Providing toys for kids

Providing toys for kids

BOARDMAN — Rock for Tots, now in its second year, will again aim to make Christmas happier for underprivileged children. The rock concert, to be held at 9 p.m. Saturday at Salty Grog’s in Kmart Plaza on U.S. Route 224, will feature the bands Five Thousand Fed and Silvertone and solo act Tim Drummond. The musicians are donating their time, but they ask that attendees bring either an unwrapped gift or a donation of at least $3 that will go to charity. Chris Thornbro of Five Thousand Fed founded Rock for Tots last December as a way to replace Christmas gifts that were stolen from a social service in Warren. The event, which was held in Austintown, raised more than $2,500 worth of gifts and “a hefty cash donation,” said Thornbro. “It was probably the best I ever felt in my life,” said Thornbro about last year’s event. “Not only to see the people come out to support a good cause, but to see the kids when we delivered the toys.”

Steel Town Studios
to hold open house

YOUNGSTOWN — Steel Town Studios, 8-10 N. Phelps St., downtown, will hold its annual holiday open house from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. “Here in Youngstown,” the 24-foot-by-6-foot paneled mural that depicts the history of Youngstown, will be on display. Color prints of the mural will be available for purchase for $20. Bob Barko Jr., who operates the studio, which specializes in Mahoning Valley art, said the 12-inch-by-36-inch print has proved very popular. “The response to this print has been overwhelming,” he said. “I haven’t seen anything like this in my 10 years of doing Youngstown art. People are buying several prints at a time. They want one to keep and also to have them as a gift to give to that special Youngstowner in their lives.” A variety of art and collectibles will also be for sale, and Barko will be on hand to sign.

Mercer Chamber Players
Christmas concert

MERCER, Pa. — The Mercer County Historical Society Chamber Players’ annual Christmas concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Helen Black Miller Memorial Chapel, 119 S. Pitt St. The free concert, under the direction of Frank Stearns, will include seasonal selections and will end with a candlelit rendition of “Silent Night.”

Art Youngstown hours

YOUNGSTOWN — Art Youngstown will hold gallery hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at its temporary space at 25 Federal St., downtown, next to Silver’s Vogue Shop. The inaugural exhibit of the newly formed group, which showcases the work of local artists, will also be open during First Night Youngstown on New Year’s Eve. Art Youngstown is accepting silent auction items for the event. Contact Joy Serednesky at (216) 288-6871 or joy@artyoungstown.org. For more information, go to artyoungstown.org.