East of Liberty: Chapter II “The Fear of Us,” a documentary by Chris Ivey, will play this weekend at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. The shows will be Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 7 pm, and Sunday at 4 pm. Ticket are $10. Ivey will also be showing Chapter 1, “East of Liberty”, on Saturday at 4 pm.

Would you like to get down to the nitty gritty of race, community and discrimination?

The Nitty Gritty Race Conversations will be TONIGHT Monday, February 25th at 6pm at the Union Project. Union Project and Open Door invites community members to participate in the Monday Evening Conversations, “Exploring the Dynamics of Race & Community.”

The series is an annual event that invites community members to explore and face issues of race, equality, faith, humanity, and community. This will not be your average discussion. Be prepared to participate by asking questions, offer your own insights, or just listen to learn about the perception and every day reality of these pressing issues.

For more information contact Hilary at 412-363-4550×26 or Hilary@unionproject.org or visit www.unionproject.org for a full listing.

Allegra Elson, a teacher at the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council located at 100 Sheridan Square in East Liberty, has been recognized as an outstanding teacher! Ms. Elson teachers English as a Second Language to immigrants, refugees and long-time foreign visitors.

Read more about her in the Post Gazette. Thanks to Ms. Elson for all of her hard work and dedicated to adult education!

Last Night, Wednesday, February 20 at Calvary Church, East End residents and stakeholders convened for the second Pedestrian Bridge meeting to discuss questions and concerns with the bridge’s design, funding, public safety and parking among other things.

Read more about the bridge in the City Paper.
Or look at some of the bridge sketches (elements and scale), sketch 2 (Sequins in chainlink), sketch 3 (side view).

Also the notes from the meeting are available for you to read. Please use this outlet to leave your comments and questions.

Inspirational Designs, Kitchen, Bath and Interior Design, offers personalized attention and professional care to East Enders (and beyond) who would like to make interior home renovations.

Diane J. Paige has eight and a half years of experience in home improvement and interior design from her work in the Home Depot Design Center.

In August 2006, she began Inspiration Designs and she prides herself on a providing dedicated, full-service option for those interested in refurbishing a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, den or any interior space (even commercial projects at times). Diane works with any budget and many different types of cabinets, counter tops, floor treatments, fabrics and more.

To reach Diane, call 412.519.3419 or email to Inspirational_Designs@comcast.net.

Bundles of Baskets, located at 6111 Penn Avenue, is having a Valentine’s Day sale! Stop by or call 412.661.0815 to get your last minute gift basket for your Valentine! These festive baskets can include stuffed animals, candy, balloons, flowers and much more!

Need help finding something for your valentine? When in doubt, go with the sweet stuff.

A Taste of Chocolate, the newest tenant of the East Side development, offers everything from classics like chocolate covered strawberries to unconventional treats, like chocolate covered bacon.

Mix and match truffles, turtles, chocolate covered pretzels and any of their exquisite cocoas to make a personalized gift for your sweet.

For more information or to pre-order call 412.661.0660.

Black History Month was launched in 1926 (originally named Negro History Month) by Dr. Carter G. Woodson to bring attention to the cultural and historical importance of African Americans throughout American history, which has been greatly overlooked to that point.

Woodson is owed a great deal of recognition and gratitude for his work in the research and compilation of Black History. Throughout his life, he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, the Journal of Negro History, the Associated Publishers, and Negro History Bulletin.

For the month of February, celebrate Black History Month and learn about this rich culture and important black figures throughout American history.

East Liberty has a rich and intriguing history, and here is an opportunity to learn more about our neighborhood!

The East End-East Liberty Historical Society has released, Pittsburgh’s East Liberty Valley, a new book dedicated to the history of this area.

Part of the Arcadia Publishing local neighborhood series, “Pittsburgh’s East Liberty Valley” brings the reader from early pioneer days, including the era of the Shadyside Iron Furnace, to the late 19th Century Industrial Revolution. The promoters and inventors of iron and steel, oil, manufacturing, air brakes, aluminum production, and others — such as Carnegie, Frick, Armstrong, Mellon, Heinz, Scaife, Westinghouse, McCune, Lockhart, Phipps, and Hunt — all lived in East Liberty.

Retailing for $20.00, the book is available for purchase at the Franklin West office (272 Shady Avenue, Pgh., PA 15206; 412-661-1151; rentals@franklinwest.com) and through the East End-East Liberty Historical Society (5907 Penn Avenue, Ste. 305, Pgh., PA 15206; 412-661-9660; pbrecht@eastlibertychamber.org). It can also be purchased at any book store that carries the Arcadia “Images of America” series, including Borders Books.

Don’t miss out on this gem of local history!!