News Around the Neighborhood
President’s Letter
Happy October! Autumn has finally arrived and the leaves are beginning to change. Cooler temperatures settling in and fall activities are in full swing! I know you all are busy, so I’ll keep my updates brief:
- First, don’t forget our Annual Allegheny West Awards Banquet on October 22 at 6:00 p.m. This new community tradition gives us the opportunity to celebrate neighbors who have made a lasting impact on Allegheny West. This year, we are proud to honor Aaron Bryan and Carole Malakoff for their many contributions to our neighborhood. Tickets are selling quickly, so be sure to reserve yours soon. Ticket information and more details can be found on page 3 of this Gazette.
- At our last General Membership Meeting, we discussed the upcoming Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) hearing regarding the YMCA sign at 600 W North Avenue. While the hearing concerns installation of the sign, there are questions about the original Historic Review Commission (HRC) approval, which called for refurbishment of the historic neon sign. That approval has expired and will require renewal, while current proposals appear to replace the neon elements with LED lighting. AWCC leadership is seeking further discussion with YMCA representatives to better understand their plans. As an organization committed to historic preservation, AWCC supports restoring the historic neon sign as originally proposed. The ZBA hearing is scheduled for October 15, and the matter is also expected to appear before the HRC in the future. Residents interested in learning more or attending can find information at https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/City-Planning/City-Planning-Meeting-Calendar/ZBA-Agendas.
- We are also gauging interest in expanding our Neighborhood Watch efforts. Whether you’re walking your dog, exercising, or simply enjoying a stroll through the neighborhood, a few extra minutes of awareness can help strengthen our community. If you’d like to learn more or volunteer, please contact me at president@alleghenywest.org.
- Finally, if you’re looking for Halloween themed activities this month, you are in luck! Pittsburgh has plenty to offer. Here are just a few ideas for you: https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/events-festivals/halloween-events/
As always, thank you for your continued involvement and commitment to making Allegheny West a welcoming and vibrant community. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and meetings.
Warmly,
Elizabeth Barbush
Allegheny West Civic Council
AWCC Membership Meeting Agenda – October 13, 2026
The next Allegheny West Civic Council General Membership Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 13 at 7:30 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Avenue – also accessible on Zoom.
7:30
Call to Order
7:35
Greetings and Introductions of New Neighbors
7:40
Reports of Elected Officials, City Departments, Organizations
-
City of Pittsburgh Zone 1 Police (Officer Defeo)
-
City of Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor’s Office (CJ Thorpe)
-
State Representative Aerion Abney’s Office (Tom Harnett)
-
Department of City Planning (Nazia Tarannum)
-
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (Erin Tobin)
-
Councilman Bobby Wilson’s Office (Bobby Wilson/Jordyn Gilliard/Julianne Hluska)
8:10
Guests and Presentations
8:35
Officer and Committee Reports
-
Minutes of Last Meeting (Tim Zinn, Secretary)
-
Treasurer’s Report (Chris Sweeney, Treasurer)
-
Communications Committee (Sarah Cook)
-
Friends of Allegheny West (Trish Burton)
-
Housing and Planning Committee (Tom Cihil)
-
Membership Committee (Yulia Bhonsle)
-
Property Committee (Aaron Bryan)
-
Ways and Means Committee (Jo Beatty)
-
Executive Committee Actions (Elizabeth Barbush)
8:50
Unfinished Business
8:55
New Business
9:05
Adjourn
Additions to the agenda can be made by emailing president@allegheywest.org.
Allegheny West 2026 Victorian Christmas Tour
Tickets went on sale late last week, and as of this writing, we are just over 70% sold. If you are interested in attending the Christmas tour please visit the AWCC website to purchase tickets. Our tours typically sell out well in advance.
Our tours cannot happen without the support of this community. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities remaining:
- We are still looking for homes for the tour and are reaching out to homeowners. If you would like to have your house on this year’s Christmas tour please reach out to tours@alleghenywest.org or directly to me and Carol Gomrick.
- Volunteering during the tours. We need help with a range of roles: runners, homeowner support during the tour, guides in the train museum, and tour preparation such as decorating the neighborhood. Please reach out to me directly if you are interested in volunteering. I will be confirming volunteers during October.
- Our tours run well due to our wonderful docents. Please contact Dan.Sprumont@gmail.com if you have any questions regarding the docent roster.
- If you are a business owner, consider advertising your business in our 2026 Victorian Christmas Tour program. Our program gets wide circulation among tour participants.
A reminder of key dates:
- End of November, date to be confirmed | Decorating the community, tree and swags
- Dec 4th and Dec 5th | TOUR WEEKEND (including the Antique Shoppe at Calvary Church)
- Dec 6th | Tour after party for volunteers
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered in advance, including homeowners and volunteers. It is much appreciated. Please feel free to reach out with any questions regarding the tour.
– Jo Beatty, Ways and Means Chair, ways-means@alleghenywest.org
Neighborhood Awards Banquet
The ticket cost for the 2026 AWCC Awards Banquet is $50.00 per person. Please make payments using this Paypal link. Payments can also be made by check, payable to AWCC. You can mail or drop-off a check at the AWCC Offices, 806 Western Ave, First Floor, Pittsburgh PA 15233.
Recycle TVs, Computers, Tires, Small Appliances & More
Participants must register in advance.
Responsibly recycle a wide variety of items not accepted in curbside collection such as e-waste, tires and small Freon appliances.
Sat, Oct 31 — PPG & PITTSBURGH PENGUINS REGISTER NOW
Melody Tent Lot C
1250 Bedford Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (near Downtown Pittsburgh)
collection presented by PPG and Pittsburgh Penguins
For a $5 PARTICIPANT FEE, individuals can recycle unlimited cell/home phones, computer towers and peripheral equipment (keyboards, laptops, mice, etc.), Styrofoam blocks, and video game consoles/DVD players.
For an ADDITIONAL FEE, individuals can recycle televisions and computer monitors, printers, fluorescent tubes, small Freon appliances, microwaves, and tires (with and without rims). CLICK HERE for price list.
President’s Message
We’re Back!
Back from vacation, back to school, back to work, and back to business!
Our General Membership Meetings resume this month. Please join us on Tuesday, September 8 at Calvary Church. Agenda and meeting details can be found at the end of this Gazette.
Until then, I will keep my updates brief:
- Many residents had contacted the Allegheny West Civic Council regarding a Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) hearing for a variance application that would have permitted firearm sales at 900 Western Avenue. We would like to inform everyone that the business owner has withdrawn the application at this time. As a result, the matter will not appear on the ZBA agenda for September 3. Should the application be resubmitted in the future, we will monitor the situation and notify the neighborhood so it can be discussed appropriately.
- This is also a reminder to review the proposed bylaw amendments before our September meeting. The proposed changes are available on our website, www.alleghenywest.org, under the Constitution and Bylaws tab.
- Our email discussion list was shut down in August when the company that hosted it discontinued the service. We are looking for a replacement so that we can share time-sensitive notices and updates.
- I also hope to see you at our final block party of the year! Our annual Labor Day Block Party will take place on Monday, September 7, beginning at 4:00 pm in the 800 block of N. Lincoln Avenue. See the bottom of the page for more details. We look forward to celebrating with you!
- Finally, the Department of City Planning will be hosting its final public workshop to gather community feedback for the city’s comprehensive plan. The workshop will be held on September 16 at the Mattress Factory, 509 Jacksonia Street, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Residents are encouraged to participate and share their thoughts about Pittsburgh’s future. To register, visit: https://pgh2050.com/events.
We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming events and working together to continue making Allegheny West a great neighborhood.
Warmly,
Elizabeth Barbush
Allegheny West Civic Council
AWCC Membership Meeting Agenda – September 8, 2026
The next Allegheny West Civic Council General Membership Meeting will be held Tuesday, September 8 at 7:30 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Avenue – also accessible on Zoom.
7:30
Call to Order
7:35
Greetings and Introductions of New Neighbors
7:40
Reports of Elected Officials, City Departments, Organizations
-
City of Pittsburgh Zone 1 Police (Officer Defeo)
-
City of Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor’s Office (CJ Thorpe)
-
State Representative Aerion Abney’s Office (Tom Harnett)
-
Department of City Planning (Nazia Tarannum)
-
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (Erin Tobin)
-
Councilman Bobby Wilson’s Office (Bobby Wilson/Jordyn Gilliard/Julianne Hluska)
8:10
Guests and Presentations
8:35
Officer and Committee Reports
-
Minutes of Last Meeting (Tim Zinn, Secretary)
-
Treasurer’s Report (Chris Sweeney, Treasurer)
-
Communications Committee (Sarah Cook)
-
Friends of Allegheny West (Trish Burton)
-
Housing and Planning Committee (Tom Cihil)
-
Membership Committee (Yulia Bhonsle)
-
Property Committee (Aaron Bryan)
-
Ways and Means Committee (Jo Beatty)
-
Executive Committee Actions (Elizabeth Barbush)
8:50
Unfinished Business
8:55
New Business
9:05
Adjourn
Additions to the agenda can be made by emailing president@allegheywest.org.
Celebrate Labor Day with Your Neighbors
Join AWCC’s final block party picnic of the 2026 season!
AWCC will hold our annual Labor Day Picnic from 4:00 pm to 7:30pm on Monday, September 7th, on the 800 block of North Lincoln Avenue. AWCC will provide burgers, hot dogs, all the fixings and drinks. Bring a side dish or dessert to share, and a chair so you can sit and stay a while. Games and entertainment for kids of all ages. Say goodbye to summer with good friends and great neighbors!
2026 Allegheny West Christmas Tour
Submitted by Joanne Beatty, Ways and Means Chair
Dates: Friday December 4th 2026, and Saturday December 5th
We kicked off activities for this year’s Christmas tour last week. We have already had requests for tickets. Tickets will go on sale at the end of September, early October. As our tours have traditionally sold out early, please make sure to tell friends and family to sign up for advance notice Tour Mailing List – Allegheny West
Our tours are not possible without our wonderful volunteers. As with previous years there are several ways to get more involved with the tour:
Volunteer Opportunities
- Showcase your home and its wonderful history! There are no tours without homes. Each Christmas tour we seek six homes in addition to Holmes Hall (thank you Mark) and Calvary Church (thank you Beth). If you would like to have your home on this year’s tour please contact Jo Beatty or Carol Gomrick. We are happy to walk you through the process and answer any questions.
- Sponsor the tour by placing an ad in our very popular tour program or help by underwriting the cost of the program by making a donation to Allegheny West Civic Council. Everything helps. Please reach out via tours@alleghenywest.org
- Volunteer to support the running of the tour. This is a great opportunity to be involved, meet neighbors and friends and experience the tour. Volunteer opportunities include helping homeowners or as a docent. This is our largest volunteer event. Please contact Dan Sprumont (docents) or Jo Beatty (all other volunteer opportunities) if you are interested. Please reach out directly or via tours@alleghenywest.org
- Runners. Our runners are a critical part of the tour, making sure the tour route stays cleared, the luminaries and flags at each home are set up and taken down as well as respond to matters that arise during the tour in real time. Don’t worry there is no real running involved, but a degree of mobility is necessary. Please reach out via tours@alleghenywest.org
- Train Museum. The model train collection housed at Holmes Hall is unique and a “must see” on the tour. We need volunteers to help staff the second, third and fourth floors at Holmes Hall during the tour. We provide training and notes. Again reach out directly or use the tours@alleghenywest.org
- At Calvary Church. We need volunteers to announce the tours, support registration and help each tour group get on its way smoothly and on time. Let us know if this is something you are interested in.
If you are new to the Allegheny West neighborhood, a very WARM WELCOME. The holiday season and our Christmas tour is a special time in the neighborhood. The Christmas tour is a wonderful way to come together as a community so please consider volunteering.
Thank you in advance for all your efforts and support for the tours.
September Trash & Recycling Dates
Trash: September 8th (collection slides to Tuesday because of Labor Day) and September 21st
Trash and Recycling: September 14th and 28th
Street Sweeping: Week of September 7th