Issuu

Volume 29 No. 7

July 2013

Unanimous vote prevents expansion of MWS historic district By Kelsey Shea

Photo by Kelsey Shea

Northsiders who attended Observatory Hill Inc.’s 2013 house tour last month boarded trollies to move around the neighborhood. See more house tour photos on page 10.

City of Asylum awarded second grant for GTB development By Kelsey Shea A second major grant was awarded to City of Asylum last month that will bring the literary organization one step closer to anchoring the Garden Theater Block. The Central Northside nonprofit organization received $250,000 from the Allegheny County Economic Development, Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund to fund machinery and equipment for Alphabet City, a new literary center planned to occupy several buildings the historic Garden Theater Block on West North Avenue. City of Asylum Co-founder and President Henry Reese said that

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while the grant will not accelerate the Alphabet City project, it will help ensure that it stays on schedule for an early 2014 completion. “We are gratefully to the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County for facilitating our project with this grant,” Reese said. Alphabet City will be located in the Masonic Temple at 12 W. North Avenue and will include space for readings, community events and classes as well as spaces for a café and bookstore. The CITF grant can be used to fund major mechanical systems in the building, such as HVAC, as well as broadcast systems and other tech-

See Grant, page 9

-Public Safety 4 -New street lights 5 -New cupcake cafe 7

City Council voted against a proposal to expand the boundaries of the Mexican War Streets Historic District last month due to strong opposition by Central Northside residents. The proposal was submitted by the Allegheny City Central Association, the neighborhood group of the Central Northside, and recommended that the borders of the Mexican War Streets Historic District be expanded to encompass the majority of the neighborhood. Eight city council members voted against the expansion, and City Council President Darlene Harris abstained. The decision cannot be appealed, and the district cannot be nominated for another five years. Councilman Daniel Lavelle, who represents the Central Northside’s district, voted against the proposal because he observed that the majority of the Central Northside residents who were in favor of the proposal already lived in the current historic district, while those who opposed it lived in the proposed expansion. “Our goal is to put forth legislation that will create a conservation district, which I believe would be a win-win for the neighborhood,” said Lavelle, who hopes to begin working on legislation for the conservation district by late June. Residents who live in city historic districts are subject to rules and regulations that dictate new construction and the aesthetics of renovations.

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Lavelle hopes that a conservation district would help appease both sides of the heated debate because the rules and regulations would be more lax and flexible. The plan to expand the district was approved by the Historic Review Commission in February. The ACCA hoped that the expansion would give the neighborhood group more leverage in dictating infill housing and demolition projects because the HRC would need to review work being done in the historic district. “We’re obviously disappointed by the outcome,” said David Shlapak, ACCA development committee char. “We still believe that expanding the historic district would have been the best way of ensuring the community’s future and that the legitimate concerns of our neighbors could have been addressed.” However, many residents who lived on streets that would have been added to the historic district opposed the measure because they felt it would make renovations on their homes expensive and difficult and because the rules and regulations would box low income neighbors out of the neighborhood. The Northside Coalition for Fair Housing took a particularly strong stand against the expansion of the historic district, and Executive Director Ronell Guy said she is “very pleased” with city council’s decision. “I realized that there were a lot of people in the in the neighborhood

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

See MWS page 9

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

July 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Advertising Manager Jena Ruszkiewicz E-mail: advertising@thenorthsidechronicle.com

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

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

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

2013 Advertising rates: SIZE Black & White Color 1/8 page $56 $68 1/4 page $118 $157 1/2 page $229 $295 Full page $452 $585 Back Page $616 Center Spread $965 Discounts of up to 20% off rate card price for multiple-insertion contracts

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

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

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

Upper Rooms at Reformed Presbyterian Home

Perrysville Ave. 412.231.0330

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

Northside Coalition for Fair Housing Board 2nd Monday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5527 Northside Coalition for Fair Housing Membership Monthly, call for times 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5521 Northside Leadership Conference Call for times 4 Allegheny Center, Suite 601 412.330.2559 North Side Lions Club 2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly, noon Max’s Allegheny Tavern North Side Public Safety Council 1st Thursday, monthly, 5:30 p.m. Northside Leadership Conference 412.330.2559 Observatory Hill, Inc. 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Byzantine Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave. 412.231.2887 Perry Hilltop Citizens’ Council 4th Monday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Angel’s Place, 2605 Norwood St. 412.321.4632 The Promise Group Every other Tuesday, 6 p.m. Western Pa. Humane Society 412.321.1019 Troy Hill Citizens Council Sept. 13, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church 412-321-2852 Spring Hill Civic League May 7, Sept. 10, Oct. 1. Nov. 5 7 p.m., Spring Hill Elementary School contact@shcl.org Summer Hill Citizens Committee 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. WPXI Television Station community room

July 2013

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Youth Music Concert

presented by B.P.O. Elks Allegheny Lodge #339

The Warhol Museum July 20, 2013 3 p.m. The Andy Warhol Museum 117 Sandusky Street â€˘ Pittsburgh, PA 152125890 www.warhol.org

Youth Music Concert featuring performers from the Rox Performance Academy. Concert is free with admission to the Andy Warhol Museum

The Northside Chronicle

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Northside Public Safety The Northside Public Safety Council wants to wish Northside residents a happy and safe Fourth of July. Northside Public Safety President David Stacy wants Northsiders to remember that fireworks are illegal in the city of Pittsburgh, and = there will be a special task force out to issue citations. “It’s not against the law to have fireworks. But it’s against the law to use them,” said Stacy, who encouraged neighbors to call 911 if they hear fireworks. In May and the first week of June, approximately 498 incidents were reported throughout the Northside, which led to approximately 210 arrests. The Northside Public Safety Council is a nonprofit corporation

composed of community leaders, businesses, government officials the Housing Authority, property owners and the Zone 1 Pittsburgh Police. The Northside Public Safety Committee meets the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. on the mezzanine level of The Northside Leadership Conference’s offices at 4 Allegheny Center. All are welcome. A useful resource for the community is the Zone 1 website at www.communitysafety. pittsburghpa.gov. For questions or concerns regarding crime or police presence, contact the Zone 1 Community Relations Officer, Forrest Hodges at forrest.hodges@pittsburghpa. gov.

July 2013

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Street lights in NS business districts slated for upgrades

Photo by Kelsey Shea

Street lights along East Ohio Street will be upgraded along with lights in Brighton Heights, Brightwood, Troy Hill and Observatory Hill.

By William Park A city-wide initiative to convert high-pressure sodium streetlights in Pittsburgh’s 32 business districts to LED lights will benefit many areas in the Northside. Installations for new lights

have been in progress for the past few months and will be completed by the end of the year. The targeted streets in District 1 include East Ohio Street, California Avenue, Brighton Road, Lowrie Street and Perrysville Avenue in the Observatory Hill business district.

LED lights, both energy efficient and environmentally friendly, will reduce the district’s energy costs $650,000 a year. On Perrysville Avenue, lights are also being installed in sidewalks, a safety measure that will make night-time walking easier. While the project will improve public safety, it also “brings about an aesthetic that we haven’t had … in our community for a long time,” said Roxanne Tuinstra, secretary of Observatory Hill Inc. LED lights have a high color rendering index, which mean that they have the ability to reproduce an object’s color seen under natural sunlight. Sodium vapor lights, on the other hand, have a more yellow tint and also must be replaced more often. Barbara Burns, a former city council member who served from 2000-2004, believes that the better lighting should encourage more private and public investment. “All lighting is not created equal. Having a fuller

understanding of lighting enhances the retail experience,” she said. Better lighting, she hopes, will attract more people to the business districts, but it also has a strong communal value. “[Business districts] are the main corridors of these communities. It’s where we do commerce as well as it’s the welcoming mat to all of us…. It was important to me that they be well lit, clean and presentable,” she said. Burns hoped to achieve the project during her term, but ultimately lost the chance after leaving office in 2004. Current City Council President Darlene Harris prioritized the project when she became a city council member in 2006. “I put the money back in the budget so that [the neighborhood] could get what they wanted 10 years ago. Now, it’s becoming a reality,” Harris said.

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July 2013

Farm fresh food in Brightwood NSLC Bike/Ped Committee

encourages car-free commutes

The NSLC Bike/Ped Committee hopes to increase the number of bikes parked on Northside streets. (photo by Kelsey Shea)

By Kelsey Shea Photos by Kelsey Shea

By Kelsey Shea Brightwood’s Farm Stand opened last month and is selling tomatoes, kale, squash, mushrooms, peppers, plums, potatoes, onions, strawberries and other fruits and veggies from 2-6 p.m. each Wednesday this summer. If you’re looking for fresh, affordable produce, be sure to stop by the lot at the corner of Lecky Avenue and Brighton Road. Farm stand prices are significantly cheaper than grocery stores and farmers markets, and the stand

is open to anyone. The farmers stand will accept cash, EBT cards, senior food stamps and checks distributed to those enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program that can only be used at farmers markets. All produce is purchased by the Brightwood Civic Group, and unsold food is donated back to the Pittsburgh Food Bank. Brightwood Civic Group is still looking for volunteers to help run the stand. If interested, contact brightwoodcivic@verizon.net.

Last month, The Northside Bike/Ped Committee asked Northsiders to consider switching up their usual commute with a Car Free Friday on June 21. The committee hosted a Car Free Friday to encourage commuters to bike or walk to work instead of driving and informed Northsiders about car-free routes. “This Car Free Friday event was a great opportunity to spread the word about our committee and its mission to improve biking and walking conditions on the Northside,” Jerry Green, chair of the Northside Bike/Ped Committee. Green and several other representatives from the Northside Bike/Ped committee and Bike Pittsburgh set up a table and bike tune-up station set up at the East Park farmers market on Cedar Avenue to answer questions, pass out information and give away free equipment. Buena Vista Coffee provided complimentary hot and iced coffee, and The Priory donated cookies. Following the Car Free Friday event, seven bikers went on an hour-long group ride through the lower Northside. The Northside Bike/Ped Committee, a program of the Northside Leadership Conference, works to encourage and inform Northside residents about alternate transportation options. “Our mission is to promote safe walking and bike routes on the Northside by determining needs

and taking corrective action by working with elected officials,” said Green. The committee has helped organize group rides, install three-river bike racks in front of local businesses, add bike lanes to Northside roads and introduce symbols called sharrows that are painted on Brighton Road to remind motorists to share the road with cyclists. Green said that the Northside’s proximity to Downtown makes bikes a great communing option for many Northsiders, and already many are taking advantage of it. “It’s really impressive how many people are already doing this,” said Green, about Northsiders commuting on foot or by bike. “We want to encourage it more.” A survey conducted by the pedestrian-bicycle committee of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, counted 882 bikers coming into downtown Pittsburgh between 7-9 a.m. Of those 882 bikers, 223 entered the city on the three sister bridges – the Andy Warhol, the Roberto Clemente and the Rachel Carson bridges. “It was pretty impressive how well the Northside did,” said Green. “Those numbers aren’t even including the 31rst and 16th street bridges.” If you have questions or concerns about biking issues or would like to get involved in the Bike/Ped Committee, e-mail Emily Leone Honhart at emily@pittsburghnorthside.com.

July 2013

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New Chateau café will specialize in cupcakes

Left: The Chateau Café and Cakery will serve sweet as well as savory cupcakes.Courtesy Chateau Café and Cakery

By William Park Laura Hatajik and Keren DeCarlo call themselves “sweet geeks,” but the new café they’re opening on the Northside won’t shy away from the savory. Together, they are preparing to open Chateau Café and Cakery this

summer in the Chateau neighborhood at 1501 Preble Ave. They plan to serve breakfast, lunch, coffee and just about any kind of cupcake you can think of – including one made of mac and cheese. Before starting their business, Natrona Heights resident Hatajik was a workforce management super-

visor and Brighton Heights resident DeCarlo worked at a leasing company. Both enjoyed baking for friends and family outside of work, but Chateau Café and Cakery will turn their passion into a new career. Hatajik was laid off in August 2012, which she calls a “blessing in disguise” because it gave her an opportunity to pursue her dream of opening her own bakery. “It’s always fun to learn new things and use your brain in ways you haven’t before. But it just becomes monotonous. With baking, you’re always using your imagination,” Hatajik said. Their imaginations are on display in many of their cupcakes. Some of their planned specialties include a meatloaf cupcake. “Our menu is not just sweets,” Hatajik said. “We’re going to do breakfast. We’re going to do lunch.” Customers will have the option of a daily savory cupcake and a daily breakfast cupcake. “You can get your spinach, tomato, egg cupcake

for breakfast. Then come in and get your mac and cheese cupcake with a salad for lunch,” Hatajik said. Chateau Café and Cakery will also serve coffee roasted by Nicholas Coffee and Tea Company in Market Square. Espresso beverages and specialty drinks, such as a mint-flavored latte, will also be available. As they eagerly anticipate their targeted opening, Hatajik and DeCarlo admit being somewhat nervous but remain confident. “There’s a lot of white-collar and blue-collar people in this area, but there’s not a lot of options for them. I think we can get just about everyone in this area to try us,” DeCarlo said. Located on the first floor of an office building, the café will seat 40 people. Although safety regulations actually allow for 55, DeCarlo says that creating a “cozy and warm” environment takes priority. “We want people to come in and sit and not feel that they have to

See Cakery page 12

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July 2013

NSLC dinner recognizes outstanding Northsiders 2013 awardees

Nineteen Northside high school students received $1,000 scholarships from local businesses, facilitated by the NSLC. (Photo courtesy J.L. Martello)

By Kelsey Shea On June 6, the Northside Leadership Conference held its annual awards dinner and honored Northsiders young and old for their contributions that make the Northside a healthier community. The 2013 dinner marked the 30th award dinner held by the NLSC, and several Northsiders in attendance, like City Council President Darlene Harris, remembered holding the dinner to raise money to cover an overdue phone bill and getting to the venue early to blow up balloons three decades ago. “Look how far this has come,” said NSLC Executive Director Mark Fatla. “This is the largest community gathering in Southsest Pennsylvania.” Fatla also noted that the NLSC has given out $170,000 in scholarship money to local students through the dinner over the past 30 years, and many of thos students come back to the Northside as adults and improve the community.

The theme of this year’s dinner was “Faces of the Northside,” and recognized prominent Northsiders like John Canning, Ed Brandt, Mark Masterson and many others in addition to the awardees. This year, the NSLC awarded 19 Northside high school students with $1,000 scholarships sponsored by local businesses such as Allegheny General Hospital, ALCO Parking, CDM Smith, Equitable Gas, Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh Mercy, Goodrich and Geist and many major banks in the area. Awards for outstanding neighbors were also presented at the dinner as well as lifetime achievement awards. The evening was hosted by lifelong Northsider Johnny Angel who called the Northside “greatest part of Pittsburgh.” The dinner was catered by Bistro-ToGo, but Angel promised that next year the menu would include “Northside surf and turf,” which will consist of carp and kielbasa.

Scholarship Winners Thomas Soergel Colleen Berry Aaron Reay Michael Fegula Brandon Washington Emily Van Horn Sean Horgan Kaylin Herzer Hyrum Peterson Michael Vaughn II Britt Nee Watkins Michaela Mudd Shannon Masterson Lauren Wolosik Emma Brown Baker Casey Leseman Matthew Skinger Kara Cinker Kala Cinker Neighborhood & Business Awardees Allegheny Hospital Auxiliary Allegheny West-Linda Iannotta Brighton Heights- Tom Friday Brightwood- Michael Lockett

Charles Street ValleyDeborah Lynn White Spring Garden-East Deutschtown- Laura Stalter Historic DeutschtownCody Walters Fineview- Bernice Curry Brady Manchester- Virginia Barnes Observatory Hill- Donnie Friel Spring Hill- Joan Russell Summer Hill- Carolyn Olasewere Troy Hill- Ann MillerSmith Life time achievement awards Patricia Buck Ed & Mary Graf Mary Jane Barbush Moses Carper Service Provider Awardee Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Woods Run Branch

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City council prevents MWS district expansion See MWS, page 1 who weren’t even aware that this was happening,” said Guy, who then surveyed residents door to door and found that they were against the expansion. “We found out that it’s not what people wanted, so we realized our capacity and expertise needed to be used to prevent this,” she said. Guy explained that a historic district would discourage lowincome families from moving into the Central Northside, and that it would make repairs expensive for those who already reside in the neighborhood. “Just look at the Mexican War

Streets. Can you find affordable housing there?” said Guy. “I love the Mexican War Streets. They’re beautiful…But I don’t think that historic districts are for everyone.” Schlapak said that the ACCA is willing to work with Councilman Lavelle going forward, though they can’t assess the value of a conservation district without knowing the details of the proposal. “We agree with the Councilman that the debate surrounding the historic district expansion highlighted our community’s united commitment to preserving our neighborhood’s unique character,” said Schlapak.

Grant funds Alphabet City project See Grant, page 1 nological installations. Reese estimates that the redevelopment of Alphabet City will create 30 jobs ranging from construction to management. The CITF grant was the second major grant awarded to City of Asylum in the last two months. At the end of May, ArtPlace America awarded City of Asylum a $300,000 that will fund a literary garden and a Garden-to-Garden Artway Connector that will connect two of COA’s Central Northside entities. City of Asylum announced their plans to build a literary center

on a triple lot on Monterey Street in early 2012, but this spring announced that they would relocated the project to the Garden Theater Block due to neighbors’ concerns about noise and parking. The lot on Monterey will instead be used for the literary garden. For City of Asylum, the ArtPlace America grant and the CITF grant were confirmation that the move was a positive one for all parties involved. “We’ve seen nothing but tremendous enthusiasm,” said Reese. “It’s been a complete confirmation for us that this was right.”

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July 2013

Spring house tours successful for OHI and BHCF

On June 2, Observatory Hill Inc. held its annual house tour. The tour featured 10 houses and two churches, and those in attendance traveled from house to house by foot or by Molly’s Trolleys who ran routes through Observatory Hill for the event. “It was great! We had trolleys full of people the whole time,” said OHI member Roxanne Tuinstra. “If I were a betting woman, I would say it was bigger than last year!”

On Sunday June 9, the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation hosted its ninth annual house tour. Treasurer Joan Bellisario called the tour, which centered on the area of the neighborhood near Cornell Street, Harvard Circle, and Purdue Street, an overall success. “It was just a beautiful day. The houses were wonderful. The people who came were wonderful,” she said. Over 400 people attended and helped raise money to pay for the Federation’s office rent,other events and the hanging flower baskets.

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Children’s Museum celebrates 30 years on the NS Where visitors’ stays averaged half an hour in 1983, families now spend an average of four and a half hours in the museum, and the annual budget has grown from $500,000 to $5 million. In 2004, the museum expanded into the nearby Buhl planetarium building and built the awardwinning Lantern building to connect the two historic structures. That same year the Saturday Light Brigade set up its studio in the basement of the museum, and in 2006 the building was certified as a green building. Throughout its time on the Northside Bill Schlageter, Marketing Director for the Children’s Museum, said that community has always been a focus at the museum. Back in 2004 Schlageter told the Northside Chronicle that he hoped the expansion would “serve as a significant destination point for families throughout the region and provide a much-needed focus

By Kelsey Shea

On Saturday, June 22, The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh celebrated its 30th birthday with free admission, cupcakes, kazoos, live music and a parade that traipsed through all three floors of the museum -- past water tables, a musical playground, the art studio, the garage, a gravity room, the garden, a radio station and more. The celebration spread out over the museum’s 80,000 square foot facility and reminded long-time employees of the museum, like Lois Winslow, just how much the Children’s Museum has grown in Courtesy The Children’s Museum the past three decades. The Children’s Museum celebrated its birthday with a parade When Winslow began working at the Children’s museum in the late Now retired, Winslow still 1983. ’80s, the museum occupied the 5,000 works part time as the unofficial Since its opening, the museum square foot space at the bottom of “Children’s Museum ambassador.” has expanded from basement to one Allegheny City’s old post office In the early ’80s, there was of the top children’s museums in building and saw less than 10,000 talk of demolishing the old postal the country with three floors, two visitors per year. building in Allegheny Center that buildings and more than 10 exhibits “It was a charming little place now houses the Children’s Museum, In its first year, the museum when it first opened,” said Winslow. but the building was saved by the drew about 5,000 visitors to the “But it’s grown to a world-class Junior League of Pittsburgh, and Northside annually but now draws See Children’s Museum page 13 children’s museum.” the museum opened on June 12, more than a quarter of a million.

Congratulations 2013 Northside Sandwich King Presents:

Modern Café

and Runner-Up

James Street Gastropub & Speakeasy!

Monterey Pub

People’s Choice Award Most in-restaurant votes

Thank you for patronizing our great Northside restaurants!

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July 2013

A second Northside sandwich queen is crowned First place The Modern Café’s Spicy Sicilian

Runner-up James Street’s pulled pork and slaw

Photo by Kelsey Shea

Irene, the new sandwich queen, accepted her crown on June 22 and will reign over the Northside’s sandwich scene until next year.

By Kelsey Shea The Northside has new sandwich royalty! Last month the Modern Café’s Irene Zotis was crowned Sandwich Queen in the Northside Leadership Conference’s second annual Sandwich Week. The Modern Café took the crown with their Spicy Sicilian, and James Street

Gastropub and Speakeasy came in second place with their pulled pork and slaw sliders. This year, 13 restaurants participated in Northside Sandwich Week, which is meant to showcase the tasty sandwiches and dining options on the Northside. All of the restaurants faced off on June 20th at the Elks Lodge for the sandwich

sampler. Guests enjoyed a sample of each sandwich and Penn Brewery beer and voted on their favorite sandwiches. The sampler also featured celebrity judges Steeler Louis Lipps, food blogger Julia Gongaware, WYEP host Joey Spehar, singer Etta Cox and KDKA’s Jon Delano.

New café will feature cupcakes From Cakery, page 7 rush.” Though interior construction is not yet complete, it was only last December that the two had met for the first time through a mutual friend. Their chemistry was instant. “I’d be more nervous if we didn’t get along so well,” DeCarlo said. While working well together helps, both admit that they’ve also received much appreciated assistance from Dave Colaizzi, who is their business partner and a co-owner. “Dave has really been the brains behind the

operations. He’s gotten us in touch with a lot of people that have been very helpful,” Hatajik said. Also the owner of the building, Colaizzi was interested in converting his vacant first floor space into a café when someone who worked in the building introduced him to DeCarlo. He has helped connect the two with the Northside Community Development Fund which helps finance small businesses in the Northside. Both mothers in their early 30s, DeCarlo says, are motivated to work hard “to leave something for our kids.”

People’s Choice Monterey Pub’s pub-style beef

Do you have questions?

Ask the Northside Know It All! E-mail Northsideknowitall@ gmail.com and see your questions answered in the Chronicle

July 2013

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Page 13

Children’s Museum looks back on 30 years of growth

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Photo courtesy the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

The Children’s Museum celebrated its grand opening 30 years ago in June of 1983 and cut a paper chain instead of a ribbon.

From Museum page 11 on preservation efforts in our neighborhood.” In the nine years that followed, Schlageter cited the creation of the Charm Bracelet Project as one of the most significant ways that the Children’s Museum has impacted the Northside neighborhood. The museum founded The Charm Bracelet Project in 2006. The project aims to create a network of cultural, educational and recreational organizations that work collectively to foster a vibrant, attractive and accessible Northside that is unified by visible, lasting connections between organizations and amenities. In 2009, The Charm Bracelet Project is organized and sponsored the East Park Farmers Market Fresh Fridays, which continues today and is set up in the park on Friday afternoons between 4-6 p.m. from early summer to fall. Two years later, The Charm Bracelet Project increased its Northside visibility by installing a mural in the Federal Street

underpass that is changed annually to showcase new artists. Most recently the Charm Bracelet project completed the fundraising for the overhaul of Buhl Community Park last summer. Buhl Community Park is a city-owned park that neighbors the museum that was renovated with $6.5 million raised by the Charm Bracelet Project. “I think the Children’s Museum since its beginnings has been all about community,” said Schlageter, who added that the museum also worked to help save the New Hazlett Theater. In her time at the museum, Winslow remembered multiple offers to relocate to the suburbs or different part of the city, but she said the directors were always determined to stay in the Northside. “We long ago embraced the Northside as our home,” said Winslow. “The Children’s Museum became a cultural anchor…and helped build a better Northside.”

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The Northside Chronicle

California Markets kick off in Brighton Heights

On June 8, PGHRetail kicked off the California Markets, a series of open-air markets planned to boost the California Avenue business district in Brighton Heights. In addition to children’s activities and vendors, the first market series had a DJ, an art walk sponsored by the Brighton Heights Citizen Federation and the Steer and Wheel food truck served gourmet burgers. If you’re good with a spatula

or into brewing your own beer, the next California Markets on July 13 will have a BBQ cook-off sponsored by Tom’s Friday Market. It’s free to enter your beer or fire up a grill and there are prizes for first place winners. There will be information days at the Java N’Creme Coffee House at 3619 California Ave on July 10 at 6 p.m. (All photos courtesy Stephanie Lauren Stauffer)

July 2013

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John Canning

Allegheny ‘rag’ comes to Buhl Community Park “The music of our life” has a different meaning to every generation. Eventually it all becomes part of an oldies collection. For some it is hip hop, others doo wop or country or rock. For my parents it was Glenn Miller, the Andrews Sisters and Guy Lombardo. A century ago the craze was ragtime. Perhaps the most famous ragtime composer was Scott Joplin. “Rag” was exciting, and it was often the music that accompanied the silent films of the early 20th century. Recently, Tom Roberts, the Northside’s own stride pianist has rediscovered the works of George A. Reeg Jr. an Allegheny City musician with an ear and inclination to compose a number of ragtime works. Reeg was born and raised in the neighborhoods of Allegheny’s Third Ward where many of the residents spoke their own dialects of German. His dad and Uncle Adam, immigrated here from the principality of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. Eventually George Sr. and his wife Helena, were proprietors of the Reeg saloon and Hotel at the corner of Third (Tripoli) and Middle Streets. Their “hotel’ is presently home to the Northside Community Development Fund as well as our own Northside Chronicle. George Jr., born there in 1892, was the oldest of the six Reeg children. Aside from helping run the

family business, George Jr. had an ear for music and an inclination to compose. With ragtime sweeping across America as the genre of the early 20th century, Reeg rode the waves with several highly respectable compositions. All of his works were published by the Volkwein Brothers, fellow Alleghenians, who were leaders within the musical community of Pittsburgh and Allegheny City. Reeg’s musical career was cut short in 1918, by an early death at age 31. Perhaps it he was a casualty of World War I or maybe the great influenza epidemic of that year. He and his parents are buried in the Voegtly Cemetery in Troy Hill. Several of Reeg’s rags will be played as part of the Allegheny City Ragtime Orchestra’s program on Wednesday evening, July 3, in the Northside’s newest and oldest park -- The Buhl Community Park at Allegheny Square. The orchestra includes many musicians from Northside communities. This is the second program of the Allegheny City Society’s 2013 Summer Music series. (look for the ad in the Chronicle of upcoming programs of the series.) This free program begins at 7 p.m., so bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy the sounds that were the “music of life for many turn of the 20th century Alleghenians.

To read more of John Canning’s columns about the Northside’s Allegheny City past at

www.thenorthsidechronicle.com

July 2013

The Northside Chronicle

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Community garden planted in Brighton Heights

The lot where the community garden will be is on McClure Avenue in Brighton Heights. By William Park A new community garden in Brighton Heights will provide fresh produce for the neighborhood this summer.

Volunteers from the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation planted the garden the first week of June as part of the city of Pittsburgh’s Edible Gardens Program. Located at 3515 McClure Avenue, the garden will grow herbs

and vegetables, such as zucchinis, tomatoes and peppers. Weekly harvests will distribute vegetables to volunteers based on the amount of time they volunteered that week. The harvest’s weight will also be reported to the city. After providing many of the initial resources such as raised beds, vegetable seeds and mulch, the city will leave the care and maintenance of the garden largely in the hands of volunteers. Community Garden Steward Adam Hnatkovich said that volunteers will help water and weed plants as well as remove garden pests. He estimated a need for six to 12 volunteers. “It doesn’t require a whole lot of people. Obviously, the more people we have involved the better,” he said. Whether the city will provide seeds and plants for next year’s growing season is currently un-

known. However, Hnatkovich hopes “to keep the garden going as long as we can.” He plans for his group to provide its own seeds in the case the city doesn’t. If seeds are not provided next year, volunteers will grow a specific plant species in their homes and bring them to the garden next summer, result in a wider variety of plants and a larger harvest. Though the garden’s primary purpose is to provide fresh produce, Hnatkovich said there is also an educational benefit. “It’s a demonstration of what you can do in a small space in terms of producing large amounts of fresh, clean food,” he said. The garden might also “encourage people to start small gardens in their backyard, where they maybe didn’t think they had the space to accomplish that.” Those interested in volunteering can email Hnatkovich at amhnatkovich@gmail.com.

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Brighton Heights Ronald Johnson to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. at 3951 Brandon Road for $1,907 by sheriff ’s deed. Elizabeth Mulligan et al. to David Seabolt at 1748 Kleber St. for $165,000. Anthony Washington to Steel City Housing Solutions LLC at 3577 Elmhurst Ave. for $3,500. Steel City Housing Solutions LLC to Soccoro Holdings 2 LLC at 3577 Elmhurst Ave. for $8,000. Marlene Goslawski to Timothy and Stephanie Murphy at 3608 Laird St. for $52,250. Thomas Berna to Kristoffer Bennett at 1912 Termon Ave. for $43,000. Bank New York Trust Co. NA trustee to Patterson Construction at 1010 Cornell Ave. for $20,200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $66,300) by sheriff ’s deed. Federal National Mortgage Assn. to Aldrich Estates LLC at 3438 Fleming Ave. for $16,005. Robin Kurtz to Charles Linhart at

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3411 Gass Ave. for $5,000. Brightwood Melissa Derkach to Shoebox Homes LLC at 3004 Frederick St. for $18,000. Estate of Dominic Angeloini to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. at 3045 Stayton St. for $1,509 by sheriff ’s deed. Estate of Emma McGaha to Vickie Proudley at 1522 Superior Ave. for $24,000. Estate of John Pribilovic to Leslie Smith trustee at 1235 Thelma St. for $4,200. Joseph Turk to NJDP LLC at 722 Woods Run Ave. for $96,500. Bank New York trustee to A&M Inc. at 2918 Shadeland Ave. for $5,600. Brightwood Civic Group to Kira Rivera at 1324 Woodland Ave. for $130,000. Travis Schenk to Jennifer Lee at 1250 Superior Ave. for $94,900. Joseph Turk to NJDP LLC at 722 Woods Run Ave. for $96,500.

Central Northside David Braun to Karl Kunkle at 506 N. Taylor Ave. for $258,750. Nizar Dayoub to Nada Ackerman at 1616 Buena Vista St. for $40,000. Vincent Sonson II to Nicholas Ross at 1238 Monterey St. for $262,000. Robert Karl Kirschner to Douglas Nimmo at 1410 Sherman Ave. for $151,000. John Fidrocki Jr. to Mark Daniels at 1721 Buena Vista St. for $140,000. Elisabeth Dwyer to Norman Beals III and Victoria Beals at 1700 Buena Vista St. for $259,000. Historic Deutschtown KRP Development L.P. to Solido Development LLC at 607 Avery St. for $57,000. James Costa to Philip Snow at 1218 Boyle St. for $30,000. Karen Stanfield Kane to James Bracaglia and Rachel Nalitz at 218 Jacksonia St. for $293,000. Robert Sendall to J Daniel Wintermantel and Leslie Vincen at 1521 Monterey St. for $10,000.

July 2013

East Deutschtown Pittsburgh City to Marc Anthony Management Co. at 903 Turtle Way for $52,000. Edgardo Guerrero to Sequitur Financial LLC at 848 Blossom Way for $30,000. Historic Deutschtown Alfred DePasquale to Sarah Sims Erwin and Dominick DeGennaro at 406 Foreland St. for $40,000. Holly Childs to Adam and Stephanie Rothenberg at 420 Pressley St. for $280,675. Manchester Greater Allen Full Gospel AME Church Inc. to Manchester Citizens Corp. at 1301 Columbus Ave. for $20,000. Vernon Boozer Jr. et al. to Louise Harris at 1306 Decatur St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $10,029). Pittsburgh City to Manchester Housing Development LLC at 1409 Juniata St. for $1,500.

July 2013

Pittsburgh City to Manchester Housing Development LLC at 1419 Juniata St. for $1,500. Michael Lemak to Joseph Bartolotta at 1335 Page St. for $215,000. Michael Spoltore et al. to Brandon Glova at 1102 Pennsylvania Ave. for $128,000. Peter Barner to Steven and Rayanne Maulick at 1505 Sedgwick St. for $15,000. Observatory Hill Linda Rockey to Erin Strain at 4106 Franklin Road for $58,000. Thomas Michael Heaney to Oakglade Realty Capital Partn. L.P. at 117 Hemphill St. for $26,000. Federal National Mortgage Assn. to Robert Donald Revell III at 236 Bascom Ave. for $35,000. Federal National Mortgage Assn. to Oakglade Realty Capital Partn. L.P. at 241 Bascom Ave. for $28,500. Estate of Thomas McDonough to Federal National Mortgage Assn. at 4029 Franklin Road for $1,509 by sheriff ’s deed. Federal National Mortgage Assn. to

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Oakglade Realty Capital Partn. L.P. at 214-1/2 Watson Blvd. for $17,500. Thomas Painter to Jason Butterfield at 434 Maline St. for $41,000. Linda Duty et al. to Wilmington Trust Co. trustee at 420 Marshall Ave. for $1,801 by sheriff ’s deed. Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Oakglade Realty Capital Partn. L.P. at 321 Venture St. for $17,000. Jeffrey Miller to Robert Graham at 4038 Franklin Road for $60,000. JP Morgan Chase Bank NA to Triple A Investments LLC at 4013 Stilwell St. for $8,930. Perry Hilltop Herman Glass Jr. to Y & Q Management Inc. at 2338 Maple Ave. for $20,375. Herman Glass to Y & Q Management Inc. at 323 W. Burgess St. for $20,375. Sedgebrook Management Inc. to Frannie P Properties at 276 Kennedy Ave. for $28,500. AA Holdings 2005 LLC to PIT Properties LLC at 2306 Perrysville Ave. for $55,000.

Spring Garden Northside Community Development Fund to Gargamel Properties L.P. at 1055 Spring Garden Ave. for $182,500. Spring Hill Premier Holdings One LLC to Joao Araujo at 1315 Diana Place for $3,995. Estate of Bernard Vogel Jr. to Joseph Valorie at 1614 Walz St. for $11,000. Adam Tripp to Katherine Leigh and Jonathan James Chamberlain at 2136 Rockledge St. for $78,000. Summer Hill Robert Glitsch to James Brent at 606 Ivory Ave. for $161,500. Jack Freeman to Beneficial Mortgage Co. Pennsylvania at 916 Vista St. for $6,992 by sheriff ’s deed. Eleanor Eberz Grundler to James and Melissa Eberz at 147 Overbeck St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $27,800).

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Summer Hill Evelyn Kirsch to Alan and Lisa Loskoch at 161 Ivory Ave. for $76,900. Troy Hill Tom Gray to Jonathan Coen at 2153 Lowrie St. for $80,000. Wes Notovitz to Vino Valanidi LLC at 2014 Lowrie St. for $62,500. Alexander Tarnas to Mark Rawlings at 1124 Province St. for $1,630. 600 Waterfront Assoc. to MCH Waterfront LLC at 600 Waterfront Drive for $3,850,000. Pittsburgh City to H3 Management LLC at 1300 Goettman St. for $2,000. Benz Properties LLC to Go Realty LLC at 1814 Harpster St. for $170,375. Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>. Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.

The Northside Chronicle

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July 2013

Northside Education Page Record breaking swim Saturday Light Brigade’s Solar Concert lesson at Allegheny Y Series returns to Buhl Community Park

The Saturday Light Brigade’s Solar Concert Series will return to the Northside this year with live musical performances that are amplified using the power of the sun! The sixth annual series will take place in Buhl Community Park at Allegheny Square Wednesdays in July and August, from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m. “The free concert series reflects SLB’s mission to present innovative and engaging audio-based programming for children, youth and families, provide inter-generational audiences with the chance to take part in live music events, and bring the diverse voices of local and regional acoustic musicians to its broad audience of radio show listeners, families, educators, museum visitors, children, and youth,” wrote SLB in the press release. The sixth Annual Solar Concert Series is a project of SLB Radio Productions, Inc. (SLB), Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and the New Hazlett Theater. Check out this year’s schedule. You’ll see some familiar Northside names, and new comers to the series! 2013 SOLAR CONCERT SERIES SCHEDULE Photo courtesy the Allegheny Y

Northside children and adults at the Allegheny Y made a splash in history as they took part in the World’s Largest Swim Lesson at branches of the Y of Greater Pittsburgh on June 18, attempting to break the record of 24,873 worldwide participants. The aim of the event was to promote awareness that formal swim lessons can prevent drowning, the leading cause of accidental injury-related death for children ages 1-5.”

July 3: Tom Roberts (ragtime and jazz) July 10: AppalAsia (Asian-bluegrass fusion) July 17: The Wreckids (folk-rock) July 24: The Squirrel Hillbillies (acoustic country and folk) July 31: Mark Dignam (original contemporary Irish and folk) August 7: The Josh & Gab Show (anti-bullying kid rock) August 21: The Flow Band (reggae) August 28: Crusic Percussion (percussion ensemble)

For more information, please visit: www.solarconcertseries.org. In the event of rain, concerts are held inside the Museum’s Theater. Lunch is available for sale in the Museum’s Big Red Room Café and at nearby businesses on East Ohio Street. Visitors may bring a lunch to enjoy during the concerts. Outdoor seating, picnic tables and blankets are provided. Concerts are free and open to all ages.

The Northside Chronicle Education page is sponsored by:

The Northside Chronicle

July 2013

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Sudoku

The Game Page

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BestCrosswords.com - Puzzle #5 for August 27, 2010

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

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