Pretty Up Beechview!

Community Garden Development

2011-09-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce that we will complete another stage of development at the Community Garden of Beechview! We've worked hard and been rewarded with a grant to provide much needed supplies and equipment to maintain and grow the garden site. Please join us:

Saturday, September 24th beginning at 9:00am

Plans for the day include:

- building 3 storage sheds

- labeling the butterfly garden plants

- weeding beds and mowing the field

- finish laying weed fabric and mulch on the paths

- removing plants from children's garden bed

- having a kick-ass time with friends and neighbors

All tools and gloves will be provided. We need as much help as we can get! Any and all neighbors who enjoy the garden or want a chance to meet and work with members of your community, we want you! Kids are very welcome. No experience necessary!

weeds!

2011-07-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

Our little flower gardens are being suffocated by weeds! Better that than litter, but still...

Garden Weeding

Saturday, July 30th @ 9am

2 Gardens on Broadway (below the billboards) and the plot around the LED sign where Broadway meets Beechview.

Meet at the Park and Ride Lot. Gloves and good company will be provided.

June Clean-Up

2011-06-22T10:12:00.000-07:00

Hi folks!

It's that time again - time to tackle the litter in our streets! Please join PUB for a lovely walk along Broadway Avenue, chat with neighbors and pick up trash. It's more fun than you can imagine!

Saturday, June 25th @ 9:00am as usual, meet at the parking lot on Broadway & Beechview.

Volunteering is cool and so are you!

Love,
Pretty Up Beechview

Tree Tending

2011-06-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

Hey! We have some new residents in the neighborhood - TREES! Let's help them get established!

Saturday, June 4th from 10 to 12 has been designated as the Beechview Tree Care Day.

We will be focusing on the new trees along the 1300, 1400, and 1500 block of Beechview Avenue by pruning, mulching and watering. If you're interested in lending a hand, meet at the Firehouse on Beechview Avenue, tools will be provided.

Interested in becoming an official Tree Tender or having a tree planted (for FREE) in front of your home? Click here for more information: http://www.treepittsburgh.org/TreeTenders

Thank You

2011-06-01T06:20:00.000-07:00

Our big May garden planting day was an incredible success and there was no way we could have done all the work without our volunteers. The most amazing group of people came together and helped turn 3 weedy little plots of land into 3 flowering gardens in addition to totally pruning, refining and planting the Community Garden and bringing the neighborhood dream into reality. A huge thank you to each and every person that came out, lent a hand, donated their time and resources to make Beechview a greener neighborhood.

We truly appreciate the following:

Pittsburgh Cares Volunteers

Chelsa Wagner

Wayne Fontana

Slice on Broadway (the pizza was a godsend!)

Sabio Springs

All the awesome Beechview Residents

May 21st - Flower Planting Day

2011-05-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 21st beginning at 9am

Meet at the Community Garden on Rockland

Volunteers are greatly needed (and appreciated) to help plant flowers in gardens on Broadway, Kenberma and at the Community Garden on Rockland.

We invite you to come outside, bring your kids, bring your trowel, it's the best way to meet your new and old neighbors!!

we are few but mighty

2011-05-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

another dent has been made in the ancient canton dumpsite.

the hillside is now free of: 20 tires, 18 bags of recyclables, and a huge pile of random auto and construction waste.

it feels good to make a visible difference.

Dumpsite Cleanup - Help Wanted!!

2011-05-05T07:26:00.000-07:00

Dumpsite Cleanup - Saturday, May 7th @ 10:00am

Do you love your Mother? Please join us this Saturday at 10am and show your Mother Earth just how much you care!
Volunteers are greatly appreciated as we attempt to tackle another major dumpsite here in Beechview.

Meet at the parking lot at the corner of Beechview and Broadway Avenue.
If you want to stop by later in the morning or early afternoon, you can find us at the bottom of Hampshire at Canton Avenue, cleaning up the hillside along the steps. Any amount of help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Clean Up, Saturday April 16, 9am Alton Playground

2011-04-11T14:45:00.000-07:00

In conjunction with Pittsburgh's
Spring REDD UP weekend come
join P.U.B in picking up litter and
gardening around Beechwood school!
Saturday, April 16th
@ 9:00am
Meet at Alton Playground

As if beautifying our awesome neighborhood wasn't cool
enough, to say THANK YOU for participating in this
clean-up effort, Beechwood Elementary will reward
fine student volunteers with
science homework passes!!

Community Garden

2011-04-04T03:12:00.000-07:00

Check out our photos from the comunity garden plantign day!!! http://sites.google.com/site/prettyupbeechview/PrettyUpBeechview/community-garden

March Clean Up!

2011-03-21T08:30:00.001-07:00

We had two successful clean ups this month.
Thanks to everyone that came out. If you could not make it this month, we have more events coming up in the near future.

Check out images from last weekend.

https://sites.google.com/site/prettyupbeechview/beechview-news

Beechview Community Garden

2010-08-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

The garden looks beautiful!! Check out the website: https://sites.google.com/site/prettyupbeechview/PrettyUpBeechview/community-garden to take a look.

Or head on over and spend some time communing with the butterflies!

Or walking the Labyrinth.

Beechview Community Garden Public Planting Day

2010-07-28T18:22:00.000-07:00

COME JOIN US AT THE COMMUNITY GARDEN FOR A PLANTING PARTY!

Bring your gloves and gardening tools, and help make the garden a beautiful place for everyone!!

Sunday, August 15th beginning at 9am

811 Rockland Ave., Across from Beechwood Elementary

Questions: image621@gmail.com

PUB Jr. Field Day

2010-07-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a scorching hot day, but we had 15 kiddo's turn up to have a great day in the sun! Everyone took part in things from hula hooping to balloon tossing. We relayed until we were too hot to stand anymore, then Linda and Anna led some fun sit in the shade activities. Prizes were a big hit, and sportsmanship was the theme of the day! A great time was had by all! I want to thank all of the kids for coming, and showing what great kids they are. I'd also like to thank Anna and Linda for all their help. I wouldn't have been able to give the kids such a nice day without them!

Next week we will be back at the library at 1pm for a Roller Coaster building demonstration. Make sure you bring your books and book logs for Miss Tina to check. After the library we will head to the Spray Park. I'm planning a treasure hunt at the park for the kids, so make sure you bring your detective hats!!

The New Beechview Trees - TreeVitalize project!

2010-07-04T10:48:00.001-07:00

Here are three beautiful hornbeams right in a row along the 1500 block of Fallowfield Ave. As you can see in the before and after pictures, they make quite a difference already. These are only 3 of the 14 trees awarded to Beechview this past spring.

Two hackberry trees were planted along the 1300 block of Beechview Ave. Here you can see the 30 square foot pits that are required to prevent sidewalk buckling as the tree's roots expand. Note that the sidewalk must be at least 6 feet wide to accomodate the cut.

During these hot months of summer, we will all be thinking about how important SHADE is. I'm thinking that now, as a matter of fact!

If you're interested in your eligibility to receive a free street tree from TreeVitalize, please feel free to contact Amy at 412-571-9998.

Pepsi Refresh project - VOTE, VOTE, VOTE

2010-07-01T03:55:00.001-07:00

You're invited!!!

2010-06-14T03:03:00.000-07:00

PUB First Annual Summer Picnic

and Softball Game

Vanucci Field

July 10th, noon until?
Bring a dish to share
We'll provide hotdogs and drinks
Bring a mitt for softball and suit for the spraypark
RSVP: image621@gmail.com

The Farmer's Market is Back!!!!!!

2010-06-07T18:33:00.000-07:00

The Community of Beechview (and P.U.B.) are very proud to announce that Beechview's Farmer's Market is back for the 2010 season. The market will be in the parking lot of St. Catherine's on Thursdays (3:30 - 7:30) beginning June 10th and running through November 18th.

Garden Update

2010-06-05T15:57:00.000-07:00

Hang tight folks, we are nearing an agreement with the City on the Garden site. Hopefully we will have resolution to the issue this week and can get started on the Garden. The Spray Park and now the Garden are huge additions to the community. Let's all keep plugging away at things and making Beechview an even better place to live for all of us!!!!

Beechview Community Garden Update

2010-05-31T15:09:00.000-07:00

Garden Update

5/31/2010

I know a lot of folks have been wondering what is going on with the Beechview Community Garden at the former pool site on Rockland and Westfield Avenues. Though we have been discussing the matter with the City since February of 2009 (16 months and counting), we are still hopeful that the Beechview Community Garden can be a reality (see our latest email to the City following at the bottom of this post). However, to achieve this goal we need your help. At present, the Mayor’s Green Up Team is allowing the process to bog down in the City’s Legal Department and backtracking from the many promises that they made to the community over the past year. Why this is happening is unclear, what is clear however is that our community is once again victim to bureaucratic inaction, and complacency. Perhaps if we all join together and contact the Mayor’s office, the Green Up Team, and 311, the City will hear us (we the Who’s of Whoville). So, please call, email, and/or write to the following people and let them know that this project is important to ALL of us, that the garden is a community project of the highest importance.

Office of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl
City of Pittsburgh
City-County Building - Fifth Floor
414 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-255-2626
Fax: 412-255-2687

Kim Graziani
Director of Neighborhood Initiatives
Phone: 412-255-2792
Fax: 412-255-2687
Email: kim.graziani@city.pittsburgh.pa.us

Christie Berger
Community Outreach Coordinator
Phone: 412-255-8680
Fax: 412-255-2687
Email: christine.berger@city.pittsburgh.pa.us

Kevin Quigley

InvitedGreen Up Team/ Redd Up
(412) 255-CITY (2489)

♫

kevin.quigley@city.pittsburgh.pa.us

Evaine Sing

Green Up Team Consultant

♫

eksing@gmail.com

May 26, 2010 – Beechview Community Garden email to Green Up Team

Thank you for the email. We are still working hard towards a resolution for the garden site in Beechview and are very anxious to move forward. While we still need to resolve the issue concerning insurance for the site, after much discussion the people of the community of Beechview would like to offer the following as what we would like the city to do to show its commitment to the success of the site for all involved. Please keep in mind that our only expectation for the site is that it be open to the public. We only wanted permission to use the site and the Green Up team offered much more. While we understand that the scope has changed and that funding is an issue, we don't want anyone to lose sight of the original goal of the project:

1. The site must be viewed as a Community Space - there needs be access for the entire neighborhood to use it, not just some garden boxes. To accomplish integration into the community, the site should be accessible from and to the streets physically above (Rockland Ave.) and below (Westfield St) for access to other important public spaces- school, playing fields, playground, spray park.

a. The site should be a "parklike" setting with benches (picnic or otherwise), plantings, etc. If an interior border needs to be delineated it must be done with plantings (hedges/shrubs) and not fences.

b. Stairs installed in phase one, as originally promised by the Green Team, To allow access, which means that the city DOES NOT NEED to do any plantings especially of trees which are not needed, but should concentrate on access issues

2. The site must have 15 garden boxes to begin with, with possible expansion available in the upcoming years

3. The Garden Board, PUB, and the community - in partnership with the city - have the ability to add features and programming at the site that we deem necessary to the long-term success for the community at large - including but not limited to a storage shed, children's garden, public art installations and programming

4. Commitment from the city that the site is important and sustainable. We are willing to make a commitment of our time and efforts and expect the same of the city. This should be a partnership of good faith.

Thank you for all of your assistance and care with this project. I hope that we can work towards a resolution very quickly.

Ron

PUB

The Beechview Community Garden Board

The Community of Beechview

PUB of the Future

2010-04-28T06:58:00.000-07:00

We had a nice group of kids join us during our April clean up with several new girls joining us. They were a dedicated group who worked thru the rain and the sunshine. They kept asking "Why don't people just throw their garbage away in a garbage can?" Sadly we didn't have a good answer for them. I had to ask myself - If elementary school kids know better than to litter, shouldn't adults? While the adults headed to Crane Ave to clean, the kids hit up Broadway Ave and some side streets along the way. They even stopped to dance to Brashears Marching Band as they played for the BAA parade. We finished up our clean up at Alton Park where everyone enjoyed ice cream sandwhiches while watching the kids play. With this smart, energetic, environmentally aware group of kids leading the way, Beechview has a bright and hopefully litter free future.

April 24th Spring Clean UP

2010-04-13T15:20:00.000-07:00

April 24th will be our big spring clean up. There is LOTS of trash from one end of Beechview to the other. We meet at the parking lot at Beechview and Broadway Ave's at 10 am. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. Beechwood and Banksville Elementary students who participate will be treated to a pizza party during school hours and all youngsters will get free AMF bowling passes, plus a special end of clean up treat at Alton Park. Crane Ave is a mess, so we will be focusing the adult volunteers there. We hope to see some fresh faces as well as our regulars!

A Beechview Video

2010-03-31T18:21:00.000-07:00

A Tale of Two Business Districts from Chad Hermann on Vimeo.

I am not sure who Chad is, but he certainly has interesting comments on the

disparity between Beechview and Squirrel Hill.

TreeVitalize Update

2010-03-29T06:42:00.000-07:00

The deadline for the Fall 2010 planting was this past Friday. I personally delivered 14 signed Tree Request forms to the Western PA Conservancy (for ~18 trees), the most we've ever collected! Thanks to the folks along Fallowfield, Beechview, Pauline, and Broadway Avenues for their willingness to plant more trees and make Beechview look even better!
A special thanks to Rachel Romano and Natalie Blais for braving the 5 foot snow mounds and steep (sometimes unshoveled) steps to get some of these signatures!
It's been a great way to meet the neighbors and we have some very friendly people here in Beechview. Even those who didn't choose to sign were very polite and considerate. We had wonderful conversations with many.

If you are interested in getting a free city tree, it's never too late to apply! We will be out collecting request forms twice a year for each spring and fall planting! Please call me at 412-571-9998 if we missed you.

We are looking forward to receiving 15 trees this spring! It will be hard not to notice them along Fallowfield and Beechview Avenues. I can't wait to see the transformation!

Meet the Tree Tenders!
This Tuesday, March 30th, we will be pruning the trees along Broadway with the Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest.
Come on out and say hello!

March Pick-Up

2010-03-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

We had a successful clean up this Saturday. The entire morning was spent at Canton Ave, cleaning an historic dumpsite. Although we left the full size cargo van where we found it, we did pull out a side by side refrigerator and plenty of tires. Hopefully we can go back again, as there is enough work for a few more days. It appears as if this was the chosen dump for an auto shop, as there was hundreds of tires, empty motor oil containers and various other car parts.

Three new volunteers helped out this month. Hopefully they enjoyed the experience and will come again. We certainly appreciate their help.

Cleaning Up with the Boys and Girls club

2010-03-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

This past weekend P.U.B. partnered with Pittsburgh Cares and the Boys and Girls Club for a litter clean-up. Beechview was the lucky recipient of 50 volunteers that traveled from all over the country to take part in a conference and service project. Pittsburgh Cares is an organization that helps place volunteers where they are needed. I think we will work with them again in the future.

If you want to learn more about what they do:

www.pittsburghcares.org

We will be meeting again for another clean up in two weeks, so mark it on your calendar.

Saturday, March 27

10am

2010-03-09T18:40:00.000-08:00

Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest leads Pruning Workshop in Beechview

Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest will be Pruning Trees with Tree Tenders from Beechview and the surrounding communities on March 30th from 3:00pm until 7:00pm. Tree Tenders will be meeting FPUF staff at the public parking lot at Beechview and Broadway Avenues to begin pruning trees along Broadway. For more information about the Pruning Workshop, contact Don Mahaney at don@pittsburghforest.org or 412.362.6360.

This is a workshop for certified Tree Tenders to get their pruning practice on the trees that need it most. Tree Tenders from neighboring communities are welcome! The workshop is limited to 15 participants, so please contact Don for space availability (Beechview Tree Tenders are automatically counted).
Due to the nature of the work and the sharp tools involved this event may not be suitable for younger children to attend. Please use your best judgement.

In response to possible new city ordinances

2010-02-17T15:51:00.000-08:00

Dear Mr. Kambitsis,

I agree, we have reached a point of crisis. In the entire US there are 40 - 50 deaths each year attributable to allergic reaction to the venom of stinging insects. The culprits include not only honey bees but wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets. In the same period of one year there are almost 42,000 vehicle fatalities in the US. In other words, as a US resident, your likelihood of death by stinging insect is comparable to that of death by lightning, and about 1,000 times less than that of death by vehicular accident.

If public safety is the driving force behind changes to bee keeping statutes in Pittsburgh, please consider an anti-lightning ordinance as suitably proportional in benefit to the community. That is of course after you've banned traffic altogether.

Furthermore, it is no wonder that changes to bee keeping policy and that of chicken rearing should go hand-in-glove. For the affrontery of poultry knows no bounds, up all night barking at the moon. Oh, no wait, those are dogs, chickens sleep at night.

If noise is what's driving anti-chicken ordinances then let's get a grip on dogs, screaming neighbors, leaf blowers, boom cars and bad mufflers for a healthy start.

So, last of all, I understand rats might be an issue. Well, I pity the rat that tries to enter a beehive. They aren't that dumb. Now the rat that tries to enter a chicken coop, he might be on to something. But given scientifically proven evidence that rats prefer human junk food i.e. pizza, chips, fries, donuts. . . to a vegetarian and grain sort of diet, read the book "Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City's Most Unwanted Inhabitants" by Robt. Sullivan. Well, the smart policy might be to get a handle on garbage, dumpsters, grease receptacles, and general human residential and restaurant garbage practice before you cite chickens or their mostly thoughtful owners.

Sincerely,

Anna Loney

!317 Beechview Ave.

Pittsburgh, PA 15216

412-341-8063

TreeVitalize Spring 2010 Application ACCEPTED!

2010-02-10T05:32:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to announce that Beechview has been granted up to a dozen new trees to be planted this spring!

Working under the TreeVitalize partnership, P.U.B. members have been collecting Tree Request forms from homeowners along Beechview, Fallowfield, and Dagmar Avenues. In the next month you may notice a seemingly overnight transformation to these streets. Our community will be receiving free assistance with the plantings including tree delivery, pit cuts, mulch, soil, and tree stakes. The planting day will be announced ASAP and all neighbors are invited!

Even better news is that we can submit 2 applications per year so if you're interested, we can add you to the next round. P.U.B. members will be canvassing the neighborhood this month and next for Fall 2010. The goal is to beautify the neighborhood with healthy, maintained, properly planted trees so the more the merrier! The deadline for the next planting application is March 26th, 2010. If you're interested in a free tree for your front yard or sidewalk (right-of-way), please contact Amy Bianco at 412-571-9998.
For more information on TreeVitalize or how to become a certified Tree Tender go to http://www.treevitalizepgh.org/

Whooo-hooo!

Beechview Community Public Garden Announcement - Coming this Spring!

2010-02-08T06:18:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU, BEECHVIEW

2010-01-26T13:42:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU, BEECHVIEW

KIDS AND TEENS PARTY

Beechview Library, Saturday,

January 30, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

10:00-11:15 a.m. Make cool books about libraries and kids with artist extraordinaire Deborah Priore

11:30 a.m. to 12 noon Stories about libraries and books

12 noon to 1:00 p.m. Craft 1:00-2:00 p.m. Break

2:00-2:30 p.m. Repeat of library and book stories

SPECIAL GUESTS: PUPPETS & PAGES

*Eat cookies and see a display of our fanciest, most elaborate pop-up books including Very Hungry Caterpillar, Wizard of Oz, Sendak’s Mummy! And our Olivia opera stage.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh –Beechview 1910 Broadway Ave. 412-563-2900

January Pick-Up

2010-01-20T10:38:00.000-08:00

We are starting early this month so that we do not interfere with the party at the library.

Meet at the parking lot between Beechview and Broadway Ave.

9am, Saturday, Jan 29

Afterwards head down to the library for a party from 10-3p.m.

From Chelsea Wagner:

The community members who wrote countless letters and faithfully attended meetings and rallies deserve to be thanked and to celebrate. Friends of Beechview Library and the Beechview branch invite you to a thank you party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 at the library, 1910 Broadway Ave.

Award-winning cartoonist Rob Rogers will make a guest appearance between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Additional activities will include an all-day raffle, refreshments, music, children's activities and a special storytime at 11 a.m.

Snow Day

2010-01-02T05:50:00.000-08:00

No pick up Saturday Jan 2.

End of Year Pick Up

2009-12-18T13:42:00.000-08:00

The last pick up of 2009 is actually happening in 2010.
I guess that means the last pick up for 2009 already happened....oops, did you
miss it?
Well, I did too. But there is always another chance to help make this beautiful neighborhood even
more beautiful.
On Saturday, Jan 2nd we will be meeting at the usual spot for a little neighborhood litter pick-up.
Bring your friends, bring your neighbors, bring your neighbors friends.
You don't even have to live in Beechview to help us out.

So, even if you live in one of those other Pittsburgh neighborhoods, even if you are super busy and have not come out all year, we welcome you on January 2nd.

Stay tuned for an announcement about a PUB party also happening on January 2nd.
We want to thank all of you for the help and support you have given for the past two years.

-Max Hurwitz

From Point Park News...

2009-11-13T05:34:00.000-08:00

Readers take to the streets to save libraries

By Julia Cowher

Efforts to save the Carnegie Library of Beechview happen on October 31, 2009. Groups of students helped raise money with a hot chocolate stand. The stand has brought in more than $140.00 dollars and continues to raise more money each week in an ongoing attempt. By Ann Straub, Point Park News Service.

Ron Baraff and his children intend to take their message of the importance of neighborhood Carnegie Libraries to the streets.

“We’re trying to do…a city-wide protest and pick one day that across the board that you boycott your library and at the same time read to your kids on the street in front of the library to show what it means,” said Baraff, a member of Pretty Up Beechview. “These kids need somewhere to go, if you close their library that’s where they’re going to be–on the streets.”

The members of Pittsburgh communities are joining together to implement unconventional, grassroots efforts to save their respective neighborhood Carnegie libraries from closing. Beechview, Hazelwood, Lawrenceville, and other neighborhoods are participating rallies, letter writing campaigns, community meetings, and other methods to send a collective message; libraries are essential to every community.

“Livable cities need vibrant neighborhoods,” said Tess McShane, of Point Breeze, who frequents the Beechview, Homewood, and Lawrenceville libraries with her children. “And when you take away amenities that breathe life into neighborhoods–like libraries, schools, pools–you are slowly taking the life out of those communities and eventually they will wither and die.”

The efforts being made by Pretty Up Beechview, the Hazelwood Initiative, and Save Our Pittsburgh Libraries are getting the attention of both the Carnegie Library and elected officials.

“Going to city council, writing letters to the editor, talking to the mayor, and writing their elected officials has made a huge impact on the library,” said Suzanne Thinnes, Carnegie Library Communications Manager. “I know it made a huge impact with our state funding this year. It was about 100 days overdue, the state budget, we were threatened to be cut 50 percent so even though we were cut about 30 percent it still wasn’t as bad as it could be. So people did make a difference”

There are several projects in the works as a part of Pretty Up Beechview’s plan to save their library. The children of Pretty Up Beechview are attempting to raise money with their hot chocolate stand that takes place every Saturday morning outside of the library.

In addition to the hot chocolate stand, there has been a letter writing campaign at

the two elementary schools in Beechview that has already yielded a few hundred letters that are set to be used as a larger message.

“We’re pulling together and on November 11^th we’re going to be staging a protest at the Carnegie Library in Oakland using these letters, so we’ll be using art as a statement,” said Baraff. “The kids will be there because really it isn’t about me and it’s not about my wife; I have a car I could go elsewhere. These kids can’t go anywhere else, senior citizens can’t go anywhere else; this is their opportunity to say this library means the world to me.”

The Hazelwood Initiative is also working to save their neighborhood library.

“With the assistance of various stakeholders, we have started a Save the Library Campaign which entails researching the issues, getting the real facts, organizing and educating volunteers, letter writing, attending rallies, contacting the media, arranging tours, and acting as spokesperson for the community,” Jim Richter, of the Hazelwood Initiative and a Hazelwood Library patron for the past nine years.

Aside from community organizations, individual patrons are taking action to save the libraries.

“I have created a petition at petitiononline.com/CLP123, started the Facebook group Save Our Pittsburgh Libraries, attended meetings with city leaders, attended community rallies, and spread the word via reporters and bloggers,” said McShane in regard to her efforts to prevent the libraries from closing. “I plan to use my voice and the power of the internet to spread my message far and wide.”

The message being spread of the importance of these neighborhood libraries is undeniable to their patrons.

“Our branch serves senior citizens and long time residents, as well as many new home owners who are just starting families,” said Gloria Forouzan, a patron of the Lawrenceville branch for 12 years. “It is also a resource allowing low income children access to the internet…with the economic downturn, many young professionals are dropping home internet providers and using the library.”

Despite the optimism and collective efforts being made to save the libraries, there is still fear that several communities may still lose their libraries and continue their decline.

“As we have lost most of our assets, a middle school, two elementary schools, pool and recreational center, and grocery, we have little left,” said Richter in regard to Hazelwood. “The library provides access to learning; computers for research and job search; story hours for children to get them interested in reading; a place to complete schoolwork; a safe place. It is also very important because learning, literacy, research are stepping stones to financial success. If you take away poor folks’ ability to gain knowledge or you make it difficult for them to gain access, you essentially doom them to continue their life of poverty.”

PUB Jr Celebrates Halloween

2009-11-12T07:35:00.000-08:00

On Oct 31st PUB Jr met at the Carnegie Library in Beechview to celebrate in fun and games for Halloween. There was story time, a fierce game of hot potato, monster tag and a monster guessing game plus some competitive limbo. We finished up with some hot chocolate and cupcakes at the hot chocolate stand outside the library. Afterwards the kids took their signs and marched up and down Broadway shouting "Save our library, save our library". We are hoping to keep our library here in Beechview so we can make this an annual event. We'd like to thank the staff at the library for allowing us to use the space outside and the childrens room for our fun and games. Without the library, the cold weather would have canceled our day of fun.

P.U.B.’s Neighborhood Library Retention Agenda

2009-10-09T17:31:00.001-07:00

Our position –

We refuse to accept the library closures imposed by the CLP’s Board upon Pittsburgh neighborhoods. In the interest of revoking these potentially precedent setting closures, and on behalf of all library users, we seek agreement from the Board that all branches remain open.

Objective –

Establish solidarity with all users of the CLP and regional libraries to inform change of a different sort.

Course of Action

Press Release
Neighborhood library blog
Children’s letter campaign
Solidarity petition
Strike
Secession from the City of Pittsburgh, reinstatement of City of Beechview
Other

Statement –

The beginning of the story is that Andrew Carnegie declared, “Let there be light.” And so it was that many libraries, the world over, came into being. So what does it say about us, Pittsburgh descendents of those first beneficiaries, that some would say or accept, “let there be darkness”?

We, in Beechview, refuse to stand idly in the dark. Further, we implore all who use and love libraries to stand with us, because this is also a cautionary tale The next chapter could include the loss of your own beloved library.

We are not calling for unfettered, wasteful spending on anyone’s behalf. In fact, we understand austerity all too well. Among the few obvious quality of life factors for us in Beechview is the presence of a branch of the Carnegie Library. We want to make clear that people who live in communities like ours work to enable the lives of people in much more empowered places. And the presence of a library, within walking distance, means more to us than many could imagine. Surely, there are other sacrifices to be made, other means to an end, than to kill off one good thing about a place with little else to serve as a calling card. Therefore, we reject this decision as an attack on our quality of life.

We reject the reasoning of the Board’s decision based in biased studies and out of date information.

We reject the Board’s decision because of their inability to tell our children to their faces that this is the only possible course of action.

We reject the Board’s decision because we are a community of 6000, 1400 of whom signed a petition to maintain the library. We stand up for these 1,400 unanswered requests.

We reject a minority of voices who value new buildings and capital campaigns over the majority of people and places who’ve made the libraries work for decades.

We reject this as part of the persistent deferment of our dreams, which are at present alternately crusted over, stinking, festering and to properly credit Langston Hughes, may just “explode”.

We implore anyone who ever cared anything about a library, or read a tale of good vs. evil to stand with us against these forces of darkness. But please, don’t let this mark the end of the story.

Anna Loney

October 9, 2009

Plant Swap

2009-09-26T04:25:00.000-07:00

The plant Swap will happen Rain or Shine.

P.U.B Update

2009-08-29T12:14:00.001-07:00

A quick look at what PUB has been up to lately.

1.With school starting next week, the August Pick-Up today focused on the area around Beechwood Elementary and Alton playground. The business district was cleaned and once again a disgusting unnecessary mess was cleaned at the bus stop next to the LED sign. Why unnecessary, because there is not just one, but two trash cans on that corner.

2. On Thursday PUB met with the city to discuss plans for the community garden. Before I talk about what we concluded I want to stamp out some rumors concerning the former pool site. The city is not giving the site to PUB, we will not own it, and we do not intend to impede any effort to put a rec center on the property. We simply feel that it is a great location for a community garden, a garden that is not just for working in the dirt, but can also be used for other activities (movies, youth activities, picnics).

We are currently planning the garden design, and hope to start construction in October. The goal is still to have a planting day in early spring, and have 10-15 beds for the community to use next summer.

3. The benefit concert was a huge success. Thank you Rachel Romano for organizing the whole event.
Thanks to all of the bands, you rock!!! Also thanks to everyone who bought raffle tickets, t-shirts (we still have more) and especially those that came down to Carhops for the show.

A Great Summer for P.U.B. Jr

2009-08-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

On August 20, P.U.B. Jr. capped off a terrific summer of programming by climbing Canton Avenue, the steepest paved street in the world. Over the course of the summer the P.U.B. Jr. kids made nature t-shirts, tin can whistles and walked on slits, learned about composting, made slime, went on a bug hunt, had a puppet theatre, built a woodsy shelter, learned about and met chickens and Paddy the pig, met our local Firemen, made wire sculptures, and of course climbed Canton Avenue. Each week in addition to the aforementioned activities, P.U.B. Jr. would venture to the library (picking up litter along the way!) for story time with Miss Tina, were allowed to take books out from the library, and then went to the Beechview Farmer’s Market for a special treat.

All of these wonderful activities would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of P.U.B. member Anna Loney. She did a fantastic job coordinating the weekly sessions.

P.U.B. would also like to offer our most sincere thanks to:

The Beechview Carnegie Library and their staff, especially Miss Tina
Tom Driscoll of the Citiparks Farmer’s Market and the Farmers of the Market, who so generously gave all the kids a treat each week.
The Firemen of Station #28
Rick Campbell and Paddy the Pig
Linda Kucera, Amy Bianco, and Christy Baraff for all of their time and expertise in leading the activities along with Anna Loney
All of the parents and kids who participated in P.U.B. Jr.

Thank you all for such a wonderful and memorable summer for P.U.B. Jr.!

Concert Saturday!

2009-08-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that the Community Garden Benefit Show will be this Saturday August 22nd at 9pm. Meet at Carhops 2500 W Liberty Ave PGh Pa 15216 at 9pm. Three local kick ass bands and tons of prizes to raffle off plus door prizes. $5 at the door, 21 and over. The kitchen will be open. BRING YOUR FRIENDS. IT'S GONNA BE FUN!"

PUB Jr. update

2009-08-12T08:45:00.001-07:00

PUB Jr. is rolling along! With only 2 weeks left, the kids can look back at the many things they have learned and experienced with a big smile. They have made tin whistles, slime, and compost bins, they've learned about the science of compost, worms, and spiders.

Most recently they learned about urban farming, met and played with chickens, and met Paddy the Pig. Our focus this past week was on urban farming and the farm animals that live in our neighborhood. However, while waiting to meet Paddy, the children were treated to a wonderful experience at the firehouse. The fireman pulled the engine out of the station and told the kids all about the various tools used on the engine. The children were allowed to climb onto the truck and sit in the drivers seat! After the fantastic fire engine experience the children learned that Paddy the Pig (who lives next door the station) is half pot-bellied pig and half wild pig. She is 8 years old, and can do anything a dog can, including shake hands (hooves?) After meeting Paddy the firemen treated us all to watermelon (including Paddy).

The children & adults learned a lot and had a great time. We would like to thank the firemen and Mr. Campbell for providing a fun and safe learning environment for our kids. And for sharing their time and knowledge with us!

P.U.B. T-shirts will be in soon!

2009-08-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

It has been a long wait, but the PUB shirts are on the way.
Much thanks to our friends at Commonwealth Press.
Info will be posted soon on how and where to get them.

Don't Forget the Market

2009-07-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday, 3:30 to 7:30 pm
Broadway Avenue, St Catherines parking lot.

Sheraden Needs our help

2009-07-10T10:59:00.001-07:00

COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP & BLOCK WATCH DAY

TIME: 9 am

WHERE: AT THE CORNER OF MERWYN & MINTON

DATE: SATURDAY, JULY 11

WE NEED TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN CLEANING OUR COMMUNITY AND ELIMINATING POSSIBLE ARSON TARGETS.

FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Councilwoman, THERESA SMITH (412)-255-8963

Should you witness any suspicious activity, please call 911 immediately

HEE HAW! It's A Benefit Show!

2009-07-08T05:27:00.000-07:00

Come rock your socks off and help raise money for the Beechview Community Garden.

Where : Carhops Subshop

2500 West Liberty Ave
When: August 22nd at 9pm

$5 at the door gets you three local bands - Zero Return, Iron Crown and Motorpsychos. We'll be raffling off awesome prizes all night like gift certificates to Davio's, Beto's, Vocelli Pizza and free passes to Phipps Conservatory and The Warhol Museum plus many more. Take the night off, drop the kids at grammas and have a few drinks with your fellow PUBbers. P.S. You might want to bring ear plugs this aint your poppas music.

Pirates are Back!!!

2009-06-24T02:39:00.000-07:00

During our Pick-Up this Saturday Pretty Up Beechview will be handing out vouchers for FREE Pirates tickets. Sign in early to make sure you don't miss out on this great opportunity.

New Website

2009-06-14T13:04:00.001-07:00

Pretty Up Beechview has a new website.

We hope this new site will allow easier access to information and better represent the variety of activities we organize. This site is still a work in progress, so we are taking suggestions.

Enjoy!

https://sites.google.com/site/prettyupbeechview/PrettyUpBeechview

A Picture is Worth... Surfriders'

2009-06-10T08:11:00.000-07:00

by Karin Kloosterman From Treehugger.com

How about freshly “caught” fillets of condoms, a plastic surprise or Styrofoam bites? Here are a few examples of “Catch of the Day,” a guerrilla ad campaign sponsored by Surfrider Foundation to educate people at farmers’ markets about the amount and kinds of pollution dumped into our seas. Full Article

Pirates team up with P.U.B.

2009-05-26T15:24:00.000-07:00

The Pittsburgh Pirates, in a partnership with Major League Baseball's Commissioner's Initiative, want to give you a complimentary day at the ballpark.
How does this work?
Children and families that take part in our clean-up this Saturday will receive a voucher, good for two tickets, redeemable at the PNC Box Office.
Just one more good reason to clean with us this Saturday.

GO P.U.B. !!!
GO PIRATES!!!

Hurray for Victory!!!

2009-05-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

P.U.B. would like to send out a hearty, back-slapping, beer-drinking, congratulations to Natalia Rudiak and Jim Motznik.

It's Really Really Happening...Yeah!!!

2009-05-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

It's happening.

What, you may ask?

Beginning June 18th, a brand new farmer's market is coming to Beechview.

http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks/html/farmers_market.html

Wow, Beechview is awesome!!!

To Market, To Market, we go!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-26T06:27:00.000-07:00

P.U.B. is very proud to announce that Beechview will have a Citiparks Farmer's Market for the 2009 season. The market day will be Thursdays (3:30 - 7:30) beginning June 18th and running through October 8th.

Thanks to the hard work of Councilman Jim Motznik, Representative Chelsa Wagner, the Citiparks, and Fr. Jim from St. Catherine's of Sienna Parrish, (ed: and P.U.B. member Ron Baraff) the market will be staged in the upper parking lot of St. Catherine's and on Belasco Avenue which will be closed off to traffic between Tononpah and Broadway Avenues.

Trax Farms, along with five other vendors (thus far) have committed to what will be a very diverse market, which we believe will be a rousing success for everyone, especially for the community of Beechview.

TreeVitalizing Beechview

2009-04-16T05:15:00.000-07:00

TreeVitalize: a partnership to restore tree cover in the Pittsburgh region. The goal is to plant 20,000 trees by the year 2012! Community groups and non-profits can apply for free street trees and planting assistance to beautify neighborhoods.

P.U.B. has submitted an application for a fall tree planting with the help of almost a dozen interested neighbors. It began back in March with a visit from Lisa Cheoffe, the urban forester for the city of Pittsburgh. Target areas for new trees in for this fall are the 1400 blocks of Fallowfield and Beechview Avenues and the 1300 and 1500 block of Beechview Ave. We started here because the wide sidewalks meet the spacial criteria, plus, the 2 streets are main arteries through the neighborhood. Nothing could be more beautiful and welcoming than tree-lined streets in spring and shady sidewalks in the summer. Next, PUB members began knocking on doors with Tree Request Forms; these forms need to be signed by the property owner giving the city permission to plant on the sidewalk right-of-way. After getting enough signatures by the deadline (thank you to the folks who signed!) the application was sent in. TreeVitalize will be going over all city applications and we will be notified in August of our status.

A little more info on the program:
Fallowfield and Beechview Avenues used to be lined with trees that either grew out of their bounds or were cut down because they were damaging underground pipes or sidewalks. The old way of city tree planting has been replaced with a better understanding of tree growth. Pits are cut large enough to ensure that roots have adequate growing room so sidewalks will not buckle. Tree species are selected with overhead cables and underground water and gas lines considered. Applicants could get a variety of trees; some small and some large. And I've been told that the very best trees are selected from the nurseries.

This is very exciting! If our application is accepted, homeowners will witness a major transformation of their property and their whole block almost immediately. TreeVitalize trees are 300 pounds and 3" in diameter, no scrawny saplings. As part of this partnership, 4 members of P.U.B. will be certified Tree Tenders to prune, water, advise, and care for the trees. We will work with homeowners to make sure their tree stays healthy and vibrant.

Since TreeVitalize will be offering free trees until 2012, Beechview can submit applications for spring and fall each year, targeting different parts of the community each time. If you are interested in having trees planted on your block, please contact Amy Bianco at 412-571-9998. It's never too soon to get signatures for Spring of 2010!

If you are interested in becoming a Tree Tender or just curious about the program, visit www.treevitalizepgh.org

April Pick Up

2009-04-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

In conjunction with Pittsburgh's
Spring REDD UP weekend
come join P.U.B for the next
monthly neighborhood clean-up!
Saturday, April 25th
@ 9:00am
Meet at the corner of
Broadway & Beechview Avenue
(in the park and ride parking lot)

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Beechview's spring cleaning extravaganza will also feature
Vitamin Water
Look for representatives handing out
sample products to our fine community volunteers!

P.U.B. Endorses Natalia Rudiak for City Council

2009-03-31T18:37:00.000-07:00

This little engine that we call Beechview is moving forward, finally! To keep it going, we need continued positive movement from our leaders. Now is not the time for business as usual or "old time" machine politicos. It is not the time for petty squabbles, empty suits, empty promises, or bureaucratic pencil pushing. Politics as usual, or even worse, backsliding is what we will get unless we all step it up and support Natalia Rudiak for City Council in District 4. Natalia understands us - she knows who we are and where our communities need to go now, and in the future. She understands that the neighborhoods are the city and that the city needs to strongly support its neighborhoods. The neighborhoods in District 4 are amongst the hidden gems within this jewel of a city, not easily nor often traversed, but full of rock-solid homes, schools, businesses, and of course, fine citizens. We are a community of wonderful assets, not bad apples. We are a community of hope, not hopelessness. This is the place, the mindset that our group, Pretty Up Beechview (P.U.B.) operates from, and where Natalia resides and hones her perspective. She has shown not just in words, but in actions, that she believes in us and our community. She has been there for our garbage cleanup events and our benefit shows, she has been there while we debate the course of our future. She understands. She gets it. She is one of us. She has shown that she believes in us and our community. Where others see only the lost past, or point only to the problems and struggles of the present, Natalia sees the good, the upright, the future. She has the intellect, the sensibilities, and most of all the goodness of motivation to work hard and to help us all move forward in new, exciting and inventive ways so that our future not only embraces our historic past, but more importantly is inclusive of our multifaceted present as well. This is what P.U.B. is all about, and this is why we enthusiastically support Natalia Rudiak for City Council from District 4.

March Pick-Up Photos

2009-03-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

No rotten meat this month, but it was still quite a haul.

Yes, that is a boat trailer.

The kids still had energy to play after all that hard work.

Amy wearing one of the new, official P.U.B. t-shirts

2009-03-28T14:01:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Events

April 25, 9am Beechview Pick-up
Meet on Broadway at the L.E.D. sign
Redd-Up Pittsburgh Spring cleaning weekend

May 30, 9am Pick-up
Meet on Broadway at the L.E.D. sign

June 27, 9am Pick-up
Meet on Broadway at the L.E.D. sign

P.U.B. Emergency Meeting of the highest urgency Minutes

2009-03-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

The meeting began with the usual cattiness, gossip, vulgarities and P.U.B. members talking, screaming and laughing over, at and around each other.

Eventually some individual called the meeting to order. Everyone laughed at Max for such a silly idea, and then we got to business.

1. First we all slapped each on the back for the good news from Jim Motznik’s office concerning our requests for Alton playground. We like good news, but we figure why stop now, so we decided to ask Jim for more help with the proposed community garden at the old pool site. We will ask for top-soil and scrap materials to build into garden beds, permission to plant, and if he wants to meet us at the spot to look at the former pools current state of being.

2. P.U.B. will be teaming up with Urban Tree Tenders to plant trees in the neighborhood. We are at the point in the process that teams of PUB volunteers need to canvass the streets selected for planting and talk to homeowners. We need at least 10 homeowners signatures to get the trees. We have chosen the 1500 block of Fallowfield as the first block to try. Amy will speak with Urban Tree Tenders to find out exactly what the homeowners will be responsible for if we plant in front of their house. 4 PUB volunteers will be trained as tree tenders and will maintain any trees planted in Beechview. It is possible the city’s “Taking care of business program” will plant trees in our business district if we agree to the maintenance. Anna is going to ask Don to speak with the BMA and look into this possibility.

3. We have chosen clean up locations for the fall Pick-Up. Max needs to call Public Works to see if they will clean Wenzell, If not we will tackle Wenzell with the assistance of a police escort. This will be an adult only clean up location. Let the old folks risk their lives.
Our young volunteers will clean the safer streets of Fallowfied, Beechview, and parts of Broadway and Pauline.
We will also clean Cape May from W. Liberty to Sebring.
This will be an ambitious Pick-up, so we will need a lot of volunteers.

4. The Litter Patrol was a success. Max needs to get more kids sized gloves before the next clean up on March 25. The kids were enthusiastic.

5. Anna is organizing a summer walking club for kids. This will hopefully involve some type of art activities, fresh food from the farmers market and a reading club at the library. Everyone is supportive of the idea, ready to make a concrete program, and organize a calendar of events.

6. Ron got some good info about how to go about building a green roof. We like the idea, but PUB is not in the position to make this happen in Beechview, but we are supportive of the idea, if that means anything in the grand scheme of things.

2009-03-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

Pretty Up Beechview joined forces with Beechwood Elementary School to form The Litter Patrol. 45 students from first and second grade along with 5 PUB volunteers, science teacher Sue Simmers and parent volunteer Sue Ruth cleaned up the areas surrounding the school. The Litter Patrol students forgo their recess so they can pick up trash. At the end of our 15 min clean up we collected 5 bags of garbage and 10 bags of recyling. The students were well behaved and enthusiastic, the weather was beautiful and sunny and there were ample amounts of trash lining the streets. We couldn't have asked for a better first Litter Patrol. The next Litter Patrol will be with third, fourth and fifth grade volunteers on March 25th from 12:15 to 1:00pm. If you are interested in helping with the Litter Patrol program, please contact PUB for more info.

Market Update, of the Farmer's Variety

2009-03-06T04:49:00.000-08:00

I spoke with the folks from CitiParks about the Farmer's Market deal - things are looking good. They sent letters out to the prospective farmers a few weeks ago, and with only half of the folks responding to date, they have received some affirmative answers and a few "we want to look at the site" answers. The farmers have until 3/13 to remit their responses to potential market sites, so we are on track and looking pretty good. Keep those fingers and toes crossed, and keep thinking positive veggie thoughts...

I will post an update as soon as I hear something more.

Pick-up was a Trashing Success

2009-03-01T03:52:00.000-08:00

We can definitely say that yesterday was our most successful clean-up to date.

Thank you to everyone who helped out yesterday, especially Anna Loney, for allowing us to use your truck to haul some nasty bags of trash.

At the end of the day; with our pile of collected trash looking rather large and disgusting at Alton playground, a few photographs taken to remember the day, a neighbor stopped by to thank us for such great work. He wanted to tell us a story about how he had grown up in this neighborhood, and while he thought what were were doing was commendable, Beechview was bad when he was a kid, and worse now. What we are doing is futile. He called us a bunch of modern day hippies.

Those are the words of someone who is scared and lazy; scared to live in a neighborhood that doesn't look like it did 30 years ago, and too lazy to get out, meet his neighbors, and do the work it takes to turn a few city blocks into a real community. So if you are out there, and feel like telling P.U.B. that we are wasting out time, don't!

Sure, we are hippies if that means we are not going to sit on our ass complaining, but instead get out into the streets and work for the change we want.

And that change is coming. This past Pick-Up is proof of the progress. Less than a year ago the only people showing up to these cleaning days were 2 families. Yesterday we had almost 30 volunteers.

Three students from Brashear high school( and their teacher) came to pick up trash in Beechview, and put into action what they are learning in the classroom about positive role models and strong leadership.
As for strong leaders working with P.U.B., showing that they are not above sweeping the streets in a neighborhood they love, we had Commander Scott Schubert and Officer Kenneth Stevwing, from our local police zone, as well as Natalia Rudiak, a District 4 city council candidate.
Amy brought a crew with her, that included residents of Brookline, Paul Skelly came with his son, and Anna gave us a lot of support by loading up the truck and hauling it to our pick-up site.

As you can see, with this many hands, we were able to accomplish a lot yesterday. P.U.B. cleaned Crane Ave. from the turn off at Brashear to Rt. 51 (Thank you Pittsburgh Police for the escort),Broadway was cleaned to the monument, the Belasco steps revealed a particularly bad dumping site, Fallowfield and Alton playground were also cleaned.

Imagine what we could accomplish with 50 volunteers, or 100. We could pick-up in every corner of the neighborhood.

That is our goal.
See you all next month

Max Hurwitz
P.U.B. President for the day (tomorrow its Amy's turn)

Feb 28 Pick-Up photos

2009-02-28T15:34:00.000-08:00

Brashear student leaders (and Mrs. Walker)

Some local hippies putting a Subaru to good use.

The final haul, including : a refrigerator, a broken t.v., a rusty bike,
three bags of rotting meat, two tires, a kitchen table, 50+ bags of trash
and another 20 recycling

Madame Detritus

Commander Scott Schubert and Officer Kenneth Stevwing
Thanks for your support!!!

Cleaning Crew

Post-Gazette Article

2009-02-24T15:04:00.000-08:00

Check it out, we're famous.

Post-Katz Beechview...

Fundraiser was a Success!!!

2009-02-14T08:03:00.000-08:00

The benefit concert was a success. We had a great crowd, surprise visits from some local politicians, awesome music and even raised some money for the neighborhood. Our total after expenses was a little more than $700. So expect some beautiful P.U.B. gardens this summer, our group is all volunteer, and than means every penny raised will be used in the community.

Rachel and Amy deserve a lot of thanks for such a great idea and all of the hard work they put in to make this happen.

Also, thank you to everyone who came to the show or bought tickets ahead of time and thank you bands for playing some kick-ass music, and thanks to all of the businesses that donated for the raffle.

The Official Winner's List:
Fiori's Pizza- Jesse and Ken
Becky's One STop Shop- Ron K.
Tienda La Jimenez- Brian C.
Seldon Seen Hike- Monster
Daves Music Mine- Marta
Rich's Barber- Jamie G. & Brian C.
Homemade Delights- Brian C. and Mike
Carhops- Darrin
Lily & Lucas- Paul P.
Huddle and 50/50- Mary Ellen
Lunardis- Matt W.
Betos & A.I.S.- Lynn G.

Amy and Rachel Rock!!!
GO P.U.B.

2009-02-03T09:28:00.000-08:00

Rock out with PUB.

Come join PUB Feb. 13th at The Smiling Moose 1306 East Carson St - doors open at 8pm - for a benefit show. Motorpsychos, Iron Crown and Zero Return will perform for your listening enjoyment. We've got some local businesses to donate gift certificates in our effort to raise money for the cause - Beechview. It will be $5 at the door. This is a 21 and over show. If you are unable to come to the show, please stop by the Carnegie Library in Beechview and purchase a raffle ticket to win a gift certificate to one of Beechview's local businesses. Winners will be announced at the show.

NO Pick-Up!!!

2009-01-30T14:47:00.000-08:00

What we can not see, we can not pick up, so this months pick-up must be canceled.
Hopefully the great melt will wash away the trash for us.

No Pick-up on Saturday, Jan 31

TV Recycling at COnstruction Junction

2009-01-27T15:41:00.001-08:00

Don’t Trash That TV! Event

Brought to you by the Pennsylvania Resources Council with support from Waste Management and the City of Pittsburgh

When: Saturday, February 21, 2009, from 10AM - 2PM

Where: City of Pittsburgh Environmental Services Facility

3001 Railroad Street, Pittsburgh, Pa 15201

Construction Junction

214 North Lexington Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

What: Drop-off your television at one of these locations on

February 21^st for recycling and keep it out of the landfill!

Participant Fees:

TVs 19” & smaller $10 each

TVs 20” – 29” $20 each

TVs 30” – 39” $25 each

TVs 40” & larger $35 each

For more information or to volunteer at

this event visit, www.prc.org or call

412.488.7490 ext 236

Alton Playground suggestions

2009-01-08T06:40:00.000-08:00

After our last pick up, concern was raised about Alton playground. It was dirtier than usual, the grafitti is geting out of hand and there were a few pieces of rather disgusting trash; signs of some unsafe activities that happen at the playground throughout the night. The ability of Beechview and P.U.B. to maintain a clean safe environment for children to play seems to be an insurmountable task.
Of course this does not mean we will stop trying. Our regular cleaning days will continue, and you will probably see our dedicated crew out cleaning in between those scheduled days.

This week we received some good news fron Jim Motznik. He wants to help in any way that he can. He has offered assistance in this daunting task and will be working directly with PUB to find solutions for the problems at Alton playground.

This is the time to make your voice heard. If you have any suggestions please leave a comment on this post or send us an e-mail. I will compile a list of all of the ideas and take them to Mr. Motnik.

Happy Holidays to all

2008-12-27T10:12:00.000-08:00

P.U.B. wishes you all a very happy holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year!

We had another successful clean-up on Saturday the 27th. Eight folks showed up to help - THANKS! It was a beautiful morning of unseasonably warm December weather. We cleaned Broadway from Fallowfield to Rutherford Avenues; Sebring Ave from Fallowfield to Kenberma Avenues; Beechview Ave from Broadway to Bayonne; Fallowfield Ave from Broadway to Bayonne; and Andick Way from Fallowfield to Beechwood School. Last but not least was Alton Field. All told we collected 14 bags of garbage and 16 bags of recycling.

Other than lots of trash, we found other far more disturbing things at Alton Field - syringes, condoms, and lots of really offensive graffiti.

As a community, we really need to take control of this site (and others like it). Our kids play there! I don't need to say anymore than that do I? If we all take action and make enough noise about this we can make positive change at Alton and throughout our community. It is OUR community afterall, and I don't think that any of us condone this type of behavior and "expression."

Oy, what a haul

2008-11-29T14:56:00.000-08:00

That's right 14 bags of garbage. 10 bags of recycling - OY, what a haul indeed.

During the November 29th cleanup, P.U.B. members (and some future P.U.Bites and P.U.Bettes) picked up plenty of wretched refuse from the neighborhood. We covered Broadway, from Coast to Fallowfield; Fallowfield from Broadway to Bayonne; and Beechview Avenue from Broadway to Sebring. It was a mess out there, but we made a dent - 14 bags of garbage. 10 bags of recycling - that's a heaping helping of trash. The more we do, and the more visible we are in our endeavors, the more we can have a positive effect on the neighborhood. Heck, some residents of the streets we were working on cheered our efforts and even lent a hand. Let's hope that is the start of something good. However, the real key is getting folks to stop littering and start giving a hoot about their community. Until then, we will keep plugging away, one trash bag at a time.

rb

Market Update

2008-11-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

No, no, no, not the Stock Market. THE FARMER'S MARKET

I don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves here, so I will be a bit coy so as not to jinx the process. Sorry but until I hear "market on" I will fret - I am a superstitious boy...

We had a really good meeting with the powers that be yesterday and the outlook for bringing a weekly Farmer's Market to Beechview looks pretty good. There are still some hurdles to jump before we attain our goal, but it seems all interested parties are on-board with moving ahead. At this point the market folks are getting their duckies in a row, and making sure that any and all questions are properly addressed. So hold on tight, Beechview is making progress towards a market that will serve ours and the surrounding communities.

Now for the soap-box stuff:
I don't want to overplay the importance of the market, because it is just one building block for the community. Rather, I want to stress the need for trust and team-building in the community. It is important to remember that progress is not always measured in leaps and bounds, but more often by baby steps. That is where we are in our (in the greater sense) efforts. We are just beginning to really coalesce and work towards common goals. This is not, nor should it be, an exercise in ego or personal platitudes - it is not about individuals or factions, but rather about the greater good of the community, now and in the future. So if one group picks up garbage - applaud them, help them. If another has a bake sale - applaud them, help them... If we fight each other we accomplish nothing and diminish our capacity as a community and ourselves. So, please let's allow for some partnership, some trust, and some growth. There may be some mistakes made, but if they are honest mistakes, we can learn from them and move on. As long as we are moving forward, we can make progress.

'nuff said! I will now crawl down off my soapbox...

rb

From Allegheny CleanWays

2008-11-18T18:49:00.000-08:00

This is from Myrna Newman regarding the Greenway clean-up this past October:

Hello wonderful volunteers!
I am sooooooooo sorry it has taken me so long to get this out to you. It's a busy time of year here.
It was so awesome to work with you all on the Beechview Seldom Seen Greenway cleanup last month. We estimate that you removed more than 1.5 tons of trash, including those 55 heavy, muddy, disgusting tires you lugged out of the woods. We so appreciate the work you did -and the great attitude you had doing it. Every bit of trash we remove from our greenspaces makes them cleaner, healthier, and more enjoyable....and you removed a ton (and a half!) of trash!!!
Here is a link to the photos that were taken that day: http://www2.snapfish.com/share/p=410131226605020776/l=440425919/g=134396365/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB. You may have to register to view them, but no purchase is necessary. If you see any photos that you'd like, just email me and I'd be happy to send them to you.
Thanks again!

Myrna Newman
Interim Executive Director
Allegheny CleanWays
412-381-1301

2008-11-15T19:36:00.000-08:00

P.U.B. minutes
Saturday, Nov. 15

Christy, Ron, Anna, Amy, Rachel, Natalie, Paul, Max

1.Check in
A. Feedback (How did they go? How can we make these events better?)
I. Plant Swap-
More publicity (City Paper, Post Gazette, Craigslist, increase exposure of PUB events to entire city.
More personal contact; invite neighbors, pass out flyers to neighbors, create P.U.B. flyer to distribute during events,
Continue advertising in Summit and L.E.D. display.
Positive impact scheduling plant swap during BAA event.

II. Blog
Add Rachel and Christy as authors
Add counter tool and place for visitors to sign up to a mailing list.

III. Pick-up
Sunday events conflict with church. Move Pick-ups to Saturday.
Mailing list.

Add advertising in church bulletins:
Ron, St. Catherines.
Paul, St. Pamphelus
Christy, United Presbyterian

2. Progress
A. Farmers Market
Meeting with Motznick on Thursday to discuss next step for bringing a market to the neighborhood.
Still trying to contact Father Jim for commitment

B. Winter Projects
I. Pick up
Last Saturday of the month until March
II. Seed starting
Party end March,
III. Garden maintenance

3. Future projects (Do we have enough on our plate? New ideas here.)
A. Living wall
Project is now in the hands of Anna, Natalie and Bethany
Possible artist already interested.
Need to contact Daniel
B. New gardens
Ideas: Fallowfield and Broadway
Next to Becky one stop shop
Cape May

New Subcommittees:
Director of Miscommunication, Max Hurwitz
Farmers Market, Ron Baraff, A Head Taller
Max Hurwitz, Second Tier
Living Wall, Anna Loney, CO-conspirator
Natalie Blais, Seed Starter
Bethany Hurwitz, Guerrilla Gardener
CLUB reps, Christy Baraff, Con-Founder
Rachel Romano, V.P. of Community Reseeding

To Market, to Market ...

2008-11-11T14:21:00.000-08:00

P.U.B. is ecstatic to announce that we are diligently working on bringing a weekly Farmer's Market to Beechview. We will be meeting with the powers that be next week, so keep your fingers and toes (and whatever else you can) crossed. A successful market has the potential to not only bring farm fresh products into our neighborhood, but it will also serve to attract folks from other neighborhoods, city and suburban. It could be a big and positive step forward for Beechview.

Keep ya posted
rb

In this together?

2008-11-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

I wish everyone thought we were in this together.

Here is a nice mess the B.A.A. left after their end of season pizza party. The mess was not just here, but also under the benches (a weekly occurrence), blowing into the field, and strewn around the playground.
It included:
One large bag of trash
Two bags of recycling
One stack of cardboard (also recyclable)

So here is my angry post about all the work P.U.B. has done to clean up Beechview, and how quickly that work can be diminished by the acts of just a few neighbors. P.U.B. can go out and clean every day, but it will not matter if others in the neighborhood do not take a little personal responsibility for their own actions.
No, if you see trash on the street, in front of your house, or up on Broadway, you are not responsible to put it in the trash can. I am not asking you to take a few hours on a Sunday morning to pick up trash with us; I realize that type of work is not for everyone, but don't be so lazy and inconsiderate to leave your trash somewhere and expect it to miraculously disappear.

My two year old daughter can clean up her trash. Let me repeat that again for all who missed it. My TWO YEAR OLD daughter. It is just pitiful when a bunch of adults need to learn a lesson from a toddler.

So about now you might be thinking, "This guy is a total jerk. Why is he going on about a little trash?"

Well if this was the first time I had cleaned up after the BAA, maybe I wouldn't be so angry. But I have had to clean up their trash at Alton playground after every event they hold on the field. And if I don't do it somebody else does, and by somebody else, I mean anyone but the BAA.

Tuesday!!!

2008-11-02T17:47:00.000-08:00

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Plant Swap Weekend

2008-10-22T06:24:00.000-07:00

P.U. B. had a successful weekend. We came out on Saturday for a plant swap at Alton field and Sunday we planted all morning, prepping our gardens for winter.
Saturday was also a clean-up in the Greenway sponsored by Allegheny Cleanways. Amy went down for that event and P.U.B. got its first newspaper mention in the Pitt newspaper.

The plant swap turned out to be a great way to increase our visibility in the neighborhood. Maybe this will mean better attendance at our spring plant swap. Either way we will have the event again, in an effort to encourage our neighbors to share resources and spend some time together doing something positive.
As for our gardens, the zinias were beautiful this summer, and probably would have continued to flower for a few more weeks, but our plan is to establish a more permanent garden that will continue to grow each year. Keep your fingers crossed for a beautiful springtime surprise.

We have two new members that helped out both days. Welcome Rachel and Bernie.

Pretty Up Weekend!

2008-10-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

Hey all!
What a fabulous time to be outside! There were many events this past weekend, all had to with getting outside, getting a little dirty, and greeting the smiling neighbors. The plant swap on Saturday featured a wide variety of seeds, bulbs, potted plants, and even cacti! I learned some new things about perrenials and annuals. I know a bit about the plants in the woods, but gardens are a new endevour for me. Not only was the swap a great opportunity to get some gardening advice, it was also a chance get rid of the old and try something new. I dug up a TON of gold irises and traded some peonies for some black-eyed susans and purple cone flowers. I can't wait to see how they fare. What a cool idea to trade your over-crowded or unwanted bulbs with someone who can use them! I'm also excited to see how the extra bulbs do around the bulletin boards on Broadway. That's where all the "orphaned" bulbs went the very next day. Maybe I'll see some of those gold irises :)
While Alton Playground was a-buzz with the plant swap and soccer games, Meyrna Newman from Allegheny CleanWays was announcing safety guidelines to volunteers at Vanucci Field. In preparation for the 3rd Seldom Seen Greenway clean up this year, approx. 60 Pitt students showed up ready to don work gloves and trash bags. A young lady reporting for Pitt News was there. She asked me a few questions about the Greenway and the prior clean ups. I proudly heralded my P.U.B. affiliation! (BEECHVIEW!) The clean up was well-organized and the volunteers were energetic. Tires upon tires were pulled out, various metal objects, appliance parts, car parts, even pieces of a commode were piled in the parking lot. Unfortunately, I had to leave before the it was over. I had a date at the pumpkin patch with 3 eager nephews and a little sis. I'm sure the dump truck was filled with tires by the end of the day and the I'm sure the city had a decent pile of trash to transport to a more suitable waste site.
Just when you think Beechview had had it's fill of outdoor community events, there was the Greenway walk on Sunday afternoon. Hosted by Friends of the Green and Seldom Seen, this walk is a guided stroll through the more extensively wooded part of the greenway. John and Kathy Murphy have a wonderful knowledge of the area, especially the history of Seldom Seen. Friends of the Green hosts these walks twice a year. You GOTTA go on one of these!!!
It couldn't have been a more beautiful autumn day! There was a crowd of people in the Brashear parking lot when I arrived, a good crowd according to the Murphy's. I was happy to see some familiar faces and happy to meet new faces. Kathy went into an introduction about the old neighborhood of Seldom Seen complete with pictures. She recently had the opportunity to meet with a man (forget the name!) who used to live down there and she shared some of his interesting Saw Mill Creek stories with us. Then off into the woods to sites of old coal mine entrances, giant sycamores, and tidbits of urban legend.
All this in a 3 block radius and in 2 days time!

And the fun continues NEXT SATURDAY! Members of P.U.B. and other community volunteers will be planting and mulching along Broadway and at the Wenzell garden. Meet at the library around 9am. I think they're gonna have food :)
See you there!

-Amy

Beechview Mural

2008-10-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

The new mural is awesome, just the what this neighborhood needed. Commuters on the trolley can't help but notice the colorful painting on the side of the Sip-N-Spin. Ryder is out working every sunny day and hopes to have the project finished in a month, so if you haven't stopped by to say hello and meet the artist, do so before you miss your chance.

What is a plant swap?

2008-09-28T11:55:00.001-07:00

Well, I have not been attending to the blog this week, two school midterms and a sick child have kept me busy. While I was away I received a question about one of our upcoming events.

What is a plant swap?
It will soon be the time of the year to split perennials and decide to keep them, plant them in another part of the yard or send them off in the trash. A plant swap is a place to bring cuttings from plants that have grown too big, small plants or shoots that have sprung up over the summer, and seeds from your garden, to trade with plants from your neighbors garden.
This is a great place to pick up a different plant to integrate into your garden, without spending a lot of money, and to meet a few neighbors at the same time.

How will it work?
For each separate plant that you bring(preferable in a pot), you can take one home. House plants are also welcome, I will be bringing a few jade starts.
Because this event is organized and in support of P.U.B., we ask that you also bring something to donate to our neighborhood gardens.

P.U.B. Mission

2008-09-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

Pretty Up Beechview (dba – P.U.B.) is an all-volunteer, community-based organization that is dedicated to the creation and maintenance of a clean, healthy, safe and prosperous neighborhood and the promotion of those qualities therein through community action, partnership and awareness.

OUR INITIATIVES

Adopt-A-Block:

If we all pitch in and do a little work it will be a lot easier to keep Beechview clean. That was the idea behind this initiative. So how does it work? It is simple. Just let us know the area you would like to keep clean, and after that, you can work at your own schedule to pick up trash. Visit our website see how the map of Beechview is starting to fill up with volunteers.

Pick-Up-Beechview and Pretty-Up-Beechview:

Our group holds a regular schedule of pick-up/pretty-up events in the Beechview neighborhood. We would like to work more closely with other neighborhood organizations on this project, which includes planting gardens and picking up litter in the neighborhood, targeting the business district, but also working in the residential area.

Upcoming events

All events Rain or Shine

October 18, 10am-noon Plant swap- at Alton playground,

October 25, 10am Pretty-up- Help us plant, meet at the library, 1910 Broadway Ave.

Minutes 2-6-08

2008-09-07T17:24:00.000-07:00

P.U.B. minutes
Saturday, Sept. 6

1.Check in
Amy, Max, Ron and Christy attended

A. Progress on Jobs.
I. Mission – We all agreed that the mission statement written by Ron fit and did not need any further editing. We will begin using it on a press release being that will be sent out a.s.a.p.
II. Poster- Amy had an outline for the poster and filled in specifics determined at the meeting. She will finish the flyer and send it to Ron by the end of Sept for early Oct. distribution. We will send the flyer to the elementary school, and put in businesses. We are considering a door-to-door.
III. Next pick-up/pretty up (Will it be with the BAA?) Christy needs to contact the BAA about a joint Pick-up. Our next Pretty-up is scheduled for Oct. 25, 10am till noon(rain or shine). We will meet at the library.
IV. Plant Swap date- October 18 from 10am –noon, at Alton playground.
V. Farmers Market- Ron was in contact with citiparks. They are interested in a market in Beechview, and had previously worked on a plan, but it dissolved when they did not get vocal interest from the neighborhood. Ron will stay in contact with Citiparks, and St. Catherines, and we will take the next step when needed.

2. New News
A. Urban Gardener will donate in October.
B. Meeting with Brashear principle. (Ron and Amy both showed interest.) Max will call Brashear to schedule a meeting. If possible Amy will attend(weekdays 10-noon the best).
C. Letter to the Summit-Max will send a press release to the Summit, Post Gazzette, Newslitter, South Hills blog, Beechview blog,
D. Movie night- Plan a season of outdoor free movies at Alton Playground(maybe) for next summer.

Thank you Jennifer

2008-09-02T12:31:00.001-07:00

A little more of our map is filled. Thank you Jennifer for taking the time for our neighborhood!

We still have a lot more to do. If you have been thinking of making the commitment to help us clean up Beechview, just give me a call at 412 531 6378, and I will put you on the map.

Thanks,
Max Hurwitz
Resident Busybody

Pretty Up Beechview Minutes

2008-08-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

This is the minutes from the meeting to formally turn Beechview Family clean-up into an organized neighborhood group. Our goal was to begin fleshing out our short term and long term objectives. We are an ambitious little group, but we are determined to grow, and to work closely with other groups already active in the neighborhood. With more volunteers, projects will be easier to complete.

Beechview Family Clean Up now know as Pretty Up Beechview
August 23, 2008 Agenda

1. Organization
a. Write a mission.
I. Goals list
*Promote group and create community awareness by contacting neighborhood schools, churches, groups.
* Have representative at community/school events. Utilize flyers (door-to-door & at local business) and * Submit article to Summit to promote group, specifically our adopt-a-block program and plant swap.
*Create e-mail list.

Pick-up:
*Discuss the addition of cardboard recycling at St. Pamphilus.
*Create awareness of recycling programs that are available in the neighborhood (curb-side, St. P) *Continue organizing clean up events. Organize events with other neighborhood groups (BAA, school, BACC).
Pretty-up:
*Organize neighborhood plant swap (tentative date Oct. 11 or 18th at Vanucci).
*Ask for plant donations at plant swap. Plan swap for spring.
*Plant gardens in additional sites (planters, on Broadway).
*Maintain billboard gardens.
* farmers market.

II. Timeline/jobs list for goals.
Farmers market contact (Ron)
Organize pick up with BAA/flag football (Christy)
Flyer-rough draft- promote group, advertise swap, website) Amy
Write mission (all)
School schedule (Christy)
Submit article to Summit ( Max)
Plant Swap, October 11 or 18 ( Christy)

b. Delegate responsibility
I. Determine positions
No defined positions at this point. Jobs will be determined at each meeting
II. Determine responsibilities for each job.

c. Name?
*We are now “ Pretty Up Beechview.
*Cleaning events are “Pick up events” Gardening are “Pretty Up events”

2. Events
a. Determine schedule (if we would like one)
*No schedule
b. Schedule next meeting
*Next meeting on Sat.,September 6

*Work closely with other existing groups and neighbors that are already active in gardening and cleaning in Beechview. This includes BACC, BAA, BCC and the Alpine(Aumers).

Get to work!

2008-08-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Beechview Family Clean Up has recently expanded our mission to include community gardening. Now our organized events include as much time planting seeds for the future of our neighborhood as it does cleaning up the trash of our past. We believe that sitting on our butts at home and complaining about the trash in the streets is just that, sitting on our butts.
We decided from the start that our group and the blog that is our public face, will always maintain a positive look on what we are doing and where we can continue to grow. With that goal we do not write negative posts and we do note support negative comments. We feel there is enough pessimistic attitudes in our neighborhood and that we are not providing a venue for that type of conversation.

I bring this up because recently we received a negative comment to our blog. I had the option of deleting it immediately, but feel that this is a good opportunity to encourage conversation.

"Who is allowing the graffiti to be painted on the walls of the subway bridge at Broadway & Wendzell? It makes Beechview look trashy." Anonymous

I was put off by this comment for a few reasons:
1. It attacks at an effort by some of our neighbors to be proactive in Beechview by working on a community supported mural, not a tag.
2. It is easy to disagree with the direction of our neighborhood with an anonymous e-mail. We encourage conversation in our group. If it is healthy, and the author is willing to stand behind it, we will publish criticism.
3. Our group was formed because we were tired of windbags complaining and not doing. There is plenty of real vandalism and real trash in our neighborhood that "makes Beechview look trashy." We welcome anyone to be proactive. Join us on one of our clean-ups, we have an extra pair of gloves waiting for you.
And don't be surprised if you make a friend out of your neighbor during one of our events. That of course is the ultimate goal, to turn our neighborhood into a community.

Check back soon for the next clean-up dates.

Max Hurwitz, Co-founder

Busy Summer, Late Follow-Up!

2008-07-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! It's hard to believe how fast the summer is whizzing by! I had every intention on writing a timely conclusion to the last SCA clean-up and here we are in the middle of July!

5 crews (20 kids) arrived at Vanucci parking lot on the morning June 26. Meyrna from Allegheny CleanWays greeted us with donuts and clean gloves. John and Kathy Murphy were there and gave a wonderful introduction about the Greenway. We were ready to go!

Since the garbage and tires were so far down the trail, the crew leaders and kids made what's called a daisy chain to haul stuff to the awaiting truck and dumpster. This way nobody had to walk far (and uphill) carrying a stinky tire or a heavy washing machine piece. We simply passed the debris to the next person in line. It was

very effective and the kids were very good at making sure everyone was pulling their own weight.

The results were amazing. We had so many tires piled up in the dumpster, it was hard to get a count. It had to be more than 50 which was really good for the amount of work it took to dig 'em out. We also managed to fill a truck with various pieces of furniture and other trash. All in all, the cleanup was a successful. The city took the trash away that afternoon so there weren't any piles left during the baseball games that evening. It ran like a well-oiled machine and everyone was filthy!

Since this particular dumping area is so immense, there is still a lot of stuff down there. Allegheny CleanWays mentioned the possibility of a 3rd clean up this coming fall. It would be scheduled on a weekend which will be more convenient for volunteers than a weekday cleanup. The SCA crews will be back in school, so the people power will need to come from you guys! I will definitely be there!

Hope to see you this Saturday!

Best regards,

Amy

More families committed

2008-06-03T18:37:00.000-07:00

Two more areas have been adopted for clean-up.
Thanks for the help!!
C. Hamilton & N. Blais

We are filling up the map with families that care.

Beechview-Seldom Seen Clean-up at Vanucci Field

2008-05-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

Taking another crack at the dumping behind Vanucci Field!

Thursday, June 26th, 2008
9am-3pm

Several SCA crews will be involved. The more the merrier!
We'll be meeting in the Vanucci Field Parking lot.

More info?
Contact Myrna Newman @ 412-381-1301

Thanks!

Amy

Seldom Seen Update

2008-05-20T12:27:00.001-07:00

A lot of the trash behind Shadycrest Drive has been there for a long, long time. The folks that initially put it there must of thought it would magically disappear. The truth of the matter is, it didn't and for years and years it remained an eyesore for the Greenway hikers. Who wants to see rusty bikes and blue pool linings in the middle of the woods? And "in the middle of the woods" was one of the issues when it came to cleaning that stuff out. Trail access points were either way over by Brashear or in the total opposite direction at the Armory. I'm sure many people who noticed the trash and felt the urge to remove it encountered this problem. There was only one practical way to pull it all out...straight up the hill between the houses and up to the curb for Public Works. If you've ever seen this hillside, it's like, "You're kidding, right?" Nope. The crew was ready for the challenge!

On Sunday morning, we arrived at 1161 Shadycrest Dr. and began our clean-up. It was strenuous and dangerous work. Everybody had to work together and be aware of the laws of gravity and physics, especially with the heavy stuff. After 3 solid hours of pushing and pulling, slipping and sliding, an impressive pile of trash had accumulated on the sidewalk: 2 wheelbarrels, 2 kitchen sinks, an exercise machine (the heaviest thing ever invented), 3 plastic sleds, an office chair, 2 TVs, a propane tank, various balls and broken toys, some unidentified electronic devices, a million golf balls (exaggerating, guys), and at least a dozen trash bags full of cans, bottles, and pieces of things.

The crew was totally exhausted, but energetically posed infront of our pile. WE CONQUERED the hillside! At least we got most of the big stuff. I'm extremely proud of my crew! Good job guys!

Next SCA challenge:

the Greenway trail behind Vanucci Field, Thursday, June 26th.

Allegheny Cleanways will be there! This will be their second time since the November cleanup at this particular site. If you can participate, we'd love to see you. Please contact Myrna Newman, the Project Coordinator of Allegheny CleanWays, at 412-381-1301 if you are interested.

Let's get it done! :)

~Amy

Cleaning up the Greenway!

2008-05-14T12:31:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

If you haven't been to the Beechview-Seldom Seen Greenway, now's the time to go! The may apples are blooming and the birds are in full-color attracting mates. The Greenway is a beautiful place to be in spring. It's a beautiful place to be ANY time of the year.

My name is Amy Bianco. I grew up and live in Beechview. This spring, I was re-hired as a crew leader for the Student Conservation Association (SCA). The SCA is a national non-profit organization based out of New Hampshire. Pittsburgh has its very own office downtown and works closely with the city and other organizations. Local high school students are hired as crew members and usually work through spring and summer doing litter clean-ups, vacant lot beautification, plantings, and trail maintenance in the city's parks.

After meeting with Josh, the SCA Community Coordinator, I found out that he's been wanting to get crews in the Seldom Seen Greenway for some time now. Having grown up in the Shadycrest neighborhood of Beechview and practically growing up in those woods, I eagerly volunteered to coordinate the project.

My crew and I have been working in the Greenway on weekends since April picking up trash, cutting vines, removing invasive plants, and fixing parts of the trail. The kids really like it, especially walking the tressels down by the tracks and crossing the creek (with only 2 cases of soak n' wet, head to toe). We work rain or shine and the spring showers have sure been muddy, but that's what makes it so fun! I'm also excited to be helping the community.

Along with the community family clean-ups that are posted, I would like to let you all in on what the SCA crew is up to.

This coming Sunday, May 18th, we will be teaming up with other crews tackling the litter behind Shadycrest Drive. Part of the Greenway trail runs behind the Drive and although there may not be dumping now, there are sinks, wheelbarrels, tires, (and even an exercise machine) that have been on the hillside for years. Now's the time to do something about it!

Neighbors and residents are welcome to help out at this event. In fact, you guys can help anytime! If interested in coming on Sunday you are welcome to give me a call at 412-571-9998. If you're interested in helping to maintain the Greenway or even if you're just interested in the trails or the history of the Greenway, contact Kathy Murphy at 412-341-9367. She is the secretary of the Friends of the Green and Seldom Seen and has been an awesome resource for the crew.

Stay posted for another big litter clean-up in the Vanucci Field part of the Greenway that will be happening this June. The crew will be teaming up with Allegheny Cleanways to remove the litter and dumping found over the hillside. Allegheny Cleanways was at the same site this past November, so that gives you an idea of how bad it is. Again, volunteers are strongly encouraged to help. I will post the date ASAP. Persistance=Power!

Thanks to everyone who is helping to make Beechview a clean and safe community!

Amy

Clean-up happy

2008-05-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

We had a successful first clean-up, despite the early morning drizzle and surprisingly chilly weather. We set out early and continued to work as the weather turned to sunny and beautiful and our cleaning efforts made the playground and ball field a bit nicer and, well, cleaner. Thank you to all who came and helped out. Special thanks to Amy Dirtyboots and her crew of students for volunteering their time on a Saturday in our neighborhood. Thank you guys, and girl, we appreciate the extra assistance.

It feels good to do something positive for my community, even if it is an act as simple as picking up trash. Now I am looking forward to our next clean-up and have some momentum to get this Adopt- A- Block program moving forward. We have four families committed to help, but we need much more. If you see a spot on the map that you would like to take over give me a call, your efforts will be appreciated.

"I want to take a broom and sweep the alleys and the lanes, and I want to clean their houses with my own hands."

These are the words of the Badshah Khan, he used the simple act of cleaning for others, friends or enemies, to teach a violent nation to come together in peace, and he was successful. I just want my neighbors to stop littering and figure out a way to act like neighbors. Maybe lend a cup of sugar, or call a "hello" over the fence. A simple request, but once we become a neighborhood, then we can move on from there to become a community, one that others may want to visit or a business may want to invest.

Enough of my dreams, here are some photos from todays clean-up.

Here is our odd find for the day. If you look closely you will see a tattoo around the navel.

The Dumping Grounds. We found the largest collection of trash tossed over the rail next to the parking lot at Vannucci Field. This included car parts, construction materials, a soggy bag of clothes, and a whole area painted blue.

Our final tally:
12.5 volunteers
8 sodas and 6 waters drank
2 pairs of work gloves thrown away
5 teenagers that can now recognize poison ivy
18 bags of trash collected
16 bags of recycling collected

See you all at the next clean-up

First Clean-Up

2008-05-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Our first clean-up is this Saturday at 9am. We will meet at the Alton playground(next to Beechwood elementary).

See you all this weekend.

Thanks for the great work!!!

2008-04-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

This picture at Crosby and Broadway is a City owned property. Chuck Becker, an employee of Davio's restaurant, spent the last few weeks cleaning up the hillside on Crosby where it joins Broadway. He was aided by Gary (?last name) who lives just across Crosby from Davio's. Thanks for the great job Chuck and Gary!

This photo at Coast and Broadway is an area that has grown over after several trees were cut down. I've asked Councilman Motznik if the Redd Up crew can clear the area at the bottom of the retaining wall. Let's see if the City Crew can match the work of our neighborhood volunteers.

Don

Earth Day Clean-up

2008-04-22T06:54:00.000-07:00

The first clean-up of the year went well. Residents trickled in starting at 9am and split up to cover different areas in the neighborhood. Our little family enjoyed the opportunity to get out for a walk on a beautiful day, meet some neighbors and just happened to load up a few bags with trash on the way. We collected 5 bags of trash and 5 bags of recycling. I don't know what the neighborhood total was, but I do know that the streets look a lot better for the effort.
Thank you to everyone who took part and I will see you in May at the Alton playground.

Good News!

2008-03-31T11:48:00.001-07:00

Allegheny Greenways will be providing bags, gloves and safety vests for our clean up days.

For more information on the Cleanways program visit http://www.pacleanways.org/index.html

Beechview Community Planning Workshop

2008-03-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

Todays workshop went well; it was a smaller crowd than the past meeting, but everyone present was ready to work for the neighborhood, not just talk about it.

Block Watch Meeting
Are you concerned about the neighborhood?
April 3, 7pm.
Beechview UP Church (across from Foodland, downstairs)

Beechview Area Concerned Citizens
Community Clean-up info
April 3, 8pm
UP Church

Redd-Up/Earth Day Beechview Neighborhood Clean-up Day
Saturday, April 19, 9am-noon
Come out and help clean up Beechview
CALL 412-341-8768 for more information

Friends of Beechview Library Annual Flower Sale
Going on now!!!
Hanging baskets and a wide variety of flats available.
Order and pay for by April 7th
Pick up on May 17th
Library 412-563-2900

Thank you to everyone that came out to the meeting today. Please keep checking back to our site as we will continue to try and keep it updated with neighborhood information and soon we would like to add an adopt-a-block program.

Where do we start?

2008-03-27T17:09:00.000-07:00

We have plans about where to start, but we are open to any suggestions for how to continue this project in the future. Send us a line, get involved, we would love to hear from you.
This is what we are beginning with :

1. Increase the number of neighborhood clean up days.

2. Start an adopt-a-block program.

3. Implement a neighborhood "311" for areas in need of some assisted cleanup.

4. Coordinate with other groups working in the neighborhood doing clean up, planting flowers in public areas, organizing community gatherings, anything supporting bringing our neighborhood together.

We need your ideas. If you think of a good one please send it our way. If you would like to volunteer please come to one of our clean up days.

Save these dates!

May 10
Alton Playground- we are going to start at Vannucci field and work through the playground and out into the surrounding neighborhood a bit.
June 22
Broadway & Wenzell- we will start here and work our way to the playground on Pauline.
July 19
Your Block
Meet at Foodland for supplies and return later for snacks.

For information on how to help call Max & Bethany Hurwitz at 412-531 6378.