×

Community news

MAY DAY CELEBRATION: A coalition of local community members will host a free festival for the celebration of May Day, an internationally celebrated day for workers, celebrants of spring and those finding new love. The Youngstown May Day Festival is noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Calvin Center for the Arts, 755 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown.

For information visit tiny.cc/YoMayDay.

The keynote address will be by labor and civil rights activist Staughton Lynd. Music will be provided by Jonathan Blackshire, Jen Cancio, Hooja 1856 and Matt Marton, as well as a songshare / round robin open to all levels of musicians and voices acoustic instruments.

Spring crafting with flower- crown making, sage wand workshop, maypole dancing, sidewalk chalk art, free pedicab rides to downtown and the Oak Hill polls, and free face painting and a roving fire breather will be part of the day’s events.

Conversations and workshops will include the topics of sustainable gardening, mutual aid, first aid, medical discrimination within the HIV struggle,Valley labor struggles, the history of May Day, voter suppression and Ohio redistricting and the death penalty.

The event will have strict COVID-19 safety protocols including masks indoors and outdoors, social distancing and hand sanitizers throughout the space.

BARK IN THE PARK: Bark in the Park runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Harvey S. Firestone Park, 338 E. Park Ave., Columbiana.

The event will include pet-related vendors and a pet parade with prizes. Proceeds from the event will go toward Restoration and Beautification Committee of Columbiana’s efforts to create a dog park at Firestone Park. The project will include a one-acre fenced area near the walking trail, double gates for safety, separate runs for small and large dogs, water stations, park benches and dog depots / waste stations.

For more information, call 234-567-6767.

community news

TWO-DAY EVENT ADDRESSES RACISM: The Ursuline Sisters, The Humility of Mary Sisters and ACTION of Youngstown are working together to present a two-day event to address systemic racism in the Mahoning Valley called Anti-Racism at the Crossroads: Healing the Great Divide 2.

The workshop will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The event is being hosted entirely via Zoom meeting. Last November, Sister Patricia Chappelle and Sister Anne-Louise Nadeau facilitated a conversation on becoming anti-racist. More than 50 participants were invited to reflect on clear definitions, attitudes and behaviors that enabled racism in seven separate systems. This was followed by a presentation on specific ways to transform those attitudes and behaviors.

During this workshop, participants will narrow down seven systems to the one they want to specifically address in the Mahoning Valley. A follow-up meeting has been planned for 10 a.m. May 22, also via Zoom. The goal is to plan a specific action that will impact the causes and effects of racism in that system in the Valley.

To register for this workshop, contact Sr. Mary Stanco, at mstancohm@gmail.com or visit www.actionoh.com. After registering, participants will be sent a link to a recording of the first workshop as well as a reflection question to prepare for this free event.

For information, contact Shelia Triplett at striplett@my-cap.org or ACTION Executive Director Rose Carter at taulen@aol.com or 330-941-0475.

DONATIONS TO DOG PARK: The Restoration and Beautification Committee of Columbiana is announcing that throughout April total donations made to the nonprofit organization’s Firestone Dog Park Campaign will be matched up to $20,000 by FDP committee member Richard McBane.

Donations can be made directly at www.gf.me/u/y8t5wu, by check mailed to P.O. Box 53, Columbiana, OH 44408 (make checks payable Columbiana R&B/FDP), or via the website at www.RestoreColumbiana.com.

The Firestone Dog Park is only one aspect of R&B’s ongoing commitment to native son Harvey S. Firestone’s legacy of giving back in Columbiana.To learn more about Firestone Dog Park, as well as ongoing R&B efforts in Harvey S. Firestone Recreational Park, call 330-482-9166, or visit RestoreColumbiana.com.

The Firestone Dog Park is a campaign of the Restoration and Beautification Committee focused on restoring the beauty and history of Columbiana. The charity directs capital projects funded by a combination of community sponsors, private donations and government grants.

WEDNESDAY

• Evening Connections support group — 6 to 7 p.m., Community Center, 1344 Fifth Ave., Youngstown. 330-727-9268 or email staff@namimv.org.

• Mended Hearts Support Group — 7 p.m., Finnegan Auditorium, St. Elizabeth Health Center. 330-793-2531.

• It Works: How and Why — 7:30 p.m., Shrine of Our Lady, 517 S. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown.

• TOPS 1429 — weigh-in 9 a.m., meeting 9:30 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, Hubbard.

• Willingness Group — 10:30 a.m., Salvation Army, 1501 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown.

• Austintown Community Church Food and Clothing Pantry, 242 S. Canfield Niles Road, Austintown, serving area codes 44509, 44511 and 44515, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

• Freedom Area Service of Narcotics Anonymous — 7:30 p.m., 1933 Canfield Road, Youngstown.

Community news

ZOOM BASEBALL FOR ALZHEIMER’S: In this season of baseball, the Alzheimer’s Association is offering a chance for people with dementia to remember the sights and sounds of the ballpark.

The song “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” with the one-two-three strikes you’re out lyrics hopefully will trigger positive memories during a free virtual program called Baseball Memories being offered at 2 p.m. today in partnership with the Society of American Baseball Research Jack Graney Chapter.

The program is open to people with mild to moderate memory loss with their caregivers. Mary Ertle, program manager for the Alzheimer’s Association, said short-term memory is lost first with dementia, and this program helps bring out long-term memories through baseball.

The one-hour program includes musical components and SABR will be presenting information about going to the ballgame and about famous players in baseball history.

The program will be presented via Zoom. Pre-registration is required, and limited space is available. To register, contact Ertle at the Alzheimer’s Association at mertle@alz.org or 216-342-5607.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The Broadhead and Wydell Memorial Team volunteers are being sought to help gather information on veterans buried at Youngstown area cemeteries. Cemetery field walkers are asked to join the team to help walk row by row at the cemetery and write down each headstone and get it to the research team to determine who they are. Fifteen volunteers are needed. Call Stefon Jones at 330-301-7365.

Research teams also are needed to verify government military headstones and private headstones. Call Lester Darnell at 330-880-7820.

TUESDAY

• Tuesday Morning Recovery — 10:30 a.m., Meridian Place, 1184 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.

• Tuesday Night Surrender — 7:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall, 2555 Rush Blvd., Youngstown.

• Food Addicts Anonymous — 7 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 162 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown. Call 330-793-1599.

• Girard Liberty Rotary Club — 6 p.m. at Amen Corner in Girard. Andy at 330-716-4523.

• Youngstown Business and Professional Women’s Organization (YBPW) — ybpw board4@gmail.com.

• Free Food Giveaway — 10 a.m. to noon, Alpha & Omega 1st Baptist Church, 3120 Winton Ave., Youngstown. Photo identification required.

Community news

BOOK AND COOK: Youngstown Rayen Early College High School offers students and parents an opportunity to blend literary ingredients to make cooking a family affair.

A virtual Book & Cook is set for 6 p.m. today. Participants will prepare a meal inspired by the book, “With the Fire On High,” by Elizabeth Acevedo, read by YREC students in their Spanish I and Spanish II classes as part of their final project.

Today’s Book and Cook meal preparation will be led by Chef Trina Williams of A Fresh Wind Catering in Youngstown. Students will be able to pick up ingredients to make the meal at the school on Monday.

SPANNING THE NEED: “Spanning the Need” will be doing a live Cleveland Browns pre-draft podcast show 7 p.m. today airing on Spanning the Need Facebook live at www.facebook.com/anthonyvspano. The show will cover a variety of segments: a recap of the 2020 season / pandemic, off-season free agency, draft opportunities for the Browns, and future of the Cleveland Browns, just to name a few. The panel will be able to take questions from the viewers, where the viewers can submit questions in the comment section of the broadcast. Also, a new feature, Browns fans will be able to be on the show through a special link that will be provided to the viewers.

Participants for the show will be Anthony Spano, moderator and host Felix Wright, former Cleveland Browns player, Mike McLain, a former sportswriter with the Tribune Chronicle and its Browns’ beat writer for over 30 years, and Gary Flauto, Browns enthusiast.

ANNUAL MEETING: The United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley will host its annual meeting 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Lake Club in Poland. The event, which is sponsored by TCF Bank and Sherman Creative, will celebrate the success of the 2020 campaign and any milestones achieved by the organization. The top campaigns and volunteers will be recognized for their contributions during the program. Doors will open at 11 a.m. with program and annual meeting at 11:45 a.m. The meeting will be streamed live by using this link: https://vimeo.com/event/908034.

TODAY

• Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio Free and Accepted Masons, Covenant Lodge 59 — 7 p.m. at the lodge, 336 W. Wood St., Youngstown. 330-759-7274.

• TOPS Ohio 698, Girard — weigh-in 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., meeting 6:30 p.m., First Christian Church, 140 E. Broadway Ave., Girard. 330-545-4770 or 330-534-2618.

• Youngstown Executive Toastmasters — 6:45 p.m., Shepherd of the Valley, 301 Western Reserve Road, Boardman. www.speakingclub.org.

• Youngstown Toastmasters Executive 408 — 6:40 p.m., Adamas Square, 8131 Market St., Boardman.

• Monday Night Miracles — 7 p.m., Fellowship Hall, 2555 Rush Blvd., Youngstown.

• MVI HospiceCare Bereavement Support Group — 6 p.m., Boardman Park, Georgeanna Parker Administrative Building, 375 Boardman Poland Road. Lisa Altman, licensed social worker, 330-759-9487.

• Ostomy Support Group — 6 to 7 p.m. Salem Regional Medical Center’s private dining room. Pre-registration requested. Call Tashia Watkins, 330-332-7607.

• Freedom Area Service of Narcotics Anonymous (FASNA) — 7:30 p.m., 10786 Mahoning Ave., North Jackson.

Anyone with items for community news should call 330-841-1738; submit it to the Virtual Newsroom at www.vindy.com email news@vindy.com; or mail to or drop off information at the The Vindicator offices in Warren.

Community news

ART CONTEST: Any school-age student who attends a Diocese of Youngstown parish or Catholic school is encouraged to submit a drawing, sketch writing / poem, painting, or original photography with the theme “Testify to the Light.” The art contest is being sponsored by Catholic Charities. Winning pieces will be displayed in the lobbies of Catholic Charities agencies throughout the Diocese of Youngstown. Deadline to enter is Friday. For information visit www.ccdoy.org.

YSU OUTDOOR CONCERT: The Youngstown State University Dana School of Music will present a free outdoor concert by Ten Voice Studio students at 2:30 p.m. today in Harrison Common on Walnut Street. Bring a chair, blanket, snacks.

CLOTHING OFFERED: Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, is offering a dollar days sale for clothing and other items at its annual GAB Sale from Thursday to Saturday. The store is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday. For information, call 330-318-7952.

LIBERTY CLEANUP: Liberty Township is holding its 26th annual Liberty community litter cleanup noon to 5 p.m. today. Any club, groups or families interested in cleaning an area can meet at the administration building to be assigned a street to clean. The event is being sponsored by the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District, which will supply bags, gloves and giveaways.

CEMETERY DECORATIONS: Weathersfield Township residents are asked to remove decorations from all township cemeteries by Friday so that crews can begin cleanup and prepare for Memorial Day ceremonies.

FUND TO HELP FAMILY: A GoFundMe account has been established on behalf of the Kohler family after Jessica Kohler, a principal with Liberty schools, was in a car accident in March. She sustained extensive injuries. She has been at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital and will face a long recovery.

TODAY

• Write to Recover — 10 a.m., Meridian Place, 1184 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.

• Outspokin’ Wheelmen Bicycle Club — bicycle rides daily. Check out outspokinwheelmen.com for information.

• Gamblers Anonymous — 7:30 p.m., Christ Presbyterian Church, 3425 Hopkins Road, Youngstown.

• Freedom Area Service of Narcotics Anonymous — 7:30 p.m., 280 Millcreek Drive, Boardman.

Community news

WINE EVENT DRIVE-THRU: Beatitude House has redesigned its annual wine event to comply with social-distancing precautions. The event will be a drop-in / drive-thru style Friday at The Embassy in Boardman.

The 2021 event will include three meal and wine pairings for pick-up, as well as the option to walk through an indoor wine pull and ticket auction — all with reserved time frames to maintain social distancing.

Tickets are $75 a person. Make reservation choices by Monday by calling Beatitude House Development Staff at 330-744-3147 or visiting www.beatitudehouse.com/events.

To learn more about helping, visit www.beatitudehouse.com.

ANTI-RACISM EVENT: The Ursuline Sisters, The Humility of Mary Sisters and ACTION of Youngstown are working together to present a two-day Zoom event called “Anti-Racism at the Crossroads: Healing the Great Divide 2” to address systemic racism in the Mahoning Valley.

The workshop will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 1.

Sister Patricia Chappelle,and Sister Anne-Louise Nadeau, both Sisters of Notre Dame, facilitated a conversation on becoming anti-racist last November. This was followed by a presentation on specific ways to transform those attitudes and behaviors.

In the new workshop, participants will narrow down seven systems of racism to the one they want to specifically address in the Mahoning Valley. A follow up meeting has been planned for 10 a.m. May 22, also via Zoom.

To register, contact Sister Mary Stanco, HM, at mstan cohm@gmail.com or visit www.actionoh.com. For additional information, contact Shelia Triplett at striplett@my-cap.org or ACTION Executive Director Rose Carter at taulen@aol.com or call 330-941 0475.

Community news

CHILDREN TO GET MODIFIED TOY CARS: Dozens of volunteers will come together from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, 7300 N. Palmyra Road, Canfield, to modify ride-on toy cars for 22 children with mobility impairments.

Volunteer electricians will modify the wiring, while volunteer adaptive technology professionals and physical and occupational therapists will help with seating modifications. Students from MCCTC are designing “license plates” and decals and helping to assemble the cars.

This is the sixth year of modifying cars. This year’s event is sponsored by Go Baby Go Youngstown, the Magic of Michael Foundation and the Hirschbeck Family.

The children who have been referred for cars by therapists also will be in attendance as they get fitted for cars.

FOOD GIVEAWAY: A drive-thru food giveaway will be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 2944 Wardle Ave., Youngstown. Bring identification. For information, call 330-746-7542.

LEARNING CENTER SALE: Happy Campers Learning Center, 518 E. Indianola Ave., Youngstown, is hosting a community yard sale at 4 p.m. today, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vendors can purchase a table by calling 330-788-4300.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK: The Liberty Township Police Department, along with the DEA, will sponsor “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Liberty Township administration building lobby, 1315 Churchill Hubbard Road. No liquids, needles, or other sharp objects will be accepted.

VACCINE CLINIC: Liberty Local Schools will host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic 9 am. to 1 p.m. today at Liberty High School, 1 Leopard Way. The vaccination clinic is only open to students, staff and the community. Those wishing to attend this clinic may print out and complete a copy of the vaccine form from the Liberty website, www.libertylocal schools.org, to speed up the check-in process.

Those getting the vaccine need the completed form along with driver’s license or another form of identification. Individuals ages 16 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and must bring identification or birth certificate to show proof of age. Rite Aid will not provide the vaccine to anyone younger than 16 or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

TODAY

• Glimmer of Hope — 8:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall, 2555 Rush Blvd., Youngstown.

• Gamblers Anonymous — closed meeting, 7:30 p.m., Westminster Church, 119 Stadium Drive, Boardman. 330-505-5060.

• Kiwanis Club of Youngstown — noon, Downtown YMCA, 17 Champion Street.

SATURDAY

• Austintown Community Church Food and Clothing Pantry, 242 S. Canfield Niles Road, Austintown, serving area codes 44509, 44511 and 44515, 8:30 to 10-:30 a.m.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today