Meet local artist Dennis Bergevin
Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts upon project completion
The Northside Chronicle
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July 2017 Est. 1985
Your Community Newspapper
Volume 33 Issue 7 - FREE -
Photo by Bridget Fertal
The “Welcome to Deutschtown” mural on the side of Allegheny City Brewing, 507 Foreland St., was completed last July by artist Amy Novelli.
The history of Charles Street Valley By Victoria Stevans Charles Street Valley, a neighborhood in the Northside’s “heartland,” has a rich history, and a promising, unfolding future. According to John Canning, the president of the historical Allegheny City Society (ACS), the Northside first materialized in 1787. That year, David Reddick, a Washington County surveyor and member of the Pennsylvania Assembly, was asked by the state’s Supreme Council to stake out a plot of land for the freshly-formed Allegheny County. Reddick, in his resulting report, called Allegheny City’s hills, which lie beyond the Allegheny
and Ohio Rivers’ flat floodplains, an uninhabitable “moonscape.” Nevertheless, throughout the late 1700s and the early 1800s, this “moonscape,” which would later become Charles Street Valley (CSV), California-Kirkbride, Marshall-Shadeland, Perry Hilltop, and Fineview, was separated into private family-owned farms, settled, and gradually developed. The Civil War brought economic expansion through its demand for industrial production, and afterwards Allegheny City enlarged in both population and territory. From 1875 to 1900, the area’s real estate changed shape, as farms turned into apartment buildings and
houses for working-middle class families employed in Pittsburgh’s businesses, factories, and mills. Around this same time, the hills were further transformed by the installation of electric trolley lines and incline planes, which made commuting easier for the working class population. “[Allegheny City’s] hinterland [or ‘moonscape] was rapidly becoming the Heartland,” Canning said. Charles Street Valley ,specifically, was home to an incline plane that connected it to “the Clifton Park housing development[on] Chautauqua Street,” according to Canning. See Heartland, Page 11
Deutschtown Music Festival enters 5th year By Alyse Horn The Deutschtown Music Festival has been eating magic beans. Close to 250 bands will perform during this year’s free two-day music festival, an event that was also named the “Best Music Festival” in Pittsburgh by the City Paper in 2016. Last year the event garnered 189 bands, and during its first year there were only 46 bands, said Cody Walters, co-founder of the event. See DMF, Page 14
The Northside Chronicle
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THE NORTHSIDE CHRONICLE
922 Middle St. • Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Managing Editor, Alyse Horn editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com Advertising Manager, Lauren Stauffer advertising@thenorthsidechronicle.com www.thenorthsidechronicle.com Phone 412-321-3919 • Fax 412-321-1447 Mail Subscriptions are available at a rate of $35.00 per year. Distribution: 8,000 copies 2017 Advertising Rates & Rewards Available Upon Request DISCLAIMER: t contributors that appear in the Northside The viewpoints and opinions of the writers and 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 2017
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Community Meetings
After Jail & Prison Ministry Support Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Allegheny Center Alliance Church 412.321.4333 ext. 127 801 Union Place, first floor Allegheny West Civic Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Calvary United Methodist Church 412.323.8884 Brighton Heights Citizens Federation 2nd Thursday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Morrow Elementary School 412.734.0233 Brightwood Civic Group 3rd Tuesday, bi-month, 7 p.m. Pressley Ridge, 2611 Stayton St. 412.732.8152 Brightwood Community Emergency Response Shelter 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6 p.m. 3219 Central Ave. California-Kirkbride Blockwatch 3rd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m. 1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor California-Kirkbride Neighbors 2nd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m. 1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor 412.758.3898 Central Northside Neighborhood Council 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. Arnold’s Tea 412.321.1204 Fineview Citizens Council 4th Wednesday, monthly, 6 p.m. 1629 Sandusky Ct. 412.231.0330 Mexican War Streets Society 3rd Monday, bi-monthly, 6:30-7 p.m. 1400 Buena Vista St. 412.323.9030
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Manchester Citizens Corporation Quarterly meetings, call for times MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. 412.323.1743 Manchester Public Safety Meeting Quarterly meetings, call for times Northside Leadership Conference 412.323.1743 Northside Rotary Club Every Friday, noon Cardello Building, 2nd Floor NS Coalition for Fair Housing Board 2nd Monday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5527 NS Coalition for Fair Housing Members Monthly, call for times 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5521 Northside Leadership Conference Call to confirm 1st Wednesday, monthly, 6 p.m. MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. 412.231.4714 North Side Lions Club 2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly, noon Max’s Allegheny Tavern North Side Public Safety Council 1st Thursday, monthly, 5:30 p.m. 1319 Allegheny Ave. 1st floor meeting room 412.231.4714 ext. 201 Northside Toastmasters 2nd & 4th Thursdays, monthly, 6:30pm Carnegie Library, 1230 Federal St. 412-204-6018 Observatory Hill, Inc. 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Byzantine Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave. 412.231.2887 Perry Hilltop Citizens’ Council 2nd Tuesday, bi-monthly, 6 p.m. The Pittsburgh Project perryhilltop@gmail.com 412.223.7144 The Promise Group Every other Tuesday, 6 p.m. Western Pa. Humane Society 412.321.1019 Troy Hill Citizens Council March 8th, June 7th, Sept 13th, Dec 13th. 1515 Tinsbury St. 412.321.2852 Spring Hill Civic League March 6, May 8, Sept. 11, Oct. 2, Nov. 6. 6 p.m, Spring Hill Elementary School auditorium, contact@shcl.org Summer Hill Citizens Committee 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. WPXI Television Station community room
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June 2017
The Northside Chronicle
July newsletter from Councilwoman Darlene Harris I hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day celebration at the beginning of the month! Summer is roadwork season, so please be careful driving, and keep an eye out for roadwork crews. Also, I would like to remind everyone to check on their elderly neighbors. The summer heat can be dangerous for everyone from adults to pets, and staying hydrated is key. On the Northside, the spray
parks are open and pool tags can be purchased for a day or for the season. On hot summer days like those we had in June, spray parks are the perfect way to entertain kids! The hours and addresses for each spray park can be found at pittsburghpa.gov. Never hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. I can be reached at darlene.harris@ pittsburghpa.gov or 412-255-2135. Have a safe and wonderful summer!
National Night Out 2017, volunteers needed
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Its main goal is to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. The National Night Out program culminates annually on the first Tuesday of August with neighbors participating in events across thousands of communities. Allegheny City Central Association is planning to hold its
Front Door Campaign continues for NS Food Pantry The Food Pantry Advisors launched a campaign to raise $1,700 to renovate the outside of the Food Pantry with the following improvements: *$750 for a professional aluminum sign and installation *$700 for energy-saving LED lighting and installation *$250 for signage and painting of main entrance door
Improving the entrance to the Food Pantry would assist clients, volunteers, and community members by raising visibility of the pantry, increasing safety with lighting, and making the pantry look and feel like a place that the Northside values. The campaign has raised over half of the amount needed for the renovations. Can you help them
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reach their goal? Donations by check can be mailed or delivered to Northside Common Ministries, 1601 Brighton Rd., 15212, to the attention of Jay Poliziani, Executive Director. Please be sure to note “Front Door Campaign” in the memo line. If you have questions about the Front Door Campaign, email Food Pantry Advisors or call Darlene Rushing at 412-370-3691.
National Night Out Street Party on Tuesday, August 1. During the Street Party, neighbors can join together to enjoy food, music, and lots of activities for the kids. ACCA is looking for volunteers to plan and accomplish the tasks that will make this year’s National Night Out be the best that it can be. If you would like to be involved in this important neighborhood event, contact ACCA by emailing safety@accapgh.org or by calling 412-204-6116.
Free tutoring sessions
The community organization Saving Our Sons and Daughters will be holding free math tutoring sessions starting July 24 for students enter the 6th grade. The program will be held on Monday’s and last four weeks. For more information, call Cecelia Ware at (412) 345-1366.
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The Northside Chronicle
June 2017
History tours with Allegheny City Society AIR Summer By Victoria Stevans This July, join the Allegheny City Society (ACS) for free, historic walking tours through two of the Northside’s neighborhoods as well as interactive History Roundtables. There will be an Allegheny City History Roundtable hosted by the ACS on Wednesday, July 12. History Rountables are informal events that center around attendees sharing their memories of 20th Century life on the Northside. July’s event will start at 6:30 p.m. at The Commonplace Coffee, 1501 Buena Vista St, and will be focusing on the topic: “transportation, how folks get around.” The ACS asks attendees to remember the flying fraction trolley, the old yellow trollies, long-gone auto dealerships, the Harmony Trolley line, and the Harmony Shortline bus routes, along with whichever of their recollections are the strongest. On Thursday, July 13, there will be an evening walking-tour through Fineview. Starting at
6:15 p.m. on Catoma Street’s observation deck, attendees will learn about Fineview’s rich history. The tour will touch on the neighborhood’s early settlers – a community of Nuns who opened a convent north of Allegheny Town – and its industrial development – the inclines and trollies that connected the area to “lower North Side.” The jaunt will also take participants past some of the neighborhood’s newest homes and some of its oldest, like Heathside Cottage. On Thursday, July 27, the ACS will be leading a walk through Upper Wood’s Run Valley. Participants will gather across from Young Brothers Bar,
1441 Woods Run Ave, at 6:15 p.m., and then work their way through the community’s history. The tour will highlight works of notable architects – Alden, Harlow, Longfellow, and Scheibler – that are nestled throughout Woods Run. The attendees will also ruminate on the community’s origins as a hub of working and middle class families and its journey through the consequences of urban renewal. The tour will touch on the departed Schwerd’s Column plant and St. John’s Hospital, as well as the bustling intersection of Brighton Road and Woods Run Avenue. The walk will end where it started, at Younger Brothers, with a few drafts inside the bar. All Summer Walks are funded by the Buhl Foundation’s One Northside Program and IOBY. For more information on Summer Walking Tours or History Roundtables, check the ASC Facebook page w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / A l leghenyCitySociety or call Amelia Gehron (412-766-5670).
workshops
Have you even wanted to learn how to silkscreen? Is your child asking questions about how prints are made? If so, Artists Image Resource (AIR) has summer workshops for you and your child. This summer, AIR is hosting one-day educational programs for kids and adults now to Thursday, August 17 at Artists Image Resource, located at 518 Foreland St. in Historic Deutschtown. The classes being offered are: •Beginners Photographic Silkscreen Printing •Intermediate Photographic Silkscreen Printing • P h o t o g r a p h ic Silkscreen Portraits All class materials are included with the cost of a workshop. Class size is limited. For more information about the dates and times of the classes offered, visit the Summer Print Workshops webpage. To sign up, email Tresa Varner.
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NSLC Annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner 2017 On Thursday, June 15, the Northside Leadership Conference held its 34th Annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner in the Priory’s Grand Hall, 614 Pressley St. Fifteen graduating seniors were presented with $1,000 scholarship checks and electronic tablets provided by the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh’s Northside. Neighborhood and business
awards were also presented during the evening as well as Lifetime Achievement Awards. Individuals presented with neighborhood awards were selected by members of their respective neighborhood organizations. Service Provider and Lifetime Achievement Awards are nominated by and voted on by the Northside Leadership Board of Directors and Dinner Committee.
2017 Awardees Scholarship Awards and Electronic Tablet Awards Brieanna Gerner, Troy Hill Chandler White, Brightwood Morgan Moman, Observatory Hill Jenell Younger, Brighton Heights Mary Katherine Daigle, Fineview DaChanel Rutherford, Brighton Heights Ethan Reay, Fineview Olivia Cole, Brighton Heights Brett Searcy, Perry Hilltop Jermaine Younger, Jr., Brighton Heights Taylor Stewart, Spring Hill Douglas Johnson, Brightwood Patrick Banze, Observatory Hill Declan Walkush, Brighton Heights Menghai Tang, Manchester Neighborhood & Business Awardees Allegheny West Civic Council- Dr. Daniel Strinkoski Brighton Heights Citizens Federation- Dirt Doctor
Cleaning Services- Tim Maloney Community Alliance Spring Garden East Deutschtown- Joe Valorie East Allegheny Community CouncilDouglas Kamper Fineview Citizens CouncilCodie Vileno Manchester Citizens Corporation- Lisa Freeman Observatory Hill Incorporated- Regina Scott Spring Hill Civic LeagueSue Lippert Summer Hill Citizens Committee- Annette Simmons Troy Hill Citizens Incorporated- Bernie Heinlein Life time achievement awards Pete & Joan Bellisario, Brighton Heights Becky Coger, Allegheny City Central Jean Binder, Perry Hilltop Tom Murphy, Perry Hilltop Frank Rossi, Historic Deutschtown Service Provider Awardee Perry High School JROTC Program
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MF celebrates 40th birthday By Neil Strebig On June 16 he Mattress Factory hosted their annual fundraising event, “Urban Garden Party: MF40” to a sold-out crowd of 1,400 people. According to Director of Development Caitlin Harpster, more than $210,000 in donations were made. The funds will be allocated towards the museum’s artistic, educational and community outreach programs. Event chair, Eric J. Werner was joined on stage by Pittsburgh mayor Bill Peduto, state Senator Wayne Fontana and county executive Rich Fitzgerald in declaring June 16, 2016 “Mattress Factory Day” in the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. This year’s Urban Garden Party celebrated the anniversary of the museum’s grand opening in 1977 with a Star Wars inspired theme, a silent auction, contributions from dozens of local breweries and eateries, live music and performances that included turning the first floor of the museum into a CBGB-like punk rock bar. For more information on upcoming Mattress Factory events or how to
donate visit the museum’s webpage. Food and beverages for the event were provided by: All in Good Taste Productions, Apteka, AMPD Group, Black Radish Kitchen, B52, Bar Marco, Big Burrito Group, Butcher on Butler, Butterwood Bakery, Carato Café, Coca Café, Cure, Enrico Biscotti Company, Faber Distilling Company, Gluten Free Goat Bakery, Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, Greek Gourmet, La Prima Espresso Company, Market Square Wine and Grocery, Mediterra Bakehouse, Merchant Oyster Co, Millie’s Ice Cream, Monterey Pub, Morcilla, Muddy Waters Oyster Bar, Onion Maiden, Opening Night Catering, Penn Brewery, Pennsylvania Libations, Provision Pittsburgh, Rita’s Italian Ice, Studio AM, studio:dessert, The Vandal, and War Street Brewery Live music and performances for the event were provided by: Balloon Artist Weird Eric, Beauty Slap, DJ Dave Zak, Kierra Darshell’s Divas of Drag, LUXE Creative Resident DJ Samuel Andres, O’Ryan the O’Mazing and the Steel City Kitty Burlesque & Variety Show.
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3rd Annual VegFest
By Victoria Stevans On Saturday, August 5, the third annual Pittsburgh VegFest is bringing animal lovers, foodies, and Pittsburgh music fans together in Allegheny Commons Park East to celebrate the city’s diverse and active animal advocacy efforts. The outdoor festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is hosted by Justice for Animals, a non-profit animal rights organization, and will have free admission. The first 250 guests to arrive will also receive a free, jam-packed goodie bag. Pittsburgh VegFest’s main event will be its selection of the city’s delicious and diverse vegan, gluten free, and vegetarian food. As a result of the event’s top-notch picks last year CityPaper awarded VegFest the title “2016’s Best Food Festival.” This year the festival will feature food from Double Wide Grill, Onion Maiden, Blue Sparrow Food Truck, White Rabbit Cafe and Patisserie Franktuary, Gluten Free Goat, and many more of Pittsburgh’s restaurants, food trucks, and bakeries.
Over 80 vendors will be present at the event, ranging from non-profit animal welfare organizations, to small businesses and wellness specialists. Attendees will be able to enjoy a wide selection of merchandise – including vegan cheeses, cosmetics, and clothes – as well as sources of information on animal rights, veganism, and more. There will also be musical performances by six Pittsburgh bands and solo performers, such as Working Breed, Sikes and the New Violence, and Lexa Terrestrial. Several informational speakers, including the Refresh Collective Community Group, will also take the stage. In addition, the event will feature raffles, kid friendly activities, and yoga demonstrations to provide Northsiders of all ages with non-stop entertainment. Pittsburgh’s VegFest is sponsored by Whole Foods Market, Smoothie King, East End Food Co-op, WYEP/ WESA, Port Authority, and Vegfund. All information courtesy of www.pittsburghvegfest.org.
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Programs, installations for summer at the Warhol
Photo by Bridget Fertal
Naaem Martinez, artist education at The Warhol, explains to museum goers how silk screen printing is done. By Nick Eustis
Brightwood Businesses
Northside art lovers will be pleased to hear that The Andy Warhol Museum is offering a host of programs for the summer crowds. A highlight of the Warhol Museum’s summer offerings is “Andy Warhol: Stars of the Silver Screen,” an exhibition displaying Warhol’s deep obsession with all things Hollywood. Created by the Warhol’s Curator of Film and Video Geralyn Huxley, as well as archival consultant Matt Wrbican, this special exhibit contains hundreds of items, from Warhol’s personal belongings, to paintings, to films and television episodes. The collection meditates on the nature of celebrity, as well as Warhol’s relationship with his own fame. “Stars of the Silver Screen” opened on June 16 and will be open through September 24. The Warhol Museum also provides educational and interactive programs on a daily basis. Gallery talks are offered twice a day by the Warhol’s artist educators. Guests are guided through the seventh floor of the museum, detailing Warhol’s early life, artistic beginnings in Pittsburgh and New York City, and the beginning of his interest in Pop Art. Of Pop Art, educator
Marlon Fullenwider said “[Warhol] wanted people to know that anything can be art if you choose to make it art.” Also offered daily in the museum lobby is a demonstration of how to make a photographic silkscreen print. Silkscreen prints were a favorite medium of Warhol’s as he could take photographs and make multiple versions of the image in a variety of color combinations. As artist educator Naaem Martinez explained that silkscreens are created by stretching a piece of fabric, traditionally silk, over a frame, then coating that fabric in lightsensitive paint. Then, the frame and an acetate of a photograph are placed in an “exposure unit,” a box which forces light through the acetate and screen. This creates a copy of the image in paint on the screen. For the young and young at heart, the Warhol offers an underground studio called The Factory, where visitors can try their hand at some of Warhol’s favorite techniques. Pick up an old-fashioned ink pen and make some blotted line drawings, or play with colored acetates and photographs to create your own Warholian souveniers. To learn more about the programs The Warhol has to offer, visit www.warhol.org.
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Observatory Hill grows hops on vacant Bonvue Street lots
Observatory Hill Inc. has been looking for different ways to temporarily use vacant lots in the neighborhood, and one current solution has been to grow hops. Megan Zeigler said she was brought in to help oversee the project because of her past involvement with GTECH and the Hops on Lots program. “This is meant to be a temporary vacant land solution,” Zeigler said. “The current agreement is that all of the hops being grown will go to Allegheny City Brewing.” A variety of cluster, centennial and cascade hops will be grown on 101 and 104 Bonvue St. Zeigler said one lot is complete and just waiting for a water donation from Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, and the other still needs poles and stringing to happen. The PWSA do-
nated the water to the project as part of its community water program. “We are waiting for that tap to go it, and can hopefully start planting next week,” Zeigler said. Hop vines grow vertically and need something similar to a trellis or a long rope to wrap around as they grow. The setup has sparked the interest of some neighborhood kids, which Zeigler is thankful for. “We want to have the kids help plant [the hops],” Zeigler said. “We’re trying to get them engaged so they can be our stewards.” Zeigler said she has done similar projects like this in Millvale after leaving GTECH. While with the organization, she said the Hops on Lots was what she was most attached to. She was able to being her personal business venture in hops after receiving a grant from the Idea Foundry.
June 2017
Photo by Bridget Fertal
On Saturday, June 10, Northsiders of all ages explored Riverview Park’s leafy trails and grassy hillsides to celebrate the 11th Annual Heritage Day Festival. Allana Curington, the Allegheny General Hospital partnership coordinator for the Northside Leadership Conference, attended the event with a booth and said, “Heritage day is a great way incorporate a lot of different groups into the celebration.” “Having everyone come out really shows how diverse our community is,” Currington said.
Chateau Business District in the RJ Casey Industrial Park
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Brighton Heights Businesses
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Deutschtown Businesses
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Charles Street Valley, from ‘moonscape’ to Heartland From Heartland, Page 1 Street,” according to Canning. The Heartland communities also were also interconnected by trolley lines. One particularly significant line connected CSV to Perrysville Avenue, a bustling hub of shopping and entertainment. At this time, CSV was known as Pleasant Valley. “I imagine the space between houses in Charles Street Valley was pleasant compared to the tightly-packed houses by the mills,” Canning said, although he was unsure of the name’s origin. During this time, Charles Street’s Annunciation Roman Catholic parish provided the community with schools for children from grades 1 to 12. At the beginning of the 20th Century, CSV inhabitants got electricity in their homes, along with modern appliances like refrigerators. However, even with all these changes, the Heartland neighborhoods stayed self-contained. “Shopping patterns remained
quite local,” said Canning. “Throughout all the Heartland communities there were grocery stores, butcher shops, pharmacies, shoe repair shops,[etc].” CSV was self-sustaining throughout the Depression and Second World War. However, after the war, neighborhoods and highways began to develop outside of the city, forming suburbs. The popularization of the automobile also impacted these trolley-centric areas, changing the pace of transportation. During this time, many people from CSV “left their houses in states of neglect, and moved to new homes outside of the city,” said Canning. Pittsburgh’s government – from the years 1945 to 1970 – focused on building suburban housing developments and connecting them to the city’s downtown area. According to Canning, the Northside was deemphasized and disregarded. As a result, the population dropped greatly. In the present day, CSV is coming to be defined by
its
active regeneration. The home of Pittsburgh’s BreadWorks Bakery, CSV is mostly populated by families who have lived in old, historic homes for generations, or by newly-transplanted families living in neighborhood’s affordable housing, according to Angela Williams, Charles Street Valley resident and Acting President of the Charles Street Area Council (CSAC). The CSAC is one of the constructive forces of change acting throughout the CSV community. In fact, three years ago the group created a community garden and walkway at the corner of North Charles Street and Brighton Road. The garden was first put into motion in 2013 when the Northside Leadership Conference was awarded a grant from Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development, now called Neighborhood Allies. “The grant was designed to foster community collaboration and improve a primary main street corridor,” Williams said. In turn, community entities from CSV, Brightwood, and Brigh-
ton Heights were all allotted funding to choose a vacant lot along Brighton Road and revitalize it. In the three years following the garden’s completion, Williams, her family, and other CSV community members have come out for the annual Weed and Seed, a day dedicated the garden’s upkeep. “Every year, May 20 is our planting day,” Williams said. “We grill hot dogs after we’ve finished gardening.” “This year we planted 46 perennials in addition to the 200 perennials already planted,” said Williams. The 2013 grant also provided funding for a gateway sign in all three of the neighborhoods’ gardens. “In addition to adding beauty to these lots, the gateway entrance signs will signify [one’s] entrance into the Northside neighborhood,” said Williams. “They are a sort of branding tactic, and a way to get residents involved in community developments.” Each of the neighborhoods’ com See Heartland, Page 12
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Charles Street Valley, past to present
From Heartland, Page 11 munity groups and residents have voted on the signs’ designs in order to choose “the graphics that best represent the area,” according to Williams. The signs are being manufactured presently, and are set to be installed this summer. However, even with this progress, many vacant, city-owned lots in the Charles Street Valley area are not being maintained, according to Williams. “Neighborhood groups and developers are taking on the role of the city departments, and picking up the slack,” Williams said. Nevertheless, the CSAC is looking forward to fresh to community improvement projects in its future. Most recently, the group is set on repurposing two empty lots in the Charles Street Valley area and converting them into playgrounds. “The children living around Charles Street, especially in subsidized housing, don’t have anywhere to play,” said Williams. “Currently, they play in
the street or in empty lots.” The possible locations of these playgrounds have not yet been determined, as the CSAC is waiting for a community-wide agreement on placement, along with some resources from real estate developers of the area’s three subsidized housing units. Once a community consensus has been reached, the CSAC plans to apply for a KaBOOM Build It Yourself Grant, which requires the group to match to the grant’s $15,000 funds, and provide volunteers. KaBOOM is a nationwide non-profit that helps communities build playgrounds. In 2016, The Sprout Fund, through the Buhl Foundation’s One Northside initiative, awarded the CSAC $10,000 for revitalization. The CSAC plans to use the majority of this grant money, as well as some additional resources, to match any KaBOOM funds. “One of our long term goals is market rate housing,” Williams said, “Playgrounds are a good start to get more people in the neighborhood, and facilitate real estate development.”
Presently, The CSAC is also focusing its attention on new subsidized housing developments for Fineview constituents who are being relocated in Charles Street Valley. According to Williams, Trek Development, a real estate development firm, presented “preliminary schematic designs” of the new plans to Northsiders at The Pittsburgh Project around the end of last year and the beginning of this year. “The presentation included relocating Fineview residents into market rate, mixed-income, and commercial structures to be built along Brighton Road near the intersection of Charles Street,” Williams said. As of now, Charles Street Valley residents are waiting to see how these changes unfold. For the CSAC, this may be the chance to garner more interest and engagement from their constituents. “We want to get more Charles Street Valley residents actively involved in decision making processes and community direction,” Williams said. “Especially with new developments like these.”
June 2017
Aviary Penguin Encounter By Ed Skirtich “Honk, Honk,” Brruh!” Brruh” were the sounds the African penguins made at Aviary’s Penguin encounter before receiving fish during one of their feedings. As Aviary volunteer Ed Ivanko fed the penguins by hand, and another volunteer Janet Robb said the penguins can also catch the fish with the hook of their beak when chasing prey. Teri Grendzinski, supervisor of animal husbandry and collections, said penguins like to eat sardines, anchovies, herring and mackerel. Robb said penguins are “wonderful swimmers” and can go as fast as 15 miles per hour. In the while, penguins have many predators that like to eat them, however Gredzinski explained that penguins can avoid being eaten by swimming in groups to avoid seals and sea lions. In addition, Robb said penguins can use splashing to confuse sharks and whales when being chased.
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DMF to add 10 week summer series of musical performances
Photo by Whitney Lerch
Memphis Hill performing at the 2016 Deutschtown Music Festival. From DMF, Page 1 Now in its fifth year, the weekend will consist of 33 venues and 36 stages around several Northside neighborhoods including: Historic Deutschtown, Spring Garden and Troy Hill as well as Allegheny Commons East Park. Joe Nadberazny, one of three members of The Danzas, said this will be the groups third time performing at the festival. This year they will be playing outside at 2 p.m. at Huszars, 627 E. North Ave. Last year, Nadberazny said the band was located at Allegheny City Brewing and about two thirds of the way through the show the brewery had run out of beer that was put aside for the festival. “They had a chalk board with the beer available written on it, and slowly I saw them erasing beer until all it said was, ‘Sorry, you drank all of our beer, now listen to the bands!’” Nadberazny said. When Nadberazny heard how many bands were performing at this year’s festival, he noted that it is probably a “logistical nightmare.” “It’s pretty amazing,” Nadberazny said. “The first thing that comes to mind is how incredibly difficult it has to be of [which band
goes where] when scheduling. I don’t want their jobs.” Hugh Twyman, DMF band coordinator, said it is a daunting task, but being involved in the Pittsburgh music scene for over a decade has given him a “better than average grasp on most of the bands and where they would fit best.” “As difficult as this is, I absolutely love doing,” Twyman said. This year after DMF, Walters said there will be a Saturday series of musical performances every weekend for 10 weeks starting July 23 and running through September 23. Dubbed the Deutschtown Summer Series, a band or solo act will perform at Arnold’s Tea on East Ohio Street from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and BYOB will be allowed. Walters said patrons of the series are encouraged to purchased liquor or beer from Wigle Whiskey, Allegheny City Brewing or the Wine & Spirits for the early show to kick off their Saturday night. “We want to get people in the habit of starting their night off in Deutschtown and get people walking around,” Walters said. “This can be the primer getting people ready for their Saturday night.” For the full Deutschtown Music Festival schedule, visit www. deutschtownmusicfestival.org.
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CINEMA IN THE PARK FREE. Saturday evenings beginning
June 2017
National Register Historical Landmarks at dusk. Riverview Park lawn near Observatory. Follow @pgheventsof- Allegheny Commons Park (north, east, west, south) fice on Twitter for inclement weather updates. Allegheny Observatory July 8 - Captain America – Civil War – PG-13 Allegheny Traditional Academy July 15 – Rogue One – PG-13 Eberhardt & Ober Brewery July 22 – Dr. Strange – PG-13 Allegheny Old Post Office July 29 – The Good Lie* – PG-13 Teutonia Mannerchor Hall McKees Rocks Bridge Stars at Riverview Jazz SeriesFREE. Saturday Manchester Historict District evenings from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Riverview Park lawn near the Ob- Hoene-Werle House servatory. Follow @pgheventsoffice on twitter for weather updates. For Conroy Junior High School more information, call 412-255-2493. Frederick J. Osterling Office and Studio July 1 Olga Watkins HJ Heinz Company July 8 Jay Vonada Trio Henderson-Metz House July 15 Big Fat Jazz Heathside Cottage July 22 Bobby Short West End Northside Bridge July 29 Kea Michaels Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny Pittsburgh VegFest August 5, 2017 from 11AM-5PM in Houses at 838-862 Brightridge St. Allegheny Commons East Park. Voted “Best Food Festival”, Pittsburgh John A Brashear House Houses at 2501-2531 Charles St. VegFest is an outdoor ‘go-to’ summer festival bringing together the Perry High School best veg food in Pittsburgh, music, shopping, cooking demos, animal Morrow Elementary School welfare orgs, & kids activities in the Steel City. Pittsburgh Oliver Citywide Academy www.pittsburghvegfest.org/ Old Allegheny Rows Historic District on California Ave (across for Foreigner, Journey, Bon Jovi and Aeros- USPS today) mith Tribute-Head Games Friday, August 11th at 7pm. Heinz Lofts Pittsburgh Historical Landmarks Rivers Casino Amphitheater. Enjoy a night of live, FREE music at RivHouse at 841 N Lincoln Ave ers Casino! Full information can be found at www.riverscasino.com Most Holy Name of Jesus Rectory Roving Art Cart Come out and play! Lots of FREE ways for Shrine of Saint Anthony Troy Hill Fire Station #39 kids to express themselves this summer. Activities are best suited for Ober-guehl House children ages 5-12 and should be supervised. Children younger than 5 Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church must have caretaker engagement in the activities. Anderson Manor (Liverpool st.) Call for more info, 412-665-3665 New Zion Baptist Church August 3, 2017 10am-1pm in Marmaduke Playground, near Brighton Victory Baptist Church Heights Dek Hockey Rink Roberto Clement Bridge Andy Warhol Bridge CINEMA IN THE PARK FREE. Saturday evenings beginning at Rachel Carson Bridge dusk. Riverview Park lawn near Observatory. Follow @pgheventsofAndy Warhol Museum fice on Twitter for inclement weather updates. St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church August 5 – Arrival – PG-13 Troy Hill Incline Site August 12 – Almost Christmas – PG-13 Great Stone Wall, Allegheny Reservoir (Troy Hill) August 19 – The Great Wall – PG-13 Saint Boniface Church August 26 – On a Wing and a Prayer* – PG-13 EH Swindell Bridge Riverview United Presbyterian church Stars at Riverview Jazz Series FREE. SaturEmmanual Episcopal Church day evenings from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Riverview Park lawn near the Calvary United Methodist Church Observatory. Follow @pgheventsoffice on twitter for weather updates. Historical Markers For more information, call 412-255-2493. Brighton Rd & California Ave - Martha Graham August 5 Roger Humphries 16th St Bridge - Henry J Heinz August 12 Reggie Watkins Ridge Ave & Allegheny Ave - Mary Cassatt August 19 Rick Finkelstein w/ Marti Aggazio 850 Beech Ave - Gertrude Stein August 26 Funky Fly Project 619 E Ohio St. - Avery College / Charles Avery Allegheny Center- Pastor Russell, Bible House, Carnegie Hall Allegheny Landing - Major strike by women cotton factory workers 1848 Riverwalk near PNC Park- National League Championship at Exposition Park North Commons Drive - 1938 Congress of Industrial Organizations convention held.
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Yellow Glove Project calls for NS residents to match funds By Victoria Stevans The Yellow Glove Project is gearing up to apply for its third Elks National Foundation Impact Grant in the upcoming months, so that it can continue to provide integral household products to Northside Food Pantry visitors. Created by Anne George, an Allegheny Elks Lodge #339 member, Northside Food Pantry Advisor and software engineer, The Yellow Glove Project aims to fill a gap otherwise left open. “Food stamps can’t cover cleaning supplies or personal hygiene items,” George said. “So people can have a difficult time buying items to take care of themselves and their homes.” To supplement this lack, The Yellow Glove Project uses funding from the Elks to help the Northside Food Pantry distribute about 200 bags a month full of laundry detergent, dish soap, paper towels, toilet paper, and more. The project began when George was awarded the $10,000 Impact Grant in 2016, which proved to be one of 60 grants chosen from the 1,911 Elks Lodges in the United States. George and her Elks Lodge then earned a rare, second-consecutive grant in 2017. “I was so far out of my comfort zone applying for a grant and running it,” George said. “But, thankfully there are really good people involved.” Throughout the two rounds of grant application, George has learned how to most effectively delineate funds. “The first year was the learning
curve; I ended up spending money on cloth bags. They cost $3,000,” George said. “This year, we asked for bag donations, and within the first three months I had [over] 1,500 cloth bags.” With many food pantry patrons taking the bus or traveling on foot, “sturdy bags with straps” are a must, according to George. However, cutting them out of the refined 2017 budget and instead relying on community donations was a financial necessity. George also relies on local businesses as a source of cleaning and hygiene products. Waltmire Pharmacy in Spring Garden delivers necessary items to the food pantry monthly and has given its own donations in the past. Once products reach the pantry, Elks volunteers and community members fill the bags themselves in an assembly-line style. “This [the program’s success, etc.] really all comes from the community,” George said. Recently, The Yellow Glove Project applied for a One Northside Community Grant so the organization can create a sign for the food pantry and paint its façade, in the hopes of “making it look more like a store and less like a basement,” George said. Northsiders can also help by donating personal hygiene or cleaning products, which can be dropped off at the Northside Common Ministries, 1601 Brighton Rd. All bags should be labeled: “The Yellow Glove Project.” For any other questions, or for clarification, contact yellowgloveproject@gmail.com.
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Boy Scouts attain Eagle Scout rank with project completion By Nick Eustis Two members of Boy Scout Troop 348 have recently completed a renovation of two dilapidated staircases in Riverview Park. To attain the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in the Boy Scouts of America, Scouts must organize and lead a community service project. Scouts Isaiah Dean and Jermaine “J.J.” Younger, Jr., with guidance from Scoutmasters Bill Kunz and Terry Conroy, worked for two weeks this June to complete this renovation. The two Scouts did not work alone. Every day, Dean and Younger had the help of eight to 10 volunteers. These volunteers included Scoutmaster Conroy’s son and father, who are also an Eagle Scout and a Scoutmaster respectively. Football players from Central Catholic, Dean and Younger’s high school, as well as local middle schoolers also joined in the project. Scoutmaster Kunz’ former coworkers with the Pittsburgh Police Department expressed inter-
Photo by Bridget Fertal
Isaiah Dean (left) and Jermaine “J.J.” Younger (right) working on the Bridle Trail steps in Riverview Park. est in helping for future Eagle Scout projects. Even the City of Pittsburgh pitched in by providing the Scouts with materials. The renovation involved lifting and carrying heavy stone and wood steps and securing them in place. The Scouts also needed to ensure the right amount of space was between each step, and that the steps were level. Though the work was difficult at times, “at the end of the day, it was all worth it,” Dean said. For Younger’s project, the
Scouts and volunteers also had the unexpected task of digging a drainage ditch. A heavy rainfall during the renovation turned the steps into a “waterfall,” as the Scouts described it. To prevent the steps from being eroded away by rain runoff, a drainage ditch was necessary. Scoutmaster Conroy described himself as a “pusher” when it comes to the Eagle Scout program, and it shows. As many as six Scouts out of the 12 in Troop 348 will attain Eagle Scout rank this year. For compari-
son, less than five percent of Boy Scouts overall become Eagle Scouts. Many of Troop 348’s Eagle Scout projects help their charter organization, St. Cyril of Alexandria Church. One third of the Troop’s Eagle Projects are in Alexandria Parish. Past projects include an extensive two-week renovation of the parish’s food cupboard. Scoutmaster Conroy also stressed the benefits of attaining the Eagle Scout rank, especially when it comes to networking. “Having your Eagle is like having a college diploma,” said Conroy. “You need that little oomph to get ahead.” After they attain their Eagle Scout rank, Dean and Younger have ambitious goals for themselves. Younger plans to attend Lafayette College for football, and will major in economics. Dean plans to attend Community College of Allegheny County before transferring to a four-year institution. He plans to study criminal justice and forensic accounting, in pursuit of a career at the FBI.
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Like Warhol, Allegheny West artist crosses mediums
By Nick Eustis Studio 54, New York City, in the late 1970s. The world-famous nightclub is packed to the rafters, ready for an evening of glitz, glamour, and dancing. Among the crowd is Dennis Bergevin and his friends. “I was in Studio 54, and there was a big costume contest. I went as Ptolemy, the brother of Cleopatra, in this fabulous costume. We happened to have this big Egyptian headdress that I used. So, we went there, all made up…and lo and behold, there was Andy, and he took a picture,” said Bergevin. That “Andy” was none other than Andy Warhol, and Bergevin insists that, buried in the archives of the Andy Warhol Museum, his photo from that night still rests. Today, Dennis Bergevin is a retired artist living in the Northside’s Allegheny West neighborhood. Bergevin has spent most of his life in the arts, including 25 years of experience as a hairdresser and makeup artist for opera companies around the world.
based scholarship organization, the National Opera Institute, to study makeup and wig-making for opera. To pursue this, he picked up and moved from his home state of California to New York City that year. After completing his education, Bergevin worked for an opera company with his partner, Charles Elsen. With opera houses in 10 different cities to manage, the two traveled regularly around North America, and even to Scotland. After returning from a trip to the UK in 1985, however, Elsen was diagnosed with HIV. Photo by Nick Eustis He died later that same year. Just five years later, Bergevin was Wigs made in Bergevin’s studio. also diagnosed with the disease. “Finally, in the middle and late Taking after his moth90s, things started to change with er, an amateur painter, the arts seemed a natural fit for Bergevin. HIV, and better drugs started to come “I’ve been in the arts since I was in. People started living longer,” he a kid. It’s the one thing I could do said. Bergevin credits his survivwell at school. And the teachers rec- al to these advances in medicine. Being diagnosed with HIV ognized it, and so, to keep me quiet, I guess, gave me stuff to do,” he said. also influenced Bergevin’s deciThen, in 1974, Bergevin was sion to move out of New York City. “Once I got sick, I decided to awarded a grant from the DC-
move out of Manhattan to Pittsburgh because I didn’t want to be sick in New York,” he said. After making the move to Pittsburgh’s Northside, Bergevin continued his work wig-making for opera until he was forced to retire due to his illness. Unable to do one type of art, like Andy Warhol, Bergevin took up another medium. Since his retirement, Bergevin has worked in sculpture, painting, and even puppets. Today, even in retirement, Bergevin lives an active life. His husband of five years has taken up the wig-making trade, continuing to operate their company. He is the artist-in-residence at the Father Ryan Arts Center and has collaborated with the Mattress Factory. He’s painted portraits of AIDS patients to fill the waiting rooms of HIV clinics in Pittsburgh. On top of all that, he’s working on assembling art shows in both Pittsburgh and Washington D.C. But for someone who’s lived like Dennis, that’s what he calls “just living.”
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Community wifi could be future reality for the NS
By Victoria Stevans
New Back-To-School Guide Coming August 2017.
Meta Mesh Wireless Communities, an Allentown-based, nonprofit tech organization, wants to create a free, community wireless network for Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, but they need help to do it. Founded by Executive Director Adam Longwill in 2012, Meta Mesh became a nonprofit in December of 2015. Since then, the organization has been building Pitt Mesh, its community wireless network. Pitt Mesh is made possible with mesh-networking technology, the complexities of which are not necessary for a layperson to understand, according to Longwill. “What is important to understand,” Longwill said, “is that all devices [in the mesh network] automatically find each other to create a network. No configuration required. You can very easily cover a campus, large office building, or business sector of a neighborhood.” So, when Meta Mesh installs a router in a business or home, it becomes one more link in the Pitt Mesh network chain, connecting to other Pitt Mesh routers around it, therefore creating a larger sphere of community wireless connection. Within the last six months, Meta Mesh has installed several Pitt Mesh devices in two Northside locations. First, one device was installed in a private residence in Riverview Park. Then, six devices were installed in Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Ave. In both cases, all installed devices are now on the Pitt Mesh network, and along with providing internet access to the buildings in which they were installed, they also supply free wifi to their surrounding radius. The Meta Mesh presence on the Northside is meant to expand even further within the next couple months. “We are looking at another, larger location [in the Northside] as part of a private consultation,” Longwill said. “It’s a pretty big
building by a business sector.” Although Meta Mesh is new to the Northside, it has longstanding relationships with Allentown, Braddock, and the Hill District. In 2014, Meta Mesh received the $8,000 Urban Redevelopment Authority Biz Buzz grant through the Hilltop Alliance to provide Allentown’s business district with free public wifi. After installing 16 wireless routers, free wifi became a reality along Allentown’s Warrington Avenue, according to Longwill. “There are sometimes 20 to 30 people on that network at all times,” he said. Meta Mesh also has 10 routers in the Hill District and over 20 routers in Braddock’s East End, amounting to about a mile of internet connectivity on Braddock Avenue. The organization’s main goal, no matter its location, is working to close the ‘digital divide.’ The digital divide is the gap between those who have internet access – which is necessary for school, work, or general livelihood – and those who do not. According to the Meta Mesh website, about 23 percent of Pittsburghers do not have any way to access the internet in their homes. “There is a time tax on people that cannot afford high speed internet,” Longwill explained. “[If you have high speed internet access,] you don’t have to worry about taking a bus, and buying a coffee just to check your email.” The best way to bring free community wifi to the all residents of Pittsburgh neighborhoods, like the Northside, is by becoming a part of Pitt Mesh, if one has the means to do so. Visit Meta Mesh’s website (www.metamesh.org) for updates on summer classes and other ways to get involved with the organization’s programs. And, eventually Northsiders can bridge the digital divide and bring its neighborhoods up to high-speed. For the full story, visit www.nschronicle.com
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Find the New Health + Wellness Guide Online www.thenorthsidechronicle.com
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Market aims to be community centered space By Alyse Horn Pear and the Pickle, a café and market in Troy Hill, chose its name as a nod to the neighborhood’s history. Early in the 19th century, Troy Hill was mostly farmland that was once home to Benjamin Herr’s Orchard, and it was said his pears were delicious. By 1850, the neighborhood was evolving from farmland into an industrialized community that was home to many factory workers that included pickle packers from the Heinz plant. Alesix Tragos and husband Bobby Stockard opened the shop in April 2016, two weeks after the birth of their identical twin boys Jack and Oliver. “This past year has been a whirl wind,” Tragos said. “The community has really embraced us; we would not be where we are without the Troy Hill residents and the entire Pittsburgh community.” The café has become a focal point in the neighborhood by hosting Saturday suppers and also by sharing the space with local up and coming restaurants like Baby Loves Tacos. Rollin’ BBQ holds a Friday night popup at the market and Tragos said they have also partnered with Driftwood Oven and Roudabout Brewery in the past. “Starting a restaurant is not easy, and if we can provide a space for someone to get their name out there and get food into people’s mouths, I think it’s all good karma,” Tragos said. Recently, the café has started
Bobby’s Burger Night from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday’s as a gesture to Bob’s Burgers. Tragos said the menu includes a rotating specialty burger, such as the Grand Brie Burger, and specialty milkshake with fires. Vegetarian burgers are also an option. Pear and the Pickle have also hosted Saturday Suppers in the evenings that vary between family style meals or individual courses. Tragos said her husband sets the menu and tries to use locally sourced meats and vegetables that correlate with the seasons, and they are planning to add more suppers to the calendar in the future. Tragos said the café and market have created a dedicated customer base in the neighborhood, but also outside of it. A lot of people come to visit the shop that have never been to Troy Hill before, or stumble across it while visiting another part of the neighborhood like Scratch Food & Beverage or Spaces Corners. “We are part of a community of businesses that, really, I think we all depend on each other’s success,” Tragos said. “It takes a village and we are really happy to be part of that community.” It is worth mentioning that Pear and the Pickle has also been named for having one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Pittsburgh. If yinz haven’t already, consider making the climb up Rialto Street to try one for yourself. The Local Marketplace Section is supported by PNC Community Development Banking with funding from the PNC Foundation. Photos by Alyse Horn
Top: Pear and the Pickle provides an assortment of deli sandwiches, tea, coffee, and Boar’s Head cheese and meat sold by the pound. Stockard also creates daily specials not found on the regular menu. Middle: The cafe also sells small items that could make a nice gift, such as the “Short Stack Editions.” Each booklet includes dozens of recipes that include one specific fruit or vegetable, such as peaches, broccoli or tomatoes. Bottom: The market carries a limited selection of grocery items for the neighborhood that includes baking, cooking and cleaning supplies, snacks, and pet food. Left: The shop has a roof top deck open for the summer where Stockard also is growing tomatoes and peppers.
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YINZ! Comics by Nils Balls
Ask An Attorney
by Matthew D. Gailey
A Northside Chronicle reader recently asked me about what type of information do I need to prepare a will. This month’s article will briefly answer this query.
Read the Northside Chronicle Online Visit new web address www.nschronicle.com for more news about Northside real estate, events & more.
To prepare a will, a person must possess the proper testamentary capacity, namely, that the person preparing a will, known as a testator, is of sound mind. Courts in Pennsylvania start off with the presumption that a testator has testamentary capacity. Testamentary capacity means that individuals know the extent of their property, knows what he or she wishes to do with the distribution of their property, and knowledge of whom will receive his or her property. Besides possessing testamentary capacity, there are other requirements for a testator to create a valid will. One requirement is that testator must be at least 18 years of age.
Additionally, the will itself
must be signed in some way by the testator. It is also a good idea for the will to be signed in the presence of a notary and witnesses so that those individuals can assert that the testator knew what they were doing when they executed the will. The requirements for a will are straight forward. The process of seeing that the testator’s wishes expressed in a will are carried out after the death is called estate administration. Estate administration involves filings with the court, tax returns, notification of beneficiaries, distributions of assets, and etc. If you have questions about this more complex area of estate law, please feel free to contact my office. Have a safe and wonderful 4th of July in the Northside!
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Allegheny City Central Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority to GTB Bradberry Ventures LLC at 1124 1130 Reddour St. for $30,672. Michael Morello to Equity Trust Co. Cust FBO 106986 IRA at 515 Knoll St. for $50,000. Thomas Combs to Jason Mihalick at 526 Armandale St. for $325,000. Patrick Elder to Shardul Desai at 1413 Monterey St. for $250,000. Rico Ed to Kimberly and Scott Auth at 1506 Rederal St. for $325,000. Gerald Robinson III to Julie Anne Chiccarino at 612 Sampsonia Way for $299,995. Housing & Urban Development to Craig and William Best at 1200 Sherman Ave. for $150,500. Nancy Murrell et al. to Adriana Helbig at 708 Armandale St. for $115,000. William Guiser to John Young and Susan Barnett at 200 W. North Ave. for $535,000. Derek Gaulden Judge to Anthony Harris at 253 E. Jefferson St. for $3,500. Timothy Johnson to David Lachlan Marshall at 1241 Monterey St. for $350,000. Central Northside Neighborhood Council to Jennifer Albaugh at 229 Alpine Ave. for $7,000.
Kondaur Capital Corp. to Matthew Crognale at 1014 Cornell St. for $144,000. Kirk Sanderson et al. to Alexander Carrera and Amy Zuraski at 1024 Davis Ave. for $345,000. Noxon Inc. to James Wasnieski at 1740 Eckert Ave. for $200,000. John Burke III to River Point Renovations LLC at 3963 Kleber St. for $79,000. Margaret McConnaughey to Keith Charles Passon Jr. at 4008 Northminister St. for $262,000. Estate of Marie Nestor to Gary Eckhardt at 1112 Termon Ave. for $116,000. Linda Iarussi to LE Investments LLC at 1023 Benton Ave. for $10,000. Donna Fordenbacher et al. to Walz Street Ventures LLC at 1266 Benton Ave. for $95,000. Richard Matz Jr. to Walz Street Ventures LLC at 3813 Brighton Road for $95,000. David Weems to Sheila Beddingfield at 3544 Brighton Road aka 3544-3546 for $224,730. Estate of Michael Belluscio to Mortgage Equity Conversion Asset Tr 2011 at 3334 Harbison St. for $2,186 by sheriff’s deed. Paul Gaetano to Adam Garcia and Emily Cross at 3642 Purdue St. for $150,000. Lyhoring Hong Tempest to Pamela Grace Burke at 3816 Wealth St. for $80,000.
Brighton Heights Federal National Mortgage Assn. to Brandon Brown at 3709 Atkins St. for $52,750. PHH Mortgage Corp. to BTM Properties Inc. at 3715 California Ave. for $139,000. Adriane Esposito to US Bank NA trustee at 106 Richbarn Road for $5,954 by sheriff’s deed. Mary Diego to Devon Jennings at 1616 Termon Ave. for $120,440. Loretta Beck to Janice Temple at 140 Richbarn Road for $155,500. Estate of David Kull Jr. to Lawrence and Erin Whitaker at 120 San Pedro Place for $150,250. LSF9 Master Participation Trust to Ohio River Ventures LLC at 1257 San Pedro St. for $65,325. Dollar Bank FSB to New Lockhart LLC & RE247 LLC at 3220 California Ave. for $47,001. New Lockhart LLC & RE 247 LLC to Jenny Peterson at 3220 California Ave. for $51,000. Mark Trocchio to Harry Diggs Jr. at 3906 California Ave. for $60,000.
Brightwood John Donovan et al. to Northern Atlantic Properties LLC at 1313-1315 Malden St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $86,135). Keith Armstrong to Aaron Ray and Jeffrey David Hill at 1322 Highwood St. for $42,000. Charles Street Valley Robert Deitz Jr. to David Burns II at 2570 N. Charles St. for $42,000. East Deutschtown John McGrath et al. to Edmund Ostic at 826 Spring Garden Ave. for $309,900. John Wesner to Kurt Steding Jr. at 908 Madison Ave. for $14,000. Michael Santa et al. to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. at 1309 Ingham St. for $2,349 by sheriff’s deed. Nehemiah Homes LLC to Mwanza Tshilumbayi at 916 Rothpletz St. for $15,000. David William Arlet to Peach Blossom Properties LLC at 1061 Smithton Ave. for $10,000 (state deed transfer stamps
indicate a value of $100,262). Youcef Djedid to Y & Q Management Inc. at 2623 Stayton St. for $17,000. Fineview Estate of Louise Baroni to Projected Aspirations LLC at 1725 Warren St. for $18,000. Historic Deutschtown Roger Roles to Martha Parzych and Kevin Rentler at 607 Foreland St. for $112,500. Alex Alexiades et al. to East Ohio Capital LLC at 708 Cedar Ave. for $100,000. Alex Alexiades et al. to East Ohio Capital LLC at 712 Cedar Ave. for $100,000. K Max Construction LLC to East Ohio Capital LLC at 70 Cedar Ave. for $100,000. Manchester Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority to Bidwell Presbyterian Church at 1415 Allegheny Ave. and Liverpool St. for $10,262. Tobias Ventures LLC to Landmarks Development Corp. at 1403 Pennsylvania Ave. for $80,000. Patty Crichley et al. to Clinton Wright at 1420 1/2 Page St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $8,625). Jeanyne Scatton to Alan Reynolds and Jenna Skowronski at 1003 Allegheny Ave. for $327,500. Edward Everett Jr. to M & M Development Holdings LLC at 1300 Chateau St. and Pennsylvania Ave. for $50,000. Andy Fandozzi to 1334 Pennsylvania Avenue LLC at 1334 Pennsylvania Ave. for $87,500. Andy Fandozzi to 1336 Pennsylvania Avenue LLC at 1336 Pennsylvania Ave. for $87,500. Observatory Hill Robert Manna to Christiana Trust trustee at 21 Dunlap St. for $2,970 by sheriff’s deed. Brian Larson to Tara Rieland at 22 Garvin St. for $179,900. David Morgan to Dane Ross Kenzevich and Brian Thomas Larson at 3308 Perrysville Ave. for $217,000. Keith Arnold to Craig and Jeanie Barrett at 206 Waldorf St. for $188,000. John Hancock to KJN Grant LLC at 128 Watson Blvd. for $10,000. Estate of Theodore Johnson to Anita Tambellini at 257 Bascom Ave. for $92,500. Kimberly Hart to Christiana Trust trustee at 3781 East St. for $3,392 by sheriff’s
June 2017
deed. Gretchen Hamm to Rebekkah and Matthew Ranallo at 3227 Orleans St. for $175,000. Douglas Straight to Mila Kiel LLC at 4021 Vinceton St. for $9,000. Victoria Zinsser to Crystal Hinnebusch at 3622 Baytree St. for $74,000. Jen Barker Worley to Emily and Christopher Hawthorne at 3040 Perrysville Ave. for $150,950. Michael Straight to Enterprise Bank at 14 Radium St. for $9,886 by sheriff’s deed. Estate of Mathilda Zinno to Parne Investors LLC at 4129 Franklin Road for $40,000.
Perry Hilltop Kevin Mark Casey to Jeremy and Angela Jones at 1771 Perrysville Ave. for $265,815. Most Wanted House LLC to Jason Sauer at 258 Kennedy Ave. for $25,000. Kora Homes Inc. to Pridewell LLC at 34 Kenwood Ave. for $11,500. Sarah Mendak to Christopher Livengood and Kaitlyn Jones at 403 Marshall Ave. and Hawkins Ave. for $165,000. Jerome Koscinski to Cynthia Kowalski at 1845 Clayton Ave. 100 for $131,250. David Gardner to Deutsch & Assoc. LLC at 263 Kennedy Ave. for $30,000.
Spring Hill John Petok to Erin Tobin at 1175 Serene St. for $142,500. Mary Joyce Barr to Richard Ohl at 1929 Rockledge St. for $5,000. Joseph Seskey to Behrouz Famili at 1800 Overbeck St. for $87,000.
Summer Hill Chris Brioady to Taylor and Gary Bruce at 4461 Valley View St. for $117,000.
Troy Hill Mildred Kissel to Crain Real Estate & Rentals LLC at 1747 Cowley St. for $43,000. Housing & Urban Development to Patrick Duffey at 1421 DeHaven St. for $52,000. Dolores Monteneri estate et al. to WesBanco Bank Inc. at 2134 Lowrie St. for $1,760 by sheriff’s deed. Juan Wysong et al. to CN 110 Enterprises LLC at 2037 Straubs Lane for $4,500. Bay Valley Foods LLC to Riverbend Properties LLC at 1080 River Ave. for $28,000,000. PRG Capital LLC to Happy Hour Holdings LLC at 1917 Tours St. for $50,000.
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Over 150 kids work with volunteers to build bikes By Abby Mathieu United Way of Southwestern PA hosted its fourth annual Build-A-Bike challenge on Thursday, June 15, at Heinz Field with over 150 local 8-10 year-olds. The children in attendance were from the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region, South Hills Interfaith Movement, Best of the Batch, and YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. Fifty teams consisting of 200 volunteers, as well as local bike experts, helped the children construct their bikes. Upon completion, the bikes were inspected and tested by experts and given back to the kids. They then had the opportunity to test the bikes a various stations throughout the Great Hall at Heinz Field. Activities included riding their bikes through relay courses and cones, helmet decorating and
fitting, and safety training with City of Pittsburgh police officers. Build-a-Bike is a way for local leaders and volunteers to get involved in teaching children the importance of staying active and choosing a healthy lifestyle. The children were able to go home with a brand new bike they had a part in making, promoting healthy activities at home and being, for many, the first bike of their very own. Contributions made by participating teams will benefit fitUnited, a United Way initiative aimed at mobilizing the community to improve the health and well being of children.
Photos by Ted Wiegand
Volunteers from KPMG work with kids from South Hills Interfaith Movement to build their very own bikes at United Way’s annual Builda-Bike event. About United Way of Southwestern PA – United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, serving Allegheny, Westmoreland, Fayette and Southern Armstrong counties, leads and mobilizes the caring
power of individuals, the business community and organizations to help local people in need measurably improve their lives. United Way creates long-lasting change for the betterment of our community.
Burns Scalo adopts Pittsburgh Schiller Middle School By Luke Meyers Rarely do you see in today’s fast paced society a corporate business so intertwined with the development and growth of the community around them. Burns Scalo, since its founding in 1956 has made it their mission to give back to those in need. Whether that be through their encouraging spirit towards employees to put others first, or anonymously give more through their chosen charities, the company has a continued passion for giving back to the community. There is one program in particular that the real estate division of the company (Burns Scalo Real Estate) is currently concentrated on
supporting for obvious reasons. In 2015, Burns Scalo Real Estate chose The Education Partnership and their Adopt-a-School Program as one of their charities for contribution. As a result, Burns Scalo Real Estate was assigned Pittsburgh Schiller Middle School (Grades 6-8) in the Northside as their partner school. For the past two years, the company, through The Education Partnership, has been able to supply all the necessary monetary needs for new school supplies at Pittsburgh Schiller. The relationship Burns Scalo has formed with the students and administrative staff at this school has been extremely impactful for both parties. The middle schoolers and teachers at Pittsburgh Schiller rely on these school
supplies each year to be successful in the classroom, and Burns Scalo Real Estate is delighted to have the opportunity to provide for them. The Education Partnership is an amazing organization that arranges each exchange a company has with a school in their Adopt-A-School Program, going above and beyond to ensure all needs are met. Burns Scalo opts each year to help package and deliver the supplies to the students at Pittsburgh Schiller, engaging their employees and creating a further understanding to the company’s drive to give back. When Burns Scalo Real Estate went to Adopt Pittsburgh Schiller Middle School for a third time, budgets for 2017 had changed drastically due to the demand for more
school supplies. Burns Scalo Real Estate has made a call to all North Side and Greater Pittsburgh Area businesses to help fundraise the remainder ($2,100) to provide for a school in their direct neighborhood. In their fundraising efforts, Burns Scalo has dispersed collection boxes and is reaching out to any organization willing to assist. If you are interested in joining forces with Burns Scalo Real Estate and The Education Partnership please contact Luke Meyers at 317-416-9348 or lmeyers@burnsscalo.com For interest on how to Adopt-A-School with The Education Partnerships visit www. T h e E d u c a t i o n P a r t n e r s h i p . o rg
June 2017
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- Lays down the lawn; 5- Hog fat; 9- Domingo, for one; 14- Journey; 15- Bones found in the hip; 16- Hoist; 17- Horizontal flow of air; 19- Violinist Mischa; 20- Sound again, again; 21- Layers; 23- College letter earners; 25- Clean air org.; 26- Hawaiian food; 29- Golfer Ernie; 30- Embroidery upon canvas; 33- Moisten while cooking; 34- Grommet; 35- Record with a VCR; 38- Big Blue; 40- Now ___ me down...; 41- Ancient Palestinian; 44- Otic; 47- Bladder worm; 49- Genetic messenger; 52- Riled (up); 53- Against a proposition; 54- Impediments; 56- Gannet; 58- Sea god; 59- Wise ones; 62- Girl who leads a marching band; 64Fine fiddle; 65- Biblical birthright seller; 66- Digits of the foot; 67- Chip dip; 68- Rules; 69- Goes astray;
Down 1- Go hungry; 2- Severe experience; 3- Sundry; 4- Glasses, briefly; 5- Understatement; 6- Boxer Laila; 7- Civil disturbance; 8- Hebrew prophet; 9- Treatment of disease; 10- Electric fish; 11- Where some vets served; 12- Eggs; 13- Cartoon dog; 18- Porcelain tableware; 22- Blunted blade; 24- Abominable snowman; 26- Tablet; 27- Draft classification; 28- ___-bitty; 31- Prohibit; 32- Trompe l’___; 33- Sugar source; 35- PC expert; 36- ___ sow, so shall...; 37- Attention-getter; 39- Great in quantity; 42- Capital of Cyprus; 43- Earth Day subj.; 45- Destructive; 46- Fall bloomer; 48- Tooth covering; 49- Daniel Webster, e.g.; 50- Asexual; 51- Evaluate; 55- Minotaur’s home; 56- Goes down; 57- American space agency; 59- Airline to Oslo; 60- Doc bloc; 61- Guy’s partner; 63- Toothbearing bone;
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Sudoku