Our Town briefs

January 23, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Glenwood students help Haiti victims

The Boardman Glenwood student council will have a clothing drive through Wednesday to help the victims of the earthquakes in Haiti. The Mission of Love will pick up the items and prepare them to be flown to Haiti via the Denton Program to set up orphanages.

Students are collecting clean and gently-worn items like T-shirts and shorts (summer clothes), towels, bed sheets and new items, such as socks, underwear, paper towels, toilet paper and canned goods. All items should be sent to school with the students. They will place them in the collection bins in the cafeteria.

Lady Spartans host night at races

The Boardman Lady Spartans Fast Pitch Softball Team will host a night at the races Jan. 30 at the Operating Engineer’s Hall on McClurg Road.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and races will begin at 7 p.m. for the team’s biggest fundraising event of the year.

A $5 donation allows those over age 21 to enjoy salad, pizza, wings and more. Soft drinks and draft beer will be included. Gift certificates and other prizes will be available in Chinese auctions. A Super Bowl block pool, number boards and a 50/50 drawing are also planned.

The event is being sponsored by the Boardman Softball Boosters. For information, call Jim Massaro at 330-565-9200.

Boardman Library to offer free tax help

The Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will offer free tax preparation and electronic filing for seniors and those with low to moderate income on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. starting the first week of February until April 15.

Appointments are required.

For a list of things to bring and to make an appointment, call 330-726-2492.

Father-daughter dance at the park

Dads can dance the night away with their daughters 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 p.m. to 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.

Boardman Curves offers open house

The Curves in Boardman is hosting an open house from Monday to Jan. 30 in celebration of its seventh year in business.

Women who decide to become a member of the fitness center during that time will receive a discount.

For information or to become a member, call owner Amy Ridel Smith at 330-758-0547.

Marriage weekend planned Feb. 5

The Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long i) Program is going to start on Feb. 5 at the Holiday Inn in Boardman and will focus on rediscovering and healing your marriage.

The program is $250 and includes a two-night stay and meals. Limited space is available. For information or registration, call 330-979-7787 or visit www.retrouvaille.org.

Volunteers needed for outreach program

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.

Learn how to create a flower arrangement

Fellows Riverside Gardens is hosting Floral Design Basics: Contemporary Winter White on Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 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.

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

MetroParks job fair

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

Roger Peterson discussion to be held at MetroPark

Ray Novotny of Mill Creek MetroParks will discuss the life and Youngstown connection of Roger Tory Peterson on Tuesday at the MetroPark Farm from 7 p.m. to 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 Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the Tree Trail at 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.

Can goods 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 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 Walgreens Pharmacy on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown.

BHS band wind ensemble headed to Cincinnati

The Boardman Wind Ensemble has been selected to perform at the 2010 OMEA Professional Development Conference in Cincinnati Friday and Saturday.

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.

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 Thursday at 7 p.m. Sign up is required.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Beginner Tai Chi classes on Thursdays

Instructor Sandra Vidis will teach the foundation in the eight-step Yang Family Style Form of Tai Chi on Thursdays from Feb. 11 to March 15 at Ursuline Center.

The cost to attend is $75. Participants should wear loose clothing and soft low-heeled shoes.

For information or to register, call 330-799-4941 or e-mail theursulinecenter@yahoo.org.

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.