METRO DIGEST || Podiatrists collecting shoes for needy

Donate shoes

BOARDMAN

Podiatric physicians and surgeons with Ankle & Foot Care Centers are asking holiday shoppers to help the area’s less fortunate by buying and donating new pairs of shoes.

The doctors’ goal is to collect more than 800 pairs of new or nearly new shoes between now and Jan. 6. In greatest demand are children’s shoes of all types and casual, all-purpose shoes in adult sizes for both men and women.

Collection stations are at each of Ankle & Foot Care Centers’ 19 Mahoning Valley locations in Alliance, Austintown, Boardman (two), Campbell, Champion, Columbiana, East Liverpool, East Palestine, Howland, Lake Milton, Liberty, Niles, Poland, Salem, Struthers, Warren, Youngstown and Greenville, Pa. Specific locations and other information are located on the group’s website, www.ankleandfootcare.com.

Carriage rides planned to view holiday lights

BAZETTA

The Trumbull Junior Fair Board will offer horse-drawn carriage rides to view a holiday light display at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.

Hot chocolate and other treats will be available at the concession stand. Price is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, $2 for children 4 to 12 and free for children 3 and younger.

For more information, call 330-637-6010.

Child care for break

WARREN

The YWCA of Warren will offer licensed winter-break child care from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Dec. 19 to Dec. 30, for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Activities relating to the movie “The Polar Express” will take place, including a handmade Polar Express Train while watching the movie, crafts and games. Breakfast and a snack are included, but children are required to bring a packed lunch.

Registration and payment must be received by Dec. 12. Cost is $85 per week per child. The daily rate is $20, or $15 for a half-day (under four hours). A $15 registration fee may apply.

Families should inquire with Trumbull County Job and Family Services to receive assistance for the care. For information and to register, call 330-373-1010.

Poland levy certified for March election

POLAND

Voters will decide an emergency operating levy for Poland schools in March that will generate $1,448,561 annually for five years.

The Mahoning County Auditor’s office has certified the millage at 3.8 mills, but the schools will pay off a 0.8-mill bond issue in 2012, meaning if the March emergency levy is approved, the net effect to taxpayers is a 3-mill increase.

The annual cost of that 3-mill increase would be $105 on a house valued at $100,000.