A hallmark Cincinnati business has opened at 6098 West Chester Road in West Chester Township.

        The owners of Skyline Chili's 124th restaurant marked the occasion by presenting a $1,000 check to Lourdes Ward of Reach Out Lakota, a social-service organization.

        “We selected Reach Out Lakota because of its recent appeal for help, and we wanted to give something back to our new community,“ said district manager Donna Segan.

        The new eatery is one of the few Cincinnati-area Skylines to sell french fries. Wednesday from 4 to 9 p.m. is “Kids Eat Free” night; during those hours the restaurant's televisions are tuned to the Disney and Nickelodeon channels.

        The restaurant franchisee is the Clermont Chili Co., owned by John and Karen Trautmann. Hours of operation are 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 1 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

        Information: 860-5300.

Designsmith has new collection

        A new collection of paintings by Cincinnati artist Megan Nartker Jefferson is on exhibit at Designsmith Gallery through Sept. 22.

        The show, “Seasons and Landscapes,” consists of oil paintings in which landscapes and colorings evoke the seasons.

        Ms. Jefferson is a fine-arts graduate of Miami University. Her work has been shown at galleries in Oxford and elsewhere. Designsmith Gallery hosts the artist's first solo Cincinnati show in November 1999.

        Designsmith Gallery, at 1342 Main St., is open most Friday and Saturday afternoons from noon to 6 p.m. An evening reception will be held as part of Final Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 31.

        The gallery itself focuses on vintage modern furnishings from various 20th-century movements. Pieces are selected by owner David G. Smith on the basis of aesthetics, function and appeal.

        Information: 421-1397.

Tax & Payroll does your checks

        Eastgate Tax & Payroll Service has a new service aimed at companies with small payrolls and tight budgets. The company is offering a new flat-fee payroll service to small businesses that prefer to write payroll checks from their own checking accounts.

        For $25 a payroll period, Eastgate will compute a payroll for up to five employees and fax the paperwork to the client on the same day. The service includes all monthly and quarterly employer tax returns, such as 941, 940 and state and local withholding. Year-end filings are available as well.

        Eastgate Tax & Payroll is at 873 Old State Route 74 in Summerside.

        Information: 752-3722.

Your yard will tell the news

        Special Delivery Storks & More operates on the assumption that if sending a congratulatory card is good, celebrating the life event with a surprise yard display is even better. The new business, owned by Kim Hester, provides a variety of animal displays that can trumpet milestones in a whimsical way.

        According to Ms. Hester, a few of the most common greetings include cows (“Holy Cow, John is 40 Now,” or “Your Support is Udderly Appreciated”); teddy bears (“Unbearable at 50! ,” “Bearly 29!“) and flamingos (“Look who flew in for Carl's 40th”). Storks announce a new baby or baby shower.

        Ms. Hester also stocks smiley faces and hearts.

        “The greetings include 20 to 30 animals placed randomly in the yard, helium balloons, and a sign displaying the customer's special message,“ said the business owner. “The greetings are delivered and set up at the customer's request, usually between midnight and 6 a.m. They can be delivered to indoor offices as well.“

        Special Delivery Storks & More is in Mason but serves customers throughout the Tristate. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

        Information: 336-0210 or www.special-deliverystorks.com

        E-mail jcallisoncinci.rr.com or fax (513) 564-6991 with openings, expansions and other news about neighborhood businesses.

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