WestChesterBuzz.com

Photos of the 2011 Crazy Cardboard Regatta

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.

Carriage Hill co-manager Randy Terry will get to show off his family's new housing development in Liberty Township during the 2013 Homearama event scheduled to take place June 8-23. Photo taken by Amie Dworecki.

Homearama set for Liberty Township in 2013- The Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati recently announced that Carriage Hill, a housing development in Liberty Township, would be the location for the next Homearama in 2013. In the 50-year history of Homearama, Butler County has hosted 10 home showcases. Last summer, the event in West Chester Township attracted more than 20,000 people.

Lakota junior high fall sports registration deadline looms – Students who want to participate in fall sports at the junior high level in the Lakota school district must register and pay fees by next Friday, June 29, which is more than two weeks earlier than the deadline last summer. Chris Passarge, Lakota’s executive director of business operations, said the date was moved up since there won’t be any staff members at the junior high buildings in July.

Richard Hamilton is retiring after being principal at Lakota West for the past 13 years. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

Lakota losing principals at high rate– Michael D. Clark of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that more than half of Lakota’s principals have left the school district in the last two years partially due to financial woes.

Crazy Cardboard Boat Regatta set for July 14 – The third annual Crazy Cardboard Boat Regatta is scheduled to set sail once again at Voice of America Park in West Chester Township July 14. The event will take place from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. with racing beginning at noon. This year, all the profits from the event will go towards adding a handicapped accessible area to the VOA playground.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman signs an autograph for Reds fan Erik Adamson at the Sports Gallery in West Chester June 21, 2012. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber of WestChesterBuzz.com.

Aroldis Chapman’s signature attracts big crowd- It’s been a tough couple weeks for Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, but he clearly hasn’t lost any of the star power he earned in dominating hitters most in the season. As evidence, hundreds of Reds fans lined outside a West Chester sports memorabilia shop Thursday to get a glimpse and a rare autograph from Chapman.

Board of Elections recruiting poll workers for Nov. 6 – The Butler County Board of Elections has launched a local campaign, aimed to donate money to charities, churches and other organizations, in hope to recruit poll workers for the upcoming election Nov. 6.

Butler County hires administrator – Sheila McLaughlin reported on Thursday that Charles Young, the former Hamilton deputy city manager, was hired as Butler County’s new administrator. Without a hitch, and despite infighting over the appointment, commissioners unanimously gave Young the $125,000-a-year job.

West Chester to host World Choir Games concert – West Chester Township officials announced that there will be a Friendship Concert from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 6, as part of the 2012 World Choir Games. The show will take place at The Square at Union Centre and is free to attend.

Posted in: Board of Education, Business, Election, Events, Government, Levy news, News, Recreational events, Schools, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Aroldis Chapman, Aroldis Chapman autograph, Aroldis Chapman autographs, Aroldis Chapman Cincinnati Reds, Aroldis Chapman signing, Carriage Hill Liberty Township, Carriage House Liberty Township, Crazy Cardboard Regatta, Crazy Cardboard Regatta photos, Crazy Cardboard Regatta West Chester, Ellen Strickler-Bacon, Homearama, Homearama 2013, Homearama Cincinnati, Homearama Cincinnati 2013, Homearama Liberty Township, Homearama Liberty Township 2013, MetroParks, MetroParks of Butler County, Randy Terry, Voice of America, Voice of America Park, West Chester photos, World Choir Games, World Choir Games Cincinnati, World Choir Games concerts, World Choir Games Friendship Concert West Chester, World Choir Games Friendship Concerts, World Choir Games West Chester

It’s been a tough couple weeks for Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, but he clearly hasn’t lost any of the star power he earned in dominating hitters most in the season.

As evidence, hundreds of Reds fans lined outside a West Chester sports memorabilia shop Thursday to get a glimpse and a rare autograph from Chapman.

After not surrendering an earned run before June 7, Chapman has gone 0-3 with a 10.13 ERA since then, blowing two saves, including Tuesday night on a walk-off home run in Cleveland.

There had been speculation that an aching back had affected the left-hander’s performance. In his appearance at the Sports Gallery on Thursday, however, Chapman dispelled any such talk. Although the Cuba native had difficulty understanding questions he was asked, he clearly understood the one about his health, and pointing to his back declared it “fine.”

Hundreds of Cincinnati Reds fans lined outside a West Chester sports memorabilia shop Thursday to get a glimpse and a rare autograph from closer Aroldis Chapman.

According to the shop’s co-owner Mark Fugate, who opened the Sports Gallery in August of 2010, this is the second public autograph session for Chapman in the past two years. The previous signing event also took place at the Sports Gallery in April of 2011.

“We were very excited to have Chapman back. He doesn’t do public signings very often. Actually both of them have been here and we are quite proud of that,” Fugate said.

“This was probably one of the biggest events we have ever had.”

Chapman, who threw the fastest pitch ever recorded in a Major League Baseball game at 105 mph, has been one of most discussed players on the Reds since he signed in 2010.

“He is definitely mysterious, you can just tell he is still trying to adapt to life here and just the language and everything like that,” Reds fan Erik Adamson said. “It is just a tough barrier for him, especially with all the outside news like the speeding tickets and guy in Florida who is suing him for $18 million or whatever.

“It is tough, because as a Reds fan, we have seen him pitch but we don’t know what he is like off the field.”

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman signs a game-used baseball at the Sports Gallery in West Chester June 21, 2012. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

There is also a lot unknown about the value of his autograph.

When Chapman was first called up to the Reds, signed baseballs were going for $100 to $150, according Jeremy Brown, owner of Ultimate Sports Cards and Memorabilia in Las Vegas. Brown, who also makes appearances on the History Channel’s “Pawn Stars,” said the current value of a signed baseball by Chapman is around $40 to $60.

Brown, however, did say that Chapman’s signature has a “higher upside” than most players and should increase in value if he ever becomes a starter.

For an autograph ticket Thursday, Sports Gallery customers had to pay $40 for baseballs and mini helmets; and $55 for bats, jerseys and equipment. However, the actual value of Chapman’s autograph could be the greatest among Cincinnati fans.

“I have seen him six or seven times in person and watching him throw as fast as he does, especially earlier this year … I thought it was a great opportunity to meet him,” Adamson said. “I am at the smallest stage of building my collection, but it was one that I definitely wanted to have.”

Posted in: Events, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Aroldis Chapman, Aroldis Chapman autograph, Aroldis Chapman autographs, Aroldis Chapman Cincinnati Reds, Aroldis Chapman signing, Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Reds player appearances, Cincinnati Reds player signings, Jeremy Brown, Jeremy Brown Ultimate Sports Cards and Memorabilia, Pawn Stars Jeremy Brown, signing, Sports Gallery, Sports Gallery West Chester, Ultimate Sports Cards and Memorabilia in Las Vegas, Ultimate Sports Cards Jeremy Brown

Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman will be in West Chester Thursday night for a signing session at the Sports Gallery, 7969 Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

Aroldis Chapman has his picture taken with Braden Bricking of Springboro. Chapman scooped up Braden and sat him his lap after he couldn't reach the table during a signing event at the Sports Gallery in West Chester April 4, 2011. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

During the event, which will take place from 6-to-8 p.m., Chapman will sign flat items, baseballs or mini-helmets for $40; and bats, jerseys or equipment for $55. Additional inscriptions, such as “The Cuban Missile” or “105 MPH 9/24/10”, will cost $10 each.

According to the shop’s co-owner, Mark Fugate, this is only the second autograph session for Chapman during the past two years. The previous signing event took place at the Sports Gallery last April.

“We couldn’t be more excited about having Chapman back at our shop, the event last year sold out and we only have 100 or so tickets left for this years signing,” Fugate said. “With Chapman having the amazing year he is as the Reds closer and looking like he will be in his first all star game, we expect a huge crowd Thursday night.”

• Photos from Aroldis Chapman autograph event in April of 2011

Later this summer, a couple of Chapman’s teammates and former Reds players are scheduled to make appearances at the Sports Gallery.

In July, former starting pitcher of the Big Red Machine Don Gullett, Reds outfielder Jay Bruce and Reds rookie Todd Frazier will host signing sessions at the sports memorabilia shop in West Chester.

Gullet will sign items July 11 from 6-to-8 p.m., Bruce’s signing event will take place July 15 from 12:30-to-2:30 p.m. and Frazier will sign autographs from 6-to-8 p.m. July 19.

On Aug. 2, from 6-to-8 p.m., Reds legend Joe Morgan will also host a signing session.

For tickets and pricing on all signing events, contact the Sports Gallery by calling 513-759-4256 or visit the Sports Gallery website.

Posted in: Events, News, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Aroldis Chapman, Aroldis Chapman autograph, Aroldis Chapman autographs, Aroldis Chapman Cincinnati Reds, Aroldis Chapman signing, Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Reds player appearances, Cincinnati Reds player signings, signing, Sports Gallery, Sports Gallery West Chester

Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Andy Dalton visited the Sports Gallery in West Chester Tuesday for a special signing session. Dalton has started the first three games for the Bengals this season. He has led the team to a win at Cleveland and has lost against Denver on the road and at home against San Francisco.

The Sports Gallery has also had signings in 2011 with Cincinnati Reds Aroldis Chapman, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes (has been traded to Washington since), Chris Heisey and Brandon Phillips.

>>>PHOTOS OF ANDY DALTON IN WEST CHESTER<<<

For more information about the Sports Gallery and future signings, call 513-759-4256 or visit the Sports Gallery website.

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: Business, News, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Andy Dalton, Andy Dalton photos, Aroldis Chapman, Brandon Phillips, Cesar Geronimo, Chris Heisey, Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds, Dave Concepcion, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes, photo gallery, photos, signing, Sports Gallery, West Chester photos

West Chester Township’s Sports Gallery, which has hosted various signings from Cincinnati Reds players this year, will host Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Andy Dalton for a signing session this Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Autograph tickets are available for $35 for mini helmets or any size flat item and $45 for a football, full-size helmet, jersey or equipment. The store itself will have balls, photos, helmets and other Bengals collectibles available for purchase during the event.

The Sports Gallery will also offer signed items by mail order.

For information about mail order items or about the event, call 513-759-4256.

The Sports Gallery is located at 7967 Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

Earlier this year, the Sports Gallery has also hosted signings with current Reds Aroldis Chapman, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes (has been traded to Washington since), Chris Heisey and Brandon Phillips. In September, the sports memorabilia shop hosted former Reds Dave Concepcion and Cesar Geronimo for a signing session.

Posted in: Business, Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Andy Dalton, Aroldis Chapman, Brandon Phillips, Cesar Geronimo, Chris Heisey, Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds, Dave Concepcion, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes, signing, Sports Gallery

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips visited the Sports Gallery in West Chester Saturday for a special signing session. Phillips is in sixth season as a Red. He is a two-time all-star and has won two gold gloves while in Cincinnati.

The Sports Gallery, which has also had signings with current Reds Aroldis Chapman, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes (has been traded to Washington since) and Chris Heisey this season, will host former Reds Dave Concepcion and Cesar Geronimo for a signing session Sept. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

>>>PHOTOS OF BRANDON PHILLIPS IN WEST CHESTER<<<

Tickets are limited to 200 for each former Reds player. Autograph tickets for Concepcion are $40 for baseballs, any size flat item or mini helmets and $50 for bats, jerseys, seatbacks or equipment. Meanwhile, autograph tickets for Geronimo are $35 for all items.

For more information, call 513-759-4256 or visit the Sports Gallery website.

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: Business, Events, News, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Aroldis Chapman, Brandon Phillips, Brandon Phillips photos, Cesar Geronimo, Chris Heisey, Cincinnati Reds, Dave Concepcion, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes, photo gallery, photos, signing, Sports Gallery, West Chester photos

Dave Concepcion and Cesar Geronimo, members of the Big Red Machine and of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, will make a signing appearance Sept. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Sports Gallery in West Chester.

Tickets are limited to 200 for each former Reds player. Autograph tickets for Concepcion are $40 for baseballs, any size flat item or mini helmets and $50 for bats, jerseys, seatbacks or equipment. Meanwhile, autograph tickets for Geronimo are $35 for all items.

This Saturday, Aug. 27, the Sports Gallery will host Reds all-star second baseman Brandon Phillips from noon to 2 p.m. There are tickets currently available for that signing as well.

The store has hosted individual signing sessions with Aroldis Chapman, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes and Chris Heisey this season. Three of the four signing sessions this season have sold out.

At the signing, Phillips will sign items that fans bring in or purchase at the Sports Gallery. Tickets for each signature are $39. The store itself will have baseballs, bats, photos, cards, helmets and other Reds collectibles available for purchase during the event.

For more information, call 513-759-4256 or visit the Sports Gallery website.

Posted in: Business, Events, News, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Aroldis Chapman, Brandon Phillips, Cesar Geronimo, Chris Heisey, Cincinnati Reds, Dave Concepcion, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes, signing, Sports Gallery

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips returned to the lineup Sunday and is the next baseball player scheduled to participate in a signing session in West Chester Township. Next Saturday, Aug. 27, from noon to 2 p.m., the Reds All-Star infielder will be at the Sports Gallery located at 7967 Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

Phillips will be the latest Reds player to visit the sports memorabilia shop this season. Earlier this summer, the shop has hosted individual signing sessions with Aroldis Chapman, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes and Chris Heisey.

>>>PHOTOS OF HEISEY’S SIGNING SESSION JUNE 30<<<

“We have had a great run this season from Chapman to Stubbs to Gomes and Heisey,” Sports Gallery owner Mark Fugate said. “Each event has gotten bigger and better and the guys have been extremely nice with our guests. I urge anyone who is interested to not wait until the day of the event to get your tickets.”

Fugate also said that the store has sold out three of its four individual signings with current Reds players. He expects the Phillips signing session, which is limited to 250 tickets, to sell out as well.

At the signing, Phillips will sign items that fans bring in or purchase at the Sports Gallery. Tickets for each signature are $39. The store itself will have baseballs, bats, photos, cards, helmets and other Reds collectibles available for purchase during the event.

Phillips has been named to the Major League Baseball All-Star roster for the past two seasons and has also won two Gold Gloves.

“We are very pleased to announce Brandon Phillips will be our next autograph guest,” Fugate said. “The most talented second baseman in baseball and a guy who is amazing with the fans should make for a exciting afternoon.”

For more information, call 513-759-4256 or visit the Sports Gallery website.

Posted in: Business, Events, News, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Aroldis Chapman, Brandon Phillips, Chris Heisey, Cincinnati Reds, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes, signing, Sports Gallery

The owner of the Sports Gallery in West Chester announced Monday that Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips will be participating in a special signing session Aug. 27 from noon to 2 p.m.

Phillips will be the latest Reds player to visit the sports memorabilia shop this season. Earlier this summer, the shop has hosted individual signing sessions with Aroldis Chapman, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes and Chris Heisey.

>>>PHOTOS OF HEISEY’S SIGNING SESSION JUNE 30<<<

“We have had a great run this season from Chapman to Stubbs to Gomes and Heisey,” Sports Gallery owner Mark Fugate said. “Each event has gotten bigger and better and the guys have been extremely nice with our guests. I urge anyone who is interested to not wait until the day of the event to get your tickets.”

Fugate also said that the store has sold out three of its four individual signings with current Reds players. He expects the Phillips signing session, which is limited to 250 tickets, to sell out as well.

At the signing, Phillips will sign items that fans bring in or purchase at the Sports Gallery. Tickets for each signature are $39. The store itself will have baseballs, bats, photos, cards, helmets and other Reds collectibles available for purchase during the event.

Phillips has been named to the Major League Baseball All-Star roster for the past two seasons and has also won two Gold Gloves.

“We are very pleased to announce Brandon Phillips will be our next autograph guest,” Fugate said. “The most talented second baseman in baseball and a guy who is amazing with the fans should make for a exciting afternoon.”

For more information, call 513-759-4256 or visit the Sports Gallery website.

The Sports Gallery is located 7967 Cincinnati-Dayton Road (near the Tylersville intersection).

Posted in: Business, News, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Aroldis Chapman, Brandon Phillips, Chris Heisey, Cincinnati Reds, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes, signing, Sports Gallery

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Chris Heisey took extra time to talk directly to fans and have pictures taken with them during a special signing event Thursday at the Sports Gallery in West Chester.

One fan in particular felt a special connection to the 26-year-old baseball player. Amy Weeks and Heisey shared an emotional conversation that centered on Lou Gehrig’s disease, which took the lives of Weeks’ 46-year-old brother-in-law, Jim Kerr, and Heisey’s father, Craig, in 2007.

“Anytime somebody talks about the disease, it is tough for me to hear because I lost my father, but it was good to hear it … she was a little emotional and I get emotional too every time I talk about it,” Heisey said.

Weeks first learned about Heisey’s connection to Lou Gehrig’s disease when he caught the ceremonial first pitch during last season’s “4 ALS” day, which was created by Major League Baseball to honor Gehrig’s memory, bring awareness and help fight the disease.

>>>PHOTOS OF CHRIS HEISEY IN WEST CHESTER<<<

An emotional Weeks enjoyed meeting her family’s favorite ballplayer and plans to send her signed photo of Heisey to her brother-in-law’s family in Cleveland.

She wasn’t the only one, however, who enjoyed meeting the Reds outfielder, a line of more than hundred people waited outside the sports memorabilia shop during the event. In total 177 people met Heisey, who stayed passed the 8:30 p.m. deadline to make sure everyone had an autograph. He did this, despite running late and making his wife wait at the Kenny Chesney concert at Riverbend.

“It is great to meet the people, who come out and come support us every night. Without them I wouldn’t be in Cincinnati playing baseball,” Heisey said. “I really appreciate everything that they say. They always have nice things to say and it is good to meet them.”

Earlier this season, the Sports Gallery also had signings with fellow Reds players Aroldis Chapman, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes and Bill Bray.

For more information, call 513-759-4256 or visit the Sports Gallery website.

The Sports Gallery is located 7967 Cincinnati-Dayton Road (near the Tylersville intersection).

Posted in: Business, News, Sports |

Tags: Tags: 4 ALS, Amy Weeks, Aroldis Chapman, Chris Heisey, Cincinnati Reds, Craig Heisey, Drew Stubbs, Jonny Gomes, Lou Gehrig’s disease, photo gallery, photos, signing, Sports Gallery