YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Neighborhood, a community group, will present the Block Party from 4-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at B&O Station, 530 Mahoning Ave.

The annual event features live music and comedy, artisan vendors and local food, interactive installations, e-gaming competitions and outdoor games, flash tattoos and tooth gems (while supplies last).

Bands include Miki Fiki, Rev. Gill and the Fishermen, Krypto, Jul Big Green and a jam session featuring area musicians.

Tickets are $5 and are available in advance at TheNeighborhoodEvents.com.

Lecture on the Apollo 17 Mission

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Doug Fowler, a retired college instructor in astronomy and physics, will lecture on the Apollo 17 mission at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, in the meeting room of Denny’s Restaurant, 4020 Belmont Ave.

His presentation will cover the science of the mission and also the era that provided its backdrop.

The presentation is part of the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society’s lecture series. 

Admission is $15 ($10 for society members). The event includes refreshments and live entertainment. A 50/50 raffle will benefit the WHMHS education mission. Reservations are suggested; call 330 726 8277.

Apollo 17, the last human flight to the moon, stands among the great geological expeditions in the history of science. The United States’ last lunar flight, it was made during the Christmas season of 1972.

Fowler has taught at both the high school and university levels, retiring in 2014 from the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley, where he was a lecturer in astronomy and physics. He taught at Youngstown State University until 2018.

Fowler has been published in numerous magazines and journals and is the author of “Condensed Matter and Other States of Mind” (2005).

Art Exhibition Issues a Call for Entries

WARREN, Ohio – Trumbull Art Gallery and Random Acts of Artists’ have announced a call for entries for their annual juried exhibition, which will open Sept. 13 and run through Oct. 31.

The entry form can be downloaded HERE.

The TAG-RAA Annual is a juried exhibition open to artists who live within a 125-mile radius of Trumbull County. All work must be original, and work in any medium will be considered.

One or two artworks may be entered.

The delivery date for art is Aug. 30, with judging taking place the following day.

Sierra, an Outdoors Store, Opens in Eastwood Complex

NILES, Ohio – Sierra, a retail store that offers goods for the outdoor lifestyle, is now open in the Eastwood Mall complex.

It is located in Howland Commons, between Kohl’s and HomeGoods.

Sierra offers top brands, with a vast selection of products for men, women, children and pets.

Sierra is the latest addition to the Eastwood Mall Complex, joining four stores that recently opened inside the mall: Rally House, Rondinelli Tuxedo, Blackwater East and Navish Perfumes.

Driving Trail Highlights Ohio’s Waterways

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail – a driving trail of more than 150 sites that celebrate the role water has played in moving people, goods and ideas across the state – has been launched.

It is the third of six planned experiential trails for America 250-Ohio’s signature Trails & Tales program created in partnership with the Ohio Travel Association. 

America 250-Ohio is the state commission spearheading the state’s commemoration of  America’s semiquincentennial in 2026.

A full list of trail sites can be found HERE. 

Highlights include:  

  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Brecksville. 
  • Lock 3 Park in Akron. 
  • Cleveland Museum of Natural History in Cleveland.
  • Geneva State Park in Geneva. 
  • USS Cod in Cleveland.

“Lake Erie, the Ohio River and the canals were highways of hope,” said Melinda Huntley, America 250-Ohio commissioner. “They built towns, attracted inventors, created jobs and brought people together. Today, their legacy flows through every scenic overlook, preserved towpath and community that still thrives along their shores. The Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail will help all Ohioans explore and connect with the waters that moved a nation.” 

Ohioans can use the interactive map on the America 250-Ohio website to create custom itineraries of drivable routes to see multiple sites on the trail. A printable version is also available. With over 150 sites, guests will be able to get a true picture of these waterways either by theme or geographic region. 

The Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail is the third of America 250-Ohio’s planned Trails & Tales program, which aims to establish three additional thematic experiential trails over the next year. Additional details on these trails will be announced in the coming months. The first trail, the Ohio Air & Space Trail, launched in May 2024. The second trail, the Ohio Creativity Trail, launched in February 2025. 

Autism Society Offers Family Photo Sessions

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Autism Society of Mahoning Valley is accepting reservations for its  annual family portrait session event for families with disabilities. 

The scheduled sessions will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 7 at Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Ave. 

The price to reserve a spot is $20. Preregistration is required and available online at AutismMV.org  on the Family Portraits page.  

“The harsh flashing and controlled environment of typical studios, combined with unprepared photographers, is often impossible to overcome. This has made it exceedingly difficult for our families to have a quality family picture taken,” says Ashley Roberts, Autism Society of Mahoning Valley event chair. “We have found that by creating a liberal, open setting, these family mementos can be created and cherished for years to come.”

Participating families will receive a sitting, a best choice of 5-by-7 photo and an edited professional-level image taken during their session for unrestricted personal use and reproduction, taken by one of three local photographers. 

For information, call 330 333 9609 or email info@autismmv.org.