Cornell Edition Serving Coraopolis and Neville Island communities of Cornell School District Volume 1, Number 3 Summer 2019 One of four editions serving 17 airport area communities. www.awmagazine.com FREE Direct Mail Community Publication Allegheny West M agazine INSIDE! Official Newsletter Page 11 Community efforts aid food pantry as it moves into new location Volunteers helping to keep Coraopolis community garden going Coraopolis train station project awarded grant from state More Pediatrics in Your Neighborhood! wmcpaphysicians.com 724-218-1931412-857-5245 400 Market Place Drive, Imperial (Next to Shop ‘N Save) 6200 Steubenville Pike, Towerview Suite 101, Robinson Twp. Kimberly M. Pezzone, MD Pediatrics Elizabeth Massella, MD Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine Dr. Elizabeth Massella, chosen as one of Pittsburgh’s Best Doctors 2017-18-19Summer 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 3 Get started today! clearviewfcu.org/200 Insured by NCUA $ 200 for opening a new Absolute Checking ® account! 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Hughey Publications, LLC also publishes the West Allegheny Edition of Allegheny West Magazine, the Montour Edition of Allegheny West Magazine, and the Moon Edition of Alleghney West Magazine. MEMBER “GOOD NEWS ALWAYS, MAILED & DELIVERED FREE, EVERY TIME” Allegheny West Magazine - Cornell Edition, is an all positive, good news publication mailed free into the homes and businesses of the Cornell School District communities of Coraopolis and Neville Island to connect communities, promote people, heighten awareness about the richness of the airport region, and build pride in the western suburbs of Allegheny County. Allegheny West Magazine Now in Our 20 th Year Proudly Serving the Airport Area PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Doug Hughey WRITERS Jill Bordo Pat Jennette Jocelyn Grecko GRAPHIC DESIGN Sarah Kizina WEBMASTER www.ddswebdesign.com CONTRIBUTORS Barb Kleyman Jesse Forquer FOUNDING PUBLISHER Pat Jennette • Allegheny West Magazine • Summer 2019 4 Allegheny West Magazine-Cornell Edition is published in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer, four issues a year, Hughey Publications, LLC, P. O. Box 220, McDonald, PA 15057. Mailed and distributed free to residents and businesses in Coraopolis, Neville Island and Cornell School District. Extra copies available at municipal offices, schools, libraries, stores, advertisers, hotels, and businesses. Available by mail subscription for $15 annually. Story ideas welcomed. Community events and announcements from non-profit groups must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publishing date. Announcements are limited to 30 words and must include a contact phone number. Reproduction of any artwork, photographs, or copy prepared by Allegheny West Magazine is strictly prohibited without written consent of Hughey Publications LLC. Copyright 1999-2019 Allegheny West Magazine. All rights reserved. Views and opinions expressed by contributors and/or advertisers are the responsibility of the contributors and not those of the publisher of Allegheny West Magazine. Dear Readers, Thank you for picking up our June Cornell edition of Allegheny West Magazine. I hope you are having a great start to your summer. This month, all three of our Around Your Town stories in the front of this book concern various projects of the Coraopolis Community Development Foundation. First, on page 6, we take a look at the various community efforts that are helping to benefit the Coraopolis Food Pantry. At the end of May, the pantry moved into a new location on 4th Street. Numerous volunteers have helped both with the move and efforts to collect food to stock its shelves. Read more on page 6. On page 7, we take a look at another way the community is helping to sustain the food pantry. Various volunteers are helping to cultivate the Coraopolis community garden, which grows produce to benefit the pantry, this summer. Businesses, organizations and individuals are all pitching in on this huge effort, which is now its fourth year. Then, on page 8, our writer Jill Bordo writes about a large new grant awarded to the Coraopolis train station project that will help with repairs to the roof, which is a huge part of the project. From the Publisher Mary Merryman with the Presbyterian Day School plants carrots at the Coraopolis community garden. Read more on page 7. PHOTO BY CHRIS ROLINSON.Cornell Edition Summer 2019 ~ Volume 1, Number 3 Columns ABOUT THE COVER { } Contents Municipal Roundup - Around Your Town - Legislative Update - Chamber Link - 6 6 9 10 Summer 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 5 - - - - - 6 7 8 11 22 Be sure to get caught up on all the great happenings at Cornell School District over the past half of the school year in this month’s official newsletter, starting on page 11. Then, on page 22, we’re bringing you our summer fun guide, with a comprehensive listing of fairs, festivals and other fun things to do around the area this summer. For this guide, we’re listing happenings across our four coverage areas. Look for our next edition in August, when we’ll be bringing you our special back-to-school edition with our tear-out academic and varsity sports calendars. In the meantime, I hope you have a great summer. Doug Hughey, Publisher/Editor A picket fence surrounds the Coraopolis community garden off Broadway Street in downtown Coraopolis. PHOTO BY DOUG HUGHEY Community efforts aid food pantry as it moves into new location Volunteers helping to keep Coraopolis community garden going Coraopolis train station project awarded grant from state Cornell Today Summer Fun Guide6 • Allegheny West Magazine • Summer 2019 STORY AND PHOTOS BY DOUG HUGHEY The Coraopolis Food Pantry opened its doors in a new location at the start of June. Formerly situated at 1000 5th Avenue, the pantry is now operating just a few blocks away at 1108 4th Avenue. The pantry hosted its first distribution date in its new location June 2. Volunteers worked throughout the weekend to stock shelves and refrigerators so it wouldn’t miss its normally scheduled distribution date on the first Sunday of the month. According to Dave Kasper of Moon Township, who sits on the board for the Coraopolis Community Development Foundation, about 200 people rely on the food bank’s bi-monthly distributions. He says the pantry, which operates under the CCDF, relies largely on a donation of about 4,000 pounds of food it gets twice per month from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. In addition to that large donation, the pantry also relies on a combination of volunteers, monetary donations from the public and various grass-roots efforts to stock its shelves. Among the efforts currently aiding the pantry is one that was spearheaded by Kathy Paich of Crescent Township that netted the pantry $4,000 and stacks of food measuring about 12 feet square by four feet high. Paich, who grew up in Coraopolis and graduated from Cornell, says she was blown away by the show of support from others who wanted to help her effort. “I couldn’t believe the outpouring from everyone that day,” she says about the food drive, which was held at Montour Heights Country Club. Among the items that the drive netted were numerous name brand items, which can be a rarity on the pantry’s shelves. Kasper says that the pantry also benefits from regular donations and volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ in Kennedy Township, St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Moon Township, the Cornell School District and Boy Scout Troop 904. He says students from both Moon Area High School and Robert Morris University also regularly donate their time to help clients collect items and tally points allotted to each client. As well, he says that RMU students have donated about $2,000 worth of unused pre- paid food cards over the past few years. C Around Your TownAround Your Town Community efforts aid food pantry as it moves into new location Some volunteers, like Joyceann Paich-Floyd, have been helping out at the pantry for years. She says that in five years she’s never missed a Sunday distribution and that, through her volunteer work, she’s gotten to know many of the clients who visit on a regular basis. She says she even cooks for some of them. “This is what God wants me to do,” she says. Phyllis Pacella, meanwhile, says she started helping out because she thought she was helping others but, in the process, found she was really helping herself just as much. The pantry also receives items donated by Cash Market and Mancini’s. As well, it recently formed a partnership with Forever Heart Farms in Moon Township, which donates 65 dozen farm-fresh eggs twice per month. Produce grown at the Coraopolis Community Development Foundation’s community garden by a small army of volunteers also helps stock the pantry’s shelves and supports it financially. For more on that, see the story on the next page. Kasper says the pantry reviews clients annually to make sure that they meet the pantry’s income requirements. He says, though, that they have never refused someone who shows up looking for help. “We try to make it like a mini Giant Eagle,” he says. “We try to treat everybody with a degree of dignity. You never know when somebody’s down on their luck and needs a little help.” Anyone looking to donate can visit coraopolisfoundation.org. A donation of $500 can help the pantry purchase 3,500 pounds of food. Municipal Roundup Coraopolis Borough has reached an agreement with Youngblood Paving to pave sections of the following roads and alleys this summer and fall: Kable Way, Southern Avenue, Summit Street, Thorn Street, Fawcett Street, Prospect Street, Fawcett Circle, Chess Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, Hiland Avenue, First Avenue, Montour Street, Second Avenue, Pine Alley, Centre Street and Oak Alley. As well, the borough has reached agreement with Waste Management to properly dispose of household hazardous waste, which includes electronics, household cleaners, paint products, garden chemicals, automotive fluids and mercury-containing items. Residents will have to schedule a collection day at their home for these items. The service is free and residents may get the contact information by calling the office or by visiting coraopolispa.com. The borough council has also entered into an agreement with Hollow Oak Land Trust to develop hiking and biking trails behind the Cornell school campus off Brook Street. SUBMITTED BY CORAOPOLIS BOROUGH Phyllis Pacella (top) and Vincent Panteleo (bottom) help stock shelves at the Coraopolis Food Pantry’s new location. Summer 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 7 C Around Your TownAround Your Town For the second consecutive year, businesses and organizations either in or connected to the Coraopolis community teamed up to help cultivate the Coraopolis Community Development Foundation’s garden this past spring. On the morning of May 11, approximately 50 people showed up to help plant seeds and plants provided by the CCDF. Since then, about a dozen organizations and some additional volunteers have been making their way to the garden for about an hour to a half hour each week to work on the garden. The organization’s executive director, Amy Cavicchia, says that with all the extra help the initial planting work got done in just a few hours. “It’s amazing how much time it caught up with so many extra hands,” she says. It wasn’t always that way. Three years ago, the garden, which helps provide food to the Coraopolis Food Pantry, hardly had enough volunteers to keep it running. It was first established in 2014 under the CCDF’s previous director, Sam Jampetro, with a grant through GROW Pittsburgh that expired in 2016. Cavicchia says that when the first planting day came around that year, it was obvious they didn’t have enough volunteers to keep up with all of the work. So a friend of hers suggested she establish an adopt-a-plot program and give volunteers flexible hours. “We just opened the garden to them when they were available and let them choose when they want to volunteer and give back to the community,” she says. The plan worked. Last year, the CCDF got about 10 organizations and some individuals to volunteer. This year, they doubled their numbers. Each organization or individual now cares for a certain plot or series of plots during the growing season. Among the organizations currently helping with the effort are Feather Your Nest, 108 & Tapped, the law department from Dicks Sporting Goods, Zukos Pizza, Presbyterian Day School, Rhema Christian School, AIBDT, Coraopolis Youth Creations and Merakey Allegheny Valley School. Most of the plots grow different vegetables, including zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, beets, onions, butternut squash, sweet peppers, pole beans, pumpkins, kale, garlic and more. The bulk of the vegetables go directly to the food pantry but nature doesn’t always cooperate. Last July, the garden exploded in between food pantry distribution dates, which are on the first and third week of each month. Rather than lose the harvest, Cavvichia and garden volunteers organized a pop-up farmers’ market and put the word out on social media. The idea turned out to be a huge success, with residents of all ages showing up to pick their own produce. Funds raised were donated to the food pantry. Cavvichia says that if it happens again this year they’ll likely do the same thing. In addition to its volunteers, the CCDF also gets assistance each year from the Allegheny County Land Trust, which rototills the gardens. For volunteers like Amanda Pelphrey, Psy.D., who operates Associates in Behavioral Diagnostics and Treatment, the garden is a way not only to give back to the community but also to inspire others to do the same. “Together, the community is coming together and making a noticeable difference,” she says. “I admire the Coraopolis Foundation’s approach that we are all in this together and all on equal grounding. We are all just people helping people and hoping that it gets paid forward as we continue building a positive community in Coraopolis.” Pelphrey also helps out at the food pantry. Stephanie and Joshua Wilsey help out at the garden as well, along with their children, on behalf of Rhema Christian School. “We wanted to get more involved in Coraopolis,” says Stephanie. “We really love what the Coraopolis Foundation is doing and we wanted to be a part of that.” She says her children enjoy it as well and that her son has even started busking on their front yard with his violin in an effort to raise money for the food pantry. She says they enjoy the freedom and independence to make their own hours but also like the guidance they get, too. Anyone interested in volunteering with the garden can contact Amy Cavvichia at amy.cavicchia@coryfoundation.com. Volunteers helping to keep Coraopolis community garden going STORY BY DOUG HUGHEY PHOTOS BY CHRIS ROLINSON FROM TOP: Volunteers work to plant the Coraopolis community garden in May. Adreinne and Tim Janowiak with 180 & Tapped plant zucchini and squash. Michelle Santicola plants flowers. 8 • Allegheny West Magazine • Summer 2019 Those involved with the refurbishment of the historic Coraopolis train station have been waiting several years for a significant grant to boost the project. In February, they got their wish. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development gave a $175,000 grant to the Coraopolis Community Development Foundation as part of its Keystone Communities program. The program is designed to support local initiatives that grow and stabilize communities, a proclaimed goal for the train station upon its completion. CCDF executive director Amy Cavicchia and project manager Ken Faux both expressed belief that the grant designation marks a turning point for the train station endeavor. Cavicchia stated that the development has already “opened lots of doors” for the project and has given the team “the inspiration we needed” to move forward. The grant money will be used to complete roof renovations, including replacement of the existing slate and metal roof. Work is expected to begin in early summer. The Keystone grant is the second large donation to the train station project - the first being a $290,000 grant from the Allegheny Foundation when the project began. However, it is the first state grant to be designated to the project. In a press release announcing the award, Gov. Tom Wolf said that the “restoration of community cornerstones and beautifying downtowns will have profound impacts for local residents and business owners.” Built in 1896, the iconic train station has been under renovation since late 2015 when a fundraising and awareness campaign was initiated by a small nucleus of CCDF members. The group purchased the structure in 2006 and intends to use it as an event space, community café and gathering area for trail users, as well as a museum for train enthusiasts. All proceeds from station activities will support the work of the CCDF, which provides emergency support for local families in crisis as well as assistance to the Coraopolis Food Bank, the community garden house and more. Progress on the building has been steady and has included structural stabilization with replaced floor joists, corrections to the nine-foot overhang around the outer perimeter, roof repairs and the refurbishing of the bell tower. The majority of the work has been completed with the oversight of Faux’s company, Imperial Construction Services, along with the help of volunteers. The CCDF received more good news for the train station recently from 45th District state Rep. Anita Kulik, who informed the CCDF that it would benefit from this year’s Parkway West Rotary Club’s 21st annual Gerry Dulac Charity Golf Classic. The outing will take place July 8 at Sewickley Heights Golf Club. “I ‘lobbied’ for this group to be considered because I know that the restoration of the station will lead to even more development in Coraopolis,” stated Kulik, who is a longtime Rotary member. She said she hopes that all of the businesses in Coraopolis will consider donating prizes and giveaway items for the event. According to Faux, repairs to the main roof of the building should be completed by Thanksgiving. Next on the project agenda will be restoration of the passenger canopies that hang over the outdoor waiting platforms. Cavicchia reported that she has initiated discussions with other funding bodies regarding the canopy project. Faux believes that, while the installation will require additional funding, disassembly of the canopies and organization of parts for fabrication, along with reconstruction, is an effort that could be completed by volunteers. Work that remains after the canopy restoration includes the cleaning of the structure’s exterior, masonry repointing, refurbishment of some 40 windows and doors, installation of HVAC systems, interior design details, and parking lot development. Faux is confident that additional grants of sizable amounts of money will be bequeathed to the CCDF soon. Cavicchia reported that the group recently applied for a $50,000 grant from Allegheny County’s Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund, but that they likely will not hear about it until September. Both Faux and Cavicchia stressed the immediate need to clean up the outdoor area around the station to make it more presentable. Cavicchia stated that the fencing will be removed soon and that the station’s exterior will be made “safe and approachable.” Coraopolis mayor and former CCDF board chairman Shawn Reed has been integral to the train station redevelopment process. Regarding the recent grant designation, Reed stated that “the train station project is seen by many as a way to demonstrate an honor for the past while also transitioning into the future.” He added, “It is but one part of the positive growth we’re starting to see here, but it is a critical part.” STORY BY JILL BORDO PHOTOS BY CHRIS ROLINSON A new grant awarded to the Coraopolis Community Development Foundation will help with repairs to the roof of the Coraopolis train station, which is being developed into a multi-use community space. C Around Your TownAround Your Town Coraopolis train station project awarded grant from state Summer 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 9 BY STATE REP. ANITA KULIK PHOTO SUBMITTED State Rep Anita Kulik was joined by state Sen. Wayne Fontana, state Rep. Dan Deasy and many local officials to welcome Gov. Tom Wolf to Carnegie. We do need a plan I recently received a telephone call from the office of Gov. Tom Wolf. The representative informed me that the governor wanted to make a visit to the 45th District. I was told that he was familiar with my proposed legislation to address landslides and my legislation to address blighted properties. In conjunction with that, the governor wanted to visit a place that had been hard hit by flooding and landslides. I was told that their office knew of my discussions and social media posts about these issues. I first thought that visiting an area that was hard hit by flooding and landslides could involve any of the communities I represent. We finally settled on a specific venue and the governor made a visit to the Andrew Carnegie Free Library in Carnegie Borough. Those who live in the 45th District - or in any other part of Allegheny County, for that matter - know full well that this wonderful place we call home is prone to severe flooding and landslides. My proposed legislation regarding landslide relief is only one way to try to address the problem. While many of our communities have been hard hit over the years, Carnegie is perhaps the prime example. The business district was effectively wiped out in 2004 and suffered additional damage when Chartiers Creek overflowed again in 2008. In all likelihood, it will rise again and cause more damage, pain and suffering. Other parts of the District have fallen victim as well. I have visited people who have lost so much. Homes were washed away in Kilbuck. Businesses in Robinson saw their properties collapse. Roadways in Kennedy, Scott and Stowe were washed out. Every community has been impacted in some manner. The purpose of the governor’s visit was to discuss his Restore Pennsylvania initiative. According to the governor’s plan, approximately $4.5 billion could be made available over the next four years. These monies would be specifically targeted for projects that include flood prevention, blight elimination and ensuring that our residents have access to high-speed internet service. These investments would aid municipalities that do not have funds, allowing them to fix roads, shore up landslide-prone areas and/or take other flood prevention action. Towns with blighted properties could receive financial assistance for further revitalization and development. Rural areas without internet access could catch up with the rest of the Commonwealth. At this time, there are no dedicated state programs to manage these issues and those of us in elected office are often left to tell our constituents that there is very little, or even nothing, that we can do to help. Even my proposal to address blighted properties and my proposal last year to afford relief from landslides have been stalemated, with the main argument being made that there is a lack of available funding. I believe that the governor’s plan is promising. The funding, however, relies upon a gas severance tax. This tax on the oil and gas industry has never received strong support in the House or in the Senate. I am not convinced that there is sufficient support, at this time, to pass. As we continue with the legislative and appropriations agendas, only time will tell if the governor can get sufficient support to have this part of the budget passed. The June 30 deadline is quickly approaching and I hope we do not again see a delay in accomplishing this requirement. I am at least encouraged that these very serious problems, real matters with devastating consequences, are finally getting the attention that they deserve. lLegislative Update Legislative UpdateNext >