To inspire people throughout the city and region to collect litter and connect neighborhoods.

Graffiti gaffe

I wish he would have but he didn't. I was in the courtroom last week when the country's most active graffiti criminal, Daniel Montano, was sentenced to prison for 2 1/2 to 5 years. He could have told the judge (and maybe it would have helped in his sentencing) that he'll spend the rest of his life lecturing other graffiti and would-be graffiti criminals to change their ways and avoid a life of crime and possible prison time.

Kosovo film update

"It's in the works," e-mails Jay Richter of the U.S. State Department. Jay is in touch with the Kosovo people and "It won't be long now," he says. Journalists from a Kosovo public TV station visited Pittsburgh this spring at the suggestion of the State Department to document how Pittsburgh and three other American cities handle litter, recycling and pollution. They're exporting our expertise, volunteerism and enthusiasm.

October 10-12 Redd Up

Pittsburgh Neighborhood Clean Pittsburgh Stewards and other community leaders in the area are asked to sign up now for the October Redd Up. Please e-mail info@citizensagainstlitter.org, boris.weinstein@verizon.net, or call 412-688-9120.

Pitt to make a difference

Pitt students will partner with Citizens Against Litter for this fall's Redd Up in October. Pitt is introducing "Pitt Make A Difference Day" Saturday, October 18, as a major community service event.

Terry Milani, Director of Pitt Student Volunteer Outreach, and LaTrenda Leonard, Pitt site coordinator, are our contacts. Clean Pittsburgh Stewards are being contacted and offered the services of dozens of volunteers for their neighborhood cleanups.

"This is a huge step forward to bring Pitt students as volunteers into neighborhoods beyond Oakland. Many of them will be in parts of the city for the first time," said Boris Weinstein. "This is another reason Pittsburgh is becoming one of the cleanest cities in America."

We want to hear from stewards

Attention stewards: You may be able to share in the availability of Pitt Make A Difference Day volunteers to join your neighbors for October Redd Ups. Contact info@ctizensagainstlitter.org, boris.weinstein@verizon.net, or call 412-688-9120.

Waste-full correction

Thanks to Councilman Bill Peduto's Office and Public Works, a second weekly waste container pickup on Walnut Street has been added during the summer. This will eliminate waste container overflow and make it easier for good citizens walking and playing on Walnut to discard stuff before it becomes litter.

Buck-A-Bag

The Redd Up Coalition in Squirrel Hill, Homewood and Point Breeze has scheduled its second Community Seder April 1, 2009. It's an outgrowth of the "Collect Litter and Connect Neighborhoods" initiative started more than two years ago. Last year 130 people attended the dinner in Homewood. Next year it will be held in Squirrel Hill for probably 250 people.

One of the fundraising plans for the dinner is a Buck-A-Bag campaign to collect a dollar from local businesses and individuals for the 2,500 bags of litter (25 tons) that will be picked up in the three neighborhoods during this fall's October Redd Up. Meetings with businesses started last month and response has been good. Contact boris.weinstein@verizon.net or 412-688-9120 for information.

Carrick characters

"Carrick Litter Patrol had a mini clean up at the end of June and it was a big success" reported Dawn Harder, Clean Pittsburgh Steward. "I put out a call for help on a Wednesday and by Saturday morning, 11 people showed up to clean half of Brownsville Road on Sunday at 5 p.m. Six more people came out in the rain, but it got nasty so we stopped. Five of us tried again on Monday. Rain again. But Tuesday was 'our friend' and the second half of Brownsville Rd was cleaned. On Sunday night, nine volunteers met at a bar to watch a local Carrick band play music and socialize. Because of the rain we did not 'crawl,' but we plan to in the future. We want to work out something with the bars like volunteers bringing in trash for a drink. This may boost their business and clean the streets. Win win.

"In Carrick, some people think we're either being paid or punished to pick up litter.. When we say we care about Carrick and volunteer they are amazed, thrilled, thank us and, sometimes, think we're nuts. Almost always, though, we get a thanks and a big smile."

The other Buster

There's a new Buster in town. It's Buster the Recycling Raccoon, the mascot of the City's Recycling Division. Consider Buster for cleanup events. Recycling will gladly make the costume available for special events when they have staff and/or volunteer (ages 7-11). Contact Shawn Wigel at 412-255-2631.

Renew Pittsburgh

Renew Pittsburgh is a new "all-volunteer, non-partisan organization to promote renewing Pittsburgh from within." Volunteers came to Brookline on June 28 for a day of service.

Renew Pittsburgh Executive Director Kevin Acklin said, "We held our first event in Brookline, a great Pittsburgh neighborhood. Joined by several volunteers from Brookline and from around the City, we cleaned up Brookline Park, picked up garbage along Brookline Boulevard, handled several home projects for several elderly neighbors around Brookline, and repainted the benches and iron fence surrounding the historic cannon war memorial. I want to thank the good people of Brookline for their hospitality and for helping our efforts to volunteer in such a great Pittsburgh neighborhood!"

Neighborhood folks reported that a lot of work got done that day. Thanks to Renew Pittsburgh for the help.

Renew Pittsburgh projects continued all month in Sheridan, Elliott, Hazelwood, Lincoln Place, North Side, Mt. Troy, Carrick and Overbrook. A membership event last month netted the group about 100 volunteers.

North Side clean up

"Saturday, August 2 at 10 a.m. we are having our First Saturdays clean up day. Additionally, Renew Pittsburgh volunteers are coming to help restore the planting around the Thomas Armstrong statue in Allegheny Commons that faces Ohio Street. They will be weeding, edging, and mulching the garden.

"We will be mulching the path in Drovers Garden (North Taylor and Brighton Road), picking up litter, weed whacking, and sweeping throughout the neighborhood. Because of all of the projects we could use extra volunteers this month.

"Volunteers are asked to meet at Mechanic's Retreat Park at the intersection of Buena Vista Street and Jacksonia Street. Coffee, tea, and water will be provided along with bags and gloves. If you can give 10 minutes or a couple of hours, we can use you."

John Engle

(Note: Other clean up days are September 13 and October 4)

East End neighborhoods partnering

Five East End neighborhoods -- with Penn Avenue in common -- are coming together in a "loose alliance" to make progress in development, improvements and matters to do with clean and safe. The neighborhoods are Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, Garfield, Friendship and East Liberty. Known as the East End Partnership, its director is Jonathan Cox, formerly with the Downtown Pittsburgh Partnership.

North Side underpasses

Many teenagers were in the mix big time when North Siders tackled litter, trash and weed cleanup of the Anderson Street underpass last month. The cleanup was an early step in Mayor Ravenstahl's plan for new sidewalks, curbs, lighting, painting and landscaping for Anderson Street and other underpasses on the North Side at costs in the millions.

Teenagers and younger kids in growing numbers are becoming the majority in many of the area's on-going and one-time cleanups. Good for them. We need them and hope they bring mom and dad and grandma and grandpa along.

Helping brains

Lucky for Citizens Against Litter. Two former business associates, Tom Rooney and Mark DeAndrea, are supplying brain power as advisors to our volunteer group. More on this as programs come together.

Eyesores

Some readers liked the idea of alerting us to eyesores around the city. Browns Hill in Squirrel Hill, Washington Boulevard in the East End, and Ella Street in Bloomfield. Some action has been taken. Please tell us about more other Eyesores with details: info@citizensagainstlitter.org.

New paving; same old litter

Walnut Street, Bellefonte Street and other streets off Walnut are getting new paving. It doesn't impress our local "cool" litterers that much who go right on doing their thing, tossing off empty coffee cups, bottles, cans, cigarette packs and butts, etc. It's hard to win sometimes.

A funny incident

Volunteer Jake Krohn writes, "Early one Saturday morning, I set out with broom and dustpan in hand to sweep along the Negley Avenue bridge and at the bus stop near the Negley Avenue entrance to the Giant Eagle parking garage, both sites of heavy cigarette butt litter."

"I was making good progress when I heard yelling from across the street. I looked up and saw a middle-aged man, shouting at me! He asked why I was sweeping, and I told him that I think the city is dirty and that I hated walking by this mess every day."

"Either he didn't like this answer, or he just couldn't comprehend someone doing a good deed for the city. He ordered me to stop sweeping. When I declined, he just yelled louder. We went back and forth for a while, he not understanding my altruism and I not understanding his anger."

"He eventually stormed off and I finished sweeping without further incident. It's funny, and a bit sad, that someone would take offense to such an act. There may be an element of implied shame in what we as volunteers do -- 'we pick up for those who don't' -- but this is the first time I encountered such a violent reaction. If I got under his skin and triggered a sense of guilt, good. Perhaps there will be one less litterer walking the streets from now on."

"I Litter" awards

The list for Shadyside grows as the weather heats up. Advertising flyers become litter. These businesses are responsible and put their business on our streets.

• Eleven
• Pizza Roma
• Pizzutti's
• Post-Gazette Weekly Shopper
• Privilege Lounge
• Readings by Mia
• South Side Fountain Room
• Vocelli Pizza
• Wing Zone

Soon, thanks to the city council, these businesses may face more dire consequences for their careless ways than just appearing in our infamous list.

Garbagevilles

Garbagevilles are houses, buildings, streets, alleys and places that look awful because of litter, garbage, upswept leaves, cigarette butts and other stuff. Here are some.

• 5400 Ellsworth Avenue (rear)
• 5525-27 Ellsworth Avenue (rear)
• 5535 Ellsworth Avenue (front and side)
• 5500-08 Elmer Street (side)
• 5505 Elmer Street (side)
• 612 Aiken Avenue (front)
• 614 Aiken Avenue (front)
• 702 Bellefonte Street (front)
• 710 Bellefonte Street (front)
• 727 Ivy Street (front and side)
• 816 Ivy Street (rear)
• 918 Ivy Street (front, side)
• 922 Ivy Street (side)
• 636 Maryland Avenue (front and side)
• 5505-07 Howe Street (front)
• 5531 Howe Street (front)
• 5533 Howe Street (front and rear)
• Subway, Centre Avenue
• Sherwin-Williams, Center Avenue
• Centre Avenue (Millvale to Negley)
• 600 & 700 Block of Filbert Street (leaf litter)
• 700 Block of Ivy Street (leaf litter)
• 700 Block of Negley Avenue (leaf litter)
• Walnut Street Dumpster Alley
• Shadyside Hospital (cigarette litter)
• Pittsburgh Deli (cigarette litter)
• Bruegger's Bagels (cigarette litter)
• Village Pizza (cigarette litter)
• Enfield Way

Tear-o-rists on a tear

Next to litterers who are among the worst are tear-o-rists. They tear stuff into many little pieces that take forever to get off the street.

Lit Parade

Leading the "Lit Parade" in Shadyside are: plastic drinking bottles, napkins, parking receipts, ATM receipts, cups, lids and straws, cigarette packs and, of course, cigarette butts.

Special mention must be made of Wendy's and Subway. Without their careless customers' constant stream of bright yellow drinking cups and paper sandwich wrappers, Centre Avenue would be a transformed place.

Important phone numbers

Need to contact the city about something that has 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 Ravenstahl (412-255-2626)
• Building Inspection (412-255-2175)
• Public Works (412-255-2773)
• Refuse/Recycling (412-255-2773)
• Potholes (412-255-2621)
• Graffiti Squad (412-323-7818)
• City Planning (412-255-2200)
• Parking Authority (412-560-7275)

We want volunteers

Volunteers are wanted. The work is light. Hours are your own. No meetings. No dues. No money. Payoff: clean streets and community pride. Please contact boris.weinstein@verizon.net or call 412-688-9120.

Whirl 'round the world

Ottawa's been doing fall and spring cleanups for years and attracts 60,000 volunteers to rid hundreds of places like parks, waterfronts and neighborhoods of litter.

In Toronto, one of the world's cleanest cities, imagine seeing a man on a subway escalator accidentally dropping a small wad of paper from his pocket and then picking it up...Trash buckets are separated into litter, recycled newspapers and recycled bottled and cans...And when trash overflows, you see empty coffee cups placed neatly on top of containers.

Litter facts from Minneapolis. 80% of all litter is done by males...Food and beverage packaging constitutes over 50% of roadside litter...Litter convictions are misdemeanors on offenders' driving records. Second offenses require a minimum fine of $400 and maximum of $700. A judge may require the offender to pick up litter along public roads or impose a jail sentence.

From The Green Book

Try to use fewer paper napkins. Each American consumes an average of 2,200 napkins per year, or about 6 napkins per day. If each of us used just 1 fewer per day, it would save about 150 million of them from the trash -- enough to provide a napkin to every person who eats a hot dog on July 4. (Napkins are among the top 10 litter items in Shadyside.)

Take a moment to visit the site and sign up for future email updates.

To inspire people throughout the city and region to collect litter and connect neighborhoods.

October Redd Up

Pittsburgh Neighborhood Clean Pittsburgh Stewards and community litter-fighters everywhere are asked to sign up now for the October Redd Up, to be held on the weekend of the 10-12. Please e-mail info@citizensagainstlitter.org or contact boris.weinstein@verizon.net Or call 412-688-9120. We want to get a head of steam started early.

Pitt to make a difference

Pitt students -- possibly as many as 2,000 -- will partner with Citizens Against Litter for this fall's Redd Up in October. Pitt is introducing "Pitt Make A Difference Day" Saturday, October 18, as a major community service event.

The partnership with Citizens Against Litter was agreed upon last week at a meeting with LaTrenda Leonard, Pitt site coordinator. Clean Pittsburgh Stewards will be contacted and offered the services of dozens of volunteers for their neighborhood cleanups.

"This is a huge step forward to bring Pitt students as volunteers into neighborhoods from Oakland. Many of them will be in parts of the city for the first time," said Boris Weinstein. "This is another reason we feel confident Pittsburgh is becoming one of the cleanest cities in America."

We want to hear from stewards

Attention stewards: You can share in the availability of hundreds of Pitt Make A Difference Day volunteers to join your neighbors for your October Redd Ups. Contact info@citizensagainstlitter.org or boris.weinstein@verizon.net or call 412-688-9120.

Our first bill

From: Citizens Against Litter
To: Walnut St. Merchants
Amount: $50.00

For redding up the trash around your dumpsters in Dumpster Alley 6/8/08. Make payment to charity of your choice. Or hire a trash man and pay him.

Unyuck the Yough

Introducing the River Rats. This is an independent art group of four women: Stacey Magda. Stacey Rutledge, Amy Tronolone and Miriam Krimstock. Three are from Pittsburgh's neighborhoods and one from Swissvale. These women love the outdoors and adventure. For more than a year they have been spending time in the Yough River area around Dawson. They do more than one thing at a time. They kayak, retrieve litter from the Yough and recycle some of the stuff into neat art items, like window decorations and key chains. In fact, only high water on June 8 prevented them and about 25 other friends from branching out and having their first Redd Up. It will be rescheduled. The River Rats think they'll pick up about a ton of litter.

The River Rats have teamed up with Citizens Against Litter and are identifying some places around Pittsburgh to "unyuck." I promise you the places they pick to "unyuck" may be adventures themselves.

Memorial cleanup #1

On June 12 last year, five children were killed in a house fire in the Larimer neighborhood. Neighbors -- actually the Redd Up Team in the new Larimer Green Acres -- spent a good part of Saturday, June 7 redding up overgrown weeds and litter at 6400 Winslow Street and Winfield in a memorial cleanup. Then on Thursday, June 12, the East Liberty Concerned Citizens Corporation (ELCCC) had services. There were plantings by children of the neighborhood and candlelight services, said Ora Lee Carroll.

Memorial cleanup #2

On June 6, 2007, Paul (PJ) Shepherd, Jr. was fatally injured in an accident on Route 28. Family and friends have adopted the section of roadway where the accident occurred.

On Saturday June 7, 2008, one year and one day since the tragedy, a litter cleanup crew worked on Route 28 between the 31st Street Bridge and the Heinz Plant in his memory. They placed flowers and said a prayer at the accident site. Contact 412-519-6614 (Julie Coban) or 412-480-4479 (Michelle Siemen) for information about future cleanups.

Parade cleanup

"We had a great turnout for our one hour litter blitz to clean up Brookline Boulevard for the Memorial Day Parade. It was a beautiful day and the Boulevard looked so clean afterwards! Special thanks to the following hardworking litter pickers: Ken Stiger, Eileen Papale, Stephanie Harvill, Chris Harvill, Samantha Harvill, Allison Harvill, Jacqui Grey and Mercy Faust.

"We had the Boulevard sparking clean from Whithead Street to the CVS. We collected two large 45 gallon bags of litter and one 33 gallon bag of recyclables. South Pittsburgh Development Corporation treated volunteers to pizza and soda at Antonio's Pizza afterward. It was fun to get everyone together and enjoy lunch after the hard work."

Keith Knecht, South Pittsburgh Development Corporation

Crafton/Westwood cleanup

Theresa Smith circulated a community notice that the Crafton Heights/Westwood Community Council needed a ton of help for a cleanup on June 7 to prepare Crafton Boulevard and Noblestown Road for the new green way walking trail project.

Theresa reported, "We had a mix-up involving the time. Two groups showed up at two different times (a total of 12 people). There was not enough time to work together, so we went back with about 25 Langley High School students and cleared as much as we could.

"Langley's Horticulture Class has agreed to help maintain the site once all of the renovations are complete. I am confident this is going to serve the community as a great walking trail once complete and then...on to our next project!"

South Park Cleanup

"Who's trashing South Park?" asks Dave Buchewicz.

"Township Supervisor Dave Buchewicz and Cleanup Coordinator Sandy Schwab want to thank all that helped with our cleanup on April 20. Because of the efforts of volunteers the event was a huge success. Can you believe? We collected over 8 tons of plastic bottles, fast food bags and wrappers, etc. In addition, there were 71 tires and other metals collected from the roadsides. Just a week earlier, the Montour Council collected 8 tons and 150 tires from Peters Creek.

"We need residents of South Park to help catch those slobs that our trashing South Park. Call the police at 412-350-3150 if you see someone littering or dumping. Get a description and license plate."

When under graffiti attack

Information worth repeating.

Call 3-1-1 or 9-1-1.

Call 9-1-1 if a resident is being "tagged" by a graffiti vandal at that moment.

9-1-1 is also to be called by the resident if that person's own immediate personal property has been vandalized with graffiti.

A resident, who notices graffiti on another's property, commercial property, or public property, should call 3-1-1.

Department of Public Works is working with the Graffiti Task Force (GTF) to streamline the reporting and removal process.

DPW has been trained by GTF in taking accurate pictures and measurements of the "tagging." DPW will respond to 3-1-1 complaints immediately. Take pictures and measurements.

DPW will send these to GTF. The report will get a CCR number and be investigated.

DPW will alert 311 when the graffiti has been removed.

For those calls that reach GTF first, GTF will notify DPW of the crime. DPW will respond. Take pictures/ measurements and remove graffiti. This does not involve 3-1-1.

Graffiti Removal Policy Changes:

• DPW will remove graffiti they can reach. The 10 ft. barrier policy has been removed.
• DPW will continue to forward permission slips collected during the removal to BBI.
• DPW will allocate more staff in summer months when vandalism reaches its peak.
• Graffiti Busters will work evenings and weekends to remove graffiti in a timely manner.

Eyesores

Some readers liked the idea of alerting us to eyesores around the city. Brown's Hill in Squirrel Hill, Washington Boulevard in the East End, and Ella Street in Bloomfield. Some action has been taken. Please tell us about more Eyesores with details: info@citizensagainstlitter.org.

Eye appeals

House at 712 Bellefonte Street has a new look. The terraced front has been landscaped and the leaves and litter on the steps and sidewalk are gone. Please remove the trash container from the front to complete the transformation.

Residents of 720 Copeland Street caught the "plant up" fever from their neighbors and spruced up their front. It's a great look.

House at 721 Aiken Avenue looks nice with new plantings in the front.

Trash and litter in the front and rear of the former Orr Flower shop at 731 Aiken Avenue have been removed. That's better.

Seeing is believing

To appreciate the transformation AFTER you had to see the BEFORE. The litter is gone from the area of Baum Boulevard and South Graham, including Dapper Way, to Centre Avenue in Shadyside. It's an area with a lot of businesses and a church. Parking lots and bus stops. Drive thrus. Lots of places that invite classic litter like fast food wrappers, cups, lids, straws, and napkins.

Rudy Molnar's Car Care Center, Blockbuster, Wendy's, a funeral home and other retail are there. True, several Citizens Against Litter volunteers pick up in this area but after speaking to a person at Rudy Molnar's, we believe they are responsible for removing the weeds and accumulated trash on Dapper Way. It also helps that a major contributor to the trash in the alley is out of business. Sidewalks and gutters from South Graham to Giant Eagle on Centre Avenue are less littered as well.

"I Litter" awards

The list for Shadyside grows as the weather heats up. Advertising flyers become litter. These places are responsible and put their business on our streets.

• Cipriani Pizza
• KFC
• Pizzutti's
• Privilege Lounge
• Readings by Mia

Garbagevilles

Garbagevilles are houses, buildings, streets, alleys and places that look awful because of litter, garbage, upswept leaves, cigarette butts and other stuff. Here are some.

• 5400 Ellsworth Avenue (rear)
• 5525-27 Ellsworth Avenue (rear)
• 5535 Ellsworth Avenue (front and side)
• 5500-08 Elmer Street (side)
• 612 Aiken Avenue (front)
• 614 Aiken Avenue (front)
• 702 Bellefonte Street (front)
• 710 Bellefonte Street (front)
• 727 Ivy Street (front and side)
• 816 Ivy Street (rear)
• 918 Ivy Street (front, side)
• 922 Ivy Street (side)
• 636 Maryland Avenue (front and side)
• 5505-07 Howe Street (front)
• 5531 Howe Street (front)
• 5533 Howe Street (front and rear)
• Subway, Centre Avenue
• Centre Avenue (Millvale to Negley)
• 600 & 700 Block of Filbert Street (leaf litter)
• 700 Block of Ivy Street (leaf litter)
• 700 Block of Negley Avenue (leaf litter)
• Walnut Street (Dumpster Alley)
• Shadyside Hospital (cigarette litter)
• Pittsburgh Deli (cigarette litter)
• Enfield Way

Important phone numbers

Need to contact the city about something that has 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 Ravenstahl (412-255-2626)
• Building Inspection (412-255-2175)
• Public Works (412-255-2773)
• Refuse/Recycling (412-255-2773)
• Potholes (412-255-2621)
• Graffiti Squad (412-323-7818)
• City Planning (412-255-2200)
• Parking Authority (412-560-7275)

Youth program awards

The Nestle USA Very Best in Youth Program honors young people ages 13 to 18 who have excelled in school and who are making their community and the world a better place. Maximum Award: $1000. Eligibility: youth ages 13 and 18 years of age who demonstrate good citizenship, a strong academic record, and can show how they have made a special contribution to their school, church or the community. Entrants must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to submit the nomination. Deadline: November 20, 2008.

We want volunteers

Volunteers are wanted. The work is light. Hours are your own. No meetings. No dues. No money. Payoff: clean streets and community pride. Please contact boris.weinstein@verizon.net or call 412-688-9120.

From the Green Book

From the New York Times best seller, The Green Book: "Try to buy products with minimal to no packaging. If just one out of ten products you bought had little to no packaging, it would eliminate more than 50 pounds of waster per household per year. This small reduction could also save you at least $30 annually, as $1 of every $11 that you spend at the supermarket pays for the packaging of the products you buy."

To inspire people throughout the city and region to collect litter and connect neighborhoods.

Tireless Project

The Tireless Project is a collaborative endeavor of several organizations with a common interest in the waterways of Pittsburgh. It was launched in 2002 by the Three Rivers Rowing Association in partnership with Nat Stone, a free-lance writer and rower who was horrified by the enormous volume of tires along the city's riverbanks when he rowed through on his adventure from New York City to New Orleans. Since its beginnings over 1150 volunteers from throughout the area have extracted over 1230 tires and 90 tons of debris and 230 bags of recyclables from the rivers' shores.

This summer, several clean up events will be held on Friday evenings, with dinner and music to follow. See the flyer for complete information:

Dates to remember

The Fall Redd Up is Friday-Sunday, October 10-12. Don't worry -- it's a Steelers bye week.

Numbers to remember

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl told 180 community leaders last month that they must take a citywide approach to revitalizing neighborhoods. He threw out these numbers:

• 14,000 vacant lots
• 6,000 vacant buildings
• 1,400 condemned building

Other numbers of note from January through March:

• 398 towed abandoned vehicles from Pittsburgh streets and public property
• 295 graffiti incidents reported; 101 incidents removed; 8 convictions/fines
• 2,600 tons of household waste recycled; 719 tons of yard debris recycled

More numbers

Redd Ups around the Earth Day Weekend (April 18-20) brought more than 12,000 volunteers onto streets, highways and gathering places in Pittsburgh, Allegheny and Beaver Counties. They collected a whopping 100 tons of litter and recyclables.

Results and projections are based on completed questionnaires and phone calls to Citizens Against Litter from 30 per cent of the 183 participating communities. Redd Ups were held as early as April 12 and continued through May.

Another 162 community cleanups were listed on the Great PA Cleanup web site for other Southwestern PA counties -- Washington, Westmoreland, Greene, Fayette, Somerset, Bedford, Cambria, Indiana, Mercer, Lawrence, Armstrong and Butler.

Unreported Redd Ups probably brought the total to over 400 participating communities and swelled totals to 20,000 volunteers.

Picture is worth a 1,000 words

Check out our website for a lot of great pictures of adults and kids redding up their neighborhoods. As we receive photos we'll put them on our site.

Duquesne University report card

Neighborhoods: South Side Flats, Uptown, Crawford Roberts and Middle Hill

Volunteers: More than 500 (400 Duquesne University volunteers, 35 Uptown/Hill District Residents, 70 South Side residents)

Trash Bags: Approximately 1,200

Tasks performed: Mostly litter picked up, also tires, and some large items picked up in the Hill District. We also had biohazard containers to pick up used needles and returned quite a few to Mercy Hospital for proper disposal.

Notes: "We were very pleased with our numbers and the amount of trash picked up. This is the first year we have had numbers higher than 5 for Uptown/Hill District residents so we were thrilled to have over 30 from that neighborhood this year! Both neighborhood lunches went very well and gave a great opportunity for the DU students to hang out with the community residents."

Luci-Jo DiMaggio

South Fayette open letter

"As you are aware, for the past few weeks there has been a large-scale cleanup effort to rid our township of trash and other debris. This year marked the third consecutive time it has been held in South Fayette," wrote David Gardiner.

"What truly separated this event from past years is that 2008 marked the first time the Township received monetary sponsors to assist in the costs such as dumpster rentals, material purchases, etc. 2008 also marked the first that the South Fayette School District played a significant role in the cleanup effort. When the Township first approached Dr. Linda Hippert a few months ago with the idea of using the cleanup effort as a method for teaching school children about community awareness, I never thought the immediate response would so positive. As a measuring stick to what impact the school district had on this year's efforts, one only has to reference the total number of participants from the past events. 2006 -- 130 participants; 2007 -- 210; 2008 -- 690!

"It is understandable that in order to properly and safely coordinate this number of school participants requires the work of dedicated people. Accordingly, in addition to the teachers, nurses, parents and other volunteers that assisted in policing their particular cleanup squad(s), special recognition must be given to the following individuals for their significant roles in planning and organizing: Mrs. Ann Bisignani, High School Principal, Peter Abdulovic, Middle School Assistant Principal, and Mrs. Pam Lambert, Assistant Director of Transportation.

"Regarding the final "numbers", over the course of two weeks, approximately 1,100 trash bags were filled, over 180 tires were collected and six large-scale dumpsters were filled with trash and debris gathered from over 47 MILES of roads within the township.

"There is, however, one other important number that cannot be measured. And that is the number of children and young adults that were educated first-hand of the unearthliness in littering. Hopefully, as a result of this year's cleanup - as well future cleanup events - the following philosophy will remain with them for many years to come:

Tell them, they'll forget. Show them, they'll remember, Involve them, they'll understand.

"Thank you for your sponsorship, your time and your efforts. Each of you should be very proud of what you have given; both of yourself, as well as back to your community."

David Gardner, Director of Engineering & Planning

Walkers, not talkers

Janet Gunter, Perry Hilltop: "I was happy to join my neighbors in this important anti-litter campaign. We were able to make a difference in our community. We look forward to making these efforts much more often. Thank you Citizens Against Litter."

Sister Carol Ann Papp, Oakmont: "We had tons of leaves which we picked up on large tarps and rather than bag them put them in a wooden area of our property. The students had a wonderful day of cleaning up."

Ken Hale, Marshall-Shadeland: "We had 42 volunteers and collected 76 bags of litter, covering nearly 20 blocks of our neighborhood."

Bob Staresinic, Highland Park: "The neighbors had fun and the streets look cleaner in the area we were able to pick up (50 bags of litter and 14 bags of recyclables). Have to try and get more neighbors (17) involved in the fall."

James Heinrich, Stanton Heights: "We made a huge difference." (Three volunteers can do a lot)

Block-by-block

"We are on our way! "writes Michele Balcer of Arlington. "I am walking and picking up litter every morning at 7 a.m. Right now it is only 2 bags a day but it is a start. One of our volunteers stepped forward and has been working on the zone project. It is exciting! Thanks for all your help motivating the troops.

"P.S. We are buying the grabbers for our board and volunteers! Every year we buy a token gift for our board members for our annual Appreciation Dinner."

Jail Trail rocked

Eliza Furnace Trail -- also known as Jail Trail -- rocked for three hours Friday, May 2. Forty-six volunteers swarmed over the trail and hillside. Meanwhile, bikers, walkers and joggers did their thing and tipped their hats to the clean-niks.

The cleanup was organized by Friends of the Riverfront who has done this before. Thomas Baxter is the Executive Director. Citizens Against Litter assisted "Friends".

The real Friends were volunteers from Pittsburgh Job Corps, CBS and Pittsburgh Cares who collected 80 bags of litter -- about a ton.

Some litter was from the trail which is pretty much litter free. Walkers, bikers and joggers don't usually litter and don't smoke. We were hard pressed to spot cigarette butts.

Most of the litter was on the steep hillside and hard to get to. Litter gets there because passengers in cars on the Parkway heave their trash out windows.

Public Works trucks trailed the volunteers, collecting bags of litter and recyclables. It was a well coordinated event. Most agreed, "The Jail Trail's in good shape for a good six months."

Breaking news

Friends of the Riverfront and Pittsburgh Job Corps will connect again. Both groups will clean up the Eliza Furnace Trail Friday, October 10. Others who want to volunteer should contact info@citizensagainstlitter.org or thomas@friendsoftheriverfront.org.

Also committing to the October 10 Redd Up is the Friends of P.J. Shepherd. These volunteers redd up on Route 28 four times a year. Their next dates are June 7, July 26 and October 10. In April, 15 volunteers collected 57 bags of litter, car parts, a computer monitor, 15-20 tires and two boxes of broken glass.

Another early October 10 cleanup commitment is from the Blitz on Banksville Beautification (BBB) group. They've been doing their thing on Banksville Road for many years.

Brookline Blitz

Keith Knecht of Brookline writes, "We had a great turn out for our one hour litter blitz to clean up Brookline Boulevard for the Memorial Day Parade. It was a beautiful day and the Boulevard looked so clean afterwards!"

"We had the Boulevard sparking clean from Whithead Street to the CVS in one hour and fifteen minutes. We collected two large 45 gallon bags of litter and one 33 gallon bag of recyclables. South Pittsburgh Development Corporation treated everyone to pizza and soda pop at Antonio's Pizza afterward. It was fun to get everyone together and enjoy lunch after the hard work."

When under a graffiti attack

Call 3-1-1 or 9-1-1.

Call 9-1-1 if a resident is being "tagged" by a graffiti vandal at that moment.

9-1-1 is also to be called by the resident if that person's own immediate personal property has been vandalized with graffiti.

A resident, who notices graffiti on another's property, commercial property, or public property, should call 3-1-1.

Department of Public Works is working with the Graffiti Task Force (GTF) to streamline the reporting and removal process.

DPW has been trained by GTF in taking accurate pictures and measurements of the "Tagging". DPW will respond to 3-1-1 complaints immediately. Take pictures and measurements.

DPW will send these to GTF. The report will get a CCR number and be investigated.

DPW will alert 311 when the graffiti has been removed.

For those calls that reach GTF first, GTF will notify DPW of the crime. DPW will respond. Take pictures/ measurements and remove graffiti. This does not involve 3-1-1.

Graffiti Removal Policy Changes

DPW will remove graffiti they can reach. The 10 ft. barrier policy has been removed.

DPW will continue to forward permission slips collected during the removal to BBI.

DPW will allocate more staff in summer months when vandalism reaches its peak.

Graffiti Busters will work evenings and weekends to remove graffiti in a timely manner.

Graffiti prevention grants

The Graffiti Hurts National Grant Program aims to help communities kick-start or add to local graffiti prevention programs. Grant funds may be used for one-time projects with the potential to reduce graffiti in the community. Maximum award: $2,000. Eligibility: 501(c)3 organizations, including neighborhood groups, crime prevention associations, civic clubs or organizations, and other nonprofit groups; youth groups/schools; police departments or other law enforcement agencies; city, county, state and federal government agencies, or subdivisions within these agencies. Deadline: June 6, 2008.

"I Litter" awards

The list for Shadyside grows as the weather heats up. Advertising flyers become litter. These places are responsible and put their business on our streets.

• Benetton
• Korean Central Church
• Larry & Carol's Pizza
• Max & Erma's
• McFadden's Restaurant
• Pizzutti's
• Privilege Lounge
• Spin Lounge
• Wheel Deliver

Garbagevilles

Garbagevilles are houses, buildings, streets, alleys and places that look awful because of litter, garbage, upswept leaves and other stuff. Here are some.

• 5525-27 Ellsworth Avenue (rear)
• 5535 Ellsworth Avenue (front and side)
• 5500-08 Elmer Street (side)
• 612 Aiken Avenue (front)
• 614 Aiken Avenue (front)
• 702 Bellefonte Street (front)
• 710 Bellefonte Street (front)
• 712 Bellefonte Street (front)
• 727 Ivy Street (front and side)
• 816 Ivy Street (rear)
• 918 Ivy Street (front, side)
• 922 Ivy Street (side)
• 636 Maryland Avenue (front and side)
• 5505-07 Howe Street (front)
• 5531 Howe Street (front)
• 5533 Howe Street (front and rear)
• Centre Avenue (Millvale to Negley)
• 600 & 700 Block of Filbert Street (leaf litter)
• 700 Block of Ivy Street (leaf litter)
• 700 Block of Negley Avenue (leaf litter)

Neighborhood improvements

The property at 722 Copeland looks great. Owners added a deck and plantings to the front, changing the appearance of the property and eliminating a litter-collecting spot.

Owners of the apartments at the northeast corner of Ellsworth and Summerlea have been doing a lot to turn a neglected eyesore into something to be proud of. New windows, repaired balconies, new awnings, a new Dumpster storage nook, removal of overgrown shrubs and the planting of new trees and other greenery have all contributed to the improvement of this busy corner.

Important phone numbers

Need to contact the city about something that has 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 Ravenstahl (412-255-2626)
• Building Inspection (412-255-2175)
• Public Works (412-255-2773)
• Refuse/Recycling (412-255-2773)
• Potholes (412-255-2621)
• Graffiti Squad (412-323-7818)
• City Planning (412-255-2200)
• Parking Authority (412-560-7275)

We need you

Volunteers are wanted. The work is light. Hours are your own. No meetings. No dues. No money. Payoff: clean streets and community pride. Please contact boris.weinstein@verizon.net or call 412-688-9120.

3-1-1 to the rescue

Rita Zulka of Carrick had a problem. She was getting desperate for help. She had brick and concrete block on her property. No place legally to get rid of it. No one to haul it away at a reasonable cost and where they would dump it (legally or illegally) was a "don't ask" subject. 3-1-1 Response Line and Wendy Urbanic to the rescue. Wendy suggested Collier Stone in Carnegie as a legal place to dump (for $5.35 a truck load) when she could get it there. As Rita said afterwards, "Problem solved."

From the Green Book

The New York Time bestseller, The Green Book, has interesting "simple steps" we can take to reduce and/or eliminate litter. Like this one. Don't take an ATM receipt. ATM receipts are one of the top sources of litter on the planet. If everyone in the U.S. left their receipt in the machine, it would save a roll of paper more than two billion feet long, or enough to circle the equator 15 times.

By all accounts, the April Clean Up in Carrick was a success. Over 20 volunteers turned up to give Brownsville Road a thorough scrubbing.

Volunteers for future clean ups are encouraged to join. Said Harder, "Who you are doesn't matter. Everyone is welcome. If you live in Carrick, then Carrick is your home, it belongs to you. What you do or don't do impacts those around you, for better or worse, we are all responsible for our community. What matters is that we care about the litter."

Redd Ups were held as early as April 12 and continued through May.

Another 162 community cleanups were listed on the Great PA Cleanup web site for other Southwestern PA counties -- Washington, Westmoreland, Greene, Fayette, Somerset, Bedford, Cambria, Indiana, Mercer, Lawrence, Armstrong and Butler.

Unreported Redd Ups probably brought the total to over 400 participating communities and swelled totals to 20,000 volunteers.

Following last year's format, Citizens Against Litter set the fall Redd Up dates for October 10-12, the Pittsburgh Steelers bye weekend. Stash the Trash for Pittsburgh schools will be Friday, October 10.

See "Spring Clean Up wrap-up" for pictures and commentary from the neighborhoods.

To inspire people throughout the city and region to collect litter and connect neighborhoods.

Dates to remember

Circle Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 10-12. These are the dates of the Fall Redd Up Weekend when the Steelers have a bye week. This means the coast is clear for thousands upon thousands of area residents to join their neighbors for Redd Ups on land, streams and rivers. Recruiting communities in Pittsburgh and surrounding counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania is officially underway.

Numbers to remember

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl told 180 community leaders last month that they must take a citywide approach to revitalizing neighborhoods. He threw out these numbers:

• 14,000 vacant lots
• 6,000 vacant buildings
• 1,400 condemned building

Spring Redd Up over and counting

"We're getting a nice response from communities about how they did in the April Redd Up. We are assembling the data and will project a more accurate number of volunteers and the amount of litter collected," said Boris Weinstein and Jake Krohn. "We feel the estimate of 183 participating communities, 10,000 volunteers and 50 tons of litter will be exceeded. Please, keep your surveys coming."

A picture is worth a thousand words

Check out our website for a quick recap of the Spring Clean Up and a lot of great pictures of adults and kids redding up their neighborhoods

Would you like to include pictures of your group? Send them our way. As we receive photos we'll add them to our collection.

It doesn't happen without them

There are many organizations and individuals to thank. Start with Allegheny CleanWays, Pennsylvania Resources Council and the Clean Pittsburgh Commission. Add Comcast Newsmakers, Kiwanis Clubs, Pittsburgh Cares, Pittsburgh Job Corps,Trib Against Litter, Beautify Banksville Road, Friends of PJ Shepherd, Friends of the Riverfront.

Pittsburgh Public Works and other public works crews around the region, Clean Pittsburgh Stewards in the city and all the other community leaders. Pittsburgh Public Schools and public, parochial and private schools in Allegheny and Beaver counties. Can't forget the borough and township mangers and staffs who put us in touch with their residents. Last but not least, the thousands of adults and young people, who get out there, bend, and pick up.

Sweeping up awards

One of the highlights of the Great PA Clean Up After Party was the awards presentations. Allison Park got one for most volunteers -- 102. Greenfield reported its volunteers collected most bags -- 115 bags of litter and recyclables. Allison Park also retrieved the most unusual item of the day -- a filled oil drum. Josh Nard, who lives on the North Side and was part of the Hazelwood group for the Redd Up, won the popular "dirtiest volunteer" award. The Clean Pittsburgh Commission and Waste Management head a list of sponsors for the after-party.

Redd Up! Company's coming to Carrick

How do you bottle this kind of enthusiasm about picking up litter?

"I am thrilled to be a part of cleaning up, and so are many in my community," wrote Dawn Harder of the Carrick Litter Patrol. "This is what we have been waiting for."

Public Works received the following e-mail from Citizens Against Litter. "Get ready. We have a very enthusiastic Clean Pittsburgh Steward and volunteer group in Carrick. On Friday, April 18, teachers and students will be cleaning their campuses at the high school and two elementary schools. On Saturday, April 19, these are the specific targets: the entire length of Brownsville Road in Carrick; lower half of Nobles Lane; and Colerain up and around the park. Also, depending on the volunteer turnout, they want to clean up all the parks."

Brookline pride

What on earth keeps happening? In Brookline, residents and people in key places want this community to shine. Keith Knecht, the Clean Pittsburgh Steward, sent us this recap on clean and green goings-on.

"South Pittsburgh Development Corporation's March "Spring Fling" event went very well! We had a great day for it and lots of people stopped by for free flower seeds, coffee, "Redd Up" cookies, information about SPDC's projects and some new members signed up! A special thank you to our treasurer, Mary Anne Miller, for organizing the event and taking care of the hospitality details! Also, thanks to Sarah Alessio and her volunteers (Erik and Erika) at Pennsylvania Resource Council for coming up and engaging the public with the litter prevention pledge and Litterbug costume. Mary Wilson of Allegheny CleanWays made sure we got the Litter IQ Game and people were quite curious about it. Senator Wayne Fontana stopped by and Pat Reilly from Representative Chelsa Wagner's office also made an appearance. Thanks guys for supporting us!

"Kribel's Bakery made some great "Redd Up" cookies for us as well as other delicious cookies. Thank you Maxine! Brookline Chamber of Commerce member Lee Herbermann loaned us his pavilion tent which worked great! Thanks Lee! Jim Washabaugh made a display visual for the Jacob/Whithed street green space project. Thanks Jim! District Magistrate Charlie McLaughlin let us use his office. Thanks Charlie! Finally, thank you to all the SPDC members and volunteers whose dedication and countless hours of volunteer work make our organization and service to our community possible." Brookline was at it again for the April 19 Redd Up.

Another neighborhood heard from

Greenfield's anti-litter program is a winner because Patrick Hassett, the Clean Pittsburgh Steward, rallies resident support.

"Last call for re-enlisting in the 2008-Adopt-a-Block if you haven't already," read his latest missive on April 7. "To date we have 21 sign ups. New members also are welcomed. For those of you who cannot -- rest assured your past services are greatly appreciated. Feel free to pick up that solitary piece of litter you come across as you stroll through the neighborhood. Every little bit will help. Thanks again."

And another -- Larimer

Ora Lee Carroll, our Clean Pittsburgh Steward in Larimer, wrote last month, "Larimer Green Acres will take to the streets on Redd Up Weekend and is counting on residents to clean up 20 blocks of litter. Allegheny CleanWays provided bags and gloves. About 40 kids and ten adults collected more than 50 bags of litter and declared their first Redd Up a success. Ora Lee wants to thank the City, the Mayor's Office, Citizens Against Litter, Housing Authority residents and the Larimer Kids."

Energized Elliott

"We are so excited about our clean-up results!!!!! Elliott has NEVER looked so good. It's only going to get better," wrote Kelly Frey Luhn. "Our volunteers filled 120 trash bags. Other stuff included 15 tires, broken aquariums and broken basketball hoops. Thank you for being an inspiration."

You gotta have Hope

An example of what we mean by Collecting litter and Connecting neighborhoods. Hope Feldman, Clean Pittsburgh Steward in South Point Breeze, checked in with this report. "The Duquesne University professor with whom I work wanted to volunteer his students to help with the Point Breeze Redd Up, but the date was too late. So we decided to find other areas to clean up. We chose Sacramento-Hammond Streets in the West End neighborhood of Esplen. We are doing the clean up Sunday April 6. We're expecting between 100-200 students." Allegheny CleanWays provided supplies.

Passover in Homewood

Homewood, Squirrel Hill, Point Breezes and Park Place put a hold on their Redd Up last month and had a Community Passover Seder in a dramatic show of neighborhood respect and friendship. Unable to Redd Up because of the Jewish holiday, those plans were pushed back to May 2, 3, 4. Instead, 130 adults and children, including congregants from the Tree of Life Congregation in Squirrel Hill and Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Homewood, attended a Passover Seder in Homewood, orchestrated by the Redd Up Coalition. It's been done in other cities but the April 16 Seder is believed to be the first in Pittsburgh. The Seder will be repeated next year.

Both communities agreed, "The litter will be there waiting for us. Our traditions, beliefs and histories come first." Hope Feldman of South Point Breeze proposed the idea.

The Seder -- a traditional Jewish service that is conducted around a dinner table -- explored the journey from slavery to freedom that African-American and Jews have each taken. Rabbi Stephen Listfield and Rev. Eugene Blackwell conducted the unique service.

Teddy's Mitzvah project

A growing number of Jewish boys and girls choose to perform worthy deeds as part of their Bar and Bas Mitzvahs when they approach their 13th birthday. Teddy Ross of Squirrel Hill chose an Earth Day clean up project. But not just any clean up. He chose to clean up the grounds of 10 synagogues and Jewish buildings in his Squirrel Hill neighborhood. Teddy -- with the help of family and friends -- gathered 23 kids and 28 adults on Sunday, April 13. The project was a success and, in Teddy's words, "more fun than I thought it would be."

Teddy chose this project to fulfill the teachings of his Torah portion, Behar, which teaches that we must care for the Earth while it is in our keeping and preserve it for future generations. Also assisting Teddy was the Squirrel Hill Litter Patrol.

Have picker-upper. Will speak

Boris Weinstein will speak at two community meetings in May. He'll be at the Arlington council meeting at the Henry Kaufmann Neighborhood House on Salisbury Street, Monday, May 5 at 7 p.m and at the Penn Hills general meeting at the Zion Lutheran Church on Frankstown Avenue, Wednesday, May 21 at 7 p.m.

Smile, you're own Kosovo TV

A film crew from the new independent nation of Kosovo was in Pittsburgh April 17-22, to make a two-hour documentary featuring Pittsburghers redding up their neighborhoods. The trip here was sponsored by the U.S. State Department. Four neighborhood cleanup efforts were highlighted. They were Greenfield, Central North Side, and Uptown-Hill District. Cameras rolled as Explorer Club members redded up the Mount Washington hillside. Filming also took place at CMU, Liberty School, Ohiopyle and a tireless event on the riverfront. The visitors got carried away and joined volunteers picking up litter. It is contagious, you know. Three other U.S. cities will be visited. Kosovo has severe litter and pollution problems.

When under a graffiti attack

Call 3-1-1 or 9-1-1.

Call 9-1-1 if a resident is being "tagged" by a graffiti vandal at that moment.

9-1-1 is also to be called by the resident if that person's own immediate personal property has been vandalized with graffiti.

A resident, who notices graffiti on another's property, commercial property, or public property, should call 3-1-1.

Department of Public Works is working with the Graffiti Task Force (GTF) to streamline the reporting and removal process.

DPW has been trained by GTF in taking accurate pictures and measurements of the "Tagging". DPW will respond to 3-1-1 complaints immediately. Take pictures and measurements.

DPW will send these to GTF. The report will get a CCR number and be investigated.

DPW will alert 311 when the graffiti has been removed.

For those calls that reach GTF first, GTF will notify DPW of the crime. DPW will respond. Take pictures/ measurements and remove graffiti. This does not involve 3-1-1.

Graffiti Removal Policy Changes:

• DPW will remove graffiti they can reach. The 10 ft. barrier policy has been removed.
• DPW will continue to forward permission slips collected during the removal to BBI.
• DPW will allocate more staff in summer months when vandalism reaches its peak.
• Graffiti Busters will work evenings and weekends to remove graffiti in a timely manner.

Jail Trail cleanup

Citizens Against Litter will partner with Friends of the Riverfront for its cleanup of the Jail Trail (Eliza Furnace Trail) Friday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are wanted. Light refreshments, work gloves, safety glasses, tools and materials will be provided. Visit the Friends of the Riverfront website for details.

Eyesores: Bloomfield and Browns Hill Road

"I just read the latest Newslitter and love the new eyesores section," writes a reader. "I have the perfect candidate: Ella Street in Bloomfield between Liberty and Friendship Ave. This two block stretch is a disgrace. The curbs are always lined with mounds of trash and the bus stop at the corner of Liberty is covered with graffiti and litter. There are also a number of newspaper boxes near the bus stop that are in various states of disrepair -- covered with graffiti or filled with litter."

ANSWER: Once upon a time, Bloomfield was the model place for "Redd Up". It's what it was when your Mom and Dad lived there. Impeccably clean. It would take ONLY six passionate Bloomfield residents -- that's all -- cleaning Liberty Avenue and a half dozen intersecting streets regularly-to have this section clean as a whistle in a few days. But the key is REGULARITY. You can't clean it once and expect litter not to reappear.

Several groups are addressing the Brown's Hill (the road to and from the Homestead Grays Bridge to The Waterfront) eyesore problem. This stretch was targeted for a cleanup last month. It's already looking much, much cleaner because of Allegheny County Public Works, Pittsburgh Job Corps and Squirrel Hill Litter Patrol.

Please give us details about other Eyesores. E-mail us at info@citizensagainstlitter.org.

"I Litter" awards

The list for Shadyside is again growing as the weather heats up. Advertising flyers become litter. These places are responsible and put their business on our streets.

• Kingpin
• Moto
• Pittsburgh Wine Festival
• Pizzutti's Restaurant
• Readings by Mia
• Verizon Telephone Books
• Wai Wai Restaurant
• Yen's Restaurant

Garbagevilles

Garbagevilles are houses, buildings, streets, alleys and places that look awful because of litter, garbage, upswept leaves and other stuff. Here are some.

• 5525-27 Ellsworth Avenue (rear)
• 5500-08 Elmer Street (side)
• 612 Aiken Avenue (front)
• 614 Aiken Avenue (front)
• 702 Bellefonte Street (front)
• 710 Bellefonte Street (front)
• 712 Bellefonte Street (front)
• 727 Ivy Street (front and side)
• 816 Ivy Street (rear)
• 636 Maryland Avenue (front and side)
• 5505-07 Howe Street (front)
• 5531 Howe Street (front)
• 5533 Howe Street (front and rear)
• Centre Avenue (Millvale to Negley)
• 600 & 700 Block of Filbert Street (leaf litter)
• 700 Block of Ivy Street (leaf litter)
• 700 Block of Negley Avenue (leaf litter)

Important phone numbers

Need to contact the city about something that has 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 Ravenstahl (412-255-2626)
• Building Inspection (412-255-2175)
• Public Works (412-255-2773)
• Refuse/Recycling (412-255-2773)
• Potholes (412-255-2621)
• Graffiti Squad (412-323-7818)
• City Planning (412-255-2200)
• Parking Authority (412-560-7275)

We want you

Volunteers are wanted. The work is light. Hours are your own. No meetings. No dues. No money. Payoff: clean streets and community pride. Please contact boris.weinstein@verizon.net or call 412-688-9120.

Wollongong bongs in

"My name is Greg Vickery and I live in Wollongong New South Wales, Australia. I would like to set up a similar scheme as you have in Shadyside. I have read with great interest your stories on the Internet and would like any information or pointers you can help me with if that's all right with you." Of course, we always dreamed of a Citizens Against Litter chapter in Wollongong.

Pickup sticks

A report from Banksville. "Litter pickup sticks are available at Costco and Harbor Freight (Robinson) for less than $7. I purchased a twin pack at Costco for $12. They are most likely available at Sam's Club and Wall Mart. Great investment because the efforts will NOT end on April 19. We will be joining forces with Boris and the Citizens Against Litter."

More pickup sticks

The makers of the EZ Reacher are selling their products directly. Prices for the 32" Heavy Duty Aluminum EZ Reacher are:

• 12 units -- $7.50 each;
• 24 or more units -- $6.75 each.

Larger reachers are also available. Contact jgarner@arcoa.com. Phone 801-859-6266.

Babies Against Litter

Move over Citizens Against Litter and Kids Against Litter. Make room for the new Babies Against Litter. First member is Augustus Jacob Krohn, son of Arielle and Jake Krohn. Born April 3. Gus attended his first Redd Up last month wearing a Babies Against Litter T-shirt.

Gus wants company. Sign 'em up. E-mail babies@citizensagainstlitter.org.

Start your own small forest -- each resident can obtain up to 10 trees!

Do you have photos of your event that you would like to share with us? Email them to us, and we'll add them to our growing collection of Clean Up pictures.

Here's a sampling of what we are hearing from the neighborhoods that participated:

Brookline

In all, 100 - 13 gallon bags of litter, 14 - 30 gallon bags of recyclables, 20 tires and a large pile of junk was collected. 53 kids participated and 15 adults.

We put a pretty good whoopin' on the litter today...it looks like Switzerland it's so clean now!

Duquesne

The Duquesne Trash Bashers had a very successful cleanup on Saturday in the City of Duquesne. More than 25 children and adults converged on their chosen sites beginning at 9 a.m. and collected enough litter and debris along sidewalks, roadways, parks and abandoned areas to fill 88 bags.

Greenfield

Thanks to all who joined us for the Greenfield Spring Clean Up. We hit Magee Field, Saline Street, and Hammer Field. Those at Magee are international movie stars as the crew from Kosovo spent an hour filming and helping us out. We also picked up an assortment of musical instruments, tires, high voltage transmission line insulators (at least that?s what we think they were), tools, sports paraphernalia, and clothing. And in the end we won an award at the after Clean Up Party in Schenley Park -- Most Bags!

Read more on the Connect Greenfield website.

Homewood

The Let's Clean Up Our House Committee, along with Rapha Ministries Church, and the LAMP Program, all worked together to successfully pick up over 100 bags of litter on Upland, Lang, & Murtland streets in North Homewood.

Marshall/Shadeland

We had 42 volunteers and collected 76 bags of litter, covering nearly 20 blocks of our neighborhood.

More information is available in their press release.

Perry Hilltop

Perry Hilltop had twenty volunteers picking up trash and litter today. We were able to make a difference in our community! We look forward to making these efforts much more often!

Shadyside

The Shadyside Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, April 19th, hosted over 35 volunteers to Redd Up Shadyside. It was an inspiring morning watching toddlers to teens to retirees, Chamber members, friends, residents and our families sweeping the streets and alleyways clean.

Volunteers were given maps of the areas and their cleaning supplies and hit the streets for 2 hours collectively bagging almost 40 bags of garbage plus 12 bags of recycling material cleaning from Aiken to Spahr. Most folks agree that "this should be organized on a regular basis, not just a few times a year." And the kids want to go "EVERY Saturday."

Kosovo documentary crew

Our friends from Kosovo were impressed with our efforts. We wish them he very best as they carry their message of self-empowerment back to their native land.

This joins the city's "Side Yard" sales program as another tool to help fight blight in our neighborhoods. Interested parties, take note.

The flyer is in PDF format, which requires Adobe Acrobat or a similar program. To use it, first download the flyer. Open the file, then click and type next to "When" and "Where" to provide information about your event. To add additional details, click in type in the open area near the bottom. Choose "File → Print" to commit the flyer to paper.

Alternatively, you may print a blank copy of the flyer and write directly on it.

Remember that it is against the law to affix signs to structures such as telephone and light poles. Plus, it just creates more litter. Instead, seek out businesses and other community gathering spots, such as libraries, that are willing to post your flyer in windows and on bulletin boards.

We at Citizens Against Litter wish your group all the best during the upcoming weekend.

See the press release for more information.

• Litterers' disrespect (halfway down the page)
• Be litter busters (last letter)
• Help Turtle Creek clean up the town
• Century III Mall leaving bad impression with garbage

Keep them coming.

To inspire people throughout the city and region to collect litter and connect neighborhoods.

Comcast Newsmakers spreads word

More than 675,000 household in the Pittsburgh region will be reminded about the April 18-20 weekend Redd Up 60 times over the next four three weeks. A five- minute interview with Citizens Against Litter's Boris Weinstein by Tonia Caruso of Comcast Newsmakers will be seen on CNN Headline News. Citizens Against Litter is calling for more volunteers. In many instances, volunteers will be matched with their neighborhood cleanup leaders.

WTAE-TV endorsement

Around Easter, WTAE-TV General Manager Rick Henry asked residents of the Pittsburgh region in a station editorial to get involved in the April 18-20 Redd Up by joining the ranks of thousands who are expected to pick up litter on that weekend.

180 Redd Ups and counting

This year's Earth Against Litter April 18-20 Redd Up in Pittsburgh and the region has exceeded the 150 goal and could reach 200. So far 85 Pittsburgh neighborhoods, 78 boroughs and townships in Allegheny County and 20 in Beaver County say they will participate.

"This represents five months of contact work-calls, conversations and e-mails," said Weinstein, "It's worth the effort. Response has been terrific. We've made a lot of new friends for Citizens Against Litter which is what this volunteer group is all about -- Collecting litter and Connecting neighborhoods."

"Our work has put us in touch with local governments, civic councils, individual schools from primary to high school, conservation and environment clubs, Clean Pittsburgh Stewards and ordinary citizens," continued Weinstein.

"We could not have progressed this far without the cooperation of government officials and school boards that provide lists and help us network. PennDOT, Allegheny CleanWays, and Pennsylvania Resources Council provide training and supplies. Public works departments in Pittsburgh, boroughs and townships will haul away an estimated 50 tons of litter and trash."

More than 10,000 adults and young people are expected to take to the streets with gloves, litter bags, nifty nabbers, brooms, weed whackers, lawn mowers, racks, and hedge cutters. The list of participating communities follows.

City:

Allegheny West, Allentown, Banksville, Banksville Road Corridor, Bedford Dwelling, Beechview, Beltzhoover, Belmar Gardens, Bloomfield, Bluff, Bon Air, Brighton Heights, Brightwood, Brookline, Carrick, California-Kirkbride, Central North Side, Chartiers (City), Crafton Heights, Crawford Square, Downtown Pittsburgh, Duquesne Heights, East Allegheny, East Carnegie, East Hills, East Liberty, Elliott, Fairywood, Friendship, Garfield, Greenfield, Hazelwood, Highland Park, Larimer, Lincoln, Lawrenceville, Lower Hill, Manchester, Morningside, Mount Washington, Mount Oliver (city), Mexican War Streets, Northview Heights, Oakland, Observatory Hill, Overbrook (Fairhaven Greenery), Perry Hilltop, Polish Hill, Ridgemont, Regent Square, Schenley Heights, Sheridan, Shadyside, South Side Flats, South Side Slopes, Spring Garden, Spring Hill, St. Clair, Stanton Heights, Strip District, Swisshelm Park, Troy Hill, Uptown, West End, Westwood and Windgap.

The Redd Up Coalition neighborhoods of Homewood, Squirrel Hill North Point Breeze, South Point Breeze and Park Place have scheduled their Redd Up for May 2-4 because of a conflict with the Jewish Passover in April. Cleanups for some other communities clean up on different dates. Groups such as Nine Mile Watershed, Friends of the Riverfront, Beautify Banksville Road also have cleanups planned.

Allegheny County:

Aleppo, Aspinwall, Avalon, Bell Acres, Bellevue, Bethel Park, Brackenridge, Bradford Woods, Carnegie, Castle Shannon, Chalfant, Collier, Coraopolis, Crafton, Cranberry, Crescent, Dormont, Dravosburg, East Deer, Edgewood, Edgeworth,Elizabeth, Emsworth, Etna, Findlay, Forest Hills, Fox Chapel, Frazer, Franklin Park, Glassport, Gibsonia, Hampton, Harrison, Heidelberg, Homestead, Indiana, Leetsdale, Lincoln Marshall, McCandless, Millvale, Mount Lebanon, Mount Oliver, Monroeville, Moon, North Fayette, North Versailles, Oakmont, O'Hara, Ohio, Penn Hills, Pine, Pitcairn, Rankin, Reserve, Richland, Ross, Scott, Shaler, Sharpsburg, South Fayette, South Park, Stowe, Swissvale,Tarentum, Turtle Creek, Upper St. Clair, Verona, West Deer, West Homestead, West View, Whitehall, White Oak, Wilkins, and Wilkinsburg.

Considering: Baldwin Twp., Brentwood, Cheswick, Churchill, East McKeesport, East Pittsburgh, Fawn, Harmar, Ingram, Jefferson Hills, Leets, Neville, McKees Rocks, North Braddock, Oakdale, Osborne, Pleasant Hills, Plum, Robinson, Rosslyn Farms, Sewickley, Springdale, Thornburg, Wall, and Wilmerding.

Beaver County:

Ambridge, Beaver, Brighton, Bridgewater, Center, Chippewa, Freedom, Harmony, Hopewell, Independence, Industry, Midland, Monaca, New Brighton, Ohioville, Raccoon, Rochester, South Heights, and Vanport.

Register your event now

It's time to register events that you may be planning as a part of the Spring Clean Up, which is taking place April 18-20 (and before and after).

Based on emails we have already received, as well as information posted to the Great PA Cleanup site, we are assembling the list on our site.

If your event is not listed, or if you have corrections, please let us know.

Here's what we are looking for:

• Name of neighborhood, community or town
• Date and time of event
• Name of meeting place (Is it a park, landmark, building, intersection, etc.?)
• Street address of meeting place (For mapping purposes)
• Point of contact's name, email address and/or telephone number
• Any other comments or instructions that you would like to include with the listing

We also suggest that you submit your information to the Great PA Cleanup site.

Registering your event there makes it eligible for resources and supplies that our zero-cash flow operation can't provide.

Volunteer After Party

It's become an Earth Day tradition. As in previous years the Great PA Cleanup Volunteer Recognition Party will be held Saturday, April 19, at the Vietnam Veterans Pavilion in Schenley Park from noon to 3 p.m.

The event is a project of the Clean Pittsburgh Commission. Sponsoring organizations include Waste Management, Giant Eagle, Eat 'n Park, Coors, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP).

In appreciation for their hard work and cleanup efforts volunteers will be treated to a free lunch, live entertainment, games and prizes. Awards and raffle begin at 1:30.

Neighborhood groups can RSVP and get more information by contacting Laura Ludwig at 412-621-7863, ext. 12, or lludwig@opdc.org.

Stash the Trash at schools

Another Clean Pittsburgh Commission project is Stash the Trash. Pittsburgh Public Schools is supporting two Stash the Trash events this year, one on Friday, April 18 and the other in the fall. PPS sent letters to principals in 66 schools. Citizens Against Litter made reminder calls to all schools. Last year more than 35 schools and 3,000 students took part. We're asking Clean Pittsburgh Stewards to also contact schools in their neighborhoods and urge them to return sign up forms to PA Resources Council by April 4 for their supplies. Contact Sarah Alessio at PRC, 412-488-7490, ext. 236.

Smile, you're own Kosovo TV

A film crew from the new independent nation of Kosovo will be in Pittsburgh to make a two-hour documentary, featuring Pittsburghers redding up their neighborhoods. The trip here is sponsored by the U.S. State Department. Four neighborhood cleanup efforts will be highlighted. They are Greenfield, Central North Side, and Uptown-Hill District. Explorers Club members will redd up the Mount Washington hillside. Other clean up and beautification activities will also be spotlighted. The visit is planned during the April 18-20 Redd Up in our area. Three other U.S. cities will be visited. Kosovo has severe litter and pollution problems.

Another county heard from

Byron Smialek, columnist for the Washington Observe-Reporter, believes it's time for a grassroots litter removal program in his city and Washington County. Byron promises to support efforts by Citizens Against Litter this fall to organize volunteer group and get local government support.

Another country heard from

Greetings from Scotland!

"I just found your Citizens Against Litter website and am so impressed! We are a year-old organization here battling litter in our small town (Scotland has a big litter problem). I am an American expat living here now and started our neighborhood doing this.

"You have such incredible ideas! I am going to blatantly steal some of them for our community! You are inspiring me. Even though we are a small rural community and you are a big city, a lot of your ideas will work here too! I love Boris!

"What you are doing is so exciting! I love the paper (Newslitter) that Boris wrote. Maybe someday if he's in Scotland he can talk to our neighborhood group and help inspire us. I will copy his paper and show it to others.

"We are actually about to expand beyond our neighborhood into a town-wide association that is only for taking care of litter, dog fouling, fly-tipping, etc. We live on a beautiful river that is full of junk. You are awesome! Cheers!"

Michelle McCallum
Dunipace, Scotland

When under a graffiti attack

Call 311 or 911.

Call 911 if a resident is being "tagged" by a graffiti vandal at that moment.

911 is also to be called by the resident if that person's own immediate personal property has been vandalized with graffiti.

A resident, who notices graffiti on another's property, commercial property, or public property, should call 311.

Department of Public Works is working with the Graffiti Task Force (GTF) to streamline the reporting and removal process.

DPW has been trained by GTF in taking accurate pictures and measurements of the tagging. DPW will respond to 311 complaints immediately. Take pictures and measurements.

DPW will send these to GTF. The report will get a CCR number and be investigated.

DPW will alert 311 when the graffiti has been removed.

For those calls that reach GTF first, GTF will notify DPW of the crime. DPW will respond. Take pictures/measurements and remove graffiti. This does not involve 311.

Graffiti Removal Policy Changes

DPW will remove graffiti they can reach. The 10 ft. barrier policy has been removed.

DPW will continue to forward permission slips collected during the removal to BBI.

DPW will allocate more staff in summer months when vandalism reaches its peak.

Graffiti Busters will work evenings and weekends to remove graffiti in a timely manner.

South Fayette does it right

David Gardiner, Director of Engineering and Planning for South Fayette Township, let us pick his brain. The Newslitter was anxious to know how South Fayette attracts 300 volunteers for its annual Spring Redd Up.

Most importantly, there is plenty of community pride in South Fayette. Dave told us the township board and conservation groups are very supportive of the effort and provide money, time and leadership. Support comes from the top. The cleanup is supported with flyers, publicity, paid advertising and signs. Dave meets with community groups, girl scouts and boy scouts. In two previous years, fast food chains and theaters were approached and distributed coupons for kids who participated.

This year, the incentive may be T-shirts should businesses fund them. The township encourages businesses to get involved with redding up their own property while the township targets main roads, rural roads, out of the way popular gathering places and bike and walking trails. Supporting the township effort is public works volunteers who travel around the township picking up filled litter bags and trash.

Greenfield's model program

Connect Greenfield and the Greenfield Organization are looking for volunteers for Greenfield's 2008 Adopt-a-Block litter pick up program.

Under the Adopt-a-Block program, volunteers adopt a Greenfield street block, steps, or public space and agree to pick up litter and other debris as needed throughout the course of the year. The amount of trash collected is recorded and published every month.

The program is designed to tap community interest in the stewardship of Greenfield's streets, steps and public spaces by providing an opportunity for residents and businesses to assist in maintaining and enhancing the look and utility of the neighborhood's local streets, public stairways and open spaces.

Last year Greenfield had 40 volunteers in the program and collected over 500 bags of trash and recyclables from Greenfield's streets, steps and parks.

Existing volunteer are asked to re-enlist. New volunteers are invited to contact Patrick Hassett at hassettpgh@aol.com. Help make Greenfield a cleaner place to live and do business.

(Note: Other neighborhoods please consider using the Greenfield Plan. It works.)

Jail Trail cleanup

Citizens Against Litter will partner with Friends of the Riverfront for its cleanup of the Jail Trail (Eliza Furnace Trail) Friday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are wanted. Light refreshments, work gloves, safety glasses, tools and materials will be provided. Visit the Friends fo the Riverfront site for details.

Seattle Kids Against Litter

Nine-year old Cole Weinstein thinks it's awesome to collect litter. He and his grandfather are starting a Kids Against Litter group in Cole's Seattle school. The Kentucky Avenue School in Shadyside was the first. In nice weather, Kentucky kids pick up litter on Friday walks to Mellon Park.

Larimer's Green Acres

The Larimer neighborhood has makeover plans and the community is excited. Major investments in and around Larimer are fueled by Walnut Capital's Bakery Square development. Ora Lee Carroll, a resident, is leading the charge. She has reached out to the city, consultants, politicians and friends she has acquired over years of dedication to Larimer. Larimer is greening up and soon will be Redding Up with an aggressive volunteer block-by-block anti-litter program. The neighborhood is branding itself as "Larimer Green Acres" -- the place you want to be. That's earthier and softer than redevelopment and renewal, don't you agree?

Larimer Kids Against Litter

Debra Ashby is moving with the new Larimer energy. Her Weed and Seed kids are now Kids Against Litter and will be very active in Larimer's Green Acres program.

Eyesores

We're starting a new segment...as long as we get a feed of information. We'll call it "Eyesores". Here are two we were told about.

Browns Hill -- the road to and from the Homestead Grays Bridge to The Waterfront. It's filthy with litter. The road is in "No Man's Land" beyond Squirrel Hill and Greenfield. That's a place that people in cars ditch stuff.

Crane Avenue (from Beechview Avenue to Route 51). The complaint sounds like the litter there is from car throwers more than walker droppers. (Public Works responded within days to improve the conditions.)

Please give us details about Eyesores you see. E-mail us at info@citizensagainstlitter.org.

"I Litter" awards

The list for Shadyside is again small. It may change with warmer weather. Advertising flyers become litter. These businesses put their business out on our streets..

• McFadden's, North Shore
• Pizzutti's Restaurant
• Readings by Mia
• Yen's Restaurant

Garbagevilles

Garbagevilles are houses, buildings, streets, alleys and places that look awful because of litter, garbage, upswept leaves and other stuff. Here are some.

• 5525-27 Ellsworth Avenue (rear)
• 5500-08 Elmer Street (side)
• 702 Bellefonte Street (front)
• 710 Bellefonte Street (front)
• 712 Bellefonte Street (front)
• 700 Ivy Street (back and side)
• 727 Ivy Street (front and side)
• 816 Ivy Street (rear)
• 636 Maryland Avenue (front and side)
• 5505-07 Howe Street (front)
• 5531 Howe Street (front)
• 5533 Howe Street (front and rear)
• Comet Way (Dumpster Alley)
• Centre Avenue (Millvale to Negley)
• 600 & 700 Block of Filbert Street (leaf litter)
• 700 Block of Ivy Street (leaf litter)

Important phone numbers

Need to contact the city about something that has 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 Ravenstahl (412-255-2626)
• Building Inspection (412-255-2175)
• Public Works (412-255-2773)
• Refuse/Recycling (412-255-2773)
• Potholes (412-255-2621)
• Graffiti Squad (412-323-7818)
• City Planning (412-255-2200)
• Parking Authority (412-560-7275)

We want you

Volunteers are wanted. The work is light. Hours are your own. No meetings. No dues. No money. Payoff: clean streets and community pride. Please contact boris.weinstein@verizon.net or call 412-688-9120.

Streets lined with litter

Someone calling himself an environmentalist checked in. He feels strongly about removing litter from streets and trails like the Jail Trail. He prefers letting sleeping litter lay rather than putting it in garbage cans. Ideally, he prefers litter to be buried on your property or where you find it.

Shovels anyone? We can bury litter on the spot or pick it up carefully and take it to our yards (front or back) or drive it to municipal dumps. Better we pick it up. It's easier.

As a start, three cleanup events in Beechview have been scheduled: May 10, June 22, and July 19. These are, of course, in addition to the April 19 event, which is happening as a part of the larger Spring Clean Up.

With events like these, litter in Beechview doesn't stand a chance.

Please see the Friends of the Riverfront events page or this flyer for more details.

Our own Mr. Litterman, Boris Weinstein, is the chair of the Commission. Kudos to the group for producing the report, which is an invaluable asset in the continued effort to clean up the city.

• For maximum exposure, we also suggest submitting your information to the Great PA Cleanup site. Resources and supplies are available for groups that register through this site by April 11.

• See the event map for an overview of the weekend's happenings.

• Download the flyer template to promote your event around the neighborhood.

• Catch up on what the press has to say about the weekend.

• And finally, don't forget about the volunteer recognition party on April 19 from noon to 3 p.m. in Schenley Park. All are invited.