The Update | Butch Patrick Will be Guest at Pizza Challenge; Scrappers Unveil Bobbleheads

NILES, Ohio – Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster on “The Munsters” sitcom, will join Cleveland Cavaliers announcer Sean Peebles and White House chef Guy Mitchell on the panel of celebrity judges at this year’s Slice of the Valley beer and pizza challenge.

Patrick last appeared at the event in 2020.

The annual event, a fundraiser sponsored by the Warren Rotary Club, will take place Sunday, March 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Eastwood Event Centre in Eastwood Mall (enter through the mall entrance near Firebirds restaurant).

Tickets for the event, which will feature live music and a basket raffle, are $15 for adults (includes three slices of pizza) and $5 for children age 6 and under (includes two slices of pizza). Extra slices can be purchased for $2.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at sliceofthevalley.com or at the door.

Scrappers Unveil Bobblehead Giveaways

NILES, Ohio – The Mahoning Valley Scrappers will have three bobblehead giveaway dates for the 2023 season.

They are:

• Steven Kwan, former Scrappers player now with the Cleveland Guardians, June17;
• Oscar Gonzalez of the Guardians, July 22;
• Daniel Espino, Guardians top prospect, Aug. 5.

The free bobblehead statuettes will be given away to the first 1,000 fans. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Fans who purchase the bobblehead ticket package will receive a ticket to each bobblehead night (bobblehead included), as well as the home opener on June 1. These packages start at $40 and are on sale now at mvscrappers.com and the Eastwood Field box office, or by calling 330 505 0000.

Rose Kravitz Birthday Celebration at Deli

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – When Matthew Rydarowicz became the owner of Kravitz Deli, he knew a thing or two about listening to his mother. After all, his mother, Patricia Rydarowicz, has run the Inspired Catering side of the business since 2016 and encouraged her son to buy the business in April 2022. It’s not the first time in the deli’s history that “mama knew best,” and during January, Kravitz Deli celebrates the mother who started it all in 1939, Rose Kravitz.

To salute Kravitz, the eighth annual Rose Kravitz Birthday and Jewish Food Fest will take place Jan. 23-28. Rose’s favorites will be offered that week only, including:

• Rose K XL Sandwiches for $15;
• A Birthday Brunch with cake on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Nimoy’s ‘Vincent’ Will be Presented

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Rodd Coonce will again star in a production of “Vincent.” The show captures the life and artwork of Vincent Van Gogh.

Performances will be at 8 p.m. Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and 11 at the Full Circle Event Center, 319 Goldie Road.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling 330 720 4597.

Coonce has become closely associated with the show. The Youngstown-based musician first starred in the stage production in 1997 at Powers Auditorium.

Dar James Artwork on Exhibit at JCC

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The work of artist Dar James will be on exhibit in the Thomases Family Endowment Art Gallery at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, from Jan. 23 through March 3. A reception will take place Jan. 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Titled “Axis Mundi: The World Tree,” the exhibit is a celebration of trees and the comfort and joy that they bring.

Most of James’ work is created in batches, in many different sizes and orientations, often with a common palette, and she moves from one to another, adding many layers to create depth and luminosity, letting them influence each other over time. In her time-consuming process, each individual dot is placed specifically and intentionally, every line is drawn with a dip pen and a nib, and all paper elements are hand painted separately, cut and adhered one at a time.

James will also lead an art workshop, “Boho Mini Hearts with Artist Dar James,” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 25. Participants will create a collection of three colorful, whimsical hearts to keep or give away. They’ll also learn how to create a body of work in a single, harmonious color palette and to work on multiples to great effect. To register, go to jccyoungstown.org.

 ‘Putnam Spelling Bee’ at Boardman High

BOARDMAN, Ohio – The Boardman High School Drama Guild will present “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” on Feb. 3, 4 and 5 at Boardman Performing Arts Center, 7777 Glenwood Ave.

Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $12 ($10 for students and senior citizens).

FIVE Squared Art Sale Seeks Entries

BOARDMAN, Ohio – The Davis Family YMCA is hosting its annual FIVE Squared benefit art show and sale Feb. 5-26, with proceeds funding its ARTreach program.  Donations of 5-inch art will be accepted for inclusion in the show until Jan. 25.

People of any age and skill level may participate. All adult art, regardless of artist, medium or (family friendly) subject matter will be offered for sale at $25 each or 5/$100. Youth art will sell for $10 each or 6/$50. 

Art must be created on or adhered to 5-inch-by-5-inch paper, wood, canvas, foam core, etc ., and lightweight enough to hang via sticky tack. No frames, mats or wire required.  Donating artists will have their names and images featured on a commemorative photomontage.  Art should be dropped off or mailed to the YMCA, attn. Suzanne, 45 McClurg Road, Boardman, OH 44512 by Jan. 25. Entry forms are available at the YMCA, and at ymcaart.blogspot.com, Facebook.com/fivesquaredymca and youngstownymca.org.

Artist Ray Simon to Discuss His Career

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Nationally known and locally based artist Ray Simon will speak about his artwork at 10 a.m. Jan. 21 in the meeting room at Denny’s Restaurant, 4020 Belmont Ave.

His appearance is part of the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society’s Memories of a Lifetime lecture series.

Simon, a graduate of Ursuline High School and Youngstown State University, is known for paintings that tell compelling stories and capture moments in time. His works are in the collections of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the National Hockey League, the National Football League, the Department of Defense and many more entities.

Admission is $10 ($5 for society members).

Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 330 726 8277.

Future speakers include:

• Feb. 18: Haley Shoemaker, Ohio State University Extension Office representative;
• March 18: Karen Schubert of Lit Youngstown;
• April 15: Roslyn Torella, editor of “Car Bombs to Cookie Tables”;
• May 20: Wendy Koile: Author of “Geneva on the Lake: A History of Ohio’s First Summer Resort”;
• June 17: Jamie Marshall, Stambaugh Auditorium.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.