LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – The Mahoning Valley Comicon will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Metroplex Expo Center on Belmont Avenue.

Admission is $10 (free for children 10 and under).

The event will include cosplaying and vendors offering toys and comic books for purchase.

The featured guest will be Ming Chen of AMC’s “Comic Book Men.”

National Golf Group Extends Pact with Mill Creek

BRASELTON, Ga. – The American Junior Golf Association has finalized a four-year extension with Mill Creek Golf Course to continue hosting two of its annual junior golf events through 2029. The agreement secures the 1898 Foundation Junior All-Star, set for June 22-24, and the 1898 Foundation Preview presented by ICL Academy (ages 12 to 15), scheduled for June 24-26. As part of the new agreement, the 1898 Foundation has signed on as title sponsor for both events from 2026 to 2029.

The 1898 Foundation, based in Youngstown, supports the advancement and promotion of amateur golf and related sporting activities, the preservation of historic designated golf courses and facilities in Mahoning and Trumbull counties and the preservation of The Youngstown Country Club historic district. Its sponsorship strengthens the long-term viability of these two AJGA events and reinforces the foundation’s commitment to growing the game.

Mill Creek Golf Course has hosted AJGA events for the past 10 years and has become one of the longest-running tournament partners in the Midwest. Mill Creek first welcomed the AJGA in 2015 and has since hosted multiple Junior All-Star and ICL Academy Preview Series events, drawing players from across the country each summer. The venue’s consistency, course setup and strong community involvement have helped establish Mill Creek as a staple on the AJGA schedule.

Mill Creek has played an important role in the development of young golfers, hosting fields that have included future college standouts and AJGA award winners. Notably, Maxwell Moldovan won the Junior All-Star event in both 2016 and 2017. He later earned 2019 Rolex Junior Player of the Year honors and competed for four years at Ohio State, where he became one of the most decorated players in program history. Moldovan turned professional in 2024 and has competed in five PGA Tour events. Vanessa Borovilos, the 2020 champion, also went on to have an accomplished junior career. The current Texas A&M sophomore was a three-time Rolex Junior

All-American and finished as the No. 3 ranked junior golfer and No. 1 player in Canada in the Class of 2024.

Brian Tolnar, PGA director for golf and recreation for Mill Creek MetroParks said the economic impact for overnight stays, dining, retail spending and exploration of the weeklong event has exceeded the $3 million mark for the community and has raised $80,000 toward local charities.

The Junior All-Star Series is designed for players ages 12 to 15 who are ready to test their games on a national stage, while the ICL Academy Preview Series gives emerging golfers a chance to gain valuable experience in their first AJGA events. 

Boardman High Orchestra Festival

BOARDMAN, Ohio – The Boardman High School Symphony, Chamber and Classical Orchestras will present their annual Winter Orchestra Festival at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, in the Boardman Performing Arts Center, 7777 Glenwood Ave.

Admission is $3 ($2 for students; free for senior citizens).

The orchestra is directed by Michele Prokop, Bill Amendol, Christine Carucci and Lauren Gerberry.

Senior solo competition winners Lydia Kenney (viola) and Hannah Austin (cello) will be spotlighted with Hoffmeister’s Viola Concerto in D Major (3rd movement) and Bruch’s Kol Nidrei, accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra.

The 90-member Symphony Orchestra will conclude the evening with some classical holiday favorites and two Trans-Siberian Orchestra arrangements.

Winter Camp for Students at Jewish Center 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, 505 Gypsy Lane, will present a winter camp for students in kindergarten through eighth grade from Dec. 19-31. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The camp will offer arts and crafts, science experiments, swimming, recreational activities and more. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided, but students must bring a packed lunch.
The cost is $40 per day. Winter Camp is closed weekends, Dec. 25 and Dec. 26. It will close at 4 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31. Click HERE to register.
The camp is part of the JCC’s J All Day program. J All Day is open to all surrounding school districts for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It provides a full day of fun for students when schools are closed. Drop-in care is not available; students must be registered in advance.

Cavanaugh Holiday Concert at Westminster

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Westminster College’s Celebrity Series will usher in the holiday season with Michael Cavanaugh’s music-filled holiday show Tuesday, Dec. 16, in Orr Auditorium. 
Hand-picked by Billy Joel to star in the hit Broadway musical “Movin’ Out,” Cavanaugh – a Tony- and Grammy-nominated vocalist – will combine modern Christmas songs in the show.  

Billboard has named Cavanaugh “New Voice of the American Rock and Roll Songbook.” Broadway World referred to him as “The New Piano Man,” and Reuters named Cavanaugh Entertainer of the Year for his extensive work on the stage. 

For tickets, call the box office at 724 946 7354 or click HERE.

Holiday Porch Pot Workshop at Greenhouse

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A holiday porch pot decorating workshop will take place from 2-3:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at CityScape at Briel’s Greenhouse, 23 S. Belle Vista Ave.

Participants will use fresh evergreen and other items to decorate a small pot. The fee is $40, which includes greenery, pot, decorations, a custom ribbon and a cocoa bar with snacks.

To secure a spot, go to YoungstownCityScape.com.

ABBA Tribute Concert Coming to Robins Theatre

WARREN, Ohio – The Mamma Mania! ABBA tribute will come to Robins Theatre on March 14 for a 7:30 p.m. concert.

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at RobinsTheatre.com and the box office, 160 E. Market St.

Pictured at top: Ming Chen of AMC’s “Comic Book Men” will be a guest at Mahoning Valley Comicon.