The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 5

News tips: Editor: Nancy Berlier 768-8395, Fax 860-51 90 Thk Cincinnati Enquirkr Covering Hamilton County west of 1-75 TllKSDAY, DlXKMBKK 3, 1996 B3 HOMM)WN CONGRATS Colerain Twp. names contractor ACHIEVEMENTS Teacher ideas garner grants Several staff members in the North' Other firms awarded contracts Peck Hannaford Briggs of Winton Place, $124,727 for' heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Kenneth Rogers Plumbing of Cheviot, $124,727 for plumbing. ESI Inc. of Lockland, $514,900 for electrical services.

Firematic Sprinkler Co. of Lawrenceburg, $65,671 for the sprinkler system. west Local School District have been awarded a Mini-Grant from the Hamilton County Educational Service Center that will allow recipients to undertake a special project for students. Recipients and their grant projects are: ment, zoning department and fire inspection bureau, and will include meeting space. The township and zoning offices are now in a house and trailer next to the senior center on Springdale Road.

The police department is about five miles north on Colerain Avenue, and the fire inspection office is about 1.5 miles east of the township offices. It has been a decade since the trustees first thought of building a government complex. The township "was working on it before I got here," said Mr. Foglesong, who arrived in 1990. "There were preliminary plans in the late '80s, so it's been a long haul." Township officials first discussed a new center about 1985.

Ms. Clancy became a trustee in Finally, its headquarters will be built BY RAY SCHAEFER Enquirer Contributor COLERAIN TOWNSHIP Outgoing Colerain Township Trustee Patricia Clancy said she was beginning to wonder whether a government center proposed for Springdale Road would ever be built. Ms. Clancy can relax. A Norwood firm, Quantum Construction was chosen last week as general contractor for the $4.1 million complex.

Township Administrator David Foglesong said the project's starting date would be discussed 'There were preliminary plans in the late '80s, so it's been a long haul. David Foglesong, township administrator at a pre-construction meeting this week. "Here we are, I'm leaving, and it's almost a reality," said Ms. Clancy, a Republican who was elected state representative from the 35th District earlier this month. The township will pay Quantum $2.85 million as the general contractor.

The center will house township offices, the police depart Kea Drumm and Renee Bill, both from Bevis Elementary School, "Social Skills for Tough Kids." Marlee Vennemeyer of Bevis and Pleasant Run elementaries, Jeff Ander son of Pleasant Run Elementary and 1988, and she said the township couldn't agree on how to pay for it. Another roadblock was encountered on Oct. 22, when trustees rejected all 1 1 construction bids because they were more than 10 percent over the million estimate. It forced the township to add about $500,000 to the cost most of it because of increases in masonry and acoustics costs. Jim Fearing, an architect with FearingBauer-Nilsen Studio pf Cincinnati, which is designing the center, said last month it was the first time his firm had to solicit new bids.

He said contractors have plenty of work now and didn't need to lower their bids. Ms. Clancy will now wait for the center's opening. "I can't wait to see that go up," she said. Jason Jones of Bevis Elementary, Mu sic: The Science of Sound." Nancy J.

Rhoades of Weigel Elemen tary, "Project Choices: Empowering Stu dents to Make Good Ones." Betsy Schulte, Struble and Houston elementaries, Peer Mediation Training. Terri Begley and Gay Isaacs, both nnnv iwwrr" frriffi" rT 1 1 from Taylor Elementary, Computer Con nection." MILITARY Nagel begins basic training Douglas F. Nagel of White Oak has begun basic infantry training with the U.S. Army at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. Pvt.

Nagel is a Colerain High School graduate. Please send announcements and photos of community honors, achievements, promo tions and activities to Phyllis Greene, Enquirer Tricounty Bureau, 4820 Business Center Way, Cincinnati 45246. Or call 860-7102. YOUR TOWN -V 1 I If It win --v City promotes Issue 6 repeal 1' FOREST PARK To stave off per BT I' Art carries AIDS message Students hear somber facts BY GINA GENTRY-FLETCHER The Cincinnati Enquirer GREEN TOWNSHIP Dressed in black and wearing red AIDS awareness ribbons, a group of Oak Hills High School juniors and seniors stood silently Monday in front of an elevated television. A video featuring the late Pedro Za-mora, AIDS victim and former cast member of the MTV series Real World, played as students got the somber message: The disease is no longer isolated to a select group of people.

The school's art department participated in "A Day Without Art," intended to make more students understand the reality of AIDS, dispel rumors about the disease and the ignorance and bigotry that often accompany it. "We are sensitizing the need to be aware and be educated and involved," said art teacher Jan Thomas, who along with art teacher Sheila Kappa and photography teacher Dick Macke helped organize the day. The day included a visit from Leif Mitchell, youth educator for AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati (AVOC). He repeatedly played the video, and distributed red ribbons and brochures with startling statistics about the disease. "It can happen to anyone," he said.

"People still have that stigma attached to it that it's a gay white male's disease. It's not." Following the lead of museums worldwide, students decided to memorialize AIDS victims by covering school artwork with fabric and removing displays. Signs that read: "A Day Without Art," replaced the colorful paintings, sculptures and Photos by Dick SwaimThe Cincinnati Enquirer ABOVE: Oak Hills High School students Jenny Watts, 16, Stacey Lingo, 17, Michele Rafferty, 16, Jessica Lancaster, 16, Karen Fuell, 16, and Beth Bruewer, 16, watch a video on people with AIDS. and a graphic image students used on covered artwork. "A Day Without Art" Monday remembered artists and others who died of AIDS.

Facts on AIDS AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati statistics, compiled at the 1 1th International Conference on AIDS: Every 13 minutes someone in the United States is infected with AIDS. Every 10 minutes, someone in the United States dies from AIDS. Each day, 8,500 people become infected with HIV; 1 ,000 of these are children. Women now represent 42 percent of HIV infections More than 50 percent of the people infected are under age 25. PRY WITHOUT ART drawings.

The Oak Hills gesture is an extension of World AIDS Awareness Day, held Sunday, where museums eliminated art for the day, and theaters went dark or held benefit performances for research and to help AIDS patients. "I'm hoping that we can serve to heighten media awareness," said Allison Schapker, 17, a senior from Green Township. "We need to get rid of the stigma. These people aren't any different than others around us." Junior Jenny Watts, 16, and senior Jennifer Morris, 17, both of Delhi Township, said awareness projects force people to confront AIDS rather than ignore it. "I think it's real important that our school does this," junior Stacey Lingo, 17, of Delhi Township, said after viewing the video.

"I think it's sad that every day isn't AIDS Awareness Day." Raising social consciousness about life issues has been the crux of the curricu- lum in the Oak Hills High art department for many years, Ms. Thomas said. "That's important," she said. "We use our art program to give them the opportunity to form opinions and use their skills and talents." Northwest bids on 5 acres next to school sonnel cuts, city council voted unanimously Monday night to ask residents to repeal a controversial earnings tax measure known as Issue 6. 1 Issue 6 passed in November and amended the city charter to give residents who work outside the city and pay local income taxes elsewhere full credit on Forest Park's one percent income tax.

Council voted 6-0 to hold a special election Feb. 4 to repeal Issue 6, which will cut the city budget by $800,000. "We need to right this wrong," Councilman Joseph Mallory said. Roger Bacon invites parents ST. BERNARD Roger Bacon High School will have an open house Dec.

12 to explain academic programs, extracurricular activities, its Franciscan philosophy and financial aid opportunities for interested parents. Tours will start at 6:30 p.m., at the school, 4320 Vine followed by the open house at 7:30 p.m. The event is free. On Dec. 13, a placement test for eighth-graders will be administered.

Scholarship awards will be determined by test performance. For more information, call Michelle Meyer at the school, 641-1313. Cheviot to dedicate Nativity CHEVIOT The city's Christmas Nativity scene will be dedicated Sunday at 6:30 p.m. The dedication ceremony takes place at 3976 Harrison at the corner of Washington and Harrison avenues, on property owned by Centennial Bank. Christmas music, which plays in the city throughout the holidays, is sponsored by Time Warner Cable Co.

Mayor J. Michael Laumann will speak at the dedication, light the display and introduce guests. Christmas carols will be sung by the choir of St. Martin's. Another Christmas tradition, added about five years ago, is the "Tie One On" Christmas tree, where, for a small fee, personalized red ribbons are tied to the tree.

The tree is sponsored by the Cheviot Partners Against Substance Abuse, in conjunction with a red-ribbon campaign sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Personalized ribbons will be sold at the dedication ceremony. Cost per ribbon is $1 for an adult and 50 cents per child. For' more information, call 662-4215. DAYBOOK Government schools Addyston: Village council: 7:30 p.m., 235 Main SI.

Cheviot: City council: 7:30 p.m., 3814 Harrison Ave. Elmwood Place: Village council: 8 p.m., 6118 Vine St. Harrison: City council: 7:30 p.m., 300 George St. Mount Healthy: City council: 7:30 p.m., 7700 Perry St. Springfield Township: Lexington Heights civic association: 7 p.m., 9191 Daly Road.

Community groups and organizations should send event listings to Forrest Sellers, Enquirer Tricounty bureau. 4820 Business Center Way, Cincinnati 45246. Or call 860-7100. HOW TO REACH US Jim Rohrer 860-7114 Assistant Suburban Editor Address 4820 Business Center Way, Cincinnati 45246 Telephone 860-7100, 1-800-336-7003 fn 860-5190 Baseball, soccer fields planned BY GINA GENTRY-FLETCHER may not in the future. "If someone were to purchase it and put in another type of development, that would basically squeeze our property and limit what we could do in the future." Mr.

Seymour said future use for the property has not been determined but said that if the bid is accepted, the land would first be converted into fields for baseball and soccer. "The immediate desire was to expand the property of the school and give the kids more space and provide more athletic facilities for the area," he said. The Cincinnati Enquirer He said the price is fair when comparing values for other properties in the area. About a mile up the street, 10 acres are for sale for $1 million, and on Colerain Avenue, there are five acres with an asking price of $1.3 million. Timing right Superintendent Kenneth Dirr said the district is bidding on the land because "the opportunity presents itself at this time and the district set its worth at $240,000, he said.

John Galbraith, a Realtor with ReMax, the real estate company handling the sale, said Mrs. Rahn is asking $249,900 for the property. "There's quite a bit of interest in the property, mainly from developers for apartments," Mr. Galbraith said. "At this point, we have an accepted contract on the property from Northwest, pending a closing." The property, in the 3100 block of Springdale Road in Bevis, includes a two-family ranch house, and is owned by Emily Rahn.

The house would likely be converted into offices, Randy Seymour, district treasurer, said. Offer below appraisal Mr. Seymour declined to comment on the amount of the district's bid but said it is "below fair-market appraised value." An independent appraiser hired by COLERAIN TOWNSHIP The Northwest Local School District is bidding on 5 acres adja cent to Taylor Elementary School that, if secured, would initially be used as a park for the school and community. IN THE SCHOOLS Wyoming sends call for helpers WYOMING As the school-wide enrichment program at Wyoming Middle School continues to expand, Barbara Hilb, talented and gifted teacher, needs parent volunteers to help make calls and coordinate projects. Help is needed for the Lunch-time Enrichment Activities Program (LEAP), which ranges from learning origami to studying oceanography.

This year, there will be two LEAP programs, and one-time activities. A new chess program will meet the first and third Monday and origami is the second and fourth Monday. Future programs include visits from touring theater groups, a storyteller and fine arts programs. WINTON WOODS After-school schedule FOREST PARK The winter session of after-school activities at Waycross Elementary School began this week, and will continue until Dec. 20.

Activities and days offered include: Monday: volleyball, homework club and crafts. Tuesday: ornament making, cheerleading and storytelling. Wednesday: jump rope club, homework club and crafts. Thursday: Cheerleading, open gym for grades 1, 2 and 3, and ornament making. Host families sought SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP St.

Xavier High School needs host families for the third annual visit by eight students from Col-legi Casp, the partner Jesuit school in Barcelona, Spain. The visit is planned for September 1997. The students, all juniors, would participate in classes and activities to improve their English before returning. For more information, contact Edie Easley or David Mueller at 761-7815. Compiled by Gina Gentry-Fletcher and Jaylynn Leslie Gray Inside the Schools looks at news and events in area schools, public and private.

If you have school news or would like to suggest an idea for this column, call 860-7114 or fax 860-5190. eant is Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the church, 5222 North Bend Road. The pageant's theme this year is "Tomorrow's Children," unborn souls who have come to Earth to discover the "true meaning of Christmas." They are met by a Temporal chorus and a Celestial chorus who each represent the traditional and spiritual aspects of the holiday.

Ninety fourth-graders will participate in the pageant, which will also depict a manger scene and life-sized animals constructed for the performance. A punch and cookie reception will follow the evening performance. Admission is free. Videos for good grades FOREST PARK The Forest Park Blockbuster Video store is offering free rentals to students in the Winton Woods City School District with good grades. The offer applies to students in all grade levels earning a or better on a recent report card.

To qualify, bring the original report card signed by a parent or legal guardian to the store, 1240 W. Kemper Road. PRIVATE Christmas pageant MONFORT HEIGHTS The third annual St. Ignatius Loyola Church Christmas pag I.