The 44th annual Northeast Ohio Photography Show at the Canton Jewish Community Center will run from Feb. 5 through Feb. 25. The Jewish Center, at 2631 Harvard Ave. NW, is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
A special preview for entrants, sponsors, patrons and donors will take place at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4.
The show, sponsored by the late Dr. Samuel S. and Celia G. Reinglass, will run through Feb. 25.

Valentine’s Day this coming year brings to mind candy, flowers and ... a bowl of rice? That's right—a bowl of rice! It may not be a romantic dinner, but on Valentine’s Day weekend First Friends Church is partnering with Heaven Sent Ministries’ “Food for Children” to feed hungry people in Burkina Faso. We would like to invite you to join us! Through the “Food for Children” challenge, you can help give a family in Burkina Faso a chance for survival in the midst of displacement and hunger.

CARROLL COUNTY commissioners, 9 a.m., Carroll County Courthouse, Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 119 Public Square.

Meetings are held every Monday and Thursday. If Monday or Thursday falls on a legal holiday, the board will not meet.

Canton Symphony Orchestra presents SymphonyLand, a fun way to introduce children (ages 4-8) to instrumental sounds. Assistant Conductor Matthew Brown reads a children's story book and leads you through a musical world with a Woodwind Trio. All Tickets $5.00. This performance is a great outing for Grandparents and Grandchildren! Call Irene Barker at 330-452-3434 x 610 for reservations. Performances at 9:30am and 10:30am.

A new Kent State University Museum exhibit, “The Kokoon Arts Club: Cleveland Revels,” looks back at the iconic club formed in 1912.
The exhibit, which runs from March 19, 2009, through Feb. 28, 2010, highlights the profound effect of the club, whose most memorable activities were the annual masked balls at staged venues around the city. On display are the posters and costumes, both designed and worn by members at these extravagant balls.

Stark Social Workers Network, at 1221 Harrisburg Rd. NE, will offer free baby clothes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 11.

Sizes newborn to 4T will be available. Photo ID is required for adults, along with Social Security card or Medical card for the children. Free toddler toys and information on the new parents club will be available.

For more details, call (330) 455-2260.

Every girl dreams of her perfect wedding. ... and now it’s time to let Pat Catan’s help you prepare for your big day during its free Bridal Fair, Feb. 6 through Feb. 13.
Feb. 6 features "Demo Day” with special segments highlighting invitations, bow making, reception table ideas and more.
Experienced floral designers and craft coordinators will be available all week to assist with your personal inspirations and offer other creative suggestions for planning your wedding.
Visitors who attend Bridal Fair Week will also have the chance to win a custom “Wedding Gift Basket” valued at $200.

Don't let bad weather keep you from enjoying park time with your little one! We bring the park inside by creating an indoor kiddie wonderland in the gym. You and your child can play on tumbling mats or with balls, bats, hoops, tricycles, slides and more during this unstructured free time on Thursdays Nov. 5, 2009, through March 4, 2010, from 10 a.m. to noon. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
The program is free for Massillon Recreation Center members and children age 3 and under, $6 for nonmembers and children over age 3.

Burlington Coat Factory at 4790 Everhard Rd. NW is collecting monetary donations to support the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund.
Donations will be accepted through Feb. 17. All Burlington Coat Factory locations will accept donations to the fund.
Assistance provided by the American Red Cross may include sending relief supplies, mobilizing relief workers and providing financial resources.

Through the Help Haiti campaign, Westfield Belden Village mall is serving as a donation collection site for Convoy of Hope Charities. Donations can be made at the Concierge Center in the north wing. Proceeds are transferred directly to those in need.
Convoy of Hope is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that already has an emergency command center operating just outside of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and is distributing water and supplies to victims of the earthquake.

February 9 - 27
A collaboration of the Art Department and Black History Month Committee
Main Hall Gallery, Free
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. - noon

The 2010 Great Big Home & Garden Expo will take place Feb. 6-14 at the I-X Center in Cleveland.
The show will feature three custom-built model homes, 21 gardens, hundreds of exhibits, a host of other features and celebrity appearances, and a multitude of new ideas, products and inspiration for home improvements projects.
The show is being produced by Marketplace Events of Solon.
Company spokesman Ty Pennington will make two live appearances at the show Feb. 13.

Business meeting
Akron-Canton-Medina chapter of eWomenNetwork
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every third Thursday of the month
Fairlawn Country Club, 200 N. Wheaton Rd., Fairlawn
Cost: $45
Registration: (330) 662-0040 or www.ewomennetwork.com

“The Unguarded Moment,” a retrospective exhibit of 50 photos by Steve McCurry, is on view from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays Feb. 6 through April 2 at the Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography, at 520 Cleveland Ave. NW in downtown Canton.
Admission is free.

McCurry is the photographer who took what has been called the most recognizable photograph in the world today — the green-eyed “Afghan Girl” on the cover of National Geographic in 1984.

In light of a shortage of productive units of blood in the area, Alliance Community Hospital staff is hoping eligible blood donors will come out to the monthly blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 11 in conference room 1-A of the hospital, at 200 E. State St.

Donors must be in general good health, weigh no less than 110 pounds, be at least 17 years of age and able to provide a photo ID at the time of donation.

The University of Akron is exploring race relations in a series of events titled "Rethinking Race: Black, White and Beyond," on Feb. 1-11.

The Malone University Department of Multicultural Services announces its 2010 schedule of events in recognition of Black History Month. The following programs are open to the public. All events take place on the campus located at 2600 Cleveland Avenue in Canton. For more information, contact Brenda Stevens, director of Multicultural Services, at 330-471-8328.

Thursday, February 11, 4:30 – 7 p.m. – Soul Food Dining experience with food, music, and cultural displays. Hoover Dining Hall, Brehme Centennial Center, $6.65 per person.

Family Karaoke Night will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Canton South Dairy Queen, at 116 30th St. SW in Canton Township.
All ages are welcome. Admission is free.
Proceeds will benefit the Canton South High School girls softball team.
Karaoke and music will be provided by Thompson Entertainment.

Renowned education reformer Willard Daggett, Ph.D., will be the keynote speaker at the 96th Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce annual dinner Feb. 11.
A cocktail reception will begin at 5:30 and dinner at 7 in Canton Memorial Civic Center at 1101 Market Ave. N.

The University of Akron is exploring race relations in a series of events titled "Rethinking Race: Black, White and Beyond," on Feb. 1-11.

The Massillon Parks and Recreation Department and Jump Start Sports have combined forces to offer a Speed Training and Conditioning Program at Paul L. David Athletic Training Center. Classes will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings. This program will work on speed training, agility and conditioning to help athletes ages 8-14 take their game to the next level. Participants will work with successful college athletes in a small group setting. You can register in person at the Massillon Recreation Center or online at www.jumpstartsports.com.
Session Dates:

Healing is a vital part of the grieving process and is a journey formed out of brokenness and results in a turn? Are you feeling broken and/or lost? Grief can impact a person's life for weeks, months, and even years after a loss. Hospice of Stark County considers it an honor and a privilege to provide professional, compassionate and free services to assist with the needs of the grieving individuals and families.

Dates: Thursday evenings beginning 2/11 to 4/8 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm.

10 Easy Nutrition Tips will be presented by dietitian Suzanne Kim, R.D., L.D., from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Aultman West.
Ignore fad diets and the ever-changing nutrition recommendations. Learn the 10 fundamentals of nutrition that never will change and help you enjoy a healthier life.
All programs are free and open to the public.
Aultman West is at 2021 Wales Rd. NE in Massillon.
Seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information or to make reservations, call (330) 363-TALK (8255) or sign up online at www.aultman.org.

The Malone University Chancel Players and Salem (Alliance) United Methodist Church will present a Valentine Dinner Theatre Thursday, February 11 at the church, located at 14113 Salem Church Street N.E in Alliance. A catered dinner will be served at 6 p.m. with the Chancel Players performance to follow. The public is welcome to attend. Cost for the catered meal plus theatre, $18. Advance tickets via email order (churchhelp@aol.com) or 330 821-7756 or 330-821-1699.

For ages 6 through 16; for information call (330) 425-7111 or (330) 657-2050

The Woman-to-Woman Cancer Support Group meets monthly at Aultman Physician Center, across from the hospital on Seventh Street SW. Free parking is available in the parking deck (enter at Gate 8).
You can choose to attend on either the second or fourth Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, contact registered nurse Deb Mohr (330) 488-8256.

GREEN LOCAL Schools Board of Education, 6:30 p.m., high school, 1474 Boettler Rd.

The board meets on the second Thursday of the month.

A grief workshop will be conducted from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 14 and 28, Feb. 11 and 25, March 11 and 25, April 8 and 22, and May 6 and 20 at Greensburg United Methodist Church at 2161 Greensburg Rd. in Green.
For information or transportation, call the church at (330) 896-1936.

On Thursday, February 11, 2010 the Stark County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will hold their monthly meeting. Christopher Kenney from the McKinley Presidential Library and Museum will be doing a program titled the "Early Auto Industry in Stark County.". There will be a social time beginning at 6:30 with refreshments, followed by a short business meeting and then the program. Guests are always welcome.

The University of Akron is exploring race relations in a series of events titled "Rethinking Race: Black, White and Beyond," on Feb. 1-11.

Are you looking for ideas on how to expand your home garden? Or are you starting from scratch and needing some help developing your green thumb? Local Roots has several classes and talks on gardening scheduled (and in the works) for 2010.
At 7 p.m. Feb. 11, Local Roots board member Monica Bongue will begin a series on organic gardening techniques. She will share some of things she has learned over her years of organic farming at Muddy Fork Farm in Wooster.