November 2007 - test-neighbhorhood@test.highlandparkpa.com

[Highland Park] Halloween
by flamingoblue 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

Thanks all for your input. I found most folks shared my concerns, and I got quite a bit of very positive feedback from kids and parents when they noticed my sign. I found no reason to deny candy to any one. All had on costumes from the most creative and elaborate, to something simple. I like to chat a bit with the kids about their costumes. One young boy was dressed in scrubs and he was a doctor. He had grand imaginings of being both a brain surgeon and a heart doctor. Another boy had on a sweatshirt with a coin design - he was Fifty Cent. I like to see just a little sign of creativity and imagination and I was pleased to give candy to all. We had so many kids, I ran out of candy at 7:00 and shut down. I had purchased 150 pieces!! I might have eaten a couple myself. I think the older kids without costumes came later since I didnt see any this year. Thanks again for all your thoughts, Marty Harkins

1 0

[Highland Park] List of Plumbers
by Mike Ransdell 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

Thanks again to everyone who offered plumber recommendations. As promised, here are all of the responses (in the order they arrived): 1. Al Bouman - 724 462 8456. He's come twice on time, courteous, free estimates and cheerful disposition. Also, he cleans up after repairs. 2. Seigle Plumbing & Heating - 412-681-9091 3. Bob at Standard Plumbing on S. Milvale Ave. 4. I've actually had good luck with RotoRooter. You always get a different person, but they are very knowledgeable. Also fairly priced, I think. Oh, you can get a sizable discount if you use a coupon from the phone book. I used someone else last time--Morrie Cohen. He comes quickly--no waiting--does the work, leaves without saying goodbye, no chit chat, but good and fairly reasonable as these things go. 5. We have had very good experience with B & F Plumbing, 412-682-7151. We've been using them for 20 years. 6. I've used R.J. Johanssen [check spelling] on Baum Blvd in the ~remote past, on recomm's from a few neighbors. Found them reliable, maybe a little expensive. 7. Reliable Plumbing - Charles Hicks 8. Ron McCarrison does our plumbing -- a truly nice guy who works on his own. He's based in Verona. I got his name from the original Highland Park list about 8 years ago (after a bad experience with Stahl Plumbing). 9. Seigle Plumbing and Heating - 412-681-9091 10. My plumber's name is Marty. He's very nice. His number is 412 - 741- 2786. 11. We have used Joe Hoffmann for nearly six years - fair, nice, honest. 412-921-8662 12. RDN Plumbing - Recommended by two people. Here was one of the responses: Try RDN Plumbing (412-462-1435). They're in West Homestead, but have several plumbers, one or two of whom focus on East End. About 8 months ago, I had a problem with a leaking shower faucet, that my prior plumber had told me could only be repaired by ripping out the wall and reinstalling the entire valve. RDN's guy came out, found the problem, had to go downtown to get a replacement part, but had the thing fixed in a total of about 4 hours. Price was reasonable, but not "cheap", and the wall did not need to be touched. He even alerted me to the risk that the other shower faucet could develop the same problem, showed me how to fix it myself and gave me info I needed to buy a backup valve core. One drawback to these guys--they do only plumbing, no heating or cooling system work. 13. I have used "M&D Plumbing" several times over the last ten years. You can call Marty Kralik at 412-741-2786. He has always returned my call the same day and did the needed repairs the next day. I think he's very reasonable for a plumber. They have done everything from a new hot water heater to leaking pipes. Highly recommended. 14. We are seriously in love with Richard Dodaro, whom we found on Angie's List. He has now done three different jobs for us, responded quickly and showed up reliably and we're about to use him for a major gut job/renovation on our master bathroom. His number is 412-243-1796 or 412-906-3772. 15. We have been using Kangaroo plumbing. He is expensive but very good. 16. Nick Poillucci - 412 621 2502 17. Frank Rezzetano - 412 767 0207

1 0

[Highland Park] halloween
by Kudrick, Rachel 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

Did anyone else have the experience of the foul-mouthed, frenzied-driving woman in the van? She was carting around six or seven teenage boys, only one of whom had a costume. The boys were pleasant enough. When I asked them what they were dressed as, they each had witty responses. But this was CLEARLY nuts. On a night when so many young children are out on the streets, to have a van ripping down the street and taking corners so quickly, barely slowing down for stop signs, and then the driver yelling the F-word at the kids she's driving around.... It was too much. I couldn't get a good look at her license plate number, and I was, frankly, afraid to confront her, since she was clearly easy to anger, and now knew where I lived... Did anyone else get a good look and call 911 on her? I'd be happy to help in any way if there's another complaint out there. Thanks! Rachel Kudrick

1 0

[Highland Park] mason
by diane matway 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

I am in need of a mason. Can anyone recommend one that they've had a good experience with?

1 0

[Highland Park] Citizen Observer-Daily Blotter
by Brackney, Rashall 31 Oct '07

31 Oct '07

Hello Everyone, I just wanted to update everyone on the Citizen Observer and alert you to the fact that the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police will list all incidents reported throughout the city on a "blotter." Steps for accessing the blotter are below. For those of you who are not yet familiar with the Citizen Observer, I have attached some information from the website. The City of Pittsburgh, Bureau of Police's newest community safety project: CitizenObserver, the communication tool for a new century. We are providing information that will include new ways to keep us all connected and informed and will help keep our community safer. Watch Groups can have their own dedicated page on CitizenObserver to stay informed about what is happening in your neighborhood. You can receive Watch Group Alerts directly from our department about crimes or other incidents that are uniquely relevant to you. Local businesses can participate in the Business Alert Network. Be sure to select your correct business category when you sign up so that we only send you alerts that impact your company. There is no limit to what we can accomplish in the pursuit of a safer Pittsburgh if we all work together, stay alert and stay connected! Be sure you SIGN UP <http://www.citizenobserver.com/registration.jsp> with CitizenObserver.com. Once you have signed up, the steps for accessing the blotter are as follows: 1. Click: Communities 2. Click: Groups 3. Click/Drop Down Box: State 4. Hit: Find Groups 5. Click: Bureau of Police * At this point, you can also click a particular Zone to access the alerts that have been sent out.* 6. Click: Blotter As always, stay safe! Cmdr RaShall M. Brackney, Commander Zone Five Station Penn Circle West and Ansley Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206 (412) 665-3605

2 1