Hi all, Please call me if there is a barking dog annoying everyone. I will go and check on the dog; make sure it has water and shelter from hot sun and contact the owners to see if they need dog walking services or even just a brief respite from dog responsibilities. I have two dogs myself so I know how overwhelming they can be at times. Often I am over there anyway, walking dogs or visiting kitties... Thanks, Denise Lohr PetSitPgh, LLC petsitpgh@gmail.com www.petsitpgh.com 412-956-0787 On 7/24/07, neighborhood-request@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us < neighborhood-request@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us> wrote:

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Today's Topics:

1. barking dogs (Jenee Libby) 2. Re: kid sports/activities? (Rebecca Maclean)

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Jenee Libby <penpapercoffee@yahoo.com> To: neighborhood@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:00:00 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Highland Park] barking dogs I didn't save the email from the gentleman who expressed his concern over barking dogs, but now I wish I had. I too live in the Wellesley/Heberton area, and I can recall one Saturday or Sunday about a week ago where there was a barking dog who, literally, barked for about 6 hours straight. He never let up. This wasn't your usual "It's summer and people are outside grilling" type of barking but a constant barking for hours and hours and hours on end.

And yes, I should have done something about it but like many of us I figured maybe someone else would. (Sorry) Now that I think of it, that dog may have been thirsty or hot or something (it was very hot that day) and now I feel bad I didn't take more action. Is there something, someone we could call if this happens again? thanks, Jenee Libby - Wellesley Avenue

"Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes." ---Henry David Thoreau

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---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Rebecca Maclean" <hera314@gmail.com> To: neighborhood@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:27:42 -0400 Subject: [Highland Park] Re: kid sports/activities? Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions regarding what activities to do with wiggly kids who aren't quite old enough for organized sports options (my son just turned 4). Since so many people asked me to share my results, a compiled list is below. Lots of mentions of Gymkhana. Feel free to email me if you need more information on a particular suggestion listed, I compiled the basic info but didn't include full contact information that people may have provided for a few ideas.

I'll also say that many people mentioned that it would be fun to have neighborhood playdates or get-togethers so local kids could meet neighbors their age. I'm not in a position to organize such activities but would certainly support someone who has the time to do so!

Becky

---- At age 4, I think my older two played soccer at the local Y. I found soccer to be great at burning off a lot of energy, because it involves a lot of running back and forth. And at that age, the running is pretty much useless, except for the sake of exercising. ---- If you're looking at something where you'd be paying anyway, Dance Alloy has Creative Movement class for that age. My daughter really enjoyed it. It's mostly girls, but not a gender specific class at all. Very laid back, and most of the parents I met there were great. Also, there is a martial arts place on Liberty Ave. between Friendship and Bloomfield that we are looking into. ---- Squirrel Hill Baseball and Sacred Heart Baseball start them as young as 3 and 4. Before baseball, we took our kids to Gymkhana, My Gym (at the Hartwood Towne Center) and the Sportworks at the Science Center. [NOTE: Sacred Heart Baseball's website says that they start at age 5, and the person who runs that program emailed me and mentioned that kids under 5 don't normally do well in the program. I couldn't find info on Squirrel Hill baseball online] ---- I have been taking my 4 year old son to http://www.gymkhanafun.com/default.asp for exercise but I am not sure this is what you are looking for. When your son turns 5, you can try to enroll him in Martial Arts. I recommend the Traditional Martial Arts Society http://www.tmas-dojo.com. They like for the kids to be a little older but it depends on how attentive you child is. I have been training there for 7 years and they offer adult and kids classes. ---- You might also check with a Y program or the Boys and Girls club. There is one in Shadyside and one on Butler street in Lawrenceville. ---- How about some of the art classes at the Center for the Arts as a "group" activity? ---- St Raphael School in Morningside (just a few blocks from Highland Park) offers indoor soccer to children in preschool - 4 and up for 6 weeks/once per week beginning in February. The fee is $35.00 for non-St. Raphael students, $25 for St. Raphael Students and includes the instruction, a shirt, socks and an ice cream social at the end of the "season". The weekly classes are taught by licensed instructors of soccer, with instruction in dribbling, passing and scoring with no pressure (they don't even keep score) followed by a scrimmage, three on three or four on four play. ---- we did this program at Pitt a few years ago and had a good experience. Probably too late for the Summer sessions but you could consider it for the Fall...

http://www.education.pitt.edu/kinderkinetics/ ---- My son is currently taking capoeira at Nego Gato, www.negogato.org at 1424 Fifth Avenue. The class is on Saturdays at 11:00. The cost is $10.00 a class or $35.00 for the month. No need to sign up - just come and enjoy! The class is very small and consists of 4 to 8 year olds. Folks have yet to find them or the sport. The children's classes are mixed age - in keeping with the community spirit of the art form. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to play alongside their children - at no extra cost. (Believe me when I say it is a whole body workout! LOL!)

On 7/18/07, Rebecca Maclean <hera314@gmail.com> wrote:

...

Hi everyone -

My son just turned 4, and is starting to show some interest in organized sports/group activity kinds of things. I have absolutely no idea how to get him hooked up into local leagues of any sport, or if he's even old enough (such is the plight of someone who didn't have brothers growing up). I have friends whose kids have done Dynamo soccer, but I believe they start at age 5. Please email me any suggestions for local sports/team activities/etc. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Becky Maclean Jackson St.

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-- Denise Lohr PetSitPgh, LLC Professional Pet Sitting Services 412-956-0787 www.petsitpgh.com "If I had it to do over, I'd fall in love with myself at a much younger age."