OXFORD - Goggin Ice Arena on the campus of Miami University offers extra public ice skating hours during the holiday season with a special admission fee of $4 that includes free skate rental.

Hours today through Dec. 30 are 3-4:30 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. (Closed Dec. 24-25). On New Year's Eve afternoon, a skating session will be held 3-4:30 p.m. (Closed Jan. 1). Hours Jan. 2-3 are 3-4:30 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m.

In addition, a canned food drive will be held Tuesday to benefit the Family Resource Center. Skaters who bring two canned goods to the arena for either ice session will skate free.

Information: (513) 529-3343 or http://miami.ice.muohio.edu.

Free GED classes set

The Warren County Adult Basic and Literacy Education program offers free GED classes that begin in January. The GED certificate is recognized in lieu of a high school diploma.

Day and evening classes are held in Franklin and Lebanon. Prospective students must attend both sessions of a two-day or two-evening orientation before they begin instruction.

Classes in Franklin are held at the Franklin Public Library on East Fourth Street. Orientation sessions will take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and again from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 and 15 at the library.

In Lebanon, classes are held at the Warren County One Stop on East Silver Street. Orientation sessions will take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and again from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 and 14 at the One Stop.

For information or to pre-register, call (513) 261-2987, (513) 695-2987, or (513) 925-2987.

Wagon rides offered

MIDDLETOWN - Visitors to "Light Up Middletown" in Smith Park can take an open-air tour in a horse-drawn wagon this weekend during the regular hours, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Cost for the rides is $2 for adults, $1 for children. Those interested in taking a wagon ride should turn right after going through the tunnel of lights and park near the Canal Museum.

Admission to the light display is by donation. Money collected is used to maintain and add to the display, as well as make improvements to Middletown city parks.

Creches on display

DOWNTOWN - The Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains, 325 W. Eighth St., will host an exhibit of 26 creches from around the world through Jan. 4. The exhibit is open noon-2 p.m. weekdays; 12:30-4 p.m. Saturdays; 12:30-5 p.m. Sundays, and by special arrangement for groups.

The Nativity sets are on loan from the Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute in Dayton and are different from those on display last year. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Oratorio to be performed

BATAVIA - The Clermont Philharmonic Orchestra Community Choir will present a free concert, "Christmas Holiday Celebration," at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Krueger Auditorium at UC Clermont, 4200 Clermont College Drive. The choir will perform the Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint-Saens and a variety of other holiday music. Information: 732-5332.

Vatican mosaics shown

MOUNT WASHINGTON - The Athenaeum of Ohio-Mount St. Mary's Seminary will open its doors for the public to view its collection of Vatican mosaics in the Chapel of St. Gregory the Great, today through April 14. The viewing coincides with the Vatican Treasures Exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center.

The Athenaeum, 6616 Beechmont Ave., will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Four of the six mosaics in the collection - Madonna and Child, the Pieta, the Crucifixion and St. Patrick - may be viewed. All were produced by the Vatican Studios in Rome and date to about 1900. Other works in the Athenaeum's art collection will also be on display. Information: 231-2223.

Hams traded for blood

EASTGATE - Harley-Davidson of Eastgate, behind Eastgate Mall at 699 Old State Route 74, will host a "Ham 'n' Hogs" Blood Drive from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today. Hoxworth Blood Center will award a certificate for a free John Morrell ham to the first 75 blood donors.

In order to donate, you must be at least 17 years old, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors should eat a good meal within four hours of donating and bring identification. Information: 558-1280.

Daybook

Monday

Bethel: Village Council: 6:30 p.m., Municipal Building, 120 North Main.

Fairfield: City Council: 7 p.m., council chambers, 5350 Pleasant Ave., 867-5383.

Franklin: School board: 7 p.m., media center, Hampton Bennett Administration Building, 150 E. 6th St., (937) 743-8603.

Hamilton: Butler County commissioners: 9:30 a.m., Government Services Center, 2nd floor, 315 High St., 887-3247.

Harveysburg: Village Council, 7:30 p.m., village hall, 79 West Main St., (513) 897-3998.

Mason: City Council: 7 p.m., municipal center, 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road, 229-8500.

Middletown: School board: 7 p.m., board room, 1515 Girard Ave., (513) 423-0781.

Williamsburg Township: Trustees, 7:30 p.m., 4025 Alexander Lane.

Tuesday

Carlisle: City Council: 7 p.m. town hall, 760 W. Central Ave., (937) 746-0555.

Hamilton: Fairfield Township trustees: 7 p.m., administration building, 6032 Morris Road, 887-4400.

Hamilton: Hamilton City Schools Board of Education: 7:30 p.m., board offices, 533 Dayton St., 887-5000.

Lebanon: City Council: 7:30 p.m., city building, council chambers, 50 S. Broadway, (513) 932-3060.

Volunteers

The Butler County Chapter of the American Red Cross needs volunteer drivers to transport clients to medical appointments and back. Drivers do not assist patients in or out of the car. For information, call Susie Edwards, (513) 423-9233.