- test-neighbhorhood@test.highlandparkpa.com

[Highland Park] RE: farmhouse playground
by Byrne, Lauren 05 Nov '07

05 Nov '07

Good afternoon to all members of the Highland Park community, The Office of Neighborhood Initiatives has received the following information from Parks and Recreation Director Duane Ashley concerning the presence of lead paint at the Highland Park Farmhouse playground. Please be assured that the safety of Pittsburgh's children remains of the utmost concern. City of Pittsburgh employees acted quickly once this situation was brought to their attention and immediately implemented corrective measures to ensure that further paint chip incidents would not occur. The City has accepted the recommendations of one of the area's leading engineering firms specializing in this area of concentration. By implementing the plan presented by L. Robert Kimball and Associates, we are able to not only correct the situation but also do it with minimal service disruption at the Farmhouse playground. All exterior areas at the Farmhouse have already been mitigated in accordance with this plan. Furthermore, as consistent with a report issued by Allegheny County Health Department officials and by L. Robert Kimball and Associates, closure of the area was not mandated as part of the mitigation program. The Farmhouse playground is one of the City's most popular recreational facilities, and keeping it a safe place for our children is a top priority. The City acted quickly - and with the guidance of experts - to resolve the situation and ensure the area's safety not only today but in the years to come. For those interested in the specifics of our action, the City's timeline has been as follows: * Immediately upon notification, the City arranged for an on-site meeting with program staff from the Allegheny County Health Department. This meeting took place on June 27, 2007. * On July 6, we received the Lead-based Paint Risk Assessment Report from the Allegheny County Health Department, which detailed several areas of deficiencies and potential treatment options. The report did not mandate or recommend that the site - including the playground area - be closed due to unsafe conditions detected by health department officials. The area identified as posing the most imminent risk to health and safety was an exterior structure wall where a child was allegedly observed eating peeling paint chips by his parents. * Immediately upon receiving a recommendation to scrape and re-paint this area to prevent further incidents, a Public Works crew scraped and sealed the area the very next day. * City officials convened on July 30 to discuss further measures to address this matter and determined that Kimball and Associates should be retained to direct the City's mitigation effort by providing expertise in matters pertaining to approved treatment options. * On August 1, Kimball's environmental scientist and engineers, along with City officials, conducted a site review. * A week later, on August 8, Kimball contacted Allegheny County Health Department officials to discuss the issues raised in the July report and to discuss mitigation methods. * Based on this action, the City accepted the recommendations listed in Kimball's report issued on August 23 and countersigned by three Kimball officials: the senior project manager, an environmental scientist, and the assistant operations manager. The report stated that a secondary area in question has more than 90% of the exposed area covered with vegetation and that the bare soil that has been so prominently mentioned in word of mouth accounts, is actually limited to two small areas and several bare spots. Furthermore, Kimball's report listed several areas that were identified in the county's report as "not requiring any corrective measures at this time." * A remaining small amount (less than 10%) of exposed soil has been cordoned off by Public Works. A plan of action to mitigate this land is immediately being addressed. All mitigation efforts being undertaken by the City should be finished by the end of November, and the area will be fenced off until then. As for the 2008 Summer season, everything at the Farmhouse playground will be fully operational as normal. Again, the safety of our children is of utmost importance. Rest assured that this matter has been resolved in accordance with the highest degree of attention. If you have any further questions, please contact the Office of Neighborhood Initiatives. Lauren J. Byrne Special Projects Coordinator Department of Neighborhood Initiatives Office of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl 512 City County Building 414 Grant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: 412-255-2566 Fax: 412-255-2687

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[Highland Park] Winter indoor recreation for kids
by Julie Gammill Gibson 05 Nov '07

05 Nov '07

WOW! I got 10 responses from neighbors since my message went out this afternoon asking for recommendations for basketball, indoor soccer and other indoor sports programs for kids. Neighbors, y'all are soooo cool! Nothing below includes figure skating or ice hockey. My husband and daughter, the family figure skaters, have been exploring area rinks and ice clubs this fall, so I'll try to put that together in another e-mail on another day. If anyone has suggestions/comments on figure skating or ice hockey in the area, go ahead and e-mail me at jubywuby(a)yahoo.com. I just probably won't have time to get to it until next week. So, below are all of the non-chilly indoor rec sports opportunities - and neighbors' comments -- that were e-mailed to me today. I added any web sites or phone numbers that I could find. THANK YOU! Julie 1. Shadyside Boys & Girls Club 6 Brownell Place (412) 681-8575 www.bgcwpa.org "Try the Boys and Girls Club in Shadyside. They have great indoor soccer and basketball...or at least they did when my 21 year old was younger. They also have an indoor swimming pool and give lessons." "Try the boys club for basketball in shadyside. Need to sign up asap." "The girls and boys club in shadyside has a little dribblers program, but I think the youngest age is 6 -- but it might work. it starts around nov 4th. there number is 412-681-8575." 2. Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill. (recommended by several neighbors, by the way) Little Champs Super Hoopers (kindergarten through 2nd grade). The JCC also offers basketball programs for children older than 2nd grade. Sundays, Nov. 5 through Feb. 11 (Different age groups have different time slots. Kindergartners play 1-2 p.m.) $120 for non-members; cheaper for members Contact: Alex Speck, (412) 521-8010, ext. 246, aspeck(a)jccpgh.org www.jccpgh.org/BasketballSQ.asp The JCC offers other recreation sports programs at various times through the year, including street hockey, indoor soccer and baseball. Check out www.jccpgh.org. 3. Dynamo Indoor Soccer Plays in field house at St. Edmund's Academy in Squirrel Hill Contact: David Sanders, Indoor Commissioner, (412) 422-5444, ext. 2 indoor(a)pittsburghdynamo.org http://pghdynamo.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&… 4. Kinderkinetics at the University of Pittsburgh http://www.education.pitt.edu/kinderkinetics/ "Kinderkinetics. This is a program run by the University of Pittsburgh by their graduate phys.ed. students. Generally an hour of swim lessons and an hour of sports basics. They rotate the sports they teach by age and season. Runs on Saturday mornings during the year and weekly sessions in the summer. We've enjoyed it in the past- my kids came home completely exhausted! 5. Boyd Community Center, Fox Chapel -- soccer http://www.boydcommunitycenter.org "The Boyd Community Center out in Fox Chapel has a soccer program teaching fundamentals. Not games though, and I think the target age is 3 1/2 to 5 so your son may be a little on the older side for this. Just thought I'd mention it though. My son (4) is taking this right now and it's been a great way to teach him the game." 6. Penn Hills YMCA http://www.ymcaofpittsburgh.org/branch.asp?id=7 (click on linkd for "Youth Sports" under the "Penn Hills YMCA" heading) "My son (now 6 1/2, but started last year) takes basketball at the Penn Hills Y. It meets for an hour on Saturday mornings. Last year was mostly about practice - practice dribbling, shooting baskets (lowered of course) and the like. This year he has moved up a level and is playing some 1:1 or 3:3." 7. Swimming lessons -- * JCC - Squirrel Hill http://www.jccpgh.org/AquaticsSQ.asp * Club One - Shadyside location (888) 969-4295 club1Pittsburgh.com * Kingsley Center (corner of East Liberty Blvd. and Frankstown Rd.) - "They have a developmental swim class that leads to a very supportive swim team. Drop by for the brochure. I've watched the teacher -- she's very good." * Shadyside Boys and Girls Club (412) 681-8575 www.bgcwpa.org And looking ahead to spring: 1. Dynamo Spring Soccer (outdoors) http://pghdynamo.org 2. Morningside Baseball (outdoors) Does anyone in the neighborhood have contact information for Morningside Baseball? One web site (www.morningsidebaseball.com) is out-of-date, and the other www.morningsidebaseball.net is under construction. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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[Highland Park] Heth's Run Meeting Tonight
by David Hance 05 Nov '07

05 Nov '07

In advance of tonight's meeting, below is an article I wrote for the December, 2003 Highland Park Newsletter that outlined the issues as seen from that date. While there have been changes over the past four years in the schedule and details of the work, the "big idea" of the Heth's Run opportunity has remained much the same as presented below. Please join us tonight at 6pm the Zoo for a kick-off meeting with the engineering and landscape design team selected by the City to transform Heth's Run in the years ahead. Note that there is also an article in today's Post-Gazette on the project. Dave Hance, President Highland Park Community Development Corporation "Most of us know Heth's Run as the location of the Zoo's parking lot, and for what used to be there, the City's Dept. of Public Works storage yard. Once a year, we'd haul our old Christmas tree "down there", or, perhaps, we'd walk down the path below the King Estate, past the remains of the burned-out cars, to view out at the asphalt plain that caps the Run's upper reaches. Once a dramatic feature of the East End landscape, Heth's Run is now a wasteland. That may be about to change. After decades of neglect, Heth's Run is suddenly the focus of significant new interest: * PennDOT is moving toward the replacement of the once-beautiful, but now buried and deteriorated bridge at Allegheny River Boulevard; * The City has abandoned its dumping grounds at the upper portion of the Run; * Green soccer fields will soon replace some of the gray asphalt; * The Pittsburgh Zoo is planning to upgrade it's "front door" parking lot and entry drive; * A riverfront trail is planned along the south bank of the Allegheny River; and * The new Highland Park Master Plan has highlighted the potential of the Run to make fundamentally exciting new connections between neighborhoods, the Park, the Zoo, and the River. If coordinated properly, all of these efforts can be combined to create a whole that is far greater than the sum of their parts. Heth's Run can be reinvented in the process, and our City and our neighborhood stand to gain greatly. Years of neglect and environmental abuse can be undone in the process. The Highland Park Community Club and CDC, along with the Morningside Area Community Council, and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, are leading the charge for a comprehensive design process to seize this one time opportunity to create a new Heth's Run. We are pleased to be working closely with the Mayor and City Planning, the Riverlife Task Force, and the Zoo to create the "new Heth's Run." There are significant challenges remaining, not least of which is money. But, great progress has already been made: Heth's Run Bridge: Stand at the center of the existing bridge today, and look up Heth's Run. The view is dominated by asphalt. Millions of cubic yards of fill material were placed in Heth's Run by the City from the 40's to the 70's, and the stream that once ran 85 ft. below your feet is now captured by two large buried culverts. The bridge you are standing on dates to 1914, and now is in need of replacement. As Allegheny River Boulevard is also PA Route 8, replacing the bridge is the responsibility of PennDOT. Working closely with the City and PennDOT, we have been successful in shifting the new bridge design towards one that fits in this remarkable, historic setting. From our February letter to PennDOT: "The original bridge enhanced its setting because it worked with it: a single arched span, springing from masonry abutments anchored into the sides of the ravine, united the landscape and allowed Heth's Run to join with the Allegheny River in a most graceful way. It acted as a true gateway to the City, to the Park, and to the Zoo. We believe the new bridge (shown) should be evocative of the original." Soccer Fields: A State grant was secured in recent years by the City to place new soccer fields at the former DPW yard. The Club has seen drawings of this design, and public meetings have taken place at the Zoo. Subsequent studies have shown that the lack of soil at this upper portion of Heth's Run will make soccer fields exceedingly costly. A break though occurred this summer, however, when it was suggested that the soccer fields would be a better fit at the other end of Heth's Run, near the bridge where soil conditions were better. Moving the soccer fields to the bridge brings many advantages: it "greens up" the lower third of Heth's Run with playing fields and park plantings, thereby transforming the image of this crucial entry to City, Zoo, and Park; it provides a compatible setting for grading of the trail that would wind down from parking lot level to the riverfront trail along the Allegheny; it allows the Zoo's parking to expand in the less-public upper reaches of the Run; and it allows for a more orderly phasing of the construction of soccer fields-bridge-parking lot-trails over the next few years. Connections: One of the least costly, but most exciting aspects of this project are the new connections that will be formed. Via trails connecting up into the neighborhoods, Highland Park and Morningside residents will be minutes away by foot or bicycle from the Allegheny River Trail, and the Zoo. Land that is actually part of the Park will be accessible to the public for the first time. The Port Authority's Eastern Corridor Transit Study has identified the railroad right-of-way below the bridge as a possible future light rail line. The Highland Park Lock & Dam may one day house a visitor's center. And, we will live in a more attractive neighborhood as a result of any or all of these. Next Steps: Key parts of this vision are in place: PennDOT has agreed to build a bridge that is sensitive to its natural and historic context; the soccer field money is in hand; and the Zoo was already planning for parking and entry upgrades. The piece still to be identified is the cost of removing and relocating the excess soil material from the bridge area. This is necessary to partially recreate the ravine, thus allowing a proper setting for the bridge, and the critical trail pathway passing underneath. Thanks to the leadership and financial support of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (with a partial match pledged by the HPCDC), the design of this final component is underway. Previously unconnected design initiatives will be pulled together on one plan, and a fund-raising strategy can be put together at that time." This message is sent by Perkins Eastman Architects, PC, and/or its Affiliates, and is intended exclusively for the persons to which it is addressed. This communication may contain information that is privileged or confidential. If you are not the named addressee, you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate any part of this message.

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[Highland Park] New to Pittsburgh - Looking for home in Highland Park
by Dave Atkinson 05 Nov '07

05 Nov '07

> > Hi, > > My wife and I just moved to Pittsburgh from Seattle in October. We > really like Highland Park, and we're very interested in living in the > neighborhood. If you happen to know of a house that will be coming on the > market, please contact me at the email address below. > > Thanks, > Dave Atkinson > dekapath(a)gmail.com >

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[Highland Park] Heat for the Needy Program
by Katie Aronoff 05 Nov '07

05 Nov '07

TUDI Mechanical Systems and Standard Air & Lite are proud to announce the 9th Annual Heat for the Needy program. The Heat for the Needy program provides a brand new heating system, including equipment and installation at no cost to 8 to 12 local families experiencing financial hardship. In the past 8 years over 75 heating systems have been installed in the Pittsburgh community. To nominate a worthy recipient, write a letter of recommendation including nominees' current situation and form of heat. Please send nominations to: Heat for the Needy C/o TUDI Mechanical Systems 343 Munson Avenue McKees Rocks, PA 15136 You may also email your letter to heatfortheneedy(a)tudi.com or fax to (412) 771-7737. Deadline for nominations is Friday, December 14th, 2007. Recipients will be notified by January 4, 2008 and systems will be installed January 26, 2008. Heat for the Needy - Warm Hearts Warming Homes! Thank you

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[Highland Park] RE: repairs
by Shah, Anisha 05 Nov '07

05 Nov '07

Could anyone recommend a good group/person to repair a GE fridge? Thanks Anisha Shah -----Original Message----- From: neighborhood-bounces(a)highlandparkpa.com [mailto:neighborhood-bounces@highlandparkpa.com] On Behalf Of neighborhood-request(a)highlandparkpa.com Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 5:31 PM To: neighborhood(a)highlandparkpa.com Subject: Neighborhood Digest, Vol 49, Issue 2 Send Neighborhood mailing list submissions to neighborhood(a)highlandparkpa.com To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.highlandparkpa.com/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to neighborhood-request(a)highlandparkpa.com You can reach the person managing the list at neighborhood-owner(a)highlandparkpa.com When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Neighborhood digest..."

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[Highland Park] Antique furniture for sale
by flamingoblue 05 Nov '07

05 Nov '07

My friend has some lovely antique pieces for sale. She has to move and cannot take these pieces. All of her pieces are in beautiful condition. Duncan Phyfe dining room set, table, 4 chairs, buffet, china closet $450 Art Deco Bakers table - pristine and fabulous!! $750 Oak Serpentine dresser $400 I attached fotos. If anyone has any interest, let me know via email or phone. Marty Harkins 412-661-2410

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[Highland Park] We're new to Pittsburgh and looking for a home in Highland Park
by Dave Atkinson 05 Nov '07

05 Nov '07

Hi, My wife and I just moved to Pittsburgh from Seattle in October. We really like Highland Park, and we're very interested in living in the neighborhood. If you happen to know of a house that will be coming on the market, please contact me at the email address below. Thanks, Dave Atkinson dekapath(a)gmail.com

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[Highland Park] [Tazza D'Oro] Closing Early Tonight for Some Painting
by Amy 05 Nov '07

05 Nov '07

Tazza D'Oro has posted a new item, 'Closing Early Tonight for Some Painting' Just a reminder, Tazza D'Oro will be closing at 8 pm tonight (Monday, Nov 5th) instead of 10pm. We are finishing the very last of our renovation( I hope!) and repainting the walls and ceiling. We will re-open at our usual time on Tuesday at 7 am. See you then. You may view the latest post at http://tazzadoro.net/news/tazza-d-oro/closing-early-tonight-for-some-painti… You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted. Best regards, Amy tazzadoro(a)earthlink.net

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[Highland Park] Basement Finishing
by jim holtzman 04 Nov '07

04 Nov '07

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