- test-neighbhorhood@test.highlandparkpa.com

[Highland Park] Move Obama IB to Peabody - Public Hearing on 2/7 at 7pm at Peabody
by Dave Atkinson 25 Jan '10

25 Jan '10

Hello Neighbors, Would you like college bound 6-12 students in our neighborhood to have an excellent local school they can attend? Do you think that East Liberty, Friendship, Garfield, Highland Park, Stanton Heights and Sunnyside deserve a successful middle school and high school nearby? Whether you are a student, parent or member of the community, you can help make this happen. Peabody can become the home of the Obama 6-12 International Baccalaureate school - but this will only happen with YOUR HELP. What's going on with Peabody High School? Peabody may be closed very soon. Three out of four students in the Peabody feeder pattern choose a school other than Peabody (the feeder pattern is the geographic area assigned to the neighborhood school) . By the Fall of 2012, it's estimated only 194 students will attend Peabody, and the recent <http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/143110112993329507/site/default.asp> DeJong Long Term Facility Report recommends closing Peabody. What is Obama IB? <http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/539320111414234377/site/default.asp> The Obama 6-12 International Baccalaureate School is a magnet school that offers a rigorous curriculum with an international focus. Obama IB is open to any student in the district, but students have to apply and meet certain academic criteria to remain enrolled. IB schools have long been popular in affluent areas; they provide students with advantages that help them succeed in an increasingly globalized work environment. Some of the country <http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-schools/2009/12/09/americas-b est-high-schools-gold-medal-list.html?PageNr=1> 's best high schools are IB Schools. Why should Peabody be the home of Obama IB? Strong neighborhoods need strong schools. Obama IB at Peabody gives families an incentive to live in neighborhoods north of the busway rather than moving to Squirrel Hill, Shadyside or the suburbs. Furthermore, a PGH <http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/mostread/s_601764.html> Public School Committee made up of students, parents and teachers recommended that Peabody be the home of Obama IB. (Disclaimer: I was a member of that committee). The DeJong Facility Report ranked Peabody as a BETTER FACILITY than Reizenstein - but then recommended keeping Obama IB at Reizenstein! Obama IB at Peabody provides a great opportunity for students, and it will strengthen our neighborhoods. What can YOU do? Here's what you can do: 1) Forward this email to your friends and neighbors - especially people in neighborhoods north of the busway. 2) Attend the public hearing at Peabody on 2/7 at 7pm or Westinghouse on 2/25 at 7pm and voice your support for Obama IB at Peabody. 3) Email your Board Member at <mailto:boardoffice@pghboe.net> boardoffice(a)pghboe.net or call at (412) 622-3770 and ask him or her to move Obama IB to Peabody a. IF YOU EMAIL, BE SURE TO INCLUDE 'MOVE OBAMA IB TO PEABODY - ATTN: BOARD MEMBER'S NAME' IN THE SUBJECT b. District 2 (Highland Park, Stanton Heights, Sunnyside) - Dara Ware Allen c. District 3 (East Liberty, Friendship, Garfield) - Thomas Sumpter d. Example Text: 'Dear Board Member: I am a student/parent/community member in your district. I support moving the Obama IB School to Peabody. It's a superior facility and will support families in my neighborhood better than the Reizenstein facility. East Liberty, Friendship, Garfield, Highland Park, Stanton Heights and Sunnyside deserve a local 6-12 school that college bound students want to attend." 4) Please email me at westpennworks(a)gmail.com with your comments and let me know if you would like to do more to help. Your help will make a difference. Thank you. Dave Atkinson Parent and Highland Park Resident <mailto:westpennworks@gmail.com> westpennworks(a)gmail.com

1 0

[Highland Park] Two free monitors
by Michelle Butler 25 Jan '10

25 Jan '10

Two computer monitors (not flat screen). Let me know if you have a use for both or either. Michelle Butler

1 0

[Highland Park] Ikea Blinds have been taken
by Jamie Phillips 25 Jan '10

25 Jan '10

Thanks.

1 0

[Highland Park] free furniture
by judi teeter 25 Jan '10

25 Jan '10

Hi Neighbors, We have two couches and one chair that we are ready to give away. All are comfortable and in reasonable shape, but also somewhat worn. The olive green IKEA couch has a rip in the back of one of the cushion covers. They also have been used by cats and dogs, so probably not for people with allergies. Great for a family room. Photos attached. They are in our garage ready to be carried away. Judi Teeter

1 0

[Highland Park] Intermediate/Advanced Ceramics Class
by Union Project Studio 25 Jan '10

25 Jan '10

There are still spots available in the *Intermediate/Advanced Ceramics Class at Union Project*, which begins THIS WEDNESDAY. The class is designed for those with some past ceramic experience. Creating with clay is a great opportunity to clear up February blues. Sign up with a friend and both receive 20% off your class fee! 10 Wednesdays, Jan 27-Mar 31 6-9pm $195 class fee Instructor: Si Brown Feel free to call or email with any questions. *As part of our mission, Union Project strives to provide access to all. Financial assistance may be given based on need. -- Arts Liaison Union Project 801 N. Negley Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412.363.4550 ext 22

1 0

[Highland Park] Tee-ball or baseball
by Christy Valencheck 25 Jan '10

25 Jan '10

Can someone please remind me what came up about a year ago when a mom was looking for any local tee-ball or baseball leagues for kids around 6 yrs old? (Joan, was that you who originally asked?) Thank you, christy

1 0

[Highland Park] Reminder: Council to Go brings area police commander to Highland Park
by Keebler, Emily 25 Jan '10

25 Jan '10

Hello Highland Park residents, As always, Councilman Dowd will be available at Council to Go to hear your questions and concerns about city issues. In addition, for those who could not attend the HPCC meeting last week, Zone 5 acting police Commander Kevin Kraus will be in attendance to hear your concerns and answer specific questions. We look forward to seeing you at Council to Go. Building codes? Prevailing wage laws? Sewer line insurance? Safe Haven curfew center? Council to Go with City Councilman Patrick Dowd And special guest: Acting Commander Kraus Tazza D'Oro - 1125 N. Highland Avenue Wednesday, January 27th 5:30pm - 7:00pm Speak with Councilman Patrick Dowd at Council to Go, his mobile district office. Councilman Dowd and his staff will be available to hear your concerns and ideas, provide news on issues in Council, and help you access city services. For a full schedule of Council to Go sessions, and Council District 7 news, visit our website: www.pghgov.com/district7. Please spread the word to your friends and neighbors in District 7! Emily Keebler * Office of Patrick Dowd * Pittsburgh City Council District 7 510 City-County Building * 414 Grant Street * Pittsburgh PA 15219 * 412 255 2140 emily.keebler(a)city.pittsburgh.pa.us <mailto:emily.keebler@city.pittsburgh.pa.us> * www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7 <http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/district7>

1 0

[Highland Park] Bathroom Renovation items for sale
by Michelle Butler 25 Jan '10

25 Jan '10

Bathroom renovation plans changed after the return-by date of these items was passed. Shell-shaped shower base, white, from FaucetDirect. NIB. (http://www.faucetdirect.com/dreamline-shtr-5036430-36-x-43-shower-tray-from…) Paid $214, asking $100. Shower set from Signature Hardware. NIB. Polished brass finish. (http://www.signaturehardware.com/product1025) Paid $347, asking $150. Shower ring from Signature Hardware. NIB. Polish brass finish. (http://www.signaturehardware.com/product4331?utm_source=receipt&utm_medium=…) Paid $259, asking $125. Or take all three for $300! Michelle Butler maudlinbann(a)gmail.com 412-363-4944

1 0

[Highland Park] Another recent break -in
by Neepa Majumdar 25 Jan '10

25 Jan '10

There was a break in and burglary in a house on our street (Beverly Place) last week. I wanted people on this street to be aware of it. During the big snow, I saw a teenager walking to each house with a shovel, ostensibly to ask for shoveling work. This was when I was walking home from the bus stop. I didn't think anything of it, though I did wonder, when he saw me go up to our house, why he didn't knock on our door, considering he had had no luck on any of the other houses on the street. A few days later, he did knock on our door, and we answered it. But later in the day, we saw (through the tracks he had left on the snow) that he had in fact (quite unnecessarily, given the layout of our place) walked all around the house and had tried both of our back porch doors, without knocking there. So then we wondered if he had been casing the place. About one week after this incident, there was the burglary on our street. I hate to be so suspicious, but I wonder if there's a connection. In any case, it's good to be aware that no street is immune from the current rash of burglaries. Neepa Majumdar

1 0

[Highland Park] Yet another attempted house break-in on Sat at 4pm
by Jonathan King 25 Jan '10

25 Jan '10

It's 4pm on Saturday and somebody just tried to break in to our apt. at Callowhill and Negley. We were just waking up from a nap and didn't fell like answering the door when they rang the doorbell the first time. They followed with a loud, insistent door-knock that we also didn't respond to. A minute later, we heard the doorbell ring again and then a knock but this time at the back door. I finally decided to get up and answer. I pulled my pants on, went to the front door but there was no one there. As I was walking down the hallway to the back door, I heard it being forced open and said loudly "HELLO!". They immediately fled without a sound or trace. I'm really disappointed because this was a rare opportunity to see and identify the burglar(s). Keep your cameras and 911 numbers handy - there seems to have been a lot of thwarted burglaries recently and I think we're getting close to catching somebody. My question is,,, is there anyone in the neighborhood, perhaps as a result of the community meeting this past week, who has volunteered to coordinate information about this rash of break-ins we're having (making a map of all the locations, looking for patterns, correlating details of the break-ins that we don't won't to post publicly, etc.)? Jonathan and Amy

2 1