WestChesterBuzz.com

Rosie Red and the other Cincinnati Reds mascots will be in West Chester on Sunday for a free event at The Streets of West Chester. File photo.

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.

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

Reds Futures High School Showcase – Both Lakota East and Lakota West will be involved in a doubleheader on Friday. Lakota West (3-5, 1-4 in the Greater Miami Conference) will play Sycamore (1-5, 0-5) in the first game at 5 p.m. Then Lakota East (6-2, 4-1) will play Mason (8-0, 5-0) in game two. Both games will be played at Prasco Park, 6125 Commerce Court in Mason. Tickets are $5 and include a voucher for a free view level ticket to select 2013 Reds regular season games at Great American Ball Park.

Saturday

EnterTRAINment Junction’s Dollhouse Miniature Show and Sale will take place this Saturday and Sunday. Photo provided.

Dollhouse Miniature Show – The 36th annual Dollhouse Miniature Show & Sale will be taking place this Saturday and Sunday at EnterTRAINment Junction in West Chester (off Tylersville exit on I-75). The show is a miniatures’ showcase with artisans and dealers from across the Midwest selling unique items in all scales and sizes. The show will be in the venue’s Expo Center from 12-6 p.m. Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for ages 4-12.

Album release party – Jillian Ellis, a 2010 graduate of Lakota West High School, will perform songs from her debut album at a CD release party this Saturday at 9 p.m. at 86 Club in Clinton, 2820 Vine Street. Tickets for the CD release party can be purchased in advance for $5 at the 86 Club, 513-341-8686 and by contacting Positive Message Music at 513-874-6836; or at the door for $8.

Sunday

Help Lakota West bands play in parade – Lakota West bands have partnered with the Beckett Ridge McDonald’s for a fundraiser this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Beckett Ridge McDonald’s located at 8251 Princeton-Glendale Road (Intersection of Smith Road and Route 747). McDonald’s will donate a percentage of all sales to help offset some of the costs associated with its trip and performance in the 2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Reds mascots to host ‘Grand Slam Sunday’ – All four of the Cincinnati Reds mascots, Rosie Red, Gapper, Mr. Redlegs and Mr. Red will be in West Chester Sunday encouraging young baseball fans to sign up for their kids club. “Grand Slam Sunday” will take place from noon from 2 p.m. at The Streets of West Chester, which is located off the Union Centre Blvd. exit on I-75. The free event will feature kids activities, photos with Rosie Red and the chance to win tickets to an upcoming Reds game.

Posted in: Events, News, School events |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Reds mascots, Gapper, Jillian Ellis, Lakota West, Lakota West bands, Lakota West marching band, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2013, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Lakota West band, Mr. Red, Mr. Redlegs, music, PM Music, Positive Message Music, Positive Message Music Jillian Ellis, Reds Heads, Rosie Red, Streets of West Chester

All four of the Cincinnati Reds mascots, Rosie Red, Gapper, Mr. Redlegs and Mr. Red will be in West Chester Sunday encouraging young baseball fans to sign up for their kids club.

“Grand Slam Sunday” will take place from noon from 2 p.m. at The Streets of West Chester, which is located off the Union Centre Blvd. exit on I-75.

The free event will feature kids activities, photos with Rosie Red and the chance to win tickets to an upcoming Reds game. Kids also will have an opportunity to sign up for the Reds Heads Kids Club and parents can register for gift cards from various Streets of West Chester merchants.

Posted in: Business, Events, News, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Reds mascots, Gapper, Mr. Red, Mr. Redlegs, Reds Heads, Rosie Red, Streets of West Chester

There is still time left to register for the first annual Mojo Running Santa Suit Fun Run that will be taking place this Sunday at 11 a.m. in The Streets of West Chester. Registration will be accepted through midnight on Thursday.

All of the proceeds from the event will benefit Reach Out Lakota, which is a charitable organization aimed at assisting individuals and families in the Lakota school district through its food and clothing pantries.

The first 500 runners who register will receive a free Santa suit. According to Reach Out Lakota’s facebook page, there are still a few suits available. Participants, however, who miss out on the suit can still get a knit beanie hat with the running Santa logo.

In addition to the race, there will be pictures with Santa, Christmas music, cookies and cocoa, door prizes and free goodies from local merchants.

The cost to register for the 5K run/walk is $35 and the cost to register if you are 12 and under is $15. To register for the event or for more information, visit www.runmojo.com or www.registrationspot.com.

The Streets of West Chester, 9465 Civic Center Boulevard, is located off Union Centre Boulevard just off the I-75 exit.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Mojo Running, Mojo Running West Chester, Santa 5K, Santa 5K West Chester, Santa Fun Run, Santa Fun Run West Chester, Streets of West Chester, Streets of West Chester Mojo Running, The Streets of West Chester

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.

The Cincinnati Enquirer named Lakota East senior Zach Mueck its Division I Boys’ Tennis Player of the Year. Mueck finished as the state runner-up for the third consecutive year. Photo taken at state tournament by Jay LaPrete.

Lakota athletes dubbed Enquirer spring prep all stars- The Cincinnati Enquirer released its list of spring all stars in last Tuesday’s print edition, honoring 25 Lakota student athletes. The Enquirer named seven Lakota athletes as first teamers in their respected sports and selected 18 others as honorable mentions.

Mellow Mushroom and Jack in the Box updates – According to people close to the new Mellow Mushroom and Jack in the Box locations currently being constructed in West Chester, the two anticipated chains may not open until late summer. Mellow Mushroom is expected to open in late August, as Jack in the Box is expected to open in early September.

LOFT coming to The Streets of West Chester – West Chester Township recently announced that a well-known women’s clothing and accessory chain is coming to The Streets of West Chester. LOFT, a part of the Ann Taylor brand and a division of Ann Inc., will join J. Jill and Chico’s as other women clothing stores at the outdoor shopping and entertainment destination.

Police detectives recognized for putting away child abusers – A pair of West Chester Township detectives, who helped put two child abusers in prison earlier this year, have received certificates of recognition from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Hyde Park native and Team USA defender Heather Mitts hosts a girls’ youth soccer camp at Lakota West High School. Photo taken July 7, 2012 by Adam Kiefaber.

Heather Mitts hosts youth camp before Olympics- Less than three weeks before her first match in the 2012 Olympics in London, Hyde Park native Heather Mitts called it her “top priority” to host her fourth annual youth girls’ soccer camp in her hometown. The two-day camp took place over the weekend at Lakota West High School.

Liberty Township man killed in Indiana crash – A Liberty Township man was killed in a four-vehicle crash last Wednesday evening on eastbound U.S. 50 at Interstate 275 in Greendale, Ind. Greendale police said William M. Ensor, 55, of Liberty Township, driving a 1991 Toyota two-door passenger car, rear ended a 2010 Ford Focus driven by Juanita Haas, 41, of Aurora, Ind.

Butler-Warren Road widening project forces closure – The Butler County Engineer’s Office reports that two separate closures will take place in July on Butler-Warren Road north of the Liberty Way/Mason Road intersection. The closures are affiliated with the third phase of the Butler-Warren Road improvement project. The first closure (between Hampton Cove Ct. and Sweet Briar Ct.) began Friday morning and is scheduled to end Monday at 4 p.m.

John Boehner speaks at opening of the Republican Party’s Butler County campaign office – Dan Horn of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Saturday that House Speaker John Boehner encouraged supporters to help get fellow Republicans to the polls if they are serious about beating President Barack Obama in November.

Posted in: Crime, Election, Government, News, Schools, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Republican campaign office, Enquirer Players of the Year, Enquirer spring all stars, Heather Mitts, Heather Mitts Olympics, Heather Mitts photos, Heather Mitts soccer camp Cincinnati, Heather Mitts soccer camp West Chester, Heather Mitts Team USA, Heather Mitts Team USA photos, Jack in the Box West Chester, John Boehner, John Boehner Cincinnati, John Boehner photos, John Boehner West Chester, Liberty Township Republican campaign office, LOFT, LOFT The Streets of West Chester, LOFT West Chester, Mellow Mushroom West Chester, Republican Party’s Butler County campaign office, Streets of West Chester, The Streets of West Chester, West Chester business, West Chester business news, West Chester photos, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester soccer

The Streets of West Chester. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

West Chester Township announced Friday that a well-known women’s clothing and accessory chain is coming to The Streets of West Chester.

LOFT, a part of the Ann Taylor brand and a division of Ann Inc., will join J. Jill and Chico’s as other women clothing stores at the outdoor shopping and entertainment destination.

“The addition of a retail store of this caliber at The Streets of West Chester demonstrates a shift in the retail economic climate and may serve as an impetus for even further development of this first-of-its-kind lifestyle center in the area,” said Judi Boyko, West Chester Township Administrator.

“LOFT is a woman’s clothier that appeals to a vast female audience, including myself, and it is certain to do well in our market.”

The Township did not provide an opening date for the new store and a call to the leasing agent was not immediately returned.

The Streets of West Chester opened in 2004 and features numerous merchants and a total of 10 restaurants.

It is located just two right turns from the Union Centre Boulevard exit off I-75.

For more information, visit www.streetsofwestchester.com.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: LOFT, LOFT The Streets of West Chester, LOFT West Chester, Streets of West Chester, The Streets of West Chester, West Chester business, West Chester business news

Children and adults can prepare for Halloween at the Streets of West Chester next Friday, Oct. 29, during the first ever Treats on the Streets Fall Fest.

During the event, children can decorate trick-or-treat bags and pumpkins, enter a costume contest and become a zombie with the help of makeup artists between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Later in the evening, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., One Day Steady will perform as adults will have their own costume contest.

For the children’s contest contest, prizes will be awarded for best family or best group costumes, scariest, cutest and totally random. Meanwhile, the adult costume contest, will have awards for best group costumes, scariest, authentic and totally random.

The event is being put on by the Arts Council of West Chester and Liberty and the Streets of West Chester.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Arts Council, Arts Council of West Chester and Liberty, costume contest, Halloween, Halloween costume contest, Holiday, One Day Steady, Streets of West Chester, The Arts Council of West Chester and Liberty, Treats on the Streets, Treats on the Streets Fall Fest

This past weekend, The Village at the Streets of West Chester celebrated its grand opening for its first building of six townhomes. Currently, Ryan Homes has its model located in that building open throughout the week.

Of the five townhomes in the building, not including the model home, four have already been sold. The available unit is currently listed for $209,990.

>>>PICTURES OF THE MODEL HOME AT STREETS OF WEST CHESTER<<<

The townhomes at The Village at the Streets of West Chester all feature two-car garages and three floors. Each home can feature up to three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. The units are all also a short walk from the restaurants and shops located in The Streets of West Chester.

The condominium development, which was originally stalled due to the economic downturn, broke ground on its first building in May. Overall, there will be 60 townhome units (12 building) built in the development. The cost for each townhome begins in $170,000’s, but most are expected to sell in the low $200,000’s.

Ryan Homes has also released its next building of townhomes up for presale.

For more information, call 513-200-3553.

The model townhome is open for visitors Monday from noon to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: condos, grand opening, housing, photo gallery, photos, Streets of West Chester, townhouses, Village at the Streets of West Chester, West Chester photos

Liberty Township trustees approved a two-year extension on the preliminary plans for the Liberty Way project Monday, according to a report on Cincinnati.com. The project is a proposed $500 million development that will be located at the Liberty Way intersection of Interstate 75.

The development, Liberty Town Square, would cover 110 acres and include a cinema, luxury apartments, restaurants, offices and retailers.

Sue Kisewetter covered the story for the Cincinnati Enquirer:

The project, once described as a potential jewel along the lines of the Streets of West Chester a couple of exits south, would be developed by Columbus-based Steiner. It includes 1.1 million square feet devoted to retail shops and restaurants, another 660,000 square feet of space for office use, 2,400 seats in one or more cinemas, 435 hotel rooms and 426 apartments.

“In many ways (they’re) picking up where we left off,” said Caroline McKinney, Liberty Township’s economic development director. “There’s still a whole lot of pieces that have to align themselves and fall into place. This is the kind of project we envision for the interchange.”

Plans called for the project to be developed in at least two phases over several years. When completed, it was estimated to have a value of $500 million.

It was abruptly put on hold late in 2008 when the economy tanked. In the last nine months, developers have managed to get 93 acres under option for the project.

For the entire story, visit Cincinnati.com’s post “Liberty Way project gains new life.”

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: I-75, Interstate 75, Liberty Town Square, Liberty Township trustee, Liberty Township trustees, Liberty Way, Liberty Way Interchange, Liberty Way project. Liberty Way, Streets of West Chester

The Villages at the Streets of West Chester, a condominium development that has been stalled due to the economic downturn, is officially under construction.

The permits for the first group of townhomes (six dwelling units) were recently issued and construction began last week by Ryan Homes. Overall, there will be 60 townhome units (12 building) built in the development. Each townhome is expected to sell in the low $200,000’s.

The preliminary development plan also approved 256 stacked condo units (16 buildings). In total, the entire project is expected to contain 316 total dwelling units in the retail complex located off Interstate 75.

“This project has been an important component in the long-term development and success of The Streets of West Chester commercial area,” West Chester Township trustee George Lang said. “This urban mixing of residential and commercial is important to help our businesses thrive.”

At the latest West Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting, Lang and his fellow board members approved an agreement for the use of tax increment financing not to exceed $500,000 for public improvements to the Villages at the Streets of West Chester.

Improvements that are eligible per that agreement, which have been limited to the street right-of-ways and designated easement areas, include pedestrian pathways (sidewalks and bike paths), street lights, landscaping (including street trees), irrigation system (including fountains, wells and pumps), decorative entrance walls (including wall lighting) and hardscape features and fixtures.

“Due to the economic turndown, this project has been stalled,” Lang said. “It is great for West Chester to see developers now moving forward on this project, further defining the Union Centre area as West Chester’s downtown … This will ultimately lead to greater profits for those businesses, who have invested in our community, and allow them a better opportunity to flourish and prosper.”

(Photo: Artist’s rendering of townhouse condos being built at Villages of the Streets of West Chester)

Posted in: Board of Trustees, Business, Government, News |

Tags: Tags: condos, George Lang, housing, Streets of West Chester, townhouses, Village at the Streets of West Chester

The Villages at the Streets of West Chester, a condominium development that was once put on hold, is about to get under way, according to Cincinnati.com.

“Everyone was afraid when the market went down a couple years ago,” Trustee Lee Wong told Cincinnati.com of the earlier failures at the Villages site. “Things are bouncing back. There’s a lot of confidence in the market now, especially in the West Chester area.”

The Cincinnati.com story provided information about the project:

It (Ryan Homes) expects to start construction of the first 23, three-story three-bedroom townhouses at Villages at the Streets of West Chester this spring.

All told, 60 townhouse condominiums with a price tag of about $200,000 each will be built over the next three years in the development where a bridge connects the community with the Streets of West Chester retail complex off Union Centre Boulevard.

The plan also calls for 256 more condos in 16 four-story buildings. But that part of the development will come later, (developer Joe) Schwarz said.

For more information, visit Cincinnati.com’s story “West Chester condo plans revived.”

(Photo provided – click to enlarge)

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: condos, housing, Streets of West Chester, townhouses, Village at the Streets of West Chester