Celebrations of Love

BLACK HISTORY MONTH Libraries, museums to host cultural events

n Traveling While Black. Michael Kusalaba Library, 2815 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org. A cinematic virtual-reality experience that immerses the viewer in the long history of restriction of movement for Black Americans and the creation of safe spaces in communities. Presented in partnership with the Youngstown Business Incubator. Occurs during Library hours in February.

n Black History Month Exhibition (collection of Tazim and Dr. Nazim Jaffer). Judith Rae Solomon Gallery, Bliss Hall, YSU, Wick Avenue at Spring Street, Youngstown 44555. 330-941-3105. A reception occurs at 5 p.m. on Feb. 1. Tazim and Dr. Nazim Jaffer will speak at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1 at the McDonough Museum of Art. The exhibit will be on display through Feb. 23.

n African American Genealogy. Local History & Genealogy, Warren Library, 444 Mahoning Ave., N.W., Warren 44483. 330-399-8807, ext. 202. Participants will learn to trace family history using traditional and digitized resources, including the Freedmen’s Bureau, the African American Heritage database, and the Unknown No Longer website. Those taking the class should be familiar with navigating a computer using a mouse. Registration is required. Call to sign up. 3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8.

n Food for Thought Book Discussion. Main Library, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44503. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org. Join Lit Youngstown readers to discuss big literary prizes and the contemporary books that won them.

February: “A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance” by Hanif Abdurraqib (essays). For adults. Registration required. 5 p.m. Food for Thought. Main Library, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44503. 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9.

n Harlem Hell Fighters Part II: Meuse –Argonne Black Infantry. Main Library, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44503. 330-744-8636. www. libraryvisit.org. Special presentation about the Battle of the Meuse-Argonne and Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and the Black pioneer infantry men who buried them there. For teens and adults. Registration required. 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 11.

n Henry’s Freedom Box. Warren Library, 444 Mahoning Ave., N.W., Warren 44483. 330399-8807, ext. 206. www.wtcpl.org. The true-life story of Henry “Box” Brown, the man who mailed himself out of slavery, presented through dramatic storytelling, original music, and magic. This program features Rory Rennick, the Magistic. For youth in grades K-6. 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11.

n Discovering Our Roots through Genealogy. East Library, 430 Early Road, Youngstown 44505. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org. Stacey Adger will present this genealogy program. Refreshments include traditional African-American food. 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18.

All concerts are free and open to the public courtesy of the W.D. Packard Trust. For updated information, call 330.393.3628 or visit us on the web: www.wdpackardband.com n Black Superheroes Comic Con. Newport Library, 3730 Market St., Youngstown 44507. 330744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org. Play games based on famous characters, create pieces of your own superhero disguise and so much more. Cosplay and costumes are welcome. 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18. n Freedom Quilts. Springfield Library. 10418 Main St, New Middletown 44442. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org. 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 20. Compiled from local reports.

Friday 3

Blood Drive by Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross. Poland Library, 311 S. Main St. 44514. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Drop-In Playtime. Howland Library, 9095 E. Market St. 44484. 330-856-2011. www.wtcpl.org. Stop by the community room any time during the posted hours for puzzles, puppets, and other special library toys and games. For ages 1-5. 10 a.m.

Stitches Sewing Club. Sebring Library, 195 W. Ohio Ave. 44672. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit. org. For adults. 11 a.m.

Origami Conversation Hearts Art. Main Library, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44503. 330-7448636. www.libraryvisit.org. Learn how to make origami hearts to create a collage. For teens. Registration required. 3:30 p.m.

Toughest Monster Truck Tour. Covelli Centre, 229 E. Front St., Youngstown 44503. 1-800-745-3000. covellicentre.com. TicketMaster.com. 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3 and 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4. 7:30 p.m. $38-17.

Into The Blue: Tribute to the Electric Light Orchestra. Robins Theatre, 160 E. Market St., Warren 44481. 234-437-6246. robinstheatre.com. 8 p.m. $25-$18.

MUSIC & NIGHTSPOTS

Birdfish. Analog Night. D.J. Psycho Puppy. 8 p.m.

Columbiana Cultural Collective. Dave Matthews Tribute Band. 8 p.m.

Cork & Cap. Steve Vuich. 7 p.m.

Frenchy’s Irish Pub. The Dickey White Band. 9 p.m. Gatsby’s. Joe Augustine. 6 p.m.

High Pointe Tavern. Jay Byrd. 8 p.m.

Leon’s Sports Bar. Dead Flowers. 6 p.m.

Los Gallos. 80s Proof. 8 p.m.

Riser Tavern and Grille. Leather and Lace. 7 p.m.

Robins Theatre. Into the Blue. ELO tribute.

Sam’s Wedge Inn. Paul Charles. 8 p.m.

Vey’s Pub & Grille. Jen Carey. 7 p.m. Westside Bowl. Koffin Kats, The Krank Daddies, The Setiments, Lords of the Highway. 8 p.m.

Saturday 4

Blood Drive by Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross. Austintown Library, 600 S. Raccoon Road 44515. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Valentines Wreath. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. Register/pay online or call 330740-7116, ext. 230. millcreekmetroparks.org. Create a special Valentine’s wreath with Judy Stanislaw. Pre-registration required before Feb. 1. Saturday, Feb. 4. 11 a.m. $25, resident; $29, nonresident.

5th Annual Groundhog Craft Beerfest. Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave., Youngstown 44504. 330-259-0555. www.stambaughauditorium. com. Features craft beers from local and regional breweries. The event occurs in two sessions – noon to 4 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. – with an hour-long VIP tasting for each session. Noon-9 p.m. General admission is $45 and VIP tickets are $65.

Family Drop-In Saturdays. Warren Library, 444 Mahoning Ave., N.W., Warren 44483. 330-399-8807, ext. 206. www.wtcpl.org. Features themed crafts and activities for the whole family. For families with children ages 3 and up. 1 p.m.

Dungeons and Dragons: Learn and Play. Sebring Library, 195 W. Ohio Ave. 44672. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org. For teens and adults. 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4; 2 p.m., Saturday Feb. 11, 18, 25.

Activities include a full-moon hike and educational programming for children.

MetroParks sets February nature programs

n February Full Moon Hike. Parking lot, Pioneer Pavilion, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7116. millcreekmetroparks. org. Join a MetroParks educator for a full-moon hike. Dress for the weather. Features a moderate, 2-mile hike. Registration required. No walk-ins. No pets. Register by Feb. 4, online or call. 5:30-7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 6. $3.

n Recreational Hikes. Newport Wetlands, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7114. millcreekmetroparks.org. Meet at Newport Wetlands parking lot on W. Newport Drive. Moderate, 1 or 3 miles. 9-10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8.

n MetroMutts: I Chews You Valentine Treat Making. McMahon Hall, Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. 330-702-3000. millcreekmetroparks.org. Bring your MetroMutt to McMahon Hall and learn how to bake treats to make their Valentine’s Day special. Noon-1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11. Members, free; non-members, $5.

n MetroCyclers Hike and Bike: Hike Rocky Ridge/Artists’ Trail. Parking lot, Wick Recreation Area, Mill Creek MetroParks, 1861 McCollum Road, Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7114. millcreekmetroparks.org. Meet for a moderate 3-mile hike on Rocky Ridge and Artists’ Trail. 1-2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 12. Members, free; $5, nonmembers.

n Sprout Club - Plants Parts - Tops & Bottoms. Kidston Classroom, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7116. millcreekmetroparks.org. For ages 3-5 with an adult. Features hands-on activities. Register/pay online by Feb. 14 or call. 1-2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16. $7.

n Citizen Science Matters: iNaturalist Workshop. Education Classroom A, Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7116. millcreekmetroparks.org. Join a Metroparks educator and Ohio-certified volunteer naturalist in learning the basics of iNaturalist, a social network for sharing nature observations. Bring a smart phone with the app already downloaded. Location to be determined. Dress for the weather and wear hiking boots. Register by Feb. 14, online or call. No walkins. No pets. 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16.

n Birding at the Gardens. Outdoor Concourse, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown

44509. 330-740-7116. millcreekmetroparks.org. Join a MetroParks educator and Ohio-certified volunteer naturalist for a stop-and-look birding walk around Fellows Riverside Gardens. Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars, if you have them. Register by Feb. 15 online or call 330-740-7116. No walk-ins. No pets. 8-9 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 18 n MerlinID App - Bird Hike. Parking lot, Newport Wetlands, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7116. millcreekmetroparks. org. For ages 16 and older. Hike through the trails to listen for birds after a brief introduction to the Merlin ID app. Dress for the weather and wear hiking boots. Registration is required. Half-mile hike. Register/pay online by Feb. 17 or call. No walk-ins. No pets. 10-11 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 19. $3. n Recreational Hikes. Parking lot, Scholl Recreation Area, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown. 330-740-7114. millcreekmetroparks.org. Moderate, 1-3 miles. 9-10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22 n DIY Snowshoes March. Birch Hill Cabin, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown. 330-7407116. millcreekmetroparks.org. For ages 6-10. Join a MetroParks educator and attempt to make DIY Snowshoes out of different materials and then test them out in the snow. Dress for the weather. Wear hiking boots. Meet at the Birch Hill Cabin near the Lily Pond. Registration is required. Register/pay online by Feb. 20 or call. No walkins. No pets. 4-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22. $5. n Picturesque Hike. Meet at The Flats parking lot on Valley Drive (near the Suspension Bridge), Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown. 330-740-7116. millcreekmetroparks.org. For ages 16 and older. Learn how to take the picturesque photos. Bring a camera or cell phone. Dress for the weather and wear hiking boots. Moderate/ difficult 1-mile hike. Registration is required. No pets. Call or register online by Feb. 24. 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 26. n Critter Tales - North American Opossum. Kidston Classroom, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7116. millcreekmetroparks.org. For ages 3-6, with an adult. Learn about the North American Opossum. Program includes species information/fun facts, story time, and a craft activity. Register/pay online by Feb. 26 or call. No walk-ins. 11 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Feb. 28. $7. Visit metromonthly.net for more MetroParks activities.

Youth Fiction Writing Workshop. East Library, 430 Early Road, Youngstown 44505. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org. For tweens and teens. 1 p.m.

Science Exploring Hour – Simple Paper Circuits. Main Library, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44503. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org. Create a circuit using copper tape, gumdrop LEDs and coin cell batteries. For tweens and teens. Registration is required. 1 p.m.

Warren Historical Players Presents: A Victorian Valentine’s Day. Warren Library, 444 Mahoning Ave., N.W., Warren 44483. 330-399-8807. Learn how the Victorians invented our Valentine’s Day in a performance that takes a journey into the past. Performed by Dr. Gregory George and Dr. Ronald Brooks. This event will be held in Grant Rooms A and B on the library’s first floor. 2 p.m.

Celebrate Lunar New Year. Main Library, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44503. 330-744-8636. www. libraryvisit.org. For children. 2 p.m

YSU Penguins Basketball. Beeghly Center: GPS Address 224 W. Spring St., Youngstown, OH 44502. The Penguins play Northern Kentucky at home. The game will be televised on ESPN+ and broadcast on AM 570 WKBN. 7 p.m. Reserved: $14 before game day, $16 on game day; general admission: $10 before game day, $12 on game day; youth, $7.

Toughest Monster Truck Tour. Covelli Centre, 229 E. Front St., Youngstown 44503. 1-800-745-3000. covellicentre.com. TicketMaster.com. 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3 and 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4. 6 p.m. $38-17. ZYGRT. Robins Theatre, 160 E. Market St., Warren 44481. 234-437-6246. robinstheatre.com. Features a tribute to Led Zeppelin, Yes, Genesis, Rush and Toto. 8 p.m. $25-$18.

MUSIC & NIGHTSPOTS

Act Sharpsville. Chansons d’amour.7:30 p.m.

Birdfish. SR Will. 2 p.m. Great Springs 3:30 p.m.

Cafe 422/Boardman. John Reese Trio. 6 p.m.

Cafe 422/Warren. Leather and Lace. 6:30 p.m.

CharBenay’s Wine on the River. 6 p.m. Cork & Cap. L&M Station. 7 p.m.

Frenchy’s Irish Pub & Grill. Relapse. 9 p.m. The Manor. The Pretty Birds. 6:30 p.m. New Manhattan. Mane Atraxion. 8 p.m. Robins Theatre. ZYGRT. 8 p.m.

Steve’s Back Road Bar & Grille. Neil Hogue. 7 p.m.

Sunday 5

Eastwood Ice Fest. Eastwood Mall Event Center, Eastwood Mall, 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles 44446. 330-652-6980. The Eastwood Event Centre and Eastwood Mall Complex will present the Eastwood Ice Fest in partnership with Kent State’s hospitality program. Activities include: a children’s story time (with crafts) from 11-11:30 a.m.; D.J. Jeff Dunn will host a dance party with a mascot dance off from11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; a professional ice-carving demonstration will occur outside from 12:15-1:15 p.m.; a Snow Sisters/Spiderman sing-along and meet-and-greet will take place from 1:15-2:15 p.m. in the Eastwood Mall’s Ballroom. In addition, the Dana Chorale will perform a concert from 2:15-2:45 p.m. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Monday 6

AARP Tax Aide. Large Meeting Room, Poland Library, 311 S. Main St., Poland 44514. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides tax preparation help to anyone, free of charge, with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. All sites are staffed by volunteers who have been