Anyone who watches HGTV should be familiar with the growing popularity of small houses. On the show they call them a tiny house. These houses are sometimes less than 400 square feet in size.
While I was doing a show recently at Homewood AME Zion Church a friend told me she saw a “tiny house” around the corner from the church. A tiny house in Homewood? I had to go and investigate. It looks like a tiny house but it isn’t one. The sign on the house reads: Business of Humanity Project and Oasis Farm & Fishery presents Off-Grid DC- Powered Laboratory. DC stands for direct current. Thank goodness for a phone with a camera because I did not have time to write all that down. I looked it up when I got home and found only a YouTube video that showed the building of the project but clearly explained what is going on. I highly recommend that if you live in or near Homewood that you will watch the video. I think you should watch it about three or four times to get the full explanation of what is happening. I think this is just the first of a transformation for Homewood.
This building is one of the first of its kind. This project is to energize and uplift low-income neighborhoods. This is a state of the art custom designed green house. Expected to cost less than AC power from the grid. According to the YouTube video Homewood is considered a food desert and this project is in partnership with the Bible Center Church. It is meant to improve the lives of the people in Homewood provide better and more accessible food and this is the first step in a multiyear plan.
Also happening in Homewood did you know that Ahmad Sandidge Photography moved from Penn Avenue to Homewood Avenue right in the heart of Homewood? He is one of my favorite photographers and says he is very happy to be back in the neighborhood of his childhood. I suggest you stop by and give him some business.
Speaking of moves A Woman’s Touch has landed in the Penn Hills Shopping Center. Owner Leah Thomas was formerly in Swissvale on Noble Avenue. Many people have been looking for the store and have asked me where she is. So your roving East of Pittsburgh reporter has found her and the store is going to be beautiful. It is a large store with plenty of room for in store fashion shows and best of all there is free parking. And yes she has plenty of hats that she is famous for. Ladies if you are heading to the Hat Luncheon or the Kentucky Derby this is the place to pick up your hat or fascinator.
While I was in Homewood I stopped at a store called Bold and Beautiful Boutique on Hamilton Avenue. The store is small but chic. I recommend if you are in the area and the store is open stop in you never know what you might find.
(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
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