Braddock PA article in Ready Made article (Pittsburgh, North Braddock: appointed, sale)

[PPG]

Don't drive around and DON'T GET OUT!!!!! Unless your with the mayor himself.

[happywithbraddock]

I certainly didn't mean to discourage you, Supersoulty, from wanting to help. Braddock can use all the supporters it can get. I just meant that the mayor gets lots of help and I want to thank Americorp volunteers for that. There are lots of people who would love to see Braddock get better. But, definitely, if you want to help out, please do.

[musegimm]

Hi Christian Widowed mother here originally from Pitt, living in the "abyss of PA, known as York", and I've read several posts about how bad Pgh is but have you read a little further south this place is what half the size of Pgh and ten times worst if it weren't for God's Grace I'm sure this place would implode...

all banalities aside I wanted some true info on North Braddock I'm not able to afford a million dollar home on a vet widow pension, but I've managed to find something I have 2.5 children living at home but I do want them safe as any one else would I had already considered homeschooling because I've done it before but are the Woodland hills really bad ???, I've lived in almost every neighborhood of Pgh but never N Braddock or Braddock, I'm desperate to leave where I'm at and due to other difficulties which I will not go into now I have to leave ! "family Illness" briefly put, and this is the opportunity I've been allowed to have at this time so I must take advantage of it !!!

Thank You Muse....

[backin60's]

Hi Everyone,

As the name indicates a bizillion years ago when I was a kid I was growing up in Braddock. It was a rough place then. Some of the buildings were already in serious
need of repair and the old closed high school sat sadly further neglected. While it is
true that Braddock has gained the reputation of a crime mecca, there are other truths
that are largely ignored because people do not understand some facts relating to the
human beings who make up Braddocks population.
First I commend Fettermen. He became my hero a few weeks back when I began following the happenings in Braddock. I am an old Dog, Spent my life working as a counselor with inner city gang youth across the country. I am not easily impressed.
I am tough, sometimes cynical when it comes to politics and politicians (most times actually) and am not
easily swayed in my mind set.
I think something that is not being talked about that is happening in Braddock goes far beyond the brick and mortar restoration. The sentiment that it is a crime ridden place
where only big guys like Fettermen or fools would venture is understandably the general
consensus. The stories of beautiful thriving gardens is touching and heartwarming. But
greater is the growth of hope in the hearts of the residents. Is true enough that the
forgotten disenfranchised in our cities react violently to despair and hopelessness. Is an age old reality. Drugs prevalent because they take the edge off despair. Drugs bring their
own process of sociopathy.
People who have been invisible and treated as if their lives do not matter
will in turn not value the lives of others. But when Fettermen dared to dream, when he
had the conviction and courage to accept the challenge he lit a spark inside the hearts
of the long forgotten. With each successful venture the spark is fanned and that fire
feeds a yearning for purpose. It is the function of hope. And hope in the heart is it's own garden and the flowers that bloom will be restoration and change in hearts and minds and lives. That is a garden where Love, Respect and Responsibility grows.
I am reading everything i can online about Braddock. Am feeling pride and a little jealous
that I am no longer there to be a part of such an incredible opportunity. Having the roots I had in Braddock I realized that the sum total of my experiences growing up have
served me well. I lived on McCrea Way, I think the apartment is probably torn down
now, it was a rat infested hole back then. But it was a place where I gained the best
life skills for me.
So I am going to be cheering Fettermen on, and will feel the joy of each successful
enterprise. Don't count him out. He can't do it by himself, but make no mistake there
are some tough people with the will to survive and a new sense of hope that will carry them forward, he isn't going to be alone. There will be visionaries who understand what
his vision is and they too will join him in the shared dream.

Fettermen Daring to dream, "putting his money where his mouth is" (as someone else stated) isn't something we see done by politicians. Is sure refreshing and about time.
I will be following what is happening in Braddock as much as I can online and will be
rejoicing at every accomplishment.

Cheryl

[backin60's]

I just went to a search engine for property sales and removed Penn Hills
and typed in Braddock to see if any properties for sale would come up.
After I hit search the thing bounced back asking me if I wouldn't rather
live in Wexford. LOL Poor Braddock, even the search engine has been
programed to reject it as viable.

Cheryl

[backin60's]

It appears that I am talking to myself, but I think I am in a different time zone. Still
searching for info on Braddock I came across an article where council members wanted
more police to keep kids off the corners. Therein lies one of the big problems. How about instead of police to keep them off the corners someone opens a business that
is geared exclusively to employing them. A restaurant? A bakery? Maybe a produce
store to sell that sweet corn and tomatoes. People all over are looking for organic produce. Maybe an artist to teach them air brushing, a photographer to teach them photo developing. I'd love to see a book on the history of Braddock old view and new.
Perhaps a locally develped construction company/school to teach the young men to build. The possibilities are endless and the beauty is that the needs of renewal in the
landscape can also provide opportunities for renewal in their lives. Kids are on the street corners because there is no place to go and nothing to do. They get jobs and they are
off the streets.

Cheryl

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by backin60's

It appears that I am talking to myself, but I think I am in a different time zone.

You're not talking to yourself. Sometimes it takes a day or two before people respond to a particular thread.

Keep posting. Eventually someone will respond.

I personally don't have an opinion on Braddock so that's why I'm just offering encouragement with this post.

[backin60's]

Hi Hopes

Thanks for the encouragement.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Gerbil

Tallysmom: So are you looking for an grass-roots artistic community to move into in the Pittsburgh area? If so, maybe you could check out the Penn Avenue area in Garfield. Seems like a lot is going on there. Of course I see art galleries popping up all over the city, but if you want a place where it's really concentrated I'd suggest that or Lawrenceville.

That's what I was looking for a few months ago... but then I thought it would be nice to own horses...

Guys -- I have an admission -- I want EVERYTHING. My time line for getting out of California was 2009... but with the housing mess we may be here a little longer... plus hubby isn't sure he wants to retire at 50. And he doesn't know if he wants to go back to PA... and the extra time line on the money tree doesn't hurt if you know what I mean. And then there's moving 10 cats -- or more depending on the ferals...

So I keep researching to see where I'd like to end up. My feeling is HE picked California, it's MY turn.

I will be trying to come back yearly -- it's hard on hubby, but I need a break from the work, and it keeps my mom home rather here driving him nuts.

[backin60's]

Good Morning All

In my quest for what has become near obcession to view all things Braddock I came across info about short films done by Tony Buba all about Braddock's decline. Went
looking for where to purchase only to learn that they are distributed by a company
for purchase to companies, apparently they are to be viewed by groups not individuals
(and the price reflects this). Seems a bit short sighted of the company. I thought alot
of the buildings in these films are probably gone now so would be a great source of history. Has anyone seen these Braddock Chronicles? Just curious.

Cheryl