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GRASSROOTS EFFORTS HELP KEEP SOUTH SIDE GREEN

SOUTHSIDE REPORTER: November 10, 2009

South Side is a little greener and a little cleaner thanks to grassroots efforts being spearheaded by two local residents, Terra McBride and Kim Collins.

The young South Side women presented their programs Green n'at and the South Side Pittsburgh Tree Project at an overflowing luncheon meeting of the South Side Cahmber of Commerce last week at Le Pommier restaurant.

"Gettin' Dirty For Beauty," is how she describes the program.

Green n'at started on a Sunday in April when Ms. McBride and two other volunteers sent two hours picking up litter. In that short period they were able to pick up six garbage bags full of litter and a program was born. So far, the largest number of neighborhood volunteers has been 13 for a clean up.

So as not to "burn out" volunteers, Green n'at only gets together every other Sunday for two hours, 9-11 a.m., to do their clean up work in the South Side. This summer and fall they expanded their reach, working with Conservation Consultants Inc. and area college students on clean up efforts.

"We're hoping when they come down as patrons they'll have more respect for the neighborhood," Ms. McBride said of the students.

To help out the effort, Piper's Pub has donated and stores a green wagon and the owner and employees have volunteered.

Green n'at has recently expanded its scope slightly to include weeding in the neighborhood. "We started ripping out weeds and making it look clean and upkept," she said.

They would like to expand their work even more by working with elderly neighbors and starting an "Adopt a Stoop" program in the neighborhood. "We have ideas, but we need some help."

Those who would like to help out Green n'at can email Ms. McBride at terra@southsidegreennat.com

Ms. Collins, who located her company, blue tomato®, in the South Side about four years ago, came up with the idea to plant trees in the neighborhood. Working with Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest and TreeVitalize, the group started "extremely small," with her and a friend going door to door asking if property owners wanted a tree planted.

She explained that before they could plant any trees, they first needed to get a signed permission slip from the property owner with a promise to take care of the newly planted tree. Those agreeing to the terms will have a 3 foot by 10 foot tree pit opened in their sidewalk before planting.

To expand the message, Ms. Collins found a sponsor in riverset® credit union. The South Side company donated money to pay for a website (www.sstreeproject.com) and printed materials.

Their first tree planting was several weeks ago and resulted in 21 assorted trees and more than 300 tulip bulbs being planted on Wharton Street. The trees are tagged with their variety so people know what type of tree was planted.

"We had to turn away volunteers and donations it was so successful," Ms. Collins said.

She estimated the value at $1500 for each tree that is planted.

The South Side Tree Project would like to do two plantings a year and hopes to plant as many as 50 trees in the spring.

Those who would like to request a tree, volunteer or make a donation to the project can do so by going to the website, www.sstreeproject.com.

HAVE A SPOONFUL

saucy thoughts

It has been an amazing experience so far to watch people that never knew each other 6 months ago come together to grow something so beautiful and impactful in a little Pittsburgh community.

A sweet change is taking place in our community as young and old, businesses and residents gather together to make our home a nicer, cleaner, safer and more beautiful place to be.

Thank you all so much for your help and continued support in our next South Side tree plantings.

The trees thank you too :)

Stir it Up

HAVE A SPOONFUL

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Stir it Up we're cookin' GRASSROOTS EFFORTS HELP KEEP SOUTH SIDE GREEN SOUTHSIDE REPORTER: November 10, 2009 South Side is a little greener and a little cleaner thanks to grassroots efforts being spearheaded by two local residents, Terra McBride and Kim Collins. The young South Side women presented their programs Green n'at and the South Side Pittsburgh Tree Project at an overflowing luncheon meeting of the South Side Cahmber of Commerce last week at Le Pommier restaurant. "Gettin' Dirty For Beauty," is how she describes the program. Green n'at started on a Sunday in April when Ms. McBride and two other volunteers sent two hours picking up litter. In that short period they were able to pick up six garbage bags full of litter and a program was born. So far, the largest number of neighborhood volunteers has been 13 for a clean up. So as not to "burn out" volunteers, Green n'at only gets together every other Sunday for two hours, 9-11 a.m., to do their clean up work in the South Side. This summer and fall they expanded their reach, working with Conservation Consultants Inc. and area college students on clean up efforts. "We're hoping when they come down as patrons they'll have more respect for the neighborhood," Ms. McBride said of the students. To help out the effort, Piper's Pub has donated and stores a green wagon and the owner and employees have volunteered. Green n'at has recently expanded its scope slightly to include weeding in the neighborhood. "We started ripping out weeds and making it look clean and upkept," she said. They would like to expand their work even more by working with elderly neighbors and starting an "Adopt a Stoop" program in the neighborhood. "We have ideas, but we need some help." Those who would like to help out Green n'at can email Ms. McBride at terra@southsidegreennat.com Ms. Collins, who located her company, blue tomato®, in the South Side about four years ago, came up with the idea to plant trees in the neighborhood. Working with Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest and TreeVitalize, the group started "extremely small," with her and a friend going door to door asking if property owners wanted a tree planted. She explained that before they could plant any trees, they first needed to get a signed permission slip from the property owner with a promise to take care of the newly planted tree. Those agreeing to the terms will have a 3 foot by 10 foot tree pit opened in their sidewalk before planting. To expand the message, Ms. Collins found a sponsor in riverset® credit union. The South Side company donated money to pay for a website (www.sstreeproject.com) and printed materials. Their first tree planting was several weeks ago and resulted in 21 assorted trees and more than 300 tulip bulbs being planted on Wharton Street. The trees are tagged with their variety so people know what type of tree was planted. "We had to turn away volunteers and donations it was so successful," Ms. Collins said. She estimated the value at $1500 for each tree that is planted. The South Side Tree Project would like to do two plantings a year and hopes to plant as many as 50 trees in the spring. Those who would like to request a tree, volunteer or make a donation to the project can do so by going to the website, www.sstreeproject.com. HAVE A SPOONFUL saucy thoughts It has been an amazing experience so far to watch people that never knew each other 6 months ago come together to grow something so beautiful and impactful in a little Pittsburgh community. A sweet change is taking place in our community as young and old, businesses and residents gather together to make our home a nicer, cleaner, safer and more beautiful place to be. Thank you all so much for your help and continued support in our next South Side tree plantings. The trees thank you too :) www.sstreeproject.com	LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION a glimpse inside our tree day VIEW A VIDEO OF OUR FIRST PLANTING! Thank you to Jason DePerro of ECO Designers Guild for for submitting video clips and for GREEN n'at for putting this beautiful video together. NOW THAT's A BIG SIGN spreadin' the word Check out our ENORMOUS Tree Project Banner on the corner of Sarah and 11th Streets in the South Side. GIGANTIC thank you to Mark Frankovitch who donated the side of his gorgeous building to help with our cause. And HUGE thanks to riverset® credit union who sponsored this banner! Who's Getting Sauced? clients we're serving We are very excited to be creating the brand for GREEN n'at - a South Side Pittsburgh beautification project. If you would like to learn more about this project, email Terra McBride>terra@southsidegreennat.com Look for green swirls around the South Side to see where GREEN na't has been to clean up and beautify the neighborhood! www.southsidegreennat.com Looking for a Great Recipe? bringing fresh produce to the market 1911 wharton street, pittsburgh, pa 15203 412.445.2720 www.bluetomatodesign.com FOLLOW US ON TWITTER