Loveland, Ohio – Downtown Historic Loveland welcomed TAHONA Kitchen + Bar on July 13th just in time for Taco Tuesday! TAHONA Kitchen + Bar specializes in Mexican Street Style Food and “TAHONA” style Tequila.
TAHONA Kitchen + Bar, which is a part of a local successful chain of restaurants called Looking Glass Hospitality, opened its first location in 2017 in Summit Park in Blue Ash. TAHONA, meaning “the large stone wheel that is used to crush the roasted hearts of agave known as piñas into a fermentable mash,” uses only the freshest produce and slow-roasted meats as well as freshly squeezed juices and homemade ingredients for their cocktails.
Prior to TAHONA Loveland’s grand opening, Scott Schmidt, Founder of Looking Glass Hospitality, invited Loveland Magazine to take a tour of the newly renovated TAHONA Loveland, located at 117 Karl Brown Way. Schmidt indulged us in an exclusive on-camera interview explaining just why TAHONA is the home of the Walking Taco and what the “time-honored TAHONA technique” entails when producing their Patron Roca Silver Tequila for their infamous TAHONA Margarita.
From the TAHONA Pineapple Mango Guacamole to the Vegetable Marinated Tofu Corn Taco to the legendary Donut Holes; TAHONA has a little something for everyone! Did I mention they specialize in Tequila inspired cocktails like “The TAHONA” (made with homemade ginger syrup), “The Granada Mojito,” and of course Fruit Margaritas? TAHONA also serves a twist on an Old Fashioned called “Clyborne’s Peach Old-Fashioned,” which is to die for!
After speaking with Schmidt and hearing all about the mouthwatering menu I knew I had to try out TAHONA immediately so myself, David Miller (LM Editor), and my boyfriend, Adam Ploof, headed down to TAHONA Blue Ash to try out the menu. We were unbelievably pleased with the atmosphere, the food, and the cocktails!
Shortly after my TAHONA Blue Ash experience, myself and David were cordially invited to a “sneak peek” dinner at TAHONA Loveland, which took place on Saturday, July 10th. We were thrilled to get the opportunity to see the new TAHONA location and of course we were happy to eat more tacos! David and I were able to bring along 3 guests to try out TAHONA Loveland on Saturday night and let me tell you our guests were happy to accept the invitation!
The TAHONA Loveland experience ended up being incredible! The street-style Mexican restaurant definitely succeeded in proving why it is the perfect addition to the Downtown Loveland food culture. I was so impressed by both TAHONA locations that I decided to create a video capturing both experiences on my YouTube Channel, Beast Mode With Cassie! Click the video below to see my “TAHONA Kitchen + Bar Experience!”
If you missed out on my one-on-one on-camera interview inside TAHONA Loveland with Looking Glass Hospitality Founder Scott Schmidt, click the Loveland Magazine TV video below!
To stay up to date on all things TAHONA Loveland follow them on FaceBook. For TAHONA Blue Ash updates follow their FaceBook page.
For more updates on Loveland’s new restaurant openings and food culture stay tuned to Cassie The Food Guru!
Loveland, Ohio – In a unanimous vote last evening the Loveland School Board hired (pending contract approval) Bradley Neavin as an Interim Superintendent until a permanent replacement for Dr. Amy Crouse can be found.
In an answer to the question of what Neavin will be paid, Board President Kathy Lorenz told Loveland Magazine this afternoon that, Neavin’s “contract details will most likely be approved next week at a special meeting.”
Crouse’s last day is February 9. She resigned in December. Neavin will begin working on February 10.
Speaking on the selection of a permanent superintendent, Lorenz said, “I believe we will begin with a search as early as February 2nd in a scheduled work session.”
Neavin most recently served as Superintendent of Vandalia-Butler City Schools from 2013-2017. From 2007-2013 he served as Superintendent of Eaton Community Schools. Neavin has spent 32 years in education as a superintendent, principal, assistant principal, and band director before retiring in 2017.
Neavin’s LinkedIn profile says he is retired and was an account executive with Energy Optmizers, USA from September of 2017 until October 2018 and lives in Eaton, Ohio.
Bradley Neavin’s Education:
Ohio University ( Bachelor of Music Education) 1980 – 1985
Miami University in Oxford (Superintendent Licensure and Education Leadership) 2003 – 2007
Wright State University (Master of Education, Educational Leadership and Administration) 1997 – 1999
Loveland, Ohio – With the end of January quickly approaching Loveland is preparing for one of the city’s most celebrated holidays, Valentine’s Day! For those who haven’t experienced the magic of Valentine’s Day in Loveland, you may be wondering why it is one of the most celebrated holidays. Well, other than the city itself being called “Love-land” it is also referenced to as the “Sweetheart of Ohio,” and for a VERY good reason! This year two very special “Sweethearts,” Debbie Murray and Lilly Hummer, were selected to join the historic Loveland Valentine’s Program. Of course, Loveland Magazine wanted to pay tribute by providing our readers with some Loveland Valentine history and an exclusive on-camera interview with Debbie and Lilly!
This year two very special “Sweethearts,” Debbie Murray and Lilly Hummer, were selected to join the historic Loveland Valentine’s Program.
The Loveland Valentine’s Program began in 1972 and quickly became a nationally-known cachet stamping and postmark program. Once the program was up and running the community of Loveland decided to broaden the program’s horizons adding more fun and exciting ways to spread love throughout the city. This included the addition of two very prestigious competitions, the selection of Loveland’s annual Valentine Lady and Loveland’s Valentine Card Design Contest.
So what is a Valentine Lady? A Loveland Valentine Lady can be defined as “a woman who has distinguished themselves in the community, at local schools, and/or with family endeavors.” This lovely lady once selected is the ambassador for the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance’s Valentine program meaning she will spread both love and generosity by visiting area businesses, nursing homes, and schools. The Valentine Lady is chosen by the Loveland community and then picked by the LMR Chamber committee. In 1982 Loveland’s first Valentine Lady, Doris Pfiester was selected. Below is the list of Loveland’s past Valentine Ladies!
Debbie Murray was announced on December 12th at Loveland’s legendary spot, The Works, as the 34th Valentine Lady! Murray has resided in Loveland since 1985 and is a highly decorated woman in all that she does for the community. Loveland’s 2018 Valentine Lady, Kay Bolin, when asked about Debbie Murray being selected as the 2020 Valentine Lady, had nothing but kind words to say about Murray!
Debbie is indeed one of the nicest, most down to earth individuals you could ever meet.
“I met Debbie Murray in 2018 when I was at that year’s, Loveland Valentine Lady celebration. As we all know, part of the Valentine Lady’s responsibility is to go around to the local schools, which is when I met Debbie as she was a teacher at Tender Years,” Bolin explained, “I have been fortunate to spend more time with Debbie since she has been selected. CeeCee Collins asked me to read one of the many nomination letters that the chamber received nominating Debbie for the 2020 Valentine Lady at the recent Valentine Lady kickoff event. I was honored and felt so fortunate to share this nomination letter to the community. Debbie is indeed one of the nicest, most down to earth individuals you could ever meet and what she has contributed to the Loveland community is wonderful. Deb is the definition of love and kindness! I am looking forward to personally getting to know Debbie better as well as seeing her continued contribution to our community. Debbie, we welcome you to our Valentine Lady Sisterhood!,” Bolin said.
Lilly Hummer, a freshman Lacrosse player from Loveland High School, was recognized as Loveland’s Valentine’s Day card design winner.
Check out the video of Debbie Murray being surprised at The Works with her 2020 Valentine Lady honor!
I’m sure everyone can agree that Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be what it is without a great Valentine’s Day card! The LMR Chamber realized this during the early stages of the Valentine’s Day Program so they decided to incorporate a Valentine’s Day Card Design Contest! The design contest is open to anyone in the Loveland community and the only stipulations are that the artwork must reflect or incorporate the theme: “Love is…..” and must also include (or provide space for) the phrase, “There is nothing in this world so sweet as love.” Allowing anyone in the Loveland community to participate in the design contest makes the contest itself both creative and diverse! There have been many great design winner’s in the past, one of them being Loveland Magazine’s very own David Miller.
2020 marks one of the most creatively diverse card designs to date. Lilly Hummer, a freshman Lacrosse player from Loveland High School, was recognized as Loveland’s Valentine’s Day card design winner, on January 11th at the Valentine Kick-off at the Loveland Kroger’s.
Lilly Hummer, a freshman Lacrosse player from Loveland High School, was recognized as Loveland’s Valentine’s Day card design winner
Hummer will receive design credit on the back of the 2020 Valentine’s Day cards, local recognition, media recognition and two complimentary invitations to the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance Annual Valentine Breakfast on February 14, 2020. Click on the link to learn how you can join the community at the annual Valentine breakfast: http://business.lovelandchamber.org/events/details/2020-valentine-s-day-breakfast-event-6785.
Now that we have shared a little Loveland Valentine Program history and informally introduced the 2020 Valentine Lady and Valentine Card Design winner LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV would like to formally introduce to you, Mrs. Debbie Murray and Miss Lilly Hummer! Click below to view the exclusive on-camera interview with these two lovely ladies!
Loveland, Ohio– There will be 3 elected to a 4-year term of Loveland City Council on November 5, and as of Monday evening 3 have submitted sufficient signatures on Nominating petitions to be placed on the ballot. Current Mayor Kathy Bailey, incumbent Kent Blair, and on his second try, Andy Bateman, have all have qualified.
Andy Bateman
Bateman told Loveland Magazine last week that he had submitted sufficient signatures to the Hamilton County Board of Elections (BOE) and that the signatures have been validated. He ran a distant 5th is his first try to be on City Council in the 2017 election.
All three are guaranteed victory if no one else files to run.
Current Councilwoman Angie Settell’s term ends this December.
Blair is 2-year incumbent
Blair is running for the seat he was appointed to when former Mayor Mark Fitzgerald quit office on August 14, 2017 after petitions were circulated putting his recall and his council seat on the ballot. The petition recall effort could have resulted in a head-to-head race, Fitzgerald vs. Neal Oury who circulated the petitions.
Up until August 18, of 2017, Blair was one of nine candidates on the ballot for four City Council seats. Blair removed his name from consideration so he would not take votes away from Rob Weisgerber, Ted Phelps, Neal Oury, or Tim Butler. It was a pre-arranged deal, under a possible scenario if Fitzgerald’s seat was not going to be on the ballot. After a ruling by the City Attorney, Mayor Bailey was allowed to appoint Blair to the seat that was still open in January of 2018.
Weisgerber, Phelps, Oury, and Butler were elected in 2017.
Word on the street is that former Councilwoman Pam Gross has picked up petitions from the BOE, however, that would not necessarily mean that Gross is running. She may or not circulate petitions, or she may have picked up the petitions for someone else who is interested in being on Council. Gross also ran in 2017 to keep her seat however was roundly defeated for re-election, finishing behind Bateman.
Loveland School Board race
No one has yet filed petitions to be a member of the Loveland Board of Education. There are 2 open seats for 4-year terms. Current Board Vice-President Kathy Lorenz is, however, gathering signatures. Word on the street is that current Board President Art Jarvis is also collecting signatures.
The deadline for candidates to file nominating petitions to the BOE, either in the City Council Race or for a School Board seat is Aug 7.
Loveland City Council will ask voters to approve a revised Charter on November 5 and the Loveland Board of Education is expected to place a Bond Issue on the ballot.
Loveland, Ohio – As part of Loveland Magazine’s on-going discussion and lesson plan for becoming better young writers, after Loveland Valentine Lady, Kathy Lorenz visited the 1st grade class of Ms. Miller, the students were asked to write about her.
Hanna said, “I learned that when you say I love you it is true.”
Gabby said, “It made me feel like I was happy and my friends were happy too.”
Axel said, “I love valentines.”
Cy said, “Valentines is about love and care and respect.”
Ashlynn said, “Love. Love Katherine Lorenz. She told me about love.”
Avery said the Valentine Lady told them to tell their friends, “I like you. Be Kind.”
Dylan A. said, “I learned that hearts can be anywhere and on anything.”
Lillian said, “The Valentine Lady taught me that other things can be hearts.”
Constance said, “I feel like hope.”
Dean said, “I learned how to be caring and how to see hearts in a different way.”
Charlotte said, “The Valentine Lady taught me that we should be nice to everybody and never be mean.”
James said, “When the Valentine Lady was here, I felt happy.”
Muhammdjon said, “We read a book about love and we drew heart pictures.”
Natalia said, “I was very happy. Valentines Day is awesome!”
Rayana said, “The Valentine Lady was Kathy Lorenz.”
Dylan S. said, “When the Valentine Lady was here she made me happy and caring.”
Emily said, “It made me happy and it made me loving.”
Ben said, “The Valentine Lady is made of Love.”
Loveland Sweets is a purveyor of hand-crafted chocolates, caramels, marshmallows, and ice creams. Our house-made candies are prepared in small batches.
Loveland, Ohio – Longtime Board of Education Member Linda Pennington retired from her service, on April 18, 2017. Mrs. Pennington began serving the students of the Loveland City School District in 1995 and was vice-president six times in that span.
Longtime friend, colleague, and current Board Vice-President, Kathy Lorenz told Loveland Magazine today, “I can tell you that even as she was confined to a care center, she and I still discussed how things were going in Loveland and she talked about wanting to run again. Linda believed she had a special constituency in Loveland and wanted to serve them well and she was concerned about every taxpayer. She was concerned about every child and got on the board to advocate for the ones in need, for the academically gifted, for the athletes, for the just-plain-average important student.”
At the time of her retirement, Loveland Superintendent Chad Hilliker said, “Mrs. Pennington has been a leader of positive change for the students in the Loveland City School District; her dedication to the Board of Education is quite remarkable. Mrs. Pennington has been a treasure to our educational community.”
Lorenz also said today that Pennington had a gift and passion for rewarding accomplishments and achievements and she was constantly looking for ways that the Board could show appreciation for students, faculty, and staff who were doing their jobs well. “Linda and I didn’t agree on everything but we agreed on what we were working for – the children of Loveland. She served Loveland well as a board member and even before that as a parent, PTA member, and PTA President. We will miss her,” said Lorenz.
Linda (nee Gulley)Pennington
Linda C. (nee Gulley) Pennington, born February 3rd, 1950 to Richard and Nettie Gulley, passed away October 12th, 2018 at the age of 68. Linda was the beloved wife of Gary L. Pennington for 49 years. Loving mother of Gina (Doug) Ogden and Lisa (Ben) Dalton. Cherished mamaw of five grandbabies; Alexis Wiles, Julia Ogden, Kylee, Avery and Ashton Dalton. Dear sister of Bonnie Harper and the late Cecil Coy, Don Gulley, Barb Snyder and Betty Schmitz.
Linda was deeply involved with Loveland Community for 30 plus years. She was passionate about the best interest of all children. Linda showed this by being involved in a number of organizations including Junior Women’s Club, PTA and serving on the Loveland School Board for 22 years. She was an integral part of enhancing the educational experience for the students of Loveland City Schools.
Friends will be received Wednesday, October 17 from 6-8 PM in the Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home, 129 N. Riverside Ave., Loveland, where funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 AM. Interment Rest Haven Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the NEST. The NEST provides sound Nutrition and targeted Education in a Safe neighborhood environment to Transform the outcome of at-risk school-age children. Donations can be made through nestclc.org/donate.
Linda C. (nee Gulley) Pennington, born February 3rd, 1950 to Richard and Nettie Gulley, passed away October 12th, 2018 at the age of 68. Linda was the beloved wife of Gary L. Pennington for 49 years. Loving mother of Gina (Doug) Ogden and Lisa (Ben) Dalton. Cherished mamaw of five grandbabies; Alexis Wiles, Julia Ogden, Kylee, Avery and Ashton Dalton. Dear sister of Bonnie Harper and the late Cecil Coy, Don Gulley, Barb Snyder and Betty Schmitz.