Donations sought for backpack program

Donations sought for backpack program

YOUNGSTOWN

NOW Youngstown and Community Initiative to Reduce Violence is seeking donations for the school backpack giveaway program, which will be part of the groups’ back-to-school rally next Friday at Wilson Middle School, 2725 Gibson St.

Checks should be made out to Unity Baptist Church with Jericho Project in the memo line. Donations should be sent to Unity Baptist Church, 3536 Sheridan Road, Youngstown, OH 44502.

Walmart in Liberty is donating school supplies and the project also received a Good Neighbor Grant.

Organizers pull plug on country shows

WARREN

By sometime in July, it became clear that the fledgling Country@The Amp music series at the Warren amphitheater was not going to make it, one of its organizers said.

“The turnout was no good. We lost money on every show,” said Dan Sferra, one of the three organizers. “After losing thousands of dollars, we decided to pull the plug,” he said.

All of the remaining shows, including one scheduled for today by a George Strait tribute band, have been canceled.

The schedule featured 10 performances on Friday nights between June 8 and Aug. 31. Six shows took place.

Martial-arts event set for Saturday

BOARDMAN

The 2012 U.S. Martial Arts Championship Mahoning Valley Event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Master Park Martial Arts International, 224 Boardman-Canfield Road.

Competition events are sparring, form performance, breaking demonstration, self-defense, judo and grappling for taekwondo, judo, karate, hapkiyudo, kungfu, jujitsu and all other martial arts.

Competitors are 3 and older, from novice to black-belt level, according to a news release.

A World Hi-Ya Challenge Local will also take place for all ages and anyone can register for it. All the competitors will receive a instruction of Hi-Ya Æ Challenge breathing, Kihap, moves, rules and regulation.

For information, contact Master Martial Arts at 330-965-9000 or visit www.MasterPark.com.

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