It's a natural

Environmental action: Cincinnati Nature Center wants to take you back to nature at 6 p.m. May 15 at Krippendorf Lodge in Rowe Woods during a with a gala celebration to raise money for environmental education programs. The event theme, Drawn to Nature, will play out in a display of art by 13 local wildlife artists, including John Ruthven, Charley Harper, DeVere Burt, Ann Geise and Larry Adams. There will also be a QuickDraw art competition and live and silent art auctions.

This is the tenth year for the Back to Nature fund-raiser; last year's event brought in $60,000.

Tickets are $85; call (513) 831-1711, Ext. 412.

Singles by soft light

Eat, drink and meet people: Looking for new dinner companions? Candlelight Singles of North America has been linking people up for meals and conversation for three years now, and to celebrate the anniversary, the organization is lowering its admission fees. Reservation fees are now $35 for dinner (plus food) and $25 for brunches.Complete a registration form at www.candlelightsingles.com; phone: 761-6201 or (800) 431-2411. Stay tuned - dinner cruises along the Ohio River are being planned for summer.

Wine with dinner

Sip lively: Brinkley's Restaurant, 4747 Montgomery Road, Norwood, will sponsor an Australian Wine Dinner 7 p.m. Tuesday. Special guest Malcolm Jones, an authority on Australian wine, will offer tales of the Outback during the event. Cost is $49 per person, plus tax and gratuities. Reservations: (513) 351-7400.

Open house

See school run: Christian Center Academy will host its annual open house, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the school, 717 Barg Salt Run Road, Eastgate, for parents to tour the school, meet instructors and review the curriculum.The nondenominational school serves students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Information: (513) 528-7123.

The front

When's daddy coming home? As military families continue to deal with deployments to Iraq and elsewhere, two books aim to help explain those deployments to children. Daddy, You're My Hero and Mommy, You're My Hero, (Little Redhaired Girl Pub Inc.; $12.99 hardcover, $5.99 paperback each) written by Michelle Ferguson-Cohen, explain in simple language why a military parent has to go away and what life will be like when they are gone. The books do not address the dangers of war because, Cohen says, "kids are dealing with enough with the absence of a parent." Bargain-shopper tip: If you want to peruse the books ahead of time, you can read them for free on the author's Web site: www.booksforbrats.net.