For public awareness in Cincinnati, its new, 48-bedroom facility, and a series of events targeted to specific groups, the local chapter of Ronald McDonald House of Charities (RMHC) received a Best Bets Award at the group's International Conference in Chicago.

The chapter received a third place Best Bets Award and also a $1,000 cash prize for successfully introducing its new Ronald McDonald House in Avondale, said Jennifer Goodin, executive director.

"We are thrilled to get the award," Goodin said. "We are number one in our category in this country. Our house here is the fifth largest in the world and the largest serving a single hospital (Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.)"

Public awareness activities included a grand opening party, fun events, sleepovers for the chapter's 200 volunteers, board members and donors who helped to make the new facility possible.

RMHC created the Best Bets Awards to recognize local programs for working to improve the health and well being of children worldwide.

RMHC was named one of America's Top 100 Charities by Worth Magazine in 2001 and 2002. The non-profit charity operates through 178 chapters serving children in 46 countries.

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This warning comes from Colleen O'Brien, assistant manager of communication for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, (PETA) about how the dogs days of summer can be canine killers.

It is especially dangerous for dogs left in cars, O'Brien said.

"Dogs cannot sweat through their skin as humans can," O'Brien. "Even with car windows down, temperatures can easily climb to 100 degrees within minutes. Last month a dog died in New York while locked in a parked car on a 67 degree day."

A few warnings from PETA: don't leave your dog in a car, and if you see a dog in a locked car, get information and have the owner paged, or report it to local humane authorities.

If dogs show symptoms of heat stroke get them to shaded area and contact veterinarian.

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.