Austintown Community Briefs

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is planning to send gifts to children all over the globe this year, with your help. Pick out and pack a present to send. National collection week ends Monday at Tabernacle E.P. Church, located at 2432 S. Raccoon Road. The last day’s collection will be from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, call Sandy at 330-565-8057, Linda at 330-360-2307 or Nancy at 330-565-4221.

Career center student salon open to public

Cosmetology students at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center opened The Salon at MCCTC to the public on Nov. 7. Salon hours are Wednesday and Thursday 8:30-10 a.m. and Friday by appointment only. The cosmetology students offer haircuts, styling, perms, hair color, manicures and hair removal. All services are performed by students under the supervision of their instructor and prices start at just $5. To make an appointment, call instructor Lisa Argiro at 330-729-4000, extension 1309.

Adopt an Angel charity

Adopt an Angel has been helping families and animal shelters in the Valley since 2008. They are currently accepting donations of all sorts — anything from clothing, canned goods and newspapers to toiletries. You can arrange for special pick-up (for those with special circumstances only) or donations can be dropped off at any time at the North Lima Business Complex, located at 11836 South Avenue, North Lima.

Donations can be made at any Huntington Bank with all proceeds to benefit 10 local families and six local animal rescues. For more information, call Jaime Hughes at 330-531-1705 or email AdoptanAngelCharity@yahoo.com.

Supper with Santa at Boardman Park

Boardman Park will be sponsoring “Supper with Santa” this year on Dec. 5 and 6 at the Lariccia Family Community Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Enjoy supper with Santa while doing crafts, playing games and listening to the music. You will also have a professional photo to take home.

Tickets for Supper with Santa are now on sale at Boardman Township Park office from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Tickets are $7 per Boardman resident and $9 for non-residents, 2 year-olds and under are admitted free. No tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, visit www.boardmanpark.com or call Karen at 330-965-0482 or the park office at 330-726-8105.

P.A.R. food drive under way

The Professional Alliance of ReSalers (P.A.R.) are sponsoring a holiday food drive from Nov. 14 to Dec. 14 to benefit those in need in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties during the holiday season. Customers are asked to donate non-perishable items, such as pasta, canned goods, peanut butter, cereal and canned tuna.

Drop off items at one of the following shops: D j Vu D cor (4742 Mahoning Ave, Austintown), Educational Consignment Plus (4950 Mahoning Ave, Austintown), Second Time Around Consignment (4954 Mahoning Ave, Austintown), Penny Pinchers (6826 Market St, Boardman), and Hannah’s Closet (47 W. McKinley Way, Poland).

Jorges accepted at Ashland

Austintown’s Julia Jorges has been accepted to Ashland University for the fall semester of 2013. Jorges, who is a senior at Fitch, will receive the Director’s Scholarship of $10,000 annually to attend Ashland University.

Edward Jones to host open house

Lori A. Ferreri, a local financial advisor for the financial services firm Edward Jones, has invited the community to attend a holiday open house from 3-6 p.m. on Dec. 4 at 3649 Canfield Road, Suite 5, Cornersburg (Coal Creek Plaza).

Holiday puppet show at library

The Austintown library will be putting on a holiday puppet show titled “Forgetful Santa” on Dec. 19 at 10:30 a.m. There will be a puppet show, craft and a treat and children of all ages will be welcome.

Bonding with babies and books

Caregivers and their little ones who are 6 to 23 months can go to the Austintown library on Dec. 4, 11, and 18 at 10 a.m. for 20 minutes of language enrichment, including rhymes, songs and stories, followed by time to play and socialize. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Chiropractors to feed the hungry

Two chiropractors in the Valley are looking to feed the hungry this holiday season. Dr. Bryan Cecil, owner of DC Chiropractic and Wellness Center, and Dr. Jim Mussler, owner of WellnessOne of Boardman, are accepting donations of non-perishable food items now until Thankgsgiving.

In return for the generosity, the doctors will offer free exams, X-rays and consultations to all who donate. Locations for this offer are DC Chiropractic and Wellness Center, 1219 Niles Cortland Road SE, Warren or WellnessOne of Boardman, 843 Boardman Canfield Road, Boardman. Individuals do not have to participate in the exam promotion to donate food.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s

The Austintown library will host developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 2-3) become a successful reader on Dec. 5 and 12 at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Zone named employee of the month

Frank Zone has been named as the Shepherd of the Valley Poland community Employee of the Month for October. He joined Shepherd of the Valley in November 2009 as a transportation provider. This past summer, he joined the reception staff to help cover vacations and has been a key member of the reception team ever since. He lives in Austintown with his wife.

Creation station at library

Check out the winter basket at the Austintown library: it’s full of penguins. Each individual bag contains all the pieces needed for a penguin stick puppet, including a little glitter. Children of all ages are welcome to participate in this project throughout December during regular hours.

Gotta move storytime at library

If your child has trouble sitting still for storytime, this fun and interactive story time on Dec. 4, 11, and 18 at 11 a.m. at the Austintown library where they can dance and wiggle all that energy out is perfect. An active story time for the young and restless. For ages 2-5. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Winter wonderland at library

It might be cold outside, but it is nice and cozy in the Austintown library. They will tell stories, play games and make crafts on Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m. For children in grades K-6 and their caregivers. Children under the age of seven must be accompanied by an adult.

PS2sday in December

Play video games in the meeting room of the Austintown library after school on Dec. 4 and 11 at 2:30 p.m. This event is for teens in grades 7-12.

Kindle klass is Dec. 3

Bring your Kindle to the Austintown library on Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. and the librarians show you how to download eBooks from the library’s digital catalog on the library’s website. Space is limited so call 330-744-8636 and ask for the Austintown library to register.

Friends of the Austintown library meeting

The December meeting on Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. will be the Austintown Friend’s annual Christmas luncheon and invitation for new members. Reservations are required and will be taken by the officers. A wonderful Christmas program will be presented to get the Friends and guest into the Holiday Spirit. YSU’s Dana Vocal Society (DVS) will present “Songs of the Season.” The Dana Vocal Society is comprised of YSU students who are music majors and those who are not music majors, with a goal of gathering students who love to sing and giving them opportunities to perform. DVS supports the arts in the area and also the YSU Opera Program.

Polar Express fundraiser and gift wrap

Get your holiday presents gift wrapped at Barnes and Noble on Dec. 7 and support the library. The East Friends of the Library will wrap from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the TeenXTreme Teen Advisory Board will gift wrap from 5 to 9 p.m. Pick up a voucher at any public library in Mahoning County to use when you purchase books at Barnes & Noble. The library will receive a percentage of the net sales when vouchers are presented on Dec. 7.

Holiday closing for libraries

All libraries in the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County system will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 23-25 and Dec. 30-31, Jan. 1.

PTA Reflections program

The Austintown PTAs are accepting entries for the 2012-13 Reflections program. All children in preschool through 12th grade, including homeschool students, can submit works of art in six areas: literature, visual arts, photography, dance choreography, film/video, and musical composition. The theme this year is “Magic of a Moment.” For more information, contact Richelle Laughner at 330-792-7223 or Jrlock112@aol.com.

Monday night writers to meet

Area writers, both published and unpublished, are invited to attend the next meeting of Monday night writers, Nov. 19 from 6-8 p.m. at Peaberry’s Caf , located at 4350 Boardman-Canfield Road in Canfield. The group is led by author and professional writer Nancy Christie and the two-hour sessions include a mix of writing exercises, information on the creative and business aspects of writing, and group feedback on ‘works-in-progress.’

The fee is $10 per class and registration is preferred. For more information, contact Christie at 330-793-3675 or at nancy@nancychristie.com.

Spaghetti dinner and benefit

There will be a spaghetti dinner and benefit for the family of Vic Gasior on Nov. 30 from 5-9 p.m. at St. Nick’s Hall in Struthers. Gasior was diagnosed in February 2012 with Stage 3 cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. Gasior and his wife, Kim, along with their two children, reside in Youngstown. Gasior has been a patrol officer for Youngstown Police Department for the past 15 years.

At the dinner, there will be a Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle. Carry-outs will be available. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance. The cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-9. All proceeds are going directly to the family.

Bonding with Babies and Books

For caregivers and their little ones aged 6 to 23 months, there will be 20 minutes of language enrichment, including rhymes, songs and stories, followed by time to play and socialize at the Austintown library on Nov. 27 at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s

The Austintown library will be hosting developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 2-3) become a successful reader on Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Fun Time for 4s and 5s

The Austintown library will be hosting developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 4-5) become a successful reader on Nov. 28 at 11 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Gotta move storytime

The Austintown library will be hosting a fun and interactive storytime for children who have trouble sitting still for long periods of time on Nov. 27 at 11 a.m. They can dance and wiggle all that energy out with an active storytime for the young and restless. For ages 2-5. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Guess and go

Guess the number of items in the jar at the Austintown library during regular hours throughout November. The closest guess wins. This event is for children of all ages.

Kindle class is Nov. 17

Bring your Kindle to the Austintown library today at 11 a.m. and the librarians can show you how to download eBooks from the library’s Digital Catalog on their website. Space is limited and sign-up is required. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the Austintown library.

Nook night at the library

Bring your Nook to the Austintown library on Monday at 6 p.m. and the librarians will show you how to download eBooks from the library’s Digital Catalog on their website. Space is limited and sign-up is required. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the Austintown Library.

Friends of the Library meeting

The Austintown Friends of the Library meeting will be on Monday at 10 a.m. and feature a program titled “Saluting the Military” where the Austintown Friends will salute those who serve our country in the armed services both present and past. Howard B. Friend, Poland resident and educator in the Youngstown area, will present a vivid tale of World War II which he titled, “War Is the Rage of Hell.” He will focus on the Battle of the Bulge (December 1944-January 1945), one of the greatest battles in military history.

Serving as an infantry machine gunner in the 3rd Army under Gen. George Patton, Friend was seriously wounded. He received the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for meritorious action against the enemy. Friend will tell about his battle experiences and lengthy recuperation from injuries.

Silver sneaker memberships

Free healthways Silver Sneaker memberships are offered at Curves Austintown, now at 4330 New Road. Eligible women can workout for free based on their participating Medicare Supplemental Insurance. Call 330-793-9802 for more information.

View historic wedding gowns

The Loghurst Farmhouse and Museum, located in Canfield on state Route 224, is hosting a Historic Wedding Gown Display starting today and continuing every Saturday and Sunday through Nov. 25 from 1-4 p.m. Wedding gowns from the Fowler family, local residents and Mahoning County Historical Society will be featured.

Local doctor offers free health lectures

Dr. Kathleen Padgitt, local kidney specialist, is presenting a series of lectures for healthy living. The program will be hosted in St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center’s Azalea Room. The lecture is free and open to the public. To register, call the Humility of Mary Healthline at 330-480-3051 or, toll free, 1-877-700-4647. Future lectures scheduled for the same time and location are: Juicing/Smoothies/Fasting, Nov. 27. Registration for all the programs are through the Healthline.