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Canton is changing

By Carl Howard

Canton's bars have been undergoing some real changes and updatings. The 540 Club, 540 Walnut Avenue. E., is in the process of receiving a new interior and will have a lighted disco dance floor soon. For that, since buying the building some two years ago,owner-manager Larry Loveless has renovated the entire place. Apartments make up the top floors with the bar being directly underneath. The decor is predominately red and adds a very bright quality to the already 'high' feeling one gets on entering the Club. No cover is charged unless it is one of those rare show-nights held two or

three times a year. Drinks are good, heavy and average priced: served by Larry (himself). Gary, Willy and part-time, by Kathy.

While the bar is technically open to all, men do dominate the landscape. The Club is definitely a great place to meet friends, drink make new friends and enjoy a good night out in Canton. Public transportation is easily available for those who do not drive and parking is not enough of a problem to be of great concern to those who do drive. Security is no problem as relations with both police and City Hall are cordial. Harrassment nil

Across town, Boobies Why Not, 1432 W. Tuscarawas, owned and operated by Bert (Boobie) Dinsio, provides an up-tempo

environment for those in the mood. Formerly Hal's Corners. this bar has taken a dramatic turn up and for the better. Building renovation and improvements have been made in almost every quarter of this place too. The result has been not only to improve the appearance but also to increase patrons' numbers. The atmosphere is friendly and homey but encourages dancing and partying. This is also helped by the recent addition of a new sound system and Boobie's attractive dj's. Jeff. Mark and Tony. Also helping patrons greatly enjoy a successful evening is Jerri Ferguson, Boobie's able and attractive bar-tendermanager

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which also entitles person to shot at various doorprizes. The crowd is mixed but here women will definitely be made to feel more comfortable.

This bar does have shows. however, they definitely are not drag shows. Rather talent and variety form the substance of the entertainment and are usually "sell-outs". Recently a new stage was added to the Club and comThere is a dollar cover charge pletely filled-out the equipment

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needed to run a quality show.

Canton has a distance to go as far as the "Gay Movement" is concerned but positive signs are to be seen. People are feeling better about themselves and their surroundings. Time will help bring about other encouraging changes. Perhaps Akron and Cleveland will no longer pull away so much energy and local talent then

While Warren is worth the visit

By Carl Howard

Warren, familiarly linked with Youngstown, as the Youngstown-Warren Area, nestles comfortably between that larger sister-city and the Pennsylvania border, a few miles to the East Also a heavily industrialized area. the community at large pulls its economic strength from Lordstown, Packard G.M. divisions and Republic Steel and Cooperwelders.

Warren, again like Youngstown, has only two gay bars; Ann's and The Phoenix. However there is a great deal of interchange with The Troubadour and The Outpost II in

Youngstown.

Ann's Bar is located at 126 Pine Avenue. S.E. and has been in business for 30 years as of last December. The bar itself is relatively small but intimate. The atmosphere is easy and warm with juke box and a second bar and pool table to the side. The crowd is friendly and engaging but not aggressive. There is no cover and drinks are good. Some food is available on request.

Having been in business for all these years. Ann, herself has built up a large and adoring following who would simply not think of being anywhere else. Last December's anniversary saw hundreds of people flocking

ANN'S BAR CELEBRATES 30th

to the bar just so they could be a part of that special experience and wish Ann much more happiness and success. It is a someher and would not be the same if what unique place because of she sold the bar. However, with 30 years of effort behind her, Ann is definitely in the market and willing to sell to the highest bidder.

and up Franklin Avenue, is The Down the street a few doors Phoenix Disco. A relatively new name and management have done good things for this bar too Owned by Walt Bartlick and managed by Bob Roth, recently of Columbus fame. The Phoenix has a lively and bright atmosphere which is conducive to Partying. Although moderate in size. it does have a disco floor with sound and light systems and several table seatings. At the present time. Bob Pixler, head bartender and ex-Florida gay activist, is spinning records. The people are friendly and seem to be espeOcially interested in seeing gay people get closer together. Roth and Pixler have done a great deal to encourage this atmosphere and the effect has been to bring in a larger and even more friendly crowd. Another person who has helped in this respect has been Crystal Starr, who frequently appears at the Club and by means of song and dance has raised people's awareness of themselves and being gay, a feeling more a part of the "gay community"; a recent production number of "United We Stand" was well-worth seeing if only for

is charged on show nights only this reason. Incidentally, a cover But this has not kept people from demanding more of Crystal Starr and Her Starrlettes.

Barbara Shargo Verrill's organizational efforts centering on the Annual Bar-A-Thon for St. Jude's Childrens Hospital Research has done tremendous together as a team and has been things for many gays working excellent PR work with the "straight" community.

together which Roth and Pixler The efforts at pulling people have started are some of the most positive things to happen to gays fully an embryonic "core group" in this area in a long time Hope-

incubating and will go from presor "nucleus" of gay activists is ent activities to even more widely spread efforts in both the Youngstown and Warren areas. At the present time, gay leadership is sadly lacking in the whole area. Perhaps Warren will lead the Way in times to come: as Pixler said, "our people are out of the streets, yet!" closets, but not quite into the

In any case. Ann's Bar and The and party. If you live outside the Phoenix are fun places to visit area, why not visit. If you live in the area, don't miss being a part good times on your own turf. of happy. good company and

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SCHEDULE OF TOPICS: April 6: Keeping A Relationship Loving April 13: Open rap, suggest a topic April 20: The Bar Scene

April 27: Open rap, your own topic May

4: Coming out how & how not