Volunteers are needed to be part of the curb crew for the Hyde Park Blast, 8:30 a.m. July 4

The event is a 4-mile run/walk that benefits the Wellness Community, Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

To volunteer, e-mail hydeparkblast@yahoo.com.

The blast is presented by Hyde Park Neighborhood Council, Hyde Park Square Business Association and Richards Industries.

This year, race officials have arranged for free training programs, run by local instructors.

Chad Sims, race director, said about 60 people have already enrolled.

"They are getting expert tips on running form, nutrition, cross training, warming up, stretching and injury prevention,'' Sims said.

For information on the training sessions, call 321-3006. To sign up for free fitness classes from Revolution Spinning and Fitness, Gold's Gym, and the YMCA along with extra bonus clinics, call Marcia Yager at 333-0747.

Last year, the event drew 1,200 people and raised $12,000.

Volunteers for the Taft Museum of Art were honored last week at the museum's annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon in Mayerson Hall, Hebrew Union College.

Docents honored were: Patricia Charles and Eileen Harsnett, Anderson Township; Kate Greene, Wyoming; Marian Hagen, Bridgetown; Mary Carol Stall, Groesbeck; and Fran Watson, Cold Spring.

Rose Beiting, Cold Spring, was honored for 20 years of combined service as a docent and greeter.

Cincinnati City Councilman Jim Tarbell was keynote speaker.

The bat sculpture for the "Bats Incredible'' display program at Eighth and Broadway downtown is the handy work of students in teacher Jeff Smith's engineering and manufacturing tech prep program at Colerain Career Technology Center, in the Northwest Local School District.

Students did the metal cutting, machining of parts, and drilled the balls and bats.

Rybolt Welding in Groesbeck did the bending and welding.

The 19-foot sculpture was designed by artists Jack Gartner and Tim Timberman, 1964 Colerain High School alumnus.

Walton-Verona High School is the recipient of a $15,000 electronic scoreboard, a gift of Wethington Insurance and Safeco Corp.'s Playball program.

The scoreboard was donated over the weekend.

"We are thrilled to be able to help improve the Walton-Verona school,'' said Bill Wethington of Wethington Insurance.

Allen Howard's "Some Good News'' column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.