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Holiday closings
All Mahoning County libraries will be closed on Dec. 31 and Jan.1 for the New Year holiday, and on Jan. 21, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Coupon swap at the library
If you have coupons you don’t need or need coupons you don’t have, drop in during Austintown library hours throughout January to stretch your shopping dollars by swapping coupons.
Cut the cord on cable
If you have ever thought about cutting the cord on your cable or satellite plan, learn about cord-cutting and the basics of streaming, including various devices and services available at this program at the Austintown library on Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. This event is for adults.
Mill Creek ABWA to have meeting on Jan. 8
The Mill Creek Chapter of ABWA (American Business Women’s Association) will host its Jan. 8 meeting at A LA Cart Catering in Canfield, beginning with networking at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The speaker for the evening will be Mary Grace Fowler of Holborn Herb Growers Guild. The Holborn Herb Growers maintain the gardens at the village in Canfield Fair grounds as well as the gardens at Boardman Park. They have an annual tea in September as a fundraiser to help with the expense of buying flowers for these gardens. The menu for the evening will be chicken crepes, ham and cheese strata, french toast sticks, bacon, Canadian bacon, home-fried potatoes, assorted pastries, fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee and tea. The cost is $17 per person and reservations may be made by calling Darlene Demjen at 330-755-9089 or Marilyn Abramski at 330-726-2527 by Dec. 31. The public is welcome.
Friends of Austintown Library meeting and presentation
Aimee Fifarek, Executive Director of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, will speak on reaching your dreams and goals through the public library at this event on Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Austintown library. She will also speak on the state of our library system.
Tales and talk for 2s and 3s
Join the Austintown library every Wednesday in January at 10 a.m. for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 2-3) become a successful reader. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Bonding with babies and books
This event, which will take place on Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 10 a.m. at the Austintown library, is for caregivers and their little ones who are 6-23 months. There will be 20 minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs and stories, followed by time to play and socialize.
Evening story time
This once-a-month evening story time features stories, movement and early literacy education. The next event will take place on Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Austintown library. The evening story time is open to anyone, but geared toward preschool children and their families.
Gotta Move story time
This event is for children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver. Join the Austintown library every Thursday in January at 10 a.m. for a variety of musical and movement activities that appeal to the “young and restless,” stimulate brain development and motivate language learning. Adults and children, get ready to act out stories and rhymes, sing and dance, talk and play.
Guess the picture book
Guess the picture book from the cut-up cover at the Austintown library throughout regular hours in January. One winner will be chosen at random from correct entries. This event is for children of all ages.
Lego Mindstorms: build a robot
Build and program a Lego Mindstorms TRACK3R robot at the Austintown library on Jan. 19 at 2:30 p.m. TRACK3R is a crawler-mounted, all-terrain robot with four interchangeable tools. Start by building the body of the robot, then discover the possibilities of one or more of the four different TRACK3R tools: the bi-blade blender, the blasting bazooka, the gripping claw and the hammer. This event is for ages 10 and up. Call 330-744-8636 to register, space is limited.
Grab and go craft
Make a craft to take home at the Austintown library during regular hours in January. This event is for children of all ages.
Lego my library
Meet at the Austintown library on Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. and enjoy creating Lego designs. Legos will be provided. This event is for children who are ages 6 and up.
Read to Reese
On the second Saturday of each month, come and read to Reese, a therapy dog from Pet Partners. For January, Reese will be at the Austintown library on Jan. 12 at 11 a.m. Bring your own book, or the librarians will find one for you, and read to a furry friend. Registration is required. Space is limited. Register online or by calling 330-744-8636 and ask for the Austintown library. This event is for school-age children.
DIY lotion
Join the Austintown library on Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. where they will be making an easy DIY lotion. All supplies will be provided. Registration is required and space is limited. Call 330-744-8636 to register. This event is for adults and teens.
Stamping with Cindy
Learn to create your own handmade cards using stamps, punches and other fun tools at the Austintown library on Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. and Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. Sign up to create each month’s greeting card with matching envelope. Participation is limited to one session per person each month to accommodate demand; registration is required. Call 330-744-8636. This event is for adults.
Movie night
Bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy during a movie at the Austintown library on Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. Movie will be a newly released DVD rated PG or G. This event is for the family. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Strategy board games at the library
Go to the Austintown library on Jan. 5 at 3 p.m. to play games like “Ticket to Ride,” “Settlers of Catan” and “Carcassonne.” Play what’s there or bring your own to share. Light refreshments will be served. This event is for adults and teens.
Introduction to genealogy and local history
This program, which will take place on Jan. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Austintown library, is a basic introduction to genealogical research, and will highlight methods and resources offered at your public library and beyond. This event is for the beginner, but all are welcome. Registration is required by phoning 330-744-8636 or online via the library’s events calendar. This event is for adults and teens.
Silent book club
If you need some quiet me time, join Austintown library on Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. for its Silent Book Club. You can bring in your own book, grab one off the shelf, or even read a digital book in a designated group quiet time. During this time, they will discuss what they will be reading and whether the book is a hit or a miss. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is for adults.
Chapter Chat book club
Attend the Chapter Chat book club on Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Austintown library where they will be reading and discussing a book together every month. Each month will be a new genre. Call the Austintown library at 330-744-8636 to find out this month’s exciting read. Light refreshments will be served. This event is for adults.
Read It Before You See It book club
People always say the book is better than the movie. This book club will get together to read and discuss books that are soon to be released in the theaters. Join them for one month or every month. The book for January is “The Knife of Never Letting Go” by Patrick Ness. The meeting will take place on Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Austintown library. This event is for adults.
Basic Microsoft Excel
Learn the basics of Microsoft Office Excel at the Austintown library on Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. This is a beginner’s class, but basic computer skills are required. Space is limited. Registration is required. This event is for adults.
Blood drive
There will be a blood drive by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross at the Austintown library on Jan. 5 from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Jan. 22 from 1-6 p.m. (Red Cross bus will be in parking lot accepting donations). For appointments, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or register online at www.RedCrossBlood.org.
Kindergarten readiness stations
Kindergarten readiness stations are in every Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County library branch and feature fun activities for you and your preschool child to complete together. For the month of January, the stations focus on social and emotional development, which is about learning how to manage feelings, manage friendships and solve problems. Before kindergarten, children should be able to recognize and identify their own emotions and the emotions of others. They should also be able to communicate a range of emotions in socially accepted ways. The kindergarten readiness stations offer fun activities to build these skills. Working on these skills now will help children be successful in their interactions with teachers and classmates when they get to school. Stop by any branch to try out our new kindergarten readiness stations and help your child build these important skills.
Cardinal Mooney speech and debate hosts Christmas cookie walk
On Dec. 22 beginning at 10 a.m., the Cardinal Mooney High School speech and debate team will host a cookie walk in the school cafeteria, located at 2545 Erie St. in Youngstown. More than 20 varieties of cookies, including fudge, brownies, nut rolls and more, will be on sale at $8 per pound. This event is open to the public. Proceeds to benefit the CMHS speech and debate team.
Friendly Squares January square dance
The Friendly Squares will host their monthly square dance on Jan. 12 from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Niles SCOPE Center, located at 14 E. State Street in Niles. Neil Harner will be the caller and Frankie Hammond will be cuing line dances. This will be a high/low dance with alternating tips for new dancers currently taking lessons and tips for more experienced dancers. Dress is casual and light refreshments will be served. There is a $6 donation per person at the door. For additional information, call Gene Hammond at 330-506-3370.
New Year Music Festival to take place on Jan. 5
Paul Goon LTD will present a New Year Music Festival on Jan. 5 at The Saxon Club, located at 710 S. Meridian Road in Youngstown. Doors will open at 3 p.m., and admission is $10. The event will feature musical performances by The Turbos, Obsidian Earth, Where’s Winona Now, Grizzzly and more. Food will be by Suzie’s Dogs and Drafts.
Gamblers Anonymous meetings
If you or someone you love has a gambling addiction, Gamblers Anonymous, the only known remedy for arresting such an illness, may be able to help. A meeting of Gamblers Anonymous will take place on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at 119 Stadium Drive in Boardman. Another G.A. meeting will take place on Sundays at 7:30 p.m. at the Christ Presbyterian Church, located at at 3425 Hopkins Road in Youngstown (Cornersburg). There is no charge for the meetings, although collections are taken up at each meeting to provide for coffee, sugar and creamer, treats and free literature. The average contribution given by members at most meetings is $2. Meetings last about one-and-a-half hours and are both closed meetings, or, you must have suffered from a gambling addiction to attend. The Youngstown-area G.A. groups are friendly and welcoming and established members love to see new members join the fold. They are more than happy to help suffering gamblers and are knowledgeable about how to stay clean from this dreadful disease.
The Hopewell Theatre announces a diverse 2018-19 season
The Hopewell Theatre recently announced its 2018-19 season, promising a lineup of contemporary, well-known shows, including two musicals. The Hopewell Theatre is located at 702 Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown. Upcoming shows are: Jan. 4-13 - “Sea Horse,” Feb. 15-24 - “Raisin in the Sun,” March 29-April 7 - “Godspell,” May 10-19 - “Deathtrap” and June 7-16 - “On Golden Pond.” Flex passes are on sale for six shows for $60 for adults and $42 for seniors/students.
Overeaters Anonymous to have local meetings
Overeaters Anonymous is offering meetings at several local locations and on a variety of days. On Saturdays at 10 a.m., there will be a meeting at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in the Church Hall, Room 2, located at 4453 Warren-Sharon Road in Vienna, Ohio. This location is handicapped accessible. On Sundays at 4:30 p.m., there will be a meeting at Shenango Presbyterian Church, located at 3144 Wilmington Road (Route 18) in New Castle, Pa. This location is handicapped accessible. On Mondays, a meeting will take place at 1 p.m. at the Girard Multigenerational Center, located at 443 Trumbull Avenue in Girard. This location is handicapped accessible. On Wednesdays, a meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. at 1451 Churchill Hubbard Road in Youngstown. This location is handicapped accessible. On Thursdays, a meeting will take place at Valley Care - Northside Medical Center in the Medical Education Building, Auditorium A, located at 500 Gypsy Lane in Youngstown. This location is handicapped accessible. At 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, a meeting will take place at New Life Lutheran Church, located at 1181 Churchill-Hubbard Road in Youngstown. This location is also handicapped accessible. For more information on OA or meetings, go to www.oa.org or call one of the following Help Hotlines: Mahoning or Trumbull Counties - 330-747-2696; Columbiana County - 330-424-7767; Lawrence County - 724-674-3697.