Austintown briefs

Local makes Dean’s List at Utica College

Austintown’s Christopher Alan Wentz was named to the fall 2010 Dean’s List at Utica College.

Wentz is studying cyber security and information assurance.

Austintown Curves offers Zumba classes

Curves Austintown is featuring The Curves Circuit With Zumba Classes Mondays at 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Silver Sneakers and nonmembers are invited. For information and prices, call 330-793-9802.

Play the Audubon Game Show Feb. 22

Audubon Society Mahoning Valley is hosting the Audubon Game Show Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, state Route 46 in Canfield.

Audience members can compete to identify various natural wonders by sight and sound. Everyone will have a chance to win prizes. For information, call 888-846-8851.

Bond with bunnies

Petco, 224 Boardman-Canfield Road, is hosting Meet the Critters today in honor of National Adopt Rabbit Month.

Guests can bring their bunnies for bunny wellness checks from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Learn how to calm, soothe and bond with your bunny through the bunny massage class from 11:15 a.m. to noon or 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.

From 1 p.m. to 1 :30 p.m., children 3 to 8 can participate in story time with Flat Jefe and meet bunnies. There will be raffle baskets, treats and Flat Jefe items available.

Find Girls Scout cookies with GPS

Get a free cookie locator application to find Girl Scout cookies sales by zip code, city, state or cell phone GPS location by calling **472665437 from a mobile phone.

Consumers may also connect to a troop selling cookies by contacting the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, Monday through Friday at 888-984-4664.

Learn to eat better with Ted Suzelis

Naturopathic doctor Ted Suzelis will present a lecture titled, “Blood Type Diet Meal Prep” Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at his Boardman office, located in the Southbridge Executive Park at 725 Boardman-Canfield Rd., Suite K-4.

Suzelis and his wife, Robin, will share tips and tricks for creating easy blood type diet-friendly meals. For information or to register, call Stephanie at 330-729-1350 or register online at www.ohiond.com. Admission is free.

Bowl for Relay for Life

Poland’s Relay for Life is hosting a fundraiser Feb. 19 at Mahoning Valley Lanes in Austintown from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The cost is $10 and includes three hours of unlimited bowling and shoes.

To get a ticket or for information, contact event organizer Sharon Mochtyak at smochtyak@gmail.com.

See familiar faces at the Arms Museum

The Arms Family Museum is featuring a new exhibit titled “Familiar Faces: Memorable Media Personalities” through mid-March. The exhibit features a collection of photographs from WKBN television and radio and WFMJ. Names included in the exhibit include Susie Sidesaddle, Ed Barron, Ted Niemi, Bob Black and Don Guthrie.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for senior and college students and $2 for children. Admission includes a guided tour of the historic home, six local history exhibits and a hands-on discovery room.

For information, call 330-743-2589 or visit www.mahoninghistory.org.

Learn self-health care

Learn self-care and how to make decisions about your health during the Health at Home program from 11 a.m. to noon or 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center, 8401 McClurg Road, Boardman.

The program uses Health at Home, a book of step-by-step instructions for over 200 health problems. All participants attending the program will receive a free Health at Home book, plus instruction and practice on how to use the book.

The program is free, but registration is required by calling the Humility of Mary Healthline at 330-480-3151 or 877-700-4647.

Donate a coat and get a discount drive extended

Burlington Coat Factory, ABC’s “Good Morning America” and One Warm Coat organization are extending their fourth annual Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive through Sunday.

Customers can donate a coat at any Burlington Coat Factory, 529 Boardman-Canfield Road, and receive a 10 percent discount off their entire purchase at the store.

All donated coats in Youngstown will stay in the local area and be distributed by Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley to keep adults and children warm this winter.

Arts for seniors

The Austintown Senior Center, 100 Westchester Dr., is offering painting classes for adults 60 and older Mondays in February at 9:30 a.m.

The cost is $15.

For information, call 330-953-1416.

Wellness Monday at Senior Center

Free blood pressure checks are available every Monday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Austintown Senior Center, courtesy of Celtic Healthcare.

The center is hosting a Wellness Monday on Monday. Hearing, vision and medication checks will be available in addition to the blood pressure monitoring.

For information, call 330-953-1416.

Senior Focus tapes every Friday

The Austintown Senior Center tapes “Senior Focus” every Friday just after noon.

The guests for the month of February include Phil Moore from the Mahoning County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Peg Flynn from the Mahoning County Green Team, Chuck Whitman from the Service Corps of Retired Executives and Dick Hartzell from Jump Stretch.

For information, call 330-953-1416.

Taste wine for a cause

The Youngstown Club on Commerce Street will host a wine tasting extravaganza March 5 for the benefit of Mahoning County DD Special Olympics.

Chef Michael will use his culinary expertise to prepare hors d’oeuvres with various wines to enhance the complementary flavors of both.

Tickets are $50 per person and include a charitable tax deduction of $25. For tickets, call 330-724-2177.

Bring brilliant babies to the library

The Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books” Thursdays in February at 10 a.m.

This event is for children 6 to 23 months old and books, songs, rhymes and finger plays are some of the activities that will be provided for the children.

This program is also available for 2 and 3-year-olds Wednesdays in February at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

The event for children ages 4 and 5 is scheduled for Feb. 22 at 10 a.m.

Create Valentine’s craft at library

Children of all ages are invited to make a Valentine’s craft at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County during regular library hours in February.

Challenge honors Black History Month

Throughout February, children of all ages can try and match the names and faces of famous black Americans at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County in honor of Black History Month.

Story time at the library

An active story time for children 2 to 5 is scheduled Thursdays in February at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County at 11 a.m.

It’s pajamarama time again

Put on your pjs and bring out the family for stories, songs and more at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Free tax preparation for qualifying individuals

The Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will provide free tax preparation and electronic filing for seniors and those (at any age) with low to moderate income Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sessions begin the first week of February. To schedule an appointment, call 330-799-5849.

Free blood pressure screenings offered

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will host free blood pressure screenings at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Wednesday at 1 p.m.

Friends of the Library to meet Feb. 21

Friends of the Library is scheduled to meet Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

The program by licensed pharmacist George Allen Tuttle is titled “Total Cholesterol Management: Taking complete control and new developments for statins.”

Make reservations at Boardman Park now

Boardman Park is now taking reservations for its Indoor Meeting Rooms, Open-Air Pavilions and St. James Meeting House for the balance of available dates in 2011 and for 2012 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Reservations can be made by calling the park office at 330-726-8105 or in person at the office, located at 375 Boardman-Poland Road in Boardman, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Reservations made through the office must be paid within 10 days from the date the reservation is made.

Reservation may be paid for by check, cash or money order. Reservations may also be made online at www.boardmanpark.com.

Help warm up America

Join other crafters from the Loose Knit Group at the Antonucci Library Friday from 10 a.m. to noon and help warm up America by making afghans and other projects.

All helping hands are welcomed. Donations of yarn and needles are appreciated at any time.

For information, call Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.

Writing workshop planned

Karen Shubert will lead a writing workshop about meaningful, everyday experiences Feb. 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Various topics will be explored. All levels of experience are welcome — just bring a pen and paper.

The fee is $10 per class. For information, call Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.

Buy used books for good prices

Shop for used gardening book, cookbooks and horticulture magazines at the twice-loved book sale through Feb. 20 from 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Davis Education Center and Visitor Center.

The sale benefit’s the Antonucci Library at the Gardens and donations of used gardening books are appreciated at any time.

Take an inside passage to Alaska

Ken Gober, retired Cleveland MetroParks naturalist, returns Sunday at 2 p.m. to kick off the Nature Photography Exhibit at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The exhibit will feature the waters of Southeast Alaska, Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm and the ports of Sitka, Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines and Elfin Cove.

Play the nature game

Participate in Mahoning Valley Audobon Society’s “Do You Know? The Nature Game” Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. at MetroParks Farm and have a chance to win prizes.

Compete by identifying various natural wonders by sight and sound. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m.

For information, call 888-864-8851.

Have afternoon tea at the gardens

Join Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens Feb. 20 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for an elegant afternoon tea. Tea sandwiches, sweets, harp music by Darlene MacBenn and the humor of Molly Brown will be provided.

The cost for the event is $20 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Take a brisk walk before breakfast

Start Feb. 25 with a brisk walk through the gardens followed by breakfast at the Garden Caf and a lesson on members of the orchid family from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The fee is $7 for garden members and $9 for nonmembers. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Fly like an eagle

Preschoolers 3 to 5 will learn about bald eagles Friday at 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. and Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. during the Ford Nature Center’s “Preschool Nature Hour: Fly Like an Eagle.”

The cost for the program is $2 for residents and $3 for nonresidents. To register, call the nature center at 330-740-7107.

Hunger Moon explained Friday

Learn why the Native Americans gave this month’s moon such a strange name Friday at 7 p.m. during a 2-mile, moderately-difficult interpretive hike.

Hiker should meet at Lanterman’s Mill parking lot. Icy conditions are possible.

Take winter birds 101

A presentation on simple bird basics, common winter birds and the Great Backyard Bird Count will be followed by a hike to areas near Ford Nature Center Feb. 19 at 1 p.m.

Icy conditions are possible for this moderately-difficult 1-mile hike. Hikers will observe and count birds for the bird count. Meet at the Ford Nature Center.

Enjoy a hike and hot chocolate

Cool it on a moderately-difficult, 3-mile winter hike and then return to the Ford Nature Center for a warm cup of hot chocolate and a presentation about South Carolina wildflowers Feb. 27 at 2 p.m.

Hike for the health of it

Mill Creek MetroParks will host a Health and Wellness walk Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Walkers meet at the main Golf Course overflow parking lot for an easy-rated 1 or 3-mile walk.

Become a MetroMutt member

Bring the pooch and join Naturalist Emeritus Bill Whitehouse for a hike around the Lily Pond Sunday at 2 p.m. at Birch Hill Cabin.

Afterward, warm up at Birch Hill Cabin and learn more and become a MetroMutts member.

New members will receive a collapsible dog bowl. Refreshments and treats for canines and people will be provided. Dogs must be non-aggressive, under control and on a six-foot maximum leash at all times.

For information, call the Metroparks Administrative Office at 330-702-3000.

Learn how to make hors d’oeuvres

Chef David Armstrong will share recipes and culinary techniques during a demonstration on how to prepare and serve four hors d’oeuvres Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The cost the program is $28 for garden members and $35 for non-members.

To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Monday meetings set for conservation district

Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District Board meetings for 2011 will be at 7 p.m. the second Monday each month at the District Office, 850 Industrial Road in Youngstown.

Anyone interested in being contacted regarding special meetings or changes to regular meetings can call 330-740-7995.

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Be entertained on Valentine’s Day

Tickets are available for the Monday’s Valentine’s Day Dinner and Entertainment Benefit for the Ursuline Center in Canfield.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road. The cost is $22 per person or $200 for 10 people and includes a Valentine-theme gourmet meal provided by Broad Street Diner and a chocolate fountain dessert.

Featured entertainment will include pianist Thomas Solich who will provide dinner music and the Ursuline High School Chorus who will entertain after dinner with a selection of popular music.

For tickets and information, contact the Ursuline Center at 330-799-4941 or visit www.theursulinecenter.org.

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.

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.

Do yoga at the gardens

Bring a mat and small blanket to learn a blend of energizing yoga styles from Heidi Suraci at Fellows Riverside Gardens on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout February.

Tuesdays will feature beginners’ classes from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and intermediate classes from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Thursday classes will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and are open to all levels.

The fee is $10 per class. For information, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

T’ai Chi in the garden

Ease stress, improve health and increase vitality with breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form taught by Marie Lew Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. during February at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The costs is $10 per class. For information, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.