Strategy board games at the library
Visit the library to play games like “Stratego,” “Chess,” “Ticket to Ride,” “Settlers of Catan” and “Carcassonne” at 3 p.m. on March 2. Attendees may also bring their own games to share. Light refreshments will be served. This program is for teens and adults.
Teacher and substitute teacher job fair
The Mahoning County Educational Service Center (MCESC) is hosting its annual teacher recruiting event on March 4 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The teacher job fair will take place in the Joyce Brooks Center, located at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center. All recent and upcoming spring graduates in education, credentialed teachers, substitute teachers and substitute teacher candidates can meet with district administrators and substitute teacher recruiters to learn about teaching opportunities. The following school districts will be represented: Boardman Local School District, Campbell City School District, Lowellville Local School District, Mahoning County Educational Service Center, Rootstown Local School District, South Range Local School District, Springfield Local School District, Struthers City School District, Western Reserve Local School District, Youngstown City School District, Rachel Wixey and Associates (recruiting substitute teachers). If you plan to attend, feel free to pre-register at www.mahoningesc.org or go to www.mahoningesc.org and select Job Fair Registration.
Open house at Austintown Community Church Preschool Childcare Center
Austintown Community Church Preschool Childcare Center, located at 242 S. Canfield-Niles Road, is hosting an Open House on Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. There will be actives for all children with teachers and staff on hand to answer questions from parents and family members. Children will find a small treasure in each classroom. The Austintown Community Church Preschool Childcare Center will be celebrating their 50th year in September. Their mission is to help children grow and develop in the areas of social/emotional development, academic development, physical development and spiritual development. If you would like more information about their preschool program, before and after school program, and summer program, contact Director Amy Teeters by calling 330-793-1843 or by emailing her at ateeters@youracc.org. More information can also be found by looking at the website www.youracc.org/preschool and/or on Facebook at Austintown Community Church & Preschool.
Hopewell postpones “Deathtrap” production
The Board of Trustees of The Hopewell theatre has made the artistic decision to postpone its production of “Deathtrap” until the 2019-2020 season. Original production dates were May 10, 11, 17, 18, 19. Flex-pass holders will still have the opportunity to use their flex-passes for “Godspell” (March 29, 30, 31, April 5, 6, 7) and “On Golden Pond” (June, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16). The theatre’s next production is “A Raisin in the Sun.” Performance dates are Feb. 15, 16, 22, 23, 24. Make your reservation on-line at www.hopewelltheatre.org or by phone at 330-746-5455.
eBird for Beginners event offered
Audubon Society/Mahoning Valley invites the public to “eBird for Beginners” at 7 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Canfield library. Make your birding count by learning the basics of using eBird. Launched in 2002 as a citizen science project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, eBird has revolutionized the way the birding community reports and accesses information about birds. Learn how to enter data, make and find hotspots, and search for the species you need for your life list. The data entered is used by scientists to study bird migration, abundance and distribution. Using eBird, you can see checklists from birders around the country, from other countries and even what the local Audubon president saw on his last visit to the Mill Creek MetroParks Sanctuary.
NSS Life plans annual meeting
The National Slovak Society (NSS Life) local assembly 731 will host its annual meeting at 1 p.m. on March 2 at the Boardman library, located at 7680 Glenwood Ave. in Boardman. Election of officers will take place during this meeting. Members are asked to bring ideas and details to help plan assembly fraternal activities for 2019. Youth members are invited to attend and offer input about youth activities. They will also review activities sponsored by the NSS home office. Lunch will be served. Contact Laurie Fox, president, at 330-536-8850 if you are planning to attend.
Guess the picture book
Can you guess the picture book from the cut-up cover? One winner will be chosen at random from correct entries at the Austintown library. This event is for children of all ages for the month of February during library hours.
Austintown Local School District announces open enrollment 2019-2020
The Austintown Local School District will again have statewide open enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year. Applications will be accepted for students in grades kindergarten through eighth-grade based on grade level availability. Applications are now available on the Austintown School’s website at www.austintownschools.org. In order to be accepted for open enrollment, completed applications must be submitted online. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Any students living in the state of Ohio and entering grades kindergarten through eighth are eligible. One application must be completed for each student. No new students will be accepted in grades 9-12. Only existing open enrollment students and those in special programs will be accepted into the high school. Open enrollment will close on April 30 for the 2019-2020 school year. Call the registration office at 330-797-3900, ext.1516 if you have additional questions or need more information.
Preschool accepting registrations
The Austintown Community Church Preschool Childcare Center is registering children ages 3-10 for their summer program and for the 2019-20 school year. The center is located at 242 S. Canfield-Niles Road. The Austintown Community Church Preschool Childcare Center will be celebrating their 50th year in September and continue to serve the community by providing children with a safe, healthy and cheerful environment. Their mission is to help children grow and develop in the areas of social/emotional development, academic development, physical development and spiritual development. For more information about the preschool program, before and after school program and summer program, contact Director Amy Teeters by calling 330-793-1843 or email ateeters@youracc.org. More information is also available at www.youracc.org/preschool and the center’s Facebook page.
Golf classic to benefit American Cancer Society
The annual Pink Ribbon Golf Classic will take place at Avalon Lakes Golf and Country Club on July 15. All proceeds from this event will go directly to the American Cancer Society. The 18 hole scramble will be followed by lunch and a Chinese auction and raffle. For further details, contact Donna Mowrey at 330-207-9630 or Nancy Felton at 330-533-2712.
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 February to stretch your shopping dollars by swapping coupons.
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 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 every Tuesday in February 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.
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 February, the stations focus on cognitive skills. This includes the development of memory, symbolic thought, reasoning and problem-solving. These skills support learning in all subjects. Before kindergarten, children should be able to communicate about past events and anticipate what comes next during familiar routines and experiences. They should also be able to solve everyday problems based upon past experiences. Our kindergarten readiness stations offer fun activities to build these skills. Working on these skills now will help your child be ready to learn when they get to school. Stop by any branch to visit a kindergarten readiness station and help your child build these important skills.
Black History Month scavenger hunt
Learn about famous African Americans by searching the library for three objects that represent famous athletes, entertainers and innovators during the Black History Month scavenger hunt at the Austintown library. One selected winner will receive a gift card. This event is for children of all ages during library hours.
Retired teachers association to meet on March 13
The Mahoning Retired Teachers Association will meet on March 13 at Drake’s Landing Banquet Center, located at 2177 W. Western Reserve Road in Canfield. The social hour will begin at 11 a.m. with lunch at 11:45 a.m., followed by the meeting and program. Susan Harris will preside. Sara Churchill, Digital Services Librarian from the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, will discuss library online services. The community service project will be donations to Mahoning County library’s summer literacy program. Grilled chicken salad or the buffet, which will feature parmesan crusted cod and pasta with meatballs, will be served. All area educators are invited to attend. To make a reservation, contact Maggie Skripac at 330-953-1200 by March 6. For more information, visit www.mahoningcountyretiredteachers.com.
Gamblers Anonymous offers meetings
If you or someone you love has a gambling addiction, Gamblers Anonymous 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 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.
Mental health first aid for adults
Mental Health First Aid Training is aimed at helping people whose profession frequently brings them into contact with individuals exhibiting problems related to mental illness, substance use, poverty or homelessness. The library is partnering with the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board and Alta Care Group, which will provide instructors. Participants in this two-part series will learn risk factors and warning signs, as well as strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help. Each participant will also receive a First Aid book. Session two will be on Feb. 23 at 9 a.m. at the Austintown library. Space is limited; call 330-744-8636, ext. 50066 to register for the series. The sessions are available to library staff, as well as people who have jobs in which they could encounter individuals needing this type of assistance. The program is thanks to a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services and awarded by the State Library of Ohio, under the Library Services and Technology Act.
Scrapbooking lesson
This program at the Austintown library on Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. is for those that have never scrapbooked before or for those that are well-versed and would like to get more tips and ideas. Paper and supplies will be provided, but bring six or seven pictures, postcards, ticket stubs, brochures or anything else you would like to include. This event is for adults and teens.
Movie night
Bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy during a movie at the Austintown library on Feb. 26 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.
Friends of Austintown Library meeting
Patricia Sweeney, Mahoning County Health Commissioner, will discuss the health concerns of the residents of Mahoning Valley, especially in regard to heart health and diabetes at this event on Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. at the Austintown library. She will also provide suggestions for prevention of these serious health concerns.
YSU and PLYMC present small business basics
Spend an evening at the Austintown library on Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. learning the ins and outs of small business with Joseph Angelo, Serial Entrepreneur and the Director of YSU’s Entrepreneurship Center, and some of his students. This is your opportunity to get help from people on the frontline of entrepreneurial studies. Director Angelo and his students will present on a number of areas related to small business and also provide the opportunity to learn practical business skills through hands-on demonstrations. Edward Koltonski, Business and Investment Librarian, will also be in attendance to show the numerous small business resources available through the public library. To register, call 330-744-8636 and ask for Information Services or register online using the events calendar. This event is for adults. Light refreshments will be served. A laptop recommended, but not necessary.
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 February 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.
Legacy Dog Rescue hosting reverse raffle
Legacy Dog Rescue is hosting its third annual Reverse Raffle on April 6 at the Avion on the Water in Canfield. A total of 125 tickets will be sold. The cost is $65 per ticket, which includes two dinners and one chance to win the grand prize of $1,500. Doors will open at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. and the raffle at 7 p.m. A Chinese auction, games of chance and 50/50 drawings will also be available. Reserve your ticket by emailing Jenn at legacy_jenn@aol.com, texting Heather at 330-717-0635 or by sending a check to Legacy Dog Rescue, P.O. Box 3643, Youngstown, OH 44513. Legacy Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) rescue dedicated to helping dogs in Mahoning and Trumbull counties and the surrounding areas. For more information, visit www.ldrofohio.org.
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: Feb. 15-24 - “Raisin in the Sun,” March 29-April 7 - “Godspell” 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.