Peterson, 31, has been diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer.

The fund-raiser will be held at the Farm Beer Garden, 2461 Millville Ross Road, Hamilton, from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.

There will be three live bands, a pig roast, raffle, auction and volleyball.

"We want to go to every measure we can to help her get the best treatment,'' said Karin Daley, who went to school with Peterson at Ross High. "She is like the girl next door. This is something you never expect to happen to your best friend. She needs our help, and we want to do everything we can for her.''

Daley, of Liberty Township, teaches at Symmes Elementary School.

Terra Malcom Carmichael, also a former classmate of Peterson's, left San Francisco Friday morning to be here for the event.

"I graduated from high school with her in 1991. She has been my friend since high school,'' Carmichael said. "She has a heart of gold, and I know if either one of us was faced with the same situation, she would do the same thing for us."

Carmichael works in public relations for Yahoo! in San Francisco.

Peterson is married to Jeff Peterson. The couple has a 4-month-old daughter, Abby.

Organizers expect about 300 to 400 people. Information: 513-896-9051. Also to help, visit www.supportsarah.org.

Midlife help

For those women who have begun to worry about expanding waistlines, saggy arms or whether to return to the workplace or retire from it, Ann Kearney-Cooke may have some answers.

Kearney-Cooke, who is director of the Cincinnati Psychotherapy Institute, will be signing her book Change Your Mind, Change Your Body: Feeling Good About Your Body and Self after 40, at 2 p.m. today at Barnes & Noble in Kenwood, 7800 Montgomery Road.

She discusses in the book how women at midlife can re-examine their lives, set new goals and redefine themselves.

Recycling lauded

Miami University has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its recycling efforts.

The university will be presented the Partner of the Year award on Oct. 15. The university is one of 12 organizations to be honored by the EPA's WasteWise program.

EPA recognized the university for the Waging War on Waste initiative, which motivated students to reuse and recycle. Miami students took part in recycling 14,832 pounds of hardcover books, 31,500 pounds of computer equipment and participated in recycle mania, an intercollegiate recycling competition.

VOLUNTEERS: Fifth Third volunteers

More than 350 Fifth Third employees will volunteer at nine United Way-supported agencies as the bank becomes a co-sponsor of Community Cares Week today through Sept. 18.

Community Cares Week is a collaboration among area businesses and United Way agencies.

Employees from the bank's consumer lending division will paint, fix windows and spruce up the playground today at the Madisonville Child Care Center.

At the same time, employees from retail and marketing will be washing windows and clearing a flower bed at the Center for Chemical Addiction Treatment, 830 Ezzard Charles Drive, West End.

Volunteers from the bank are scheduled to be at the Baby Milk Fund Pediatric Care, the Dominican Community Services and the Epilepsy Foundation on Monday; Tender Mercies on Tuesday; Children's Home of Cincinnati, Thursday; Victory Neighborhood Services and Santa Maria Community Services, Friday.

Golf outing fund-raiser

Thirty-six golfers will each play 100 holes Monday at the Hidden Valley Golf Club in Lawrenceburg, Ind., in a Golf-A-Thon to benefit the 200 Liberty Project in Over-the-Rhine. Golfers commit to playing 100 holes and set a goal to raise a minimum of $30 in pledges for each hole played.

The tournament will raise pledges for the newly renovated Dirigar Center at the project.

The 200 Liberty Project is an entire block, bordered by Liberty, Elm, Logan and Green streets.

It was purchased in 2003 by the Smith Family Foundation.

Gale Smith, foundation founder, said the project's goal is to join the community's efforts to fuel economic and social growth through job creation, education and work and life skill opportunities, especially for youth.

"Our vision is for all children to have the love and support they need to grow and to succeed," Smith said.

To help, call Deborah Rogowski, event administrator, at 236-2193.