MORROW - Out in the countryside of southern Warren County, near farms and modern houses on large lots, is a curious place called Burton's Bamboo Garden.

Owner Jerry Burton has reconfigured the land into his own bamboo heaven - kind of a bamboo "farm" at 7352 Gheils Carrol Road.

Since 1978, he has grown many kinds of bamboo here, proving that the plant isn't limited strictly to warm climates.

On June 7, Burton will conduct a public meeting for people who'd like to help him start a Midwest chapter of the American Bamboo Society (ABS). He will provide a free lunch and a chance to look around his "farm." The society is for people who want to learn more about bamboo and help promote it.

"Some plants have been growing here for 25 years," he said.

Burton's latest project is the Haiku House, a meeting place that will accommodate more than 30 people. It is surrounded by tall oak trees and many species of bamboo. The house sits near a large lake with black swans, strutting peacocks and large granite Chinese statuary around the water's edge.

"The place offers privacy and harmony with nature, versus the sterile hotel meeting rooms so often used by companies today," he said.

If you'd like to attend his meeting, call him at 899-3446 or e-mail him at burton@cinternet.net by May 24. He will mail an enrollment form to people who can't attend that day. His Web site is at www.burtonsbamboogarden.com.

FINNEYTOWN - Songwriter and musician Joe Gorman and partner Lee Horwitz, a playwright and former Miami University professor, have written a pop opera (they call it a popera) about Over-the-Rhine, called blueS alleY caT.

Gorman, a marketing specialist who lives in Finneytown, said they are "trying to tell the stories of Over-the-Rhine through lyrics and music."

He said the play will be performed at Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts July 10-12, 17-20, 24-26, and July 31 through Aug. 3.

Information: www.bluesalleycat.com or 521-1164.

LEBANON - Warren County United Way is looking for a few good volunteers.

In fact, the group has its own Volunteer Resource Center to help prospective volunteers learn about the various programs.

Ask for the Volunteer Handbook to learn more about programs and requirements.

Call the center at 932-3987 and ask for either Denise or Jeri.

HAMILTON - A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. April 28 at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts' new Carruthers Center for Arts and Technology.

The addition, under construction since 2002, is ready to open - just in time for the official 10th anniversary celebration from 7 p.m. to midnight.

Performers scheduled to appear include soprano Bess Arlene Comacho and selected young artists from the Great Miami Symphony Orchestra. Dennis Kurlas will read a poem he has written to commemorate the center's anniversary.

Also that night, the Fitton's new informational video will be shown, and gallery exhibitions will feature Downtown Boogie: Nancy Runyon-Yost; Funny Pages: Cartoons by Craig Boldman and Others; and the senior art show from Hamilton High School.

Information: 863-8873.

Randy McNutt's community column appears on Saturday. Contact him at The Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Drive, West Chester, OH 45069. Telephone: 755-4158. Fax: 755-4150. E-mail: Rmcnutt@enquirer.com.