May 2022 Est. 1985
The Northside Chronicle
Volume 38 Issue 5 - FREE -
The Community Newspaper of Pittsburgh’s Historic Northside
Northside Business Briefs: May 2022 By Ashlee Green
ShadoBeni opens for business in Allegheny City Central Vegan Trinidadian street food spot ShadoBeni, a popular Northside Farmers Market pop-up, has now opened a storefront. Located on Brighton Road in Allegheny City Central, the eatery hosted a soft opening the weekend of Friday, April 8 through Sunday, April 10. Friday’s “Bake and Not Shark” was a “Vegan Trini version of a Lenten Fish Fry,” according to the business’ Facebook page. Brunch food including “hot doubles, fresh coconut bake, and lots of other Trini treats” was served April 9-10. Full lunch and dinner menus are now available at shadobeni412.com and business hours are Wednesday through Photo: Annie Cairns for Light of Life
Community members gathered at the Allegheny Center Alliance Church’s Union Place Chapel on April 20, following the April 17 mass shooting in the Northside’s East Deutschtown neighborhood. Together, attendees processed the shooting and other violent incidents and discussed various mental health resources available for those in need. Full story below.
‘Call for Peace and Action’ addresses community violence in the Northside
By Ashlee Green
Photo: ShadoBeni Facebook Page
The ShadoBeni team poses for a picture on their soft opening weekend: April 8-10.
Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ShadoBeni is located at 1534 Brighton Rd. See Briefs, Page 7
INSIDE
Close to 160 people were estimated to have gathered at the Allegheny Center Alliance Church’s (ACAC) Union Place Chapel on Wednesday, April 20. They were grieving the loss of two teenagers— 17-year-olds Jaiden Brown and Mathew Steffy-Ross—killed in the Northside’s mass shooting three days earlier, and deliberating on how to move forward with care to address community violence. Hosted by ACAC, the gathering, dubbed “A Call for Peace and Action,” was
- Dr. Carter G. Woodson Academy, Page 6 STORIES, COLUMNS, Spring Hill Pigeon Project, Page 9 FEATURES & MORE - Northside Primary Election Guide, Page 22
organized and led by Dr. Cathy Sigmund, director of behavioral health and community wellness at the North Side Christian Health Center (NSCHC) and chaplain at ACAC. There, community members were welcome to process this and other violent incidents and discuss various local mental health and wellness resources. Allegheny County Council member Olivia Bennett and Light of Life (LOL) Assistant Director of Programs and ACAC member Loleda Moman organized the prayer walk that followed the forum; LOL Executive Director Jerrel T. Gilliam
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led the walk from ACAC to the site of the shooting, where he then guided the group in prayer. Funerals for the fatal victims of the shooting, Brown and Steffy-Ross, were held on Friday, April 22 and 23, respectively. At least 10 other people were reportedly shot. The shooting took place at an Airbnb on the corner of Madison Avenue and Suismon Street in the Northside’s East Deutschtown neighborhood. At the time of printing, the shooters are still at large. See more photos from this event at nschronicle.com. n
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THE NORTHSIDE CHRONICLE
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Managing Editor: Ashlee Green, editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com Business Manager: Lauren Stauffer, advertising@thenorthsidechronicle.com Distribution: 5,000 copies monthly in 15212, 15214, 15233 zip code areas. FREE weekly e-newsletter delivered to your inbox, subscribe online. Order monthly newspaper delivery to your door by using the form below to begin your regular 12 month mail subscription for only $45/year. Use the form below to subscribe or online at thenorthsidechronicle.com/subscriptions Become a Townhall Subscriber for $60/year. What does it mean to be a Townhall Subscriber?
May 2022
Community Meetings
After Care/Prison Ministry Support Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Allegheny Center Alliance Church 801 Union Place, first floor 412.321.4333 ext. 397 Allegheny City Central Association 2nd Monday, monthly Call for more details - 412.465.0192 Allegheny West Civic Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Calvary United Methodist Church Now via Zoom | 412.323.8884
Brighton Heights Citizens Federation 2nd Thursday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. John Morrow Elementary School 412.690.0918
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Brightwood Civic Group 1st Tuesday, monthly, 6 p.m. Pressley Ridge, 2611 Stayton St. 412.732.8152
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Order mail subscriptions available online using a credit card will includes online fees* 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 2021
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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 Now via Zoom 412.758.3898
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 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 1st Wednesday, monthly, 6 p.m. MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. Now via Zoom Call to confirm - 412.231.4714 North Side Lions Club 2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly, noon Max’s Allegheny Tavern 412-366-8512 North Side Public Safety Council 1st Thursday, monthly, 5:30 p.m. 1319 Allegheny Ave. 1st floor meeting room 412.231.4714 ext. 201, Now via Zoom
Charles Street Area Council 1st Monday, monthly, call for times Pittsburgh Project, 2801 N. Charles St. Now via Zoom 412.886.6786
Northside Toastmasters 2nd & 4th Tuesday, monthly, 5:30 p.m. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Allegheny 1230 Federal St. northsidetoast@gmail.com 412.204.6018
Community Alliance of Spring Garden/ East Deutschtown 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Fuhrer Building of St. Michael’s Church 412.228.0376
Observatory Hill, Inc. 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Byzantine Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave. 412.736.2489 http://www.observatoryhill.net
Deutschtown New Hope Council 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Community Center, 623 Suismon St.
The Promise Group Every other Tuesday, 6 p.m. Western Pa. Humane Society 412.321.1019
East Allegheny Community Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Call for more details 412.321.1204 Fineview & Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils 4th Tuesday, monthly, 6-8 p.m. Contact for location info@ourfuturehilltop.org 412-238-7528 Mexican War Streets Society 3rd Monday, bi-monthly, 6:30 p.m. 1400 Buena Vista St. 412.323.9030 Manchester Citizens Corporation
Troy Hill Citizens June 10, Aug. 12, Oct. 14, Dec. 9., 6 p.m. Most Holy Name School Hall 1515 Tinsbury St. 412.321.2852 Spring Hill Civic League March 7, May 2, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, & Nov. 7 7 p.m, Location TBD (either Spring Hill Elementary School or via Zoom) contact@shcl.org Summer Hill Citizens Committee 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. WPXI Television Station Community Room
May 2022
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May 2022 newsletter from Northside Councilman Bobby Wilson Hello everyone, This month, I wanted to discuss what we are doing at City Council in the aftermath of the mass shooting that occurred in East Deutschtown on Easter weekend and claimed the lives of Jaiden Brown and Mathew Steffy-Ross. There has been extensive news coverage of the details of this tragedy, and I urge you to consult the work of all the extraordinary journalists who have come together to help us understand what happened on that deadly Sunday. Before sharing what we are doing now at City Council to decrease the likelihood of another tragedy like this occurring in our city, I wanted to take a moment to remember the two teenagers who lost their lives that night: Jaiden Brown and Mathew SteffyRoss. On Easter Sunday, these two children died, nine more were seriously wounded, and many more injured at this Airbnb party. Instead of celebrating the imminent end of the school year, with all the festivities that go with it, these families are now grieving for their losses. We grieve with them, because the death, pain, and trauma that resulted from this tragedy have robbed all of us of the bright futures that these children were going to have here in our city. As this column goes to print, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police are investigating this mass shooting. If you have any information that can assist with their investigation, I urge you to call Major Crimes at 412-323-7161. If you need mental health resources because of the trauma you experienced from this incident, please call the 24-hour Crisis Hotline at the
Center for Victims at 1-866-644-2882. On the Monday after this mass shooting, I partnered with Council President Theresa Kail-Smith and Councilmember Deb Gross to introduce a bill to regulate short-term rentals, like those found on Airbnb. Unruly Airbnb parties that simmer
Photo: Office of Councilman Wilson
Councilman Wilson discusses City Council’s response to the mass shooting in East Deutschtown on Easter weekend.
at the level of neighborhood nuisances or explode into deadly violence are a problem nationwide right now. The first response by cities to this problem has been to impose regulations on the short-term rentals within their borders. My bill seeks to ensure that Pittsburgh owners of short-term rent-
als will register these properties with the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) prior to operating them on platforms like Airbnb. Whether a property owner intends to offer either a whole unit or just a spare bedroom for short-term rental, that owner will be required to register that rental with PLI. The goal of having a registered property owner on file with PLI is to have a person who will pick up the phone if law enforcement needs to get in touch with them about a situation at their property. While guests at the short-term rental properties should enjoy everything our city has to offer, neighbors of these properties should not suffer disruptions to their safety or quality of life as a result. I invite you to read the bill, but I also wanted to provide a brief description of how my bill in its current form seeks to regulate short-term rentals in Pittsburgh. To register such a property, the owner will apply and pay for a license from PLI. To obtain this license, the application must contain the address, block and lot number, number and type of short-term rental, the name and contact information of the property owner(s), the maximum number of permitted guests, and the designated number of occupants to be accommodated in all rooms and spaces. Our hope is that requiring the owners of short-term rental properties to register them with PLI and keep records of their renters will encourage responsible ownership and respectful stays. If PLI grants the owner of a short-term rental in Pittsburgh a license
to operate, that license will be valid for one year and shall be renewed yearly, subject to an annual inspection by a PLI Officer. Additionally, to obtain this short-term rental license, the property owner must have resolved or appealed all outstanding PLI violation notice(s) at that property. In my capacity as Chairman of the Committee on Land Use and Economic Development, which oversees PLI, I will work with the department to ensure that, if you are an owner of a short-term rental in the City of Pittsburgh, the process for registering your property will be streamlined. At present, City Council is collecting public comments on this bill. I invite you to reach out to my office to share your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions on the provisions of this bill. I shall also motion to hold a public hearing at Council so that residents, neighbors, and property owners, both on the Northside and across the City, can come share their feedback on this bill with myself and my colleagues. I will publicize the date and time of this meeting on my office’s social media channels as soon as it is scheduled. Finally, I will organize a roundtable discussion with owners of short-term rental properties, especially in my Council District, to gather their input on this bill. Please feel free to call us at 412255-2135, email us at district1@pittsburghpa.gov, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. We look forward to hearing from you. BOBBY WILSON COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT 1 n
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Get The Good Guys
May 2022
Chamber Update: April 2022 From Gina Grone - Executive Director, Northside North Shore Chamber of Commerce The Northside North Shore Chamber serves the business community in and around the Northside and has been doing so since 1897. We currently have 240 member businesses, and we serve them by promoting, connecting, and supporting. Here are some of our recent activities
18 companies renewed their membership in the past month: Birgo Realty, Children’s Museum, Community College of Allegheny County, Fusion Events, Grifols Biomat, HobartHumphrey, Huckestein Mechanical Services, Jeffrey Martin Global Media, KeyBank, LeClaire Griewahn & Scott, National Aviary, Park House, Project Destiny, Propel Northside Community Wellness Center, Siempre Algo, TDS Media, ThistleSea Business Development, and WesBanco.
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Award winners at the 2021 North Side/Shore Chamber’s Business Awards Luncheon. and updates. We’re Hiring! The chamber team is expanding! We are hiring a full-time Member Relations Manager. As our membership grows, we want to continue to provide the best attention and service to every one of our members. From the job description: “The Member Relations Manager, working under the supervision of the Executive Director, is responsible for recruiting and retaining chamber members. Key objectives are to: (1) prospect and qualify leads; (2) sell new memberships to non-member firms; (3) provide service to existing members for the purpose of member retention.” This position pays $35,000-$45,000 plus commission of $5,000-$10,000. A partial-remote work schedule can be discussed. Find the full job posting on LinkedIn and Indeed or reach out to the chamber office. If you are interested after the application deadline of Friday, May 13, contact the chamber office directly. Members: New Members: We were pleased to welcome the following four companies or organizations as new members in the past month: Communities in Schools of Pittsburgh-Allegheny County, Electronic Merchant Systems, EYV Hospitality, and Iota Phi Foundation. Renewed Members: The following
Signature Events: Each year, the chamber organizes four signature events, which are larger events to bring together hundreds of people for networking and fun. The events also raise funds for charity partners and for chamber operations. The signature events for 2022 are as follows: • Annual Business Awards Luncheon – June 1 at Nova Place (Mayor Ed Gainey as keynote speaker, tickets available until May) • Community Night with the Pirates – June 22 on the North Shore ($50 per person for a tailgate, t-shirt, and game ticket) • Annual Charity Golf Outing – September 26 at Chartiers Country Club (this event will sell out, foursome and sponsorship opportunities available) • Annual Holiday Gala – December 1 at Priory’s Grand Hall (back after a twoyear hiatus, $100 per ticket) If you have questions about any of these events, contact the chamber office. The Northside North Shore Chamber prides itself on being approachable and genuine as we promote, connect, and support our members. Learn more today at our website (www.northsidechamberofcommerce. com), contacting us (412-231-6500, info@ northsidechamberofcommerce.com) or stopping into our office on Middle Street in Historic Deutschtown. n
The Northside Chronicle
May 2022
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District 20 News: State Rep. Kinkead May Day—also known as International Workers’ Day—occurs annually on May 1 as a day to spread awareness and rally support to improve conditions for the workers of the world. As such, it is imperative this month that we emphasize— and celebrate—the inspiring and historic victories that workers have recently achieved both on the national level and right here in Allegheny County. These successes are a crucial reminder of the power of organized labor. Let’s start with the saga of Christian Smalls, a former assistant manager at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, N.Y. He was fired from the company in 2020 after attempting to organize a walkout in protest of the lack of COVID-19 safety regulations at the warehouse, claiming they were endangering workers. According to a New York Times article, Amazon executives wrote him off as an unserious organizer and Amazon’s chief counsel described him as “not smart, or articulate.” This treatment lit a fire within Smalls that fueled his drive to secure better and safer working conditions for the Amazon employees he spent many years working alongside, with the ultimate goal of forming a union. After two years of a seemingly never-ending battle, up against a litany of union busting tactics and more than $4 million spent on anti-union consulting by the nation’s second largest private
employer, the Staten Island workers voted on April 1 of this year to unionize, the first Amazon warehouse to do so—a milestone in the deep labor history of the United States. A similar story unfolded in Pittsburgh this winter when Liam Tinker, a former barista at Coffee Tree Roasters, was fired after he publicly voiced support for unionizing the company. I, along with many of my pro-union colleagues in the General Assembly, was proud to stand behind Tinker and other employees at a union rally in January. Less than two months later, employees voted to join Local 1776 of the United Food and Commercial Workers labor union. These courageous Pittsburgh workers sent a bold message: organized workers can and will achieve better working conditions if they unite and fight together. I sincerely hope that these David-and-Goliath-type victories are used as a blueprint for employees of any industry who wish to form a union in the future. As a state representative, I pledge to continue supporting unionization efforts across Allegheny County and am eager to see more of our local workers achieve the pay, benefits, and conditions they deserve. My colleague Rep. Pat Harkins, D-Erie, has been pushing since 2015 to pass H.B. 1976, also known as the Jake Schwab Worker Safety Bill, named for the
Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority mechanic who tragically died after workplace equipment he was using malfunctioned. Public employees deserve protection
Photo: Office of Rep. Kinkead
In this month’s column, state Rep. Kinkead discusses ‘union fever’ in Pittsburgh and throughout America. too, and this legislation would provide additional protections to more than 600,000 Pennsylvanians employed by state and local government. I’m also excited by recent unionization efforts of UPMC healthcare workers locally and throughout the com-
monwealth. These workers have been physically and financially ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic—and they were pastdue for a pay increase and more adequate conditions well before the pandemic. As the daughter of a former Pittsburgh paramedic and the sister of a nurse, I was especially proud to support them at a union rally in November. I look forward to seeing employees of UPMC, one of the largest employers in Pennsylvania, unionize in the near future. Throughout this month, remember that the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 guarantees the rights of employees in the United States to form, join, or assist a union and negotiate with their employers. More information on union-related rights can be found online at nlrb.gov. As we shift towards a green economy and embrace the continued trend of virtual and hybrid working environments, it’s apparent that what labor looks like is changing for many people across the globe—I believe for the better. But one thing that will never change is that workers deserve to be treated fairly, no matter where they work or the type of work they engage in—and I will do everything in my power to see that workers in southwestern Pennsylvania are. As always, if you have any questions or need help with any state-related matter, I am here to help. Just call 412-321-5523 or email RepKinkead@pahouse.net. n
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Northside Farmers’ Market offers ‘A Place to Start’
By Maggie Yenchick The City of Pittsburgh Northside Farmers’ Market is scheduled to open May 20 in Allegheny Commons Park. The Farmers’ Market not only provides a location for the community to buy fresh produce and other
Photo: NSC File
The City of Pittsburgh Northside Farmers’ Market in Allegheny Commons Park is scheduled to open on May 20.
food items from local farmers, but it also provides an opportunity to learn about how to live a better lifestyle. “A Place to Start” is here to teach the community about healthy food alternatives, a balanced diet, the importance of yearly check-ups, exercise, and much more. Beginning the journey toward a better and healthier lifestyle can be difficult, but “A Place to Start” assists Northside families in taking the first step, whatever that step may
be. There are great resources for individuals and families right here on the Northside that many people are not aware of. To name a few, there’s the North Side Christian Health Center (NSCHC), Northside Food Pantry, and Propel Northside Community Wellness Center. NSLC intends to offer a range of health events and information, including nurse chats, information on AHN’s Center for Inclusion Health, healthy food demos and recipes, the COVID-19 team from NSCHC, health screenings, and more! It’s critical to stay safe and healthy after a challenging period combating a pandemic, and we’re devoted to providing helpful tools to the Northside community. We’re excited to help Northside families embrace and adapt to a new healthy lifestyle in 2022. Be on the lookout for NSLC’s “A Place to Start” health outreach program at the farmers’ market this summer and please visit our Facebook: @PittsburghsNorthside and Instagram: @NorthsideLC for updates and weekly scheduling. Please note: Markets are subject to federal and state guidelines regarding mass gatherings. Please check the City of Pittsburgh’s website to confirm markets will open as scheduled. Maggie Yenchick is the AGH Partnership Coordinator for the Northside Leadership Conference. n
May 2022
Omega Dr. Carter G. Woodson Academy marks its 10th year
By Ashlee Green The Omega Dr. Carter G. Woodson Academy, which ran from February through mid-April this year, is a Saturday spring education program for students in
Photo: Iota Phi Foundation
The Omega Dr. Carter G. Woodson Academy has the following principles: Service, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift.
grades 6 to 8. It’s in its 10th year. The Academy is co-coordinated by the men of the Iota Phi Foundation and the Iota Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. It consists of a “culturally relevant STEAM curriculum,” according to its Eventbrite page. The Academy’s principles
are Service, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. Students from the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are welcome to participate. The program is led by all Black male teachers. “What’s unique about this program is that we have some very dynamic and talented Black men teaching this course,” Dr. Rahmon Hart, director of community relations at Rivers Casino and chair of Iota Phi’s community outreach initiatives told The Northside Chronicle. “My doctorate is in educational leadership. I’m very in tune with [the fact that only] about 2% of teachers across the country are Black men. Our youth get to see, sometimes for the first time, a Black man delivering teaching in front of the classroom.” The focus of this year’s Academy was in four parts. It covered the Great Migration, when over six million Black people migrated from the rural Southern U.S. to cities in the North, Midwest, and West from around 1916 to 1970; deconstructing “race” as a tool of Black oppression; Black freedom ideas, and Afro Futuristic art. The curriculum aims to build Black childrens’ awareness of their history and culture. Justin Laing, founder and principal of See Academy, Page 11
The Northside Chronicle
May 2022
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Northside Business Briefs, cont’d
From Briefs, Page 1
Quaishawn Whitlock teams up with BOOM Concepts for East Ohio Street’s ‘Episode 1’ Quaishawn Whitlock, a Pittsburgh-based interdisciplinary artist, educator, and business owner, has debuted his mixed media collage installation “Episode 1” at 406 East Ohio St.
effort of BOOM Concepts, The Andy Warhol Museum, and Artists Image Resource (AIR). It “engages a variety of styles of work that include painting, high quality vinyl prints, and wheat paste.” Whitlock’s work specifically revolves around the “discovery, identity, representation, and struggle of Blackness…” As part of the greater Activist Print program, it is “meant to be in conversation with new industries and demographic targets of
Photo: Cody F. Walters
‘Episode 1’ is part of a larger art program called ‘Activist Print,’ originally a joint effort between BOOM Concepts, The Andy Warhol Museum, and Artists Image Resource (AIR). reemerging business corridors.” Supporters of the program are The Pittsburgh Foundation Racial Justice Fund, Duquesne Light Community Impact Grant, The Bloomfield Garfield Corporation, and The Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh Grant.
A Thrills Food Market opens this month in Spring Garden
Photo: Cody F. Walters
Artist Quaishawn Whitlock’s temporary installation work at 406 East Ohio St. is a mixed media collage entitled ‘Episode 1.’ He used the remaining production materials from his body of work called ‘Buffering,’ previously exhibited at Artists Image Resource (AIR), to create it. The temporary installation is part of a larger art program, “Activist Print,” which can be seen along the 400 block of East Ohio Street. Activist Print is a collaborative series of work between Whitlock, BOOM Concepts artist Bekezela Mguni, and cofounder DS Kinsel that uses, according to a press release, “silkscreen and printbased media to raise awareness of contemporary issues and inspire change through agitational propaganda.” Originally founded in 2015 with the first commissioned Black Lives Matter mural in Pittsburgh, Activist Print began as a joint
Aleaise Thill grew up in the Northside and remembers the joy of freshly grown food from the weekly farmer’s market and neighbors sharing their garden bounties. Now, with her new business venture A Thrills Food Market in Spring Garden, she is sharing her passion for quality food with the greater Northside community. Thill’s mission with her local health food store is to “enrich the whole value of a person” and “promote a healthier lifestyle within the local community” through her quality, body nourishing products such as herbs and essential oils, grab-and-go deli soups and sandwiches, and fresh juice and smoothies. It’s a way to “close the gap” between underserved communities and access to quality food. A Thrills Food Market “seeks to meet the increased demand for a better way of living, by offering fresh and quality products all the time,” according to their website. A Thrills Food Market is located at 1924 Spring Garden Ave. Daily business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit https://www.athrills. com/ for more information. n
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CLP - IT’S OFFICIAL
WE ARE NOW FINE FREE! If you have... err, um “had” any fines on your account, you may want to look again. It may have taken 125 years (better late than never), but Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is officially FINE FREE and we could not be more excited about it!
May 2022
Ramps: An endangered Appalachian springtime delicacy By Matt Peters This story is published in partnership with the Pittsburgh Community Newspaper Network (PCNN). It was originally printed in The Homepage, the hyperlocal community newspaper serving Greater Hazelwood, Greenfield, Glen Hazel, New Homewood, the 31st Ward and The Run. It has been lightly edited for style and clarity.
But these plants absorb those nutrients, store them briefly in their leaves, and then return them almost immediately for the benefits of their summer-green neighbors and even tall trees. Without this nutrient dam, our rich forest soils would be denuded and unable to support the rich biodiversity that makes our Appalachian forests so special. Ramps are also a lifesaver for mountain people, who rely on these early spring greens after a long win-
ing 10 years or more to mature enough to flower. This, combined with its growing popularity as a culinary novelty, means that there is basically no such thing as “sustainable” harvest of the root bulb. On my own property in Hazelwood, I have been able to rescue ramps that were harvested whole, all too often with young, immature roots as slender as a pencil, and return them to the forest soils to continue their cycle of
If fines have been keeping you away we want to see you back in our Libraries. We miss you and we know you miss us. We promise, it is as easy as it sounds. Judgment free, guilt free and hassle free. Oh yeah... and, of course, FINE FREE. Photo courtesy of The Homepage
Ramps can cleanse the blood and organs of accumulated toxins, but they are in danger of going extinct due to irresponsible collectors.
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After a long cold winter, the first fresh vegetables of the season are as much a treat as the warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours. In our Appalachian forests, one of the first spring greens is a relative of the garlic family, known commonly as “ramps.” Also called “bear leeks,” these unassuming little plants play an outsized role in mountain culture and ecology. Ramps produce a set of leaves shaped like rabbit ears in the early spring before the trees leaf out, taking advantage of the short window of time when sunlight reaches the forest floor. A whole class of plants called spring ephemerals occupy this ecological niche in a frenzy of growth over a few short weeks to produce enough energy, stored in their roots, to make it to the next season. Many of these plants, including the trillium, are perennials, and a single specimen might be decades old. Their diminutive size and brief above-ground appearance, however, belie their ecological importance. Their rapid growth happens when soils are most unstable, having suffered cycles of frost and thaw followed by heavy spring rains which threaten to wash away nutrients.
ter’s privations. Like garlic, which was one of the very first plants domesticated by humans for agriculture some 10 thousand years ago somewhere in the mountains of what is now Iraq or perhaps Turkey, ramps are a wonderful tonic for cleansing the blood and organs of accumulated toxins. The strong odor associated with ramps came with a social cost, however, as class snobbery would shun those reeking of ramps as poor, hillbilly folks unable to afford more genteel fare. Today this heritage is celebrated with weekend festivals featuring the humble ramp. Restaurants throughout the region offer menu specials during the brief season they are available. But we are in danger of loving ramps to extinction, as unscrupulous collectors take the whole plant—roots and all— while we lose acre after acre of forest habitat to logging, coal mines, urban sprawl, new highways, and other destructive human activity. Responsible ramp collectors know to take only the leaves, and some even help ensure the future of the plant by helping spread the seeds to establish new patches. Ramps are very slow growing, with an individual plant tak-
growth. I have been rewarded with seeing them mature to flower, seed, and form new individuals. But the process is painstakingly slow, and observing this has given me an appreciation of the need for conservation of this valuable species. Our Appalachian forests are home to an abundance of biodiversity that can feed us, heal us, delight us, and inspire us. But these forests need our help! European colonization and the industrialization of society have broken the connection between humans and the habitat that sustains us, and a growing awareness of the impacts of climate change is a light too dim yet to see the consequences of our actions. Hazelwood is blessed with an abundance of forests that we take for granted, or even scorn as “waste places.” We are taught to fear the forests that are our natural home, and in our fear, we are willing to trade the richness of this ancient biodiversity for a scant paycheck as ephemeral as the spring flowers of the forest. Matt Peters is the Community Gardens Manager at Hazelwood Initiative, and editor of Heartbeat, the quarterly newspaper published by Heartwood. n
The Northside Chronicle
May 2022
Page 9
Little House Big Art joins two local artists for ‘Spring Hill Pigeon Project’
By Ashlee Green Northside artist Linda Wallen has had pigeons on the brain for close to a decade. Back in 2013, funded by a grant from The Charm Bracelet Project—a program sponsored by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh—she created a mural made of mosaic tiles at the corner of Homer and Damas Streets in Spring Hill that featured the birds, a nod to the neighborhood’s German settlers and the racing pigeons many of them brought with them from Europe. About three years later, the Community Alliance of Spring Garden East Deutschtown (CASGED) did a mural on the City steps near the Deutschtown Fire Station, and Wallen added some pigeons into it too. Wallen then recruited Ingrid Nagin for what she calls their “attempt at graffiti,” where they were “gluing up pigeons in the stealth of night,” she says with a laugh. You can find a few of Wallen and Nagin’s rogue birds cemented onto the curb by the bus stop beside St. Ambrose Manor, at the corner of Rhine Street and Yetta Avenue. “It was an effort to bring attention to the blight on three streets,” Wallen said, referring to Itin, Rhine, and Walz Streets. “It brings people’s attention to the state of things.” So far, she calls it a partial success, and recalls how one time, on Itin Street, a neighbor saw her in the act and asked her what she was doing. When she told him that it was her attempt to brighten up the neighborhood, he said he was going to go pull some weeds to help out the mission. Wallen and Nagin’s pigeon passion has only prevailed. The project’s latest iteration
is too large for Wallen’s personal studio, so the artists are teaming up with Elizabeth Bashur, owner of Little House Big Art (LHBA), to create and sell the birds as a
fundraiser for the Spring Hill Civic League (SHCL). Bashur has been hosting the artists along with a few community helping hands every Wednesday evening to paint new clay
Photo courtesy of the artists
Artists Linda Wallen and Ingrid Nagin are teaming up with Elizabeth Bashur, owner of Spring Hill’s Little House Big Art, to create and sell clay pigeons as a fundraiser for the Spring Hill Civic League.
pigeons and give them a first firing in LHBA’s kiln. Their first batch of pigeons, the artists say, sold out in 24 hours. “When we needed a place to work— since it wasn’t a project with funding that could merit using the [Manchester Craftsmen’s] Guild (MCG), or a church basement, or some place we’ve worked in the past—Elizabeth graciously offered her space,” Wallen says. Bashur calls the pigeons “charming,” “colorful,” “exotic,” and “whimsical” in style. “Even in the dregs of winter, when everything is dead and gray, here are these vibrant pigeons that are part of the neighborhood,” she says. All pigeons start out as an eight-byeight-inch ceramic tile. Once the bird shapes are cut out and bisque fired for the first time at LHBA, they’re ready to be painted with a glaze. After the paint job, they’re transported to MCG to be vitrified, which means they’re fired again, only with a higher-temperature gas kiln, to make them like glass. This means they’re able to handle the outdoor elements of a tough Pittsburgh winter. “Everybody’s noticing the pigeons,” Wallen says. At first, she and Nagin wanted to keep them in the neighborhood, but more recently, they’ve decided to, as Nagin says, “let them fly.” Now, the birds can be found in “England and Erie and Ohio,” Nagin says. Vermont, too. “People—not just in the community, but in a larger sense, everybody—they respond to these pigeons in such—it’s amazing how much people love the pigeons,” Nagin says. “And each one is different. “Anybody can paint a pigeon,” Nagin continues. “They’re somehow so democratic and forgiving.” Wallen and Nagin give a big thanks to See Pigeons, Page 17
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The Northside Chronicle
Page 10
May 2022
Two Northside Chronicle journalists named as finalists in 2022 Golden Quill Awards
By NSC Staff The journalistic work of Ashlee Green and Matthew Benusa has made it to the finals of the 2022 Golden Quill Awards. Green is The Northside Chronicle’s
managing editor. Green’s story, “Magic Theory 101 with Jon Tai,” is a finalist in the “Arts/Entertainment” category. It profiles Northsider Jon Tai, who quit his job of over eight years at a medical software company to pursue doing live magic performance
full-time right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In the story, Tai describes his roots as a shy, awkward kid doing card tricks and explains how his view on virtual magic changed dramatically throughout the course of the pandemic.
Photos: Ashlee Green by Lauren Stauffer, Matthew Benusa courtesy of the writer
Ashlee Green, managing editor of The Northside Chronicle, and Matthew Benusa, former editorial intern, are finalists in the 2022 Golden Quill Awards. Green’s article, ‘Magic Theory 101 with Jon Tai’ is a finalist in the ‘Arts/Entertainment’ category and Benusa’s story, ‘WYEP-FM’s Joey Spehar is Northside born and bred’ in the ‘Profile’ category.
Benusa is a former Northside Chronicle editorial intern. His story, “WYEP-FM’s Joey Spehar is Northside born and bred,” is a finalist in the “Profile” category. It details the morning DJ’s family business, Marshall’s, Ltd. in Spring Garden; the meaning behind his tattoos; and the pros and cons of having a vanity license plate in Pittsburgh. 2022 marks the 58th year of the annual Golden Quill Awards, which are presented by the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania. The awards recognize professional excellence across, according to the organization’s website, “written, photographic, illustration, broadcast, audio, video, and digital journalism in Western Pennsylvania and nearby counties in Ohio and West Virginia.” The winners of this year’s awards will be announced at a presentation at the Rivers Casino Event Center on May 24. You can find the full list of finalists at https://www. westernpapressclub.org/g_quill.html. n
Read the full articles at nschronicle.com 8
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The Allegheny Elks is proud to participate in DoorsOpen Pittsburgh on Saturday, May 7. Find out what you DON’T know about Pittsburgh’s Northside with this self-guided event that gives you behind-the-scenes access and the opportunity to #BeNebby inside 30+ buildings, including the Allegheny Elks Lodge at 400 Cedar Avenue. This year’s event includes churches, commercial and residential buildings, unique office spaces, private clubs, historic spaces, and adaptive-reuse spaces. For tickets/information: www.DoorsopenPgh.org The Elks Lodge, which began as a private residence constructed ca. 1866, was purchased by the Allegheny Elks in 1901 and was expanded in 1902-1903 by Pittsburgh architect William Snaman into a three-story “Elks Temple.” Following two devastating fires in 1924, Pittsburgh architect Edward B. Lee, redesigned the building to its current appearance in 1925-1926. Visit our lodge room, which is rarely open to the public, and see the public quarters of the building, which include the Allegheny Room and Lounge, a second-floor bowling alley, and the former lodge room on the third floor.
Allegheny Elks Lodge #339 400 Cedar Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (412) 321-1834 | www.facebook.com/alleghenyelks
May 2022
The Northside Chronicle
Page 11
Academy named in honor of the ‘father of Black history’
From Academy, Page 6 Hillombo Consulting, member of Omega Psi Phi, and teacher at the Academy, coordinated this—and many previous years’—programs. The curriculum is built, he said, when the coordinator offers an idea to the brothers and
Kingsley Association in the city’s Larimer neighborhood; during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it moved entirely online. As a whole, though, its popularity has gone up. “When we first did it, at Kingsley, maybe there were 15 or 20 kids, and now we’re at
Photo: Iota Phi Foundation
Justin Laing, right, is a member of Omega Psi Phi and a teacher at the Omega Dr. Carter G. Woodson Academy. He coordinated this—and many previous years’— programs. each one weighs in. “It’s related to what the brothers can offer and their interests—what they feel close to,” he said. “We do everything as a collective.” This year’s teachers were Brandon Jennings, Dr. Kelton Edmunds, Jay Ghosa, and Laing. The Academy is named in honor of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an honorary member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. known as the “father of Black history.” Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in 1915, which has since become the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). It was he, too, who initially designated a week in February as “Negro History Week,” which has become what we know now as Black History Month. “Often, Black History Month is taught in an episodic way: Here’s a little bit about that person, here’s a little bit about this person,” said Laing. “Dr. Woodson taught in a thematic way.” All four teachers at the Academy, Laing explained, followed suit, “taking one idea and working for all eight weeks on that one idea.” “The curriculum is also culturally relevant; we’re keeping their attention that way,” Dr. Hart said. “The curriculum is a part of who they are and it addresses things that impact their everyday experiences.” There’s always an element of artistic expression too, Laing said, so that “kids aren’t just learning from their heads.” The program initially took place at the
around 45,” Laing said. “It’s grown.” The Academy’s new home is Anderson Manor, located at 1423 Liverpool St. and purchased by the Iota Phi Foundation in February of last year. Each week, sessions were held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost for the full eight-week program was $80 and scholarships are available. A mansion built in 1830, Anderson Manor was the home of Col. James Anderson, a former military man and business and iron tycoon. Anderson owned a personal library of about 400 books and opened his collection for loan to neighborhood boys on Saturday afternoons. Andrew Carnegie was one of those boys, and he credits Anderson for influencing his taste in literature and likely inspiring his worldwide free, public library system. Hart said Anderson Manor is particularly special to him because he grew up in the home that is catty-corner from it. “I passed that place probably a billion times. It was kind of off limits for us as kids,” said Hart. “Growing up, getting my doctorate, purchasing one of the prized jewels of the community, and then opening it up to Black youth is very special. For an African American organization to own a mansion is a big deal. “We always tell the kids, ‘This is your space. Feel comfortable to be here.’” More information about the Omega Dr. Carter G. Woodson Academy is available at Presented by: shorturl.at/dxU34. Email iotaphifoundationchair@gmail.com for more information. n
Northside
Homebuyer
Guide
2022
Also available online at: thenorthsidechronicle.com
Thank you to our sponsors East Northside House Tour guests, 2019. Photo by Ashlee Green.
Page 12
The Northside Chronicle
May 2022
How Dirt Doctors Cleaning Services survived and thrived through the COVID-19 pandemic
By Lucia Shen Back in 1994, Tim Maloney had just been laid off, but he and his future business partner Scott Gossic had plans to start their own company. “I always knew I wanted to be self-employed and took it as a sign that this was the time to do it,” Maloney said over a phone interview in March. After plenty of research into what kind of business they should pursue, Maloney and Gossic landed on residential cleaning. In the 90s, it was a market that seemed to be rapidly expanding, and so Dirt Doctors Cleaning Services was created. “Our mission from the start was to provide quality cleaning at an affordable price,” Maloney said. As their website describes, they started by knocking on doors. By year two, they had a handful of employees and clients. They continued to grow through the 90s, and around 1998, they decided to venture into commercial cleaning. “We started with a Jewish temple and a church, which we didn’t go looking for,” Maloney said, “They found us.” The temple and church in question were Temple Ohav Shalom and Berkeley Hills Lutheran Church, both tucked away in the North Hills. Berkeley Hills stayed on with
them all the way up until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. According to Maloney, it’s rare to have a long term client like that in the cleaning industry. By 2006, Maloney and Gossic had parted ways, but Maloney kept the business and began to expand it into commercial clientele. According to him, it was always in the plan to incorporate commercial cleaning into his business’ repertoire. “From the beginning, we were like, ‘We’ll start with residential.’ And the reason you start with residential is actually because you get paid right away,” he said, laughing a little. “So you don’t have to wait 30 days for your money.” Now, around 80% of the Dirt Doctors business is commercial with 20% residential, and it’s still growing as a company. But when the pandemic first hit, it was a different story. Around 10 clients stayed on, but the rest of the residential ones decided to discontinue their service because of COVID-19 risks. By the summer of 2020, some clients started to come back, but the business was still down around 60% in terms of residential clients at the end of the year. The company made the decision to “just go status quo with the residential,” according to Maloney. In other words, the focus was no longer on growing, but rather on maintaining
relationships with current clients and employees. At the end of last year, though, the commercial side of things picked up
Photo courtesy of Tim Maloney
Tim Maloney, owner of Dirt Doctors Cleaning Services, runs his company by ‘glorify[ing] God in all that we do.’ significantly. According to Maloney, it was actually the most growth he’d ever seen in a short period of time. He said, “as bad as it was in 2020 is how good it is right now.” Local companies are looking for new cleaning services, and they’re turning to Dirt Doctors. As a small business owner, Maloney believes in running his company accord-
ing to their top core value, listed on their website: “To glorify God in all that we do.” “How do you do that?” Maloney posed. “How we did it is a commitment to excellence, treating people with compassion and respect—employees, clients, vendors… anybody we have a relationship with—and then being extremely responsive in our communication.” As things start going back to normal after the pandemic, what’s next for Dirt Doctors? Maloney paused a moment before answering. “At this point, it’s to focus on growing our business so we can help more clients and hire more employees, which benefits everyone. “We’re just excited about the future and continuing to provide quality service that people appreciate.” n
More small business stories on our website: nschronicle.com 8
Northside Health + Wellness Guide 2022
In this issue, discover: • Local businesses with products and services for you and your loved one’s wellbeing • Neighborhood events for connecting with community • Living Independently for the elderly programs • Practical tips to get your health on track • books for healthy inspiration
The Northside Chronicle
Page 14 Join Us For The 6th Annual
IN THE PARK
May 2022 Purchase one of our cookbooks with local family recipes. Visit our website for more details or call us to rent a garden space, volunteer, donate, or participate in our upcoming events.
HOSTED BY:
FEATURING:
ALLEGHENY COMMONS WEST, NEAR BRIGHTON & RIDGE
(across from Gus & Yiayia's)
10AM SATURDAYS MAY 28-AUG 27
Come and flow with Pittsburgh's best yoga instructors in this free, alllevels, all-ages summer yoga series. Enjoy the feeling of practicing yoga beneath the trees in this city park.
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5 Points Merchants Group (5PM)
Embracing all Neighborhoods North info@5pmgroupobh.org https://www.5pmgroupobh.org 412-628-2424 Join us this season at Riverview Park Valley Refuge to grow your own HEALTHY vegetables in our rentable Community Garden beds. This summer we will hold multiple Flea Markets, details TBD. Come to sell or buy and mingle with your neighbors. Looking for a way to support us?
City of Pittsburgh Northside Farmers’ Market Allegheny Commons Park, East Ohio St. & Cedar Ave. on Fridays from 3-7PM Farmers’ Markets open May 20, 2022 and run through November 18, 2022. All
The Northside Chronicle
May 2022 markets sell farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese and baked goods, plus flowers, small gifts and gardening items. For more information, call 412-255-2493
families will meet new friends and develop early literacy skills. For children ages birth to five years and their caregivers.
Photo by Pixabay
Summer Reading Kick-Off Party
Photo by Akil Mazumder
Summer Reading Kick-Off with Tree Pittsburgh
June 18 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CLP – Allegheny 1230 Federal St. Pittsburgh, PA 15212 www.carnegielibrary.org Have you ever grown a flower or vegetable from seed? How about a tree? Discover the fascinating shapes, textures, and diversity of tree seeds. Learn how to identify a tree simply by its seed, fruit, or nut. Receive a seed from a native Pennsylvania Kentucky coffee tree, and prepare it to plant and take home with you. Interested in collecting seeds on your own? Learn the times of the year best to collect in your community.
June 18 @ 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm CLP – Woods Run 1201 Woods Run Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15212 www.carnegielibrary.org Kick off the summer with CLP-Woods Run Library’s family friendly event celebrating the start of Summer Reading. Sign-up for Summer Reading, pick up a book bag and enjoy fun activities on the Woods Run lawn. Children and teens can choose a free book, explore an art or craft activity while enjoying a sweet treat. Recommended for children and families of all ages.
Storytime: Family Fun
May 7 @ 11:00 am - 11:30 am June 4 @ 11:00 am - 11:30 am CLP – Woods Run 1201 Woods Run Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15212 www.carnegielibrary.org Join us for stories, songs and action rhymes. Designed to engage children ages birth to 5 years, Family Fun storytimes provide an opportunity for a shared library experience for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their grownups. During this 30 minute program,
What is LIFE Pittsburgh?
Living Independence for the Elderly. A Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE Program).
Many of us wish to remain in our homes as we age, however we find with each year it is more difficult to coordinate all the medically necessary services to live safely in the community. LIFE Pittsburgh (PACE) may be the answer. LIFE Pittsburgh is part of the National program (PACE) for adults 55+ who have health needs that affect their daily lives. LIFE Pittsburgh provides a wide range of medical, social, recreational, and wellness services at no cost to eligible participants. The goal of LIFE Pittsburgh is to allow participants to live safely in their homes and/or community setting. Participants who enroll in the LIFE program, you receive all primary care and community services in one place—the Day Health Center. LIFE Pittsburgh provides an experienced team of health care
Page 15
and social service professionals to help create your individualized care plan and help you follow it. The Team is Interdisciplinary and is comprised of a professional team of Geriatric Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Social Workers, Occupational, and Physical Therapists, Mental Health Providers, Nutritionists and Recreational Therapists. Services include: Family Caregiver Support, Personal Care and Homemaking, Day Health Center for Meals and Recreation, In-Home Services, Transportation and Meals, Physical, Occupational and Recreational Therapies, Primary Health Care, Specialty Care including Podiatry, Dental, Optometry and Audiology, Prescription Drugs, Medical Supplies and Equipment, Emergency Care, and Hospital Care. To be eligible for LIFE Pittsburgh, a participant must: • Be 55 years of age or older • Reside in an area served by LIFE Pittsburgh • Be determined medically eligible • Be able to be safely served in the community • Be determined financially eligible or be able to privately pay To learn more about LIFE Pittsburgh, call 412-388-8050 for an explanation of the enrollment requirements, medical and financial eligibility process, or logon to www. lifepittsburgh.org.
Page 16
Photo by (c) Drazen Zigic / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Take These 6 Steps to Get Your Health Back on Track (StatePoint) Since the start of the pandemic, Americans have been postponing routine care. With more Americans vaccinated against COVID-19, medical experts are urging patients to return to routine health care and get caught up on delayed or foregone preventive health screenings. “While we know that prevention is the best medicine, the pandemic has caused many Americans to delay important routine health services vital to keeping themselves and their families healthy, particularly critical immunizations and preventive cancer screenings. We urge everyone to get up to date on their routine health care needs,” says Gerald E. Harmon, M.D., president of the American Medical Association (AMA). According to the AMA, you and your family should take these six steps to get your health back on track: 1. Get screened: Estimates based
The Northside Chronicle on statistical models show that since April 2020, 3.9 million breast cancer, 3.8 million colorectal cancer and 1.6 million prostate cancer diagnoses may have been missed due to pandemic-related care disruptions. Check in with your health care provider. If you’re due for preventive care, tests or screenings, make an appointment. These measures are designed to keep you healthy and help your doctor spot certain conditions before they become more serious. 2. Don’t wait: An estimated 41% of adults with one or more chronic health conditions reported delaying or forgoing health care since the pandemic started. Additionally, one in three of those adults reported that doing so worsened one or more of their health conditions or limited their abilities to work or perform other daily activities. Whether you have a chronic health condition or not, don’t wait until something is wrong before seeing a doctor. If something does feel off, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. 3. Consider telehealth: If you’re uncomfortable or unable to go in person to your physician’s practice, check on telehealth options, which have greatly increased over the past two years. 4. Visit your pediatrician: During the pandemic, pediatric immunizations decreased. As public health measures are rolled back, people gather in groups, and traveling resumes, non-COVID-19 infections that decreased during the pandemic are likely to increase again. Well-child visits and recommended vaccinations are essential to helping ensure children stay healthy
and protected from serious diseases. If your child is due for a check-up, schedule one immediately. 5. Get vaccinated: Adolescents and adult immunizations also sharply declined during the pandemic and an estimated 26 million recommended vaccinations were missed in 2020 as compared to 2019. Get up to date on vaccinations, including the COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone who’s eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, including booster doses, should get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones. If you have questions, speak with your physician and review trusted resources, including getvaccineanswers. org. 6. Don’t neglect mental health: While mental health screenings via digital health tools are up, routine care for mental health is down. Approximately 52% of adults with mental health conditions delayed or forewent care since the pandemic began. Given the adverse effects the events of the past two years have had on mental health, such as increasing anxiety, depression and loneliness, it’s especially important to prioritize this aspect of your health now. For more resources, visit ama-assn.org. “We encourage everyone to contact their trusted medical professional to schedule their annual physical and other vital care to help prevent serious health repercussions that could potentially last long past the pandemic,” says Dr. Harmon.
May 2022
Northside Spring Reading List Books on wellness are available at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches of Allegheny and Woods Run. View the full library catalog online to request materials from other branches to be picked up at either Northside branch. carnegielibrary.org/ Photos courtesy of CLP library catalog
Wellness principles : cooking for a healthy life. By Gary Deng, 2022 Good and cheap : eat well on $4/day. By Leanne Brown, 2015 The wellness project : how I learned to do right by my body, without giving up my life. By Phoebe Lapine, 2017 Who is wellness for? : examination of wellness culture and who it leaves behind. By Fariha Roisin, 2022
May 2022
The Northside Chronicle
Page 17
Wallen and Nagin ‘looking for walls’ for new large-scale art project in Spring Hill
From Pigeons, Page 9 both LHBA and MCG: Without them, they say, the Pigeon Project wouldn’t be possible. Ultimately, the artists want to fund a large-scale, TBD artwork for the neighborhood. Right now, though, Wallen says, they’re just “looking for walls.”
To order your own pigeons, visit the SHCL website at http://shcl.org/. They’re $25 each and available for pick up at Spring Hill Brewery. If you’d like to become a volunteer “Professional Pigeon Painter,” contact Wallen at lindawallen@gmail.com. You can follow the project on Instagram at https:// www.instagram.com/springhillpigeons/.
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Photos courtesy of the artists
All pigeons start out as an eight-by-eight-inch ceramic tile. Once the pigeon shapes are cut out and bisque fired for the first time inside the Little House Big Art (LHBA) kiln, they’re ready to be painted with a glaze. Community members help paint the birds at LHBA on Wednesday evenings. After they’re painted, the birds are transporteed to Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild to be fired again in a higher temperature kiln, which makes them glass-like and weatherproof. n
The Northside Chronicle
Page 18
May 2022
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May 2022
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Northside designer debuts eco-conscious Earth Day dress
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1022 Chestnut Street Photos courtesy of Rachel Rakovan
Northside designer Suz Pisano helped to create this ‘Rust to Dust’ dress for the 2022 Pittsburgh Earth Day Ecolution Fashion Gala, held at the Carnegie Music Hall Foyer on April 13. The theme for this year’s event was ‘Earth Matters Now: For The World We Dream Of & The World We Have Now.’ Pisano’s dress, modeled by the current reigning Mrs. Pennsylvania American 2021-2022 Rachel Rakovan, was made by screen printing photographs onto silk material: Photographs are by Robert Strovers and collage work by Jody Shell. n
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The Northside Chronicle
May 2022
Page 21
Northside Real Estate Transfers Allegheny City Central
Sena Templeton to Philip and Nicole Bujakowski at 1236 Monterey St. for $405,000. Amir Ali Boroumand to Marcel Schipper and Stephanie Dawn Buzza at 1219 Reddour St. for $513,000. Philip Dougherty to Smarter Living Properties LLC at 1227 Sherman Ave. for $270,000. Michael Silverstein to Garrett James Swezene and Alison Brown at 253 E Jefferson St. for $349,000. Estate of Barbara McCants to 1221 Boyle St. PA LLC at 1221 Boyle St. for $170,000. Up Hill Ventures LLC to Chris David and Kelly McCafferty Dorogy at 1219 Boyle St. for $249,000. Timothy Benz to Ryan Wyatt at 1226 Sherman Ave. for $309,000. North Side Assoc. to Northside Properties Residences III LLC at 1608 Monterey St. for $66,892. NGD Land L.P. to Equity Trust Cust Justine Cunningham IRA at 409 W Jefferson St. for $150,000. Kenneth Layton to Hart STR LLC at 1227 Veto St. for $262,500.
Allegheny West
A & S LLC to Mayapple Land Management Co. Inc. at 856 Western Ave. for $400,000.
Brighton Heights
Blaine Martin to Suraj Thakar and Preksha Behede at 3845-3847 Brighton Road for $265,000. Helen Lorinc to Janet Richards-Williams at 3314 Harbison St. for $180,000. Estate of Ruth Scott Roebuck to Bank America NA at 3363 Harbison St. for $120,000 by sheriff’s deed. Joseph Miller to Kaitlyn Marie Hendrickson at 3708 Millerton Ave. for $166,000. Cody Donnelly to Thomas Smith and Shona Ann Jiggetts at 3613 Purdue St. for $225,000. Curtis James to Alexandra Redding Jackson at 1315 Beckham St. for $79,000. Krissa Caroff to Lucas Spano and Kelsey Swimkosky at 3616 Harbison Ave. for $221,200. East Crew Horizons LLC to Henry Hao Cai Chen at 3414 Brighton Road for $165,000. CLJ Ventures LLC to Peter and Alicia Stone at 1616 Orchlee St. for $344,000. Kevin McCarthy to Jonnie Vanderveer Leinweber, Helena Vanderveer at 1236 San Pedro St. for $192,500. Greg Zenner to Mario McNemar at 3141 Sorento St. for $110,000. Michael Kaule to ZBB LLC at 3839-3843 California Ave. for $110,000. Denise Limmer to Brad and Apryl Peroney at 3447 Harbison St. for $148,000. Lorelei Reynolds trustee to Justin Owens and Alexandra Melendez at 3837 Hiawatha St. for $185,000. Donald Kallstrand to Anthem Properties LLC at 1424 Termon Ave. for $124,000. Kathryn Collins to Heather Blaine at 2001 Termon Ave. for $105,000.
California-Kirkbride
North Side Assoc. to Northside Properties Residences III LLC at 1118 Morrison St. for $4,615,607. Northside Properties R & S LLC to Northside Properties Residences III LLC, 842 Kirkbride St. for $17,500.
Charles Street Valley
Ian Resides to Victoria Plack at 2558 N Charles St. for $163,000.
East Deutschtown
JLD Unlimited LLC to GEB Investment Partners LLC at 915 Chestnut St. for $115,000.
Fineview
1516 Warren Street LLC to 1516 Warren Street LLC at 1516 Warren St. for $280,071. Gayle Cummings to J & Jahdiel LLC at 229 Henderson St. for $220,000. Brent Loverti to Parag Gohel at 1911 Meadville St. for $265,000.
Historic Deutschtown
Estate of Donald Wayne Vescio to Carlton Creative Solutions LLC at 1112 Linden Pl for $35,000. Benjamin Schell to BGRS Relocation Inc. at 524 Avery St. for $335,000. BGRS Relocation Inc. to Jonathan Patrick Fleming at 524 Avery St. for $335,000. October Real Estate Holdings LLC to Pinre Holdings L.P. at 514-516 E Ohio St. for $318,078. Kelly Ann Peralta to Michael Robert and Paul John Campbell-Trimbur at 422 Suismon St. for $535,000. Harry Muschar to Paul and Kathy Palicki at 626 Suismon St. for $182,000. Daniel Gardner to Michael Patrizio and Wendy Pashman at 420 Pressley St. for $518,500. Ray Franklin Carter to Adrian Bachota at 512 Pressley St. for $480,000. Vereit Operating Partnership L.P. to Realty Income Corp. at 540 E. Ohio St. for $931,233.
Manchester
Keith Gray to Blanchard Trucking & Hauling LLC at 1622 Chateau St. for $30,000. October Real Estate Holdings LLC to Natalie Laurel Boerio at 1410 Adams St. for $372,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB Tr to Todd Meyer at 1209 N Franklin St. for $65,000.
Marshall-Shadeland
Nestor Renato Munoz to Charles and Elizabeth Caparoso at 3255 Bainton St. for $250,000. I Work Solutions LLC to Tonaira Wright at 2610 Bartold St. for $173,000. 1009 Woods Run Avenue LLC to SFR3 040 LLC at 1009 Woods Run Ave. for $95,000. Successo LLC to Ryan and Hannah Phelps at 1502 Forsythe St. for $64,000. Estate of Louis Miller to Alwan Property Ventures LLC at 1347 Geyer Ave. for $7,500. Alisa Eyerman to Spencer Brown at 3125 Oxfield St. for $149,700.
Northview Heights
Alfred Bahnson to John and Sandra Kessler Kaminski at 108 Chicago St. for $80,000.
Observatory Hill
Charles Caparoso to Yehudith Podolsky trste and Lloyd Jay Bosley at 3729 Baytree St. for $149,725. SFR3 LLC to SFR3 010 LLC at 253 Watson Blvd. for $98,000. James Kisiel to Matthew Fisher and Lindsay Palm at 219 Montana St. for $215,000. VMR Investments LLC to Khadiija Global Orphanage LLC at 4041 Vinceton St. for $30,000. N American Union Sisters Our Lady Charit to Salem’s Properties LLC at 4100 Vinceton St. for $330,000. KJN Grant LLC to MKB Property Group at 128 Watson Blvd. for $55,000. David Wilson to Pamela Gant at 2928 Marshall Road for $130,000. Saleem Ghubril to William James Jr. and Lillian Grate at 3000 Marshall Road for $76,076.
Perry Hilltop
Estate of Ralph Johnson to Alan McClelland at 1893 Clayton Ave. for $168,000. Yvonne Armes to At Home Management LLC at 319 E McIntyre Ave. for $20,000. Adam Ross to Steven Ramsey Gailey at 2455 Lyzell St. for $10,000. B Wiles Property Resources Group LLC to BG Development LLC at 2705 Sherlock St. for $75,000. DC & AH Holdings LLC to Diversified Residential Homes 2 LLC at 2412 Wurzell Ave. for $135,000 David Peindl to Wellington Property Investments LLC at 1832 Clayton Ave. for $228,700. Mark Valenti trustee to Timothy Benz at 1846 Clayton Ave. for $570,000. Insulbrick Structures Inc. to PRF 100 LLC at 311 Elsdon St. for $20,550. Michael Murdock to Amanda Canfield Farmer Brown at 1880 Clayton Ave. for $305,000. Jon Robert Holden to Suemaiya Mubarak at 104 W Burgess St. for $30,000.
Spring Garden
Ryan Heddleston to Heriberto Barrios Jr., Robin Raida at Spring Garden Ave. (VACANT LAND) for $24,000. Saddle Properties LLC to Spring Garden Storage LLC at 1430 High St. for $80,000. Matthew McDowell to Matthew Yorke and Patricia Ann Antram at 1212 Voskamp St. for $159,350. David Simon Ross to Upper Waldron Properties LLC at 1351 Diana St. for $20,000.
Spring Hill
Josephine Brendel to Abdelilah Ettadouni at 1001-1009 S Side Ave. for $10,000. Clara Sigmund to Burgh Rentals LLC at 17 Woessner Ave. for $33,000.
Summer Hill
Olivia Horning to Mingxuan Li and Nan Xu at 4469 Scherling St. for $185,000.
Troy Hill
Ross Cunningham to Emmanuel Francois at 1334 Lowrie St. for $43,500. David Barie to Brick Street LLC at 2041 Veronica St. for $90,000. Gwyneth Gaul to Scott Patrick and Emily Oleksyk Sweeny at 50 Waterfront Drive for $515,000. Brabek Properties LLC to Levaughn Robinson at 1112 Brabec St. for $330,000. Jesse Lucks to Ashley Horton at 2108 Lautner St. for $265,000. Micah Tozer to Matthew and Emily Mazaika at 2116 Straubs Ln for $175,000. Elizabeth Bechtold to Yellow Door Co. at 1711 Rialto St. for $150,000.
More property transfers at www.thenorthsidechronicle.com
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May 2022
This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity. Read the full candidate Q&A on our website at www.thenorthsidechronicle.com. Find your complete sample ballot at https://ballotpedia.org/Pittsburgh_Sample_Ballot. IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES: Register to vote by May 2, 2022. Request your absentee or mail-in ballot by May 10, 2022 at 5 p.m. Completed ballots must be received (postmarks are not enough) by the county election office by May 17, 2022 at 8 p.m. Polls are open on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Information provided by the Pennsylvania Department of State at vote.pa.gov. PENNSYLVANIA STATE HOUSE 19TH DISTRICT CANDIDATES:
Northside Primary Election Guide
The Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, May 17. Do you know your candidates? Here’s a Q&A with those running in the top races affecting the Northside.
Aerion Abney, courtesy of Vote Aerion Abney, and Rev. Glenn Grayson, courtesy of Wesley Center A.M.E. Zion Church
Aerion Abney Incumbent, Democratic Party www.voteaerionabney.com/ The Northside Chronicle: Why are you running to represent District 19 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives? Aerion Abney: I believe District 19 is the most diverse House District in Allegheny County and Western Pa. Diversity of opinion, experiences, race, socioeconomic status, and more. I’m running because I want to help create a future that works for us all. I want to use my position as a sphere of influence to help change the reality of struggle for people that have been denied access to opportunities over and over again. NSC: Describe the experience you bring to this position. AA: As a social worker, I’ve been trained to be an advocate for others; as a state Representative, I continue that advocacy as a champion for my district. I am very familiar with the district as I’ve served as a legislative assistant for District 19 in the past and have an understanding of how Harrisburg works. Additionally, I served as a program officer with the POISE Foundation where I provided grants to nonprofit organizations all across Allegheny County, allowing me to better understand the various social services that currently exist and/or where gaps might exist. Prior to being elected as state Representative, I worked as the Pennsylvania Director of Special Projects with All Voting is Local, a nonpartisan
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The Northside Chronicle
May 2022
voting rights and election administration group dedicated to expanding access to the ballot for voters. NSC: Where, in Pittsburgh and the Northside, do you see the political landscape heading in the next two to four years? AA: As a Northside resident (Manchester), I’m excited to see how it develops and its impact on the City as a whole. I foresee the future political landscape to be composed of more young leaders, more black and brown leaders, and more women in leadership positions. I think the issue of development without displacement, while not revelatory, will be much more pronounced in the very near future. Additionally, I see a more universal acceptance of moving towards a clean green environment that includes everything from health equity zones to energy-efficient solar neighborhoods. NSC: What does the Northside need in a representative? AA: Someone who will have the interest of the Northside at heart. Someone that understands what distinguishes Northside neighborhoods and what they have in common. We deserve a champion in Harrisburg who will be unapologetic about bringing resources back from Harrisburg that will come back to the communities. I have been an advocate for the Northside and continue to be, as its current state Representative. NSC: Due to Pennsylvania’s recent redistricting, the Northside has gone from having two representatives in the past to now, having three. How will you manage working with the other two Northside representatives while also serving your entire district? AA: I’ve had several meetings and conversations with my colleagues, Reps. Innamorato and Kinkead, and we have established a great working relationship. There is a genuine commitment from the three of us to advocate for our entire districts, and when appropriate—like in the case of the Northside—to use our collective voices and influence to bring needed resources back to the community. I look forward to working with my two colleagues and the community to ensure that the Northside doesn’t feel left out or left behind in this new Pittsburgh. Glenn Grayson Democratic Party PENNSYLVANIA STATE HOUSE 20TH DISTRICT CANDIDATES:
Emily Kinkead, courtesy of the Office of Rep. Kinkead, and Nick Mastros, courtesy of the Committee to Elect Nick Mastros
Emily Kinkead Incumbent, Democratic Party www.emily4pa20.com/ The Northside Chronicle: Why are you running to represent District 20 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives? Emily Kinkead: I am running to be able to continue the work that I started in 2020. I ran initially because I wanted to be a voice for our communities and a zealous advocate in Harrisburg to fight for the resources that we need and push back against the bad policies that the Republican majority have been pushing instead. Onboarding as a state representative is a grueling process in the best of circumstances, but I had to do it during a global pandemic. Still, I was able to bring back nearly $16 million to my district in my first 16 months in office. I’m running for re-election because I know that I can continue to deliver for District 20. NSC: Describe the experience you bring to this position. EK: I am an attorney by training and spent two years serving as a judicial law clerk on the Commonwealth Court, which handles agency appeals (like unemployment) and election cases (like voter ID and Trump’s “Big Lie” election fraud claims), before entering private practice and working in criminal defense. I have experience representing low-income tenants in landlord-tenant disputes, immigrants seeking asylum, and advocating on behalf of HIV-positive individuals in discrimination cases. I continue to serve as an arbitrator and mediator of landlord-tenant actions for the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.
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Prior to going to law school, I worked in D.C. on various policy issues including campaign finance reform, gerrymandering reform, and disability rights advocacy, in addition to working at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Legislative Policy and Analysis, which analyzes how federal legislation would impact medical research and advocates for ongoing investment in medical research from Congress.
Ask An Attorney By Matthew D. Gailey, Gailey Law Group May is the month for the primary election in Pennsylvania. This primary election is noteworthy as it is the first election after redistricting has taken place after the completion of the most recent United States Census from 2020. This month’s article will touch briefly the constitutional considerations surrounding redistricting and gerrymandering. Article I of the U.S. Constitution requires that a census that counts every individual in the country take place every ten years. That count is then used to determine the number of representatives in Congress. States have been empowered by the Constitution to determine the nature and extent of a congressional district. Pennsylvania’s congressional districts are directly determined by the state legislature which is subject to veto from the Governor. Naturally, there is a great deal of debate about any proposed congressional districts that the legislature proposes. Legislatures controlled by either political party tend to draw up congressional district maps that make it more likely for their party to retain power. Often, one political party will accuse another party of “gerrymandering”, which essentially means that one party has drawn the maps in a way that gives themselves an unfair advantage in elections. Federal Courts, like the U.S. Su-
preme Court, have often been loath to get involved in redistricting cases as they are commonly viewed as political questions. The Political Question Doctrine refers to issues that are so politically charged that the Courts should not get involved or hear the case. In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to become involved in a Pennsylvania appeal regarding the new congressional lines just last month. As long as power is involved, one can expect to continue to see political parties using redistricting to benefit themselves with the inevitable accusations of gerrymandering coming from the other side.
All of this experience allowed me to hit the ground running when I first came to Harrisburg and landed me key committee appointments on both the powerful Appropriations and Judiciary Committees. Appropriations allows me to directly advocate for spending that will help the most Pennsylvanians, especially as we look to spend the $7 billion in American Rescue Plan money from the federal government. Judiciary allows me to be a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform, to push back against legislation that will make guns easier to access and make our streets less safe, and to protect our courts from ongoing attacks led by the Republican majority that seek to curtail their independence from the Legislature. I serve on the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, where I have been advocating for investment in a more robust intrastate food supply chain that would both support our local farms and also address issues of food insecurity. I also serve on the Human Services Committee, which allows me to advocate for better and more competitive pay for our direct support professionals who care for persons with disabilities and provide behavioral health and addiction treatment services.
I have a breadth and depth of knowledge that allow me to understand the complex issues that come before us in Harrisburg, as well as a deep commitment to my community to continue to be an outspoken and zealous advocate for the needs of District 20 and all of Pennsylvania.
NSC: Where, in Pittsburgh and the Northside, do you see the political landscape heading in the next two to four years?
EK: Pittsburgh—and the Northside in particular—has seen a renaissance occurring over the last few years. Bobby Wilson, Liv Bennett, Bethany Hallam, Ed Gainey, Aerion Abney, and myself came in on a wave of change that is not slowing down. It’s interesting to consider that just 10 years ago, nearly every member of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation to the State House was openly pro-life/anti-choice. Now, our delegation is almost entirely pro-choice. Only in 2020 did we elect more women to the delegation than white men named Dan (Miller, Frankel, Deasy). In the next two to four years, I expect that the pushback against this change that Rep. Summer Lee, Rep. Jessica Benham, and I have experienced will lessen as we make room for new voices and new faces. As a result, Pittsburgh will collectively take its next step in progress to be inclusive and livable for all. NSC: What does the Northside need in a representative?
EK: In the simplest terms, the Northside needs a representative who sees and believes in its potential. Part of the reason that this Northside renaissance is happening is because we have a group of elected leaders now who see and believe exactly that and who work together closely, and communicate up and down the different levels of government. We are not content to let progress happen to the Northside whenever and however, but want to drive progress in a way that makes sense for the people who currently live on the Northside and who can and should make the Northside their home. We work closely with our neighborhood community groups to give them the support and resources they need to develop their areas in a way that honors the history of the area while welcoming new folks of all economic backgrounds to join in. Any representative of the Northside should be prepared to do the same. NSC: Due to Pennsylvania’s recent redistricting, the Northside has gone from having two representatives in the past to now, having three. How will you manage working with the other two Northside representatives while also serving your entire district?
Community TV on the Northside
EK: Both District 19 and District 21 are picking up areas of the Northside that are currently in District 20. I believe that it is incumbent upon me to ensure a warm handoff so that the representatives of those districts (currently Rep. Aerion Abney of HD-19 and Rep. Sara Innamorato of HD-21) understand the needs and unique characteristics of each neighborhood, as well as the history of work that my office has done there so that there is a seamless transition. Nevertheless, I love all of the Northside, and because the Northside is an area that frequently transcends its 18 to 20 (depending on how you divide it and who you ask) neighborhoods, working together to advocate and secure resources for our Northside communities is going to require an all-hands-on-deck approach. I have a great relationship with both Rep. Abney and Rep. Innamorato and foresee us accomplishing great things together if we are all re-elected.
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Currently, I or a member of my staff attends every neighborhood group meeting in my district and every council meeting of every municipality that I represent outside the City (Avalon, Bellevue, Ross, and West View). That will not change. And we certainly know that redistricting is confusing, so no matter whose district any constituent is in, we will offer service to each and every person who calls, emails, or walks into our office looking for assistance.
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Nick Mastros Democratic Party www.nickmastros.com The Northside Chronicle: Why are you running to represent District 20 of the
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Pennsylvania House of Representatives?
ensuring the Northside is well represented in Harrisburg. We must work together.
Dan McClain, Chair of the Committee to Elect Nick Mastros: Nick is running for office because his goal is to bring meaningful community revitalization to the new 20th District by listening to the needs of the residents of Avalon, Bellevue, Brighton Heights, Perry North, Ross, and West View, as well as working with local community officials to prioritize and fight for the betterment of our community. Nick stated, “I am running for office because it is my intent to bring impactful change to the 20th District and make a positive difference in the lives of our residents, businesses, and schools.”
PENNSYLVANIA STATE HOUSE 21ST DISTRICT CANDIDATES:
NSC: Describe the experience you bring to this position. DM: Nick is a local business owner who is best known for his restaurant, the Allegheny Sandwich Shoppe on Western Avenue in the Northside. Nick established this neighborhood cornerstone in 1981. His hard work, perseverance, and grit has sustained the business through ever changing economic conditions and challenges for over 40 years. As a businessman, Nick brings a skillset and life experiences that can contribute to making government more efficient and effective. For over four decades, the restaurant has served as an informal community forum where very diverse individuals have expressed and often hotly debated a broad range of topics, issues, and ideas. This has provided Nick with a unique perspective and understanding of the community at large. Nick intends to use this experience, along with over 30 years of raising a family and living in this district, to represent the residents of the new 20th District by serving as a representative who will truly listen to their needs and expand constituent services. NSC: Where, in Pittsburgh and the Northside, do you see the political landscape heading in the next two to four years? DM: The population continues to grow, with many diverse voices, who should all be heard equally. As a State Representative, [Nick’s] number one focus will be to ensure that the residents of District 20 have a representative who is available in their communities, make certain that each of their communities receive exceptional services, and to serve as a voice in Harrisburg to represent their best interests. In addition, strong representation can facilitate new development resulting in the Northside’s advancement as a safe and secure place to live for all income levels. NSC: What does the Northside need in a representative? DM: The new 20th District comprises several communities both within and outside of the City of Pittsburgh. If elected, Nick intends to provide the same attention and focus to all residents within the 20th District, including Brighton Heights and Perry North. Like all communities, these residents should benefit from broader constituent services, business stimulus, infrastructure repair and improvement, public safety, as well as enhanced education. NSC: Due to Pennsylvania’s recent redistricting, the Northside has gone from having two representatives in the past to now, having three. How will you manage working with the other two Northside representatives while also serving your entire district? DM: Nick’s immediate priority, if elected, is to join forces with local officials, including the other Northside State Representatives, to identify, prioritize, and fight for our community’s needs. Nick continues to reach out to all local elected officials to introduce himself and provide his contact information, should he be elected. He will make it a priority to collaborate with those peers and maintain active and open lines of communication that could potentially result in enhanced services to the Northside—perhaps starting with joint town halls. In order to advance the best interests of our collective communities in District 20, cooperative efforts are key to
Sara Innamorato, courtesy of Pa. House of Representatives, and Frank Perman, courtesy of the candidate
Sara Innamorato Incumbent, Democratic Party https://www.saraforpa.com/ The Northside Chronicle: Why are you running to represent District 21 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives? Sara Innamorato: As a lifelong Pittsburgher, I’ve seen how the dedicated community members have rebuilt this city. I’ve also seen who it’s left behind. I am running for re-election to continue the work we have started to support policies that will empower the voices of residents of our communities and work to improve the standard of living for working families. I hope to continue our work to include the priorities of residents of Northside as we create a Pennsylvania that will benefit us all. NSC: Describe the experience you bring to this position. SI: I bring nearly four years of experience in the role, spending almost half of my time in office during a global pandemic where our communities saw an unprecedented need. During the height of the pandemic, our office sprung into action, creating weekly check-in meetings for our community and borough leaders, building coalitions to develop strategies to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on our neighbors, and hosting virtual events to inform constituents and local businesses of available recovery resources. During that time, my staff and I answered thousands of phone calls from people desperately trying to access unemployment compensation, rental assistance, and SNAP. We worked with our network to help our neighbors resolve issues or connect to services. Before my time in office, I worked for many years at a nonprofit where we worked with residents to help gain access to vacant, blighted land and transform it into productive, inclusive green spaces. It was beautiful to see many of those projects still going strong and residents growing their projects. Even as a nonprofit professional, I saw the need to work inside communities to create programming that empowered and elevated citizens’ voices and encouraged them to take more prominent roles in investing in our neighborhoods, block by block. I hope
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EmiLy
to continue to build relationships by coordinating with existing organizations and groups to create innovative solutions to complex problems. NSC: Where, in Pittsburgh and the Northside, do you see the political landscape heading in the next two to four years?
Kinkead State representative
SI: I love my work as a legislator because it allows me to hear, learn, and understand our constituents’ issues. However, only when you start building meaningful relationships with the community will you be able to recognize the challenges that resonate with many areas of my District. These challenges include limited safe, dignified, and affordable housing; concerns about poor air quality and clean water; rising health care costs; inadequate funding for public infrastructure; and limited educational opportunities. Only through collaboration with communities can we start learning from each other our major policy failures and begin to build legislation that supports the working families of the Northside and our region. I genuinely believe we can create inclusive, positive change only if our political systems include people who have been historically excluded from the decision-making process. In the last several years, it’s been encouraging to see community members become more involved in local politics. As the founder of She Runs SWPA, I know the importance of including diverse voices and experiences in electoral politics. While the reality is that there are still challenges in building consensus, we have so much to learn from one another even when we don’t agree with one another. A transparent, democratic, public dialogue is necessary to find the most robust solutions to our most significant challenges.
t
Democra
NSC: What does the Northside need in a representative?
Emily Kinkead
is getting real results
for our families
SI: I’m looking forward to representing several Northside neighborhoods. Since it is new to the District, I still have a lot of listening sessions with residents and community leaders to get up to speed on what community projects and priorities exist. My philosophy is that projects shouldn’t happen to communities but with communities. The Northside needs a representative that can uplift the voices and experiences of everyday people when we draft our legislative priorities. The personal stories I hear from my constituents are how I begin my legislating process. Then, I work with organizations and experts to help inform and craft it. To live that out, my team and I plan on continuing to knock on doors throughout our District to get an individual perspective. From the brief conversations I’ve had with local leaders and residents as a new member of the URA board, I’ve heard that residents are concerned about addressing blight, strengthening our Main Streets, and preserving and building affordable housing to prevent the displacement of longtime residents. As a member of the Urban Affairs Committee in Harrisburg, we’ve already been working on legislation that would give communities more tools to deal with these issues.
Emily has led on issues like:
NSC: Due to Pennsylvania’s recent redistricting, the Northside has gone from having two representatives in the past to now, having three. How will you manage working with the other Creating a budget that helps working families, increases access to two Northside representatives while also serving your entire district?
unemployment compensation and fairly funds our schools Common-sense legislation to address gun violence
Ensuring no one is denied life-saving medicine by addressing the rising cost of drug prices Election protection - pushing back on rightwing Republican voter suppression legislation
Endorsed by our leaders including: County executive Rich fitzgerald
city councilor bobby wilson
State SEnator wayne fontana
county councilor liv bennett
emily4pa20.com
Paid for by People for Emily Kinkead
SI: As a member of the legislative body, I can’t do anything without working with other elected leaders of all levels of government. As an elected representative, I know I cannot do anything without the support and buy-in of our communities. Rep. Kinkead and I already share a few communities, and our offices have collaborated with those communities to ensure that constituents have access to state services. I am looking forward to collaborating with recently elected Rep. Aerion Abney to develop programming to help constituents in our districts. As Vice-Chair of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation, I’ve seen that collaboration and communication make us a more vital asset to the communities that we represent throughout the county. Additionally, I aim to work with all levels of government-elected officials to make sure all residents have opportunities to voice concerns in their neighborhoods. Coordinating with neighborhood, city, state, and federal offices will ensure the priorities of our residents are heard and referred to the office which can best assist their needs. Frank Perman Republican Party The Northside Chronicle: Why are you running to represent District 21 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives?
/ emily4pa20
Frank Perman: Did you ever have a feeling, deep down in your heart and mind that things were not right? That they could be better? Are things alright with government, the economy, inflation, and our education and tax systems? I don’t think so. I know that now is a critical time for our country, state, and community, and we all must come together to work toward a better tomorrow. I am willing to make the personal sacrifice necessary to serve. I think about the world I can help leave to my family. Did I do better? Can I do better? I’m running to help people. This race is to support individuals with their hopes, dreams, and aspirations. I hope to get government to effectively respond to circumstances affecting real people. Sometimes government needs to be in the way of situations, [at
The Northside Chronicle
May 2022
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other times…] government [needs to get] out of the way. Being an effective state Representative is knowing the difference. I will be an effective leader and advocate for our community. NSC: Describe the experience you bring to this position.
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FP: As a husband and father, I learned patience, negotiation skills, time management, empathy, The Northside Chronicle is dedand love. As a community leader, I have taught life skills, fairness, and good judgment. I have icated to covering Northside’s learned about problems in various communities, issues affecting families and individuals, real news and committed to providcharity, appreciation, and personal thanksgiving. As a business owner, I have learned budgeting, ing a free, monthly publication for neighbors. realistic projections, hiring, marketing, public relations, and finance. As a funeral director, I have helped those in the greatest need at the worst of times in an unfamiliar situation. I have been ex- Purchasing a subscription for posed to the best and the worst the world can throw at someone. direct-mail delivery to your NSC: Where, in Pittsburgh and the Northside, do you see the political landscape heading in the next two to four years? FP: Currently, I see disagreement and division within communities. Public safety must be a priority along with bringing hope and opportunity to those communities in need. A leader needs to work with those of differing views, bring them together for the common good, and use their skills and leadership to bring… opportunity to as many as possible. We must move our city forward together. NSC: What does the Northside need in a representative? FP: The Northside needs a representative willing to listen and not show up only at election time. As a community leader, it is critical to show that objectives can be accomplished, people can be helped, and everyday life can be made better through learning and leading. We need a community-minded leader willing to stand up in Harrisburg to the political machines that are in it only for themselves. I believe I have the community leadership qualifications and the life experiences to make a difference for my fellow citizens. Extreme ideology should take a back seat to making life better and cleaning up our broken and failure-ridden state government. NSC: Due to Pennsylvania’s recent redistricting, the Northside has gone from having two representatives in the past to now, having three. How will you manage working with the other two Northside representatives while also serving your entire district? FP: As state Representative, I would be in the majority party in the State House. I believe this is a unique chance for the Northside to be the example of moving the state forward and out of the old ways of the past that no longer work for the people of our area. The clout by being in the majority would be huge in terms of the ability to negotiate resources for community projects and initiatives. This would be an opportunity to work together for the betterment of the Northside and build coalitions across the political spectrum to deliver for the people to better our schools, strengthen law enforcement, and provide opportunities for high-wage jobs and small businesses. n
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VOTE FOR
Business Stimulus that Creates Middle Class Jobs. Expand Constitute Services and Move the Office back into the District. Community Revitalization that priorities our needs in Avalon, Bellevue, Brighton Heights, Perry North, Ross and West View nickmastros.com
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Nick Mastros
VOTE ON OR BEFORE MAY 17TH
PROUDLY ENDORSED BY ALLEGHENY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE