Boardman briefs

Support group to meet Feb. 23

Mended Hearts, Chapter 7, a heart support group for members and their families will meet Feb. 23 at St. Elizabeth’s Boardman Campus in the Azalea Room at 7 p.m.

Kay Lavelle of the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department is the scheduled guest speaker.

The public is invited. For information, contact Joe Clark at 330-702-8859.

A Speakers Bureau is also available to local organizations. For available dates, contact Lee Meadows at 330-793-2531.

Spaghetti dinner at St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 7782 Glenwood Avenue, will host a spaghetti dinner Feb. 13 from noon to 3 p.m.

The cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children.

Dinner includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, beverages and desserts.

Carry-out is available. Call 330-726-8573 for information.

Auction for antiques

The Junior Group of Goodwill will host its Antique and Collectible Auction March 4-5 at Stambaugh Auditorium with George Roman Auctioneers presiding.

The event will begin with a patron party from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 4. Festivities will include a collectible jewelry auction, merchant donation auction and more, Basket raffles, silent auction, Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle, hors d’oeuvres, pastries and cash bar will be available.

Ticket prices for the patron party are $25 per person and can be purchased at the Goodwill offices on Belmont Avenue or any Goodwill store. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 28. Tickets purchased after the deadline will cost $30 if available.

On March 5, antique and collectible auction items will be featured. Preview will begin at 10 a.m. with the auction starting at 11 a.m. Admission is $2 at the door.

For information, call Goodwill’s marketing department at 330-759-7921, ext. 207

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.

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.

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 330-480-3151 or 877-700-4647.

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 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 888-984-4664.

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.

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. To reserve tickets, call 330-724-2177.

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.

Bunnies and bonding at Petco

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.

Be entertained on Valentine’s Day

Tickets are available for 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.

Dinner and a raffle planned March 18

The Boardman Band and Orchestra will host its third annual Reverse Raffle and Dinner March 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Georgetown, 5945 South Ave.

Tickets are $100 per couple and include dinner for two, open bar, D.J. and Reverse Raffle ticket.

There will be a small reverse raffle side board, Chinese raffle and 50/50 raffle.

Tickets may be purchased from any Boardman Band or Orchestra parent. For information, contact Bryan Logan at 330-781-0156 or 330-503-8787.

Bring brilliant babies to the library

The Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books” for 2 and 3-year-olds Wednesdays in February at 10 a.m.

The event for children ages 4 and 5 is scheduled Tuesdays in February at 10 a.m.

Library event focuses on black history

Children of all ages can make and play a concentration game celebrating Black History Month at the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County during regular library hours in February.

Free tax preparation for qualifying individuals

The Boardman 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 Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sessions begin the first week of February. To schedule an appointment, call 330-726-2492.

Friends of the Library to meet Monday

Friends of the Library is scheduled to meet Monday at 10 a.m. at the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

The program by Youngstown State University’s Randy Goldberg is titled “Hearing Mozart in the 18th century.”

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.

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.

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.

Enjoy yoga every Tuesday

Get a rigorous workout and experience peace in the hectic world doing ashtanga yoga with Kirk every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Unity Centre for Spiritual Living, 1226 Naylor-Lloyd Road in Liberty.

The class is not for beginners; intermediate to advanced yoga practitioners only.

For information, call 330-539-0122 or visit www.unitycentre.org.

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.