PARK EVENTS INCLUDE CHECKER TOURNAMENT: Woodland Park in McDonald is planning summer activities for local children, including a tie-dye day from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the pavilion. Those participating are asked to bring shirts, socks or shorts to tie-dye.
A checkers tournament for all ages will be held at noon Friday, with registration at 11:45 a.m. at the pavilion. Prizes will be awarded. For information, call 330-530-5472.
RALLY EVENT TO INCLUDE SPEAKERS: A ''Rally in the Valley'' sponsored by Trumbull 4 Positive Change will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at McMenamy's in Niles. The event will feature Justice Yvette McGee-Brown, Mary Jane Trapp, Sandra Stabile-Harwood and other politicians.
DESTINATION TEAM HELPS AUTISM CENTER: Howland Middle School students recently helped the Rich Center for Autism. The students competed in this year's Destination Imagination competition and made it to the state tournament.
Destination Imagination is an educational program in which student teams solve open-ended challenges and present their solutions. Their project, "Puzzle Land," was designed to fill specific needs at the Rich Center and raise awareness among their peers about autism spectrum disorders.
The students made some improvements to the school's lunchroom, using the book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" for decorations. The students raised money for their project by selling cut-out puzzle pieces, raising $1,600.
BIKE NITE FUNDRAISER HELD: SuperTrapp Industries and Quaker Steak and Lube will team to host their fourth annual Bike Nite food drive from 5 to 10 p.m. July 12 at Quaker Steak and Lube in Austintown to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Mahoning Valley.
OH WOW CENTER RECEIVES GRANT: Cortland Banks provided a grant to help students visit OH WOW! Learning Center in Youngstown. Cortland Banks also provided a financial literacy program to participating students to help them become stronger savers.
Willard Elementary in Warren was one of the participating schools. As part of the American Bankers Association Education Foundation's Teach Children to Save Program, Cortland Banks discussed the importance of saving, identity theft, keeping private information safe and ways to protect money. Cortland Banks recently introduced a new Passbook Savings program for children. Classroom teachers interested in registering for a classroom grant from Cortland Banks may call 330-744-5914 or via email director@ohwow kids.org.
TODAY
Someplace Safe Inc., domestic violence agency, offers support groups for women, children and individual support services. 330-393-3003.
Sunday Night Our Gratitude Speaks, Narcotics Anonymous open speaker meeting. Sundays, 7 p.m. Serenity Place, 29 E. Broad St., Newton Falls.