In addition to these articles, Rocky and LSYF have been featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle June 19, 1991, Southern Jewelry News October 1990, Atlanta Metro Magazine Dec 1991. He has been filmed and featured on AtlantaCity Cable 5, The Watchman On The Wall, the 700Club Filmed Oct 16 1997, Cable Vision/GNET (Two shows on The LSYF Youth Ministry). .Rocky has appeared on numerous Radio Shows, including the Barbara Dooley Show, Wife Of Legendary Coach Vince Dooley and Georgia's Top Awarded TalkShow. and was key speaker at this past Church Of God Annual National Resurrection Breakfast.

Further Information/Bio The Renown Barbara Dooley Show Quotes By National Leaders

FEATURE ARTICLES
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Rocky Past Turns To Gold
Gwinnett Post
Atlanta Journal Constitution Feature
"O Georgia!" Award

ROCKY PAST TURNS TO GOLD:
Self-taught artisan gladly trains others

R.J. "Rocky" Scarfone spent his childhood on the rough streets of [Queens!] Benson Hurst in Brooklyn.

Fatherless since he was 6 years old, he left home, first at age 11. And, like a Charles Dickens character, Mr. Scarfone scrambled about on his own, making a living from odd jobs and his wits.

An apparent quick study, he taught himself a variety of skills, including leather work, auto repair, goldsmithing and jewelry making.

Though his schooling stopped at fifth grade, he learned to read well enough to pass the high school equivalency exam. He joined the Marines and served six years.

A wish to teach skills, in part, is the force behind his cooperative apprenticeship program that has taught goldsmithing and jewelry making to dozens of Atlantans for over four years.

A business canopy

Mr. Scarfone, 37, is proprietor of Highland Goldsmiths, which encompasses a host of activities, including jewelry making, a licensed pawn shop, a mobile jewelry repair truck, a jewelry showroom and, starting this weekend, a jewelry stall at Buford Flea Market.

Originally on North Highland Avenue, Mr. Scarfone now houses his operation in a sprawling 11,000-square-foot commercial space at 451 Bishop St., where he and his wife, Denise, also live.

Living "over the store" suits Mr. Scarfone fine, proud of the clubby feel of his quarters.

The apprentices hover about as he teaches skills such as molding and even stone-cutting.

Cooperation fills the air. Bobby Stroud, who has good skills, encourages Thea Taylor, who has been with the program six months.

Other students gather about to encourage a fellow student beaming over her creation.

Working students

While many students are artistic enough to create designs, their training equips them to employ thousands of patterns to mold rings, bracelets necklaces and other pieces.

Mr. Scarfone, a bejeweled director, shouts orders to five or six people a minute.

His students from various backgrounds, are male and female, black and white. They typically hold down a full-time job.

Barbara DeLong, a north Atlanta empty nester, learned about the program as a customer. William "Big Man" Smith is a salesman. Others, like Cathy Byers and Michael Lane, enroll as a couple.

The fee paid by the apprentices, $2,000 in lump sum or installments, covers equipment, such as a workbench and tools, which they own and take with them when they leave. Their yearlong training is free.

As members of the cooperative, the 85 or so apprentices help make custom jewelry and staff the showroom, doing much of the selling. They retain a percentage of the revenue from pieces they sell. Most pursue jewelry making part time after their apprenticeship.

Although he now cultivates the cooperative idea, Mr. Scarfone admits that he started it originally to get reliable help.

Now the operation has a life of its own.

"I love the atmosphere here," said Mr. Stroud, 25, who has become a good appraiser, as well as a jewelry maker.

Ernest Holsendolph's column appears every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.

Copyright 1993, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, All rights reserved.

Myth of heroism

The Dave Kindred column "A right way to do wrong" lauded "The Bug" numbers game operator Wesley Merrit as a hero who did no real wrong. The idea that these kind of men were community leaders is a fallacy that has perpetuated much of the evil that began our society' s demise into drugs, gambling and political bribery. Organized crime has had its hands in the till of every neighborhood racket a including the numbers rackets of Atlanta's African-American community. Organized crime used the massive profits to finance every sort of evil degradation known to man. Men such as Merrit contributed to the continuity of organized crime.

It is articles such as this that bolster the view of many of our youth that crime pays.

Scarfone is the author of a nonfiction book about mobsters, due out in February. He lives in Lawrenceville.

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GWINNETT DAILY Post SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 1997
HOUSE OF CARDS: THE CURSE OF ALPHONSO

By Sarah Fischer
Lifestyle Editor

Rocky Scarfone considers himself amessenger. Sometimes, Scarfone hops on his Honda 750 to visit an Atlanta housing project. Other days, he can be found giving his testimony before metro Atlanta church members. Four years ago, Scarfone spoke to teenagers at a Duluth school about having goals. He shows off his full-arm tattoos to get their attention Wherever his destination, though, the Lawrenceville man delivers a powerful theme

"The message is that Jesus Christ is all-powerful," he said. "God gives you the power to accomplish anything you put your mind to, when you ask him for his help."

Scarfone should know. The road for the 43-year-old has been, well, rocky.

Yet, from his father's murder at the hands of the Mafia when Scarfone was a child, to life on the streets, to the great leap of selling his multi-million dollar companies to start a youth foundation, the New York native has proven that faith can, indeed, move mountains.

When you have Christ in your heart, you still have the struggles, but you can recognize them and overcome them with his help," he said.

Scarfone has experienced much, so much, in fact, that he could write a book -- which is just what he did three years ago.

His biography, "House of Cards, The Curse of Alphonso." is scheduled to be released Feb 25. The 400-page book, published by M A G I.C Publishing of Atlanta in conjunction with Books International of Norcross, chronicles Scarfone's family, five generations of Mafia soldiers beginning with his great-great grandfather, Alphonso Dicanio.

Dicanio, who came to the United States from Naples in 1908, worked as a laborer but later joined The Black Hand, the predecessor of the Mafia Initially, 50,000 copies of "House of Cards" will be sold at area bookstores

"The curse is that Alphonso swore allegiance to an evil brigade' Scarfone said. "The curse caused the family to be like a

House of cards, 'where the slightest breeze could destroy it. There was no strength, no peace, no happiness."

The writer's spirituality comes across as much in the book as in his everyday conversation. Bouncing his new baby daughter on his knee, it is apparent Scarfone has achieved the inner peace to reflect on the world of his youth, a world where fathers died leaving their children to fend for themselves and their widows resorting to everything from menial labor to shoplifting to survive.

At the age of 5, Scarfone said, he discovered a personal relationship with God. Through prayer, he said, he was able to heal the club foot condition he was born with and learn to walk In 1961, when Scarfone was eight, his father, Joseph, was murdered in a gangland hit, "thrusting my family into a world of poverty, sorrow, grief and degradation," he said

When he was 11, Scarfone ran away from home. Upon his return, social workers took him for three days of psychiatric evaluation. Those three days became a horrific three months in the adult ward of Belvue hospital--which he believes was orchestrated by the Mafia. From there began an odyssey, which included Scarfone's living on the streets in abandoned apartments, running with a gang of streetwise kids, staying in juvenile detention centers, even infiltrating the 7 Mafia to learn the details of his father's death.

See CARDS, Page GB

6B GWINNETT DAILY Post SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 1997
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Cards

Writer touts books as saga of spirituality, tale of Good and Evil~

· From Page lB

All throughout his teen years, Scarfone traveled the country, from a Navajo reservation to a Miami housing project in a quest for purpose. After a stint in the Armed Forces, he received an honorable discharged attended an honors English program at Miami-Dade Community College.

Still later, Scarfone would start some 15 companies, becoming experienced in wood work, landscaping, sales and marketing and mechanics, to name a few of his professions. But the self-made businessman still felt he had not fulfilled God's plan for his life.

In 1986, a turning point came when his mother, Jeanette, died of cancer. "I had been used to death, but her death was an awakening," Scarfone said. "I had blamed her and my family for my poverty and loneliness. But when she died, it was like coming back to my roots. I came face to face with the truth that she loved me and that it wasn't her fault. At her deathbed, it was the first time I had looked in her eyes since I was 11, and we forgave each other. Her death awakened God's anointing in me."

The next year, Scarfone met his future wife, Denise Rogers, who encouraged him to write a book about his life. "God sent her to me, and she never gave up. She saw that spark within me," he .said

After marrying and moving to Atlanta, the couple opened an 11000 square foot jewelry business, Highland Goldsmiths in Buckhead. Scarfone also ran a boxing gym and jewelry school. Yet, he still did not feel satisfied. "I knew I had a purpose to fulfill, and that I had an anointing. So I started talking about my story," he said.

The breakthrough came one day in 1993, when Scarfone decided, "I had to write my book and preach the word of God:'

"As I walked through the door, I wanted to use the education that God had given me to assist other youth in need," he said. "I gave my business away to friends and acquaintances — I took only enough to support my family. I had known the power of God, but that day I went with the full faith:'

Soon after that, Scarfone began the trek to put his testimony in print. he had never written a sentence; in fact, he had only completed school through the fifth grade. But Scarfone earned what he calls a "street degree" and is an avid reader of history and religion. "House of Cards" took him six months to write, with the words easily flowing onto the page In fact, a yet-to-be published sequel also has been completed. Prayer helped, Scarfone said,

"Prayer is a relationship I know him now:' he said "When I wasn't writing for six hours. I was reading the Bible (Scarfone owns seven Bibles) When I write the words fly:'

Already, the manuscript has garnered praise from people such as Jan Crouch, vice president and co-founder of Trinity Broadcasting Network, and Jay Walton of the Old Rugged Cross Press. Excerpts from the book, which includes poems written by Scarfone, have been featured in "A Sea of Treasures," an anthology of poetry. and garnered the author the 1996 "0 Georgia' writer's award.

Besides being his life's story, 'House of Cards' is saga of spirituality, a tale of good and evil.'' Scarfone said. "The demon controls the Mafia. That is the dark side of life, where we have sorrow and degradation. Then, we have the other side, which is love. There is spiritual warfare in our world," he said.

The rooms where Scarfone writes provide a glimpse into the author's many interests. A pet iguana lounges in a cage alongside bonsai trees which Scarfone has grown. Framed letters from everyone from Sylvester Stallone to President Bill Clinton share wall space with his writing awards..

Sitting on a sofa near the where her husband works, Denise Scarfone, an interior designer, is obviously proud.

"I think the book has been his lifelong dream, something he has always wanted to do," she said. Denise, who shares his religious faith, also is supporting Scarfone in his latest venture. In August he formed The Lighthouse Sanctuary For Youth Foundation. The non-profit organization plans to use part of the proceeds from the sale of his book to fund youth programs. Scarfone is offering a series of free motivational workshops, both secular and non-secular, to churches, civic groups and schools.

"I've always told him he should work with young people," Denise said. "They are attracted by the way he is He has high energy. When he wants something, he goes for it. Also, he's very good a t talking to them and deciphering what their problems are. Whether drugs or whatever, he listens to them."

The plans for Lighthouse sanctuary include exposing youth to business/marketing operations, spiritual lessons and hands on experience and offering them encouragement and self-esteem. Scarfone wants to provide 24-hour safe space and alternative programs for young people. Clinics will cover such topics as drug abuse, physical abuse, team work versus individualism and reading and success. For more information on the Lighthouse Sanctuary For Youth Foundation, call 770-736-6890

"I want to use my story to reach young people, and the hearts of adults so they can understand the problems of children," Scarfone said. "My ministry is for youth, which is the number one concern of Jesus Christ today. We're not doing enough for the young people:'

Clearly, Scarfone's life is no longer a house of cards. His travels ended two years ago, when he and Denise moved to Lawrenceville, her childhood home. Eight generations of his wife's family have lived in the Five Forks Trickum Road area since the late 1800s. "I stepped foot on this soil, and I knew I was home," he said of the 10-acre site.

Scarfone's pride and joy, the couple's 5-month-old daughter. Juliana-Ariel, was born last August --the same day the book went to press!

Mere coincidence? Scarfone thinks not.

"I had asked God to bless my marriage" he said. "it isn't about money with me anymore, or how many big cars I have. Love has come into my house so tremendously, God has satisfied my needs!"

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ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION1997

Fanning the deck: Author's `House of Cards' tells of troubled past

Tattoos now cover the places where Rocky Scarfone shot heroin at age 13.

Reading from his forthcoming autobiography, "House of Cards: The Curse of Alphonso," Scarfone's voice creeps from a slow crawl as he describes the needle slowly puncturing his skin to the rapid mumblings of an auctioneer as he tells of the drug coursing through his veins.

Out of breath at the end of describing the high, he inhales slowly and looks at his 5-month-old daughter, Juliana, before saying, "I accomplished the goals I accomplished with this background. Kids today can do the same."

Rocky's accomplishments are numerous. A master goldsmith, amateur botanist, mechanic and award-winning writer, he has given up his old life in hopes of saving kids from the streets. His first step: chronicling his own misadventures.

"The book was written as an expression of my life," Scarfone said.

What a life it is.

Scarfone lives in Lawrenceville with his new baby, his wife, Denise, stepdaughter Brittney, an iguana, various bonsai trees and a pit bull named Rock Crusher, whose relentless bark is stopped abruptly by a mere "Hey, yo" from Rocky.

His modest home is surrounded by a towering chain link fence. Cameras watch guests in his office as they peruse framed letters of commendation from President Clinton, Pat Robertson, Sylvester Stallone and other famous people.

Scarfone plans to use the proceeds from his book, which he has financed himself rather than sign a restrictive contract (two he rejected are hanging on his wall) to fund The Lighthouse Sanctuary For Youth Foundation. The cornerstone of the foundation is to be a safe house downtown for troubled youth.

But the tale told in his book began long before Scarfone ever made it to the Peach State.

Scarfone was born with club feet and used braces until age 7.

A year later, he says, his father was executed by the mob --- as were four generations of Scarfone fathers before him, leaving no one to support the family.

Scarfone dropped out of school in fifth grade and, at 11, decided to hit the road.

Taking $40 from his mother and leaving a note saying he'd be back when he was either rich or famous, he set out across the country. Along the way, he lived with American Indians in New Mexico and hippies in San Francisco.

He slept under bridges and ate ketchup when money was thin.

At 11, he returned to the Bronx. His welcome back came in the form of a group of social workers who had him confined to a mental hospital. Three months later, he says, he escaped.

Scarfone's book ends at his 16th birthday. He's already written a sequel.

Scarfone responds harshly when asked whether his book glamorizes street life, saying every story ends with a message, and what may at first glance seem like glamour ends in hard reality and cold fact.

What did he learn from the mob? "The mob means nothing but jail, " he said. "You know what it meant for my father? It meant they put a plastic bag over his head."

While writing the book, Scarfone said, he infiltrated an infamous crime family's operations in Atlanta in order to understand his family' s way of life.

He credits God with protecting him and allowing him to be the first Scarfone father to survive.

Scarfone said at every important turn in his life, someone was there to help him make choices. While he sometimes ignored their advice, Scarfonesaid, he wants to be there to do the same for kids today.

"I want to teach kids to take a goal and make it theirs," he said. Gesturing toward his baby daughter, he exclaimed, "Because this is what this world is all about."

Copyright 1997, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, All rights reserved.

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New book features county writers
Short stories by six Gwinnett County residents are included in a new book titled "O Georgia!"
Published by Humpus Bumpus Books, the anthology also includes essays, children's stories and seven poems by Georgia writers. Judges, including author Don Shadburn and several North Georgia college professors....

R.J. "Rocky" Scarfone of Lawrenceville,Scarfone's entry, "ABonding Among Oaken Men," is an excerpt from his novel "House ofCards: Father Figure and the Oath of Alphonso."
Copyright 1996, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, All rights reserved.