Judging's tonight for best-lit places

       ELSMERE — Tonight, the city will sponsor its “Elsmere Lights Up” contest from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

        All Elsmere residents who have decorated their homes will be asked to turn their Christmas lights on and their porch lights off. Judges will tour the city and choose winners.

        Prizes are $100 for first place, $75 for second place, $50 for third place, $25 for fourth place and $15 for honorable mention.

Night of music aids Brighton Center

        NEWPORT — Scott Miller & The Commonwealth with special guests, The Stapletons and Crazy Chester, will return Dec. 14 to the Southgate House here. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 the day of the show.

        All proceeds from the concert will be donated to Brighton Center courtesy of Magus Productions.

        “John Madden of Magus Productions heard of Brighton Center's great need this holiday season and just wanted to give something back to the Northern Kentucky community,” said Peggy A'Hearn, Brighton Center's development director. “Brighton Center's donations, both cash and in kind, have been down over 50 percent in the past three months.”

        Scott Miller & The Commonwealth are playing in support of Mr. Miller's premiere on Sugarhill Records, Thus Always To Tyrants, which features appearances by David Grissom (Joe Ely/John Mellencamp) and Tim O'Brien, and has been hailed by Billboard as “arguably the best roots-rock album of the year.”

        Each year, Brighton Center serves more than 35,000 individuals in eight counties through services such as job training, child care, youth services, affordable housing, emergency food and clothing and family preservation.

        Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling (859) 491-8303, ext. 2031, by Dec. 13.

Orchestra, chorus in celebration event

        HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — This weekend, the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and Chorale will join the rededication celebration of the renovated Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington.

        The symphony's “This Old House” program will be at Greaves Concert Hall on Northern Kentucky University's campus in Highland Heights. Programs will be at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

        The one hour and 15 minute program will open with Leopold Stokowski's orchestral transcription of Debussy's “The Engulfed Cathedral.” The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and Chorale with choruses from the Basilica, Holy Cross and Notre Dame Academy will join the 72-piece symphony for Hector Berlioz' festive “Te Deum.” The celebratory work incorporates three choruses, antiphonal organ, tenor solosist Daniel Weeks, and a colorful bishop's procession.

        Remaining tickets are $18 and $13. For reservations and additional information, call the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra at (859) 431-6216 or visit the Web site: www.kyso.org.

Tree ceremony in Villa Hills Saturday

        VILLA HILLS — The city will host its tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday at the city building, 719 Rogers Road.

        There will be refreshments, a bonfire, hayrides, a train display and a visit from Santa.

Wall of Honor meeting changed

        FORT MITCHELL — The Wall of Honor Committee meeting has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. today. The meeting will be at the Fort Mitchell city building, 2355 Dixie Highway.

Performances at library locations

        COVINGTON — Theatre IV will present “The Gift of the Wise Children” at the three branches of the Kenton County Public Library this weekend.

        Inspired by the classic story The Gift of the Magi, it's the tale of two children who find themselves caught up in the commercialism of the holidays, only to learn that the gift of friendship is the best present of all.

        The programs are 11 a.m. Saturday at the Mary Ann Mongan Library, 502 Scott Blvd., Covington; at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Erlanger branch, 3130 Dixie Highway; and Monday at the Independence branch, 6477 Taylor Mill Road.

Retiree volunteer wins Governor's Award

        FRANKFORT — George Fischer, a retired business executive who had virtually a second career in foundation work, Thursday was given a lifetime achievement award at the 2001 Governor's Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service.

        In 25 years of volunteerism, Mr. Fischer helped establish the first Governor's Scholars Program and created a foundation that provides scholarships to low-income children in his native Louisville.

        Mr. Fischer was cited for his efforts on education and community building.

        Other awards, presented at a ceremony in the Capitol included the Challenge Award to Clarence White of Augusta, for work as a school cafeteria volunteer and with local civic groups and the Presbyterian Church.

Nine arrested, more sought in drug probe

        SOMERSET — Authorities have arrested 10 people in Pulaski County on drug charges, concluding a six-month investigation in the Lake Cumberland area.

        Chris Fisher, an agent with the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force, said authorities on Thursday afternoon were trying to find nine other people named in sealed indictments.

        Those arrested were charged with trafficking in oxycodone, hydrocodone, methamphetamine, morphine, cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy.

Fort Campbell holds memorial service

        FORT CAMPBELL — The 101st Airborne Division will host a memorial service on Wednesday to honor 248 division soldiers who died in a 1985 plane crash.

        The soldiers, many assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, were returning to Fort Campbell after a six-month tour of duty in the Middle East when their commercial jet crashed shortly after takeoff in Gander, New Foundland.

        The memorial service will be at 10 a.m. CST at the post's Task Force 3, 502nd Memorial Tree Park. The service is open to the public.

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