Austintown briefs

Italian Fest to be in August

The Greater Youngstown Italian Fest will be held on Aug. 3-5 in downtown Youngstown. The festival is now accepting applications for the Italian Man and Woman of the Year. Applications for scholarships are also available. Applicants must be attending Youngstown State University in order to be eligible for these scholarships. Deadline for applications is June 1. For more information and applications, contact Arlene DeChellis at 330-726-8019.

Walk for Life set

Pregnancy Help Center Walk for Life is May 5 in Boardman Park, Thomas C. Masters Pavilion. Registration is at 9 a.m., the two-mile walk begins at 10 a.m.

Chuck E. Cheese will be there to pass out coupons for the Boardman location for free tokens for all day May 5. Fifteen percent of all proceeds from the day go toward the Walk for Life total.

Enjoy pizza and games at Chuck E. Cheese after the walk and benefit women and babies in the community.

Sponsor forms for the walk can be downloaded directly from www.supportcarenet.com. No need to collect money — get pledges and we will bill sponsors.

For more information, call 330-788-4000.

Eat pasta, support Tyler

A pasta dinner in support of Tyler Branca will be held on May 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church, 7345 Westview Drive. The cost is $9 for adults and $6 for children 10 and under. Dinner includes pasta, meatballs, salad, roll, dessert, coffee, tea and orange drink. Pasta, sauce and meatballs are donated by Cafe Capri.

Branca is a 21-year-old college student who was recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Monetary donations are also accepted at any First National Bank — just ask for the Tyler Branca Fund.

Sheely’s Furniture celebrates 60 years

Sheely’s Furniture and Appliance of North Lima is celebrating 60 years of doing business in the region. Sheely’s is hosting a special four-day event at its store.

Today and Monday, customers can stop by for a number of giveaways including a chanced to win appliances, furniture and gift cards. Families can stop by for special kids events, too.

To learn more about Sheely’s, visit their website at www.Sheelys.com.

Fibromyalgia Support Group meeting set

The Mahoning Valley Fibromyalgia Support Group will meet on April 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, 425 Crestview Ave. in Boardman. The group will share, inform and educate on daily living with a chronic disease. Anyone with an interest in fibromyalgia may attend.

Bladder Cancer Awareness Program set

The Bladder Cancer Awareness Program will be April 23 at 5 p.m. at Ciminero’s Banquet Center, 123 N. Main Street in Niles. Dr. Vince Ricchiuti and Dr. Dan Ricchiuti of NEO Urology Associates Inc., and Partners for Urology Health will discuss risk factors, prevention and treatment options for bladder cancer.

The program is free and open to the public with dinner provided. Register by calling 330-480-3151 or toll-free at 877-700-4647. Registration is needed by Thursday.

Wine tasting event set

The sixth annual St. Michael’s Family Life Center Benefit Wine Tasting is Friday at 7 p.m. The event will feature wines from more than half a dozen distributors across northeast Ohio, as well as food stations prepared by Naffah Hospitality of Canfield.

Tickets are $50 per person in advances. Reservations are being accepted for tables of eight people.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call the St. Michael’s Parish office at 330-533-6839.

Registration opens for Women’s Heart Day

Registration for Woman’s Heart Day, a free health and wellness extravaganza provided by Humility of Mary Health Partners has begun. Provided as a service to the community, Woman’s Heart Day will take place on May 10 from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Covelli Centre. This annual event features free health screenings, fitness demonstrations, educational presentations on a variety of women’s health issues, cooking demonstrations, refreshments and giveaways.

Among the health screenings offered this year are bone density, lipid panel (cholesterol) and glucose testing, arterial disease assessments, blood pressure readings, vision screenings, body fat measurements and health age assessments.

Registration is required and appointments for lipid panel testing are limited.

For information or to register, call the HMHP Healthline at 330-480-3151 or 877-700-4647.

Student on Dean’s List

Ellen O’Neill has been named to the Dean’s List for the 2Ol1 fall semester at Elon University. She is the granddaughter of Erven and Connie Robinson of Austintown.

AARP Driver Safety Program set

The AARP Drive Safety Program will take place today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Austintown Senior Center, 100 Westchester Drive, Austintown. The event is co-sponsored by Austintown Senior Center and Mahoning County Sheriff’s Senior Services Unit. The hosts will provide a certified instructor and the course will provide senior defensive driving strategies. A light lunch will be available after the program. The cost for the program is $12 for AARP members and $15 for nonmembers. To register, call 330-953-1416.

Trash and Treasure Sale set

TOPS No. 2191 is hosting a Trash and Treasure Sale on May 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wickliffe Presbyterian Church, 45 Idlewood Road in Austintown. The sale will include a Chinese auction and concessions will be available.

TOPS is a weight loss support group for men, women and children 7 and older. The chapter meets at the church on Thursdays from 5:45 to 7 p.m. For more information on TOPS, contact Kerry Price at 330-799-2894.

Celebrate Earth Day

The Austintown library is celebrating Earth Day all month. Children of all ages are invited to try their hand at a paper maze and receive a surprise. Visit the Austintown library during library hours through the month of April.

Business start-up workshop

The library is partnering with SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, in presenting this seminar today at 10 a.m. Are you thinking about starting a business in the near future or further down the road? Members of SCORE will address key topics for those considering beginning a business: start-up considerations, marketing, finances, and technology for business. The Business and Investment Center librarian will discuss the Library’s sources and services for business start-up and beyond.

Library hosts a smart money program

The Austintown library will offer a smart money program for school-age children on April 28 at 2:30 p.m. Listen to the story “Caps for Sale.” Then we’ll bring it to life! Families will also enjoy playing several games that encourage financial literacy, including one of the library’s Smart Money: Fun Finance Stations.

Bonding with babies, books

The Austintown library will host its two Baby Brilliant programs, Bonding with Babies and Books for Lapsitters and Bonding with Babies and Books for Walkers on April 12, 19 and 26. Bonding with Babies and Books for Lapsitters will begin at 9:30 a.m. and is for children who are not walking independently. Bonding with Babies and Books for Walkers will begin at 11 a.m. and is for children who are walking independently. Both programs feature 20 minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs and stories. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Fibromyalgia Support Group meeting set

The Mahoning Valley Fibromyalgia Support Group will meet on April 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, 425 Crestview Ave. in Boardman. The group will share, inform and educate on daily living with a chronic disease. Anyone with an interest in fibromyalgia may attend.

Registration opens for Women’s Heart Day

Registration for Woman’s Heart Day, a free health and wellness extravaganza provided by Humility of Mary Health Partners has begun. Provided as a service to the community, Woman’s Heart Day will take place on May 10 from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Covelli Centre. This annual event features free health screenings, fitness demonstrations, educational presentations on a variety of women’s health issues, cooking demonstrations, refreshments and giveaways.

Among the health screenings offered this year are bone density, lipid panel (cholesterol) and glucose testing, arterial disease assessments, blood pressure readings, vision screenings, body fat measurements and health age assessments.

Registration is required and appointments for lipid panel testing are limited.

For information or to register, call the HMHP Healthline at 330-480-3151 or 877-700-4647.

Library meeting set

The Friends of the Austintown Library will host “Eat Like a Thresherman” with author Hugh Earnhart on April 16 at 10 a.m. Earnhart is a professor emeritus, Lincoln impersonator and pioneer of the use of oral history at Youngstown State University. His book is a collection of recipes from his grandmother’s compilation of 800 recipes. Professor Earnhart is retired from Youngstown State University, having served as the former chair of the history department.

HMHP to host drug take-back

Humility of Mary Health Partners, as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, will collect unused prescription medications on April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown and St. Joseph Health Center in Warren.

Unused and expired prescription drugs can be dropped off at drive-through collection sites on the Belmont Avenue ramp at St. Elizabeth and at the main entrance at St. Joseph.

Participation is free and anonymous – no questions asked.

Medications need not be in original containers. If medication is disposed of in its original container, identifying information should be removed. Liquid medications, intravenous solutions, injectable drugs and syringes will not be accepted.

Celebrate life group to meet

Men and Women United for Life, a pro-life group within the Diocese of Youngstown, and the Youth Ministry students from Holy Family Parish in Poland are sponsoring the second annual unique celebration of life titled “Blessed One.” The celebration will be tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m. at Holy Family Parish, 2729 Center Road. Deacon Ralph Poyo of the Diocese of Steubenville, a nationally-known speaker and the founder of New Evangelization Ministries will be the keynote speaker for the event. A reception will follow the event at the Parish Center. For more information, contact Natalie Wardle, youth minister at St. Charles Parish, at 330-758-2325.

Mahoning Valley Pizza Cook-Off raises money

On March 18 the Mahoning Valley’s finest pizza establishments donated their time and talent to present more than 1,100 attendees with the best pizzas. This year’s Mahoning Valley Pizza Cook-Off raised more than $38,000 for the Potential Development Program’s School of Autism.

Local pizzerias participating in The 2012 Mahoning Valley Pizza Cook Off included: Bella Napoli, Brier Hill Pizza and Wings, Bruno Bros. Pizza, Cassese’s MVR, Cocca’s Pizza, Gia’s Pizzeria, La Rocca’s Pizza and Pasta Ristorante, Southgate Pizza, Sunrise Inn, Strikers and Wedgewood Fernando’s Pizza.

The Potential Development Program, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization that offers special education services to children with developmental delays, behavioral concerns and a diagnosis within the autism spectrum.

Fun Time for 4s and 5s

The Austintown library will host Fun Time for 4s and 5s on April 18 and 25 at 11 a.m. The program will include developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help children, ages 4-5, become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tales and Talk for 2s, 3s

The Austintown library will hosts Baby Brilliant: Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s on April 18 and 25 at 10 a.m. The program will include developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help children, ages 2-3, become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

ABWA meeting set

The Mill Creek Chapter of ABWA will host its annual Spring Enrollment program April 10 at A La Cart in Canfield. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. with spinach salad, Swiss chicken, baked potatoes, green beans, coffee and tea. The cost is $16. Reservations are due by Monday.

For more information, call Darlene Demjen at 330-755-9089 after 6 p.m.

Search for wildflowers

The MetroParks is hosting a hike that will search for the first blooming wildflowers. The hike will take place on April 15 at 2 p.m. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty, three miles.

Participate in Ohio Plant Lover’s Tour

The MetroParks is traveling to Ohio Prairie Nursery on May 30 to see native plants best suited for Ohio. The bus will continue on to the American Herb Society and Holden Arboretum for lunch and a tour. The David G. Leach Research Station displaying spectacular rhododendrons is the last stop before a delicious dinner at the Ferrante Winery and Ristorante. Cost is $135 ($95 for FFRG members). Registration is due by April 30. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens for details.

Car Trunk and Treasure Sale set

The Ursuline Center Car Trunk and Treasure Sale will be July 14 at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of the Ursuline Center on Shields Road in Canfield. Spaces are now available for cars. The cost for a side-by-side space is $25, but the fee will increase to $30 after June 30. All spaces are first-come, first-served.

The sale will also include food and refreshments on sale as well as a book, bake and furniture sale that be will held inside the center. The sale of pets, firearms and fireworks will not be permitted.

For more information, contact the center at 330-533-3831 or visit www.theursulinecenter@yahoo.com.

Get fit together

Mill Creek MetroParks and Fitness Together present this event held at Wick Recreation Area and surrounding park drives on April 28 at 9 a.m. Fitness Together is a local, group-training studio dedicated to helping people achieve their overall fitness goals. All profits from the race, sponsorships, and registration fees will be given to the Mill Creek Park Foundation supporting outdoor education and recreation activities within Mill Creek MetroParks.

This walk/run event is an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to have a good time and support a great cause. Whether you are a veteran racer, a first time participant, or someone who would prefer to walk while socializing with friends and family, we welcome you. Registration forms available online at www.fitnesstogethercanfield.com. For more information call 330-702-1311.

Cost is $15 for early registration (prior to April 27); $20 for event-day registration .

Take bird walks

Certified Volunteer Naturalist Nancy Brundage will lead two spring walks. The walks will be:

April 21 at 8 a.m., meet at Newport Wetlands. Easy rating, less than one mile.

April 28 at 8 a.m., meet at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Easy rating, less than one mile.

Learn the park’s natural history

The MetroParks will host Earth Day Now and Then hike on April 22 at 2 p.m. Naturalist Emeritus Bill Whitehouse will lead this leisurely paced excursion to discuss the Park’s natural and cultural history, and Earth Days in the past. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty, three miles.

Bluebells hike set

The MetroParks will be taking a hike on April 29 at 2 p.m. See the parade of spring wildflowers at one of the premier places in the area. Meet at Poland Municipal Forest. Easy rating, two miles.

Health and Wellness Walks set

The MetroParks is hosting health and wellness walks. The walks will be:

April 17 at 9 a.m., meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at MetroParks Farm. Easy rating, two or four miles.

April 25 at 6 p.m., meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at MetroParks Farm. Easy rating, two or four miles.

Enjoy Breakfast Botany

The MetroParks will host Breakfast Botany: Sweet Shrub Family on Friday from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Start your morning with a brisk garden walk. Return to the Garden Caf to enjoy a light breakfast and learn about the willow plant family. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. The cost is $7 for residents and $9 for non-residents.

Take a tour of the gardens

The MetroParks is hosting an Earth Day Tour of the gardens on April 22 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Enjoy a leisurely walk in Fellows Riverside Gardens with Ellen Speicher, assistant horticulture director to admire the glowing hues of daffodils displaying their spring colors. Speicher will point out highlights while sharing anecdotes and history. Sign in at the information desk on the afternoon of the tour.

Express yourself at writing workshop

Join Karen Schubert in writing about meaningful, everyday experiences on April 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The workshop will explore various writing styles. All levels of experience are welcome. Bring a page or two of writing to share.

Cost is $10 per class. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register.

Learn to paint a gourd bird house

Pam Baytos will teach students how to paint a gourd transforming it into a very inviting home for birds on April 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register.

The cost is $17 for residents and $22 for non-residents.

Learn new recipes

Chef David Armstrong will share recipes and culinary techniques on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Armstrong will demonstrate how to prepare two savory soups and a salad to delight your guests. Come with an appetite. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register.

The cost is $35 ($28 FFRG members).

MetroMutts hike set

Bring your canine companion to the McGuffey Wildlife Preserve for a hike on April 15 at 11 a.m. You’ll learn about the author of the famous McGuffey Readers while we explore the Preserve with our guest hiker, Richard Scarsella, President of the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society. The Preserve is located on McGuffey Road in Coitsville Township. Easy rating.

Birding the sanctuary

Jeff Harvey of Wild Birds Unlimited will lead a walk at the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, a 264-acre parcel closed to the public. The walk will be held on Saturday at 8 a.m. Because of parking limitations, reservations must be made by calling Ford Nature Center by 5 p.m., April 20. Binoculars and boots are required. No “walk ins” will be permitted.

Energize with yoga

Fellows Riverside Gardens is hosting yoga classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays during April. Classes will be 9:30- 11 a.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. A blend of energizing yoga styles will help you keep a healthy outlook. Students at all levels are welcome. Bring a mat and small blanket. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens for information.

The cost is $10 per class.

Partake in T’ai Chi at the gardens

Fellows Riverside Gardens is hosting T’ai Chi Step One on April 18 and 25 from 12 to 1 p.m. Ease stress, improve health and increase vitality. Join Marie Lew in warm-ups, breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens for information.

The cost is $10 per class.

Buy dahlias tomorrow

The Mahoning Valley Dahlia Society will offer unique varieties that will add to your dahlia collection. The sale will take place tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Free hearing tests available by appointment

The Centers for Hearing Care will provide free hearing screenings at any of its six Valley locations by appointment only March 27-30.

To make an appointment, call one of these locations — Austintown (330-270-4327), Boardman (330-726-3339), Columbiana (330-337-3332), Liberty (330-759-3593), Howland (330-394-3300) or Salem (330-337-3332).

Join a loose knit group

Team up with other crafters on Friday to make afghans and other projects to donate locally. The group meets from 10 a.m. to noon in the Antonucci Library. Donations of yarn and needles are appreciated at any time. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens for more information.

Look for golden daffodils

Join our hike around Lake Newport tomorrow at 2 p.m. and keep your fingers crossed that Daffodil Meadow is in bloom. Meet at Newport Wetlands parking lot. Difficult rating, five miles.

Get job help

The Austintown library is hosting a free job help series. The library will help prepare you for your job search with these three job help programs:

Free Job Help 101- Library Online Resources for Everyone! This program will highlight the Workplace Skills training available through the library’s databases and websites. The program will be on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

Free Job Help 102 - This program highlights the Resume Writing templates and help available through the library’s databases, programs and websites. The program will be on April 21 at 9:30 a.m.

Free Job Help 103 - This program highlights the Job Search sites available through the Library’s websites. You will learn to create your own free accounts on some of the sites and try sample job searches. The program will be on April 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Take a trip to Wheeling Downs Racetrack

The 2012 Pink Ribbon Classic committee is sponsoring a bus trip to Wheeling Downs Racetrack and Casino on May 19. The bus will leave from Fab Limo on Connecticut Ave. in Austintown at 9 a.m. and will depart from Wheeling Downs at 5 p.m. The cost is $30 per person and each player will be give $25 in free play.

All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Send registration and checks to: Pink Ribbon Golf Classic, c/o Nancy Felton, American Cancer Society, 525 N. Broad Street, Canfield, OH 44406.

MetroParks presents Children’s Book Festival

The Children’s Book Festival: Plant the Seed to Read will be held on April 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens. The event will be a day of fun for children and their families together enjoying authors, illustrators, book characters, storytellers and many activities for children. Bring your camera to be photographed with Curious George or the animals from the Akron Zoo. Admission is free.