Boardman Community Briefs

Monday Night Writers meet on March 16

The next meeting of Monday Night Writers will be March 16 from 6-8 p.m. at Peaberry’s Caf , located at 4350 Boardman-Canfield Road in Canfield. Area writers, both published and unpublished, are invited to attend. Led by professional writer Nancy Christie, author of “Traveling Left of Center and Other Stories,” the two-hour sessions include a mix of writing exercises, information on the creative and business aspects of writing and group feedback on ‘works-in-progress.’ The fee is $10 per class and registration is preferred. For more information, contact Christie at 330-793-3675 or at nancy@nancychristie.com.

Mercy Health to Host ‘Health at Home’ Workshop

Mercy Health Youngstown, formerly Humility of Mary Health Partners, will host a one-hour workshop on March 11 in the Youngstown Room at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, located at 1044 Belmont Ave. The workshop includes an easy-to-use reference guide that provides information about more than 200 common health problems as well as tips on caring for yourself and your family, preventing illness and injury, and advice on when to seek medical attention. The morning session runs from 11 a.m. until noon and the evening session runs from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The workshop and all materials are free, but reservations are required. Call 330-480-3070. Health at Home workshops will be offered at St. Joseph Warren Hospital on April 16 and St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital on May 20.

MCCTC adult medical students to host free blood pressure clinic

The Adult Education Medical Assistant Class at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center are hosting a Blood Pressure Clinic at the Boardman Library on March 18 from 9-11 a.m. Come out to support the students and get your blood pressure checked for free!

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 March 15 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The price of $9.50 for adults and $5 for children includes dessert and coffee, tea or pop. The public is welcome and takeouts will be available.

Goulash dinner to be March 21

The Youngstown Saxon Club’s 39th annual President’s Benefit Goulash Dinner will take place in the Saxon ballroom on March 21. The dinner is open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $15 per person and final reservation must be made by March 17. To make your reservation, call the Saxon office at 330-792-7973.

Youngstown Chapter of International Torch Clubs

Retired scientist and next year’s Club President Don Butler will speak at the Youngstown Chapter of International Torch Clubs dinner-discussion meeting at 6 p.m. on March 16. His topic will be “The Fingerprint of God?”.

The meeting will be in Kilcawley Center, Bresnahan Rooms I and II, on the campus of Youngstown State University. The public is invited to attend. Social hour begins at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. and the lecture at 7 p.m.

Attending only the lecture is free of charge. Dinner for nonmembers is $20. Call 330-757-4148 for reservations. For club information, call 330-792-7351.

Marge Hartman’s Paws Town at Boardman Park

Spring is on the way and it’s a perfect time for you and your dog to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors by joining the Marge Hartman’s Paws Town Dog Park at Boardman Park. The 3.25 acre fenced in Dog Park has separate fenced in areas for large and small dogs, water fountains, a dog wash station, benches, small shade trees and dog waste bags.

One-year memberships to Paws Town are available for 2015-2016. Memberships will be valid from date of purchase through March 31, 2016. 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 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the outdoor literature boxes at the Dog Park or online at boardmanpark.com. One day passes are available for $5.

Bring your dog’s shot records on your Veterinarian’s letter head, rabies and county tag numbers and enjoy a day with your “best friend” at Paws Town.

Boardman receives donation from Cocca’s Pizza for new stadium

The Boardman Stadium Project has announced a generous donation by a local company to fund the construction of the new stadium that is scheduled to open in the fall of 2015. Cocca’s Pizza is contributing $25,000 and will be recognized on the new stadium scoreboard. If you would like to support the project, contact the Boardman Boosters for additional information at donation@boardmanboosters.org or visit www.boardmanboosters.org.

Stadium Project receives donations for ticket booth

The Boardman Stadium Project has announced that Refresh Dental is donating $40,000 toward the building of a ticket booth that will be housed at the new stadium, which is to open in the fall of 2015. The stadium will have a total of two ticket booths when the project is finished. If you would like to support the project, please contact the Boardman Boosters for additional information at donation@boardmanboosters.org.

Wednesdays at the WOW!

Join OH WOW! every Wednesday afternoon from 4-5:30 p.m. and explore the InspireWorks Lab. Details can be found at www.ohwowkids.org.

Second Saturdays (member only hours)

Join WOW! Pals starting on March 14 before the OHWOW museum opens to the public for members only hours from 9-10 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month. Get exclusive access to the museum and help WOW! Pals test new exhibit and program ideas.

Last Wednesdays - grandparents explore for free

On March 25, bring your grandparent(s) to OH WOW! This will take place on the last Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. for free grandparent admission with the purchase of at least one child admission.

Pi Day

During this special event for Pi Day from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on March 14, WOW! Pals will celebrate Einstein’s birthday and the peculiar number pi all day with contests and hands-on activities! Receive $3.14 reduced museum admission if you bring a pre-packaged pie to donate to St. Vincent DePaul.

Magic math

Make your own Magic Math kit to thrill and amaze your friends from 12-1 p.m. on March 21 at OHWOW. Ages eight and up are welcome. Pre-registration is required.

Hack-it

Explore circuitry and robotics with InspireWorks Staff at OHWOW! on March 28 from 12-1 p.m. This event is for ages 9 and up.

Wednesdays at the WOW

Join OH WOW every Wednesday afternoon from 4-5:30 p.m. and explore in the InspireWorks Lab. Check out www.ohwowkids.org for details.

Second Saturdays (member only hours)

Join WOW! Pals before the museum opens to the public for member only hours in the month of April on the second Saturday of each month 9-10 a.m. starting on April 11. Get exclusive access to the museum and help WOW! Pals test new exhibit and program ideas.

Grandparents explore for free

Bring your grandparent(s) to OH WOW! the last Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on April 29 for free grandparent admission with the purchase of at least one child admission.

Map of ME

Practice your map-making skills at OH WOW from 12-1 p.m. on April 4. Make a personalized ME Map and explore some examples of different types of maps. This event is for ages 6 and up. Limited spots are available and pre-registration is required.

Closed for the day

OH WOW will be closed on April 5.

Wacky weather tricks

Join OH WOW from 12-1 p.m. on April 11 and use some hands-on demonstrations to understand how Earth’s weather works. All ages are welcome. Pre-registration is suggested.

Weather tools

Make your own tools to take home and observe the weather with at OH WOW from 12-1 p.m. on April 18. Learn what meteorologists watch for with this fun workshop for ages 6 and up. Limited spots are availale. Pre-registration is required.

Wacky weather tricks

Join OH WOW and use some hands-on demonstrations to help understand how the Earth’s weather works on April 25 from 12-1 p.m. All ages are welcome and pre-registration is suggested.

I Read YA! Book Club

This event is for adult fans of Young Adult Literature from ages 18-118 on March 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Boardman library. Talk about, read and discuss the book.

Book-A-Librarian - Boardman

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)? Register at the Boardman librarian’s desk or call 330-744-8636 and ask for the Boardman librarians’ desk to sign up for an appointment. This event is for adults during regular library hours in the month of March.

It’s all about yarn

Bring in your crochet, knitting, plastic canvas or “anything with yarn” project and learn from one another on March 30 at 11 a.m. at the Boardman library. Participants are encouraged to bring all yarn UFOs (unfinished objects).

Adult scrapbooking

Learn scrapbooking techniques and create a scrapbook page at Boardman library at 11 a.m. on March 19. Materials will be provided. Adults need to preregister by calling 330-744-8636 and ask for the Boardman library.

Fabulous fingerless gloves

Wow your friends with customized fingerless gloves on March 16 at 6 p.m. You may embellish them with beads or paint to make a one-of-a-kind pair. Registration required. This event is for tweens in grades 4-6 and teens in grades 7-12.

March madness: book battle

Sixteen Young Adult books face off in head-to-head competition, but only one can win the Battle of the Books at the Boardman library. Fill out and submit your book bracket to be eligible for a random prize drawing. This event is for teens in grades 7-12 during regular library hours in the month of March.

Sensory Story Time

The Boardman library will offer family story time with a sensory focus for preschool and school age children on March 28 at 2 p.m. This program is designed for children with different needs, including those with Autism, speech/language delays, cognitive impairments, AD/HD and other special needs and challenges. Enjoy 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 Boardman library.

Night owl story time

The Boardman library will host an evening story time for children ages 3-5 every Wednesday in March at 6 p.m. Each child must be accompanied by an adult in this 30 minute program featuring finger plays, stories and a craft activity. March 17 will be a holiday program.

Lego my library

Meet and enjoy creating Lego designs on March 14 from 2-3 p.m. at the Boardman library. Legos will be provided. This event is for children ages 6 and up.

Check into chess

Join the Boardman library to play a game of chess on March 15 at 1:30 p.m. Beginners are welcome to come and learn. This event is welcome to all ages.

Celebrate the arts

Join the Boardman library for the 12th Annual Celebration of the Arts. Enjoy artwork by Boardman area students in grades K-6. There will be an opening night kickoff with refreshments on March 9 from 6:30-8 p.m. Musical interludes provided by the St. Charles Children’s Choir under the direction of Mrs. Laura Kotheimer. The choir performance starts at 7 p.m. Artwork will be on display from March 9-16.

Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Boardman 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 March at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Bonding with babies and books

This event is for caregivers and their little ones who are 6-23 months. The Baordman library will offer twenty minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs, and stories, followed by time to play and socialize every Friday in March at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Women Artists art exhibition

The YWCA Women Artists: A Celebration! Annual Art Exhibition showcases works by local, regional and national women artists, age 18 and older. Entry forms are available by calling 330-746-6361, ext. 102 or at ywca.org/youngstown. They are due no later than March 30. Artists may enter a maximum of five entries. There is a nonrefundable fee of $10 per entry or $45 for five entries. Entry is by CD only. This year’s juror is Susan Talbot-Stanaway, former director of the Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville. A preview party for the show will take place from 7-9 p.m. on June 20, at the YWCA. Proceeds from the art show benefit the YWCA Housing Programs.

Art sale

The YWCA of Youngstown will host an art sale from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. March 14 and 15 at the YWCA, located at 25 W. Rayen Ave. This is an opportunity for artists to sell their artwork and for members of the community to purchase original art. The cost for artists 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. Artists under 18 will need a parent or guardian to reserve the table. Proceeds will benefit the Women Artists Annual Art Exhibition purchase of lighting. Tables are limited. The reservation deadline is March 6. Call Rita at 330-746-6361, ext. 102 for more information.

Nomination accepted for Children’s Advocate Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the annual Children’s Advocate Awards presented by Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley. The purpose of these awards is to recognize individuals and organizations throughout the Mahoning Valley who exhibit the spirit of caring and who work to make a difference in the lives of the children of the communities we serve. Honorees will be recognized at the Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley “Champions for our Valley’s Children” Celebration Dinner on May 12 at The Lake Club. Consider nominating a special individual, group or organization for the Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley Children’s Advocate Award. The deadline for submission is March 16. Details regarding eligibility and criteria, as well as a nomination form are available at https://www.akronchildrens.org/cms/event/champions-valleys-children/children_s_advocate_award_nomination_form_2015.pdf

Relay for Life team to host fundraiser

Team Santa’s Cause will be having a fundraiser on March 7 at the Boardman Buffalo Wild Wings in the Southern Park Mall with all proceeds going to the 2015 Boardman Relay For Life. A ticket is needed in order for the team to receive a 15 percent portion of your total bill. Contact Melissa Magan at 330-397-3721 or Tracy Spencer at 234-855-0142 to receive your ticket. If there is no answer, leave a message and they will get back to you as soon as possible. Team members will be present from 2-5 p.m. to hand out tickets if needed and the ticket is good from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., dine in or carry-out.

Tax preparation

The Library will provide locations for free tax preparation and electronic filing for seniors and those (at any age) with low to moderate income. 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. The event will take place at the Boardman library on April 8 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Call 330-726-2492 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to schedule an appointment.

Chuck E. Cheese Story Time and library fundraiser

There will be a special story time at 10 a.m. beginning on March 25 before the store opens with Chuck E. Cheese at the Boardman store location. This story time will be on the fourth Wednesday of every month in 2015. Support your public library that day by showing your library card and receive 10 free tokens to play games. The library will receive 15 percent of the purchases made that day at Chuck E. Cheese. Support your Friends of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County by donating gently used and once-read children’s books that day to support children’s programming. For more information on this fundraiser, contact the Development Office at 330-740-6086.

Blood pressure screening by MCCTC

There will be a free blood pressure screening by students in the Medical Assistant class at the Adult Career Center, MCCTC at the Boardman library from 9-11 a.m. on March 18.

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 Youngstown (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.

10th annual tasting fundraiser

The Youngstown Area Grocers Association will host its 10th Annual Beer and Wine Tasting fundraiser on March 20 from 6-9 p.m. at Stambaugh Auditorium, located at 1000 Fifth Ave. in Youngstown. Tickets are $50 each or $400 for a reserved table of eight. Guests will have the opportunity to sample more than 100 wines and 50 microbrews, enjoy gourmet food and live entertainment. There also will be silent and Chinese auctions, as well as a 50/50 raffle. Proceeds will benefit the Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry in Youngstown and the Prince of Peace Center in Farrell, Pa. To purchase tickets, contact Brigid Kennedy at 330-792-7636 or email bkennedy@ursulinesistersaids.org.

Second annual community Austim and Disability fair

The Autism Society of Ohio, Mahoning Valley office, is seeking autism service providers to participate in its second Annual Community Autism and Disability Resource Fair on March 22 from 10 a.m until 2 p.m. at the Southern Park Mall in Boardman. Service providers will have the opportunity to provide participants information about autism and disability services and their organizations in the area and NE Ohio region. The resource fair also will have a series of educational workshops for parents while offering a variety of fun activities for children of all ages. Booth space is limited, so reserve your spot today. For more information, go to www.autismohio.org or call 330-743-9184.

Free Tax Filing Link and Assistance

The YWCA of Youngstown is offering a self-serve link to file taxes for free. Also being offered are free tax workshops and free tax filing assistance. The self-serve link is available on the YWCA website at ywca.org/youngstown. To file taxes through this link, users must have a household income under $65,000 if single and $95,000 if married. Also needed are the user’s social security number, W2’s, 1099’s, 1098’s, information about other income, deduction and credit information (such as child care expenses, tuition, bills and union dues) and a copy of last year’s tax return, if possible. For free tax filing assistance, walk-ins will be accepted from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. March 20, and April 10 at the YWCA, located at 25 W. Rayen Ave. Appointments are required at all other times. To schedule an appointment, call Jennie at 330-746-6361, ext. 125.

MCCTC is now accepting applications for 2015-2016

Students interested in attending the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center for the 2015-2016 school year can now apply. The application is available for sophomore students on the school’s website. Current students do not need to reapply. The school offers 22 programs and has a limited number of seats per program. If you are interested in applying, visit the school website at www.mahoningctc.org.