The young people of Bowling Green are comparatively lucky when it comes to the choices they have in how and where to spend their spare time. Minor league baseball, theatre programs, a huge range of team sport programs, and multiple parks, are just a few of the options out there for those young people who are not of the legal drinking age.  How many times have we heard all that and more? I have said or written exactly the same thing many a time. It took the calm, quiet persona of David Speth explaining his purpose for opening an all age venue dubbed The Crows N3st, for me to realize that there is a sizeable population of youth in Bowling Green that continually are ignored and left with no outlet for their energy and angst.

You see them ‘lurking about’ at the mall or maybe traveling in packs cruising through Wal-Mart. You stare and gawk and move your small child away from them. You see them at the skate park and shake your head. They’re at your high school and you assume the worst—drugs, violence and immorality. You see them hanging out on street corner on your way to mass at St. Joseph’s or to buy bread from the outlet store. When you’re in college it is so hip to look and act eclectic. As an adult if you choose to live a bohemian lifestyle, for the most part no one cares. However, if you are in junior high and even high school listening to death metal and boasting the regalia then you’re called a freak. Should you spend your every waking moment trying to master a trick, be it on a skateboard or skates, then often enough you’re labeled a loser. If you proudly flaunt that your religious choice and symbol of your faith is not a cross, than you’re an outcast. No one even considers that you made the honor roll, help your elderly neighbor, or still attend church with your family. It all goes right out the window in an unfair generalization. It is these young people David Speth and Brad Anthony are trying to reach.

It was this that David quietly spoke of and in so reminded me that so many factors can generate negative emotions in young people; things beyond their control and understanding. When they find something they can connect to it’s their life support, but then if it’s outside of the cultural norm, their character is judged as anti-social or criminal, or worse. Many young people are lucky enough to have supportive parents and other tools to cope, but just as many are lost.

Somewhere in David’s youth he experienced criticism over his cultural choices and what started as confusion and irritation grew into internal rage. With the help of friends and family and especially his faith he sorted through it all and came out the other side embracing the knowledge that he had been the fortunate one. He also knew that music had been an important factor. David had found the release valve for his own anger in the crush of a mosh pit. The thundering rhythm, the energy and the unity of the crowd had given him both a way to vent his anger and yet had given him strength from which he could draw.  Looking around he realized that so many young people are judged upon their appearance, their socio-economic status, ethnic group, and cultural choices. He knew he wanted to make a difference. It was then he started rolling around in his head the idea of an all age venue.    

One evening amongst friends, he and another friend, Brad Anthony, talking about their future, realized they had a common goal to establish a place for all the young people that have no where to go that is inviting and comfortable. A place offering a positive atmosphere and without condemnation over their clothes, dyed hair, or a pierced eyebrow. A place, regardless of the skateboard under your feet or the skates on your feet, that offers to you an open door.

The unquestionable success of Rocketown in Nashville proves that there is a need for just this very option in the recreational wants of our youth. Rocketown, also having as it’s foundation a youth ministry, offers a multi-use park—skateboards, trick bikes, and in-line skates are welcomed—and an all age venue that is constantly providing an enormous range of music for the underage youth of the entire region. Should you take a poll of the youth at Rocketown, you’d find that young people there travel upwards of a hundred miles to be there. Having witnessed the level of activity at Rocketown, both Brad and David felt something similar could work in Bowling Green and the South Central Kentucky region.

Brad Anthony, after designing skate parks and skate runs all over the country, found his way back to Bowling Green. He held on to the idea of opening a shop in a neighborhood where he could be a positive influence upon the young people of the community. Demonstrating with his own passion for in-line skating and the life style that goes with it, he hoped to be there as a support system and outlet for as many young people as he could that had found their lifeline in skating.

David and Brad knew that the young people who would visit one business would more than likely visit the other. Unofficially partners, the two set about looking at buildings and locations, business plans, and possible grant applications. The demands of coming up with the start-up capital out of their own pockets did limit their choices of buildings.  Knowing the building that Blue Wallace had been in was still empty; they both soon realized that the location was a perfect choice.

Brad Anthony’s, storefront for his Left Foot Right business,  one of a few mobile stores for this sport, serves not only as a store for inline-skates and the apparatus and gear, but also as center for a sub-culture that is starting to thrive in our community. Yet even with all the positive media that ‘Extreme Sports’ has received lately, those involved with them are still somewhat shunned. Brad’s plan is to show the rest of the community that his lifestyle is both a productive and positive alternative for young people. Contrary to the generalizations of the media, it promotes health awareness, self discipline, responsible sportsmanship and self confidence. These are all character strengths that many parents desperately want for their children.

We all want some place safe and inviting for our youth to go. Someplace they can hangout with their friends that they’ll want to go to because it’s not about anything other than the company of friends, laughter, and being young. What better places than those run by two young men of solid character who’ve fought the same battles and want to help any kid that walks through the door to become a healthy, happy, stronger person.

David’s own love for bands like Racquet Club, Devour the Carnage, and Xerves, is evident when you check the bookings both past and present. Several bands like Mountain Asleep, Deceiver and Save Me Sirens have already had a packed house at the venue. The Crows N3st is also available for rental or if you DJ things it can be arranged as long as it’s understood that the Crows N3st is an all age venue. Any band interested in performing, regardless of genre, is welcome to, schedule permitting. Again the goal is to provide a safe choice for our youth and to demonstrate to them that success can come from the strength one finds in their inner self and/or their faith.

  If you want to know who is playing at the Crows N3st, David does his very best to stay current on FaceBook, My Space, and the Amplifier. If you want to know what’s going at the Left Foot Right, Brad suggests you skate on in because something is always happening.

About the author: Franne J. has lived in 5 major cities and 7 states, but has always loved this area and considered Bowling Green home. She’s been a part of and writing about the local art and music scene, off and on, since the mid-90’s. She recently met the love of her life, a ship’s captain, who has encouraged her to write again. Find her on Facebook.