ON THE SIDE...

Opinion: By David Skolnick | July 4, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

I LOVE A PARADE: Today is my favorite local political event of the year: the Fourth of July Parade in Austintown. While the all-out water weapons full-contact aspect of the event is gone, they can’t take away our enjoyment of getting assaulted by street candy and the sweaty handshakes of politicians. Hopefully I won’t take a candy to the head again thrown by a certain township trustee.

Happy birthday to you: Mahoning County Republican Chairman Clarence Smith is celebrating his 80th birthday Thursday at the Shrine Club, 1735 W. South Range Road in North Lima. The social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 for a person or $80 for a couple (he’s turning 80; get it?)

Proceeds will go to the Mahoning County Republican Party or for Smith’s Democratic friends who want to attend, they can request their money go to the Scottish Rite Learning Center, a school in Youngstown for dyslexic children. Call GOP headquarters at (330) 629-7006 for reservations to the birthday bash.

skolnick@vindy.com