Volume 27 No. 1 January 2011
Northside development sees big boost in 2010 Projects started in years past come to fruition after perseverance, hard work By Matt Cichowicz In a year when headlines focused on the national economic crisis, Northside communities persevered to bring resolution to long-awaited improvement projects and reshape the images of their neighborhoods. Mark Fatla, executive director of the Northside Leadership Conference for the past four years, described 2010 as a significant year. “It’s like an iceberg. Nobody sees the previous three years of planning and building and raising the funds and the financing and encouraging entrepreneurs. I think we’re starting
to see the tangible results of that strategic focus in the last year,” he said. The goal of the Conference and the community groups of which it is comprised has been to stimulate economic growth on the Northside and to encourage private investment. Looking at some of the major developments over the past year, it is no surprise results are showing.
will hopefully bring individuals and families to the Northside in years to come. With the 15-years-in-themaking Washburn Square Project, the Brightwood Civic Group transformed a housing complex into three single-family homes and a park. Located between Superior Avenue and Hodgkiss Street, two of the three units were sold before construction finished and the third sold shortly after. Manchester Citizens Corporation made inroads on its goal of having every house in Manchester occupied through the
Attracting homeowners No fewer than three neighborhoods celebrated ground breakings or ribbon cuttings for new housing developments that
ongoing Renaissance Housing Program and the beginning of the Columbus Square development, which features 31 new homes to be built on a former brownfield. The Renaissance Housing Program began in 2009 and continued through 2010 with the renovation of seven vacant historic homes, all of which were pre-sold. Improvements on Federal Street and North Avenue The Central Northside Neighborhood Council has worked
See Development, page 12
Obama picks local arts leader for new council By Kelly Thomas The Northside now has a voice in the White House. President Barack Obama recently appointed life-long Northsider and Manchester Bidwell Corporation President and CEO William Strickland to the newly formed White House Council for Community Solutions. The purpose of the new council is to help solve specific community needs and one of its tasks will be to engage leaders across the nonprofit, corporate and philanthropic sectors and to encourage cross-sector cooperation. The president wants directions,
INSIDE
answers and common sense approaches, Strickland said, not just facts and data. The job of the council will be to provide President Obama with real-life examples of programs that work in solving endemic social issues. “I was very impacted with the gravity and importance of being picked,” Strickland said. He sees some of the biggest challenges that communities face in education and the plight of urban youth, and believes Manchester Bidwell’s work in those two areas helped get him appointed to the 25seat council. The Bidwell Training Center, for example, works with employers
Photo by Jill McGlothlin
Long-time Northside institution Slovak Savings Bank in Brightwood walked away with the Best Place to Work award at the 2010 NorthSide/ NorthShore Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holidays Awards Gala on Dec. 2 at the Grand Hall at the Priory. For the complete list of winners, see News Briefs, page 3.
See Strickland, page 9
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THE NORTHSIDE CHRONICLE 922 Middle St. • Pittsburgh, PA 15212
January 2011
Community Meetings To have your community meeting included, email assistanted@thenorht Allegheny West Civic Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Calvary United Methodist Church 412.323.8884
Manchester Citizens Corporation Quarterly meetings, call for times MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. 412.323.1743
Brighton Heights Citizens Federation 2nd Thursday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Brighton-McClure Presbyterian Church 412.734.0233
Manchester Public Safety Meeting Quarterly meetings, call for times Northside Leadership Conference 412.323.1743
Managing Editor Emily Leone E-mail: managinged@thenorthsidechronicle.com
Brightwood Civic Group 3rd Tuesday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Pressley Ridge, 2611 Stayton St. 412.732.8152
Northside Rotary Club Every Friday, noon Cardello Building, 2nd Floor
Assistant Editor Kelly Thomas E-mail: assistanted@thenorthsidechronicle.com
Brightwood Community Emergency Response Shelter 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6 p.m. 3219 Central Ave.
www.thenorthsidechronicle.com Phone 412-321-3919 • Fax 412-321-1447 Mail Subscriptions are available at a rate of $30 per year. 2010 Advertising rates: SIZE Black & White Color 1/8 page $56 $68 1/4 page $118 $157 1/2 page $229 $295 Full page $452 $585 Back Page $616 Center Spread $965 Discounts of up to 20% off rate card price for multiple-insertion contracts
DISCLAIMER: The viewpoints and opinions of the writers and contributors that appear in The Northside Chronicle do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints, opinions, beliefs or positions of The Northside Chronicle’s publishers, editors, staff and/or affiliates. The Northside Chronicle is not affiliated with any formal political, social, religious, educational or philosophical organization or party of any kind. The materials comprising The Northside Chronicle are provided by various organizations, community groups, advertisers, entities, writers and contributors and are provided as a service to the readers of The Northside Chronicle on an “as-is” basis for informational purposes only. The Northside Chronicle assumes no responsibility for any copyright infringement, errors or omissions in these materials and expressly disclaims any representations or warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose regarding the correctness, accuracy, completeness, timeliness and reliability of the information provided. The Northside Chronicle is not responsible for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance upon such information. Reference herein to any commercial product, process or service does not constitute or imply endorsement or favoring by The Northside Chronicle. © The Northside Chronicle 2011
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 2nd Monday, monthly, 7 p.m. Allegheny Traditional Academy 412.231.7742 Charles Street Area Council 1st Monday, monthly, call for times Pittsburgh Project, 2801 N. Charles St. 412.321.5567 Community Alliance of Spring Garden/ East Deutschtown 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Fuhrer Building of St. Michael’s Church 412.977.1979 Deutschtown New Hope Council 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Community Center, 623 Suismon St. East Allegheny Community Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Pressley High Rise 412.321.1204 Fineview Citizens Council 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Reformed Presbyterian Home Pennsylvania Ave. 412.231.0330 Mexican War Streets Society 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m. AUU Church Resaca Pl. and North Ave. 412.323.9030
Northside Coalition for Fair Housing Board 2nd Monday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5527 Northside Coalition for Fair Housing Membership Monthly, call for times 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5521 Northside Leadership Conference Call for times 4 Allegheny Center, Suite 601 412.330.2559 North Side Lions Club 2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly, noon Max’s Allegheny Tavern North Side Public Safety Council 1st Thursday, monthly, 5:30 p.m. Northside Leadership Conference 412.330.2559 Observatory Hill, Inc. 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Byzantine Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave. 412.231.2887 Perry Hilltop Citizens’ Council 4th Monday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Angel’s Place, 2605 Norwood St. 412.321.4632 The Promise Group Every other Tuesday, 6 p.m. Western Pa. Humane Society 412.321.1019 Troy Hill Citizens Council March 16, June 16, Sept. 15, Dec. 15 North Catholic High School 412-321-2852 Spring Hill Civic League Spring Hill Elementary School contact@shcl.org Summer Hill Citizens Committee 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. WPXI Television Station community room
The Northside Chronicle
January 2011
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Despite closing public schools, reactions to proposed N’side charter school mixed By Kelly Thomas At a Pittsburgh Public Schools board of directors public hearing on Dec. 6, eight Northsiders presented mixed opinions on Propel Charter School’s application to open a new school in the area. Propel Northside would begin as a K-4 school with 40 students in each grade, and grow to a K-8 school. The organization has not yet chosen a location for the school. Propel, a not-for-profit, currently has six schools in Allegheny County, but none in Pittsburgh. Executive Director Jeremy Resnick said that more than 2,000 students are currently enrolled and another 2,300 students are on a waitlist. Because of the high demand Resnick said it was time to bring a Propel school into the city.
While some support Propel coming to the Northside, a few felt it would undermine the public schools already in the area, and others asked that the board not make a decision on Propel’s application until it heard from more Northsiders. Resnick and Propel Superintendent Carol Wooten also submitted a petition with 340 Northsider signatures and letters of support from multiple Northside neighborhood groups who would like to see Propel come to the Northside. Four Northsiders spoke in favor of Propel at the meeting, all citing the need for more options. Three of the four in favor were Observatory Hill and Perry Hilltop residents who expressed hope that Propel would come to their neighborhood, since there are no longer any elementary or middle
News Briefs Rialto Street closed for winter The City of Pittsburgh closed Rialto Street between Ley and East Ohio streets for the winter in midDecember for the second year in a row because of safety concerns. Rialto Street, which used to be an incline, is incredibly steep and last January a car flipped while driving on it in snowy conditions, although no one was seriously injured.
Amani celebrates new roasting business with tasting
Coffee connoisseurs from around the city crowded Amani International Coffeehouse on Dec. 9 to sample almost 20 blends of coffee roasted in-house and to support the American Diabetes Foundation and the Center for Empowerment and Economic Development. Amani began roasting its own coffee in August and so far the 21 house blends have been well received, said owner Terra Jones. The tasting, she said, was a
complete success, with more than 100 attendees.
Businesses win at Gala
On Dec. 2, the NorthSide/ NorthShore Chamber of Commerce held its annual Holiday Awards Gala at the Grand Hall at the Priory to celebrate Northside businesses new and old. Chamber Executive Director Robin Miller announced the winners in six categories: •Best New Member: Rivertowne Inn •Best Kept Secret Business: Union Dale Cemetary •Best Old Line Established Business: The Priory Hospitality Group •Best Community Service: Northside Leadership Conference •Most Worker Friendly Workplace: Slovak Savings Bank •Honorary North Sider Award: Ken Turnbull, pastor at Allegheny Center Alliance Church
schools in the area. “We’ve been left with not a lot of choices,” said Walt Nalducci, Observatory Hill, Inc. board member. “Every year we see more and more of our residents sending their kids outside the city.” Two Northsiders from the Manchester Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, however, spoke against Propel coming into the city, and especially into the Manchester area, because they felt it would be a “knife in the back” of all the hard work Manchester parents and teachers do at the public school. “How can you justify bringing another school in when we’re losing money?” said Manchester PTA Vice President Wallace Sapp. Resnick said in a phone interview that Propel had not chosen
a location for the Northside school yet, but that the organization would not put a school in Manchester because there are already two schools there: Manchester Elementary and the Manchester Academic Charter School. “We are not trying to destroy anything positive on the Northside,” Resnick said. Northside Leadership Conference Executive Director Mark Fatla said the Conference had not yet heard from all of its member organizations and could not come out in favor or against Propel. Fatla added that the Conference has assisted Propel in its search for a location and that its education committee has been working closely with the school and the Pittsburgh Public Schools.
See Propel, page 20
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The The Northside Northside Chronicle Chronicle
Expanding their fleet and eats
January January 2011 2011
Despite economy, local businesses choose growth over uncertainty By Emily Leone Editor’s note: This is the final story in a three-part series of Northside businesses who were successful during the recession. One worry that has been aired since the beginning of the recession in December 2007 is that existing small businesses would suffer the most. Whether from lack of sales from reluctant buyers or the inability to get capital from banks, economists expressed concern that many small businesses would not survive the downturn. But while many businesses nationwide were cutting corners or even shuttering their doors, two Northside businesses did what many would call unwise and expanded their operations during worrisome times. Feeding the Northside
“People thought I was crazy,” laughed Nikki Heckman, owner of Bistro To-Go, who, in the middle of the recession, put plans into motion to open another restaurant adjacent to her existing East Ohio Street one. Crazy or not, in June, Heckman debuted Bistro Soul, a colorful, flavorful addition that specializes in southern comfort food. And in September, she opened Bistro at the Aviary. In a time when most people’s eating out budgets are the first to be slashed and food costs are rising, Heckman believes her success is directly related to her location. “Because we’re a neighborhood business, not in a suburban throughway, I think that the neighborhood was looking for a place that they could walk to that would be economical. “We really meet a need in the community for a place that’s lower
cost, but not a fast food place. Because of that, people felt that they could have an upscale experience during tough times.” Heckman said Bistro is done growing, despite receiving numerous offers from all over the city to add locations. Now she just wants to focus more on her catering sales, which currently make up approximately 40 percent of her total sales, an increase of 220 percent since Bistro’s initial opening. Heckman admits that it’s been a non-stop journey, but she said she was never concerned about the economic downturn because her goal wasn’t to become a city-wide eatery — the Northside was enough for her. “All of our decisions are missionbased, not time based. Our mission is to transform East Ohio Street and I stay like a bullseye on that goal.” Trolleys and DUKW boats
Bistro To-Go and Bistro Soul Owner: Nikki Heckman 415 East Ohio St. 412-231-0218 www.bistro-togo.com Just Ducky Tours and Molly’s Trolleys Owners: Chris D’Addario and Michael Cohen (412) 281-2085 www.justduckytours.com
Heckman and Just Ducky Tours owners Chris D’Addario and Michael Cohen share a similarity: they benefitted from buyers scaling back on bigger ticket items and cautiously grew their ideas. The land and water tour company, whose garage and offices are located on Jacksonia Street, has
Expansion, page 16
January 2011
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CLP to keep all library branches open in 2011 Additional RAD funding announced, Library Director Mistick leaving post By Kelly Thomas The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh board of directors voted on December 13 to keep all library branches open in 2011, reversing an earlier plan that called for several branches to close. A large budget deficit prompted the development of the plan to close several library branches, but public outcry and a one-time grant from the City of Pittsburgh postponed the closings while the library engaged with the public to find a better solution for its budget woes. The library held a series of public meetings over the summer, and one suggestion was closing branches on alternate days rather than closing branches entirely. Under that plan, the Allegheny branch might close on Mondays, with Woods Run open, and Woods
Run might close on Tuesdays, with Allegheny open. Library Spokesperson Suzanne Thinnes said that currently the plan is to continue into 2011 with current library hours, and that closing branches on alternating days is not necessary. That could change when the state releases its budget in the summer, she said. The 2011 library budget includes an estimated $500,000 from table game revenue and a 3 percent increase in Allegheny County Regional Asset District funding, which translates to an extra $528,000. RAD is one of the library’s main funders, and will provide $18.1 million of the library’s nearly $24 million budget in 2011. Thinnes said the $500,000 in table game revenue translates to 1 percent of total revenue earned by table games at Rivers Casino. One
stipulation for receiving those funds each year will is keeping the library system whole and not closing branches, Thinnes said. In addition to seeking increases in RAD funding each year, the Public Private Task Force recommended that the library grow its endowment, improve advocacy efforts, create a “culture of library supporters” and seek increases in corporate donations, among others. Thinnes said the library board would examine the task force’s report in January, and that the report will be made public after the board has a chance to examine it. She stressed that the library needs a long-term, sustainable funding solution to continue operations and deliver the community services it always has. That isn’t the only big news that came out at the meeting.
Library Director Barbara Mistick also announced that she would be leaving her position at the end of May when her contract expires, and the recently created Public Private Task Force, created to explore alternative models and sources of funding, presented its study on how best to find a sustainable funding solution for the library system. Thinnes said that because Mistick announced her departure in advance, the board has time to launch a national search for a new director. Mistick will also help with the transition and ensure it goes well, Thinnes said. While searching for a new director, the board has to study the Public Private Task Force’s study and determine the best course of action for the library system’s financial future.
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The Northside Chronicle
Manchester group receives Sprout Fund grant for big garden project By Kelly Thomas This summer, a garden at the corner of Manhattan and Adams streets in Manchester will look greener thanks to the Manchester Beautification Committee and a grant from the Sprout Fund. The neighborhood garden, started a few years ago by the committee with some help from Wal-Mart, covers nine city lots but has yet to reach its full potential, said committee member Michelle Jones. “We’ve been slowly adding to it,” Jones said, but because the space is large the group had some trouble maintaining it. Recently, the group learned about native plants, and realized that planting grasses and flowers used to Pittsburgh’s climate would save them a lot of trouble, since the
plants would require much less work and watering. Jones said a few of the committee members attended a workshop on native plants, and decided to apply for a $5,000 grant focusing on the use of native plants through the Sprout Fund’s Spring Program. The Manchester Beautification Committee was one of 20 organizations that received a grant. Based on the growing season, Jones said the garden should be finished by June. It will feature more grasses than flowers, along with brick walkways and benches. Unlike many community gardens, Jones said this one will not have a fence, and kids will be able to ride their bikes on the paths and play there. “We’re looking at [the garden] to be something you use,” Jones said. The committee also plans to use
the garden as a teaching opportunity and has already begun to involve local schools, Boy Scout Troops and other community organizations in the development and maintenance of the garden. Because Manchester is a developing community, the committee is making the garden flexible. By using brick paths instead of concrete, the garden will be flexible and the paths can be easily taken up or moved in case one or more of the lots is needed for a housing development or other project. Plus, Jones said, flexible brick walkways are better for the environment than permanent concrete ones. The Spring Program supports local biodiversity initiatives and is supported by The Pittsburgh Foundation.
January 2011
January 2011
The Northside Chronicle
Northside museums screen controversial video Artist’s work banned at Smithsonian By Kelly Thomas Two Northside museums are showing a controversial video that the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery decided to remove from an exhibit after some members of Congress and religious organizations protested the video’s content. The Mattress Factory and the Andy Warhol Museum, along with the Wood Street Galleries Downtown and other organizations around the country, are screening the video in protest of what Mattress Factory Spokesperson Lindsay O’Leary called censorship. Incoming U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Oh., and incoming House Majority Leader Eric Canton, R-Va., were two of the Congressman who complained about the video’s content. The Catholic League, an organization that defends the rights of Catholics, also called for the video’s removal. The video, “A Fire in My Belly” by the late artist David Wojnarowicz, at one point shows ants crawling over a crucifix, and was meant, according to a statement by National Portrait Gallery Director Martin Sullivan, “to depict the suffering of an AIDs victim.” Wojnarowicz, a member of the gay community, lost his partner to AIDs in the late 1980s, and later died of the auto-immune disorder himself in the early 1990s. Warhol Museum Director Tom Sokolowski called Wojnarowicz one of the most important artists of the 1980s. “The so-called Culture Wars have begun again,” Sokolowski said in a press release. “Prompted, no doubt, by the recent election results, two members of Congress have chosen to take the easy path by enflaming their followers with denunciations of supposedly antireligious imagery.” The Smithsonian website states that museum officials felt the complaints and controversy
Photo courtesy The Mattress Factory
David Wojnarowicz’s controversial video “A Fire in My Belly,” shown at at the Mattress Factory on Sampsonia Way, contains some disturbing images and was removed from the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery after creating a controversy. generated by Wojnarowicz’s video took away from the rest of the exhibit, Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture, which deals with gay and lesbian themes and their representation in American art. “We don’t feel we should censor anything an artist wants to do,” O’Leary said. “We’re anti-censorship completely.” O’Leary said the Mattress Factory plans to screen “A Fire in My Belly” until Feb. 13, when the Hide/Seek exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery ends. The video is being shown in the lobby, but out of the way so those who do not wish to view the video do not have to. The Warhol Museum will also screen the video through Feb. 13. So far, O’Leary said, the Mattress Factory has received only positive reactions from visitors about its choice to screen the video. “[Wojnarowicz is] a person and an artist and he should still have an equal voice that everyone else does,” O’Leary said.
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DECEMBER 2010 Chronicle Blog Highlights For full stories go to www.thenorthsidechronicle.com/blog
December 17 Fifth graders from Allegheny K-5 earned a gold medal in the district’s Colors of the Rainbow ballroom dancing competition, a program that teaches kids selfconfidence and etiquette. December 14 The Park House’s second annual Holiday BrewHaHa beer competition ended in a tie. Patrons at the East Ohio Street hotspot bought equal amounts of He’Brew Messiah Bold and Sierra
Nevada Celebration Ale. December 13 Pittsburgh Public Schools is now releasing up-to-the-minute weather, school delay and closing information on its Facebook page. December 7 The National Aviary was once again accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Participating organizations must be accredited every five years, and standards increase with every cycle.
January 2011
John Canning
Metropolitan Baptist Church plays vital role Few existing Northside institutions can trace their history back to the years before the Civil War. Time, economic changes and population shifts have often caused the decline and disappearance of what were, in their day, thriving organizations and programs. That is why the story of the Metropolitan Baptist Church, which celebrated its 160th anniversary in late 2010, is so very significant. Metropolitan was founded by members of the African American community in Allegheny City in 1850. That was the very year that the national government passed the Fugitive Slave Act, which created great unease among the communities of freemen and former slaves living north of the MasonDixon Line. That year, more than a decade before the onset of the Civil War, a group of African American residents of Allegheny City founded a congregation know as “The
First Colored Baptist Church of Allegheny City.” During its early years the congregation worshiped at several different locations in Allegheny City. By the early years of the 20th century the congregation purchased a site on Sampson (now Sampsonia) Street at the head of Reddour Street where they erected a church building for worship, education and fellowship. From this location, in what was Allegheny’s Second Ward, the Metropolitan Baptist congregation has played and continues to play a vital part in the Northside community. Judge Joseph Williams, who grew up in the Manchester community, was the keynote speaker at Metropolitan’s anniversary celebration. Judge Williams reviewed the role this congregation has taken on in the Northside community during its 160 years
See Canning, page 20
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January 2011
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Council aims to solve community problems From Strickland, page 1 The Northside now has a voice in the White House. President Barack Obama recently appointed life-long Northsider and Manchester Bidwell Corporation President and CEO William Strickland to the newly formed White House Council for Community Solutions. The purpose of the new council is to help solve specific community needs and one of its tasks will be to engage leaders across the nonprofit, corporate and philanthropic sectors and to encourage cross-sector cooperation. The president wants directions, answers and common sense approaches, Strickland said, not just facts and data. The job of the council will be to provide President Obama with real-life examples of programs that work in solving endemic social issues. “I was very impacted with the gravity and importance of being
Photo courtesy Manchester Bidwell
Bill Stickland founded the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild in 1968. picked,” Strickland said. He sees some of the biggest challenges that communities face in education and the plight of urban youth, and believes Manchester Bidwell’s work in those two areas helped get him appointed to the 25seat council. The Bidwell Training Center, for example, works with employers
to develop training programs that have a much higher success rate in placing graduates into jobs. Another major focus of Manchester Bidwell is youth arts, with the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild Youth and Arts program, which provides opportunities for underprivileged youth to explore their creativity. Obama appointed council members from corporations, nonprofits and charities. Members include singer/songwriter Jon Bon Jovi, the president of eBay, the vice president of Starbucks and the president/CEO of Goodwill. To be successful in his new role as community advisor, Strickland will have to extrapolate the strategies he’s used in Manchester Bidwell to other communities. He doesn’t believe he’ll have too much trouble doing that, as he’s already done it in three communities outside of Pittsburgh. The National Center for Arts
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The Mind of a Chef by Steven Hughes
Review: Andrew’s Steak & Seafood Rivers Casino, main floor
I began my meal at Andrew’s Steak & Seafood at dusk, watching the sun dance on the Ohio River and the incline traveling up and down Mt. Washington. To start, I enjoyed rustic paesano bread from Mediterra bakery with creamy Plugra butter and Cristalino Champagne, which complimented the bread perfectly. As I awaited my first course, I felt relaxed. Andrew’s is not the typical, stuffy kind of steakhouse. The colors are soothing, divided with crisp and clean lines. A few art deco paintings of local icons adorn one wall, but absent are the hounds of Baskerville paintings that are as cliché in a steak house as the stuffed swordfish is in a seafood restaurant. The server first brought me steamed mussels. To my surprise, the mussel flavor was not lost in the saffron taste, and the addition of homemade sofrito — a traditional Spanish ingredient — played nicely with the chorizo and white wine also present in the sauce. It was finished monte au buerre, French for “to add butter,” which rounded off the edges. Next was beef tartare, which rivaled that of Nine on Nine’s across the river Downtown. Andrew’s elevates its version to a whole new level with emulsified truffle vinaigrette painted artfully across the plate. The minced beef flavor was further enhanced with steeped egg yolk, citrus and caper and the potato crisps were a refreshing variation on a typical crostini. The next dish I tried, halibut, was presented with flawless execution. Seared crisp but still tender, then bathed in the earthen flavor of wild mushroom broth, fennel and vibrant leaves of Brussels sprouts, it made me feel like I was dining in a solarium or in the middle of a rainforest. I typically have difficulty ingesting New York strip steak because of its rougher texture, but I chose it for my next entrée knowing it would be a good test of Andrew’s supplier. Much to my surprise and
delight, the strip had the tenderness of a well marbled rib eye steak and went down easy. The must-try dry aged beef is made with meat from Creek Stone Farms in Colorado. The farm feeds its beef cows grass and then corn for the last few months, which creates the dish’s unique flavor. Andrew’s Chef Tim McCollaugh’s braised lamb shank is authentic, and maintains the integrity of an important dish within its culinary tradition. The presentation is crisp and clean and garnished with gremolata, which is a mix of lemon zest, garlic and parsley, although McCollaugh substitutes mint for parsley. The shank held its shape while still being incredibly fork tender, as if it reached its zenith somewhere between the kitchen and my table. The creamy mascarpone polenta and rosemary jus created a dramatic spherical presentation. Andrew’s proved that perfection can also be found in side dishes, which are often overlooked and forgotten. Their creamed spinach held firm and came with a hint of garlic, rich cream and ParmigianoReggiano cheese. Pastry Chef Adam Thorpe makes an excellent banana gratin. Flaky crust with a hint of nuttiness, smooth banana gelatin topped with a layer of cream, caramelized and garnished with chocolate, it was the perfect finish to a delicious meal. For an encore, restaurant manager Russell Werme served me flaming coffee: quite a show and well worth the price of admittance. Andrew’s also has one of the best wine lists of any casino in Pennsylvania, and sommelier Christian Tripodi,offered his help in pairing wines with my courses. He added if I have trouble finding the same wine locally, he could ship it to my store of choice. But, with dishes like the ones at Andrew’s, I’d just as soon drink the wine there.
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New houses, nicer streets among accomplishments 2009 and early 2010. The $1.7 million project includes new to improve its key business corridor: sidewalks and curbs, improved lighting and the planting of trees Federal Street and North Avenue. along the sidewalks. 2010 saw the selection of a The Conference managed the developer for the Garden Theater reconstruction but the rest of the Block, a huge milestone for project was undertaken by the the blighted area. Officials said Allegheny West Civic Council and construction will begin in about volunteer groups. a year, and the developer, Zuckin Fatla said he has noticed Development and Collaborative property owners on Western Avenue Ventures, is currently seeking reinvesting in financing and their buildings tenants for and believes the soon-toFind stories the revitalized be renovated on each project improvement buildings. in this article at efforts to be a Another thenorthsidechronicle.com result of the milestone is overall renovation the Federal Click on the News tab of the area. Hill housing on the homepage Three railroad development, or use the search tool underpasses at key begun in 2006. Northside entry The first phase points also saw some long-awaited of 23 new homes, all of which have renovation. The underpasses at been sold, was completed this year and construction on phase two, with Anderson, Sandusky and Federal streets, once dripping and ugly, have 40 homes, will start in 2011. been repainted and repaired to make them more inviting for pedestrians Streetscape renovations traveling between the North Shore As part of ongoing efforts and Deutschtown. to improve the appearance of the Northside’s “gateways,” a The Recovery of Penn Brewery few community organizations With the potential to bring spearheaded initiatives to improve key business districts, which came to 30,000 visitors each year, solidifying the future of the Penn Brewery in fruition this year. the Northside was a big win for the On East Ohio Street, several area in early 2010. businesses got new signage After brewing operations were to improve the looks of their moved off-site and the restaurant storefronts thanks to the URA closed in 2009, a group of investors Façade Improvement Project. JR’s bar relocated further down the street, led by founder Tom Pastorius stepped in to restore the historic brewery, away from the visible corner of East Ohio Street and Cedar Avenue as well with help from the Leadership Conference and the Northside as further from East Park. Community Development Fund. The Gateway Project, lead by Penn Brewery Business the Leadership Conference, has also Manager Sandy Cindrich said she begun renovations of three historic buildings on the street, including the was thankful for the overwhelming support of the community and local former North Side Christian Health businesses, and the Brewery is once Center building in the 600 blocks of again a neighborhood landmark. East Ohio Matthew Cichowicz is a senior Another well-know Northside studying nonfiction at the University of business district, Western Avenue, Pittsburgh. He is currently interning underwent $1.7 million worth of
From Development, page 1
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January January 2011 2011
New Year’s Food, family Eve party and fun By Quincy Adams
Sled riding By Chayce Mack Last year in the winter which was when Pittsburgh had the most snow, me, my mom, dad, brother and dog decided to have a snowball fight in our backyard. My family doesn’t really have a family tradition, but I want to make our winter fun in the snow a family tradition. I think that I have the best family; it includes my mother, father and brother. My mom is the best mom ever. She is nice, funny and caring, and even though she suffers from breast cancer she is still healthy and still strong. My dad is the best dad ever. He is hard-working, nice, understanding and works hard to provide for his family. My big brother (Seth) is a nice brother most of the time. He can get on my nerves at times, but I still love him. My family and I get along great and we all love each other. Last February when Pittsburgh had its record snowfall my mom, dad, brother and dog decided to have a snowball fight in our backyard. I said that it would be a good idea to have a girls versus boys which was me and my mom against my dad and my brother. We all started to play for about 45 minutes and the girls won! My brother and I started to play with our dog, but my dad went inside because it was too cold for
One of the biggest traditions in my family is to celebrate the happiest time of the year. Or should it be next year? No matter how you say it, New Years Eve is “all the rave” in my family. The thing that happens (on this monumental day) is for every person in my immediate family to throw their own individual parties. These parties can range from great to lame; it all depends on the person throwing it. Let’s go back to last year because it’s the perfect example him. Seth put our dog on an outdoor of each person’s party style. Last year I threw a party that run. My house has a huge hill in the front of it. So Seth made a path that would blow your mind! It was so much better then all my other we could slide down and waited for lame family members. It was grand me at the bottom of the hill. I said, because, the decorations were “NO!!” perfect, the food was delicious, and Then my brother called me a the people were great. I had my punk. So I went our porch and got party at the Palisades. I invited a pizza box. I used Seth’s path and all the people that were closest I started out slow and as I started to me. We had the perfect food, to go faster and faster I started to too: nachos, pizza, ice cream, corn scream and then it was over and I dogs, cotton candy, hot dogs and crashed into my brother. I started hamburgers and cookies. cracking up. And my mom got her We camcorder and recorded us. I was out danced there making new paths and sliding down for about an hour straight and all night nobody else in my family was outside and we even had a except for me. professional My mom called me in for some hot chocolate and for a little break. I DJ. We had put my coat and stuff on the heaters a couple different and some different clothes on and I genres went back outside. As I was going down the hill, a little boy about 9 or of music including: 10 came over and asked if he could pop, punk sled too. So I called my parents and rock, slow, rap and even a little jazz. asked if he could sled too and they This party was great and I’m so said yes. His name is Peter and we glad that I do it every year, because went sledding until like 6 or 7 p.m. it’s a great way to celebrate the and Peter went home and I warmed coming of the New Year. I don’t up and went back out for like 15 know how you celebrate, but having more minutes and I was done for a party is the best way to crank it good. Well, until this year. I had a great time with my family up on New Year’s Eve. Family is so important to me and loved it. I think that it is important and even though they get on my for families to get along because you last nerves sometimes, I’ll love them love them and they love you and you will need them for the rest of your life till the day I die. My family loves each other no matter what happens! and they will need you.
By Tamiya Martin For me every holiday is like a family reunion, but the best holiday of all is New Years Eve; I love New Years Eve it’s like the best day of the whole year. I sometimes wish it would never go away. The reason I love this holiday so much is because I love our family traditions. Usually this is how my day will start, if I’m not already at my grandmother’s house I will awake at home and take about two hours to get ready. Then me and my family will leave and be on our way to my grandmother house. When I get to her house I will see her cooking, and I always love to help her cook so I would get to bake the cookies and cake and pie and many other sweet things. My grandmother knows how much it means to me to get to cook the sweets. That’s also another reason why I love New Years so much; it’s the only time I get to do all the baking myself. Yes, my baking is great but the real props go to my grandma and my aunt; they are the real cooks in the family. And man the food is great I love my grandmothers cooking, then most of the family will began to arrive and I will get all happy and we will talk for hours and hours about nothing. Around 9:30 p.m. we will start to play games like Sorry, Gestures and other family games. But the best part is eating then waiting until the New Year’s count down. When it comes close to 11:30 p.m., we wait for the countdown to start. When it finally begins, there is a lot of excitement in the room. There is nothing like when everyone says, “Happy New Year!” Then the worst part of the night happens, this is when everyone begins the kissing. Yeah, that’s pretty nasty, but I get it — they are just showing the love. After all the kissing, everyone pulls out their phones to call other people in our family to say, “Happy New Years!”
January 2011
The Northside Chronicle
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The The Northside Northside Chronicle Chronicle
January January 2011 2011
Trolleys, boats and a Soul From Expansion, page 4 experienced heavy patronage during the warm months, which D’Addario has attributed to more and more people doing “stay-cations” instead of traveling. As a result, Just Ducky has grown from a small venture into a business that’s booming, with around 50 seasonal employees and nine fulltime employees during the year. Since 2009, Just Ducky has added three more boats to its fleet for a total of six, and only did so after carefully examining its financial position and growth strategy. “We’ve been really careful with our money, leaving enough money for later. We’ve anticipated issues and anticipated opportunities for growth,” D’Addario said. Just Ducky was cautious and didn’t immediately expand its operations, he said, despite an increase in tour bookings. Initially, the team just worked harder,
running more boat trips and making sure that existing boats were kept in tip-top condition. “It got to the point where if we didn’t grow we would have crippled the business,” D’Addario said, who realized during the onset of the recession that eventually, expansion would have to happen. Flash forward to present times where “growth” is putting it mildly. In a move that will allow them to operate year-round, Just Ducky purchased Molly’s Trolleys on Jan. 1, allowing them to become the foremost land and water tour company in Pittsburgh. The team hopes to have up to six trolleys running by June and will continue to use the original moniker. “It really makes sense for us,” D’Addario said, and that another revenue stream would be good for the typically seasonal Just Ducky Tours schedule. “It allows us to hire more people who we couldn’t before.”
January 2011
The Northside Chronicle
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The Healing Space by Ayeshah A. Bulls
2011: Do you have a resolution? Yes, it is that time of the year. That time of the year when we look back over the last twelve months and reflect on what we have done, haven’t done, should have done, thought about doing and how much we have actually accomplished through it all. Some of the questions that I began to ponder are: Am I better off at the end of the year than I was at the beginning? Did I have something I was sure I wanted to get done, but it didn’t seem as important as the year went on? Are my goals for this upcoming year higher or lower than the prior? After all of the highs, lows, trials and tribulations of the year; am I a better person? These are the sort of thoughts that travel through my mind as I welcome a new year of life. Now is the time that when we are having dinner with friends and family or speaking to someone on the phone, where that age old question comes up, “So, what is your
New Year resolution?” Resolution is defined as: The act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc. We all seem to have become professionals at the resolving or determining what it is that we would like to spend a little more energy on. However, it’s the course of action, method part that often gets a little messy for us. We may have the desire to increase the amount of money in our bank account, improve our overall physical health, meet new energized people or even travel somewhere that we have never been before. Be that as it may, we probably spent a gigantic chunk of our money or credit on the holidays, ate too much ice cream in the summer and too many starches in the winter, have not
ventured outside of our immediate circle, or even know that a travel agent is right in our community. In order to make the desires of our heart come into fruition we must not wait for a check to fall out of the sky or for opportunities to come and knock at our front door. We have to seek the desires of our heart. To seek is to search, pursue and grasp that which will bring joy and comfort to our lives. To our lovely seniors, your life is yet full of possibilities, you can still do something you always wanted to do or go somewhere you always wanted to go. To our brilliant young people, stop saying you are bored! You have your youthfulness, energy and creativity right before you. Don’t let the boundaries of your communities,
friendships or fears stop you from exploring life. To all the driven in between, the world is yours. The seniors have passed it to you. The youth are relying on you. You must work hard to stay positive, motivated and eager to improve the quality of life yourselves and others. So as we are all setting our New Year resolutions and goals, no matter our age or season in life, we mustn’t be afraid to first imagine what we would like our life to look like and then not be afraid to be our own illustrator or craftsperson to bring it to reality. One half of knowing what you want is, knowing what you must give up before you get it. ~Sidney Howard Ayeshah Bulls is a freelance writer and the author of Stripped. She is a Northsider, active volunteer and currently attends Carlow University for Psychology.
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The The Northside Northside Chronicle Chronicle
January January 2011 2011
The Northside Chronicle
January 2011
From the office of City Council President Darlene Harris
‘Tis the season: Let it snow! This is Pittsburgh: A city with four distinctly different seasons. Our challenge is to keep up with the results of those changing seasons. I’m talking about snow. We all remember the problems we had getting around in the Big Snow Storm of 2010. Hospital workers lived at the hospitals to give optimum care, people got together to dig out neighbors and we were here. Cleanup from the storm caused many problems. I put together a Council Task Force to research, inquire and come up with suggestions toward a snow removal plan. We expect faster and more efficient snow removal in the future. As the flakes have begun to fall, the snow removal emergency plan will include the following: •Better, more effective communication between city departments and the city and the people. City officials will constantly monitor weather reports throughout the snow season. •If you look around the city, you will notice new “Snow Emergency Route” signs posted. These streets will be the first to be plowed. If at all possible, stay on these roads. •The city increased the number
of smaller, hill top trucks specifically designed to plow our hilly terrain, plowing and salting trucks and personnel available to run them during a storm. Larger trucks will be assigned to major roads at the same time as smaller trucks will be clearing secondary streets. •Other Public Works staff will be clearing city sidewalks, steps, crosswalks, senior centers, recreation centers and other city facilities areas. •According to Public Works officials, our salt, calcium chloride and anti-skid supplies are all ready at maximum capacity. •If your street is not cleared in a timely manner, please call the city’s 311 hotline or my office at 412-2552135. Don’t forget to check in on your neighbors during these cold days and nights. Make sure they have needed supplies. And, it’s important to keep your sidewalks clear of snow. A slip and fall can really hurt. If you can’t shovel by yourself, ask for help. Call neighbors, talk with your community groups or call our office. Be careful out there! Snow is silent when it falls, beautiful to look at, but can really be a problem.
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January 2011
Propel debate Canning: Church is a cornerstone From Propel, page 3
From Canning, page 8 of service. He emphasized how important it is that the clerical and lay leaders of this church to encourage the younger generation within the community to maintain the same commitment to ideals of education, justice and improving the quality of life within the Northside neighborhoods. For the past thirty years the Rev. Lacy F. Richardson has led Metropolitan Baptist Church to increase the size of the congregation and to expand its many ministries that are responsive to the needs of its members and the surrounding community. Richardson and the entire Metropolitan congregation continue in the path set by those the 20-some members led by Pastor Phillip Broadwater in 1850.
Wooten said that Propel schools have closed the achievement gap between low- and higher-income students, regardless of ethnicity, and that a majority of students are performing at grade level. “Propel students are dramatically outperforming their peers at public schools in their districts,” Wooten said. According to statistics listed on Propel’s website, www.propelschools. org, more than 70 percent of Propel students achieved proficient or advanced on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment test, higher than 40 to 60 percent of students in the districts of Pittsburgh, Penn Hills, McKeesport, Sto-Rox and Woodland Hills. An average of 62 percent of Pittsburgh Public Schools students in grades six to eight achieved proficient or advanced levels on the state test, according to 2010 statistics from the district’s website, www.pps.k12.pa.us.
January 2011
The Northside Chronicle
From the office of State Sen. Wayne Fontana
New dek hockey rink hosts tournament A few months ago, I wrote about Team Pittsburgh and its service to the community through its dek hockey program and how that program is utilized as a productive venture for youth in the community. The new dek hockey rink is getting a lot more attention too — it was recently named as one of Pittsburgh’s best dek hockey rinks by KDKA. Their recent renovations also brought Team Pittsburgh to the attention of the Pittsburgh Penguins and NHL Hockey. Team Pittsburgh President Don Gregory was approached a few months ago and asked whether the organization would be interested in holding a youth tournament in conjunction with the Winter Classic. The Round Robin will consist of 12 teams in three different age groups with the first games beginning in the morning.
Now, by the time you read this, the tournament will already be played and the winners crowned, but the organization and its facility will be benefitting from some additional press. HBO will be filming the youth tournament, and the expected Pittsburgh Penguins presence, at the Dec. 27 youth tournament as part of its 24/7 series following players from the Pens and the Washington Capitals leading up to the Jan. 1 game. What a way to showcase a true success story in our community! This recognition speaks to the investment that was made and the positive outcomes that can come from such an investment. I am proud that I was able to assist Team Pittsburgh in their goal, proud of the work that they do in our community and proud of the youth that have become such an integral part of this program.
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January 2011
January 2011
The Northside Chronicle
The Game Page Last Month’s Puzzle Solutions 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.
Crossword puzzles provided by www. bestcrosswords.com / Used with permission.
Chronicle Crossword Across 1- Yard tunneler; 5- One of the two equal sections of a cone; 10- Dry run; 14- Norwegian king; 15- Look happy; 16- Make ___ for it; 17- Hoar; 18- Up and about; 19- Bits of thread; 20- ___ is human; 22- Taking; 24- Chapter of the Koran; 27- Goes out with; 28- Farewell; 32- Gossip; 35- Bass, e.g.; 36Glasses, briefly; 38- Squelched; 40- Fool; 42- Beat; 44- Lymph ___; 45- Facial expression used by Elvis Presley; 47- Dripping; 49- Shoebox letters; 50Computer key; 52- Job change or marriage, psychologically speaking; 54Actual; 56- All there; 57- Outline; 60- Organization; 64- Airline to Tel Aviv; 65- Palm fruits; 68- Crown of the head; 69- Author Morrison; 70- Diary bit; 71- Zeno’s home; 72- Auricular; 73- Circular; 74- Flat circular plate; Down 1- Death, in France; 2- A dish with many ingredients; 3- Gammy; 4- Extremely; 5- Code-breaking org.; 6- Early hrs.; 7- Mines; 8- Layers; 9- More spine-tingling; 10- Charm; 11- “___ Brockovich”; 12- Had the mic, say; 13- Big bang cause; 21- Flows; 23- Chief god of ancient Greece; 25- Engrossed; 26- Staggering; 28- Back talk; 29- Dress style; 30- Arabian republic; 31- High points; 33- Siouan speakers; 34- Cowboy display; 37- Short gaiters; 39- Not e’en once; 41- Produced from hydrocarbons; 43- Gumbo veggie; 46Ridge of rock; 48- Cravings; 51- Commando; 53- Oozed; 55- Grassy plain; 57- Scheme; 58- Hindu princess; 59- Famous last words; 61- Anklebones; 62Salt Lake City hoopsters; 63- Highest point; 64- DDE’s command; 66- Directional ending; 67- Barrett of Pink Floyd;
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Sudoku
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The Northside Chronicle
January 2011