Area events: Healthy-cooking class, blood pressure screenings

`Healthy-cooking class

BOARDMAN — The Ohio Institute of Pain Management is offering a class, “Heart Health Cooking for Proper Nutrition,” from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday at 914 Trailwood Drive. The event is a combination lecture and food sampling. Attendees will receive a complimentary low fat cooking recipe and recommendations pamphlet, and there will be body composition analysis, nutritional check-up, blood pressure and height/weight analysis. Preregistration is necessary. Call (330) 758-6440.

HMHP will offer
free screenings

YOUNGSTOWN — Starting March 13 and continuing the second Thursday of each month, Martin Luther Church, 420 Clearmont Drive, will be a site for Humility of Mary Health Partners’ Neighborhood Health Watch. Services include screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol; weight checks; and body fat analysis. All services are free. The time is 10 a.m. to noon. For more information on this or other Neighborhood Health Watch sites, call Brenda Cook at (330) 480-2011, HMHP Healthline at (330) 480-3151 or toll-free at (877) 700-4647.

Volunteer nominees
sought for awards

YOUNGSTOWN — Volunteer Services Agency, in partnership with the First Energy Foundation, is seeking nominations for VSA’s Our Valley’s Volunteers awards. The awards will be given to deserving volunteers during the All Community Volunteer Recognition, on April 28 at Antone’s Banquet Centre in Boardman. For more information or to get nomination forms, call Volunteer Services Agency at (330) 782-5877 or visit the VSA Web site at www.volunteerservicesagency.org, click the Forms button on the left hand side of the page and click the Our Valley’s Volunteer All Community Volunteer Recognition Nomination Forms link to download. Completed forms must be faxed or mailed to the agency no later than March 7, 2008. Forms submitted electronically will not be accepted.

Easter Seals plans
benefit winter walk

BOARDMAN — Easter Seals’ 4th Annual Winter Walk With Me is March 8 at Boardman Park. Walkers of all ages are welcome to participate in the 1 mile, 3k or 5k fitness walks and/or runs, which begin at 9:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit Easter Seals programs and help provide services to individuals with disabilities and special needs in the community. Free registration begins at 9 a.m. Individuals raising $25 or more will receive an official Winter Walk With Me T-Shirt. There will also be a mini-health fair, a raffle and refreshments.

For more information on how to participate, call Easter Seals at (330) 743-1168 or visit the Web site at www.mtc.easterseals.com.

Life-saving courses

YOUNGSTOWN — The National Safety Council, Northern Ohio Chapter, 25 E. Boardman St., is offering first aid and CPR/AED (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator) courses March 5. Each class costs $32. Call (330) 747-8657 by Wednesday to register.

Fund-raising professionals
plan luncheon program

BOARDMAN — The Mahoning/Shenango Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is having a luncheon program titled “A Successful Special Event: A Destination Evening,” on Thursday, March 6, at 11 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, 7410 South Ave. The speakers are Gayle L. Tissue, executive director of clinical development for the Pittsburgh Medical and Health Sciences Foundation of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh, and Sally W. Golden, and independent consultant.

Registration and networking begin at 11 a.m., a buffet luncheon begins at 11:30, and the program begins at noon. The cost is $15 for AFP members and $30 for nonmembers. Reservations are required by Friday. Contact JoAnn Stock (330) 746-8494 for more information.

Medical assistants
will hear R.N. speak

AUSTINTOWN — Registered Nurse Kathylynn Feld will speak on “Preparations of an Administrative Policy Handbook” at the March 4 meeting of the Tri-County Chapter of Medical Assistants at 7 p.m. at the Austintown Surgical Center. Members, students and guests are welcome. For information, call (330) 270-2833.

Training for baby sitters

BOARDMAN — The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering baby-sitter training March 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Boardman Park. The class is for boys and girls ages 11-15. The cost is $30. Call (330) 726-6063 to register.

Information and fun

WARREN — The St. Joseph Health Center’s volunteer department is offering a program of information and fun for people 55 years and older at 2:30 p.m. March 11 in the hospital’s second floor classrooms. James Mattes, public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, will discuss 2008 Social Security updates. The cost is $4, which includes dinner and door prizes. To make a reservation, call (330) 841-4375 or (330) 841-4376 by March 5.

Free health fair
for Valley residents

HOWLAND — A free health fair is offered to Mahoning Valley residents on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Howland SCOPE Senior Center, 8273 High St. Reservations are not required.