August 2008 - test-neighbhorhood@test.highlandparkpa.com

[Highland Park] is your cat missing??
by Susuboombatz＠aol.com 03 Aug '08

03 Aug '08

This cat is primarily black with patches of white and very long whiskers. Looks to be a medium to long haired cat. I think it is wearing a flea collar that is dangling pretty loosely. It very matted and scared. It was on our yard this afternoon - but when I called 'kitty' it took off through some bushes. We are on N. Highland Ave., near Bryant Court. Hopefully it belongs to someone who receives this e-mail!! We put food out for it.....looks like it needs a good meal! thanks! Sue **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00050000000… )

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[Highland Park] Energy Audits Update
by CKulk44＠aol.com 03 Aug '08

03 Aug '08

Hi Neighbors, Thanks for all of the responses on this. I've done a fair amount of research on this and will try to share some of what I've learned. First of all, anyone interested in knowing more about Energy Audits should look at the PA Home Energy web site at http://www.pahomeenergy.com/ The site has a lot of good information and if you click on the link Find a qualified service provider you'll get a few responses and may even hear from one of their trainers who will help you understand the process and will do whatever he can to verify that you will be getting an audit that follows Energy Star standards. The guy who called me was great and very helpful. In addition, the web site has a PDF file of approved "Energy Star" Service Providers. Another resource is an article written by one of our neighbors: "Hi Claudette: I did a story on this: Check out: http://www.wqed.org/ondemand/onq.php?cat=&id=55&search=energy Hope this helps. Pierina Morelli" Here are the recommendations various people made: 1. By far the most often recommended was: Conservation Consultants, Inc. (CCI) on the South Side. They are a non-profit group. Phone number: 412-431-4449. Web site: http://ccicenter.org/ They are on the PA Energy Audit Provider List. 2. "Michael Ashburn (http://www.ashburnhomeinspections.com/Home_Page.html) also does residential energy audits in this area. He provided us with a very thorough home inspection when we bought our house this spring and included lots of energy improvement tips during his inspection and in the report." When I called Michael, he was very friendly and provided me with lots of information. However, he is not on the PA Energy Audit Provider List. 3. "i know michael merck is great. i use him at work, reasonable pricing and very informative!" http://www.westpennenergyaudits.com When I talked to this Michael (of West Penn Energy Audits), he, too, was very friendly and informative. He is also a contractor and can do the work he recommends. He is on the approved list. 4. "Envinity (http://envinity.com/index.html) specialize in residential and commericial energy auditing and provide Energy Star home certification for new construction. They are based in State College, PA but work in this area." While this company will do audits in the area, it's very expensive unless they have other jobs that help pay for their travel time. 5. I called a couple of others on the Provider list and got the following. The second one provides a fairly complete outline of what to expect in an audit: >From Tom Branch at Comfy House (412-423-9034): "While 'walk through evaluations' to point out obvious energy wasters start at $75.00, PA Home Energy Audits start at $350.00 and increase with the size and complexity of the structure. Safety is a major concern with all home energy conservation measures. Our advanced techniques enable us to predict how much we can tweak your homes energy performance, while improving healthy ventilation and reducing dust levels. These audits are about increasing comfort while preparing for an expensive energy future. In many cases we can help you bring old homes up to nearly new energy standards." >From Rob Hosken at Building Performance Architecture (412-576-3743): "As you requested, I have written a summary of what you will receive when you hire Building Performance Architecture to perform an energy audit of your home. Building Performance Architecture is uniquely positioned among energy audit providers, giving unbiased, professional recommendations for improving the energy efficiency of your home. As an architecture firm, BPA brings a well-rounded view of energy-efficient building science to each energy audit, without feeling the need to recommend one type of improvement over another based on profit motive. A Building Performance Architecture residential energy audit includes the following: Pre-Visit: - Consult with customer regarding their concerns & the energy audit process - Collect utility bill information from customer On-Site Testing & Inspection - Safety testing, including: Natural Gas Leaks, Ambient Carbon Monoxide Levels, Combustion safety (venting and carbon monoxide) for furnace, water heater & range. - Duct system, including air leakage, pressure balancing and insulation - Building Envelope Integrity, including: o Blower Door testing for air leakage o Infrared Thermography for air leakage, moisture and insulation problems - Visual Inspection of building size & configuration, doors, windows, insulation, moisture problems, hazardous materials, appliances & lighting - Brief visit by contractor to facilitate improvement cost estimating Computerized Energy Modeling and Improvement Analysis - Modeling of existing conditions and energy use, utilizing utility bills and field-collected data - Modeling and cost analysis of possible improvements - Generation of reports showing existing energy use and potential future energy cost savings based on improvement “packages” - Report on energy & financial rate of return, or “Savings-to-Investment Ratio,” of improvements & improvement packages Unfortunately, public utilities do NOT provide Energy Audits for free. To get an Energy Star audit (versus a simple "visual" or "walk-through" audit), you will need to spend anywhere from $200 to $500 (the range is due to a variety of factors including equipment used). The basic "state-of-the-art" equipment includes something called a "blower door" (you can find many explanations online) and some kind of computerized reporting. The GOOD NEWS, however, is that currently CCI has a grant that helps pay for work done after an audit. They charge $400 for an Energy Star audit and if you then spend $500 on following through on their recommendations, they REBATE THE ENTIRE $400!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't resist, so I have my audit scheduled for later this month. I will let you all know how it goes. Claudette **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00050000000… )

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[Highland Park] HP List of Recommended Local Seamstresses/Alterations Specialists
by msranders 02 Aug '08

02 Aug '08

Hello All - thank you for your feedback. For those who wanted to know what I learned, read on.... Augie's Tailoring on Bryant St. across from Walnut Market. Augie on Bryant St. is excellent for alterations and extremely reasonable. Go to Auggie's on Bryant Street. Great guy who's been doing alterations forever. A regular institution. Irene's on Murray Ave in Squirrel Hill I used IRENE'S TAILORING, 1833 Murray Avenue 15217, 412 521 7933. She is across from Eat 'n Park and Philip Pelusi in Squirrel Hill. Irene Petruska altered a dirndl and blouse for me. She also hemmed the choir outfit. This was a German choir outfit for a very large woman that had pieces in the blouse and dirndl. It now fits me perfectly. The price was extremely reasonable. I have been using Rocky's Tailor and Dry Cleaning located on Liberty Avenue next to Salon Bella Mia. I have had good results with Rocky. Please tell him that I referred you. There is a place on Liberty Avenue closer to the Baum Blvd end. If you come from Baum and TR on Liberty it is on the right - only a few blocks down. They do the work there with a quick turnaround. I made the mistake of taking my stuff to Giant eagle dry cleaners and they charged me 20.00 to sew a small hem and it took four weeks to come back. I wont do that again. Local Seamstess in Highland Park. I can do alterations and drapery. Please contact me by phone if interested. Contact Maria 412-363-3234 Being 6' 9'' tall I have a way of relating to plus sizes...Ludmila Khvan (milakhvan(a)yajoo.com) of Friendship is my choice. There is an EXTREMELY reasonable and wonderfully skilled women in Sharpsburg right across the highland park bridge , or Flemming Bridge. She is absolutely wonderful. Zoe Collins 412,799.0616. I can not recommend her highly enough! The best I have found is on Freeport Road in Fox Chapel next to the Baskin and Robbins ice cream store. He is Italian and excellent. I go to Gloria's alterations in Verona at 743 Allegheny river blvd 412 820-2344

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[Highland Park] queen side bed
by richard schonbachler 02 Aug '08

02 Aug '08

i have a gueen size bed for free. head board and the box spring and matress. call rich 412-931-9148

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[Highland Park] St. Raphael Church Bazaar
by EMckin1135＠aol.com 02 Aug '08

02 Aug '08

St. Raphael Parish Bazaar Chislett Street - Morningside Thursday through Sunday, August 7-10 7-10:30pm Games, Rides, Huge Flea Market Bingo, Live Entertainment, Food and More! $10,000 Raffle Live Entertainment Schedule includes: Friday - Steel City Slickers (Today's Country) Saturday - Best of Broadway Show Tunes Sunday - The Softwinds (DooWop) **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00050000000… )

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[Highland Park] remodeling of Reynold's on Bryant
by Reynold Fernandes 02 Aug '08

02 Aug '08

Reynold's On Bryant Restaurant 5904 Bryant Street Well, I'm sure many of you may be wondering..."What's up at Reynold's?" Let me give you an update: 1) We are still open for catering, as is the Banquet Room for Private Affairs. 2) Our Walk-in cooler chilled it's last food. It had a very slow and sad passing. 3) We are in the process of replacing/repairing the cooler. 4) We also are gong to do some much needed remodeling (i.e. the carpet) and Last But NOT Least.......... We WILL re-open........ Check back for updates. And remember, Catering is still available. See you at the Jazz Festival!!! Chef Rey & Susan 412-361-1921 Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much....Eat More! _________________________________________________________________ With Windows Live for mobile, your contacts travel with you. http://www.windowslive.com/mobile/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_mobile_07…

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[Highland Park] Kids' Activities during the Reservoir of Jazz concerts
by Nevena Staresinic 01 Aug '08

01 Aug '08

All Highland Park Kids and their friends, Here is the schedule we planned for kids' activities during the jazz concerts, every Sunday in August, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. We will also set out a large blanket with board games and table for crafts for various ages as well as some more active games like parachutes and Twister for kids who do not wish to participate in the organized activity. August 3rd: Scavenger Hunt: Kids-detectives will be in teams & get a list of items to find in the park. Volunteers needed: to assist younger detectives in their searches & supervise kids during the scavenger hunt. Also supervision needed for quiet games for kids who do not wish to participate in scavenger hunt. Please respond to this email if you can help. August 10th: Relay races: Sack, 3-legged, classic runnning, obstacle course. This is our trademark & the kids love winning ribbons. August 17th: Brain Quest trivia contest: Kids will be in teams & this will be a game show format. Questions will be of different levels depending on each child's age. August 24th: Arts & craft project: We will make musical instruments such as rain sticks, tambourines, etc. August 31st: Science experiments: We will make ziploc ice cream; and slime. Hope to see you soon! Jana&Nevena from Highland Park Children's Committe

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[Highland Park] refinishing floors
by LeeAnn Wagner Cica 01 Aug '08

01 Aug '08

Hi, I am looking at the 2005 trades list and see that B & D Custom Hardwood Flooring with Bill Mascaro was recommended by 3 people at that time. The rest of the listings are single recommendations. Has anyone used A Satin Finish or Sal's Hardwood? We have oak floors that need to be refinished. thanks LeeAnn LeeAnn Wagner Cica lawcica(a)stargate.net Albert Pine said, "What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal."

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[Highland Park] looking for a nanny for friends who have recently moved to Pittsburgh
by George Loewenstein 01 Aug '08

01 Aug '08

They are very nice, and would be pleasant to work for. They can be flexible with the days/times but preferably looking for 3 mornings a week from 830am-1230pm, or 3 afternoons from 3pm-6pm. Based on Forbes Avenue near CMU for 13 month old son. References will be requested. Email: <mailto:sunitasahuk@yahoo.co.uk>sunitasahuk(a)yahoo.co.uk and <mailto:marknixon1@gmail.com>marknixon1(a)gmail.com, Telephone: 412-880-8782 thanks, George Loewenstein

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[Highland Park] childcare needed wednesday afternoons
by Kim Kenseth 31 Jul '08

31 Jul '08

Hi, I've enrolled in classes for the fall and need someone to watch my children (Oona will be 3 in September and Owen turns 6 next week) at my home until my husband returns from work. I'm pretty flexible with scheduling. I only need someone here on Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:00 and would pay $20 for the hour and a half. If those hours seem like too little I could do 1:00 or 2:00 until 6:00 (at $10 an hour) and I'd just use the extra time to study. I would pick up my son from school at 3:30 and bring him back home so you don't have to worry about transporting them and would only have my daughter for part of the day if you choose longer hours. We live in Morningside, I'm hoping this is close enough to Highland Park not to present a problem. Please email me if you're interested. thank you, Kim Kenseth

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