HISTORICAL HOUSE OPEN FOR HOLIDAYS: The Girard Historical Society will hold an open house for the holidays at the historic Barnhisel House on N. Main Street (Route 422) from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Nov. 25 and Dec. 1, 2, 8 and 9. The home is decorated for the Christmas holidays. The theme is "Christmas Through the Ages." The home will be decorated with various trees using ornaments from late 1800s to 1960s. There will be a feather tree, aluminum tree, nature green and 3-D paper ornament tree. The 2013 calendar sold by the society will be available.
LIBRARY TO BE CLOSED: The Girard Free Library will be closed from 3 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Nov. 26 for floor renovations.
RED KETTLES SEEK DONATIONS: The Salvation Army has kicked off its Red Kettle campaign which will runs through Dec. 24 at area stores in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.
TREE PROJECT STARTS: The American Elm Tree Project held its second tree planting recently at the Liberty Township Churchill Cemetery. The project is dedicated by the American Elm Committee of the Men's Garden Club of Youngstown. The committee was formed in 2009 with the goal of promoting the awareness of the American tree, raising awareness of the new disease-resistant elm trees and encouraging individuals and communities to include the elm tree in landscape plans and in parks and public spaces.
The program has provided American Elm trees for public space in six counties, including Trumbull and Mahoning. The club continues to seek communities to maintain elms in public locations.
TAX AIDE?VOLUNTEERS?SOUGHT: AARP Tax Aide is a program of the AARP Foundation which is offered in conjunction with the IRS. This program provides free tax preparation and filing for seniors and other taxpayers with low to moderate income who need assistance filing their tax returns. The program is seeking volunteers to assist in tax preparation for the upcoming tax year. The Trumbull County program takes place at 12 sites throughout the county. No tax experience is needed as training will be provided. Anyone interested in participating or for more information is asked to contact Geri Smith at 330-469-3047 or gerismith13@gmail.com.
TREE LIGHTING SEEKS DONATIONS: The Bristol Park Christmas Lighting will kick off over Thanksgiving weekend. Township funds have been reduced and more cuts are expected next year. Donations can be sent to Bristol Township Trustees, P.O. Box 254, Bristolville, 44402
ENERGY ASSISTANCE OFFERED FOR WINTER: The Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership is helping eligible Mahoning County residents. Households who are experiencing problems paying their utility bills may be able to receive financial help with their bills through a number of energy assistance programs offered by MYCAP, the State of Ohio and the federal government. The winter crisis program runs through March 31. The program is for income-eligible households who have had utility service terminated. Call 866-223-1125 to schedule an appointment. For information, call 330-747-7921, or visit www.my-cap.org.
GROUP SEEKS PARTICIPANTS: The Youngstown Chapter of Project Linus is seeking members to participate. The group meets each month at Tod Avenue United Methodist Church, Warren, to make quilts and fleece blankets for traumatized or ill children in the area. For information, call Pat Deacentis at 330-758-7888 or Phyllis Abruzzi at 330-372-3217.
AGENCY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE: The Area Agency on Aging, District XI, has designated the Girard Multi-Generational Center, 443 Trumbull Ave., Girard, as the 2012-2013 HEAP Outreach Center headquarters in the lower Trumbull County areas. In addition helping individuals file their HEAP applications at the center, staff will be offering assistance at the Salvation Army in Warren and at various library sites. Special home visits arrangements can be made for disabled and homebound individuals. HEAP applications are currently being accepted and processed. The program will continue to March 31. Appointments by calling 330-545-6596.