News Around the Neighborhood
Interested in Changes to the Residential Permit Parking Program?
Hope this message finds everyone doing well. The City would like input on changes to the Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Program. Please share this email with your residents, businesses, and community stakeholders.
The Residential Permit Parking Program is designed to give residents in designated areas a better chance to park near their homes. Currently, the Department of City Planning is responsible for creating and expanding new areas for this program, but the City of Pittsburgh is in the process of transferring this process to the Pittsburgh Parking Authority, who already manages permits and enforcement in RPP Areas.
The transfer of this process provides us with an opportunity. Since this change requires a change to the City Code, the City is interested in hearing from residents about any changes to the program they want to see. This will allow the city to make all potential Code changes at the same time. So, this is where you come in: We want to hear from you.
We have created a survey that will be available to residents until April 25, 2021. This survey covers designation of new districts, fees, permits for residents and visitors, and allows for any other feedback you would like to give about this program. Click Here to take the survey now. You can also take the survey over the phone. Just dial 3-1-1 and ask the operator to walk you through it.
Your feedback is important to us. We want to ensure that this program is effective for you and all the residents of Pittsburgh living in RPP areas. For more information about this project, visit https://engage.pittsburghpa.gov/rpp-program-updates
Stephanie Joy Everett
Senior Planner | Strategic Planning
City of Pittsburgh | Department of City Planning
200 Ross St, 4th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Letter from the President – March 2021
The Fallow Deer at the Lonely House
One without looks in tonight
Through the curtain-chink
From the sheet of glistening white;
One without looks in tonight
As we sit and think
By the fender-brink.
We do not discern those eyes
Watching in the snow;
Lit by lamps of rosy dyes
We do not discern those eyes
Wondering, aglow,
Fourfooted, tiptoe
Thomas Hardy
(With thanks to Ann Gilligan, who suggested this poem despite Hardy’s not being Irish)
Why a poem about a deer this month? Because the Allegheny West Civic Council will be hosting a presentation on the playground near the iron deer statue in the West Commons. As some of you know, the playground fell into disrepair over the years. Last autumn, our city councilor, Bobby Wilson, made an inspection of the playground with Public Works personnel. They discovered that some of the equipment had become unsafe for the children, and had it removed.
Now the city is designing a new playground for the site and wants to discuss those designs in our neighborhood. So, we will be hosting a presentation by Andrea Ketzel, a Senior Project Landscape Architect with the Department of Public Works, prior to our March membership meeting. This is Allegheny West’s chance to learn how the city designs amenities like this, and to present our ideas and concerns to the designers.
Nota Bene: This presentation will take place from 6:45 pm to 7:15 pm on Tuesday, March 9. That should be enough time for Ms. Ketzel to present her ideas and get our feedback. It will be held as a Zoom video conference. We will be sending the Zoom link in an upcoming e-Newsletter.
Afterwards, at 7:30 pm, we’ll have our regularly scheduled membership meeting. Please join us as we discuss the current issues and happenings in Allegheny West. We’ll hear from the usual guests from our elected representatives’ offices, as well as reports from some of our committee chairs. And our Sergeant-at-Arms, Colleen Storm, will delight us with her usual selection of virtual refreshments (gluten-free). I hope to see you all there.
Beware the Ides of March, but happy St. Patrick’s Day! That’s all for this month’s missive. I hope you have a great month.
Bob Griewahn
President, AWCC
AWCC Informational Meeting – March 9, 2021
Via Zoom (details)
March 9th at 7:30 pm
- 7:30 – Gather, Say Hello, Make Trivia Contest Side Bets
- 7:35 – Update: City of Pittsburgh Zone 1 Police (Officer Burford)
- 7:40 – Update: City of Pittsburgh Mayor’s Office (Leah Friedman)
- 7:45 – Update: Councilman Wilson’s Office (Sally Stadelman/Mohammed Burny/Faith Mudd)
- 7:50 – Update: Representative Wheatley’s Office (Thomas Graham)
- 7:55 – Update; Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (Erin Tobin)
- 8:00 – Iron Deer Playground
- 8:10 – Treasurer’s Report (Aaron Bryan)
- 8:15 – Executive Committee Reports
- President (Bob Griewahn)
- Past President (Ann Gilligan)
- 8:30 – Conclude
Memorial Tree Planting
Submitted by Fran Barbush
In the past, we have planted trees in memoriam of departed neighbors and friends of the neighborhood. We recently learned of the passing of our long-time neighbor, Mrs. Patricia Rooney. She was a champion and fundraiser for the Allegheny Commons, and a positive spokesperson for the North Side. We also learned of the death of Greta Coleman. Her husband, Moe, and she were neighbors for many years. Moe passed away last year.
We did not purchase any trees last year, due to the pandemic. If you would like to make contributions toward memorial trees, you can prepare a check and make it out to AWCC, and put it through the mail slot at 806 Western Avenue; or contact treasurer@alleghenywest.org. Thank you for your consideration.
Sponsor a Western Avenue Flower Basket
We’re delighted to announce that Western Avenue in Allegheny West will once again be beautified by hanging flower baskets provided by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC). The WPC will provide the baskets, flowers, installation, watering and maintenance, “take down” and storage of the baskets. We had 40 baskets sponsored in 2020, but with 32 double poles, there is plenty of room for others to help in this worthy endeavor! We want to ensure that all who would like to participate be given the chance to do so.
In 2021, WPC is providing a discounted rate of $355/basket — including the sign! — for the initial year, which includes purchase of the basket, as well as plants, hanging, maintenance, take-down and storage. Sponsors will be subsequently reassessed at a $280/basket rate thereafter for plants, hanging and take-down, maintenance and storage. If interested in sponsoring a basket, please respond to Trish Burton (tdburton3@gmail.com) by March 21 to be included for 2021.
Wednesday Night Bowling at the Elks (Poetry)
A few of the Allegheny West bowling regulars, known in some corners as The Alley Cats, were recently reminiscing about pre-pandemic Wednesday nights at the Elks. As often happens on a cold winter night, sitting by the fire with a glass of wine and missing old friends, a limerick contest broke out. Below is what happened next. (Thankfully, most of us are better at bowling.)
There was an old man in the alley
Whose score no one could tally
Every frame, you see
Was marked with a ‘G’
The gutter was his hidden valley
– Ann Gilligan & Bob Griewahn
There once were some cats o’ the alley
Who thought bowling would be a right sally
So the Elks lent them a lane
Then the cats, the cats they all came
And the kitties framed a 300 rally.
-Trixie Burton
Of strikes at the Elks I’ve been dreaming
While pints of beer I am drinking
And banjo tunes are prevalent
Alas, my dream is irrelevant
As a vaccine shot , I still am awaiting!
-Fran Barbush
There once was a man named Bob Griewahn
Who’s hook was described as a mean one
His style never boring
Quite excellent at scoring
’Twas the best in my humble opinion.
– John Engle
Ten pins and a ball.
The pressure mounts. Need a strike.
Where is my whiskey?
– Mark Fatla
When asked what was bowling’s worst chore
John Engle said “Keeping the score”
“Do I carry the ten?”
“And add it again?”
At the lanes two and two don’t make four
– Bob Griewahn
When the goose poop was covered in snow
And the bone-chilling North Wind did blow
We’d head to the lanes
And bowl a few frames
While the Banjo Club played down below
– Bob Griewahn
’Twas in years before the virus
That lanes and banjos inspired us
The food was quite fine
And bourbon poured like wine
Of the Elks on Wednesdays, we are so desirous
– Tom Cihil
There once was a bowler named Bob
Who, concerned ’bout the poetry squad,
Did not work on the law
But limericked—hee-haw—
And told Laura, “No money, no prob!”
– Trixie Burton
Tomoko Omura + Glenn Zaleski Quartet
Tomoko Omura + Glenn Zaleski Quartet from Alphabet City
Thursday, March 4
7:00 pm
Recently, you may have seen Glenn Zaleski, James Johnson III, and Jeff Grubs perform on our stage (with Yoko Suzuki), tackling the complicated music of Geri Allen. They return, this time with Glenn’s wife, Tomoko Omuro, in a pre-recorded broadcast from Alphabet City. (Run time: 60 minutes)
The Tomoko Omura + Glenn Zaleski Quartet is an improvisational, modern jazz group, featuring two in-demand NYC musicians and two top-talent Pittsburghers. Listen as they play original compositions with touches of classical, folk, and traditional Japanese music. You won’t believe your ears as you hear genres mixing delightfully and effortlessly. You won’t hear anything like this anywhere else.
Broadcast from our stage are jazz favorites: Tomoko Omura (5-string violin); Glenn Zaleski (piano), James Johnson III (drums), and Jeff Grubbs(bass).
Yoko Suzuki: The Music of Geri Allen
Yoko Suzuki Presents
The Music of Geri Allen
Thursday, February 25
7:00 pm
Audience favorite Yoko Suzuki is back to celebrate and showcase The Music of Geri Allen, broadcast from Alphabet City. (Run time: 90 minutes)
A concert featuring all new arrangements of Geri Allen’s original compositions.Yoko Suzuki (a former student and colleague of Geri Allen’s) wanted to ensure Geri’s music is still heard, most especially because of its complexity. Yoko has created new arrangements of Geri’s work in the 2nd concert of the series, a collaboration with local musicians. You won’t get to see something like this anywhere else.
This concert is a rare chance for audiences to hear Geri’s challenging music live, and understand from the musicians just what an intricate puzzle the work presents. Geri first performed at City of Asylum in the 2009 Jazz Poetry festival alongside Oliver Lake’s Trio 3.
Joining Yoko live from our stage are jazz favorites Tommy Lehman (trumpet), Glenn Zaleski (piano), James Johnson III (drums), and Jeff Grubbs (bass).
Celebrating Caribbean Filmmakers, Music and Culture
Presented by Sabira Cole Film Festival and JouvayFest Collective
Three Caribbean Shorts
Sunday, February 21
6:00 pm
In honor of Carnival traditions around the world, and as a way to celebrate the season together, JouvayFest and Sabira Cole Film Festival present Mout’ Open, Story Jump Out!, a film series exploring and celebrating Caribbean culture.
The second series installment, Sunday, February 21, features three short film screenings: Limeru Barana Short (2019), La’ DiaBlesse Curse (2020), and Paradise Lost (2015). These short films are closely tied to Carnival traditions in Trinidad and Tobago, and attempt to capture the complex history and dynamic energy of the art form.
The screening is followed by an expert panel discussion: “Global Caribbean Culture: Resistance and Spiritual Fusion.”
Featured panelists:
- Paradise Lost director Chris Laird
- La’ Diablesse Curse director Jared Prima and producer Millicent Johnnie
- Cultural producer Janera Solomon
- Moderated by Ogechi Chieke of SCFF & Sandra A. M Bell of JouvayFest Collective.
Read more about our panelists here.
Run time: 120 minutes, including panel & audience Q&A
Made Local: Ron Donoughe
Presented in Partnership with University of Pittsburgh Press
Thursday, March 18, 2021
Virtual Event
Free, with registration
Closed captioning will be available
For over thirty years, Western Pennsylvanian painter Ron Donoughe has been trying to capture the look and feel of a landscape, at different times of the day and through all four seasons. Starting with iron, brass, tin, and glass production, the river towns of the Pittsburgh region – from Brownsville to Braddock – ultimately helped make the city the one-time steelmaking capital of the world. With this industrial legacy in mind, Donoughe set out to document the small towns in this region, one painting at a time.
Brownsville to Braddock provides key insight on a forty-mile stretch of river towns. The post-industrial economy led to a decline in manufacturing, and with it, substantial job losses. These towns face many significant challenges, yet there is still beauty to be found. Donoughe finds it as he paints the human spirit through the mills, factories, parks, and homes. The people he meets share their stories of family joy and sorrows, along with a genuine love for the area they call the “Mon Valley.”
Ron Donoughe’s paintings can be found in the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, the Heinz History Center, the Duquesne Club, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and numerous corporate and private collections. He has taught painting at LaRoche College, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, and at workshops throughout the United States and France. His previous books include 90 Pittsburgh Neighborhoods and Essence of Pittsburgh.