Our Town Briefs

Church holds prayer vigil for Haiti

Redeemer Lutheran Church will hold a prayer vigil for the people of Haiti Jan. 26 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The public is welcome. The church is located on S. Canfield-Niles Road in Austintown. Call 330-799-7823 for details.

Family advocate to speak Thursday

Peggy Martin, state family advocate DODD, will speak from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday in the community room at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. The event is being brought by the Arc of Ohio NE Branch and being co-hosted by Turning Point Residential.

Turning Point Residential is offering respite services for those with special needs at the No Limits Workshop on Lexington Place beginning at 5 p.m. There will be entertainment and music.

For respite services, call 330-792-8024.

Fitch Class of 1990 to reunite in July

The high school Class of 1990 will hold a reunion the weekend of July 4 and is looking for members of the class to attend. Reservations will begin being taken in March.

Anyone interested in more information about the gathering can contact Tom Lewis at 330-207-9007. For information, visit www.austintownfitch1990.com.

Curves launches fitness campaign

Curves in Austintown is joining other Curves facilities throughout the world for a companywide campaign to promote fitness and to prevent disease by focusing on sharing success stories with others.

The Stronger Plus Together movement can be joined by visiting www.curves.com/strongertogether. By enrolling, women will receive a “join now and get 30 days free” promotion.

For information, call 330-793-9802.

Free bluegrass gospel concert at local church

Austintown Community Church on South Canfield-Niles Road will be hosting a free concert with Limited Edition Band of Warren on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of the church.

Limited Edition is an established band from Warren that blends progressive driving bluegrass gospel and traditional gospel into original music written by band leader, Dan Garrett.

There is no charge for admission but a freewill offering will be received during the concert. ACC is handicap accessible. For information, contact Brad Bloomster, Director of Ministries at 330-799-4214.

Interactive story time for kids at library

The Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host an active story time for the young and restless on Thursday at 11 a.m.

February meeting for fibromyalgia

The Mahoning Valley Fibromyalgia Group will meet on Feb. 17 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.

Historical society offers afghans for sale

The Austintown Historical Society has for immediate purchase the historic Austintown afghan.

Colors are cranberry red and cream, Williamsburg blue and cream, and hunter’s green and cream.

Also available are the Cat’s Meow collectibles, which cost from $12 to $15 each.

All proceeds benefit the Austintown Historical Society. For information, call 330-792-1129.

Wine, beer and cheese fest

The Junior Women’s League of Canfield is hosting their 5th annual wine, beer and cheese fest on 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.

Guess “N” Go

The Friends of the Library are sponsoring Guess “N” Go - Do You Know? at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County during the month of January. Children grade K-6 can guess the number of items in a jar. Closest guess wins.

Free tax help at Austintown library

The Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will offer tax preparation and electronic filing help to seniors and those with low to moderate income on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. starting the first week of February until April 15.

An appointment is required.

For a list of things to bring or to make an appointment, call 330-793-0579.

It’s pajamarama time

Put on your PJs, bring out the whole family and listen to bedtime stories at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County on Monday at 6:30 p.m.

The event is for children of all ages.

Shopping on a budget

The Salvation Army Thrift Store on Mahoning Avenue is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

A variety of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and bric-a-brac is available at bargain prices.

Grow your business with research

Your library has had a mission to the business community from its early history.

On Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County learn how to grow your business by attending the Business & Investment Center Tour for Entrepreneurs.

Join a librarian from Main Library’s Information Services Department to view print and electronic sources that can be useful from business start-up and beyond. Tour the Business & Investment Center and start your business research. Call 330-744-8636 and press 2 after the prompt to register.

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.

Womens’ league looking for new members

The Boardman Poland Junior Womens’ League is looking for new members to attend its Feb. 10 meeting entitled New Year, New Friends, New Stuff. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Glenellen Assisted Living on Market Street.

The league is open to all women over 18, residing in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties who are interested in friendship, fun and community involvement.

At December’s meeting, Monica Baker and Joann Offil were installed as new members. Alexis Steven was installed at the January meeting.

Denise Statler will be this year’s president; Patty Reese is president-elect, Nina Lowery is vice president.

Also accepting responsibility for league offices for 2010 are Dianne Phillips, second vice president, Margaret Cherol, assistant treasurer; Paula Geidner, recording secretary; and Andrea Stamp, corresponding secretary.

For information or to join, contact Nina Lowery by sending your name, address and phone number to Membership Chairwoman, BPJWL, P.O. Box 3412, Boardman, Ohio 44515.