news: 12 march 2008

Akron-Canton airport to launch $110 million expansion
in The Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Akron-Canton Airport will make room for international flights, three more gates and a new airline over the next decade as part of its $110 million plan announced this afternoon.

That means bigger parking lots, a new ticket counter, a 25-percent-bigger passenger screening area and a runway long enough to send planes anywhere in North America."

Helpers Sought to Beautify City
in the Youngstown Vindicator

"Youngstown CityScape is looking for volunteers to help with its Streetscape beautification program.

Among the focus areas for the June 7 event are Wick Park, East Federal Street, the John Young Memorial, the Police Memorial, near the Choffin Career Center and near city hall."

more info here.

$500,000 pledged for YSU Business School
in the Youngstown Vindicator

"Youngstown State University graduate Jocelyne Kollay Linsalata has pledged $500,000 to help in the construction of a new building for YSU’s Williamson College of Business Administration.

In recognition of the gift, YSU will name the Gallery in the new business building in Linsalata’s honor."

Consultant to Study Scholarship Plan
in the Youngstown Vindicator

"The board approved a contract Tuesday with Hodge Cramer and Associates Inc. of Dublin, Ohio, a national philanthropic consulting company, to determine if the Youngstown Promise will work. The cost will be covered with grant funds.

The plan is to model the scholarship program after the Kalamazoo Promise in Michigan, which has proved to be beneficial to public education partnerships with higher education by providing college scholarships for Kalamazoo high school graduates to attend any state college or university in Michigan."

North Side to Get $3.4 Million Rec Center
in the Youngstown Vindicator

"Plans for the 15,800-square-foot Arlington Heights Park and Fitness Center include an all-purpose gym, workout equipment and weights, a patio, conference rooms and a cafe. The facility is to be surrounded by an 11.5-acre park complete with basketball courts, two playgrounds, a tennis court and a picnic shelter."

People in this town still have a lot of money
in the Youngstown Vindicator

"The event was expected to raise $100,000 for U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., who won last week’s Ohio primary by 10 percentage points over U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

Though Zoldan didn’t count the cash, he said the amount raised surpassed the $100,000 goal.

Harry Meshel of Youngstown, Mahoning County coordinator of Clinton’s presidential campaign and a former Ohio Senate president, said the candidate’s husband did “a terrific job explaining why Hillary should be president."

a terrific job.

release the hounds!

feel like it's time to bombard the midwest with our thoughts?

GLUEspace has some ideas how:

"If you agree that it’s been way too long since our nation had a plan for fixing our cities’ problems, you could make your voice heard, by either: (1) writing to the presidential frontrunner of your choice, or (2) writing to the editor of your local paper. Below are some samples that you could follow (See full list of Great Lakes papers with links to editorial/letters pages below). Just some ideas to get you going."

more here.

Also, props to Abby for making it into Newsweek this week. Read more here.

can't keep up with the burgh

look.

here is the math:

aggressive blogging by Jim + work week travels + eating/sleeping in the margins = needing to play major catch-up with the Burgh Diaspora blog.

Here are some of the ones (among many) that received by attention over the past four weeks:

On Top of the Political World

"Hillary Clinton appeals to Pittsburgh's old guard and Barack Obama is the voice of Pittsburgh's ongoing transformation. The same scenario played out in nearby Youngstown during the Ohio primary. Clinton used Youngstown as a backdrop to highlight the failures of NAFTA. What she ignored, apparently to considerable political gain, are the agents of change infusing the region with energy and hope.

While I appreciate the more nuanced perspective of the region, Newsweek incorrectly identifies Mayor Luke Ravenstahl as the face of "newer Pittsburgh." Ravenstahl represents business-as-usual, quite different from the situation in Youngstown with Mayor Jay Williams."

Pittsburgh's Near-Abroad

"Regardless, the national and international impression must be one of the entire Rust Belt as depressed, backwards, and pissed off. While shrinking cities share many of the same problems, there still exists quite a bit economic geographic variation within the region."

Cleveburgh Globalization Project

"I propose a Yo Cleveburgh pilot, making good use of the Youngstown urban laboratory to develop a set of best practices for addressing the inherent instabilities of globalization. The goal is to develop the Cleveburgh Corridor into a world city on par with Chicago. One of the solutions that Longworth puts on the table is educational reform, though doing so is notoriously difficult.

My hunch is that Youngstown would be more open to innovative approaches in education than just about any other Rust Belt city."

Jim is setting the table for you Youngstown, read more here.

Rust Belt High Skill Immigration Zone Update

"Renowned Law Professor/Author William Hing, UC Davis School of Law, member of Senator Obama's Immigration Policy Group, has picked up on the "High Skill Immigration Zone" proposal and is spreading the word!"

SBIR/STTR workshops in town

Hey knuckleheads, this is important:

"The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) and TechLift are presenting a series of workshops on the Federal SBIR and STTR programs. The Department of Defense (DoD) SBIR and STTR programs fund a billion dollars each year in early-stage R&D projects at small technology companies - projects that serve a DoD need and have commercial applications."

"Knowing the ins and outs of how the program works, how best to apply, and what you need to do in order to increase your odds of an award is the basis of the OAI/TechLift workshops."

As a region our SBIR/STTR numbers are very low or non-existant compared to other portions of the state, and definitely other parts of the country.

youngstown's treasures moved to other communities

While it nice to see this story about the renovation of the Idora Park Carousel, one can't help but feel Youngstown's history is being taken away from it:

"Now, the carousel is on display in a storefront in Brooklyn, waiting for its final resting spot to be determined. But it won’t have to travel far. Walentas and her husband — a real estate developer — had selected a site for the carousel before the couple ever set eyes on the 1922 Philadelphia Toboggan model that delighted generations of children in Youngstown.

Walentas’ career with the Idora Park carousel began in the early ‘80s, when her husband was charged with revitalizing a former industrial neighborhood known as DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). A partner in the project suggested that the derelict park in the neighborhood’s center — with its striking view of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge — would be an ideal spot for a merry-go-round."

"The Idora carousel was a rare find in more ways than one, Walentas said. Handcrafted by master woodcarver Frank Carretta, it was one of the few Walentas that hadn’t been dismembered or relocated. It was one of the most detailed, as well.

Youngstown helped to build this country, and now piece by piece, this history is being removed.

irish to go

FREE event today from the Mahoning Valley History blog:

"The [Mahoning Valley Historical Society] Young Leaders Advisory Board is pleased to announce the next event in the popular History to Go lecture series: Irish in the Valley.

Join the Mahoning Valley Historical Society on Monday, March 10th at 6:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1410 Oak Hill Ave. in Youngstown, for a presentation on the rich history of the Irish in the Mahoning Valley by Sally Murphy Pallante of The Irish American Archival Society."

more here.

what to do on friday

The Youngstown Moxie blog writes:

"I have sometimes heard people in the Youngstown area complain about the lack of things to do. I've even heard people say they are bored. Well, as Dorothy Parker said, "The cure for boredom is curiosity..." Obviously, the bored folks around here merely need a good dose of it.

I then recommend they have an adventure. "But where?" you say?

Downtown Youngstown of course.

Let me offer a suggestion or two for an adventure in Youngstown next Friday night, March 14th.

read Moxie'sitenary here here.

Plus, a bonus post on artist and entertainers from youngstown was also posted. read this list here.

connecting to expats

the Steeltown Entertainment Project:

"The mission of the Steeltown Entertainment Project ("Steeltown") is to nurture promising talent and to incubate meaningful and commercially viable entertainment projects in Southwestern Pennsylvania by connecting former Pittsburghers who are working in the entertainment industry with the region's human, cultural, educational and economic resources."

Yes, PeCan!

New Obama-inspired ice cream flavors via Slashfood.

Can you choose an ice-cream flavor that represents Hillary?

what's at the Trumbull Art Gallery

The Youngstown Art blog discusses Jim Pernotto:

"Jim lived in worked in Youngstown during a time when many were fleeing the city for greener pastures, and when he did eventually work for a time in Manhattan as the director of Pacifico Fine Art Gallery, he made sure his peers from Ytown found art connections in his new home. Even while in NYC he still found time to have his hand in Youngstown art concerns.

I'd like to thank Jim for the time and effort he has put into helping me with my art career over the years. When I arrived at the YSU Art Department from the deep country side of Central Ohio, I was a young, brash redneck boy with a lot of energy and not a lot of brains. Jim saw my talent, encouraged me in his printing classes, and was one of the very few people I knew that took a real concern for my future as an artist. Throughout the years he has given me valuable and hard to come by art business advice and even today, when my stubborn redneckedness rears its ugly head, he has enough patience and vision to point me in the right direction."

more here.

a request from the fly YNG blog

From the Fly Youngstown blog:

"Once again I would request everyone to join me in a grassroots effort to attract Skybus Airlines to the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. Below is a link that is a Contact Form that allows passengers and airport supporters like myself to voice support for our local airport."

more here.

the value of street art?

Subpopular posts a neat video with an interesting question:

How is public art perceived here in Youngstown? Would people stop and ponder it or want their photos taken next to it?

"For over an hour, Jeremy Gibbs stood across the street from a fresh piece by Banksy on Essex Road and filmed people who stopped to look at the piece and take photos. What we find to be most important about the video is the diversity of the people who stopped, noticed, and most importantly - appreciated - the work. The video is a terrific testament to the "value" of street art."

read more here.

news: 7 March 2008

Physicist wins Congressional Seat in Illinois

The Av, the Golden Dawn, and Jay on npr

$5,000 down payment voucher for pruchasing homes in the city

JEDDs report is online

Available at the Youngstown 2010 site, or here.

btw, whoever wrote this report in Cleveland needs to do some proofreading.

It looks really bad when words are spelled incorrectly in the Executive Summary of a study, especially one you have been working on for many many months. Folks, disregard this statement if they re-edited this document by the time you downloaded the report.

100 parks within 100 miles

Cool idea from the Steel Valley Outdoors site:

The list of 100 parks and rec areas within 100 miles of Youngstown.

check it out

How To Use this List:
I’ve kept State Parks and related State Forests as two lines. This might be cheating, but they usually offer different experiences.

Each Link goes directly to the appropriate site, not to a directory, wherever possible.

Scroll down to your favorite area. Look right above it.

Have you been here? How about the area right below it?

YSU Joins Polymer Research Consortium

From a story/press release in the Business-Journal:

"Youngstown State University now is affiliated with the National Science Foundation's Center for Layered Polymeric Systems. Led by researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, the $19 million center focuses on layered polymers -- combining thin layers of plastic or other synthetic materials to create products ranging from packaging materials to optical switches."

"At YSU, the academic collaboration will include work in polymer physics and polymer engineering within the physics and chemical engineering programs. Facilitators are Jim Andrews, professor of physics; Doug Price, associate professor of chemical engineering; and Tom Oder, assistant professor of physics.

Andrews, who has spent most of his career researching optical materials and polymers, said YSU was chosen as an affiliate because of its growing research programs, its strong focus on undergraduate education, and its educational outreach in the YSU service area. “The research leaders at Case were impressed with the way YSU’s new College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics facilitates collaboration among the engineering and science disciplines,” he said."

how the falling dollar impacts the economy

good story from the News Hour with Jim Lerher:

Dollar's Falling Value Ripples Through U.S. Economy

As the value of the dollar has fallen, the U.S. economy has had to adjust in a multitude of areas. While some sectors have benefitted from cheaper U.S. exports, others have felt the pinch of inflation. Paul Solman examines the impact of the dollar's value.

Youngstown, this globalization train is moving fast, with or without you. We need to figure out how to have advantage of the system in addition to complaining about it.

time to fish in Mill Creek Park

This news from Steel Valley Outdoors:

"The Spring fishing season began yesterday in Mill Creek Park. Licensed fisherman can fish at both Lake Newport and Lake Glacier, from shore on from boats.

Shore fishing is also permitted at Yellow Creek Park in Struthers."

more info here.

steps for the railroad museum

The Youngstown Steel Heritage Preservation blog writes:

"In January the Mahoning Valley Railroad Heritage Association moved their Pollock open top hot metal car from Brier Hill to their proposed Steel Valley Railroad Museum site on Poland Avenue in Youngstown. This car was built for either YS&T or Valley Mould & Iron, and was acquired from Ellwood Engineered Castings in 1993. At the time it had been sitting off track in front of EEC's melt shop.

The appearance of the car is a good sign that the MVRHA is making progress toward constructing their museum facility. They have a long road ahead as they own almost 20 pieces of equipment and have about 200 feet of track laid thus far!"

read more here.

new park post

In his blog, 5th Ward councilman Paul Drennen put this up:

"Just an FYI that there is an opening on the Park and Recreation Board appointed by Council. All interested should get their information to the 6th floor of city council. Information including a resume and letter of intent."

his blog is here.

steel valley outdoors on WRTA

A statement from the Steel Valley Outdoors blog:

"But sometimes, just sometimes, we end up having to pay for something just because we need to continue it. MRDD renewals almost always pass. We put up with the orange barrels for smooth roads. Educating our kids gives them good jobs, so they can then pay our Social Security."

"My wife has a vision problem. She cannot drive.

She works in Austintown. I work in Cranberry. We are not poor. We do not expect anyone to support us. I do not understand the argument that only the poor use the bus, that it’s a class warfare thing.

We do not live in the city. We live in Boardman. I do not understand the argument that this is a city thing. This is a regional thing.

This is about providing necessary services to all residents. I pass through New Castle every day. I cannot figure out how come there is a bus [system running] from the hilltop area outside Poland, to the Park and Ride in Portersville and then on to Cranberry and the North Hills, when Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley cannot fund a system that can reliably get you across town.

I said before I’m selfish. I started this blog as a way to promote those activities I like. I want to make money here and bring good jobs into the area so I won’t have to drive an hour to work. I want to teach the next generation about outdoor recreation so it’s protected for me.

And I want my wife to be able to continue to work. I don’t want to have to worry about her being stuck in weather like this, waiting for me or and friend or a taxi to get her home every single day.

We need WRTA. If it’s been mismanaged, if it doesn’t provide a service you use, I understand. But this is a service we need.

Please support it."

read more here

accent on youngstown

The Accent Media Matters blog presents a new project:

"My next big announcement, is our new Accent Media webcast called, Accent on Youngstown. We have been thinking about putting together a :30 minute television show or infomercial for a couple of months, and have decided to test the waters with a :10 minute webcast on our website, blog and MySpace pages.

We will be starting out with at least a bi-weekly pre-recorded webcast, and possibly weekly depending on our workload. We will playing around with the format the first few weeks to see how it best works for us. The plan is to get into a groove to tape segments at our studio on Wednesdays, and have the webcast up by Thursday evening or Friday morning."

read more on their project here.

the unforgettable Sean Jones

The Youngstown Moxie blog recalls Mr. Jones and his trumpet:

"I don't know exactly why Sean Jones popped into my mind this morning but he did. I was drinking my coffee as usual and reading the daily blogs - and there he was playing in my mind's eye. I went in search of a video to share with you. I hope you enjoy it."

"When I first heard Sean I think he must have been about nineteen or twenty years old. Since then he has traveled far and wide playing awesome music. Occasionally, he has dropped in at various clubs in town, usually around the holidays, but I haven't heard tell of him being around lately, except this morning in my head, so hit the button to demand that he make a visit home."

Sean Jones is one of this country's greatest jazz musicians, and just a few years ago he was tearing down the house at YSU's Jazz Ensembles.

She has started a online petition to bring Mr. Jones back to town. Read more here

still waiting to be saved?

Tales from the Rust Belt offers a perspective on the tough questions that remain after the Democratic candidates leave Youngstown:

"I go shopping and I see Wal-Mart and K-Mart packed with people enjoying cheap goods imported from the very countries they disdain. It makes you start to ask some tough questions."

"So Clinton and Obama came to ask for our votes and we told them how tough it has been. You have to ask yourself, though; are we doing everything we can to succeed or are we still waiting to be saved?".

read more here.

bertram's pabulum

The Reason blog produces a post "Why Obama Over Clinton" as a response to Mr DeSouza's column titled "Why Clinton Over Obama". Among the arguements:

"Illinois Senator Barack Obama is certainly not waiting his turn. Indeed, that is a principle issue that seems to be roiling the Democratic establishment. Hillary Clinton, one of their own, with all the right connections, DLC leanings, not to mention the historic trappings of being the first woman nominee is poised for the White House, and this young upstart thinks he can come along and take it from her?! It is this same presumption that has doomed the Clinton campaign and would cause it to falter in the general election, though it is unlikely now to make it that far. It's a good thing, too."

"Both Democratic candidates are proven, capable leaders and executives. After pabulum like that repeated in Bertram de Souza's recent column—that because one Obama supporter couldn't speak intelligently about his Senate record, he must not have accomplished anything of substance—you might be surprised to read real research about Senator Obama's legislative record."

check out more the this quite detailed arguement here.

new stories, new responses, new blogs

Elections bring the national media to Youngstown

On the Ground in Youngstown 5 minute video from the New York Times
The Politics of Trade in Ohio in the New York Times
Rust Belt Clamors for Fix, hears Rhetoric in the Chicago Tribune
Ohioans Hear Populist Pleas By Democrats in the New York Times
Democrats Appeal to Working Class Voters in Ohio in the Kansas City Star

Local blogs react

a MUST-READ post in the Defend Youngstownblog
Rust Belt Blues in the Five Husbands blog
Making the News in Meditations in an Emergency
YBI Scores in Connected Youngstown+
NY Times in Youngstown in Meditations in an Emergency

New local blogs to notice

5th Ward Councilman - Paul Drennen
www.councilmanpauldrennen.blogspot.com
the 5 husbands blog
http://fivehusbands.wordpress.com/

note: this post is cross-posted at Shout Youngstown

news: 28 Feb 2008

Youngstown approves contract to aid YSU project
in the Youngstown Vindicator

"The city’s board of control approved a $393,000 contract to have six structures demolished and asphalt removed from a parking lot.

The work is needed for a $30 million Youngstown State University building and a street extension project."

CIC Suspends Rules on How It Sells Properties
in the Business-Journal

"The board of the Youngstown Central Area Community Improvement Corp. placed its purchase program in abeyance Tuesday, that is, it suspended its procedures on the sale of the 12 remaining properties it could offer in the downtown.

Last week, the CIC’s counsel, Edwin Romero, advised the property committee that the commercial real estate in the downtown is rebounding, becoming a sellers’ market. The redevelopment agency, he said, should reconsider how it transfers ownership of the properties in the Masters block, the Kress Building and Two Guys Clothing Store."

Singer finds Self in Youngstown
in the Youngstown Vindicator

"Youngstown even inspired one song on the record. “‘Just Plain Whiskey’ was written while reflecting on that lost month in Youngstown,” said Palka. “You can almost hear the crackling ice drenched in whiskey on this jazzy midnight groove.”

Palka and The Caravan will give a preview of the new album, including “Just Plain Whiskey,” when the band performs at Cedars Lounge in Youngstown on Saturday."

Cleveland's mayor to announce joint ED efforts in speech

Henry Gomez from the PD reports:
Jackson wants to work on development opportunities with Youngstown

"Cleveland is pursuing joint economic development opportunities with Youngstown, a fellow Rust Belt city 74 miles to the southeast, Mayor Frank Jackson was expected to announce this afternoon.

In his annual State of the City address at the Crowne Plaza Hotel downtown, Jackson was planning to stress the importance of regionalism.

Jackson also intended to note recent conversations with his counterpart in Youngstown, Mayor Jay Williams. According to a draft of the speech obtained in advance, the City Council in the Mahoning County seat already has signed off on a partnership with Cleveland."

read more from Henry here

two gems from the venture capital conference

From the Northeast Ohio Incubator Collaborativeblog:

"If you didn’t attend last week’s Ohio Venture Association’s Venture Capital Summit III last week at Corporate College East, you missed a great event. Panels included a conversation with leading Northeast Ohio angels, representatives of three VC firms that have recently set up shop in Northeast Ohio, and a panel on how to present to VC’s.

The last panel was especially interesting as Jerry Frantz, an EIR from JumpStart, was tapped to “present” to three area VC partners. The presentation was a real proposal for funding, courtesy of an area entrepreneur. What was interesting was that at any time during the presentation, you could yell “freeze” and ask any of the VCs a question. It was fascinating to hear what actually goes through their mind during one of these presentations."

want to see what they we thinking? read more here.

where I'm writing from

Meditations in an Emergency writes:

"Greg Van Eekhout is always posting pictures from cafes where he writes, and I always like looking at his blog to see what sort of place the cafe is today, and what sorts of mugs or cups they use to serve coffee. I know, mundane, and yet it fascinates me. Maybe because I don’t write outside of my home very often. For me it’s too distracting. I end up people-watching, and drinking too much coffee, and buying one too many cookies, and…and…and…

So it’s better for me to stay at home and write, and live vicariously through Greg’s photo travelogue.

But here is basically what I see every day at my writing desk:"

Care to see? Check out the view here.

2 supurb opinion pieces in the vindy

The original post is at Shout Youngstown.

two great editorials this week:

Youngstown still sees its shadow by Eric Planey

No one likes to pay taxes, but WRTA provides a public service worth supporting by Timothy Wagner

politics abounds at meditations

Meditations in an Emergency has been prolific as well lately.

Here's a sample . . .

"Why are Obama and Clinton running around Youngstown and its surrounding suburbs like it’s the newest thing since, well, whatever–you know that saying. It’s been so strange these recent days leading up to March 4th to see so much attention being paid to this area. Part of me, frankly, wants to give any of these people the finger."

"I’m torn between wanting to support someone who will actually help advocate and arrange for change in my community, because we desperately need it, and yet there is this part of me that says, “Don’t hold your breath, Chris, they want your vote, and then they’ll forget about this place, just like always."

another post reviews the Obama visit (with pictures):

"On my way out of the rally, I was stopped by a reporter from the Chicago Tribune, and interviewed about what I thought of Obama and his ideas for Youngstown. I was supportive, but in my own usual manner demanded more than I heard.

I don’t want this area to find itself just another manufacturing region again, like it was. I want green jobs, and a creative economy, and investment in education for the rural and urban poor. I want a community college for this valley."

Also, an announcement for the next Art Youngstown gallery show:

"Call to Artists for the The Second Exhibition

Artists (18 y.o. and older) may deliver their paintings, sculptures, films and other mediums of art for on Saturday, March 1st, 2008 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm & Sunday, March 2nd, 2008 from noon to 4:00 pm. Artists are asked to present only those items which are to be offered for sale and please do not include any items previously shown by Art Youngstown Inc.

Please visit ArtYoungstown.org for further details. For more information call 330-788-5678, or contact Robert Dubec at bdubec@zoominternet.net or 330-782-0346 or Judith Szabo at j_szabo@sbcglobal.net.

The Second Exhibition
Friday, March 14, 2008
7:00 pm to 10:30 pm

The Great Room at 25 E. Boardman Street, Ohio One Bldg.
The public is invited to attend free of charge.

Independent Film Night
Local filmmakers will present productions on Friday, March 21st, 2008 from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm."

lost and found

Tales from the Rust Belt presents one of his original stories, titled Lost and Found:

"John Bagley wandered sullenly down Franklin Street. He pulled his overcoat tight around his neck against the cold, late November wind. It raced down between the buildings and bit into the exposed skin of his hands. He jammed them in his pockets and continued along the street.

It was just past two o’clock on Friday afternoon. “Of course they did it on a Friday,” he mumbled. “They always do it on Fridays.”

It really hadn’t been a shock, he realized. The failure of two high profile projects was bad enough. The reasons for the failure were what had really sunk him."

read the rest of the story here.

Youngstown Art is really churning

The Youngstown Art blog three posts this week worth reading:

The first reviews the opening of the Frederic Molden collection now at the Star Gallery at the Oakland Theater.

"A Youngstown based artist with a substantial resume', his work has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and is in the collections of such personalities as Michael Jordan and Jerome Bettis."

"The skill level is amazing as is the use of color and composition. Much of the work is heavy with history and nostalgia, which some people may feel is a negative in certain artistic circumstances. However, Molden's rich technique and insight take this genre to a new and pleasing level. In many ways I am reminded of the great African American painter from Cleveland, Huey Lee Smith, although Molden certainly has his own unique style."

"The Star Gallery is open during regular performance hours and one does not have to attend the performance to visit the gallery."

The second post is a request:

"In fact, if I wrote a blog every single day of the year, I would not adequately cover all the events , artists and the issues surrounding them. Currently this blog barely scratches the surface. I am writing only on the things that affect me directly.

I am requesting that others get involved. It would be so nice to have the Butler Institute and the McDonough Museum offer blogs on their shows and events. Other art organizations such as TAG and the Art Outreach Gallery (Eastwood Mall) need bloggers as well.

I often hear art supporters and artists complaining about various issues but I don't often see them actually doing anything to change the situations. Blogging is an excellent way to make a difference. One of the problems that afflict our art community is lack of communication. Many people are working to dispel the misconceptions and wrong assumptions that have arisen.

Blogging is effective cure for the diseases of miscommunication and lack of communication. Besides, blogging is fun, easy, and definitely creates immediate change. Don't hesitate!"

The third post reviews the Art Youngstown Inc. Wine Tasting Event at the Youngstown Club downtown:

"Congratulations again to Art Youngstown for yet another successful, well attended art event. Thanks to Emerine Estates and the Youngstown Club for the Wine, the use of the hall and the staff.

These pics were shot well before most of the guests arrived and the place was full by mid evening, but not uncomfortably so.

To say this event was a "wine tasting" is an understatement as the wine flowed freely and abundantly all night."

UK brings arts to econ dev mainstream

From The Guardian:

"Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the culture secretary, Andy Burnham, today unveiled the action plan, Creative Britain: New Talents for the New Economy, in what the government is labelling the first-ever comprehensive, state-supported plan to move the creative industries from the "margins to the mainstream of economic and policy thinking" in the UK.

The action plan outlines 26 commitments for both government and the creative industries to nurture talent, create jobs and to drive the UK's international competitiveness.

One of the initiatives is to develop a new annual World Creative Business Conference that will act as the "centrepiece" of an international push to make the UK the "world's creative hub"."

learn more here.

The UK Government has made a concentrated effort in its cities at a level not seen in the US. read more on the effort here.

american midwest in the age of globalization

listen here.

see the conversation that linked to this at BFD.

the old rules

powerful post from the Reason blog:

"Youngstown is ever what it was, albeit in miniature, Steel is still manufactured, just not inside the city limits, theatres are still bustling, just not as frequently, and you don't have to look hard to see Jim Traficant's lieutenants still wielding influence, though we're one down there, too. (More on this in a moment.)

Youngstown 2010, the Youngstown Business Incubator, and Kelly Pavlik have recently brought us a new reputation from the steel-bust-/Mafia-corrupt-/Trafficant-crooked-image it has been so convenient for the media to latch on to. The newest incarnation of the City Council has seen more changes that square with positive change."

it gets more interesting. read more here.

fnb buys another bank, brain drain

Found this on the PGH Quarterly blog:

"Hermitage-based FNB Corp. continued its bank-buying spree this past week announcing a deal to buy Iron & Glass Bank, a South Side fixture for nearly 140 years whose name alone was a daily reminder of the broad shoulders on which the region’s economy once stood."

F.N.B., headquartered in Hermitage PA just over the state line, has assests of $6.1 billion dollars. It is also the bank which is housed in Youngstown's tallest building, the Metropolitan Tower.

Also on the PGH Quarterly blog, you can read Jim's recent post on brian drain in Pittsburgh.

"Brain drain is a real problem for Pittsburgh and just about any other city. But I want to highlight that educating the local workforce will enable more out-migration. Trying to keep people from leaving is working against the flow. That CMU spillovers benefit innovation centers such as Silicon Valley and Seattle is not necessarily a bad outcome for Pittsburgh. A powerful, but latent network is already in place and can facilitate brain circulation."

barack v. clinton : the breakdown

Youngstown Renaissance breaks down two speeches by the lwo leading candidates:

"The media like to focus on the political horse race, because it's exciting and because it's easy. It doesn't require breaking down issues, which it thinks will cause voters to yawn and tune out. You may not know, but I take requests."

"So, as a public service, I have gone through the texts of the most recent speech available on both Clinton's and Obama's Web sites and highlighted each issue or policy statement I could identify. I then pasted each into a table and organized them by topic and drew some conclusions which I will share below."

read more here, where you can download his comparisons.

jay visits wierton

The Herald-Star, based in Steubenville, writes about Mayor's Williams' trip to visit the leaders of Weirton, WV:

"According to Williams, Youngstown just recently awoke from a 30-year paralysis. During that time, he explained, its citizens and government were convinced the steel industry would come back. He stated this dealt psychological and emotional damage which increased the city’s economic trouble and population decline.

“We were looking in the rearview mirror for the answers to get us to the future,” he said. “It was the biggest mistake to ever happen to the city. Pride cannot get in the way of change.”

read more here on the visit.