Book drive benefits children’s hospital

Book drive benefits children’s hospital

Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Boardman is sponsoring a holiday book drive to benefit Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley. Customers may purchase children’s books now through Jan. 1.

The books will be donated to local children through the hospital’s “Reach Out and Read” and in-patient book cart programs. The store will have a bin for the donated books located near its checkout counter. The book drive targets children through age 6.

Additionally, volunteers from Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley will be providing free gift wrapping at Barnes and Noble.

Although the service is free, donations are welcome and all proceeds will benefit Akron Children’s Hospital’s Mahoning Valley services.

Volunteers will be at Barnes and Noble at the following times: Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Dec. 23 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Gardens by Candlelight

Fellows Riverside Gardens will host a wintry walk in celebration of the holiday season Dec. 23 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

The scene will include lights and luminarias as well as music, cocoa and sugar cookies at the Davis Center. Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the housing programs at the YWCA of Youngstown.

Boardman PTSA hosts Battle of the Bands

The Boardman High School PTSA will host the third annual Battle of the Bands Jan. 16. The nine bands that competed last year performed for over 400 people.

The PTSA is looking for any type of band or musician to perform. A $25 registration fee is required and at least two performing members must be high school students in area high schools.

Registration deadline is Jan. 8. Prizes include $150 and 10 hours of recording time for the winners, $100 for second and $50 for third.

There will also be a Fan Favorite winner. To help acts win the Fan Favorite prize each act will be asked to sell tickets to the show.

Ticket sales will also be used to determine the bands’ time slot.

Tickets for this event are $7. For more information, call Joyce Reid at 330-729-0729 or visit www.battleobands.110mb.com or www.myspace.com/ptsabob.

AIDS Foundation benefit

Macy’s department store is teaming up with the Elton John AIDS Foundation for a holiday fundraiser.

Limited edition holiday-scented candles will be sold for $25 at Macy’s nationwide and through macys.com. Proceeds will benefit EJAF’s grant-making initiatives and help bring effective HIV prevention programs to people who are the most at-risk and vulnerable to HIV infection.

DSAV creates holiday fun at Mill Creek Park

The Down Syndrome Association of the Valley will once again decorate a holiday tree as part of the Winter Celebration 2009, “Home for the Holidays,” at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The DSAV tree is one of the 40 decorated trees on display in the gardens.

Last year, more than 28,000 people attended the winter celebration. Visitors can view the holiday decorations at Riverside Gardens through Jan. 3.

Music, food await on the Holiday Terrace

Fellows Riverside Garden will host “On the Holiday Terrace” from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Dinner will include a choice of chili and rustic bread accompanied by a glass of beer or wine. Entertainment will be provided by FireSign, performing music of the ’60s and ’70s. Linda Bertanzetti will demonstrate hand weaving in the Weller Gallery.

Admission is $15. For information, call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.

Fun Time for toddlers at the library

The Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host a morning of learning and fun for children ages 4 and 5.

This event, on Tuesday and Dec. 22, includes developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help the children become successful readers. The fun starts at 10 a.m.

Metroparks sled hill set to go

The Metroparks Sled Hill is now open.

Facilities include a lighted sledding area, a hobbit hill for children 48 inches and under, outdoor warming fire with seating and wind shield, snow-making machine, and a warming house with indoor seating, fireplace, snack bar, and vending machines.

Sled Hill is located at Wick Recreation Area on McCollum Road.

It’s open from December to February, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The warming house is open Monday through Friday 3-9:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday hours for the hill and warming house are from noon to 9:30 p.m.

For information, call 330-740-7114.

Children’s holiday activity event with Make-A-Wish

The Make-A-Wish Foundation will sponsor a children’s holiday activity event Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the mall concourse area near Sears. Children may decorate Wish Star ornaments and write letters to Santa.

Boardman orchestras perform holiday concert

The Boardman High School Symphony Chamber and Classical orchestras will perform their annual Winter Orchestra Festival Wednesday at the high school.

For information, call 330-758-7511.

Bake cookies for Santa

Children and their parents can enjoy making cut-out cookies, holiday waffles and crafts at Boardman Park on Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Boardman Community Center.

Tickets are available at the park office and cost $5 for Boardman children and $7 for non-resident children. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Noon Year’s Eve at Boardman Park

Start the New Year out right for the little ones with a “Noon Year’s Eve Celebration” at Boardman Park Dec. 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Children ages 3-6 can celebrate the “Count Down to Noon” while playing games, making crafts, face painting and munching on light snacks.

Tickets can be purchased at the park office. Cost for resident children is $3 and $4 for nonresident children. No tickets will be sold at the door.

For information, visit www.boardmanpark.com.

Get a jazzy start to your holiday

The Boardman High School Jazz Ensembles 1 and 2 will present their annual Holiday Jazz Concert Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Boardman Performing Arts Center.

This concert features a few holiday selections and some standard and mainstream jazz pieces. Jazz 1 selections include “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” with vocals by Katelyn DeLadurantey and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” sung by D.J. Colella.

The top group will also perform the Buddy Rich Band’s version of “Big Mama Cass,” Steely Dan’s “Peg,” and “Ella Fitzgerald’s rendition of “Time After Time.” Jazz Ensemble 2 selections will include “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Bag’s Groove,” and “Spooky.”

The ensembles are under the direction of Thomas M. Ruggieri. The doors open at 6:15 p.m.

A schedule of basketball game performances and much more is available at www.boardmanband.org.