After four years, it's unfortunetly time to hang it up. I just don't have the time due to work, being heavily involved in a volunteer fire department, and the fact that I live three states away. I wish all of my former readers the best of luck in '08.
Defend Youngstown.
Respectfully,
Joe Lowry
Proprietor
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Youngstown's High Technology: It's Not Just Software
The "da Vinci," a robot that is already changing how surgery is done in Youngstown, is only one of the ways that the city is changing from a manufacturing base into a high technology corridor. While high-tech companies like Turning Technology are leading the charge to make Youngstown a player in the software industry, we shouldn't discount the significance of St. Elizabeth Medical Center getting its own high tech robot that will change the way health care is delivered in the Valley.
The St. Elizabeth's Center for Robotic Surgery has been in operation since September of last year, and using the da Vinci have already performed 40 robotic prostatectomies (prostate surgery), 20 robotic hysterectomies, one robotic pyeloplasty (removal of a blockage in the ureter leading from one of the kidneys to the bladder), and one robotic cystectomy (removal of all or part of the urinary bladder).
What are the advantages of the da Vinci? The benefits to the patients are significant. Surgery times of six hours for a prostatectomy have been reduced to four hours and the goal for the program is eventually to do the surgeries in two hours. This leads to a reduction in blood loss to the point where a transfusion is unnecessary and less time in the hospital. Average stays are only 32 hours. Other advantages include reduced pain, less time on a catheter and less post-surgery narcotic use.
The St. Elizabeth's Center for Robotic Surgery staff includes Dr. Daniel Ricchiutti, his brother Dr. Vincent Ricchiutti and Dr. Mark Memo, all of N.E.O. Urology Associates. The doctors and the hospital hope that the center will become a regional referral center, and they hope that patients from the Mahoning Valley will stay here for their surgeries. Those that need hysterectomies or prostate surgery now have good reason to seriously consider that option.
Dr. Daniel Ricchiuti
Dr. Mark Memo
Dr. Vincent Ricchiuti
Monday, June 02, 2008
Carrabba's can compete!
I'm not a believer in chain restaurants, especially in Youngstown. There are so many mom-and-pop family restaurants in Youngstown that you don't even need chains; they can't compete. The pizza industry is an excellent example. With little exception, there are no chain pizza restaurants in the city. Pizza Hut, Papa Johns and Dominos were run out of town by Tomasino's, Inner Circle, Uptown, the Golden Dawn, the MVR and countless others, all providing good pie at a decent prize.
Heading out in to the burbs is a different story. The strip on 224 in Boardman is devoid of family run places in favor of TGI Friday's, Olive Garden and IHOP. The food is usually decent, but not great. The atmosphere is so-so, and the service is only slightly above marginal. I think I found a place that may be the exception to that rule, however.
On a recent visit to Carrabba's in Boardman, I was pleasantly surprised. The service was excellent, the food first class, and the prices were very moderate. We were greeted upon our arrival by a friendly hostess who seated us right away. Given that we ate around 8:30 p.m. in the middle of the week, there was a solid crowd, but it wasn't packed.
My fiancee and I quickly ordered an appetizer of mozzarella and soup. The cheese was out quickly, fried in excellent bread crumbs which gave it a nice crunch while keeping the cheese soft. My pasta fagiole also had an excellent flavor.
For our main courses, we tried two Italian staples: lasagna and ravioli. My lasagna was enormous and enough for two portions. I did, in fact, finish it the next day for lunch. While the noodles may have been ever-so slightly overcooked and not al dente like I prefer, the flavors were excellent. The ravioli, on the menu as 'Mezzaluna', was stuffed with chicken, ricotta, and spinach. Topped with a tomato cream sauce, the flavors went very well together. For dessert we split the a delicious chocolate mousse, made in the store.
I was pleasantly surprised when I read that each meal was created to order and that a local owner was usually in the store. If you are looking for home cooking at reasonable prices, Carrabba's is the place. I think it's the one chain in Youngstown that can compete with the local joints.
Editor's Note: In the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you that I received an email from Carrabba's marketing company promising me a free meal if I ate at their restaurant and wrote up a little something. I am true to my word.
Heading out in to the burbs is a different story. The strip on 224 in Boardman is devoid of family run places in favor of TGI Friday's, Olive Garden and IHOP. The food is usually decent, but not great. The atmosphere is so-so, and the service is only slightly above marginal. I think I found a place that may be the exception to that rule, however.
On a recent visit to Carrabba's in Boardman, I was pleasantly surprised. The service was excellent, the food first class, and the prices were very moderate. We were greeted upon our arrival by a friendly hostess who seated us right away. Given that we ate around 8:30 p.m. in the middle of the week, there was a solid crowd, but it wasn't packed.
My fiancee and I quickly ordered an appetizer of mozzarella and soup. The cheese was out quickly, fried in excellent bread crumbs which gave it a nice crunch while keeping the cheese soft. My pasta fagiole also had an excellent flavor.
For our main courses, we tried two Italian staples: lasagna and ravioli. My lasagna was enormous and enough for two portions. I did, in fact, finish it the next day for lunch. While the noodles may have been ever-so slightly overcooked and not al dente like I prefer, the flavors were excellent. The ravioli, on the menu as 'Mezzaluna', was stuffed with chicken, ricotta, and spinach. Topped with a tomato cream sauce, the flavors went very well together. For dessert we split the a delicious chocolate mousse, made in the store.
I was pleasantly surprised when I read that each meal was created to order and that a local owner was usually in the store. If you are looking for home cooking at reasonable prices, Carrabba's is the place. I think it's the one chain in Youngstown that can compete with the local joints.
Editor's Note: In the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you that I received an email from Carrabba's marketing company promising me a free meal if I ate at their restaurant and wrote up a little something. I am true to my word.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes
If you haven’t been downtown for a while, the Taft Technology Center on West Federal Street is nearly complete. Turning Technology will be moving 130 jobs into the building by May 1st.
What does this mean for a Valley that is still losing manufacturing jobs? Recently, Indalex, GE, and Mold-Tech have either ceased or significantly cut back operations. In spite of the difficult transition—one that is sure to continue—there is a bright future for Youngstown, and the Taft Technology Center and Turning Technology are certainly part of that future.
Excerpt From the Vindicator, Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Inc. Magazine last year ranked Turning Technologies as the fastest-growing, privately held software company in the U.S.
Entrepreneur Magazine ranked it last year as the seventh-fastest growing small business in the nation with $20.6 million in sales in 2006. Sales increased to nearly $28 million in 2007.
Broderick and two others started the company in 2001 and recorded just $111,000 in sales the following year.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
New blogs and a video worth seeing
There are two new blogs on my links list to the right. First is Linkon Avenue, which is run by Dr. Sherry Linkon, an English Professor at Youngstown State and Co-Director of the Center for Working-Class Studies. She now has her own radio program on WYSU titled 'Lincoln Avenue' (pun intended). The blog generally has followup commentary to her radio pieces.
The other new blog is written by Lou Yuhasz and is titled 'Steel Valley Outdoors'. He has posted a great video and commentary on the demolition of a paper mill in Burgess, New Hampshire and the planned future use for the space. The loss of manufacturing and planned use of space is something that should sound familiar to a few of us.
http://www.steelvalleyoutdoors.info/index.php/?p=158
The other new blog is written by Lou Yuhasz and is titled 'Steel Valley Outdoors'. He has posted a great video and commentary on the demolition of a paper mill in Burgess, New Hampshire and the planned future use for the space. The loss of manufacturing and planned use of space is something that should sound familiar to a few of us.
http://www.steelvalleyoutdoors.info/index.php/?p=158
New leaders, new business, and a new way of getting things done.
The Youngstown of 2007 does not resemble the Youngstown of year's past. In the last several years, three decades of complacency and failed action have been countered with sweeping changes which have resulted in Youngstown turning from a rusting dead city into one with future and promise. These changes come as the result of people of action, tired of waiting for someone to make the first move.
In 1977, as the reality of Black Monday set in, just at the time that far-away company presidents and board chairman began spending overseas the profits made in Youngstown, efforts to fix a broken town were stymied, would falter, or just plain fail. Our few working class heroes such as the late Bishop James Malone or Staughton Lynd labored to prevent the closing of the steel mills in the Valley. Their efforts were noteworthy, even valiant, but could not stop the loss of jobs and urban decay that the next thirty years would enough. Unfortunately for Youngstown, their moral authority wasn't near enough.
It is not hard to see that while some of Youngstown's political leaders of the 70's, 80's and 90's were both honest and hardworking, there were those individuals who still saw a struggling community as their playground – their place to bask in the sun and line their pockets. A congressman, judges, attorneys, county sheriffs and others in authority helped keep the Valley in the throes of recession and their shadow still haunts. But that is merely a chapter in the tale of this city and certainly not the end of the story. It is yet to be written.
While Youngstown has a long way to go to overcome the legacy of Black Monday, there are things happening in this Valley that we only dreamed of a few short years ago. We have a resurgent downtown with a new arena, new restaurants and clubs, a thriving technology incubator, new traffic patterns, and a group of professionals ready to take this city into the future. Three of these people have a unique perspective as leaders in the economic and social fight in which the city is engaged. This is the redevelopment of Youngstown through their eyes.
Jay Williams, Standard Bearer
A work in progress. It defines not just this city today, but a way in which to see it's future. The mayor of Youngstown has been at the center of the revolution in Youngstown long before he succeeded George McKelvey as this city's 47th mayor. As the city's director of economic development, he laid the groundwork for the Youngstown 2010 plan and continued that leadership as mayor.
And that plan doesn't end in 2010. Williams sees the Youngstown 2010 plan merely as a stepping stone into the future and something the city needs to continue to evolve. He only half jokes when he says that city leaders have done such a good job marketing Youngstown 2010 that pushing Youngstown 2020 is that much more difficult.
Regardless in the name of the plan the success of Youngstown, Williams said, is the transformation of attitudes within the city residents, especially the younger generations, who have lost the wait-and-see mentality to become a people of action.
"There has been a change in focus towards where the younger generation has been looking." With younger leaders such as Williams, state senator John Boccieri, and others now in office, this generation has a larger voice to get their message across.
To the naysayers, who don't see the progress in a redeveloping Youngstown, Williams argues, "look at any other area across the country and see how the condition of that central city has around the surrounding area." Youngstown as the core city and surrounding area, rise and fall together.
Allen Hunter, Innovation Ecologist
When it comes down to it, YSU chemistry professor Allen Hunter believes economic development in Youngstown is about the people.
“We’ve got a great framework, but we need to get more people at the ground level interacting,” says Hunter. That’s exactly what he tries to do while working with local business leaders to create the ideas of today that become tomorrow’s business models.
Hunter has been actively involved in projects throughout Youngstown emphasizing workforce development and expanding grant opportunities to local business in an attempt, he states, to expand Youngstown ‘innovation ecology.’
Innovation ecology, a term Hunter coined, is individuals and companies bringing their experiences and innovations together to create a sustainable marketplace. Hunter believes that is a realistic goal but is a point that Youngstown has not yet reached.
Hunter took his experience writing grants in the science field and, with the help of several colleagues, developed CEATIS Consulting, which has proven to be a successful tool in tapping into the state and federal funds which otherwise were not reaching the Mahoning Valley. This money allows for further research and development, provides workforce training, and funds other human services within the area.
Hunter’s goal is to just make the Youngstown area a better place to live, something he echoes each time he speaks on economic development by challenging his audience to ask themselves, “What have you done this week to make this better?"
Sarah Lown, Bridge Builder
Revitalizing the land which yesterday was a steel mill and is today a brownfield is just one of the many tasks which lay before Sarah Lown.
Lown, as the Director of Economic Development for Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, is responsible for facilitating the process by which area leaders can plan for transportation, economic development or environmental improvements.
Within Eastgate, Lown’s goal is to identify projects that would successfully be funded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (US EDA). One of her most recent projects is the construction of the Walton Avenue Bridge in 2005. That project gave access to 800 acres of brownfields in Youngstown, Campbell and Struthers to enable new development to occur.
For the past several years, Lown has concentrated her efforts on revitalizing former industrial areas --brownfields-- along the Mahoning River corridor, which is the heart and soul of the Valley. She is also the current president of the Mahoning River Consortium, which is working to clean up the River and the land along its banks.
Lown grew up in New England and moved to Youngstown 15 years ago. Two things helped revitalize the New England town she grew up in.
“What I saw work was two things: artists, who saw the beauty of the New England landscape and its low cost historic homes, and industrial consortia to attract economic growth. Revitalization has to take place on many fronts like that in order to be sustainable and attractive to new investment.”
And what should the next step be for Youngstown? Lown believes there needs to be a continued effort to clean up the corridors going in and out of town which removes a tremendous psychological barrier to new investment. Further, and perhaps more importantly, a renewed emphasis on regionalism, more closely tying Youngstown, its suburbs and the surrounding areas together, perhaps in order to create the innovation ecology for which we should be striving.
In 1977, as the reality of Black Monday set in, just at the time that far-away company presidents and board chairman began spending overseas the profits made in Youngstown, efforts to fix a broken town were stymied, would falter, or just plain fail. Our few working class heroes such as the late Bishop James Malone or Staughton Lynd labored to prevent the closing of the steel mills in the Valley. Their efforts were noteworthy, even valiant, but could not stop the loss of jobs and urban decay that the next thirty years would enough. Unfortunately for Youngstown, their moral authority wasn't near enough.
It is not hard to see that while some of Youngstown's political leaders of the 70's, 80's and 90's were both honest and hardworking, there were those individuals who still saw a struggling community as their playground – their place to bask in the sun and line their pockets. A congressman, judges, attorneys, county sheriffs and others in authority helped keep the Valley in the throes of recession and their shadow still haunts. But that is merely a chapter in the tale of this city and certainly not the end of the story. It is yet to be written.
While Youngstown has a long way to go to overcome the legacy of Black Monday, there are things happening in this Valley that we only dreamed of a few short years ago. We have a resurgent downtown with a new arena, new restaurants and clubs, a thriving technology incubator, new traffic patterns, and a group of professionals ready to take this city into the future. Three of these people have a unique perspective as leaders in the economic and social fight in which the city is engaged. This is the redevelopment of Youngstown through their eyes.
Jay Williams, Standard BearerA work in progress. It defines not just this city today, but a way in which to see it's future. The mayor of Youngstown has been at the center of the revolution in Youngstown long before he succeeded George McKelvey as this city's 47th mayor. As the city's director of economic development, he laid the groundwork for the Youngstown 2010 plan and continued that leadership as mayor.
And that plan doesn't end in 2010. Williams sees the Youngstown 2010 plan merely as a stepping stone into the future and something the city needs to continue to evolve. He only half jokes when he says that city leaders have done such a good job marketing Youngstown 2010 that pushing Youngstown 2020 is that much more difficult.
Regardless in the name of the plan the success of Youngstown, Williams said, is the transformation of attitudes within the city residents, especially the younger generations, who have lost the wait-and-see mentality to become a people of action.
"There has been a change in focus towards where the younger generation has been looking." With younger leaders such as Williams, state senator John Boccieri, and others now in office, this generation has a larger voice to get their message across.
To the naysayers, who don't see the progress in a redeveloping Youngstown, Williams argues, "look at any other area across the country and see how the condition of that central city has around the surrounding area." Youngstown as the core city and surrounding area, rise and fall together.
Allen Hunter, Innovation EcologistWhen it comes down to it, YSU chemistry professor Allen Hunter believes economic development in Youngstown is about the people.
“We’ve got a great framework, but we need to get more people at the ground level interacting,” says Hunter. That’s exactly what he tries to do while working with local business leaders to create the ideas of today that become tomorrow’s business models.
Hunter has been actively involved in projects throughout Youngstown emphasizing workforce development and expanding grant opportunities to local business in an attempt, he states, to expand Youngstown ‘innovation ecology.’
Innovation ecology, a term Hunter coined, is individuals and companies bringing their experiences and innovations together to create a sustainable marketplace. Hunter believes that is a realistic goal but is a point that Youngstown has not yet reached.
Hunter took his experience writing grants in the science field and, with the help of several colleagues, developed CEATIS Consulting, which has proven to be a successful tool in tapping into the state and federal funds which otherwise were not reaching the Mahoning Valley. This money allows for further research and development, provides workforce training, and funds other human services within the area.
Hunter’s goal is to just make the Youngstown area a better place to live, something he echoes each time he speaks on economic development by challenging his audience to ask themselves, “What have you done this week to make this better?"
Sarah Lown, Bridge BuilderRevitalizing the land which yesterday was a steel mill and is today a brownfield is just one of the many tasks which lay before Sarah Lown.
Lown, as the Director of Economic Development for Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, is responsible for facilitating the process by which area leaders can plan for transportation, economic development or environmental improvements.
Within Eastgate, Lown’s goal is to identify projects that would successfully be funded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (US EDA). One of her most recent projects is the construction of the Walton Avenue Bridge in 2005. That project gave access to 800 acres of brownfields in Youngstown, Campbell and Struthers to enable new development to occur.
For the past several years, Lown has concentrated her efforts on revitalizing former industrial areas --brownfields-- along the Mahoning River corridor, which is the heart and soul of the Valley. She is also the current president of the Mahoning River Consortium, which is working to clean up the River and the land along its banks.
Lown grew up in New England and moved to Youngstown 15 years ago. Two things helped revitalize the New England town she grew up in.
“What I saw work was two things: artists, who saw the beauty of the New England landscape and its low cost historic homes, and industrial consortia to attract economic growth. Revitalization has to take place on many fronts like that in order to be sustainable and attractive to new investment.”
And what should the next step be for Youngstown? Lown believes there needs to be a continued effort to clean up the corridors going in and out of town which removes a tremendous psychological barrier to new investment. Further, and perhaps more importantly, a renewed emphasis on regionalism, more closely tying Youngstown, its suburbs and the surrounding areas together, perhaps in order to create the innovation ecology for which we should be striving.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Black Monday Events... time to remember
The Steel Museum will play host to an event to mark the 30th anniversary of Black Monday.
What: Remembering Black Monday 1977-2007
When: 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 19
Where: Youngstown Historical Center, also known as the Steel Museum, 151 W. Wood St.
According to the Vindicator, some of those who were directly involved with the closings and the efforts to save the mills will share their thoughts about what happened and why it matters.
The event is part of the 2007-08 Center for Working-Class Studies Lecture Series sponsored by the Mahoning Valley Historical Society Young Leaders' Advisory Board, YSU Center for Applied History and the Office of Social Action at the Diocese of Youngstown.
What: Remembering Black Monday 1977-2007
When: 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 19
Where: Youngstown Historical Center, also known as the Steel Museum, 151 W. Wood St.
According to the Vindicator, some of those who were directly involved with the closings and the efforts to save the mills will share their thoughts about what happened and why it matters.
The event is part of the 2007-08 Center for Working-Class Studies Lecture Series sponsored by the Mahoning Valley Historical Society Young Leaders' Advisory Board, YSU Center for Applied History and the Office of Social Action at the Diocese of Youngstown.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Postponed
The meeting planned for the today to discuss the West Federal Street tree project has been postponed.
Who: YOU!
What: Yougstown City Council's buildings and grounds committee meeting
When: 5:30 p.m., Friday, September 21
Where: City Council Chambers, 6th Floor, 26 S. Phelps Street.
Why: Because we can't let those hooligans cut down our trees
Tyler, you get a second chance to attend this meeting after all.
Who: YOU!
What: Yougstown City Council's buildings and grounds committee meeting
When: 5:30 p.m., Friday, September 21
Where: City Council Chambers, 6th Floor, 26 S. Phelps Street.
Why: Because we can't let those hooligans cut down our trees
Tyler, you get a second chance to attend this meeting after all.
And don't forget to use Virgin Mobile. Happy Arbor Day!
Tidbits
A few random things for the day. First, where did http://www.downtownyoungstown.com/ disappear to?Second, on this date 25 years ago, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development granted $2.8 million for refurbishing the Kimmel Brook Homes in Youngstown and Sheriff James A. Traficant Jr. met with famed Boston defense lawyer F. Lee Bailey to discuss the possibility of Bailey representing Traficant in his bribery trial.
The city has come a long way in 25 years. Kimmel Brook has been demolished with the new Rockford Village built in its place. Traficant is in jail and Bailey was disbarred in 2001. Of course, we all know Jimbo went on to defend himself without counsel and actually beat that particular rap (not so in 2002). This all comes from the Vindicator's "On this Day" column. There are some great historical tidbits in there.
Additional reading:
Will today's boomtown eventually go bust? - Campbell, Ohio, offers example of how fast trouble can strike (Atlanta Journal-Constitution 9/16/07)
Emerging from Black Monday (Tribune-Chronicle 9/17/07)
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