Taking on litter has become such a big deal in Pittsburgh that our litter-fighters are hounded by paparazzi as they go about their job. Perhaps that's not entirely true, but for one night a year at our annual "Bob Awards," these hard working men and women get the star treatment as the red carpet is rolled out and honors are bestowed for the tremendous work that goes into keeping Pittsburgh clean. We've got photos of the event, courtesy of DPW employee (and ultra-talented photographer) Dan Buczynski. Enjoy!

Our mission is to inspire people throughout the city and region to collect litter and connect neighborhoods.

Fall Redd Up with Pitt set October 26

Pitt has informed Citizens Against Litter that Saturday, October 26 will be Make a Difference Day this year. Dates, therefore, for the next area-wide Redd Up Weekend will be October 25, 26 and 27. Last year, more than 3,000 Pitt students performed community service in more than 60 neighborhoods and communities in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Based on previous years, we're projecting a turnout of 10,000 to 15,000 volunteers in 250 communities. Most projects will involve cleanups, tree plantings and community gardens. The Oct 26 PMADD date is the same as national Make a Difference Day, the largest community service day of the year.

Spring/Earth Day Redd Up Results

Citizens Against Litter is projecting that 10,000 volunteers in 200 communities and groups mostly in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and neighboring counties collected more than 260 tons of litter in the Spring/Earth Day Redd Up.

The projection is based on reports from 25% of the participating communities and groups. On average, each neighborhood/community collected 1.3 tons of litter and trash and 50 volunteers participated in each neighborhood/community Redd Up.

Some highlights. Luci-Jo DiMaggio reported that 550 Duquesne University students, working with resident volunteers (30) on the South Side and volunteers in the Hill District (145), collected over 13 tons (1,300 bags) of litter. Organizations involved were: PA Resources Council, Clean Green Hill, Hill District Consensus Group, Dinwiddie Street Alliance, Lombard Street Assoc., Uptown Partners, House of the Crossroads, Friends of the Riverfront, South Side Slopes Assoc., Macedonia Church, FOCUS Pittsburgh, Ujamaa Collective and Landslide Farms.

Monroeville's 550 volunteers collected seven tons of litter; Collier's 135 volunteers collected almost four tons; Friends of the Riverfront's 132 volunteers collected several tons of litter and junk in an Allegheny CleanWays' Tireless Project; 91 Allegheny County Day Reporting clients collected one ton in Arlington; North Suburban Chamber of Commerce attracted 60 volunteers in six communities (Avalon, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Emsworth, Kilbuck and Ohio) and collected over two tons.

Manchester's 50 volunteers collected five tons and Sheraden's 27 volunteers collected one ton of litter and waved goodbye to five truckloads of trash. Friends of North Park had a turnout of 63 volunteers who collected more than a ton of litter in the first of two spring cleanups. Their second will be held Saturday, May 4.

Stanton Heights cleans house

Jim Heinrich said 32 volunteers collected about 800 pounds of litter, 500 pounds of trash, 100 pounds of metal and another 500 pounds of stuff, mostly concrete. Monique, a daily litter volunteer, walked down Christopher from Stanton Heights to Lawrenceville. "Sheer joy and beauty," she said. "Thanks to the crew for letting me see nature again."

East Allegheny does its thing

Lynn Glorieux told us:

"East Allegheny has 25 volunteers in our Adopt-A-Block program who pick up regularly. We also had 9 children who picked up a bag of litter to earn a swimming pool pass. We distribute 30 pool passes to kids who pick up litter and promise not to be a litterbug or to turn over trash cans."

Littering is NOT OK

(An article by Dan Kaczmarski. Reprinted with permission from The Brookline.)

I grew up in Brookline, moved away for over three decades, then returned for retirement. Old-timers such as I have much to be nostalgic about regarding Brookline, but there's one local tradition I wish had changed for the better.

There's a culture among more than a few in Brookline that littering is OK. Now I recognize that most people here, and especially readers of this (Brookline) newsletter, don't litter. But the amount of litter thrown on the local sidewalks, and elsewhere in Pittsburgh, is way greater than many other places.

When I was young and -- like many kids -- pretty much concerned with myself, I didn't "see" litter. In fact, sometimes street trash seemed like a good thing?such as when searching for pop bottles for deposits or scavenging for Mallo Cup cards. But somewhere along the line, it occurred to me that litter is ugly, damaging, and demeaning to a neighborhood. As "Keep America Beautiful" says, "Litter is unsightly, costly to remove, and damaging to [homeowners'] property values and commerce."

One of the positive changes I see in Brookline is that today there are some wonderful, dedicated volunteers who regularly sacrifice their own time to hit the streets to clean up other people's garbage. That is noble, admirable, and inspiring, but shouldn't be necessary. The current Boulevard upgrading is like dressing Brookline in a fresh set of clothes. If people continue littering, it will be like wearing a new outfit smeared with food stains. And if people continue to not clean up when their dogs "relieve" themselves, it will be like putting on a new pair of Guccis, then stepping in poop.

So what can we do? Well, let's create in Brookline a culture of zero tolerance for litter. Research has shown that most littering stems from a lack of awareness or sense of obligation. Obviously, we ourselves shouldn't litter. If we have friends who litter, politely call them on it. If we raise or teach kids, emphasize the need to keep our local environment clean.

Since I've been back in Brookline, I've sensed a palpable buzz of excitement, optimism, and vision about the future. I've heard people from other neighborhoods favorably compare Brookline to their own, where they say they sometimes feel that people are giving up. In Brookline, many people are working their tails off to make our community a better home for all of us.

I'm proud to be from Brookline and excited about its future. Let's all take the extra effort to stash the trash.

Becks Run Road dumps

Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak writes in:

"I met with the folks at Allegheny CleanWays to look at dump sites along Becks Run Road. There continue to be hillsides and creeks all over South Pittsburgh that people have treated as their own personal garbage disposal. We will be coordinating several dump site clean-ups again this year -- stay tuned! And in the meantime, please call my office or send us a note through the website to report ones that you see in your neighborhood."

Litter-on-a-stick stinks

City Anti-Litter Coordinator Melissa Rosenfeld passed along three litter-on-a-stick poster ordinance violators:

• We buy Houses:  724-241-8808
• We buy Houses: 412-345-0558
• Endless Variety Entertainment: 412-841-3411

Call these numbers and tell the people who answer to "take down their signs and stop littering". These signs are everywhere.

Beauty on Bates

(The Post Gazette ran this editorial on April 19 about an ambitious plan to transform this busy Oakland corridor)

Leave it to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, protector of lands and beautifier of traffic intersections. Leave it to them to dig in (literally) and clean up one of the city's all-too-prominent eyesores, Bates Street below the Boulevard of the Allies in Oakland.

That short, hilly stretch of Bates between the boulevard and the Parkway East and Second Avenue is seen by 90,000 motorists a day. Many of them are going to hospitals, universities or the South Side.

Regardless, what they've seen are trash-strewn hillsides and overgrown thickets of invasive plants. But all that is about to change.

With a plan, volunteers and contributions from UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh, the conservancy has some of the resources needed for a $150,000 project to beautify the corridor. Forty-five trees will be planted there May 8-9, and Oakland Planning and Development Corp. is still seeking people who'd like to help (email kico@opdc.org or call 412-621-7863, ext. 24).

Unlike one of the conservancy's traffic island plantings, this ambitious, multiphase project will take three years and contain native trees, shrubs and ground plants. It's a beautification effort of a higher order -- one that will bring the soft aesthetics of nature to an asphalt streetscape, courtesy of the conservancy, OPDC and their partners.

Brookline artwork contest huge success

Brookline's Adopt-A-Block Anti-Litter Artwork Contest was a huge success. The ceremonies, held April 27 at the Brookline Recreation Center, attracted over 400 parents, friends, and neighbors who applauded students of five schools from kindergarten through eighth grade for their participation. There were over 400 entries displayed.

School Overall Best awards went to Paige Kuisis of Brookline PK-8; Carmen Wilson of Brookline Regional Catholic; Nicole Tucker of Carmalt Academy; Melina Buchmen of South Brook 6-8; and Savannah White of West Liberty PK-5. A total of 90 awards for kindergarten, first, second, third and honorable mention were recognized.

Assisting Dan and Patty Kaczmarski, committee heads, were Diane Walkowski, Eileen Papale, Keith Knecht and Pamela Grabowski. South Pittsburgh Development Corp. was the sponsor.

Adopt a Redd Up Zone

Looking for a worthwhile neighborhood project? Businesses, corporations and groups are invited to adopt their own Pittsburgh street or zone and agree to pick up litter at least four times a year for two years. There are more than 70 adopted zones in this city program. Visit http://www.servepgh.com for information and application form.

Report mailbox graffiti

Pittsburgh Postmaster Joseph Meimann urges citizens to be proactive and call the Postal Service directly at 412-359-7845 to report mailbox tagging or boxes in need of repair. Help the postal service by giving them specific information of locations and crossing streets.

"I Litter" awards

Advertising and promotional materials turn into litter in Shadyside and elsewhere. Businesses and sometimes non-profits are often responsible when they put their business on Shadyside streets. There's less of this going on. April's business litterers are: Post-Gazette Sunday Extra and Vocelli Pizza.

Garbagevilles

Garbagevilles are houses, buildings, streets and places that are a mess. Some because of litter; some because of unswept leaves; some because of trash and junk on their property. Some because garbage cans sit in the front of their houses. Many because of the absence of lids on garbage cans and open waste containers. Some of these Shadyside garbagevilles are always a mess. This is an incomplete list of course.

• 6111 Fifth Ave. (rear)
• 5523 Ellsworth Ave. (back)
• 5525 Ellsworth Ave. (front & rear)
• 5527 Ellsworth Ave. (rear)
• 5432-34 Ellsworth Ave. (front)
• 4830-32 Ellsworth Ave. (front)
• 10 S. Graham St. (side & back)
• 620 Bellefonte St. (side)
• 702 Bellefonte St. (front)
• 710 Bellefonte St. (back)
• 712 Bellefonte St. (front)
• 631 Ivy St. (rear)
• 703 Ivy St. (rear)
• 705 Ivy St. (rear)
• 727 Ivy St. (front, side)
• 816 Ivy St. (rear)
• 918 Ivy St. (front, side)
• 922 Ivy St. (side)
• 5528 Alder St (rear)
• 5505-07 Howe St. (front)
• 730 Summerlea St. (front)
• 733 Maryland Ave.
• 200-204 Lehigh St. (front)
• 5323 Pembroke St. (side)
• House, Ellsworth & St. James (side)
• Dumpster Alley (behind Walnut St. stores)
• S. Graham St. (between Center & Baum)
• Albright Community United Methodist Church, Centre & S. Graham (front, side)

Important phone numbers

Need to contact the city about something that's been bothering you, like potholes and graffiti?  Call the 311 Response line (alternate number is 412-255-2621). Your request will be logged and sent to the proper department. Want to contact someone directly?  The following list may help.

• Mayor's Office (412-255-2626)
• Littering (412-255-2621)
• State Littering Hotline (1-888-548-8372)
• Abandoned Houses (412-255-2175)
• Abandoned Cars (412-255-4776)
• Weeds/Litter/Bad Sidewalks (412-255-4155)
• Building Inspection (412-255-2176)
• Public Works (412-255-2790)
• Refuse/Recycling (412-255-2773)
• Potholes (412-255-2720)
• Graffiti Watch (412-496-2272)
• Graffiti Busters ((412-255-2872))
• Report Graffiti Happening to You (9-1-1)
• Report Graffiti in Neighborhood (3-1-1)
• Report Mail Box Graffiti (412-359-7845)
• City Planning (412-255-2200)
• Parking Authority (412-560-7275)
• City Council (412-255-2142)
• Environmental Services (412-255-2780)
• Allegheny County Health Dept. (412-578-8390)
• Police, Zone 2 (412-255-2827
• Police, Zone 4 (412-422-6520)
• Police, Zone 5 (412-665-3605)

Litter Ragout on Bellefonte

Looking for something to do on your next walk around the block? Concoct a real live recipe of street litter and trash ingredients.

• Pour 6 ounces of coke from a plastic cup.
• Mix in three cigarette butts.
• Add a slice of pepperoni pizza.
• Stir in 3 tablespoons of water from a plastic bottle.
• Toss in some ATM and parking receipts.
• Add a Big Mac wrapper and fries.
• Don't forget ketchup and mayo packs.
• Top off with facial tissues.
• Shake and bake until it's too smelly to handle.
• Wrap in a plastic bag and
• Deposit at the next waste container you run into.

Keeping Walnut Street park clean

Thanks to Steel Cactus Restaurant and William Penn Tavern employees for doing more than their part to keep the Walnut Street park clean of litter, cigarette butts and the like. Three planters have fresh flowers too. The park is important space to Shadyside residents and visitors.

The last word

Remember. Rome wasn't redd up in a day either.

Best wishes to all litter-fighting groups on this Earth Day/Spring Redd Up weekend.

Citizens Against Litter expects upwards of 10,000 volunteers to participate in Pittsburgh neighborhoods and communities in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland counties the next weekend. "We know of 200 communities and groups that are committed," said Boris Weinstein. "We believe there are many more cleanups we don't know about."

In Allegheny County: Aspinwall, Avalon, Bellevue, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Bradfordwoods, Brentwood, Carnegie, Chalfant, Collier, Deer Creek/Emerling Park (Indiana), Dormont, Dravosburg, East McKeesport, Edgewood, Emsworth, Etna, Findley, Forest Hills, Fox Chapel, Hampton, Harmar, Heidelberg, Leetsdale, Lincoln, Kilbuck, Marshall, McKees Rocks, Monroeville, Mount Oliver, Natrona Comes Together Assn. (for Natrona-Harrison), Ohio, PA. Dept. of Environmental Protection, Penn Hills, Pine, Pitcairn, Pleasant Hills, Port Vue, North Park Friends, North Suburban Chamber of Commerce, North Versailles, Rosslyn Farms, Scott, Shady Side Academy, Shaler, South Fayette, Friends of South Park, South Park Twp., Stowe, Tri-County Trout Club, Upper St. Clair, Verona, West Homestead, Wilkins and Wilkinsburg.

In Beaver County: Ambridge, Beaver, Big Beaver, Chippewa, Center (Aliquippa), Monaca, Patterson, Potter and South Beaver.

In Washington County: Chartiers, Cross Creek, North Strabane, Mingo Creek Park, Cross Creek Park, Donnegal, Washington City and West Pike.

In Westmoreland County: Greensburg, Jeannette, Keystone State Park, Latrobe, Ligonier, Sewickley, Smithton, Unity, West Leechburg and Youngwood.

In Butler County: Allegheny Aquatic Alliance, Center, Connoquenessing Creek (Penn), Butler City, Butler Twp, Middlesex and Penn.

"When I pick up litter or trash and dispose of it properly I feel ________."

Send your answer, along with a photo if you'd like, to litterstories@yahoo.com. All responses will be credited and published on Bernard's site.

"We'll be cleaning up litter, some tires, and some scattered larger debris near an old railing that is in bad need of a new coat of paint. Mt. Oliver hopes to paint the fence during the Spring Redd Up, and is grateful that we'll be redding up the area a bit before that event.

"As usual, gloves, trash bags, and a cooler of water will be provided. Please bring a reusable water bottle, if possible. Please wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and long sleeves even if the weather is nice, for your own protection.

"This should be a fairly mild cleanup. It is not severely sloped, and the debris is not heavy.

"I hope to see you there!"

Don't be tricked into thinking there isn't litter around these parts. We need everyone's help on April Fools Day and every day.

Our mission

Our mission is to inspire people throughout the city and region to collect litter and connect neighborhoods.

True sign of spring

Welcome sight in my block. Last Wednesday, a day after that last snowstorm, the street cleaner motored down Aiken Ave. at Ellsworth mowing down gutter dirt, grime and cigarette butts. Thanks Public Works.

"Bob Awards" announced

Little did she imagine that picking up street litter and cleaning a blighted vacant lot in Schenley Heights with a few neighbors in 2009 would lead to her being called "a true neighborhood treasure and model."

Phyllis Jackson was honored March 21 with one of the Bob Awards as 2012 Volunteer of the Year at the Clean Pittsburgh Commission's 6th annual Meet N' Greet Mixer.

Other Bob Awards went to Polish Hill as Neighborhood of the Year, South Side Slopes as Most Improved Neighborhood and Bloomfield's Cats & Dogs Coffee Shop as the Redd Up Zone Adoption Group of the Year. The late Mayor Bob O'Connor's wife, Judy, and his son, Corey, now a councilman, presented the awards.

The Meet N' Greet Mixer salutes the 150-person steward network in the city's 90 neighborhoods. Personalized Steward Certificates of Appreciation were also presented.

Ms. Jackson, a Clean Pittsburgh Steward, reaches out beyond her Schenley Heights neighborhood and its 40 volunteers and participates as a leader in the greater Hill District Consensus Group and the Clean Green Hill group doing Redd Ups, greening and beautification projects. She attended the Mayor's 10-week Civic Leadership Academy last year.

Nine others were nominated for as top volunteer in 2012: Joe Brown, and John Moore, Brightwood; Hannah Grace and Ann Rose, Squirrel Hill; Pam Grabowski and Eileen Papale, Brookline; Tim Maloney, Brightwood Heights; Carl Suter, Westwood; and Joan Waldschmidt, Fineview.

As the Neighborhood of the Year, Polish Hill was singled out for its year-round Redd Ups, removal of 10 tons of litter from three illegal dumps, special volunteer crews to keep stairs free of litter and snow, creation and maintenance of vegetable and flower gardens and turning two vacant lots into mini parks.

As Most Improved Neighborhood, South Side Slopes volunteers redd up year-round, clean and maintain its world-famous steps, reclaimed South Side Park and created a community garden at Bandi Schaum Field.

Several hundred attended the Mixer. Joining stewards and volunteers were city officials, Public Works supervisors and city council members.

6th annual report report issued

The Clean Pittsburgh Commission released its 2012 Annual Report detailing activities involving litter and illegal dumping prevention and cleanups, blighted vacant lots, demolished and shuttered buildings, abandoned car removal, graffiti removal and recycling and green programs. It's available electronically through the Citizens Against Litter website and the Clean Pittsburgh Commission website. The report was released at the Mixer on March 21.

Download a copy of the report at:

http://www.citizensagainstlitter.org/pdf/2013/cpc_annualreport.pdf

Spring Redd Up April 19-22

Neighborhood, community and group participation is over 200 and still growing for the Spring Earth Day Weekend Redd Up April 19-21 (on or about). Earth Day is Monday, April 22.

Friday will be the day when school kids pick up litter on and around their campuses. Saturday will be the biggest cleanup day. Some communities, like Squirrel Hill, recruit volunteers for Sunday cleanups.

Many communities have their cleanups or plantings in the spring on other dates and their participation is listed. There is still time to be counted and connected. Community leaders and individuals looking for a place to pick up litter are asked to sign up by contacting Boris Weinstein of Citizens Against Litter at 412-688-9120 or boris.weinstein@verizon.net.

In Pittsburgh: Alcoa "green" volunteers, AmeriCorps, Adult Probation Day Reporting Center, Allegheny CleanWays, Allegheny Commons, Allegheny West, Allentown, Arlington, Banksville, Bedford Dwellings, Beechview, Beltzhoover, Bloomfield, Bon Air, Brighton Heights, Brightwood, Bull Elephants/Masons, California-Kirkbride, Carrick, Central North Side, Chartiers, Citizens Against Litter, Community Technical Assistance Center, Crafton Heights, Crawford-Roberts, Downtown Partnership, Duquesne Heights, East Allegheny, East Carnegie, East Hills, East Liberty, Elliott, Fairywood, Fineview, Friendship, Garfield, Glen Hazel, Greenfield, Hays, Hazelwood , Hill House Consensus Group, Homewood, Knoxville, Jail Trail, Jubilee Christian School (for Banksville Road), Highland Park, Larimer, Lawrenceville, Lincoln Place, Lower Hill, Manchester, Mexican War Streets, Middle Hill, Morningside, Mount Oliver, Mount Washington, New Homestead, North Point Breeze, Oakland, Oakwood, Observatory Hill, Overbrook, Paddle Without Pollution, PA. Resources Council, Perry Hilltop, Pitt Football Team, Pittsburgh Job Corps, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (Schenley, Riverview, Frick, Highland), Pittsburgh Public Schools, Polish Hill, Pressley Ridge School for the Deaf, Renew Pittsburgh, Ridgemont, Schenley Heights, ServePgh, Shadyside, Sheraden, South Side Graffiti Watch, South Side Flats, St. Clair, South Side Slopes, Spring Garden-Deutschtown, Squirrel Hill, South Point Breeze, Spring Hill, Stanton Heights, Strip District, Summer Hill, Swisshelm Park, The Academy System, Troy Hill, Uptown, West End Village, Westwood and Windgap.

Redd Up Zone participants: South Pittsburgh Development Corp., North Point Breeze, Jucunta St. (400 Block) and Cats & Dogs Coffee Shop.

In Allegheny County: Aspinwall, Avalon, Bellevue, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Brentwood, Carnegie, Chalfant, Collier, Deer Creek/Emerling Park (Indiana), Dormont, Dravosburg, East McKeesport, Edgewood, Emsworth, Etna, Findley, Forest Hills, Fox Chapel, Hampton, Harmar, Heidelberg, Leetsdale, Lincoln, Kilbuck, Marshall, McKees Rocks, Monroeville, Mount Oliver, Natrona Comes Together Assn. (for Natrona), Ohio, PA. Dept. of Environmental Protection, Penn Hills, Pine, Pitcairn, Pleasant Hills, Port Vue, North Park Friends, North Suburban Chamber of Commerce, North Versailles, Rosslyn Farms, Scott, Shady Side Academy, Shaler, South Fayette, Friends of South Park, South Park Twp., Stowe, Tri-County Trout Club, Verona, West Homestead, Wilkins and Wilkinsburg.

In Beaver County: Ambridge, Beaver, Big Beaver, Chippewa, Center (Aliquippa), Monaca, Patterson, Potter and South Beaver.

In Washington County: Cross Creek, North Strabane, Mingo Creek Park, Cross Creek Park, Washington City and West Pike.

In Westmoreland County: Greensburg, Jeannette, Keystone State Park, Latrobe, Ligonier, Sewickley, Smithton, Unity and Youngwood.

In Butler County: Allegheny Aquatic Alliance, Center, Connoquenessing Creek (Penn), Butler City, Butler Twp, Middlesex and Penn.

North boroughs collecting and connecting

The North Suburban Chamber of Commerce has organized a significant cleanup in the north boroughs. This will be its eighth spring effort to coincide with the area-wide April 20 Redd Up. The communities involved are Avalon, Bellevue, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Emsworth, Kilbuck and Ohio. This is a wonderful example of connecting communities through collecting litter.

Four tree planting volunteer days

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy will plant 600 trees in April at four Pittsburgh Parks: Schenley on April 7, Riverview on April 13, Frick on April 20 and Highland on April 27. To volunteer call 412-682-7275, Ext, 232 or e-mail volunteers@pittsburghparks.org

Two North Park litter-cleaning events

Friends of North Park need volunteers for events in April and May. For the Redd Up on Saturday, April 20 volunteers will meet 9 a.m. at the Cabin on Ingomar Rd. near the intersection of Babcock Blvd. and Wildwood Rd. For the Lake & Land Clean Up on Saturday, May 4 (noon) the meeting place will be Red Barn on Pearce Mill Rd. across from the Boathouse. Get volunteer information from Gary Rigdon at 724-544-7284 or e-mail grigdon@consolidated.net and Robert Habegger at 412-401-5837 or e-mail rlh.xmail@gmail.com.

Art contest attracts 1,000

From Dan Kaczmarski of Brookline:

"Currently, over 1,000 students in four schools in the Brookline area are creating anti-litter artwork in conjunction with an art contest sponsored by South Pittsburgh Development Corporation.  Every piece of artwork will be displayed for a day and about 40 pieces will be selected for awards and displayed on Brookline Blvd. The awards event will be Saturday, April 27 at the Brookline Recreation Center. Because all of the art will be displayed there, we are estimating maybe 500 students and their family members will attend sometime during the day."

(Note: this is a project other neighborhoods could copy.)

Adopt a Redd Up Zone

Looking for a worthwhile neighborhood project? Businesses, corporations and groups are invited to adopt their own Pittsburgh street or zone and agree to pick up litter at least four times a year for two years. There are more than 70 adopted zones in this city program. Visit http://www.servepgh.com for information and application form.

Report mailbox graffiti

Pittsburgh Postmaster Joseph Meimann urges citizens to be proactive and call the Postal Service directly at 412-359-7845 to report mailbox tagging or boxes in need of repair. Help the postal service by giving them specific information of locations and crossing streets.

Litter thrown for 30 yard loss

The Pitt football team (three busloads) joined community volunteers in six city hilltop neighborhoods to help remove litter and debris on Saturday, March 23. Paul Chryst's team met at the Warrington Rec Center, divided into groups and picked up all kinds of stuff in Allentown, Beltzhoover, Knoxville, Mount Oliver and South Side Slopes. The event was coordinated through the Mayor's Office and the Hilltop Alliance. Public Works Division 4 Supervisor John Radcliffe reported on the haul: 2 to 3 tons of bagged litter, 4 truckloads of wood and other building materials, junk and 55 tires. John estimated it amounts to "about 30 yards of debris" in football or any language. Sounds like a Hall of Fame effort to Mr. Litterman.

"I Litter" awards

Advertising and promotional materials turn into litter in Shadyside and elsewhere. Businesses and sometimes non-profits are often responsible when they put their business on Shadyside streets. There's less of this going on. March's business litterers are: Post-Gazette Sunday Extra, Steel Cactus Restaurant, and Vocelli Pizza.

Garbagevilles

Garbagevilles are houses, buildings, streets and places that are a mess. Some because of litter; some because of unswept leaves; some because of trash and junk on their property. Some because garbage cans sit in the front of their houses. Many because of the absence of lids on garbage cans and open waste containers. Some of these Shadyside Garbagevilles are always a mess. This is an incomplete list of course.

• 6111 Fifth Ave. (rear)
• 5523 Ellsworth Ave. (back)
• 5525 Ellsworth Ave. (front & rear)
• 5527 Ellsworth Ave. (rear)
• 5432-34 Ellsworth Ave. (front)
• 4830-32 Ellsworth Ave. (front)
• 10 S. Graham St. (side & back)
• 620 Bellefonte St. (side)
• 702 Bellefonte St. (front)
• 710 Bellefonte St. (back)
• 712 Bellefonte St. (front)
• 631 Ivy St. (rear)
• 703 Ivy St. (rear)
• 705 Ivy St. (rear)
• 727 Ivy St. (front, side)
• 816 Ivy St. (rear)
• 918 Ivy St. (front, side)
• 922 Ivy St. (side)
• 5528 Alder St (rear)
• 5505-07 Howe St. (front)
• 730 Summerlea St. (front)
• 733 Maryland Ave.
• 200-204 Lehigh St. (front)
• Dumpster Alley (behind Walnut St. stores)
• S. Graham St. (between Center & Baum)
• Albright Community United Methodist Church, Centre & S. Graham (front, side)

Important phone numbers

Need to contact the city about something that's been bothering you, like potholes and graffiti?  Call the 311 Response line (alternate number is 412-255-2621). Your request will be logged and sent to the proper department. Want to contact someone directly?  The following list may help.

• Mayor's Office (412-255-2626)
• Littering (412-255-2621)
• State Littering Hotline (1-888-548-8372)
• Abandoned Houses (412-255-2175)
• Abandoned Cars (412-255-4776)
• Weeds/Litter/Bad Sidewalks (412-255-4155)
• Building Inspection (412-255-2176)
• Public Works Main # (412-255-2790)
• Refuse/Recycling (412-255-2773)
• Potholes (412-255-2720)
• Graffiti Watch (412-496-2272)
• Graffiti Busters ((412-255-2872))
• Report Graffiti Happening to You (9-1-1)
• Report Graffiti in Neighborhood (3-1-1)
• Report Mail Box Graffiti (412-359-7845)
• City Planning (412-255-2200)
• Parking Authority (412-560-7275)
• City Council (412-255-2142)
• Environmental Services (412-255-2780)
• Allegheny County Health Dept. (412-578-8390)
• Police, Zone 2 (412-255-2827
• Police, Zone 4 (412-422-6520)
• Police, Zone 5 (412-665-3605)

Is a "Boris litter rap" coming?

Janet Gunter, Clean Pittsburgh Steward, checks in:

"Boris!  How the heck are you? Litter flees at the mere mention of your name! I'll suggest to my team we may need a "Boris Rap" to aid in our efforts this year! Please include Perry Hilltop in the Spring Cleanup. We have new recruits in our volunteer Destroy All Litter campaign on April 20."  

The last word

Remember. Rome wasn't redd up in a day either.

Phyllis Jackson was honored on March 21 with one of the Bob Awards as 2012 Volunteer of the Year at the Clean Pittsburgh Commission's sixth annual Meet N' Greet Mixer at the Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink Lodge.

The Meet N' Greet Mixer salutes the 150-person steward network in the city's 90 neighborhoods. Personalized Steward Certificates of Appreciation were also presented.

Ms. Jackson, a Clean Pittsburgh Steward, reaches out beyond her Schenley Heights neighborhood and its 40 volunteers and participates as a leader in the greater Hill District Consensus Group and the Clean Green Hill group doing Redd Ups, greening and beautification projects. She attended the Mayor's 10-week Civic Leadership Academy last year.

As the Neighborhood of the Year, Polish Hill was singled out for its year-round Redd Ups, removal of 10 tons of litter from three illegal dumps, special volunteer crews to keep stairs free of litter and snow, creation and maintenance of vegetable and flower gardens and turning two vacant lots into mini parks.

As Most Improved Neighborhood, South Side Slopes volunteers redd up year-round, clean and maintain its world-famous steps, reclaimed South Side Park and created a community garden at Bandi Schaum Field.

Several hundred attended the Mixer. Joining stewards and volunteers were city officials, Public Works supervisors and city council members.

The Clean Pittsburgh Commission released its 2012 Annual Report detailing activities involving litter and illegal dumping prevention and cleanups, blighted vacant lots, demolished and shuttered buildings, abandoned car removal, graffiti removal and recycling and green programs.

The Clean Pittsburgh Commission expects record attendance and neighborhood representation at its sixth annual Meet N' Greet Mixer Thursday, March 21 at the Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink Meeting Room from 6 to 8 p.m.

The mixer will honor the 150 Clean Pittsburgh Stewards who represent the city's 90 neighborhoods.

"This event recognizes the work and commitment of 'Pittsburgh's finest and cleanest,'" said Boris Weinstein, CPC chair. "The city is fortunate to have this network of people who plan, organize, recruit and lead 20,000 volunteers in twice-a-year spring and fall Redd Ups since 2007."

Our mission is to inspire people throughout the city and region to collect litter and connect neighborhoods.

"Litter on a stick" gone in some places

John Rudiak, Carrick resident advocate, writes in with some great news:

"Thanks to the City of Pittsburgh Public Works, 311 (City complaint-resolvers) and Melissa Rosenfeld (City anti-litter coordinator), Carrick and Overbrook are free of litter on a stick advertising everywhere. All of this pole advertising is gone. Hopefully more communities will follow and companies will find that this method of advertising is not permissible or economically feasible."

Mr. Rudiak has battled for litter on a stick removal and ordinance enforcement for years in Pittsburgh south neighborhoods. Hats off to him.

"Wow! I'm blown away"

There are many, many public servants (as people who work for the city are sometimes called) who perform above and beyond the call of duty. Mr. Litterman experienced one of those occasions last month that "blew him away."

At 11:46 a.m. on February 6, the son of an elderly Hazelwood couple with a recurring litter problem contacted a number of city officials. Councilman Corey O'Connor was on the list.

Within 13 minutes, at 11:59 a.m., Judy Feldman, O'Connor's Chief of Staff, was sent a copy of the complaint by the Councilman to take action.

Within three hours, at 2:44 p.m., Ms. Feldman had already contacted at least two department directors to look into the problem and responded with a detailed description of her action by email to the Hazelwood resident.

Within 24 hours, at 10:50 a.m., Feb 7, the resident had been updated again by Ms. Feldman of the positive actions already taken by the Bureau of Building Inspection.

City residents have to be impressed with the immediate response actions taken in this occasion.

On February 25, two weeks later, the Hazelwood resident e-mailed, "Just wanted to send out a thanks to all. We have seen a dramatic improvement in our situation."

Mr. Litterman tips his Steeler cap to Councilman O'Connor, Judy Feldman, and all others involved.

Night to honor Clean Pittsburgh Stewards

Thursday, March 21 is the night of the sixth annual Meet N' Greet Mixer. It's when 150 special people -- Clean Pittsburgh Stewards in 90 city neighborhoods -- are honored as Pittsburgh's cleanest and finest by the Clean Pittsburgh Commission (CPC). "These men and women organize Redd Ups and recruit volunteers to remove and prevent litter, replace vacant lots with gardens, green up city streets with tree plantings and help eliminate dumpsites," said Boris Weinstein, CPC chair. "We're hoping to attract representatives from at least 70 neighborhoods and a crowd topping 250."

The highlight of the Mixer will be the presentation of "Bob Awards," named for the late Mayor Bob O'Connor who made cleaner neighborhoods and Redd Ups a priority of his brief administration. The mayor's wife, Judy, and son, Councilman Corey O'Connor, will present awards for Volunteer of the Year, Redd Up Zone Group of the Year, and Most Improved Neighborhood and Neighborhood of the Year.

Representatives of the more than 70 Redd Up Zone groups have been invited to the Mixer for the first time.

Spring Redd Up April 19, 20, 21

Neighborhood, community and group participation is beyond 150 and growing for the Spring Earth Day Weekend Redd Up April 19-20-21 (on or about). Most of the signups are in Pittsburgh. Contact with communities is on-going. Earth Day 2013 is Monday, April 22.

Friday will be the day when school kids pick up litter on and around their campuses. Saturday will be the biggest cleanup day. Some communities, like Squirrel Hill, recruit volunteers for Sunday cleanups.

Many communities have their cleanups or plantings in the spring on other dates but their participation is listed. Community leaders are asked to sign up by contacting Boris Weinstein of Citizens Against Litter at 412-688-9120 or boris.weinstein@verizon.net.

In Pittsburgh: Alcoa "green" volunteers, AmeriCorps, Adult Probation Day Reporting Center, Allegheny CleanWays, Allegheny Commons, Allegheny West, Allentown, Arlington, Banksville, Bedford Dwellings, Beechview, Beltzhoover, Bloomfield, Bon Air, Brighton Heights, Brightwood, Bull Elephants/Masons, California-Kirkbride, Carrick, Central North Side, Chartiers, Citizens Against Litter, Community Technical Assistance Center, Crafton Heights, Downtown Partnership, Duquesne Heights, East Allegheny, East Carnegie, East Hills, East Liberty, Elliott, Fairywood, Fineview, Friendship, Garfield, Glen Hazel, Greenfield, Hays, Hazelwood , Hill House Consensus Group, Homewood, Knoxville, Jail Trail, Jubilee Christian School (for Banksville Road), Highland Park, Larimer, Lawrenceville, Lincoln Place, Lower Hill, Manchester, Mexican War Streets, Middle Hill, Morningside, Mount Oliver, Mount Washington, New Homestead, North Point Breeze, Oakland, Oakwood, Observatory Hill, Overbrook, Paddle Without Pollution, PA. Resources Council, Perry Hilltop, Pittsburgh Job Corps, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (Schenley, Riverview, Frick, Highland), Pittsburgh Public Schools, Polish Hill, Pressley Ridge School for the Deaf, Renew Pittsburgh, Ridgemont, Schenley Heights, ServePgh, Shadyside, Sheraden, South Side Graffiti Watch, South Side Flats, St. Clair, South Side Slopes, Spring Garden-Deutschtown, Squirrel Hill, South Point Breeze, Spring Hill, Stanton Heights, Strip District, Summer Hill, Swisshelm Park, The Academy System, Troy Hill, Uptown, West End Village and Windgap.

Redd Up Zone participants: South Pittsburgh Development Corp., North Point Breeze, Jucunta St. (400 Block), and Cats & Dogs Coffee Shop.

In Allegheny County: Avalon, Brentwood, Carnegie, Chalfant, Collier, Deer Creek/Emerling Park (Indiana), Dormont, East McKeesport, Edgewood, Etna, Findley, Forest Hills, Fox Chapel, Hampton, Heidelberg, Leetsdale, Marshall, McKees Rocks, Monroeville, Mount Oliver, Natrona Comes Together Assn. (for Natrona), PA. Dept. of Environmental Protection, Penn Hills, Pine, Pitcairn, Pleasant Hills, Port Vue, North Park Friends, North Versailles, Rosslyn Farms, Scott, Shady Side Academy, South Fayette, Friends of South Park, South Park Twp., Stowe, Tri-County Trout Club, Verona, West Homestead, Wilkins and Wilkinsburg.

In Beaver County: Center (Aliquippa) and Monaca.

In Washington County: North Strabane, Mingo Creek Park, Cross Creek Park.

In Westmoreland County: Greensburg, Keystone State Park, Latrobe, Ligonier and Smithton.

In Butler County: Allegheny Aquatic Alliance, Connoquenessing Creek (Penn), Butler City and Butler Twp.

18th Year for Monroeville

Monroeville's community litter/trash cleanup is certainly a "Granddaddy" as far as longevity goes. On Saturday April 20, the community will hold their 18th annual Jack Sedlak Monroeville Clean Up Day. Hundreds of residents are expected to participate as they do every year. On the same day, Monroeville will partner with the Area Chamber of Commerce for a Shred It event and electronic recycling. Contact Joe Sedlak for information at 412-856-3306 or sedlaj@monroeville.pa.us.

Four tree planting volunteer days

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy will plant 600 trees in April at four Pittsburgh Parks: Schenley on April 7, Riverview on April 13, Frick on April 20 and Highland on April 27. To volunteer call 412-682-7275, Ext, 232 or e-mail volunteers@pittsburghparks.org.

Two North Park litter-cleaning events

Friends of North Park need volunteers for events in April and May. For the Redd Up on Saturday, April 20, volunteers will meet 9 a.m. at the Cabin on Ingomar Road near the intersection of Babcock Blvd and Wildwood Road. For the Lake & Land Clean Up on Saturday, May 4, the meeting place will be Red Barn on Pearce Mill Road across from the Boathouse at noon. Get volunteer information from Gary Rigdon at 724-544-7284 (grigdon@consolidated.net) and Robert Habegger at 412-401-5837 (rlh.xmail@gmail.com).

Adopt a Redd Up Zone

Looking for a worthwhile neighborhood project? Businesses, corporations and groups are invited to adopt their own Pittsburgh street or zone and agree to pick up litter at least four times a year for two years. Visit http://www.servepgh.com for information and application form.

Report mailbox graffiti

Pittsburgh Postmaster Joseph Meimann urges citizens to be proactive and call the Postal Service directly at 412-359-7845 to report mailbox tagging or boxes in need of repair. Help the postal service by giving them specific information of locations and crossing streets.

What's new in Brookline?

Keith Knecht of the South Pittsburgh Development Corporation in Brookline checks in:

"I just got back from a little meet and greet for Brookline's Adopt-A-Block effort. It's been going pretty well. Pam Grabowski tells me that we have about 23 people who are in the program. Plus we have the Sunday Trash walks on our boulevard business district.

"One thing that came up is optic vests. It's good to have an optic vest for a number of reasons. Obviously safety is number one, but there is also the benefit of visibility to on lookers who see regular folks doing their part to keep their neighborhood looking clean. You may have heard some of our "funny" stories related to folks picking up trash. In Brookline anyway, we have people who think we are doing public service time for breaking the law. Another hoot is that others think we are city employees and so they can throw their litter and we'll pick it up because it's our job!

"So we're looking to give those who participate regularly an optic vest. One that has our logo and Adopt-a-Block community volunteer printed on the back.  This will make us more safe, identify who we are and instill a sense of community within our group of volunteers. Sort of like a varsity sweater, heh, heh!

"Does anyone know of a supplier who can give us a good deal? We're going to start with a dozen or so. We don't need public safety grade gear, but we do want them to be durable and something that will last. I know Granger carries them, but maybe someone knows of another source. If possible we'd like to have them printed at the place we purchase them from.

"We are also looking for grant money to pay for the vests. Anyone know of any programs where this expenditure could be underwritten? Any thoughts or resources appreciated!"

Green, green, green

Dr. Jean Binstock from the North Side writes in:

"Thank you as always for this significant newsletter. Alcoa, Allegheny City Society and all levels of "greening" government agencies and the Steelers contributed to our GTECH garden project at the corner of Reesdale and Allegheny Avenue on the Northside this year. We re-nourished the Mary Cassatt Memorial Garden with Redd Ups, weeding and trees/cannas plantings. The work goes on this year."

Don't ask, don't tell

"I can understand Anderson Cooper's reaction ("Anderson goes bananas", Newslitter V9N2), but agree that Mr. Litterman's approach is the wiser way. Confrontation (to litterers) isn't the answer. Education and doing the right thing by example is."

Judith Robinson, Oakland

Tell it like it is

"Good for Anderson Cooper!"

Cliff Gold, Des Moines, IA

Bill and Hilary's neighbor heard from

"Mr. Litterman, you have to stop referring to student citizens who probably are the best workers as little kids. 'Young patriots' would be a better slogan for these 'kids'. Keep it up."

Ted Corn, Chappaqua, NY

"I Litter" awards

Advertising and promotional materials turn into litter in Shadyside and elsewhere. Businesses and sometimes non-profits are often responsible when they put their business on Shadyside streets. There's less of this going on but it's still going on. February's business litterers are the Post-Gazette Sunday Extra and Pesaro's Pizza.

Garbagevilles

Garbagevilles are houses, buildings, streets and places that are a mess. Some because of litter; some because of unswept leaves; some because of trash and junk on their property. Some because garbage cans sit in the front of their houses. Many because of the absence of lids on garbage cans and open waste containers. Some of these Shadyside Garbagevilles are always a mess. This is an incomplete list of course.

• 6111 Fifth Ave. (rear)
• 5523 Ellsworth Ave. (back)
• 5525 Ellsworth Ave. (front & rear)
• 5527 Ellsworth Ave. (rear)
• 5432-34 Ellsworth Ave. (front)
• 4830-32 Ellsworth Ave. (front)
• 10 S. Graham St. (side & back)
• 620 Bellefonte St. (side)
• 702 Bellefonte St. (front)
• 710 Bellefonte St. (back)
• 712 Bellefonte St. (front)
• 631 Ivy St. (rear)
• 703 Ivy St. (rear)
• 705 Ivy St. (rear)
• 727 Ivy St. (front, side)
• 816 Ivy St. (rear)
• 918 Ivy St. (front, side)
• 922 Ivy St. (side)
• 5528 Alder St (rear)
• 5505-07 Howe St. (front)
• 730 Summerlea St. (front)
• 733 Maryland Ave.
• 200-204 Lehigh St. (front)
• Dumpster Alley (behind Walnut St. stores)
• S. Graham St. (between Center & Baum)
• Albright Community United Methodist Church, Centre & S. Graham (front, side)

Important phone numbers

Need to contact the city about something that's been bothering you, like potholes and graffiti?  Call the 311 Response line (alternate number is 412-255-2621). Your request will be logged and sent to the proper department. Want to contact someone directly?  The following list may help.

• Mayor's Office (412-255-2626)
• Littering (412-255-2621)
• State Littering Hotline (1-888-548-8372)
• Abandoned Houses (412-255-2175)
• Abandoned Cars (412-255-4776)
• Weeds/Litter/Bad Sidewalks (412-255-4155)
• Building Inspection (412-255-2176)
• Public Works Main # (412-255-2790)
• Refuse/Recycling (412-255-2773)
• Potholes (412-255-2720)
• Graffiti Watch (412-496-2272)
• Graffiti Busters ((412-255-2872))
• Report Graffiti Happening to You (9-1-1)
• Report Graffiti in Neighborhood (3-1-1)
• Report Mail Box Graffiti (412-359-7845)
• City Planning (412-255-2200)
• Parking Authority (412-560-7275)
• City Council (412-255-2142)
• Environmental Services (412-255-2780)
• Allegheny County Health Dept. (412-578-8390)
• Police, Zone 2 (412-255-2827
• Police, Zone 4 (412-422-6520)
• Police, Zone 5 (412-665-3605)

The last word

Remember. Rome wasn't redd up in a day either.

"Thanks to the City of Pittsburgh Public Works, 311, and Melissa Rosenfeld, Carrick and Overbrook are free of litter on a stick advertising everywhere. All of this pole advertising is gone. Hopefully more communities will follow and companies will find that this method of advertising is not permissible or economically feasible."

Our mission is to inspire people throughout the city and region to collect litter and connect neighborhoods.

Ora Lee Carroll passes

If Citizens Against Litter had a Street of Fame or something like it, Ora Lee Carroll of Larimer would be in its first class. Ora Lee died January 25 at 71. She was founder of the East End Concerned Citizens and a dedicated activist. Mr. Litterman met and spoke often with Ora Lee. Early on in our shared interest to rid the city of litter, Ora Lee loved the suggestion to rename Larimer as "Larimer Green Acres" to describe the hustle and bustle of Redd Ups, dumpsite cleanups and community garden startups in her beloved neighborhood.

Spring Redd Up just around the corner

Neighborhood, community and group participation is approaching 150 and growing for the Spring Earth Day Weekend Redd Up April 19-20-21 (on or about). Most of the signups are in Pittsburgh. Contact with communities is on-going. Earth Day 2013 is Monday, April 22.

Friday will be the day when school kids pick up litter on and around their campuses. Saturday will be the biggest cleanup day. Some communities, like Squirrel Hill, recruit volunteers for Sunday cleanups.

Many communities have their cleanups in the spring on other dates but their participation is listed. Community leaders are asked to sign up by contacting Boris Weinstein of Citizens Against Litter at 412-688-9120 or boris.weinstein@verizon.net.

In Pittsburgh: Alcoa "green" volunteers, AmeriCorps, Adult Probation Day Reporting Center, Allegheny CleanWays, Allegheny Commons, Allegheny West, Allentown, Arlington, Banksville, Bedford Dwellings, Beechview, Beltzhoover, Bloomfield, Bon Air, Brighton Heights, Brightwood, Bull Elephants/Masons, California-Kirkbride, Carrick, Central North Side, Chartiers, Citizens Against Litter, Community Technical Assistance Center, Crafton Heights, Downtown Partnership, Duquesne Heights, East Allegheny, East Carnegie, East Hills, East Liberty, Elliott, Fairywood, Fineview, Friendship, Garfield, Glen Hazel, Greenfield, Hays, Hazelwood , Hill House Consensus Group, Homewood, Knoxville, Jail Trail, Jubilee Christian School (for Banksville Road), Highland Park, Larimer, Lawrenceville, Lincoln Place, Lower Hill, Manchester, Mexican War Streets, Middle Hill, Morningside, Mount Oliver, Mount Washington, New Homestead, Oakland, Oakwood, Observatory Hill, Overbrook, Paddle Without Pollution, PA. Resources Council, Perry Hilltop, Pittsburgh Job Corps, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Polish Hill, Pressley Ridge School for the Deaf, Renew Pittsburgh, Ridgemont, St. Clair, Schenley Heights, ServePgh, Shadyside, Sheraden, South Side Graffiti Watch, South Side Flats, South Point Breeze, South Side Slopes, Spring Garden-Deutschtown, Spring Hill, Squirrel Hill, Stanton Heights, Strip District, Summer Hill, Swisshelm Park, The Academy System, Troy Hill, Uptown, West End Village and Windgap.

In Allegheny County: Chalfant, Etna, Forest Hills, Fox Chapel, Hampton, Heidelberg, Marshall, Natrona Comes Together Assn., North Park Friends, PA. Dept. of Environmental Protection, Penn Hills, Pine, Pleasant Hills, Scott, Shady Side Academy, South Fayette, Friends of South Park, South Park Twp., Stowe, Verona, West Homestead, Wilkins and Wilkinsburg.

In Beaver County: Center (Aliquippa).

In Washington County: Mingo Creek Park, Cross Creek Park.

In Westmoreland County: Greensburg, Keystone State Park, Smithton.

In Butler County: Allegheny Aquatic Alliance, Butler Township, Connoquenessing Creek.

State stats last year impressive

All 67 counties in Pennsylvania were represented in last year's Great American Cleanup of PA. Statistics were just released. There were 4,421 events with 141,264 volunteers. Volunteers collected 338,148 bags of trash or 6,762,960 pounds. They cleaned 13,589 miles of roads, railroad tracks, trails, waterways, and shorelines, and 14,046 acres of parks and/or wetlands. Additionally, volunteers planted 22,511 trees, bulbs and plants in an effort to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.

Since the inception of this event in 2004, over 68 million pounds of litter and waste have been removed from Pennsylvania's landscape, and tens of thousands of trees, bulbs, and flowers have been planted.

To register your event for 2013 find an event near you, or to find additional resources on the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Great American Cleanup of PA, go to http://www.gacofpa.org. Any additional questions can be answered by Michelle Dunn, Great American Cleanup Program Coordinator, at 1-877-772-3673 ext. 113 or mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.

Meet N' Greet Mixer March 21

Clean Pittsburgh Commission's signature event, the Meet N' Greet Mixer, will be held Thursday, March 21 at the Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink meeting room. The event honors neighborhood Clean Pittsburgh Stewards, the city's finest and cleanest citizens, and highlights outstanding neighborhoods, groups and volunteers with the presentation of "Bob Awards", named for the late Mayor O'Connor.

Love Your Block grant deadline February 14

Only two weeks remain before the application deadline of February 14 for local non-profits for the spring round of Love Your Block grants. The block revitalization program gives up to 30 organizations $1,000 to purchase supplies and equipment necessary to implement a neighborhood block improvement project with community volunteers. Special consideration will be given to projects that engage local veterans and vets' organizations. Contact servepgh@pittsburghpa.gov or call 412-255-2280.

Adopt a Redd Up Zone

Looking for a worthwhile neighborhood project? Businesses, corporations and groups are invited to adopt their own Pittsburgh street or zone and agree to pick up litter at least four times a year for two years. Visit http://www.servepgh.com for information and application form.

Report mailbox graffiti

Pittsburgh Postmaster Joseph Meimann urges citizens to be proactive and call the Postal Service directly at 412-359-7845 to report mailbox tagging or boxes in need of repair. Help the postal service by giving them specific information of locations and crossing streets.

Connoquenessing Creek cleanup

Christine Handley from the Allegheny Aquatic Alliance of Butler County writes in:

"Allegheny Aquatic Alliance of Butler County is ready for 2013. This year we are preparing for the Connoquenessing Creek Cleanup Celebration much earlier. We have already set the date for August 10. We decided to have it at the peak of summer to ensure low water level and warm weather. We will be continuing the cleanup, starting where we left off at Cottage Lane off old Rt. 68 and finishing right past Renfrew. This next 10 mile section seems to be in the same polluted state as the previous stretch. We are very optimistic about this 2nd cleanup and look forward to beating our record of last year's garbage total of 54,873 pounds!! This requires your continued support and help. Together we will restore this waterway to its beautiful, natural state!"

Reclaiming vacant city-owned lots

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published this editorial last month on vacant city-owned lots:

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? If Mary lives on Pittsburgh North Side, it may be with the help of the Buhl Foundation and Alcoa, which last year put $125,000 into a project to make gardens grow on vacant city-owned lots. The budding community gardens are a project of GYECH Strategies (the acronym stands for Growth Through Energy + Community Health). Once weedy lots favored by people running from police are being reclaimed as places to raise fruit and vegetables. GTECH is looking for ideas for North Side lots and is taking applications at http://www.gtechstrategies.org. Changing of the guard, changing of the seasons."

"I Litter" awards

Advertising and promotional materials turn into litter in Shadyside and elsewhere. Businesses and sometimes non-profits are often responsible when they put their business on Shadyside streets. There's less of this going on. No awards in January. Isn't that nice?

Garbagevilles

Garbagevilles are houses, buildings, streets and places that are a mess. Some because of litter; some because of unswept leaves; some because of trash and junk on their property. Some because garbage cans sit in the front of their houses. Many because of the absence of lids on garbage cans and open waste containers. Some of these Shadyside Garbagevilles are always a mess. This is an incomplete list of course.

• 6111 Fifth Ave. (rear)
• 5523 Ellsworth Ave. (back)
• 5525 Ellsworth Ave. (front & rear)
• 5527 Ellsworth Ave. (rear)
• 5432-34 Ellsworth Ave. (front)
• 4830-32 Ellsworth Ave. (front)
• 10 S. Graham St. (side & back)
• 620 Bellefonte St. (side)
• 702 Bellefonte St. (front)
• 710 Bellefonte St. (back)
• 712 Bellefonte St. (front)
• 631 Ivy St. (rear)
• 703 Ivy St. (rear)
• 705 Ivy St. (rear)
• 727 Ivy St. (front, side)
• 816 Ivy St. (rear)
• 918 Ivy St. (front, side)
• 922 Ivy St. (side)
• 5528 Alder St (rear)
• 5505-07 Howe St. (front)
• 730 Summerlea St. (front)
• 733 Maryland Ave.
• 200-204 Lehigh St. (front)
• Dumpster Alley (behind Walnut St. stores)
• S. Graham St. (between Center & Baum)
• Albright Community United Methodist Church, Centre & S. Graham (front, side)

Important phone numbers

Need to contact the city about something that's been bothering you, like potholes and graffiti? Call the 311 Response line (alternate number is 412-255-2621). Your request will be logged and sent to the proper department. Want to contact someone directly? The following list may help.

• Mayor's Office (412-255-2626)
• Littering (412-255-2621)
• State Littering Hotline (1-888-548-8372)
• Abandoned Houses (412-255-2175)
• Abandoned Cars (412-255-4776)
• Weeds/Litter/Bad Sidewalks (412-255-4155)
• Building Inspection (412-255-2176)
• Public Works Main # (412-255-2790)
• Refuse/Recycling (412-255-2773)
• Potholes (412-255-2720)
• Graffiti Watch (412-496-2272)
• Graffiti Busters ((412-255-2872))
• Report Graffiti Happening to You (9-1-1)
• Report Graffiti in Neighborhood (3-1-1)
• Report Mail Box Graffiti (412-359-7845)
• City Planning (412-255-2200)
• Parking Authority (412-560-7275)
• City Council (412-255-2142)
• Environmental Services (412-255-2780)
• Allegheny County Health Dept. (412-578-8390)
• Police, Zone 2 (412-255-2827
• Police, Zone 4 (412-422-6520)
• Police, Zone 5 (412-665-3605)

Word to the wise

Mr. Litterman recycled this advice to a reader from a few years ago. He was asked: "What to do when you see someone littering?" His advice was chalked full of "Don'ts": "Many people today are hostile, angry and oblivious," he cautioned. "You don't want to engage strangers because you don't know their reaction to being confronted and criticized by a stranger -- in this case YOU. So...don't intrude on their space. Don't confront. Don't accuse. Don't criticize. Don't lecture. Don't raise your voice. Don't embarrass him/her in front of others. Ignore. Avoid eye contact. Pick up their litter afterward."

Anderson goes bananas

Or is this the way to handle a litterer? You be the judge. The following article appeared in the Tribune Review a few days after posting the item above.

"Anderson Cooper went crazy on a New York litterbug over the Christmas holidays, The hard-charging CNN journalist revealed -- with chagrin -- that he stopped a woman from dropping the remains of her banana into a mailbox on his street.

"For some reason, I don't know why, it so bothered me," Anderson admitted, sending his "Anderson Live" audience into peals of laughter. "I stopped dead and started yelling at her."

"I said, 'You don't put a banana peel in a mailbox!'"

"He said the litter lout appeared shocked by his outburst.

"Then, she drops the banana peel ON the mailbox," an embarrassed Anderson said, 'I put the banana peel back in her palm...I said, 'Go walk across the street and put it in the garbage can!'"

"Anderson posted about the incident on Twitter at the time: 'Got into an argument today with a lady who was trying to stuff a banana peel into a mailbox. Not sure why it really annoyed me.'"

The last word

Remember. Rome wasn't redd up in a day either.