A public tribute to Cincinnati's first African-American mayor will be part of the grand opening of the Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17 at 1001 Eastern Ave., overlooking the Ohio River.

It probably will be an everlasting monument, because not only does the park honor one of Cincinnati's greatest civic, social and political icons, it will solidify a symbol of friendship - in this case, international friendship - that Berry represented.

The Cincinnati Park Board will host the grand opening. According to park officials, the opening ceremony will feature a giant friendship bracelet, carried by 50 Cincinnati residents, each representing a different world culture.

There will be bracelets of intertwining walkways, a story circle, an earth mound sculpture formed as a pair of open hands, the international pavilion, gardens and serpentine-shaped sitting wall overlooking the river.

"With all of the challenges in the world today, it is comforting to have a place in our city that celebrates friendship and the value of the many enriching cultures of our heritage," said Willie F. Carden Jr., director of parks.

For more information, call 984-9835.

Spring Fling is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Findlay Market, on Elder Street between Race and Elm in Over-the-Rhine.

The event officially kicks off the gardening season, with gardening seminars, activities for kids, entertainment, food samples and more.

Participants include the Civic Garden Center, Greater Cincinnati Master Gardeners Association, Hamilton County Extension Office, Potter Thomas Parker and Eco-Garden Project.

For more information, call 665-4839.

The 2003 Man and Woman of the Year Competition generated $114,000 for the Southern Ohio Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Maggie Beckmeyer of Auctions By Maggie raised $15,000 and was crowned 2003 Woman of the Year. Vince Hopkins of Xavier University raised $12,500 and was crowned 2003 Man of the Year.

A delegation from Uzbekistan will visit Springer School, 2121 Madison Road in O'Bryonville, on May 14.

Springer, which specializes in helping students with learning disabilities, is recognized as a model school in that area.

The delegation will observe classrooms and learn about the history of Springer School.

Cincinnati Councilman David Crowley, 66, will be honored with a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. today as a send-off to his induction into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in Columbus next week.

The luncheon will be at Over-the-Rhine Senior Center, 1720 Race St.

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.