2012 August by The Northside Chronicle

Volume 28 No. 8

August 2012

Brightwood works to revitalize Woodland Ave. Northsiders

Photo by Kelsey Shea

BCG President Diane Annis-Dixon hugs City Council President Darlene Harrisat a nail pounding ceremony on Woodland Avenue. By Kelsey Shea In the past four years, Brightwood Civic Group members identified homeownership as the key to improving their neighborhood. BCG members, community developers and politicians celebrated that concept on July 26 at a nail

pounding ceremony on Woodland Avenue that marked their continued effort to revitalize old homes in Brightwood. The BCG acquired seven decrepit houses on Woodland Avenue in Brightwood that they are now redeveloping into single-family homes with the help of the North-

side Leadership Conference, The Northside Community Development Fund and Rivers Casino. The midday nail pounding marked the beginning of construction on the neighboring homes at 1320 and 1324 Woodland Ave., the second and third homes to be redeveloped as a part of the Woodland Avenue Revitalization Project. “The more homeowners we get interested in our neighborhood, the better our neighborhood becomes,” said BCG President Diane AnnisDixon, who noted that absentee landlords were a problem in Brightwood. Though still unfinished, 1320 Woodland Ave. is already under sales agreement, and the new owner is working with developers to choose installed details in the kitchen and bathroom. The two-bedroom 1324 Woodland is currently still on the market for $130,000. Last year, the BCG celebrated the completion of the project’s first

See Woodland Ave. page 6

Bed and breakfast planned for Deutschtown By Kelsey Shea Historic Deutschtown neighbors agree: The old house at the corner of Cedar and W. North avenues is an eye sore, in an unfortunately visible spot. “This building has been vacant for so many years,” Cedar Avenue resident Kathleen Hagan said. Built in 1880 by a young Pittsburgh couple in their early 30s, the house was once stately, before time took its toll. The old brick structure now has boarded windows and peeling paint

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on the once-grand front porch. But whether it was the visible location or the architectural remnants of the house’s better days, the property caught the attention of another young couple in their 30s about 130 years later. Central Northside residents Justin and Keili Mistovich recently purchased 1010 Cedar Avenue and plan to renovate the building and open a new bed and breakfast. In 6-9 months, the building will reopen as the Allegheny Inn, a five-room inn across the street from Allegheny General Hospital, where

-News briefs 3 STORIES, COLUMNS, -St. Nicholas Church 5 FEATURES & MORE -Solar Concert Series 10

they hope patients’ families and visiting doctors will stay. The couple celebrated a ground breaking ceremony on July 10 on the front porch of the building with neighbors, friends, project financers and elected officials Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and City Council President Darlene Harris in attendance. “We’d like to restore the building back to how it would be if you were walking through the neighborhood in the glory days of Allegheny City,” said Allegheny Inn

See Allegheny Inn, page 4

ONLINE

opposes reapportionment By Kelsey Shea Northsiders are speaking up this month to fight for neighborhood unity as city council districts are reapportioned. Community members from Observatory Hill and the Central Northside spoke in City Council Chambers on Monday July 9 and at Bistro Soul on July 17 to oppose the proposed reapportionment of Pittsburgh’s city council districts. On the Northside, the proposed council district changes would split the Central Northside between two city councilmembers and move Allegheny West and parts of Observatory Hill and Perry Hilltop from their current districts. The city of Pittsburgh is broken into nine city council districts, 32 wards and more than 400 voting districts, and each council district is represented by an elected city council member. Every 10 years, City Council is legally obligated to look at the population of the nine council districts to insure that they are balanced and that minorities are fairly represented by at least two minority districts. Optimally, each district should have a population close to 33,967 people, there should not be more than a 10 percent deviation between the largest and smallest district and the districts should be contiguous and compact. Minorities must also be fairly represented. Because Pittsburgh’s population decreased since the last reapportionment 10 years ago, certain districts needed to add or shed wards and

See Reappointment, page 7

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The Northside Chronicle

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THE NORTHSIDE CHRONICLE 922 Middle St. • Pittsburgh, PA 15212

August 2012

Community Meetings To have your community meeting included, email editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com Allegheny West Civic Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Calvary United Methodist Church 412.323.8884

Manchester Citizens Corporation Quarterly meetings, call for times MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. 412.323.1743

Brighton Heights Citizens Federation 2nd Thursday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Morrow Elementary School 412.734.0233

Manchester Public Safety Meeting Quarterly meetings, call for times Northside Leadership Conference 412.323.1743

Managing Editor Kelsey Shea E-mail: editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com

Brightwood Civic Group 3rd Tuesday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Pressley Ridge, 2611 Stayton St. 412.732.8152

Northside Rotary Club Every Friday, noon Cardello Building, 2nd Floor

Advertising Manager Kaitlin Balmert E-mail: advertising@thenorthsidechronicle.com

Brightwood Community Emergency Response Shelter 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6 p.m. 3219 Central Ave.

www.thenorthsidechronicle.com Phone 412-321-3919 • Fax 412-321-1447 Mail Subscriptions are available at a rate of $30 per year.

California-Kirkbride Blockwatch 3rd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m. 1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor California-Kirkbride Neighbors 2nd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m. 1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor 412.758.3898 Central Northside Neighborhood Council

2012 Advertising rates: SIZE Black & White Color 1/8 page $56 $68 1/4 page $118 $157 1/2 page $229 $295 Full page $452 $585 Back Page $616 Center Spread $965 Discounts of up to 20% off rate card price for multiple-insertion contracts

DISCLAIMER: The viewpoints and opinions of the writers and contributors that appear in The Northside Chronicle do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints, opinions, beliefs or positions of The Northside Chronicle’s publishers, editors, staff and/or affiliates. The Northside Chronicle is not affiliated with any formal political, social, religious, educational or philosophical organization or party of any kind. The materials comprising The Northside Chronicle are provided by various organizations, community groups, advertisers, entities, writers and contributors and are provided as a service to the readers of The Northside Chronicle on an “as-is” basis for informational purposes only. The Northside Chronicle assumes no responsibility for any copyright infringement, errors or omissions in these materials and expressly disclaims any representations or warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose regarding the correctness, accuracy, completeness, timeliness and reliability of the information provided. The Northside Chronicle is not responsible for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance upon such information. Reference herein to any commercial product, process or service does not constitute or imply endorsement or favoring by The Northside Chronicle. © The Northside Chronicle 2011

2nd Monday, monthly, 7 p.m. Allegheny Traditional Academy 412.231.7742

Charles Street Area Council 1st Monday, monthly, call for times Pittsburgh Project, 2801 N. Charles St. 412.321.5567 Community Alliance of Spring Garden/ East Deutschtown 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Fuhrer Building of St. Michael’s Church 412.977.1979 Deutschtown New Hope Council 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Community Center, 623 Suismon St. East Allegheny Community Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Bistro to Go 412.321.1204 Ex-offender Aftercare Support Group Saturdays, 4-5:30 p.m. Allegheny Center Alliance Church 801 Union Place Fineview Citizens Council 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m.

Upper Rooms at Reformed Presbyterian Home

Perrysville Ave. 412.231.0330

Mexican War Streets Society 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m. AUU Church, Resaca Pl. and North Ave. 412.323.9030

Northside Coalition for Fair Housing Board 2nd Monday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5527 Northside Coalition for Fair Housing Membership Monthly, call for times 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5521 Northside Leadership Conference Call for times 4 Allegheny Center, Suite 601 412.330.2559 North Side Lions Club 2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly, noon Max’s Allegheny Tavern North Side Public Safety Council 1st Thursday, monthly, 5:30 p.m. Northside Leadership Conference 412.330.2559 Observatory Hill, Inc. 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Byzantine Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave. 412.231.2887 Perry Hilltop Citizens’ Council 4th Monday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Angel’s Place, 2605 Norwood St. 412.321.4632 The Promise Group Every other Tuesday, 6 p.m. Western Pa. Humane Society 412.321.1019 Troy Hill Citizens Council March 16, June 16, Sept. 15, Dec. 15 North Catholic High School 412-321-2852 Spring Hill Civic League May 7, Sept. 10, Oct. 1. Nov. 5 7 p.m., Spring Hill Elementary School contact@shcl.org Summer Hill Citizens Committee 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. WPXI Television Station community room

August 2012

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News Briefs National Night Out on the Northside

On August 8, neighbors across the Northside will take to the streets for National Night Out, America’s night out against crime. Across the country, communities are encouraged to host parades, block parties, picnics and police visits to encourage neighbors to get out in the street and heighten drug and crime prevention awareness. In the past few years, different neighborhoods throughotu the Northside have participated, including Historic Deutschtown, Brightwood, Brighton Heights, Observatory Hill and more. This year, it’ll be an all day part in Historic Deutschtown. There will be a public safety street fair on East Ohio Street from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a safety walk at 5 p.m. and a block party from 6-9 p.m. on Suismon Street between East and Middle streets. Block party guests are encouraged to bring a covered dish to share.

Cook It! at The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

The Children’s Museum is inviting it’s guests to discover the joys of seasonal eating in a new series of interactive cooking demonstrations hosted by Big Red Room Café Chef, Angelo Galioto. The cooking demonstrations will allow visitors to taste new foods and engage their entire families in the fun of cooking as Chef Angelo demonstrates how to prepare easy, delicious recipes using ingredients straight from the Museum Garden. These garden-to-table demonstrations are taking place each Tuesday and Friday this summer at 12:15 p.m. just in time for lunch. Foods being prepared include guacamole, cucumber salad, bruschetta, eggs, bean salad and other fun, tasty and healthy menu items that use ingredients that can be grown in Western Pennsylvania.

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The Northside Chronicle

August 2012

Allegheny Inn to serve as ‘gateway’ to Deutschtown

Justin Mistovitch, Mark Masterson of the NSCDF, City Council President Darlene Harris and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl reveal the Inn’s banner.

The old building at the corner of Cedar and W. North avenues will soon be the Allegheny Inn. (Photos by Kelsey Shea

From Allegheny Inn, page 1

The project was partially financed by a loan from the Northside Community Development Fund. “This is one more crossed off the list,” said NSCDF Executive Director Mark Masterson, who noted that community developers have discussed the importance of renovating the building. “This is the fund exist, to help neighborhood projects like this.” Interested neighbors can follow the project’s progress at www.alleghenyinn.com.

President Justin Mistovich. “The goal is for it to be a welcoming corner into the neighborhood.” Justin Mistovich is an orthopedic surgeon at Allegheny General Hospital and Keili works as a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville.

August 2012

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St. Nicholas Church debate continues By Kelsey Shea

After repeated denials in court, the hotly contested St. Nicholas church building that stands vacant along Route 28 may be demolished after all. On July 19, Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Robert Colville ordered the Pittsburgh Historic Review Commission to issue to the parish a Certificate of Economic Hardship that would allow the parish to apply for a demolition permit. The parish, which is now located in another historic church in Millvale, has been working to rid themselves of the old building, which they’ve maintained since 2004. In September of 2011, The Pittsburgh Historic Review Commission denied the St. Nicholas Parish a permit to demolish the building. Soon after, the church filed for economic hardship which was also denied by the Historic Review Commission in December of 2011. The plea for economic hardship was filed on the basis that the Northside building has cost $370,000 since 2004 when the building closed, and St. Nicholas’ Father

Whalen estimates that currently 20 to 25 percent of offertory funds go to maintaining the old church. In an editorial that ran on July 24 in Pittsburgh Catholic, the Catholic Church described the building as “barely standing” and “an increased economic liability that threatened the very existence of the parish [in Millvale].” “The City would be foolish to allow this to go on any longer,” read the editorial. “This has stretched out far too many years already to the

serious detriment of St. Nicholas Parish, the Croatian community and to the people of Southwest Pennsylvania. Judge Colville wisely understood all this and St. Nicholas Parish can hopefully proceed soon with the demolition of this building that has been a dangerous blight on the city landscape for far too long. Despite the church’s firm stance that the church should be demolished, others in the community are fighting for the preservation of the historic church, and the City can still

throw Judge Colville’s order out. The Northside Leadership Conference is interested in purchasing the church and turning it into a Croatian immigrant museum, a project supported by the Preserve Croatian Heritage Foundation and the Croatian Ambassador. NSLC marketing studies show that the museum would bring around 25,000 visitors to the Northside each year. The NSLC’s plan for the site also includes a bike and pedestrian loop trail that would run through Troy Hill and East Deutschtown as an extension of the North Shore trail. The marketing study estimates that the trail would attract an additional 25,000 visitors to the Northside. NSLC Executive Director Mark Fatla believes that the City should appeal the ruling and uphold the decision of its own committee. “We’re strongly opposing this,” said Fatla who believes the reuse of the property will benefit the Northside. The NSLC has offered the church $1 for the building and to take on any liabilities that come with it. According to the NSLC, they have received no answer to their offer.

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The Northside Chronicle

August 2012

Woodland Avenue Revitalization Project continues Strategic renovations begin on two new homes in Brightwood corridor. From Woodland Ave., page 1 home at 1407 Woodland. The three-bedroom homes had a secured buyer, but because of a job transfer, the house is back on the market for $119,000. Though the first home is still on the market, Annis-Dixon said she does not anticipate there will be problems selling the second and third once they are finished. “It’s a beautiful home,” said Annis-Dixon. “We have open houses almost every day.” Developers believe that the most appealing feature of the homes may be the 10-year tax abatement, which NSLC Assistant Director of Real Estate Jon Huck said will save the owner thousands of dollars each year. In the years since the BCG’s work began on Woodland Avenue, Annis-Dixon said she’s seen a ripple effect on the street that includes neighbors improving the exteriors of their homes and more people out on the street. “1320 and 1324 are two key parcels of Photo by Kelsey Shea Phase One of the Woodland Avenue RevitalizaThe soon-to-be renovated home at 1324 tion Project. We continue our ongoing efforts to Woodland Ave. is on the market for $130,000. revitalize Brightwood, encourage homeownership

and bring vitality back to our neighborhood,” she said. As well as thanking the community group, politicians and project financers, NSLC Executive Director Mark Fatla specifically thanked Central Northside resident Daniel McNamara who volunteered his time as an architect on the project. A recent transplant from Philadelphia, McNamara was looking for a way to get involved in his new community when he met Fatla and John Huck of the Northside Leadership Conference, who directed him to the project. “Seeing redevelopment in a neighborhood like this is really enjoyable,” said McNamara who is an architect at Fukui Architects downtown. Fatla also noted that Rivers Casino played a major role in helping finance the project. Sanford Rivers, attended the nail pounding ceremony on behalf of Rivers Casino. He explained that the casino was excited to be involved in the neighborhood and “be a good corporate citizen.” Funding for the project was also provided by the Northside Community Development Fund and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh.

The Northside Chronicle

August 2012

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City Council districts adjusted on the NS

Proposed Changes

From Reapportionment, page 1

Northside Voting District Map

Courtesy Reapportionment Committee

Above: The thick, black lines show the current borders of Pittsburgh city council districts. The colored voting districts show the proposed changes. (Courtesy Reapportionment Committee).

voting districts to come close to the ideal district size. Additionally, there is currently a 31 percent deviation between the largest and smallest district. To fix the imbalance, City Council members each appointed a committee member to work on the Reapportionment Advisory Committee, which has analyzed census information for the past year and drawn up a plan to balance the district’s population. “We’d just like to thank everyone for coming out,” said Kevin Acklin, committee representative for District 5 at the July 9 meeting. “This is incredibly important to hear.” The Northside is split between District 1, which is represented by City Council President Darlene Harris, and District 6, which is represented by City Councilman Daniel Lavelle. On the Northside, District 1 needs to grow and District 6 needs to shrink but increase the African American population. To alleviate these issues, the committee proposed moving voting districts 22-1, 22-2 and 22-3 from District 6 to District 1. At the July 9 meeting, members of the Central Northside Neighborhood Council opposed moving District 22-2 because it will split the Central Northside between two city councilmembers. District 22-2 stretches between Buena Vista Street and Sherman Avenue in the Central Northside. Speakers from the Central Northside argued that their neighborhood is densely populated, which creates a community that would suffer being divided by “an artificial line on the map.” “It would be disastrous,” CNNC President Chris D’Addario said. D’Addario told the committee that splitting the neighborhood at Sherman Avenue would separate those Central Northsiders who are afflicted by drug and gang activity from those who are not. “This is a critical time for the Central Northside,” said CNNC member David Shlapak, citing ongoing development projects, such as the Garden Theater Block.

“The success story of Pittsburgh’s Central Northside that is being written could be written off before it’s completed.” This sentiment was reiterated at the July 17 meeting by not just the CNNC, but by the Mexican War Streets Society and the director of City of Asylum as well. “One of the great charms of our neighborhood is that we pride ourselves on our diversity, and we are cohesive in spite of it,” said CNNC Secretary Arthur James. “This almost feels like government sanctioned segregation.” CoA Director and Central Northside resident Henry Reese noted that the proposed changes would not only split the Central Northside, but the assets of CoA as well. Mexican War Street Society President Paul Johnson said that their organization also voted to oppose the reapportionment. “Our mission is not to tear apart this historic neighborhood, but to knit it back together,” he said. The new proposal also suggests moving Voting District 26-1, which runs north of N. Charles Street to Mayfield Avenue in Perry Hilltop, and District 26-10 which encompasses Acorn Hill in Observatory Hill, from District 1 to District 6. At the July 17 meeting, Observatory Hill Inc. Treasurer Jason Wrona told the committee that OHI had voted to oppose the reapportionment plan as it currently stands, as splitting the neighborhood would not be efficient or a step towards preserving good government. He explained that Acorn Hill was a social and tight-knit neighborhood as well as a keystone in Observatory Hill. Also at the July 17 meeting, Gloria Rayman represented the Allegheny West Civic Council, which was the only organization in support of the proposed reapportionment. “We believe our issues and the issues our small neighborhood are more aligned with the districts that surround the park,” she said. After the community meetings, the Reapportionment Advisory Committee will submit an amended proposal to City Council for approval.

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August 2012

July NSC Blog Highlights For full stories go to www.thenorthsidechronicle.com/blog

The Northside Chonicle Blog is updated daily with photos, event previews, interviews, videos and more. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

July 9- CLP Allegheny summer programs It’s not too late to open a good book this summer! Children under 12 can stop into the Carnegie Library Allegheny Branch and sign up for summer reading any time between June 10 and August 11. What’s CLP’s Summer Reading Club all about? Children read, win prizes, and enjoy free library programs. Grand prizes include Dave and Buster’s and Build-A-Bear gift cards, tickets to other fun Pittsburgh locations, and more! July 13-Northside Housing Court Cases As part of our duty to keep our readers up to date on the latest Northside news, we publish Northside housing court cases as we’re made aware of them. We are unable to provide details on the specific violations at this time. We are also unable to provide New park on the Northside opens in Allegheny Center details about individual rulings. Dates provided are scheduled court dates for each violation. Volume 28 No. 7

July 2012

By Kelsey Shea

Photo courtesy the Children’s Museum

Live music at the opening of Buhl Community Park.

YMWAHA Founder Janice Parks retires after 18 years By Emily Riley

Early on Tuesday mornings, those in the office for the Young Men and Women’s African Heritage Association could be sure of two things ¬– its director Janice Parks would be hard at work and her homemade soup would be steaming in the kitchen. Parks, the founder and former executive director of YMWAHA, never missed a Tuesday soup day or the opportunity to tell it like it is said her coworkers. Recently retired, she has passed her responsibilities on to a newer generation that she trusts will keep the YMWAHA alive. The organization began in 1994 when the Northside community expressed a need for culturally specified foster care services for African

INSIDE

Americans said Park. “We responded to a need for a service that considered the life-long wellness of children in foster care and the questions that race present in the adoption process,” said Parks. Today, though still anchored in child welfare, YMWAHA utilizes arts, education and culture programs in hopes of developing a more productive population in Allegheny County. Eric Asongwed, Parks’ successor, said the programs make a big impact on the kids they serve. “We really look to build up well-rounded individuals,” said Asongwed. “We have individuals who come back 5 years, 10 years, 15 years later telling us how important our programs were to their future and success.”

See YMWAHA, page 7

-News briefs 4 -NS house tours 9 STORIES, COLUMNS, FEATURES & MORE -Live Northside music 14

Circus performers, politicians, musicians, children and Northsiders gathered on June 23 to celebrate the opening and dedication of the Buhl Community Park at Allegheny Square. The park, at the intersection of Federal and Ohio streets, was transformed into a green, public space this year as a part of the Children’s Museum’s Charm Bracelet Project. To celebrate its opening, the Children’s Museum offered free admission all day on Saturday and had roaming acrobats from Cirquetacular and performances by the River City Brass Quintet thoughout the day. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, City Council President Darlene Harris and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald attended the event. “I’m just so excited,” said Harris, who recalled coming to Allegheny Center as a child to visit the library and the park. “It’s great to see so many people here, like it used to be.” Harris said the city hopes to reconnect Ohio Street and East Ohio Street to make the park even more accessible. The 1.5 acre space between the Children’s Museum and Allegheny Center apartments was a poorly maintained cement park that residents described as somewhat of an eyesore. Despite the size, the park had only 20 trees and was 65 percent concrete. “I believe many of you have been looking at that sunken plaza for the past decade, and I believe it’s taken a turn for the worse,” said Chris Siefert, deputy director of

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the Children’s Museum, when he presented the new plans for the park and moderated the community meeting last July. After 10 months of construction that began in August of 2011, the park is now reverted back to the original “X” shaped pattern that it had in the 1890s and now has over 100 trees, 200 shrubs, 5,000 flowers and is 70 percent grass. Frely Shea and her husband watched the official opening from their Allegheny Center apartment’s balcony after watching and hearing the park’s construction for through the fall and winter. “Clearly it’s fabulous for us because we can see it,” said Shea. “We’ve been here through all the construction, and it’s just fabulous now.” The highlight of the park is a 32-foot-tall art installation by Ned Kahn called “Cloud Arbor.” “Cloud Arbor” is a series of metal poles that creates a cloud 9 feet above the ground that release a cool, fine mist every few minutes to simulate a cloud hovering close to the ground and moving with the wind. At the June 23 opening, children in attendance waited between the poles for the mist to come out. The piece was funded by The Charity Randall Foundation and will operate year-round. In addition to “Cloud Arbor,” the park also has green features like solar lamps, a rain garden. bio swells and meadow grass. Additional tables and chairs as well as blue stone benches were installed for seating. “I think throughout the park,

See Buhl Park, page 5

-The Chronicle’s Daily Blog -Weekly real estate transfers WWW.THENORTHSIDE CHRONICLE.COM -Event flyers and photos

July 24- Online Print Edition of NSC Exact replicas of the print edition of the Northside Chronicle are now on our website. Flip through the July edition digitally and catch up on the Northside news you missed last month.

Did you know you can receive the weekly online edition right in your e-mail inbox each Thursday? To sign up, email editor@thenorthsidechronicle. com, or go to www.thenorthsidechroncicle.com.

The Northside Chronicle

August 2012

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Northside Community Development Fund’s marks economic progress with annual luncheon By Rachel Labosky The Northside Community Development Fund held its fifth annual luncheon on July 12 at the Lexus Club in PNC Park. Secretary C. Alan Walker, Jr. of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development was this year’s keynote speaker. The NSCDF provides financing and development services to promote community development as well as an array of financial products and technical assistance services. This year, the fund received $1.45 million in additional loan capital for Northside businesses and real estate projects. “The support for businesses in the Northside is both inspiring and humbling,” said Executive Director Mark Masterson. At the luncheon, the NSCDF was presented with checks for $50,000 from Huntington Bank,

$250,000 from the U.S. Department of Treasury Small Business Loan Fund, $440,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration, $450,000 from the Rivers Casino and $450,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Since 2000, NSCDF has financed more than 120 Northside businesses and 14 strategic real estate projects. The Fund has grown its loan capital base from $2 million in 2006 to more than $11 million. NSCDF has provided loans to Northside commercial staples such as Bistro-to-Go, Penn Brewery and the new Allegheny Inn, as well as housing projects like the Federal Hill Homes and Columbus Square. Since 2000, businesses receiving assistance from the Fund have created or retained more than 750 jobs. Masterson welcomed the guests and introduced Secretary Walker and reported that the NSCDF continues to support businesses and

create valuable real estate that draws visitors and residents to the Northside. Walker added to Masterson’s tone of optimism and forward thought during his keynote address. “Small businesses are the back bone of our economy and the cornerstone of our community,” said Walker. “We’ve gotten a lot accomplished already and we’re still making great strides. We are on the verge of something really great here in Pennsylvania.” Masterson added a special thank you to small businesses for making the Northside their home. Walter Nalducci of the Northside Leadership Conference closed the luncheon on behalf of Joe Lawrence, the board chair of the NSCDF. “You’re the reason the Northside is a different place than it was five years ago,” Nalducci said to those in attendance. “You’re the reason it’ll be a different place five years from now.”

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August 2012

Fifth annual Solar Concert Series in a new venue 2012 Solar Concert Series July 18: Musuhallpa: Music of the Andes Experience Peru with this electrifying Peruvian folk ensemble that features native wind, string and percussion instruments. July 25: Big Snow Big Thaw Big Snow Big Thaw has been dubbed two-thirds Pennsylvania bred and one-third Kentucky fed. They’ll be bringing their own brand of rootsy and Americana originals composed for the banjo, guitar and percussion—coupled with lively and beautiful vocal harmonies—to this summer’s diverse lineup. Photo by Kelsey Shea

An audience gathered in the new Buhl Park in July to hear live music and enjoy the cool mist of ‘Cloud Arbor.’

By Kelsey Shea For the fifth year in a row The Saturday Night Light Brigade will bring music to the Northside straight from the Sun with its Solar Concert Series. Using solar panels to power live musicians’ equipment for lunchtime performances made SLB’s Solar Concert Series the first green and eco-friendly concert series in Pittsburgh in 2007. Five years later, the series will move several hundred yards south to the newly dedicated Buhl Community Park at Allegheny Square in front of the Children’s Museum. “Each year, you can kind of see how it’s gaining momentum,” said Liz Adams, director of

programming at SLB. “The new park is such a great context in which to set it. I think were’g toing to see a big leap this year because of that.” SLB is a radio program based out of the Children’s Museum that looks to “present innovative and engaging audiobased programming for children, youth and families, provide intergenerational audiences with the chance to take part in live music events and bring the diverse voices of local and regional acoustic musicians to its broad audience of radio show listeners.” July 11 was the first concert of this summer’s series and featured a performance by singer-songwriter Joy Ike. “We kicked it off with a bang

August 1: EMay Solar Concert-goers may know EMay from her from her dazzling performances with the local fire arts performance group, Steel Town Fire, which she helped to co-found. Now discover EMay’s powerhouse vocals and bluesy, soulful, acoustic folk style, which together illustrate why she has been dubbed “the renaissance queen of Pittsburgh.” August 8: Members of the Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra Enjoy live mandolins led by composer/arranger/teacher/

yesterday,” said Adams. “It was really great.” Admission to SLB’s Solar Concerts is free, and concerts take place between 12:15 and 1 p.m. throughout July and August. Before each concert, the audience is invited to check out the

director Charley Rappaport, and featuring 17-year old mandolin virtuoso, Gordon Neidinger! August 15: Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 Jazz Trio Experience some of Pittsburgh’s rising musical stars, with a concert by the prestigious Pittsburgh School for the Creative and Performing Arts’ (CAPA) Jazz Ensemble, featuring music director and flugelhornist Paul Thompson. August 22: Sidewalk String Band Comprised of three talented folk artists, Sidewalk String Band is known for blending danceable bluegrass and old-timey tunes, in songs that feature fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and more! The band’s rousing vocal harmonies feature Jessica Spieser-Landes of Swissvale-based Landes String Studio. August 29: Nameless in August Folk-rock duo Zach Rock and Jason Buzon make up Nameless in August, a local pairing of banjo and guitar, steered by strong vocals. It has been said of the duo, that, “Every band is worth seeing once, but this band is worth seeing twice.” Don’t miss your chance!

solar powered sound system before each show, which is built by Dave Bjornson, the Technical Director of the New Hazlett Theater. Check out the SLB’s schedule of great local performers below. Read more at solarconcertseries. org.

August 2012

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Ortner-Roberts Duo gives a musical thank you to neighbors

Photo by Ricardo Robinson

Professional musicians Tom Roberts and Susanne Ortner-Roberts in their Central Northside home.

By Kelsey Shea In 103 degree heat on July 7, Central Northside residents and world renowned musicians Tom Roberts and Susanne Ortner-Roberts waited for their neighbors on Resaca Place. By 8:30, a small crowd in lawn chairs gathered on the closed street to hear the two play their original scores to two Charlie Chaplin films that would be projected on the screen beside them. But when the sun went down, it was a different story. “It was like ‘Field of Dreams,’” said Tom. “They came in droves!” Tom and Susanne are world renowned musicians who have played across the country and around the globe, so they’re use to big crowds. But this month they played in their own backyard as a way to thank their neighbors for, well, being good neighbors. Susanne is a German-born clarinetist, and Tom is a Pittsburgh-native pianist, and together the couple lives in the Central Northside and form the Ortner-Roberts duo. Roberts explained to the crowd of about 150 Northsiders, that this was not just a performance, but a thank you gift to their neighbors who helped the couple through a crippling leg injury Tom suffered months earlier. After falling and severely injuring his leg in February, Tom said

his neighbors helped him from the moment they lifted him into the ambulance until he completed his long recovery. Through that time, their Central Northside neighbors brought them food, walked their dog and opened up their homes to the pair. “We just wanted to give something back to the community after they helped us so much,” said Roberts. “This is what makes us such a great community.” The music of the Ortner-Roberts Duo envelopes swing, calypso, Harlem stride piano, early jazz, klezmer, gypsy, tango, rembetika and valse musette, which makes their tagline “Hot World Chamber Music” an accurate and concise way to describe their unique style. For their performance, they added a visual element to their music as well. In May, Roberts was commissioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony to write two original scores for the 1916 Charlie Chaplin silent movies “One a.m.” and “In the Rink.” With the help of the Allegheny City Society, who contributed a screen, the Ortner-Roberts Duo recreated this performance by playing their original music to the Chaplin films that was projected onto the screens The performance at Resaca Place was only the second time the piece was ever performed.

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The Northside Chronicle

‘Pay-by-plate parking meters placed on the North Shore

There will be less jingling and jangling in the pockets of North Shore visitors who park in metered spots – major retail areas of Pittsburgh are going quarterless. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, the Pittsburgh Parking Authority and other Pittsburgh leaders celebrated the first of 560 new multispace metering devices that accept cash or credit cards on July 26 on Federal Street. “Gone are the days when you had to carry a pocket full of quarters. Gone are the days when you have to leave lunch or dinner early to feed the meter,” said Ravenstahl at the ribbon cutting. He said residents have complained to him about the impractical number of quarters it takes to feed meters since parking costs went up last year. Sadly, rates will not go down, but residents can pay with their much lighter credit cards at the new “pay-by-plate” meters. Twelve machines were installed on the North Shore that will require drivers to punch in their plate numbers to pay for parking. The Parking Authority said this will be the largest use of the pay-by-plate technology in the country. (Photo and text by Kelsey Shea)

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P.R.O.M.I.S.E. holds a second successful basketball camp

Photo Courtesy Jay Donaldson

The staff of the P.R.O.M.I.S.E. basketball camp celebrated a second successful year on the Northside.

By Emily Riley Layups and free throws were not the only focus at PROMISE’s second annual basketball camp this month. Camp directors held leadership, sportsmanship and honesty as priorities in player development. Organizers saw 100 participants between the ages of 8 to 18, both boys and girls, at Perry High School in Observatory Hill July 25-27, who attended the free camp. Jay Donaldson, founder of PROMISE, the Northside organization dedicated to helping families that have lost loved ones to violence, views the free camp as an opportunity to teach Pittsburgh youth the importance of team work among other things. “We focus on teaching them daily responsibility. We hold them to a strict schedule and expect them to respect the coaches and their teammates equally,” said Donaldson. Jay’s son Jakim Donaldson, coaches the camp along with 15 to 20 other athletes with experience in collegiate athletics, professional athletics, or both. Jakim recently received his third MVP title in the Liga Espanola de Baloncesto Gold League, which earned him a promotion to the Asociacion de Clubs de Baloncesto in Spain, which is the best basketball league in Europe and the second in the world said Jakim. He returns to Pittsburgh with enthusiasm for the camp. To reinforce the off-the-court lessons, PROMISE brought several

guest speakers to the camp. Among the speakers, are Jason Rivers, a Pittsburgh resident whose brother was fatally wounded in Garfield, as well as ex-inmates from the county prison, said Jakim Donaldson. “We want to show the kids what different kinds of obstacles they can face in life, and how to avoid mistakes.” The 100 campers spent Wednesday through Friday getting to know their coaches and working together, completely together. As for the future, the Donaldson’s hope to expand the camp to more days and more kids. In addition, he explained that obtaining corporate sponsorship will be a must. This year’s sponsors include local businesses as well as local neighborhood development organizations, including: the Northside Leadership Conference, the Trevor James Experience and Quick It, among others. Jill Silver is sending her two sons, Cameron, 13 and Kendall, 15, to camp for the second year in a row. “Jakim is a great role model for the kids, and shows them how important it is to give back to the community,” said Silver. “And my boys both get a lot out of the skill development the camp offers.” “We are molding leaders for the next generation. We teach them if they dream and believe, then they most definitely can succeed,” he said. “Sometimes all that young people see is the bad. We are here to show them the good exists as well,” said Jakim.

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Northsider gives a presidential performance By Emily Riley A deep breath and a quick prayer settled Gloria Sheffield’s nerves moments before she walked onto the stage to sing in front of her biggest crowd yet. Sheffield, a Manchester community resident, sang the National Anthem for the individuals waiting to hear President Barack Obama speak during his visit to Carnegie Mellon University on the sunny afternoon of July 6th. “I had no idea he was even coming to town until I got a call from one of the president’s people asking me to sing,” said Sheffield. Sheffield admited that she only began focusing more on her singing career in the past 20 years with her singing ensemble, Gloria with Passion, and her weekly rehearsals and performances with the Pittsburgh Gospel Choir. Even with all of her experience, Sheffield feels extremely lucky for the opportunity to sing for the president of the United States. After receiving the phone call, Sheffield was left with only a few

days to prepare for the performance. “I didn’t know what to wear, I didn’t even know what I was supposed to sing at first, but boy was I excited,” said Sheffield. Though her first time singing for the president, Sheffield sings the Star Spangled Banner once or twice a year for the Allegheny County Democratic Committee. As an elected representative with the ACDC, Sheffield has found herself in close contact with President Obama on several other occasions. “I didn’t even get to shake his hand this time, but oh well, I took a picture with both him and Michelle last time they were at the Petersen Events Center,” said Sheffield. Along with her involvement in the ACDC, Sheffield is also a long-term active member of the Manchester Citizen’s Corporation and sits on the board of the North Side Leadership Conference. As for her performance, the crowd seemed pleased. Photographer, Bill Carmack, was present for Sheffield’s rendition of the country’s anthem.

Gloria Sheffield walks onstage to sing. (Courtesy Gloria Sheffield) “I knew if I had a chance to talk to her, I had to tell her how beautifully she sang the song,” Carmack said. “In fact, it was so good, I also felt compelled to tell her not to let this one go to her head.” The pride continues to resonate even weeks later. “I was elated by the attention

and praise I received for the song. I was so nervous but so proud.” When asked what will come next in her singing career, Sheffield’s response is hopeful. “I don’t know, I’m hoping for a call from the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Pirates next,” she said with a laugh.

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John Canning

No NIMBYs to be found in Allegheny City When did any of us who were born and raised on the Northside first hear at the term NIMBY? NIMBY, an acronym for ‘Not in My Back Yard, describes residents who oppose outside organizations moving into their neighborhoods. My sense is that the term has its roots in the homogenized world of suburban America. It made its way into our city neighborhoods as suburbanites fell in love with many of the advantages of city living. Recently, the University of Illinois Press published a work by Jessie Ramey focusing on two of the many orphanages found in Allegheny City. Ramey, now teaching at Pitt, comes from a family of city residents going back several generations. Her work looks closely at the “United Presbyterian Orphanage’ (presently Mars Home for Children) that was on Armandale Street in Allegheny’s Second Ward (now the Central Northside) and the “Home for Colored Children”(presently Three Rivers Youth’s on Termon Avenue) that originated in Manchester and then relocated to a more spacious site in Allegheny’s Eleventh Ward (Brighton Heights). It is interesting that the founders and the directors of these homes for disadvantaged youngsters lived in the very Allegheny City neighborhoods where the facilities were built. Allegheny City community leaders embraced and supported such institutions in their “back yards.” Folks in Troy Hill supported the St. Joseph Orphan’s home along with the Home of the Good Shepherd. On Spring Hill, at the corner of Rockledge and Asylum Streets, was the orphanage supported by St. Peter’s Evgl. Lu-

theran congregation on Lockhart Street. In Historic Deutschtown there was the Home for the Friendless on Pressley Street and the Little Sisters of the Poor home for destitute elderly citizens. That facility eventually moved into the Brighton Heights neighborhood, when Patrick and Catherine Wall, residents of the 11th Ward, made a sizable donation to move the home into their community The Protestant Orphanage of Allegheny and Pittsburgh was originally provided with land at Sherman and Taylor avenues by Allegheny City’s first mayor, William Robinson. The need to provide housing for growing numbers of orphans and needy youngsters resulted in this orphanage moving to a larger site on Ridge Avenue directly across the street from the palatial homes of the Byers, the Dennison, the Oliver and the Snyder families. As Allegheny City expanded so did the location of more institutions serving the communities needy residents. The St. John’s Lutheran congregation of Deutschtown founded a hospital, orphanage and an “Altenheim” (Old Peoples Home) on McClure Avenue. A few decades later the Independent Order of Odd Fellows established and orphanage and a widow’s home a few blocks beyond St. John’s Hospital. In Allegheny’s Tenth Ward (now Observatory Hill), at the grand entrance to Riverview Park, was the Gusky Orphange. Jacob Gusky, a prominent merchant, and other leaders of Allegheny and Pittsburgh’s Jewish community established a impressive home for the orphaned children as well as children of families with limited means within the Jewish community. When reading sections of Ramey’s work I realized that the “or-

See NIMBYs, 21

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They Healing Space with Ayeshah Bulls

Live and rest in peace

In a matter of weeks, I have been blessed to give birth to a beautiful baby girl and experienced the pain of having to bury my father. Both of these huge events have been quite scary yet transforming. The unpredictability of what is to come with these major alterations to my life has caused me to grasp onto to all of the love, support and peaceful moments that are available to me. During these last weeks, I have truly valued my peace of spirit and mind in order to handle these adjustments. Therefore, I must promote and reinforce the importance in maintaining peace in your life. Here is the column I wrote exactly one year ago. I hope you get something from it, as I did when I read it again at this point of my journey.

Peace has the ability to heal, to fix what is broken, to calm storms, to silence the noises of confusion and to bring light to areas that have always been in the dark. I have experienced individuals that are in the group of those that do not appreciate peace. They seem

The Healing Space August 2011 Peace is a word that is often underappreciated and not seen for its true value. More than the word itself, the meaning and power of its abilities are truly taken for granted. One meaning, according to dictionary. com, defines it as “untroubled; tranquil; content; a state of mutual harmony with self and with others.”

to cringe when all is going well and when there are no battles to fight. Therefore, they destroy their own peace by creating chaos in their own lives and worse yet in the lives of others.. I say to these people, “Peace be unto you.” There are also those that do not value the peace in their lives. These individuals make the mini issues in their lives gigantic ones. All of their

bills are paid, they are in good health, they have great friends and family, yet they are the ones complaining endlessly about the local store not having any bananas. Spending more time acknowledging what is wrong rather than what is right causes one to block new blessings from entering their lives or to lack hope about the future. I say to these people, “Peace be unto you.” Taking advantage of the peaceful periods in our lives gives us the time to collect the wisdom, strength, and patience to handle the challenges that life itself will bring to us for the purpose of our growth. We must let the drama chasers know that it is okay to be happy and not to go on a hunt for the next battle. We must balance the complainer by reminding them that if Kuhn’s doesn’t have any more bananas Giant Eagle does, it’s OK. Peace exudes from the inside out and transforms environments of chaos and confusion to harmony and order. My father, a wise man, recently reminded me that when you have peace within yourself, you will have peace with others. “We will think in peace, speak in peace, knowing in our hearts that like will draw like.”

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No NIMBYs on the Northside From NIMBYs, 19 phanages” of earlier times became the group homes of the present. I then recalled several meetings of the Allegheny West Civic Council in the 1970s. The membership was asked to support a couple of social service agencies that wanted to locate a group home in the community. No NIMBY talk then, but lots of “getting to know you talk” well as a welcome to the neighborhood. The youngsters who lived in these homes became part of the neighborhood. Over the years a number of long lasting friendships developed and remain intact. The community, from my perspective, prospered and the youngsters benefited from inclusion. It must have been that same realization that was in the minds of many of Allegheny City neighborhood leaders as they welcomed various social institution into their communities. No NIMBYs there.

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From the office of State Sen. Wayne Fontana

Economic development programs positively impact Pa. As the Democratic Chair of the Senateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, I embrace my role of looking at ways the Commonwealth can help spur economic development in neighborhoods. Over the last two budget cycles, the Corbett Administration has placed an emphasis on cutting the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget, in many cases eliminating or reducing funds toward economic development programs that have had a positive effect on communities. Despite a national unemployment rate that hovers just over 8 percent, in June, the Pittsburgh region claimed 1,176,000 jobs, the highest job figure for any month on record. This figure can be attributed in part to the many economic development projects that have taken place, and are currently progressing, around the area. State government has a role to play in these projects by providing funding support to help leverage private dollars. The revival of Market Square, the Columbus Square Housing Development in Manchester and a senior high-rise on Mt. Washington are just a few examples of projects I supported that received public funds to spur private development. Projects like these revitalize neighborhoods and create both temporary and sustaining jobs. Everyone benefits when the state is actively engaged in economic development. Look no further than the Pennsylvania film

tax credit. This program, always a target for cutting or reducing, provides tax credits to film producers who film 60 percent of their production in Pennsylvania. Since the program began in 2007, the state has awarded $242.5 million in film tax credits which has spurred $1.4 billion in local economic activity while creating nearly 14,500 jobs. In fiscal year 2010-11, Pittsburgh saw nearly 3,000 jobs created through films receiving the tax credit that year. More than 70 pictures have been filmed in the state since 2007, many of which have been filmed in Pittsburgh. In addition to the positive attention our city receives through these films, small businesses, hotels, suppliers, and vendors from around the region benefit when productions come to town and more workers are needed to provide services associated with these productions. As a state, we need to begin reinvesting in economic development initiatives and provide funding and support for programs that help create jobs, like the film tax credit does. I look forward to returning to Harrisburg this fall and working with my colleagues in the legislature to find ways we can expand economic development programs to reach neighborhoods in need of revitalization and job opportunities. Senator Wayne D. Fontana 42nd Senatorial District www.senatorfontana.com

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orthside real estate transactions Allegheny West Ernest Braxton to Allison Brown at 915 W. North Ave. for $180,000. S. James Wallace to Barbara Swenson at 852 Beech Ave. for $370,000. Michael Zacherl et al. to James and Margaret McNamara at 814 Beech Ave. for $290,000. Brighton Heights Alonda Pollard to Federal National Mortgage Assn. at 1432 Davis Ave. for $4,714 by sheriff ’s deed. OSPO Properties LLC to Frank Murcko at 3745 Hiawatha St. for $93,000. Estate of Howard Rebel to Russell Real Estate Pittsburgh LLC at 3890 Brighton Road for $25,000. Wallace Neuhart to Michael Nemetz at 3400 Rigel Ave. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $46,332). Robert Fazio to James Grill at 3445 Campus St. for $82,000. Christopher Kessler to Brad Smith and Ashley Guiliani at 3532 Corona St. for $84,000. James Williams to Sarah McGrath at 1812 Kleber St. for $58,000. Nancy Simunovic to JP Morgan Chase Bank NA at 299 Squire Circle

for $1,776 by sheriff ’s deed. Marguerite Steck to Village Land LLC at 1414 Termon Ave. for $67,000. Federal National Mortgage Assn. to Thomas Berna at 1912 Termon Ave. for $29,000.\ Estate of Linda Lewis to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. trustee at 1913 Termon Ave. for $1,633 by sheriff ’s deed. Mark Holte to Brendan Miller at 3620 Wickshire St. for $149,900. Edward Schnupp to Mojo Properties LLC at 3319 McClure Ave. for $33,000. Pittsburgh City to Thomas Uhler at 3411 Reuben St. for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $2,925). Brightwood Federal National Mortgage Assn. to Landry Jr. & Assoc. LLC at 2317 Atmore St. for $15,000. Daniel Fleishman to Realty Choice Investments LLC at 2608 Bartold St. for $17,000. Ross Harris Investments LLC to Andre Benison at 2925 Cake Way aka Hartman St. for $1,201. Thomas Cunningham to Melgranah USA Holdings LLC at 3033-3035

Shadeland Ave. for $76,300. Eleanor Hitchak to Hallie John at 1306 Ingham St. for $65,000. Mary Belansky Living Trust to Audie Chapman Jr. and Michelle Chapman at 1156 Marshall Ave. for $67,000. Pittsburgh City to Timothy Staab at 1519 Meirsch St. for $400 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $16,029). Pittsburgh City to Janice Lorenz at 2808 Shadeland Ave. for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $6,552). Robert Beers to Carl and Judy Styen at 925 Woods Run Ave. for $37,000. David Van Every to Maru Mathews at 3102 Westborn St. for $2,000. Home Solutions Partn. 3 REO LLC to Transportation Alliance Bank Inc. at 2507 Brighton Road for $22,948. Estate of Anne Shuster to David Mensing at 1251 Ingham St. for $80,000. California-Kirkbride Estate of Robert Depner Jr. to Janitorial Resources Inc. at 1910 Brighton Road for $4,000. Pittsburgh City to Dennis Campbell at Success St. for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of

$1,053). Central Northside Charles Patrick DeAngelis trustee to Cynthia Chalupa and Andrew Benedicktus at 1612 Buena Vista St. for $230,000. Stacy Fitzsimmons to Federal National Mortgage Assn. at 1207 Arch St. for $1,705 by sheriff ’s deed. Pittsburgh City to Jason and Zolina Jevack at 1227 Reddour St. for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $9,711). Pittsburgh City to Steven Casker at 1313 Sherman Ave. for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $22,347). Pittsburgh City to Nicole Ann Toney at 127 Carrington St. for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $2,233). City Timbers LLC to Jacob Quinn and Amy Jo Brown Sanders at 1614 Monterey St. for $151,500. Cynthia Waters to Diane Warren at 119 Hemlock St. for $16,000. James Fandray to Akator Lagom JV at 524 Alpine Ave. for $25,000. Fineview Pittsburgh City to Thomas Uhler at 77 Edenvale St. for $200 (state deed

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orthside real estate transactions transfer stamps indicate a value of $3,276). Historic Deutschtown Pittsburgh Housing Development Corp. to James and Lisa Gibson at 614 Lockhart St. for $54,000. Manchester Campolongo Family L.P. to Pennsylvania Ave Pittsburgh Properties L at 1620 Pennsylvania Ave. for $550,000. Pittsburgh City to Tama Fike Kean at 1904 Chateau St. for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $4,095). Pittsburgh City to Dennis Weber at 1304 Sheffield St. for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $2,340). Pittsburgh City to Carl and Gwendolyn Reynolds u Gunn at Adams St. for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $2,340). Bank New York Mellon Trust Co. NA trustee to Westmoreland Properties LLC at 1244 W. North Ave. for $70,000.

Observatory Hill Estate of Edward Shaw Jr. to Ignacio Arana Araya at 117 Dunlap St. for $18,000. Arleen Pietrzak to Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority at 412 Marshall Ave. for $1,725 by sheriff ’s deed. Estate of Victoria Davis to Household Finance Consumer Discount Co. at 131 Richey Ave. for $6,415 by sheriff ’s deed. Estate of Yvonne Bogut to Joseph Paul Campisi III at 4135 Franklin Road for $34,900. Patrick O’Leary to Pare Investors LLC at 128 Richey Ave. for $75,000. Pittsburgh City to Regina Kraus at 3856 East St. for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $1,053). Susan Loskoch to Wells Fargo Bank NA trustee at 40 Perryview Ave. for $1,705 by sheriff ’s deed. Emory Holiday Jr. to Philip Hetzel at 3329 Portola St. for $35,000. Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. trustee to Rebuildus LLC at 4036 Vinceton St. for $5,250. Christian Westbrook to Dawn Camerlin at 27 Perryview Ave. for

$115,000. Robin Ashmore to Melissa Golba at 51 Perryview Ave. for $92,500. Paul Moser to Sarah Kwiatkowski at 120 Richey Ave. for $160,400. Pittsburgh City to James Donnelly Jr. at 635 Glenside St. for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $16,848). Perry Hilltop Amy Brown to Federal National Mortgage Assn. at 216 Langley Ave. for $1,904 by sheriff ’s deed. Pittsburgh City to Thomas Dzamko at 2622 Norwood Ave. for $2,900. Stephanie Giuffre to Katharine Horowitz at 536 Chautauqua St. for $72,000. Jeffrey Stern to Gregory Jones at 2536 Irwin Ave. for $60,750. John Bartolini to Jon and Emily Brooks at 1845 Clayton Ave. Unit 108 for $117,750. Pittsburgh City to Ra Kia Williams at 316 Elsdon St. for $6,900. Nationstar Mortgage LLC to Realty Choice Investments LLC at 2635 Shelton Ave. for $12,000. Home Solutions Partn. 4 REO LLC to Transportation Alliance Bank Inc.

at 2116 Koerner Ave. for $7,758. Spring Hill Theresa Falvo to Timothy Hudson and Auli Helena VanHala at 916 Goehring St. for $147,000. Pittsburgh City to Tara Swartfager at 938 Vista St. for $4,900. Wilhelmina Jacob trustee to Allen Ly at 2123 Donora St. for $34,000. Summer Hill Eric Kottner to Matthew Barcus at 4466 Rodenbaugh Ave. for $98,000. Geraldine Kyler Trust to Lisa McKellar at 4430 Evergreen Road for $109,000. Troy Hill Lynda Zygmuncik to Leonard and Marlene Marcyanis at 1635 Hatteras St. for $78,140. Lori Carpenter to Robert and Phyllis Johnson at 71 Waterfront Drive for $470,000. Precision Real Estate Group LLC to Curran Armstrong Properties LLC at 1118 Goettman St. for $18,000. James Troisi to Federal National Mortgage Assn. at 1337 Truax Way for $1,811 by sheriff ’s deed.

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Medium

Sudoku

The Game Page Medium

Last Month’s Puzzle Solutions

9 2 7 1 uzzle #3 for September 22, 2010 4 4 7 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 I R A Q I S E A M 14

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I T A N 8 4 R A

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N A R K www.sudoku-puzzles.net

2. Holds up 3. "______ sprach Zarathustra" 8 9 2 7 4. Status ___ 5. Sharon, e.g. 6 4 7 9 6. Lustful deity 7. "Night" author Wiesel 8. From ___ Z 1 3 5 6 9. Large stone 10. Bulky equipment 1 soil 3 5 11. 4Work the

al use only. Not for publication.

M 3A

First published in a U.S. puzzle magazine in 1979, Sudoku caught on in Japan in 1986, and became internationally famous in 2005.

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51. Broadway opening

1 52. Sportscaster 6 9 Albert 2 4 53. "Hard ___!" (sailor's yell) 56. Philosopher ___-tzu 4 57. Actress 7 5 3 1 Balin 7

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

The aim of Sudoku is to enter a number from 1 through 9 in each space on a 9×9 grid made up of 3×3 subgrids (called “regions”). Some of the numbers have already been given. You may not use the same number twice in a single row, column, or region of the grid. Completing the puzzle requires patience and logical ability.

4 5 5

3 2

BestCrosswords.com - Puzzle #4 for September 22, 2010

Across

Crossword puzzles provided by www. bestcrosswords.com / Used with permission.

Chronicle Crossword

1. Lacking 5. Land map Across 9. Door handles 1- Lacking; 5- Land map; 9- Door handles; 14- 14. SackSack starter; 15- Lofty; 16starter Pardon; 17- Cross inscription; 18- Belgian river; 19- Circumvent; 20- Overall Lofty architecture; 23- Ashtabula’s lake; 24- Loser to15. DDE; 25- Apprehend; 28- Tool to break solid water; 31- Piece of work; 34- Draw 36- Perform in a play; 16.out; Pardon 37- Chapter of the Koran; 38- Study of communicative attitudes; 42- Elderly, 17. Cross inscription matured; 43- Date; 44- Not abridged; 45- Court call; 46- Sanctified; 49- Compass Belgian river pt.; 50- Large body of water; 51- Now ___ me 18. down...; 53- Impromptu; 60Manifest; 61- Assist, often in a criminal act; 62-19. Lhasa ___; 63- Of the kidneys; Circumvent 64- Baseball team; 65- Nothing, in Nantes; 66- 20. Wine fruit; 67Cong. meeting; Overall architecture 68- Beatty and Rorem; 23. Ashtabula's lake Down 24. Loser to DDE 1- Milk choice; 2- Editor Wintour; 3- DEA agent; Steeple; 5- Laxative; 625.4-Apprehend One with a bullet?; 7- Antiquing agent; 8- Drive-___; 9- Indonesian cigarette; 28. Tool to break21-solid 10- Birthmark; 11- Actor Epps; 12- Remain; 13___-Foy, Quebec; Bay water window; 22- Desert bloomers; 25- Sherpa’s home; Maxim; 27- Graduated 31.26Piece of work glass tube; 29- Senate attendants; 30- Hosp. area; 31Plant fluid; 34. Draw out 32- Roman god of the underworld; 33- Moisten while cooking; 35- Bounder; 37- RR stop; 39Perform in a 46play Religion of the Muslims; 40- Born; 41- Largest36. country in Africa; Firefly, e.g.; 47- Alarms; 48- Thrills; 50- Leash; 52- Long; At any time; 54-Koran Lawless 37.53Chapter of the character; 55- Gives a bad review; 56- Off-Broadway theater award; 57May38. Study of communicative berry moppet; 58- Not new; 59- Juniors, perhaps; 60- Assn.; attitudes 42. Elderly, matured

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

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