News Around the Neighborhood
Neighborhood Cleanup: Saturday, October 31st at 9:30 am
Roll for a Reason 2015
Our neighbor, Carol Gomrick, who lives on W North Avenue, is asking for our support by attending, donating or sponsoring her foundation’s event, “Roll for a Reason” on November 6th at J. Verno’s Studio in the Southside. This is a casino night gala event with proceeds to support Clear Thoughts Foundation (CTF), a local non-profit dedicated to raising money to fund the research to cure dementia. CTF is unique as the majority of research is towards drugs for dementia management not to cure this disease. CTF is a local Pittsburgh organization started in 2010, born from first-hand experience of watching our loved ones suffer and finally succumbing from the disease’s debilitating effects. As a CTF Board member, Carol will also be asking local businesses for donations to build an “Allegheny West” gift basket for the gala’s silent auction.
Details about to the 2015 event are below:
When: Friday, November 6, 2015 (Doors open at 6:30 pm, Gaming starts at 8:30 pm)
Where: J. Verno’s Studio, Southside
What:
- Poker, Black Jack, Craps & Roulette
- Celebrity Dealers
- Live & Silent Auction
- Heavy Hors d’oeuvres
- Open Bar
- Complimentary valet parking
Cost: $150
To purchase tickets or donate to CTF please visit: www.clearthoughtsfoundation.org
To learn more about gala sponsorship opportunities please email Carol: carol@clearthoughtsfoundation.org
Your generosity really does make a difference. An example of this is the money raised from the 2014 CTF gala event which featured a performance from Mike Super who appeared and was a finalist on America’s Got Talent. CTF was able to raise and award a grant of over $65,000 to a local researcher in the field of dementia research. Visit the CTF website to ready about the published research resulting from this grant.
Thank you for your support in CTF’s efforts.
Road Closures for 3rd Annual Pittsburgh 10 Miler
More than 4,000 participants from 29 states are expected to toe the starting line of the 3rd annual EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler, scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2015. This race is a part of the 2015-16 PRRO Circuit, a prestigious national series that offers world-class competition in events shorter than the marathon distance, with more than $400,000 in prize money.
Beginning at 7:15 am and 10:00 am parts of Ridge Avenue, Brighton Road and Western Avenue will be closed for this race. The streets will reopen on a rolling basis as the runners have passed, trash has been removed and the police have deemed them cleared for reopening.
Our goal is to make the road closure process as easy as possible for those leaving the city and those attending the event. Please visit www.Pittsburgh10Miler.org for more information. If you have any questions regarding the event or road closures, please contact Dennis DiRaimondo at (412) 586-7785 x 116.
Trick or Treating: Halloween Street Closures
Submitted by Dr. Stacy Lane
My husband, Kevin Luffy, got a permit to close Galveston from Daunton Way to Buttercup Way, and the 800 and 900 blocks of Beech Avenue for Halloween again this year. As parents, with how crazy “Trick or Treat” is on our blocks, we feel it’s the safest thing to do to avoid a tragedy.
We are hoping that by alerting the neighborhood of the “Trick or Treat” street closing neighbors can prepare and be respectful.
“Trick or Treat” in Allegheny West draws a nice crowd of kids every year – a little over 200 kids to my house last year. I think it’s important to support the tradition that in many areas of the city has fallen to the way side due to poverty and lack of interest in family and such traditions.
It would be nice to see participation from all of our neighbors, and hopefully continue to make Allegheny West one of the best ”Trick or Treat” spots in the city! For few dollars in candy, you can put a smile on a hundred little faces. Grab a bottle of wine, sit on the stoop and enjoy!
As an aside, my policy is “no costume, no candy” and anyone over the age of 18 gets a number 2 pencil! I encourage everyone to adopt the same!
October Membership Event
Submitted by Mary Callison
A different and appropriate event is planned for October’s get together. On Saturday morning, October 24th we will meet in the Allegheny Cemetery on the porch outside the office door. Over the last couple few months I have gathered names and information about many of the families who were early residents of our neighborhood and are buried in the Allegheny Cemetery. We will gather on the porch at 10:00 am and have a simple brunch and outline the tour. The cost of the brunch will be $6 per person. By Wednesday the 21st I will need to know if you plan to attend, so I can order the food by the 22nd. The tour will take place rain or shine. Get an early start on your Halloween festivities and come on a cemetery crawl.
To reserve a place call me at (412) 321-5951, or email me at callismar@gmail.com.
Free Tickets for Northsiders: Timescape
Presented by Texture Contemporary Ballet
September 25-27
Travel through a whirlwind of time as the Texture Contemporary Ballet revisits the full ballet Infinity, originally commissioned by orchestral group OvreArts and performed in 2012. Be swept away by the enchanting music of composer Blake Ragghianti as the dancers explore the concept of passing time.
Artistic director and fellow Northsider Alan Obuzor will also add his choreographic talents to the program: a brand new ballet set to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
You’re Invited
Thanks to the generous support of the Buhl Foundation, Northside residents and workers are invited to attend this performance for free. A limited number of tickets are available online, so reserve your seat today.
[ebor_button style=”pomegranate” url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/northside-timescape-september-25th-tickets-18736657848″] September 25 at 8:00 pm [/ebor_button] [ebor_button style=”pomegranate” url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/northside-timescape-september-26th-tickets-18736688941″] September 26 at 8:00 pm [/ebor_button] [ebor_button style=”pomegranate” url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/northside-timescape-september-27th-tickets-18736700977″] September 27 at 2:00 pm [/ebor_button]
Free Tickets for Northsiders: Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio
Presented by Kente Arts Alliance
September 19 @ 8 PM
Dr. Lonnie Smith is an unparalleled musician, composer, performer and recording artist. An authentic master and guru of the Hammond B-3 organ for over five decades, he has been featured on over seventy albums, and has recorded and performed with a virtual “Who’s Who” of the greatest jazz, blues and R&B giants in the industry.
Kente Arts Alliance, an African American arts organization based in the Northside, presents high quality art of the African Diaspora. Kente’s aim is to present art with a purpose — with programs that entertain, inform and uplift the residents of underserved communities.
BECKETT & beyond kicks off CORNINGWORKS’ 7th award-winning GLUE FACTORY PROJECT – dance theater productions created on internationally and nationally renowned performers over the age of 40.
You’re Invited
Thanks to the generous support of the Buhl Foundation, Northside residents and workers are invited to attend this performance for free. A limited number of tickets are available online, so reserve your seat today.
[ebor_button style=”alizarin” url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/northside-kente-dr-lonnie-smith-trio-tickets-18554753768″] September 19 at 8:00 pm [/ebor_button]
Free Tickets for Northsiders: BECKETT & Beyond
Presented by CORNINGWORKS
September 9-12,
13 (pay what you can at the door)
We’re born alone, we die alone, and in between? Performed by a critically renowned and seasoned international cast, BECKETT & beyond explores the fickle landscape of existentialism with humor and pathos.
BECKETT & beyond kicks off CORNINGWORKS’ 7th award-winning GLUE FACTORY PROJECT – dance theater productions created on internationally and nationally renowned performers over the age of 40.
You’re Invited
Thanks to the generous support of the Buhl Foundation, Northside residents and workers are invited to attend this performance for free. A limited number of tickets are available online, so reserve your seat today.
[ebor_button style=”alizarin” url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/corningworks-beckett-beyond-wed-tickets-18533466096″] September 9 at 7:00 pm [/ebor_button] [ebor_button style=”alizarin” url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/corningworks-beckett-beyond-thurs-tickets-18533476126″] September 10 at 8:00 pm [/ebor_button] [ebor_button style=”alizarin” url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/corningworks-beckett-beyond-fri-tickets-18533491171″] September 11 at 8:00 pm [/ebor_button] [ebor_button style=”alizarin” url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/corningworks-beckett-beyond-sat-tickets-18533495183″] September 12 at 8:00 pm [/ebor_button] [ebor_button style=”alizarin” url=””] September 13 at 2:00 pm (pay what you can at the door) [/ebor_button]
MWSS House & Garden Tour Call for Volunteers
The Mexican War Streets House and Garden tour is upon us this Sunday. This is the 46th annual tour and it will bring nearly 2,000 people to our neighborhood. This is the best opportunity to showcase our wonderful neighborhood. Volunteers are still needed for both the day before, and the day of the tour.
On Saturday, September 12th, the Mexican War Streets Society has organized two separate clean up efforts. Volunteers are needed to weed Mechanics Retreat Garden at 9:00 am, and volunteers are also needed at 9:00 am to walk the neighborhood to pick up trash and weed. Supplies will be provided. Contact John Augustine to volunteer.
On Sunday, September 13th, volunteers are still needed to help homeowners welcome and guide guests through their houses during the tour. The available volunteer shifts are from 1 to 3 pm, and 3 to 5 pm. As a thank you for volunteering you will receive free admission to the House Tour, a catered lunch at the Hospitality House, and will be able to attend the After-Tour party. Contact Cindy Nichols to volunteer.
Allegheny City Central Association will have a table on Monterey Street during the tour to sell merchandise, sign up members, and provide information. Volunteers are needed for all portions of the day to help tend the table. Contact info@accapgh.org to volunteer.
Questions? Contact Allegheny City Central Association
Letter from the President – September 2015
Hopefully people won’t start hiding from me again. Aside from the fact that we’re still looking for houses for the Christmas Tour (and I swear someone did actually run from me once…you know who you are!), I have another petition for folks to sign. Martha is heading up a grant application through the Buhl Foundation/Sprout Fund One Northside Community grants. At the July Membership meeting we voted to work with an urban planner to build out a plan that we can use to apply from additional funds from lots of different sources. This is different from a 5 year plan or some other medium or long term vision. We want to identify shorter term projects (a year or two) that would significantly improve things in the neighborhood. And then we’re going to figure out how much it actually costs (that’s what makes it different from the usual 5 year plans) In order to make sure it is your life that is significantly improved we need folks to show up at a planning meeting or two (oh yeah, petition, you have to sign the petition so we can get the initial funding). Emailing Martha or cornering me at the Labor Day picnic (after I corner you with the petition) with your great idea isn’t going to cut it for this since we’re going to also need to establish priorities which we have to do in groups. (Because if you let me pick the priorities you’ll probably end up with gas street lights and duck ponds all over the neighborhood – and there will be no parking anywhere because I don’t drive…) So please come to the initial planning meeting, which will be run by someone really good at running these types of things. so I promise it will be productive (and apparently really big maps are involved). If you can’t make this meeting, depending on what some of the initial pain points are we’ll have some more opportunities to get feedback. We’d especially like to make sure that we get input from neighbors such as business owners and employees or renters and landlords who typically haven’t been as active in the membership meetings. I would be interested in suggestions from folks on how to reach out to those people – please invite them personally if you see them. Come for the pizza stay for the neighborhood improvements. And PLEASE contact Trish or Gloria (tours@alleghenywest.org) if you’re interested in having your house on the tour.
And congratulations to Babb Inc. who was named one of Pittsburgh’s Coolest Offices by the Pittsburgh Business Times. Michael and I got to hang out in their really neat garage space and have pizza with them after their service day on July 15. (See the Above and Beyond article for more information.).
See you all Monday at the Labor Day Picnic,
Catherine Serventi
President, AWCC