University of Cincinnati art students and children in a community program at Impact Over-the-Rhine are using art to change some of the images in that community.

Ten children ages 12-16 are working one-on-one with UC students to paint a mural on the wall of the Impact Over-the-Rhine Building, 1718 Pleasant St.

Candice van Loveren Geis, a graduate student at UC and an assistant in the UC Art Education program, said UC students in the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning are matched with at-risk kids from Over-the-Rhine.

"They are gaining real-world job and social skills and developing reciprocal positive relationships,'' Geis said. "At the ground level, we start with the painting of a sun flower. At the top of the wall we are painting a picture of the sun and stars with rays. This is a collaborative project among the students, children and the leadership of the community.''

The University of Cincinnati and Impact Over-the-Rhine are painting this floral mural on a wall at this small yard on Pleasant Street. The Cincinnati Enquirer/JEFF SWINGER

Jacqueline Thomas, executive director of Impact Over-the-Rhine, said this is a very challenging time for the agency.

"We have about 50 children, in three different programs, but we have about 100 applications from children in the Findlay Market area alone,'' Thomas said.

Golf legends smiling

Two legends of Cincinnati golf see a bright future for golf with the advanced development in technology.

"If I had the kind of equipment and balls when I first started playing, I would have driven the ball 300 yards on every tee shot,'' said Denny Straley.

Straley and Carl "Brick'' Tuke were honored May 17 at the Legends of Cincinnati Golf 2004 Championship and Recognition Dinner at Maketewah Country Club, Bond Hill.

At 69, Straley said he is holding his own, using Callaway balls, a Taylor Made driver and Wilson irons. "I am coming off the tee about 240 yards,'' said Straley, who lives in Milford.

He holds championship and runner-up positions in club, city, state, regional and national golf tournaments.

He was voted coach of the year in 1982 as a volunteer golf coach at Turpin High School.

He has served as a rules official for the Greater Cincinnati Golf Association since 1998 and a member of the GCGA golf course rating team since 1998.

Tuke also has a long list of tournament wins.

He is a member of Coldstream Country Club, Legends of Cincinnati Golf selection committee and the Ohio Golf Association.

"It is amazing how far you can hit the ball now with the new equipment and what they have done with the balls,'' said Tuke of Mount Lookout.

"I am hitting the ball 15 yards farther than I did when I was in my prime.''

Tuke said he is using Callaway irons and Titleist golf balls.

Army promotes Jameson

Thomas Jameson has been promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Army. The engineer staff officer is assigned to the Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Joint Headquarters, Moenchengladbach, Germany.

Jameson is a graduate of Indian Hill High School, Ohio University and Michigan State University graduate school.

Turpin grad now sergeant

Roger Tull has been promoted to sergeant and has been assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, S.C.

The Turpin High School graduate is the son of Carol and Bill Tull of Anderson Township.

James awarded medal

Kenneth James has been decorated with the Army Commendation Medal, which is awarded to individuals who - while serving in any capacity with the Army - have distinguished themselves by acts of heroism or meritorious achievement or service. He is an information systems operator-analyst assigned to the Theater Signal Command, Fort George G. Meade, Laurel, Md.

The Princeton High School graduate is the son of Elizabeth Brown of Woodlawn.

Basic combat work finished

These privates have graduated from Army basic combat training at Fort Knox, Ky.:

Jacob Hill,Colerain High School graduate, son of Julie and Dan Hill of Monfort Heights; Emery Maury, Norwood High School graduate, son of Carlyon and Dan Luken of Norwood; Benjamin Ruwan, Life Skills Center of Middletown graduate, son of Karen and Patrick Ruwan of West Chester Township; and William Nastold, Aiken High School graduate, son of William Nastold of Cumminsville.

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