Volume 27 No. 5 May 2011
Home sales, foreclosures a mixed bag in 1st quarter By Emily Leone First quarter home sales on the Northside saw a slight decrease over the same time period in 2010. Based on arm’s length transactions of homes, townhomes and duplexes with a sales price of at least $10,000 during the first three months of the year, 93 homes were sold, compared to 98 in 2010. Brighton Heights saw the most home sales at 21 during the first quarter of 2011. Though it may be a slight loss, Nancy Noszka, director of real estate at the Northside Leadership Conference, said the numbers are positive. “Northside is holding steadfast in sales and I see an increase in interest from young professionals relocating in Pittsburgh. No doubt affordability and architectural features are attractive,” Noszka said. On the foreclosure side, the Northside saw a decrease, down from 36 during the first quarter of 2010 to
25 in 2011. The Northside saw a total of 124 foreclosures in all of 2010. Allegheny County saw 2,007. Allegheny County also saw 402 home foreclosures in the first three months of 2011, as compared to 568 during the same time period in 2010, a decrease of 29 percent, according to RealStats. Across the region, for every six homes that sold in the first quarter of 2011, one went into foreclosure. On the Northside in all of 2010, for every five homes sold, one went into foreclosure. The 27th ward ranked seventh on a list of the top 20 municipalities with the highest number of foreclosures during the first quarter of 2011. This number is based on recorded foreclosures of homes, townhomes and duplexes in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Although the foreclosure picture
See Home Sales, page 19
MYDC’s “The Legend of Deadwood Dick”
Photo courtesy MYDC
The Manchester Youth Development Center kids performed in “The Legend of Deadwood Dick” April 8 at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture. The story is about a cowboy who advocates problem solving through non-violent tactics.
Help available for home repairs, making ends meet By Ethan Cohen Part one in a two-part series on adult social services. With the local unemployment rate at 6.8 percent and 20 percent of Pittsburghers living below the poverty line according to the Census Bureau, many Northside adults struggle to make ends meet. But whether you are a single mother working two jobs to send your children to school, a middle class family having trouble paying for a home repair or a young adult trying to pay your bills, there is an organization willing to help.
INSIDE
-News briefs 2 -Propel coming to Northside 3 STORIES, COLUMNS, FEATURES & MORE -Real estate transfers 22
ONLINE
Two of these that are dedicated to making life easier for adults in need on the Northside are the Pittsburgh Project of Beverly Heights Presbyterian and Bountiful Blessings of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. The Pittsburgh Project For more than 25 years the Pittsburgh Project has been working to ensure that the Northside’s most vulnerable residents are given a helping hand through services such as free home repair, a subsidized farmers market and other social
See Adult Services, page 19
-Weekly reports of meetings, housing court schedules & more WWW.THENORTHSIDE CHRONICLE.COM -Aviary birdhouse competition
The Northside Chronicle
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THE NORTHSIDE CHRONICLE 922 Middle St. • Pittsburgh, PA 15212
May 2011
Community Meetings To have your community meeting included, email editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com Allegheny West Civic Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Calvary United Methodist Church 412.323.8884
Manchester Citizens Corporation Quarterly meetings, call for times MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. 412.323.1743
Brighton Heights Citizens Federation 2nd Thursday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Morrow Elementary School 412.734.0233
Manchester Public Safety Meeting Quarterly meetings, call for times Northside Leadership Conference 412.323.1743
Managing Editor Emily Leone E-mail: managinged@thenorthsidechronicle.com
Brightwood Civic Group 3rd Tuesday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Pressley Ridge, 2611 Stayton St. 412.732.8152
Northside Rotary Club Every Friday, noon Cardello Building, 2nd Floor
Assistant Editor Kelly Thomas E-mail: assistanted@thenorthsidechronicle.com
Brightwood Community Emergency Response Shelter 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6 p.m. 3219 Central Ave.
www.thenorthsidechronicle.com Phone 412-321-3919 • Fax 412-321-1447 Mail Subscriptions are available at a rate of $30 per year.
California-Kirkbride Blockwatch 3rd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m. 1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor California-Kirkbride Neighbors 2nd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m. 1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor 412.758.3898 Central Northside Neighborhood Council
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DISCLAIMER: The viewpoints and opinions of the writers and contributors that appear in The Northside Chronicle do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints, opinions, beliefs or positions of The Northside Chronicle’s publishers, editors, staff and/or affiliates. The Northside Chronicle is not affiliated with any formal political, social, religious, educational or philosophical organization or party of any kind. The materials comprising The Northside Chronicle are provided by various organizations, community groups, advertisers, entities, writers and contributors and are provided as a service to the readers of The Northside Chronicle on an “as-is” basis for informational purposes only. The Northside Chronicle assumes no responsibility for any copyright infringement, errors or omissions in these materials and expressly disclaims any representations or warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose regarding the correctness, accuracy, completeness, timeliness and reliability of the information provided. The Northside Chronicle is not responsible for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance upon such information. Reference herein to any commercial product, process or service does not constitute or imply endorsement or favoring by The Northside Chronicle. © The Northside Chronicle 2011
2nd Monday, monthly, 7 p.m. Allegheny Traditional Academy 412.231.7742
Charles Street Area Council 1st Monday, monthly, call for times Pittsburgh Project, 2801 N. Charles St. 412.321.5567 Community Alliance of Spring Garden/ East Deutschtown 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Fuhrer Building of St. Michael’s Church 412.977.1979 Deutschtown New Hope Council 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Community Center, 623 Suismon St. East Allegheny Community Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Bistro Annex 412.321.1204 Ex-offender Aftercare Support Group Saturdays, 4-5:30 p.m. Allegheny Center Alliance Church 801 Union Place Fineview Citizens Council 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Reformed Presbyterian Home Pennsylvania Ave. 412.231.0330 Mexican War Streets Society 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m. AUU Church, Resaca Pl. and North Ave. 412.323.9030
Northside Coalition for Fair Housing Board 2nd Monday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5527 Northside Coalition for Fair Housing Membership Monthly, call for times 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5521 Northside Leadership Conference Call for times 4 Allegheny Center, Suite 601 412.330.2559 North Side Lions Club 2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly, noon Max’s Allegheny Tavern North Side Public Safety Council 1st Thursday, monthly, 5:30 p.m. Northside Leadership Conference 412.330.2559 Observatory Hill, Inc. 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Byzantine Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave. 412.231.2887 Perry Hilltop Citizens’ Council 4th Monday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Angel’s Place, 2605 Norwood St. 412.321.4632 The Promise Group Every other Tuesday, 6 p.m. Western Pa. Humane Society 412.321.1019 Troy Hill Citizens Council June 16, Sept. 15, Dec. 15 North Catholic High School 412-321-2852 Spring Hill Civic League Spring Hill Elementary School contact@shcl.org Summer Hill Citizens Committee 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. WPXI Television Station community room
May 2011
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Propel charter school application approved
Slated to open for 2011-2012 school year; Northside location not yet selected By Kelly Thomas After an initial denial of Propel Charter Schools’ application to open a school on the Northside, The Pittsburgh Public School Board on April 27 voted to approve Propel’s revised application on the recommendation of the Charter Review Team. In February, the board voted not to approve Propel’s charter application on recommendation of the Charter Review Team because Propel did not include a comprehensive curriculum for all grades, lacked long-range goals for all students and a plan for meeting the needs of students with disabilities in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Propel Executive Director
Jeremy Resnick said Propel follow state guidelines in making revised its application to address recommendations. all of the Charter “We feel Review Team’s the [team was] e re excited doing their due concerns and resubmitted it. diligence,” Pugh to have the “We’re excited said. to have the Because of opportunity to opportunity to set Propel’s previous set up a school experience in up a school on the Northside,” Resnick opening schools, on the said. Resnick is not District worried about orthside spokesperson being able to -Jeremy Resnick, open on the Ebony Pugh said the resubmitted Northside by the Propel Schools application start of the next executive director adequately school year. addressed the Students are review team’s accepted based concerns. The team is comprised on a lottery system, which is held of school principals, curriculum in early May. The school will experts, experts on special begin as a K-4 school and grow to education and many others who K-8 over the next several years,
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officials said. Propel’s next steps will be finding a facility and hiring a full staff, Resnick said. “We’re assembling a great group of teachers and a principal,” he said. Some staff will come from other Propel schools, and some will be new hires. They are looking at existing, empty school buildings for a location, Resnick said, but he declined to go into any detail on specific locations or neighborhoods. “We’re excited and appreciative and look forward to making this a reality,” he said. The Northside school will be Propel’s first school in the city of Pittsburgh; Propel has seven other schools throughout the region. For more information on Propel, visit www.propelschools.org.
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The Northside Chronicle
May 2011
News Briefs Trail updates and new mobile trail app touted by FOTR A portion of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail (Riverfront Trail) along the North Shore that was closed for two months is open again. A segment of the trail in front of PNC Park, from Mazeroski Way to Federal Street, is now complete and detour signage has been removed, said Tom Baxter of Friends of the Riverfront. The detour was necessary to repair and replace deteriorated surface concrete on the trail. Work on another portion of the North Shore trail is expected to begin soon near the 31st Street Bridge. The work includes resurfacing of the rutted sections on either side of the new concrete trail structure that was built to move the trail closer to the Allegheny River as part of the Route 28 expansion process. Friends of the Riverfront also announced the release of an improved Three Rivers Heritage
Trail Online Interactive Map. The new map utilizes Google Maps and Street View for trails, providing users with 360 degree views of the trail, and expands usability to mobile devices with a corresponding mobile app. This project, which was funded by the Buhl Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Laurel Foundation and Friends of the Riverfront members, allows Trail users to become more involved in their experience of the Trail. Users can plan trips by saving favorite attractions and sharing on social networks like Facebook and Twitter. The mobile application enables users to access local information and amenities using GPS navigation and point by point directions from anywhere on the Trail. Friends of the Riverfront’s Interactive Map, as well as trail news, is now available with online and mobile versions at map. friendsoftheriverfront.org
Northside arts leaders honored at Chatham commencement Mattress Factory co-founders Barbara Luderowski and Michael Olijnyk and City of Asylum/ Pittsburgh co-founders Henry Reese and Diane Samuels will speak at Chatham University’s 2011 commencement. Commencement will be held May 22 at 10 a.m. at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland. All four arts leaders will also be presented with honorary doctorates of humane letters. “The Mattress Factory and City of Asylum/Pittsburgh have helped to transform the rich artistic and literary landscapes of Pittsburgh, as well as the physical neighborhood of the North Side,” said Chatham spokesman Paul Kovach. “Like Chatham University, both organizations have a global and entrepreneurial perspective to their respective missions which greatly contributes to the intellectual and social fabric of our region.”
Advocates discuss state budget More than 100 representatives from various county and local child and family services gathered at the Children’s Museum on April 6 to discuss what to do if Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget passes. With the potential of severe cuts to support services that will affect thousands of children locally and their families, officials from Child Watch of Pittsburgh, a nonprofit coalition of child advocates, called the meeting to answer questions and get ideas. More than one-sixth of people in Allegheny County are served by taxpayer dollars, said Marc Cherna, director of Allegheny County Department of Human Services. Short-and long-term ideas were discussed by panelists and participants, including engaging the governor in a dialogue to find other means of revenue. Panelists stressed the need to call, write and fax state representatives, both Democrats and Republicans.
May 2011
The Northside Chronicle
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Company intends to rent space in Garden Block By Kelly Thomas Although Zukin Development Corporation and Collaborative Ventures, the developers for the Garden Theater Block, are “months away” from signed leases, they have secured at least one letter of intent from a prospective tenant and are negotiating with others, said Zukin Development President Wayne Zukin in mid-April. The prospective tenant, a hightech incubation company that Zukin did not wish to name, has signed a letter of intent to lease space in the development. A letter of intent is not the same as a lease and does not obligate the company to rent, but is the first step, Zukin said. Zukin expects to have a signed disposition agreement with the Urban Redevelopment Authority, which owns the entire block, sometime in May that will grant Zukin Development the right to develop the land and give Zukin the go-ahead to begin construction.
The URA entered into an exclusive 90-day negotiation period with Zukin Development and Collaborative Ventures for the project in October, and granted the developers a 90-day extension in January and a 30-day extension at the end of April. Collaborative Ventures principal Craig Totino said the project’s main focus now is finding tenants. They have sent letters of intent to several prospective clients and are waiting to hear back. Small, local businesses have had trouble securing financing in the current economic climate, Totino said, but the developers still have had some success. “We’re getting closer to a couple of restaurants. I can’t say who yet,” Zukin said. One tenant that Zukin has been going after publicly is the East End Food Co-op, a member-owned grocery store that focuses on local and organic food. A market study co-sponsored by
Photo by Kelly Thomas
Developer Wayne Zukin says a high-tech incubation company could be one of the tenants in the Garden Theater Block. Zukin Development and the Food Co-op showed that a Northside location in the former Garden Theater would generate about onethird the sales the original location does, which isn’t quite enough, said Co-op Executive Director Rob
Baran. Despite that, Baran said the Coop is still considering the Garden as a location, pending updated neighborhood information from the
See Garden Theater, page 25
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The Northside Chronicle
May 2011
Future school board members should focus on big picture, says A Plus Schools By Kelly Thomas Two Northside school board districts, 2 and 8, are up for election on May 17. According to Carey Harris, executive director of public education advocacy group at A+ Schools, Pittsburghers need to step up and get informed about the school board races. “It’s important because almost half the board is up [for election],” Harris said. “The district is at a crossroads.” With Pittsburgh Public Schools standing to lose $34 million if Governor Tom Corbett’s proposed budget passes this summer, Superintendent Linda Lane will have some hard decisions to make. Lane will need a strong board of directors with the interests of all Pittsburgh children in mind to help her make
those decisions, Harris said. School board members serve four year terms with no term limits. A+ Schools, which does not endorse any candidates, would like to see a school board that focuses more on the big picture. “They spend too much time in the details rather than taking a step back and setting a direction for the district,” Harris said. “We want to make sure people get all the way to the bottom and vote for school board,” Harris said. District 2 District 2 includes Deutschtown, East Deutschtown, Spring Hill, Spring Garden, Troy Hill, parts of the North Shore and parts of the East End. Incumbent Dara Ware Allen of Highland Park is running for reelection against Celina Basant of Spring Hill and Regina Holley of Highland Park.
In a nonpartisan voter guide published by A+ Schools, each candidate gave statements in response to six questions. The following list is a summary of each District 2 candidate’s view on what is the most important issue facing the district. •Dara Ware Allen believes student achievement is a critical issue, especially among African American and high school students and would address inequalities across schools as well as ensure initiatives like Empowering Effective Teachers are implemented successfully. •Celina Basant believes that restructuring and reform (including school closings) are important issues and did not say how she would address them. •Regina Holley believes clear communication and transparency
with parents is necessary to raise the district’s academic standing and prevent widespread loss of students if the state allows a student’s public subsidy to be used for tuition at private schools. District 8 District 8 includes Allegheny Center, Allegheny West, CaliforniaKirkbride, Central Northisde, Fineview, Manchester, parts of the North Shore, and neighborhoods in Central and South Pittsburgh. Incumbent Mark Brentley of Allegheny Center is running for re-election against Lisa Freeman of Manchester, Deloris Lewis of Central Northside and Arita Gilliam Rue of Manchester. In a nonpartisan voter guide published by A+ Schools, each candidate gave statements in
See School District, page 20
May 2011
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Youthbuild endangered by federal budget cuts By Isaac Saul Although continuing federal budget woes mean that local construction-based leadership development program Youthbuild could permanently lose funding, Program Director William Thompkins remains undeterred. The program is run through the Pittsburgh Project and targets youths ages 18 to 24 who are out of school, not working, have a “history” with the correctional system, or who have recently been in foster care. Despite having an active director in William Thompkins, Youthbuild is currently non-operational because of a lack of funds. The House of Representatives is working through a bill that would cut all $100 million in federal funding for Youthbuild programs all over the country, and the Northside chapter could be in serious danger. The Northside Youthbuild’s three-year contract with the U.S. Department of Labor expired,
Thompkins said, and they need to apply for continued funds. “We’ve been seeking continuation funding since before we even knew what was going to happen with the budget cuts,” Thompkins said. “We have not received a response from the application we sent to the department of labor, but quite honestly, I see the Youthbuild program up and operational in Pittsburgh and nationally.” Youthbuild offers a wide array of services in addition to the main leadership development component, from helping students acquire their GEDs to getting their drivers licenses. It has a 25-year track record of enrolling students and turning them into an integral part of the working class in the Northside, Thompkins said. “The construction component is just a vehicle. It’s a way of showing the young people there are options out there,” he said. “We have something called career and
life skills sessions, where outside providers sit down and have a dialogue with these young people about a litany of items.” Fortunately, even in the absence of the Northside outfit, local youth have been able to work with another Youthbuild program. Diona Jones, who is the program director at Garfield Jubilee, another nonprofit that helps disadvantaged youth, has been a part of the program’s expansion to help the youth who could be missing out on the program. “Since the Youthbuild in the Northside is no longer running, we have opened our doors to every youth between the ages of 16-24 in Allegheny County,” Jones said. “Right now, we are serving 135 youth.” In this case, a policy that the program holds state-wide helped facilitate the help from Garfield Jubilee. According to Jones, one of the requirements from the department of labor was to connect
with the other local Youthbuild chapters. Although things are stable now, Jones is well aware that the budget cuts could affect them adversely and just like the Northside Youthbuild, they will need to start exploring other funding options. “With the budget cuts, I know that’s going to affect us, but we are applying for other grants to keep our Youthbuild program up and operating,” Jones said. The importance of the program to those 135 youth and the others in the country has been recognized locally. “With the criminal backgrounds of some of our youth between the ages of 16-24, this is an avenue for second opportunity,” Jones said. “A lot of juvenile justice systems, local public school systems, probation officers — they are aware of the significance importance of this program and they have supported us
See Youthbuild, page 13
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April 2011 Chronicle Blog Highlights For full stories go to www.thenorthsidechronicle.com/blog The Northside Chronicle Blog is updated daily. Here are some highlights from April Weekly News Roundup Each Friday The Chronicle posts links to Northside news stories from other local media outlets. This weekend on the Northside Each Thursday the The Chronicle highlights a few of the weekend happenings on the Northside. April 19 Observatory Hill and Summer Hill residents pitched in to clean up
East Street. April 18 The Museum of Photo Antiquities’s camera of the month for May is the Minox spy camera, used in several James Bond films April 11 Mattress Factory co-founder Barbara Luderowski was honored by Art Table in New York City this month for her contributions to the art community. April 5 Pittsburgh Public Schools limited open enrollment period ends June 15.
May 2011
John Canning
Parks, fields sources of memories Koray, a 4th grade student at Allegheny Traditional Academy, lives in East Allegheny/Historic Deutschtown. He truly enjoys dogs. If our paths cross in the mornings when Koray is headed to school, he always takes over walking one of our dogs. Koray is bi-lingual and talks to his Mom in Turkish; they are from the Anatolian Plain in Central Turkey. Of course at school and with us, including the dogs, Koray converses in English. Our dogs only know English! Thinking that a lad with roots in Turkey might be drawn to playing soccer, I asked Koray if he was into one of the neighborhood soccer programs. The answer was a definite no. This year he is playing baseball for one of the Little League teams of the Brighton Heights Athletic Association. BHAA has been around since I was about Koray's age. In the late 40s, my dad, my uncle, "Bunny� Mehrman, Jack Stack, Clyde Sauers, Gerry Ryan and several of their friends were deeply involved in organizing the BHAA. From weekly meetings at Bill Crawford's Dairy Store on Brighton Road, plans for the creation of two ball fields emerged: Odd Fellows Field, next to the Odd Fellows Home (now Rooney Middle School) and Marmaduke Field, behind Miller's Cafe on California Avenue. My days were somewhat limited
in the BHAA. It is summed up easily by saying I was always the second string right fielder on the Brighton Juniors and, later on, the Brighton Communitry Club team. Since those years the BHAA has moved to much more elaborate "digs" with John Merry Field up on the crest of Benton Avenue. In my day, Johnny Merry, after whom the fields are named, was one terrific pitcher. Sadly a tragic accident kept him from going on to one of the Pirates' field clubs. John Merry took full advantage of the BHAA program. He had some great summers. I hope Koray has similar good times as he plays for one of the BHAA's teams this summer. We are moving into that time of the year when there are so many sports and summer activities for Northside youngsters. Last month's Northside Chronicle was filled with these options. However, such was not the case when the Northside was Allegheny City. It was this dearth of activities for youngsters that motivated Mary Junkin Cowley to organize a multitude of programs for children in almost every neighborhood school yard. In the early years of the 20th century, Cowley (after whom Cowley Elementary School and Cowley Field were named), was similar to the founders of the BHAA. She and they were
See Canning, page 18
May 2011
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Fineview applies for grants to clean up lots By Kelly Thomas Fineview Citizens Council has applied for a $10,000 grant from the new Community Development Block Grant Vacant Lot Clean Up program to clean up and maintain 17 vacant city-owned lots this summer. The grant would be used to pay community members and youth a decent wage to clear trash, debris and invasive species and to landscape and plant flowers between May and October 2011, said FCC President Melissa Gallagher. “It’s certainly a great opportunity for our neighborhood and we really appreciate anything the Mayor’s Office can do to help out the community,” Gallagher said. Although FCC identified lots all around the neighborhood that need work, it wants to focus on three areas: Lanark Street, Letsche Street and the Nunnery Hill Incline plane on Henderson Street. Gallagher said the incline plane may not qualify for the grant
money, but FCC included it because preserving the incline’s old support wall and creating a welcome point to the neighborhood is an important neighborhood priority. Lanark Street is another key in Fineview’s future, according to the grant proposal, and FCC plans to build new houses there in the next two years. In the meantime, FCC would like to clear five lots of debris and plant perennial flowers where the lots meet the sidewalk. Many of the vacant lots on Letsche Street off of Mercy Avenue are visible from Federal Street and have been the site of illegal dumping, according to the proposal. FCC hopes to clean them up and turn them into welcoming community greenspace. Other lots, such as 2010-2020 Biggs Avenue, would become urban trails if FCC receives the grant money. Gallagher said the grant money cannot be used to purchase supplies, only to pay workers. FCC will
hire a program director, landscape contractors, program supervisors and 10 local youth for the “green team,” which will do much of the labor. All positions will be part time. “Even if they don’t have specific landscaping [skills], they will gain some,” Gallagher said of the youth workers. FCC plans to hire half of the youth workers from the Allegheny Dwellings public housing complex and the other half from the rest of the neighborhood, Gallagher said. The federal government distributes community development block grants to local governments for improving and redeveloping eligible neighborhoods. The Community Development Block Grant Vacant Lot Clean Up program was open for proposals from any CDBG-eligible Pittsburgh neighborhood with a registered nonprofit community group. Fineview Citizens Council is the only group that responded to The Chronicle’s request for an interview.
Photo by Kelly Thomas
The vacant lot at 1923 Letsche Street in Fineview has been used as an illegal dumping ground. FCC wants to use CDBG money to transform the lot into welcoming community green space.
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May 2011
Lights, camera, zombies Movie puts Fineview in the spotlight By D.J. Swank In a way unlike other major U. S. cities, Pittsburgh is comfortable saying that zombies lead the way. These aren’t your typical legions of the undead, though. These zombies are under the watchful eye of PopUp! Pittsburgh and the Leadership Development Initiative of Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc. This year’s LDI class is presenting a community event entitled “Lights! Camera! Fineview!” on May 21. This event will showcase areas of the Fineview neighborhood and will feature the filming of a scene of the LDI’s Fineview documentary —a documentary that also happens to feature zombies. “We wanted to make a film about Fineview first for its spectacular views,” said Talia Piazza, chairman of the Marketing and Outreach Committee for PopUp! Pittsburgh, “but we also wanted to use the huge zombie presence we found in our research.” Melissa Gallagher is one community member who is part of that presence. She is also president of the Fineview Citizens Council. She describes herself as an “avid zombie movie enthusiast” and participates in zombie events throughout the city. “I believe this film will become a part of the great zombie film history that Pittsburgh is so wellknown for and it will become a piece of Fineview’s history, as well,” Gallagher said in an e-mail. As entertaining as the walking dead are, however, both Piazza and Gallagher stressed the significance of the zombies’ role in the film. Gallagher noted that the film uses zombies to show “the blight and disconnect of people and places and how to overcome it.” Piazza described the zombies as playing the disinvested, saying that the film shows how people become zombies when they don’t
care about their community and their surroundings. “PopUp! Pittsburgh focuses on the strengths and the challenges of a neighborhood,” Piazza said. “We want to make our presence known and leave the community engaged when we leave.” Gallagher also hopes the PopUp! event will re-engage community members and draw awareness to the neighborhood. She would not only like to address the challenges faced in the community, but also showcase the positive aspects of Fineview, including its views of Downtown and its affordability. Lights! Action! Fineview! marks a different approach from previous PopUp! Pittsburgh events. “PopUp! has done community days in the past,” said Piazza, “but we wanted to leave something behind — something lasting.” That something is, of course, the film, which is being produced with help from Point Park University. Piazza explained that the LDI class came up with the concept and the script, but then passed the project on to the professionals at Point Park. A date for the premiere of the film has not yet been set, but Piazza hopes there will be screenings in a number of local theatres. The film, entitled “Spineview,” will also be available on DVD, and will possibly be submitted to festivals. Anyone attending the PopUp! Pittsburgh event on the 21st will have the opportunity to be an extra in the film, as well as partake of the food and activities set up around the neighborhood. Even though the event is only for half the day, its impact will extend much further than that, Piazza said. “Our class is very excited,” she said. “With Spineview, we’re trying to paint a picture of Fineview’s past, present, and its possibilities for the future.” Hopefully, that future will only feature zombies on the screen, and not on the streets.
The Northside Chronicle
May 2011
East Street spring cleaning
The 2011 Upper East Street Clean-Up brought several dedicated Summer Hill and Observatory Hill residents out to spruce up the East Street corridor from Mt. Pleasant Road to McKnight Road. Despite a rainy morning, 30 bags of trash, 15 tires, copper wiring, car parts, debris, a box spring and more were collected. Renew Pittsburgh & Allegheny Cleanways sponsored the clean-up of the “northern gateway� to the Northside.
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Pressure point
Simply checking your tire pressure can save hundreds each year in gas or overheat, which could lead to a blowout and a serious accident. According to the National Highway With Tax Day behind us, many Traffic Safety Administration, people may be looking for a way to properly inflated tires could prevent recoup some of the lost revenue they recently sent to the IRS. And as more than 100 deaths and over 8,000 injuries per year. AAA reminds me, it is a good time Environmentally, over- and to once again check the air pressure under-inflated tires use more in my tires. gasoline to go the same distance as This may seem like a trivial properly inflated tires. The burning matter, but this is a simple action that of gasoline releases carbon dioxide, can lead to a large savings over the or CO2, into the atmosphere and course of a year, an average of $432 contributes to global climate change per year according to a 2005 study by emitting approximately 20 at Carnegie Mellon University. At pounds. of CO2 per gallon. This is that time of their study, gasoline was the equivalent of throwing about 1 around $3 per gallon. pound of garbage Considering out your window that gas prices are he benefits for every mile you currently hovering drive. So the extra around $3.80 per don t stop at 144 gallons of gas gallon, that would up roper you waste by having these savings to $547 savings improperly inflated per year or more, as air pressure tires releases 2,880 the Department of pounds of CO2 Energy expects gas provides (that is almost a prices to rise to more environmental ton and a half). So than $4 per gallon if only 350 people throughout the benefits too who currently have summer. And these improperly inflated benefits don’t include tires were to change the savings from their behavior, we could reduce the extending the life of your tires. regions CO2 emissions by more than The benefits of maintaining 1 million pounds. proper air pressure don’t stop Unfortunately, the days of cheap at economic savings. Proper air pressure provides environmental and energy for transportation are behind us, so finding ways to conserve social benefits. Both over-inflated gasoline and other materials are and under-inflated tires can directly lead to safety issues while driving. It gaining credence. So check your owner’s manual today, or check with is like the story of the three bears; the manufacturer online, and find you want your tire pressure to be out what the proper tire pressure just right. is for your car to begin conserving Over-inflated tires do not resources, driving more safely and maintain good contact with the ground and will affect your stopping saving money. Joseph Reznik teaches sustainability distance (something we have to at the Community College of Allegheny consider on our densely congested County’s main campus. You can reach highways), while under-inflated him at greenmanpgh@gmail.com. tires cause the tire to wear quickly
By Joseph Reznik
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May 2011
Johnny Angel puts soul back on the airwaves Angel off the air. His last radio gig came six years ago, when he had a short-term After a hiatus from radio that position working as a KDKA fill in lasted nearly a decade, Northside for Bob Logan. native Johnny Angel will have his Angel said that as much as he voice and music heard once again loves being on the radio, he would over the airways. never leave Pittsburgh for a gig in His show airs on WJAS 1320 AM Sunday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. another city. “I would never leave Pittsburgh, “This one is called the Johnny the Northside is my Angel Heavenly Soul Show,” Angel ittsburgh is home,” he said. “I’ve been raised on the said. “I’m playing an oldies town Northside, I bought music from the my burial plot on late 50s to the here is a the Northside, and I early 70s, and it’s basically soul, large audience love the Northside of Pittsburgh, it’s very rhythm and blues, that is still near and dear to my do-op and early heart.” rock.” listening to it But, after When the spending the past 10 music isn’t playing, -Johnny angel years as a traveling Angel interviews performer, Angel is some of the most back to his roots in radio — and popular musicians in his genre. people are tuning in. “We talk to guys like Jerry “Pittsburgh is an oldies town,” Butler, Eddie Holman, Mike Vales, Angel said. “From my travels as a even some of the Mo-town people,” Angel said. “I call a lot of the people musician, I can tell you that even if I’ve worked with over my career and you go to a city like New York they don’t have the venues for the older we do interviews of them and then style music like Pittsburgh does. play their music.” There is a large listening audience WJAS is an oldies station all that still likes it.” the time, and during the day they The listening audience, for the play 50s and 60s music more from most part, has been what Angel the pop genre. Knowing this, Angel always wanted to keep them open for expected. Furthermore, he’s even come across some old fans of his a prospective job opportunity. who were involved in his shows “I had talked with them years ago that if a position opened I would since his last appearance on the air. “I used to have a thing called the be interested,” he said. “Well, the Sunday night position Johnny Angel Soul Patrol and they actually had membership cards,” opened up and they called me and Angel said. “A lot of them have offered it to me. Of course, with found out that I’m back on the air the staff that they have it was a no brainer for me. I could just go on the and they’ve been calling in. A lot of my friends who are full of the soul air and be me.” community have been calling me too.” Angel, whose real name is Jack Just like his fans, Angel never Hunt, has made his living off of gave up on the radio business and live performances and hosting radio the soul genre. shows. “I still kept my record collection During his radio career, he has and still had a passion for radio,” worked as a co-host on WWWS he said. “So when this opportunity Morning Zoo and hosted his own came about, I just jumped on it.” show at WZUM in 2000. After For more information, visit about a year, WZUM sold the WJAS online at www.1320wjas.com. station and reformatted, pushing
By Isaac Saul
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May 2011
Youthbuild is “a home away from home”
From Youthbuild, page 7 100 percent.” “A number of our young people did have children,” Thompkins added. “So the Youthbuild program was a way of assisting a student or young adult in taking care of their family.” To Jones’ surprise, the young adults have been utilizing more than just the GED program the Youthbuild offers. When the program first opened, they expected the majority of students would want their GED. “Surprisingly, they want every aspect of services we can provide them,” Jones said. “Once they complete their program, which is nine to 12 months long, they come back for more. This is a safe haven for them, this is their home away from home.”
The Northside Chronicle
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The Northside Chronicle
May 2011
From bar to baristas: Muddy Cup Coffee renews troubled E. Ohio Street corner By Kelly Thomas Since Renee Tokar in March opened a Northside location of her Muddy Cup coffee shop in the former JR’s Bar on the corner of East Ohio Street and Cedar Avenue in March, she said she’s seen a steady increase of customers and a steady decrease of loiterers. “So many things are changing for the better on the Northside,” said Tokar, a lifelong resident of Brighton Heights, “and I wanted to be part of that transition… I want people to go ‘Woah, what happened to East Ohio Street?’” The original Muddy Cup is on Lincoln Avenue in Bellevue. The two stores share the same name, customer service and quality products, but differ greatly in décor and atmosphere, Tokar said. “[The Northside] store just has
a different feel. It has that city feel,” Tokar said. Muddy Cup Bellevue, while a great place to sit and chat, is too small to host events or entertainment. Tokar hopes to make the Northside store a musical hub. She has been in touch with local colleges and high schools to invite students to come and practice or play at Muddy Cup whenever they like because she wants to see the coffee shop become a true neighborhood hangout and always have something going on. That attitude is reflected in Muddy Cup’s tagline: “Good things happen over coffee.” Tokar loves connecting with her customers and meeting new people, and believes that a lot can happen when two people sit down with a hot cup of joe. Tokar worked as a trainer at
Photo by Emily Leone
The new Muddy Cup Coffee shop on the corner of East Ohio Street and Cedar Avenue, which used to be a bar, has been extensively redone. Starbucks for many years, and although she enjoyed it, she wanted a chance to be more creative and opened Muddy Cup Bellevue in
October 2008. “I fell in love with the idea of
See Muddy Cup, page 24
The Northside Chronicle
May 2011
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From the office of City Council President Darlene Harris
Legislation will directly affect quality of life for Pittsburghers There are a few pieces of legislation before City Council right now that directly affect the quality of life of Pittsburghers, and I encourage your input. I am very encouraged by legislation recently introduced by Councilman Doug Shields entitled Massage Establishment and Practitioner Licensing, Bill 20111635, geared toward eliminating sex trafficking in massage establishments in the City of Pittsburgh. This sort of illegal activity has become a national issue, and I feel that Pittsburghers especially will not tolerate such hidden issues as women being held against their will and being forced to work in some of these establishments as prostitutes and otherwise, as well as the extortion and other monetary crimes that occur. This legislation would require all massage parlors and their
employees to be licensed, renewable each year. Reliable research has shown that there are at least 15 establishments in question within the city, and nine more outside the city limits. If licenses were required, inspectors would be permitted in to check for the licensing, the first step toward a case against illegal activity. Additionally, very soon to be introduced is the bill on electronic signs, which I’ve discussed here before. The city’s Planning Department worked with consultants on this legislation. Some of the more contentious points involve whether we actually permit electronic billboards, if we permit them how bright we permit them to be at various times of day and how frequently the advertisements change, whether we regulate where they are placed (not
within sight of rivers, not blocking views), whether we permit the BAYER sign on Mount Washington to be made into a huge LED sign, what we permit for business signage, what we allow for temporary signage, etc. I will be looking for input from the community — from you — as we go forward on this. These signs directly affect your neighborhood. The consultants recommended banning LED billboards altogether, but the final legislation they will be sending for Council to consider does not include that sort of ban. And finally, an even more direct effect on the atmosphere of your neighborhood is the lighting plan that was introduced to Council on April 20 for LED streetlights. Based on the preliminary recommendations of the lighting
experts, Pittsburgh stands poised to become a very beautifully lit city. They have taken into consideration reducing glare, presenting more true colors at night (no more orange light), helping to prevent our older citizens from tripping at night, and the ability to change lighting levels at different times of day and night, and even to be able to decorate for events, such as gold lighting for sporting events, red-white-andblue lighting for patriotic holidays and the ability to create emergency lighting as well. (The plan will be posted online at the City Clerk’s website, which you can reach through my own, below.) Additionally, lighting for business districts will be distinctive — geared toward happy shoppers and inviting storefronts. As many of you already know, I am also
See Harris, page 25
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The Northside Chronicle
May 2011
Commons Park restoration underway By Kelly Thomas Work on the restoration of the northeast portion of Allegheny Commons Park began at the end of March and should be completed by July, according to the Allegheny Commons Initiative. This leg of the project covers the park along Cedar Avenue from East Ohio to Tripoli streets and will cost around $800,000, said Alida Baker, project director. Currently, the park is fenced off while NRG Energy, which donated labor, tears up the old asphalt paths to make way for new ones. The paths will still be asphalt. The central promenade will be flanked on both sides by stone dust like the path in the section of park below East Ohio Street. The diagonal paths, somewhat unique to Allegheny Commons Park, will also be restored. People’s natural inclination is to cut diagonally across an area rather than walk in square angles, and those paths formalize that desire, hence their name: desire paths. Some paths on the western side of the main promenade currently lead nowhere, and those will be removed. “Once upon a time each path connected to a neighborhood street, but those streets aren’t there anymore,” Baker said. Workers will also replace lights and trash receptacles; add benches and up lighting on the entrance sign near East Ohio Street and Cedar
Avenue; and install electricity for events like the farmers market and Pumpkinfest. The farmers market, which beings mid-May, will relocate along North Avenue during the restorations. This fall, 27 new trees will be planted in that section of the park. Most trees need to be planted in spring or fall, and since ACI couldn’t plant the trees this spring because of the restorations under way, they must wait. Some trees are additions, but others will replace unhealthy or old trees that had to be retired, Baker said. ACI is currently fundraising for the project’s next leg, which will restore the park along North Avenue from Cedar Avenue to Federal Street. Until May 31, the Colcom Foundation will match every dollar donated up to $100,000. For more information on donating, visit www. alleghenycommons.org. “We really need the community to show their support in this way,” Baker said. The section of park along North Avenue will get the same treatment as that along Cedar. A replica fountain of the one that used to sit at the corner of Cedar and North avenues will be installed, replacing the flower bed that currently occupies the space. Baker said work on that stretch will begin once ACI secures enough funding.
May 2011
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May 2011
Appreciate Cowley’s legacy From Canning, page 8 committed to provide a variety of outdoor summer programs for Northside youth. A collection of several annual reports of Cowley's Playground taskforce is found in the Allegheny City Room of the Allegheny Branch of the Carnegie Library. Scattered throughout these reports are terrific pictures of many of each summer’s activities in almost every school yard and playground on the Northside. When you recognize the breadth of these annual programs you appreciate the significance of folks like Mary J. Cowley. She, in her day, and the BHAA organization, CitiParks, Urban Impact and other church and community organizations of the present day, shared a common concern for the quality of life for Northside youngsters. Koray as well as hundreds of other Northside youngsters will benefit from the many options that are available this summer.
Photo from “Allegheny City Collection”
Mary J. Cowley and youngsters of “the Ward” carry flags at the Phipps playground, which was in front of Daniel Webster School. The Civil War monument on Monument Hill can be seen in the background.
May 2011
The Northside Chronicle
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Foreclosures Local services for adults, families in need From Adult Services, page 1 could rise From Home Sales, page 1 looks rosier now, 2011’s foreclosures could be higher than 2010’s, according to RealtyTrac, a firm that tracks foreclosures. Noszka voiced caution over the current numbers. “The decrease in the number of foreclosures for the first quarter can be deceiving, as lenders have held back on listing foreclosures due to a backlog in paperwork, also known as the shadow affect,” she said, “We may see an increase of foreclosures this spring as lenders catch up on processing those foreclosures.” But, she adds, it’s not clear yet whether this will help or harm homebuyers and sellers. “This can be an opportunity or a threat because lenders are requiring 20 percent down payments, and most homebuyers don’t have the cash and are competing against investors who pay cash and close in less than 30 days,” she said.
services meant to instill a sense of self-worth in Northside residents. Pittsburgh Project Executive Director Elizabeth Rosemeyer coordinates the organization’s many services and its more than 900 volunteers that work to make the Northside a more livable place. The organization offers free home repairs for Northsiders who otherwise cannot afford to pay for them, and collaborates with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to run the Charles Street Farmers Market. Unlike most farmers markets, the Charles Street Market accepts several different forms of government nutrition assistance subsidies, like food stamps and vouchers from the Woman, Infants and Children program. “Many people on the Northside don’t get to enjoy locally sourced fruits and vegetables,” Rosemeyer said. “The food stand makes it easier
for those people to have access to fresh produce.” The market is open every Thursday from June to November, 2 to 6 p.m. For more information about services or for information of how to volunteer, call 412-321-1678. Bountiful Blessings Since January 2001, Terry and Ron Orendi have been providing non-food items such as cleaning supplies, toothpaste and shampoo through their Mechanicsburg-based organization, Bountiful Blessings. The organization, which has a Northside location at St. Mathew’s Lutheran Church on North Avenue, is a faith-based organization built on the fundamental Biblical principle, “I am thy brother’s keeper,” according to its website. The organization is run solely by volunteers, and is made possible by donations from supporters, civic groups, corporate donations and grants. In exchange for the non-food
items, the recipient of the goods is asked to return the favor by volunteering their own time at the store in the future. All that is needed to receive Bountiful Blessings’ services is a valid form of identification. “There are eight core items, which we call the Wish List, that we are always asking that people donate,” Ron said. “Toothpaste, shampoo, bath soap, paper towels, toilet paper, dish detergent, cleaning items and trash bags.” The Northside branch, one of 16 across Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia, is open every first and third Sunday of the month from noon to 2 p.m., except during the winter, when the store is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information on Bountiful Blessings, call 717-8021222.
Ethan G. Cohen graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and interned with The Northside Chronicle.
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School board races heat up
The Northside Chronicle
May 2011
From the office of State Sen. Jim Ferlo
Extra help available for Medicare expenses
My office fields many inquiries daily in helping our constituents From School Districts, page 6 to access beneficial government programs. One program our staff response to six questions. The consistently gets questions on is following list is a summary of each the Medicare Low Income Subsidy/ District 8 candidate’s view on what Extra Help Program. Some states is the most important issue facing previously referred to this as the the district. Medicare Buy-In program. •Mark Brentley believes the In the past, the program’s most critical issue is the amount of application and available information debt accumulated over the past five was confusing to many older adults years and would “continue to be the and individuals with disabilities. Some voice of reason” and ensure public were led to believe they would need funds are used appropriately. to change their primary healthcare •Lisa Freeman believes the provider or that it might take away increasing high school dropout rate is the most critical issue and that “all their PACE prescription benefits. Nothing could be further from the minds” need to work on the issue truth. This program complements together. both your Medicare health coverage •Deloris Lewis did not and PACE, and the only change to participate in the voter guide. you will be more savings in your •Arita Gilliam Rue wants to pocket. address the issue of low academic Federal legislation mandated achievement and would work to employ methods to motivate children that the program’s application be simplified and the program be made to learn. To read the full voter guide, visit uniform so that more individuals would be able to access it readily. www.aplusschools.org.
Kathleen Burk, Medicare Outreach Coordinator of Allegheny County Department of Human Services and The Allegheny Link, was kind enough to share details with us on how the program works. Depending upon income and assets, many older adults and people with disabilities can save money on their Medicare insurance premiums and co-payments. There are now two separate government programs that can help. The Medicare Savings Program: The Medicare Savings Program can cover the cost of the Part B premium, and possibly co-payments and deductibles, depending upon the applicant’s level of income. To qualify, an individual’s monthly income must be no greater than $1,218 with resources no greater than $6,680. (For a married couple, the combined monthly income should be no greater than $1,639 with resources no greater than $10,020.) The resources that are counted include money in the bank, stocks,
bonds or other types of investment. The lower the amount of income and resources the applicant has, the greater the level of assistance available. The “Extra Help” Program “Extra Help” provides assistance with Medicare Part D prescription drug premiums and co-payments, and keeps people out of the coverage gap known as “the donut hole.” In order to qualify, an individual’s income must be no greater than $1,353 per month with resources no greater than $12,640. (For a married couple, the combined monthly income should be no greater than $1,821 with resources no greater than $25,620.) For more information and to apply, contact Allegheny County Medicare Outreach Coordinator Kathleen Burk at 412-350-7079. We also have applications in my office and would be happy to assist you in this process. Please contact my office at 412-621-3006 or visit my website at www.senatorferlo.com.
May 2011
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Manchester Academic Charter School: Northside Characters The Northside Chronicle has paired with Manchester Academic Charter School to feature students’ articles. This month, 7th grade students paired up to interview their fellow friends and family. Emory Holiday by Terren Holiday Q) What community on the Northside do you live and where did you go to school? A) I lived on California Avenue and went to Oliver High School. Q) When and what brought you to the Northside? A) My mom and dad. Q) Why did you stay? A) I had no choice. I was the oldest of my brothers and all of my friends were at Oliver High School. Q) How have things changed from when you first came to the Northside and now? A) I’ve seen things get bad and now I see things are getting better. I’ve been here since I was little and I’ve seen many changes and the Northside has changed into a very good community. Shoniece Hall by Shaunay Edmunds Q) What community on the Northside do you live or work in? A) I live in Brighton Heights. Q) When did you come to the Northside and why did you stay? A) I came to the Northside in 1996 because most of my family moved here as well. Q) How have things changed from when you first came to the Northside and now? A) (Laughing) Things have changed because now I have two more kids! I have grown up on the
Northside and I now have a lot more friends here in the Northside. Q) Do you have any friends or relatives that reside on the Northside? If so, where? A) Most of my friends and family stay on the Northside in the Perrysville area. Q) How do you envision the future of the Northside? A) Northside can be a great place to live if housing continue to be fixed up and our kids can stay busy and out of trouble. Renee Martin by Aujanae Martin Q) What community on the Northside do you live or work in? A) Brighton Heights. Q) When and what brought you to the Northside? A) I was born and raised on the Northside. Q) Why did you stay? A) I like it! Most of my family lives here! Q) What activities do you like to do on the Northside? A) I like to go to bingo, cookouts and family functions. Q) How have things changed from when you first came to the Northside and now? A) How people got along has changed a lot. We used to sleep with our doors open. There was a time when there wasn’t any gangs.
To listen to other interviews recorded by MACS students, visit http://neighborhoodvoices.org Find other stories from 6th, 7th and 8th graders at www.thenorthsidechronicle.com Visit www.macsk8.org for information on MACS
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The Northside Chronicle
Allegheny West ATL Holdings LLC to Martin Rentals LLC at 1003 Allegheny Ave. J. Andrew Wolfinger to Michael Zacherl and Samuel J Shondelmyer at 814 Beech Ave. Cartus Financial Corp. to Paul and Karen Beer at 912 Beech Ave. Brighton Heights Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. trustee to OSPO Properties LLC at 3745 Hiawatha St. Allegheny Valley Bank Pittsburgh to Thomas and Sherry Brophy at 1617 Orchlee St. Carl Mehalich to James Hinton at 3820 Oswego St. Econohomes LLC to Mwanamwalye Nyambe at 1609 Antrim St. David Braun to Marc Benoit at 4065 Brandon Road Tisha Jenkins Preyer to Deutsch Assoc. Inc. at 1406 Termon Ave. Federal National Mortgage Assn. to James Nedwidek at 1421 Benton Ave. Dollar Bank to Wessner LLC Corp. at 1821 Chellis St. Casper Mingone to Eugene and Lloyd Johnston at 115 Jacks Run Road Beneficial Mortgage Co. Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh Property Partn. at 2024 Termon Ave. Brightwood AA Holdings 2005 LLC to Evan Mendenhall at 2655 Brighton Road Karen Pegher to Thomas Krannacker at 2920 Shadeland Ave.
May 2011
Original Resource Inc. to Platinum Estates LLC at 1355 Geyer Ave. Samuel Leroy Cavender to Veronica Brooks at 3126 Shadeland Ave. John Szewczuk to Laurena Townsend at 951 Woods Run Ave. Tamara Ross to Richhill Partn. at 2342 1/2 Atmore St. Tamara Ross to Richhill Partn. at 2344 Atmore St. Brooke Dumont et al. to Robert Bonds at 1262 Hodgkiss St. Arthur Henderson to Joshua Ademek trustee at 3132 Shadeland Ave. for California-Kirkbride Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. trustee to 3 Rivers Group L.P. at 12091211 Colfax St. Delores Pomeroy to John Barrett at 1233 Island Ave. Mistick Construction Co. to Pittsburgh City Housing Authority at 1525 Brighton Road Central Northside Jeffrey Stasko et al. to Patrick Ryan and Susan Costello at 1534 Buena Vista St. and Armandale St. Harry Selevos to Barron Commercial Real Estate at 1108 Federal St. Greek Orthodox Community Holy Trinity Ch to North Side Church God Independent Pittsburgh In at 302-304 W. North Ave. Estate of Margaret McAdams Costa to James Costa at 1220 Boyle St. Hipwell Holding Corp. to Gramax LLC at 839 W. North Ave. --CONTINUED NEXT PAGE--
May 2011
The Northside Chronicle
Deutschtown Delford Britton to Historic Deutschtown Development Corp. at 431 E. Ohio St. Ludwig Floral Co. to Deutschtown Development Corp. at 433 E. Ohio St. Mark Yost to William Butler at 820 Suismon St. Beau Gray to National Transfer Services LLC at 603 Lockhart St. National Transfer Services LLC to Stephen and Kristy Fairman at 603 Lockhart St. SB Holdings LLC to Stonecrest Income & Opportunity Fund 1 L at 1102 Linden Place Fineview Frank Tallarico to Daniel Tse and Christina Berzite at 1517 Buena Vista St. Go Invest Wisely LLC to Marquis Properties LLC at 73 Edenvale St. Melissa Lynn Doubt to Edward Doubt at 219 Henderson St. Manchester Connie Porter to Frank Tallarico and Kyle Axel Cunningham at 1233 W. North Ave. John Musgrove et al. to Micah and Kristen Natale at 1328 W. North Ave. Observatory Hill Estate of Henry Pulkowski to Peter and Jodi Humphrey at 3318 Perrysville Ave.
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Patrick Altdorfer to Steadfast Outreach at 4054-4056 Perrysville Ave. Anne Knoebel trustee to Seth and Nicole Reichart at 17 Dunlap St. GMAC Mortgage LLC to GLX Properties LLC at 3008 Marshall Road Federal National Mortgage Assn. to Brineric LLC at 52-54 Watson Blvd. Perry Hilltop Melissa Crooks Saban to Penn Pioneer Enterprises LLC at 520 Suffolk St. Joseph Tindal to Debra Wade at 317 E. McIntyre Ave. Spring Garden David Jockel to David Witzorreck at 1348 Herman St. Spring Hill Federal National Mortgage Assn. to CPI Housing Fund LLC at 97 Royal St. US Bank NA to Cynthia Green at 1516 Hetzel St. Troy Hill Francis Kablach to Realty Choice Investments LLC at 1432 Lowrie St. Michael Wilson to George Dougherty Jr. at 2006 Ley St. Louise Reese to Uptown Girls Properties LLC at 1347 Lowrie St. Ronald Hill to Samuel Rios at 2109 Lowrie St. Christopher Maloney to Stephanie Schilliong at 2101 Lautner St. James Raimondi to Rodger and Saundra Neurohr at 1717 Rialto St. Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>. Visit www.RealSTATs.net.
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The Northside Chronicle
E. Ohio coffee shop gets creative with decor, drinks From Muddy Cup, page 14 how the coffee bean comes from being a single flower on a tree to an amazing latte,” Tokar said. Some of her most popular specialty lattes include the White Cloud, made with white chocolate and caramel, and the Turtle, made with chocolate, hazelnut and caramel. Often, she brainstorms new drinks with customers who aren’t sure what to order. Coffee isn’t the only thing Tokar gets creative with, either. Her creativity and artistic skills shine in the former JR’s Bar, where she’s repainted the space with bright colors and pictures. More than once during renovations she wondered if she’d made a mistake because of all the challenges presented by the space. It took her six weeks of constant work to get the shop ready, but she said
it’s worth it to hear people tell her how glad they are she opened. “I hear this all day long: ‘We’re so happy you’re here!’” Tokar said. Council President Darlene Harris even plans to issue a proclamation in Tokar’s honor for transforming what many considered a nuisance bar into a welcoming community space. There’s still plenty of work to be done, like adding outdoor seating, a bike rack and “dog parking” so dog walkers can tie their dogs up outside, grab a drink and continue on their way. Tokar would also like to add an awning, potted shrubs and lights that would stay on all night to keep the corner bright. “I know it’s going to be great. I really know it’s going to be great.” Muddy Cup is open on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and until 7 p.m. on weekdays.
May 2011
May 2011
The Northside Chronicle
Legislation for LED lights, blighted properties From Harris, page 15 working on business districts in District 1 (East Ohio Street, Brighton Road, California Avenue, Lowrie Street, Perrysville Avenue) and hope to make us the model for the rest of the city. The LED lights are a great investment, because not only will they greatly improve safety and security and highlight our business districts, they are environmentally friendly in manufacture, function and disposal, and they will save us around $650,000 a year in energy costs alone. As you know, I am quite eager to improve our business districts, as well as the rest of our lighting. My office has been heavily involved with Councilman Bill Peduto’s office on this legislation,
and we are very eager to see the results within the next year. The city will be issuing a request for proposals targeted toward implementing all the suggestions of the consultants who presented on April 20. The plans offered by any company would have to include the design of the lighting produced by the lights. Our city is beautiful, and it should be lit to its best effect. Of course, we continue to work on vacant and blighted properties (and how the new state legislation can help with those), nuisance properties and the overall quality of life in District 1 and in the City of Pittsburgh. Councilwoman Darlene M. Harris can be reached at 412-2552135, or by email through her city web page, http://www.city. pittsburgh.pa.us/district1.
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Garden Theater Block may receive historic designation From Garden Theater, page 5 2010 U.S. Census. Zukin said that he is in talks with other grocery stores, but expects the updated census data to make the location more attractive to the Food Co-op. Other prospective tenants include an ice cream parlor, a pet food store and a yoga studio, Zukin said. In the next month or two, Zukin said he will submit an application to expand the Mexican War Streets Historic District to include the Garden Block. Historic designation for the block will allow Zukin to use historic tax credits for renovation work. Zukin plans to begin the process to gain approval to tear down the back of the Garden Theater in order to turn it into a grocery store within the next month, he said.
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires approval for work on historic buildings that alters the structure when government money is used. Construction work on the block could begin as early as late summer, Zukin said, but it depends on how long the historic review process takes. Stabilization work on 1115 and 1117 Federal Street must be done this summer because of damages sustained during the winter. As the project moves forward, Totino hopes to keep the community involved. He spoke at the April Central Northside Neighborhood Council meeting and welcomes future presentations to keep everyone up to date, he said. “There’s a lot of people in the community who care about things, and who can help us get things done,” Totino said.
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State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl said the budget proposed in March by Gov. Tom Corbett would result in higher property taxes and skyrocketing tuition bills for Allegheny County residents and could hurt the economy of the Pittsburgh area. The proposed budget would cut funding to the Pittsburgh School District by $34.1 million, including an $18.85 million reduction in basic education. It also would eliminate a $2.5 million grant the district uses to fund an after-school program for children struggling with reading and math, a $5.4 million grant for early childhood education and a $9.3 million reimbursement to offset losses to charter schools. The Shaler School District stands to lose $927,000 and the North Hills School District will lose $463,000 in basic education funding. “Our local school districts will have no choice but to raise property taxes, increase class sizes and cut
The Northside Chronicle
May 2011
From the office of State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl
Proposed budget cuts to education early childhood education programs that have been proven to prepare our children, particularly our atrisk children, for success in school,” Ravenstahl said. “The education budget should be an investment in our future.” Ravenstahl said he also was troubled by the governor’s plan to slash higher education funding for state-related universities, including the University of Pittsburgh. The budget would cut Pitt’s general appropriation in half from $160 million to $80 million and eliminate a $17 million appropriation that supports university programs in health sciences, including the School of Medicine, Dental Clinic and Center for Public Health Practice. Pitt also stands to lose $9 million a year from the tobacco settlement fund, which it uses for biomedical research support
“The reduction in Pitt’s general appropriation will lead to higher tuition bills, and I’m worried it will put a degree out of reach for children from working-class families,” Ravenstahl said. “How does this help our state’s efforts to compete in the world economy? How does this convince our best and brightest to stay here in Pennsylvania to go to school, or to stay here and contribute once they graduate?” Ravenstahl added that the university is an important part of the region’s economy through direct employment and spin-off jobs created by businesses that rely on the university. He said the budget cuts could hurt the university’s role in the regional economy, which has become more important during the economic slowdown.
Ravenstahl also said cuts Corbett proposed to health care, including $113 million to hospitals, would be shifted to the hospitals and insurance ratepayers. “This budget should not be balanced on the backs of hardworking Pennsylvanians,” Ravenstahl said. The 20th Legislative District includes the Northside, Lawrenceville, Polish Hill, Strip District and Stanton Heights neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, as well as West View borough and parts of Reserve and Ross townships. Rep. Adam Ravenstahl’s constituent office is at 3689 California Ave., Pittsburgh. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Ravenstahl also invites residents to visit his website — www.pahouse.com/Ravenstahl — which has links to information on state services and includes a “Contact Me” form that allows constituents to e-mail him.
May 2011
The Northside Chronicle
The Game Page Last Month’s Puzzle Solutions First published in a U.S. puzzle magazine in 1979, Sudoku caught on in Japan in 1986, and became internationally famous in 2005. The aim of Sudoku is to enter a number from 1 through 9 in each space on a 9×9 grid made up of 3×3 subgrids (called “regions”). Some of the numbers have already been given. You may not use the same number twice in a single row, column, or region of the grid. Completing the puzzle requires patience and logical ability.
Crossword puzzles provided by www. bestcrosswords.com / Used with permission.
Chronicle Crossword Across 1- Crazed; 6- Big cheese; 10- Prepare a book or film for release; 14- In the least; 15- Brain wave; 16- Farm structure; 17- Functional; 18- Attendee; 19Goblet part; 20- Substandard; 22- With vinegar as the solvent; 24- Golden; 25- Thrifty management; 26- Takes fright; 29- Bloodsucking insect; 30Thick slice; 31- Forming an adjunct; 37- Nimble; 39- Brit. lexicon; 40- Join securely; 41- Narrator; 44- Taylor of “Mystic Pizza”; 45- Gripped; 46Cured, in a way; 48- Suit makers; 52- Famous last words; 53- Birthplace of St. Francis; 54- Elementary particle with no charge; 58- Thousand: prefix; 59- Bibliography abbr.; 61- Actor Quinn; 62- Biblical garden; 63- “No Ordinary Love” singer; 64- Have a cow?; 65- Capone’s nemesis; 66- Drop of water expelled by the eye; 67- Leg joints; Down 1- Island in central Hawaii; 2- Env. notation; 3- Babe in the woods; 4- Impossible to read; 5- Ecclesiastic; 6- Intolerant person; 7- Scent; 8- Date; 9Muslim opponent of the Crusaders; 10- Ruhr city; 11- As before; 12- Lower portion of the small intestine; 13- British soldier; 21- Ingrid’s “Casablanca” role; 23- Do something together; 25- Dodge; 26- H.S. exam; 27- Pond organism; 28- Arrest; 29- Rocky barren plateau; 32- Kids toys; 33- Terrestrial; 34Monogram ltr.; 35- Meadow mouse; 36- Children’s author Blyton; 38- Group character; 42- Most strange; 43- Queue after Q; 47- Set upon; 48- Captivated (by); 49- Digression; 50- Cruise stops; 51- Big cats; 52- Conger catcher; 54Zip; 55- Doing nothing; 56- Church center; 57- Change for a five; 60- ___ kwon do;
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Sudoku