Youngstown Moxie II: The Grey to Green Festival :Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown Moxie II: The Grey to Green Festival :Youngstown, Ohio

Installation of Wrap the Arts October 24, 2009

We had a wonderful time at the Meet and Greet the Artists on October 10,2009 but this Saturday October 24, 2009 from noon until 2:00 PM on the corner of Wick and Broadway on Youngstown’s north side Art is the climax. Art Youngstown will be completing the final installation of the WRAP THE ARTS project. The public is welcome to come and watch or volunteer as the artists hang over 45 large works of art along a block long chain link fence on Wick Avenue, screening the blighted space by wrapping the art.
The project has been supported in part by the Wean Foundation's Neighborhood Success Grant Program.

The following is a list of artists who have contributed to the project:
Aaron Andrews
Marcy Roepke-Applegate
Danna Bozik
Al Bright
Lynn Cardwell
Kathy Crowe
Robert Dubec
Willie Duck
Terry Esarco
Terry Fetchet
Kristy Hoard
Susan Jacobs
The Jewish Community Center
Robert Kidney
Angelo LaMarco
Henry Lepore
Aaron Martin
Ron Mistovich
Tony Nicholas
Park Vista
Antonia Pilloli
Carol Raestadt
William Reents
Sharon Rich
Lynne Rosati
Cynthia Sahli
Robert Savage
Elaine and Joy Serednesky
Joshua Shank- Metro Church
Fred Shepherd
Marleen Simon
Judith Szabo
Jeff Terlecki
Sarah Terlecki
Anita Weinstock
Clara Wick
Chris Yambar
YSU SMARTS
Staff

Wrap the Arts

Grassroots strategies to reclaim distressed neighborhoods are taking hold in cities around the country,including Cleveland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Youngstown. Fighting to reclaim neighborhoods blighted by blocks of decaying and neglected vacant homes, and abandoned parking lots is a very difficult task.

More than 1.2 million residential properties went into foreclosure in 2008 alone. the National Vacant Properties Campaign estimates that the number of chronically vacant properties is in the millions.

Art Youngstown is taking a creative approach to dealing with blight in one Youngstown neighborhood. Supported in part by the Wean Foundation's Neighborhood Success Grant Program, the organization has developed a plan to transform one large unsightly green space along Wick Avenue on the city's north side into a work of art.

The property is not suitable for development, green or otherwise. It currently consists of a large blacktopped parking lot that is surrounded by a ragged looking chain link fence. Art Youngstown has named the plan Wrap the Arts.. The plan is comprised of wrapping over forty large weather resistant canvases around the property. The works of art have been created by local artists, community residents and organizations. The large installation of art will be put on display on October 24for the entire community to enjoy. For directions to the site go here.

The following is a list of artists who have contributed to the project:
Aaron Andrews
Marcy Roepke-Applegate
Danna Bozik
Al Bright
Lynn Cardwell
Kathy Crowe
Robert Dubec
Willie Duck
Terry Esarco
Terry Fetchet
Kristy Hoard
Susan Jacobs
The Jewish Community Center
Robert Kidney
Angelo LaMarco
Henry Lepore
Aaron Martin
Ron Mistovich
Tony Nicholas
Park Vista
Antonia Pilloli
Carol Raestadt
William Reents
Sharon Rich
Lynne Rosati
Cynthia Sahli
Robert Savage
Elaine and Joy Serednesky
Joshua Shank- Metro Church
Fred Shepherd
Marleen Simon
Judith Szabo
Jeff Terlecki
Sarah Terlecki
Anita Weinstock
Clara Wick
Chris Yambar
YSU SMARTS
Staff

Prior to the installation, Art Youngstown is hosting an event to meet and greet the artists at the beautiful Youngstown Metro Church located on the corner of Wick and McGuffy near the art installation. The public is invited to attend on Saturday October 10, 2009 from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. For more information please visit Art Youngstown. Hope to see you there.

Artists of the Rust Belt

I think I have recovered from the Grey to Green Festival and hope to begin posting to the blog again on a regular basis. The Grey to Green Festival was a wonderful event and the weather was perfect. Photos of the festival will be uploaded soon to the Grey to Green Festival website.

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The Grey to Green Festival is only a memory now, and today was an opportunity to add to the cache of great memories for 2009. Today was the Artists of the Rust Belt FolkFest. When I woke up this morning, it was dark, gloomy and raining. My heart sank because I was afraid that the weather would keep people away from the festival. Wow! I couldn't have been more wrong. I went down to the B&O Station,the site of the festival, and quite literally couldn't find room to park. I love it when that happens, strange but true. To make the day even more glorious, the sun came out. For those of you not familiar with the B&O Station you can find more information here The Station sits near the scenic Mahoning River and there is a wonderful park like atmosphere.

There were over 45 artists vending their art. For further information you can go here

The musical entertainment was performed from the balcony above the entrance to the station. The music could be heard not only in the station but throughout the grounds.


Here is a clip of Brady's Leap. I apologize for my poor videography it is a bit shaky.



Here is Tom Breiding:



If you missed today's festival, you will have other opportunities. I have been told that there will be more Artist of the Rust Belt shows in the future. I'll make sure to keep you posted.

Economics, 'Food Racism' and Urban Agriculture

Grow Youngstown will be hosting a panel discussion at 3:00 PM at the Unitarian Church across from Wick Park on Elm Street on September 12, 2009. This discussion is held in conjunction with the Grey to Green Festival. The discussion will be insightful and thought provoking. Don't miss it.

The following panalists will be participating:

Will Allen – Founder and CEO/Growing Power
Awarded a MacArthur Fellow in 2008, Will Allen is one of the world’s foremost experts on urban. Grow Power, headquartered in Milwaukee, is a national nonprofit organization and land trust supporting people from diverse backgrounds, and the environments in which they live, by helping to provide equal access to healthy, high-quality, safe and affordable food for people in all communities. Growing Power provides hands-on training, on-the-ground demonstration, outreach and technical assistance through the development of Community Food Systems that help people grow, process, market and distribute food in a sustainable manner.

Steve Bosserman
Steve Bosserman, founder and president of Bosserman & Associates, Inc., specializes in strategic framing and organization design. Steve's career started with 20 years of manufacturing experience ranging from the shop floor to senior management. In 1987, he started B&A in order to apply his expertise in the design and delivery of organization change and leadership development strategies with clientele in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors across domestic and international arenas.

Over the past three years, Steve's interest in social networking systems, processes, and tools has evolved into the development of sustainable local food systems as a platform for local economies--the foundation for social justice. This shift positioned him to be a Co-Principal Investigator on a three-year USDA-SCRI grant awarded in late 2008 to utilize social networking strategies in the advancement of local food systems. Furthermore, his work in the development of metrics for local food systems and evaluation criteria for localized investment portfolios has led to a recent grant award from the Advance Northeast Ohio / Fund for Our Economic Future (ANEO / FFEF) to launch an Ag-Bio Cluster Leadership Council and provide the Council with a portfolio management process for their project proposals and business cases. You can read more about Steve's work on his blog at http://localfoodsystems.org/blog/2.

Brad Masi, Executive Director, New Agrarian Center
Brad Masi serves as the founder and Executive Director of the New Agrarian Center (NAC), an organization which works toward growing a more sustainable and just regional food system in Northeast Ohio. Masi is co-founder of the City Fresh program, a region-wide partnership focused on linking rural and urban farmers with inner-city neighborhoods and institutions in Northeast Ohio. Masi is also co-founder of the Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Food Policy Council which is seeking to improve local food access in inner-city neighborhoods.

Leslie Schaller, Director of Programs
Ms. Schaller was part of the founding staff of ACEnet’s Food Ventures program and oversaw the development of the Food Ventures Center, ACEnet’s 12,000 square foot kitchen incubator facility. She has worked directly with food producers, farmers and artisan micro-entrepreneurs since1992 to develop businesses, resources and networks to relocalize Appalachia Ohio’s food economy. Ms. Schaller is responsible for working directly with entrepreneurs throughout the intake and assessment process, focusing on the start-up phase of network clients. Ms. Schaller designs curriculum, provides direct technical assistance and coordinates the expertise of ACEnet staff teams to create innovative product ideas, marketing strategies, business plans, and financial management systems within the targeted sectors. Ms. Schaller currently serves as an appointee to the Governor’s Ohio Food Policy Council, the Ohio Department of Agriculture Market Connections Task Force, the national Farmers Market Coalition’s Board Treasurer, as Board executive for the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and chairs the Athens Municipal Arts Commission. See www.acenetworks.org for more information.

Samina Raja - University of Buffalo, Dept. of Architecture and Urban Planning
Dr. Raja’s research focuses on planning and design for healthy communities and the fiscal dimensions of planning. Her research on healthy communities examines the influence of the food and built environments on obesity and physical activity. Given the interdisciplinary nature of this topic, Dr. Raja collaborates with colleagues from UB’s School of Medicine and the School of Public Health and Health Professions. An ongoing multi-year study, conducted in collaboration with the School of Medicine, examines the effect of the built environment on obesity among youth, and has received over a million dollars in funding from the National Institute of Health.
http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/planning/people/raja.asp
Urban Farmer - TBA

Grey to Green Festival Features MacArthur “Genius” Award-Winner

The second annual Grey to Green Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, in Wick Park on Youngstown’s North Side from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rep. Tim Ryan and Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams will kick off the festival at 10:30 a.m. in the Wick Park Pavilion. At 11 a.m., Will Allen, of Growing Power (growingpower.org) will present his vision for urban agriculture
and local food production. Allen, a 2008 recipient of the MacArthur “genius” award, has developed a $250,0000 food-growing and distribution system in inner-city Milwaukee. At 3 p.m., Allen will be part of a panel of regionally and nationally recognized speakers who will discuss ‘food racism’ and the economics of urban agriculture.

The entire festival is free and open to the public and will feature displays and information booths by “green” non-profits in the area, as well as vendors, locally sourced food, live entertainment, and earth-friendly activities for children.

As reported in the Wall Street Journal last year, Youngstown’s 2010 Plan has a large “grey-to-green” component, which provides for protection of the current green space in the city, such as public parks, and also encourages the positive use of green space that is created by the shrinkage of the city—for example, vacant lots being used for food production or planted in trees to provide carbon offsetting and natural beauty. Grey to Green is designed to increase awareness of environmental issues in general, the grey-to-green component of the 2010 plan, and the revitalization plan for Wick Park. Located in the heart of the city near Youngstown State University, Wick Park is a lovely Victorian-era greenspace populated primarily by large oaks and ringed with a fitness trail, wide sidewalks, handsome old mansions, and broad avenues. The plan for the park focuses on drawing more activity into the interior, creating diverse habitat for plants and animals, and encouraging biophilia and a closer tie to nature in the city.

Participants will include Youngstown State University; The Raymond John Wean Foundation; Grow Youngstown; Art Youngstown; Youngstown CityScapes; Defend Youngstown; Treez Please–A Community Reforestation Project; the Green Team; Oakland Center for the Arts; Youngstown Litter Control and Recycling; Commonwealth Inc.; the Northside Farmers Market; TCT Renewable Energy; Lien Forward Ohio; The Villa Shoppe; Mill Creek Metroparks; YSU SMARTS; Children’s Center for Science and Technology; Animal Charity; the Alliance for Climate Change; TimeBank Mahoning Watershed; the Audubon Society, and other environmental organizations and businesses.
























There will also be a Drop and Shop, where people can bring their unwanted household items, drop them off, and take something else if they wish. (Contact seellis@ysu.edu, or 330-941-2238, for information about items accepted).


Also, Scott Loveland from TCT Renewable Energy will be providing an educational presentation on wind power at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Church directly across the street from Wick Park.

Children’s activities will include a visit with Dora the Explorer as well as numerous arts and crafts activities. Rob Joki and the Magic Carpet Children’s Theater will also be premiering a new play with an environmental message. SMARTS will be on hand with their children's drumming circle. Entertainment for adults will include various bands, acoustic performers and dancers. Locally sourced food will be available for purchase.
More information is available at www.greytogreenfestival.org


The following is the schedule of events. Check back often for possible changes and additions.
10:00- 10:30 Caledonia Mission
10:30 -11:00 Mayor and Tim Ryan Opening Remarks

11:00 - 1:00 Will Allen At Pavilion

12:30 - 2:00 Polycultures: Food Where We Live (see description below) at the UU
PolyCultures: Food Where We Live is a documentary film and multi-media production project produced by LESS Productions in conjunction with the New Agrarian Center, in Cleveland. The film gets its title from the word “polyculture” which describes farm systems that mimic natural systems with diverse and interdependent elements. Polyculture is the opposite of “monoculture”- a description of the one-dimensional industrial farming systems that dominate much of Northeast Ohio.

1:00 - 1:45 Magic Carpet Theater (at Pavilion)

2:00-2:30 Dr. Ray's Amazing Sideshow of Science (at Pavilion)

2:00-2:45 Scott Loveland from TCT Renewable Energy speaks a the UU

2:30-3:00 Gospel Choir (at Pavilion)

3:00-3:30 McKelvy Raygun (at Pavilion)

3:P00-5:00 Panel Discussion at the UU with Will Allen

3:30-4:00 Brandon Martin/EOS Belly Dancers at the Pavilion

4:00-5:00 Sam Goodwill (at Pavilion)

There will also be poetry readers and Nin Andrews reading throughout the stage at the Pavilion

Nature Walks through Wick Park by Bill Whitehouse at 1-2:30 and 3:00-4:30 (starting at the Pavilion)

Ed Hallahan, area artist and art educator, has exhibited his art work both regionally and nationally. At the Grey to Green Festival he will show tree inspired sculptural work that is carved and constructed from wood and placed back into the natural tree environment where the trees support and present the sculpture and the sculpture re-presents the trees to us who view it.

In addition, the Youngstown Historical Center will present "History Kids" with a September 12 program titled "An Architectural Adventure." Students from 1 and 3pm will tour both Wick Park and downtown Youngstown to study buildings, their famous occupants and style of architecture. History Kids is for students 8 to 14. The cost of the proram is $10.00 for Ohio Historical Society members and $12.00 for non-members. Advance registration is required. Contact Keith Mann at the Youngstown Historical Center at (330) 743-5934.

The following is a list of vendors and exhibitors at the Grey to Green Festival
VENDORS

US Green Building Materials
The Green Building Pros Ltd.
EOS Whole Fitness and Bellydance
Eco-Central
Audubon Society
Bill Youngman
Cats Paw Herbs
Vegetarians of Greater Youngstown
Divine Scentsations Inc.
Mahoning Valley Green Party
Firemother Designs
Energy Detectives
Mahoning River Education Project
Naturehaven Paperworks
Yo-Ho Studio
Mill Creek Metro Parks
Commonwealth Inc
Scrap Heap Sculpture
Dr. Ted Suzelis ND
The Villa Shoppe
YSU Smarts
Amber Foster
Treez Please
Green Team
Youngstown Litter Control and Recylcing
Lien Forward
Wick Neighbors
TCT Renewable Energy
Habitat for Humanity
Restore
Art Youngstown
City Scape
Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative
Grow Youngstown
YSU – Geology Department -Ray Beiersdorfer - Gem Table Exhibit
Etruscan Press
RJ Wean - Neighborhood Success Grants
Children’s Center for Science and Tecnology
Animal Charities
Youngstown for the Alliance for Climate Protection
Eco-Watch – Stephanie Spear
TimeBank Mahoning Watershed
Volunteer Services
YESS –
HIRAM - Environmental Group
Lynn Anderson
Shaklee
CDA – Community Development Agency
Engaging Diamonds
Pride Youngstown
Goodness Grows
The Wind Chime Lady

Fire Eating

The Grey to Green Festival is taking up a great deal of my time these days so I fear I have been lax in my blogging responsibilities. I promise to get back in the swing of things after September 12, 2009. Keep checking back though because I will be providing a complete update and schedule for the Grey to Green Festival very soon. It is truly going to be awesome this year! So mark your calender now because you need to be at Wick Park on September 12, 2009 from 10:00 until 5:00.

In the meantime - if you are looking for something new and exciting to do you can take a fire eating class with Travis Fessler. For those of you who don't know, Travis Fessler is the current world record setting title holder for "Number of Live Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches Held in Mouth for Longest Amount of Time". I know gross right? Well, it appears that Travis is in Y-town this week teaching fire eating. You too can learn this valuable skill. He is holding fire eating classes on August 22-23 for the low cost of $75.00. He will also instruct you in safety and how to make your own torch. If you're interested e-mail Travis at travis@pickledbrothers.com

Travis and the Pickled Brothers Side show will also be performing at the Oakland Theater at a fundraiser for First Night. Show is at the Oakland from 6:30 to 10:00 on August 22. Tickets are a mere $15.00 and available at the door. This will include a First Night Virtual Tour as well as a Taste of First Night which will feature dishes from many local venues including C Staples, Cafe Cimmento, Tomasino's Sante Fe and more. Don't miss it folks!

Do you need your car warshed? Want to have a good time too? Come on out to the Oakland's Great American Car Warsh

The Oakland will kick off their 2009-2010 Season with a rootin, tootin, high-falootin' musical! According to dramatists.com, "There's a new tenant at Armadillo Acres—and she's wreaking havoc all over Florida's most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil–loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband—the storms begin to brew." The show will run August 7,8,9, and August 14, and 15. Call the Oakland for show times and reservations.

In celebration and support of the musical the Oakland Center for the Arts will hold a Great American Car Warsh at its location, 220 W. Boardman St. in downtown Youngstown, on Friday, July 31 from 4:00-6:00 pm and Saturday, August 1, from 10:00 am-5:00 pm.

Cars will be warshed by the cast and crew of the season-opening show, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Prices are $5 for cars and $10 for trucks and vans. The Warsh will be held in the 2-lane alley parking lot next the building.

All proceeds from the Car Warsh will go toward production costs. The Great American Trailer Park Musical will be directed for the Oakland by Robert Dennick Joki with musical direction from Anthony Ruggiero (yes, the team that brought you Bat Boy and Reefer Madness)! Cast includes Melissa Cook, Gerri DeWitt, Jennifer Kuzeck, Molly Makselan, David Munnell, and Shawn Lockaton. Stage manager is Kim Nevel with assistance from Brittney Murphy. Costume design is by Pam Sacui.choreography is by Debbie Pesce, and the set design and construction are by Jim Canacci.

In addition a Rummage Sale featuring historical props and costumes from the Oakland will take place in the third floor gallery. Beverages and baked goods will also be for sale in the first floor lobby.

Donations of buckets, sponges, shammies, and liquid soap are also being accepted. Contact Brooke at 330-718-5515.

For more information about the Oakland, go to www.oaklandcenter.com or follow oaklandcenter on twitter.

Want to start a new business? Try Youngstown Ohio

I believe that this video speaks for itself.

Swing Dancing and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

July 19, 2009 at 7:00 at the Morley Pavilion at Mill Creek Wick Recreation Area in Youngstown, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will carry on the swing tradition of the legendary big bands and orchestras. The band is a contemporary swing band or as some say neo-swing. Come on out and swing with us. Admission is free and open to the public. For directions and more information about the 7UP Summerfest Spectacular Concerts for 2009 click here.

But hey, if you want to swing before the show or if you just need to brush up on your swing dance moves don't forget that Cedars in downtown Youngstown has swing night every Thursday night at 10:00 PM.

Alice and Staughton Lynd

Tonight at 7:00 at the Unitarian Church located at 1105 Elm Street in Youngstown, Alice and Staughton Lynd will discuss their new memoir Stepping Stones.

Their story is one of a resolute struggle for civil liberties. Staughton Lynd's quite bearing and softly spoken words have angered and upset many of the powers-that-be in politics. Today, he and his wife Alice, also a lawyer, continue the struggle for worker and prisoner rights.


I believe that Staughton Lynd's response when asked what his hopes were for Wobblies and Zapatistas, provides an excellent window from which to view his philosophy.

He remarked, "On the Internet this morning (December 20, 2008) one reads of an Iraqi journalist throwing his shoes at President Bush, of Israeli 12th graders refusing to be part of a military occupying the West Bank, of rank-and-file Greek workers occupying the offices of the trade union federation to prevent that bureaucratic organization from suppressing the spontaneous happenings in the streets and local town halls. Such courageous acts need to be understood as something broader than the conscientious refusal of individuals to become part of the pattern of things intended by last-stage capitalism and its creature, the state. That broader resistance began with the 'Basta!' (enough) of the Zapatistas and with their idea of 'mandar obediciendo': those in positions of authority must govern in obedience to what Marcos calls 'the below,' that is, us..."


Here is a photo of Staughton Lynd lecturing to the Freedom School Teachers. Staughton was director of the Freedom Schools in the Freedom Summer Project.















Please come out to the Universal Cafe tonight to hear the story of Alice and Staughton Lynd. Books will be available for purchase. There is an admission donation of $3.00 at the door. Light refreshments will also be available for purchase. Doors open at 6:30.

The Butler Institute of American Art's 73rd Annual National Painting Exhibition

June 28th through August 23, 2009 is the Butler Institute of American Art's 73rd Annual National Painting Exhibition, Midyear Show. 72 Works were selected for this years show by juror George Adams, New York gallery owner and art historian.


If you have not visited the Butler Institute of American Art you are missing one of the greatest gifts the Mahoning Valley has to offer. The Butler collection includes works from four centuries, and is assembled in Butler galleries in chronological order according to the history of America. The Butler is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM, and on Wednesday from 11:00AM until 8:00 PM, Sunday from noon until 4:00 PM. It is located at 524 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, OH and Admission is free. If you need to contact them they may be reached at (330) 743-1107.







This year at the Midyear show, Youngstown's own James Pernotto will premier the painting SALT; Germs and Steel. The painting is acrylic on photo on wood and it is 60" x 135".










About his work he states:

This artwork is a depiction of dissipative structures. Most structures exist in a state of equilibrium (a chair), they are dead. Dissipative structures (a flame, a tornado, a human) exist in a state of change; they are processes and they are alive. When dissipative structures reach a point of equilibrium they cease to exist, they are dead. To look closely at SALT is to become aware of these organic processes. Steel is dead, steel making is a process that is as alive as the people who created it. The image that overlays SALT is the Van Allen belt, the envelope that protects the earth from the damaging bombardment of particles from the sun. It is also a process.

Let Y-town Entertain You -

There is so much to do and I want to do it all! It is only Monday and my calendar for the next seven days or so is chock full of entertaining things to do.

For starters, get up early next Saturday morning and check out the rebroadcast of Homeplate with Casey Malone and Kelly Pavlik. The show is being aired Saturday at 7:00 AM on WYTV and for those who can't begin to imagine getting up that early on a Saturday try Sunday at 11:30 on MyYTV. The episode gives us a glimpse of another side to Kelly Pavlik; he's at home with his kids, making spaghetti and meatballs. Supposedly he is a great cook. Mark Peyko, Editor of Metro Monthly and Remembering Youngstown: Tales from the Mahoning Valley,is the co-producer of the program.

Homeplate with Casey Malone airs weekly. It is an independent, locally owned and produced television program that features local cooks, locally owned restaurants, food manufacturers and ethnic groups.


Oh, and I must not forget Robert Dennick Joki's one man show, I'm Not That Girl at the Oakland Center for the Arts Friday the 26th and Saturday the 27th. Show starts at 8:00. Reservations can be made by calling (330) 746-0404.



Then later on Saturday the show of the summer will be at Cedars on North Hazel Street in Youngstown. Come check out the Real-Time Digimob; The Triggers; and the Zou. Show starts at 11:00. I'm eagerly anticipating the release of the Zou's new video. I'm told it will be any day now. I can hardly wait to see it as Chris Rutushin shot it at some awesome locations in Youngstown.(you'll see).

BREAKING NEWS!!BREAKING NEWS!BREAKING NEWS!BREAKING NEWS!
The Zou will premier its new video release for When the Ink Dries at the Cedars show on Saturday night. Don't miss it!

For a glimpse of a night with the Zou at Cedars check out this video.


For a glimpse of a night with the Real Time Digimob check out this video:


And then on Monday June 29th at 7:00 at the Universal Cafe, Dr.Lars Brondum will be performing with Elsa Higby and Mark Hanley. The Universal Cafe is located at 1105 Elm Street in Youngstown.















Dr. Brondum is a composer, theorist and guitarist. Dr. Brondum holds a Ph.D from the University of Pittsburgh, a Masters in Music in composition and music theory and a Bachelors degree from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University. Dr. Brondum currently teaches music theory, composition and arranging at Stockholm Music Conservatory in Stockholm Sweden.


Also on June 29th, free movies will be back on the screen in front of the Covelli Centre. This year the city of Youngstown will show ten movies beginning at sundown each night and Touch the Moon Candy will sell old-fashioned candy and popcorn at each movie, with all proceeds benefiting adults with disabilities. So bring a blanket and/or lounge chair. June 29th the movie is Iron Man. See the trailer below.

FUEL

There will be a free public screening of the Internationally acclaimed documentary FUEL at 4:00 pm Sunday June 21, 2009 in the Schwebel Auditorium in Moser Hall on the campus of Youngstown State University. Free parking is available in the F1 parking lot on campus at the corner of Wick Avenue and University Plaza.

The film is an insightful portrait of America's addiction to oil and a testament to the immediacy of new energy solutions. FUEL takes viewers on a tour of the petrochemical industry, covering everything from Rockefeller's efforts to derail Ford's first ethanol cars to legislation designed to benefit the petrochemical industry.

Throughout the film, Tickell reveals a gamut of available solutions to "repower America", from vertical farms that occupy skyscrapers to algae facilities that turn waste water into fuel. Tickell and an array of environmentalists, policymakers and entertainment notables, including Sheryl Crow, Julia Roberts, and Willie Nelson, shed light on America's complicated relationship with energy.

The film won the Award for Best Documentary at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. After the film, Josh Tickell, the film's director, will answer audience questions.

The screening precedes the "Sustainable Energy Forum" hosted on Monday June 22 and Tuesday June 23, 2009 which will bring target government, industry, and academia to focus on technologies of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

For more information on the forum please click here. Please note that the cut off date for on-line registration for the forum is June 17, 2009, so if you're interested in attending this amazing forum register now.

June 5, 2009 Youngstown kicked off its first Gay Pride Festival with a reception to honor some of those in the area who have been supportive of the LGBT community. The reception and the festival held on June 6th were a huge success thanks to the wonderful people who spent many hours organizing it, Marita Emmert, Kim Aikens, Carlos Rodriquez, and Anita Davis as well as other members of the Pride Center and the generous assistance of the Black Knights Association Click here for an article in the Vindy about the event. (If I have forgotten anyone who should be named please let me know and I will include them)

Gay pride or LGBT pride, is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity. It is the belief that diversity is a gift, and that sexual orientation and gender identity are inherent and cannot be intentionally altered. The word pride is used in this case as an antonym for shame which has been used to control and oppress LGBT persons throughout history. Pride in this sense is an affirmation of ones self and the community as a whole.

Some time ago, a group of dedicated activists on the Human Relations Committee in Youngstown worked to get an ordinance passed to protect the LGBT community from discrimination. Included on the Commission were Glorianne Leck, Steve Beall,and James Ray. Toni Schildcrout of P-Flag also played an important role in advocating for the ordinance. The group were successful and the ordinance passed unanimously by City Council. Since that time however the ordinance has never been challenged and some have expressed concern that it does not provide adequate protection. Regardless, the ordinance has had a positive impact on the community and has helped to make the GLBT community feel safer. The ordinance may be found in the last sentence of Section 547.02(t) of the Youngstown City Ordinances. To read more about this go here. In light of the huge success of the Gay Pride Festival in Youngstown this past weekend, perhaps it is time for activists to work to get more teeth in the current ordinance. The time to do so is now.

Those honored at the reception included Robert Hagan, John Vivo, and Marita Emmert. Robert Hagan offered a moving acceptance speech:



Please note that the beautiful flowers and fountain were provided by Petitti Garden Centers.

In photo: David Betras, Carlos Rodriguez, Anita Davis

Downtown Youngstown - Summer is upon us and it is time to party and play!

Can you guess what is missing from this video?



The answer is YOU! and there is no excuse this coming weekend, as there is so much going on downtown that I know I'm going to be exhausted from my weekend come next Monday morning. In fact, I may have to take a day off to recuperate from my weekend. For happenings check it out:

"Artists of the Rust Belt Festival"














Saturday, June 6, 2009 from Noon until 2:00 AM,and Sunday June 7th from Noon until 6:00 PM at the B & O Station 530 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44502, the Artists of the Rustbelt are having a festival. Over 30 artists will be selling their fine art and fine crafts. Live music will begin at 3:00 PM and will feature more than 20 bands and musicians from the Rust Belt Region. Hometown brew by the Rust Belt Brewing Company will be on tap. Local food vendors will also be on hand to feed your appetites. Admission is free. A portion of the proceeds will benefit YSU's SMARTS -Students Motivated by the Arts.

Simultaneously...

Youngstown's First Gay Pride Celebration








ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE FUN AND SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE LOCAL LGBT COMMUNITY
Celebration starts at noon on Saturday on Phelps Street between Commerce and West Federal, with a DJ mixx of gay iconic songs and introductory remarks. Entertainment begins at 12:30 with musical numbers and Drag Queens sure to spice things up. The street fair portion of Gay Pride Youngstown is over at 8:00 pm and is immediately followed by the Oakand Benefit Drag Show at the Oakland Center for the Arts. In addition several local bars will be open at noon to serve festival goers.

Oh and I must not forget that my good friend over at Shout Youngstown has posed a question. He is looking for a place downtown to play Four Square. I'm ready to play! Check out the video he has posted here. I opt for Phelps street on Saturday afternoon.

And then there is the Jones Fest II:
My favorite women from EOS will be on the program.



















Oh and here is yet another addition that Janko was kind enough to remind me about:













The Mahoning Valley Historical Society Wick Park Walking Tour. The walking tour will begin at the First Unitarian Universalist church at 1105 Elm Street, Youngstown, OH at 4:30 PM. It is anticipated that the tour will be over at 7:30 PM. The approximate one mile walk will include stories about some of the affluent families in Youngstown during the era of industrialization and there will also be a viewing of the final design plans for Wick Park Revitalization. The tour is free. If you have questions call (330) 743-2589.

Harry's Friendly Service

Get ready for the World Premiere of Harry's Friendly Service, only at the Pittsburgh Public Theater May 28 through June 28,2009. The play is written by Rob Zellers,a native of Youngstown Ohio. The play is directed by Ted Pappas.

The year is 1977 and the place is Youngstown, Ohio. The steel workers are on strike, the city is in distress, but Harry's gas station is crackling with card games and bustling with spirited debate.

Heather Helinsky,Resident Dramaturg for Pittsburgh Public Theater says, "The spirit of Youngstown inspires Rob Zellers' new play. It is no accident that the word friend is in the title of this brand new play set in Youngstown, OH. Think about it."

She goes on to state, "During the peak of industrialization, Youngstown was a city where friendship and loyalty were essential. In the mills, making steel was a team effort. Outside of work, the local bars did brisk business. In the summers, Idora Park, an amusement park built in 1899, provided good times with roller coaster rides, minor league baseball games, and an exciting midway. Residents found a good life in this City of Homes. Prior to the 1970's Youngstown had the highest rate of home ownership in the United States. Youngstown held the promise of the American dream until September 19, 1977 when the Lykes Corporation, a southern based conglomerate, pulled out of Youngstown and left the workers stranded. This started a chain reaction that toppled industry in the region."

The play is at the Pittsburgh Public Theater located in the O'Reilly Theater at 621 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Tickets are $30.50 - $49.50. Tickets are available on-line at Pittsburgh Public Theater. There are also some 30% discounts available. The discounted tickets range from $21.85- $35.15. Tickets for students and those under 25 are $15.50(bring a valid ID). To secure your 30% discount contact Becky at (412) 315-8220 ext. 703 or by e-mail at rrickard@ppt.org. Becky is also available to speak with your group or organization about the play. You can schedule her to speak by contacting her at 412-316-8200 ext. 704.

Blueprint America

I am rather opinionated about the need for public transportation throughout the country in general, but especially in the industrial northeast and Midwest as our urban areas are relatively close to one another. In this age of climate change it is time to move beyond our reliance on the automobile and move toward public transportation in cities and rail service between cities. It is time to revisit the city plan that encourages walking, and biking, taking the bus, the street car or the train. It is my belief that if we make investments such as this, we will reduce our overall carbon footprint and also increase the livability of our cities.

There is currently a remarkable program airing on PBS called Blueprint America. I highly recommend it. If by chance you have missed it you may view it here. Please check it out and then, as always, I urge you to contact your representatives at the local, state and federal level and let them know that you want investment in public transit.

The Reefer Madness Protest

This post is for those of you who missed the demonstration downtown on Friday.Don't forget next weekend is the last weekend to see Reefer Madness at the Oakland. Don't miss it! For ticket information go here.

Heard through the grapevine...

As many of you know The Oakland Center for the Arts in downtown Youngstown has staged a production entitled, "Reefer Madness". The show is receiving rave reviews and I recommend that if you haven't seen it yet, you must! It is not to be missed. You can read the Tribune's review here, and the Vindicator's review here.
Today, it was brought to my attention that an organization in Y-town, calling themselves the Upstanding Citizens Against Marihuana, is planning a demonstration to protest the performance and the blatant promotion of marihuana in Youngstown. The founder of this organization is one Ramona Martin. My guess is that Ramona would take issue with the Govenor of California as well.

However, Brooke Slanina, President of Oakland Center for the Arts, has decided that she will not run from controversy. Today she announced that in response to Ramona's declarations against the Oakland, she and supporters of the Oakland Center for the Arts will stage a counter protest against Ramona and her ilk.

Any parties interested in defending the Oakland against misinformed citizens are welcome to attend a pre-protest poster making party on Thursday, May 7, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Supplies will be provided. Then on Friday, May 8, all will meet in front of the Oakland at 11:00am in preparation for Ramona and her upstanding citizens.

Brooke has stated that interested parties may reach her via email: at oaklandopenmic@gmail.com. More information is also available here.