Issue 5 April-May 2013

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on the
NEWS, PARKS, PEOPLE, DEVELOPMENT, AND BUSINESS

This issue of On the Mount was made possible in part by:

A zip line over water in Nami Island, South Korea

Join The Emerald of Mt. Washington 5K

The Leadership Development Initiative XX Class is organizing The Emerald of Mount Washington 5K Family Run and Festival to take place on Saturday, May 11 at 10:30am. A project of PopUp! Pittsburgh, the 5K will lead participants on a tour of the scenic Mount Washington neighborhood and highlight local businesses, cultural sites, and Emerald View Park. While specifics are still being worked through, community festival afterwards that could include any of the hallmarks of Oz. Both runners and non-runners can be sure the event will have plenty of courage, brains, and a heart, and showcase the beautiful Emerald View Park as well as the community of Mount Washington. PopUp! Pittsburgh, created by Leadership Pittsburgh, is a one-day phenomenon that aims to surprise, provoke, and entertain city residents and visitors in ways that change perceptions about the places where they occur. Previous years projects include filming a zombie movie in Fineview and a mass vow renewal in Lawrenceville. Were thrilled that theyve chosen to showcase our neighborhood this year! Race details including registration information, event-day festivities, and route information may be found at www. popuppittsburgh.com.

A New Way to Experience an Incredible View

I recently met Adam Young, entrepreneur. Adam seems to be a motivated guy, spending his days working downtown and his evenings working on an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. Then I learned about his upcoming marathon run that is helping him train for a grueling Ironman triathlon in August. Not to mention the incredible idea that brought us to meet in the first place; Adam wants to run a zip line from Mount Washington to the North Side, over the Ohio River. Adam, a resident of Carnegie, PA, dreamed up the idea one day while checking out the view from Grandview Ave. He wanted a way to immerse himself in the view, to make it more dynamic for others who visit. He wanted to fly into the view on a zip line! (continued on page 3)

the events theme is loosely tied to the Wizard of OZ, with Emerald View Park serving as the Emerald City. The 5K includes a Family Fun Run to allow children to participate, as well as a

MWCDC Hires Executive Director, Outreach Staff

The MWCDC office has been buzzing with change lately! Heres whats new... Marilyn Caye, Justin Cipriani, and Terry Moss recently joined our board of directors, bringing their individual expertise and providing oversight and guidance to the organization and the community at large. Jason Kambitsis was recently promoted to Executive Director from Director of Economic Development. In his previous position as Director of Economic Development, Jasons role included fostering new commercial and residential development as well as recruiting new businesses to the area and providing technical assistance to help retain existing businesses. As the MWCDCs Executive Director, Jason will focus on advancing the mission, fulfilling the strategic plan, and organizational oversight. In late February, the MWCDC welcomed Christina Howell as their new Coordinator of Outreach and Events. Christina formerly wrote for NorthSide Now Magazine and managed events for the Design Center. She currently serves on the board of directors at the Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library.

Need Energy Assistance?

The MWCDC now accepts applications for energy assistance through the Dollar Energy Fund on Saturdays from 9am12pm by appointment only. Applications must be made in person at the MWCDC office, and an appointment may be made Monday-Thursday between the hours of 8:30am-4:30pm by calling 412.481.3220 x 201. Applications will still be accepted during the hours of 8:30am4:30pm, Monday through Friday throughout April, or until the Fund is exhausted. The MWCDC office is located at 301 Shiloh Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15211.

Phipps Conservatory Exhibit Features Emerald View Park in Glass Art

In February, a unique opportunity was presented to us by Phipps Conservatory: a local artist would create glass columns inspired by the work of 18 non-profit organizations. Called Pillars of Light, they would be on exhibit through the summer and then given to the organizations to do with what they wish. On April 26th, Phipps will be hosting an opening reception for 18 Pillars of Light from 5:30-7:30pm. Daviea Davis, celebrated local glass artist, has been working with the MWCDCs Manager of Park and Community Sustainability, Kathryn Hunninen, to create a masterpiece inspired by Emerald View Park. The MWCDC was required to raise $1800 to make the Pillar happen, and although were still a little shy of that goal, Phipps and the artist are comfortable beginning the process of creating our Pillar. The finished Pillar will be in the style of the three shown below: a glass mosaic with four sides and standing over four feet tall. While open to the public, reception attendees will need to pay museum admission. The exhibit runs through the end of August 2013. More information on the exhibit may be found at www.phipps. conservatory.org. Donations to fund the Pillar of Light are being accepted on our website, www.mwcdc.org. Thank you to all who have supported this project so far.

Dont Forget to Use 3-1-1

Have you been hitting the same pothole for the last three months? Fed up with tall grass in abandoned lots? Be sure to call the City of Pittsburgh 3-1-1 hotline to report items of this nature. 3-1-1 was established to help Pittsburghs citizens get local problems resolved, and enable the City to track progress on these problems. Thanks for helping to keep Mount Washington clean and safe!

Connect to Your Community

To receive the latest updates about Mount Washington, like MWCDC on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @mtwashingtoncdc. We post pictures, daily updates of our programs, and any news relevant to the Mount Washington community.

Spring is in the Air in Emerald View Park

Well soon be welcoming returning and new members to our Emerald Trail Corps to kick off another great season of work in Emerald View Park. In midApril our Super Crew, made up of some of last years star crew members, begins seasonal maintenance on our existing trails. By early May they will be joined by first-time Emerald Trail Corps members to construct a new trail loop around Mount Washington Park (Dilworth). Once this loop is completed, the Corps will turn their attention to the Saddle area, connecting the Saddle to Bigbee Field and Grandview Park. Finally, if we have time, we will create a connection that joins last years new Olympia Park trail with the new trail terminating on Republic Street. The reinvigorated Emerald Trail Corps will also lead the way with invasive plant removals, tree plantings, dumpsite removals, as well as other ecological restoration work in Emerald View Park. But dont worry, we continue to have regularly scheduled volunteer events for people who want to play a handson role developing Emerald View Park. (See schedule of events on page 5) And if youd rather just explore, join any number of Venture Outdoors events in

Emerald View Park this spring, summer and fall. You can find more information about these hikes and other outdoor recreation opportunities at www. ventureoutdoors.org. In other exciting Park news, by midsummer well be accepting contractor bids on our Grand View Scenic Byway signage and landscaping project for Fall 2013 or Spring 2014 construction. Ten informational signs have undergone extensive community review, and will

grace Grandview Avenue, adding visitor interest to this remarkable City asset. The area around Point of View statue will also be landscaped according to a plan that was reviewed in public meetings in March 2013. Were looking at another great year in Emerald View Parks development. Well see you in the Park!

A New Way to Experience...(continued from p.1)

The proposed zip line would begin at street level in the Duquesne Heights neighborhood, near the famous restaurants that line the view. It will likely end adjacent to the Carnegie Science Center, on top of a tall platform in order to clear river traffic. Adam says that his idea has been met with great support from the Mount Washington community and the Science Center. The Mount Washington side could also include a casual eatery or coffee shop to give tourists and thrill seekers a place to linger and serve neighbors as a casual place to gather and meet. Adam predicts that the zip line could be built in 1-2 years pending an extensive permitting process that will involve gathering permission from the Army Corps of Engineers, two railroads, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP), and Pittsburghs Department of City Planning. Meanwhile, Adam plans to start collecting the data and information the permits require, and to keep dreaming big.

How Do We Hire Trail Corps Members?

The Emerald Trail Corps is a green jobs program that the MWCDC runs in conjunction with the A. Phillip Randolph Institute (APRI), GTECH Strategies, and the Labor Management Clearinghouse. All Corps members are hired from the APRIs six week intensive green jobs training. If you or someone you know are interested in applying for APRIs next training, please call the APRI office at 412. 562.0367.

APPLICATION FOR HOUSE REPAIR WORK

The Mount Washington ministerium (a consortium of churches) has assembled a dedicated crew of people to complete home repair work on residences in the community. The project will take place during the summer of 2013, and could include carpentry, painting and/or general construction depending on the specific need of the house. Some funding would be available for supplies, but the homeowner might be asked to provide a small amount of money to complete the repairs. To apply, please complete the application below and submit to the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation at 301 Shiloh Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15211, or e-mail to [email protected]. Completing this application does not guarantee you will be selected nor does it show any commitment on your part. Thank you for your interest and participation!

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ First Last

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________ Street City State Zip

Phone Number: _________________________________

E-Mail: _______________________________________

Are you the homeowner of the address above?

o Yes

o No

What is the average household age? o 18-35 o 36-45

o 46-55 o 56-65

o 66-75 o Over 76

What is the average household income? o o o o

Less than $10,000 $10,000 to $14,999 $15,000 to $24,999 $25,000 to $34,999

o o o o

$35,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 to $99,999 Over $100,000

Is your house available for repair in summer 2013? o Yes o No

Type of repair work needing to be done

o Painting o Porch Repair

o Light Carpentry

o Weatherization o I dont know

o Other ______________

Please contact Mount Washington Community Development Corporation at 412.481.3220 x201 if you have any questions.

PLEASE RETURN APPLICATION BY MAY 15, 2013

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

Thank you to the following individuals, organizations, and businesses for their valuable time and services! Alex Kantner, MWCDC Restoration Intern Carnegie Mellon University Engineers without Borders Carnegie Mellon Day of Service Eva Simms Explorers Club of Pittsburgh Maddy Kelley, MWCDC Restoration Intern Marie Knupp Pittsburgh Cares Hands-on Tech Program Venture Outdoors 1000+

Volunteer Opportunities
Explorers Club 21st Annual Hillside Clean-Up Sunday, April 7, 9am-12noon Grandview Ave. @ Kearsarge St. Grandview Park Spring Clean-Up with Friends of Grandview Park Saturday, April 13, 9am-11am Meet at Grandview Park entrance, 499 Bailey Ave. Contact: grandviewparkfriends@ gmail.com Spring Redd Up Saturday, April 20 9am-11am Contact [email protected] for meeting times and locations Bigbee Field Flower Planting May date to be determined Meet at Bigbee & Aline Street www.mwcdc.org for date To register for volunteer events, contact Kathryn Hunninen at [email protected] or 412-4813220 x200.

Upcoming Events
Emerald View Park Day Hike with Venture Outdoors Saturday, April 6 10am-4pm www.ventureoutdoors.org or 412-2550564 Emerald of Mount Washington 5K Run and Festival with Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc. Saturday, May 11, 10:30am contact [email protected] for more information Pillar of Light Exhibit at Phipps Conservatory Glass mosaic pillars created by Daviea Davis and featuring Emerald View Park Exhibit opens in April and runs through September 2013 www.phippsconservatory.org If you would like to submit your organizations event to our online event calendar, please send a detailed description to [email protected].

Upcoming Meetings
MWCDC Board Meeting April: Canceled Mays meeting will be a service project, day and time will be posted on www. mwcdc.org Mount Washington Community Forum Mays meeting will be a service project, check www.mwcdc.org for details Third Thursday of each month, 7pm Mount Washington Senior Center 122 Virginia Avenue, 15211 MWCDC Park and Conservation Committee Meeting Second Wednesday of each month, 5:30pm MWCDC Offices 301 Shiloh Street, 15211 MWCDC Economic Development Committee Meeting Fourth Thursday of each month, 6:00pm MWCDC Offices 301 Shiloh Street, 15211 For a complete list of events and meetings, visit mwcdc.org/calendar.

Questions About Mount Washington Community Academy Charter School?

The Mount Washington Community Academy Charter School (MWCACS) will be giving a presentation on Thursday, April 18th to update the community on the status of the proposed charter. Their goal is to provide the community with an understanding what a charter school is and the chartering process. Additionally, they will explain what makes their program unique and innovative, introduce some of their education specialists and board members, and provide information to families on the enrollment process. We advise that families and community members interested in participating in the MWCACS charter program attend: it is the best way for you to learn more about this new project. Please mark April 18th on your calendar. The information session will be held at the Mount Washington Community

Development Corporations regularly scheduled Community Forum meeting at the Senior Center on Virginia Avenue at 7pm. If you arent able

to attend the April 18 meeting, you can email questions and comments directly to Charter School organizers at [email protected].

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

301 Shiloh Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15211

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PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT NO. 77

Serving the Mount Washington and Duquesne Heights neighborhoods with a mission to cultivate growth, development and community investment. Total circulation: 7,000 copies 6,000 mailed 1, 000 dropped. For advertising, contact Christina Howell at 412.481.3220 x 206 or christina@ mwcdc.org. Deadline for the June-July On the Mount is Monday, May 6. MWCDC Staff Jason Kambitsis, Executive Director Ilyssa Manspeizer, Director, Park Development and Conservation Kathryn Hunninen, Manager, Park and Community Sustainability Christina Howell, Coordinator, Marketing and Outreach Alphonso Randolph, Administrative Assistant Thomas Guentner, Trail Corps Leader Diane Schmidt, After School Coordinator Joshua Jones, After School Assistant 2013 MWCDC Board of Directors Jon Lusin, President Ed Preston, Vice President Breen Masciotra, Secretary Andy Spanoudakis, Treasurer Tom Brady Victor Cianca Marilyn Caye Justin Cipriani Darla DAnna Phil Delmer Gloria Ostermeyer Eric Horwith Peter Karlovich Terry Moss Mike Tabachnick