Cutting the ribbon on the “new” playground at Pittsburgh Phillips Elementary School (top) were (from left) Robert Becker, asst. field vice president Allstate Foundation, Rodney Necciai, principal Phillips Elementary, Barbara Gaines, MD, director, Benedum Pediatric Trauma Program, Children’s Hospital, Michelle Porter and Jennifer Plumb, past president and president, respectively, of Pillips Parent-Teacher Organization.
Pittsburgh Phillips Elementary School playground was filled with the sounds of children playing and steel drums last week when more than 300 families and community members from the South Side joined volunteers from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, the Allstate Foundation, the Injury Free Coalition for Kids and Pittsburgh Public Schools to open their new playground and enjoy a back-to-school picnic.
In July, the playground equipment was moved from Knoxville Elementary School where it sat behind a locked fence since 2006 when the school was closed. Children’s received a $60,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation for the renovation of the playground. Another $10,000 is being donated from Allstate Regional for five years of maintenance and programming.
Riverset Credit Union provided funding for the the back-to-school picnic.
Muralist Phil Seth outlines the design elements of the mural he is painting on the side of Vern Gillenburger’s building on Brownsville Road in Carrick.
Dozens of people have stopped to ask about the Sprout Fund mural that is being painted on Vern’s Electric Building at 1917 Brownsville Road, next to Concord Presbyterian Church. Members of the Carrick community are proud of the mural, the artist, Phil Seth, and the efforts that went into its making. Frequent inquiries have led the Carrick-Overbrook History Society (www.carrick-overbrook.org) to develop a short explanation of the process and symbolism in the mural. Since Mr. Seth will name his masterpiece when he is finished and may insert more symbolism, an even more detailed narrative will be forthcoming. For now it is simply called “The Carrick Mural.” This Sprout Fund mural is the result of a public, collaborative effort between the Carrick Community Council, Carrick Business Association, and the Carrick-Overbrook Historical Society. (Carrick Mural)
The Greater Beltzhoover Interagency Network Meeting will hold its 9th Annual Meet the Principals on Thursday, Sept. 4 from 6-7:15 p.m. at the Upper McKinley Park Recreation Center, 900 Delmont Avenue.
Featured guests include Dr. Jennifer Murphy, Carrick High School; Dr. Ethel Flam, Grandview Elementary School; Dr. Sandra Och, Carmalt Elementary School; Dr. Deborah Ann Cox, South Hills Middle School; Dr. Cindi Muehlbauer, Arlington; John Vater, Brashear High School; and, Mark Brentley, School Board Member, District 8.
Special guests include Dr. Linda Lane, Deputy Superintendent, Pittsburgh Schools; State Senator Wayne Fontana; Eddie Jones, Project Manager, Pittsburgh Promise; Judy Hackel, Allentown Community Development Corporation; and Officer Christine Luffey from Zone 3. (Principals)
Cleaning up on the South Side
Cleaning up on the South Side were South Side Slopes residents Matt Scoletti (left) and Matt Schaefer. In addition to cleaning up, the South Side Community Council’s Graffiti Watch held its third paint-out. Joining in the community clean up effort were 200 Duquesne students.
The appointment of a new tax collector highlighted the August 18 meeting of Mount Oliver Council. Councilman Patrick Malloy was absent.
Former borough secretary Colleen Pack got the nod over two other candidates.
At last month’s council meeting, President James Cassidy read a letter from borough tax collector Colleen Gestiehr in which she resigned due to health issues. She held the post for four-and-a-half years.
Ms. Pack will finish Ms. Gestiehr’s unexpired term until Dec. 31, 2009.
The meeting began with complaints by three residents about speeding traffic, including PAT busses, on St. Joseph St. (Mt. Oliver)
A deflating experience
Even a power outage couldn’t deflate the good time at the Carrick CornFest. The neighborhood event featured food, games, music and fun in a family friendly atmosphere.
