Loveland, Ohio – A free class titled “Come Clay with us” will be this Saturday, January 7, from 11 AM until 2 PM at the Loveland Library.
“Let us help fuel your creativity at this free clay and origami workshop. Join the fine folks at Whistle Stop Clay Works and help make an art installation that will be on display at our Loveland Branch Library. Learn to make clay sailboats, clay fish, origami boats, and clay waves. No experience is needed, just the desire to have fun and learn something new. Free and open to ages 4+ to adults.”
The event is in conjunction with the The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts convention that will be held this March in Cincinnati.
Watch this video to learn why Cincinnati was chosen for this national convention.
Loveland, Ohio – Ohio Valley Goodwill has announced that the organization’s “flagship” store in Loveland will be closing January 9th for two months as it undergoes a major renovation and re-design.
The renovation will include new flooring, walls, lighting, displays, fresh paint colors, new bathrooms, and other interior areas. This renovation will serve as the first in a series of retail re-designs that Goodwill will be undertaking during the year.
“Goodwill is excited about the re-design of the Loveland store location and looks forward to sharing a wonderful shopping experience with our devoted customers in the New Year,” said Jeff Eastham, Vice President of Retail Operations. “We are eager to welcome everyone when the renovations and redesign are completed and to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of the store in the months to come.”
While the renovations are underway, shoppers and donors are invited to visit both the Montgomery and Mason Boutiques which are closest to the Loveland location, or any one of its other 18 stores in the Greater Cincinnati area. For a complete list of locations, visit www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/shop. Donations will still be accepted at the front of the Loveland store at the Goodwill Donation Trailer.
Updates on the progress of the renovations will be made on a regular basis and customers are invited to follow the progress of the remodel on www.facebook.com/cincigoodwill.
Plans for the “Grand Re-Opening” event will be announced in the coming months.
Renovation Sale is Underway
To get ready for the renovation, Goodwill is clearing everything out and so are offering these daily sales.
Loveland, Ohio – In his weekly Superintendent’s Message, Mike Broadwater described the importance of a planned town hall meeting to discuss, “…our ongoing funding challenges”. He said, “The district is currently in deficit spending, which means that we are spending more money to pay for staff and services than the federal, state, and local tax revenue that is coming in. Our Five Year Forecast shows deficit spending for the current fiscal year of $3.7 million and projects a $3.8 million deficit in the following fiscal year.”
To that end, at the Board of Education meeting on December 10, it was decided that the District will hold a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, January 5, at 6 PM in the Media Center at the Loveland Intermediate School.
“The purpose of this Town Hall is for district leaders to hear from our Loveland City Schools community about issues facing the school district, including the financial future of Loveland City Schools.”
Two members of the Board of Education and the Superintendent will attend.
If you cannot attend, you can watch the live stream by following this link. Only in-person attendees can participate with questions or comments. A recording of the meeting will be available to watch for those who are interested.
Loveland, Ohio – Have you Googled your business recently?
Did you know that 93% of people start their initial search for anything on a search engine? Did you know that Google holds 78% of the search engine market? Want to know how to take advantage of this?
Google My Business has rebranded to the Google Business Profile. While much remains the same for gaining online visibility, some significant changes have happened.
Join the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance with former Google City Ambassador, Rusty Allison for a special “Lunch & Learn” about what you might have missed with the new Google Business Profile listings.
Fees/Admission
Fees/Admission
$35 Members $45 Non-Members
The Historic Location
The 1859 is a boutique event space located in the heart of historic Loveland.
Up-dated at 8:38 AM with this Buffalo Bills Statement
The Buffalo Bills issued the following statement at 1:48 am on Damar Hamlin’s condition.
Photo by Buffalo Bills
“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in the Buffalo Bills’ game versus the Cincinnati Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”
Hamlin’s injury took place at the 5:58 mark of the first quarter. The game was postponed by the NFL after Hamlin received medical attention on the field.
The team and all of the sports world continue to pray for his recovery. Get well soon Damar!
Statement: Cincinnati Bengals
The Bills at Bengals game has been suspended until further notice. We will provide more details as they are available.
From Bengals.com:
The Bengals’ Monday night game against the Bills at Paycor Stadium was postponed when Bills safety Damar Hamlin was taken from the field in critical condition.
Hamlin went down with 5:58 left in the first quarter when he tackled Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins after what appeared to be routine a 13-yard gain. He got up and then suddenly collapsed.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics. He was then transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills,” Goodell said in the statement. “We will provide more information as it becomes available. The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association, which is in agreement with postponing the game.”
A pall quickly fell over the most anticipated Monday Night Football game in recent memory that was not only taking place before a national television audience but in front of an overflow crowd thought to be the biggest crowd in Paycor history.
Hamlin, 24, is a second-year player from the University of Pittsburgh.
In a midnight media conference call, Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, said the decision to postpone the game came after the head coaches, Zac Taylor of the Bengals and Sean McDermott of the Bills, met with their teams back in the locker rooms.
“It was fluid and things were changing by the minute. The emotions you can imagine in both locker rooms,” said Vincent, who along with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith were patched into conversations with the coaches and head referee Shawn Smith.
“I commend both of those coaches. Tough situation to go back and look at 53 men in the locker room to just try and calm people down. It was obvious on the phone with them that emotions were extremely high. It was a very volatile situation and I think the coaches, they led tonight. They led their locker rooms.”
Vincent said there was no thought of resuming the game after a five-minute delay.
“Five-minute warmup never crossed my mind, personally. And I was the one,” Vincent said, “that was communicating with the Commissioner. We never, frankly, it never crossed our mind to talk about warming up to resume play. That’s ridiculous. That’s insensitive. And that’s not a place that we should ever be in.”
Jeff Miller, NFL executive vice president of communications, public affairs & policy, said there has been no thought about how the league plans to address the unprecedented postponement when it comes to a future date. It won’t be Tuesday. The Bills planned to fly home Monday night, although the league said some of Hamlin’s teammates stayed behind to be with him.
“That’s not the consideration right now,” Miller said. “Our concern is for the player and his well-being. At the appropriate time, I’m sure that we’ll have a conversation around the next steps regarding the game.”
The Official Statement from the NFL:
Tonight’s Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals game has been postponed after Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsed, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced.
Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics. He was then transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.
Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game.
The NFL Network:
Bills safety Damar Hamlin in critical condition after suffering cardiac arrest; Buffalo-Cincinnati game postponed
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, 24, suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Bills announced early Tuesday morning. He is currently sedated and in critical condition.
With just over six minutes remaining in the first quarter Monday night, Hamlin tackled Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins after a 13-yard catch. Hamlin got to his feet, then collapsed backward. Hamlin received CPR while on the field. According to the Bills, his heartbeat was restored on the field before he was transported in an ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment.
After initially suspending play, the NFL announced the game had been postponed.
“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills,” the NFL said in a statement on Monday. “We will provide more information as it becomes available. The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game.”
The NFLPA said it had been in touch with both teams and the league, and is focused on Hamlin’s “health and well-being.”
Hamlin was attended to immediately by medical staff, with players from both teams surrounding him, many of them visibly emotional. After Hamlin was taken to the hospital, officials spoke with coaches from both teams. The decision was then made to suspend play, with players and coaches exiting the field to the locker room, before the game was ultimately postponed.
On a conference call with the media a couple hours after the game’s postponement, NFL executive vice president of personnel Troy Vincent said there was never any conversation about a five-minute warmup period to resume play, as was referenced during the ESPN broadcast.
“It never crossed our mind to talk about warming up to resume play,” Vincent said. “That’s ridiculous. That’s insensitive.”
Bills players were scheduled to travel back to Buffalo from Cincinnati on Monday night, with a handful of members from the organization staying back to support Hamlin, Vincent said. Members of the Bengals organization, including head coach Zac Taylor, also went to the hospital to check on Hamlin, NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported.
There are currently no plans to resume the Bills-Bengals game and a determination on that will be made at an appropriate time, NFL EVP of communications, public affairs and policy Jeff Miller said on the conference call. The game was halted with six minutes remaining in the first quarter and the Bengals leading, 7-3.
Since his hospitalization, there has been an outpouring of support to a community fundraiser Hamlin previously established.
Hamlin was a sixth-round pick of the Bills in the 2021 NFL Draft. He made his first career start in Week 3 of this season after Buffalo safety Micah Hyde sustained a season-ending injury. Hamlin has remained in the starting lineup ever since.
Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance urges you to join them for the State of the Region 2023 Address. Hear from city and township leaders: David Kennedy (Loveland City Manager), Jeff Wright (Miami Township Administrator), and Kim Lapensee (Symmes Township Administrator) on their 2023 plans. Learn more about your community, economic development plans and stay informed for the upcoming year.
Agencies that wish to receive a grant must submit their proposals before Jan. 21
Loveland, Ohio – There are expanded access to teen driver training for low-income Ohio families through the new “Drive to Succeed” scholarship program.
Loveland area residents can urge their police departments, council members, or trustees to apply for a grant by forwarding this story to them. Whether you have a teen driver or not, all residents will benefit from safer teen drivers.
Administered by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) and available via grants to local governmental agencies, teens selected for a scholarship by grantee agencies would attend an eligible Ohio-approved driving school in their area at little to no cost.
Funding to establish these community-based scholarships will be awarded by OTSO to local agencies through a competitive grant process. Local government agencies, such as police departments, sheriffs’ offices, health departments, and others may apply for funding. The proposing agency must be in an area with a population of 5,000 or more.
“The importance of driver training cannot be overstated, especially for our young drivers,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “This new program aims to remove the financial barrier that may prevent some teens from enrolling in driver education.”
Data shows that young drivers under age 24 are involved in 31% of all crashes in Ohio. Youth-related fatal crashes have been steadily rising over the past three years with 296 fatalities in 2021 accounting for almost 24% of all fatal crashes.
For the first time in Ohio, recent research has shown that new drivers under age 18 who complete the mandatory driver education under Ohio’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) restrictions were less likely to crash than drivers licensed at age 18 who are exempt from these requirements. Ohio is one of only 15 states with comprehensive licensing requirements that include behind-the-wheel training at a licensed driving school, in addition to classroom or online instruction, parent-supervised practice driving, and learner permit holding periods.
Loveland, Colorado – In Loveland, Colorado., the nation’s Sweetheart City, Valentine season starts now. The Loveland Chamber of Commerce and partners unveiled details and plans for the 77th annual Valentine season this morning, including the Valentine Re-Mailing Program, Sweetheart Festival, exclusive Valentine wine and coffee, the Loveland Sweetheart Classic 4-mile race, and the Valentine Group Wedding being held on the ice (NEW) at the Budweiser Event Center prior to the Feb. 14 Sweetheart Game featuring AHL hockey’s Colorado Eagles vs. Bakersfield Condors. The event, including the Valentine-themed game takeover, is part of the Colorado Eagles’ 20th anniversary celebration. All Valentine season activities and events take place during the first two weeks of February.
“We are very excited to be celebrating our 77th year of sending LOVE around the world. These last couple of years have been a challenge with the pandemic, but Valentine season is magical in Loveland and there is no better way to help spread love, joy and hope than through a special Valentine mailed from the Sweetheart City,” said Mindy McCloughan, president of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. “Our designs and verses this year reflect Loveland’s desire to spread a little love and kindness. It is even more important to share this time-honored tradition with the world and show that LOVE is the greatest gift we can give or receive.”
Loveland’s Valentine Re-Mailing Program The 2023 official Loveland Valentine card, collector’s stamp (also known as a cachet) and postmark have been announced. The collector’s stamp and postmark will be stamped on every piece of mail that comes through the program. Loveland receives around 100,000 Valentines annually from all 50 states and 110 countries across the world through its Valentine Re-mailing Program, the largest program of its kind. Sponsors and volunteers handstamp the collector’s stamp and postmark onto each individual Valentine that comes through the city’s post office.
2023 collector’s envelope artwork, re-mailing program deadlines announced
The 2023 collector’s envelope artwork was designed by Corry McDowell and includes the following verse written by Amy Huckaby:
Travel by train, by letter or card,
My Love note will find you, wherever you are.
Via Sweetheart City my message departs
And speeds on its journey straight to your heart.
McDowell also crafted the 77th-anniversary postmark.
To get this special 2023 collector’s envelope artwork and postmark, package pre-addressed, pre-stamped Valentines in a larger First Class envelope. Send the envelope to Postmaster – Attention Valentines, 446 E. 29th St., Loveland, CO 80538-9998. Once received, Valentines will be removed from the larger envelope and hand-stamped before being re-mailed to intended recipients.
All international-destined mail must be received in Loveland by Feb. 2. All U.S.-destined mail to states outside of Colorado must be received by Feb. 7, and all Colorado-destined mail must be received by Feb. 9 to ensure delivery by Valentine’s Day. Northern Colorado residents can drop off their Valentines now through Feb. 9 at the following Loveland locations during normal business hours:
Our official Valentine drop location sponsors include Independent Financial and Elevations Credit Union. Drop off self-addressed, stamped Valentine envelopes at any of these locations, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, Visitor’s Center and the Post Office.
Participants are encouraged to send their Valentines to Loveland as soon as possible.
2023 Valentine card on sale
The 2023 Valentine card was designed by Corry McDowell. The card design features a row of black and white mailboxes with one box open revealing a red heart. The Valentine card verse written by Sybil Psuik is:
“From the City of Loveland,
Right to your door,
A card full of love, And a little bit more.
To you and your loved ones,
Good wishes and smiles,
From the Sweetheart City,
Across the miles.”
Valentine cards can be purchased online at Loveland.org for $10 (which includes the card, printing, processing and postage) from Jan. 18 through Feb. 9, and for $5 at the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, Loveland Visitors Center, and through many retail outlets in Loveland, including Safeway, Walmart, Rowes, Columbine Drug, and B Sweet Cupcakes, beginning Jan. 5. A complete list of retail outlets is available on the chamber’s website, www.Loveland.org. All cards purchased through Loveland.org will automatically go through the re-mailing program.
Celebrate all things LOVE in the Sweetheart City at the annual Loveland Sweetheart Festival, returning February 10-11, 2023. During this free celebration in Downtown Loveland, enjoy live music, art installations, local beer, and interactive activities at four venues in the center of town. As you stroll between venues, explore the Valentine Flea Art Market and the community plaza with local performances, food trucks, and kids’ activities, and experience the Arts Alive block featuring interactive raku firing and ice carving demonstrations, or paint a tile for the Loveland community mural. Don’t miss the 3rd Annual Little Miss Valentine and Mr. Cupid contests and be sure to catch the Projection Mapping light show on the Historic Feed and Grain Building. Enjoy live music at the Rialto Theater with 14-time Grammy Award winning musician Dan Tyminski, featuring Gavin Largent, on Feb. 11. Stay tuned for an announcement about the Feb. 10 headliner.
Loveland Lights at Chapungu
Feb. 1-14, 2023
Chapungu Sculpture Park in Centerra will be adorned in red and pink lights and sweetheart-themed decor. Similar to Loveland Winter Wonderlights, the lighting displays will be free and open to the public from 5-9 p.m. every evening.
Colorado Eagles Hockey Sweetheart Game
The Colorado Eagles and Visit Loveland are excited to team up for the Sweetheart Game on Tuesday, Feb. 14. For the first time in seven seasons, the Eagles will host a game on Valentine’s Day featuring fun for all at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland. Festivities include:
Enter to win one of 150 “Sweetheart Packs” via Eagles social media beginning the last week in January, including two (2) tickets to the game and a gift bag from Visit Loveland.
Pregame group wedding on the Ice.
First 2,000 attendees receive red and pink light-up foam batons provided by the City of Loveland at the entrance of the game.
Pick up an “I Love ______” sign at the Visit Loveland booth and fill in the blank to show your LOVE.
Take part in Northern Colorado’s Biggest Valentines Kiss on the Kiss Cam during a stoppage in play.
Many other special surprises.
Valentine Group Wedding
Feb. 14, 2023
Loveland’s seventh annual ode to vows of the marriage variety is back and even better for 2023. If you’re in search of a unique wedding experience and a memorable venue, read on.
Lovely Valentine Libations
In partnership with the Colorado Eagles, the AHL Avalanche affiliate hockey team, couples can exchange or renew vows in a group setting on the ice prior to the February 14 Visit Loveland/Colorado Eagles Sweetheart hockey game at Loveland’s Budweiser Events Center. The ceremony includes music you vote on, a customized ceremony, keepsake photos, gift bags, signature wedding cupcakes, a lock couples can use to “lock their love” on Loveland’s famous LOVE or HEART sculptures, plus the chance to win a giant gift basket. The package also includes tickets to the evening’s Eagles game when the home team takes on the Bakersfield Condors. Cost is $140 per couple and registration is limited. Loveland’s Valentine’s Day Group Wedding is hosted by MBD Marketing & Events, in partnership with the Colorado Eagles, Visit Loveland and the Loveland Chamber.
2023 Sweetheart Classic Race
Feb. 11, 2023
The Sweetheart Classic is a staple race in the Loveland community taking place from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, in Downtown Loveland on 4th Street. While on the four-mile course, participants will enjoy diverse terrain and views, from downtown to River’s Edge Natural Area. Runners can bring a sweetheart and participate together or single runners can be on the lookout for that future running partner.
2023 Loveland Valentine Wine
Sweet Heart Winery in Loveland has produced the Loveland Valentine wine for 2023, a 2019 Merlot from Lodi, Calif. that includes label art entitled “Sensuous” by Sheldon James. A limited release of 180 gallons, or 1,200 bottles, will be available for purchase online and at the winery after Feb. 1.
2023 Loveland Valentine Coffee
The Loveland Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Top of the Lake Coffee to produce the 2023 official Loveland Valentine coffee. The Sweetheart Blend for 2023 is a beautifully roasted Butter Toffee coffee. It will be sold at the Loveland Visitors Center.
