WestChesterBuzz.com

There is plenty to do in West Chester and Liberty townships this weekend.

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

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Saturday

Cool Jazz ‘n’ Hotcakes breakfast – Jazz will be on the menu for the Lakota East High School’s Cool Jazz ‘n’ Hotcakes breakfast. From 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, the school’s Eastside Café will be open to the community for a morning of jazz performances by Lakota junior and senior high school musicians. Listen to five different ensembles while munching on pancakes and sausage cooked by parents and served by teens. Admission is $6 for all the food you can eat.

Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run – Two summers ago, the Lakota community lost a loved one when longtime teacher Karen Moeller passed away. Members of the community honored the elementary school teacher by creating the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, which will take place for the second consecutive year in May at Voice of America Park. This year’s event will take place Saturday and will begin at 9 a.m. around the lake at VOA Park.

Plant sale and open house at Hughes School – Antique agricultural tractors will be on display at this year’s spring open house at the former Hughes School – a one-room school adjacent to Liberty Elementary School. Sponsored by the Liberty Township Historical Society the open house runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, at the school, 6010 Princeton Road. In conjunction with the open house, the Liberty Township Garden Club will host its annual plant sale in the school’s parking lot.

Fancy Nancy Tea Party – In the community room of the West Chester Library there will be two tea parties this Saturday. The hour-long event, which is called Fancy Nancy Tea Party, will begin at 10:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m. The event is geared to “Fancy Nancys” ages 4-6 and their chaperones. The event includes a storytime, followed by light refreshments. Children are encouraged to dress up. Cameras are welcome. Call the library, 513-777-3131 about registration.

Sunday

Great Amazing Race – Modeled after a popular TV reality show, the contest at Voice of America Park pairs family members on a mile-long course that leads them to a string of challenge stations. Typical challenges range from a piggyback obstacle course to a “mummy wrap,” in which adults robe their youthful partner in toilet paper. The event organizer, Greg Benton, describes it as a family version of the TV show, “The Amazing Race.” The race will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. and costs $40 for a team of two. Visit greatamazingrace.com for more details or to register.

Acoustic Jam session – The community is invited to listen or join in a public acoustic jam session at Keehner Park this Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. According to westchesteroh.org, similar events will be held on the first Sunday of the month at Keehner Park now through September.

Posted in: Events, News, School events |

Tags: Tags: Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, basketball, brain cancer, death, funeral, Karen Moeller, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, Lakota East, Lakota East bands, Lakota East High School, Lakota East High School’s Cool Jazz ‘n’ Hotcakes breakfast, Lakota Local Schools, Voice of America Park

Two summers ago, the Lakota community lost a loved one when longtime teacher Karen Moeller passed away.

Members of the community honored the elementary school teacher by creating the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, which will take place for the second consecutive year in May at Voice of America Park.

This year’s event will take place Saturday and will begin at 9 a.m. around the lake at VOA Park. The event will benefit the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, which awards two scholarships each year to high school students based on academics and contributions to Lakota and to his or her community.

The distance of the run/walk is 1 ¼ miles. Prizes and awards will also be given out.

The cost per participant on the day of the event is $20. Those walk-ups are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before the event begins.

Moeller taught first and second grades at Adena Elementary for 17 years before being transferred to Shawnee Elementary. In November of 2007, Moeller was diagnosed with brain cancer and fought the disease for more than 3 ½ years.

For more information about the event, visit lakotawesthigh.com.

Posted in: Events, News, School events |

Tags: Tags: Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, basketball, brain cancer, death, funeral, Karen Moeller, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, Lakota Local Schools, Voice of America Park

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty is accepting applications until next Monday, April 1 for the Karen Moeller Scholarship, which awards two scholarships each year to high school students based on academics and contributions to Lakota and to his or her community.

Moeller taught first and second grades at Adena Elementary for 17 years before being transferred to Shawnee Elementary. As a teacher, she won the David Thiel Award, which recognizes kind, caring, and giving community members in Lakota.

In November of 2007, Moeller was diagnosed with brain cancer and fought the disease for more than 3 ½ years.

She passed away in June of 2011.

After her death, her family and friends worked to establish a scholarship fund as a tribute to her work in Lakota and her love of furthering the education of local youth.

Applications can be found online at www.wclfoundation.com.

To learn more about The Community Foundation’s scholarship opportunities or how to create a legacy by establishing a new scholarship opportunity, please call Melissa Benedict at 513-874-5450.

Posted in: News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, basketball, brain cancer, death, funeral, Karen Moeller, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, Lakota Local Schools

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

Enquirer poll: Should John Boehner keep his job?- House Speaker John Boehner of West Chester was on the hot seat last week from those worried that he will give in to President Barack Obama’s demands for higher tax rates in their negotiations to reduce the deficit.

Butler County ready to approve 2013 budget – After at least three years of slashing expenses, layoffs and stagnant pay, Butler County’s budget woes seem to be easing up, Sheila McLaughlin reported last week. Commissioners are expected to approve a 2013 general fund budget of just more than $79 million, about the same as 2012. They’ll vote Dec. 27.

On this birthday, a special number is the one-two know – John Johnston shared the story of Jack Greenlee of West Chester Township, who turned 12 on 12/12/12. Twelve-year-old birthday boys and girls everywhere have extra reason to whoop it up last week. After all, the calendar won’t show this kind of confluence of numbers again until Jan. 1, 2101, or 01/01/01.

West Chester parks to accept trees for recycling in Jan. – There will be two areas in West Chester where the community can recycle their Christmas trees this January, the Township announced last week. Those recycling areas will be located at Keehner Park and Beckett Park. Christmas trees will be accepted at both locations through the end of January.

Lakota East edges Lakota West 77-73 in classic – Lakota East held off school district rival Lakota West, 77-73, Saturday night in a game that went down to the final seconds. The Thunderhawks, No. 3 in the latest Cincinnati Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll, led Lakota West, No. 2 in the same poll, by 10 points with 2:48 left in the fourth quarter. The Firebirds, however, closed the gap to one and trailed 74-73 with a minute remaining.

EnterTRAINment Junction extends hours – Due to popular demand, EnterTRAINment Junction extended its hours starting this past Saturday through Dec. 30. The West Chester model train destination will now close at 9 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. Bill Balfour, who was the venue’s general manager before it opened in 2008, says more than 20,000 people will visit the EnterTRAINment’s free holiday train display and its Journey to the North Pole attraction before the new year.

Speaker John Boehner on the shooting in Newtown, Conn. – House Speaker John Boehner of West Chester ordered flags over the United States Capitol to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Friday. He also issued a statement.

Posted in: Business, Government, News, Schools, Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: 12/12/12, Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, Beckett Park, Beckett Park West Chester, Christmas tree, Christmas tree recycling, EnterTrainment Junction, EnterTrainment Junction train display, EnterTrainment Junction West Chester, Jack Anthony Greenlee, Jack Greenlee, John Boehner, John Boehner Cincinnati, John Boehner West Chester, Journey to the North Pole, Keehner Park, Keehner Park West Chester, Lakota East basketball, Lakota West basketball, Liberty Township Christmas, recycle Christmas trees, turning 12 on 12/12/12, West Chester Christmas

John Johnston reports:

Jack Greenlee of West Chester Township and Matthew Smeal of Evendale don’t know each other, but they have a few things in common.

Such as a favorite or lucky number: 12.

The number of letters in their names: 12.

And a birth date. Both boys entered the world on Dec. 12, 2000, which means they turn 12 today – on 12/12/12.

“We’ve talked forever that he was going to turn 12 this year,” said Jack’s mother, Lori Greenlee.

Twelve-year-old birthday boys and girls everywhere have extra reason to whoop it up today. After all, the calendar won’t show this kind of confluence of numbers again until Jan. 1, 2101, or 01/01/01.

About 12,460 babies were born in the U.S. on Dec. 12, 2000, said Joanna Mitro, a professor of mathematical sciences at the University of Cincinnati. She arrived at that estimate using National Vital Statistics Reports, which list births by month but not by specific date.

She estimated that about 475 babies were born in Ohio on that day, about 172 in Kentucky.

She also computed the probability that a person born in the year 2000 has a Dec. 12 birthday: 0.003 or three-tenths of 1 percent.

Finally, by looking at Cincinnati Census data, she estimated that about 10 or 11 kids in the city are turning 12 today.

It almost seemed preordained that Jack Greenlee, a sixth-grader at Adena Elementary in West Chester Township, would be born on 12/12. His father, Tom, was born on 10/10. His maternal grandfather was born on 8/8.

Last year, Jack’s mother saw an article about 11/11/11. It reminded her to start planning for 12/12/12. She thought, at first, about celebrating at a fast-food place.

“My older son said, ‘Oh no, you have to go to Jag’s.’ ”

One reason Jag’s Steak and Seafood in West Chester Township is the perfect spot for Jack’s party: His full name is Jack Anthony Greenlee, so his initials are J.A.G. (Which also helps explain why he’s a Jacksonville Jaguars fan).

What’s more: “I love steak a lot,” Jack said.

Reservations have been made for – of course – 12: Jack; his mom and dad; his three older siblings; a brother-in-law; Jack’s aunt, her husband and their two sons; and Jack’s grandmother.

The number of invited guests worked out perfectly. Almost. Jack’s sister’s boyfriend didn’t make the cut.

“We just can’t have 13 people,” Jack’s mom said. “It would just be wrong.”

Not much was right last year when Matthew Smeal’s 11th birthday rolled around. His paternal grandfather was hospitalized, so the family was with him.

“It was kind of a lame birthday,” Matthew’s mother, Janet Smeal, said. There wasn’t even cake. “He was OK with it, because he knew grandpa was hurting.”

Grandpa has recovered. So have the birthday plans.

Matthew, a sixth-grader at St. Nicholas Academy in Reading, will come home from school today and find a surprise: an upright piano.

He’s been playing for a couple of years, but until now he couldn’t practice at home.

The thought of all those twelves lining up today gave Matthew an idea: “We might actually buy a lottery ticket,” he said.

Ah, but as Mitro the mathematician noted: “The probability of winning the lottery is slightly less than flipping a coin and getting 27 heads in a row.”

In other words, it’s even less probable than turning 12 on 12/12/12.

Posted in: News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: 12/12/12, Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, Jack Anthony Greenlee, Jack Greenlee, turning 12 on 12/12/12

The West Chester Board of Trustees approved the establishment of “No Parking Zones” near several of the community’s schools on Tuesday. The schools affected by the new “No Parking Zones” are Hopewell Junior and Hopewell Elementary, as well as Endeavor Elementary and Adena Elementary.

The West Chester Police Department, Community Services, Lakota Local Schools and the Butler County Engineer’s Office recommended the zones be identified due to safety issues with student drop-off and pick-up.

Vehicles stopping within the school zone and/or on neighboring streets to drop off or pick up children from school created obstructions for pedestrians and vehicular traffic traveling near the schools.

A “No Parking Zone” was approved near Endeavor Elementary on Smith Road prohibiting parking, standing or stopping of vehicles in the school zone on school days between the hours of 8 to 9 a.m. and from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Additionally, no parking will be allowed anytime on R.E. Smith Drive between Smith Road and Misty Shore Drive, and no parking anytime on Bar Harbor Way between Smith Road and South Port Drive.

Also approved is no parking, standing or stopping of vehicles in the school zone between Heritage Drive and Adena Hills Court between the hours of 8 to 9 a.m. and from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on school days.

A “No Parking Zone” will also be enacted for Manor Drive near Hopewell junior and elementary schools. This would prohibit parking, standing or stopping of vehicles on Manor Drive on school days from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m. on the north side of Manor Drive between Candlelight Terrace and Rickhaven Court and on the south side of Manor Drive between the west property line of 7849 Manor Drive and the east property line of 7879 Manor Drive.

The “No Parking Zones” will be marked and become effective on Jan. 4, 2013.

Posted in: Government, News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, Butler County Engineer's Office, Endeavor Elementary, Endeavor Elementary School, Hopewell Elementary, Hopewell Junior, Lakota Local Schools, No parking, no parking zones, no parking zones Lakota schools, No parking zones West Chester, West Chester Police Department

Last June, the Lakota community lost a loved one when longtime teacher Karen Moeller passed away.

Just less than a year later, members of the community will honor the elementary school teacher by participating in the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walkat Voice of America Park at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The event will benefit the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, which awards two scholarships each year to high school students based on academics and contributions to Lakota and to his or her community.

The distance of the run/walk is 1 ¼ miles. Prizes and awards will also be given out.

The cost per participant on the day of the event is $20. Those walk-ups are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before it begins.

Moeller taught first and second grades at Adena Elementary for 17 years before being transferred to Shawnee Elementary. In November of 2007, Moeller was diagnosed with brain cancer and fought the disease for more than 3 ½ years.

For more information about the event, visit westfirebirds.com.

Posted in: Events, News, School events |

Tags: Tags: Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, basketball, brain cancer, death, funeral, Karen Moeller, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, Lakota Local Schools, Voice of America Park

Last June, the Lakota community lost a loved one when longtime teacher Karen Moeller passed away.

Just less than a year later, members of the community will honor the elementary school teacher by participating in the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk at Voice of America Park at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 26.

The event will benefit the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, which awards two scholarships each year to high school students based on academics and contributions to Lakota and to his or her community.

The distance of the run/walk is 1 ¼ miles. Prizes and awards will also be given out.

If participants register before May 18, the cost is $10 for elementary/junior high students, $15 for high school students/adults and $30 for families. The cost per participant on the day of the event is $20. Those walk-ups are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before the event begins.

Moeller taught first and second grades at Adena Elementary for 17 years before being transferred to Shawnee Elementary. In November of 2007, Moeller was diagnosed with brain cancer and fought the disease for more than 3 ½ years.

For more information about the event, visit westfirebirds.com.

Posted in: Events, News, School events |

Tags: Tags: Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, basketball, brain cancer, death, funeral, Karen Moeller, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, Lakota Local Schools, Voice of America Park

Cincinnati Enquirer photographer Tony Jones attended an art class at Independence Elementary and Adena Elementary’s annual FUN Fest. Both events took place this past Friday, Sept. 30, 2011.

>>>PHOTOS: STUDENTS AT INDEPENDENCE AND AT ADENA<<<

The art class consisted of fifth graders, who were working with metallic markers.

Meanwhile, at FUN Fest the community participated in the school’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The event features games, rides and raffles.

There are also many other great moments captured on our Flickr photostream. And more West Chester and Liberty Township related photo galleries on our Photos page.

Also, remember to share your photos through the Photos page.

Posted in: Events, School events, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, Adena FUN Fest, Adena Funfest, FUN Fest, Funfest, Independence Elementary, Independence Elementary School, photo gallery, photos, West Chester photos

Harlem Globetrotter Buckets Blake visited students at Adena Elementary and at Hopewell Elementary this Thursday. Blake was there to promote the C.H.E.E.R Challenge, a program developed with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Education.

The program is designed to focus on student Cooperation, Healthy Mind and Body, Effort, Enthusiasm, and Responsibility (C.H.E.E.R).

Cincinnati Enquirer photographer Tony Jones was at Hopewell to capture the visit.

>>>PHOTOS: HARLEM GLOBETROTTER VISITS HOPEWELL ELEMENTARY<<<

There are also many other great moments captured on our Flickr photostream. And more West Chester and Liberty Township related photo galleries on our Photos page.

Also, remember to share your photos through the Photos page.

Posted in: Events, School events, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, Buckets Blake, C.H.E.E.R Challenge, Harlem Globetrotter Buckets Blake, Harlem Globetrotters, Hopewell Elementary, U.S. Department of Education