Boardman Community Briefs

YWCA will host a job skills workshop

As part of its monthly Lunch and Learn series, the YWCA of Youngstown will host a job skills workshop from 12-1 p.m. on Dec. 4. Experts from the Public Workforce System will discuss what employers are looking for, both in an interview and after a candidate gets the job. A question and answer session will be part of the workshop. The cost is $10 per person, which includes lunch. Registration is required by Dec. 2. Email eskolnick@ywcaofyoungstown.org or call Elise at 330-746-6361, ext. 109 to register.

Pet food giveaway to be Nov. 29

Through a grant from Baltimore Life and a match from community funds, Legacy Dog Rescue will be having a Holiday Dog and Cat Food Giveaway on Nov. 29 from 12-4 p.m. at the Girard Family Video, located at 801 North State Street. The giveaway is intended to help families who are having trouble feeding their pets while going through a hardship. The food will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis. We are trying to have straw there as well. You must qualify for this giveaway. To qualify for this distribution, the family must be receiving government assistance such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, SSI, etc. If the family is not receiving assistance, they must show proof of being on unemployment insurance or a paystub showing that they are 150% below the federal poverty guideline. A government issued-photo identification card is required as well.

Women’s league to meet Dec. 1

The annual Christmas Social of the Boardman Poland Junior Women’s League will take place on Dec. 1 at Michael Alberini’s Restaurant on Rt. 224 in Boardman. Cocktails will begin at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Members are to bring items from Animal Charity’s wish list and/or a monetary donation. The Boardman Poland Junior Women’s League is open to all women age 18 and up, residing in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties who are interested in friendship, fun and community involvement. Their mission is to provide a creative outlet for women interested in providing community service in areas of arts, conservation, education, home life, international affairs and public affairs. Women interested in joining or receiving more information can contact Linda Fabian at 330-782-8208.

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.

Book-a-librarian

Need help downloading library books to your eReader? Want help with your tablet or laptop, or can’t wait to download magazines and movies to your device(s)? You can come to the Boardman library for a free one-on-one individual lesson with the Digital Services Librarian during regular hours throughout November. Register at the at the library or call 330-744-8636 to sign up for an appointment and mention the library by name. This event is for teens and 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.

Miss Universe recipient to judge competition

Karen Miller of Boardman has been selected to be on the judges panel in November at this years WNBF Worlds Cup competition in Boston Mass. Karen, a two time winner of the WNBF Worlds Cup, has dedicated her life to health and fitness. Miller is a member of the local entrepreneurial community as a private fitness instructor and the new owner of Custom Awards and Gifts on Market Street in Boardman.

YWCA offers free preschool

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.

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.

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.

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.