HIT: To underground collapse training by the Auburn Fire Department. It may be a situation that hardly ever arises but it's good to know that Auburn firefighters have trained for this type of emergency.

AFD has to handle many types of rescue situations other than extinguishing fires. This week's training is a good preparation for whatever future incidents may occur.

MISS: Congressional candidate Dan Maffei recently put out a news release promising that his top priority will be to bring jobs to the area.

Included with the statement were statistics showing unemployment rates in Rochester, Syracuse, Onondaga County and other places, but we couldn't help but notice that Cayuga County statistics were not included.

The district Maffei seeks to represent includes several towns in the county, and the omission was not a good message to send to constituents in this county who might be concerned about whether their district representative will pay attention to their needs.

HIT: To a memorial fund being established in the name of a former Auburn teacher.

Gerri Pelc is creating a fund through the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in honor of longtime art teacher Darlene Kurczewski, who died in July after a 20-year career inspiring local students.

The fund will allow children to attend Schweinfurth art camps during school breaks, a program Kurczewski had great affection for.

HIT: To the start of the Olympics tonight in Beijing. Yes, the Olympics are being held in a totalitarian state in a commercialized setting (being broadcast on numerous television channels and online), but for the next two weeks, hopefully, we'll see the good in athletics - true, hard competition by honest athletes that when all is said and done, remind us of what the Olympics are really about.