One Stop Tanning Made The Paper!

It's going to be a good year!! 

"...One new business that made downtown East Liverpool its home last year is One Stop Tanning on Walnut Street. In fact, owner April Galloway says she'll be celebrating its one-year anniversary on Feb. 22. She is also preparing to hire on her friend Mary Wymer to co-manage the establishment with her.

Galloway believes that too many local residents work in Youngstown, Pittsburgh or other outside communities, contributing to a brain-drain that inevitably draws people away from East Liverpool. "Let's build our own community," Galloway said with emphasis. Towards that end, she says she has been talking with other downtown business owners about how to make it happen.

Galloway admits that downtown revitalization will be a difficult path, but says that it is important enough to make the effort. "I think the most important thing is for small businesses to keep going, keep trying," she said.

Read the Full Article: City Residence Share Concerns and Hopes for 2013

Doodling

We chased him down!!! And made the paper!

"...Brandon M. Stephens, 21, Hazel Street, was charged with theft and intoxication after officers were called to a fight at Henry and St. Clair avenues Saturday morning. There, they were told by April Galloway of Gardendale Street that Stephens had stolen several things from her, including a laptop computer, Wi-Fi hot spot, clothing and medications, and she had tracked him down to that location. Police said Stephens was highly intoxicated..."

Read the full article : Police & Courts


My landlord brought this kid to my house.  He seemed nice enough.  Towards the end of the evening, he even helped clean up our mess.... or so I thought.  He grabbed a garbage bag and began filling it with what I thought was our left-over snacks and mess from the evening.  Only to figure out that this kid was truly filling these garbage bags with my belongings!!  This kid took a lap-top, which makes sense.  A computer is worth money.  But, please, tell me why this kid stole my (woman's) sweat-shirts, Tylenol, Antacids, antibiotics, Alka-seltzer, and even plastic cups from the cupboard!! 

I have to ask...  Was it worth the ass beating, buddy?? 

As soon as we realized the computer was gone, Tasha & I took off on foot!!  We ran clear up Gardendale Street onto St. Clair Avenue and there he was.  Of course, I am old and my girlfriend is a former track star, LOL!  So, she made it to him first!  I'm out of breath running 100 feet behind her while I scream, "Hold him baby, I'm coming..."   We didn't hurt him too badly.  Just knocked him around a bit.  But, we got my stuff back and he went to jail!  I bet he will think twice before robbing anyone again!  Especially a couple of chicks!

Michael Jackson Painting

Mom loved her gift!

I crocheted this blanket for my Mum!  As you can see, it was worth the work!

Utopia / Dystopia

Utopia is a name for an ideal community or society, which is taken from Of the Best State of Republic, and the New Island Utopia, a book written in 1516 by Sir Thomas More describing a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean, possessing a seemingly perfect socio-politico-legal system.

A dystopia is a vision of an often futuristic society, which has developed into a negative version of utopia.  A dystopia is often characterized by an authoritarian or totalitarian form of government. It often features different kind of repressive social control systems, a lack or total absence of individual freedoms and expressions and a state of constant warfare or violence.

• Utopia, Thomas More (1516)
• Walden, Henry Thoreau (1845)
• News From Nowhere, William Morris (1891)
• Garden Cities of To-morrow, Ebenezer Howard (1898)
• Walden Two, B.F. Skinner (1945)
• Island, Aidous Huxley (1962)
• Ectopia, Earnest Collenback (1975)

The Creek - Beaver Creek, Ohio

            I have always had a special relationship with nature.  As a child, I can remember frequently taking a notebook into the woods, at the end of the road from our house.  I would venture deep enough in to be completely engulfed in trees and search for the perfect spot from which I would have the most beautiful view.  Alone I would sit, perched on my rock or log of my choice.  After taking in the impact of my surroundings, I would write or draw in my little notebooks. In all these years, I don't think I've ever come up with the words that can explain the solace I feel in the woods. 

            In my early twenties I discovered Beaver Creek State Park.  It quickly became one of my most favorite places to be.  For me, it was another escape. I could venture through the woods for hours.  Instead of the stresses of every-day life clouding my brain, I would find myself thinking what it would have been like to be a pioneer, venturing into unknown territory.

            I know it may sound silly, but after your out there for hours and your just in the middle of it, something will start to change. You'll feel different.  Un-bothered.  Free.         

            The best part about the creek is that you can hike for hours, and as long as you follow the water, you will never get lost.  Listen...  Seriously... Do me a personal favor.  Spend one day of your life hiking the creek.  You'll breath better, your body will feel exercised and you will feel great.  Just be sure to bring plenty of water.

Beaver Creek State Park Website:  http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/beavercreek      
 
Beaver Creek Park Map:  http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/Portals/parks/PDFs/parks/Maps/Beaver_Creek/beavercreekparkmap.pdf

Beaver Creek Campground Map:  http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/Portals/parks/PDFs/parks/Maps/Beaver_Creek/beavercreekcampmap.pdf

Beaver Creek Trail Map:  http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/Portals/parks/PDFs/parks/Maps/Beaver_Creek/beavercreektrailmap.pdf

Trails

Seven hiking-only trails are available:

• Fitness Trail - 1/2 Mile - Easy
• Logan's Loop Trail - 1/2 Mile - Easy
• Nature Center Trail - 0.2 Miles - Easy
• Overlook Trail - 0.3 Miles - Easy
• Oak Hill Trail - 1 Mile - Moderate
• Upper Vondergreen Trail - 1 Mile - Moderate

Four mountain biking trails also permit hiking:

• Pine Ridge Trail - 1/2 Mile - Easy
• Fisherman's Trail - 1/2 Mile - Easy
• Dogwood Trail - 2.0 Miles - Moderate
• Lower Vondergreen Trail - 3.25 Miles - Moderate
• Vondergreen and Dogwood trails are technical mountain bike trails. Both offer great scenery, technical climbs, and fun downhills. Not for the beginner (unless you take it slow). Stop by the park office, and they will give you trail head directions and maps. Read more on the Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association website.

Twenty-three miles of bridle trails provide access for horse and rider through the valley.
The Dogwood, Pine Ridge and Vondergreen trails on the north side of Little Beaver Creek are part of the extensive North Country Trail system.

View Beautiful Photography of Beaver Creek: http://www.pinterest.com/sweetaprillynn/beaver-creek-state-park/

You can access that creek outside of the park, as well.  Instead of hiking the ground, try riding the creek. We have got into the creek at Grimm's Bridge and floated for hours all the way to state line.  Depending on how how the water is, that little exertion can take anywhere from 3 to 7 hours. (The higher the water, the faster the trip!)

Mystery's Most Wanted Presents: Mobster, Molls, & Marinara on the Gateway Clipper Fleet

If you ever get the chance, I recommend seeing one of these shows at least once!  Mobster, Molls, & Marinara was held on the Gateway Clipper Fleet on October 26, 2005, and, it was the best dinner entertainment I've ever experienced.  Not only did Mystery's Most Wanted put on a great show, they made you feel as if you were right in the middle.

Upon your arrival, you will be given a pamphlet that will lay out the story's setting.


This is what our pamphlet read:

Mystery's Most Wanted
Presents.......
Mobster, Molls, & Marinara. 

Welcome to Vinnie V's joint.  Where the hooch is flowing, the flappers are friendly, and murder is always on the menu. 

Tonight you will be transported back to 1920's Chicago--a time of prohibition, gangsters, and molls, flappers, gambling, bathtub gin, the Charleston, raccoon coats, and the speakeasy.  As you mingle in "Vinnie's Black Sock Speakeasy", you may meet the following characters:

Vinnie "the sauce boss" Vemicelli
A ruthless and wanton Mobster who will stop at nothing to get whatever and whoever he wants.  Blackmail, tommy guns, and cement shoes are all the tools of his trade.  His string of speakeasies/Italian bistros brin in the dough by the truck load.

Ray Ricotta
Ray Ricotta was Vinnie's old childhood pal and is now an ex-cop working as a private dick.  Ray was bounced from the force after being implicated in a scandalous "bathhouse" incident.  He has come here tonight to settle an old score and to clear his name.  It's been rumored that before he was kicked off the force, he and Shirley had a torrid, 15-minute affair.

Shirley Laverne
Shirley is Vinnie's reluctant, but accommodating girlfriend.  She despises Vinnie and would love to see him dead, but he has her in a corner.  She must do everything he tells her -- or someone she loves is gonna get it.

Wayne Starch
The Black Sock's emcee and singer-comedian, Wayne is a nice, clean-cut kid from the mid-west.  He too has fallen into one of Vinnie's traps and is now heavily in debt to the Sauce-Boss.  He would do just about anything to break free from him.  And it is no secret that Wayne has a BIG crush on Shirley.

Natasha Levushkin
Natasha Levushkin is a Russian immigrant and psychic who has recently arrived in Chicago after fleeing the Revolution.  she is employed as part of the stage show.  Despite her fabulous psychic powers, she would do anything for a buck.

Then, throughout dinner, these actors perform all around you, even using audience members as characters. The plot thickens, someone dies, and now your left wondering 'who done it'. As mentioned on their website, a typical evening's schedule would look similar to this:

7:00-7:30    The characters mingle with your guests, introducing themselves and setting up the plot.
7:30-8:00    Soup or salad is served
8:00-8:30    Act one is performed
8:30-9:00    Main course is served
9:00-9:30    Act two is performed, audience is invited to interrogate the characters
9:30-9:45    Dessert and coffee served
9:45-10:15   Act three is performed, winners are announced, and prizes are awarded.

Mystery's Most Wanted has been performing in the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas for 12 years now!  Their interactive murder mystery dinners are something everyone should see once.

For more information, view their website: http://www.mysterysmostwanted.com/index.htm

The Marshall House - New Cumberland, WV

 On April 17th, 2005, The Review reported that this 120 year old house had been made into a museum. The article included a photograph of one of the door hinges....and.... of course, it made me think.

People used to put much more attention to detail. Right down to the door hinge.  Think of any historical building you've ever seen...  most likely, you remember the incredibly detailed architecture. This particular house was built in 1887 and remained a Marshall family home until 2002, when the last living Marshall had passed.

It's last owner, Virginia Marshall, was born in the home and spent her 98 years of life there.  Apparently, in fear that the home would be altered,  Virginia had contemplated tearing the home down.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 and is now the Weirton Area Museum & Cultural Center. 



I couldn't find the original article I read.  But here is another, similar article that ran in the same paper years later:  The Review, Historical Museum Has A Story Of Its Own, April 21, 2012:  http://www.reviewonline.com/page/content.detail/id/554816/Historical-museum-has-a-story-of-its-own.html?nav=5008

Visit the Marshall House on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marshall-House-New-Cumberland-West-Virginia/241403089224822

Marshall House is now The Weirton Area Museum & Cultural Center :   http://www.weirtonmuseum.com