Third-graders across Ohio can learn about the justice system from a storybook, Did Not! Did Too!, which focuses on solving disputes.

Sets of seven free copies, totaling about 3,200 books, have been sent to elementary schools throughout Ohio by the Ohio State Bar Foundation, said Laralyn Sasaki, information officer for the foundation. Additional copies may be purchased for donation or other educational use through the foundation, she said.

The storybook is a project of the 2001 Fellows Class of the foundation, which addresses such issues as adoption, custody, support orders and other circumstances.

The Ohio State Bar Foundation is a public charity dedicated to promoting public understanding of the law and improvements in the justice system, Ms. Sasaki said. It has 660 members.

St. Aloysius Orphanage, the organization that has cared for the neediest children in our community for 165 years, wants to honor companies or people who have made a difference in the lives of children.

The agency is seeking nominations for its Star of Excellence Award, to be presented in May 2003 at Xavier University's Cintas Center.

Nominations, due Dec. 15, may be sent to: St Aloysius Orphanage, Attention: Star of Excellence, 4721 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237. Forms are also available at www.staloysiuscincinnati.org.

"It is our privilege to honor those who best exemplify commitment, dedication and talent to making a difference in a child's life, said Jim Rice, director of development at St. Aloysius Orphanage.

Tony Thacker, 8, a third-grader at Oyler Elementary School, 2121 Hatmaker St., Price Hill, will meet with Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken at 11 a.m. Thursday in the mayor's office.

He is not sure what they will talk about, but Tony plans to dress up like the mayor on Halloween.

"I will probably wear a suit, tie and dress shoes," Tony said.

He chose the mayor as his hero in the school's host program, using the theme Ohio Heroes.

"I selected the mayor because he is an important person," Tony said.

Tony's mentor in the program, Mark Wehry, informed the mayor that he had been chosen by the lad. Mr. Luken wants to chat.

The $123,000 grant the Greater Cincinnati Oral Health Council received from IMPACT 100 will be used to purchase new equipment and support systems at the McMicken Dental Clinic in Over-the-Rhine.

Dr. Larry Hill, director of the Oral Health Council, said the old equipment is falling apart.

"We have some equipment not working at all," he said. "When it's not working, that means we don't have those rooms to treat people - and then you don't see as many people."

Allen Howard's "Some Good News" column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.