NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID PITTSBURGH, PA Permit No. 2403

Volume 35, No. 8 Serving Bloomfield, Friendship, Garfield, East Liberty and Lawrenceville since 1975 August 2010

Community Groups and Politicians Engage West Penn Allegheny on Hospital Consolidation Plans When West Penn Allegheny Health tual lay-offs of By Paula Martinac BGC’s meeting “We’ve got to get creative.” System (WPAHS) announced major approximately The Bulletin were representa- Aggie Brose, deputy director of the changes on June 29, local community 1,500 employees, tives from various Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, leaders sprang into action. most at the Bloomfield campus. East End community groups and key opened the BGC meeting by announc- Stakeholders from Bloomfield, WPAHS has set up a Career Services public officials, including Mayor ing that she had resigned from the Lawrenceville, and Garfield are now Center for West Penn employees, Luke Ravenstahl, County Executive board of the West Penn Hospital grappling with the potential economic offering assistance with applying for Dan Onorato, U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, Foundation on July 6, “because it’s damage to the East End and its resi- unemployment and finding other posi- City Councilman Patrick Dowd, time for me to be an advocate for my dents and the dwindling health-care tions within the system and at other County Council President Rick community.” She observed that the options of community members. health-care facilities. Fitzgerald, and State Representatives community has “lived with rumors Among the consolidation plans On July 7, the Bloomfield-Garfield Joseph Preston and Dom Costa. [about West Penn] for over three years announced by WPAHS are the closing Corporation (BGC) and the “These are the minds that we need,” and we don’t want to live with rumors of the West Penn emergency room in Bloomfield Citizens Council (BCC) commented Ben Forman of the moving forward.” January 2011 (the ER is still open for convened separate meetings on the Bloomfield Development Corporation business at the current time) and even- West Penn issue. In attendance at the about the roomful of heavy-hitters. See West Penn, page 11 State Commits Support to East End Rental Housing Developments Developments in By Joe Reuben The BGC will two East End neigh- The Bulletin be a partner in borhoods that would one of the devel- mean the construction opments, which of over more than rental townhomes entails the construction of 49 town- in 2011 drew one step closer to real- homes on scattered sites in an area of ization with the recent announcement Garfield bounded by N. Mathilda by a state agency that it will commit Street on the west, Dearborn Street on federal tax credits to assist with the the south, N. Atlantic Avenue on the financing of the projects. east, and Kincaid Street on the north. All three will offer two-, three-, The commitment by the PA Housing and four-bedroom units to individuals Finance Agency (PHFA) is a critical or families whose annual incomes fall boost to the project, but funds must ARTIST’S RENDERING OFTOWNHOME UNITS IN THE GARFIELD GLEN RENTAL below $35,000. Two of the develop- also come from other sources, Swartz DEVELOPMENT ments will be in Garfield, and the cautioned. "This is not 100 percent third in East Liberty. Each will bene- financing by any means," he said, new housing and land-use plan for housing project, once known as fit from the sale of tax credits to pri- "and it will leave the BGC and our Garfield, we still want to neighbors to Garfield Heights, to move forward. vate investors, who will, in turn, put partner, S & A Homes of State understand details about the project, KBK Enterprises of Columbus, Ohio, their own funds into the projects as College, Pa., with the task of finding including future management plans and the city Housing Authority part- equity. This greatly reduces the another $3 million or so in other for the houses," he told The Bulletin. nered in the construction and leasing amount of debt the developments funding." A second development of 40 town- of 90 rental townhomes under Phase I must carry, thus allowing rents to be Swartz confirmed that a neighbor- homes along Columbo Street in of what they call Garfield Commons. scaled to persons of working-class hood meeting to review what the Garfield was approved by PHFA for They currently have 45 townhomes means, according to Rick Swartz, development entails will have to be an allocation of tax credits. This will under construction as Phase II of the executive director of the Bloomfield- held in the near future. "While the allow planning for Phase III of the Garfield Corporation (BGC). project will be consistent with the replacement of the former public See Rental, page 12

The final deadline for all articles, ads, and Bulletin Board items for the September 2010 issue is MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2010. Placement is first-come, first-served. For more information: 412-441-6915. Page 2 • The Bulletin • August 2010

PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE New Commander Meets BGC Staff By Paula Martinac courage the “marauding” that has The Bulletin recently plagued Friendship and Penn Avenue, in particular. The new commander of the Commander O’Connor further Pittsburgh Bureau of Police’s Zone 5, noted that, in the past few months, Timothy O’Connor, visited the offices Zone 5 police officers have picked up of the Bloomfield-Garfield seven young people specifically from Corporation on June 29 to get the Garfield-East Liberty area and acquainted with the staff and the taken them to the City Curfew Center neighborhood. The 29-year veteran of in Oakland. The likelihood of being the police force – who has been with brought in for curfew violations Zone 5 overseeing the night patrol for appears to be keeping a lot of young a little over year – sat down with people off the streets late at night, he Aggie Brose, the BGC’s deputy direc- observed, because “there haven’t been tor (see photo at right), and other the numbers out. They know the BGC staff to talk about public safety police will snatch them, and word gets issues in this part of Zone 5. around.” In the meeting, the commander The commander was invited to Paula Martinac/The Bulletin noted one of the big challenges of his take part in the monthly meetings of new job: Zone 5 currently has fewer the Public Safety Task Force, which is than 100 officers to cover a large area convened by the BGC and draws NEXT PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE MEETING with a higher incidence of reported together public officials, police repre- Wednesday, August 11, 2010 crimes than the city overall. sentatives, and community leaders to 4:00 p.m. Responding to 911 calls, he said, address public safety concerns in the Community Activity Center “leaves less time for quality-of-life community. O’Connor vowed to work 113 North Pacific Avenue, Garfield issues,” such as pro-active park-and- with the Task Force on the goal of walks to deter antisocial behavior. But mounting three security cameras in The first 15 minutes of the meeting are open to residents who wish to bring specific he said he hopes to add some officers Garfield to monitor hotspots, espe- public safety issues to the attention of the committee. from a new recruit class and a few cially along Penn Avenue. high-visibility canine officers to dis- Drilling for Natural Gas in the Marcellus Shale What’s It All About and What Can We Do?

In Pittsburgh, gas drilling in the well as in By Gloria Forouzan than ever used protect you or do you a favor. Marcellus shale has recently Moundsville, West Bulletin Contributor before. They’re working on behalf of a become big news. Why? Virginia, had major First the well multi-trillion-dollar industry. 1. It’s in our backyard. The accidents in June. One explosion is drilled down vertically to a depth City Council plans to hold a Marcellus shale is a region of natu- caused toxic drilling fluid to spew of at least 7,000 feet. From this public meeting on the issue, most ral gas reserves that extends 75 feet into the air for 16 hours. main well it’s drilled horizontally likely in September. Call through much of Pennsylvania. To Imagine such an explosion within in several directions. It winds up Councilman Patrick Dowd’s office date, drilling has occurred in rural Pittsburgh’s densely populated looking like an underground spider for the details: 412-255-2140. areas, but now drillers are turning neighborhoods. of gas lines that can extend up to a Talk to your state legislators: their attention to urban areas. What can we do about it? mile. A well on the banks of the Rep. Dom Costa, 412-361-2040; 2. Money. Gas in the Marcellus Get the facts. The gas industry Allegheny could easily reach into Rep. Adam Ravenstahl, 717- 787- range is estimated to be worth 3 tells us that they’ve been drilling most of residential Lawrenceville. 5470; and Senator Jim Ferlo, 412- trillion dollars. for decades. What they’re not Currently, there are few federal 621-3006. Let them know you’re 3. “Landmen,” who try to get telling us: or state protections regulating the watching and that you vote. residents to sign leases allowing Today’s gas drilling must go gas industry’s use of our land, Ask the gubernatorial candi- gas drilling, have been making the deeper than ever before, fracturing water and air. The gas industry has dates for their stance on urban gas rounds in Lawrenceville, where at shale 7,000 to 8,000 feet under the been spending millions to lobby drilling. As of May 2010, Tom least 60 drilling leases have ground. (A mile is 5,280 feet). our state representatives and sena- Corbett’s campaign received already been signed. Over the last A new process called “fracking” tors to keep them from regulating $361,207 from the gas industry, two years, millions of gas industry is used to extract the natural gas. and taxing natural gas. Most and Dan Onorato’s received dollars have been appearing in our “Fracking” takes millions of gal- Pennsylvania cities have little $59,300. state’s legislators’ campaign cof- lons of our clean water and mixes recourse to limit drilling. fers. it with sand and dangerous chemi- What can you, as a resident, do? Gloria Forouzan can be reached at 4. Danger. Gas wells in cals. This mixture is forced into the Talk to a lawyer before signing 412-583-8757 or gtforouzan@ Clearfield and Tioga counties, as well under much higher pressure a lease. Landmen are not there to gmail.com. August 2010 • The Bulletin • Page 3

Habitat for Humanity to Build Four New Homes in Garfield

Habitat for By Paula Martinac style, with modifi- Humanity of The Bulletin cations worked out Greater Pittsburgh in consultation with (HFHGP), an affiliate of the interna- the BGC. For example, although tional nonprofit ministry that builds Habitat houses do not usually have and renovates houses all over the porches, the Evaline house will have a world, is coming to Garfield. The wraparound porch to make it contex- Pittsburgh affiliate announced it will tual with the neighborhood. On some build four new houses on lots secured projects, Ms. Withrow observes, they by the Bloomfield-Garfield have also received donations that Corporation on Kincaid and N. allowed for “extras,” like a grant from Evaline Streets. Dominion Foundation for landscap- Maggie Withrow, executive direc- ing or materials from Redland Brick tor of HFHGP, told The Bulletin that Company to brick a house’s façade. the organization had originally Though Ms. Withrow says she does intended to build four new houses in not yet have a firm construction the Hill District, after receiving a timetable for the Evaline house, “I’m Neighborhood Stabilization Program hoping the family will be home for (NSP1) grant of $550,000 from the the holidays.” The family selected by ARCHITECT’S PLANS FOR A HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOME TO U.S. Department of Housing and the HFHGP board is headed by BE BUILT IN GARFIELD Urban Development (HUD). Since Roxanne Cole, a single mother of five 1986, HFHGP has built 68 homes who works as an addiction counselor across most of Allegheny County, at Pennsylvania Organization for including four in East Liberty on Women in Early Recovery (POWER) North St. Clair and Rippey Streets. Connection and is studying for her “We spent many months, but MSW. As a condition of ownership, couldn’t find suitable sites [in the Hill Ms. Cole will put 350 hours of “sweat District],” she says, noting that many equity” into building her residence old mines remain in that neighbor- and other Habitat homes. She will hood, and they are too costly to fill in. also be responsible for repaying a 30- Rob Stephany, executive director of year, interest-free mortgage to the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Habitat’s Fund for Humanity, which suggested that HFHGP consider lots “recycles” mortgage payments to in Garfield instead, and a partnership build more Habitat homes. with the BGC was born. Ms. Withrow says that HFHGP “I knew Aggie Brose’s reputation, relies heavily on teams of volunteer so I was thrilled to work with the laborers who work with a paid con- BGC,” says Ms. Withrow. “Sitting in struction manager and professional Aggie’s car, driving around looking at subcontractors, performing jobs like sites…she lived up to her reputation. installing insulation. She herself start- Other groups know their streets, but ed out as a volunteer in Nashville in Aggie actually knows the people.” 1993, on an all-women building proj- The first Garfield house, designed ect, and learned carpentry skills that by Jim Sheehan of the Southside firm she still uses. “It gives you a good Renaissance 3 Architects, will be built feeling to go to a neighborhood and at the corner of North Evaline and see the houses you helped build,” she Kincaid Streets, and will have three or points out. “It makes you think, ‘I did four bedrooms. The design will fol- that.’” low a basic Habitat for Humanity Page 4 • The Bulletin • August 2010 The Bulletin SHOWCASE OF THE MONTH serving Bloomfield, Garfield, East Liberty, Friendship, and Lawrenceville since 1975 Good Morning, Sunshine Bloomfield House Brings Splash of Color to Neighborhood This month, we congratulate houses seemed to be red or green. The Bulletin is published by the Audrey Malek, owner of 4790 The house on Cypress Street, she Bloomfield-Garfield Corp. to: Cypress Street in Bloomfield. Ms. said, was a dull green when she • serve the incorporated territory of Malek has resided at this location bought it, with no fence. the BGC and surrounding commu- since 2007. Because she loves happy, bright and purchased paint in a shade nities The BGC staff visited the site colors, she dared to be different • report on activities and ideas called “Happily Ever After” – a and knew instantly why the prop- affecting those communities dazzling, sunny yellow. Ms. erty was nominated as showcase of • offer an opportunity to express Malek also installed new white the month – the property seems to opinions and exchange ideas windows and ordered shutters to sing out, “Good Morning, match. Friends teased her that she Sunshine,” and puts a smile on August 2010 • Vol. 35, No. 8 should get black shutters instead, your face. This two-story, old- so her house would be a style, single-family frame structure Total circulation: “Steelers’s house.” is painted bright yellow with new 20,000 copies In addition to Ms. Malek’s 16,700 mailed white windows; the front door and property, the entire block of 3,300 dropped gleaming white fence are adorned Cypress is lined with other show- with colorful flowers. Plants hang Editorial and Advertising Offices: cases that suggest the neighbors from the awning over the front there live in respect of each other, 5149 Penn Avenue door, and large planters grace the Pittsburgh, PA 15224 maintaining their homes beautiful- sidewalk. Small statues in the Phone: 412-441-6915 ly. front window send a message of Fax: 412-441-6956 Thank you, Ms. Malek, for Email: [email protected] love and peace to the rest of street. choosing Bloomfield as your When the BGC contacted Ms. home and bringing a little happi- Editor: Paula Martinac Malek to inform her that her house ness into the neighborhood with a had been nominated as Showcase Paula Martinac/The Bulletin vibrant splash of color. Advertising: Martin Pochapin of the Month, she said, “I think it’s PLANTS AND FLOWERS ADORN THIS Proofreading: Rick Swartz cool.” She informed the BGC staff COLORFUL BLOOMFIELD SHOW- Kathryn Vargas that when she was growing up, all CASE.

Bookkeeper: Mary Anne Stevanus

Distribution: Garfield CISP

The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. © 2010 by Bloomfield-Garfield Corp. www.bloomfield-garfield.org

We Would Like to Acknowledge the BGC’s NPP partner, PNC Bank.

Thanks also to BNY Mellon, Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development, The United Way, Allegheny Valley Bank, Dollar Bank, Citizens Bank, and all our advertisers.

Don’t forget to visit The Bulletin’s blog at www.bgcbulletin.blogspot. com for the latest events and happenings! August 2010 • The Bulletin • Page 5

Programs Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure

Third and Final in a Series on the Challenges and Obtacles to Stabilizing Our Neighborhoods

Foreclosure is a sad, all-too-com- trying to work By Aggie Brose gram last year to al initiative commonly called the mon occurrence that has a profound with people. It's Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation help besieged Obama Plan, is another tool that can effect on both individual families and in their best inter- homeowners, but buy a homeowner time. This govern- entire neighborhoods. Owners who est to get income only a fourth of ment program provides opportunities lose their homes due to a financial cri- from these properties," not to have those eligible are enlisting this option. to homeowners in foreclosure to refi- sis may feel humiliated and over- them sit vacant and deteriorate. The Mortgage Assistance Program, or nance or modify their mortgages, or to whelmed, while their neighbors' She also notes several programs "Save Your Home," is a Court of short-sell if they can no longer afford morale slips as house after house on a available to homeowners in foreclo- Common Pleas initiative that puts a the costs of homeowning. More infor- block becomes abandoned. Perhaps sure that, unfortunately, too few are 90-day stay on Sheriff's sale proceed- mation is available at makinghomeaf- the saddest part of foreclosures, how- using. The first vital piece of mail that ings if homeowners agree to work fordable.gov. ever, is that so many could have been homeowners get is an Act 91 notifica- directly with a housing counselor and Ms. Lowe recommends applying avoided if the homeowners knew tion of the Homeowners Emergency the lender. To be eligible, your fore- for all of these programs. "Don't hide. where to turn for help. Mortgage Assistance Program closure proceedings must have begun Apply for everything. Show up, and A homeowner who misses three (HEMAP). This state-sponsored pro- since January 2009, and you must live you may be able to save your home," mortgage payments and receives a gram originated in the city in 1983 in the property as your primary resi- she says. "The damage foreclosures foreclosure notice in the mail from when the mills began closing, to help dence. cause to neighborhoods is incalcula- the lender will often retreat, mistaken- prevent people from losing their In addition, the Allegheny County ble. A block may feel the effects 10, ly believing that it's over, and the homes. HEMAP is a loan and not a Sheriff''s Office website (sheriffall- 20 or 30 years into the future. writing is on the wall. When lenders grant; it will have to be paid back, but eghenycounty.com/realestate/fore_ass Foreclosure is a downward spiral." move to foreclose, the information the Pa. Housing and Finance Agency t.html) lists the many local nonprofits She also reminds homeowners that goes public, and a homeowner may be (PHFA) will work with a borrower in that work with homeowners free of a mortgage is a contract and that no inundated with mail from lawyers and setting up the payment and review it charge to try to resolve foreclosure matter what happens in their lives, for-profit foreclosure-rescue compa- on an annual basis for any adjust- problems, including NeighborWorks “you are not excused from repaying nies offering to assist them through ments. Western Pa. (see related listing on the money you borrowed.” the process. Embarrassed and Sadly, only 19 percent of eligible page 10), Garfield Jubilee depressed, they stop opening their homeowners even fill out and return Association, PCRG, and ACTION- Research assistance by Paula mail and answering phone calls. the form. "If nothing else, it legally Housing Inc. Martinac Randi Lowe, Client Relations buys you time," says Ms. Lowe. Making Home Affordable, a feder- Manager at Pittsburgh Community "Don't put it aside; apply. If the appli- Reinvestment Group (PCRG), says cation is approved, you will be con- she advises homeowners first of all to tacted by PHFA, and they will pro- communicate with their lenders. "A vide further instructions and set up a loan modification may be possible," loan closing.” she told The Bulletin. "Lenders are Allegheny County instituted a pro- Page 6 • The Bulletin • August 2010

BGC Summer Employment Program Offers Groups Meet with Children’s Hospital CEO Array of Opportunities to East End Youths

What do a local By Joseph Breems Craftsmen’s radio station, an Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation Guild and Asian fusion Prism Stained restaurant, and Glass to the the City of Pittsburgh have in com- Office of City Councilman Lavelle mon? Any other time of year the sim- and the Coro Center for Civic ple answer would be “nothing.” But Leadership represent how diverse for six weeks this summer, these these youths’ experiences are this workplaces, along with dozens of oth- summer. In total, the BGC has nearly ers throughout Pittsburgh, are hosting 140 young people ages 14 to 21 at 74 youth interns employed with the different worksites throughout the

Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation’s city. Paula Martinac/The Bulletin (BGC) Summer Youth Employment The BGC’s program is part of the Members of East End Works, a coalition aimed at developing the workforce of Program. broader Pittsburgh Summer Youth Pittsburgh’s East End neighborhoods, met with officials at Children’s Hospital Devonte Williams, a 17-year-old Employment Program, which is fund- of Pittsburgh of UPMC on July 12 to discuss ways that the hospital and the senior-to-be at Pittsburgh Peabody ed and coordinated by the City of community can partner on issues such as employment opportunities for resi- High School, is currently an intern Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh Partnership. dents and business development of the East End. Representatives of the with KQV Newsradio. A week into his The focus of the program is twofold: Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center, position, Devonte was not only carry- to give youths their first exposure to Lawrenceville United, Wireless Neighborhoods, Bloomfield Development ing out traditional intern tasks like fil- the workplace, while earning a pay- Corporation, Pittsburgh Community Services, YMCA, Oakland Job Links, and ing and copying, but had the opportu- check; and to help them evaluate CareerLink met with President and CEO Chris Gessner (at the end of the table), nity to research stories and even go career paths of interest to them. Every Vice President Eric Hess, and Vice President Rhonda Larimore, to introduce the out into the field. participant goes through Jump Start Children’s Hospital leadership to the development and employment-related McKinley Sandling, a 21-year-old Success, a job-readiness curriculum issues facing the region. “We’re very interested in being good neighbors,” Mr. recent graduate of culinary school, is prepared by YouthWorks, Inc. that Gessner told the groups. He added his commitment to finding and retaining working at Plum Pan Asian Kitchen in provides interactive instruction on “good employees and staff. If we get the right people in the door, we know East Liberty. His time so far as an things like workplace etiquette, they’ll stay.” intern has given him hands-on experi- money management, interview skills, ence with customer service, dining resume building, and much more. room management, and the workings Throughout the entire process, the of a kitchen, all important lessons for youths are directly engaged by anyone pursuing a future in running a Summer Internship Coordinators restaurant. employed by the BGC who ensure Phillip Allen, a 17-year-old that all participants are receiving indi- Pittsburgh Schenley High School stu- vidual attention and having a safe and dent, landed a spot with the City of enriching work experience. Pittsburgh’s Emergency Medical August 13th is the last day of the Service. With aspirations of eventual- program, but these young interns still ly becoming a doctor, Phillip has got- have a good deal of learning ahead of ten the chance to witness and take part them. For many, this summer will not in running a fast-paced medical office just be a great memory, but the first on a daily basis. step in a career that not only pays the These are just a few of the oppor- bills but employs their skills and tunities that the youths working with excites their passions. the BGC have received. Worksites ranging from the Manchester

THE BULLETIN SURVEY

Thanks to everyone who participated in The Bulletin’s 35th anniversary survey, which ran in the June edition. Approximately 140 people returned their surveys in the mail or answered the questions online or via email. Our two lucky gift bag winners will be notified by phone and then announced in the September issue, along with some of the find- ings of the survey. Check back next issue for the results! August 2010 • The Bulletin • Page 7

Dogs Get Their Day in Lawrenceville Green Energy After months of research and con- ville, and will include a separate sec- Project at sultation with public agencies and tion for small dogs and large dogs. A JobCorps Center civic groups, a community proposal stewardship committee made up of for a fully enclosed dog park in local residents will monitor and Gets a Lift from Lawrenceville is complete. fundraise to maintain the dog park in This proposal for an enclosed, off- partnership with the City of Pittsburgh ARRA leash dog run under the 40th Street Department of Parks & Recreation Bridge in Lawrenceville builds on and Department of Public Works. existing community initiatives to The Lawrenceville dog park effort increase liveability in the neighbor- is dedicated to the memory of Jay Ken Vaughan hood. It aims to create a much-needed Bernard, a Lawrenceville resident, new type of public space that address- entrepreneur, artist and abandoned- More than 60 Pittsburgh Job Corps Center students received valuable hands-on es two current neighborhood weak- dog advocate whose big heart and training during the construction of a 62-foot wind turbine that will provide nesses: A lack of legal recreational countless contributions to his commu- clean power for the center. Facilities Maintenance students built forms and space for dogs and their owners, and nity continue to inspire. Learn more poured the concrete for its 8-foot hexagonal base, while Advanced limited riverfront access. about the park at Lawrenceville Manufacturing students installed the reinforcement bars. The Electrical stu- The dog park will be accessible and DogPark.org. dents learned to set up all of the turbine's electrical wiring. The wind turbine centrally located within Lawrence- will continue to serve as an ongoing training tool, with Electrical students closely monitoring its energy usage over time. The goal is to have the wind tur- bine and the center’s photovoltaic solar panels, both projects funded by the Celebrate Dance Icon Gene Kelly’s Birthday American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), produce more energy than what is consumed by the greenhouse on campus. The turbine currently gener- The doors of the Kelly Strayhorn all ages led by East Liberty artist Erika ates 2,400 watts of energy with 20 mph winds. To learn more about Job Corps, Theater (KST) will open to the com- Johnson, beginning at 2 p.m. Her call 800-733-JOBS or visit www.jobcorps.gov. munity for a free event celebrating the installation, "uproot," comprised of life and talent of one of its namesakes, handmade, recycled paper circles, is on Pittsburgh's own Gene Kelly. The Gene display in the theater lobby. Those par- Kelly Birthday Party will be held on ticipating will make their own circles Saturday, August 21, from 2 to 5 p.m. and contribute to the completion of the at 5941 Penn Avenue, East Liberty. installation. Birthday cake will served. Admission Gene Kelly and his family lived in is free and no reservations are needed. the East Liberty area, where his moth- A Gene Kelly film, Cover Girl er owned a dance studio. Kelly was (1944), featuring the dance and film born on August 23, 1912, and passed icon with Rita Hayworth, will be away in 1996. A Pitt graduate, he went shown at 3 p.m. with an admission of on to become a film legend. The Kelly just $2. Free tours of the theater will Strayhorn is named for Kelly and provide background on the history of Pittsburgh jazz great Billy Strayhorn, the former Regent Theatre, a film whose birthday the KST celebrates house that opened in 1914. Today, the with "Suite Life," this year on Kelly Strayhorn Theater produces arts Saturday, November 27. programming,and provides a venue for For details on the Gene Kelly local organizations’ events. Birthday Party and the Kelly The afternoon celebration will fea- Strayhorn, visit www.kelly-stray- ture a handmade paper workshop for horn.org or call 412-363-3000.

EASTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD EMPLOYMENT CENTER HAPPENINGS

Informational sessions will be held at the Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center (ENEC), 5321 Penn Avenue in Garfield, for both the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) and Bidwell Training Center. CCAC sessions on health, accounting, welding, HVAC, EMT, and other careers will be held August 13 at 10 a.m. Bidwell Training Center will present an information session on chemical lab, horticulture, culi- nary arts, medical, and office technology on August 20 at 11 a.m.

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is available for appointments on August 9 and 23. The office serves those with disabilities (physical, mental or emotional) that create a barrier to finding employment. A representative from the office will provide an hour intake session to determine each individual's needs, interests, aptitudes, educa- tion and work experience to best assist them in an employment search.

NeighborWorks Western Pa. will offer one-on-one counseling sessions every Tuesday in August from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help individuals and families with financial counsel- ing, homebuyer education, and affordable loans needed to improve and keep their homes.

To register for these services, please call ENEC at 412-362-8580. Page 8 • The Bulletin • August 2010 Three Rivers Youth Offers “A Place Called Hope”

This year, Three Rivers Youth cel- and CEO Peggy B. By Billie Patterson offers five group best, you are making it so that others ebrated its 130th anniversary at Harris, she told me Wireless Neighborhoods homes, one emer- can have the best.” And that is what Phipps Conservatory and Botanical all about the organ- gency shelter, out- the people at Three Rivers Youth Gardens. There they paid tribute to ization and how she got started reach and drop-in center/residential want for the children. The organiza- past honorees by inducting them into working with them. “I like to say services for homeless and runaway tion values the staff through what is the Nellie Leadership Hall of Fame. that this field chose me,” she said. youth, a transitional living program, called an incentive program. Once In 1880, Reverend Fulton, a Her interests were originally the City Curfew Center, and crisis staff have completed a minimum white man, spotted a 4-year-old focused on writing, but when she and non-crisis home-based family employment period, they receive a African-American girl by the name finished her schooling, she took on a counseling. Each of its residential recognition package, including of Nellie Grant wandering the streets job working with the FBI in Human sites provides shelter and living money, a plaque, and two to three of the North Side of Pittsburgh (then Resources. While there, she served quarters for at-risk youths who are additional days of vacation. called Allegheny City) on a rainy on numerous boards and took on runaways, homeless, or abused, and Three Rivers Youth has been a day. At that time, there were no various volunteer experiences. In the are referred by the county’s Office of safe place for 130 years, where chil- homes for African-American home- mid-1980s, she began working in the Children, Youth and Families dren in Pittsburgh can come for help less people. Reverend Fulton did nonprofit sector, where she has been (CYF). A few of the programs offer and guidance. To contact Three what he thought best, and built what for 27 years. In 1994, she started financial assistance and skills devel- Rivers Youth, call 412-441-5020 or became known as the Home for working with troubled youth and in opment so older youths are able to visit www.threeriversyouth.org. Colored Children. It eventually grew 2000, joined Three Rivers Youth to transition into adult independence. into Three Rivers Youth, which is become President and CEO. All of these services are funded Billie Patterson graduated from proud to be the oldest provider of According to Ms. Harris, Three through contracts with CYF, CYF Pittsburgh Peabody High School in services to abused and neglected Rivers Youth is all about “preserving Philadelphia, the United Way, U.S. 2010 and will continue her educa- youth in Western Pennsylvania. and uniting families, combating Department of Health and Human tion at Cheyney University in Three Rivers Youth’s newest homelessness and building life skills Services, foundations and donations. Philadelphia. office and program site is located in for at risk youth.” While listening to The staff is fully committed to East Liberty at 6117 Broad Street. Ms. Harris speak, I could tell that is helping at-risk youths. Ms. Harris As I sat down to talk with President exactly what this place is all about. It believes that “when you give your

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“New Kids on the Block” Provide More Daycare Options for East End

A meat-packing By Paula Martinac p.m. (the night house and a commu- The Bulletin session is slightly nity theater have more expensive). found new uses as daycare centers, Activities include free play, educa- adding to the array of early childcare tional videos, phonics, puppet shows, facilities in the Bloomfield, physical exercise and dress-up time. Friendship and Garfield communities. For school-age children up to 12 years Paula Martinac/The Bulletin (See box below for additional old, Kidsville also runs an after- options.) school program, where students can Both Kidsville Daycare at 113 get homework help. The center pro- South Aiken Avenue and Community vides two meals and two snacks to Preschool and Nursery at 4809 Penn each enrolled child, with Ms. Coffee Avenue opened their doors within the Stuckey preparing all the meals her- past year and weathered the storm of self. the 2010 state budget deadlock that "I wear very many hats," she quips. made Child Care Information "My two babies come here, too, and I COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL AND Services (CCIS) funds unavailable. know what kids like." In her time NURSERY (ABOVE) AND KIDSVILLE Kidsville Daycare, owned by the away from the center, she is working DAYCARE (RIGHT) TRANSFORMED Stuckeys, a Garfield family, now has toward a master's degree in early THEIR BUILDINGS FROM OTHER USES INTO CHILD-FRIENDLY 23 children enrolled. Originally, the childhood education. SPACES. Stuckeys intended to include both Down Penn Avenue near Allegheny older adult and youth daycare into Cemetery, Community Preschool and their services, "but the child daycare Nursery is part of a franchise, with picked up faster," says Tiffany Coffee five locations throughout the greater Rocks facility and driven in daily. es; the maximum capacity is 50 chil- Stuckey, director of the center. The Pittsburgh area. The building, which Community Preschool has had a dren. The center is open daily from long-range plan, she says, is to even- used to house a small, dark communi- slower start than Kidsville (the day 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with weekly rates tually have a variety of centers around ty theater, has been magically trans- The Bulletin visited there were only determined by income. the city, caring for both seniors and formed into a bright, airy and colorful two children present), but Ms. youngsters. space, with separate rooms for differ- Jackson says she expects business to To contact Kidsville, call 412-441- The building, which used to house ent age groups. pick up as parents - particularly 6249 or visit www.kidsvilledaycare. a meat-packing facility, was com- A full day of activities includes employees at nearby Children's com. To reach Community Preschool pletely renovated to accommodate the everything from free play to arts and Hospital - find out about their servic- and Nursery, call 412-441-2595. daycare program. Though it looks crafts to flash cards, and children as dark from the outside, the interior young as 2 years old are introduced to space is bright and spacious, decked computer games. HeadStart comes in out in vibrant colors with a lot of every six weeks and works with the inviting toys and play equipment staff and children. In pleasant weath- available. Kidsville accepts children er, one of the staff members wheels as young as 6 weeks; infants are cared out what Briana Jackson, director of for in a separate "Baby Room." the center, jokingly refers to as "our With five staff and two interns, Cadillac stroller" - a big, sturdy, cov- Kidsville offers a jam-packed day for ered stroller that can accommodate their charges in two separate sessions: four toddlers for outdoor walks. a day shift from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Children receive three hot meals, pre- and a night shift from 11 a.m. to 9 pared at the company's McKees

OTHER DAYCARE FACILITIES in BLOOMFIELD, FRIENDSHIP, GARFIELD and LAWRENCEVILLE

Child’s Way (for children with special medical needs) The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh and Lemieux Family Center 5324 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15224 412-365-6065

Little Angels Learning Center Little Tots Academy 5122 Penn Avenue 4917 Friendship Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Pittsburgh, PA 15224 412-361-6080 412-361-8687

Little Friends Fingerprints Waldorf School of Pittsburgh 250 44th Street 201 South Winebiddle Street Rear Entrance Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Pittsburgh, PA 15201 412-441-5792 412-535-0481 Page 10 • The Bulletin • August 2010 THE BULLETIN BOARD

The Bulletin Board publishes ties. We're actively seeking vendors, and many more. For a complete Party, the event held at the pool last listings of volunteer opportu- musicians and artists. For more info schedule visit www.pennavenuearts. September. Sponsored by Zip Car. nities, free or low-cost events and to apply, visit lawrencevillelittle- org or pick up a handbill/map at par- For more information, contact and classes, announcements, flea.blogspot.com or call 412-353- ticipating locations. Unblurred is a Deborah Knox at 412-344-3966 or fundraising events, and serv- 0109. monthly event that opens the Penn Susan Englert at 412-559-1861. ices that are of particular Avenue Arts District (4800-5500 interest to our neighbor- Penn) for exploration by adults and FRIENDSHIP HOUR TOUR hoods. Send announcements SUMMER FAMILY FESTIVAL children. to Bulletin@bloomfield- TICKETS garfield.org by the 15th of AT NEW CHURCH each month. We do not East End Ecclesia (E3) is a new mul- NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IN Tickets are now available online for accept listings on the phone. ticultural, interdenominational, FRIENDSHIP the 17th Annual Friendship House Information published on a Christian church located at 4905 Tour Tradition & Innovation Sunday, space-available basis. Butler Street in Lawrenceville. On Join in for Friendship's Annual September 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday August 21, E3 is holding an National Night Out on Tuesday, Guests will explore homes ranging August 3. Host a porch party or visit from grand Victorians to lofts and FREE HELP WITH end of the summer family festival at our church facility on Butler st. The one! Summer is here, and with the townhouses. This year’s tour show- FORECLOSURES event will begin at 1 pm. and run until warm weather and backyard barbe- cases the diverse housing that cues comes the nearly inevitable Friendship offers, with everything Pittsburgh-area residents who are 6:30. There will be many games and spike in crime. The best way to pre- from traditional character to sleek scared, embarrassed or concerned activities for the kids and plenty of vent crime in our neighborhood is to modern design. Tour guests will also about losing their homes should call food, drinks and desserts. Music will make our presence known and to have enjoy the creative art spaces along the NeighborWorks Western Pennsyl- be provided by live bands along with positive relationships with our neigh- Penn Avenue Arts Corridor and enjoy vania for help. NeighborWorks pro- a DJ. There will also be a group per- bors. National Night Out is the per- free food samples from some of the vides individuals and families with forming acoustic rock, blues, folk, fect opportunity to do just that. So, best restaurants in the East End. free foreclosure prevention assistance and classic rock songs by request whether you decide to host a party or Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 that educates and empowers the client (with over 400 songs to choose from). attend many, please participate in this the day of the event. Tickets pur- to move forward. Their certified This event is free of charge, and awareness-raising event. For ques- chased tour day between 10 a.m. and counselors work one-on-one with everyone is invited. For more infor- tions, contact Emily of Friendship 11 a.m. receive a $2 early-bird dis- clients in a private setting and are mation, contact East End Ecclesia at Preservation Group's Public Safety count. Pre-sale tickets can be pur- continually commended for their gen- [email protected], call 412- Committee at missesamick@yahoo. chased online at our website, uine concern and trustworthiness. The 551-1345, or visit our website at com. www.friendshiphousetour.org. The possibility of losing your home can www.eastendecclesia.org. tour begins at The Glass Lofts, on the be an overwhelming and frightening corner of Penn Avenue and N. experience. Let NeighborWorks help LESLIE PARK POOL Fairmount Street. The self-guided you keep your home. For more infor- IN SEARCH OF COOKIE EVENTS tour takes three to four hours to com- mation or to schedule an appoint- RECIPES plete on foot, and trolley tours will ment, call 412-281-9773. Even though we are in the middle of Nina Barbuto and the Leslie Park depart from The Glass Lofts. For summer, plans for Lawrenceville’s Collective are presenting two family more info: www.friendshiphouse- COMMUNITY GARDEN Cookie Tour are coming together. fun events at the empty Leslie Park tour.org or 412-441-6147 x 7. What we need now are recipes and Pool. The events are a continuation CARE lots of them. If you have a family of prototype events to keep interest OMMUNITY Weekly garden care and tending take favorite or a recipe from a cookbook alive in the Leslie Park Pool Project. YPA C place at the Garfield Community or magazine that you especially like, These are free, family-friendly, and CONVERSATIONS alcohol- free events. Bike Fest/I Made Farm every Wednesday from 6 p.m. please share with us. Send your The Young Preservationists It Market, August 7, noon to 5 p.m.: until dusk (weather permitting), at the recipes to Dandelions, 4108 Butler Association (YPA) of Pittsburgh, in Bike Fest is Pittsburgh’s biggest farm site, corner of Wicklow and St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201. Please partnership with the Power of 32, a cycling event for cyclists by cyclists. Cornwall Streets in Garfield. include the source of the recipe and regional visioning project taking It’s a celebration of bicycling, show- any other interesting facts about why place across Pennsylvania, Ohio, casing Pittsburgh in all of its unique- it is a favorite. Also, include your Maryland, and West Virginia, invites STANTON HEIGHTS ness and beauty. The I Made it! name, address and phone number so you to participate in one of its com- YARD SALE Market is where people can sell the we can notify you that your recipe munity conversations. These conver- things they make, encouraging the Stanton Heights will hold a will be used in this year’s Cookie sations will help develop a vision for local handmade economy. Similarly, Neighborhood Yard Sale on August Tour. Deadline for submissions is the region, and participation is vital the Bike Swap lets neighbors sell 21st from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. All Stanton August 31. Contact: 412-683-6488. to its success. The Friendship / their bikes, parts, and services. Heights residents are invited to par- Highland Park / East Liberty conver- Disposable Film Fest, August 12, ticipate; sign up by emailing stanton- AUGUST “UNBLURRED” sation will be held August 5 at the 8:30-11 p.m. The Disposable Film [email protected] or call 412- Union Project, 801 N. Negley With the first Friday of August right Fest is a unique festival that was cre- 973-9802. Avenue, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more around the corner, get ready for ated in 2007 in San Francisco to cele- information and to RSVP, please Unblurred: First Fridays on Penn. brate the artistic potential of dispos- visit www.powerof32.org. L’VILLE LITTLE FLEA Join the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative able video: short films made on non- Visit the Lawrenceville Little Flea and Penn Avenue Artists for our professional devices such as one-time this and every Saturday (weather monthly art event on Friday, August use video cameras, cell phones, point JOIN YOUTHBUILD permitting) at the corner of Butler St. 6, for an evening full of great art, and shoot cameras, webcams, com- and 36th from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Little great people, great food and great puter screen capture software, and Build your community and get paid Flea is a weekly outdoor marketplace fun! This month’s Unblurred show- other readily available video capture while in training in Garfield Jubilee’s featuring a rotating variety of flea, cases events at TeeRex, Awesome devices. The event will premiere the YouthBuild Program, offered in part- thrift, craft, food and cultural activi- Books, Tango with Richard Walters documentary of Accordion Pool nership with Hill House Association August 2010 • The Bulletin • Page 11

Inc. & Housing Authority City of L’VILLE FARM STAND West Penn, from page 1 Pittsburgh. Earn Your G.E.D or high school diploma; learn skills that can The Farm Stand Project of the Greater The county and federal officials in and attended by community and pub- help increase your income. To apply, Pittsburgh Community Food Bank attendance were directly involved in lic leaders. The group further agreed you must be: interested in learning provides fresh, affordable produce to negotiations on behalf of the commu- that the mayor, the county executive, construction trades; between 16 to 24 low-income neighborhoods that have nity when UPMC closed its Braddock and Rep. Doyle should drive the years old; a resident of Garfield or the limited access to grocery stores. The hospital, and they brought information effort, not an individual community Hill District; interested in further edu- farm stands accept payment in cash, to the meeting table about that recent group. cation; serious and committed; and WIC and Senior Farmer’s Market crisis. Executive Onorato observed A week later, a unified group of unemployed and out of school. To Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks, that, unfortunately, "there's a big dif- community organizations and public qualify applicants must have: birth and Food Stamps/EBT. The East End ference between Braddock and this officials, under the leadership of the certificate, proper I.D. and Social farm stand is located at the Stephen system" - specifically that UPMC has mayor, convened at the City-County Security card. For more information, Foster Center, 286 Main Street, in deep pockets, and WPAHS is in finan- Building to finalize a list of questions contact Renee Robinson or Tonya Lawrenceville, every Thursday from cial crisis. He pledged, however, that for Dr. Christopher Olivia, WPAHS Daniels at Garfield Jubilee Associa- 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The stand "the county is there in any way you President and CEO. More than 50 tion, 5315 Hillcrest Street, Pittsburgh, operates every week through want us to help." questions addressed such issues as PA 15224; phone: 412-661-6275. November 11. Rep. Doyle noted that his biggest severance packages and pensions, the concern is the closing of the West reuse of the physical plant and equip- Penn ER; he said he would like ment, and the system's marketing plan CARNEGIE LIBRARY HAPPENINGS - AUGUST WPAHS to answer the question, "Can for the medical services that will we get an urgent-care center?" Mayor remain in Bloomfield. Perhaps the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Make a Splash: High Seas Ravenstahl acknowledged he also has most pointed question was: "If this Lawrenceville Branch Adventures questions, specifically about which [consolidation] plan fails, what will be 279 Fisk St. 412-682-3668 For familes. Saturday,August 14, parts of the West Penn facility the contingency plan to save 2 p.m. WPAHS will continue to use, and Allegheny General?" so that Adult Book Discussion exactly how many jobs will be lost. "Is Pittsburgh will maintain a two-hospi- Monday, August 9, 5 p.m. Celebrate a New Beginning: it 1,500 jobs or more or less?" he tal system to serve residents. "We The Transformation of Reopening Celebration at East asked. The mayor stated that, although don't want to end up with a monop- Bartholomew Fortuno, by Ellen Liberty Library the WPAHS consolidation plan seems oly," remarked Aggie Brose. Bryson 130 S. Whitfield St. 412-363-8232 to be firmly set, he is still hopeful The working group met with Dr. Super Science @ Your Library Saturday, August 28, 10 a.m.-2 about a "happy medium" solution that Olivia and other WPAHS officials on For school-age children. Saturday, p.m.. Ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. might see the retention of the ER and July 21, and received answers to all August 5, 11 a.m. redevelopment of the rest of the their questions; the meeting was off Storytelling with Joann Kielar unused portions of the Bloomfield the record. The mayor has convened For families. Saturday, August 14, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - facility. another meeting for the group on July 11 a.m. Main PC Center Councilman Dowd laid out what he 28 to continue formulating an action 4400 Forbes Avenue views as the "three areas of concern" plan based on Dr. Olivia’s responses. East Liberty Branch Events @ http://www.carnegielibrary.org/loca he would like WPAHS officials to WPAHS expects to release a final con- Borders EastSide tions/pccenter/main/ address: jobs; use of the Bloomfield solidation plan, detailing which serv- For more information about all our facility; and healthcare in the region. ices will remain in Bloomfield, in Storytime free computer classes, call the PC The group agreed to develop a set of October. In the meantime, community For ages 3-5. Wednesdays, Center-Main Library at 412-578- questions in these three areas to bring residents are encouraged to continue August 4, 18, 10:30 a.m. 2561. to a structured meeting with WPAHS using the West Penn facility, which is management, convened by the mayor open for business as usual. Page 12 • The Bulletin • August 2010 CLASSI FIEDS

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Rentals, from page 1

development. Phase I featured units "Each of these developments will priced for households of limited eco- be privately-owned or managed. Each nomic means, as well as for persons is aimed at working-class folks who willing to pay market-rate rents of can't afford the more pricey neighbor- $750/month or more. hoods," Swartz observed. "Each will East Liberty will see another 71 also have a number of houses townhouses built under the auspices designed for persons with special of a partnership headed up by needs. McCormick Baron Salazar, Inc., a St. "These homes can be the dawning Louis-based firm with offices locally. of a new era for neighborhoods that This project will be a second phase in have struggled with poorly managed the Liberty Park development started or maintained rental housing," Swartz in 2006 along Collins Avenue, added, "thanks either to the govern- between Penn Circle and East Liberty ment or to private landlords who have Boulevard. East Liberty Development simply milked properties for all Inc. has been instrumental in securing they're worth. There are some private the land for the units and providing owners who have done it well, planning support to the project. Like though, and our challenge will be to Garfield Commons, this complex has join their ranks in terms of being at featured townhomes for a mix of the top of the list when it comes to incomes. rental housing in the inner city."

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