A Byrd's Eye View-Jan 25, 2013

January 25, 2013

A Byrd’s Eye View N

e

w

s

l

e

t

t

e

r

ABOUT MOVIES, TV, ARTS AND EVENTS IN THE VALLEY

Gangster Squad Is A Modern Throwback To The 30’s Gangster Movie The 1940's had a style of its own with music, clothes and clubs. Along with that style came crime, murder and corruption.

Gangster Squad is based loosely on the real life brutal cat and mouse game between a secret group of Los Angeles police officers and mobsters led by ex-boxer turned crime boss Mickey Cohen.

A Quote By

The look of Gangster Squad is amazing with classic locations and vintage cars, it make me feel like I was transported back to 40's. The story starts with Los Angeles Police Sgt. John O'Mara played by Josh Brolin (No Country For Old Men) rescuing a girl who just arrived in LA and is wooed by a shady guy to a brothel. O'Mara beats up the shady guy and other bad guys and shuts down the brothel.

Later, the bad guys are quickly released from jail because they are part of Cohen's gang.

The wheel of corruption continues to turn especially in the LA Police Department.

Honest Police Chief Parker played by Nick Nolte (Rich Man, Poor Man) is so fed up that he recruits O'Mara to form a secret group operating outside the force to be on their own to take out Cohen.

“All my characters are me.

I'm not a good enough actor to become a character. I hear about actors who become the role and I think 'I wonder what that feels like.' Because for me, they're all me.”

O'Mara sets out to assemble his team. I liked the team as they brought something different to the mix. Max Kennard played by Robert Patrick (Terminator 2) is a sharpshooter who looks like he was transported from a Western instead of a 40’s peace officer. Kennard's partner, Navidad Ramierz played by Michael Pena (Crash) is the car driver. Conway Keller, an expert in post war surveillance played by Giovanni Ribisi (The Rum Diary). Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker) is tough officer, Coleman Harris who uses his street smarts and knife to assist the squad.

Actor, Ryan Gosling (The Notebook), who is part of an ensemble cast of Gangster Squad in theaters, now.

January 25, 2013

Rounding out the squad is Sgt. Jerry Wooters played by Ryan Gosling (Drive) who was reluctant to join until a tragedy prompts him to be part of the squad. Later, he would complicate the situation, when he falls for Grace played by Emma Stone (Easy A) who gives the role a sultry Katherine Hepburn feel as she is sexy, yet strong. The rub is that Grace is Mickey Cohen's girl.

Cohen is played by Sean Penn (Milk) who does a great job at being very ruthless and a bit psycho.

Usually with the movie assembly of a special squad, their first assignment goes as planned. But, with the Gangster Squad, they are not exactly sure what they are doing and end up getting bullets in the butts. Later, they get it together and start to make a dent in Cohen's operation.

Cohen's rage demonstrates his frustration with the squad. He starts to use his power to find who they are. When he does, the squad pays a price.

My favorite performance in the movie came from someone who was not part of the squad, but O'Mara wife, Connie played by Mireille Enos (The Killing) who is pregnant. She helps her husband pick the squad. Also, she gave him encouragement when he needed it. Later, Connie is involved in a massive drive by shooting.

A part of me wanted to see Gangster Squad in black and white, which would been a throwback to the gangster genre in 30's. Yet, the movie uses slick camera movements such as cranes (moving high shots), steadicams (non-shaking and go anywhere shots), we are accustomed to, now in movies.

Gangster Squad is a fun, nostalgic ride with honest policemen and the terrible gangsters who thought they could rule everything and who found out that justice is not blind but has fists and guns.

Local Public Speaking Club Is Having An Open House Would you make more money, if you communicated better? Toastmasters can help you with your communication skills. Toastmasters (TM) is a non-profit organization committed to those who desire to enhance their speaking and leadership skills.

Local TM group, Youngstown Executive 408 is having an Open House on Monday, January 29th 2013 at Shepherd of the Valley at 310 Western Reserve Road in Poland, Ohio.

This free event can show you how Toastmasters will change your life.

There will food, drinks, prizes and FUN!.

The Open House will be from 6:45 p.m until 8:45 p.m.

January 25, 2013

Manor Restaurant All Manner of Good

By Monnie Ryan Editor's note: To read the full version of this review, visit http://mahoningvalleyeats.blogspot.com It’s been many years since my husband Jack and I ate at what is now the Manor Restaurant in Austintown, and not long ago we finally took the plunge once again. Turns out the "new" Manor began operations in early 2011 - long story, but it's been revamped a bit with more to come including beer on tap, our server informed us. Inside, there’s a spacious bar room and a relatively small dining room with tables, a few booths and lots of windows to keep it airy and sunny. Black chairs complement black oilcloth table coverings and black linen napkins. The menu is large enough to offer something for just about everyone but small enough so it doesn't take an hour to decide.

I just had to try wedding soup, always a favorite of mine ($2.99). From the list of daily specials came my sandwich choice, the Smokehouse burger for $7.99. With a smoked hickory wood flavor, it came with smoked Gouda cheese, crisp bacon, mushrooms and hand-cut fries.

Jack skipped an appetizer, going straight for the Manor chicken sandwich ($6.99) on a Kaiser roll and grilled. Flavor choices include lemon pepper, blackened or teriyaki glazed, and he picked the latter. He also substituted a salad with raspberry vinaigrette dressing for the fries, adding $1.59 to the cost.

The wedding soup was outstanding, full of tender chunks of vegetables as well as greens, chicken and those teensy meatballs. My burger was excellent as well - cooked to order (medium) with a wonderful smoky taste. Jack loved his sandwich, too, and the fact that the teriyaki sauce is served on the side.

At our next visit, once Jack spied the pulled pork sandwich with Sweet Baby Ray's Original BBQ sauce that was on special at $4.99 (with fries), he knew he'd met his match. I, on the other hand, was in the mood for pasta. The Scappetta was my choice $12.99). Made up of crumbled hot Italian sausage, chicken, sweet green peppers and Spanish onions in garlic Madeira wine sauce topped with tomatoes and Peccorino Romano cheese over cavatelli (wow, I'm salivating again as I write this), it sounded wonderful.

After we'd placed our order, our server brought a small loaf of fresh-baked bread with butter and a small cup of herbed oil for dipping. Oh yeah, we said.

The pulled pork was so plentiful and juicy that the sandwich was impossible to pick up, so Jack just forked out the meat and pronounced it delicious. That pasta, though, is to die for. I could really taste the wine, and the hot sausage has just enough kick to make its presence known. Bellissimo!

If you go: The Manor Restaurant & Banquet Center 3104 S. Canfield-Niles Road, Austintown, Ohio 44515

January 25, 2013

The Snow Child Melts the Heartstrings 5 stars (out of 5)

By Monnie Ryan The Snow Child is a distinct departure from my usual shoot-'em up thrillers, but since everything I'd heard about the book was positive, I decided to take a chance. I also figured I'd better lay in at least a couple of boxes of Kleenex before I opened the first page; although I didn't need quite that many (we blood-and-guts fans really aren't big on emotional sniffling), I admit that having a box handy wasn't a bad idea.

The book opens on a bit of a downer as 50-ish Mabel contemplates the misery her life has become since she and her husband Jack moved to the wilds of Alaska as homesteaders, mostly to get away from everything and everyone who reminded them of the stillborn child they'd lost many years ago. Still childless but now stuck in a remote (and very cold) wilderness, winter's arrival has brought dark thoughts to Mabel's mind, not the least of which is to end it all by drowning herself in the icy river near their home.

Deciding against suicide at the last minute, she returns home to find that their only real source of income - the wonderful fresh-baked pies she sells to a small hotel in the nearby small town - will end as the hotel owner's sister has moved to town and will be handling the baking chores to earn her keep. The only savings grace, if it can be called that, is that her desperate husband has made friends with a neighboring family to share outdoor chores - forcing Mabel to interact with people whether or not she really wants to do so.

Then one day as the snow begins to fall - the stick-together kind that's perfect for snowballs - she and Jack (with whom she's become a bit distant) - spontaneously build a snowman that, with the addition of a pretty red knit scarf and mittens turns into a snow "girl." But the next morning when Jack heads out to handle some chores, he not only finds their creation almost totally destroyed and the red accessories gone, but he spots a human figure fleeing through the woods that appears to be a young girl wearing a red scarf. He follows the child-like tracks for some distance but isn't able to find her.

He doesn't tell his wife, but then Mabel herself sees what she thinks is a little girl, and they begin to compare notes.

Eventually, the child - who calls herself Faina - visits often enough that they get to know her and begin to love her as their own. But is she just a figment of their imagination? Faina's life as Mabel and Jack know it closely resembles the story of a snow girl in one of Mabel's much-loved childhood books. And, every spring when the snow begins to melt, Faina disappears - only to return when the chill hits the air and winter sets in once again.

The book, a first for Ivey, who lives in Alaska, follows the lives of the couple and their adopted "snow child" over a period of years - in a way that not only touched my heartstrings page after page but compelled me to keep reading virtually nonstop. It's joyful, it's sad, it's thought-provoking and, as most other readers have agreed, almost impossible to put down.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey; Regan Arthur Books 2012; 389 pp.

January 25, 2013

From Yo to Z: Favorite Things Around the Valley

by Diane Houy, WFMJ-TV Copywriter

Selah’s Restaurant in Struthers, OH- Best atmosphere of any restaurant in the valley…in my opinion! The setting offers the cool vibe of an old bank, decorated and lighted in a décor that screams relaxation. And, more than the atmosphere, Selah’s offers unique wines, gourmet chef-prepared meals, scratch-made deserts, a coffee bar and an opportunity to dine in a bank vault! Not to mention the live entertainment they offer periodically which only enhances the atmosphere! Dining at Selah’s is more about the experience than anything and it’s a must see! Anyone I have ever taken there always says, “Selah’s is the Valley’s best kept secret!”

Mill Creek Park- Such a relaxing experience to watch the wildlife and the scenery. Each time I visit, I experience something new. Whether it’s the personality of one of the wildlife, the sun hitting the trees in a unique way, or the wind coming off of the ice on the lake. It really enables me to clear my mind of the craziness I just left at work and come back to a peacefulness I can only find there. My only regret when I leave is that I wish I had more time to spend there Fellow’s Riverside Garden Café at Mill Creek Park! The views from the windows are spectacular. And if the weather’s nice, you can escape the windows and dine outside!

While you eat some great food prepared by the Georgetown, you can enjoy a collage of color in the Fall, Snow kissed trees in the Winter and butterflies around the many potted flowers in the Spring and Summer months. The views on the inside aren’t bad either! A mini art gallery greets you when you first walk into the facility as well as a gift shop full of unique art, collectibles and hand-made jewelry, one-of-a-kind finds! As a special treat, the Café now offers a Sunday Brunch with tons of menu options and an excuse to come back and visit on the weekend!

Poland Village- I grew up in this town and have always appreciated how much this small community has to offer. Even though some business have come and gone, Main Street in Poland has something for everyone! First off, there is a library there that rivals any library in any big city. It is so big that it would probably take most people a day to go thru!

Second, Poland Village offers many eating establishments for such a small community. There are a few pizza places, a Friendly’s restaurant, a restaurant named, Bruno’s. But, my favorite is a fairly new restaurant, the Café at Wittenauer’s, which offers an eclectic menu of baked goods, breakfast items, and specialty sandwiches, salads and soups! After a meal you can browse a few antique shops and visit The Village Pantry! Such a cool little store that is actually a historical house converted into a shop. A quaint country feel adds to the shopping experience. The store offers everything from spices and special seasonings, to baking ingredients to specialty snacks and foods. Their dried pastas are the best! I love this store and Poland Village!

January 25, 2013

What’s Happening Around The Valley: Jan 27th-Feb 2nd Sunday, January 27th Un-Journaling A workshop about Un-Journaling will be lead by Liz Hill at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown on Sundays, January 27 and Feb 3 from 1-2:30 p.m. “Un-Journaling,” a process that guides people in reviewing their journals as a way of reflecting on their lives.

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown is located at1105 Elm St. Youngstown. iRemember - Moments and Details in Personal Icons, 1950 to the Present.

The Butler Institute of American Art presents an exhibit by Anthony Latess called iRemember - Moments and Details in Personal Icons, 1950 to the Present. The exhibit features the Philadelphia artist's personal family photographs, painted with gouache, written on in colored pencil and painted over with watercolor, to add the artist's reflections and memories. iRemember will run through Sunday, March 10th Museum hours and more information about this exhibit are available at (330) 743-1107.

The Butler is located at 524 Wick Avenue, Youngstown.

Chris Herren Lecture Youngstown State University presents Chris Herren, a former pro basketball player for a free lecture in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center at 7 p.m.

Mr. Herren will discuss his days as an NCAA and NBA player, the realization of his dream of playing for the Boston Celtics, how he lost it all to alcohol and drug abuse and how he has recovered and refocused his life to put sobriety and family above all else.

Ice Making Before Frigidaire Mill Creek MetroParks presents Ice Making Before Frigidaire at the D. D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitor Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens During the early 1900's, the Youngstown Ice Company harvested ice for commercial use from Mill Creek Park and the Mahoning River. This event will begin with a lecture on the ice harvesting industry, then a hike to see what remains of the Youngstown Ice Company's heyday.

The event starts at at 1:30 p.m. Fellows Riverside Gardens is located at 123 McKinley Avenue in Youngstown.

Boy Voyage 23 N Hazel Celebrates Cedar’s Final Weekend.

Cedar’s Lounge, a downtown Youngstown mainstay of music and drinks since 1975 will be closing its doors this weekend. There will be a Cedar’s Mini-Fest on Friday, January 25 at 8 p.m. There will music performances, records, comic and art vendors and food.

Cedar’s Lounge is located 23 N. Hazel in Downtown Youngstown.

January 25, 2013

What’s Happening Around The Valley: Jan 27th-Feb 2nd (cont’d) Guest Artist Recital featuring pianist, Dr. John Salmon, Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music will present a free Guest Artist Recital featuring pianist, Dr. John Salmon, performing in the Bliss Recital Hall, on the campus of Youngstown State University.

John Salmon is a Professor of Piano and Keyboard at the University of North Carolina, and has distinguished himself on four continents as both a classical and jazz artist. His broad repertoire includes the classics, such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, as well as contemporary music of Dave Brubeck, Nikolai Kapustin, and Lalo Schifrin. The recital start at 8 p.m.

Tuesday, January 29th Minorities In Israel The Jewish Community Center presents a free Lecture on the subject Minorities In Israel at noon. This Lecture will focus on the culture and religion of the minorities in Israel, including the Christians, Druze, Bahai, Adyghe people, and the Samaritans.

More information about this lecture is available at (330) 746-3251.

The Jewish Community Center is at 505 Gypsy Lane in Youngstown.

Sat, Feb 2 The Game of Hope Classic The Game of Hope Classic Basketball Game will played at Beeghly Center on the campus of Youngstown State University. This annual celebrity basketball winter classic game will feature competing teams comprised of elected officials, personalities, and community leaders.

The charity game gets underway at 4 p.m.

Dana Vocal Society YSU’s Dana School of Music will present a free recital performed by members of the Dana Vocal Society in the Bliss Recital Hall at 7 p.m.

More information about the recital is available at (330) 941-3636.

Are you ready to salsa your way into St. Valentine Day? OCCHA (Organizacion Civica y Cultural Hispana Americana, Inc.) is having a Latino Valentine Dance on Saturday, February 9th from 6 p.m to 11 p.m. There will be dancing and food including Spanish beans and rice, baked chicken, pasta, salad, bread, coffee and dessert. Beer, wine and mixed drinks will be available for purchase. ($15 in advance or $20 at the door) The dance will be held at OCCHA Social Hall, 3660 Shirley Road, Youngstown, OH 44502. Call 330-781-1808(OCCHA) or 330-782-0512 (Hector Colon) for more information.

January 25, 2013

A Vision For Your Life and Mindful Eating Are Subjects of Two Creative Classes Vision Boards are a great way to visualize your dreams. Vision Boards 101 is a fun and creative class that you make your very own vision board, and get an understanding of the best way to use the “law of visioning� to maximize your potential.

Vision Boards 101 will be taught by Dena Deluco, a success coach and hypnotherapist at Bella Nitesh Spiritual Arts & Education Center. in Boardman.

The Sunday, Jan 27 class is only $20. Pre-registration is strongly suggested.

Discover a healthy and joyful relationship with food. Mindful Eating will improve your awareness of the of the sensations you experience when you eat, the colors, smells, textures, flavors, temperatures, and even the sounds (crunch!) of food.

Mindful Eating is not a diet. There are no menus or recipes. Learn to hear what your body is telling you about hunger and satisfaction. The class will be more about how you eat than what you eat.

Mindful Eating will facilitated by Robyn Podboy at Bella Nitesh on Friday, February 1st from 6:30 p.m- 9:30 p.m. Early registration $25.00 ~ ~ At the door $30.00.

Bella Nitesh Spiritual Arts & Education Center is located at 837 Boardman-Canfield Rd, Suite 200, Boardman,Ohio 44512. Located in the Hitchcock Park Office Complex.

Register for both by phone :330-729-2987 or http://www.bellanitesh.com/

January 25, 2013

On Stage Youngstown State University Theater: God Sees Dog - Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead Youngstown State University Theater presents the drama God Sees Dog - Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead, running from Thursday, January 24th through Sunday, January 27th in the Spotlight Arena Theater in Bliss Hall, on the campus of Youngstown State University.

God Sees Dog - Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead imagines characters from the popular comic strip Peanuts as teenagers, facing issues such as drug use, suicide, teen violence, sexual relations and identity.

Tickets and more information about this production are available at (330) 941-3105.

Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinee is at 3 p.m.

The Victorian Players: Vaudeville at the Vic The Victorian Players present their annual event Vaudeville at the Vic. The show will include music, drama, madness, silliness, and flying ping pong balls.

The performances will be on Friday, January 25th and Saturday, January 26th at 7:30 p.m. Reservations and more information are available at (330) 746-5455.

The Victorian Players Theatre is located at 702 Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown.

Upcoming Salem Community Theatre: Game Show Salem Community Theatre presents Game Show by Jeffrey Finn and Bob Walton. Game Show is set during a live broadcast of a fictional, long-running television game show, where anything can and does happen, and the behind-the-scenes backstabbing antics are commonplace. The show runs from Friday, February 1st through Sunday, February 10th with evening performances begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m.

For tickets and more information. Call (330) 332-9688.

Salem Community Theatre located at 490 East State Street.

The New Castle Playhouse: A Tuna Christmas The New Castle Playhouse will showcase the comedy A Tuna Christmas. The play tells the story of Texas' third smallest town and the eclectic band of citizens that make up this town, as they celebrate Christmas, create Christmas Yard Sign Displays for the annual contest, and attempt to put on A Chirstmas Carol.

The play will be running weekends from Friday, February 8th through Sunday, February 24th. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m and Sunday matinees will begin at 2 p.m.

Tickets and more information are available at (724) 654-3437.

The New Castle Playhouse Annex Theatre is at 202 East Long Avenue, New Castle, PA

January 25, 2013

PRIVACY POLICY Some of you on A Byrd’s Eye View newsletter mailing list came to us from other e-mails sent to us regarding stories about Arts events in the area.

We thought you would be interested in reading about additional Arts-related information of interest in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys, and added you. However, if you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, simply send a blank e-mail to artbyrdagain@yahoo.com with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

The e-mail addresses we have are NEVER shared in any way with anyone, nor are they sold. All copies of the newsletter are sent as blind carbon copies, so that no one receiving the newsletter knows the addresses of anyone else receiving it.

If you have received this free newsletter as a forward and would like to subscribe, please send a blank e-mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to artbyrdagain@yahoo.com.

Excerpts from A Byrd’s Eye View can be read in The Review, Newspaper, available throughout the Valley and online at http://www.thereviewnewspapers.com/

Movie reivews from A Byrd’s Eye View can be read in The Buckeye Review Newspaper, available throughout the Valley at various newstands.

Like us on

Art Byrd Jr. has won awards as a filmmaker and journalist. After working many years as a videographer and director for WFMJ TV News, he retired from broadcasting to share his experience and insight with students as an instructor at Youngstown State University. Art has written and produced numerous Indie films, which have been shown at prestigious film festivals. In addition to teaching and writing/ producing A Byrd’s Eye View newsletter, Art also does freelance media work. He is based in Youngstown, Ohio.

Monnie Ryan retired in 2003 after 14 years as managing editor of The Business Journal in Youngstown, where she continues to contribute to the print and online editions.

Articles she has written have appeared in more than 20 national publications and at several travelrelated Web sites, and she has won numerous awards for photography.

Contact her at mryan62692@aol.com.

Type in A Byrd’s Eye View