Children's story time

Children's story time
BOARDMAN -- The following activities are planned this week at Barnes & amp;Noble Bookseller, 381 Boardman-Poland Road:
Wednesday and Thursday: Ms. Laura will read, play music and conduct other creative activities for toddlers during Little Listeners Story Time. Sessions are free at begin at 10:30 a.m.
Friday: Madonna Chism Pinkard will serve as moderator when the Barnes & amp; Noble Recommends book club meets at 6:30 p.m. This quarter's selection is "Double Blind" by Chris Bohjalian.
Saturday: Miffy, the preschool bunny, will stop by the bookstore at noon for a story and coloring. A day of activities celebrating the Week of the Young Child will be hosted by Boardman United Methodist Preschool. Call the store at (330) 629-9562 for event time.
Writing workshop
YOUNGSTOWN -- Pig Iron Literary & amp; Art Works, 26 N. Phelps St., will hold its monthly Write On Write Now Work in Process writing workshop Wednesday. The session will run from 7 to 9 p.m. with Jim Villani of Pig Iron Press as facilitator. Writers of all ages and ability are welcome. The cost is 3; reservations are not required. For more about the organization, its workshops and other activities, call (330) 747-6932.
Retreat day focuseson creative writing
VILLA MARIA, Pa. -- "The Bountiful Garden: A Creative Writing Retreat Day" is planned from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 5 at Villa Maria Community Center. Creative exercise and inspirations from nature will aid participants as they explore their "inner gardens." Leader will be Laurie Arnold, a certified applied poetry facilitator. The workshop fee is 40 and includes lunch. Register by Friday and pay 35. Call (724) 964-8920 Ext. 3387 or send e-mail to Cfanfer@humilityofmary.org.
Deadline looms for Mother's Day contest
NEW YORK -- Author Mitch Albom, Borders books and the social media Web site Gather.com are participating in a Mother's Day writing contest where the winner will receive a seven-day cruise for two.
The "Times Mom Stood Up For Me" contest asks applicants to write "an original story that relays a childhood memory of a particular moment in which their mother stood up for them." Essays must be 300 words or less and will appear on Gather.com, where the top 10 picks will be selected. The winner, chosen by Albom, will be announced May 10 on CBS' "The Early Show." The nine finalists each will receive a 100 Borders gift card. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday.
"The way my own mother stood up for me was a driving force behind the writing of 'For One More Day,"' Albom said last week in a statement, referring to his million-selling novel. "In my book, the son never gets to express his gratitude. My hope is that this competition will encourage the entrants to express those feelings, and to honor all the mothers who have so lovingly devoted themselves to their children."
Combined dispatches