WestChesterBuzz.com

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.

More than 5,000 runners and walkers participated in the Shamrock Shuffle in West Chester Township on Saturday. The event was expected to raise $100,000 for local causes and charities. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

WestChesterBuzz.com also recently added a new video page last week. To view West Chester and Liberty Township related videos, visit westchesterbuzz.com/videos.

Lakota Local Schools closed – A winter storm last Tuesday night forced Lakota Local Schools to close for the first time in the 2012-2013 school year. West Chester’s Nature Basket program was also canceled due to the weather.

What is your gold worth? – As gold prices soar, so do the number of gold buyers and sellers. That means more work for county auditors, who are tasked with validating the accuracy of scales used to weigh gold at businesses that buy it. In Southwest Ohio, auditors from Butler, Warren, Clermont and Hamilton counties in 2012 registered 186 scales from precious metals buyers, up from just 30 in 2009.

Lakota East OL Jarrett LaRubbio receives multiple offers – Miami (Ohio), West Virginia, Cincinnati and Georgia Tech all offered Lakota East junior offensive lineman Jarrett LaRubbio last week, Lakota East coach Rick Haynes told Cincinnati Enquirer high school sports recruiting writer Mike Dyer. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound lineman has received offers Arizona State, Western Michigan, Duke, Kentucky Nebraska, N.C. State, Akron, Pittsburgh, Bowling Green, Toledo, Kent State and Ohio.

Pat Hiltman is resigned effective immediately, on Feb. 20, from his township trustee post because a recent job change. Photo provided.

13 seek Liberty Township trustee seat – A total of 13 individuals have applied to join the Liberty Township Board of Trustees, Sue Kiesewetter reported late last week for The Cincinnati Enquirer. Whoever is selected would fill Patrick Hiltman’s term, which ends Dec. 31. To keep the seat, the trustee would have to run in the November election. Among the candidates are a former Trenton mayor, the developer of the Carriage Hill development, three members of the township’s Vision Committee and volunteers on three other township groups.

Butler Tech names new superintendent – Bill Miller on last Thursday was named superintendent of Butler Tech, Sue Kiesewetter reported for The Cincinnati Enquirer. For the past two months, Miller has served as interim superintendent following the December resignation of Brett Smith. He was one of three finalists for the job. Miller was given a two-year contract, which runs through July 31, 2015. His salary was set at $126,250 annually.

Census: Cincinnati commuter rate among highest in nation – Hamilton County has among the highest number of commuters coming from another county in the nation, the U.S. Census Bureau reported recently, according to Mark Wert of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Among workers in Hamilton County, 188,113 live outside the county, according to 2006-2010 Census estimates. For example, 45,965 workers commute in from Butler County. Meanwhile, 66,994 residents of Hamilton County leave the county for work, or only 18.6 percent of the county’s total. The biggest group, 20,856, goes to Butler County.

Florida State offers RB Mikel Horton – Florida State offered Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton on Monday, according to Lakota West head football coach Larry Cox. The previous week, four Division I programs offered Horton. Louisville, Cincinnati, Purdue and Miami (Ohio) offered on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, respectively. In addition, Horton has received interest from Penn State, Michigan State and Arkansas, as well as offers from Indiana, Minnesota, Kent State, Toledo, Bowling Green, Western Michigan and Kentucky.

Lillian’s Leprechauns, others benefit from Shamrock Shuffle – More than 5,000 runners and walkers took part in the 2013 Shamrock Shuffle in West Chester Township Saturday. Each one of them came out for a reason, as many did so for one of the 50 charities that were participating in the annual event. The charity that brought in the most runners/walkers was a new group, Lillian’s Leprechauns, which was created after Adam Woodward and Niki Larson, both of Maineville, lost their baby, Lillian, one day after she was born.

Posted in: Events, Fall sports, News, Recreational events, Sports |

Tags: Tags: 10K West Chester, 5K West Chester, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, fundraiser West Chester, Jarrett LaRubbio, Jarrett LaRubbio football recruiting, Jarrett LaRubbio Lakota East, Jarrett LaRubbio Michigan, Jarrett LaRubbio Michigan recruiting, Jarrett LaRubbio offensive lineman, Jarrett LaRubbio Pittsburgh, Jarrett LaRubbio Pittsburgh recruiting, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Leprechaun Lap, Liberty Township Ohio, Liberty Township Trustee Pat Hiltman, Liberty Township trustees, Lillian’s Leprechauns, Mikel Horton, Mikel Horton football recruiting, Mikel Horton Lakota West, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Pat Hiltman, Shamrock Gives Back, Shamrock Shuffle, Shamrock Shuffle West Chester, St. Patrick's Day, WCL Community Foundation

More than 5,000 runners and walkers took part in the 2013 Shamrock Shuffle in West Chester Township Saturday. Each one of them came out for a reason, as many did so for one of the 50 charities that were participating in the annual event.

Melissa Benedict, president of the Community Foundation of West Chester, predicted the event will raise around $100,000, with $40,000 going back to the participating charities and the remaining amount going toward other charitable grants that are provided through the foundation.

Adam Woodward and Niki Larson, both of Maineville, lost their baby, Lillian, one day after she was born in September of 2012. They are now trying to create Lillian’s Leprechauns to bring awareness of families who have lost newborns and infants and would like to offer financial assistance for funeral expenses. In photo, Adam and his son Garrett, with Niki. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber at Shamrock Shuffle in West Chester Township March 9.

When the couple arrived at Bethesda North Hospital on Sept. 26, 2012, they weren’t expecting any complications with the birth. The following afternoon, while in labor, Larson had to be given an emergency C-section after her placenta had become detached, cutting off her unborn child’s oxygen supply.

Lillian was born Sept. 27 at 4:12 p.m. and had to be revived by hospital staff.

The doctor eventually took Lillian off life support, but surprisingly, she began to breathe on her own.

“She shocked the doctors,” said Woodward, who also has a 11-year-old son named Garrett. “They told us that she is making a liar out of us … it gave us hope.”

The family, however, would find out the next morning that her brain wasn’t fully functionally and that she wasn’t going to live much longer. Lillian passed away at 8:25 p.m. Sept. 28.

“What you see in the movies about a person being taken off life support is not anything compared to what you live,” Woodward said. “She was breathing on her for more than 17 hours.

“We are still in shock … Still to this day, you can’t believe it.”

Lillian’s death became an even harder reality when her funeral needed to planned. In additional to the extreme grief, there were financial obligations. She was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Deerfield Township on Oct. 6.

While there, Woodward noticed grave sites for 57 babies. He even noticed one grave stone that had three names.

“What we hope to accomplish (with Lillian’s Leprechauns) is to bring awareness that there are families out there that lose newborns and infants and we would like to offer financial assistance for funeral expenses,” Woodward said.

“It was a shock that it happened to us and we just want to be able to pay it forward.”

Lillian’s Leprechauns is in its organizational stages. To contact them, go through the Community Foundation at 513-874-5450.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 10K West Chester, 5K West Chester, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, fundraiser West Chester, Leprechaun Lap, Lillian’s Leprechauns, Shamrock Gives Back, Shamrock Shuffle, Shamrock Shuffle West Chester, St. Patrick's Day, WCL Community Foundation

The Shamrock Shuffle is one of West Chester Township’s biggest events of the year and it takes place this Saturday morning. Photo provided.

Annual events at EnterTRAINment Junction and at The Square at Union Centre are a few of the many things to do in West Chester, Ohio, and Greater Cincinnati this weekend.

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

When you are not out and about, visit the new video page on WestChesterBuzz.com To view West Chester and Liberty Township related videos, visit westchesterbuzz.com/videos.

Friday

Chamber awards – The West Chester ▪ Liberty Chamber Alliance 2013 Chamber Awards celebration is this Friday at the Cincinnati Marriott North near The Square at Union Centre in West Chester. The event begins at 6 p.m. and requires a ticket to attend, which had to be purchased prior to the event.

Saturday

Shamrock Shuffle – One of West Chester’s signature events, the Shamrock Shuffle, will take place Saturday morning at The Square at Union Centre. The event will have more than 4,000 people participate and help more than 50 local charities. Event-day registration begins at 7 a.m.

Self-defense class – The West Chester Police Department will offer a free self-defense class from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. this Saturday. According to a release, the class is designed to encourage individuals to be prepared and confident when faced with a potentially dangerous confrontation. The class is offered at the police department on Beckett Road.

Free mini model engineering show – There will be a special two-day mini model engineering show at EnterTRAINment Junction this Saturday and Sunday. According to the show’s release, the exhibit features working miniatures built by model craftsmen from throughout the Midwest. Hours for the exhibit are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

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. Additional winter farmers’ market sessions will take place April 6 and April 27. The market will take place, according to its website, rain, sleet, snow or shine.

Sunday

Mini model show continues – The free mini-model exhibit will be on display in EnterTRAINment Junction’s indoor Main Street area and in its Expo Center. Hours for the exhibit are noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

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

Tags: Tags: 10K West Chester, 5K West Chester, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, EnterTrainment Junction, EnterTRAINment Junction mini model engineering show, EnterTrainment Junction train display, EnterTrainment Junction West Chester, fundraiser West Chester, Leprechaun Lap, mini model engineering show, self-defense training, self-defense training West Chester, Shamrock Gives Back, Shamrock Shuffle, Shamrock Shuffle West Chester, Square at Union Centre, Square at Union Centre West Chester, St. Patrick's Day, the Square at Union Centre, the Square at Union Centre West Chester, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester Farmers' Market, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester University, West Chester Winter Farmers' Market

Runners get ready to start the 2011 Shamrock Shuffle. Photo provided.

If you aren’t among the 4,100-plus who have registered to participate in this Saturday’s 2013 Shamrock Shuffle in West Chester Township, there is still time to sign up.

Online registration, available at www.theshamerockshuffle.com, will end at 9 p.m. Wednesday. People can also register at the packet pick-up event at the West Chester Library from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. The cost to register, at those times, is $30.

The event includes a 5K, 10K, children’s fun run called the Leprechaun Lap and a block party. Registration and check-in for the shuffle begins at 7 a.m., the block party begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by the 10K at 8:30 a.m., the 5K at 8:45 a.m. and the Leprechaun Lap at 10:15 a.m.

Event day registration is $35. 5K or 10K youth, ages 5-12, is $15. Leprechaun Lap registration is $10.

Last year, the event attracted more than 4,000 participants and awarded more than $10,000 for charities enrolled in the effort, according to Melissa Benedict Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty vice president of donor services.

This year, more than 50 charities are participating in the event.

For more information about the event, including a list of participating charities, visit Shamrock Shuffle website or call 513-874-5450.

Below is a partial list of other groups participating:

3 little Halos: Supports organizations and programs that promote fire and other safety education and practices for children. This is a legacy fund in memory of Aubrey, Alex and Braden Butler who lost their young lives in a fire in West Chester.

Ohio Transplant Fund in Honor of Alicia Lang

Angel Fund: Provides one-time emergency financial assistance to families living or working in West Chester/Liberty who find themselves in crisis.

Ashley’s Angels: Participates to raise money to support the MLD Foundation. They provide help in research and awareness for Metachromatic Leukodystrophy and ultimately find a cure. MLD is a lesser known disease and by raising awareness we can bring MLD more to the forefront and work together to an end to this debilitating illness. (more…)

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 10K West Chester, 5K West Chester, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, fundraiser West Chester, Leprechaun Lap, Shamrock Gives Back, Shamrock Shuffle, Shamrock Shuffle West Chester, St. Patrick's Day, WCL Community Foundation

Runners get ready to start the 2011 Shamrock Shuffle. Photo provided.

More than 2,000 have already signed up to participate in the Shamrock Shuffle in West Chester Township, which will take place Saturday, March 9.

Last year, the event attracted more than 4,000 participants and awarded more than $10,000 for charities enrolled in the effort, according to Melissa Benedict Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty vice president of donor services.

The event’s 5K and 10K races will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at The Square at Union Centre with a “kegs and eggs” breakfast and block party. At 9:30 a.m. children ages 3-10 can participate in the IKEA Leprechaun Lap, a children’s fun run around The Square.

Participants can register online at www.theshamerockshuffle.com. Pre-registration is $27. Event day registration is $35. 5K or 10K youth, ages 5-12, is $15. Leprechaun Lap registration is $10.

For more information about the event, including a list of participating charities, visit Shamrock Shuffle website or call 513-874-5450.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 10K West Chester, 5K West Chester, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, fundraiser West Chester, Leprechaun Lap, Shamrock Gives Back, Shamrock Shuffle, Shamrock Shuffle West Chester, St. Patrick's Day, WCL Community Foundation

For the first time in the history of the Shamrock Shuffle, the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty is hosting a t-shirt design contest for the annual event that attracts approximately 4,000 runners every March.

Participants sent in their designs earlier this winter. Beginning today, Facebook users can vote for their favorite design at www.facebook.com/ShamrockShuffleWestChester.

The Shamrock Shuffle, which is now in its seventh year, raised around $10,000 for approximately 50 local charities or causes this spring.

Runners at the event will each receive an official Shamrock Shuffle t-shirt.

This year’s event will take place March 9.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 10K West Chester, 5K West Chester, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, fundraiser West Chester, Leprechaun Lap, Shamrock Gives Back, Shamrock Shuffle, Shamrock Shuffle t-shirt, Shamrock Shuffle t-shirt design, Shamrock Shuffle West Chester, St. Patrick's Day, WCL Community Foundation

Runners get ready to start the 2011 Shamrock Shuffle. Photo provided.

For the first time in the history of the Shamrock Shuffle, the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty is hosting a t-shirt design contest for annual event that attracts approximately 4,000 runners every March.

Originally, the contest was scheduled to end Dec. 17. However, due to lower than expected turnout, the contest has been extended until Jan. 30.

There are two contests: Official race t-shirt design and Leprechaun Lap (Children’s Fun Run) t-shirt design.

T-shirt designs must include the Shamrock Shuffle logo, which can be uploaded from theshamrockshuffle.com. Designs must also fit within a 13×13″ print area, be limited to two-color designs and be submitted in a JPEG or PDF format.

Submissions must not incorporate third party intellectual property, including but not limited to copyright protected images, photos, characters, logos, names and trademarks. Furthermore, the Shamrock Shuffle is a family friendly event and designs should be appropriate in nature. No designs incorporating alcohol will be permitted.

Submissions and questions about the contest should be emailed to tshirts@theshamrockshuffle.com.

When finalists are selected, online voting will determine the winners.
The Shamrock Shuffle, which is now in its seventh year, raised around $10,000 for approximately 50 local charities or causes this spring.

Runners at the event will each receive an official Shamrock Shuffle t-shirt.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 10K West Chester, 5K West Chester, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, fundraiser West Chester, Leprechaun Lap, Shamrock Gives Back, Shamrock Shuffle, Shamrock Shuffle t-shirt, Shamrock Shuffle t-shirt design, Shamrock Shuffle West Chester, St. Patrick's Day, WCL Community Foundation

Runners get ready to start the 2011 Shamrock Shuffle. Photo provided.

For the first time in the history of the Shamrock Shuffle, the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty is hosting a t-shirt design contest for annual event that attracts approximately 4,000 runners every March.

The Shamrock Shuffle, which is now in its seventh year, raised around $10,000 for approximately 50 local charities or causes this spring.

For participating in the event, participates receive an official Shamrock Shuffle t-shirt. To have your design worn by thousands of runners, submit your ideas by Dec. 17. There will be two contests: Official race t-shirt design and Leprechaun Lap (Children’s Fun Run) t-shirt design.

T-shirt designs must include the Shamrock Shuffle logo, which can be uploaded from theshamrockshuffle.com. Designs must also fit within a 13×13″ print area, be limited to two-color designs and be submitted in a JPEG or PDF format.

Submissions must not incorporate third party intellectual property, including but not limited to copyright protected images, photos, characters, logos, names and trademarks. Furthermore, the Shamrock Shuffle is a family friendly event and designs should be appropriate in nature. No designs incorporating alcohol will be permitted.

Submissions and questions about the contest should be emailed to tshirts@theshamrockshuffle.com.

Finalists will be selected and online voting is scheduled to occur from Dec. 17 through Jan. 16. Winners will be notified on or around Jan. 18.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 10K West Chester, 5K West Chester, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, fundraiser West Chester, Leprechaun Lap, Shamrock Gives Back, Shamrock Shuffle, Shamrock Shuffle t-shirt, Shamrock Shuffle t-shirt design, Shamrock Shuffle West Chester, St. Patrick's Day, WCL Community Foundation

Janice Morse reports:

This is no blarney: Skyline Chili, established by Greek immigrants, is giving a nod to the Irish turning its pasta green this St. Patrick’s Day.

In “a playful take on the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, “a dish dubbed “the Green Way” will be offered at participating Skyline Chili locations in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky all day Saturday.

Nestled atop a mound of green pasta, the chain’s signature 3-Way, 4-Way and 5-Way chili-spaghetti dishes will be garnished with a miniature shamrock-shaped Busken cookie.

The idea for the holiday-themed presentation came from Gary Holland, a Northern Kentucky franchisee of Skyline, and his staff, said Terry Donovan, managing partner of Skyline Chili Inc.

Last year, what was intended as a fun “kids’ meal” caught hold, Donovan said, because of customer demand. “Before they served their second one, adults were asking for it,” he said. That trial run was limited to about a dozen locations, mostly in Northern Kentucky.

So this year, the vast majority of the chain’s locations in our region will be offering the seasonally-tinted version for the first time, Donovan said.

The standard untinted variety will still be available for those customers who’d rather not go green, Donovan said.

“My guess is that this will be a minority of the sales, but those who order the Green Way will have fun with it,” he said.

There are five Skyline Chili locations in West Chester and Liberty townships including 6098 West Chester Rd., 7716 Dudley Drive, 7132 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd., 8386 Princeton-Glendale Road and 5488 Liberty Square Drive.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: Liberty Township business news, Skyline, Skyline Cincinnati, Skyline St. Patrick's Day, Skyline West Chester, St. Patrick's Day, St. Patrick's Day West Chester, West Chester business, West Chester business news

There will be plenty to do in the West Chester area this weekend, including the Shamrock Shuffle, a farmers’ market, a high school musical and, of course, fish fries. The weather is expected to be pleasant for Saturday’s outdoor events with mostly sunny skies and a high in the mid 50s, according to the National Weather Service.

FRIDAY

The weekly West Chester Farmers’ Market returns to the Square at Union Centre next Saturday, May 12. During the winter months, West Chester hosts a farmers’ market about once a month. Photo provided.

Fish Fry: St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Liberty Township and St. John the Evangelist Church in West Chester Township will both host fish fries every Friday from 4:30 to 8 p.m. through March 30. To track down other fish fries in Cincinnati, visit Cincinnati.com’s fish fry map.

Armchair Program: Residents of West Chester Township are invited to experience Tanzania without ever leaving their hometown. The topic of this week’s Armchair session will be held at Township Hall, 9113, Cincinnati-Dayton Road, at 7 p.m.

Music Man: Lakota West Threatre will feature performances of the musical Music Man this Friday-Sunday at the high school. Showtimes will be at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, as well as 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets to the show are $15 at the door.

SATURDAY

Shamrock Shuffle: This Saturday’s Shamrock Shuffle in West Chester Township is expected to attract more than 4,000 participants and could raise more than $10,000 for approximately 50 local charities or causes. The event’s 5K and 10K races will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at The Square at Union Centre with a “kegs and eggs” breakfast and block party.

Mini model exhibit at EnterTRAINment: There will be a special free two-day mini model engineering show at EnterTRAINment Junction this Saturday and Sunday. According to the show’s release, the exhibit will have dozens and dozens of hand-built mini models on display. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Farmer’s Market: The farmers’ market season in West Chester Township is on its way back. There are only three winter farmers’ markets remaining before the weekly West Chester Farmers’ and Art Market will open for the 2012 season May 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This Saturday there will be a winter farmers’ market at The Square at Union Centre from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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

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