365 Things #22

Get a shave! Sorry, ladies. This one is for the men. William Leonard Extraordinary Gentlemen at West Federal Street and Phelps is the perfect place to relax, get a haircut, shave and massage. The owner, Lisa Reali, has turned a dumpy storefront into a magnificent and affordable spa for men. The prices are inexpensive, the service great, and even better, it keeps your money in the Yo.

Hours:
Monday thru Friday, 11am to 7pm
Saturday, 10am to 2pm

For an appointment:
330-480-0444

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

365 Things on the iPad

So after some requests I'll be slowly bringing back the 365 Things. I may not hit 365 right away but I'll get there eventually. Maybe one new post week? If anything, it will kill time on my commute and give me a reason to play with my ipad. I'll be starting back in the new year. Until then, happy new year Youngstown.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:NE Ohio

365 Things #21

Visit the Arms Museum. The Arms Family Museum of Local History in Youngstown is an early 20th Century Arts & Crafts-style home built by the Arms family, known formally as "Greystone". The first floor is furnished in period, creating the medieval ambience it must have had when Olive A. and Wilford P. Arms owned the home. When walking through the house, one will find many bronze animal statues and feel a sense of naturalism in each room. The second floor of the museum is filled with artifacts and history from others that have lived in the Mahoning Valley.

Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for college students. The house is a beautiful place to spend a few hours on a sunny afternoon in downtown!

648 Wick Avenue
Youngstown, OH 44502
(330) 743-2589

365 Things #20

Help beautify Youngstown! On June 5, 2010 (that's tomorrow!) the city of Youngstown will be holding CityScape's 13th Annual Planting Day. Over 400 volunteers help out at CityScape each year, and you should be one of them! Registration begins at the information booth of the Central Square Tent at 7:45am and there are free t-shirts to the first 400 people registered. Planting begins at 8:00am and ends at 12:00pm. Local dignitaries, including Congressman Tim Ryan (D-17th), will be in attendance.

If they can, volunteers should bring the following to the Streetscape 2010 event:
• Small Hand Tools
• Shovels
• Rakes
• Hoses
• Buckets
• Wheelbarrows (if possible)
• Hand Tools
• Gloves
• Sunscreen or other protection against the sun
• Insect repellent
• Beverages/Snacks

Questions about Planting Day? Please contact Sharon Letson (330) 742-4040 or e-mail: cityscapedirector@sbcglobal.net.

After you green and beautify downtown Youngstown, stay down there and enjoy lunch at one of the city's fine establishments. Perhaps a sandwich and sparkling soda at the Lemon Grove (see #3) or a pizza and schooner at the Golden Dawn (see #1).

Obama comes to Youngstown: The pool reports

What the White House pool reporters were seeing...

Sent: Tue May 18 12:58:43 2010
Subject: Pool report #4
President Obama exited Air Force One at 12:41 p.m.

Gov. Ted Strickland, Reps. Charlie Wilson, John Boccieri and Tim Ryan and Youngstown Mayor William Jay greeted him on the tarmac, bursting into applause as POTUS got close to the foot of the stairs.

Lt Gov Lee Fisher was a no-show.
Motorcade is rolling to the manufacturing plant, hard hats and ear plugs in hand.
 
Sent: Tue May 18 13:22:43 2010
Subject: Pool report #4 correx
Youngstown Mayor is Jay Williams.

POTUS is currently touring the manufacturer, with green lab coat and hard hat-clad pool in tow.
 
Sent: Tue May 18 13:31:05 2010
Subject: Pool report #5

Pool Report #5
Inside V and M Star facility
The pool, in fetching green protective jackets, white helmets and glasses, awaited POTUS on a yellow gangway, above the heat and cacophony of the dimly-lit factory floor at the V and M Star steel mill.
Massive machines whirred and rumbled as large 18 foot long cylinders of steel, spewing sparks and palpable heat, appeared periodically along the production line, glowing orange with molten heat.

The building is a long cathedral type space, with all kinds of satanic-looking machinery on the floor, with just a few windows at each end.
The President, distinguishable by his black protective flame retardant jacket with red trim, appeared on an adjacent gangway with a group of people, presumably company executives and surveyed the scene, pointing at machines and nodding under his white protective hat.
He smiled and waved at the cameras on the way out. His conversations were inaudible amid the din.
The pool then ran through an indoor railway siding strewn with rubble and sand, past more menacing fire breathing machinery to position for the president's next photo op, in front of a blast furnace.
After exiting the mill, the president walked towards the venue for the speech, in an end finishing and dispatch warehouse, underneath a winding overhead ventilation tube.
A crowd of several hundred people is awaiting his remarks and the presidential podium is set up against a backdrop of steel pipes.
 
Sent: Tue May 18 14:09:21 2010
Subject: Pool Report #6
Pool Report #6

Youngstown, Ohio

After the speech, the President walked across to a line of 35-40 workers outside, ahead of a shift change. He shook hands, slapped backs and dispensed hugs.

He had a long conversation with one woman, Mary Ann Decapita, who works in Human Resources at the plant and lives in Youngstown.

"I told him, thank you for all your help here," she said.

POTUS autographed a business card for Mary Ann's daughter Brittany.

It read

"To Brittany
Dream the dream
Barack Obama."
Motorcade now rolling away from the plant
 
Sent: Tue May 18 14:30:46 2010
Subject: Pool report #7
Youngstown, Ohio

POTUS boarded AF1 at just after 2.20 pm
Heading to takeoff.
 
Sent: Tue May 18 15:27:26 2010
Subject: Pool report #8
Air Force One was wheels down at Andrews AFB at 3:17 p.m.
President Obama exited AF1 at 3:24 p.m. amid a light rain and overcast skies.
He got into the limo, and after he was joined by Reggie Love motorcade was rolling to the White House.
Pool had asked Burton for POTUS to come back to press cabin but alas he did not.
And for anyone wondering, AF1's return flight pattern bypassed Pennsylvania, instead traveling at 23,000 over Bellaire, OH, Morgantown, WV and the Potomac River.
Handing over to in-town pool.

365 Things #19

Attend a spaghetti dinner on Sunday! (There is nothing more 'Youngstown' than spaghetti dinners, fish fries and pirogi dinners, anyway). This one is for an incredibly good cause. I went to high school with Taylor. She was incredibly talented in speech and debate and theatre at Ursuline High School before graduating in 2000. She was killed by a drunk driver while driving on Salt Springs Road in 2001.

From the Vindy:

The Taylor Lee Veisz Memorial Scholarship Fund’s 6th annual Spaghetti Dinner and Chinese Auction will run from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 122 S. State St. ( U.S. Route 422).

Tickets, at $8 for adults and $5 for children, will be available at the door. Carry out is available.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the fund can send a check made payable to the fund in care of Sherron Jackson, 921 Birch Hill Drive, Youngstown, Ohio, 44509. The fund provides assistance to young women and men pursuing a career in the fine and performing arts.

Inc. puts Youngstown in ink.

This is definitely worth sharing. Welcome to the New Youngstown.

Inc. Magazine article on Youngstown

365 Things #18

One of my many nicknames as a child was Bud Light. It has nothing to do with my love of beer, but was a take on one of my dad's nicknames, Bud. (Get it? I can explain, if necessary). Unfortunately, both Bud and Bud Light have worn off as nicknames. My love of beer, however, remains strong. It's nice to be able to satisfy that love with a beer brewed a mere two miles from home. Rust Belt Brewing Company moved into the old B&O Station and has ensured that Youngstown's history as a brewing town continues strong (Anyone for a Renner?) If you've never had a Rust Belt beer, make today the day you toss one back. You can visit the B&O for tours of the brewing operation or have a pint at the Boxcar Lounge. See their website for more details.

Rust Belt Brewing Company

534 Mahoning Avenue

330-747-3232

If he runs for Congress, I'll leave the state

I posted this 6 months ago when he first started talking about it. I repost it today because it still feels the same way:

In what can best be described as a giant step backward for mankind, Jim Traficant has announced a major press conference for Thursday morning. As reported in the Vindicator, “He’ll be talking about Congress,” said Dennis Malloy, Traficant’s communications director. It pains me to think that Traficant may run for Congress, representing either the 17th or 6th congressional districts and speaking for the people of the Mahoning Valley.

And really, a crook representing the Mahoning Valley in any government seat? Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. When Traficant got tossed from Congress and went to jail, we had just finished putting a county commissioner, a couple of judges, a sheriff and the county engineer away for corruption. The mid and late 1990's were about cleaning house in Youngstown. The 2000's have been about rebuilding that house.

What Jim Traficant can't understand is that we've moved past Jim Traficant. The Youngstown he left isn't the Youngstown to which he returned. While there are some people stuck in the past who would love to see him in office, most of the rational people in Youngstown see the damage he has done to our image and our city. There is substantive and positive change occurring in the Youngstown area. An entirely new model of urban renewal has been created around Youngstown's 'shrinking city' concept. People are moving back to Youngstown, dollars are turning some shovels, and there is significant hope being instilled in a lot of people who call Youngstown home. A 'Traficant for (insert political office here)' sign in people's front yards can destroy much of that in an instant.

365 Things #16

As we head down the list, #16 is something that should be required for every Youngstown resident: A visit to the Museum of Labor and Industry. It reminds me of a quote that's been tossed around, including by this blogger a number of times and even appeared on our mast head for a while. "Everybody breathing dirt, eating dirt-they call it 'pay dirt,' for Youngstown clean would be Youngstown out of work." When he uttered the words in 1915, Frank Bohn had no idea how true those words would ring. While a clean Youngstown is an opportunity to reinvent ourselves, the 'Steel Museum', as the museum is often known, takes us back to the soot covered days of Youngstown, when steel was king. It should make any Youngstown resident born after 1980 appreciate the hardwork and sweat that their fathers and grandfathers literally poured into building America. I made my pilgrimage in December.


Museum of Labor and Industry
151 Wood Street (across from St. Columba Cathedral)
330-743-5934

365 Things #15

So I'm a bit behind. If you ran a blog and had to post every single day, you would probably miss one or two (or five) as well.

The weather tomorrow is going to be beautiful. With the exception of some rain in the morning (thanks, Weather.com!), it should be an awesome day for a hike. Why not head to Mill Creek Park, strap on your hiking boots, grab a Clif bar and go hiking?

You can find the complete maps and routes here.

PS: You can plan on seeing a lot of Mill Creek Park in my 365 Things to Do Around Youngstown series. If you think only one or two visits to the park is enough, shame on you.

New videos

Defend Youngstown and Shout Youngstown hosted a Detroit reporter. This is the evidence.

365 Things #17

Try taking in the Calvin Center for the Arts Grand Opening Festival! Artists of the Rust Belt will be holding a show at this new location tomorrow (12-7) and Sunday (12-5). The show will feature local artists, food and beer. Check it out at 755 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown. Find out more about this group and event at their website.

Love it... more on urban ag

From the Associated Press...
Motor City may provide model for urban agriculture

By DAVID RUNK, Associated Press Writer

Friday, April 23, 2010

(AP) --Detroit, which revolutionized manufacturing with its auto assembly lines, could once again be a model for the world as residents transform vacant, often-blighted land into a source of fresh food.

With growing interest in locally raised food, cities including New York, Los Angeles and Seattle are looking at ways to foster and manage urban agriculture. San Francisco's mayor has proposed creating community gardens on vacant public land citywide.

But no city seems to have as much potential for urban farming as Detroit, where land is cheap, empty lots are plentiful, and residents are desperate for jobs. The number of community gardens has been growing each year, and bigger, commercial agriculture could be coming as city planners draw up land use rules for farming.

365 Things #14

Youngstown's personality and place in history allows it to have some of the greatest cultural wonders not thought of in the average city of 70,000. One of those wonders is the Butler Institute of American Art. If you haven't been there in a while (and I haven't), you should check out the Jackson Pollack piece on loan, 'Silver and Black,' or the paintings of John Stobart, a leading artist of ships under sail. Being a guy who loves ships and yet has never been sailing, Stobart's work is right up my alley. (I'm really sounding cultured here, aren't I?)

Butler Instutute of American Art

524 Wick Avenue

330-743-1107

365 Things #13

(I realize that I'm a few days late, but the beauty of Blogger is being able to backdate my posts... Thanks, Blogger Team!)


It's Wednesday (err... Monday). How about heading over to Salsita's for margaritas? Youngstown is blessed with some great ethnic restaurants. In fact, you can't find a respectable chain joint that people will go out of their way to get into to. The same can't be said for the locally owned restaurants. Salsita's is one of those places. Stop in for a margarita, some tacos or enchiladas!

3031 Mahoning Ave

Youngstown

330-270-9151

365 Things #12

When I was a child, I had a minor fascination with rocks and minerals after a visit to Discovery Place. Think COSI but in Charlotte, North Carolina. I had no idea that we have a mineral museum in Youngstown, but incredibly, we do. How about a visit to the Clarence R. Smith Mineral Museum which is located at YSU and sponsored by the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences. The museum is located in the atrium of Moser Hall and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Have a science class or tour group? Give them a call and they can set up something personalized.

Moser Hall atrium

On the campus of Youngstown State University

(330) 941-3612

365 Things #11

Today is a pretty dreary day in Youngstown. So if you don't get out to see anything today, put on some coffee and hang around the house. But before the summer is out, you've got to see (and taste) what is going on right here under your nose.

In the past few years a number of community gardens have started up in Youngstown. I'll just mention a few and if there is not one near you, feel free to start one. Jubilee Gardens, Inc. is located on Lafayette Street in Briar Hill and has been around since the 1980's. Fairgreen Garden, operated by GROW Youngstown, is located at the corner of Fairgreen and Ohio Avenues, and Avondale Garden (pictured) is located on the south side, on Avondale Street, just east of Southern Blvd.

Their goal is to bring fresh produce to the city and help people to garden sucessfully.

365 Things #10

It is my favorite day of the week. Why not eat my favorite food? Ice cream. Stop by the original Handel's Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt on off Market Street. There is nothing better than the atmosphere of the yellow lights of Mrs. Handel's flagship store and a sugar cone full of chocolate pecan.

3931 Handel's Court
Youngstown
330-788-0356

(The menu is from Handel's Williamsburg, VA location. I saw a familiar awning from almost 1/4 mile away and thought it could be and it was. They lack chocolate marshmallow.)

The Morning Read

Check out a couple of things going on in Youngstown today:

• YNG has a new director. Only in the job for less than 24 hours, he already has an agenda focusing on expanding cargo operations at the airport. With the expansion of technologies and manufacturing in the region, improved access for cargo is a great direction for Youngstown's airport.
• Rep. Tim Ryan introduced a bill into the House of Representatives yesterday which would promote business incubators (like the insanely successful Youngstown Business Incubator). The Vindy has the story and the full press release from T.R.'s office is available after the jump.
• Like your Chevy? So do a lot of other people. The Tribune tells us what most people should already know: America is building better cars. Many Toyota owners couldn't agree more.