News Around the Neighborhood
YMCA Twelfth Annual Reds, Whites & Brews
You are cordially invited to the Allegheny Y’s 12th Annual Reds, Whites & Brews on Friday, April 12th, from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm held at Rivers Casino Ballroom. All proceeds benefit financial assistance in Programs, Services and Membership.
The evening is filled with a variety of red and white wine as well as craft beers and heavy hors d’oeuvres. There will be live entertainment, beautiful baskets for raffle and a variety of art and sports memorabilia for silent auction. This is truly a wonderful evening out in support of a great cause.
To RSVP, visit: pittsburghymca.org/events/12th-annual-allegheny-reds-whites-brews Calvary United Methodist Women’s Group Plant Sale
The Calvary United Methodist women’s group is holding its third annual plant sale. A wide variety of perennials, peppers, herbs and accents are available. Order forms and information are available for pick-up at the church (971 Beech Avenue) or e-mail gazette@alleghenywest.org, and I will forward you an electronic copy of the leaflet and the order form. Orders will be due before April 21, 2019. Pick up is on May 4th, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Thank you in advance for your support!
A Documentary About a Woman Who Became a Word
ReelQ Presents
Tchindas
Wednesday, April 24th
7:00 pm
As Randy Gilson is to Northside’s Randyland … Tchinda Andrade is to Carnival on Cape Verde. She is legendary for her creativity, making displays and costumes from scant resources.
And just as “Randy” (no last name needed) is one of the most loved and well-known people on the Northside, “Tchinda” became one of most beloved and celebrated women in Cape Verde.
And – here is where the story gets especially interesting – when Tchinda came out as transgender in 1998, she became even more popular. Her name inspired a term (affectionate not derogatory) used by locals to name queer Cape Verdeans. They are called “Tchindas.”
The documentary won the Grand Jury Award at Outfest, was nominated for an Africa Movie Academy Award and screened at the New York African Film Festival earlier this year. It’s also made a star of its protagonist.
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A Documentary About a Woman Who Became a Word
ReelQ Presents
Tchindas
Wednesday, April 24th
7:00 pm
As Randy Gilson is to Northside’s Randyland … Tchinda Andrade is to Carnival on Cape Verde. She is legendary for her creativity, making displays and costumes from scant resources.
And just as “Randy” (no last name needed) is one of the most loved and well-known people on the Northside, “Tchinda” became one of most beloved and celebrated women in Cape Verde.
And – here is where the story gets especially interesting – when Tchinda came out as transgender in 1998, she became even more popular. Her name inspired a term (affectionate not derogatory) used by locals to name queer Cape Verdeans. They are called “Tchindas.”
The documentary won the Grand Jury Award at Outfest, was nominated for an Africa Movie Academy Award and screened at the New York African Film Festival earlier this year. It’s also made a star of its protagonist.
[ebor_button style=”pomegranate” url=”https://cityofasylumpittsburgh.secure.force.com/ticket/#sections_a0F5A00000OTjGbUAL”] Reserve Your Free Tickets [/ebor_button]
Allegheny City Walking Tour
The Allegheny City Society is hosting a guided walking tour in Allegheny West this Sunday, March 31st. The tour will focus on several significant women artist, authors, muckrakers and entrepreneurs.
The women to be highlighted on the walk include Mary Cassatt, the Preble sisters: Anica and Harriet, Lois Weber, Gertrude Stein, Martha Graham, Mary Irwin (recent addition thanks to news articles), Nellie Bly, Mary Roberts Rinehart and Margaret Deland. A few of these women lived, some for a very short time, in Allegheny West.
The tour begins at 2:00 pm at the corner of Ridge Avenue and Brighton Road (Irwin Ave to Alleghenians) and concludes at the City Books store. All are welcome and the cost is $5.
Don’t Miss this Exciting Concert: Spring Sinfonia
Tiffany Series Sponsored by the Allegheny Historic Preservation Society Presents
Spring Sinfonia
Tiffany Concert on Sunday, April 14, 2019 with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra Directed by Earl Lee, along with the Pittsburgh Concert Society Young Artist Winners.
This dynamic program Spring Sinfonia will include works by Felix Mendelssohn and Johann Sebastian Bach.
Concert to be held at the historic Calvary United Methodist Church at 971 Beech Avenue. Time will be 4:00 pm.
Tickets sold at door: General $15, Seniors $10, Students $10
For information call (412) 323-1070.
Don’t Miss this Exciting Concert: Spring Sinfonia
Tiffany Series Sponsored by the Allegheny Historic Preservation Society Presents
Spring Sinfonia
Tiffany Concert on Sunday, April 14, 2019 with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra Directed by Earl Lee, along with the Pittsburgh Concert Society Young Artist Winners.
This dynamic program Spring Sinfonia will include works by Felix Mendelssohn and Johann Sebastian Bach.
Concert to be held at the historic Calvary United Methodist Church at 971 Beech Avenue. Time will be 4:00 pm.
Tickets sold at door: General $15, Seniors $10, Students $10
For information call (412) 323-1070.
Award-winning Sundance Documentary on the Trans Experience
ReelQ Presents
America in Transition
Sunday, March 31st
2:00 pm
In honor of Trans Day of Visibility, ReelQ presents a screening of “Where is my Refuge,” episode 4 of the award-winning Sundance documentary series America in Transition. This screening will be followed by a Skype discussion and Q&A lead by the subject of the documentary episode, Nina Chaubal.
America in Transition is an award-winning, Sundance-backed documentary series exploring relationships, family and social issues with trans people of color across the United States. Each episode explores one person’s story in depth, tackling intersectional issues such as HIV criminalization, living as trans in the South, family acceptance, trans exclusion from the military and immigrant detention.
Episode 4: “Where Is My Refuge” follows the story of Nina. After growing up misunderstood in India, Nina fell in love with another trans woman in the Bay. Together, they built a suicide hotline by road-triping across small town America and connecting with thousands of trans people. But her life changed in an instant. When Arizona authorities stopped her for being brown, they then refused to release her insisting that her marriage – and therefore her immigration status – was invalid. In the month since her detention, Nina’s been caught in legal limbo, afraid she’ll be forced to leave the country where she’s saved so many lives.
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Letter from the President – March 2019
Results of an informal survey conducted over the past week show that by a margin of 3:1 local residents believe spring will arrive at some point in 2019. Let’s hope it’s soon and sustained, springtime in Allegheny West is so beautiful we quickly forget these cold, snowy days.
Last month’s hot topics were railroads and parks and they will continue to be high priority topics in our membership meetings. There was some recent news regarding the proposed double-stacked trains running through the Northside when the City of Pittsburgh officially joined us in the fight. The City’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure filed legal paperwork to participate in the state Public Utility Commission’s review of Norfolk Southern’s plans. The challenge from the city will likely delay Norfolk Southern’s planned bridge work, slated to start later this year. This is certainly good news but does not put the issue to bed. We need to remain vigilant and continue to let our elected officials know our concerns. I’ve heard from a few neighbors who have contacted their state and local legislators – that’s awesome and hopefully inspiration to the rest of us!
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Listening Tour made a stop at the AWCC Membership Meeting in February. They shared a lot of information about the process the Conservancy will follow to allocate funds to improve city parks. As part of the process they requested residents complete a survey to weigh in on what we love about our parks. If you haven’t yet taken the survey you can find it on their website: pittsburghparks.org
Specifically related to our park, the Park Conservancy folks agreed to join us at another membership meeting to talk about plans for Allegheny Commons and feedback from Allegheny West. Details will be communicated when the schedule is confirmed. (One sign of the Conservancy’s commitment to Allegheny Commons Park – this year’s Spring Hat Luncheon will be held there this May 4th.)
I mentioned previously in this column that one of the priorities of the Housing and Planning Committee, under the direction of Chairman Ashley Webb, is a renewed focus on neighborhood rejuvenation. In 2015-2016, AWCC received a grant and engaged a landscape architecture firm to conduct a study, based on input from neighbors, on areas of improvement that should be addressed in Allegheny West. There were a lot of meetings and discussions at the time and ultimately the Civic Council membership decided to focus on four areas of improvement: street trees and sidewalks, lighting, traffic calming on W North Avenue and Brighton Road and the Mary Cassatt Garden (the garden area in the on-ramp to the Fort Duquesne Bridge). We have a lot of work to do on this initiative, and the first step is getting everyone who wants to participate engaged. Neighborhood Rejuvenation will be on the March 12th AWCC Membership meeting agenda and more information will available over the next few weeks. If you’re ready to sign up now to help, contact me at president@alleghenywest.org and/or Ashley at housing-planning@alleghenywest.org.
Enjoy these waning days of winter and I look forward to seeing everyone emerge from hibernation!
Ann Gilligan
President, AWCC
AWCC Membership Meetings – March 12, 2019
Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Ave
Tuesday, March 12th at 7:30 pm
- 7:30 – Guests
- 8:00 – Reading and Approval of February’s Minutes
- 8:05 – Treasurer’s Report
- 8:20 – Committee Reports
- 9:15 – New Business
- 9:30 – Adjournment