Boardman park concert

Boardman park concert

BOARDMAN — Boardman Township Park is hosting its second Elegant String Quartet Christmas concert.

The free concert will be at 5 p.m. Saturday at St. James Meeting House.

Handmade decorations by the Holborn Herb Growers Guild will adorn the meeting house. The holiday light display also will be illuminated to add to the entertainment.

Petitions for primary

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The first day to circulate petitions for Lawrence County candidates in the coming primary election will be Jan. 22.

Lawrence County Elections Director Marlene Gabriel said petitions can be picked up in her office.

The primary election will be April 22.

Baby-sitting class

WARREN — The American Red Cross of Mercer and Trumbull counties will offer a baby-sitting class from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Trumbull County office, 661 Mahoning Avenue.

The class teaches skills needed to provide first aid, identify common safety hazards and prevent injuries.

Participants must be at least age 11. Cost is $40, which includes a first aid kit, handbook and backpack. Those attending should bring a sack lunch.

For more information or to register, call (330) 392-2551.

Christmas activities

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Community Food Center Inc. and Gleaners Food Bank will hold its 14th annual Christmas dinner with Santa from noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 25 at St. Patrick’s Church hall on Oak Hill Avenue.

The organizations will also give toys to children, flowers to senior citizens, and winter clothing and fruit baskets to all.

Those wanting to attend must register by Saturday with Gleaners at 94 Pyatt St.

The organizations are accepting donations of food, clothing and money and are looking for volunteers.

Financial donations can be mailed to Youngstown Community Food Center Inc. and Gleaners Food Bank, P.O. Box 3587, Boardman 44513.

I-80 toll issues

HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Ed Rendell, citing drawbacks of a state plan to collect tolls on Interstate 80, said Friday that he hopes soon to publicize how much transportation funding could be generated by leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Rendell said there is no assurance that the Federal Highway Administration will approve the state’s application to collect tolls on I-80.

To date, the Rendell administration has received no firm bid from a private company on how much it would pay for a long-term operating lease of the 359-mile turnpike. But Rendell has maintained that such an agreement could mean more money for the state’s beleaguered highways, bridges and mass transit systems than a plan approved by the Legislature in July.