Mrs. Taft will present the video to more than 600 students Sept. 6 at Colerain High School.

        The video is 20 minutes long and gives real-life stories of young people faced with drinking problems.

        It also deals with groundbreaking brain research on underage drinking.

        “We know that alcohol reduces potential and can destroy lives, and I want all young people to realize their vast promise,” Mrs. Taft said.

        The video also carries a message from Lil' Bow Wow to kids: “Drinking is not the cool thing to do.”

        It contains excerpts by Dr. Sandra Brown, University of California at San Diego; Dr. Duncan Clark, Pittsburgh Adolescent Alcohol Research Center; and Dr. Peter Rodgers from Children's Hospital in Columbus.

        The video will be distributed to law enforcement officers at the First Lady's Leadership Summit To Keep Children Alcohol Free, Sept. 26 at the Alladin Shrine Center in Columbus.

        “We would like for people to come to the summit and see some of the latest brain research by Dr. Brown,” said Marcie Seidel, chief of staff at Mrs. Taft's office.

        “This research shows what can happen to a child's brain while exposed to alcohol while the child's brain is developing.

        “It shows that the brain can suffer memory loss, cause the child not to comprehend material in a classroom, and it shows that alcohol can cause the child's brain to get stuck at a certain age and never develop beyond that.”

        Aaron Lawrence, 37 , a construction laborer, is jobless now. But his last job, helping put a roof on the Head Start building to be named in honor of Theodore M. Berry, Cincinnati's first African-American mayor, brought him a moment of pride.

        Mr. Lawrence, who admits he is a recovering addict, said as he worked on the roof with the AMS Construction Co., he suddenly realized he once sat in the mayor's seat, next to Mr. Berry.

        “I was in the sixth grade at Sands Elementary School and I was elected as a Mayor for a Day,” Mr. Lawrence said.

        “I remember sitting there with the mayor, and all the other students were sitting with council members.

        “They went through the regular council sessions with us.

        “Kind of strange, isn't it? Me with all I have been through, sitting on the rooftop on the building to be named after the mayor I sat next to.”

        The 35,000-square-foot building is on the site of the Old Dyer School, 880 W. Court St., West End.

        It will be dedicated as the Theodore M. Berry Center on Sept. 10.

        The building will house eight classrooms for preschoolers ages 3-5, and two classrooms for ages 3 and younger.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, e-mail ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.

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