Tree of Life

10 Jul

Podcast: Western Pennsylvania is experiencing a cultural, economic change

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 – 3:07 pm

Western Pennsylvania is experiencing a visual, cultural and economic change, and the Beechview neighborhood in Pittsburgh is at the heart of it.

From 2010 to 2020, Pittsburgh’s overall population saw a modest growth of less than 1%. In stark contrast, the Latino population in Pittsburgh experienced a staggering 80% increase.

Latin -American migrants from California, New York, and Florida are coming to Pennsylvania for the affordability and economic growth opportunity.

Pennsylvania’s Latino sub-economy is snowballing. It saw 18% growth from 2011 to 2021, with $36 billion in gross domestic income, representing 4.2% of the state’s gross domestic income.

According to a study from Arizona State University, the growing Latino work force is offsetting the losses from non-Latino workers in the state.

Pennsylvania’s economic growth averages 1.1% per year, while the Latino sub-economy saw averages of 6.2% growth in the same time frame.

Reporter Anna Mares and host Zac Gibson dive into her recent article, which cites the economic growth and cultural change in Western Pennsylvania in relationship to this changing demographic.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

06 Jul

Podcast: Potential nationwide scam hits Carrick event venue

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Saturday, July 6th, 2024 – 1:21 pm

 

A recent alleged concert booking scam has affected a venue in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood.

Audiovisual company Hearcorp owns the event venue and former church at 25 Carrick Ave.

Chief operations officer Brendan Elder recalled his conversation with Alex Bowen, who wanted to book a concert featuring orchestral renditions of Dr. Dre songs at the venue on April 20.

Bowen reached out as a representative of ARB Marketing company and said that he would like to book quickly to ensure the sale of tickets.

Elder says he reached out to Bowen and ARB multiple times to secure a deposit for the event, but never received any payment. He later received a mass email from Bowen stating that the company was to close down and file for bankruptcy.

Elder filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office after realizing he had fallen victim to a scam.

According to press secretary Brett Hambright, the office received at least five other complaints regarding the marketing company.

TribLive’s trending news reporter, Megan Swift, joins Zac Gibson to discuss the information that shows a national span of similar situations, and what Elder learned after fielding calls from the event’s ticket holders.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

03 Jul

S11, Ep 35, Pt 1: The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters; the Founder of Golf Live, Keith Scioli; and our Resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 – 4:45 pm

Dr. Bob makes his regular monthly appearance and discusses the importance of having a SOLID foundation for your game. What does SOLID stand for? He explains it as:

  • Single-minded
  • Optimistic
  • Letting go of score and expectations
  • Intentional and focused over each shot
  • Decisive and determined mindset

Dr. Bob also shares insights about a hidden gem course in Ocala, which he says may be the best in Florida.

Keith Scioli transitioned from being a Landman for Southwest Energy to creating the ultimate golf app, Golf Live. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, this app offers real-time live playing lessons with a PGA Professional, no matter where you or they are. Struggling on the range and wish you could get a live lesson right then? Now you can. Keith walks us through the app’s features, including the soon-to-be-added swing data integration, making it feel like you’re in a simulator with your coach, even if you’re just hitting into a net in your backyard.

Tom Patri is back, and this week we discuss more missed short putts on tour. At least this time, the player didn’t avoid the media and fans. Tom also explains why your handicap might be misleading if you play most of your rounds on the same course.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

02 Jul

S11, Ep 34, Pt 2: Western PA Golf Legend Bob Friend Jr., and 2x Winner on Tour David Peoples Join Me

published in category: Next on the Tee on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 – 5:15 pm

In Part 2 of Episode 34, I’m joined by Bob Friend Jr., the 1984 and 1985 Western Pennsylvania Amateur Champion and 1985 Pennsylvania State Champion, and David Peoples, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour.

Bob Friend Jr. is the son of Bob Friend, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher who helped them win the 1960 World Series. Known among his former Tour peers as one of the all-time great grinders, Bob Jr. honed his game much like US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau, spending countless hours on the course and range. He won the 1991 Fort Wayne Open on the Korn Ferry Tour and finished 2nd in the 1998 Canadian Open. In this episode, Bob shares his insights on this year’s US Open, Rory McIlroy’s putting struggles, Bryson’s image transformation, Scottie Scheffler’s achievement of becoming the first player since Arnold Palmer in 1962 to have six wins before July 1st, and Paul Skenes’ impact on the Pirates.

David Peoples, who won twice on the PGA Tour, also joins the discussion. He expresses his surprise when Rory missed those short putts on holes 16 and 18 and shares his thoughts on Rory leaving the course without congratulating Bryson. David also reflects on his experiences playing in the 1993 and 2001 US Opens, explains why Fuzzy Zoeller was his favorite playing partner, reveals why he hates Pebble Beach, and describes what it was like seeing himself on a trading card for the first time.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

27 Jun

S11, Ep 34, Pt 1: In Part 1 of Episode 34 I’m joined by Top Instructor and Host of The Golf Kingdom TV show Rob Strano and PGA Tour Legend Bruce Devlin

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, June 27th, 2024 – 11:34 am

In Part 1 of Episode 34 I’m joined by Top Instructor and Host of The Golf Kingdom TV show Rob Strano and PGA Tour Legend Bruce Devlin.

Rob Strano shares his reaction to the US Open and why the 5th and 15th holes were pivotal to the outcome. I also get his thoughts on LIV’s growing leverage in the merger discussions, and why even after winning 6 times so far this season, Scottie Scheffler’s accomplishments aren’t touted enough. Think about what it would be like if Tiger was winning at this rate.

Bruce Devlin won 8 times on the PGA Tour and had 5 Top 10s in the US Open. Bruce also shares his insights on this year’s tournament plus we go back to his Top 10 in the 1982 US Open after the media had written him off. We also look ahead to The Open at Royal Troon in July and look back at his win in the 1960 Australian Open as an Amateur.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

26 Jun

Dangerous currents: Safety protocols lacking for rafting and kayaking at Ohioplye

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 – 1:51 pm

Andrea Yealy was 16 when she hopped in a two-person inflatable kayak rented by a friend’s family on Sept. 16, 2000, at Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County. They paddled without a guide down a 7-mile section known as the Lower Yough.

Andrea was wearing a helmet and life jacket when she spilled out of her kayak at Dimple Rock, a notorious hazard in the river that can overturn rafts, and was swept under the water’s surface. She died.

Since her daughter’s death, Michele Yealy has turned to awareness of the dangerous of the white waters of the Youghio­gheny River at Ohiopyle.

There have been more incidental deaths along the river. Fifteen people died in the Lower Yough while rafting or kayaking between 1982 and 2022 from according to the American Whitewater database despite inquests and calls for enhanced safety protocols and more fully-guided options.

In this episode, host Zac Gibson and reporter Renatta Signorini tell the story of what happened to Andrea and her mother’s fight to be awareness to the dangers, and discuss the rough path to safety protocol changes for outfitters who offer commercial whitewater rafting trips along the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

24 Jun

S11, Ep 33: Broadcast Legend Tim Brando, “Pittsburgh is one of my favorite cities”, Beano Cook, Scrap Iron’s Hat, and stories from his Hall of Fame career

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, June 24th, 2024 – 10:01 am

In this very special edition of “Next on the Tee,” I’m joined by broadcasting legend Tim Brando.

Tim Brando has practically done it all in the world of broadcasting. He started out calling high school football games alongside his father, Hub, in Shreveport, Louisiana. His entertainment career began at the tender age of 5 on his father’s local variety show. As his career grew, he became the Assistant Sports Director at WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge and called men’s and women’s basketball for LSU. In 1984, he joined ESPN, hosting SportsCenter and their College Football Half-Time Show. By 1996, he was with CBS Sports, calling basketball games and hosting College Football Today. He also contributed to their digital media team, broadcasting The Masters. Fox Sports came calling in 2014, and he’s been with them ever since.

Tim is also an avid golfer and a member of Southern Trace Country Club in Shreveport.

In our conversation, Tim walks us through his Hall of Fame career, touching on his partnership with Pittsburgh’s own Beano Cook and the Pirates’ pillbox hat given to him by Phil Garner. He’s an amazing man who has done so much to enhance the sports we watch, thanks to his style and expansive knowledge. You can follow him on social media @timbrando.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

22 Jun

S11, Ep 32, Pt 2: Fitness Expert Courtney Weber & Top QB Coach Cree Morris

published in category: Next on the Tee on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 – 11:14 am

Courtney Weber is a Level 3 Titleist Performance Institute and Golf Digest certified Trainer. I had the privilege of being introduced to her by Top Instructor and my gumba Rob Strano at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show. Courtney shares exercises aimed at enhancing power and explosiveness in our golf swings. She delves into Advanced Dissociation Exercises, their benefits for overall fitness, and the optimal balance between cardio, weight training, and explosive movements.

Cree Morris, a standout QB at Orange Glen High School in San Diego with his jersey recently retired, began his college career alongside Marshall Faulk at San Diego State. He recounts these experiences and offers insights into QB fundamentals, advice for NFL rookie QBs, and what made Dan Marino exceptional. We conclude with Cree discussing cherished moments on the golf course with his son and their favorite spots in San Diego.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 



Podcasts