Pig Iron Press marks its 40th anniversary

Pig Iron Press marks its 40th anniversary

YOUNGSTOWN

Pig Iron Press will celebrate two anniversaries this year: 40 years as a publishing company, and 20 years in its location at 26 N. Phelps St., downtown, where is operates a public print shop and bookstore.

Pig Iron’s literary output over the past four decades includes 125 books, two book series, content programs and newsletters. The company’s early work included 20 collections in the Pig Iron series, edited by Jim Villani, founder and chief officer of the publishing firm. Each collection included works by freelance writers and artists from North America and abroad.

Authors published by Pig Iron in its Mahoning Writers Series include Michael J. Lacivita (“Rag Man, Rag Man,” 2004); Charles Darling (“Gamma Connection,” 2000); Kenneth Patchen (“Still Another Pelican in the Breadbox,” 1980); and William J. Kotheimer’s textbook “Applied Chiropractic in Subluxation Analysis” (1995).

Pig Iron’s most recent book is “Mirrors of the Heart,” a collection of poems by Atty. James E. Carlisle of Toledo, who grew up in Youngstown.

Villani, of Boardman, is a college instructor, community organizer, artist and book designer.

To celebrate Pig Iron’s anniversaries, a celebration will take place Saturday at the company’s office from 4 p.m. until midnight. It will include a Groundhog Day Save Pig Iron Press fundraiser. Call 330-747-6932 for information.

Christine Orenic-Ward will sign at 3 locations

Christine Orenic-Ward, author of “Silent No More,” will be available to sign copies of her book as follows: 3 to 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at Hampton Inn, 6690 Ironwood Blvd., Canfield; 2 to 6 p.m. Feb. 8 at Family Christian Bookstore, 7415 Market St., Boardman; and 11a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at Bob Evans, 4545 Boardman-Canfield Road, Canfield.

If readers bought a book online, take them and she will sign them.

Visit her website at chriswardsilentnomore.com.

Lemon Grove will sponsor book party

YOUNGSTOWN

A book release party for “Long Live Crazy” will be hosted from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 10 at The Lemon Grove Cafe, 112 W. Federal St.

Written by Christopher James Lesko, “Long Live Crazy” is loosely based from diary entries during Lesko’s last year of alcoholism and first year of complete sobriety. However, while writing it, he turned it into fiction, letting his imagination run wild, and added some bizarre humor.

The book is stocked at Barnes & Noble in The Shops at Boardman Park and available through Barnes & Noble online at barnesandnoble.com/w/long-live-crazy-christopher-james-lesko.

New book to critique welfare system

NEW CASTLE, PA.

Joseph K. Waltenbaugh’s book “The Elephants’ Graveyard: A Guide for Getting and Keeping Your Welfare Entitlements” is an insider’s look at what the author considers inherent flaws of the American welfare system.

Written as an irreverent critique in the form of a “how-to” or “self-help” guide, it lays bare the techniques and motivations of the entitlement subculture, and it skewers all the sacred welfare cows ... and elephants. No preaching, just some disturbing truths sandwiched in among the humorous stories and unique characters written by someone with 32 years of experience in the field of public welfare.

He used his professional and personal insights into the culture of government dependency along with his interaction with some unique individuals and unusual situations to author the book.

Both print and digital editions are available from Amazon.com.

For information, visit waltenbaugh.net.