Austintown briefs

Vacation Bible School coming this week

Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austintown will hold a two-day Vacation Bible School camp Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Before and after care from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. is available. The Bible school is free and open to the public. Contact the church at 330-799-7823 to register. The church is located at 2305 S. Canfield-Niles Road in Austintown.

Angels for Angels offers breakfast

Angels for Animals is hosting an “all-you-can-eat” pancake breakfast at Angels’ Andrews Hall, 4750 state Route 165 in Canfield, July 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Menu includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, hash browns, coffee, orange juice and milk with unlimited refills. Cost for adults is $7 and children under 6 eat free. All proceeds benefit Angels’ Operation Litter Control event providing free and low-cost cat spays to people with financial needs.

Watch out for lane restrictions

U.S. Route 224 in Boardman and Canfield townships will have various lane restrictions in either or both directions until further notice from just east of North Hillside Road to just west of Pinewood Drive for resurfacing work.

State Route 625 will have various lane restrictions in either or both directions from Route 224 to Midlothian Boulevard for resurfacing work. The work is part of a $2.3 million project to resurface Route 224. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by August.

Help ban dog auctions

Angels for Animals will host a noon meeting to ban dog auctions in Ohio July 28 in Andrews Hall, 4750 state Route 165 in Canfield.

Ohio State Senator Joseph Schiavoni will address the coalition. The public is invited to attend and to sign the petitions that will be available. For information, call 330-549-1111

Singing contest benefit Penguin Ice Cream and Grill is hosting Penguin Singing Stars Competitions every Sunday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Penguin Ice Cream at Route 46 and Silica Road in Austintown. There is no registration fee and it’s a non-alcoholic event.For ages up to 18, performances will start at 3 p.m. and run until 5 p.m. Everyone 18 and older will perform at 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Every week, winners will be selected and receive awards and gifts. All the benefits go to MDA-Helping Family Jerry’s Kids.

Summer Day Camp offers exciting events

Summer Day Camp at the D.D. & Velma Davis Family YMCA continues with a jam-packed schedule of activities, classes and events to keep campers entertained and active all summer long.

Remaining trips include trips to the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, Labor and Industry Museum, Idlewild and Soakzone, the Vienna Air Force Base, Camp Fitch, Mahoning Valley Scrappers game and Pittsburgh Pirates game.

Parents can still sign their kids up for Day Camp, which runs through Aug. 27.

Camp is open to children 6 through 13 and is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours available from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

A one-time registration fee of $25 per child applies. A second child discount for weekly participants is available, as well as daily rates for parents who may not need camp each day for an entire week.

An additional fee on trip days may apply.

Visit youngstownymca.org for a camp brochure. For information, contact Jordan Shaver at 330-480-5656.

American girls performs

First Unitarian Universalist Church, at the corner of Elm and Illinois just north of YSU, will host “Sandy Van Such Love, Ludmilla” July 19 at 6:30 p.m.

The evening will consist of songs, dances and humorous monologues based on a character channeled by Alexandra (Sandy) Vansuch.

Ludmilla, a middle-aged Russian diva, is the center of the show, taking the audience on a slightly skewed tour of popular and traditional music as interpreted by one who grew up in the former Soviet Union, but “alvays vanted to be an American girl.’

The cost is $3 at the door and light refreshments will be available.

Ice Cream Social at local church

West Austintown United Methodist Church is hosting an “Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social” today from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The menu includes hot dogs, sloppy joes, shredded chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans, apple dumplings and ice cream sundaes.

There will be live music by “Glory Bound Gospel Singers” and “The Larry Clegg Group.”

Family fun night planned

The Boardman Township Park will host its Family Fun Night in the Park July 24 6 p.m. at the Maag Outdoor Arts Theatre.

The event is for kids of all ages. A bounce-a-round, Jocko the Clown and hayrides will be available. At 7 p.m. the Mad Caps Puppets will perform Annie Oakley’s wild west show. The giant puppets will tell the tales of Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan, Tallypo and Sall Ann Thunder.

Classic car cruises

The Mahoning Valley Olde Car Club will host Cruise Nites every Tuesday from June through August from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Chick-fil-a on state Route 224 near South Avenue in Boardman, weather permitting.

Registration will be $2. Plaques or $15 gas cards will be awarded and 50/50 raffles prizes will be given away nightly. All proceeds benefit Hospice of the Valley.

Get your blood pressure screened Wednesday

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer blood pressure screenings Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Make a splash with trash

The Green Team and Youngstown Litter Control and Recycling present a special program based on the book “One Less Fish” by Kim Michelle Toft Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. This book is a perfect illustration of how marine life is affected by carelessness and measures that can be taken to help. Children can make a decorative fish from used CDs and scrap paper. Participants receive a coloring book. This event is for children in grades pre-K through five.

Block party planned

The North and South Wickliffe Block Watch Group will host its second annual Neighborhood Block Party July 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Wickliffe Christian Church.

The party is open to all Austintown residents and businesses. The block watch was established in 2008 and covers North and South Wickliffe areas.

Group members regularly patrol the neighborhoods on foot and in vehicles and alert the police of any suspicious activities.

The party will include free food and beverages, music, games and events for children of all ages.

There will be displays by area safety forces, including fire trucks, an ambulance and demonstrations by the Austintown Police Department’s Canine Unit.

For information, contact June Galbraith at 330-792-1571, Shawne Wilfrong 330-744-1803 or Detective Jeffrey Toth of the Austintown Police Department.

S.O.A.R. to new heights

Conference No. 1 for the S.O.A.R. program will take place at Mill Creek MetroPark’s Fellows Riverside Gardens Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This program targets girls ages 8 to 12. Its purpose is to energize girls’ self-esteem and become aware of all types of negative media influences and how to manage negative emotions. S.O.A.R. stands for Shine in their Own Amazing Way. The conference will include a combination of yoga, art, dance, hair and skin care, and a variety of other activities.

The cost is $80 and includes all classes, lunch snacks, T-shirt and any art projects. One dollar from each fee will be contributed to Fellows Riverside Garden’s Family Garden.

For information, call Mariellen at 330-509-9642.

Take a tour of MetroParks farm

Bring the family for a tractor-wagon tour of MetroParks Farm Thursdays in July at 10 a.m. The one-hour tour is free and reservations are suggested. To register, call the farm at 330-533-7572.

Visit the family garden on sunny Fridays

Bring the kids for a drop-in visit to the Family Garden at Fellows Riverside Gardens on sunny Fridays to plant and water flowers or to read a book. The Family Garden Greeter at the discovery cart will tell visitors about the plants. Children can participate in hands-on activities. For information, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Watch a movie under the stars tonight

MetroParks Farm will host one of the favorite farm movies of all times under the stars tonight from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Moviegoers should bring a chair, blanket and refreshments.

For information, call the farm at 330-533-7572.

Return to Lincoln Park for tough hike

Hike for the health of it and explore some of the 200 additional acres of this City of Youngstown park Sunday at 10 a.m.

Wear old shoes to hike along and in Dry Run, the lake that fills McKelvey Lake. Hikers should meet at the Lincoln Park Pavilion for this difficult 4-mile hike. To register, call the Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7101.

Make ice cream in a bag

MetroParks Farm will show how to make ice cream in a small Ziploc bag Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For information, call the farm at 330-533-7572.

Join a book discussion

Read wildlife journalist William Stolzenburg’s “Where the Wildlife Things Where: Life, Death and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators” and then join a discussion at the Ford Nature Center July 24 at 10 a.m.

Brisk walk, botany and breakfast offered

Start Friday with a brisk walk through Fellows Riverside Gardens at 8:30 a.m. and then have breakfast at the Garden Cafe while learning about the plant family Armeria. The cost is $7 for garden members and $9 for nonmembers. Call 330-740-7116.

New fitness center opens in Austintown

CrossFit Youngstown, a new fitness center, has opened at 3720 Mahoning Ave.

The center offers group fitness classes that combine weight lifting, gymnastics and cardiovascular activity into a full-body workout.

For information, visit www.crossfit.com or contact Joe Hardy at 330-687-4234.

Attention 1970 Austintown Fitch graduates

Austintown Fitch High School Class of 1970 will hold its 40th reunion Sept. 4 at Bruno’s Restaurant, 1984 Boardman-Poland Road in Poland at 6 p.m.

The cost is $35 per person and dress is casual. Anyone not yet contacted is asked to call Rolayne Smith Kasmer at 330-547-5350 or e-mail rolayne@zoominternet.net or contact Jere Blaylock at 330-533-2306 or e-mail blayguy@aol.com. These contacts can also be found on Facebook. Reservation deadline is Aug. 1.

Free hot dogs at Mill Creek MetroParks

Weather permitting, Mill Creek MetroParks will have free hot dogs for the public Mondays and Tuesdays. The hot dogs will be served Mondays at the James L. Wick Recreation Area, off McCollum Road, and Tuesdays at Scholl Recreation Area. The hot dogs are sponsored by the Salvation Army’s Mahoning County Services. This will last through Aug. 31.

Nominate an outstanding senior or senior advocate

Nominations are being accepted for the 2010 Valley Legacy Awards. The awards will be presented to an outstanding senior and outstanding advocate for seniors Oct. 14 at the Sixth Annual Legacy Awards, where all nominees will be recognized for their good works.

Candidates should be recognized for a lifetime of working to improve the Mahoning Valley or who have provided exceptional support of older Americans through their professional, volunteer or civic roles.

Nominees must have left a lasting legacy for the community and inspired others through their work ethic, concern for others and enthusiasm for the betterment of our community.

Nomination forms are available online at www.shepherdofthevalley.com, at all Shepherd of the Valley locations and WKBN and ClearChannel web sites. All nominations must be postmarked by July 30.

Get more food for less at local church

Smith Corners United Methodist Church is a local site for the Great Food For All program. Groceries are ordered each month by any interested individual with no income guidelines or applications.

Each “Big Value Box” costs $30 and comes complete and ready for pick-up. The “Family Variety Box” is now available for $36. Cash, money order or cashier’s checks are accepted. No checks are accepted.

You can order by credit card with a $1 convenience fee, no matter how many boxes you order.

Visit www.greatfoodforall.com, type in 44515 and scroll the mouse until Smith Corners UMC pops up. Then pick up the food boxes at Smith Corners UMC.

For information, contact the church office at 330-799-9390.

Awesome-town” festival planners need help

The “Awesome-town” Fall Festival, scheduled for Oct. 9, is taking shape, but help is still needed. The organizers hope to have designated parking places around town and busses to shuttle people to the park. They need organizations that have a bus and driver to volunteer their time. They are also looking for local businesses to become “official sponsors.”

Funds can be donated to the “Awesome-town” Fall Festival account at the Austintown Branch of Farmer’s National Bank. The fall festival also includes a classic car show. Organizers are looking for individual car owners and car club members to participate.

Monthly meetings for the festival are the third Thursday of each month, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Stacey Pavilion at Township Park. Meetings are open to the public.

For information, contact lead organizers Brad Bloomster or Rev. Elmarie Parker at 330-799-4214 or 330-792-6441.

September reunion for Fitch class of ‘67

Austintown Fitch Class of 1967 is planning a reunion for Sept. 17 and Sept. 18.

Classmates are requested to send e-mail or current mailing address and phone number to Peggy Kellish Carr at p.a.carr@roadrunner.com or call her at 216-870-4801.

Get rid of old medicine

Residents can discard their pharmaceutical or over the counter medicine Aug. 23 at the Austintown Police Department, 92 Ohltown Road, from noon to 3 p.m. during the 2010 summer Drug Take-Back program.

The program is being provided by the Austintown Police Department, Mahoning County Solid Waste Management District/Green Team 2081 and Drug Education Officers of Mahoning Valley.

D.A.R.E. police officer Jeffrey Toth will be the full-time law enforcement officer having sole control of all controlled substances.

Education on living a healthy lifestyle

Designing LifeStyles Nutrition will host its next session of Weight Loss Challenges.

The weight loss challenge is a nine-week class covering topics pertaining to a healthy lifestyle, losing weight, gaining energy and becoming healthy.

All participants will receive a free wellness profile that includes a body composition analysis along with the support of a personal coach.

The challenge is based upon percentage of body weight lost.

Everyone has a chance to win first, second, third, and fourth-place cash awards. Experience a fun and friendly environment that offers more rewards than ever for losing weight, fun, accountability, along with the guidance and support you need.

For information, contact Linda at 330-719-1604.

Help Neighbors showcase your summer

Summer is fast approaching and Neighbors would love to hear about your organization’s plans for spring and summer festivals, Vacation Bible School programs, community events and sports camps and outings.

Just let us know who, what, when, where and why and we’ll get the word out for you. Then, don’t forget to send us pictures of all the fun after the event, so we can share them with your neighbors.

Curves offers Silver Sneakers classes

Free Silver Sneakers classes are offered daily to eligible women over 65 at Curves in Austintown.

The classes are designed to improve strength, flexibility and overall health. For information, call 330-793-9802.

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.