Poland briefs

Bond with your babies

The Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is hosting “Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books” for babies 6-23 months Wednesdays in May at 10 a.m.

The event includes developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child become a successful reader.

This program is available for children ages 2 and 3 Thursdays in May at 10:30 a.m. and for children ages 4 and 5 Thursdays in May at 1 p.m.

St. Elizabeth’s hosts May golf outing

St. Elizabeth Health Center will host its fourth annual Trauma Service Golf Outing May 22 at Pine Lakes Golf Course in Hubbard.

Registration will begin at 7 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The cost is $75 per single player or $300 per foursome and includes golf, cart, prizes and food. Cash prizes will be awarded.

Registration deadline is May 12. The event will support trauma center outreach and injury prevention programs.

To register, call Renee at 330-480-3880.

Celebrate Bluebell season and sip wine

Support Poland Forest maintenance projects and celebrate Bluebell season at a wine tasting fundraiser May 15 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Brunos Restaurant on state Route 224.

Tickets are $40. Several wines, food, gift opportunities and artwork will be available. To make reservation, call 330-503-5801.

Bring mom to the garden for brunch

Celebrate Mother’s Day at Fellows Riverside Garden’s with a brunch catered by the Georgetown Sunday at noon, 2 p.m. or 4 p.m.

For prices and reservations, call the Garden Caf at 330-740-7074.

Buy baked goods at sale

The Relay for Life Team of the Mill Creek Chapter of ABWA will host a bake sale today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at K-Mart in Austintown.

The proceeds from the sale will feed into the Relay account and the team will be at the Boardman Relay May 13-14.

Trim a tree for May

Decorate an ornament for the all-seasons tree at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County throughout the month of May during library hours.

Master Park expands two locations

Master Park is expanding his martial arts studio to include the space used by the old Boardman Oreck store. Children, ladies, seniors and families can exercise and rent this space for birthday parties or educational programs.

Master Park is also expanding the Austintown Master Park martial arts programs.

For information, contact Master Park at 330-965-9000 or e-mail MasterPark@MasterPark.com.

Local author signs books today

Family Christian Stores, 7415 Market St., will host a book signing featuring local author Jeffrey M. Magada from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.

Magada is the author of “The Good Life: You Can Walk in God’s Perfect Will.” The story focuses on the principles, underlying attitudes and lifestyle changes necessary to live the good life that God has designed for each of us.

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.

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. throughout May at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The costs is $10 per class. For information, call the gardens

Grocery stores help Wounded Warriors

Three local Nemenz IGA’s will participate in a national cause marketing initiative to raise money for Wounded Warrior Project.

Locations include 2980 McCartney Road, Youngstown; 8 N. Broad St., Canfield; and 655 Creed St., Struthers.

During this national promotion, from May 27 through Sept. 5, IGA will donate 10 cents from the sale of every specially-marked case of IGA brand water to Wounded Warrior Project, an organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors.

Historical society meets

The Poland Historical Society will host regular meetings the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Little Red School House, 4515 Center Road.

The society is actively seeking new and previous members who would like to be involved in future events, including a Tour of Homes and Gardens. For information, call Joan Madej at 330-707-0692.

New evening hours offered

The D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitor Center will be open to visitors Wednesday evenings until 8 p.m. throughout August. The Garden Caf will be open until 7 p.m. during summer evenings at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Beginner golf clinics offered

Two beginner golf clinics for adults will available Friday, May 15 and 20 and May 27, 29 and June 3 at the Par 3 Golf Course from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The sessions will focus on swing fundamentals. Topics include putting, short game and full swing.

The cost for the clinic is $40 and includes a sleeve of golf balls. To register, visit www.playgolfamerica.com or call 330-740-7112.

Golf at the Mill Creek Golf Course

Mill Creek Golf Course will host People for MetroParks golf outing May 25 with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.

The cost is $60 per golfer or $240 for a four-person team and includes golf, doughnuts, logo golf balls, prizes and a lunch provided by Farmers National Bank. To register, call Dennis Miller at 330-740-7112.

Help warm up America

Enjoy the view from the library at Fellows Riverside Gardens as a Loose Knit Group makes afghans and other projects to donate locally May 20 from 10 a.m. to noon.

All helping hands are welcome and donations of yarn and needles are appreciated. For information, contact the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Writing workshop offered

Join Karen Schubert Wednesday and May 25 for a writing workshop at Fellows Riverside gardens from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The fee for the class is $10.

Various topics to shape writing about experiences will be explored. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Boat safely this season

A boating safety class will be offered May 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Birch Hill Cabin.

Ohio law requires that anyone born after Jan. 1, 1982 who wishes to operate a watercraft over 10 HP must successfully complete an approved boating course or proficiency exam.

The fee for the class is $10 and participants will receive full training and complete and exam at the end of the class. Bring a lunch. To register, call Annette at 330-740-7100.

Bring the dog to yappy hour

Kick back and enjoy wine or beer, munchies, treats for your dog and the music of Donny Richards at MetroMutt’s happy hour event May 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at MetroParks Farm.

Co-sponsor Angels for Animals will also have adoptable dogs available.

The cost of the event is $10 for MetroMutt members and $15 for nonmembers. The event will be held rain or Shine. Reservations must be made by May 24. To make reservations, call 330-702-3000.

Create a spring leaf bowl

Lynn Cardwell will show students how to construct a porcelain bowl embossed with leaves May 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The pottery will be glazed, fired and ready for pick up approximately three weeks after the class.

The cost for the class is $25 for garden members and $32 for nonmembers. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Start the day with breakfast and botany

Start May 20 with a brisk walk, breakfast at the Garden Caf and a lesson on the Buckeye family from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

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

Wonder about wild animals

Preschoolers ages 3-5 and their adult companions will enjoy a story, activities, short walk and craft while exploring what wild animal babies and their parents are doing in the springtime during the Preschool Nature Hour: Who’s Minding the Kids at the Ford Nature Center Friday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. or May 14 at 10 a.m.

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

Plant a hanging basket

Children ages 3-5 years old and their companions will work together planting a hanging basket of pretty annuals May 19 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and May 20 and May 21 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Fellows Riverside Gardens.

A snack and story will be enjoyed along with the activity.

The cost for the event is $10 for residents and $14 for nonresidents. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Create climbing vines for kids

Children 6 and up and their adult companions will learn about climbing vines before planting morning glories in a pot with a trellis May 21 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Fellows Riverside gardens.

The cost for the event is $10 for residents and $14 for nonresidents. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

MetroParks Farm will be closed

MetroParks Farm will be closed Sunday.

Learn farm ABCs on May 15

Agriculture, barns and crops will be the focus during a tour of MetroParks Farm May 15 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The tour wagon will leave every half hour.

Learn about llamas May 29

Members of 4-H will bring their llama projects to MetroParks Farm May 29 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Learn what it takes to prepare these unusual animals for showing at the Canfield Fair. See how llamas are sheared, used as pack animals and watch them maneuver through an obstacle course.

Be the Italian man or woman of the year

The Greater Youngstown Italian Festival scheduled for July 29-31 in downtown Youngstown is accepting applications for the Italian Man and Woman of the Year.

Applications for scholarships are also available for students of Youngstown State University. Deadline for applications is June 1.

For information or an application, contact Arlene DeChellis at 330-726-8019.

Rivers Casino trip to help fight cancer

The 2011 Pink Ribbon Golf Classic committee is sponsoring a bus trip to the Rivers Casino May 14.

All proceeds from the trip will be given to the American Cancer Society.

The bus will leave from Fab Limo of Connecticut Avenue in Austintown at 9 a.m. and return at 6:30 p.m.

The cost is $25 per person and each player will be given $15 in play and a $5 food coupon.

Send registration and check to Pink Ribbon Golf Classic, c/o Nancy Felton, American Cancer Society, 525 N. Broad St., Canfield, OH 44406.

Get marriage help

Retrouvaille has helped tens of thousands of couples at all stages of disillusionment or misery in their marriage. The next program begins June 10 at Cambria Suites in Green (near Akron-Canton Airport).

For confidential information or to register, call 330-979-7787 or visit www.retrouvaille.org.