Thursday, February 24, 2011

HBA 60th Annual Home and Garden Show

HBA Home and Garden Show

     In it's 60th Year, the HBA's annual Home and Garden Show is bigger and better than ever this year at Mr. Anthony's Banquet Center, on South Avenue in Boardman.  Starting Friday, February 25th from Noon to 8:00pm; Saturday, February 26th from 10:00am to 8:00pm; and ending Sunday, February 27th from 10:00am to 6:00pm, this show has all the purveyors, landscapers, builders, and more to give you plenty of ideas for your own homes and gardens.  The Consumer Gate Sponsors:  Boak & Sons Roofing & Insulation, WW Heating & Air Conditioning, Zinz Construction & Restoration, and Banner Supply, have generously worked together to provide FREE ADMISSION to all the consumer guests and visitors.


     The basic philosophy of the founders of the HBA of Mahoning Valley in 1945, was to protect and promote our industry, and now, 60+ years later remains the same objective. It is the HBA's responcibility to uphold good construction standards, honesty to consumers, quality workmanship, and to keep abreast of current codes and regulations.  The HBA of Mahoning Valley has endless resources to help you plan and make those hard choices. One such choice is hiring a contractor. There are many contractors out there, and it is not only important that you choose a contractor that you can work with, but also one that has a good reputation, built on quality work, good business practices and work ethic, and has an organized, reliable manner when on the job. 


     It takes a lot to put these shows together every year and this years 2011 show came together with the help of the following:  



2011 Show Chairman
Brian Casagrande
BMC Carpentry

Assisted by: 
Sam Boak
Boak & Sons, Inc. 

2011 HBA President
David Smith
Smith Family Builders



Home & Garden Show Committee
Albert Alexander, ARA Home Remodeling
Paul Basinger, Basinger Auction Services
Debby Blaylock, WYTV/WKBN Television
Kerry Cross, Joe Koch Construction
Tom Duncan, Duncan’s Bath & Kitchen
James Grantz, Komar Plumbing
Fred Marcum, Impact Property Solutions
Dave Novak, D&R Garage Doors Plus
Andy Profanchik, APCO Construction
Cynthia Rogers, Rogers Marketing Group
Mark Sprankle, TR Party Centre
Teri Storey Masonry Materials Plus
Krista White, Armstrong
Richard Yannone, Retired

HBA Staff
Joshua Aikens, HBA Executive Officer
Becki Chaffee, HBA Business Administrator


Hope to see you all at the Show!!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

January 20th Biz Blast: Millwork Films

Millwork Films




Millwork Films, LLC, is a full-service film and video production company based in Boardman, Ohio, serving businesses and non-profit organizations that need keen storytelling for their promotions and fundraising.  Whether you want video for your business website, a documentary for a fundraising banquet, or a DVD to distribute to your employees, clients, customers, or supporters, they can help.  They offer concept and story development, production planning, studio shoots, location shoots, live sound recording, non-linear editing, sound mixing, music scoring, DVD duplication and web video management.

Millwork Films was founded in April 2010 by the husband-and-wife filmmaking team of Eric Harper and Julie Cancio Harper.  But this is not the first time they have worked together.  Their creative partnership began in 1998, working on commercials and independent films in Boston, while Eric completed his MFA in Film Production at Boston University.  Later, they spent several years working together in film production in Los Angeles.  



Over time it became more and more important for them to work on meaningful projects that have a positive impact on their community.  They relocated to Boardman, Julie's hometown, to start their own production company.  Millwork Films, LLC, is here to help you get your story told through the art and craft of film and video production

In order to start your project, the first step is to call and schedule a meeting.  There are so many variables in film and video production that the best thing you can do, especially if you have never hired a video producer before, is to meet with them for an initial consultation.  Bring everything you know about what you need -- and want -- the video to accomplish.  And don't worry about any details you don't have yet.  Eric and Julie will collaborate step-by-step to develop the elements of the proposed film or video.  



After the initial meeting they will put our proposal in writing, including pricing, and email it to you.  This is all part of the free consultation, which is their standard way of opening each new film or video project.  When you're ready to move forward with a production, you sign a contract and start producing.

Schedule your free consultation today by phone (888-212-7821) or by email (info@millworkfilms.com).  View samples of our video productions at www.millworkfilms.com.  Additional samples are available on DVD.

Friday, January 7, 2011

January 8 Biz Blast: I Spy Photo Booth

I Spy Photo Booth



Are you looking for a way to really liven up your next party or event?  Renting a photo booth from I Spy Photo Booth will have everyone talking and waiting their turn for some fun and festive photos that add a lasting memory to any occasion.  Located in Mahoning County but available for travel to most NE Ohio and Western PA locations, the team at I Spy Photo Booth will work to make sure you are a success.  Step inside their photo booth and be as silly or serious as you like. The friendly and helpful attendants pass no judgment.  This isn’t a typical photo booth at your local mall. I-Spy Photo Booth LLC is so much more. They offer many options such as prop trunksmemory booksflash drives and web hosting for all of your pictures.




The photo booths are professional and completely digital.  There is an LCD monitor mounted inside the booth to view yourself as well as count down before each pose. There are also buttons to select either color or black/white prints.  The photo booth is approximately 8’ long x 5’ wide x 6’2” tall. This allows many guests to be in the same picture.  The photo booths are perfect for wedding receptions, graduation parties, corporate events, bar/bat mitzvahs, birthday parties, school dances, anniversary parties, fundraisers or any other special event you may have.





The photos are available in 2x6 strips and 4x6 prints. All photos are high resoution and printed with high grade dye. Prints are scratch resistant and smudge proof.  I Spy Photo Booth offers an unlimited number of prints at every event. Guests also have the option of full color or black and white.  Personalized graphics can be printed on every photo.  Also, there’s no need to pay extra for trinkets or candy when you can use our photos as favors. We offer acrylic frames for our 2x6 strips or our 4x6 pictures, so your photos will last a lifetime.



What is the prop trunk?  It is a basket full of fun, decorative, crazy, oversized gear to put on before stepping into the booth. If you include this in your add-on options you and your guests will have a choice of putting on large funny glasses, colorful boas, hats of all kinds, wigs, necklaces, eye masks, tiaras and more! Of course the guests that don’t want the extras can just step into the booth and smile!



All of I-Spy Photo Booth LLC’s packages include an unlimited number of prints which contain four poses. Every guest gets to choose whether they would like color or black and white prints each time they step in the booth.  Their friendly and helpful attendants will setup and teardown the photo booth and stay for the entire event for no additional charge.  In addition to the high-quality prints, every package includes a flash drive and web hosting on their website with free downloads.  There are many packages and add-on's available and they start at very reasonable rates from 2 hours of rental time and up.  You can contact I Spy Photo booth during business hours Monday Thru Friday from 9am to 5pm.  Voicemails are checked Monday thru Saturday from 9am to 11pm.  They can be contacted by mail at 2826 Columbiana Road in New Springfield, OH  44443, emailed at contact@ispyphotobooth.com, or by phone at 330-549-3008.


Thursday, January 6, 2011

January 6th Biz Blast: Youngstown Wedding Ministers

Youngstown Wedding Ministers:



Your wedding is the most important event in your lives, so you need a professional officiant for your dream wedding. Youngstown Wedding Ministers are Christian ministers that will perform your wedding the way you dreamed. They are the valley's 5 Star rated wedding officiants. 




It is all about you and your dream wedding! 


They can perform the simplest ceremony to the most traditional ceremony. Whatever ceremony you chose is written as if you are our a member of their own family, and you are treated with the same care as they would one of their loved ones. Ceremony's can be performed just about anywhere whether it's in your backyard, the park, by the beach, or in a church of your choice it's all up to you.




They have officiated weddings from Sandusky, Ohio to Wheeling, W. Va. to Pittsburgh, Pa., and have been blessed with the honor of officiating weddings at such venues as Stambaugh Auditorium, Avion on the Water, St. James Meeting House, The Butler North ( formerly The First Christian Church), The Avalon Inn, The Butler Institute of American Art, The Saxon Club, The Massilions Women's Club, and many numerous parks, gazebos. Not to mention the many back yard family style weddings that they have been honored to officiate.







Wedding Packages and Chapel Packages are available and very affordable compared to the national averages.  Most wedding officiations cost between $250 - $800, but Youngstown Wedding Ministers averages from $225 to $450, depending on the officient and their experience.  Special ceremony's are also available to add on to your wedding day including the Unity Sand Ceremony, the Unity Candle Ceremony, and the Memorial Candle Ceremony. Having a large or outdoor ceremony?  A free sound system is available to make hearing easier for all.






Be sure to visit the website and read their blog for up to date wedding information, great links for needed bridal products and services, and to find out where and when other couples in the area are getting married.  Call or email them today for more information.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

January 5th Biz Blast: Youngstown Ski Club

Youngstown Ski Club



Brian Hinchcliffe, President of the Youngstown Ski Club, says that while skiing is their passion, the Club is really a 365 day social hub for friends and family of friends who like to get together year round for friendship, travel, and entertainment.  A look at the calendar of activities in 2010 included multiple Ski Trips, including their yearly trek to Mount Snow Vermont, as well as other great locations, the annual Wine Tasting Evening, Winery Tours, A Pub of the Month Mixer throughout the year, New Years Eve Party, Thursday Cycling Outings, Geneva on the Lake, and much, much more.  What started out in 1958 as a non-profit club for ski enthusiasts, has grown into a social club who happens to enjoy skiing.  A LOT!  




The only requirements for membership:
  1. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
  2. Applications must include a membership fee of $20.00 until December 16th, after which the rate will be $25.00. Checks and completed form should be made payable to "The Youngstown Ski Club" and mailed to address listed on the form.
  3. Applicants should be aware that gross misconduct can result in the forfeiture of not only membership, but also of any dues or other fees incurred in the misconduct. Gross misconduct is defined as any behavior that places the Youngstown Ski Club, its Officers, and other members in a negative light.
  4. Because the Youngstown Ski Club is acting gratuitously on the behalf of its members, applicants must sign a waiver relinquishing The Youngstown Ski Club of all liability.
  5. 5. Applicants may be any level skier and/or snowboarder, be completely new to the sport, or join as social members.


Reasons to join include:
  1. Receive affordable group rates and discounts on trips not available by other means.
  2. Meet new and interesting people that enjoy outdoor activities and having fun.
  3. Highly convenient for those that travel: pay, pack, participate! Our experienced Trip Chairpersons make all the arrangements and plan the fun!
  4. As a YSC member, you also become an affiliate member of both the Cleveland Metro Ski Council and the Western Pennsylvania Ski Council. This affiliation makes you eligible for the numerous world wide trips from both Councils and affiliate ski clubs!
  5. Receive the Sitzmark, a quarterly newspaper covering news within the ski industry and other clubs in the Cleveland Metro Ski Council.
  6. Receive first notice and updates on trips from See the World Tours.
  7. Experience the fun and excitement only offered here!
  8. Join us and affiliate groups as we organize a variety of fun events almost each month!


For more information or to join, you can go to the Youngstown Ski Club website.  Be sure to sign up for their monthly "See & Ski" newsletter.  Check out their calendar for this months "Pub of the Month," typically held on the 4th Tuesday of the month, in January they will be getting together at Michael Alberini's in Boardan at 7:30. If you join this month and get a friend to join with you.  You will receive $20 off the next ski trip of your choice. 

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

January 4th Biz Blast: Steel Valley Computers




Brad Murphy, President and Founder of Steel Valley Computers, has a passion for technology.  After serving his country in the US Air Force, he come to Ohio and studied Computer Technology at Youngstown State University.  After working 3 years for a local IT service provider, Brad decided to create his own company, and Steel Valley Computers was born in March of 2009.



Since that time, he has created a team of professionals and expanded his business to service some of the best and up-and-coming companies in the Valley.  As the go-to provider of IT services for the Youngstown Business Incubator, Steel Valley Computers is able to work with some of the best software minds in the country, and doing his part by keeping their hardware, systems and networks, running strong.  While primarily servicing clients with networks of up to 150 users, they still find time to work on personal computers and help with home system repairs and networking as well. 



With office space centrally located in Boardman, OH, the company easily is able to service the 5 county area including Mercer and Shenango counties in Western PA.  A lot of the services that Brad and his team offer can be done on-site at your location, or they have pick-up and drop-off service for the main office. 


Besides the many services that Steel Valley Computers offer, they also are able to locate products and build computers that suit your particular needs.  Brad strives to keep up with the latest technology to provide you with systems and applications to make your work as seamless as possible.  By following the company as a fan on Facebook, or their tweets on twitter, you will often find many interesting stories and new products in the technology field.  You can contact the company by calling 330-227-8324 or stop by their office at 6960 Market Street, Suite 116 in Boardman by appointment. 

Monday, January 3, 2011

Daily Blast, January 3: Fashion 360 Fashion & Image Consulting




Jennifer Betts is one hard working, yet always fashionable woman.  After many years of working her “day job,” she took her more than 17 years of experience in the fashion and cosmetic industry and started her own fashion & image consulting business.  Fashion 360 is that business, and uses her training in color analysis, fashion style, and etiquette.  She has additional training in sales, modeling, event planning, and educating others.  She serves as President of the OH/PA Chapter of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI,) is the Director/Founder of Connecting Point, a business networking group, as well as being a member of Business Networking International, (BNI.)



Services offered at Fashion 360 include Personal Consultations, where Jennifer will conduct a consultation with clients to evaluate your current style and assess your clothing and accessories, (shoes, handbags, jewelry, and belts.)  After the evaluation, unnecessary and unflattering items are weeded out.  Next comes wardrobe and beauty recommendations and creating new outfits with your existing clothing and accessories to give her clients a more up-to-date look.  In addition, she will provide you with information so you have the opportunity to update your hair and make-up with local beauty consultants.



Personal Shopping is also offered where if necessary, she will shop with you at stores that are tailored to your size, as well as fit your budget; teaching you how to shop for yourself by showing you what styles, colors, and fabrics work best for you.



Speaking Engagements allow Jennifer to share her knowledge with groups of people as well as her one-on-one work.  Fashion exists for both her and him, and there are certain rules of thumb that everyone needs to know.  She can provide a fun and informative presentation to your business, organization or club, both for males and females.  Sample topics include:  How to dress appropriately at the work place, What NOT to wear, What is age appropriate attire, Fashion Do’s and Don’ts, and much, much, more.  Jennifer’s quick tips include:  Being your own style, Shop smart, and Give a great first impression.  On her “Must-Haves” list, there is the Little Black Dress, Classic Pumps, a Designer Bag, a Gray Suit, and some Great Accessories.

 


You can contact Jennifer at 330-503-8419 by phone, and by email at jmbohio@aol.com.  Her website is www.fashion360.biz.