Our Town briefs

Skate at the Ice Zone and raise funds for kids

Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley will receive $1 from each regular admission at the Ice Zone on McClurg Road in Boardman today and Sunday during “Skate for the Kids.”

Today’s skate times are 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday times are 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The proceeds raised will help local children served by Akron Children’ Mahoning Valley programs and services. For information, call 330-746-9122.

Firemen’s Association offers dinner Mar. 7

The Poland Firemen’s Association is having an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner Mar. 7 from 12 p.m to 6 p.m. at Poland United Methodist Church.

The price is $6 for adults, $3 for children and children under age 5 eat free. Carry-out is available from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The menu will include spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread and butter, dessert and drinks.

Tickets are available at the door or from any Poland firefighter.

Video available on back pain prevention

The Humility of Mary Health Partners newest video features Stephanie Kopley, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, speaking about the importance of treating back pain immediately and the causes and treatment available for back pain.

The video can be viewed at HMpartners.org by clicking on the blue Health Points tab. Polar Bear Jump Mar. 6

The American Cancer Society is looking for warm-hearted people willing to raise money and freeze their bodies to help fight cancer in the Brr! For a Cure Polar bear Jump Mar. 6 at Craig Beach in Lake Milton State Park.

The donation for the event will be a $25 minimum and participants must register by 12:30 p.m. The swim/jump will take place at 2 p.m. Food and a 50/50 raffle will be available. For donations and information, contact La Dawn Whitman at 888-227-6446, ext. 2204.

Local alum doing good for her community

Courtney Long, of Poland, is a member of the Community Care organization and co-leader of the PAW Team at Ashland University.

She is the daughter of Edward and Torea Long and is majoring in speech communications. Community Care is a seven-team program at the university.

Its mission is to expand students’ social and educational experiences, as well as to create an atmosphere of life-long service to the community and an understanding of social responsibility.

PAW helps walk dogs at the local dog shelter and helps to raise money to find homes for them.

Eat and raise funds for Special Olympics

The Mahoning County MRDD Special Olympics will receive 15 percent of sales Mar. 25 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bob Evans on Calfiornia Avenue across from the Southern Park Mall.

Diners must present a Bob Evans Community Fun Night flier at the time of payment. Fliers are available for print at www.mahoningcountyspecialolympics.org/bobevans.htm.

Weight management program available

Humility of Mary Health Partners sites in Boardman and Warren will host SlimDown weight management program taught by registered dieticians who are certified in weight loss.

The program begins Tuesday and is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday through Apr. 6 at St. Joe’s at the Mall in the Eastwood Mall in Niles and Thursdays through Apr. 8 at St. Elizabeth’s Boardman Health Center on Market Street.

The cost is $40 and dieticians will teach lifestyle changes in food, activities and behaviors.

To register, call Humility of Mary at 330-480-3151.

Free adoption training in Boardman

The Northeast Ohio Adoption Services and the Warren Junior Women’s League invite area singles or couples considering adoption to an Adoption Training and Resource Fair Mar. 6 from 11:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. at St. Charles Church on Westview Drive in Boardman.

The event will be informal and offer adoption information session, a three-hour training session and a panel discussion. The featured trainer will be Regina Kupecky, author of several books on adoption.

Each family completing the training session will receive a free gift. Registration must be completed by Tuesday.

To register, call Kim Mineard at 800-686-6627, ext. 126.

Nominations needed for Athena Award

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

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.

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 Tuesday 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.

Free clothing giveaway

Simon Road Church of God Ministries of Boardman is celebrating a great community with a free clothing giveaway Mar. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Chili will available for minimal cost to benefit those in need.

Anyone interested in donating to the event can drop off donations at the church or call 330-783-1949.

Liz Rubino Studios hosts dinner concert

Liz Rubino Studios will host Totally Awesome ’80s dinner concert Mar. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Georgetown Banquet Center in Boardman.

Core performers of the studio will be featured at the event. Tickets include the concert, full dinner buffet, dessert, coffee and soda.

For reservations and ticket prices, call 330-509-0891.

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.SFlbAthena 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.

Mercy College, St. E’s campus registration

Mercy College of Northwest Ohio, St. Elizabeth campus, is accepting applications for its August class. The two-year associate degree in nursing is a 20-month program over five semesters.

Students who graduate from the program are eligible to take state licensing examinations to work as registered nurses. Last year’s graduating class achieved a 100 percent pass rate for the licensing examinations.

The St. Elizabeth campus of Mercy College was opened in 2003. The first class of 26 students graduated in August 2004. So far, a total of 181 students have graduated from the program.

Financial aid and scholarships are available. For information, call 330-480-2379 or visit www.mercycollege.edu.

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.

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.