Casual Eatery to Replace Brian & Cooper

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Volume 36, Number 11 NOV 2011

Serving Bloomfield, Friendship, Garfield, East Liberty and Lawrenceville Since 1975 Casual Eatery to Replace Brian & Cooper By Paula Martinac The Bulletin Bloomfield – The owner of the building at 300 S. Pacific Avenue, which now houses Brian & Cooper Food Mart, has given his tenant notice to vacate and intends to open a new eatery and cafe in that location next spring. Nick Redondo, who owns both the building and the liquor license, gave notice to Brian & Cooper proprietor Nasir Raess in July. Raess has until March 1, 2012, to vacate the premises. “I thought it was time for a change,” Redondo told The Bulletin. Raess has been

Painting the bleachers at Fort Pitt Field. Photo courtesy WDO Photography courtesy Photo Field. Pitt Fort at bleachers the Painting at odds with nearby neighbors for eight years over issues such as selling pornog- Volunteers Spread the Garfield – The months of September and October were all about raphy and operating a bar in the back spreading the love on Hillcrest Street in Garfield. To implement a room. Raess made some adjustments a “Love” in Garfield “Love Your Block” Grant received from the City of Pittsburgh, year ago in response to a heated commu- By Kathryn Vargas Bloomfield-Garfield Corp. 7 nity meeting, but neighbors continued to See page 7 be unhappy with the establishment.

East End – On Thursday, September 22, administrators from Pitts- After Brian & Cooper closes, Redondo PPS Administrators burgh Public Schools hosted a public meeting at the Reizenstein will open his own business, O.S. Marden’s, Defend Realignment Facility, 129 Denniston Avenue, to discuss the District Realignment a casual eatery and coffeehouse, on the property late next spring. He says he envi- By Joshua Barsczewski The Bulletin 6 See page 6 sions the venue as “a place where neighbors can come and mingle.” The Garfield – Who starts a farm on 15 abandoned and tax-delinquent name comes from an American writer, Healcrest Transitions lots on a hilltop in the middle of a struggling city neighborhood Orison Swett Marden (1850-1924), whom into Herb Farm where people once mined coal? That was exactly what Maria Redondo discovered “by a fluke” and

By Paula Martinac The Bulletin 11

See page 11 See Eatery | page 2

Permit No. 2403 No. Permit

A Publication of of Publication A

The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation Corporation Bloomfield-Garfield The PITTSBURGH, PA PITTSBURGH,

PAID U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle poses with seniors from Pittsburgh Westinghouse High School enrolled in the

U.S. POSTAGE U.S. Culinary Arts program. The students catered the Oct. 20 grand opening of Pittsburgh CONNECTS, NON-PROFIT Garfield’s new technology center. Read the full story on page 2. Photo by Paula Martinac 2 | The Bulletin | NOV 2011

Eatery from page 1

whose writings on self-reliance and Redondo said. “We’ll have sandwiches success, he says, have inspired him. with basil pesto, named after neighbor- Marden’s photo will grace the venue’s front hood streets.” Still, he noted, he intends to awning. keep prices affordable. Redondo has engaged local architect There will be no table service; John Cullen of S. Atlantic Avenue to draw customers will order and then take their up the renovation plans. He says he has food to one of 11 tables. Maximum seating also received “a lot of offers of help” and inside is 32. If the venture proves advice in setting up the business. Over the successful, Redondo said he may investi- past few months, he has done extensive gate opening a front deck for the summer research into the best food and beverages season. The eatery will also feature two for his new venture, which will be open ADA-compliant bathrooms and wireless from 7 a.m. to about 8 p.m. daily (9 p.m. Internet service. in summer months), serving bagels and Redondo said he intends to manage the other breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, establishment himself during the first year, ABOVE: Architect’s rendering of the interior of O.S.Marden’s at 300 S. Pavcific Avenue. Courtesy soups, coffee and beer. “I want things you from an office on-site with two-way glass. Cullen & Associates can’t find at Starbucks,” he noted. “It’s not going to become a bar,” he To that end, Kiva Han will be roasting reported. “And we won’t sell any cigarettes, coffee for the store under a private label. candy or magazines.” Aggie Brose, deputy Doyle Helps Launch Tech Centers Coffee fixings will be available at a counter director of the Bloomfield-Garfield fashioned from a vintage stove. In addi- Corporation who facilitated several By Paula Martinac The Bulletin tion, Marden’s will feature draft beer from community meetings about Brian & East End Brewery, self-serve coolers of Cooper, told The Bulletin she is impressed Garfield – U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) “Communities that don’t have a voice get a craft beers only, and pastries from Paddy with the proposed plans and believes the came to Garfield on October 20 for the offi- voice through programs like this.” The labs, Cake in Bloomfield, among others. Fresh new venue “will really serve the neighbor- cial launch of a network of citywide he observed, will “open up the world to soups will come from Hale and Hearty, a hood’s needs.” computer labs. The tech centers, funded by young people and adults to help them popular New York City-based company. “I federal stimulus dollars and jointly called compete in this economy.” He called tech- want everything to be different, special,” Pittsburgh CONNECTS, are a project of the nology “the most wonderful, terrible Neighborhood Learning Alliance (NLA), invention ever,” which must be made acces- which is headquartered in East Liberty. sible to all. The centers are located in four of the city’s The four labs, each of which is unique, are lower-income neighborhoods – Garfield, not just places to use computers; they also Homewood, the Hill District and Southside offer instruction to community members in Hilltop. NLA worked in partnership with the many useful applications of computers Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation (BGC), in everyday life. They also provide valuable Homewood Brushton YMCA, Hill House job-searching tools and assistance. Each of Association and Centre Avenue YMCA to the four centers presents a full monthly create and manage the free labs. schedule of classes and workshops on topics such as learning Internet and email basics; The grand opening took place at the doing online banking; and finding reliable Garfield CONNECTS center, situated at information about health issues on the Web 5321 Penn Avenue and managed by the – all in a casual setting with comfortable BGC. About 75 people attended the festivi- chairs and attractive artwork. ties in person, while the three other CONNECTS sites were able to celebrate the The Garfield center is staffed by the BGC event via Web conferencing. and Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center, members of Americorps and local NLA executive director Stephen MacIsaac volunteers, such as University of Pittsburgh introduced Doyle as someone whose nursing students. (See pp. 14-15 for commitment to bringing technology to November events at the Garfield lab.) For underserved communities “inspires my more information about the Garfield lab, work every day.” Doyle, he noted, “under- email [email protected] or call 412-441- stands that communication is power.” 9833. Doyle praised the four centers by saying,

County Election Questionnaire Results Released Pittsburgh – The Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG), a coalition of community-based organizations working for the revitalization of urban neighborhoods, has published the results of a questionnaire it distributed to candidates in the 2011 county elec- tions, to be held Tuesday, November 8. Current Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato decided not to run for re-election, which puts “the third most powerful seat in Pennsylvania … up for grabs,” according to PCRG’s “Candidates Guide for Voters.” PCRG sent the questionnaire to county executive candidates Rich Fitzgerald (D) and D. Raja (R), seeking responses to questions on banking, property assessment, mass transit, economic development and nonprofit policy. The questionnaire also solicited the views of county controller candidates Chelsa Wagner (D) and Ron Howard (R) on similar topics;. To access the voters’ guide, go to www.pcrg.org and scroll to Latest News. NOV 2011 | The Bulletin | 3 Drilling Signals Movement on

Penn Reconstruction A Publication of The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation By Paula Martinac The Bulletin Serving Bloomfield, Friendship, Garfield, East Liberty and Lawrenceville Since 1975 with the mission of reporting on activities and ideas affecting those communities and Bloomfield/Garfield – That wasn’t was handled that he offered the crew a offering an opportunity for residents to express opinions and exchange ideas. Marcellus Shale drilling residents fresh, free pizza around 10:30 p.m. witnessed along Penn Avenue on the Completion of the drilling is a signal evening of September 27 – it was geotech- that design plans for the reconstruction of nical drilling, a required part of Phase 1 of Volume 36, Number 11 the four-block stretch of Penn, set to begin the much-awaited Penn Avenue recon- in 2013, are moving apace. As scheduled, struction project. The deadline for the December 2011 issue is THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, the preliminary design plans will be offi- to accommodate the Thanksgiving holiday. Dawood Engineering carried out the cially presented for community review at drilling, which sampled the pavement in a public meeting on Thursday, January 12, Editorial and Advertising Offices • 5149 Penn Avenue • Pittsburgh, PA 15224 five different spots between Mathilda and 2012, at the St. Lawrence O’Toole Activity 412.441.6915 • (Fax) 412.441.6956 • [email protected] Evaline. The drilling began at 6 p.m., so Center at 140 N. Atlantic Ave., from 6 to 8 Total Circulation • 20,000 Copies • 17,000 Mailed • 3,000 Dropped the trucks and heavy machinery would p.m. Pizza and beverages will be served. Staff • Paula Martinac, Editor • Patrick Bowman, Assistant Editor • Joshua not create a traffic snarl during the day, Also reviewed at the meeting will be the Barsczewski, Intern • Martin Pochapin, Advertising • Joshua Barsczewski, Rick Swartz, and continued until well after midnight. scheduling and phasing of construction, Proofreading • Mary Anne Stevanus, Bookkeeper • Garfield CISP, Distribution According to Brian Krul of L.R. Kimball, and the details of the official detour for the project manager of the corridor recon- Board Meetings are held by the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation on the length of the project. Krul reported that struction, “The drilling was required by second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at 5321 Penn Avenue. These meetings inbound to downtown Pittsburgh, all are open to the public. PennDOT and the City to properly design traffic and buses will travel along Penn. the pavement structure, determine what The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. The signed outbound detour for cars and lies beneath the corridor, and assess any trucks, he said, will follow Main Street to www.bloomfield-garfield.org © 2011 by Bloomfield-Garfield Corp. underground environmental issues.” Liberty Avenue to Baum Boulevard to Krul said the pavement cores are Negley Avenue and then back onto Penn. currently being analyzed in a lab. Kimball However, the outbound detour for engineers will use the results in their buses will be different, using Friendship upcoming pavement design for the Avenue to Negley instead. “The Port corridor. “All of the drilling was completed Authority decided the bus detour,” Krul within one night with minimal disrup- explained. “They want it to be as close to tions,” Krul observed. the regular route as possible.” Representa- Rich Engel, Mainstreets Manager for the tives from PAT will be on hand at the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, public meeting to explain the detour. reported, “We got positive comments At the community meeting in January, from people on the avenue. They realized detailed plans will be on display, and an construction is actually going to happen.” open mike session will accommodate Jason Sauer, owner of Most Wanted Fine questions from the audience. Following Art, remarked that he only heard a brief the presentation and Q&A, there will be burst of loud drilling near his building at time for residents and business owners to 5015 Penn. Joe Suppa, owner of Calabria’s meet with project staff and city officials at Italian Restaurant at 4911 Penn, said he separate stations. was so impressed with the way the drilling

Thank you, PNC Bank. 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 of our advertisers. Nighttime geotechnical drilling along Penn Avenue. Photo by Jason Sauer 4 | The Bulletin | NOV 2011

. SHOWCASE OF THE MONTH. 4100 Penn Avenue: Eyesore No More By Aggie Brose Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation

Lawrenceville – The property at 4100 community gem. Contractors are doing Penn Avenue, City of Pittsburgh, 9th a total rehab of the old building, with the Ward, was highlighted in the June 2009 intent of bringing a little of the North edition of The Bulletin as an Eyesore of Shore sports-bar atmosphere to the East the Month. Now, a little more than two End. years later, the property is well on its way A new slate roof, new floors, new to turning around. windows, new bathrooms, new paint – Back in 2009, the owner, Angelo all this is being accomplished with Posteraro, who has owned the property private money. The big picture windows since 2004, was letting the building sit allow for a panoramic view down Penn. vacant and in a blighted condition. Mr. Posteraro has secured the liquor This property is on a prominent license for the establishment. He also corner of the Penn Avenue corridor. acquired 4113, 4115 and 4117 Main Within blocks of the building, there has Street, directly behind 4100 Penn, in been more than a half-billion dollars of May 2011 – these properties were in investment in the community. When the foreclosure and a blight on the commu- Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation nity. The three buildings will soon be 4100 Penn Avenue, once an eyesore, is experiencing a 100 percent rehab, complete with picture windows that provide a panoramic view of Penn Avenue. Photo by Paula Martinac contacted Mr. Posteraro back then to ask demolished to make way for a possible about his plans for the property, he told parking lot for the sports bar and for the staff he planned to reinvest in the Graziano’s Pizza Shop across Penn, present. Mr. Posteraro could not give a To nominate a property as either an property and open a sports bar at the which Mr. Posteraro also owns and specific opening date at this time. “I eyesore or a showcase, contact Aggie location. He was seeking a liquor license operates. Mr. Posteraro says he lost could have done things a lot cheaper,” he Brose at 412-441-6950 x 15 or for the premises, and was consulting an parking in front of the pizzeria when said of the rehab. “But this will be some- [email protected]. architect on the design of the building. new traffic lanes were created to accom- thing beautiful for the avenue.” Since that time, BGC staff members modate the new Children’s Hospital of have been monitoring the building and Pittsburgh of UPMC. would now like to report that Mr. The sports bar will have five to six Follow the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation Posteraro has been true to his word, and large TV screens and serve cold dishes, on Twitter @BloomGarCorp! is turning this eyesore into a potential since it is not equipped with a kitchen at NOV 2011 | The Bulletin | 5 Community Forum Addresses Drugs and Drug Policy By Paula Martinac The Bulletin

Garfield – A perceived failure of the U.S. He added that trying to create a differen- government’s drug policy was the topic of a tial in punishment for drug offenses is community forum on October 17 at Morn- “easier to win” than legalizing drugs. When ingside Church of God in Christ in Garfield. minor drug dealers are convicted of felonies, Attended by about 30 people, the forum was then released from prison, he noted, they are sponsored by the Bloomfield-Garfield denied access to public housing and educa- Corporation, whose board of directors voted tional loans. This leads many ex-offenders to hold the meeting to look at current drug to resume criminal activity because they policy and its effects on the neighborhood. can’t restart their lives. BGC Board Vice President P.J. Maloney Rev. David Else, director emeritus of emceed the program, and three expert Center for Spirituality in Twelve Step panelists addressed the audience. Professor Recovery, talked about the need for preven- Jonathan Caulkins of Carnegie Mellon tion rather than punishment. He called the University, co-author of the book Drugs and so-called “War on Drugs,” launched by the Drug Policy: What Everyone Needs to Know Nixon administration in 1971, “the modern- (2011), provided a policy perspective on the day Prohibition” – an example from U.S. issue of drugs and enforcement. He differ- history in which the “solution” was actually entiated between different levels of drugs, worse than the problem, resulting in a and pointed out that the “expensive majors” growth in crime. – heroin, cocaine, crack and methampheta- Commander Tim O’Connor (left) and Rev. David Else brought different perspectives to the commu- Else called addiction the number 1 public mine, not marijuana and minor drugs – nity forum on drugs. Photo by Paula Martinac health problem in the country, and spark the greatest violence and do the most proposed that doctors be trained to diag- punish small-time drug users and dealers. look at Professor Caulkins’ suggestion of harm to communities. nose it rather than simply treat its effects. “Arrests don’t solve the problem,” he trying to change the felony charge. Let’s give Caulkins gave some historical perspective Among his other ideas, he said he envi- observed. “Someone always takes the people a second chance to turn their lives to the worsening drug crisis in the country, sioned converting abandoned arrested dealer’s place... And while this is around.” going on, there are casualties on both sides.” pointing out that de-industrialization and neighborhood buildings that have turned “We will definitely be following up with the accompanying lack of good jobs have into crack houses into “recovery homes” O’Connor expressed an interested in some of the ideas that came up in the discus- contributed to a lack of economic opportu- with the help of the community and skilled talking to community members about “any sion,” said Eileen Kraus-Dobratz, a BGC nities, thus fueling illegal drug activity. workers unions. “How about making solutions on a policy front we can come up board member who spearheaded the public recovery visible?” he suggested. “A lot of things can be done,” he said, with.” forum. Anyone interested in working on a committee to look at exploring these ideas outlining an example of “two-tiered tough- Commander Tim O’Connor of Zone 5, Aggie Brose, deputy director of the BGC should call 412-441-6950 x15 or email ness” to distinguish between low-level and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, spoke in what and chair of its Public Safety Task Force, told [email protected]. hard-core drug dealers. “Let’s be extra tough he called an unofficial capacity. “I’m not The Bulletin she thinks “we really ought to on sellers who are noxious… who damage speaking for the police,” he said. O’Connor, the community more” – those who use chil- who has worked in law enforcement for dren to peddle their supplies, or who sell in more than 30 years, discussed how difficult front of treatment centers or schools, he it is to enforce drug laws and how much noted. time police spend going after and helping to 6 | The Bulletin | NOV 2011

PPS Realignment from page 1

Plan for the 2012-13 school year. Approxi- trict projects a deficit of $38.7 million in Lawrenceville resident whose children will The Board of Education could vote on the mately 75 community members attended. 2012. Dr. Lane said that the distri ct does be affected by McCleary relocating to proposed Realignment Plan as early as the Administrators at the meeting included Dr. not want to raise school taxes for Pittsburgh Arensal, said, “There’s no playground at Ar- November 22 Legislative Meeting. Until Li nda Lane, Supe ri ntendant, and Dr. Jean- residents because “it’s hard to ask for more senal. McCleary has a playground, a gym, that time, community members can submit nine French, Chief of School Performance. tax money because of what we already re- a cafeteria, and a library. The kids will have feedback for Board consideration by email- ceive—almost $10,000 per pupil.” Accord - to fi ght for space at Arse nal. The traffic on ing cityschoolsfiscalchallenges@ The Realignment Plan proposes closing, ing to an Associated Press story published Butler Street will be a safety concern be- pghboe.net or by attending a public hearing among others, Fort Pitt PreK-5, 5101 Hill- in 2010, the national average cost-per-stu- cause our parents walk and our kids walk.” on November 21 at 6 p.m. in the Board of crest Street, and Langley High School in dent is $10,259. Education administration building, 341 S. Sheraden. The Langley building will be Dr. Regina B. Holley, a Highland Park res- Bellefield Avenue, in Oakland. used instead for a new PreK – 8 school, Another reason for Pittsburgh Public ident and candidate for the District 2 posi- while the Fort Pitt building will be shut- Schools’ budget gap is the increasing num- tion on the Pittsburgh Public Schools tered completely. McCleary Early Child- ber of students enrolling in charter schools, Board of Directors, was concerned about hood Center at 5251 Holmes Street in to whom the Distri ct must give a share of the cost of reusing the Langley facility into Lawrenceville will be relocated into the Ar- tax reve nu e. Althou gh the charter schools a K-8 school. “How much will it cost to senal facility. All told, the plan calls for clos- put a strain on the budget, Dr. Lane said transform that school?” Dr. Lane admitted Magnet School ing seven schools and discontinuing the use that the District still approves them. “If you that there would be costs but that projected of seven buildings. The plan follows other read charter school laws, the fact that it’s savings have already taken them into ac- Registration tactics used by the District to cut costs, in- going to cost you money cannot be used as count. Parents interested in enrolling their chil- cluding the elimination of 217 jobs. a reason to not approve the charter.” dren in one of Pittsburgh Public School’s Rick Swartz, Executive Director of Magnet or career and technical Under the plan, Fort Pitt students will be Dr. French said that the distri ct decided Bl oomfield-Garfield Corpor ation, com- programs (CTE) need to do so by assigned to Arse nal PreK-5 in which schools to close on the basis of four mented on the effects closing Fort Pitt will December 16. Magnet programs in the Lawrenceville and Woolslair K-5 in Bloom- metrics: building condition, enrollment have on the Garfield community. “The East End include the International Baccalaureate program at Obama 6-12 field. and class size, student achievement and op- handwriting’s been on the wall for some and the Spanish-emphasis program at erational costs. She went on to explain that time, but as enrollments have shrunk, stu- Dilworth PreK-5. CTE programs The District created the Realignment many schools are not running efficiently dent achievement has increased.” include the Culinary Arts regional Plan in part because of state budget cuts. In but that increased class sizes and elective of- program at Westinghouse and the a typical year, schools can expect increased fe ri ngs do not have a direct impact on stu- Dr. Lane concluded that the District was Health Career program at Pittsburgh funding from the state government. The dent performance. aw are of the problems associated with clos- Milliones. A complete list of Magnet and schools must now operate without that se- ing a school in any neighborhood. “Closing CTE programs and registration forms curity, indicated Dr. Lane. “We can no After presenting the plan and the ration- schools cannot be the only strategy. We can be found at www.pps.12.pa.us. longer depend upon an ever-increasing ale behind the Distri ct’s proposed closures, have to get kids back in our schools. Char- Parents may also request copies at 412- revenue stream from the Commonwealth.” school administrators opened the floor for ter school folks go door-to-door to recruit. 622-7290. Under proposed state budget cuts, the Dis- public comment. Beth Miller, a Our teachers have said they’d do the same.” NOV 2011 | The Bulletin | 7 Walk This Way Volunteers from page 1 volunteers worked together to make im- Volunteers from GCAT, neighborhood provements to Fort Pitt Field and clean up residents, coaches of the Garfield Gators, Hillcrest Street so that it is a safe place for and young people were all involved in this kids to walk to and from school. project. Youths from the Fort Pitt after- school program, run by the BGC and Fam- “Love Your Block” is a partnership of ily Resources of Western PA, also Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and The Home participated and helped paint and plant Depot Foundation to beautify Pittsburgh - flower pots before the event. The day block-by-block. The grant, awarded to the ended with a small cookout for volunteers. Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation’s Elm The event celebrated the Gators as an asset Streets Initiative and the Garfield Commu- to the community and a positive activity nity Action Team (GCAT), included a for kids. A big thank-you to the team and $500 gift card to Home Depot and access to all those who helped make this project to city services to concentrate on the needs happen. of one block. The first round of “Love Your Block” grants were awarded in 10 communities. BELOW: Potting flowers for Hillcrest neighbors. Photo courtesy WDO Photography The gift card went toward making improvements to Hillcrest Street and Fort Pitt ABOVE: Field, where the Garfield Safe Kids Allegheny County joined local school children and FedEx volunteers to raise awareness about child pedestrian safety on the 12th annual International Walk to School Day Gators play. On September on October 5. Volunteers taught children how to be safe pedestrians as they walked to and from 15 and 16, volunteers worked school. Students from Woolslair Elementary School, 501 40th Street in Bloomfield, participated together to repaint the in this year’s event. Photo courtesy Safe Kids Allegheny County bleachers, install a new door for the Press Box, pick up lit- ter along Hillcrest Street, Painting Up a Storm clean up two vacant lots, and distribute flowers to neigh- Joshua Barsczewski The Bulletin bors on the street. The painting and pick-up project Bloomfield/Garfield – This October, Penn “The response has been so amazing,” said wrapped up on October 22. Avenue was briefly taken over by a group of Sauer. In all, the project had 50 volunteers. passionate and committed citizens. No, they Some of those had originally planned to weren’t protestors rallying against economic work on another volunteer project that injustice and corporate greed. They were weekend. However, when their planned painters hoping to make Penn Avenue better project fell through, Pittsburgh Cares, a – or at least brighter. nonprofit that facilitates volunteer service, coordinated with Rich Engel, Manager of Jason Sauer, owner of Most Wanted Fine PAAI, to bring the volunteers to Penn Art and Volunteer and Events Coordinator Avenue instead. Engel had worked on the for the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative (PAAI), Fresh Paint grant proposal with Sauer. organized Fresh Paint Days, which involved the painting of four Penn Avenue buildings Gerry Kraynick, whose building the – Kraynick’s Bike Shop at 5003 Penn, volunteers painted, was so moved by the Richard Rappaport’s studio at 5120 Penn, Fresh Paint Days volunteers that he bought Most Wanted Fine Art at 5015 Penn, and and donated scaffolding for the project and Bob’s Auto at 4808 Penn. The project grew for future use by the community. to include two additional buildings, 4929 Another painting day is planned for Penn and 5001 Penn, and to remove graffiti November 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Email from four other properties. The project was [email protected] to find out funded in part by Keep Pennsylvania Beau- how to help. tiful, PPG PITTSBURGH® Paints and The Home Depot.

Volunteer painters hard at work on Penn Avenue. Photo courtesy Most Wanted Fine Art 8| The Bulletin | NOV 2011 NeighborhoodFOCUS Toasting a Baseball Duane Rieder on Roberto Legend Clemente, Wine and Photography By Christine Bethea Friendship Development Associates otographer. Winemaker. Painter. Museum curator. Duane Rieder wears all these hats and more, as the owner of Engine House 25, located at 3339 Penn Ph Avenue. Growing up in St. Marys, Pa., and later DuBois, Rieder attended a vo-tech high school, and was sure he’d end up a welder. But he found the pay scale low and the work unsatisfac- tory. “Just enough to burn the life out of you,” he observes. Rieder moved to California to work for a glassmaking company. Then a friend who was an actor asked him to take some photos of a performance. Rieder had never held a camera in his life and admits he had no idea what he was doing. Miraculously, the photos, taken with a borrowed camera, turned out well. After that, his photographic skills were in demand. Even the parents of a youth softball team he coached part-time wanted pics of the games and their little boys. One of the young ball players, also a photo enthusiast, bragged about the darkroom his father had built for him, and invited Coach Rieder home to develop his own work. The moment Rieder saw his images come to life in the chemical tray, he fell in love with photography forever. Rieder moved back east, enrolling in The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, but planned to return to L.A. when he graduated in 1986. Fate stepped in when Westinghouse offered him a photography assignment that went so well he was offered a few more. From there, he spring- boarded into working for companies all over the city. Duane Rieder, Executive Director, and Elizabeth Meyer, Assistant Director, hold- By the late 1990s, he had a thriving photography business and owned an old firehouse in ing a Clemente wine bottle. Photo by Rob Larson. Lawrenceville with his studio on the first floor. The Pittsburgh Pirates asked him to produce a calendar to commemorate the unveiling of the Roberto Clemente statue at PNC Park created by Friendship artist Susan Wagner. “It looks like a museum in here,” Vera Clemente “That’s when things really caught fire! No pun intended,” Rieder adds. told Duane. And so the Clemente Museum was Rieder flew to Puerto Rico to meet the Clemente born. family. He was saddened by how Roberto’s wife, Vera, had fallen on hard times. Sadness turned to anger when he learned how many people were his success and relieved some of his stress was relieved with an old hobby that became yet taking advantage of the Clemente legacy. Unscrupulous companies and organizations were another business. In 2009, Engine House 25 was licensed to become a full-fledged winery. still producing Clemente memorabilia, and the family wasn’t benefiting. Rieder helped the In an ironic twist, Vera Clemente mentioned in passing to Rieder how much Roberto loved family collect and conserve what was left of Roberto’s legacy by rescuing old photos from homemade wine. It was as if the museum and winery were destined to be together. Fittingly, basements, and approaching the baseball legend’s friends for additional pictures and infor- it was Roberto Clemente’s image that graced the very first wine label. mation. When the Clementes were invited by the Pirates to Pittsburgh for the All Star game Today, Rieder hires out Engine House 25 for events and prints custom wine labels for in 2006, Rieder hosted a family reunion at his firehouse. “It looks like a museum in here,” corporations, weddings and individuals. The labels can be placed on a variety of blends the Vera told Duane. And so the Roberto Clemente Museum was born. winery makes, including merlot or sauvignon blanc. The Roberto Clemente Museum may In yet another twist, Rieder started winemaking not too long after. He was riding high on be toured by appointment. For more information, call 412-621-2512. ✦ NOV 2011 | The Bulletin | 9 The Bulletin In.Sight Microgrants Program Presents

The Bulletin In.Sight Microgrant Program encourages cross-neighborhood collaboration by supporting events that span multiple communities across the East End, using The Bulletin as a free marketing tool. Reblurred is the first grant recipient, and would like to thank Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development, Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group, First Niagara Bank, and Children’s Hospital of UPMC. For more information, go to www.bloomfield-garfield.org.

1. Mo Gear (6022 Penn) 29. Modern Formations (4919 Penn) “Butterfly King- 2. Jamil’s Global Village (6024 Penn) dom” thru Nov. 25, artwork of Christian Breitkreutz 3. Ace Athletic (6021 Penn) and Steph Neary. For more info go to modernforma- tions.com, 412-362-0274. 4. Sam’s Bostonian (6005 Penn) 30. Pittsburgh Beautification Project Studios (4810 Penn) 5. David’s Shoes (6017 Penn) Exhibited work by resident studio artists Katy De- 6. Beauty Shoppe (6014 Penn) Open house party with Ment, Dean Cercone, James Shipman, Sigh Melt- music, food and drink from 6-10 pm. ingstar, and Bob Ziller. 7. Ava Lounge (126 S. Highland) 5-9 pm, a fundraiser for 31. Los Cabos (4410 Penn) Check the board out front for the Pittsburgh Promise. Reblurred specials. 8. Waffle Shop (124 S. Highland) Scheibe Zeig (“Crap 32. Cafe Mona (4200 Penn) J’eet Cafe is now Cafe Show”) is Sam Perry’s experimental platform that Mona. Come to the grand opening of this new eatery explores the collation of citizen opinion. with a revamped menu and extended evening hours 9. Spinning Plate Gallery (5720 Friendship) Gallery open- on Friday, November 4th until 8:30 pm. Friend Cafe ing, new work by Toni Gigante. Mona on Facebook and Twitter and you recieve 10% 10. Dance Alloy (5530 Penn) Open rehearsal with Staycee off your bill! For more info, cafemona.com. Pearl Dance Project, 7-9 pm. 33. Brillobox (4104 Penn) Pandemic dance party w/guest 11. Pittsburgh Glass Center (5472 Penn) Hot Jam and dj Joro Boro and Pandemic Pete and Juddy, and a open house. Plus “10 More Years on Penn,” the in- performance by Uncao Capoeira Pittsburgh. 9:30pm stallation by Gwylene Gallimard and Jean Marie - 2am. Mauclet. More info at pittsburghglasscenter.org. 34. Wilson’s Pharmacy (4101 Penn) Free waters will be 12. TeeRex Guerilla Retail Hedquarters (5440 Penn) No- available to folks in the business district, perfect for vember Craft-O-Tron_tacular! Get started on that cooling off after dancing at Brillobox or any of the holiday shopping early and enjoy local food, local ap- other dancing events at Reblurred. parel and local beer. 35. Cats and Dogs Coffee House (4059 Penn) Local 13. BFG Cafe (5440 Penn) New oil paintings on display artists Lindy Hazel LaDue will be having a single by Tate Hudson. For info, artdoxa.com/tatehudson. artist show. 14. Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center (5321 36. Tram’s Vietnamese Kitchen (4050 Penn) 412-682- Penn) Opening exhibition “Stacks” featuring work 2688 by Vanessa German, Christiane Leach, Ayanah Moor, 37. Arsenal Cider House (300 39th Street) Arsenal Cider Staycee Pearl, Blaine Siegel, Brett Wormsley, and house will be showcasing live music along with cider Sarah Zeffiro. Curated by Alisha Wormsley. and wine tastings. arsenalciderhouse.com 15 DojoYoga (5118 Penn) HappyHourYoga at 6:30 pm w/ 38. Kiln n’ Time (3801 Penn) Fridays are family nights at $n€åK¥; a guided meditation at 7:30 pm w/ James Kiln n’ Time. From 6 to 9 pm parents and kids ad- Gyre; discussion/social hour: topic TBD from 9 pm-? mission will be discounted. To schedule a session call More info & to help to determine the topic face- 412-687-0383. book.com/dojoyogapgh. Green + Screen Project Volunteers from the ecoDesidgn- 16. Assemble (5125 Penn) Local Artist Lizzy De Vita ers Guild present The Green + Screen Project, centered presents “Lizzy De Vita: So_lo.” Free and fun! The on creating architectural screens and landscaping that work will be up until November 26th. For more in- can fill the gaps on Penn Avenue, helping create a more formation, 412-432-9127 or assemblepgh.org. visually cohesive arts cooridor. 17. Awesome Books (5111 Penn) Thousands of titles in Green + Screen Locations all subjects, VHS movies…lots of bargains, too. A. Here Today, There Tomorrow by Raedun Knutsen (5416 18. ARTica Gallery (5110 Penn) Featuring artists Penn Ave) LaVerne Kemp and Daviea Davis. 412-596-6521. B. PENNergetic by the ecoDesigners Guild - Completion 19. Mr. Roboto Project (5106 Penn) Grand Opening of Slated for November 2011 (5200 Penn Ave) Mr. Roboto Project featuring art by Mike Budai, C. Eco-equation by Dave Edwards and the ecoDesigners Music by Frizz and 1 more performer TBA. Guild (5111 Penn Ave) 20. The International Children’s Art Gallery (5020 Penn) D. 5105 Penn Ave Bench Design by the ecoDesigners Guild Large-format paintings of women by Richard Rap- (5105 Penn) paport. For more info, richard-rappaport.net. E. 4903 Penn Ave Green & Screen No. 1 by the ecoDesign- 21. Most Wanted Fine Art (5015 Penn) New works from ers Guild (4903 Penn Ave) Ryan Dunmeyer and Cory Bonnet from 6-11 pm. For more information on Reblurred, Unblurred and future Wilhelm Winery provides free wine tastings from 7- Penn Avenue events, visit facebook.com/pennavenuearts. 10 pm. Grand Snafu performs at 9 pm with special guitar performances by the artists themselves. For more info most-wantedfineart.com 412-328-4737. 22. Studio 5013 (5013 Penn) Exhibiting “Vote: Gabe Felice Now.” Acrylic on wood, balloons and lights. For more info gabrielfelice@gmail. 23. Irma Freeman Center for Imagination (5006 Penn) 2nd Anniversary from 7-10 pm. Closing reception for “Pittsburgh by Pittsburgh Artists”: with the work of Annie Bendle Ladley. Open Mic starting at 7pm. For more info irmafreeman.com 412-924-0634. 24. Law office of Richard Walters (5005 Penn) Starting at 9:30 pm, come dance to classic “Golden Age” Argen- tine Tango music in the office, and Nuevo/Alterna- tive Tango downstairs. For info, 412-721-7771. 25. World’s Smallest Art Gallery (5005 Penn) Step inside The World’s Smallest Art Gallery! Sketches by Chris Rue and complimentary wine. 26. Conservatory of Oil Painting (5001 Penn) New venue to the neighborhood, featuring Work by faculty and students. 28. Garfield Artworks (4931 Penn) “Making the Scene” Documentary photographs of the Pittsburgh local music scene, as well as additional photographic works, by David Burtt Harris. Donations requested. For more info 412-361-2262 garfieldartworks.com. 10 | The Bulletin | NOV 2011

Pistella’s Celebrates 30 Years on Penn By Rich Engel Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation

Friendship – A steep set of handmade steps different-colored returnable bottles when is obscured by stacks of product with eye- their parents owned Taylor’s. Their eldest catching labels. At the top is a bookkeeper’s son, Frank Jr., runs two Beer Nutz shops, office, but with a sparse living room, one in Verona and one in O’Hara. Their complete with daytime television running in second son, Michael, runs the Shadyside the background. While the barrel-chested Saloon. owner formerly known as “Butchie” and his Even after 30 long years on Penn Avenue, all-male crew run forklifts and sate the local Frank and Nancy say they are not ready to thirst for beer on the ground level, his wife quit. is running the other half of the show upstairs, where it’s quiet. Just the opposite, in fact: Pistella’s is having a grand re-opening in late November. Frank Pistella Sr. and his wife, Nancy, have After repainting the the building’s exterior, been East Enders for most of their lives. As they are reorienting the shop. “About six a child, Frank lived on North Fairmount years ago, we opened the current show- Street and Nancy at Broad and N. Aiken. room,” said Nancy, “and this showed “Actually, both our childhood homes have individual customers what a variety we sell, been renovated recently,” Nancy said. Nancy because we’ve always had a lot of restaurant graduated from St. Lawrence O’Toole and clients.” Now, the Pistellas plan to open the Frank graduated from Peabody. entire 3800-square-foot warehouse to shop- After 18 years at Jones & Laughlin Steel pers. working as an inspector, Frank moved out “The average quality of product we sell of the city to a new house in Oakmont when has changed with the neighborhood,” said he learned the plant was closing. While Frank, referring to microbrews and locally working a few different jobs, he looked into made beer, “We get plenty of customers buying a beer distributor. Fortunately, Frank from Shadyside and Squirrel Hill now, too.” learned that Garfield distributor Taylor’s was for sale. He bought it and operated it for Nancy agrees. “We are so glad Friendship three years as Taylor’s. Then, he and his wife Development Associates came in and turned bought Ninehouser Distributor and moved things around here,” she said. to their current location, Pistella’s Beer Look for giveaways and other specials at Distributor at 5514 Penn Avenue. their 30th anniversary celebration and grand Their kids have also been drawn into the re-opening in late November. family business. They started out by sorting Eco-equation Glows on Avenue By Joshua Barsczewski The Bulletin

Garfield – Drivers and pedestrians traveling During the design process, EcoDesign down Penn Avenue have grown accustomed Guild member Evaine Sing suggested that in recent years to seeing rich and vibrant the installation take the form of an equation. sculptures decorate otherwise unsightly, “The concept of a simple, positive, and vacant lots. The pieces are commissioned by balanced message really appealed to our Green & Screen, a project run by the Penn team,” said Edwards. “Solar and wind power Avenue Arts Initiative (PAAI) and overseen generation is all about a balancing act by the volunteer collaborative Eco Designers between how effectively energy is produced, Guild. stored and used.” In September, Green & Screen’s newest Edwards is best known for his series of project, “Eco-equation,” was installed on a public artworks, Power Flowers, which he vacant lot in the 5100 block of Penn Avenue. created as part of a Pittsburgh Technology This sculpture does not just brighten up the Center initiative. Power Flowers are mobile vacant lot – it literally glows. sculptures that harness solar and wind energy to provide energy for laptops, water “Eco-equation” is the first public art piece pumps and cell phones. Power Flowers have in Pittsburgh to contain a completely self- been exhibited at Wilkins School Commu- sustaining energy design. The 16-by-12-feet nity Center’s Ecofest 2009; the Three Rivers installation generates its own power through Bioneers Conference of 2009; the Geek solar and wind energy. At night, the piece Art/Green Innovators Festival in 2010 and glows, proving its own message: sun and 2011; and at the Carnegie Science Center. wind combine to make energy and light. Edwards, an Allegheny College alumnus, Lead artist Dave Edwards, the CEO of won the Business of Creativity Award in ArtEnergyDesign, constructed the installa- 2010 from the Pittsburgh Technology tion with associates Paul Cha and Ian Council for his ongoing work with the Edwards. The preliminary design for the Power Flower series. Other examples of his project emerged out of the collective efforts community-oriented environmental arts of ArtEnergyDesign, EcoDesigner’s Guild can be seen at www.DavidEdwardsArt.com. and Garfield community members. See page 11 NOV 2011 | The Bulletin | 11

Healcrest from page 1

Graziani did in 2005 when she founded the herbs in bulk and also uses them to cre- Healcrest Urban Farm at the top of ate a line of natural body-care products Garfield. and herbal teas under the name Vital Mother Moon. This change in vision fits Graziani was an urban studies major her own training and background per- who came to Garfield as a block-and-lot fectly; she is a certified herbalist, having intern with the Bloomfield-Garfield Cor- trained with Rosemary Gladstar in Ver- poration and decided to stay. Through a mont and Linda Christen in West Virginia. partnership with the BGC, the Urban Re- development Authority and the city’s Healcrest’s acreage is covered with native Green-Up Program, she was able to pull herbs – everything from sage and lavender together just under 2 acres of land to to chasteberry, comfrey, evening primrose launch her dream. and lemon balm. The plan is to move into growing “herbs that are popular but have Since the beginning, one of the biggest become very pricey.” Graziani gives the ex- challenges she has faced has been “trying ample of red clover, which recent medical Maria Graziani points out the variety of medicinal and culinary herbs she now grows at Heal- to heal the soil,” Graziani says. When she studies have pinpointed for its anticancer crest Urban Farm. Photo by Paula Martinac started out, the land was “filled with properties. garbage… DPW [Department of Public Works] hauled off about two big trucks of To accomplish this revisioning, the farm Moon products, while larger donations re- but will only receive the funds if she it.” Fighting back Japanese knotweed has has received a grant from Pennsylvania’s ceive additional perks. A $100 donation reaches that goal. The Kickstarter cam- also presented problems. “It sucks the Department of Community and Economic garners a gift package of Vital Mother paign runs until November 21. water from the soil and kills biodiversity,” Development (DCED), with the help of Moon products, while $1,000 donors re- Graziani notes of the invasive plant. State Sen. Jim Ferlo. Graziani has also ceive gift packages for six months. For more information about Healcrest or to Amending the soil remains a constant con- launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund purchase Vital Mother Moon products, visit cern six years later. the building of an 800-square-foot learning “A person who donates $5,000 or more healcrest.wordpress.com or vitalmother- and production center. She would use the gets the center named after them,” Graziani moon.com. Although she originally grew vegetables center both to teach on topics such as says. In total, she is trying to raise $20,000, for sale and ran a farmstand for several sea- urban farming and making herbal teas, sons in conjunction with Garfield Com- and to produce her products, which she munity Farm, Graziani says she “didn’t get now blends in small batches in her own the direct community involvement we kitchen a few blocks away. wanted. Some people aren’t used to organic produce, and they wanted the bigger crops Healcrest’s Kickstarter campaign they could get at Giant Eagle.” She main- (www.kickstarter.com/projects/healcrest) tains a small vegetable garden on the land, offers a variety of incentives to those who but Healcrest has moved into specializing donate to the project. Each donor gets a in medicinal and culinary herbs. She sells coupon for 25 percent off Vital Mother

Eco-equation from page 10

“I am interested in art you can plug into, district. Additionally, the project works to and not so much about art you have to plug help brand Penn Avenue and Garfield as a in. Distributed energy production, where place that takes environmentalism and green power is made close to where it is used, is a technology seriously. Jason Sauer, the Volun- theme of great interest to me,” he said. teer and Events Coordinator for PAAI and owner of Most Wanted Fine Art at 5015 Eco-equation is Green & Screen’s fifth Penn, said, “I enjoy Green & Screen because project on Penn Avenue. Another project, a it activates the community and reinforces redevelopment of the empty lot next to Spak the identity of the avenue. It is an impressive Brothers, 5107 Penn, is underway. volunteer project with many residents Green & Screen works with existing pitching in to help beautify their neighbor- efforts to brand Penn Avenue as an arts hood.”

The latest addition to the Green & Screen project is in the 5100 block of Penn. Photo by Dave Edwards

“Like” the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation on Facebook for the latest neighborhood information and community photos. 12 | The Bulletin | NOV 2011 Trees Coming Soon To Dearborn and Winebiddle By Kathryn Vargas Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation

Garfield – The Garfield neighborhood This particular section of Garfield was has been selected as the recipient of 17 selected because it currently does not trees to green up the corner of Dearborn have many trees, and Winebiddle Street and Winebiddle Streets. is an obvious gateway into the neighbor- About 40 residents have signed on to hood from Penn Avenue. approve a tree planting on their prop- Members of the Garfield Community erty. Of the 40, 17 spots were approved, Action Team (GCAT) were instru- making a great addition to the neighbor- mental in bringing the trees to the hood. neighborhood, volunteering to educate The trees are coming from TreeVi- residents about the project and securing talize, a program supported by the permission from neighbors to plant Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, trees on their property. The trees will be with the goal to plant 20,000 trees in the planted on Saturday, November 12; please see the GCAT Corner (right) for city by 2012. This will be the second TreeVitalize planting in Garfield. details on how to volunteer.

HandsOn Tech Program Assists East End Communities By Staff Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation

Garfield – Three AmeriCorps VISTA Not quite sure what the “cloud” is, or members are instituting training at the what it can do for an organization? Blake, Pittsburgh CONNECTS computer center Julie, and Ben can help with that as well. in Garfield, as part of a new program They’ll be teaching a variety of classes known as HandsOn Tech. Blake over the next year, open to everyone, Anneberg, Julie Yorkshire, and Benjamin including nonprofit staff and community Weaver will spend the next year working members. Starting this month, HandsOn with local communities in the East End, Tech will be teaching classes at the new focusing their attention on low-income Pittsburgh CONNECTS computer center neighborhoods. in Garfield, along with three other centers in the Hill District, Homewood and the Pittsburgh was chosen as one of only Hilltop neighborhoods above the South seven cities in the country to host the Side. HandsOn Tech program, in partnership with Google and the HandsOn Network. Located in the same building as the The three VISTAs are working locally Eastside Neighborhood Employment with Pittsburgh Cares, a volunteer- Center, the new space in Garfield offers matching organization located an array of computer classes throughout downtown, and spend much of their time the week, including those taught by the moving around the city to local commu- three VISTAs. (See Bulletin Board, pp. 14- nity centers and nonprofits. 15) Community trainings will also be held elsewhere around the city at local libraries Unlike many VISTA programs, and other community centers. For HandsOn Tech has a slightly different nonprofit staff, larger training sessions approach to combating poverty. With a will be held at the Google office in Bakery focus on nonprofits and the communities Square. they serve, this program looks to improve how technology is used in order to help The program is always looking for low-income populations. In the East End, volunteers to help teach community HandsOn Tech is partnering with members and to work with local nonprofits to upgrade existing technology nonprofits. If you’re interested in learning usage, working on everything from how you can help the HandsOn Tech simplifying document sharing to social program, or how it can help your media and marketing. They believe that nonprofit and local community, please nonprofits do not need to invest in costly call 412-450-0496 or email tech@pitts- hardware or software, and should rather burghcares.org. HandsOn Tech is also focus on shifting to low or no-cost cloud- accessible on the web at tech.pittsburgh- based solutions. cares.org. NOV 2011 | The Bulletin | 13

. COMMENTARY. Vote YES for Library Funding by Patrick Dowd City Council, District 7 On November 8, the community will the smallest operating budgets for a city Supporters across the city are knocking vote to decide if Carnegie Library of Pitts- and regional system of its size and nature. on doors and making phone calls to ask burgh will have a dedicated source of Pittsburgh’s preeminent position among their friends and neighbors to vote “yes” funding to help sustain the critical services the most literate cities in America is now on the ballot question to provide funding in literacy and learning that the Library in serious jeopardy as funding cuts for Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The has provided for more than 115 years. The continue to weaken the ability to maintain ballot question asks for a 0.25 mil special “Our Library, Our Future” initiative is the important library services the commu- tax on all taxable real estate in the City of hoping that the answer will be a nity needs. Pittsburgh to be allocated and used only resounding “yes.” for the operation and maintenance of Carnegie Library. This is Since 1895, Carnegie Library of the equivalent of $25 per year or Pittsburgh has offered free library “...this free resource is not $2.09 per month on $100,000 of services to the Pittsburgh commu- assessed value. nity. The 19 neighborhood locations without cost.” are some of the region’s most visited With your help, Pittsburgh can assets, with more than 2.5 million visitors “Our Library, Our Future” is part of the find the means to ensure that the Library each year. The Library provides valuable answer to ensure that generations to come has the necessary resources to continue to resources for the community, including can experience all that the Library has to strengthen the community and enrich programs for children, classes and job offer. One prong of a six-part plan, “Our peoples’ lives. So talk to your friends and training opportunities that engage the Library, Our Future” is a community- families about how important the Library community in literacy and life-long based effort organized to raise awareness is to you – and make sure that you vote learning. about the need to support Carnegie “yes” to support Carnegie Library of Pitts- Library of Pittsburgh and vote “yes” on the burgh in November. Unfortunately, this free resource is not ballot question in November. without cost. To find out more about the “Our Library, The initiative collected nearly 11,000 Our Future” initiative and how you can Though Andrew Carnegie provided signatures from Pittsburgh voters in order help, visit www.OurLibraryOurFuture. seed money to build the library facilities, to get its funding referendum on the com. he did not leave an endowment for their ballot, and is moving forward with full ongoing operations and maintenance. force to Election Day on November 8. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has one of 14 | The Bulletin | NOV 2011 LocalEvents Classes BOARD Announcements Fundraisers

prayer breakfast at 9:30 a.m. For more information, BGC’s tech center, 5321 Penn Avenue, from 6-7 p.m. November 2 call 412-621-2155. November 12-13 The event is free and open to the public. Call 412- 465-0858 for more information or to RSVP. GARFIELD GARFIELD November 7 Project for Freedom Redd Up Thread Up November 17 Do you or someone you know have a disability? Join LAWRENCEVILLE Redd Up Thread Up, a used clothing sale at the Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center, Assemble, 5125 Penn, will be held November 12- LAWRENCEVILLE 5321 Penn Avenue, to learn about Project for Book Discussion Club 13. Participants can purchase an event tote bag at Freedom’s Job Readiness training. Project for This month, the Adult Book Discussion Group at the door. The cost is $10 on Saturday and $5 on Free History Lecture Freedom provides technical skills training to people the Carnegie Library in Lawrenceville, 279 Fisk Sunday. Donations of gently used men’s and The Lawrenceville Historical Society will sponsor a with disabilities in order to improve their job readi- Street, will discuss The Weird Sisters by Eleanor women’s clothing will be accepted November 7-11 free lecture at 7 p.m. in the McVey Auditorium of ness. The program starts at 10 a.m. To register, Brown. The group will meet at 6 p.m. from 4-8 p.m. at Assemble, 5125 Penn. Please see Canterbury Place, 310 Fisk Street, exploring the lives please call 412-362-8580 or leave a message at 412- www.reddupthreadup.com for more information. of Frances Slocum of Wyoming Valley and Massie 465-0425. Harbison of Allegheny River Valley. Both women November 7 were taken prisoner in Indian raids and carried November 14 away. The event is free and open to the public. November 3 GARFIELD GARFIELD OAKLAND Voting Research Online November 19 Let former campaign organizer and Americorps iPhone Upgrade PIIN Action Meeting member Nick Pettet show you great resources for Heard about iCloud? Have an iPhone 3Gs, 4, or new HIGHLAND PARK/EAST LIBERTY Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN) will researching candidates and issues. Learn to use 4S? Learn how to upgrade your phone or iPad to hold a public meeting, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Rodef smartvoter.org and other internet resources before the newset software to backup all of your data safely “Speak UP” Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Avenue. PIIN will you vote! The event will be held at Pittsburgh and wirelessly without a computer. This workshop As Union Project celebrates a decade of service to ask public officials for commitments to make CONNECTS, the BGC’s tech center, 5321 Penn will be held at Pittsburgh CONNECTS, BGC’s tech building community among thousands of commu- changes on five crucial issues: 1) to increase jobs; 2) Avenue, from 3:30-5 p.m. Free and open to the center, 5321 Penn, from 6-7 p.m. nity members, we are also engaged in strategic to provide funding for mass transit for all; 3) to take public. Call 412-465-0858 to RSVP. planning for 2012-15. Please join us for a fun measures to educate all of children; 4) to fight gun morning of community building as we vision our violence; and 5) to protect the civil rights of immi- November 15 future together. Meet Union Project’s strategic plan- grants. In the East End, Valley View Presbyterian November 8 ning team, learn more about our plan, and offer Church is a member of PIIN. For more information, GARFIELD your input. Saturday, November 19th from 10 a.m.- call PIIN at 412-621-9230 or email [email protected]. LAWRENCEVILLE noon at Union Project, 801 N. Negley Avenue. Free Computer Repair Bring the family. UP Ceramic Studio will offer fun Film Discussion Club Bring your computers in for repair from noon-1 arts activities for kids. Please RSVP to 412-363- November 4 Join local film buffs at the Carnegie Library in p.m. to Pittsburgh CONNECTS, the BGC’s tech 4550x37 or email [email protected] by Wednesday, November 16. GARFIELD Lawrenceville, 279 Fisk Street, for movie screenings center, 5321 Penn Avenue. If our tech gurus can’t fix and discussions. The club will meet from 6-8 p.m. your machine on the spot, they’ll find someone who STACKS at Unblurred can. Call 412-465-0858 for more information. November 19 For the first time, Pittsburgh CONNECTS , the November 10 BGC’s tech center, 5321 Penn Avenue, will partici- November 16 GARFIELD pate in Unblurred: First Fridays on Penn. The show GARFIELD STACKS will feature seven different artists and is GARFIELD Foreclosure Prevention inspired by the work of Romare Bearden. Excel Training Class NeighborWorks Western Pa. will be hosting a Fore- Come to Pittsburgh CONNECTS, BGC’s tech Casino Interviews closure Prevention Workshop on Saturday, center, 5321 Penn, to learn all of the things Excel can Three Rivers Casino is hiring in your neighbor- November 19 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the East- November 5 do for you. This free class will be held from 5-6 p.m. hood! Love working with people? Three Rivers side Neighborhood Employment Center, 5321 Penn Casino offers competitive salaries and benefits, as Avenue. NeighborWorks will help you to make STATION SQUARE well as opportunities to grow. Visit the Eastside your mortgage payments and negotiate with November 9 Neighborhood Employment Center Wednesday, lenders. NeighborWorks services are free. To Celebrate Life Luncheon 5321 Penn Avenue, on November 16 from 1-4 p.m. register, call 412-281-9773. The Celebrate Life Luncheon and Auction will be GARFIELD to meet with representatives and apply for positions. held November 5, 2011 from noon to 4 p.m. at Grand Concourse, 125 West Station Square Drive. Employers’ Info Session November 19 The tickets are $20 and cover the cost of parking and Come to the Eastside Neighborhood Employment November 16 lunch. Betsy Lawrence and John Burgh will provide LAWRENCEVILLE Center, 5321 Penn Avenue, to learn about hiring the entertainment. All proceeds benefit The Chil- GARFIELD veterans. A VA vocational specialist will discuss the dren’s Home of Pittsburgh . “Thank You Very Much” benefits and advantages of hiring veterans. There ELVIS Impersonator Randy Galioto, Saturday, are various tax incentives for companies of any size, Pharmacy Help November 19, at St. Augustine Auditorium, 220 37 and the VA pre-trains vets for various occupations Come to Pittsburgh CONNECTS, the BGC’s tech Street. Amazing show, buffet, soft drinks and beer November 5 such as housekeeping, food service and landscaping. center, 5321 Penn Avenue, from 5-6 p.m. to learn –just $25. Doors open at 6, buffet at 6:30, show at The specialist will be on hand to answer any ques- how to use the Internet to research medicine and LAWRENCEVILLE 7:30. Tickets available after weekend masses or at tions about hiring wounded veterans, how to recruit perscription drugs. University of Pittsburgh phar- the parish office. Sponsored by Our Lady of the and hire Vets, and ensure any accommodations as macy students, lead this free public workshop. Angels Parish. Call 412-682-0929 for info. Prayer Breakfast necessary. To register, please call 412-362-8580 or In celebration of Women’s Month, New Bethel leave a message at 412-465-0425. Baptist Church, 221 43 Street, will host a women’s November 17 November 21 GARFIELD GARFIELD Sorry, we do not accept listings over the phone. Winter Heating Help Online Recipes Workshop The Pennsylvania state government offers many The Bulletin Board publishes listings of volunteer opportunities, free or low-cost events solutions for those who need assistance paying for Come to Pittsburgh CONNECTS, the BGC’s tech and classes, fundraising events and services that are of particular interest to our neighbor- heating bills over the long, cold winter. Come learn center, 5321 Penn Avenue, at noon to meet with hoods. Listings published on a space-available basis. Announcements for the December issue about them out at Pittsburgh CONNECTS, the representatives from Whole Foods. They’ll be avail- are due NOVEMBER 10 via email submission to [email protected]. NOV 2011 | The Bulletin | 15

Volunteer November Ongoing Opportunities EAST LIBERTY OAKLAND & Services Library Events for Kids Calling All Toddlers The Carnegie Library in East Liberty, 130 S. Whit- The University of Pittsburgh Early Social Develop- field Street, will host a ton of fun and educational ment Research Lab is seeking healthy, typically able to teach you how to use the internet to find the activities for children throughout the month. On developing children between 12 and 48 months of best Thanksgiving recipes. November 30 November 7 at 5:30 p.m., kids ages 4+ and and their age for a research project. All research is play-based families can build their imaginations during Lego and fun for the children. Parents remain with their GARFIELD night. On November 19 at 3:30 p.m., kids of all ages children at all times. Parking on the University of November 22 can learn to do origami. On November 30 at 6:30 Pittsburgh campus is provided at no cost. Visit East End Works Meeting p.m., kids ages 3-6 with an adult can learn all about www.pitt.edu/~toddlers or call 412-624-4957 for LAWRENCEVILLE East End Works needs your help to drive Pitts- math and science for preschoolers. For more infor- more information. burgh’s economy to greatness and invites all mation about these or any other exciting programs, Community Thanksgiving interested employers, organizations, and individuals contact the East Liberty branch of the Carnegie In memory of Pastor Le Roy Walker and Sister to a brainstorming meeting to build upon East End Library at 412-363-8274. Ongoing Maria Green, New Bethel Baptist Church, 221 43 Works and develop concrete goals for the future. Street, will serve a community Thanksgiving dinner The event is located at the Eastside Neighborhood PITTSBURGH on November 22 at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome! For Employment Center, 5321 Penn Avenue, and starts November more information, call 412-621-2155. at 5 p.m. To register, please call 412-362-8580 or Raising Kids Is Tough leave a message at 412-465-0425. EAST LIBERTY The Warmline at Family Resources can help provide free and confidential support to all parents. If you November 21-22 Queer Film Series have a concern about parenting issues or need infor- November The Kelly-Strayhorn Theater will present My mation or referrals, our trained counselors can help GARFIELD People Film Series: Queer Legacies, a four-part you out. Call 412-641-4546. Our hours of operation GARFIELD series highlighting the lives and experiences of are Mondays through Fridays 9 a.m.– 9 p.m., Satur- Job Readiness Camp queer people of color. The series will be presented days and Sundays noon – 5 p.m. ENEC wants you to get a job! Sign up for the Job Events at Yoga Hive on four consecutive Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at 5941 Readiness Boot Camp to gain the skills you need to Yoga Hive, 5491 Penn Avenue, will present an array Penn Avenue. The schedule for the film series is get employed. This special 2 day intensive program, of events this month. A back bending workshop will as follows: Tuesday, November 1, The Untitled Ongoing which will take place at the Bloomfield-Garfield be held November 5 from 1-2:30 p.m. Registration Black Lesbian Elder Project; Tuesday, November Community Activity Center, 113 N Pacific Avenue, is $15 by November 2 or $20 afterwards. An arm 8, five films – Billy and Aaron; Rex vs. Singh; More GARFIELD will cover everything you need to know about balancing workshop will be held on November 19 Than Love (a trilogy); Tomboi Gatoey Mango and resume writing, interview skills, and job applica- from 1-2:30 p.m. Registration is $15 by November Tom/Trans/Thai; Tuesday, November 15, Zero Tech Center Events tions. To register, please visit or call the ENEC, 5321 16 or $20 afterwards. A “We Give Thanks” Degrees of Separation; Tuesday, November 22, Ongoing classes at Pittsburgh CONNECTS, BGC’s Penn Avenue, to pick up an application and fundraiser to benefit the East End Cooperative Billy and Aaron and Brother to Brother. A discus- tech center, 5321 Penn, include: adult computer complete an interview. Registration is limited and Ministries’ Hunger Services will be held on Thanks- sion featuring filmmakers and local leaders will classes on Mondays from 1-2 p.m.; student ends on Nov. 16 giving, November 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. Finally, follow the film screenings. Individual tickets are computer lessons and job assistance on Wednesdays a Thanksgiving Recovery session will be held $10 for each event or $30 for a series pass. For from 6-7 p.m.; and, internet safety classes for youths November 27 from 1-3 p.m. Registration is $25 by tickets and additional information, visit and adults on Sundays from 6-7:30 p.m. November 22-28 November 23 or $30 after. www.kelly-strayhorn.org or call 412-363-3000. GARFIELD Call for Artists Artists of all ages are encouraged to submit works of any medium to the HyperLocal Show + Art Bazaar at Assemble, 5125 Penn. Please drop your work at Assemble between 4-9 p.m. from November 22-28. With your submission, include: name, address, age, price, and reason why you like to make things. For more information, email [email protected].

November 28 GARFIELD Cyber Monday Shopping Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, is one of the biggest days for sales online. Come use the laptops at Pittsburgh CONNECTS, the BGC’s tech center, 5321 Penn Avenue from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m and 5-6 p.m.. to get the biggest bang for your buck.

Wednesday, November 30 GARFIELD Hypertension Workshop Come to Pittsburgh CONNECTS, at 5321 Penn Avenue, from 6-7 p.m.. to ask Pitt medical students about how to relieve your hypertension this holiday season. Learn about websites to help choose the right plan for you, so you can lower your blood pressure now. Track your progress on our computers, and help find the right resources to feel better. 16 | The Bulletin | NOV 2011 Arsenal PreK-5 Students Make the Grade

Arsenal PreK-5 students Afisa Uwimana, Halima Abdiaziz, and Haji Mada pose in their new uni- forms. Last spring, parents at Arsenal PreK-5 voted overwhelmingly to adopt a new uniform policy in order to save money and diminish peer pressure. On the first day of school this year, the students arrived sporting jumpers, pants, skirts, shorts, and polo shirts with a blue, yellow, and khaki color scheme. Arsenal PreK-5 also has academic news. For the second year in a row, the school has made adequate yearly progress (AYP), a federal guideline defined under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Photo by Judy Flaherty