Authors Document Pittsburgh’s Boxing Past

The Author of "Jack McClelland: The Pride of Pittsburg", Vincent Ciaramella holding a photo of Jack McClelland from 1900-1904, the only known copy of his signature anywhere. Used with permission by the Estate of Dr. William McClelland and Lisa McClelland. Photo by Ty Polk.

The past of the sport’s history in Pittsburgh is storied, but the history was scattered compared to other boxing hotbeds. Pittsburgh boxing’s history and legacy were lost to time in the archives of newspapers in Pittsburgh and other cities that covered those fighters.

Douglas Cavanaugh and Vincent Ciaramella captured the history of boxing in Pittsburgh in their books, “Pittsburgh Boxing: A Pictorial History” and “Jack McClelland: The Pride of Pittsburg.”

Cavanaugh from Burbank, Calif., has written about the historical figures of boxing since the ’90s. His articles received publication in boxing magazines like The Ring, British Boxing Monthly, World Boxing, and Boxing Illustrated.

He’s covered boxers from all over the world and noticed a trend in some of his favorite fighters.

“A rather disproportionate number of boxers that I liked happened to be from Pittsburgh, said Cavanaugh, so I thought okay, let’s go find a book on the subject.”

Major fight towns like Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles documented boxing history through arcadia picture books. Pittsburgh despite the legendary history of guys like Billy Conn, Harry Greb, Fritzy Zivic, and Charley Burley.

“There was just so much information that had not been documented in Arcadia book wouldn’t have done it justice,” said Cavanaugh. “So, what I thought would be a six month to a year-long journey turned into something that took a decade.

Douglas Cavanaugh (2nd from Left), with Tim Conn (Left), Art Rooney Jr. (2nd from Right) and Roy McHugh (Right) at Atrias Restaurant. Photo submitted by Douglas Cavanaugh.

He started research in 2009 by posting his findings on a Facebook page. Over time, it started picking up steam in the years that followed. The late Roy McHugh, his friend, mentor, and a longtime sports columnist for the Pittsburgh Press and Post-Gazette, likened his efforts to find a lost civilization.

“It was worth the effort,” said Cavanaugh, who wrote the introduction and copy edited the post-humous release of McHugh’s “When Pittsburgh Was a Fight Town.” “It’s fun, the families enjoy it, I enjoy it, and it’s been a great journey.”

Vincent Ciaramella’s journey towards writing his book about Jack McClelland, his great-great-grandfather, wasn’t about finding a lost civilization. It’s more about finding out about a little known family member, like people who asked about their family’s boxing past on Cavanaugh’s Facebook page.

“Only thing I knew about him was I had a boxer in my family who fought on barges,” said Ciaramella of Bethel Park. “There was a lot of curiosity on my part. Who was this guy?”

A picture from a Newspaper from January 29,1904. It says “Herman wins Decision from McClelland”. Photo by Tyler Polk.

He would search for information about McClelland from time to time. He even won an eBay auction for a collection of articles on Jack in 2013 for 13 dollars.

He did not start actively searching for information about the former fighter until 2015 while waiting for his wife, Erica, to give birth to Enzo, his son.

“I found an article Doug wrote about him on his page, and I decided to start gathering information,” said Ciaramella.

He managed to piece together details about McClelland’s career through newspaper archives and talks with family members like his aunt and a chance meeting with Shirley Quaquarucci, the granddaughter of McClelland.

“The book was to serve two purposes,” said Ciaramella. “Highlight his career and a family that had been forgotten.”

The book covers all of Jack’s life and career. From his days as an amateur to fighting 35 round fighting around the city during his heyday. Many of the places he fought were unconventional in today’s arenas and grand halls.

McClelland would fight in places like opera halls. To this day, only one building in Pittsburgh is still standing from his days of fighting, Maennerchor Hall in McKees Rocks.

A piece of Maennerchor Hall in McKee’s Rock. The last place still standing from Jack McClelland’s fighting days. It’s currently abandoned and slated for demolition. Photo by Ty Polk.

Sometimes he would fight in tents, basements, and on a few occasions, barges that would float down the river. Fighting in the late 1890s to 1910s, it was an era where boxing was considered a brutal and illegal sport.

“They would fight with lanterns all around the rings in some places just to avoid the law,” said Cavanaugh. “I found a story about one fight that Jack held near a river, and the cops busted it. His opponent, Squirrel Finnerty, escaped by jumping out of a barge and swimming to Youngstown.”

Ciaramella covered the highs and lows of McClelland’s life both in and out of the ring. From defeating Abe Atell for the world featherweight championship at the 1904 Saint Louis World’s fair to having the title stripped away due to a technicality.

Checkered family life and questionable incidents with the law gave him some reservations about researching the book.

“I came to the part where he had a second family, and they were like starving, and the children were in rags in Allentown,” said Ciaramella. “As his career went on, he got a little weird.”

His run-ins with the law included child support issues, and some were altercations involving men of color. The latter issues were strange because fighting and training with boxers of color was no problem for Jack. Ciaramella has a theory that it was alcohol-related. Still, he can’t pin down what went wrong with “The Pride of Pittsburg.”

Jack McClelland (Middle) with his nephew Willam D. McClelland, Former Chairman of the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners (left), and Heavyweight Boxing Champion Jack Dempsey (right). Photo submitted by Douglas Cavanaugh. Used with permission by the Estate of Dr. William McClelland and Lisa McClelland.

“He wasn’t the nicest guy in the world, nor the meanest,” said Ciaramella. “Shirley said she had never heard him utter any disparaging remarks against races or drink alcohol in his later years. It seems he shook whatever problem he had.”

Through their processes in writing their books, Cavanaugh and Ciaramella have become good friends. Erika helped with the formatting of Douglas’s text. In exchange, he would send Vincent received a couple of pieces on McClelland that he’d find during his research.

He calls their great bond with boxing in this city akin to two kids trading baseball cards in the schoolyard.

“He loves it as much [as anyone else around here],” said Cavanaugh. “You don’t meet people like that too often who are ingrained [with history] as much as you are.”

The two authors are already making plans for their next books. Douglas says a second pictorial book is in the works.

Vincent has finished another book, “Greats in The Graveyard: A Guide to All Baseball Players and Personalities Buried in Allegheny County. It will be released in December 2020 or January 2021.


The Unconventional Path of Jerry Dickinson, Part 2

There are many reasons Jerry Dickinson, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh, decided to run for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 18th district.

One was being a constitutional law professor; he feels that President Trump is looking to delegitimize democracy.

The other reason is a desire to give a better world for his two-year-old daughter, Aria.

“Fatherhood as a way of changing your outlook on the world”, said Dickerson. “It’s a huge part of what urged me to finally decide to jump into this race and try to make a change in the 18th congressional district.”

He’s campaigned across the 18th district, from Bridgeville to Monroeville and everywhere in between.

Dickinson’s focus on his campaign is getting corporate money out of politics, pledging to not take any money from big corporations, including the fossil fuel industries.

That pledge will help him accomplish his main goals of getting Medicare for all, the new green deal, and climate change.

“A pathway to universal, comprehensive health care is number one for us”, said Dickerson. “It resonates with many people in the region because of climate change and pollution.”

Dickinson has met many people around the 18th district, who were wearing respiratory masks and have asthma problems from places like the Clairton Coke Works.

“A woman I met in West Elizabeth moved there from Clairton because she couldn’t deal with it anymore”, said Dickinson. “We see these problems on the ground

Along with his campaign group of 15 to 16 volunteers, he’s knocked on the doors of over ten thousand people trying to get his name out as a candidate. Dickinson has had impromptu meetings with people all around the district about issues important to citizens.

He cites a conversation about criminal justice reform while riding on the bus in Swissvale as one of his favorite moments on the trail.

“I talked to this woman and a guy there who overheard me speaking and asked what I knew about criminal justice and ex-offenders as a candidate for Congress”, said Dickerson. “I told him about my foster brothers who’ve been affected by the criminal justice system. How I spent years [writing and visiting them].”

Dickinson grew up in the foster care system and was adopted into a multiracial family. The struggles from his brothers and sisters like “Irish”, the nickname of one of his siblings. He refers to them by nicknames to give them privacy.

“It’s the emotional impact of having grown up and lived alongside and being so intimately connected to them that has fundamentally shaped my worldview”, said Dickinson. “Many of my siblings are on opposite sides of the socio-economic spectrum, but we all viewed each other as equals.”

He believes that his experiences growing up, along with being a human rights activist in Johannesburg and working as a lawyer representing tenants in Allegheny County, makes him a person that people can believe in as congressman.

“All these experiences make going into these communities all across a congressional district easy for me”, said Dickinson. “I know what their needs are, and I’m willing to listen to them as well and talk about what it is that I can do to help them.”

He will be running against fellow democrats and the incumbent congressman in the 18th district since 1995, Mike Doyle.

Doyle has served on the committee on Energy and Commerce. He’s also on subcommittees of Energy and Power and, in January 2019, was named chairman of the subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

His chairman position in that subcommittee is the first he’s held in his 24 years as a congressman.

The 18th district is considered a safe blue district, a district in Pennsylvania almost guaranteed to be won by a democrat in general elections.

Dickinson believes that the representative in this district should have the leadership qualities that puts themselves in a leadership position the minute they get in office.

“That’s indicative of how I think most of his of the Democratic Party feel about him is that he’s a nice guy, but no one sees him as the leader of the parties”, said Dickinson. “It shouldn’t take 24 years to be a heavy hitter for the for the party.”

Dickinson won’t waste time when he’s elected. He has already planned out his first 100 days in office.

He wants to ban solitary confinement across the board and convert the money towards rehabilitation services to get people on their feet when they leave prison.

He wants to get on board with the new green deal, essentially creating a solar and wind industry in southwestern Pennsylvania. Providing federal subsidies to incentivize these green new manufacturing industries to come into western Pennsylvania compete with the fossil fuel industry.

He wants to ensure that we build and create thousands of permanent jobs in Western Pennsylvania.

“The fossil fuel industry here in western Pennsylvania does not guarantee that many permanent jobs, many of them are voluntary”, said Dickinson. “Look at the [Beaver Cracker Plant], the construction project provides 2000 temporary jobs but only 400 permanent jobs.”

Dickinson wants to take the lead on not taking corporate money and not being influenced by corporations. He also wants affordable housing and urban development in the 18th district by using a grant housing bargain.

“I want to do is do a grant housing bargain that would essentially funnel millions of dollars for inclusive and equitable development”, said Dickinson. “Through the grant housing bargain, I want to place protections against discrimination against gender identity and sexual orientation.”

Dickinson wants his campaign for congress to be about hope. He would be the first African American to be elected to congress in Western Pennsylvania.

“Yes, an African American kid from the foster care system can rise to above trials and tribulations to be a viable candidate for Congress”, said Dickinson. I hope for young people to motivate themselves to say, I can do this too. I can break glass ceilings. I can be a part of this movement.”

South Side Fight Night Brings Pittsburgh's Best Up and Comers

Lyubomyr Pinchuk trainig with Michael McSorley at the Conn Greb Boxing Gym in preparation for his fight on March 20th. Photo by Matte Bradic.

Lyubomyr Pinchuk will be looking to continue off a busy 2019.

Johnny Spell hopes to continue the fast start of his professional career.

Kelvin Smith looks to take his career to the next level.

These three fighters will be in action at Integrity Fighter Management’s South Side Fight Night at the Sokol Club on March 20.

Johnny Spell against Antonio Luciane at Printscape Arena on November 9, 2019. Photo by Tyler Polk.

"It's always fun to see fights there," said Michael McSorley, one of the promoters for the event. We have a great card, and there are still a few surprises on the card to be announced.

Lyubomyr “The Demolition Man” Pinchuk (12-1-1) captured the Pennsylvania State Cruiserweight title in his last fight to cap off a 5-0-1 2019. He may start 2020 with a test of the waters at the more lucrative Heavyweight division.

Pinchuk certainly looked ready for the battle in his sparring session. His punches with already mean intent, sounded even meaner as they hit the pads McSorley is holding. Whatever division he fights in, he'll be ready.

“I feel comfortable at Cruiserweight and maybe even more comfortable at Heavyweight where I’m much faster and quicker”, said Pinchuk.

He’s scheduled to face Tyler Vogel (3-3), in the main event of the evening.

Johnny “TTG” Spell (2-0) debuted on that same card and has won his first two fights by knockout. Both of his matches were within thirty days. He credits the start of his career to wanting to keep on learning from his trainers and other fighters at Conn-Greb Boxing Gym.

“The greats say you can never stop learning”, said Spell. “Just staying focused and pushing myself, my team has given me a lot of confidence.”

Kelvin Smith training in preparation for his fight on March 20th. Photo by Matte Bradic.

Another young fighter on the card, Kelvin “Steel City” Smith (2-2), has used the past year as a way to get back on track in the ring. A knockout victory, split decision loss, and unanimous decision win has him looking for more success this year.

“I feel like those three fights have mentally prepared me for the next one," said Smith. It gave me more confidence and made me a little bit calmer. I’m ready to get into the ring and give it all I got.”

He’ll be facing off against Rosalindo Morales (3-0), a sparring regular against other fighters trained by McSorley.

Integrity’s first card of the year will also feature the return of Amonte “The Magician” Eberhardt, he’ll face off against Latiss “No Love” Norman (4-6).

McSorley believes this fight will be the most intriguing fight on the card, Norman is 2-1 on his fight cards and says he’s a tough guy to face.

“Amonte is taking this at a slightly heavier weight than what he normally fights. It will be a good test for him coming back”, said McSorley. “We think it's gonna be a great card. The South Side is always fun so we think it'll be a packed house.”

Tickets range from $35 dollars to 100 dollars, click here for more information.

This piece for LOCALPittsburgh went unpublished due to the COVID-19 Pandemic canceling the event one week before fight night.

Pittsburgh Donnybrook Returns to Northside

After winning his final boxing match and retiring as a competitor, Michael Manna received an offer from Jim Lamb, the President of the Irish Institute of Pittsburgh contacted him about bringing back an event from his days as an amateur.

“It’s such a big thing for an amateur boxer”, said Manna. “Whether you go pro or you’re not going pro.”

The Donnybrook 2020 returns after a four-year absence on Mar. 13, to the Grand Hall at The Priory. A group of boxers from various gyms around Pittsburgh takes on a team from Ireland to show who has the best team of amateur fighters.

Manna called the return of the amateur boxing showcase a “rebuilding year” after the absence of the event. Donnybrook’s initial run, from 2014 to 2016, was the brainchild of Michael Diven, a former state representative and city councilman.

Diven brought in teams from Ireland [with help from Lamb], Cuba, and Italy to fight some of Pittsburgh’s best amateur boxing talent.

All future Donnybrooks will be run by Manna, Lamb, and Rich Donnelly. Their goal is to restore the international ties Pittsburgh amateur boxing once had.

Manna has appeared in two of these events. In the first-ever Donnybrook, he fought an opponent on short notice after one of his teammates dropped out.

Professional boxer Matt Conway fought in the first and second events and recently competed on the undercard of the highly anticipated Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury title fight.

Zach Brenner of Munhall, a boxing fan who frequents a lot of the local events around town, is excited the international showcase is back.

“Some of the great fighters from the city of Pittsburgh were of Irish descent”, said Brenner. “I’m excited to have [this event back].

Manna fought against Team Italy at the Priory in October 2017. Being of Italian descent, his favorite opportunity against international competition.

“I was the only person who could speak Italian a majority of the time, so I had to translate for [the Italian team],” said Manna. “I wanted to face the best, win, or lose. I got the chance to face a guy who is currently ranked ninth in the world in the amateur ranks.”

Michael Manna holding the American Flag at the Pittsburgh vs Italy boxing event in The Grand Hall at The Priory on October 9, 2017. Photo by Raymond F. Durkin.

Team Ireland boxers represent the Drimnaugh Boxing Club in Dublin, Ireland. The gym is coached by Michael Carruth, a former professional boxer who won the gold medal for Ireland in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Team Pittsburgh will be represented by twelve gyms throughout the Allegheny Mountain Association, the sanctioning body of amateur boxing in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio.

The team that wins the most bouts will win the Ambassadors Cup. Pittsburgh won the inaugural event in 2014, Ireland won the last two in 2015 and 2016.

The fights will be broadcasted on Pittsburgh Community Television, which houses a boxing talk show “Ring Talk,” which focuses on the world of boxing and the local scene.

Claudio Reilsono, one of the announcers in PCTV’s coverage of the event, believes any event that gives young boxers stiff competition is a plus.

“Events like this could [help build internationally recognized fighters],” said Reilsono. “They get the opportunity to fight others who are serious about this and see where they are right now.”

Some people to look out for at this event are Teddy Mrkonja Jr. and Danny Bodish. Mrkonja fought in the first event in 2014, Bodish has won at all three events.

“Teddy’s out for vengeance after a bad decision in 2014,” said Manna. “I’m sure they’ll train their guy hard; the Irish don’t like to lose.”

In addition to organizing the event, Manna and Donnelly will serve as the head coaches for Team Pittsburgh. They’ll lend instruction alongside the fighter’s main coach.

“We would like to bring back the Donnybrook where it was before,” said Manna. “Hopefully, the event takes off so we can have Team Pittsburgh fighting different countries around the world.”

Get your tickets for the event here.

Boxing’s March Mayhem comes to Pittsburgh

Rich Cantolina (right center) and Derek Gionta (far right) talking to Referee Tim Shipley (far left) and Chris Willimas (left center) before his fight against Brock Willis on November 2nd, 2019 at Printscape Arena. Photo by Tyler Polk.

Since stepping into Monroeville’s Boyce Boxing Gym in November 2000, Derek Gionta has been a part of the Pittsburgh boxing scene. He started competing as a sophomore in college and later trained, managed and made matches for boxing cards since

“I wanted to learn about boxing,” said Gionta. “I followed boxing for a long time prior, and this was my chance to learn the sport from a hands-on standpoint.

Gionta will now add promoter to his boxing resume with his first event, March Mayhem, at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center in Cheswick on March 7th.

He acquired his license to promote pro fights in January. He’s helped with matchmaking amateur cards like the Golden Gloves for the past four years and pro cards for shows at the Meadows and Rivers Casinos.

Promoting shows is a different animal. Gionta is matchmaking the card, but he’s learning about the other details; ticket sales, seating charts, event staff, security, and more. He cites Mike McSorley and J.J Richardson, who promote for Integrity Fighter Management as a mentor in this process.

“They’re doing probably a consistent four shows a year, and I’ve had guys on their cards since they began,” said Gionta. “Talking to them and seeing other cards outside the area has been a big help.

The amount of pro cards in Pittsburgh is rising, every month there seems to be an event whether it’s at the casinos or by other boxing management teams. Integrity will be running a professional card in the South Side later this month.

“I’d like to add a couple shows this year, maybe even go outside the area,” said Gionta. “I’d like to run cards [when the casinos or other promotions are not holding boxing events] so [fighters] can stay active and not interfere on other shows.”

The card will be represented heavily by fighters from his team, Gionta Management, along with other fighters.

Rich Cantolina connecting on a jab to Brock Willis on November 9th, at Printscape Arena. Photo by Tyler Polk.

The main event of the card will be Rich Cantolina (6-0), who moved to the Kiski Area is excited to have a match in his new residence.

“I’ve been to the Shriners Center, but I’ve never had the pleasure of fighting there,” said Cantolina. “It’s a unique venue, and I’m super excited.”

Gionta started managing Cantolina before his third professional fight. He calls it an honor and a pleasure to be fighting on this card.

“Derek is so knowledgeable about the game. He’s been around fighting and fought himself, so he sees it from both sides,” said Cantolina. “I don’t think there’s anybody in this area, maybe the country that’s more knowledgeable about boxing.”

His opponent, Dave Tomaso (1-3), is not to be taken lightly. Cantolina calls the former NY Golden Gloves champion “rugged and tough fighter,” who had fought against ESPN top rank fighters.

“From the videos I’ve seen, you can never judge a book by its cover,” said Cantolina. “He keeps moving forward and throws a lot of punches. I’ll hopefully be able to showcase my boxing abilities, footwork, and skills.”

Kel Smith (left) and Oleg Dovhun sparring at Conn-Greb Boxing Gym in Oakland. Photo by Matte Bradic.

Also fighting on the card is Oleh Dovhun from Integrity Fighter Management (10-0) going against a former WBA World Light Flyweight Champion Jose Alfredo Rodriguez (32-10). Dovhun wants to make a statement towards challenging for a world title.

“He beat a lot of good opponents and has a lot of professional experience,” said Dovhun. “I have amateur experience. If this goes this distance, I will win, but I think I will stop him in two or three rounds.”

In addition to the two fights, other Gionta Management fighters scheduled to appear are “Lethal” Leemont Johnson (6-1), Ryizeemon Ford (3-0), Freddy Latham (9-2-2), Joel De La Paz (9-1), Deon Goodlow (1-3), and James Bryant (5-1).

“It’s exciting to see all of these guys on the same card.”, said Gionta. “They’ll feed off each other’s energy, and they are ready to put on a good show.”

Tickets range from $35 dollars for general admission to $125 for ringside seats.For tickets call 412-759-0407

Hollander Project Enriches and Empowers Community

For years, women would come up to Giselle Fetterman, the wife of then-Mayor of Braddock and now Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman, telling her their ideas to start businesses.

“Our idea was to create a space that helps women who want to take their business from the living room to an office setting,” said Kristen Michaels, co-founder and co-director of ForGoodPGH. A non-profit organization for promoting diversity and inclusion.

Michaels and Fetterman started the Hollander Project in the summer of 2018. The business currently houses 11 women-owned businesses.

They named their flagship initiative after Hollander’s Pharmacy, the former tenants of the space, keeping the original design at the front of the store.

“It's been cool because people from the Hollander family have reached out to us," said Michaels. "It's a way of honoring the past and making the space useful for what the neighborhood needs now."

This space holds a range of businesses, from beauty services to notary and psychologists.

Bridget Miller runs East Side Laser Center, a for-profit business specializing in skincare. She started the Erase project about 15 years ago, a non-profit service for removing tattoos of people who want to change their lives after being involved in gangs, in jail, or made bad choices.

Two years ago, she came to Braddock to talk to Fetterman about getting the word out about the Erase Project and received an offer to take residence with the Hollander Project.

“It's very easy for my tattoo removal clients to come in and not be scared or intimidated in that building", said Miller. "That's what I strive to do. You're supposed to be accepting of people when they come to the Hollander."

They’ve held community events like book giveaways, yoga classes, cardio classes and fitness classes for kids.

Cathy Welsh and her company, Commercial Maintenance and Cleaning Service (CMCS) has been a part of the Hollander project since its inception.  Her non-profit, Helping Out Our People (HOOP), is for people and families deal with the death of people in the Woodland Hills School District to gun violence.

"Women at the Hollander help me [cope with the loss], so I could help my children," said Welsh. "Living with a major loss is the hardest."

Welsh, lost her son Jerame to gun violence a block away from her house. She started her non-profit because Jeremy liked to help the underdog.

“He comes with this kid, holding three garbage bags," said Welsh. "He told them I would wash their clothes and for the next couple of months gave the kid's mother a ride to the store on food stamp day.”

Welsh sees a lot of the same qualities in Fetterman with the Hollander. She calls it Gisele's magic.

“I don’t know if it’s because she knows what it feels like to be the underdog,” said Welsh. “I don't know like where we would be in our pain if we didn't have this place.”

One of their main goals is professional development. The Hollander Project runs entrepreneur meetups, classes for grant writing, financial literacy, and marketing workshops.

A few weeks ago, they held a special meetup with a group of women from Afghanistan who were interested in starting their own catering business. A theatre company that previously used the space set up the unique opportunity for them to meet three fellow immigrant women who run restaurants.

“It was an awesome night,” said Michaels. “It was like a perfect kind of conglomeration of our goals and their goals.”

The goal for the Hollander is to serve as many people as they can and prove that this model is replicable in other communities.

“There are communities all over that have blighted buildings and great entrepreneurs,” said Michaels. “If someone can [help those people], I think there could be potential for this kind of model to take off.”

Published in The Valley Mirror.

Three Female Police Officers Honored for Stopping Suicide Attempt

Jamie Speelman (left), Yvonne Battiste (center) and Latisha Cassidy (right) holding their courage award plaques given at the Rankin Council Meeting.

Officers Yvonne Battiste, Latisha Cassidy, and Jamie Speelman received a call looking for someone described as an adult walking up the bridge barefoot, with no coat on January 26.

“We did not even know what we were coming up on the scene,” said Cassidy. “It was a scary moment, and it was more intense because she looked younger than my youngest child.”

They found out it was a teenage girl walking on the bridge. She was preparing to jump off the Rankin Bridge into the Monongahela River.

Jamie Speelman (left), Yvonne Battiste (center) and Latisha Cassidy (right) getting interviewed by WPXI at the Rankin Council Building. Photo by Tyler Polk.

“I saw her climb the railing and knew what she was going to do,” said Battiste. “I threw the car in park and grabbed her before she jumped.”

The trio of female Rankin police officers was honored for their courage at the Rankin Council Meeting on Tuesday.

The Mayor of Rankin, Nicholas Glova, thanked them in a ceremony and gave the three officers courage award plaques, commemorating them on a job well done.

Rankin Mayor Nicholas Glova honoring the officers, by giving a speech about their deed. Photo by Tyler Polk.

“Your quick thinking and physical ability as well as risking your own safety reflects greatly on you and our police departments,” said Glova.

Since the day they saved her life, the officers are still in contact with the teenager and her family.

“We get together every day and talk to them and make sure that they are okay,” said Speelman. “We still get to be a positive impact on their lives.”

Published in The Valley Mirror.

End of An Era: Mon Valley State Representative Retires

William C. “Bill” Kortz’s decision to become a politician was made at the middle of the night in July 5, 2005. A thirty-year member of U.S. Steel as a manager and senior process leader. He cited a pay raise as an incentive as a reason, but he believed government at all levels was in a bad place.

“The answers I was getting about [why everything was so bad with government] were nonsense, so I threw my hat in the ring,” said Kortz.

On Jan 21, Kortz announced his retirement as the State Representative of the 38th District of Pennsylvania. He will serve out the rest of his term, which ends November 30.

Kortz was won the three-way race for 38th district in the 2006 Democratic Primary, beating out then incumbent Kenneth W. Ruffing and C.L. Jabbour. He won the 2006 General Election, against Daniel J. Davis.

He doesn’t have a favorite moment as state representative, but he was always happy when the job got done. He’s happy with the most recent bill signed into law. Senate Bill 147 permits additional hunting on three Sundays per calendar year.

The bill, takes effect in February 2020, covering one Sunday during the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons. An additional Sunday is covered with the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s consent.

“I’m glad we were able to do that for folks who only work six days a week like I did at U.S. Steel,” said Kortz. “This is going to be a godsend for people who enjoy hunting with their children.”

Another bill that put a smile on his face, the Act 89 Transportation Bill, passed in 2013. Giving funding to fix roads, bridges and mass transit issues in PA. According to Kortz, this decreased the amount of structurally deficient bridges statewide from 6,600 to less than 3,000 at last count.

His decision to retire was focused on his health. A surgery from a torn rotator cuff, leaving him with a frozen shoulder.

“I have 50 percent movement in my shoulder”, said Kortz. “I’m going to get this fixed, I’m going out on my own terms.”

There was no opposition from the democrats, republicans, no one was going to oppose him. It shows the respect that he’s attained from the communities he serves and his constituents.

“The man is phenomenal about working with the communities”, said Chris Kelly, the mayor of West Mifflin. “I hope that whoever decides to run for his seat has the same commitments that he displayed over the last thirteen years.”

Kortz recently helped the West Mifflin Community Foundation and convert a local park into a dog park. He helped the foundation by getting U.S. Steel involved with the project. The company donated $20,000 to the nonprofit.

“He facilitated a transaction to improve the community at no cost to the taxpayers,” said Nick Pisciottano, the president of the West Mifflin Community Foundation. “It’s one of the quintessential stories of Bill’s career. He's a facilitator to make me do better.”

Piscottano is running as the successor to Kortz in the next election. He called him one of the hardest working representatives in the entire state.

“He works incredibly hard for every one of his residents in the district and will do anything for them”, said Piscottano. “I could never, ever replace Bill Kortz.”

In addition to working on his health, Kortz is looking forward to spending time with his family and his four-year-old granddaughter.

“I want to thank the people 38th district. It's been very enjoyable. I've made tremendous number of friends. Over the years we've been doing this, and I can't say enough about the talented staff I've had working with me here in the district and in Harrisburg. But the people in the district are great, hardworking people.”

Published in The Valley Mirror.

Woodland Hills Brings Mentorship to Basketball Program

Matt Furjanic (left) introducing Chuck Cooper III to the Woodland Hills Basketball Team.

When Matt Furjanic became the boys’ basketball coach for Woodland Hills High School in October, he created a mentorship program for his young team.  

“We want to bring in former players who played for me or for Woodland Hills,” said Furjanic. “Mentor them about the value of education, being on a team and making the right decisions.” 

Furjanic brought in Chuck Cooper III last Thursday, to talk about the legacy of his father, the first African American drafted in the NBA. 

The two have a history together. Cooper met Furjanic when the coach was recruiting him to Robert Morris University. 

Members of the Woodland Hills Basketball Team listening to Chuck Cooper III's presentation. Photo by Tyler Polk.

“I did not play for him, but I remember being excited when I got a letter from coach,” said Cooper III. “He cares about those young men, to run a program like that goes beyond basketball.” 

This mentorship program goes back to Furjanic’s days at Rankin High School from 1964 to 1968. His head coach, Paul Birch, Duquesne University’s first All-American, would bring in Brue Jackson, the first black athletic trainer for a major college and former Dukes coach Chick Davies to talk to the team. 

“They would mentor us about the history of the game and Pittsburgh’s history, too,” said Furjanic. “Brue would tell us stories about Chuck Cooper being from Pittsburgh and how he’s the Jackie Robinson of basketball.” 

Deontae Williams, member of the Woodland Hills Basketball Team, wearing a Celtics hat and holding Chuck Cooper's Basketball Hall of Fame Trophy. Photo by Tyler Polk

In addition to talking about basketball, they would talk about the times they were in. For Furjanic and his high school team, there were worries about the Vietnam War and the anti-war protests. He understands the youth have tough decisions of their own. 

He believed that Cooper III’s foundation, with its focus on mentoring kids with the Beacons of Light outreach program, would be perfect for the team’s mentorship. He got in touch with Cooper in December to schedule this meeting. 

“The path to success in life is all about exposure,” said Cooper III. “If you,” to people who are successful, it is hard to understand that you can be successful as well.” 

He talked to the players for an hour, showing a video on his father’s impact on the game, talk about his life after basketball, the Chuck Cooper Foundation and the impact it has made today. 

“did not here because of you because I care about you guys,” said Cooper III, during the presentation. “I want to share our story, so hopefully it motivates you and gives you something to shoot for.” 

Members of the Woodland Hills Basketball Team, Coaching Staff and Chuck Cooper III in a group photo. Photo by Tyler Polk.

After the presentation, the team got a chance to try on some of the merchandise from the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame. Cooper’s Hall of Fame jacket and trophy were on display along with gear from the Boston Celtics, the team that drafted him. 

“It was a really good, really nice experience about how things were back in the day and how his father paved the way basketball,” said Raeshon Robertson, a senior and co-captain on the Woodland Hills basketball team.  

The team was intrigued about how much the team respected him at Duquesne when they wanted Cooper to play against the University of Tennessee despite their coach not wanting him on the floor. 

Furjanic’s has brought in three mentors in addition to Cooper III this season. The next person he wants to bring in is Billy Knight, a Braddock native who played college ball at Pitt, in the NBA and ABA all-star games and former general manager of the Atlanta Hawks. 

“These talks help me as a basketball player, just be hungrier, work ten times harder than the next person,” said Jihaad Denard, a fellow senior and co-captain. “It just makes me more humble.” 

Published in The Valley Mirror.

Cyber Consistory Wants to Help Bring Ethical Hacking Out of The Shadows

Monica Michael (left) and Ival Martin (right) Looking at one of the computers at Cyber Consistory. Photo by Tyler Polk.

About six years ago, Ival Martin, the President of Aerial Energy Resources, knew he was getting hacked, but there was nothing he could do about it. The hacker beat the anti-virus software he set up.

“The screen would flash and [blackout],” said Martin. “I reinstalled the operating system, and a different antivirus software detected a Trojan horse and then said everything’s fine.”

He learned how to fight back by learning from a group about ethical hacking. Now he helps other people learn ethical hacking with his new venture, Cyber Consistory, located in the Strip District.

Ival Martin looking at the computer screen displaying information. Photo by Tyler Polk.

“I’ve been training ever since it’s a continuous process,” said Martin. “Since then, my company has not been hacked.”

Cyber Consistory wants to be a place for meeting, training, and educating ethical hackers. The name consistory comes from the term for a training school for knights in medieval times.

People can learn the basic and advanced tools of hacking and use it to work with other ethical hackers or freelance.

It is open to the public but does have memberships for some of their projects, and you don’t have to be a computer person to help.

Ethical hacking does require some people to be good at math or coding; people like journalists who can record and communicate information to the companies who request their help.

Monica Michael looking at old data from the systems. Photo by Tyler Polk.

“You don’t have to know anything about software,” said Martin. “Knowing how to deal with people and writing reports is a skill, they would fit into the team.”

If someone wanted to come into Cyber Consistory to hang out and use the computer on non-open house days, it’s $15. For fellow ethical hackers looking into joining, a monthly pass is $100. With the opportunities it provides, it almost pays itself.

“If you’re active in the group, active in the membership, then you know,” said Martin. “You give a class to the public like 40 minutes or 30 minutes or something like that on Python, for example, it’s a scripting language, or Wi-Fi security, anything, it could be really basic.”

The consistory was formerly Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh, a greenhouse before becoming the Consistory. Monica Michael, the owner of the venture, was convinced to revamp the space for cybersecurity purposes in August 2018. She calls him “the face of this business.”

“I’ve known him personally and professionally for four years,” said Martin. “He’s put blood, sweat, and tears into this. I know he’ll draw in some fascinating people who can do exciting things.”

Ival Martin holding a small operating system. All it needs is an Ethernet cord to access the internet. Photo by Tyler Polk.

Cyber Consistory is not your typical hackers’ domain. When you walk in, you are greeted in an open area designed for meetings for other businesses. The venture’s calling card is upstairs, a workspace with numerous computers displaying information and a library on hacking techniques and protocol.

Martin and people who are members even created operating systems that are smaller than external hard drives but are so powerful that they can operate like a new Mac or PC with only a USB wire and an Ethernet port.

“This server I’m holding can take an hour if you have an advanced skill level,” said Martin. “Which means it takes me a few days. I don’t claim to have massive skill; we have access to unique tools.”

Another exciting activity at Cyber Consistory is War Games, a hacking tournament that can be played solo or have 15 players playing. If enough equipment is stacked onto the system, 150 players could play this hacking tournament.

The game can be watched live like an eSport. You could see the attacks come across, the traffic coming across, and things like this in a graphical way.

“You don’t need anybody defending or attacking. So just one person could log in and run the attacks against the machines”, said Martin. “Eventually, we want to post some of those on YouTube and get more of a social media involved with that.”

Ival and Monica’s long term goal with Cyber Consistory is to get people to understand the demand for protecting your information and how hacking could affect you.

“People always think that hacking doesn’t affect them,” said Michael. “People make a livelihood off of hacking things like Instagram accounts, and they get hacked constantly.”

A Pittsburgh Boxer Fights to the End to Inspire

Since making his professional debut on August 18th, 2018, Michael “The Pittsburgh Bull” Manna, 36, of the Northside has donated his earnings from his five career professional fights.

“I will fight there any trials and tribulations that come my way,” said Manna. “That’s why I fight the way I fight and always pull through for everyone who finds strength and what I do.”

On the same date in 2019, he announced that his next fight at the Printscape Arena in Canonsburg on November 2nd would be his last.

The 365 days from his first fight to announcing his last fight began just under another 368 days before that. A run through North Park on August 15th, 2017, is where he made a covenant with God to donate his earnings from each fight to a charity.

The statistics of the run is still on his phone, reminding him of why he must continue to keep going.

Michael Manna squaring up with Randy Wachacha at Carnegie Library of Homestead on July 13th, 2019. Photo by Ty Polk.

“I think about it all the time,” said Manna. “When I’m dying and struggling and looking for air, I would say hey God; you remember how you came through and give me some air for that [run]? Can you give me some more to get through this run?”

A charity and cause he has frequented through his run is Children’s Hospital with a focus on cancer patients. His last fight in March, he gave his proceeds to Marty McElroy, a man diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor this past January.

Manna met McElroy through his job in insurance with Aflac. McElroy didn’t end up using his services, but he did what he could when he heard the news.

Through the money from his most recent fight, t-shirt sales, and his donations, he was one of the many people who supported McElroy’s GoFundMe that raised $12,661.

Michael Manna training for his final fight against Ryan Covert. Photo by Ty Polk.

McElroy passed away in April due to complications from surgery.

One of the moments that meant the most to him this year as a professional fighter was holding an open training session in the Strip District. In June, Manna, his manager Michael McSorley and two fellow fighters Oleg Dovhun and Lyubomyr Pinchuk held a training session outside of La Prima Espresso.

“People were handing cash to me in my hand with the faith and trust to me that it’s going to charity,” said Manna. “It’s more significant to me than anybody can imagine, because of my past and history. It’s truly humbling.”

Manna won his first three professional fights by knockout. His first victory on that August night was an instant classic, every shot that he landed reverberated the Priory Grand Hall, a place he fought numerous times as an amateur.

The aftermath of a stinging Michael Manna punch to Marcus Williamson on August 18th, 2018 at Priory Grand Hall. Photo by Ty Polk.

“That was probably the highlight of his career,” said McSorley, who has been his cutman for all five of his professional fights. “First professional fight in your hometown, I thought it was nice for him.”

McSorley has known Manna for eight years, back to his days as an amateur. When Manna approached him about beginning his pro career at the age of 35, he knew that his career would be brief.

“Time waits for nobody in boxing,” said McSorley. “But he stays busy, he’s been on all of our cards and fought in West Virginia as well.”

His last two fights have not gone so well, losing both matches by knockout. For his final bout, he wanted to re-acquire the grittiness from his days as an amateur. He usually trains at Jack’s Boxing Gym in the North Hills, but Manna and his son Mateo train at Third Avenue Gym Downtown for now.

Michael Manna (right) measuring up Davmond Carter (left) at Priory Grand Hall on March 2nd, 2019. Photo by Ty Polk.

“Not to be cliché, but if you look at Rocky 3, you’ll see what I mean,” said Manna. “I need to be around dirt and grit like where I came up and the pain that I went through sparring as an amateur.”

In his final fight, he will battle Butler, PA’s Ryan Covert (2-2) for the Steel City Heavyweight Championship. The belt was initially for the Cruiserweight Division; a division considered a more natural fit for him. Both men had opponents drop themselves from the card.

“I thought that the fight having a little bling would get people talking,” said McSorley. “It would give the fighters something to talk about for years to come with their families.”

The two fighters agreed to battle in what is the final fights of their careers. Both have similar starts in boxing, Covert, 41, began his career on his 30th birthday in 2008.

“I know there are better heavyweights in Pittsburgh than me,” said Covert. “It’s surreal, and I’m the son of a steelworker, so it’s a dream come true.”

He will be donating his earnings to Dan Smith’s Fear the Beard Spaghetti Dinner. Smith, a farmer, donated one of his prize pigs to Covert and was diagnosed with Leukemia a few weeks after giving him the pig.

“The fact that he donated me the pig, felt like a good idea to help out,” said Covert. “I don’t need the money; I want the Steel City Heavyweight Championship.”

Manna still wants to be a part of boxing after this fight. He plans on opening a boxing gym on the Northside with George “Geo” Heinlein, his trainer. He also wants to help coach, manage, and promote fighters.

“I want to show them how to get this money you’re making here, help make money for the rest of their lives,” said Manna. “Teach them how to invest their money, so they don’t have to fight for the rest of their lives.”

When the winner is announced, and his professional career is officially over, Manna wants people to remember you don’t always have to do things for yourself.

“You can do something bigger with the stage you’re with,” said Manna. “Anyone can do something bigger with the stage you’re given.”

a.m. Rodriguez Associates Helps with Affordable Housing and Seniors in Pittsburgh

Headshor of Victor Rodriguez. Submitted by Victor Rodriguez.

Victor Rodriguez, the President of a.m. Rodriguez Associates (AMR) believes that community development is the most important part of his company’s goals to provide housing.

“Meeting with the citizens is a priceless experience because they can help you with the whole process of development,” said Rodriguez.

AMR was founded in the 1970s by his father Anthony, an architect who has made buildings in Ohio and Pittsburgh. Victor joined his company in 2004 and took over as president in 2012.

Render of Homestead One. Photo from Victor Rodriguez.

“He’s still involved with the company but has taken a step back”, said Rodriguez. He’s heavy on design and taught me what we build for these communities are going to last a lifetime.”

AMR creates affordable housing and senior housing with sustainable techniques. All senior housing properties have their utilities paid and use cleaning products that are friendly to their immune systems.

Rodriguez says his architect Lauren Nettleton and contracting partners in SOTA Construction and pushes the envelope in green construction techniques.

“They are the greenest in Pittsburgh”, said Rodriguez. “They bring in new technologies that are affordable, keeping rents low.”

AMR creates event spaces, renovating a high school gymnasium in Mount Washington and the Joe Negri Auditorium on the grounds of Prospect High School.

They also created commercial property and affordable housing in Homestead. Homestead One on 8th Avenue, has three tenants.

“We want them to thrive in Homestead,” said Rodriguez. “The rent is low, and we give them a break on rent to start.”

While building Homestead One, Victor and his brother David established Enix Brewery. The brewery serves Spanish inspired food and has a beer garden, a music stage, with a bowling alley on the second floor.

“I wanted to start one in the 90s, but It didn’t work out,” said Rodriguez. “People expect a selection now.”

Render of Morningside Crossing. Photo from Victor Rodriguez.

AMR recognizes the demand for senior housing and always look to create innovative properties. Their newest property, Morningside Crossing plans to continue their trend.

It won the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Association award for innovation and design. Rodriguez says the award is hard to get and must show special innovative construction.

“It’s one of our most ambitious projects,” said Rodriguez. “Using our ‘Passive House’ construction technique and the focus on energy usage and air quality.”

It’s a super-insulated housing strategy that needs a little heat or air conditioning to get going. Once it reaches a preferred temperature, it stays there. Morningside Crossing also has SPECK air quality monitors that tell the seniors if it’s okay to keep their windows closed or opened.

“When the building is sealed really well, you can filter the air coming in,” said Rodriguez. “We can demonstrate that seniors are healthier when they live in the building.”

AMR’s next development is in Penn Hills. It will be a net-zero project, the first affordable housing that generates all energy in a year on-site.

“Pittsburgh is very community-oriented and neighborhood-oriented,” said Rodriguez. “We want to make it be something we all can be proud of.”

Published in LOCALpittsburgh Issue #19.

Pittsburgh Boxer Sherrell Looks Ahead to Future

Gerald Sherrell at the 3rd Avenue Boxing Gym in Downtown. Photo by Ty Polk.

Gerald “G-5” Sherrell’s journey in boxing began at the age of 10, sparring against a kid seven years older than he was because they weighed the same, ninety-five pounds. He had been around boxing gyms since he was seven, but this was his first-ever sparring session.

“I knew I had to put in the extra effort to be the best,” said Sherrell. “In boxing, nothing is given to you. I will always continue to work as hard as I can.”

The now 26-year-old middleweight is 10-1 in his professional career and going for his eleventh victory against Utah’s Clay Collard (2-1-3), September 21st at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington, PA.

Sherrell throws a shot at Shakeem Hodge during a fight at the Carnegie Music Hall in Homestead on November 4th, 2017. Photo by Ty Polk

If you see him train at the Third Avenue Boxing Gym, you’d think he was the underdog. Every training session he works until he’s a puddle of sweat.

“There’s a puddle of water everywhere I work,” joked Sherrell. “I probably slip at least once a day.”

The hard work in the gym follows to the ring. Five of his ten victories have come by knockout.

“I tell him all the time you have that superstar mentality, with the boy next door attitude,” said Caitlin McKelvey, an adviser to Sherrell. “He is as sweet as can be, but he has that light switch that he will turn on and just be a dog in the ring.”

Gerald Sherrell training with his coach, Darren Dolby. Photo by Ty Polk.

This will be Sherrell’s first fight since November 2018. He faced fellow Pittsburgh native Morgan Fitch in the undercard for “The Contender” a boxing reality show.

He got the chance to learn from boxing legends and personalities like Freddie Roach, “Brother” Nazim Richardson and Andre Ward.

“It was a blessing. It moved me up the rankings, said Sherrell. “There were a lot of experienced guys there, and I didn’t let that deter my focus.”

Among the sixteen competitors, he had the least number of professional fights with eight. He became a fan favorite for his skill and determination.

“He always had to fight his way up, against experienced guys,” said Darren Dolby, his boxing coach. “He always proved himself in time.”

Dolby had five professional fights himself and was the person who set up Gerald’s first sparring session. He remembers when Sherrell’s sparring opponent hit him with a body shot, and he was impressed by his determination.

Gerald Sherrell helping train a young amateur fighter. Photo by Ty Polk.

“He wasn’t being still on the ground, he kept trying to get up [despite telling him to relax and take his time],” said Dolby. “I talked to his father about getting him to box and guaranteeing him the Olympics and other places because of his determination.”

Dolby knows what it’s like to be fighting above your experience level. As a kid, he would put on boxing gloves and spar against his older brother after Muhammad Ali fights. They’ve been mistaken for being father and son many times.

“He’s my boxing son, could never take it away from his father,” said Dolby. “[Gerald]’s growing up and taking care of his family too.

The ten-month wait is the longest of his career. He’s anxious to get back in the ring, and the wait for him is “like a bull behind a cage.”

“I’m ready to get in there ready to get dirty,” said Sherrell. “I’m ready to put on a show, man.”

It’s a new chapter for Sherrell since The Contender; he’s focusing on taking the next step in his career. He’s looking for more televised fights and opportunities to win championships.

“I want to make Westgate proud,” said Sherrell. “I want to make my family proud, and bring a championship back to Pittsburgh.”

Pro Wrestling Legend to Make Appearance at Brawl Under the Bridge V

In front of KDKA photographer Dave Collabaine (Right) James J. Dillon (Left) holds up six fingers, signifying Shawn Blanchard's (Center) KSWA Heavyweight Title reigns. Photo by Howard Kernats.

On Saturday, July 20th, the Keystone State Wrestling Association (KSWA) will host their fifth Brawl Under the Bridge event underneath the Homestead Grays Bridge. First Bell is at 7 PM and features exciting matches like a six-man ladder match for the Brawl Under the Bridge title.

One match will feature a wrestling legend, James J. “J.J.” Dillon in the corner of Shawn Blanchard in his singles match against Justin Sane.

Dillon’s start in professional wrestling was as a referee, and he credits Pittsburgh for the start of his in-ring career, where he wrestled in 3,200 matches. He’s known for being the manager of the legendary Four Horsemen wrestling stable featuring fellow pro wrestling legends Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, and Tully Blanchard.

Local Pittsburgh’s Ty Polk had an opportunity to interview J.J. Dillon.

This interview was edited for content and clarity.

Poster for Brawl Under The Bridge V. Designed by Frank Cunniff.

You started in Professional Wrestling as a referee in your home state of New Jersey. How did that opportunity come?

While I was in Reading, PA for college, they would have a live studio wrestling show to raise money every Wednesday night for one hour in the NBC Studios on Walnut Street. Then they help produce the one big show once a month that they had either at the Philly Arena or Convention Hall. One week they had a blizzard that hit on that night. Because we needed to set the ring up, we had gone down to Reading early. The storm got worse, and some of the wrestlers couldn’t make it in. But there were enough guys to be able to put together a card for an hour. They all looked at me said: “You’ve been around forever. You think you would know what to do?” I said yes, and they got me in touch with some people, and they ended up getting me on the Athletic Commission in Pennsylvania and then later in New Jersey, and that was the beginning of my career. I was the third man in the ring and Philadelphia and Boston and some of the other major arenas for some of Bruno Sanmartino’s classic title bouts with Killer Kowalski, George “The Animal” Steele, and Gorilla Monsoon. My ultimate goal, of course, was to be a professional wrestler.

You began your career wrestling in Charlotte and for “The Original Sheik” Ed Farhat in Michigan and Ohio. Why do you credit Pittsburgh as the start of your journey in Wrestling?

I was doing a TV in Dayton, Ohio, and somebody and I was supposed to grow up and do the sheets TV on that Sunday. And Jim Grabmire was there, and he said we’re going to Pittsburgh because they bring guys in for a live studio TV wrestling show that would air that it was shot there, and they were always short somebody. He said if you want to join, you’re welcome to jump in with this and go and I can almost guarantee work. So, I drove with him to Pittsburgh, and when I got there, I had the first single match of my career on Channel 11 against Killer Kowalski. At the time, I thought this probably was the closest I would ever come to dying in the ring. He would give you no rest, and he would stay on you and stay on it. When I thought I had the time to take a deep breath, get some oxygen back in my lungs. He’d slap it right out again. But how many people can say their first singles match is against Killer Kowalski? I’m very proud of that.

Your final match was in 2009 with KSWA. It was a six-man tag team match that included another wrestling legend, Dominic DeNucci. Why did you decide to do one more match in the ring?

I didn’t want to put the tights on and go back in the ring. You know, some guys in the wrestling business go on years and years. It’s like age is not as big a factor as it might be in some other things. So I was approached about coming back and having a be my final match. And I was very receptive to the idea of going back to where it all started. With Dominic across the ring which I have known Dominic, you know going way back to the early days with Bruno made that special. I wasn’t in the shape that I was much earlier in my career. So, in a six-man match, I can do some things and not embarrass myself, which was the last thing I wanted to do. It was a perfect way for me to end my career as an active wrestler.

Referee David Fedor holds up Shawn Blanchard’s hand in victory over Shane Starr
as J.J. Dillon congratulates him. Photo by “Trapper” Tom Leturgey.

In many of your appearances for KSWA, you managed one of their biggest stars, Shawn Blanchard. You’ve been in his corner for a KSWA Heavyweight title victory and his match for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship. You will be his manager again for Brawl Under the Bridge V in his match against Justin Sane. What’s your relationship with him and others who work in KSWA?

Shawn is somebody who throughout the years, has shown me tremendous respect. Every time I come back there, it’s always set up to be a special occasion. I get treated extremely well. It’s good to go back to where you started. I still wonder when’s the time I come back, and they won’t remember me. Every time I do come back, some people come back and tell me their story and meeting me for the first time. I enjoy coming back.

You make appearances at other independent wrestling organizations. Why do you keep on coming back to KSWA events?

Anytime I get a call where they have an event for me to come in, I’m excited to be coming in. It’s a good feeling to go back. And people come up to you with a smile on their face and then meeting you for the first time. They always want to share the dream of their first interaction in terms of where they saw you, even if they didn’t personally meet you. And now they’re meeting you for the first time, and their eyes light up. And it’s a very humbling thing. And it’s a beautiful thing to know that after all these years, the business and I worked so hard for all my life that I loved and respected, still embraces me. That’s the beautiful thing about professional wrestling. It’s timeless. It will always be there because the excitement of professional wrestling just gets passed down from generation to generation.

Festival Gastro Caribe Showcases the Caribbean’s Unique Cultures and Food

Promotional poster of the Festival Gastro Caribe. Submitted by Keywanda Battle.

Kahila Miller, originally from the Carribean islands of Antigua and Barbuda, has lived in Pittsburgh for 29 years and has always tried to introduce people to Caribbean culture during her time in the city.

From her first venture, “African-American Caribbean Village,” a memorabilia store of various the Caribbean and African Nations “Tek-kit-Eeze with Love,” a restaurant. Her current business is “Caribbean Village,” located in Monroeville Mall, a memorabilia store just like the first business. “If you ever took a vacation and forgot to pick up a souvenir for a friend or family member, we’re your backup,” said Miller, while setting up a mannequin.

On July 13th, she is holding her 2nd Annual Festival Gastro Caribe from 3 pm to 11 pm at Mellon Park in East Liberty. The festival’s goal is to introduce the food, culture, and pastimes of the Carribean.

The first festival was recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Representative Edward C. Gainey, for their efforts in connecting the Carribean culture to Pittsburgh.

“We were very pleased with that,” said Keywanda Battle, Administrative Partner for the Festival Gastro Caribe. “It gives us the impetus, and it encourages our future vision for inclusion and success for Caribbean people and their place in Pittsburgh.”

The idea for the festival came from the other heritage festivals that happen annually in Pittsburgh, her time living in Brooklyn, New York, a hub for people who share her heritage and other Carribean festivals like the Caribana in Toronto.

Promotional poster of some of the food from various Caribbean countries. From Keywanda Battle.

“My dream is to have the same thing happen in Pittsburgh,” explained Miller. “We have a lot of West Indies people, [another name for the Caribbean], in the surrounding states that will attend our activities.”

Carribean traditions like games of Netball, a basketball-style sport that women from the islands play will be a part of the festivities and entertainment like dance groups and drummers are an attraction as well.

There are plans for a museum at the festival of all the Caribbean nations so people can learn more about other countries.

“We plan to have a roundtable and have people introduce themselves [and where they are from],” said Miller. “We can show that we have quite a few different islanders live here.”

Nations like Antigua, Trinidad, Jamaica, the Virgin Islands, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas will have vendors showcasing their nation’s food.

“I can’t bring you the sunshine, I can’t bring you the beaches, but I can bring you the foods & cultural feel,” said Miller.

Miller and Battle are excited about this year’s turnout vendor wise. Many of their vendors from the first event, their “anchor vendors” are returning and new vendors are hoping to become regulars.

New vendor, Kendrick Brown was born in Cat Island, Bahamas but was raised in Coconut Grove, a Bahamian neighborhood of  Miami, Florida. He grew up around learning the traditions of the Bahamas.

“I started cooking with my grandmother she started me off with Bahamian cuisine,” said Brown. “I went to culinary school, and I went back to my roots.”

Since moving to Pittsburgh in January 2015, he had been looking for ways to bring Bahamian food to Pittsburgh. He met Miller at her store, and she told him about the festival, and he was interested in signing up for it. He lost her contact info but thanks to a co-worker’s internet search, he feels he’s on the right path.

“I want to bring a little Bahamian culture as far as I can go with it,” said Brown. “At some point, you’re probably thinking about going to the Bahamas, so I want to be able to bring a little bit of agriculture to you.”

Brown says he’s cooking conch, a type of meat that comes from a conch shell. Not many people know that the shell, usually a souvenir has edible meat. When cracked out of the shell, it can be served raw or cooked in a variety of ways. He plans to fry the meat, put it in salads and many more.

“It’s well worth the try,” said Brown. “I’m hoping people come out and try the taste of sunshine!”

Ukrainian Professional Boxers Fighting For Their Dreams in Pittsburgh

Oleg Dovhun (Left) and Lyubomyr Pinchuk (Right). Posing in the ring at the Conn-Greb Boxing Gym in North Oakland. Photos by Brett Rothmeyer.

When Lyubomyr “The Demolition Man” Pinchuk, 22, turned 18, he sent messages to boxing trainers all over America asking if they wanted to train him for his professional career. Through a translator, he sent 500 messages in broken English via Facebook and email, receiving only 10 or 20 responses.

Lyubomyr Pinchuk training in the ring at the Conn-Greb Boxing Gym in North Oakland. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

“He emailed that he wanted to come to America ‘to become champion on them world,'” said Michael McSorley, his trainer and cornerman while watching Pinchuk’s longtime boxing partner Oleg “The Ukraine Pittbull” Dovhun, 25, work the heavy bag.

Pinchuk and Dovhun trained together while with the amateur Ukrainian National Boxing Team. “We’ve known each other for seven years. We even went to the same university,” said Pinchuk before his training session at Conn-Greb Boxing Gym in North Oakland.

Oleg Dovhun (Left) punching white tubes held by Michael McSorley (Right) at the Conn-Greb Boxing Gym. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

Since moving to Pittsburgh in February 2017, the Ukrainian duo have gained regional acclaim with their professional boxing careers in America. Ukrainian fighters usually go to bigger cities outside of Ukraine than Pittsburgh for professional training.

Their journeys through boxing began at young ages. Pinchuk started boxing at age 7 and Dovhun began training at age 10. They amassed prolific amateur careers.

Pinchuk fought as an amateur 250 times and captured two Ukrainian National Championships. Dovhun fought 325 times and captured four championships.

Michael McSorley at the end of Spring Slugfest at the Priory Grand Hall in Pittsburgh on March 2nd, 2019. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

McSorley and Pinchuk emailed and talked over a two-year period. Those interviews were translated by Anna Dasta, wife of Tom Dasta, a fellow cornerman. He introduced Dovhun to McSorley as well. Unlike Pinchuk, Dovhun didn’t go searching around the country for boxing coaches.

Michael McSorley (Left) training with Lyubomyr Pinchuk at the Conn Greb Boxing Gym in North Oakland. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

When Lyubomyr introduced him to McSorley, he knew he wanted to work with him. “I like working with him,” said Dovhun, after his training session. “He’s a very good coach.”

Pinchuk’s persistence impressed him, making him rethink his plans of not importing the two standouts. “I was impressed with them,” McSorley said. “I knew we were in store for something great.”

Michael McSorley (Left) working with Lyubomyr Pinchuk (Right) at the Conn-Greb Boxing Gym in North Oakland. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

McSorley, a Southside resident and boxing lifer, began boxing in his freshman year of college. After graduating, he found work as a cut-man, someone who fixes facial damage during bouts for fighters like Sammy Vasquez, a professional boxer and Iraq veteran with a 21-2 record.

“I spent a lot of time in gyms,” said McSorley. “One thing led to another and fighters started asking me to train them.” In addition to training, he manages and promotes matches of all his fighters through Integrity Fighter Management, a fight team ran by himself and his business partner J.J. Richardson.

Lyubomyr Pinchuk, training at the Conn-Greb Boxing Gym. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

He trains the Ukrainians out of the Conn-Greb Boxing Gym, on the property of an apartment complex and parking garage he owns in North Oakland. The gym is named after Billy Conn and Harry Greb, two legends of boxing, born and raised in Pittsburgh.

Entering the gym, it looks like an underground fight club. The boxing ring is in the middle of the gym, with heavy bags on one side and weightlifting equipment on the other “We had a nice gym in Ukraine, but I’m okay with this gym,” said Dovhun. “It’s not where I train, it’s how I train and the coaching I get.”

Michael McSorley working with Lyubomyr Pinchuk at the Conn-Greb Boxing Gym in North Oakland. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

Before coming to Pittsburgh, McSorley, Dovhun and Pinchuk talked about the fight scene, gyms and neighborhoods around the city. “I felt like they knew the characters here and some of the gyms before they came to town,” said McSorley.

“I learned more [about the Ukrainian community in Pittsburgh] once they got here.” Their first experience of Ukrainian life in America was at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in McKee’s Rocks.

Oleg Dovhun after the end of his sparring session at Conn-Greb Boxing Gym in North Oakland. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

“It’s pretty cool that two Ukrainian kids are making waves for boxing in Pittsburgh,” said Father Tim Thomson, a pastor for seventeen years at the church. “Pittsburgh hasn’t been a boxing hub in a long time.”

Lyubomyr Pinchuk, training at the Conn-Greb Boxing Gym. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

Thomson grew up a boxing fan watching Ali and Foreman and he has seen Paul Spadafora fight people at the A.J. Palumbo Center. He goes to their fights when possible and is excited about boxing’s future in Pittsburgh.

Outside of the ring, Pinchuk and Dovhun live normal lives. They do contracting work in construction and plumbing. Dovhun stays in contact with his girlfriend and parents. Pinchuk keeps up with friends,family and his old boxing coach.

Lyubomyr Pinchuk’s hand raised in victory after defeating Thad Berkhousen via second-round TKO by Referee Tim Shipley (left). This was his third title defense. Photo by Tyler Polk.

Initially, they went to the church every Sunday, meeting people who immigrated to America or have a family history in Ukraine. Pinchuk doesn’t go to church anymore, but Dovhun still takes the hour and a half trip from their apartment in Bloomfield to McKee’s Rocks every Sunday, despite being raised Catholic.

“There are very nice people at church,” said Dovhun. “I like going there. They all support my fights.”

In addition to his role as a pastor, he is also the Vice President of the Ukrainian Community of Western Pennsylvania.

Lyubomyr Pinchuk (Left) throwing a shot at Thad Berkhousen (Right) at the Spring Slugfest in the Priory Grand Hall in Pittsburgh. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

“Our goal is to promote the culture of Ukrainians and create a fellowship with others,” said Thomson. “Our Members range from 1st to 3rd generation Ukrainian”.

According to Popular Pittsburgh, a website informing people of Pittsburgh’s cultural history, the city is home to the fourth largest Ukrainian Population in the United States.

Ukrainian people have immigrated to Pittsburgh in waves. The first wave was at the beginning of the 20th century. Ukrainian immigrants would work primarily in the mills and mines.

Clare Burke, President of the American Boxing Federation, takes a video on her phone of Pinchuk’s fight at Spring Slugfest at the Priory Grand Hall in Pittsburgh on March, 2nd 2019. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

Thomson says Immigration was steady from the early ’80s to the ’90s. They came to America because of economic and political reasons. The third wave is currently underway. Ukrainian immigrants are coming for economic reasons as well and because of the Ukrainian Crisis of 2014.

“It’s a shame because it’s a beautiful country with many resources,” says Thomson. “People are leaving for a better life, just like Oleg and Lyubomyr with boxing.”

Douglas Cavanaugh, a friend of McSorley, was one of the first people McSorley told about the possibility of bringing in the Ukrainian fighters.

Daron “Sweet Tay” Williams (Left) and Oleg Dovhun (Right) battle for the vacant ABF USA Super Bantamweight Championship. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

“He contacted me when they were still in Ukraine,” said Cavanaugh, who has written about boxing for 25 years. “It was the middle of the night when he told me they were coming here. He was very excited.”

It’s rare for international fighters to go outside the big fight towns. Pinchuk and Dovhun stepping into the city in 2017 may have made history by stepping into Pittsburgh. “They usually go to bigger fight towns like New York, Philadelphia, and Boston,” said Cavanaugh. “As far as I know from my research, they are the first Ukrainian fighters to train in Pittsburgh.”

Cavanaugh lives in Burbank, Calif., but he documents the hidden history of Pittsburgh boxing on his Facebook page, “Pittsburgh Boxing: A Pictorial History.” He talks about the many fighters that are from, trained, or fought in Pittsburgh.

PA Announcer Matt Antonucci (Left) and Oleg Dovhun (Right) after his victory for the ABF USA Super Bantamweight Championship. Photo by Tyler Polk

One fighter from Ukraine was a fan favorite during boxing’s boom in Pittsburgh.

Benny “Little Fish” Bass, born in Kiev, Ukraine, immigrated with his family to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when he was three. Bass fought out of Philadelphia in the featherweight and lightweight divisions. He was the first ever Ukrainian champion in boxing history winning titles in both divisions.

Daron “Sweet Tay” Williams (Left) sent off balance by Oleg Dovhun (Right) during their bout for the vacant ABF USA Super Bantamweight Championship. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

Jack Dempsey, a boxing legend in his own right, called him the greatest boxer he had ever seen. “He fought a couple of times in Pittsburgh,” said Cavanaugh. “He was popular in the Lower Hill District and the rest of the Pittsburgh Ukrainian community during Boxing’s heyday in town.”

Pittsburgh fighters tended to be second generation fighters in the 1920s, 30s and 40s in Pittsburgh. Cavanaugh lists second-generation fighters like George Chip, who had Lithuanian roots, Teddy Yarosz with Polish roots, Fritzie Zivic had Croatian roots, and Billy Soose was Hungarian.

“These fighters looked at how their parents worked in the mills and said ‘I’m not going to kill myself on the assembly line. I’ll become a prizefighter and make a month’s worth of pay in a day,'” said Cavanaugh.

Cavanaugh believes Pinchuk and Dovhun, first-generation immigrants, carry similar traits to those fighters. “They represent everything Pittsburgh boxing was,” said Cavanaugh. “Immigrants that came over from foreign countries to make a better life for themselves.”

Lyubomyr Pinchuk (Left) throwing a shot at Thad Berkhousen (Right) at the Spring Slugfest in the Priory Grand Hall in Pittsburgh. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

Watching these two train makes it clear when tell that when these guys throw a punch, they mean business. Seeing McSorley and Pinchuk train with the fight mitts. The loud thud of the pad and the loud effort from Pinchuk. Every strike is precise. Right on the pad with little effort.

Same with Dovhun on the heavy bag, his combinations are no longer than three strikes akin to what happens in a real fight. Their training is always heavy on conditioning. Technique becomes another point of emphasis closer to fight night.

“Our training is rare on flash, it’s more grounded in reality,” said McSorley. “It’s rare do you see more than three punches in a combination.”

They fight in two different weight classes. Pinchuk is a lanky cruiserweight, a weight class of 200 pounds in between the smaller light heavyweight division and the bigger heavyweight division. Dovhun is a quick southpaw in the super bantamweight division, where fighters weigh 122 lbs.

Both have winning records in their young professional careers since debuting in March 2017. Pinchuk has a 10-1 record, seven wins by knockout. Dovhun is 8-0 in his career, with two wins by knockout.

McSorley believes that their willingness to fight anyone he can put in front of them will help them and endear them to the community. “I think in the long run they will progress faster and in the short term, people enjoy the challenges they are willing to take,” said McSorley.

Every event that Integrity Fighter Management holds, no matter the location; The Carnegie Library, Monroeville Convention Center or The Priory Grand Hall, the crowd gets bigger, drawing up to 700 people for their fights.

The demand to see these two in person has gotten higher every show. “It’s starting to come together, there was a lot of Ukrainian supporters at the last show,” said McSorley. “Word getting out has helped, people had a good time, and they bring more back each time.”

Rosalindo Morales (Left) and Oleg Dovhun (Right) sparring at the Conn-Greb Boxing Gym. Photo by Brett Rothmeyer.

Ron Witkosky, a friend of McSorley for five years has been to every one of the shows sponsored by Integrity Fighter Management. He said he is in awe of seeing these fights in person and enjoys the atmosphere of the intimate venues.

“A lot of people in the audience are directly invested in the fighters like me,” said Witkosky. “When they are invested it’s much more exciting. Mike and J.J. really do a great job with these shows.”

Dovhun and Pinchuk have captivated boxing fans outside of town too. Phil Chalmers has been to all their fights as professionals along with his brother Paul. He cites the times they fought in West Virginia at the Moundsville Penitentiary as an example of how entertaining they are.

“They love them down there, even in [Philadelphia],” said Chalmers, who lives in the Southside. “They can see greatness; they know they are going to be great.

They have received attention from regional sanctioning organizations, including the American Boxing Federation (ABF), which gave them their first professional title shots.

The ABF was founded in February 2018 and is one of the busiest regional and national sanctioning body in the western hemisphere since its inception. Their goal is to be a starting point for a future world champion for one of the Big Four organizations of boxing.

“Oleg is exceptional, and Lyubomyr is very good as well,” said Clare Burke, the vice president of the ABF. “I’m around the country almost every weekend and what I’ve seen from them is exceptional.”

McSorley sent her some tape of Pinchuk last summer. She was impressed and offered him a chance at the vacant ABF USA cruiserweight championship. He defeated Lamont Capers by unanimous decision for his first pro championship in August 2018.

Since capturing the title, he’s made two defenses. Burke believes his reign has been great so far. “It’s been great for the ABF as well, we’ve even got some exposure from Ukraine,” said Burke. “He’s a role model for future fighters. You can’t ask for anything better.”

When Burke went to the Priory Grand Hall to Pinchuk’s first title fight is when she saw Dovhun fight for the first time. She liked a lot of his performance that night and wanted to give him a future chance at gold. “I called [ABF President] Jeremy Lantz to tell him how good he was and sent him a video of the fight.”

Dovhun’s chance came this past March for the ABF USA Super Bantamweight Championship. He battled fellow undefeated fighter, Daron “Sweet Tay” Williams. Dovhun won the championship by unanimous decision.

Burke believes that Williams is good and still developing as a fighter, but Oleg was the better fighter that night. “Oleg made him work [in the fight],” said Burke. “He’s awkward for fighters because of the Ukrainian style’s contrast to American boxing techniques.”

The duo are champions of the ABF’s USA division. Which recognizes them as champions of the United States. “It feels good to be a champion,” said Dovhun. “It was a big fight, and I want the next fight to be bigger.”

The crowds cheer loudly at their fights. But, the loudest people in the room are in their corner. McSorley and Dasta are usually yelling instructions primarily in English, but they used to yell the word “attack” in Ukrainian.

“When it came towards communicating boxing terms, they’ve understood from day one,” said McSorley. “I said that word in their early fights, but not much anymore.”

McSorley’s training has created an interesting blend of their natural European style, with techniques studied by professional boxers in America.

“Most guys I rain tend to be high-pressure counter punchers,” said McSorley. “I hear from people who’ll say Oleg is a high tempo, aggressive fighter, and Lyubomyr is an excellent counter puncher.”

He said getting them the feel for the professional style after so many fights as amateurs was the biggest challenge when he started training them.

“Amateur boxing is getting more shots off for points,” said McSorley. “When you get off a high number of shots, you’re not throwing power shots.” He said the two are now fighting on their back knee a little more, giving their punches a meaner intent.

Travis “The Terror” Clark, a 13-2 Heavyweight, is a fellow member of Integrity Fighter Management. He has sparred with both men and speaks highly of both. “They are the real deal,” said Clark. “They are amazing, great people and great athletes.”

He first met them when he was getting ready for a title fight and was asked to spar Lyubomyr. He thought it was going to be an easy session, but it resembled a true contest.

“He was fast and was hitting me hard,” said Clark. “I was ready to get him, but I settled down and got used to his speed and his power. Not many people are going to mess with that kid.”

Clark also sparred with Dovhun, who at super bantamweight to his heavyweight is a large size disadvantage for the super bantamweight. “It’s like getting stung by a bunch of bees,” Clark joked.

In preparation for his fight against Williams, Oleg sparred with someone closer to his size in Rosalindo Morales, a 3-0 super lightweight. “It was a really good session, I was getting ready for a fight as well”, said Morales. “I thank Mike and Oleg for the opportunity.”

Lyubomyr Pinchuk (Right) sparring with two-time IBF Cruiserweight Champion Steve “USS” Cunningham (Left). Photo by Michael McSorley.

Pinchuk has a unique opportunity to spar with former two-time IBF Cruiserweight Champion Steve “USS” Cunningham. “We’ve been very lucky to have him as a sparring partner and a friend”, said McSorley. “They spar well against each other, but they don’t take it easy on each other.”

Cunningham met McSorley through Facebook. He was here with his family in Pittsburgh because his daughter needed a heart transplant. He asked if anyone had a gym for him and his kids to train in and McSorley obliged inviting him out to Conn-Greb Boxing Club.

“We went to his gym, me and my boys got a nice workout in, we’ve become good friends,” said Cunningham.

When he asked Cunningham if he wanted to work with Pinchuk, he saw it as a chance to be a mentor to a younger fighter, like three-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd mentored him. 

“I learned so much from a more skilled veteran, just from sparring with him”, said Cunningham. “It feels like this is what I’m supposed to be doing, helping this young man reach his goals”.

Pinchuk said he’s thankful to spar with an experienced fighter. “Every time we ask him to spar, he never says no,” said Pinchuk. “He’s a two-time champion, a great fighter and he teaches me a lot.

The motto for McSorley’s duo is “Onward and Upward!” What keeps them focused is always having a goal; it’s what they talk about on long drives to out of town fights or sparring sessions about their intentions. “I feel without any goals you’re like a boat at sea without a rudder,” said McSorley.

Their goals are to continue upping the competition and get into the top-10 world rankings in their divisions. On Boxrec, an online boxing directory, Dovhun is the number one Ukrainian super bantamweight.

On the road to becoming the number one boxer in the world, he’s thinking big. “I want more chances at titles,” said Dovhun. “I want to be a world champion in the next two years.”

Another goal the two share is stepping up the length of their bouts. On June 7, Pinchuk will be in his first 10-round fight against Taylor Duerr in Detroit. “I hope I can do more and get to a higher level,” said Pinchuk. “I want to follow this dream.”

Pinchuk and Dovhun are scheduled to defend their titles in Pittsburgh at the Carnegie Library of Homestead on July 13th.

Blue Dust Celebrates Anniversary with 7th Annual Oysterfest

Poster for Blue Dust's 10th Anniversary Oysterfest. Artwork by Frank Cunniff

For ten years, Blue Dust, a Homestead gastropub located just before The Waterfront’s train tracks, has held events at their location and under the Homestead Grays Bridge.

Frank Cunniff, the graphic designer and one of the founding group of family members who opened the bar in 2009, said the longevity of their business is what they were hoping for from the beginning.

“People really like what we bring to the table,” said Cunniff. “It feels really good to know what we are serving to the people made them happy and made them want to keep going.”

Blue Dust will celebrate the milestone with their 7th annual Oysterfest, under the bridge from 2 PM to 10 PM on May 11th.

They receive the oysters the day of the festival from Rogue Ales Brewery, one of the sponsors of the event, based in Ashland Ore.

“They are really good and buttery,” said Cunniff. “There are so many varieties of [how the oysters are served] at the festival it’s hard not to find one you don’t like.

People can get oyster shooters, fried oysters, and in a sandwich to name some of the ways they are cooked at Oysterfest. Other types of seafood and a variety of food trucks will also be under the bridge, and craft beer is on tap.

Live music is also a highlight of the festival. Two bands, Hill Jordan and The Flow Band, are returning from last year’s festival. David Nemo, who played in bands that provided entertainment in previous years of Oysterfest will open the show with an acoustic set.

“He’s great to see, and he’ll warm up the crowd,” said Cunniff. “There’s enough variety between all the acts so pretty much anybody regardless of musical preference will have a good time.

Cunniff is still involved with all of Blue Dust events, but his biggest contribution is the annual “Brawl Under The Bridge.” Professional wrestlers from the Keystone State Wrestling Association will be attending the festival to kick off ticket sales and raffling free passes to their Homestead show on July 20th.

On the same day, the Three Rivers Comic-Con will begin its two-day festival. Cunniff and Blue Dust have been talking to Todd McDevitt, the owner of New Dimension Comics about promoting Oysterfest to people who are going to their convention.

“It’s a selling point on social media to get people out there and interested,” said Cunniff. Our bar has a background with comics. My wife and I are nerds and make comics so it would be great.”

Above everything, Cunniff recommends people get to Oysterfest early because the oysters go fast, especially the west coast oysters. Despite the ample amount, they have sold out before especially in the first few years of the festival.

“We do our best to order appropriately and make everybody happy,” said Cunniff. “But once they’re gone, they’re gone,” said Cunniff.

Homestead First Fridays Bring Intriguing Artwork and More

Ian Brill's "Aggregate", LED Installation in the egress glass stairwell of the Bost Building in Homestead. Photo by Chris McGinnis.

First Friday, an internationally recognized event of art exhibitions and social networking is coming to 8th Avenue in Homestead.

This Friday, May 3rd, will be the first in a six-month arts and entertainment series presented by Rivers of Steel Heritage Corp. The event is sponsored locally by Carnegie Library of Homestead, Mon Valley Initiative, Enix Brewery, Honest John’s, Blue Dust, Dorothy 6 and Voodoo Brewery.

Art exhibits, live music, craft beer, food and drink specials will be happening up and down the avenue.

“Homestead First Fridays is part of a larger initiative at Rivers of Steel Arts called the Mon Valley Creative Corridor,” said Chris McGinnis, director and chief curator for Rivers of Steel Arts. “It aims to strengthen the economic and cultural vitality of the Monongahela Valley by fostering the creative economy and working together with creative professionals, enterprises, and communities to establish the region as a thriving destination to live, work and play.”

Ian Brill’s “Aggregate,” LED Installation in the egress glass stairwell of the Bost Building in Homestead. Photo by Chris McGinnis.

The event has been done in the Garfield neighborhood. In other cities, the event is celebrated throughout all their communities. Rivers of Steel is taking the concepts and tweaking it to fit Downtown Homestead’s unique vibe.

“Some folks are doing live music or mounting art installations and exhibitions,” said McGinnis. “Art demonstrations and activities for children, the event is very broad.”

First Friday starts at 6 PM and runs until 10 PM. There will be a variety of galleries on display throughout 8th Avenue and just off it as well.

“We’re encouraging people to come to walk around and visit different places,” said McGinnis. “We hope to attract other creative people into Homestead to be a part of the community.”

Zachariah Szabo is mounting an exhibition of his work at the former Steel Valley Arts Council. Shane Pilster, the curator of urban arts for Rivers of Steel, is curating a mural exhibition at the former CVS Pharmacy. Both galleries are on 8th Avenue.

Poster for First Fridays in Homestead. Image from Chris McGinnis.

An artist named Zach Brown will have a gallery at School House Studios on Ravine Street in the basement of the former Munhall school.

“He’s creating site-specific installations in the basement of the space that will be open on First Friday,” said McGinnis. “He’s an awesome painter, so that’s one to go check out.”

One of the significant pieces of art in the inaugural event is an LED installation called “Aggregate” created by local artist, Ian Brill. It will light up the glass-encased egress stairwell of the Bost Building, the location of Rivers of Steel Arts offices on 8th Avenue.

Ian Brill’s “Aggregate,” LED Installation in the egress glass stairwell of the Bost Building in Homestead. Photo by Chris McGinnis.

The installation will debut at 8:30 PM and will run every night from that day through August.

Other dates for First Friday in Homestead: June 7th, July 5th, August 2nd, September 6th, October 4th.

“We’re coordinating it with nicer weather, and we’ll see how it goes from there,” said McGinnis. “We want to get people from Homestead and people from outside the town involved too.”

For more information, head to https://www.facebook.com/events/714752218921639/?event_time_id=714752228921638

Emmai Alaquiva, from Government Cheese to Government Appointee

Emmai Alaquiva grew up with a love of the arts, specifically hip-hop music. He grew up listening to artists like De La Soul, KRS-1, and Rakim.  “Hip-hop saved my life,” said Alaquiva. “If it wasn’t for art penetrating my heart and mind, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

His love for hip-hop led him to create his own hip-hop group, production studio, education group, and later a nomination to the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts.  “To be able to serve on the council, 67 counties overseeing millions in arts funding is mind-blowing,” said Alaquiva.

Emmai grew up in Wilkinsburg, during the economic downturn of the area, but he tried to stay positive during the hard times.  “Stores were closing, schools were getting worse,” said Alaquiva. “It wasn’t the greatest place growing up, but I knew the potential of Wilkinsburg.”

His first exposure to hip-hop came from his mother. She had bought a ColorTyne entertainment center consisting of a TV and a double cassette stereo with a record player. She would purchase a lot of music, but one cassette caught Emmai’s ear. De La Soul’s iconic song “Me Myself and I.”  

“She bought it because it sampled a song called ‘Rapper Dapper Snapper’ by Edwin Birdsong”, said Alaquiva. “When she went to work, I would blast the hell out of the cassette.”

From then on, he would expand his knowledge of the genre and would cut grass, hedges, rake leaves, and shovel snow to purchase old jazz records from Wes Montgomery and John Coltrane.  His love for music and wants to acquire records made him sort of an outcast.

He was okay with being the weird artsy kid around the neighborhood because he had bigger plans. “I had to be creative and I had to learn the value of a dollar in order to make it,” said Alaquiva. “I sacrificed not having the latest gear or freshest haircut, so I could record music.”

Emmai and his friend, Akil Griffin, under the name Akil Esoon created Pensoulzinakup. They came up with the name because they were making their mark like a pen, in an uncivilized place, or a cup. The group was made up of three members, Emmai, Akil and Roland “DJ Supa C” Matthews.  

The group was made after a night of deejaying and rapping at a sleepover. The next morning Emmai called Supa C and Akil with an offer. “He needed Dancers and a DJ,” said Esoon. “We agreed and it all took off from there, we became Pensoulzinakup.”

They became one of the pioneers for Pittsburgh’s hip-hop scene in the early 90’s. From opening for artists who came through the city to be in a Public Service Announcement spot for PBS, encouraging young people to stay in school.  

“We thought our artistic contributions would bring the world together,” said Alaquiva. In one of the group’s final performances, they opened for The Notorious B.I.G. Biggie Smalls. An experience Akil called “tremendous.”

“We walked to his car, we thanked him for allowing us the opportunity he said ‘Word that’s what’s up, I appreciate it’,” Esoon said mimicking the legendary rapper’s iconic voice. “We asked him if he had any advice for us in our careers, he said ‘just never stop’.”  

The group would soon drift apart from being Pensoulzinakup, but they stayed close friends and are all involved in the music business in some fashion.

Emmai would go on to get a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Pittsburgh, but he fell into a deep depression and became homeless.  His bounce-back came from getting a job as a doorman at the Shadow Lounge.

Justin Strong, the owner of the club gave him opportunities to expand his horizons.  “He gave me an opportunity to see what entrepreneurship looks like,” said Alaquiva. “He showed me the struggles, the good times, and community impact.”

One day, mail was delivered to the lounge instead of to the tenant who lived above it. Emmai was asked to take it up and he realized the room was unoccupied. He had been planning for a year and a half to create his own studio, located in the basement of the Shadow Lounge but the rent had gone up for it.  

He changed plans and with Supa C cosigning and the rental of music and recording equipment he bought the studio space in 2001. The studio was named YaMomzHouse, it paid homage to Emmai’s former recording space with Pensoulzinakup, his mom’s house.

“From there on every dollar he made 90 cents was put into the studio,” said Alaquiva.

Cory Gale was the first employee of YaMomzHouse, accepted the head audio engineer job in 2005 and says he’s been a mentor and a big brother to him.  “It was more than just a job or logging into the clock in some hours,” said Gale.

“It was like learning from someone who had your best interest at heart.”  In 2007, he started Hip Hop On L.O.C.K., a K-12 afterschool program that teaches kids 13-18 about the music business by creating a mock record label, that teaches them writing, recording, copywriting, songwriting, and marketing.

George “Bubby” Coles, a music artist from Penn Hills, was a part of one of the first classes for the program says the program helped him prepare for life in the industry.  

“He told us what to expect from the business,” said Coles. “He gave my group free studio time to create music because he saw our potential, we signed a record deal within a year or two of working with him.”

Emmai was also honing his skills while teaching kids about the industry, he “accidentally” taught himself how to do video production.  “We were hiring and working with a lot of videographers to do videos for the kids in the program,” said Alaquiva. “But they couldn’t tell the story of these kids, the way we wanted to.”

 He went to a Best Buy in Manhattan, New York, and bought a Canon 7D camera. He used the camera to produce a show called Waffle Wop, from Carnegie Mellon University’s Waffle Shop and uploaded the videos to YouTube.

He was shocked by the praise he received from people.  “People began requesting we shoot videos for their organizations and their companies,” said Alaquiva. “It gave way to a mountain of success for the YaMomzHouse brand.”

He gained his first big partnership with hip-hop group, The Roots, in 2012. His friend Ian Wallace used to work on a project of Questlove’s. He asked if he could shoot two days of an event called ShuffleCulture for free. He went and shot the event with an employee, Jordan Gilliam, and put the video together in a week and uploaded to YouTube.

 “They didn’t believe my work, they thought it was pure luck,” said Alaquiva. “They asked me to direct photography for The Roots Picnic, and to this day they still use my footage for sponsorship.”

Emmai won an Emmy for Music Composition and Arrangement in 2007 and was nominated for the series Game Changers with Kevin Frazier in 2014, and his documentary Ghetto Steps in 2017.  

Game Changers lost the daytime Emmy to Sesame Street and he’s honored by the nomination alongside them.  “Game Changers was amazing to work with athletes,” said Alaquiva. “To be in the same breath as [Sesame Street] is outrageously insane.”

He credits his approach of creating the most soulful story with the elements given for his success with clientele. He compares his production approach to Jean-Michael Basquiat and DJ Premier.  

“Premier is extremely rhythmic and accurate, Basquiat took complexity and try to make it simple,” said Alaquiva. “Those combined is a great melting pot of how I like to tell stories.”

To be appointed to the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts required one of the most rigorous background checks Emmai had ever gone through.

It went through every possible angle from financial to legal. If anything raised a flag, he wouldn’t have gotten the seat.  “I always believed in doing things right,” said Alaquiva. “It shows that I’ve been pretty good at keeping a clean slate.”

He’s one of four African Americans on the council, joining one of his mentors, Justin Laing, who has been a member for 6 years.  “Justin is a legend in [the arts] if there’s anyone I want to support or be supported by is him,” said Alaquiva. “I want to push some Hip Hop into the council and give it a ‘little nah mean’ in it.”

Despite the nomination to the council, Emmai is still making moves. He’s working on a documentary on Leon Ford and a piece called Grey Skies, a documentary detailing the similarities between slavery and the Holocaust.

He’s also involved in a documentary called 50 Shades of Silence with former WPXI news anchor Darieth Chisolm. The documentary is a part of a campaign to end sexual harassment and cyberbullying.  

“I want to change people’s lives through the arts,” said Alaquiva. “It wasn’t an easy journey, but it’s a journey I never gave up on it.”

Publsihed in Issue #18 of LOCALpittsburgh

Click here to read magazine version.

#LOCALartISt Gavin Andrew Benjamin

Gavin Andrew Benjamin promotion photo. From his website.

Gavin Andrew Benjamin’s life can be described as flowing, originally from Guyana. His family moved from Guyana to Brooklyn, New York. Now he’s a resident artist in Radiant Hall in Lawrenceville.

He’s done commercial photography, painting, audio, printmaking, interior design, furniture, even theatre sets. He loves storytelling in his art, and he attributes it, to his love of television and movies.

Local Pittsburgh’s Tyler Polk had an interview with Benjamin.

This interview was edited for clarity.

Being originally from Guyana and grew up in Brooklyn, how have these places shaped your art style?

It’s interesting. Well, there's my love of color, bright things, which is very different in Brooklyn, which is dark and somber. And it's different sort of, ying and yang. Brooklyn is actually cooler than Manhattan now. The outer borrows, like the edges of Brooklyn where artists are now living or trying to make a living, to live there. I go back to New York quite a bit.

Why did you move to Pittsburgh? What do you like about living here?

It's small. It's close to New York. My friends were in DC. It's got a decent life. It's kind of like the gateway to going back home to New York or seeing your friends in DC.

Did you go to school for Art? Was there any experience you had that helped your career?

I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. It's a very important art school actually within the community, within the world, within the country. I had many internships, but my favorite internship was with Arnold Lehman, a photographer. I just learned a lot from him as a photographer. I got to go through his files, I got to see prints that I would never, ever touch with my own hands. I got to hear his stories which were amazing, so I got to just observe and just grab a little part of his history.

Benjamin's photo of water lilies. Shot at Phipps Botanical Gardens. Photo by Tyler Polk.

You’ve had art galleries in places like Paris, Miami, Atlanta, New York, Austin, Texas. How did you get the residency at Radiant Hall?

A friend of my connection because I was just looking some space. As an artist, I like to roam around and be creative without having things live in my head and this is a place that I can do that, and if I want to be social, I can be social. It allows me to have a life and the best quality of life.

What is your favorite medium to work on?

What I am working on right now, photography. It's, I think it's, for me, I had a chance to play a lot. So I got to just like hang out and work and just try different things, so I was pretty lucky. I got to learn a lot on the fly as a photo editor for a couple of years in New York. So, I got to really play, and I got to learn and so I got to do all the things that I really wanted to do before I ended up where I really wanted to be right now. So, furniture was part of that in the past. That still has influences in my work today, with architecture and design.

Talk about some of your work. What are your favorite pieces you’ve done?

This one, I shot at a pond in Phipps Botanical Gardens. It’s a similar photo to Monet’s Water Lilies. It's capturing a moment, it's capturing a time period, and so for me, it's this moment I was having where I was paying homage to another artist. It's like my rift in that art.

You wanted to make it pop out to the people who viewed his stuff.

Yes, it's a rift of many artists, you know it has a little bit of pop culture, which is like Andy Warhol-like, it's got a little bit of Monet. So, it's like the past and present, sort of in the future. You know it's sort of that whole other mash-up, this piece.

Image from the Alcoa Building Conference room shot by Gavin Andrew Benjamin. Photo by Tyler Polk.

What other pieces would you like to show me?

This was shot in the Alcoa Building conference room. That's a series that I'm working on. And with this piece, basically, it was more like the moment of this room, that had this power of all these great men who used to be in this room, and now it's been stripped and this is what's left of it, and that's something that's really interesting. for the narrative of the story, and when you stand back and you look at it, you can feel it now. Something larger, something cinematic, that you really look at the space in the window, and what I'm using as cut-outs to draw your eye in... Draw your eyes to tell the story.

What are you working on right now?

I'm actually working on the series of beachscapes from several summers ago and I'm now actually tweaking these. So, there's still work, I'm still playing with them. I'm not sure where they're going, but they're going [somewhere].

This story is unpublished, originally planned for publishing in LOCALarts, a subsidiary of LOCALpittsburgh.