* ORCHID: To planners creating a pilot program to use a $2.7 million grant to create and implement programs in the Mahoning Valley to establish early intervention programs for families at risk of becoming involved in the child welfare systems. The grant-funded program also will help create tools to prevent child abuse and neglect in the Valley.
* ORCHID: The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation for sponsoring the annual Holocaust writing, art and multimedia contest, for Mahoning and Shenango Valley students in conjunction with Yom Hashoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day. Indeed, our young people must be taught about this horrific historical event to ensure that it never is forgotten.
* ONION: To Barbara Brothers who was elected to the Youngstown school board, but last week said she would not take the seat because, the current board “accepts” that the Youngstown city schools are failing, and does not provide leadership in how to address the problems. If Brothers feels that way, then certainly, she has missed her opportunity to work as a member of the board to effect change.
* ORCHID: To Girard Multi-Generational Center for offering its “Matter of Balance” program designed to help manage falls and increase activity levels for senior citizens. Falls become an increasing problem during the winter months, and this program is created to help head that off.
* ORCHID: To owners and operators of local company, US Safety Gear, who recently inked a three-year deal to become the “preferred provider” of game-day apparel for workers at Cleveland’s Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians. Most Tribe fans would agree that’s pretty cool.
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