Austintown Community Briefs

Quilt group meeting

That Quilt Group I Belong To will have its January meeting Jan. 21 at Fair Park in Canfield. Doors will be open from 1-5 p.m. for those who wish to work on charity quilts. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. The speaker for January is Julie Kerner from With Needle in Hand Needlework Shop in Boardman. The project is a small Valentine cat made from felt, and embroidered and beaded. Members who didn’t sign up for the class at the December meeting and would like a kit, call Ginger at 330-702-0532. The basic kit price is $9. Members will need to bring a basic sewing kit (pins, scissors, paper scissors). Needles are included in the kit. Bring a task light if you need one.

That Quilt Group I Belong To is open to all quilters in the Mahoning Valley, including all skill levels. For membership information, call president Ginger Mangie at 330-702-0532.

Valentine’s Day walk-in weddings

The Chapel of the Friendly Bells at Trinity United Methodist Church (UMC) in downtown Youngstown once again will be the site for walk-in weddings on Valentine’s Day Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Clergy couple Rev. Jerry Krueger of Trinity UMC and Rev. Susan Brown of Canfield UMC will offer a simple, Christian wedding service including traditional wedding vows, exchange of rings, scripture and a blessing of the couple. Wedding vow renewal services will also be offered.

The fee for each wedding is $50, which will be donated to the Good Shepherd Kitchen in Youngstown and Operation Blessing in Canfield. Weddings will be performed in the order couples arrive. Attendants and guests are welcome to come.

Couples must bring their wedding license, identification and the $50 fee in cash. Weddings will not be performed for participants who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Chapel of the Bells at Trinity UMC is located at 30 W. Front St., next to the courthouse.

Informational sessions at the Adult Career Center

Adults interested in enrolling in career certification programs this year at the Adult Career Center Mahoning County Career and Technical Center are invited to attend one of several free informational sessions offered this winter at MCCTC. Informational sessions are free to attend and include career investigation as well as reading, math and language assessments. There will be a chance to tour the building, meet instructors and learn about financial aid opportunities. Upcoming informational sessions will be offered Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. and March 11 at 6 p.m. All sessions will take place at the Adult Career Center MCCTC, located at 7300 North Palmyra Road in Canfield. For more information or to register to attend, call the Adult Career Center at 330-729-4100.

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 will be offered Friday at Westminster Church, located at 119 Stadium Drive, and another will be offered 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.

Newcomer’s Group to meet Jan. 22

Newcomer’s Group of Mahoning Valley will be having its monthly luncheon meeting on Jan. 22 at 11:30 a.m. at TJ’s Restaurant and Lounge at the Holiday Inn in Boardman. Join them if you would like an opportunity to meet and form new friendships in the community. Heidi Daniels from the Youngstown Public Library will be speaking about the benefits and services offered in the library system. Contact Angie at 330-799-3933 or Anne-Louise at 330-792-9632 for more information or reservations.

Saxon Club to host pork-kraut dinner

The Youngstown Saxon Club, located at 710 S. Meridian Road, will host its next pork-kraut dinner on Jan. 19 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The price of $8.75 ($5 for children) includes dessert and coffee, tea or soda. The publis is welcome and take-outs will be available.

Hospice of the Valley’s volunteer classes scheduled for February

Hospice of the Valley’s new volunteer class will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 8 at Hospice House, located at 9803 Sharrott Road in Poland, and Feb. 3 through March 3 at McGonigle Funeral Home, located at 1090 E. State Street in Sharon, Pa.

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. They also provide respite services to family members.

New volunteers are needed for all areas of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties and western Pennsylvania. Volunteer assignments are made close to the volunteer’s home.

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

Torch Club to offer essay contest

The Youngstown Torch Club, a local dinner/discussion/debate organization, which meets monthly on the campus of YSU, is offering a $1,000 essay scholarship competition, open to any current YSU student.

Students may submit a paper previously written for any college course, or an original work, on any subject or topic of interest. Papers are requested to be 800-1000 words and deadline for submission is March 1.

Remit paper to: tcopeland@neo.rr.com or send to Dr. Tom Copeland, 313 N. Belle Vista Ave. Youngstown 44509.

For more information, visit Youngstown TORCH Club on Facebook.

Free tax preparation and electronic filing for qualifying individuals

The Austintown library will again provide locations for free tax preparation and electronic filing for seniors and those (at any age) with low to moderate income on Wednesdays from 9-2:30 p.m. beginning the week of Feb. 11.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. All sites are staffed by volunteers who have been trained and certified by the IRS. TCE sites staffed by AARP volunteers.

Volunteers will provide counseling on eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Find out if you qualify at www.irs.gov/eitc or call 1-800-TAX-1040. Call 330-793-0579 to make an appointment.

Conversation salon

Join the Austintown library Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m. for a conversation on contemporary issues. Sponsored by the Friends of PLYMC.

How to buy and sell on eBay

Join the Austintown library Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. to learn how to set up an eBay account, use PayPal for transactions, and buy or sell items on eBay. Register by calling 330-744-8636 and asking for the branch by name.

Book club

Come to the Austintown library Feb. 19 from 6-7 p.m to hear what others are reading and share your favorite books, or just come to join the discussion.

Friends of the Austintown library program and meeting

Join the Austintown library Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. to hear guest speaker Jessica Borza, Executive Director of the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, an industry-led group formed recently to address manufacturing skills shortages, provide an overview of the organization, explain why the shortages exist, and discuss careers with current demand and forecasted growth. Borza will describe efforts to increase awareness about these career opportunities within the region and how they are working with education and training providers to create program alignment along manufacturing career pathways. There will be a brief meeting following the presentation.

The centennial of the RMS Titanic’s Maiden Voyage

Join local historian Paul Rohrbaugh at the Austintown library Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. to learn what is myth and what is history in the legend of this sailing. No reservations needed.

Nook for beginners

Bring your Nook to the library Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. and learn how to download eBooks from the library’s digital catalog on the website. Don’t forget your Adobe ID and email information. Space is limited. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the branch by name to register.

Beginner’s guide to genealogy

Join the Austintown library Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. for a basic introduction to genealogy research that will include discussion of the book and computer resources that are available in the library and beyond.

Blood pressure check

The Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association will be having a blood pressure check at the Austintown library Feb. 25 from 11-1 p.m.

Blood drive

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will be taking blood donations at the Austintown library Feb. 4 from 1-6 p.m. For appointments call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Kindle class

Bring your Kindle to the Austintown library Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. to learn how to download eBooks from the library’s digital catalog on the website. Don’t forget your Amazon account and email information. Space is limited. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the branch by name to register.

Get connected with the eReader

Bring your eReader to the Austintown library Feb. 3 from 6-7 p.m. and learn how to download eBooks from the library’s digital catalog on the website. Space is limited. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the branch by name to register.

Would you rather

Come to the Austintown library throughout February to answer some “would you rather” questions and make up your own. Come back each month to see if the library used your questions to stump other people. This event is for teens in grades 7-12.

Basic computer class

Come to the Austintown library Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. to learn basic computer skills. Space is limited to three. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the branch by name.

Teen Advisory Board

Come to the Austintown library Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. to become a member of the Austintown library’s Teen Advisory Board. Help out with library programs, decide what books to buy, discuss what you are currently reading and meet new people. Teens in grades 7-12 are eligible.

Xbox at the library

Come to the Austintown library Feb. 17 from 1-3 p.m. to play brand new Xbox games on the big screen. For tweens and teens grades 5-12.

Rainbow Loom bracelets

Children in grades 4 and up are invited to register for the Austintown library’s Rainbow Loom craft programs Feb. 15 at 11:30 a.m. Each session is limited to the first 12 tweens and teens who sign up. Beginners will be walked through the single pattern bracelet, but templates will be provided for loomers with more experience. To register, call 330-744-8636 or sign up online at http://www.libraryvisit.org/programs.aspx. Warning: Rainbow Loom kits contain small rubber bands and sharp points.

Winter Olympics trivia

Join the Austintown library throughout February and correctly answer three questions about the winter Olympics to receive a small prize. A librarian can help you navigate the Encyclopedia of the Winter Olympics to help you find the answers. For school-age children.

Snow and symmetry

Join the Austintown library Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. to learn how snow crystals form. Explore symmetry by observing snowflake photographs captured by Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley in the 1890s and by participating in games and other hands on activities. For children in grades 1-6.

Sensory story time

Children of all ages are invited to join the Austintown library Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. for a family story time with a sensory focus. This program is designed for children with different needs, including those with autism, speech or language delays, cognitive impairments, ADHD and other special needs and challenges. There will be books, music and sensory stations with a schedule board and double visuals. Children must attend with an adult. Registration is required. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the branch by name.

Lego my library

Join the Austintown library Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. to create Lego designs. Legos will be provided. For Children ages 6 and up.

Gotta move storytime

Join the Austintown library every Thursday in February at 10 a.m. for a variety of musical and movement activities that stimulate brain development and motivate language learning. Act out stories and rhymes, sing and dance and talk and play. For children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver.

Fun time for 4s and 5s

Join the Austintown library every Wednesday in February at 11:30 a.m. for 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

Join the Austintown library every Wednesday in February at 10 a.m. for 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.

Bonding with babies and books

Caregivers and their little ones who are 6 to 23 months are invited to join the Austintown library every Tuesday in February 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.

Air Force veteran to speak

Ernest Stadvec, who is both a World War II and Korean veteran, will speak on his experiences in both wars at the January meeting of the Mahoning Valley World War II Heritage Society Jan. 20. The meeting is at Ala Carte Catering on Lisbon St. in Canfield at 6:30 p.m., consisting of a buffet dinner followed by the speaker. Dave Frank is the coordinator of the event and may be reached at 330 757-0515 (home), 330 533-6737 (work), or at frank.1953@hotmail.com.

Friends of the Austintown library

Dr. Donna DeBlasio, professor of history at YSU and director of the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor, will bring to life the history of industry and labor of the Mahoning Valley Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. The Historical Center, located at 115 West Wood Street in Youngstown, provides an overview of the impact of the iron and steel industry on Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. The museum offers a look into lives and times of the men and women who labored in the steel industry. There will be a brief friends meeting following the program.

Learn basic computer skills

Join the Austintown library Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. to learn basic computer skills. Space limited to three. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the branch by name.

Blood drive

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will be taking blood donations Jan. 25 from 10 a.m until 3 p.m. to help the community.

Blood pressure check

The Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association will be having a free blood pressure check Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Learn how to use the Nook

Teens and adults are invited to bring their Nooks to the Austintown library Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. and learn how to download eBooks from the library’s digital catalog on the website. Bring your Adobe ID and email information. Space is limited. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the branch by name to register.

Smart phone scavenger hunt

Children in grades 5 and up are invited to the Austintown library during library hours throughout January to bring their smart phones for a QR code scavenger hunt. Find and answer questions around the library and turn in the answer sheet for a prize.

Year of the Horse event

Children of all ages are invited to the Austintown library during library hours throughout January to try the Chinese zodiac word search. Ask the librarian what animal equates to the year of your birth and receive a hand stamp.

Grab and go craft event

Children of all ages are invited to join the Austintown library during library hours throughout January to make a craft to take home.

Gotta move storytime

Children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by an adult are invited to join the Austintown library every Thursday in January at 10 a.m. for a variety of musical and movement activities that stimulate brain development and motivate language learning. Act out stories and rhymes, sing and dance, talk and play.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Austintown library Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 10 a.m. for developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger play and other activities that will help your children, ages 2-3, become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Fun time for 4s and 5s

Join the Austintown library Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 11:30 a.m. for developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger play and other activities that will help your children, ages 4-5, become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Baby brilliant

Caregivers and their little ones, ages 6-23 months, are invited to join the Austintown library Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28 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.

Teens for Jeans

Austintown Fitch High School’s Life Literature class room 112 is participating in the national campaign, Teens for Jeans. The public may drop off jean donations Dec. 18 at Fitch High School, located at 4560 Falcon Drive, or at the school’s Creative Arts Night Jan. 15. The drop box will also be located at Fitch and Austintown Middle School at all times between now and Jan. 15. For more information, contact Steve Ward at sward@austintownschools.org.