Hill House Soars

We had made kites over the month of March in preparation for a flight festival. We had something like forty blanks, and somehow that wasn't enough! We were at Kennard and Ammens fields and Arcena, which was the designated flight space for adults.

We met in the Hill House lobby, where Bourbon Street Catering had set up a wonderful array of cookies, cheeses and meats. Seriously good cookies. I particularly liked these little butter cookies with raspberry and almonds. Can you tell that I am completely at the mercy of my stomach?



The weather was sunny and warm. The Frustrationless Flyer kites that we used for the project are good in light wind, which is great because we had gusty, light wind in the afternoon. I tested this kite and it goes up really easily, I was able to launch mine with no assistance. I was at Kennard field and I am in love! It was a great place to fly and I can't wait to go back. Next time, I hope there's enough wind to launch my stunt kite.

Images from Kennard Field --



Here are some of the kites that were made during the Community Gallery Project

Hill House Soars

We have been making kites over the month of March in preparation for a flight festival. Sites have been chosen for the day. We'll have kites available for decoration at the sites, so even if you don't already have one, you can pick one up there. Part of the project was conducted with the Community Gallery project although there were additional workshops for kids and adults.

We'll be meeting in the Hill House lobby, where you can pick up kites, snacks and a map to the sites.

I'll bet you're wondering when and where this extravaganza will take place ...

The Hill House Association lobby
1835 Centre Ave
April 21st,
Check in between 11:30am and 12:30pm

The weather forecast is good; sunny and 52, wind at 8mph. I tested this kite and it goes up really easily, I was able to launch mine with no assistance. But hey, if you have your own kite, bring that too!

Community Gallery project in the Hill District

We had the reception for the Community Gallery project on March 31. The projects were on display in the lobby. It was a lovely afternoon, with children and artists popping in and out. Terri Baltimore was there, along with Lissa Rosenthal from Pittsburgh Celebrates. The post from the kick off is here.

Kites from the project with Deanna Mance. For all of you kite enthusiasts out there, join us for the Soars event on April 21. I'll be making an announcement about this soon, but...
April 21
Hill House Association
1835 Centre Ave

Check in: 11:30am - 12:30pm
pick up kites and maps to the flight sites. Refreshments provided

We have three sites in the Hill district that we have designated as flight zones. And if you don't already have a kite, we will have some available for you at the Hill House.
These are from the assemblage project that Christine Bethea did with the students.
Some of the visitors enjoying the display.
A very crowded lobby! Everybody loves those giant puppets

Pittsburgh Community Gallery Project Kick-Off Reception

Last week, I posted about this really terrific project that is happening in the Hill District and other Pittsburgh neighborhoods. Well, here are some images from the wonderful kick-off event at the Hill House on Saturday March 3. The grand finale will be a reception for the children at the Hill House on Saturday March 31.

The kids will be working with Deanna Mance, Biko, Tim Fabian and Christine Bethea on Saturdays through March. Tasha Watkins is assisting all of the artists at their workshops. And on April 7, we will be holding Pittsburgh Soars, a kite-flying extravaganza. Denys Candy from the Find the Rivers project has located three flying sites in the Hill District.

So get out your calendar and write down the dates!

A special guest, one of the puppets that Cheryl Cappezutti made for Pittsburgh Roars.
Evan Frazier (Hill House) and Lissa Rosenthal (Pittsburgh Roars)
Bill Peduto stopped by to say hello
Vanessa German's Migration project
Christine Bethea's Seussville on the Hill project
Suan Constanse Origami elephant herd

Pittsburgh Community Gallery Project Kick-Off Reception

Celebrate Kids Art, Performances and Fun Hands-on Activities
March 2007 in Pittsburgh Neighborhoods

Saturday, March 3, 12:00 noon-1:00pm.
Pittsburgh Community Gallery Project Kick-Off Reception
Join community leaders and neighborhood kids and families as we kick-off the Pittsburgh Community Gallery Project. (Media is invited.)

Northside, South Side, Hill District, East End and all around the town, navigate your way through youth arts programs with the Pittsburgh Community Gallery Project!

From March 1 – 31, 2007, Pittsburgh children and families will experience and explore dynamic after school and youth programs that engage kids grades K-12 in Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

Visual, performing and written artwork of Pittsburgh youth will be presented through neighborhood community gallery sites. Pittsburgh Community Gallery Project locations will collaborate with numerous after school programs and businesses in their respective neighborhoods.

The neighborhood sites will showcase the impact that each program makes by presenting exhibitions that include special weekend performances and fun hands-on activities by and for kids K-12 and their families. In addition, each branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will have special Community Gallery Project programming.

Together, We All Form a Community of Neighbors! In addition to the programs and activities at each Community Gallery Project site (East Side, Hill District, Northside and South Side,) be sure to visit your neighborhood Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh during the month of March for family stories and group activities that celebrate individuals and families. For more details, check out the events listings on Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh website at www.carnegielibrary.org.

Each neighborhood exhibit and related programming will be free and open to the public.

The Pittsburgh Community Gallery Project began through the collaborative spirit of Pittsburgh Roars and will culminate with a catalog that showcases the creativity from each neighborhood and serve as a resource guide of the innovative after school art programs available to K-12 students in Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Community Gallery Project is made possible through the generous support of The Grable Foundation. Special thanks to Southside Works for donating space for the South Side community gallery site and to Whole Foods Market for supporting East End activities.

Schedule of Activities
by Neighborhood

• EAST END
  
  
• HILL DISTRICT
  
  
• NORTH SIDE
  
  
• SOUTH SIDE
  
  
• CARNEGIE LIBRARIES O

Cease and Desist Letter to Pittsburgh First, Pittsburgh Gaming Task Force

Thank you, Kim Ellis, for sending this on to me.

Hill District Community Issues Open Cease and Desist Letter to Pittsburgh First, Pgh Gaming Task Force and Elected Officials

Cuz if you think you're gonna build on this site
Don't think you won't have a helluva fight
Cuz we don't want no casino on the Hill
Somebody raise your hand
We're gonna keep raising our hands

Hill District community elders, ministers, residents, artists, activists and representatives continue to highlight their collective opposition to the Pittsburgh First / Isle of Capri Casino development proposal and demand that the plan be stopped:


1. Freedom Corner is the location of the "Not Another Inch" standoff with residents 50 years ago, who sought to protect the historic Hill District from further encroachment. Now, in 2006, residents find themselves again circling to protect the community from casino encroachment and contempt-filled actions against its leaders and concerned citizens.
2. On November 18, 2006, the Isle of Capri company law firm sent Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis, a Hill District resident, scholar, artist and activist a letter of legal intimidation, demanding that she "cease and desist" her opposition to the Isle of Capri Category 2 slots license application for the state of Pennsylvania.
3. Community residents and supporters were outraged by the attack, particularly considering the fact that Dr. Ellis' stance represented thousands of Hill residents and supporters throughout the city of Pittsburgh, state of Pennsylvania, nationally and internationally.
4. On December 16, 2006, approximately 100 Hill residents from the lower, middle and upper Hill, as well as supporters from across the city joined hands in prayer and celebration to, once again, express their opposition to and disappointment in the Isle of Capri / Pittsburgh First plan, emphasizing that there is a way to keep the Pens and build a new arena without destroying a neighborhood in the process; and any attempt to move forward with the Isle of Capri plan will be wrought with continued opposition.

Open "Cease and Desist" letter to Pittsburgh First, the Pittsburgh Gaming Task Force and Elected Officials

(State Senator Ferlo, Mayor Ravenstahl, County Councilman Robinson, City Councilwoman Payne, in particular)



Pittsburgh First we hereby demand that you CEASE and DESIST your attempts to place a casino in our historic, residential community without the consent of our residents.

We further demand that you CEASE and DESIST your continued attempts to represent your organization as community-based or representative of the majority of Hill District residents when, in fact, your group's sole purpose is to support the Isles of Capri (IOC) Category 2 slots license application.

And we demand that you CEASE and DESIST your campaign of misinformation that has been waged against the entire city of Pittsburgh, in general, and the Hill District community, in particular, suggesting that the only plan of development for the Lower Hill is being proposed by Pittsburgh First. In fact, another gaming applicant has proposed development on the same site without a casino. In fact, your continuous suggestions and outright statements that the only way to keep the Penguins Franchise is to support Pittsburgh First is exceptionally misleading when, in fact, all of the gaming applicants have pledged substantial funds for a new arena.

Finally, we demand that you CEASE and DESIST all legal and other forms of intimidation against Hill District residents, other Pittsburghers and any and all concerned citizens who have a right to oppose your superfluous plan.

Pittsburgh Gaming Task Force, we hereby demand that you CEASE and DESIST your support of IOC as your favored gaming applicant as they are the only applicant seeking to place a casino in a residential community, not to mention that community's historical significance and importance to the City of Pittsburgh.

We further demand that you CEASE and DESIST your support of IOC as they are the only applicant seeking to place a casino in both a predominantly African-American community and within walking distance of Duquesne University, particularly considering the fact that college students and African-Americans are three and four times more likely, respectively, to become problem gamblers and gambling addicts than the general population.

Lastly, we demand that you CEASE and DESIST your support of IOC and, instead, ask questions about why their application for gaming in the state of Missouri and the Missouri Gaming Control Board's investigative findings remain private and, therefore, unknown.

Elected Officials (State Senator Ferlo, Mayor Ravenstahl, County Councilman Robinson, City Councilwoman Payne) we hereby demand that you immediately CEASE and DESIST your support of the IOC / Pittsburgh First gaming application and instead act to support and protect the interests of your citizen constituents and the historic Hill District.

We further demand that you CEASE and DESIST your support of the IOC / Pittsburgh First organization for the aforementioned reasons expressed in this letter to the Pittsburgh Gaming Task Force.

Lastly we demand that you CEASE and DESIST your support of the IOC / Pittsburgh First gaming application, as their eleventh-hour attempt to address the quality of life issues and social impact on our historic community with the hastily promised formation of the "Hill Entertainment Services District" is representative of their dismissive and disrespectful attitude throughout this entire process and is, in no way adequate, given the fact that no details have been presented and is not included in their application for a license.

We stand together in saying we do not want a casino on the Hill!

Very truly yours,

James Archie - Community Elder, Community Activist
Stephanie Beechaum - longtime Hill resident, Uptown
Derrick Bell, Esquire – Born and raised in Hill District, First African American tenured Harvard Law School Professor, Visiting Professor, University of Pittsburgh Law School
James Boddy, Jr. - longtime Hill resident, Uptown
Annie Carter – Hill District Resident, Community Elder
Edna Council – Hill District Resident, Community Elder, Member, Hill District Consensus Group
Freda Ellis – Lifelong Hill District Resident, Community Elder, sister of the late August Wilson
Kimberly C. Ellis, Ph.D. (aka Dr. Goddess) – longtime Hill District Resident, Organizer, Raise Your Hand! No Casino on the Hill Campaign, niece of the late August Wilson
Paul Ellis, Jr., Esquire – longtime Hill District Resident, nephew of the late August Wilson
Rev. and Mrs. George – longtime Hill District Community Elders and worshippers, Retired Pastor and First Lady Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church
Rev. Glenn G. Grayson – Pastor Wesley AME Church, Hill District Resident
Tamanika Howze – longtime Hill District Resident, Community Elder and Activist
Winnifred Jackson - longtime Hill resident, Uptown
Ruby Kendricks - longtime Hill resident, Uptown
Bonnie Laing, Ph.D. – Hill District Resident, Community Activist
Justin Laing – Hill District Resident, Community Activist
Robert D. Lavelle - lifelong Hill District Resident, Community Activist
Robert M. Lavelle – longtime Hill District Resident, President Dwelling House Savings and Loan Association, Scout Master Boy Scout Troop 93
Robert R. Lavelle – longtime Hill District Resident, Community Elder, Founder, Dwelling House Savings and Loan Association, Founder, Lavelle Real Estate Co.
Thelma Lovette – longtime Hill District Resident, Community Elder and Activist
Jeanne McNutt – Hill District Business Owner, Uptown
Momar Milliones – lifelong Hill District Resident
Rev. Johnnie Monroe – Pastor, Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church
Veronica Morgan-Lee, Ph.D. – longtime worker in the Hill District, Community Elder, worshipper at St. Benedict the Moor Church
Betty Penny – Hill District Resident, Community Elder and Activist, wife of the late Rob Penny
Sharon Porter – Community Elder, Long time Hill District Resident
Lou Ransom – Hill District Resident
Gerri Ransom – Hill District Resident
Carmen Smith - longtime Hill District Resident, Bentley Dr.
Mark Southers – Lifelong Hill District Resident, Founder & Artistic Director of Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater
Rev. Lee Wall – Community Activist, Hill District Resident
Jake Wheatley Jr. - Hill District Resident, State Representative 19th Legislative District
Pamela Whitaker, longtime Hill resident, Uptown
Ruth Whitndr - longtime Hill resident, Uptown
Jasiri X – Hill District Resident, Crawford Square
Mary Young – longtime Hill District Resident

Casino troubles

Well, gambling may be legal, but only if you can find a place to put a casino. Personally, I think that there are better options than the Hill district. Tony Norman of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette has an op/ed piece about the attempts to place a new casino in the Hill district. It got me to think a bit about where a casino should be. Mr. Norman points out that a casino would never be proposed for two of the more affluent neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. Although he has a point about the racial make up of those neighborhoods playing a factor, I think it would be just as unlikely for a casino to be placed in any suburban area.

First of all, the city of Pittsburgh needs the revenue that will be generated, so it should stay in the city limits. Our downtown sits in the crux of three rivers, so real estate in downtown is pretty limited. While there are several open open properties, the geography of the city does not allow for much growth. I can understand why the Hill was chosen as a possible site; it is situated right above downtown. But it is also isolated, with the arena and major roadways interupting the flow from downtown. It is also a strictly residential area. There are no, and I mean no, businesses in the Hill district.

I think the best place for the casino would be on the south shore, accross the bridge from downtown. There is already a mall, Station Square, a couple of natioanl chain entertainment venues (like Hooters)and room for growth along the strip between the rise of land to Mount Washington and the Monongahela river. There is also an outdoor arena that has hosted bands and other events.

The north shore would be a good alternative. The two new stadiums are already there, so there's plenty of parking.

They should just leave the Hill alone. Why ruin a perfectly good residential area? You should see the vista of the city from the crests of the Hill district. There is a lot of beauty in the Hill.