Yoga in Baum Grove

Kimberly Musial is teaching yoga in the Baum Grove parklet every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-7 p.m. The classes are donation-based, and will probably run through September. For more info: 412-418-4913.

Movie Filming in Friendship/Bloomfield

Councilman Patrick Dowd’s office received a copy of a permit application submitted by OFM Productions for a movie being filmed across the city beginning later this week. They will be filming on S. Pacific Avenue near the intersection with Coral Street from August 16-20, 2010. This will involve a full closure of S. Pacific between Coral and Friendship. Coral Street will be limited to one lane to allow for production vehicles between S. Aiken and S. Winebiddle. Off-duty police officers will be provided. The production company must contact affected residents, businesses and property owners and post “No Parking” signs in advance, but there are no details on when this will be done.

Support Neighborhood Store

At the corner of S. Pacific and Friendship Avenues, neighborhood store Brian & Cooper Food Mart has been making changes to try to stock more goods needed by all different kinds of people living in the area. With local input and support, Friendship Preservation Group wants to see if this corner store could be one that is helpful to the community and suitable for young kids. You may have to pay a few cents more for some of the items, but please make a special effort to check it out in June on Thursdays or Fridays. Talk to the store manager with thoughts or suggestions and send comments to communications@friendship-pgh.org. In the end, it is to everyone's advantage to having a thriving local store!

Vendors Wanted

Local vendors are wanted for the Artists Market at the 13th Annual Friendship Flower & Folk Festival on Saturday, May 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. "F4," as it's affectionately known, is held at Baum Grove, a park located at the intersection of Roup, Harriet and South Fairmount in Friendship. The cost for vendors is $35 per table. For more information or to reserve your space, contact Jeremy Bustamente by April 15 at jerbustamente@hotmail.com.

Play the Guitar

Ever wanted to 
play guitar? Sign up to learn a
 simple rock song in just one hour at a free 
Guitar LearnIt this Saturday, Feb 20. It's at 1 p.m. at Rebellious Nature 
fair-trade gift shop and local art gallery, 104 N. Graham Street in Friendship. Guitars are provided 
free of charge, and absolutely no skill required.





This LearnIt is hosted by CommuniTeach.
 CommuniTeach engages young Pittsburghers in their communities through the use
 of an online platform that facilitates free, in-person skill exchanges.
 Individuals simply enter the skills they can teach and learn into our website 
and are automatically matched with community members to set up free, in-person
 skill exchanges. So far, people have used our service to swap skills like
 bartending, blues piano, and Greek cooking. By giving young Pittsburghers a hip 
and easy way to share their skills, talents, and passions with fellow community
 members, CommuniTeach helps these individuals feel a vital connection with 
their communities. Sign up to get news 
on future LearnIts. This project supported in part by a Seed Award from The
 Sprout Fund.

BGC Board Member in the Post-Gazette

Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation board member Freddie Croce and his wife, Jennifer Lucchino, made the Post-Gazette today; their house is featured on the 16th annual Friendship House Tour, which takes place tomorrow, Sept. 20. Read all about their home renovations here.

House Tour Volunteers Needed

The Friendship House Tour is right around the corner, and needs you to volunteer as a house docent! The tour takes place on Sunday, September 20, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. In appreciation for volunteering, all are welcome to go on the tour free of charge, and are also invited to the post-tour party, complete with food and beverages. Volunteers will work in shifts, either 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2 to 5 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering as a house docent, please contact Kathy Farrington at 412-362-0862 or Sarah DiLeo at 412-441-6147 x 7 for information.

Porches Needed!

August 4 is National Night Out, a chance for our community to celebrate its ownership of the streets. In addition to encouraging everyone to leave their porch lights on throughout the night, Friendship has traditionally had a few porch parties. If a handful of neighbors volunteer to host porch gatherings (with chips, soda, etc.), Friendship Preservation Group's communications committee will create a map and help spread the word. If you're interested in hosting a National Night Out Porch Party, please send your name and address to communications@friendship-pgh.org.

Friendship Picnic

(click to enlarge flyer)

Stop by Baum Grove (intersection of Roup, Harriet, and Coral) on Friday, July 17, and join your neigbhors for a picnic in the park, hosted by Friendship Preservation Group. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m., and FPG will provide grilled hot dogs, burgers, and beverages. Please bring a salad, side dish, or beverage to share. Fun for all, including kids' games and activities.

Giant Yard Sale!

Friendship's biggest ever neighborhood yard sale takes place this Sunday, June 28, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., from South Negley to Winebiddle. More than 30 families will be selling stuff they've accumulated through the years: Antiques, Collectibles, Furniture, Household Items, Art, and More! Pick up a map at Baum Grove (intersection of Fairmount, Roup, Harriet Streets), then look for the balloons. Come out with your family and turn the recession into an opportunity! Learn more by visiting the Friendship website.

Community-Wide Yard Sale

The Friendship Preservation Group is planning a community-wide yard sale for Sunday, June 28, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Kick in $5 for the advertising and take advantage of the opportunity to get rid of some stuff! To participate, email michele.timon@gmail.com. Restricted to homes between Gross and Negley.

Reminder! Penn Avenue Infrastructure Update This Week

Don't miss the community meeting for the Penn Avenue Corridor Phasing Plan - this Thursday evening!

Date: April 16, 2009
Place: Saint Lawrence O’Toole Activity Building (corner of North Atlantic & Broad)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – Sign In/Refreshments; 6:30 p.m. – Presentation and Q&A; 7:30 p.m. – Group Breakout Stations / Discussions

The purpose of the meeting is threefold: 1) review the previous Public Meeting comments and community concerns; 2) discuss what has been completed since the last Public Meeting; and 3) detail the next steps and phases of the project including potential timelines.

The project team will be present at the public meeting to discuss and provide a better understanding of the project needs and prioritized transportation improvements.

The meeting location is accessible to persons having disabilities. Anyone who needs additional information, has special needs, or requires special aids should contact:

Patrick Hassett, Assistant Director, City of Pittsburgh, Department of Public Works, Bureau of Transportation and Engineering at pat.hassett@city.pittsburgh.pa.us or 412-255-2883.

Summit on Economic Stimulus Package Draws Crowd

On March 23, local officials and organizations met to discuss where President Obama's stimulus money will be distributed in Pittsburgh. More than 200 people attended the event, which included an appearance by Mayor Ravenstahl. The economic stimulus package "summit" was convened by the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation (BGC's Youth Development Director Rick Flanagan is pictured at the podium) and took place at West Penn Hospital in Friendship.

The Mayor Comes to Penn Avenue

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl toured Penn Avenue in Garfield, Bloomfield, and Friendship this morning as part of his "Taking Care of Business" initiative. The tour is designed to identify how the city can help revitalize different neighborhoods with signage, trees, and other improvements. With the mayor was Bloomfield-Garfield Corp. executive director Rick Swartz (with camera).

BGC Board of Directors Search

Have you ever looked around your neighborhood and wondered, “What can I really do to help shape the future of our community?”

As a Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation board member, you can make a difference in our community. On Monday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m., the BGC will be hosting a “Get Acquainted” session at the Community Activity Center (113 N. Pacific Avenue) for BGC members interested in joining our Board of Directors. As a member of our Board, you would help make important decisions that impact East End neighborhoods and shape the future of the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation.

How do you get on our Board of Directors? First, you need to be a member of the BGC (or willing to join), and you must live, work, or own property in the incorporated territory of the BGC (Bloomfield, Garfield, and Friendship). But most importantly, you must have a burning desire to make the kind of changes our community needs to move toward a brighter future.

The “Get Acquainted” session will introduce you to the duties and responsibilities of the BGC’s Board of Directors, as well as explain how they are nominated and elected, and give you a chance to tell us why you are the right person to be on our Board. We are especially interested in seeing some young people (ages 21-35) on our Board, so come out and learn how YOU can make a difference!

Please RSVP to 412-441-6950 x15 by noon on Friday, September 12, if you plan to attend. Pizza and pop will be served. We hope to see you there!

Friendship's Annual Picnic

Come on over to Baum Grove (Roup Avenue, near Harriet) on July 18th at 6 p.m. for the annual Friendship summer picnic! Make sure to bring the kids, because the fire truck is planning to visit (pending no local emergencies). It's the usual fare: Friendship Development Associates provides the dogs, burgers, and drinks. Please bring a covered dish or dessert to share. See you there!

Work with Seniors

Seniorsville is an adult day care service provider located in the Friendship neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Seniorsville is seeking a dynamic and passionate individual committed to serving the well-being of the senior citizens in the community. This part-time position is responsible for assisting the director in all aspects of his/her duties and responsibilities.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Maintain and promote established policies, programs and budgets for the center
• Admission and discharge of clients
• Safety and protection of clients
• Compliance with Subchapter A., License and Operational Requirements for Pennsylvania Adult Daily Living Centers
• Prepare contracts for independent service providers such as physical therapists and occupational therapists
• Serve as a liaison with the property management company to address any issues with the facility

Qualifications (one of the following):
• At least an associate degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 1 year of social or health services experience
• A high school diploma or GED equivalent and a minimum of 2 years experience in the social or health service setting and skills to work with aging adults or adults with functional impairment and to supervise center staff persons

Requirements:
• Fingerprint processing required
• Proof of current good health (signed by a physician)
• Tuberculosis test mandatory
• Computer literate (Microsoft Word and Excel)
• Ability to communicate effectively to participants, families of participants, health care and social service professionals and team staff members –- both orally and in writing
• Good organizational skills

Please contact Debbie Stuckey at 412-441-6249 for more information or email your name and resume to info@seniorsvillepgh.com.

Don Allen Site Update

Come and learn about the Baum Boulevard and Liberty Avenue development on the former Don Allen car dealership site.

Wednesday, June 25 at 6 p.m.
West Penn Hospital Auditorium (next to the cafeteria)
Given by: DOC Economou. For information call 724-935-4480

Walk Weekly with Friendship Preservation Group

Friendship Preservation Group's Public Safety Committee invites all neighbors to join us for a walk around our neighborhood.

When: Monday and Thursday evenings at 7:00
Where: Meet at Pittsburgh Montessori School
The Route: Approximately 1.5 miles - East on Friendship toward Negley, to Coral, to Winebiddle, to Harriet, ending at Baum Grove.
Who: You! Your friends! Your kids! Your dogs! All are welcome.

A Zone 5 police officer will join us whenever possible.

Contact Emily Amick at missesamick@yahoo.com for more information.

Book Donations - This Is No Joke!

The Friendship Flower and Folk Festival, which takes place on Saturday, May 10, in Baum Grove, will once again feature a book table. So dig out those books you've already read, the ones collecting dust on your bookshelf, and donate them to the festival! Books may be dropped off on the porch of 215 S. Fairmount Street. All proceeds from the book table benefit the Friendship Preservation Group.