Volunteers needed for polar bear jump

January 2, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to help plan and organize the Polar Bear Jump.

The date and location for the event have not been confirmed. It will most likely take place on a Saturday afternoon between January and March at a frozen lake or pond.

The Polar Bear Jump gives people of all ages the opportunity to jump into the water of a frozen lake or pond after the ice is cut away.

Participants are asked to raise $25 each to be used for the fight against cancer.

To get involved, contact LaDawn Whitman, income development coordinator of the American Cancer Society, at 888-227-6446, ext. 2204 or e-mail her at lawdawn.whitman@cancer.org.

Poland church hosts chicken dinner Jan. 7

Poland United Methodist Church, 1940 Boardman-Poland Road, Poland, will sell meals of baked stuffed chicken breast, mashed potatoes and green beans from 4-6 p.m. (or until sold out) Thursday.

Cost of the dinner is $6. Take advantage of the drive-through service; pull up to the front of the church and a dinner to go will be taken to your car. There’s no need to preorder or get out of the car.

High school hosts financial aid workshop

There will be a Financial Aid Workshop at Poland High School Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.

This workshop is geared to parents of graduating seniors, and is intended to answer the many questions concerning the financial aid process.

Speakers at the workshop will be Gina McHenry from YSU’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship, along with Poland High School’s guidance counselors, Rob Sainato and Judy Volosin.

Specific topics to be addressed are: types of financial aid, how the financial aid process works, completing the FAFSA, alternative funding sources for higher education, and there will be an opportunity for questions regarding the issues.

Alzheimer’s discussion slated for Thursday

The Alzheimer’s Association Greater East Chapter will present the Joggin’ Your Noggin workshop Thursday at 2 p.m., at Shepherd of the Valley-Poland, 301 W. Western Reserve Road.

The presentation will discuss Alzheimer’s disease and help those attending learn what they can do to live a “brain healthy” lifestyle.

To register for the program, call 330-729-7110, ext. 0. For additional information, contact Paula Blakeman at pblakeman@shepheredofhtevalley.com or 330-726-7110, ext. 2314.

Poland library hosts Fun for 4’s and 5’s Thursdays

The Poland Public Library will host Fun Time for 4’s and 5’s at 1 p.m. on all Thursdays in January. The program features developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhyme, finger play and other activities for children age 4 to 5.

Canned food collection set 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 Count Career and Technical Center on Palmyra Road in Canfield, Wedgeweood Pizza on South Avenue in Boardman, Austintown Surgery Center on N. Canfield-Niles Road in Austintown and Walgreen’s Pharmacy on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown.

Bond with your baby at the Poland library

The Poland Public Library will host Baby Brilliant: Bonding With Babies and Books on Wednesday and Jan. 9 at 10 a.m.

The program features developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child become a successful reader.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This program is also available for toddlers ages 2 and 3 - Tales and Talks for 2s and 3s, on Thursday and Jan. 14, at 10:30 a.m.

Poland students display art at SMARTS Center

Poland High School students are participating in several art shows. Currently, students have art work on display at the SMARTS Center in downtown Youngstown. Art will be on display through Sunday.

Students participating in this show are Brennan Munroe, TC DeMartino, Alexis Gargasz, Ally Karam, and Gabby Pignanelli.

Students will also participate in the Mahoning County Art Show and Poland Seminary High School Art Show.

Get your blood pressure checked at the library

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Cross will provide blood pressure screenings at the Poland Library from 1 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 26.

Poland art students travel to New York City

In February, the advanced art classes from Poland Seminary High School will be traveling to New York City for a weekend of art, sightseeing and a Broadway show.

Activities include attending the Broadway performance of The Lion King, spending a day at one of the largest museums in the world, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and checking out the Art Deco Architecture of The Empire State Building.

They will also have the opportunity to see the murals in the NBC building as well as the sculpture in Rockefeller Center.

Trim a tree for January

Children of all ages are invited to decorate an ornament for the Poland Public Library all-season tree during library hours in January.

Learn how to weave

Linda Anne Marie Bertanzetti will be at the Weller Gallery at Fellowship Riverside Garden’s in Mill Creek Park to demonstrate hand weaving from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Boardman Park rental spaces up for grabs

Starting Monday, Boardman Township Park will be accepting reservations for its indoor meeting room, open-air pavilions, and Boardman’s most prominent historical landmark, St. James Meeting House, which is one of the area’s most popular facilities for Weddings.

The park accepts reservations one year in advance, therefore, starting Jan. 4, reservations will be accepted for dates still available/open in 2010, and for any date in the year 2011.

However, the first two weeks of January are set aside for Boardman residents only. Boardman residents also receive a discount on the reservation fees for the facilities.

Because of the popularity of the park, it is important to make a reservation as soon as possible.

Over the past 60 years, “The Green Oasis” has been home to many weddings, graduation parties, baby showers, as well as business meetings and family picnics.

Reservations can be made by calling the park office at 330-726-8105, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Reservation requests may also be submitted via the park’s Web site at www.boardmanpark.com.

Go for a bird walk

Jeff Harvey of Wild Birds Unlimited will lead a walk on the Mindy Henning Memorial Trail in Mill Creek Park today from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Hikers will search for winter residents and migrating birds. Anyone interested should meet at the MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at the MetroParks Farm.

Cross country skiing offered at MetroParks

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, MetroParks Bikeway.

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. DSAV tree is one of the 40 decorated tress 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 Sunday.