January 2009 - test-neighbhorhood@test.highlandparkpa.com

[Highland Park] Meeting Summary for Bloomfield-Garfield Peabody Stakeholder Meeting
by Kathryn Fine 09 Jan '09

09 Jan '09

I apologize for the announcement of this meeting arriving to late. PURE Reform attended the meeting and the summary is below. PURE Reform is dedicated to a free flow of information regarding the PPS so that all stakeholders can be informed and we encourage you to visit our website and blog at www.purereform.com. January 7, 2009 Bloomfield Garfield Corporation meeting About 30 people attended. The meeting started with introductions of PPS staff at the meeting: Nancy Kodman, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives, is the staff person assigned to work with BGC. Sam Franklin, Project Director of the Sci-Tech High School Susan Chersky-Communications and Marketing School Board members were invited but did not attend. Rick Flanagan, Youth Development Director for BGC, opened with “Why we are here”: meeting was called in reaction to announcement of recommendation of the IB Site Selection Committee’s to place the IB magnate program at Peabody. BCG has requested information, including list of participants from this selection committee and Lisa Fischetti has committed to providing this information.Concern about various community groups working in isolation (Westinghouse/Homewood community, IB community, BG etc.). PURE Reform informed group that we are trying to provide a forum for various community groups and stakeholders to gain information about each other’s activities, plans etc. through our website and blog. Need to address loss of students in Peabody feeder pattern and to raise student achievementNeed to decrease per pupil costConcerns about lack of ongoing Peabody planning processConcern about lack of a regional planning process At this point, the group was encouraged to bring up concerns/ideas that they could present to the superintendent. Some of the comments/concerns included: What assurances do we have that the board/superintendent will seriously consider input from the community?It has been reported that this year’s freshmen class will be the last to attend Peabody. Concerns raised by parents of current students and others with younger children in the feeder pattern about where their children will go to high school. Nancy Kodman stated that it was only a recommendation and that no decisions regarding Peabody has been made yet.Why are the IB parents able to select where their program will be located but no input from Peabody stakeholders was solicited?Peabody student asked that security be addressed (at Peabody?)PURE Reform asked that the lack of a full service, comprehensive high school in the east end be addressed. Names were taken to participate in the Peabody Stakeholder Working Group and PURE Reform has signed on to participate. Next meeting time place TBA. Kathy Fine (412) 361-7904 _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. http://windowslive.com/howitworks?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_allup_howitworks_012…

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[Highland Park] Old computer?
by Christy Valencheck 08 Jan '09

08 Jan '09

If you aren't sure what to do with your old computer, please ask God (or your wife or your dog or whomever you ask such things) if you should give it away...to us! thanks, christy

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[Highland Park] Update: Verizon Service Restored After 7 Days
by Louis Brown 08 Jan '09

08 Jan '09

Here's the promised update to the Verizon Outage post last week. The Verizon outage covered at least a dozen houses on Cordova, King, Bryant and Negley (no FIOS subscribers and only some of the Plain-Old-Telephone-Service and DSL users were affected). The outage lasted a week, from 2:00PM Tuesday, December 30 to 1:00AM Wednesday, January 7. Some folks were credited a full month of phone and DSL, others were credited $25. Bob at Channel 4's "Call for Action" was a big help, too. Thanks. Louis Brown Cordova Rd

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[Highland Park] Handyman
by Garry Jacobs 08 Jan '09

08 Jan '09

I've been doing work in the HP area for over a year now. Before we branch out we would like to see if there is anything that needs to be done.Hp has kept us busy but it's been awhile since I've put a new request for jobs.I've been going under the name S.O.S. Maintenance. If you need anything installed, replaced, built, repaired, Just Ask. If we can't do it well we won't do it! Phone# 412-378-2040 E-mail gljonetwo(a)gmail.com Thanks Garry Jacobs

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[Highland Park] Verizon or Comcast for DSL?
by Neepa Majumdar 08 Jan '09

08 Jan '09

I was just about to subscribe to Verizon for DSL service but noticed the recent email about intermittent DSL service from Verizon. That, in addition to the fact that Verizon took 10 days to connect my landline when I moved from one place to another in Highland Park, is making me reconsider. Not to mention an entire street left without phone service for more than a week! The most recent Consumer Reports has rated Verizon highest for quality and quite low for service. They have very little to say about Comcast. Any recommendations on the relative merits of Verizon and Comcast DSL service in this neighborshood would be most welcome. I don't want/need FiOS at this point. I have a Verizon landline and Comcast cable. Thanks, Neepa Majumdar

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Re: [Highland Park] Problems with Internet Verizon Service
by Jessica Miller 08 Jan '09

08 Jan '09

Just wanted to mention I have been very happy with my comcast DSL and phone service. Outages are infrequent and fixed readily. (However I probably would not have their phone service if I didn't have a cell bc of the occasional outage.) Jessica --- On Thu, 1/8/09, Maria Teresa Saenz Robles <msaenz+(a)pitt.edu> wrote: From: Maria Teresa Saenz Robles <msaenz+(a)pitt.edu> Subject: [Highland Park] Problems with Internet Verizon Service To: neighborhood(a)highlandparkpa.com Date: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 10:12 AM Is it only my impression or the Verizon Service (I have DSL) has been quite erratic lately? In the afternoon/evening the signal is there, but quite weak, slow and, sometimes, disappearing completely. That makes connections to internet quite frustrating... Any input from FIOS subscribers if the system is really worth to have internet access? Thanks! Mayte Sáenz Heberton Street Louis Brown wrote: Here’s the promised update to the Verizon Outage post last week. The Verizon outage covered at least a dozen houses on Cordova, King, Bryant and Negley (no FIOS subscribers and only some of the Plain-Old-Telephone-Service and DSL users were affected). The outage lasted a week, from 2:00PM Tuesday, December 30 to 1:00AM Wednesday, January 7. Some folks were credited a full month of phone and DSL, others were credited $25. Bob at Channel 4’s “Call for Action” was a big help, too. Thanks. Louis Brown Cordova Rd -----Inline Attachment Follows----- -- <http://lists.highlandparkpa.com/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood>

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[Highland Park] Announcing the start of Girl Scout Cookies!
by DenshawSoulliere＠comcast.net 08 Jan '09

08 Jan '09

Hello Neighbors, This Friday, January 9th, is the official start of Girl Scout Cookie season. Please be on the lookout for Brownies from your local Highland Park Troop 54281 as they make their rounds. If you have questions, please contact the Troop Co-Leaders, Joan Soulliere at denshawsoulliere(a)comcast.net or Stephanie Walsh at walsh_steph(a)hotmail.com Thank you! Joan Soulliere and Stephanie Walsh

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[Highland Park] 2 spots available in a Greek appetizer & pastry class
by Dorothy Tague 08 Jan '09

08 Jan '09

The purpose of this class is to teach you how to work with phyllo and fried dough. January 13th from 6:30-9:30 PM a.. spiced spiral lamb pies (appetizers) with apricots and currants b.. Mediterrean triangle appetizers with meat, peppers, capers, and olives c.. Spanikopita ...spinach and feta appetizers d.. Baklava with walnuts and a honey orange syrup e.. Loukoumades...fried honey crisp donuts f.. Thiples...fried pastry dough with honey, nuts, cinnamon, and sesame seeds A Greek salad will be served and you need to bring a tupperware container to take home the extra goodies! Dorothy 412-362-0679 Chop, WOK & Talk!

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[Highland Park] Bring some new color into your home during the long winter months!
by Suzie s 08 Jan '09

08 Jan '09

Neighborhood painters, Kelly and Paul Dougherty are scheduling interior painting: Color consultation Getting your house ready for sale. Combined 35 years experience. HEPA VAC sanding and clean up Using environmentally friendly Benjamin Moore Aura Paint Free estimates PHONE CALLS ONLY!! 412-362-9517 Day Time Cell: 412-915-1436 _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live™ Hotmail®: Chat. Store. Share. Do more with mail. http://windowslive.com/howitworks?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_hm_justgotbetter_how…

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[Highland Park] Street Lights on N. Highland Avenue
by Susuboombatz＠aol.com 08 Jan '09

08 Jan '09

Just a f.y.i. - I made my 2nd call to the Mayor's 311 Response Line today - the first call being about 10 days ago, regarding the street lights that are out along the 1100 block of N. Highland between Bryant Ct and Hampton St. At first there were only 2 lights out - now there are 3; they said it is usually a 1 to 3 day response to calls, so hopefully are streets will be illuminated midweek! Thanks! Sue B. **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026)

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