NORWOOD - Mary Ellen Kolb of Hyde Park will sign copies of her new book, A Cincinnati Songbird's Story, at 4 p.m. today at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in the Rookwood Pavilion.

The novel, which sells for $14.95, starts in the Depression and tells the story of a hobo who dies and leaves $7 million to a kind farm family in Hamilton County.

"It's really a local book, for people who have lived in Cincinnati," said Kolb, who writes under the pen name Mellen.

Kolb, 77, draws on her love and knowledge of the city by including scenes in Ault Park, the cut in the hill in Kentucky and other area places. "All Cincinnatians get a chill when they see the lights of downtown from Kentucky," she said.

SHARONVILLE - The Mason Art Association, a group formed in 1990 to foster a greater appreciation of art, will offer an exhibition and sale July 18-27 at Sharon Centre in Sharon Woods.

The show will feature a variety of abstracts, landscapes, stone castings and other works, including "Turtles," a painting of turtles by Lisa Marie Gazda. The group will hold a reception for the artists at the Sharon Wildlife Viewing Room from 2-4 p.m. July 20.

Information: Hamilton County Park District, 521-7275.

FAIRFIELD - Fairfield Lane Public Library will host the traveling Peacemakers Exhibit in the lobby through July 19. The free exhibit features life-size displays of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Daisaku Ikeda.

An exhibit sponsor, Soka Gakkai International, will donate a number of books about the men to the library and other Lane branches.

Information: 894-6557, extension 101.

WAYNESVILLE - The village has proclaimed July as Parks and Recreation Month to recognize the benefits of parks and recreation in the community.

This year, Waynesville is constructing a new sand volleyball court in Bicentennial Park. A coed volleyball league will be offered, with matches starting Aug. 9. The league will play for eight weeks.

In addition, two adult softball leagues will be offered, starting Aug. 18.

Information: 513-897-8015.

UNION TWP. - Author Rick Crawford will present "Clermont County's Significance in Ohio History" at 7 p.m. July 14 at the Union Township Branch of the Clermont County Public Library.

The presentation is free and open to all ages, but registration is required.

The library bills Crawford's talk as "strange but true tales about colorful events and people in our own back yard."

The library is at 4462 Mt. Carmel-Tobasco Road in Clermont County's Union Township.

Information: 528-1744.

BETHEL - More than 160 golfers will play at Friendly Meadows Golf Course July 19 to raise money for a college scholarship for a New Richmond High School student.

Tim Dougherty will receive $1,000, renewable for up to four years.

The scholarship is in memory of David Sanders, the late son of Deb and Tom Sanders.Information: TASanderselect@aol.com.

Randy McNutt's community column appears on Saturday. Contact him at the Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Drive, West Chester, OH 45069. Telephone: 755-4158. Fax: 755-4150. E-mail: rmcnutt@enquirer.com.