News Around the Neighborhood

Airbnb Issue in Allegheny West

Airbnb Party | 934 W North Avenue | March 24, 2023

 
On March 24, 2023 Pittsburgh Police responded to a house alarm at 934 W North Avenue. This occurred around 11:30 pm.  There was a large gathering of young people attending a party. Upon the officers’ arrival, the attendees spilled into the street, running from the police . A large group was found hiding in the courtyard of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. The police response to this event was significant.
 
According to a responding officer, the police were dispatched because they received an alert from the security system, when whoever entered the property did not properly disable the house alarm. The owners of the property could not be reached. Activity continued into the evening as the party-goers tried to return to assess what was going on and figure out how to get to vehicles without alerting the officers on the scene. 
 
Fortunately, this party did not end with the same tragic consequences as occurred last year at a party hosted at an Airbnb in Deutschtown. 
 
This topic will be raised with the Zone 1 officer at the next General Membership Meeting (April 11, 2023), with questions about the event and what, if any, additional actions have been taken by the police. Currently, there are no arrests listed on the Zone 1 police blotter. The Allegheny West Executive Officers are reviewing the event and discussing what options are available to ensure the safety of our neighbors and people visiting the neighborhood.

Survey to Decide Community Priorities Now Available

City of Pittsburgh Logo

The City of Pittsburgh needs input on 2023 funding decisions. 

Have your voice heard!

Every year, the Office of Management and Budget creates an Annual Action Plan to decide how the federal funds managed by OMB-Community Development Division will be spent. Spending priorities were set in the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan, but each year City residents get the opportunity to rank how important they feel these goals are in the coming year. The survey is voluntary and confidential, and will take up to 10 minutes to complete.

Action Alert: Stormwater Conversations

Participate in a Series of “Stormwater Conversations”

To address Pittsburgh’s stormwater challenges head-on, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) will host a “Stormwater Conversations” series. The six engaging community workshops are intended to gather feedback around planning initiatives currently underway and to hear how stormwater impacts your neighborhood.

Recognizing that everyone learns and receives information differently, the PWSA has designed the workshops to be engaging and interactive. Learn about PWSA’s Stormwater Strategic plan and participate in interactive discussions.

Discussion Schedule

Thursday, April 13 @ Sheraden Health Active Living Center

Tuesday, April 18 @ Phillips Recreation Center

Tuesday, April 25 @ Kingsley Association

Tuesday, May 16 @ Brighton Heights Health Active Living Center

Tuesday, May 23 @ Hazelwood Healthy Active Living Center

Tuesday, June 6 @ Elsie H. Hillman Auditorium 

Parks Conservancy

PYSO Returns to the Tiffany Concert Series, Sunday, March 19

PYSO Concert Series

PYSO Returns to
The Tiffany Concert Series

Sunday, March 19th at 4:00 PM
at Calvary United Methodist Church

Sponsored by:
The Allegheny Historic Preservation Society

Concert features performances by the PYSO Strings, the Azure String Quartet, second & third-place winners of PYSO Concerto Competition, as well as select artists from the 2023 Pittsburgh Concert Society’s Young Artist Concert Competition

Program includes works by Mozart, Brahms, Shostakovich, Holberg,
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Weber and more.

Location:
Calvary United Methodist Church
971 Beech Avenue Pittsburgh, PA
www.calvarypgh.com

Tickets:
Adults: $20
Children (under 16 years of age): $10
Tickets can be purchased by cash or check at the door. Tickets will not be pre-sold.
Open seating.

An Evening with Ibram X. Kendi: Discussing Antiracism & Children’s Literature

Ibram X Kendi

Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures presents Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to be an Antiracist and How to Raise an Antiracist, at 6:00 pmm Thursday, March 9, 2023, at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall in Oakland.

Dr. Kendi is appearing with the release of his new children’s book, The Making of Butterflies, a retelling of work by Zora Neale Hurston from her folktale anthology Mules and Men. His conversation with Dr. Valerie Kinloch, Dean of University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education, will focus on the importance of these works of literature within the framework of his antiracism work. In-person and virtual tickets available at pittsburghlectures.org.

Diversity in The Parks

In the Parks

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy celebrates diversity every month, but throughout February, the organization recognized Black History Month by celebrating and honoring the impact of African Americans in Pittsburgh’s parks. This includes highlighting the current work of our dedicated team. 

As February comes to a close, check out some of the staff spotlights below to learn more about how a few team members prioritize making the parks accessible, with a renewed focus on underrepresented communities and the importance of representation amongst park staff.

Ross Chapman

“The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s commitment to improving and restoring Pittsburgh’s parks for all remains a top priority for the organization. Every team member is committed, in earnest, to delivering programs and projects that positively impact Black and Brown Pittsburghers and all park-goers.

As a Black, lifelong Pittsburgher that grew up next to McKinley Park, I speak from the heart when I say that we at the Parks Conservancy strive every day to make our parks accessible and welcoming places of pleasure, relaxation, learning, and comfort for everyone. Over the past several years, we’ve doubled down on our commitment to communities like Beltzhoover, the Northside, and the Hill District, to name just a few, to launch new programs and projects in parks where there have been far too few for far too long.

These essential areas of work are being bolstered by resources from Vibrant Pittsburgh and other DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) centric partnerships. Our focus on racial equality and how best to support and encourage all Pittsburghers to use our parks will remain at the forefront of our priorities. This, to me, is what I’m striving to do and what I think we’re all striving to do each day.”

-Ross Chapman, Chief of Operations and Park Equity

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

New Hazlett Hotlist
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Presented by Prime Stage Theatre​
Mar 3, 4, 10, 11 I 8:00PM
Mar 5, 11, 12 I 2:30PM

On a rainy day in London, four children step through a magical wardrobe and discover an enchanted kingdom filled with fantasy, mystical characters, and suspense.

Summer Camp Registration Opens Tomorrow!

Pittsburgh Parks Summer Camps

Parents and caretakers get ready! Summer camp registration officially opens tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.! Spaces go fast, so be sure to set your alarm if you want to get a spot this year. Registration will open on our summer camp page.

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s popular summer camps are unique, age-specific programs held in beautiful Frick Park. Led by park naturalist educators, these four or five-day long camps encourage children and teens to learn, play, and grow in our city’s most exciting classrooms: parks!  

We have a variety of nature-inspired activities for children ages four to youth entering 8th grade. 

Summer camp registration will open on Wednesday, February 22nd at 8:00 am! 

Camperships are available for income-eligible families. Click here to learn more!

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Assistance for East Paelstine

From Carol Gomrick

Like you I have been riveted by the news of the train derailment in East Palestine. I felt compelled to act. I did some research and came across information provided by “Cleveland Moms” – an organization dedicated to providing local support to moms and communities in the Cleveland area. 
 
The website has a page dedicated to providing information on how to assist residents of East Palestine. Two organizations were cited, “The Brightside Project” and “The Way Station“. These are established food and clothing assistance centers in the East Palestine area. I spoke to The Brightside Project to understand what is needed by the residents. These organizations know the residents  and are coordinating with each other to address their needs. Some of the suggestions were:
 
Bottle water | Gallon jugs – these are easier to use for cooking/cleaning/bathing
Cleaning products | the contamination is airborne, it’s in clothing / bedding and residents are doing a lot of laundry and trying to keep food surfaces clean.
Baby Products – Sensitive and regular baby formula / diapers*
*Diapers are in great demand and multiple sizes are needed.
 
The Brightside Project is currently rehabbing a school bus to provide door to door delivery of items to residents who do not have transportation or are homebound.
 
I’d like to take what I learned about the needs of the residents and do a road trip with donations. My ask is a monetary donation and I’ll purchase the products – load up my vehicle and drive the products out to East Palestine for drop off. I’ll share with you what’s purchased.
 
–I plan to go on or before March 3.
 
Any remaining money from purchases will go to one of the organizations mentioned above.
Please note: This is not an Allegheny West Civic Council sanctioned activity. This is just about neighbors helping neighbors.
 
I’m accepting cash or check – (I’m still a luddite at heart | no Zelle or Venmo). Please let me know if you’d like to donate. Please email me if you’d like to donate or drop off your monetary donation at 940 W North.