Poland briefs

Attention incoming freshman and parents

There will be an orientation meeting for all eighth-graders and their parents who reside in the Poland School District Feb. 3.

The meeting will be in the Poland High School Auditorium at 7 p.m.

Poland High School’s administration and counselors will provide information which will assist incoming freshmen to make wise decisions about their course selection.

The process for enrolling in courses will continue to be individual as this has been very successful.

The schedule for meeting with students, as well as recommended courses for each child, will be distributed.

It is important to attend so that students can receive this information.

Topics to be covered will include: Explanation of the registration process, review of graduation requirements, explanation of course levels, college entrance requirements, high school athletic participation requirements and high school graduation test.

Call the Guidance Office at Poland High School at 330-757-7036 for information.

Valentine’s party planned for Jr. League

The next meeting for the Boardman Poland Junior Women’s League will be Feb. 7 at The English Pub, 1305 Boardman-Poland Road.

A Valentines’s Day party is planned. Please wear something red to celebrate Women’s Heart Month.

Women interested in joining or receiving information can contact the membership chairperson Linda Crish at 330-727-9321 or 330 757-7993.

The Red Cross needs your blood

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will host a blood drive at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Feb. 9 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Library hosts free blood pressure screenings

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer free blood pressure screenings at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Feb. 22 at 1 p.m.

Friends of the Library to meet Feb. 1

Friends of the Library is scheduled to meet Feb. 1 at 9:30 a.m. at the Poland 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.”

Free tax preparation for qualifying individuals

The Poland 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.

Trim a tree at the Poland library

Children of all ages can decorate an ornament for the all-seasons tree at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County during regular library hours throughout February.

Curves offering free seniors’ memberships The Poland Curves is offering free basic memberships for their circuit strength training and exercise program to senior citizens age 65 and over that have certain Medicare supplement policies.

The Silver Sneakers program has no rigid class time. Ladies can come any time Curves is open.

Personal training and encouragement from our dedicated staff is included.

To learn if you qualify, call 330-757-8800 or stop in at 3040 Center Road, Route 224..

Bring brilliant babies to the library

The Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books” on Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23 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 on Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24 at 10:30 a.m.

The event for children ages 4 and 5 is scheduled for Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24 at 1 p.m.

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.

Benefit for Mamounis

The Ice House on Route 46 in Austintown is hosting a benefit for Sheryl Mamounis Friday from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

A $5 donation will be accepted at the door.

Live bands, a 50/50 raffle and a Chinese auction are a few of the events planned for the evening.

The benefit is to help Sheryl raise money for a medical treatment. She has had Multiple Sclerosis for the last 20 years and the medical treatment may prevent the disease from progressing further.

Those not able to attend the benefit, but wishing to make a contribution, can do so at any First Place bank for the benefit of Sheryl Mamounis.

Become a MetroMutt member

Bring the pooch and join Naturalist Emeritus Bill Whitehouse for a hike around the Lily Pond Feb. 13 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.

Get ready for the golf season

Metroparks Farm will host an indoor golf class Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The program will include a brief computerized video swing analysis applying the One and Two Plane Golf Swing combined with a fitness assessment from certified Titleist Performance Institute instructor. Golf instructors include PGA Golf Director Dennis Miller and PGA professional Jon Jones. The fitness portion will be led by TPI certified trainer Bob Serich.

Classes are limited to 24 student and registration is under way. The cost for the program is $30.

For information, call the Pro Shop at 330-740-7112.

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 Feb. 16 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.

Taste wine for the dogs

For the Dogs will host its first wine tasting and Chinese auction Jan. 30 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Vintage Estate Wine and Beer, 7317 South Ave.

Tickets for the event are $20 per person and includes six pours plus light appetizers.

The event is open to the public but limited to 100 ticket holders. No tickets will be sold at the door. Money raised will be used to rescue dogs from the Mahoning County Dog Pound.

For information, visit www.ForTheDogs.Petfinders.com or call 330-398-9468.

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 Feb. 14 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.

Informational meetings for China trip planned

The Regional Chamber is hosting two free informational sessions in February to discuss details of a vacation trip to China planned for Nov. 2-11.

The sessions will be 5:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Holiday Inn Boardman, 7410 South Ave. and Feb. 23 at Ciminero’s Banquet Centre, 123 Main St. in Niles.

The trip’s cost is $2,099 per person and includes seven nights in a five-star hotel in Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou, 20 meals, round trip airfare from New York, air taxes, fees, baggage handling, professional tour manager, comprehensive sightseeing, local guide service and admissions per itinerary.

The trip is open to residents of the Mahoning and Shenango valleys and their guests and is hosted by the Regional Chamber and Chamber Explorations.

For information and itinerary, visit www.regionalchamber.com.

Reservations for the informational meeting are preferred, as a light refreshment will be provided. To reserve, call Jennifer at 330-744-2131, extension 12.

Grab dinner at St. Nicholas Parish Center

The St. Nicholas Moms’ and Dads’ Club will host a roasted chicken dinner Jan. 29 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Nicholas Parish Center, 764 Fifth St. in Struthers.

The cost for the dinner is $7 for adults, $5 for students and children 4 and under eat free. The dinner includes roasted chicken, potato, veggies and roll. Hot dogs and fries can be purchased for $3.50. Drinks and dessert will be available.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Parish office for $6.50.

Learn about the natural areas

The Audubon Society/Mahoning Valley will host Mill Creek MetroParks: Natural Areas Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm on state Route 46 in Canfield.

Kirsten Peetz, environmental land manager for Mill Creek MetroParks, will discuss some of the natural areas of the MetroParks, including properties that are only open for special programs.

For information, call 888-846-8851.

Bond with babies and books at library

Join the Poland library for developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger play and other activities for babies 6-23 months Wednesdays in January at 10 a.m.

The program is designed to make children successful readers. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The library will host a similar program for children ages 2 and 3 Thursdays in January at 10:30 a.m. and a program for children ages 4 and 5 Thursdays in January at 1 p.m.

Blood pressure check

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will host a blood pressure screening at the Poland library Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Steel Valley K-9’s 4-H members wanted

Membership in 4-H closes the end of February and anyone interested in joining should do so by early February. For information, call 330-531-6700, extension 62034.

Become the next Miss Bodyworks

Bodyworks Women’s Health and Fitness Center is presenting the 30th anniversary Health & Fitness show and the 2011 Miss Bodyworks and Ms. Bodyworks Contest, including seminars and presentations Jan. 29 from noon to 5 p.m. at Bodyworks Women’s Health and Fitness Center in Austintown.

Bodyworks Women’s Health and Fitness Center welcomes local companies, businesses, institutions for vendors, participation, sponsorship and donation of prizes. To register for the competition, call 330-505-1111 today.

Nature photography exhibit at Riverside

The annual Nature Photography Exhibit will be displayed at Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Gardens in Weller Gallery Feb. 13 through March 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Deadline for entries is Sunday. Applications will be available for download at www.millcreekmetroparks.org in January. Call Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107 for information.

Metroparks looking for seasonal workers

Learn about seasonal and part-time employments opportunities at the Metroparks Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Davis Center in Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Representatives from several departments will be available to answer questions and provide information about jobs for the 2011 season.

Hike for winter skeletons

Meet at MetroParks Bikeway Sunday at 2 p.m. for a two-mile, moderately-difficult hike to look for the remaining subtle beauty of wildflowers.

Harvest ice the old-fashioned way

Learn how the Youngstown Ice Company harvested ice for commercial use from Mill Creek and the Mahoning River in the early 1900s during a º-mile hike around Lake Glacier Jan. 30 at 1:30 p.m.

A three-mile hike to see what’s left of the ice company will be offered immediately afterward. The hike contains hills and steps.

Walk for health and wellness

Mill Creek Metroparks is offering health and wellness walks throughout January.

A moderately-difficult two or four-mile walk is available Wednesday at 9 a.m. Meet at the Metroparks’ Bikeway Trailhead at Kirk Road.

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 January.

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 January at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

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