News Around the Neighborhood
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 We would like to inform everyone that the business owner has withdrawn the application at this time.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
Duquesne Club Founders Tour
On Tuesday, September 15, at 5:30 p.m., the Allegheny West Civic Council (AWCC) will welcome members of the Duquesne Club for a private walking tour of Allegheny West. This special event offers participants the opportunity to explore the neighborhood’s historic streets and learn about the homes and landmarks associated with several of the Club’s founders.
The tour will also highlight notable works by the architectural firm Longfellow, Alden & Harlow, designers of the Duquesne Club building and several significant properties in Allegheny West. Tim Zinn has graciously volunteered to serve as docent for the evening and will lead a group of up to 20 participants. Most tour stops have a direct historical connection to the Duquesne Club. A special thank you goes to Carole and Bob Malakoff, who have generously opened their home to provide guests with an opportunity to learn about the property’s important place in Pittsburgh history.
Tour Stops
- Willock House (Brighton Row), courtyard access only; associated with founding member B.F. Jones
- Byers-Lyon House, Ridge Avenue
- Emmanuel Episcopal Church
- Kaufmann House
- Holmes Hall, featuring ballroom window treatments originally from the Duquesne Club
Additional Properties of Interest
- Gary Otto Residence, 838 N. Lincoln Avenue; designed by Longfellow, Alden & Harlow
- William Penn Association Building, 709 Brighton Road; associated with founding member Harry Darlington
There will be no street closures associated with this tour. We are grateful to the property owners and volunteers who have helped make this event possible. Please email tours@allghenywest.org with questions.
“Outdoors for All” Event to be Held at Allegheny Commons Park
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, Outdoor Inclusion Coalition and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, will host the 3rd annual Outdoors for All event at Allegheny Commons Park on August 15 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. This free event marks the final celebration in the statewide Outdoors for All summer series and brings together more than 25 conservation, community, and environmental partners.
Outdoors for All Day is recognized each year on the third Saturday in July, which is Outdoors for All Month, to highlight Pennsylvania’s commitment to welcoming, inclusive access to nature for all residents and visitors. What began as a single celebration in Pittsburgh in 2024 has expanded into four events across the Commonwealth that bring together recreation, conservation, and environmental organizations.
Outdoors for All also reflects DCNR’s Broader Mosaic initiative to strengthen community connections and ensure all people are represented and welcomed on Pennsylvania’s public lands. This year’s theme highlights the importance of expanding water access and creating more opportunities for water recreation.
“Outdoors for All is about connecting DCNR to the energy and community spirit that happens when people and organizations come together to celebrate the simple joy of being outside,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Events like this show what access to the outdoors can mean for people, from the sense of belonging it creates to the mental and physical benefits that come from connecting with nature. This is what Outdoors for All is all about, and it is why DCNR is committed to making sure every Pennsylvanian can enjoy the outdoors in a welcoming and meaningful way.”
Pittsburgh is known for the many ways people connect with the outdoors and each other through public lands and waterways. A wide range of organizations that support community vitality and wellbeing through conservation and recreation will be on full display at the Outdoors for All celebration, including, but not limited to, Venture Outdoors, SurfSUP and the Watersmith Guild, the National Aviary, Allegheny Land Trust, Riverlife, and more. Activities include kayaking, facepainting, mountain biking, birding walks, and learning opportunities from various organizations.
“Pittsburgh is full of recreation opportunities for families, residents, and visitors to connect with the outdoors between our three rivers, hundreds of acres of parks and a network of trails and green spaces,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor. “We are looking forward to a fun day near Lake Elizabeth in Allegheny Commons and celebrating our shared vision with our partners at DCNR, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, and community organizations to make parks and outdoor recreation more welcoming and accessible for all.”
“Outdoors for All is a wonderful example of what’s possible when organizations and communities come together to create and activate welcoming outdoor spaces for everyone,” said Catherine Qureshi, President and CEO, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. “That spirit of partnership and shared commitment to connecting people with parks and nature is part of what makes Pittsburgh such a special place.”
This Outdoors for All event also marks the end of the inaugural summer season of First Try Collective, a free event series helping Greater Pittsburgh residents learn the basics of outdoor activities and enjoy the region’s parks, trails, green spaces, and outdoor amenities. Participants who attend three First Try Collective events should bring their completed First Try Punch Pass to receive free ice cream from Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream during the Outdoors for All event at Allegheny Commons.
Millie’s Ice Cream and PGH Crepes food trucks will also be available to purchase to enjoy in the park. Carpooling, biking, or public transportation is encouraged as parking is limited to street parking.
DCNR has invested more than $51 million in Allegheny County since 2016 to ensure waterways and public lands stay open and accessible for all residents across the region. Outdoors for All celebrates access and inclusion and reminds us there is still work to be done.
Outdoors for All Day is a rain or shine event. Advertised activities are subject to change based on weather and safety conditions.
DCNR Media Contact:
Wesley Robinson
werobinson@pa.gov
717.877.6315
President’s Message
Greetings, Neighbors –
I say this every August, but I truly cannot believe it is already August. Summer has flown by! As we begin looking ahead to fall, I am pleased to share that our General Membership Meetings will resume next month in September. Because we still have summer recess for one more month, I will keep my updates brief:
Executive Updates – There were no executive actions resulting from our most recent Executive Committee meeting.
Regarding the WANID (Western Avenue Neighborhood Improvement District) project, Mayor O’Connor’s Chief of Staff Dan Gilman, who walked Western Avenue with AWCC and WANID representatives last month, received a quote from Duquesne Light to bury the utility lines along Western Avenue. The estimated cost came in at approximately $17 million. Given that estimate, the city is exploring other options and will provide further updates in the coming months.
Renovations at the AWCC building at 806 Western Avenue are currently underway, and we remain on track to complete the project by the end of the year. Thank you to Aaron, our property chair!
Our annual Labor Day Block Party is coming up on Monday, September 7. As our final block party of the year, you will not want to miss it! More details can be found within this gazette.
Proposed Bylaws Update – To ensure everyone has adequate time to review the proposed revisions before our September membership meeting, I have posted the draft bylaws on our website at www.alleghenywest.org under the Constitution and Bylaws tab.
At a high level, the proposed changes include:
- Clarifications and updates to:
Article II (Area)
Article III (Purpose) - Addition of a formal Policy Against Discrimination Article
- Removal of provisions related to Associate Membership from Article IV (Membership) – this type of
membership previously allowed individuals, organizations, businesses, etc, residing or operating
outside Allegheny West boundaries to become members, subject to Executive Committee approval,
with full voting rights. - Reorganization and streamlining of several articles, including the consolidation of the Officers and Duties of Officers sections.
I encourage everyone to review the proposed bylaws before our September meeting so that we can have a productive discussion and consider any questions or feedback from the membership.
That is all for now. See you on September 8th!
Warmly,
Elizabeth Barbush
Allegheny West Civic Council
Allegheny West Civic Council Meetings
Although AWCC General Membership meetings won’t convene in August, there are committee meetings occurring before our next General Meeting on Tuesday September 8th.
Here are dates and details:
● Housing & Planning Committee Meeting
806 Western Avenue (also on Zoom) Tuesday, September 1st at 7:30pm
Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87074045427?pwd=MUVvbUpEOXlMZDhBTEZ0V0JaT1MxUT09
Meeting ID: 870 7404 5427, Passcode: 045565
● AWCC Executive Committee Meeting
806 Western Avenue, Tuesday, August 25th at 7:00 pm