Thousands of homeless people in Greater Cincinnati need your help. You can join in and have a little fun at the Northern Kentucky Restaurant Association's “Fat Tuesday” Mardi Gras, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Feb. 12.

        The Mardi Gras will be at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, One West RiverCenter Blvd., Covington.

        Gordy Snyder, chairman, said there will be culinary treats from 30 Northern Kentucky restaurants.

        “This is a charitable event to benefit homeless families,” Mr. Snyder said. “Since it was started 11 years ago, we have raised $300,000 for the homeless.”

        He said the goal this year is to raise $50,000 for homeless chidren's shelters. He said the money will go to Bethany House Services, 1841 Fairmount Ave.; Brighton Center's Homeward Bound, 13-15 E. 20th St., Covington; Mercy/Franciscan at St. John's, 1212 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine; and Welcome House, 205 Pike St., Covington.

        Mr. Snyder said the four social service organizations are experiencing a 30 percent drop in donations since Sept. 11.

        The four organizations serve 40,000 clients each year in this area.

        Entertainment will feature the Pete Wagner Dixieland Jazz Band. The Mardi Gras auction will offer a wide range of items, from vacation trips to vending machines to local hotel and restaurant packages.

        For ticket information or to donate items to the auction, call (859) 291-6572.

        The Rug Gallery, with stores in West Chester and Blue Ash, presented StarShine Hospice, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, with a $5,000 check collected during a silent auction in December.

        The Rug Gallery donated 13 rugs, valued at a total of $18,000..

        StarShine provides a complete range of services for a child and family in cluding nursing visits, volunteer services, social services, home health aids, spiritual care, infusion therapy, speech therapy, medical equipment and follow-up bereavement care.

        Turpin High School, 2650 Bartels Road, Anderson Township, is flexing its muscles after an economics class of 44 juniors and seniors scored an average of 93 on the Junior Achievement Economics final exam last week.

        Jim Cobb, JA's consultant for these classes, said statewide averages are in the high 80s.

        Jay Hartsock, 20, who has Down syndrome, will become the youngest person ever to be ordained as a deacon at the College Hill Presbyterian Church today.

        Mr. Hartsock will be among 10 persons who will be ordained at the 9 a.m and 11 a.m. services.

        He is a patient escort at Children's Hospital Medical Center, a karate student, and a part-time employee at the Finneytown Kroger.

        Jay is a 2000 graduate of Finneytown High School and the son of the Rev. and Mrs. Patrick Hartsock. The Rev. Mr. Hartsock is the senior pastor of College Hill Presbyterian Church.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Monday-Friday and Sundays. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are committing random acts of kindness that are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at (513) 768-8362; at ahoward@enquirer.com; or by fax at (513) 768-8340.
       

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