Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Black History Month, Celebrate!




Forced slavery in the United States ended as it was known, yet the former slaves in the South and border states were still subject to Jim Crow Laws: Required racial segregation.

From 1876 to 1964 Blacks in the South were subject to second class citizenship and relegated to use separate public restrooms, water fountains, restaurants,and public transportation just to mention a few. The right to a public education was scarce, and the Constitutional right to vote practically null as provided in the Jim Crow Laws of the South. They were subject to violence and death by racial bigotry, organized racism porliferated by the Ku Klux Klan, and any White that practiced blatant racism.

The North was growing as a result of industrialism and had a little more to offer Blacks. Although widespread racism and violence were not as prevalant, the North still had racial barriers. The boll weevil infestation in the 1910s in the South had a severe effect on the Black Sharecropper. With little cotton to market, there was little money to be made.

Racism and even fewer economic opportunities, combined, made the North a feasible alternative. With that in mind the Blacks of the South began to look to the golden streets of the North in search of a better life: This was the start of the "GreatMigration." From 1916 to 1970 approximately 7 million blacks migrated to Northern cities to claim the new life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness: the "American Dream."

Blacks moved to major cities in the North: New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Los Angeles, and more. As they acquired better education and employment they also developed and shared the art, music, and writing of Black folk in America.

The 1920s brought the emergence of Black writers, musicians, and artists in Harlem, New York City, New York. It was known as the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance flourished from the 1920s through 1930 at which time the aftermath of the Great Depression detracted from the merit of the Harlem Renaissance.

Nevertheless, Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Claude McKay who broke the publishing color barrier in the 1922 release of his book "Harlem Shadows", James Weldon Johnson and his Brother, J.Rosamond Johnson, Paul Robeson all were key writers among countless others of their time.

Billie Holliday, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Josephine Baker,Cab Calloway,Pearl Bailey, Ethel Waters and Leontyne Price were among the who's who of Harlem Renaissance singers, musicians, and performers of the Harlem Renaissance.


Harlem Renaissance art still influences art today. Remembered in contemporary history for their art during the renaissance are William H. Johnson, Lois Mailou Jones, Sargent Claude Johnson, Jacob Lawrence, Archibald Motley, and Romare Bearden.

Just as the Harlem Renaissance was recognized a prominent black historian and prolific writer, Carter Goodwin Woodson found a need to observe Black History for the unsung and often significant accomplishments by Afro Americans in all segments of life in the United States.

In 1926 Woodson launched Negro History Week. He chose February because it was the birth month of President Abraham Lincoln, and Frederick Douglass, a gifted abolitionist and orater. By 1976 Negro History Week was expanded to a Month.

Today, even in Johnstown, Black History Month is celebrated. The area shows, exhibits, and workshops all celebrate the literature, art, music, and food from the rich experience of Black folks in the region and country. The February 5, 2008 edition of the Tribune Democrat announces the local events.

The Bottleworks Ethnic Arts Center in the Cambria City neighborhood of Johnstown has hosted some of the best Afro-American History Month celebrations in Johnstown. Since 2000 the Bottleworks hosted numerous local and nationally known artists, displays, literature, hat shows and cuisine.

Devon Haselrig, local musician and photodigital artist, was awarded the 2003 Bottleworks Excellence Award for the 2001 program expansion of the Afro-American History celebration at the Bottleworks.


Rosemary Pawlowski, Director Bottleworks Ethnic Arts Center, & Devon Haselrig, award recipient




Today, All About Us is the primary organization for Black History Month programming with the Bottleworks.

Throughout February take in a Black History Month event whether at the Bottleworks, Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, or a local Afro-American church.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Perseverance


Today you can turn on almost any channel, open a magazine, skim a tabloid and find the latest dip on the pop star diva, Britney Spears. Today's news found that she was rushed to the hospital for another psychiatric episode.


Johnstown is no stranger to the hardships celebrities encounter as it is the home of former Pittsburgh Steeler great, Carlton Haselrig. From childhood to adulthood Carlton possessed great athletic prowess and went on to achieve fame as a football player and greco-roman wrestling.


Never did he ever plan to endure the challenges of drug and alcohol abuse an opponent that cost his liberty, to say the least. Carlton returned to his native Johnstown in November 2007, after a one and a half year stint in state prison.
Yesterday, January 30, 2008, in downtown Johntown, we ran into each other by chance and took some time to catch up. It was a cordial meeting, and one that found him focused and about his business at hand.
Just a week and a day after his 42nd birthday the former Pro Bowler said that he has a demanding schedule of work, coaching (he's great with children), and working with motivational speakers as he's entertained authoring a book. We didn't talk about a painful past as it's not necessary when one is close to the source. Yesterday is gone, and being able to stay positive and focused today is what's up.
It was also a time that he didn't have to look over his shoulder or in front of him to escape reporters, photographers, police, constables, or sheriffs and he certainly was not under any undue influences. As an observer of Carlton's ups and downs, victories and defeats, good and bad today is a good day as he is on recovery road once again. Any one close to the likes of Carlton Haselrig, Britney Spears, and countless others like them can practically empathize with the fame and hardships they and their families endure too.
Perserverance
We consider blessed those who have persevered.
James 5: 11
We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance
Perseverance character, and character hope.
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts
By the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace
For those who have been trained by it.
Consider it pure joy, my Brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything.
Blesed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test,
He will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
So that Christ's power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakneses, insults, hardships,
Persecutions and difficulties
For When I am weak, then I am strong.
Scriptures compiled by D. S. Haselrig
(All rights reserved)
Today we can say to anyone and everyone that is going through life's calamties, "persevere."
Be strong, steadfast, moving on to the goodness of life, tranquility, and the satisfaction of overcoming life's challenges.


Sunday, January 27, 2008

That Was A Close Call


The January 17, 2008 posting of Johnstown15901 here at Blogger was still fresh when the Blogger crawlers inspected it and tagged it as a potential spam farm.


Wow! What is a spam farm? There was no intention of proliferating that stuff here.




It took a lot to return to blogging, and four days for this blog to undergo an inspection was enough to quit. What should be done? Should we move to another site? Quit? Wait? What? Well, we held on and the blog was released and allowed to resume postings.




A week has passed and we missed reporting the birthday/holiday celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr in Johnstown, the ice skating rink at Roxbury Park, and other numerous news items in Johnstown15901 worthy of being highlighted online.




However, the editorial by Curt Davis, Johnstown City Manager is inspiring and worthy of reading. Johnstown's vision needs known and posted everywhere, because "without vision people perish." Proverbs 29:18. It's true, and I don't want to perish for the lack of the city having a vision.




Take a moment to read an inspiring editorial by the City Manager, Curt Davis, http://www.tribdem.com/editorials/local_story_023100307.html




It is trusted that week past was good...as we rest on this sabbath day we enjoy this moment and prepare for a productive week ahead.


Thursday, January 17, 2008

Johnstown Online And Offline













Today Googled Johnstown and within a few short seconds the first of 8,830,000 hits surfaced.
Surfing several of the sites, especially those imparting demographics, gave all but dismal reports of the area.

Yes, Johnstown has suffered major economic setbacks since 1977, the city's third major flood.
Johnstown15901 took the greatest hit. At that time 15901 was the home of two major department stores, twin theatres, more stores, restaurants, and bars than today.

The most notable economic mainstays and employers in the area in 1977, the steel mills, Bethlehem and U.S. Steel, two national steel producers, sustained major physical damages in the flood amid the problems of steel imports. The flood coupled with the losses of the national steel industry was the demise of the city's major employers. Naturally this had a ripple effect on the local economy which still has a negative impact on today's economy.

Today Johnstown continues to develop and produce a vision, yet the statistics and demographic data in several of unrelated websites paint a bleek picture: http://city-data.com/ , City Data is a directory of states, cities, and towns. While the statistics and data there certainly reflect the braindrain of this area and an otherwise exodus of those seeking employment, the forum comments, for most parts, paint a less than ideal lifestyle in Johnstown.






The Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnstown,_Pennsylvania further elaborates on the demise of Johnstown which makes a less than inviting introduction to an area that was once home to 50,000 plus residents. Many of the area's professional athletes were credited as the famed from this area at Wikipedia.

Wikipedia, for whatever reasons, failed to mention Carlton Haselrig, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlton_Haselrig however there is a Wikipedia page on Carlton. It should probably be listed on the Johnstown page.

Michael's Computing hosts http://johnstownpa.com/ . It is one of the oldest Johnstown websites and is user friendly. It let's an avid user know that Johnstown is online otherwise nothing exciting.

Pappas Development hosts an entertainment site highlighting the greater Johnstown entertainment spots. Finally, and not on a direct search on Johnstown , was there a website that displayed Johnstown entertainment other than the traditional symphony and formal performing arts entertainment provided by the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra or programming at the performing arts center. http://2nitelife.com/ is a cool spot to check out. The bar, restaurant, and entertainment listings are current and a good way to plan a night or weekend of fun.


However! The greatest find in the whole search was really a "diamond in the rough". Today's search uncovered proof that Johnstown is actually investing in the arts. In August 2005 the city announced a plan to turn an exhausted, but worthy, 15901 neighborhood into an artist colony.

With that the Artist Relocation Program, http://johnstownartspa.com/ came to life. Finding that site was relief! The city has really partnered with a local bank and organizations willing to give interested artists real financial support for housing and art studio relocation to Johnstown to produce and market their creations.

The program could use more publicity to get it in the fast trak. Many of the properties that are available are still vacant and waiting. And if nothing else, Johnstown would certainly benefit from all art forms public and private. This program's development will be monitored right here in Johnstown15901 as the Kernville Art District is a part of 15901.

Check out all of the links herein, but definitely surf Johnstown arts. It will be great to see the transformation of the lower Kernville area. Pass the site along to all who may be interested. The optimism of johnstownartspa makes the remaining 8, 829, 999 hits insignificant.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

15901: Operation, History, & Entertainment







Johnstown15901 is the cradle of city government, history, and some of the favored entertainment venues in the Greater Johnstown, PA area.


The City Of Johnstown, http://cityofjohnstownpa.net/ , was founded by Joseph (Shantz) Johns in the 1700s. It was incorporated in 1800 and grew to become known for steel production and coal mining in the surrounding areas.


Johnstown, however, is also known for life-threatening floods. Since its incorporation, Johnstown survived three major floods: 1889, 1936, and 1977 respectively. The Johnstown flood history is well preserved and displayed at the Johnstown Flood Museum, http://jaha.org/Floodmuseum/oklahoma.html .


The flood museum is part of the larger historical organization, The Johnstown Area Heritage Association, http://jaha.org/ . JAHA also operates the Discovery Center. The Discovery Center website can be accessed at the JAHA.org link.


The Public Safety Building is the backdrop of City Hall. It is the home of the Johnstown Police Department, http://johnstownpolice.com/ and Fire Department. It is located at the intersection of Washington at Market Streets.
The East Coast Hockey League has a franchise team right here in Johnstown. The Johnstown Chiefs Hockey team is in its 20th year in Johnstown, http://johnstownchiefs.com/ Their home rink is housed at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena http://warmemorialarena.com/
The following links are more significant landmarks in Johnstown15901:
The Tribune Democrat http://tribdem.com/
Johnstown Magazine http://johnstownmag.com/
Cambria County Transit http://camtranbus.com/
Pasquerilla Conference Ctr http://fjpconferencecenter.com/
Johnstown Inclined Plane http://inclinedplane.com/
There are numerous amateur sporting events in Johnstown, even a professional golfing event. Probably, the best known sporting event is the All American Amateur Baseball Association Tournament. The annual AAABA Tournament is hosted at the Johnstown Point Stadium. The week long event is a Johnstown tradition that brings future baseball stars to one of the most respected tournaments on the national level. If you ever find yourselves in Johnstown during August, check out http://aaaba.us/
In 1997 Johnstown hosted the first ever, "Thunder In The Valley" motorcyle rally. Ten years later "Thunder" has grown to host over 10,000 or more bikers in a four day period. You got it, the primary entertainment hub is Johnstown15901! Entertainment venues for http://visitjohnstownpa.com/thunderinthevalley/ are situated from Festival Park at the train station all through downtown to Main Street, Central Park, the War Memorial Arena and Pasquerilla Conference Center.
While Thunder opens the summer fun in Johnstown, the Johnstown Folkfest, another function of JAHA, http://jaha.org/ ushers the close of summer with a festival to end all festivals. Just several years old Festival Park is right at the Stonycreek & Little Conemaugh Rivers housing entertainment stages, vendor booths, and display place all catering to the thousands that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Johnstown area.
Though Festival Park is new to the Folkfest, the Folkfest is not new to Johnstown. It was created and funded by the National Park Service which sponsored the first ten years of the Folkfest. After the tenth year, the Folkfest was handed over to Johnstown for future sponsorship and hosting. The Folkfest is fast woven to the fabric of this area, and has done well enough to be the impetus for a spin off festival in its former home in Cambria City.
With this being the start of a new year, look forward to future postings for the aforementioned events. They are definitely good for a few exciting pictures and fun things to report here.












Monday, January 14, 2008

Welcome to Johnstown15901!

Welcome to Johnstown15901. Right outside the front door is 15901 comprised of downtown Johnstown, and the communities of Old Conemaugh Boro, Woodvale, Prospect, and Kernville.

It is the home of city government, history, and some of the oldest and most popular entertainment venues of the Greater Johnstown Area.

At Johnstown15901 we will explore and share life here in west/central, PA located in Cambria County, PA in the Laurel Highlands.




Make Johnstown15901 one of your stops in the blogisphere. Here we will attempt to entertain and inform you about life in a struggling, but great town. We will monitor what's been called the rebirth of 15901.