Poland briefs

Local church to host senior fair

Emmanual Community Church, located at 6512 Kirk Road in Austintown, will host a senior fair Aug. 10 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event is free and will include live entertainment, free food and drinks, bingo, dancing, veterans information, information on Medicare, Hospice of the Valley and more. The Mobile Medical Unit will be available to check blood pressure. There will be basket raffles and a flat screen television giveaway.

Library board of trustees to meet

The building and sites committee of the board of trustees, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, will meet at 1 p.m. on Aug. 8, in the meeting room of the Main Library. The purpose of the meeting is to review proposals from architects for the Canfield Branch Library building project.

Hospice offers grief program

Grief 101, a program presented by Hospice of the Valley bereavement facilitators, will be offered on Aug. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Austintown Seniors Center, located at 112 Westchester Drive in Austintown.

The program will explain the grieving process and its impact on people and families. Support materials will be distributed. It is open to the public; no charge and no registration.

For more information, call 330-549-5900.

Diaper drive to be Aug. 10

A diaper drive will be hosted to help babies in need Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 15 E. McKinley in Poland and from 2-6 p.m. at Columbiana First United Methodist Church. Visit www.everylittlebotton.com for more information.

Wagner served as delegate

Bridget Wagner of Poland, served as a delegate to Buckeye Girls State at the University of Mount Union from June 16-22. Wagner served in the role of State Senator during the event.

BGS is a week-long program designed to educate Ohio’s young women in the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of good citizenship. Through involvement in this process, BGS delegates learn more about city, county and state government within one week. Nearly 900 rising high school seniors participated in this year’s event.

Arms Museum plans Christmas program

Plans for this year’s Memories of Christmas Past are underway at the Arms Family Museum. The Mahoning Valley Historical Society is looking to the Valley community for some help with this year’s display. Highlights this year will be on local Valley traditions and will include family heirlooms, nativity collections, handmade cigar box doll houses and a large collection from John Garver, inventor of the locally produced Plakie twirler ornaments. The society is looking for Christmas items related to downtown department stores. McKelveys, McCrorys, Higbees, Strouss-Hirshberg or any other downtown establishment are desirable. Items will be displayed on a short-term loan basis and will be returned to the owner after the exhibit closes in January. Please email a description and picture of items to events@mahoninghistory.org or contact the Historical Society with any questions at 330-743-2589. Memories of Christmas Past opens on November 23 and runs through January 5, 2014. Visit www.mahoninghistory.org for more details.

Back-to-school book sale set

The Friends of PLYMC Bookstore in the lower level of the Poland Library will host a Back-to-School book sale Aug. 5-10. Don’t miss out - 50 percent off of all children’s, young adult, history, reference, parenting, and instructional books.

Give blood at the library

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive at the Poland library on Aug. 7 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. For appointments, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Connect with your eReader

Bring your eReader to the Poland library on Aug. 3 from 10-11 a.m. and Aug. 12 from 6-7 p.m. The librarians will show you how to download eBooks from the library’s digital catalog on the website. For adults. Space is limited. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the branch by name to register.

Outsmart inflammatory disease

The Poland library will host a program teaching how to outsmart inflammatory disease using the summer harvest on Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Join Dr. Kathy Padgitt and learn how a whole food, plant-based diet will effectively help reduce and prevent many diseases. Learn simple strategies for improving eating habits that contribute to disease. Food samples and a demo featuring easy-to-make recipes will be provided by Sam Anderson, a Certified Raw Chef. No reservations are needed. Presented in partnership with Grow Youngstown.

Screen your blood pressure

The Poland library will host a blood pressure screening on Aug. 27 from 1-4 p.m. Sponsored by the Mahoning Chapter of American Red Cross.

Adults learn about apps

The Poland library will host Appy Hour on Aug. 5 from 6-7 p.m. for adults. Learn all about popular apps for smart phones and mobile devices. See a variety of apps that will help you connect to your, find a good place to eat, keep you entertained in a long grocery line, find a great new recipe, or find great music to listen to on your walk.

Registration recommended, call 330-744-8636, and ask for Poland library.

Puppet show to be Aug. 16

Watch characters come to life as you enjoy this positively preposterous puppet show on Aug. 16 at 2 p.m. For children of all ages.

Library hosts Fun for 4s and 5s

Join the Poland library for developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 4-5) become a successful reader Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Babies and books set at library

Babies ages 6 to 23 months can join the Poland library for developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child become a successful reader every Wednesday in August at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Join an Olympian’s quest

The Poland library will host An Olympian’s Quest: Gods and Titans and Monsters- Oh My Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. Come join us dressed as your favorite god, demi-god, titan or monster for a night of fun, food, games and crafts to celebrate the upcoming movie release of “Percy Jackson and the “Sea of Monsters”. This is a Tween-only event and requires pre-registration.

Pandemonium party set

Head “underground” and party like a Downworlder at the Mortal Instruments-inspired extravaganza, based on the popular novels by Cassandra Clare. Enjoy food, crafts, games and music by a live DJ Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. Dress as your favorite supernatural being, and you might even win our costume contest. Door prizes will include passes for the upcoming movie, “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones,” in theaters Aug. 23. For teens in grades 7-12.

Ostomy group to meet Aug. 13

The Youngstown Area Ostomy Support Group, sponsored by Humility of Mary Health Partners, will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 in the Cedar Room at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center, 8401 Market St., Boardman.

The Youngstown Area Ostomy Support Group meets monthly at alternating locations in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. It provides support, education and encouragement to individuals who have or will have ostomies. Families and friends of ostomy patients are welcome. Refreshments are provided and parking is free. For information, call 330-480-3440.

Have fun with bubbles

Have some good, clean fun with bubbles Aug. 20 and 22 from 2-4 p.m. at Oh Wow! Learn how to make your own bubble solution, plus another trick or two. Program is free, general admission applies to non-members. This event is for children in grades pre-k through fourth.

Wonderful Water set

Wonderful Water will be Aug. 6 and 8 at Oh Wow! from 2:30-3:30 p.m. The program is free, but general admission applies to non-members. The program includes a series of activities that show what water is and what it can do. This event is for grades pre-k through eighth.

Oh Wow! hosts Make It

Oh Wow! will host Make It - Underwater Viewers - Aug. 3 from noon until 2 p.m. The cost is $3 for members and $11 for non-members. Join Oh Wow! as they explore the wonders of water by making and experimenting with underwater viewers. For children in grades kindergarten through eighth.

Family garden Fridays set

The Metro Parks will host Family Garden Fridays every Friday now through September from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities will be centered on gardening with children. Learn about vegetables with “Eat Your Colors” and see which insect is the “Bug of the Week.” Call Fellows Riverside Gardens for information.

Sculpt with Pilates

Pilates Sculpt will be offered every Wednesday in August from 6-7 p.m. Join trainer Angela Lubonovich in using light hand weights to tone the body with emphasis on core strength and control. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens for information. Bring a mat, water (and two number weights if you have them). Cost is $10 per session; or use your Scenic Fitness Card.

Practice Yoga at the park

Yoga will be offered every Tuesday and Thursday in August from 9:30-11 a.m. and from 5:30-7 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Join Marina Perdos in the mornings and Karres Cvetkovich in the evenings for a blend of energizing yoga styles. Students at all levels are welcome. Bring a mat and small blanket. Classes are outdoors weather permitting. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens for information. Cost is $10 per class; or use your Scenic Fitness Card.

Take T’ai Chi

T’ai Chi Step One will be offered every Wednesday in August from noon 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; or use your Scenic Fitness Card.

Participate in Pilates

Pilates basics will be taught every Monday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Work on toning, shaping, core strength, alignment and breathing with fitness trainer Angela Lubonovich. Bring a mat and water. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens for information. Cost $10 per sessio; or use your Scenic Fitness Card.

Free open houses set

Every Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. running through Aug. 14, the Mahoning Valley Historical Society will host free Hands-On-History Open Houses at the Arms Family Museum of Local History, located at 648 Wick Ave. in Youngstown. Each week will feature a different historical theme – “Celebrating the Fourth,” “My Town, Your Town, Youngstown,” and “The House that Olive Built,” to name a few. Hands-On activities will include arts and crafts, games, toys, artifacts, dress-up clothing and more.

Participants can spend as much or as little time engaging in the activities and each week will feature something for all ages and interests. The open houses are free and open to the public and all participants can take advantage of half-priced admission for a full Arms Family Museum tour.

Historical society sponsors summer camp

In celebration and remembrance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the Mahoning Valley Historical Society will have an immersive Civil War Summer Day Camp for students ages 7-14. The Turning Points Camp runs Aug. 5-9, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day at the Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center, located at 325 West Federal St. in Youngstown.

The History Center will be transformed into a hybrid 2013/19th century location with the center’s spaces serving as battlefields, Ford’s Theatre, a Council of War room and more while using state-of-the-art media and education technology. Participants will explore all aspects of the war, from the politics and leaders to the civilian struggle and military life. Engaging and interactive lessons will include debates, mock elections, The Manual of Arms, 19th century games, chores and more.

Summer Camp registration information can be found at www.mahoninghistory.org.

Mature drivers course at SOV

Shepherd of the Valley is inviting mature drivers, age 60 or better, to sign-up for the AAA Safe Driving for Mature Operators course. The state-certified course, which can qualify attendees for auto insurance discounts, is being offered Aug. 5 and 7 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., with an hour for lunch, at Shepherds of the Valley - Poland, located 301 W. Western Reserve Road. The cost is $10 for AAA members and $15 for non-members. Lunch is available for an additional cost.

To register, call Elida Cowles, LPN at 330-726-7110, ext. 2318. For more information on this program, visit the Community Events page on the Shepherd of the Valley website, www.shepherdofthevalley.com.