The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 12

B2 SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2005 WE LOCAL NEWS THE ENQUIRER Faith matters Lobbyists attack Taft cuts ere there OHIO'S tUDGET be stories on dragons By Jim Siegel Enquirer Columbus Bureau COLUMBUS Two years ago, advocates for the poor and disabled persuaded state lawmakers to restore many of Gov. Bob Tart's proposed cuts to Medicaid and other state programs. But this year, those same groups say their arguments are meeting tougher resistance. The Campaign to Protect Ohio's Future, a coalition of 370 health, human services and education organizations, said Thursday that changes are needed in Taft's two-year, $51.3 billion budget so the state's poorest and most vulnerable people are protected. But those changes cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

Two years ago, budget cuts were reinstated after lawmakers agreed to raise the state sales tax by a pen ny, bringing in about $2.5 billion over two years. But the political culture is noticeably different this year, said Gayle Channing Tenenbaum, co-chair of the coalition. Majority Republicans are much more determined to make significant tax changes, and Taft's plan for business, income and sales taxes would net $833 million less than what is raised this year. Taft and legislative leaders have made tax changes their No. 1 priority this year.

"The cuts will happen if reinstating them means taking away from that tax reform package," Tenenbaum said, noting her disappointment They say if you pull one string on the tax reform package, it all falls apart." The campaign wants a number of budget changes, including: Keep health care coverage for 40,000 poor and disabled adults, and keep dental and vision coverage for 800,000 adults who, under Taft's plan, are cut from Medicaid, the state-federal health care program. The total cost is $250 million over two years. Add nearly $30 million to the Passport program, which allows seniors to be cared for at home. Without the funds, at least 200 seniors will be put on a waiting list for the program, the group said. Restore Taft's proposed $237 million cut to state funding for local government services and libraries.

Eliminate a quirk in the state's school funding formula that incorrectly assumes districts get more money as property values rise, causing a reduction in state funds. The Campaign to Protect Ohio's Future is not offering specific funding suggestions. But during a press briefing Thursday, several mem- MEDICAID bcrs took shots at Taft's proposed 21-percent across-the-board income tax cut, noting that most of the beneGt goes to the wealthiest taxpayers. "Is it fair to give these cuts at the highest level when we're talking about taking health care services away?" said Col Owens, an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati. The Ohio House is expected to pass the budget by mid-April, and then it goes to the Senate.

Taft must sign a final budget by June 30. E-mail jsiegel enquirer, com fire-breathing boy with a dragon for a father and an orphan with wings are unlikely heroes for a Christian book. But for Bryan Davis, 46, author of the "Drag ons in Our Midst" fantasy series, it's the kind of hero his son liked when he was 14. April. And a fourth, Tears of a Dragon," is due out in the fall.

Diet: Program promotes fresh produce "The reason I wrote fan "In traditional fantasy, you see characters winning battles because of circumstance, because of some new spell or creature rescues them. What good is that?" Davis said. "I didn't want to do that, so my son just said, 'Don't do it that tasy is because it opens up young readers' eyes to a world they can't see, a world of heroes and cour From Page Bl The program has been a big suc Karen Vance age," Davis said. For more information on cess with the students, Wiley-Kroner said. Many of the fruits and vegetables are new to the students, but they try almost anything, she said.

Davis' books, visit www.dragons uiourmidst.com. Most of the preschool students Four-day mission proclaims Eucharist in Butler Co. on Monday munched their florets right down to the stems, and many said they liked the vegetable. Two Butler County Catholic I ate my broccoli, and it's deli cious," said Christopher Klein, 5. churches are joining for a four-day renewal mission about the Eucha "It looks like a little tree." Deajayna Mitchell, 5, tried but rist.

"Proclaiming Abundant Love," didn't like it and tucked it back in the plastic bag it came in. will be presented by three mem bers of the precious blood order The students don't like every the Rev. Dennis Chriszt, a Mis thing they try, but at least they try it, Wiley-Kroner said. What you can do Parents can encourage their kids to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Take your children through the produce department at the grocery store and let them choose some fruits and vegetables that interest them.

Involve your children in the process of growing fruits and vegetables in planters or in a garden at home and make it fun to try them. Talk to your children about the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables. When buying fruits and vegetables, look for produce that is colorful, such as deep-green leafy vegetables. Bright color is an indicator of high nutritional value and a "bright" plate can entice children. Source: Susan Tulley, dietitian at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center For more tips on healthy eating, go to the American Dietetic Association Web site at www.eatright.org "It's good," said Ba'Shay House, 7.

"It lets us have nutritional food." "And," La'Jai said, "it helps our body, our heart and our muscles." E-mail jmrozowskienquirer.com sionary of the Precious Blood, Sister Donna Liette, a Sister of the Precious Blood, and Gerry They'll try things here that, if Mom put it on their table, they Downs, an associate. nt" would never eat," she said. "I feel like it's giving them a chance to ex "We want people to gain a appreciation of the Eucharist The EnquirerCraig Ruttle Academy of World Languages second-grader La'Jai Williams reacts as he eats raspberries. He liked them, but found them tart. perience something they otherwise wouldn't" and find a way to integrate that in to their own everyday spirituality," The nurse also gives students a lesson on the nutritional value of said Jeanne Hunt, director of faith formation for Sacred Heart Catho lic Church.

So he wrote fantasy books with Christian themes, moral values and faith. "In my books, they get out of trouble through courage, strength and wise choices," he said. "1 want real kids to see real kids succeeding. No magic spell is going to do that." Davis, who lives in Apopka, will be in Cincinnati for two days next week, beginning with a book signing from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Family Christian Store in East-gate, 4530 Eastgate Boulevard, on Monday.

While in town he also will talk to students about writing at Miami Valley Christian Academy and the Mars Hill Academy. Tuesday, at 7 p.m., hell speak at Faith Evangelical Free Church, 5910 Price Road, Milford, to a group called Faith Writers, about his writing process. John Bartlett, the store manager of the Eastgate Family Christian Store, is excited by Davis' visit. Bartlett said Davis' books have had strong sales and buzz is building. "He seems to be gaining in popularity, especially among young people and those who like Harry Potter," Bartlett said.

"My 14-year-old took the latest book and hid away. It was days before I could get it back." The fiction books are a first for AMG Publishers, a Chattanooga, Christian book publisher. And Davis is one of their best-selling authors. "Almost no publishers were doing fantasy fiction from a Christian point of view, and now, after Bryan, Christian publishers are getting into it," said Dan Penwell, manager of production development and acquisitions for AMG. The first book, "Raising Drag the fruits and vegetables, their place of origin and other little-known facts.

The event is at Sacred Heart, 400 Nilles Road, Fairfield, Sunday Susan Tulley, a dietitian at Cin and Tuesday night and at Queen According to the American Dietetic Association, the number of children who are overweight has increased since the 1970s. More than 10 percent of children ages 2 to 5 years and more than 15 percent of children ages 6 to 11 years are overweight. In a second-grade class Monday, La'Jai Williams, 8, said he didn't like blueberries, one of the fruits he tried, but he loved the kiwi. "It has seeds you can eat," he said of the brown, hairy fruit with the green center. "But the most fun part is that it's sweet and sour." La'Jai and the students sitting near him debated awhile over the best and worst fruits and vegetables, but they said they loved the fresh fruits and vegetables program overall.

cinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, said the fresh fruit and veg of Peace Catholic Church, 2250 Millville Road, Hanover Township, on Monday and Wednesday etable program is a great way to entice kids to eat healthy foods, espe night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. cially because child obesity is on the rise. For more information call Heart at (513) 829-4383 or Sale: Radio stations to change programs What listeners will hear From Page Bl The deal will allow WrGUC to be come a full-time, 24-hour classical music radio station, Eiswerth says. All Things Considered, "Car Queen of Peace at (513) 863-4344. Da Vinci code discussion planned Sunday St.

Cecilia Catholic Church in Oakley is hosting a talk on the topic, "Christians and the Da Vinci Code." The talk at 3 p.m. Sunday by the Rev. Jan Schmidt, pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Anderson Township, is free and open to the public. Schmidt will address questions raised by the book The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown at the church, 3105 Madison Road, Oakley. To submit religion news, e-mail kbvanceadelph ia.

net or send a fax to (513) 755-4150. Talk" and Doug Hall's local "Brain Brew talk show will move to WVXU, he says. WVXU local and national pro gramming could change after a survey of WVXU members and focus-group research, Eiswerth says. There are a wide variety of high- ons," out last June, has sold 20.000 books. The second book, "The Candlestone," came out in October and already has sold 15,000 copies.

The third in the series, "Circles of Seven," is due out in quality public radio programs avail Here's what the $15 million sale of WVXU-FM to WGUC-FM means to: WGUC-FM (90.9): The station will air only classical music by summer. "All Things Considered," "Car Talk" and Doug Hall's local "Brain Brew" talk show will move to WVXU-FM. WVXU-FM (97.1): Local and national programming will likely change after WGUC-FM surveys WVXU-FM members, and conducts focus groups and other research. "There are a wide variety of high-quality public radio programs available to stations, and we want to find the right mix of local or national programming," says Richard Eiswerth, WGUC-FM president and general manager. Jim King, former WVXU-FM manager, and station staffers said Friday they fear nostalgic radio programs could be dropped by the new owners.

The station's eclectic mix of programming includes local antiques, health, cooking and real estate talk shows; "Fibber McGee and Molly," Groucho Marx's "You Bet Your Life," "Mystery Theater" and other old radio shows; new age, jazz and big band music; overnight BBC news; Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" and public radio's "Morning Edition" and "Diane Rehm Show." The X-Star Radio network: Programming on the six repeater stations three in southwest Ohio and three in northern Michigan could change to all-classical or a mix of the two stations, Eiswerth says. Selling the three Michigan stations, which are commercial licenses, "is an option we're considering," Eiswerth says. John Kiesewetter able to stations, and we want to find the right mix of local or national programming," Eiswerth says. Maintaining "the general service nature" of WVXU was important to Xavier officials, says Ron Ott, chair man of GUC's board, Cincinnati Classical Public Radio Inc. The other bidders were more Lottery roundup Ohio (Drawings: March 11) Pick 3 (early): 2 18 Pick 4 (early): 2 2 9 3 Pick 3 (late): 9 03 Pick 4 (late): 84 54 Rolling Cash 5:21 29 30 32 35 Tonight's Super Lotto Plus Jackpot will be $5 million.

Information: (800) 589-6446. interested in 91.7 (the frequency) than they were in WVXU-FM," Graham says. "It's rather like someone who wants to buy the farm to tear I Xavier I president: WVXU sale hard By Janelle Gelfand Enquirer staff writer The sale of public radio station i WVXU-FM will provide a down payment on Xavier University's i future. The $15 million price tag will be a big boost in helping the university meet student needs as it formulates a new 10-year plan. The principal project that will embody that is the Academic Quad," said the Rev.

Michael Graham, XU president. The James E. Hoff Academic Quadrangle will include construction of a new teaching and research center, business college and residence hall, as well as renovation of Alter Hall (the university's main classroom building) and updating the library. Although there are no cost estimates, the project will be comparable to the Cintas Center, which cost more than $45 million, Graham said Friday. The decision to sell WVXU, which has won many awards, including the prestigious Peabody Award, was "horrendous," he said.

The question becomes, what will we not do, so as to do the things we choose to do? Those are always very tough choices." E-mail jgelfandenquirer.com Mega Millions (Drawing: March 11) down and build a shopping mall." Inquiry from a broker 18 19 31 35 36 Mesa Ball: 17 The notion of selling WVXU came a year ago, when a broker told King that someone wanted to buy it. "I wrestled with telling the uni versity. That was probably the toughest ethical decision of my life. In some ways I regret it, but I think I did the right thing," King says. Friday's jackpot was an estimated $20 million.

Information (800) 589-6446. Powerball Tonight's jackpot will be $12 million. Information (502) 583-2000, a toll call. Kentucky (Drawings: March 11) Pick 3 (early): 22 2 Pick 4 (early): 3 4 02 Pick 3 (late): 044 Pick 4 (late): 9309 Cash Ball: 5 18 20 28 13 Tic Tac Cash: 2 6 13 18 25 28 32 39 Tonight's Lotto South jackpot $7 million. Information: (502) 583-2000, a toll call.

Indiana (Drawings: March 11) Daily 3 (early): 584 Dairy 4 (early): 8690 Lucky 5 (early): 8 15 17 20 23 Dairy 3 (late): 4 1 1 Dairy 4 (late): 5 2 4 4 Lucky 5 Hate): 15 1627 29 35 Tonight's Lotto jackpot is an estimated $10.5 million. Info: (900) 420-2274; call is 50 cents a minute. Ine university engaged a bro this was the largest public radio transaction in the last 10 years, says Marc Hand of Public Radio Capital. In terms of dollars, the WVXU deal was second to the $20 million paid for WNYC-FMAMin New York City, he says. Eiswerth says the station plans to pay for the deal with tax-exempt bond financing over 20 years.

According to the station managers, about 163,000 people listen to WGUC each week, while 110,000 listen to WrVXU. Dual loyalties Linda Shimp, 48, of Wyoming is one of 20 to 40 percent of the public who listens to both. "I go back and forth. I listen to WVXU's 'Morning Edition' and I like 'Car Talk' (on WGUC)," says Shimp. "Sometimes if I'm driving, I just want to listen to the music." She will be unhappy if WVXU drops its old-time radio dramas.

"I like it the way it is," she says. WVXU producer Mike Martini says listeners who donated more than $400,000 to the station's on-air fund drive earlier this month need to understand that nobody at the station except manager Jones -knew about the pending sale. "We don't want listeners to think that we're screwing them over. It's not our fault" Martini says. Eiswerth said, "Obviously we will consider our conversations with WVXU listeners as we review available programming.

We hope they will be pleased with whatever changes are made." E-mail jkiesewetterenquirer.com, jgelfandenquirer.com ker, and by September Eiswerth learned that WVXU and the network were on the block for $15 To seal the deal, WGUC sought help from Denver-based Public Radio Capital, a nonprofit organization that helps public stations com pete with religious broadcasters for available non-commercial licenses. By the sheer number of stations, WGUC to 'super serve' listeners, jettisons talk for all classical By Janelle Gelfand would drop classical music pro WGUC president and general man have. Ultimately, that translates in The acquisition could imitate Minnesota Public Radio, in which KNOW-FM broadcasts syndicated news shows like NPR's "Morning Edition" and locally produced talk shows, and KSJN-FM airs classical music. In November, Minnesota Public Radio purchased St. Olaf College's classical radio station for $10.5 million.

That station has become a contemporary rock and eclectic format, Birge says. E-mail jgelfandenquirer.com In the last six years, WGUC has seen an 18 to 20 percent audience growth to more than 163,000 weekly listeners, as well as a nearly 40 percent bump in memberships, grants and corporate gifts totaling $1.4 million last year. While other stations are "dumbing down" their play lists, the move will make WGUC a stronger player in the classical market "It will allow them to super-serve their classical listeners," says John Birge, former morning host at WGUC, now at Minnesota Public Radio. gramming in favor of an all-news and public affairs format. The same month, Pittsburgh's WQED-FM fell short of its fund-raising goal, threatening its existence.

Philadelphia, Miami and Detroit no longer have classical music stations. There has been a constant erosion over the past years," says Robin Gehl, WGUC's vice president for programming. Only a couple of dozen National Public Radio stations are fully classical, says Richard Eiswerth, Enquirer staff writer WGUC-FM's plan to have continuous, 24-hour classical programming is bucking a national trend that has most classical radio stations struggling to survive. Across the nation, classical stations, faced with declining listener-ship and funding, are dropping Bach, Beethoven and Mozart altogether. The most prominent demise of a classical station was WE-TA-FM in Washington, D.C., which announced in February that it ager.

In the last decade, the number of stations devoted to classical music has been cut in half, while the number of talk radio stations has tripled. The audience for news and information has been growing dramatically, so there's much more demand for that," says Marc Hand of Public Radio Capital, a Colorado-based nonprofit organization that advised WGUC during negotiations. The more public radio stations you have, the more listeners you to more revenue. "I think it's very exciting for Cincinnati to put the combination together and preserve the service on both sides." WGUC has a strong local presence, including broadcasts of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, May Festival and Cincinnati Opera. Last winter, WGUC's market share percentage of people in this market who listen to the station -was 18th nationally among public radio stations in a Radio Research Consortium study..