HAMILTON - The Fitton Center for the Creative Arts is partnering with Butler Technology and Career Development Schools to host a program that will begin in August.

The Options Academy-The Arts is designed for students interested in the arts who don't want to attend classes in a traditional school setting.

The students will get a hands-on learning experience combined with a computer-based personal education plan for their academic subjects.

Junior-level students in the first year of the program will select six areas to explore in the visual and performing arts.

To be accepted into the program, a student must qualify or be enrolled in a Butler Tech Career Based Intervention Program. Information: 868-1911, extension 4104.

Mason High to stage 'Pirates' this weekend

MASON - This weekend's Fine Arts Festival will feature drama, art and musical performances by students in K-12 in the Mason Schools.

The high school drama department will present The Pirates of Penzance in the school auditorium, 6100 S. Mason-Montgomery Road. Performances are set for 7 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for students, children and seniors. Information: 229-4070.

The Spring Art Show will also be held at the high school. It features works of art from all ages as well as performances by student music groups. It will be open 7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Middletown wants exchange with parks

MIDDLETOWN - School officials would like to swap land with the city for construction of schools as part of the district's 10-year reconstruction plan.

The master plan calls for construction of six elementaries and renovations to two others.

Under a proposal presented to City Council this week, four sites are involved. The schools would like to use a portion of Dowling Park for the rebuilt Rosedale School and Wildwood Park for the rebuilt Wildwood School.

The schools would like to use the land Sunset Pool sits on for a school to replace Wilson and Roosevelt. The final property is about 350 feet of the western part of Barnitz Park for the Taft/McKinley replacement school. The swaps could allow Barnitz and Wilson parks to expand.

Kings boosters hold Spring Golf Outing

DEERFIELD TWP. - The Kings Athletics Booster Club is sponsoring its seventh annual Spring Golf Outing fund-raiser on May 23 at the Grizzly Golf Course at Kings Island.

Registration/driving range begins at 11:30 a.m. Shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. Awards dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.

Cost is $100 per person and $15 for dinner only for spouses of golfers. Cost includes cart, greens fees, beverages, balls, prizes and dinner. Registration deadline is Saturday. Information/registration: www.kingsathletics.com.

Author's Night at Morrow Elementary

MORROW - Join the students at Morrow Elementary School for an Author's Night and Book Fair from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the school, 10 Miranda St. Students' books will be on display in classrooms.

Sue Kiesewetter

E-mail suek@infionline.net