The hangover from ‘Bar Rescue’

This week has been dominated by the story of “Bar Rescue” shooting an episode at The Royal Oaks in Youngstown.

The Spike docu-reality TV series visits struggling bars and makes drastic changes to get them on firmer footing.

That prospect of change has spurred a lot of anxiety among the bar’s regulars and even its occasional visitors. They like the offbeat weirdness and charm of the place, and don’t want it to change.

Like most people, I haven’t been inside the bar this week. The media is not privy to any of the physical or other changes that are being made. We’ll all find out this weekend, I guess. But I’ll bet the Oaks will still be the Oaks at heart, albeit a little spiffier.

The place could use a little bit of maintenance, after all. That much is undeniable.

Royal Oaks regulars are rooting for the bar and its owners, John and Louie Kennedy, even if some are a little irked, or at least bemused, by the sudden rush of newcomers who have been weighing in on the story.

One thing the “Bar Rescue” visit has demonstrated is that it’s impossible to keep a secret in this town. Rumors had been flying for days, and you know Youngstown really isn’t that big.

Word was spreading like wildfire by Sunday, when the production trucks arrived. Then it became a Facebook topic du jour, and the cover was totally blown.

It became the worst-kept secret in town – just like the probable next Youngstown stop for the “Bar Rescue” crew.

Actually, it’s amazing that Royal Oaks personnel kept it under wraps as long as they did, because they had to know it was coming for at least a week.

Here are some other things happening in the Mahoning Valley:

’90s ROCKERS LOVE AND WAR ARE BACK IN TOWN TO RECORD EP

Youngstown rock fans who remember the band Love and War from the early ’90s will be interested in knowing that the band is getting back together, in a limited sense, to record an album.

Only these days, it goes by the name Apocalyptic Lovers.

The band will be at The Brickhouse tavern on Midlothian Boulevard in Youngstown on Sunday, between 5:30 and 7 p.m., to do an acoustic set. Anyone who remembers Love and War, or who just wants to check them out, is welcome. The band will unveil two new songs at the show, and then head straight to Mindrocket Studios afterward to record tracks for an upcoming EP.

Love and War had a brush with fame. It garnered a mention in Entertainment Weekly in 1994, and got some distribution deals overseas.

Changing musical tastes – grunge rock was roaring in – spelled an end to the act.

Original members David Hope (founder and drummer), Rob Kane (vocals), Sean Magee (guitar/vocals), Mike Nagy and George Allen (bass and vocals) all live in different states nowadays, and plan to accomplish as much as possible this weekend.

After the EP is released, the band is mulling a one-time reunion show in Youngstown this fall or winter.

‘BREWOLOGY’ DICTIONARY AUTHOR AT RUST BELT TAP HOUSE

Mark Brewer, author and illustrator of “Brewology: An Illustrated Dictionary for Beer Lovers,” will visit the Rust Belt Tap House, 112 W. Commerce St., downtown Youngstown, at 6 p.m. Saturday to sell and sign copies of his book (retail price is $16.99).

“Brewology” is described this way on the author’s website:

“Starting with an introduction to the history of beer, this 196-page hardcover A-Z dictionary takes a look at the various types of beer and common verbiage associated with it, while educating the reader in the process. Covering everything from Abbey to Aging, Hops to Head Retention, and Skunky to Stout, Mark Brewer’s ‘Brewology’ is perfect for beer lovers everywhere.”

LIL PAWS WINERY GETS OK TO START BREWING BEER

Lil Paws Winery on Mahoning Avenue in Lake Milton recently got the green light from the state to start brewing beer. When it does, it will be the first winery in Mahoning County to also brew beer.

‘SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION’ BALL AT PRISON WHERE FILM WAS SHOT

Fans of “The Shawshank Redemption” – without a doubt one of the greatest movies of all time – can travel back in time at the first Shawshank Ball on Aug. 29, at 6 p.m., in the Central Guard Room at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, where the film was made.

The inaugural event will feature Reformatory tours, live jazz, retro cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a vintage car show. Tickets are $50 and limited to 200 attendees. All proceeds benefit the prison’s restoration project through the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society. Fans of the film and history buffs are invited to help recreate the 1940s-1960s time period of the movie.

Go to MRPS.org for details.