Who will the public call for help without police?

June 21, 2020

America’s current conversation on race has many voices and some are not very polite. The match that set this off is the shocking killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, by a Minneapolis police officer while three other policemen stood by and watched. America watched the video of a man being killed by officers sworn to protect and defend. The officer with his knee on Floyd’s neck is white and the three bystanders represent a mix of races. Based on this misconduct alone police reform is required in Minneapolis. Nationally, reform is ongoing in a number of cities including ...

More projects you can do yourself at home

June 6, 2020

In last week’s column we talked about easy do-it-yourself projects you can easily pull off for under $300. Well, here are two more that are simple and economical. Project No. 1 Add garage storage — Shopping for garage storage solutions is definitely a kid-in-the-candy-store experience. There are so many cool shelves, hooks and hangers available that you’ll need to prioritize your needs. Take stock of long-handled landscape tools, bikes, paint supplies, ladders and odd ducks, such as that kayak. Measure your available space so you’ll have a rough idea of where everything ...

Black or white, let’s be on the same team

May 31, 2020

There are no easy answers to racism. But we know from experience that racist attitudes weaken when white and black people have opportunities to be on the same team. When we’re on the same team, we’re united to win together, even if individual team members happen to vary in race, age, gender, hometown or some other characteristic. In the context of the team’s goals, those individual traits become secondary. Professional sports have been instrumental in bringing together fans of multiple races, and a defining event in the integration of sports has a Youngstown connection. The two ...

Easy do-it-yourself projects for under $300

May 30, 2020

Just another weekend? Not if you take advantage of these three easy projects you can easily pull off for under $300. Most of the cost of these DIY weekend projects is in the materials. The labor — that’s you — is free. All you need now are the hours. But, hey, you’ve got two full days — plenty of time to be a superhero weekend warrior and grab some R and R. Project No. 1 Add a garden arbor entry. The setup: Install an eye-catching portal to your garden with a freestanding arbor. It’ll look great at the end of a garden path or framing a grassy area between planting ...

Community learning centers offer hope to Valley schools

May 24, 2020

We’re in a difficult time for public education. Spending at the state level has been cut, and with a slow economy we can expect more funding struggles statewide and locally. At the same time, our students’ academic, emotional and physical needs are greater than ever due to the challenges of remote learning, remote delivery of support services and increased stress, trauma and grief. This is not a new dilemma for Mahoning Valley public schools. When General Motors first announced it would close its Lordstown plant and abandon the communities that built billions of dollars of wealth ...

Maintain your sobriety during difficult period

May 17, 2020

In our collective attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 through physical distancing and business closures, some folks have found temporary reprieve from the daily grind. However, for others, an even-darker cloud has emerged. Those in recovery from addiction are being tested with stressors and risk factors that threaten sobriety more than ever. Maintaining sobriety requires ongoing, daily intentionality. It requires preparation, structure and personal insight. Staying in recovery also requires an engaged and supportive community. Like everyone, folks in recovery from addiction are ...