More than 1,300 students, parents and educators are expected to attend workshops and forums at Education Summit 2002, sponsored by the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati.

        The summit, which begins Thursday, will take place at the Xavier University Cintas Center. The all-day event opens at 7:30 a.m. and is free to the public.

        The summit is designed to improve the academic and social development of youth, said Rochelle Morton, the Urban League's vice president of education and youth development. It also will give students an opportunity to preview college life.

        “This will give a lot of children the chance to interact with college students on a college campus,” Ms. Morton said.

        The education summit also promises celebrity keynote speakers, including author Jawanza Kunjufu; NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz; actor Malik Yoba, formerly of the television series New York Undercover; and former Cincinnati Bengal and now Taft High School head football coach Mike Martin.

        Mr. Yoba will speak 7-8:30 p.m. on the topic of family.

        Mr. Kunjufu, author of Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Males, will speak to parents and students 3-4 p.m. His talk will cover various topics, including the 200-point achievement gap between whites and blacks on the SAT.

        To register, call 281-9955 or visit the Urban League's offices at 3458 Reading Road, Avondale.

Leaders to address women's health issues

        Two local leaders in women's health issues will speak Sept. 23 at a women's health symposium to be held in Avondale.

        Dr. Denise Davis, a gynecologist, and Judith Warren, program officer for the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, will be featured speakers at the symposium, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mayerson Academy, 2650 Highland Ave.

        Topics include health screenings, information about domestic violence, wellness advice and other community health services.

        Information: 569-4510

Agencies scrambling to replace shelter

        MIDDLETOWN — News that this city's homeless shelter will shut this month left social service agencies and churches scrambling Tuesday to put together new facilities to house the homeless.

        Jeffrey Diver, executive director of Middletown's Supports to Encourage Low-income Families, said an emergency meeting of his agency and officials from four churches will likely mean that replacement facilities for the soon-to-close Hope House homeless shelter are coming into place.

        “It was an extremely positive meeting. There is a consensus that a church-based network is the way to go,” said Mr. Diver, who also announced that a public meeting on how to deal with the Hope House closing will be held 2 p.m. Monday at the Middletown Opportunity Center at 1711 S. University Blvd.

        The Hope House, at 34 S. Main St., is closing Sept. 30. The facility provided overnight housing for up to 55 homeless people. The house has undergone budget and staff cuts this year and the operator is resigning to care for an ill, out-of-state parent.

        Middletown Mayor David Schiavone said the house “has done a lot for the city” over the years.

        “Unfortunately, there is a need for a homeless shelter in our city and the city is not in a financial situation where we can take over,” he said.

Quick reaction helps nab robbery suspect

        Cincinnati police officers caught a robbery suspect Monday, minutes after a woman said her purse had been snatched.

        About 8:15 p.m. the 36-year-old woman told Officer Mike Williams a youth had grabbed her purse at Fifth and Walnut streets. Officer Williams broadcast the robber's description; and he and Officers Dan Kowalski and Jamie Lewis found a 17-year-old hiding nearby in a Dumpster, according to the night chief's report.

        District 1 Capt. Greg Snider said it's important for people to know these kinds of arrests are made downtown so they know police are trying to keep the area safe.

        Night Chief Capt. Kathleen Howard credited the officers, members of the district's Violent Crimes Squad, for reacting quickly.

Holocaust restitution deadline Sept. 30

        Holocaust survivors and their heirs have until the end of the month to file claims for seized assets and restitution.

        The International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims must receive the completed claim forms by Sept. 30.

        The commission, established in 1998, is in charge of addressing unpaid insurance policies that were issued to victims of the Holocaust.

        There is no cost to file a claim. To ease the process, the commission has been relaxed on some of the traditional claim-filing requirements.

        For claim forms or more information, contact the international commission at (800) 957-3203 or online at www.icheic.org. People can also contact the Ohio Department of Insurance at (800) 686-1526 or via e-mail at holocaust.claimsins.state.oh.us.

OSU gets $3.7M to create immune system

        COLUMBUS — Ohio State University has been awarded $3.7 million to create an “artificial immune system” to test vaccines to protect against chemical and biological weapons.

        The Department of Defense grant will pay pathologist Dr. Larry Lasky to develop a cell matrix system that would mimic bone marrow functions and other tissues.

        Ohio State will work on the project with Florida State University, Tulane University and Aastrom Biosciences Inc., a company that makes cell therapy and tissue regeneration products.

Blue Ash seeks best photos for calendar

        BLUE ASH — Keep your cameras handy, Blue Ash.

        The city wants your photos for the annual community calendar project.

        Pets and Blue Ash settings are all fair game.

        Entries must be in color but can come in any size. Slides are acceptable; but do not submit matted, mounted or trimmed photos.

        All entries should be submitted by mail or in person by Oct. 11 to the Municipal and Safety Center, 4343 Cooper Road, Blue Ash, 45242-5699.

        Entries will become Blue Ash property. Winning photos will appear in the calendar and include a credit line.

        Call 745-8510 for more information.

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