Taft site closed

MOUNT AUBURN - The William Howard Taft National Historic Site at 2038 Auburn Ave. will be closed today and Friday. The site will reopen for visitors at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Admission is free. Information: 684-3262. Driving directions are available at www.nps.gov/wiho.

Blood-giving incentives

Hoxworth Blood Center will host a "Gift of Life" Day Saturday at the Anderson, Blue Ash, Fort Mitchell, Fort Thomas, Tri-County, and Western Hills centers. Those who donate blood will receive a "holiday blood donor" T-shirt and lunch from Panera Bread.

To make an appointment, call 451-0910 or (800) 830-1091.

Dulcimer concert

WALNUT HILLS - The Dulcimer Society will perform during an informal gathering of holiday music and fun from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at the Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive.

Donations are encouraged. Information: 421-5707.

Help gather bird data

MOUNT WASHINGTON - How did the West Nile Virus affect our bird populations? You can help researchers find out by being part of a national network gathering hard data about trends in our bird populations. The National Audubon Bird Count - Eastern Cincinnati, will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday at Stanbery Park on Oxford Avenue. Meet in the parking lot. Full or half-day birders welcome.

A fee of $5 goes to the Audubon Society. Information: 321-6070, ext. 14.

Winter fitness classes

FAIRFIELD - The winter session of fitness classes sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department will begin the week of Jan. 5 at 701 Wessel Drive. Classes run through March 1. The spring session begins the week of March 8 and ends the week of April 26. For information or signup, call 867-5348. Fees for residents are listed below. Non-residents may attend for a cost of $5 more per class.

Yoga classes are offered at three times: 1 and 5:30 p.m. Monday and 6 p.m. Thursday. Basic yoga postures, plus breathing and relaxation techniques will be introduced and built upon. Fee: $50.

Spinning is a stationary bicycle program aimed at achieving maximum energy output. A coach will lead riders through a different ride at each session. Classes are at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday or 6:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Fee: $75.

Beginner spin, an introductory class that covers basic movements and postures, will meet twice a week on Wednesday and Friday at noon. Fee: $50.

Pilates plus classes meet at 1:30 and 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The program is a mat-based series of exercises aimed at developing and strengthening the core muscles of the body. Fee: $40.

Family New Year's party

MASON - The Parks and Recreation Department invites parents to celebrate New Year's Eve with their children from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Mason Community Center, 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road. Light snacks will be available. The cost is $25 per family. Registration deadline is Friday. Call 229-8555 or stop by the customer service counter at the Mason Municipal Center, 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road.

Animal programs offered

SHARONVILLE - Visitors are invited to the Sharon Centre at Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Road, to join the naturalist for "Animal Days" Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Each day, there will be family hikes at 10 a.m. and live animal programs at 2 p.m. Learn about reptiles on Friday, birds on Saturday and amphibians on Sunday. The free programs will demonstrate how animals survive the winter.

A Hamilton County Park District vehicle pass is required to enter the park ($3, annual; $1, daily). Information: 521-7275 or www.greatparks.org.

Visit Indiana motherhouse

OLDENBURG, Ind. - The Sisters of St. Francis invite the public to visit their motherhouse, 22143 Main St., from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Enjoy traditional holiday decorations, trees decorated to represent various cultures from around the world, and a collection of Nativity sets. The Sisters' Chime Choir will perform in the motherhouse chapel.

Information: (812) 933-6464.

Free tree recycling

SYMMES TOWNSHIP - The township will sponsor a free Christmas tree recycling program for residents from Friday to Jan. 11. During that time, residents may place their trees in the designated area behind the administration building at 9323 Union Cemetery Road for recycling.

The Christmas trees will be mulched, so all ornaments, tinsel and plastic wrapping must be removed.

Daybook

Saturday

• West Chester Twp.: Overeaters Anonymous: 10:30 a.m., weekly meeting, West Chester Presbyterian Church, 8930 Cincinnati-Dayton Road. Information: 921-1922.

Military Reunions

The USCGC Campbell W-32 - W-909 Association will hold a reunion May 20-24 at the Sheraton Park Ridge Hotel, King of Prussia, Pa. Contact: Gordon Bell at (215) 822-2426 or Jim Kelly at (860) 848-1160.

The USS Purdy (DD-734) will hold a reunion in the spring in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Contact: Larry DiPasquale at (610) 433-4787 or chiefdi@juno.com.

The USS Tolovana (AO-64) will hold an all-ship (1945-75) reunion April 2-6 at the Circus Circus Hotel in Las Vegas. Former crew members are asked to call (503) 419-6276 or toll free (866) 856-0673 even if they cannot attend the reunion.

E-mail: usstolovana@charter.net.

The USS Tarawa (CV/CVA/CVS-40/LHA-1) will hold a reunion in the spring in Andover, Md. Contact: Charlie Huck at (812) 682-4219 or ashuck@evansville.net.

The USS Wabash (AOR-5) will hold a reunion in May in Reno, Nev. Information: Harold Anderson at (619) 562-4696 or hnhusker@aol.com.

The USS Kemper County (LST-854) will hold a reunion June 24-27 in St. Louis, Mo. Information: Jim Simonson at (320) 253-2167 or jsimonson@stcloudstate.edu.

The USS Forrest B. Royal (DD-872) will hold a reunion June 24-27 in Buffalo N.Y. Contact: Ron Larsen at (715) 423-8905.

The USS KISKA (AE-35) will hold a reunion in July in San Diego, Calif. Contact: Mrs. Mark Anderson at (847) 360-9331 or drmarkhot3@attbi.com.

The USS Enterprise will hold a reunion July 30-Aug 1 in Norfolk, Va. for the officers and crew who took part in Operation Sea Orbit. Information: Gary Arlaud at arleaux@msn.com.

The USS Renville APA 227 will hold a reunion Sept. 29-Oct. 3 at the Holiday Inn Bayside in San Diego. The joint reunion is for ship's company and troops who sailed on the ship. Contact: Don Wright, 4289 Alex, Cheviot, OH 45211, (513) 481-8317, jdwrightstuff@cs.com.

The USS Elmer Montgomery (DE/FF-1082) is planning a reunion for November or later. Contact David Chasteen, 1005 E. Ripley, Brownfield, TX 79316 or Dina Coffey (828) 256-6008 or DinaMLRS@aol.com.

Volunteers

Cincinnati's Optimum Residential Environments (CORE) Inc., a nonprofit agency that serves adults with mental retardation, is looking for volunteers to serve as board members. Information: Kevin at 771-2673 or khayde@coreinc.org.

Crossroads Hospice is seeking caring volunteers to assist terminally ill patients and their families. Opportunities include visiting patients, running errands and making seasonal decorations. Training provided. Information: 793-5070.

The Hyde Park Center for Older Adults needs volunteers to help with office projects and mailings. Information: 321-6816.

The Butler County Chapter of the American Red Cross needs volunteer drivers to transport clients to medical appointments and back. Drivers do not assist patients in or out of the car. For information, call Susie Edwards, (513) 423-9233.