Thursday, April 3, 2008

New Yinzer

TiNY Lives: Cynthia Grant
Nicole Sebula

Sterling silver, crystals, pink mother-of-pearl designed not only to form a beautiful locket but also created to help women. The locket, by Cynthia Grant, was designed to help fight the war on breast cancer. With each locket sold, 50% of the proceeds go to the Komen Foundation.

Over the past seven years Cynthia has been creating original one-of-kind pieces for clients such as Kolman Jewelers, Nemacolin Collection, Choices, Collage, Sugar Boutique, and 3rd Street Gallery. It wasn't until three years ago when Cynthia's passion for design turned into a mission to raise money for local charities. Inspired by the book Do Unto Others, written by Dr. Abraham Twerski, Grant wondered what she could "do" to contribute to those in need.

Three years ago, Cynthia contacted Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Pittsburgh branch. Her inspiration, a friend struggling with breast cancer, and her mother-in-law, a 3-time cancer survivor who volunteered her time motivating cancer patients, Cynthia created the "Locket of Love" bracelet to help support the Race for the Cure mission. Cynthia has a new piece that will be launched in May 2008, an additional pink ribbon line titled "Consider the Lilies".

Cynthia not only work designs jewelry for the Komen Foundation, she also designed a piece for the Gateway Rehabilitation Center and the third charity Cynthia is involved with is Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Being a mother of two, she feels very grateful to have access to one of the nations top ten Children's Hospitals.

Cynthia doesn't just stop at making jewelry, through her work with charities she continues to find ways to help those who are suffering. Cynthia was motivated to peruse the ancient Japanese practice of Reiki. During the past year she has become certified as a level II Reiki practitioner. Reiki is the ancient Japanese art of healing and relaxation and is used in many spas and hospitals across the United States. In fact, Grant is involved in a pilot program at Magee Women's Hospital to study the positive effects of Reiki on Chemotherapy patients.

All of her involvement has led Cynthia to establish the White Lotus Reiki Loft, which will be opening May, 2008. It will be located at 53 East Wheeling Street in Washington. She will provide Reiki treatments by appointment and will be offering a variety of products such as hand-made soaps, essential oils and air fresheners, along with organic lotions. All of Grants charity jewelry will be available as well.

Cynthia has recently started an organic line of beauty products. So far the line contains So Zen Lips, So Zen Soap and So Zen Spritzers. So Zen Lips is a luscious lip balm that is crafted with healing organic herbs and nurturing organic oils, providing lasting protection as it softens & moisturizes your lips. So Zen Lips comes in three varities: Citrus, Vanilla & Mint. The So Zen Soap’s base recipe is made from 100% certified organic oils and is purely herbal. The soap is scented with essential oils and colored with organic herbs and plant extracts only. It comes in ten varieties that include: citrus lavender, herb garden, lavender, lemongrass, oatmeal, patchouli, peppermint, pink grapefruit, thyme and unscented. The unscented is perfect for chemotherapy patients or anyone with sensitive skin or an aversion to smells.

On March 22nd Cynthia will be participating in the Susan G. Komen for the cure Survivors Brunch Event. She will be selling her So Zen Organic products as well as jewelry and donating 50% of the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

To find Cynthia's jewelry you can go to cynthiagrantjewelry.com. Each charity has a separate page to show off the jewelry for that charity. To find Cynthia Grant's creations check out her sites, www.compasstar.com, www.neonclockusa.com, www.cynthiagrantjewelry.com, www.reikiforrelaxation.com. The organic body products can be found at www.sozenorganics.com (the site will be up and running at the end of March). You can also contact her at grant@compasstar.com or 724.466.1157 or stop in Collage in the Strip District (2124 Penn Avenue) where Cynthia’s jewelry and organic lines are sold. She might even be there when you stop by.



Homestead
Nicole Sebula

Growing up near Homestead, in the nearby borough of Whitaker, I remember what this town once was. More importantly I recall what Eighth Avenue was to the community. My family and I would spend Saturday mornings shopping on the avenue. The furniture that filled our house came from Katilus’, the shoes I undoubtedly would have on my feet were from Gold’s Shoes, my school uniforms, and so much more all came from the neighborhood shops. I took swimming lessons at the Homestead branch of the Carnegie Library. My preschool, which is now a builder’s outfit, was on the corner of Eighth and Ravine. Standing tall and sturdy, watching over my childhood was the old steel mill.

Today as I walk along Eighth Avenue so many of the buildings are boarded up and without occupants. Some buildings have been torn down and exist only in memory. All of the places that my grandmother would take me are gone. I try to make sense of where I am, get my bearings, but I find I am lost and unable to place where the buildings of my past were.

Homestead’s true existence began in 1880 when Andrew Carnegie handpicked the land for the mill. The mill would employ nearly 4,000 men despite Homestead only having a population of less than 600 people. In 1889 the steel workers, under threat of having their wages cut, declared a strike. William L. Abbott tried to break up the strike but the mill workers became riotous and the sheriff was called in to help calm the situation.

As I walk Eighth Avenue I try to imagine this area as a thriving mill, full of workers sweating for mere pennies on the dollar. It is hard to believe that at one time this area was enclosed by a three-mile long fence that was topped off with barbed wire and platforms for snipers.

In the 1970’s the steel industry was still going strong in Homestead. The mill provided secure employment and good wages. Eighth Avenue had every shop that the teeming community would need: shops for shoes, clothing, groceries, and a pharmacy to name just a few. In a time when most families only had one car, if that, everything being in walking distance was key to the way of life for this community.

After the mill closed in the mid-1980’s Eighth Avenue started to become rundown. Without the employment of the mill, workers and their families started moving out of the area and those who remained did not have the money to shop on the avenue. Eighth Avenue, along with other parts of Homestead, started to resemble a ghost town. One by one the stores closed, windows were broken, and buildings were boarded up. Squatters began taking over.

Recently I toured the area with Daniel Steinitz who is passionately involved in the revitalization of Eighth Avenue. Unfortunately, it is a very slow process. Eighth Avenue is part of three separate boroughs and to get everyone involved (politicians, business leaders, and residents) to agree on a course of action is an almost Herculean task. Also, there are liens on some of the properties owned by disinterested companies and recalcitrant owners who live out of state.

Daniel showed me around The Moose, or more accurately Lodge #60 of The Loyal Order of the Moose, a building which Daniel’s family has purchased and is deep in the process of remodeling. A huge three-story structure, The Moose features gorgeous wooden floors, crown molding, and ornately designed ceilings. Hidden in the basement is an old speakeasy from the 1920s which Daniel hopes to eventually re-open as a bar and restaurant.

To listen to Daniel speak so enthusiastically about what is happening and what has still yet to happen in Homestead is to be swept up in the excitement of all the possibilities that exist for this town.

Later, while sipping chamomile tea in a neighborhood café, I reflect on how unkind the last twenty-five years have been to Homestead. However, there is a glimmer of hope that grows brighter with each passing day. New businesses are beginning to dot Eighth Avenue. The Annex Cookery, Karma, retro, and Waters Edge Tanning and Tattoo bring with them a hope that a true revitalization of Homestead is not far away.

1 comment:

Pittsburgh Artist said...

Excellent historic overview of Homestead. It certainly brings back quite a few memories.