Our Town briefs

You have to read your own water meter

Due to the extreme snowfall we’ve experienced since Feb. 5, the City of Canfield water meter reader has been unable to access remotes that are outside homes.

The city is asking for the public’s cooperation in obtaining water meter readings. Residents on the following streets are being asked to read their actual meter/s inside their home before Feb. 23 and call 330-533-1101 or e-mail (www.water@ci.canfield.oh.us) the readings to the city building.

The streets include Alabaster Drive, Canterbury Court, Charlestone Court, Cherry Hill Court, Emerald Court, Jefferson Place, Lake Wobegon Drive, Meadow Court, Montgomery Court, Montgomery Drive, Montgomery Lane, Neff Drive, Neff Court, Oakmont Court, Pine Valley Court, Sandstone Lane, Talsman Drive, Timber Run Court, Timber Run Drive.

Residents who do not submit their meter reading will be subject to an estimated bill that will not be adjusted once mailed.

Junior Women’s League meets

The Canfield Junior Women’s League will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. at The Brandywine Apartments’ Clubhouse, 3390 Flor Lor Dr., Austintown. International will be hosting and the speaker will be Vicki Vickers on The Ulster Project International. A general meeting will follow. The group is seeking for new members looking to serve their community. For information, call Marnie at 330-360-5215.

Free Lenten breakfast

Canfield Christian Church on Broad Street is offering breakfast every Wednesday through Mar. 31 from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. There is no charge, but donations will be accepted.

Valentine’s dinner

The Valentine’s Day dinner and entertainment benefit for the Ursuline Center will take place Sunday at the center on Shields Road. Tickets are $20 a person and include a complete dinner and entertainment by the Seraphim Chorus. For tickets or information, call 330-799-4941.

Canfield Christian hosts Saturday support group

Canfield Christian Church on Broad Street is offering support group meetings for adult children with aging parents on Saturdays in February at 11 a.m.

The meetings are free and open to the public.

For information, call the church office at 330-533-2246.

Kick start fitness with free membershi

Curves of Canfield is giving back to the community with a free membership for a limied time.

The offer is a $149 savings at the 30-minute circuit training fitness and strength training center.

Curves also offers the silver sneakers program to qualified seniors.

To schedule an appointment, call 330-702-8888.

New fitness program to benefit firefighters

The Cardinal Joint Fire District received a $58,853 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.

The district is one of 17 departments in Ohio to receive the grant money, Republican U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich announced.

Chief Robert Tieche said the money will be used to begin a wellness and fitness program for firefighters.

Two firefighters will undergo training to become wellness and fitness educators.

The money also will buy fitness equipment including stair- climbers and treadmills, the chief said, and firefighters will annually have physical examinations.

Lenten prayer luncheon

A prayer luncheon will be offered Mar. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Prato Meeting Hall at Ursuline Center with presentations by Ginger Kubala and Eileen Novotny. The cost will be $16 and includes lunch. Arrive at 9:30 a.m. for registration.

For information, call Janet Frantz at 330-799-4941 or e-mail theursulinecenter@yahoo.org. Pre-registration is required.

Canfield Library to offer free tax preparation

The Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will be offering free tax preparation and electronic filing to seniors and those with low to moderate income on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting the first week in February until April 15.

Appointments are required. For a list of things to bring or to make an appointment, call 330-533-8420.

Church offers monthly drive-through dinner

The Western Reserve United Methodist Church on Canfield Road is offering a drive-through dinner on the first Thursday of every month starting at 4 p.m. and continuing until the food is sold out.

No reservations are required, just follow the signs in the drive and someone will take your order.

The dinners are $7 and include stuffed chicken breast, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans and a brownie.

Fish and tree seedlings for sale through SWCD

The Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District is taking orders for sapling tree and fingerling fish. The deadline for ordering trees is April 9 and for fish April 23.

Pickup dates for trees are April 7 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Canfield Fairgrounds in Coliseum eight. Fish can be picked up on April 27 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the same location.

Tree descriptions, pond safety kits and order forms are available at www.mahoningswcd.org.

Pre-paid orders will be processed first. For information, call 330-740-7995.

Wine, beer and cheese fest

The Junior Women’s League of Canfield is hosting their 5th annual wine, beer and cheese fest Feb. 27 at Antone’s Banquet Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Jim Golen. Proceeds will be donated to Kids Grieve Too. The cost for the event is $30 or two people for $50. For information, call Rhonda Rance at 330-565-1959.

Concert band welcomes Valley musicians

Musicians from the Valley are welcome to attend rehearsals with the Canfield Community Concert Band. The band meets every Tuesday evening at Canfield High School.

For information, contact Leann Rich at 330-503-4113.

Parks open for cross-country skiing

Cross country skiing is offered at Mill Creek MetroParks areas.

Skiing is permitted during daylight hours and is dependent on natural snowfall. Skiing is offered at these areas: Mill Creek Golf Course (on marked course), par 3 golf course, East golf hike/bike trail, East Cohasset hike/bike trail, Chestnut Hill Drive, Calvary Run Drive and MetroParks Bikeway.

February meeting for fibromyalgia

The Mahoning Valley Fibromyalgia Group will meet Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Boardman. Anyone with fibromyalgia is welcome to attend.

The meeting will feature Dr. Gregory Fagert speaking on Dry Eyes No More.

For information, contact 330-758-8413 or 330-565-7187.

Can goods sought for Rescue Mission

The Adult Education Medical Assistant Program at Mahoning County Career and Technical Center is having a community outreach drive for the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley.

Items needed include canned foods, first-aid items and toiletries.

Drop-off locations are Mahoning County Career and Technical Center on Palmyra Road in Canfield, Wedgewood Pizza on South Avenue in Boardman, Austintown Surgery Center on North Canfield-Niles Road in Austintown and Walgreen’s Pharmacy on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown.

Lenten retreat offered

The Ursuline Center on Shields Road is offering a Lenten retreat from March to April.

The opening session for all participants will be March 2 at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Beginning March 9, participants will meet with a facilitator once a week for 45 minutes on a day and time of their choice.

The cost of the retreat is $75 and includes materials. Scholarships are available on request. For information, call Eileen Novotny at 330-533-3831. Pre-registration is requested.

Silver sneakers program

The MetroParks Farm is hosting an free exercise program on Tuesdays and Thursdays in February from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The program is designed to increase muscular strength and range of movement through a variety of exercise.

For information, call MetroParks Farm at 330-533-7572.

Athena scholarship applications available

The Regional Chamber is seeking applications until Apr. 1 for the 2010-2011 Athena Scholarship, which will be awarded at the 18th annual Athena award dinner May 20.

The $1,500 scholarship has been established to further the goals of the Athena mission to advance women’s leadership and promote education.

Scholarship applicants must be a resident of the Mahoning Valley and either a current full or part time student, or high school senior planning to attend or already enrolled at Youngstown State University or Kent State University’s Regional Campuses,

Recipients of the scholarship should have demonstrated initiative and excellence in her educational or work pursuits, a proven record of community involvement and service and commitment, and experience mentoring others.

The recipient will be notified by a representative of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley by May 5.

For an application or information, contact Kim Gonda at 330-744-2131 ext. 35, or visit www.regionalchamber.com.

Yoga at the gardens

Fellows Riverside Gardens is hosting yoga classes taught by Heidi Suraci Tuesdays and Thursdays in February for students of all levels.

Tuesday’s will feature a beginner class from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and an intermediate class from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday classes will be for all level students from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The cost for the lesson is $10 per class. Bring a mat and small blanket.

For information, call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.

Nominations being accepted for Athena Award

The Regional Chamber and The Vindicator/vindy.com are seeking nominations for the 2010 Athena Award until Mar. 1.

The award is presented annually to recognize area business and professional women who demonstrate significant achievements in their business that produced exceptional organizational impact. The recipient should provide valuable leadership service to the community and exhibit support for and involvement in the goals of professional women.

Past Athena recipients include Patricia Brozik, Karen Cohen, Molly Seals, Dr. Sheryl Figliano, Sister Patricia McNicholas, Dr. Cynthia Anderson, Eugenia Atkinson, Dr. Gwendolyn Hughes, Lynn Cavalier, Dee Crawford, Diane Sauer, Nancy Jastatt-Juerguns, Carolyn Anderson, Helen Paes, Marie Izzo Cartwright, Trudy Bayman and Elaine Wilson.

Nominees are not required to be a member of the Regional Chamber or employed by a Chamber-member firm. Candidates may self-nominate and past Athena nominees are eligible.

To obtain a nomination or sponsorship form or for information, contact Kim Gonda at 330-744-2131 ext. 35 or visit www.regionalchamber.com.

Canfield Fair earns national distinction

The International Association of Fairs and Expos awarded the Canfield Fair first place in “The Fair That Cares” category of the IAFE’s Competitive Exhibits Contest “New or Competitive Exhibits” category.

At the Canfield Fair, contestants filled containers with 15 useful items for someone needy, and after being judged, the baskets were given to the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley.

In the five years the Canfield Fair’s Arts and Crafts Department has offered the category, 364 containers of items have been donated. The award was presented at the IAFE Convention in Las Vegas.

Also, the Ohio Department of Agriculture honored the Canfield Fair Board for an outstanding 2009 season.

Director Robert Boggs presented the fair board with a certificate of recognition Jan. 6 during the annual Ohio Fair Managers Association convention in Columbus. Jim Brown accepted the certificate on behalf of the board.

T’ai Chi Step One class in Fellows Riverside Garden

Fellows Riverside Gardens will host T’ai Chi classes taught by Marie Lew Wednesdays in February from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

The class is designed to ease stress, improve heath and increase vitality with warm-ups, breathing exercises and T’ai Chi movements.

The fee is $10 per class.

For information, call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.