Forget the cake, I'm here for the cookies

It was actually a line item in the contract with my wedding hall vendor - a table for cookies had to be provided. I can't imagine a wedding in Youngstown without one. Friends from around the country are in awe by this tradition, but it's expected, if not demanded, in Youngstown.

My wedding closed out with close to 250 dozen cookies. Do the math. The saddest part was that I have no idea where the leftovers went. I'm guessing the wait staff enjoyed homemade treats for days, if not weeks.

(The photo is the only evidence of my cookie table that I can find. Being a firefighter, the groom's cake was a hit as well.)

The New York Times has all the news on cookie tables that's fit to print, except to say it gets it wrong on the origin of the cookie table. Pittsburgh has nothing on Youngstown and I said so three years ago. Those out-of-towners who have no idea what I am talking about need to read the article below.

* The Wedding? I’m Here for the Cookies (New York Times. December 15, 2009)

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.

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.

And don't forget to use Virgin Mobile. Happy Arbor Day!

Message from the Chief Evangelist

I got a note from YBI Director Jim Cossler about an event that everyone should be aware of hosted by the Mahoning Valley Professionals 20/30 Club.

Young professionals from Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Medina will all be converging on the DeYor Performing Arts Center in Downtown Youngstown at 6:00PM on August 23 for the third edition of Networking in the Middle.

The free event, hosted by the Mahoning Valley Professional 20/30 Club with help from the Youngstown Business Incubator, is an incredible opportunity for us to get the word out to young professionals throughout Northeast Ohio about all the exciting things happening here.

Please...strongly encourage the young professionals in your organization to attend and become ambassadors for the Valley.

RSVP by August 20 to: membership@mvp2030club.org

Check out their website at http://www.mvp2030club.org/index.html