METRO DIGEST || Green gardener class filled

Gardener training

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. has launched its Lots of Green Market Gardener Training program and will have its first class today.

The program has been filled beyond capacity after an overwhelming response, showing the groundswell of interest in urban farming in Youngstown, said Presley Gillespie, the YNDC executive director. The program was available to 25 residents, and received over 45 applications.

The program, funded by the Ohio EPA Environmental Education Fund and presented in collaboration with the Ohio State University Extension of the Mahoning Valley, will train prospective urban farmers in environmental and business aspects of sustainable market gardening. The course will run for through May 7.

Participants who complete the 10-week training program will receive assistance in finding further agricultural opportunities and will be provided with space at a market garden incubator site, Gillespie said.

Public invited

YOUNGSTOWN

The East Committee of the Friends of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is inviting the public to learn more about the group at an open house set for 5 to 6 p.m. Monday at the East Branch Library, 430 Early Road.

The Friends will have a general membership meeting at 4:30 p.m., preceding the open house.

Refreshments will be served, and Deborah Liptak, library development director, will talk about the library and the importance of supporting the East Branch and joining its Friends group.

Cemetery clean-up

CANFIELD

The city requests that all Christmas decorations be retrieved from city cemeteries by March 15. Any decorations left after that date will be removed.

Superintendent search

NILES

As part of its search for a new school superintendent, the board of education will have a public-forum focus group for parents at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Niles McKinley High School auditorium.

The board is seeking input on major issues facing the district for the next three to five years, performance expectations for the next superintendent, and personal and professional qualities sought in the next superintendent.

Nadia’s threatened

hubbard

Police were called to Nadia’s Restaurant, 322 W. Liberty St., at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday after Elie Faraj, 26, of the 400 block of Windamere, came to the restaurant, his family’s business, and demanded money, then threatened to come back with a gun. Faraj, who had been in Trumbull County Jail, had been released to attend his father’s funeral this week in Youngstown.

Judge Michael Bernard of Girard Municipal Court issued a warrant for Faraj’s arrest because he violated an agreement concerning his release. Faraj was in jail on three counts of theft and one count of stolen property with two $10,000 bonds.

Thyroid lecture

BOARDMAN

Dr. Ted Suzelis is offering a lecture titled, “Naturopathic Thyroid Care” on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at his Boardman office in Southbridge Executive Park, 725 Boardman-Canfield Road, Suite K-4. The event is free and open to the public. For more information or to register, call 330-729-1350 or register online at www.ohiond.com.