Alright, let’s be honest — how many times have you pulled into your driveway, hit that same old crack, and said, “We really need to get this fixed”? Yeah… it’s time.

Melanie and her crew over at Concrete Queen LLC aren’t just pouring concrete — they’re transforming homes. From driveways and patios to walkways that actually make you proud to come home, they do it all with care and precision. Melanie’s a woman who knows her craft — she came up through the cement masons union and built her business from scratch, literally. Now she’s running the show with her sons right here in our area, making sure every job gets done the right way.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally get your driveway or patio redone — this is it.

Winter’s coming, and those cracks aren’t getting any better. Imagine pulling into a smooth, beautiful driveway that actually makes your house look brand new again. You’ll thank yourself every time you see it.

So quit putting it off — give Melanie a call and let the Queen
take care of it.

📞 (724) 312-0795

🌐 concretequeenllc.com

📧 [email protected]

These are the Youngstown spots locals keep in rotation. The ones you tell out-of-towners about, the ones where you can always count on good food, familiar faces, and a night that feels like home.

Here’s the scoop on 10 restaurants the Valley can’t stop talking about:

🍝 Aqua Pazzo (Boardman) – modern Italian done right. Handmade pasta, creative specials, and the kind of dinner that turns into dessert and a story. I can talk all day about the butter cake! 

🍷 Cassese’s MVR (Downtown YO) – old-school charm, bocce, red sauce, and decades of Youngstown history. My kid was on the same soccer team with the Cassese family and they were nothing short of kind, compassionate and disciplined. 

🍋 YOSTERIA – intimate, creative, and unforgettable. Their pistachio lasagna alone deserves a fan club.

🥩 Springfield Grille (Boardman) – one word: consistent. Steaks, seafood, and that special chocolate martini JT makes is why locals swear it’s the best in town.

🍺 Magic Tree Pub & Eatery (Boardman) – live music every weekend, scratch-made food, and a community vibe you can’t fake. The place is always packed for a reason.

🌶️ Delhi Café Indian Cuisine – flavor-packed, authentic, and one of the highest-rated spots around.

🍝 Golden Dawn – nothing fancy, just the real Youngstown deal. Family-run and full of nostalgia.

🥙 Knafa Restaurant – Mediterranean comfort food at its best. Order a few plates and share with friends.

🥗 Sweet Melissa’s Good Eats – brunch, lunch, and feel-good healthy favorites that hit every craving.

🍷 Casa di Canzonetta – refined Italian with heart. This guy is a genius. Elegant, warm, and the perfect pick for a special night out.

Which one’s your favorite? Or better yet, which one did we miss? 👇

Tag your go-to local restaurant in our Facebook group and let’s show Youngstown’s food scene some love. ❤️

That’s Brian and Scott Barth — the brothers behind 1-800-Plumber + Air of Youngstown. They built their business on a simple idea: when someone invites you into their home, you respect it, you solve the problem, and you leave them better off than when you arrived.

No shortcuts.

No excuses.

Just work done the way people around here expect it to be done.

Their team is known for being steady, reliable, and genuinely professional. The kind of crew that walks in with confidence because they know what they’re doing, and walks out leaving the homeowner feeling like everything is finally under control. It’s a calm, capable energy, and you can tell it comes from the top.

Now, here’s the quiet part most homeowners don’t think about until they have to: Your water heater usually shows its age long before it fails.

Little things you notice… and then ignore… until one day it’s unavoidable.

Brian and Scott asked us to share something with you because winter is coming, and this is the season when water heaters typically tap out.

$200 off any water heater when you mention YoTown Scoop.*

It’s their way of saving people from the chaos they see every year — flooded floors, cold mornings, and emergency calls that could’ve been handled calmly if someone had acted just a little sooner.

If something in your house has been hinting that it’s time to pay attention, this is a good moment to do it.

330-234-9402

7657 South Ave Suite F, Youngstown

http://1800plumber.com/Youngstown

Tell them you saw the YoTown Scoop offer.

Youngstown runs smoother when good people do solid work. That’s why these brothers are worth knowing.

Level up Your Small Business

📍 15 Central Square, Youngstown

The ultimate science-center experience for curious kids. Explore, build, splash, and learn through hands-on exhibits at the Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology.

Grab those jackets and hit the trails! From the Lily Pond to Lanterman’s Mill, it’s the perfect week for leaf-crunching and family photos.

📍 648 Wick Ave, Youngstown

Step back in time and check out the Hands-On History Room — plus, holiday decorations are starting to make an appearance!

Let the kids play, grab a snack, and maybe sneak in some early holiday shopping while you’re there.

Nov 13: Las Vegas Live Christmas!

Nov 14: Photos with Santa

Find all the details at YoungstownLive.com and start your season with a little sparkle.

Check out your local library for storytime, crafts, and Maker Space activities — great for creative afternoons when it’s too cold to play outside.

A peaceful stop inside Mill Creek Park with plenty of space to explore and snap photos. Bring a mini scavenger hunt for extra fun!

There’s always something happening downtown or at local theaters. Browse family-friendly listings at allevents.in/Youngstown.

Inside Mill Creek Park — mix short nature trails with indoor exhibits and meet the local wildlife up close.

Sometimes the best memories happen right at home — build pizzas, pour cocoa, and watch a movie together. Let the kids pick tomorrow’s adventure from this list!

💡 Want more family-friendly fun in your inbox?

Subscribe to The YoTown Scoop and never miss what’s happening around the Valley — from local events to hidden gems you’ll love.

👉 Join The YoTown Scoop Community →

Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes…and it’s OK to reach out when you’re the one that needs a little helping hand.

🎶 A Berry Merry Froyo Tune! 🎶

It’s the season for cheer,
And something sweet’s here—
A chocolate-berry love story so right! 🍫💖

NEW Chocolate Covered Raspberry,
Made with Hershey’s, so legendary—
Swirl up some joy, take that first bite! 🍦✨

No artificial this, no fake that,
No colors or corn syrup—imagine that! 🎉
Just pure froyo bliss in every scoop,
So fill up a cup and join the sweet troop! 🎄😋

‘Tis the swirl to be jolly—
Go on, make it holly-chocolatey! 🎁🍓

Located in: Presidential Square Shopping Center

Address: 813 Boardman Poland Rd, Boardman, OH 44512

Phone: (330) 707-4320

The holiday rush is coming fast—photos, parties, family gatherings, work events… and they always seem to sneak up sooner than expected. If you want to look fresh, smooth, and glowing in every camera angle, now is the moment to plan ahead.

Here are the three biggest pain points we see every November:
1. Makeup clings to dry, textured skin (especially in cold weather).
2. Holiday stress triggers dullness and breakouts right before big events.
3. Photos amplify EVERYTHING—texture, congestion, and dehydration.

But here’s the good news: timing your skincare right changes the entire season.

To look radiant—and not rushed—follow this simple schedule:

🗓️ 5–14 days before your event or photos:
Get your Hydrofacial. It deeply cleans, smooths, hydrates, and brightens without downtime, so your skin looks flawless and makeup applies like butter.

🗓️ 3–5 days before:
Stay hydrated, use gentle exfoliation, and avoid trying any new products.

🗓️ The day of your event:
Moisturize, use a cooling tool such as an ice globe under the eyes, and keep makeup minimal and glowy.

Your future self will thank you when every picture looks airbrushed—without a filter.

We opened up 12 Black Friday spots for the $49 Hydrofacial (normally $199).
If you're reading this, you’re early early enough to grab one—but these will be gone fast. Our last INSANE deal sold out in just hours.

➡️ Take the first step: reserve your $49 Hydrofacial before the 12 spots disappear.
Give yourself the gift of showing up to every event looking refreshed, confident, and camera-ready.

Want more of The Scoop? Join our Facebook group where we post often…plus you can chat with us there!

There’s something sacred about walking out to the mailbox in December and finding a real Christmas card — not another bill or flyer, but a note from someone who thought of you.

You hold it for a moment before opening it. You recognize the handwriting. Maybe it’s from your aunt you haven’t seen in years, or an old friend from high school who somehow always remembers to send one. And just like that, you feel connected again.

In a world where everything is digital — where greetings get buried in notifications and conversations end with a quick thumbs-up — a handwritten card means more than ever.

It says, “You still matter to me.”

It says, “I care enough to take the time.”

George’s Christmas Cards were created to bring that feeling back.

Each card features beautiful, original artwork from Niles local, John Johnson — the kind that reminds you of Christmas morning when you were a kid with snow-covered porches, candlelit windows, and the simple joy of being together. They’re made to be kept, displayed, and remembered long after the season ends.

Sending a Christmas card isn’t just a tradition — it’s an act of love.

It’s a way to reach across miles and years, to tell the people who helped shape your life that they’re still in your heart. Whether it’s a childhood friend you lost touch with, a relative who could use a smile, or a neighbor who’s always there when you need them — one small envelope can make a big impact.

So this year, take a few quiet minutes, grab a cup of cocoa, and write to the people who matter most. Let your words travel the old-fashioned way — stamped, sealed, and full of heart.

Because someday, someone will open your card and smile the same way you just did.

Shop George’s Christmas Cards today — and bring back the warmth, one envelope at a time.

Thursday, November 13 – Sunday, November 16, 2025
🗓️ Your guide to what’s happening around Youngstown, Boardman, Canfield, Warren, Salem and beyond — from cozy craft shows and concerts to festive shopping and late-night fun!

⭐️ 7% Live @ Magic Tree
📍 8 PM | ⭐️ Featured Event

LIGHTING OF THE CANFIELD

New to YoTown Scoop? Thanks for your support.

🙌 Send this to that one person who says:
‘The holidays are boring’.