Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND, OHIO - Looking for the Inn

LOVELAND, OHIO - Members of New Hope Baptist Church walked across the Col. Thomas Paxton bridge over the Little Miami River on December 14, looking for a place for Mary and Joseph to spend the night. The walk ended at the scene of the live nativity the church provided in Historic Downtown.

LOVELAND, OHIO - Grailville’s Winter 2008 Programs

LOVELAND, OHIO - Grailville’s 2008 Programs are now on their website.

Winter Programs include:

 

Home Grown Permaculture

Learn simple sustainable systems in your own home or yard in this half-day workshop for homeowners and renters in Permaculture design in Saturday, January 19, 2008 from 1-5 pm.

Necessary Beauty: A Feast of Women's Art

Join us on Sunday, February 10, 2008, for an afternoon of women’s art and music, and stay for Sunday Supper, too!

The Practice of Poetry: Writing as a Spiritual and Creative Practice

A weekend retreat designed to help women use the practice of poetry as a support to their spiritual and creative lives held February 29-March 2, 2008.

Compassionate Communication

A daylong program co-sponsored by the Center for Personal and Spiritual Growth on understanding and practicing nonviolent communication on Saturday, March 8, 2008 from 10 am – 5 pm

Grailville's 2008 Program Brochure and Scholarship Application Form are also available on their website. For additional information please call Grailville at 513-683-2340.

Miami Towhship, Ohio - Survey results

Miami Towhship, Ohio – You can view the results of the Miami Township resident survey by clicking here.

Area Christmas Tree Recycling

The City of Loveland annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program will begin on Wednesday, December 26th and run through January 4, 2008. 

City residents have three options to ensure that their Christmas Tree is mulched and reused rather than simply put into a landfill. 

• Residents may  bring trees to the Department of Public Works located at 10980 Loveland-Madeira Road.
• Second, residents may call 683-0150 and leave their address with Linda Newland, the City Hall receptionist, and a City crew will pick-up the tree until Friday, January 4, 2008. 
• Third, residents may request a Christmas Tree pick-up electronically through the City’s Online Services at www.Lovelandoh.com.

Remove all lights, tinsel and ornaments from the tree before it is picked up or dropped off.

Symmes Township will be sponsoring a Christmas Tree Recycling program for its residents again this year from Wednesday, December 26, 2007 to Sunday, January 13, 2008.

During that time, Symmes Township residents can place their Christmas trees in the designated area behind the Township Administration building at 9323 Union Cemetery Road for recycling. The trees will then be mulched so all ornaments, tinsel and plastic wrapping must be removed.

This service is provided free of charge. For more information, please contact the Township office at 683-6644.

In Miami Township, Christmas Tree Recycling starts on December 26th and ends on January 31st. The drop-off locations are at Miami Meadows Park at 1546 State Route 131 and Paxton Ramsey Park at 6265 Price Rd. Drop-off areas will be clearly marked at the parks.

Columbus, Ohio – Strickland signs House Bill 24

Columbus, Ohio – On December 21, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland signed House Bill 2.

State Representative Jeff Wagner sponsored House Bill 24 that allows municipalities to offer tax deductions for self-employed taxpayers for amounts paid for medical insurance premiums and into health savings accounts.

Merry, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

'Skeletons' keep tax break rolling

Most of their colleagues are long gone and not expected to return for more than two weeks, but the 75 seconds of work put in by Harris and Padgett ensured that all senators got credit for working Friday -- and the following weekend -- for federal tax purposes.

Link: The Columbus Dispatch : 'Skeletons' keep tax break rolling.

Care package has that power to get rid of those aches and pains

(A letter from a Navy Corpsman serving in Iraq who recently received a Christmas care package from a Loveland Magazine reader who participated in the "Adopt a Soldier for the Holiday" program)

Dear Linda, Dan, Jared, and Logan

Thank you for the care package, I am always surprised to find a care package with my name on it, yet I don't recognize the people who send it. This is my fourth care package since arriving to Iraq and it always makes my day in opening them, and learning about the people who sent them to me.

I was adopted from the Philippines at the age of nine. I last lived in Loveland Ohio before joining the Navy as a Navy Corpsman. I went to school at Loveland high for my last three years in high school, which is where I think fate has connected us. A school teacher from there has been asking for my address, so I gave it to him. So I guess it was eventually given to you.

I am currently in a camp in Iraq, located near the border of Iran. As I said  before I am a Corpsman; currently attached to a unique small unit made up of several MOS. There are about 216 of us and I am one of nine Corpsman attached to them. We arrived hear in the beginning of November.

I am not allowed to tell you exactly what we do... but I can tell you what my job is, as a Corpsman. Pretty much I do what a Medic does for the Army, only I am in the Navy and I take care of Marines instead. We go out and patrol this area... make contact with the local populace and engage/capture any enemy, foreign or domestic we encounter. My job is to preserve the lives of those injured in this conflict, be they enemy or friend. If they're hurt it is my duty to keep them alive as long as possible until higher aid arrives.

Other than that I'm doing well out here... we are being replaced in February so it is likely that we go home in March... however our higher ups are trying to get us to stay for the full deployment. If we do stay it will be likely that we go elsewhere in Iraq and the rumor mill has; it will be in Alambar Province where most of the fighting is now. I also heard they might try and get us to Afghanistan. Typical of them - they just want another ribbon on their chest that says they went to Afghanistan. Anyway, its up to fate whether we stay. Personally, I'd like to serve my full seven months. I just think it not fair that we end up going home early when others before us have been extended for up to a year.

It rained a couple days  here - it's supposed to be the rainy season but it hasn't rained much. Part of me is glad, the other part is disappointed. I am told that when it rains everything turns to mud and they usually don't send anyone outside the wire except to resupply, because they'd normally get stuck. Some good sleep in time that would be.

Anyway, again, I am glad to hear from you guys. It always makes my day a little easier after opening a care package, especially after coming back from a long patrol. For some strange reason, a care package has that power to get rid of those aches and pains, even if its just for that day, so thank you.

(Name withheld for security reasons, upon request)

Loveland: Rumpke Holiday Schedule

Christmas Eve - Normal pickup

Christmas Day - One day delay (Tuesday, December 25th pickup will take place on December 26th.  The rest of the week will be delayed one day, with Friday's normal pickup ending up on Saturday.

New Year's Eve: Normal pickup

New Year's Day - One day delay (Tuesday, January 1st pickup will take place on January 2nd.  The rest of the week will be delayed one day, with Friday's normal pickup day ending up on Saturday.

Link: Loveland.

Christmas Services at Local Churches

Epiphany United Methodist Church
6635 Loveland-Miamiville Road
Loveland, Ohio 45140
677-9866

Christmas Eve

• 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
• 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM

St. Columban Parish
894 Oakland Rd.
Loveland, Ohio 45140-8484
513.683.0105

• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass Schedule:
• December 24, 2007 Mass Schedule: 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM;
• Christmas Carols at 11:30 PM, Mass at 12:00 AM
• December 25, 2007 Mass Schedule: 9:45 AM and 11:30 AM

Loveland United Methodist Church
10975 Lebanon Road, Loveland, Ohio 45140
513-683-1738

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship-Dec24th (Nursery Care is provided at the 5 & 7 pm services.)

• 5 pm-Praise Band/Family
• 7 pm-Choir
• 11pm -Communion

The Community of the Good Shepherd
8815 East Kemper Road
Cincinnati, OH 45249
Parish Office 513.489.8815

Christmas Eve

• 3:00 p.m.  Family Mass in Church
• 3:00 p.m.  Mass in the Community Room
• 5:00 p.m.  Mass in the Church
• 5:00 p.m.  Mass in the Community Room
• 9:00 p.m.  Mass in the Church
• 11:00 p.m.  Mass in the Church

Christmas Day

• 9:00 a.m.      Mass in the Church
• 10:30 a.m.     Mass in the Church

New Hope Baptist Church
1401 Loveland-Madeira Road
Loveland Ohio, 45140
513-677-5377

Christmas Eve Service
December 24 at 6:00pm

The service will be at the live nativity sight in downtown Loveland at 6:00 pm. If you missed coming to the nativity because of the weather, you will not want to miss this last opportunity to experience it. We will have all the actors and the animals there for the service. Bundle up!

Loveland Presbyterian Church
360 Robin Avenue
Loveland, OH  45140
(513) 683-2525

CHRISTMAS EVE

• 5:30 Worship
• 7:30 Worship with Communion

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
101 South Lebanon Road
Loveland, Ohio 45140
Phone: (513) 683-4244

• 5:00 PM    CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY WORSHIP SERVICES
• 6:00 PM  Joyful Noise Rehearsal (A)
• 7:00 PM  CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY WORSHIP SERVICE
• 9:00 PM  CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE
• 11:00 PM  CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE

St. Margaret of York
9483 Columbia Road, Loveland, OH 45140
(513) 683-7100

Christmas Eve

• Mass - Childrens Christmas Mass - 3:30 PM
• Mass - Christmas Eve Mass - 10:00 PM

MONTGOMERY, OHIO – Holiday Concert

MONTGOMERY, OHIO – The Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony Orchestra preformed their annual Holiday Concert at the Montgomery Assembly of God Church on December 2. This year the concert was dedicated the Kindel Memorial Concert in memory of Edward C. Kindel.

The orchestra was joined by the Cincinnati Children's Choir's Bel Canto Choir, the Jubilant Singers, and the Cincinnati Choral Society. The music was traditional holiday favorites plus an original Hanukah composition by BAMSO bassist Nick Greenberg. Soloists included Dr. Timothy Lovelace, piano and organ, as the first annual Cambre Memorial Soloist, and soprano Angeline Lovelace.

The Blue Ash/ Montgomery Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Michael Chertock

LOVELAND, OHIO - Ringing in the holiday season

LOVELAND, OHIO - The Epiphany Star Ringers, a handbell ensemble from Epiphany United Methodist Church visited The Lodge Retirement Community recently.  The group of bell ringers spread holiday cheer with a program of favorite carols, holiday songs and a sing-a-long where residents joined in the festivities. 

The Epiphany Star Ringers and their director Susan Eltringham have been together for four years and are one of four choirs that ring at the church.  In addition to ringing for worship services at Epiphany, one of the choir’s goals has been to use the bells for outreach and to share the beauty of bell music with those in the community. 

Susan Eltringham was thrilled with the experience and commented, “It was so wonderful to see how many faces lit up when the bells started to ring.  It was nice to see so many singing along and we even had a director in the crowd, keeping the beat to all of our songs.”

Eltringham said they were blessed with these bells four years ago because of the “generous hearts” of many Epiphany members who saw the vision of growing their music ministry.  “I feel that since we have been so blessed, we need to bless others.”

Eltringham saidt was a fun event for all of the ringers and are hoping to get out into the community more to play.   The choir also participates each year in the Area V American Guild of English Handbell Ringers festival.  This year’s festival including hundreds of ringers from a five state area will be held in Cincinnati February 29th-March 1st.

The Columbus Dispatch : Strickland seeks winter ban on cutting off gas, electricity

By Mark Niquette, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Gov. Ted Strickland is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to declare a moratorium on shutting off anyone’s gas or electricity through the winter.

The governor said he’s taking the action after a fatal fire in Toledo caused by candles after the electricity there was discontinued.

Read full story: The Columbus Dispatch : Strickland seeks winter ban on cutting off gas, electricity.

Ohio governor backs 2008 election overhaul

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner continued stripping the mystery from Ohio's electronic voting machines Tuesday with a behind-the-scenes look at the state's recent groundbreaking security study.

Brunner, a Democrat, continued to draw both praise and criticism for recommendations she made Friday after finding all the touch-screen machines in the state are vulnerable to tampering and manipulation.

Gov. Ted Strickland, the man who led a Democratic resurgence in Ohio politics last year, said he wants to see the state's voting machines fixed or replaced before voters pick the next president, as Brunner has suggested.

Read full story: Ohio governor backs 2008 election overhaul - Examiner.com.

LOVELAND, OHIO – Permaculture Workshop: A surefire cure for cabin fever!

Homegrown Permaculture: Simple sustainable systems in your own home or yard

LOVELAND, OHIO – The Permaculture Workshop at Grailville on January 19 is designed to provide:

Answers to design questions by trained local Permaculturists.  Learn what their practice has taught them:

• Simple yet effective ideas that can be applied in your own living situation.
• Resource information that can help you with your own systems.
• Hands-on activities teaching Permaculture techniques.

Take time this winter to gather new ideas and skills for cooperating with nature to create simple sustainable systems in your own home or yard and to use energy more efficiently. What is Permaculture? It is a way of designing systems for sustainable living developed in Australia by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren based on their experience with traditional knowledge, science, and common sense, as applied to living with and in ecological systems.

The word itself is a contraction of the words “permanent” and “agriculture” or “culture”.

It teaches people better care for themselves and each other by working with ecological cycles and energy flows.

Led by trained Permaculture practitioners including Suellyn Shupe, Barbara Fath and Grailville’s longtime Farm and Land Coordinator, Mary Lu Lageman, the Homegrown

• Saturday, January 19 from 1-5 PM
• Grailville, 932 O’Bannonville Road, Loveland OH

Learn how this design system can help you live more sustainably on your own piece of earth. Reservations are required; registration fee is $50 with limited scholarships available. Contact 513-683-2340 or www.grailville.org for more information.

Contact: Mary Lu Lageman,: 513- 683.2340 or ml.grailville@fuse.net

Grailville is a center of The Grail, an international movement of women committed to spiritual search, social actions, ecological sustainability and the release of women’s creative energy throughout the world. Located on 300 acres of woodlands, pastures and organic gardens, Grailville is a diverse community offering spiritual, cultural and educational opportunities for the public, as well as providing guest facilities for meetings, lodging and dining.

Delay Is Sought by Justice Dept. on C.I.A. Inquiry - New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department asked the House Intelligence Committee on Friday to postpone its investigation into the destruction of videotapes by the Central Intelligence Agency in 2005, saying the Congressional inquiry presented “significant risks” to its own preliminary investigation into the matter.

Link: Delay Is Sought by Justice Dept. on C.I.A. Inquiry - New York Times.

Minn. to Ban Mercury in Beauty Products - New York Times

ST. PAUL (AP) -- The quest for thicker lashes and defined eyes should get safer on Jan. 1, when Minnesota bans mercury from mascara, eye liners and skin-lightening creams.

The state apparently is the first in the nation to ban intentionally-added mercury in cosmetics. When the law takes effect, Minnesota will have a tougher standard than the federal government, which allows small amounts of mercury as a preservative in eye makeup.

Link: Minn. to Ban Mercury in Beauty Products - New York Times.

The Columbus Dispatch : Brunner declares Ohio's voting systems vulnerable

All counties should use paper ballots counted at a central location, secretary of state says

Link: The Columbus Dispatch : Brunner declares Ohio's voting systems vulnerable.

Ohio Secretary of State confirms 2004 election could have been stolen

Ohio's Secretary of State announced this morning that a $1.9 million official study shows that "critical security failures" are embedded throughout the voting systems in the state that decided the 2004 election. Those failures, she says, "could impact the integrity of elections in the Buckeye State." They have rendered Ohio's vote counts "vulnerable" to manipulation and theft by "fairly simple techniques."

Link: Ohio Secretary of State confirms 2004 election could have been stolen.

LOVELAND, OHIO – Capobianco at home Friday night

LOVELAND, OHIO – The Loveland mens basketball team (2-0, 4-1)is now #11 in the area Coaches Poll, and stand on top of their Buckeye Division of the Fort Ancient Conference. The women are #12. They have a 6-1 record and are 2-1 in league play.

Bobby Capobianco (Junior) is averaging 22.7 points, and almost 12 rebonds per-game. He scored 32-points against Milford on November 30.

Capobianco and the Tigers host Anderson Friday night at 7:30 PM. 
Capobianco has been one of the Cincinnati area scoring leaders during the early season, and is on track to break the all-time scoring record for Loveland sometime next season. Friday night will be a good chance to see one of the best basketball players that has ever played in a Tiger uniform, and one of the best in all of Cincinnati this year.

The women play at Harrison on Saturday night at 7:30 PM. Junior, Rachel Voss is leading a very good womens team averaging 16 points and almost 9 rebounds per game.

Photos from the men's game against Glen Este can be viewed here.

MIAMI TOWNSHIP, OHIO – Santa's Workshop

MIAMI TOWNSHIP, OHIO – There were plenty of Santa's Elves, and the big guy himself at Epiphany United Methodist Church last Saturday morning. Also, plenty of nice gifts that children could choose from as presents for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters. All of the shopping was free, compliments of church members.

About forty children, each escorted by their own personal elf, picked out gifts, ate snakes, played games, made crafts, and listened to Christmas stories.

Before the children were ready to go home, all of their presents had been wrapped and were ready to put under the tree.

The annual Santa's Workshop is a project of the Church and the Loveland Initiative.

An Upside-Down Christmas Tree

What's Behind This Insanity? An upside-down Christmas tree! Who has ever heard of anything so ridiculous?

Link: An Upside-Down Christmas Tree.

LOVELAND, OHIO – Board proceeds to March levy vote

LOVELAND, OHIO - On Tuesday evening, after receiving word from the County Auditor that an 8.5 mill levy would generate $6,323,173 per year, the Loveland City School District Board of Education voted to proceed with placing a continuing operating levy for “current expenses” - on the March 4, 2008 ballot.

Dr. Kathryn Lorenz, President, Dr. James Kolp, Vice-president, Dr. Judy McClanahan, and Christine Olsen voted for the resolution. Linda Pennington voted against the proposal. Pennington said at a meeting last week that since she has been on the Board she has never voted to send property tax increases to the ballot. She had urged consideration of an earned income tax instead of new property taxes.

The Auditor said in the “Certification” that the current total tax evaluation for the District is $743,902,726.

Superintendent Dr. Kevin Boys, said that the Auditor's certification was less than the District's “Five-Year Forecast” of $6.6 million needed to continue current operations. He said that the Auditor's figures are conservative figures that possibly reflect the current downturn of the housing market and increased number of foreclosures. The counties are also currently having difficulty collecting property taxes because of these conditions. Boys has previously said, “This is a stay-put levy. In other words, this levy merely enables the District to operate its current programs and services for the next four years. Any new programs would need to be funded by off-setting reductions.”

Interim Treasurer John Wahle said it was “more likely” the District would collect closer to the $6.6 million amount the forecast shows is needed.

Download levy_resolution.pdf

Arctic Showing Ominous Signs Of Global Warming

Drastic ice melt may have passed tipping point, scientists fear
      By Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer

Washington — An already relentless melting of the Arctic greatly accelerated this summer, a warning sign that some scientists worry could mean global warming has passed an ominous tipping point. One even speculated that summer sea ice would be gone in five years.

Greenland's ice sheet melted nearly 19 billion tons more than the previous high mark, and the volume of Arctic sea ice at summer's end was half what it was just four years earlier, according to new NASA satellite data obtained by The Associated Press.

Read full story TheDay.com - Arctic Showing Ominous Signs Of Global Warming.

Senate votes to make salamanders Ohio's official amphibian - Examiner.com

Link: Senate votes to make salamanders Ohio's official amphibian - Examiner.com.

Contractor, homeowner fight over money found hidden in walls

Link: Contractor, homeowner fight over money found hidden in walls - Examiner.com.

UGiveCincinnati.org

UGIVE website will launch Spring 2008!

UGIVE is a non-profit organization with a mission to catalyze, excite and empower the next generation of volunteers to make our community thrive and grow. UGIVE makes philanthropy relevant, fun and interesting to the younger generation by encouraging students to find their passion through volunteering!

What we do.

UGIVE bridges the gap between SCHOOLS requiring community service, CHARITIES desperately in need of volunteers, and the STUDENTS who have the time, energy and passion to do the work. Students can search the UGIVE site and calendar for activities that match their interests and schedules. Parents, teachers and schools will know that the activities are worthwhile because UGIVE will provide its seal of approval. Charities will have a platform to engage the next generation.

UGIVE EMPOWERS STUDENTS TO:

Find their passion and use their strengths to give back to the community.

WHAT MAKES UGIVE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER VOLUNTEER SITES

If STUDENTS are especially interested in a particular volunteer project that needs financial support, UGIVE invites STUDENTS to apply for grants for projects THEY create and manage. (available summer 2008) If the project is funded, the student will provide a final report to UGIVE with photos and video that will be posted on UGIVE to inspire others to serve their communities at the completion of the project. Students can apply for a grant in the areas of Health and human services, Education, the Arts and Life and environment (HEAL) We will be launching in Spring 2008. To hear when we launch, please enter your name and email address below.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

• Become a UGIVE School Liaison by getting your child's school involved with UGIVE
• Engage Your Charity! Work with UGIVE to post opportunities for students to volunteer on the UGIVE website.
• Support UGIVE financially. All donations are 501 (c) (3) 100% tax-deductible.

ENTER NOW TO WIN A SIGNED RASCAL FLATTS GUITAR!

Link: UGiveCincinnati.org.

LOVELAND, OHIO – New Hope kicks off “Christmas in Loveland” with parade on Friday

LOVELAND, OHIO – Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus riding a donkey, will cross the bridge over the Little Miami River and enter Historic Downtown at 6 PM on Friday. Members of New Hope Baptist Church will re-enact the journey into Bethlehem, looking for a place to bed for the night. They will find no place for shelter, but a manager full of animals.

The live nativity will be open from 6:30 until 9 PM on Friday, and from 3 until 9 PM on Saturday, (during the “Christmas in Loveland celebration).

New Hope's Christmas Eve service will be at the nativity on December 24 at 6 PM with all the actors and animals.

LOVELAND, OHIO – “Christmas in Loveland” Saturday

LOVELAND, OHIO – The holidays are celebrated each year in Historic Downtown Loveland along the State and National Scenic, Little Miami River.

Each year Santa makes a visit between between 4 and 10 PM. This year he has chosen Saturday, December 15 as the day he can make the long journey.

Santa asked the Historical Society if they couldn't open up for the afternoon and evening, if he would arrange a fun way for people to get there. They said, “Yes.” When the Stage Company heard about this, they started rehearsing a special show at their historic downtown theater.

Santa brings plenty of elfs that will greet you with songs, take you on horse-drawn carriage rides, and roast chestnuts after building an outdoor fire. They have already been busy making cider, but will wait till you get there to heat it up.

To remember the reason for the season, Santa has again asked New Hope Baptist Church to build a replica of the manger, and to see if they can't round up some volunteers to dress the part of Biblical characters. New Hope always go “all out” by also rounding up some local livestock to graze in the manager ,with the baby Jesus and his parents.

Santa has asked that children be allowed to pet the animals.

Downtown businesses and city workers have spent weeks turning downtown into a winter wonderland. At Pizazz Studios, you can buy three ornaments, and get one free, and children can decorate ornaments and have their face painted.