Former University of Cincinnati basketball player Roland D. West is chairing the Greater Cincinnati area 2003 United Negro College Fund campaign.

West, president and chief executive officer of Roland D. West & Associates Inc., 110 Boggs Lane, Springdale, played for UC from 1962-66 and one year with the Baltimore Bullets (now the Washington Wizards). He and his wife, Yvonne, are longtime supporters of UNCF and its mission.

"It has been said that the best way to predict the future is to create it," West said. "Join Yvonne and me as we work to create the best possible future for our youth."

The UNCF campaign raised $168.9 million last year that helped more than 1,100 African-American students in Ohio.

More than 65,000 students attend the 38 UNCF member institutions.

Girls in Friendships To Save will offer beauty makeovers and grooming to elderly residents in nursing and retirement centers this spring.

Roberta Foree, Charisse Smedley and Tamiko Rivers are coordinators of the teen group. The group provides clothing for the homeless and purchases car seats, clothing and furniture for single mothers.

For more information, call 729-1447 or 931-0177.

How about a trip to the British Isles, right here in College Hill?

The McAuley High School gymnasium will be turned into a British castle during its seventh annual auction, "An Affair to Remember in the British Isles,"April 12.

Cocktails and silent auction bidding begin at 6 p.m., and dinner at 7:15 p.m.

Nick Clooney, television and radio personality, will emcee.

Roger Loth, a member of Auction Marketing Institute, is the auctioneer.

Auction items include vacation condos, house wares, jewelry, arts, gift certificates, sports tickets, Broadway series tickets, NASCAR season passes and a five-day trip to Great Britain.

Volunteer chairs are Mr. and Mrs. Carl Greber, and Mrs. Gary Sparks.

Vice chairmen are Mr. and Mrs. Tim Beischel and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Berning.

Proceeds are for financial aid, capital improvements and technological advancements.

For more information, call Pam Pratt at 385-5941.

An array of folklore and art from Ireland, Scotland and Wales will be offered at the Fifth Annual Celtic Lands Culture Fest at the Cincinnati Museum Center, Union Terminal, March 15 and 16.

The fest is part of the Museum Center's 2002-2003 Passport to the World Series. The series allows visitors to explore other cultures.

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.