The impact of the terrorist attacks continued to ripple through the Tristate Thursday:

        Hoxworth Blood Center's blood drive to support the victims of the New York attack surpassed expectations on Thursday.

        “We are overwhelmed with the response from the community,” said Michael Anderson, spokesman for the blood center.

        • Today is the 187th anniversary of the writing of The Star Spangled Banner, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will play Francis Scott Key's national anthem 8 p.m. today and again Saturday night during concerts at Music Hall.

        Audience members will be given red, white and blue ribbons. The anthem will be followed by Adagio for Strings by American composer Charles Coleman, dedicating the performance to those who perished in this week's attacks.

        In the War of 1814, Key had been detained aboard a British frigate in Baltimore Harbor during the bombardment. The next morning, when he saw the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry, he was inspired to write the lyrics that became the national anthem in 1931.

        The symphony's new symphony director Paavo Jarvi is conducting his debut concert in Cincinnati.

        BATAVIA — The community is invited to attend a special noon service today on the steps of the old courthouse, 270 E. Main St., to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks. Clermont County Commissioner Bob Proud and the Rev. David Prather will lead the service.
       • BATAVIA — Child Focus Inc. will offer programs today and Saturday on talking with children about disaster and crisis.

        The first program will be 1:30 to 3 p.m. today at the Child Focus Training Center, 555 Cincinnati- Batavia Pike, Mount Carmel. The program will repeat from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the training center. Information: 752-1555.

        SHARONVILLE — With more than 80,000 motorists using the Interstate 75-Interstate 275 cloverleaf daily, Champion Windows, Siding and Patio Rooms decided to make use of the company's towering electronic message board northeast of the interchange.

        It reads: “God Bless America; Pray for Victims and Families.”

        BLUE ASH — Although formalization of a Sister City agreement between Blue Ash and Ilmenau, Germany, likely will be postponed, the cities stand united against terrorism.

        City Manager Marvin Thompson said a Blue Ash delegation was to fly to Ilmenau — in the former East Germany — on Sept. 30, but “we're 90 percent certain that visit will be postponed until spring.”

        But Blue Ash has received a letter from Gerd-Michael Seeber, mayor of Ilmenau, condemning the acts: “The German people stand steadfast at the side of the American people in their common fight against terrorism and the enemies of democracy and peace.”

        LOVELAND — Police cruisers were flying small American flags behind the light bars on their roofs Thursday.

        “A show of patriotism prompted this,” Police Sgt. Tony Burkhart said. •

        Three co-workers — Annette Marksberry, Nancy Parish, and Sheila Wilson — who work at Synchrony, a software business in the Atrium building downtown, bought some red, white and blue ribbons and tied them into pins.

        Then they went to Fountain Square on their lunch break Thursday and asked for donations of $1 or more to the American Red Cross for each ribbon. They collected more than $1,100.

        Contributing to this report were reporters Randy McNutt, Cindi Andrews, Walt Schaefer, Chris Mayhew and Lew Moores.

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