Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND, OHIO – LOCAL JULY 4TH CELEBRATIONS, PARADES, AND FIREWORKS

LOVELAND

Fourth of July Parade at 7 PM along Loveland Madeira Road and West Loveland Avenue.  Festivities include a bike contest, music entertainment and fireworks. Music by 1 of a Kind at 8 PM followed by Rozzi's Famous fireworks. Free. Historic Downtown. Information: 513-683-0150.

July 2 – Concert in Nisbet Park at 6 PM by the Ohio Military Band (Historic Downtown)

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP (Maineville)
July 1 Parade leaving Hildebrant Drive and Regency Park Boulevard at 11 AM, ending at Testerman Park (Loveland-Maineville Road).

MASON
Red Rhythm and Boom, July 3, 2006, 6 to 10:30 PM.
Corwin M. Nixon Park. Rain or shine. Admission is Free!

Styx 8:00 PM.

Styx 8:00 PM. The first band to ever have four consecutive triple platinum albums—will perform. Their music has had an impact on generations and has become an integral part of pop culture in American society today. Some of their top hits include "Come Sail Away," "Mr. Roboto," "Lady," "The Best of Times," and "Show Me the Way.".

The winners of the Mason Idol Contest will open the 2006 Red, Rhythm & Boom celebration at 7:00 PM.

Kidz Zone 6 PM - 9 PM. Face painters, bounce house, and magic shows.

Rock Wall 6 PM – Dark

Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks at 10:15 PM.
More Information.

MONTGOMERY
The July 4th Festival runs from 11 AM to 2 PM, immediately following the Independence Day Parade, at Montgomery Park (10101 Montgomery Road).

The Blue Chip Jazz Band and the Kevin Fox Band will provide musical entertainment for the Independence Day celebration.  In addition, kids games, pony rides, food booths from area restaurants, the popular Pet Show, a moonwalk and more will be featured at the event.
Kids Activities: Tickets 3/$1

    * Dunking Booth
    * Moonwalk
    * Pet Show - bring your family pet and enter that day!
    * Pony Rides

July 3rd from 7:30-9:30 PM at Montgomery Park the Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony will perform traditional patriotic music and great American Blues in a FREE public concert. Rotary Club and the Boy Scouts will sell food and drinks.

Tuesday, July 4. Independence Day Parade
Parade entries will assemble at designated locations on Cooper Road at 9 AM with the official kick off at 10 AM. More Information.

PARAMOUNT'S KINGS ISLAND
July 1st - 4th fireworks display each evening at 10 PM.

BLUE ASH
WARM 98 Red, White & Blue Ash Celebration
Blue Ash's July 4th event, WARM 98 Red, White & Blue Ash, will take place on Tuesday, July 4, 2006, at the Blue Ash Sports Center, 11540 Grooms Road. Event hours: 2 PM to 10:35 PM. Gates will open at 2 PM, with the fireworks show to begin at 10 PM. More Information.

THE LEGISLATIVE LINE ITEM VETO: A USEFUL TOOL TO CUT SPENDING

LOVELAND, OHIO – MILITARY NEWS: CUTTER, CAIN, RIDDER

LOVELAND, OHIO – Army Reserve Pvt. Harry L. Cutter and Army National Guard Pvt. Brian L. Cain have graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldiers studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Cutter is the son of Nancy Cutter of Simpson Court, Mason, Ohio and is a 2005 graduate of Kings High School, Kings Mills, Ohio.

Cain is the son of Gene and Tina Cain of Pinecrest Drive, Morrow, Ohio and in 2003, he graduated from Little Miami High School, Morrow.

Jason Ridder has been promoted to the rank of senior airman in the U.S. Air Force. Ridder, a newspaper editor, is assigned to the 50th Space Wing, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colo. He has three years of military service.

He is the son of Ray Ridder of Taylor Mill, Ky., and Berta Bergman of Stony Hollow Court, Loveland, Ohio. Ridder is a 1998 graduate of Kings High School, Kings Mills, Ohio.

FIRE MARSHAL URGES OHIOANS TO ATTEND PUBLIC FIREWORKS EXHIBITIONS & ENCOURAGES SAFETY WHEN USING LEGAL FIREWORKS

MORROW, OHIO – 3 LM GRADS HEADED TO THE ACADEMY

MORROW, OHIO – For the first time in Little Miami High School history, three students have been appointed to military academies. Jessie Carmack and Owen Waits are headed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and Melissa Beerse will attend the United State Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

Jessie Carmack, the daughter of Gary and Terri Carmack of Clarksville, will be playing basketball for the army. "I decided to go to West Point because of the education I will receive. Basketball is a great addition," she said.

In preparation for her June 25 arrival, Carmack was staying fit by playing basketball and working with a personal trainer. She's also mentally preparing herself for the transition to basic training.

"West Point is 85 percent male. More and more females are going into the military, and I think it's good for the men to see women as one of them," she said.

She plans to study engineering and psychology, and her career interests include college coaching and teaching special education. "I'm excited about a new beginning, playing college basketball, developing new friendships and getting a new experience in New York," Carmack said. "But I'm a little nervous about training, keeping my studies up and leaving my family and friends."

Carmack, however, is no stranger to juggling extracurricular activities and coursework: her high school activities have included youth basketball, vice president of Students Against Destructive Decisions, yearbook, student government, National Honor Society treasurer, student liaison, soccer, basketball and track.

Owen Waits is the son of Adam and Sue Waits of Morrow. He expressed his dream of entering the US military: "I've always wanted to be in the military, and I want to be an engineer. West Point is one of the top engineering school, and I knew it would be a great opportunity to go to a good school."

He plans to study mechanical engineering and intends to serve 20 years in the army. Waits said he is most worried about the physical and academic strain. In preparation, he's running, doing push ups, sit ups and pull ups and hitting the YMCA. He's also been reviewing the cadet handbook to learn more about the Army and West Point.

"I know there is definitely a possibility to go to war," he said. "But if I have to go, West Point, or any of the military academies, are the best training."

During his high school career, he was active in marching band, golf, wrestling, tennis, Boy Scouts, and served as the vice president of his class and president of the National Honor Society.

Melissa Beerse is the daughter of Peter and Lisa Beerse of Morrow and the oldest of seven children. Although she acknowledged that the transition has been difficult on her family, she looks forward to pole-vaulting for the Air Force.

"I didn't want to go at first," Beerse admitted. "They started recruiting me in the summer, and I decided to go and visit. I fell in love with it and realized it was the right place for me to go."

Beerse plans to major in biology and may continue on to medical school. While in high school, she was active in indoor and outdoor track and field, cross country, swim team, Junior Olympics, Student Government as Vice President, French Club as President, Art Club, National Honor Society and French National Honor Society.

MORROW, OHIO - LM SEEKS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM

MORROW, OHIO – The Little Miami Local School District is looking for community members to provide input on the construction program for new buildings and renovations.

The scope of the project includes:

• An addition to Little Miami High School;
• A new junior high school;
• A new intermediate school; and
• Conversion of the Welch Road complex into a fourth elementary school.

“We believe that this project can only be successful if we have participation from our board, administration, staff, parents and community members,” said Superintendent Dan Bennett. “We want a program that meets our immediate educational needs, plans for the future and reflects the diversity of our community.”

The district is seeking community participation on the Facilities Advisory Team, School Design Teams and Function and Discipline Teams.

The Facilities Advisory Team, which will be made up of eight community members, will provide assistance to the school board on overall design approach, “help prioritize difficult choices, and ensure the community is represented throughout the entire construction project.” Membership on this committee will require a long term commitment of three to four years. Selection will be made by the board, who will look for a “balanced, experienced group of individuals to assist them.” Please click here to download an application.

The School Design Teams - one for the high school addition, new junior high school, new intermediate school and Welch Road complex - will provide input to the final design of each facility. The goal of the design teams is to provide the architects with clear direction that can be transformed into detailed drawings.

Four Discipline Teams - transportation, athletics, technology and food service and maintenance - will establish district wide principles to be approved by the board of education.

Once these are established, the teams will be available to the school design teams to present the principles and to make site specific recommendations.

The design and discipline teams will be comprised of district representatives and community members. The teams will meet multiple times per month until the design phase is complete. Continue reading below

Applications of interest are also available at the board office. The deadline for applications is Monday, July 3. Committee make up will be determined no later than Friday, July 7. (Read extended post below for a more complete description of the committees.)

Applications may be sent to the Board of Education Office or e-mailed to lknodel@littlemiamischools.com

MORROW, OHIO - LMHS RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

MORROW, OHIO – The Little Miami High School is one of only 44 schools in the country to receive a 2006 High Schools That Work (HSTW ) award. The district is being recognized with a Gold Award of Educational Achievement, given to schools that have the highest percentage of students who have earned the Award of Educational Achievement.

To earn this honor, students have meet all three performance goals in reading, mathematics and science; met the HSTW recommended curriculum in at least two of three areas; and completed a concentration in a career-technical area, the humanities or mathematics and science. Little Miami will be recognized at the HSTW Conference on July 12.

"This prestigious award is a reflection of the hard work of all our faculty and staff. It is no small feat to improve student achievement," said Superintendent Dan Bennett. "However, they have been supportive of making changes in school and classroom practices and expectations. Little Miami Schools is becoming a nationally recognized district for building a culture of high expectations in which all students can excel."

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - GRASSY RUN ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO – The Grassy Run Historical Arts Committee announces that the 2006 recipient of the annual GRHAC scholarship award is Stephanie Cahill of Owensville. Cahill is a 2006 graduate of Clermont Northeastern High school and will be attending UC Clermont in the fall to study Early childhood education.

LOVELAND, OHIO – LOCAL WOMEN URGE VIEWING OF LION IN THE HOUSE

LOVELAND, OHIO - Alice Culbertson works for a Loveland based organization called "CancerFree Kids Pediatric Cancer Research Alliance." As part of her job, she was at the preview showing of A Lion in the House Saturday night. A Lion in the House is a documentary that follows five families with kids who have cancer over a course of six years. It was filmed in Cincinnati, and all of the kids were treated at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Culbertson said that even though it was filmed locally, “It is becoming huge nationwide.” It was shown at the Sundance Film Festival and there have been premieres going on around the country. She said the filmmakers lobbied before Congress recently for additional childhood cancer funding.

This film is being shown over two nights, June 21st and June 22nd, on PBS (WCET Channel 48) at 9:00 PM Eastern Time.

Culbertson has traveled the journey with a family friend; from the trauma of diagnosis through the physical toll of treatment, and with and death. “You will laugh, believe it or not, cry, feel anger, despair, and hope.” She said, the film will also give you some insight to the kind of care children receive, and some of the decisions moms and dads have to make.

Loveland resident, Leslie Keller is a founding board member of the non-profit, CancerFree Kids. The board was invited to preview what Keller describes as “a very powerful documentary.”

Keller said, “National statistics put pediatric cancer survival rate at 80 per-cent.” She said that that is incredible compared to 25 years ago. However, as Keller reflects on the children she knows in Loveland with childhood cancer, this year the national average did not work in the favor of the families in Loveland. “Watching the film, I found myself trying to figure out just who the survivors would be.”

“This film is not easy to watch and it shouldn't be. However, it will touch you on so many levels. Hopefully it will be a call to action or maybe want to help us at Cancer FreeKids or any other pediatric cancer research organization dedicated to erraticating pediatric cancers,” said Keller.

Keller co-chairs an annual dinner event in October  for CancerFree Kids and she said she is always looking for corporate and individual sponsors for the dinner. The local organization awarded $80,000.00 in grants to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center last year. Keller said, “Dr. Smith is always pushing us to double our efforts.” Cancer Free Kids is a volunteer organization (other than a part-time support person) and have limited time and resources for development. “Let me know if you can help.”

However, Keller also said, “Most of all, hug your kids, love your kids. Pediatric cancer strikes the most unsuspecting.”

“So, make sure your kleenex box if full because you will cry. I really tried
hard not to and the tears came anyway.”

CancerFree Kids Pediatric Cancer Research Alliance
P.O. Box 575
Loveland, OH 45140
513-575-KIDS
.....working together until every kid is cancer-free.

LOVELAND, OHIO – ADVICE TO FRIENDS OF GRIEVING PARENTS

LOVELAND, OHIO – Alice Culbertson stayed after the preview showing of A Lion in the House Saturday night for a question and answer session with the families featured in the film. She said, “The parents of these kids have also been traveling to the premieres around the country so that the audiences could meet them in person and talk to them.” A Lion in the House is a documentary that follows five families with kids who have cancer over a course of six years. It was filmed in Cincinnati, and all of the kids were treated at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Culbertson said, “They had good advice as to how we could help parents after they have lost a child to cancer, and some "dos and don'ts."