Tag: ohio

  • #TigerCare: Hope Squad comes to Loveland Schools

    #TigerCare: Hope Squad comes to Loveland Schools

    By Eric Dool, Loveland Director of Student Services

    It is built into our district goals: Tiger Care. When considering all that Care could embody for our students, resilience – the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness, and self-efficacy – one’s belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task, stand out as being of paramount importance in preparing our children for life’s challenges. Unfortunately, for some students, a lack of resilience and self-efficacy, combined with episodic and/or long-term mental-health needs, results in suicidal ideation. The reality is frightening, and has touched every single school throughout the nation. However, we are not without hope.

    Loveland is truly blessed with a wealth of caring staff and mental-health supports to meet the ongoing needs of our students. Yet, when considering the danger posed by suicidal thought, even those supports do not feel like enough.

    Loveland is truly blessed with a wealth of caring staff and mental-health supports to meet the ongoing needs of our students. Yet, when considering the danger posed by suicidal thought, even those supports do not feel like enough. We must do more. We will do more. To that end, over the next several months, Loveland will be embarking upon a partnership with Grant Us Hope (https://www.grantushope.org/) and Hope Squad (https://hopesquad.com/) to provide our students with the tools needed to join us on the front line in doing all that we can to identify and intervene with suicidal thought and behavior.

    Hope Squads – are trained to identify suicide warning signs in their peers, and to alert adults to those signs.

    Grant Us Hope, the official Hope Squad Founding Agency of Ohio, has partnered with Hope Squad’s founder, Dr. Greg Hudnall, to bring the model to the Greater Cincinnati region, and eventually the entire state. Building upon a researched-based model, student groups – or Hope Squads – are trained to identify suicide warning signs in their peers, and to alert adults to those signs. District staff are also trained in the model, and serve in the capacity of organizing and guiding as advisors. To be clear, Hope Squad members are empowered to seek help and save a life; Hope Squad members are not taught to act as counselors. This group of students will be educated on how to recognize signs of suicide contemplation, and how to properly and respectfully report this to an adult.

    This group of students will be educated on how to recognize signs of suicide contemplation, and how to properly and respectfully report this to an adult.

    In May, school counselors from Loveland Intermediate School, Loveland Middle School, and Loveland High School will receive training to equip them with the skills to serve as advisors. Staff training, parent meetings, and student selection and training will follow in the late fall of 2018. Hope Squad will then launch as an official Tiger Care program in January 2019.

    If you have any questions about Loveland’s participation in this program, I invite you to contact me directly.

    Eric Dool dooler@lovelandschools.org

    Director of Student Services
    Loveland City School District



    Wildflower House — where women & girls bloom!

  • Award-winning: Loveland School bus drivers

    Award-winning: Loveland School bus drivers

    Loveland bus drivers who qualified for the state competition included Len Whitling (fourth place), Rachel Patton (fifth place), Transportation Director Greg Osie, Lorie Stulz (third place), and Valerie Daugherty (second place).

    Four bus drivers place in top six for region

    Loveland, Ohio – Out of the 11 Loveland drivers who participated in the Regional BUS ROAD-E-O, four drivers placed in the top six – Valerie Daugherty, Lorie Stulz, Len Whitling, and Rachel Patton; these drivers moved on to the State ROAD-E-O competition at Licking Heights High School in Pataskala.

    “Our drivers put a great deal of personal time and effort into practicing for this competition; it is a testament to how much they care about the safety of our students,” said Loveland Transportation Director Greg Osie. “I am so proud of them working as a team and helping one another become successful! It is great being part of a wonderful group of drivers.”

    The school bus ROAD-E-O was developed to promote safety, professionalism, and recognition. Every year the state of Ohio along with other states participate. Ohio has eight regions and Loveland participates in the Southwest Region. Contestants take a written exam and a driving skills test. The driving skills test consist of drivers being scored on right hand turns, pickup and drop-off procedures, railroad crossing procedures, offset driving, backwards serpentine and depth perception.

    This year’s Regional ROAD-E-O had 71 registered contestants. In addition to the individual awards, Loveland placed second overall as a team.



    Loveland Sweets – Fine Candies

    Loveland Sweets is a purveyor of hand-crafted chocolates, caramels, marshmallows, and ice creams. Our house-made candies are prepared in small batches.
  • Spending Night with no phones, but Jack White

    Spending Night with no phones, but Jack White

    by Willie Lutz,

    I’m an avid concert goer, something most folks around me know or have been a part of over my 21-plus years as a person. I’ve been to big shows, small shows, and everything in between, but for the first time, I had a small part taken out, and it made the concert experience an even more euphoric event.

    It made the concert experience an even more euphoric event.

    Last night, I had the chance to check out a concert experience that’s been impossible over the course of my lifetime. The eclectic Jack White announced his no cell phone policy, and even by his occasionally over-the-top standards, it was quite a strict policy.

    Upon arrival at Columbus’s EXPRESS! LIVE concert venue, concert attendees like myself were required to seal all “gizmos” (phones) into neon green pouches (made by a tech company called Yondr) with a hyper-strong magnet.

    The technology seemed much like you’d see on security tags seen on new clothing at one of the million-and-a-half retail stores across this country. Devices could be unlocked in an unsatisfying corner with no view of the stage, discouraging use.

    Granted, the venue was so full from the arsenal of legitimate music fans, the zone remained relatively empty. Fans arrived early for the 6 PM doors and when I’d arrived at 6:45 PM, the plaza, the beer lines, and the viewing areas were all flooded with tech-free fans.

    Personally, I was excited about the phone-free experience.

    Personally, I was excited about the phone-free experience; the wonderful people at CD102.5 provided a pair of tickets to the show, further adding to my enthusiasm for the policy.

    The venue isn’t tremendously big, it’s a general admission event, and tickets were just $65 to see one of the most prolific artists of this generation (so, not a bad deal by ticket-cost standards, which is why the show sold out in about a day) play through a renowned live set.

    Then, the music started and unsurprisingly, at least to me, the no-phone policy made the concert experience remarkably more enjoyable.

    Nashville-based country artist, Lillie Mae, and a fantastic backing band played what seemed to be a 45-minute stint (not that we could’ve known exacts, because we had no phones or even a clock to keep any strong knowledge of time).

    During opening acts, I’ve certainly been accustomed to peeking at my phone, using the time to fire a text or graze Instagram.

    During opening acts, I’ve certainly been accustomed to peeking at my phone, using the time to fire a text or graze Instagram. Instead, I got to watch a wonderful band play a handful of beautiful arrangements, with Scarlett Rische shredding the mandolin like 1960’s Jerry Garcia.

    In between sets, I found myself again disinterested in my cell phone (not that I had a choice) and entered some time of observation. It was a beautiful night in Columbus, Ohio, a night of roughly 75-degree weather, low humidity, and a casual sunset looming behind the sold-out, 5,200-member crowd.

    With anticipation and excitement mounting, perhaps due to no-phones, thus no stimulation, Jack White arrived on stage to a roaring audience. Opening with a standout track from his 2018 lackluster release, Boarding House Reach, “Over and Over and Over” turned the crowd from anticipation to elation.

    After White trounced through notable cuts, including “Lazaretto” and “Hypocritical Kiss” from the solo days, and a knock-out rip of the White Stripes “My Doorbell”, which moved White from his native guitar to a stirring piano performance, I thought about the viewing experience.

    No phones arching over the top of a concert should be the standard. 

    I’m of average height and even then, during shows I’m usually required to jerk my head left and right until I can find a viewing gap between arms held high for photos and videos.

    I’m of average height and even then, during shows I’m usually required to jerk my head left and right until I can find a viewing gap between arms held high for photos and videos. Not to mention, the Johnny Baseball-Coaches around me are usually busy texting away by song four of any set.

    Willie Lutz is a Loveland native and Loveland High School graduate, now attending The Ohio State University. He is songwriter, solo performer, as well as a member of the Zeroes. Lutz was a former writing intern for Loveland Magazine.

    Lutz enjoys music, basketball, running, and politics. By day, he studies strategic communication, by mid-afternoon, he writes articles for Pippen Ain’t East (Chicago Bulls blog) and Scarlet & Game (Ohio State Athletics Blog), and by night, he writes original music for the people. On his blog, WILLIE LUTZ’S WORD ZONE you’ll learn that Willie sometimes drinks too much coffee, listens to too much rock’n’roll, and gets mad at really negligible parts of things, but trust him, they drive him nuts. 

    Instead, I could only focus on the spectacular show in front of my face. White brought a simply incredible army of a backing band, notably Carla Azar.

    I’ve seen a lot of shows and I’ve never seen a drummer as daunting as Azar, who’s feel on the drums pairs like a cold beer to a slice of cheap pizza alongside White’s future-blues guitar playing.

    Get tickets to see this show and live without your phone, because I doubt many artists will continue through with this no-phones policy. White’s shows are whimsical adventures through a mostly-excellent discography of one of this generation’s most impressive artists.

    White ran through a career-spanning setlist, saving traditional hits for another day. Instead, fans saw rare numbers from White, including a wonderful, acoustic rendition of “You’ve Got Her in Your Pocket” atop the encore and a thought-consuming “Sugar Never Tasted So Good”.

    Personally, I wish all shows had this no phone policy, but instead, I’ll expect it to become worse as technology advances, but perhaps my pessimism is for the birds.



  • OhioMeansJobs/Clermont is moving

    OhioMeansJobs/Clermont is moving

    The last day to visit OhioMeansJobs/Clermont at its current Cincinnati Old SR 74/Batavia Pike location is June 22.

    The staff is moving to 2400 Clermont Center Drive, Batavia 45103, and will be open for regular business on Monday, July 2. OMJ’s phone number is not changing. If you need to reach an OMJ staff person during the week of the move, call 513.943.3000 or call them directly and leave a message.



  • Local AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer rolls out help for pets during natural disasters

    Local AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer rolls out help for pets during natural disasters

    The AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers help tocreate a safe, temporary home-base for at least 65 pets during the first 72 hours after a disaster is declared.

    Batavia, Ohio is now equipped with an AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer that will be available to dispatch to any disaster scene that needs assistance sheltering pets.  Flooding is the most frequently occurring natural disaster in Ohio. Also, a portion of the state is in the tornado alley. In 2017, there were 39 confirmed tornados in Ohio.

    AKC Pet Disaster Relief, a national program that is dedicated to keeping pets and their owners safe in response to natural or civil disasters, joined forces with local American Kennel Club dog clubs and dog lovers to present an emergency trailer to the Tri-State County Animal Response Team (CART).

    The AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers help tocreate a safe, temporary home-base for at least 65 pets during the first 72 hours after a disaster is declared. The trailers house and deliver essential animal care items including crates and carriers, AKC Reunite microchips and an AKC Reunite universal microchip scanner, bowls, collars and leashes as well as fans, lighting and a generator, cleaning supplies and maintenance items. These supplies can be used as co-location shelters, where people can evacuate with their pets, as well as emergency animal shelters for displaced animals.

    The trailer will provide critically important resources to help the Tri-State CART quickly care for its citizens and their pets when responding to natural disasters.

    “This is the 67thAKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer donated through this incredible program. The trailer will provide critically important resources to help the Tri-State CART quickly care for its citizens and their pets when responding to natural disasters,” said Tom Sharp, AKC Reunite CEO. “Safe, effective pet sheltering solutions are crucial during an emergency evacuation or immediately after a disaster, and AKC Reunite is pleased to offer this trailer as a vital tool to assist this organization if disaster strikes.”

    The purchase of the trailer was made possible by donations from the Clermont County Kennel Club, the Dog Judges Association of America, Warren County Kennel Club of Ohio, the Northern Kentucky Kennel Club, the Queen City Dog Training Club, the Gordon Setter Club of America, the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, the Greater Cincinnati Golden Retriever Club, the Brixey & Meyer Community Outreach Foundation and AKC Reunite, the nation’s largest non-profit pet identification and recovery service.

    Other donors include: the English Setter Club of Ohio, the Greater Cincinnati Weimaraner Club, the Cincinnati Shetland Sheepdog Club, the Peach Grove Animal Hospital and the Veterinary Dermatology.

    Now our team is better prepared to help people and their pets during times of disaster.

    “We cannot express our gratitude to AKC Reunite and the AKC dog clubs involved for providing us with such a significant resource for our community,” said Bonnie Morrison, President of the Tri-State CART. “Now our team is better prepared to help people and their pets during times of disaster”.

    “Our Association is honored to be a part of the group helping to prepare the Tri-State CART for a disaster by bringing them an invaluable tool like the AKC Pet Disaster Relief Trailer,” said Marjorie Underwood, Delegate of the Clermont County Kennel Club.

    Learn more about how to get involved in AKC Pet Disaster Relief at www.akcreunite.org/relief.

    Learn how you can assist with disaster relief at the Tri-State CART at http://tristatecart.com/.


     

  • Pediatric practices to start new interventions to prevent repeat child abuse

    Pediatric practices to start new interventions to prevent repeat child abuse

    AG DeWine, OCHA, Ohio AAP announce third phase of Ohio children’s hospitals’ collaboration

    Columbus, Ohio —Today Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association (OCHA) announced a new collaboration to further spread interventions and findings to reduce the occurrence of child abuse in infants six months and younger by enlisting pediatric practices.

    Eight large pediatric practices across Ohio, representing more than 30,000 patients and families and recruited through a partnership with the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, will be joining children’s and community hospitals in implementing proven interventions to identify potential signs of abuse and prevent further abuse in Ohio’s youngest and most vulnerable children.

    Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine funded the Timely Recognition of Abusive Injuries (TRAIN) Collaborative with a $1 million grant from settlement funds to OCHA in 2015. The purpose of TRAIN is to prevent repeat child abuse in the most vulnerable population, infants six months and younger.

    The TRAIN Collaborative analyzed what the medical community refers to as “sentinel injuries.” Sentinel injuries are minor injuries known to the medical provider that should prompt concern that the child is being abused. Unfortunately, sentinel injuries are often missed by medical providers placing the infant at risk for further abuse. The TRAIN Collaborative identified the specific injuries that should be suspect and developed a specific process – or “bundle of care” that reduces repeat instances of child abuse.  If a medical provider discovers a sentinel injury, they use the prescribed “bundle,” to assist in the identification of abuse and to ensure the infant receives appropriate follow-up care. The “bundle” includes a skeletal survey of the infant, psychosocial assessment of the caregivers and pediatric consultation.

    In 2016, children’s hospitals in Ohio determined that one in 10 Ohio children seen for child abuse has been seen previously with a sentinel injury.

    In 2016, children’s hospitals in Ohio determined that one in 10 Ohio children seen for child abuse has been seen previously with a sentinel injury and less than one in three receives the necessary physical examination and follow-up. They worked together to create and test the “bundle” within their own hospitals, and then spread the process to 19 community hospitals across the state. This third phase will teach eight pediatric practices about the “bundle” and help them implement it within their practice.

    Sentinel injuries are often missed by medical providers placing the infant at risk for further abuse.

    “We have some of the best minds in pediatric healthcare in the country right here in Ohio. I am proud that we could bring these minds together to identify a proven process to help children who are too young to understand their injuries or even to speak for themselves,” said DeWine. “Spreading this important process to more pediatricians throughout Ohio will mean more children are spared from further abuse – and that has been my goal with this program from day one.”

    The learning here in Ohio has been spread beyond the state’s borders, as leaders from TRAIN have been asked to present their findings at national conferences, including the Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem conference.

    “Attorney General DeWine has always been a strong advocate for Ohio’s children, and this initiative would not have been possible without his commitment and support. We are grateful to be able to take our learning into a third phase to spread this valuable process even further in our state and beyond,” said Nick Lashutka, President and CEO of OCHA.

    More information about TRAIN is available at www.ohiochildrenshospitals.org.



  • Ohio House and Senate Support World Heritage designation for Ft. Ancient

    Ohio House and Senate Support World Heritage designation for Ft. Ancient

    Several sites in Ohio are poised to join the extremely prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List, with more than 1000 other properties around the globe, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and Stonehenge. World Heritage inscription is based on stringent criteria, and signifies outstanding universal value to humanity. Making the list helps ensure a site’s permanent preservation, enhanced understanding, deeper appreciation, and increased tourism.

    Oregonia, Ohio, Warren County, Ohio – The Ohio House and Senate passed identical resolutions supporting a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site nomination for the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks at Ft. Ancient.

    Also included in the nomination are the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, located in, Ross County, and Licking County They are described as being the epicenter of a vibrant American Indian culture that lived in Ohio approximately 2,000 years ago.

    These sites were ceremonial and social centers, characterized by enormous earthwork constructions that feature precise geometric shapes, standard units of measure, accurate alignments to the rising and setting of the sun and moon, and deposits of artifacts of exceptional artistic merit crafted from exotic raw materials obtained from as far away as the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the Rocky Mountains.

    The Ohio sites are currently listed as National Historic Landmarks and are owned and managed by the Ohio History Connection. Read more about the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. 

    Three nominations in Ohio are among 20 currently on the “US Tentative List” from which nominees will be drawn to go forward for inscription in the coming years. Efforts are now underway to prepare the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks to go forward; while Serpent Mound and the Dayton Aviation Sites will follow afterwards.

    Ft. Ancient is a short drive up I-71 or U.S. 22 along the eastern shore of the Little Miami River. The site and museum are at 6123 St. Rt. 350 in Oregonia. 513–932–4421 or 1–800–283–8904.

    Directions



  • [Photo Album] and keynote address by Bill Fee at Loveland’s Memorial Day Ceremony

    [Photo Album] and keynote address by Bill Fee at Loveland’s Memorial Day Ceremony

    In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video you can see the photos taken by David Miller of the ceremony, and shortly after a music interlude you can listen to the Memorial Day address by Bill Fee and continue looking through the photo slideshow.

    Bill Fee

    Loveland, Ohio – This year’s keynote speaker at the Loveland Memorial Day ceremony was Bill Fee.

    After a year in college, at the age of 19, Fee enlisted in the Army in 1967, and volunteered for service in Vietnam. He served in combat as a rifleman in the First Infantry Division and was wounded in combat in November of 1967, and spent 10 months in three different Army hospitals, undergoing four operations to repair a damaged shoulder. After his medical discharge in 1968, he returned to college and graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BA and MA in German Literature.

    In 1984, Fee and fellow Vietnam Veteran Earl Corell co-directed the fundraising, design and dedication of the Greater Cincinnati Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Eden Park. The Memorial was dedicated in April of 1984.

    Fee was with the E.W. Scripps Co. for 32 years, retiring in 2010 after having served as Vice President and General Manager of WCPO-TV for 12 years. He was born and raised in Cincinnati, and graduated from Walnut Hills High School in 1965.

    Fee has served on the boards of the Boy Scouts, the Ohio Association of Broadcasters, and he is Past President of the boards of Cincinnati Public Radio and the Cincinnati and Ohio Chapters of the March of Dimes. He currently serves on the board of trustees of The Children’s Home of Cincinnati, and is a volunteer with Executive Service Corps of Cincinnati and United Way.

    In 2016, Fee published his first book, Memoir of Vietnam 1967, detailing the story about his military service in Vietnam with the First Infantry Division, and the impact the war has had on his life in later years.

    All Photos © David Miller/Loveland Magazine 2018

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  • [Photo Album] Patriotism at the 2018 Loveland Memorial Day Parade

    [Photo Album] Patriotism at the 2018 Loveland Memorial Day Parade

    All Photos © David Miller/Loveland Magazine 2018

    Inquirer about Reprints



  • Air Quality Alert for Memorial Day

    Air Quality Alert for Memorial Day

    Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Take more breaks, do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. Schedule outdoor activities in the morning when ozone is lower.

    People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep quick relief medicine handy.


    Air Quality Forecast for Friday, May 25

    (Click the Real-Time Air Quality link and watch in real-time as the pollution rolls across our region.)

    Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
    Health Message: Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
    ACTION DAY

     

    Do Your Share!

    • Carpool, bike or walk instead of driving.
    • Use your most fuel efficient vehicle and drive gently.
    • Keep your motorcycle in the garage. They don’t have the pollution controls modern passenger vehicles do.
    • Refuel your vehicle after 8 PM; do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap.
    • Avoid idling your vehicle. (Avoid drive-thru windows.)
    • Combine trips and eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips
    • Do not use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment
    • Do not use of oil-based paints and stains
    • Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings.
    • Do not use fire pits.
    • Conserve electricity by turning off unnecessary lights.
    • Turn your air conditioner thermostat up and use room fans for cooling.
    • Save the power boating for another day.
    • Initiate an Air Pollution Alert Day policy where you work; whether that be a company you own, an employee, a local government agency you work for, or a school district.

    Sign up  for Enviroflash and Start Receiving Your Air Quality Forecast


    Children and Air Pollution

    Children face special risks from air pollution because their lungs are growing and because they are so active and breathe in a great deal of air.

    Just like the arms and legs, the largest portion of a child’s lungs will grow long after he or she is born. Eighty percent of their tiny air sacs develop after birth. Those sacs, called the alveoli, are where the life-sustaining transfer of oxygen to the blood takes place. The lungs and their alveoli aren’t fully grown until children become adults. In addition, the body’s defenses that help adults fight off infections are still developing in young bodies. Children have more respiratory infections than adults, which also seems to increase their susceptibility to air pollution.

    Furthermore, children don’t behave like adults, and their behavior also affects their vulnerability. They are outside for longer periods and are usually more active when outdoors. Consequently, they inhale more polluted outdoor air than adults typically do.

    Read on at The American Lung Association…


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