www.wilkinsburgsun.com 1

theWilkinsburg

A Free Community newsletter Bringing you good news ABout wilkinsBurg VOL. 6 NO. 8 May 2013

insideBorough 3

WCDC 4

SChool DiStriCt 5

ChamBer of CommerCe 7

continued on page 6

If you use the Wilkinsburg Library, you’ve probably seen his face. Joel Minnigh, who has served the library for almost 37 years (35 as director), retired at the end of 2012.

Minnigh came to Wilkinsburg as a graduate of Pitt’s School of Library and Information Sciences in 1976, hired as the assistant libary director. Since then, he has served the community with dedication. He and his wife have been married 40 years and raised their two sons in the borough. Recently, he agreed to answer a few questions about himself and his work here.

What was your education and work experience before coming to Wilkinsburg?

I had attended high school at Peabody for two years and was familiar with Wilkinsburg because of my family’s travels between our home in Highland Park and my brother’s home in McKeesport in the mid-1960s. I was impressed with what I had seen going through Wilkinsburg.

My father was a Methodist minister and my mother a music/English teacher. The seventh of seven children, by 1966, I was the only child still

at home. My father’s previous appointment had been for 16 years in Greenville, Pa. After high school, and longing for the more rural life of my youth, I attended and graduated from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. I majored in history and music and fell in love with the library at Allegheny—and my future wife, Beth. I soon wanted to be a librarian (and married).

At Allegheny I was honored to have been chosen in my senior year to be able to catalog some previously uncataloged documents donated to the library by Ida M. Tarbell, the famous Standard Oil muckraker. She was also an Abraham Lincoln author and scholar whose Lincoln collection was also donated and largely uncataloged—

The Board of School Directors approved a tax “Amnesty Program” for delinquent real estate taxes April 23, according to Philip Martell, director of finance and operations.

The amnesty program waives the 10% tax penalty, 100% of the accrued interest, and 50% of the outstanding attorney fees when the delinquent real estate tax, remaining attorney fees, and previously incurred costs are paid in full. The program

which I did catalog with the help of Beth.

What special interests and hobbies do you have?

I am also a professional musician, having been paid through my life to play

the trumpet and sing (not simultaneously). I was briefly in a jazz band.

The vast majority of my musical experience has been in the church, where I was a paid soloist for nearly 20 years, and have also appeared as a soloist with the Allegheny College Choir, Allegheny College Playhouse productions, and the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh.

I am a family historian. I am fortunate to still own some of the

family’s land in Northwestern Pa., some of

School Board Offers Amnesty for Delinquent Real Estate Taxes

begins May 1 and ends June 30, 2013. During this period, payment programs are not permitted for parcels that wish to take advantage of the amnesty waiver.

Parcels currently engaged in a payment program may be granted amnesty for unpaid penalty, interest, and half the outstanding attorney fees when the delinquent real estate tax, remaining half of the attorney fees, and previously incurred costs are paid-in-full by June 30, 2013.

Library Director Retires: An Interview with Joel Minnigh

Wilkinsburg’s 10th Concert with World-Famous PSO

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performs on Friday, May 24, at the Wilkinsburg High School Auditorium

Lawrence Loh will conduct with guest vocalist Katy Williams and guest host WQED’s Jim Cunningham. Violinist Michael Ferri will perform Ravel’s Tzigane. The Wilkinsburg Community Chorus will join in Vivaldi’s Gloria.

Other works include “God Bless continued on page 5

2 Wilkinsburg Sun I May 2013

Bulletin Boardwww.wilkinsburgsun.com

www.facebook.com/wilkinsburgsun

P.O. Box 86064 Wilkinsburg, PA 15221

412.916.1790

Lynne Gordon, EditorTHE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jason Cohn, President Minister Linda Kirkland-Law, Vice President

John Irwin, Treasurer Vanessa McCarthy-Johnson, Secretary

Richard Bradford

The Wilkinsburg Sun is a free monthly community newsletter published by the volunteer Wilkinsburg Community Newsletter Board, with the support of the

Wilkinsburg Borough, the Wilkinsburg School District, the Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce and the Wilkinsburg Community

Development Corporation. The Sun is printed by Knepper Press.

Please submit all articles and calendar events to: editor@wilkinsburgsun.com,

or by mail, P.O. Box 86064, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221. Please submit articles 6 weeks

before publication and calendar events 4 weeks before

publication. To advertise, e-mail adsales@wilkinsburgsun.com,

or call 412.916.1790. The Sun accepts submitted articles provided they are related

to Wilkinsburg and are civic-minded. The Sun reserves the right to withhold articles from print. Please note that The Sun does

not publish political or opinion pieces.

Sign up to receive The Sun by email at http://eepurl.com/v0iBP and friend us on Facebook.

For those of you who are used to getting your copy of The Sun in your Pennysaver, we are no longer able to deliver that way as the Pennysaver no longer circulates in Wilkinsburg. But never fear: All you have to do to ensure you never miss another issue is go to http://eepurl.com/v0iBP and sign up to receive a link to each and every issue via email just as soon as they hit the street.

SubScribe to the Sun by email

The life and career of Bill McKechnie is the topic of a newly released book, Deacon Bill McKechnie, written by Mitchell Conrad Stinson.

“Wilkinsburg” Bill McKechnie was the first National League manager to win pennants under three different baseball clubs.

Born and raised in Wilkinsburg, McKechnie had an amazing career that included being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, and the Pirates spring-training field in Bradenton,

Florida, being officially named McKechnie Field.

Wilkinsburg Historical Society will show vintage slide pictures and discuss this wonderful new book at their next meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 20, in the Wesley Room of the South Avenue United Methodist Church (use the left rear Ross Avenue entrance).

All guests and the general public are welcome. The meeting is free and refreshments are served.

A free home-buying workshop will be offered on May 20 at 6 p.m. at 744 Rebecca Avenue in Wilkinsburg.

Credit counseling, restoration programs, grant money for closing costs, affordable mortgages, free credit reports are some of the topics that will be covered.

The workshop is sponsored by Pittsburgh Housing Develpment Association, Inc. (PHDA), Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, and Dollar Bank.

To register, call PHDA at 412.242.2700 or info@phdainc.org

Borough Council presented recent retirees Frank Teresi and Melvin “Buddy” McGuire on April 21 with certificates of appreciation for their years of service to the DPW.

Wilkinsburg’s Deacon Bill McKechnie Subject of Historical Society Meeting

Home Buying Workshop Offers Resources and Advice

www.wilkinsburgsun.com 3

UPCOMING MEETINGS

5/1 (Wed.) 6:30 p.m. Council Planning Session

5/2 (Thurs.) 6 p.m. Wilkinsburg Planning Commission

5/8 (Wed.) 7 p.m. Council Legislative Session

5/15 (Wed.) 6:30 p.m. Council Planning Session

5/16 (Thurs.) 5:30 p.m. Parks & Recreation Meeting

5/16 (Thurs.) 6:30 p.m. Wilkinsburg Community Art & Civic Design Commission

6/5 (Wed.) 6:30 p.m. Council Planning Session

6/6 (Thurs.) 6 p.m. Wilkinsburg Planning Commission

All meetings will take place in the Wilkinsburg Borough Building, 605 Ross Avenue.

WilkinsBurg Boroughwww.wilkinsburgpa.gov

IMPORTANT NUMBERSMayor’s Office (412) 244-2920

Borough Manager (412) 244-2900 ext 101

Borough Receptionist (412) 244-2900 ext 101

Finance Dept. (412) 244-2948

Code Enforcement (412) 244-2923

Public Works Dept. (412) 244-2934

Police Emergency 911

Police Non-Emergency (412) 473-3056

Police Hotline (Complaint) (412) 244-4300

Police Chief (412) 244-2915

Fire Emergency 911

Fire Chief (412) 244-2931

Berkheimer Tax Administrator (866) 227-4716

Adult Library (412) 244-2940

Children’s Library (412) 244-2944

Eastridge Library (412) 342-0056

On Saturday, May 18, yard waste will be picked up from the curb of Wilkinsburg

residents. Any of the following can be put in large brown paper bags or cardboard boxes (no plastic bags or loose material):

• leaves• garden waste• tree trimmings (lessthan 1” diamerter only,

please)• shrubbery, chipped or cutResidents should place paper bags or

boxes near the curb, in front of their house before 9 a.m.

The Borough will pick them up and make compost from them. The compost will be available for all residents.

May 18: Great Spring Yard Waste Pick Up!

Help Wanted

Wilkinsburg crossing guards are needed. Applications are available

from borough manager at the Borough building on the first floor. The starting salary: $10 per hour..

YARD

WASTE

ONLY

If you are a tenant in a rental property in the Borough, you are to be provided a safe living environment by the owner of the property. If you believe the property you are renting is unsafe or unhealthy or is not being maintained to required standards, you can request that a HSW Inspection be performed by the Borough’s Code Enforcement Department. The request must be in writing and specific information must be provided as to the unsafe or non-code compliant conditions.

When the complaint is received, a Code Enforcement Officer will contact you to schedule an inspection. The results

of the inspection will be made available to you as the complainant and the property owner.

Depending upon the extent of the violations discovered, Notices of Violation will be sent to the property owner who will be provided with reasonable time to correct the deficiencies. Significant violations could render the property as uninhabitable which could require relocation of occupants. If the deficiencies identified in the Notice of Violation are not corrected within the time period provided, the property owner may be issued citations and required to pay a fine

of up to $300 per day, per offense.

The following are deficiencies which would require immediate attention and render the property uninhabitable: lack of smoke detectors, no second means of egress, infestation,

structural issues, lack of utilities.The most common violations are

broken, inoperable or missing windows, substandard electric service, no window screens where required, no hot water tank relief vent pipe, inadequate refuse storage, address numbers not visible and lack of handrails.

Complaint forms can be found on the Borough’s web site at www.wilkinsburgpa.gov under the Borough Government tab “Code Enforcement” or in the Code Enforcement Office, third floor of the Municipal Building.

The Code Enforcement Office can receive anonymous complaints through email at code@wilkinsburgpa.gov. However, a thorough investigation may be limited if anonymity is to be maintained.

The phone number for the Code Enforcement Office is 412-244-2923.

Director of Code Enforcement’s Message about Health, Safety and Welfare Inspections

4 Wilkinsburg Sun I May 2013

WCDC CALENDAR

5/2 (Thurs.) 8:30-10 a.m. Business District Safety Meeting—WCDC office

5/18 (Sat.) 9–11 a.m. WCDC Board Meeting—WCDC office

5/21–22 (T–Wed.) 8:30-10 a.m. PCRG Community Dev Summit—Omni William Penn

6/3 (Mon.) 6–7 p.m. WCDC Event Committee—WCDC office

6/6 (Thurs.) 8:30-10 a.m. Business District Safety Meeting—WCDC office

WCdCwww.wilkinsburgcdc.org

Spring Cleaning Resources for Your Property

You can help by sending a tax-deductible contribution to: WCDC Office, 1001 Wood St., Wilkinsburg, PA 15221OR donate online atwilkinsburgcdc.org412.727.7855 • 412.871.3149 (fax)info@wilkinsburgcdc.org

Spring time and warm weather bring spring cleaning, yard work, and property repairs. The WCDC is happy to share many resources that can help with these projects.

Through WCDC’s partnership with Action Housing, Habitat for Humanity, GTECH–Reenergize, Neighborworks, Pittsburgh Housing Development Association, Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh

Landmarks Housing Resource Center on Jeanette Street (www.landmarkshousingresource.org/category/workshops).

Check out the fix-ups taking place at Al’s Fish & Chicken and Fifth/Third Bank. Help the WCDC’s efforts to makeover our business district by considering a Façade Improvement Grant. The WCDC is pleased to have funding for business

up and turn into your dream house? If spring has you thinking about creating a community garden - visit our website at www.wilkinsburgcdc.org/vprp and see how your neighbors are making it happen.

The WCDC has many resources for existing businesses, start-ups and organizations or companies looking for commercial space. If you haven’t visited the WCDC office, stop in or make an appointment to discuss your future plans.

Those interested in big picture revitalization can join the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG) and the Urban Land Institute–Pittsburgh District Council for two days of learning and networking with more than 400 community development professionals, lenders, developers, architects, planners, public officials, and volunteers from throughout the region. The Summit features keynote presentations from Lynn Ross, AICP, Executive Director of ULI’s Terwilliger Center for Housing and Mitchell J. Silver, AICP, PP, President of the American Planning Association; 12 breakout sessions highlighting emerging trends and industry best practices; 4 mobile workshops focusing on community revitalization in action; and a Networking Reception and Awards Ceremony. Student, nonprofit, government, and early bird registration rates available. Visit www.pcrg.org/conference for details.

and Wilkinsburg Christian Housing, the Wilkinsburg Affordable Housing Coalition helps eligible homeowners with property repairs including weatherization, ramps and porches, carpentry and painting. These partners will be conducting door-to-door outreach in your neighborhood. You can call the WCDC office for more information.

How-to workshops on projects such as lighting design, masonry repair and stained glass are regularly organized by Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation at the

façade renovations and interior storefront improvements. To be eligible for funding, façade improvements must meet the WCDC design guidelines and demonstrate a visible exterior enhancement. Storefront improvement funding is available to transform a vacant storefront. Applications are available on our website.

Do you live next door to an eyesore, a vacant property that’s nearly falling down? Or perhaps you’ve been interested in acquiring a vacant property to fix it

The WCDC is excited about the opening of a new branch of Fifth Third Bank on Penn Avenue in Wilkinsburg.

www.wilkinsburgsun.com 5

School Districtwww.wilkinsburgschools.org

WILKINSBURG SCHOOLDISTRICT CALENDAR

R

May 9—Spring Concert/HS Band Concert, HS Auditorium, 7 p.m.

—Kelly School: Muffins with MomMay 11—Elementary Music Banquet, HS

Auditorium, 2 p.m.May 14—School board planning session, 7

p.m.May 17—Turner: Muffins with MomMay 21—No School. ACT 80 Day.May 24 PSO 10th Anniversary Concert, HS

Auditorium, 7 p.m.May 27—No School. Memorial Day.May 28—No School. Act 80 Day.May 29—SCHOOL PICNIC. No School.May 30—Kelly: Field Day (1st & 2nd)

R

June 7—Kelly: Doughnuts with Dad Turner: Doughnuts with DadJune 11—School Board Planning Session, 7 p.m.June 14—Middle School Field DayJune 17—Turner: 6th Grade PromotionJune 18—Kelly: 6th Grade Promotion 8th Grade Promotion School Board Legislative Session, 7 p.m.June 19—Clerical Day. No School.June 20—Graduation Day. Last Day of School.

10th Anniversary Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Wilkinsburg High School Auditorium, 7 p.m., May 24

On February 28, a dinner was held for the parents within the Wilkinsburg School District. about the new Parent-Community Liaison, parental involvement, and the role parents play in their children’s educational status..

The purpose of the dinner was to talk about the literacy component within the school district and how the parents can be involved through different trainings and informational sessions.

Another part of this meeting was to address the status of PTO’s (parent-teacher organizations) and cultivating different committees to address issues within the school district.

A subsequent meeting was held on April 12 to form a PTO that will work to be self-sustaining. Any parents that have interest in this are welcome to come or contact me.

—Walter WilsonParent-Community Liaison

Tickets $10 ($5 for students)Proceeds go toward instruments for Wilkinsburg students.

A Call for Parental Involvement in the School District

The WHS choir sang in the inaugural Allegheny County Courthouse Spring Concert Program at the Allegheny County Courthouse on April 19.

America,” “Amazing Grace” and Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture.

Tickets are now on sale: $10 for adults and $5 for students. If a Wilkinsburg parent buys a ticket for their child or children, the parent’s ticket is also only $5.

Also, tickets bought in advance in lots of 10, will only be $80. Call 412.871.2882 for tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

PSO CONCERT, from page 1

6 Wilkinsburg Sun I May 2013

Check Out the Library!

Jim Butler, President NMLS ID # 139251

PROFESSIONAL MORTGAGE CONNECTION, LLC NMLS ID: 127881

(Licensed by the PA Department of Banking)

Preferred Lender: 412-672-5060

NMLS ID# 688561

which goes back in our family to 1807. A farmhouse we still own was built in about 1810. I spend some of my time tending to its many needs. My two sons, Brad and Doug, and my wife, Beth, are obviously my greatest interests.

How do you plan to spend your retirement?We like to entertain. Gardening is also

an interest, although mostly the flowering type. I find it difficult to keep up with the animals and insects who compete for fruits and vegetables. I go to farmers’ markets instead! Traveling is also a great pastime for me and my family. I also like to cook, and I want to do more family history research.

Who are some of your favorite authors?That’s a difficult one. I read mostly

non-fiction for entertainment and education. I tend not to read fiction, but prefer to get that from movies. I particularly like American and English history, specializing in presidential and royalty biographies.

What do you wish the community understood better about the library?

My nearly 60-year experience with libraries in general has taught me that libraries have changed and will continue to change. Some aspects of libraries have stayed the same—among them that they are still community centers and safe places for all.

The single most important thing I would like to stress to people is that Wilkinsburg Public Library is part of a larger system. All of Wilkinsburg’s residents are able to use any Allegheny County library free of charge and all county residents are able to use Wilkinsburg’s facilities free of charge —except for overdue materials, as always!

Baby and Me Story Times at EastridgeEvery Thursday from 10:30-11 a.m.,

babies from birth to 18 months and their caregivers are invited to share songs and stories and snuggle. Call Emily Reeder at 412.244.4718 for more information.

New at the LibraryBiggest, Baddest Book of Dinosaurs by

Anders Hanson and Elissa Mann. Uncover the most dangerous and fascinating.

Let’s Cook with Apples!: Delicious & Fun Apple Dishes Kids Can Make by Nancy Tuminelly. Step-by-step instructions on how to make easy, tasty recipes like crispy apple chips and sassy apple salsa, especially for young cooks. Includes measuring guides and tools to enhance early learning.

MINNIGH, from page 1

continued on next page

Two Local Artists Particpate in Theatrical Marathon

Writer Tameka Conley (pictured) and actress Adrienne Wehr recently participated in the unusual fundraiser for Bricolage called B.U.S. 8, where 40 local artists take 90-minute city bus rides as inspiration to write and produce six new 10-minute plays. They have only 24 hours. Bricolage is a production company known for its adventurous theater experiences.

Conley says that B.U.S. 8 “enabled me to see the city in a new, fresh way—its people with their blues and laughter.” That day, she wrote “Vacancy,” a play that addresses intricacies of race, class and cultural differences. Conley, who has a Phd. in English, lives on Franklin Ave and says there is “a certain warmth in my little stretch of the borough.” She says can see the possibility for a burgeoning arts scene in Wilkinsburg, similar to Brooklyn, N.Y.

Wehr, who has worked professionally in film and TV also, says the B.U.S. 8 experience “teaches us what we are capable of doing with limited time and resources.” Through the experience she had the opportunity to participate in “an outrageously funny play.” Wehr who lives in the Frick Park area of Wilkinsburg says she appreciates the diversity here. She cites the Mookshi Wellness Center and Biddle’s Escape coffee house as two of her favorite places.

www.wilkinsburgsun.com 7

Greater Wilkinsburg Chamber of CommerceP.O. Box 86064, Wilkinsburg, Pa 15221 • 412.242.0234info@wilkinsburgchamber.com

www.wilkinsburgchamber.comChamBer of CommerCe

Farmer’s MarketWilkinsburg’s beloved Farmers’ Market begins June 20 from 3–6 p.m. in the South

Avenue United Methodist Church’s parking lot ( 700 block of Ross Ave.).

Your ParticipationIf you would like to join the Chamber of Commerce, please contact Vanessa

McCarthy-Johnson at info@wilkinsburgchamber.com.

What do you see as some of your most satisfying accomplishments in your work?

I view my work on various county-wide committees as my most satisfying accomplishments. Among them are my helping to get a county-wide system of libraries in place, with a county-wide delivery of materials. I am proud of the process to get the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) to support libraries in the county—now going on for about 20 years. I think I am most proud of our work to establish the Eastridge Branch of the Wilkinsburg library in 2003.

I am also pleased to have been a member of the founding committee of our local friends’ group (FOLLOW) in 1976 who started our ability to support the library from outside the government in terms of funding and volunteers. I am also proud of the legacy of the fantastic library

employees with whom I’ve had to privilege to work, and the new ones who have come with my departure.

Name of few of your favorite things about Wilkinsburg.

The history of Wilkinsburg has to be the first on my list of favorite things. I have been a member and past president of the Wilkinsburg Historical Society for nearly 40 years.

Wilkinsburg is diverse and gains strength from its diversity. Wilkinsburg’s location between the city and the suburbs is also a great advantage.

MINNIGH, from previous page

8 Wilkinsburg Sun I May 2013

Sherwood Event Center is the perfect scenic backdrop for an unforgettable outdoor escape. Here is what Sherwood is:• 14-acre green space• Zero-entry pool• 2,800-sq-ft pavillion• Can accomodate up to 500 people

Who says you have to wait for the weekend to celebrate?

The Sherwood Event Center still has some weekday space available!

CALL NOW! and save during ourWEEKDAY SUMMER SAVERS

offer!

Sherwood Event Center400 Sherwood RoadForest Hills, Pennsylvania 15221To book your next event or for more information please contact our event office at 412.342.1351 or email at events@hosannahouse.org

Early Bird Specials

Sherwood Event CenterSpring Promotion

Feel free to visit us on the web at:www.hosannahouse.org

Book Now

and SAVE

10%Offer Exp

ires May 30, 2013 This coupon must be printed and presented in

person. Discount coupon is not transferable.

Volunteers planted the 500th tree in Wilkinsburg in two years on April 22 at the Borough Building.

The tree is part of a memorial garden for John Metzler that will include a custom-made bench. Metzler, an artist and founder

of Urban Tree Forge, was an enthusiastic supporter of tree planting.

The Nine Mile Run Watershed Association, TreeVitalize Pittsburgh, the Borough of Wilkinsburg and the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation have worked together toward mitigating polluted storm water runoff, providing cleaner air and improving the aesthetics of the area by their tree planting efforts.

Members of the Wilkinsburg Shade Tree Committee and borough arborists have also been involved and attended the event.

“This is a fitting way to celebrate Earth Day,” said Jeffrey Bergman, director

of TreeVitalize Pittsburgh. “From reducing storm water and helping air quality to sheltering wildlife and improving residents’ quality of life, there is no downside to planting trees.”

The project was made possible with $500,000 in financial support from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PennVest). The trees were planted on public property throughout Wilkinsburg.

The work is not done after the trees are planted. Dozens of volunteers in Wilkinsburg and other communities that have received trees will continue to mulch, water and care for the plants.

One tree can absorb as many as 1,400 gallons of storm water runoff every year. All told, Pittsburgh’s street trees provide $2.4 million annually in economic and environmental benefits.

Wilkinsburg’s 500th Tree in Two Years Planted in front of Borough Building