A Chronicle of Our Times: January 1, 2009 – March 30, 2009

This is a continuation of a study started 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.

January 11, 2009 The Duquesne University Encore choir sang at a birthday celebration at Canterbury Place in Lawrenceville.
Source: Photograph, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 12, 2009.

January 11, 2009 Anna Misiaszek, who operated Alfred’s Deli on Butler Street for three years until the summer of 2008 when her lease expired, returned to Polish Hill where she originally operated the deli for fifteen years.
Source: Diana Nelson Jones, “Polish Deli returns to Polish Hill,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 12, 2009.

January 13, 2009 Police arrested Dennis Schell, 50, of Lawrenceville, in the 5200 block of Keystone Street and charged him with robbing the First Commonwealth Bank in the 5200 block of Butler Street on January 12th and the for the attempted robbing of Allegheny Valley Bank in the 5100 block of Butler Street on Monday, January 12th. Schell was serving five years probation for robbing a bank in 2005.
Source: Michael Hasch, “Robbery suspect nabbed,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 14, 2009.

January 13, 2009 Developer Bill Barron, whose Barron Real Estate has renovated a dozen properties in Lawrenceville, proposed a plan to bring a Crazy Mocha coffee shop to a vacant North Side building.
Source: Diana Nelson Jones, “Crazy Mocha shop could fill vacant North Side building,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 13, 2009.

January 15, 2009 Tom Powers, author of a history of O’Hara Township, was guest speaker at the Lawrenceville Historical Society’s public lecture series. The meeting was held at 7 p.m. in the McVey Auditorium of Canterbury Place, 310 Fisk Street.
Source: “Historical Society Lecture Series,” The Bulletin, January 2009.

January 15, 2009 Iron City Brewing planned to lay off 20 to 30 workers of its 80 employees due to mechanical problems at its canning operations.
Source: Ron DaParma, “Iron City will lay off 20 to 30 workers, (Business & Money), Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 15, 2009.

January 17, 2007 The Home and Garden Section of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette featured Anne Davis in front of her home at 328 Main Street. Davis was selected because of her extensive restoration of the structure. Built between 1882 and 1883, her house was one of three triplet structures built as rental properties by William Johnston, a manufacturer of machinery and hardware. According to the account, Ms. Davis paid $43,000 for her home in May 2000 and spent another $50,000 renovating the facade.
Source: Kevin, Kirkland, “A Facelift in Lawrenceville,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 17, 2009.

January 22, 2009 The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Ticket Section carried a picture of the Hackensaw Boys, who were scheduled to perform at the Thunderbird Café.
Source: Rege Behe, “Get your toes tappin,’” (Ticket), Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 22, 2009.

February 1, 2009 The magazine, The Original, featured an article on Your Inner Vagbond Coffeehouse and World Lounge in Lawrenceville. The article noted that the establishment “staked its claim as one of the city’s most authentic coffee lounges, serving caffeine cravers with an eclectic blend of delectable food, steaming brews, and unique entertainment.”
Source: Nicholas A. Hess, “Coffee & Cusions,” The Original, February 2009.

February 1, 2009 The Original featured an article on “A Baker’s Dozen,” which operated two establishments in Pittsburgh. One was in Squirrel Hill at 1707 Murray Avenue and the other was in Lawrenceville at 3511 Butler Street.
Source: Adele Meyer, “A Dozen’s Baker,” The Original, February 2009.

February 6, 2009 As part of an 18-month celebration marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, Lawrenceville actor, Randy Kovitz portrayed Darwin at the Carnegie Science Center on the North Side.
Source: David Templeton, “Darwin’s 200th birthday celebrated,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 6, 2009.

February 11, 2009 A major windstorm that started at 7 p.m. and lasted well into the following day (Thursday, February 12) knocked down power lines throughout Western Pennsylvania. Some Lawrenceville residents were without power for three days.
Source: Personal recollections of local residents.

February 12, 2009 Looking at unique clubs in Pittsburgh, writer Michael Machosky identified “Your Inner Vagbond” as one of several clubs that offered unusual entertainment. Events included “Bellydance Sundays” 7-10 p.m. (free); “Zumba Dance Class with Rachel,” 6 p.m. on Thursdays ($10; first class was free); “Beginner Belly dance with Scheiny,” 7 p.m. Wednesdays ($5); “Yoga for Energy,” 6 p.m. Thursdays; “Poetry Caravan Series,” 8 –11:30 p.m. (February 19).
Source: Michael Machosky, “Clubs Go Offbeat,” (Ticket), Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, February 12, 2009.

February 14, 2007 The Living Section of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review carried an article on the use of wood as a material for flooring, countertops, lofts, and other home features. Rich Perrotte, owner of Perrotte Wood Refinishing in Lawrenceville, was interviewed. Ron D’Alessandro, owner of Kellner Millworks in Lawrenceville, contended that builders working on more fashionable or historically aimed homes still rely heavily on wood. He pointed out that staircases can be installed for $300 to $400, but custom-designed, which are considered to be pieces of furniture, may range between $15,000 to $20,000 or more.
Source: Bob Karlovits, “Wood Is Good,” (Living) Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, February 14, 2009.

February 14, 2009 The Lawrenceville Rotary sponsored its 6th Annual Hearty gourmet pancake breakfast. The event took place in Holy Family Social Hall, 44th Street, from 8 a.m. until noon. Menu included heart-shaped and specialty fruit pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, juice, coffee and tea. Cost of the event was $7 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under.
Source: “Lawrenceville Rotary Advertisement,” The Bulletin, January 2006.

February 15, 2009 Pittsburgh Tribune-Review named Michael Devine, 49, owner of Devine’s Zombo Gallery, 4900 Hatfield Street, as newsmaker of the day. Devine hosted the first benefit for an off-the-leash dog park in Lawrenceville.
Source: Allison M. Heinrich, “Newsmaker,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, February 15, 2009.

February 16, 2009 Pittsburgh City Councilman, Patrick Dowd, who represents Lawrenceville, announced his candidacy for mayor. His campaign chest had $2,715 against incumbent Luke Ravenstahl’s $816,573.
Source: Jerry Boren, “Councilman Dowd to battle Ravenstahl,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, February 17, 2009.

February 17, 2009 The critic for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review contended that the band, Delta Spirit, performed music with a vintage ‘70s rock wed with a strain of Americana. Delta Spirit appeared at Brillobox, along with “Other Lives” and “Dawes” at 10 p.m. Admission was $10.
Source: Rege Behe, “Delta Spirit to perform at Brillobox,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, February 16, 2009.

February 21, 2009 Our Lady of the Angels Parish sponsored its 4th Annual Gala “The Treasures of Rome” at Soldiers and Sailors memorial Hall for the benefit of Saint John Neumann Regional School.
Source: Advertisement, Pittsburgh Catholic, January 16, 2009.

February 25, 2009 Our Lady of the Angels Parish sponsored an Ash Wednesday fish fry from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. in Holy Family social hall, 256 44th Street. Cost of the fish dinner with two sides was $9. The menu also offered a shrimp dinner for $10, fish sandwiches for $5, as well as homemade soup, pierogies, haluski, macaroni and cheese and stewed tomatoes.
Source: “Our Lady of the Angels, Lawrenceville,” Pittsburgh Catholic, February 13, 2009.

February 26, 2009 After Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl purchased trash bins at $1,010 each, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that the Lawrenceville Corporation used public money in 2006 to purchase 50 trash bins at a cost of $1,050 each.
Source: Jeremy Boren, “These cans aren’t throwaways,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, February 26, 2009.

February 27, 2009 Saint Matthew Parish in Lawrenceville offered a fish dinner each Friday during Lent at the St. Kieran Church Hall, 5322 Carnegie Street. Cost of the fish dinner, which included fries, coleslaw, dessert and coffee was offered for $6.50. Fish sandwiches were also sold for $4.00.
Source: “St Matthew, Lawrenceville,” Pittsburgh Catholic, February 13, 2009.

February 27, 2009 Newspapers reported that Tony Coeffe, the executive director of Lawrenceville United, planned to run for District Judge to fill the unexpired seat of Eugene Zielmanski, who was required to retire at the age of 70.
Source: “Lawrenceville advocate considering run for judge,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 27, 2009.

March 1-4, 2009 Reverend Reginald Russo, O.F.M., Capuchin, preached the Lenten Renewal Services at Our Lady of the Angels Parish. His four sermons revolved around the theme of “Living an Authentic Life: Are You Thriving or Surviving,” and dealt with such subjects as individualism, hedonism, and minimalism.
Sources: (insert) Our Lady of the Angels Parish Bulletin. “From the Pastor’s Desk, February 22, 2009.

March 2, 2009 Great date ideas suggested a trip to Lawrenceville. The article contained a brief history of Iron City Brewing and suggested dining at the Church Brew Works. It also contained photographs of the outside of Iron City Brewing and the interior of the Church Brew Works.
Source: Michael Machosky, “Thirsty for adventure? Pittsburgh is for beer lovers,” (Living), Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, March 2, 2009.

March 8, 2009 Len Boselovic’s “Heard off the street,” column noted that Iron City’s move of its canning line to Rochester, New York, had union workers concerned that the move would not be temporary as the company had contended.
Source: Len Boselovic, “Iron City’s Ne w York production has some worried,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 8, 2009.

March 12, 2009 Fe Gallery, 4102 Butler Street, exhibited Joshua Space’s works titled “Satellites.”
Source: “Fe Gallery,” (Ticket), Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, March 12, 2009

March 12, 2009 Robert Qualters exhibited his show “Autobiographical Mythologies” at Borelli-Edwards Gallery.
Source: “Borelli-Edwards,” (Ticket), Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, March 12, 2009.

March 22, 2009 The Passion drama, “Why Must He Die?,” written and directed by Linda Wallace was performed at St. Matthew’s Parish in Lawrenceville.
Source: “Flier by Teen Chorale of the Tri County Choir Institute.”

March 26, 2009 The newspaper carried a review f new works by multi-disciplinary artists James Thurman, Dan Buchanan, and Lilianne Milgrom, who had their works on display at Luke and Eloy Gallery, 5169 Butler Street. The exhibit ran through April 18.
Source: Kurt Shaw, “Seeing Double,” (Ticket), Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, March 26, 2009.