A cappella gospel harmonies mixed with a fusion of electric bluegrass will kick off the Fine Arts Fund's campaign this weekend during the annual Sampler Weekend at the Pendleton Heritage Center, 2760 Eastern Ave., East End.

"The events are free, family friendly and open to the public," said Melissa English, director. "The acts are chosen to reflect and celebrate the African-American and Appalachian heritage of the East End."

The series starts at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers. This group has performed at the Pendleton since it opened in 1999 and has had several successful European tours.

"Their hour-long set includes gospel standards that are familiar to both African-American and Appalachian audiences," English said.

She said a new ingredient added this year will be the bluegrass act Taylor Farley and Bluerock at 4 p.m.Sunday.

The group has performed at the Appalachian Festival and has appeared as the opening act for the Charlie Daniels Band.

Event schedules are available at libraries or at the Web site: www.fineartsfund.org.

The Pendleton Heritage Center, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to preserving the heritage and building for the future of the East End, English said.

The Northern Kentucky Habitat for Humanity is reopening its application process.

"If your family has always dreamed of owning a home but thought it was not possible, we want to hear from you," said Laura Ault, president of the Northern Kentucky Habitat for Humanity chapter. "We had closed our application process for a year because we had more people signed up than we had the capacity to build. We have about 20 applicants out now since we reopened. We expect to be able to build about five or six houses a year."

Ault said applicants must be Northern Kentucky residents or want to live in that area.

To qualify for a house and a no-interest mortgage, families must work 500 hours building their house and other homes.

They must be willing to partner with Habitat, be able to make a down payment, and to pay mortgage payments.

Applicants should call (513) 397-1453.

Promoting peace is a big project at McAuley High School, College Hill.

A 12-hour peace vigil is set for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday in the chapel. Linda Goldbach, campus minister, is coordinating the vigil.

Boodle boxes - containing lotions, instant foods, and puzzles - are being prepared by Lynne Heile's world literature classes to be sent to U.S. troops.

Peggy Brewer's world religions classes made posters about peace, based upon prayers from around world. The posters are on display throughout the building.

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, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.