Recycle the images of upscale builders competing to sell McMansions on postage-sized lots in distant suburbs. The city of Cincinnati and six custom builders have concocted a new home show geared toward making your lifestyle convenient, affordable, rewardable and environmentally friendly.  

It’s that time of year again when the heritage of Cincinnati is giving locals a reason to overindulge in cultural activities. Head to Findlay Market (1801 Race St., Downtown) Saturday for the kick-off of the Tri State’s 116 Duetscher Tag opening celebration. See the ancestry of native Cincinnatian’s come alive while German dance, music and singing groups give onlookers a taste of the old country.  

Brush up on the true meaning of Memorial Day when stories come alive at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Before you dive into the featured exhibits Saturday, swing through the Information Fair from noon-4 p.m. and visit booths focused on the Red Cross, Mental Health and Women’s Post 644. Lock your red poppy pin in place and head to the Cincinnati Museum Center this weekend for events honoring those who keep us safe.  

Start your Saturday off with a bang - literally - at the Go OTR 5K Run (Vine and Twelfth Streets). Show your support for the community and help raise funds for the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce by attending the race at 10 a.m. Runners and walkers will cardio their way across the finish line and into the OTR Summer Celebration. After burning off calories, indulge in delectable carbs from Sweet Peace Bakery, Café de Wheels and Mr. Gene's Dog house, to name a few.  

Out with the old, in with the newish! If you haven't already started rotating your closet to make room for fresh seasonal duds, you're going to want to get on that. Rummage through your drawers Saturday and bring your unwanted garb with you to The Mockbee (2260 Central Pkwy., Brighton) for an evening of clothes bartering. U-turn Art Space and Northside's Chicken Lays an Egg are offering folks the chance to mingle and exchange gently used items for new-to-you treasures.  

Wedding season is officially in swing with the Sunday celebration of Cincinnati's first alternative wedding expo, Love Bash. Wander outside of the box from noon-5 p.m. while connecting with over 22 bridal and specialty vendors who offer their own exclusive, personal touches.  

As the summer of 2011 steadily approaches, ArtWorks continues to pump out new projects to spread smiles and encourage cranium usage all over Porkopolis. The group’s newest project, Queen City Art Racks, is an effort to decorate bike racks in public spaces as part of an artist-designed, green initiative.  

Bring your A-game Monday to the MCA Events Center for the A-Line Magazine and Cincinnati Fashion Week Launch Party. Enjoy a classic evening with a quirk as Best of Cincinnati mixologist Molly Wellman demonstrates how to shake up, create and swig samples of the A-Line specialty cocktail. Be one of the first to see what the arrival of A-Line is all about with wine tastings, delectable bites, a Vitamin Water bar and a network of creative music by PROJECTMILL.  

If you missed out on the last five weekends of ArtsWave activities, consider yourself lucky that they're throwing one more shabang Saturday. With over 47 varieties of free events celebrating the creative arts, you've got no excuse to be lounging on the couch. Forget your spring cleaning (if you happen to be one of "those" people) and to meet-n-greet while experiencing the local flavor of dance, music, festivals, museums and theater.  

In the early months of 2010, Danny Klinger, director of OTR ADOPT, had just about all he could take of witnessing local gems fall victim to the wrecking ball over and over again. After studying community and economic development at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and writing his thesis on historic preservation in OTR, he set out to give the area the recognition it deserved and the facelift it needed by starting OTR ADOPT, a building adoption program that works to identify new owners for abandoned buildings and damaged structures.