January 17, 2014
A Byrd’s Eye View N
e
w
s
l
e
t
t
e
r
ABOUT MOVIES, TV, ARTS AND EVENTS IN THE VALLEY
The Wolf Of Wall Street Is A Jaw Dropping Experience By Arthur Byrd
A Quote by
Sometimes, I see a movie that has some strange, wild and crazy things going on in it and I think that couldn’t happen in real life. The Wolf Of Wall Street had some extreme strange, wild and crazy things in it which are based on a book of the same name by Jordan Belfort. True to life or not, the movie lets you make the choice. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Belfort, who was a New York stockbroker who ran a firm that wheeled and dealt in securities fraud and corruption on Wall Street in the 1990’s. The movie directed by Martin Scorsese, who did an amazing job of bring this bizarre world to the screen. The rise and fall of someone is cinematically hard to make interesting. You either love, hate or don’t like the character. DiCaprio’s performance was so genuine and focus. I didn’t how to take his character as he moved from hero to his employees to corrupt sinner. The supporting cast pushes the movie over the top. Jonah HIll as Donnie who becomes Belfort’s partner in the firm, has some endless craziness like the public display of his private parts. He wasn’t in the movie long, but Matthew McConaughey’s impact as Belfort’s first boss was felt as he advised the junior stockbroker to adopt a lifestyle of sex and cocaine to succeed.
“The best thing about acting is that I get to lose myself in another character and actually get paid for it... It's a great outlet. I'm not really sure who I am - it seems I change every day.” Actor Leonard DiCaprio, currently starring in The Wolf Of Wall Street in theaters now.
January 17, 2014
After losing his job after Black Monday in the 80’s, when the stock market crashed, Belfort joins a firm selling penny stocks. His aggressive pitching style starts to earn him a fortune there. He decides to open his own firm Stratton Oakmont, which becomes a billion dollar company. Belfort and his employees lead a lifestyle of total craziness with lavish parties, sex and drugs both at the firm and their personal lives. Belfort leaves his first wife for Naomi played with strength and total smarts by Margot Robbie (Pan Am). She makes sure that Belfort does not drag her down with him. As the crazy lifestyle gets out control, Belfort is targeted for an investigation by FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission for fraud. Personally, I wasn’t sure while watching, if The Wolf Of Wall Street was a drama or comedy. I felt strange laughing at parts of the movie. Belfort’s father, Max played by Rob Reiner, who works at the firm convinces him to step down, so he doesn’t go to prison. During a tearful goodbye to his employees, Belfort decides he is not going anywhere and doesn’t resign. Then, things start to hit the fan. There are interesting scenes involving Naomi’s aunt and twenty million dollars, Belfort taking a yacht with Naomi and Donnie out on the sea during a life threatening storm and him driving an expensive car on Qualuudes. The Wolf Of Wall Street is strange with over the top craziness, but most important, it is entertaining. Thank goodness, the movie is over three hours long. The Wolf of Wall Street is a lot of fun with a lot of jaw dropping moments. The movie not only howls at the moon, but smacks it around little. So, If you enjoy pure craziness and lewd behavior with a sharp twist of humor this movie is for you. Here is the trailer for The Wolf of Wall Street http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pabEtIERlic
Hollywood Goes Youngstown With A Trip To Los Angeles The Youngstown Playhouse presents Hollywood Goes Youngstown with a chance to win 3 Days, 2 Nights in Los Angeles, CA, VIP Studio Tour and Dinner with Youngstown Own Ed O’Neill (Modern Family) and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. Hotel, Flight and Car Service are included. Visit www.theyoungstownplayhouse.com to purchase. Drawing will take place on Super Bowl Sunday, February 2, 2014.
January 17, 2014
Make Tracks to Pufferbelly for History, Good Food By Monnie Ryan Both my husband Jack and I are graduates of Kent State University - in fact, we met there back in 1959. And every once in a while, we enjoy driving through the just to relive memories and see the latest changes. On several of those drive-throughs, we've stopped for lunch at the Pufferbelly Ltd. The building served as the main railway depot in the area until 1970, when it was boarded up. Not long thereafter, research tells me, the Kent Historical Society was formed, mostly with an eye toward saving the station. Long story short, the Pufferbelly opened in 1981 and now is part of the Kent Industrial District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Outside, the building has retained it's train depot look; inside, it's longer than it is wide with high ceilings from which a variety of objects hang (including a full-size buggy). Some of the interior walls are the old brick, and railroad memorabilia is hung here, there and everywhere. One of these days, we'll get there for one of the special events (there's a clam bake each September, for instance). There's also a Sunday brunch buffet that includes several goodies like bacon and sausage, eggs Benedict, fish, chicken and pork, made-to-order omelets and waffles and more. The menu isn't what I'd call extensive, but there are always a few things that are a little on the unique side. Ever hear of Andouille Quesadilla? At $8.25, it's a flour tortilla stuffed with Andouille sausage, scallions, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. For an entree, there's Veggie Aglio, or sauteed artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, onions and spinach served over wheat linguine in a garlic, herb and olive oil sauce ($10.50). On a recent visit, I almost caved in and ordered the baked Brie appetizer once again - a whole mini-wheel of Brie cheese topped with roasted almonds and served warm with fresh fruit and French bread ($8.95). Both of us love reuben sandwiches, and they're very good here -- a combination of the usual lean corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut and thousand island dressing with a bit of turkey as well ($7.25). Jack chose it immediately (substituting cole slaw for the standard fries). I settled on the cashew chicken salad croissant - chicken in a honey mayonnaise blend with toasted cashews served on a toasted croissant with fresh fruit ($6.95). There's so much filling that it's hard to eat without everything spilling, but it's well worth the effort (besides, you can clean up the fallout with a fork). If you go: Pufferbelly Ltd. 152 Franklin Ave. Kent, Ohio 44240
(330) 673-1771
http://www.pufferbellyltd.com Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday (brunch); 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday (dinner). In winter months, closes at 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday.
January 17, 2014
Gods of Guilt: 'Lincoln Lawyer' Hits Another Homer by Monnie Ryan 5 stars out of 5 I've lost count of the books I've read by the prolific Michael Connelly - from the Harry Bosch series to this series featuring "Lincoln Lawyer" Mickey Haller. Likewise, I don't remember the last time I read one that was anything other than really, really good. To be sure, this one continues that fine tradition. It helps that I've always had an affinity for the legal profession; many, many years ago, I landed a job as a legal secretary -- the first job I had when I returned to work after taking time out to be a stay-at-home mommy until our younger child started kindergarten. The attorneys I worked for didn't provide the best of physical surroundings (there was no such thing as a file cabinet; instead, cases were kept in manila folders stacked on tables, chairs and floors, sometimes reaching almost to the ceiling, yet any one of the lawyers knew exactly which case was where at any given moment). It was fast-paced, demanding and, given the opportunity, an environment I'd be happy to return to any day of the week should someone ask me to. Virtually living out of his car and operating by the seat of his pants, Mickey Haller always reminds me of those days. In this book, he's still suffering the ill effects of losing a bid for the district attorney spot and agrees to defend a former client's pimp who's incarcerated after being accused of murdering one of his girls - one who's had previous dealings with Haller as a confidential informant and friend. As he digs in, Haller starts to believe that the pimp is innocent, thus putting his life and those of his cohorts in danger and pitting him against powers-that-be ranging from a corrupt DEA agent to a powerful cartel drug lord. Bottom line? Chalk up another winner! The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown and Co., December 2013); 401 pp.
January 17, 2014
What’s Happening Around the The Valley: Jan 17-26 Friday January 17 OverDrive The Warren-Trumbull County Public Library is presenting a session on OverDrive at 2 p.m at the Main Library. The library offers free digital content that you can download to your iPad, Kindle, Nook, or smart phone. Library staff will show you how to find eBooks from the Digital Catalog on the library website and how to transfer the content to your device through one of our service applications, OverDrive. Participants should bring their fully charged device and its computer connection cable to the class. Registration is required by calling (330) 399-8807 ext. 200. Main Library of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, 444 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren.
Light, Shadow...and a Jukebox Mill Creek MetroParks presents the exhibit, Light, Shadow...and a Jukebox, running from Friday, January 17th through Sunday, March 23rd in the Weller Gallery of the D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitor Center in Fellows Riverside Gardens. Light, Shadow...and a Jukebox features the watercolor work of local artist Don Wright whose botanical work focuses on light and shadow. Gallery hours and more information about this exhibit are available at (330) 740-7116. Fellows Riverside Gardens is at 123 McKinley Avenue in Youngstown.
Winter Skywatch The Ward Beecher Planetarium, on the campus of Youngstown State University, presents Winter Skywatch on Friday, January 17th and Saturday, January 18th at 8 p.m both nights. Winter Skywatch deals with locating planets and constellations, constellation lore, and current space events. More information about this program is available at (330) 941-1370.
Sunday, January 19 Ballet Western Reserve: Annual Spaghetti Dinner Ballet Western Reserve is serving their Annual Spaghetti Dinner at St. Patrick's Catholic Church Hall from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tickets and more information about this event are available at (330) 744-1934 or at the door. St. Patrick's Catholic Church Hall is located at 1420 Oak Hill Avenue in Youngstown
Monday, January 20 Celebrating the Life and Work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Youngstown State University Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Office presents a Community Service Celebrating the Life and Work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 3:30 p.m. at the New Bethel Baptist Church. The Community Service will include a recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and will feature music and scripture readings by representatives of Christian, Islamic, and Jewish faiths. More information about this Community Service is available at (330) 788-1696. New Bethel Baptist Church (1507 Hillman Street) in Youngstown.
January 17, 2014
What’s Happening Around the The Valley: Jan 17-26 (cont’d) Thursday, January 23 Martin Luther King, Jr. Diversity Breakfast The Youngstown State University Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Office is celebrating the Martin Luther King, Jr. Diversity Breakfast, featuring keynote speaker the Reverend Christopher McKee, Jr. at 8:30 a.m in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center. Rev. McKee is the pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Youngstown, and he will speak on Promoting Peace in the Mahoning Valley. This event will also include musical selections and the annual Rev. Martin Luther King Junior Diversity Awards. Tickets and more information about this event are available at (330) 941-2087.
Biennial Faculty Exhibition The McDonough Museum of Art presents the Biennial Faculty Exhibition running from Thursday, January 23rd through Friday, March 7th. This exhibition will feature works in various media by Studio Art Faculty in the Department of Art at Youngstown State University, and highlights the works of new faculty members, Claudia Berlinski, Missy McCormick, and R.J. Thompson. Museum hours and more information about this exhibition are available at (330) 941-1400. McDonough Museum of Art is at 525 Wick Avenue in Youngstown
From the Garden: Celebrating the Chinese New Year Mill Creek MetroParks will showcase From the Garden: Celebrating the Chinese New Year from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitor Center in Fellows Riverside Gardens. Dr. Y.T. Chiu will share Asian recipes and demonstrate culinary techniques in anticipation of cooking for the Chinese New Year. Registration and more information about this event is available at (330) 740-7116. Fellows Riverside Gardens located at 123 McKinley Avenue in Youngstown.
Friday, January 24 Wine and Chocolate Tasting The Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County is having a Wine and Chocolate Tasting event at 6 p.m. at Leo's Ristorante in Howland. The event features a flight of wine and a flight of chocolate, a Table of Cheer, a silent auction, and more. Tickets and more information about this event are available at (330) 394-3512. Leo's Ristorante is at 7042 East Market Street in Howland.
Sunday, January 26 Guest Artist Recital The YSU’s Dana School of Music presents a guest artist recital in Bliss Recital Hall at 4 p.m. Dana School of Music alumni, Sean Baran and James Vasconi will play Schubert's Fantasy in f minor for four-hands on one piano as well as others works for four-hands on one piano by Dvorak and Rachmaninoff. Piano music for four hands refers to a specific form of piano duet, for a single piano with two players. This event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the Wick Avenue M1 parking deck for a nominal price. More information is available by calling the Dana School of Music at 330-941-3636.
January 17, 2014
On Stage Trumbull New Theatre: Arsenic and Old Lace Trumbull New Theatre currently has on stage Arsenic and Old Lace through January 26. In the play, the charming and innocent ladies who dwell in their cellar with the remains of socially and religiously “acceptable” roomers; the antics of their brother who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt; and the activities of the other brother. Curtain time for Friday and Saturday show is 8 p.m. Sunday matinee curtain is 3 p.m. For ticket information call 330-652-1103. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 students. The Victorian Players: Vaudeville at the Vic The Victorian Players presents their annual event Vaudeville at the Vic, running from Friday, January 17th through Sunday, January 19th. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m. Vaudeville at the Vic will include music, drama, madness, silliness, and flying ping pong balls. Reservations and more information about this event are available at (330) 746-5455. Victorian Players Theatre is located at 702 Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown. Salem Community Theatre: Life Could be a Dream Salem Community Theatre brings the musical Life Could be a Dream, created from the book by Roger Bean, running weekends from Friday, January 24th through Sunday, February 2nd. Evening performances begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Life Could be a Dream, tells of the Crooning Crabcakes as they prepare to enter the Big Whopper Radio Contest and realize their dreams of making it to the big time, but trouble soon arrives. The show also features favorite doowop songs such as, Fools Fall In Love, Runaround Sue, Earth Angel, Unchained Melody, and, ShBoom. Tickets and more information about this show are available at (330) 332-9688. Salem Community Theatre is at 490 East State Street in Salem.
January 17, 2014
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.
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.
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.
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.
In addition to teaching and writing/ producing A Byrd’s Eye View newsletter,
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/
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.
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.
Movie reviews from A Byrd’s Eye View can be read in The Buckeye Review Newspaper, available throughout the Valley at various newsstands.