Proposals to allow slot machines at racetracks and at several urban sites in Ohio are the topic of the next Community Issues Forum at noon May 25 at Christ Church Cathedral, downtown. Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jim Tarbell and Tom Smith, director of public policy for the Ohio Council of Churches, will speak. Lunch is available for $5, and brown bag lunches are welcome.

Meaningful Abortion Prevention

Cincinnati NOW, a chapter of the National Organization For Women, will discuss new proposed "Prevention First" legislation that will reduce unwanted pregnancies at 7 p.m. June 5, at the First Unitarian Church, Linton and Reading roads. These bills before the Ohio House and Senate would mandate insurance coverage and pharmacy access for contraceptives, emergency contraceptives in all hospitals and family planning funding. In addition, NOW will show a video produced by People For the American Way about the successful effort to overturn Article 12 of the Cincinnati charter by Citizens to Restore Fairness in 2004. Admission is free. For more information, call 513-852-9948.

Plan the New Park

The Cincinnati Park Board holds an open house from 5-7:30 p.m. May 24 to discuss plans for the proposed Cincinnati Riverfront Park. The program is at the pavilion at Theodore M. Berry International friendship Park. For more information, call 413-543-8109.

Mayor Holds Community Meetings

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory is holding a series of town-hall-style Neighbor-to-Mayor Community Forums, designed to give citizens an opportunity to share their concerns, hopes and ideas on important issues facing the city. The topics will be health care, 5 p.m. June 6 at College Hill Elementary School; and housing, 5 p.m. June 29 at Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine.

Cindy Sheehan with MUSE

MUSE - Cincinnati's Women's Choir hosts "Peace Mom" Cindy Sheehan, Holly Near and Muslim Mothers Against Violence in the 23rd Annual MUSE Spring Concert, "The Great Peace March," June 9 and 10. Pre-concert teach-ins, featuring Sheehan on June 9 and Muslim Mothers Against Violence on June 10, will begin at 7 p.m. The Spring Concert with MUSE and Holly Near will begin at 8 p.m. The program is at New Thought Unity Center at 1401 East McMillan St. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and available online at www.musechoir.org or by calling 513-221-1118.

Eat and Educate Yourself

Family Service offers a Lunch and Learn Series for downtown professionals over the lunch hour. This is a light-hearted yet educational, interactive series. The next seminar, "Balance your Budget," is from 12:05 p.m. to 12:55 p.m. June 14 at Family Service's downtown location, 200 McFarland Ave., just off Elm Street between Fourth and Fifth streets. Cost is $5. Participants are invited to take a brown bag lunch. For more information or to register, call 513-354-5709. A brochure detailing the series is available online at www.servingfamilies.org.

Turn Ohio Blue

Starting in early June the Hamilton County Democratic Party will be conducting voter contact every day. The party will be running phone banks and canvasses from June to November to engage Democrats, identify supporters, persuade voters and get out the vote. To sign up, contact James Wolf at jnewyouth@aol.com or 513-505-0565.

Cincinnati Goes Global

Learn about U.S. foreign policy and discuss global issues at Clifton United Methodist Church's "Great Decisions" series. The program is 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through June 14. Discussion topics include UN reform, the United States and Iran, energy resources, Brazil, human rights in an age of terrorism, China and India, Turkey and pandemics and national security. Only interested in participating in a specific topic? Call a week in advance of the topic to request discussion literature. There's a $15 fee for a copy of Great Decisions. For more information, call Chris Gutjahr at 513-541-0540.

Holocaust and the Children

The theme of the 6th Annual Holocaust Awareness Weeks, from the end of March through May, is "The Holocaust & the Children." The observance, sponsored by the Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education, includes an art and writing contest, a lecture series, dramatic performances and exhibits throughout Greater Cincinnati. For details, visit www.holocaustandhumanity.org or call 513-487-3055.

Kids Peace Camp 2006

A free day camp for kids ages 6-12 meets throughout Greater Cincinnati during June and July. The schedule is 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 19-30, Peaslee Neighborhood Center; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 10-21, Walnut Hills Christian Church; and July 24-Aug. 4, Northside, details to be announced. For more information, call 513-579-8547 or write info@ijpc-cincinnati.org.

Kids Ecology Camp

Ecology Camp is an opportunity for boys and girls ages 8-12 to spend the morning outdoors learning about sensory awareness, animal habitat, plants, insects and Earth Care Partners. The program is from 9 a.m.-noon July 31-Aug. 4. Kids need to arrive with a water bottle, sunscreen and insect repellant. Registration and a $50 fee is required one week prior to the event. Call 812-933-0661 or e-mail michaelafarm@seidata.com.

Spanish Bilingual Coffee Hours

Share some caffeine with Spanish speakers at the Bilingual Coffee Hour at the Price Hill Branch Library at 6:30 p.m. every other Monday. Spanish speakers practice their English, and the English speakers practice their Spanish. The head librarian speaks both, and she facilitates. Call Price Hill Will for more information at 513-251-3800.

Drinking Liberally

Raise your spirits while you raise your glass every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Avenue. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. There isn't a policy-wonk requirement top attend, just a desire to learn from your peers, trade jokes, vent frustrations and or hang out where it's not taboo to talk liberal politics. For more information, contact Chris Berger at cberger4@cinci.rr.com

Women in Black

Protest the U.S. invasion of Iraq from 5-6 p.m. Mondays on the grassy island at Vine Street and Central Parkway. Show your support for peace by wearing black or dark-colored clothes. For more information, call the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center at 513-579-8547.