Gerry I am 31...and we are both from Philly. And you could say the same thing about Philly. Yes we are still very neighborhood oriented but many of the neighborhoods that were once italian american are now other ethnic neighborhoods. But there are still italian strongholds and there still in NY. MY buddy lives in Yonkers and his cousin the Bronx and they live in italian american neighborhoods. But I think you are correct, bloodlines thinned and it will never be how it once was.

I think we essentially agree on gambling. Yes it may have decreased somewhat but they will always find a way to use gambling as there main operation whether a neighborhood bookie, internet, etc.