43
Royal Oaks’ rock concert benefits Rich Center
YOUNGSTOWN
The Royal Oaks Bar and Grill had its beer and its heart on display Saturday with the second annual “It’s Only Rock and Roll 2” benefit festival for the Paula and Anthony Rich Center for the Study and Treatment of Autism.
“From a young age, I heard my father [Lou Kennedy] say ‘If you can’t help somebody else, what good are you?’” said John Kennedy, co-owner of Royal Oaks with his brother, Louie Kennedy.
The Rich Center, an externally funded unit of Youngstown State University, is tuition-free for its students’ families.
“That’s why events such as Royal Oaks’ ‘It’s Only Rock and Roll’ are so important,” said Mona Bozick, Rich Center event coordinator, who was helping set up for the concert early Saturday afternoon. “Our community partners enable the Rich Center to provide services without cost to the families of autistic persons age 21/2 to 20.”
Royal Oaks has another connection with the Rich Center. Bergen Giordani, Rich Center associate director of development, is a former bartender at the near East Side establishment.
“We wanted to help kids and help local,” explained John Kennedy, who also will stage the Royal Oaks’ 10th annual benefit for Purple Cat in August. Purple Cat offers day-program alternatives for adults with disabilities.
Bands, lined up by B. J. Lisko, a Royal Oaks patron and a member of one of the bands, began playing about 3:30 p.m.
“It’s nice to see a guy who will pitch in and help,” said Kennedy.
Bands scheduled to perform between 3 and 11 p.m. were: Detroit Red, Mississippi Gun Club, Analog Faze, First in Space, Idle Shades, The Cheats, Volcano Dogs, Turbo Lovers, The 8 Balls and Wild Wings.
The bands were the focus of many of the attendees at the event, including Eric Wisniewski of Pittsburgh, who along with his wife, has an internet radio show, “The Electric Crush.”
Wisniewski said they were at the festival to hear the bands and possibly feature them on their show.
“The Electric Crush” airs Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and is rebroadcast from 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays and 8 to 10 a.m. Fridays.
“We like to feature local bands,” he said.
Courtney Clementi of Boardman, whose 11-year-old son is autistic, was one of the Rich Center volunteers at the event.
As a parent of an autistic child, Clementi said she wants to help get the word out about the Rich Center. She said she learned about the program during an autism walk about four years ago.
“That’s what brought us to the program. Without the staff and teachers and families at the Rich Center, I don’t think my son would have made the progress he has made,” she said.
Julie Attalla, a teacher at the center, and her mother, Paula Attalla, an elementary school teacher for Girard schools, both of Hubbard, also were volunteers.
“I love my job and the kids I work with,” said Julie Attalla, an instruction specialist who graduated in December from Youngstown State University with a degree in psychology.
“I love seeing them learn.”