Shelf help

        Pages of memories: Now that the family-oriented holidays are coming, so are the new memories. The snapshot hound or family historian will find many unusual and easy-to-make gift ideas in Simple Scrapbooks (Creating Keepsakes Books, $19.95 paperback, $25 hardback), a wonderful idea book published by Creating Keepsakes magazine.

        The book is filled with suggestions from compiling a family album of family recipes to creating a “friend's album” that celebrates relationships and memories. Most projects can be made in a weekend.

Family Fun

        Flying high: Kids (and some adults) have long enjoyed the lightweight fantasy of flying a paper airplane. Kids Storytime at Books & Co. this weekend gives the kid in all of us a chance to create miniature versions of historic airplanes.

        Master paper airplane engineer Ken Blackburn introduces his book, Aviation Legends Airplane Book (Workman Publishing, $15.95), 1-2 p.m. Saturday at the bookstore, 350 E. Stroop Road, Kettering. The book offers instructions on how to re-create fliers like the Spirit of St. Louis, The Wright Flyer and the F-117A Stealth Fighter. (937) 298-6540.

        Racing games: Another all-ages activity is in store at local Gateway computer stores. From now throughnext Friday, computer gamers can register for the Gateway Challenge, “the world's largest computer game tournament.”

        There are four age groups, 6-through-adult, competing at stores all over the country and at the Gateway stores in Forest Park and Florence. This year's game is Sierra's NASCAR Racing 4 driving game. The tournament takes place Nov. 17-25. Prizes awarded in each age group with grand prize winners receiving a certificate for a Gateway PC. Free, www.gateway.com.

Wired Kids

        Bugs on the Web: To help kids understand the connection between their environment, food and personal health, the Rodale Institute recently launched the Kid's Regeneration Resource Network (www.kidsregen.org).

        The Webzine features age-appropriate, solution-oriented activities and information based on nature and gardening. Through monthly feature articles, a coloring book of engaging characters, games, fitness activities and shared stories, young visitors to the Web site will discover ways to make positive contributions toward regeneration in their homes, schools and communities.

        This month's fun activity, for example, is getting Pizza Seeds by mail and creating paper bugs for a game.

Mark Your Calendar

        Looking back: The ninth annual Veterans' Genealogy program, 7 p.m. today at the Main Library, 800 Vine St., downtown, will feature James Houston and Ray Nagel of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Bill Graver of the Civil War Veterans Discharge Papers.

        The program, sponsored by the History and Genealogy department and the Hamilton County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, will assist researchers trying to trace their ancestors from the Civil War era.

        Wild Times: Meet Ohio's answer to the Crocodile Hunter as public safety officer Tim Harrison visits at 7 p.m. Monday at Hyde Park Branch Library and 7 p.m. next Friday at Anderson Branch Library.

        He'll talk about his book, Wild Times: Tales of Suburban Safaris and introduce his rescued friends, Gaboon the Viper, Chico the Burmese and Gary the American alligator. Free, call each location for more information.

        Contact Shauna Scott Rhone by phone at 768-8511; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: srhone@enquirer.com.

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