The Enquirer

The Cincinnati Recreation Commission Foundation has received a $20,000 donation from CSX Railways to keep 11 recreation centers in empowerment zone neighborhoods open on Saturdays this summer.

The selected centers will remain open through Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those recreation centers are: Bush, Corryville, Evanston, Hirsch, Lincoln, Madisonville, McKie, North Avondale, Over-the-Rhine, Price Hill and Winton Hills.

Advocates needed for abused kids

Do you have several hours a week to be an advocate for an abused or neglected child?

Adult volunteers are needed by the Parachute: Butler County Court Appointed Special Advocate agency, a nonprofit organization serving Butler County Juvenile Court. Trained volunteers are appointed by a judge to ensure a child is protected and in a stable home, said Chris Schultz, executive director. The county has 50 advocates serving about 165 children, she said.

For information about the 30-hour fall training course, contact Schultz at Parachute in Hamilton (887-3880) or Middletown (513) 424-5351, ext. 3880).

Fountain ceremony celebrates canal

The 179th anniversary of the Miami-Erie Canal groundbreaking will be marked at 11 a.m. Wednesday with the dedication of Port Middletown, a 90-foot horizontal fountain downtown recalling the city's canal era. The $300,000 Port Middletown trough is at Central Avenue and Verity Parkway. New York Gov. DeWitt Clinton broke ground there in 1825 for the canal, which connected the Ohio River and Cincinnati to Lake Erie and Toledo. After the canal closed in 1929, it was filled in and paved over to become what is now Verity Parkway (Ohio 4).

TRAFFIC WATCH

• Allen Road is West Chester Township is closed between Windisch Road and Schumacher Park Drive for bridge deck repair. It is scheduled to be reopened next week.

• The intersection of Barret Road and Bluebird Drive in West Chester Township is closed until the week of Aug. 2.

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