Archive for October, 2008
Many “gems” of culture can be found in the most unlikely places. It would only make sense a museum, whose mission “to preserve and collect works of art in all media created by citizens of our country,” would be located in Washington, D.C. Nope; Youngstown, Ohio lays claim to The Butler Institute of American Art; the first museum of American art.
Dedicated in 1919, the Butler, as it is called by the locals is a wonderful architectural masterpiece in and of itself. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Wick Avenue structure is the work of architectural geniuses McKim, Mead and White. Known worldwide as “America’s Museum,” the Butler not only houses extensive individual works by American artists (more than 20,000 now), it is a living museum – meaning the community doesn’t just visit every once in awhile. The Butler is an active venue – one weekend hosting a wedding, another offering art classes to children, and always its door are open to the public where anyone can peruse the exhibits on display – free of charge.
Arguably its most well-known masterpiece would be 1872 Winslow Homer work “Snap the Whip” depicting school age children playing this game. The recent acquisition of preeminent American illustrator Norman Rockwell’s “Lincoln the Railsplitter” has recently draw the most attention to the Butler. According to Butler Director Dr. Louis Zona, “If ever a painting belonged in the collection of the Butler Institute, this is the one. Painted by America’s most beloved artist,…
[ October 29, 2008; ]
Rock the Vote is having an early voting event at YSU tomorrow (10/29/08) from noon to 2pm with appearances by the Beastie Boys and Sheryl Crow. All relevant information for the event can be found at www.rockthevote.com under the event tool or by searching Youngstown in the events section of facebook.
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Winslow’s Café – Youngstown’s Hidden Treasure at The Butler Institute of American Art
Some would say Youngstown, Ohio is just another dying mid-western town. But tucked within its booming steel town memories and deep familial roots, you’ll find many hidden marvels and treasures waiting to be discovered – maybe for the very first time.
One such treasure is Winslow’s Café — cleverly named for the American artist, Winslow Homer — and snuggled within the naturally lit atrium of the Butler Institute of American Art – another of downtown Youngstown’s precious jewels to be explored and savored.
The Metro Monthly is a large format Youngstown, Ohio monthly (hence the name) newspaper filled with local news, local ads and a calendar that details what to do in the Valley. And while this free (even better) publication is very informative – and I always make a point of picking one up on my way out of the Youngstown YMCA – there is this really interesting aspect of the Metro Monthly that is often over-looked. They have a store.
Sure it’s an on-line store, so you need a computer to shop here, but logging on and pulling up the Metro Monthly Department Store link will afford those who live near-by as well as those who live far and wide, an opportunity to show their Y-Town pride. There is great history associated with Youngstown – people, places, the surrounding towns; history only a Youngstown area resident will appreciate and reminisce about. The Metro Monthly Department Store’s objective, it seems, is to not let this history be forgotten.
Boots Bell was a well-known radio broadcaster in the Mahoning Valley who was, well, just extremely cool. His voice was memorable; one so distinct when heard, everyone knew it was Boots Bell. And he was the epitome of smooth – complete with his own groovy phrases, that if repeated – instant hip-ness was yours. Boots Bell t-shirts bearing his caricature done by The Wizard are available at the Metro Monthly store. Wear one of these and you just might hear someone utter the…
Youngstown, Ohio still retains much of it historical roots. When an area is oppressed or falls upon hard times, buildings are reworked instead of torn down. People make do instead of building new. If such historic structures can just “hang in there” or are cared for long enough, some one or some group hopefully will come along, see the importance of preserving the past, and restore these beautiful buildings to their former grandeur.
The Arms Family Museum of Local History is one such place. Situated in “Greystone,” the early 20th century Arts & Crafts-style home built by the prominent Arms family, this un-heralded little museum houses a wealth of local history.
The first floor of the museum features Greystone’s original rooms, dressed in period furnishings so it feels one has just stepped back in time. The Arms family loved medieval architecture and design, as well as the natural environment.
The lower level and second floor of the home are filled with historical exhibits featuring the lives and times of past residents of the Mahoning Valley. While the first floor stays constant, the exhibits on these other levels change regularly helping visitors enjoy and understand the way of life here for different people at different times. Native Americans, Welsh coal miners, African-American freeman – all have been featured at one time.
And this would have made Greystone’s designer so very happy. It was in the first part of the 20th century when Olivia F. A. Arms (wife of Wilford P.…
Think only venues in big name cities can attract top-rated performers? Not likely! Y-Town has created a name for itself thanks to the 42 million dollar Chevrolet Centre located on East Front Street in downtown Youngstown. The brainchild of the still incarcerated and forever controversial James Traficant, the Chevy Centre has lived up to the former US State Representative’s promise of bringing big name acts to Youngstown’s downtown. If you build it, they will come. 
Everyone from Sesame Street Live to rock legend Meat Loaf have performer here. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra has returned several years in a row because of the success they have filling the arena to overflowing. Carrie Underwood brought her show (which was sold out in less than 48 hours) to Youngstown as did Smucker’s Hot Ice, Cool Sounds with Peter Cetera and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra.
With the ability to seat more than 6000 people (with 520 Club Seats and 26 Luxury Suites), the Chevy Centre is also the home to major sporting events including Phantom ice hockey and Mahoning Valley Thunder arena football games.
The Chevy Centre is not afraid to get messy either. When motocross races come to town, more than 550 cubic feet of dirt is laid down. The Center has been host to tractor pulls, rodeos and the circus too.
Talk about cool! Consider these facts found on the Chevrolet Centre’s website,
