Our Town briefs

Learn to have financial control Tuesday

The Holistic Moms Network Youngstown Chapter is hosting “It’s Your Money Honey! Steps to Maintain Control of Your Financial Life” Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Boardman Library.

Dan Betts, certified financial planner with Morgan Stanley, will share practical tips on how women can maintain or regain control of their financial life. Topics discussed will include building your own personal financial support network, getting organized, setting goals, investing wisely and preparing for the unexpected.

The event is free. For information contact Chapter leader, Maria Marucci

Naturopathic first aid lecture offered

Ted Suzelis, a naturopathic doctor, will present a lecture on first aid for the family Thursday at 6:30 in his Southbridge Executive Park office, 725 Boardman-Canfield Rd., Suite K-4.

Specific topics will include surviving allergy season, colds, flus, burns, bruises, cuts and more.

Admission is free and seating will be limited.

For information or to register, call 330-729-1350 or e-mail info@ohiond.com.

Free tax advice for police and firefighters

Liberty tax service is offering free tax preparation Monday through Mar. 13 for firefighters, police and law enforcement who are first-time customers at its Warren, Niles, Boardman and Girard locations.

For information, call 330-856-10140.

Students receive prestigious scholarships

The University of Findlay has awarded merit scholarships and endowed scholarships for the 2009-10 academic year.

Boardman High alumni Austin Clark, a pre-veterinary medicine major, was awarded the Trustee’s Scholarship.

Ann E. Bonifas was awarded the Memorial Scholarship. Courtney Hull, an animal science major, was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship.

Trustee Costello takes new leadership role

Township Trustee Thomas P. Costello has been appointed to the executive board of the Coalition of Large Ohio Urban Townships.

Fellow trustees Larry Moliterno and Brad Calhoun nominated Costello.

CLOUT formed in 1995 as a means for large townships to provide input and solutions to state legislators on problems and issues affecting large and/or urban Ohio townships.

Townships are eligible for membership if they have a minimum population of 15,000 people in an unincorporated territory and a minimum budget of $3 million.

The late John Cox, a former township trustee, was one of the originators of CLOUT in 1995, and Boardman has been a member for 15 years.

Local students earns academic honor

Andrea Firth has been named to St. Mary’s College Dean’s List for fall 2009 semester for achieving a grade point average of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.

Library offers Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child become a successful reader.

The program is Wednesday, Mar. 17, 24 and 31 at 10 a.m. and is for children ages 2-3.

A similar program is also available for children ages 4-5 Tuesday, Mar. 16, 23 and 30 at 10 a.m.

Celebrate the arts

Join the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County for the seventh annual art show. View artwork from students in Boardman’s public and parochial schools in grades K-6.

Opening night reception is Mar. 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

A small musical ensemble will perform under the direction of Mike Shevock. Refreshments will be served at the reception, courtesy of Friends’ Sponsorship.

The artwork will be on display Mar. 15-22 during regular library hours.

Celebrate Teen Tech Week at your library

Enter the Teen Tech Week 2010 video contest at the Boardman branch of the library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Mar. 7-31.

The challenge will be to create your own video tribute to your library, focusing on whatever aspect of the library you like or find most useful.

Seventh through 12th-graders are eligible.

Individuals or groups of no more than three teens may enter videos in the contest. At least one group member must have a valid library card from the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

One winner or group of winners will be awarded a cash prize.

Guidelines are available at a local library or at www.teenxtremeonline.org .

National Consumer Protection Week

For the second year, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office will visit local libraries the week of March 7-13 for an information fair aimed at providing information of importance to all consumers.

They will be visiting the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Dollars and Sense: Rated ‘A’ for All Ages” and highlights consumer education for every stage of life – from grade school to retirement.

The information fair will feature free resources which can help protect privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, understand credit and mortgages, and steer clear of frauds and scams.

Fans of mystery unite

Are you a would-be crime novelist? Avid reader of the mystery genre?

Then you won’t want to pass up an opportunity to join fellow mystery lovers for the CSI: Y’town programs, sponsored by the Friends of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Mar. 23 at 6:30 p.m..

The meeting will be held at the Boardman branch of the Public Library for Youngstown and Mahoning County.

The group is open to all area readers, writers and fans of murder mysteries, cozies, whodunits, detective fiction, historical mysteries, psychological thrillers, suspense fiction, police procedurals, supernatural thrillers, crime capers or other mystery genres.

Boardman band will perform winter concert

The Boardman High School bands are hosting a winter concert Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Boardman Performing Arts Center.

The concert will feature the freshman band, concertband, symphonic band and wind ensemble. Musical selections will include “Highlight’s from Grease,” “Portrait of a Clown,” “Rampage!,” “Fantasy on English Folk Songs,” “Song for Lyndsay,” “The Crosley March,” “Rondo from Horn Concerto No. 3 in Eb” and Finale from Symphony No.5.”

The cost for the concert is $3 for adults and $2 for students. Senior citizens will be admitted free. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Give back to the community, donate blood

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross, will host a blood drive at the Boardman branch of the Public Library for Younstown and Mahoning County Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Participate in the Polar Bear Jump today

The American Cancer Society is looking for warm-hearted people willing to raise money and freeze their bodies to help fight cancer in the Brr! For a Cure Polar bear Jump today at Craig Beach in Lake Milton State Park.

The donation for the event will be a $25 minimum and participants must register by 12:30 p.m. The swim/jump will take place at 2 p.m. Food and a 50/50 raffle will be available.

For donations and information, contact La Dawn Whitman at 888-227-6446, ext. 2204.

View a video on back pain prevention

The Humility of Mary Health Partners newest video features Stephanie Kopley, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, speaking about the importance of treating back pain immediately and the causes and treatment available for back pain.

The video can be viewed at HMpartners.org by clicking on the blue Health Points tab.

Boy Scouts host breakfast Tuesday

The Boy Scouts of America are hosting the fifth annual “Celebration of Scouting” breakfast Tuesday at The Holiday Inn Boardman from 7:15 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The breakfast will be followed by a program with guest speakers, including Eagle Scouts James Evans, Jr. and William Wainio.

Golden Eagle honorees this year are John Woboldt, who earned his Eagle Scout award in 1940, and Judge Theresa Dellick, who is a strong supporter of scouting and has assisted in seeing that funding is secured for inner city scouting.

Reservations are needed by Monday.

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.

Boardman seeks civil service commission

Township trustees are seeking letters of interest from township residents interested in serving on the civil-service commission or the board of park commissioners.

Those interested in the civil- service commission should submit a letter of interest by March 19 at the government center, 8299 Market St., Boardman 44512, Attn: Stephanie Landers.

More information on the duties of the commission are available on the township Web site, www.boardmantownship.com, under “administration.”

Those interested in serving as a park commissioner should submit a letter of interest by March 26 to Landers at the government center. More information on the duties of park commissioners can be found in the Ohio Revised Code.

All appointments will be made at the trustees’ April 12 regular meeting.

Eat and raise funds for Special Olympics

The Mahoning County MRDD Special Olympics will receive 15 percent of sales Mar. 25 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bob Evans on Calfiornia Avenue across from the Southern Park Mall.

Diners must present a Bob Evans Community Fun Night flier at the time of payment. Fliers are available for print at www.mahoningcountyspecialolympics.org/bobevans.htm.

HLAA to meet monthly 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. until April 15.

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

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.

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.

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.

Curves locations sponsor local food drive

The local Curves in Poland, Austintown, Boardman and Girard will join the worldwide Curves organization and kick off its 12th annual food drive Monday to benefit the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley.

Last year, over 2 tons of food was collected and the local fitness franchisors hope to double that amount this year. Any women thinking about joining Curves can bring in a bag of groceries and have the normal service fee waived through Mar. 20. All locations are asking even those that are not considering joining the club to donate nonperishable items to benefit the mission.

Volunteers sponsor program at St. Joe’s

St. Joseph Health Center’s volunteer department is sponsoring a program of information, enlightenment and fun for those 55 and older at 2:30 p.m. Mar. 23 in the hospital’s second-floor classrooms.

Certified Stroke Center coodinator Mary Ann Cashier will discuss signs and symptoms of a stroke.

Cost of the program is $4, which includes dinner and door prizes.

To make a reservation, call 330-841-4375 or 330-841-4376 by Mar. 16.

Dana School offers free concerts to the public

Youngstown State University Dana School of Music is hosting “Music at Noon” Wednesdays in March at the Butler Institute of American Art.

On Mar. 17, there are jazz combos; Mar. 24, Dana wind quartet and Mar. 31, clarinet studio recital.

The concerts are free and open to the public and parking is free at the Butler.

There will be no show Mar. 10 for Spring Break.

For information, call the Dana School of Music at 330-941-3636.

Internet safety program offered for parents

The Springfield Township Police Department’s Juvenile Diversion Program is hosting a free Internet safety program Mar. 18 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Springfield Intermediate School Auditorium.

The program is designed to assist parents in protecting their children while using the Internet. Topics will include sexting, cyberbullying, e-mailing, instant messaging, video/photo sharing and parental controls.

Kathleen Nichols, youth and juvenile programs coordinator from the Ohio Attorney General’s office, will be the guest speaker.

Local pizza vendors compete for top title

The Mahoning Valley Pizza Cook-Off will be held Mar. 21 at The Embassy from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The event is organized by and proceeds will benefit Potential Development Program, Inc., a school serving children with autism and special needs for over 50 years.

The event includes a Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle, cash bar and silent auction.

Big screen TV’s will be showing “March Madness,” so guests don’t miss out on any of the basketball action.

Tickets are $10 and include two slices of pizza and a salad.

Tables can be reserved for $100 and will include eight tickets.

Mahoning Valley’s pizza establishments are donating their time and talent to compete for the title of “Maestro di Cucina!”

MCCTC salon offers afternoon hours

The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center’s salon will be open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and noon to 2:10 p.m. through May.

All services are performed by students under the supervision of their instructor. Services include haircuts, hairstyles, perms, relaxers, facials, hair removal, hair color and manicures and prices start at $6.

To make an appointment, call Linda Tomko at 330-729-4000, ext. 1309.

Easter Bunny kicks off Easter egg hunt

The Easter Bunny will arrive at the Judge Morley Pavilion with a special escort to open the area’s biggest Easter egg hunt Mar. 27 at 11:30 a.m.

Children 2-10 can scramble for candy and prizes and adults can compete in a raw egg toss. Participants should arrive early to get to the proper area for each child’s age group.

The event will be held rain or shine.

Warren native seeks community support

There will be a benefit dinner for Lori LaCella Gervelis Mar. 13 at 6 p.m. at Leo Ristorante in Howland.

The proceeds from the event will be used to defray costs for a PARP Inhibitor Clinical Trial treatment that Gervelis began receiving Feb. 16.

The cost for the event is $25 per person and includes a dinner prepared by Chef Leo DelGarbino.

A cash bar, silent auction and 50/50 raffle will be available.

Anyone who would like to purchase tickets to the dinner, donate a gift for the auctions or make a donation directly to Gervelis can contact Lisa Chance at 330-883-5878, or e-mail at lisa6560@aol.com.

Check donations can be sent to 9520 Concord Road, Powell, OH 43065, payable to Lori Gervelis.

Mill Creek MetroParks is offering interpretive hikes throughout March.

Look for green and red on a two-mile hike Mar. 13 at 2 p.m. Hikers will meet at Deerpath Drive off Hitchcock Road and search the leafless woods for the first signs of spring.

Spring forward Mar. 14 with daylight saving time and take a brisk walk around Lake Newport at 9 a.m.

Participants of the moderately difficult hike will meet at Newport Wetland’s parking lot.

A spring equinox celebration walk Mar. 20 will honor the roots of ancestors by focusing on tradition. The easy-rated hike will start at the Ford Nature Center. Reservations are required by Mar. 20.

Join Bill Whitehouse Mar. 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to explore the Lily Pond. Hikers should meet at the Ford Nature Center for this two-mile hike.

For information, or to register for hikes, call the Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107.

Fill your trunk with treasures and join the sale

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross is hosting a “Trunk Treasures” sale Apr. 17 at the Greenwood Hummer parking lot from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participants can fill their trunk with anything they want to sell or bring a table and join others at the sale.

A parking space is $25 and you can buy two adjoining spots.

Reservations must be made by Apr. 9. Food vendors are welcome.

The event is being sponsored as part of the year-long 100th anniversary celebration of the Mahoning chapter.

To register, call Gail Froomkin at 330-726-6063.

Pond clinic offered at MetroPark Farm

The Mahoning SWCD will be offering a pond clinic Mar. 31 at 6:30 p.m. in the McMahon Hall at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm.

The cost for the clinic is $5 and includes a light meal. Preregistration is required by Mar. 26.

To register, call 330-740-7995.

Plant the seed to read

The Children’s Book Fair Mar. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be a day of fun at Fellows Riverside Gardens for children and their families.

The free event will bring together, authors, illustrators, book characters, storytellers and many activities for children. Dar Hosta, artist/illustrator, will be there all day.

Shake off the winter blahs with an interpretive hike

Learn how birds seem to know the way home

Jeff Harvey, president of Audobon Society in Mahoning Valley, will present “Learn How Birds Navigate” Mar. 23 at 7 p.m. at the MetroParks Farm.

The program is free and open to the public. A social time will begin at 6:30 p.m.

For information, call 888-846-8851.