News Around the Neighborhood
Letter from the President – December 2020
Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.
– Dr. Seuss
Friday, December 11th should be the first night of the 39th Annual Allegheny West Victorian House Tour. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the House Tour was cancelled and we’re all facing a holiday season with smaller gatherings and pared-down celebrations.
A small group of Allegheny West neighbors have stepped up to bring some holiday cheer to Western Avenue this year, with the added hope it will encourage shopping at our local Allegheny West businesses.
The AWCC Small Business Saturdays ad hoc committee (committee members are Aaron Bryan, Eric Grasso, Bob Griewahn, Sally Graubarth, Abi Webb and Ann Gilligan) formed with the goals:
- Promote Allegheny West businesses on Small Business Saturday and throughout the 2020 holiday shopping season
- Find ways to enhance Western Ave business district for the holidays and engage the neighborhood for COVID-alternate festivities
There was an announcement in the e-newsletter, and is also in this issue of the Gazette, about the Small Business Saturdays raffle sponsored by AWCC. The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate for doing what comes naturally in December – shopping!
The Committee also has some plans to make Western Avenue a holiday attraction as well as fill in some of the void of our cancelled House Tour. A Christmas tree will be put up at the corner of Galveston and Western Avenues, decorated with lights and ornaments supplied by the neighborhood and celebrated with a tree-lighting ceremony at 6:00 pm Friday, December 11th . The tree-lighting ceremony will be broadcast live on Zoom for those looking to avoid crowds and/or the cold. Look for the details in a separate article in this Gazette. We hope to see you, masked & person or on-line on the 11th!
In a year like no other, this will be a holiday season like no other. Per the by-laws, as President of the Allegheny West Civic Council, I give everyone permission to do only what you can, to enjoy a smaller holiday without any guilt and to take time just for you and do something that makes you happy. I also wish everyone Peace, Joy and Hope for a better 2021.
This is my last column as AWCC President and Tuesday December 8th will be the last General Membership meeting I’ll preside over before handing the reins to Bob Griewahn, President-Elect. Being AWCC President has been a great learning experience and I truly appreciate everyone who has offered support and encouragement over the past 2 years. The biggest lesson I learned seems obvious but became so clear to me: nothing happens without a volunteer making it happen. Whenever a sentence begins with the words “We should…” it will quickly die on the vine without a sentence containing “I will” nearby. “We should”s are great, it’s how we get new ideas, but I encourage everyone to be aware and thoughtful about suggesting volunteer opportunities for someone else to implement. Be the “I will”!Finally, I’d like to acknowledge and thank the 2020 outgoing AWCC Board Members – Tom Barbush, Sara Beck Sweeney and Robin Zoufalik. Your service to AWCC is much appreciated.
Ann Gilligan
President, AWCC
Recipe for Holiday Irish Coffee
adapted from the Gilligan Family recipe collection
Heat cup. When warm, put a teaspoon of brown sugar and a jigger of whiskey in the cup.
Add hot black coffee to about an inch from top. Put whipped cream on top. Serve.
AWCC Informational Meeting – December 8, 2020
Via Zoom (details)
Tuesday, December 8th at 7:30 pm
- 7:30 – Gather, Enjoy Holiday Zoom Backgrounds
- 7:35 – Update: City of Pittsburgh, Mayor’s Office
- 7:40 – Update: Councilman Wilson’s Office
- 7:45 – Update: Representative Wheatley’s Office
- 7:50 – Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
- 8:00 – WANID End of Year Report (Mark Fatla, NSLC)
- 8:20 – Treasurer’s Report
- 8:30 – Trivia Contest: Victorian Christmas Edition
- 8:45 – Conclude
Allegheny West Small Business Raffle
Win a $100 Gift Certificate from your favorite Allegheny West business for shopping and supporting local businesses! Allegheny West Civic Council is sponsoring a raffle to make your local holiday shopping even more enjoyable. Simply make purchases from at least 3 AW businesses and add your name to win a $100 gift certificate. Use the button below to enter the raffle. See list of businesses in e-newsletter; contact business about curbside pick up and delivery. Happy local shopping!
- Open to Allegheny West Residents only.
- You must make a purchase at three (3) Allegheny West businesses for one (1) raffle entry, or
make purchases at five (5) businesses for two (2) entries. - Purchases must be made between Saturday, November 28th and Saturday, December 19th.
- The winner must provide receipts of purchases.
- The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate at the Allegheny West business of his/her/their
choice. Winner will be announced on Sunday, December 20, 2020.
AWCC Tree Decorating & Lighting Ceremony
On what would have been the first night of the Victorian Christmas House tour, join us instead to celebrate the lighting of the AWCC 2020 Christmas Tree!
WHERE: Southeast corner of Galveston and Western Avenues
WHEN: Friday, December 11th, 6:00 pm
Note: If you are planning to join the tree-lighting in person, please wear a mask and stay socially distanced.
Join the live broadcast via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89969724081?pwd=dGFWNTRaalpJZThHNjBWQmswenNYQT09
Meeting ID: 899 6972 4081 Passcode: 979088
Saturday, December 5th 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
We’re requesting donations to light and decorate the tree
Please bring donations of Christmas lights and tree ornaments to 910 Maolis Way.
Encouraged: Light strings, non-breakable ornaments, homemade ornaments, ribbons, tree topper
Sunday, December 6th 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
The Committee will put up and secure the tree, and start stringing lights and adding decorations.
Monday – Thursday, December 7th-10th, 2020
Additional decorations can be placed in the marked box near the Christmas tree at Western Ave and Galveston.
Thanksgiving Isn’t Over Yet
Submitted by Trish Burton
I’d like to extend thanks to the following people who have made our neighborhood a little bit prettier, cleaner and greener in a year when we needed all that and more.
Business District Basket Sponsors: Allegheny Sandwich, AWCC, Ethelyn Daniel, Elsen Associates, Gilligan Sorbet, Keane George/Allegheny Realty, Giorgio’s Place, Sally Graubarth, Bob Griewahn, Martha Helmreich, Nonie & Bob Knaus, Pat, Bob, & Sarah Mistick, Modern Cafe, Gary & Bonnie Otto, Pittsburgh Home & Garden, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Q Development, Refucilo Winery, John & Carole Robert, Dr. Dan Strinkoski, Eileen & Bill Swazuk, Ashley Webb, Katie & Zoufalik, and the Burton Family
Parklet Gardeners: Thanks to the group that has helped to clean, shop, plant, weed, water… and pull it all out and bag it until next season: Holly Pultz, Sally Graubarth, Carole Malakoff, Nonie Knaus, Katie Zoufalik, Diane & Tony Caruso, and Emilio Leonardo.
Litter Picker-Uppers: We no longer need to have “clean up days” because of the weekly, under-the-radar efforts of Dr Dan Strinkoski and Sue and Frank Remcheck, who use leaf blowers and grabbers to keep our streets and sidewalks tidy!
Plant Donors: Thanks again to Casey O’Connor and Rubab Jafry for (again) donating many hostas so that more tree wells on Western Avenue are planted and the Parklet grouping continues to expand! Thanks also to John Burton for donating several shrubs to fill in some gaps in the Parklet.
. . . and, last but not least, thanks to residents like Tim Zinn and Mike Douglas, Tom and Mary Ann Cola, T. Rankin/State Farm, and The Bloom Brigade who plant and tend lovely tree well gardens along Western . . . and all who plant window boxes and urns throughout AW!
The Greenspace/Friends of Allegheny West Committee looks forward to continuing this work in 2021. Please let us know if you’d like to be a part of the group!
Support Allegheny West Businesses on Small Business Saturday
Remember to come out and support your local Allegheny West businesses on Small Business Saturday. This year, it will be Saturday, November 28. To learn more and see a video featuring Northside Businesses, visit Northside Shop Small at: bit.ly/northsideshopsmall.
Follow along at @northsideshopsmall on Instagram and Facebook
Jazz @ Home with Off Minor & Tom Wendt
Off Minor Jazz Series Presents
Way Out West
Sunday, November 22nd
6:00 pm
Dear Friends,
This Sunday evening, with an eye towards keeping everyone safe and well, Off Minor Jazz heads back online and revisits some fan favorites from the archives. But with that signature Off Minor twist, of course.
On Sunday November 22nd, we’ll re-air Way Out West, a concert tribute to the ground breaking Sonny Rollins album. In this album Sonny introduced his “strolling” technique: solo saxophone over bass and drums, without a piano. This intimate, pared-down ensemble became the go-to format for future jazz groups. This concert honors Sonny and the heyday of mid-century jazz.
We’ll also spend time at home with drummer & curator Tom Wendt, with his signature behind-the-scenes commentary. Tom revisits the performance and reflects on the ensemble’s chemistry and their one-night-only improvisations. It’s a rare thing for musicians to recap a live set, and this program is like watching the concert alongside Tom. His knowledge of jazz history shines in this program, as he walks us through just what makes Sonny Rollins and this album so unique.
This concert is like watching a movie with director’s commentary. But it’s better because you get to groove along and watch local artists show off their talent. I think it’s a joyful way to spend a Sunday evening in lockdown, or any Sunday evening! I hope you’ll join me online.
Warmly,
Abby Lembersky
Director of Programs
Reel Q Presents Nowhere at City of Asylum
Nowhere
Monday, November 23rd
7:00 pm
Adrian and Sebastian live an openly gay life in New York as Immigrants. When Sebastian’s visa is rejected, the two must decide whether to return to Colombia where they face rejection and persecution for their sexual orientation or do whatever is necessary to stay in the United States. Nowhere places its characters within the context of the difficult immigration situation in the US while examining the resulting sense of homelessness and lack of belonging.
The evening includes a talkback with the film’s director and 2 lead actors.
Run time: 120 minutes including talkback
LatinX & Proud! Reading Series Returns
LatinX & Proud! Reading Series
With poets Casandra López and Angela Velez,
musician FeralCat, and surprise host Eloisa Amezcua
Tuesday, November 17
7:00 PM
Our LatinX & Proud! Reading Series is celebrating its first birthday, and one year of empowering local and national Latinx authors and performers. In honor of the occasion, we’ve created a powerhouse lineup of poetry and music and we hope you’ll join the festivities!
This event is in proud partnership with Casa San Jose-Pittsburgh and PEN America’s DREAMing Out Loud project—a series of tuition-free writing workshops for young, undocumented students to amplify the voices of many living in this country who are marginalized because of their immigration status.
¡Ven a celebrar con nosotros! (Come celebrate with us!)
Celebrating Elena Ferrante
A Ferrante Fête
Conversation with translator Ann Goldstein
and publisher Michael Reynolds
Tuesday, November 10
6:00 pm
Elena Ferrante — the nom de plume of an anonymous Italian writer — was named one of TIME Magazine‘s most influential people in 2016 and is frequently touted as a future Nobel Prize-winner. The author of the acclaimed My Brilliant Friend, recently adapted for an HBO series, Elena Ferrante has become one of the world’s most read and beloved writers — and yet, know one knows her true identity.
Fans of Elena Ferrante are also, unknowingly or not, fans of her English translator Ann Goldstein. So, in celebration of the most recent novel, the NY Times best selling The Lying Life of Adults, Ann Goldstein and Michael Reynolds join us in conversation. They will discuss Ferrante’s collection, and the difficulties and rewards of interpreting literature of English-speaking readers. This program is like a masterclass in Elena Ferrante from the two people responsible for bringing her work to the US.
The Lying Life of Adults is a gripping, totally unforgettable novel about the transition from childhood to adolescence to adulthood. It is a gorgeous book and we hope you join us on Tuesday evening to dig in.