Metro digest

Jewish, Islamic justice to be lecture topic

YOUNGSTOWN —The concept of justice in the Jewish and Islamic traditions will be the topic of a lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Gallery Room in Kilcawley Center.

The lecture, which is part of a lecture series, “Studying the Jewish and Islamic Traditions,” will be co-led by Dr. Helene Sinnreich, director of the Center for Judaic and Holocaust Studies, and Dr. Mustansir Mir, director of the Center for Islamic Studies at Youngstown State University. The public is invited.

Mercer election

MERCER, Pa. — The unofficial list of candidates, contests and questions for the Nov. 3 municipal election has been posted on the Mercer County government Web site at www.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us, Jeffrey W. Greenburg, county director of elections, announced.

Hubbard Public Library planning book sale

HUBBARD — Thousands of books will be available for sale Wednesday to Saturday at the Hubbard Public Library, 436 W. Liberty St.

Wednesday will be preview night starting at 5:30 p.m. Friends of the Library members get in free. There is a $5 admission to non-Friends members. Admission is free all other days.

Thursday and Friday are regular sale days, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday is bargain day, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; those attending can fill a bag for $2. Besides tons of books, the library has books on tape, videos, DVDs, CDs and puzzles.

The sale prices are 25 cents for standard paperbacks, cassettes or records. Puzzles and oversized paperbacks are 50 cents. Charge is $1 for hardcover books, CDs, videos or DVDs.

Donations of clean, used books are always accepted at the circulation desk. All funds help support the library. For more information, call FOL President Bonnie Viele at (330) 534-1394.

Arson fire in New Castle

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The fire department is investigating another arson in the city. The fire broke out at 2:48 p.m. Saturday at a vacant, two-story building at 109 E. Long Ave., the department said.

There were no injuries.

The back door had been pushed in, and the fire began inside in the back of the building, the department said. There have been about 40 arsons in the city in the last 19 months.

Big Brothers, Sisters sought in Portage Co.

RAVENNA — The 2009 Fall Recruitment Campaign for Big Brothers and Sisters of Portage County is under way. The agency has boys and girls, age 6 to 17, living in all areas of Portage County, waiting for a volunteer.

These are children who enjoy various kinds of activities and have many interests, such as sports, crafts and cooking.

These are children who need a caring adult friend involved in their lives. Big brothers and sisters must commit 12 hours a month for one year. For more information, call (330) 296-6655 or visit www.bbsportage.org.