August 2020 Est. 1985
The Northside Chronicle
Volume 36 Issue 8 - FREE -
The Community Newspaper of Pittsburgh’s Historic Northside
This nurse wants to revamp homeless women's health care in Pittsburgh By Ashlee Green Last summer, close to eight women were pregnant and living on the streets in Pittsburgh. The number was outrageous, even to Mary Sligh, who’s worked in homeless health care for her entire five-year nursing career. She and her colleagues knew they had to take action. “We were like, 'What the heck are we going to do about this?'” Sligh recalls. Sligh made the discovery while she was doing general street rounds for her work as a street nurse navigator for the
Photo by Lauren Stauffer
Mosaic unveiled in memory of Rev. Stoudemire
Monday, July 27, 2020 marked the one-year anniversary of the death of Rev. Sheldon Stoudemire, who was shot during an overnight shift at the Northside Common Ministries men’s shelter. A ceremony honoring Rev. Sheldon was held at 2 p.m. at the entrance to Northside Common Ministries, and a memorial mosaic by artist Amy Burke was unveiled. Rev. Stoudemire was the cofounder of the Pittsburgh chapter of MAD DADS (Men Against Destruction Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder), an organization dedicated to mentoring at-risk youth and ending gun violence in Allegheny County. He was also a volunteer boxing instructor for local young people and an advocate for men experiencing homelessness. n
Changing nation, changing census Over the last century, the census has adapted to changes in technology. This year, it’s being shaped by a global pandemic.
By Katia Faroun
Photo courtesy of Mary Sligh
Mary Sligh, street nurse navigator for Allegheny Health Network's Center for Inclusion Health, doing street rounds. Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Center for Inclusion Health. She believes that homeless women who are pregnant often See Homelessness, Page 9
INSIDE
2020 marks the start of a new decade, and with it, the government is conducting its largest operation during peacetime: the decennial census. Every 10 years, a survey is sent out to the close to 120 million households in the U.S. to gather key statistical information about those residing in the country. The decennial census, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, consists of a questionnaire asking generally about the number of peo-
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ple living in a household, who they are, and what their race is. The nation has changed throughout the decades; so has the census, and its purpose. The birth of the census dates back to the formation of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution declares that representatives and taxes will be divided among the states “according to their respective Numbers,” implying the necessity for statewide population counts. Right after the Civil War ended, this phrasing was reaffirmed in Section 2 of the 14th
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Amendment where it notes that state populations are to count “the whole number of persons in each State.” The article requires the enumeration to take place every 10 years, a rule that has been upheld consistently since then. The first ever census took place in 1790, where responsibility fell upon “marshals of the U.S. judicial districts” to visit every household in their appointed district and submit their counts directly to the president. The first census inquiries called for See Census, Page 10
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District 19 News: Rep. Wheatley
We are hearing the demands for justice and equality loud and clear in cities and towns across Pennsylvania and nationwide – outcries over systemic racism and police brutality against African Americans and people of color. That racial inequality also includes health care. Study after study continues to show definitive links between higher rates of chronic
Photo courtesy of the Office of Rep. Wheatley
State Rep. Jake Wheatley represents Pittsburgh's 19th District. In this month's column, he discusses legislation to create a racial equity task force within the Pennsylvania Department of Health to address the racial inequities among Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities throughout the commonwealth. health conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes, among our Black, Latino, and Native American residents. Racism is truly a public health problem. It
leads to higher levels of stress and significantly reduces access to medical and social services. It leads to higher levels of maternal mortality, disease, disability, and death. Case in point: as it relates to maternal mortality, data from the National Center for Health Statistics for 2018, the most recent year available, showed the average estimated maternal death rate for all mothers nationwide is approximately 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, which equaled 658 women who died due to maternal causes. The center reports wide racial and ethnic gaps clearly exist between non-Hispanic Black women (37.1 deaths per 100,000 live births) compared to non-Hispanic white women (14.7). As a state, we can and must do better, and my legislation will effectively address racial inequities among Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities in Pennsylvania. My legislation would create a racial equity task force within the Pennsylvania Department of Health, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. This task force would be responsible for overseeing the review of policies and provide recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly on efforts focused on reducing disparities between people of color and white residents statewide. We have the tools and resources to make a true difference in the lives of people in the 19th District and across the commonwealth. It is vital that we respond to this public health crisis because this discrimination is putting real lives at stake. I am urging my colleagues in the House to support my measure and I welcome any questions or concerns you may have on this issue. Please feel free to reach out to me via email at repwheatley@pahouse.net or call The People’s Office at 412-471-7760. n
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August 2020
Community Meetings After Jail & Prison Ministry Support Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Allegheny Center Alliance Church 412.321.4333 ext. 127 801 Union Place, first floor
Manchester Citizens Corporation Quarterly meetings, call for times MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. 412.323.1743
Allegheny West Civic Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Calvary United Methodist Church 412.323.8884
Manchester Public Safety Meeting Quarterly meetings, call for times Northside Leadership Conference 412.323.1743
Brighton Heights Citizens Federation 2nd Thursday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Morrow Elementary School 412.734.0233
Northside Rotary Club Every Friday, noon Cardello Building, 2nd Floor
Brightwood Civic Group 1st Tuesday, monthly,6 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
NS Coalition for Fair Housing Board 2nd Monday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5527 NS Coalition for Fair Housing Members Monthly, call for times 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5521 Northside Leadership Conference Call to confirm 1st Wednesday, monthly, 6 p.m. MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. 412.231.4714 North Side Lions Club 2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly, noon Max’s Allegheny Tavern
Central Northside Neighborhood Council 2nd Monday, monthly, 7 p.m. Allegheny Traditional Academy 412.231.7742
North Side Public Safety Council 1st Thursday, monthly, 5:30 p.m. 1319 Allegheny Ave. 1st floor meeting room 412.231.4714 ext. 201
Charles Street Area Council 1st Monday, monthly, call for times Pittsburgh Project, 2801 N. Charles St. 412.321.5567
Northside Toastmasters 2nd & 4th Thursdays, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Carnegie Library, 1230 Federal St. 412-204-6018
Community Alliance of Spring Garden/ East Deutschtown 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Fuhrer Building of St. Michael’s Church 412.228.0376
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. East Allegheny Community Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Arnold’s Tea 412.321.1204 Fineview & Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils 4th Tuesday, monthly, 6 p.m. Contact for location info@ourfuturehilltop.org 412-238-7528 Mexican War Streets Society 3rd Monday, bi-monthly, 6:30-7 p.m. 1400 Buena Vista St. 412.323.9030
The Promise Group Every other Tuesday, 6 p.m. Western Pa. Humane Society 412.321.1019 Troy Hill Citizens Feb. 12, April 8, June 10, Aug. 12, Oct. 14, Dec. 9., 6 p.m. Most Holy Name School Hall 1515 Tinsbury St. 412.321.2852 Spring Hill Civic League March 2, May 4, Sept. 14, Oct. 5, Nov. 2 6 p.m, Spring Hill Elementary School auditorium, contact@shcl.org Summer Hill Citizens Committee 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. WPXI Television Station community room
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 2019
August 2020
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Public Safety Bulletin: August 2020 District 20 News: Rep. Ravenstahl
August Virtual Meeting There will be a Northside-wide public safety meeting on Aug. 6, 2020. The Northside Public Safety Council (NSPSC) has not had a public safety meeting since COVID-19 came to our city, neighborhood, and lives. We will be holding a public safety meeting via Zoom on August 6 at 5:30 pm for all of the Northside’s neighborhoods, neighbors, and friends. All are welcome and we urge you to join us for public safety updates and conditions. The Zone 1 Police Department with be in attendance to give current reports and statistics of our neighborhoods throughout the Northside. They will also address any of your questions and concerns. Please email us at Zone1psc@gmail.com for the link to join our meeting. You can also email or call us for any further questions. COVID-19 COVID-19 is on the rise in our neighborhood and city as well as nationwide. We would like to encourage all Northsiders to continue to be safe and take all precautions to keep you and your family safe from this unpredictable virus. It’s up to each one of us to do our part in keeping one another safe and rid our neighborhood of this invasive virus, so that we can all get back to our normal lives. Please keep up on your local news as well as nation news as new information comes in daily. Northsiders are known to look after one another and stick together, so please, let us
all live up to our reputation and step it up even further as we need to unify at these uncertain times. Heat Wave Tips We are all feeling the relentless heat wave we’ve been going through, so stay hydrated, wear lightweight clothing, and limit your activity during the hours of high sun. Our pets are vulnerable as well, so be certain to give them lots of water and restrict their time outside to a maximum of 30 minutes. By law, pets must be kept indoors during these hot days. Our cats should be treated equally as they can be vulnerable to the heat as well. If you know of any feral cats in your neighborhood, we ask you to consider them as well by putting water out for them. Feral cats are legal to be outside, as are domestic ones. All of our shelters practice nokill as much as possible. One pro of feral cats in our neighborhoods is they keep the rodent population down and away from our homes. As always, please look in on your neighbors who are elderly, disabled, or underserved while keeping in mind the importance of social distancing. For any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us via email at zone1psc@gmail.com or by phone: 412-321-0295. David Stacy is the president of NSPSC. Send questions or concerns by email: zone1psc@gmail.com or by phone: 412-3210295. n
Hello, As always, I hope you and your family are healthy and well. The unpredictable nature of this year, of the unfolding
Photo courtesy of the office of Rep. Ravenstahl
This month, State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl discusses the importance of mail-in ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic.
pandemic, has been painful. In May we thought we had nipped the virus in the bud, especially in our region. But outbreaks in other states – which largely did not take action to mitigate the virus until it was too late – have brought this horrible bug back around to us. So please, wear your mask and stay safe! No one wants to get back to “normal” faster than me and the best way to do that is to act now. And speaking of acting now – you can now apply at votespa.com for a mail-in ballot for the fall. If you are considering this (and I strongly urge you to do so) please apply sooner rather than later. In June, we led the state in the volume of mail-in ballots – more than 280,000 – and I expect that number to increase in the fall. That’s a lot of ballots (and applications) for the county elections folks to process, so applying now can hopefully get you ahead of the eventual bottleneck. We don’t know what November will bring in terms of the novel coronavirus. And just like wearing a mask, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So please, avoid the lines, avoid the poll workers, avoid the voting booths and consider using a mail-in ballot. It’s safe, secure, simple, and simply a good idea. Be well, Adam n
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District 1 News: Councilman Wilson
Hello, everyone. This time of year, we parents with school-age children are preparing our families for the start of a new school year. Due to the novel coronavirus, this school year is going to be very different for Northside families. Though a Pittsburgh City Councilman has no official role to play in the decisions made by the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS), as a father of three young kids, I firmly believe that how we educate our children affects everything we do in City Hall to make our city a better, fairer, and more livable place. PPS faces a historic challenge: How do you safely re-open schools at the end of this month for approximately 23,300 students, nearly 2,000 teachers, and about 1,900 fulltime staff? As COVID-19 continues raging through southwest Pennsylvania, PPS launched an “All-In to Reopen Our Schools” campaign to make vital recommendations about this challenge. The central takeaway from these recommendations is the choice between a blended teaching model and a fully online teaching model. In the case of blended instruction, students would be split into two groups and attend classes in person two days a week. Prior to coming to school, these students would receive a symptom screening, wear masks throughout most of the school day, and adhere to social distancing guidelines. The other three days of the week, these students’ classes would be online. If the recent surge in COVID-19 cases continues to spike, causing schools to be shut down entirely, then PPS would transition all students to the online model. In either case, all PPS education will occur via the online platform Schoology and the district will use Microsoft Teams to communicate virtually with students, teachers, and staff. Whichever model of instruction PPS settles on, its receipt of federal CARES Act dollars has allowed it to promise all students and teachers that they will each receive a computer or iPad on which to attend class and complete their work. If you are a teacher or parent of a PPS student who has not received a device from
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PPS by the start of this school year, please call 412-529-4357. There is a great deal of concern that any level of in-person instruction, even if it is just two days a week, risks the health of students, teachers, and their families. There is also a recognition among PPS administrators, educators, and health officials that more time is needed to make a comprehensive plan for reopening schools safely and effectively. Kevin Carter, a PPS board member, recently introduced a resolution to begin the first nine weeks of this school year entirely online. This resolution also would require that PPS develop a backup plan for students’ parents who are essential workers and thus unable to support their child’s remote learning, as well as for special education students who need specific support services and resources to
August 2020
Get The Good Guys
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Photo courtesy of the Office of Councilman Wilson
Councilman Bobby Wilson discusses children's public school options for the fall.
succeed. There is significant support for his proposal among fellow PPS board members, and I invite you to make your voice heard by registering for the next PPS public hearing. In the meantime, contact my office if you have any other questions, concerns, or stories. You can call my office at 412-255-2135, email us at district1@pittsburghpa.gov, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Enjoy the rest of your summer! Bobby Wilson Councilman, District 1 n Example of an approved personal message: “Georgia P., Atlanta, GA -I grew up in Spring Garden on Farby Way. I still love reading about what happens in the Northside today. Congratulations to my grandson Jerry P. and wife Cherry on welcoming their first child, Garcia!“ Include your information such as, your full name and delivery address plus your 35 word personal message for publication. Please use the Subscription Form on Page 2 and include your 35 word peresonalized message on a separate piece of paper for inclusion. Questions? Contact us at advertising@ thenorthsidechronicle.com or (412) 321-3919 ext. 2.
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August 2020
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District 6 News: Councilman Lavelle The month of August, when City Council goes into recess, marks the completion of the first half of the 2020 legislative cycle. It offers Council members an opportunity to prepare for the closing months of the year, to set legislative goals to be met before the start of the 2021 cycle, and to begin conversations on the City’s 2021 Capital and Operating budgets. Clearly, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has provided a unique challenge to municipalities across the country. Coupled with the social unrest marked by the tragic killings of unarmed African Americans at the hands of law enforcement officers, which has highlighted centuries-old issues of racial injustice and inequity that we as a nation have failed to honestly address, it is my hope that 2020 will go down as a year in which we came together to rise to the call of action for positive change. My last column highlighted a series of bills Councilman Burgess and I had introduced to improve public safety and the community’s confidence in the City’s police. I am happy to report that they have since all been approved by City Council. We can now affirm that Pittsburgh is a city in which chokeholds are expressly prohibited by law, a city that prohibits the acquisition of military equipment by the police, and a city that requires police officers to intervene and stop other officers from using illegal or unnecessary force. Council has also approved the creation
of the Stop the Violence Fund, which requires the city to dedicate 10% of the police budget annually for funding evidence-based violence prevention and social service programs. For 2020, the Stop the Violence Fund will receive an allocation of $250,000 as approved by City Council.
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Two new principals in NS schools
programs to assist businesses and residents through financial hardships brought on by the pandemic. These include the COVID-19 Hazard Pay Grant Program, By Ashlee Green which helps employers provide hazard pay to employees in life-sustaining occupations Pittsburgh Public Schools’ (PPS) Board during the pandemic, and the Housing Sta- of Directors approved the appointments of two new principals, effective July 16, 2020, for schools in Pittsburgh’s Northside. Dr. Robert Frioni will take over as principal of Pittsburgh Perry Traditional Academy, and Nathan Berkowitz at Pittsburgh King PreK-8. Dr. Frioni spent time as the assistant director and principal at Jefferson Hills’ Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School. He also taught English Language Arts (ELA) and was an ELA curriculum coach at various schools as well as the vice principal of Pittsburgh’s Brashear High School. He earned both his doctorate in education and his master of arts in teaching from the University of Pittsburgh and his bachelor of arts from Washington & Jefferson College. Berkowitz, who previously served as the assistant principal at King, has also been the Photo courtesy of the Councilman chair of a professional learning community. Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle shares news on police reform efforts in Pittsburgh. The community prioritized the creation of a In response to the pandemic, Council bilization Program, a housing crisis inter- “social-emotional learning initiative” to meet authorized a grant agreement with Allegh- vention program that provides one-time or students’ diverse needs. eny County for the receipt of coronavirus short-term (up to three months) financial Dr. Anthony Hamlet, superintendent relief funds in the amount of $6,200,000. assistance to households with a temporary, of PPS, stated in a press release: “With this These will be used to reimburse eligible non-recurring housing crisis. For more in- global pandemic, it is imperative that we City expenditures related to the pandem- formation on these resources, please visit have dedicated professionals, such as… Dr. ic response. The Urban Redevelopment the URA’s COVID-19 page at ura.org/pag- Frioni and Mr. Berkowitz, heading schools in Authority (URA) has also established es/covid-19. n the wake of online learning.” n
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The Northside Chronicle
August 2020
Iota Phi provides thousands of healthy snacks to children in the Northside By Carlton Heywood and Ashlee Green Throughout this COVID-19 pandemic period, the Omega men of Pittsburgh's Iota Phi chapter have continued to provide service and uplift neighborhoods in Allegheny and Beaver Counties. On Friday, June 26, undergraduate member of the international Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Eagle Scout, Jermaine Younger Jr. represented the Omega Xi chapter along with the local Iota Phi chapter at the fraternity’s weekly healthy snack program. About a dozen members of Iota Phi collaborate with the Manchester Citizens Corporation (MCC) and AHN/ Highmark to provide 1,000 healthy snacks to Northside children's agencies every Friday throughout the summer. Once the snacks are sorted, they are delivered to Project Destiny, Allegheny Center Alliance Church, the Northside Leadership Conference, Manchester Citizens Corporation, Providence Connections, The Pittsburgh Project, and Aaron Donald 99 Solutions Foundation. Dr. Rahmon Hart, director of community relations at Rivers Casino and chair of Iota Phi’s community outreach initiatives, says that his fraternity has been serving the city of Pittsburgh since 1925. “We are a proud group of African
American men who love the community,” says Dr. Hart in an email. Our hope is that our efforts send a strong message to the community that we love and care about them deeply. We believe that many hands make light work.” At the time of printing, Dr. Hart says
zens living in several high-rise buildings throughout the Northside. Over 15,000 meals, he says, have been cooked and delivered so far. “We are a service organization and we are committed to providing uplift to the community throughout the year,”
cooked meals to senior citizens every week. In addition, we will be focusing on other community needs: youth mentoring, voter registration, assault on illiteracy, and providing scholarships to aspiring college students.” Dr. Hart mentions that without the
Photo by Carlton Heywood
Every Friday, members of the Iota Phi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. sort and deliver healthy snacks to children throughout the Northside. Photo by Carlton Heywood
Dr. Rahmon Hart, initiated into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at Slippery Rock University in 1992, Jermaine Younger Jr. at Lafayette College in 2019, and Ron Jones, at Lincoln University in 1994, volunteer for the fraternity’s healthy snack initiative on June 26. that in addition to the healthy snacks initiative, Iota Phi is entering its 16th week of providing cooked meals to senior citi-
says Dr. Hart. “We will continue focusing on addressing food insecurity during this COVID-19 pandemic by providing
support of Iota Phi’s partners, donors, and volunteers, the fraternity’s success would not be possible. Their partners include Rivers Casino, Highmark, Ebenezer Church, Mt. Ararat Church, Rolling Hills Church, Manchester Citizens Corporation, A. Phillip Randolph Institute, Sigma Pi Phi-Rho Boule, State Rep. Jake Wheatley, County Councilman DeWitt Walton, Chef Jolando Hinton, and Chef Keith Butler. n
The Northside Chronicle
August 2020
Page 7
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Our front yard has a red playhouse in it that I built for my two children more than 20 years ago. When COVID-19 cleared our schedules, my son-in-law and I began rebuilding and restoring it – with creative input from my granddaughter Lucy. It is a project we may not have started without the forced stop from the pandemic. In Nehemiah 2, the Israelites who survived exile return to a broken, destroyed Jerusalem and begin to rebuild, brick by brick. Nehemiah 2:18 “They replied, ‘Let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work.” What are we on the Northside going to build together in this new season? In order to know what to do, the right questions have to be asked. Our Assistant Lead Pastor Alan Hannah posed three questions to our staff a few weeks ago. The first question is, “What did we lose because of COVID-19?” But Pastor Hannah told us that this is not the right question. The next question is, “How can you duplicate what you lost in the new season?” But this is a backward looking question as well. He told us that the best question we can ask is: “What does this pandemic make possible that you would have never considered?” In my reflection on these questions, I realized I miss continuing to work on the Community Hub project we are planning for our Northside campus and miss being able to meet with my neighbors in the community. What is now possible? I found, for myself, the answer lay in the words “Shelter at Home.” I was able to experience God’s call of, “be still and to know that I am God.” I was able to spend more time in quiet reflection, working from home, working a flexible schedule and releasing my fear, control, and anxiety to Him. On a family level, I discovered that I was able to spend more time with my wife, children, and grandchildren. I connected with my parents, particularly as they are completing a written account of their life story. They are my tribe, my “quaranteam.” Even in a pandemic, God is always good. So, I ask myself and God: “What are we
going to build together on the Northside?” Since regular in-person Sunday services were paused at ACAC, Community Hub pre-construction was paused and Compassion Hub – giving out 1,000 meals every day for area children – was birthed. Now, as we enter the school year again, the opportunity arrives to work together as a community to provide our support to our children and their parents as they navigate homeschooling. We don’t know what the fall will bring, but we want to work together to care for one another. The answer doesn’t lie in one place – it lies in the cumulation of people coming together to rebuild. I have a vision of a day when I can look out my kitchen window and watch my
Photo courtesy of Pastor Ken Turnbull
This month, Pastor Ken Turnbull of Allegheny Center Alliance Church, pictured here with his family, asks Northsiders: What are we going to build together in this new season? grandchildren playing together in a restored playhouse: strong, safe, and built together with my son and son-in-law. I pray God will reveal what we can build together – as the church, as a community, as a city – that was not possible before this pandemic hit. I envision a city built by working together, as a family, side by side to restore the walls as in Nehemiah’s day. A pandemic can not stop our Almighty God, who gives us big dreams to work as neighbors with our Northside family. Pastor Ken Turnbull is the Pastor and Director of Advancement and Operations at Allegheny Center Alliance Church. n
Looking for an opportunity to serve your community? The Northside Chronicle is now taking fall internship applications for college students interested in journalism and photojournalism. High school seniors are also encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should email editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com or mail a resume and cover letter with three writing or photo samples to: The Northside Chronicle 922 Middle St. Pittsburgh, PA 15212
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The Northside Chronicle
August 2020
Northside ballpark, sports bars remain empty amid start of baseball season By Mario Cosentino During the Pirates’ pre-season training in early July, PNC Park was uncharacteristically quiet. Training typically takes place during the spring at the franchise’s training facility in Bradenton, Florida, after all, but an obvious absence of fans in PNC Park is likely to become a trend that will continue into the season. Fans shouldn’t hold a grudge too long, though: Just a few months ago, the likelihood of them seeing any baseball games this year was very low. Back in June, Major League Baseball (MLB) proposed a plan for a shortened season with realigned conferences to limit travel in an effort to help lower the risk of players getting exposed to COVID-19. A salary dispute between the league and its players, though, put the start of the season on hold. Even the league’s commissioner had doubts about the impending season. Eager to play, the MLB and it’s players eventually reached an agreement, and on June 23, the MLB announced that there would be a 60-game season with its first games to be played the weekend of July 23. The Pirates played their first Spring Training game against the Cleveland Indians on July 18 at PNC Park; they lost 3-5. Baseball in the ‘new normal’ What does a baseball season look like in the wake of a global pandemic? There
will be frequent testing, for one. “The health and safety of players and employees will remain MLB’s foremost priorities in its return to play,” said the
dividual won’t be cleared to practice or play until they produce two negative tests. Additionally, temperature and symptom checks will be conducted twice a day.
Photo by Lauren Stauffer
Season ticket and North Shore restaurant sales will both take hits this year due to COVID-19, but sports fans still have hope for the fall. MLB in a statement regarding the start of the 2020 season. Players and coaches are to be tested for COVID-19 on an every other day basis starting from the beginning of preseason until the postseason. A positive test will result in an immediate quarantine and that in-
Empty stadiums, empty bars The grandstands of PNC Park won’t be the only empty seats in the North Shore this baseball season. Sports bars and other restaurants that rely heavily on the crowds from Pirates’ games for business are now empty in what is normally their most lucra-
tive time of year. Mike Sukitch, owner of the North Shore Tavern and Mike’s Beer Bar, both located on Federal Street across from PNC Park, has experienced this first hand. “[My] business is at a location that, in essence, makes the majority of its profits in a given year during the baseball season,” said Sukitch. Without the traffic of 81 home games, Sukitch now relies on local businesses and weekend traffic for customers. This summer has already proven to be a challenge for Northside businesses after the cancellation of both the Deutschtown Music Festival and the city’s Fourth of July fireworks, which have historically brought people to the Northside. Sukitch has already closed the North Shore Tavern temporarily, and is looking toward next April in hopes that fans will be allowed back in the stands. “As a business, I’m more or less planning for next baseball season,” he said. Fans flocking to Heinz Field Business owners like Sukitch, however, might get a break sooner than expected. Though the NFL's preseason games will be played without fans, one way or another, the Pittsburgh Steelers plan on having fans in the stands this upcoming football season: Home ticket sales are already See Sports, Page 16
Most Valuable Student Scholarship Competition • Applicants need not be related to a member of The 2021 Most Valuable Student (MVS) application will open on August the Elks. • High school graduates are not eligible to apply. 5, 2020. The MVS scholarship contest • Male and female students compete separately. is open to any high school senior who is a US Citizen. Applicants will be Applications for the 2021 contest will judged on scholarship, leadership, and be available online starting August financial need. 5, 2020. The 2021 MVS application deadline is November 15, 2020. The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to Visit the website for applications: the highest-rated applicants in the 2021 competition. Who is eligible to apply: www.elks.org/scholars/scholar-
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The Northside Chronicle
August 2020
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'Vulnerabilities of street life' extend into shelters, says Sligh From Homelessness, Page 1
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don’t access prenatal care because they don’t trust America’s health care system. “Folks in general, in my experience, who are homeless or… living on the street often are very mistrusting of outsiders,
end there. “[Women] tend to, almost without fail, experience sexual violence on the street, typically perpetrated by men,” says Sligh. It’s not uncommon for women to exchange sex for a place to sleep—referred to as “survival sex”—either, Sligh explains.
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Women are often driven to homelessness after experiencing domestic violence. Their lives on the streets do not fit into the framework of the U.S. health care system. particularly health care providers… and I think that's particularly true with homeless women,” Sligh says. It’s common, she says, for these women to not access prenatal care at all, and then show up in the emergency room to deliver their babies. This is just one example of how the lives of homeless women are misunderstood by health care providers. Interactions like these perpetuate what Sligh calls a “real shame storm” when homeless women try to access health services. “If you're going to the emergency room for a pregnancy test when you have recently used a substance… the perception… [is], 'Why are you in the emergency room for this? You can go to your gynecologist,’” Sligh explains. Without insurance, though, it’s difficult for homeless women to even figure out the first steps to finding a gynecologist. This puts a spotlight on a stark problem with this country’s current reality: the lives of women who are homeless do not fit into the framework of the U.S. health care system. The path toward homelessness Men and women often end up homeless for different reasons. While it’s true that poverty, limited affordable housing, and unemployment are major factors that lead to it for all genders, men are the ones who are more likely to be veterans and are less likely to seek treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues. Women, on the other hand, are often driven to homelessness after experiencing domestic violence. And it doesn’t
“I think women on the street are so vulnerable because there's no support; you're just by yourself, trying to navigate the world by yourself, and maintain physical safety,” says Sligh. “If a man offers the promise of some level of security and safety, it seems as though it can be pretty tempting to latch onto that person, even if otherwise, the woman might be able to identify or might understand that that person is not a safe person.” Shelters, too, can be risky places for women: the vulnerabilities of street life, such as assault and theft, Sligh says, extend into them. Simply put, homelessness tends to be more dangerous for women. “... I think it's really challenging to provide a space for women to just exist and be women without being harassed, abused, [and] coerced by men or other folks on the street,” Sligh says. ‘Fertile Fridays’ Sligh decided pretty fast in her role with AHN’s street medicine team that she wanted to find a way to specifically support women on the streets. She also knew that if she wanted to more easily gain her clients’ trust, she’d have to do it with an all-women team. She joined up with her colleague Dana Lynch, a street outreach specialist with Operation Safety Net, Pittsburgh Mercy’s street medicine program. Then, she asked her friend Jean Fitzgibbons, a women’s health nurse practitioner with AHN’s Perinatal Hope Program, a rehabilitation program for pregnant women with substance abuse issues, to come out with her and Lynch on one See Homelessness, Page 17
The Northside Chronicle
Page 10
August 2020
Census data fundamental to nationwide resource allocation From Census, Page 1 the name of the head of the household and all free individuals and slaves of the household; it took 18 months to complete. Over the next century, the census expanded from simple population counts to include information on hundreds of topics including demographics, agriculture, and the economy. Responsibility shifted to specifically trained census supervisors and the first statistical atlases were published, documenting data retrieved from the census questionnaires. The U.S. Census Bureau became a permanent agency within the government at the start of the 20th Century. The Constitution only specifically mandated a population count as part of the census. It was necessary, though, according to Susan Licate, media specialist at the Philadelphia Regional Census Center, for the purpose of the census itself to expand over time. “Since the first census in 1790, the need for useful information about the United States population and the economy became evident,” Licate explains. For the past 100 years, the census has adapted to new technologies and economic and societal shifts. It has documented changes in national culture, such as the rising Hispanic population and the growing reports of same-sex households, in methods ranging from tallying to statistical sampling
to online questionnaires. The census has evolved from its original intentions of taxing or drafting men into military service to collecting necessary statistical information
others provide daily services, products, and support for a community,” Licate says. Census data has become fundamental in the allocation of resources not only
Photo by Lauren Stauffer
Mobile Questionnaire Assistance sites like this one, staffed by a Northside Leadership Conference representative at the Northside Christian Health Center, are one measure the U.S. Census Bureau is taking this year to gather community data. about the country’s residents. “The reason why we conduct a census is because census data is what helps lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and
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across the nation, but also throughout communities in American cities. Governmental aid programs, such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program,
rely on census data when delegating financial resources to areas in need. Specifically, this grant refers to census data to target low-income neighborhoods in need of urban community development, in the form of affordable housing and the expansion of economic opportunities. In 2015, over $675 billion was distributed to 132 programs across the nation, according to the data received by the census. This type of funding shapes communities by flowing into areas such as infrastructure, emergency services, and housing, and according to Licate, it’s an essential responsibility of Americans. “Everybody who’s living or staying in the United States has the right to be counted,” she says. “It is our right. Federal funding every year for the next 10 years is determined by this decennial census, and folks have the opportunity to shape their future, ensuring that their household participates in the census.” This year, Pittsburgh had received a total of $13.5 million in CDBG funding before April, when the city received nearly $8.4 million more as part of the first COVID-19 relief package. Organizations including the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, and Casa San Jose received thousands of dollars in funding, while larger checks were set aside See Census, Page 24
The Northside Chronicle
August 2020
Page 11
Road closures expected City seeks applicants during Lowrie Street Bridge for new LGBTQIA+ reconstruction Commission By Jazmine Ramsey
The City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) has begun reconstruction on the Lowrie Street Bridge over Rialto Street in Troy Hill. The City’s goal for the replacement is to ensure that this bridge will last for at least another 75 years. Built in 1972, the Lowrie Street Bridge has since suffered from deterioration in its concrete beams, forcing a lane restriction and making it harder for pedestrians and drivers to use. The bridge’s beams, deck, sidewalks, and railings will be replaced, and the metal stairway that links Lowrie Street to Rialto Street will be relocated to the other side of Rialto Street. In this way, pedestrians will not need to cross the street in order to use the Rialto steps. Road closures are expected to begin on July 27. Rialto Street will be closed to traffic; vehicles will be detoured to Troy Hill Road and Route 28. Both driver and pedestrian traffic on Lowrie Street will be detoured to Ley Street and Sundeman Street.
Bus service will continue via the detour route. Pedestrians will still have access to the Rialto Street steps throughout most of the reconstruction.
Photo by Lauren Stauffer
Lowrie Street Bridge in Troy Hill, built in 1972, is being reconstructed and is estimated to be completed in December 2020. The City's goal is for it to last for at least another 75 years. The City has hired general contractor A. Merante Contracting to work on the project. The reconstructed bridge is scheduled to be completed in December 2020. n
We're open and we're ready to help you!
By Ashlee Green Pittsburgh City Council and Mayor Bill Peduto are looking for at least eight community members to serve as representatives for the City’s newly established LGBTQIA+ Commission. The commission reportedly takes the place of the LGBTQIA+ Advisory Council created by Peduto in 2016 and will, according to the legislation, “advocate for equity for the LGBTQIA+ community in Pittsburgh.” Specific functions of the commission include identifying the best practices and action plans to combat the challenges affecting Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA+ community, organizing “cultural competency training opportunities,” and designing and distributing educational outreach and advocacy programming. Community members are especially encouraged to apply if they have experience with LGBTQIA+ issues as they pertain to workforce development
and employment, education, health, homelessness, or aging. Terms for each position will last either two or three years.
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon via Pexels
The deadline to apply for the City's newly established LGBTQIA+ Commission is Aug. 28, 2020.
If you are interested in applying, fill out an interest form online via the City's website by Aug. 28, 2020. n
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The Northside Chronicle
Page 12
August 2020
Allegheny Circle Two-Way Conversion Project aims for safer roadway By Jazmine Ramsey On July 8, the Northside Leadership Conference (NSLC) hosted a virtual public meeting to unveil updated plans for the two-way conversion of Allegheny Circle. The City of Pittsburgh completed Phase 1 of the project in September 2017. The City reduced the one-way roadway (North, East, South, and West Commons) from four travel lanes to two. The project team also added a parking lane and a two-track for cyclists. In the current phase, Phase 2, the City of Pittsburgh plans to convert the two vehicular travel lanes to one lane in each direction, turning it back into a two-way directional roadway. The intersections of islands will be replaced by slip ramps to get drivers in and out of the circle while improving traffic and biking safety. Current intersections will be made into protected intersections, which are common in the Netherlands, to support bicycle movements. Plans also include adding traffic signals at five intersections, both to accommodate vehicles traveling in two directions and improve the bicycle connections into and out of the circle. All painting and signage will be replaced to bring the roadway up to standard and make it work for the new traffic patterns. The project team will add crosswalks and two flashing warning ‘school zone’
speed limit signs and loading on the corner of the road near Pittsburgh Allegheny K-5 will be prohibited to allow pedestrians to be more visible to drivers and bicyclists.
support community planning goals; and restore the neighborhood scale. Goals of the project include creating a two-directional travel corridor to make for a safer street; removing the outer trav-
Photo by Lauren Stauffer
Phase 2 of the construction on Northside's Allegheny Circle Two-Way Conversion Project will begin between February 2021 and January 2022. Crosswalks and two flashing warning 'school zone' speed limit signs will be added and loading will be prohibited on the corner of the road near Pittsburgh Allegheny K-5. The project team will focus on transportation investments with plans to create safe and easy to use transportation facilities for all pedestrians, drivers, and bicyclists;
el lane to prevent potential conflicts at stop locations; installing bump outs to close the crossing distance for pedestrians, allowing them to be more visible to drivers; maintain-
ing the interior track for cyclists to remove the fear and risk of colliding with vehicles; and connecting bike lanes to existing corridors to improve mobility and safety. New bike lanes will also be added on portions of the four roads adjacent to Allegheny Circle. The Pittsburgh Bike(+) Plan, the City’s first bike plan in 20 years, was completed in June 2020. Added bicycle lanes as part of the Bike(+) Plan will factor into the Two-Way Conversion project, providing connections to the North Shore Trail and Allegheny Landing, from North Avenue to 6th Street. The project design for the Two-Way Conversion costs approximately $513,000. It is funded through various City sources such as Bond, PayGo, and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The construction costs approximately $3,200,000: 50% of this is federally funded through the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission’s Livability through Smart Transportation Program and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program and 50% is City-funded through Bond and CDBG. If you are interested in more information about the project, please call the City’s 311 hotline. You can also visit the City’s website and find Allegheny Circle TwoWay Conversion under “Projects” to check out the fact sheet. n
WE ARE STILL HERE! We have been here through the Red, Yellow and now Green phases providing much needed food for our food insecure neighbors and shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Our dedicated essential workers have shown up each and every day during this pandemic. The Northside Community Food Pantry and the Pleasant Valley Shelter for men experiencing homelessness will continue to be here to serve our neighbors in need.
WE HAVE BEEN HERE AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE HERE! If you are able to help us continue to do this work with a financial donation please visit www.ncmin.org
The Northside Chronicle
August 2020
Page 13
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh expands curbside services fore the start of the pandemic are now able to return their items at any designated dropoff location, no appointment needed. For now, all items checked out before the start
By Katia Faroun Great news for Pittsburghers: The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) has introduced curbside services, and you can finally replace that pile of library books collecting dust in your home with fresh reads. CLP first introduced curbside services on June 23 at its Allegheny, Brookline, East Liberty, Hill District, and Main (Oakland) locations. At the time, staff allowed item pickups by appointment, but the services have now expanded to include book returns, printing, and free outdoor WiFi. Services will be available at 11 more locations, including Woods Run, by July 21. Patrons with new or existing holds are able to pick up their items from the location they were ordered from by scheduling an appointment after being notified of their items’ availability. Upon arrival at their library location, patrons should approach their designated pickup window where a staff member will place their items on a table between the customer and the window. Anyone using the library’s curbside services must wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. Until now, the library was not accepting any new orders due to a backlog of holds placed in the spring, but patrons are now able to place new orders online for curbside pickup. Those who have checked out items be-
The incorporation of curbside services has been a relief for patrons, according to Suzanne Thinnes, manager of communications at CLP.
Photo courtesy of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Allegheny branch started offering curbside services on June 23. Library guests can now return their books, make an appointment for wireless printing, and access free outdoor WiFi. of the pandemic are on automatic renewal and all fees are being waived. Returned books are quarantined for 72 hours upon arrival before being available to order.
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“It has gone very smoothly,” Thinnes said. “People are loving the fact that they can come back and pick up books, they can return their materials … something that
caused a lot of stress for patrons was knowing that they had overdue library materials.” Wireless printing is also available by appointment at locations offering curbside services. Those interested in using the print services must either email their pages to a designated CLP email address or fill out a form available online. After sending in their pages, users must call their CLP location and schedule an appointment to pick up their prints. Once at the location at the scheduled pickup time, users must call again to notify staff they are ready for pickup. Print jobs are currently limited to 10 pages per day to ensure a smooth and safe process. Free outdoor WiFi is now available at all CLP locations as well. Patrons taking advantage of this service are asked to be mindful of social distancing guidelines and to be courteous to others accessing the network. In regards to the limited contact of the curbside services, Thinnes commented on the balance between providing services and maintaining social distancing guidelines. “Libraries are known for that community space where people can come and congregate, so it’s a learning curve for us to be able to move a little bit away from that model but still provide those services that people need,” Thinnes explained. See Library, Page 24
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Visit our website: www.thenorthsidechronicle.com for news about Northside real estate, events, & more.
Page 14
End of summer routines, preparing for a different kind of school year
The Northside Chronicle
By Emily Owsiany With the spread of Coronavirus, many people have fallen out of their everyday routine, especially now that it is summer. It is important to create an everyday routine to ensure that you are being your best self! Your new schedule does not have to be super strict, especially in the beginning. It will take a few weeks to get used to. Consider starting a new routine now, so that by the time school starts, you and your children are used to it! 1. The most important step to creating a routine is sleep. If you are trying to wake up earlier for work or school, make sure you are going to bed at the proper time. Without enough sleep, everyday tasks will seem like a lot more work than they are. 2. If you are working from home, it is easy to stay in your pajamas all day. However, changing into everyday clothes helps with your routine! 3. You can also set up a designated space for your “office” or “classroom” if you have the space. The designated spaces whether it is your kitchen table or a desk, will help break up your day. 4. If you have children, they thrive on routines! Pittsburgh Public Schools has outlined a preliminary plan to reopen, “ALL IN TO REOPEN OUR SCHOOLS.” As of right now, families are given the option to choose a blended in-school model or Full-time E-Learning. For more information, please visit: www.pghschools.org/allin . Considering both options require remote work, try your best to make a consistent schedule for “learning,” and remember to take breaks for lunch, snack time, and even recess. This will greatly help your children get into a routine. 5. Do your best to stay active, especially as a family. Exercise increases productivity, energy, and your mood. Schedule at least a half an hour or so a day to play outside, walk, draw with chalk, etc. There are many resources you can use to find routines on the internet, specifically for remote learning. Khan Academy, The College Board, National Education Association and Scholastic offer free sample schedules, test preparation, tips for parents, and more. For the month of August, “A Place to Start”, the health and wellness program at the Northside Farmer’s Market every Friday from 3pm-5pm will be distributing essential items and healthy snacks along with “Back to School” materials for families. We look forward to helping you and your family establish a routine for the upcoming school year.
August 2020
From the Archive: August 2000 A look at the happenings of twenty years ago on the Northside.
The Northside Chronicle
Page 15
August 2020
Support your neighborhood businesses! 1800 Preble Ave. PGH 15233 | (412) 322-1830 | www.jaginchystuff.com |OPEN Wednesday - Sunday 12- 5PM
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Call to find out hours or changes in operations of the Northside small business where you'd like to become a new patron. Pre-order in advance for pick-up when possible. Already a regular at your neighborhood spots? Consider buying in bulk! Many food and drink retailers create fresh and easily frozen meals or drinks to keep on hand for your convenience. Get wild and try a new item! Buy one for a friend! Go farther! Visit your nearby Northside neighborhoods to discover what small business offerings you've been missing. Grab gifts, or gift cards, for upcoming celebrations. Consider planning holiday meals with Northside small businesses that cater this year. Christmas is only 145 days away as of August 1st! Mark your calendars for Small Business Saturday on November 28, 2020.
#northsideshopsmall Do you have a Northside shopping tip to share? Text 412-339-0712 or email northsideshopsmall@gmail.com
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3639 California Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 | tel: 412-766-4500 Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00AM - 6:00PM Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
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The Northside Chronicle
Page 16
Children's March Against Racism Masks required at makes its way through Perry Hilltop NFL games this fall
From Sports, Page 8 underway. Just half of the normal number of seats are open for fans this year, and tickets are expected to go quickly. “We are being proactive with these limited amount [sic] of tickets as we are preparing for possible social distancing scenarios at Heinz Field this year,” said Steelers’ Director of Communications Burt Lauten in a statement on Twitter. A ticket won’t be the only thing needed to get into a Steelers game this year, though. Assuming the NFL and the Steelers go through with their plan to allow fans at the games, masks will be a requirement. Specific rules and guidelines for the football season, which tentatively begins on Sept. 10, have not yet been released, but for sports fans, this is the closest to good news that they’ve had since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a year without March Madness and the Tokyo Summer Olympics, conditions might be starting to look up for sports fans.n
August 2020
Looking for an opportunity to serve your community? The Northside Chronicle is now taking internship applications for students interested in journalism and photo-journalism. A free community resource, our newspaper bridges the digital divide in accessible information and reliable news that impacts the neighborhoods we serve.
Screenshot of video courtesy of Joanna Deming
The Children's March Against Racism, presented by Taarifa Activism, took place on Sunday, July 5 in Perry Hilltop. Organized for children and families, its mission was solidarity “against racism and the negative impact it has on young children,” according to an event flyer. The march began at the Northside Partnership Project and ended at the intersection of North Avenue and Brighton Road. To watch the full video, visit our website at www.thenorthsidechronicle.com. n
Mail a resume and cover letter with three writing or photo samples to: The Northside Chronicle 922 Middle St. Pittsburgh, PA 15212
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The Northside Chronicle
Page 17
August 2020
AHN working to expand homeless health care throughout their system something that's not often accessible and low-barrier for women who are experiencing homelessness,” Sligh says. Mental health care, she adds, is vital too. One week, Sligh, Lynch, and Fitz-
From Homelessness, Page 9 of their Friday afternoon runs to check in on a woman who was pregnant. Fitzgibbons agreed to come along, and with that, “Fertile Fridays” was, well, born. There was a learning curve at first, Sligh recalls. “I, naively, would like to think that everybody likes nurses, but that's certainly not always true,“ Sligh says with a laugh. “A habit that I've had to break is not introducing myself as a nurse, just introducing myself as Mary.” Interacting with people— women in particular, Sligh says—as humans first, rather than as patients who are looking to be helped or saved, can change the “transactional nature” of her interactions on the job. Once Sligh and her colleagues realized that pregnant women weren’t the only ones who would benefit from their specialized care, and in fact all women could be helped, Fertile Fridays became a consistent Friday afternoon endeavor. “We realized pregnant women aren't the only women on the street who need care that's relevant and meaningful to them, and prenatal care might not be the only thing that women are looking for on the street,” Sligh says. Access to abortion services, emergency contraception, and STI testing, she explains, is also important. “Just routine gynecological care is
“Sometimes we have scheduling conflicts or other patients we have to see, but we try to go out every Friday afternoon and see women—not just on the Northside, but all over the city,” Sligh says.
Photo by Lauren Stauffer
Travelers often hitch rides across the country and into Pittsburgh via freight trains during the summer season, but COVID-19 has put a damper on this. "We would expect [homeless camps] to be bursting at the seams this time of year, but they're not," says Sligh. gibbons might go out to see one specific woman or multiple specific women. Another week—when the winter shelter is open Downtown, for example—they could just drive around and bump into people who could use their care.
The women Sligh and her colleagues meet on the street who need greater care can make an appointment with Fitzgibbons through AHN Women’s Health; she has carved out specific times on Wednesdays for this special population.
Effects of COVID-19 Since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sligh says she and the AHN street medicine team have seen certain trends in Pittsburgh’s homeless population; they’ve had to change up their normal operations as needed. “We would expect [homeless camps] to be bursting at the seams this time of year, but they’re not.” Sligh says. She cites summertime as the season when travelers are normally hitching rides around the country and into Pittsburgh via freight trains. Another change: the addition of face masks. Sligh’s team never would have thought about wearing masks on the street before, especially with people who tend to be distrustful. Now, though, she says it’s “kind of a non-negotiable.” “We have to make sure that we’re protecting our patients,” Sligh says, even if masks are uncomfortable. They’ve decreased the number of staff people who do street rounds, too, and Fertile Fridays are on pause. While Fertile Fridays may have less clout in Pittsburgh than street medicine does as a whole (it’s existed in the city for over 20 years now,) women can still be seen during general street rounds, Sligh explains. “It’s exciting that the drive to make sure that homeless women still have care See Homelessness, Page 20
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The Northside Chronicle
August 2020
August 2020
The Northside Chronicle
Page 19
Northside singer-songwriter turns the 'saddest spring' into song By Katia Faroun As the world spent the spring season inside consumed by the news of the novel coronavirus infections, musician and resident of Marshall-Shadeland Joel Lindsey spent it watching the tulips grow and his son playing in the mint in their backyard. Instead of dwelling on the numbers, he decided to write a song. Lindsey released “The World Will Heal in Time” on April 11, as half a million Americans were diagnosed with COVID-19 and Allegheny County was first in the midst of an upward trend of infections. The song was inspired by the bleakness of events surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak contrasted with the rebirth and hope that comes with the spring season. Lindsey found inspiration for the single as he was watching his two-yearold son, Levi, playing in their backyard. As he watched Levi playing in the mint that his wife, Amy, had planted the year before, he noticed how the seasons were changing. “I started to look around us at the emergence of spring,” Lindsey said via a press release. “Lilac and white blossoms on the trees, the grass growing tall, the bush leaves thickening and the wild onions popping up. Bees, birds, life.” Lindsey found hope in this promise of new life. While his family was experiencing “the saddest, loneliest spring [they] had ever known,” the life he found in his backyard reminded him of the certainty of restoration. Originally from London, Lindsey moved to Pittsburgh in 2007 to begin his life as a full-time musician. He’s toured throughout the U.S. and internationally in Italy and his home country in the U.K. Any other spring, Lindsey would be playing in bars, restaurants, and casinos and at weddings and birthday parties, per-
forming solo or with his band, Boulevard of the Allies. With the shutdown of most businesses, Lindsey is facing unemployment, along with millions of Americans. In compliance with Pittsburgh’s stayat-home order implemented throughout April, Lindsey recorded the single in his home, completing the audio and accom-
ing around my mind on the subject, so in one moment this song just poured out,” Lindsey said. Lindsey understood the dampening effect of the pandemic on artists’ motivation and encouraged fellow artists who may feel guilty about the absence of inspiration. “These are trying times for our minds
a time of shared loss and fear throughout the world, Lindsey wanted his song to provide listeners with optimism. “I didn't want to make a sad song that made people feel even worse— rather, I wanted to send a message of hope to lift spirits,” Lindsey said. “I also hope that it will inspire others to bring
Photo courtesy of Joel Lindsey
Marshall-Shadeland resident and singer-songwriter Joel Lindsey has a new single out called "The World Will Heal in Time." Lindsey, originally from London, moved to Pittsburgh in 2007 to begin his life as a full-time musician. Due to COVID-19, he, along with millions of Americans, is facing unemployment. Lindsey used the time he spent at home during Allegheny County's stay-at-home order to record the audio and accompanying music video for his new song. panying music video of the song within 12 days of that moment in his backyard. “Prior to this, I've pondered songs for months and found it hard to complete anything. But I have had a lot swirl-
and imaginations… We're all just trying to cope and process what is happening in our world,” Lindsey said. “Artists shouldn't be made to feel guilt for not creating.” Although written and released during
some positivity to those around them. We all need it.” “The World Will Heal in Time” can be found on Lindsey’s YouTube channel and is available for download on Bandcamp. n
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The Northside Chronicle
Page 20
August 2020
Sligh: Homeless people can easily 'disappear into the background' From Homelessness, Page 17 still exists, even if we’re not doing formal street rounds with women,” Sligh says. The challenge of accessible resources Resources do exist in Pittsburgh for women. There’s Bethlehem Haven, for example, which is a women’s shelter located in Uptown, as well as the Women’s Center
the Southside soon; Garden Home Ministries does work to counteract homelessness, addiction, and human trafficking through advocacy, outreach, and housing. Light of Life offers a women’s outreach location that they do not publicize, as well as programs for single women and women with children such as classes on education, employment, and recovery, and rent-subsidized apartments. Their new facility is underway on the North Shore and will provide an overnight shelter for women and children; it’s expected to be completed in the winter of 2021. Northside Common Ministries has
Photo courtesy of Light of Life
Light of Life Rescue Mission offers rent-subsidized apartments like this one to women in need. Still, resources such as this can be difficult for women who are homeless to know how to access.
and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh in the East End and a few coed shelters in the city. The Center for Victims operates a 24-hour crisis hotline (1-866-644-2882) for victims of domestic violence and is slated to begin construction on their new emergency shelter in
Photo courtesy of the Center for Victims
Gryffin, Jewel-Lee, and Cooper are three of the four dogs from the Center for Victims' Canine-Assisted Advocacy Program. a health care clinic that’s open to people who are homeless, and Northside Christian
Health Center has a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) designation, which means that in addition to accepting most health insurance plans, they’re able to offer their services for sliding scale fees for patients without insurance. These resources can be challenging to access though, especially for those who are homeless. Even at AHN, Sligh says, it’s difficult for walk-in patients to be treated on the spot. “... Essentially, we don't really have a space where—currently, within the Center for Inclusion Health—where patients sort of just show up, walk in,” Sligh says. Primarily, the fixed-site locations that patients go to are either by appointment or by referral, but she would like to see this change. “My personal opinion is that we could have a lot more opportunities to connect with folks if we had a way for folks to just kind of show up to receive care,” Sligh says. “That's just not currently the way that our model is set up.” Patients who are homeless can be seen in one of three AHN clinics on the Northside, including one for primary health care and another for medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Sligh says AHN is working to expand homeless health care throughout the health system as a whole. “I'm really proud of the work that— especially in our [MAT] clinic—the way that the staff has been able to interact with
our homeless patients and welcome them into care, but, if you can't get past the front door, then it's really hard to access those services.” She says that a clinical setting can be intimidating for people who are homeless, because of their common distrust of the health care system as a whole. This is especially true for women of color and transgender women. “Often, just even an initial introduction or conversation with a woman on the street can be really challenging and take a long time to foster any sort of relationship because of the level of mistrust.” Access to free, public space is diminishing. Because of this, people who are homeless are often limited to spending their time in public libraries, warming centers, and drop-in centers throughout the city. According to Sligh, though, women need a space of their own. A new framework Sligh and her colleagues are envisioning an alternative approach to today’s standard health care system; one that’s a better fit for their clientele. It looks something like HER Saturday, a project of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP). HER (which stands for Health, Empowerment, Resources) Saturday is a “health fair, coffee talk, crafting session and walk-in clinic, all rolled into one,” as one See Homelessness, Page 27
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The Northside Chronicle
Page 21
The Northside Chronicle
Page 22
Ask An Attorney By Matthew D. Gailey, Gailey Law Group The Coronavirus is pervasive and it affects all areas of American life right now, including the law. The virus has impacted several areas of the law, delaying trials in both criminal and civil courts, limits the participants in courtrooms, and has also affected people's bottom lines. This month's article will focus on how the Coronavirus has changed landlord/tenant relations. In Pennsylvania, Governor Wolf has issued a moratorium on eviction proceedings until August 31, 2020. This moratorium allows renters to be free from the initiation of eviction proceedings until September. The Pennsylvania Residential Owners Association and individual landlords have filed a lawsuit alleging the order violates numerous constitutional protections. Landlords complain that while they are not receiving income from rent, they are still compelled to pay taxes, insurance,
mortgages, taxes and etc. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has thus far not yet ruled on the lawsuit. Given that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has filed opinions to support the Governor throughout the pandemic, it is unlikely that the Court will rule in favor of the landlords and allow evictions to immediately proceed. While the pandemic has led to many puzzling rulings from courts, it is currently assumed that renters will be liable for all the rent they owe pursuant to their individual leases. Landlords should eventually be allowed to pursue their claims in court, including for all back rent owed to them which was not paid due to the pandemic. Therefore, if a renter is in arrears, it is vital that the renter discuss payment options with their landlords. If you have any questions about this area of the law, please feel free to give my office a call.
August 2020
Looking for an opportunity to serve your community?
The Northside Chronicle is now taking internship applications for students interested in journalism and photo-journalism. A free community resource, our newspaper bridges the digital divide in accessible information and reliable news that impacts the neighborhoods we serve. Mail a resume and cover letter with three writing or photo samples to:
The Northside Chronicle 922 Middle St. Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Support our advertisers: They help us bring you the latest Northside news. Check out our website for more content: www.thenorthsidechronicle.com
August 2020
The Northside Chronicle
Page 23
Northside Real Estate Transfers Allegheny City Central
Observatory Hill
Benjamin Lehman to John Dalton at 405 Armandale St. for $324,900.
Timothy Alexander to Huntington National Bank, 211 Perryview Ave., $16,030 by sheriff's deed.
Brighton Heights
Perry Hilltop
Top Pro's Construction to Ryan Leber and Marissa Hess at 3916 California Ave. for $240,000.
Rachel Norton to Fifth Avenue Capital Group LLC at 2419 Osgood St. for $95,000.
Kevin Donahue to Sean Mahoney at 1143 Lapish Road for $159,000. Daniel Paras to 216 Albert LLC at 1510 Orchlee St. for $130,000.
East Deutschtown PinRE Holdings L.P. to Mohammed Ettadouni at 835 Peralta St. for $38,000.
Historic Deutschtown
Robert Roman to Alecia Rokes at 2836 Perrysville Ave. for $97,000. Oakglade Capital Partners LLC to St. Lawrence Properties LLC, 2114 Perrysville Ave. for $70,000. OGR Realty 3 L.P. to St. Lawrence Properties LLC at 24 Ellzey St. for $63,800. Barbara Robinson to David Brown at 1757 Perrysville Ave. for $75,000.
Spring Garden
Benjamin Helfinstein to Paul and Kathleen Palicki at 608 Suismon St. for $505,000. Dan Essig to Kayvin Robertson at 916 Vista St. for $199,900. Mario Badamo to 412 Holdings LLC at 506 Foreland St. for $135,000.
Manchester Estate of Annie Scates to Anthony Jensen Paumier at 1313 Sheffield St. for $173,000. Matthew Orlowski to Group Stay Invest LLC at 1102 W North Ave. for $460,000.
Marshall-Shadeland Jennifer Caul to Amber Dean at 1207 Dickson St. for $6,680. Richard Macik to Jorge Batista at 1396 Hodgkiss St. for $35,000. Michelle Silay to Julia McMahon at 1267 Superior Ave. for $138,500.
Spring Hill Jeffrey Sprenkle to Melissa Cliver at 920 Yetta Ave. for $120,000.
Troy Hill Israa Alibeji to Shaun and Lisa Tomilin at 1637 Wicklines Lane for $64,500. Beta Properties LLC to Garrett Rettig at 2121 Eggers St. for $169,600. Shane Kreger to Shane Kreger at 1368 Herman St. for $5,000.
Looking for an opportunity to serve your community?
Happiness Holdings LLC to Jonathan Hyslop, Kathryn Senko, 3000 California Ave., $99,000. Cherry Properties LLC to Nyeem Short at 2335 McCook St. for $88,500.
The Northside Chronicle is now taking fall internship applications for college students interested in journalism and photojournalism. High school seniors are also encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should email editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com or mail a resume and cover letter with three writing or photo samples to: The Northside Chronicle 922 Middle St. Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Page 24
The Northside Chronicle
Census now available in 13 languages online, by phone
From Census, Page 10 to help small businesses, improve homeless shelters, and aid both renters and those paying off mortgages who were affected by the pandemic. The majority of Northside neighborhoods meet the population and median income requirements for CDBG funding. Multiple Northside organizations received CDBG funding in 2019, including the Pittsburgh Project, which received $5,500 to provide free home repairs to vulnerable, low-income homeowners, and the Northside Youth Athletic Association, which used its $12,500 to supply income-eligible youth with football gear. According to Licate, the most notable change in the 2020 census is language accessibility. For the first time, the census is available in 13 different languages online and by phone, and includes guidance for 59 non-English languages, TTY, and Braille. Measures taken in response to the COVID-19 outbreak include the introduction of Mobile Questionnaire Assistance (MQA) sites: outdoor setups at locations where locals purchase essential goods, such as gas stations. Census takers guide people as they complete the census on their own devices. The option of
filling out the census online or by phone also eliminates in-person contact between census takers and respondents. Even though Census Day took place on April 1, an added extension due to the COVID-19 outbreak allows households to complete the census online, by phone, or by mail until Oct. 31, 2020. After that, responses are final, and the Census Bureau begins the process of delivering the final counts to the White House. At the time of printing, Pennsylvania’s participation rate currently stands at 65.6%, with Allegheny County ahead of that rate at 68.3%; however, certain neighborhoods in the county are falling behind on participation, and the Census Bureau needs these people to “step up and exercise their right to be counted,” according to Licate. “It’s conducted every 10 years, and that’s why it’s so important that folks understand that the time is now. We don’t get a redo next year,” Licate says. For those who have not received a questionnaire by mail, the 2020 census can be accessed online at 2020census.gov or by phone, in English, at 844-330-2020: A complete list of non-English languages available for census respondents via phone can also be found at 2020census.gov. n
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CLP hopes for phased reopening of locations From Library, Page 13 Those interested in taking advantage of CLP’s online resources can visit the new CLP-Virtual page on its website for free access to eBooks, Audiobooks, magazines, TV shows, comics, music, and online learning services. The site also offers virtual storytimes and book clubs, career assistance, and one-on-one phone appointments with an available librarian. Those interested in registering for a library card can do so digitally under the “services” page on the website. The library hopes that as it follows the state’s guidelines, it can begin a slow transition toward reopening at each of its locations, implementing the same phaseby-phase process used when introducing
curbside services. Patrons can expect limited in-person services in the future, such as possible grab-and-go services or limited computer access. “The services are going to look a little foreign and it’s going to be an adjustment, but I hope that once we do our phases that we will be able to gradually introduce more services,” Thinnes said. At the time of printing, curbside services are available Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the following locations: Allegheny, Brookline, East Liberty, Hill District, Main (Oakland), Beechview, Hazelwood, Homewood, Knoxville, Squirrel Hill, Carrick, Lawrenceville, Sheraden, South Side, West End, and Woods Run. n
August 2020
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August 2020
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Science Center speaker series highlights voices of women scientists By Emery Malachowski The Carnegie Science Center will host virtual speaker sessions over the next several months dedicated to highlighting the voices and work of women scientists. Sessions for the Science Center's Women in STEM Speaker Series will be available via the Science Center’s Facebook Live every Wednesday at 11 a.m. through Sept. 30, 2020. Recordings of the conversations will be available on YouTube following each of the livestreams. The first speaker in this series, featured on July 15, was Dr. Wendy Bohon, a geologist and science communication specialist at Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS). Bohon studies tectonics and works to improve communication to minimize the dangers involved in geological disasters. She is also on the board of 500 Women Scientists, which works to “make science more open, inclusive, and accessible, and transform society by fighting racism, patriarchy, and oppressive societal norms,” according to the organization’s website. Bohon also serves as an IF/THEN ambassador for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), through which she serves as a role model for middle-school girls. Liz Engler-Chiurazzi, Ph.D, research assistant professor at the West Virginia University Department of Neuroscience spoke on July 22. Dr. Engler-Chiurazzi is also an AAAS IF/THEN ambassador. She says in an article for WVU’s School of Medicine news: “Where we really need to focus are 11- to 13-year olds, especially girls and those kids from underprivileged backgrounds, because that’s the age where they can lose interest in the STEM trajectory.” Dr. Engler-Chiurazzi has studied gender medicine and the neurobiology of aging, and cofounded the West Virginia Rodent Behavior Core, which she calls a “shared research instrumentation facility dedicated to the accurate, efficient and ethical
conduct of rodent behavioral assessments.” Dr. Rachel Levine spoke on July 29. In addition to her role as the Secretary of Health for the Common-
The full speaker series is listed below, and is also available on the Carnegie Science Center’s website. Wed., July 15: Dr. Wendy Bohon,
Wed., Aug. 19: Ellen Bachman, Inside Sales Engineer at Eaton Wed., Aug. 26: Kay Savage, Senior Data Scientist at Spotify
Photo courtesy of Gov. Tom Wolf via Flickr
In addition to her role as Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Dr. Rachel Levine is a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the Penn State College of Medicine. She, along with a long list of other women scientists, is part of the Carnegie Science Center's Women in STEM Speaker Series, which takes place virtually every Wednesday at 11 a.m. through Sept. 30, 2020. wealth of Pennsylvania, Levine is a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the Penn State College of Medicine. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, and the Academy for Eating Disorders, and she is the president-elect of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). According to the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, Levine has “provided critical information to keep us safe from this dangerous virus [COVID-19],” while continuing to hold “poise and the highest degree of professionalism” in the face of transphobia.
Geologist & Science Communication Specialist at Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology Wed., July 22: Dr. Liz Engler-Chiurazzi, Research Assistant Professor at West Virginia University Department of Neuroscience Wed., July 29: Dr. Rachel Levine, Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Wed., Aug. 5: Dr. Roselin Rosario-Melendez, Associate Principal Chemist and Project Leader at L’Oreal Wed., Aug. 12: Dr. Rika Wright Carlsen, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at Robert Morris University
Wed., Sept. 2: Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service Wed., Sept. 9: Dr. Sandhya Rao, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Pittsburgh Wed., Sept. 16: Angela Cupelli, Pediatric Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Nurse Wed., Sept. 23: Mercy Shitemi, Senior Systems Analyst at Zimmer Biomet Wed., Sept. 30: Dr. Natasha Tilston-Lunel, Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research n
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August 2020
DO YOU NEED HELP? • Do you need help with Medicare? • Are you struggling to pay for your Part D prescription drugs or other healthcare costs? • Do you need help understanding your coverage?
The APPRISE Program can help people with Medicare by screening them for assistance programs, such as: • Extra Help Program – which helps lower the cost of Part D prescription drug costs • Medicare Savings Programs – which covers the payment of the Medicare Part B premium
APPRISE can also help you understand your Medicare coverage, preventative benefits, and give you free, accurate, unbiased advice.
call APPRISE at 412.661.1438 or visit wfspa.org/service/apprise APPRISE is the Pennsylvania State Health Insurance Assistance Program and works in partnership with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging.
August 2020
The Northside Chronicle
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Boston's 'HER Saturday' offers unique model for future drop-in center in Pittsburgh From Homelessness, Page 20 article describes it. “They have arguably the most well-funded and most robust health care for the homeless program in the country, in Boston,” says Sligh. It’s held in the BHCHP headquarters in Boston’s South End. “They close down the huge lobby on Saturday morning from 7 to 11 a.m., lock the doors, and the only people allowed in are women,” says Sligh. Obviously, people can come in and go as they want, but no men are allowed; only people who identify as women; not exclusive of transgender women.” Services offered at the program, Sligh explains, are robust. “They have mental health care, physical health care… you can get your hair done, your nails done, do some crafts, watch a movie, group therapy, individual therapy, eat—they have food—and just exist in a space that's not dominated by men.” Sligh says the Pittsburgh version of a
the grease.’” The power of listening While Sligh admits that their own version of HER Saturdays is “pretty far from our current reality,” she and her team still have this low-barrier, ‘safe hub’ of sorts in their sights. In the meantime, they’re working on doing more of the same: making regular street rounds, connecting patients to care, and listening to them. “When we first started doing Fertile Fridays, [Fitzgibbons] was doing a lot of asking women 'What would you like out of a wom-
Photos courtesy of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
HER Saturday, a project of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, is a "health fair, coffee talk, crafting session and walk-in clinic" for homeless women. Sligh says offering something similar in Pittsburgh is a "pie in the sky" dream of hers. HER Saturday would be a drop-in center where Fitzgibbons would provide prenatal and gynecological care, STI testing, therapy, and a space where “... women can just get a shower and chill and smell a nice candle or something [laughs]—just exist away from the trauma of homelessness for a couple hours.” Sligh and her colleagues were planning to attend a conference in Boston to visit a HER Saturday and observe for the day, but COVID-19 forced them to cancel their trip. Either way, offering something similar in Pittsburgh still remains a “pie in the sky” dream for them. “So many drop-in centers and services that are provided for homeless folks are masculine spaces and dominated by men. Men are listened to more than women… men are so often provided an audience more than women… so men often get more services than women, because they're willing and able to ask…,” says Sligh. “It's sort of like ‘the squeaky wheel gets
en's health round on the street?,’” says Sligh. “Something that came up as a common theme was 'We just would like to be listened to. No one listens to us.'” She says homeless people can easily “disappear into the background and become invisible.” “If you're already invisible and then within the context of homeless services that are supposed to meet your needs, you're still invisible, that is just especially ‘othering.’” Sligh says she doesn’t know how she ended up in her current career, but she’s glad that she did. “I really really love one-on-one interactions with my patients, and I feel like I am able to most closely communicate with my patients when I'm wearing my own clothes and [I’m] in their environment versus in scrubs and they're in a hospital gown in a hospital bed,” she says. “I wanted to be a nurse for a long time.” If you have questions for Sligh, you can reach out to her at Mary.Sligh2@ahn.org. n
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