Month: January 2014

01/30 2014

Summer Employment Opp From URA for Teaching Artist – RFP Info Session Feb 6, 6pm

SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FROM THE URA FOR TEACHING ARTIST
Urban Matters -URA Request for Project-Based Summer Residency
Sent 01/30/2014 @ 7:42 pm

Dear District 6 Constituents:

The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) seeks an
experienced digital visual media Teaching Artist to conduct a
project-based summer residency with high school age Pittsburgh youth for
its Urban Matters Pilot Program. For a copy of the full RFP Contact:LeTaj Tinker – 412-255-6689; ltinker@ura.org

Urban Matters is an arts- and design-based program for youths, ages 14-18, who live in Pittsburgh’s distressed neighborhoods.  It was developed to teach them how to examine and communicate URA and other key civic processes in order to gain an understanding for themselves, and to be able to communicate these processes to their peers, community residents and other stakeholders.

RFP Issued:January 24, 2014
RFP Information Session: February 6, 2014 from 6-7 PM
URA, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, PA  15219; 13th floor
RFP Due:Friday, February 14, 2014 at Noon
*Applicant Notification:Friday, February 28, 2014
Primary Contact:Karen Abrams – 412-255-6425; kabrams@ura.org
Inquiries Contact:LeTaj Tinker – 412-255-6689; ltinker@ura.org
01/30 2014

Frazier Fieldhouse Events for this weekend cancelled

Due to some weather affecting getting the word out and planning, and lack of RSVPs, the events for kids on Friday January 31 and adults on Saturday February 1 have been cancelled.
The next monthly events will be Friday February 28th for the kids and Saturday March 1st for adults.  The general details in previous email are still good.  Another email will go out with any updates after the SONG meeting on Tuesday February 4.
 
We hope to see you soon!
 

South Oakland Neighborhood Group (SONG)

01/30 2014

Public Hearing And Post Agenda On Land Banking Bill – Thu 2/6/14 1pm

Public Hearing and Post Agenda to focus on Land Banking Bill currently under consideration in City Council
Sent 01/29/2014 @ 10:53 am
Greetings Residents and Neighbors of District 6-
In late 2012, the State of Pennsylvania passed legislation authorizing municipalities to create land banks, entities that acquire, manage and dispose of vacant, abandoned and tax delinquent properties to facilitate their redevelopment and reuse.
City Council is currently reviewing an ordinance that would create a land bank for the City of Pittsburgh (to access a copy, click here). The legislation will forever change how real property and development are dealt with in Pittsburgh. In District 6, certain neighborhoods, such as the Hill District, Perry North and South, hold up to 50% of properties which would be eligible for the land bank.
Some key highlights in the bill include:
  • The creation of a new authority in the City to manage the land bank
  • The creation of a Mayoral controlled board to oversee the authority with no formal oversight or checks and balances from City Council
  • The ability for the authority to seize any and all property they deem necessary including owner occupied, tax-delinquent property
  • The lack of a process for formal community input
Given the significant impact this legislation will have on the City of Pittsburgh and in our District, it is important to inform ourselves of the bill’s provisions, its implications, and to discuss how it could be improved to better serve the interests of our communities. To this end, I encourage you to attend a Pubic Hearing being held on Thursday, February 6, at 1pm in Council Chambers to share your thoughts on the Land Bank bill. There will also be a Post Agenda on the subject the same day,February 6, 2pm in Council Chambers.
I look forward to seeing you there, as we work together to craft a bill that truly benefits the residents of our district and the greater City of Pittsburgh.
Sincerely,
R. Daniel Lavelle
01/29 2014

Work this weekend on Bates St – Feb 1, 2

A contractor Bartlett will be conducting work on Bates Street this weekend.
 
The crews will arrive at 7:30am on Saturday, February 1 and work until 5pm.  If they don’t finish on Saturday, then they will be back on Sunday at 7:30am and will work until the job is finished.
 
The scope of work includes the removal of dead invasive trees and vines on the North bound side of Bates St.  The cleanup effort will focus in the first 20ft. from the edge of the road.   They have received approval from PennDot to conduct this work and have gotten permission to temporarily close a lane. 
01/28 2014

Mayor Peduto Orders Warming Shelters Open, Refuse Collection Delay Ahead Of Polar Vortex

With temperatures forecast to to dip below zero and wind chills as low as -15 degrees tomorrow, Mayor William Peduto has ordered refuse collection to be suspended for Tuesday only and for warming centers to be activated across the City.

“Temperatures tomorrow will again be potentially hazardous and we all must take precautions to make sure our friends and neighbors are safe,” said the Mayor.

Refuse, bulk waste and recycling collection will be delayed by one day, with trash collection starting again on Wednesday. The schedule will proceed as follows:  If your scheduled day of collection is Tuesday, Jan. 28, you will be serviced on Wednesday, Jan. 29 and so on for the remainder of the week. This will continue through the end of the week with Friday’s normally scheduled collection being picked up on Saturday.

In addition, warming centers will be available for residents who need them. All city facilities will be open tomorrow, including senior centers, and will function as warming centers throughout the day.  Five warming center locations will be open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. both Tuesday and Wednesday as well:

CITY WARMING CENTERS (MAP)
Greenfield Healthy Active Living Center 745 Greenfield Avenue 412-422-6551
Homewood Healthy Active Living Center 7321 Frankstown Avenue 412-244-4190
South Side Healthy Active Living Center 12th and Bingham Streets 412-488-8404
Sheraden Healthy Active Living Center 720 Sherwood Avenue 412-777-5012
North Side, Allegheny Center Healthy Active Living Center Allegheny Square 412-323-7239

If temperatures dip to unsafe levels this evening or thereafter, or if there are power or heat outages, the city will work with the American Red Cross to provide overnight shelter for residents needing assistance.

01/28 2014

Black History Month Exhibit

In celebration of Black History Month, the City of Pittsburgh will collaborate with Toonseum to present a monthlong exhibition in the lobby of the City-County Building titled “Beyond the Funny Pages:  The works of art and life captured in comics.”

The public is invited to attend a reception for the opening of the exhibit on Monday, February 3, 2014 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. The reception will include refreshments, musical entertainment and remarks by Mayor William Peduto and other individuals involved with the City’s Black History Month celebration.

Black History Month Exhibit

01/28 2014

Register for 2014 Great Race

Register today for the 37th running of the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield – which will take place on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014.

“Early Bird” pricing – $25 (or 2 for $40 discount) – will be available to the first 6,000 runners and walkers who register.

Also the Dollar Bank Junior Great Race Set for Sunday, Sept. 21

Press Release | RunGreatRace.com

01/28 2014

KICO’s Oakland Adopt-A-Block Events Through April 2014

OPDC’s Keep it Clean, Oakland program works with college groups each month who have “adopted blocks” and made commitments to do monthly clean-ups of these blocks throughout the year. If you see these students on your block, please introduce yourself!  Feel free to join in.  The next few tentative Saturday dates are

  • February 8th and 22nd
  • March 1st and 22nd
  • April 5th and 26th

For more information, contact kico@opdc.org or 412.621,7863 ext. 24.

Alpha Phi Omega Ophelia St, Hamlet St, Craft Pl
Asian Leadership Program Blvd of the Allies
Bachelors of Art in Social Work (BASW) Club Frazier St, Boehm St, Griffith St
Beta Beta Beta Craft Ave, Joe Hammer Sq, Kennet Sq, Niagara St
Cornerstone Blvd of the Allies, Zulema, Wellsford, Nimrod
Kappa Sigma Hardie Way, Juliet St, Romeo, Gorman, Cato
Lambda Kappa Sigma Dawson St.
Pi Lambda Phi Orpwood St, Edgehill St., Childs Way
Pitt Circle K Halket St., Halket Pl. & Louisa Staircase
Sigma Beta Rho Lawn St
Tau Kappa Epsilon Ward St.
Triangle Fraternity Parkview
Phi Sigma Pi National Honors Hodge St, Mackey St

 

01/27 2014

Repeating Cold Weather Safety Info

Given the weather forcast for severely cold weather over the next few days, we’re repeating some cold weather safety info.
COLD WEATHER SAFETY
As the temperatures are forecast to drop over the next few days we ask that you take precautions to keep warm. Please review the following steps if you have to go outdoors.
  • Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight and warm clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded. 
  • Wear a hat, because 40% of your body heat can be lost from your head.
  • Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
  • Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. 
  • Try to stay dry and out of the wind.
Also, please be sure to check on elderly loved ones and neighbors to make sure they are staying warm and dry.  And check on any outside pets, or even consider bringing them inside.
01/26 2014

Social events at Frazier Fieldhouse – Fri Jan 31, 5-7pm and Sat Feb 1, 7-10pm

This week is our first planned monthly kids movie night and adult get-togethers at the Frazier Fieldhouse adjacent to Dan Marino Field on Frazier St.  Any volunteers, donations of food or beverages, or even lending of movies is encouraged and welcome.

Friday January 31st is the kids movie night from 5pm-7pm.

  • Due to the size of the building and limited people to run the event, we are limiting the number of children to 30, so signing up beforehand is recommended.  Please include child’s name, parents’ names, address and contact number.
  • Children ages 5-15 are welcome.  Any children ages 5-9 are required to have a parent or older sibling to accompany them.
  • Some food/snacks will be provided, but parents must provide and coordinate any special diet or other restrictions.
  • Donations of snacks and beverages are definitely welcome.
  • All children MUST be picked up by 7pm.

Saturday February 1st is the adult get-together from 7pm-10pm.

  • For this first event, we are planning more of an eat, meet and greet so that neighbors can introduce themselves and discuss topics of interest and ideas for future events like like music, movies, games, etc.
  • This event is for ages 21 and older.
  • Due to the size of the building and limited people to run the event, we are limiting the number of adults to 40, so signing up beforehand is recommended.  Please include your name, address and contact number.
  • Donations of a covered dish, hors d’oeuvres, snacks and beverages are definitely welcome.
  • Anyone that would like to share some of their favorite beer or wine for their neighbors to try is also welcome.  To avoid this becoming a “bar” night, we ask that you limit to one or two drinks total per person.

We reserve the right to ask anyone who is disruptive at any event to leave.

Please RSVP via email or talk to Janet Sims in person.

Just a heads-up, the second monthly events will be Friday February 28th for the kids and Saturday March 1st for adults.

01/19 2014

Pittsburgh museums offer February freebies

Nine Pittsburgh-area cultural organizations are thanking supporters by offering free admission to members of the following participating museums on select dates next month. In other words, members of any participating museum gets free admission at any of the other eight on designated days.

Free admission extends to two adults and four children.

They (and the dates) are:

  • Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Feb. 1
  • Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Feb. 2
  • Sen. John Heinz History Center, Feb. 8
  • Mattress Factory, Feb. 9
  • Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Feb. 15
  • Frick Art & Historical Center, Feb. 16
  • Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Feb. 17
  • Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Feb. 22
  • National Aviary, Feb. 23
Original article