BCPL all set for ‘Harry Potter Week’

ASHLAND, Ky. — The magical world of Harry Potter will be in the spotlight at Boyd County Public Library, just before the release of the movie based on the last book in the series.

Harry Potter Week at BCPL (Nov. 15-18) will include showings of the two most recent movies, and a Harry Potter Party for youth. At each event, the library give away two tickets to the premiere of “Deathly Hallows: Part 1” at Phoenix Theatres, which takes place at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

The tickets were donated by the cinema and Kyova Mall.

The movies being shown at the Summit Branch, 1016 Summit Road, are: “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” at 5 p.m. Tuesday; and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” at 5 p.m. Thursday, (just a few hours before the premiere). The Harry Potter Party, designed for youth 7-12, is at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Children are encouraged to come in costume. There will be games, activities and food.

BCPL will also give away two tickets in a contest on Facebook, starting Monday.

Library staff and members of the Teen Library Council will be at the party at Phoenix preceding the midnight premiere, and will be giving away Harry Potter movie posters, a video game and other cool prizes. People who attend the premiere should bring their BCPL card, in order to be eligible for the library’s giveaways.

The Harry Potter series consists of seven fantasy novels by British author J.K. Rowling, which chronicle the adventures of a young wizard and his friends as they try to defeat a dark and evil wizard. Since the release of the first book in 1997, the series has helped instill a love of reading in many young readers and even hooked reluctant readers. The books have been translated into 67 different languages. The last book in the series, Deathly Hallows, is being divided into two separate films. “Deathly Hallows: Part 2” is scheduled to be released in July.

AAA7 releases annual report

GALLIPOLIS — Helpful information including consumer stories, statistics, and impact of services were among some of the items included in the Area Agency on Aging District 7’s (AAA7) 2009 Annual Report that was presented during the agency’s annual meeting.

The AAA7 provides services to 10 counties in Ohio including Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton.

The annual report highlighted the many accomplishments of AAA7 staff, board of trustees, advisory council and provider organizations.

The AAA7 2009 Annual Report is available to view online at the Agency’s website, www.aaa7.org. At the home page, click the “Newsletters” link on the left side of the page. Once on this page, underneath “Annual Reports,” click on “2009.”

Your local Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. provides services on a non-discriminatory basis. These services are available to help older adults and those with disabilities live safely and independently in their own homes through services paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Administration, other federal and state resources, as well as private pay.

Those interested in learning more can call toll-free at 1-800-582-7277 (TTY 1-888-270-1550). Here, individuals can speak directly with a nurse or social worker who will assist them with information surrounding the programs and services that are available to best serve their needs. Information is also available on www.aaa7.org <http://www.aaa7.org> .

Cabell Huntington, union reach accord

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Cabell Huntington Hospital and a union that represents 800 of its employees have agreed to a new three-year contract.

The Herald-Dispatch reports that members of Service Employees International Union District 1199 ratified the contract Friday night. Negotiations began Thursday morning.

Joyce Gibson, a union administrative organizer, said the agreement is “a reasonable one in which both parties can be happy.” Details were not released.

Hospital president Brent Marsteller expressed appreciation to negotiating teams for both sides.

The union had issued a 10-day strike notice Nov. 3. Both sides have said negotiations focused on health care costs, wages and pension benefits.

Good Samaritans rescue woman from burning home

ASHLAND, Ky. (AP) — Good Samaritans rescued a woman from her burning home in Ashland.

The Independent reports Laura Hall was at the bank where she works when she thought she saw flames down the street. She called 911 before running to the house where Jessica Ward was taking a nap.

Hall and a man who also saw the fire, William Toppings, banged on the front door and ran inside when they found it was unlocked.

They met Ward as she was just waking up and dragged her from the house.

Hall said flames that were along a back wall when she and Toppings opened the front door had advanced several feet by the time they grabbed Ward and got out.

Ashland Fire Department Acting-Captain Chris Barnett said firefighters were able to put out the blaze quickly and most of the families personal belongings were saved. The cause of the fire is not yet know.

SSU dental hygiene student crowned Miss Ohio USA

PORTSMOUTH — After only one year of running in beauty competitions, Ashley Caldwell, of Gallipolis, has become the new Miss Ohio USA 2011. The pageant was held at Shawnee State University’s Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.

She is a dental hygiene student at Shawnee State University and will graduate next spring. Caldwell was Miss Ohio River last year and Miss Northwest this year.

As part of her winnings, Caldwell received scholarships to O’More College of Design and Lindenwood University and partial tuition to New York Film Academy. She is also the ambassador for Pink Ribbon Girls and she will be featured on the cover of C Magazine in the December issue.

As Miss Ohio, Caldwell will be involved in breast and ovarian cancer awareness and she wants to get involved with the American Diabetes Association.

Sometime in the spring of 2011, Caldwell will be representing Ohio in the Miss USA pageant.

River Cities Harvest teams up with United Steelworkers

ASHLAND, Ky. — United Steelworkers Local 1865 in Ashland will begin collecting canned and non-perishable foods to help needy families during the Thanksgiving holiday season.

The collection points will be the United Steelworkers union hall at 734 Carter Ave. in Ashland, and both clock houses at AK Steel.

The collection will run through Nov. 22. All food collected will be donated to River Cities Harvest to be distributed through their network of volunteers to direct service agencies.

To find out more or to donate, call River Cities Harvest at (606) 324-FOOD (3663) or the union hall at (606) 325-1950.

OLBH’s Firm Fitness offers two months of free membership

RUSSELL, Ky. — Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital’s (OLBH) Firm Fitness at Bellefonte Pavilion (located on the ground floor of Bellefonte Pavilion at 2000 Ashland Drive) is offering two free months of membership as an incentive to area residents to beat the post-holiday rush.

Those wishing to start early on next year’s resolutions can receive the two free months of membership at Firm Fitness by joining the facility or renewing a current membership before Dec. 15.

Firm Fitness offers a large variety of cardiovascular equipment, free weights and weight machines, two racquetball courts, a half basketball court and male and female sauna and steam rooms.

Firm Fitness also includes a dance studio for classes such as Zumba, kickboxing, circuit training and ab-specific workouts. Classes are included in the price of membership.

Personal training also is available to assist members in meeting individualized fitness goals. Other services available at the facility include hair, spa and massage services courtesy of Studio 21 at Bellefonte Pavilion.

“Many people think of joining a gym after the New Year when they make a resolution or after putting on some holiday weight,” Ryan Arnett, OLBH Firm Fitness manager, said.

“Now is actually a perfect time to join. The average person puts on 10 pounds over the holidays. By joining now, you not only get a head start on your resolution you can head off the weight gain that affects so many this time of year. Also, memberships make great gifts to for those loved ones who have been looking to join a fitness facility.”

Firm Fitness is open Monday through Thursdays from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fridays from 5:30 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, contact Firm Fitness at (606) 324-0339.

River Cities Harvest drop-off point set at Ohio River Bank

IRONTON — Help feed the hungry in Ironton.

Ohio River Bank, located at 221 Railroad St., will serve as a River Cities Harvest food collection site through the Thanksgiving holiday.

The public is invited to bring non-perishable foods and deposit them in the River Cities Harvest barrel in the bank’s lobby.

Suggested foods include: Boxed Dinners (such as Betty Crocker Complete Meals), Tuna or Chicken Boxed Dinner Mix (such as Tuna Helper), Canned Meat – Corned Beef, Spam, Vienna Sausage, Canned or Pouch Tuna or Chicken, Boxed Macaroni and Cheese, Pasta Sauce & Pasta, Peanut Butter, Oatmeal, Dry Beans, Canned Beans, Cornmeal Mix, Beef Stew, Chicken & Dumplings, Canned Pastas (such as Spaghetti-Os), Soups (especially chicken noodle & tomato).

All donations will be distributed to the Ironton City Mission to help feed the hungry in Ironton.

River Cities Harvest is a non-profit, volunteer-based agency whose purpose is to alleviate hunger in our area. RCH solicits surplus, perishable food from restaurants, supermarkets, and other sources and distributes it to social services agencies that feed hungry individuals and families. This practice is known as “food recovery.” RCH serves Boyd and Greenup counties in Kentucky and Lawrence County, Ohio.

Peanut Butter Bash set for BCPL

ASHLAND, Ky. — Celebrate and learn about peanut butter, that concoction that Americans love so much, at a program at Boyd County Public Library.

BCPL is hosting its first-ever Peanut Butter Bash on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Main Branch, 1740 Central Ave.

Participants will take a “peanutty” quiz and find out the answers to questions such as: “Are all brands are the same?” and “How much money do Americans spend on peanut butter a year?” Children will get to “play with their food” as they build things with peanut butter and other favorite snack foods. The program is for families and children 4 and up.

For more information regarding this event , contact the youth services department at (606) 329-0518, ext. 1300.

For more information on this or other library programs and services, visit the online branch at www.thebookplace.org.

Two new shops coming to Heritage Station

Huntington, W.Va. — The Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District and the Cabell Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau announced today that two new tenants will locate stores at Heritage Station.

Kari Shumaker is opening Present Blessings, a store offering custom embroidered goods, such as purses, backpacks, coasters, and stationery.

Shumaker will offer a very personalized shopping experience where individuals and groups can have fun picking out products, patterns, and designs to create unique gifts for their friends, family, or themselves.

Present Blessings will also showcase the works of local artists and women.

Shumaker plans a grand opening, open house in early December.

Jordan and Erica Morrison are opening Morrison Studios, a studio and gallery specializing in custom, local, and statewide photography and videography. Morrison Studios offers high-quality photo and video at affordable prices.

The Morrisons will photograph local events, weddings, festivals, and concerts, offer custom photographs and portraits, and provide an extensive gallery of photographic prints and note cards showcasing the state and region.

“We are very excited to be a part of the redevelopment of the historic Heritage Station and are looking forward to bringing our unique, modern approach to the Huntington area,” said Jordan Morrison.

The couple plan to open their doors in early December.  For more information, visit morrisonstudios.net or phone 304-521-2531.

Tyson Compton, president of the Cabell Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau, said, “We are very excited to see our partnership with the Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District to re-envision Heritage Station take hold.”

The Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District announced the redevelopment plan earlier this year.

The plan calls for Heritage Station to ultimately become an artisan retail center where local residents and guests can shop locally-owned galleries and boutiques and be entertained by local artists and performers.

Both the Morrisons and Shumaker are clients of Unlimited Futures, Inc., a Huntington, WV-based small business incubator.

“This is a perfect example of the type of service we can provide to individuals, small businesses, and the community when we work together,” Compton said.