Wordless Wednesday: No longer on the demo list...

It's all well and good to say that Youngstown needs to demolish more houses, and it does. Its good policy in a shrinking city. It's hard to recognize that these were once homes. In this case, 233 West Dennick Avenue, my childhood home, met it's fate on Tuesday courtesy of a backhoe and a Federal grant.

A few fond memories...

(click on a photo to view slideshow with larger photos)

(Cross-posted to the Lowry-Witt Genealogy Blog.)

631

Every vacant house in Youngstown, every house that burns, or is stripped, or turned into a drug den, has a story. This is the story of 631 Ridge Avenue.

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

Originally posted at http://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/play/5310/631

You might be from Youngstown if...

The scene: 1999, Youngstown. 

I found this list about 10 years ago and I can't recall it being posted on the blog. Some are dated or no longer relevant (like the first one, now that everyone goes downtown) but others are still timely and remain funny. Enjoy!

• You or someone you know have never been to Downtown Youngstown.
• You know the time and location of every Wing Night in a 10-mile radius.                                                                                                                                      
• You know the location of the following towns, know someone from them or have spent time there: Mineral Ridge, North Lima, Poland, Coitsville, Mesopotamia, Yankee Lake, and Damascus.
• You've memorized lines from the movie "The Godfather"
• If you're a girl, you're biggest fear is getting hit on by a hairy-chested man, heavily weighted in gold chains, who refers to his friends as "Gino" at any local dance club.
• If you're a guy, your biggest fear is seeing your buddy's car parked near Mickey's Bar, but see him walk out of "the Mixx".
• Your latest cultural experience: Standing in line to buy pirogi at your local Polish, Slovak, Ukrainian or Hungarian church on Friday.
• As your out-of-town friends brag about their latest trips to Europe, you think to yourself, "I can drive past any local ethnic church and see all the foreigners I want to."
• You eat out at least once a week at a mafia-owned Italian pizza parlor.
• Your father has worked for the same company for over 20 years, most likely GM, Packard, or in the steel industry.
• You don't see what all the hype is about Disney World when Cedar Point is just a few hours away.
• You're having a hard time deciding where to take your date out for dinner and a night on the town:- "Wings at BW3 and a movie" or "Chalupas at Taco Bell and checking out the Hot Rods at the A&W"
• "I seen" is eloquently used instead of "I saw" by somebody you know.
• You've taken deliberate field trips to look at the Amish riding in their buggies.
• You water ski on Lake Milton, Berlin or Mosquito Reservoir.
• You feel the only good bands out there are The Rage, Michael Stanley Band, Donnie Iris and The Human Beinz
• You're more worried about the Brown's or the Steelers' quarterback's health than your own.
• You or somebody you know works at GM Lordstown.
• You or your next door neighbor is Catholic.
• You don't understand what all the hype is about over Rolling Rock beer. (replace that today with Yuengling)
• You know that McDonald is not only the last name of a clown, it's also a town.
• You know that Campbell is not only a soup, but also a city, and you also know that it's pronunciation rhymes with "mammal"
• You consider a great vacation a trip to Geauga Lake, Sea World or Lake Erie. For something a little more exotic, a trip to Toronto to see the Phantom of the Opera.
• You design your Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
• You have 101 favorite recipes for kielbasa and sauerkraut.
• You believe that people from Boardman, Canfield, and Poland are all rich and that they're all snobs.
• Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
• You find 20F "a little" chilly.
• You know the four seasons: Winter, Still Winter, Almost Winter, and Construction.
• You remember fondly time off from school known as "Snow Days".
• Words like: sub, chipped chopped ham, pop and halushki actually mean something to you.
• You can use the phrase "white pizza" and not even bat an eye.
• You think that everybody in the world knows what Briar Hill pizza is.
• You mean everybody doesn't know what wedding soup is?
• You live at home at the age of 26
• You went to Y.S.U.
• You were going to go to Ohio State but you didn't
• You quickly graduated (6 or more years)
• You drive a Caviler or a Sunfire.
• You dad knows Eddie Debartolo.
• You wish you were in the Mafia.
• You are not.
• You hang out with the same people you did in high school.
• You went to Legends and Pogo's when you were in high school.
• You make statements and turn them into questions. ex: "you're going Downtown tonight?"
• You will get into a fight is someone looks at your girlfriend.
• You will get into a fight if someone looks at your boyfriend.
• You think everyone in Canfield is rich
• You hate everyone from Canfield.
• Yet, you would like to move there someday.
• You are Italian.
• If not, you act Italian.
• You use the words Dego, Whop and Mic at least once a day.
• You wear tight black shirts, and use WAY more gel than toothpaste in a day.
• From the age of 19-21 you hung out at Mickey's
• You think it would be cool to live in Cleveland.
• You like the Indians (if they are winning), you like the Steelers (If they are winning), you like the Browns (because your dad said so), but what ever the team of the week is you say "I've been a fan for ever!"
• Going to the flats is a good break from the Youngstown bar scene.
• You rarely go.
• If you are from Youngstown you have been to the M.V.R. if you are a Mooney fan, the Golden Dawn if you are an Ursuline fan.
• You know more than 10 people who work out at the YMCA downtown.
• If you are a girl, you could not live without Contempo.
• If you are a guy, you could not live with out Structure
• If you are a girl, your last purchase was at Phar-mor.
• You now shop at Abercrombie (you always did, but now it's just easier.)
• On 10 or more occasions you have been out and seen someone wearing the exact same outfit as you.
• You just realized that every building project in the area is going to be a Rite Aid.
• You still go to Phar-mor.
• You know where the Planter's Peanut Bridge is.
• If you went to Boardman you hung out at: Chesters/Woodpeckers/The Varsity Club.
• If you went to Canfield you went to Micky's
• If you went to Mooney you hang out at Pal Joeys
• If you went to Ursuline you hang out at the Downtown Draught house. 
• You think Schwebel's Bread is a national chain. (It is, isn't it?)
• You only have one mom and yet you refer to her in the plural
• Your lawn is mostly made up of dirt patches and several unidentified types of plants not one of which is grass
• Whether you know it or not you have worked for someone in the mafia
• You know that nuns make the best pizza
• You know that the North Side is the best side
• You know a dollar can buy you much more than a schooner from The Golden Dawn
• You go to the same exact bars your parents did only they have different names
• Your parents have done more drugs than you could ever do
• You have your shoes stolen off your porch
• You have had a conversation with a crack addict
• You're 35 years old, have never been outside of Ohio, and don't see the need to leave.
• You're 18 years old, think this town is a shit hole and can't wait to move away-then 10 years later, you move back because "it's a great place to raise a family".
• You hate everything about Youngstown.
• You will never leave!

sad.

The house I grew up in. Vacant. Vandalized. Wide open. Sad.






- Posted using BlogPress from my incredibly awesome iPad

365 Things - #24 - The Circus!

The circus as a first date? Don't laugh until you've tried it. I had a crush on a girl in college and living in Cleveland at the time, wondered what there was to do for a first date. Dinner at Chipotle was probably the most offered suggestion by my friends. I thought that was weak so checking the paper (yes, when people read the paper to see what was going on), I discovered that the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus was coming to the Gund (before it became the Q; I know I'm dating myself here - no pun intended). Well, I asked, she said yes and the rest is history. We've been together almost ten years and married for two. I take no credit for this lasting; it all belongs to the circus.

That same magic is coming to Youngstown. Take your first date or the kids you conceived on your first date and head down to the Covelli Center on March 25, 26, or 27. The Ringling Brothers are bringing their latest show Fully Charged and thanks to the awesome people involved with the circus (bearded ladies, perhaps?), use the discount code FAMFUN for $5 off. It's the 141st edition of this awesome show (the Red Tour, for those of you who know what that means.)

Fully Charged - The latest show by the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus

March 25-27

Covelli Center

Save $5 on tickets! - Use code FAMFUN in person at the Covelli Centre Box Office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000

365 Things #23

Who	The Valley Listens! Enlightened community dialogue @TheLemonGrove
When	Monday, February 7, 2011 7:00pm - All Ages
Where	Lemon Grove Cafe (map) 122 W Federal St Youngstown, OH
Other Info	Think nobody cares about your ideas for a better Youngstown? THINK AGAIN! This is your chance to disagree without being disagreeable. Come together for a worthwhile exchange of ideas and solutions. This is some talk that really matters. The Valley Listens begins at 7 PM on the first and third Monday of every month! Sponsored by the Midwest Spirituality Center and the Lemon Grove Cafe.

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.