2012 November by The Northside Chronicle

Volume 28 No. 10

November 2012

Spring Hill plans community parklet at neighborhood entrance By Kelsey Shea

Photo by Kelsey Shea Over 5,000 Northsiders spent Saturday afternoon in Allegheny Commons Park for the 21st annual Citiparks fall festival, Pumkinfest. Check out more smiling faces that stopped by the Northside Chronicle’s table online at www.thenorthsidechronicle.com.

Mexican restaurant opens at Federal North By Kelsey Shea Taco Bell isn’t the only taco stand in the Northside anymore. El Burro, a takeout Taquería featuring tacos, burritos and roll tacos, will open November 2 at 1108 Federal Street. Co-owner Wes DeRenouard described El Burro’s fare as the type of “border-style Mexican” food that he and his co-owner grew up eating in San Diego. El Burro will offer vegetarian options, breakfast burritos, housemade chorizo and roll tacos,

INSIDE

which he explained are similar to flautas. DeRenouard teamed up with Derek Burnell, owner of Round Corner Cantina in Lawrenceville, to open the Northside location. “We felt like this was a really up and coming area, and we wanted to take advantage of that,” said DeRenouard. “We’re excited to be here.” Wes explained that his partner Burnell selected the neighborhood and that he has a “great eye,” for

See El Burro, page 9

-News briefs 4 STORIES, COLUMNS, -Fineview Step-a-thon 3 FEATURES & MORE -Food pantry shortage 6

After two years of planning and negotiating with the city, Spring Hill residents are looking forward to the revitalization of their neighborhood’s gateway. A city-owned lot at the corner of Damas and Homer streets will be the site of a new parklet and decorative wall that will welcome visitors to the Spring Hill neighborhood. The wall will feature the mosaic art work of local artist Linda Wallen, who will use tiles from The Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild to show the German and agricultural history of Spring Hill. Wallen, a resident of Spring Hill, created and installed several other mosaic murals on homes on Yetta Avenue after she was inspired by a trip to Barcelona in the late ’90s. The mural was funded by a grant from The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s Charm Bracelet Project to the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild. Wallen worked on the mural with a class of high school

students who interviewed older residents of Spring Hill about their experiences growing up in the community. After extensive interviews, Wallen said they began to put the experiences the Spring Hill residents had discussed into images relating to the neighborhood. “To put a young 16-year-old guy and a 62-year-old woman together and ask them to compare their cultures was really a treat,” said Wallen of the interviewing process. The tiles will picture farming, a pub, the spring and other images to tell the story of Spring Hill’s past. The mural is finished and currently in storage. It was originally planned to hang on the wall of the fire station, but was designated to the planned wall due to the unsuitable condition of the fire station’s wall. Spring Hill resident and project contractor Chris Waraks said the parklet will be a key focal point in

See Spring Hill, page 12

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October 2012

Community Meetings

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

Allegheny West Civic Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Calvary United Methodist Church 412.323.8884 Brighton Heights Citizens Federation 2nd Thursday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Morrow Elementary School 412.734.0233

Managing Editor Kelsey Shea editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com Advertising Manager Jena Ruszkiewicz advertising@thenorthsidechronicle.com www.thenorthsidechronicle.com Phone 412-321-3919 • Fax 412-321-1447 Mail Subscriptions are available at a rate of $35.00 per year. Distribution: 8,000 copies 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 2008

Brightwood Civic Group 3rd Tuesday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Pressley Ridge, 2611 Stayton St. 412.732.8152 Brightwood Community Emergency Response Shelter 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6 p.m. 3219 Central Ave. 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

Quarterly meetings, call for times MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. 412.323.1743 Manchester Public Safety Meeting Quarterly meetings, call for times Northside Leadership Conference 412.323.1743 Northside Rotary Club Every Friday, noon Cardello Building, 2nd Floor 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

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

North Side Lions Club 2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly, noon Max’s Allegheny Tavern

Charles Street Area Council 1st Monday, monthly, call for times Pittsburgh Project, 2801 N. Charles St. 412.321.5567

North Side Public Safety Council 1st Thursday, monthly, 5:30 p.m. Northside Leadership Conference 412.330.2559

Community Alliance of Spring Garden/ East Deutschtown 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Fuhrer Building of St. Michael’s Church 412.977.1979

Observatory Hill, Inc. 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Byzantine Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave. 412.231.2887

Deutschtown New Hope Council 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Community Center, 623 Suismon St.

Perry Hilltop Citizens’ Council 4th Monday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Angel’s Place, 2605 Norwood St. 412.321.4632

East Allegheny Community Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Bistro to Go 412.321.1204

The Promise Group Every other Tuesday, 6 p.m. Western Pa. Humane Society 412.321.1019

Ex-offender Aftercare Support Group Saturdays, 4-5:30 p.m. Allegheny Center Alliance Church 801 Union Place

Troy Hill Citizens Council Sept. 13, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church 412-321-2852

Fineview Citizens Council 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m.

Spring Hill Civic League May 7, Sept. 10, Oct. 1. Nov. 5 7 p.m., Spring Hill Elementary School contact@shcl.org

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 Manchester Citizens Corporation

Summer Hill Citizens Committee 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. WPXI Television Station community room

October 2012

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Fineview’s annual step-a-thon challenges runners

Photo courtesy FCC Fineview offers beautiful views of the city of Pittsburgh.

By Megan Kopke There are more public staircases in Pittsburgh than anywhere else in the country, and on October 6, almost 100 people utilized some in the Northside for the annual Fineview Step-a-thon. Held on the first Saturday of

October each year, the step-a-thon brings attention to the Fineview neighborhood. The towering hills and stairways challenge walkers, runners and hikers as they make their way through the trails and residential streets the Fineview residents already know well Mel Gallagher, the president

of the Fineview Citizens' Council and the newly appointed program manager for the Fineview and Brightwood neighborhoods for the Northside Leadership Conference, highlighted the importance of the step-a-thon for the Fineview neighborhood. “It is a way to showcase our ‘fine’ views and our ‘fine’ neighborhood,” Gallagher said. During the race, 80 runners climbed the 371 steps of Rising Main, the fourth highest stairway in the city. They also encountered the streetcar line that runs through Fineview, which once ran unique streetcars built to withstand the steep 12 percent incline of the hilly neighborhood. “The turnout was equally as good as other years. A lot of people signed up the day of the event, even though it was raining,” Gallagher said of this year’s participants. The 2.5 or 5 mile walk/ run began behind Allegheny General Hospital on the hillside neighborhood formerly known as Television Hill. After climbing

over 1,600 steps-the equivalent to a 17-story building, participants finished at the Catoma Street Overlook with a great view of the city. Participants who completed the intense course won a glass coaster with a photo of Fineview. Other prizes were given for the fastest Fineview resident and the top three fastest times. This year the fastest time was made by Debbie Conner, who had a time of 47:05. There were also team competitions and a fastest Fineview resident. The Starlight Bluegrass Band came back this year for post-race entertainment. Gallagher, who is also the event coordinator and manager for this year’s step-a-thon, recognized the rise in participant numbers over the past 17 years the event has been running. “The event for many years drew only 25 to 35 participants… for the past three years we’ve attracted

See Fineview, page 13

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Public Safety In an effort to improve awareness about public safety in the Northside, The Northside Chronicle will begin publishing a public safety briefing that outlines the ongoing goals and initiatives of the Northside Public Safety Council. The Northside Public Safety Council is a nonprofit corporation composed of community leaders, businesses, government officials, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, private, multifamily rental property owners, the Zone 1 Police Department and other stakeholders. Each month, representatives from several of the 14 neighborhoods of the Northside meet to discuss public safety issues. Zone 1, which encompasses the entire Northside, currently has the second lowest crime rate of the six zones that make up the city of Pittsburgh. One of the most recent initiatives of the Public Safety Committee is decreasing theft from parked cars in the Northside. Theft from cars accounted for 20 percent of crime on the Northside in September, and Zone 1 police want those in the Northside to remember that it’s easily prevented. Officers are placing papers on cars that look similar to parking tickets to remind them to stow their valuables out of sight. The North Side Public Safety Council meets the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Northside Leadership Conference offices at 4 Allegheny Center, Suite 601. For more information, call 412-330-2559.

October 2012 October 2012

News Briefs Cigar store owner facing charges

Former Northside business owner Andrew Lee and Zone 1 Police Commander RaShall Brackney are back in court, but this time Lee is on the defense. Lee, the former owner of Executive Cigars in Historic Deutschtown, has been charged with filing an unfounded protection from abuse order against Brackney shortly before a zoning hearing that would determine the fate of his business. Authorities are charging Lee with unsworn falsification to authorities, obstructing the administration of law or other government functions, intimidation of a witness or victim and stalking. The criminal complaint references multiple attempts by Lee to date Brackney, all of which the commander rejected, before he filed the PFA that portrayed the commander as a “scorned woman.” Lee filed the PFA against Brackney on May 8, 2012and accused her of threatening him and targeting his business after they ended a romantic relationship. According to the PFA, Brackney told Lee’s attorney that she would “do whatever it takes to get [Lee].” The PFA was dismissed just nine days later because Lee failed to produce evidence of any romantic relationship between him Cmdr. Brackney and his testimony was inconsistent with evidence. Judge Kelly Bigley called the charges “offensive” and an abuse of the justice system. The Northside community supported Cmdr. Brackney through the PFA and investigation of Executive Cigars. Ed Graf, East Allegheny Community Council Treasurer, said he did not believe the charges against Brackney were veritable. “Her actions were driven by the neighborhood,” he said. Executive Cigars was inbusiness for three years on Suismon Street, in August of 2011 late-night parties on the second floor of the building and a shooting nearby began creating disturbances that concerned neighbors and the East Allegheny Community Council.

Pumpkinfest 2012

Citiparks and Deutschtown’s 21st Annual Pumpkinfest was Saturday, October 13 and featured activities, games, prizes and all things pumpkin related. “It’s a fantastic fall showcase for neighborhood children,” said organizer Emily Leone. Pumpkinfest draws about 1,500 children and 4,500 people each year with fall-themed activities, like hayrides, pony rides, inflatable bouncing slides and live music. One of the most popular events is the pumpkin decoration contest that is open to every child at Pumpkinfest. As they enter the festival, each child gets to choose a pumpkin from the patch and decorate it as they like. The pumpkins are then entered into a contest for the best pumpkin. This year the event had two different stages set up for acts to perform, which included performances by ROX Performance Academy, Pittsburgh Banjo Club and Pittsburgh Puppet Works. Groups like Reading Is FUNdamental and Allegheny General Hospital also attended the event to educate parents about the services they offer. Organizer Barbara Burns said the event, organized in collaboration with Citiparks, was one of their most successful thanks to the several hundred volunteers and vendors in attendance. “It’s not just a one-day, fivehour event about having a good time. We’re also trying to connect children and their parents to organizations that provide services all year long,” Burns said. Hosted by the East Allegheny Community Council, Pumpkinfest benefitted from about 200 volunteers, with people coming from the Allegheny Center Alliance Church and Alpha Phi Omega, a University of Pittsburgh Service Fraternity to help out. Ticket prices included a backpack that children filled with the goodies they received throughout the day, a smiley cookie and juice. -by Cara Nesi

The Northside Chronicle

October 2012

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Cleaning up on the Northside East Ohio Street and Historic Deutschtown

By Kelsey Shea Two grants provided paint and supplies that helped volunteers make a big difference on East Ohio Street this month. Twenty-five volunteers painted,

planted and cleaned up East Ohio Street and neighboring blocks and changed the face of a key piece of real estate on East Ohio Street, the Beckert building. Organizers Emily Leone, of the Northside Leadership Conference,

Route 28

At the end of September, Pittsburgh’s Northside Rotary participated in the “Adopt A Highway” program on Saturday, September 28th. They cleaned up the two exits on East Ohio Street & Route 28. In less than 2 hours Northside Rotarians were able to gather more than 30 bags of litter to help keep the Northside neat. (Photo courtesy Northside Rotary)

and Barbara Burns, of the local nonprofit Historic Deutschtown Development Corporation, called the event “a great community effort.” The first grant came from the City of Pittsburgh’s Love Your Block grant program, which provided $1,000 for plants, gardening supplies and other cleanup necessities in collaboration with Home Depot. Volunteers cleaned up trash on East Ohio Street and planted hundreds of bulbs and greenery near the parking lot at Middle and Foreland avenues. This was the second time Historic Deutschtown received this grant to clean up the business district; the first was in the spring. The second grant came from the state and supplied $3,000 of BEHR paint as a part of its Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania program in collaboration with Home Depot and BEHR. Volunteers and painters from Sarandis Painting used the donated paint to give the Beckert Building, on the corner of East Ohio and James streets, a makeover. The three-story Victorian building is owned by HDDC and

houses five apartments on its upper floors, though the commercial space on the ground floor is for rent. It is considered a strategic location in the business district. “Our goal is to refresh the historic character of this grand building, rethink its use and how it can contribute again to our community by restoring and updating it,” said Barbara Burns, president of HDDC. The HDDC was the only group in Allegheny County to receive this grant. Though the grants were received by separate groups from separate funders, the organizers decided that they could best utilize volunteers by having the clean-up and the painting on the same day. Allegheny Center Alliance Church, Northern Community Probation, School Based Probation, Community Intensive Supervision Program and Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas - Family Division sent volunteers who joined Deutschtown residents for the day. “The volunteers came with so much energy, and we had great weather,” said Leone. “It was really a good day for the neighborhood.”

Spring Hill

On October 13, 15 Spring Hill residents spent their Saturday morning cleaning up the gateway to their community. The volunteers picked up litter on Homer and Itin streets before branching off to address areas known to collect garbage. Read more about Spring Hill’s latest projects on the front page. (Photo courtesy Spring Hill Civic League)

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October 2012

NSCM food pantry short on supplies By Kelsey Shea

The shelves of NSCM’s food pantry are bare because of growing need and shrinking donations.

The shelves of the Northside Common Ministries’ food pantry are nearly empty. There’s some ketchup, canned corn, beef stew, salad dressing and a smattering of other cans, but for the most part when the pantry reopens the next morning there will be little dry and canned food for patrons to choose from. Despite being the largest food pantry in the county, Jay Poliziani, executive director of the NSCM, said that their Northside pantry faces the same issues as many other pantries and food banks across the country who are dealing with a rising demand and a smaller supply of food. Poliziani estimates that two years ago the pantry served about 750 families each month. In 2012, they now serve nearly a thousand families. Though the need is rising, he said, the supplies are not following suit. In June of 2011 the pantry received more than 12,000 pounds of food, while May of 2012 saw less than 10,000 pounds. Poliziani noted that not only are the supply and demand changing, but the

demographic is“slightly different” as well. Most new patrons of the food pantry, he said, are recently unemployed and struggling to make ends meet. Federal funding cuts also mean that the NSCM now has to pay for canned and dried food that they had received free of charge from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank previously, like peanut butter, jelly and dried boxed food. Poliziani estimates that the amount needed to cover those new costs could run up to $40,000 each year, and that their supply of dried and canned food is particular low. “We just don’t have a financial plan for that,” he said, noting that the Food Bank is not the “bad guy,” but rather adjusting to their own constraints as well. Lisa Scales, CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food bank, estimates that there is a 33 percent increase in households that need assistance. Moving forward, Poliziani hopes that the upcoming holidays will help replenish their supply, but he is also interested in engaging new groups to help their organization’s need. “Our hope is that we can sort of make new

See Food pantry, page 15

October 2012

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Riverview soccer field project back on schedule

After letting the soil settle for several months, the land for the new soccer field is flat and ready for the next phase of the project.

By Kelsey Shea As another soccer season begins, plans for a new field in Observatory Hill are “moving along nicely,” according to City of Pittsburgh Director of Operations Duane Ashley. The once bumpy terrain on Mairdale Avenue behind Perry High School has been evened out with new soil that after seven months is settling to create the base for the field. City officials expect the field to be completed by this spring. The project began in 20003 with plans to build a soccer field and recreation center at Riverview Park in the Northside. After an official ground breaking ceremony in October 2010, the project faced complications due to its location over a site formerly used to deposit industrial waste. Upturning existing dirt would have resulted in the release of toxic waste, so workers trucked clean fill onto the site in order to create a safe environment. Now that the fresh soil has had several months to compact and settle, the site is near ready for further work. Brandon Myers, head of the Northside’s adult soccer team Deutschtown United, said he’s

excited to see the progress and looks forward to moving his team back to the neighborhood. “I am really excited about taking Deutschtown United ‘home’ after playing our games in Brookline this year,” said Myers who relocated the team after the nets came down at Allegheny Commons. The completed soccer field will be synthetic in order to allow play in all types of weather. It has yet to be determined if the field will or will not have lights. “That feature has been left up in the air,” said Ashley. “We haven’t made a commitment for or against installing lights.” The second phase of construction will be a recreation center that will sit adjacent to the field. Ashley said in the coming month and a half, the city will begin working with the community on design concepts for the community center. A 2003 study, conducted by Pashek Associates reported that Pittsburgh has a deficit of 32 soccer fields and a surplus of 11 football fields. The report also cites data that shows in the decade between 1991 and 2001, soccer participation increased nationally by 39 percent.

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October 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.

October 1- Online edition of October Chronicle Page through the October editon of the Northside Chronicle and other archived editions online through our blog October 10- Benjamin’s Burgers opens Benjamins Burgers opened October 9 on Western Avenue and is the Northside’s only restaurant specializing in custom burgers October 23- 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.

October 2012

October October 2012 2012

The The Northside Northside Chronicle Chronicle

Northside soccer stars

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El Burro comes to NS

Photo by Kelsey Shea City of Play participants enjoy nontraditional sports in the Northside.

It’s soccer season in Brighton Heights for Old Allegheny Soccer. Young Northsiders and their enjoyed the beautiful weather at the Brighton Heights Fields off Benton Avenue.

From El Burro, page 1

“W

intersection of locations and Federal Street and was ahead e felt this North Avenue folof the wave low the same path of developWas a reall up of revitalization ment when he opened Round and coming area as Butler Street in Lawrenceville. Corner CanEl Burro is tina on Butler and We Wanted Spanish for donkey, Street. to take advan and is the root of With the word burrito. the Garden tate of that Though they Theater Block across the are still working out -Wes derenouard, street, the their hours, DeRenel Burro co-oWner Federal North ouard said they are town homes planning to be open within two from 10 a.m. to 7 blocks and p.m. other new businesses like Deli on El Burro will also offer catering North around the corner, Burnell and deliveries to local businesses. and DeRenouard hope that the

”

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October 2012

Festival brings obscure games to the Northside

Photo by Kelsey Shea City of Play participants enjoy nontraditional sports in the Northside.

By Cara Nesi Whether it was dribbling a yoga ball or balancing a tiny plastic turtle on the back of their hands, those attending the City of Play festival learned different ways to join in the game October 13, in the

Northside. A showcase of the best new games in the world, the City of Play is a festival dedicated to playing unusual games in urban communities. For 12 hours, the event was held in Allegheny Commons Park and

Buhl Community Park, utilizing the open spaces as their fields. The festival was created by the nonprofit organization, Obscure Games. Its director, Adam Nelson chose the Northside as the location for the festival because of the two available parks. Fifty to 60 people came out over the course of the day to participate in a range of games, some of them physical, some mental, but all unique. It was a slightly smaller turn out than Nelson had expected, but he was still happy with the result. “It was small and beautiful, and it laid good groundwork for next year,” he said. The City of Play included field games like Circle Rules Football, a game invented by Greg Manley in 2006 as a senior theater project at NYU. Played on a circular field with one goal, the object of the game is to score using an exercise ball that you aren’t allowed to carry. Though this was the third festival that Obscure Games held, City of Play was the first of its kind,

focusing on the most interesting and unique games that Nelson chose for the event. The event was sponsored by Schell Games, a video game company created by Jesse Schell, a former professor at Carnegie Mellon University, and The Sprout Fund. The chosen activities weren’t solely about having fun. The festival was part of Obscure Games’ work to show people the power that games can have and change the way people view their cities the way they interact with each other. “I want to show them that they can feel a part of their city and affect change,” he said. Obscure Games plans to bring the festival next year, expanding upon this year’s efforts and growing City of Play. Formed in August 2009 as part of a University of Pittsburgh club, Obscure Games has grown citywide. They invent and play new games every week at their free game sessions.

October 2012

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Brighton Heights lawyer moves business home

Photo by Kelsey Shea Bill Goodrich inside his newly renovated Goodrich and Geist office on California Avenue. newest neighbor, who made the By Megan Kopke blocks of California Avenue surrounding his new business Bill Goodrich felt like he was location somewhat of a personal moving his business home when he project. made the decision to bring his law Through purchasing and firm from Downtown Pittsburgh renovating commercial buildings to California Avenue in Brighton in Brighton Heights, fixing up Heights last year. sidewalks and being involved in the Similarly, the Brighton Heights community, Goodrich hopes to be a business district felt the impact of its

positive example of how those in the private sector can make a meaningful impact in community development. “The number of great neighborhoods in the Northside is often ignored,” Goodrich said. “I may be biased, but Brighton Heights is the best neighborhood in the Northside.” Goodrich has practiced law for over 30 years, and his firm Goodrich and Geist focuses on civil cases in his practice, concentrating on issues such as negligence, civil rights violations and medical malpractice. According to Goodrich, his law firm is dedicated to helping ordinary people understand their rights and helping them when those rights are in jeopardy. However on a personal level, renovation and improvement of the neighborhood is high on Goodrich’s priority list. According to Goodrich, Brighton Heights is one of the most accessible neighborhoods in the county. For a lawyer who works cases across the state, he said it is a perfect location for his law firm.

After Goodrich’s wife introduced him to Brighton Heights a number of years ago, Goodrich bought three properties on California Avenue and renovated and repurposed the buildings. What was once two empty storefronts and a boarded up house are now the Java N’ Crème House, Timeless Beauty and most recently the new offices of Goodrich and Geist law firm – all staples on California Avenue. “The building was in deplorable condition,” Goodrich said of his office building, which was a boarded up house months before he purchased the property and began renovations. “It was completely overgrown. You wouldn’t believe it to see it today,” said Goodrich who gutted the house and repurposed the property as an office. He’s also invested money to improve the sidewalk outside his business along California Avenue. Goodrich invests in the neighborhood personally, but also

See Lawyer, page 13

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October 2012 October 2012

Spring Hill revitalizing community gateway From Spring Hill, page 1

Photo by Kelsey Shea

The lot at the corner of Damas and Homer will go from an eyesore to a gateway to the Spring Hill community.

the neighborhood. “It’s just going to look a lot nicer. A lot of people don’t know Spring Hill even exists,” said Waraks. “It’s a good way to welcome people to Spring Hill.” The corner lot was vacant and an “eye sore” according to Waraks, and garbage often filled the unused space. To address the problem, the Spring Hill Civic League came up with the gateway plan and negotiated for a year and a half with the city and the art commission to draw up a maintenance contract. Now that a contract has been reached, the city has cleared the lot and the nearby hill and is laying the foundation for the wall. The lot is also located near the site of the old spring that gives Spring Hill its name. Though the spring’s water is now contaminated and the site is covered with cement, the SHCL hopes to improve the aesthetics of the spring’s location and add it to the city’s register of historic places. Spring Hill resident and City Council President Darlene Harris has made it an objective of hers. Waraks hopes that an influx of young people in the SHCL will lead to more projects like these two. “There’s going to be a lot going on here in the next few years,” he said.

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October 2012

Lawyer helps California Ave. Step step step-a-thon From Lawyer, page 11 encourages other property owners to improve the condition of the neighborhood. The Goodrich and Geist building is now a focal point in the Brighton Heights neighborhood and Goodrich hopes to bring more businesses to the area as other properties are purchased and renovated. “I see young professionals walking to Tom Friday’s butcher shop, or to the Java House,” he said. “It’s nice to see young professionals moving into the area.” Goodrich added, “As long as it has a positive impact on the neighborhood, any development from a private buyer or larger company is welcome.” Goodrich is also an active member of the Brighton Heights Citizen Federation. With the help of the Brighton Heights Citizen Federation, Goodrich has created more development in the area with businesses that are compatible with the Brighton Heights neighborhood.

Raymond Meyer, a longtime member of the Brighton Heights Citizen Federation, recognizes Goodrich’s contribution to the neighborhood outside of the property renovations. “Bill is not just developing buildings. He’s also handing out Halloween candy or dressing as Santa Claus for the Brighton Heights light up night,” Meyers said about Goodrich’s dedication to the neighborhood. “He’s a great asset to Brighton Heights… he helps to make the neighborhood stronger,” Meyer added. The head of the Brighton Heights Citizen Federation, Pete Bellisario, said Goodrich’s renovations of his home and office, “added a dramatic improvement to the business district.” One aspect of Brighton Heights that Goodrich is especially fond of is its centrality in Pittsburgh. It is easily accessible, an “unsung pearl within the city.”

participant. Other sponsors for the race included PNC Bank, Allegheny 95 to 100, more than tripling the General Hospital, WPXI, the participation.” The event was organized by the Steelers and more. “This is the only fundraiser that Fineview Citizen Council, who also Fineview does, and it brings new sponsors the races along with the people to our neighborhood that funds from participant fees. Some would not have otherwise come,” sponsors provide the funding to pay Gallagher said. for the t-shirts, tote bags and awards The Fineview Citizen Council is while others donate their goods and included in other Fineview projects services as prizes. such as the Catoma Street Overlook, “A big thank you to our sponsors, and construction of new singlewho come back year after year family homes. with great prizes for our winners,” Funds raised from the Gallagher added. event will be used for Fineview This year’s sponsors included Neighborhood greening, cleaning Pamela’s diner, who gave a free and beautification. short stack of pancakes to every

From Fineview, page 3

October 2012

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October 2012

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Food pantry short on supplies From Food Pantry, page 6 connections and reach a younger demographic,” said Poliziani. “People want to help, but they don’t always know how.” He noted that the Northside community “always steps up in a time of need.” Darlene Rushing, a Central Northside resident and member of Community House Presbyterian Church, heard about the severe food shortage in a casual conversation with a neighbor outside her home on Resaca Place and decided to get her church community involved. Though Community House has always worked with NSCM, the members have stepped up their efforts recently to address the shortage. “I think as a Northsider, I’ve taken for granted that our food pantry is always going to be there as a resource,” said Rushing who said she sees families lining up outside the building on weekday mornings. “It’s really difficult for me to sit down to a full table when I know there are neighbors, not just out

there, but next door and down the street, that are going hungry that night.” Rushing said Community House members have been collecting food and monetary donations to drop off at the pantry each week, but they are looking to do more. While Rushing acknowledged that individuals pulling unused cans from the back of their cabinets is an important part of restocking the pantry’s shelves, she said that there are other ways to help using connections that neighbors have with their employers or their acquaintances. Though plans are still in the works, Community House hopes to begin smaller food drives in work places or collect unsold items from bakeries and restaurants. “We know there’s food being wasted out there,” said Rushing. “We want to put it to better use.” To make a donation or organize a food drive for NSCM, contact Cynthia Washington at 412-3231170

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The Northside Chronicle

October 2012

The Northside Chronicle

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The Northside Chronicle

Page 18

Brighton Heights

Fulton Miklos to Joseph Ryan Minich at 1419 Benton Ave. for $123,450. David Edward Weaver to Renovision LLC at 3200 California Ave. for $100,000. Steven Reinsel et al. to Ravi Ramamoorthy at 3817 California Ave. for $40,800. ARN Properties LLC to Brandon and Erin Harper at 1548 Cooper Ave. for $161,500. Richard Michaels to John and Deliarose Moeller at 1912 Marmaduke St. for $73,500. Michael Gavlik to David Critchlow and Sarah Frank at 1821 Wittmer St. for $127,900. Kathleen Jandrokovic to Michael Hallman at 324 Lamplighter Circle for $107,000. Matthew Goodworth to Jason Durler and Angela Dorman at 3444 Brighton Road for $2,000.

Katherine Czesnocha to White Mountain Holdings LLC at 1334 Gass Ave. for $19,000. James Krajovic to Mark Hilts at 3641 Harbison Ave. for $96,500. Pittsburgh Housing Development Corp. to Saundra Glenn at 3303 McClure Ave. for $135,000. Denise Jackson to Household Finance Consumer Discount Co. at 1819 Davis Ave. for $1,786 by sheriff ’s deed. Steven Kamen to Daniel Kamen at 3518 Brighton Road for $85,000.

Brightwood

Yvonne Staiger Medack to Christie Szkabara at 1 Courtright St. aka 1201 for $3,000. Jason Kemerer to MTL Ventures Inc. at 2918 Breker St. for $31,200. Kristin Joliat to Sara Jean Ward at 1216 Ingham St. for $110,000. Federal National Mortgage Assn. to John Newman at 3157 Wadlow

St. for $9,750. Estate of Jane Krah to Jeffrey Gillespie at 3211 Central Ave. for $5,193. Norika Hemmingway to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. trustee at 1224 Woodland Ave. for $2,042 by sheriff ’s deed. Kathryn aka Cathryn Hubert et al. to Clifford Foster at 2611 Brighton Road for $5,500. Andre Benison to Eli Lekhel at 2925 Hartman St. for $2,200. Sarah Schachner to JPMorgan Chase Bank NA at 930 Rothpletz St. for $3,037 by sheriff ’s deed.

October 2012

Scott Schuster to Paul and Joanne Weisbecker at 318 North Ave. W Apt C for $116,500. Nicholas Barcellona to Steven Regal at 500 Armandale St. for $215,000. Erin Earles Kelley to Andrew and Margaret Behnke at 1531 Monterey St. for $200,000. ESIIC Investments LLC to Matafrey LLC & New Lockhart LLC at 1500 Boyle St. for $40,000. James Lawrence to ALIMAT LLC at 1502 Boyle St. for $45,000.

Charles Street Valley

California-Kirkbride

Triple A Investments LLC to 1013 Corp. at 808 Maginn St. for $35,000.

Central Northside

Pittsburgh City to Cornelius Poillon at 838 Concord St. for $2,900.

Keystone Plumbing Sales Co. to CE Acquisitions 7 L.P. at 1215 Brighton Road for $1,200,000. Akram Talhouk to Carri Stec at 523 N. Taylor Ave. for $129,950.

East Deutschtown

October 2012

Historic Deutschtown

Gary Schurman to Peluso Properties LLC at 1321 Sandusky St. and Hemlock St. for $55,000. James Rauch to James Street Parking LLC at James St. for $75,000.

Manchester

Jamal Webb to Ronald Moye at 1517 Bidwell St. for $10,000. Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority to Manchester Youth Development Center Inc. at 12381240 Decatur St. for $4,150. ATL Holdings LLC to Andrew Moore and Erika Beras at 1313 N. Franklin St. for $80,000. Herman Jones Jr. to Jonathan Bergholz at 1428 Pennsylvania Ave. for $250,000. Elzula Suber to Significance 3251 Inc. at 1422 Stedman St. for $3,000.

The Northside Chronicle

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA to Federal National Mortgage Assn. at 1511 Allegheny Ave. for $34,290. Zimmerman Holding Co. to Simco Properties LLC at 1432 Nixon St. for $387,000. Pittsburgh City to Nancy Ream at 1316-1318 W. North Ave. for $5,400.

Observatory Hill

Donna Englehardt to R & F Properties Pittsburgh LLP at 3260 Orleans St. for $70,000. Corey Pisarski to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. at 22 Garvin St. for $1,582 by sheriff ’s deed. Goodworth Land Co. LLC to Brian Bower at 11 Venture St. for $240,000. Suzanne Wiesen to Federal National Mortgage Assn. at 236 Bascom Ave. for $1,684 by sheriff ’s

deed. Tung Luu to Realty Choice Investments LLC at 404 Wabana St. for $9,000. Zachary Ellis Zimmer to J Byron Crawford and Caitlin Terling at 215 Watson Blvd. for $185,000. Pittsburgh City to Audrey Hardy at 3611 Baytree St. for $5,050. John Malsch to Federal National Mortgage Assn. at 23 Semicir St. for $1,735 by sheriff ’s deed. Erica Gatts to Elizabeth Cahill and Luke Ewing at 401 Venture St. for $71,700. Carol Tolomeo et al. to Citimortgage Inc. at 261 Watson Blvd. for $1,801 by sheriff ’s deed.

Perry Hilltop

Bayview Loan Servicing LLC to Advent Properties L.P. at 315 Kennedy Ave. for $7,000. Kathryn Hubert et al. to Clifford

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Foster at 110 Maywood St. for $8,500. Sabrina Griffin to Realty Choice Investments LLC at 2647 Shelton Ave. for $4,250. Pittsburgh City to Fausat Akilagun at 123 W. McIntyre Ave. for $4,300. Upendra Puri to John Nicotra at 2422 Osgood St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $7,371). Craig Ajhar to John and Norma Thomas at 2225 Perrysville Ave. for $13,000.

Spring Garden

Pasquale DiDiano to John Lipner at 1244 Spring Garden Ave. for $8,500.

See Real Estate, page 20

The Northside Chronicle

Page 20

From Real Estate, page 19

Spring Hill

Bank New York Mellon trustee to Metro Properties LLC at 130 Royal St. for $4,000. Trudy Hite to Bank America NA at 1928 Rhine St. for $3,168 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $48,906) by sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deed. The Loan Place to Premier Holdings One LLC at 1315 Diana Place for $2,260. Irene Schanbacher et al. to R & F Properties Pittsburgh LLP at 2107 Rockledge St. for $38,500. Summer Hill Antoinette Snyder to Wendy Loftis at 4481 Highridge St. for $77,300.

Meredith Kathryn Meyer to Chris Brioady at 4461 Valley View St. for $87,900. Realty Choice Investments LLC to Gil Teleman at 1030 Yetta Ave. for $46,000.

Troy Hill

Federal National Mortgage Assn. to MTL Ventures Inc. at 1337 Truax Way for $12,000. Estate of Robert Pirhalla to Rodger and Saundra Neurohr at 1342 Lowrie St. for $8,000. Matthew Goodworth to Brian Bower at 1836 Lowrie St. for $115,000.

October 2012

The Northside Chronicle

Page 21

From the office of State Sen. Wayne Fontana

General Assembly results The General Assembly last week concluded voting session for the 2011-2012 legislative session. While there were many important measures enacted during this session, I cannot help but also reflect upon the number of crucial issues that have gone unfinished or been ignored by the Corbett Administration and majority party in the House and Senate. From the crippling funding cuts to our education system and the dismantling of safety net programs that benefit our most vulnerable citizens to the lack of action on our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transportation infrastructure and mass transit funding crisis, the past two years will be defined as that of misguided priorities and missed opportunities. No comprehensive jobs

plan to lower our increased unemployment rate. No action on the recommendations of the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own Transportation Funding Advisory Commission. A voter ID law that even the courts agree was hastily enacted. Elimination of the Adult Basic health insurance program and other vital health care services for our working families and the

disabled. Failure to close business tax loopholes for multi-billion dollar corporations in order to generate revenue. The list of failures by this Administration is extensive. Starting now and through the next legislative session that begins in the new year, I again stand ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance an agenda that puts people back to work, our students back on the right path to a meaningful education and ensures the health, safety and welfare of all our citizens through vital human service programs. Senator Wayne D. Fontana 42nd Senatorial District www.senatorfontana.com

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The Northside Chronicle

October 2012

The Northside Chronicle

October 2012

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Medium

Sudoku

The Game Page Medium

Last Month’s Puzzle Solutions 5

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56. Writer Sarah ___ Jewett 957. Interpret 5 8 3 2 59. Conks out of1the earth 660. Greek 9 goddess 2 7 61. Catch a view of 62. Friend of Fidel 1 4 5 8 6

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www.sudoku-puzzles.net

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S A G S

T3 R E 8 S S 20 S P R I T 26

zzle #6 for September 22, 2010 2

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

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.

9 2

BestCrosswords.com - Puzzle #7 for September 22, 2010 www.sudoku-puzzles.net

Across

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

Chronicle Crossword

1. Counterfeit 5. African wader Across 10. Skirmish 1- Counterfeit; 5- African wader; 10- Skirmish; 14- New Rochelle college; 1514. New Rochelle college “Farewell!”; 16- First name in scat; 17- Growl; 18- Staggers; 19- Writer Dinesen; 15. 20- Producing great anxiety; 23- Computer key; 24-"Farewell!" Anger; 25- Ember; 29- Flammable gas; 31- Long-sleeved linen vestment; 32Actor Comfort 16. FirstStephen; name33in scat for some kids; 37- Common; 40- Form of poem,17. often used to praise something; Growl 41- Epic narrative poem; 42- Loving; 47- Dr. Dre’s genre; 48- Afflict; 49- Curve 18. Staggers upward in the middle; 53- Fervent; 55- Slightly; 57- Jackie’s second; 58- Splitting 19.ofWriter apart into layers; 61- Silent; 64- Idealized concept a lovedDinesen one; 65- Some Ivy Leaguers; 66- ___ impasse; 67- Taboos; 68- Receiver Jerry; 69- Cincinnati club; 20. Producing great anxiety 70- Rasp; 71- Alcoholic drink of fermented honey; 23. Computer key 24. Anger Down Ember 1- One concerned with the bottom line?; 2- Not25. disposed to cheat; 3- Revoltleader, old-style; 4- Sportscaster Albert; 5- Hardpressed; 6Model;gas 7- Portion; 829. Flammable Tyler’s successor; 9- Small bone; 10- Pretend; 11- “Treasure Island” monogram; 31. Long-sleeved linen 12- According to; 13- Jabber; 21- Sea eagle; 22- Penpoints; 26- Fall; 27- Architect vestment Saarinen; 28- Beams; 30- Busy as ___; 31- “So be it”; 34- Labor; 35- Altar words; Actor Stephen 36- Abound; 37- Vamp Theda; 38- A long way 32. off; 39Dirty Harry’s org.; 43Bamboo stem; 44- Naming; 45- Like a blackberry; 46Cheerio!; Magistrate; 33. Comfort for50-some kids 51- Beethoven’s Third; 52- Washed lightly; 54- Perfect places; 55- Appliance 37. Common brand; 56- Intolerant person; 59- Latin love; 60- Division of a school year; 61Damage; 62- Salt Lake City athlete; 63- Bit; 40. Form of poem, often used to praise something

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