Settling Scores Peacefully

January 16, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Residents rally against violence in city

By jeanne starmack

youngstown

In red shirts and in green shirts, kids were settling their scores — peacefully, on the basketball court.

T. J. Stewart coached from the sidelines while people looked on from the stands at the South Fieldhouse on Market Street.

Stewart, of Youngstown, knows about 25 kids from 10 to 14 years old who are interested in playing basketball in a youth league he’s trying to organize.

At least 18 of them were in the fieldhouse Saturday for a friendly game — a positive way to spend an afternoon.

The organizers of the Stop the Violence rally, which included not only basketball but speakers, music, prayers and a candlelight vigil, say they would like to see more scores settled just as peacefully in the city.

“I’m from Youngstown,” said the rally’s chief organizer, JAMZ 101.9 DJ Lucky Penny. “I’ve lost family and friends. I see a lot of hurt in people’s eyes. I couldn’t sit back and watch it no more. I’m a radio personality. I had to use my voice.”

Penny, who also owns the Love Lounge, a nightclub in downtown Youngstown, got help organizing the event from Jacob Harver, owner of the Lemon Grove. Also helping out were Charlie Staples Bar-B-Q, Galaxy Seafood, Warriors, Inc., Belleria Pizza and Afro Dogs.

“This is something good for the whole community,” Harver said. “Youngstown police do a great job. But the whole community needs to prevent violence. This is to show we can come together.”

Largely, it was all about the basketball. The youth games eventually gave way to teens and adults on the court.

Anthony Howell of Youngstown was there to watch his son, Anthony, 11, play.

Everyone, he said, is aware of the city’s violence problem.

“If you watch the news, you’re aware of it,” he said. “It’s gone on too long. It’s got to stop. We should have more things like this.”

Penny said he believes reaching kids is key for the city’s future.

“One time, Youngstown was a booming city,” he said. “Let’s try to bring that back. It’s going to happen with these kids.”