Loveland Magazine

Salutatorian Michael Louis Addresses Loveland High School Class of 2012

This LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO is Loveland High School's 2012 Salutatorian Michael Louis addressing the  Class of 2012 during graduating ceremonies at Xavier University's Cintas Center on June 2.

 

Principal Dr. Molly Moorhead Addresses Loveland High School Graduates

This is LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO of Principal Dr. Molly Moorhead addressing the graduates of the Loveland High School Class of 1012 on June 2, at the Cintas Center of Xavier University. In this video, she talks about the accomplishments of the graduating class, including national recognition for some of her students and the school.

 

Loveland High School Spring Sports Awards and Honors

Special VARSITY Team Awards

Baseball

• Best Defensive Player - Darren Sackett         
• Most Valuable Hitter - Joe Moran
• Most Valuable Pitcher - Michael Louis             
• Most Improved Player - Jacob Meyer             
• Tiger Man - Reed Schlesner

 
Softball

• Co-Most Valuable Player (2) - Haley Shuemake, Olivia Pifer
• Golden Glove - Amy Simone
• Tigerball - Molly Reich

Boys Tennis

• Sportsmanship - Reece Martinez
• Fighting Tiger - Kyle Jarc
• Newcomer Award - Johan Harris
• Team Spirit - Jon Treloar
• Most Valuable Player - Andrew Gordon

 
Boys Track

• Most Valuable Athlete - Eric Bryant
• Most Valuable Field Athlete - Camden Baucke
• Most Valuable Runner - Anthony Johnson
• Tiger Award - Luke Walker
• Most Improved Distance - Cameron Spicer
• Most Improved Sprinter - Beau Ngu
• Most Improved Field Athlete (2) - Nate Slagel, Giovanni Ricci   

Girls Track

• Most Valuable Distance - Lena Koenig
• Most Valuable Sprinter - Allison Pfaltzgraff
• Most Valuable Field Athlete - Jennifer Jiles
• Most Improved Distance - Mackenzie Johnson
• Most Improved Sprinter - Guste Rubikaite
• Most Improved Field Athlete - Katie Crum
• Tiger Award - Anna Vuyk

Four Year Awards

• Baseball - Joe Moran
• Softball - Ashley Frees, Haley Shuemake, Tara Spencer
• Track - Allison Pfaltzgraff, Leah Wood, Eric Bryant       
• Lacrosse - Evan Beck, Brittany Breitholle, Kayla Burton, Lauren Czebatul, Stefanie Dever, Stephanie Jacob, Abby Mullowney, Stella Norris, Maggie Stancliff

         
Edward Jones Athlete of the Month

• April - Molly Reich (Softball), Michael Weinberg (Tennis)
• May - Kyle Sieg (Track), Allison Pfaltzgraff (Track)

 

FAVC East Division Coach of the Year  - James Vanatsky, Track                 

 

FAVC  East Division Standings

• Baseball - 2nd  place, 12 – 4  record
• Boys Tennis - 4th  place           
• Softball - 6th   place , 10 – 6  record
• Girls Track - 4th  place     
• Boys track - 1st  place, Champions

School Records

Softball – Haley Shuemake, 4 home runs in one season, 12 Career Home runs, .423 career batting average, 122 career hits

Baseball – Sam Timmerman, Career Saves – 10

Track:

• Boys 4 X 100M relay 43.59, Luke Cummings, Anthony Johnson, Luke Walker, Nate Slagel
• Boys 4 X 200M relay 1:33.2, Luke Cummings, Anthony Johnson, Beau Ngu Jake Junod
• Boys Pole Vault, Eric Bryant 13’6”

 

Sportsperson of the Season

This award, designated by each varsity coach, goes to an athlete who embodies the virtues of Loveland athletics: Teamwork, Integrity, Greatness, Excellence, Respect, Sportsmanship.

Boys Tennis - Reece Martinez
Baseball - Ryan Altman
Softball - Ashley Frees
Girls Track - Danielle Morra
Boys Track - Ben Iaciofano
Boys Lacrosse - Evan Beck
Girls Lacrosse - Brittany Breitholle


All-Conference Teams

 Baseball

• 1st Team - Joe Moran, Mitchell Lendenski, Reed Schlesner, Jacob Meyer
• 2nd Team - Sam Timmerman, Michael Louis
• Honorable Mention - Ryan Altman

Softball

• 1st Team - Haley Shuemake
• 2nd Team - Olivia Piver
• Honorable Mention - Allie Suder

Boys Tennis

• 1st Team - Alex Genbauffe, Johan Harris
• 2nd Team - Jon Treloar, Andrew Gordon, Kyle Jarc
• Honorable Mention - Reece Martinez

Boys Track

• 1st Team - Giovanni Ricci, Nathaniel Slagel, Luke Cummings, Luke Walker, Anthony Johnson, Barrett Dannemiller, Jake Junod, Beau Ngu
• 2nd Team - Eric Bryant
• Honorable Mention - Ben Iaciofano

Girls Track

• Honorable Mention - Jennifer Jiles

 

FAVC All-Conference Academic (3.5 GPA and above – Varsity teams only)

Baseball:  Ryan Altman, Dylan Bodley, Hunter Ewing, Michael Louis, Joe Willie Frees, Aaron Malloy, Bryce Plitt, Ryne Terry, Nolan Snyder, Reid Waddell, Jacob Alten, Nathan Bryant

Softball:  Tara Spencer, Molly Reich, Bridget Landis, Olivia Stanton, Allie Suder, Ashley Frees, Katie Swaine, Haley Shuemake, Phoenix Crane, Spencer Fuller

Boys Tennis:  Alex Genbauffe, Johan Harris, Reece Martinez, Mike Weinberg

Track: Jessie Blumberg, Jessica Comorosky, Katie Crum, Olivia Denzy, Lauren Dusold, Ariel Fischer, Jennifer Jiles, Mackenzie Johnson, Molly Kessler, Lena Koenig, Anna Lawrence, Rita Maricocchi, Zana Percy, Allison Pfalzgraff, Guste Rubikaite, Rachel Sharn, Anna Vuyk, Carla Weismantel, Leah Wood, Katie Wright, Camden Baucke, Eric Bryant, Ryan Fisher, Kevin Garner, Austin Hastings, Griffin Hodges, Jake Holle,  Evan Lynch, Danny McManus, Mike McManus, Graham Peters, Giovanni Ricci, Anthony Venzin, Luke Walker

Lacrosse:  Zach Burpee, Corey Cotsonas, Zach Cotsonas, Kody Griffin, Tanner Hawk, Jay Hubble, Mitchell Kenter, Drew McDonald, Brian McElveen, Paul Newbold, Jack Norris, Allen Osgood, Mike Shaver, Matt Williams, Brittany Breitholle, Kayla Burton, Lauren Czebatul, Grace Dolan, Erin Pogue, Stefanie Dever, Stephanie Jacob, Jillian Kemmet, Abby Mullowney, Stella Norris, Maggie Stancliff, Hannah Bellamah, Olivia Lee, Jessica Hawk, Savannah Lee

 

Ron Sampson Memorial Day Speech in Loveland

In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO is Ron Sampson, Retired USAF who was the featured speaker at the Memorial Day ceremony in Loveland, Ohio.

 

Branch Hill Miamiville Road Closures June 4 - 14

Download 5-31-12 Branch Hill Miamiville Closure letter and a detour map with details about upcoming road closures on Branch Hill Miamiville Road from June 4^th through June 14^th on Mondays through Fridays, 7:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

Loveland High School Baseball Conference and Team Awards

2012 LHS All FAVC - Varsity Baseball

First Team: Mitch Lendenski, Jacob Meyer, Joe Moran, Reed Schlesner

Second Team: Michael Louis, Sam Timmerman

Honorable Mention: Ryan Altman

Academic (3.5 GPA and above):

Ryan Altman, Dylan Bodley, Hunter Ewing, Michael Louis, Joe Willie Frees, Aaron Malloy, Bryce Plitt, Ryne Terry, Nolan Snyder, Reid Waddell, Jacob Alten, Nathan Bryant

Team Awards:
Best Defensive Player – Darren Sackett
Most Valuable Hitter – Joe Moran
Most Valuable Pitcher – Michael Louis
Most Improved Player - Jacob Meyer
Tiger Man – Reed Schlesner
All Star Representative - Sam Timmerman

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy Football Camp

The Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy Football Camp is next Tuesday through Friday, June 5 - 8 from 9 AM until noon. It is for those entering 2nd through 8th grade.

Click to download a flyer with more info: Download CHCA fb camp 2012

Paul Newbold Named US Lacrosse All-American

Loveland High School (LHS) junior goaltender Paul Newbold was recently named a 2012 US Lacrosse All-American for the Southwest Ohio region. This past season, Newbold set a Tiger record for save percentage at 68.4%.  He made 212 saves in 2012, upping his career total to 489 saves and placing him first on Loveland’s all-time career saves list. Newbold led a stingy Loveland defense that allowed only 5.65 goals per game. He made 23 saves in a 7-6 win over Indian Hill, which was Loveland's first time defeating the Braves at the varsity level.  Newbold also made 21 saves against Mason (#6 in the Under Armour Midwest Regional Rankings) in an 8-3 loss.  He also plays football for the Tigers and is the brother of 2010 LHS All-American and current Sacred Heart all-conference player, Andrew Newbold.

See Transit of Venus on June 5 at Loveland High School

photo taken by Jan Herold (German Wikipedian)

Loveland, Ohio - On June 5 at 6:04 PM, the Loveland High School Astronomy Club will be hosting a public event to view the transit of Venus, as part of the Cincinnati Observatory Center's Tri-State wide celebration of the event. 

On this day, the planet Venus will pass in front of the sun, and using safe solar viewing equipment observers will be able to see the outline of the planet against the star.  This is a very rare event and will not occur again until the year 2117, so the Astronomy Club is hosting a public viewing party in order to offer as many people as possible the chance to watch. 

Matthew Worsham said, "Because this is such a rare event, we want to reach out to as many people as possible so they can enjoy the event."

This event is open to the public and free of charge. It will be for individuals of all ages, and no prior astronomy experience is required. Part of the Cincinnati Observatory Center’s Tri-State wide celebration of the transit.

When: 6:04 pm, June 5th, 2012

Where: Loveland High School, Student Parking Lot, 1 Tiger Trail, Loveland, OH

Schedule:

• 6:04 pm transit begins
• 6:10 pm shadow becomes easily visible
• 6:15 pm (approx.) black drop appears
• Ends at sunset - stay after to see Saturn

Search for “Transit of Venus in Loveland” on Facebook to get connected online and hear the latest news about the event.

Transit of Venus in Loveland

Public Event · By Matthew Worsham

Transit of Venus.org

Transit of Venus From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Brad J said:
Excellent. Makes me think. "HOLD ON" could have several different meanings.

Gayle Lynch said:
Two things come to mind...the healing power of the sea and also the courage it takes to plunge into the unconscious mind, as every artist and poet does. Always nice to have a life-line for when things get dark and deep.

 

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LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEOS

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Board of Elections Has No Jurisdiction Over Loveland’s Faulty Tax Ordinance

Amy Searcy, the Hamilton County Director of Elections says that if Loveland citizens have concerns about inflated figures in the recently passed Income Tax Ordinance, they should take those concerns to a Council meeting or to the Loveland Law Director. She said, “The county board would not have anything to do with it. We never look at the actual language. We are not charged with that responsibility.”

At their last meeting,  council passed a resolution sending an ordinance to the Board of Elections proposing to increase the income tax from the current rate of 1% to 1.25%. When council passed the Income Tax Ordinance on April 10, it contained an admitted $470,000 to $503,000 error in a clause that said the city had already made cuts of $930,000 to the budget. Councilwoman Angie Settell has raised the issue of the misleading figure, but has failed to get the error corrected. The question of increasing the income tax will be on the November ballot.

Searcy said that what they do is print ballots, and distribute them. “We are not the ones putting it on the ballot. We are the ones providing the ballot.” She explained that the Board, or staff does not do any analysis of the language, or compare it to the City Charter, to determine whether it is, “appropriate, legal, or accurate.”

Searcy also explained that the only way for her Board to become involved is if Loveland citizens would first contact the Secretary of State’s chief legal council to initiate a hearing on the ordinance passed by Loveland. She said that the Hamilton County Board would only conduct a hearing if it was recommended by the Secretary of State.

What will appear on the actual ballot this fall will be two simple questions. “For the Income Tax.” “Against the Income Tax.” However, posted at each polling place will be the actual Income Tax Ordinance that people will be voting on.

For background, including video of Settell's arguments for correcting the error, and the City Manager's admission of the error: $427,000 Error in Tax Ordinance

Settell Revisits Error in Tax Increase Ordinance

To read the Tax Ordinance: Download Tax Ordinance

Read the Resolution passed at last week's meeting: Download Tax Resolution

Matt Dowd Named DII, 1st Team All American

Congratulations to University of Dayton Lacrosse defensive standout and Loveland HS Alum Matt Dowd ('08) for his recent selection as a 2012 MCLA DII, 1st Team All-America (Defense).

Now a 2-time 1st Team All American recipient, Dowd was also named 2012 MCLA 1st Team All-Tournament, as well as 2012 CCLA 1st Team All Conference.

He was also the 2012 MCLA preseason Player of the Year.

In 2011, he was named CCLA 2nd Team All Conference and garnered Honorable Mention 2010 CCLA All Conference.

Dowd played in 58 games over 4 seasons at Dayton, picking up 212 ground balls along the way and helping lead the Flyers to a 51-12 record.

As a senior at Loveland High, Dowd was a defensive anchor on the team that reached the Ohio State Championship (DII) in 2008, the first year as a varsity program.

"We Cannot Pretend We Did Not Know" - Anderson Cooper

A survivor of the Houla massacre said men went house to house to finish off victims.

Russian Foreign Minister Compares Syria Massacre to Disco Party

 

 

Steve and Suzanna Barnes

photo by David Miller/Loveland Magazine © 2012

Loveland, Ohio - Father and Daughter duo, Steve and Suzanna Barnes entertained at Julian's Deli & Spirits on Sunday evening.

Suzanna has just graduated from The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. In this photo she was playing the violin, but she played a mandolin on most of the numbers.

Steve said on Sunday they were calling themselves, "Heatstroke" because of the unseasonably hot Loveland weather, but last time their performed in Loveland brought thunderstorms... so he named the duo, "Upper Level Disturbance" that night. He said that last fall they called themselves, "Occupy Loveland."

They played what may be described as folk rock from the late "60's early '70's, or country folk music, heavy on lyrics.

The deli is located at 200 West Loveland Avenue right next to the four-sided clock along the Loveland Bike Trail.

Friday June 1st, Laginappe returns for another performance from 6 til 10 PM. Cajun, Zydeco, Dixieland, New Orleans Blues, Gypsy, Western Swing, Old Time Appalachian, and Rock.

 

Loveland Moon Memorial Day Weekend

photo by David Miller/Loveland Magazine © 2012

Settell Revisits Error in Tax Increase Ordinance

Attempt to Correct 1/2 Million Dollar Error Goes Nowhere

Loveland, Ohio - In order to increase Loveland’s income tax, City Council must first pass an ordinance that says, pending voter approval, the tax rate will be raised to some specific amount. If passed by the voters, this ordinance becomes part of Loveland’s tax law. The second thing that must happen is that a Resolution must be approved sending the Tax Ordinance to the Board of Elections.

On April 10, council passed the Income Tax Ordinance, but it contained an admitted $470,000 to $503,000 error in a clause that said the city had already made cuts of $930,000 to the budget. The clause (WHEREAS, budget reductions made by the City of Loveland totaling approximately $930,000 since 2010 cannot replace this lost revenue;) was inserted into the ordinance at the urging of Councilwoman Paulette Leeper because she wanted the ordinance to to contain a statement of efforts made to avoid the need for a tax increase. Councilwoman Angie Settell has been asking for clarification of the financial figures. She pointed out that the Tax Ordinance says that $930,000 has already been cut from the city budget. City Manager Thomas Carroll responded to her question last month, confirming that the figure should be between $470,000 to $503,000.

A council majority has proposed increasing the income tax from the current rate of 1% to 1.25%.

Settell raised the issue again this past Tuesday night before the vote was taken to send the Tax Ordinance to the Board of Elections. She said, “I feel I need to bring this up again.” She pointed out that the $930,000 figure does not represent cuts already made, but includes cuts that may be made if needed in 2013 and 2014 budgets. Settell said that she has talked to constituents about the $930,000 and they think City Hall has already cut the budget close to a million dollars. “Which we clearly haven’t,” Settell said. She also said that what voters need is a clear explanation of the budget deficit with a precise figure, which is no where to be found in the Ordinance.

City Manager Carroll again at last Tuesday’s meeting agreed that the $930,000 figure is not accurate because it represents possible future cuts, not cuts made as of the date of the passing of the Tax Ordinance. He suggested that adding clarifying language to the Resolution could correct the Tax Ordinance, however City Solicitor Frank Klaine said that a resolution could not correct an ordinance.

Councilmember Mark Fitzgerald pointed out that they had until August to send the Tax Ordinance to the Board of Elections, and that there was time to correct the error. The discussion then quickly turned away from the Tax Ordinance error, when Vice Mayor David Bednar changed the subject and asked how The Clermont and Warren County Board of Elections would receive the Resolution. After a quick answer by the City Solicitor, Mayor Rob Weisgerber called for a vote. The Resolution passed 4-3, with Weisgerber, Vice Mayor David Bednar, Leeper, and Brenton Zuck voting to send the inaccurate Tax Ordinance along it’s way. Settell, Fitzgerald, and Linda Cox voted, “No.”

Settell, referring to proposed budget cuts that haven’t yet been made said, “We are almost taking credit for something we haven’t done.” She also expresses concern that the inflated amount includes proposed deficit figures in the Fire/EMS funds. The City Manager is proposing to cover the Fire/EMS deficit with the new income tax funds and holding off asking voters to approve more Fire/EMS taxes until 2014.

For more background: $427,000 Error in Tax Ordinance

To read the Tax Ordinance: Download Tax Ordinance

Read the Resolution passed at last week's meeting: Download Tax Resolution

Julie Zins and Dean Middleton

photo by David Miller/Loveland Magazine © 2012

Co-owner, Julie Zins of Julian's Deli & Spirits joined Dean Middleton late Sunday afternoon to sing some "cover" songs. Zins said that she was "on the road" for twenty years in her former life. Julian's Deli & Spirits is located at 200 West Loveland Avenue right next to the four-sided clock along the Loveland Bike Trail. Some people call it the Little Miami Scenic Trail... but what do they know?

A View From Loveland Bike Trail 1/2 Mile North of Historic Downtown Loveland

photo by David Miller/Loveland Magazine © 2012

Loveland Magazine Exclusive Interview with Oscar Winning Director Daniel Junge on Upcoming Documentary

 

One of the questions brought up is “Can you love your neighbor as yourself then knee them in the face as hard as you can?” What’s your take on that?    - Ricky Mulvey

 

Paul Burress, one of the principal subjects in “Fight Church.”

"I have had certain misgivings about whether these two worlds overlap or should overlap. But then you meet someone like Paul who is incredibly genuine, is a great guy and a great subject for a film. He won me over." - Daniel Junge

 

Producer Eben Kostbar, Director Daniel Junge, and Director Bryan Storkel.

by Ricky Mulvey

 

Daniel Junge recently won an Academy Award for Best Short Documentary for his film “Saving Face.” This film chronicles the story of Pakistani women, who are victims of acid attacks, a plastic surgeon helping them, and the people changing the formally lenient policies of Pakistan on the subject. Daniel Junge has another previous Oscar nomination, an Emmy nomination, and a Tribeca Film Festival award to his credit.

His upcoming documentary entitled “Fight Church” is about the convergence of Mixed Martial Arts and Christianity and the philosophical conflicts that arise from it. Through interviews with fighters, pastors, and politicians, “Fight Church” presents contrasting view points, on the issue being involved in what many consider a violent sport and being deeply religious. It is co-directed by Bryan Storkel (“Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians”) and is produced by Eben Kostbar and Joseph McKelheer (“The Hammer”).  

However, funding is not yet complete for this motion picture. The filmmakers have turned to the fans by starting a Kickstarter campaign  in order to acquire the funds necessary to complete the movie.

 

Eben Kostbar and Joseph McKelheer

Loveland Magazine (L.M.) – What about the intermingling of deep Christian faith and Mixed Martial Arts makes a good story?

Daniel Junge (D.J.) – On the surface, many find the two as incongruent. And I think it’s very topical and a popular subject matter as we live in an overtly Christian nation and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is the fastest rising sport. The overlap between those makes a really interesting subculture to observe. 

I think it is a contentious subject matter, which is always appealing to documentary filmmakers. There are people who sit very much on one side of the fence and the other. That means that there is a great story there for a documentary filmmaker.

L.M. – I picked up from trailer is that the goal of this movie is to be in the middle of the road and show both views equally, correct?

D.J. – Absolutely. I think that is very much represented in my films as well as Bryan (Storkel’s). We are here to try to be as objective as possible and offer both critiques and supports of this subculture.

L.M. – What subset of Christianity are the majority of the subjects in “Fight Church.”

D.J. – Really there are all varieties of Christians who are bringing MMA into their faith. There are certainly what one would consider as more fundamental Evangelical Christians, but one of the guys we have been filming with is a devout Catholic. And of course there are a lot of Catholics in MMA. There is no specific denomination of Christianity that is embracing this. It is really universal.

L.M. – How did you come across this story?

D.J. – I learned about it from Eben (Kostbar) and Joe (McKelheer) who worked with Paul (Burress) who is prominently featured in the trailer when they were making “The Hammer.” Paul is the head pastor at the Trinity Church in Rochester New York. He was instrumental in helping with “The Hammer” (The film about UFC fighter and Loveland native Matt “The Hammer” Hamill.). A friend of theirs told me about Paul. They said “Hey, here is this guy who is a pastor also trains people in MMA at his church.” That caught my ear because that sounds like a great subject for a documentary. The more I got into it, the more I realized that this merging community of Christianity and Mixed Martial Arts is becoming more and more present.

    Our first shoot was with Paul (Burress) and I have to say that is what really sold me on making the film because although I have had certain misgivings about whether these two worlds overlap or should overlap. But then you meet someone like Paul who is incredibly genuine, is a great guy and a great subject for a film. He won me over, and is a very sympathetic subject for a film. I think that is why he is one of the centerpieces to our film.

L.M. – You describe yourself as “Not a terribly devout Christian.” Has your faith shifted with the making of this film?

D.J. – Not necessarily. I grew up Catholic, and I have made a number of films that have faith implications including the murder of a Catholic nun in Brazil (“They Killed Sister Dorothy” narrated by Martin Sheen), and I just did a film on acid violence in the Muslim world (“Saving Face”). In general when I make these films I immerse myself in them, but they don’t profoundly impact my outlook on the world.

     I guess I find myself vacillating when I hear critics of this world, and then I spend time with people who are fully immersed in it who are great, and it’s very easy to understand their rational and I think their look on the world is very justified.

L.M. – This film is not finished yet. Where do you see it going and where does it need to go with the money you are trying to raise?

D.J. – I think we are about halfway done with shooting and we have identified some great principal subjects, but I think we are still looking for one more. We need to continue following up with the subjects we already have, and that takes money. We have thankfully had early angel investors in the film who brought it this far, but we are looking to get through the bulk of production with this Kickstarter campaign. We have enough skills as filmmakers to know that once the film is in the can we can find a way to get it edited, as were efficient in that regard, and then out to the public. Right now we need the money to keep shooting for the rest of the calendar year.

L.M. – One of the questions brought up in the trailer is “Can you love your neighbor as yourself then knee them in the face as hard as you can?” What’s your take on that?

D.J. – That’s coming from a subject who is really questioning the overlap of these two worlds right now. I think others in the film would state it much more diplomatically. If you want to be brash, that is the premise of the film. There are many in this world who say ‘absolutely you can’ and that your faith doesn’t mean you can’t enter into a cage for an athletic competition, to see who is best.

L.M. – Is the movie also about the idea that people twist their faith to make it adhere to what they want to do regardless of what their religion tells them?

D.J. – There are many in the film giving interpretations of the Bible. But one thing you can say emphatically and without question, is that, nowhere does it outlaw Mixed Martial Arts. Therefore religion is such that everyone has their own interpretation; sometimes a very passionate interpretation of whether or not it encompasses their lifestyle. The people who inhabit this lifestyle, fight and are devout Christians believe that they are no contradictions there.

    I’m not personally defending them. I am just presenting both sides. I have some of the same questions as you. I think that the good thing about my filmmaking team is they all feel a little bit different about this. They come from different perspectives and that is a good thing. It keeps us right down the middle of the road, which is where the film needs to be. 

L.M – Christianity, like nearly all faiths, has had its share of bloodshed and violence. Does this movie hit on the fact that violence has a history in nearly all religions including Christianity?

D.J. – We ask those questions and I think the implications of those issues will be in the final film. At the end of the day, were making a film about a specific subculture and giving them a voice.

We don’t want the film to just be a debate. We want it to be about subjects’ lives so the viewer can empathize with them, and understand their world. While these questions will be addressed, and I think are important, the film doesn’t purport to answer them or offer a major critique in that regard.

L.M. – How can people who are interested in “Fight Church” help out?

D.J. – I think the best money you can get is from your fan base. They believe in the material and are going to ultimately support the film. So I would simply say that if anyone watched the trailer and is intrigued and wants to see it finished to kick in the least little bit to help us get there.

 

Sunday in Historic Downtown Loveland on our State and National Scenic River

 

photo by David Miller/Loveland Magazine © 2012

 

Hold On by Bethany Casey

A painting by Loveland Artist Bethany Casey © 2012