YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A group of local musicians will again commemorate Bob Dylan’s birthday with a benefit concert at Westside Bowl.
The show, titled “When the Night Comes Falling From the Sky,” will be presented by Mahoning Valley rock band Rolling Boxcar International. It will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave. Also performing will be Nick Adduci, Kari Rutushin and The Building.
The program will include selections from Dylan’s vast catalog of songs. The music legend was born May 24, 1941.
“We get asked each year if we’re putting this show together again, and we’re so thrilled to say yes,” said Rick Blair of Rolling Boxcar International.
The annual concert, which is now in its third year, will raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank. Admission is $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
‘Common Golfer’ Author to Sign Book at Shop
BOARDMAN, Ohio – Jack Wollitz will do a book signing for his book, “The Common Golfer,” from noon to 2 p.m. May 23 at Barnes & Noble in Boardman.
Wollitz is a longtime fishing columnist for a local newspaper and also a lifelong golfer.
His new book is a series of essays on the people, places and things that make golf a pastime for many people.
To learn more about Wollitz and his book, click HERE.
Simply Slavic Festival Baking Contest
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Simply Slavic festival’s annual baking contest will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at Students Motivated by the Arts, in the Ohio One Building, 25 E. Boardman St., downtown.
Nonprofessional bakers are invited to submit their homemade Slavic baked goods and tell the stories behind them.
“Baking has always been at the center of Slavic family traditions,” said Marta Mazur, owner of Krakus Polish Deli & Bakery, contest chair and sponsor of the event. “Many of these recipes were carried here by immigrants and preserved through generations of family gatherings and holidays. This contest celebrates not only the food itself but the memories and heritage connected to it.”
Contest entries will be judged on taste (50%), authenticity (25%) and presentation (25%). Participants are encouraged to submit baked goods with Slavic roots, including pastries, breads, cookies, cakes and traditional desserts. Three guest judges will declare the winners.
The entry fee is $5 (free for participants under age 18). Space is limited to 10 contestants on a first-come, first-served basis, and entries must be submitted by June 7. Winners will be announced during the contest and recognized throughout the Simply Slavic Festival, which will take place June 26-28 at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre.
Entry forms, rules and details are available at SimplySlavic.org. For information, email bakingcontest@simplyslavic.org.
Past Times Arcade Celebrates Anniversary
GIRARD, Ohio – To celebrate its third anniversary, Past Times Arcade has scheduled a week of giveaways, discounts and a special guest appearance from May 28-June 1.
The pinball machine museum and fun center is at 419 N. State St.
Here is a look at what is planned:
- Past Times After Dark. Guests can play the roughly 600 machines by the glow of the game lights from 7-11 p.m. May 2.
- Special guest Jack Guarnieri, founder of Jersey Jack Pinball, one of the most innovative pinball manufacturers, will sign autographs from 1-4 p.m. May 30 and give a presentation at 5 p.m.
- School Faculty Appreciation Day, May 31, 50% off admission price.
- Three-month adult memberships discount sale June 1.
Past Times was founded and is owned by Valley businessman Robert Berk, a lifelong pinball fan and collector. Berk received the Guinness Book of World Records title for most machines (1,041) at the first anniversary of Past Times. He now owns more than 1,200 pinball machines and is still on the hunt for more.
Past Times is known for its nostalgic atmosphere. It offers a mix of retro arcade cabinets and pinball machines, including games from Australia, Italy, Brazil, Spain and France. It is available to rent for birthdays, corporate meetings, company picnics, school field trips, PTO events, band camps and other events.
The spot also hosts pinball league tournaments.
To learn more, go to PastTimesArcade.com.
Rodney Atkins Coming to Robins Theatre
WARREN, Ohio – Rodney Atkins will come to the Robins Theatre on Oct. 1 for a 7:30 p.m. concert.
The country music star is known for his hits “Watching You,” “If You’re Going Through Hell,” “Cleaning This Gun,” “These Are My People,” “Farmer’s Daughter” and “Take a Back Road.”
Tickets start at $30 (plus fees) and will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at RobinsTheatre.com and the box office, 160 E. Market St.
Scrapper Fest at Eastwood Mall
NILES, Ohio – Scrapper Fest will take place from 6-8 p.m. June 1 in center court of Eastwood Mall.
Mahoning Valley Scrappers team members will greet fans at the free event, which will also include bounce houses, face painting and food samplings from the concession stands at 717 Credit Union Field and Eastwood Mall restaurants.
Those who preregister for Scrapper Fest HERE will be eligible to win prizes (must be present to win). They will also receive a free ticket when they present their RSVP confirmation at the Scrappers merchandise table.
Fans can also get free tickets to the season opener by shopping at Eastwood Mall. Those who spend $250 in a single day at the mall complex through May 30 will receive a family four-pack of tickets to the opening-day game.
To qualify, $125 must be spent at stores inside the mall, and $125 can be spent anywhere on the Eastwood Mall Complex. Shoppers simply need to take their same-day receipts to the Customer Service Center to have it verified and stamped. Go to EastwoodMall.com for details.
When the Scrappers take the field on opening day, they will be playing at the newly renamed 717 Credit Union Field at Eastwood.
The field has received a new artificial turf surface.
Sunday Sauce Trail at 12 Restaurants
NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Visit Lawrence County is bringing back its Sunday Sauce Trail, with 12 Italian restaurants participating.
Visitors can take part any day of the week by visiting one of the restaurants. Download a digital passport HERE.
Participating restaurants are: Four Pizzeria Bar & Grille, Gallo’s Italian Villa, Ladies of the Dukes, Mangino’s Pizzeria-Mahoningtown, Mangino’s Pizzeria-Neshannock, Nico Luciano’s, Pagley’s Pasta & More, Patsy’s Bar & Grille, Soni’s Italian Restaurant, Valentino Cheese & Dairy Company, VentiSei Wine Bar & Pizzeria and Vinny’s Pizza and Restaurant.
The goal of the Sunday Sauce Trail is to showcase the county’s Italian heritage, said Ginny Jacob Colella, assistant director of Visit Lawrence County.
Northeastern Ohio Wineries Win Top Prizes
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Several Grand River Valley area wineries won top prizes at the 2026 Director’s Choice Award for Ohio wines. Here is a complete list of the winners:
- Best Dessert Wine: 2021 Raven’s Glenn Scarlet Raven, Raven’s Glenn Winery (West Lafayette, Coshocton County).
- Best Red Wine: 2022 Laurentia Cabernet Sauvignon, Laurentia Vineyard & Winery (Madison, Lake County).
- Best Red Wine: 2024 M Cellars Cabernet-Merlot Reserve, M Cellars (Geneva, Ashtabula County).
- Best White Wine: 2023 Baci Riesling, Baci Winery (Madison, Lake County).
- Best Sparkling/Rosé Wine: Kosicek Saperavi, Kosicek Vineyards (Geneva, Ashtabula County).
Israeli Spirits Night at JCC Logan Campus
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation is holding an Israeli Spirits Night for young adults at 7 p.m. May 31 at the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown’s Logan Campus, 3245 Logan Way.
The evening will include Israeli alcohol tasting, Israeli nonalcoholic beverage tasting, Israeli snacks, music by DJ Danielle and dancing.
The cost is $10 per person or $18 per couple. Registration is required. Go to JewishYoungstown.org to register. Babysitting is available. Email Liron at ldaniel@jewishyoungstown.org to register for babysitting.