Shell seeks electionto Ohio school board

BATAVIA - Longtime educator Ralph Shell is seeking a seat on the Ohio Board of Education.

Shell, 61, filed petitions last week to represent District 10, which includes all or part of 16 counties, including Adams, Brown, Clermont, Greene and Highland. That seat is now held by Cy Richardson, who cannot run for re-election because of term limitations.

"I would like to assist local districts in the implementation of testing and the No Child Left Behind legislation," said Shell, of Hillsboro, who operates a family-owned grain and walnut farm.

For the past 39 years Shell has been an educator, retiring last year as superintendent of the Little Miami Schools.

He's also served as superintendent of the Goshen Local Schools and is a member of the Clinton-Fayette-Highland Educational Service Center, and is on the board of trustees for Southern State Community College.

Fairfield Idol auditions tonight

FAIRFIELD - Auditions start tonight for the $1,000 Fairfield Idol singing competition to conclude during the July 3 Red, White & Kaboom festival.

The contest is open to anyone 12 and older who lives in Fairfield or Fairfield Township.

Open auditions are scheduled for 7-9 p.m. today and April 27 at the Fairfield Parks and Recreation office, 701 Wessel Drive.

Applications and more details are available at www.fairfield-city.org/parks/idol.cfm.

Contestants will perform Tuesday nights in June at Village Green amphitheater, and on June 26 and July 3. The winner receives a $1,000 prize package including a recording session at Waycross Studios, lessons from Buddy Rogers Music, family passes to the Fairfield Aquatic Center and Marsh Fishing Lake, and a gift certificate to Rick's Tavern.

Zoo animals visit Taft School today

MOUNT AUBURN - Four Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden animals will visit William Howard Taft Elementary School, 270 Southern Ave., Mount Auburn, for Family Reading Night from 6:30-8 p.m. today.

As part of the Zoo's educational program, "Wildlife Comes to You," the animal ambassadors, which could be a reptile, bird, mammal and/or insect, are the featured guests. The program is co-sponsored by the Zoo and The Friendship Reading Center, which is committed to building literacy and enhancing education in Mount Auburn.

Family Reading Night is held monthly and is free and open to the public. It provides an educational opportunity for community members to come together in a fun and positive environment.

Information: call Tynisha Worthy at 579-1355.