WestChesterBuzz.com

The West Chester Police Department will host its annual Bike Rodeo Saturday to remind young cyclists of important safety rules. The Bike Rodeo will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Midpointe Library’s West Chester branch, 9363 Centre Pointe Dr.

Children will have their bikes inspected and then will go through age-appropriate obstacle courses, complete with cones and street signs. Upon completion, goodie bags and certificates will be given out.

In order to participate, children must be accompanied by an adult, have a bicycle and a helmet. Big Wheels and non-motorized scooters are also welcome.

The Bike Rodeo is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 513-759-7280 or visit www.WestChesterOH.org.

For future library events, visit the West Chester Library events page on WestChesterBuzz.com or visit the library’s online community calendar.

Posted in: Events, Library events, News |

Tags: Tags: Bike Rodeo, bike safety, MidPointe Library, MidPointe Library System, MidPointe Library West Chester, West Chester Bike Rodeo, West Chester Library, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Bike Rodeo, West Chester Township Police Department

West Chester Township is providing a series of gatherings, which are aimed at helping homeowners protect their property investments.

The first session, which is free to attend, will show homeowners to work independently and as a neighborhood to protect their property investments through property maintenance, leveling the impacts of foreclosed properties and proper permitting processes, according to a release.

The Township’s code enforcement officers, community development specialists, police and fire department representatives will be available at the event to answer homeowners’ questions.

The session will be held Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the West Chester Library.

To register, which is required, email bwilson@westchesteroh.org.

Other sessions include:

Emergency Preparedness – Severe Weather Safety
May 1, 7 to 9 p p.m. at West Chester Library
West Chester public safety and weather experts will offer insight into severe weather predictions and how to react to severe weather warnings. Also learn how to prepare ahead of time for the potential of severe weather.

Management in Neighborhoods
July 18, 7 to 9 p.m. at West Chester Library
Wildlife experts will offer important information on how to live harmoniously with wildlife in your own backyard, and steps to take when situations are not so harmonious.

What Lies Beneath?
September 17, 7 to 9 p.m. at West Chester Library
Learn about the public utilities, right-of-way and easements associated with residential properties. What is under the ground on your property and for what are you responsible? Also, learn how you can protect the infrastructure beneath the surface.

Posted in: Events, Government, Library events, News |

Tags: Tags: MidPointe Library, MidPointe Library System, MidPointe Library West Chester, West Chester, West Chester Ohio homeowners, West Chester Township, West Chester Township Ohio homeowners, West Chester University

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Maintaining property in West Chester Township is the topic of the April 3 West Chester University series of gatherings.

Township code enforcement officers and community development specialists along with representatives from the police and fire departments will speak at the session, which begins at 7 p.m., at the Midpointe Library’s West Chester branch, 9363 Centre Pointe Dr.

The two-hour session will explain proper permitting processes and how to work individually or as a group to protect property value through maintenance despite foreclosed properties.

There is no fee for the two-hour program, but registration is required.

For more information or to register, email bwilson@westchesteroh.org or call 513-759-7308

Posted in: Events, Library events, News |

Tags: Tags: MidPointe Library, MidPointe Library System, MidPointe Library West Chester, West Chester University

Dog tutors will help local children improve their reading skills this Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the West Chester Library’s community room.

Children, who have difficulty reading or are self-conscious about reading aloud, can benefit from reading to a furry friend, according to the event’s description on the library’s website.

The event, Tail Waggin’ Tutors at the MidPointe Library West Chester, offers an opportunity to read to a specially trained dog from Therapy Dogs International. The experience can improve reading skills and boost self-esteem.

An additional dog-led tutor sessions will take place on Wednesday, April 17, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Library’s community room. Participants register for a 20-minute reading session.

This program is geared for elementary school-aged children. Registration is required.

To register, call 513-777-3131 x 2 or visit the Youth Services Desk.

Posted in: Events, Library events |

Tags: Tags: dog tutors, MidPointe Library System, MidPointe Library West Chester, Tail Waggin' Tutors, West Chester Library, West Chester library events

From postseason basketball to a spring musical, there is plenty to do in West Chester, Ohio, this weekend.

For things to do in Greater Cincinnati, visit Cincinnati.com’s new Things to Do page.

Sophomore Myo Baxter, who has an offer from Toledo, is averaging 9.1 points and 4.8 rebounds this season. Photo taken by Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com.

Friday

Lakota East postseason boys’ basketball – Lakota East (15-7) will open postseason play with a game against Glen Este (4-18) this Friday at 6 p.m. at Lakota West High School. If East advances, it will face Oak Hills (8-14) next Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. at Lakota West.

Armchair program – Residents of West Chester Township are invited to experience Alaska without ever leaving their hometown. The region will be discussed at this week’s Armchair session at Township Hall, 9113, Cincinnati-Dayton Road, at 7 p.m. Friday.

Lakota West postseason girls basketball – Lakota West (20-3) will be trying to keep its season alive and extend its winning streak to 11 when it faces McAuley (14-9) in the district semifinals on Friday at 7 p.m. at Harrison High School.

Lakota West spring musical – The Lakota West Theatre program will present its spring musical, “All Shook Up,” on back-to-back weekends – this Friday and Saturday, as well as next weekend March 1 and 2. All shows will begin at 8 p.m. and will be performed at the Lakota West High School Theatre, 8940 Union Centre Boulevard.

Saturday

Free performance of Jekyll and Hyde show – The themes in Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic horror novel are explored in the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Off the Hill production of The Traveling Jekyll and Hyde Show, by playwright Russell Davis. The free public performance takes place at 3 p.m. this Saturday at the Miami University Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester.

Lakota East postseason girls’ basketball – Lakota East (10-14) will face off with Mason (20-1) in the district semifinals on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Kings High School. East has faced Mason twice in the regular season, losing 60-30 at Mason on Dec. 1 and losing 53-28 on Jan. 19.

Sunday

Library launches jazz series – The library won’t be so quiet this winter, as the MidPointe Library West Chester launches a Jazz Series at the end of February. The series kicks off on Sunday, as the Phil DeGreg Trio play from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 513-777-3131.

Posted in: Events, Library events, News, School events, Sports |

Tags: Tags: All Shook Up Lakota West, All Shook Up Lakota West Theatre, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West spring musical, Lakota West Theatre, Lakota West Theatre spring musical, Ohio state basketball tournament

Registration for the popular winter storytimes at the MidPointe Library West Chester begins next Saturday, Dec. 15.

Andrea Peake reads a book to Madison Zoz in the children’s section of at the West Chester Library last winter. In 2013, the library will continue to have winter storytimes. Photo by Tony Jones.

Winter storytime sessions begin Jan. 7 and run through March 2.

Registration is available starting Dec. 15 by visiting the MidPointe Library West Chester Youth Services Desk or by calling 513-777-3131 x. 2. The MidPointe Library West Chester is located at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive.

Registration for the library program “If You Give a Mouse a Christmas Cookie” began Saturday, Dec. 1. This program will take place on Monday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. and will feature stories, games, crafts and a visit from the Christmas Cookie Mouse. While this event is geared for children aged 3 to 5, all are welcome.

For more information about these events or other programming options offered by the MidPointe Library System, visit www.MidPointeLibrary.org.

Posted in: Events, Library events |

Tags: Tags: MidPointe Library West Chester, storytime, storytimes, storytimes West Chester, storytimes West Chester Library, West Chester Library, West Chester Library Children's Desk, West Chester Library storytimes

The MidPointe Library System is once again offering its “Food for Fines” promotion, which allows library goers a chance to eliminate their overdue fees when they donate food.

The program, which runs through Dec. 31, will eliminate one dollar of outstanding fines for each non-perishable food item a patron donates.

“This program is a wonderful way for our users to eliminate their fines, while contributing to a worthy cause,” library director Anita Carroll said.

The MidPointe Library System will be distributing the contributions throughout their service area to multiple food pantries and charitable organizations including Reach Out Lakota, the EMA Food Pantry in Trenton and the Salvation Army of Middletown.

MidPointe first launched the Food For Fines program last year and the 2011 campaign resulted in almost $6,000 in forgiven fines and more than 7000 items donated to local charitable organizations.

“Food For Fines was huge last year and we are very excited MidPointe is offering this important project again,” EMA Food Pantry coordinator Debra Shane said.

The Food For Fines program is not the only way the library system will be giving back to the community this holiday season. The MidPointe Library West Chester Young Adult Board will be sponsoring a “giving tree” to benefit the Animal Friends Humane Society of Butler County. Patrons can find more information at the Youth Services Desk of the MidPointe Library West Chester or by calling 513-777-3131. The MidPointe Library System also hosts Toys for Tots drop boxes at all their locations through Dec. 16.

Posted in: Events, Library events, News |

Tags: Tags: Animal Friends Humane Society, Animal Friends Humane Society of Butler County, Children’s Desk of the West Chester Library, Food For Fines, Food For Fines West Chester Library, holiday drive West Chester, Reach Out Lakota, West Chester Christmas, West Chester library events, West Chester Library Teen Young Adult Board

In collaboration with West Chester Township, the MidPointe Library West Chester, located at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive, will be closing early at noon this Friday to ease traffic in the area resulting from the scheduled Mitt Romney political rally at the Square at Union Centre.

The announcement of the noon closing came at 3 p.m. Thursday. Earlier in the week, the library announced that it would close at 3 p.m. Friday.

“We will attempt to stay open as late as possible, but our closing time will be based upon the recommendations of the Secret Service,” said MidPointe Library System director Anita Carroll.

The Republican presidential candidate will be joined by his wife, Ann, and their five sons, running mate Paul Ryan and his wife, Janna, and an estimated 100 governors, senators and mayors.

It will take place at the Square Union Centre, which is located directly behind the library, at 7:30 p.m. Friday. People can start to file into the rally at 4:30 p.m. Tickets for the event list 7 p.m., but that is the “invite time” according to a release from Romney’s campaign office on Wednesday.

Posted in: Events, Library events, News, Political events |

Tags: Tags: Ann Romney, Butler County Election 2012, MidPointe Library, MidPointe Library System, MidPointe Library West Chester, Mitt Romney, Mitt Romney Ohio, Ohio election 2012, Paul Ryan, presidential election, West Chester election, West Chester Library

In collaboration with West Chester Township, the MidPointe Library West Chester, located at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive, will be closing early at 3 p.m. this Friday to ease traffic in the area resulting from the scheduled political rally at the Square at Union Centre.

The rally is scheduled to feature Mitt Romney, his wife Ann Romney and Paul Ryan. It will take place at the Square Union Centre, which is located directly behind the library, at 7 p.m. Friday. People can start to file into the rally at 4:30 p.m.

“We will attempt to stay open as late as possible, but our closing time will be based upon the recommendations of the Secret Service,” said MidPointe Library System Director Anita Carroll.

Posted in: Election, Events, Library events, News |

Tags: Tags: Ann Romney, Butler County Election 2012, MidPointe Library, MidPointe Library System, MidPointe Library West Chester, Mitt Romney, Mitt Romney Ohio, Ohio election 2012, Paul Ryan, presidential election, West Chester election, West Chester Library

The MidPointe Library West Chester will host a presentation from author J.T. Townsend Thursday at 7 p.m. The presentation – “what keeps armchair detectives awake at night?” – is based on his book “Queen City Gothic: Cincinnati’s Most Infamous Murder Mysteries.”

The event will feature a book discussion and reading by Townsend, as well as a signing with copies of the book available for purchase.

The event is free and open to the public.

The presentation will take place in the library’s community room.

The library is located at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive.

Posted in: Events, Library events |

Tags: Tags: J.T. Townsend, MidPointe Library West Chester, Queen City Gothic: Cincinnati’s Most Infamous Murder Mysteries, West Chester Library