I Heart Highland Park: June 2006

turtle turtle turtle!

So yesterday on my thrice-weekly walk around the reservoir, in addition to the baby ducks, which aren't so "baby" anymore, and the little old lady who sits on the park bench and feeds the feral cat who lives in that part of the park (shhhhh, don't tell, the cat looks like a huge, cuddly Maine Coon, a lot like my sister's late cat Fritz, who was so snuggly it was a crime) I saw something I'd never seen in the park before. I've seen chipmunks, bunnies, once a tiny blind mole that was so CUTE, and of course assorted people like me who are trying to grab some nature or get rid of some pounds, and not to mention the baby carriages and couples strolling. Yesterday I saw a TURTLE! Okay, maybe not earth-shattering, but there it was. On first approach I thought it was a duck, but on closer inspection, I discovered it was definitely a turtle. Sitting half-in and half-out of the water, looking at the sky expectantly...as we all were yesterday because the sky threatened rain every minute. It had a red dot right behind its ear, and like a yellow stripe under its chin. Can anyone tell me what kind of turtle this is? I kept wondering how it got in and out of the reservoir. And how long it must take. And what it eats. Cat food maybe? I know the blue jays love "Fritz Jr.'s" leftovers...

p.s. You can always tell what time of year it is by how big the baby ducks are. Yesterday, I mistook one for a moma duck. But it was definitely a baby, exploring around on its own. They grow so fast! Okay, this amateur naturalist of Highland Park is done for the day. Maybe it's because I just finished Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer, but I feel a lot more keenly aware of the nature going on around here :)

A rite of spring lost: Anthony's Italian Ice

You always knew when spring had come--his red cart and umbrella would be by the tennis courts on Bunkerhill. Last year, after the Park was landscaped, he moved up there. I always ordered watermelon, if he had it. He always would warn me of pits. Which is how you knew it was the real deal.

Every day, on the way to and from work, I drive by where his truck used to be every sunny day from May to September. There is a small memorial there.

He died in March. On May 6, 2006 Brian O'Neill wrote a column in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about him.

If the citizens of Dormont can get their pool back, can't the citizens of Highland Park put up a more lasting memorial to this man?

Where his cart would be. The trash can where you'd put your cup and spoon when done.
The stairs where people would sit, eating. I remember one Sunday whilst in library school hanging out on the stairs with a few friends.

Anthony would be on the phone.

The tallest building in Highland Park. I've heard that from the 22nd floor you can see the elephants.

The Rent Party--Woo hoo!

The Union Project celebrated five years in style--Harlem Renaissance style, that is. During the HR, folks would throw a party, have a live band, and charge admission. They used the cash to pay their rent, hence the name "rent party." The UP used proceeds from their fifth anniverary party to pay their mortgage on their building, the former Union Baptist Church.

The Great Hall, full of party-ing folks.

The cake, which was very good.

A picture of the historic postcards I bid on at the Silent Auction, which seems to be playing peek a boo with Blogger at the moment. Apparently at one time, the zoo was all indoors. Stay tuned for when I show up close pictures of the postcards. Not today, though. Other items in the Silent Auction: a pair of Pirates tickets, a bowl (beautiful pottery), a rug. Other stuff.

Me, with the postcards. Note behind me, the stained glass doors, which feature the Union Project's logo.

I <3 Highland Park Too!

My husband and I have lived here four years, and we discovered the neighborhood totally on accident. We'd been renting an apartment from T.H. in Friendship (the guy who owns Kelly's Bar, right across from Red Room) and paying way too much. A friend suggested Aspinwall, and on the way there, we stopped at Tazza D'Oro for a coffee. I was sold. Not only did it remind me of The Corner Cafe in Richmond where I used to spend early mornings, 6am, helping to bake bagels and make lattes, but the art on the walls, the fact that she was bringing back memories of Tuscany and the pretty little village the place is named after, I was totally hooked.

I told the hubby, "We must live within walking distance of this place." And now we do :) And I love it. Amy makes the BEST damn scones on earth! Especially fresh from the oven. I know when I eat one of these early in the morning, nothing bad can happen that whole day.

I love walking the streets and the way the people tend their gardens, all the flowers, all the nooks and crannies that exist in this neighborhood. I love the way the light dances on the water in the reservoir in the afternoons, and the feeling of the breeze on your face. I love petting all the dogs I meet on my walks, I love the Farmer's Market, wherever it may end up ;), and I love swinging in the hammock on my front porch. Highland Park Rules!

Helping out in the park

I volunteer with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to deal with invasive, non-native plant species that are crowding out native species in the parks. It was the PPC who restored the beautiful fountain and garden area at the Highland Avenue entrance to the park.

Today I removed 2 large bags of garlic mustard from two places in the park: one came from the foot bridge at the Connecting Trail and the other came from the western part of the walkway around Reservoir #1. Volunteers like me are called Urban Eco-Stewards--and you can be one too if you're interested in helping out.

The PPC is also responsible for creating new trails in the parks. With the help of other organizations such as the Student Conservation Association they have created or restored:

The Babbling Brook and trail from the Microfiltration Plant down the hill to the rear of the swimming pool
The Elm Grove trail which leads from Elm Grove on Lake Drive (near the Stanton Avenue entrance to the park) down to the Velodrove on Washington Boulevard.
The Connecting Trail which starts at Connecting Road below the Farmhouse and leads to the "seven bumps" area between Jackson Road and Lake Drive
Bigelow Trail from the outer loop of Reservoir Drive just over the top of the hill from Reservoir #1 down to the area near the volleyball court; and there's an extension to this trail that connects to Bigelow Grove

The Union Project: if it were a building, I'd marry it.

Now that you've had an intro, let's take a look in the basement of Highland Park's newest refurbished jewel: The Union Project. While at First Friday at the Union Station Cafe last night, I heard descriptions of this sink. It sounded nice. Interesting. Never in a million years did I imagine it was this exquisite.

I love the tiny roses.
It's a brush holder, built into the mosaic!
A closer look at the side of the brush holder: a face. I'm told there's another one on the other side.