Learn how to break into music business

DOWNTOWN - The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County will present Unreleased: How to Become Released at the Main Library, 800 Vine St., from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 9.

Local music experts will offer advice on becoming a musician or songwriter.

The panel discussion will include Tondalaya Gallant, a finalist on MTV's "Making the Band with P Diddy;" Alphonzo "Zo" Wesson, filmmaker and director of MTV's Real World Chicago and "Making the Band" Part II/Part III; and Reggie Calloway, recording artist and former member of MidNight Star.

For more information, call 513-369-6955 or go to www.CincinnatiLibrary.org.

Another lunch for veterans scheduled

HAMILTON - The free Operation Heroes luncheon honoring World War II veterans was so successful that Butler County commissioners have scheduled a second one for Jan. 11.

More than 460 World War II veterans, their spouses or widows attended the lunch at The Hamiltonian on Dec. 14, said Carol Volle, reservations coordinator. But another 140 veterans, spouses or widows were turned away, said Volle, the Butler County Records Center director.

Already 200 people have made reservations for the second lunch, 1-2:30 p.m. at The Hamiltonian by calling Volle at (513) 887-3437. Capacity is 500, said Rhonda Freeze, Butler County Bicentennial Commission director.

The event, sponsored by county commissioners and the county Veterans Service Commission, is free to veterans. Cost for spouses and non-veterans is $10. The deadline is Jan. 7.

Mason has activities for young children

MASON - The city's parks and recreation department is offering some new youth programs.

Kindergarten Little Masters is scheduled at 10 a.m. Tuesdays in January. Preschool Art Exploration, for ages 4-5, will be at 10 a.m. Mondays in January.

Both programs cost $90 for community residents and $115 for non-residents. Registration and payment can be done by phone at 229-8550 or at the Mason Municipal Center, 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road.

Township may sell landlocked acreage

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Township trustees might ease their parks budget crunch by selling 14 landlocked acres donated for park use more than 20 years ago.

No roads provide access to the parcel, trapped between Interstate 75 and railroad tracks northeast of Cincinnati-Dayton Road. Trustees want to sell the land for at least $200,000, which would be used to fund other park projects.

"The last thing I want to see is that land just sitting there for another 20 years," said Trustee Jose Alvarez.

Township voters rejected a 1.95-mill park levy in November that would have provided $60 million in park improvements over five years.