Where in Columbus to beat the heat this week

The Midwest is the epicenter of a stifling heat wave enveloping the country this week.

The latest: Starting Wednesday, Columbus will extend hours at five air-conditioned community centers and waive pool admission costs, so residents can beat the heat.

• The Dodge, Driving Park, Glenwood, Linden and Marion Franklin centers will stay open 9am-9pm until the extreme weather subsides.
• Pools will be open 1-8pm and still require a free Leisure Card for admission.

Columbus Metropolitan Library is keeping four branches — Main Library, Barnett, Hilltop and Northern Lights — open as cooling centers Wednesday from noon-8pm, despite having library services unavailable during the Juneteenth holiday.

• Those branches will also stay open two hours later, till 8pm, on Friday and Saturday.

The intrigue: Gateway Film Center is offering free movie showings from 1-6pm Wednesday and Thursday in partnership with the city.