Hi,
Tomorrow is Janet Reno’s birthday (1938-what ever happened to her?), it is Ernest Hemingway’s birth anniversary (1899), -128.3 was the coldest recorded temperature (1983 at the Russian’s Vostok station in Antarctica), it is the anniversary of the Battle of Bull Run (1861) and Belgium’s Independence Day (1831).
They are pushing for a greening of the Allegheny Riverfront from Morningside all the way down to Downtown. They are looking to build offices, housing etc inland and along the riverfront, fishing piers, a children’s splash pool and a tree lined multi-use trail. There is also talk of adding commuter lines to the existing Allegheny Valley rail road. More info at the Green Boulevard web site.
The Death Cab for Cutie concert at Stage AE last Friday was pretty out of control. They opened with Styx’s Renegade that actually shook my windows. At one point, I went out and it was like I was right in the concert, I almost had to shout to be heard by some of my guests hanging out in the the Courtyard. I called 911 and the dispatch said there was nothing he could do, they are a permitted concert site. I was persistent (surprise surprise 🙂 ), and he referred me to his supervisor Tim. Tim’s suggestion was since it would be referred to Zone One, I should call them directly. The number he gave me bypassed the desk and took me directly to the Lt in charge. All were very polite, professional and empathetic. The Lt told me that “even if the city had a noise ordinance, they don’t have a sound meter to determine the volume coming from the concert.” He recommended that I contact the mayor’s hot line, 311 on Monday. Which I did. The operator gave me the hot line’s e-mail so I could first hand document my concerns. Within three hours of filing my complaint, Zone One Commander RaShell called me! Talk about response! She explained that city council has been considering a noise ordinance, but haven’t passed one yet. How can a city have multiple concert venues and not have a noise ordinance for it’s citizens? Cammandor RaShell offered to personally go down to Stage AE and express concerns about the volume of the music last Friday. I’ve lived here for almost seven years and lived through Steeler home games, Kenny Chesney concerts and tons of concerts at Stage AE and never had a problem with them. Frequently you can hear things from these venues, but not enough that you have to shout to you guests. Maybe the reason the city doesn’t have a noise ordinance is the district one council woman hasn’t responded to me about the complaint I filed through her web site.
Some pretty exciting news over here on the Northside. 1010 Cedar Avenue is being turned into The Allegheny Inn. Justin and Kelli are transforming that gorgeous building right across the street from Allegheny General Hospital. It is the one with all the decorative brick work, the slate roof with the patterns and the decorative iron railings along the top roof line. They plan on turning it into a five room guest house serving a full hot American breakfast each day. Two weeks ago, Justin and Kelli and about 20 good friends did a lot of the demo, they are working with architect Bob Baumback that did a lot of work with The Priory. They hope to be open by early next year. More to follow in future posts.
North America has 150 species of fireflies, which are actually winged beetles, where as all of Eastern Europe just has 3 species. Two of these species, one in Tennessee and one in Allegheny National Forest do Photinus carolinus, blinking synchronously. This occurs during the mating season with the females on or near the ground and the males flying above. The males are all blinking variously and then suddenly they all go dark. It must be pretty dramatic to see out in the forest. Then they start the ritual all over again. Since their discovery twenty years ago, the event draws a thousand people each year to witness this phenomenon in the Smoky Mountains.
VIA has sponsored music festivals around the city for the past couple of years. They don’t promote any particular genre and are know for pairing music with cutting-edge visual/video artist, which sets them apart from most other music promoters. They seem to have found a permanent home at called and at 6119 Penn Avenue (it’s called sixty-in nineteen). They have a catering license which allows them to serve alcohol past 2 am fifty-two times a year. When they don’t have a concert scheduled, the space is available for rental. Nice addition to the booming East Liberty.
Coming up in Pittsburgh August 11 will be ReuseFest at the parking lost at 26th and Sidney Streets in Southside Works from 10 am until 2 pm. This one stop collection of gently used goods will have the Animal Rescue League collecting caned fruit, vegetables and nuts (except peanuts) for their wildlife center. They are also collecting clean blankets bedding, animal carriers, collars and leashes. Construction Junction will be collecting building materials, Free Ride will be collecting bicycles, bike parts, and tools in working order (in particular they are looking for screw drivers, wrenches and allen keys). Goodwill will be accepting gently used clothing, shoes, house ware, books and sporting goods. Global Links with be looking for wheelchairs, hearing aids, crutches, canes, shower benches and other medical related items. Off the Floor will be looking for kitchen tables and chairs, dressers, end tables, cribs and bed frames. Pittsburgh Center for the Creative Reuse will be looking for artist supplies. And finally the Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project will be seeking tote bags, back packs, messenger bags. soft side briefcases and gently used soft luggage. When thinking about recycling, always keep in mind, recycling starts at the point of purchase. What we choose to purchase and how it is packed tells you ahead of time how much is recycling and how much you are going to have to place in the garbage stream.
They poured the handicapped ramp today. They will pressure wash it tomorrow and it will finally be done (after a five month wait from when they did the Veranda). Yea! I’ll take a picture and most it next post.
Have a great weekend,
ed
