Our Town briefs

Ursuline Center hosts Valentine’s dinner

The Valentine’s Day dinner and entertainment benefit for the Ursuline Center will take place on Feb. 14 at the center on Shields Road.

Tickets are $20 a person and include a complete dinner and entertainment by the Seraphim Chorus. For tickets or information, call 330-799-4941.

Preschool open house

The preschool and kindergarten at Ursuline on Shields Road will open its doors for future 3-to 6-year olds on Jan. 31 from 1 to 3 p.m. at an open house.

Ursuline Preschool and Kindergarten has been educating and caring for small children for 47 years and provides many options for children and their parents. The tour will showcase the bright, happy building featuring in-room restrooms, private observation areas, large indoor play area, library, outdoor playground, computer lab, clinic, music room and high attention to security measures. For information, attend the open house or call 330-792-4150 to schedule a tour.

Fish and tree seedlings for sale

The Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District is taking orders for sapling tree and fingerling fish. The deadline for ordering trees is April 9 and for fish April 23.

Pickup dates for trees are April 7 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Canfield Fairgrounds in Coliseum eight. Fish can be picked up on April 27 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the same location.

Tree descriptions, pond safety kits and order forms are available at www.mahoningswcd.org. Pre paid orders will be processed first. For information, call 330-740-7995

Identify unwrapped candy at library

Identify popular candy bars that have lost their wrappers at the Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County during library hours in January. The Friends of Library are sponsoring the activity and prizes will be awarded.

Hilltop PTO hosting dinner with dad

The Hilltop Elementary PTO is hosting a dinner for students and their fathers at Antone’s Banquet Centre in Boardman on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will feature a magic show, Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle and portraits by Stacey Studio.

Tickets for the event are $10 per person. Dinner will include fried cheese, salad, pasta with meatball, chicken tenders, cake and refreshments. To make reservations, contact Mrs. Pauley at 330-533-9806.

High School chorus presents dinner theater

The Canfield High School Chorus Department is presenting its 14th annual dinner theater on Jan. 30 with two shows at 5 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. in the school’s auditorium.

More than 160 students in three of the high schools choirs will be performing “Phantom of the Opera.”

The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets for dinner and performance are $20. The dinner will be at 6 p.m. and seating will be limited.

For information, call 330-533-0812.

Canfield Library to offer free tax preparation

The Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will be offering free tax preparation and electronic filing to seniors and those with low to moderate income on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting the first week in February until April 15.

Appointments are required.

For a list of things to bring or to make an appointment, call 330-533-8420.

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

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.

Concert band welcomes Valley musicians

Musicians from the Valley are welcome to attend rehearsals with the Canfield Community Concert Band. The band meets every Tuesday evening at Canfield High School.

For information, contact Leann Rich at 330-5034113.

Fun time for children at the public library

The Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is hosting Fun Time for 4’s and 5’s at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in January.

The program provides developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhyme, finger plays and other activities for children ages 4 to 5 and will help children become successful readers.

This program is also available for toddlers ages 2 and 3 on Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Reading to therapy dogs

Readers of all levels and abilities are welcome to read to registered therapy dogs at the Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.

The program develops reading skills, promotes confidence and encourages a love of reading.

Readers may bring their own book and must register by calling 330-533-5631.

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.

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.