Ribbon Cuttings Welcome New Businesses

Saturday, December 11 began like any other day in Bellevue until what to our wondering eyes did appear? The jolly old elf, himself! Lo and behold, Santa Claus came to Bellevue with one of his elves. We spotted them around 11am as we were preparing for ribbon-cuttings scheduled to begin at 1 pm to welcome four new businesses to Bellevue! 

We snapped a quick photo of the duo in front of one of our new businesses "On the Move Wireless" and  received a big wave and shouts of Merry Christmas as we raced out of sight to gather our ribbon and scissors for the event.

Just before 1pm we arrived at "MG's Makin' Scents" at 405 Lincoln Avenue. Owners Breann Rosenal and Missy Goldsmith of Avalon produce candles in every imaginable scent. Gift baskets, jewelry, candle holders, bamboo and sweet treats are also available at very reasonable prices.

Our next stop was "Pennies from Heaven" at 496 Lincoln Avenue. Shop owners, Phyllis Hannah and Fred Bacon of Avalon, offer an extensive selection of avant-garde clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children at very affordable prices.

The Acoustic Moose Café was our third stop on our ribbon-cutting adventure. Adam Gibson and Lindsey Chadwick will marry in April. Lindsey, a native of Cook Forest in Clarion County, moved to Nashville, TN after graduating from Penn State University with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Adam, also a native of  Western PA, received a degree in Music Business from Belmont University in Nashville, TN  and as fate intervened, the two would meet. They returned to Pennsylvania and fortunately, for us, they decided to open a business in Bellevue.  Adam is an accomplished guitarist/singer/songwriter and plans to perform at the Acoustic Moose in the near future. Plans include featuring local artisans and entertainers at 516 Lincoln Avenue. The wood-stoked brick oven generates fabulous mountain pies and s'mores.

Our final stop was where we began at "On the Move Wireless" located at 603 Lincoln Avenue when we first encountered Santa.

The 4G Clear C network offered here is based on the government microwave use of the 1950's era which was recently re-discovered to be able to provide for expedited internet connections.

We celebrate the dedication of these entrepreneurial individuals who chose to invest in Bellevue. We are grateful to those who joined us in support of these new enterprises including Gina Caruso-Ross Township, Lisa Caden-Bellevue, Mike Kocis, forever friend of Adam and Lindsey, Donna Sebastian, a lifelong resident of Bellevue, the Cricket elves and Linda Woshner, Vice-President of Bellevue Council, who officiated at the event. Each business was presented with a framed memento marking the occasion.

We invite you to join us in support of all Bellevue businesses! Think Big! Shop Small! The local businesses are here for you!

Create a joyful and pleasant experience in the main business district | Pepsi Refresh Everything

Please  vote each and everyday through December for this valuable community benefit. The $25K grant depends on you to Create a joyful and pleasant experience in the main business district! Sign-up and sign-in or simply Text 104353 to Pepsi (73774) *Standard text messaging rates apply. Enjoy Bellevue!

Tributes to Veterans-November 11, 2010

Veterans' Day-2010: "On the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour in the year of our Lord 2010, Andrew Bayne Park in the heart of Bellevue, welcomed Veterans."

Lincoln Bakery Celebrates 65 Years!

Lincoln Bakery literally takes the "cake" for being the longest running family-owned business in Bellevue celebrating 65 years of serving up heavenly cakes and pastries to patrons in Bellevue and the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area.

The saga began in 1945 when Andrew and Stephanie Slezak purchased the bakery which had been operating for 10 years in Bellevue.  With the help of  their four daughters, the bakery business continued to flourish.

Fast-forward forty-five years to Andrew's retirement to find his daughter Sandy and her husband Joe determined to keep the family business alive.  Over the next seven years, the business grew beyond its physical boundaries and they purchased the adjacent building to provide for the needed expansion.  In 1999, Joe hired an extremely talented and innovative cake decorator who developed a new line of unique wedding and exclusive holiday cakes  including the turkey, the Santa, the hamburger, beer mug and other wonderfully whimsical shapes.

Twenty years later, the family business, built on the tradition of quality scratch baking, has a new European facade and a new line of fancy pastries.  On September 4th, the 65th anniversary celebration began at 10am with a clown making balloon animals for the kids and the Lincoln Bakery staff distributing specially imprinted balloons, t-shirts, hot dogs and of course, delectable slices of their famous almond, lemon and chocolate cakes.  Numerous specialty prizes were awarded to the entrants of the chinese auction raffle drawing.

The day was most eventful and we look forward to enjoying many more years of the fanciful and heavenly treats prepared by Lincoln Bakery being made available to us.  We thank Joe and all his dedicated staff for keeping the tradition alive in Bellevue!

North Boroughs YMCA 5K Run/Fun Walk

The throngs of contestants gathered in the early morning hours on July 17, 2010 to compete in the 3rd annual North Boroughs YMCA 5K Run/Fun Walk. Organizer Brandon Gillingham was on site very early to check the route and facilitate the Miles of Smiles timing services and to  meet with the volunteers assembled to assist with registration.

Sponsors of the event set-up booths on the front patio of the YMCA for the walk which was scheduled to start at 8am, and the road race which followed at 8:15am.  Although the walkers, who supported the event which benefited the Northgate Cross Country team and the North Boroughs Strong Communities Campaign were not timed, more than 100 registered in advance and on the day of the race and completed the entire course.

A total of 222 chose to run the race and the top three in each of the age categories were awarded medals.  Greg Byrkes at age 26 was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 16:30.20, followed by Nate Alter, age 18 at 17.11.70 and Hans Rottmann, age 42 at 17.15.30 for the men's category.  Abby Hewitt, age 19 with a time of 18:46.10 was the top finisher in the women's division followed by Bridgit Walters, age 17 in 2nd place and Kristine Udvari, age 35 who placed 3rd in the event.

Councilman Dave Gillingham, tag #371 was the 198th to complete the race and then demonstrated his good sportsmanship in the Dunking Tank on the final day of the annual NSCoC sidewalk sales. The weather was a steaming 88 degree day and we expect he most certainly enjoyed the frequent dunkings after his 34:52.80 race.

Thanks to all who participated in the event including Tim Gillingham who rode his bicycle in advance of the registered participants and a very special thanks to the Bellevue Police Department for their support of the event in posting signs and monitoring road closures and in particular Officer Hudson, the bicycle patrolman, for his participation accompanying the final finisher, Toni Farah, age 77, to the end of the race having a time of 57:50 as the final contestant to cross the finish line.

We look forward to seeing all of you and then some, in 2011 as this event gathers momentum for healthy living in the North Boroughs!  Be certain to view the Enjoy Bellevue photo array and feel free to send us your photos to include in the album.  We love to feature contributors' recordings of local area events!

Go Skateboarding Day- Free Skate Jam and Cookout

Summer has arrived! In Bellevue, the season kicked off with “Go Skateboarding Day-Free Skate Jam and Cookout” hosted by Plank Eye Board Shop, co-sponsored by Enjoy Bellevue.  Owners Carlo Leo and Brian Buck organized the 1pm-5pm event for skateboarders to demonstrate their skills on the ramps, skate rails, boxes and other obstacles. The $1 entry best trick contest began at 2:30 pm and ultimately the prize money was awarded to Jarred Michalski, a Fox Chapel native and a student at Pitt, now residing in Bloomfield. The title of overall best was also claimed by Jarred for the Go Skate Day.

Plank Eye Board Shop opened in July 2008, in the old Murphy Building, to then relocate to 11 Sheridan Avenue in October 2009. Carlo and Brian are pursuing a Skate Park at Bayne Park Researching other parks, attending Council meetings, exploring funding, the project has a great start, gaining momentum with members of the skateboard community jumping on the board for the sport. Go skate!

A Sneak Peek...

Here is a sneak peek at the upcoming musical performance of Annie, the 30th anniversary presentation of the Assumption Theater Guild.  The full-scale production premieres Saturday, March 13 at 7:00 pm in McGovern Hall for two weekends with four shows through Sunday, March 21.

"The sun will come up tomorrow" on the cast and crew!  Come and enjoy the "Annie" experience!  Live local theater is the bees knees!

Advance tickets are available by calling 412-369-5646 for Reservation Information. Download and print the reservation form at ATG2010  Tickets will also be available at the door 30 minutes before each show.

Assumption Theater Guild presents ANNIE

Assumption Theater Guild cast and crew have been rehearsing and preparing for this full-scale production of 'ANNIE' for four and often five days each week since early January.  We were granted a sneak peek of the creative process as this ATG 30th Anniversary show comes to life!  "The sun will come up tomorrow!"

Mark your calendars and save the dates as the curtain will rise for this wonderful event!  Only four performances, the shows are Saturday March 13 and March 20 at 7pm and Sunday March 14 and March 21 at 2pm. Come and enjoy this lively production of Annie!  Reserve your Annie tickets now starring Erin Halligan as Annie and Grant Saylor as Daddy Warbucks.  Tickets can be reserved by calling 412-369-5646. Adults $8; Children/Senior citizens $6.  Catch up with the cast and crew and download the ticket order form at Assumption Theater Guild  to print and mail. For best seating, reserve your tickets in advance. Tickets will be available at the door 30 minutes prior to each show.  "Bet your bottom dollar" you will want to experience this full-scale musical production commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the ATG!

Super Snow!

The Super Snow of February 2010 will be remembered!  The more than 20 inches of snow blanketing the area was a picture postcard scene which at once was a joy to behold, soon followed by the reality of creating a mountain of work for many.  Happy were the kids for the cancellation of schools.  Happy were the snow removal businesses whose plows were put into overdrive.  Happy were the residents of Bellevue for constant clearing of streets thanks to the dedicated DPW crew!

The initial shock of the overwhelming task of clearing even a path was quickly surpassed by the community spirit which prevailed throughout the ordeal.  The sight of neighbors on the streets, assisting neighbors with snow removal from vehicles, parking spaces and the public sidewalks was a rewarding experience.  It was pure delight!   We are truly blessed that Bellevue is the kind of place where "community" comes first!

The Art of Michael Gaskill

Matthews Arts hosted this First Friday artist's reception event showcasing the Art of Michael Gaskill on February 5, 2010.  The original art presented in several different mediums illustrates the broad range of talent of this emerging artist.  The works installed for this exhibit remain on display through February 27.

The monthly receptions are a great opportunity to socialize with the artist in residence and discuss the various techniques.

Andrew Kaufmann and Elizabeth Leslie open at Matthews Arts

Matthews Arts fosters the growth and development of emerging and established local artists with a new show, every month, at 12 N Balph Avenue in Bellevue.

An artists' reception providing an introduction to the original works of Andrew Kaufmann and Elizabeth Leslie, was held January 8, 2010.

Jamais Vu, a hand-colored piece by Andrew Kaufmann, demonstrates the range of medium of this artist's palette which includes watercolor, oil and altered photographs.  Elizabeth Leslie brings fantasy to life with the likes of Fairie of Empathy.  Her works are a brilliant interpretation of youthful imagination.  The artworks are on display throughout the month of January.