News Around the Neighborhood

Letter from the President – January 2019

Jan 7, 2019 |

On behalf of the incoming AWCC Executive Board I’d like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! It’s looking like another exciting year in our neighborhood and the Board members are ready to get to work. We want to acknowledge exiting Board Members – Elaine Stone, Tim Zinn, Carol Gomrick, Fran Barbush and Dan Adam – and thank them for their many hours of service to AWCC and their efforts working with new Board members to ensure a smooth transition. John Desantis will continue on the AWCC Executive Board as Past President, but deserves a particular mention and thank you for his work as President over the past two years. John obviously is passionate about our neighborhood, he has generously given his time and knowledge, as well as his home, to protect and advance the neighborhood vision. This is true not only of his recent term as President, but for many years before and many to come – thank you, John! During the transition to the new year and new board there are ongoing projects that will need AWCC involvement without a pause. A couple examples of these are CCAC’s proposed new Workforce Development Center and the Southern Norfolk Railroad raised tracks proposal. As the 2019 Housing and Planning Chair, Ashley Webb will have a lot on his plate and will look to us for input and support. Cathy Serventi, 2019 AWCC Treasurer, is another Board Member with a full plate right away. The beginning of the year marks the beginning of the budgeting process. This year, Cathy and the Finance Committee will be working on ways to make this process, and the subsequent financial reporting, a little clearer and easier to understand. Allegheny West Civic Council budget, non-budget expenditures, support or non-support of projects affecting us, to name a few examples, is determined by vote of the membership. I would encourage everyone to become familiar and participate so that the voice of Allegheny West truly reflects the majority of residents in Allegheny West. Allegheny West Civic Council membership meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm at Calvary Church. With everything else in our lives, it’s hard to allocate time for neighborhood meetings – can you make every other meeting? One a quarter? What do you need to stay up-to-date on the things you’re concerned about? I’d love to hear from you – drop a note to president@alleghenywest.org and let me know what you’re thinking. Keep in mind though, you have to attend a meeting and vote to have your opinion officially counted. Ann Gilligan President, AWCC

Come Out to Support New Businesses in Allegheny West

Jan 7, 2019 |

There have been some changes in the neighborhood over the last month. Since the beginning of December, two new businesses have opened on Western Avenue – Adda Coffee & Tea House and Refucilo Winery.

Adda is a Bengali word that refers to an intellectual exchange amongst members of a group; the place of ritual meeting and/or conversation of a group of people. It’s also the namesake of Adda Coffee & Tea House (at 926 Western Avenue), a cozy, welcoming spot that offers a variety of coffee, tea, and other beverages as well as baked goods and other snacks to accompany them. The space has been completely redesigned, and is bright and cheerful – a perfect antidote to a cold Pittsburgh winter. Stop in and treat yourself. Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 4:00 pm , Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Refucilo Winery (at 907 Western Avenue) opened in mid-December. Another complete remodel of a previously vacant building resulted in a beautiful, warm environment, perfect for sampling wines from Argentina. They feature wines from the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina, and selections include Malbec, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Torrontes. Small plates are also available to accompany the wines. Refucilo is closed on Monday and Tuesday, open 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Wednesday and Thursday, 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Saturdays, and 12:00 P.M. to 6:00 pm on Sunday.

Please come out and support these new businesses, as well as our other local businesses!

Food Pantry Brunch Challenge at New Hazlett Theater

Jan 7, 2019 | ,

We all know Grandma can make a delicious meal from whatever she finds in the pantry. But can some of Pittsburgh’s top chefs create a delicious brunch using only items distributed in a community food pantry or soup kitchen? You be the judge at the third annual Food Pantry Brunch Challenge. The Northside Common Ministries Community Food Pantry hosts 10 local chefs in this one of a kind challenge, and you get to enjoy the delicious results.

In addition to brunch, also enjoy local music from Ishtar and Ortner-Marcinizyn, or even take a belly-dancing lesson. Tickets are only $25. Proceeds from this event benefit the programs of the Northside Common Ministries, who have been providing help to the hungry and homeless for over 30 years.

For tickets, call (412) 323-1163.

Tree Recycling

Jan 7, 2019 |

Submitted by Mark Fatla

Last year, City added a drop-off at Sue Murray Pool in Deutschtown and Brian O’Neill, myself and several volunteers drove around in Becky Coger’s pick-up truck collecting trees and dropping them off for recycling. Interest was strong and the City has greatly expanded the program to cover the whole City!

And Northside gets a new drop-off at Jack Stack Pool.

Trees are mulched instead of going to landfill. Folks will have to take the trees to the drop-off points – Brian and I are not available this year for curbside pick-ups – but the two locations are reasonably convenient. In the East End, a Girl Scout Troop does curbside pick-ups, so if anyone knows any volunteers who want to pick up that job, lemme know!

Another Success Story for our Annual Christmas Tour

Jan 7, 2019 |

Submitted by Carol Gomrick

The chill in the air did not deter guests from attending nor their spirit during the 2018 Christmas Tour. This year was a tremendous success. We sold over 1,500 tour tickets and over 300 train tour tickets. The tour boasted a special treat for several groups Saturday afternoon when the president of CCAC, Dr. Quintin B. Bullock, came into his office and allowed guests to view the grandeur of the Byers wing of Byers Hall. Quite often guests shared how excited they were about the homes on the tour and what a great experience they had visiting our neighborhood. The showing of Byers Hall made real for so many the history they hear on the tour about the once magnificent Millionaires’ Row and a greater appreciation of how important is is to not lose any more of our history.

As many know as recently as mid-November, we were a few homes shy and running out of options. Once again the neighborhood came together to bring Christmas early to so many. I really need to express a special thanks to the homeowners who are the the real heroes. The Moore and Beer families, the Malakoffs, Hal and Nick, and of course John DeSantis – thank you for your hard work and welcoming so many people (and a dog) into your homes! Special thanks to Amelia Beer. Several tour groups were treated to and impressed by Amelia’s violin playing.

The tour guides were incredible again this year! So many guests shared with me how knowledgeable and engaging or guides were this year. I received a special email from one attendee “Sally”. She was so impressed with Thomas Huygens she just had to share her impression – “Outstanding 2018 tour … Our guide a young man named Thomas was absolutely fabulous. He was very conscientious about all aspects of the tours … thank you for making our 11th tour one of the best ever!” High praise indeed especially for a veteran tour guest like Sally and knowing the bar is high with all of the other tremendous docents!

Thank you to Rev Larry, Martin, and Doug for all of their efforts at Calvary. It makes such a difference to have such a welcoming place to greet the guests!

This is my last tour as Ways and Means chair. The baton is being handed over to the capable hands of Annette Trunzo. So many of you have been incredibly generous with your time and support over the past two years, there are no words to express my heartfelt thanks. The tours with all of their twists and turns never fail to remind me of how blessed I am to be a part of such a wonderful community and though my term as Ways and Means has come to an end, I look forward to staying involved with the tours in 2019.

Happy New Year to you all and congratulations on completing another successful tour season!

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Returns to Alphabet City

Jan 2, 2019 |

City of Asylum (2018)

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Presents

East Meets West:
Influences of China on U.S. Art

Thursday, January 24th
7:00 pm

Join musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for East Meets West: Influences of China on U.S. Art, a program celebrating the eclectic work of Chinese composer Qigang Chen and Chinese poet Huang Xiang.

Qigang Chen is one of the most performed living composers in the world. A teenager and musical prodigy during China’s Cultural Revolution, he spent three years imprisoned, undergoing an “ideological reeducation.” Yet in spite of censorship and anti-cultural policy, he pursued his training in composition both within and outside of China, eventually garnering world-wide acclaim.

PSO at CoA

Hosted by conductor Earl Lee, this program will feature PSO musicians Adam Liu (Cello), Ellen Chen-Livingston (Violin) and Rodrigo Ojeda (Piano) playing selections from composer Qiguang Chen’s repertoire. Lee will contextualize the program’s music with a discussion on Chen’s unique character, identity, and social activism–as well as on the Chinese influence on Western art.

A video montage will give audiences a glimpse into Huang Xiang’s life and work, the “publication” of House Poem, and how he has shaped COA into the organization it is today. Local writers Brandon Fury and Lori Beth Jones will interpret Huang Xiang’s poetry in English in a live performance so that audiences can enjoy the full scale of emotion evoked by his words.

 

[ebor_button style=”pomegranate” url=”https://cityofasylumpittsburgh.secure.force.com/ticket/#sections_a0F5A00000OSzscUAD”] Reserve Your Free Tickets [/ebor_button]

More EMS Coverage on the Northside

Dec 17, 2018 |

I have some wonderful news to share. The Councilwoman, who for years has argued that the North Side needs to have more than one ambulance available overnight has finally gotten her wish. Medics 4 & 10 will now be activated 24/7, meaning the District and the entire North Side will have two ambulances available around the clock. Please inform your community members of this wonderful public safety development.

Thank you and have a wonderful holiday season!

Sincerely,

Jeff Martin
Constituent Services Director
Office of Councilwoman Darlene M. Harris

Oscar-Nominated Animated Feature

Dec 15, 2018 |

City of Asylum (2018)

Sembène – The Film & Art Festival Presents

The Breadwinner

Saturday, January 5th
3:00 pm

The Breadwinner is an Academy Award and Golden Globe animated feature nominee. It tells the story of Parvana, an 11-year-old girl growing up under Taliban rule in war-torn Afghanistan in 2001 – where women are not allowed to leave home without a male accompanying them.

When her father is wrongfully arrested, there is no one to earn money or even shop for food. Parvana make a life-changing decision and disguises herself as a boy in order to support her family. With dauntless perseverance, Parvana draws strength from the stories her father told her and ultimately risks her life trying to discover if he is still alive.

The Breadwinner

“The Breadwinner is by no means a simple-minded kidpic; rather, it directly confronts the misogyny and chauvinism of contemporary Afghanistan, while powerfully suggesting that storytelling is both a means of coping and a solution for change.” – Variety

Equal parts thrilling and enchanting, The Breadwinner is a timely and inspiring tale about the transcendent power of stories and their potential to unite and heal us all.

 

[ebor_button style=”pomegranate” url=”http://www.alphabetcity.org/events/sembene-film-festival-the-breadwinner/”] Reserve Your Free Tickets [/ebor_button]

Oscar-Nominated Animated Feature

Dec 15, 2018 |

City of Asylum (2018)

Sembène – The Film & Art Festival Presents

The Breadwinner

Saturday, January 5th
3:00 pm

The Breadwinner is an Academy Award and Golden Globe animated feature nominee. It tells the story of Parvana, an 11-year-old girl growing up under Taliban rule in war-torn Afghanistan in 2001 – where women are not allowed to leave home without a male accompanying them.

When her father is wrongfully arrested, there is no one to earn money or even shop for food. Parvana make a life-changing decision and disguises herself as a boy in order to support her family. With dauntless perseverance, Parvana draws strength from the stories her father told her and ultimately risks her life trying to discover if he is still alive.

The Breadwinner

“The Breadwinner is by no means a simple-minded kidpic; rather, it directly confronts the misogyny and chauvinism of contemporary Afghanistan, while powerfully suggesting that storytelling is both a means of coping and a solution for change.” – Variety

Equal parts thrilling and enchanting, The Breadwinner is a timely and inspiring tale about the transcendent power of stories and their potential to unite and heal us all.

 

[ebor_button style=”pomegranate” url=”http://www.alphabetcity.org/events/sembene-film-festival-the-breadwinner/”] Reserve Your Free Tickets [/ebor_button]

Our Community