Poland community briefs

Special event in Struthers offers fun

St. Nicholas School at 766 Fifth St. in Struthers, presents Night At the Races (with a touch of Vegas) today at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is free and refreshments and food will be provided.

The races start at 7 p.m. and there will be poker tournaments throughout the evening.

The Texas Hold’em Tournament will take place at 3 p.m. and preregistration at ncpoker@att.net or www.saintnickevents.com means an extra 500 chips.

Top players will receive a cash prize. This event is for adults 21 and over.

For information, call 330-755-2128.

Library offers children’s programs The Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is offering Baby Brilliant programs in April.

Bonding with Babies and Books will be every Wednesday and Apr. 17 at 10 a.m.

The program is designed for babies 6 to 23 months and includes books, songs, rhymes, finger play and other activities that will help children be successful readers.

A similar program, Tales and Talks for 2’s and 3’s will be at 10:30 a.m. on all Thursdays in April.

Fun Time for 4’s and 5’s will be every Thursday at 1 p.m.

Library will be closed

All branches of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoing County will be closed Apr. 3 and Apr. 4.

Trim a tree for April

Children of all ages can decorate an ornament for an all-season tree at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County during regular library hours in April.

Donate blood at library

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will accept blood donations Apr. 14 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Red Cross offers blood pressure screening

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer a free blood pressure screening Apr. 27 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Friends of the Library set to meet Apr. 6

The Friends of the Library will meet Apr. 6 at 9:30 a.m. at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Local resident is Psi Chi president at college

Courtney Long, of 8561 Reserve Drive, is the president of Psi Chi at Ashland University. She is the daughter of Edward and Torea Long and is majoring in speech communication.

Psi Chi is a national honor society for encouraging. stimulating and maintaining excellence in scholarships and advancing the science of psychology. Candidates must have a 3.0 GPA, meet specific academic requirements and be elected by current members.

Local pizza vendors compete for top title

The Mahoning Valley Pizza Cook-Off will be held Sunday 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!”

Ring in spring with a tea party at the library

Wear your favorite hat, gloves and bring your favorite tea cup Apr. 25 for a 1 p.m. tea at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

The cost for the event is $15 and includes music, tea and tea foods.

A special presentation will be given by author Erin McGraw, “The Seamstress of Hollywood Boulevard.”

Proceeds from the annual tea will benefit the Springfield Branch Library Capital Campaign.

For information, call the Development Office at 330-744-8636, ext. 118.

Learn how birds seem to know the way home

Jeff Harvey, president of Audobon Society in Mahoning Valley, will present “Learn How Birds Navigate” Tuesday 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.

Academic honor earned

Bridget Crogan and Jane Hutch have been named to the St. Mary’s College Dean’s List for fall 2009 semester for achieving a grade point average of at least 3.4 on a scale of 4.0.

Local businessman receives high honor

Todd M. Bury, president and owner of Bury Financial Group, has been named to SagePoint Financial’s Achievers Council for 2009.

Bury is the No. 1 producer in the region for SagePoint Financial, Inc. The Achievers Council entitles Bury to attend the 2010 National Education Conference (NEC), access to the Top Producer Customer Service Desk, and a monetary donation to a charity of his choice.

Blood pressure checkSFlb The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross, will host a blood pressure screening at the Poland branch of the Public Library for Younstown and Mahoning County Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Local alum doing good

Courtney Long, of Poland, is a member of the Community Care organization and co-leader of the PAW Team at Ashland University.

She is the daughter of Edward and Torea Long and is majoring in speech communications. Community Care is a seven-team program at the university. Its mission is to expand students’ social and educational experiences, as well as to create an atmosphere of life-long service to the community and an understanding of social responsibility.

PAW helps walk dogs at the local dog shelter and helps to raise money to find homes for them.

Masks to save pets

Invisible Fence of Eastern Ohio donated oxygen recovery mask kits for pets to fire stations in Austintown, Canfield and Poland. The kits can be used by local firefighters to prevent a pet from falling victim to smoke inhalation due to fire.

An estimated 40,000 to 150,000 pets each year die in fires, most succumbing to smoke inhalation.

Eat and raise funds for Special Olympics

The Mahoning County MCBDD Special Olympics will receive 15 percent of sales Thursday 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.

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, Dana wind quartet will perform and Mar. 31, the 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.

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.

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.

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. Tuesday 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.

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.

Mercy College, St. E’s campus registration

Mercy College of Northwest Ohio, St. Elizabeth campus, is accepting applications for its August class. The two-year associate degree in nursing is a 20-month program over five semesters.

Students who graduate from the program are eligible to take state licensing examinations to work as registered nurses. Last year’s graduating class achieved a 100 percent pass rate for the licensing examinations.

The St. Elizabeth campus of Mercy College was opened in 2003. The first class of 26 students graduated in August 2004. So far, a total of 181 students have graduated from the program.

Financial aid and scholarships are available. For information, call 330-480-2379 or visit www.mercycollege.edu.

Bonding with babies and books at library

Join the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngtown and Mahoning County for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays, and other activities that will help your child become a successful reader. This program is for babies 6-23 months and will be held Wednesdays in March at 10 a.m.

This program is also available for children ages 2-3 Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and children ages 4-5 Thursday and Mar. 25 at 1 p.m. Video available 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.

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.

Warren native seeks community support

Mill Creek MetroParks is offering interpretive hikes throughout March.

A spring equinox celebration walk today 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 Sunday 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.

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. Thursday 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.

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