News Around the Neighborhood
The Vibrancy Funds Initiative Launches
New Sun Rising commits to providing financial and technical assistance to accelerate ideas aimed at addressing social and economic inequities in neighborhoods.
PITTSBURGH – In the Greater Pittsburgh region there is a persistent opportunity gap that exists amongst neighborhoods. New Sun Rising, a nonprofit based in Millvale and serving Southwestern Pennsylvania, aims to address these inequities through their latest initiative, the Vibrancy Funds. Throughout 2018, New Sun Rising will be administering loans, grants, and financial awards to applicants from across the region with ideas that promote innovation, engagement, and equity through the generous support of the Henry L. Hillman Foundation. People who run social businesses, nonprofit projects, and collaborative initiatives in areas of Culture, Sustainability, and Opportunity are encouraged to apply. “We truly believe that citizens are the experts in their communities, and hold the wisdom and talent to develop their own opportunities,” said Scott Wolovich, founder and Executive Director of NSR. “With the Vibrancy Funds initiative, NSR will partner with cross-sector leaders on all levels who are addressing priority issues in their neighborhood – from those who have an idea that they need help getting off the ground to established organizations who want to grow their impact and reach.” Successful applicants will receive both financial and development resources as part of the initiative. Although everyone is invited, leaders focused on building Vibrant Communities in Allentown, Beltzhoover, Etna, Knoxville, McKees Rocks, Millvale, Northside, Sharpsburg, Stowe Township, and Wilkinsburg are strongly encouraged to apply. The first round of Vibrancy Funds will be issued through $5,000 in total awards during the Ignite Culture mentoring workshop on March 24, 2018. Individuals creating culture with their community will receive support to develop a plan, identify resources and make connections to get to action. Registrations are due on March 16, 2018 and interested individuals can visit: newsunrising.org/project/ignite-culture (space is limited) In the coming weeks, New Sun Rising will post a calendar of information sessions and deadlines related to additional opportunities for funding in the areas of Culture, Sustainability, and Opportunity.February 27th: “A terrifying and necessary book”
Anna Bikont
Tuesday, February 27th
8:00 pm
The Crime and the Silence: Confronting the Massacre of Jews in Wartime Jedwabne examines the events in the small Polish town of Jedwabne on July 10, 1941, when the citizens rounded up the Jewish population and burned them alive in a barn. The massacre was a shocking secret that had been suppressed for more than sixty years, and it provoked the most important public debate in Poland since 1989.
“A daring exposure. Bikont’s fearless research … makes this a fantastic book.”
―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Including the perspectives of both heroes and perpetrators, Bikont chronicles the sources of the hatred that exploded against Jews and asks what myths grow on hidden memories, what destruction they cause, and what happens to a society that refuses to accept a horrific truth. Her writing in turn subsequently became a crucial part of the debate and she herself an actor in a national drama.
Part history, part memoir, The Crime and the Silence is a journalist’s account of these events: both the story of the massacre told through oral histories of survivors and witnesses, and a portrait of a Polish town coming to terms with its dark past.
This reading is co-presented by Classrooms Without Borders in partnership with the Departments of History, English and Modern Languages at Carnegie Mellon University and the Jewish Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh.
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Project -Logue: Calling Storytellers, Translators and Artists
Workshops Begin August 2018
Exhibition Opens March 2019
Call Ends May 2018
PITTSBURGH, PA – -LOGUE is a Pittsburgh-based organization that promotes cultural exchange through artistic translation.
Through a series of art workshops from August 2018 through March 2019, -LOGUE will build a diverse network of translators, artists, and storytellers to tell the story of Pittsburgh – a story that can’t be fully understood without crossing language barriers. The stories and artworks created will be displayed in a multimedia, multilingual exhibit in March 2019. This project will prompt multicultural dialogue and raise awareness of Pittsburgh’s linguistic diversity.
If English is not your home language, -LOGUE wants to help you tell your story. They are also looking for artists and native-fluency English translators interested in cultural exchange, who will collaborate with storytellers to create multimedia, cross-cultural art. Final artforms will be displayed in -LOGUE’s March 2019 multilingual exhibit.
For more information and a chance to share stories, contact prjlogue@gmail.com.
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PHLF: Citizen Jane Film Screening
Location: Landmarks Preservation Resource Center, 744 Rebecca Avenue
Date: Tuesday, November 21st
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Contact: marylu@phlf.org or (412) 471-5808 ext. 527
In 1960 Jane Jacobs’s book The Death and Life of Great American Cities sent shockwaves through the architecture and planning worlds, with its exploration of the consequences of modern planners’ and architects’ reconfiguration of cities. Jacobs was also an activist, who was involved in many fights in mid-century New York, to stop “master builder” Robert Moses from running roughshod over the city.
This film retraces the battles for the city as personified by Jacobs and Moses, as urbanization moves to the very front of the global agenda. Many of the clues for formulating solutions to the dizzying array of urban issues can be found in Jacobs’s prescient text, and a close second look at her thinking and writing about cities is very much in order. This film sets out to examine the city of today through the lens of one of its greatest champions.
This screening is FREE to the public.
RSVPs are appreciated: marylu@phlf.org or (412) 471-5808 ext. 527
Check out http://phlf.org/events/ for more PHLF tours and events.
Discounted Tickets for Northsiders: Holmes and Watson
Presented by Kinetic Theatre Company
February 16th – March 4th
Sherlock Holmes has not been seen for more than three years and is presumed dead following his confrontation with Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls. Dr. Watson is called upon to disprove the many frauds, fakes and charlatans who have popped up claiming to be Holmes. Suddenly…a newspaper clipping arrives. A remote mental institution on an island off the coast of Scotland reports that three patients have been recently admitted, each claiming to be the late detective.
Jeffrey Hatcher wrote the screenplay for the 2015 film, Mr. Holmes, starring Ian McKellen. His ingenious new thriller receives its Pittsburgh premiere in a boldly atmospheric production by Kinetic Theatre, starring David Whalen.
Get $4 off the price of general admission and family packs with the discount code:
NORTHSIDE
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Letter from the President – February 2018
So what are you doing on Tuesday evening?
Join your neighbors on Tuesday, February 13th at 7:30 pm at Calvary Church for the February meeting of the Allegheny West Civic Council. Each month this is where we make decisions about our neighborhood — decisions that in ways both small and large will affect you. And we always have a good time socializing and enjoying refreshments.
Everyone is welcome — second Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm, in the Calvary Church social hall, corner of Beech and Allegheny Avenues (use the Beech Avenue entrance). The meeting is usually over by 9:00 pm. It’s also a great way for newer folks to meet your neighbors and get involved!
We hope to see you on Tuesday evening!
AWCC Membership Meeting Agenda – February 13, 2018
Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Ave
Tuesday, February 13th at 7:30 pm
- Visitors
- Councilwoman Harris’s Office
- Mayor Peduto’s Office
- Zone One Police
- Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
- New Neighbors & Guests
- Minutes
- Membership
- Bowling at the Elks
- Volunteers for the Memorial Day Picnic
- Ways and Means
- Update on Five Year Plan with Calvary
- 2018 Upcoming Tour Dates
- 2018 Wine & Garden Tour (June 22 and 23)
- Friends of Allegheny West
- Green Space
- Property
- Housing and Planning
- Parking and Traffic
- North Avenue Lighting
- Western Avenue Revitalization
- Light of Life: Ridge Avenue Project
- Revised AW Film Guidelines
- Allegheny Commons Update of 2002 Master Plan
- Expansion of Historic District (LRC Report)
- Historic District Enforcement Issues (old cases)
- Medical Marijuana Dispensary
- Comprehensive Guidelines for New Construction on Vacant Sites
- Airbnb Issues/Impacts on AW
- Revised AW Film Guidelines
- Railroad Bridge Replacements
- Allegheny Center Master Plan
- North Shore Impacts
- Nominating Committee
- 2018 Membership Chairperson
- Northside Leadership Conference
- Allegheny General Hospital Master Plan
- Other Business (Old & New)
Allegheny Commons Initiative Presentation Save the Date!
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is excited to work alongside our partners at the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Commons Initiative, Northside Leadership Conference and the greater community to restore Allegheny Commons Park.
Please join your fellow park users on March 8th from 6:00–7:30 pm for our final presentation of the action plan we need for implementing the master plan.
The professional team is led by LaQuatra Bonci Associates, and includes eDesign Dynamics, Cleo Consulting and Fourth Economy.
Please remember to register for the free event: showclix.com/event/allegheny-commons-map-final-presentation. Looking forward to seeing you there!
CoLab18 Open House
CoLab18 is a 4,600 square foot space that will serve as the epicenter for creativity, collaboration and technology. This space was created for Northside residents, businesses and community partners, and it includes conference rooms, a classroom space and state-of-the art technology.
February 14th, 2018
Open house at 8:30 am
Ribbon cutting at 9:30 am
Please RSVP at colab18opening.com.
Please note: There’s on-street parking around Nova Place (formerly Allegheny Center Mall). If you choose to park in the garage, enter through Gate #4. Once you enter Gate #4, you will take the CENTRAL elevator bank to the PLAZA and make a left upon exiting. We will not reimburse for parking.
2018 Wine Tour and Tasting : A Toast to the Central Coast
You may be thinking, “Wait, didn’t I just finish an article about the Christmas tour?” Well, as hard as it is to believe, now is the time to start preparing again for our annual tour and tasting event. This year, we’ll feature California wines, specifically from the Central Coast of California. I lived in San Luis Obispo and is in ‘SLO’ where I was first introduced to these amazing wines and this beautiful region.
Paso Robles, north of San Luis Obispo, is an incredible wine region. The award-winning wines and my fond memories are minor reasons why I’m focusing on this region. The primary reason is the pioneer (Godfather) of Paso wines — Gary Eberle — is a Penn State graduate and Pittsburgh native. Gary co-founded the appellation in Paso and introduced Syrah grape vines into the US, using cuttings he brought over from France. At one point, his vineyard was the only source of US Syrah. His amazing story doesn’t stop there. I’ve included addresses to some articles below. (Or, get the electronic version of the Gazette at our website — alleghenywest.org — and click on the links.) I just had to share his story, and the indelible connection of Pittsburgh to CA wines.
I’ve been to the Eberle Winery many times, but never met Gary until I went to one of his events in Pittsburgh. He is incredibly personable, and is fascinating to talk with, as he imparts his vast knowledge about what it takes to get the grape to the glass. Listening to Gary talk through the science behind wine-making inspired me to put a twist on the wine tour this year. I’m introducing showcase event that I’m calling “Ground to Glass.” This will be an exclusive event at Holmes Hall, pouring only higher-end Eberle wines. The ticket will also include a lovely food pairing and a host talking with the guests on how the particular wines they’re drinking got from the ground to their glass. Eberle is also providing wine to be served at one of the homes on the tour. Gary will not be able to come to the event, but I’m working with him to ensure guests have a memorable evening.
Details About this Year’s Tour
- Price and dates: $75 pp, Friday 6/22 5:00–9:00 pm and Saturday 6/23 1:00–5:00 pm and 5:00–9:00 pm.
- Showcase Event at Holmes Hall: $150 (max 50 tickets available), Saturday 6/23 7:00–9:00 pm.
- Note that the dates are later in the month than normal due to competing events in Pittsburgh and other calendar conflicts, but good for the gardens to thrive!
How can you help? Please email me directly (carolgomrick@gmail.com) if you are interested in any of the following.
- Homes: If you would like your home on the tour (focus on the garden). A total of 6 properties needed. The home must have a garden space.
- Advertising and Social Media: Work with local media outlets, promote through social media and help secure program advertisers.
- Food Committee: Work with friends to confirm the pairing menu and prep food for the event.
- Tour Guide Lead: Make sure the docents know the route, their shifts and neighborhood history to lead the guests.
- Volunteers Lead: Oversight of tour volunteers (help for the homeowners). We will need additional volunteers for the Showcase event.
- After Party Planners: Always one of the most fun volunteer opportunities!
So many of you made last year exceptional, I hope you’ll consider pitching in again this year. If you haven’t volunteered for a tour before, this is a really great opportunity to join the fun. Looking forward to getting this going and working with you!
Don’t forget to read more about the ‘Godfather of Paso’, Gary Eberle.