Morningside Gets Merry!

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lplp Morningside News A publication of MACC Morningside Area Community Council January-March 2012 MORNINGSIDE GETS MERRY!

Merry Morningside First Place Prize Winner Merrymakers enjoy refreshments Photo: Steve Chiang Photos: Anita Boehm

Dear Neighbors, 2011 generated a lot of innovative activities and accomplishments for MACC. From organizing the first Morningside Mile and holiday events like the Merry Morningside Light Up Caroling and Lights Contest, to creating the Allegheny River Greenway and hosting the Pop Up Café during the annual Falloween Festival, we were able to successfully bring folks together and accomplish some really unique achievements. We couldn’t have done so without great partnerships. By working with our neighbors in Stanton Heights and city administrators, particularly the Office of Councilman Patrick Dowd - the preservation of the lush green hillside would not have been possible. Together, with the help of the Morningside VFW, we were able to raise several thousand dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project- a charity benefiting wounded veterans. Assistance from Representative Costa helped us demonstrate the spirit of the Holiday Season (and keep warm after a long night of caroling) and with help from the Home Deport Foundation and the staff from Mayor Ravenstahl’s Love Your Block program we were able to demonstrate the potential for a curbside café in the business district. With the spirit of partnerships in mind, participants at this year’s strategic planning event set out to develop an agenda for 2012. Attendees were joined by Father Joe Sioli of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church and Talia Piazza of the Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development, a local community grant provider. Father Sioli helped frame the conversation for the day by sharing insights and priorities of the parish. Meanwhile, Ms. Piazza was able to supply community members with a citywide perspective and explain several innovative projects that her organization has supported in recent years. The common theme in each of their presentations was the impact that partnerships have on a community. (continued on Page 3)

March 9, 2012 �op �’ �he �orningside See p. 5 for more info

��. �a�rick’s �ay �ar�y Also, SAVE THE DATE

In Partnership with the Morningside VFW & the Pittsburgh Ceili Club Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser benefits the Morningside Area Community Council (MACC) MAY 5, 2012 See p. 3 for more info Date: Friday - March 9, 2012 PO Box 40313 Pittsburgh, PA 15201 www.macconline.org Page 1 Time: 7:00pm – 12:00am Place: 1820 Morningside Ave. Veteran's Banquet Hall Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Who: Morningsiders + Friends & Family ***Over 21 years of age ONLY, Ticket & ID required***

Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Morningside! Even if you don’t have a drop of Irish blood come and enjoy live Irish music, Ceili Dancing by the Pittsburgh Ceili Club, Dance DJ, Irish Foods, Irish Beer and more!

For tickets, follow the paypal link on the M.A.C.C website: www.macconline.org

• $20.00 per person if registered by March 1, 2012 • $25.00 per person after March 2, 2012 • 150 people maximum. Tickers are first come first serve.

“Best Dressed Lad and Lassie” Contest Wear your GREEN and/or ORANGE to show your Irish spirit!

To learn more visit www.macconline.org or call Lassie Amy at 412-414-7407.

a ERIN GO BRAGH! a Saturday, September 8, 2012* * Permits Pending

The Morningside Mile is a one-mile run/walk stretching from the Morningside business district to Heth’s Field to promote fitness and build community through physical activity. The Mile memorializes the tragedies of Sept 11th, 2001 by celebrating community and recognizing the men and women in uniform who serve our country in the armed services and public safety forces. Support the Morningside Mile -- Eat Spaghetti! On Saturday, May, 5, 2012 (the evening before the Pittsburgh Marathon), join the Morningside Mile committee for a great meal at a great price. Enjoy spaghetti, salad, bread and a beverage for $10.00 (adults), $5.00 (kids 12 and under) with early registration. “Day of ” cost is $12 (adults) and $7 (kids 12 and under). Purchase your tickets online at our website www.morningside-pgh.org/run or at the VFW beginning April 19!

Nominate a Morningside Hero to be the 2012 Race Honoree Honor Guard, 1st Annual Morningside Mile Photo: Keith Hodan, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Each year the Morningside Mile will honor one individual from the Morningside area who has served our country and/or its citizens unselfishly in the face of crisis. Nominate someone you know for this distinguished honor. Nominations are due no later than March 17, 2012. To submit a nomination, visit www.morningside-pa.org/run or send the nomination form below to Morningside Area Community Council - PO Box 40313 - Pittsburgh, PA 15201

All nominations must be received by mail or online by March 17, 2012. Mail paper forms to MACC, P.O. Box 40313, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. Complete form online at www.morningside-pgh.org/2012nomination

Nominee ______Years of Service ______

Branch of Service/Public Safety Department ______

Rank ______Awards ______

Nominee’s relationship to Morningside ______

______

Reason for nomination: Please write a short essay (500 words or less) describing why the nominee should be honored and attach it to this form.

Nominator Name: ______

Address: ______

Phone number: ______Email: ______Relationship to nominee: ______merry merry

If the nominee is deceased, please provide name and contact information for next of kin and request approval of next of kin prior to submitting nomination.

Next of kin name ______Phone ______

All nominees must be willing to provide a photo if selected to be the 2012 Morningside Mile honoree.

PO Box 40313 Pittsburgh, PA 15201 www.macconline.org Page 2 MACC PRESIDENT’S LETTER TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1.)

In this and future issues of the newsletter, you will see the results some of MACC is committed to helping everyone who lives in Morningside the ideas generated from the strategic planning event and the partners feel like they are a part of the neighborhood. We realize that some that are helping to make things possible, but I want to draw your of you might not even realize MACC exists. We realize that some attention to several upcoming items for 2012. First, MACC recently of you just aren’t the kinds of folks who want to get involved, or who received a grant from the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh are already overcommitted in other parts of your life, and we can through their Design Fund. The grant will help convene residents and really appreciate that. provide support for a team of professional architects and engineers to So we want to make sure that you know what’s going on in the work with the community to develop a vision and investment plan to neighborhood and that you always feel invited to participate in all improve Natoli and Heth’s Fields. MACC is looking forward to working the cool things this neighborhood has to offer. Whether you stop with CDCP, local sports teams, city officials and residents of all ages to by a meeting at the VFW on the first Wednesday of the month, or begin the process of breathing new life into these unique assets. Second, whether you attend one of the cool events which tend to be free, MACC was the first recipient of the Awesome Pittsburgh Foundation or whether you don’t participate at all, this newsletter is for you. Grant Program for the idea of a creating a “pop-op grocery store” in the It’s a little bit of connection to the neighborhood if you want it. No neighborhood. Building on the sidewalk café idea and the long desire obligation, no commitment. for the return of a community grocery, we hope to collaborate with local food vendors to craft a temporary grocery store in the community You may know that we have a digital newsletter and a great website – with the hope of attracting potential operator. Third, start training or and a very active Facebook page too, and you might be wondering consider volunteering for the 2nd Annual Morningside Mile coming why we haven’t given up on the print edition. Not only have we not back this September. And finally, many residents have asked can MACC given up on it, but last year we actually doubled its size - to make organize a fun activity or adults? Ask and you shall receive…on March sure that people with limited access or interest in computers could 9th, in partnership with Morningside VFW and the Pittsburgh Ceili still get some news. And because we are committed to making even Club, we’ll be hosting the Top O’ Morningside St. Patrick’s Day party this small connection to everyone who lives in Morningside, we are – complete with traditional food, beverages and music. committed to continuing to mail the newsletter to every house.

So mark you calendars and get ready for another busy year in We’d really like to get your feedback. We’d like to think all the time Morningside. and money we spend getting this newsletter out is worthwhile. Grant Ervin We’d like to implement some improvements for both the print and MACC President digital versions throughout the year. Would you be willing to let us know: • What do you like, if anything, about the newsletter? Save the Date! • What could we do to improve the newsletter for you? • Do you read the emailed newsletter or only the print? (benefitting the Morningside Mile) Spaghetti Dinner • Would you be interested in contributing an article sometime?

When: Saturday, May 5, 2012 For the more tech-inclined among you, I’ve created a super short Where: St. Raphael Church survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/779FXKP. For those of you who don’t use the internet, mail me a note at 1170 Morningside Cost: Ave., 15206. And thanks in advance for helping us out.

Adults: $10 in advance, $12 at the door/day of dinner Michelle Belan Children: $5 in advance, $7 at the door/day of dinner MACC Newsletter Editor Tickets: Pick them up at the VFW Morningside or online at ww.morningside-pgh.org/run after APRIL 19th. morningside merry merry Holiday cheer was in great supply at this year’s Merry Morningside celebration. More than 55 people went caroling to homes in the neighborhood, and then returned to Rep. Dom Costa’s office to enjoy refreshments, decorate the tree and take photos with Santa Claus. Guests were also invited to vote in the Holiday Home decorating contest. Visit the Morningside Facebook page to see more photos from the party and all the entries in the decorating contest. [https://www.facebook.com/morningsidepgh] Special thanks to all who helped make this event so special, including hosts Rep. Dom Costa, Anita Boehm, Norm “Elf ” McDonald, contest judges Councilman Patrick Dowd & Union Project Director Jeffrey Dorsey; Steve Chiang, John DiMascio, Mike Harris, Chris Cugini, Nan Pischke, Emily Keebler, Garrett Cooper, Mike Hellman, Ky Eaton, Christine Cato, Jenny McCarthy and Michelle Belan.

PO Box 40313 Pittsburgh, PA 15201 www.macconline.org Page 3 FROM THE OFFICE OF FROM THE OFFICE OF COUNCILMAN PATRICK DOWD REPRESENTATIVE DOM COSTA

COUNCIL-TO-GO Dear Friends & Neighbors, Join Councilman Patrick Dowd and his staff for Council-to-Go I would like to thank those of you who showed up for the Assessment on February 23, 7-8pm, at St. Raphael’s at 1118 Chislett Street. Meeting sponsored by Councilman Dowd and myself. The turnout Council-to-Go is Councilman Dowd’s “traveling” district office. was overwhelming and there was a lot of good information given Come share your issues and ideas regarding your neighborhood out by the city finance department. Although the numbers are now with Patrick and staff. not going to be used until next year, please remember you must still appeal if you are unhappy with your new assessment total. Please DISTRICT 7 ANNUAL REPORT feel free to stop by my office if you have any questions or if you need Please look for District 7’s Annual Report in your mailboxes in late assistance filing formal or informal appeals. February. If you would like to receive only the electronic copy of FREE TAX PREPARATION the report, please email [email protected] or call Free tax preparation at my office for seniors 65+ with and income 412-255-2140. of $35,000 or less. You must call the office at 412-361-2040 for an OUR NEW WEBSITE appointment. District 7 is proud to announce the launch of its new website at FINANCIAL AID FOR STUDENTS www.pittsburghpa.gov/district7. Many of the tools remain the same, My office will be will be hosting a PHEAA Workshop for parents of but we are committed to updating event, district and issue-related 11th and 12th grade students or anyone interested in going back to information on the site, as well as highlight the district through school at 6:30 p.m. February 16, at the Millvale Community Center photos, stories and up-to-the-minute district announcements. located at 416 Lincoln Ave., Millvale, PA 15209. A student aid expert Look for the new site beginning in late February. from PHEAA will be available to answer questions to give a better understanding of the student aid process. Information will also be provided on how to best begin planning to fund higher education. FROM THE OFFICE OF JOB FAIR MAYOR LUKE RAVENSTAHL I will be holding a Job Fair 10am to 1pm April 20, at the Ross Municipal Building located at 1000 Ross Municipal Dr., Pittsburgh Dear Neighbors, (Behind Big Lots on McKnight Rd). Local employers will be there Keeping our streets safe and adopting green technology to save and accepting applications on site. taxpayer dollars remains a priority as we begin 2012 in the City of SHREDDING EVENT Pittsburgh. As you may have noticed, Pittsburgh’s business districts are looking brighter, safer and cleaner this year. In December, we Due to the overwhelming response to our last two shredding events, began replacing streetlights in more than 40 business districts we will be holding another one in the area this spring. When we have with improved, energy-efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) all of the details together they will be posted in all the Morningside streetlights. This enhancement will make our business districts businesses, church bulletins, and on our website. safer and better-lit as residents and visitors visit our local shops and As always, if you need assistance with any state related issue — restaurants. The new streetlights produce a brighter, cleaner light Penndot, unemployment, welfare, property tax/rent rebates, voter that improves visibility for drivers and pedestrians and have a longer registration, absentee ballots, income tax forms, and more — please life than standard bulbs. In addition, the City will reduce its energy do not hesitate to stop by or call my office. usage by more than 60 percent, saving taxpayers approximately Sincerely, $110,000 per year. State Representative Dom Costa This is the latest in my efforts to restore, revive and reinvest in our business districts. Through the Taking Care of Business Districts FROM THE OFFICE OF program, crews responded to a list of action items delivered by 311 STATE SENATOR JIM FERLO callers and businesses, including graffiti removal, painting road lines, problematic sidewalks and other property citations. The TCOB program also provides neighborhood businesses districts with clean Senator Ferlo is pleased to become a platinum sponsor of MACC sweeps, infrastructure improvements and long-term strategies to and looks forward to continuing to work with and for the residents renew the neighborhood lifelines. of Morningside. He invites you to contact him at his local office in Lawrenceville, his office in Harrisburg, or online. If we want to continue to grow and improve Pittsburgh, we have to keep our local businesses strong and vibrant. Keep an eye out for 3519 Butler Street Room 535 Main Capitol Building these improvements in your community and take this opportunity Pittsburgh, PA 15201 Harrisburg, PA 17120 to walk through your local business district and visit some of our Phone: 412-621-3006 Phone: 717-787-6123 City’s great businesses. Fax: 412-621-0373 Fax: 717-772-3695 Sincerely, http://www.senatorferlo.com Mayor Luke Ravenstahl PO Box 40313 Pittsburgh, PA 15201 www.macconline.org Page 4

�op �’ �he �orningside ��. �a�rick’s �ay �ar�y

In Partnership with the Morningside VFW & the Pittsburgh Ceili Club Fundraiser benefits the Morningside Area Community Council (MACC)

Date: Friday - March 9, 2012 Time: 7:00pm – 12:00am Place: 1820 Morningside Ave. Veteran's Banquet Hall Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Who: Morningsiders + Friends & Family ***Over 21 years of age ONLY, Ticket & ID required***

For tickets, follow the paypal link on the M.A.C.C website: www.macconline.org

• $20.00 per person if registered by March 1, 2012 • $25.00 per person after March 2, 2012 • 150 people maximum. Tickers are first come first serve.

“Best Dressed Lad and Lassie” Contest Wear your GREEN and/or ORANGE to show your Irish spirit!

To learn more visit www.macconline.org or call Lassie Amy at 412-414-7407.

a ERIN GO BRAGH! a

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

MACC would like to welcome B&V Staffing who has moved in at 1805 Jancey Street! B&V Staffing didn’t waste any time becoming a MACC sponsor at the Silver level! Thank you for your commitment to the community and welcome! Did your business relocate to Morningside recently? Let us know and we’ll help get the word out!

PO Box 40313 Pittsburgh, PA 15201 www.macconline.org Page 5 CALENDAR OF EVENTS MACC OFFICERS MACC Meetings Grant Ervin, President 412-445-1564 MACC meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at [email protected] 7:00pm at the Morningside VFW Hall at 1820 Morningside Avenue. John Santore, Vice President All members and non-members are encouraged and welcomed to 412-292-5356 attend. Share your voice. [email protected] Next meetings: March 7, April 4, May 2 Chris Sandvig, Secretary Top O’ the Morningside Party (See Page 5) 412-728-3339 [email protected] Friday, March 9, 2012 7:00pm-12:00am Nan Pischke, Treasurer 1820 Morningside Ave. (VFW Banquet Hall) 412-661-2692 (evenings) For Adults 21+ only (Ticket and ID required) [email protected] Tickets: $20 on or before March 1, $25 after Dom Costa, Ex Officio President Tickets available at macconline.org

Easter Egg Hunt, Games & Refreshments COMMITTEE CHAIRS Amy Ervin, Beautification & Greening Sunday, April 1, 2012 12:30-2pm 412-414-7407 St. Raphael Church lawn [email protected] Earth Day Cleanup Matt Diersen, Housing Saturday, April 21, 2012 10am [email protected] Meet in the VFW parking lot Yasmin Ariff-Sayed, MACC Membership JOIN THE MORNINGSIDE GARDEN CLUB 412-441-0215 [email protected] Help keep our garden plots beautiful. Call Amy at 412-330-7667 Stacey DeRenzo Public Safety for details. Spring planting will begin MAY 2012. Volunteer at the , April Earth Day Clean Up (4/21/12) to prepare the garden plots. 412-377-5448 [email protected] Morningside Mile Spaghetti Dinner Jenny McCarthy, MACC Events Saturday, May, 5, 2012 (the evening before the Pittsburgh Mara- [email protected] thon) A great meal at a great price. Enjoy spaghetti, salad, bread and a beverage for $10.00 (adults), $5.00 (kids 12 and under) with SPECIAL THANKS! early registration. “Day of ” cost is $12 (adults) and $7 (kids 12 and Former MACC Secretary Corinne Antoszewski is taking a well- under). Purchase online at our website www.macconline.org/run or deserved rest after 32 (!) years of faithful service to the Morningside at the VFW beginning April 19! community. Corinne received a citation from the PA House of Representatives presented by Rep. Dom Costa at the January All events are sponsored by MACC MACC meeting. Thanks for everything, Corinne! Dates and times of events are subject to change.

In order to continue to keep Morningside a thriving community, we BECOME A TREE TENDER are always looking for volunteers. Members & non-members are encouraged to provide their specialties. From website development Tree Pittsburgh is offering Tree Tender Courses on Saturdays to litter clean up, block captains to gardeners, your time and throughout the year: knowledge is needed. Contact the MACC if you would like to learn * Saturday March 10th, 9am-4pm Carlow University Tiernan about volunteer opportunities. All ages welcomed. Community Hall, off Fifth Avenue, Oakland service hours available. * Saturday June 16th, 9am-4pm, Rothschild Doyno Collaborative, 2847 Penn Avenue, Strip District * Saturday September 15th, 9am-4pm Western Pennsylvania Find us on Facebook! Conservancy 800 Waterfront Drive, Washington’s Landing Tree Tender Courses count towards continuing education credits for ISA Certified Arborists and both Phipps and Penn State Master Gardeners. The $40 cost includes registration, materials and instruction as well as a light breakfast and lunch. Scholarships are available. For more information, contact [email protected] or 412-362-6360.

PO Box 40313 Pittsburgh, PA 15201 www.macconline.org Page 6 happenings at St. Raphael Morningside sENIOR Center Travel LENTEN FISH FRY SHANKSVILLE, PA & THE FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL Every Friday in Lent (Feb. 24-Apr.6) May 22, 2012 Sponsored by St. Raphael School Athletic Association Welcome all to join us for a special day trip to Shanksville PA and on to a Heroes’ Tribute for dinner and a show at the Rockwood Mills NIGHT AT THE RACES Opry House. Saturday, March 3rd - Gallagher Hall PINE GROVE DUDE RANCH Sponsored by St. Raphael School Athletic Association September 10-14, 2012 BLOOD DRIVE Join us for a 5-day/4-night trip that includes 3 meals a day, cocktail party and entertainment every evening and all sorts of social Sunday, March 4, 2012 9:00am - 2:00pm, Multipurpose Room activities. Sponsored by St. Raphael School FOR MORE INFORMATION: BOY SCOUT GOLD & BLUE BANQUET Contact Venie 412-361-0285 or Vivian 412-486-7107 Sunday, March 18 SPRING BINGO Sunday, March 25 morningside wildcats softball OPEN REGISTRATION For more information regarding any of these events, please contact the school office at 412-661-0288 Friday, F ebruary 24, 5-7pm Saturday, February 25, 12-3pm St. Raphael School Multipurpose Room All girls ages 6-18 are welcome to join! street tree program Cost: $80/girl or $145/up to 3 girls (before March 1) After March 1: $85/girl or $150/up to 3 girls The MACC & TreeVitalize Pittsburgh (a partnership to restore tree cover in the Pittsburgh region) invite you to join in the effort by Bring a friend! Receive a $10 discount off your registration fee for REQUESTING a planting of a FREE street tree on your sidewalk. bringing a new friend on board! Street trees are trees planted between a street curb & sidewalk. If you would like to be considered for a FREE tree & planting, For more information, contact Nicole Mazza by phone at 412- contact Amy at 412-330-7667. 251-2155 after 6p.m. or [email protected].

MORNINGSIDE IS FOR HOMEBUYERS! by Brandi Cugini

Whether you’re new to Morningside or have lived here your entire life, I’m sure you know that the housing market has been a little rough over the past couple of years. You’re probably wondering what you can expect to see in the near future. Is now the right time to buy your first home? Is the market too flooded with houses for you to sell your home?

Our quaint community is very appealing to many new families each year because of the beautiful brick homes, tree-lined streets, family- friendly atmosphere, and proximity to major roadways, hospitals and businesses. In 2011, there were 48 homes sold. This is a 33% increase from home sales in 2010. Not only did the number of homes sold receive a boost, the average sales price also rose 5%. Currently, we have 18 homes on the market with a median asking price of $119,900 (West Penn MLS).

This is going to be a promising year for buyers and sellers alike. Interest rates are hovering right around 4% and recently have dropped below 4%. The extremely low interest rates coupled with an overall increase in the cost to rent an apartment means that prospective homeowners have more incentive to buy. It is also a fantastic time to sell because many people are taking advantage of the low interest rates. Homes are moving much quicker than in the past few years. All of these factors add up to a great market for both homebuyers and sellers! Spring is the optimum time to buy and sell a home. A large percentage of buyers are actively searching in the months of April, May and June.

Brandi Cugini is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. She can be reached at 412-885-4558 or [email protected]

PO Box 40313 Pittsburgh, PA 15201 www.macconline.org Page 7 Morningside Area Community Council PO Box 40313 NON PROFIT ORG Pittsburgh, PA 15201 US POSTAGE PAID PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT NO 889

Become a Member of the MACC

Become a member of the MACC by contacting Yasmeen Ariff-Sayed at 412-441-0215. Membership includes quarterly newsletter, membership card, and the right to vote on issues regarding the community and much more! $5.00 per member (over 18 years old) for annual membership. Your support is greatly appreciated. Membership fees help support local events, clean-up costs, and the needs of the community.

MACC MEMBERSHIP FORM Special THANKs to OUR SPonSORS $5 Per Person ______(Total) ☼ Name: ______PLATINUM SPONSOR Address: ______State Sen. Jim Ferlo - 3519 Butler St. - 15201 City, State, Zip: ______GOLD SPONSOR State Rep. Dom Costa - 6808 Greenwood Ave. Phone: ______Dr. Wayne Decroo - 1809 Jancey St. Hairstyles by Lisa - 1741 Chislett St. Email: ______Morningside VFW - 1820 Morningside Ave. Avolio & Brandstetter Law Firm - 6808 Greenwood St. Please make checks payable to MACC SILVER SPONSOR First Commonwealth Bank - 1801 Jancey St. Mail check and application to Membership Chair: Yasmeen Ariff-Sayed Tim’s Barber Shop - 1802 Chislett St. 1424 Morningside Ave. Eddie’s Pizza - 1744 Chislett St. Pittsbugh, PA 15206 B&V Staffing - 1805 Jancey St. BRONZE SPONSOR

Thank you for your support of the MACC! Shear Sensations - 1801 Chislett St.