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Lakota West fans cheer during a game this season. All of the Lakota West and Lakota East varsity teams will host games this weekend. The boys will host games Friday night, while the girls will be in action on Saturday afternoon. Photo taken by Tony Tribble.

From a restaurant crawl to a winter farmers’ market, there is plenty to do in West Chester this weekend.

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

Below are some things to do close to home.

Friday

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

Lakota boys’ basketball – Both Lakota West and Lakota East will host conference opponents Friday at 7:30 p.m. Lakota West (6-4 overall, 4-3 in Greater Miami Conference) will host Colerain (4-7 overall, 0-6 in GMC), while Lakota East (11-2 overall, 5-1 in GMC) will host Princeton (6-5 overall, 3-3 in GMC).

Saturday

Union Centre Restaurant Crawl – The fifth annual Union Centre Restaurant Crawl (photo) benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will take place this Saturday. The crawl will begin at 4 p.m. at the UNO Chicago Grill and will move to other participating restaurants that include El Rancho Grande, The Wise Owl Wine Bar, the Dingle House and Jag’s Steak and Seafood.

Winter farmers’ market – The weekly farmers’ market season is over, but the winter farmers’ market will be open this Saturday at the Square at Union Centre. This Saturday’s market will take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Like in the summer, the winter farmers’ market also features all local vendors with produce and meats grown and raised locally and products made by hand.

Lakota girls’ basketball – Both Lakota West and Lakota East will host conference opponents Saturday at 2 p.m. Lakota West (10-2 overall, 6-2 in Greater Miami Conference) will host Mason (13-0 overall, 8-0 in GMC), while Lakota East (5-9 overall, 4-4 in GMC) will host Hamilton (3-11 overall, 2-6 in GMC).

Sunday

Community choir rehearsal for MLK program – Residents of Liberty and West Chester townships are invited to Sunday’s community choir rehearsal for the Martin Luther King Day program. The choir will practice beginning at 2 p.m. at St. Paul AME Church, 7161 Ohio 4 in Fairfield. All residents are invited to sing with the group, which will perform at the Jan. 21 Live the Dream: Our Declaration of Unity program.

Posted in: Events, News, Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: business, business news, charity, Cystic Fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, dingle house, Dingle House Irish Pub, El Rancho Grande, Jag's, Jag's Steak & Seafood, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Stone Creek, Stone Creek Dining Company, The Wise Owl, Union Centre Merchant Association, Union Centre Merchants Association, Union Centre Restaurant Crawl, UNO, Uno Chicago Grill, Uno's Chicago Grill, West Chester restaurants, Wise Owl, Wise Owl Wine Bar

The fifth annual Union Centre Restaurant Crawl benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will take place this Saturday.

The crawl will begin at 4 p.m. at the UNO Chicago Grill and will move to other participating restaurants that include El Rancho Grande, The Wise Owl Wine Bar, the Dingle House and Jag’s Steak and Seafood.

Those interested can pre-register for the crawl by giving a $30 donation in advance. Registration at the door can be done for a $35 donation.

Parking will be available at the old Max and Erma’s building next to UNO, which is located at 9246 Schulze Drive in West Chester. After checking in at UNO, crawl participants will be walking (dress appropriately) to all of the other nearby restaurants.

The first 50 crawl participants to sign up will receive a complimentary t-shirt. All participants will receive appetizers and discounted drink specials at each restaurant. There will also be raffles and games during the crawl.

Taxi service will be available after the event at Jag’s.

Tickets can be purchased at http://unioncentrecrawl5-eac2.eventbrite.com/#.

For more information please email Lindsay Wiseman at lmdwiseman@gmail.com.

Posted in: Business, Events, News |

Tags: Tags: business, business news, charity, Cystic Fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, dingle house, Dingle House Irish Pub, El Rancho Grande, Jag's, Jag's Steak & Seafood, Stone Creek, Stone Creek Dining Company, The Wise Owl, Union Centre Merchant Association, Union Centre Merchants Association, Union Centre Restaurant Crawl, UNO, Uno Chicago Grill, Uno's Chicago Grill, West Chester restaurants, Wise Owl, Wise Owl Wine Bar

The Back Porch Saloon, 9626 Princeton Glendale Road, will host a fundraiser for the 3 little Halos fund tonight from 5 to 8 p.m.

The 3 little Halos fund is one of many funds within the Community Foundation. It was created in memory of Aubrey, Alex and Braden Butler, who passed away in November of 2007 as a result of a fire in their West Chester home. The fund is used to assist local organizations to ensure a safe environment for children. Photo provided.

Back Porch will donate 10 percent of all sales and 85 percent of the bar tips to the fund. Jim Butler (3 little Halos) will be the bartender.

The 3 little Halos fund has been established to support organizations and programs dedicated to promote fire safety, prevention and awareness, as well as other household safety practices.

This fund has been created in memory of Aubrey, Alex and Braden Butler, who passed away in November of 2007 as a result of a fire in their West Chester home. The children’s legacy will continue by assisting organizations that work to ensure a safe environment for children and their families.

Currently, 3 little Halos is raising funds to build a Safety Town. The town is a small scale city for young children, which is designed to teach all aspects of traffic safety, as well as, fire, water, weather and many other safety concerns for children.

If you would like to make a donation or reserve your table, make check payable to 3 little Halos fund, or use your credit card on the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty website at www.wclfoundation.com.

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: 3 little Halos, Back Porch Saloon, charity, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, fundraiser, The Back Porch Saloon, The Back Porch Saloon West Chester, WCL Community Foundation

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Two events at the Bridgewater Falls shopping complex on Saturday will benefit charities.

The center is partnering with B105 to host a drive for the United States Marines’ Toys for Tots program. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at stations located at the end of the Staples parking lot from noon to 2 p.m.

Those who donate will receive a free picture with Santa Claus. There will also be drawings for Bridgewater Falls gift cards along with tickets to holiday events including the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Christmas Carol at the Playhouse in the Park and the Nutcracker.

From noon to 4 p.m., The Stash will host a Greygoosegifts Trunk Show with snacks and beverages. A free piece of jewelry and gift card will be awarded.

A portion of sales will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Bridgewater Falls is located in Fairfield Township at the corner of Ohio 4 Bypass and Princeton Road.

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: Bridgewater Falls, Bridgewater Falls Shopping Center, charity, Toys for Tots

In honor of the fifth anniversary of the tragic loss of three West Chester children, Aubrey, Alex and Braden Butler, who all died in a fire at their home in November of 2007, there will be two ways to raise money for the 3 little Halos fund this Thanksgiving weekend.

The 3 little Halos fund is one of many funds within the Community Foundation. It was created in memory of Aubrey, Alex and Braden Butler, who passed away in November of 2007 as a result of a fire in their West Chester home. The fund is used to assist local organizations to ensure a safe environment for children. Photo provided.

Meanwhile, on Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m., Buffalo Wild Wings off Union Centre Boulevard will donate a portion of its food sales to the local fund.

The 3 little Halos fund has been established to support organizations and programs dedicated to promote fire safety, prevention and awareness, as well as other household safety practices.

Currently, 3 Little Halos is raising funds to build a Safety Town. The town is a small scale city for young children, which is designed to teach all aspects of traffic safety, as well as, fire, water, weather and many other safety concerns for children.

The Back Porch Saloon is located at 9626 Princeton-Glendale Road and Buffalo Wild Wings is located at 9243 Schulze Drive. Both restaurants are in West Chester.

If you would like to make a donation, make check payable to 3 little Halos fund or use your credit card on the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty website at www.wclfoundation.com.

Posted in: Business, Events, News |

Tags: Tags: 3 little Halos, Back Porch Saloon, charity, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, fundraiser, The Back Porch Saloon, The Back Porch Saloon West Chester, WCL Community Foundation

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Additional locations have been added in Butler County for this year’s St. Vincent de Paul’s annual coat drive, which runs through Dec. 1.

“There will be many families this winter who will struggle to provide basics such as food, shelter and heat. For some of them, buying warm coats is a luxury that can be easy for many to take for granted,” said Liz Carter, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul.

“No families should have to suffer through winter without coats to keep them warm, especially when there are young children.”

The drive is co-sponsored by WLWT-TV and Gold Star Chili. City Dash is providing pick-up and delivery service. Coats are need for all age groups from infants through adults.

In Liberty Township, the coats can be dropped off at the fire stations located at 5170 Princeton-Glendale Road, 6957 Yankee Road; and at 6682 Princeton-Glendale Road.

Fire Chief Paul Stumpf said any coats collected after the final St. Vincent de Paul collection would be donated to Reach Out Lakota.

Bins are also located at six Hamilton fire stations: 77 Pershing, 605 Main St., 355 N. Eerie Blvd., 651 Laurel Ave., 1224 Shuler and 220 N. Brookwood.

Coats can also be dropped off at Kemba Credit Union branches. There is one branch in Butler County in West Chester Township, located at 8763 Union Centre Blvd.

Coats can also be dropped off at 11 Gold Star Chili locations in Butler County:

• Fairfield: 4470 Nilles Road and 6755 Ohio 4.
• Hamilton: 1700 S. Erie Blvd., and 1246 Main St.
• Liberty Township: 4271 Hamilton-Middletown Road.
• Middletown: 2930 Towne Blvd. and 449 Oxford State Road.
• Monroe: 1295 Hamilton-Lebanon Road.
• Ross Township: 3790 Hamilton-Cleves Road.
• West Chester Township: 10120 Princeton-Glendale Road and 7659 Tylersville Road.

Information: www.SVDPcincinnati.org

Posted in: Events |

Tags: Tags: Butler County, charity, coat drive, liz carter, St. Vincent de Paul

Graeter’s is giving away a single scoop of Elena’s blueberry pie ice cream in a sugar cone to its customers Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.

The free ice cream giveaway is the kickoff to Cones for the Cure, a partnership between Graeter’s and The Cure Starts Now Foundation to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

Participating Graeter’s locations in Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Louisville and Lexington will offer the special.

Graeter’s has locations in Mariemont Square, Mt. Auburn, Cherry Grove, Clifton, Colerain, Deerfield Township, Springdale, Finneytown, West Chester Township, Fountain Square (downtown), Western Hills, Hyde Park and Kenwood.

For a complete list of Graeter’s stores and hours, visit Graeters.com.

West Chester’s Graeter’s is located at 7651 Cox Lane.

Guests that visit a Graeter’s store during the campaign period have the opportunity to donate $1 or $5 for “Cones for the Cure.” Those who donate $5 will receive a gift booklet with more than $15 worth of savings at Graeter’s stores. 100 percent of the proceeds benefit The Cure Starts Now.

Visit www.conesforthecure.org for more information.

Posted in: Business, Events, News |

Tags: Tags: cancer research, charity, Cones for the Cure, fundraiser, Graeter's, Graeter's West Chester, ice cream, The Cure Starts Now Foundation, West Chester business, West Chester business news

A local community service program called Random Acts of Simple Kindness Affecting Local Seniors (RASKALS) is looking for volunteers to help senior citizens with outdoor chores this fall.

The West Chester Township program, which is offered twice each year, helps local seniors with window washing, raking, trimming shrubs, painting fences, spreading mulch, planting flowers and other chores.

The program helps seniors remain more self sufficient in their homes and has helped developed some meaningful friendships between the volunteers and their senior citizen clients.

Each RASKALS effort benefits more than 100 local seniors thanks to hundreds of volunteers from local organizations, churches and schools.

The fall RASKALS program is Nov. 10. The deadline to register is Oct. 19.

To register as a volunteer, call Laura Groff at 513-759-7312, or visit www.westchesteroh.org.

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: charity, Random Acts of Simple Kindness Affecting Local Seniors, RASKALS, RASKALS volunteering, volunteering, West Chester charity

The Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty in conjunction with the Advisory Board Members of the Youth in Philanthropy Fund will host the ninth annual Operation Gratitude gift drive this Saturday.

Community members are invited to participate by dropping off items at the UPS truck located in the Voice of America Shopping Center at the corner of Tylersville and Cox roads between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Items collected will be shipped to service men and women serving all over the world.

The gifts will arrive just in time for the holiday season.

“Hopefully our gifts will provide comfort to the troops as they celebrate the holiday season away from their families.” said Melissa Benedict, vice president, donor services.

The Foundation will also accept cash donations to buy additional items for the troops. Checks are to be made payable to The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty and note “troops.”

Items needed include: DVDs, CDs, batteries (all sizes), computer flash drives and webcams, headsets (earpiece and microphone), Beanie Babies/Webkinz, small novelty items, disposable cameras, prepaid phone cards, travel-size board games, hand-held electronic games, bandana coolers/cool-ties, mini-battery-operated fans, hand and foot warmers, single serving boxes of cold cereal, individual packets of hot cereal, commercially-wrapped individual packets of trail mix, beef jerky, nuts, energy bars, sunflower seeds, candy, ready to eat tuna or chicken salad kits, boxes of girl scout cookies, packets of powdered hot or cold beverages, commercially-sealed lip balm, roll-on deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, individual packets of moist towelettes, travel size containers of foot powder, socks, screen printed t-shirts, baseball style caps, knit hats and gloves, knit/crochet scarves, neck gators, holiday greeting cards (blank), unsealed personal cards and letters, used cell phones, video games and systems, IPODs, PDAs and Ink-jet cartridges.

For more information, call 513-874-5450.

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: charity, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, WCL Community Foundation

The Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty in conjunction with the Advisory Board Members of the Youth in Philanthropy Fund will host the ninth annual Operation Gratitude gift drive next Saturday, Sept. 8.

Community members are invited to participate by dropping off items at the UPS truck located in the Voice of America Shopping Center at the corner of Tylersville and Cox roads between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Items collected will be shipped to service men and women serving all over the world.

The gifts will arrive just in time for the holiday season.

“Hopefully our gifts will provide comfort to the troops as they celebrate the holiday season away from their families.” said Melissa Benedict, vice president, donor services.

The Foundation will also accept cash donations to buy additional items for the troops. Checks are to be made payable to The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty and note “troops.”

Items needed include: DVDs, CDs, batteries (all sizes), computer flash drives and webcams, headsets (earpiece and microphone), Beanie Babies/Webkinz, small novelty items, disposable cameras, prepaid phone cards, travel-size board games, hand-held electronic games, bandana coolers/cool-ties, mini-battery-operated fans, hand and foot warmers, single serving boxes of cold cereal, individual packets of hot cereal, commercially-wrapped individual packets of trail mix, beef jerky, nuts, energy bars, sunflower seeds, candy, ready to eat tuna or chicken salad kits, boxes of girl scout cookies, packets of powdered hot or cold beverages, commercially-sealed lip balm, roll-on deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, individual packets of moist towelettes, travel size containers of foot powder, socks, screen printed t-shirts, baseball style caps, knit hats and gloves, knit/crochet scarves, neck gators, holiday greeting cards (blank), unsealed personal cards and letters, used cell phones, video games and systems, IPODs, PDAs and Ink-jet cartridges.

For more information, call 513-874-5450.

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: charity, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, WCL Community Foundation