Food fun

Picnic basket case: The fun, good conversation and great food will be the same, but next month's Food Chain event won't take place in one of the area's finest restaurants, as usual. The organization, which brings people from diverse neighborhoods in Cincinnati for conversation and sharing, will sponsor a picnic from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 19 at Woodpecker Woods in the Harper Woods section of Winton Woods park. There will be a tasting of international sodas, entertainment, games for adults and activities for children, plus information about the organization, which started out as a small dinner group two years ago and has grown to include a database of more than 750 people.

Picnic admission is free, but bring a dish to share. (513) 351-3486 or e-mail: foodchaincincinnati@yahoo.com.

Float on

Beware, Underdog: There'll be a new balloon in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and it could be plastered with your child's handiwork. The folks at Lazarus-Macy's are sponsoring a contest for kids ages 5-12 to design a balloon that will float in the parade. The winner and his or her family will get to fly via Delta to New York for the parade, plus hotel accommodations. Pick up a ballot at any Lazarus-Macy's store, or download it from macys.com, where you'll also find rules. Entries must be mailed by Sept. 17.

Party on

Now this is a bash: When's the last time you were invited to 14 parties on the same weekend? The folks at Jewish Family Service in Blue Ash are passing out invitations for Pick a Party, a variety of 14 parties, each with a different and unique theme, around Greater Cincinnati Sept. 9-12. Thanks to hosts who open their home and provide all the decorations and foods, 100 percent of proceeds will benefit the organization, which provides services for families.

Among the offerings: a Texas Hold'em-style poker tournament; a South African soiree; an Italian dinner served by an opera-singing chef; a Willy Wonka event featuring chocolate goodies, and a "Who Dey" day to cheer the Bengals. Space is limited at each bash; call (513) 766-3327 or e-mail: sgolden@jfscinti.org for information.

School time

PTA proud: School is back in session or will be soon, so you'll want to get off on the right foot with your child's teacher. Use these tips from teachers, by way of Parents magazine:

Do not:

• Criticize teachers in front of the kids.

• Send a child to school sick.

• Neglect to read memos or sign permission slips.

• Send a child to school without requested supplies.

• Ask how your child compares with other kids in the class.

• Go to the principal with a problem rather than discussing it with the teacher first.