Park Place Updates

Park Place Updates -- Sept. 25 & 26 CDCP Renovation & Preservation Weekend

2010-09-09T07:33:32Z

Hi folks:

Thought this Community Design Center of Pittsburgh event later this month might be of interest to folks in the neighborhood.

Also, this weekend brings the Fair in the Park (@Mellon Park), the Irish Festival, and the Ligonier Scottish Highland Games.

Best,

khrys

09/25 & 26 - Renovation & Preservation Weekend

Celebrating & Exploring the Homes & Properties of our Region

Saturday, Sept. 25, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 26, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Whether your home was built at the turn of the century or the dawn of a more recent decade, thought should be given to preserving the integrity of its design features when planning a renovation or home improvement project. The Renovation & Preservation Weekend is a weekend-long event that will focus on regional resources for home improvement, renovation, restoration, and historic home preservation.

More info: http://heinzhistorycenter.org/events.aspx?EventID=104

Admission:

Adults: $10.00
Children ages 4-17: $5.00
Children age 3 and under: Free
Admission includes access to Heinz History Center exhibitions.

The event will include on-the-spot design consultations with professionals from the RenPlan® program, hands-on activities for children with Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, exhibitor displays and demonstrations, a walking tour of Pittsburgh, and a speaker's stage with presentations covering topics such as: Working with an Architect, Working with an Interior Designer, Universal Design, Residential Stormwater Solutions, and Residential Energy Efficiency.

Park Place Updates -- GasLand; Sch. Feeder Pattern Change;

2010-08-27T10:24:45Z

Just a couple of quick items! Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend--it is GORGEOUS outside today!

Best,

khrys

TONIGHT! 7:30 PM -- Free Screening of GASLAND, Blue Slide Playground, Frick Park

Want to know what all the brouhaha over drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation is all about? Want to know what the Marcellus Shale formation is? Want to know what the frack is going on in our region, and within our own City limits? Would you come if I told you that there is a right-of-way lease across Commercial Rd. from Frick Park? Or that a large Catholic cemetary has signed away the gas rights under its property? (No, I'm really not kidding.)

Find out the answers to these questions and more by coming out to Frick Park tonight for a free screening of Josh Fox's documentary, GasLand....

Don't miss this FREE community screening of GASLAND, an eye-opening film about the controversial form of gas drilling called "fracking."

7:30PM Live Music: David Shelow and Gene Gelblum (guitar and fiddle) followed by Local singer-songwriter Mike Stout.

8:15PM Film

10:00PM Q & A with Director Josh Fox and local activists

Local panelists include Pittsburgh City Councilor Doug Shields (5th District), who is introducing legislation to ban gas drilling in Pittsburgh; former PA Green Party Candidate for U.S. Senate and MarcellusProtest member Mel Packer, who is organizing a mass march and rally opposite a gas industry conference at the David Lawrence Convention Center on November 3rd; and PennEnvironment Clean Water Advocate Erika Staff. Other panelists include Ben Price, Projects Director, the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund; and Bill Belitskus, Board President of the Allegheny Defense Project.

Local Sponsors include: All One Water, Allegheny Sierra Club, East End Food Coop, MarcellusProtest.org and others.

Local Contact: Dorothy Basset, 412-657-8063, debassett1@gmail.com or David Meieran, 412-999-0649, admin@marcellusprotest.org

RAIN DATE: August 28

About "Fracking"

Hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," is a process to extract oil and natural gas deep within the earth. Drillers blast water, sand and chemicals 8,000 feet into the ground. The natural gas industry says fracking will create jobs and provide cheap energy for decades. But the truth is that fracking poses a serious threat to clean air and water, biodiversity, and the health of our communities. Companies are now drilling, or seeking to drill, all throughout the Marcellus Shale: a region in the Appalachian Basin that includes large chunks of Pennsylvania which contain largely untapped natural gas reserves. And Halliburton – yes, Halliburton – is building a huge outpost in Williamsport, PA to service decades of drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

The PA Department of Environmental Protection has granted five permits for fracking sites in Allegheny County. They list two of those sites as "active."

About GASLAND

When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination. A recently drilled nearby Pennsylvania town reports that residents are able to light their drinking water on fire. This is just one of the many absurd and astonishing revelations of a new country called GASLAND. Part verite travelogue, part expose, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown."

more info:
http://gaslandthemovie.com/
http://rooftopfilms.com/
http://marcellusprotest.org/

REMINDER! -- RUN AROUND THE SQUARE THIS SAT.!

8:15am

Run Around the Square
Henrietta and Milton Avenues

Run - or walk - through Frick Park's beautiful Fern Hollow. Citiparks and the Regent Square Civic Association host an event featuring musicians, costumed characters and themed-water stops sprinkled throughout the course. The first 1,000 registrants receive T-shirts and all registrants will be eligible for a post-race raffle. For more information, call 412-246-9506 or visit www.runaroundthesquare.com.

ALL PARK PLACE KIDS WILL NOW GO TO THE SAME SCHOOLS!!

(from a neighbor)

The Park Place public school feeder pattern has been changed! When the school board approved the new high school plan a few days ago, they also approved a change for Park Place.

Effective for the 2011-2012 school year, ALL streest in Park Place will feed to Minadeo, Sterrett and Allderdice. The new assignments start at Lexington and move east all the way to the Wilkinsburg line (with Penn Ave. as the northern boundary).

School board member Sharene Shealey was incredibly responsive and determined on this issue. She came out to see Park Place folks one day last spring and walked the neighborhood. In the course of our walk, we ran into various neighbors who offered some wonderful feedback and suggestions.

A COUPLE OF OTHER FUN THINGS...

(From Phipps Conservatory)

Red, Ripe & Roasted: Tomato & Garlic Festival

Sun., August 29, 2010
11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Juicy tomatoes of all stripes take center stage along with garlic during Red, Ripe & Roasted, our sixth annual tomato and garlic festival. Held on the front lawn and in the Outdoor Garden, the day-long celebration will include garlic roasting and tastings, live chef demos, kids' activities and a farmers' market on the front lawn. Local celeb Doug Oster will sign copies of his new book, Tomatoes Garlic Basil, from 2-3 p.m. and will demonstrate a recipe from 1-2 p.m. Bring a labeled packet of open-pollinated seeds to exchange with another variety during our seed swap, and bring your ugliest, smallest and largest ripe tomatoes for the chance to win a Phipps prize basket. Be sure to bring a bag of fresh produce from home or buy a bag from the farmers' market to donate to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for free admission to the Conservatory during festival hours. Red, Ripe & Roasted is free and open to the public.

Save the Date!! (From NMRWA)

Nine Mile Run History Tour
Saturday, September 25th, 9am -noon
Meet at the parking lot on Commercial Street across from the Irish Center

Join Zachary Falck, PhD for this early morning walk along the lower Nine Mile Run area. Learn about the events that shaped the Nine Mile Run Valley and the stream's influence on the social and environmental history of the Mon Valley. Zach has written about Nine Mile Run in the Western Pennsylvania History Magazine, a publication of the Senator John Heinz Regional History Center and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Register by contacting Lisa at 412.371.8779 ext 115 or email lisa@ninemilerun.org.

Park Place Updates -- GREAT NEWS! Shadow is back home!

2010-08-20T18:31:27Z

Many, many thanks to everyone who looked for Shadow! I heard from many folks throughout the day, and I am so very happy to say that she was found and has been reunited with Stephanie. She's such a sweet girl, so I am so grateful to whatever kind soul found her and took her someplace safe.

I always know that this neighborhood rocks, but it's times like this when y'all really rise to the occasion.

Thanks from me and from Stephanie:

Dear Khrys,

Miss Shadow has been found. She was found over on Kelly and returned to the Animal Rescue League. I picked her up around 1:00 this afternoon. She seems to be ok--I wish I could ask her what happened.

Thanks so much for your help. It was heart wrenching to have her missing and just so wonderful to get her back.

Please convey my thanks to all my neighbors who were on the look-out for her.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

Have a great weekend everyone!

khrys

Park Place Updates -- Stream Sweep; Wknsbg Comm Day; Frick Volunteering; Tree Care; Photo Contest

2010-08-20T07:42:54Z

SAT. 08/21 STREAM SWEEP 9AM-NOON

Late Summer Stream Sweep
Saturday, August 21st
9:30AM to Noon
Meet in the Lower Frick Park soccer field, use the Lancaster Avenue entrance.

The Nine Mile Run Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project is one of this region's unique environmental assets. Help us keep this amazing transformation beautiful by joining us for a late summer stream cleanup. We provide gloves, safety vests, and trash bags. Please wear long pants and sturdy boots or shoes.

Register by contacting Lisa at 412.371.8779 x115 or email lisa@ninemilerun.org.

SAT. 08/21 - WILKINSBURG COMMUNITY DAY

Wilkinsburg Community Day
August 21, 2010
12:00 – 8:00
Wallace Avenue Parking Lots

Music - Bingo - Fun & Games - Health Fair

5th Annual Wilkinsburg Idol!
Come make this year’s Wilkinsburg Idol spectacular!
If you have talent, singing or dancing, come on out!

For more info
Email: Wilkinsburgcommunityday@gmail.com
Website: www.Wilkinsburgpa.gov

MON. 08/23 - VOLUNTEER IN FRICK PARK

(Pgh. Parks Conservancy)

Monday, August 23
5:30 - 7:30pm

Frick Park Trail Work
Lower Frick Parking Lot off Hutchinson Ave.

Join the Pittsburgh Trail Advocacy Group (PTAG) in trimming back invasive species, narrowing trails that have gotten too wide, and tackling drainage issues. These steps will help prepare the park for the wetter conditions of fall and winter. Work groups will start heading out about 5:30pm and the day will wrap up around 7:30. Please wear appropriate shoes and bring work gloves if you have them. The first post-work refreshments are on PTAG. Contact Jon at 412-445-0395 or DeeDee at 412-855-3179 with any questions.

Fall volunteer days will be announced soon! For more information, call us at 412-682-7275.

www.pittsburghparks.org/volunteerdays

TUE. 8/24 -- TREE CARE WILKINSBURG

(NMRWA)

Tree Care Wilkinsburg

Tuesday the 24th of August
from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Meet outside of the Wilkinsburg High School (747 Wallace Avenue).

If you are able to attend contact Sara by email sara@ninemilerun.org, or (412) 371-8779 x 117.

PARKS CONSERVANCY PHOTO CONTEST

We had so much fun with last year's Parks Are Free Photo Contest, we're bringing it back for a second year! Starting today, you can enter up to five of your favorite park photos for a chance to see your work in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette!

Any photo taken in a public park in Allegheny County is eligible for entry. Twelve finalists will be selected by Parks Are Free sponsor UPMC Health Plan. Finalists' photos will be:

Made into a 2011 Parks Are Free calendar available at the Parks Conservancy’s online store, with the winning photo also used as the cover image;
Displayed at the Schenley Park Café and Visitor Center throughout the month of November;
Featured on pittsburghparks.org.

The grand prize winner's photo will appear in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and he or she will receive a choice of item from the Parks Conservancy's online store. The entry deadline is September 30. To enter, click here.

PHOTOS FROM FRICK BUTTERFLY WALK

(Pgh Parks Conservancy)

If you missed the PPC's butterfly walk in Frick Park a couple of weeks ago, you missed a wonderful and educational afternoon chasing butterflies (and watching them chase each other!). Never fear, though--the turnout and response were so great that they are planning more themed walks for the future. For now, you can check out these photos of some of the 17 species we recorded on the walk.

Park Place Updates -- URGENT MISSING DOG (Part blind/deaf) PLEASE HELP

2010-08-20T06:44:20Z

Dear Neighbors:

I just got an e-mail this morning that my neighbor's dog, Shadow, went missing last night. Any lost pet is a cause for worry, but I am particularly upset because Shadow is partially blind and deaf. PLEASE keep an eye out for her when you are out walking your dogs or yourselves today. I'd even go so far as to ask that you go out to look for her--I'm worried that she could get hurt since she can't see or hear very well.

Shadow is a smallish, black Border collie mix. She's a very sweet dog, but given her vision/hearing problems she startles easily, so if you see her, please be sure to speak loudly in a gentle voice and approach her slowly so as not to scare her.

If you are able to get her, please return her to Stephanie Jonnet at 453 S. Braddock Ave @ the corner of Edgerton, 412-244-0429. You may recognize her because she is often out on the porch.

I just can't bear the thought of something happening to her. If you are in the 'hood today, please do watch for her.

Many thanks,

khrys

Park Place Updates -- Stolen Scooter; NNO; Benefit Car Wash; Oak Wilt Info Session

2010-08-02T11:37:19Z

STOLEN MOTOR SCOOTER

I wanted to let the neighborhood know that my motor scooter was stolen from in front of the Heidelberg Apartments sometime between 9:00am and 7:00pm on Wednesday July 29th. It is a white "Lance Charming" scooter with black rims, black seat and a black and white storage carrier on the back. The PA licence plate is YHP82. I have attached a photograph. [Can't get images to work in the e-mails--if you want to see it, e-mail me and I will send it to you.] The scooter handlebars were locked in place, so it is likely that the perpetrators lifted the entire vehicle into the back of a pickup truck or van. If anyone saw anything suspicious, please contact Leigh Halverson at leighhalverson@gmail.com or call the Pittsburgh City Police and reference report #189166.

TUES. AUG. 6 -- NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

Tomorrow is National Night Out. Gather with your family and friends in the FRONT of your house, turn your porch lights on, and enjoy the evening outside. The purpose of National Night Out is to show that your community cares about and watches out for its neighbors.

There will be a small block party on Abbott Street at 6PM if you'd like to join folks there.

Here's a message from our community liaision officer:

August 3rd is National Night Out for 2010. Please join the Pittsburgh
Bureau of Police and your neighbors in this annual event to show your
support in neighborhood watches and other crime prevention initiatives.

To set up your neighborhood's National Night Out event, click the
following link:

http://www.nationalnightout.org/nno/about.html

If you have any questions about this annual event, please call me.

Officer Matthew White
Pittsburgh Police
Zone Four
5858 Northumberland St.
Pittsburgh PA 15217
412-422-6559

SAT.. AUG 7 -- CISP CAR WASH

11th Annual Community Intensive Supervision Program (CISP) Car Wash

Saturday, August 7, 2010
RAIN DATE—August 14, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Allegheny County Juvenile Court

519 Penn Ave. (Wilkinsburg CISP parking lot; across from the CVS, near KFC)

...
All Proceeds will be donated to The Center for Victims of Violence and Crime

Please support these youth as they wash cars to raise funds for CVVC.

All checks and/or donations should be made out to: CVVC

Suggested donations:
$5.00 for cars
$10.00 for SUV's

SAT. AUG. 07 -- OAK WILT INFO SESSION (PFUF)

Oak Wilt in Pittsburgh: A Special Education Session

Oak Wilt is a fast-spreading fungus that is affecting oak trees in the Pittsburgh region. Once the fungus is discovered in a population of trees, they must be removed. A 2-acre stand of trees was removed from Frick Park this spring, and another large area of trees that are infected will be removed in Highland Park in late July/early August. What is Oak Wilt and what are treatment options? Will it affect trees in your neighborhood?

Join us for a special session with the Department of Forestry, Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest, and Steve Miller from Bartlett Tree Experts in Highland Park. See the area where trees were recently removed, and learn more about this aggressive fungus, how to prevent it, and how it is treated. A Question & Answer session is included.

Saturday, August 7th
9am-11am
Pool Grove Shelter, Highland Park
RSVP: Caitlin@Pittsburghforest.org or call 412-362-6360

Please wear close-toed shoes and dress appropriately for walking outside. This session is for adults only--please do not bring children under the age of 15.

Park Place Updates

Park Place Updates -- Sept. 25 & 26 CDCP Renovation & Preservation Weekend

09/25 & 26 - Renovation & Preservation Weekend

Park Place Updates -- GasLand; Sch. Feeder Pattern Change;

TONIGHT! 7:30 PM -- Free Screening of GASLAND, Blue Slide Playground, Frick Park

REMINDER! -- RUN AROUND THE SQUARE THIS SAT.!

ALL PARK PLACE KIDS WILL NOW GO TO THE SAME SCHOOLS!!

A COUPLE OF OTHER FUN THINGS...

Red, Ripe & Roasted: Tomato & Garlic Festival

Sun., August 29, 2010 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Park Place Updates -- GREAT NEWS! Shadow is back home!

Park Place Updates -- Stream Sweep; Wknsbg Comm Day; Frick Volunteering; Tree Care; Photo Contest

SAT. 08/21 STREAM SWEEP 9AM-NOON

SAT. 08/21 - WILKINSBURG COMMUNITY DAY

MON. 08/23 - VOLUNTEER IN FRICK PARK

TUE. 8/24 -- TREE CARE WILKINSBURG

PARKS CONSERVANCY PHOTO CONTEST

PHOTOS FROM FRICK BUTTERFLY WALK

Park Place Updates -- *URGENT* MISSING DOG (Part blind/deaf) *PLEASE HELP*

Park Place Updates -- Stolen Scooter; NNO; Benefit Car Wash; Oak Wilt Info Session

STOLEN MOTOR SCOOTER

TUES. AUG. 6 -- NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

SAT.. AUG 7 -- CISP CAR WASH

SAT. AUG. 07 -- OAK WILT INFO SESSION (PFUF)

Sun., August 29, 2010
11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Park Place Updates -- URGENT MISSING DOG (Part blind/deaf) PLEASE HELP