MILL CREEK METROPARKS | February calendar

Activities planned this month at Mill Creek MetroParks facilities:
Feb. 1: 8:30 a.m.-noon, McMahon Hall, MetroParks Farm, Canfield, seminar on real estate transfers and environmental requirements. Realtors will gain insight to critical environmental requirements for the transfer of residential and commercial properties. Topics will include new septage rules for current and proposed homes and lots; levels of food services; semipublic wastewater issues and commercial real estate; public drinking water issues and commercial real estate; well-water testing; how to handle hazardous wastes and recyclables before and after property transactions; asbestos and renovations; and open burning. For more information, call (330) 963-1250. There is no fee for this seminar and registration is not required. Participants will earn three continuing education credits.
Hosted by Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown-Columbiana Association of Realtors, Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention and Ohio EPA. Presented by Mahoning County District Board of Health, Green Team, Mahoning-Trumbull Air Pollution Control Agency, and Ohio EPA.
Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22: 8:30-10 a.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. Yoga at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Maintain a healthy outlook and reduce stress with a blend of yoga styles taught by Heidi Suraci. Students of all levels are welcome. Wear comfortable clothes. Bring a mat and small blanket. Call (330) 740-7116 for information. Fee: 10 per class.
Feb. 1: 10, 10:45 or 11:30 a.m. In celebration of Valentine's Day, the day of love, 2-year-olds and their adult companions can bring a picture of their favorite animals. Learn about the animals you love through storytime and activities of all kinds. Call (330) 740-7107 to register.
Feb. 2: 7 p.m. Groundhog Night. Evening hike. Meet at Lanterman's Mill parking lot. Moderate difficulty with one hill, 2 miles.
Feb. 4: 2 p.m. Get ready for the Super Bowl as we explore the half-century-old Wick Recreation Area and environs. Upon our return we'll warm up for the big game with a cup of hot chocolate. Meet at Lily Pond parking lot. Moderate difficulty, 2 miles.
Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27: 5:30-7 p.m. Yoga at Fellows Riverside Gardens.
Feb. 7: 9 a.m. Health & amp; Wellness Walk. Meet at Golf Course overflow parking lot off West Golf Drive. Easy rating, 1 or 3 miles.
Feb. 8: 7-8:15 p.m. Indoor Golf Classes. All levels of golfers can join our PGA staff for a quick tuneup for the upcoming season. Classes are free; class limit is 24. Call (330) 740-7112 to register. Held at the Davis Center in Fellows Riverside Gardens.
Feb. 9: 10 am. or 12:30 p.m., and Feb. 10, 10 a.m. Preschoolers ages 3-5 and their parents will learn about sea life through special activities including a story and craft. Preregister at Ford Nature Center. Fee: 2 R, 3 NR.
Feb. 9: 11 a.m.-noon or 1-2 p.m., and Feb. 10, 11 a.m.-noon. Carnations, greens and a little love will be included in this Valentine arrangement made by each preschooler and their favorite adult. Valentine treats and a story also are scheduled. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: 6R, 8 NR.
Feb. 10: 1:30-3 p.m. A handmade valentine is a touching sentiment. Each child age 6 and up and their adult partner will design and make valentines using mulberry papers, pressed flowers and leaves. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: 4 R, 6 NR.
Feb. 11: 2 p.m. A winter hike on the MetroParks' newest nature trail and participants will observe how flora and fauna are coping with the cold. Meet at MetroParks Farm, Canfield. Moderate difficulty, 2 miles.
Feb. 13: 7 p.m. Yellow Creek Park Concert. Music provided by John Ruman. Held at Yellow Creek Lodge, Struthers.
Feb. 15: 7-8:15 p.m. Indoor Golf Classes. (See Feb. 8.)
Feb. 17: 10 a.m. Health & amp; Wellness Walk. Meet at the Newport Wetlands parking lot. Difficult rating with ills and steps, 4.5 miles.
Feb. 17: 1-4 p.m. How to grow giant pumpkins. Tim Parks of the Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers will cover the basics of growing these unique giants. Seeds will be available. Held at MetroParks Farm.
Feb. 18: 2 p.m. Patrice Harvey of Wild Birds Unlimited will present Top 20 Feeder Birds as part of this year's Great Backyard Bird Count. Managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon, the Great Backyard Bird Count invites veteran bird-watchers and amateurs to collect data about their local winter birds. Learn how you can participate in this nationwide project. Meet at Ford Nature Center.
Feb. 21: 9 a.m. Health & amp; Wellness Walk. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty, 4 miles.
Feb. 22: 7-8:15 p.m. Indoor Golf Classes. (See Feb. 8.)
Feb. 22: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The Men's Garden Club of Youngstown and OSU Extension-Mahoning County invite you to a seminar at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Home gardeners will select seminars from a variety of subjects, including the importance of trees, arranging from the garden, wild edibles, herbs and invasive plants. Call John Kolar at (330) 545-2266 to register. Fee: 27, includes lunch.
Feb. 23: 8:30-10 a.m. View highlights of Fellows Riverside Gardens in winter on a brisk outdoor walk. Return to the Garden Cafe to enjoy a light breakfast and learn more about the importance of seeds to a gardener. Call (330) 740-7716 to register. Fee: 6R, 8 NR.
Feb. 25: 2 p.m. The end of our winter season is still a month away and the first wildflower of 2007 is already making its appearance. We'll search for the skunk cabbage plant that you won't want to avoid regardless of its name. Meet at Deerpath Trail off Hitchcock Road. Icy or muddy conditions are possible. Moderate difficulty, 2 miles.
Feb. 25: 2-4 p.m. Join Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens for an afternoon tea in the tradition of Elizabeth Fellows' Literary Club. Tea sandwiches and sweets will be available. Entertainment by fortuneteller Barb Root. Fee includes a donation to the Antonucci Horticulture Library. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: 25 ( 20 FFRG members).
Feb. 27: 7 p.m. Audubon Society Mahoning Valley. Naturalist John Burroughs described the eastern bluebird as "the bird that carries the sky on its back and the earth on its breast." Jeff Harvey of Wild Birds Limited will tell you how to attract these wonderful birds to your property and how to deal with their predators. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. Call (330) 783-6287 for information. Held at MetroParks Farm.
Feb. 28: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Spice up a wall or door in your kitchen with a joyful heart-shaped wreath bursting with dried red peppers. Dolly Vivalo will help you create this colorful wreath of dried peppers, greens and baby's breath. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: 25 R, 32 NR.
EXHIBITS
Fellows Riverside Gardens, Davis Education & amp; Visitor Center. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.
Through Feb. 25, Weller Gallery: Fragmented Florals. Bits and pieces of nature, sound, and music inspire Elizabeth Babb's paintings as she reassembles fragments of nature into a new reality.
Through April, Melnick Museum: Metal Bridges of Mill Creek Park. Scenic memories of Mill Creek park usually include its bridges. The Suspension Bridge is the best known of the metal bridges. Over the years, visitors have called it by many names such as the Castle Bridge, White Bridge, Silver Bridge and Cinderella Bridge.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 3-April 8, Weller Gallery: Nature Photography Exhibit. This annual exhibit highlighting the talents of amateur photographers is held at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Applications for entries will be mailed to previous entrants and also will be available at the Davis and Ford Nature centers. Deadline for entries is Feb. 11. Call (330) 740-7107 for information.