Joan and Sen. Richard Finan examine raffle items with event chairwoman Barbara Kreider (right).

Catholic Social Services of Southwestern Ohio, celebrating 90 years of service to Greater Cincinnati, hosted 525 guests at a gala at Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.

In keeping with the Museum Center's current exhibit, St. Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes, the St. Valentine's Day bash featured an Italian theme. Entertainment was provided by the vocal ensembles of Elder and Seton high schools and the Seton-Elder Steel Drum Band.

Guests enjoyed cocktails, dinner, a raffle and a chance to view the exhibit.

SC Ministry Foundation sponsored the gala. Barbara and Gary Kreider chaired the event, with co-hosts Joan and Sen. Richard H. Finan, Mark L. Silbersack and Ruth A. Schwallie.

Others contributing to the evening's success included Jay Springer, Joni Herschede, Mary Sullivan Schultz and Christy Dorger.

Kit Andrews was the evening's emcee.

The gala raised more than $40,000 to support client services and programs.

Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Valentine Gala

Ben Kuo (left), president of the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra board, with silent auction chairwoman Amy DeRees, maestro J.R. Cassidy and event chairman Joe Miller.

The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra hosted its 10th annual Valentine Gala dinner and concert at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington.

As is the tradition, the Tristate's best studio musicians and vocalists combined with the symphony to create a nostalgic live recording studio sound that puts the hop into the hip evening.

Chaired by Joe Miller, the gala hosted more than 500 guests who paid $95 each to enjoy cocktails, dinner and silent and live auctions.

Following dessert, the symphony's version of the Soul City Symphony cut loose with four decades of soul, funk, disco and R&B, with all arrangements adapted by Terry LaBolt.

The gala was presented by PNC with additional sponsorship from Taft, Stettinius & Hollister and Lexus RiverCenter.

Emanuel Community Center charity tennis event

Tim Beischel (left) and Ed Berg tell tennis director Kathy Johnson this racquet could help their game.

Emanuel Community Center, with the sponsorship of Sara Lee Foods, presented its 19th annual charity tennis event Feb. 13-14 at the Colonial Family Sports Center in North College Hill.

The event drew more than 125 players of all levels, including Jane Lewin of Hyde Park, who admits she brushes off her racquet and endures rigorous lessons and practice sessions, all in order to play once a year for this worthwhile event.

For an entry fee of $150, each player receives a tournament sweatshirt, 48 games of tennis, plus a weekend of great food and entertainment.

FChaired by Sally and Ed Berg, this Valentine weekend of tennis raised more than $90,000 for Emanuel Community Center, which has been serving families in Over-the-Rhine for more than a century.

Emanuel Community Center's focus is on children, working to enable them to achieve their educational pursuits, gain social and life skills and exposure to different cultural and socio-economic aspects of the local and national community.