Austintown Community Briefs

Nicotine Anonymous to meet on Wednesdays

Nicotine Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals from every walk of life who meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Wickliffe Presbyterian Church, located at 45 Idlewood Road in Austintown, to solve their common problem - an addiction to nicotine. The group is based on the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and the only requirement to join is a desire to stop using nicotine. There is no cost to attend, but a freewill collection will be taken at some meetings to offset the costs of meeting expenses. For more information on Nicotine Anonymous, call Tom at 330-717-2183.

For addition support in quitting your nicotine addiction, call HMHP Regional Treatment Center at 330-306-5010 of the Ohio Guit Line at 1-800-784-8669.

Cardinal 5K Donut Run

The Canfield Athletic Booster Club will be hosting the Cardinal 5K Donut Run May 26 at 11 a.m., with registration at 10 a.m., at Cardinal Stadium. All proceeds go to the athletic programs of the Canfield Cardinals. Runners will receive a Cardinal dry-fit t-shirt. The fee is $25. Make checks payable to Canfield Athletic Booster Club and send them to the Canfield High School athletic office, located at 100 Cardinal Drive. There will also be a Munchkin Run; those ten years of age and under are free. You may register as a team or an individual. Runners participate at their own risk.

Migration lesson to be April 22

The Audubon Society of the Mahoning Valley invites the public to “Sensational Migrations” April 22 at 7 p.m. Explore the journey that Ohio birds, including hummingbirds, orioles and osprey take each year. Migration is more than just flying south. The event will take place at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm on Route 46 in Canfield. All are welcome. For more info, contact ibwo69@gmail.com.

International Torch Club meeting to be April 21

The Youngstown Torch Club will meet April 21 on the campus of Youngstown State University in Kilcawley Center, in Bresnahan Rooms I and II. The evening’s events will include awarding $1,000 to the winner of Youngstown Torch Club’s recent YSU Student Essay Scholarship Competition, who will present his or her paper. A debate, featuring John Fockler and Charles Darling on the theme “Strong Central Government is Anathema to Individual Liberty” will follow. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. Call 330-757-4148 for reservations.

Couch to 5K to begin May 20

The Ohio Naturopathic Wellness Center will present its third annual Couch to 5K program beginning May 20. There will be a free informational seminar on the program, given by Dr. Ted Suzelis, N.D., May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at his Boardman office, located in SouthBridge West (behind Second Sole) at 755 Boardman-Canfield Road, Suite D-3. The instructors this year will be Stephanie Yon, RRCA Certified Running Coach, and Sarah Terlecki, Group Fitness Instructor. Suzelis, also an avid runner, will assist with some of the sessions. For more information or to register, call 330-729-1350 or online at OhioND.com. There is free admission, but RSVP is required.

Marge Hartman’s Paws Town at Boardman Park

Boardman Twp. Park and Marge Hartman’s Paws Town, a volunteer -non-profit organization, have partnered to create Boardman’s first dog park. Thanks to a large gift from the Marge Hartman Foundation, and the fund raising efforts of Paws Town, INC. organization, the Marge Hartman’s Paws Town Dog Park is open and accepting membership applications. Memberships will be good for one year from April 1 until March 31, 2015. Membership fees will not be prorated. Memberships for Boardman residents will be $40 for one dog and $10 for each additional dog. Non-Boardman resident fee will be $65 for one dog and $10 for each additional dog. Membership packets may be picked up at the Boardman Park Office, in the outdoor literature boxes at the Dog Park, or online at boardmanpark.com. Beginning April 1, everyone using Paws Town Dog Park must have a membership in order to ensure that all dogs are healthy and vaccinated. New members will be given a code to enter the dog park and they will also be issued a badge to wear.

The Manor to have southern cuisine nights

The Manor restaurant in Austintown recently hired Chef Ron George from New Orleans as its new executive Chef. He has brought to Youngstown his expertise in Southern Creole’ cuisine. In his honor, The Manor is now offering Thursday Creole’ night and a Fabulous Friday Fish night. George has won many awards and recently won the “Best of Seafood” with his Shrimp and Crawfish Etouffee’ at the Taste of Austintown event.

Newcomer’s club to meet

Newcomer’s of Mahoning Valley is having its monthly luncheon meeting on April 23 at Davidson’s Restaurant. The Honorable Judge Theresa Dellick will be speaking.

The group has been an established group since the 1970’s formed to support women and families that have a change in their life. They enable others an opportunity for social events to meet and form friendships in the community. The gathering starts at 11:30 a.m. with lunch at noon. Contact Lori at 330-707-9022 for more information or to make reservations.

Austintown juniors to be delegates

Jacob Adams, Benjamin Devenport, Garen Gibson, Josh Potkanowicz and Nathan Shively, all juniors at Austintown Fitch High School, will be the Austintown American Legion’s delegates to the Buckeye Boys State program for 2014.

Austintown nurse raises money for charity

Every Friday, Georgia Case, RN for the Austintown School District, collects $2 from the teachers and staff who wear jeans at Austintown Intermediate School. She then donates the money towards a Relay for Life Team, Thanks A Million. Case also uses funds from donations for other causes, such as the Chip in for Chris fund, a fundraiser for a Boardman teacher that was diagnosed with ALS. So far this year, Case and AIS have raised $2,045 for their charities.

Dianna Kokoszka to speak at DeYor April 24

Nationally renowned writer, speaker and leader Dianna Kokoszka will present a program titled “Empowering Women in the Mahoning Valley” on April 24 at 6 p.m. at the DeYor Performing Arts Center in downtown Youngstown. Kokoszka is the CEO of MAPS Coaching and Keller Williams University. An author of 21 books, she has been named Business Woman of the Year by Denver Business Magazine, Business Council Entrepreneur of the Year by Champions of Free Enterprise and Best of the Best in Real Estate Trends in Dallas, Texas. The evening will begin with a mixer and cocktails. The program starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased by calling the DeYor box office at 330-744-0264, or online at www.YoungstownSymphony.com/box-office.

Earth Day breakfast, birds and blooms

Celebrate Earth Day April 22 from 7:30-10:30 a.m with a light breakfast and some bird viewing at Ford Nature Center and a ride on the trolley to various locations in the MetroParks deemed the best for viewing the season’s birds and blooms. Brief stops for viewing may require a short walk, so wear sturdy shoes. There is limited seating. Pre-register and pay 36 hours in advance online or at Ford Nature Center. The cost is $10 registered or $12 not registered.

Bunny Day at the farm

Hop on down to the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm on April 19 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. for an opportunity to learn about real bunnies, hosted by the Mahoning County Junior Fair Rabbit Committee. The group will bring a variety of rabbit breeds and will provide free photo opportunities, activities and bunny advice. Bunny crafts and face painting will also be available for a small fee. Call 330-533-7572 with questions.

Breakfast and photos with the Easter Bunny

In addition to ongoing Bunny Day events, the Junior Fair Rabbit Committee will also host an exclusive breakfast and photos with the Easter Bunny in McMahon Hall on April 19 from 9-10:30 a.m. The event will include posed photos, followed by a breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage and drink. The cost of $7.50 for adults, $5 for children 3-12 years-old and free for 2-years and younger includes Bunny Day event craft and face-painting ticket for each child. Space is limited so RSVP and pay 36 hours in advance online or by calling 330-533-7572.

Learn to compost

Members of the Green Team will be hosting a backyard composting class at MetroParks Farm on April 27 from 1-3 p.m. Students will receive a compost bin upon completion. Call the Green Team at 330-740-2060 to register.

ODNR boating safety class

An approved boating class will be offered at Pioneer Pavilion April 26 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. You will receive full training and complete a proficiency exam at the end of the class. Bring a lunch. Call 330-740-7100 to register. The fee is $10.

Trolley tours

Hitch a ride aboard the brand new trolley, the Cohasset Express on April 24 at 6:30 p.m. and April 27 at 3 p.m. for a guided tour of Mill Creek MetroParks. The 1.5 hour tour will give you the chance to explore, experience and enjoy the beauty of the natural elements and historic features and buildings of Ohio’s first park district. There is limited seating. Pre-register and pay 36 hours in advance online or at Ford Nature Center. Boards at Ford Nature Center. Fees are $5 (R), $7 (NR) for adults and children 12 and under or adults 60 and up are $3 (R) and $5 (NR).

Cordials and liqueurs

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens on April 23 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and on May 6 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. for a two-part series that will show you how humans have ingeniously utilized plants for beverages. In April, learn how to use a variety of fruits and liquors to make cordials. In May, get creative in the kitchen as you learn to concoct your own liqueur based on herbs, spices and seeds. Single class fee is $39 or $30 for Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens. Series fee $65 or $47 for Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Organic composting course

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens April 26 and 30, and May 3 and 7 (Saturdays 10-2:30 p.m. and Wednesdays 4-8 p.m.) to join Grow Youngstown as they cover feedstocks relative to goals and availability, key temperatures, management necessary to keep aerobic conditions, a variety of static composting options and National Organic Standards management for organic compost. Make windrows and backyard bin piles. Register at www.growyoungstown.org. The fee is $50.

Boy Scout Earth Day clean up

Local Boy Scout Troops, Cub Scout Packs and Girl Scout Troops will spend the morning helping to clear out winter’s accumulation of litter across the MetroParks on April 26 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Unit leaders must contact the Ford Nature Center by April 14 to reserve a work area and detailed participation information.

Scent games

This seminar, presented by The Learning Dog, will work on your dog’s natural ability to use their strongest skill: scent. Bring your dog to MetroParks Farm Barn number 4 on April 27 at 10:30 a.m. and work together. Bring your own treats. The event is free to MetroMutts members and $5 for non-members. Call Ford Nature Center to register in advance.

Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time

Come to Ford Nature Center on April 26 from 2-4 p.m. to view a new film about the life and legacy of this noted conservationist and writer, courtesy of the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center. Then join Bill Whitehouse for his thoughts about Leopold and Earth days past and present. Fibromyalgia support group to meet

The Mahoning Valley Fibromyalgia Support Group will welcome Natalie of Senior Independence to the next meeting on April 16. This meeting, focused on independent living, is from 7-8:30 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, located at 425 Crestview Drive in Boardman. Plan to bring a friend and learn about a topic that will affect all of us all sooner or later. If you have an interest in fibromyalgia or need help living with a chronic condition maybe we can help.

Garden scavenger hunt

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens on April 26 from 1-2 p.m. for an afternoon of scavenger hunt fun for the whole family as you tour the gardens. Get to know the ins and outs of landscape and the plants. The donation request is $5 per family.

Pilates basics

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens April 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to work on toning, shaping, core strength, alignment and breathing with Angela Lubonovich. Bring a mat and water. This is a drop-in class and the fee is $10 per class.

Yoga in the gardens

Join Marina Perdos from 9:30-11 a.m. and Karres Cvetkovich from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in April at Fellows Riverside Gardens for a blend of yoga styles that will help you keep a healthy outlook. All levels are welcome. Bring a mat and small blanket. This is a drop-in class and the fee is $10 per class.

T’ai Chi in the gardens

Join Marie Lew April 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 12-1 p.m. in warm-ups, breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form. This is a drop-in class and the fee is $10 per class.

Pilates sculpt

Join Angela Lubonovich at Fellows Riverside Gardens April 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. as she guides you in using hand weights to tone the body with an emphasis on core strength and control. Bring a mat, water and 2 pound weights if you have them. This is a drop-in class and the fee is $10 per class.

Yoga basics

Join Karres Cvetkovich April 6, 13 and 27 from 9-10:30 a.m. to experience the release of mental and physical tensions that act as powerful barriers to enjoying life. Bring a mat and small blanket. This is a drop-in class and the fee is $10 per class.

Flower essences

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens April 27 from 2-3:30 p.m. to be led through the art of creating flower essences, including meditation, journaling, plant observation and essence extraction. Part of the class will take place outdoors, rain or shine. The fee is $24 or $20 for Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens members.

Seed crafts

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens on April 26 from 3-4 p.m. to learn how to make a variety of seed crafts from seed paper to seed bombs for that special someone. This event is for ages 12-17 and the fee is $8.

Flower shows

The public is encouraged to enter all flower shows. Entries are received from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens for details. Show hours are Saturday 12-5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. April 19 and 20 is daffodil weekend.

Fibonacci numbers exhibit

Come to the Weller Gallery through June 8 to view the fibonacci numbers exhibit which takes an up-close look at the world of fibonacci numbers and their relationship to the world.

Through the Lens

Come to the Melnick Museum through December 2014 to take a peek at the evolution of photography during the Melnick Museum’s exhibit Through the Lens. The exhibit displays a rare collection of glass negatives and acetate film negatives produced by two local photographers, which chronicle scenes of Mill Creek Park from 1907 through 1926. In addition to park scenes, several portrait negatives of the period are on display.

Wildflower walks

Come to Mill Creek Park April 19, 27 and May 4 from 2-4 p.m. for a series of walks to witness the progression of early blooming wildflowers. April 19 meets at Newport Wetlands and will be a moderate rating of 2 miles. April 27 meets at Yellow Creek Park. Wear boots for possible creek crossings. This hike will be a moderate rating of 2 miles. May 4 meets at Poland Woods, located off Route 170 in Poland. This hike will be an easy rating of 2 miles.

Voices of the night

Birdsong fills the days of springtime and frogsong fills the nights. Meet at Vickers Nature Preserve April 26 from 8-9:30 p.m. to listen to the serenade. Catch, observe and then release frogs. Flashlights permitted and boots required. This hike is an easy rating of 1 mile.

Sanctuary walk

Jeff Harvey of Wild Birds Unlimited will lead a walk at the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary April 19 from 8-9:30 a.m. Reservations must be made by phoning Ford Nature Center by 5 p.m. on April 18. Boots are required and no walk-ins will be allowed.

Bird walks

Meet naturalist Emeritus Bill Whitehouse at Ford Nature Center on April 19 and 26 from 8-10 a.m. to be led on a walk. You will drive to the best MetroParks location to view birds. The hike is an easy rating and will cover 1 mile or less.

Audubon Society of Mahoning Valley

Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Chuck Jakubchak will present “Sensational Migrations” April 22 from 7-8 p.m. at MetroParks Farm. Explore the journey that birds in Ohio take each year. Hummingbirds, orioles and ospreys are highlighted. In addition to bird facts, you will get travel tips to migration hot spots. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m. Public welcome.

Amy Stewart and The Drunken Botanist Lecture

Join author Amy Stewart at Fellows Riverside Gardens May 1 from 7-8 p.m. for her lecture on “The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create the World’s Great Drinks” brought to you by the Andrews Memorial Lecture Series. Explore the array of plants that humans have contrived to transform into alcohol. Enjoy a small dessert afterward. Registration required. The fee is $25 or $20 for Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens members. For an additional fee, meet Amy Stewart at a reception before the lecture starting at 6 p.m. There will be hors d’oeuvres from Cater 2 U, wine, beer and two botanical cocktails to sample. Fee includes the lecture and dessert afterward. Registration required. The fee is $38 and $30 for Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens members.

Kite festival

Come to MetroParks Farm May 3 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. as members of the Ohio Society for the Elevation of Kites and Fly Pittsburgh brighten the skies with expert kite flying and designs. Bring your own kites to participate in kite flying activities and contests. A Create-a-Kite workshop will be offered inside McMahon Hall for a small fee. Call Ford Nature Center for details.

Fitness Together 5k

This walk/run event is for people of all ages and abilities. Whether you are a veteran racer, a first time participant or someone who would prefer to walk while socializing with friends and family, come to Wick Recreation Area May 10 from 9-11 a.m. Proceeds benefit Children’s Playground at Wick Recreation Area. Registration forms available online at www.facebook.com/ftcanfield. For more information, call Fitness Together at 330-702-1311. The registration fee is $15 for early registration (on or before May 9) and $20 on the day of event.

Gamblers Anonymous to meet

Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-Step fellowship of compulsive gamblers who want to recover from their gambling addictions, will meet twice this week in the Youngstown-Warren area. A GA meeting is offered every Friday at Westminster Church, located at 119 Stadium Drive in Boardman and another is offered every Sunday at Christ Church Presbyterian, located at 3425 Hopkins Road in Cornersburg. Both meetings begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. and last about 1-1/2 hours. Those who believe gambling has affected any part of their lives are urged to attend. For more information, call 330-505-5060.

YMCA to host annual Good Friday breakfast

Basic computer class

Come to the Austintown library April 24 at 6 p.m. to learn basic computer skills. The class is limited to three. This event is for adults,

Learn to use the Nook

Bring your Nook to the Austintown library April 22 at 6 p.m. and learn how to download eBooks from the library’s digital catalog on the website. For teens and adults.

Genealogy tutorials

Meet with genealogy and local history librarian Tim Seman and receive a comprehensive demonstration of available resources. Learn about and sign up for genealogy programs. Appointments can be made at libraries throughout the system. To schedule an appointment, call 330-744-8636, or email tseman@libraryvisit.org.

Creating a business plan

Come to the Austintown library April 28 at 6 p.m. to learn about writing and revising a business plan for your new or established business with a member of SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business. Stuart Gibbs, the Business and Investment Center librarian, will introduce print and electronic sources that can provide information for developing your business plan.

Blood pressure check

The Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association will be having a blood pressure check at the Austintown library April 22 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Friends of the Austintown library meeting

Come to the Austintown library April 28 at 10 a.m. to hear historian Ralph Pfingsten discuss the Ravenna Arsenal and the history that unlocks the mysteries of this government plant. Pfingsten will give the Friends an opportunity to peer inside the Arsenal’s history and life behind the security of its fences. Discussion will be followed by the Friends brief monthly meeting.

Knitting classes

The Friends of PLYMC are sponsoring series of knitting classes April 14, May 12 and June 9 from 10-11:30 a.m. in the meeting room of the Austintown library. If you have a Friends of PLYMC paid membership, classes are free. If you aren’t a Friend’s member but would like to attend the program, you can join the Friends for $10, which gives you a membership and covers all costs of the knitting class.

Holiday closings

All libraries in the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County system will be closed April 19, and April 20.

Open enrollment continues

The Austintown Local School District is continuing with its open enrollment policy for the 2014-15 school year. New for next school year, they will not be accepting any new open enrollments students in Grades 10, 11 or 12. This does not apply to existing open enrollment students who are currently enrolled in Austintown. New open enrollment students (accepting grades K–9 only) can begin to complete applications on March 3. One application must be completed for each student. Visit www.austintownschools.org for the complete timeline of deadlines and the open enrollment guidelines. For your convenience, computers are available for your use to complete the online forms at either the Austintown Early Learning Center, located at 4211 Evelyn Road, or the Austintown Board of Education building, located at 700 S. Raccoon Road, during regular business hours.

Kindergarten registration information

Austintown Local Schools will be having kindergarten registration and screening during the week of April 28 - May 1. Registration packets can be picked up at Austintown Elementary School and Austintown Early Learning Center starting March 3. Children must be 5 years of age by Sept. 30 to enroll in kindergarten. Registration and screening will take approximately 30 minutes. Anyone living outside of the Austintown Local School District, must also complete an open enrollment application in addition to the registration packet, which can be found on the district website at www.austintownschools.org.

Short term host family opportunities available through 4-H

Mahoning, Columbiana, Portage, and Trumbull County families will have the opportunity to welcome a young person from Japan into their home for one month this year, as part of an international exchange program being offered by the County OSU Extension, 4-H. Statewide, host families are needed for 100 Japanese youngsters (aged 12-18) and their adult chaperones, who will visit Ohio from July 23 through Aug. 18.

Host families provide the exchangees with room and board and a chance to experience daily life in America. Families are urged not to alter their daily routines or lifestyles during their visitor’s stay. Exchangees provide their own spending money, and the sponsoring organization furnishes comprehensive medical insurance. All types of families are welcome to apply to become hosts, including urban, rural, single-parent, childless, and non-4-H families. The only requirements are that for the Japanese month-long exchange, hosts must have a family member of the same gender and approximate age of the exchangee, three meals a day, and a separate bed for the visitor. Those interested should contact Gretchen Kalinay at 330-799-8407 or Gary Reel at 330-533-7712 for an application form and more information about this and other 4-H international exchange programs. More information and an application can be found at the website www.ohio4h.org/youth/international.

T’ai Chi course

Join Marie Lew Thursdays in March and April and May 1 and 8 at Fellows Riverside Gardens for a ten-week course that includes warm-ups, breathing exercises and instruction in the first steps of a complete classic Chen T’ai Chi form. It is designed for beginners with little or no previous background in this art of energy balancing. Taken as a whole, this course will ground the student in the basic principles of movement and the meaning behind the movements while developing coordination, strength and flexibility. Registration required. The fee is $100; 10 percent discount ($90) if registered by March 1.

A day of Asian culture

Travel to Cleveland April 24 from 8 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. to explore gardens, art, and food. Visit Cleveland’s Chinatown with guide Dr. Y.T. Chiu, tour Japanese gardens at Cleveland Cultural Gardens and Cleveland Botanical Gardens, and discover the Asian exhibits at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Register by calling Fellows Riverside Gardens. Fee: $155; FFRG member $110. Registration deadline is March 28.

Fibonacci numbers exhibit

Come to the Weller Gallery March 28-June 8 to take a look at the world of Fibonacci numbers and their relationship to the world.

Through the Lens exhibit

Come to the Melnick Museum through December 2014 to take a peek at the evolution of photography during the Melnick Museum’s 2014 exhibit Through the Lens. The exhibit will display a rare collection of glass negatives and acetate film negatives produced by two local photographers which chronicle scenes of Mill Creek Park from 1907-1926. In addition to nature scenes, several portrait negatives from the period will also be on display.

Knitting classes

Join the Austintown library March 17 and 31, April 14, May 12 and June 9 from 10 until 11:30 a.m. to learn how to knit. The Friends of PLYMC are sponsoring a series of five knitting classes in the meeting room of the Austintown library. If you have a Friends of the PLYMC paid membership, there will be no fee. If you aren’t a Friend’s member, but would like to attend the program, you can join the Friends for $10, which gives you a membership, plus covers all costs of the knitting class. Sign up at the first date. For more information, contact the Development Office at 330-740-6086.