Austintown Community Briefs

DQ locations to have Christmas events

The Austintown and Cornersburg locations of Dairy Queen will be hosting special Christmas events for the community. The events will take place on Dec. 5 at the Cornersburg Dairy Gueen, located at 3555 S. Meridian Road, and on Dec. 6 at the Austintown Dairy Queen, located at 146 N. Canfield Niles Road, from 5-8 p.m. The events will feature music, a photo with Santa, “live” reindeer, roasting chestnuts on an open fire, hot dogs, marshmellows, hot chocolate, Christmas carols and more.

DQ date deals

On Dec. 13, the Dairy Queen locations in Austintown, located at 146 N. Canfield Niles Road, and Cornersburg, located at 3555 Meridian Road, will have a special event in honor or the date, beginning at 12:13 p.m. Special pricing on Julius drinks, DQ cones, chili dogs, Buster Bars, Blizzards, cakes and more will be available when you name 13 things that you love about the Dairy Queen locations. There offers are available while supplies last and some restrictions may apply.

Thanksgiving closing

All libraries in the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County system will be closed for Thanksgiving on Nov. 27.

Natural chemical imbalance relief seminar

Dr. Ted Suzelis, N.D. will be presenting a free seminar titled, “Feeling Anxious, Depressed or Stressed? Natural Chemical Imbalance Relief” on Dec. 11 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Ohio Naturopathic Wellness Center in Boardman (SouthBridge West Complex at 755 Boardman-Canfield Road, Suite D-3). Learn about a new testing procedure that can measure neurotransmitter levels to accurately assess chemical imbalances in the brain. This seminar will also discuss natural therapies that specifically target these chemical imbalances to relieve anxiousness, depressed mood, sleep disturbances and other related health issues. For more information or to register, call 330-729-1350 or online at OhioND.com. There is free admission, but RSVP is required.

Toys for Tots at Austintown Elementary School

Austintown Elementary School and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve are working together to help children in the Austintown community have a Merry Christmas. AES is a collection location for the Toys for Tots program, which collects new, unwrapped toys from now until Dec. 19. The collection box is located at the main entrance of AES. The toys are distributed as Christmas gifts to children in need during the holidays.

Friends of the Austintown Library meeting and program

James Amey will share his desire and efforts to develop a museum featuring Idora Park at the next Friends of the Austintown Library meeting and program on Nov. 24 at 10 a.m.

Make your own cards

Learn to create your own handmade cards using stamps, punches and other fun tools at the Austintown library on Nov. 24 at 6:30 p.m. Each participant will create a greeting card with a matching envelope and a cute 3-D item. Class size is limited, registration required. This event is for adults.

HMHP name changes to Mercy Health

In November, Humility of Mary Health Partners will change its name to Mercy Health. The change will more accurately reflect a partnership with the network of healthcare providers that comprise Mercy Health, the largest health system in Ohio. This transition began in July when Catholic Health Partners (CHP), HMHP’s parent, changed its name to Mercy Health. At that time, it was determined that all CHP markets would eventually mirror that name change. These changes are in name only. All services, locations, modes of operation, care providers, administrators and employees will remain the same. As part of the system name change, HMHP Physician Associates, HMHP’s employed physician group, will become Mercy Health Physicians. The names of HMHP’s three health centers – St. Elizabeth, St. Joseph and St. Elizabeth Boardman -- will change to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, St. Joseph Warren Hospital and St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital. During this transition, the Mercy Health name will be added to many materials, but new signage reflecting this name change will not be installed on buildings until a definitive time frame has been established for the full migration to the Mercy Health brand across all markets.

YWCA offers free preschool to eligible families

The YWCA of Youngstown has received a grant from the Ohio Department of Education to provide free preschool to eligible families. Families below 100 percent of the federal poverty line will qualify for free preschool. Families between 100 percent and 200 percent of the FPL will qualify on a sliding scale fee basis.

The child must not have ever received any local, state or federal childcare funding and must be age 3 or 4 or not yet age eligible for Kindergarten.

The ODE preschool hours at the YWCA are 9-11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. Breakfast and lunch are not included. The YWCA is also now enrolling for CDI Headstart. CDI Headstart hours are 8:30 a.m. until noon, Monday through Thursday. CDI Headstart provides free preschool for 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds who are income eligible. Extended care is available for those who need it. For more information, contact Jennie at jandrews@ywcaofyoungstown.org or 330-746-6361, ext. 125.

MCCTC’s Horticulture Club poinsettia fundraiser

The Horticulture FFA Club at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center is taking orders for red poinsettias for the upcoming holiday season. The plants are single, pinched (multiple bloom) in a 6.5 inch pot. You have your choice of green, red or gold foil for around the pot and you can also add a white, green or a red satin bow. The poinsettias will be ready for pick-up starting Nov. 20 and the sale will go until Dec. 17. The cost of the plants is $8.50. To order a poinsettia plant, call 330-729-4015, ext. 1671, or stop in at the Horticulture Program at 7300 North Palmyra Road in Canfield.

Thanksgiving arrangement

Gather your family and friends around your Thanksgiving table with this fresh centerpiece. Using the warm hues of the season, Marie Borocz will guide you in designing an arrangement with carnations, mums, mini pumpkins and gourds and more on Nov. 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. The cost is $39; FFRG member $30.

Garden gratitude flags

This event, for children ages 6–17, will take place on Nov. 22 from 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Get creative in expressing your thanks of this abundant season by making weather-resistant Gratitude Flags. Place these flags of happiness in and around your garden for your family and friends to enjoy. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. The cost is $10.

Bread making class

Learn the basics of turning flour, water, salt and yeast into a scrumptious loaf of bread with Sara Scudier on Nov. 22 from 1-4 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens. The class will feature the how and why of pre-fermenting some of the flours; plus kneading, shaping and baking. The cost is $24; FFRG member $20.

Coupon swap

Do you have coupons you don’t need or need coupons you don’t have? Drop in during Austintown library hours throughout November to stretch your shopping dollars by swapping coupons. This event is for adults.

MetroMutts: Hike – turkey trot

It’s almost Thanksgiving – will the turkeys be in hiding? Find out on Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. until noon as you take a loop around the Ford Nature Center to see if you can find the resident flock, then take a walk on East Cohasset Drive. Animal Charity will be on hand with some of their adoptables. This hike has an easy rating of 2 miles.

Winter preparation

There are different ways that animals, including ourselves, survive the cold winter months. Explore this topic in the rugged and scenic Bears Den Area on Nov. 23 from 2-4 p.m. Call Ford Nature Center for details. This hike has a moderate rating of 2 miles.

Audubon Society/Mahoning Valley: birding by habitat

Cheryl Harner of the Greater Mohican Audubon Society and Richland County Master Gardeners will group birds by habitat and highlight some of the best plants and places for specific species on Nov. 25 from 7-8 p.m. at the MetroParks Farm. Once birders consider the plant life associated with the bird they’d like to see, it’s easier to find the most desirable birds or even attract them to your yard.

Olde Fashioned Christmas at Lanterman’s Mill

Lanterman’s Mill will be festively decorated for this traditional event on the last open weekend of 2014. Enjoy fine entertainment, taste chestnuts roasted over an open fire, give Santa your wish list, watch artisans demonstrate crafts and purchase unique gifts on Nov. 29 and 30 from 11-5 p.m. If you wish to share the holiday spirit with others, bring a hat, scarf, or pair of mittens to decorate a “Giving Tree.” Donated items will warm up children in need this winter. Call Ford Nature Center for details. This event is sponsored by WFMJ/WBCB

Santa’s winter barn

Welcome Santa and some of his unusual animal friends from around the world such as a camel or yak on Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the MetroParks Farm. Sit in Santa’s sleigh for that special holiday picture. Event is staged in barn, but it is not heated so dress appropriately. The craft fee is $1.

Blood Pressure Check

There will be a free Blood Pressure Check by the Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association at the Austintown library from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Nov. 25.

Blood Drive

There will be a Blood Drive by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross to serve the needs of St. Elizabeth Hospital on Nov. 25 from 1-6 p.m. at the Austintown library. Taking blood donations to help our community. For appointments, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Grab and go craft

Make a craft to take home during regular hours at the Austintown library throughout November. This event is for children of all ages.

Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s

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 November at 10 a.m. Nov. 26 is a holiday program. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Pre-kindergarten story time

This program is for 4- and 5-year-olds to help develop pre-literacy and kindergarten readiness skills. You will use books, stories, rhymes, music, movement and crafts to help your child get ready for kindergarten every Wednesday in November at 11:30 a.m. at the Austintown library. Nov. 26 is a holiday program.

Bonding with Babies and Books

This event is for caregivers and their little ones who are 6-23 months. There will be twenty minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs, and stories, followed by time to play and socialize every Tuesday in November at the Austintown library. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Yoga basics

Feel comfortable in a class meant for everybody while you learn yoga basics taught by Karres Cvetkovich every Sunday in November from 9-10:30 a.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens. 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. The cost is $10 per class.

Yoga in the Gardens

Join Marina Perdos in the mornings and Karres Cvetkovich in the evenings for a blend of energizing yoga styles that will help you keep a healthy outlook Nov. 25 at 9:30-11 a.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens. All levels are welcome. Bring a mat and small blanket. This is a drop-in class and the cost is $10 per class.

T’ai Chi Step One in the gardens

Ease stress, improve health and increase vitality with T’ai Chi Step One on every Wednesday in November from 12-1 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Join Marie Lew in warm-ups, breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form. This is a drop-in class and the cost is $10 per class.

Pilates basics

Work on toning, shaping, core strength, alignment and breathingin pilates basics with Angela Lubonovich every Wednesday in November from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Bring a mat and water. This is a drop-in class and the cost is $10 per class.

A Loose Knit Group

Enjoy the lovely view from the Antonucci Library as you help to create blankets for organizations that give to those in need Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. until noon at Fellows Riverside Gardens. All helping hands are welcome, both experienced and anyone wanting to learn to knit or crochet. Donations of yarn and needles are appreciated at any time.

YWCA invites artists to participate in art sale

The YWCA of Youngstown is inviting artists to participate in an Early Bird Art Sale before Black Friday. The sale will be from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Nov. 22 and 23 at 25 W. Rayen Ave. The YWCA is providing an opportunity for all artists – men and women – to sell their artwork at a pre-holidays art sale. The cost is $10 per table. The YWCA will retain a 20 percent commission on all art sales. All artwork must be priced $100 or less. Artwork does not need to be framed. Proceeds will be used to purchase lighting for the Women Artists Annual Art Exhibition. Artists under 18 will need a parent or guardian to reserve the table. Tables are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The reservation deadline is Nov. 17. Call Rita at 330-746-6361, ext. 102 for more information.