Loveland, Ohio – Better Blend’s newest confirmed location is right in Historic Downtown Loveland on the Loveland Bike Trail.
Photo by Better Blend
Better Blend is going in the former Alley Boutiques location.
This will be the second franchisee location Brent Hill will be opening in Ohio this year. A store in Mason will be the first to open its doors, followed by Loveland this summer.
There are currently Better Blend locations in Clifton Heights and downtown Cincinnati.
Founded by Isaac Hamlin in 2018, Better Blend was created with the goal to make the world a happier, healthier place.
While playing on the University of Kentucky rugby team in college, Isaac was inspired to find a replacement for the heavy meals that were the team’s pregame tradition. So he set out to develop protein smoothies that offered optimum nutrition, tasted great, and didn’t weigh him down. Not only was Isaac successful, but he went on to be named first-team SEC All-American.
After graduating, Isaac realized there was a need for healthy food options in his hometown. Equipped with a business degree and healthy smoothie recipes he’d developed at college, he set out to bring nutritious and delicious choices to his community. Isaac made it his goal to make it easy for everyone to eat healthy by offering fast, healthy options that taste indulgent but are nutrient-rich and made with clean ingredients.
With hard work, creativity, and determination, Isaac opened the first Better Blend location in June 2018. Since then, the brand has seen incredible growth, including the opening of two additional locations as of 2022.
MEET THE FOUNDER
ISAAC HAMLIN
“I created Better Blend because I enjoy helping people and this is just a vehicle that allows me to do that on the largest scale. The world can be a healthier place, we just need to make it easier.
Much of Better Blend’s success is attributed to a strong internal culture. It’s about building a culture where the team operates with empathy. This mantra is rooted in respect for the person next to you, which is how we are able to build A+ caliber teams.”
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Loveland, Ohio – Here is the list of the streets, or sections of streets that will be repaved in the city this year.
Construction is expected to begin this spring.
Sawcutting of curb sections to be replaced was scheduled to begin on March 31. On-street parking restrictions and minor traffic delays are expected, according to the City.
Apache Ct.
Bellwood Dr. (Sunrise to West terminus)
Bloomfield Ct.
Bridlespur
Cones Rd. (within City limits)
County Down Ln. (Brandywine to South terminus)
Fox Chase Dr.
High Country Ln.
Highcliff Ct.
Navaho Dr.
Oneida Dr.
Potomac Ct.
Pueblo Plc.
Rednor Ct.
Seminole Dr.
Shelburn Dr.
Silver Fox Ct.
Sioux Dr.
Sunrise Dr.
W. Main St. (Cherokee to West terminus).
Limited pavement repairs (without repaving) will also be performed on portions of Kerr Cemetery Rd.
It is wretched, distressing, tragic – and beautiful
“The great Christian mystery of the crucifixion and the resurrection and the whole mystery of why we die, and why we die so miserably sometimes… In our time it’s a very unpopular story.“ – Trina Paulus
David Miller is the Managing Editor of Loveland Magazine
by David Miller
Traveling to the Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis, is a Christian tradition to commemorate Jesus’s passion and death on the cross. The observance began as devote pilgrims traced Christ’s path to crucifixion through Jerusalem on the Via Dolorosa.
Years before filming this interview and at the time of my first seeing Abraham and Isaac, I begged the Grailville folks to let me help them find a place where the father and son could be publicly displayed, however, I remember being told they determined it too controversial to do so. It was only “appropriate for mature audiences” and no one in Loveland was mature enough to see the old testament story depicted so threateningly and savagely real.
Listening to artist Trina Paulus talk about her Abraham and Isaac and the essence of what she was conveying through the work of her sculpting hands and spiritual heart is still heartbreaking that the human soul was meant to struggle to understand such a contemptible subject.
It had been stored temporarily for several years just outside of Loveland. Loveland Magazine Reporter Alana Johnson went with Paulus to an unlit garage at the Grailville Conference and Retreat Center in 2011 to see it. Paulus hadn’t seen her statue for several years.”
During the interview, Paulus said, “Over here you will see a hand with the knife in it… and over here… you’ll see the hand with his son. I’ve done a lot of thinking about this over the years – the great Christian mystery of the crucifixion and the resurrection and… The very unpleasant thing is that God can ask everything of us sometimes… The whole mystery of why we die, and why we die so miserably sometimes… In our time it’s a very unpopular story.“[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
The Very Unpleasant Thing: That God Can Ask Everything of us Sometimes
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami Chamber Alliance has announced that the closing of the Loveland Bike Trail for repairs will be delayed until October 2023.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Read Background
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Miami Township, Ohio – Barrett Paving will be resurfacing12.6miles of road,andadditionally replacing curb and gutter at needed locations. Work will be performed this summer when school is not in session to avoid conflicts with school buses. They are allowing the contractor to begin concrete work as soon as temperature and weather are appropriate.
The project also includes an asphalt rejuvenation treatment. An asphalt rejuvenator is a substance that penetrates asphalt and is designed to replace the lost maltenes, the soft fraction of the asphalt binder in the original asphalt pavement. This should restore the original qualities of viscosity and significantly extend the life of the pavement according to the Township Service Director, John Musselman.
Here is the list of streets in the Township that are scheduled for resurfacing.
What does an AR-15 do to a human body? A visual examination of the deadly damage. – Washington Post
How to Make a Difference
Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. We pass stronger gun laws and work to close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. We also work in our own communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership. We know that gun violence is preventable, and we’re committed to doing what it takes to keep families safe.
After Jim Brady, a gun owner, Republican and President Reagan’s Press Secretary, survived a gunshot to his head, he and his wife Sarah, worked tirelessly alongside Democrats and Republicans to pass the bipartisan Brady Bill to ensure background checks were conducted on gun sales. But we cannot rest on that victory. America’s gun violence epidemic continues to worsen. Today, led by Brady President Kris Brown, we work with gun owners and non-gun owners and individuals of all identities and ideologies to create solutions! Together, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.
A movement of nearly 10 million mayors, teachers, survivors, gun owners, students, and everyday Americans.
Ultimately, our movement exists to end gun violence and save lives.
Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers across the country, we have won unprecedented victories against the gun lobby—at the ballot box, in state legislatures, and in corporate America.
Born out of a tragic school shooting, March For Our Lives is a courageous youth-led movement dedicated to promoting civic engagement, education, and direct action by youth to eliminate the epidemic of gun violence.
We aim to create safe and healthy communities and livelihoods where gun violence is obsolete.
From Tragedy To Transformation
Sandy Hook Promise is a national nonprofit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. Based in Newtown, Connecticut, our intent is to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation. By empowering youth to “know the signs” and uniting all people who value the protection of children, we can take meaningful actions in schools, homes, and communities to prevent gun violence and stop the tragic loss of life.
[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXtFhqIhWwo”][vc_column_text]Access to an unsecured firearm in the home increases the risk of injury or death. Protect yourself and your loved ones by storing your guns securely – locked, unloaded, and away from ammunition. Learn more about safe gun storage practices at www.EndFamilyFire.org.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/UwZXj0rymOU” title=”Access to an unsecured firearm in the home increases the risk of injury or death. Protect yourself and your loved ones by storing your guns securely – locked, unloaded, and away from ammunition. Learn more about safe gun storage practices at www.EndFamilyFire.org.”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Schools begin their Spring Break this Friday afternoon March 31, and classes will resume on Monday, April 10.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”td-default”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Loveland, Ohio – Team CoUREage 4.0 is a Loveland High School fundraising team for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Emma Steiner, Marcel Mangan, and Orhan Ozbudak were the leaders of a team of over 25 members with a goal throughout a 7-week campaign that ran from February 1st to March 25th to raise as much money and awareness as possible for blood cancer research. Their goal was to raise $100,000.
They raised $214,301 to help fund cancer research and to support cancer patients. This is a record for fundraising for an individual team in Ohio.
At the gala Saturday night at the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason it was announced that a total of $805,365 was raised by all teams.
Emma Steiner said, “My connection to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society began when a favorite middle school teacher of mine, and now mentor, lost her aunt due to Leukemia.” Steiner is a junior at Loveland High School.
Marcel Mangan, Emma Steiner, and Orhan Ozbudak
Steiner was asked to join Loveland’s Team CoUREage last year. She said, “While fundraising, I got to hear so many touching stories of people affected by blood cancer.” That was more than enough to make her want to accept the nomination to be a candidate for this year’s campaign. “Although I don’t have a direct connection to blood cancer, my grandpa passed away from cancer last year, and I fight so that other families don’t have to experience what my grandpa went through.”
LLS’s Student Visionaries of the Year campaign is a seven-week competition among high schools across the Cincinnati area. Loveland was one of 15 teams raising money for blood cancer research, advocacy, patient support, and ultimately, a cure. However, it is not just a competition among these 15 teams, rather it is a combined effort to help LLS find a cure.
The trio built this year’s campaign using the community as its foundation. Since last August, they have been building partnerships with local businesses securing sponsorships, auction items, and organizing events. So far, they have over 10 events planned to help them raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
They surpassed their goal with secured sponsorships with local businesses, community donations, events, and t-shirt sales. One of the biggest ways that the team fundraised is through donations received by each of their 30 team members.
Team CoUREage 4.0
The goal is to not only raise money for blood cancer but also to raise awareness in our Loveland community about Leukemia and Lymphoma.
Background Info about LLS:
LLS is uniquely able to report on the many advances and accomplishments that have occurred since their founding in 1949. From cutting-edge research and precision medicine innovations to legislative victories that improve access to therapies for cancer patients, LLS plays a leading- and often pioneering- role in the fight against blood cancers. Since 2000, approximately 40 percent of all U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved cancer drugs were for blood cancer, and some are now used to treat other forms of cancer and non-malignant diseases. A “win” for blood cancers, therefore, is a win for the cancer community overall.
Rocky is a member of the Congressional Committee for the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War and the Purple Heart Foundation. He is an active board member of the Warriors to Citizens Foundation, which is devoted to helping soldiers, police, fire, EMTs, and their families recover from the psychological harm caused by career-induced stress.
Rocky will share his story about his time in Vietnam and his amazing journey to recovery from injuries sustained while in the service.
6 PM: Pre-event live music from the ‘60s and ‘70s with The Remains
Live music from the ‘60s and ‘70s with The Remains
Concessions available for purchase throughout the event
7 PM: Tribute program begins
Rocky Bleier, Super Bowl Champ and Vietnam Veteran
Entertainment acts, including Bob Hope impersonator and tribute by Bill Cunningham
Stories of Vietnam veterans
Recognition of veterans from all eras and military branches
Only about three months ago, Ohio lawmakers passed a wide-ranging elections bill that will require voters present a photo ID when they cast a ballot. But it didn’t start out that way. Lawmakers bolted on the photo ID requirements only at the last minute.
The bill began as a proposal to eliminate August special elections. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Thomas Hall, R-Madison Township, argued there should only be two elections a year “a primary election, and a general election.”
“August special elections are costly to taxpayers and fail to engage a meaningful amount of the electorate in the process,” he argued.
So why are lawmakers now preparing to un-eliminate the elections they just scrapped?
The Senate’s proposal
Sens. Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, and Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, introduced a bill Wednesday that would, once again, allow August special elections.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — MARCH 22: State Rep. Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, speaks to reporters after the House Constitutional Resolutions committee meeting first hearing on HJR 1 that would require 60% vote to approve any constitutional amendment, March 22, 2023, at the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original story.)
Despite the most recent August election barely clearing 8% in statewide voter turnout, the sponsors specifically add legislature-initiated amendments to the brief list of proposals that can go on an August ballot. Citizen-led amendments can still only go before voters in November
McColley and Gavarone’s change of heart has to do with one such proposal working its way through the Ohio House. That resolution would put a proposal on the ballot raising the threshold for passage of all future amendments from a simple majority to 60%.
After that resolution’s hearing, House minority leader Allison Russo criticized the unnecessary expense. Of Republicans’ about face, she said, “the hypocrisy here has no bounds.”
“Really what this is about is silencing the voice of voters and shutting down direct democracy,” she argued, “Because again, this is a legislature who has no interest in being checked by voters — they picked their voters.”
The sponsors readily acknowledge the expense of their gambit. The bill appropriates $20 million to help county boards conduct a special election. If lawmakers were to wait about three months, they could save that money. As it happens, there’s an election every November, and it’s relatively cheap to add one more question.
But Senate president Matt Huffman is calculating the question differently, and to him, the math adds up.
Huffman’s take
“If we save 30,000 lives as a result of spending $20 million, I think that’s a great thing,” Huffman told reporters after a Senate session Thursday. “Now I know a lot of people don’t look at it that way, but that’s the way I look at it.”
His comments are an explicit connection between efforts to raise the threshold for amending the constitution and undermining an abortion rights amendment. Organizers are currently gathering signatures for that proposal and hope to have it on the ballot this November.
The senate president over-shot the mark, however. Department of Health statistics put the number of induced abortions at more like 21,000-22,000 per year on average.
Huffman defended the push for an August election. He said he’d expected the House to have the supermajority resolution passed in time for the May primaries.
COLUMBUS, OH — JANUARY 03: Newly elected Ohio House Speaker Rep. Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) gives brief remarks at the opening day ceremonies of the 135th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, January 3, 2023, in the House Chamber at the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original story.)
Still Huffman attempted to draw a distinction between the current proposal and lawmakers eliminating August elections as a standing “as-needed” date on the election calendar.
“Do I have turnout concerns in school levies in August because very few people come out, and they’re done when people are on vacation, and they don’t know about it? And liquor permits and things like that, that typically happen? Yeah.” Huffman said.
“But I think in this case, it’s something that a lot of people are going to be very fired up about,” he added.
Huffman said he plans to have the special elections measure passed by mid to late April. He wants the House to have “ample consideration,” before the deadline to get the supermajority amendment on the ballot.
House headwinds
If House Speaker Jason Stephens has his way, though, the special elections bill may be dead on arrival.
“We just voted to not have those anymore just a few months ago,” Stephens told reporters Thursday. “The county election officials I’ve talked to are not interested in having it.”
“I’m frankly not interested in having an election in August,” he said.
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