I Heart Highland Park

"Marathoning is just another form of insanity."

2010-05-02T16:13:00.004-04:00

John J. Kelly, winner of the 1957 Boston Marathon; U.S. National Marathon Champion eight straight times, 1956-1963. Two time Olympian. (1956 &1960) Five second place finishes at Boston. Pan American Games Marathon Champion in 1959.
(from http://www.runningpast.com/)

Wet streets again, runners keeping the pace, at about hour 4, Highland at Jackson.

running backs, same location, ~same time.

The signs that confounded many who tried to get to Pitt graduations...

Water Station, Highland Ave at Hampton Ave.

I decided to walk from around

Mile 20 (Highland and Jackson) to Mile 21 (Negley and Wellesley?)

Things I remember from this Marathon:

Someone running seeing my shirt and saying "Pink is the new black!" (I had no idea my shirt would be so popular!!) (My shirt, pale pink, with "Pink is the new black, in black letters.) I also wore my pink beach hat, partially for the rain, but also to have fun with the pink motif.
Meeting folks that lived along Highland--hi to David, Mary Lee, and Peter, it was great cheering folks along with you.
a runner who gave us all finger touches as he ran along and we held out our arms.
The "Runaway Bride/Runaway Groom" couple, in gold shirts with black lettering.
The woman who had a shirt that said "Go Sarah Go" on the front and "Sarah's Back" on the back.
The women who had colorful nylon skirts and striped socks.

People were running for food, laptops, or had pictures of cancer survivors on their shirts. It was a lot of fun to cheer them on. The last runner, a guy I watched pour water over his head at the water station at the Union Project (Negley and Stanton): wearing a Steeler's jersey with a lot of ribbons. I cannot for the life of me remember the funny caption on the back of his shirt.

A tragic moment: something resembling an explosive was found around the Greyhound station. It was determined to be a microwave and the bomb squad is still trying to figure out if there was foul play. AP article.

What are your memories of this year's Marathon?

"I ran my fastest marathon in the rain:" Marathon pictures from 2009

2010-05-02T15:48:00.004-04:00

(Bill Rodgers, four time winner of Boston, NYC marathons, member of 1976 Olympic team, winner of the 1977 Fukuoka Marathon.)

Well, we've had two rainy marathons here in Pittsburgh. I was going to post after last year's marathon but...so here are some great pictures from last year. I think I have more, but when I changed computers, my pictures got mixed up, so if I find more, I'll post them.

The group in front of Tazza D'Oro, where Jim Ferlo hosted a breakfast. There was a great band.

The Post-Gazette on Monday.

The Tribune-Review on Monday.

The empty street.

Moments I remember from last year:

being there as the first runners came down Highland.
being there as the first woman runner came through.
getting to know folks that were good friends of my neighbors.
Jeffrey Dorsey, getting to the stage at the Tazza D'Oro area, and dancing when he got there, then going back to run.

He sent this great email to the list-serv:

Thanks for your support yesterday! I ran the marathon and it was a HUGE boost to see families & supporters on Higland Ave, pass T'azzadoro, then pass the Bryant Street Fest, and then the Union Project. Lots of people. Lots of music. (I even stopped to dance the Conga for a second. :)

Thanks to you all for your organizing efforts to support us. Lots of extra good energy, smiles, and encouragement that helped me, and I'm sure a lot of others, continue on to the finish.

Thanks Highland Park!

Sincerely,

Jeffrey

I contacted Jeffrey after he posted that email and told him I was thinking of posting about the marathon...so, a year later...here it is. He said it took about 5 seconds off his finish time.

You may recognize Jeffrey if you hang out at the Union Project...he's the Programming Manager and Interim Executive Director.

Next up...this year's marathon

Pop City loves Highland Park!

2008-11-21T16:23:00.003-05:00

Highland Park has a great list-serv. Every day (or so) I get emails about free desks, requests for recommendations for the best local dermatologists, or BAGPIPES, this Sunday (10:50 a.m.), at St. Andrew's Episcopal (in celebration of St. Andrew's Day.) I even once scored free tickets to the Pittsburgh Symphony through the list-serv.

But one of the emails I didn't open until today was a profile of Highland Park in Pop City.

The article is a walking tour of the neighborhood, and my only complaint is that it doesn't spend enough time on the café at the Union Project. But hey, I'm biased, my church, the Open Door, meets at the Union Project, and church members used to be a main part of the café staff. The café, which was once Union Station, then Urban Fusion, and now Eat UP, have great panini sandwiches, and the prices are right. Plus, if you eat your food there, your hot drink or soup may come in handmade pottery, probably made right in the building (there's a pottery studio in the basement, where local potters, Justin Rothshank being one of the most prominent, ply their trade.) Your sandwich or wrap might be served on plates with the name of the Union Baptist Church, one of the former tenants of the church building at 801 Negley Ave.

What's your favorite Highland Park venue?

"Tennis begins with love."

2008-09-29T08:59:00.002-04:00

(Unknown)

They're tearing up the tennis courts at Stanton Ave. I noticed it last week when the chain link fencing was gone. I was horrified. What is going on? I walk along that stretch of street most days and when the weather is nice, enjoy watching tennis players. I asked a woman who was at her car. "I don't know," she said. "I keep thinking community gardens." (In my mind I thought, um, there ARE community gardens on Stanton Ave.) I wished I had my camera because there was a surreal look, all the poles for the chain link fencing, but no fence. I actually walked into the courts, it was like walking through invisible walls.

This morning, I was again horrified, as bulldozers were taking apart the courts. I called over to a man who was at his car and he said, "Oh, they're re-surfacing the courts. They do that every fifteen years or so. Yep, that one was resurfaced about fifteen years ago." Phew!

I haven't played tennis in years. It might be a full decade by now. There are tennis courts where my family goes on vacation each summer, and we used to go up at least once during our week there. I stalk the completely unusable tennis court on the campus of the Seminary. I notice they recently took away the trailer that sat at the end.

So what is this obsession I have with tennis? I'm not a player, I'm not a fan (I've never watched a full game that wasn't being played by a family member, and like I said, that was at least a decade ago.) It's this thing I have with joy. People playing tennis are playing. They are running after the ball, or that volley back and forth, back and forth. I love the fact that people play tennis, and I'm always happy to stand and watch the players for a few minutes before resuming my walk.

Maybe someday I'll take up tennis again. But until then, I'm glad to know the Stanton Ave. courts will have a new surface soon.

Oh, and it's not fully autumn yet--the water fountain at the courts is still on.

Highland Park Residential National Historic District

2007-09-09T20:57:00.000-04:00

The Highland Park neighborhood is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the "Highland Park Residential Historic District"!

National Register designation is a big honor for our neighborhood. It also increases the financial incentives for some private property owners to maintain the historic character of the Highland park neighborhood.

The Highland Park Community Development Corporation began the nomination process back in 1995 with surveys of over 1,300 structures, documentation of their historic qualities (both social and architectural), and an evaluation of significance by local, state, and federal preservation professionals. Highland Park residents David Hance, Charlie Uhl, & Mike Eversmeyer played a big role in getting the listing. No doubt big thanks should go to others as well.

The announcement was in this week's listing notice on the National Register of Historic Places web site.

It's Freakin' Cold!

2007-02-05T21:21:00.000-05:00

Yep, it's freakin' cold out, negative 13 today, but I still heart highland park. Have to admit I didn't feel much like walking the reservoir however...

Mona's law, eh? I dunno, I've got a great husband, a great job at Chatham (in the aforementioned Squirrel Hill), and a great house here in Highland Park. Now if I could just get a little more heat - maybe that's the terd ting that's missing. Well, there's always hot coffee at Tazza D'Oro, right?

And who here was wishing for snow? Please stop! Lololol! Yesterday as me and my frozen neighbor were warming up our cars (we leave for work at the same time) we looked at each other, yet again, as we have for the past three weeks scraping our cars down of the frozen white stuff, we sighed at the same time. "Not again!" we said with our eyes - we had to because our mouths were wrapped tight with scarves.

Summer and my hammock feels so far away. Stay warm neighbors........

Overheard at Tazza, or more reasons to stay in Highland Park

2007-01-14T10:15:00.000-05:00

Woman 1: Where do you live?
Woman 2: Squirrel Hill.
Woman 1: You drive all the way over to Highland Park to walk?
Woman 1: Well, I used to live here, for thirteen years. I miss it. And there aren't any coffee houses like this in Squirrel Hill.

EXCLAMATION EXCLAMATION!!

Squirrel Hill folks think Tazza is the place to be? I mean, I adore my third floor walk up, but I could only DREAM of owning a house in Squirrel Hill. And yet, thinking back to my two years in S. Hill, the walking in Squirrel Hill is not as great as it is here in HP--I mean, who can rival the park, with the Reservoir, trails in the park, sidewalks in the Park...Frick has an open dog area, but there aren't really any paved walking areas...

And, the order dude at Tazza (I have got to learn their names if I want them to see me as a "regular"!!) got my order wrong, so I got a free Ham and Asiago croissant to go because I told him I was hungry and then I waited for the Tomato and Cheese Croissant that I had paid for. Nice. And I was worried about lunch? Some days are great like that. Now, if only some of this rain would become glittery white DRY snow...

Well, you can't have everything. What is Mona's Law? You can't have a great job, a great apartment, and a great boyfriend all at the same time. Two out of three is the limit. Shoot, I'd move to a bad apartment if it meant I could get a date...no, I take that back. And my job...no, I wouldn't want to change that either. So there's gotta be a loophole in Mona's rule.

See you around the 'hood!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

2007-01-04T08:25:00.000-05:00

Well, it's green green green, here in Highland park, on the tenth day of Christmas. This picture was taken on a walk last week. In the background, the Bunker Hill highrise to your left. The reservoir is on the right, out of the picture. I wonder who thought this tree should be gussied up for the season. Anyways, it's a nice touch to a Highland Park Holiday scene.

Italian Ice -- it was there for two days I promise!!

2006-08-18T19:05:00.000-04:00

The Resevoir at sundown--pictures!!

2006-07-02T21:49:00.000-04:00

Inspired by Nee Nee's post on turtles. No turtles here, but here are some pictures of the reservoir.

The fancy new "old fashioned" street lights. Aren't they purdy?

turtle turtle turtle!

2006-06-29T10:38:00.000-04:00

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

2006-06-22T10:44:00.000-04:00

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!

2006-06-07T10:14:00.000-04:00

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.

Highland Park Yard Sale June 5 2006 - a success!

2006-06-07T08:07:00.000-04:00

Well, okay, it DID rain buckets (um, it IS Arts Festival time...). But there were people out all over the neighborhood at nine o'clock, and the sellers seeemd to be getting rid of stuff - which is the point, yes?

You need to buy the absolute necessities first.

This was my first actual yard sale purchase - for my five-year-old.

My friend G who had come from Regent Square to check out our goods debated the basketball hoop: At ten bucks, it was a steal, but the post was too heavy and she ultimately decided against it. I hope someone bought it and their kids are now enjoying games of H-O-R-S-E and half-court.

Random photos of participating streets:
I wonder if Paula managed to sell the canoe?

Thomas videos for a quarter? They're mine! Well, four of them. I left some for other kids. It only seemed fair.

I hope someone bought the claw foot tub. I have always wanted one but I swore to my husband that I wouldn't buy anything BIG.

A shot of Highland Ave.:

I don't have any official figures but it seemed like there were plenty of people walking our neighborhood, appreciating the lovely streets and useful stuff - and not-so-useful stuff : )

I <3 Highland Park Too!

2006-06-06T15:24:00.000-04:00

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

2006-06-04T00:13:00.000-04:00

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.

2006-06-03T19:19:00.000-04:00

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.

Tonight I go to the 5+U Rent Party at the Union Project. I just heard a clap of thunder...I hope it doesn't rain...

Ta for now, more later!

Highland Park: A little intro

2006-06-03T12:11:00.000-04:00

Many people LOVE Highland Park, and some of us thought perhaps we'd do a little cheering here on the Internet. Enjoy getting to know the neighborhood and its inhabitants, and if you feel like cheering along, please drop one of us an email. (See profiles on the sidebar.)

In Highland Park, we are within easy walking distance of a beautiful 500-acre city park, with several playgrounds, a public swimming pool, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, trails, and a reservoir at the top of it all. The uncovered upper reservoir is just about a mile around so if I run up to the park, around the res, and back down, I can get in a healthy workout.

The entrance to the park was refurbed recently; it sports an elegant fountain surrounded by benches, and lovely flower beds full of tulips, daffodils, lilies, irises, those Dr Seuss-y puffball-on-a-stem flowers, and other glorious flora spring and summer.The park backs onto the Pittsburgh Zoo - you can sometimes hear the lions roaring and I would guess, the monkeys chattering.

Tazza d’Oro, one of the neighborhood coffee shops (or Taz, as my children lovingly call it), is one of my favorite places. And not *just* because the friendly and knowledgeable staff supply me readily with my caffeine fix.

Amy Enrico, the owner, is active in the community; among other events, the shop hosts debate-watching parties, forums with elected officials, and Q-and-A sessions with political candidates. Tazza d’Oro maintains a rotating art show featuring mostly local artists; I purchased a delicate and wonderful watercolor gelee print there last year as my husband’s anniversary gift. Right now there's a very cool photography exhibit up.

I always run into other moms, friends from school and church, neighbors, regulars; it’s also easy to strike up conversation with random strangers there – it’s a very friendly place - I even managed to hook my husband up with some other bridge players I made contact with at the coffee shop (and boy, am I relieved. Cribbage I can handle; bridge, not so much).

And the coffee and food are good. For a cozy drink in the winter, try the Dirty Snowman (dark chocolate peppermint mocha), or a refreshing cherry Italian soda when it’s hot outside. And you can’t go wrong with their cheese or chocolate croissants.

In the true spirit of neighborliness, and exhibiting a great amount of class, Amy has been instrumental in helping the Union Project establish its new coffee-kid-on-the-block, the Union Café.
I haven’t been there yet, but I have my membership card complete with ten free coffees in hand and plan an exploratory trip someday soon. You'll be among the first to know, I promise!

The Union Project is the restoration of an old church building smack in the middle of the neighborhood, run by a group of young Mennonites. They offer stained glass restoration classes - a clever way to raise money and get the dozens of original windows rebuilt fairly cheaply, pottery classes and facilities, yoga classes, Christmas tree sales at the holidays, hosting several church groups and community organizations. It serves as an anchor in the neighborhood and many believe the activity will also serve as a check on some of the less savory activities occurring on that corner right now.

Our business district on Bryant St. comprises, among others, a convenience store, an auto shop, a bakery/cooking store, an Indian restaurant, a pizza place, a cheesesteak shop, a high-end French restaurant, and a community-center type place where you can take yoga classes.

There’s a neighborhood listserv, for event announcement, want ads, community awareness, and public safety issues.

There’s a house tour every fall, a harvest festival, weekly guided walks on the trails in the park.

This Sunday, June 4, 2006, the neighborhood holds its annual community yard sale. So go check out your neighbor’s stuff. You know what they say – one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

The people are what make a neighborhood. I’ve met other moms I see out walking with their children; I say hello almost daily to a friendly daycare caravan of kids whose caretaker always jokes about the number of charges I am herding, I have had friendly encounters with lots of dogs, out with their owners.

People here are socially aware and active, they watch out for their neighbors and keep an eye on the street activity. They run the political gamut. They vote. There are students, families with kids, lots of professors, musicians and artists, people who have lived here for fifty years and people who just moved in.

We all are excited by the vibrancy and potential of our neighborhood.
Keep an eye here for glimpses of the daily life, news, events, and people of this wonderful place to live.