Community news
NOON YEAR’S EVE PARTY: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown will hold a “noon” year’s eve party from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the JCC’s Winter Campus, 505 Gypsy Lane.
The countdown to the new year will be at noon for kids who can’t stay up until midnight. Participants will celebrate with noisemakers, refreshments and more. The event is free for JCC members and $5 for non members. Visit jccyoungtown.org/wintercampusevents to register.
Community news
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: St. James Episcopal Church, 7640 Glenwood Ave., will host a free madrigal Christmas concert by Tapestries of Ohio at 2 p.m. Saturday. The program will run for about an hour, and a reception will follow the concert. Tapestries is the region’s only choir providing Renaissance music focused on the celebration of Advent and Christmas.
BRUNCH WITH SANTA: A Brunch with Santa Claus presented by Krakatoa will be noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at 7323 South Ave., Boardman.
CRAFT SHOW: Festive Finds Weekend will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Fellows Riverside Garden, Mill Creek MetroParks.
HOLIDAY CLOSING: The Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission’s office will be closed Dec. 22, 25 and 29 and Jan. 1. The office will reopen Jan. 2. Questions may be addressed to Susan Krawchyk, executive director, at 330-740-2450.
HELPING HANDS CLOSET: Helping Hands Closet at Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, Canfield, has new and gently used clothing for the entire family. It is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays.
WINTER NIGHTS: On Sunday, the hours for Fellows Riverside Gardens and the Davis Center will be extended until 7 p.m. for Winter Nights, an outdoor light display. An appearance by Cindy and Mr. Grinch will be 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Community news
HANUKKAH ON ICE: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown will hold a Hanukkah on Ice from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the winter campus, 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown.
The family Hanukkah program will include activities, snacks and lighting of the Hanukkah menorah. The ice rink will be open for skating.
A 9-foot Hanukkah menorah is on display.
The event is free for JCC members and $5 for nonmembers. Registration is needed at jccyoungstown.org
FUNDRAISER SET: The seventh annual one-day Holiday Small Biz Pop-Up to benefit the Youngstown Blue Coats and All About the Pawz will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. More than 40 vendors and local small businesses will be set up inside a new location, St. Joseph’s social hall on 4545 New Road in Austintown.
The Youngstown Blue Coats’ mission statement is “In America, no one should freeze to death.” The group bridges the gap between shelters and the homeless. The Blue Coats will be collecting sleeping bags, coats, dry boots, warm gloves, blankets, tents, new socks and other winter items.
There also will be more than 50 raffle baskets to benefit All About The Pawz dog shelter and rescue. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on site for “elfie” cell phone photo ops.
VETERANS SERVICES: Mahoning County Veterans Services Commission is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday at 345 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown. Services include temporary emergency financial assistance, utility assistance and van transportation to VA medical clinics. For information call 330-740-2450.
Community news
AUSTINTOWN TREE LIGHTING: The Wickliffe Circle Christmas committee has scheduled its Christmas tree-lighting ceremony today at the Wickliffe Circle fire station, 4102 Mahoning Ave., Austintown.
The community is invited to take part in singing Christmas carols at 6 p.m. followed by the tree lighting at 6:15 p.m.
Santa Claus will arrive on a firetruck.
CLASSIC CHRISTMAS: Classic Christmas story characters will be at the Southern Park Mall, center court stage 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays with free face painting. On Dec. 7, visit Elf on the Shelf; Dec. 14, Mrs. Claus reads a story and kids can wear holiday pajamas; and Dec. 21, enjoy the Grinch and Cindy Lou story time.
Community news
WINTERFEST DANCE: The 20th annual Special Needs Winterfest Dance will be held 4:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ciminero’s Banquet Centre, Niles. There will be a Snow Princess and Snow Prince crowned and a drawing held for the dance court with names randomly drawn from each school’s tickets. Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves will be there for photos with students. Dinner is included. Semi-formal dress is preferred.
For information, contact Jeanne Constantino at East High School at 330-740-4005, fax 330-742-6464 or email jeanne.constantino@youngstown.k12.oh.us.
CHRISTMAS CAROL: The Ursuline High School Theater Department will present “A Christmas Carol,” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children, students and senior citizens.
GIRARD FRIENDS EVENT: The Friends of the Girard Free Library will be helping the library staff with a holiday craft from 6 to 8 p.m. today. On Dec. 14, there will be a holiday meet and greet at the library.
MASONIC TEMPLE PARTY: The Temple Board of the Liberty Masonic Complex, Shannon Road, Girard, will hold a temple-wide Christmas party for the organization’s meeting at the complex. The party will be held 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday with activities and a visit from Santa Claus.
CHRISTMAS OF REMEMBRANCE: The Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of the Diocese of Youngstown will hold the third annual Christmas of Remembrance at 6 p.m. today at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown and All Souls Cemetery in Cortland. Doors open at 5 p.m. for registration, refreshments and ornament decorating. There will be a prayer service at 6 p.m. and hanging of the ornaments. Call 330-792-4721 with questions.
SANTA TO ARRIVE: Santa Claus will arrive at 6 p.m. today at the Girard Free Library. There will be cookie decorating, festive photo opportunities and other activities.
BINGO SET: SS. Peter and Paul Ukranian Orthodox Church, 1025 N. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown, will hold bingo starting at 6:45 p.m. today, Dec. 11 and 18 at the center across from the church. Doors open at 4 p.m. Several packages are available.
INDOOR MARKET: In conjunction with North Side Market, the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor will host an indoor market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 151 W. Wood St., Youngstown. The market is free to the public and will be set up in the Harry Meshel Classroom space.
HELPING HANDS: Helping Hands Closet of the Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, will offer new and gently used clothing 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays. Winter clothing is available.
LIBERTY HOSTS EVENT: The Liberty Local School District Board of Education will host its annual senior citizens holiday dinner 6 p.m. Thursday at the high school cafeteria, 1 Leopard Way, Youngstown. The event is open to any Liberty resident age 55 and older. Doors at 4 p.m. and the dinner will be served from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. Guests must RSVP by calling 330-759-0807.