Lifestyles

Health notes

UPDATE YOUR LISTING: To update information, resubmit your health notes by email to tmunnell@tribtoday.com.

LIBRARY OFFERING COVID TESTS: The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is partnering with Mahoning County Public Health to distribute free rapid COVID-19 tests. The test kits were made available this month at the following Library branches: Austintown, Boardman, Campbell, Canfield, Poland, Sebring, Springfield, Struthers and Tri-Lakes.

Supplies are limited. Patrons can request up to four test kits per household. Patrons must call 330-744-8636 to reserve the test kit(s), which then will be available for curbside pick-up.

JCC OFFERS WORKSHOP: Jewish Community Center of Youngstown is offering a free nutrition workshop 3 p.m. Tuesdays Jan. 25 to March 22 at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane.

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program can show how to eat healthier and be more active even on a limited budget. Participants will learn how to make food choices to improve the quality of the meals they serve their family. The workshops offer opportunities for discussion, being physically active, and building food resource management skills.

Registration is required by Jan. 18 by contacting Casey Atkinson at 330-746-3250, Ext. 153. Participants will receive a free cookbook, grocery pad, and certificate of completion from OSU Extension after completing the program.

Jewish Community Center of Youngstown offers social, cultural, educational, and recreational programs in a Jewish environment. Everyone is welcome. JCC is an agency of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation. For more information visit jccyoungstown.org.

NAMI SUPPORT GROUPS: NAMI Mahoning Valley offers support and education to those dealing with serious mental illness.

Support groups are:

• Evening Connections -- 6 p.m., second and fourth Thursday each month, AltaCare Building, 142 Javit Court, Austintown;

• Daytime Connections -- 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Community Center, 1344 Fifth Ave., Youngstown.

Family Support Groups include:

• Daytime Family Support Group -- 11 a.m., first Thursday each month, Girard Free Library, 105 Prospect St., Girard;

• Evening Family Support Group -- 7 p.m., second Tuesday each month, Alta Care Building, 142 Javit Court, Austintown.

MCMHRB SCHEDULE: The Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board meets 5 p,m. at the board office, 222 W. Federal St., third floor, Youngstown. Masks are required to attend meetings.

For more information, call 330-746-2959.

VACCINE CLINICS OPEN: Mercy Health-Youngstown has opened two new vaccine clinics.

The Pfizer vaccine will be offered at Mercy Health-Wick Primary Care at Youngstown State University, 330 Wick Ave., Youngstown. The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for ages 5 and older.

To schedule a vaccination appointment at either clinic, call 1-866-624-0366, or use the Mercy MyChart app (https://www.mercy.com/patient-resources/mychart) or log onto www.mercy.com.

Lifestyles

Health notes

UPDATE YOUR LISTING: To update information, resubmit your health notes by email to tmunnell@tribtoday.com.

LIBRARY OFFERING COVID TESTS: The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is partnering with Mahoning County Public Health to distribute free rapid COVID-19 tests. The test kits were made available this month at the following Library branches: Austintown, Boardman, Campbell, Canfield, Poland, Sebring, Springfield, Struthers and Tri-Lakes.

Supplies are limited. Patrons can request up to four test kits per household. Patrons must call 330-744-8636 to reserve the test kit(s), which then will be available for curbside pick-up.

SELF-HELP GROUP TO MEET: Recover International, a community self-help mental health group, will meet 2 p.m. today at the Michael Kusalaba public library, 2815 Mahoning Ave.

LUPUS SUPPORT: Trumbull Mahoning Lupus Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. today, at Panera Bread in Niles. Those wishing to attend may bring family and friends.

For information, call Rhonda at 330-978-3749.

PFLAG TO MEET: Youngstown Area PFLAG will hold its monthly support meeting 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at St. John's Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave., Youngstown. Youngstown Area PFLAG (Parents, Families, Friends and Allies) is a support, education and advocacy group united with LGBT people to move equality forward.

Meetings are free and confidential. Directions and a map can be found at the chapter website, www.youngstownpflag.org.

MCMHRB SCHEDULE: The following is the scheduled meetings for January 2022 for the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board. All meetings will be held at the MCMHR Board office, 222 W. Federal St., third floor, Youngstown.

• Jan. 24 -- Board meeting, 5 p.m. Masks are required to attend meetings.

For more information, contact the MCMHR Board Office at 330-746-2959.

VACCINE CLINICS OPEN: Mercy Health-Youngstown has opened two new vaccine clinics.

The Pfizer vaccine will be offered at Mercy Health-Wick Primary Care at Youngstown State University, 330 Wick Ave., Youngstown. The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for ages 5 and older.

The Moderna vaccine will be available at Mercy Health-Howland Medical Center, 1932 Niles Cortland SE, Warren. Vaccines at this site will be available for anyone 18 and older.

Both clinics will be open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each site will also offer both first and second doses as well as booster doses.

To schedule a vaccination appointment at either clinic, call 1-866-624-0366, or use the Mercy MyChart app (https://www.mercy.com/patient-resources/mychart) or log onto https://www.mercy.com/.

FLU SHOT CLINICS: Mahoning County Public Health will be holding flu shot clinics at various locations throughout the county.

To obtain a flu shot at a Mahoning County Public Health clinic, bring insurance cards, driver's license, Medicaid and Medicare cards so the cost of the vaccine can be billed to insurance; most private insurances are accepted.

Mahoning County Public Health is a Vaccines for Children Program Provider and will have limited opportunities for children that are uninsured or underinsured to receive the vaccine free of charge.

Available flu vaccines:

• Ages 6 months and older, quadrivalent (four flu virus strains)

• Ages 65 years and older, high0dose quadrivalent (four flu virus strains)

• Ages 18 years and older, egg-free (cell-based) quadrivalent (four flu virus strains)

FIRST DOSE AVAILABLE: Individuals interested in starting their Moderna COVID-19 vaccination primary series can call Mahoning County Public Health at 330-270-2855, Option 3, to schedule an appointment. The first dose primary series is available on a weekly basis.

Booster vaccinations are by appointment only and based on a limited number of appointments each Friday. Appointments for a Friday clinic can be made throughout the week up until Thursday at noon. Any appointments made after the noon deadline will be scheduled for the following Friday.