Volume 24, Issue 3

August 2010

www.etnaborough.org

Borough of Etna

BYLINE

COUNCIL NEWS Through the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, the Borough has been successful in securing grants through their Neighborhood Stabilization Program

for the demolition of four abandoned properties in the Borough. This will include the

demolition of the old Freeport Hotel on Freeport Street, a burned out home on Kittanning Street, and two vacant residential properties – one on Vine Street and one on Prospect

Street. The Borough will also be demolishing an abandoned home on Lincoln Street through the County’s Community Development Block Grant Program. This work will

take place late this summer and early fall.

The Borough submitted a claim for the snow storms of February through the Federal Emergency Management Agency for roughly $23,000.00 for two days of expenses as per

the federal declaration of disaster. FEMA will reimburse the Borough for 75% of all

approved costs expended sometime later this year.

BLUEPRINT COMMUNITY COMMITTEE UPDATE

The Blueprint Committee’s annual beautification project is well underway. The Committee is working on enhancing the area in and around the mural at Dougherty Vet-

eran’s Field. Through the generosity of some of our business owners, we have been able

to install a paved sitting area with lights, a bench and planters. The planters were do-nated by Sullivan Chevrolet; the bench was donated by Forms & Surfaces, the pavers

were paid for by Duquesne Electric and Forms & Surfaces gave the Borough a signifi-

cant discount on the lighted bollards to protect the area. Monetary donations were also provided by Global Access Controls and Metzger Enterprises. The Etna Public Works

Department was instrumental in this project, as they performed all the labor intensive prep work for the committee, who then laid the paver bricks.

The Blueprint housing initiative is moving forward with a purchase and rehabilitation

of a vacant home on Locust Street. Partnering with Hosanna Industries has made this possible. The purchase and rehabilitation should take place early this fall.

ETNA GARDEN CLUB NEWS People are beginning to notice that "Etna is blooming" and are asking about the gardens and planters around town. Three new gardens this year are the Spirit Garden (by

Ogrodniks Funeral Home), the Clock Garden (near the Tattoo Shop), and the Firemen’s' Garden (across from ETown). Planters donated by Sullivan Chevrolet last year were also

filled with flowers and placed around town – two by the kiosk, two by the mural near the

ballfield, and one near the municipal building. Etna also has hanging baskets around the downtown gazebo and two large new ones attached to the gazebo by the pool. The Gar-

den Club volunteers request that residents not allow their pets in the gardens to prevent

damage to the plants. More information about the Etna Garden Club can be found at the website www.etnagardenclub.com.

TEEN NIGHT Friday, September 3, 2010

6:00 p.m. Playground,

Cops vs. Kids

Basketball Game

Swimming immediately afterward,

food and prizes.

D.J. Poolside

8:00 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Youth age 13 through 18 only.

Sponosred by the

Etna Blueprint Committee

Mom – Dad –“Kids” of All Ages – Come

And Help Us Celebrate

Etna Neighborhood

Association’s 21st Annual Community Day

August 7th, 2010

It All Starts at Noon At the Playground on Pine Street

Relax to the lilting music of the Pine Creek

Community Band at 1:00 p.m. while the

youngsters take part in the Pool games. There’s free bingo for adults at 3:00 p.m.

and basketball shoot and hockey slap shot contests

with trophies to the winners at 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.

There’s more: Crafts plus a moon bounce and games for the

younger set; food at pauper prices. What’s not to

enjoy!

Free Swimming All Day

Hot Dogs, Nachos,

Soft Drinks

Just 50 Cents Each

Chinese Auction – 50/50 Raffle

It’s Going to be a Great Day in Our Neighborhood

Four Days of Fun and Fellowship

All Saints Church Annual Summer Festival

Wednesday, August 11 thru Saturday, August 14

Church Grounds on Dewey Street

There’s much to look forward to at the Festival. There are rides for the young folk,

games of chance

Games of skill for adults, and bingo, too.

Live Musical Entertainment, Two Shows Nightly, Beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Soft Winds;

Thursday, Brass Staff; Friday, Back Together Again;

Saturday, Deejay Gary O.

Dinners Served from 5 to 7 p.m.

Sandwiches All Evening

Stands Open at 6:30 p.m.

Spend the Evening for a Grand Old Time

FREE CONCERT

IN THE PARK

AUGUST 7, 2010

8:00 – 10:00 P.M.

RAIN OUT FROM JUNE

STEEL ROCKING!

BYLINE Page 2

BUSINESS

SPOTLIGHT

Porky’s

Plain Old Bar 34 Bridge Street

412-781-1109

Since 1895, 34 Bridge Street has been the

home to some type of drinking establishment.

Although it has changed names many times

over the last 115 years, it officially became

Porky’s in 1943. Its’ current owners, Brian and

Virginia Heffernan opened Oct.1, 1992 and

dubbed it Porky’s Plain Old Bar.

When Brian first took over as proprietor he

was working full time as a printing sales repre-

sentative while tending bar two nights a week

and completing all other building maintenance

tasks. Virginia worked full time at the bar as

the chief cook, bar maid and accounting execu-

tive, which she continues to do to this very day.

Porky’s is a smoking establishment with a

bar, main tap room and back room which seats

50 comfortably. They have 14 different beers

on tap and 8 flat screen TVs. During good

weather, they have an outdoor deck which co-

zily seats 16.

Porky’s is known for its’ extensive sand-

wich menu but are especially famous for their

wings and burritos. They have cook-outs every

Thursday, May thru September from 11:30

a.m.-1:30p.m. Their “fresh off the grill” menu

consists of Burgers, Chicken, Kielbasa, Spicy

Hot Sausage, Hot Dogs and Rib Eye Steak

Sandwiches.

Their hours of operation are 10:30 a.m.-

12:00 a.m. Monday thru Friday, 11:00a.m.-

2:00 a.m. Saturday and 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m

on Sunday.

Porky’s has overcome numerous obstacles

but none as devastating as the flood in Septem-

ber of ’04. The bar was totally destroyed and

only through the help of many of the bars’

amazing family, friends and patrons were they

able to reopen, exactly six weeks to the day

after that horrific event.

Porky’s is not an ordinary bar. Their pa-

trons are a close knit group of friends, always

willing to lend an ear or a helping hand…..an

extended family.

So, the next time you want to cool off with

the beer of your choice, try Porky’s Plain Old

Bar! It’s hog heaven!!!!

POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS……….. The Department is proud to report that Officer Gary Cutenese received an award for his outstanding work in the Smooth Officer Enforcement Program. The Department also received

an award under this same program. The program is for aggressive driving enforcement.

The Police just completed the second step in securing the $100,000.00 federal funding

grant for the purchase of cameras to be placed in the business district from Ann Street out to the West Etna area of the community (Dougherty Veteran’s Field).

The Etna and Shaler Police Departments jointly completed their third annual bike ro-

deo at Kiwanis Park, with over ninety children participating. Finally, as a reminder please

don’t forget to keep your grass and weeds cut, including trimming bushes which can ob-struct vision for traffic. Keep vigilant and report suspicious activities in your neighbor-

hood – if you feel something is wrong, don’t hesitate to call 911. Be leery of phone and

computer scams – they are on the rise again.

GLOBAL LINKS Global Links is a Pittsburgh-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing

medical relief and improving health in developing countries. Their mission is to redirect still useful materials away from landfills and donate them to targeted countries throughout

the hemisphere. Currently, they are in urgent need of wheelchairs, canes, crutches, walk-

ers, scales, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes and nebulizers that are still in good condi-

tion. To donate, please call Betty Samuels at 412-487-4555 to schedule a pick up or drop off at Winschel Hardware, 346 Butler Street. Thank you.

CALLING ALL TEENS! Do you want to know what’s happening in your community? Do you want to help make those things happen? If so, then this is the place to be!!! The Etna Teen Advisory

Board is inviting all teens from the Shaler Area School District to join them. Here, you

can learn what new projects are planned and decide if you want to participate. This is a

great way to get together with friends and work towards a common goal you can take pride in! Do you remember all the painted ornaments on the Christmas trees in front of the

Borough Office Building and the War Memorial? All were painted by Etna Teens and

youth of the community. They also assisted in painting the Pine Street Bridge and the

town’s street sign posts. Perhaps you’re interested in politics….learn how our internal borough government

works by becoming a Jr. Council Member. Shane Taylor is our current representative.

Don’t forget….volunteer activity and involvement in the community show what a well-

rounded individual you are on those college applications. Both Matt Curran and Jay Gru-bic can attest to that. Both of these Etna Teen Advisory Board members received Scholar-

ships from the Fugh Foundation. Meetings are just one evening a month at the Etna Bor-

ough Office Building. Keep watch for more information about their upcoming Fall Social.

Call Mentor Patti Huston at 412-822-7544 for more information. Come on down and join us. You’ll be glad you did!!!!

RAMBLINGS Has anyone noticed the flowers planted around all of our trees on Butler Street? An-

drew Stumpf chose our trees as his Junior Project. Each student at Fox Chapel Area

School District is required to complete a service learning experience. His father, Tom

Stumpf of Stumpf’s Meats graciously donated the eight flats of flowers needed and An-drew weeded, planted and mulched each of the 60 + trees in approximately 12 hours.

His hard work added a little curb appeal to our business district. Our thanks go out to

Andrew and Tom for their initiative on a job well done!!! Congratulations, Andrew!!!!

Happy Belated Birthday to Margaret Zambon of Etna Commons Senior High Rise.

Margaret turned 99 years young on July 19! Margaret enjoys knitting and crocheting. She

waters and cares for all of the plants in the Etna Commons auditorium. We wish Margaret

all the best!

Etna Neighborhood Association Talent Show Winners: The responsive “crowd” in

attendance hailed the Etna Neighborhood Association’s May 21 Talent Show held at All

Saints Activities Building an entertaining success. Seventeen acts participated and three per-

formed “gratis” --not in competition. The top three award winning acts were: first place,

Baton Twirling Sensations; Crystal Duncan, Grace Pearson, Kiaura Polk, Becky Ander-

son, Mark Kitzki, Madison Wilcox, Haleigh Perrucci, Austin Perrucci, and Alana Steinmetz; second place, Dance-Gymnastics Trio: Hannah Kalchthaler, Olivia Nellis, and

Maddie Rogers; third place, Winschel Family Singers: Jack and Butch Winschel and sis-

ters Mary Bittner, Sister Carolyn and Sister Anne Winschel. The Association thanks all

the participants, emcee Jack Winschel, and the appreciative audience.

Page 3 Etna BYLINE

Murder Mystery Dinner On Sat. Oct. 16, 2010, Etna

Economic Development Corpora-

tion will host its first Murder Mys-

tery Dinner at 7 p.m. at Fugh Hall.

A Murder Mystery Dinner is an

interactive party where you and

your guests witness and try to solve

a fictitious murder that occurs dur-

ing dinner. Prior to the party, select

guests will receive a detailed character description along with their

invitation. The guests will arrive (in costume) and are given a set

of objectives to complete, a nametag and money to be used for

bribery, blackmail, or any other creative purpose you can think of

to try and solve the murder. After the crime is committed, each

guest is given another envelope which contains secrets, evidence

pertaining to the crime and someone will find out they, indeed, are

the murderer. Each guest will then conduct their own investiga-

tion, mingling with the other guests attempting to solve the crime.

Each guest then casts their vote for the murderer, best dressed, and

best actor/actress at the party. And all this while enjoying a sump-

tuous feast! More details to follow or call the Main Street Man-

ager’s Office at 412-782-2790, the Borough Office at 412-781-

0569, Terry Huston at 412-822-7544 or Winschel Hardware to see

when tickets will be available, what the cost is and the name of our

Mystery.

SCAREHOUSE “Pittsburgh’s Ultimate Haunted House”

One of the best haunted houses in the U.S.A. is right here in

Etna!! ScareHouse has been ranked 5th best Haunted House in the

country by the editors of Hauntworld magazine. The ScareHouse

has also been featured as one of “America’s Scariest Halloween

Attractions” in a national TV show airing on the Travel channel.

Beginning Sept. 24th thru Oct. 31st Pittsburgh’s Ultimate Haunt

will be back with 3 haunts for $18.00: Rampage, Delirium 3-D,

and a new attraction, The Forsaken! A Special Fundraising Event

“Crazy Scary” to benefit two local fundraising drives, Christmas

Crazy for Kids and Make Room for Kids will take place on

Oct.5th. A portion of all tickets sold will be donated to these two

local organizations and tickets THAT NIGHT ONLY will be

$15.00.

The “Scream Team” has been diligently working since last

November creating an elaborate, high-tech production worthy of

Hollywood status. The entrance will be located at 118 Locust

Street (old Etna Elks Building) with parking available all along

Butler Street. You can find dates, photos, and

other “behind the screams” information at

www.scarehouse.com. So be prepared……you

are sure to be SCARED STIFF!!!! Exit doors

are available for those unable to continue

through to the end of what will prove to be the

most terrifying, blood curdling, scream filled

event of your life! FEAR IS HERE!!!!! “A

TOP 10 MUST SEE HAUNT IN 2009” By

Haunted Attraction Magazine.

First Congregational Church Celebration On Sunday, September 19th, the First

Congregational Church, Locust &

Walnut Streets, will observe their one

hundred sixty first anniversary with a

Worship Service including Commun-

ion at 10:15 a.m. Worship will in-

clude special music by Rebecca and Greg Sparks and the

Church Choir. Luncheon will follow in Fellowship Hall with

entertainment by the Sparks. Rebecca and Greg are the sister

and brother-in-law of the Church Pastor, the Reverend Donn D.

Ed. Friends and members are invited to join in the celebration.

Neighborhood Nights Continues at the Congrega-tional Church: Stop by every other Thursday from 6:00 to

8:00 p.m. for their famous grilled cheese sandwiches. hot dogs,

a hot dish and a sweet. Everyone is welcome and it’s free to

all. The schedule for Neighborhood Nights is as follows:

Thursdays, August 5th & 19th, September 2nd, 16th, & 30th, and

October 14th and 28th. Hope to see you there for an evening of

fun, food, and friendly get togethers.

Allegheny County Free

Prescription Discount

Cards Allegheny County is now offering

free prescription cards to help consumers

cope with the high price of prescriptions.

The cards are available under a program sponsored by the Na-

tional Association of Counties and will offer average savings

of 22 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.

The cards may be used by all County residents, regardless of

age, income or existing health coverage, at more than 300 phar-

macies in the County. The card will offer significant savings

for the uninsured or underinsured residents of the County. Even

those fortunate enough to have health care coverage can use the

card to save money on medications not covered by their health

care plan. The cards are available at Allegheny County govern-

ment offices, Allegheny County Housing Authority communi-

ties, Family Support Centers, Head Start child care centers,

CareerLink offices, Goodwill stores, public libraries, senior

centers and many pharmacies Residents

can call toll free to 1-877-321-2652 with

questions about the program.

Allegheny County Health

Department The Allegheny County Health

Department has launched a program of-

fering FREE curbside pickup and recycling of refrigerant-

containing appliances which are no longer in use and need to

be discarded. This is a Limited Time Offer and includes refrig-

erators, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, water coolers and

freezers. NO COMMERCIAL APPLIANCES, To schedule a

free pickup, call the Appliance Warehouse at 1-888-463-7366

or Parkway Heating and Air Conditioning at 412-279-6001.

ANNIVERSARY

Borough of Etna

437 Butler Street Pittsburgh, PA 15223

Presorted

Standard

U.S. Postage

PAID

Glenshaw, PA

Permit No. 191

CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS

BOROUGH COUNCIL

Tom Rengers, Mayor ..................... 412-781-4191

Peter Ramage, Chairman ............... 412-782-1488

Vincent Jones, Administration, Finance,

Police ......................................... 412-781-7206

Dave Becki, Vice Chairman, Water, Streets and

Sewers ....................................... 412-781-5793

Richard Grubic, Police,

Water ......................................... 412-782-1234

Terry Huston, Zoning, Planning & Flood Plain

Management, Borough Property . 412-822-7544

Rudy Milcic, Jr. Streets, Sewers &

Fire ............................................ 412-781-3609

Karen Tomaszewski, Fire,

Borough Property ....................... 412-781-6417

John Tomichek, Flood Plain Management, Zoning,

Planning, Refuse & Engineering 412-781-2119

David Vinski, Administration, Refuse &

Engineering ................................ 412-781-3861

Mary Ellen Ramage, Manager,

Borough Secretary...................... 412-781-0569

Shane Taylor, Junior Council Member

ADDITIONAL PHONE NUMBERS,

KEEP HANDY

FOR EMERGENCIES, CALL .... 911

Etna Police Station ........................ 412-781-6271

Office Hours, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Non-Emergency Dispatch ............. 412-486-3201

After Station Hours

Magistrate Bob Dzvonick ............. 412-487-7630

Waste Management Garbage Disposal,

Missed Pick-Ups ........................ 1-800-458-4090

Germaine Pfeifer,

Real Estate Tax Collector……..412-781-0569x24

Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Keystone Municipal Collections, Wage,

Occupation & Mercantile Tax Collector

................................................... 412-672-5900

TO REPORT WATER BREAKS AFTER

BUSINESS HOURS, CALL 412-486-3201

Etna Borough Council Meetings, Third Tuesday

of the Month, 7:30 p.m., Municipal Building. Any-

one needing transportation, please call the Borough

Office, one week prior to the meeting.

Etna Economic Development Corporation

Meetings, Second Tuesday of the Month, 7:00 p.m.

Municipal Building.

Etna Planning Commission Meetings, every

fourth Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Municipal Building,

call in advance for meeting confirmation

Borough of Etna 412-781-0569

www.etnaborough.org

ETNA BYLINE Staff Editor: Mary Ellen Ramage

Staff: Marie Carricato

Mary Winschel Macecevic

Allyson Butler

Designer: Carla Kessler

Aug. 7 .................. Community Day, Playground, Noon*

Aug. 11-14 ........... All Saints Church Parish Festival* Sept. 2, Oct. 7 ...... Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Senior Friendship Center

Starts 1:00 p.m. at the church

Sept. 11……… .... Etna Economic Development Corporation, 5th Annual Heritage Ball All Saints Activity Building, 8:00 p.m. – Midnight, featuring the Softwinds*

Sept. 12………. ... Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Rally Day, Starts 9:30 a.m. Any questions call the church at 412- 781-2764

Sept. 24 thru ........ SCAREHOUSE, 118 Locust Street*

Oct. 31

Oct. 9………. ...... All Saints Church Christian Mother’s Tea Party, Activities Building,

questions call Karen at 412- 822-7039 Oct. 16 ................. Murder Mystery Dinner, Etna Economic Development

Corp. 7:00 p.m., Fugh Hall*

Oct. 23 ................. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Ham Dinner Starts 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

*Etna Byline Article or Insert

Calvert Memorial Church……...After-School Programs- Starting September 13

Kids Corner- Monday evenings ...................... 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday Club- evenings ................................. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Drama Club- Wednesday ................................ 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Street Sweeping will take place the week of August 9. Please observe “No Parking” signs on your street during this week and park accordingly. Violators will be towed. Street

sweeping is a part of the Borough’s compliance with their Nine Minimum Controls for Combined Sewer Overflows. Being a combined system – storm water and sanitary sewage

are mixed together and it is critical that we keep as much trash and debris out of the system as possible.

Fire Hydrant flushing will take place from Midnight September 12 through Midnight

September 16. During the flushing there may be discoloration of your water. We recom-

mend customers test their water before laundering or using large quantities.

Garbage pick up during the week of Labor Day, (September 6), will be moved back one day and fall on Saturday, September 11, 2010.