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Quote By

“I'm positive and I smile a lot, and I'm kind of a banana, but serious work just seems to find me, so I'm not going to argue with it.”

Actress Mireille Enos (The Killing) starring in World War Z playing in theaters now.

N e w s l e t t e r

World War Z Attacks The Audience With The Same Old Hero Movie MomentsBy Art Byrd

I am not a zombie fan. Even though, my good friend, Jason got me to watch the first season of The Walking Dead, the AMC hit series about zombies taking over the world and a small group of people trying to fight them off. I like the series, but still not a zombie movie fan.

I saw the trailer for World War Z. It showed a lot of people trying to scale a wall, but you can’t tell if they were zombies. In fact, zombies were not mentioned in the trailer. The movie caught my attention.

The movie starts off with an opening sequence showing the world in chaos with human suffering and animals eating other animals.

Then, we moved to the calmness of a family setting in the suburbs. Brad Pitt who plays Gerry Lane and his wife, Karin played by Mireille Enos (The Killing) are awakened by their two young daughters in bed.

The loving family is having breakfast looking at television and something is happening worldwide and they are not sure what it is. The youngest daughter says to Gerry” Daddy, all you do is make pancakes.” Gerry tells his daughter that he did something else but wanted to stay-at-home with the family. His look of seriousness lets the audience know that whatever he did before was important.

A BYRD’S EYE VIEW

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Next scene, Gerry and the family are in the heart of downtown Philadelphia for no apparent reason. Suddenly, people are running and explosions are happening. A motorcycle policeman knocks off the side mirror of Jerry's car causing him to get out of the car and asked what's going on to nearby driver who doesn't know.

Gerry notices some of the citizens are attacking other citizens with a crazy look on their faces. Yep, it's zombie time and there are a lot of zombies.

On the run from zombies, Gerry gets a call from a former colleague that he is wanted to help with the zombie situation because he took care of things when he was with the United Nations (UN). I was not sure of what Jerry took care of but it doesn’t matter because he is the man for the zombie elimination job.

The scenes of the chaos were filmed brilliantly especially with the above the city shots of thousands of people fleeing and zombies running amok.

World War Z is not your typical zombie movie, there were no flesh tearing scenes except for the opening title sequence. There are a lot of strange and cool scenes like when the zombies attack a city with a high wall and use each other's bodies to scale it.

Another scene, on a commercial flight with Jerry who had just escaped zombies on the ground. A flight attendant discovers a zombie on the plane who starts to attack passengers making more zombies. So, how do you get rid of zombies at 50,000 feet in the air. Jerry has a solution in the form of a grenade, which someone just happens to have. Jerry throw the grenade at the back of the plane and when it blows, leaving a large hole in the side of the plane as zombies, new zombies and regular passengers go flying out of the hole. The plane does crash, killing everyone except Gerry and one other passenger that he knows and helps him out.

World War Z had moments that I had to suspend belief like Gerry surviving the plane crash. At the end of the movie, there was the standard hero voiceover explaining how the world will never be the same.

World War Z is a so so movie but if you like to see zombies without a lot of gore and are constantly thinking “What the Heck?” as the “same old hero should have died but doesn’t” movie situations keep happening, then this is movie for you. Best thing, I liked about the movie was the title.

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Jack Perry’s Gastropub Opens in Austintown

By Monnie Ryan

To read the full version of this review, visit http://mahoningvalleyeats.blogspot.com.

It's not often that I review a restaurant after just one visit. Sure, I know how much first impressions count, but especially when it comes to food, seconds and thirds can be deal-breakers.

This time, though, I'm making an exception; my husband Jack and I have been watching for Jack Perry's Gastropub to open ever since Jeremiah Bullfrog's closed and we got the word on its replacement. The opening happened July 17, in fact, and we didn't waste much time trying it out. Although we couldn't sample much on a single visit, I wanted to help get the word out as quickly as possible.

Inside, the decor is quite different from the predecessor - nary a frog anywhere - with lots of black, chrome and silver. The bar side is punctuated by several large flat-screen TV sets, all tuned to sporting events (leading Jack to quip that it's a great place for Oakland Raiders fans).

Right off the bat, I’ll tell you that in addition to a full bar and a number of specialty drinks, 25 beers and ales are on tap here, ranging from IPAs and IIPAs, strong ales, fruit beers, wheat beers/dortmunders/blonde ales and stouts - most in the $3.50 to $5 range. Yuengling, in fact, was about the most "standard" on-tap brew I noticed. Not sure? You can sample.

Since we were here at lunchtime, we zeroed in on the sandwich list. Once I spotted the Kase Melt, made with Rust Belt beef, sliced mushrooms, caramelized onions and horseradish cheese ($8.99), I knew it had my name on it. Meanwhile, Jack settled on the Portobello sandwich, a marinated portobello with spinach pesto and roasted red pepper (also $8.99). Sandwiches come with fries - or you can substitute one of the other sides including baked potato, mashed potatoes, broccoli or the vegetable of the day.

As it turns out, I made the right choice; the Kase Melt is to die for. After I gave him a bite, I ended up giving nearly half of it to Jack, who announced that this may be his all-time favorite Philly cheesesteak-type sandwich. The shredded beef is delicious, and the horseradish cheese gives it just a hint of a kick. Jack's portobello was delicious as well - that spinach pesto is especially good. We both opted for fries, which are quite tasty as well.

Just as notable as what we ate, though, is what we didn't eat. Shepherd's Pie with Rust Belt Beer bruised beef, Jack Perry's Mirepoix and caramelized mashed potato ($8.99)? Check. Bangers and Mash - sausage bangers, mashed potato, onion demi ($9.99)? Double-check. But none of those compare to the treat that will get me here in a flash - the Ahi Tuna Fillet, or poppy seed encrusted Ahi tuna served with 2 sides ($13.99).

If you go: Jack Perry's Gastropub 5529 Mahoning Ave. Austintown, Ohio 44515http://www.jackperrys.com

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Zero Hour Deserves Almost Perfect Score

By Monnie Ryan

4-1/2 stars (out of 5)

Can't make it happen here, but this one really gets an extra half-star from me, I'm happy to report. After reading Cussler's disappointing Poiseidon's Arrow, co-written by his son Dirk Cussler, last year - I gave it just 3 stars - I wasn't expecting this one to be much better.

That book was the 22nd "starring" Dirk Pitt, who since his introduction in 1965 has "graduated to head up the National Underwater and Marine Agency. Pitt makes an occasional appearance in that capacity in Zero Hour, but this one (Book 9 of The Numa Files) follows friends Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala and the rest of the Numa team as they try to stop a mad scientist who's bent on destroying the world as they know it.

The focus, if you will, is on "zero point energy," which is a theoretical state of energy that well-known scientists like Nikola Tesla reportedly espoused but for which his designs mysteriously disappeared before they could be tested. If tapped, it could be used as an energy source for the betterment of the world; but misused, the consequences could be dire. Here, the Numa team learns that a discredited and paranoid scientist has mastered the technology and, together with his son, plans to unleash it by targeting a faultline that runs through the middle of Australia and splitting the continent right down the middle.

As the team searches to find and shut down the villain before that happens at "Zero Hour," the chase moves along nicely, making this book hard to put down. On occasion, the boundaries of what the human body is capable of are tested a bit as the testosterone levels shoot up (literally and figuratively), but it never quite reaches the point of super-human that always bugs the heck out of me when I run across it in other books of this genre. All in all, a great job!

Zero Hour by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown (Putnam Adult, May 2013); 400 pp.

Sunfest Is Shining On Mill Creek MetroparksMill Creek MetroParks presents the Annual Sunfest Celebration on Sunday, July 28th beginning at 8 a.m. at the Wick Recreation Area. This all-day event will include a Golf Challenge, a Zumba Fest event, a Sunfest Hike, Children's Activities, a Sand Sculpture Competition, and a rock and roll concert by House Band. More information about Sunfest is available at (330) 702-3000. 

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What’s Happening Around The Valley: July 27-30

Saturday, July 27 Northside Farmers Market Northside Farmers Market Youngstown features fresh produce and baked goods for sale, cooking demonstrations and tastings. The market happens every Saturday from February through December. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Northside Farmers Market is located at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1105 Elm St., Youngstown. Intro to Belly Dance

Intro to Belly Dance is shaking at Eos Whole Fitness and Bellidance in the Calvin Center, from 4:15-5:15 pm with a cost of $7. visit http://www.EosWholeFitness.com..

The Calvin Center is located at 755 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown

2Deep Summer Jam

An outdoor hip-hop concert called 2Deep Summer Jam will have national recording artist Juicy J as the headliner Saturday night on East Federal Street, between Market and Walnut streets in downtown Youngstown

Opening acts for the event will be local rappers Sauce, Mood, Ace 500, Cash, King Ralph and Yung Monsta.

Gates open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 and are available at 2deepevents.com. VIP tickets also are available for $40.

It’s an all-ages show and will take place rain or shine. For information, call 330-397-7567.

Sunday July 28th

Firestone Park ConcertFirestone Park in Columbiana welcomes a free concert featuring Silver And Gold - Four Hands, One Piano at 2 p.m. at the Park Gazebo. More information about this concert is available at (330) 482-3822. Firestone Park is located at 347 East Park Avenue in Columbiana

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What’s Happening Around The Valley: July 27-30

Tuesday, July 30th

Canfield Community Band Canfield Community Band wants anyone who plays an instrument to join the group, which meets each Tuesday at 7 p.m.For more information call 330-542-3313 Canfield High School is located 100 Cardinal Drive, Canfield

Dance Lessons

Judy Conti Dance Studio is having dance lessons at the,Wedgewood Plaza in Austintown. Swing, cha-cha, and waltz lessons will be featured every Tuesday and Wednesday. 7-8 p.m. or 8-9 p.m. Call for admission information.330-727-6312 or 330-788-7474.

A Popular Event Happens AgainUrsuline Center CAR TRUNK & TREASURE SALE happens on Saturday, July 27, 2013,

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m at the Ursuline Center.

Vendors sell both new and used goods literally from their car trunks. Inside the Ursuline Center will be a sale of furniture, books, and misc. items. The Ursuline Center volunteer chefs, “The Leftovers,” will be selling food.

The event will be held rain or shine, no refunds.

The Ursuline Center is located at 4280 Shields Road, Canfield

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On StageThe Oakland Center for the Arts: HairThe Oakland Center for the Arts presents the musical Hair, tells the story of the "tribe," a group of of politically active, long-haired hippies of the "Age Of Aquarius" living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting conscription into the Vietnam War.

The musical is running weekends from Friday, July 26th through Saturday, August 10th. Evening performances are at 8 p.m The Musical, Tickets and more information about this show are available at (330) 746-0404.  

The Oakland Center for the Arts located at 220 West Boardman Street in Youngstown

The Rust Best Theater Company: Forbidden YoungstownThe Rust Best Theater Company stages Forbidden Youngstown, a humorous look at local community theater. The play is an Off-Broadway satirical revue that makes fun of current Broadway musicals. Forbidden Youngstown is intended for adults and is R-rated because of adult language and situations.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and July 26 and 27 at the Rust Belt Theater Company in the Calvin Center, 755 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown.

For reservations, call or text 330-507-2358.

Upcoming

New Castle Playhouse: Rabbit HoleNew Castle Playhouse brings the drama Rabbit Hole to the stage running weekends from Friday, August 9th through Sunday, August 25th. Rabbit Hole explores the way people deal with grief, both individually and as families, as it tells the story of a couple trying to recover from the accidental death of their child.

Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets and more information about this show are available at (724) 654-3437.

New Castle Playhouse is at 202 East Long Avenue, New Castle. PA

Start The Weekend Off With First FridayHot Topix is presenting First Friday at the Wing Warhouse at the Eastwood Expo Center on Friday August 2nd from 8 p.m-Midnight.

It is a network/ Connect/Hang-Out event. First Friday will feature Jazz, R&B, Neo-Soul and food and drink specials including all you can eat wings. There is a $5.00 cover charge.

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On Stage (cont’d)Youngstown Playhouse: Arriving at BessieArriving at Bessie, the winner of the 2013 Voices of the Valley one-act play festival at the Youngstown Playhouse will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2, 3 and 4 in the Playhouse’s Moyer Room black box theater.

The play was written by Kelly Bancroft, an instructor at Youngstown State University, singer, and has taught creative writing throughout the community.

James Canacci is directing the 40-minute play. The cast includes Hannah Gillespie as Bessie; Tracy McQuillan as Bancroft; Noelle Bowles and Joseph Pecchio.

Tickets are $7; call 330-788-8739 for reservations.

Salem Community Theatre: HairspraySalem Community Theatre presents The Musical Hairspray running weekends from Friday, August 2nd through Sunday, August 11th. Hairspray takes place in the 1960s in Baltimore, telling how lovable, plus-size Tracy Turnblad wins a spot on the local television dance show and instantly finds herself transformed from outsider to teen celebrity.

Evening performances begin at 8 p.m . and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.mTickets and more information about this show are available at (330) 332-9688.

Salem Community Theatre is located at490 East State Street, Salem.

34west Theater: Speakin Easy34west Theater's new musical Speakin' Easy opens Wednesday at Das Dutch Village Inn in Columbiana.

Speakin' Easy pays homage to classic Broadway musicals and movies and is filled with characters and classic radio tunes such as "Puttin' on the Ritz" and "The Charleston" as it tells the story of the lovesick receptionists at the Acme Hot Air Balloon Company and one dimwitted gangster.

Speakin' Easy will be staged at noon Wednesday and Aug. 1 and 7 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3.

Tickets are $45 for evening performances and $40 for matinees and include a four-course dinner. For reservations or more information, call 866-482-5050, Ext. 310.

Das Dutch Village Inn is located at 150 E. State Route 14. Additional performances are scheduled Sept. 18-21 and Oct. 23-26.

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Excerpts from A Byrd’s Eye View can be read in The Review,Newspaper, available throughout the Valley and online athttp://www.thereviewnewspapers.com/

PRIVACY POLICYSome 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.

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.

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.

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.

Movie reviews from A Byrd’s Eye View can be read in The Buckeye Review Newspaper, available throughout the Valley at various newsstands.

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. In addition to teaching and writing/producing A Byrd’s Eye View newsletter, Art is a Video Journalist at The Business Journal. He is based in Youngstown, Ohio.

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 travel-related Web sites, and she has won numerous awards for photography. Contact her at mryan62692@aol.com.