News Around the Neighborhood
Christmas Tour 2019
“The sun is shining, the grass is green” … and you’re now humming “White Christmas,” right?! It’s the perfect time to begin planning to welcome revelers to our neighborhood to kick off the holiday season!
The dates are set: Friday, December 13th and Saturday, December 14th. The planning process has begun. Much of the tour will remain as is past years, with Calvary UMC as the starting point (with an antique and vendor show!) and concluding at Holmes Hall with the Train Tour available to guests.
The tour committee is actively seeking houses to be on tour. If you would like to offer your home, or to get more information about what is involved in being on tour, please contact Carol Gomrick or Annette Trunzo.
Please continue to check the weekly eNewsletters and the monthly Gazette for updates, committee meetings and volunteer opportunities.
Carol Gomrick: carolgomrick@gmail.com
Annette Trunzo: act1@pitt.edu
AWCC Membership Dues
Electronics & Hazardous Waste Recycling Drop-off and Curbside Pick-up
Residents can bring these items to the Pittsburgh Recycling Center in the Strip District, 3001 Railroad Street, every Wednesday from 3:00-8:00 pm and every Sunday from 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
Residents are required to SCHEDULE a DROP-OFF TIME. Fees will apply to most items. If you prefer Curbside Pick-up Service, registration and prepayment are required.
Go to ecsr.net for general information, including a list of accepted items and fees, or to schedule a drop-off appointment or curbside pick-up online or phone (814) 425-7773.
Teapots Needed
PHLF: 1969 – A Revolutionary Year in Pittsburgh
Location: Landmarks Preservation Resource Center, 744 Rebecca Avenue
Date: Thursday, September 12th
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Contact: marylu@phlf.org or (412) 471-5808 ext. 527
In this lecture, Mark Houser takes a detailed look at two civil rights struggles that reached their boiling point in Pittsburgh 50 years ago. These struggles saw black activists shut down construction sites at the former Three Rivers Stadium and at the former U.S. Steel Building, while feminists picketed the former Pittsburgh Press newspaper in a battle that went all the way to the Supreme Court. Mark will also discuss other significant and quirky anecdotes about Pittsburgh history. For example: what happened to the person who drove off the Bridge to Nowhere — and survived!
About the Presenter: Mark Houser is a frequent Pittsburgh Magazine contributor who writes and speaks about Pittsburgh’s history. You can find more stories at his website, HouserTalks.com.
This lecture is FREE and open to the public. RSVPs are appreciated: marylu@phlf.org or (412) 471-5808 x 527.
New Art this Weekend at City Books
Please join City Books this Saturday night, August 31st from 7:00-9:00 pm for the opening of KISMET, a new exhibit curated by Jennifer Quinio. (Refreshments will be served.)
KISMET exemplifies the delight and surprise that happens when people encounter someone or something by chance that seems like it was meant to be. Inspired by the Arabic word for “destiny,” KISMET demonstrates how, when people take the time to ask questions of and listen to the world around them, they learn that, regardless of circumstance, everyone and everything has a story to tell—and a unique perspective from which to tell it. It is only with curiosity and empathy that we can create the perfect alignment for something passionate and positive to happen–something that we label “kismet,” but what might really be within our reach all the time.
Featured artists included Rick Claraval, Susan Constance, Dafna Hanauer, Patrick Schmidt, Carolyn Wenning, Sam Whitney.
The exhibition will continue through October 26, 2019 and be on view during City Books’s regular business hours, Tuesday-Friday 11:00 am-6:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday 12:00-5:00 pm. However, the bookstore will be closed October 15-18 for a brief fall escape, but will remain open on all October weekends.
ACHD – Community Health Survey
The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) and its advisory coalition are developing the next Community Health Assessment (CHA). As part of this process, they have created a survey for residents to help identify the priority health issues impacting their communities. This survey has a particular focus on health equity and will be used to design a new Community Health Improvement Plan, which will outline goals and strategies to improve the health and well-being of all Allegheny County residents.
The survey will be available from June 26 through October 4, 2019. This survey is open to all residents of Allegheny County over 18 years of age. By taking the survey, you are helping ACHD identify the key needs of Allegheny County communities. Your voice matters.
Annual Labor Day Block Party
Monday, September 2nd
4:00-8:00 pm
900 Block of Beech Avenue
Our good neighbors at Calvary United Methodist Church will also be in attendance. The church will be open, and Doug Lucas will give a presentation on the history of the church at 5:30 pm.
The 900 block of Beech Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic for the party, so please move your vehicle off of the street.
If you are able to volunteer to help with the block party, please contact Greg Coll at greg@gregcoll.com.
5th Annual Art Show + Sale
Interested in Being in the Show?
Work must be 2D or 3D and ready to be displayed (free standing if 3D and wired if 2D). There is no entry fee but we ask that artists bring a snack or beverage to share on opening night. Any sales will be handled by the artist (we will connect any interested buyers with the artists).
Contact: Dennis Bergevin
Electronic and Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Drop-Off Program Has Begun
For the first time since TVs and computers were banned from Pennsylvania landfills in 2010, the City of Pittsburgh will subsidize a twice-weekly option for electronics and household hazardous waste recycling at a drop-off site in the Strip District.
The City’s Bureau of Environmental Services will host a contracted vendor, Environmental Coordination Services and Recycling (ECS&R), to accept materials at their 3001 Railroad Street facility Wednesdays from 3:00 pm-8:00 pm and Sundays from 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
Drop-off appointments must be scheduled in advance through ecsr.net/pittsburgh-recycling or by calling (814) 425-7773.
This program was approved last year by Mayor William Peduto and City Council from legislation introduced by Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith and former Councilman (and current mayoral Chief of Staff) Dan Gilman.
E-waste and hazardous waste must be recycled in ways that comply with state and federal laws. The cost to recycle most TVs and computers will be 40 cents per pound, so the fee for recycling a 50 pound TV will be around $20. The full list of items and fees associated is posted at ecsr.net/Pittsburgh-Recycling
Services will expand early this fall to include pick-up options for an additional fee, as well as neighborhood events.