Local briefs

IAV Post plans spaghetti dinner

The Italian American Veteran Post 1 will have its monthly spaghetti dinner fundraiser Feb. 14. The event will run from 57 p.m. at the IAV Post, 4567 Oberlin Ave. in Lorain. Admission is $7 for senior citizens, $7.50 for adults and $4 for children ages 8 and younger.

Garden club to hear about starting seeds

The Berlin Height Garden Club will meet at 11 a.m., Feb. 15, at the First Congregational Church, 5 E. Main St. in Berlin Heights. The program is “Starting Seeds” by club members Cat Rogers and Amy Hunter. Anyone interested in joining is asked to call Rogers at 440-965-4448 or Hunter at 419-681-4478. The Garden Club also is looking for gold-star families for a gold-star memorial it is planning this year for September.

Dog food drive aids PetResq

PetResq Ohio, a Lorain County non profit rescue, and Elyria’s X-ta-C Biscuit Bar-Gourmet Pet Bakery, are holding two dog food drives to benefit the animals in the rescue’s care in February. The dog food drive will run from noon to 3 p.m., Feb. 16, at the Elyria Petco, 660 Chestnut Commons Drive, and from noon to 3 p.m., Feb. 23, at the Avon Petco, 35860 Chester Road, according to a news release. Anyone donating bags of dog food will receive raffle tickets for a chance to win a lottery tree full of various scratch off lottery tickets. The winner will be chosen at the end of the Feb. 23 dog food drive.

Tri-C to hold visitation day

Cuyahoga Community College announced it will host a visitation day for prospective students on Presidents Day, Feb. 18, at its four campuses plus the Brunswick University Center and the Hospitality Management Center. The day provides an opportunity to discuss academic programs with faculty and counselors; learn more about enrollment, financial aid and scholarships; discover the variety of student services available; and explore the buildings, according to a news release. Registration is requested for the program, which includes an informational meeting and campus and classroom tours. Times are as follows: • Brunswick University Center, 3605 Center Road in Brunswick: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. • Eastern Campus, 4250 Richmond Road in Highland Hills: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. • Hospitality Management Center, 180 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland: 10:30 a.m. • Metropolitan Campus, 2900 Community College Ave. in Cleveland: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. • Western Campus, 11000 Pleasant Valley Road in Parma: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. • Westshore Campus, 31001 Clemens Road in Westlake: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This free event is open to the public, with free parking available. For more information, or to register, visit www.tri-c. edu/visit or call 216-9876000.

Manning holding office hours

State Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, is welcoming area residents to join him during district office hours from 5-6 p.m., Feb. 21, at the Norwalk Library, 46 W. Main St. “Effectively serving as your voice in the Ohio Statehouse requires, most importantly, a commitment to listening and understanding your concerns,” said Manning in a news release. “Together, we can develop solutions that make our communities and state better for everyone.” No appointment is necessary. Those with any questions can contact Manning’s office at 614-6447613 or Manning@OhioSenate.gov.

Breakfasts benefit Metro Parks

The Friends of the Metro Parks in Lorain County will host two breakfasts for the public to raise funds for the Metro Parks. The all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 24 and March 3, at the Lorain County Metro Parks’ Carlisle Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Road in LaGrange. The pancake breakfast will have scrambled eggs, sausage and choice of coffee, tea, milk or juice, according to a news release. Admission is $7 per person, $4.50 for children ages 3-10 and free for youngsters ages 2 and younger.

Event to raise money for prom

A Mardi Gras-themed dinner/dance fundraiser will take place Feb. 23 at the Amherst Eagles Club, 1161 Milan Ave., to raise money for the Murray Ridge School Senior Prom scheduled for May. Doors will open at 5 p.m., followed by a New Orleans-style dinner including Cajun roasted chicken, andouille sausage with red beans and rice and Creole-style corn served from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event, coordinated by Murray Ridge School staff volunteers, will conclude with a DJ and dancing from 7:30-11 p.m. The evening’s festivities also will feature a 50/50 raffle, a square board, basket raffles and door prizes. Tickets are $25, and can be purchased by calling Murray Ridge School at