News Around the Neighborhood
Website Updates: Neighborhood History
The Neighborhood History section of alleghenywest.org has expanded!
As part of the 55th Anniversary of our little corner of Pittsburgh, we have been curating an informative resource on our website that aims to paint a picture of life here over the years. We have more historic home information (23 and counting thanks to the tireless efforts of Jim Wallace in collecting Carol Peterson histories), details on the formation of Allegheny West as a civic council and neighborhood concept and interviews with our friends and neighbors, both long-standing and new to the area.
→ Take a look ←, tell us what you think and, if you’ve not already done so, share your materials with us! House histories, old photos, etc can be dropped off at the council office at 806 Western Avenue or you can make arrangements for pick up by emailing webmaster@allghenywest.org.Allegheny West Wine & Garden Tour 2017
We’re still seeking neighbors to help house-sit, run supplies or help with food for this year’s Wine & Garden Tour. The tour will be held Friday, June 2nd, from 5:00–9:00 pm and Saturday, June 3rd, from 1:00–5:00 pm and 5:00–9:00 pm. Contact Carol Gomrick at carolgomrick@gmail.com if you are able to help.
Neighborhood Cleanup
This month’s neighborhood cleanup will take place on May 20th at 9:00 am. Meet at the AWCC office at 806 Western Avenue. This event is BYOB – bring your own broom, that is! (And gardening gloves, too!)
Contact Trish Burton with any questions: tdburton3@gmail.com or (412) 523-9402. We’ll see you on the 20th!
Two City of Asylum Writers – and the Novels that Led to their Exile
Israel Centeno & Yaghoub Yadali
Sunday, May 16th
8:00 pm
City of Asylum exiled writers-in-residence Israel Centeno (Venezuela) & Yaghoub Yadali (Iran) will be reading excerpts from the novels that led to their exiles. City of Asylum commissioned translations, and they have been published by Phoneme Media. They will be available in the City of Asylum Bookstore and soon bookstores everywhere.
Following the bilingual readings by the authors, Phoneme founder David Shook will lead a conversation with the authors about their personal experiences of exile, their sources of continuing inspiration, and what it’s like to hear their work in English.
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City of Asylum is honored to partner with Phoneme Media – a nonprofit media company dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding, connecting people and ideas through translated books and films – to bring these writers’ voices to new audiences.
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Did you know that there is a restaurant in City of Asylum @ Alphabet City? During these events, Alphabet City will be set up so that you can have dinner during the event (or simply order drinks).
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Update on Allegheny Commons Park Maintenance
Today, representatives from the Allegheny Commons Initiative, Councilwoman Darlene Harris, DPW Director Mike Gable, DPW Superintendent Tom Paulin and myself met in the park to discuss concerns related to maintenance in the park. It was a very productive meeting with action items for all parties.
Trucks Driving on Lawns
The crew has been told not to drive the trucks off of the paths in the park. If you see this happening, please take a picture of the truck and/or write down the PW# of the truck. Then submit a 311 request with the truck PW # included. This way DPW can track the truck/driver and address the issue directly with that DPW personnel.
Grass Cutting and Trees
PPC will be coordinating volunteer events to remove the weeds around trees so that we can mulch the trees. This will allow a protective space around the trees from the lawn mowers when the grass is being cut. DPW will be providing mulch. I will be recruiting volunteers for this. Please reach out to me if you are interested.
Trash
There are many smaller scale picnics/gatherings that take place in the park that create overflowing amounts of trash. DPW will be working more closely with the Park Rangers to help enforce the permitting requirements for the park (permits must be obtained for groups of 25 or more) and litter pick up following these gatherings and sport practices. Please continue to 311 when you see overflowing receptacles.
Lake Elizabeth
I am coordinating a volunteer event in the park scheduled for next Thursday May 11thwith a group of 30 to clean out the debris in the lake. The park foreman drained the lake for us this past weekend to allow for some time for the debris to dry up so it is easier to remove from the bottom of the lake. Following our event, DPW will power was the lake interior and refill for the season. Please contact me directly if you are interested in joining us that day. I will be in the park all day doing a variety of projects.
Playground Equipment
DPW is looking at removing the playground equipment near King school because it is deteriorating and could be a safety hazard for children. DPW is working with Councilwoman Harris/ACI/PPC and the school to relocate the playground elsewhere. The playground in West Park near the Iron Deer statue will have repairs done to it this year as well as be cleaned through a volunteer event in cooperation with DPW.
Lights
Please continue to submit 311 requests as you see the lights are out in the park. DPW is aware of the issue and working with the budget office, Councilwoman Harris/Councilman Lavelle to identify funding sources to fix the lighting issues in the park.
Dog Park
DPW will be aerating and re-seeding the dog park at some point this spring. We will spread the word via the Allegheny Commons and Allegheny Commons Dog Park Facebook pages.
Flag Pole
Forestry pruned the trees near the Maine Memorial. DPW is working to install a light near the flag pole and will then put flags up on the poles.
In an effort to support the work of the DPW, I will be organizing volunteer events to supplement their work in the park. Allegheny Commons is considered the front or back yard to many Northsiders. Please consider volunteering with the Parks Conservancy to help support the resources of DPW. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you all for your time and support of the park!
Erin Tobin
Community Outreach Coordinator
2017 Allegheny West Preservation Awards
Submitted by Carole Malakoff
The Allegheny West Local Review Committee, along with The Allegheny West Civic Council, announce the 9th Annual Allegheny West Preservation Award. This award is presented to property owners in the Allegheny West Historic District who have completed projects over the past year which retain and restore appropriate elements of historic character and adhere to the neighborhood HRC Guidelines. Success was achieved by doing research, creating well thought-out plans, following neighborhood guidelines, and working with the neighborhood LRC and City HRC to seek advice.
The 2017 Awards Recipients
909 Western Avenue
Owner: Sally Graubarth
This was an extensive restoration of both the interior and exterior, as well as the carriage house. Sally and her architect, John Francona, worked with the LRC and the HRC to make this project an example of the highest quality of historic restoration.
The exterior work included: a new storefront and door consistent with that of the original; new entrance doors to 2nd floor living space with transom and trim; new front wood, double-hung windows including circle-top windows on the 3rd floor; new stable style carriage house doors; restoration of the carriage house dormers; cleaning and painting the brick and stone on the façade.
This project is a great addition to the Western Avenue streetface. It adds to the historic ambience of the street, contributes to the economic development of our neighborhood, and serves as an example of how restoration should be done.
To celebrate Preservation Month, the award will be presented at the May Civic Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 9th at Calvary Church, corner Beech and Allegheny Avenues. Everyone is invited to come and meet Sally.
May 9th: Pittsburgh’s Legendary Chanteuse, Etta Cox
Etta Cox
Sunday, May 9th
8:00 pm
Powerhouse jazz/cabaret singer Etta Cox has been voted “Best Jazz Vocalist” in Pittsburgh for 8 consecutive years – and if you have ever seen her in concert, this should come as no surprise! Etta thrills audiences with her intoxicating, smooth vocals reminiscent of a bygone era.
Etta has opened for such legends as Ray Charles, Doc Severinson, and Debbie Reynolds. She has appeared on Broadway, on television and in films, co-hosted the television talk show Citylife and performed in many local theater productions at the City Theater and Pittsburgh Public Theater.
Etta is one of Pittsburgh’s “living treasures”. Don’t miss this chance to be at her City of Asylum @ Alphabet City debut!
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Did you know that there is a restaurant in City of Asylum @ Alphabet City? During these events, Alphabet City will be set up so that you can have dinner during the event (or simply order drinks).
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Kente Arts Presents: Terell Stafford Quintet featuring Tim Warfield
Terell Stafford Quartet
Saturday, April 29th
8:00 pm
Terell Stafford, acclaimed trumpet player based in New York, has been hailed as “one of the great players of our time, a fabulous trumpet player” by piano legend McCoy Tyner. Stafford is recognized as an incredibly gifted and versatile player, he combines a deep love of melody with his own brand of spirited and adventurous lyricism. Stafford’s exceptionally expressive and well defined musical talent allows him to dance in and around the rich trumpet tradition of his predecessors while making his own inroads.
Since the mid-1990’s, Stafford has performed with groups such as Benny Golson’s Sextet, McCoy Tyner’s Sextet, Kenny Barron Quintet, Frank Wess Quintet, Jimmy Heath Quintet and Big Band, Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Alumni Band.
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Stephan Crump’s Rosetta Trio comes to Alphabet City May 7th
Stephen Crump Quartet
Sunday, May 7th
8:00 pm
You may recognize the name “Stephan Crump”. He has played here twice before, with different musicians: in Henry and Diane’s living room with Mary Halvorson and in our 2015 Jazz Poetry Concert with Vijay Iyer.
Rosetta Trio has been playing together since 2005. It is a most unusual jazz group – with no drums or percussion. In addition to Stephan on bass, it includes guitarists Liberty Ellman and Jamie Fox. The group is widely praised for its profound, sometimes playful and always honest music.
The trio will explore pieces drawn from their three ground-breaking albums, in addition to several new works in development.
Not to be missed!
“Some groups just have chemistry… Something about them just works. Stephan Crump’s Rosetta Trio is one such group. Comprised of two guitarists–one electric and one acoustic–plus Crump’s own resonant acoustic bass, the Rosetta Trio straddles the worlds of jazz, avant garde, and modern folk music with consummate ease and some seriously deep virtuosity.”
– All About Jazz
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Did you know that there is a restaurant in City of Asylum @ Alphabet City? During these events, Alphabet City will be set up so that you can have dinner during the event (or simply order drinks).
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Healthy Kids Day is Almost Here! Join us Saturday, April 29th
Charge into Summer with Healthy Kids Day® and the Allegheny YMCA!
When
Saturday, April 29th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location
Allegheny Commons Park
W North Avenue and Palo Alto Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Activities
Join us for a fun filled day in the sun complete with 2 bounce houses, photo booth, Fire dog and police dog demos, Family Zumba and Yoga, face painting, science experiments and more! Open to the public.
Summer is the time for kids to get up, get out and grow. But for some kids, exposure to activities that stimulate the body and mind ends with the school year. In fact, research shows that kids are prone to gain weight and fall behind in studies. On April 29th, the Y will celebrate Healthy Kids Day®, our national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids.
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