Austintown briefs

Fun Time for 4s and 5s

The Austintown library will host Fun Time for 4s and 5s on Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 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 and 3s

The Austintown library will hosts Baby Brilliant: Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s on Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 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.

Dream a little dream with Dr. King

In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made his “ I Have a Dream” speech. The Austintown library invites school-aged children to write and/or illustrate one of your dreams on the paper provided, share it with a librarian and get a sticker.

The event will be going on during library hours in the month of February.

Bonding with babies and 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 Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23.

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 will feature 20 minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs and stories, followed by time to play and socialize.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Shepherd of the Valley honors employee

Shepherd of the Valley Home Health Director Kris Siciliano was recently named Employee of the Quarter for Shepherd of the Valley-Corporate Office/Home Health Care Services.

“Kris is a phenomenal boss. She possesses the most outstanding qualities for a manager that I have ever had. She is compassionate not only with our clients and their families, but with her employees,” said one of the nominators.

Siciliano joined the Shepherd of the Valley Home Health staff in February 2010. She lives in New Middletown with her husband and three children.

Enjoy PS2 day in February

The Austintown library will host video gaming for teens in grades 7-12 on Feb. 7 and 14 at 2:30 p.m.

Quaker Steak and Lube presents bike night

Quaker Steak and Lube in Austintown, in conjunction with Heels ‘n Wheels Entertainment, will host an Emergency Bike Nite on Feb. 9 from 6 to 10 p.m.

The Heels ‘n Wheels Ladies will run raffles and award prizes and Firedoll Photography will take pictures for East Coast Online Biker Magazine, as one of the ladies has been awarded the March cover and a two-page spread.

The Heart Association of The Mahoning Valley will do blood pressure screenings and have information regarding the organization. A portion of the evening’s events will benefit the Heart Association. Indoor bike games will be run by Hairy George of the Fast and Hairy Bike Show. The event is produced by Hairy Katt Productions.

Mahoning career center launches mobile app

The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center is connecting with students, parents, staff and the community in a new way through its mobile app.

The app features information on the career center’s 22 high school programs and its Adult Education courses as well as photos, videos, news, events, resources and more. Now students and parents can check grades, receive snow day alerts and stay up to date on the latest news at MCCTC all on their smart phone or tablet computer.

MCCTC administrators made the move into mobile application development based on the level of interest from students, parents and staff on its social media sites.

The mobile app allows for users to comment on sections, post photos from events and share the app’s content with friends via Twitter, Facebook, email and text message. The mobile app was developed in partnership with MCCTC’s marketing provider The Prodigal Company. The MCCTC app is available for free download on both the Apple and Android markets.

For more information, contact Jacqueline Kuffel at 330-729-4120 or Adrienne Sabo at 330-707-2088.

Cardinal Mooney open house scheduled

Cardinal Mooney High School, 2545 Erie St., will host an open house on Feb. 5 from noon to 3 p.m.

The open house, which will conclude Mooney’s “Catholic Schools Week” celebration, is designed to give the public an opportunity to visit the school and learn more about the school and its curriculum. Members of the faculty and administration will be available to explain the school’s curriculum, detailed new course offerings for the 2012-2013 school year and to discuss financial aid opportunities.

In addition, students will be featured in various demonstrations and projects. Visitors will be invited to take guided tours of the building. Information concerning application procedures will be available and new student applications will be accepted.

The school’s Alumni Association will sponsor a “Tuition Drawing” featuring four $500 scholarship prizes. In addition, the Cardinal Mooney Home and School Association will host a Chinese auction in the cafeteria.

The open house is open to all Cardinal Mooney parents, friends, alumni and prospective students and their parents.

Men’s Garden Club seminar set

The Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown will host its annual winter seminar on Feb. 18 at Fellows Riverside Gardens from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s theme is “Gardening on the Shady Side.”

Four garden experts will share their suggestions for making shade gardening a rewarding experience. The program includes lunch and door prizes.

Contact John Kolar at 330-545-2266 for further details. Seating is limited.

Men’s Garden Club sponsors scholarship

The Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown is sponsoring it’s 21st annual horticulture scholarship for high school seniors and college students pursuing a degree in horticulture, landscape design or allied subjects. The scholarship ranges from $500-$1500. Application deadline is March 1.

Contact Keith Kaiser at 330-740-7116 or visit www.mgcy.org for additional information.

Friendly’s cones for kids

Poland Friendly’s is kicking of its annual “Cones for Kids” campaign. The Valentine’s Day fundraiser will benefit 30 Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s programs.

For a $1 donations, Friendly’s will provide restaurant guests with five Valentine’s Day cards, redeemable for free Friendly’s Kid’s Cones. The campaign runs through Feb. 13.

Funds raised will support Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s Æprograms essential to building a sense of independence and accomplishment for thousands of children annually.

Mahoning Valley Pizza Cook-Off tickets on sale

Tickets are now on sale for the The Potential Development Program’s 2012 Mahoning Valley Pizza Cook-Off, sponsored by BeautiStone. The event will be held at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center, 7440 South Ave., on March 18 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets to the event are $12.50 per person or $150 for a reserved table of 10. They can be purchased by visiting www.mvpizzacookoff.com or by calling Shellie Duchek, Development Officer for the Potential Development Program, at 330-746-7641.

Relay for Life kicks off Thursday

The Relay for Life of Austintown will host its open house on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at Austintown Community Church on Route 46. The open house is an opportunity for all Austintown residents to come together to kick off the relay season and learn more about the event and how to get involved.

Relay For Life is a community event that honors cancer survivors, current cancer patients and caregivers. Relay also pays tribute to those who have lost their battle with cancer.

For more information about the event, call Jennifer Arden at 888-227-6446, ext. 2217 or visit www.relayforlife.org/austintown.

St. Valentine’s Day dinner set

The St. Vincent DePaul Society of Mahoning County and The Knights of Columbus Bishop Fenwick Council No. 13586 are sponsoring their 2012 St. Valentine’s Day Benefit Gala Fundraiser Feb. 11 at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner is at 7 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Open Your Hearts for the Less Fortunate”. This annual event is a fundraiser to support the Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry of the St. Vincent DePaul Society and the charitable works of the Knights.

Tickets are $50 per person and include hors d’oeuvres, filet mignon buffet dinner, dessert and a chance to win part of $3,500 in cash prizes. A live auction will also be held, along with a silent and Chinese auction and 50/50 Raffle. Music will be provided by a DJ all evening. Tickets can be obtained by calling Brian Antal at 330-690-8435.

Gardens display artwork in January

The Fellows Riverside Gardens will display new exhibits this January. All exhibits will be displayed at the Davis Education and Visitor Center every Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through January.

The exhibits include Fellows Riverside Gardens: Intimate and Inspirational, which is the photography of Scott Lanz and demonstrates that beauty in nature can be found not only in our national parks, but also in our own backyard.

Another exhibit is Wild Land: Thomas Cole and the Birth of American Landscape Painting. Thomas Cole painted a new vision of the American wilderness promoting the concept of valuing and preserving the environment and living in balance with nature.

Mindfulness Meditation Seminar set

Cultivate the Garden of Your Mind to bloom with positive and compassionate thoughts and reduce negative thinking which blocks daily happiness. Karres Cvetkovich CYT (30 years experience) will lead this practical seminar based on meditation methods supported by current research. Register by calling Cvetkovich at 330-799-0323. Cost is $45 and $35 for FFRG members.

Sign language classes offered

American Sign Language (ASL) classes are offered by the Community for the Deaf at Youngstown Hearing and Speech Center on Southern Boulevard in Boardman. This class will help you develop expressive and receptive skills by learning spelling, language, grammar/structure and deaf culture.

ASL I will be held on Tuesdays from Jan. 24 to March 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $115 and includes workbook.

ASL II will be Tuesdays from Jan. 24 to March 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $90.

ASL III will be Mondays from Jan. 23 to March 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $90.

ASL IV will be Thursdays from Jan. 19 to March 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $85.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Ukraine

The Orthodox Center, 1025 N. Belle Vista Ave., will present “Malanka - New Year’s Eve in Ukraine!” on Saturday at 5 p.m. A dinner buffet will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a dance featuring the Del Sinchak Band following.

Dinner and dance tickets are available by calling 330-799-7911 or 330-538-3447. The cost of advanced tickets is $20 per adult, $5 per young adult. The cost at the door is $25 per adult at $10 for young adults.

Challenge your brain at the library

The Austintown library will be celebrating the “Year of the Dragon” with Chinese Zodiac Word Searches during library hours through January.

Children of all ages can ask the librarian what animal equates to the year of your birth and receive a hand stamp.

Bonding with Babies and Books

The Austintown library will host “Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books for Lapsitters” and “Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books for Walkers” on Thursday. The lapsitters program, for little ones who are not walking independently, will begin at 9:30 a.m.

The walkers program, for children who are walking independently, will begin at 11 a.m. Both programs will include 20 minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs and stories, followed by time to play and socialize. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Yoga at the gardens

The MetroParks presents Yoga at Fellows Riverside Gardens every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. through the end of January.

A blend of energizing yoga styles will help you keep a healthy outlook in 2012. Students at all levels are welcome. Bring a mat and small blanket. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens for information. The cost is $10 per class.

Library hosts Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s

The Austintown library will host “Baby Brilliant: Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s on Wednesday 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.

Fun Times at the library

The Austintown library will host “Fun Time for 4s and 5s” on Jan. 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.

MetroParks presents MetroMutts on Saturday

The MetroParks will be hosting MetroMutts: Pet First Aid on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Birch Hill Cabin. Keep your pets healthy and safe by learning how to recognize, respond to and prevent life-threatening conditions.

Leave your pet at home while you attend this comprehensive workshop. You will receive pet first aid certification and a manual. Bring a bag lunch if you wish.

Registration and payment are needed by Jan. 25. Cost is $35 for MetroMutts members and $45 for nonmembers. Extra manuals are $20.

T’ai Chi Step One in the Gardens

Ease stress, improve health, and increase vitality every Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. through January.

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.