The Update | ‘Mob Talk’ Lectures at Scope Center; Jazz in the Park Concerts Return

WARREN, Ohio – The “Youngstown Mob Talk” podcast will present lectures on July 8, 15 and 22 at the Warren Scope Center, 375 N. Park Ave.

Each lecture runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door, cash only, and there will be a 50/50 raffle to benefit Scope Senior Services. There will also be merchandise available to purchase.

James Naples and Johnny Chechitelli, creators of the Youngstown Mob Facebook group and the “Youngstown Mob Talk” podcast (on YouTube), will be the hosts.

The July 8 lecture will focus on the 1940s, with special attention to “The Bug” (the daily number lottery) and the main factions that controlled all the action.

On July 15, special guest host and author Sean Posey (“Hidden History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley”) will discuss “The Black Hand,” a precursor to the Italian-American mafia, during the early 20th century.

On July 22, Naples and Chechitelli will discuss the “Crimetown USA” era. Starting with the 1960 murders of Sandy Naples and his girlfriend, this lecture will focus on the vendetta war that killed several prominent gangsters and culminated with the infamous 1962 Cavallaro car bombing that resulted in the Saturday Evening Post dubbing the area “Crimetown USA.”

Jazz in the Park Concert Series at Wick Park

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The annual Jazz in the Park series will begin in July. Each free concert will take place at 3 p.m. in Wick Park, on the North Side, and will feature jazz ensembles from throughout the region, ranging from Cleveland to Pittsburgh and beyond.

Here is the schedule:

• July 9: The Unit Experience Project.
• July 16: The Bell Family, featuring Poogie and Winston Bell.
• July 23: Andy Bianco Quartet, with The Soul Revivers.
• July 30: The Urban Jazz Coalition.
• Aug. 6: Von James Xperience.
• Aug. 13: Arielle and Friends.
• Aug. 20: EJ and The Animals.
• Aug. 27: Hubb’s Groove.
• Sept. 3: Will Ross and Counterpoint, plus special guests.

Cher Tribute Show Coming to Robins

WARREN, Ohio – “The Beat Goes On – Cher Tribute Show,” featuring Lisa McClowry, will come to Robins Theatre on Thursday, Feb. 15, for an 8 p.m. show.

Tickets range from $29 to $49 (plus applicable fees) and will go on sale Friday, July 7, at 10 a.m. at robinstheatre.com and the box office, 160 E. Market St.

A presale for members of Friends of the Robins Theatre will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday; check the website for information.

The one-woman, Broadway-style show is a convincing tribute to the pop diva. Every effort is taken to capture Cher’s singing and speaking voice, costumes and makeup.

In addition, the show incorporates a live band, LED walls, video, multiple costume changes, dynamic dialog, humor and audience participation.

Cher’s hits are also part of the show, including “I Got You Babe,” “Gypsies Tramps and Thieves,” “If I Could Turn Back Time” and “Believe.”

Ashtabula Yacht Club Gets $74K Grant

ASHTABULA, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has awarded a $73,889 Boating Infrastructure Grant to Ashtabula Yacht Club for repairing and upgrading the docks on the club’s northern shoreline.

The BIG program offers funds to public and private agencies and marinas that provide tie-up opportunities to recreational boats 26 feet or longer in length. Funding for the BIG program comes from a federal excise tax on fishing equipment and motorboat fuels. Ashtabula is one of 23 grant recipients from 19 states receiving a Tier 1 grant; smaller grants are given out at the state’s discretion.

Grant recipients from both tiers are required to match a minimum of 25% of their awarded grant money. Ashtabula Yacht Club will be contributing $41,271 toward the project.

Money from the grant and from Ashtabula Yacht Club will be used to improve 70 feet of the marina’s sidewalk, renovate the mast crane, install electrical and water receptacles, install an information board for guests and provide a throwable life ring.

Ashtabula Yacht Club is located along the Ashtabula River, about half a mile south of Lake Erie. It maintains over 120 feet of northern shoreline dockage for public use.

Western Reserve PBS Names New Chief

KENT, Ohio – David C. Rotterman, a former senior executive at Buffalo Toronto Public Media, will take over as president of PBS Western Reserve on July 17.

Rotterman has more than 37 years of public media experience. He has held several positions at BTPM during his 23 years there, and most recently served as senior vice president and chief content officer.

A native of North Olmsted, Ohio, Rotterman graduated from Ashland University.

Rotterman’s predecessor, Trina Cutter, is retiring after 21 years of service to the organization.

Short Race at White House Benefits Rescue Mission

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley’s annual Point 5K Run/Walk will take place Saturday, July 8, at White House Fruit Farm in Canfield at 10 am.

The family-friendly fun walk/run is open to everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. It is only a half-kilometer in length (1,640 feet) and includes a doughnut stop at the halfway point.

“Since this is a point 5K, it is quite possible that some participants will have a longer walk from their car to the registration table than the entire length of the event,” said Lynn Wyant, chief development officer.

Registration is $5 per person. Every registrant will receive an oval car decal, a doughnut, a complimentary beverage and a race bib.

Go HERE to register.

Pictured at top: James Naples III and Johnny Chechitelli of the “Youngstown Mob Talk” podcast will present a series of lectures this month in Warren.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.