Emancipation Day remembered

WALNUT HILLS - The Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth is guest speaker today at the Emancipation Proclamation Day ceremony at Metropolitan Christian Methodist Episcopal Church,Walnut Hills.

The event, sponsored by the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, begins at 11 a.m. at 2815 Melrose Ave.

Shuttlesworth, pastor of Greater New Light Baptist Church in Avondale, was named interim president and chief executive of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference last month. He was a founding member and organizer of the Atlanta-based organization.

The 14th annual local observance marks the 141st anniversary of the executive order abolishing slavery.

Blue Ash evaluates Sister City projects

BLUE ASH - The city is trying to gauge interest in cultural programs involving the Sister City project with Ilmenau, Germany.

Residents interested in being a host family for exchange students at the high school or college level are asked to call 745-8510.

City officials also are looking for ideas that would encourage visits among citizens of Blue Ash and Ilmenau, possibly a group rate travel program.

Township OKs ambulance billing

DEERFIELD TWP. - Township trustees approved a policy change this week that lets the fire department bill residents' insurance carriers for ambulance runs.

The change is effective today. The charge depends on the type of ambulance run, but will be between $260 and $450.

The township already bills non-residents for the ambulance runs. Officials estimate that by extending this policy, they can generate between $200,000 and $400,000 a year to offset emergency service cost.

Nominations open for service award

FAIRFIELD - A Butler County organization wants to reward a community member who volunteers time to low-income families.

The Supports to Encourage Low-income Familiesorganization is looking for nominations for the eighth annual Janet Clemmons/SELF Community Service Reward.

To nominate someone, send a one-page letter describing the person's contributions to P.O. Box 1322, Hamilton, OH, 45012. Nominations are due by Jan. 15.

For more information, call Holly Rush-Earle at 868-9300, ext. 207.

Huber new board head at Shriners Hospital

LEBANON - Glenn Huber has been named chairman of the board of the Shriners Burns Hospital in Cincinnati. The Lebanon resident, who retired as chairman of Cincinnati Testing Laboratories, has served on the hospital board since 1998. He has served on numerous hospital committees including executive, finance, improving organization performance and plant/facilities.

Huber has been a member of Syrian Shrine since 1975. He is also on the board of directors for the U.S. Trotting Association, on the Advisory Committee for Equine Studies at Laurel Oaks Vocational School in Wilmington, and serves as president of the Board of Trustees for Health & Retirement Plans for the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association. He has over 24 years' experience in the horse industry as an owner and breeder of Standardbred race horses. Huber is a veteran of the Korean War and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati.

Women's diagnostic center names liaison

WILMINGTON - Amy Bowling has been named the community education liaison for Clinton Memorial Hospital's new Women's Diagnostic Center, expected to open later this month.

She will assist with patient flow through the center, will help patients with their health education needs and will facilitate referrals to other CMH clinical services and community services, including classes and support groups.

She volunteers as an emergency medical technician and firefighter with the Spring Valley Township Volunteer Fire Department. For more information on the Women's Diagnostic Center, call 937-382-9606.