CTAC’s Core Series Comes to South Pittsburgh

CTAC’s well-respected Core Series is coming to South Pittsburgh. 8 sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Seton Center in the months of May, June, July and September. To register, contact State Representative Chelsa Wagner’s office at 412-343-2094.*

About the Core Series:

CTAC’s Core Series of seminars sharpens the skills required to build and operate an effective community based-organization. These highly interactive programs are tailored to meet the needs of community based-organizations in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Classes are open to both staff and board members.

The program is offered in the evening sessions starting at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 9:00 p.m. Light Refreshments and break will be provided. The program will be held at the Seton Center, 1900 Pioneer Avenue, South Pittsburgh area (Brookline). The Center is easily accessible location and free parking.

The program will be delivered by experienced persons in Pittsburgh’s community development field, a group of highly skilled professionals form corporate, nonprofits and consulting circles.

Core Series Schedule:

05/14/08 – Leadership Skills

06/04/08 – Basic Board 1: Structure & By-laws

06/18/08 – Basic Board 2: Roles & Responsibilities

07/02/08 – Effective Meetings

07/09/08 – Communications Skills

— Summer Break —

09/03/08 – Strategic Plan

09/17/08 – Financial Systems

10/01/08 – Fundraising

About CTAC:

In today’s world of limited financial and human resources, there is never enough time or money for community-based organizations to accomplish their many operational and program goals. Professional guidance and assistance from The Community Technical Assistance Center (CTAC) can make a critical difference. CTAC is committed to building and strengthening effective community-based organizations through training and individualized consulting services.

As a non-profit corporation, our goals is to develop strong communities by providing technical assistance to neighborhood groups, tenant councils, merchants groups and community development corporations in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

* The South Pittsburgh Core Series is sponsored by State Representative Chelsa Wagner.

May 2008 Community Update

Carrick

Carrick People for Action
…are cleaning up Carrick. This informal group of active citizens is working with the City and private property owners to make Carrick sparkle. Its working with Lamar advertising to install a fence around the property where a couple billboards are located to prevent litter and damage to the area. CPA has also worked with the City’s Redd Up crew to clean up Athena Way, the Valera city steps and a vacant lot in the neighborhood.

Earth Day Clean Up
The April 19th clean up brough out over 50 participants in Carrick. The neighborhood has a new clean up steward; she has started a litter listserve and is trying to get Girl Scouts to be tree tenders.

Upcoming Events in Carrick:

05/14/08 – Carrick Community Council @ Concord Elementary Auditorium, 2350 Brownsville Road (7:00 p.m.) Guest: Danielle Crumrine, of Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest, will discuss street trees.

05/15/08 – Sprout Fund Mural exhibition @ Concept Art Gallery, 1031 South Braddock Avenue (TBA)

05/17/08 – Carrick-Overbrook Historical Society @ Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Carrick Branch, 1811 Brownsville Road (~11:00 a.m.) This event is weekly.

Brookline

Cleaning Up Brookline
Brookline had a great turnout for it’s Earth Day clean-up on April 19th. In all, 100 bags of litter, 14 large bags of recyclables, 20 tires and a large pile of junk was collected. 53 kids participated and 15 adults.

Continued Progress
The efforts toward a South Pittsburgh Development Corporation and Brookline Chamber of Commerce merger continue and a complete union is expected this year. SPDC is also planning to take on producing a neighborhood newsletter.

Upcoming Events in Brookline:

05/12/08 – Chamber of Commerce @ District Justice Charles McLaughlin’s Office, 736 Brookline Boulevard  (6:00 p.m.)

05/13/08 – Block Watch @ McLaughlin’s Office (7:00 p.m.)

05/26/08 – Brookline Area Community Council @ St. Mark’s Church, 933 Brookline Boulevard (7:00 p.m.) Topic: “What’s available for summer – A community update”

06/02/08 – South Pittsburgh Development Corporation @ McLaughlin’s Office (7:00 p.m.)

Beechview

Neighborhood Mural
Beechview’s Port Authority T overpass at Wenzell and Broadway Avenue will become the home of a new mural from the MLK Community Mural Project. Both sides of the underpass will be painted as well as the triangular wall on Broadway as you approach Wenzell from the North. The mural development process will include community input on content and neighborhood youth will be hired to help in the painting.

The Planning Continues
Beechview’s community planning process has continued to move ahead. The third community meeting was held on Saturday, May 10th and many neighborhood residents turned out to discuss which projects proposed for the plan should take priority. Final recommendations will be developed in the next few weeks and then presented to the community at a final meeting on May 31st. Participants hope to develop committees of CLUB around five focus areas of the plan that will help to implement recommendations in those areas going forward.

Upcoming Events in Beechview:

05/17/08 – Spring Flea Market @ Beechview United Presbyterian Church, 1621 Broadway Avenue (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

05/17/08 – Friends of the Beechview Library Book Sale @ Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Beechview Branch, 1910 Broadway Avenue (10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) Donations of “gently used” books are being accepted now.

05/18/08 – Flower planting @ Beechview Monument Parklet, Broadway Avenue at Shiras Avenue (1:00 p.m.)

05/24/08 – Annual Memorial Day Service @ Beechview Monument Parklet, Broadway Avenue at Shiras Avenue (10:00 a.m.)

05/31/08 – Beechview Community Plan Meeting @ McCann Hall, St. Catherine of Siena Church, Broadway Avenue at Belasco Avenue (1:00 – 2:30 p.m.)

06/05/08 – Block Watch/Beechview Area Concerned Citizens @ Beechview United Presbyterian Church, 1621 Broadway Avenue (7:00 p.m.)

06/22/08 – Community Clean-up @ Broadway Avenue + Wenzell Avenue (10:00 a.m.)

07/19/08 – Community Clean-up @ Foodland, 1604 Broadway Avenue (10:00 a.m.)

All South Pittsburgh Neighborhoods

Upcoming Events:

05/15/08 – Three Rivers Postcard Club @ Fairhaven United Methodist Church, 2415 Saw Mill Run Boulevard (7:00 p.m.)

06/05/08 – South Pittsburgh Historians Group @ Overbrook Firehouse, 2406 Saw Mill Run Boulevard (7:00 p.m.)