Blog Author: Ellie Rafoth, Community Engagement Intern
This week on Wednesday, July 9, Blue Lunch is playing at the Judge Morley Pavilion at the Wick Recreation Area as a part of Mill Creek MetroParks’ summer concert series Live! at the Morley!
Looking forward to tomorrow’s performance is Bob Frank, Blue Lunch’s guitarist, with an inside look at this blues-swing band!
ER: What is Blue Lunch’s history?
BF: The band started up in 1984 as a spinoff of the Cruise Masters; another local band that is still playing. Around 1995, the band began taking a new direction, which is when I joined. We began replacing members, and Pete London is the only member left from the original band. By 1997-98, all of the group’s members were in place, and we have been together for sixteen years. As of now, all of Blue Lunch’s members reside on the Eastside of Cleveland.
ER: How many members are there of Blue Lunch and who are they?
BF: There are eight members of Blue Lunch. I am the guitarist and one of the vocalists. I also contribute as the primary songwriter and producer for the band’s recordings. Also a member of Blue Lunch is Bob Michael, an accomplished trombone player who brings a wealth of musical experience to Blue Lunch. Our saxophone player is Chris Burge who began his music career at The Ohio State University and now plays with many groups including Blue Lunch. Pete London is our front man of the group as he is our harmonica player and vocalist. Pete is the unofficial leader of Blue Lunch and the only original member of the band. Mike Rubin is our trumpet player who brings a lifetime of professionalism to the Blue Lunch band as a much in demand session player. Holding the drum position in Blue Lunch is Scott Flowers who played on the first Blue Lunch recording and now plays again on our fifth and newest cd, Sideswiped. Expert on both electric and upright basses in Blue Lunch is Ray DeForest and lastly, Mike Sands brings his traditionally based piano playing to Blue Lunch on the keyboard.
ER: What type of music does Blue Lunch play?
BF: That is the hardest question to answer! We play every facet of blues, from low down delta blues to jazz and everything in between. We put a lot of emphasis on Memphis and New Orleans soul.
ER: Besides Live! at the Morley, where else can we expect to see Blue Lunch?
BF: After Live! at the Morley, we will be playing at John Carroll University in University Heights, OH on Thursday, July 10. You can also see us at Shaker Square in Cleveland, OH on Saturday, July 19. On August 29, we will perform in the Legacy Village Concert Series in Legacy Village in Lyndhurst, OH.
For a complete list of live show dates for Blue Lunch, please visit http://www.bluelunch.com to see all of the places you can find Blue Lunch this summer!
ER: Any big news or closing thoughts about the band?
BF: Our biggest news is that we signed with a west coast record company called Ripcat Records. This was unexpected, and the cd contains material from all six previous Blue Lunch CDs as well as new material. Blue Lunch Special, is out to commemorate our 30th anniversary as a band which takes place in 2014. This will be our first significant release in a while!
Thanks Bob and Blue Lunch for sharing your musical talents with us this summer during Live! at the Morley!
For more information about Blue Lunch, please visit http://www.bluelunch.com. Check out millcreekmetroparks.org to view a complete schedule of other bands playing Live! at the Morley in the MetroParks’ summer concert series! Hope to see you at the Morley enjoying the bluesy sounds of Blue Lunch tomorrow!
https://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.png00Mill Creek MetroParks Staffhttps://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.pngMill Creek MetroParks Staff2014-07-08 14:05:542014-07-08 14:08:36Live! at the Morley with Blue Lunch
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), under the supervision of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), conducted goose management this morning in Mill Creek Park. Utilizing methods recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Canada geese were humanely euthanized by USDA.
For years, Mill Creek MetroParks has been addressing goose management issues. We have taken steps utilizing various methods to address these issues, including harassment (flare guns, predator decoys, and dogs), egg addling (treatment of eggs to prevent development/hatching; performed under ODNR permit), habitat modification, and educating the public about not feeding wildlife. These methods have proven unsuccessful; therefore, with a permit from ODNR, the roundup is the next step to reduce the population to a more manageable level. Mill Creek MetroParks is not authorized by ODNR to relocate the geese.
Mill Creek MetroParks has observed and received numerous complaints from visitors whose MetroParks experience has been negatively impacted by geese due to their droppings and aggressive behavior. Goose droppings contain E.coli and other potential pathogens, and the excessive goose droppings in Mill Creek Park can be a disease concern for both people and pets. The large volume of droppings in public areas has created a safety hazard for people. Geese in Mill Creek Park have lost their fear of humans and become aggressive. MetroParks staff has observed incidents where children and adults were in danger of being bitten or attacked by geese while enjoying the MetroParks. The large goose population has also impacted the habitats in Mill Creek Park through overgrazing of grass and landscape plantings, trampling of vegetation, and erosion of shorelines.
“It’s unfortunate that it has come to this point,” said Dennis Miller, executive director of Mill Creek MetroParks. “After consulting with ODNR, this was determined to be the next step and should give us more success for nonlethal management in the future. Management of natural resources, trees, and wildlife is something we take very seriously at the MetroParks and all options are explored prior to making decisions.”
Due to concerns about the possibility of heavy metals and contamination in wild resident geese, MetroParks policy is to not donate the meat.
The public can help Mill Creek MetroParks manage the goose population by not feeding the waterfowl/wildlife. Although it can be entertaining to feed the animals, the food normally given is not appropriate for them and contributes to contamination, overpopulation, and aggressive conflicts.
For more information about Canada goose management, visit our Goose Management page, or contact ODNR or USDA.
https://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.png00Mill Creek MetroParks Staffhttps://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.pngMill Creek MetroParks Staff2014-06-26 15:21:052014-07-03 16:46:53USDA, ODNR perform goose management in Mill Creek MetroParks
Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s Young Leaders Advisory Board presents the Travel Idora Neighborhood bus tour, the first installment of its HISTORY-TO-GO series which focuses on local history events. The tour will be held Saturday, June 21 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Buses will depart and return at the Youngstown Playhouse (free parking available). Boarding will begin at 1:30 p.m. Seating is limited and is available on a first come, first serve basis. The tour is free and open to the public.
This tour will take a comprehensive look at one of Youngstown’s most unique neighborhoods. Participants will gain insight into its 100+ years of history and learn about current developments and plans to revitalize this area as well. Stops along the tour include Mill Creek MetroParks’ Ford Nature Center, YNDC’s Urban Roots Farm, and a historic home under renovation by YNDC. Tour guides will discuss the role Idora Park played in the development of the area, and a short walking tour of Ottawa Avenue will profile the architectural history of three to four houses.
For more information, call Mahoning Valley Historical Society at 330.743.2589 or email mvhs@mahoninghistory.org.
https://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.png00Mill Creek MetroParks Staffhttps://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.pngMill Creek MetroParks Staff2014-06-19 11:53:392014-06-19 11:53:39MVHS, Mill Creek MetroParks, YNDC to present “Travel Idora” Neighborhood Tour
Live! at the Morley with Blue Lunch
/in Blog/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffBlog Author: Ellie Rafoth, Community Engagement Intern
This week on Wednesday, July 9, Blue Lunch is playing at the Judge Morley Pavilion at the Wick Recreation Area as a part of Mill Creek MetroParks’ summer concert series Live! at the Morley!
Looking forward to tomorrow’s performance is Bob Frank, Blue Lunch’s guitarist, with an inside look at this blues-swing band!
ER: What is Blue Lunch’s history?
BF: The band started up in 1984 as a spinoff of the Cruise Masters; another local band that is still playing. Around 1995, the band began taking a new direction, which is when I joined. We began replacing members, and Pete London is the only member left from the original band. By 1997-98, all of the group’s members were in place, and we have been together for sixteen years. As of now, all of Blue Lunch’s members reside on the Eastside of Cleveland.
ER: How many members are there of Blue Lunch and who are they?
ER: What type of music does Blue Lunch play?
BF: That is the hardest question to answer! We play every facet of blues, from low down delta blues to jazz and everything in between. We put a lot of emphasis on Memphis and New Orleans soul.
ER: Besides Live! at the Morley, where else can we expect to see Blue Lunch?
BF: After Live! at the Morley, we will be playing at John Carroll University in University Heights, OH on Thursday, July 10. You can also see us at Shaker Square in Cleveland, OH on Saturday, July 19. On August 29, we will perform in the Legacy Village Concert Series in Legacy Village in Lyndhurst, OH.
For a complete list of live show dates for Blue Lunch, please visit http://www.bluelunch.com to see all of the places you can find Blue Lunch this summer!
ER: Any big news or closing thoughts about the band?
BF: Our biggest news is that we signed with a west coast record company called Ripcat Records. This was unexpected, and the cd contains material from all six previous Blue Lunch CDs as well as new material. Blue Lunch Special, is out to commemorate our 30th anniversary as a band which takes place in 2014. This will be our first significant release in a while!
Thanks Bob and Blue Lunch for sharing your musical talents with us this summer during Live! at the Morley!
For more information about Blue Lunch, please visit http://www.bluelunch.com. Check out millcreekmetroparks.org to view a complete schedule of other bands playing Live! at the Morley in the MetroParks’ summer concert series! Hope to see you at the Morley enjoying the bluesy sounds of Blue Lunch tomorrow!
USDA, ODNR perform goose management in Mill Creek MetroParks
/in Press Releases/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffThe United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), under the supervision of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), conducted goose management this morning in Mill Creek Park. Utilizing methods recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Canada geese were humanely euthanized by USDA.
For years, Mill Creek MetroParks has been addressing goose management issues. We have taken steps utilizing various methods to address these issues, including harassment (flare guns, predator decoys, and dogs), egg addling (treatment of eggs to prevent development/hatching; performed under ODNR permit), habitat modification, and educating the public about not feeding wildlife. These methods have proven unsuccessful; therefore, with a permit from ODNR, the roundup is the next step to reduce the population to a more manageable level. Mill Creek MetroParks is not authorized by ODNR to relocate the geese.
Mill Creek MetroParks has observed and received numerous complaints from visitors whose MetroParks experience has been negatively impacted by geese due to their droppings and aggressive behavior. Goose droppings contain E.coli and other potential pathogens, and the excessive goose droppings in Mill Creek Park can be a disease concern for both people and pets. The large volume of droppings in public areas has created a safety hazard for people. Geese in Mill Creek Park have lost their fear of humans and become aggressive. MetroParks staff has observed incidents where children and adults were in danger of being bitten or attacked by geese while enjoying the MetroParks. The large goose population has also impacted the habitats in Mill Creek Park through overgrazing of grass and landscape plantings, trampling of vegetation, and erosion of shorelines.
“It’s unfortunate that it has come to this point,” said Dennis Miller, executive director of Mill Creek MetroParks. “After consulting with ODNR, this was determined to be the next step and should give us more success for nonlethal management in the future. Management of natural resources, trees, and wildlife is something we take very seriously at the MetroParks and all options are explored prior to making decisions.”
Due to concerns about the possibility of heavy metals and contamination in wild resident geese, MetroParks policy is to not donate the meat.
The public can help Mill Creek MetroParks manage the goose population by not feeding the waterfowl/wildlife. Although it can be entertaining to feed the animals, the food normally given is not appropriate for them and contributes to contamination, overpopulation, and aggressive conflicts.
For more information about Canada goose management, visit our Goose Management page, or contact ODNR or USDA.
For more information about our “Do Not Feed the Wildlife” campaign, visit our “Do Not Feed the Wildlife” page.
MVHS, Mill Creek MetroParks, YNDC to present “Travel Idora” Neighborhood Tour
/in Press Releases/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffMahoning Valley Historical Society’s Young Leaders Advisory Board presents the Travel Idora Neighborhood bus tour, the first installment of its HISTORY-TO-GO series which focuses on local history events. The tour will be held Saturday, June 21 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Buses will depart and return at the Youngstown Playhouse (free parking available). Boarding will begin at 1:30 p.m. Seating is limited and is available on a first come, first serve basis. The tour is free and open to the public.
This tour will take a comprehensive look at one of Youngstown’s most unique neighborhoods. Participants will gain insight into its 100+ years of history and learn about current developments and plans to revitalize this area as well. Stops along the tour include Mill Creek MetroParks’ Ford Nature Center, YNDC’s Urban Roots Farm, and a historic home under renovation by YNDC. Tour guides will discuss the role Idora Park played in the development of the area, and a short walking tour of Ottawa Avenue will profile the architectural history of three to four houses.
For more information, call Mahoning Valley Historical Society at 330.743.2589 or email mvhs@mahoninghistory.org.