CANTON

Post office plans
CANTON: The U.S. Postal Service on Thursday will present the initial findings on a plan to consolidate operations at its Canton Processing and Distribution Center.
The public meeting on the proposal to consolidate Canton operations into the Cleveland Processing and Distribution Center will be at 7 p.m. at the Krassas Event Center, 251 25th St. NW.
Comments may be made for up to 15 days after the meeting. Mail comments to Manager of Consumer and Industry Contact, Northern Ohio District, 2400 Orange Ave., Room 25, Cleveland, OH 44101.
FAIRLAWN
Holiday shopping
FAIRLAWN: Shoppers can fill their gift list early while supporting a cause at the annual Holiday Boutique from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Fairlawn Community Center, 3486 S. Smith Road.
Local artisans and crafters will offer wood, stained glass, jewelry and other items. A portion of the proceeds benefit Stewart’s Caring Place: Cancer Wellness Center, which provides free support services to those touched by cancer in the area.
MEDINA
Candlelight walk
MEDINA: Main Street Medina will host its 27th annual Candlelight Walk Friday through Sunday.
All events will take place on or around the square, beginning with the lighting of the luminarias at 4:30 p.m. Friday, followed by a choir. Stores will be open until 9 p.m. each evening.
On the schedule for Saturday: a farmer’s market; ice carving demonstration at 4 p.m.; living nativity; holiday parade and Santa at 5:30 p.m., trolley and carriage rides, a secret headliner in the gazebo at 6:30 p.m.
On Sunday: photographs with Santa from 1 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.; Santa’s Workshop at FirstMerit Bank from 2 to 5 p.m.; and a candle lighting at 5 p.m.
PORTAGE COUNTY
GIS information
RAVENNA: Portage County and Reed Memorial Library will host the sixth annual GIS Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the library, 167 E. Main St.
The public is invited to see presentations, demonstrations and displays showcasing the county’s award-winning Geographical Information System (GIS) initiatives
“Presentations on our online GIS viewer and public property access system will demonstrate how citizens, governments and businesses can self-serve themselves to the counties’ data [around the clock], thus reducing the need to physically visit county offices for property, tax, appraisal and GIS data,” Auditor Janet Esposito said.
For information, visit www.co.portage.oh.us/GIS/
gisday2011.htm or call 330-297-3510. Public online access to the county’s mapping data is available at www.co.portage.oh.us/gis.htm.
Suicide forum
RAVENNA: The global broadcast of International Survivors of Suicide Day 2011 will be aired at the Sue Hetrick Building of Coleman Professional Services, 3922 Lovers Lane, at 12:45 p.m. Saturday.
The event, hosted by the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County and the Portage County Suicide Prevention Coalition, features a panel of survivors sharing their experiences.
The event is free and runs until 3 p.m. It will be followed by time for discussion and sharing, facilitated by Dr. Joel Mowrey.
To make a reservation, email joelm@mental-health-recovery.org or call 330-673-1756, Ext. 203. Those who cannot attend may sign up at www.afsp.org to watch the broadcast.
PORTAGE LAKES
Lakes friends to meet
COVENTRY TWP.: The Friends of Portage Lakes State Park will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Portage Lakes Kiwanis Civic Center, 725 Portage Lakes Drive.
Paul Wolfe, president of the Friends for the Preservation of Ohio State Parks, will talk about the strategies being implemented to keep the cash-strapped park system viable.
The discussion will include the usage of oil and gas reserves found on park land (hydraulic fracturing), clear-cutting, mineral extraction and how to provide the public with safe outdoor recreational and educational opportunities.
The meeting is open to the public. For information call 330-731-1624 or visit www.
friendsofportagelakes.org.
STARK COUNTY
Dinner honorees
JACKSON TWP.: The 2011 Class of Lehman High School Distinguished Alumni will be honored at the 11th annual Distinguished Alumni Banquet on Thursday.
The event will be at La-
Pizzaria Restaurant, 3656 Dressler Road NW, with social hour beginning at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20; call 330-494-9519.
Honorees are Arts and Entertainment, David Horton, ’69; Athletics, Robert Fleischer, ’59; Business, Dan Finn, ’74; Civic and Community, Tom Pieper, ’60; Administrator/Teacher, Kent Smith, ’59; Medical, Elaine Esber Elias, ’57; Education, James Casper, ’49; Service to the Alma Mater, Corinne Esber Mahshie, ’56.
Glee Off fundraiser
MASSILLON: Community Hospice will host its first Glee Off at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Lions Lincoln Theater, 156 Lincoln Way E., Massillon.
Show choirs from Central Catholic, Fairless, Jackson and Washington high schools will be featured, with proceeds to benefit the nonprofit group, which cares for terminally ill patients.
Tickets are $10 and available at the Hospice’s Stark office, 408 Ninth St. SW in Canton; at any of the high schools; or by calling 330-493-0126. They will also be available at the door.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Crime meeting
AKRON: Summit County Councilman Frank Comunale, who represents part of Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, will hold a district meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Georgetown Condominiums, 35 Menlo Park Drive.
Guest speakers will include Akron police Lt. Chris Brewer and Ward 8 Councilwoman-elect Marilyn Keith, who will talk about crime-prevention strategies and help residents who want to organize a Block Watch. For details, call 330-643-2725.