It is OK not to wear a tie to church, skip a meal or skip a rope; OK to go to lunch alone or make eye contact with a stranger.

These are all helpful tips chronicled by Henry "Hank'' Schneider, an author, photographer and real estate developer who lives in Amberley Village.

He has put them together along with many others in a book, It's OK To.

"The book has received an amazing response, '' said Schneider "It is a light-hearted look at what it is OK to do. I started jotting down these things in 1996. It started when I was getting ready to go to church one morning, and my wife told me it was OK not to wear a tie.''

Schneider also thinks it is OK to take the proceeds from the book and give them to charities. He said all proceeds from sale of the book are going to a foundation he and his wife, Anita, set up called the Toots Foundation.

BUILDING FAITH, AND CHURCHES

When churches come to WA Inc. architects and engineers in Paddock Hills for help in their building projects, they find a unique perspective on their goals. That's because Henry Wilson Jr., the president of the firm, isn't just an engineer. He's also a minister. Wilson, 65, of Silverton, has been a minister for 25 years, and pastor at Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church in Silverton for 22 of those. "I didn't make that decision. God made it for me," Wilson said of his decision to become a minister. "In the business of architecture and engineering, I had a calling too. I believe that part of what God has led me to do is help churches realize their building needs, helping the people that the church serves." Wilson, along with his business partner Richard Mellott and a church growth consultant, Derrick Clore, have worked to make building church additions and renovations simpler. "It seemed to me that churches didn't know how to proceed with building projects. They became overwhelmed," Wilson said. "I thought I could make it easier for them and set up a one-stop shop." For about 10 years, his firm has worked with churches to study their financial situation, design the right project and get it built with the help of a contractor, Environ Group. Wilson has worked on several Cincinnati projects, including family life and education center additions at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sharonville, Southern Baptist Church in Avondale and the New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Carthage. "We've worked to remove the mystery related to the church building process," Wilson said. "I think my relationship to churches gives me an insight. I can see what they see, feel what they feel and convert that into what they need."

"Through the foundation, we have been able to give grants to several charities, such as the Cincinnati Association for the Blind children's program, the Wellness Community and Jewish Family Service,'' Schneider said.

Schneider is scheduled for a book signing Sept. 23 at Joseph Beth Booksellers in Rookwood Commons.

The book is 84 pages and is dedicated to his late mother, Ellen Schneider, whom he said was very influential in instilling positive thinking in him.

Aside from letting you know what is OK to do, Schneider dabbles in photography.

"All the money I make selling photographs also goes to the foundation,'' said Schneider. Undefeated in eight states

Pierce Harger, a 12-year-old straight-A student at Loveland Middle School and a member of the 2004 Ohio All-Star Wrestling team, went undefeated (24-0) in matches his team competed in at events in eight states.

He won three national titles. He wrestled for the Moeller Kids Club in the 85-90 lb. range. He suffered only one loss during the last season at the junior high state championships, where he placed fourth as a sixth grader.

He followed that loss by winning the elementary state competition, the USA Central Regionals in Indiana and the AAU Worlds Meet in Michigan.

Brass band coming here

A brass band from Germany, "die Musikkapelle Spatzenhausen,'' will be taking part in Cincinnati's Oktoberfest later this month.

The band comes from a small village in Bavaria, north of Garmish-Partenkirchen in the foothills of the Alps.

Twelve of the band's 23 members are scheduled to perform at the Hofbrauhaus in Newport Sept. 16 and in the opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. on Fountain Square at Oktoberfest. It also will perform at 11 a.m. Sept. 19 at a Mass at Old St. Mary's Church, Over-the-Rhine, and on the Fountain Square stage from 2-6 p.m. Sept. 19.