Austintown briefs

Church giving away clothing and shoes

Highway Tabernacle will host a “Back to School Blowout” Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Family Life Center to give away clothing and shoes. The church is located at 3000 S. Raccoon Road.

This event is open to the public and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Child care for preschoolers and toddlers will be provided so adults can shop. Bags will also be provided.

Donations are now being accepted in the church office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Items needed include sizes for school-aged children, book bags and new socks and undergarments.

Contact Trista Moyers or Jessica Theis at highwayclotheourvalley@gmail.com for questions and details or visit www.facebook.com/groups/highwayclotheourvalley.

Austintown Senior Center book club

The Austintown Senior Center invites members of the community, 60 and older, to participate in a book club meeting once a month at the center. The club has recently read books such as “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini and “ Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell.

The center also hosts a general discussion group meeting every Friday at 10 a.m. The general discussion group covers topics including current affairs, travel through the United States and Europe and personal reminiscences of positive influence in our lives. For more information regarding these two groups, call 330-953-1416.

Library calls all travelers

The Austintown branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Calling All Travelers” on Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. The program will include family entertainment featuring “Top Reader” awards, games, stories and treats.

Library helps toddlers become successful readers

The Austintown branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Baby Brilliant: Tales and Talk” for 2 and 3-year-olds on Sept. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 10 a.m. The program includes developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help toddlers become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Library helps babies bond with books

The Austintown branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “ Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books for Lapsitters” for children who are not walking independently on Sept. 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 9:30 a.m. This event will be followed by “Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books for Walkers” for children who are walking independently at 11 a.m.

Both programs include 20 minutes of language enrichment with rhymes, songs and stories, followed by free play time. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Treasure in Your Trunk sale

Immaculate Heart of Mary will have a “Treasurers in Your Trunk Sale” sponsored by its Social Concerns Group on Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church parking lot, 4500 Norquest Blvd., Austintown.

Vendor spaces are available for early registration at $10 and must be received by Sept. 8. Vendors may register for $15 the day of the sale. No refunds will be given for any reason. Take your own table (up to 8 feet) for setting up in front of your trunk. There will be a sale of homemade baked goods, food and beverages. A used book and media sale will take place in the Parish Center at the same time. For more information, or to obtain a registration form, call Dolly Anderson at 330-792-8355.

Library hosts Family Night Capades

The Austintown branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Family Night Capades” on Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. The event is for children of all ages and will include stories, music, science and games.

Library hosts Fun Times

The Austintown branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Fun Times” for children 4 and 5 on Sept. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 11 a.m. The program will include developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help children become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Library contest runs all month

Each full week of September, the I Spy: Toy School Bus will make a stop somewhere in the children’s area of the library. If you find the bus, don’t move it. Tell the librarian where it is and receive a prize. This is for children of all ages.

School board approves electrical contract

The Austintown school board voted Aug. 2 to award the early-site electrical work contract for the removal of rear portions of Watson Elementary and Frank Ohl Intermediate schools to B&J Electrical of Poland Inc. B&J submitted the lowest bid to the district at $30,229.

During the board’s retreat work session, it also approved a design-develop phase submission, which puts the district one step closer to being able to accept bids for construction on its new kindergarten- through-second-grade and third-through-fifth-grade buildings.

Class of 1981 reunion

Liberty High School Class of 1981 will hold its 30th reunion in August with a two-day event. On Aug. 26 at 6 p.m., alumni and families will tour the new LHS building, attend the opening night of football season, be recognized at halftime and attend a mixer at Station Square Restaurant on Belmont Ave.

On Aug. 27, the reunion dinner will be served at The Metroplex. Costs are $15/person for Friday and $45/person for Saturday. Reservations are requested by Aug. 13.

For more information, or call Vicki Mediate Antennuci at 330-759-0257.

Class of 1991 will meet

The Austintown Fitch High School Class of 1991 will host its 20-year reunion Sept. 3 at Rachel’s Restaurant and Banquet Center from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

There will also be an informal gathering at Mojo’s Pub and Grill on Mahoning Avenue Sept. 2. For information or to register, visit www.austintownfitch1991.com or call 330-718-0298.

Garden club hosts show

The Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown will host its 47th annual horticultural show Aug. 27-28 at Fellows Riverside Gardens. This show is free and open to the public.

Entries may be submitted by young and old alike on Aug. 27 from 7 to 10:30 a.m. Awards will be presented Aug. 28 at 4 p.m. Flowers and/or veggies may be entered. A special cash prize will be awarded for the heaviest tomato. Visit www.MGCY.org or call Rodney Toth at 330-759-1993 for details.

Church giving away clothing and shoes

Highway Tabernacle will host a “Back to School Blowout” Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Family Life Center to give away clothing and shoes. The church is located at 3000 S. Raccoon Road.

This event is open to the public and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Child care for preschoolers and toddlers will be provided so adults can shop. Bags will also be provided.

Donations are now being accepted in the church office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Items needed include sizes for school-aged children, book bags and new socks and undergarments.

Contact Trista Moyers or Jessica Theis at highwayclotheourvalley@gmail.com for questions and details or visit www.facebook.com/groups/highwayclotheourvalley.

Get your lucky suit cleaned for free

Youngstown-based LaFrance Cleaners is introducing a program that will help unemployed individuals in the Mahoning Valley make a good first impression at their next job interview. The program called ‘Fresh Start’ allows area residents to have clothing they will wear when seeking employment dry-cleaned for free.

“Any businessperson will tell you that an applicant’s appearance is important when making a hiring decision,” said LaFrance president Stephen Weiss. “These days people need every possible advantage in order to land a job.”

The ‘Fresh Start’ program will run through the end of August. Individuals who wish to participate must bring in proof of unemployment and identification. The free service is limited to one outfit per participant and includes a shirt or blouse, slacks, dress or a skirt and suit coat or blazer.

LaFrance Cleaners has locations in Boardman, Canfield, Poland, Liberty and Youngstown, as well as free pick-up and delivery service to homes and offices throughout the Mahoning Valley.

New gourmet eatery now open in Boardman

Bella’s To-Go, a quick-serve gourmet cuisine eatery and catering service, has opened at 400 Boardman-Poland Road, across from the Shops at Boardman Park, near Sprint and the new Plato’s Closet.

The eatery offers a range of healthful and delicious choices. On the light side, there are seasonal soups, unusual wraps, bold salads, stuffed burgers and exotic pizzas. Entr e selections include chicken francaise, veal marsala and filet tenderloin with an array of side dishes that change daily.

Marine Corps reunion set for today

The Tri-State Marine Detachment No. 494 of the Marine Corps League will host the 32nd annual Marine Corps Reunion today at the Saxon Club, 710 S. Meridian Road, Youngstown.The event is open to all Marines past and present, plus friends and their quests. The festivities will begin with refreshments at 6 p.m. Dinner will begin at 7, followed by the speaker, music and dancing and will last until midnight. The speaker was assigned by the United States Marine Corps, Commandant’s office and will be Lt. Col. Joseph Raftery, a Philadelphia native and a graduate of Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

The evening will also include, door prizes, Chinese auction and a 50/50 raffle.

Tickets for this event will be $25.Reservations can be made by calling Frank Griffiths at 330-533-2314 or Ed Leviseur at 330-702-0667.

Local personal trainer publishes book

Mark Russo, a personal trainer and owner of Fantastic Fitness, Inc., in Boardman has published an ebook which is currently available on Amazon.com.

The book, “Creating a Dynamite Body” describes the details of Russo’s approach to fitness. His five-tier system combines diet, aerobics, weight training, stretching and rest for best results. The program, which Russo developed during his 20-year career as a weight training enthusiast and personal trainer, is described in detail in his eBook.

Photos show specifics of each stretch and weight training exercise emphasizing correct form to minimize injury, the main culprit in derailing a fitness program. The program has been very successful for athletes and everyday folks who need to minimize gym time due to busy schedules.

Free membership for military families

Curves Austintown is offering free six-month memberships to wives and teenage daughters of actively-deployed reservists and National Guard members.

Surviving wives and teenage daughters will also be offered six months free memberships.

Discounts to other immediate family members will also be offered, but documentation will be required.

DQ Æ/Orange Julius Æ received pride award

The Dairy QueenSRTm/Orange JuliusSRTm restaurant, located at 146 N. Canfield Niles Road, recently received a PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in Delivering Excellence) Award from the Dairy Queen/Orange Julius system for achieving a high level of cleanliness and food safety.

The award is given out to those stores that demonstrate PRIDE by maintaining a high level of cleanliness and food safety.

Building brilliant babies in Austintown

The Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host the Baby Brilliant: Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s program Wednesday at 10 a.m.

The event includes developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help children ages 2-3 become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Library helps shape little minds

The Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will sponsor Baby Brilliant: Bonding With Babies and Books for babies 6-23 months on Aug. 25 at 10 a.m.

The event features developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help children become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Fours and fives meet up Saturday

Developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities will entertain children (age 4-5) and help them become a successful reader.

The Austintown library is hosting this event, titled Fun Time for 4s and 5s, on Aug. 17. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Library storytime gets kids moving

The Austintown library is hosting Gotta Move Storytime! - An active storytime for the Young and the Restless! Aug. 25 at 11 a.m. The activity features developmentally-appropriate for children 2 to 5. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Duzzny receives award

Austintown resident Walter Duzzny was awarded a 10-year service award pin from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve State Chairman John Hopper during the annual Department of Defense sponsored meeting and awards dinner in Columbus.

Duzzny is a retired Army Reserve Colonel and former emergency management director. He serves as the public affairs officer for the East Region.

Host families needed for international students

Five international students coming to the Youngstown area this August through Educatius International and attending Ursuline High School are in need of families to host them.

Host families can be from anywhere in the area and have few requirements. The students need a bed, desk and dresser. The students also need a ride to Ursuline, which can be via school bus or by car. Host families provide the students with daily meals and give them a loving and caring environment.

Educatius offers a monthly stipend to offset additional costs. The international students are expected to pay for all their expenses outside of the house (school lunches, restaurants, movies, presents, prom expenses etc.). Having an international student is a great way to learn about the world around you and even share your own culture.

Anyone interested in hosting one of these international students can contact a local Educatius International Coordinator at 330-770-5714.

Attention Chaney Class of 1956

The 55th year reunion of the Chaney High School Class of 1956 will be at A La Cart, 429 Lisbon St. Canfield, Saturday with hors d’oeuvers at 6 p.m. and a buffet dinner at 7 p.m.

Reservations and payment are due by July 30.

For information, call Larry Probert at 330-799-1201 or e-mail larpro@sbcglobal.net or call Joan Fergus at 330-533-5972 or e-mail at jferg@zoominternet.net.

Grieve with friends

Honor and remember children who have passed away at Bereaved Parent of the USA-Mahoning County Chapter’s monthly meetings the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Park Vista of Youngstown, 1216 Fifth Ave.

For information, call Diane Hunter-Copeland at 330-770-2686.

Have family garden fun

Visit the Family Garden on fair weather Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays to dig, plant, water or read a book. The Friendly Garden Greeter at the Discovery Cart will tell about plants and will offer many free hands-on activities.

For information, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Family tours are back at the farm

Every Thursday at 10 a.m. throughout summer families can join MetroParks Farm for a 60-70 minute guided tractor-wagon tour of the facility.

The playroom will be open. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the tour. Reservations are suggested. For information, call the farm at 330-533-7572.