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A Quote By

“People say, be wary of sequels, but I was gung ho to do this as much as you possibly could be, ... The Transporter was an amazing turn in my career -- my first leading role. I got to do a lot of action, which I'd always wanted to do as a very physical person, especially with my background as an athlete for years, and so to incorporate all that into a movie role was like a dream come true for me.

Actor Jason Statham, (The Transporter series), who is one of the Expendables in The Expendables 2,

N e w s l e t t e r

The Expendables 2 Recycles the Same Old Action MoviesBy Art Byrd

When I saw the first The Expendables movie a few years back, I thought it was an above average B- movie, with some action heroes, big stunts, over-the-top violence and corny dialogue. Enough to enjoy some Goobers and popcorn.

Now in 2012, The Expendables 2 gives the audience more action heroes, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and Chuck Norris, a huge body count and even more corny dialogue that includes, “I'll be back.” Yes, I'm not kidding, they use the line from The Terminator with Schwarzenegger saying it.

The Expendables 2 is like a live action video game with the bad guys being cut down in record numbers with blood splattering messiness. As the movie begins, we are thrown into the action as the Expendables are involved in a shootout while driving a strange but tricked-out armored truck.

They are in search of a kidnapped Chinese billionaire in Nepal. Of course, they find the billionaire, but someone has gotten there first, been captured and hooded. After a bloody battle, Barney, the Expendables leader (played by Sylvester Stallone) lifts the hood find out it is Trench, an operative and enemy played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Trench agrees to let the Expendables have the billionaire because they saved his life.

The Expendables 2 did try something different. They brought in a young operative, Afghanistan veteran Billy played by Liam Hemsworth (Hunger Games) as an expert sniper. Most of the Expendable team are back -- Jason Stratham, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, and Jet Li -- for a moment.

A Byrd’s Eye View

ABOUT FILMS, TV, ARTS AND EVENTS IN THE VALLEY

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In some action movies, when they try to include a lot of stars, the story can get lost because movies tries to fit in all the stars. Actually, in The Expendables 2, it worked. The action stars get their screen times. Unfortunately, it came with some bad corny lines.

As the story continues, The Expendables are back in town enjoying drinks. Barney and Billy have a man-to-man talk outside the bar. Billy is love with a girl and wants to the leave the team to be with her. But he wants the finish the month out. And you know what that means in movie terms. Yep, young Billy may not be around much longer.

Barney decides to take a motorcycle ride to the airport where the Expendables’ plane is. He climbs into the plane and who happens to be sitting in the cockpit, but Church, played by Bruce Willis. In this sort of movie, we overlook that Church is just sitting in the plane in hopes of Barney showing up after beers with the boys.

Church gives Barney a reminder about $5 million he owes from a previous mission. Church gives Barney a deal to erase the debt -- if he and the Expendables take on a new assignment. The team must include an operative: Tech expert Maggie, played by Na Yu, throws the testosterone-driven team off because some of them believe they have a chance with her.

The mission is to retrieve an electronic safe from a downed airplane. The team gets the safe but are ambushed by bad guys, including their leader called Villain. I am not kidding --his name is Villain -- and he is played by action star John Claude Van Damme.

Villain and his boys kill Billy in front of the Expendables. Yet Villain lets the Expendables live. A move he would, of course, regret later. In most movies, criminals seem to be smart in setting up elaborate crimes yet dumb by keeping the heroes alive when all they have to do is kill them. No more trouble.

Then there is Chuck Norris, who shows up at the right time to rescue the Expendables, then disappears and reappears somewhere else to help.

Barney wants to finish the mission and get revenge for Billy. What happens next is the typical action film scenario. There’s a big violent shootout, the one-on-one hero (Barney) and the bad guy (Villain) fight scene, and the winner, with the hero giving the thumbs up as he walks through the carnage of bodies.

If you like the recycling of action stars, same old plots, and corny and cheesy dialogue, then The Expendables 2 is for you.

Youngstown Area Jewish Film Festival Celebrates 10th Year

The 10th Annual Youngstown Area Jewish Film Festival will feature six films running Sept. 6- 22. Tickets and more information about film titles, venues and showtimes are available at http://web.ysu.edu/class/judaic/.

Single tickets or festival passes can be purchased. The prices for single tickets are: $8 adult, $7 senior, $5 student. Festival pass prices are: $24 adult, $21 senior, $15 student. Tickets can be purchased at the Jewish Community Center Bursar’s Office on Gypsy Lane in Youngstown.

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Stoneyard Grill Is Welcome AdditionBy Monnie RyanTo read the full version of this review, visit http://mahoningvalleyeats.blogspot.com

As any fan of Cheers can tell you, sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came. But ever since the Old Main Ale and Chowder House in downtown Niles was razed to make way for the William McKinley Birthplace Home, our city had nothing to take its place – until now.

On Aug. 16, the Stoneyard Grill and Restaurant opened almost directly across from the McKinley replica house, and we wasted little time getting there. The decor is clean and crisp, with stone on some of the walls, a fireplace on the bar side and a small outdoor patio.

The menu isn't what I'd call extensive, but there are plenty of choices. On our first visit with two friends, we shared beer battered onion rings ($5.99) and hot peppers in oil ($4.99) appetizers. The onion rings, with a tasty dipping sauce, were out of this world, and the jalapenos and Hungarian peppers are swimming in flavorful oil.

For my entree, I settled on the Stoneyard Fish Fry (haddock) for $8.99; I picked sweet potato fries and salad as my sides. Our friend Barb opted for Puff Shrimp, or Yuengling battered deep fried tiger shrimp, for $8.99, with a baked potato.

The "boys" were chicken pickers, with Jack choosing marinated Italian chicken, two breasts charbroiled in Italian marinade, for $9.99. As usual, he went for Cole slaw immediately - and when the server suggested the homemade citrus vinaigrette dressing, he agreed (and then raved about it).

Jerry's chicken was Chicken & Broccoli Aglio E Olio - sautéed breast with broccoli and minced garlic tossed in olive oil over penne - for $10.99. Caesar dressing choice.

The verdicts? My enormous haddock plank was perfectly cooked and coated with the same tempura-style batter as those wonderful onion rings, as was Barb's large shrimp, so we were happy campers. The chicken dishes, however, didn't get such high marks - largely because flavor, at least as described, was noticeably lacking in both (opinions we’ve heard echoed from others who had a similar experience, by the way).

The two of us went back at lunch time, when Jack settled on chicken salad on a croissant for $8.99. The "Dachshund," a large hot dog with brown mustard the menu claims would "make Harry Stevens proud" caught my eye ($7.99). For those who don’t know, the late Harry M. Stevens, who was from Niles, is credited as being the first person to wrap a frankfurter in a piece of bread.

The chicken salad was to die for, and while I have no idea how proud good old Harry would be, the hot dog really was huge and quite delicious. So will the Stoneyard Grill bring "cheers" to Niles? Time will tell, but we certainly plan to do our part to make it so (especially now that they have a “7 under $7” lunch menu). If you see us there, call out our name!

If you go: Stoneyard Grill and Tavern, 41 S. Main St., Niles, Ohio 44446; 330-544-9273; http://www.stoneyardgrill.com. Opens at 11 a.m. seven days a week.

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What’s Happening Around The Valley: Sept. 7th – Oct. 11th

OngoingNorthside Farmers MarketFirst Unitarian Universalist Church, 1105 Elm St., Youngstown; 330-518-6971. Every Saturday through the fall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This organization also offers a downtown farmers market every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Central Square. Both feature fresh local produce, baked goods and small vendors. Accepts WIC and EBT. Free.

Irish MusicIrish music enthusiasts from the area get together every third Sunday of the month to play. Open to the public. 6-8 p.m. Free. Quinlan’s Irish Pub, 5154 Youngstown-Warren Rd., Niles; for more information call 330-757-9057 or 330-349-4500.

Lowellville  Cruisin’ the River Car ShowThis car show occurs every Monday tonight through mid-October in downtown Lowellville. Features classic cars, hot rods, street rods, motorcycle and choppers. Registration is optional at $2 per vehicle. 6-9 p.m. Free. For more information, call 330-536-6811.

Friday, Sept. 7th First Night Youngstown presents Seraphim Chorus and Ice Cream Social At St. Patrick’s Hall, 1420 Oak Hill Ave from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Donation: $10. Call 330-744-9966 or email infofirstnightyoungstown@netzero.net for tickets. First Night Youngstown provides the citizens of Youngstown and the region with a family friendly New Year’s Eve event that strives to build community and celebrate diversity through the arts.

Death By ChinaJoin Congressman Tim Ryan and Director Peter Navarro for the free screening at the DeYor Performing Arts Center on Friday, Sept. 7 at 7p.m. The movie pointedly confronts the most urgent problem facing America today – its increasingly destructive economic trade relationship with a rapidly rising China. Since China began flooding U.S. markets with illegally subsidized products in 2001, over 50,000 American factories have disappeared, more than 25 million Americans can’t find a decent job, and America now owes more than 3 trillion dollars to the world’s largest totalitarian nation. Through compelling interviews with voices across the political spectrum, Death By China exposes that the U.S.-China relationship is broken and must be fixed if the world is going to be a place of peace and prosperity.

Saturday, Sept. 8th Liberty Township 3rd Annual Celebration in the Park From 9 until 5 p.m. at the park behind the Liberty Administration Building (off of Route 304). This event will include a parade at 9 a.m., a car and motorcycle show, educational displays, activities for children, and live musical entertainment. More information about this event is available at 330-759-1315.  

The Covelli Centre: Youngstown Litter and Recycling: Electronics Recycle your old and broken electronics – i.e. computers, monitors, TVs, stereos, cell phones, telephones, microwaves, cameras, desktop copiers, fax machines, printers, DVD players, VCRs, etc. All items, including TVs and monitors will be accepted free of charge. Don't put your old electronics in the trash. Metals and lead in them can pollute our land and groundwater. Call 330-744-7526.

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What’s Happening Around The Valley: Sept. 7th – Oct. 11th (cont’d) Saturday, Sept. 8th Pabstolutley Event returns to the Royal Oaks for the fifth year. There will be 14 bands. Show starts at 2 p.m. The Royal Oaks is located on Oak Street on Youngstown’s East Side. $5 donation required for wristband to drink. Proceeds benefit Golden String.

Sunday, Sept. 9th Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer AwarenessRobin Cole, former Pittsburgh Steeler All-Pro linebacker and a prostate cancer survivor will be the official starter for the Sept. 9 Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer Awareness at Wick Park. Cole also will speak during the awards ceremony. The Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer Awareness includes 10k and 5k runs and a 2-mile walk. Participants can run, jog or walk for their father, brother, uncle, husband, a friend, or for the women in their lives. Presented by the Humility of Mary Health Partners foundation, the Blue Ribbon Race raises money to fund public awareness efforts in the Valley about the risks of prostate cancer and the importance of yearly testing. These educational efforts are developed by Man Up Mahoning Valley, a not-for-profit local organization whose goal is to save lives and enhance the prostate health of the men of the Mahoning Valley. The 10K and 5K events start at 9 a.m., and the 2-mile walk starts at 9:30 a.m.

The Butler Institute of American Art Exhibit Fred Staloff - A 65 Year RetrospectiveRunning through Sunday, Nov. 25 in the MacIntosh, Finnegan and Hynes Galleries. Fred Staloff -A 65 Year Retrospective features works in a variety of media by the New Jersey painter that surveys over six decades of the artist's  production. There will be Meet The Artist Reception introducing Fred Staloff on Sunday, Sept. 9 from 1 until 3 p.m. Museum hours and more information about this exhibit are available at 330-743-1107. The Butler is located at 524 Wick Avenue, Youngstown.

The Butler Institute of American Art Lecture: The History and Appreciation of Still Photography: From the Family Album to the Museum WallBy Professor Richard Mitchell, Professor Emeritus from the Department of Art at Youngstown State University on Sunday, Sept. 9th at 2 p.m the Beecher Center Auditorium. This Lecture, Invention through the Civil War (1839-1865), will focus on the early years of photography. More information about this free lecture is available at 330-743-1107. 

Monday, Sept. 10th The Mahoning Valley Civil War Round TableGroup presents author and historian Jerry Holsworth, in a Lecture on Stonewall Jackson and Winchester, Virginia on Monday, Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m at Antone's Banquet Centre, 8166 Market St., in Boardman. Reservations and more information about this lecture are available at 330-726-7603.

The Ohio Cultural Alliance Presents: Old World Traditions: Lost And Retained Lecture By Hector Colon, who will discuss his ancestral Hispanic traditions on Monday, Sept. 10th at 6 p.m. at Los Gallos Banquet Room, 685 Boardman-Canfield Rd., Route 224. Hector Colon is the retired Fire Chief of Youngstown.   Reservations for the lecture and dinner are available at www.ohioculturalalliance.org.  

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What’s Happening Around The Valley: Sept. 7th – Oct. 11th (cont’d) Thursday, Sept. 13th Poetry Reading The Main Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 305 Wick Ave., in Youngstown will present Attorney James E. Carlisle on Thursday, Sept. 13th at 6 p.m. on the main concourse. Carlisle graduated from South High School and Youngstown University. His book is Mirrors of the Heart - Reflections of My Familiar. For more information, call 330-747-6932.

Saturday, Sept. 15th Coupon Swap at the LibraryYou can stretch your shopping dollars by swapping coupons or learn new tips from other coupon-clippers at the Canfield library on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. The library is located at 43 W. Main St. Canfield,  For registration information call 330.744.8636. 

Monday, Sept. 24th

Beer, Burgers and Bocce for Books At the Cassese’s MVR. $15 ticket includes admission, one burger, one beer. The event that supports the Youngstown Library starts at 5:30 p.m. The MVR is located at 410 N. Walnut St., Youngstown.

Thursday, Oct. 11th New York Times Bestselling Author Carol Higgins Clark at the Main LibraryThe Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County’s 9th Literary Society Author Event, beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets to this fundraising event are $55 and include a copy of the author’s newest release, “Gypped,” another in the mystery series featuring Regan Reilly. The evening will begin with an author’s reception and cocktails from 6-7 p.m., followed by dinner. The author’s presentation will begin just after 8 p.m. and immediately after, Ms. Clark will be available to sign books. Music by John Reese Project. For information or to reserve a spot, contact the Library’s Development Office at 330-740-6086. Carol Higgins Clark has written fourteen previous Regan Reilly mysteries. She is also co-author, with her mother, Mary Higgins Clark, of a bestselling holiday suspense series. Carol’s first mystery, Decked, was published in 1992 and was nominated for both the Anthony and the Agatha Awards.

(From the author’s website: http://carolhigginsclark.com/)

Grey to Green Festival Has Grown to Five Years

The Grey to Green Festival is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year and is being held on Sept. 15 at Wick Park on Youngstown’s north side. The festival is free and open to the public. It gets underway at 10 a.m., wrapping up at 5 p.m.

The festival will include a fun-filled day of family activities, exhibits, events and a “green vending zone,” where citizens from the region can learn about the significant opportunities in the green economy and how to improve their overall quality of life by implementing green practices into daily life.

Keynote speaker for the festival is sustainable food and farming advocate Temra Costa. Her book, Farmer Jane: Women Changing the Way We Eat, is the product of the past decade, which she has spent working to promote a more vibrant local food economy in California and beyond.

The Grey to Green Festival is organized by a coalition of community organizations and environmental groups.

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On StageYoungstown State University Theater: Dark MattersThriller running from Thursday, Sept. 6 through Sunday, Sept. 9 in the Spotlight Arena Theater in Bliss Hall. Evening performances are at 7:30 P.M. and the Sunday matinee is at 3 P.M. Dark Matters tells of Michael Cleary, a hapless husband and father, who discovers that his wife has not been stargazing as he was led to believe, and is faced with the alternatives that she is either hanging out in dive bars picking up truckers, or, hanging out in dive bars consorting with her fellow extraterrestrials. For tickets or more information, call 330-941-3105.

The Victorian Players: The Odd Couple Starring Len Rome and Jim Loboy of WYTV's "Daybreak"; Running from Sept. 7-23. This 1965 play by Neil Simon (which later became a film and a TV series) is a comedy in which two newspaper friends become roommates when one separates from his wife. Felix Ungar, the tidy "guest," introduces his "host," Oscar Madison, to the concepts of housekeeping, personal hygiene, and orderly living conditions. Adult tickets: $10, Seniors/Students: $8. For reservations and information, call 330-746-5455. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. The Victorian Players Theater is located at 702 Mahoning Ave, Youngstown.

The Youngstown Playhouse: Cabaret! The playhouse’s 88th season opener is directed by Frank Lucas. This classic musical follows the story of Sally Bowles, an aspiring singer at Berlin’s notorious Kit Kat Klub in Nazi Germany. After meeting aspiring writer Cliff Bradshaw, who has traveled to Berlin in search of inspiration, Sally moves in with him at a boarding house run by Fräulein Schneider and her suitor, Herr Schultz, a Jewish fruit-shop owner. As the Nazis grow stronger, everything is thrown into disarray. Performances: September 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m. To place your reservation, call 330-788-8739. The Playhouse is located at 600 Playhouse Lane, Youngstown.

Salem Community Theatre: The Last Five Years A touching two-person show that follows a man and a woman through the arc of their failed five-year relationship. The show uniquely tells Cathy’s story in reverse chronological order (beginning the show at the end of the marriage), and Jamie’s is told in chronological order (starting just after the couple have first met). The show runs September 14-23, Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $14 for adults, $10 for senior adults (age 62 & up), and $8 for students 17 & under. For tickets or more information, visit salemtheatre@att.net.

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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.

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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/

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 also does freelance media work. He is based in Youngstown, Ohio.

Michele Ristich Gatts began her full-time career in journalism with WKBN TV News, where she worked closely with radio news as well. After a decade in broadcasting, she branched into print, working five years for The Business Journal in various reporting and editorial capacities. Michele was fortunate to be recognized with a few prestigious journalism awards along the way, and has done a little teaching for YSU. She currently works as a freelance writer, editor and media consultant, and is based in Youngstown, Ohio. Contact her at michelegatts@yahoo.com.

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.

Another Way To Get A Byrd’s Eye ViewExcerpts of our newsletter are now online in the form of a blog. You can view shortened versions of reviews and find documents from past newsletters. You can also give us feedback on the site. Be sure to bookmark us at http://www.artbyrd.blogspot.com