Loveland Magazine

Civil Rights Game Photos

 

His most beautiful poem was, “No.”

by David Miller

CINCINNATI OHIO – Growing up, I remember little about Hank Aaron except that his was a good catch opening up a baseball card pack. Hank's cards could be traded for most any card any of my buddies had. You would often get three or four of theirs, for the “Hammers” card. My buddies and I would collect pop bottles around town until we had enough to turn-in for a pack. My father and his friends used to buy their Weideman Beer by the case, and the 24 tall bottles came in a heavy duty cardboard box. I am sure that I would take a few of those returnables out of that case from time to time, much to his chagrin when he went to Hetzel's Carry-Out himself to find the case was one or two bottles light. But for me, Aaron was just another ballplayer, until just a short time ago I came across some baseball home run stats, and realized his record would still stand if not for performance enhancing drugs.

I heard Johnny Bench on the radio just a few years ago saying that the use of steroids was the best thing that ever happened to baseball. It was during a time when some were predicting the death of major league baseball as America's favorite pastime, and the pursuit of Aaron's record, which was now filling up stadiums. Bench's logic was that if the stands are full, steroids were good for baseball. Right now, give me a Johnny Bench card and it gets clamped to the side of my bike with a clothes pin - making annoying noise against the spokes.

Oh yea, I remember Bill Cosby doing his God thing, and listening to his recordings, but I was never really a fan.

But, it was actually the “Champ” on the field, thirty feet away from me on June 20, at Major League Baseball's Civil Rights Game that turns out to be one of the most memorable nights of my life. I remember one day around 1990, that Muhammad Ali was at Memorial Hall in Cincinnati, just down from the Alcoholic Drop Inn Center where I was working. He and other sport figures were signing autographs that day, and I remember that the admission price was something like $10. I had the admission price, but that was pretty much all I had. I kept thinking that I didn't need an autograph - I just wanted to be in the same room with him. I went back to work, not wanting to spend my last ten-dollars. I have spent twenty-years living with regret.

As soon as they got on TV, I have watched every fight of Ali's. I tuned in a half hour early fidgeting with the tuner controls – adjusting color and contrast settings. I remember sitting very, very close to the screen, trying in vain to be able to see one of his lightening jabs actually land on an opponent's jaw. I never did see one land, just taking Cosell's word for it most of the time.

Ali, refused to go to a war he didn't believe in. They took away his Heavyweight Title. He knew he might be sentenced to a lengthy jail term, and he was getting back off of the floor – again.

"I am America. I am the part you won't recognize, but get used to me. Black, confident, cocky - my name not yours. My religion, not yours. My goals, my own. Get used to me"

"Man, I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong"

"No Viet Cong ever called me a nigger"

In the end, Ali faced a jail term, and they took away his Heavyweight Title.

It was in later years that I slowly began to realize that it had become very hard for people to call the “Champ” a coward. After-all, the list of people who knocked him down, only seeing him get back off the floor to knock the daylights out of them, is fairly impressive.

Ali became my hero: he was brave enough to say, “No.” I was not. I truly believe he saved countless American and Vietnamese lives by saying, “No.” I believe the war ended sooner, because he was courageous enough to say, “No.” I think he shortened the war, may have saved my own life.

The “Louisville Lip” was silent at the Civil Rights Game, but up from the sell-out crowd swelled voices, “Ali... Ali... Ali... Ali... Ali... Ali...”

Now, about Bill Cosby. You see, Cosby and Aaron were able to walk around on the field, talking to people, mingling. Cosby, the entertainer, the comedian, was especially engaging, really hamming it up. But there sat the “Champ” a lonely figure to one side of the stage, even though his wife, Lonnie was standing behind him. The comedian noticed, went to Ali's side, bantered with him, and then held his hand through much of the ceremony, eventually putting his arm around the “Champ's” shoulders.

Aaron spoke with dignity, but let his bat do most of his talking; breaking a record that in my opinion, still stands today. Ali is known for his mouth as much as for his hands, however his most beautiful poem was, “No.” Cosby on June 20, spoke to me too, without uttering a word.

It is with sincere gratitude that I express my thanks to the Red's organization for the wonderful hospitality they offered me on June 20. Click below to see the rest of the story of the Civil Rights Game in photos.

Human Services Budget Cuts Hurt

Hundreds of Thousands of Southwest Ohio Residents at Risk

LOVELAND, OHIO -  Abused children, laid-off parents and vulnerable senior citizens are just a few of the Southwest Ohio residents who will suffer under proposed state budget cuts to human services.

With Ohio facing one of the worst recessions in history, Ohio lawmakers are considering more than $1 billion in cuts to the safety net that protects its most vulnerable residents. Proposals include slashing $70 million in money used to protect abused children, $80 million that helps the needy access employment and economic assistance and more than $7 million to fund child support collection.

Money to protect the elderly, provide emergency assistance to the needy, help with adoptions and provide working moms with child care is also at risk. Many of the proposed cuts follow a two-year period of dramatic reductions to human services funding. And, they would result in a loss of matching funds from the federal government, doubling or tripling the impact.

“These cuts come at a time when the economy is sending record numbers through our doors – a third of the people we see have never been here before,” said Moira Weir, director of Hamilton County’s Department of Job and Family Services. “We are doing our best to help everyone who needs us, but we have reduced services and we have cut people to provide those services. With more than 55,000 people coming in our door every month, we need every penny we can to help our citizens out of troubled times and into a better place in life.”

With the unemployment rate above 10 percent, many have turned to their local Job and Family Services Department for assistance. In Hamilton, Butler and Clermont counties alone, 155,000 residents now receive food stamps to help with monthly eating expenses, while more than 200,000 rely on Medicaid to help with health insurance.

Those in need are likely to find long lines and reduced services at their local JFS office. In Hamilton County alone, allocations for JFS operating expenses dropped $30 million over the past two years, resulting in the loss of more than 350 workers. Proposed cuts would reduce allocations another $30 million by 2011. JFS organizations throughout the state have grappled with similar situations – more than 2,500 jobs have been lost statewide.

It will get worse if the cuts under consideration are adopted. The Public Children’s Services Association of Ohio projects that, if current proposals are adopted and 70 percent of the money used for child protection is cut, 1,500 of the state’s 8,000 child protection workers could be laid off from their jobs. Each job loss – whether a children’s services worker, a child support collector or a public assistance technician -- impacts the public’s ability to receive help in a timely manner.

“It is difficult to tell someone who has waited until they’ve reached the very end of their rope to turn to the government for help with putting food on their table that they will have to wait another 30 days because we have a stack of applications a mile high and fewer workers to process them,” said Bruce Jewett, director of Butler County’s Job and Family Services Department. “Many of them will go to bed hungry that night and for many nights to come.”

It is not just the poor who suffer. Child support is a program that touches more children than any program outside of public education. In Hamilton, Butler and Clermont counties, there are approximately 135,000 active child support cases. That’s hundreds of thousands of children who might not get the money they need for food, rent, school clothes and other necessities.

“Food, shelter, basic needs – these should be government’s priorities at a time like this,” said Tim McCartney, director of Clermont County’s Department of Job and Family Services. “We would ask that, as we fight through the worst economic crisis we have endured in our lifetime, we focus on providing the funding to help people meet their most basic needs and ensure, to the extent possible, the protection of those who cannot protect themselves.”  

Celebrate the Glorious 4th With BAMSO on Friday

MONTGOMERY, OHIO – The Blue Ash Montgomery/Symphony Orchestra willperform their annual Independence Day Concert on Friday, July 3, at 7:30 PM in Montgomery Park.

The theme is “American Pioneers” with the Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony Orchestra’s salute to the spirit of Americans who have made this country great – from Harriet Tubman to Elvis Presley.

The Cincinnati Brass Band will be on hand to add their particular “pizzazz!”

The Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony Orchestra (BAMSO) had its beginning as the Blue Ash Symphony Orchestra in 1987. Since that time citizens in the Cincinnati Ohio's Northeast Corridor have enjoyed free concerts by professional musicians. Originally, it was partially funded by the City of Blue Ash and now is partially funded by both the City of Blue Ash and the City of Montgomery.

The Orchestra had its first performance on July 5th of 1987. Since that time the Orchestra has had three to four performances per year, including two outdoor summer concerts and a holiday concert. With the additional support of Montgomery, the season has expanded to three outdoor summer concerts, a Holiday concert and a second indoor concert.

The Blue Ash/ Montgomery Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Michael Chertock, the distinguished keyboardist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. The members of the orchestra are all professional musicians, many of whom perform regularly with the finest symphony orchestras in the Cincinnati area.

Directions to Montgomery Park

Kroger Recalls Popcorn Seasoning and Ground Beef

KROGER POPCORN SEASONING MOVIE THEATER BUTTER FLAVORED, 2.82 OZ, KROGER POPCORN SEASONING WHITE CHEDDAR FLAVORED, 2.82 OZ
Affected in Kroger stores located in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia; Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; and Food 4 Less, Hilander, Jay C, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana.

KROGER FAT FREE BUTTER FLAVORED SPRINKLES, 2 OZ
Affected in Kroger stores located in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Reason: The product may be contaminated with Salmonella and, if eaten, could result in severe illness to those individuals with a weakened immune system. Press Release

June 30, 2009

SELECT STORE-BRAND AND STORE-PACKAGED GROUND BEEF WITH SELL-BY DATES FROM APRIL 27 TO JUNE 1, 2009
Affected in Kroger stores in the following areas: Greater Cincinnati, including Dayton, Northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana, Greater Memphis, Tenn., Arkansas, Mississippi, Indiana (except SW IN, Evansville), Illinois, and Eastern Missouri. (View recalled items and UPCs)

Affected in Smith’s Food and Drug Stores (View recalled items and UPCs)

Affected in Fry’s Stores (View recalled items and UPCs)

Affected in Food 4 Less stores in Illinois and Indiana (View recalled items and UPCs)

Reason: Products may be contaminated with E.coli 0157:H7, which can cause serious health risks.

Kelly Palmer Loses Inspiring Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer

Kelly Palmer: August 25, 1968 - June 30, 2009

MIAMI TOWNSHIP, OHIO – Miami Township mom, and Loveland Businesswoman Kelly Palmer lost her fight to survive pancreatic cancer on Tuesday. She had briefly, been taken to a hospice care center to get her medication under control and to manage pain, but passed away in her home, where her three young children would be close. She was recently seen around Loveland playing with her children in a local park, and attending church. She said for several months, “Some days were hard, but many more good, and that when I am feeling good, I'm going to make the most of it.”

For the last year, scans, lengthy surgeries, injections, chemo, good days, and bad days have been her life - inspiring a community that witnessed her strength and courage.

Palmer's personality and fight to survive, made her a regional celebrity. With her diagnoses with pancreatic cancer, came her rallying cry, “Cancer? Schmancer!” There have been 34,342 visits to the CaringBridge web site, managed by her friend and neighbor, Sharon Burton. Burton was also the driving force behind a fund raiser last fall at the Oasis Golf Club and Conference Center, to help the Palmers take some of the bills that had been “accumulating in a shoe box” and get them paid. Kelly's graphic design company, Moondance Design Group in Loveland, and husband Ian's full-time construction work had to be curtailed.

Palmer continued to coach her daughters’ soccer team and run her design firm, for as long as she could while undergoing treatment. Last year, before the November fund raiser she said, “I have no choice but to beat this thing. “I’ve got three beautiful children, a loving husband, and a fantastic network of friends who depend on me every day - giving in to this disease is simply not an option.”

November also happened to be National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month - a twist of fate that Palmer wanted to make the most of. “I’m just one of an estimated 34,000 Americans who will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year.” She continued, “I want this event to serve as a celebration of life and family, as well as an opportunity for education, because the first step in eradicating this insidious disease is awareness.”

Other expenses of the Palmer's included traveling 180 miles round-trip for treatments at Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center, plus co-pays, prescriptions, and living expenses. A recent fund drive has been to collect Delta Frequent Flyer miles so Ian's parents could make one more trip from England to help with family care.

Friends can say good-by and visit Kelly's family on Thursday, July 2 between 6-9 PM at Epiphany United Methodist Church, 6635 Loveland Miamiville Road.

A funeral service will be on Friday at the church at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to the Kelly Palmer Family Fund, at any US Bank location.

Donations of more Frequent Flyer miles will also help - to get home Kelly's sister and her daughter and her brother from Miami, Florida, as well as for Ian's sister to come for a visit from England. Contact Sonya Hytree at shytree@cinci.rr.com.

Kelly Lynn (nee Armstrong) Palmer leaves behind her husband Ian, son Kian, and daughters Gwen and Catrin. Also, her parents, William and Kathleen (nee Phillips) Armstrong, her brother James (Ronda) Armstrong, and sister Terri (Carlos) Quintos. Kelly also leaves behind mother and father in law, Terry and Ann Palmer.

Condolences can be left at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kellypalmer1

Break out the Bibs for Montgomery Inn’s RibFest 2009

“All You Can Eat”

MONTGOMERY, OHIO - Montgomery Inn is offering a summer full of ribs specials during RibFest 2009 at all three of its Cincinnati locations and the newest restaurant in Dublin, Ohio.

RibFest kicks off with “All You Can Eat” World-Famous Ribs and Saratoga chips on July 3, 4 and 5.. For $19.95, rib-lovers can celebrate their independence and enjoy an unlimited amount of ribs.

Montgomery Inn’s previous “All You Can Eat” ribs offer, which took place for five days in February in honor of the Boathouse’s 20th anniversary, resulted in 19,450 pounds - nearly 10 tons - of ribs consumed at Montgomery Inn’s Greater Cincinnati locations..

RibFest is available at all Montgomery Inn locations - in Old Montgomery (just north of Cincinnati), in Fort Mitchell on Buttermilk Pike, on the Ohio River at the Boathouse restaurant, and in Dublin at its newest location in the Shoppes at River Ridge.

Montgomery Inn is open Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM(including on July 4), and Sunday 3 PM to 10 PM
The “All You Can Eat” Ribs and Saratoga chips special is valid only July 3, 4 and 5, 2009, for dine-in consumption only (no carry out orders and no doggy bags). All orders are per person (no sharing). The $5 off rib entrée coupon is valid for one entrée each (dine in or carryout) and expires Sept. 30, 2009.

Return to Work Resource Center at Scarlet Oaks

CTM's NEXT MEETING is July 14th
(No meeting 6/30 or 7/7)

MIAMI TOWNSHIP, OHIO - The Career Transitioning Ministry (CTM) offers practical, personal and spiritual support for individuals who have lost their jobs or are concerned about losing their jobs. It is open to the public, free of charge and requires no pre-registration to attend. This ministry is being offered through Epiphany United Methodist Church and River Hills Christian Church.

The July 14 meeting at River Hills CC will feature Lisa Slutsky talking about the Return to Work Resource Center at Scarlet Oaks

Meetings are held each Tuesday from 7-8:30 PM. On the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, they meet  at Epiphany UMC, 6635 Loveland Miamiville Rd. The 2nd and 4th Tuesdays They meet at RHCC, 6300 Price Rd.

Face to Face with the Women of Iraq

National Radio Commentator at Grailville July 17

On Friday, July 17 at 7:30 PM, Kelly Hayes-Raitt will present a talk, illustrated by portrait photos of Iraqis she met in pre and post-invasion Iraq, and in Syria, last summer volunteering with Iraqi refugees. The talk is at the Grailville Retreat & Program Center, 932 O’Bannonville Road.

 “Her talk is quite personal, rather than political or academic, and often stimulates interesting conversations.”

Appointed to the Santa Monica Commission on the Status of Women, Hayes-Raitt joined a women’s delegation to Iraq just five weeks before the US-led invasion.  "The Iraqis touched her so deeply" that she returned a few months later and provided on-air commentaries from Baghdad, Basra and Fallouja on National Public Radio.  In 2004, she was named “Woman of the Year” for her humanitarian work.

In her upcoming book, “Violating Sanctions:  An American Woman’s Listening Tour through the Axis of Evil,” Hayes-Raitt “puts a human face on US foreign policies.”  She blogs at www.PeacePATHFoundation.org.

Hayes-Raitt is a Carson McCullers 2008 Writing Fellow.

This program is FREE, however donations are appreciated.

No reservations are required.

Information: 513-683-2340      www.grailville.org

Star Comic, PJ Walsh: July 17th at the Oasis

  Corey’s Courage hosts, Comedy with a Cause

MIAMI TOWNSHIP, OHIO – On Friday July 17, Corey’s Courage hosts, Comedy with a Cause, a special fund raising event to offset the cost of Corey Nickell’s care, to increase the awareness of Childhood Cancer, and the Rally Round the Gold Ribbon Organization.

Corey Nickell, the son of Milford Community Fire Department Captain, Jim and Debra Nickell, was diagnosed in February, 2007 at the age of 2-1/2 with Neuroblastoma cancer. Corey passed away in May, after a 2-1/2-year battle against the disease.

Cocktail hour starts at  7 PM at the Oasis Golf and Conference Center. John Cooper said, “It will be an evening of entertainment, laughter and fun - the laughter begins at 8 PM.”

Cooper said, “Headlining, will be one of the hardest working comics behind a microphone, PJ Walsh. He's known for his quick wit, and boundless energy.” The opening act will be Dan Mahoney.

Walsh has been an “opener” on Larry the Cable Guy’s “Tour of America” and “The Right to Bare Arms” tours.  Walsh has also made a name for himself opening for other famous blue collar comedians Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Ron White. Currently, he is on a  nationwide tour of comedy clubs.

Walsh can be seen in Larry the Cable Guy’s “Git-R-Done” DVD, Ron White’s “They Call Me Tater Salad” DVD and plays a role in the Lionsgate feature film “Delta Farce” starring DJ Qualls, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy. In 2007, Walsh performed with Larry at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. During his career, Walsh has also performed at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, he took first place in the 2002 Rocky Mountain Laugh-Off, and was a finalist in the 2002 Seattle International Comedy Competition. In January 2003, he got national attention with his appearance on CBS’ “Star Search”. He has performed at Armed Forces facilities in Japan, Korea and the Balkans, as well as with the “Comics on Duty” tour throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. He was later featured on the CNN profile of the “Comics on Duty” program.

All table seats include a complimentary drink

You may want full bar waiter service at your table.

You might want to consider purchasing a private table for you and 7 of your closest friends.

Ticket and event sponsorship details can be found HERE.

Your attendance will help offset the financial cost of Corey Nickell’s care, help increase the awareness of childhood cancer, and the lack of funding towards research for childhood specific cures.

Families of the Milford Community Fire Department and Milford Community organize this event.

Neuroblastoma is a tumor of the nerve tissue that most commonly comes from the abdomen (the adenal glands which sit on the top of the kidneys). It is mainly a tumor of infancy and early childhood. The majority cases are diagnosed in children younger than 5 years old.

For more information CLICK HERE.