2021 SQUIRREL HILL TREASURES

THE 2021 SQUIRREL HILL TREASURES

EACH YEAR, THE SQUIRREL HILL URBAN COALITION HONORS ITS “SQUIRREL HILL TREASURES” — people and places who make Squirrel Hill a great neighborhood to live, work, or play. We are cautiously optimistic (and excited!) that we will be able to gather in person to honor our 2021 Squirrel Hill Treasures at our annual Treasure Dinner on November 11, 2021. This event not only recognizes these special individuals and places, but also raises funds needed to provide the programs, advocacy, and this publication for free to the residents of Squirrel Hill. Stay tuned to our website (shuc.org) for more details!

RBRIAN LEE

Brian Lee has been the instrumental music director at Allderdice High School for 16 years, leading the marching band, orchestra, concert band, jazz band, musical pit orchestra, and pep band. Brian is a proud Pittsburgh Public Schools alumnus, having attended Colfax, Sterrett, and Allderdice. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a BHA in Piano Performance and Statistics, with a K-12 Music Education certification.

The Allderdice instrumental ensembles have performed in countless events around the county, from parades to marching band festivals to sporting and community events. They have performed for many Pittsburgh Promise fundraising events, pop-up community performances, neighborhood celebrations, and even at halftime of a Pittsburgh Steelers game and the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2017 Stanley Cup championship parade. Brian firmly believes that it is an honor and CONTINUED on page 13

CONTINUED from page 12 responsibility to provide quality musical entertainment for the community.

Brian credits Mr. Ken Lutz, his instrumental music director at Allderdice, and Mrs. Jill Machen, musical director and choreographer, for inspiring him down this career path. Having seen and experienced the significant impact they made through their compassion, dedication, kindness, and musical excellence, Brian strives to follow their example in making a positive difference in his students’ lives. He is thankful for the hundreds of students he has had the privilege of teaching, motivating, and building relationships with, and he looks forward to hopefully many more years of leading the instrumental music program at Allderdice.

Brian resides in Squirrel Hill with his wife, Natasha, and two young children, Eliana (trumpet and piano) and Connor (trombone), who attend Dilworth Elementary School.

RNANCY JOHNSON

Nancy Polinsky Johnson is the publisher and editor of Shady Ave magazine, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this fall. Nancy purchased the magazine in 2009, after six years serving as its editor, and she has crafted it into a beloved and respected resource for the East End of Pittsburgh, highlighting, among other things, the uniqueness of our Squirrel Hill neighborhood.

When Uncover Squirrel Hill was reorganized (it was formerly the Squirrel Hill Business and Professional Association), Nancy was one of the first business owners to join and participate in monthly member meetings. She also helped fund the initial holiday decorations that USH purchased to brighten Forbes Avenue during the important November through January shopping season.

Throughout her 35 years in Pittsburgh, Nancy has devoted herself to many organizations, including several in Squirrel Hill. She was a long-time board member and served as president of the Carriage House Children’s Center in the Wightman School Community Building. At the other end of the age spectrum, she served on the board of the Forward-Shady Apartments senior citizens’ complex. She also served on the board of the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh and has been an active member of the National Council of Jewish Women, based on Murray Avenue, since 1986.

Nancy may be best known for her many years on the air at WQED, Pittsburgh’s public television station, hosting a variety of programs, participating in countless membership drives, and co-hosting the long-running and popular QED Cooks cooking show.

Nancy is currently working to establish a Pittsburgh Walk of Fame, a sidewalk attraction highlighting notable Pittsburghers who helped shaped our nation’s cultural heritage.

Nancy and her husband, Channel 11 news anchor David Johnson, reside in Squirrel Hill. They have two adult sons, Michael and Eric, and this year are delighted to have become grandparents.

RKIYA TOMLIN

Kiya Winston Tomlin has been a board member, advocate and active fundraiser for the Pittsburgh Promise for more than 11 years. She believes that supporting “The Promise” is investing in our community and improving our quality of life, since access to education provides hope and opportunities for our students.

Kiya by profession is a designer and women’s apparel manufacturer. At the beginning of the pandemic when CONTINUED on page 14

CONTINUED from page 13 there were shortages she used the resources of her fashion business to design and sew washable reusable masks, donating thousands to hospitals locally and throughout the nation.

Kiya has been designing, sewing, and making clothes since she was a young girl. She took her sewing machine with her to college at William & Mary’s College where she met her husband, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Kiya later switched to the College of Design, Art, and Architectural Planning at the University of Cincinnati. She now has her own clothing line which began with re-imagined sweatsuits in 2014. Kiya’s designs are targeted at women over the age of 30 and are produced locally. She enjoys designing clothes that are comfortable and stylish for all body types and that help enhance a woman’s self-confidence.

Kiya and her husband reside in Squirrel Hill with their three children: two boys, Dean and Mason, and daughter Harley Quinn.

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RWIGHTMAN PARK

2224_SRLIV516596_ad_refresh_SHM_3.635x4.875.indd 1 Say Hi to

The Wightman Park renovation is a project that took several years and many stakeholders to complete—and to the Community’s delight, it was finally completed last year! The space is a magical place for Children to play with thoughtful design by Landscape Architect Andrea Ketzel and an interactive sculpture by local artists Oreen Cohen and Alision Zapata. Among those leading the charge for the park renovations, Councilmember Erika Strassburger was key to making this much needed renovation happen. Along with the PWSA, the group also focused on stormwater mitigation, which is expected to benefit both our Squirrel Hill neighbors and residents in Shadyside.

The strong partnerships and dedication that went into the design and build of the park make it a template for other parks in the area. We are extremely fortunate to enjoy the amenities of Wightman Park in our Squirrel Hill Neighborhood. It truly deserves this year’s Treasure Award for Place.

Murray!

Murray the Squirrel is available for events and visits to local organizations and schools.

Call SHUC at (412) 422-7666 or email info@shuc.org to request a visit.

Your CreativeOutlet

At The Waterfront • 412-779-1012 • BeAPaintMonkey.com

SQUIRREL HILL REVIEW: OFF THE BEATEN PATH

INVITATIONS PLUS

1406 S. Negley Avenue invitationspluspgh.com

Yvonne Stein, current owner of Invitations Plus, came into owning the store by way of marriage. Her late mother-in-law, Goldie Stein, started Invitations Plus as Cards Plus, a cards and stationery shop, which eventually grew into five card stores throughout Pittsburgh. When Yvonne married Goldie’s son, Barry, she and her husband took over the family business when they had their own children. At the time, Yvonne was a teacher, but found once she and Barry had their own children, it was easier to run the small shops.

“Today,” Yvonne says, “cards are not as big a seller; people buy their cards with their groceries and drugs, at Target. So I had to do something the big stores don’t do, which is invitations.” Invitations, personalized greeting cards and note cards became her emphasis.

They first opened a shop in Shadyside, but found the square footage wasn’t enough to hold the inventory they needed to serve customers. That’s when they decided to move their store to Squirrel Hill, first on Murray Avenue, but eventually landing on the presentday Invitations Plus on Negley.

Though their new location has worked well for them, COVID hit at an unfortunate time for Invitations Plus—the beginning of March is a critical time for their business. “I do the most business in early Spring, more than the holidays, because people are thinking about their spring and summer invitations for bar and bat mitzvahs and weddings.” They had to close their store, which hurt their business, and social distancing measures continue to be a challenge as people aren’t planning large parties.

That said, Yvonne has noticed a slight uptick in her business. “People are starting to feel safe, starting to feel more comfortable planning events,” she says, “even if they are in the future.”

Why go to Invitations Plus rather than order invitations online? “I don’t encourage people to purchase an invitation based solely on looking online. You can start there, but you can’t feel the paper,” she says. And that makes a big difference. When you’re looking online, she tells us, you really have no idea what you’re looking at.”

You can start your order online with Invitations Plus, however. Yvonne can start the design online and then the customer comes in to select their paper and envelopes and touch their creation. “I know the difference between paper that’s 50 pounds or 100 pounds. But if you don’t have experience in the field, you don’t know what that means when looking at those numbers online.” They can also print smaller batch invitations right in the store, as they have an abundance of cardstock available.

“I’ve had brides come into me with a bag of invitations that they ordered online. And they thought it was nice when they were looking online. But it turns out they just weren’t the quality that they thought it was going to be,” she says. Buying these special invitations inperson makes all the difference! CONTINUED on page 20

The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition wishes to extend their gratitude to the building and private property owner, Lucia Levantis, for working with us to create the O’Connor’s Corner Parklet, as well as to the businesses on this page who were good-natured and tolerant of the disruptions from construction projects. Thank you all!

JERRY'S RECORDS