A Chronicle of Our Times: July – December 2007

This is a continuation of a study started approximately two years ago by James Wudarczyk. The purpose is to highlight events in the life of the Lawrenceville community and document the source for researchers that desire more detail.

July 24, 2007 There was a planned disruption of water service between 54th and 62nd Streets as the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority implemented plans to replace a 36-inch main.
Source: “City: Lawrenceville, Valve work to disrupt water service tonight,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, July 24, 2007.

July 26, 2007 Pittsburgh Water and Sewage Authority postponed work on replacement of a 36-inch main between 54th and 62nd Streets. Officials contended more preparation work was needed to be completed before the installation could begin.
Source: “Lawrenceville: Water-main work has been postponed,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, July 26, 2007.

August 1, 2007 Recipes were solicited for the “2007 Joy of Cookies Tour.” Deadline for submission of recipes was September 1. The event was scheduled for November 29 through December 1.
Source: “Joy of Cookies Tour Wants Recipes,” The Bulletin, August 2007.

August 4, 2007 Local artists Kevin Clancy and Martha Ressler opened an exhibition at Trinity Gallery, 4747 Hatfield Street. The exhibit was scheduled to run through September 15.
Source: “Two Local Artists at Trinity Gallery,” The Bulletin, August 2007.

August 4, 2007 Everyone An Artist Gallery, 4128 Butler Street, presented “Art Is Alive, Art Is Healthy,” a collaborative exhibit featuring works by art therapists and artists from the community. The exhibit ran from August 4 through the 27th.
Source: “Art Is Alive, Art Is Healthy,” The Bulletin, August 2007.

August 7, 2007 Lawrenceville United sponsored its 4th annual National Night Out event. Events included a cookout on the patio of the LU offices at 4825 Butler Street.
Source: “National Night Out in Lawrenceville,” The Bulletin, August 2007.

August 7, 2007 A schedule for various block watches was posted in The Bulletin. Starting with the National Night Out event, other sites for block watches throughout the month of August were St. Matthew’s Church, St. Mary’s Lyceum, St. Augustine’s Auditorium, and the Stephen C. Foster Community Center.
Source: “Lawrenceville Block Watch Schedule,” The Bulletin, August 2007.

August 8, 2007 UPMC St. Margaret Hospital sponsored classes on fall prevention, veteran benefits, and driver safety at Canterbury Place, 310 Fisk Street. Two of the classes were free, while the driver class was offered for a modest fee of $10.
Source: UPMC St. Margaret Summer Classes,” The Bulletin, August 2007.

August 8, 2007 The Pittsburgh Water and Sewage Authority planned to shut down a 36-inch main for installation of a new valve between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Residents between 54th and 62nd Streets, as well as on Carnegie Street, Donson Way, Dresden Way, and Sawyer Way were affected by the shut down.
Source: “Water service to be interrupted in Lawrenceville,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 8, 2007.

August 8, 2007 A Lawrenceville baker was soliciting recipes and promised he would make batches of the winning recipes for Lawrenceville businesses to share with visitors during the Cookie Tour, scheduled for November 29- December 2. Persons wishing to make a submission for the contest were encouraged to send their recipes to Dandelions, 4108 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201.
Source: “Recipes sought for cookie tour,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, August 8, 2007.

August 8, 2007 The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review carried a feature article on Goodwill’s computer recycling center at 55 55th Street. According to the newspaper, Goodwill Industries planned to sell parts such as hard drives, keyboards, and mice on the last weekend of each month. It noted that 260 welfare recipients completed their federally mandated work hours at its computer recycling center. The recycling program costs about $1 million a year with the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Dell, Inc., providing money for marketing and a link to a certified recycler in Michigan, where parts, metals and plastics are sold for further processing. The recycling center occupied 85,000 square feet of a former warehouse.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, August 8, 2008

August 9, 2007 The Lawrenceville branch of the Carnegie Library at 279 Fisk Street was one of four libraries to be closed due to a lack of air conditioning and continued oppressive heat in the 90’s, as well as high humidity.
Source: “City: 4 library branches closed today because of heat,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 9, 2007.

August 9, 2007 Nineteen- year-old Jayla Brown of Lawrenceville was killed at 1 a.m. and a 22-year-old Hazelwood man was wounded when at least 20 bullets hit the windows of their parked car in the 5200 block of Butler Street.
Source: “Ambush kills woman,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, August 10, 2007. Kim Lyons, “Teen gunned down in car,” Tribp.m., August 9, 2007.

August 12, 2008 Roger Oxendale, Children’s Hospital President and CEO, was featured as he toured the new medical facility still under contruction.
Source: Dan Fitzpatrick, “Transformers: Building a new Children’s Hospital changes the community and how patients are cared for,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 12, 2007.

August 15, 2007 City homicide detectives sought the public’s help in finding the party or parties responsible for the slaying of Jayla Brown in the 5200 block of Butler Street.
Source: “Lawrenceville: Police seek clues in fatal shooting,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, August 15, 2007.

August 18, 2007 Twenty artists and local businesses sponsored a block party along the 4700-4800 section of Hatfield Street from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The event featured soul singers Joy Ike and Martha Jane.
Sources: Deborah Deasy, “Soul singer to perform at Lawrenceville festival,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, August 18, 2007.

“Art & Tique on Hatfield,” The Bulletin, August 2007.

August 27, 2007 The family of Jim “MJ” Delligatti, inventor and founder of McDonald’s “Big Mac,” unveiled the Big Mac Museum in North Huntingdon, PA. At the affair, the corporation made a $10,000 donation toward the new Ronald McDonald House in Lawrenceville.
Source: Sandra Donovan, “Big Mac Museum,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, August 27, 2007.

September 1, 2007 Mary Szulborski of Lawrenceville won 12 medals in the Keystone Senior Games.
Source: Paula Martinac, “Lawrenceville Seniors go for the Gold … and the Silver … and the Bronze at Keystone Senior Games,” The Bulletin, September 2007.

September 7, 2007 Everyone An Artist Gallery, 4128 Butler Street, featured an opening reception for Martin Gittin’s exhibit “Saturday Morning Cereal.” The exhibit ran through November 2.
Source: “New Show at Everyone An Artist Gallery,” The Bulletin, September 2007.

September 10, 2007 Our Lady of the Angels Parish offered a bible study, “Adventures in Matthew: The King and His Kingdom,” in Holy Family social hall, 256 44th Street on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. The video series was scheduled to continue through April 2008. Cost for materials was $25.
Source: “Bible study to begin in Lawrenceville,” Pittsburgh Catholic, August 31, 2007.

September 14, 2007 The defunct St. Francis Health System indicated that unclaimed medical recor5ds would be destroyed on October 15.
Source: “St. Francis medical records deadline near,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, September 14, 2007.

September 20, 2007 On Friday at 7:30 p.m., Slaughterhouse Gallery & Studio, 5136 Butler Street, featured writers Sharon F. McDermott, Barbara Edelman and John Stupp reading from their original works.
Source: “Choice Cuts,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, (Ticket), September 20, 2007.

September 21, 2007 Zone 2 Public Safety Council held its annual appreciation lunch and dinner in Arsenal Park.
Source: “City Calendar: Lawrenceville,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 17, 2007.

September 22, 2007 Our Lady of the Angels Parish held a benefit auction at St. Mary’s Lyceum.
Source: “Benefit Auction,” The Bulletin, September 2007.

September 27, 2007 Ruthanne F. Bauerie’s photographic display, “Lawrenceville and Other Recent Works, was featured at Woodland Hall, Chatham University.
Source: “Chatham College Art Gallergy,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, (Ticket), September 27, 2007.

September 27, 2007 Through October 27, Digging Pitt Gallery featured mixed media works.
Source: “Digging Pitt Gallery,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, (Ticket), September 27, 2007.

September 27, 2007 Through October 27, “Kurt Kornacki: A Retrospective” was on display at Zombo Gallery, 4900 Hatfield Street for the benefit of Pittsburgh Campaign for Democracy.
Source: “Zombo Gallery,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, (Ticket), September 27, 2007.

September 27, 2007 Through October 19, the paintings of Robin Roberts were on display at Gallery on 43rd Street, 187 43rd Street.
Source: “Gallery on 43rd Street,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, (Ticket), September 27, 2007.

September 28, 2007 Pittsburgh school police officer, Latisha Cassidy, suffered injuries after being assaulted by an eighth-grade student at Arsenal Middle School. According to the account, Cassidy was injured after confronting a student for wearing a bandanna with a gang marking. The student was suspended and charged with aggravated assault.
Source: “Lawrenceville: School police officer hurt in assault by 8th grader,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, September 28, 2008.

October 1, 2007 Lawrenceville United issued a report on the federally funded Weed and Seed Program. The report noted there were 12 arrests, 21 citations, approximately 30 vehicles stopped, and 2 gun confiscations.
Source: Lawrenceville United Public Safety Newsletter, October 2007.

October 3-5, 2007 A solemn triduum to Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, C.Ss.R., was celebrated with Masses and novenas at Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Most Holy Name Church, Holy Angels Church, and St. Alphonsus. Seelos, a 19th century Catholic priest, served a number of parishes including Saint Augustine in Lawrenceville.
Source: “Solemn Triduum to Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, C.Ss.R., Pittsburgh Catholic, September 28, 2007.

October 4, 2008 Cheryl Mosco was featured for her work with injured pigeons, which she regularly takes to the Wildlife Center in Verona.
Source: “Lawrenceville woman takes wayward pigeons under her wing,” Tribpm, October 4, 2008.

October 5, 2007 Our Lady of the Angels Parish sponsored an Arts and Heritage Festival at the parish’s St. Mary’s Lyceum, 335 45th Street. Events included games, ethnic meals, rides, a farmer’s market, and two stages of continuous entertainment. The event ran from Friday, October 5 through Sunday, October 7. The ethnic heritage featured meals and entertainment: Friday, October 5 was German Day; Saturday, folk day; and Sunday, Irish Day. There was also a great Lawrenceville scavenger hunt with a top prize of $1,000.
Sources: “Art & Heritage Fall Festival,” Bulletin, October 2007.

“The Great L’ville Scavenger Hunt,” Bulletin, October 2007.

“Arts Festival: Our Lady of the Angels Parish,” Pittsburgh Catholic, September 28, 2007.

October 7, 2007 The Lawrenceville Stakeholders and the Lawrenceville Historical Society jointly sponsored the 2007 Lawrenceville Hospitality House Tour on Sunday 7, 2007 from noon until 5 p.m. Cost of admission for the self-guided tour, which started at the gatehouse of Allegheny Cemetery, 4734 Butler Street, was $10 in advance and $12 at the gate. A photograph of the Holly Koenig house appeared in the article. According to the account, Koenig bought the house for $40,000; then spent another $50,000 on renovations.
Also noted in the article were other activities in the neighborhood: Our Lady of the Angels Fall Festival at St. Mary’s Lyceum, 46th Street; Sip And Shop, a promotion by some Butler Street shops that offered beverages to encourage shopping in Lawrenceville.
Source: Pam Starr, “Lawrenceville tour shows off a variety of homes,” (Living), Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, October 6, 2007.
Also, refer to Paula Martinac, “Neighborhoods Gear Up for Annual House Tours,” The Bulletin, September 2007.

October 9, 2007 The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette carried an article on the Weed and Seed Program in Lawrenceville, which was one of three communities to receive a $1 million federal grant over five years to combat crime. Noted in the account were bulletin boards that warned against committing a crime in Lawrenceville. Crimes committed in Weed and Seed zones could carry stiffer federal penalties.
Source: Diana Nelson Jones, “Weed and Seed breathing new life in Lawrenceville,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 9, 2007.

October 17, 2007 The MetLife Foundation presented an award to Lawrenceville United and the City of Pittsburgh Police Department for reducing crime and improving the quality of life in Lawrenceville. The event took place at the Estelle S. Campbell Boys and Girls Club at 4600 Butler Street.
Source: “Lawrenceville United Receives Public Safety Award,” The Bulletin, November 2007.

October 18, 2008 Geyer Printing announced it planned to relocate in the former Unisource Paper Company Building at 55 38th Street. The new location allowed the printing company to add new equipment in the 50,700 sq. ft. building.
Source: “Printer relocates,” Pittsburgh Tribune Review, October 1, 2007.

October 21, 2007 Reverend John J. Daya, O.F.M., Cap., pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Lawrenceville, was awared the Medallion Circle Award, which is the highest award the Catholic Diocesan Holy Name Union bestows upon an a spiritual director, ecclesiastics and lay members of the Holy Name Society in the United States. A service award was also presented to Paul Morris, treasurer of the Holy Name Society of Our Lady of the Angels.
Source: “48th Annual Pittsburgh Diocesan Holy Name Society Banquet” (Program Booklet), October 21, 2007

October 28, 2007 The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review featured the new Children’s Hospital. The facility, expected to open in mid-2009, encompasses 1.5 million square feet, will accommodate 296 patients, and is expected to cost $625 million.
Source: Luis Fabregas, “Not your dad’s hospital,”(City and Region Section), Pittsburgh Tribune-Review October 28, 2007.

November 2, 2007 According to John Sozansky, president of the Appraisal Institute’s Metropolitan Chapter, and Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, real estate prices in lower and central Lawrenceville have been rising at a steady 8 percent annually.
Source: Time Grant, “Real estate prices are getting higher in some unexpected places,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 2, 2007.

November 3, 2007 Real estate transfers indicated that during 2006 in the 6th Ward/Strip District and Polish Hill the number of sales logged in at 99, while in 2007 the number was 79. The medium price for these sales also fell from $42,295 to $35,000. The Highest priced transfer in 2006 cost $776,379, while its 2007 counterpart was $330,000.
In the 9th Ward/Lawrenceville while the highest priced transaction fell from $240,000 to $175,100, the medium transaction rose from $50,000 to $60,000. The total number of sales also fell from 140 to 112.
In the 10th Ward/Morningside the number of sales transactions rose slightly from 265 to 269. The highest priced sale also rose from $215,000 to $228,000. However, the medium price for these transactions fell from $59,000 to $52,500.
Source: “Living Here,” (Home and Garden Section), Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 3, 2007.

November 6, 2007 St. Margaret Foundation presented a class for older adults at Canterbury Place on “Music Appreciation,” which featured music from the 1920’s through the 1950’s. Cost of the program was $10. Additional programs were also sponsored throughout the month by various organizations.
Source: “Classes for Older Adults,” The Bulletin, November 2007.

November 7, 2007 Tiffany and Matt Merriman-Preston were featured in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Tiffany, 26, a poet, was featured for her work with the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, a non-profit that provides services for adults with intellectual disabilities; while Matt, 29, is co-owner of The MPP Group, a political consulting group in Lawrenceville. They were credited with developing an on-line walking tour of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
Source: Allison M. Heinrichs, “Newsmakers: Tiffany and Matt Merriman-Preston,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, November 7, 2007.

November 7, 2007 Allegheny County Health Department officials presented a comparison between state and county air pollution requirements.
“Lawrenceville: County, health board to discuss air pollution,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, November 7, 2007.

November 8, 2007 An emergency meeting was called for 7 p.m. the evening of Thursday, November 8 at Stephen C. Foster Community Center. Top police officials were on hand to discuss the recent rash of burglaries. There were eight forced entries between October 25 and the day of the meeting. At least one burglary involved two armed men. Police indicated that most of the suspects were males between the ages of 17 and 24. Some of the burglars were white and others were black. With the advent of the “Weed and Seed Program” last September, it was reported that there were 12 arrests for narcotics and the removal of two guns from the streets. Other reported incidents included three houses on 38th Street for drug activity and harassment. There was also confirmation of a gang fight in Arsenal Park. Residents also voiced concern over a spree of vandalism and several armed robberies. Pittsburgh police distributed burglary prevention tips and pledged full support to apprehend the burglars but could not detail their operations since it would jeopardize police officers assigned to the case.
Source: Personal recollection.

November 10, 2007 The Parish Nurse Ministry of Our Lady of the Angels sponsored a free Health Fair from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Holy Family’s Social Hall.
Source: “Our Lady of the Angels Health Fair,” The Bulletin, November 2007.

November 10, 2007 Bethel Baptist Church featured several events, including a “Celebration of Women” and a community Thanksgiving Dinner during November.
Source: “Celebration of Women Month,” The Bulletin, November 2007.

November 11, 2007 Michael Connors, Vice President of the Lawrenceville Historical Society, wrote an extensive article on Thomas Enright, one of the first American fatalities during World War I. Enright is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lawrenceville. In honor of Veteran’s Day, the article was featured in the Sunday edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Michael Connors, “The Next Page: Finding Private Enright,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 11, 2007.

November 17, 2007 Following the death of Ray Brown, John Cantrell wrote a reflection on the Brown family in Lawrenceville.
Source: John Cantrell, “Blessed in Lawrenceville,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 17, 2007.

November 26, 2008 Lawrenceville resident, Ann Klobuchar, 85, was quoted as favoring a plan to move the Pittsburgh housing court hearings into local neighborhoods. Also quoted was Tony Coeffe, executive director of Lawrenceville United.
Source: Bobby Kerlick, “Pittsburgh housing court may move hearings into neighborhoods,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, November 26, 2007.

November 29, 2007 Lawrenceville merchants scheduled a cookie tour. The tour ran from November 29 through December 1.
Sources: “More ‘Joy of Cookies!’” The Bulletin, December 2007.
“The ‘Joy of Cookies’ returns to Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, November 21, 2007.

December 1, 2007 Our Lady of the Angels sponsored a breakfast with Santa. Tickets were $5. The event included a hot breakfast, visit with Santa, and gifts for the children.
Source: “Breakfast with Santa in Lawrenceville,” The Bulletin, December 2007.

December 1, 2007 New Bethel Baptist Church held a “Gigantic Christmas Flee Market and Vendors Market” from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 221 43rd Street.
Source: “Flea Market and Vendors Marketplace,” The Bulletin, November 2007.

December 1, 2007 The Bulletin released the results of Lawrenceville’s Elm Street District Survey. The committee distributed 700 surveys to households in an area bounded by Stanton Avenue, Dresden Way, Keystone Street, and 55th Street. Seventy or 10 percent responded. Results showed 83% liked the community spirit, 66% indicated they would like to see dilapidated houses repaired, and 66% wanted an increase in police presence.
Source: Nadia Diboun, “Results of Lawrenceville’s Elm Street District Survey Released,” The Bulletin, December 2007.

December 4, 2007 Police arrested Terrell Childs, 29, inside a McCandless Avenue home in connection with the shooting of Jibreel Scott, 27, outside the Brightside Academy several months ago.
Sources: “Police make arrest in shooting outside day-care,” Tribpm, December 4, 2007.
Jill King Greenwood, “Lawrenceville man arrested in shooting,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 4, 2007.
“City- Downtown: Lawrenceville man held for trial in killing,” Pittsburgh Tribune Review, December 22, 2007.

December 7, 2007 An article on early historian (1842-1918) Andrew Arnold Lambing appeared in the Pittsburgh Catholic. Lambing was credited with compiling the baptism records of Fort Duquesne, writing the first history of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, and serving as president of the Western Pennsylvania Historical Society. He is buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Lawrenceville.
Source: Phil Taylor, “Andrew Lambing: Priest, pioneer, historian,” Pittsburgh Catholic, December 7, 2007.

December 9, 2007 A brief biographical sketch of Harmar Denny, the first mayor of Pittsburgh, appeared in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Denny is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.
Jeremy Boren, “Denny Delighted by Pittsburgh,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, (City and Region Section), December 9, 2007.

December 13, 2007 While the FBI held a holiday party inside a Lawrenceville brewery, a band of thieves burglarized their cars and made off with Global Positioning Systems, and a bullet-proof vest used for target practice.
Source: Richard Byrne Reilly and Chris Togneri, “Thieves target feds’ vehicles in Lawrenceville,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 28, 2007.

December 27, 2007 The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review featured a picture of Chinu Shah, owner of Chow Chow Train in Lawrenceville. The convenience store owner said he was robbed once in 15 years. A sign in front of the store requires patrons to remove hoods and masks.
Source: Karen Roebuck, “Danger a customer away for store clerks,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 27, 2007.

December 27, 2007 Digging Pitt Galleries, at Butler and 45th Streets, sponsored “The Blogger Show,” which highlighted the works of 30 artists. The exhibit was scheduled to run through January 12, 2008.
Source: (Ticket Section), Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 27, 2007.

December 27, 2007 “Good on Paper” was the title of the exhibit at Fe Gallery at 4102 Butler Street. The exhibit was scheduled to run through February 9, 2008.
Source: (Ticket Section), Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 27, 2007.

December 28, 2007 Borelli-Edwards Galleries at 3583 Butler Street featured the paintings of Mary M. Mazziotti.
Source: Tribpm, December 28, 2007.

December 29, 2007 The FBI announced that it would not discipline agents, whose cars were vandalized while they attended a holiday party at iron City Brewing Company. One youth, 17, was arrested on the North Side while he was wearing a stolen bulletproof vest.
Source: Richard Byrne Reilly, “FBI won’t discipline agents at party,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 29, 2007.