2012 March

Volume 28 No. 3 March 2012

City of Asylum plans for new literary venue

In the library of Perry Traditional Academy, Oliver and Perry students have been writing their names on strips of blue and orange paper to create a unity chain.

Photo by Kelsey Shea

By Sarah Reagle

Perry and Oliver high schools prepare for merge

See Schools, page 6 See Alphabet City, page 6

By Kelsey Shea

Another color has joined the usu-al Commodore Blue that decks the halls of Perry Traditional Academy in Observatory Hill — the orange of the Oliver Bears.

With the impending merger of the two Northside high schools, staff, faculty and administration at Oliver and Perry are working towards mak-ing the transition as smooth as pos-sible.

Tuesday afternoon, the 75 fresh-men from Oliver High School who toured Perry were greeted by blue and orange decorations in the hall-ways and the slogan “The Bears are in the Big Blue House,” which was created by Perry’s student welcom-ing committee.

“I think we’re really going to have a seamless transition,” said Nina

Sacco, principal of Perry. “We’re working so hard to create an envi-ronment where all students feel safe and welcome.”

Perry has been working with Ol-iver students by providing tours of the building, creating a paper unity chain, introducing kids to new activi-ties that Oliver doesn’t offer, plan-ning a mural and introducing Oliver students to their new Perry class-mates.

“A lot of the kids know each oth-er,” said Sacco who said they would stop and say hello to each other in the hallways.

She also noted that most Perry students live in the Northside in the same neighborhoods as Oliver stu-dents, which will help with the tran-sition.

A new City of Asylum project might give readers and writers a new place to convene, share work and take classes in the Central Northside.

City of Asylum plans to build a community-based literary center on Monterey Street between Jacksonia Street and Sampsonia Way called Alphabet City, on a vacant lot where a bar and an abandoned home once stood.

Alphabet City will include spac-es for readings, writing classes and community meetings.

It will also feature a bookstore, a bar-café-restaurant as well as two apartments for writers. The space will act as a platform for literary readings as well as small-scale music performances.

“Our goal is that Alphabet City help unify the community, bridging differences among people,” said Hen-ry Reese, director of City of Asylum.

The literary hub will also offer programs for the community and for younger readers and writers. Alpha-bet City will implement a free book program, readings for children, teen programs and free compost distribu-tion for neighborhood gardeners.

The project hopes to include pro-gramming that accommodates all of the economic, cultural and racial di-versity of the Northside.

In 2011, the Alphabet City proj-ect received the LINC-Ford Foun-dation’s Space for Change award for its projected “catalytic impact in the community.”

Reese hopes that this space will function as “an anchor to the eco-

nomic and cultural development of the interior of the Central North-side.”

The project is currently held up with zoning issues stemming from a complaint filed by neighbors to the site.

Several neighbors expressed concerns about parking in the dense residential area with limited off-street and the privacy issues that having a public building near private residences could create.

City of Asylum will meet with a judge in mid-March to try to re-solve the issue. If the issue is cleared, Reese hopes construction will begin this summer.

Reese said City of Asylum is cur-rently redesigning the space to ad-dress some of these concerns.

City of Asylum hopes to have Alphabet City open to the public in early 2013. However, Reese notes that there will be events held before the official opening.

They will hold periodic events connected with the development of Alphabet City as well as literary readings so people can see the work in progress.

According to Reese, with Alpha-bet City and other public art projects on Sampsonia Way, City of Asylum hopes, “to create a platform to trans-form the Central Northside into a space where we can imagine what is possible rather than dwelling on what holds us back.”

Many individuals and founda-tions including the Hillman Founda-tion, the Richard King Mellon foun-

March 2012The Northside Chronicle

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Allegheny West Civic Council2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7:30 p.m.Calvary United Methodist Church412.323.8884

Brighton Heights Citizens Federation2nd Thursday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m.Morrow Elementary School412.734.0233

Brightwood Civic Group3rd Tuesday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m.Pressley Ridge, 2611 Stayton St.412.732.8152

Brightwood Community Emergency Response Shelter3rd Thursday, monthly, 6 p.m.3219 Central Ave.

California-Kirkbride Blockwatch3rd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m.1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor

California-Kirkbride Neighbors2nd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m.1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor412.758.3898

Central Northside Neighborhood Council2nd Monday, monthly, 7 p.m.Allegheny Traditional Academy412.231.7742

Charles Street Area Council1st Monday, monthly, call for timesPittsburgh Project, 2801 N. Charles St.412.321.5567

Community Alliance of Spring Garden/East Deutschtown2nd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m.Fuhrer Building of St. Michael’s Church412.977.1979

Deutschtown New Hope Council3rd Thursday, monthly, 6:30 p.m.Community Center, 623 Suismon St.

East Allegheny Community Council2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m.Pressley High Rise412.321.1204

Ex-offender Aftercare Support GroupSaturdays, 4-5:30 p.m.Allegheny Center Alliance Church801 Union Place

Fineview Citizens Council3rd Wednesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m.Reformed Presbyterian Home Pennsylvania Ave.412.231.0330

Mexican War Streets Society3rd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m.AUU Church, Resaca Pl. and North Ave.412.323.9030

Manchester Citizens CorporationQuarterly meetings, call for timesMCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave.412.323.1743

Manchester Public Safety MeetingQuarterly meetings, call for timesNorthside Leadership Conference412.323.1743

Northside Rotary ClubEvery Friday, noonCardello Building, 2nd Floor

Northside Coalition for Fair Housing Board2nd Monday, monthly, 6:30 p.m.1821 Brighton Rd.412.321.5527

Northside Coalition for Fair Housing MembershipMonthly, call for times1821 Brighton Rd.412.321.5521

Northside Leadership ConferenceCall for times4 Allegheny Center, Suite 601412.330.2559

North Side Lions Club2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly, noonMax’s Allegheny Tavern

North Side Public Safety Council1st Thursday, monthly, 5:30 p.m.Northside Leadership Conference412.330.2559

Observatory Hill, Inc.3rd Wednesday, monthly, 7 p.m.Byzantine Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave.412.231.2887

Perry Hilltop Citizens’ Council4th Monday, monthly, 7:30 p.m.Angel’s Place, 2605 Norwood St.412.321.4632

The Promise GroupEvery other Tuesday, 6 p.m.Western Pa. Humane Society412.321.1019

Troy Hill Citizens CouncilMarch 16, June 16, Sept. 15, Dec. 15North Catholic High School 412-321-2852

Spring Hill Civic LeagueSpring Hill Elementary [email protected]

Summer Hill Citizens Committee3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m.WPXI Television Station community room

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March 2012 The Northside Chronicle


NS Connector secures second sponsorshipThe long-awaited North Shore

Connector project undertaken by the Port Authority of Allegheny County will finally reach a close next month with good news for riders.

February 22, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Rivers Casino also agreed to take part in the sponsorship, providing free fare to and from the Allegheny Station, which sits between Heinz Field and the casino, for the next three years.

Combined with the free fare Alcoa and the Stadium authority sponsored to the North Side Station near PNC park, rides from both stations will now be free.

“The Steelers are happy to participate in the partnership that will bring the free LRV (light-rail vehicle) ride to the Allegheny Station on the North Shore,” said Steelers’ president Art Rooney. “The LRV service to the North Shore will assist all the North Shore/Northside communities to continue to build on the momentum and progress that is reshaping the North Shore of Pittsburgh.”

“The North Shore is truly an entertainment destination for residents and visitors,” said Craig Clark, general manager of Rivers Casino. “Rivers is proud to help make transportation easy and accessible.”

The North Shore Connector is scheduled to open Sunday March 25 and will provide transportation between Downtown and the two North Shore stations.

Port Authority spokeswoman Heather Pharo explained the agreement, stating that Stadium Authority and Alco Parking, the two sponsors of the North Side Station, “provide the funding to [Port Authority] so we can provide free fare [to patrons].”

Steve Bland, CEO of Port Authority, also recognized the growing community of North Shore, saying, “This agreement brings a tremendous level of transit service to the ever-growing North Shore, providing new opportunities

to commuters, students and those heading for a little fun at the game or casino.”

While the new transit service will not be available to the public until March 25, a small opening event will be held by the Port Authority. The opening event will take place March 23 and include speeches from select elected officials, as well as an official first ride.

Currently, Port Authority is

working on finishing touches of the T, making sure that it is ready for opening.

“Were finishing up with some testing, training operators, and preparing public information,” says Pharo.

With construction complete, it is merely the “finishing touches” that need to be taken care of. More information for riders, including changes to the 14 and 18 bus routes,

By Karin Baker

Allegheny Station will make casino and stadium access easier from Downtown.


Schools pre-pare to merge

Even when students didn’t know each other directly, many know each other’s neighbors or cousins, so “connections were being made,” said Sacco.

Sacco said the main concern of Oliver students is which teachers will come with them to the new high school, as it is still unknown.

In addition to student activities, Perry will also host a series of par-ents meetings to address any ques-tions or concerns about the merger.

Looking forward SACCO said that the largest challenges she fore-sees is going from having 650 kids in the building to close to 1,000 next year.

As well as more parent meetings and school tours, Oliver and Perry will also have combined field trips and other activities this year before the transition.

On March 7, Perry will host a basketball game between Oliver and Perry teachers and members of the Pittsburgh Steelers to raise money for the merge activities.

From Schools, page 1

dation and the Heinz Endowments have donated money to support to the Alphabet City project, but City of Asylum are the sole developers.

City of Asylum has previously rehabbed five other properties on Sampsonia Way that now function as writer residences.

City of Asylum offers residency and sanctuary to writers in exile from their native countries. They also publish Sampsonia Way, an on-line publication that celebrates liter-ary free expression.

Sarah Reagle is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh, an editor at Collision Literary Magazine and a Pitt News columnist and copy editor.

Alphabet City planned for Central NorthsideFrom Alphabet City, page 1


EACC and Duquesne Light team up on Cedar Ave.

When community groups face off with corporations on neighborhood issues, it can end in hostility, argument and sometimes even lawsuits.

But that wasn’t the case in a recent agreement reached by Duquesne Light and the East Allegheny Community Council who found a compromise that served Duquesne Lights’ technical needs and assisted with the development of Cedar Avenue in Historic Deutschtown.

The East Allegheny Community Council received an $80,000 grant from Duquesne Light to help improve Historic Deutschtown’s Cedar Avenue and rehab two adjacent homes that will be made into a single family residence and will also include a small cooling station near powerlines.

“We’re really happy that both sides and all stakeholders got something positive out of this,” said Duquesne Light spokesman, Joey Vallarian. “It was a nice donation to help them with the renovation.”

“This is the biggest [grant]

we’ve ever received,” said EACC Treasurer, Ed Graf.

When it was announced several years ago that Duquesne Light needed to put in a cooling station somewhere along Cedar Avenue,

they originally proposed Allegheny Commons Park.

The state-of-the -art valve control station is part of Duquesne Light’s program to upgrade its transmission lines throughout the

city of Pittsburgh.“We were somewhat concerned

to hear it was going into the neighborhood, but we have two engineers on the council who looked over it all,” said Ed Graf, who said electric lines will be nowhere near the device, and the oil that it will be cooling is just mineral oil.

When parks organizations and the community showed concern, a compromise that came to fruition this month was made between EACC and Duquesne.

Duquesne bought two homes at 726 and 728 Cedar Ave. that were built sometime in the 1840s to rennovate into a single home that could house one family and cooling system.

The pump will take up a 20 foot by 20 foot space on the property of the rehabbed homes where an unused garage once stood.

Graf said that as well as bringing new residents onto Cedar Ave., the project will help improve the appearance of the street, which has been an ongoing goal of the EACC.

He said much work on the project

By Kelsey Shea

The homes that will be redeveloped are two row houses at the corner of Cedar Avenue and Foreland Street.


See Cedar Ave., page 13


Off Madison Avenue in East Deutschtown, an unassuming metal door leads to the basement of an old church building that Steel City Im-prov Theater, a Northside venue for improvisational troupes from all over the city, calls home.

As Pittsburgh’s first improv the-ater approaches its first anniversary next month, SCIT can reflect on a

Steel City Improv celebrates first year on the Northside

By Francesca Fenzi year of rapid growth in the base-ment of the City View church.

“We’re never content,” said SCIT cofounder Kasey Daley of SCIT’s growth in the past year. She and her counterpart Justin Zell hope to continue to build on their suc-cesses.

Since it opened last year, SCIT has come to host about seven shows a week, which include free perfor-mances on Monday nights and is

the home of eight improv groups.

“ [I would be happy if] this time next year we had 20 groups, then 30 the next year … and the community just got bigger and bigger,” said Daley, who also hopes to add chil-dren’s shows to the theater’s schedule in 2012.

“We wanted a home for sketch com-edy and improvisa-tion,” said Justin Zell.

SCIT regulars include: the Blue

Stocking Babes, an all-female troupe that per-

forms on Friday nights; Irony City, a traveling band of Pittsburghers who perform all manner of high jinks; and The Death Show, a thematic monthly installment in which mem-bers of the audience donate wallets and personal effects as the inspira-tion for darkly comical eulogies and funeral scenes.

“They have a passion for improv [at SCIT]. They love watching it, talking about it—they’re very com-

mitted,” said Tim Sherman of No Parking Players, one of the improv groups who has played at SCIT since its inception.

“After you perform,” said Molly Samuels, another member of No Parking Players, “They have you sign the wall.”

“We’re not an exclusive club,” said Kasey Daley, one of SCIT’s founders. “I hope we keep growing and growing, that people will keep watching and performing improv.”

SCIT also offers a number of improvisational classes, and students of all ages are invited to join one of their in-house performing teams and SCIT Social Improv Jams, which are open-mic free-for-all allows anyone and everyone to get on stage and enjoy the fun and games every Satur-day night at 6:30 p.m.

“We’re all over the board,” said Daley about the performers and per-formances. “Some people are actors like you might expect, [but we also] have software engineers, two nuclear engineers, and one person is a com-munity planner!”

For more information and per-formance schedules for SCIT and its performers, check out Steel City Improv Theater’s website.

Photo by Michael Rubino


Learning center opens in Brighton HeightsA new learning center in

Brighton Heights is helping local students and educators throughout the Northside and the City of Pittsburgh.

The Malaika (pronounced muh-LAKE-aye) Center opened its doors in Brighton Heights last November as a learning center and after school program for students grades K-12.

The Malaika Learning Center includes an early learning academy for children 2 to 5 years old to help them enter kindergarten; youth programming that includes homework help, foreign language assistance and fitness activities; and a teacher development center that offers direct training.

“We look forward to people coming from all over,” said Alichia Parker, co-founder of the Malaika Center and CEO of A PAR Educational, LLC.

For Parker, an experienced educator, the opening of Malaika Learning Center has been the realization of a long-time dream. She and co-founder Denise Barron

hope the center will provide community members with a valuable educational resource, offering support for local adults as well as their children.

In addition to childcare services

and youth programming, the center will offer computer access and opportunities for teacher training. The Malaika Center also offers scholarships to low-income students on a case-by-case basis.

“They care about people,” says Malik Vincent, media consultant for the Malaika Center. “They care about kids, and they work tirelessly. That’s what sets them apart: their hard work ethic.”

Vincent cites the arrival of Malaika’s new mascot, Parker, as an example of the center’s dedication to creating an exciting learning environment. Parker, a “fun-loving kid,” made his debut during the center’s grand opening last November.

“Alichia had a custom suit made,” Vincent said, “The mascot was walking around the whole night.”

According to Vincent, the Malaika Center strives to make learning an enjoyable pastime for its

By Francesca Fenzi

See Malaika, page 22

Courtesy Malik VincentParker and Barron celebrate the opening of Malaika Learning Center in Brighton Heights.


If there are two things Allegheny General Hospital Senior Vice President Debbie Caplan knows, its personal health and the Northside community. She’s worked at AGH for 23 years and has served as chairperson of the Northside Health Improvement Partnership for 12 years. She is also a former president of the Northside/North Shore Chamber of Commerce. For the Summer Youth Guide, she took some time to talk to The Northside Chronicle about her experience on the Northside and what she hopes to see its happy and healthy future.

When was NSHIP founded and how has it grown?

The Northside Health Improvement Partnership (NSHIP) is a collaborative effort whose creation was facilitated by Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) and the Northside Leadership Conference (NSLC). NSHIP was designated a State Health Improvement Partner (SHIP) in 2000. The mission of the NSHIP is to improve the health of all Northside residents.

What are some of the goals and recent accomplishments of NSHIP?

The partnership accomplishes the goal of Northside health improvement by collaborating with local leaders and like-minded organizations and by receiving feedback from community members. To that end, NSHIP recently

completed its 2012 Community Health Needs Assessment Survey and is currently analyzing survey results. The survey is meant to take the pulse of the Northside community.

Results from the survey will be used to develop programming that addresses the primary interests of our neighbors. Other accomplishments NSHIP is very proud of include the founding of the Summer Youth Guide in 2008, the Northside Stride Walking Program, participating in health screenings and education at Celebration in the Park and East Allegheny’s Pumpkinfest, an adult immunization awareness campaign, providing a community forum and educational material addressing the effects of tobacco and other drugs on the Northside and its residents.

Can you tell us about your experience working in the Northside community?

I love the Northside and have spent 12 years serving as the liaison between AGH and the community, overseeing our formal Northside partnership organized through the NSLC. I serve on the Board of Directors of the Conference and the Northside/North Shore Chamber of Commerce, where I also served as a past President. Furthermore, I enjoy serving as the chairperson for NSHIP. I have met so many wonderful, committed community members who are truly dedicated to working to make the Northside a great place to live, work and invest. The Northside is my second home. I have made many friends and colleagues in this community. I am very honored to oversee our partnership and believe I have the best job in the world!

How have you seen the Northside grow and change in your time there?

Through the outstanding work of the NSLC, Northside Community Development Fund, Northside/North Shore Chamber of Commerce, the neighborhood community councils and the many cultural, business, civic organizations – I have seen the Northside transform into a vibrant

Sunday, May 6 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

The annual marathon, half-mara-thon and kid’s marathon makes for a great family activity. The Run-ner’s Expo will run from Friday to Saturday, while the racing takes place on Sunday. The kid’s mara-thon is held on Saturday. Visit www.pittsburghmarathon.com.

Friday, May 18 - National Bike to Work Day

Coordinated by Bike Pittsburgh in conjunction with Car Free Fri-days, this is a great opportunity to try car-free transit. Bike pools and mechanics will be available. Call 412-325-4334 or visit www.bike-pgh.org.

Friday, May 11 - Learn to Row and Paddle

2 sessions: 6-7:30 pm; 7:30-9 p.m. Three Rivers Rowing Associa-tion invites you to try rowing in their indoor tanks at their Millvale Boathouse. A free event. Space is limited. Register by calling 412-231-8772 or visiting www.threeriv-ersrowing.org.

Saturday, May 19 - Venture Outdoors Festival

Point State Park, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.Free activities include a climbing wall, fishing, kayaking, dragon boating, yoga, biking and more. Call 412-255-0564 or visit www.ventureoutdoors.org.

Q&A with Deb Caplan

By Kelsey Shea

2012 Summer Youth Guide

The Summer Youth Guide is brough to you by The Northside Chronicle on behalf of the Northside Health Improvement Partnership (NSHIP). The Chronicle an NSHIP are dedicated to improving the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh’s Northside with the help of our sponsors.

The NSHIP is a collaborative effort whose creation was facilitated by Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) and the Northside Leadership Conference (NSLC). NSHIP was designated a State Health Improvement Partner (SHIP) in 2000. The mission of the NSHIP is to improve the health of all Northside residents.

Participating members of NSHIP include but are not limited to; Allegheny General Hospital, Northside Leadership Conference, Allegheny County Health Department, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association of Western Pennsylvania, American Heart Association, BRAVO Health, Central Northside Neighborhood Council, Community College of Allegheny County, City Council President Darlene Harris, City Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle, Fineview Citizens Council, Forbes Hospice, Gateway Health Plan, Highmark, Meals on Wheels, Mercy Behavioral Health, North Side Christian Health Center, Silver Sneakers, Troy Hill Citizens, Inc. and VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.

Great Outdoors WeekSustainable Pittsburgh and its outdoor partners are hosting the 10th annual Great Outdoors Week from Friday, May 11 to Sunday, May 20, 2012.


The Summer Youth Guide is the property of The Northside Chronicle and may not be reproduced without permission.You can also find the guide online at www.thenorthsidechronicle.com.

Please call us at 412-321-3919 with any questions.


Once a year, people come to the Northside from all over Pittsburgh to walk and run up urban stairs for Fineview’s Step-A-Thon, but Northsiders looking to stay in shape can tackle the challenging five-mile course year round.

As well as being a unique way to see the historic neighborhood of Fineview, the many staircases can be a cost-free urban gym for those who are brave enough and committed enough to trek up them.

The incline and many turns of the Fineview stairs make them one of the most challenging walking courses in Pittsburgh, but its final hill is the real killer for those determined to finish. The Raising Main staircase is the course’s final challenge, and the fourth largest staircase in the city. It’s estimated that climbing the Raising Main staircase is the equivalent of climbing a 17-story building.

As a reward for the long, sweaty and challenging trek up, the course ends at the scenic overlook on Catomic Street, one of the many stunning views of the city that give Fineview its name.

One of the most visible and frequently used walking trails in the Northside is the North Shore Trail. It stretches 3.4 miles along the Allegheny and Ohio rivers and is used by runners, bikers, walkers and very often visitors to the Northside who are looking for a scenic route to the two stadiums.

The trail is from Washington’s Landing to Rivers Casino and offers great views of the skyline along the way. Other notable sites along the trail are several new war memorials, PNC Park, Heinz Field, a memorial for Mr. Rogers and Steelers and Pirates sites.

“This trail, more than any other we know, breathes with the strength and vibrancy of the city,” said the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy on its website. “It offers vistas up and down the rivers, the development on the North Side, downtown and close-ups of the contrast between old industry and new.”

As a portion of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail System, it will hopefully someday connect to the South Side trail, through Sandcastle and all the way down to Washington, DC.

As the Northside’s token green space, Riverview Park is a place not only conducive to walking but designed for it. With wooded paths, the walking trails at Riverview Park are a nice break from city scenery and offer a little bit of fresh air, all within the boundaries of Pittsburgh.

The 287-acre park is known for its wooded trails, and it touches the borders of Brightwood, Brighton Heights and Observatory Hill and is within five miles of all other Northside neighborhoods.

Riverview’s easiest trail is the Observatory Trail, which starts behind the visitor center and is a wooded, half-mile loop through the park. The two-mile Riverview Drive loop is longer, but only challenges walkers with slight grades as it winds around the park.

Riverview’s most challenging trail is the Wissahickton trail which combines Archery Trail, Riverview Drive and the Bob Harvey Trail into a challenging, hilly two mile hike that covers most of the park.

The North Shore Trail

Riverview Park

Fineview Stairs

Best walks on the Northside Walking is one of the easiest and most leisurely ways to exercise and get healthy!

Fortunately in the Northside, there are plenty of places to get out and get fit. Here are a few of our favorite walks in the Northside.By Kelsey Shea


Photo courtesy Fineview Step-A-Thon

Photo courtesy Melissa McMasters


community. These organizations have led the way in new housing, community reinvestment, business development and many other initiatives. For me, it has been exciting to see the Northside undertake such a dramatic and successful renaissance.

What are some simple steps Northsiders can take towards living healthier life styles?

Northsiders have access to some tremendous community resources. These resources can go a long way towards a healthier lifestyle. For example, Allegheny Commons provides some the best walking paths in the city. We are lucky to have both a YMCA and a Carnegie Library as neighbors. Throughout the spring, summer and fall community members can buy fresh, locally grown produce during Fresh Fridays in Historic Deutschtown.

Many of the communities have walking clubs and fun run/walks as fundraisers, such as the Fineview Step-A-Thon or the Allegheny Heart Institute’s Hearts in the Park Walk. By taking advantage of all the resources available right here in our neighborhood, Northsiders will not only be living healthy, they will also be supporting their local community.

How can communities and community leaders help impact the health and lifestyles of individuals in the neighborhood?

Community leaders are in a perfect position to help foster and develop programs that impact the health of their neighborhoods. Locally, regionally and nationally, there are programs designed to be implemented in communities just like the Northside. For example, NSHIP developed the Northside Stride Walking Program. The goal of Stride is to engage Northside residents in the healthy activity of

walking, while developing a sense of community between participants. NSHIP developed a toolkit and walking maps for the Stride Program, which community leaders are encouraged to implement in their own neighborhoods.

Going forward, what positive changes would you like to see in the overall health of the Northside?

The Northside is a wonderful community with incredible potential. I would like to see community groups and residents take advantage of the resources available to them to improve the health of the Northside. One of the best aspects of the Northside is the sense of community in each of the neighborhoods. By developing local health initiatives or fitness groups, Northside residents will continue to foster a strong community bond and improve the overall health of these great neighborhoods.

AGH Sr. Vice President Deb CaplanFrom Caplan, page 14


Calvary concert preserves historyJohn Canning Learning

center thrives in Brighton Heights

“[We’re] here to be a

resource for the commu-

nity ”-alichia Parker, malaika learning

center

students.Mathematic Attack, another

of Alichia Parker’s creations, is a flash card game utilized by the center to help children learn basic multiplication and division skills—a technique that Vincent describes as “putting a fun slant on something that’s usually dreadful.”

Since its grand opening in November 2011 the Malaika Center has experienced “tremendous

progress,” said Parker. According to Parker, the center

has received a great deal of support from parents in the area.

“People are always asking, ‘What do you need?’ We just got a big donation of toys,” said Parker

Parker also invites members to become better acquainted with the Malaika Center by signing up for a facility tour.

“We’re an open house here,” Parker said, though she stresses the importance of student safety. The center “wants to be aware of who’s coming and going,” but interested community members are always welcome.

“We’re here to stay,” Parker said, “Here to be a resource for the community—and here for the children.”

From Malaika, page 11

In the very center of a colleague’s classroom bulletin board was Margaret Mead’s often-quoted statement: “Never doubt

that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world.”

Though our Northside is not the world, the significance of that comment rings true in many of our communities. Small spontaneous groups throughout the Northside are at the root of many programs adding to the quality of life in our neighborhoods. These small groups of committed citizens are determined to improve their corner of the world.

I saw this as a youngster when a few residents in Brighton Heights gathered on Sunday nights at a local dairy store on Brighton Road to offer kids the opportunity to play baseball.

Out of these simple beginnings came the Brighton Heights Athletic Association and the playgrounds behind Marmaduke Street as well as the entire complex of fields and the Jack Stack swimming pool high up on what we all knew as Goat Hill.

I imagine same determination was front and center in the founding

of the Acorn Hill Garden Club in Observatory Hill, the early organizing of the Northside Oldtimers, the many civic groups who placed war memorials in their neighborhoods honoring the men and women who served in several of our country’s armed conflicts and the recent movements to improve the Allegheny Commons and Riverview parks.

This month, one such group, the Allegheny Historic Preservation Society, will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Tiffany Concert Series, a venue of musical programs that greatly helped in the Society’s mission to preserve one of the Northside’s most significant landmarks.

In the early 1990s a small group of folks led by Jack Schmidt gathered together to address the badly deteriorating Calvary Methodist church building at the corner of Allegheny and Beech avenues.

For the most part, these folks were not Methodists, but they were conscious of the historic, architectural and aesthetic importance of of the crumbling structure.

This group of five or six folks decided that an attempt must be made to create a greater awareness of the building.

That attempt was the origin of the Tiffany Concert Series. With

the concert series as a catalyst for AHPS, the organizations leadership passed from Schmidt to Alice Greller then to Tom Jackson and now to Sandra Pack.

Working closely with the clerical and lay leadership of Calvary Church, the AHPS raised several millions of dollars that have preserved the magnificent building and given renewed excitement for its growing congregation.

In March and April the Tiffany Concert Series will celebrate its 20th season. On Sunday, March 23, at 4 p.m., The famed Pittsburgh Gospel Choir will be “raising the roof ” in song.

Then a month later, on April 22, at the same time, the Children’s Festival Choir will delight the audience with their program, “A Night at the Opera.”

Both musical programs will be presented in the restored sanctuary flooded with the glorious hues of Calvary’s famed Tiffany windows. These two concerts bring to a close the 20th season of concerts sponsored by the AHPS. And, it all began with a small handful of committed citizens.

Tickets for these concerts are priced at $5 for students, $8 for seniors. and $10 for adults. Here is a great opportunity to enjoy inspiring music in stunning setting, and take part in a program to preserve one of the Northside’s treasured landmarks.


Duquesne and EACC work to-gether on Cedar Avenue project

From Cedar Ave., page 7

has been done by private enterprise and homeowners and businesses who have independently improved their street, which sits blocks away from Allegheny General Hospital.

Property sales on the street have been improving, and Graf mentioned that a bed and breakfast would soon be coming to the street.

Graf anticipates that the home will sell quickly, and that several buyers have already shown interest because the property is across the street from the park.

“We’re kind of getting along the way to our dream, which is to make [Cedar Avenue] look like Central Park properties in New York,” said Graf.


Legislation currently in progressWhile we began the New Year on

a strong positive note, with the news that Pittsburgh’s bond rating would be significantly improved, we also re-alized there would be challenges as the year progresses.

Presently the North-side is faced with the pro-posed elimination of bus service to many neighbor-hoods. Be assured that I will continue to advocate for District 1’s transit needs throughout this pe-riod of economic difficulty the Port Authority is fac-ing.

I encourage – and urge – North-siders to do their part as well. Please send your comments on proposed cuts to the Port Authority by the comment deadline March 9, 2012. You can either call in your com-ments: 412.442.2000 or email them to: http://www.portauthority.org/paac/CompanyInfoProjects/Bud-getFinances/ServiceReductions.

aspx As spring approaches, we spend

more time outdoors renewing our relationships with our neighbors and our neighborhoods. There is so

much to look forward to, including rolling up our sleeves with neighbors during April’s Spring Clean-ups and greeting friends at the Memorial Day commemorations.

I hope that parents will encourage their children to participate in the diverse summer

activities happening in all of our Northside neighborhoods.

District 1 is an active, engag-ing place to live. Its continued suc-cess depends on residents stepping up and participating on the many projects and events throughout the spring and summer. Please do not hesitate to call my office if I can be of assistance: 412.255.2135.

From the office of City Council President Darlene Harris


Brighton HeightsLorraine Marak to William Kovaly at 4037 Brandon Road for $57,000. Jamal Webb to Darryel Henley at 1533 Eckert St. for $4,000. John Campbell to David and Janelle Fenoglietto at 935 Sagwa St. for $49,805. Estate of Barbara Rittmeyer to F & Y Properties LLC at 1516 1/2 Davis Ave. for $22,000. Jennie Sepdy to Preston Hunt at 3328 Rigel St. for $70,000. Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. trustee to MOM Haven 13 L.P. at 1419 Beckham St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $49,140). PMW Real Estate Management LLC to EX Properties Inc. at 1253 Benton Ave. for $202,000. Courtney Otto to Adam and Jodie Hnatkovich at 3464 Campus St. for $97,000. Housing & Urban Development to James Fredericksen at 3426 Massachusetts Ave. for $31,000. Danielle Shuster to James Weller and Alexandra McInnes at 180

Richbarn Road for $79,900. Greater Homestead Growth Trust #1003437 to DD Sipe Trust #1003437 at 3437 Sipe St. for $19,034. Heidi Price Brayer trustee to Donald Boyle and Richard Cook at 3910 Winshire St. for $96,500.BrightwoodFederal National Mortgage Assn. to G8 1-12 Fund LC at 1229-1231 Dickson St. for $18,235. Pittsburgh City to Donald and Sandra Lee Notaro at 3132-3134 McClure Ave. for $1,500. Vincent Parrucci to Gerald Schwesinger at 2643 Brighton Road for $50,000. Sally Eberhart to Douglas Lentz at 19 Courtright St. for $2,000. AMD Construction & Development LLC to BCM107 Enterprises LLC at 918 Rothpletz St. for $24,000. Mark Verlihay et al. to Michael Preston at 1434 Woodland Ave. for $36,000.

Charles Street Valley

FV 1 Inc. to Triple A Investments LLC at 808 Maginn St. for $7,100.

Central NorthsideMatthew Carpenter et al. to Weichert Relocation Resources Inc. at 516 N. Taylor Ave. for $252,750. Weichert Relocation Resources Inc. to Amy Schultz at 516 N. Taylor Ave. for $252,750. Estate of Velma Logan to Timothy Willis at 1327 Veto St. for $12,000. North Avenue LLC to Ian Staab and Heather Cook at 1509 Federal St. for $186,414. James Welker to Resaca Assoc. LLC at 1242 Resaca Place for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $404,703). North Avenue LLC to Craig Reinhard at 1505 Federal St. for $195,941. North Avenue LLC to Lawrence Porter Jr. at 1511 Federal St. for $147,243. Central Northside Neighborhood Council to October Real Estate Holdings LLC at 104 Jacksonia St. for $5,000.

Central Northside Neighborhood Council to October Real Estate Holdings LLC at 106 Jacksonia St. for $5,000. Central Northside Neighborhood Council to October Real Estate Holdings LLC at 108 Jacksonia St. for $5,000. Central Northside Neighborhood Council to October Real Estate Holdings LLC at 27 Jacksonia St. for $5,000. Central Northside Neighborhood Council to October Real Estate Holdings LLC at 29 Jacksonia St. for $5,000. Todd Meyer to Mathew and Mercer Napper at 1225 Veto St. for $147,500. Roger Humphries to RH Factor LLC at 225 E. Jefferson St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $72,423). North Avenue LLC to Lee Bannister and Daniel Sandroni at 1501 Federal St. for $354,013. James Carter II to Gail Dwyer at 1403 Buena Vista St. for $199,500.


Fineview Estate of Loretta Lombardi to Mifflin Holdings Trust #10014 at 14 Letsche St. for $7,500. Mifflin Holdings Trust #10014 to Martin Bobak at 14 Letsche St. for $11,000.

Historic Deutschtown John Cobb to Prudential Relocation Inc. at 508 E. North Ave. for $180,000. Prudential Relocation Inc. to Shannon Patrick at 508 E. North Ave. for $180,000. Neil Hart Jr. to Lance Chimka and Meryembibi Mammedova at 823 James St. for $38,000.

ManchesterFederal National Mortgage Assn. to G8 1-12 Fund LLC at 1215 Juniata St. for $22,794. Columbus Square Assoc. Model Home L.P. to Dean Scott Hastings and Jon Maxwell Seeley at 1224 Juniata St. for $295,900. Federal National Mortgage Assn. to Regina and Jerome Rigoroso at 1217 Juniata St. and 1226 Rush St. for

$25,000.

Observatory HillThomas Schorr to James and Margaret Schorr at 3912 Perrysville Ave. for $100,000. David Stevens to SIRVA Relocation Credit LLC at 115 Waldorf St. for $150,000. SIRVA Relocation Credit LLC to Christina French at 115 Waldorf St. for $150,000. Mary Dru Imler Simeone to Ebony Marcelle at 131 Bonvue St. for $4,200. Terry Mertz to Brian Bower at 4041 Perrysville Ave. for $39,000. Todd Krut to Alicia Whitney at 2854 Perrysville Ave. for $120,000. Pittsburgh City to Alexey Kharitonov at 3801 Baytree St. for $18,000. Alida Baker et al. to Jayson and Katherine Samuels at 3208 Perrysville Ave. for $258,000. Joseph Ortlieb to Synegy Select Investments Inc. at 67 Semicir St. for $6,000. Pittsburgh City to Raymond Wappes Jr. and Georgia Wappes at 128

Bascom Ave. for $15,000.

Perry SouthJustin Deakings to Longmire Marketplace Investments LLC at 12 W. McIntyre Ave. for $20,000. Darwin Copeland to Aurora Loan Services LLC at 414 Chautauqua St. for $3,184 by sheriff ’s deed. Spring Garden Adam Szczypinski to Federal National Mortgage Assn. at 1244 Spring Garden Ave. for $1,659 by sheriff ’s deed.

Spring HillEstate of Richard Filbert to Steven Hunt at 100 Brahm St. for $15,500. Nicholas RY Holdings Inc. to ECSL Properties LLC at 104 Solar St. for $18,500. John Stephen Swygert to Donald Jones at 1107 Woessner St. for $8,000. Summer Hill John Wolf Jr. et al. to Lisa Czar at 4457 Morefield St. for $117,000. Michael Kraus Jr. to Richard and

Katherine Holzworth at 3551 Sirius St. for $112,000.

Troy HillPittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority to Christine Lynne LLC at 1352 Herman St. for $8,000. Estate of Joyce Marshall to William Tortella at 1936 Ley St. for $27,000. Brian McNelis to Shane Nappenbach at 1018 Vinial St. for $128,000. Robert McPherson trustee to Robert and Rissa McPherson at 2010 Veronica St. for $21,000. Asim Roy to Timothy Carlon at 21 Overlook Court for $387,000. Realty Choice Investments LLC to Ethan and Helena Harow at 1809 Rialto St. for $61,000. Mary Jean Boeh to Realty Choice Investments LLC at 2058 Straubs Lane for $27,000.


The Game Page SudokuLast Month’s Puzzle Solutions

First published in a U.S. puzzle magazine in 1979, Sudoku caught on in Japan in 1986, and became internationally famous in 2005.

The aim of Sudoku is to enter a number from 1 through 9 in each space on a 9×9 grid made up of 3×3 subgrids (called “regions”). Some of the numbers have already been given. You may not use the same number twice in a single row, column, or region of the grid. Completing the puzzle requires patience and logical ability.

Chronicle CrosswordAcross1- Amoeba-like alien: The _____; 5- Converse; 9- Sudden convulsion; 14- Verdi opera; 15- Mandlikova of tennis; 16- Totaled; 17- Reason to cancel school; 18- Feeding on both animals and plants; 20- As opposed to synthetic chemicals?; 22- Turkish title; 23- Hostelries; 24- At any time; 26- Has a bug; 28- Like a rapid as-cension; 32- Linger aimlessly; 36- Boat propeller; 37- Canvas-like fabric; 39- Ezio Pinza, for one; 40- Culture medium; 42- Paroxysmal pain; 44- Collars; 45- Judge, e.g.; 47- Summarize; 49- Actress Charlotte; 50- Elder; 52- Stabilizes; 54- Tides that attain the least height; 56- Group of two; 57- Exclamation to express sorrow; 60- Whimsical; 62- Soul; 66- Permanently frozen subsoil; 69- Celestial body; 70- Perrier rival; 71- Borodin’s prince; 72- Sea swallow; 73- Failed to; 74- Director Wertmuller; 75- “___ quam videri” (North Carolina’s motto); Down1- Beat up; 2- Queue; 3- Scent; 4- Old Scottish bullion coin; 5- Irascible; 6- Thigh; 7- Editor Wintour; 8- Coniferous evergreen forest; 9- Hit sign; 10- Arrondisse-ment resident; 11- Bartlett’s abbr.; 12- Astound; 13- Rock clinging plant; 19- Colo-rado resort; 21- Acknowledge; 25- Strictness; 27- High hit; 28- Castle water pits; 29- Large wave caused by tidal flow; 30- Habituate; 31- Biblical spy; 33- Autocratic Russian rulers; 34- Convocation of witches; 35- Thorny flowers; 38- Battery type; 41- Harness driver; 43- Root cap; 46- Fish eggs; 48- Blueprint; 51- Rabble; 53- ___ Fideles; 55- Danger; 57- Copied; 58- First name in jeans; 59- Dry and waterless; 61- Meditator; 63- Salt Lake City hoopsters; 64- Roman god of war; 65- “Rule Britannia” composer; 67- As a female, you could be queen or worker; 68- Junior;

Crossword puzzles provided by www. bestcrosswords.com / Used with permission.

2012 March

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Transcript of 2012 March