Austintown briefs

Dollar General Literacy Foundation donates to library

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently announced the award of $3000 to Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County to support literacy programs. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $81 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 4.7 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education.

A complete list of grant recipients may be found online at www.dgliteracy.org.

Hospice of the Valley to have volunteer class

Hospice of the Valley’s new volunteer class will begin June 7 at the Villa Maria Community Center’s Tabourat Center, located at 225 Villa Marie Road, Villa Maria, Pa. Classes are 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Friday for five weeks, through July 5.

Volunteers will learn what Hospice of the Valley’s team of doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains do for patients and their families and how volunteers fit into that team. Hospice volunteers serve in a variety of ways including companions for hospice patients at home or in nursing homes as well as helping at the Hospice House inpatient facility. New volunteers are particular needed for western Pennsylvania, as well as for all areas of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. Although the training is at the Villa this time, volunteers are assigned to patients closer to their homes.

For more information or to register, call 330-788-1992.

Slavic festival to be June 15

Simply Slavic, the downtown festival created specifically to celebrate Greater Youngstown’s colorful Slavic community will take place on June 15 from noon to midnight on Federal Plaza East.

The event began in 2011 to educate the community about Slavic heritage. The event will feature live music, folk dance performances, homemade food, educational exhibits and ethnic vendors.

Austintown resident earns degree

Ashley Williams of Austintown, earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Mount Union.

Memorial Day parade to be May 27

The Austintown Memorial Day parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday. The parade will follow a route from Marc’s parking lot, at the corner of Mahoning Avenue and Idaho Road, to the Fitch High School Veterans Memorial. A commemorative service, sponsored by the Austintown Memorial American Legion Post No. 301 and the Austintown VFW Post, will begin at 11 a.m. The master of ceremonies, post no. 301 commander, Gary Kommel, will introduce the main speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Rodrick A. Hosler, U.S. Army, retired and commander of the Mahoning County United Veterans Council.

All Mahoning County residents are invited to attend and anyone wishing to participate can contact John R. Facemyer at 330-533-1611.

Church hosts 5K run

Immaculate Hear of Mary in Austintown will host a 5K run on June 6 during the church festival. Registration begins at 5 p.m. in front of the school. The cost is $13 in advance and $15 on race day. There is no fee for the kids run for kids sixth grade and under. The kid’s race will begin at 7 p.m. and the 5K will take place immediately following. Entry forms are available at www.ihmfestival5K.webs.com. Entry form must be mailed to the address on the form. For more information, call 330-360-4876.

Grow Youngstown to offer fresh produce

Grow Youngstown will offer fresh produce direct to the residents of Mahoning Valley through its Community Supported Agriculture market, which purchases food direct from local farmers. Participants can pick up their farm fresh goods on Tuesdays at the YMCA in Boardman, Fellows Riverside Gardens, East Side Public Library and Poland Public Library. Orders can also be delivered to your door for a fee.

To become a member of Grow Youngstown’s CSA: Farm to You, contact Elsa Higby, CSA manager, at csa@growyoungstown.org or 330-286-0688.

Adult Career Center hosts informational sessions

Adults interested in enrolling career certification programs this fall offered at the Adult Career Center Mahoning County Career and Technical Center are invited to attend one of several free informational sessions this spring and summer at MCCTC, located at 7300 North Palmyra Road in Canfield. Informational sessions include career investigation as well as reading, math and language assessments.

Attendees will tour the building, meet instructors and learn about financial aid opportunities. Upcoming informational sessions will be June 5 at 6 p.m., June 18 at 6 p.m. and July 9 at 6 p.m.

For more information or to register to attend, call the Adult Career Center at 330-729-4100.

MCCTC students host plant sale

The spring plant sale, sponsored by the Horticulture program at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, started May 6.

Horticulture students have prepared items including assorted annuals, hanging baskets and fresh tomatoes and peppers. Flats of flowers will also be available.

The Horticulture Green House will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday throughout the month of May until all items are sold.

For more information on the spring plant sale, contact Mary June Emerson at 330-729-4000 ext., 1671.

Cancer research study

This year, the Austintown Relay For Life will offer the unique opportunity to participate first-hand in a landmark new cancer research study, Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3).

This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the community to actively get involved in research to help prevent cancer for this generation and generations to come.

Participants must be between the ages of 30-65 years old, never been diagnosed with cancer (aside from basal and squamous cell) and be willing to make a 20-30 year commitment which involves completing periodic follow-up surveys at home.

Enrollment will take place at the Austintown Relay For Life held at Austintown Fitch High School on June 7 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.cancer.org/cps3.

Library closed

All public libraries in Mahoning County will be closed on May 26-27 (Memorial Day weekend).

Kindle class set

Bring your Kindle to the library and the librarians will show you how to download eBooks from the Library’s Digital Catalog on their website on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Space is limited. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for specific library to register.

Guess and go

Children of all ages are invited to play Guess ‘N’ Go: Title Trivia during library hours through May. Match the book cover with its title. All who try will receive a small prize.

Ursuline Sisters accepting applications

The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown are accepting applications for their June 2013 intern/volunteer program.

College students or recent graduates 18 and older with a few hours a week to spare and a sincere desire to make a difference in the community are encouraged to apply.

Interns and volunteers really make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate while gaining valuable workplace experience to build their r sum s, having fun, meeting new people and visiting diverse places. Hours are flexible, and participants can extend their experiences beyond June.

For more information or to apply, contact Sister Norma at 330-792-7636 or nraupple@theursulines.org or visit the Sisters blog at www.theurslines.org.

Applicants must provide a r sum , three references or letters of recommendation and pass federal background checks.

Austintown Curves offering free workouts

Curves in Austintown, located at 4330 New Road, is offering free Healthways Silver Sneakers memberships. Eligible women can workout for free, based on their participating Medicare Supplemental insurance. Call 330-793-9802 for information.

Babies and books set at library

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

Tales for toddlers set for Wednesdays

Join the Austintown library for developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 2-3) become a successful reader every Wednesday in May at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Library hosts Fun for 4s and 5s

Join the Austintown library for developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 4-5) become a successful reader every Wednesday in May at 11:30 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Gotta move storytime set

Children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver can join the Austintown library for a variety of musical and movement activities that appeal to the “young and restless,” stimulate brain development, and motivate language learning every Thursday in May at 10 a.m. Adults and kids, get ready to act out stories and rhymes, sing and dance, and talk and play.

YSU scholarships available

Applications for scholarships to Youngstown State University by the Greater Youngstown Italian Fest are now available by contacting Deborah Mottle at 330-729-0355. Applicants must attend Youngstown State University in order to be eligible. Deadline for applicants is June 1.