January 8th, 2026
Hi YoTown Friends!
This week’s Edition
Phone Numbers You’ll Need in 2026
YSU & Phantoms Games
Fishing, Pokemon and other Expos
2026 Bridal Guide
OUT vs IN: Weight Loss Edition
Got Cookies?? Cookie Table & Cocktails
Things to Do This Weekend
Our Hope for YOU in 2026
IMAGES ON for the best experience…trust us :)
Kicking Off 2026…
This past Sunday’s Health Expo—organized by Pure Cycle—was such a great day, all in support of Every Dog Matters. We met so many wonderful people who care deeply about animals and community.
Our favorite meet of the day? Loki 🖤 A black pug with a liver disorder, the sweetest personality, and that unforgettable little tongue hanging out. His friendly face was pure joy—one of those moments that sticks with you and reminds you exactly why this cause matters.
If you’ve been thinking about expanding your family, Poppy would be a great addition.
This magnificent young lady is about 6 months old and as sweet as could be. She is outgoing, energetic, dog friendly and super lovable. Just look at that face
She is crate trained and doesn’t make a peep when it’s time to go to bed.
She is learning house training and is starting to let you know when she has to go potty outside. She’s a quick learner, eager to please, and is ready to find her forever family!
This little girl named Poppy is available to a great home.
Grateful for events like this, the people behind them, and dogs like Loki and Poppy who steal hearts without even trying.
Phone Numbers You’ll Need in 2026
(Part One)
You don’t usually think about your plumber until you really need one.
That moment when the water’s cold.
Or a friend texts, “Do you know anyone good?”
That’s why this is one of those save-it-now, thank-yourself-later situations.
Our friends at 1-800-Plumber + Air are offering YoTown Scoop readers $200 off any water heater when you mention this feature. No gimmicks. No weird fine print. Just real help when something expensive decides to break at the worst possible time.
Here’s the move:
📱 Save this number in your phone right now — 330-234-9402.
Not because something’s wrong today.
But because one day it will be. Or someone you care about will need a solid referral fast.
This is the kind of number you pass to your parents.
Your neighbor.
That friend who just bought an older house and is learning things the hard way.
And when you’re the one who says, “Yeah, I’ve got a guy,” that feels good.
Youngstown runs on looking out for each other. Having the right contacts matters. This is one worth keeping.
Your future self (or someone you help) will be glad you did.
In partnership with 1-800-Plumber + Air
3 Ways to Better Yourself in 2026:
📍 Covelli Centre, Downtown Youngstown
Fri, Jan 9 vs. Des Moines Buccaneers
Sat, Jan 10 vs. Des Moines Buccaneers
Wed, Jan 14 vs. Team USA
📍 Metroplex Expo Center (Girard / Youngstown area)
A big show for fishing enthusiasts with vendors, gear, educational seminars, and activities for all ages.
Fri–Sun, Jan 9–11 — Southern Park Mall hosts a Sports Cards, Sports Collectibles, and Pokémon/TCG Show (great for collectors & families).
💍 Bridal & Bridal-Related Shows
YSU Sports
Phone Numbers You’ll Need in 2026
(Part Two)
Some projects around your house you can put off.
Your garage door usually isn’t one of them.
That’s where Open Garage Doors comes in.
Owned and operated by Anthony and Marc Centofanti, this family-run business serves Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania with straightforward garage door repairs, replacements, openers, and installs.
No sales pitch. No guessing games. Just people who know what they’re doing and take pride in doing it right.
Your garage door is something you rely on every day. When it’s off, it affects your routine fast. Open Garage Doors focuses on getting things working properly and keeping them that way.
Save their info now so you have it when you need it:
P. S. If you’ve worked with them before, you already know why locals keep recommending them.
Want More Bridal Shows?
Youngstown / Mahoning Valley Area Bridal Shows
Bridal Showcase with Monte Durham (runway show)
This one’s in Boardman at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center on Saturday, January 10, 2026 (doors 5:00 PM, fashion show 7:00 PM).
Evaline’s Premier Bridal Show (includes a bridal fashion show)
The Maronite Center Bridal Show
At The Maronite Center in Youngstown on Sunday, February 1, 2026 (tickets listed as advance/door).
Apollo Bridal & Event Showcase
At The Apollo Event Center downtown on Sunday, February 22, 2026 (2:00–4:00 PM).
At the Youngstown Saxon Club on Sunday, February 22, 2026 (the listing shows 12:30–2:30 PM).
Cleveland bridal shows
Today’s Bride Cleveland Wedding Show (runway)
At the I-X Center on January 24–25, 2026.
Pittsburgh bridal shows
Pittsburgh Bridal Showcase
Sunday, January 11, 2026 (LeMont Restaurant) and
Sunday, March 22, 2026 (David L. Lawrence Convention Center).
Love Starts Here! Cavanaugh’s Wedding Show
A 2-day show at Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown on January 24–25, 2026.
Suffering in silence with stubborn weight gain
Blaming yourself when nothing works
Extreme diets, overtraining, and burnout
Feeling uncomfortable in your own body
Smart, supportive weight solutions
Understanding why the weight won’t budge (especially 35+)
Personalized plans that actually fit your life
Finally feeling strong, confident, and in control again
Because more effort isn’t better anymore—smarter is. This is what modern weight wellness looks like.
No shame. No extremes. Just real, sustainable results.
Ready to move into the IN column?
Call or text us at 330-977-5788
Still relying on word of mouth alone?
In 2026, smart businesses get seen on purpose.
YoTown Scoop helps you show up, stand out, and scale—locally.
📍 Built for the Youngstown area. Designed for growth. Let’s get YOUR business in the Scoop.
Email us: hello@yotownscoop.com
COOKIE TABLE & COCKTAILS:
SAVE THE DATE!
Now you don’t have to crash any weddings to get to the cookie table.
Cookie Table and Cocktails is coming up on Saturday, February 21.
Cookie Baker registration is now open.
The businesses winning in 2026 won’t be louder — they’ll be better positioned.
YoTown Scoop puts you in front of the right people, at the right time, in the Youngstown area.
🚀 Ready to level up?
Email us: hello@yotownscoop.com
Follow Us on Facebook:
YoTown Scoop is Social, baby!
Want more of The Scoop? Join our Facebook group where we post often…plus you can chat with us there!
Weekend Events Worth a Try:
📅 Happening Today — Thursday, Jan. 8
🎓 Sports Communication Visit Day
🕘 9:30 AM
📍 Youngstown State University – Meshel Hall
🎟️ Free
Perfect for students exploring sports media & communications.
💃 Line Dance Night
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 The New Manhattan
🎟️ Free
Beginner-friendly and always a crowd-pleaser.
📅 Saturday, Jan. 10
🌶️ Chili Sale
🕙 10:00 AM
📍 Ohltown UMC
🎟️ Paid
Homemade comfort food for a good cause.
🎤 Sing-A-Long Brunch
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 Candywood Wine Cellar
🎟️ Paid
Brunch + belting out your favorites.
📅 Sunday, Jan. 11
🌟 Our Hope for YOU in 2026 🌟
Our hope for you in 2026 is simple—but powerful.
We hope this is the year you say yes more often.
Yes to showing up.
Yes to trying something new.
Yes to leaving the house even when it would be easier to stay in.
We hope you discover places in the Mahoning Valley you’ve driven past a hundred times but never walked into. That you meet people who start as strangers and end up as familiar faces. That your weekends feel fuller—not busier, just richer.
We hope 2026 brings you moments that surprise you. The kind that make you think, “I’m really glad I went.” A local event, a small business, a cause, a conversation that shifts something in you.
Most of all, we hope this year reminds you that you don’t have to go far to feel inspired. Community isn’t a big, abstract idea—it’s built in coffee shops, libraries, parks, fundraisers, classrooms, and everyday interactions.
Here’s to a year of curiosity, connection, and being just a little more present in the place we call home.
We’ll be right here with you, sharing what’s happening, what’s worth showing up for, and what makes this community special.