Magazine grades Cincinnati a 'C'

Cincinnati gets a "C" for its level of toxicity, according to the June issue of Men's Health. The magazine graded 101 major U.S. cities based on the Environmental Protection Agency's tally of facilities creating hazardous waste; amount of waste being released; and a city's number of Superfund sites, places so dirty they qualify for federal cleanup funds. Just four cities earned an A+: Yonkers, N.Y.; Henderson, Nev.; and Irving and Plano, Texas.

Peace prayer vigil today at UC

People of all faiths are invited to attend a "Prayers for Peace" vigil, sponsored by the Hillel Jewish Student Center, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. today at the University of Cincinnati's McMicken Commons, 2624 Clifton Ave. Hillel students will staff an 8-foot replica of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. People may write their own prayers for peace to inset into the wall. Hillel students will travel to Israel this summer and carry these prayers to be placed on the Western Wall. Prayers may also e-mailed to email@hillelcincinnati.org.

Students view live heart surgery

About 200 Greater Cincinnati high school students gathered Tuesday at an auditorium at Christ Hospital to watch an open heart surgery broadcast live from the operating room as part of a virtual job shadow program. The program allowed students interested in health careers to observe and communicate with the doctors, nurses and others during the operation. The program was sponsored by the Greater Cincinnati Health Council, the Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati and Stryker Communications.

TRAFFIC WATCH

Drake Road will be closed between Miller road and Old Ohio 122 in Turtlecreek Township in Warren County from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday. Beginning Monday, Drake Road will be closed just north of the new Lebanon High School and between Miller Road and the high school for three months.