wow, what a week!

one must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day has been.

- - -

And now, some introspection:

Have to admit, the time around mid-february 2009 has been pretty eventful for Youngstown. Every once and a while, you need to celebrate your victories.

remember Bob's rule #4: "rejoice in the success of others"

Let's recap :

- Center of Excellence in Industrial Metrology and Three-Dimensional Imaging opens in downtown Youngstown, a partnership of YBI, YSU, YBI companies and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

- NPR features the Youngstown Business Incubator on Morning Edition, discussing the growing cluster of technology companies in downtown Youngstown.

- Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams meets with President Obama at White House, and appears on c-span the next morning.

- The new Newport branch of the county's library system opens on Youngstown's South Side. The structure is a renovation of an empty big box grocery store.

- The new building for the East library is opened to the public on Youngstown's East Side.

- The ribbon is cut at the Arlington Heights Recreation Center just north of downtown, to be open for city residents needing meeting space, basketball courts, and exercise machines.

- YSU finalizes agreement with US Campus Suites, a private developer, to build The Flats at Wick - a student housing complex to be built between Elm Street and Bryson Street. Construction of the first of four buildings, with the first costing $7/5 million to build and housing 115, will begin in three months.

- Congressman Ryan submits House Bill 932, the "Community Regeneration, Sustainability, and Innovation Act of 2009" to Congress.

- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell and Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, along with representatives from Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties in Ohio and Lawrence and Mercer counties in Pennsylvania announce the "Interstate Workforce Region" for workforce and economic development.

= The scholars come to town, with researchers from the National Vacant Properties Campaign releasing their report to address strategies for vacant parcels in Youngstown and Mahoning County.

- Dr. Cornell West of Harvard speaks to a packed house at Stambaugh Auditorium downtown.

- Ohio Lt. Governor Lee Fisher and officials from the Ohio Department of Development visit Youngstown for a tour of neighborhoods and meets with over 600 people through the efforts of the MVOC.

- Finally, Kelly Pavlik defends his Middleweight titles in downtown Youngstown at the convocation center. The city is packed and Youngstown pride is strong.

some videos to leave you with:





and hear the crowd at minute 3:00 on this one . . .