Community news

PAWZ FEST: Westside Bowl will host the second annual PAWZ Fest on Saturday at Westside Bowl in Austintown. The music fundraiser will feature 10 bands. Proceeds will benefit All About the Pawz dog rescue.

Doors open at 6 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

For more information, visit the Pawz Fest Facebook page.

ABWA MEETING: The Mill Creek Chapter American Business Women's Association will meet March 11 at A La Cart Catering in Canfield. Networking will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $19. Reservations may be made by calling Marilyn at 330-726-2527 or Darlene at 330-755-9089. Woman of the Year will be discussed at this meeting. The public is invited.

FIGHT HUNGER CAMPAIGN: For the 12th straight year, U.S. Walmart stores and Sam's Club locations are launching the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign, which includes the Mahoning Valley.

The goal of the annual marketing campaign is to provide people facing hunger with access to the food and resources they need to thrive. Between March 1 and March 31, there are three ways for shoppers to participate: Donated at checkout in stores or clubs, round up at Walmart.com and the Walmart app: or by purchasing participating products in-store or online at Walmart.com or SamsClub.com.

More information can be found at feedingamerica.org/walmart or feedingamerica.org/samsclub.

COMMUNITY NEWS

OPEN HOUSE: The Adult Daycare Center at Easter Seals is hosting an open house 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday at their Lisbon location, 7876 Lincoln Place. Caregivers, case managers, families and potential clients are invited to attend. Light refreshments and drinks will be provided.

CEMETERY CLEANUP: The Lake Park Cemetery Association will start its annual spring cleanup March 15. Cleanup includes removal of artificial decorations, plants, statues, angels, crosses,flags and ornaments. Anyone wanting to keep these items must remove them by March 15. The cemetery is located at 1459 E. Midlothian Boulevard in Youngstown.

BINGO NIGHT: Girard Free Library will host Family Bingo Night 6 p.m. today. Bingo games will be provided for people of all ages,

NIGHT AT RACES: The Girard FIRST Robotics Robocats Booster Club will host a Night at the Races March 15 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, South State Street, Girard The event is free with doors open at 6 p.m. and races starting at 7 p.m. The event proceeds benefit FIRST Robotics and LEGO League. There will be a 50-50, auction race and a basket raffle. Horses can be purchased at $10. The Robocats teams have been working since early January on their robot for this season.

HOLOCAUST ENTRIES SOUGHT: The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation is inviting students in grades 7 to 12 in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties to enter its annual Holocaust Writing, Art, and MultiMedia contest.

The annual contest is held in conjunction with Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Memorial Day), an internationally recognized day to be commemorated April 24, which is set aside for remembering all victims of the Holocaust and for reminding society of what can happen to civilized people when bigotry, hatred and indifference reign.

The theme for the 2025 contest is "Auschwitz - A Place on Eartha." All entries, whether writing, art, or media, must be accompanied by a title page or label containing the following information: student's name, home address and telephone number; student's school name, address, and telephone number; teacher's name; and grade.

The deadline is March 28. Submit submissions via email to Nancy Sentelik at the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, nsentelik@jewishyoungstown.org. Presentation of contest awards will be made during the Yom Hashoah Community Commemoration at noon April 29 at the Mahoning County Courthouse. All are invited to the Shoah Memorial Service at 4 p.m. April 27

Community news

STUDENT PRESS FREEDOM: Journalism students will present a program promoting student press freedom Feb. 28 at Youngstown State University.

The Student Press Freedom Day event will begin at 9 a.m. in the Rossi Room at YSU's Kilcawley Center.

The program will be presented by staffers at The Jambar -- the university's student-run newspaper -- and Jambar TV -- the broadcast channel under Jambar student media.

The gathering is part of a national observance designed to raise awareness of student journalism and the power of the student press.

Organizers call upon elected officials to restore and protect student press freedom.

The program is free and open to the public.

CRAFT / VENDOR FAIR: A craft and vendor fair will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road, Youngstown. There will be more than 40 vendors. The event will include homemade crafts, baked goods and a basket raffle, with all proceeds to help the church debt reduction.

BRASS TO PERFORM: Park Avenue Brass will hold a free concert 3 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary of Trinity United Methodist Church, 30 W. Front St., Youngstown. Free parking is located across the street

PROSPERITY COURSE: The Unity Church Centre, 1226 Naylor Lloyd Road, Liberty, will host a 10-week prosperity course starting 6:30 p.m. Thursday. There is no charge for the course.

The course will examine the book "Prosperity's Ten Commandments" by Georgiana Tree West, which focuses on 10 prosperity laws similar to the 10 Commandments. A love offering will be accepted. For information call 330-539-0122.

CEMETERY CLEANUP: Tod Homestead Cemetery, 2200 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, annual cleanup will be held March 17. All decorations on the graves, including solar lights and artificial cemetery vases will be removed at this time. Anyone wishing to recover their decorations must do so before that date.

BEADS, BAGS AND BINGO: The Junior League of The Mahoning Valley is announcing the return of its Second Annual Beads, Bags and Bingo fundraiser 4 p.m. Thursday at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield. The first bingo round will kick off at 6 p.m.

Attendees will be playing with a collection of luxury designer handbags from brands such as Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Kurt Geiger and Coach, with even more styles added this year.

The $50 admission fee includes a bingo card for 10 rounds of bingo, a full dinner buffet with two entrees and a lineup of door prizes. Additional bingo cards, raffle tickets for a gift basket auction, silent auction and 50/50 tickets will be available for purchase. A cash bar will also be offered for refreshments.

All proceeds from Beads, Bags, and Bingo will directly benefit JLMV's impactful community programs and initiatives, focusing on improving the lives of women and children in the Mahoning Valley.

Reserve your seat or a table by calling 330-743-3200.

Community news

STAGE COMBAT CLASS: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown is offering "Stage Combat: Swashbucklers & Swords" for ages 8-13 at 6:30 p.m. Mondays from March 3 to 24 at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane. Registration is required by Monday.

Under the guidance of an experienced instructor, students will explore basic stage combat techniques including sword handling, and choreography to bring thrilling, realistic fights to the stage.

This class will prepare students for the upcoming Camp JCC Theater Camp original production, "A Pirate's Life for JCC." All experience levels are welcome. There will be a parent presentation at the end of class the final week.

Visit jccyoungstown.org/youth to register.

RAILROAD MEETING: All railroaders are invited to a meeting at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Family Kitchen and SmokeHouse Restaurant in Chester, W. Va. For questions, call Rocco at 330-853-3045.

NEWCOMERS LUNCHEON: Newcomers of Mahoning Valley will host its next luncheon meeting at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 26 at Golden Rye Grille, 10745 Main St., New Middletown.

Jenny from the Springfield branch of the Public Library of Mahoning County will talk about different programs and tools available by the library.

The club gives those joining an opportunity to meet new people, learn about the community and find support if they have had changes in their life.

For more information, send a message to youngstownofmv@gmail.com.

Community news

MONDAY NIGHT WRITERS: The next meeting of Monday Night Writers will be 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday at Leana's Books and More, 4317 Kirk Road, Youngstown. Area writers, both published and unpublished, are invited to attend. Led by author Nancy Christie, the meetings offer an opportunity for members to get group feedback on works-in-progress. For information, contact Nancy Christie at nancy@nancychristie.com.

BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM: Community Missionary Baptist Church, 1013 Emerson Ave. Farrell, Pa., will present "Lest We Forget," 4 p.m. Sunday.

The event will feature an oral presentation by Pastor "G" Rev. Walter Gillespie of T.H.U.G. Ministry (Totally Holy Unto God), Sistah Charlene Johnson, the Rev. Deborah Lewis-Sanders and The Black Artist Network Drummers.

CREDIT SCORE WORKSHOP: A free virtual workshop about how credit scores work will be offered at noon Wednesday.

Presented by Credit Union of Ohio, attendees will learn what makes up a credit score, tips to improve a credit score, and how building and maintaining a healthy credit score will positively impact an individual's financial future. Register for the session at cuofohio.org. Credit Union of Ohio serves state employees in all of Ohio's 88 counties.

JOURNALISM AWARDS: The Youngstown Press Club is seeking entries for its Scholastic

Journalism Awards -- a journalistic writing contest for high school students in the

Mahoning and Shenango valleys.

High school students in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Lawrence and Mercer counties are invited to compete in 11 writing or production categories across a variety

of media platforms. In addition, entries are being sought in the Scholastic Journalist of the Year and Journalism Adviser of the Year contests.

The deadline for contest entries is March 21.

Complete information about contest rules is at youngstownpressclub.com.

The writing or production contest categories are: news article, broadcast story or

website story; feature article, broadcast story or website story; sports news article,

broadcast story or website story; sports feature article, broadcast story or website

story; news publication or website; editorial cartoon or news graphic; editorial, column or opinion; best use of social media; photography or video package; layout and design; and advertisement.

The Youngstown Press Club was re-established in 2018 to promote journalism and

related professions in the Mahoning Valley.

Community news

FRIENDS OF FIDO: Friends of Fido is hosting its annual Valentine's Day card event, "For the Love of Dogs." Mail $1 or more along with a valentine for the dogs at the Mahoning County Dog Warden's Office. The goal of the fundraiser is to fill the walls of the office with as many valentines as possible.

All money raised from the "For the Love of Dogs" fundraiser will be for veterinarian care.

Mail cards to Friends of Fido, P.O. Box 2963, Youngstown, OH 44511.

For information or to find a "valentine," visit the nonprofit's Facebook page or www.friendsoffidomahoning.org. Cards and donations also can be dropped off at Mahoning County Dog Warden, 1230 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.

VIETNAM EXPERIENCE: Jeff Dreves will speak on his experience with the Army in Vietnam on Saturday to the World War II Heritage Group at A La Carte Catering in Canfield. The speech will be preceded by a buffet dinner at 6:15 p.m., for which reservations must be made with Dave Frank by calling 330-757-0515.

Born and raised in Schenectady, New York, Dreves enrolled in Pennsylvania Military College following graduation. He was shipped to Vietnam in November 1966, a 20-day voyage. Duty consisted of search and destroy missions, along with an estimated 135 night ambush patrols. His unit was stationed near Camron Bay.

Honorably discharged in November 1968, Dreves joined the Army Reserve for another four years. He was employed at Crum & Forrester Insurance, where he worked his way up to a marketing representative in Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

OFFICE CLOSED: The Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission Office will be closed to the public 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday for a retirement luncheon. Questions may be addressed to Executive Director Susan Krawchyk at 330-740-2450.