[CAL-VIP] Shadyside Newslitter, Volume 5 Number 11
Citizens Against Litter
Shadyside Newslitter (TM) Volume 5, Number 11
"Keeping Shadyside clean since 2005" November 3, 2009
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www.citizensagainstlitter.org in...@citizensagainstlitter.org
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This Newslitter is distributed monthly by Citizens Against Litter in
Shadyside. We send the Newslitter to our volunteers and to others who
are or should be concerned about litter. Most neighborhoods have
groups against litter. We participate in the on-going Redd Up campaign
in 90 city neighborhoods started by our late Mayor Bob O'Connor and
continued by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. There is much to do to makeover
Pittsburgh into one of America's cleanest cities.
In this newsletter
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* Our mission
* Stewards' Community Conversation
* Hail to Pitt students
* Large Stash the Trash turnout
* Shadyside, Mt Lebanon both #1
* Illegal dump survey must reading
* Duck Hollow dumped
* TLC from BBB
* Brookline live wire
* G-2- Partnership missed a few
* Sidewalk stimulus
* "I Litter" awards
* Garbagevilles
* What a difference a day makes
* Important phone numbers
* Have litter; need help?
* Nominate a Redd Up star
* This dentist got drilled
* Young Eco-Hero Awards
* Flower power
Our mission
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Our mission is to inspire people throughout the city and region to
collect litter and connect neighborhoods.
Stewards' Community Conversation
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Members of the Clean Pittsburgh Commission thought it would be a
worthwhile change to sit around and talk shop with a few dozen Clean
Pittsburgh Stewards in place of a regular meeting. Their ideas and
comments get our attention. Our stewards are the glue in a network of
passionate citizens who help keep our neighborhoods litter free. The
occasion was the first Community Conversation. It was held at the CCI
Center on the South Side Oct. 21, four days after the city's fall Redd
Up that brought 10,000 people onto the streets in 80 neighborhoods.
The four top topics were: How neighborhoods can get their hands on
supplies (beyond bags and gloves) like weed wackers, hedge cutters,
picker uppers and brooms? Sources to get more volunteers. The city
cleaning up city-owned vacant lots more regularly. And the city taking
down more dilapidated buildings that become eyesores, disease carriers
and drug-user havens. Stewards were told starting a Zero Tolerance
Litter Policy program and moving more aggressively to eliminate
illegal dumpsites are CPC priorities in 2010.
Hail to Pitt students
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(This letter to the editor appeared in the Post-Gazette Wednesday,
October 21.)
"Neither rain nor snow nor the threat of both could deter 3,000 Pitt
students from 'Making a Difference' on their community service day and
the city's fall Redd Up on Saturday.
"Soon after Pitt buses rolled into 55 neighborhoods on an overcast,
dreary day, local residents were singing the praises of Pitt boys and
girls who picked up litter and trash, tackled a few illegal dumpsites,
mulched gardens and planted bulbs.
"The weather apparently frightened a few neighborhoods that rolled up
their sidewalks and cancelled.
"But it was a great day in the neighborhoods for citizens against
litter, who thanked Pitt students for their community service.
Pittsburgh is a cleaner city because of them."
- Boris Weinstein
Large Stash the Trash turnout
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Several thousand students at more than 30 schools participated in the
fall Redd Up Stash the Trash last month. Among them were: Miller,
Milliones, Dilworth, Arsenal, Manchester, Concord, Greenfield, Fulton,
CAPA-12, Carmalt, Westwood, Linden, Banksville, Pittsburgh Student
Achievement Center, Montessori, Mifflin, Beechwood, St. Rosalia, St.
Cyril of Alexandria, St Benedict Moor, St. John Neumann, Community
Day, St. Edmunds, Taylor Allderdice, Colfax and Hillel Academy.
Shadyside, Mt. Lebanon both #1
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At noon on Saturday, October 17, Richard Rattner, president of the
Shadyside Chamber of Commerce, made his neighborhood the first in
Pittsburgh to sign on for the spring 2010 Earth Day Redd Up that will
coincide with the World Environment Day event to be hosted by
Pittsburgh. On Sunday, October 18, Rob Papke signed up Mount Lebanon
as the first Allegheny County community, saying that many of its
10-school PTA units are already making plans. Citizens Against Litter
began contacting communities even while the fall Redd Up was in
progress.
Illegal Dump Survey must reading
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There are 279 illegal dump sites in Pittsburgh. They are identified by
neighborhood. Contents are identified too (like numbers of tires,
white goods, TVs, vehicle parts). Since 2005, to date surveys in 37
counties conducted in 37 PA counties by PA CleanWays reveal there are
4,159 sites containing an estimated 15,000 tons of trash. Clean
Pittsburgh Stewards can view completed surveys. Visit
<http://bit.ly/1Tlt0F>.
Duck Hollow dumped
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I've just learned of a new local non-profit organization, Stash the
Trash, and its first project. They cleaned up 70 per cent of an
illegal dumpsite in Duck Hollow along the Mon River in Squirrel Hill.
Six of their volunteers and other volunteers of Friends of the
Riverfront gathered up 12 full truckloads of trash and debris in four
hours October 17. Public Works hauled away the stuff the following
Monday. This group means business. Welcome.
TLC from BBB
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"Boris. Just a huge hug and thank you from BBB (Blitz on Banksville
Beautification) for asking that we be included in the Pitt Make a
Difference Day. The kids (39 young men) were wonderful, and we got
1,500 daffodil bulbs planted, trash removed, gardens mulched, etc.
Altogether, it was a very energizing experience for all of us. 'Hope
the kids enjoyed it as much as we did."
- Carol Knox
Brookline live wire
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"It's wonderful to hear that the cleanup was a success in Brookline. I
was able to repair and rewire the new gateway sign at Whited and Jacob
due to the recent vandalism. There remains one broken bulb in the
center that will be replaced as well."
- Jack Stanizzo
G-20 Partnership missed a few
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Belated thank-yous to individuals and groups in the G-20 Clean Up
omitted from the G-20 Partnership "Thank You" ad in the Post-Gazette
October 11: Allegheny CleanWays, PA Resources Council, Citizens
Against Litter, Clean Pittsburgh Commission, Clean Pittsburgh
Stewards, Friends of the Riverfront, The Academy System, Pittsburgh
Job Corps, Allegheny Courts Day Probation, and Duquesne University
Evergreen.
Sidewalk stimulus
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I don't know what's going on with sidewalks in your neighborhood but
there's a mini sidewalk stimulus happening on Ellsworth Avenue in
Shadyside. To the music and lyrics of "Cement Mixer, Put-Ti, Put-Ti"
there several dozen property owners having sidewalks replaced,
including mine. Cause of much of the replacement is tree roots pushing
up the cement that creates unsafe conditions. It's music to my ears
taking place along Ellsworth Avenue from St. James to Ivy. Usually
there are two, three, four workers involved and a cement truck ("See
the mellow roony come out slurp, slurp, slurp"). Imagine the economic
and beautification boost this could be for the whole city. Hope the
Bureau of Building Inspection has sufficient manpower and time to cite
many more property owners in Shadyside and in other neighborhoods.
This mini sidewalk stimulus could develop into a boom for the city.
"I Litter" awards
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Advertising flyers become litter in Shadyside and elsewhere. These
businesses are responsible and put their business on Shadyside streets
last month. Could the list be getting shorter?
* City-Wide Boutique Crawl
* Yellow Pages
Garbagevilles
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Garbagevilles are houses, buildings, streets, alleys and places that
look awful because of litter, garbage, unswept leaves, cigarette butts
and other stuff. Here are some.
* 5525-27 Ellsworth Avenue (rear)
* 5500-08 Elmer Street (side)
* 5505 Elmer Street (side)
* 727 Ivy Street (front, side)
* 816 Ivy Street (front and rear)
* 918 Ivy Street (front, side)
* 922 Ivy Street (side)
* 636 Maryland Avenue (front and side)
* 5505-07 Howe Street (front)
* 5531 Howe Street (front)
* 5533 Howe Street (front and rear)
* 5217 Fifth Avenue (front and side)
* 816 S. Negley Avenue (front)
* Vacant Children's Home, Negley & Kentucky (front, side)
* Sherwin-Williams, Center Avenue (parking lot)
* Wendy's, Baum Boulevard (parking lot and street)
* Blockbuster Video, Baum Boulevard (front, side, rear)
What a difference a day makes
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Dumpster Alley in Shadyside (behind the Walnut Street shops) was
transformed from Garbageville to garden-like during the Redd Up. No
kidding. The alley has been taken off the "Garbageville most
not-wanted list" at least for the month. We're rooting merchants like
the new look so much they keep it that way.
Important phone numbers
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Need to contact the city about something that's been bothering you,
like potholes and graffiti? Call the 311 Response line (alternate
number is 412-255-2621). Your request will be logged and sent to the
proper department. Want to contact someone directly? The following
list may help.
* Mayor's Office (412-255-2626)
* Littering (412-255-2621)
* State Littering Hotline (1-888-548-8372)
* Abandoned Houses (412-255-2175)
* Abandoned Cars (412-255-4776)
* Weeds/Litter/Bad Sidewalks (412-255-4155)
* Building Inspection (412-255-2176)
* Public Works Main # (412-255-2790)
* Refuse/Recycling (412-255-2773)
* Potholes (412-255-2720)
* Graffiti Squad (412-323-7818)
* Graffiti (412-255-28720
* City Planning (412-255-2200)
* Parking Authority (412-560-7275)
* City Council (412-255-2142)
* Environmental Services (412-255-2780)
* Police, Zone 4 (412-422-6520)
* Police, Zone 5 (412-665-3605
Have litter; need help?
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I met a guy who sounds like someone after my own heart. He's a senior
like me. He wants to help other seniors who can't pick up litter
around their property or pull up sidewalk or gutter weeds. If you live
in Squirrel Hill or Shadyside, give Joe a call. 412-521-4056. No
Charge.
Nominate a Redd Up star
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Next March the Clean Pittsburgh Commission will again honor
outstanding city neighborhood volunteers for their community service
in Redd Ups and for their year 'round anti-litter activities. Honorees
will receive Bob Awards, named for our late Mayor Bob O'Connor. Tell
us about deserving volunteers for consideration to receive 2010
"Bobbies." E-mail <boris.w...@verizon.net>.
This dentist got drilled
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True story. A dentist from Carlisle -- with roots in Pittsburgh -- got
drilled by a litter law for dropping a toothpick on the home grounds
of a police officer he was "kinda' feudin'" with. The $300 fine seems
excessive. Maybe he should have demanded a court case and protested on
the grounds that he was just putting down one of the tools of his
trade while adjusting the mask over his mouth.
Young Eco-Hero Awards
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Action for Nature International Young Eco-Hero Awards recognizes the
individual accomplishments of young people whose personal actions have
significantly improved the environment. Maximum award: $500.
Eligibility: youth ages 8-16. Deadline: February 28, 2010. See
<http://bit.ly/4bjry6> for more information.
Flower power
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November.
Thick branches toss and sway
Bending in unison to invisible powers
Leafless.
Bare leaved also
The rose bush bows
But still retains its fragrant flowers.
- Hazel Cope, 2008
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The Newslitter is a publication of Citizens Against Litter, a
volunteer organization dedicated to keeping our neighborhoods free
of litter. To add a new name or to remove your name from the email
list, drop us a line at <in...@citizensagainstlitter.org> or
<boris.w...@verizon.net>.
(C) 2009, Citizens Against Litter
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