Fired-up

Sound the alarm: The chili will be hot and the fire companies will be ready for action 5-7 p.m. Tuesday when fire fighters team with Gold Star Chili to present forums on family safety. You'll get the chance to eat dinner alongside a firefighter at the event, which will take place at Gold Star Chili restaurants in Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Hamilton, Butler, Warren and Clermont counties (with the exception of mall and Bigg's locations).

Fire departments will distribute safety material and display firefighting equipment. They'll also be collecting donations to publish a book, Fire Safety with Fireman Bob, that will include photos of Tristate firefighters and health officials demonstrating safety tips. The books will be given out free following publication. In exchange for your donation, you'll get a Fire Bug Lollipop - yep, lollipops with a candy bug inside to commemorate the cicada invasion. Details, Bobby Smith, 678-1998.

Family ties

Build self-esteem for all: Catholic Social Services is offering an eight-week class for people looking for ways to be more effective parents. Self-Esteem: A Family Affair will take place 7:15-9:45 p.m. beginning July 7 at the St. John Parish in West Chester Township. Fee is $75 per person; registration due one week before the class. Details, 241-7745.

Vroom

Start your engines: Imagine zooming around a track at up to 165 mph. You can do it with no fear of getting a ticket from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Kentucky Speedway in Sparta. Sign up for A Day with Dale's Racing Adventure Team, where you'll get a chance to drive 10 laps on the speedway in an authentic stock car, coached by a professional race team member.

You'll also get lunch, a photograph with the team, an event favor and a tour of the speedway. Cost is $800 per person.

Proceeds benefit the Health Foundation Fund, an organization under the guidelines of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that tracks homeless care in Greater Cincinnati.

Reservations must be made by July 1; details, 929-4263 or www.adaywithdale.com.

Tubby kids

The new terrible twos: A simple way to help prevent obesity, pediatrician William Sears tells BabyTalk magazine, is to avoid two food ingredients that provide nothing but empty calories - corn syrup (or high-fructose corn syrup) and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.

You'll find one or both listed among the ingredients of many packaged cookies, crackers, bakery goods and other snacks. Foods that depend on the "terrible two" for flavor and texture teach children to prefer sweeter, fattier foods, Sears says, putting them on the road to being overweight.

How to reach usSend items for On the Fridge to Barbara Lowell at blowell@enquirer.com or call (513) 768-8380.