August 16, 2009

Our condolences this morning to the family of Ona Zilionis, who passed away this morning, at the age of 98. Ona is survived by her daughter Violeta Leger, daughter-in-law Roma Zilionis, granddaughters Renata and Elenute, and great granddaughters Lukas and Ema. Funeral arrangements are pending, check the Plain Dealer for details.

Today is the Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish picnic, and the festivities get underway at 12:30, the Vincas Apanius estate on Mulberry Road in Chesterland. It’s going to be a hot day today, but there will be plenty of shade and cold beer, so the weather won’t be a deterrent to a good time.

Don’t forget that Oberlin-based painter Audra Skuodas is exhibiting at Artseen Gallery in Vermilion, through August 23rd. The gallery, located at 5591 LIberty Avenue is open from 4:00 until 8:00 Thursday and Friday, 2:00 until 8:00 Saturday, and 2:00 until 4:00 on Sunday. More information is available by calling Artseen Gallery at 440-963-0611.

The first annual Miles Coburn Environmental Symposium is coming up in mid-September right here on the JCU campus. Each day at 4:00 pm from September 8th to September 11th, will feature a different seminar in the Dolan Science Center. The week culminates with the Ride for Miles on Saturday, September12th.

The Lithuanian connection in all this is that the featured speaker on Wednesday, September9 th will be Saulius Kliorys, Environmental Programs Coordinator for Great Lakes Brewery. The Ride for Miles also features live acoustic music, with sound reinforcement by that guy that does sound for all the Lithuanian events. More information is available at rideformiles.org.

John Yagoda will be offering another class in making fused glass jewelry on Saturday, September 19th, from 11:00 to 2:00 at Lithuanian Village. Contact Ruta at the Club for details and reservations.

Former OSU middle linebacker James Laurinaitis is making good progress learning the ways of the NFL at the St. Louis Rams training camp this summer. Rams coach Steve Spaguolo calls Laurinaitis a smart, tough player who can run really well. Laurinaitis was the 35 th overall pick in this past spring’s NFL draft.