone call from him about 8:30 AM - our time. He assured us that his convoy was detained and not fired on......The main thing that he and Brian......brother......Major Brian Poe...... keep instilling in us is that these are not Iraqi people......they are from other surrounding countries."

The casualties last week occurred when a vehicle in the convey ahead of Poe's broke down. While attempting to repair the vehicle the convoy was struck by a rocket propelled grenade.

LOVELAND, OHIO

LOVELAND, OHIO - OOHLA KAHN GROTTO IN CONCERT

LOVELAND, OHIO - OOHLA KAHN GROTTO IN CONCERT

LOVELAND, OHIO, Oohla Kahn Grotto was in concert at the Loveland Health Care Center this past Tuesday evening. The concert was planned for the outdoor lawn, but had to be moved indoors because of the weather

“The residents, staff and visitors had a great time,” said Kim Weber, the Director of Activities at the center.

Photos provided by Loveland Care Center.

LOVELAND, OHIO - LOCAL FARM FRESH PRODUCE MARKET OPENS

LOVELAND, OHIO - For the fourth year, farm fresh produce is for sale at the Blooms and Berries’s farm market at the corner of Loveland Madeira Road and Twightwee (just east of Lebanon Road).

"We grow our own sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and green beans," said Jeff Probst. Jeff, his father Dave, and mother Cathy own the family business, Their Blooms and Berries farm is just outside of Loveland on St. Route 48. (Take West Loveland Avenue to the Col. Paxton Bridge over the Little Miami River in Historic Downtown Loveland, turn left onto St. Route 48 at the Marathon Station and go 2.5 miles toward Mainville, Ohio)

The Probst’s also have South Carolina peaches and nectarines, and Jeff said the Indiana melons they have right now are very popular.

Jeff is a student at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and the family started the company business to pay for his college education. He is studying marketing and feels that running the business has been very practical, hands on experience that helps his educational studies.

Dave Probst said they will have approximately ten acres of "u-pick" pumpkins and a "corn Maze" for a fall festival at the farm.

When asked why people should buy produce from his farm market, Jeff said, "We provide the best quality we can. We pick what we grow early every morning."

Jeff described his customers by saying, "Everybody here is sweet and I know all my regulars."

The farm market will be open until Labor Day, 11 A.M. - 6 P.M. Tuesday through Sunday.

LOVELAND, OHIO - LOCAL ENTERTAINER

LOVELAND, OHIO - Dr. Jim Wolf of Loveland was playing his banjo under the city clock at the bike trail Wednesday evening. He said he just likes to go down to the bike trail every now and then and play. Wolfe is a pathologist at Anderson Mercy Hospital. He played guitar since his youth, but took up the banjo just three years ago and is studying under Vernon McIntyre of “Appalachian Grass” fame.

Even though Wolfe was modest in describing his abilities his music was rich and colorful and filled the city streets with delightful sounds.

LOVELAND, OHIO - VACATION

LOVELAND, OHIO - HABITAT HOUSE DEDICATION

LOVELAND, OHIO - Steve and Brenda Smart have moved into their new Loveland home with their three children, Tara, Tyler, and Tayla. The home was built by Clermont County Habitat for Humanity, with the sweat equity of the Smart family, and local church volunteers. The home is on Center Street in downtown, a quiet dead end street that is

LOVELAND, OHIO - Tour de Loveland Returns July 11

LOVELAND, OHIO - Tour de Loveland returns Sunday, July 11 from 2-6pm.

Tour de Loveland, Sunday, July 11th is a day for bicycling. Come out early and ride the Little Miami Bike Trail. Grab a bite to eat at The Loveland Mill, The Works or Paxton’s Grill and then pull up a chair with an ice cream and enjoy bicycle racing at its best and most diverse.

There will be children racing in the Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Race for ages 10-18, children’s fun non-competitive rides for ages 4-12. A free t-shirt, water bottle, goodie bag will be given to the first 100 who pre-register and medals for the first 20 in each age category.

The Kids' Fun Ride is FREE. Pre-event registration will take place at: Century Volkswagen, Loveland Regional Veterinary Hospital, The Loveland Mill, Princess Earth, and Cycle Sport.

There will be a local citizen race for all of us that think we can ride with the big boys and girls and don’t think the course is as tough as they say it is. The prize for that one is a first aid kit from the American Red Cross and a gift certificate from Kroger’s to purchase enough ice to numb the pain.

There will be a women’s race with a $750 purse and a men’s regional race with a $750 purse. The big boys finish out the evening burning rubber around all the turns and competing for $2000 in prize money and hundreds in individual lap competitions.

You can bid on the opportunity to ride in the pace car. All proceeds from the bidding benefit CancerFree Kids.org a Loveland non-profit raising awareness about childhood cancers and funding research.

The event producer for the past two years has been Loveland resident Leslie Keller. She has been the volunteer coordinator for Concerts in the Park for the past four seasons. Keller is also on the Board of CancerFree Kids, a Loveland based non-profit whose purpose is to raise awareness about Childhood Cancer and provide funding for research. Keller can be reached at lgkeller@cinci.rr.com.

Keller said, "Cycling is fun, freedom and forever. It is something you can do from the earliest of age until well into mature adulthood."

West Loveland from Loveland-Madeira to Rte 48 will be closed from noon-7pm. Detour signs will be up to assist those needing to get around.

To register for the competitive races, please go to www.active.com or call: 614.529.4268.

The event begins at 2pm and runs till approximately 6pm. Street closure and detour routes are available on the web site at www.lovelandoh.com.

Tour de Loveland - Come take de spin, Sunday, July 11th from 2-6pm.

LOVELAND, OHIO - HOMEMADE ICE CREAM SOCIAL AND CAR SHOW

LOVELAND, OHIO - This is the Bethel Murdoch Presbyterian Church and the site of an old fashioned Ice-Cream Social and Car Show on July 10th.

Homemade ice cream will be served and sixty classic and vintage cars will be competing for trophies.

4 - 7:30 PM

Saturday July 10

9602 Murdock-Goshen Road. Just five minutes from downtown Loveland.

(Heading east over the Col. Paxton Bridge on West Loveland Ave., go through historic downtown, turn left onto St. Rt. 48 at the Marathon Station, go 3 miles and turn right onto Murdock-Goshen Road at the 4-way stop sign. Church is immediately on the left.)

On August 14 there will be another Ice Cream Social - with a quilt show.

Info: 583-9676