2011 September

Volume 27 No. 9 September 2011

4

15

-Public Square photos

-NS housing court cases

-East Ohio Street antique shop

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Kids pinned colorful pinwheels to the fence surrounding the construc-tion site of Allegheny Public Square. See the brief on page 3.

Photo by Kelsey Shea

When plans were proposed for a soccer field and recreation center in Riverview Park in 2003 as a part of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s city council campaign, the Northside assumed it would see the new state-of-the-art, all-weather turf facility within the following two years.

Eight years later, after delays, debates and even an official groundbreaking last October, the completion date for the field is still up in the air, though city officials say it will not be completed at the end of this year, as originally planned.

However, the Riverview Park field did hit its first major milestone in the past year this summer with the approval of its NPDES and Act 2 by the Pennsylvania Department of

Environmental Protection.“The construction of the field

was always contingent upon the finalization, submission and approval of Pa. Department of Environmental Protection permit requirements,” said Duane Ashley, director of operations for the City. “We were not permitted to commence with any site construction, nor were we able to secure our land operations permit via resolution of the Council of the City of Pittsburgh. To this end the field will not be completed this year.”

The NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System), which ensures the safety of water discharge, was approved by the DEP on June 22 of this year, and the Act 2, which encourages and supports the reuse of contaminated land, was approved last month on August 10.

Both permits were required

See Riverview, page 7

A large deficit, state budget cuts and decreasing enrollment at Pittsburgh Public Schools has led to a proposal that could close two Northside public schools in 2012.

The Pittsburgh Public School District hopes to transform itself from a system of small schools with varied educational quality to a system with fewer but better schools that operate more cost efficiently. To do this, the school board proposed a plan that would close eight schools, including the Northside’s Oliver High School and Northview PreK-8.

The plan proposes that Oliver’s 344 students move to Perry High School.

Special education offices and the McNaugher Education Center would move into the Oliver building. Northview PreK-8 students would be divided and reassigned to Morrow PreK-8 and King PreK-8.

No plans have been announced for Northview’s building.

The plan also proposed that Brighton Heights’ Morrow Elementary split into a PreK-4 in the Morrow building with grades 5 through 8 in the Rooney building, which is currently not being used as a school.

The earliest possible board vote on this proposal would be November 22, 2011. If approved, the plan would take effect for the 2012-2013 school year.

The proposal is designed to decrease the estimated $41.2 million deficit that the district currently faces and to decrease the number of empty

seats in Pittsburgh Public Schools from 10,191 to 5,902.

“I think the thing that we want to emphasize is that, as many people know by now, we have a serious financial situation on our hands,” said Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Linda Lane. “We’re taking a number of steps to address the under-utilization of our schools and classrooms, and if this proposal passes, it will be the first portion of our plan to get our schools to be fiscally stable.”

If the proposal passes, Perry High School will go from being a full magnet, where all students have applied and take more challenging classes, to a partial magnet, where the school will house magnet-program students as well as regular feeder-pattern students.

The district hopes that combining Oliver and Perry would give an advantage to kids at Oliver who Lane said are “capable and willing” to take more advanced classes that are not offered at Oliver because of its small enrollment.

However, the district addressed that there would be challenges to merging Oliver and Perry.

“You don’t lightly go about combining two high schools,” said Lane, who also said that if the proposal passed, measures would be taken to help smooth the transition and to work with the students to help them get to know and accept each other.

Though Oliver High School currently has the smallest high school class sizes in the district, averaging 10 to 23 students per class, only 24.2 percent of students

School closings and realignment proposed

See Realignment, page 10

By Kelsey Shea

By Kelsey Shea

Riverview soccer field will not be completed this year

September 2011The Northside ChronicleThe Northside Chronicle

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Allegheny West Civic Council2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7:30 p.m.Calvary United Methodist Church412.323.8884

Brighton Heights Citizens Federation2nd Thursday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m.Morrow Elementary School412.734.0233

Brightwood Civic Group3rd Tuesday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m.Pressley Ridge, 2611 Stayton St.412.732.8152

Brightwood Community Emergency Response Shelter3rd Thursday, monthly, 6 p.m.3219 Central Ave.

California-Kirkbride Blockwatch3rd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m.1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor

California-Kirkbride Neighbors2nd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m.1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor412.758.3898

Central Northside Neighborhood Council2nd Monday, monthly, 7 p.m.Allegheny Traditional Academy412.231.7742

Charles Street Area Council1st Monday, monthly, call for timesPittsburgh Project, 2801 N. Charles St.412.321.5567

Community Alliance of Spring Garden/East Deutschtown2nd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m.Fuhrer Building of St. Michael’s Church412.977.1979

Deutschtown New Hope Council3rd Thursday, monthly, 6:30 p.m.Community Center, 623 Suismon St.

East Allegheny Community Council2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m.Bistro Annex412.321.1204

Ex-offender Aftercare Support GroupSaturdays, 4-5:30 p.m.Allegheny Center Alliance Church801 Union Place

Fineview Citizens Council3rd Wednesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m.Reformed Presbyterian Home Pennsylvania Ave.412.231.0330

Mexican War Streets Society3rd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m.AUU Church, Resaca Pl. and North Ave.412.323.9030

Manchester Citizens CorporationQuarterly meetings, call for timesMCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave.412.323.1743

Manchester Public Safety MeetingQuarterly meetings, call for timesNorthside Leadership Conference412.323.1743

Northside Rotary ClubEvery Friday, noonCardello Building, 2nd Floor

Northside Coalition for Fair Housing Board2nd Monday, monthly, 6:30 p.m.1821 Brighton Rd.412.321.5527

Northside Coalition for Fair Housing MembershipMonthly, call for times1821 Brighton Rd.412.321.5521

Northside Leadership ConferenceCall for times4 Allegheny Center, Suite 601412.330.2559

North Side Lions Club2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly, noonMax’s Allegheny Tavern

North Side Public Safety Council1st Thursday, monthly, 5:30 p.m.Northside Leadership Conference412.330.2559

Observatory Hill, Inc.3rd Wednesday, monthly, 7 p.m.Byzantine Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave.412.231.2887

Perry Hilltop Citizens’ Council4th Monday, monthly, 7:30 p.m.Angel’s Place, 2605 Norwood St.412.321.4632

The Promise GroupEvery other Tuesday, 6 p.m.Western Pa. Humane Society412.321.1019

Troy Hill Citizens CouncilSept. 15, Dec. 15North Catholic High School 412-321-2852

Spring Hill Civic LeagueSept. 12, Oct. 3 and Nov. 1Spring Hill Elementary [email protected]

Summer Hill Citizens Committee3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m.WPXI Television Station community room

September 2011 The Northside Chronicle

On August 9, Rivers Casino celebrated its second birthday with cake, a luncheon, a new ballroom and generous donations to Pittsburgh communities, including the Northside.

At a luncheon on Tuesday, Rivers presented $1 million checks to the Northside Leadership Conference and the Hill District and reflected on the casino’s achievements since it opened.

“We’ve certainly come a long way in the past two years,” said Rivers Casino Assistant General Manager Joe Barrett.

He also referenced live music and table games as accomplishments and “game changers,” that helped the casino achieve its financial goals.

Barrett also highlighted the role that the casino plays in the Pittsburgh community, and promised the audience that it was a priority.

“While reflecting, we

remember that one of our main goals is to support Pittsburgh neighborhoods,” he said, noting that this year and last year’s donations to neighborhood associations totaled $4 million.

The Northside Leadership Conference and the Hill District community each received $1 million of that funding to reinvest in their communities both this year

and last year as a part of a three-year, $3 million commitment the casino made to the communities in its bid for its slot license.

“There’s nothing like $1 million to get some great projects moving,” said Gloria Rayman before accepting the money on behalf of NSLC and cutting the check cake that the casino used in lieu of an actual check.

With last year’s money, the Northside Leadership Conference funded 11 projects, built 42 homes and renovated seven commercial spaces.

“We wouldn’t have been able to have done, started or finished some projects without last year’s money,” Rayman said. “This funding is very important.”

The Northside Leadership Conference will work with community groups to decide where to invest this year’s money.

The Hill District’s funds are being held by The Poise Foundation, which will help them invest the money.

Wheatley said when they are ready to distribute the casino funds, it will be made very public.

The luncheon was followed by a hard hat tour of the casino’s new ballroom which is still under construction, but will be open and hosting events like weddings and conferences next month.

“The banquet hall will be this year’s game changer,” said Barrett about the casino’s newest feature.

Northside Leadership Conferences receives $1 mil. checkBy Kelsey Shea

Photo by Kelsey SheaRather than the traditional over-sized checks on paper, the casino de-cided to use a sweeter alternative - check cakes.

News BriefsNorthside residents get a preview of Allegheny Public Square

On August 24, Northside residents and Children’s Museum guests got a glimpse of what Allegheny Public Square will look like after its revitalization.

The city park is being redesigned by The Children’s Museum and will include more green space, trees, sitting space and even a 32-foot-tall art installation.

Construction at the formerly sunken-in cement park began earlier this month with fencing off of the park and the initial stages of demolition.

Wednesday, the Children’s Museum allowed kids to pin colorful pinwheels to the fence surrounding the construction site, to blow in the wind and surround the construction vehicles working at the site.

The museum also previewed an art installation by Ned Kahn called “Cloud Arbor” that will be placed in the completed park.

The finished piece will be a series of 32-foot-tall metal poles that will emit water vapor 9 feet above the ground to create an artificial cloud.

Though the example pole they had stood only about 9-feet from the ground, and produced a cloud at nearly ground level.

In addition to the pinwheels, the Children’s Museum also displayed digital renderings of what the finished park will look like that residents strolling by can see.

Comcast offers discounted Internet service to low-income families

Last month, in an effort to close the “digital divide” suffered by lower income families, Comcast Corp. and the City of Pittsburgh announced a new initiative called Internet Essentials.

The program will offer high-speed Internet access discounted to $9.95 a month, a voucher for a refurbished Acer netbook or a new

Dell netbook for $149.99 and access to digital literacy training programs provided through the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh for those who qualify.

“I can’t think of a greater investment we can make on the economic vitality of a city like Pittsburgh,” David Cohen told The Post-Gazette.

To qualify, a family must have one or more children enrolled in the National Lunch Program.

They must also not have subscribed to Comcast Internet service in the past 90 days or have an outstanding bill or unreturned equipment to Comcast.

Comcast offered the initiative to the Federal Communications Commission as a condition for the company’s purchase of NBC Universal at the beginning of this year.

However, the idea for an initiative like this has been discussed since 2009 when the FCC introduced its broadband plan which aims to extend Internet access throughout

the country, according to The Post-Gazette.

North Shore street dedicated to former Steeler’s coach, Chuck Noll

A new street being built on the North Shore will be named after Steelers’ coaching legend Chuck Noll.

The new street, Chuck Noll Way, will connect West General Robinson Street with North Shore Drive near the newly built Stage AE.

A dedication ceremony with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Art Rooney II, Mel Blount and Andy Russell was planned for Wednesday August 24.

However, the ceremony had to be rescheduled so Mayor Ravenstahl could attend the funerals of the Highland Park flood victims.

The dedication ceremony has not yet been rescheduled.

Noll was the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1969 until 1991 and won four super bowls with the team.

Noll was elected into the hall of fame in 1993 after he retired.

September 2011The Northside Chronicle

A few weeks ago, 529 E. Ohio St. looked like a cluttered garage sale moved indoors, with old furniture pushed against the walls, a collection of tea cups in the corner and some old dolls precariously perched on a shelf.

But by August 25, the newly renovated storefront was neat and organized for its grand opening as Allegheny Antiques – the first antique store on the Northside in over 20 years.

Bruce Klein, the owner of The Museum of Photo Antiquities and Bernie’s Photo Center, owned the empty storefront on bustling East Ohio Street for 25 years before and decided to put it to good use.

“Empty storefronts don’t do anybody any good. We need more businesses and good businesses,” he said, and he expressed hope that Allegheny Antiques would bring more traffic to East Ohio Street’s business district.

The 2,000-square-foot store will carry collectibles, furniture, art, toys, photography, household items

and whatever else comes through the door.

Allegheny Antiques hopes to specialize in local historical pieces from the greater Pittsburgh area and old Allegheny City. Klein currently has Heinz Company memorabilia and photos taken by famous Pittsburgh photographer Teeny Harris. Klein also said he will have special displays for Civil War antiques and Native American antiques.

The pieces in the store come from several antique dealers, as well as individual pieces and entire estates he buys from local Pittsburghers.

Klein hopes that his collection of Victorian furniture will appeal to owners of historic homes on the Mexican War Streets, and to other people moving into the neighborhood who need home furnishings and decorations.

Klein hosted his grand opening on August 25, where attendees viewed the collection and enjoyed free refreshments.

Allegheny Antique’s store hours will be Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

East Ohio Street gets N-side’s first antique shop in 20 years

Bruce Klein’s visitors admired his vast collection of old Pittsburgh objects on August 25 at Allegheny Antiques grand opening.


By Kelsey Shea


When Jakim Donaldson walked into Oliver High School’s gym as a 14-year-old freshman, he didn’t make their varsity basketball team. He instead played in a Saturday squad that just practiced on the weekends.

In the next three years, he not only made Oliver’s team, but he then went on to play at Edinboro University where he was named MVP twice, and after he graduated, the school retired his number.

Last month, he walked back through the gym doors 13 years later as a professional basketball player for Club Baloncesto 1939 Canarias in the Liga Española de Baloncesto in Spain.

He returned not to play, but rather to give back to the community he grew up in by running The Jakim Donaldson P.R.O.M.I.S.E. Basketball Camp, which was a free basketball program for kids ages 8 to 18 that ran from August 10-12 in Oliver’s gym.

“I was raised on the Northside, so basically everything I ever knew came from here,” said Donaldson. “I see myself in these kids, and I see talent and brainpower in these younger kids living on the Northside.”

The free camp was run through P.R.O.M.I.S.E., which was founded by Jakim’s father Jay Donaldson, who hoped to reach out to young kids in the neighborhood and keep them on the right track.

Jakim’s father, Jay Donaldson, founded P.R.O.M.I.S.E. in memory of his son and Jakim’s brother, Jehru, who was killed in a violent carjacking four years ago. P.R.O.M.I.S.E.’s purpose is to commemorate loved ones lost to street violence and promote community safety and outreach.

Though camp attendees talked about layups and free throws, and had practice and pick-up games, basketball wasn’t the primary focus of the camp.

By Kelsey Shea

Professional basketball player for Club Baloncesto, Jakim Donaldson, returned to his high school gym at Oliver High School last month.


See Basketball, page 14

Pro hosts free basketball camp on the Northside


N-side author recalls growing up in Deutschtown

Ambrose Korn Jr. lived on the Northside from 1938 to 1955. He lived on Overbeck Street in Spring Hill, Dunloe Street and Tripoli Street in Deutschtown.

From the Northside’s perspective, he saw World War II and the flourishing ’50s and watched the neighborhood and the country rapidly change economically and socially.

One night, sitting on a set of old wooden stairs at the end of Diana Street in Spring Hill, the teenage Korn saw a young woman get out of a car and run up the stairs crying. The man in the car haphazardly stopped, caught up to her, kissed her and together they got back in the car and drove away.

At the time, nothing more came of the incident. But 60 years later the memory still lingered in Korn’s mind, and it became the opening chapter in his second book “Deutschtown’s Pigeon

Hill,” which tells the stories of a series of characters in a changing neighborhood that was inspired by the Northside.

Korn, now a 73-year-old ex-marine, spent the last 10 years working on his two novels “Smelling Lilac” and “Deutschtown’s Pigeon Hill.” Though he now lives outside of the city in Western Pa., Korn incorporates his experiences growing up on the Northside into his latest book. Though he renames it Pigeon Hill, the Northside neighborhood is in itself a significant and changing character in “Deutschtown’s Pigeon

Hill”“I wanted to show how old

established neighborhoods that are changed suddenly by government

actions are not always received warmly by the citizens, even when the changes are made with good intentions,” Korn said, though he noted that his story is not an exact mirror image of Deutschtown’s.

However he said both the fictional Pigeon Hill and real-life Deutschtown face many changes after World War II and feel effects of a larger richer government and the

then newly enacted GI Bill. The story begins with a secret

shared between members of two

generations and how the younger generation feels the “exhilaration of growing up” while their parents “suffer from the disappointments of life” in post-war America.

All the while their once quaint community of “old homes, small roads, neighborhood stores, peddlers and trolleys” transforms to a “new way of supermarkets, shopping malls, automobiles and suburban housing plans.”

“Instead of just writing a chronicle, I use characters of all persuasions; the good, the bad and the ugly, whose own lives are evolving while…the times they are a-changin,’” said Ambrose.

Longtime Northside residents will recognize small details, like how Pigeon Hill Arrows football team that is based on the 1954/1955 Spring Hill Arrows football team. Korn said he used bits of memory to construct many scenes.

“Every establishment in the story, from the German deli to the

By Kelsey Shea

See N-side author, page 10


Riverview field delayed againFrom Riverview, page 1

because of past industrial dumping the site of Riverview Field.

Even at last October’s ground breaking ceremony, fresh dirt had to be trucked in for the field’s contractor Jim Sauer of J.T. Sauer and Associates, Old Allegheny Soccer Coach Dave Wilson, Council President Darlene Harris, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Ashley to dig into because upturning the site’s soil could release harmful toxic waste.

“We are reclaiming a contaminated site for the public’s use and enjoyment,” said Ashley. “And as such, we are going through great strides to ensure that the highest standards are being enlisted towards the final remediation, so that no questions relating to the safety of this site will linger in the future.”

At this point in the project, Ashley said there is no state funding involved, so this summer’s state budgets cuts will not affect the project.

Now that the City has its NPDES and Act 2 approved, Pennsylvania DEP spokesman Kevin Sunday said that they are now waiting for the final

report and cleanup plan from the City.

Following the submitted final report, clean fill will be delivered and compacted at the field’s site, because the existing soil and rock cannot be used.

According to Ashley, once the fill and compaction has been completed, the field will need a time period of 4-7 months for the soil to settle to its final level, before engineers sign off on that phase and the actual field turf and amenities can be completed, which will take another 4-6 months

At the earliest, the field could be completed in May of next year, but the latest would be October, 2013.

The plan for the field emerged from a 2003 study that showed that the city of Pittsburgh had a deficit of 32 soccer fields and that between 1991 and 2001 soccer participation increased nationally by 39 percent.

“It’s going to be a wonderful thing for the Northside,” said Old Allegheny Soccer Coach Dave Wilson.

Since the study, the only city field completed was Oakland’s Schenley Oval in 2007.


NORTHSIDE BLOG HIGHLIGHTSFor full stories go to

www.thenorthsidechronicle.com/blog

The new Northside Chronicle Blog is updated daily with photos, event previews, interviews, videos and more. Here are some highlights from August.

August 2-Athletes from the 31st National

Veterans Wheelchair Games race down a slalom obstacle course on the Roberto Clemente Bridge. This exhibition kickoff event served to give the local community a taste of the games these wounded veteran athletes competed in during the first week in August.

August 9-Allegheny Public Square:

Wondering what the new Allegheny Public Square park will look like after it’s completed? Check out the concept images from the Children’s Museum to see what the finished park will look like.

August 16-The Ballroom at Rivers Casino:

At its second year mark, Rivers Casino is adding yet another feature to its facility – a grand ballroom. Assistant General Manager Joe Barrett hopes the ballroom will be another annual “game changer” for the casino.

August 24-Jazz concert broadcast live:

City of Asylum’s annual Jazz Poetry Concert is the place to be in September. But this year, fans don’t have to go to Sampsonia Way to catch the show. Anyone with a computer can watch and listen to “the jazz concert of the year” live online this year, to create an audience as diverse as City of Asylum itself.

After a year of complaints, racial allegations and controversy, this year’s Annual Northside Oldtimers Unity Gathering seemingly went off without any major problems or disturbances to the Northside community.

The picnic took place on August 5, 6 and 7 in Allegheny Commons Park and saw between 5,000 and 7,000 attendees, who came out to celebrate their annual anti-violence neighborhood picnic.

Unlike previous years, neither the city nor the Oldtimers received complaints about the event. Organizer Mildred Taylor called the picnic a “truly blessed event.”

The Picnic included food, face painting and a variety of other events for families who call the Northside their home.

“Northside Oldtimers’ Unity Gathering was a wonderful event that brought together generations of African American families at the Allegheny Commons Park. Events of this nature are what

help to enliven the Pittsburgh experience and create a strong sense of community,” said Councilman Danielle Lavelle.

“It was noteworthy how organizers and attendees, in staging an event of such magnitude, were respectful of their surroundings and the nearby community while positively enriching the park with their celebrations.”

In previous years, other Northside residents complained about noise, debris and damage to the park after the Oldtimers’ event. Specifically, dog walkers who use the Allegheny Commons dog park worried that the chicken and rib bones left behind from the picnic would be harmful to their dogs if swallowed.

In February, nearly three dozen residents signed a petition that addressed the way park permits are issued and enforced.

At the time, Oldtimers board member William Thompkins felt that the Oldtimers were being singled out. The petition did not address the Oldtimers specifically,

but referred to “recent events.”“If we were a non-African

American association, would we have been responded to in the same way? I don’t know, but I don’t think so,” Thomkins told the Chronicle in February.

In June, after working with the Allegheny Commons Initiative to resolve the problem, the City responded by announcing that the existing park rules would be enforced more strictly than they had been in the past.

“We want to make sure everybody understands the rules,” said Councilman Lavelle.

However, Taylor said that the newly enforced park rules had no negative impact on this year’s picnic and noted that the event’s security and cleanup did an excellent job.

“As a matter of fact. for those who were not informed about the open flames and the burning charcoal, we were given receptacles to put the hot coal in from some of those concerned,” she said.

Taylor said she has no commentary regarding the

controversy over the picnic and the park.

“All is well that ends well,” she said.

Despite controvercy, Oldtimers’ picnic an all around successBy Kelsey Shea

Photo by Henry Clay WebsterOldtimers gathered to celebrate unity in the Northside community.


were at proficient or advanced levels on the PSSA reading tests and only 17.4 percent scored proficient or advanced in math last year.

At a special public hearing regarding the proposal on August 22, Oliver High School parent, Deshauna Ponton stood in opposition to the closing of Oliver High School.

She pointed out the school’s positive attributes, such as an award-winning ROTC program, a cosmetology program, family movie nights and evening computer classes for adults that she saw while her son attended Oliver. She also recalled his positive experience there.

“It was not an abnormality to receive a phone call at nine or 10 o’clock at night about my son to say he was doing poorly or doing well,” Ponton said. “My potentially failing student is now a college student who started his first day today.”

Pittsburgh Public Schools currently has over 10,000 empty seats in the district caused by population decreases and parents choosing alternatives to public schools. In the past 50 years,

enrollment in the Pittsburgh Public School District has fallen from around 75,000 students to under 30,000.

At a special public hearing regarding the proposal on August 22, City Council President Darlene Harris addressed the possible consequences that school closings could have on the city.

Harris noted that as city council president, she knows the fabric of the city and understands that it is “stretched as far as it can go.”

Though she acknowledged the challenges of budget cuts and population decline, she warned the school board of the cutbacks, if not handled responsibly, may only further these problems because the schools are “a driving force in the city.”

“The more we cut, the more we close, the more population will go down,” she said. “The board holds the city’s future in its hands. We just

have to decide correctly.”The Northside Leadership

conference advocated keeping Manchester PreK-8 open and for Morrow to be split into two buildings, both of which were

included in the proposal.

Both the NSLC and the Northside Community Development Fund withheld comments regarding Northview until they had the feeder patterns for the neighborhood.

NSCDF Executive Director Mark Masterson requested that the school board “really

take a look at the buildings that are closed,” in the Northside.

“Please don’t do what you did last time, as it was detrimental to the community,” he said.

He mentioned that the previous closings, like Observatory Hill’s Chatham Elementary in 2006, were “flawed” because the buildings were

left unused.President of Northview Heights

Citizens Council Inc., Valerie Lauw, spoke at the hearing tp address the closing of Northview PreK-8.

Lauw noted that she was in “total support of the public school system,” but questioned if closing Northview was the right choice for the neighborhood, which has grown by 200 residents in the past year.

“We all want to be close to our children, especially when they’re being educated,” she told the board, noting that filtering Northview students into King PreK-8 and Morrow PreK-8 would limit parent involvement and create the additional expense of bussing the students out of the neighborhood for the district.

There will be a series of public meetings throughout the next three months for community members to address their concerns about the proposal.

“The committee hopes that Northsiders are going to speak up and say what they want and what they don’t want,” said NSLC Executive Director Mark Fatla.

HEARING SCHEDULE

Special Public Hearings6 p.m.

341 S Bellefield Ave, Oakland

September 19October 24

November 21

Those wishing to speak at the public hearing must call 412-622-3600 to reg-

ister a week prior to the meeting

Community forums hosted by Superintendent Linda Lane

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Sept 13 – Southwest Greenway conference center

Sept 15 – North Pittsburgh King gymnasium

Sept 22 – EastReizenstein cafetorium

Neighborhood leaders voice opinions and praise about the district’s proposed realignment plan

Nside author inspired by childhoodGerman club is a composite of anything I could recall,” he said.

As he grows older, Korn’s trips to the Northside are fewer and fewer.

“I am old,” he said. “Seventy-three plus, and now when I come back to the Northside it’s to visit family or a grave site. Most of the places I entertained at when younger, the taverns, the clubs et cetera are all gone now.”

As the Oscar Wilde quote at the front of his book says, “No man is rich enough to buy back his past.”

Paperback and Kindle editions of “Deutschtown’s Pigeon Hill” are available on Amazon.com.

From N-side author, page 6

“The more we cuT, The more we close, The more populaTion will

go down.”-darlene harris,

ciTy council presidenT

Public school board forums and special public hearings

From Realignment, page 1


Jakim and Jay wanted to teach the kids not just basketball, but leadership, sportsmanship, respecting elders, doing well in school and other general good values.

“A good basketball player should have all of these skills,” said Jay, who incorporated life lessons into the sports program and brought in motivational speakers like KDKA’s Bob Allen.

On the first day, 60 kids showed up to play basketball, but word spread, and on Thursday they had about 80 kids. By Friday, over 100 kids showed up for Jakim’s camp from all over the city.

“We’ve had an overwhelming response,” said Jay Donaldson. “It’s good because kids are coming to the Northside from all over the city. We’re really breaking down barriers of hoodisms, which a lot of people are afraid to do because they’re worried it’ll create violence”

When Jakim and Jay started planning the camp a few months ago,

they had no financial sponsors to help pay for the costs of the camp.

“Jakim reached into his own pocket,” said Jay Donaldson, who noted that his son supplied the program with money to feed the kids lunch, supply drinks and get them T-shirts.

But as word spread, the camp also received a grant from the City of Pittsburgh, Soul Pitt designed posters and made a donation, Younger’s Bar in the Northside made a contribution, and Dick’s Sporting Goods gave the kids water bottles.

Jay Donaldson estimated that a similar camp would usually cost at least $50 per child.

Next year, the Donaldsons and P.R.O.M.I.S.E. hope to make the camp bigger and better.

“We don’t have many of these programs in the city,” said Jakim. “It was great seeing the joy and happiness on the kids’ faces, and seeing them work hard and being receptive to what we were saying.”

Free Northside camp about learn-ing more than just basketballFrom Basketball, page 5

InsIde

-20 years of pumpkIns

-TasTy fall recIpes

-evenT lIsTIngs

-and more!

sepTember 2011

A few years ago, Barbara Burnes was passing out candy for some family in Bellvue, four miles away from her Northside home. One costumed trick or treater looked at her and said, “Hey! You’re the pumpkin lady.”

Pumpkin lady, East Allegheny Community Council member and Northside resident, Burns has been a driving force behind the October tradition of Pumpkin Fest for the entirety of its 20 year existence in the Northside – or at least she thinks 20 years.

“We did 16 or 17 twice I think, but I’m pretty sure that this one is 20” said Burnes from her East Ohio Street shop, Sweet Time Café. “It seems like 100!”

Burnes is the owner of Sweet Time, a few blocks from her home in East Allegheny. Kids and community members come in to send mail, buy candy or sort out the many details that go into planning Pumpkin Fest – like the logistics of bringing in over a thousand pumpkins and a petting zoo into East Park or raising funds by selling candy bars at local businesses.

Pumpkin Fest is an annual fall festival in the Northside geared toward children. In

addition to the traditional pumpkin decorating competition, petting zoo and other activities provided by the East Allegheny Community Council, local vendors are also present.

“It’s unique because vendors are not allowed to sell anything, and they all have to bring an activity. No one is allowed to just push paper,” said Burnes

Barbara works with a committee other community members involved in the East Allegheny Community Council to organize the festival, which gets larger every year.

Over its 20 year lifespan, Burnes said the

2010 Northside ChroNiCle Fall Guide

In “Dandelion Wine,” that short, and somewhat dark, novel by Ray Bradbury, there is this wonderful image of the unique powers of Dandelion wine.

The wine is made at the height of the dandelion season – late spring and all summer. But, when it is drunk in the gray and cold months of winter, the wine has the power to bring back the warmth and the feeling of the summer day when it was preserved.

Great images are conjured whenever a particular food, piece of music or special scent reminds us of a very specific past event. Whenever I hear the Five Satins sing “In the Still of The Night” (I Remember) the image in my mind is of Moody Matthews and a group of his friends singing that song in the lunchroom at Oliver High in the 1950s.

Whenever a turkey is roasting, even in April or May, the mental response to that smell is of many Thanksgiving memories rolled into one. And, for me, the wonderful images of late summer are preserved by the simple task of by “putting up” peaches and plums. At the Northside farmers market a few years ago I made the acquaintance of the McConnell family of farmers from the countryside behind Aliquippa.

The McConnell farm has been in the family since the late 18th century

when Captain John B. McConnell took a patent on this farmland as his payment for serving the state of Pennsylvania in the Revolutionary War. Subsequent generations of McConnells have been producing bushels of fruit and vegetables from that acreage ever since. When the peach harvest comes in, it is well worth the drive to buy a few pecks of peaches fresh from the McConnell orchards so as to pack ‘em away in pint jars for the winter months.

The process of “putting up’ peaches is about as easy as any. When they are just at their ripest the skins slip right off. The big red almond

looking stones pop out, and the peaches can be easily sliced into eighths. It takes about a minute per peach.

They are then slightly cooked in a light syrup of sugar water and spooned into clean and clear AND hot pint jars. The jars are then capped with the appropriate lids and placed in boiling water for a few minutes. Just pull them from their “bath,” place them on the counter, and listen as the lids “pop” to make a perfect seal.

As a kid, I learned from my grandmother, who did this every year, to add a few prune plums to the batch to give the final product a magnificent color of purple and gold.

By the time the September issue of The Chronicle is printed, the brief peach season at McConnell’s will have past.

Apples, however, will be harvested well into the fall. The pints of

By John Canning

The last of the season’s peaches, plums and ‘DandAelion

20 years of pumpkIns!By Kelsey Shea


biggest difference between the Pumpkin Fest of 1991 and the one they’re planning this year is simply size. The activities are more or less the same, though Burnes hopes to bring in a climbing wall this year to appeal to some of the older children.

The first Pumpkin Fest in 1991 saw between 100 to 200 kids and their families. Last year, Burnes and the committee saw 1,500 children alone, not including their families. But

Burnes doesn’t mind the crowds. “I think it’s a perfect

environment,” said BurnesPumpkin Fest will be on

October 8 this year from 1 to 5 p.m. in East Park, on East Ohio Street and on Cedar Avenue.

To accommodate costs, admission for children this year will be raised from $3 per child to $4 per child, though Burnes said that in the past years, the price per child has only gone up $2 since the original Pumpkin Fest.

Vegetable Pizza with a Zucchini CrustTop this unique pizza with a nutritious crust

made from fall-fresh zucchini with delicious vegtables that are all in season this fall!

Serves 6Crust Ingredients:3 c. Zucchini - shredded1 tsp. Salt4 Eggs1/3 c. Flour1/3 c. Parmesan Cheese - grated toppings:1 c. Ricotta Cheese - part-skim2 cloves Garlic - crushed1 c. Spinach - fresh2 T. Basil - fresh, finely chopped1/2 c. Sweet Onion - thinly sliced1/2 c. Yellow Squash - thinly sliced8 oz. Mushrooms – fresh, sliced2 Tomatoes – medium sized, finely diced1 1/2 c. Mozzarella Cheese - part-skim

Combine salt and zucchini in a large strainer. Allow to sit for 20 minutes to remove excess moisture. Press out any extra liquid. Preheat oven to 450ºF. In a large bowl, combine the shredded zucchini and eggs. Add the flour and parmesan cheese and mix well. Coat a 12 inch round pizza pan with non-stick cooking spray. Spread the crust mixture over the pan. Bake at 450ºF for 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. Remove dough from the oven and reduce oven heat to 350ºF. Combine the ricotta cheese, garlic, spinach and basil. Spread this cheese mixture over the crust. Arrange the sliced onions, yellow squash and mushrooms on top. Sprinkle with diced tomatoes. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake pizza at 350ºF for 20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and crust is golden brown.

Deb Lyon, Bangor, Finalist Recipe2010 Pennsylvania “Simply Delicious, Simply

Nutritious” Vegetable Recipe Contest

A new twist on an old favorite Zuccihini pizza crust

All photos courtesy BArBArA Burns And pumpkin Fest.

the brief peach season at McConnell’s will have past.

Apples, however, will be harvested well into the fall. The pints of peaches (and plums) will be lined up on a shelf in the cellar and remain untouched while other fresher fruits are plentiful at the farmers market, especially those Honey Crisp apples.

But, come mid-January or all of February when the days are short and the wind is sharp the time will be just right to open one of those pints of peaches, and like Bradbury’s Dandelion wine, provide a vivid recollection of the warm sunny days of summer when the peaches were at their prime.

Wine’


Turn the page for corresponding businesses, places of worship, venues and event listings!


BUSINESSES & SERVICESWaltmire Pharmacy B1 & Dollar Store 1435 Spring Garden Ave.Pittsburgh, PA 15212Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.Sat. 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.We accept all insurances & we match all prices.Free deliveryConvenience food & drink

The Café N Creamery B2 2700 Shadeland Ave.412-761-3548www.thecafencreamery.comYour neighborhood sweet spot,featuring gourmet coffee prod-ucts, ice cream, baked goods & lunch items.Hours: Mon. – Fri. 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Priory Fine Pastries B3 528 E. Ohio St.Pittsburgh, PA 15212Phone: 412-321-7270Fax: 412-321-7298www.prioryfinepastries.comBreakfast items, cookies, specialty pastries, tarts, pies, cakes & more!

ESB BANK B4 ESB Bank North Shore807 Middle St. 412-231-7297ESB Bank Spring HillItin & Rhine St.412-231-0819 ESB Bank Troy Hill1706 Lowrie St.412-231-8238www.esbbank.comA Full Service Community Bank

Monterey Pub B5 A little taste of Ireland on Pittsburgh’s North Side.1227 Monterey St. Pittsburgh, PA 15212412-322-6535www.montereypub.comTo get on our mailing list, email: [email protected] Open: Mon.–Thur. 3 p.m.–12 a.m.Fri. & Sat. 3 p.m. – 1 a.m.Kitchen Open: Mon.–Sat. 5-10 p.m.

First National Bank B6 100 Federal St.Pittsburgh, PA 15212412-359-2627 www.FNB-Online.comFor all of your Business Banking needs. Peppi’s Olde Tyme B7Sandwich Shop Home of “the Roethlisburger”927 Western Ave412-231-9009www.peppisubs.comHours: Mon. – Fri. 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.Open Steeler home gamesStrip District •Smithfield St. • Point Breeze • Penn Ave.

Windows R Us B8 1116 Castle Shannon Blvd.Castle Shannon, PA 15234412-892-9960www.windowsruspgh.comAny size white, double hung window only $188 installed.

Dirt Doctors B9 Cleaning Service 3517 Simen Ave.Pittsburgh, PA 15212412-726-0800www.dirtdoctorcleaning.comWe provide residential & com-mercial cleaning services to the Northside & surrounding areas.Find us on Facebook & LinkedIn!

Slovak Savings B10 2470 California Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15212412-322-9023www.slovaksb.comMember FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

Bicycle Heaven B11Shop & Musuem 1800 Preble Ave.Pittsburgh, PA 15212(By R.J. Casey Industrial Park, corner of Metropolitan & Colum-bus St. - beside Cousin Vinny’s restaurant)412-716-4956 • 412-734-4034 [email protected] Hours: 7 days/week: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.Specializing in antique & collectable bikes.

First Niagra B12Allegheny Branch1020 Western Ave.Pittsburgh, PA 15212412-321-0717www.fnfg.comHours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.Jennifer Gottron, Branch [email protected]

The Urban Gardener B131901 Brighton Rd.Pittsburgh, PA 15212412-323-GROWwww.urbangardenerpgh.comThe garden spot on the NorthsideHours: Closed MondayTues.-Sat. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sun- 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Bistro To Go B14 414 East Ohio Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212412-231-0218 www.bistro-togo.com

SUNDAY BRUNCH, A TASTY DEAL

Bistro Sunday brunches just keep growing in popularity. It’s all-you-can-eat from a mouth watering and beautiful array of foods—plus made-to-order omelets & sugar pecan French Toast—all for only $10. Join the crowd, savor the food and maybe make some new friends too. Brunch served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

NOW GRILLING, TOO!In late September Bistro starts grilling delicious foods to-order on its new grill in the Annex behind Bistro Soul. Order at the Soul counter and your sizzling selection will be ready in minutes. Sign up for the Bistro newsletter for details.

HOUSE TOUR BRUNCH & TICKETS

Join us for the Historic Deutschtown House Tour on September 25th, starting at 11 a.m. & running to 4 p.m. Our Sunday brunch serves from 11 am to 2 p.m.; part of the proceeds are being donated to the commu-nity. Plus, buy your Tour tickets in advance at Bistro & save $3 on each ticket—& $2 more if you have 6 or more friends touring. Our neighborhood Tour is going to be awesome & full of surprises!

Riverview United W1Presbyterian Church 3505 Perrysville Ave.Pittsburgh, PA 15214412-321-7300www.RiverviewUPChurch.orgSunday service: 11 a.m.Sunday school: 9:45 a.m.Tuesday prayer & praise service: 2:15 p.m.

New Hope Church W2 2710 Shadeland Ave.412-766-2728www.newhopeneighbor.orgOffering hope through the ministryof reconciliation to God & others.Sunday Disciples class: 9:45 a.m.Sunday worship: 11 a.m.

Allegheny Unitarian W3Universalist 416 West North Ave.Pittsburgh, PA 15212412-322-4261www.alleghenyuu.orgSunday service: 10:30 a.m.Children’s Religious Education: 10:30 a.m.We are a welcoming, urban congregation that puts Unitarian Universalism into action by celebrating life, nourishing the spirit & inspiring a commitment to justice.

Allegheny Center W4Alliance Church250 E. Ohio St.Pittsburgh, PA 15212www.acac.netSaturday service: 6 – 7:20 p.m.Sunday service: 8:30, 9:50, 11:15 a.m. & 12:35 p.m.“Following Jesus in diverse community.”

Historic Deutschtown V1House TourSunday, Sept. 25th, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This 2011 self-guided Deutschtown Historic House Tour features seven distinctive restored homes, many built in the late 1800s, & some modern surprises. Expect a diverse array of interiors, architecture & styles, as well as five gardens.

PLACES OF WORSHIP

VENUES & EVENTS


Enjoy ethnic music, great food at our Deutschtown restaurants, & an optional end of the day wine tasting at the ‘Monks Bar’ in the Priory Hotel. Free Parking is available in the large lot adjoining Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall & on street parking will also be readily available. Facebook sneak preview: See photos of two homes on the tour at ‘Welcome to Deutschtown.’ Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Students $5. Discounts of $2 per ticket for groups of 6 or more. Purchase tickets online at www.deutschtown.org. Advance ticket sale locations: Priory Fine Pastries, Priory Hotel, Sweet Time Cafe, Amani Café & Bistro To Go.

For more info, call 412-321-1204. Proceeds benefit the ongoing community development efforts of East Allegheny Community Council.

Children’s Museum V2 10 Children’s WayPittsburgh, PA 15212412-322-5058www.pittsburghkids.orgOpen Mon – Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun. Noon - 5 p.m.

Take off on fantastic flights of imagination & return to earth to build & launch a boat down a 53-foot waterway, ink your own silkscreen, climb the limb bender, visit Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood & more. In 2011 the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh was named one of the nation’s ten top children’s museums by Parents Magazine.

Exhibit: Tough ArtSept. 14, 2011- Jan. 16, 2012An exhibition of four, original, interactive artworks created by Felipe Castelblanco, Zach Dorn, Daniel Luchman, Jennifer Nagle, & Christina Zaris that are “tough” enough to withstand kid handling. This exhibit is supported by a grant from the Federal Institute of Museum & Library Sciences.

Youth Photography Exhibition: International Heritage

Photographic Experience Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 , 2011View an exhibition by young regional photographers participating in an international photo-taking competition. This year, Pittsburgh represented the United States for the 2nd time among 60 nations in the IHPE. From the 51 local photographers aged 14 to 21 who captured photos of our region, two were chosen to represent the city & the nation. All of the Pittsburgh entrants & the two winning images by Alexandra Valliant & Danielle Perelman will be on display in the Theater!

Exhibit: Putt Putt Sept. 15, 2011 - Oct. 20, 2011You’ve never played miniature golf quite like this! Navigate five unusual & unique miniature golf holes featuring educational components such as sound obstacles, numbers, recycling & more. Soft clubs & golf balls mean children of all ages can join in the fun.

Exhibit: Make ShopOpens Oct. 22, 2011Make Shop, the Children’s Museum newest permanent exhibit area, provides a space for building & tinkering hands-on with old and new technologies, exciting projects & cutting-edge media. Do-it-yourself with electronics, sewing machines, animation stations or woodworking PLUS make alongside some of the coolest indie crafters, hackers & inventors in the city!

Pittsburgh Mini Maker Faire Oct. 23, 2011 - Noon – 6 p.m. A family-friendly event featuring both established & emerging local “makers.” Pittsburgh’s first Mini Maker Faire will feature rockets & robots, DIY science & technology, urban farming & sustainability, alternative energy, bicycles, unique hand-made crafts, music & food, & educational workshops & installations. Children’s Museum

of Pittsburgh & Hack Pittsburgh will be co-presenters of this event.

Exhibit: How People Make Things:

Nov. 5, 2011 - Feb. 5, 2012An exhibit inspired by Mister Rogers’ factory tour videos, brings the stories of making everyday items to life, featuring the people, processes & materials used to make them. Visitors can operate a die cutter & assemble the body panels, dashboard & steering wheel of a real golf cart, stamp coins, fill molds & explore vacuum forming. You’ll perform cutting, molding, deforming & assembly jobs like in a real factory, & make your own useable cup & box. Mister Rogers’ factory tour videos show how products are made &many locally made products will be featured.

The 20th Annual V3PumpkinfestA Children’s Harvest Day CelebrationSat., Oct. 8th1 – 5 p.m.East Park – East Ohio StreetRegistration: 11:00 a.m.$4.00 donation per childChildren 12 & underAll children must be accompanied by an adult.Rain date: Sun., Oct. 9th 412-321-1204

Carnegie Science Center V4 1 Allegheny AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15212412-237-3400Open: Sun.-Fri. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.& Sat. 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.CarnegieScienceCenter.orgExperience hundreds of hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations theaters, a four-story Omnimax theater, Highmark SportsWorks, roboworld, a digital planetarium, a Cold War-era submarine, a world-renowned model railroad display & more.


Perry High SchoolAll home games are played at Cupples Stadium, South Side

Sept. 2, 7:30 p.m. - at North HillsSept. 9, 7 p.m. - vs. Carrick

Sept. 17, 7 p.m. - at Fort Hill, MDSept. 23, 3:30 p.m. - vs. OliverSept. 30, 7 p.m. - vs. LangleyOct. 7, 7 p.m. - vs. Allderdice

Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. - at Erie EastOct. 21, 7 p.m. - vs. Brashear

Oct. 27, 6 p.m. - vs. WestinghouseNov. 4, 7 p.m. - vs. USO

Oliver High SchoolAll home games are played at Cupples Stadium, South Side

Sept. 2, 7:30 p.m. - at Shadyside AcademySept. 9, 3:30 p.m. - vs. Allderdice

Sept. 16, 3:30 p.m. - vs. USOSept. 23, 3:30 p.m. - vs. Perry

Sept. 30, 7 p.m. - at Wheeling CCOct. 8, 1 p.m. - vs. Mercyhurst Prep

Oct. 13, 6 p.m. - vs. BrashearOct. 20, 6 p.m. - vs. Langley

Oct. 28, 3:30 p.m. - vs. CarrickNov. 4, 3:30 p.m. - vs. Westinghouse

North Catholic High SchoolAll homes games are played at Stone Field, Lake Shore Drive,

Allison Park Sept. 2, 7:30 p.m. - vs. Springdale HS

Sept. 10, 1:30 p.m. - at Wilkinsburg Senior HS Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m. - vs. Leechburg Area HS

Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m. - vs. Riverview HS Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m. - vs. Monessen HS Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m. - at. Avonworth HS

Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. - at Our Lady Of The Sacred Heart Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m. - vs. Northgate HS

Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m. - at Bishop Canevin HS

REACH MORE THAN

10,000 PEOPLEIN

16 NEIGHBORHOODSEACH MONTH

By ADvERTISING IN THE CHRONICLE


Allegheny WestTeam Properties LLC to Richard Prescott and Richard Pettifer at 1204 Linden Place for $95,000. Allegheny West Civic Council Inc. to Andrew Madden at 816 Western Ave. for $155,000.Shelley Bias to Harper and Lawrence Padolsky at 834 Beech Ave. Unit 6 for $150,000.

Brighton HeightsEstate of Bettie Bennett to James West III at 3526 McClure Ave. for $58,000. Estate of Olympia Facchino to Maurice Thomas at 3584 Brighton Road for $79,000. Patricia Manni et al. to Peter and Tina Grindeland at 3640 Harbison Ave. for $97,000. Edward McKeown to Olivia Fisher and Gregory Gardner at 3808 McClure Ave. for $89,000. Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. trustee to Jeffrey Tomer at 4023 Shoreham St. for $65,000. US Bank NA trustee to Deanna Dean

and Judith Sepich at 960 Davis Ave. for $37,699. Howard E Johnston Inc. to Joseph Suto at 115 Jacks Run Road for $91,970. Fortune Foreclosures LLC to Gyro LLC at 1516 Orchlee St. for $35,900. Bernard McQuillan to Heather Putney and Helen Davies at 3846 Oswego St. for $72,000. Richard Kronz to Brandi and Robert Harrison at 3505 Shadeland Ave. for $135,000. Estate of Mary Woods to Bryson Thornton at 3715 California Ave. for $196,000. James Martinec to Brendan Yeckley at 3369 Harbison St. for $103,000.Pittsburgh Property Partn. to Timothy Lang at 2024 Termon Ave. for $128,000.

BrightwoodRebecca Lee to HSBC Bank USA NA trustee at 1121 Ingham St. for $1,706 by sheriff’s deed. Nadine Arrington to Wells Fargo Bank NA trustee at 863 Marshall Ave.

for $1,689 by sheriff’s deed. Lawrence Conroy to Equity Trust Co. Cust FBO Russell L Laugh at 1241 Dickson St. for $25,000. Estate of Agnes Matvey to Man Nguyen at 1331 Geyer Ave. for $14,000. Alex Speer to Bank New York Mellon trustee at 3002 Mullins St. for $3,726 by sheriff’s deed. Federal National Mortgage Assn. to Brightwood Civic Group at 1208 Woodland Ave. for $8,500.California-KirkbrideRichard Minsterman to Eugene Stiers Jr. at 2334 Mannheim St. for $11,000. Seth Reichart to Marvin and Hilary Nelson at 1360 Oakhill St. for $63,000.

Central NorthsideWilma Adams to Frank Quinn at 1216 Monterey St. for $170,000. Estate of Israel Vell Trueheart to US Bank NA at 400 Alpine Ave. for $1,506 by sheriff’s deed.

Todd Meyer to Robert Warner at 1505 Buena Vista St. for $285,000. Blue Moon Capital LLC to Camden Leeds and Heather Johnson at 1412 Buena Vista St. for $50,000. Marsha Lynn Rucker to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. trustee at 1534 Garfield Ave. for $1,557 by sheriff’s deed. Estate of Evelyn Roberta Craven to Kristina Sandherr at 318 Jacksonia St. for $37,500. Central Northside Neighborhood Council to October Real Estate Holdings LLC at 105 Jacksonia St. for $5,500. Pittsburgh City to Lagom LLC at 525 Jacksonia St. for $15,000.

DeutschtownCraig Wicks to William Buck at 610 Suismon St. for $219,296.

East AlleghenyJohn Lewis Jr. et al. to Raymond Wappes Jr. and Georgia Wappes at


855 Lovitt Way for $7,000.

FineviewRealty Choice Investments LLC to David and Seina Smoshkovitz at 208 Langley Ave. for $48,000. Penn Pioneer Enterprises LLC to Forward Realty Solutions LLC at 520 Suffolk St. for $18,900. David Goodman to Wells Fargo Bank NA at 425 Catoma St. for $1,812 by sheriff’s deed.ManchesterDavid Keith Menk et al. to Charles Menzock at 1500 Chateau St. for $1,464 by sheriff’s deed. Manchester Housing Development LLC to Earl Coleman at 1110 Bidwell St. for $215,000. Pittsburgh City to Jason and Janet Byrd at Warlo St. for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $2,340).

Marshall-ShadelandScott Fullmer to Baylon Sloan at 1602 Forsythe St. for $18,000.

Observatory HillKaren Maletic aka Hamilton to Midfirst Bank at 3751 Baytree St. for $3,000 by sheriff’s deed. Realty Choice Investments LLC to David and Seina Smoshkovitz at 27 Bonvue St. for $55,000. Alexis Steigewaldt to W Dennis Bryant Jr. at 103 Dunlap St. for $0 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $18,096).

Northview HeightsPittsburgh City to Ronald and Rita Babash at 3629 Colby St. for $200 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $2,574).

Perry HilltopTaras Yatsishin to Gary Niezgoda at 446 Kennedy Ave. for $59,900. HSBC Bank USA NA trustee to ACP 3 LLC at 2919 N. Charles St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $2,340). William Oberst to Michael Rizzo

and Frederick Allen Byers Jr. at 3131 Perrysville Ave. for $213,400. PNC Mortgage to ECO Engineering Inc. at 311 Elsdon St. for $2,200.Bark Properties to Richard Michael Romine at 513 W. Burgess St. for $10,000.Spring HillScott Stegman et al. to Riley and Erin Baker at 2216 Harbor St. for $73,140. Estate of Jeffrey Nelson to Rebecca Gee at 1700 High St. for $21,275. Eileen McCollum to Richard Herzer III at 1904 Zoller St. for $66,950. William Kauffman to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. at 58 Schubert St. for $2,001 by sheriff’s deed.

Brown Bark 2 L.P. to Northside Worldwide Inc. at 1622 Hatteras St. for $19,000. James Troisi to HSBC Bank USA NA trustee at 1320 Truax Way for $1,863 by sheriff’s deed

Summer HillWells Fargo Bank NA to Residential Investments LLC at 3524 Sirius St.

for $10 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $44,544). Residential Investments LLC to Realty Choice Investments LLC at 3524 Sirius St. for $21,500.

Troy HillPittsburgh City to Evan Mirapaul at 1812 Rialto St. for $9,000. Virginia Eagle to Loretta Jelinek and William Cypher at 1300 Truax Way for $10,000. Gail Florence to Melonie Nance and UmaMaheswar Duvvuri at 65 Waterfront Drive for $685,000. Mary Ann Smith Eggers to Celeste and Machaela Pietrusza at 1422 Lowrie St. for $62,000. Pittsburgh City to Paul Johnson at 1422 Lowrie St. for $1,500.

Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>. Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.


Now acceptiNg credit card paymeNts.


If you have never attended FontanaFest before, then what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars now and plan to join me on Saturday, September 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at South Side’s Riverfront Park (bottom of 18th Street at the river) for the seventh annual event! Best of all, it’s free!

I began this event shortly after my election as a way to celebrate our rivers and riverfront parks and to highlight all of the things that children and families can do on and near the rivers, and in our region, as a family. Attendance has exceeded 1,000 in the past few years and those attending get to enjoy a day full of activities, food, giveaways and appearances.

Thanks to Pittsburgh Water Limo, FontanaFest will include rides on our three rivers, and you can visit with the PA Fish & Boat Commission to take a canoe out on

the Monongahela. Pittsburgh River Rescue will also be on hand for a dive demonstration and talk about river safety and you can discover

other ways you can enjoy our rivers and trails with Riverlife and Friends of the Riverfront.

Each and every participant has an activity geared towards children and there is a lot going on. The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium will be on hand with a few of their animals to liven up the event, the National

Aviary will have a dove release, Healthy Start Pittsburgh returns with an inflatable Moon Bounce and cotton candy machine, and there are plenty of activities at booths by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, the Technology Collaborative, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and more.

Stop and enjoy a chair massage as you make your way through

FontanaFest, get a blood pressure screening and learn about consumer protection resources available to you.

You may even wander upon a mascot or two as they greet attendees and show off in public. There will also be a DJ and a procession of the Soldiers & Sailors’ Sixth Regiment USCT Drum Corps. While you are taking it all in, get some food and sign up to win one of several door prizes.

These are just a few highlights of the family-friendly event. There are dozens of other participants and sponsors and more are being added all of the time.

Come out and see what these wonderful organizations in our community have to offer. You can get also get updates by logging onto www.FontanaFest.com, “liking” us on Facebook, and following us on Twitter (@FontanaFest). I hope to see you there!

Senator Wayne D. Fontana42nd Senatorial Districtwww.senatorfontana.com

From the office of State Sen. Wayne Fontana

FontanaFest 2011


Wheatley: Northside residents invited to Community Appreciation DayFrom the office of State Rep. Jake Wheatley, Jr.

It’s our ninth year, and we’re still growing stronger! We began our journey together in December 2002 and we are still growing and learning from each other.

Saturday, September 10, 2011, will mark my ninth Community Appreciation Day for the 19th Legislative District, and I am looking forward to seeing you and your family between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. at Kennard Field, located off Reed Street between Kirkpatrick and Soho streets in the Hill District. As always, there will be plenty of free food, great entertainment and wonderful prizes for everyone!

Community Appreciation Day was started as a way for me and The People’s Office to show you, the people, how much my staff and I appreciate serving you in Harrisburg and in Pittsburgh and to provide an opportunity for you to learn more about the resources available through our office.

Each and every year, this

event has grown in attendance, organization and available services. This year promises to be our best ever.

If you live on the Northside or South Side or are one of the growing number of residents of our Central Business District, this event is for you.

If you live in Oakland, Hazelwood or one of the Hilltop communities (Beltzhoover, Knoxville, Arlington or Allentown), this event is for you. For the citizens of the Hill District, Uptown and everywhere within the 19th Legislative District, this is your community event and we have some wonderful things in store for you, so please do not miss this event – THIS IS YOUR DAY!

Thank you for allowing me the honor of serving you for another year. This event reflects some of the most important abilities

of this position. I have arranged for you the chance to bring all your documents, electronics and other disposal items to have them discarded and shredded free.

The Community Appreciation Day has a family fun-filled atmosphere, but it also serves as an opportunity for you to learn more about what is transpiring in and around your community. We have provided for employers who are looking for

workers as well as job training programs to set up shop to assist those of you who might be in the market for work.

There are health care providers who will be on site to assist those of you who may have not been able to make it to your physician this year.

If you have never been able to visit my constituent service office located at 2015 Centre

Ave. (phone 412-471-7760), or if you have not been able to attend one of the many town hall meetings to discuss some of the things that are happening in your neighborhood, then please take some time and stop by Community Appreciation Day.

I will be there to answer your questions and concerns, and together we can continue to move our community forward as one. Together, we are the force which makes the 19th Legislative District great.

I would also like to remind everyone that, each month, I provide mobile office hours for Northside residents to access state services and information.

The mobile office hours are held the last Wednesday of each month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Allegheny City Room at the Carnegie Library Allegheny Branch, 1230 Federal St. A notary public is available during these hours, by appointment only.


From the office of State Sen. Jim Ferlo

Ferlo: Putting the care back in health careMy office has fielded a

number of calls and e-mails from people with serious concerns and questions regarding the current conflict between Highmark, Inc. (Highmark) and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Many are worried about where they will turn for health coverage and care if Highmark and UPMC do not reach an agreement.

Highmark is the dominant health insurance provider in Allegheny County, and UPMC is the dominant health care provider. So if the two do not come to an agreement, it could be disastrous for health care consumers and employers in our region. Patients’ access to health care should not be the rope in this tug of war.

As a core value, I believe everyone has the right of access to high-quality, affordable health care. Under PA Act 55 of 1997,

both Highmark and UPMC are recognized as Institutions of Purely Public Charity, e.g. nonprofits. Their behavior is hardly charitable toward the needs of our citizens, and public officials are taking

steps to hold them accountable.

I will be convening a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, September 8 at 7 p.m. in Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall Ballroom. This forum will be open to community members and stakeholders who want to express their concerns and take action.

Please join us. Additionally, the Senate

Banking and Insurance Committee will convene a public hearing regarding this matter on September 13 at Penn State McKeesport, and the House Insurance Committee will convene a similar hearing on August 25 at the Allegheny County Courthouse.


The Game Page SudokuLast Month’s Puzzle Solutions

First published in a U.S. puzzle magazine in 1979, Sudoku caught on in Japan in 1986, and became internationally famous in 2005.

The aim of Sudoku is to enter a number from 1 through 9 in each space on a 9×9 grid made up of 3×3 subgrids (called “regions”). Some of the numbers have already been given. You may not use the same number twice in a single row, column, or region of the grid. Completing the puzzle requires patience and logical ability.

Chronicle CrosswordAcross1- Burn the midnight oil, studying; 5- Couldn’t find; 9- Sudden convulsion; 14- Actress Turner; 15- Gaelic language of Ireland or Scotland; 16- Division of a long poem; 17- ___ Rhythm; 18- A wedding cake may have three of these; 19- Computer key; 20- Flair; 22- Authorization; 24- Distributed cards; 26- O Sole ___; 27- Alternative to “page down”; 30- Ambiguous; 35- Verticil; 36- Getting ___ years; 37- Baltic capital; 38- Author Fleming; 39- Like a certain complex; 42- Kra-zy ___; 43- Pro or con; 45- Race parts; 46- Aggregate of qualities that make good character; 48- Haughty; 50- Tendentious; 51- Buddy; 52- Mock; 54- See-through material; 58- Encircle; 62- Poisonous; 63- Highway; 65- Boxer Max; 66- Exclude, remove; 67- Dangerous weapon; 68- Burt’s ex; 69- Alma ___; 70- Type of gun; 71- “___ quam videri” (North Carolina’s motto); Down1- A good one gets you there in a hurry; 2- Hindu music; 3- Bartlett’s abbr.; 4- Bullfighter; 5- Deadly; 6- Bay window; 7- Compass dir.; 8- Division of a school year; 9- Attractive route; 10- Marauding soldier; 11- Organization to promote theater; 12- Editor’s mark; 13- Additional; 21- Big fiddle?; 23- Appliance brand; 25- “West Side Story” number; 27- From Bern, say; 28- Series of metal rings; 29- Musical composition; 31- Tears; 32- Finds pleasing; 33- Playing marble; 34- Like most movies; 36- Keats creations; 40- Marner’s creator; 41- Singer Cleo; 44- State of decline; 47- Capable of being evaluated; 49- Stiff drink; 50- Load; 53- Up; 54- Up and ___!; 55- Soft drink; 56- Egress; 57- Sea eagles; 59- New Mexico art colony; 60- Coop group; 61- Ashtabula’s lake; 64- Escape;

Crossword puzzles provided by www. bestcrosswords.com / Used with permission.

2011 September

Documents

Transcript of 2011 September