Our Town briefs

Red Cross seeks volunteers

The American Red Cross Mahoning Chapter, 8392 Tod Ave., is looking to add to the number of health-care professionals who volunteer. Nurses, physicians, paramedics, and EMTs are a critical component to the outreach program of free blood-pressure screenings. This year, during its 100th year in existence, the Mahoning chapter plans to reach 2,010 individuals with free blood-pressure screenings.

To become a volunteer or learn more about the Red Cross, call 330-726-6063 or visit www.mahoning.redcross.org.

American Red Cross baby-sitting training

The American Red Cross will host a baby-sitting training seminar on Jan. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Georgeanna Parker building at the Boardman Park. Cost is $35.

This program provides young people, ages 11 to 15, with knowledge and skills needed to provide safe and reasonable care for infants and children. Participants learn to perform first aid, including responding effectively to emergencies, basic care routines and illness.Students will need to bring lunch and a pen/pencil. Call 330-726-6063 for reservations.

Create a flower arrangement

Fellows Riverside Gardens is hosting Floral Design Basics: Contemporary Winter White on Jan. 28 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Deby Clark will discuss design elements and then guide participants in creating a white winter arrangement that includes tropical flowers. Preparations of flowers and greens will be demonstrated.

Resident fee is $28 and $36 for nonresidents. For information or to register, contact the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Father-daughter dance

Dads can dance the night away with your daughter at Boardman Park. Fathers who have a daughter ages 5 to 12 are invited to enjoy a semi-formal dinner/dance on Feb. 19 and 20 at the Lariccia Family Community Center from 6-9 p.m. Dinner is provided along with DJ, professional photo, and lots of dancing. Cost is $35 for Boardman residents per couple and $45 for nonresidents per couple. For each additional child, the cost is $15. Tickets must be purchased in advance. No phone reservations, and tickets will not be sold at the door. Tickets are available at the Boardman Park office 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday starting Jan. 19. For information, call 330-965-0482.

Tai chi offered at Boardman Park

The Boardman Park Community Center will continue to host tai chi instruction with new beginners and seniors classes scheduled to start this week. Lucinda Kutsko, a certified instructor of tai chi, will guide participants in 19 soft flowing movements that improve balance and coordination, enhance sports performance, increase focus, energy and stamina. The classes are open to men, women and youth of all ages.

The beginners course is eight, one-hour classes held once a week. There are two courses to choose from: one from 4-5 p.m. and another 5:30-6:30 p.m. Classes for both times will run Wednesday and Jan. 20, 27 and Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24. The fee is $80 per person.A senior course will also be available. The seven-class program will be Mondays from 10-11 a.m. Class dates are Monday and Jan. 18, 25 and Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22. Classes will be one hour, except for the last two classes, which will be 90 minutes. The fee is $40. Preregistration is required. For information or to register, call Kutsko at 330-538-2292.

MetroParks job fair

Representatives from several Mill Creek MetroParks departments will be available Jan. 27 in the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Garden from 6:30-8:30 p.m. to discuss seasonal and part-time employment opportunities at the park.

BHS band to perform in Cincinnati

The Boardman Wind Ensemble has been selected to perform at the 2010 OMEA Professional Development Conference in Cincinnati Jan. 29-30. Roger Peterson discussion to be held

Ray Novotny of Mill Creek MetroParks will discuss the life and Youngstown connection of Roger Tory Peterson on Jan. 26 at the MetroPark Farm from 7-8 p.m. Peterson was probably the most important artist-naturilist of the 20th century. Social time will begin at 6:30 p.m. For information, call 1-888-846-8851.

Interpretive tree hike

Learn how to identify trees without their leaves on a moderately difficult two-mile hike on Jan. 24 from 2-4 p.m. on the Tree Trail at Ford Nature Center. For information, call the nature center at 330-740-7107.

Breakfast and Botany

Start Jan. 22 with a brisk garden walk in the frosty air at Fellows Riverside Garden’s Breakfast Botany: Palms from 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Return to the Garden Cafe and enjoy a light breakfast and learn about palms.

To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116. The fee is $7 for residents and $9 for nonresidents.

Planting for preschoolers

Children ages 3 to 5 will have fun at Chalk it up to Gardening at Fellows Riverside Garden on Jan. 21 from 1-2 p.m. and Jan. 23 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Children will decorate clay pots with chalk before planting easy-care houseplants. A story and snack will add to the fun.

To ensure the quality of the program, please don’t bring non-participating children.

The fee is $5 for residents and $7 for nonresidents. To register, call Fellows Riverside Garden at 330-740-7116.

Relax with yoga Bring your yoga mat to Fellows Riverside Gardens on Jan. 17 for a restoration program from 9-11 a.m.

Specialized breathing techniques and postures will heighten your awareness and self-healing through deep relaxation and meditation.

There will be a $20 fee and registration needs to be complete by Friday. For information or to register, contact Fellows Riverside Garden at 330-740-7116.

Share healthy recipes and hike

Follow up on those New Year’s resolutions on the Ford Nature Center’s Healthy Recipe Hike on Jan. 17 from 2-4 p.m.

Bring one copy of your favorite healthy recipe to share with hikers after a moderately difficult three-mile hike along East Cohasset.

Recipes should be printed clearly on an index card and will be copied at the Ford Nature Center.

For information, call the nature center at 330-740-7107.

Donate clothes and shoes at Kiducation bin

If you have used clothing and shoes to donate to charity, take them to the Kiducation bin behind Tesone’s Boot and Shoe Repair on U.S. 224. Boardman band and orchestra parents get a small donation every time that bin fills up.

Preschoolers discover the desert

Preschoolers can get out of the cold and take an imaginary trip to the desert at the Ford Nature Center’s Nature Hour on Friday from 10-11 a.m. or 12:30-1:30 p.m. and Jan. 16 from 10-11 a.m.

Children will enjoy exploring the dry habitat through a story, special activities and a craft. An adult must accompany children and a $3 fee will apply

For payment and registration, call the Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107.

Bring appetite to Fellows Riverside Gardens

David Armstrong will share recipes and culinary techniques at Fellows Riverside Garden Soup’s On event on Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Armstrong will demonstrate how to prepare and serve vegetarian, seafood and chicken soups. The cost is $35 or $28 for Fellows members.

To register, call Fellows at 330-740-7116.

Warm up America

Help crafters by making afghans and other projects to donate locally at Fellows Riverside Gardens on Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. All helping hands are welcome. Donations of yarn and needles are appreciated at any time. For information, call Fellows Riverside Garden at 330-740-7116. Free cooking class

Evergreen Adventist Church on Glenwood Avenue is offering a free vegetarian cooking class Sunday from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Evergreen Social Hall.

The event is open to everyone and will feature a special 30-minute program on diabetes. Delicious treats without sugar or artificial sweeteners will be offered. For reservations, contact Sandy Hrabowy at 330-568-0600.

Hand feed a chickadee

The Ford Nature Center will provide birdseed today from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. to feed black-capped chickadees. The chickadees are inquisitive birds that can sometimes be coaxed into landing on your hand, especially if you tempt them with food. Wildlife program

Children ages fourth grade and above and their parents are invited to attend an interactive wildlife program at Pioneer Pavilion on Sunday from 2-4 p.m.

Puppets, props and a huge map will be used to learn about the changes in wildlife and habitat during the last 200 years.

The program is limited to 50 individuals and registration is needed by today. Shoes will need to be removed, so wear your best socks.

For information or to register, call Ford Nature Center 330-740-7107.

Volunteer for 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 La Dawn Whitman, income development coordinator of the American Cancer Society at 888-227-6446 ext. 2204 or e-mail her at lawdawn.whitman@cancer.org

Toys for tight times

Make an old-fashioned toy or game for children of all ages at the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. Sign up is required.

Parks open for cross country skiing

Cross country skiing 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.

Fibromyalgia meeting

The Mahoning Valley Fibromyalgia Support Group will meet on Jan. 20 at 7 p.m.

The meeting at Bethel Lutheran Church on Crestview Drive will feature Dr. Bonnie Reeveley presenting “Lab Reports 101” — everything you wanted to know about laboratory but were afraid to ask.

For information call 330-758-8413 or 330-565-7187

Alzheimer’s workshop

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 on 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, call 330-729-7110, ext. 0. For information, contact Paula Blakeman at pblakeman@shepheredofhtevalley.com or 330-726-7110, ext. 2314.

Can goods collection 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, Wedgeweood 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.

Family skate is free

St. Andrews A.M.E. Church invites the community to a family skating party today from 5-7 p.m. at Youngstown Skate on Tiffany Boulevard.

Entry and skate rental are free. Participants are encouraged to bring a canned good or nonperishable food item to help replenish the Second Harvest Food Bank. The church hopes to gather 1,000 pounds of food for Second Harvest.

For information, call 330-783-3242 or 330-743-2091.

Bring your sleds and snow boards

The Metroparks Sled Hill is now open at Wick Recreation Area on McCollum Road.

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. It’s open through February, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The warming house is open Monday through Friday 3 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Hours on Saturday and Sunday for the hill and warming house are from noon to 9:30 p.m. For information, call 330-740-7114.

Boardman Park spaces up for grabs

Boardman Township Park is 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 now, reservations will be accepted for dates still available/open in the year 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.

Boardman library offers teen programs

The Teen Advisory Board at the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County meets the first Wednesday of every month. TAB allows teens in Grades 7 to 12 to meet new people, earn service credits, enjoy free food, and be creative by coming up with ideas for future events and programs. The next meeting will take place Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Library hosts Tales and Talks for 2’s and 3’s

The Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is hosting Tales and Talks for 2’s and 3’s Wednesday 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.