May the Schwartz Be With You!

Here are some highlights from the July 5, 2012 preview market party event at 1317 East Carson Street, soon to be re-opening as Schwartz Living Market! So, someone this past Thursday evening told me if we name the project right, they'll be there shopping. Or was it, if we name a drink after "May the Schwartz Be With You", they'll buy one? How about May the Schwartz Be With You Wheat Grass Juice Shots?!!!

Arlene is Morris Schwartz's granddaughter, and there I am too.  Sarah Ann Schwartz, may she rest in peace, Morris's daughter, and Arlene and Stan's Aunt, was deaf.  I am signing, I love you. Arlene and I are standing in front of Jenna West's Schwartz Living Market display. Jenna has designed our logo, cards, and brochure and there will be more design work coming!

What an amazing evening, this past July 5, 2012, was! Some folks asked why the  @#$% were we having a party when it was renovation and reconstruction we need to be doing? And what will it be? The newly invented Schwartz Market as Schwartz Living Market? What will BE there? So many questions and so few clear answers! So, now you know how this project has been going. We are doing it...ALL... and all at once! We love it and enjoy it, and it can be simply maddening, at times, to do it all. The clarity is coming. It is all developing. Slow development it's called. Hour by hour. Day by Day. And then we sit back, lay back, and in our case, stand tall, and contemplate. And revel in our creation!

Laura, Rachel, Elisa and Stan, and who is that other guy next to Stan? Anyone know him?! 

Stan and Arlene's grandfather was Morris Schwartz. Morris came over to the United States from Hungary in the early part of the century and established Schwartz Market in Pittsburgh's historic South Side. We honor the legacy of Morris Scwartz and his wife Helen Schwartz. I understand they were two amazing, energetic, family and community oriented individuals.

The Schwartz Living Market is to be the engine for green growth for the overall Living Building project we are slowly and mindfully developing. What is a Living Building? Go to the Phipps Conservatory website to check out the almost open Living Building project right here in our own town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Or go to the www.ilbi.org website to read about the details. We are working towards meeting the Living Building Challenge of an existing historic structure. A feat that has not yet been accomplished in this world yet, at least not that I know of. Exciting? You betcha! Why a party? We needed a party just about now!

Thanks SO much to all of you that vended and that participated at our preview market party on July 5, 2012. Below are a few highlights and we will blog with more details in the next days and weeks. The evening was truly fantabulous! Thanks so much to every individual and every family and every vendor. The evening showed us that the space is just perfect as a market space. I was so overwhelmed by the sweet wonderful energy the surrounded us the whole time! I wished the evening had been about three hours longer so I had had time to speak to each individual vendor for at least 15 minutes. I did not make it to each of the booths and did not even realize some of the vendors were there. I sincerely apologize for that from the bottom of my heart. Life and experience teaches so many important lessons, and I feel blessed to be part of all of this!

Thanks for being there and selling your books Patty Lemer, Executive Director of Developmental Delay Resources, and teaching us about Envisioning a Bright Future and selling your books. Thanks Jonothan for the delicious vegetarian food you prepared that will be part of our Transition Kitchen and to your family for being there too.

Thanks Jamie Glover of Global Lovin' one of our permanent vendors, for being there in our five foot deep prototype vendor booth. Your responsibly imported beautiful clothing from Thailand is just magnificent! Who is that standing with you and who is that shopping? Thank you both too!

Thanks Councilman Bill Peduto, and Jim McCue, and Sheila Collins, and that other handsome guy in the photo, for being there!

Dave, Hazel, Bob and Arlene

Thanks Dad for being there. You got to meet Hazel, who is older than you at 101! You were the patriarch and matriarch of the evening. You could feel young at 100 years and 9 months! Bob and Arlene, thank you too for being supportive of this project. Bob worked supplying tea to the Schwartz Market for many years. Both he and his Mom, Hazel have been family friend forever and are now retired, but not tired! We were so lucky Arlene joined us from California!

Incredible original hand painted T-shirts by Thrice Great Apparel

Thanks Miguel Sague, another of the permanent vendors, for your authentic Native American treasures. 

Darrell Frey of Three Sisters Farm and author of the book Bioshelter Market Garden: A Permaculture Farm,  is doing the Permaculture Site Design for the project for 1317 East Carson Street along with Elizabeth Lynch and Tara Alexander. All three of these amazing individuals have been involved in the planning and implementation of this project.

Liz and Jenna in the construction zone!

Thanks Three Sisters Farm and Liz and Darrell for all you are doing!

Thanks Tony Albrect for being the chief architect on the project and explaining to others what this project is all about and for understanding this process!

Thanks Ji, and an extra special thanks to Chad, for organizing the vendors and so much more for this evening and way beyond! 

Laura and Adira, Morris Schwartz's great-grandaughters, are chatting while others watch me take their photo from the Soap Box. The Soap Box 52 will be featured in the market for you to stand up and speak your truth! Non-profits are being offered a vendor booth for between one and three weeks on Saturdays only, for the first year of operation at no charge.

A special thanks to the Pennsylvania Resources Council for supplying the composting and recycling receptacles so this could be a zero waste event and to the Albert of Zerofossil for teaching us about wonderful alternatives to fossil fuels.

 I will go on and on in the next blog to continue to thank all of you that I have not yet mentioned.
Enjoy the photos and keep following this blog for project updates. We project opening by very late summer and with all of your help, we will continue to exceed everyone's expectations!

For more details and if you'd like to vend in the space at 1317 East Carson Street in the new Schwartz Living Market, please contact Pam Barroso at:

pjs787@gmail.com

Elisa Beck:)
http://1317eastcarson.blogspot.com
Like Schwartz Market on Facebook!

You Are Invited!

  

Sunflower shoots, wheat grass and are those sunflowers or pea shoots next? Spring at The Becks Sprout Farm. What is behind this Living Market that will be opening this summer at 1317 East Carson Street this summer? Now is your chance to find out!

You are invited and Save the Date! Come one, Come all! If you are reading this blog, you are invited to our fun(d) raising party on Thursday evening, July 5, 2012, at 1317 East Carson Street from 6:00 to 8:30 PM at the site of the new Schwartz Living Market. The suggested cost for you to grace us with your presence/presents will be between $15 and $100, or more, as we all want to see this project bloom beyond even your wildest expectations! The joy and deep insights that have come our way thus far over the past three years have already exceeded our expectations. What more can we ask for in life?

What will be going on at this fun raiser? You'll meet the zerofossil guy who is using some solar powered batteries to light up a dark corner and power our juicer. You'll see our newly exposed and restored tin ceiling and original wood floors. You'll learn about Permaculture from one of the originals, Darrell Frey, author of Bioshelter Market Garden: A Permaculture Farm, c 2011. You'll have the opposrtunity to purchase a signed copy of his book!  You'll meet lots of local folks running fantastic non-profit organizations in this western Pennsylvania region. You'll be able to buy delicious raw vegan food, drink a few ounces of wheat grass juice, sample and buy Moteasa's hand blended teas, and get up on the soap box to speak, dance or sing your truth, if you'd like to. You'll meet local business owners and be able to buy their wares including the Enchanted Gardeners just a half a block away and Artemis Environmental! Building New Hope will be there with their wonderful fairly trade, organic, shade grown coffee, Cecily of Juice Heaven will be selling her delicious juices, and there will be many vendors including Jenn's Jems, Globallovin with their clothing and accessories, and Miguel Sague with Native American arts and crafts and health and beauty items, and other surprises!

If you are interested in vending in the space when we open our doors this summer, contact Pam Barroso at pjs787@gmail.com, to get a vendor application. The prototype vendor booth is set up for you to see, and the lease agreement ready for you! We will help you in any way we can. There are a few remaining vendor spaces, so time is of the essence if you are interested in journeying with us as a vendor in the space at 1317 East Carson Street on Pittburgh's Historic South Side! Details can be found in the blog entry before this one at http://1317eastcarson.blogspot.com

We look forward to seeing you on July 5! Join us at 5:00 PM to see the South Side screening of Transition 2.0, the international documentary with local stars from The Whitney Avenue Farm LIVE! 


Elisa Beck~~  Schwartz Living Market  ~~~ Join Schwartz Market on Facebook! 

Schwartz Living Market: Call for Vendors!

Schwartz Living Market at 1317 East Carson Street in the heart of Pittsburgh’s historic South Side will be opening this summer, 2012, on Saturdays from 10 AM to 5 PM. We are looking for vendors that are interested in selling delicious healthy foods and drinks, beautiful art and more! There will be 16 vendor booths and a kitchen with a  cafe. The fees for booth rental are $50.00 to $60.00/ day and between $200.00 and $240.00/month at first with three month leases for food vendors, and six month leases for artists and others.  Contact Pam Barroso at 412-315-9319, pjs787@gmail.com for a vendor application. We are working towards forming a cooperative/collaborative among the vendors and plan to expand to six days/week. Join us in the adventure of a life time!

Inside the building we will be showcasing local environmental and other non-profits and educating and engaging the local community about what sustainability and regenerative design and living is all about. If you are involved in a non profit that would like to display inside the market, please contact us!

Our long term project of transforming the building into a Living Building of an existing historic structure that is zero net energy and zero net water is in the works! As you may know, our project has been registered with the International Living Futures Institute for over a year! Pretty cool for the ‘ Burgh and Main Street USA, eh?

Mmm, Mmm, good!

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Schwartz Living Market, Phillips Elementary and Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Collaborate!

The children learned about Joe Liotta and how he has hand painted the signs since 1938!

The students learned about plants and living buildings from Liz Lynch and Tara Alexander. 

Fourth grade students arriving at the market, in the sunshine, for a tour. Was it a long walk?

Schwartz Living Market at 1317 East Carson Street was infused with wonderful energy on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, when over 40 students from South Side's Phillips Elementary School visited. In collaboration with Pittsburgh History and Landmarks, the students had the opportunity to tour the building and learn about the project in the renovation stage. The children were able to learn first hand about the long term "living building" and "green" plans, see the newly exposed and primed original tin ceiling, circa 1850, we think, learn about how ice was used in grocery warehouses to keep food cold, peek into an old walk-in freezer lined with cork, stand in the giant freight elevator and do some awesome drumming to energize themselves, their teachers, and the space!

That's a tall elevator shaft!

Having some fun!

Phillips Elementary students walking from East Carson Street towards Bingham Street under a newly- primed tin ceiling in the Schwartz Market building at 1317 E. Carson Street.

The kids learned about the rhythm of life from Chad and then had their own chance to drum and jingle, and feel the beat!

Thanks so much to Phillips Elementary School, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation and the teachers, interns and parents that made this visit so memorable! Also a huge thanks to the Schwartz Living Market and 1317 E. Carson Street project team!

Phillips Elementary School Visit in March, 2012

Beautiful bright- eyed student at Phillip's Elementary School!

Curious students with wheat grass display.

South Side's Phillips Elementary School in collaboration with Pittsburgh History and Landmarks welcomed participants in the Schwartz Living Market project at 1317 East Carson Street, to their school on Monday, March 19, 2012. Louise Sturgess, Executive Director of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) spoke about the historical nature of the Schwartz Market building and the importance of renovation and business development.  Tony Albrecht, architect on the project, Brad Hochberg, the Energy Guy, and Elisa Beck, family member and the lady that is being called the developer at this moment in time, spoke with the children in two fourth grade classrooms. Stan and Laura Beck, also family members, were there along with several interns from PHLF. Mark, another architect and Tony's assistant, volunteered his time as the tech guy. Thanks so much all of you!

Discussions included what an architect does, the anticipated "living building" features of the newly renovated Schwartz Living Market, how the building will be powered with solar energy somewhat like the Phillip's School, what "living food" is, and what types of living food will be available on-site. The kids sampled some delicious living foods and many enjoyed tasting wheat grass and sprouts more than anyone imagined! May the children lead us...

Louise Sturgess, Executive Director of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation photographing students sampling wheat grass juice. It's alive! What a joy!

Inquisitive student looking at photo of Schwartz Market with architectural plans below. Thanks so much for collaborating with us Phillip's School and Pittsburgh History and Landmarks!

Tony Albrecht, Stan Beck, Laura Beck, interns from PHLF, Elisa Beck, teachers from Phillip's Elementary, Brad Hochberg, Louise Sturgess and Mark.

Brad Hochberg of Energreen asking the children about "green" energy, the sun's energy, and tossing a model of a special energy efficient light bulb. 

Jason McLennan on Community Regeneration and Living Buildings on Monday, February 27, 2012

We will have the opportunity to learn from Jason McLennan as we continue to plan our Living Building Challenge of an existing historic structure at 1317 East Carson Street in Pittsburgh's Historic South Side! How exciting! Jason McLennan, CEO of the Cascadia Green Building Council and founder of the Living Building Challenge, and more, is coming to Pittsburgh.  Come join in on the discussion! See below for details and to register.

 For inquiries about vending and/or being part of the commercial/community kitchen at the upcoming new Schwartz Living Market at 1317 East Carson Street, contact Pam Barroso at 412.315.9319 or pjs787@gmail.com.

Phipps and Green Building Alliance are proud to present two special events with renowned green building expert Jason McLennan on Monday, February 27, 2012: A Lunch and Learn from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and Drinks and Conversation from 5:30-8 p.m. Find more details and register today: http://bit.ly/wCvqbv 
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This coming Mon., Feb. 27, we will be welcoming renowned sustainability expert and founder of the Living Building Challenge, Jason McLennan, to Phipps for two exciting speaking engagements.

Just Announced: Two Chances to Meet Renowned Green Building Expert Jason McLennan! Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Green Building Alliance (GBA) are proud to present two special events at the Conservatory with renowned green building expert Jason McLennan on February 27, 2012: A Lunch and Learn from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and Drinks and Conservation from 5:30-8 p.m. One of the most influential players in the movement today, McLennan has had a major impact on the direction of green building in the U.S. and Canada. Among his many accolades, he is founder of the Living Building Challenge (an international green building program through which Phipps is seeking certification for the Center for Sustainable Landscapes); CEO of the Cascadia Green Building Council (the Pacific Northwest's leading organization in the field of green building and sustainable development); and co-creator of Pharos, the most advanced building material rating system in North America. McLennan's Lunch and Learn presentation will focus on the topic of community regeneration and living buildings, while the Drinks and Conversation talk will cover the Living Building Challenge and more. Read more about McLennan » LUNCH AND LEARN 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. $25 Phipps and GBA Members; $35 Non-Members Enjoy a delicious lunch served in Phipps' beautiful, eco-friendly Special Events Hall as you learn. Vegetarian and other special dietary options will be available. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. Register now! DRINKS AND CONVERSATION 5:30–8 p.m. $5 Phipps and GBA Members; $10 Non-Members Join us for a special evening of networking and conversation surrounded by the lush greenery of Phipps' new Tropical Forest India exhibit. Price of ticket includes admission to Phipps, one drink ticket and light hors d'oeuvres. A cash bar will also be available. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. Register now! Please help us spread the word by forwarding this e-mail widely to friends, family and colleagues, and let's give Jason McLennan a warm Pittsburgh welcome. We look forward to seeing you, too! Photos by Paul g. Wiegman and Paul Dunn for YES! Magazine phipps.conservatory.org | One Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Follow us: Twitter :: Facebook

Happy 2012! Thanks for the signs Joe! Seventy four years and counting!

The clean up is under way at 1317 East Carson Street. The frontage on E. Carson Street is undergoing a transformation and plans include re-opening the food business in the spring. There will be many booths for rent. Rental details will be available soon. Stay tuned ! Here's to a Happy, Healthy and Fun 2012!

Joe Liotta has been painting the signs for the windows of Schwartz Market since 1938!