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 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the West Chester Library.

The event was originally scheduled for May 5, but was postponed due to rain.

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.

The West Chester Library is located at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive.
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, Recreational events |

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

The next session of the West Chester Nature Basket program will take place at the Keehner Park owl shelter at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The program is for children, ages 3-to-5, and their adult companions. The Nature Basket session includes a story, a talk about seasonal nature and a craft. Adults with children will be needed to help with the craft activity.

Supplies need to be prepared beforehand, so registration is required for each session.

To register, call 513-759-7312 or e-mail lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.

There is no charge to attend the program. The program will not be canceled due to rain.

The Keehner Park owl shelter is located at 7211 Barret Road in West Chester Township.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Keehner Park, Keehner Park owl shelter, Keehner Park West Chester, Nature Basket, West Chester Nature Basket program

Left, Riley Kirchner, 9 and his brother Parker Kirchner, 6 of Miamisburg watch as two train pass each other at EnterTRAINment Junction in West Chester where visitor where coming to stay out of the day long rain while enjoying the World's largest indoor train display. October 19, 2011 The Enquirer/ Tony Jones

Looking for things to do close to home this weekend?  From bike rodeos to Derby Day celebrations, here’s what’s happening in West Chester this weekend.

Bike Rodeo
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, May 5
West Chester Library, 9363 Centre Pointe Drive, West Chester.

West Chester Police department hosts event that includes inspection of children’s bicycles and children’s obstacle course with aid of police officers. Big Wheels and non-motorized scooters welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult and bring their bike and helmet.  Free.   513-759-7280; www.westchesteroh.org.

EnterTrainment Junction Spring Celebration
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, May 5; noon – 6 p.m. Sunday, May 6
7379 Squire Court, West Chester.

Scavenger hunts, including bunnies and chicks hidden in the model train display. Purchase any admission and get half-off a second admission of equal or lesser value, plus receive a ticket for a return visit until May 22.  Free with admission: $12.95, $11.50 ages 65 and up, $9.95 ages 3-12.  513-898-8000; www.entertrainmentjunction.com.

Barbeque Wine Tasting
3-6 p.m. Saturday, May 5
Little Sonoma, 6078 West Chester Road, West Chester.

Learn how to pair the best wines for your summer barbeques.  Cost is $10 for five wines.  513-942-9463; www.littlesonomawines.com.

Derby Contest/Celebration
4-8 p.m. Saturday, May 5
Mitchell’s Fish Market, 9456 Waterfront Drive, West Chester.

Half-price appetizers, $5 Mint Juleps and Margaritas, $10 Buckets of Beer. Chance to win $100 gift card.  Ages 21 and up.    513-779-5292; mitchellsfishmarket.com.

Agape
4 p.m. Sunday, May 6
Christ the King Lutheran Church, 7393 Dimmick Road, West Chester.

Musical by Marty Haugen. Music and storytelling bring to life words of modern day prophets Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day, Oscar Romero and Native American wisdoms, tying them to biblical stories. Adult, youth and children’s choirs and instrumentalists.  Benefits World Hunger Relief.  Free.  513-777-4370; www.ctkluth.org.

Posted in: Events, Library events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: agape, barbeque wine tasting, Bike Rodeo, christ the king lutheran church, derby day, EnterTrainment Junction, little sonoma, mitchell's fish market, spring celebration, West Chester, West Chester Library, West Chester Police

The schedule for the 2012 Fifth Third West Chester summer concert series at Keehner Park has been released. The free Saturday concerts will take place at the Keehner Park amphitheatre from 7 to 9 p.m.

The first concert, which features local horn band BlueStone Ivory, will take place June 2. The series ends Sept. 3 with a performance by the West Chester Symphony. The last concert will be the only one in the series to be performed on a Monday.

Below is the 2012 West Chester concert series schedule:

• June 2 – BlueStone Ivory
• June 9 – Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band
• June 16 – On the Beach
• June 23 – Miami University Steel Band
• June 30 – West Chester Symphony – ice cream social
• July 7 – Cincinnati Brass Band
• July 14 – Saffire Express
• July 21 – Hurly Ridge
• July 28 – P&G Band
• Aug. 4 – Ooh La La
• Aug. 18 – Shakespeare in the Park
• Aug. 25 – American Graffiti Band
• Monday, Sept. 3 – West Chester Symphony

Guests are welcome to pack a picnic, as well as bring lawn chairs and blankets. No alcohol is permitted in the park.

Keehner Park is located 7211 Barrett Road.

For more information, call 513-777-1133.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: American Graffiti Band, BlueStone Ivory, Cincinnati Brass Band, Hurley Ridge, Keehner Park, Miami University Steel Drum Band, On the Beach, OohLaLa, P&G Big Band, Saffire Express, Shakespeare in the Park, Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band, West Chester Concert Series, West Chester Symphony, West Chester Symphony Orchestra

The West Chester Police Department will host its annual Bike Rodeo next Saturday, May 5, to remind young cyclists of important safety rules. The Bike Rodeo will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Chester Library.

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.

The West Chester Library is located at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive.
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, Recreational events |

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

Sue Kiesewetter reports

The newly restocked 35-acre lake at Voice of America Park will stay open late Friday for fishing.

Instead of closing at 8 p.m., the lake will remain open until 1 a.m. Saturday morning as part of the park’s monthly late night summer fishing events during the summer.

On the first Friday of the month through Sept. 7, the lake will remain open until 1 a.m. for late night fishers.

Those fishing will find a variety of fish including bluegill, large-mouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, hybrid striped bass, and shovelhead catfish.

Admission is free but a motor vehicle permit is required to enter the park and a MetroParks of Butler County fishing permit is needed.

Annual hangtags are free to Butler County residents who bring proof of residency. Non-residents can purchase a $10 hangtag or $5 single day permit.

A single day fishing ticket ranges from $4-$18 depending on age and residency. Children six and under don’t need a fishing ticket.

Annual fishing permits are also available for individuals or families. The cost varies between $50-$100 for residents and $75-$125 for non-residents.

An Ohio fishing license is not required.

For more information, call 513-755-4402

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: late-night fishing, MetroParks, MetroParks of Butler County, Voice of America, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park fishing

West Chester Township recently announced the dates for 2012 sessions of its Nature Basket and the WOLF programs. Each program is geared to teaching children about nature and the environment.

Gillian Wirtz, 4, and her sister Laura Wirtz, 6, of Liberty Township enjoy a session of the WOLF program last summer. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

The West Chester Nature Basket program is for children, ages 3-to-5, and their adult companions. Each Nature Basket session, which begins at 10:30 a.m., includes a story, a talk about seasonal nature and a craft.

Upcoming dates for the Nature Basket program are May 9, June 6, Aug. 15, Sept. 12 and Oct. 15 at the Keehner Park owl shelter; Nov. 14 at the Keehner Park log cabin; and Dec. 12 at the Station Road Schoolhouse.

Meanwhile, the WOLF (World of Land, Forest and Friends) program is offered each summer for children ages 4-to-14 and focuses attention on a specific topic related to nature and the environment.

Session dates for this summer are June 13, June 20, June 27, July 11 and July 18 in the deer shelter at Keehner Park.

Registration is required for all nature programs. To register, call 513-759-7312 or e-mail lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.

All nature programs are offered free to the community, but class size may be limited.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Deer Shelter at Keehner Park, Keehner Park, Keehner Park log cabin, Keehner Park owl shelter, Keehner Park West Chester, Nature Basket, Station Road Schoolhouse, West Chester Nature Basket program, WOLF, WOLF program

The West Chester Police Department will host its annual Bike Rodeo next Saturday, May 5, to remind young cyclists of important safety rules. The Bike Rodeo will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Chester Library.

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.

The West Chester Library is located at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive.
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, Recreational events |

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

A West Chester hair salon will be offering $10 hair cuts Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. to raise awareness for the March of Dimes and to promote Saturday’s March for Babies event at Paul Brown Stadium.

Hair stylist Joyce Downey, inspired by her late granddaughter, has lead a team of walkers and has raised thousands of dollars for March of Dimes since the 1998 March for Babies event.

Statements in Hair staff: Front row from left-to-right, Cheyenned Mackinder, Ashly Chinn, Joyce Downey, owner Pam Brooks; back row, Kindal Farwick, Stacy Lawhorn. Photo provided.

This year, Statements in Hair owner Pam Brooks has decided to involve the entire staff and their clients at both West Chester and Glendale locations.

“We have always supported Joyce by either walking or making a donation to her team, but this year we want to take a lead role,” said Brooks, who wants to help raise $5,000 for the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Chapter of the March of Dimes.

To march with “Team Statements” in the March for Babies Saturday or to make a donation to the team, go to www.marchforbabies.org then click on “Join a team,” and then enter “Team Statements.”

Registration for the six-mile March for Babies begins at 8 a.m., and the walk gets underway at 9 a.m. at Gate D on the Plaza Level of Paul Brown Stadium.

For more information, call Statements in Hair at 513-772-7262 or the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Chapter of the March of Dimes at 513-769-3588.

Statements in Hair is located at 8179 Princeton-Glendale Road in West Chester.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Joyce Downey, March for Babies, March for Dimes, Pam Brooks, Statements in Hair

Cincinnati Enquirer’s Tony Jones provided the photos:

West Chester’s Nature Basket program at the Station Road Schoolhouse covered the topic of backyard animals Wednesday.

Each Nature Basket session includes a story and a craft. This week, children and their adult companions made birds from plastic Easter egg shells.

Nature Basket is typically offered once a month and is held at either the Station Road Schoolhouse, 6670 Station Road, or at Keehner Park’s Owl Shelter, 7211 Barrett Road.

The 2012 schedule includes one more session at the schoolhouse Dec. 12 and additional sessions at the owl shelter May 9, June 6, Aug. 15, Sept. 12, Oct. 17 and Nov. 14.

Supplies need to be prepared beforehand, so registration is required for each session.

To register, call 513-759-7312 or email lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.

There is no charge to attend the program. The program will not be canceled due to rain.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Nature Basket, Nature Basket photos, Station Road Schoolhouse, West Chester Nature Basket program, West Chester Nature Basket program photos, West Chester photo gallery, West Chester photos