MELISSA DISTEL PHOTOGRAPHY by Dan Kaczmarski As a Grandfather, BRIDGING BUSINESSES and I’M Very Much the COMMUNITY Aware of How Quickly Kids Grow Up
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A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION FROM BROOKLINE TOGETHER NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 MELISSA DISTEL PHOTOGRAPHY By Dan Kaczmarski As a grandfather, BRIDGING BUSINESSES AND I’m very much THE COMMUNITY aware of how quickly kids grow up. One minute they’re three and 2019 OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS sniffling over a 2nd Monday of odd-numbered Dumbo movie. In months. We hope to see you what seems like November 11th! the blink of an All meetings are held at 7pm eye, they’re raising at the Brookline Teen Outreach, kids of their own. 520 Brookline Blvd. Photographer Melissa Distel BROOKLINE LIGHTS UP: provides parents Saturday, November and other 30th, 3–7pm family members SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, with a service Photos for this article courtesy of Amy Fisher, Pawsburgh Photography. that preserves November 30th moments of childhood BROOKLINE TOGETHER BOARD innocence. She specializes in photographs Her rates are very competitive because she Caitlin McNulty, President of newborns, babies, and other children, and largely relies on word-of-mouth and online Bill Kim, Treasurer is also busy photographing weddings, family reviews, rather than paid advertising. Ally Bove, Secretary groups, and seniors. Although she photographs all ages, the COMMITTEE CHAIRS Melissa has been at her location at 800 majority of her photos of children capture Tony Griffith, Beautification Brookline Blvd. since 2010. She grew up in those age one and younger. Not because Jason Tigano, Business Ohio, earned a degree in photography at the parents of older children don’t want pictures, Development Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and has 17 years but because once kids start going to pre- Heather Fulton, Community of experience as a photographer. school, many of those places take their own photos. Events Lois McCafferty, Her photographs of babies and other subjects Membership are works of art. Beyond the expertise she She says newborns are the easiest to Brock Boutwell, Newsletter brings to the job, her personality is a perfect photograph because it’s just a matter of fit for working with people, especially kids. waiting for them to cooperate or fall asleep. She’s energetic, ebullient, and patient. She One the other hand, toddlers can have their FIND US! laughs easily and exudes a joie de vivre that own ideas. “You sometimes have to stand facebook.com/ makes her a pleasure to be with. on your head, do tricks, make funny noises,” brooklinetogether she says with a laugh. “I joke that if anyone www.brooklinetogether.org Melissa has four kids of her own. It was recorded me doing those silly things, they’d largely because of them that she ended up [email protected] have something to use for blackmail.” specializing in baby pictures. “I used to do only weddings,” she says, “but once I started Holiday seasons are especially busy for OUR MISSION taking pictures of my own kids for birth Melissa, with Christmas being a notably To promote a vibrant and announcements to send to my ob-gyn, they popular time for photos in Brookline. livable community through asked me ‘why aren’t you doing this for a Despite her increased holiday workload, for collaborative initiatives that living’?” unify Brookline’s business and …continues page 2 residential interests. NEWS MELISSA DISTEL PHOTOGRAPHY …continued from page 1 FROM a number of years she’s been giving back to our community as part of the neighborhood’s Light Up tons of activities, games, stops to make a craft or watch a Night (the Saturday after JASON TIGANO, holiday movie, have your photo taken with Santa, and so much Thanksgiving). Business Development Committee more. I hope you will come and join us for this free, family Hello friends and neighbors, On that day, Melissa will friendly event. take a free photo of each The holiday season is fast approaching. If any of these efforts sound appealing to you and you would child with Santa at her I for one am very excited to spend like to get involved in a hands-on capacity, I invite you to attend studio. Families then have time with family and friends, share with the next Brookline Together Community meeting on Monday, the option of purchasing loved ones, and take time to reflect on November 11th at 6pm at Brookline Teen Outreach (located at additional prints if they my good fortune. One of the things I am grateful for is our 520 Brookline Blvd, next to CVS) to hear what we’re working choose. On the average, neighborhood, specifically the diversity and walkability of our on, voice your opinions, and possibly join a committee. she photographs between business district. The Business Development Committee of 100 and 150 kids with Jolly Brookline Together has been focusing on making this even St. Nick at those events. more true. BECOME A MEMBER OF One way that you can support our efforts in growing and 800 Brookline Blvd., diversifying our business district is to participate in BROOKLINE TOGETHER Pittsburgh, PA 15226 Small on November 30th. We as a community 412-344-6865 Business Saturday If you love Brookline and want to take an active role in are lucky to have so many amazing and unique businesses on Hours by appointment. your community, become a member of Brookline Together! the Boulevard. With our great variety of food establishments, [email protected] Whether you are a business owner or an individual, a long- clothing, health related services, entertainment, etc., there www.melissadistel.com time resident or a brand new Brookliner, we would love really is something for everyone on your list. www.facebook.com/melissa to work with you! There are three levels of membership distel photography While your shopping local, stick around and join us at the best to choose from, each with their own perks: Business/ Professional, Community Member, and Friends of Brookline. Brookline Lights Up yet on Saturday, November 30th from To join, simply visit www.brooklinetogether.org/membership Street view of Melissa Distel Photography from Brookline Boulevard. 3–7 pm. Hosted by Brookline Together there will be a tree lighting thanks to the efforts of our Beatification Committee and submit an application. to have electrical outlets installed at Cannon Memorial Park, THE BACKYARD ANGEL… FOR KIDS, BY KIDS PLEASE SUPPORT A unique sharing ministry of infant through teen …the advertisers who SUPPORT us. clothing, shoes, toys, and baby equipment. Their business enables us to continue All goods are donated; operated by volunteers. publishing BROOKLINE NOW and to highlight Donations accepted in good faith and distributed the same – the people who make our community great! no reselling. If you would like to advertise with us, ALL ARE WELCOME! We reserve the right to limit quantities of distribution. Follow us on Facebook for more information. email: [email protected]. Open Saturdays 10-1 St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 933 Brookline Blvd 15226 A collaborative new organization unifying Brookline Chamber of Commerce and South Pittsburgh Development Corporation that is working to promote a vibrant and livable community through collaborative initiatives that unify To promote community and development in Brookline by illuminating people, Brookline’s business and residential interests. GET INVOLVED! places, and institutions that make the neighborhood a great place to live. Brock Boutwell ..................................................................................................... Editor HERITAGE PLAYERS BROOKLINE NOW wants to hear from you! We welcome your Dan Kacznarski .....................................................Editor Emeritus/Contributor articles, art work, ideas, referrals, and feedback, and would Maureen Donahue ...................................................................... Graphic Designer The Heritage Players proudly present love to include as many Brookline voices as possible in future Amy Fisher ............................................................................................ Photographer Meredith Willson’s The Music Man on issues. If you would like to contribute to our newsletter, Erin Skinner ............................................................... Social Media/Proofreading November 15–17 and 22–24 at the Seton please email us at [email protected] or leave Jim Deller ........................................................................................................... Ad Sales Center, 1900 Pioneer Avenue, Brookline us a comment on our Brookline Together page, 15226. Friday and Saturday performances Jason Tigano ............................................................................................ Contributor www.brooklinetogether.org/newsletter. are at 8:00 pm, and Sunday matinees are at 2:00 pm. General Clint Burton ............................................................................................... Contributor tickets are $15.00 and senior tickets are $13.00 at the door or Kristina Rhoades ...................................................................................... Contributor online at www.heritageplayers.org. Phone: 412-254-4633. Box FOLLOW BROOKLINE NOW Joseph Geier ............................................................................................. Contributor office opens one half hour before curtain. ON INSTAGRAM! If you are interested in joining our team, please let us know by Visit us at www.brooklinetogether.org reaching out to [email protected]. @Brookline_Now 2 BROOKLINENOW NOVEMBER/DECEMBER2019 3 COUNCILMAN ANTHONY COGHILL REPRESENTATIVE DAN MILLER REPRESENTATIVE HARRY READSHAW REPRESENTATIVE DAN