Our town briefs

Drama club to perform a Disney classic

Boardman Center Middle School’s Drama Club will present Beauty and the Beast, Jr. musical at Center Middle School in the large auditorium Mar. 25 at 7 p.m.

Ticket cost is $5 for adults, $3 for students and Children under age five and senior citizens are free.

Donations will be accepted at the door

Boardman Curves offers no fee during food drive

For over a decade, the Curves community has come together to help stock the shelves of local food banks.

This year, the Curves of Boardman will continue to collect nonperishable foods and accept donations by check throughout March.

Those wishing to join the Boardman Curves will be offered a $0 service fee with a 12-month membership if they donate a bag of groceries.

To take advantage of this offer, stop by Curves at 7050 Market St. in Boardman or call 330-758-0547 between Mar. 8 and 20.

Local technology student advances to state

Student Robert Murrelll will advance to state level competition in Columbus after taking first place in PC Servicing and Troubleshooting at the Business Professionals regional competition.

Regional awards were announced Feb. 16 at Georgetown Banquet Facility.

Duquesne student recognized on dean’s list

Sarah Large, a sophomore in the John G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences, has been named to the Fall 2009 dean’s list at Duquesne University.

The dean’s list recognizes full-time students who maintained at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Large is the daughter of Scott and Dani of Boardman.

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. 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. 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 Monday 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 .

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.

Lenten prayer luncheon

A prayer luncheon will be offered today 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.

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 Wednesday 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.

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 Thursday 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!”

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 tonight 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 today 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.

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.

Amateur ham radio classes set for May 1 and 8

The Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association will conduct amateur radio classes May 1 and May 8 at 11 a.m. at the ITT Technical Institute, 1030 N. Meridian Road in Youngstown.

These classes will help students review what they have learned in home study in preparation for taking a Ham Radio license exam.

Students successfully passing this exam will earn an entry-level amateur radio license from the Federal Communications Commission.

License exams will be given following the review class May 8 for students taking the classes.

The classes are free, but students will be required to purchase a study guide (#9647) from the ARRL by calling 888-277-5289.

This is the same study guide used in the 2009 license classes, so students may be able to borrow a study guide from a former student.

Registration deadline is March 28. This will give students a chance to order the book and study the material. There is also a nonrefundable filing fee for taking the exam.

Call Jerry or Bonnie Viele at 330-534-1394 for information.

Regional Chamber offers comedy show in April

The Regional Chamber, the City of Youngstown and 93.3 The Wolf will sponsor a night of laughter, fun and networking Apr. 3 at the Youngstown Club at 6 p.m.

Cost is $20 for chamber members and $25 for nonmembers.

Mike Armstrong and Sean Morey, regulars on The Bob & Tom Radio Show, will perform.

Bill Squire, who’s appeared on Comic View and Comedy Central, will also perform.

Come early for a members-only VIP reception and get to know your fellow chamber members and the evening’s entertainers.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, but chamber members and their employees can purchase tickets directly from the chamber without paying a service fee and at the $20 member price.

Learn the benefits of strength training

The Humility of Mary Health Partners is offering “Strength Training: Lifting the Limits of Aging” in two Women in Touch programs from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mar. 25 at Leo’s Ristorante, 7042 E. Market St., Howland, and Mar. 30 at Mr. Anthony’s, 7440 S. Ave., in Boardman.

Joanne Delaquila, exercise physiologist at St. Joeseph Health Center, will discuss the benefits of strength training in relationship to osteoporosis, arthritis, obesity, back pain, diabetes and depression and provide practical ways strength training can be applied safely at home.

The cost for the program is $18 per person and includes dinner.

Continuing education credits are available for nursing, social work and dietician technicians.

The registration deadline is one week prior to program date.

For information or to register, call the Humility of Mary Healthline at 330-480-3151 or 877-700-4647.

Take charge of diabetes

The Ohio State University Extension will present an hour-long “Take Charge of Your Diabetes’” program Mar. 29 at 1:30 p.m. at The Senior Independence Center of Mahoning County, 1110 Fifth Ave., in Youngstown.

Beth Stefura will discuss the signs of diabetes, possible complications, and ways the condition can be managed, including simple steps of portion control and the importance of getting regular exercise.

A presentation will include a healthy food demonstration featuring fresh fruit tarts, green beans, cranberries, nuts and spicy grilled chicken.

Participants will learn about OSU Extension’s signature program, “Dining With Diabetes,” a three-session class that provides detailed information about living healthy with diabetes,

The event is free, but seating is limited. Participants must register by Mar. 22.

For information or to register, call 330-533-5538.

Spring clean and donate items to Goodwill

Get an early start on spring cleaning and donate to the Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries.

Items needed include clothing, housewares, small kitchen appliances, glasses, dishes and home decor.

Goodwill will take computers and computer equipment as part of the Dell Reconnect recycle program.

Donation location centers can be found in the Boardman Plaza, Hermitage Hills Plaza, Warren Plaza, Shenango Towne Center and at 2747 Belmont Ave. in Liberty.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.