Austintown briefs

Learn to cross stitch Thursday

Library patrons can learn to cross stitch with experienced teachers from the local chapter of The Embroider’s Guild Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Boardman library.

The class is free. The Embroiderer’s Guild will provide all materials and each participants will receive a complete cross stitch kit at no cost.

To register, call 330-744-8636.

Enjoy dinner at the Saxon Club

The Youngstown Saxon Culture Group will present its 41st annual Trachtenball Dinner Nov. 6 at the Youngstown Saxon Club on Meridian Road.

The dinner will include salad, schnitzel, potato, vegetable, dessert, coffee or tea. Entertainment for the evening will be the Deutsche Musik Verein (DMV) Band and Dance group from Cleveland. Also performing will be the Alpen Schuhplattler Dance Group from Pittsburgh, the Youngstown Concordia Choir, Saxon Band and Dance Group. Reservations are required, payable in advance.

Admission for dinner and entertainment is $14 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under.

For reservation and payment information, contact Sarah Deutschlander 330-792-2634 or Erna Weber 330-856-3842.

Reservations paid at the door are $15.

Put on a costume and party at Parto’s

Join Parto’s Golf Learning Center, 2231 Coitsvile-Hubbard Road in Youngstown for its annual Halloween party today from noon to 2 p.m.

There will be free pumpkin painting, face painting, games, treat and prizes. Wear a costume.

Tire out the young and restless on Thursdays

The Austintown library will host an active story time for children ages 2 -5 Thursdays in October at 11 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Make the closest guess and win a prize

Children of all ages can guess the number of items in the jar at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County during regular library hours in October. The closest guess wins a prize.

Austintown church hosts trunk or treat

First Free Will Baptist Church in Austintown will host a Harvest Party Saturday for children in grades up to sixth. Activities will include face painting, a hay ride, games, and a trunk or treat candy giveaway. The event will run 5 to 8 p.m. and all activities are free.

Reflections program looking for applicants

Austintown PTAs are accepting entries for the 2010/2011 Reflections program.

Children in preschool through grade 12 can create and submit works of art in six areas: literature, visual arts, photography, dance choreography, film/video and musical composition.

The Reflections program allows PTAs throughout the state to recognize children for their creativity in portraying yearly themes. This year’s theme is “Together We Can.”

Reflections is an annual arts program of National PTA. For information, contact Karen Fritz at ptadiva@yahoo.com or 330-544-3520.

AMS gets crafty

Austintown Middle School is hosting its 27th annual craft show Nov. 13 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

Admission is free and there will be more than 200 vendors along with Chinese auction items and more. If you are a vendor and would like to reserve a space, call 330-270-0049 or email frankdeb1@aol.com for an application.

Explore science with “Eureka” production

The Trinity Playhouse in Lisbon presents “Eureka” Friday, Oct. 30 and 31. The production is being directed by Kandace Cleland, who wrote the script, with music written by Jodine Pilmer. The cast includes 31 girls in grades kindergarten through eighth. The one-act play explores the scientific process, the history of flight, the invention of the telescope, the wheel and more.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Oct. 30 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 31. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and students.

Wear your pajamas to the library

Children of all ages can wear their pajamas to the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County for stories and more Monday at 6:30 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Safe trick or treating in Mathews Square Plaza

The Mathews Square Plaza will host a Safe Trick or Treat, sponsored by ATA Black Belt Academy’s “Keep Kids Safe” Awareness Program and Advance America, event in the plaza at 6001 South Avenue in Boardman Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

ATA Black Belt Academy, Dollar General, Advance America, CVS Pharmacy and Pat Catan’s will participate in the event. The stores will be handing out candy and Pat Catan’s will have a Halloween craft table.

Chiropractor offers free consultations

During National Chiropractic Health Month in October, chiropractor Amy Toth Dahl, of Austintown, is offering complimentary consultations, new patient deals, sales on Biofreeze, drawings, giveaways and more.

Dahl Chiropractic is located at 25 N. Canfield Niles Road, Suite 30.

Library board of trustees to meet

The Nominating Committee of the Board of Trustees, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, will meet at noon on Tuesday in the Gibson Room of the Youngstown Club.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss filling a board seat left vacant with the passing of longtime board member Harold Moore and discussing board terms which will expire in January.

Mooney hosts parent information night

Cardinal Mooney High School is hosting a “Parent Information Night” Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium.

Parents of seventh and eighth-grade students considering enrolling their sons or daughters in the school are invited. Members of the school’s administration will explain the school’s curriculum, extracurricular programs, school policies and financial aid opportunities. In addition, information concerning registration procedures will be available.

Help children go to camp and get coupons

Friendly’s in Poland will offer trick-or-treat coupons for a donation to Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s through Oct. 31.

Each $1 donation will receive five coupons for free kids cones, plus a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase at Friendly’s. Coupons are redeemable from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 and the money raised will benefit Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s programs.

Drink good wine for a good cause Nov. 6

Angels for Animals will host its annual wine tasting event Nov. 6 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Andrews Hall, 4750 state Route 165 in Canfield.

Tickets for the event are $30 for single or $50 for couples in advance at $35 and $60 at the door. The featured wines are red, sparkling whites and dessert wines.

The proceeds will support shelter programs. For information or tickets, call Diane Less at 330-502-5352 or visit www.angelsforanimals.org.

Mall hosts identity theft program Wednesday

Wendi Faulkner, identity theft unit manager of the crime victims assistance and prevention section for the office of Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, will present information on identity theft and senior scams from noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday at St. Joe’s at the Mall, located inside the Eastwood Mall in Niles.

The program is free with registration required. For more information or to register, call 330-652-7542.

Bond with babies and books in October

The Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host songs, finger plays, and other activities for babies 6-23 months Thursdays throughout October at 10 a.m.

A similar program for children 2 and 3 will be offered on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and a program for children ages 4 and 5 will be offered Tuesday at 10 a.m.

AARP meeting planned

The Austintown AARP, a group that has been serving the community for more than 20 years, is still going strong. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Grace Lutheran Church. The organization is known for its bus tours and entertaining at nursing homes through its choir.

For more information, contact Harriett Jones at 330-792-3425.

MCCTC starts alumni organization

The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center is looking for graduates of the Career Center interested in starting an alumni association.

Spearheaded by Career and Technical Supervisor Tom Kempe, the organization is hoping to attract many of the school’s former students to kick start an organizing effort.

A registration form is available at mahoningctc.com and clicking on the Alumni Association registration form link. All forms should be mailed to Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Attn: Tom Kempe, at 7300 North Palmyra Road in Canfield.

For information, contact the career center at 330-729-4000.

Great food program offers affordable meals

Smith Corners United Methodist Church, 3000 S. Canfield-Niles Road, Austintown, is the local site for the Great Food For All program.

Each big value box costs $30 and comes complete and ready for pick-up.

The family variety box is available for $36. Cash, money order or cashier’s checks are accepted at the time the order is placed. No checks are accepted.

Credit cards are accepted with a $1 convenience fee.

Go to www.greatfoodforall.com, type in zip code 44515, and scroll down until Smith Corners UMC pops up. Then pick up the ordered food boxes at Smith Corners UMC.

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

Curves offers Silver Sneakers classes

Free Silver Sneakers classes are offered Monday through Saturday for eligible women over 65 at Curves in Austintown. The 30-minute classes are designed to improve strength, flexibility and overall health. For information, call 330-793-9802.

Visit the preserve in autumn

Mill Creek MetroParks is offering an observation of the wetlands restoration project at the Mill Creek Preserve Sunday at 2 p.m.

Participants are asked to wear boots or old shoes and be prepared for a moderately difficult two-mile hike. Parking is available off Western Reserve Road, north of New Buffalo Road.

Health and wellness walks

Mill Creek MetroParks is offering several different health and wellness walks throughout the month of October.

Participants can meet Wednesday at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at MetroParks Farm at 9 a.m.

All walks are moderately-ifficult two to four mile hikes.

Photography field trip

Enjoy the morning photographing autumn landscapes in Mill Creek MetroParks with instructor Patrick Hyland today from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Students will meet on the DeYor Concourse at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Call the gardens at 330-740-7116 to register. The cost is $20 for residents and $26 for nonresidents.

Yoga in the Gardens

Mill Creek MetroParks is offering several yoga classes throughout October. Beginners classes are Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Intermediate classes are offered Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

All levels are welcome to attend the Thursday classes from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. This class offers a blend of yoga styles with the restorative power of nature.

Instructor Heidi Suraci welcomes students at all levels. Bring a mat and small blanket. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 for information. The cost is $10 per class.

T’ai Chi step one in the gardens

Ease stress, improve health, and increase vitality with the Mill Creek Gardens T’ai Chi classes every Wednesday in October from noon to 1 p.m.

Join Marie Lew in warm-ups, breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 for information. The cost is $10 per class.

Restoration yoga

Promote heightened awareness and self-healing through specialized breathing techniques and postures at Mill Creek MetroParks yoga class Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The cost is $20. Bring your yoga mat. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to register by Oct. 22.

Preschool nature hour

Have fun with fall colors and learn about autumn changes through a story, rhyme, craft and an outdoor walk at Mill Creek MetroParks Friday at 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. and Oct. 30 at 10 a.m.

For preschoolers ages 3 to 5 and accompanied by an adult. The cost is $2 for residents and $3 for nonresidents. Call the Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107 to preregister.

Mahoning Valley Audubon Society

Jim McCormac, president of Ohio Ornithological Society, is one of the nation’s most prominent naturalists and will be visiting Mill Creek MetroParks Farm Tuesday at 7 p.m.

He will host an illustrated expedition of Alaska’s St. Paul Island, known for its array of rare bird life. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m. Public is welcome. For information, call 888-846-8851.

Farm life discussion and tractor ride

A guided tractor-wagon ride with a discussion about farming is planned Sunday at MetroParks Farm from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The program will complement the Farm Life exhibit that opened at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Children can also make a craft to take home.

Don’t miss the last tractor ride of the year

MetroParks Farm will host the last tractor ride of the year “Thoughts of Thanksgiving” Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Wagon leaves every half hour. Children can make a turkey craft to home.

Take the best drive in the park

Original drawings, vintage photos and equipment of Mill Creek Golf Course will be on display in the Melnik Musuem at Fellows Riverside Gardens through December.

Farm life at Weller Gallery

Weller Gallery in Fellows Riverside Gardens will host “Farm Life: A Century of Change for Farm Families and Their Families” through Nov. 28.

The exhibit was funded be NEH on the Road and highlights the social and cultural issues brought by decades of change that touch members of farming communities.